Why did the chicken cross the road?

Dr. Laura has the answers.

(Via The Blog of Walker)

Islamarama for the sock puppets

Via Blazing Cat Fur:

The stalwart defenders of don't-insult-me are throwing a bash honoring the team that took Maclean's magazine and Mark Steyn to court. $500 bucks a head, no less!

(For those unfamiliar with the case, go here for background.)

In BCF's comment thread, I ventured to hope this means they're collecting a fund for an appeal. Hmm!

By the way, you've just GOT to pay attention to BCF's little digs in the comments. Like this: "Have a Halal of a good time!"

Ah, yes :) ... rich, bloggy goodness, as Instapundit is wont to say :)

If at first you don't succeed ...

Via Charles Henry at Covenant Zone:

"For all of us who struggle to stay motivated, here's a young fellow giving us a timely example of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity:"

The demise of virtue

"The financial crisis, detonated by greed and recklessness on Wall Street and in the City of London, is for the West a deep, self-inflicted wound. ...

"If we seriously wish to repair the damage, we need to accept that this is fundamentally a moral crisis, not a financial one. It is the product of the self-indulgence and complacency born of our ultraliberal societies, which have substituted such pseudo-religions as political correctness and saving the planet for genuine distinctions between right and wrong and the cultivation of real virtues."

Read the whole thing -- pretty much nails things. No doubt Ayn Rand is spinning in her grave. Anyone got some land to start a Galt's Gulch?

Instapundit's wife, Dr. Helen Smith, gives an interesting take on just that.

Telling quote: "Why work hard, when it's going to be taken from you?"

Plus, guys -- are you a "himbo?"

Take my hard-earned money -- please

A Missourian at An Advocate For The Republic absolutely nails the biggest danger of an Obama presidency -- the "some animals are more equal than others" redistribution of earned money:

"Considering Constitutional scholar and Law Professor Barack Obama's regret over the restrictions placed on the government by the Constitution (a legal document) and its failure (or as I like to put it, 'runaway success') to guarantee a right to your neighbor's property, I thought that maybe we should consider what the founders thought on the subject:

“'When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.'
-Benjamin Franklin"

AM quotes many, MANY, founding fathers warning against this theft of labor in the name of "the people."

Read the whole thing.

'pumpkin pie zen'

(image credit: Karmasurfer)

Karmasurfer made a pumpkin pie from scratch. (Boy, was it good!)

It was a joyful effort from beginning to delicious end. He sez:

"I suppose it would have been much easier to buy a can of pumpkin stuff, add the spices, and dump it all in a pre-made crust but that wasn't my intention. If I wanted to do it the easiest way possible I'd just buy the damn pie from a place that makes them by the hundreds, but this was supposed to be a zen exercise, not an attempt to acquire a pie. ...

"I didn't build a pie for profit, or to win a prize at the county fair, or because I was hungry. I made it because I wanted to. ...

"If we all did our mundane chores with joy would life taste better?"

'Tom Von Cruise'

(image credit: Col. Robert Neville Always Dresses For Dinner)

My dear friend Col. Neville doesn't channel Mark Twain and Hunter Thompson. He TRUMPS them.

Wrap your taste buds around THIS:

"Dear sports, I watched the freakish nine-minute clip on YouTube, now on Gawker, of Tom ‘Not Joseph Goebbels’ Cruise, talking about the bog-standard whacko crap of Scientology. ...

"I also dug the ones with Tom wearing the ‘Flavor Flav’ medallion cum Super Thetan Award from a box of Cracker Jacks. Dig Tom’s little ‘Sieg Heil’ to the big wall painting of L. Ron Hubbard, done in the style of early 1970’s backstreets of Manila. Yep, real discerning judgement, subtle sense of style and taste there, Tom. Just like some of ya movies."

*********************************

Hahahahahahaha! And that's just a snippet! I bow. I debase myself. I grovel at the feet of Tom Bombadil with a twist.

Did I mention (more than once) that I have a monster crush on the Commander of Cool?

A giant leap, perhaps

Jonathan Kay at The National Post of Canada did a very brave thing, for a journalist in today's avoid-the-facts-at-all-costs climate -- he admitted there might be more to 9/11 skepticism than a bunch of nut jobs.

Mind you, I'm not willing to state that the American government, Baron Rothschild, aliens or whomever masterminded 9/11. But there are far, FAR too many inconsistencies than the 9/11 Commission and Popular Mechanics are able to answer away.

Like this one: Building 7 at the World Trade Center complex only had a couple of fires burning here and there. Why was the building -- to use the demolition-trade expression -- "pulled?" (i.e., demolished) And why did WTC owner Larry Silverstein admit it was "pulled?"

It takes WEEKS for a building to be prepared to be demolished. How did it happen so quickly?

And believe me -- that's just ONE inconsistency. There are hundreds. I simply want answers.

I applaud Jonathan Kay for keeping an open mind. Not easy nowadays, especially for journalists.

Lamentably light blogging, lately ...

I do apologize, dear friends.

This past weekend saw the annual Halloween bash that we throw every year. Since we're out in the country, lots of gun shooting, alcohol imbibing, food fixing and consuming, solving of all the problems of the universe and general draining of the available energy reserves. (Yesterday I was in the Recovery Room.)

We're working on a hilarious video of the festivities, to be posted on YouTube. (When we get the energy back.)

So, I crave your indulgence, and promise to be good. Posting-wise. ASAP.

THIS lion sleeps tonight

Don't fear, my darling

and ...

The real Obama

'do kangaroos have hair or fur? '

An interesting question, especially for my Canadian friends in this climate of "Human Rights" Commission hoo-ha!

That question was, in fact, used as a keyword search during which some (unfortunate) reader found my blog. I discovered this through Google Analytics, a free search engine optimization tool.

