POLITICAL FootBall... following the ball

North Korea Threatens War

2006-07-09T01:13:00.000-07:00

So what was their first clue.

North Korea's ambassador to Australia warns that international attempts to halt his nation's missile tests could lead to war

Happy Father's Day!

2006-06-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

For all of you Dads out there I hope you're having a wonderful Father's Day. I know I am.

Related links: fathers day

Karl Rove Debases the Blogosphere Left

2006-06-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Do you think maybe he was referring to the Daily KOS?

According to Karl Rove: “The Internet for the Left…has served as a way to mobilize hate and anger — hate and anger, first and foremost, at this President and Conservatives, but then also at people within their own party whom they consider to be less than completely loyal to this very narrow, very out-of-the-mainstream, very far Left-wing ideology that they tend to represent.”

Related links: political football, news, us-news, in the news, news and politics, politics, political, blog, blogosphere, karl rove

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Killed

2006-06-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

At least he still has his head attached, which is more than we can say for his victims.

You live by Violence, You Die by Violence

Related links: political football, news, world news, us-news, in the news, news headlines, headline news

Can any War be Good?

2006-05-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

Blogs for Bush says Iraq is a "A War to be Proud Of".

No matter which side of the fence we may sit, Political FootBall can't help but wonder:

Is there such a thing as a "Good" War?

For to believe in such makes the assumption that we have God and right on our side.

Quick Retort: So doesn't everybody? Oh yeah, I forgot -- we're just more right than they are.

Related links: political football, news, world news, us-news, in the news, news and politics, politics, political, current events, current affairs, society

Enron Chiefs get their Just Deserts

2006-05-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

It's Payback Time! (sort of)

How the pendulum will swing. The scales of justice are finally coming into balance (no pun intended). Corporate crooks are finally getting theirs instead of just a tongue lashing and a golden handshake (with stock options).

Today's Enron decision convicting Skilling and Lay sets a precedent for corporate bosses that the buck stops with them and a severe warning to white collar crooks who think they can fudge the figures and get away with it. Of course we still haven't heard the sentencing phase of the proceedings so I will defer my final opinion until that time.

It will be of little comfort to all those employees who lost their shirts but at least it's a start in the right direction.

Related links: political football, news, us-news, in the news, news headlines, headline news, current events, current affairs, opinion, enron

Crash go the Gates

2006-05-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

No pun intended Bill. I'm no Daily KOSsack fan, but I have to agree with the following statement by Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong who wrote in their new book, Crashing the Gate:

The fact is that we are part of a truly organic effort that is decentralized. We are no more "leaders" than anyone else who frequents our websites. We have laid the groundwork and helped build the "public square," but it is the community that provides the energy and shapes our agenda.

That's why this movement is so effective - and so threatening to established powers. It is leaderless. It cannot be harness, controlled, or co-opted.

Well said, but when they refer to the "movement" and "community" I hope that they are referencing the wider blogosphere and not just the fringe element who frequent their blogs. One can only hope.

Related links: political football, blogging, blog, daily kos

Colbert Video Pulled from YouTube

2006-05-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: The Colbert video was pulled but you can still find it at the daily FISK.

Related links: political football, us-news, in the news, news headlines, headline news, news and politics, politics, political

Colbert, Mainstream Media and the Blogosphere

2006-05-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

So what do all of these have in common? Well, the recent Colbert Blogstorm has raised some important observations about the fragile (and sometimes volatile) relationship between the blogosphere and mainstream media.

Some say that blogs aren't news sources. It's just a "conversation" and nothing more.

While others like Bloggers Blog point out:

The New York Times is finally reporting on the growing blogstorm over Stephen Colbert's speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner. This is definitely another incident where bloggers motivated the mainstream media to report on something. It is possibly proof that if bloggers can post enough on a topic the mainstream media will eventually be forced to report on it.

Whilst we bloggers have been trying to define ourselves, some of us are unfortunately looking at this in terms of black and white. The truth of it is it's what I have been saying all along -- it's a bit of both.

Clearly it is a symbiotic relationship and both organisms are feeding off each other. Like it or not, it is a "conversation" that is going on between between both media types. That might not sit well with the snobs, but nevertheless is reality.

Related links: political football

Blog Readers Revealed?

2006-05-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Is Political Extremeism a by-product of immaturity?

I don't buy this. An unscientific Web survey of 36,000 people by Blogads reports that political blog readers tend to be age 41 to 50, male (72 percent), and earn $60,000 to $90,000 per year. Two in five have college degrees, while just a tad less have graduate degrees.

"These are not people who are politically idealistic and born yesterday," said Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, who runs the popular liberal site DailyKos.

The survey goes on the say:

Blogads President Henry Copeland said the findings represent "the choir" of political blog readers, the most interested and most engaged, "the political geeks who are arguing over the nuances at a press conference or the latest Hillary Clinton pronunciations."

He said Republican blog readers tend to be older, more often male, have higher incomes and less education than Democratic readers -- but only by small degrees.

Why then are so many of the comments at the daily KOSsack so juvenile? That goes for many of the right-wing blogs as well but they didn't participate as much as the lefties did in the survey.

Could that be the reason why the lefties claim they are more edu-ma-cated. People generally exaggerate their stats on surveys anyhow. Especially behind the anonymity of the internet.

So I have a better interpretation:

Political extremeism = immaturity

regardless of the age group!

Or perhaps Carol Darr, director of the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet got it right:

It's a mark of their alienation" from other forms of media.

So the Blogosphere = Alien Nation?

Hmm...

Related links: political football, in the news, news and politics, current events, current affairs, society, humor, media, blogads, daily kos, blog, weblog, blogging

Fear and Loathing, and Oil Prices

2006-04-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

Oil prices are spiralling out of control (again), so what is George doing about it?

In an attempt to dampen the rise in petrol prices, George Bush yesterday announced that the US would no longer buy crude oil for its strategic petroleum reserve in order to ease demand.

In other moves, the US president said he would propose relaxing environmental rules to make it easier to build refineries as a shortage of refining capacity is one of the main reasons for high prices.

So forget about the fact that Mr. Bush has a financial interest in the oil industry, and relaxing environmental controls certainly wouldn't hurt biz either.

But it is, above all, the threat of a military clash between the US and Iran that is pushing up oil prices.

Lest we also forget the fact that this was the same malarkey we were sold before the two previous Iraqi Wars, BUT did the prices come back down again?

NOT!

And why does it always happen just before the summer season when we drive more? Do they really think we're that stupid? Apparently so.

I am so fed up with being lied to by corporations and politicians that have a vested interest in oil prices and their excuses for dipping into my pocket.

Here's a radical thought. How's about Georgey and family pulling out of the oil business altogether and donating their profits to alternative fuel development. What say you George?

Related links: news and politics, politics, political, current events, opinion, society, bush, oil

Iran says: Who needs Nukes?

2006-04-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

All it takes is just One Nutbar at a Time:

According to Iranian officials, 40,000 trained suicide bombers are ready for action to hit British and American targets if the nation’s nuclear sites are attacked.

The main force, named the Special Unit of Martyr Seekers in the Revolutionary Guards, was first seen last month when members marched in a military parade, dressed in olive-green uniforms with explosive packs around their waists and detonators held high.

No wonder they can afford to be so arrogant.

Who's Your Preferred Victim?

At a recruiting station in Tehran recently, volunteers for the force had to show their birth certificates, give proof of their address and tick a box stating whether they would prefer to attack American targets in Iraq or Israeli targets.

Despite reports to the contrary as "fantasyland", leaked reports dating from February this year, confirms that President George W Bush is preparing to strike Iran. “If the problem is not resolved in some way, he intends to act before leaving office because it would be ‘unfair’ to leave the task of destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities to a new president,” the document says.

You can read more about it at Timesonline...

In the meantime, the Pentagon Preps for Iran:

As early as 2003, even as U.S. forces were on the brink of war with Iraq, the Army had already begun conducting an analysis for a full-scale war with Iran. The analysis, called TIRANNT, for "theater Iran near term," was coupled with a mock scenario for a Marine Corps invasion and a simulation of the Iranian missile force. U.S. and British planners conducted a Caspian Sea war game around the same time. And Bush directed the U.S. Strategic Command to draw up a global strike war plan for an attack against Iranian weapons of mass de struction. All of this will ultimately feed into a new war plan for "major combat operations" against Iran that military sources confirm now exists in draft form.

More reading at the Washington Post...

So where does North Korea fit in the big picture? Well at least they're talking (for now).

Related links: political football, news, world news, us-news, in the news, news headlines, headline news, news and politics, politics, political, current events, current affairs, iran, nuclear, korea

2006-04-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

links for 2006-04-15

CNN asks: What Happened?

In a letter to Lou Dobbs show today, the writer asks (paraphrased): "Both my wife and I both have to work 60 hours a week at two or three jobs and we can barely survive. What happened"? Well I'll tell you what happened...

(tags: political+football, news, in+the+news news+and+politics, political, current+affairs, opinion, rant, ramblings, random+thoughts, random+thoughts)
Who's also Sick of Party Politics?

All you reasonable bloggers out there unite! Ramble on poses the question: Am I the only person sick of Party politics?

(tags: political+football, news+and+politics, politics, political, opinion, republican, democrat, liberal, conservative)

Who's Sick of Party Politics?

2006-04-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

A Growing Band of Bloggers

All you reasonable bloggers out there unite! Ramble on poses the question:

Am I the only person sick of Party politics? Yes, I think one party is better than the other, and I probably agree with 70 - 80% of their platform. But the rhetoric and bashing is driving me crazy. It seems nothing is about what people want anymore, it's about which party can smear, attack and destroy the other side.

I would like to see one day, just one, where no one in the United States says the words Republican or Democrat. If you think someone is making a bad decision or is doing something stupid, then say that, without using the persons political affiliation or attacking the individual.

The answer to your question is NO, you are NOT the only one who is sick of Party Politics. Political FootBall echoes your sentiments. Heck, maybe we can even start our own political network. A network that began with just two reasonable bloggers who are fed up with the status quo and willing to make a stand.

Come on people. There has to be more of us out there. Are you with us?

Related links: political football, news and politics, politics, political, opinion, republican, democrat, liberal, conservative

CNN asks: What Happened?

2006-04-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

In a letter to Lou Dobbs show today, the writer asks (paraphrased):

"Both my wife and I both have to work 60 hours a week at two or three jobs and we can barely survive. What happened"?

I'll tell you what happened. How was it that my Father could work at a factory job with no education and be the sole supporter of his family with a house, a cottage and automobile paid for, money in the bank and retired at age 50?

The answer is his generation had to fight for their rights at a time when it was even illegal to strike, and many of that generation died creating a middle class.

But what does this generation do? We send our brightest and best young people overseas to die at the hands of religious fanatics, oil companies and demigods.

Today I have to ask myself -- what middle class? If it weren't for credit cards most of us would not 'own' anything today. It is all a mirage and there is in fact no more middle class.

The baby boomer generation are a bunch of pansies. Schwag smoking, aging hippies with flowers in their hair and talking of peace and love man, whilst the corporations with their bought and paid-for politicians stole it right out of their designer jean pockets.

There would have been blood in the streets if they tried that with our parents' generation.

There is a predominant attitude by the haves that it is their right to get richer and the have-nots are mere trailor-park trash to serve their needs.

Every day we see white-collar criminals bilking millions of dollars and receiving a slap on the wrist, while lowly shoplifters get the book thrown at them.

The fact is they don't want us to retire with pensions because they know there isn't enough in the kitty. They want us to work until we drop and carry us out with a tag on our toe.

That is reality, and that my dear friends is what has happened.

