We are now at our new home, here.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
GodTube presidential poll
Guess who's winning? Huckabee of course, is there any Christian candidate? Though, Obama and Thompson are tied for second :-) Ron Paul only has 6.5%, I guess the Paulians haven't discovered it yet.
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Prof. Steve Taylor left Westminster for Biblical Theological Seminary
I'm glad I had him for New Testament Introduction before he left. I wonder who will be teaching that class now? He was an excellent professor (all of Westminster professors are excellent -- I've never disliked any of my professors).
The NTI class looks at various issues related to the New Testament: Second Temple Judaism, the history of Israel up until Christ's birth and beyond, cannon issues, textual criticism issues and the use of the Old Testament in the New. It really was an interesting class and I learned a lot. Here are three of the books we had to read for the class that I found the most helpful:
This book was very helpful in giving me an understanding of what the environment was like when the New Testament was written. It has chapters on Roman law, rulers, Greco-Roman religion and philosophy. This is a very easy read with pictures :-)
We had to write a paper on this book. I found it helpful in understanding why a Jew would reject Jesus. It isn't hard to see why a Jew who loved the Torah would have a problem with a man would claimed to be the Son of God and who said things like this:
Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
This book was helping in understanding the issues related to compilation and transmission of the New Testament.
We are moving the blog to a new platform tomorrow
So, I'll be blogging at Casting Stones tomorrow if I blog at all.
Saudi divorces wife at mall for flirting
A man takes his wife and children to the mall and while there a man hands his her a piece of paper with his number on it. When the husband demands to see the paper the wife refuses to give it to him. So, he did what any man would do in this situation he subjects his family and himself to public humiliation by using the mall microphone to divorce his wife.
Divorce Saudi style? (I wonder how many will get the reference :-)
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Huckabee's new Michigan ad
Back to populism again:
Allahpundit thinks it's an implied negative ad against Romney (he's the guy who would lay them off, Huckabee is just a poor schlub just like them).
Table Touch Screen Terminals To Replace Waiters
Sorry to those in the waitperson field but I love the idea of just ordering my own food and not having someone constantly interrupting my conversion or my meal asking "how is it?" or asking if I need anything. Or being totally ignored and have to wait forever for a refill of my iced tea.
That's because the order goes directly from your fingertips to the kitchen or bar, eliminating the possibility of human error during the transaction process. The new technology is being used at uWink, the latest offering from the founder of Chuck E. Cheese. The company said the new system is providing faster service, fewer mistakes and fewer interruptions.(via)
"Whenever you want ... that extra glass of wine or a dessert … bingo, it happens right away," said Nolan Bushnell of uWink.
"It seems a lot more immediate. If I happen to change my mind or need an additional dish, I can order it right away even if the server is busy doing something else," patron Julie Lightner said.
[...]
However, most diners who've used the touch screens are reporting positive feedback, especially, he said, when they're allowed to close their own bills, or play games while they wait.
"We've had people from all age groups, even seniors, which we didn't expect at all, come back over and over again, having a great time," Bushnell said.
Move by Michigan Democrats to vote for Huckabee in Republican primary
There's a push by the Democrats, who are limited to Hillary, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel in their primary, to mess with the Republican nomination by voting for Huckabee. This is the same group of Democrats who voted for McCain to upset Gov. Engler who was a Bush supporter:
Lemmons said Tuesday that the push for Republican Mike Huckabee was prompted by the dearth of choices on the Democratic side of the Jan. 15 primary ballot. Lemmons said he himself supports Barack Obama, who chose not to run in Michigan.And here's something weird, about 15% of Republicans requested a Democrat absentee ballot:
And he said Democrats supporting candidates other than those on the Michigan ballot can vote uncommitted. But he likes the idea of recapturing the spirit of 2000, when DOG was formed to torment former Gov. Engler, a staunch backer of George W. Bush.
Huckabee got the nod this time because "the Republican establishment supports Romney and McCain," Lemmons said.
Grebner said it seems some known Republican voters -- perhaps 15% -- plan to vote Democratic, based on a sampling of 120,000 requests for absentee ballots (out of 220,000) around the state.Do they intend to bump up Kucinich or embarrass Hillary with a noncommitted vote?
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
So, I guess everyone can drop their change theme now?
You couldn't have more of a status quo vote than McCain and Clinton.
McCain wins
What the heck is wrong with these people? They love McCain for some weird reason. I guess they didn't really care about illegal immigration either.
And it's looking like it wasn't an Obama blowout (hehehehe). Yeah! So, he isn't our political savior after all?
Record turnout in NH
But it's not all Obamania(sorry lefties!)
Secretary of State William Gardner has predicted 260,000 Granite Staters will vote in the Democratic primary and 240,000 will vote in the Republican primary. He predicted that 150,000 undeclared voters will cast votes - 90,000 in the Democratic primary and 60,000 in the Republican primary.I'm feeling a little bit better now and thinking about canceling my plans for a bunker :-)
The Democrats ran out of ballots
Obamania! So, tell me how we win in November against this? From Drudge:
Secretary of State is making runs to Seacoast – Hampton, Portsmouth – and Southern Hillsborough – Pelham, Nashua – to bring extra democratic ballots. Many towns are reporting shortages... Developing...
MS NBC now allows you to embed their videos
It's about time! Hopefully this will encourage the other news outlets to do the same.
Huckabee proposes a constitutional amendment to end birthright citizenship?
It looks like it according to his "top immigration surrogate"
Mike Huckabee wants to amend the Constitution to prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens, according to his top immigration surrogate — a radical step no other major presidential candidate has embraced.Is anyone going to ask him how he plans to make this happen when he won't have the support of Congress. In fact, he doesn't have the support of the Congress on any of the 4 amendments he's proposing:
Mr. Huckabee, who won last week's Republican Iowa caucuses, promised Minuteman Project founder James Gilchrist that he would force a test case to the Supreme Court to challenge birthright citizenship, and would push Congress to pass a 28th Amendment to the Constitution to remove any doubt.
[...]
Mr. Huckabee has defended his policies on illegal aliens while he was Arkansas governor. He pressed for illegal aliens to gain college tuition benefits, complained about federal immigration raids in his state and declined to have state police enforce immigration laws, although the state legislature gave him the authority to do so.
Mr. Huckabee now has adopted one of the strictest immigration platforms of any campaign. He has proposed a policy requiring all illegal aliens to return home and apply for immigration through legal channels.
[...]
Members of Congress have never tried to change birthright citizenship by law.
1. the Fair Tax requires a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Sixteenth Amendment;But it doesn't really matter, does it? It's the thought that counts. He's getting credit for supporting the admendments even though they will all be dropped after the election because there's no way Congress will touch any of them.
2. a Human Life amendment;
3. an amendment to define marriage;
and now 4. an amendment to end birthright citizenship.
