It sounds like Geiger is planning his exit, but he should be fired before then.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Stat of the Day
Here are the average strength of schedules for SOME of the top programs in the country over the past 10 seasons, not including this season.
1. Kentucky 7.9 out of 330 D1-A schools
2. Duke 11.4
3. Maryland 14.6
4. Kansas 15.3
5. Indiana 17.0
6. Wake Forest 17.1
7. Arizona 26.3
8. Louisville 26.6
9. Michigan St 28.1
10. Ga Tech 29.6
11. UC 31.0
12. Illinois 33.4
13. UCONN 36.4
14. Florida 38.5
15. Oklahoma 40.9
1. Kentucky 7.9 out of 330 D1-A schools
2. Duke 11.4
3. Maryland 14.6
4. Kansas 15.3
5. Indiana 17.0
6. Wake Forest 17.1
7. Arizona 26.3
8. Louisville 26.6
9. Michigan St 28.1
10. Ga Tech 29.6
11. UC 31.0
12. Illinois 33.4
13. UCONN 36.4
14. Florida 38.5
15. Oklahoma 40.9
Hee Hee
This is wonderful. The U.S. has gone from not doing enough (too stingy) to doing too much.
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response. But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,” she said.
“Only really the UN can do that job,” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. “It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers.”
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
“I don’t know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system,” she added.
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response. But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,” she said.
“Only really the UN can do that job,” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. “It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers.”
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
“I don’t know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system,” she added.
The BCS Screwed Cal?
Uh, I don't think so.
Instead, they walked off the field embarrassed. A double-digit favorite, 10-1 Cal, ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense, gave up 597 yards in a 45-31 loss to a Texas Tech team that earlier this season lost to New Mexcio.
Instead, they walked off the field embarrassed. A double-digit favorite, 10-1 Cal, ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense, gave up 597 yards in a 45-31 loss to a Texas Tech team that earlier this season lost to New Mexcio.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Is This What Happened to the WMDs?
Interesting story from Bill Gertz in the Washington Times today.
A Pentagon official who publicly disclosed information showing Russian involvement in moving Iraqi weapons out of that country has been dismissed.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security and formerly an aide to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was forced to leave his position Dec. 10 as the result of a "reorganization" that eliminated his job, defense officials said.
...In October, Mr. Shaw told The Washington Times that he had received foreign intelligence data showing that Russian special forces units were involved in an effort to remove Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in the weeks before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003.
In a letter to Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Shaw said that information about the covert Russian role in moving Iraqi arms to Syria, Lebanon and possibly Iran was discussed during a meeting that included retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, head of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; the head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service; and the head of a foreign intelligence service that he did not name.
...After Mr. Shaw's disclosures, the Pentagon released spy satellite photographs of Iraqi weapons facilities that showed truck convoys at the plants, apparently in preparation to move materials. Further corroborating Mr. Shaw's account, a Russian newspaper reported that two retired Russian generals had received awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began.
I don't know if Shaw is on the up-and-up or not, but this story from The Moscow News corroborates his generals story:
Reports in the Russian media about two retired Russian generals receiving awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began corroborated Shaw's report.
A Pentagon official who publicly disclosed information showing Russian involvement in moving Iraqi weapons out of that country has been dismissed.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security and formerly an aide to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was forced to leave his position Dec. 10 as the result of a "reorganization" that eliminated his job, defense officials said.
...In October, Mr. Shaw told The Washington Times that he had received foreign intelligence data showing that Russian special forces units were involved in an effort to remove Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in the weeks before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003.
In a letter to Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Shaw said that information about the covert Russian role in moving Iraqi arms to Syria, Lebanon and possibly Iran was discussed during a meeting that included retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, head of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; the head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service; and the head of a foreign intelligence service that he did not name.
...After Mr. Shaw's disclosures, the Pentagon released spy satellite photographs of Iraqi weapons facilities that showed truck convoys at the plants, apparently in preparation to move materials. Further corroborating Mr. Shaw's account, a Russian newspaper reported that two retired Russian generals had received awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began.
I don't know if Shaw is on the up-and-up or not, but this story from The Moscow News corroborates his generals story:
Reports in the Russian media about two retired Russian generals receiving awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began corroborated Shaw's report.
This is Encouraging
WASHINGTON Dec 30, 2004 — Sen. Joe Lieberman, traveling in the Middle East Wednesday, said there is strong support in Iraq for the Jan. 30 election, and postponing it would only be a victory for the insurgents.
In a telephone call from Tel Aviv, Israel, the Connecticut Democrat said conditions in Iraq, including an increase in trained Iraqi security forces, have improved since his last visit in July. And he said the escalating violence aimed at intimidating Iraqis to postpone the election or not vote is not working in most of the country.
In a telephone call from Tel Aviv, Israel, the Connecticut Democrat said conditions in Iraq, including an increase in trained Iraqi security forces, have improved since his last visit in July. And he said the escalating violence aimed at intimidating Iraqis to postpone the election or not vote is not working in most of the country.
The Biggest Story of 2004
I agree with Peggy Noonan's biggest story of 2004:
The biggest story of the year happened just as big-thinking journalists went on vacation after filing their "Ten Biggest Stories of 2004" pieces. Life has a way of surprising us.... The biggest story of 2004 has come, has not yet gone, and will be with us for some time. Two thousand five begins on Saturday. For the new year, two thoughts. Remember it can all be swept away in a moment, so hold it close and love it while you've got it. And may we begin 2005 pondering how much we have in common, how down-to-the-bone the same we are, and how the enemy is not the guy across the fence but the tragedy of life. We should try to make it better. We should cut to the chase.
The biggest story of the year happened just as big-thinking journalists went on vacation after filing their "Ten Biggest Stories of 2004" pieces. Life has a way of surprising us.... The biggest story of 2004 has come, has not yet gone, and will be with us for some time. Two thousand five begins on Saturday. For the new year, two thoughts. Remember it can all be swept away in a moment, so hold it close and love it while you've got it. And may we begin 2005 pondering how much we have in common, how down-to-the-bone the same we are, and how the enemy is not the guy across the fence but the tragedy of life. We should try to make it better. We should cut to the chase.
Taking Jesusland Seriously
Maybe the Washington Post is beginning to take Jesusland more seriously. Check out this tidbit from today's front page story:
Not only was water cascading over the lagoon side of the peninsula but it was pouring in directly from the mouth of the estuary about two miles away. Sanders feared the converging currents would swamp the small craft. At that point, Sanders said, he recalled a line from the Book of Isaiah: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against it."
He raised his hand in the direction of the flood and shouted, "I command you in the name of Jesus -- stop!" The water then seemed to "stall, momentarily," he said. "I thought at the time I was imagining things."
No snarky comments, no references to the man's hatred of homosexuals, nothing. This is a promising development.
Not only was water cascading over the lagoon side of the peninsula but it was pouring in directly from the mouth of the estuary about two miles away. Sanders feared the converging currents would swamp the small craft. At that point, Sanders said, he recalled a line from the Book of Isaiah: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against it."
He raised his hand in the direction of the flood and shouted, "I command you in the name of Jesus -- stop!" The water then seemed to "stall, momentarily," he said. "I thought at the time I was imagining things."
No snarky comments, no references to the man's hatred of homosexuals, nothing. This is a promising development.
Urge to Kill Rising
While most people react to massive tragedies with a renewed focus on the things that truly matter, many continue on with their shallow, vulgar lives.
IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday. On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".
"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.
IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday. On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".
"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.
It Keeps Getting Worse
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.
He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".
He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.
"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.
Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.
He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".
He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.
"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.
Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.
Merry Christmas
This is unbelievable:
Snow-emergency pay decision today
Hamilton County commissioners will decide today whether to pay employees who were not required to report for work during the Dec. 23 snow emergency. The snow emergency prohibited all non-emergency vehicles from being on the road. Some think employees shouldn't have their pay reduced or lose vacation because it would have been unlawful to drive to work, said David Krings, county administrator.
So the county thinks it might be a good idea not to pay workers because they were prohibited - by law - from going to work. Man, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Snow-emergency pay decision today
Hamilton County commissioners will decide today whether to pay employees who were not required to report for work during the Dec. 23 snow emergency. The snow emergency prohibited all non-emergency vehicles from being on the road. Some think employees shouldn't have their pay reduced or lose vacation because it would have been unlawful to drive to work, said David Krings, county administrator.
So the county thinks it might be a good idea not to pay workers because they were prohibited - by law - from going to work. Man, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
More Stingy Americans
Another $35 million from Pfizer.
The colleagues of Pfizer express their deepest sympathy and condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia and the east coast of Africa.
Pfizer today announced plans to commit medicines, funds, and logistical support to the relief effort following this catastrophic disaster. Pfizer will donate $10 million to local and international relief organizations operating in the region. These will include the American Red Cross/International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, UNICEF, and Save the Children as well as local relief organizations.
Within hours of the disaster Pfizer colleagues began working with local governments and relief organizations to assess which of the company's medicines are needed. As a result of these assessments, Pfizer will contribute approximately $25 million worth of the company's healthcare products which includes the anti-infective products Zithromax, Zyvox and Diflucan. Pfizer organizations in Asia have already begun donating Pfizer medicines and discussing logistical support issues with local health and relief officials.
The colleagues of Pfizer express their deepest sympathy and condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia and the east coast of Africa.
Pfizer today announced plans to commit medicines, funds, and logistical support to the relief effort following this catastrophic disaster. Pfizer will donate $10 million to local and international relief organizations operating in the region. These will include the American Red Cross/International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, UNICEF, and Save the Children as well as local relief organizations.
Within hours of the disaster Pfizer colleagues began working with local governments and relief organizations to assess which of the company's medicines are needed. As a result of these assessments, Pfizer will contribute approximately $25 million worth of the company's healthcare products which includes the anti-infective products Zithromax, Zyvox and Diflucan. Pfizer organizations in Asia have already begun donating Pfizer medicines and discussing logistical support issues with local health and relief officials.
UK Update II
Sheray Thomas disclosed his previously undisclosed illness last night:
Speaking for the first time about major surgery he underwent in October, Sheray Thomas said doctors discovered a tumor, a frightful prognosis and difficult recovery that has the Kentucky sophomore cherishing each new day.
I thought maybe it was mono or something similar (he lost 30 pounds). It turns out it was much more serious.
Speaking for the first time about major surgery he underwent in October, Sheray Thomas said doctors discovered a tumor, a frightful prognosis and difficult recovery that has the Kentucky sophomore cherishing each new day.
I thought maybe it was mono or something similar (he lost 30 pounds). It turns out it was much more serious.
UK Update
Yep, they had a 6:00 a.m. practice this morning.
"Practice probably won't be much fun," junior guard Ravi Moss said.
"Practice probably won't be much fun," junior guard Ravi Moss said.
You Go Tubby
UK killed Campbell last night, but had a very lackluster second half performance.
"We've got to be able to concentrate all the time," junior Kelenna Azubuike said. "We've got to play like grown men. There is a time for joking and stuff and a time to be serious. We need to learn that a little better."
Asked what it might take to learn that lesson, Azubuike didn't flinch.
"We are going to learn the hard way in the morning," Azubuike said.
"We've got to be able to concentrate all the time," junior Kelenna Azubuike said. "We've got to play like grown men. There is a time for joking and stuff and a time to be serious. We need to learn that a little better."
Asked what it might take to learn that lesson, Azubuike didn't flinch.
"We are going to learn the hard way in the morning," Azubuike said.
Disband the UN...NOW!
To quote Alanis Morissette, the UN is like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife. My God, what a bunch of gutless, worthless bureaucrats. The UN is the greatest friend evil has ever known.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. World Food Program suspended food convoys to the Darfur region in western Sudan after rebel forces attacked the market town of Ghubaysh and the government retaliated, U.N. humanitarian officials said.
The relief agency halted three convoys of 70 trucks carrying more than 1,300 million tons of food destined for El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.
The attack Monday on Ghubaysh in West Kordofan follows weeks of insecurity in Darfur in which both rebel and government-backed forces have attacked each other.
It was the second attack by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army since December 19 when the Sudanese government agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities, U.N. officials said.
The recent insecurity has effectively blocked overland access from central Sudan to the Darfur region for U.N. and other relief agencies, the U.N. Humanitarian office known as OCHA said.
As a result, some 260,000 people will miss their December rations in South Darfur as well as eastern parts of West Darfur, it said.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. World Food Program suspended food convoys to the Darfur region in western Sudan after rebel forces attacked the market town of Ghubaysh and the government retaliated, U.N. humanitarian officials said.
The relief agency halted three convoys of 70 trucks carrying more than 1,300 million tons of food destined for El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.
The attack Monday on Ghubaysh in West Kordofan follows weeks of insecurity in Darfur in which both rebel and government-backed forces have attacked each other.
It was the second attack by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army since December 19 when the Sudanese government agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities, U.N. officials said.
The recent insecurity has effectively blocked overland access from central Sudan to the Darfur region for U.N. and other relief agencies, the U.N. Humanitarian office known as OCHA said.
As a result, some 260,000 people will miss their December rations in South Darfur as well as eastern parts of West Darfur, it said.
Uh Oh!
Ok, this gives me pause:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six commercial airliners in the past four days have had their cockpits illuminated by laser beams while attempting to land, a government official told CNN Wednesday.
The incidents have happened "all over the place" and in "kind of odd places," the official said without elaborating.
None of the flights was affected.
The government official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether this week's incidents were the result of "kids who got a laser light for Christmas" or whether there is "some deliberate attempt to target aircraft."
Kids with laser lights? Are you kidding me?
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six commercial airliners in the past four days have had their cockpits illuminated by laser beams while attempting to land, a government official told CNN Wednesday.
The incidents have happened "all over the place" and in "kind of odd places," the official said without elaborating.
None of the flights was affected.
The government official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether this week's incidents were the result of "kids who got a laser light for Christmas" or whether there is "some deliberate attempt to target aircraft."
Kids with laser lights? Are you kidding me?
We Are Stingy
I stand corrected, we are stingy. Hey, if the NY Times says it's so, it must be true. Apparently American generosity doesn't count unless it comes from the government.
The New Media
The "blogization" of media continues, even in the wake of natural disasters. So says Der Spiegel:
"Blogs are at the forefront of the tsunami recovery effort. While traditional media drags awaiting publication, and government hotlines jam or go unanswered, bloggers have hopped into the fray, providing needed information to relatives desperate to find loved ones and those hoping to join the rescue efforts."
"Blogs are at the forefront of the tsunami recovery effort. While traditional media drags awaiting publication, and government hotlines jam or go unanswered, bloggers have hopped into the fray, providing needed information to relatives desperate to find loved ones and those hoping to join the rescue efforts."
OSU Update
It appears Maurice Clarrett was telling the truth:
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said athletic officials will sanction a businessman who gave improper benefits to Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith.
