Bill and Hillary are on the campaign trail making appearances on talk shows around the country. If you own a TV, you have seen them somewhere in the last two weeks. They have covered the Today Show, Letterman, Larry King, Oprah, and Ellen. Not too shabby for the post-Labor Day blitz.
But does anyone else feel that it is a bit strange that they aren't appearing anywhere together, and that there is a distinct Clintonian advantage as they double-team the country?
More than a blitz, this feels more like a full-court press.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Defeating the Purpose: Volunteering in America
I have to admit, I was a bit jaded when I saw this piece pop up in Time Magazine because I pitched the same story to Philly Weekly about two months ago and got the cold shoulder. However it's refreshing to know that someone picked it up... it needed to be done, and what better venue.
Our country is changing, as are the priorities of our youth. I went to Washington D.C. in June on a lead from a friend about a protest to end the occupation of Palestinian territories. Originally, I was told that the Palestinian front was going to hold their rally on the east lawn of the Capitol Building, a Zionist group was setting up camp on the west lawn - which is a formula for disaster - and that the Capitol Police were revoking licenses for barricades between the two groups because of a Gay Pride event taking place down the street. It was an odd mix that day.
That was not the case when I got there. Three city blocks and a monumental fountain sufficiently separated everyone.
Nevertheless, I was fascinated by the concentration of gray-haired hippies in the crowd, and the ethnic diversity amongst the much smaller percentage of young people participating.
Naturally, I went to find out more about the disparity by talking to the young people.
The findings were interesting. On both sides of the fence, the fountain and the political issue, the majority of the youth were not there to voice a concern, they didn't want to dialog with the opposition, they on a mission to educate or even to get their side of the issue heard. They participated because it made them feel as though they were doing something for the cause they were so passionate about. It made them feel good.
This is the new wave of community service. More young people are signing up for programs like Teach for America, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps. each year, and they are also finding new outlets to serve their communities. It's a movement being exhibited all around the country - service for service sake - and the way it is happening is a postmodern conception.
This weeks cover story, "A Time to Serve" honored some of New Yorks leaders in community service, and it detailed several ways to get involved.
This kind of service is inspiring politicians to bring service under some sort of federal control to help funding reach more people and to get everyone involved. In fact. according to the article, 70 percent of Americans are in favor of a universal service plan in the US. Proposals are currently in Congress that would create just such a national service program. Some have even suggested creating a cabinet position for national service and volunteerism. FDR would be impressed.
However most of the programs being proposed are offering services presently met by other organizations - public, private and nonprofit alike - there is a movement to develop a system in which these organizations could collaborate with federal support. This raises the question, why recreate the wheel if its is rolling toward progress? Of the 10 recommendations discussed in the Time article, five of the are replicas of existing programs, and two were bond measures. So much for service for service sake.
The fact is that this trend toward community service among young people would be stifled by government involvement. Why?
As the author of the piece states in the article, "People, especially young people, the the government and the public sphere are broken, but they feel they can personally make a difference through community service." They will not contribute to a broken system.
The postmodern youth are too smart for that. They believe in their communities. They believe in the small, nuclear groups that they can touch. They don't trust the big guns of the federal government, nor do they respect it. Believe it. They will see many of the proposed programs are thinly veiled attempts manipulate people into civil or military, rather than community, service while simultaneously removing the burden of certain social programs from the central government.
The best example of this is the proposal to create a National-Service Baby Bond. The concept here is that the government would create a bond in every American child's name at birth which could be applied to college education under the condition that the child commits to one year of military service.
Bear in mind that at 7 percent interest, the $5,000 bond would be worth about $19,000 by the time th child turns 20. Let's do the math here. A child born tomorrow will graduate high school at 17 in 2025. That child, say he/she volunteers for military service straight out of high school, will complete his/her one-year military commitment at age 18 in 2026. If he/she goes directly to college, he/she will still be too young to reap the full benefit of the $19,000, so say there is a student loan taken to cover tuition until the bond matures. Interest must be paid on the student loan, generally around 4 percent. The majority of student loans are federal, so that 4 percent goes back to Uncle Sam.
Also consider that the present growth rate for tuition is approximately 7 percent annually (7.1 percent last year, out-pacing inflation and taking the annual average to over $30K according to an October 2006 CNN Money report), so in the end, the bond will only cover the growth difference.
The gray-haired hippies still attending Washington protests might think mandatory volunteerism is a great idea. Most Democrats do too. But don't expect America's youth to embrace the idea. If you want everyone to volunteer, leave them alone. Leave them to their own devices to see the benefits that lie on the other end of getting involved.
Our country is changing, as are the priorities of our youth. I went to Washington D.C. in June on a lead from a friend about a protest to end the occupation of Palestinian territories. Originally, I was told that the Palestinian front was going to hold their rally on the east lawn of the Capitol Building, a Zionist group was setting up camp on the west lawn - which is a formula for disaster - and that the Capitol Police were revoking licenses for barricades between the two groups because of a Gay Pride event taking place down the street. It was an odd mix that day.
That was not the case when I got there. Three city blocks and a monumental fountain sufficiently separated everyone.
Nevertheless, I was fascinated by the concentration of gray-haired hippies in the crowd, and the ethnic diversity amongst the much smaller percentage of young people participating.
Naturally, I went to find out more about the disparity by talking to the young people.
The findings were interesting. On both sides of the fence, the fountain and the political issue, the majority of the youth were not there to voice a concern, they didn't want to dialog with the opposition, they on a mission to educate or even to get their side of the issue heard. They participated because it made them feel as though they were doing something for the cause they were so passionate about. It made them feel good.
