Saturday, March 05, 2005
Quote of the Day
"David Wells' curveball needs work. His mouth is in midseason form." -- Howard Ulman, AP sports reporter
Middle East Report...
...from inside the Bush Administration (via Rich Lowry of National Review).
Just talked to someone in-the-know about administration Middle East policy. I took a quick tour of the region with him.
He warned against giddiness, but says things are definitely heading in the right direction. He says attacks against Americans in Iraq are ebbing near an all-time low since the insurgency really got going. Attacks against Iraqis, of course, continue unabated. But the public seems to be turning increasingly against the insurgency, especially in Baghdad, partly under the influence of a nightly anti-insurgency television program. We're locking up more of the bad guys, which means we need more prisons (something we should have taken care of a long time ago).
Overall we seem to be at--to use a terrible cliche--a potential “tipping point” in Iraq. The elections changed the entire atmosphere, although if the process of choosing a prime minister goes on much longer it will begin to test the patience of the Iraqi public and squander good will.
In Afghanistan, Taliban attacks on both Americans and the government have hit an all-time low.
Of course, events in Lebanon have been stunning. The administration is using every possible lever against the Syrians--pushing them in a serious, serious way. That the Saudis have gotten on board is a sign that they know which way the tide is headed and that it is no longer sustainable to look the other way over an Arab country's occupation of another Arab country. There has been a useful convergence of interests between the US and France over Syria, prompted by Chirac's personal relationship with Hariri and outrage at his assassination.
On Iran, the administration seems to be coming to the conclusion that the EU3 approach will fail one way or another, so it is better if the US is part of the process so it can't be conveninetly blamed when it doesn't work. We may see the administration dangling some carrots Tehran's way. If (when) this doesn't work, perhaps we will apply the lesson we are learning with Syria--pressure works.
In general, people shouldn't be unrealistic. There will still be plenty of bad news in the future. But the tectonic plates have shifted in the Middle East the last few weeks and there's no pushing them back.
Just talked to someone in-the-know about administration Middle East policy. I took a quick tour of the region with him.
He warned against giddiness, but says things are definitely heading in the right direction. He says attacks against Americans in Iraq are ebbing near an all-time low since the insurgency really got going. Attacks against Iraqis, of course, continue unabated. But the public seems to be turning increasingly against the insurgency, especially in Baghdad, partly under the influence of a nightly anti-insurgency television program. We're locking up more of the bad guys, which means we need more prisons (something we should have taken care of a long time ago).
Overall we seem to be at--to use a terrible cliche--a potential “tipping point” in Iraq. The elections changed the entire atmosphere, although if the process of choosing a prime minister goes on much longer it will begin to test the patience of the Iraqi public and squander good will.
In Afghanistan, Taliban attacks on both Americans and the government have hit an all-time low.
Of course, events in Lebanon have been stunning. The administration is using every possible lever against the Syrians--pushing them in a serious, serious way. That the Saudis have gotten on board is a sign that they know which way the tide is headed and that it is no longer sustainable to look the other way over an Arab country's occupation of another Arab country. There has been a useful convergence of interests between the US and France over Syria, prompted by Chirac's personal relationship with Hariri and outrage at his assassination.
On Iran, the administration seems to be coming to the conclusion that the EU3 approach will fail one way or another, so it is better if the US is part of the process so it can't be conveninetly blamed when it doesn't work. We may see the administration dangling some carrots Tehran's way. If (when) this doesn't work, perhaps we will apply the lesson we are learning with Syria--pressure works.
In general, people shouldn't be unrealistic. There will still be plenty of bad news in the future. But the tectonic plates have shifted in the Middle East the last few weeks and there's no pushing them back.
Tubby's Tikes
Two interesting quotes: one about Rondo, the other from Morris:
"He [Rondo] does such a good job controlling that team," Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson said. "Just from watching film of Kentucky, it looks like there was a point where Tubby just decided to let him go. He's got the athleticism and quickness to take over, and you can see now that he's thriving."
And from Randolph Morris: "The biggest thing I've learned is you can't demand the ball every time like you did in high school. There has to be a continuity to the offense."
"He [Rondo] does such a good job controlling that team," Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson said. "Just from watching film of Kentucky, it looks like there was a point where Tubby just decided to let him go. He's got the athleticism and quickness to take over, and you can see now that he's thriving."
And from Randolph Morris: "The biggest thing I've learned is you can't demand the ball every time like you did in high school. There has to be a continuity to the offense."