(Shameless plug: My company, which shall remain nameless, offers a MONDO service to get you more noticed online than these er, shall we say, rather limited services. But I digress.)

It's interesting to find out how people find you in your lonely outpost in Internet Siberia. Google Analytics tells me that someone was looking up anatomical facts on kangaroos and found my "Kangaroos have kaved" post. Cool!

Now, here's the thing. Some of these keywords and phrases people are using to find me are just downright awesome.

A sampling:

"tyson bonkers star"

"a star that means a guy"

"blog beautiful shooting star" (awww ... :)

"feet pantyhose niqab" (uhhhhh ....)

"marvin gaye national anthem pajamas"

"my skin is brown in french"

"picture of a lonely dog in the wilderness" (this one sounds like a Robert Frost poem!)

"sarah palin shooting bullwinkle" (Not BULLWINKLE ... ?!?)

"what happens when a muslim sees a shooting star" (I dunno ... what?)

"woman being depants" (As a woman who has occasionally uh, depants herself, I can relate. However ... if you're wondering if I'm in the STATE of "being depants," that's another ball game. Either way, I'm not "depantsed." Sorry ...)

... and, finally,

"zombie homer iliad"

(You're expecting, maybe, an army of long-dead Homer fans to rise up and rid the world of non-metaphor-recognizing stupidity? Hey! I'm there!)

*****************

DISCLAIMER: You have just wasted an otherwise profitable hour pondering useless trivia.

Have a nice day!

We've Got A Thing Called Radar Love

~Waving~ to Golden Earring --

You guys rock :)

Singin' the customer service blues

Has this ever happened to you?

Let's say you bank with a fairly large outfit, like Citibank, for example. You simply need to order some more checks.

After going through a tedious voice menu (which does NOT offer you the option of ordering more checks), you finally get a Real Live Person. You are greeted thusly:

"Hah-LOW, my nem is Bob, meh Ah hev yorr accahnt numbah, pliz?"

Your mood instantly sinks. Not another one from India, or the Philippines, or wherever. Here we go again.

Well ... I'd like to say a few words in "Bob's" defense.

On account of I, myself, am now "Bob" after a fashion. That is, I work in a call center, that helps people with our company's web domain, web hosting, e-mail and other services. (Network Solutions, if you're interested)

Here's important stuff you need to know about customer service:

NO. 1 -- IT'S NOT EASY.

Customer-service types are the front line for everyone who uses their company's services -- and in any given company, there are HUNDREDS of different products, services and potential scenarios you are expected to answer, fix or accommodate. It is asking the brain to be simultaneously familiar with EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, and that is not possible. Unless you've worked in that job for years. Most call-center people don't, because these demands are so stressful.

In my situation -- working with web products -- my company is spending LOTS of money on my training, making sure I'm best able to help you quickly and effectively. (And I mean LOTS. And even so, I'm still floundering a bit, because there are so MANY things I'm expected to be familiar with, and that you expect me to be familiar with, and rightly so.) But not all companies are willing to do that. So it's left to the customer service rep to somehow try to answer your situation with less than a full tool belt.

So you're getting someone who WANTS to solve the problem, but might not be able to right away, because of lack of knowledge -- or, leading to No. 2 --

NO. 2 -- WE KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

We're trying to get you on and off this call as quickly as possible. Therefore, if we don't have the knowledge, because we're new, or we're not as good with language as we should be, you might be given what seems like a "run-around," or wrong information. Leading you to have to call us AGAIN to try and resolve the situation.

--> And here, have a thought for "Bob." Okay, it's true companies are trying to save money by outsourcing to foreign workers. And I'm all for having "Bob" join in, provided he gets it, can help, and otherwise is a good element. In "Bob's" case, therefore, there's no reason why he can't help you -- but he is NOT BEING GIVEN THE TOOLS OR TRAINING HE NEEDS. "Bob" is very smart. Given enough training, he'd be more than able to help.

Plus, he is working anywhere from 10 to 14 hours a day. That's enough to sap anyone's ability to solve your problem effectively right there.

NO. 3 -- THE BOSS HAS GIVEN US RULES.

In order to keep the customer-service flow proceeding smoothly, we are bound by a number of restrictions, namely: Call handle time; hold time; being courteous and friendly; branding the company ("Thanks for calling Network Solutions"); taking "ownership" ("I will be glad to help you with that today"); and all the other "scripts" that the company expects you to put forward.

Trying to remember that -- in the midst of solving your problem -- is asking a LOT of the brain.

****************************************

So, I ask you to look at this from the perspective of whom you're talking to, when you've got a check problem, or a phone problem, or a warranty, or whatever.

And in "Bob's" case, he IS fully capable of solving the problem -- it's just that he doesn't have the full training he needs, plus the language problem -- and he desperately WANTS to solve the issue for you.

With this in mind, give "Bob" all the information he needs. (Account numbers? Previous service requests?)

Be PROACTIVE. Recognize that the more information you have, vis-a-vis order confirmations, invoices, whatever, will help him fix the problem quicker.

************************************

NO. 3 -- STOP EXPECTING MICROWAVE-SPEED RESOLUTION. (Please.)

Take a deep breath. Exhale.

We are all used to instant this, instant that. Well -- situations aren't instant, all the time.

We'd appreciate it, as problem-solvers, that you DON'T vent your frustrations on us that we CAN'T solve your problem at light speed. But, well, we know you won't, so we put up with you.

IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME -- INDEED, MORE THAN A DAY -- !!! -- TO RESOLVE YOUR ISSUE.

Come on. Your life will end tomorrow, because it might take a couple of business days to get where you want to be?

*****************************************

Hoom, hom, ha.

*****************************************

UPDATE: (The last statement up there is a Tolkien reference to Ents, in case you're wondering, which you probably aren't!)

I apologize for coming across so negatively. I've never worked at a call center before. I sure enough HAVE had my share of bad experiences with customer service.