This is the new wave of community service. More young people are signing up for programs like Teach for America, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps. each year, and they are also finding new outlets to serve their communities. It's a movement being exhibited all around the country - service for service sake - and the way it is happening is a postmodern conception.
This weeks cover story, "A Time to Serve" honored some of New Yorks leaders in community service, and it detailed several ways to get involved.
This kind of service is inspiring politicians to bring service under some sort of federal control to help funding reach more people and to get everyone involved. In fact. according to the article, 70 percent of Americans are in favor of a universal service plan in the US. Proposals are currently in Congress that would create just such a national service program. Some have even suggested creating a cabinet position for national service and volunteerism. FDR would be impressed.
However most of the programs being proposed are offering services presently met by other organizations - public, private and nonprofit alike - there is a movement to develop a system in which these organizations could collaborate with federal support. This raises the question, why recreate the wheel if its is rolling toward progress? Of the 10 recommendations discussed in the Time article, five of the are replicas of existing programs, and two were bond measures. So much for service for service sake.
The fact is that this trend toward community service among young people would be stifled by government involvement. Why?
As the author of the piece states in the article, "People, especially young people, the the government and the public sphere are broken, but they feel they can personally make a difference through community service." They will not contribute to a broken system.
The postmodern youth are too smart for that. They believe in their communities. They believe in the small, nuclear groups that they can touch. They don't trust the big guns of the federal government, nor do they respect it. Believe it. They will see many of the proposed programs are thinly veiled attempts manipulate people into civil or military, rather than community, service while simultaneously removing the burden of certain social programs from the central government.
The best example of this is the proposal to create a National-Service Baby Bond. The concept here is that the government would create a bond in every American child's name at birth which could be applied to college education under the condition that the child commits to one year of military service.
Bear in mind that at 7 percent interest, the $5,000 bond would be worth about $19,000 by the time th child turns 20. Let's do the math here. A child born tomorrow will graduate high school at 17 in 2025. That child, say he/she volunteers for military service straight out of high school, will complete his/her one-year military commitment at age 18 in 2026. If he/she goes directly to college, he/she will still be too young to reap the full benefit of the $19,000, so say there is a student loan taken to cover tuition until the bond matures. Interest must be paid on the student loan, generally around 4 percent. The majority of student loans are federal, so that 4 percent goes back to Uncle Sam.
Also consider that the present growth rate for tuition is approximately 7 percent annually (7.1 percent last year, out-pacing inflation and taking the annual average to over $30K according to an October 2006 CNN Money report), so in the end, the bond will only cover the growth difference.
The gray-haired hippies still attending Washington protests might think mandatory volunteerism is a great idea. Most Democrats do too. But don't expect America's youth to embrace the idea. If you want everyone to volunteer, leave them alone. Leave them to their own devices to see the benefits that lie on the other end of getting involved.
Eggs Hot on Syria
Pope Benedict XVI was today in Syria to meet with Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa to discuss Syria's role in restoring peace in the Middle East. The International Herald Tribune reported that the pope focused on the condition of Christians in Syria and the international influence presently held by Syrian leadership.
Seems the Vatican's stance is that Damascus is going to be a key factor in developing peace throughout the region. No doubt this will prove to be true if Syria continues to hold its doors open to refugees from Palestine and Iraq, a practice supported by the pope. But policy seems to be shifting in another direction.
Reuters reported Monday that Syria is to have imposed visa requirements on Iraqi nationals, limiting entry to those in the economic, commercial and scientific sectors, in a bid to control the flood of Iraqi refugees into the country. This moves is to take effect on September 10.
The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees estimates that Syria is presently hosting approximately one million Iraqi refugees, and that number is growing by 30 thousand each month.
Seems the Vatican's stance is that Damascus is going to be a key factor in developing peace throughout the region. No doubt this will prove to be true if Syria continues to hold its doors open to refugees from Palestine and Iraq, a practice supported by the pope. But policy seems to be shifting in another direction.
Reuters reported Monday that Syria is to have imposed visa requirements on Iraqi nationals, limiting entry to those in the economic, commercial and scientific sectors, in a bid to control the flood of Iraqi refugees into the country. This moves is to take effect on September 10.
The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees estimates that Syria is presently hosting approximately one million Iraqi refugees, and that number is growing by 30 thousand each month.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Bucs Season Looks Uphill From Here
I miss Mike Alstott! And I miss Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Simeon Rice.Whatever happened to the days of the dominant defense at Raymond James?
The Bucs season is shaping up much like every every one in the past - with weak prospects. The defense last season left us wanting and the inability to find a solid quarterback made offensive development difficult at best.
So far, this season isn't looking to much different.
Signing Jeff Garcia after his strong 2006 season with the Eagles had eyebrows raised across the country. Garcia looked great in the preseason, but one week to regular season and coach Jon Gruden still could not commit to him as his starting QB. There are currently two other QB's fighting for that spot. Gruden is still flirting with the idea of putting the ball in the slippery hands of Chris Simms (spleen). He should some play time this weekend. Bruce Gradkowski, last years surprise rookie performer has been solid throughout the preseason. Frankly, any of these guys will do, but Gruden needs to make up his mind already. The team has got to have time to adjust to the leadership of their quarterback and going into the first game without a settled starter is never a good sign.
Receivers are unreliable based on the past performances. Word on the street is that the Bucs are shopping WR Michael Clayton. So that leaves Joey Galloway.
Galloway has been consistent over the past three seasons with the Bucs - last year he gained more than a thousand yards, averaging 17 per reception. For a team without a quarterback, that's not bad. But Galloway is 35-years old and not getting any younger. The question will be if he has what it takes to lead this offense.