Now where is my gold watch?

```
* From the history in a nutshell series.

Related links: political football, news, in the news, news and politics, politics, political, current affairs, opinion, rant, ramblings, random thoughts, random thoughts

2006-04-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

links for 2006-04-12

Iran goes Nuclear

What arrogance. At least the Japanese knew when they were licked. But these Iranians are in a class of their own. Maybe they forgot their history lessons. Do you hear the silos opening? I can. Allah ak bar.

(tags: political_football, news, world+news, in+the+news, news+headlines, headline+news, news+and+politics, politics, political, current+events, current+affairs, iran, nuclear)

Iran goes Nuclear

2006-04-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

What arrogance. At least the Japanese knew when they were licked. But these Iranians are in a class of their own. Maybe they forgot their history lessons. Do you hear the silos opening? I can. Allah ak bar.

Related links: political football, news, world news, in the news, news headlines, headline news, news and politics, politics, political, current events, current affairs, iran, nuclear

Campaign Trails Click with Online Technology

2006-04-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

The transformation of American politics by the Internet is accelerating with the approach of the 2006 congressional and 2008 White House elections.

Changes are evident in the way campaigns approach advertising, fundraising, mobilizing supporters, and even the spreading of negative information.

Democrats and Republicans are increasing their use of e-mail, interactive Web sites, candidate and party blogs, and text messaging to raise money, organize get-out-the-vote efforts and assemble crowds. The Internet, they said, appears to be more efficient, and less costly, than the traditional tools of politics, notably door knocking and telephone banks.

Analysts say the campaign television advertisement, already diminishing in influence with the proliferation of cable stations, faces new challenges as campaigns experiment with technology that allows direct messaging to more specific audiences and through unconventional means.

Those include podcasts featuring a daily downloaded message from a candidate, and so-called viral attack videos designed to trigger peer-to-peer distribution by e-mail chains without being associated with any candidate or campaign. Campaigns are studying popular Internet social networks as ways to reaching groups of potential supporters with similar political views or cultural interests.

The Internet is now available to 70 percent of Americans. That means, aides said, rethinking every assumption about running a campaign: how to reach different segments of voters, how to get voters to the polls, how to raise money, and the best way to have a candidate interact with the public. Source

Related links: blogging, politics, technology,

2006-03-27T22:25:00.000-08:00

links for 2006-03-27

Musings of a non-partisan Canuk

I just received an email welcoming me to the Blogging Alliance of Non-Partisan Canadians. "Welcome aboard" it says, which only proves that misery really does love company, and I'm no exception. It's nice to know that I'm not a lone voice talking to myself

(tags: canadian pundit random+thoughts canada news canadian-news mexico)
Three Stooges of Canadian Politics

I found it on Rick Mercer's blog. It looks like Mercer has picked up where Frank magazine left off, and he's becoming very adept with photoshop don't you think.

(tags: fun funny humor humour canadian+politics canadian-politics rick+mercer)

Sorry you haven't heard from me lately

2006-03-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

I've been busy tweaking and doing maintenance on my blog templates. Crikey, does it ever end?

I will be back to business shortly. Promise.

...tag: political football

Improved RSS Newsfeeds

2006-03-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

For your viewing pleasure we have improved our RSS newsfeeds. The feeds should be more readable and now come in three flavours.

You have three options to choose from:

1. Full Feed (the entire post);

2. Excerpts Only (a short intro to the post); or

3. Just Headlines only (self explanatory).

There are also three new options for joining our email newsletter. Just look at the right menu under the "Subscribe" menu.

Cheers!

Outlawing Religiously Offensive Cartoons

2006-02-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

That is the question posed by Jehan Sadat, a self professed Muslim who lives and works in the USA since 1985 but is not a citizen:

"There is no law that says cartoonists cannot draw caricatures. There is no law that says television commentators cannot equate terrorism with Islam. There is no law that says we should not defame the religions of others. But there should be! There should be a law that says reasonable, responsible people of any faith, or no faith for that matter, cannot attack others simply because of their beliefs. There should be a law that requires us to appreciate the cultures and beliefs of our fellow human beings."

I have just one or two comments for Jehan. So what will be next? Book burnings, the censorship of blogs and other media or anything else that a few fanatics might consider offensive? Because that's what this is really all about isn't it. Pandering to the interests a few militant fanatics.

We have all heard of religious intolerance and abuse in Singapore and Malaysia. And what about other Islamic countries that have laws denigrating and persecuting Christians and people of other faiths? Does the word hypocritical ring a bell?

You should be thankful that we have a free press so the truth can set you free. I'm not saying that I agree with the cartoons. But I am saying that the media can be a barometer of what (at least some) people are thinking. And that can be a good thing because it will force you to look into the public mirror and see yourself as others do.

I also write for other social blogs and have found intolerance for the Christian faith in the US to be far more invective than a silly cartoon. But I don't see Christians acting like thugs running in gangs killing and setting things ablaze.

The fact is the west is far more tolerant than most Muslim countries will ever be. And it is because of those very freedoms why people are lining up in droves to emigrate here.

So here's another idea for you to ponder. Don't you think God is big enough to fight his own battles? Rather than taking away our freedoms that so many have died for, why not take yourself a little less seriously. Find a sense of humour and learn to laugh at yourself. The world will be a much better place for it.

Peace be unto you.

Are Dick Cheney's Excuses Plausible?

2006-02-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

The daily FISK offers a more plausible reason why Cheney took so long before talking to the press.

...related posts: political football rant ramblings random thoughts

Should Dick Cheney be Charged?

2006-02-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

ACCORDING TO ONE OF our readers Dick Cheney should be charged with a criminal offence under the Texas Penal Code for the accidental shooting during a quail hunt.

In consideration of the citation below, on the face of it charges would seem reasonable.

TEXAS PENAL CODE:

CHAPTER 22. ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES

§ 22.05. DEADLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.
(b) A person commits an offense if he knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of:
(1) one or more individuals; or
(2) a habitation, building, or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied.
(c) Recklessness and danger are presumed if the actor knowingly pointed a firearm at or in the direction of another whether or not the actor believed the firearm to be loaded.
(d) For purposes of this section, "building," "habitation," and "vehicle" have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 30.01.
(e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

The reality is there is a law for the masses and another for the privileged. Accountability seems to decrease as one climbs higher up the food chain.

Having said that, the fact that this accident happened during a hunt muddies the waters even further. Would criminal charges apply in this case?

There are still circumstances that we are not yet privy to, and it is safe assume that Cheney had no criminal intent in mind.

At this point it seems that it was just a hunting accident and a mistake in judgment was made. The only thing that we can prove is Cheney is human and he screwed up.

Is that enough to charge him? In my view charges probably won't be pending but the kerfuffle should nevertheless be interesting to watch.

Lethal Weapon Dick Cheney

2006-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

Lethal weapon Dick Cheney has been targeted by TV comics who can't resist taking a parting shot at his recent hunting accident. For your sporting pleasure the daily FISK has plugged them all.

Canadian Election 2006

2006-01-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Canadian election is the big news right now and things are heating up. If you want to have a good laugh then check out the Canadian Pundit's hilarious exposé of the man who may become the next Prime Minister of Canada.

Robertson Criticised on “False Information”

2006-01-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

REV. PAT ROBERTSON CLAIMS: “It is just remarkable how we get misquoted. You know you try to be rational in what you have to say but last night I was given editorials from the New York Times, Washington Post, the [Los Angeles]Times and assorted liberal newspapers that were just scathing in their denunciation of yours truly, and it was just amazing, based on what? False information. Things that I didn’t say.”

Robertson’s explanation for the universal outrage expressed at his widely viewed and verified comments was to blame PFAWF saying, “People for the American Way take down every word, they twist it, pass it on to a friend at the [Associated Press] and away it goes.”

Attempting to defend himself, Robertson read from the transcript of the Jan 5 program saying, “Sharon was a very likeable person and I am sad to see him in this condition.” He continued, “And then I quoted from the prophet Joel. But I never once said that God did this to [Sharon], I did not say that, it is not in this transcript.”

Decide for yourself if Pat Robertson “misquoted”. Watch the 1/10/06 ‘700 Club’ where Robertson claims he was “misquoted” and that “it wasn’t fair” : Broadband | Dial-Up.

Watch the 01/05/06 ’700 Club’ video to see what Robertson really said: Broadband | Dial-up.

What is a Canadian?

2006-01-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Johnny Canuck tells us what it means to be Canadian.

...related posts: political football rant ramblings random thoughts

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year One and All

2005-12-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

Political FootBall wishes you and your loved ones a joyous festive season.

...Read more: christmas new year

Republicans: A Brief History

2005-12-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

I came across this tongue-in-cheek post about how different the United States would have been if the Republican Party had not been formed. Some of the tasty morsels are:

March 20, 1854
Opponents of Democrats’ pro-slavery policies meet in Ripon, Wisconsin to establish the Republican Party.

May 30, 1854
Democrat President Franklin Pierce signs Democrats’ Kansas-Nebraska Act, expanding slavery into U.S. territories; opponents unite to form the Republican Party.

June 16, 1854
Newspaper editor Horace Greeley calls on opponents of slavery to unite in the Republican Party.

You can read more about a history of the Republican party here. It presents an interesting paradox considering that the dems now have the majority black vote. They seem to have successfully reinvented themselves from minority transgressors to minority activists. How times have changed.

Of course, a hundred or more years later we can never be certain how much is based on actual fact or just revisionist propoganda. That is the problem with history -- it becomes colored through the lens of time and the interpreter, but it makes for an interesting read nonetheless.

He goes on to add:

Grrrrrr!
It just infuriates me how Democrats are glomming onto Rosa Parks' death to get face time. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus, the majority of blacks in the south were Republicans. It was Democrats who passed segregation laws, Democrats who made up "black codes" that made it impossible for blacks to vote, Democrats who hid under KKK hoods, Democrats who savaged blacks during peace marches, Democrats, Democrats, Democrats! Democratic cult figure John Kennedy promised in his campaign speeches to act swiftly to end discrimination if elected President. He was elected. And he didn't lift a finger to push forward the civil rights issue. As a senator, Kennedy also voted against President Eisenhower's 1957 Civil Rights Act. And now Democrats are posing as champions of freedom and justice -- like a person who passes gas in an elevator and pretends it was someone else who did it. Disgusting!!

The writer is anonymous and states "I've been a broadcaster for more than 32 years. I've held every job there is in a radio or television station. I've lived and worked all over the world and am presently writing for an international news agency based in Washington, DC. loneranger85@hotmail.com"

I've ruled out Dan Rather. Any suggestions?

Documents Show Cover-Up for Cause of Vietnam War

2005-12-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

This in from Political Gateway. It seems that the US has released proof the second attack, the cause of the Vietnam war, never really happened. Intelligence was purposely skewed and not released to prevent any parallels to the Bush administration.

Blogging may be Hazardous to your Health

2005-11-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

The things that we western bloggers take for granted! Slashdot reports:

"A Singaporean blogger, who pled guilty to sedition charges last month for posting anti-Muslim remarks in his blog, has avoided a custodial sentence, and has been placed on 2 years probation instead. According to the article, the 17 year old student is the third person to be convicted under Singapore's sedition laws in October. Singapore, which is unconcerned by wide criticism of its record of press freedom, appears to have been stepping up efforts against bloggers in recent months."

This guy got off lightly compared to most. Often when I read reports like this I can't help but feel an affinity towards my fellow bloggers.

Indeed, blogging crosses all political, racial and religious boundaries putting us on a level playing field (excepting Pajamas Media elitists and their ilk of course :). That is what makes the blogosphere special. A blogging brother/sisterhood so to speak. The ties that bind and all that.

Perhaps it is also because I lived for a time in Malasia and I am reminded of when I lost a journalism job for merely voicing my opinion about the government. I should count myself lucky. Others have disappeared into the night for less.

I know first-hand the suffering that people in third world countries endure not having the luxury of freedom of speech that the west enjoys. There has been many a time that I wished there was more I could do besides providing lip-service. Then again, with the power of blog technology at least we can broadcast news items like this to the rest of the world, and if there is enough public opinion to bring to bear... who knows.

Sayonara Mr. Miyagi

2005-11-26T00:09:00.000-08:00

Sad to hear that actor Pat Morita, who starred as the wise 'Mr Miyagi' in the Karate Kid films, has died at the tender age of 73. He died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada from natural causes.

Born to Japanese immigrants as Noriuke Morita, in 1932 they moved to California as fruit pickers. During World War II he was among thousands of Japanese-Americans who were sent to internment camps.

Later he abandoned a career as an aircraft technician to become a comedian in cabarets and television series, rising to fame in such series as "Happy Days" and "MASH".

But he is best known for his role as Ralph Macchio's mentor 'Mr Miyagi' in 'The Karate Kid' films, for which he received a best supporting actor nomination in 1984. Apparently he knew nothing about martial arts but managed to convince us as the quiet caretaker who guided Macchio to defeat his bullies.

You can find a fist of his film work history here.

Sayonara Pat.

tags: political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events pat morita celebrities

The UN's Desire to Control the Internet

2005-11-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

Following Political FootBall's theme of the UN's takeover bid of the internet, Steven DuBord wades in on the action.

"UN pirates sailed into Tunis this November 16-18, looking to take the helm of Internet supervision from U.S. hands.

Do you treasure the freedom to wade out into the vast sea of information that is the Internet and surf the World Wide Web? Then look out for what is coming over the horizon: a fleet of ships is bearing down on you and your little surf(key)board, and they are flying the blue Jolly Roger of the United Nations.

You will see among them such ships of state as Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, hardly paragons of liberty and human rights. All of them are waving their cutlasses in outrage that the United States is refusing (for now) to relinquish its supervisory role over the private-sector, not-for-profit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Even the European Union has revealed its true colors and fired a broadside of protest against supposed U.S. dominance of the Internet. The captain of this bunch is none other than the UN secretary-general himself, Kofi 'oil-for-food' Annan."

I couldn't have said it better myself...

"Now, Captain Annan has his eye trained on this map, looking not only for control of cyberspace, but for the buried treasure of taxing access to it. To this end, he convened the first World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva from December 10-12 of 2003, and also a second such summit this November 16-18 in Tunis.

To get a good idea of what the summit in Tunis was all about, one need only pay heed to Senator Norm Coleman’s (R-Minn.) preview of the Geneva summit in the November 7, 2005 Wall Street Journal: “It sounds like a Tom Clancy plot. An anonymous group of international technocrats holds secretive meetings in Geneva. Their cover story: devising a blueprint to help the developing world more fully participate in the digital revolution. Their real mission: strategizing to take over management of the Internet from the U.S. and enable the United Nations to dominate and politicize the World Wide Web. Does it sound too bizarre to be true? Regrettably, much of what emanates these days from the U.N. does.” Sen. Coleman should know: his Senate investigation into the UN’s oil-for-food scandal has exposed the entrenched bureaucratic corruption of the world body.

Anti-American Audacity and Duplicity:

In “Make Way for the UNternet?” in our January 26, 2004 issue, this publication quoted the blunt statement of a UN official at the Geneva summit: “What we are looking at is the future management of the Internet. It’s [about] what is the best way to manage what has become a natural resource for all humanity.” The summit in Tunis took up where Geneva left off, holding fast to this course of audacity and duplicity."

Indeed, the next big war will be fought with 'boots on the ground' in cyberspace. You can read the rest of his article at TNA Online.

categories: political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant news and politics politics political united nations

Next Terrorist Attack will be from Cyberspace

2005-11-24T18:43:00.000-08:00

The Quintessential 'Smart Bomb'?

According to Australian security expert Luke Howie, a terrorist attack from cyberspace is more likely than a suicide bomber and could create more havoc. Carrying out a deadly attack would need little more than a personal computer, hacking skills and an extremist ideology.

"All over the world, we have a very heavy reliance on technological infrastructure and technological systems; nearly every part of our lives is run by computer systems and essentially that creates a vulnerability".

"Once you have a technical system controlling a piece of infrastructure, something that could potentially cause damage if mismanaged, that technical infrastructure is automatically vulnerable to a (terrorist attack)," said Mr Howie, a research associate at the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre. "You can't station troops on an information superhighway."

Remember Y2K when the world was going to end the year 2000? Well this time it could be for real.

I can't think of anything today that isn't controlled by computers in one way or another. Imagine the aftermath of hurricane Katrina on a national scale. Absolute KAOS!

Disruption of essential services like fresh water, electricity, food, transportation, communications, emergency services... the list is endless and could spell disaster if a coordinated cyber-terrorist attack were to be successful.

It would be the ultimate 'smart bomb'. So what are the authorities doing about it?

I'm not one for fear mongering but it is a frightening scenario.

categories: political football news in the news politics

Lawyer Faces Discipline for Blogging

2005-11-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

Blog's Demise May Chill-Out Other Lawyers' Online Commenting:

Whether or not David Lat loses his job for dishing out the dirt about federal judges, the abrupt end to his weblog may be cause for concern for other lawyers' online creativity.

How many others out there may find themselves in a similar predicament? Could Glenn Reynolds be next? Hardly, but then again one less lawyer in the blogosphere might be a good thing.