BTW, I don't have to tell you that this is a pretty significant flip-flop:
Heading into South Carolina, where illegal immigration appears to be the biggest issue among Republicans, Huckabee is going to support a constitutional amendment prohibiting birthright citizenship? Did I not hear him in several debates, including on Sunday, admonishing those of us who've long opposed birthright citizenship, about God's children coming out of the shadows? Is this not the same man who only a few months ago supported McCain-Kennedy?I guess Huckabee has become the new agent of change in this election, huh?
Update: Huckabee state's that he is not for a constitutional amendment:
Gov. Mike Huckabee has issued the following comment in response to a Washington Times article reporting he would amend the Constitution in connection to children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens:So, he only supports three amendments, not four.
"I do not support an amendment to the constitution that would prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens. I have no intention of supporting a constitutional amendment to deny birthright citizenship."
Obama wins big in Dixville Notch and Hart
She didn't even get any votes in Dixville Notch:
In Hart's Location, Obama received 9 votes, Hillary Rodham Clinton 3 and John Edwards 1. On the Republican side, McCain received 6 votes, Mike Huckabee 5, Ron Paul 4 and Mitt Romney 1.
In Dixville Notch, Obama got 7 votes, Edwards 2 and Bill Richardson 1. Among Republicans, McCain got 4 votes, Romney 2 and Rudy Giuliani 1.
Bill Clinton to Ron Paul Supporters: "You're Nuts!"
Good for Bill Clinton letting these people know they aren't playing with a full deck.
"You wanna know what I think?” Clinton said. “You guys who think 9/11 was an inside job are crazy as hell. My wife was the senator from New York when that happened. I was down at Ground Zero. I saw the victims' families. You're nuts."(via)
Monday, January 07, 2008
The look of love is in your eye...
You might not want to view the video while eating, you might get sick.
Dude, the cops will never smell it
Taking a toke by the police station demonstrates that it may be time to lay off the weed:
Lakehurst police didn't have to go far to make a marijuana arrest. An officer heading home early Saturday smelled pot burning in the police station parking lot.
Sony Rolly
Both Glenn Reynolds and Erik Sofge weren't overly impressed but I think it's cute and if it was cheap enough, I would buy it for Samantha. Here's a video that explains it:
Disgusting News of the Day: U.S. Demand for Human Hair Grows, Used in Wigs, Pizza
Ewwwwww! Why do I have to know that they put human hair in pizza? Yech! I agree with Jonah, TMI!
The mats stored in southern Miami-Dade County are part of a world marketplace for human hair. Uses range from the obvious, such as false eyelashes and wigs, to the more obscure: it's a common raw-material source for l-cysteine, an amino acid frequently used in baked goods such as pizza dough and bagels.
China and India exported more than $154 million worth of human hair last year, according to United Nations trade statistics. They are Blacker's main suppliers.
Panasonic's 150-Inch Plasma TV
Whoa!!! Who has a wall that they could dedicate to something that big?
The 150-inch plasma, dubbed "Life Screen," is now the largest in the world. It boasts 2,000-by-4,000 pixel resolution and is 11 feet wide, or the size of nine 50-inch plasma TVs, Sakamoto said.I guess Panasonic decided not to mess around with a couple inches and made it much bigger to keep the record a few more years.
"It's capable of an amazing picture that is four times the resolution of our current full HD plasma displays," Sakamoto said. "It gives new meaning to the words reality TV."
[...]
Two years ago, Panasonic unveiled a 103-inch plasma TV that was, at the time, the largest available plasma TV. Sharp bested that record at the 2007 CES with a 108-inch device.
Panasonic sold 3,000 of the 103-inch plasmas in 2007, Sakamoto said. "Even I was amazed," he said.
The 103-inch plasmas sold for $70,000 and there are reports that the 150-inch will be $100,000. All that money and no new shows until after the writer's strike :-)
Fred Thompson on The O’Reilly Factor Tonight
Evidently, Thompson hasn't been on yet and O'Reilly is a little cranky about it and kind of beat up Thompson's wife on his radio show trying to badger her into making Thompson do the show. I guess it worked.
Excellent new video from Thompson
He's making his case in a pithier manner for those who don't have the attention span to still through a 17 minute video. Go contribute money so he take his message to SC and kick some tushie. He is the only candidate who could appeal to the Reagan coalition. Ed Rollins is determined to destroy it, don't let him do it. Contribute to Thompson's campaign.
The Twenty Most Annoying Liberals In The United States
You know that the left must have been particularly bad for Ted Rall to #17!
Solomon Among the Postmoderns
I was just over at WTS bookstore and I noticed this book:
It looks pretty interesting. I wish I had time to read it, but maybe you do? If you decide to read it, please use my link so I can get my kickback :-)
Hillary Clinton Crying
Does anyone buy this? After the reports that she's too cold and standoffish, isn't a little suspicious that she cries during a campaign stop? The question she was asked was about her hair. Very suspicious timing. I think she's playing for sympathy (and I do feel a little sorry for her -- she sounded so pathetic).
Video here.
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Update: Here's the video:
She really does come softer and more human. Pretty brilliant performance.
Dave Barry's take on the ABC News debate
Don't think that Gibson would make a good president but I do agree with him that the candidates were pretty testy:
But those who watched the debates saw history in the making, as it became clear, over the course of the evening, that one person, and one person only, embodies the wisdom, the judgment, the maturity and -- yes -- the simple humanity that this nation desperately needs in its next president: Charlie Gibson.BTW, go check out Dennis Kucinich leer.
Unfortunately he can't afford the pay cut. This means we're stuck with the actual candidates, who, as I say, are in a testy mood, as was evidenced in the Republican debate when John McCain and Mike Huckabee, during a particularly testy exchange over illegal immigration, gave Mitt Romney a wedgie. The Democrats, meanwhile, continued their ongoing obsessive argument about change -- who is the most for change; who has done the most changing; who can change with the changing times to bring change to those who need a change; who has taken the time, with all this tromping around New Hampshire night and day demanding change, to change their underwear; etc.
Smartparts' 32-inch digital photo frame
Who in their right mind would need a 32-inch digital photo frame? I just can't see it. Don't you need that room for you 108-inch TV? Check it out for yourself.
Video: Thompson on illegal immigration
If illegal immigration really was the major issue of the campaign, Thompson would win the nomination and the election because he's the only one who understands the issue. He gives the perfect answer to the question of compassion (how can we separate a mother from her children). Why encourage illegal immigration with our policies? We encourage people to put themselves and their children at risk crossing the border since we don't enforce our own laws. If we grant amnesty, we will be encouraging the next generation to do the same thing. That's not compassionate.
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Glenn Reynolds is covering CES for Popular Mechanics again
He has some photos up and he says that Sharp will start selling the 108-inch LCD TV they showed last year.
These people deserve President Obama
Are these people really Republicans or paid Democrat workers infiltrating the Frank Luntz focus groups? Because I can't believe anyone who is called "savvy and sophistic" would say that Romney was authentic and would dismiss Thompson (Romney is lying about his support of the Bush tax cuts). Thompson is the elder statesman of the group, he's the only one who is actually talking policy and he doesn't have to hide his record from the American people. If these "Republican" voters were as sophisticated as they think they are, then they would realize that.