The Bucs lost their long-time offensive anchor in full-back Mike Alstott when he announced his retirement on Aug. 9. And just this week Gruden cut problem child Michael Pittman. As a running team, the Bucs might be in trouble. But, who knows, maybe there is a surprise up Gruden's sleeve. Somehow they are currently ranked 3rd in the league in preseason rushing yards. Rookie Rb Ken Darby out of Alabama can take credit for that, and there is also the powerhouse Cadillac Williams. Though Williams charged out of the gate strong with a huge first season in 2005, he did not quite meet expectations last year rushing for less than 800 yards. The Bucs need him to step up this year.
Defense is a scary place to be for the Bucs. After winning the 2003 Superbowl, key players like Warren Sapp left, Tony Dungy's defense was dismantled and Jon Gruden has been trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again ever since.
There has been a lot of chatter about LB Jeremiah Trotter working out with the Bucs this past week after being released from the Eagles last Tuesday. But Trot was allegedly released from Philadelphia due to his weight and lack of mobility. Though his experience and leadership might be just what the Bucs defense needs, he may have a hard time adjusting to the high-speed cover-2 defense in Tampa.
Ronde Barber is always a influential presence on the field, but he's getting old over at Corner.
Julian Jenkins is solid, but his isn't the dominating force of Simeon Rice. And, Jermain Phillips may have come up with 2 picks last season back at strong safety, but the Bucs haven't been able to recover from the loss of leader-safety John Lynch.
There is still work to do on the defense, and the shape up of the D-Line will make or break this teams season.
Larry Craig is NOT GAY!
So the story on this has shifted in the media from the facts to the sound bytes, and the one that is sticking is:
"I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn't eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway because I'm not gay."
Story in brief, in case you missed the first two minutes of coverage and are at a loss on why this guy is so emphatically defending his sexual orientation, is that Craig was arrested on June 11 after an incident in a Minneapolis airport restroom.
Apparently Craig was rolled into a sting operation that was being conducted by the police to catch men using this particular bathroom to commit "lewd acts." Edward Morrissey gives a great synopsis of the arresting officer's statements on Captain's Quarters.
So, why is this such a big deal?
If coverage of this story emphasized the fact that Craig was allegedly abusing his position to escape arrest, and that he shunned his duty as a civil servant by not being forthright about his arrest, Craig's constituents would have been equally harsh on the Senator and the image of political leadership in America would not have been tarnished with yet another sex scandal.
Instead, this has become a media assault on the purity of the Republican party which bears the public label of the "party of conservative moral values."
"I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn't eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway because I'm not gay."
Story in brief, in case you missed the first two minutes of coverage and are at a loss on why this guy is so emphatically defending his sexual orientation, is that Craig was arrested on June 11 after an incident in a Minneapolis airport restroom.
Apparently Craig was rolled into a sting operation that was being conducted by the police to catch men using this particular bathroom to commit "lewd acts." Edward Morrissey gives a great synopsis of the arresting officer's statements on Captain's Quarters.
So, why is this such a big deal?
- First, everyone knows that if you tap your right foot in a men's room, you are looking for sexual favors... right? The story itself is vague enough to make the details irrelevant and still allow room for the media to paint this highly conservative Senator as a creep. After all, there is no need to bog down a great headline with the details of the story. Key words: sex scandal. They always make great press.
- Second, Craig's conduct upon arrest was pompous and obnoxious. Apparently, the Senator passed the arresting officer a business card to prove that he was in fact a Senator. Of course, no one wants to face the fact that this is standard procedure for our leaders in this country and that one of the perks of public office is the VIP treatment. Public officials receive special treatment every day. But Craig is being chastised for expecting to receive what Kat Williams would refer to as a "hook up."
- Finally, we should be looking at Craig's advisers on this one and questioning their judgment. After all, this botched political strategy most likely killed Craig's career. Craig did not go public after his arrest. Instead he went to court on the matter over the summer, plead guilty and prayed the whole thing would go away. Unfortunately for him, it didn't. It came out from under Craig's rug three months later with a neon sign attached to the front of it that flashes with the word "SCANDAL."
If coverage of this story emphasized the fact that Craig was allegedly abusing his position to escape arrest, and that he shunned his duty as a civil servant by not being forthright about his arrest, Craig's constituents would have been equally harsh on the Senator and the image of political leadership in America would not have been tarnished with yet another sex scandal.
Instead, this has become a media assault on the purity of the Republican party which bears the public label of the "party of conservative moral values."
Wisc. Attorney Finds Goat's Head in Office
A Milwaukee attorney may have been expecting Victoria's Secret gift set from a client Victoria's Secret when a pink bag was found outside of her office. Instead, attorney Robin Shellow found a bloody goat's head.
There was a note in the goat's mouth which reportedly contained a name, but not the name of a suspect.
So far, Milwaukee police have been unable to trace where it came from. They have checked area meat-packing plants but found none that processed goats.
The culprit is either a practitioner of Santeria or an enormous fan of CSI. This story is somewhat reminiscent of that episode of CSI:Miami when they discovered a goat's head in the closet of a dead woman (CSI:Miami, Curse of the Coffin, 2006). Based on Shellow's somewhat tongue-in-cheek response, she might actually agree.
"August 27th was a full moon and also a lunar eclipse. It is my understanding there haven't been any of our elected officials' sons or daughters charged with slashing tires or voter fraud, and since I haven't invented any new criminal defenses for any clients in the last few months, I assume the individual was trying to get my attention."
Shellow may be best known recently for representing one of the men convicted of slashing the tires of Republican campaign workers in Milwaukee during the 2004 presidential race.
