Martin Peretz of the left-leaning The New Republic eviscerates John Kerry's Iraq policy. Here's the bomb:
It's not just that he has exaggerated what has gone wrong in Iraq. His entire speech was premised on the assumption that there were European troops and Muslim troops and United Nations gendarmes who would have gone to war with us against Saddam had Bush only waited another few days, weeks, months in the spring of 2003. That is a lie. And now, he holds out the same false promise. It is true, he admits, that there is a Security Council resolution calling on U.N. members to provide soldiers and trainers and a special brigade to protect the U.N. mission in Iraq. "Three months later," he admits, "not a single country has answered that call." Of course, Bush is to blame. And what should Bush do? He should "convene a summit meeting of the world's major powers" and "insist that they make good on that U.N. resolution."
There is something risible in Kerry's faith in these hopeless transactions brokered by Kofi Annan and in the United Nations itself, which is staging yet another tragic, do-nothing performance on Darfur. He surely knows there is no cavalry of Europeans and Arabs about to ride to Iraq's rescue (especially since he intends to withdraw American troops, hardly a move that will give other nations confidence). He surely knows there are no foreign funders willing to bear the financial burden, either. But, if he admits that, then much of his critique of Bush's Iraq policy collapses, and with it his confidence in the honorable community of nations--the kind of phrase of which liberals are fond. Except that the nations to which it refers are neither honorable nor a community nor, in many cases, even nations. Kerry may want to rely on their goodwill, but I don't.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Can't Act...Try Real Estate
I've got nothing against the realty profession (my sister's the best realtor there is and is available for all of your house-hunting needs), but isn't there some sort of test you have to take to become a realtor. Apparently the only prerequisite you need is a failed acting career.
Check out Spalding Smails...
http://www.greaterbostonhomes.net/level1/contact.html
...and "Stone Cold" Boz...
http://www.cbsocal.com/agentoffice/agentdetail.aspx?agent=12755&abrand=12755
Check out Spalding Smails...
http://www.greaterbostonhomes.net/level1/contact.html
...and "Stone Cold" Boz...
http://www.cbsocal.com/agentoffice/agentdetail.aspx?agent=12755&abrand=12755
The World is Coming to an End
How do I know? Because of this:
http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/5079.html
Now, as if It's Karate, Kid! The Musical! isn't bad enough, where's the character of Mr. Miyagi. How can you put this classic trilogy to music without Miyagi!
One positive: Cobra Kai has been replaced with the Bitchkicks. Not bad.
http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/5079.html
Now, as if It's Karate, Kid! The Musical! isn't bad enough, where's the character of Mr. Miyagi. How can you put this classic trilogy to music without Miyagi!
One positive: Cobra Kai has been replaced with the Bitchkicks. Not bad.
Steve Stone is the Marty Brennaman of Cubs Baseball
Turns out I'm not the only one who thinks the Cubs are a bunch of over-paid, under-achieving loafers.
Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone told WGN Radio's David Kaplan and Tom Waddle that the Cubs reminded him of a Jack Nicholson line from the film, "A Few Good Men.""You want the truth? You can't handle the truth," Stone said. "Let me tell you something, guys, the truth of this situation is [this is] an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all directions except where they should really look, and kind of make excuses for what happened."At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship. The best eight teams go on, the other teams go home. This team should have won the wild-card by six, seven games. No doubt about it. They have the talent to do that. They're life-and-death right now."
Stone said the "defining moment" of the Cubs' collapse was their 15-7 loss to Houston on Aug. 27 at Wrigley Field when they could have extended their wild-card lead over the Astros to eight games. That game featured a confrontation between Michael Barrett and Roy Oswalt. It also included the press box phone call from Kent Mercker to complain about Stone and Chip Caray and Mercker's taunting of umpire C.B. Bucknor that netted him a suspension.
Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone told WGN Radio's David Kaplan and Tom Waddle that the Cubs reminded him of a Jack Nicholson line from the film, "A Few Good Men.""You want the truth? You can't handle the truth," Stone said. "Let me tell you something, guys, the truth of this situation is [this is] an extremely talented bunch of guys who want to look at all directions except where they should really look, and kind of make excuses for what happened."At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship. The best eight teams go on, the other teams go home. This team should have won the wild-card by six, seven games. No doubt about it. They have the talent to do that. They're life-and-death right now."