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Sunday, January 06, 2008
The Non-Booth-Babe Babes of CES at GIZMODO
So, what's up with a tech blog posting pictures with red-eye?
Livingblogging the Republican Fox News Debate
I fell asleep during Thompson's explanation of his SS plan.
Update: Not liking this format -- Thompson doesn't get to talk enough.
Updated again: Change theme again! McCain seems to using Clinton's argument. He's a change agent in Washington.
Update: this debate is so dull!!! I think Gibson did a much better job.
Updated for the last time: This is turning into a Romeny/McCain debate and I'm bored. I'm not interested in a Romney infomercial. Off to watch the Amazing Race.
Behind the scenes photos of CES
At Popular Mechanics.
BTW, looks like they'll be a 102-in plasma from Samsung at the show. And Brian Williams will be broadcasting live from the show floor.
Dave Barry Reporting From NH: Huckabutt and the Democrat Dinner
If we didn't have Dave Barry reporting on this race, we would be missing insights into the campaign like these. He goes where the MSM refuses to go:
Speaking of warming, the crowd was warmed up by a blues-rock band called Mama Kicks, and when Huckabee surged into the gym he picked up a bass and joined in playing In The Midnight Hour.'' It was a little rough at the start, and Huckabee turned around and bent over to fiddle with the amplifier, so for a few seconds the crowd was basically looking directly at the Huckabutt, which is a view you rarely get of a leading presidential contender, fortunately. But then the band got it together and did decent versions of Twist and Shout and Mustang Sally, rocking the house New-Hampshire style, with people keeping time by rhythmically thrusting signs that said ''HUCKABEE'' and ''MAKE GLOBAL WARMING A PRIORITY'' into the air.
Then Huckabee introduced Chuck Norris, who broke an IRS agent in half with his forehead. No, I'm kidding, although that would have gone over well. Chuck did say he was unhappy with the IRS, as well as the status quo in general. He is for education. Then Huckabee got up and said he was also against the IRS, and in favor of freedom. The crowd was polite, but I think they were more fired up when he was playing bass.
After that I drove through 293 million cubic miles of picturesque snow to Milford, N.H., where 3,000 Democrats had gathered for a big dinner in the New Hampshire Dome, a big inflatable structure with a plastic roof held up by the air emitted by a guy on the podium introducing every New Hampshire Democrat, living or dead, in the history of the world.
[...]
Until you have heard major Democratic contenders, you do not realize how many times it is possible to use the word ''change'' in a single speech. They're in a big fight over who will be the best changer. At one point, Clinton, sounding like a veteran toll-booth attendant, said, ``I've been making change for 35 years.''
WowWee's WiFi-enabled Rovio
Now, this is something that I think I could use. You know when you go away on vacation and you're worried about your house burning down while you're gone? Having this robot would be worth it just to check to make sure your house is still there.
It has a Northstar GPS system and it knows where it is in the room and can locate it's recharging station on your command. You can use the Internet, cell phone or game console to control it's actions.
It has a bi-directional microphone so you can speak to people who are in the room with the robot. ("Hey burglar get out of my home! I'm calling the police." or "Warning you have violated the sanctity of my home prepare to be annihilated!")
It will be available in the summer for $299 which isn't too much for eyes and ears into what's going on in your home while you're away. Which could be very convenient when you want to check up on your teenagers while you're away. ("I thought I told you no parties while I was away, miss! You are so grounded and don't even think about touching Mommy's Rovio! It better be in one piece when I get home.")
Here's a video of Rovio in action.
A very festy Thompson on Today
Doesn't the MSM get it that a candidate would be stupid to say that they plan to exist the race in the near future? How would they raise any money? Would you give money to Thompson knowing that he plans to leave the race after SC? Why bother?
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It's time for CES again!!!
Yes, it's starting this week and I plan to blog about it just like I did last year even though it comes at a completely inconvenient time (the Fox News debate tonight and the NH primary on Tuesday).
More when I have something to blog about.
al-Qaida available on cell phones
Our enemy appears to be pretty hi-tech in spreading their propaganda:
Al-Qaida video messages of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri can now be downloaded to cell phones, the terror network announced as part of its attempts to extend its influence.I wish we could figure out a way to use it against them.
The announcement was posted late Friday by al-Qaida's media wing, al-Sahab, on Web sites commonly used by Islamic militants. As of Saturday, eight previously recorded videos were made available including a recent tribute to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former al-Qaida in Iraq leader killed by U.S. forces in Iraq in June 2006.
[...]
The terror network has been growing more sophisticated in targeting international audiences. Videos are always subtitled in English, and messages this year from bin Laden and al-Zawahri focusing on Pakistan and Afghanistan have been dubbed in the local languages, Urdu and Pashtu.
In December, al-Qaida invited journalists to send questions to al-Zawahri. The invitation was the first time the media-savvy al-Qaida offered outsiders to "interview" one of its leaders since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Frank Luntz's focus group does not have good news for Hillary
Oh boy! This does not bode well for Tuesday:
Hillary at the Democrat debate: "I'm running on 35 years of change"
I don't think she sounds as shrill as others think she did. She did sound angry but not over the top (she didn't sound like she was ready to fling an ash tray at Obama :-).
(via)
Romney's campaign was the source of Thompson rumor
Published reports that Fred Thompson soon will withdraw from the Republican presidential contest and endorse Sen. John McCain have been traced in part to Mitt Romney's campaign, trying to stir up strife between McCain and Thompson.(via)
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Some thoughts on the Republican Debate
I liked the format, though I wasn't too thrilled with some of the questions and how long they stuck with the questions. The first two were really good but the one on healthcare was a waste of time except for this exchange:
Romney: "I like mandates."Thompson also had the best response on illegal immigration: “attrition through enforcement.” That makes the most sense, if illegals can't get jobs, they'll leave. We don't have to round up anyone, they'll leave on their own. We also should make it easier to get into this country legally -- that would also help.
Thompson: "I didn't think you were going to admit that."
I liked the format, I liked that they could respond to each other. I thought Thompson came across as wise, an elder statesman who knew what he was talking about. Romney came across as thin-skinned and a politician making a stump speech. McCain came across as snippy and a smart aleck and he reminded me again why I don't want him to win. He still doesn't get why everyone but him realizes that he's talking about amnesty. Huckabee came across as subdued and uninspired. He stumbled in his response to the bunker mentality question and he didn't seem to say anything substantive the rest of the debate. No little quips or good humor. Did someone tell him that he couldn't use metaphors during his responses and that he had to be serious and humorless? Rudy almost made me want to vote for him -- he's a very persuasive politician. I can see why he's doing so well. But policy trumps persuasion as far as I'm concerned, that's why I support Thompson. He's good on policy as anyone who was paying attention could see.
And I really did like the end of the debate when Charlie Gibbson brought everyone on stage. It reminds you want is so great about this country, that we will be able to change government without blood shed. That we can be civil to each other. We have our differences but in the end we can still shake hands and let the best man win (hehe). But this is pretty funny.