Check out video on the story here.
Taking the Side of Bush
President Bush was in New Orleans to remember the one of the nations largest natural disasters in history which occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck two years ago today.
The president arrived in the region on Tuesday, meeting Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin at the city's famous Dooky Chase restaurant.
He praised the efforts of the people of New Orleans in their efforts to rehabilitate the city.
Mr Bush observed a moment of silence at the Dr Martin Luther King Charter School for Math and Science, the first school to reopen in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward, one of the areas most affected by the flooding.
"Hurricane Katrina broke the levees, it broke a lot of hearts, it destroyed buildings, but it didn't affect the spirit of this community," he said in a speech after the ceremony.
Mr Bush listed federal government moves to get the ravaged city back on its feet, including the $114bn (£57bn) allocated for the relief and rebuilding efforts.
Props to him for not giving into the frustrations expressed by many about the tediousness of the reconstruction effort, or the blame game being played by Nagin and Blanco.
Nagin refused to share the stage with the President.
The president arrived in the region on Tuesday, meeting Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin at the city's famous Dooky Chase restaurant.
He praised the efforts of the people of New Orleans in their efforts to rehabilitate the city.
Mr Bush observed a moment of silence at the Dr Martin Luther King Charter School for Math and Science, the first school to reopen in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward, one of the areas most affected by the flooding.
"Hurricane Katrina broke the levees, it broke a lot of hearts, it destroyed buildings, but it didn't affect the spirit of this community," he said in a speech after the ceremony.
Mr Bush listed federal government moves to get the ravaged city back on its feet, including the $114bn (£57bn) allocated for the relief and rebuilding efforts.
Props to him for not giving into the frustrations expressed by many about the tediousness of the reconstruction effort, or the blame game being played by Nagin and Blanco.
Nagin refused to share the stage with the President.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Holocaust denials hot, but are they legit?
There are always interesting and thought provoking emails coming across my screen. I received one today that begged an investigation into its validity. I was fascinated by what I found, and reassured when I put the issue into logical focus.
It read:
Anti-Semite Rationale
Now it is not an unnatural idea to grasp, but Palestinians and Arabs, in turn are generally anti-Semetic groups. They hate the Jews. So, is it logical that they would resent the global attention given to The Holocaust. It's a natural progression to understand that they would deny any harm done to Jews throughout the world. And with this in mind, it then makes sense that they would draw resentment over the fact that genocides around the globe - Armenia, Durfur and Rwanda as examples - are drawing such limited response or concern from the global community in general and the Western world in specific.
Muslim Rationale
Muslims in general can't be labeled as universal Holocaust deniers. And we must remember most Muslims are not anti-Semetic. Radio Islam did a piece on this very issue and concluded: "For purposes of their own, powerful special interest groups desperately seek to keep substantive discussion of the Holocaust story taboo. One of the ways they do this is by purposely mis-characterizing revisionist scholars as 'deniers.' But the truth can't be suppressed forever: There is a very real and growing controversy about what actually happened to Europe's Jews during World War II. Let this issue be settled as all great historical controversies are resolved: through free inquiry and open debate in our journals, newspapers and classrooms."
They did not embrace the statements of the deniers, and they agreed that this is a topic which needs to be examined through open-minded and academic means.
So the removal of The Holocaust from United Kingdom curriculi cannot be directly attributed to the Mulim community.
Radical Islamic Rationale
Radical Islamic leadership, however, have embraced this idea of Holocaust denial. In April of 2000, a senior member of Hamas issued the following statement in Stockholm:
Ahmedinajad and the Iranian Rationale
As for Mohamed Ahmendinajad, it is important to realize that the man may be the president of Iran, but according to the constitution of Iran he is powerless for all intents and purposes. He is a figure-head with less power than Prince Charles of Wales. While he is a public figure, and a representative of the government, his statements often differ from the official line of the Iranian government and he is often denounced for being too outlandish and a showman to the point of self-indulgence.
Though he never specifically denied the Holocaust, quotes I found from President Ahmedinajad implied that he feels the number of Jews reported to be killed as part of the Holocaust was inflated to gain sympathy throughout the world for the Jewish cause. For example but that it was unconfirmed and therefore untrue. He used the reaction of the press and the people to draw attention to a new agenda he is promoting: encouraging the European states to create a Zionist homeland in Europe rather than continuing to for the Arab nations to endure the Jews.
I could find no material in which Ahmedinajad's statements are were endorsed by the Iranian government. But there is no real benefit to Iran in denying The Holocaust. There will be no revision of Israeli territories, nor will there by any additional aid or clemency awarded to Iran as a result. A public denial of the Holocaust only positions Iran even more in conflict with the West and reinforced the image being painted of the country as backward, confrontational, ignorant and irrational.
But, in a Boston Globe article from December 2006, discussed the preparations being made for a Holocaust denial conference in Iran. It said "Last week, as he prepared for the conference [Khaled Mahameed, an Arab citizen of Israel] told the Globe that his message to Ahmadinejad would be: "Do not deny or even argue about the authenticity of the Holocaust. By doing this, you are not helping the Palestinian people. You are hurting their cause.'"
Perhaps this is a more official stance for the Iranian people.
UPDATE
As for the Jewish / Israeli Rationale, (neccessary to provide balance as I was informed by the person who sent the original email)
Ummm.... I think they were there.
It read:
In Memoriam: Recently this week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it "offended" the Moslem population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way!
Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be "a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide. Join us and be a link in the memorial chain and help us distribute it around the world. Please don't just delete this email, send it to the people you know and ask them to continue the memorial chain. It will only take you a minute to pass it along - Thanks! >
Anti-Semite Rationale
Now it is not an unnatural idea to grasp, but Palestinians and Arabs, in turn are generally anti-Semetic groups. They hate the Jews. So, is it logical that they would resent the global attention given to The Holocaust. It's a natural progression to understand that they would deny any harm done to Jews throughout the world. And with this in mind, it then makes sense that they would draw resentment over the fact that genocides around the globe - Armenia, Durfur and Rwanda as examples - are drawing such limited response or concern from the global community in general and the Western world in specific.
Muslim Rationale
Muslims in general can't be labeled as universal Holocaust deniers. And we must remember most Muslims are not anti-Semetic. Radio Islam did a piece on this very issue and concluded: "For purposes of their own, powerful special interest groups desperately seek to keep substantive discussion of the Holocaust story taboo. One of the ways they do this is by purposely mis-characterizing revisionist scholars as 'deniers.' But the truth can't be suppressed forever: There is a very real and growing controversy about what actually happened to Europe's Jews during World War II. Let this issue be settled as all great historical controversies are resolved: through free inquiry and open debate in our journals, newspapers and classrooms."
They did not embrace the statements of the deniers, and they agreed that this is a topic which needs to be examined through open-minded and academic means.
So the removal of The Holocaust from United Kingdom curriculi cannot be directly attributed to the Mulim community.
Radical Islamic Rationale
Radical Islamic leadership, however, have embraced this idea of Holocaust denial. In April of 2000, a senior member of Hamas issued the following statement in Stockholm:
This conference bears a clear Zionist goal, aimed at forging history by hiding the truth about the so-called Holocaust, which is an alleged and invented story with no basis. . . . The invention of these grand illusions of an alleged crime that never occurred, ignoring the millions of dead European victims of Nazism during the war, clearly reveals the racist Zionist face, which believes in the superiority of the Jewish race over the rest of the nations.
Not only does this attempt to focus on an alleged story ignore the suffering of our people and disregard the massacres committed by the Zionists against them, such as Dir Yasin, Kafr Qasem, Tanturah, Jerusalem, Hebron and Sabra and Shatila...
The Zionist entity is using psychological and ideological terrorism through the Stockholm conference and the alleged Nazi Holocaust...
We call the free scholars of the world and its vital forces to expose the crimes of global Zionism against our people, our nation, and against all human civilization, and to refute them and not to fear the hostility of the Jews and their ideological terrorism or their influence through which they shut mouths and prevent objective, unbiased scholars from revealing the Zionist claims as lies. By these methods, the Jews in the world flout scientific methods of research whenever that research contradicts their racist interests.
From their perspective, this position makes absolute sense. By taking a hard-line stance, they draw attention to the issues that effect their people directly and also expose Western Zionism as self-serving.
Ahmedinajad and the Iranian Rationale
As for Mohamed Ahmendinajad, it is important to realize that the man may be the president of Iran, but according to the constitution of Iran he is powerless for all intents and purposes. He is a figure-head with less power than Prince Charles of Wales. While he is a public figure, and a representative of the government, his statements often differ from the official line of the Iranian government and he is often denounced for being too outlandish and a showman to the point of self-indulgence.
Though he never specifically denied the Holocaust, quotes I found from President Ahmedinajad implied that he feels the number of Jews reported to be killed as part of the Holocaust was inflated to gain sympathy throughout the world for the Jewish cause. For example but that it was unconfirmed and therefore untrue. He used the reaction of the press and the people to draw attention to a new agenda he is promoting: encouraging the European states to create a Zionist homeland in Europe rather than continuing to for the Arab nations to endure the Jews.
I could find no material in which Ahmedinajad's statements are were endorsed by the Iranian government. But there is no real benefit to Iran in denying The Holocaust. There will be no revision of Israeli territories, nor will there by any additional aid or clemency awarded to Iran as a result. A public denial of the Holocaust only positions Iran even more in conflict with the West and reinforced the image being painted of the country as backward, confrontational, ignorant and irrational.
But, in a Boston Globe article from December 2006, discussed the preparations being made for a Holocaust denial conference in Iran. It said "Last week, as he prepared for the conference [Khaled Mahameed, an Arab citizen of Israel] told the Globe that his message to Ahmadinejad would be: "Do not deny or even argue about the authenticity of the Holocaust. By doing this, you are not helping the Palestinian people. You are hurting their cause.'"
Perhaps this is a more official stance for the Iranian people.
UPDATE
As for the Jewish / Israeli Rationale, (neccessary to provide balance as I was informed by the person who sent the original email)
Ummm.... I think they were there.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Get Your Fugee On...
Latest on Iraqi refugee situation on Syria is the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki, met with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria yesterday to discuss trade, security and the refugee crisis.
Interesting article from al-Jazeerah.
With nearly 30,000 refugees arriving in Syria from Iraq each month, the situation has been called the most rapidly developing refugee crisis in the world by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR). Syria has already absorbed nearly two million Iraqi, as has Jordan.
Both countries are faltering economically under the strain of added social and political burden. Medical aid for refugees and education are traditionally cited, but provision of basic needs such as housing, food and clean water are taking their toll as well.
To read more about the Iraqi Refugee Crisis, check out a project I did a nominal amount of work on for the American Friends' Service Committee: the Symposium on Iraqi Refugees.
Interesting article from al-Jazeerah.
With nearly 30,000 refugees arriving in Syria from Iraq each month, the situation has been called the most rapidly developing refugee crisis in the world by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR). Syria has already absorbed nearly two million Iraqi, as has Jordan.
Both countries are faltering economically under the strain of added social and political burden. Medical aid for refugees and education are traditionally cited, but provision of basic needs such as housing, food and clean water are taking their toll as well.