Stone said the "defining moment" of the Cubs' collapse was their 15-7 loss to Houston on Aug. 27 at Wrigley Field when they could have extended their wild-card lead over the Astros to eight games. That game featured a confrontation between Michael Barrett and Roy Oswalt. It also included the press box phone call from Kent Mercker to complain about Stone and Chip Caray and Mercker's taunting of umpire C.B. Bucknor that netted him a suspension.
OBL Dead?
It's been my contention for some time that Osama bin Laden is dead...and has been for a year or two. This most recent message from al Queda only confirms my suspicions.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - An audio tape purportedly released by Osama bin Laden's deputy calls for attacks on U.S. and British interests everywhere, according to a broadcast Friday by Al-Jazeera television.
The Arab station said the speaker on the tape was Ayman al-Zawahri, an Egyptian-born surgeon and the closest aide to al-Qaida terrorist group leader.
It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the recording.
If OBL's alive, don't you think this is the sort of message he'd want to deliver personally. First, it would rally the whack-jobs everywhere knowing he was alive. Two, it would show that the long arm of the law (i.e. U.S.) can't touch him. And three, it would embarrass Bush on the eve of the election.
I don't think we've heard from Osama in almost two years. What gives? I'll tell you what gives: the SOB is searching feverishly for the thermostat and isn't having much luck finding it. Hot, very hot.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - An audio tape purportedly released by Osama bin Laden's deputy calls for attacks on U.S. and British interests everywhere, according to a broadcast Friday by Al-Jazeera television.
The Arab station said the speaker on the tape was Ayman al-Zawahri, an Egyptian-born surgeon and the closest aide to al-Qaida terrorist group leader.
It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the recording.
If OBL's alive, don't you think this is the sort of message he'd want to deliver personally. First, it would rally the whack-jobs everywhere knowing he was alive. Two, it would show that the long arm of the law (i.e. U.S.) can't touch him. And three, it would embarrass Bush on the eve of the election.
I don't think we've heard from Osama in almost two years. What gives? I'll tell you what gives: the SOB is searching feverishly for the thermostat and isn't having much luck finding it. Hot, very hot.
The Curse of the Billy Goat (or Bartman) Continues
You've got to hand it to the Reds, they're going out fighting. Last night, they weathered a Mark Prior gem to hand the Cubs a devastating loss in 12 innings.
Chicago fell for the fifth time in six games and dropped a game behind idle Houston for the NL wild card with three games left.
Javier Valentin hit a two-out double in the 12th to give Cincinnati a 2-1 victory, wasting Prior's stellar nine-inning effort that saw him tie his career high with 16 strikeouts.
What does this mean in the National League:
1. The Cubs suck...always have and always will. Can't blame this one on Bartman.
2. The Astros and Giants are tied for the wild card playoff spot. My money's on the Astros. Their final three games are against the woeful Rockies, and the Astros haven't lost a game in about 8 months.
3. If the Astros do win the wild card, look for them to reach the World Series. Right now, Clemons and Oswalt are automatic. So in a 5-game series their unbeatable; in a 7-game series almost unbeatable.
Chicago fell for the fifth time in six games and dropped a game behind idle Houston for the NL wild card with three games left.
Javier Valentin hit a two-out double in the 12th to give Cincinnati a 2-1 victory, wasting Prior's stellar nine-inning effort that saw him tie his career high with 16 strikeouts.
What does this mean in the National League:
1. The Cubs suck...always have and always will. Can't blame this one on Bartman.
2. The Astros and Giants are tied for the wild card playoff spot. My money's on the Astros. Their final three games are against the woeful Rockies, and the Astros haven't lost a game in about 8 months.
3. If the Astros do win the wild card, look for them to reach the World Series. Right now, Clemons and Oswalt are automatic. So in a 5-game series their unbeatable; in a 7-game series almost unbeatable.
Good News for Kerry
While reaction to the debates has been all over the place, it appears that Kerry did himself some good. Check out this little nugget from the overnight Gallup poll:
How has your opinion of John Kerry/George W. Bush been affected by the debate? Is your opinion of Kerry -- more favorable, less favorable, or has it not changed much?
