2. oktober 2004

Patriot Act Games Last week, the world press claimed that a major part of the Patriot Act was struck down as unconstitutional by a court, in a major blow against the Bush administration. What the court struck down was part of the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which had received some language amendment in the Patriot Act that was not relevant to the ruling (more here and here). I guess ACLU knew they'd get more press coverage for an alleged blow against Bush than for overturning some old law signed under Reagan. Still, I expected better from them. I didn't really expect better from the mainstream press. 9:24:12 PM    comment []  trackback []

Subject to French veto? See this Global Test cartoon! 6:56:58 PM    comment []  trackback []

"France allied to Iraq insurgents" This quotation should be handled as deeply suspect until it is confirmed: Add to this the recent bizarre phrase from French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The head of the Figaro press group went to see him about the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq; Raffarin assured him they would soon be freed, reportedly saying, "The Iraqi insurgents are our best allies." It's not that I really doubt that he means this; I just don't believe he would be dumb enough to say it. Via Instapundit. 3:05:32 PM    comment []  trackback []

Noise is hardly her biggest problem If we ever needed a good example that many people have an irrational understanding of risk, this is it. 12:43:59 PM    comment []  trackback []

Not sure Kerry needs more victories like these I've already reported on the "who won" part of the post-debate Gallup poll, but when we read further down in the results, we see it's not entirely clear that Kerry did so well. When you ask "who did the better job" the polled will add their own interpretation to that. Some will look at who spoke most clearly, others will answer who they personally intend to vote for regardless of performance, others again who landed the most memorable jab. Here are some answers that are not altogether good for Kerry. Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one better described John Kerry or George W. Bush during tonight's debate. How about -- [Random Order]? 2004 Sep 30 (sorted by advantage for Kerry) Kerry Bush Advantage   % % pct. pts. Expressed himself more clearly 60 32 +28 Had a good understanding of the issues 41 41 0 Agreed with you more on the issues you care about 46 49 -3 Was more believable 45 50 -5 Was more likable 41 48 -7 Demonstrated he is tough enough for the job 37 54 -17     + Advantage indicates Kerry lead - Advantage indicates Bush lead Viewers leaned toward Bush on which candidate agreed with them on issues, who was more believable, and who was more likable. And by 54% to 37%, viewers said Bush better demonstrated he is tough enough for the job. Next week or so, we'll learn how the debate impacted who people say they are going to vote for. That will tell us who really won. 8:23:28 AM    comment []  trackback []

Holy Penis of Jesus! No, this is not a joke, or really, it is a true joke, and they are always the funniest. For a great laugh, read this Wikipedia article on The Holy Prepuce, or the Holy Foreskin. Yes, it is what you think it is. Orthodox Christian belief has it that Jesus ascended bodily into Heaven forty days after his resurrection from the dead. This would mean that Jesus' foreskin (removed at his circumcision) would be one of the few physical remainders of Jesus left behind on Earth. Again meaning, of course, that it would become one of the very popular relics in the Middle Ages, when probably a forest of splinters of the Holy Cross was peddled around Europe. There were also a number of foreskins around, possessing certain holy powers. Don't ask. The authenticity of the Holy Foreskin claimed by the St. John Lateran church in Rome is said to have been proven in 1527, when the troops of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacked Rome. The relic fell into their hands for a time, and was allegedly put to the test by bringing a virgin girl before it, whereupon the foreskin enlarged, as it seems would have been expected in such circumstances. God, apparently, is known to have a thing for virgins, still possessed by his foreskin after all those years. In time the Church may have came to realise that the holy foreskin would be the butt, or tip, of a number of jokes. Interest in the Holy Foreskins has been specifically downplayed, with the observation in 1900 that these particular relics encouraged 'irreverent curiosity'. Which is a shame, really. 12:17:20 AM    comment []  trackback []

© Copyright 2004 Jan Haugland. Last update: 01.11.2004; 14:35:00.