To read more about the Iraqi Refugee Crisis, check out a project I did a nominal amount of work on for the American Friends' Service Committee: the Symposium on Iraqi Refugees.
Big Day for MP3's
Personally, I hate WalMart, and will encourage everyone to go and buy these products from WalMart's competitors who are also in the business of selling MP3's - Amazon.com, BestBuy and - especially- RealNetworks Inc .
But, in the news,
MTV announced today that it will be rolling its online MP3 business into new venture with RealNetworks. Expected to roll-out on September 9 with the MTV Video Music Awards, RealNetworks, owner of Rhapsody music subscription service, will assume MTV's Urge music to form Rhapsody America.
Also,
But, in the news,
MTV announced today that it will be rolling its online MP3 business into new venture with RealNetworks. Expected to roll-out on September 9 with the MTV Video Music Awards, RealNetworks, owner of Rhapsody music subscription service, will assume MTV's Urge music to form Rhapsody America.
Also,
Associated Press reports the multi-national WalMart broke into a new market selling songs free of copy-protections technology at their online music store this week. The highly controversial music, ranging from rock to rap to KidsBop, began selling Tuesday for 94 cents per song.
They will play on most portable media devices, including iPod's.
"Although many independent music labels have for years sold their tunes without copy restrictions, major recording companies have insisted on digital-rights management, or DRM, technology in hopes of curbing online piracy... Copy-protected songs sold through iTunes, for instance, generally won't play on devices other than the iPod, and iPods can't play DRM-enabled songs bought at rival music stores."
They Needed Jack Bauer
Just released by the Associated Press (08.21.07 5:30 EST):
Michael Hayden, Director of the CIA. He's no Jack Bauer.
Photo Source:http://www.af.mil/shared/media/bio/hi_res/hayden_mv4.jpg
CIA FAILURE: A report, kept classified until now, finds extensive fault with CIA leaders and others beneath them leading up to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
STOPPING SHORT: Yet the report's authors found neither a "single point of failure nor a silver bullet" that would have stopped the attacks.
NOT THRILLED: CIA Director Michael Hayden said he was making the report available as required by a new law.
Michael Hayden, Director of the CIA. He's no Jack Bauer. Photo Source:http://www.af.mil/shared/media/bio/hi_res/hayden_mv4.jpg
Jack Bauer wouldn't whine about the past. He IS the "silver bullet." He would have raided Osama bin Laden's cave and capped all of his men with a single Glock .45. There wouldn't be a report to make in public. No, Jack would handle business and make it right. No apologies.
I'm sick of these wimps. Politicians in military roles.
My vote: Jack Bauer for CIA Director.
I'm sick of these wimps. Politicians in military roles.
My vote: Jack Bauer for CIA Director.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Selling Out is Not Their Thing Either
The NFL issued a mandate that photo journalists on the sidelines will wear red vests which will bear the logos of Reebok and Canon. Many journalists feel that they are being made into corporate billboards.
One of many dissenting organizations, Society of Professional Journalists issued a statement rebuking the vests. Citing their code of ethics, which encourages journalists to “remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility,” their stance is that by agreeing to wear these vests, journalists are - for lack of a better phrase - selling-out to the man.
Joe Strupp, senior editor at Editor & Publisher Magazine makes a good point in his editorial on the issue: this is not the first time photographers have been forced to wear vests like these, and if they really have a problem with wearing them, then boycott the NFL until the restriction is lifted.
I am waiting to see the vests... If we are talking about a LaCoste alligator-sized logo, then who cares? If we are talking Times Square-neon billboards, then I have a problem. But either way, maybe the red vests are a good idea in the end. Football players from lineman to safety's to place-kickers are trained to avoid the guy in red. Perhaps it will aid in protecting the unassuming photogs from injury.
One of many dissenting organizations, Society of Professional Journalists issued a statement rebuking the vests. Citing their code of ethics, which encourages journalists to “remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility,” their stance is that by agreeing to wear these vests, journalists are - for lack of a better phrase - selling-out to the man.
Joe Strupp, senior editor at Editor & Publisher Magazine makes a good point in his editorial on the issue: this is not the first time photographers have been forced to wear vests like these, and if they really have a problem with wearing them, then boycott the NFL until the restriction is lifted.
I am waiting to see the vests... If we are talking about a LaCoste alligator-sized logo, then who cares? If we are talking Times Square-neon billboards, then I have a problem. But either way, maybe the red vests are a good idea in the end. Football players from lineman to safety's to place-kickers are trained to avoid the guy in red. Perhaps it will aid in protecting the unassuming photogs from injury.
Maintaining the Highest Quality in News Today
The Philadelphia Inquirer may be laying off its entire staff of new-writers and going strictly AP. They may even be sliding down the slippery slope of lax news coverage. But, at least they are still entertaining...
Announced today, with Brian Tierney as MC, they will host the "first U.S. Sudoku Championship" October 19 through 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Now that is what I call quality.
Announced today, with Brian Tierney as MC, they will host the "first U.S. Sudoku Championship" October 19 through 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Now that is what I call quality.
Marijuana on One, Reefer on Two...
Police found a $10 million crop of marijuana in the hillside Los Angeles-suburb of Glendale yesterday. I think this goes a bit beyond personal use.
According to the LA Times, the cultivators tapped into an emergency water supply to support the crop. The supply was intended to protect the city in case of brush fire.
Police spent the night preparing the crop to be removed, but have made no arrests and have no leads. They did, however, take some awesome pictures.
In other related news, New Mexico says it won't start growing pot for medical use.
