Wednesday, March 05, 2003

Bring the Paine! A bevy of concerned journalists, professors, editors, and media-minded types have drafted an open letter to all members of the Fourth Estate reminding them that despite what Ms. Coulter says, informed discourse, critical analysis, and a rigorous investigation of facts, in the face of Gulf War 2, is as American as freedom fries. Drunk with power, or just drunk? Reagan may have been a fiend for the jelly beans, but it looks like his favorite bird from across the pond liked things a bit harder. In a new tell all documentary, which seem to have become Britain's biggest export as of late, Margaret Thatcher's former personal assistant reveals that England's "Iron Lady" was taking the edge off the job with whiskey and soda. I imagine that nothing goes better with SAS death-squad killings of unarmed individuals than a stiff drink. Cheers! Taking one for the team Big ups to Mary Grierson of New Zealand for offering to let Pres. Bush crucify her as an alternative to war in Iraq. Now that's putting your thinking cap on! = M.C. No Shame 4:48:50 PM    comment []

For the final installment in today's Ash Wednesday-themed posts, here's a post following up on that story about the Wasington State legislator who protested a Muslim cleric's prayer "for patriotic reasons." I offer it in the universal spirit of forgiveness inspired by the Lenten season: The legislator got a chance to explain herself and as it turns out, dear readers, the whole thing is the media's fault. Aw, doesn't that make you feel better? - Consider Arms 3:15:35 PM    comment []

Alright Supreme Court! Just think: if the GOP succeeds in bullying the Democrats into confirming Miguel Estrada, Antonin Scalia, William Rehnquist and Clarence Thomas won’t even have to show up for work anymore! In high schools, there are "zero tolerance" policies. For grown-ups, there are "three-strikes" laws. Both are equally senseless. The problem with the laws is perfectly illustrated by the two cases examined by the Court: life sentences for shoplifting. Obviously, California’s law was not written with this kind of situation in mind, but it doesn’t preclude this kind of thing from happening. So, look out Winona: next time, you could get the chair. Here is more proof that Ariel Sharon’s strategy of blowing up Palestinian kids, pregnant women and mosques is exactly the way to deter terror attacks. I could make a point to tie this in with the potential ramifications of invading Iraq, but who’s going to listen anyway? Mr. President, what did you do with all that oil? I’m sorry, and I don’t know what it says about me as a person, but I can’t help but be suspicious about this. I mean, after all, just who is guarding Spencer Abraham’s oil Batcave? Ken Lay? And, finally, a catty remark if I may. Colin Powell says that Saddam is trying to divide the U.N. and "split us into arguing factions." But isn’t that what Mr. Powell and his boss have been doing with remarkable success? - Marcus-Marcus 2:43:34 PM    comment []

Marcus Marcus has detected a noticeable tilt towards Protestant-bashing in some of my posts. I apologize, and to make up for it here are some religion-related links you can enjoy while you celebrate Ash Wednesday (although I guess Protestants don't do that. What do you guys have, anyway? Snake-Handlers' Day?): Bush Slams Pope's Antiwar Stance I know I said I was giving up listening to Ari for Lent, but I can't resist quoting him on this: "Fleischer added that Bush respects the opinions of those who disagree with him and said the president is eager to 'find out what the message of the Pope is on this topic.'" He doesn't know what the Pope's "message" on this topic is, but he's against it? Pope calls for Ash Wednesday peace fast If Bush is looking for clues as to what John Paul II's "message" might be, he should check out this story, wherein the pontiff calls on the world's billion Catholics to fast for peace today. Catholics should be out front in the anti-war movement A good article by Father Michael Baxter, C.S.J. I'm convinced. Confused about "Just War" theology? Me, too. Theology makes my head hurt. Thankfully there are sites like this one to explain the whole thing, enabling regular folks to make up their minds about whether the Vatican is right in saying this war is unjust. That "Just War" link would be helpful for these people A Zogby poll showing that while 97 percent of American Catholics are aware of last year's sex-abuse scandals, only 28 percent know that the US Bishops have condemned war with Iraq. A majority also think that war with Iraq meets criteria for a "just war," even though the Vatican (which probably knows best here) says it doesn't. Incredibly, 63 percent of respondents said they thought that the Iraqi misadventure met the "just war" criterion of not being pre-emptive. An unstated correllary: 63 percent of American Catholics rode the short bus to school. Catholics, leftists unite Now THIS is my kind of protest! Filipino leftists and Catholics coming together to demonstrate against the war. Nary a freedom fry in sight, I bet. Saint of the day The patron saint for March 5 is Saint John Joseph of the Cross (1654-1734) who gained notice not only for supernatural gifts but also for his expertise with moral theology. Also honored today: Saints Adrian and Eubulus, martyred in the early fourth century because they refused to deny Christ. - Consider Arms 12:54:09 PM    comment []