Rudy On Trading Block
From Bengals.com:
The Bengals confirmed a visit by Bears running back Anthony Thomas.
Hmmm. Is Rudy on the way out? Or, are they so disappointed with Perry that they just might cut him?
The Bengals confirmed a visit by Bears running back Anthony Thomas.
Hmmm. Is Rudy on the way out? Or, are they so disappointed with Perry that they just might cut him?
More Good News Out Of Syria
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to announce a redeployment of Syrian troops in Lebanon when he addresses his parliament today, say Lebanese politicians.Mr Assad's speech, which the Syrian press agency said would deal with "current political developments" follows unprecedented international pressure on Damascus to withdraw its 15,000 troops and its secret services from Lebanon.
After talks with Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, in Moscow yesterday, Walid al-Muallim, Syrian's deputy foreign minister, said Damascus would soon reveal what he called "an agreement between Syria and Lebanon" which he said would meet the approval of the United Nations Security Council.
Mr Lavrov said he was "satisfied" that Syria would take steps to "correspond" with UN resolution 1559, which calls for all foreign troops to leave Lebanon.
After talks with Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, in Moscow yesterday, Walid al-Muallim, Syrian's deputy foreign minister, said Damascus would soon reveal what he called "an agreement between Syria and Lebanon" which he said would meet the approval of the United Nations Security Council.
Mr Lavrov said he was "satisfied" that Syria would take steps to "correspond" with UN resolution 1559, which calls for all foreign troops to leave Lebanon.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Duh?
From the WaPo's Howard Kurtz:
By the way, I've seen nothing in the major papers, and only a few mentions on cable, of Robert Byrd appearing to liken GOP tactics to Hitler, which he now denies, even though Jewish groups have demanded an apology ("Hideous" and "outrageous," says the ADL.) Why is the press giving Byrd a pass?
Oh, I don't know? Maybe because they're agenda-driven Leftists who ignore the lunatics in their own back yard.
By the way, I've seen nothing in the major papers, and only a few mentions on cable, of Robert Byrd appearing to liken GOP tactics to Hitler, which he now denies, even though Jewish groups have demanded an apology ("Hideous" and "outrageous," says the ADL.) Why is the press giving Byrd a pass?
Oh, I don't know? Maybe because they're agenda-driven Leftists who ignore the lunatics in their own back yard.
This Is Called Maturity
LONDON (Reuters) - "Wanna be an anarchist?"
At least one of the Sex Pistols, now middle-aged and a father of two, no longer does.
Former Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has called for swearing on British television to be curbed, nearly 30 years after the provocative punk rockers sent shock waves through Britain by using derivations of the dreaded "f"-word on live TV.
At least one of the Sex Pistols, now middle-aged and a father of two, no longer does.
Former Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has called for swearing on British television to be curbed, nearly 30 years after the provocative punk rockers sent shock waves through Britain by using derivations of the dreaded "f"-word on live TV.
Mea Culpa?
This is shocking. Daniel Schorr, resident socialist at NPR, ponders the unthinkable: Bush may have had it right.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Bashar Assad - A Man Without Friends
When the Saudi's are calling you to the carpet, you know you've got problems.
CAIRO, Egypt - Saudi officials told Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday that he must soon begin fully withdrawing troops from Lebanon or face strains in Saudi-Syrian ties, an official said. Assad promised only to study the idea of a partial withdrawal by later this month.
CAIRO, Egypt - Saudi officials told Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday that he must soon begin fully withdrawing troops from Lebanon or face strains in Saudi-Syrian ties, an official said. Assad promised only to study the idea of a partial withdrawal by later this month.
Hell Just Froze Over
The WaPo finally gets it:
“The 8 million Iraqis who turned out to vote, the Palestinians who have overwhelmingly supported the cease-fire with Israel, and the tens of thousands of Lebanese who have been marching and camping in the center of Beirut have all proved more potent than assassinations and suicide bombs. If Mr. Assad will not yield to the new political realities they are creating, he will place his own regime at risk.”
“The 8 million Iraqis who turned out to vote, the Palestinians who have overwhelmingly supported the cease-fire with Israel, and the tens of thousands of Lebanese who have been marching and camping in the center of Beirut have all proved more potent than assassinations and suicide bombs. If Mr. Assad will not yield to the new political realities they are creating, he will place his own regime at risk.”