Case in point: Judges and many politicians are lawyers, but look where we are today.

tags: blog weblog blogging blog tool blog search diary computing internet computers and internet political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion law legal

Reporters Without Borders’ Secretary General banned from Tunis Summit

2005-11-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Think I'm overreacting? The Secretary General (Robert Ménard) of Reporters Without Borders was banned from attending the United Nations WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) for discussions about control of the internet.

I wonder why?

tags: political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political media law legal internet human rights freedom of speech tunis tunisa united nations

Nations Meet for Control over the Internet

2005-11-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Say NO to Censorship and Keep the Blogosphere FREE:

Here we go. It's Potsdam all over again. The United Nations is meeting to discuss control of the internet. When I read this it was as if I were hit by a lightning bolt.

"Tunisia is preparing to host the United Nation's World Summit on the Information Society, and the United States is bracing for a brawl. While the Internet grew out of U.S. military research, more nations want a greater say in how cyberspace is regulated, the BBC reported Tuesday."

The Tunis meeting, which starts Wednesday, is nominally scheduled to explore ways to extend Internet use to poor nations. But Washington expects opposition to its influence over the Internet to be the real focus of the meeting.

'The rest of the world doesn't want to see U.S. hegemony here, in large part just for symbolic reasons,' says Jonathan Zittrain, chair in Internet Governance and Regulation at Oxford University.

'So there's one set of countries, anchored by Iran, Cuba and China, that would like to see some process by which governments of the world have a much larger hand in controlling the shape of the Internet.'

What did we tell you?

"Mark my words. The blogosphere is on the fast track to being hijacked by the control freaks and big business interests. More restrictive laws and government intervention. Acquisitions and mergers, IPO offerings, get-rich-quick dot-com scam artists, media moguls, ABC, MSNBC, FOX, Pajamas party, whatever."

So why do we need government sticking it's nose in the internet in the first place? Obviously China, Iran, North Korea et al want to silence the human rights activists.

And what's the US's interest? To protect it's turf? Well, maybe. To brainstorm new ways of taxing us? Getting warm. Or maybe Bush just wants to put a stop to us making caricatures of him, all in the name of Homeland Security. Yeah, that's probably it.

There I go being cynical again. But seriously, this is a subject that we bloggers need to watch closely. Although it doesn't mention anything about the blogosphere directly, whatever affects the internet affects bloggers as well.

Let's be real. This isn't an issue about fairness amongst nations. It smells more like governmental control and dividing up the spoils than anything else.

It starts with your rights being eroded one bit at a time, until one day you wake up and find that you have no more rights.

Anything that encumbers openness and transparency in the blogosphere is akin to a good old fashioned book burning. It is censorship any way you look at it.

Are any bloggers attending the meeting? You can bet the farm Bill Gates' entourage will be there in one way shape or form.

The blogosphere is the last remaining FREE democratic organism in a world without borders. Let's keep it free fellow bloggers. This is the time to stand up for your rights and say YES to freedom of speech.

tags: blog weblog blogging blog tool blog search diary computing internet computers and internet technology tech political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political media law legal censorship internet human rights freedom of speech tunis tunisa united nations

Thank You

2005-11-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everybody who has sent me their well-wishes.

Just a brief explanation:

I have dedicated so much time and effort to my blogs (I have several) that I neglected certain issues in my life that can no longer be ignored. Some of this has to do with health issues as well as financial.

It is times like this that serve as a reminder that we are only just human after all.

From the bottom of my heart I appreciate your concern and hope to resume blogging shortly. I don't know if I will be able to write daily, but I will do the best I can under the circumstances.

If anybody would like to contribute to this blog and help with some of the heavy lifting I will be happy to hear from you.

Thank you again for your support.

tags: political football

We Pause for Station Identification

2005-11-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

We are temporarily out of circulation. It seems that karma has decided to make trouble for us.

Should only be a temporary inconvenience and thank you for not giving up on us. We shall return. Promise.

tags: political football

Will "Scooter" Libby Rat-Out Bush?

2005-11-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

At Least That's what the Washington Post thinks.

Today's Headline Reads: "Trial Could Pit Libby's Interests Against Bush's". (They can only wish.)

Libby might cop a plea to avoid a public trial:

"Obviously, the best thing for the Republican Party is to have this all end as quickly as possible," said former representative Vin Weber (R-Minn.), a close White House adviser. "But at the end of the day, you cannot ask a guy who all of us think is an upstanding and honorable guy to give up his legal rights."

Bush dodged a bullet:

A senior White House adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic, said the Bush team believes it dodged a bullet when Fitzgerald charged only Libby on Friday and then pointedly said in his news conference that the indictment should not be read as a condemnation of the war or its run-up.

Rove is left dangling:

Fitzgerald appeared prepared to indict Rove heading into last week for making false statements, according to three people close to the probe. But that changed during a private meeting last Tuesday between Fitzgerald and Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin. It's not clear precisely what happened in that meeting, but two sources briefed on it said Luskin discussed new information that gave Fitzgerald "pause."

Much a do about nothing:
Political FootBall suspects at the end of the day and after millions of tax dollars spent it will all be for nought.

So shoot me.

tags: political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics bush rove libby scooter fitzgerald

Happy Halloween from Political FootBall!

2005-10-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

Drive safely and watch out for kiddies on the street!

tags: political football halloween fun funny humor humour

Bush's Integrity on the Line

2005-10-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

Apparently most Americans agree with us -- that Scooter's indictment is indicative of a much broader issue. It also seems obvious to us that the Washington Post reads Political FootBall:

Last week here at Political FootBall we said:

"However, that is all secondary to the larger issue. And that is the Republican's ousted Clinton on a platform that was supposed to bring integrity back to the Oval Office. So recent events must be of great concern to Bush as well as the American people, no matter which party you are beholding to."

Today the Washington Post states:

"The ethics findings may be particularly upsetting to a president who came to office in 2000 vowing to restore integrity and honor to a White House that he said had been tainted by the recurring scandals of the Clinton years."

Now doesn't that sound familiar? Thanks for reference guys, but a link would have been appreciated.

"A majority of Americans say the indictment of senior White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby signals broader ethical problems in the Bush administration, and nearly half say the overall level of honesty and ethics in the federal government has fallen since President Bush took office, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News survey.

The poll, conducted Friday night and yesterday, found that 55 percent of the public believes the Libby case indicates wider problems "with ethical wrongdoing" in the White House, while 41 percent believes it was an "isolated incident." And by a 3 to 1 ratio, 46 percent to 15 percent, Americans say the level of honesty and ethics in the government has declined rather than risen under Bush."

But we wouldn't go so far as some of our fellow bloggers to tar and feather everyone just yet. Everybody has the right to presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise.

"In the aftermath of the latest crisis to confront the White House, Bush's overall job approval rating has fallen to 39 percent, the lowest of his presidency in Post-ABC polls. Barely a third of Americans -- 34 percent -- think Bush is doing a good job ensuring high ethics in government, which is slightly lower than President Bill Clinton's standing on this issue when he left office."

Bush's low approval ratings will be of major concern to the White House. And that's not good for the country because he will be more distracted with improving his tarnished image than governing.

Integrity in the Oval Office under Fire

2005-10-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Real Issue is the Integrity of the Oval Office has been Tarnished:

At this juncture I'm not all that concerned with who thinks what concerning Lewis Libby, (Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff) indictment. Too many are too quick to jump the gun, and it always just boils down to partisan politics.

Like prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said during his press conference today, the confidentiality of the Grand Jury has to be adhered or even he could go to jail. It's going to take time before details come out and any conjecture at this time only sells the news and keeps bloggers busy - i.e. innocence until proven guilty is the rule of law.

Having said that, I will also say there is something else called Murphy's law that states where there's smoke there's fire. So whether or not the burden of proof will eventually convict the accused, or if they will squeak through, only time will tell.

However, that is all secondary to the larger issue. And that is the Republican's ousted Clinton on a platform that was supposed to bring integrity back to the Oval Office. So recent events must be of great concern to Bush as well as the American people, no matter which party you are beholding to.

Side note: Have you ever noticed that stuff like this usually happens during a president's second tenure? I've come to the conclusion that after a lengthy term in office, politicians eventually become drunk with power, arrogant, sloppy and cut corners, convincing themselves of their own press and immortality. It seems to be a cycle that happens all the time and very few are immune to.

Is Rove off the Hook?

What is also important to note is that there was no announcement about Rove. Clearly the implication is the investigation has run out of steam and Karl may be the hook.

As we watch the proceedings unfold we should not forget there's much more going here than meets the eye. Special prosecutors are looking to make a name for themselves with their five minutes of fame. Angry Democrats are looking for any and every opportunity to take down Bush. Political hacks rest on the fifth and attempt to cover their ass. Spin doctors, agenda-driven investigators and news anchors, so on and so forth.

The real issue is the office of the president has been tarnished. Perhaps we will have to wait for the movie to come out before we can ever know what is really going on. I hear that Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are interested.

For more inanity the daily FISK explains about the week that was.

tags: political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political lewis libby dick cheney bush patrick fitzgerald plamegate

Harriet Miers Withdraws Supremely

2005-10-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

Couldn't take the Heat. Got outta the Kitchen.

Which puts to rest unequivocally that the real litmus test for supreme court nomination is more than just being a nice person or a friend of the president.

Apparently Washington is stunned by the news but we bloggers no better (she must have been reading).

On the one hand I'm sorry to see Harriet go. She probably really is a nice lady and should have at least had her day in court, er I mean the hearings.

But when you're caught in a crossfire, (especially from your own power base) it doesn't take a genius to see the handwriting on the wall. And let's face it, John Roberts was one tough act to follow.

Bush said he reluctantly accepted her decision to withdraw:

"It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House -- disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel," Bush said. "Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the constitutional separation of powers -- and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her."

But Harriet apparently decided to do the honorable thing and save the White House further embarrassment:

" Miers said she was concerned that the confirmation process "would create a burden for the White House and our staff that is not in the best interest of the country....

I have been informed repeatedly that in lieu of records, I would be expected to testify about my service in the White House to demonstrate my experience and judicial philosophy," she wrote....

While I believe that my lengthy career provides sufficient evidence for consideration of my nomination, I am convinced the efforts to obtain Executive Branch materials and information will continue."

It would be interesting to know if Bush had a fireside chat with her and suggested that she honorably bite the bullet (off the record of course).

And speaking of George he had better seriously consider who his next mystery nomination will be. Like his pappy always warned - "would it be prudent".

Unless of course Bush wants another bloodbath on his hands (which I'm certain it will be no matter whom he ends up choosing).

The daily FISK asks - are you ready for round three?

Will Pajamas Media Wake Up Blogs?

2005-10-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

The daily FISK doesn't think so.

tags: political football

Conundrum that is Harriet Miers

2005-10-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Will the Real Harriet Miers Please Stand Up?

A Church-going Republican who supports affirmative action? Who'd ever thunk it possible?

This and more adds to the conundrum that is Harriet Miers' bid for supreme decision maker.

Following the Miers' debacle the question begs to be asked. Do we want a wild-card like her sitting on the bench?

It seems that both sides of the political fence are saying no, and Charles Krauthammer offers Harriet a graceful exit strategy:

"Hence the perfectly honorable way to solve the conundrum: Miers withdraws out of respect for both the Senate and the executive's prerogatives, the Senate expresses appreciation for this gracious acknowledgment of its needs and responsibilities, and the White House accepts her decision with the deepest regret and with gratitude for Miers's putting preservation of executive prerogative above personal ambition.

Faces saved. And we start again."

Rather naive given Bush's pluck don't you think?

tags: daily fisk political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political harriet miers bush supreme court

It's called R E S P E C T Roger Simon

2005-10-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

An Open Letter to Roger Simon (aka Pajamas Media):

I was recently reminded that Roger Simon is a business partner with Pajamas Media, and since Roger has written an open letter to all bloggers I thought I would reciprocate with my own.

So this is for you Roger:

My Dearest Rog. In your bid to take over the blogosphere I wish to remind you of something. You may have been tinseltown's darling of yesteryear, but in the blogosphere you are just another electron. Here you have to earn your stars, and you are only as good as your last post.

Most bloggers are an intelligent, erudite lot, and don't insult our intelligence with your commiserable propaganda.

So heed my advice. If you want respect, give some.

SOURCE: the daily FISK.

tags: blog weblog blogging blog tool blog search diary computing internet computers and internet technology tech marketing business daily fisk political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political media roger simon pajamas media fun funny humor humour

On Harriet Miers

2005-10-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Bush says:

"She is not going to legislate from the bench. She will strictly interpret the Constitution."

On the other hand Bush admits he chose her because she reflects his values.

So which is it George?

Ann Althouse adds:

"And what galls me the most is that it's not at all believable, because Miers has no demonstrable commitment to constitutional interpretation. She's been presented to us as someone who will simply vote the right way. That's the very essence of acting like a legislator."

'Pajamas Media' Network for Elitist Bloggers only:

2005-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

The innocence of its name belies the true nature of this new virtual organism.

Meaning? PJs is a powerplay by a handful of elitist bloggers to carve out a new media empire for their personal (and financial) gratification.

"Pajamas Media, a new blogging venture designed to bring together top online writers, journalists and commentators under a single umbrella, today unveiled its editorial board as it prepares for its formal debut next month.

The announcement comes as Pajamas Media further realizes its vision of coalescing the internet's brightest minds and most compelling content into a single source that will, in turn, complement and re-define journalism in the 21st century."

So there you have it folks. The brightest stars in the virtual firmament who are going to "re-define journalism in the 21st century".

Can you believe the hype? The kahunas! A bunch of pompous self-serving goofballs if there ever was.

And speaking of balls, here I thought re-defining journalism is what the blogosphere is all about, even without the help of PJs et al. Silly me.

They are touting Glenn Reynolds as one of their greatest acquisitions. I must confess that I am all the more enlightened from his inspired and in depth analysis. Spewing his best Spock impersonations such as "indeed" and "indeed", or one of my personal favorites... "indeed".

Do you think perhaps they might (hopefully) consider (God willing) allowing us insignificant pee-ons add our (albeit smallish) comments to their omnipoobah flatulation? Well try this one on for size:

"Golly gee Instapundit, you sure are great. I was really hoping that if you might possibly consider linking to me some time. Pretty please, and I promise to forever be your grovelling fan... pant, pant, drool."

Or will it be the same old droning monologue we're all accustomed to - the sermon from the mount a la Instapun style.

Hell, if we wanted sermons we can always watch Anderson Cooper 360 report to the CNN situation room. So much for a blogging community folks.

Guys, you've got it all mixed up. If you want a one-sided conversation find a soap box and run for public office. Or better still make an application to CNN.

If you want to write a book then write the stinkin' book. If you want to build an exclusive empire so you can call the shots, give Bill Gates a call. But if you want to blog, join the community.

BUT damn it choose, because they're different. Got it? (Are you listening Glenn)?

Can somebody please explain to me how all this nonsense benefits the blogosphere? Oh yeah right, I forgot - it doesn't.

It sounds more like Al Gore's reinvention of the internet than anything else. So let's be clear boys and girls - it is the technology and all of our collective efforts that has re-defined journalism. Not just a few arrogant twits.

Not since the invention of the printing press has so much been given to the common folk. It is its inclusive, collaborative nature and community spirit that gives blogging its influential power.

HELLO! Are you listening? The blogosphere is not the exclusive playground of an old-boys network trying to elevate itself above the rest of us mere mortals.

That is bass-ackwards thinking, destructive and the last thing we need. Another media empire of self-important opportunists believing in their own press, shovelling verbal poop down our collective throats.

Think about it. Did we take down Dan Rather just to create a job opening for Reynolds? I don't think so. Personally I'd rather have Dan back (no pun intended). And for that matter I hear he's looking for work. Any takers?

It's the same old story. If it becomes popular the politicians have to control it, and the capitalists want to exploit it.

Not that I object to making money from blogging. God knows I could use the extra coin. But it is their elitist business model and its ominous implications that I find offensive.

It's called good old fashioned exploitation. The great American way. Look out Weblogs here we come.

Mark my words. The blogosphere is on the fast track to being hijacked by the control freaks and big business interests.

More restrictive laws and government intervention. Acquisitions and mergers, IPO offerings, get-rich-quick dot-com scam artists, media moguls, ABC, MSNBC, FOX, Pajamas party, whatever.

Sounding all too familiar? PJs is a cash grab. Plain and simple. And for whose benefit? The way it reads right now PJs will benefit only a few elitists, that's who.

Perhaps it got lost in the translation, but until they can find a more inclusive model the blogosphere needs this shite like a hole in the head.