So ... I hear ya. And thanks for listening to the OTHER side!

Surfing curls: A life vest for gays

Monster waves, confronting gays in these changing times. Especially gay conservatives.

Gay conservatives adhere to traditional conservative values. But they want the deep commitment to one another to be recognized in the same way traditional marriage vows do, in the wider society. How to reconcile this, if you're straight, a committed Christian, and believe the Biblical texts that tell us homosexuality is wrong? More importantly, how do you reconcile this if you're gay AND conservative?

Because many, if not most, gays DO believe in commitment, and the spiritual cleanliness that brings to a relationship. That is conservative to the core. But in the present climate, bringing legitimacy to their relationships is, to say the least, problematic.

I can tell you that I, as a conservative, believe the traditional view of homosexuality is past due for a re-think. I say this because the science on sexuality shows convincingly that sexual orientation that departs from the ~normal~ male-female model is not an aberration, but a simple difference. That it has existed since humanity began -- and exists in other, non-human populations -- tells me that it is natural.

Therefore, we must re-think the Bible itself. Here is where I may turn off a good number of my fellow conservatives -- but we conservatives are nothing, if not rational, and logic dictates we must question our premises. I believe the Bible contains most, if not all, that we need to live a proper life (barring edits from the likes of Justinian and Eudora, and various politically minded popes, not to mention missing texts we're not aware of).

But I believe the Biblical writers whose text survived were in error, vis-a-vis sexuality. I believe it was THEIR interpretation that homosexuality was wrong, rather than Our Creator saying so. I believe our loving Creator would never punish us because of our sexuality -- because our Creator loves ALL of us.

And that brings me to California Proposition 8, which would ban gay marriage.

I submit to you: Perhaps we should re-think the idea of "marriage." And, as a conservative, I'm not afraid to do so. NOT to do so would consign me to the trash-bin of stupid.

If you've followed me thus far, then I strongly encourage you to read Gay Patriot's assessment of what the California proposition might mean. He has the most honest, insightful look into why this is such a pivotal issue, humanity-wise.

I hope you get a sense of what we need to be thinking about, conservative-wise. And human-wise. (Heck -- anything-wise.)

Pay no attention to that babe behind the burqa

(image credit: ibloga.blogspot.com)

My shameless dig at many Muslims' medieval mindset regarding women in the previous post probably left you guys kind of cold -- so, as penance, I hereby furnish you with a PROPER Muslim babe. I'm sure she's a wonderful woman, as you medieval-minded WOULD PROBABLY FIND OUT if you didn't force her into a body bag!

In all seriousness: Let's appreciate the human form. It excites feelings in us for a reason -- that is, it urges us to explore further, into the person (or gender-nation-specific, in my case) that inhabits the body.

THAT IS WHAT BEING HUMAN IS ALL ABOUT. (Please write this on a sticky note, and attach it to your forehead.)

//lecture off

(How 'bout that Xena Warrior Princess outfit!)

Muslim Babes Of The Day

Well, that's what this post started out as.

What it wound UP as, is, my monster crush on Australian guys. (And pretty much Australia in general.) Makes perfect sense!

(Train-of-thought thing. That is, sexuality, culture, you know.)

The immediate impression most people have when thinking of "Australian guys" is lifeguard hunks on the beach:



But when I think of guys on the beach, I think of the actual GUYS on the beach. Here is a team that received an award for their skill in saving actual lives, and they are far more hunky in their real personae than in their Speedos:



But it comes down to the ordinary Ozzie guy, who, let's face it, enjoys a sip or two of a fermented beverage:



I even have crushes on scientist-types. Yes! Taking humanity forward is hugely attractive, and Oz scientists have attractiveness in the bag:



But when all's said and done, what's best about Australian guys is this: They are attractive to many of us women because A) They never lose their sense of humor; B) Because of A, they look 10 times better already; C) They're tough; D) Because they're tough, and funny, they're 20 TIMES more attractive to women; E) They are very basic, and they force us women to be tough, funny, upbeat, etc. to come up to the level of having a @#$% BALL with life the way they do.

What's not to like? ;)

("Spotlight on Oz" is coming. But, since it is multi-layered, requiring a lot more than just a couple of hours, it will take some time, because, well, it just will. Stay tuned.)

Finally ...

Here are the guys who are most attractive, Australia-wise. Look at them. They know what they have to do. They have already seen their buddies die. They go on.


What makes them different from anyone else? That unique Australian je ne sais quoi; they're like smart draft horses with a sense of humor -- fundamentally clean in how they view life, strong, enduring, quirky -- just a joy.

Perhaps Oz Girls might take exception to my worship of their guys. Fair enough. Guys are guys, whether from Oz or wherever *slapping hands!*

But, well, I have an abiding love for Australians, and that means you girls, too. And I think you know what I mean. I love your guys every bit as much as you do.

****************

Okay, back to the topic at hand. Muslim Babes of the Day.

Here you go. Not responsible for spontaneous er, expressions of joy!

Oops! *blush*

Posted "Muslim Babes of the Day" before putting in pix! Argh. Well, I'll redo it later today. Sorry about that!

Not Horsin' Around

Meet Cholla, this year's most exciting emerging artist.

"His artwork has been described as having the 'fire of Pollock' and the 'fixed gaze of Resnick.'

"Now, the Reno artist will be making his international debut, having been invited to exhibit his work in a juried art competition in Italy.

His creation, "The Big Red Buck," [shown here -- E] was selected for exhibit in the 3rd International Art Prize Arte Laguna, October 18-November 2, Mogliano Veneto, Italy."



(images and link courtesy of boingboing.net)

Fun Chuck Norris Facts

(image credit: www.ourlevel.org)

Some of my favorites:

Chuck Norris once visited the Virgin Islands. They are now The Islands.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.

Chuck Norris doesn't cheat death. He wins fair and square.