The benefits led to Smith's suspension from Wednesday night's Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where the No. 22 Buckeyes defeated Oklahoma State 33-7.
Geiger said 46-year-old Robert Q. Baker, who shares a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium, gave Smith an unspecified benefit at the Columbus business he used to run, in violation of NCAA rules.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said athletic officials will sanction a businessman who gave improper benefits to Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith.
The benefits led to Smith's suspension from Wednesday night's Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where the No. 22 Buckeyes defeated Oklahoma State 33-7.
Geiger said 46-year-old Robert Q. Baker, who shares a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium, gave Smith an unspecified benefit at the Columbus business he used to run, in violation of NCAA rules.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Southgate Gets to Keep Its School
Southgate school supporters reveled in a victory Tuesday night as voters gave the tiny, independent school district a gift to start the new year: enough money to keep operating.
District school officials had said that, without the 41 percent tax increase, approved in September by the school board, the district would have had to discuss a merger with a neighboring school system.
By a 57 percent margin, voters told the school board they didn't want to see that happen. The vote was 362 to 274 in an election that drew 43 percent of the registered voters.
The new tax rate, which jumped from $5.22 per $1,000 of assessed value to $7.38, will bring in $150,000 a year more for the district's budget, now about $1 million annually. The increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $216 more a year in school taxes.
District school officials had said that, without the 41 percent tax increase, approved in September by the school board, the district would have had to discuss a merger with a neighboring school system.
By a 57 percent margin, voters told the school board they didn't want to see that happen. The vote was 362 to 274 in an election that drew 43 percent of the registered voters.
The new tax rate, which jumped from $5.22 per $1,000 of assessed value to $7.38, will bring in $150,000 a year more for the district's budget, now about $1 million annually. The increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $216 more a year in school taxes.
More Stinginess
The tsunami fundraising over at amazon.com has surpassed the $2 million mark. One web site has raised more money than most countries have donated to this point. Those stingy Americans.
Are You a Female, Large and in Charge, and Looking for a Man...
...then travel to the Arab world. Apparently, rotundness is a very attractive quality over there.
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania -- Jidat Mint Ethmane grew up in a nomad family in this impoverished nation in the western Sahara. When she was 8, she says, her mother began to force-feed her. Ms. Ethmane says she was required to consume a gallon of milk in the morning, plus couscous. She ate milk and porridge for lunch. She was awoken at midnight and given several more pints of milk, followed by a pre-breakfast feeding at 6 a.m.
If she threw up, she says, her mother forced her to eat the vomit. Stretch marks appeared on her body and the skin on her upper arms and thighs tore under the pressure. If she balked at the feedings, her mother would squeeze her toes between two wooden sticks until the pain was unbearable. "I would devour as much as possible," says Ms. Ethmane. "I resembled a mattress."
Today, Ms. Ethmane, 38 years old, is slender because her family ran out of money to continue the force-feeding technique, known as gavage. The term stems from the French word for the process used to force-feed geese to make foie gras. Yet in a recent interview in her family's one-room house, Ms. Ethmane says she still believes in the practice. "Beauty is more important than health," she says. Her husband, Brahim, agrees: "It is thin women who are not healthy."
The belief that rotund women are more desirable as wives helps explain why much of the Arab world -- which stretches from the Persian Gulf in the east to Mauritania in North Africa -- is experiencing an explosion of obesity. About half of women in the Middle East are overweight or obese, according to the United Nations' World Health Organization. In some communities, many of which were nomadic until a few decades ago, oil wealth has dramatically improved living standards. The resulting urbanization has introduced some Western habits: high consumption of sugar, fat and processed foods and more sedentary lifestyles.
In Bahrain, 83% of women are obese or overweight, according to International Obesity Task Force, a London-based think tank that tries to persuade countries to tackle the problem. In the United Arab Emirates the figure is 74%; in Lebanon it is 75%, the groups says. By comparison, about 62% of American women are overweight or obese. The prevalence of childhood obesity in the Middle East has risen rapidly in recent years and diabetes is spreading across the region, according to WHO.
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania -- Jidat Mint Ethmane grew up in a nomad family in this impoverished nation in the western Sahara. When she was 8, she says, her mother began to force-feed her. Ms. Ethmane says she was required to consume a gallon of milk in the morning, plus couscous. She ate milk and porridge for lunch. She was awoken at midnight and given several more pints of milk, followed by a pre-breakfast feeding at 6 a.m.
If she threw up, she says, her mother forced her to eat the vomit. Stretch marks appeared on her body and the skin on her upper arms and thighs tore under the pressure. If she balked at the feedings, her mother would squeeze her toes between two wooden sticks until the pain was unbearable. "I would devour as much as possible," says Ms. Ethmane. "I resembled a mattress."
Today, Ms. Ethmane, 38 years old, is slender because her family ran out of money to continue the force-feeding technique, known as gavage. The term stems from the French word for the process used to force-feed geese to make foie gras. Yet in a recent interview in her family's one-room house, Ms. Ethmane says she still believes in the practice. "Beauty is more important than health," she says. Her husband, Brahim, agrees: "It is thin women who are not healthy."
The belief that rotund women are more desirable as wives helps explain why much of the Arab world -- which stretches from the Persian Gulf in the east to Mauritania in North Africa -- is experiencing an explosion of obesity. About half of women in the Middle East are overweight or obese, according to the United Nations' World Health Organization. In some communities, many of which were nomadic until a few decades ago, oil wealth has dramatically improved living standards. The resulting urbanization has introduced some Western habits: high consumption of sugar, fat and processed foods and more sedentary lifestyles.
In Bahrain, 83% of women are obese or overweight, according to International Obesity Task Force, a London-based think tank that tries to persuade countries to tackle the problem. In the United Arab Emirates the figure is 74%; in Lebanon it is 75%, the groups says. By comparison, about 62% of American women are overweight or obese. The prevalence of childhood obesity in the Middle East has risen rapidly in recent years and diabetes is spreading across the region, according to WHO.
More Good Work From Porter Goss
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 - The head of the Central Intelligence Agency's analytical branch is being forced to step down, former intelligence officials say, opening a major new chapter in a shakeup under Porter J. Goss, the agency's chief.
The official, Jami Miscik, the agency's deputy director for intelligence, told her subordinates on Tuesday afternoon of her plan to step down on Feb. 4. A former intelligence official said that Ms. Miscik was told before Christmas that Mr. Goss wanted to make a change and that "the decision to depart was not hers."
Ms. Miscik has headed analysis at the agency since 2002, a period in which prewar assessments of Iraq and its illicit weapons, which drew heavily on C.I.A. analysis, proved to be mistaken. Even before taking charge of the C.I.A., Mr. Goss, who was a congressman, and his closest associates had been openly critical of the directorate of intelligence, saying it suffered from poor leadership and was devoting too much effort to monitoring day-to-day developments rather than broad trends.
Ms. Miscik's departure is the latest in a series of high-level ousters that have prompted unease within the C.I.A. since Mr. Goss took over as director of central intelligence in September. Of the officials who worked as top deputies to Mr. Goss's predecessor, George J. Tenet, at least a half-dozen have been fired or have retired abruptly, including the agency's No. 2 and No. 3 officials. Much of the top tier of the agency's clandestine service is also gone.
The official, Jami Miscik, the agency's deputy director for intelligence, told her subordinates on Tuesday afternoon of her plan to step down on Feb. 4. A former intelligence official said that Ms. Miscik was told before Christmas that Mr. Goss wanted to make a change and that "the decision to depart was not hers."
Ms. Miscik has headed analysis at the agency since 2002, a period in which prewar assessments of Iraq and its illicit weapons, which drew heavily on C.I.A. analysis, proved to be mistaken. Even before taking charge of the C.I.A., Mr. Goss, who was a congressman, and his closest associates had been openly critical of the directorate of intelligence, saying it suffered from poor leadership and was devoting too much effort to monitoring day-to-day developments rather than broad trends.
Ms. Miscik's departure is the latest in a series of high-level ousters that have prompted unease within the C.I.A. since Mr. Goss took over as director of central intelligence in September. Of the officials who worked as top deputies to Mr. Goss's predecessor, George J. Tenet, at least a half-dozen have been fired or have retired abruptly, including the agency's No. 2 and No. 3 officials. Much of the top tier of the agency's clandestine service is also gone.
Mumme-ball is Making a Comeback
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA: Coach Hal Mumme has been confirmed as a finalist for the New Mexico State head coach vacancy. "He's one of three or four finalists," said Dart Volz, SLU assistant athletic director for media relations. The job became open when Tony Samuel was fired Nov. 24.
Mumme went 20-26 as head coach at Kentucky (1997-2000) before leaving in the wake of NCAA recruiting violations.
Mumme went 20-26 as head coach at Kentucky (1997-2000) before leaving in the wake of NCAA recruiting violations.
More Tragedy from the Ghetto
There are two things that leave the black, inner-city wallowing in crime: (1) Fatherlessness that leads to an unhealthy desire/need for "respect" ("respect" for your game, for your girl, or even for your car); and (2) Tolerating the acts of criminals.
Here's my case in point.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot to death after his friends and a group of other men exchanged "trash talk" about their cars, Tampa police said Tuesday.
Police continued to appeal for help in making an arrest in the Sunday morning shooting. Police said they have suspects, but need witnesses who might have seen who fired the fatal shot.
Doster, 21, was shot to death at a sandwich shop after visiting a local club with two friends about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
While leaving the club, Doster's friends had a discussion with three other men about their cars, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. Both groups were driving what Durkin described as "show" cars, and the arguments centered on whose car was better.
The two groups met again at a stoplight, where they again exchanged words and mean stares, Durkin said. The suspects were riding in an orange Infiniti.
Blocks later, Doster and his friends pulled into a sandwich shop. The Infiniti pulled up, one man got out and opened fire with a handgun, Durkin said.
Doster, who was sitting in the back seat of his friend's car, was killed with a single shot. No one else was injured.
After recently visiting the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, I can clearly see the legacy of slavery in today's society and what that great evil has wrought. But it's clearly time for black America - and specifically black men - to stand up and be counted.
As is always the case, the cause of our problems can be found in the mirror.
Here's my case in point.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot to death after his friends and a group of other men exchanged "trash talk" about their cars, Tampa police said Tuesday.
Police continued to appeal for help in making an arrest in the Sunday morning shooting. Police said they have suspects, but need witnesses who might have seen who fired the fatal shot.
Doster, 21, was shot to death at a sandwich shop after visiting a local club with two friends about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
While leaving the club, Doster's friends had a discussion with three other men about their cars, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. Both groups were driving what Durkin described as "show" cars, and the arguments centered on whose car was better.
The two groups met again at a stoplight, where they again exchanged words and mean stares, Durkin said. The suspects were riding in an orange Infiniti.
Blocks later, Doster and his friends pulled into a sandwich shop. The Infiniti pulled up, one man got out and opened fire with a handgun, Durkin said.
Doster, who was sitting in the back seat of his friend's car, was killed with a single shot. No one else was injured.
After recently visiting the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, I can clearly see the legacy of slavery in today's society and what that great evil has wrought. But it's clearly time for black America - and specifically black men - to stand up and be counted.
As is always the case, the cause of our problems can be found in the mirror.
Now That's Stingy II
Don't you think they could have waived that passport fee thing just this one time:
At the airport in Bangkok, other governments had set up booths to greet nationals who had been affected and to help repatriate them, she said.
That was not the case with the U.S. government, Wachs told her mother. It took the couple three hours, she said, to find the officials from the American consulate, who were in the VIP lounge.
Because they had lost all their possessions, including their documentation, they had to have new passports issued.
But the U.S. officials demanded payment to take the passport pictures, Helen Wachs said.
The couple had managed to hold on to their ATM card, so they paid for the photos and helped other Americans who did not have any money get their pictures taken and buy food, Helen Wachs said.
"She was really very surprised" that the government did so little to ease their ordeal, she said.
At the airport in Bangkok, other governments had set up booths to greet nationals who had been affected and to help repatriate them, she said.
That was not the case with the U.S. government, Wachs told her mother. It took the couple three hours, she said, to find the officials from the American consulate, who were in the VIP lounge.
Because they had lost all their possessions, including their documentation, they had to have new passports issued.
But the U.S. officials demanded payment to take the passport pictures, Helen Wachs said.
The couple had managed to hold on to their ATM card, so they paid for the photos and helped other Americans who did not have any money get their pictures taken and buy food, Helen Wachs said.
"She was really very surprised" that the government did so little to ease their ordeal, she said.
Not Bad Money, But...
This comes in at over $500,000 a year, but I would have thought a monarch would make more than this:
A Moroccan magazine has taken the unprecedented step of publishing details of King Mohammed VI's salary.
The French-language magazine Tel Quel says the monarch earns less than a typical company director in the developed world, under $45,000 a month. The annual expenses of the royal court are said to be around $250m.
A Moroccan magazine has taken the unprecedented step of publishing details of King Mohammed VI's salary.
The French-language magazine Tel Quel says the monarch earns less than a typical company director in the developed world, under $45,000 a month. The annual expenses of the royal court are said to be around $250m.
More NY Times Hogwash
The NY Times (of course) takes the networks to task for "sugar-coating" the legacy of deceased NFL great Reggie White. What did they "sugar coat"?
All three networks accentuated the positive and offered the idealized, saintly view of a man in a violent sport reaching out to those he sacked as well as to the downtrodden. That may be the way football folk want to remember White - and the safe path taken by CBS, Fox and ABC - but it failed to acknowledge the considerable controversy he caused when he labeled homosexuality a sin. "It's not a race" that can be compared with being black, he added.
So Reggie thought homosexual acts are sinful. Hmmm, that puts him in pretty good company. Let's see, there's Moses, Jesus and Paul. Who else? Well, our President and most Americans. Who else? Mohammed and all of Islam. Anyone else? Even the Dali Lama (but don't tell Richard Gere).
So who's left out? Oh yeah, employees of the NY Times.
All three networks accentuated the positive and offered the idealized, saintly view of a man in a violent sport reaching out to those he sacked as well as to the downtrodden. That may be the way football folk want to remember White - and the safe path taken by CBS, Fox and ABC - but it failed to acknowledge the considerable controversy he caused when he labeled homosexuality a sin. "It's not a race" that can be compared with being black, he added.
So Reggie thought homosexual acts are sinful. Hmmm, that puts him in pretty good company. Let's see, there's Moses, Jesus and Paul. Who else? Well, our President and most Americans. Who else? Mohammed and all of Islam. Anyone else? Even the Dali Lama (but don't tell Richard Gere).
So who's left out? Oh yeah, employees of the NY Times.
Good Old Fashioned Horse Sense
It sometimes pays to be an animal.
COLOMBO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.
Giant waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the ravaged southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants and several leopards.
"The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters on Wednesday.
"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit," he added. "I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening."
COLOMBO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.
Giant waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the ravaged southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants and several leopards.
"The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters on Wednesday.