```
UPDATE: An Open Letter to Roger Simon

Source: daily FISK!

tags: political football

Finished with the Upgrade (I think):

2005-10-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, hopefully it will be back to business tomorrow. I'm finished with the upgrades (at least for now). At first glance you may not notice much difference but I can assure you that it was a lot of work. The site has many new embellishments that should make your browsing experience all the more enjoyable, as well as more productive. There's too much to mention so let's just say it was worth the effort.

Enjoy!

tags: political football

Blog Standards Revisited (again):

2005-10-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

"If blogs are to be taken seriously, they should live up to the standards of accountability and reliability of the mainstream media that they so deplore."

Sajan Venniyoor takes some pot-shots at the blogosphere, and much of what he says is true, at least on a superficial level. But Sajan takes the idea too far, and what he doesn't understand is the blogosphere must be kept free of legal and bureaucratic encumbrances, no different than the fundamental right of freedom of speech itself.

Sajan sez ......"In June this year, the youth magazine JAM (Just Another Magazine) ran a rather unflattering story on the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM).

...it says much about the navel-gazing quality of the virtual world that few bloggers realize that blogging is a minority interest, and that even in the wired West, it’s only when they bring down a Dan Rather that their online crusades merit serious media or public attention.

If blogs are to be taken seriously as an alternative medium, they should measure up to the standards of accountability and reliability of the mainstream media that the bloggers so deplore. Not so long ago, a fairly popular blog took pot shots at that media behemoth and everybody’s favorite target, the Times of India. The blog’s readers were much amused; the Times less so. A legal notice was duly slapped on the blogger - a perfectly valid one in this case. Discretion prevailed over valour, and the blog closed down voluntarily. There was some outcry over the strong-arm tactics of the Times, but what is significant is that no attempt was made either to defend or substantiate the hostile comments made in the blog."

Writing on the 'net is no different than writing to the local newspaper editor. It's just that the technology gives blogging a much broader reach, and does not require the blessings of an editor to decide whether or not you get published.

It is the editor of public opinion that will decide if you are read. There is nothing more democratic than that. And that is a good thing because freedom of speech has never been so powerful, or so vulnerable.

That is why we see repressive regimes like China doing its darndest to plug the blogosphere. They understand its power. But in the free world discussions about imposing standards is absurb and as dangerous as the Nazi book burnings of pre-WW11.

I can see only two possible exceptions to this. The first would be those pundits who consider themselves professional blogger/journalists who want to be taken seriously. It goes without saying they should be aspiring to the same standards of mainstream media.

After all, if you are going to compete with the big boys and want be accepted on that level then you have to play the game according to the same rules.

Secondly, sites like the daily FISK that use satire humor, and clearly state in their faqs they should not be taken seriously and read for entertainment purposes only.

Otherwise, as for the rest of the joe (or josephine) bloggers out there the wired west has to be kept free. Not since the invention of the printing press has so much power been given to so many, and it must be protected at any cost.

FeedBlitz eMail Subscription Service:

2005-10-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

We've moved our newsletter email subscription service over to FeedBlitz. Don't worry, FeedBlitz made the migration process painless, so if you already have a subscription there's nothing more you have to do. You will still receive our newsletter every day.

So why would you want to subscribe to our email newsletter? And is it safe? Read the FeedBlitz faq to find the answer.