I'll put up video when I find it.
Marc Ambinder on the debate:
I agree but I could be biased :-)On points, Fred Thompson won the debate.
Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear. Even his insults were subtly and gently constructed In some ways, Thompson did McCain’s bidding. You skeptical readers can tell me that if Thompson had finished a solid fourth in Iowa, I might not be writing about Thompson at all, that said, he's still a candidate, and his performance tonight tells me his mind is not elsewhere.
He also said this:
He and McCain sound like the adults on stage. Thompson is excelling on policy and style... McCain is even and cool-tempered... both doing what they need to do.A whole bunch of people did a better job than I did liveblogging the debate. (How do they do it? I was trying to listen to everyone, when did they find time to type? :-) Here are some of them:
Sean Hackbarth at Fred Thompson's campaign blog.
Michelle Malkin
Political Radar which appears to be more process than content.
Jim Geraghty
Why couldn't our people get the nuke question?
I'm listening to the Democrat debate and what the heck is it that we get the healthcare question and they get the nuke question???
Update: Oh good! They're asking about entitlements.
I'm actually watching the Republican debate
You can watch it live here.
Having Ron Paul at the debate is like having a Democrat there. They have to educate him about the jihadist and what they are fight for and are wasting time.
Good questions, BTW! Gibson is doing a good job.
Update: EEP! I spoke too soon! Why did we just spend a half hour talking about healthcare? Did Gibson think this was a Democrat debate?
BTW, really good tweak by Thompson of Romney and Romney better lighten up. He looks like a jerk and so does Huckabee.
Update again:Off shore drilling people!! No one has said it yet!
Updated yet again: Ahhhhhh! All the candidates were on the stage -- the Democrats and Republicans and they shook each other's hand.
Updated for the last time: Michelle was smarter than me and got screen caps of the shaking hands.
Ok, one more update: The focus group wasn't too responsive to healthcare *snicker* maybe that's because it's not our issue. It's a Democrat issue.
Attention all you undecideds in the Manchester, NH area
You are invited to a Debate Watching Party at Thompson's headquarters:
When
Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Where
Fred08 NH Headquarters
23 West Webster St.
Manchester , NH 03104
(603) 669-0239
Who should come
Anyone who wants to watch Fred knock-em dead in the debate. Undecided voters are welcome. Fred supporters can come by to pick up signs and stickers.
Early Results from Wyoming
First delegate of the twelve went to Mitt Romney:
The first delegate from Albany County in southeastern Wyoming went to Mitt Romney. Results were expected to trickle in throughout the day.More results as I get them.
Update:
The former Massachusetts governor won eight delegates, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson got two and California Rep. Duncan Hunter won one, meaning no other candidate could beat Romney. Caucuses were still being held to decide all 12 delegates at stake.
How can Hillary compete against the new Messiah?
Who has been "delivered to us" and is not the Word made flesh but the triumph of word over flesh:
Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. They enmesh you in a grander moment, as if history has stopped flowing passively by, and, just for an instant, contracted around you, made you aware of its presence, and your role in it. He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair. The other great leaders I've heard guide us towards a better politics, but Obama is, at his best, able to call us back to our highest selves, to the place where America exists as a glittering ideal, and where we, its honored inhabitants, seem capable of achieving it, and thus of sharing in its meaning and transcendence.How does Hillary compete against this? She's just a politician, he's the second coming. She wants politics as usual but he wants to transcend politics for unity and hope (unity in what is the question, of course).
And when the dust clears and we're on to the general who wins in the match between Huckabee and Obama?
So we've got Huckabee with Jesus as his running mate versus, it seems, the Second Coming of Jesus Himself. I guess religious voters are going to have a hard time deciding here.Decisions, decisions!
Atheist sues to have his child removed from Catholic school
A Catholic mother wants to send her son to Catholic school but the atheist father wants to send the son to public school because he doesn't want his child indoctrinated:
According to Kagin, when Ryan and his wife got divorced, a judge ordered their son continue attending a Catholic school.OK, so let me get this straight, if the father doesn't want the child sent to Catholic school, then the state should force the child to go to public school even though the mother wants him to go to Catholic school (and possibly the son wants to go). What is this? The constitution only protects the father's rights? Not the mother's rights? What about the part that says "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?" The state doesn't have the right to stop her from sending her child to Catholic school. I think this case is in constitutional limbo :-)
[...]
Kagin said part of Kentucky’s constitution reads, "Nor shall any man be compelled to send his child to any school to which he may be conscientiously opposed."
Kagin said going by the law, the judge's decision should be easy, but he doesn't know how much the judge will consider Ryan’s son's wishes on the matter.
BTW, the Friendly Atheist states that if the law is followed, this should be an open and shut case. Do atheists really believe that the father's rights supersede that of the child and the mother? Or is that only in the case where the mother is a Catholic and the father is an atheist?
Evangelicalism Today
Touchstone examines the future of evangelicalism by bringing together a diverse group of contributers: Russell Moore, Denny Burk, John Franke, D. G. Hart, Michael Horton, and David Lyle Jeffrey.
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Video: Glenn Beck on his recent surgery
Evidently it didn't go well and he's in a lot of pain. I've only had one surgery that I regretted afterward and have sworn never to do it again: sinus surgery. I threw up the next morning and almost died because I couldn't breath! So, I feel his pain, though I don't think I would have made a video of it and put it on YouTube:
Join me in praying for a quick recovery.
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Friday, January 04, 2008
Dave Barry is reporting from NH this week
On the Democratic side, HILLARY CLINTON, who was the FRONT RUNNER based on her EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE being married to her HUSBAND, BILL CLINTON, totally got pulverized in Iowa by BARACK OBAMA, who has been a U.S. SENATOR for like FIFTEEN MINUTES during which he acquired many NEW IDEAS such as CHANGE. Also he has a supporter named DICK HARPOOTLIAN, which has to be one of the best supporter names ever. JOHN EDWARDS, a MULTIMILLIONAIRE LAWYER who stands for POPULISM, faltered despite having the best HAIR. Both JOE BIDEN and CHRIS DODD dropped out of the race because they had, between them, a total of maybe one SUPPORTER, and he was no DICK HARPOOTLIAN. Remaining in the race because they are still HOPEFUL, meaning DELUSIONAL, are BILL RICHARDSON, MIKE GRAVEL (yes, ''MIKE GRAVEL'') and of course DENNIS KUCINICH, who will keep running until he is felled by a TRANQULIZER DART.
On the Republican side, the big Iowa winner was MIKE HUCKABEE, who believes in MORAL VALUES and lost 100 POUNDS and plays the BASS and has the support of CHUCK NORRIS, who has a HOT WIFE and can break down your FRONT DOOR using only his FOREHEAD. The big loser was MITT ROMNEY, who finished second despite having MONEY and ORGANIZATION and the second-best HAIR and an estimated FOUR HUNDRED ATTRACTIVE CLONE SONS. Finishing third was FRED THOMPSON, who has been on TELEVISION and also has a HOT WIFE, although political observers agree she is not as hot as CHUCK NORRIS' WIFE. (It is not known at this time whether DICK HARPOOTLIAN has a wife, and, if so, how hot she is.) Other names we should mention here in capital letters are JOHN McCAIN, RUDY GIULIANI, RON PAUL, DUNCAN HUNTER (yes, ''DUNCAN HUNTER'') and DICK HARPOOTLIAN.