"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit," he added. "I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening."
Now That's Stingy
Glenn Reynolds puts the smack down on all those "stingy" U.S. suggestions:
STINGINESS UPDATE: The Amazon tsunami relief total is now well over $1 million -- and several readers who were compulsively hitting "refresh" report that it crossed the million-dollar-mark at 6:38 Eastern. It is kind of hypnotic to see the numbers going up every time you reload the page.
Meanwhile, Tim Blair notes that France has sent $177,000:
That French figure seems impossibly low, but it checks out here and here (100,000 euros = $A177,000 = $US135,400). France is also sending rescue workers to Thailand and humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, but please ... $177,000? Andrew Sullivan probably makes more during his Pledge Week.
And while amateurs outperform the French government, the United States government is sending $35 million plus two Naval groups. Not that that has stopped people from bitching about the United States' response. It's almost as if they're determined to find fault no matter what.
However, at this rate the Amazon donations will soon pass the German government's contribution of 2 million Euros (2.7 million dollars), too.
STINGINESS UPDATE: The Amazon tsunami relief total is now well over $1 million -- and several readers who were compulsively hitting "refresh" report that it crossed the million-dollar-mark at 6:38 Eastern. It is kind of hypnotic to see the numbers going up every time you reload the page.
Meanwhile, Tim Blair notes that France has sent $177,000:
That French figure seems impossibly low, but it checks out here and here (100,000 euros = $A177,000 = $US135,400). France is also sending rescue workers to Thailand and humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, but please ... $177,000? Andrew Sullivan probably makes more during his Pledge Week.
And while amateurs outperform the French government, the United States government is sending $35 million plus two Naval groups. Not that that has stopped people from bitching about the United States' response. It's almost as if they're determined to find fault no matter what.
However, at this rate the Amazon donations will soon pass the German government's contribution of 2 million Euros (2.7 million dollars), too.
Put Me In Coach
Now I've heard of arguments with your coach, but this is a bit extreme.
NFL Security has interviewed Rams coach Mike Martz and offensive tackle Kyle Turley about an incident during which Turley allegedly threatened to kill Martz, sources have told ESPN.
Turley
Martz and Turley allegedly engaged in a shouting match that culminated in Martz filing a report with NFL Security regarding the alleged death threat, sources said.
The argument began after Turley, who's on injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired back early in training camp, heard that Martz questioned the tackle's dedication to rehabbing his injured back. Turley decided to confront his coach.
And knowing Kyle Turley (a notorious nutjob), I would have taken this threat very seriously.
NFL Security has interviewed Rams coach Mike Martz and offensive tackle Kyle Turley about an incident during which Turley allegedly threatened to kill Martz, sources have told ESPN.
Turley
Martz and Turley allegedly engaged in a shouting match that culminated in Martz filing a report with NFL Security regarding the alleged death threat, sources said.
The argument began after Turley, who's on injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired back early in training camp, heard that Martz questioned the tackle's dedication to rehabbing his injured back. Turley decided to confront his coach.
And knowing Kyle Turley (a notorious nutjob), I would have taken this threat very seriously.
Work for Free - It's Fun
Something tells me this won't go over too well:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways, the bankrupt No. 7 U.S. airline, is seeking volunteers from non-union staff to work for free at its troubled Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The airline canceled nearly 400 flights over Christmas weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or without luggage after three times the normal rate of flight attendants and baggage handlers based at Philadelphia called in sick.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways, the bankrupt No. 7 U.S. airline, is seeking volunteers from non-union staff to work for free at its troubled Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The airline canceled nearly 400 flights over Christmas weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or without luggage after three times the normal rate of flight attendants and baggage handlers based at Philadelphia called in sick.
US Aid
The recent controversy over the amount of US aid to Southeast Asia is an interesting one. Is the US a generous nation? You be the judge.
As of early Tuesday, dozens of countries and relief groups had pledged $81 million in help for South and East Asia, said the Geneva-based U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The United States uses the most common measure of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 30 rich nations that counts development aid.
By that measure, the United States spent almost $15.8 billion for "official development assistance" to developing countries in 2003. Next closest was Japan, at $8.9 billion. That doesn't include billions more the United States spends in other areas such as AIDS and HIV programs and other U.N. assistance.
Measured another way, as a percentage of gross national product, the OECD's figures on development aid show that as of April, none of the world's richest countries donated even 1 percent of its gross national product. Norway was highest, at 0.92 percent; the United States was last, at 0.14 percent.
Such figures were what prompted Jan Egeland -- the United Nations' emergency relief coordinator and former head of the Norwegian Red Cross -- to challenge the giving of rich nations.
"We were more generous when we were less rich, many of the rich countries," Egeland said. "And it is beyond me, why are we so stingy, really.... Even Christmas time should remind many Western countries at least how rich we have become."
...Natsios said the Paris organization's figures overlook a key factor -- the billions more Americans give each year in private donations.
Americans last year gave an estimated $241 billion to charitable causes -- domestic and foreign -- according to a study by Giving USA Foundation. That's up from $234 billion in 2002. The foundation did not break down how much was for domestic causes and how much for foreign.
"That's a European standard, this percentage that's used," Natsios said. "The United States, for 40 years, has never accepted these standards that it should be based on the gross national product. We base it on the actual dollars that we spent."
As of early Tuesday, dozens of countries and relief groups had pledged $81 million in help for South and East Asia, said the Geneva-based U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The United States uses the most common measure of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 30 rich nations that counts development aid.
By that measure, the United States spent almost $15.8 billion for "official development assistance" to developing countries in 2003. Next closest was Japan, at $8.9 billion. That doesn't include billions more the United States spends in other areas such as AIDS and HIV programs and other U.N. assistance.
Measured another way, as a percentage of gross national product, the OECD's figures on development aid show that as of April, none of the world's richest countries donated even 1 percent of its gross national product. Norway was highest, at 0.92 percent; the United States was last, at 0.14 percent.
Such figures were what prompted Jan Egeland -- the United Nations' emergency relief coordinator and former head of the Norwegian Red Cross -- to challenge the giving of rich nations.
"We were more generous when we were less rich, many of the rich countries," Egeland said. "And it is beyond me, why are we so stingy, really.... Even Christmas time should remind many Western countries at least how rich we have become."
...Natsios said the Paris organization's figures overlook a key factor -- the billions more Americans give each year in private donations.
Americans last year gave an estimated $241 billion to charitable causes -- domestic and foreign -- according to a study by Giving USA Foundation. That's up from $234 billion in 2002. The foundation did not break down how much was for domestic causes and how much for foreign.
"That's a European standard, this percentage that's used," Natsios said. "The United States, for 40 years, has never accepted these standards that it should be based on the gross national product. We base it on the actual dollars that we spent."
New Cancer Study
It appears that most cancers - like sin - are inherited:
Inheritance plays a part in 16 out of 27 cancers, a recent study reveals.
The study, conducted by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, examined the rates at which cancer occurred among all first to fifth-degree relatives of 32,000 patients who had cancer diagnosed between 1955 and 2002.
A first-degree relative is a parent or child or sibling who shares 50 per cent of an individual's DNA. Fifth-degree relatives, such as great-great-great grandparents, share 3.125 per cent of DNA with the patient.
Details of the study were published today in the open-access journal Public Library of Science Medicine.
According to the report, a total of 27 cancers were studied, including many of the most common such as lung, breast, prostate, colon and skin.
For 16 of these, relatives of patients were at a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.
Inheritance plays a part in 16 out of 27 cancers, a recent study reveals.
The study, conducted by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, examined the rates at which cancer occurred among all first to fifth-degree relatives of 32,000 patients who had cancer diagnosed between 1955 and 2002.
A first-degree relative is a parent or child or sibling who shares 50 per cent of an individual's DNA. Fifth-degree relatives, such as great-great-great grandparents, share 3.125 per cent of DNA with the patient.
Details of the study were published today in the open-access journal Public Library of Science Medicine.
According to the report, a total of 27 cancers were studied, including many of the most common such as lung, breast, prostate, colon and skin.
For 16 of these, relatives of patients were at a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.
Hmmmm
Is it just a striking coincidence?
The 9.0 killer earthquake in Asia that unleashed tsunamis killing tens of thousands followed exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran, earthquake that killed 26,000.
On Dec. 26, 2003, a 6.6 quake hit the ancient city of Bam in Iran. While the quake was much smaller than the one that struck near the island of Sumatra Sunday, its epicenter was directly under the city.
On Dec. 26, 2004, the 9.0 quake struck in South Asia. While the death toll will be much higher, most of the destructiveness was the result of the giant waves triggered by the earth's movement under the India Ocean.
The 2003 quake hit at 01:56:52 UTC, while the 2004 quake struck at 00:58:55 UTC – exactly one year, 58 minutes apart.
The 9.0 killer earthquake in Asia that unleashed tsunamis killing tens of thousands followed exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran, earthquake that killed 26,000.
On Dec. 26, 2003, a 6.6 quake hit the ancient city of Bam in Iran. While the quake was much smaller than the one that struck near the island of Sumatra Sunday, its epicenter was directly under the city.
On Dec. 26, 2004, the 9.0 quake struck in South Asia. While the death toll will be much higher, most of the destructiveness was the result of the giant waves triggered by the earth's movement under the India Ocean.
The 2003 quake hit at 01:56:52 UTC, while the 2004 quake struck at 00:58:55 UTC – exactly one year, 58 minutes apart.
NY Times Correction of the Day
From the Dec. 24 corrections column:
Because of an editing error, a front-page article yesterday about new rules for managing the national forests referred incorrectly in some copies to a representative of Earthjustice who criticized the plan. The representative is a man, Martin Hayden. The article also misstated his title and, because of another editing error, described Earthjustice incorrectly. Mr. Hayden is the organization's legislative director but is not a lawyer. Earthjustice is an environmental law firm, not affiliated with the Sierra Club.
In other words, we didn't get anything right.
Because of an editing error, a front-page article yesterday about new rules for managing the national forests referred incorrectly in some copies to a representative of Earthjustice who criticized the plan. The representative is a man, Martin Hayden. The article also misstated his title and, because of another editing error, described Earthjustice incorrectly. Mr. Hayden is the organization's legislative director but is not a lawyer. Earthjustice is an environmental law firm, not affiliated with the Sierra Club.
In other words, we didn't get anything right.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Wow, 300 Votes
Thank you left-wing nutjobs. Because of your weeks and weeks of crying and complaining, we now know that Bush won Ohio by 118,457 votes instead of 118,775 votes. That's a whopping 300 vote difference. What would we do without Jesse Jackson.
TOLEDO, Ohio - Election officials finished the presidential recount in Ohio on Tuesday, with the final tally shaving about 300 votes off President Bush (news - web sites)'s six-figure margin of victory in the state that gave him a second term.
The recount shows Bush winning Ohio by 118,457 votes over John Kerry (news - web sites), according to unofficial results provided to The Associated Press by the 88 counties. Lucas County, home to Toledo, was the last to finish counting.
The state had earlier declared Bush the winner by 118,775 votes and plans to adjust its totals to reflect the recount later this week.
TOLEDO, Ohio - Election officials finished the presidential recount in Ohio on Tuesday, with the final tally shaving about 300 votes off President Bush (news - web sites)'s six-figure margin of victory in the state that gave him a second term.
The recount shows Bush winning Ohio by 118,457 votes over John Kerry (news - web sites), according to unofficial results provided to The Associated Press by the 88 counties. Lucas County, home to Toledo, was the last to finish counting.
The state had earlier declared Bush the winner by 118,775 votes and plans to adjust its totals to reflect the recount later this week.
I'd Probably Just Put a Bullet in my Head
Of all the articles I've read about the tsunami, this story sticks out:
Among the dead was a young girl, Anousha, aged three.
"My house collapsed and I had my daughter's hand in mine as we ran back from the water," said her distraught father, Raja. "But the wave took her from my hands."
Among the dead was a young girl, Anousha, aged three.
"My house collapsed and I had my daughter's hand in mine as we ran back from the water," said her distraught father, Raja. "But the wave took her from my hands."
Quote of the Day II
"The Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash has a chance to muscle past Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan to become the NBA's first recognized point guard since Magic Johnson in 1990 to win the MVP award. It would be great to see passing rewarded in a league where it's almost extinct." -- Marc Stein, ESPN
Jim Tressel Watch Continues
A Columbus businessman’s relationship with Buckeye quarterback Troy Smith raised enough eyebrows at his office that the company attorney called Ohio State.
That Dec. 9 phone call eventually led to Smith’s suspension from the team and an investigation involving Robert Q. Baker, a 46-year-old Springfield resident who pays big bucks to watch football games from a 35-yardline luxury suite in Ohio Stadium.
Geoffrey Webster, 56, an attorney for Poly-Care Services, confirmed for The Dispatch yesterday that Baker gave Smith an unspecified amount of cash and tried to arrange jobs for Smith and another player.
"I can’t comment on any of it," OSU Athletics Director Andy Geiger said yesterday. "It’s an ongoing investigation."
Andy, the entire football program is an ongoing investigation. Geiger must go...and Tressel should probably follow.
That Dec. 9 phone call eventually led to Smith’s suspension from the team and an investigation involving Robert Q. Baker, a 46-year-old Springfield resident who pays big bucks to watch football games from a 35-yardline luxury suite in Ohio Stadium.
Geoffrey Webster, 56, an attorney for Poly-Care Services, confirmed for The Dispatch yesterday that Baker gave Smith an unspecified amount of cash and tried to arrange jobs for Smith and another player.
"I can’t comment on any of it," OSU Athletics Director Andy Geiger said yesterday. "It’s an ongoing investigation."
Andy, the entire football program is an ongoing investigation. Geiger must go...and Tressel should probably follow.
Quote of the Day
"The systems are geared to run 100 percent, and hopefully nothing goes wrong. This time, just too many things hit (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport). Each one became part of the domino effect. We now know not to connect through Cincinnati in the winter or to fly Comair or U.S. Air." - Tom Parsons, BestFares
Now that's good for Comair's business.
Now that's good for Comair's business.
Roman Catholic Church in Crisis
Not only is there a moral crisis, but a financial one as well.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - First came the sex scandal. Then there were lawsuits. Now there are bankruptcies.
And some economic analysts believe this could be just the beginning of the financial fallout from widespread charges of clerical sexual abuse within the U.S. Catholic Church.
...The question is how to pay for it.
"Even without the sex abuse scandal, the Catholic Church was in deep financial difficulty," said Charles Zech, an economics professor at Villanova University who monitors church finances.
Zech said the church's money troubles include the costs of deferred maintenance on church properties, the aging of its low-cost work force of priests and nuns and its disproportionate holdings in real estate -- often run-down inner-city buildings that are hard to sell.
Frank Butler, president of a group of major donors to Catholic institutions, said the problems may go deeper.
"Many of the archdioceses are very marginal operations, and the reason for that is they have a very aging infrastructure that includes the parishes and schools," Butler said from the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, known as FADICA.