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
The Confederacy Of Dunces Marches On
Is there anyone out there who would actually pay to send their child to Harvard. Anyone? Anyone? How about now? Anyone? Anyone?
You've Got to Love FOX
FOX'S "Stars Without Makeup" special that aired on Channel 5 last Thursday raised more than a few eyebrows among sharp-eyed viewers. "There were five or six credits at the end," observed an insider. "It was the regular credits, for producer, director, writer — except that every name was fake. No one wanted any retribution from celebrities or their agents, so they refused to use their real names." For example, the "writer" was credited as "Damien Thorn" — which happens to be the name of the devil spawn in the horror movie classic, "The Omen." In addition, our eagle-eyed insider added: "No Fox stars were used. It would have caused a revolt if they were." Instead, celebs like Cher, Melanie Griffith and Ryan O'Neal were featured. We also hear this may not be the last of the show that proudly billed itself as "unmasking" Oscar winners. The ratings were so good, we hear Fox may do it again. A rep for the network didn't return calls.
I'm sure the producer was Amanda Huginkiss.
I'm sure the producer was Amanda Huginkiss.
My Kind of Mayor
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Moscow's weather has been catching people off guard recently: snow in spring, a flood in summer, a hurricane closer to fall, sun in winter.
Russians thrive on their four seasons, but Moscow's mayor doesn't like surprises.
To ensure it doesn't rain on his parade on City Day, Mayor Yuri Luzhkov dispatches cloud-seeding planes to the skies.
Now he's taking accountability to new heights -- proposing fining the city-funded weathermen when their forecasts are wrong.
"The situation is crazy, just crazy," he told his Cabinet. "They say lah, lah, lah, we can do the job, we always do. If instead, we get -- excuse my non-parliamentary parlance -- crap, they should pay a fine."
Could you see Charlie Luken heading over to Fox 19 to serve Rich Apuzzo with a fine? That would be priceless.
Russians thrive on their four seasons, but Moscow's mayor doesn't like surprises.
To ensure it doesn't rain on his parade on City Day, Mayor Yuri Luzhkov dispatches cloud-seeding planes to the skies.
Now he's taking accountability to new heights -- proposing fining the city-funded weathermen when their forecasts are wrong.
"The situation is crazy, just crazy," he told his Cabinet. "They say lah, lah, lah, we can do the job, we always do. If instead, we get -- excuse my non-parliamentary parlance -- crap, they should pay a fine."
Could you see Charlie Luken heading over to Fox 19 to serve Rich Apuzzo with a fine? That would be priceless.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
National Fat League
Who needs steroids when you can just get fat:
CHICAGO (AP) -- It's no secret that size matters in the National Football League, but a new study suggests that a whopping 56 percent of NFL players would be considered obese by some medical standards.
CHICAGO (AP) -- It's no secret that size matters in the National Football League, but a new study suggests that a whopping 56 percent of NFL players would be considered obese by some medical standards.
The Best Ratherisms
The best of Dan Rather. Pick your favorite Ratherism and post it in the comment section.
My favorite:
“Stay with CBS now for more news, including: Is there a pall over the mall as holiday shoppers think small?”— Previewing an upcoming segment on the CBS Evening News, December 2, 1991.
Courage.
My favorite:
“Stay with CBS now for more news, including: Is there a pall over the mall as holiday shoppers think small?”— Previewing an upcoming segment on the CBS Evening News, December 2, 1991.
Courage.
The Wisdom of "King of the Hill"
PEGGY: Oh, give me a break. I don't see how having a girl on the team would ruin it. Did a woman judge ruin the Supreme Court?
HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.
If you can't take a shot at Earl Warren, who can you take a shot at.
HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.
If you can't take a shot at Earl Warren, who can you take a shot at.
Quote of the Day
From Justice Kennedy's ruling that executing individuals under the age of 18 is unconstitutional:
"When a juvenile offender commits a heinous crime, the state can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the state cannot extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity."
"A mature understanding of his own humanity"? What the hell does that mean. So when the 17-year old gang banger caps a little girl on the street corner, he gets to live and come to a mature understanding of his own humanity while the little girl doesn't. Unbelievable.
"When a juvenile offender commits a heinous crime, the state can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the state cannot extinguish his life and his potential to attain a mature understanding of his own humanity."
"A mature understanding of his own humanity"? What the hell does that mean. So when the 17-year old gang banger caps a little girl on the street corner, he gets to live and come to a mature understanding of his own humanity while the little girl doesn't. Unbelievable.