Chuck Norris puts the "laughter" in "manslaughter".

Chuck Norris can delete the Recycling Bin.

Chuck Norris can slam revolving doors.

Chuck Norris runs Windows Vista on his Etch-a-Sketch.

Death once had a near-Chuck-Norris experience.

Chuck Norris has to maintain a concealed weapon license in all 50 states in order to legally wear pants.

Mr. T once defeated Chuck Norris in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe. In retaliation, Chuck Norris invented racism.

Rosa Parks refused to get out of her seat because she was saving it for Chuck Norris.

The last digit of pi is Chuck Norris.

'Ron Paul's Strange New Respect'

Well, DUH.

(I welcome any and all debate on why Rep. Paul is, or is not, the best choice for president, at this critical juncture in American history. I promise I'll be respectful. [As a conservative, I'm naturally going to be more courteous than a lefty.] I intend to write him in -- via absentee ballot, since electronic voting machines are all too easily hacked.)

(Please visit here to see how, as, for whatever reason, Blogger doesn't want to accept this YouTube embed code.)

(You won't like it. Trust me.)

'Dancing With The (Political) Stars'

(image credit: The Macho Response)

"Isn't this wild? And they're not just dancing together but running together! Didn't you know? Listen to these Obama voters: they think Sarah Palin is Barack's running mate! They even think all of McCain's political positions are Obamas! From Iraq to abortions, they're right on board! Really! Listen to 'em!

"Oughta be a wake-up call when they discover what they're actually getting,..."

(And what YOU'RE getting from me is a medical bill due to excessive laughter, my friend!)

Ezra's back, and he's ready to mix it up

(image credit: www.theambler.com ... LOL)

Fans of free-speech champion Ezra Levant will be glad to know he's back blogging after a hiatus, and not only is he still taking it on the chin, lawsuit-wise, but he's in demand as a speaker at several forums addressing the abuses of the Canadian "Human Rights" Commission.

Get this: His next appearance will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 1, at a public conference addressing -- are you ready for it? "The media's 'right to offend.'"

So, it's no longer "Canadians' right to free speech," eh? Should be interesting.

Air today, gone tomorrow

"Flown recently? Quite a joy, isn't it?" sez Walker.

(Mmmmmm. He feels just like THESE happy people. Only he's Canadian, therefore a lot more courteous.)

"(A)fter I've paid an extortionate price for my ticket, I can expect to have a nice, safe ride, right?

"Well, not if I'm flying Jazz. The Air Canada subsidiary has made the brilliant decision to remove inflatable life vests from its airplanes, in order to reduce weight, and save on fuel. Apparently, Da Rules say that only one means of flotation is required on an airplane, and since even Air Canada isn't going to remove the seat cushions from their planes, it's the vests that've gotta go.

"Oh, but not for babies, who will still have life vests available to them. I guess the little tykes can't be depended upon to remove their seat cushions in order to float around the Atlantic ocean for several days."

And the insanity marches on.

As I told the Walk-Man, I haven't flown since 1991. And am I glad.

This is for Truepeers :)

You REALLY don't have to go

Why do you only want the things you can't get?

Spotlight on ... Colombia!

(image credit: www.travel-amazing-southamerica.com/colombia)

~waving to friends in Bogota!~ :)

Okay, here's the perception of Colombia in the U.S. consciousness.

You're both a partner in the "war on drugs" and a "potential asset" in geopolitics.

(That is, if ANY American even knows who you are.)

You're the star of movies. Colombian Drug Lords! Instant Villains!

Ugh.

To me, you are healthy forests, ancient culture and wisdom, modern Colombians surfing modern curls the best they know how. I don't give a fig about whatever gangsters might be trying to hijack you right now. I know you are more than your gangsters.

You are your families, yesterday, today, and forever. This is a golden coin. You are so, very, much, more than your reputation.

I spent most of my young childhood in the Republic of Panama (your turn is coming, my compadres!) -- so I know.

Keep to the path, my friends. Though the "Yanqui" may, in fact, be a villain in many senses, there are many "Yanquis" ready to accept you for YOURSELF.

What a beautiful, growing, group of people.

Canada's identity crisis

The recent elections in Canada serve as an excellent bellwether for how to read ideological differences -- and polarities -- in today's world.

We're ALL undergoing change, and Canada serves as an excellent model. In just about every case, it's history being forced at gunpoint by current (and fast-changing) events to re-examine itself. Here's truepeers, at Covenant Zone:

"Part of the reason this was such an uninspiring election with no party having a great vision is because we continue to have trouble articulating the reality of Canada. We can say that Harper failed to win a majority in part because he failed to articulate and defend a clear conservative vision. He played to the centre in a wishy-washy liberal nation.

"And when you don't take risks, you don't create new possibilities. But I think this is really a way of saying we are still in part an imperial culture, often more interested in what a distant government promises to do for us than what we can do with our governments." (emphasis mine)

George Santayana, and all that. ("Those who fail to learn the lessons of history, are doomed to failure")

Here in the Good Ol', we've become so completely disconnected from history -- because we're forward-thinking, 24/7, easy, cheap, convenient, I want it now! -- that those who believe in Common Sense, namely conservatives, now doubt their own allegiance to Real Reality. Why? For whatever reason, we've ALL become seduced by the idea of comfort at ALL COSTS.

Well, there ARE costs. And we are being challenged to decide not only what those are, but how we will pay them.

I think we'll be up to the job. But we're in the turbulence of having to re-think some fundamental things, and that, like Rome, doesn't happen in a day.

Let's go to Israel

A co-worker of mine turns out to be a Baptist minister. What's more, he has visited Israel many times, taking tours there. (The theme is to visit places Jesus, or other Biblical figures, were actually at.) By virtue of his non-profit status, he is able to organize vacation tours there at a very good cost.

Me, I've always wanted to visit the Holy Land.

So.