Why the switch from Bloglet? Well, for starters Bloglet hasn't worked most of this past year. Emails go unanswered and it looks like the owner's heart isn't into maintaining it any longer. We appreciate the service all these years but it's time to move on.

FeedBurner has also partnered with FeedBlitz, and if it's good enough for them then it's good enough for me. FeedBlitz offers superior service and features, so for us the move was a no brainer.

tags: daily fisk email newsletter

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

2005-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

tags: blog weblog blogging diary political football news in the news current affairs current events rant ramblings random thoughts society canada thanks giving

WANTED: A Few Good Bloggers

2005-10-09T01:48:00.000-07:00

Why not become a contributing writer for Political FootBall?

We are continually on the lookout for talented writers so send us an email along with your name, blog URL (if you have one) and we'll go from there.

BTW, you can always send us news tips via email, or use the anonymous submission form (FISK button).

Check out our faq for more details. Look forward to hearing from you.

tags: blog weblog blogging diary computing internet computers and internet technology tech political football media writers writing

Sorry for the delay

2005-10-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Political FootBall continues to have problems. What started out as a simple maintenance and upgrade has ended up to be a major headache. Aren't computers wonderful?

We expect to be back to business as usual shortly. We appreciate our loyal readers and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

tags: political football

Miers' Faith In Christ Made Her a Republican

2005-10-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

According to an article in the New York Times, Supreme Court candidate Harriet Miers, born Roman Catholic, became an evangelical Christian and began identifying more with Republicans than with the Democrats who had long held sway over Texas politics.

She later joined the missions committee of her church, which is against legalized abortion, and friends and colleagues say she rarely looked back at her past as a Democrat. Miers attended "two or three" anti-abortion fund-raising dinners in the early 1990's, but has otherwise been active in the anti-abortion movement. According to one of Miers' colleagues:

"You can be just as pro-life as the day is long and can decide the Constitution requires Roe to be upheld".

That's an interesting theory, but why (or how) could somebody who has such deeply held values uphold a law that she is in a moral conflict with? Or for that matter, why would she even want the job?

That's quite a conundrum for anybody, and would be the first question I would be asking if I were on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Media blamed for New Orleans debacle

2005-10-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hollywood meets the news; Drama + Hype = Ratings

Dan Rather was taken to task by Mark Steyn of the Chicago Sun-Times over his comments on the 'Larry King Live'' show about the Katrina news coverage. Personally I like Dan, but ever since Rathergate he does seem to be in a habit of putting his foot in it:

"They took us there to the hurricane," he told Larry. "They put the facts in front of us and, very important, they sucked up their guts and talked truth to power."

According to Steyn, the media got it all wrong:

"Er, no. The facts they put in front of us were wrong, and they didn't talk truth to power. They talked to goofs in power, like New Orleans' Mayor Nagin and Police Chief Compass, and uncritically fell for every nutso yarn they were peddled. The media swallowed more bilge than if they'd been lying down with their mouths open as the levee collapsed. Ten thousand dead! Widespread rape and murder! A 7-year-old gang-raped and then throat-slashed! It was great stuff -- and none of it happened. No gang-raped 7-year-olds. None."

Dan Rather:

"That frickin' Superdome," he raged. "Five days watching dead bodies, watching hooligans killing people, raping people."

Stein:
"But nobody got killed by a hooligan in the Superdome. The problem wasn't rape and murder, but the rather more prosaic lack of bathroom facilities. As Ben Stein put it, it was the media that rioted. They grabbed every lurid rumor and took it for a wild joyride across prime time. There was a real story in there -- big hurricane, people dead -- but it wasn't enough, and certainly not for damaging President Bush."
Stein:

"How appropriate that it should be Dan Rather, always late to yesterday's conventional wisdom, to bless the media's fraudulent coverage of Katrina."

He makes a good point doesn't he? CNN is the worst. It's a good thing we have bloggers to keep them in line.

Tom Delay Indictment a Foregone Conclusion?

2005-09-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

According to most of the comments that I've read (or at least those from the left) it seems that recent charges against Tom Delay are a foregone conclusion. So much for guilt until proven innocence. But that has never stopped the jury of public opinion before, nor will it now. It keeps the bloggers busy and sells newspapers. Here are just some of the comments:

"Now, that's what I call "Breaking News"! CNN.com - Texas grand jury indicts Tom DeLay - Sep... It may be only a small first step, but it's a start. Here's the follow-up: Delay will step aside as Majority Leader. Temporarily. Let's hope it is more than temporary."

"Aww what a shame, poor Tom DeLay has been indicted. Pardon me a moment whilst I shed a tear and play a sonata on the world's smallest violin."

"Tom DeLay, House Majority Leader and probably the most powerful Republican in the country, has just been indicted on conspiracy charges. The dominos are beginning to fall."

Or could it be really be just a frivolous witch hunt as Delay has pleaded? Knowing how dirty the game of politics is played it would not surprise me.

"Kevin Madden, DeLay's spokesman, dismissed the charge as politically motivated. This indictment is nothing more than prosecutorial retribution by a partisan Democrat", said Madden citing prosecutor Ronnie Earle, a Democrat. Madden later added: "They could not get Tom DeLay at the polls. They could not get Mr. DeLay on the House floor. Now they're trying to get him into the courtroom. This is not going to detract from the Republican agenda."

We don't have enough information yet and only time will only tell. But when it comes to politics I live by one golden rule. No matter which side of the fence you may find yourself, we should remember that ALL politicians are self-serving. And most (if not ALL) politicians are first and foremost humans and therefore corruptible.

And speaking of that, I am reminded of the maxim "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". So no matter how all this turns out nothing will surprise me.

But the law also provides that everyone is entitled to be presumed innocent until otherwise found guilty. We should all remember that as we follow this story.

One more thing, even if Delay is found guilty does that automatically indict all Republicans? Hardly, otherwise Teddy Kennedy and the dems would have been banned long ago.

It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds.

tags: daily fisk political football news in the news news headlines headline news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics tom delay political

Political FootBall Headlines

2005-09-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

SHOULD BE an interesting contest someday. Schwarzenegger and Affleck both vieing for the presidency. Ben Affleck is rumoured to be running for senator in Virginia next year. His spokespeople deny it, but in the next breath also say "he would be a superb candidate for public office in the future"...

IS IT A COINCIDENCE that Brown criticizes everyone else except himself or Bush and is still on the FEMA Payroll...

FEMA REINVENTS the word "charity" and plans to use taxpayer money to reimburse churches and other religious organizations that provided shelter, food and supplies to survivors...

FORMER FEMA DIRECTOR Michael Brown blames others for most of the government failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina, especially Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin...

RESIDENTS OF the Texas refinery towns hit hardest by Hurricane Rita are blocked from returning to their homes because of danger from debris-choked streets, toppled power lines and a shortage of ice and generators...

DONALD TRUMP'S EMPIRE continues to expand, but his newest addition is on the home front. The 59-year-old real estate mogul and TV reality star's wife Melania, is pregnant...

CHINA DEFENDS its new restrictions on online news content, saying that every country regulates the Internet...

UNIVERSAL, EMI, Warner, Sony BMG and local subsidiaries have entered into mediation with Baidu.com, China's largest Internet search engine, over the recording companies' claims of copyright infringement....

MORE HEADLINE NEWS at News Blog.

tags: daily fisk political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political media news headlines headline news

Phony Peaceniks Protest in Washington

2005-09-27T00:08:00.000-07:00

That was the scathing headline by Hitch over at Slate magazine about the anti-war protests last Saturday. Has anybody had anything good to say about the protests? I'm still looking.

"The protests were largely sponsored by two groups, the Answer Coalition, which embodies a wide range of progressive political objectives, and United for Peace and Justice, which has a more narrow, antiwar focus.

"International ANSWER," the group run by the "Worker's World" party and fronted by Ramsey Clark, which openly supports Kim Jong-il, Fidel Castro, Slobodan Milosevic, and the "resistance" in Afghanistan and Iraq, with Clark himself finding extra time to volunteer as attorney for the genocidaires in Rwanda.

Quite a "wide range of progressive political objectives" indeed, if that's the sort of thing you like. However, a dip into any database could have furnished Janofsky with well-researched and well-written articles by David Corn and Marc Cooper - to mention only two radical left journalists who have exposed "International ANSWER" as a front for (depending on the day of the week) fascism, Stalinism, and jihadism."

tags: daily fisk political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political society

Rita Drowns out Anti-War Protestors

2005-09-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

According to the Washington Post the numbers exceeded what was initially hoped for in what is being billed as the largest anti-war demonstration since the start of the Iraq campaign. There's lots of commentary to be found, but the most interesting was by Alan Bock:

I still don't know if the demonstrations will have any effect beyond getting Cindy Sheehan arrested...

The newspapers had wire-service stories, and both the Washington Post and the Washington Times covered what was essentially a local story for them. But as far as the electronic media were concerned, the anti-war protests in Washington, D.C., over the weekend might as well have not occurred at all. Once the cable news folks focus on something they seem incapable of noticing anything else that's happening in the world. To be sure, Rita was a big story, but it wasn't the only thing happening over the weekend.

Interestingly, some of the more extensive coverage on Web pages today is from National Review Online, where Byron York and James Robbins work hard to paint the protest as too radical to appeal to mainstream Americans and too miniscule to have any impact on policy.

I don't know enough to have a solid opinion yet, but I'll keep searching for more links. Meantime, it does seem to have mobilized around 100,000 people, about what the organizers had hoped for. The D.C. police chief said it might even have been 150,000. The bits and pieces I caught on C-SPAN on Saturday night were rather disappointing to me - mostly left-wing enthusiasts talking about all kinds of causes and grievances rather than focusing on the war.

Despite all this, I suspect that while those who want to dismiss the protests as strictly the work of a radical fringe are more or less correct at a certain level, there's a certain - well, not quite desperation but almost - in the dismissive tone. The protests might not be the kind of thing most Americans warm up to, but neither is the war popular anymore. Mainstream polls show about 60 percent of Americans think it was a mistake. Sooner or later that kind of opinion surge has to have an effect on policy in a democracy - doesn't it?

Categories: political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political media society

North Korea abandons Nukes, plays Chess

2005-09-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good News or just an Elaborate Ruse?

This was an impressive photo-op but there is no reason to celebrate (yet). What this really demonstrates is how important it is for the U.S. to settle this region of the globe, even if it is only just a stop-gap measure. The U.S. has more than enough on its plate with Iraq and Katrina to contend with.

Apparently North Korea has agreed to give up nuclear weapons activities and rejoin the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Of course, that comes with a proviso that the US promises it will not attack and will provide aid and electricity.

Interestingly, it was China that brokered the compromise:

"The agreement was reached on the basis of a compromise proposal put forward by China in an effort to bridge differences between the United States and Pyongyang over a North Korean demand for a light-water nuclear reactor to produce electricity. The compromise suggested that North Korea be accorded the right in principle to peaceful nuclear energy, but only after dismantling its nuclear weapons program and rejoining the U.N. nuclear inspection regime and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

GIVEN THAT knowledge gained from the "peaceful" use of nuclear technology can easily be transferred to building bombs, it will be incumbent on the U.S. to keep a close eye on Kim whose instability is world renowned.

Sure, U.N. inspectors will eventually be allowed in, but let's hope they will have more success than they did in Iraq. Which demonstrates to this writer how important it is for the U.S. to settle (at least temporarily) this region of the globe. The U.S. has more than enough on its plate with Iraq and Katrina to contend with.

It was a veritable PR coup de gras for the Chinese. So does this imply that China is not really the monstrous behemoth that we have all been told? Is it an evil regime that is finally beginning to come to its senses? Perhaps it is neither and Political FootBall remains suspicious that China was even involved in the deal.

Could it really be part of an elaborate ruse by communist Asia to buy time for N. Korea to get the aid it desperately needs, and while China seeks to become the next economic superpower? All the while lulling the west into a false sense of security in the deadly game of nuclear checkmate. And what about their military alliance? In the grand scheme of things doesn't that make this 'historical' photo-op moot? Many questions that only time will answer.