Those Crazy Kids...And Crazier Lawyers
So the kids in Orlando are jumping from the top of a six-story parking garage to a neighboring parking garage...and a few have fallen. How to stop it? Yep, a lawsuit.
Apparently the parking garages are at fault because they haven't erected 10 foot fences to prevent the little geniuses from playing Super Man. And what if the 10 foot fences don't work? Lawsuit.
Apparently the parking garages are at fault because they haven't erected 10 foot fences to prevent the little geniuses from playing Super Man. And what if the 10 foot fences don't work? Lawsuit.
Oscar Thoughts
I thought these observations on the Oscars were very good:
Has anyone ever had a weirder Hollywood career than Hilary Swank? Here's an actress who's managed to pull down two Academy Awards in six years -- and yet apart from her Million Dollar Baby and Boy's Don't Cry turns, she hasn't been in a single good movie in that span. (And even the quality of MDB and BDC is, well, debatable.) Her oeuvre ranges from the mediocre-but-tolerable (Insomnia, The Gift) to the astonishingly dreadful (The Core, The Affair of the Necklace) . . . but all you have to do is put her horsey good looks into a gender-blurring role (transvestite, female boxer), make sure she's physically brutalized during the course of the film, and bingo -- she's Hepburn and Streep rolled into one!
More generally, it was a pretty uninteresting Oscar show -- well-suited for a weak year in movies. What struck me, watching, was how flawed all the films were, even the ones I somewhat liked, like The Aviator and Eternal Sunshine. The only real exception to this rule (without opening the can of worms that is The Passion) was The Incredibles, which was almost perfectly executed -- and so I was glad to see it recognized, even in the deeply lame "Best Animated Film" category. It was also nice to see what Charlie Kauffman really looks like, hear Jaime Foxx talk about his grandmother, and watch Chris Rock make fun of Jude Law. (I predict that he will not be invited back -- Rock, I mean, not Law.)
Other than that, well -- two cheers for euthanasia? It seems slightly odd in a year when Christopher Reeve was on the "In Memoriam" List . . . but then, that's why I'm not a voting member of the Academy, I guess.
Has anyone ever had a weirder Hollywood career than Hilary Swank? Here's an actress who's managed to pull down two Academy Awards in six years -- and yet apart from her Million Dollar Baby and Boy's Don't Cry turns, she hasn't been in a single good movie in that span. (And even the quality of MDB and BDC is, well, debatable.) Her oeuvre ranges from the mediocre-but-tolerable (Insomnia, The Gift) to the astonishingly dreadful (The Core, The Affair of the Necklace) . . . but all you have to do is put her horsey good looks into a gender-blurring role (transvestite, female boxer), make sure she's physically brutalized during the course of the film, and bingo -- she's Hepburn and Streep rolled into one!
More generally, it was a pretty uninteresting Oscar show -- well-suited for a weak year in movies. What struck me, watching, was how flawed all the films were, even the ones I somewhat liked, like The Aviator and Eternal Sunshine. The only real exception to this rule (without opening the can of worms that is The Passion) was The Incredibles, which was almost perfectly executed -- and so I was glad to see it recognized, even in the deeply lame "Best Animated Film" category. It was also nice to see what Charlie Kauffman really looks like, hear Jaime Foxx talk about his grandmother, and watch Chris Rock make fun of Jude Law. (I predict that he will not be invited back -- Rock, I mean, not Law.)
Other than that, well -- two cheers for euthanasia? It seems slightly odd in a year when Christopher Reeve was on the "In Memoriam" List . . . but then, that's why I'm not a voting member of the Academy, I guess.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Wow!
Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karami has announced he and his government are resigning, two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
The move came as crowds protested in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
The move came as crowds protested in Beirut, calling for Syrian troops to leave the country.
My Main Man
I still think Howard Dean was a Karl Rove plant.
On abortion specifically, he said, the party must commit to making abortions "safe, legal and rare" while maintaining women's rights to choose.
"The issue is not abortion," Dean told the closed-door fund-raiser. "The issue is whether women can make up their own mind instead of some right-wing pastor, some right-wing politician telling them what to do."
And Dean told the Hiebert fund-raiser that gay marriage was a Republican diversion from discussions of ballooning deficits and lost American jobs. That presents an opportunity to attract moderate Republicans, he said.