He's organizing a tour that takes 10 days starting Feb. 23 to March 3.

Here's the breakdown:

For about $2,000, you get 10 days of pretty much all expenses paid (hotel, food, guide) --

If this is the experience you have wanted all your life, (as has been mine), it is astonishingly cheap.

Okay, so it's a church theme. My friend is a Baptist minister, so the theme is the actual places Jesus visited while He was here.

Me, it's about connecting the history dots -- AND connecting with my own history as a card-holder on planet Earth. Either-or -- this is something I won't forget, for as cheap as I'll ever find it.

Contact me if you're interested.

I'm in Sarah-dise

So, the guys over at Covenant Zone have revealed secret crushes on women named Sarah --

-- the particular Sarah sparking the conversation being this artist (and please, by all means, investigate their issue, and support this Sarah) -- and, me, being me, just had to investigate. Turns out there are some happenin' Sarahs:
(image credit: wonkette.com)

"Sarah Chalke has portrayed countless characters on television and in all kinds of films."

(image credit: g-ec2.images-amazon.com)

A Broadway legend.

And, of course, the Sarah of the Day.

Okay -- FULL DISCLOSURE. I might pass my first name off as Mary, but I'm REALLY named Sarah.

;)

Blogburst for Canada

In celebration of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's words July 1, 1960, in the House of Commons:

"I am a Canadian,
a free Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship God in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold
for myself and for all mankind."

Please join in.

(Re)Hire. This. Man. Then. Fire. Them. All.

(~nod~ to Ezra Levant)

My dear Canadian friends, it is my wish that not only will Prime Minister Stephen Harper be re-elected, but that he does so with a burr already in his saddle that does not give him any rest until he deals with it, namely:

GET RID OF THE "HUMAN RIGHTS" CANCER FROM CANADA FOR GOOD.

You'll all be in my thoughts tomorrow.

~Waving~

Rwanda Lite

(image credit: sondrak.com)

A Missourian at An Advocate for the Republic:

"Why are we 3 weeks from election day and no one is talking about this?

'About 50 parishioners were locked into the Assemblies of God church before it was set ablaze. They were mostly women and children. Those who tried to flee were hacked to death by machete-wielding members of a mob numbering 2,000. ...

'The violence was led by supporters of Raila Odinga, the opposition leader who lost the Dec. 27, 2007, presidential election by more than 230,000 votes. ... Mr. Odinga was a member of Parliament representing an area in western Kenya, heavily populated by the Luo tribe, and the birthplace of Barack Obama's father.

'Mr. Odinga had the backing of Kenya's Muslim community heading into the election. For months he denied any ties to Muslim leaders, but fell silent when Sheik Abdullahi Abdi, chairman of the National Muslim Leaders Forum, appeared on Kenya television displaying a memorandum of understanding signed on Aug. 29, 2007, by Mr. Odinga and the Muslim leader. Mr. Odinga then denied his denials.

'Mr. Odinga and Mr. Obama were nearly inseparable throughout Mr. Obama's six-day stay. The two traveled together throughout Kenya and Mr. Obama spoke on behalf of Mr. Odinga at numerous rallies.

'Mr. Odinga told a stunned BBC Radio interviewer the reason why he and Mr. Obama were staying in near daily telephone contact was because they were cousins.' (emphasis mine)

Iraqi weighs in on best presidential choice

As always, the Fadhil brothers are an excellent voice for Iraqis as a whole:

"I mentioned this past summer that pressing priorities in Iraq made Iraqis show little if any interest in the upcoming U.S. election. That was the case when November seemed too far to worry about. We’re almost in October now and things are changing.

"Comments made by MP Sami al-Askari are evidence of such a trend. As an adviser to Prime Minister Maliki and member of his Da’wa Party, al-Askari’s comments are definitely indicative of what’s being discussed in that small circle and probably reflect Maliki’s own viewpoints.

"As recent as June, al-Askari’s position echoed Maliki’s approval of a 16-month timetable for withdrawal. But three months can indeed make a difference, “Iraqis are better off with Republicans.” al-Askari said in an email to Kathleen Parker at NRO last week. (emphasis mine -- E)

"What I understood from the MP’s statement is that the Da’wa Party now thinks it would be better off with Republicans."

The Growing Earth

(via a verbal heads-up from Karmasurfer)

This is a fascinating theory:

"Art chatted with comic book legend Neal Adams about his research on a new model for the Universe and his theory that the Earth is growing. According to Adams, our planet was once only a quarter of its current size, with continents covering most of the world. If one reduces the ocean areas, he explained, the continents fit together perfectly on that smaller globe.

"A smaller Earth would also have a corresponding reduction in gravity, Adams proposed. The effect of lower gravity on a smaller planet is what Adams thinks caused the dinosaurs to grow so large. Reduced gravity would not only affect the physical structure of dinosaurs but their movement as well."

Ron and Hermione ... a love story

(You need to be a Harry Potter fan to understand this post.)

Israelly hot

(via IndiePundit)

Lest you think I'm targeting only medieval Muslim mindsets regarding normal human sexuality, here's evidence from the other side of the fence. Believe me, Jews have their share of narrow thinkers, too, which is why this Israeli government initiative is a breath of fresh air.

Flash! Guys like to look at women! Women like to be looked at! In Israel! Especially on the beach! Where people don't wear a lot of clothes!

Call the cops!

(P.S. I'm only three posts into my Wild-Hair Attack Against Medieval Thinking, and you wouldn't BELIEVE the hits I'm getting from, er, countries whose residents espouse a Certain Faith. A faith that threatens them with death for clicking on these very posts. Hey, my feeling is, live a little, guys :) -- beats becoming a splodeydope, anyway!)

Libtards and nutjobs, unite

"Imagine all the peo-pulllll ... finally ... acting like grownups ... woo-hoo!"