More Favorable: Kerry 46%/Bush 13%
Less Favorable: Kerry 13%/Bush 17%
Not Changed Much: Kerry 41%/Bush 62%
Kerry's greatest handicap is that he's thoroughly unlikable. So no matter what he says, voters tend to have serious reservations about the candidate. As a result, it's critical that he somehow get his favorable ratings up. This first debate may have gone a long way in doing that.
How has your opinion of John Kerry/George W. Bush been affected by the debate? Is your opinion of Kerry -- more favorable, less favorable, or has it not changed much?
More Favorable: Kerry 46%/Bush 13%
Less Favorable: Kerry 13%/Bush 17%
Not Changed Much: Kerry 41%/Bush 62%
Kerry's greatest handicap is that he's thoroughly unlikable. So no matter what he says, voters tend to have serious reservations about the candidate. As a result, it's critical that he somehow get his favorable ratings up. This first debate may have gone a long way in doing that.
Now That's Moxy
Thanks to Rusty for this story.
An ex-NFL lineman died in a fiery collision with a tanker truck Thursday morning near Herkimer after leading state police on a 37-mile high-speed chase down the Thruway.
Police said Justin Strzelczyk, 36, apparently was intoxicated and driving about 75 mph when his green Ford pickup crossed the Thruway median into the westbound lanes five miles west of the village of Herkimer in Herkimer County. The pickup struck a tanker truck that carried corrosive acid, and both vehicles burst into flames.
Strzelczyk played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 2000.
...Troop T Capt. Donald Faughnan said the suspect was drinking a beer during the chase. He waved at the trooper, flipped his middle finger and then threw the beer bottle at the car.
Sadly (maybe), Strzelczyk is dead. But it takes talent to avoid the police and tip a cold one at the same time.
This will have to go down as the second best police chase of all time. The first was when Glenn Rogers (the serial killer) alluded tri-state police in his Ford Festiva. A Sheriff's Deputy from Boone County claimed the reason they couldn't nab Rogers was because he was driving over 100 miles per hour. In a Ford Festiva?
An ex-NFL lineman died in a fiery collision with a tanker truck Thursday morning near Herkimer after leading state police on a 37-mile high-speed chase down the Thruway.
Police said Justin Strzelczyk, 36, apparently was intoxicated and driving about 75 mph when his green Ford pickup crossed the Thruway median into the westbound lanes five miles west of the village of Herkimer in Herkimer County. The pickup struck a tanker truck that carried corrosive acid, and both vehicles burst into flames.
Strzelczyk played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 2000.
...Troop T Capt. Donald Faughnan said the suspect was drinking a beer during the chase. He waved at the trooper, flipped his middle finger and then threw the beer bottle at the car.
Sadly (maybe), Strzelczyk is dead. But it takes talent to avoid the police and tip a cold one at the same time.
This will have to go down as the second best police chase of all time. The first was when Glenn Rogers (the serial killer) alluded tri-state police in his Ford Festiva. A Sheriff's Deputy from Boone County claimed the reason they couldn't nab Rogers was because he was driving over 100 miles per hour. In a Ford Festiva?
No Debate Commentary
I don't have any debate commentary. After visiting with Pops at the hospital last night, I didn't have the energy to watch the made-for-TV production.
Pops went back in the hospital yesterday. He was bleeding internally. Turns out he has a bleeding ulcer on the end of his esophagus. While ulcers and bleeding are never good, it's easily treatable and could have been something far worse. His sodium levels are also very low right now. I imagine they'll keep him a couple of days until the bleeding stops and his sodium levels are back to normal.
Pops went back in the hospital yesterday. He was bleeding internally. Turns out he has a bleeding ulcer on the end of his esophagus. While ulcers and bleeding are never good, it's easily treatable and could have been something far worse. His sodium levels are also very low right now. I imagine they'll keep him a couple of days until the bleeding stops and his sodium levels are back to normal.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Dunn Breaks Bonds' Record...But the Wrong One
I never thought Dunn would be another Dave Kingman. But Dunn has proven that he IS another Dave Kingman. Kong lives!!!
CHICAGO (AP) -- Cincinnati Reds slugger Adam Dunn set the major league record for strikeouts in one season with 190, when he fanned in his first two at-bats Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.