And now for something completely different....
Yes, I know it's been wall to wall politics around here lately but it's like the Super Bowl to a football fan. What do you guys expect me to do? Ignore it? But I promise something different this weekend like tech and maybe something else (she says with a mysterious smile :-)
Vodkapundit is a tad miffed over the result of the Iowa Caucus
(via)The news coming out of Des Moines (literally, French for “tell me about the rabbits, George”) tonight is distressing in the extreme. 32 years ago, your Democratic brethren took one look at Jimmy Carter -- the worst 20th Century President bar Nixon, and the worst ex-President ever -- and declared, “That’s our man!”
Three decades later, and along comes Mike Huckabee. Same moral pretentiousness, same gullibility on foreign affairs, only-slightly-less toothy idiot’s grin. Then you so-called Republicans took a look at Carter’s clone and said, “That’s our man, too!”
Bill Clinton: the media is forcing Hillary to go negative
Oh. My. Heck! No one can beat Clinton for sheer audacity:
Bill Clinton voiced his abiding anger at the media's coverage of him and his wife in Durham, N.H., today, and suggested that media bias will force Clinton to go negative on Barack Obama.Do yourself a favor and go read his whole quote. When you read it keep in mind how coddled the Clintons are by the MSM.
He also expressed his frustration that his wife is perceived by voters as divisive through, he said, no fault of her own.
Clinton, like his wife, is traveling New Hampshire taking questions from voters, and he spoke at the University of New Hampshire in Durham in response to a plea from a woman who said she'd like it "if you and Clinton joined Barack Obama in putting the Republicans on notice" that it was time to "change the game" and end the "meanness" and "manipulation" in politics.
Clinton replied that he liked the idea — in theory.
"I think we can change it as long as you have access to information by people who are committed to judging everybody by the same set of rules and following the same set of rules," he said. "According to the most recent media analysis, that’s not what’s happened so far, but yeah, I think it should be done."
Did the market want Romney?
The market is tanking, allegedly because of the jobs report, with the Dow down 244 and the NASDAQ off 92 (3.5%) at this writing.(via)
How much of the decline is due to the investor class rejecting the idea that any good news comes out of either Obama-McCain or Obama-Huckabee? Neither matches up well against the youthful, "politics-of-hope" Illinois populist with Oprah at his side. Both Senator McCain and Governor Huckabee are identity politicians who leave part of the Reagan-Bush coalition cold without adding any significant new groups to make up for their loss.
Thompson announced the endorsement of the Right to Life of Wyoming.
A nice endorsement on the eve of the Wyoming caucus!
"We're proud to endorse Senator Thompson for president because he has a long track record of supporting pro-life principles," stated Steven Ertelt, President of Right to Life of Wyoming. "Senator Thompson had a 100% pro-life voting record during his tenure in Congress. Today, he supports overturning the Roe v Wade decision which allowed for unlimited abortions, he opposes euthanasia, and he opposes forcing taxpayers to fund scientific research that requires the destruction of human life."Right to Life of Wyoming (RTLW) is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee which has endorsed Senator Thompson for President, along with 13 other state affiliates.
Thompson needs $540,000 and 50,000 friends for SC
By January 11th.
OK if you're upset that we will be running a populist (Huckabee) against a populist (Obama) then why not do something about it? Why not denote time and money to the Thompson campaign. Why not show Ed Rollins and the MSM that the Reagan coalition is not dead. Why not support the one candidate who can unite the national security, social and fiscal conservatives?
Theocon Identity Politics Didn't Prevail?
Rod Dreher's assessment that Huckabee's appeal was "not just a triumph of theocon identity politics" seems to me a little bit like rewriting history. And though I will concede that Huckabee no doubt received many votes because of his populist appeal and his support of the fair tax he would not have won without the support of the Evangelical vote:
So much for the idea that evangelical Christians are a dispirited and declining force in the Republican party.Identity politics won the day for Huckabee, he deliberately targeted Christians with his ads and with his rhetoric. How can anyone miss the blatant appeal in his speech to the value voters?
Last night they showed up in force -- in stunning force, actually -- in Iowa's caucuses. They were the power that made a winner of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. And they now pose a challenge for Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain -- for every other serious contender, in other words.
Some six in 10 Republican caucus-goers described themselves as born-again or evangelical Christians, entrance polls showed. Almost half of them voted for Mr. Huckabee. Just two in 10 voted for former Massachusetts Gov. Romney. In a very real sense, evangelical voters, as much as Mr. Huckabee, won Iowa's caucuses on the Republican side.
I think it’s important that the language of Zion is a mother tongue and not a recently acquired second language.No one can speak the language of Zion without coming to Zion, can they (Hebrews 12:22)?
Will his appeal be broad enough to replicate his success in Iowa? Maybe, since the field is so cluttered and the national security and fiscal conservative voters will probably still split their vote amongst the remaining candidates. But is there really a desire for a populist candidate with no foreign policy experience and a spotty record on taxes and spending in the Republican party? Do our party members no longer care about smaller government and the empowerment of the individual (someone better tell Rush that he’s no longer the voice of the party if the answer to that question is, “yes”)? If that’s the case, then Huckabee may prevail.
But one thing is clear: Huckabee is the Christian candidate and there is no way we can distance ourselves from that. He made it an issue and the Iowa Christians voted for him because of it. He used the name of Christ to get elected. He will have to live with the consequences of that and so will we.
Another Politico hit piece against Thompson
Nothing makes for a lackluster afterparty like a tie for third place. And that’s where Fred Thompson finished in Thursday’s caucus.(via)The former Tennessee senator won 13 percent support, too close to Arizona Sen. John McCain to call third place in the Republican race.
The crowd of about 100 Thompson supporters watching the Iowa returns in a downtown Des Moines hotel ballroom milled about, chatting amiably and noshing on the free food as if they were at a cocktail party.
“Third place is fine,” said Barnes Kelley, 21, with a resigned tone. “I think he’ll do better in Southern states,” added his younger sister Onnalee, 17.
Thompson spoke very briefly, congratulating his opponents and thanking his supporters.
He asked the crowd where he needs to go next. At their shouts of “South Carolina!” Thompson nodded approvingly. Thompson’s last best shot will be in the south, where he polls significantly better than New Hampshire.
Thompson implied he might soon drop out of the race, saying, “We’ll have to look at our finance numbers.”But there’s nothing like playing to a crowd with low expectations.
“It looks like someone’s gonna have to carry a strong conservative message, and it looks like it’s gonna be me.” The crowd went wild as if Thompson had just sworn up and down that he was sure to win.
They gamely shouted and waved signs for the television cameras.
