Go Colts!

Big game last night. Seems like all the AFC South teams have a bead on the Colts every year. But Peyton destroys ALL!!!

In other news, I am feeling a little tickling of platonic man-crush for Bob Sanders. Freaking 5'7" tiny bullet doom from the secondary. So fast.

That is all.

Iranian "news"

I'm writing a paper which requires me to read a government issued Iranian news source for two weeks, and I have found some pretty crazy stuff for your enjoyment. Keep in mind that all of these statements are not quotes from people, but are journalistic additions subtlety worked into the masterpieces that are these Iranian news stories.

"The independent stance of Iran and China vis a vis the hegemony of certain powers serves international peace and stability."

"George Bush, who is aiming to be the world leader, believes he can do something new by creating a chaotic atmosphere in the Middle East."

From Ahmadinejad: "Though the enemy (US & Columbia U) had made preparations for not allowing Iran's voice to be heard, they could not succeed."

"The president's visit (to the UN) also showed the dignity of Iran to the international community and made the enemy's plots boomerang."

Headline: "Britons Smarter than Americans"

"The president noted that negotiations with the US are only possible if the US reconsiders its unacceptable behavior...given our culture and scientific background, the world has nothing to offer and this was quite evident from what happened at Columbia University...with the help of Almighty God, the whole thing turned against them."

my personal favorite:
"The zionist regime knows very well how Iran will hit back, if it dares to attack. Israel is in range of all Iranian missiles. We can also attack Israel by our jet fighters. We will not let Israel do a damn thing as easily as it does its propaganda."

"The mechanisms of Americans reveal their weaknesses...Iran is helping restore security to Iraq while the US is helping the counter-revolutionary forces inside Iraq."

and one for you, matt...
"The US is not qualified to host the international meetings of the United Nations...related to the US refusal to issue visas to foreign dignitaries entitled to attend a UN meeting because of its domestic policy and other limitations imposed by the American administration."

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Let's have some photos of potential Halloween pumpkins. I need a shot of creativity this year...


















Image credit: Classical Values

Thank you, Algore. You're super awesome

"But have no fear, because I am here to save you. And someday, when the world is rid of Manbearpig, everyone will say, 'Thank you, Algore. You're super awesome.' The End."


"Everyone is super-stoked on me, even if they don't know it."


"Excelsior!"

When the interests of prudence and the demands of shame happen to coincide...

"We came so close to World War Three that day"

The American Spectator ran an article last week exploring the recent Israeli air strike on Syria. The silence shrouding this event is no small wonder considering the climate of self-aggrandizement, accusations, and leaks from players in the region.

While having no clue what actually happened, or why, I am nonetheless impressed, once again, with the highly skilled Israeli military and intelligence, and with the discipline in the Bush camp to resist strutting about in righteous indignation singing, "We told you so!". With all the negative both Bush and Israel have faced, the way they have apparently handled this speaks volumes to their maturity. Unless those with higher security clearances and more inside contacts than I have insights they wish to share with us...(and you're right, I have no security clearance or inside contacts).

UPDATE:
It appears that Syria is now at least admitting that the air strike did take place, and that the target was a nuclear facility. The way that information about this military attack is being choked off is unprecedented (at least as far as I know. I mean, really, if it were effectively choked off, how would I know?). But given the damage that, let's say, Iran, could do to Israel's standing by leaking details regarding this event, it continues to amaze me that information has been so effectively restrained. The mind simply reels at what might be the reason why mum's the word...

Bush's Legacy?

I can't decide whether this USA Today article, titled, Bush's Legacy: Faithful Conservatism, is snide and condescending, neutral, or supportive. Clearly, a lot of folks don't like the colleges that educate young people who are evangelical Christians as well as conservative in their politics. The press has recently uncovered a nefarious and troublesome plot - a true conspiracy - that some colleges (even law schools, heaven forbid) seem to have an agenda that includes graduating politically conservative, evangelical students with goals that include influencing government. Imagine! The message is clear: if you're a conservative evangelical Christian, you need to shut up and get in the corner while the grown ups - Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics - handle the hard stuff.

I certainly don't want to be overly suspicious, but it seems to me an effective way to discredit someone or some group right now is to show them as aligned with President Bush, or worse yet, as potential Bush torchbearers (ie, "Legacy"). Bush Derangement Syndrome will only be cured by a government-wide purging of Bush hires - a Bush enema, if you will - just as soon after Jan 20, 2009 as humanly possible, so it's not too soon to begin identifying those to be flushed.

It's a short article, so read it. McLean Bible Church even gets a mention,

Among themselves, evangelicals at the White House would joke about "outing" each other. You only knew about another evangelical, one Patrick Henry intern at the White House told me, if you ran into him on a Sunday morning at McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia, a fancy megachurch attended by prominent conservative lawmakers. I once heard a Patrick Henry senior who had just finished a White House internship explain testily to a sophomore that no, he should not write on his application that the Bible was the book that had influenced him the most.

A Proper Dog...

Misterrrr Mayor!

So I got to go hear Mayor Giuliani speak today, front row. No big deal :].
He was actually really good though--well spoken and humble. He did the whole baseball bit and moved right into keeping the country safe and turning around the economy, with some hillary bashing along the way. He really broke down basic republican economic theory, explaining how cutting taxes actually leads to higher revenue and pointing out that for the leading dems, this stuff is all theoretical because none have even had to balance a budget, in comparison to his successful fiscal policies in NYC. He did an extended critique of Hillary's latest "baby-bond" idea, using it as a case study in the difference between the way he and she think. Interesting stuff!
I also found out that one of my roomates, featured in the above picture, is the niece of the mayor of Houston, who apparently won with like 90% of the votes and is thinking of running for governor, then president. I smell a potential internship/job?

Da Lions

So, are the folks in Michigan all a'buzz about the lions this year? I mean, they beat the Bears, but will they actually be good this year? I still can't bring myself to believe....

British insight on OIF

Very detailed, well researched article that covers most of the major contributers to the current Iraq. Interesting read, albeit a little long.

Much of this information I have learned through independent research and through the ins and outs of my job... (sorry, lowly serfs... no details for you) But there is still a lot of really great info in this article and it is all presented in a logical, well-thought out fashion.

really, quite a breath of fresh air from the normal "ZOMG!! %&$# BUSHITLER!!"