"Moderate Republicans can't stand these people (conservatives), because they're intolerant. They don't think tolerance is a virtue," Dean said, adding: "I'm not going to have these right-wingers throw away our right to be tolerant."
And concluding his backyard speech with a litany of Democratic values, he added: "This is a struggle of good and evil. And we're the good."
On abortion specifically, he said, the party must commit to making abortions "safe, legal and rare" while maintaining women's rights to choose.
"The issue is not abortion," Dean told the closed-door fund-raiser. "The issue is whether women can make up their own mind instead of some right-wing pastor, some right-wing politician telling them what to do."
And Dean told the Hiebert fund-raiser that gay marriage was a Republican diversion from discussions of ballooning deficits and lost American jobs. That presents an opportunity to attract moderate Republicans, he said.
"Moderate Republicans can't stand these people (conservatives), because they're intolerant. They don't think tolerance is a virtue," Dean said, adding: "I'm not going to have these right-wingers throw away our right to be tolerant."
And concluding his backyard speech with a litany of Democratic values, he added: "This is a struggle of good and evil. And we're the good."
More UN Atrocities
This is shocking...not.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.N. officials fear the sex-abuse scandal among peacekeepers in Africa is far more widespread and appears to be a problem in each of the global body's 16 missions around the world.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.N. officials fear the sex-abuse scandal among peacekeepers in Africa is far more widespread and appears to be a problem in each of the global body's 16 missions around the world.
Those Crazy Neocons May Not Have Been So Crazy
More unreported news from Iraq.
More encouraging signs from Lebanon:
BEIRUT: Lebanon's Syrian-backed government banned protests planned for Monday (local time) but a main opposition figure vowed the Lebanese would take to the streets to demand who killed former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
Interior minister Suleiman Franjieh called on security forces in a statement on Sunday "to take all necessary steps to preserve security and order and prevent demonstrations and gatherings on Monday".
Opposition groups have called a protest at the central Martyrs Square by Hariri's grave and a one-day strike to coincide with a parliamentary debate on the killing that for many recalled Lebanon's bitter 1975-90 civil war.
Government and Syrian loyalists, meanwhile, planned to descend on central Beirut to protest against US deputy secretary of state David Satterfield's visit to Lebanon as part of growing international pressure.
Clashes between the two sides were feared.
Even more encouraging news from Bahrain:
The Arab world must shun extremism which breeds violence, His Majesty King Hamad urged yesterday.
Extremism and violence are alien to the principles of Islam, he said in an address read out at the opening of a regional forum held in Bahrain.
"The region has a civilised and open-minded heritage that is based on the respect of people's rights and aspirations by promoting insight and sound guidance in line with the teachings of the Holy Quran," said the King. . . . He said that Bahrain was hosting the forum at a time when its ceiling of political and intellectual freedom had increased and the channels for dialogue were open for everyone.
More encouraging signs from Lebanon:
BEIRUT: Lebanon's Syrian-backed government banned protests planned for Monday (local time) but a main opposition figure vowed the Lebanese would take to the streets to demand who killed former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
Interior minister Suleiman Franjieh called on security forces in a statement on Sunday "to take all necessary steps to preserve security and order and prevent demonstrations and gatherings on Monday".
Opposition groups have called a protest at the central Martyrs Square by Hariri's grave and a one-day strike to coincide with a parliamentary debate on the killing that for many recalled Lebanon's bitter 1975-90 civil war.
Government and Syrian loyalists, meanwhile, planned to descend on central Beirut to protest against US deputy secretary of state David Satterfield's visit to Lebanon as part of growing international pressure.
Clashes between the two sides were feared.
Even more encouraging news from Bahrain:
The Arab world must shun extremism which breeds violence, His Majesty King Hamad urged yesterday.
Extremism and violence are alien to the principles of Islam, he said in an address read out at the opening of a regional forum held in Bahrain.
"The region has a civilised and open-minded heritage that is based on the respect of people's rights and aspirations by promoting insight and sound guidance in line with the teachings of the Holy Quran," said the King. . . . He said that Bahrain was hosting the forum at a time when its ceiling of political and intellectual freedom had increased and the channels for dialogue were open for everyone.
Those Sophisticated, Tolerant Europeans
If Americans fled this country because it was being overrun by Hispanics, how would Europe react? They'd call us bigots, hay seeds, fools.
I wonder what they think about this?
I wonder what they think about this?
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