(With apologies to the late, great, and very-much-missed John Lennon)

(Note which outfit oversaw the above-referenced think-in!)

'Jaws of Afterlife'

Tim Blair:

"Don Surber performs a self-Q & A:

'Question: Did a virgin just give birth?

'Answer: Yes. And it is spooky. From the AP: “Scientists have confirmed the second case of a ‘virgin birth’ in a shark. In a study reported Friday in the Journal of Fish Biology, scientists said DNA testing proved that a pup carried by a female Atlantic blacktip shark in the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center contained no genetic material from a male.”

'Question: What does that mean?

'Answer: Those 9/11 hijackers got 72 sharks. Each.'"

'Le Chic, C'est Bleak'

(image credit: James Lileks)

(Or, c'est eek.)

Just when you thought 70's fashion was safely forgotten, along comes James Lileks' disturbing peek into the past. (*Warning: Cringe-inducing*)

This is nothing more than torture. Arrest Mr. Lileks now!

Squirreling away the ACORN

Clinton Democrats aren't just angry their candidate didn't get nominated. They want to alert everyone to Obama's association with a notorious group (no, not the Mafia this time):

"It’s important to know that Obama has been heavily involved with ACORN, which is a housing advocacy group that also leads very ambitious voter-registration drives through Project Vote. It also happens to be a notoriously corrupt organization that has been involved in scandalous episodes of voter fraud (numerous accounts) and also embezzlement (1 million dollars), and they are the sort of aggressive group that protests outside of mayor’s homes, etc."

Of course, the Lamestream Media is all over this one. Right?

Note the language in The New York Slimes' lede to its main story on Friday: "Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign on Friday stepped up its efforts to tie Senator Barack Obama to a community organizing group that has been accused of involvement in problematic voter registrations ..." (emphasis mine) Like the whole thing is simply McCain trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.

"Problematic" voter registrations, eh? I'd say yeah, this is kind of problematic -- along with 7-year-olds and 6-year-olds being registered (via Tim Blair).

It gets better. (Or worse.)

"The group, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or Acorn, has long been a favorite target of conservatives. It made news this year when it was revealed that a brother of Acorn’s founder had embezzled almost $1 million from the organization but that Acorn had failed to disclose the theft for eight years."

It's breathtaking. In the VERY SAME GRAF, the paper pooh-poohs conservatives' concerns while admitting that a huge crime had actually taken place. (But don't listen to those silly conservatives -- nothing to see here, move along.)

Yikes.

Rage inside the machine

Via Covenant Zone:

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is not above a little cheap chicanery, snooping-wise.

But don't hate them because they're sleazy!

Help the CIC appeal!

Ha ha! Mark Steyn delivers yet another awesome left hook:

"I sympathize with the Canadian Islamic Congress, whose mouthpiece feels that, if the British Columbia pseudo-judges had applied the logic of previous decisions, we'd have been found guilty. He's right: Under the ludicrous British Columbia "Human Rights" Code, we are guilty. Which is why the Canadian Islamic Congress should appeal, and why I offered on the radio an hour ago to chip in a thousand bucks towards their costs."

We might be in tight financial times, but I would GLADLY donate to this cause.

***************************************

UPDATE: Another fighter has emerged -- under the radar, up till now:

"While others sink under the firepower of Canada’s 'human rights' machine, a British Columbia businesswoman stands directly in front of it and, like John Paul Jones, declares she has not yet begun to fight.

“'Now that my four children are all grown up, and three of them are married, I can really get down to business,' Kari Simpson told Chalcedon.

"She’s been fighting her battle for eleven years, so far; and now she’s ready to go on the offensive.

"Mrs. Simpson’s plan is simple — and audacious. She plans to file a human rights complaint against the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal."

(emphasis mine)

I wish I could contribute to her cause as well. Never give in!

(Via The Blog of Walker)

Hey, thieves -- help yerselves to my stuff

Britain's doomed. I mean, DOOMED.

(Via The Blog of Walker)

Flash! Kangaroos have kaved

(image credit: Free Mark Steyn)

Via Blazing Cat Fur -- The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal dismissed the case against Maclean's magazine and Mark Steyn. (Check out the comments! ;)

Damn. No appeal to a higher court, thus no avenue for attack on the whole stupid "human rights" system. Well, if the kangaroos think they've weaseled out of the anti-HRT spotlight, they've got another think coming.

Here's Andrew Coyne in Maclean's: "(B)ut be clear on this: it is no victory to be told by a shadowy government agency that you will be permitted to publish. This ruling only preserves the tribunal from utterly discrediting itself, and as such keeps alive the possibility that some other complainant can drag Maclean’s or any other media organization through yet another travesty half-a-continent away, at great expense of time and money."

Check out what Steyn himself had to say about Their Marsupial Majesties. Plus -- a chance to buy Kathy Shaidle and Pete Vere's new book "The Tyranny of Nice" in tandem with "America Alone."

Will probably update this post. Been waiting forever for this "verdict," and there's so much to say about it.

***********

UPDATE: The Walk-Man tells me I'm mentioned at Mark Steyn's site! Sure enough, I'm in the "A Joke Decision" post. It's a great honor -- especially as the others listed with me are titans, whereas I'm a neophyte. However, I'll keep trying to do my best to keep up the fight against the Kangarooz right alongside all y'all.

Spotlight on ... Finland!

~Waving~ to my friends in Helsinki and Vantaa :)

My first introduction to a Finlander was an acquaintance with a lovely lady named Tynna Tammanen who was a World War II war bride. Classy -- intelligent -- beautiful -- quirky -- a wonderful friend.

Life in America being what it is, Finland didn't enter into my consciousness again until the 1984 Winter Olympics, when Matti Nykanen burst on the ski-jumping scene.

Just ... wow. For the first time ever, man flies.



Matti was, and remains, totally cool. People have always said man can't fly by himself. But Matti did. (That's him, on the left, below.)