Dunn struck out against Chicago starter Mark Prior in the second and fourth innings, breaking the previous mark for whiffs of 189 set by Bobby Bonds in 1970. Dunn struck out swinging in his first at-bat and looking in his second.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Cincinnati Reds slugger Adam Dunn set the major league record for strikeouts in one season with 190, when he fanned in his first two at-bats Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.
Dunn struck out against Chicago starter Mark Prior in the second and fourth innings, breaking the previous mark for whiffs of 189 set by Bobby Bonds in 1970. Dunn struck out swinging in his first at-bat and looking in his second.
Noah, Call Your Office!
This is interesting. We're all descendants from a man who lived in east Asia around 1,500 B.C. I thought Lucy was chillin' in Africa 100,000 years ago. Maybe the science geeks need to get their stories straight...or just admit that they don't know what they're talking about.
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040927/full/040927-10.html
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040927/full/040927-10.html
More Help for Bush from the Hollywood Nitwits
Cameron Diaz is a fine actress (I guess), but please shut the hell up. This exchange is from Oprah's "Voting Party" episode Wednesday.
After a discussion with Oprah on lynching and the vote, Diaz spoke of the dire consequences for women if they sit out this election:
Ms. DIAZ: We have a voice now, and we're not using it, and women have so much to lose. I mean, we could lose the right to our bodies. We could lo--if you think that rape should be legal, then don't vote. But if you think that you have a right to your body, and you have a right to say what happens to you and fight off that danger of losing that, then you should vote, and those are the...
WINFREY: It's your voice.
Ms. DIAZ: It's your voice. It's your voice, that's your right.
I also love how this followed the lynching/voting discussion. Man, if Bush wins we're going to be talking a whole lotta celebrities off the ledge, if you know what I mean.
After a discussion with Oprah on lynching and the vote, Diaz spoke of the dire consequences for women if they sit out this election:
Ms. DIAZ: We have a voice now, and we're not using it, and women have so much to lose. I mean, we could lose the right to our bodies. We could lo--if you think that rape should be legal, then don't vote. But if you think that you have a right to your body, and you have a right to say what happens to you and fight off that danger of losing that, then you should vote, and those are the...
WINFREY: It's your voice.
Ms. DIAZ: It's your voice. It's your voice, that's your right.
I also love how this followed the lynching/voting discussion. Man, if Bush wins we're going to be talking a whole lotta celebrities off the ledge, if you know what I mean.
Where's PETA When You Need Them?
I've seen a few "hogs" on the golf course in my day (i.e., Jay and Herfel), but this is ridiculous.
Sunday, the glorious weather called him -- like so many others -- to the lush green swells of his favorite golf course.
Who could have known the fate awaiting him on those undulating fairways? How could a hog have known, after all, that in this world, swine may be welcome in links, but never on them.
The hairy, hefty duffer was about to find out.
The first call came in to Covington Police Emergency Dispatch about 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Managers at Twin Oaks Golf Course at 43rd and Madison Avenue in Latonia had a very big problem -- about 400 pounds worth, to be exact.
He was on the 15th green. He was wet and hoofed. And he was definitely holding up play.
"Some golfers called in from the course," said Twin Oaks Director of Golf Dominic Catacora. "They said there was about a 400-pound hog on the course. So, I said, 'Well, who is it? Who's in front of you?' And they said, 'No, really, there's a hog -- there's a hog on green No. 15.'"
Catacora went to take a look himself. "I don't know much about animals, but it was black and had hair on it, so we called animal control," he said...
...."Animal Control said they had a 150-pound tranquilizer (gun), but that that thing would just go crazy if they shot it with that. And they said there was no way to lasso it or anything because it would pull five people down," Catacora said.
Everybody knew what had to be done at that point. Except, maybe the hog.
With two 12-gauge slugs from a shotgun, Covington Police Patrolman Todd Finan brought the pig down, according to department spokesman Lt. Teal Nally. There was just no other option, he said.
Sunday, the glorious weather called him -- like so many others -- to the lush green swells of his favorite golf course.
Who could have known the fate awaiting him on those undulating fairways? How could a hog have known, after all, that in this world, swine may be welcome in links, but never on them.
The hairy, hefty duffer was about to find out.
The first call came in to Covington Police Emergency Dispatch about 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Managers at Twin Oaks Golf Course at 43rd and Madison Avenue in Latonia had a very big problem -- about 400 pounds worth, to be exact.