Whatever you do, don't get sick Here's something I missed from the roundup today - the number of Americans without health insurance is 75 million, which is way above the last numbers I saw (41 million, mentioned in the story - although, as Citizens Against Celebrity Pundits would put it, that means there are 225 million Americans with insurance!). Here's a good question to ask yourself, in the spirit of the Gipper: Are you better off today than you were 3 years ago? For Lent, I'm giving up believing what Ari Fleischer says Here's an Ash Wednesday story. 68 percent of Americans believe in Hell, but few expect they'll go there when they die. That just about says it all, doesn't it? I'm actually giving up red meat for Lent, but I can still eat freedom fries and liberty dressing, by gum! Celebrate Your Freedom, BUT NOT IN THE MALL! A guy got arrested for wearing a t-shirt that said, "Give Peace a Chance." In a shopping mall! In Albany! We are rapidly approaching the point where this shit isn't funny anymore. It wasn't the first time this mall expressed its dissatisfaction with the Constitution, either. Add "praying for American victory" to the list of unpatriotic outrages Two nimrod legislators in Washington State walked out off the floor in protest when a Muslim cleric said a prayer there recently (there's a regular prayer service in the state capitol involving different clerics). Among other things, the imam prayed for America's victory in the war against terrorism. One of the legislators said that Islam was responsible for the September 11 attacks and that "My god is not Mohammed." Yeah, um, he's not the Muslims' god either, stupid. Thanks for playing, though. What did you learn in school today? Well, I learned that the Maine Army National Guard is really embarrassed about making a big deal over some antiwar comments from teachers that may be fabricated. The Maine teachers' union wants to see the alleged 16 complaints, but the National Guard refuses to release them - they don't want to "reopen the issue," they say. They do admit, however, that Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly "blew it out of proportion." Boy, is there any chance there's less to the complaints than previously stated? And if so, will Education Commissioner Duke Albanese write a letter apologizing for the letter he sent earlier warning teachers not to talk about the war? - Consider Arms 11:38:40 AM    comment []

Right Watch! "Fighting Saddam Not Distinct from Fighting al Qaeda" Joel Mowbray, March 5, 2003  It’s funny how, since the weekend capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, he has been touted as an even more ranking al Qaeda member than Osama bin Laden. "He is the man behind Osama bin Laden, the spiritual leader and figurehead of al Qaeda." Mr. bin Laden, you have been demoted, courtesy of George W. Bush and an intensely unpopular war. One more tidbit: "But even if every figure of the organization known as al Qaeda is hunted down, the war on terror will not be over…we are fighting a war without end." Rule by perpetual war – invented by Hitler, perfected by Bush. "Talk radio – liberals don’t have a clue" David Limbaugh, March 5, 2003  This column is particularly stupid, so I wouldn’t even recommend you read it. But read this quote: "The same is true of our K-12 public schools. The education establishment is using its money and influence -- not to mention coerced union dues -- to insulate itself from the competition that school choice initiatives would deliver." What "money and influence," Dave? Are you aware that schools in Oregon have had to cut the length of their school year by 5 weeks due to budget constraints? Does that "money and influence" come from the money I have to spend on the stupid fundraiser catalog items my son brings home? How many General Mills Box Tops does an effective propaganda campaign against school choice cost? In brief: I caught a rebroadcast of the second episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher" last night. During a discussion of the winning design of the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, conservative panel member Monica Crowley essentially said it was "offensive" to ask Americans to think critically about why terrorists hate us enough to attack us. I guess Ann Coulter was a panel member in episode one, and I so regret that I missed that. - Marcus-Marcus 10:19:29 AM    comment []