According to the LA Times, the cultivators tapped into an emergency water supply to support the crop. The supply was intended to protect the city in case of brush fire.
Police spent the night preparing the crop to be removed, but have made no arrests and have no leads. They did, however, take some awesome pictures.
In other related news, New Mexico says it won't start growing pot for medical use.
The Reds and the Blues of Marriage by Another Name
Married With Children ran for 10 seasons, but perhaps Mr. Belvedere had more to offer in terms of moral education. Seems that Amehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifricans, Red, White or Blue have not learned the value of marriage at all, and they are certainly not getting the rule that you should be married when you have children. According to , a publication of the Anglican Church, the state of marriage in the United States is in crisis, even in "Red States" where the whole "Gay thing" is a non-issue.
Items missed by this article are the important distinctions between Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership - all of which are equally weighted according to VirtueOnline
Rights guaranteed to couples in Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships or Registered Partnership are defined by the state in which they are granted. In ALL cases, they are only a fraction of those extended to Married couples, and these unions are NOT recognized outside of the granting state.
Examples of rights not yet included the definitions of unions in any state:
Countless Inheritance Laws - i.e. Protection from being disinherited and election or waiver of community property.
Rights to Bereavement Leave
Laws Protecting the Rights of Surviving Spouses - i.e. "Homestead" Protection Against Creditors and Tax Reassessment Upon Death
Laws Protecting Social Security and Workers Compensation Benefits for Surviving Spouses - i.e. benefits for the entire family, increased Social Security Payments, and Social Security Death Benefits
Pension and Tax Laws protecting Surviving Spouses - i.e. IRA and 401K roll-over, and Unlimited Marital Deduction which allows transfer of property to a spouse upon death without the gift or estate taxes applied.
Burial Rights - i.e. protection of plots and family cemeteries
Countless laws protecting the Decision-Making Rights of Surviving Spouses in Burial Arrangements
Law Protecting the Benefits of Surviving Spouses of Veterans, Firefighters and Police Officers
Death is not the only time married couple reap the benefits of getting hitched. There are also laws which govern a spouses responsibility to protect one another in marriage and in divorce, and any children involved in the family. These rights are not protected in any other type of union.
So, perhaps VirtueOnline needs to do some research before stating that Civil Union or Domestic Partnership is marriage by another name. Yes, there is the initial tax breaks, but that does not mean that those participating in these unions are protected by the thousands of laws that make a marriage legally binding.
STATS FROM THE ARTICLE
While this is not exactly groundbreaking news, the stats were cool.
States Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
Massachusetts
States Legalizing Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples
Connecticut
Vermont
New Jersey
New Hampshire*
Domestic Partnerships for Same-Sex Couples
California
Oregon
Washington
Hawaii
Twenty-Seven states currently have constitutional bans on Same-Sex Marriage, or have constitutionally defined marriage as being "between one-man and one-woman."
Marriage Rates by State
So-Called "Red States": between 5 and 7 percent, annually
Examples given were Arkansas, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah
So-Called "Blue States": between 2.4 and 2.8 percent
Examples given were Pennsylvania**, New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut.
Cohabitation Outside of Marriage by State
"Reds"
Alabama - 6%
Mississippi - 8%
Kansas - 8%
Arkansas - 8%
"Blues"
Vermont - 14%
Maine - 13%
Oregon - 12%
Washington - 12%
"However, there are moral chinks in the armor of the Red States, which have the highest divorce rates and the highest percentages of babies born out-of-wedlock. Half of the babies born in Mississippi and Louisiana are to unwed parents - which is double the rate of New Hampshire."
And, "...Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are tied for the lowest divorce rates at 11 divorces per 1,000 married couples per year, while Arkansas and Oklahoma are more than twice as high at 25 divorces each per 1,000, and West Virginia, at 23."
*Note that the article called New Hampshire a "Blue State," but it is historically swing state. In the past 6 elections, New Hampshire has gone Republican three times. The three times it went Blue it was by a margin of less than 2 percent.
**Pennsylvania is also, historically, a swing state.
Items missed by this article are the important distinctions between Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partnership - all of which are equally weighted according to VirtueOnline
Rights guaranteed to couples in Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships or Registered Partnership are defined by the state in which they are granted. In ALL cases, they are only a fraction of those extended to Married couples, and these unions are NOT recognized outside of the granting state.
Examples of rights not yet included the definitions of unions in any state:
Countless Inheritance Laws - i.e. Protection from being disinherited and election or waiver of community property.
Rights to Bereavement Leave
Laws Protecting the Rights of Surviving Spouses - i.e. "Homestead" Protection Against Creditors and Tax Reassessment Upon Death
Laws Protecting Social Security and Workers Compensation Benefits for Surviving Spouses - i.e. benefits for the entire family, increased Social Security Payments, and Social Security Death Benefits
Pension and Tax Laws protecting Surviving Spouses - i.e. IRA and 401K roll-over, and Unlimited Marital Deduction which allows transfer of property to a spouse upon death without the gift or estate taxes applied.
Burial Rights - i.e. protection of plots and family cemeteries
Countless laws protecting the Decision-Making Rights of Surviving Spouses in Burial Arrangements
Law Protecting the Benefits of Surviving Spouses of Veterans, Firefighters and Police Officers
Death is not the only time married couple reap the benefits of getting hitched. There are also laws which govern a spouses responsibility to protect one another in marriage and in divorce, and any children involved in the family. These rights are not protected in any other type of union.