Michael Murphy, a Thompson volunteer who drove down from Cleveland, shouted exuberantly after the speech, “You hear that? No dropping out!” Not just yet anyway.
As Murphy gamely put it, “there are three tickets out of here: first class, business class and coach. Coach gets you to New Hampshire.”
Thompson’s supporters were pleased that the potential catastrophe of a fourth- or even fifth-place finish, a specter raised by low poll numbers for Thompson in the last few days, was averted.
But the chants of “Fred, Fred, Fred” seemed forced.
But we already know about their lack of observation skills.
Judge for yourself (it's really helpful to have the video to verify the veracity of the MSM).
Related Posts:
Thompson energetic? Not so much
Do we believe Politico or our own eyes?
Thompson is denying reports that he'll drop out if he doesn't place third in Iowa
Thompson making a play for the Wyoming caucus
Along with Ron Paul and Romney. They caucus on Saturday and I'm hopeful they'll be a little smarter than Iowa:
Wyoming Republicans will make history Saturday when they become the first in the country to select delegates for the national GOP convention.Um...that wouldn't be Huckabee, that's for sure!
Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson spent $10,000 each to acquire a list of the names and contact information for party members who will help select the national delegates. Romney set up a state office in Casper, Cubin said.
There have also been calls on behalf of candidates from national GOP figures - including Mary Matalin, a former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, who is supporting Thompson, the former U.S. senator from Tennessee.
"The response has been terrific," Matalin said by telephone Thursday, noting that state GOP members have been keenly interested in Thompson's stance on important national issues. "The thing about Wyoming people, they just like the straight talk. I'm not spinning anybody and not offering any pointers."
[...]
Most party members are thrilled to hear from the campaign, Cubin said, and they have lots of questions about where Romney stands on issues.
"I think people are very discriminating about who they are going to support," Cubin said.
Drake Hill, a former state GOP chairman and a local coordinator for the Thompson campaign, said he and other volunteers are making a final push today.
He has been struck by how informed committee members have become about the candidates. Immigration and national security seem to be the issues people are most interested in, he said.
"They also want to find somebody who can be a leader on foreign policy," he added.
And here's some good news:
Paul has some vocal supporters in the state, but he is not expected to be a favorite on Saturday.(via)
Thompson's still in the race!
Well, my prayers were answered and Thompson's still in the race:
Republican Fred Thompson remained upbeat despite failing to win or finish second in the Iowa caucuses.Take that Politico!
Thompson congratulated his opponents — Mike Huckabee won the vote and Mitt Romney finished second — and said he was looking forward to the contests in New Hampshire next Tuesday and beyond.
As of midnight, Thompson and John McCain were in a close race for a third-place finish.
"It looks like somebody is going to need to carry a strong, consistent, conservative message — and it looks like it ought to be me," Thompson told a cheering crowd of about 200 supporters at a downtown hotel. "I don't know whether it's going to be a definitive third or tied for third, or whatever, but it's pretty clear that we're going to have a ticket to the next dance."
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Christians voted for a Christian tonight
Huckabee won because he played identity politics. He asked Christians to vote for him because he was a Christian and they did. And I believe it was a huge mistake. Christianity has been co-opted by the Republicans too much already and this just marries the two more closely together and the two do not mix. I offer exhibit A as proof, the spokesman for Huckabee:
(via)
Here the article they were refer to.
Ed Rollins really makes a fine spokesman for a Christian leader doesn't he?
Fox projects Obama the winner
Well, there you go. I hope Obama doesn't get the nomination because he's too inexperienced and would be a tough opponent (given that style trumps substance in politics today).
With 2% of the precincts reporting...
This has got to be a very weird precinct! McCain ahead??? I thought they care about immigration? What the heck!
Romney to Ed Rollins: "Don't touch the hair"
ABC News' Matt Stuart and Teddy Davis Report: Mitt Romney made a tongue-in-cheek plea Thursday for Ed Rollins, the Huckabee campaign chairman who recently said that he wanted to knock Romney's teeth out, to keep his hands off his well-quaffed hair.
"The politics are getting interesting," said Romney. "The polls show it is just neck and neck. Down to a razor wire. Tensions are getting high and comments are being made that are really quite questionable. I saw just yesterday the chairman of Gov. Huckabee's campaign said that he would like to knock my teeth out."
"My only comment on that," he added, "is don't touch the hair."
The former Massachusetts governor made his comments while speaking at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines just a few hours before the Iowa caucuses were set to get underway.
The Blogging Caesar predicts a Huckabee and Obama win in Iowa
I'm a little torn by his prediction. I'm elated that he thinks Thompson will come in third and a little concerned because I don't want Huckabee to win by that much.
He's putting up links to other predictions as well.
Huckabee will be on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson tonight
Way to show support for the striking writers that you say you "support" "unequivocally" and "absolutely."
Related Posts:
Huckabee didn't realize that he will be crossing the picket line
"Huckabee: You Can't Deny This Cross"
Romney's new ad against McCain
Brilliant ad by Romney! Hitting McCain on two of the issues that have been the most irksome -- taxes and amnesty -- and using actual voters in NH to criticize McCain. Who does McCain hit for lying about him then? The voters?
(via)
Robertson's 2008 predictions
Even though it's been proven beyond dispute that Robertson is a false prophet, here is further proof:
So why should we believe this?Robertson also noted that one especially horrible prediction he made last year - that a terrorist act, possibly involving a nuclear weapon, would result in a mass killing in the United States - did not come to pass.
"All I can think is that somehow the people of God prayed and God in his mercy spared us," Robertson said.
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said Wednesday that 2008 will be a year of violence worldwide and a recession in the United States, followed by a major stock-market crash by 2010.He also predicts that oil will hit $150 a barrel and that there will be a major stock market crash in 2009 or 2010 (I guess God hasn't decided what year he will send it). All these things might happen but Robertson has already proved that God has not spoken to him:
[...]
"The Lord was saying that there's going to be violence and chaos in the world," Robertson said on his "700 Club" news-and-talk show.
"We've just begun to see what's going to happen, and the nations are going to be convulsed with violence," he said, citing as an example unrest in Pakistan after the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Evangelism will increase because more people are going to be seeking God as the chaos develops, he said.
"We will see the presence of angels and we will see an intensification of miracles around the world, which I think is going to be a wonderful thing," he said.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'-- 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.Good thing Robertson isn't living under the old covenant, huh?
Thompson is denying reports that he'll drop out if he doesn't place third in Iowa
Thompson's camp is denying this story in Politico:
Several Republican officials close to Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign said they expect the candidate will drop out of the race within days if he finishes poorly in Thursday’s Iowa caucus.Here's a report from Byron York and a video of Thompson himself denying the rumors:
Thompson’s campaign, which last spring and summer was generating fevered anticipation in the media and with some Republican activists, has never ignited nationally, and there are no signs of a late spark happening here in Iowa, where even a third-place finish is far from assured.
This reality—combined with a fundraising drought—left well-connected friends and advisers of Thompson Wednesday evening predicting that he will pull the plug on hype and hope before the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary.