To me, Finlanders have cracked the code of how to take a consistently bleak weatherscape -- a metaphor for pretty much life -- and just, basically, do stuff. You know the Nike slogan? Just do it? Finlanders JUST DO IT.

They're not into being "players" on the "world stage." They're quiet. They're cool.

They're smart. They're funny, if you take the time to listen. They know they can fly -- but they're not going to spout off about it the way we adolescent Americans might.

They just do it.

Finland is green and beautiful, and winter is no hardship. There are endless things to discover, just within its geography. Roads to go down, unique houses to appreciate ... ugh. I wish I could spend a year simply roaming around.

But as I can't, I can only ~wave~ to my Finland visitors, and give you this advice:

Put your thumb to your nose, and tell the world to go to hell -- because YOU will always manage :)

UPDATE: Many congratulations to Martii Ahtisaari, for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. If ever anyone deserved it, it's this fine gentleman.

As opposed to THIS boob.

Ripples in the stream

My friend Charles Henry at Covenant Zone recently gave a eulogy at the funeral of a co-worker who had taken his own life.

What does one say at a time like that? There are so many conflicts inside our own heads, at any given time -- we all wrestle with the demons that all too easily take over thinking to the point where we may feel we're glad to end it all. Most of us may celebrate life -- indeed, our Creator gave us life so we could, basically, have a ball on this short chapter in the long story --

But demons are seductive. We know how easy it is to slide down into despair. Nothing is going right. We keep fighting, and not winning. We've all been there. And so, to speak at a funeral for someone who lost the fight is extremely hard. Where do we find the words that will comfort?

Here's what he had to say about the day:

"This whole sad nightmare makes me think about how far even our short lives can take us. All it takes is that first step, that first act of faith, the attempt to live with the doubt that we can never truly know whether there might yet exist a better tomorrow than the yesterday we leave behind us."

And here is the secret to victory over death. No demon -- even those persuasive enough to convince someone to "end" their life -- will win, in the end. When we move on, we are beyond demons.

It's hard for us ants to know we're going to be okay, in the end (or the beginning) of a chapter -- especially when one of us ends his own life. But we will.

Frankly, few things are harder than to stand up at a funeral and address these things. A hug to you, Charles Henry.

'Sending out an SOS'

Bottom line, my fellow conservatives.

Despite the insanity, keep this in mind:

What we are all about is food in the mouth first, and making ourselves happier second.

We WILL manage survival, so have no worries. The rest will take care of itself.

And with that in mind ... don't worry. Be happy :)

All ... my ... friends

Marketing whores

Or, what ELSE is contributing to economic collapse.

Puppy-blogging the debate live!

Gay Patriot has generously offered the services of his sidekick Shadow to give the definitive account of tonight's debate.

Bonus! You get to choose which beverage GP imbibes while following Shadow's progress.

Shadow will be utilizing the latest technology from Dr. Emmett Brown in order to facilitate immediate canine-human interface.

'I'm a Hollywood conservative'

I thought that was kind of like saying, I'm a vegan for the meat industry ... but it's heartening to know that, though still underground, conservatives are sticking to their principles, even in Tinsel Town.

To those (probably miniscule amounts of) left-leaning readers, I have a question:

Why do you make it so hard for conservative thinkers to co-exist in the entertainment industry?

ADDED THOUGHT: Heh -- who'd a thunk CNN would actually run a story like this?

Possible light blogging alert

Blogging is liable to be spotty over the next week or two, as I attempt to navigate an existential dilemma job-wise. (Should I stay, or should I go.)

On the other hand, it may not. Just a heads-up -- thanks for your patience!

Wild hair alert

(Image credit: www.banglaforum.com)

So I'm starting to take a look at who's visiting when, here at my little corner of the rabbit hole.

This past Wednesday, there was a spike. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was on a day that I posted about a wayward daughter of a Muslim cleric who had decided to become an exotic dancer.

And I say to myself: Cool!

Here is a chance to expose Muslim hypocrisy about human sexuality, and at the same time give the guys who pop by here a little bit of cheesecake. What's not to like!

So, in that spirit -- and what may become a regular feature -- here's your Muslima cheesecake of the day :) -- I give you Miss Pakistan from, I'm not sure what year. Whatever. She's Miss Pakistan, from some beauty pageant, she's Muslim, and she's probably pissing someone off majorly.

Rock on :)

Financial crisis ... what, me worry?

(Image credit: freefall.purrsia.com)

Can I get a WITNESS.

(via Instapundit)

Let 'em eat ... sand

So Pope Benedict XVI sez, the world's financial systems are "built on sand" and that only the works of God have "solid reality".

Okay.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but "solid reality" means food, shelter and heat. Especially to zillions of Catholics under the pontiff's jurisdiction.

Now.

Exactly HOW is the head of the church fulfilling the works of God to ensure His faithful are getting some "solid reality" in the face of a world financial threat?

Not sure, me. Especially when I see my man's own pocketbook.

Flight of the condor

Driving blind

Good Will hunting

Obama's donor list is impressive. It's said that he has made effective use of small contributors. Two of these include Messrs. Good Will and Doodad Pro.

Who are they? No one seems to know.

And get this:

"Off the record, every suspicion you have about [the mainstream media] being in the tank for O is true," said an e-mail to Web logger Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) from someone he knows at a major news organization. "We have a team of four people going through Dumpsters in Alaska and four in Arizona. Not a single one looking into ACORN, Ayers, or FreddieMae [sic]. Editor refuses to publish anything that jeopardizes the election for O, and betting dollars to donuts same is true at NYT, others. … The fix is in, and it's working."

Beach Boy harmony to the next level, Baby :)

You got me rockin' and a-reelin'

... Bobberann.

Karmic justice

You play, you pay.