In addition, American Catholics give less per person to their individual churches than Protestants or Jews do, Butler said, adding that those who do give are getting older.
"Their donor base would seem to be shrinking," he said.
Added to these long-term problems are expected payments that could total billions of dollars nationally to victims of priest sexual abuse.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - First came the sex scandal. Then there were lawsuits. Now there are bankruptcies.
And some economic analysts believe this could be just the beginning of the financial fallout from widespread charges of clerical sexual abuse within the U.S. Catholic Church.
...The question is how to pay for it.
"Even without the sex abuse scandal, the Catholic Church was in deep financial difficulty," said Charles Zech, an economics professor at Villanova University who monitors church finances.
Zech said the church's money troubles include the costs of deferred maintenance on church properties, the aging of its low-cost work force of priests and nuns and its disproportionate holdings in real estate -- often run-down inner-city buildings that are hard to sell.
Frank Butler, president of a group of major donors to Catholic institutions, said the problems may go deeper.
"Many of the archdioceses are very marginal operations, and the reason for that is they have a very aging infrastructure that includes the parishes and schools," Butler said from the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, known as FADICA.
In addition, American Catholics give less per person to their individual churches than Protestants or Jews do, Butler said, adding that those who do give are getting older.
"Their donor base would seem to be shrinking," he said.
Added to these long-term problems are expected payments that could total billions of dollars nationally to victims of priest sexual abuse.
How Things Have Changed
For all of President Bush's accomplishments, none is greater than the way he has changed the landscape of the Middle East. We've seen it in Afghanistan (free elections), in the Palestinian territories (the isolation of Arafat and ascension of Abbas who is now calling for an end to the Intifada), and in Israel (where the formerly hawkish Sharon is now pulling settlements out of the West Bank and Gaza). Bush is largely responsible for all of these changes.
But his greatest accomplishment is in (and through) Iraq. It is here that tyranny and despotism has given way to the hope of democracy. It is here that the battle has shifted from taking up arms to boycotting elections. Check out the latest from Osama:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - In an audiotape broadcast Monday by Al-Jazeera satellite television, a man purported to be Osama bin Laden endorsed Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq and called for a boycott of next month's elections there.
Think about this for a moment. Osama bin Laden, the great terrorist mastermind, the mighty warrior of Islam, is calling for....boycotting an election? Man, this is Jesse Jackson territory.
We know Iraq has finally arrived if, after the election, Osama calls for a recount.
But his greatest accomplishment is in (and through) Iraq. It is here that tyranny and despotism has given way to the hope of democracy. It is here that the battle has shifted from taking up arms to boycotting elections. Check out the latest from Osama:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - In an audiotape broadcast Monday by Al-Jazeera satellite television, a man purported to be Osama bin Laden endorsed Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq and called for a boycott of next month's elections there.
Think about this for a moment. Osama bin Laden, the great terrorist mastermind, the mighty warrior of Islam, is calling for....boycotting an election? Man, this is Jesse Jackson territory.
We know Iraq has finally arrived if, after the election, Osama calls for a recount.
Churchill/Roosevelt = Blair/Bush
The great historian Martin Gilbert thinks so.
People often ask how history will remember our generation of leaders in comparison with Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many comment that today's leaders look small compared with the giants of the past. This is, I believe, a misconception.
In their day, both Churchill and Roosevelt were frequently criticised, often savagely, by their countrymen, including legislators who had little knowledge of the behind-the-scenes reality of the war.
The passage of time both elevates and reduces reputations. Today there is a cult of Churchill, particularly in the United States, but also far greater scholarly criticism, which regards him, increasingly, as a flawed war leader. The same is true of Roosevelt: his recent biographers are constantly revealing - to their satisfaction, at least - feet of clay.
Although it can easily be argued that George W Bush and Tony Blair face a far lesser challenge than Roosevelt and Churchill did - that the war on terror is not a third world war - they may well, with the passage of time and the opening of the archives, join the ranks of Roosevelt and Churchill. Their societies are too divided today to deliver a calm judgment, and many of their achievements may be in the future: when Iraq has a stable democracy, with al-Qaeda neutralised, and when Israel and the Palestinian Authority are independent democracies, living side by side in constructive economic cooperation.
If they can move this latter aim, to which Bush and Blair pledged themselves on 12 November, it will be a leadership achievement of historic proportions.
People often ask how history will remember our generation of leaders in comparison with Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many comment that today's leaders look small compared with the giants of the past. This is, I believe, a misconception.
In their day, both Churchill and Roosevelt were frequently criticised, often savagely, by their countrymen, including legislators who had little knowledge of the behind-the-scenes reality of the war.
The passage of time both elevates and reduces reputations. Today there is a cult of Churchill, particularly in the United States, but also far greater scholarly criticism, which regards him, increasingly, as a flawed war leader. The same is true of Roosevelt: his recent biographers are constantly revealing - to their satisfaction, at least - feet of clay.
Although it can easily be argued that George W Bush and Tony Blair face a far lesser challenge than Roosevelt and Churchill did - that the war on terror is not a third world war - they may well, with the passage of time and the opening of the archives, join the ranks of Roosevelt and Churchill. Their societies are too divided today to deliver a calm judgment, and many of their achievements may be in the future: when Iraq has a stable democracy, with al-Qaeda neutralised, and when Israel and the Palestinian Authority are independent democracies, living side by side in constructive economic cooperation.
If they can move this latter aim, to which Bush and Blair pledged themselves on 12 November, it will be a leadership achievement of historic proportions.
Uh, Just Kidding
Now that was a quick change of heart:
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, who has been mentioned as a candidate for several major coaching jobs in the last month and recently signed a new contract to remain with the Cardinals, has met with LSU to discuss its coaching vacancy.
LSU asked for and received permission in recent days to speak with Petrino, ESPN.com's Pat Forde reports. Sources have told Forde that if LSU were to make an offer to Petrino, it would not do so until after Louisville played Boise State (11-0) in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.
...Petrino, 43, signed a new deal last Tuesday that will pay him $1 million a year -- nearly doubling his old salary -- and assured members of Louisville's athletics association board that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'm looking forward to the upcoming years," he said last week. "This is the place I want to be; this is the place my family wants to be. We're looking forward to the future."
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, who has been mentioned as a candidate for several major coaching jobs in the last month and recently signed a new contract to remain with the Cardinals, has met with LSU to discuss its coaching vacancy.
LSU asked for and received permission in recent days to speak with Petrino, ESPN.com's Pat Forde reports. Sources have told Forde that if LSU were to make an offer to Petrino, it would not do so until after Louisville played Boise State (11-0) in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.
...Petrino, 43, signed a new deal last Tuesday that will pay him $1 million a year -- nearly doubling his old salary -- and assured members of Louisville's athletics association board that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'm looking forward to the upcoming years," he said last week. "This is the place I want to be; this is the place my family wants to be. We're looking forward to the future."
Good Out of Evil
PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - William Robins vowed Monday to change his life forever after the professional golfer from California and his new bride, Amanda, narrowly escaped death in the grip of a tsunami.
This reminds me of God's promise that he will bring good out of evil for all those who trust Him. Usually, great tragedies are merely an occasion for God's mercy. The death and destruction serves as a means for much greater good.
Like this young couple, many thousands (if not millions) will be forced to reevaluate their lives, how they live and what they believe. And despite the massive human toll, that's a good thing.
This reminds me of God's promise that he will bring good out of evil for all those who trust Him. Usually, great tragedies are merely an occasion for God's mercy. The death and destruction serves as a means for much greater good.
Like this young couple, many thousands (if not millions) will be forced to reevaluate their lives, how they live and what they believe. And despite the massive human toll, that's a good thing.
"My Life is Over"
CUDDALORE, India (AP) -- The buzz of grim conversation in the darkened morgue was broken by a man's shriek as the small body was lowered on a bed. "My son, my king!" wailed Venkatesh, hugging the limp shrouded bundle.
Thousands of miles away in Indonesia, farmer Yusya Yusman aimlessly searched the beaches for his two children lost in Sunday's tsunami. "My life is over," he said emotionlessly.
In country after country, children have emerged as the biggest victims of Sunday's quake-born tidal waves -- thousands and thousands drowned, battered and washed away by huge walls of water that have wiped away huge number from an entire generation of Asians.
Go here to help.
Thousands of miles away in Indonesia, farmer Yusya Yusman aimlessly searched the beaches for his two children lost in Sunday's tsunami. "My life is over," he said emotionlessly.
In country after country, children have emerged as the biggest victims of Sunday's quake-born tidal waves -- thousands and thousands drowned, battered and washed away by huge walls of water that have wiped away huge number from an entire generation of Asians.
Go here to help.
Monday, December 27, 2004
I Like This Move
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Eric Milton agreed to a three-year deal Monday with Cincinnati, giving the Reds a desperately needed proven left-hander and joining right-hander Paul Wilson at the top of their revamped rotation.
Milton, 29, led Philadelphia in wins, starts and strikeouts last season, going 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 34 starts.
His career record is 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances with Minnesota and Philadelphia. Milton made the AL All-Star team in 2001, and went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA with the Twins in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.
Milton, 29, led Philadelphia in wins, starts and strikeouts last season, going 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 34 starts.
His career record is 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances with Minnesota and Philadelphia. Milton made the AL All-Star team in 2001, and went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA with the Twins in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.
Another AP Howler
From the Wall Street Journal:
Reporters thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger made news in the event-starved days before Christmas when he supposedly told a German newspaper he wanted Republicans to "move a little further left and place more weight on the center," as the Associated Press version of his interview had him saying. Pundits immediately jumped on the remarks. Conservative columnist Cal Thomas suggested the Terminator might really "be the Democratic Party's 'plant' inside the GOP." Alan Colmes, the liberal half of the Hannity & Colmes debate show on Fox News, hailed it as evidence that a new "Rockefeller Republican" wing was emerging to counter President Bush.
The Governator certainly does part company on issues such as abortion and promoting hybrid fuel technology. But he was misquoted by German reporter Marc Hujer. What he actually said was: "I think that right now the Republican Party is all the way from the right to the center. And the Democratic Party is all the way from the left to the center. And I like the Republican Party to cross that centerline. Keep it to the right where it is, but I mean cross over that centerline a little bit, because that would take immediately away 5% from the Democrats and be home free for good. That's the trick."
Mr. Hujer says the governor never recommended explicitly that Republicans should edge toward the left. "He did not use the word 'left,"' Mr. Hujer admitted. "This is really unfortunate. I was trying to translate into German political terms." There's another German translation Mr. Hujer might want to familiarize himself with: dummkopf.
Reporters thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger made news in the event-starved days before Christmas when he supposedly told a German newspaper he wanted Republicans to "move a little further left and place more weight on the center," as the Associated Press version of his interview had him saying. Pundits immediately jumped on the remarks. Conservative columnist Cal Thomas suggested the Terminator might really "be the Democratic Party's 'plant' inside the GOP." Alan Colmes, the liberal half of the Hannity & Colmes debate show on Fox News, hailed it as evidence that a new "Rockefeller Republican" wing was emerging to counter President Bush.
The Governator certainly does part company on issues such as abortion and promoting hybrid fuel technology. But he was misquoted by German reporter Marc Hujer. What he actually said was: "I think that right now the Republican Party is all the way from the right to the center. And the Democratic Party is all the way from the left to the center. And I like the Republican Party to cross that centerline. Keep it to the right where it is, but I mean cross over that centerline a little bit, because that would take immediately away 5% from the Democrats and be home free for good. That's the trick."
Mr. Hujer says the governor never recommended explicitly that Republicans should edge toward the left. "He did not use the word 'left,"' Mr. Hujer admitted. "This is really unfortunate. I was trying to translate into German political terms." There's another German translation Mr. Hujer might want to familiarize himself with: dummkopf.
Indians are Dealing
At least one Ohio major league team knows what it's doing:
CLEVELAND -- Free agent right-hander Kevin Millwood is working toward agreement on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, baseball sources told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
CLEVELAND -- Free agent right-hander Kevin Millwood is working toward agreement on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, baseball sources told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
Bad Move for the Fins
Miami hires Nick Saban (a good move), but then gives him total control (a bad move). Coaches are coaches, not general managers. Ask Bill Parcells if that works.
The contract will be for five years and is worth $4.5 million-$5 million annually. It will also provide Saban with near-absolute control over football-related decisions and allow him to help reshape the organization following a disastrous 2004 season.
The contract will be for five years and is worth $4.5 million-$5 million annually. It will also provide Saban with near-absolute control over football-related decisions and allow him to help reshape the organization following a disastrous 2004 season.
Yes!
Pro-West opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko claimed victory in Ukraine's historic presidential election rerun, telling supporters the vote was a triumph for the country and proclaiming that "now we are free" from dominance by neighboring Russia.
Speaking in a hall at his campaign headquarters packed with journalists and campaign activists, the man who led the "orange revolution" that shook Ukraine for weeks said: "It has happened."
"For 14 years we have been independent, but now we are free. This is a victory for the Ukrainian people, for the Ukrainian nation," the 50-year-old opposition leader and former prime minister said as his audience broke into applause and chants of "Yu-shchenk-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!"
Yushchenko appeared in public as the central election commission reported that he held a 16-point lead over his pro-Russian opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, with more than 63 percent of the country's precincts reporting results.
The commission credited Yushchenko with 55.98 percent of the vote, compared to 40.2 percent for Yanukovich. Three independent exit polls published at the close of voting Sunday gave Yushchenko at least a 15-point lead over his rival.
Speaking in a hall at his campaign headquarters packed with journalists and campaign activists, the man who led the "orange revolution" that shook Ukraine for weeks said: "It has happened."
"For 14 years we have been independent, but now we are free. This is a victory for the Ukrainian people, for the Ukrainian nation," the 50-year-old opposition leader and former prime minister said as his audience broke into applause and chants of "Yu-shchenk-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!"
Yushchenko appeared in public as the central election commission reported that he held a 16-point lead over his pro-Russian opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, with more than 63 percent of the country's precincts reporting results.
The commission credited Yushchenko with 55.98 percent of the vote, compared to 40.2 percent for Yanukovich. Three independent exit polls published at the close of voting Sunday gave Yushchenko at least a 15-point lead over his rival.
This Should Get Our Attention
"All the planet is vibrating" from the quake, said Enzo Boschi, the head of Italy's National Geophysics Institute. Speaking on SKY TG24 TV, Boschi said the quake even disturbed the Earth's rotation.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Associated What?
The boys over at Power Line once again point out the fraud that is the Associated Press.
Say It Ain't So, Dibs
Rob Dibble, a two-time major league All-Star relief pitcher from Southington, is out as a baseball analyst and radio announcer at ESPN. "ESPN has decided not to renew Rob Dibble's contract," ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Thursday.