IT SEEMS likely that economic pressure, $$$ capitalism and carrying the big stick (moving stealth bombers to South Korea) have all contributed to bringing another regime to its knees. That would also be in keeping with the Pentagon's announcement of a new strategy that includes a preemptive strike using nuclear weapons.

No matter, so long as an unstable pompass like Kim remains in control the future of the world will continue to hang in the balance.

BUT THE QUESTION BEGS to be asked if the same tactics would also work for its ally China. Probably not, for unlike it's Soviet counterpart China seems to have found a working formula that successfully blends capitalism and communism, making it an emerging super power. So long as we continue to demand cheap shirts from Walmart that appears to be an almost certainty.

AND WHAT ABOUT Iran and other muslim nations where religious fanaticism is the rule? So long as there remains opposing idealogues and economic disparity in this world the prospect for peace in the long term remains unlikely.

The bottom line is Political FootBall is of the opinion that this latest news does little in the long term for world stability. It only buys time for both sides before making their next power-play.

So we won't be breaking out the champagne, at least for the near future anyhow.

Categories: daily fisk political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political china russia soviet union nuclear korea

Bush Bait and Switch

2005-09-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

IT'S A VARIATION OF the tried and proven bait and switch technique. You screw up, so what do you do? After denial and the passage of time no longer works, first you 'sincerely' apologize.

Then you provide a new and grandiose vision for the future that the people can focus on, and soon (hopefully) all of your past sins will be forgotten. He said what needed to be said, or should I say what the public wanted to hear. It's a strategy that Karl Rove can be proud:

"The main text of President Bush's nationally televised address last night was the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, but the clear subtext was the rebuilding of a presidency that is now at its lowest point ever, confronted by huge and simultaneous challenges at home and abroad -- and facing a country divided along partisan and racial lines.

Hurricane Katrina struck at the core of Bush's presidency by undermining the central assertion of his reelection campaign, that he was a strong and decisive leader who could keep the country safe in a crisis. Never again will the White House be able to point to his often-praised performance after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, without skeptics recalling the fumbling and slow-off-the-mark response of his administration after the hurricane and the flooding in New Orleans.

His response to these criticisms last night was a speech largely shorn of soaring rhetoric and stirring turns of phrase of the kind that marked his efforts to rally the country after the terrorist attacks. Instead, as if recognizing that his own road back will be one marked by steady but small steps, he spoke with workmanlike focus, spelling out the details of what has been done and will be done to help those displaced by the storm.

In again taking responsibility for the federal government's failures, Bush signaled last night that the White House has decided not to contest the widespread perceptions that his administration failed in the early days of the crisis. By embracing those criticisms, they hope to make the issue a sideshow that will play out sometime in the future. Instead, after a halting start, the White House appears intently focused on demonstrating the president's capacity to manage the huge rebuilding effort ahead.

Bush's advisers believe that, despite the partisan finger-pointing over what happened, most Americans are not looking back and will judge the president on what happens going forward. But as Iraq has shown over the past two years, the facts on the ground shape public confidence in the president more than words or promises."

THE QUESTION REMAINS, will it be enough to repair the presidency and his ability to govern effectively for the remaining 40 months?

TALK IS CHEAP. For a fiscally conservative government, will they, or can they possibly deliver?

Categories: blog bloke daily fisk political football news in the news current affairs current events opinion rant ramblings random thoughts news and politics politics political bush george bush dubya katrina hurricane katrina new orleans

Kudos to Bush (sort of)

2005-09-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Damage Control, Dubya Style:

But will it be enough to restore his credibility? President Bush accepted full responsibility for the federal government's (mis)handling of the Katrina disaster. (It's called 'damage control'). On the other hand he only acknowledged the obvious and his confession could have gone further had he volunteered it sooner.

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government and to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said during a joint news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. (Watch Bush's comments).

He repeated his desire to find out exactly what went wrong on every level of government.

"It's in our national interest that we find out exactly what went on ... so we can better respond," Bush said."

A bipartisan joint congressional committee is to review the response at all levels of government to the hurricane and report its findings to Congress no later than February 15.

ROVE TO THE RESCUE:

"Bush already has dispatched his top strategist, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, and other aides to assemble ideas from agencies, conservative think tanks, GOP lawmakers and state officials to guide the rebuilding of New Orleans and relocation of flood victims. The idea, aides said, is twofold: provide a quick federal response that comports with Bush's governing philosophy, and prevent Katrina from swamping his second-term ambitions on Social Security, taxes and Middle East democracy-building."

TOMORROW, the president is to outline his vision more comprehensively than he has to date. A top aide said he will stress that New Orleans officials will dictate how the city will be rebuilt, but will also make plain the reconstruction should reflect his vision of government -- including reducing regulatory obstacles and emphasizing entrepreneurship over big government. He will also discuss plans to provide health care, education, jobs and housing assistance to flood victims.

ANOTHER CASE OF TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

Categories: blog bloke, daily fisk, political football, news, in the news, current affairs, current+events, opinion, rant, ramblings, random thoughts, news and politics, politics, political, media, katrina, hurricane katrina, new orleans, bush

Canada's Nixon Betrayed by Tapes

2005-09-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

The Secret Mulroney Tapes: Unguarded Confessions of a Prime Minister

Canada's most controversial Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, famous for his failed Meech Lake Accord that would have altered Canada's constitution granting extraordinary powers to the province of Quebec, chokes on his own words:

The Globe and Mail reports: OTTAWA -- Brian Mulroney feels "devastated" and "betrayed" and regrets talking candidly to Peter C. Newman, a spokesman said yesterday after the author's tale of the tapes showed the former prime minister savaging opponents and allies alike.

'I was reckless in talking with Peter C. Newman,' " Mr. Lavoie quoted Mr. Mulroney as saying. " 'This was my mistake and I'm going to have to live with it."

"Brian Mulroney is a very colourful, entertaining man in a conversation that says things . . . because they're entertaining," Mr. Lavoie said. "For a man like this to tape him without his knowledge and use it this way is nothing short of betrayal. . . . He's quite devastated."

No doubt!

Categories: blog bloke, daily fisk, political football, news, in the news, current affairs, current events, opinion, rant, ramblings, random thoughts, news and politics, politics, political, canada, brian mulroney, nixon, watergate, society

Brown Resigns - I told you so

2005-09-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

What did I tell you?

Michael Brown resigns just three days after being removed from head of FEMA. Bush's scapegoat makes a speedy retreat as he attempts to improve his public image.

9/11 Remembered

2005-09-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

As we remember that tragic event four years ago, I decided to make available the 9/11 video clip showing a plane crashing into the second tower. You can grab a copy of it here.

U.S. Can't Ban Media Coverage of New Orleans

2005-09-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

CNN Wins the Right to Cover the Search for Bodies of Katrina Victims:

On the one hand we're fed up with government trying to sanitise the carnage. They do this not for our benefit but to minimize public outrage.

In explaining the ban, Ebbert said (the city's homeland security director), "we don't think that's proper" to let members of the media view the bodies.

But on the other hand the media want to cover it because they know that drama and horror sells.

"In an e-mail to CNN staff, CNN News Group President Jim Walton said the network filed the the lawsuit to "prohibit any agency from restricting its ability to fully and fairly cover" the hurricane victim recovery process."

And the political left want to exploit it for the "Perfect Political Storm".

Unfortunately that is the world that we live in. The public are but pawns in this political game. Either way the dead and the suffering lose.

Categories: blog bloke, daily fisk, political football, news, in the news, cnn, current affairs, current events, opinion, rant, ramblings, random thoughts, news and politics, politics, political, katrina, hurricane katrina, new orleans

Bush Needs a Scapegout

2005-09-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

The daily FISK asks the question: Does Bush need a scapegoat? Or is he THE scapegoat?

FEMA boss Michael Brown isn't being fired. He's just being reallocated. Speculation is strong that this is a precursor to his removal as director, but the die-hards remain in denial.

Charles Krauthammer notes:

"The head of FEMA. Late, slow and in way over his head. On Thursday, Sept. 2, he said on national television that he didn't even know there were people in the convention center, when anybody watching television could see them there, destitute and desperate. Maybe in his vast bureaucracy he can assign three 20-year-olds to watch cable news and give him updates every hour on what in hell is going on."

"The president. Late, slow, and simply out of tune with the urgency and magnitude of the disaster. The second he heard that the levees had been breached in New Orleans, he should have canceled his schedule and addressed the country on national television to mobilize it both emotionally and physically to assist in the disaster. His flyover on the way to Washington was the worst possible symbolism. And his Friday visit was so tone-deaf and politically disastrous that he had to fly back three days later."

New Orleans Begins Counting Its Dead

2005-09-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

Too Little, Too Late?

President Bush declares a state of emergency as New Orleans begins gathering up and counting the dead across a ghastly landscape awash in perhaps thousands of corpses.

As the floodwaters recede and the search for the dead begins, there are grim signs that authorities predict a "staggering death toll" from Hurricane Katrina.

"It is going to be about as ugly of a scene as I think you can imagine," the nation's homeland security chief warned. As authorities struggled to keep order, police shot and killed at least five people Sunday after gunmen opened fire on a group of contractors traveling across a bridge on their way to make repairs."

In New Orleans' Garden District, a woman's body lay at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Magazine Street, a business area with antique shops on the edge of blighted housing. The body had been there since at least Wednesday. As days passed, people covered the corpse with blankets or plastic.

By Sunday, a short wall of bricks had been built around the body, holding down a plastic tarpaulin. On it, someone had spray-painted a cross and the words, "Here lies Vera. God help us."

Categories: blog bloke, daily fisk, political Football, news, in the news, current affairs, current events, opinion, rant, ramblings, random thoughts, news and politics, politics, political, society, new orleans, katrina, hurricane katrina

Now Comes The Body Count

2005-09-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

The legacy of Katrina and New Orleans will be whether or not people died unnecessarily:

As they continue draining water out of New Orleans, all the talk is about finding survivors. But the terrible reality is the grizzly task of locating bodies and the human drama of why and how they died will be the real story.

"A horrific glimpse of Hurricane Katrina's wrath emerged on Thursday, as more than 30 patients were reportedly found dead in a suburban New Orleans nursing home overcome by floods. The grim discovery is likely the first of many awaiting rescuers scouring ravaged areas for bodies."

FEMA continues to take a hit from critics. But is also reported that New Orleans strayed from its own disaster plan. It is fairly conclusive that something went very wrong with the relief effort, and there will be plenty of time to point fingers.

"Americans think the response to Hurricane Katrina was inadequate, and spread the blame around all levels of government. President George W. Bush finds disapproval on his handling of the matter, too -- and the public now shows diminished confidence in his abilities to handle a crisis or provide leadership, as well as in the government’s ability to protect the country."

But now is the time to put partisan politics aside and focus on aiding the survivors, bicker later.

"The Bush administration on Wednesday asked Congress for $51.8 billion in Katrina relief and recovery expenses, in addition to $10.5 billion already approved, calling it the latest installment - but not the last."

So who is at fault? In the end this writer believes that all levels of government will share responsibility. And no doubt heads will roll come next election. Lucky for Bush his term will be over.

Hurricane Katrina Aid Relief

2005-09-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

The New York Times provides a "partial list of relief organizations and other information available on the Web".

While you're at it why not join us and leave your thoughts, a prayer, or a word of encouragement for those souls who are suffering during one of the worst catastrophes in US history.

Categories: blog bloke, news, in the news, current affairs, current events, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, terror, society, new orleans, hurricane katrina

An Open Prayer for Victims of Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

With all the finger pointing going on between the politicians, Political Football is of the opinion our efforts would be better spent towards something positive for the casualties of Hurricane Katrina.

We invite you to leave a note for those who have lost their lives, and for those who are barely clinging on to whatever there is left of their lives.

Won't you join us and leave a thought, a prayer, or a word of encouragement for those souls who are suffering during one of the worst catastrophes in US history.

And while you're at it, please also consider donating financial aid towards a Hurricane Katrina charitable organization. Please be aware however that there may be scams out there, so before you give make sure you check them out first.

Categories: blog bloke, news, in the news, current affairs, current events, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, terror, society, new orleans, hurricane katrina

Why Did It Take Four Days to Help New Orleans?