He was on the 15th green. He was wet and hoofed. And he was definitely holding up play.
"Some golfers called in from the course," said Twin Oaks Director of Golf Dominic Catacora. "They said there was about a 400-pound hog on the course. So, I said, 'Well, who is it? Who's in front of you?' And they said, 'No, really, there's a hog -- there's a hog on green No. 15.'"
Catacora went to take a look himself. "I don't know much about animals, but it was black and had hair on it, so we called animal control," he said...
...."Animal Control said they had a 150-pound tranquilizer (gun), but that that thing would just go crazy if they shot it with that. And they said there was no way to lasso it or anything because it would pull five people down," Catacora said.
Everybody knew what had to be done at that point. Except, maybe the hog.
With two 12-gauge slugs from a shotgun, Covington Police Patrolman Todd Finan brought the pig down, according to department spokesman Lt. Teal Nally. There was just no other option, he said.
Spicin' Up the Debate
Here's a fun drinking game to help get you through the debate tonight. Any time one of the candidates says or does the following, you must take the number of drinks indicated.
Take one drink if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"wrong ____" "security"
"rich" "terrorism"
"irresponsible" "flip-flop"
"Dick Cheney" "liberal"
[points] [smirks]
Take two drinks if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"draft" "Dan Rather"
"misleader" "Heinz"
"Halliburton" "Ted Kennedy"
Finish drink if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"dumb-ass hay seed" "elitist, sissy wind-surfer"
Take one drink if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"wrong ____" "security"
"rich" "terrorism"
"irresponsible" "flip-flop"
"Dick Cheney" "liberal"
[points] [smirks]
Take two drinks if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"draft" "Dan Rather"
"misleader" "Heinz"
"Halliburton" "Ted Kennedy"
Finish drink if:
Kerry says... Bush says...
"dumb-ass hay seed" "elitist, sissy wind-surfer"
Shame!
Well, our beloved Wildcats made it to #8 on the list of all-time college sports scandals:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/mike_fish/09/28/straight.shooting/index.html
Say what you want, but I still don't believe Dwayne Casey sent a package with $1,000 in cash to Chris Mills. I may have my head in the sand, but that has ALWAYS sounded like a set up to me. Besides, Chris Mills just wasn't that freakin' good.
Regardless, The Man couldn't keep us down for long. The Unforgetables (along with Traitor Rick) brought us back to the glory that is Kentucky Basketball.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/mike_fish/09/28/straight.shooting/index.html
Say what you want, but I still don't believe Dwayne Casey sent a package with $1,000 in cash to Chris Mills. I may have my head in the sand, but that has ALWAYS sounded like a set up to me. Besides, Chris Mills just wasn't that freakin' good.
Regardless, The Man couldn't keep us down for long. The Unforgetables (along with Traitor Rick) brought us back to the glory that is Kentucky Basketball.
More Good News from Iraq
Look, I know the purpose of the news is to attract viewers and that you attract viewers with bad news....but the Iraq coverage is almost surreal. I understand that there are violent areas and innocent Iraqis (and American soldiers) are being killed. But is nothing good happening - hardly!
Here's one such example:
http://tennessean.com/opinion/columnists/chavez/archives/04/09/58605956.shtml?Element_ID=58605956
Now, will Dan Rather be reporting on this story tonight. Nope! He'll probably be over at Kinko's creating forged emails from W's college days. The sad thing is there are a hundred more stories like this one, but most people will never here of it. That's a shame - especially for the Iraqi people.
Here's one such example:
http://tennessean.com/opinion/columnists/chavez/archives/04/09/58605956.shtml?Element_ID=58605956
Now, will Dan Rather be reporting on this story tonight. Nope! He'll probably be over at Kinko's creating forged emails from W's college days. The sad thing is there are a hundred more stories like this one, but most people will never here of it. That's a shame - especially for the Iraqi people.
Let's Get Jiggy Wit' It
Alright boys, I've taken the plunge and created my own blog. I hope to post a few times a day, but we'll see what happens. I'll touch on politics, Bengals, Reds, religion, TV, etc. So check in from time to time and see what's cooking.
Odds are I'll have forgotten about this thing in a few weeks. But hey, it should be entertaining for a few days.
Odds are I'll have forgotten about this thing in a few weeks. But hey, it should be entertaining for a few days.
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