Dibble was co-host of "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio and locally on WPOP 1410. He also worked ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," which has featured a revolving cast of analysts in recent years, including Steve Phillips, John Kruk and former Mets manager and Stamford native Bobby Valentine."
Recent additions have strengthened our MLB analysts team, and radio programming is constantly evolving,"Krulewitz said. "We feel that 'The Dan Patrick Show' is best hosted solely by Dan."
Dibble, 40, won a World Series ring with Cincinnati in 1990, when he was co-MVP of the NLCS. He combined with Randy Myers and Norm Charlton to form the "Nasty Boys" bullpen, a moniker he carried into broadcasting, including a year in the Fox studio in 1997.
Dibble was co-host of "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio and locally on WPOP 1410. He also worked ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," which has featured a revolving cast of analysts in recent years, including Steve Phillips, John Kruk and former Mets manager and Stamford native Bobby Valentine."
Recent additions have strengthened our MLB analysts team, and radio programming is constantly evolving,"Krulewitz said. "We feel that 'The Dan Patrick Show' is best hosted solely by Dan."
Dibble, 40, won a World Series ring with Cincinnati in 1990, when he was co-MVP of the NLCS. He combined with Randy Myers and Norm Charlton to form the "Nasty Boys" bullpen, a moniker he carried into broadcasting, including a year in the Fox studio in 1997.
Bearcats to Eliminate Football?
Man, they should. Check this out:
UC CONTINGENT: UC sold about 4,200 tickets to the game, but only about a hundred Bearcat fans actually attended the game.
They did beat Marshall last night, but in front of 100 fans. 100 fans?
UC CONTINGENT: UC sold about 4,200 tickets to the game, but only about a hundred Bearcat fans actually attended the game.
They did beat Marshall last night, but in front of 100 fans. 100 fans?
Friday, December 24, 2004
Now That's A Problem
The NY Times has an article today on the Democratic Party's abortion problem. Most of those interviewed think the party should stay true to their pro-abortion stance, but just hate pro-lifers less.
But I think Democratic strategist Donna Brazile sums up their problem best: "Even I have trouble explaining to my family that we are not about killing babies."
But I think Democratic strategist Donna Brazile sums up their problem best: "Even I have trouble explaining to my family that we are not about killing babies."
Self-Esteem is...
...overrated. Here's the scoop:
"Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, research shows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior."
Tru dat. People who believe in themselves and their "worth" are usually either very annoying individuals or a#*holes. I think we could all use a little less self-esteem.
"Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, research shows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior."
Tru dat. People who believe in themselves and their "worth" are usually either very annoying individuals or a#*holes. I think we could all use a little less self-esteem.
Yushchenko a Jew?
This is not surprising. My friend Yan is from the Ukraine and is Jewish. Jew hatred is a sport in the Ukraine...has been for centuries.
What's interesting is that in the past, it's been more of a problem in the western part of the country. Yet this piece of anti-Semitic trash originates from the east (the Russian-speaking part of the Ukraine).
I guess they're opportunistic anti-Semites.
What's interesting is that in the past, it's been more of a problem in the western part of the country. Yet this piece of anti-Semitic trash originates from the east (the Russian-speaking part of the Ukraine).
I guess they're opportunistic anti-Semites.
The Kofi Watch Continues
The expert was a Frenchman who worked at Goma airport as part of the UN’s $700 million-a-year effort to rebuild the war-shattered country. When police raided his home they discovered that he had turned his bedroom into a studio for videotaping and photographing sex sessions with young girls.
The bed was surrounded by large mirrors on three sides, according to a senior Congolese police officer. On the fourth side was a camera that he could operate from the bed with a remote control.
When the police arrived the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a sting operation. Three home-made porn videos and more than 50 photographs were found.
The case has highlighted the apparently rampant sexual exploitation of Congolese girls and women by the UN’s 11,000 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians at a time when the UN is facing many problems, including the Iraqi “oil-for-food” scandal and accusations of sexual harassment by senior UN staff in Geneva and New York.
Where's Kofi's righteous indignation over this?
The bed was surrounded by large mirrors on three sides, according to a senior Congolese police officer. On the fourth side was a camera that he could operate from the bed with a remote control.
When the police arrived the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a sting operation. Three home-made porn videos and more than 50 photographs were found.
The case has highlighted the apparently rampant sexual exploitation of Congolese girls and women by the UN’s 11,000 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians at a time when the UN is facing many problems, including the Iraqi “oil-for-food” scandal and accusations of sexual harassment by senior UN staff in Geneva and New York.
Where's Kofi's righteous indignation over this?
The Jim Tressel Watch
I've got a feeling even the OSU diehards are tiring of this stuff:
OSU FR WR Albert Dukes has been arrested on suspicion of Lewd or Lascivious battery with a 13-year old female. An arrest warrant was issued earlier in the week after authorities investigated the initial charge. I'm told Dukes turned himself in on Tuesday....he remains in jail as of 1:34pm Thursday afternoon. The rest is sketchy, and most office people have gone home for the holidays. According to the OSU media guide, Dukes is 18-years old. I am told that it appears the incident took place this past summer.
For a guy with a squeaky-clean reputation, Tressel is running a rogue program. It's going to catch up with him - and Andy Geiger - sooner rather than later.
OSU FR WR Albert Dukes has been arrested on suspicion of Lewd or Lascivious battery with a 13-year old female. An arrest warrant was issued earlier in the week after authorities investigated the initial charge. I'm told Dukes turned himself in on Tuesday....he remains in jail as of 1:34pm Thursday afternoon. The rest is sketchy, and most office people have gone home for the holidays. According to the OSU media guide, Dukes is 18-years old. I am told that it appears the incident took place this past summer.
For a guy with a squeaky-clean reputation, Tressel is running a rogue program. It's going to catch up with him - and Andy Geiger - sooner rather than later.
John Riedling, Truthteller
"I'm sad to leave Cincinnati and it is going to be weird," Riedling said. "But Florida has ownership that spends money."
"What I don't understand is that they keep saying they are going younger, but then they sign three old guys for the bullpen (David Weathers, 35; Ben Weber, 35; Kent Mercker, 36)."
"The Reds have a good staff that works hard, but there is so much the staff can't deal with, like the club not spending money. I'm going to be pitching for a team that has guys who get on base, pitching for an exciting team and pitching in front of an outstanding defense."
Amen, brother.
"What I don't understand is that they keep saying they are going younger, but then they sign three old guys for the bullpen (David Weathers, 35; Ben Weber, 35; Kent Mercker, 36)."
"The Reds have a good staff that works hard, but there is so much the staff can't deal with, like the club not spending money. I'm going to be pitching for a team that has guys who get on base, pitching for an exciting team and pitching in front of an outstanding defense."
Amen, brother.
Big Ten $$$
This breakdown of Big 10 coaching salaries is interesting:
$1.5 million: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
$1.5 million: John L. Smith, Michigan State
$1.5 million: Glen Mason, Minnesota
$1.4 million: Jim Tressel, Ohio State
$1.35 million: Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
$1.3 million: Joe Paterno, Penn State
$1.052 million: Lloyd Carr, Michigan
$1 million: Ron Zook, Illinois
$1 million: Joe Tiller, Purdue
$950,000: Randy Walker, Northwestern
$600,000: Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
Based on performance, I'd say Joe Tiller is a steal at $1 million per year. At this point in his career, JoPa is waaaay overpaid. Terry Hoeppner is a bargain at $600,000...the man can coach.
$1.5 million: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
$1.5 million: John L. Smith, Michigan State
$1.5 million: Glen Mason, Minnesota
$1.4 million: Jim Tressel, Ohio State
$1.35 million: Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
$1.3 million: Joe Paterno, Penn State
$1.052 million: Lloyd Carr, Michigan
$1 million: Ron Zook, Illinois
$1 million: Joe Tiller, Purdue
$950,000: Randy Walker, Northwestern
$600,000: Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
Based on performance, I'd say Joe Tiller is a steal at $1 million per year. At this point in his career, JoPa is waaaay overpaid. Terry Hoeppner is a bargain at $600,000...the man can coach.
The Mike Davis Watch Continues
Plavich's bucket gave IU (2-6) its sixth loss in a row. That's Indiana's longest such skid since the 1967-68 season. It also guarantees IU a losing record going into the Big Ten for the first time since the 1969-70 season. That team was 4-5 heading into conference and finished 7-17.
The Fat Guy didn't want to coach at USC; maybe he'll like Indiana.
The Fat Guy didn't want to coach at USC; maybe he'll like Indiana.
Powell Says More Troops
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last month that there were too few troops in Iraq, according to people familiar with official records of the meeting.
Powell made his assertion during one in a series of intense discussions on Iraq between Bush and Blair this fall. Those sessions, which have largely been kept secret, indicate that there was a tough debate behind closed doors as the Bush administration reexamined its handling of Iraq in the wake of Bush's reelection victory. Less than three weeks after the White House meeting, the Pentagon announced that it would boost the U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000 troops, to 150,000.
It appears that everyone thinks we need more troops on the ground (former Cabinet members, politicians, commentators, etc.), except the people who actually run things on the ground - the generals. I think I'll stick with their judgment on this one...for now.
Powell made his assertion during one in a series of intense discussions on Iraq between Bush and Blair this fall. Those sessions, which have largely been kept secret, indicate that there was a tough debate behind closed doors as the Bush administration reexamined its handling of Iraq in the wake of Bush's reelection victory. Less than three weeks after the White House meeting, the Pentagon announced that it would boost the U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000 troops, to 150,000.
It appears that everyone thinks we need more troops on the ground (former Cabinet members, politicians, commentators, etc.), except the people who actually run things on the ground - the generals. I think I'll stick with their judgment on this one...for now.
A Confederacy of Dunces
The dunces are on the march:
A 12-year-old New Hampshire boy who wanted to jolly up his junior high dance by dressing in a Santa suit instead got a lesson in political correctness when his Scroogelike principal turned the student away, fearing he might offend his classmates.
"I go by the principal and he asked me what I was wearing. I said a Santa suit and he shakes his head,'' recalled Hampton Academy Junior High student Bryan Lafond.
To make matters worse, Principal Fred Muscara sent the preteen home from the holiday dance by himself to change into more secular attire. His mother spotted her son in the rearview mirror as she drove away.
One question: When did Santa become a religious symbol? The whole purpose of the Santa myth is to make Christmas a more secular holiday by distracting from Christ.
A 12-year-old New Hampshire boy who wanted to jolly up his junior high dance by dressing in a Santa suit instead got a lesson in political correctness when his Scroogelike principal turned the student away, fearing he might offend his classmates.
"I go by the principal and he asked me what I was wearing. I said a Santa suit and he shakes his head,'' recalled Hampton Academy Junior High student Bryan Lafond.
To make matters worse, Principal Fred Muscara sent the preteen home from the holiday dance by himself to change into more secular attire. His mother spotted her son in the rearview mirror as she drove away.
One question: When did Santa become a religious symbol? The whole purpose of the Santa myth is to make Christmas a more secular holiday by distracting from Christ.
That A Boy
WASHINGTON (AP) - Refusing to be brushed off by Democratic opposition in the Senate, President Bush plans to nominate for a second time 20 people who did not receive up or down votes on their nominations for federal judgeships.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
A Festivus for the Rest of Us
Happy Festivus! Now, for the airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Trapped!
8 to 9 inches of snow and a bunch of ice. I'll attempt to shovel out the cars later this morning, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Dope of the Day
"UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says current attempts to end the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region are not working."
Do you think so?
Do you think so?
God 1, LA 0
Los Angeles County supervisors expressed concern Tuesday that the $700,000 estimate to replace the official seal on thousands of items might soar because the new decals haven't effectively covered the old versions.
"The original plan was just to cover up the seals," said John Musella, spokesman for Supervisor Don Knabe. "Now, they will have to pay to physically remove the old seals and put up brand new ones, which will escalate the costs greatly beyond the $700,000 estimate the Chief Administrative Office gave the board."
On Monday, county officials discovered that the tiny Christian cross on the two original seals in the Board of Supervisors' hearing room could be clearly seen through the new $1,800 seals glued on to cover up the cross. In fact, the cross is now directly over the rendering of the San Gabriel Mission, which is pictured on the new seal without a cross.
Jesus once described Paul's persecution of the church (and Him) as "kicking against the goads". I think the City of Los Angeles is "kicking against the goads" too.
"The original plan was just to cover up the seals," said John Musella, spokesman for Supervisor Don Knabe. "Now, they will have to pay to physically remove the old seals and put up brand new ones, which will escalate the costs greatly beyond the $700,000 estimate the Chief Administrative Office gave the board."
On Monday, county officials discovered that the tiny Christian cross on the two original seals in the Board of Supervisors' hearing room could be clearly seen through the new $1,800 seals glued on to cover up the cross. In fact, the cross is now directly over the rendering of the San Gabriel Mission, which is pictured on the new seal without a cross.
Jesus once described Paul's persecution of the church (and Him) as "kicking against the goads". I think the City of Los Angeles is "kicking against the goads" too.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Best Movie of the Year?
I keep hearing great things about Clint's new movie "Million Dollar Baby." Roger Ebert has already declared it the best movie of the year. Now Roger L. Simon (a screenwriter himself) weighs in:
MILLION DOLLAR BABY"Etonnez-moi!" Diaghilev famously told Cocteau was the prescription for great art. I'm not sure Million Dollar Baby is quite that, but Clint Eastwood's film from a Paul Haggis screenplay (based on stories by F. X. Toole) did astonish me, continually taking me further than I ever expected it would. It is the complete opposite of Finding Neverland in that regard.
I admit boxing flicks tend to be predictable, so they present easy opportunities for this kind of surprise. Still you don't expect them to spend their third act dealing with the essence of father-daughter love in the face of death, but this one does. Million Dollar Baby is one of those rare films that continue to grow in impact in your imagination after you have seen it. Much credit goes to Eastwood, of course, who year after year uses his immense Hollywood power to confront bleak and powerful dramatic themes. That his directing skill grows at his age is extraordinary and almost unique. Praise is also due his actors, notably Morgan Freeman (as usual) and Hilary Swank (soon to be as usual).
Haggis's script, however, is the structure that makes this all happen. Like the film it is quite subtle, seemingly at first a rehash of ground we have trod before (Requiem for a Heavyweight), but then so much more. Rarely does it call attention to itself with flashy writing; always it moves the story forward to a new place. This is no simple thing, especially when it is based on a series of short stories. For now it sits atop my nominating list for this year's "Best Adapted Screenplay."
MILLION DOLLAR BABY"Etonnez-moi!" Diaghilev famously told Cocteau was the prescription for great art. I'm not sure Million Dollar Baby is quite that, but Clint Eastwood's film from a Paul Haggis screenplay (based on stories by F. X. Toole) did astonish me, continually taking me further than I ever expected it would. It is the complete opposite of Finding Neverland in that regard.