2005-09-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

As convoys finally bring relief to New Orleans, one question begs to be answered:

How is it the most sophisticated and wealthiest country that sends disaster relief within hours to countries worldwide, took FOUR whole days to help its own?

Does that make any sense to you? Because it sure as heck doesn't to this writer!

Categories: blog bloke, news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, hurricane katrina, new orleans

New Orleans Mayor tells Feds: 'Get off your Asses'

2005-09-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

In a local radio interview, New Orleans' Mayor Ray Nagin gave a no-holds barred interview, expletives included:

"NAGIN: I told him we had an incredible crisis here and that his flying over in Air Force One does not do it justice. And that I have been all around this city, and I am very frustrated because we are not able to marshal resources and we're outmanned in just about every respect. (Listen to the mayor express his frustration in this video).

For a ground-zero look at the carnage including live pictures, check out the Survival of New Orleans Blog.

Categories: blog bloke, news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, hurricane katrina, new orleans

Where's the National Guard in New Orleans?

2005-09-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

Many are asking where's the National Guard in New Orleans?

ANSWER: They're in Iraq that's where.

Howard Fineman at Newsweek asks:

"Can America marshal the resources to fight battles in Iraq and rebuild the Gulf Coast? A political storm is brewing."

You can't fight a war on two fronts. Especially when it's on your own turf.

"For years the Pentagon’s standing readiness plans required the country to be able to fight two major wars simultaneously. But no one anticipated what we face now: a war in Mesopotamia and another along the Mississippi."

Hard choices are going to have to be made - and SOON.

Categories: blog bloke, news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, hurricane katrina, society, new orleans

Pat Robertson Jihad Update

2005-08-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Videos Tell a Different Story Pat!

Pat Robertson now says that he never suggested Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez should be killed, and that his comments were taken out of context:

"I didn't say 'assassination.' I said our special forces should 'take him out.' And 'take him out' can be a number of things, including kidnapping; there are a number of ways to take out a dictator from power besides killing him. I was misinterpreted by the AP [Associated Press], but that happens all the time," Robertson said on "The 700 Club" program. (Watch Video Robertson's Apology).

But his retraction falls short of more incriminating comments that he made earlier:

"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it," said Robertson on Monday's program. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war." (Watch Video Robertson's Original Comments)

This writer refused to go the extent of vilifying Robertson like others have, but given his ineffectual apology I now find myself wanting for his excuses.

As you can see Pat the tapes tell us a different story. It's time to get with the program and come clean. Show us some of that character you like to preach. Do the right thing, fess up and stop making excuses.

And while you're at it look into that alzheimer's problem.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, terror, terrorism, terrorist, religion

Pat Robertson calls for Jihad against Chavez

2005-08-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

WHICH only proves that alzheimer's can affect anyone.

OOPS ! Now he's stepped in it. Perhaps it was a case of thinking out loud? Or is it just stinkin' thinkin'?

Pat Robertson was caught talking more like a political leader instead of the founder and chairman of The Christian Broadcasting Network 700 Club. He dared to reiterate out loud what is covertly whispered in the hallowed halls of the White House on a routine basis.

For all our (understandably) moral outrage, perhaps the White House should come clean and admit that discussions like this are an every day occurrence by the nation's power brokers:

(CNN) "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it," Robertson told viewers on his "The 700 Club" show Monday. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war."

Although the State Department says Robertson's comments are "inappropriate", Bush has yet to respond.

Robertson accused Chavez, a left-wing populist with close ties to Cuban President Fidel Castro, of trying to make Venezuela "a launching pad for Communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over the continent... this is in our sphere of influence, so we can't let this happen".

"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it," Robertson said. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

Chavez (who has previously accused the U.S. of wanting to topple his government) has immediately turned this into a public relations pity-party accusing Pat Robertson of making "terrorist statements".

"We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," Robertson said. "We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with."

Criticism of Robertson has been swift who has yet to make an apology.

"It's absolutely chilling to hear a religious leader call for the murder of any political leader, no matter how much he disagrees with such a leader's policies or practices," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (search).

Chavez survived a brief 2002 coup, a devastating two-month strike that ended in early 2003 and recall referendum in 2004. The former army paratroop commander, a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, is up for re-election next year, and polls suggest he is the favorite.

```
Yes, what he said was wrong, BUT who are we kidding with all our moral outrage?

We all know that this stuff goes on all the time. But because it was Robertson all of a sudden we turn into a bunch of stone throwing prima donnas.

So who's the hypocrite?

Obviously Robertson has been playing politics for so long he's forgotten which hat he's wearing. He needs to make a decision which role he wants to play and stick to it.

Is he a political pundit, or is he a representative of Christ? Because this is a perfect example how the two don't always mix.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, terror, terrorism, terrorist, religion, society

Disney Exploits Chinese Workers

2005-08-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

So who is exploiting who?

"Chinese factories making souvenirs and toys for Disney's new park in Hong Kong underpay their workers and have poor working conditions, with frequent accidents that maim employees, according to a study by labor activists.

Employees were forced to work through the night during peak seasons, sometimes for 30 hours at a time, but were paid as little as 400 yuan (47 US dollars) a month with next to no overtime wages, it said."

Big corporations are providing jobs for the Chinese that wouldn't necessarily have a job, but turn a blind eye to human rights.

Ok, it's bad enough that Wally Mart is helping make China the next superpower so they can point more nukes at us. And all the while taking away local jobs.

But what makes this even more ghastly is we're talking Disney here. Mom and apple pie and all that.

So who really benefits? When was the last time you saw Disney souvenirs drop in price?

Perhaps that's why Ovitz could afford give himself a $140 million severance package.

Could that be what this is really all about. Profits ending up in the pockets of shareholders and a few fat cats at the expense of impoverished workers. Good old fashioned exploitation at its best.

Now don't get my wrong. I'm all for profits, but shouldn't the consumers and workers also win? At what expense politically (or humanely) is the short term benefit? It's the classic adage that the end justifies the means.

Was that the vision of Walt Disney? So long as his name remains on the letterhead his predecessors should do right by him. Perhaps we should think about that the next time we are considering buying that new must-have video for our kids.

Think about it. It was Eisner/Disney that led the charge to sue your child for downloading that video off the internet. And do you remember their rationale? They were gonna go bankrupt or something! Yeah right. Tell that to Ovitz and his $140 million golden handshake.

Have we really evolved since the industrial-age sweatshops of yesteryear? As long there is greed in the hearts of men some things may never change. Walt should be rolling over in his grave right about now.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, political, disney, entertainment, toys

"Absolute Moral Authority" of Cindy Sheehan

2005-08-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

If there ever was a political football this would be it.

Much has been said about Cindy Sheehan's "Absolute Moral Authority". But this writer believes that is the playground of the only absolute constant in the known universe - God, and leave the rest for the pundits.

Both sides have shamelessly exploited a mother's pain over the loss of her child. The right will go to any length to discredit her, and the left have made her a poster girl for the anti-war campaign.

One writer laments:

"Along with Fox and others you've run a nasty smear campaign on this woman. Please if you have any heart left leave her some peace now."

Some will say it goes with the territory -- if you make a stand publicly, you also run the risk of public ridicule.

But now that her husband has filed for divorce, and she has left her Crawford vigil to attend her sick mom, perhaps that would be the humane thing to do. Or should I say... the 'right' thing to do.

And what is Bush doing about it?

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, cindy sheehan

Blood Runs Red, Not Blue

2005-08-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

This reminds me of Michael Moore's movie Farenheit 9/11, when he stands on the street asking members of congress to sign up their kids for a tour in Iraq. The astonished look on their faces was priceless. Something like - "are you kidding me?"

BOB HERBERT of the New York Times New York Times writes:

"College kids in the U.S. are playing video games and looking forward to frat parties while their less fortunate peers are rattling around like moving targets in Baghdad and Mosul, trying to dodge improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades.

There is something very, very wrong with this picture.

If the war in Iraq is worth fighting - if it's a noble venture, as the hawks insist it is - then it's worth fighting with the children of the privileged classes. They should be added to the combat mix. If it's not worth their blood, then we should bring the other troops home.

If Mr. Bush's war in Iraq is worth dying for, then the children of the privileged should be doing some of the dying."

He makes a point don't you think?

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, rants, ramblings, news and politics, politics, terror, terrorism, terrorist, london bombing

Intelligent Design OR Looking for God in all the 'Right' Places

2005-08-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

Editors Note: Perhaps all the flak over the president's comments is due to the words "intelligent design" and "Bush" being used in the same sentence?
```
Hell, if you can't see it, and if you can't measure it then it ain't there. Everybody knows that.

We teach our kids real scientific theory not faith, so there's no way that 'Intelligent Design' claptrap is gonna be taught in our schools. Hell, no.

We teach our kids about real stuff that has been proven under strict scientific conditions and stood the test of time.

I doesn't matter to me that most theories are replaced every few years. At least it's done by real science.

After all, we teach our kids about important things like the big-bang theory and gravity and such.

What's that you say? Gravity is an unseen force? Ok, I admit we can't see gravity but we can still feel it's effects. Right? And just because we can't see it don't mean it ain't there.

Ok wait a sec. I think I see where you're going with this so stop messin' with my head. The next thing you're probably gonna tell me is the big-bang never really happened.

Excuse me? Who lit the fuse? Well, just because we don't know who started it don't mean it didn't happen. It was probably that great cosmic arsonist in the sky or something.

I mean... say again? What is the universe expanding into? Talk about an exercise in semantics. No way I'm going there bud.

Ok, maybe I see your point. Come to think of it, scientific theory is kinda like faith. Both take a little bit of "faith" to believe in.

But then again, I never was much of a gambler. May the force be with you.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, school, spiritual, society, science, fun, funny, humor, humour, education

*Editor's other Note: For the benefit of those who did not get it, this post is a tongue-in-cheek work of satire. Thank you, and this has been a public service announcement.

Can we Negotiate with al Qaeda?

2005-08-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

But can they Negotiate with George Bush?

Or alternatively, can we afford NOT to negotiate? These are the interesting questions posed during my meanderings on the net.

Owen seems to share my own views, that there can be a diplomatic solution contrary to Bush's war cry "we're gonna hunt down and smoke out those terrorist killers".

"The latest statement from Ayman al-Zawahri, broadcast by al-Jazeera on 4 August, does not support the claims by President Bush that they want to "impose their dark vision on the world". As I noted here after the London bombings, there is no suggestion that the muslim extremists want to change the way western countries are governed (or as George Bush put it, that "they hate our freedoms"); rather, if the statement is to be believed, the fundamentalists have a much more limited goal of encouraging western countries to stop interfering in the Middle East. al-Zawahri says:"

"Your salvation will only come in your withdrawal from our land, in stopping the robbing of our oil and resources, and in stopping your support for the corrupt and corrupting leaders."

"Tony Blair has claimed that there is distinction between terrorists with, and those without, rational and achievable aims. He said:"

"And the reason for negotiating with the IRA is nothing to do with terrorism, the reason for being prepared to enter into a dialogue with Republicanism is because you do have a demand that is, I may agree or disagree with it, but you can hardly say it is a demand that no sensible person can negotiate on, it is a demand that is shared by many of our citizens in the north."

"This is a rather important, and potentially dangerous, distinction for Blair to have drawn. Because if the agenda of muslim extremists is to cause western powers to stop supporting Israel and to withdraw their armies from the Middle East: well, you might not agree, but you can hardly say that it is a demand that no sensible person can negotiate on."

It is not a sensible notion that a few terrorists can force nations to withdraw support for another sovereign country, let alone Israel. All that they would accomplish is to marginalize their own interests. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Time again the terrorists have repeated their demands that the western nations remove their influence from what is perceived to be their holy land. But that doesn't sit well with the self-serving interests of the Bush oil barons and Haliburton.

Talk about a conflict of interest. That is the real issue here and it is that simple. Sounds like wisps of Lawrence of Arabia, and if he were still alive I'm certain he would be telling us the same thing.

Instead, Bush and his colleagues push us deeper into the oil-rich middle east, and that is what this struggle is really all about. It is a struggle over land for vested interests, and has nothing to do with crusades, good guys vs bad guys or liberating oppressed peoples.

The question posed is, can we negotiate with al Qaeda? That question can only be answered with another question. Can they negotiate with Bush?