Ooh, Baby, that bop-shoo-bop

Danish Hell's Angels: Go fatwa yourself

Via Blazing Cat Fur, who sez, "I know I'm somewhat torn, too, but.... Yee Haw!

UPDATE: For background, read this, provided by commenter Rose at BCF's blog. If we let it, it'll come here, folks. Here's what they're up against:

(Image credit: Reuters)

This is what is left of an elementary school, after "youths" torched it.

And here is the REAL Denmark:

(Image credit: d-travel.com)

'Why Sarah Palin's Sex Life Matters' ....

... and Bill Clinton's didn't? I actually couldn't make it all the way through this insanity.

What an artist

"A house is not a home, if no one's there."

I spent two happy years sharing a home with a Luther Vandross fan, and I grew to see why he was so awesome.

Cynt, if you're reading this, I hope you finally achieved your dream of meeting your man. He's awesome. (Is now, and always will be.) Yes, yes, yes.

Spotlight on South Korea!

What a wonderful, complex, amazing nation.

We may think we know everything about South Korea. They love to protest, and when they protest, man, do they PROTEST. Fistfights in Parliament? No big deal. Sucking in lungfuls of police-fired CS gas on the streets? Bring it on. Yes -- South Koreans are scrappy.

But this is the same country that, quite literally, went into national mourning over the fact that one of their "own" -- a SECOND-GENERATION IMMIGRANT -- was responsible for killing more than 30 students at Virginia Tech University.

South Korean friends I have known are their own country's versions in a single person. Each is passionate, focused, in-your-face against injustice, but willing to be your best friend if everyone plays by the rules. They love to laugh, and love to eat. They will not hesitate to tell you American foreign policy is stupid -- and, usually, they're right. But if they know you, and they trust you, they'll die for you.

Look at the women in the photo. They know when to be combative, and when it is a time for contemplation.

My dad fought for South Korea in 1950. He has one South Korean friend to this day, who is still alive, with whom he corresponds. The bond he has made with him and his family will last beyond death.

Take some time to investigate this wonderful nation. What a lot of cool people.

~Waving to my special friend in Seoul, and my other friend in Suwon~ :)

*********************

(I'm enjoying putting a spotlight on visitors' countries -- looks like it's going to be a regular feature :)

Public Kool-Aid drunkenness

Via The Macho Response:

"I've been a big fan of Sarah Silverman (I try to be a fan of all comedians), but this was a pretty dumb move on her part: accusing Jewish grandparents of being bigots and racists if they don't vote for Obama is just dumb. (Is it just me, or does the Obama campaign drive people to throw their grandparents under the bus?)"

Wow.

Read the whole thing.

What's wrong with conservatives today

Via The Blog of Walker:

"(I) know that I'm not the only one who's unhappy with the Conservatives right now.
And hey, maybe it's all meant to be for the greater good. After all, the Conservatives can do more good behind the wheel than when they're riding shotgun.

"They can reform Canada's out of control Human Rights Commissions. They can make sure that the Liberals' Green Shift nonsense doesn't have a chance to do the damage that it could.

"But quite frankly, they better deliver. Because I can't take much more backing down from Conservative values."

****************************************

Bam.

Plenty of discontent with our own homegrown versions to the south.

I allude specifically to the recent fraud, er, financial bailout. It wasn't the market itself that caused the crisis, as our Democratic friends are busy trying (increasingly successfully, sadly) to convince Americans. It was GREED.

Having said that, though, Republicans have done little, if anything, to rebut that. Another New Deal-type situation -- where none is needed -- is not only wrong, but dangerous. Don't they see the iron fist of Big Brother behind it all? Evidently not. Or they don't care. Or they're in league.

It's a trifecta of bad news for their constituents, and their voters.

"I can't take much more backing down from Conservative values."

Me neither, Walk-Man.

Palin by comparison

(image credit: Ruth Regina)

Quite possibly, the best Halloween costume ever.

(Via Instapundit, who sez, "Okay, this is just wrong.")

Don't worry -- be happy!

Spotlight: New Zealand!

So, I've got this cool thing called Google Analytics. The little site meter I have on here tells me how many people visit, and whether they're "unique" (aren't we all!) or referred, or whatever. But Google Analytics tells me WHERE Y'ALL COME FROM. And I think that's neat :)

I've had two visitors from Auckland, NZ, and one from Wellington. ~Waving~ :)

So, I thought I'd take some of the countries from whom I'd had visitors and put 'em in the spotlight.

Take a bow, beautiful New Zealand!

What is NOT to like about this country? (Except for the regrettable drain on its economy from adherence to the equally regrettable Kyoto Protocol)

The whole of it is straight out of a postcard -- the very nicest looking postcard you've ever received in your life. And the kicker is, you know -- you just KNOW -- that the real New Zealand is a thousand times more beautiful than any picture ever could be.

New Zealanders? I've spoken with a number of them, as a part of my job. Kind and friendly? Check. Humorous? Check. Laid back? Double-check. I'm sure there are angry and unpleasant New Zealanders somewhere. Perhaps all three of them will comment here ;)

I still haven't quite discerned the nuances between NZ accents and Australian -- and, believe it or not, to a certain extent, South African --

But, frankly, in another reality, I'd move there in a heartbeat.

Guess you'll have to behead me, Dad

Guess there's going to be one p***d-off Paternal Unit right now:

(image credit: Blazing Cat Fur)

"The daughter of the radical Islamic cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed is a pole dancer, it emerged last night.

"Yasmin Fostok, 27, has admitted rebelling against her father’s strict Muslim beliefs by performing semi-naked in London bars and nightclubs. ...

"Miss Fostok, who left the Bakri former home in North London four years ago, said: ‘I don’t get on with my dad. I don’t agree with his views - I just get on with my life and that is it.’"

**************************

Ah. Yes.

Um ...

Mmmf. *snerkle*. *koff.*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

(Via the Most Excellent Cat Fur of Blazing)