I admit boxing flicks tend to be predictable, so they present easy opportunities for this kind of surprise. Still you don't expect them to spend their third act dealing with the essence of father-daughter love in the face of death, but this one does. Million Dollar Baby is one of those rare films that continue to grow in impact in your imagination after you have seen it. Much credit goes to Eastwood, of course, who year after year uses his immense Hollywood power to confront bleak and powerful dramatic themes. That his directing skill grows at his age is extraordinary and almost unique. Praise is also due his actors, notably Morgan Freeman (as usual) and Hilary Swank (soon to be as usual).
Haggis's script, however, is the structure that makes this all happen. Like the film it is quite subtle, seemingly at first a rehash of ground we have trod before (Requiem for a Heavyweight), but then so much more. Rarely does it call attention to itself with flashy writing; always it moves the story forward to a new place. This is no simple thing, especially when it is based on a series of short stories. For now it sits atop my nominating list for this year's "Best Adapted Screenplay."
Liberal Secularists Replaced by Jesusland
The NY Times' Nicholas Kristof points out today that the most vociferous advocates of liberal humanitarianism are Christian conservatives:
Members of the Christian right...are the new internationalists, increasingly engaged in humanitarian causes abroad -- thus creating opportunities for common ground between left and right on issues we all care about... Liberals traditionally were the bleeding hearts, while conservatives regarded foreign aid, in the words of Jesse Helms, as "money down a rat hole." That's changing. "One cannot understand international relations today without comprehending the new faith-based movement," Allen Hertzke writes in "Freeing God's Children," a book about evangelicals leaping into human rights causes.
My how things have changed. So what is left for The Left to stand for? Nothing. Well, I shouldn't say that. They stand for anything that stands against America.
Members of the Christian right...are the new internationalists, increasingly engaged in humanitarian causes abroad -- thus creating opportunities for common ground between left and right on issues we all care about... Liberals traditionally were the bleeding hearts, while conservatives regarded foreign aid, in the words of Jesse Helms, as "money down a rat hole." That's changing. "One cannot understand international relations today without comprehending the new faith-based movement," Allen Hertzke writes in "Freeing God's Children," a book about evangelicals leaping into human rights causes.
My how things have changed. So what is left for The Left to stand for? Nothing. Well, I shouldn't say that. They stand for anything that stands against America.
More Bad News for Democrats
Trends show political and economic power shifting to Sun Belt
Robust population growth continues to sweep the nation's Southern and Western states, according to estimates released today by the Census Bureau.
If the trend continues at its current pace, states in the Northeast and Midwest that have been population powerhouses since the 19th century will lose their dominance to Sun Belt states by 2010.
New York, now the third-most-populous state, will likely be overtaken by Florida in five years. New Jersey, the 10th-largest state, could be passed by North Carolina in three.
“By 2010, none of the three most populous states will be in the North,” says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech.
Robust population growth continues to sweep the nation's Southern and Western states, according to estimates released today by the Census Bureau.
If the trend continues at its current pace, states in the Northeast and Midwest that have been population powerhouses since the 19th century will lose their dominance to Sun Belt states by 2010.
New York, now the third-most-populous state, will likely be overtaken by Florida in five years. New Jersey, the 10th-largest state, could be passed by North Carolina in three.
“By 2010, none of the three most populous states will be in the North,” says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech.
Hmmmm
Apparently, the mid-life crisis (or late-life crisis) is not limited to the West:
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Nobel Prize laureate Chen Ning Yang, 82, will marry a 28-year-old post-graduate from south China's Guangdong Province next month, an official with Beijing-based Tsinghua University announced here Friday.
As marriage is a private matter, the official hopes people in all social sectors will respect Yang's choice.
Yang's fiancee, named Weng Fan, is working for a master degree at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Foreign Trade. They are expected to get married in January 2005 at the end of Yang's current semester courses at Tsinghua University.
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Nobel Prize laureate Chen Ning Yang, 82, will marry a 28-year-old post-graduate from south China's Guangdong Province next month, an official with Beijing-based Tsinghua University announced here Friday.
As marriage is a private matter, the official hopes people in all social sectors will respect Yang's choice.
Yang's fiancee, named Weng Fan, is working for a master degree at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Foreign Trade. They are expected to get married in January 2005 at the end of Yang's current semester courses at Tsinghua University.
The Grand Experiment Is Over
The signing of third baseman Joe Randa Tuesday means a lot of things:
• It means the Austin Kearns experiment at third did not work out.
• It means the Reds are back to four starting outfielders with three available spots.
• But more than anything it means the Reds are committed to trying to win in 2005.
The move is the fourth free-agent signing in a week. All four are veteran players 35 or over with proven track records.
"It's an effort to win," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "We want to win. Mr. (Carl) Lindner wants to win."
Signing Joe Randa proves you want to win. What? Joe Randa? John Allen is a buffoon.
• It means the Austin Kearns experiment at third did not work out.
• It means the Reds are back to four starting outfielders with three available spots.
• But more than anything it means the Reds are committed to trying to win in 2005.
The move is the fourth free-agent signing in a week. All four are veteran players 35 or over with proven track records.
"It's an effort to win," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "We want to win. Mr. (Carl) Lindner wants to win."
Signing Joe Randa proves you want to win. What? Joe Randa? John Allen is a buffoon.
No Respect
Now that's no way to treat a mentor:
CHICAGO (AP) -- This is one victory Steve Alford won't savor.
Alford got his first win over former coach and mentor Bob Knight with Iowa's 83-53 rout of Texas Tech on Tuesday night, and it was just as strange as Alford imagined it would be.
"Coaches have many, many players, but players only have one college coach," Alford said. "So I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for the players. But it's a little bittersweet for me. I still much more enjoy being on coach Knight's side than going against him."
CHICAGO (AP) -- This is one victory Steve Alford won't savor.
Alford got his first win over former coach and mentor Bob Knight with Iowa's 83-53 rout of Texas Tech on Tuesday night, and it was just as strange as Alford imagined it would be.
"Coaches have many, many players, but players only have one college coach," Alford said. "So I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for the players. But it's a little bittersweet for me. I still much more enjoy being on coach Knight's side than going against him."
That Christian Nut!
I just loved this post from David Adesnik:
THAT CHRISTIAN NUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE: Isn't there anyone over at 1600 Penn. Ave who realizes that the leader of the free world shouldn't say things like this:
"Our government makes no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith."
Or that:
"Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.
Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life."
Or that:
"We can stand up and hold up our heads and say: America is the greatest force that God has ever allowed to exist on his footstool. As such, it is up to us to lead this world to a peaceful and secure existence."
Or finally, that:
"Faith is evidently too simple a thing for some to recognize its paramount worth...But your husbands and brothers and fathers can testify that in the terrifying nakedness of the battlefield, the faith and the spirit of men are the keys to survival and victory."
If faith and spirit are the keys to victory, then things are looking up for the insurgents in Iraq. But what the f*** did Dwight Eisenhower know about guerrilla warfare?
Yeah, that's right: Eisenhower. Who did you think said all of those offensive things mentioned above? George W. Bush? Bill Clinton?
THAT CHRISTIAN NUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE: Isn't there anyone over at 1600 Penn. Ave who realizes that the leader of the free world shouldn't say things like this:
"Our government makes no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith."
Or that:
"Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.
Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life."
Or that:
"We can stand up and hold up our heads and say: America is the greatest force that God has ever allowed to exist on his footstool. As such, it is up to us to lead this world to a peaceful and secure existence."
Or finally, that:
"Faith is evidently too simple a thing for some to recognize its paramount worth...But your husbands and brothers and fathers can testify that in the terrifying nakedness of the battlefield, the faith and the spirit of men are the keys to survival and victory."
If faith and spirit are the keys to victory, then things are looking up for the insurgents in Iraq. But what the f*** did Dwight Eisenhower know about guerrilla warfare?
Yeah, that's right: Eisenhower. Who did you think said all of those offensive things mentioned above? George W. Bush? Bill Clinton?
The Great Physicians
This is a very important story concerning faith and medicine (and good news). And here's the kicker:
Religion and the practice of medicine
Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey is that a majority of doctors (55%) said that they have seen treatment results in their patients that they would consider miraculous (45% do not). Most physicians pray for their patients as a group (51%). Even more, 59% pray for individual patients.
67% encourage their patients to pray. Of those physicians, 5% did so for God to answer their prayers, 32% for psychological benefits and 63% for both reasons. 33% did not encourage their patients to pray.
Religion and the practice of medicine
Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey is that a majority of doctors (55%) said that they have seen treatment results in their patients that they would consider miraculous (45% do not). Most physicians pray for their patients as a group (51%). Even more, 59% pray for individual patients.
67% encourage their patients to pray. Of those physicians, 5% did so for God to answer their prayers, 32% for psychological benefits and 63% for both reasons. 33% did not encourage their patients to pray.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Quote of the Day
"The danger that people feel here is coming from terrorists and insurgents who are trying to destroy the possibility of this country becoming a democracy. Now where do we stand in that fight? We stand on the side of the democrats against the terrorists. And so when people say to me, 'Well look at the difficulties, look at the challenges,' I say, 'Well, what's the source of that challenge?' The source of that challenge is a wicked, destructive attempt to stop this man, this lady, all these people from Iraq, who want to decide their own future in a democratic way, having that opportunity. And where should the rest of the world stand? To say, 'Well, that's your problem, go and look after it,' or, 'You're better off with Saddam Hussein running the country' - as if the only choice they should have in the world is a choice between a brutal dictator killing hundreds of thousands of people or terrorists and insurgents. There is another choice for Iraq - the choice is democracy, the choice is freedom - and our job is to help them get there because that's what they want. Sometimes when I see some of the reporting of what's happening in Iraq in the rest of the world, I just feel that people should understand how precious what has been created here is."
That's from my main man Tony Blair. Maybe he could be our next president.
That's from my main man Tony Blair. Maybe he could be our next president.
Fetus...Baby...Fetus...Baby...I'm Confused
Rich Lowry of National Review on the Kansas mother murder/baby kidnapping:
During the coverage of the crime, the status of the Bobbie Jo Stinnett's unborn girl steadily changed. All at once on AOL News during the weekend, there were headlines tracking events in the case: "Woman Slain, Fetus Stolen"; "Woman Arrested, Baby Returned in Bizarre Murder"; "Infant in Good Health." Note how a "fetus" -- something for which American law and culture has very little respect -- was somehow instantly transformed into a "baby" and "infant" -- for which we have the highest respect. By what strange alchemy does that happen?
An AP story effected this magic transition all in one sentence: "Authorities said Montgomery, 36, confessed to strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett of Skidmore, Mo., on Thursday, cutting out the fetus and taking the baby back to Kansas." At one point, when Montgomery was still at large, an Amber Alert went out about the Stinnett girl, putting news organizations in the strange position of reporting such an alert for what many of them were still calling a "fetus."
Given that fetuses are routinely destroyed in America (and legally can be destroyed up to the point of delivery), it was odd to see such an uproar about the welfare of one. Indeed, it is tempting to say that from a pure legal point of view, Lisa Montgomery simply killed the wrong victim, taking the life of the mom instead of the fetus . . .
Tru dat.
During the coverage of the crime, the status of the Bobbie Jo Stinnett's unborn girl steadily changed. All at once on AOL News during the weekend, there were headlines tracking events in the case: "Woman Slain, Fetus Stolen"; "Woman Arrested, Baby Returned in Bizarre Murder"; "Infant in Good Health." Note how a "fetus" -- something for which American law and culture has very little respect -- was somehow instantly transformed into a "baby" and "infant" -- for which we have the highest respect. By what strange alchemy does that happen?
An AP story effected this magic transition all in one sentence: "Authorities said Montgomery, 36, confessed to strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett of Skidmore, Mo., on Thursday, cutting out the fetus and taking the baby back to Kansas." At one point, when Montgomery was still at large, an Amber Alert went out about the Stinnett girl, putting news organizations in the strange position of reporting such an alert for what many of them were still calling a "fetus."
Given that fetuses are routinely destroyed in America (and legally can be destroyed up to the point of delivery), it was odd to see such an uproar about the welfare of one. Indeed, it is tempting to say that from a pure legal point of view, Lisa Montgomery simply killed the wrong victim, taking the life of the mom instead of the fetus . . .
Tru dat.
The Wonders of Life
That pro-abortion argument is getting harder and harder to make every day:
CHICAGO (AP) - A premature infant believed to be the smallest baby ever to survive was called "a great blessing" Tuesday by her mother, who is preparing to take the little girl and her twin sister home from the hospital.
The baby, named Rumaisa, weighed 8.6 ounces when she was delivered Sept. 19 at Loyola University Medical Center - less than a can of soda. That is 1.3 ounces smaller than the previous record holder, who was born at the same the hospital in 1989, according to hospital spokeswoman Sandra Martinez.
Rumaisa, her twin sister, Hiba, and their parents were introduced Tuesday at a news conference at the hospital in suburban Maywood. The girls were wrapped in identical striped blankets.
Their mother, Mahajabeen Shaik, said she didn't "have the words to say how thankful I was" when she first got to hold her children, in their second month.
CHICAGO (AP) - A premature infant believed to be the smallest baby ever to survive was called "a great blessing" Tuesday by her mother, who is preparing to take the little girl and her twin sister home from the hospital.
The baby, named Rumaisa, weighed 8.6 ounces when she was delivered Sept. 19 at Loyola University Medical Center - less than a can of soda. That is 1.3 ounces smaller than the previous record holder, who was born at the same the hospital in 1989, according to hospital spokeswoman Sandra Martinez.
Rumaisa, her twin sister, Hiba, and their parents were introduced Tuesday at a news conference at the hospital in suburban Maywood. The girls were wrapped in identical striped blankets.
Their mother, Mahajabeen Shaik, said she didn't "have the words to say how thankful I was" when she first got to hold her children, in their second month.
Interesting
WASHINGTON -- Microsoft Corp. sold its popular Slate online magazine Tuesday to The Washington Post Co., a move that makes Slate's political commentary and quirky feature articles more broadly available across the Internet.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Slate editor Jacob Weisberg said the amount was "a very respectable, impressive price."
Microsoft has said Slate, with roughly 6 million readers monthly, breaks even financially but isn't consistently profitable.
Microsoft has sought a buyer since the summer. Under the sales agreement, visitors to Microsoft's MSN Web site will continue to be directed to Slate.
I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean, I get why the WaPo wants to get into the internet/blog business. But Slate? Nobody reads it. The only reason they have traffic is because Microsoft directs you there from all of its other sites.
It's as if the WaPo knew they had to make a move - which they do - but decided to acquire the one online journal that is most like them. That's a typical move from a large organization - and one that won't pay off.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Slate editor Jacob Weisberg said the amount was "a very respectable, impressive price."
Microsoft has said Slate, with roughly 6 million readers monthly, breaks even financially but isn't consistently profitable.
Microsoft has sought a buyer since the summer. Under the sales agreement, visitors to Microsoft's MSN Web site will continue to be directed to Slate.