But more importantly, can we afford NOT to negotiate? What will be the consequences? Given all the rhetoric we are hearing about the "war on terror" that seems unlikely. In Texas they call it a Mexican standoff. I suppose we will just have to wait and see until George finishes his holiday.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, terror, terrorism, terrorist, london bombing

Welcome the Apologist!

2005-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

We are privileged to announce the addition of Curt Fisher (aka the Apologist) as a contributing writer to Political Football.

Curt is a professional writer whose razor wit, biting humor and insight will keep you entertained as well as informed.

Welcome Curt!

Categories: blog, weblog, blogging, news, announcement, press release

JEWISH TERRORISM

2005-08-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

We live in a world where terrorism is fast becoming an every day occurrence, and the middle east has been a hotbed of terror since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. I came across an article entitled Jewish Terrorism that I thought I would share with you.

A founding father of the state of Israel, David Ben Gurion knew that the right way to treat desperate people is to turn them into builders not murderers. He did not seek to stroke the feelings of revenge that the emaciated Holocaust survivors living in Displacement Camps (DPs) felt. Nor did he treat them as damaged victims.

Read his words. It is frighteningly prophetic amidst all the carnage and hot tempers of today.

"On December 18, 1946, in a closed meeting of the political committee of the Zionist Congress, Ben Gurion argued brilliantly against colleagues advocating terror. His words could not be more relevant today. He began by saying, "One thing is prohibited under any circumstances - murder. Murder - means spilling of innocent blood. Murder - No. I have to tell you that a soldier is a volunteer. I know what it means to be a soldier. The role of the soldier is to kill and be killed for a just cause. . . . But there is something else that is called murder. And there is not one of us who may permit it, and we may not give anyone permission to permit it, especially when it is done in our name." . . .

Ben Gurion believed that terror is self-destructive, especially to the youth engaged in it. "We may not permit within our ranks the demoralizing education of 'only thus,' only with the gun, as it undermines the foundation of our movement," he asserted. It is also wrong to underestimate the people's ability to combine building with self-defense: "As to the question, raised in the Congress at the end of the political debate by one of our best men: "How can we combine these things? - I must answer that we were forced to combine them in reality...I went to plow with a rifle on my shoulder in Segera."

Indeed, the alternative would result in the emergence of a generation which would lack the ability to handle peace: "Imagine: A miracle would happen tomorrow and we would receive a state on both sides of the Jordan, and all the earthly kings would ship Jews to the Land of Israel, and there will no longer be a basis for terror. I know that a few hundred or a few thousand Jewish boys and girls would be the most miserable. They have no other interest in life except to shoot people. They have not been educated for anything else. They will have no meaning to their lives. As this was all their purpose, dream, pathos and song." ...

"If you tell the youth . . . that the only thing to do is to shoot, it could no longer do anything else. It would be the worse exploitation of our brothers and sisters...who after 70 years of work in the land of Israel there are still poor neighborhoods to take their children, who do not have enough to eat, street children, and ...make into murderous bands with the help of the theory 'Only Thus!' (with a gun)."

I highly recommend reading the entire article.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, society, terror, terrorist, terrorism, middle east, israel, jewish

Brits Wipe Out al-Qaeda

2005-08-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

It looks like the Brits have struck back at the terrorist nerve center, wiping out al-Qaeda hard drives at the stroke of a keyboard with all the precision of a web enabled smart bomb.

The web has become the new battleground of terrorism, permitting a freedom of communication denied to such organizations as the IRA a couple of decades ago.

Over the past fortnight Israeli intelligence agents have noticed something distinctly odd happening on the internet. One by one, Al-Qaeda’s affiliated websites have vanished until only a handful remain, write Uzi Mahnaimi and Alex Pell.

Someone has cut the line of communication between the spiritual leaders of international terrorism and their supporters. Since 9/11 the websites have been the main links to disseminate propaganda and information.

The Israelis detect the hand of British intelligence, determined to torpedo the websites after the London attacks of July 7.

Categories: internet, technology, tech, computers and internet, news, in the news, current affairs, terrorism, terror, terrorist, london bombing, london

London Terrorists: Are they the right Suspects?

2005-07-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

It was a humiliating end for the London terrorist suspects. Would-be martyrs becoming humiliated flashers paraded in all their glory for the whole world to see.

So much for going out of this world in a blaze of glory to meet Allah.

Question: If they are really hard-core terrorists, why didn't they just blow themselves up or go out in a hail of bullets?

"Mohammed! Take your clothes off! Come out with your hands on your head!" neighbors quoted police shouting to one suspect.

"I have rights!" the man screamed back.

Later, neighbors said, the man protested that he was scared to come out in his underwear. "How do I know you're not going to shoot me?" he asked in a voice that one neighbor said sounded petrified and as if he were fighting tears."

Could it be that life is really more precious to them than we are told? Or perhaps there is no mold for the terrorist that we can conveniently characterize? Or is it possible they may have apprehended the wrong people?

Knowing how governments will go to great lengths to quell mass hysteria and keep business as usual, I suppose anything is possible. More fodder for thought.

No matter how you look at it, it certainly doesn't fit the demonic profile that we are fed in the local news channel...that all terrorists are mad jihad killing automatons eager to move on to the next world.

Was this a public relations coo de'tat for the British government, or did they jump the gun and arrest the wrong people? Or is the face of terrorism much more complex than we initially thought?

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, london bombing, london bomb, london, terror, terrorist, terrorism

KEY FACTS ON THE PLAME CASE

2005-07-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

Just the facts mamn. The Republican National Committee and its supporters may have perpetuated a smear campaign against Valerie (Plame) Wilson, but do the 'facts' back it up. More about her cover and status with the CIA at the coffee house.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, Karl Rove, PlameGate

Terrorist Sweep in London's Notting Hill

2005-07-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

After a Scotland Yard sweep in the Notting Hill area of London today, three out of four terrorist suspects are now in custody, with one more still at large.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, terror, terrorist, terrorism, london bombing

Police appeared to be acting cautiously amid fears suspects could still have explosives. According to eye witnesses Police insisted the suspects come out in their underwear to make certain they were unarmed.

Bombs Away

2005-07-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

London Police have arrested a London Bombing suspect, and a Seattle court has sentenced the would-be 'Millennium Bomber' to 20 years in prison.

Only 20 years for intending to blow up an airport?

Categories:news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, bomber, london bombing, terror, terrorism, terrorist, bombing

The Face of Terrorism

2005-07-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

This man stands near the double doors, apparently looking up at a Tube map. Looking rather ordinary, his fellow passengers pay him little attention. Moments later he tries to trigger a bomb intending to kill himself and the other travellers in the picture.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics

Terrorist Suspect Shot Seven Times In Head

2005-07-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes was shot eight times by anti-terror police at Stockwell Tube station, London. His cousin Alex Pereira says his family may sue:

"They have to pay for that in many ways, because if they do not, they are going to kill many people, they are going to kill thousands of people. They just kill the first person they see, that's what they did."

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics

Copycat London Bombings?

2005-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

More bombs today but London bridges are not falling. Fortunately the devices failed to explode and may end up becoming a "significant breakthrough" in their investigations.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, terror, terrorist, terrorism, jihad

What do the Terrorists want?

2005-07-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Just what do the terrorists want anyway? Do they have real grievances or are they just a bunch of jihad killing automatons?

There is a heated discussion going on at blogcritics on this very topic. Here is an excerpt of what you can expect:

DN: "There is a difference between actions taken with the intent to do harm and actions taken with the intent to do good"

Jo's response: "Like dropping bombs on children does a hell of a lot of good. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Those "smart" bombs are designed to minimize "collateral damage". So instead of thousands killed we are really only talking about a few hundred or so (per bomb that is).

And just think of all the "good" that's come of it... um, wait... I'm still thinking. Ok, I got it. We've put the world's second largest oil field under U.S. control. Not to speak of all those shiny new military bases in the middle east. And uh... oh yeah, it's just a coincidence that Bush and his daddy are thick as thieves with the Saudis and the oil biz. And then there's $$$ Haliburton, well you don't even want to go there son.

And the war on terror? Well, actually that seems to be on the increase doesn't it. So depending on which side you're on I guess you could say some "good" has come of it.

The fact is Davey there is nothing "lefty" about this at all. The answer is as plain as the schnoz on your face. Your flag-waving, self-righteous "might is right" and "onward Christian soldiers" mentality went out long ago with Richard the Lionhearted. You're a dinosaur that went extinct and you don't even have the good sense to know it."

Whew! Tempers are really flaring and that was some of the more moderate stuff.

In this writer's opinion so long as both sides have the battle lines drawn there will be no peace until we can sit down as reasonable people and work this out.

But there are some who will argue that the terrorists cannot be reasoned with. No doubt there are those on the other side who are of the same opinion.

We listen to the news and hear that we are winning the war on terror. But for all our efforts terrorism still seems to be on the increase. It seems that we are "winning" the battle, while in reality we are all losing the war.

Indeed, there has to be a better way. The consequences are too horrific to even consider. If not then who will be the first to push the button?

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, terror, terrorist, terrorism, jihad

If they take Manhatan, we'll take Mecca

2005-07-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Hasn't anybody seen Dr. Strangelove? Talk about death by stupicide.

Congressman Tom Tancredo put his foot in it when a talk show host asked him how the country should respond if terrorists hit U.S. cities with nuclear weapons.

"Well, what if you said something like - if this happens in the United States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist, fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy sites," Tancredo answered.

"You're talking about bombing Mecca," Campbell said.

"Yeah," Tancredo responded.

The congressman later said he was just "throwing out some ideas" and that an "ultimate threat" might have to be met with an "ultimate response."

Perhaps that will be his undoing and the good citizens of Colorado will 'ultimately throw him out' next election.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, terrorism, terrorist, london bombing, terror

Beam me "UP" Scotty

2005-07-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

James Doohan (Star Trek "Scotty") passed away today much to my personal sadness. You see it wasn't that long ago when I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Doohan, although our first close encounter almost ended up in a head butting.

I had business (no I didn't have to go to the toilet) in an old mansion where a movie shoot was happening. Despite the fact they were ready to roll the cameras they let me through. After completing my errand I was descending a winding staircase that had lighting cables strewn all over the steps.

Because of all the cables I had to look at my feet so I wouldn't end up taking the short trip to the bottom. There was a bunch of actors standing there dressed in butler's uniforms, and about half way down I heard one of them shout "heads up! I looked up to find myself staring eyeball to eyeball with James Doohan, who just happened to be doing the same thing coming up the staircase. We narrowly missed a collision in mid flight.

In my astonishment all that I could muster was "beam me 'down' Scotty". I know, I'm sure he's heard similar versions a million times before but it seemed appropriate at the time and it did get a chuckle out of him.

Later I met him outside again and we shook hands. I thanked him for all the pleasure that he had given me with his wonderful character "Scotty" and told him what an honour it was to meet him.

What a sad day for his fans. Let's hope James will be beamed up to that great starship in the sky where all good trekkies go. "Aye captain".

Categories:news, in the news, current affairs, entertainment, celebrities, james doohan

Just who is John Roberts anyway?

2005-07-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

Is Judge Roberts a sleeper? Does a radical fire-breathing right-winger lay beneath those charming good looks?

Sounds like the makings of a good conspiracy. Something that Teddy Kennedy can get his teeth into.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, supreme court, john roberts, judge roberts

Supreme Court Decision: It's Official

2005-07-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Breaking News! Bush names Judge John G. Roberts to the Supreme Court. Reaction to Roberts is swift and disparate. Although most seem to respect Roberts, the dems are complaining about a lack of a paper trail, so they are promising a gruelling inquisition ahead. But who can resist that face?

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics, supreme court, john roberts

Bush to Name Supreme Court Nominee Tonight

2005-07-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

All bets are on that tonight's the night. The concensus is it will probably be a woman, and the front runner is Judge Edith Clement of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans who is more moderate than her anti-abortionist counterpart Judge Edith Jones.

Watch for it to hit the fan at 9 o'clock tonight as the pundits have a field day with this one. Follow the ball with Political FootBall as we give you all the poop as it happens.

Categories: news, in the news, current affairs, opinion, news and politics, politics