Thompson’s departure could shake up the race more than his continued presence. Friends and advisers said they have long considered it likely that if the lobbyist-actor is forced from the race he would endorse John McCain his former Senate colleague who lately has been staging a political revival in New Hampshire.
“Without a solid third-place finish, there’s no point in going on,” a Thompson adviser said Wednesday. “It was an honorable race, and he turned out to be a good candidate. The moment had just passed.”
A Thompson campaign source said there is “a strong likelihood” that if Thompson comes in a distant third in Iowa, with less than 15 percent of the vote, he would drop out soon—most likely before this weekend’s New Hampshire presidential debates.
(via)
He accuses one of the other campaigns of planting the story, someone with too much time on their hands. And he gives a very good answer to the question, what was he going to do to people to caucus for him (Hillary and Obama are offering shovels, rental cars and babysitting)? He said that he was offering to be a very good president. Yeah, that would be enough to get me to caucus :-)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
"Huckabee: You Can't Deny This Cross"
The writers were not too pleased with Huckabee crossing the picket line:
On the other coast, about 100 striking writers carrying signs saying "Mike Huckabee: What Would Jesus Do?" and "Huckabee: You Can't Deny This Cross" protested the Republican presidential candidate's decision to cross their union's picket line outside NBC Studios in Burbank even though he expressed "unequivocal" and "absolute" support for the writers' cause earlier in the day. He was the main guest on Leno's first Tonight Show back from strike hiatus after Jay, too, decided to cross the picket line. The pickets have been crowding every entranceway all day, from 8 AM through 6 PM, to ensure they slammed the former Arkansas governor who of all the GOP candidates running for the White House has actively solicited and received union support.Someone might want to tell Huckabee that supporting the union means not crossing the picket line. Why make the effort to go after a voting block only to throw it away over a very public appearance?
BTW, go see the picture of Huckabee on one of the picket signs here.
Thompson to reporterette: "If I do not live up to the media's standard of sufficient fire in the belly..."
"That's their problem not mine." Thompson doing a good job rejecting the MSM's narrative of his campaign.
Why should he sit there and answer inane questions about process when what he wants to do is let the voters know that he is the conservative choice for president. If he didn't want the job, why the heck would he leave "Law and Order?" Why the heck would he spend most of December in Iowa? (Who in their right mind would go to Iowa in December?) Why would he sit through inane interviews and answer the same questions at every town hall meeting? Why would he spend one minute on the campaign trail? It would be mind-numbingly dull if he didn't have a goal in mind.
We are so hung up on process that we aren't thinking about substance and then when a candidate tries to talk about substance, everyone is hung up on when he got in the race and is he even interested in running and why isn't he campaigning like the other candidates and what happened when he first entered the race. Why don't we just focus on the issues? We say they're important but when the candidate tries to talk about the issues, he's rejected because people think he came too late to the game and not enough people will be able to hear the message and he doesn't have a shot at winning. He's not viable.
But they don't realize that he's more viable than the other candidates because he doesn't have to distance himself from his own record, it speaks for itself. Who do we want to run against a flip-flopping Clinton? A flip-flopping Romney? Who do we want to run against Clinton on the issue of amnesty? McCain? Who do we want to run against Clinton on the issue of abortion? Giuliani? Who do we want to run against Clinton on the issue of taxes? McCain? Who do we want to run against Clinton on the issue of Iran and foreign policy? Huckabee?
On all these issues, I would gladly match Clinton with Thompson because he represents a clear distinction. He would not just be mouthing a warmed over version of Democrat talking points. He would clearly articulate (albeit in maybe a more meandering way than a northern appreciates :-) the conservative position on many of the issues that will come up over the course of this elections.
Clinton precinct captain who switched to Obama is switching again
It looks like the race for president is just as fluid on the left as it is on the right:
Yet when Klopfer showed up at an Edwards house party this morning, it was because she was on the verge of switching again.Here's the ad that Obama made of her switch.
"In both of those people, I didn't see the experience that I'd like to see and kind of the groundedness that I'd like to see," she said of Obama and Clinton, "so I'm really looking at Edwards, and I'm still really looking at Richardson."
Klopfer said she went to see Richardson when he held an event in Mount Pleasant last night and was impressed by both Richardson then and Edwards today.
"Probably I'll caucus for Richardson," she said after Edwards spoke. "My guess is he won't be viable, and then I'll probably scoot right over to Edwards."
Huckabee didn't realize that he will be crossing the picket line
When he goes on "The Tonight Show."
``My understanding is that there was a special arrangement made for the late-night shows, and the writers have made this agreement to let the late night shows to come back on, so I don't anticipate that it's crossing a picket line,'' Huckabee told reporters traveling with him Wednesday from Fort Dodge to Mason City.(via)
``I support the writers, by the way. Unequivocally, absolutely. They're dead right on this one. And they ought to get royalties off the residuals and the long-term contracts.''
``I don't think anybody supports the producers on this one,'' he added. ``Maybe the producers support the producers, but I think everybody in the business and even the general public supports the writers.''
Told he was mistaken and that writers had cleared only Letterman's show, Huckabee protested: ``But my understanding is there's a sort of dispensation given to the late-night shows, is that right?''
Told again that he was wrong, Huckabee murmured, ``Hmmm,'' and, ``Oh,'' before answering another question.
You're not going to believe this but I don't go looking for these Huckabee stories. I have no interest in bashing him. I really don't think he'll be our next president because I really can't see people thinking he's presidential (I could be wrong because I usually overestimate the wisdom of the electorate :-) But when I see something like this it just makes me laugh and so I have to share it with you guys because it's so funny!
Matthews asks if Hillary Clinton is “The sweetest, sexiest woman on this side of the planet”
What??? Why is Matthew even considering the question? Hillary sexy and seductive? Makes you want to throw up a little, doesn't it? (BTW, he even called her "incredibly good looking.")
Here's the full video, judge for yourself:
Do you think she's sexy?
Brits target Taliban bash
They were celebrating the death of Bhutto:
BRITISH commandos launched a devastating blitz on the Taliban – as the evil terrorists held a party to celebrate Benazir Bhutto’s murder.(via)
The dawn raid was staged after messages were intercepted about the sick knees-up in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Royal Marines crept into position as the fanatics partied the night away just hours after Ms Bhutto was killed in Pakistan.
[...]
Troop Sergeant Dominic Conway, 32 – who directed mortar rounds – grinned: “It must have had quite a detrimental effect on their morale.”
Sgt Conway, from Whitley Bay, Tyneside, said of the Taliban lair: “It used to be their backyard and now we’ve made it ours.”
Huckabee: Nobody is able to keep up with Britney, "Dancing with the Stars," or the NIE
Unbelievable. Um...couldn't his handlers let him know that he should at least fake interest in foreign affairs while he's trying to obtain the job of commender in chief and leader of the free world?