I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean, I get why the WaPo wants to get into the internet/blog business. But Slate? Nobody reads it. The only reason they have traffic is because Microsoft directs you there from all of its other sites.
It's as if the WaPo knew they had to make a move - which they do - but decided to acquire the one online journal that is most like them. That's a typical move from a large organization - and one that won't pay off.
Are You A Mall Parking Lot Stalker?
Which one are you?
A. Search and destroyers. Do you roam the aisles, cruising endlessly for the perfect spot?
B. Lay and wait parkers. Do you position yourself at the end of an aisle and wait for a space to open up in what you start to believe is your territory?
C. Stalkers. Do you slowly follow shoppers leaving the store back to their parking spot?
D. See it and take it parkers. Do you not care how far you have to walk?
I'm definitely a "see it and take it" parker. Lynn's a "search and destroyer"...except when she's with me. Then she has to settle for a "lay and wait" or "stalker."
A. Search and destroyers. Do you roam the aisles, cruising endlessly for the perfect spot?
B. Lay and wait parkers. Do you position yourself at the end of an aisle and wait for a space to open up in what you start to believe is your territory?
C. Stalkers. Do you slowly follow shoppers leaving the store back to their parking spot?
D. See it and take it parkers. Do you not care how far you have to walk?
I'm definitely a "see it and take it" parker. Lynn's a "search and destroyer"...except when she's with me. Then she has to settle for a "lay and wait" or "stalker."
This is Good News for Big Blue Nation
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Billy Stull's first recruiting letter came from the University of Kentucky. So did his first scholarship offer.
In the mind of Stull, rated by Rivals.com as the No.11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation, it only made sense to reward the Wildcats with a commitment.
Stull said he told UK coach Rich Brooks yesterday that he plans to sign with the Cats on Feb. 2, national signing day. With the addition of Stull and Memphis lineman Jeremy Jarmon, who committed to UK over the weekend, the Cats' recruiting class of 2005 has stretched to 19.
Brooks also announced the signing of Fatu Turituri, an offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College. Turituri, a native of Samoa, is expected to enroll next month and be available for UK's spring practice.
But Stull and Hopkinsville quarterback Curtis Pulley, Kentucky's Mr. Football, appear to be the jewels of this class. Pulley already has committed to UK, and Brooks has said that he wanted to sign two quarterbacks because the Cats have just two scholarship QBs returning.
In the mind of Stull, rated by Rivals.com as the No.11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation, it only made sense to reward the Wildcats with a commitment.
Stull said he told UK coach Rich Brooks yesterday that he plans to sign with the Cats on Feb. 2, national signing day. With the addition of Stull and Memphis lineman Jeremy Jarmon, who committed to UK over the weekend, the Cats' recruiting class of 2005 has stretched to 19.
Brooks also announced the signing of Fatu Turituri, an offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College. Turituri, a native of Samoa, is expected to enroll next month and be available for UK's spring practice.
But Stull and Hopkinsville quarterback Curtis Pulley, Kentucky's Mr. Football, appear to be the jewels of this class. Pulley already has committed to UK, and Brooks has said that he wanted to sign two quarterbacks because the Cats have just two scholarship QBs returning.
Outrage!
More outsourcing of jobs....from Japan and Sweden to the U.S.
Honda's CR-V sport utility vehicle will be made for the first time in the United States at one of two Ohio plants, the production sites of five other Honda vehicles.
Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Monday that it wanted to move production of the CR-V for the U.S. market from the United Kingdom closer to the SUV's buyers who mostly live in the United States.
Honda is not the only auto manufacturer bringing more production to the United States. Swedish truck maker Volvo AB had already announced that it will bring assembly of its truck engines to Hagerstown, Md., and said Monday that it may move more production to the United States if the dollar keeps weakening.
CR-V production will begin in 2006 at one of two plants northwest of Columbus, in Marysville or nearby East Liberty.
Honda's CR-V sport utility vehicle will be made for the first time in the United States at one of two Ohio plants, the production sites of five other Honda vehicles.
Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Monday that it wanted to move production of the CR-V for the U.S. market from the United Kingdom closer to the SUV's buyers who mostly live in the United States.
Honda is not the only auto manufacturer bringing more production to the United States. Swedish truck maker Volvo AB had already announced that it will bring assembly of its truck engines to Hagerstown, Md., and said Monday that it may move more production to the United States if the dollar keeps weakening.
CR-V production will begin in 2006 at one of two plants northwest of Columbus, in Marysville or nearby East Liberty.
Help Those Bell Ringers
More positive press for Target from today's Cincinnati Enquirer:
As of last week, the Greater Cincinnati Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign was 10 percent short of the same time last year, said volunteer coordinator Matt Pearce. The organization hoped to raise more this year - $430,000, up $10,000 from 2003's total - but it's running out of time. The campaign ends Friday.
"These last five days," Pearce said, "are vital."
It's tough to pinpoint why donations are down, Pearce said - that can depend on anything from the economy to the weather - but one cause may be the absence of kettles at Target stores.
Target Corp. barred the bell ringers, saying it had to apply its no-solicitation policy to everyone. The loss was a blow to the Salvation Army. Nationwide, bell ringers at Target stores brought in $9 million last year, about 10 percent of all donations.
In Greater Cincinnati, they brought in more than $75,000, nearly 20 percent of the local kettle revenue.
But Target's ban had a curiously positive effect as well, Pearce said. Hearing of Target's decision, people began calling the Salvation Army to see how they could help. Some pledged not to shop at Target. Others made a special effort, as Linda Spore did Monday at Fountain Square, to find a kettle and make donations.
"With the bad came the good," Pearce said.
Whoever at Target made that decision should be canned.
As of last week, the Greater Cincinnati Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign was 10 percent short of the same time last year, said volunteer coordinator Matt Pearce. The organization hoped to raise more this year - $430,000, up $10,000 from 2003's total - but it's running out of time. The campaign ends Friday.
"These last five days," Pearce said, "are vital."
It's tough to pinpoint why donations are down, Pearce said - that can depend on anything from the economy to the weather - but one cause may be the absence of kettles at Target stores.
Target Corp. barred the bell ringers, saying it had to apply its no-solicitation policy to everyone. The loss was a blow to the Salvation Army. Nationwide, bell ringers at Target stores brought in $9 million last year, about 10 percent of all donations.
In Greater Cincinnati, they brought in more than $75,000, nearly 20 percent of the local kettle revenue.
But Target's ban had a curiously positive effect as well, Pearce said. Hearing of Target's decision, people began calling the Salvation Army to see how they could help. Some pledged not to shop at Target. Others made a special effort, as Linda Spore did Monday at Fountain Square, to find a kettle and make donations.
"With the bad came the good," Pearce said.
Whoever at Target made that decision should be canned.
Quote of the Day
"We won't do things like Notre Dame. We always have a plan."
-- University of Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett, speaking to reporters after firing Henry Bibby and before hiring Rick Majerus
Except for the fact that Majerus accepted...then backed out of the job. What now Mr. Garrett?
-- University of Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett, speaking to reporters after firing Henry Bibby and before hiring Rick Majerus
Except for the fact that Majerus accepted...then backed out of the job. What now Mr. Garrett?
Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't
In his first term, Bush ran up huge deficits through massive spending increases in all sectors of government...and the Democrats howled. In his second term, he's pushing for minimal increases in spending to cut the size of the deficit...which will also receive howls from the Democrats.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Monday he will submit a federal budget that will cut the deficit in half in five years and maintain strict spending discipline.
"We will provide every tool and resource for our military, we will protect the homeland," Bush said. He said he would "maintain strict discipline in spending tax dollars."
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Monday he will submit a federal budget that will cut the deficit in half in five years and maintain strict spending discipline.
"We will provide every tool and resource for our military, we will protect the homeland," Bush said. He said he would "maintain strict discipline in spending tax dollars."
"Not Free"
This is disappointing:
NEW YORK, December 20, 2004 -- Political rights and civil liberties have become so restricted in Russia that the country has been downgraded to "Not Free," Freedom House announced in a major survey of global freedom released today.
The global survey, "Freedom in the World," shows that Russia was the only country to register a negative category change in 2004, moving from Partly Free to Not Free. However, Russia was not the only country in the former Soviet Union that experienced political and civic changes: setbacks took place in Belarus and Armenia, while freedom gained in the aftermath of civic protests in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Russia's step backwards into the Not Free category is the culmination of a growing trend under President Vladimir Putin to concentrate political authority, harass and intimidate the media, and politicize the country's law-enforcement system," said Freedom House Executive Director, Jennifer Windsor. "These moves mark a dangerous and disturbing drift toward authoritarianism in Russia, made more worrisome by President Putin's recent heavy-handed meddling in political developments in neighboring countries such as Ukraine."
NEW YORK, December 20, 2004 -- Political rights and civil liberties have become so restricted in Russia that the country has been downgraded to "Not Free," Freedom House announced in a major survey of global freedom released today.
The global survey, "Freedom in the World," shows that Russia was the only country to register a negative category change in 2004, moving from Partly Free to Not Free. However, Russia was not the only country in the former Soviet Union that experienced political and civic changes: setbacks took place in Belarus and Armenia, while freedom gained in the aftermath of civic protests in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Russia's step backwards into the Not Free category is the culmination of a growing trend under President Vladimir Putin to concentrate political authority, harass and intimidate the media, and politicize the country's law-enforcement system," said Freedom House Executive Director, Jennifer Windsor. "These moves mark a dangerous and disturbing drift toward authoritarianism in Russia, made more worrisome by President Putin's recent heavy-handed meddling in political developments in neighboring countries such as Ukraine."
Maybe He Was Right
David Brooks wonders why there now exists a plausible chance for peace in the Middle East:
After all, here is a man who staffed his administration with what Juan Cole of the University of Michigan called "pro-Likud intellectuals" who went off "fighting elective wars on behalf of Tel Aviv." Under Bush, the diplomats agreed, the U.S. had inflamed the Arab world and had forfeited its role as an honest broker. . . .
And yet here we are in this hopeful moment. It almost makes you think that all those bemoaners and condemners don't know what they are talking about. Nothing they have said over the past three years accounts for what is happening now. It almost makes you think that Bush understands the situation better than the lot of them.
After all, here is a man who staffed his administration with what Juan Cole of the University of Michigan called "pro-Likud intellectuals" who went off "fighting elective wars on behalf of Tel Aviv." Under Bush, the diplomats agreed, the U.S. had inflamed the Arab world and had forfeited its role as an honest broker. . . .
And yet here we are in this hopeful moment. It almost makes you think that all those bemoaners and condemners don't know what they are talking about. Nothing they have said over the past three years accounts for what is happening now. It almost makes you think that Bush understands the situation better than the lot of them.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
What Planet Does He Live On
Tom Shales writes this in today's Washington Post about Bill Moyers. Unbelievable.
This Sounds Like a Simpsons Episode
The "carnies" get there day:
SPREAD JOY THROUGH YOUR WORK IN CIRCUSES AND FAIRS
VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received participants in the Seventh International Congress of the Pastoral Care for Circus and Fair Workers. The meeting, which is taking place in Rome from December 12 to 16, was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
After recalling the theme of the congress, "Welcoming Circus and Fair Workers: from diversity to the coexistence of differences," the Pope said that their work, "which is difficult and very special, can be a privileged occasion to proclaim the authentically human values in the world's fora. In a time when it seems as if the frenzy of producing and getting rich is the only thing that matters, spreading joy and cheer is true testimony to those non-material values that are necessary to live fraternity and gratitude."
"Your world, that of the circus and amusement parks," concluded the Pope, "can be turned into a new field of the great themes of pastoral care, ecumenism and the encounter of members of other religions, and the common commitment to building a universal brotherhood."
SPREAD JOY THROUGH YOUR WORK IN CIRCUSES AND FAIRS
VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received participants in the Seventh International Congress of the Pastoral Care for Circus and Fair Workers. The meeting, which is taking place in Rome from December 12 to 16, was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
After recalling the theme of the congress, "Welcoming Circus and Fair Workers: from diversity to the coexistence of differences," the Pope said that their work, "which is difficult and very special, can be a privileged occasion to proclaim the authentically human values in the world's fora. In a time when it seems as if the frenzy of producing and getting rich is the only thing that matters, spreading joy and cheer is true testimony to those non-material values that are necessary to live fraternity and gratitude."
"Your world, that of the circus and amusement parks," concluded the Pope, "can be turned into a new field of the great themes of pastoral care, ecumenism and the encounter of members of other religions, and the common commitment to building a universal brotherhood."
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I just wanted to get that off my chest. If I get another "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" card, my head's going to explode. IT'S CHRISTMAS!
I Think I Found the Pot (and the Kettle)
The American Civil Liberties Union is using sophisticated technology to collect a wide variety of information about its members and donors in a fund-raising effort that has ignited a bitter debate over its leaders' commitment to privacy rights.
Some board members say the extensive data collection makes a mockery of the organization's frequent criticism of banks, corporations and government agencies for their practice of accumulating data on people for marketing and other purposes. . . .
The group's new data collection practices were implemented without the board's approval or knowledge, and were in violation of the A.C.L.U.'s privacy policy at the time, said Michael Meyers, vice president of the organization and a frequent and strident internal critic. Mr. Meyers said he learned about the new research by accident Nov. 7 in a meeting of the committee that is organizing the group's Biennial Conference in July.
He objected to the practices, and the next day, the privacy policy on the group's Web site was changed. " They took out all the language that would show that they were violating their own policy," he said. "In doing so, they sanctified their procedure while still keeping it secret."
Some board members say the extensive data collection makes a mockery of the organization's frequent criticism of banks, corporations and government agencies for their practice of accumulating data on people for marketing and other purposes. . . .
The group's new data collection practices were implemented without the board's approval or knowledge, and were in violation of the A.C.L.U.'s privacy policy at the time, said Michael Meyers, vice president of the organization and a frequent and strident internal critic. Mr. Meyers said he learned about the new research by accident Nov. 7 in a meeting of the committee that is organizing the group's Biennial Conference in July.
He objected to the practices, and the next day, the privacy policy on the group's Web site was changed. " They took out all the language that would show that they were violating their own policy," he said. "In doing so, they sanctified their procedure while still keeping it secret."
Get to Work, Mr. President
Milton Freedman says:
"After World War II, opinion was socialist while practice was free market; currently, opinion is free market while practice is heavily socialist. We have largely won the battle of ideas; we have succeeded in stalling the progress of socialism, but we have not succeeded in reversing its course. We are still far from bringing practice into conformity with opinion. That is the overriding non-defence task for the second Bush term."
"After World War II, opinion was socialist while practice was free market; currently, opinion is free market while practice is heavily socialist. We have largely won the battle of ideas; we have succeeded in stalling the progress of socialism, but we have not succeeded in reversing its course. We are still far from bringing practice into conformity with opinion. That is the overriding non-defence task for the second Bush term."
Where's The Outrage?