So, perhaps VirtueOnline needs to do some research before stating that Civil Union or Domestic Partnership is marriage by another name. Yes, there is the initial tax breaks, but that does not mean that those participating in these unions are protected by the thousands of laws that make a marriage legally binding.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Marine Convicted of Murder
Plymouth Marine sergeant convicted of murdering Iraqi man
THOMAS WATKINS / Associated Press
CAMP PENDLETON, C.A.— A Marine Corps squad leader was convicted Thursday of murdering an Iraqi man during a frustrated search for an insurgent.
Sgt. Lawrence G. Hutchins III, 23, also was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, making a false official statement and larceny. He was acquitted of kidnapping, assault and housebreaking.
Hutchins, of Plymouth, Mass., could be sentenced to life in prison without parole. He had been charged with premeditated murder but the military jury struck the premeditation element from the verdict.
Hutchins stood rigidly and stared straight ahead in the silent courtroom as the verdict was read. A few minutes later he answered a procedural question with a loud and clear, “Yes, sir.”
Prosecutors said that during a nighttime patrol in Hamdania, Iraq, in April 2006, Hutchins’ squad hatched a plan to kidnap and kill a suspected insurgent from his house. When they couldn’t find him, they instead kidnapped a man from a neighboring house, dragged him to a hole and shot him.
Prosecutors said squad members tried to cover up the killing of Hashim Ibrahim Awad by planting a shovel and AK-47 by his body to make it look like he was an insurgent planting a bomb.
Several witnesses testified the plot was born out of frustration after suspected insurgents kept evading prosecution.
The squad was pulled from the battlefield after the slaying.
Lawyers for Hutchins argued that he participated in the plot because his own officers had set a poor leadership example and given approval for Marines to use violence in capturing and interrogating suspected insurgents...
Eight other squad members were charged with kidnapping and murder. Cpl. Marshall Magnicalda, though not convicted, was also charged with murder for participating in the plot. Faced a sentencing hearing yesterday after being found guilty of larceny and house breaking.
Four lower-ranking squad members bargained out over the course of the past 15 months. One corporal was acquitted last months, and another was given a conduct unbecoming discharge.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Public Transit on the Radar... Again.
Public Transit is a good thing. Read why. They love to tell you about it: saving on emissions, reducing traffic and providing an invaluable service to the disabled and the under-privileged. There are more than 100 systems throughout the country, serving urbanand increasing number of rural areas. Use of these systems is increasing proportionately with the rise of fuel. You would think that the increase in use would result in an increase in profits for these agencies.
So, why is it that when budget time rolls around, there is inevitably discussion about SEPTA which, without out fail, includes the threat of fare increases and strikes. And, every two years, the State of Pennsylvania will throw another $150 million at the "fledgling" SEPTA.
SEPTA spokespeople will brag that there has not been a rate increase in years. Still, the agency is the MOST expensive in the nation for riders.
So, why is it that when budget time rolls around, there is inevitably discussion about SEPTA which, without out fail, includes the threat of fare increases and strikes. And, every two years, the State of Pennsylvania will throw another $150 million at the "fledgling" SEPTA.
SEPTA spokespeople will brag that there has not been a rate increase in years. Still, the agency is the MOST expensive in the nation for riders.
Selling Out is Not My Thing
Reese Withersoon is going to be the next Avon girl? Why?
Reese has the stay power and self-respect to find a better gig than this one. Yeah, Catherine Zeta-Jones sold-out to T-Mobile. Sure, Sheryl Crow is hocking Revlon. And, yes, Jennifer Love Hewitt has made buko bucks selling Hanes. But, Reese! You're so much bigger than that! Com'mon, girl. You don't need the money that badly, even with all of that divorce business.
Reese has the stay power and self-respect to find a better gig than this one. Yeah, Catherine Zeta-Jones sold-out to T-Mobile. Sure, Sheryl Crow is hocking Revlon. And, yes, Jennifer Love Hewitt has made buko bucks selling Hanes. But, Reese! You're so much bigger than that! Com'mon, girl. You don't need the money that badly, even with all of that divorce business.
Euphemisms: Gotta love 'em
An AP article today was headlined "Saudi's Back Mideast Plans." Metro picked this one up as a top international story. The lead read - brace yourself, this is my favorite part- "Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that it would seriously consider attending a Middle East peace conference proposed by the Bush Administration for later this year..."
"Seriously consider."
Let's contimplate all of the things I seriously consider on a daily basis:
Quitting smoking. Buying a house. Filing bankruptcy to avoid medical bills. Moving to Canada. Jumping from roof to my nieghbors roofs, just to say I did it. Dying my hair green... hey you only live once. Stalking Angelina Jolie. The amount of profit generated by Pat's Steaks. Parenting. The best blend for an Apple Martini. And, more.
So, let's see... according to the AP definition of "seriously consider," I must be an un-American, suicidal,alcoholic stalker with self-image problems, conflicted ideas of finance, and a deep seeded desire to procreate.
"Seriously consider."
I think I will seriously consider taking every story I read on the Mideast with and entire box of Morton's Salt.
"Seriously consider."
Let's contimplate all of the things I seriously consider on a daily basis:
Quitting smoking. Buying a house. Filing bankruptcy to avoid medical bills. Moving to Canada. Jumping from roof to my nieghbors roofs, just to say I did it. Dying my hair green... hey you only live once. Stalking Angelina Jolie. The amount of profit generated by Pat's Steaks. Parenting. The best blend for an Apple Martini. And, more.
So, let's see... according to the AP definition of "seriously consider," I must be an un-American, suicidal,alcoholic stalker with self-image problems, conflicted ideas of finance, and a deep seeded desire to procreate.
"Seriously consider."
I think I will seriously consider taking every story I read on the Mideast with and entire box of Morton's Salt.
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