If Romney wants to restart his attacks, Huckabee is giving him another chance with that pesky National Intelligence Estimate. Again confusing the timeline (the NIE was out for a full day and a half before he was asked about it), he told the Quad-City Times' Dan Gearino: "Maybe I should've said, 'Have you read the report?' President Bush didn't read it for four years; I don't know why I should read it in four hours."(via)
Then he digs himself just a little bit deeper: "The point I'm trying to make is that, on the campaign trail, nobody's going to be able, if they've been campaigning as hard as we have been, to keep up with every single thing, from what happened to Britney last night to who won 'Dancing with the Stars.' " (Note to Huck: If the choice is between reading an NIE summary and "US Weekly," choose the NIE, at least so long as you're running for president.)
Huckabee: "Maybe he needs a sidekick and I'll be auditioning tomorrow"
I guess by now you've heard that Huckabee plans to fly to CA to do Leno before the caucus tomorrow. I can't decide if it's a good idea or not but I think it's indicative of his campaign and it's something that we might want to think about before we give him the nomination. (Don't we want a candidate who controls the message instead of using the MSM to get his message out?)
It's just an incredible opportunity to be there, particularly the very first night he's back from the writer's strike. Besides, if all else fails and this whole process doesn't work out, maybe he needs a sidekick and I'll be auditioning tomorrow.
Solar Tote
This is kind of cute but expensive ($274). I don't know if I'm out in the sun enough to charge it enough to a usable level. They also have a satchel for guys that is even more expensive ($412).
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Bhutto killed because she was a woman
I was accused of simplistic analysis when I stated that I expected Bhutto to be killed because she was a woman. Well, it appears I'm not the only one who understands this:
ARE women across the world mourning Benazir Bhutto? They should be. Not because she was a saint; she wasn’t. She was at least a beneficiary of the billions stolen by her husband from the people of Pakistan. Nor did she do anything much for Pakistani women during her two periods of leadership, declining even to try to repeal the infamous Hudood laws whereby rape victims can be punished for adultery.I think there are some women who understand the threat that's facing the world right now. They understand the caliphate and what that would mean but there are many women who haven't a clue why this fight is so important. Does anyone know what NOW has said about the assassination? Or are they too focused on "stereotyping toys" and "non-sexist car insurance?"
She should be mourned not because of what she was but because of what she symbolised. Her death was a political assassination, not an honour killing, as some have said.
Nevertheless it was a reminder of what we face. Bhutto was murdered because to her enemies she was Westernised, a traitor to her culture and an American stooge. She was murdered because she had vowed to bring secularism and democracy to Pakistan. She was murdered because she was all these things, and a woman.
“I know I am a symbol of what the so-called jihadists, Taliban and al-Qa’ida, most fear,” she wrote in her autobiography, Daughter of the East. “I am a female political leader fighting to bring modernity, communication, education and technology to Pakistan.”
Yes, fear is the right word. The fear of women, of women’s freedom, and most of all, of women’s sexuality, runs through Islamism. It is a large part of Islamist hatred of the West. “The issue of women is not marginal,” writes the Dutch scholar Ian Buruma. “It lies at the heart of Islamic occidentalism (anti-Westernism).”
It is the “deep, ignored issue”, writes Paul Berman, author of Terror and Liberalism. Why, I wonder, is it mainly men who are making these points?
[...]
Could the murder of Bhutto be enough to wake up Western women to the fact that the war being waged by the Islamists is very much about them? Could the modern Left be persuaded that the people who killed Bhutto are the ones we are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and other places across the world? Can we, in our niceness, stop telling ourselves they are justified in their hatred of us?
(via)
Bloomberg: "No, I will not run for president"
"No, I will not run for president, but I will speak out to try to get people to really focus on the issues and to get rid of partisanship and special interests."Do you think the MSM will stop running these stories now?
U.S. Diplomat Killed in Sudan
An American diplomat in Sudan was shot and killed early Tuesday as he was coming home from a New Year’s Eve party in Khartoum, the capital.
In Washington, the United States Agency for International Development identified the victim as one of its officials, John Granville, 33, originally of Buffalo, N.Y. American officials said it was “too early to tell” if the shooting was random or planned, but Sudanese officials said the circumstances were suspicious, especially because gun crime is rare in Khartoum, considered one of the safest cities in Africa.
The United Nations had recently warned its staff in Sudan that there was credible evidence that a terrorist cell was in the country and planning to attack foreigners.
According to Western officials, Mr. Granville left a New Year’s Eve party at the British Embassy around 2:30 a.m. and headed to his home in an upscale neighborhood in central Khartoum. Shortly before he arrived, a car pulled up next to him and 17 shots were fired, Sudanese officials said. Mr. Granville’s driver, a Sudanese employee of the American Embassy, was killed instantly, and he was shot in the neck and chest. He was rushed to the hospital and died several hours later. A Sudanese government official said the attack appeared well-planned and involved two gunmen who exited their car together, with one of them shooting Mr. Granville and the other shooting the driver. Walter Braunohler, a spokesman for the American Embassy in Khartoum, said he could not comment on the circumstances because the shooting was under investigation.
Joel Osteen, Stuart Smalley, and the Secret Compared
I think it's clear that they all have in common the power of positive thinking. You hold the key to your success. That's not a message that's found anywhere in the Bible. You can't unlock the power of God, he can't be manipulated. He isn't your person genie who will grant your every wish, he is a God who gives you what you need not necessarily what you want.
Christianity Today's Top Ten Stories of 2007
Christianity Today has complied a list of stories that "have shaped, or will significantly shape, evangelical life, thought, or mission."
Predictions for 2008
No, not mine. I'm not that stupid :-) I haven't a clue what's going to happen in 2008, I could die tomorrow or tonight or as soon as I published this post. And I certainly have no idea who will win the presidential election. It could be Hillary or Obama or Romney, I haven't a clue.
But others are much more bold than I, so if you want to make your predictions public, here's a forum to do so.
(via)
Crosswalk.com hacked by atheist
Instead of the largest Christian website in the world (2.5 million views a month; 200,000-plus subscribers), people who visited www.crosswalk.com this morning found a single, crudely designed static page featuring cheesy-looking burning crosses and a message from the hacker directed to “Christian sheep,” talking about how Christianity sucks and is nothing but lies believed by idiots and so on. The message was maybe 50 words long. (It was also about impossible to read, since, as the hacker/author readily admitted, English is not his first language. He’s from the great country of Finland.)(via)
The NH Republicans say there is a debate scheduled for Jan 6
And Ron Paul is still not invited according to WorldNetDaily:
Contrary to earlier reports, the Fox News Channel is hosting a Republican presidential candidate forum in New Hampshire, and, so far, Rep. Ron Paul has not been invited.I wish they would make up their mind since all this back and forth is confusing to this poor blogger and to the many Paulians who have to plan their boycott of Fox News.
WND previously reported the event was canceled three weeks ago, but New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen confirmed today the forum is scheduled for Jan. 6.
The New Hampshire GOP is co-sponsoring the event, to be held at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, N.H., just two days before the crucial primary.
Candidates who have received invitations are former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson.
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