"North Korean Missile Warhead Found in Alaska" Remind me: why Iraq is the bigger threat? If you think about it, not only could North Korea give weapons of mass destruction to rogue states or terrorists groups (and we actually know they have WMD’s), but they could actually directly use theirs on the U.S. How will the White House interpret this? Perhaps they will propose we bomb Alaska because, as this article clearly points out, there is at least one weapon of mass destruction in Alaska. "President hails arrest, warns Mexico" "Make no mistake about it: we’re going to gloat about the arrest of the President of Terrorism." OK, so that’s not an actual quote, but it might as well be. This article (which I discovered via BuzzFlash) discusses the penalties of failing to support King George – this time it’s in re: Mexico. One thing I’d like to point out is this quote from our Commander in Chief regarding the recent worldwide anti-war protests: "I’ve listened carefully. I’ve thought long and hard about what needs to be done. And obviously some people in Northern California do not see there’s a true risk to the United States posed by Saddam Hussein. And we just have a difference of opinion." First of all, contrary to what the statement implies, the demonstrations were not limited to "some people in Northern California," and secondly, this is clearly just an opportunity to take a jab at the relatively liberal (and greatly despised) California. What a total son of a bitch our president is. - Marcus-Marcus 9:55:46 AM    comment []

AP ROUNDUP! Anyone who saw Nightline's "Town Meeting" on Iraq last night (funny, town meetings where I live aren't usually backed with congresspeople, embassy staff, and annoying Republican interns) must concur: The Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite needs to be in a quaint Cornish village solving mysteries rather than debating the morals of war with Buford the Southern Baptist. What a name! Anyway, here's what the best wire service on earth (http://www.ap.org) says is news: The Big News: Looks like Turkey really meant to say "yes" when they said "no" to US troops on Saturday. That country's top general has cleared his throat and said that, upon reflection, he'd really rather allow the US troops and their billions of dollars into the country, thanks. In a country where the military voided the results of general elections and seized power as recently as 10 years ago, you have to imagine that carries some weight with parliament. They vote again this week. NEWS ALERT: French, German, and Russian ambassadors say they will not allow a UN resolution to pass that authorizes war with Iraq. No further details yet; story filed 10 minutes ago. The Axis of Allies in effect! The Roundup: The first suicide bombing in Israel in 2 months has killed at least 10 in Haifa. . . "Iraq's Vice-President shouted 'Shut up, you monkey!' at a Kuwaiti diplomat" at the Islamic unity summit in Qatar. Looks like the unity needs some fine-tuning, gentlemen. . . A court in Lucknow has ordered the excavation of a site where Hindu radicals demolished a 16th century mosque to determine if, as the radicals claim, a Hindu temple originally existed there (planning and zoning meetings there must be a hoot). . . A Kuwaiti policeman was convicted in the shooting of two US Marines and sentenced to 15 years. . . President Arroyo says no US troops will be allowed to fight in the Philippines. . . Hutu genocidaires will stand trial in the US for the 1999 massacre of American tourists in Uganda. . .Syria fears it may be next in line for "regime change" after Saddam is overthrown. Reports that French officials were expressing the same fear could not be confirmed at press time. - Consider Arms 9:47:18 AM    comment []

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