AUBURN, New York (AP) -- A judge Thursday refused to block Wells College's plans to allow men to enroll next year for the first time in its 136-year history, saying the survival of the institution was at stake.
Two students had challenged the school's decision to go coed on several grounds, including fraud and breach of contract, but Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter Corning said they failed to prove their arguments in seeking an injunction.
Corning said he saw the case as "balancing the inconvenience of two students against the annihilation of the college."
I don't have a problem if girls want to attend an all female school. In this case, that's why they went there. But where's the outrage at students attempting to exclude members of the opposite sex from furthering their education? If this were men excluding women, it would be all over the news. But because it's women excluding men, it's not even a blurb in the paper.
Amazing.
Two students had challenged the school's decision to go coed on several grounds, including fraud and breach of contract, but Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter Corning said they failed to prove their arguments in seeking an injunction.
Corning said he saw the case as "balancing the inconvenience of two students against the annihilation of the college."
I don't have a problem if girls want to attend an all female school. In this case, that's why they went there. But where's the outrage at students attempting to exclude members of the opposite sex from furthering their education? If this were men excluding women, it would be all over the news. But because it's women excluding men, it's not even a blurb in the paper.
Amazing.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Great Move By Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart to Match Kettle DonationsAssociated Press
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Folks dropping money in Salvation Army kettles at Wal-Mart stores can make their money go twice as far. The world's largest retailer announced Thursday it would match up to $1 million in donations.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has more than 3,600 domestic stores operating as Wal-Marts, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club warehouse stores.
The company said the clock started Thursday on the match and runs through Christmas Eve.
Wal-Mart competitor Target Corp. has joined a number of other major retailers in banning the Salvation Army bell ringers, saying it was not fair to select certain charities and not others for the coveted space.
Wal-Mart, as well as Kmart, kept the bell ringers. Wal-Mart restricts, however, which groups can solicit at its properties but allows its local stores to select the specific nonprofits.
"We hope our customers join us in donating what they can to benefit an organization that does so much in our communities to serve families in need," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Betsy Reithemeyer said in a news release. "The Salvation Army red kettles and the bell ringers are truly a holiday tradition worth keeping."
The Salvation Army said the kettle donations are spent locally and said the Wal-Mart match will extend local donations.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Folks dropping money in Salvation Army kettles at Wal-Mart stores can make their money go twice as far. The world's largest retailer announced Thursday it would match up to $1 million in donations.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has more than 3,600 domestic stores operating as Wal-Marts, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club warehouse stores.
The company said the clock started Thursday on the match and runs through Christmas Eve.
Wal-Mart competitor Target Corp. has joined a number of other major retailers in banning the Salvation Army bell ringers, saying it was not fair to select certain charities and not others for the coveted space.
Wal-Mart, as well as Kmart, kept the bell ringers. Wal-Mart restricts, however, which groups can solicit at its properties but allows its local stores to select the specific nonprofits.
"We hope our customers join us in donating what they can to benefit an organization that does so much in our communities to serve families in need," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Betsy Reithemeyer said in a news release. "The Salvation Army red kettles and the bell ringers are truly a holiday tradition worth keeping."
The Salvation Army said the kettle donations are spent locally and said the Wal-Mart match will extend local donations.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
A New Majority?
This is surprising:
NEW YORK A new Gallup poll shows that the public values “values” less than November exit polls suggested, but another survey from the same outfit released today shows a historic surge in Republican party affiliation.
In Gallup's latest poll this month, those identifying themselves as Republicans jumped to 37% of the public, with Democrats now clearly trailing with 32%.
NEW YORK A new Gallup poll shows that the public values “values” less than November exit polls suggested, but another survey from the same outfit released today shows a historic surge in Republican party affiliation.
In Gallup's latest poll this month, those identifying themselves as Republicans jumped to 37% of the public, with Democrats now clearly trailing with 32%.
The Ax Will Fall
From the Washington Times:
Heads to roll
A CBS News insider tells Inside the Beltway "four or five" of the network's employees face dismissal as CBS prepares to release a "critical" internal investigative report on the use of fake documents in a pre-election story challenging President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard.
CBS' Dan Rather already has announced he's stepping down from the anchor chair on March 9 — his 24th anniversary on the job — although the network says his departure is unrelated to the fallout from the bogus claims leveled against the president. Mr. Rather will remain a network correspondent.
Here's hoping Dan's head rolls.
Heads to roll
A CBS News insider tells Inside the Beltway "four or five" of the network's employees face dismissal as CBS prepares to release a "critical" internal investigative report on the use of fake documents in a pre-election story challenging President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard.
CBS' Dan Rather already has announced he's stepping down from the anchor chair on March 9 — his 24th anniversary on the job — although the network says his departure is unrelated to the fallout from the bogus claims leveled against the president. Mr. Rather will remain a network correspondent.
Here's hoping Dan's head rolls.
Reds Make a Move...Finally
...and I like it:
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the acquisition of starting RHP Ramon Ortiz from the Angels in exchange for minor league RHP Dustin Moseley.Ortiz, 31, last season went 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 games, including 14 starts and 20 relief appearances. Prior to 2004, Ortiz had made all 123 of his Major League appearances as a starting pitcher.
Each season from 2001-2003, Ortiz posted at least 13 victories while making 32 starts and accumulating at least 180.0 innings pitched. He produced his best year during the Angels 2002 World Series championship season, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 4 complete games. He followed that campaign by winning a career-high 16 games in 2003.
Ortiz has a career record of 59-49 in 157 Major League appearances, including 137 starts. He led the Angels in victories in 2000 (8), 2001 (13) and 2003 (16).
Moseley, 22, last season combined to go 5-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts between Class AA Chattanooga and Class AAA Louisville. He was selected by the Reds in the supplemental first round (34th overall) of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the acquisition of starting RHP Ramon Ortiz from the Angels in exchange for minor league RHP Dustin Moseley.Ortiz, 31, last season went 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 games, including 14 starts and 20 relief appearances. Prior to 2004, Ortiz had made all 123 of his Major League appearances as a starting pitcher.
Each season from 2001-2003, Ortiz posted at least 13 victories while making 32 starts and accumulating at least 180.0 innings pitched. He produced his best year during the Angels 2002 World Series championship season, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 4 complete games. He followed that campaign by winning a career-high 16 games in 2003.
Ortiz has a career record of 59-49 in 157 Major League appearances, including 137 starts. He led the Angels in victories in 2000 (8), 2001 (13) and 2003 (16).
Moseley, 22, last season combined to go 5-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts between Class AA Chattanooga and Class AAA Louisville. He was selected by the Reds in the supplemental first round (34th overall) of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.
Better Late Than Never
Cornwell recants. This from The Economist:
As he admits, Hitler's Pope (1999), his biography of Pope Pius XII, lacked balance. “I would now argue,” he says, “in the light of the debates and evidence following Hitler's Pope, that Pius XII had so little scope of action that it is impossible to judge the motives for his silence during the war, while Rome was under the heel of Mussolini and later occupied by the Germans.”
That's nice, but hasn't the damage been done.
As he admits, Hitler's Pope (1999), his biography of Pope Pius XII, lacked balance. “I would now argue,” he says, “in the light of the debates and evidence following Hitler's Pope, that Pius XII had so little scope of action that it is impossible to judge the motives for his silence during the war, while Rome was under the heel of Mussolini and later occupied by the Germans.”
That's nice, but hasn't the damage been done.
More Good News for the NY Times
This isn't very PC, especially at a NY Times print shop. Shame on the The Times.
The Jewish plaintiff is Harvey Alpert, a 53-year-old resident of Marlboro, N.J., who began working at the Edison plant as a chauffeur in 1977 and is now a floorman. The complaint alleges that, like the other men bringing the suit, Alpert was "subjected to very offensive epithets" that included being addressed by a colleague as "a (expletive) fat Jew Bastard." The same colleague is alleged to have said "I hate that Jew bastard. I want to kill him."... The other complainants, two Latinos and six African-Americans, also alleged that fellow employees addressed them as "nigger," "coon," and "spook." "This stuff is highly pervasive and of long standing in the sewer where these people have been working," said one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Jeffrey Bernbach of White Plains, N.Y., in an interview with New Jersey Jewish News. "The New York Times has long been aware of it and has done nothing to clean it up."
The Jewish plaintiff is Harvey Alpert, a 53-year-old resident of Marlboro, N.J., who began working at the Edison plant as a chauffeur in 1977 and is now a floorman. The complaint alleges that, like the other men bringing the suit, Alpert was "subjected to very offensive epithets" that included being addressed by a colleague as "a (expletive) fat Jew Bastard." The same colleague is alleged to have said "I hate that Jew bastard. I want to kill him."... The other complainants, two Latinos and six African-Americans, also alleged that fellow employees addressed them as "nigger," "coon," and "spook." "This stuff is highly pervasive and of long standing in the sewer where these people have been working," said one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Jeffrey Bernbach of White Plains, N.Y., in an interview with New Jersey Jewish News. "The New York Times has long been aware of it and has done nothing to clean it up."
Being Alone is Bad
Apparently, we were not created to be alone:
The team, from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said the findings strengthened previous research suggesting that marriage improved people's quality of life. A recent study concluded that single men were at greater risk of dying than smokers. Researchers said that singletons tended to drink more because they socialised more. They also worked longer because they had no partner to make time for and often missed meals. Dr Patricia Mona Eng said that increased alcohol consumption among widowed and divorced men could be linked to the stress of being alone.
Heck, I could have told you that and saved you a bunch of money.
The team, from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said the findings strengthened previous research suggesting that marriage improved people's quality of life. A recent study concluded that single men were at greater risk of dying than smokers. Researchers said that singletons tended to drink more because they socialised more. They also worked longer because they had no partner to make time for and often missed meals. Dr Patricia Mona Eng said that increased alcohol consumption among widowed and divorced men could be linked to the stress of being alone.
Heck, I could have told you that and saved you a bunch of money.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
More Coaching News
The Irish are settling for an NFL coordinator with NO head coaching experience. Let's see if he can get the job done.
Charlie Weis is to become the new Notre Dame football coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Sources close to the university confirmed Saturday that the New England Patriots offensive coordinator has agreed to a six-year contract that will pay him approximately $2 million per year.
Weis will fly to South Bend after Sunday's home game against the Cincinnati Bengals and meet with the Fighting Irish football team that night.
A press conference to introduce Weis will be held Monday.
Charlie Weis is to become the new Notre Dame football coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Sources close to the university confirmed Saturday that the New England Patriots offensive coordinator has agreed to a six-year contract that will pay him approximately $2 million per year.
Weis will fly to South Bend after Sunday's home game against the Cincinnati Bengals and meet with the Fighting Irish football team that night.
A press conference to introduce Weis will be held Monday.
Possible Good News in Oxford
This is interesting:
San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson has emerged as the secret leading candidate to become coach at the University of Mississippi, multiple sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Erickson plans to stand firm this week against 49ers front office sentiments that he fire some of his assistant coaches, Mortensen reports. Erickson, who has contractual control over his own staff, reportedly will ask for clarification on management's plans to improve the team through free agency.
Erickson's a great coach, especially with x's and o's. He had great success at Washington State, Miami, and Oregon State. This would be a huge catch for Ole Miss.
San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson has emerged as the secret leading candidate to become coach at the University of Mississippi, multiple sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Erickson plans to stand firm this week against 49ers front office sentiments that he fire some of his assistant coaches, Mortensen reports. Erickson, who has contractual control over his own staff, reportedly will ask for clarification on management's plans to improve the team through free agency.
Erickson's a great coach, especially with x's and o's. He had great success at Washington State, Miami, and Oregon State. This would be a huge catch for Ole Miss.
Heresy
From a NY Times piece on internet dating:
Feeling weary and, she said, "jerked around," Ms. Gold let her paid subscription to Match.com expire, and she has turned to real-life singles mixers for professionals. "I think I just burned out," she said. "It's kind of like communism. On paper, it's a perfect system."
Whoa, how did the Times' editors let that slip through.
Feeling weary and, she said, "jerked around," Ms. Gold let her paid subscription to Match.com expire, and she has turned to real-life singles mixers for professionals. "I think I just burned out," she said. "It's kind of like communism. On paper, it's a perfect system."
Whoa, how did the Times' editors let that slip through.
Is Beinart the Left's Buckley?
George Will on the Democratic Left's quandary:
Beinart aspires to change the Democratic base so that it will accept a presidential candidate who espouses 1947 liberalism -- someone for whom anti-totalitarianism is the organizing imperative of politics.
But how do you begin reforming a base polluted by the Michael Moore-MoveOn.org faction? Moore says "there is no terrorist threat" -- that terrorism is a threat no greater than traffic accidents. MoveOn says that "large portions of the Bill of Rights" have been "nullified" -- presumably, then, the federal judiciary also has been nullified.
When Moore sat in Jimmy Carter's box at the 2004 Democratic convention, voters drew conclusions about the party's sobriety. Liberalism's problem with the Moore-MoveOn faction is similar to conservatism's 1960s embarrassment from the claimed kinship of the John Birch Society, whose leader called President Dwight D. Eisenhower a Kremlin agent.
The reason that Moore is hostile to U.S. power is that he despises the American people from whom the power arises. Moore's assertion that America "is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe" is a corollary of Kuttnerism, the doctrine that "middle America" is viciously ignorant.
Beinart is bravely trying to do for liberalism what another magazine editor -- the National Review's William Buckley -- did for conservatism by excommunicating the Birchers from the conservative movement.
But Buckley's task was easier than Beinart's will be because the Birchers were never remotely as central to the Republican base as the Moore-MoveOn faction is to the Democratic base.
Beinart aspires to change the Democratic base so that it will accept a presidential candidate who espouses 1947 liberalism -- someone for whom anti-totalitarianism is the organizing imperative of politics.
But how do you begin reforming a base polluted by the Michael Moore-MoveOn.org faction? Moore says "there is no terrorist threat" -- that terrorism is a threat no greater than traffic accidents. MoveOn says that "large portions of the Bill of Rights" have been "nullified" -- presumably, then, the federal judiciary also has been nullified.
When Moore sat in Jimmy Carter's box at the 2004 Democratic convention, voters drew conclusions about the party's sobriety. Liberalism's problem with the Moore-MoveOn faction is similar to conservatism's 1960s embarrassment from the claimed kinship of the John Birch Society, whose leader called President Dwight D. Eisenhower a Kremlin agent.
The reason that Moore is hostile to U.S. power is that he despises the American people from whom the power arises. Moore's assertion that America "is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe" is a corollary of Kuttnerism, the doctrine that "middle America" is viciously ignorant.
Beinart is bravely trying to do for liberalism what another magazine editor -- the National Review's William Buckley -- did for conservatism by excommunicating the Birchers from the conservative movement.
But Buckley's task was easier than Beinart's will be because the Birchers were never remotely as central to the Republican base as the Moore-MoveOn faction is to the Democratic base.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
