The National Football League has sacked Al Pacino.
The NFL, citing its anti-gambling policy, demanded that networks not show ads during its TV games for Pacino's upcoming film Two for the Money, which focuses on the sports betting industry.
The decision, made last month, irked executives at Universal Studios, which is distributing the film and had planned a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign during the NFL season.
“We felt that the ad constituted affiliating with or endorsing gambling,” says NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. “And our policy dates back to the 1960s. It prohibits any kind of ads concerning gambling.”
The NFL doesn't endorse gambling. Is this guy serious?
Friday, October 07, 2005
What About Michael Moore? Or George Clooney?
Al Qaeda has put job advertisements on the Internet asking for supporters to help put together its Web statements and video montages, an Arabic newspaper reported.
The London-based Asharq al-Awsat said on its Web site this week that al Qaeda had "vacant positions" for video production and editing statements, footage and international media coverage about militants in Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Chechnya and other conflict zones where militants are active.
The paper said the Global Islamic Media Front, an al Qaeda-linked Web-based organisation, would "follow up with members interested in joining and contact them via email".
The paper did not say how applicants should contact the Global Islamic Media Front.
The London-based Asharq al-Awsat said on its Web site this week that al Qaeda had "vacant positions" for video production and editing statements, footage and international media coverage about militants in Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Chechnya and other conflict zones where militants are active.
The paper said the Global Islamic Media Front, an al Qaeda-linked Web-based organisation, would "follow up with members interested in joining and contact them via email".
The paper did not say how applicants should contact the Global Islamic Media Front.
$350 Billion Is A Lot Of Money
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate voted Friday to give President Bush $50 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. military efforts against terrorism, money that would push total spending for the operations beyond $350 billion.
But if you put it in context, this strikes me as very reasonable. We've essentially fought two ground wars, we are "occupying" two countries, we are continuing to fight a war on terror - and all over the course of more than 3 years now. That $350 billion sounds like money well spent.
But if you put it in context, this strikes me as very reasonable. We've essentially fought two ground wars, we are "occupying" two countries, we are continuing to fight a war on terror - and all over the course of more than 3 years now. That $350 billion sounds like money well spent.
Bengals Fans Need To Shut Up
If I see another fat, drunk, dirty Bengal fan complaining about the possibility of pat-downs at Paul Brown Stadium, I'm going to puke.
Ask Oklahoma fans how they'd feel about it?
There are some interesting video updates on the possible suicide bomber from the local Oklahoma press (all courtesy of News 9 in Oklahoma City).
A first report states that Joel Hinrichs may have tried to enter the football stadium from two different gates. He reportedly had a ticket to the game. The most concrete piece of information in the report comes from a student who says that a security guard working gate security told him that a young man with a backpack had tried to enter the stadium. When the guard tried to search the backpack, he says that the man wearing the backpack sprinted away. This is not a usual occurrence at Oklahoma University football games; the clear implication is that it may have been Hinrichs who sprinted off.
A second report explains that Norman police have confirmed that Hinrichs attempted to buy ammonium nitrate a few days before blowing himself up. An off-duty police officer was in the Ellison Feed and Seed store at the time that Hinrichs was there. Both the store owner and officer became suspicious because Hinrichs was unable to answer basic questions about how much ammonium nitrate he wanted and why he needed it. The officer then followed Hinrichs to where he was parked, got his tag number, re-entered the store and contacted the Norman police department with the tag number.
A third report provides a brief look at how Hinrichs was transformed from a National Merit Scholar to a "suicide bomber" (if that is indeed what he was). The report states that, just prior to his death, Hinrichs had spent much of his time at the Norman mosque that Zacarias Moussaoui attended. The report states that the bomb that killed Hinrichs contained TATP. The report also states that in the search of Hinrichs's house and car, agents found an airline ticket to Algeria which was "linked" to Hinrichs's Pakistani roommate. The reporter didn't specify whether this was a one-way ticket, but did say that this discovery raises the question of whether others beside Hinrichs were involved.
I have a favorite quote from the local reports. An Oklahoma University student, explaining why he thought there was more to Hinrichs's death than the OU administration would admit, said, "You don't just blow yourself up next to 85,000 people for no reason."
Ask Oklahoma fans how they'd feel about it?
There are some interesting video updates on the possible suicide bomber from the local Oklahoma press (all courtesy of News 9 in Oklahoma City).
A first report states that Joel Hinrichs may have tried to enter the football stadium from two different gates. He reportedly had a ticket to the game. The most concrete piece of information in the report comes from a student who says that a security guard working gate security told him that a young man with a backpack had tried to enter the stadium. When the guard tried to search the backpack, he says that the man wearing the backpack sprinted away. This is not a usual occurrence at Oklahoma University football games; the clear implication is that it may have been Hinrichs who sprinted off.
A second report explains that Norman police have confirmed that Hinrichs attempted to buy ammonium nitrate a few days before blowing himself up. An off-duty police officer was in the Ellison Feed and Seed store at the time that Hinrichs was there. Both the store owner and officer became suspicious because Hinrichs was unable to answer basic questions about how much ammonium nitrate he wanted and why he needed it. The officer then followed Hinrichs to where he was parked, got his tag number, re-entered the store and contacted the Norman police department with the tag number.
A third report provides a brief look at how Hinrichs was transformed from a National Merit Scholar to a "suicide bomber" (if that is indeed what he was). The report states that, just prior to his death, Hinrichs had spent much of his time at the Norman mosque that Zacarias Moussaoui attended. The report states that the bomb that killed Hinrichs contained TATP. The report also states that in the search of Hinrichs's house and car, agents found an airline ticket to Algeria which was "linked" to Hinrichs's Pakistani roommate. The reporter didn't specify whether this was a one-way ticket, but did say that this discovery raises the question of whether others beside Hinrichs were involved.
I have a favorite quote from the local reports. An Oklahoma University student, explaining why he thought there was more to Hinrichs's death than the OU administration would admit, said, "You don't just blow yourself up next to 85,000 people for no reason."
Now That Arafat Is Dead, Is This The Best We Can Do
The U.N. nuclear watchdog and its head, Mohamed ElBaradei, have won the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to limit the spread of atomic weapons. The Norwegian Nobel Committee picked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ElBaradei, an Egyptian, from a record field of 199 candidates. It praised ElBaradei as an "unafraid advocate" of measures to strengthen non-proliferation efforts. The prize will be split equally between the agency and ElBaradei.
This Is A Shock
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Mississippi scoring leader Rashaad Carruth has left the basketball team because of personal reasons.
"I am going to concentrate on getting my degree from Southern Miss while I take care of some personal matters," Carruth said Thursday in a statement issued by the school. "(Coach Larry Eustachy) has been like a second father to me, and I am grateful for all he has done and continues to do for me."
Carruth, a guard, averaged 13.4 points last season.
Pretty tough to follow in the footsteps of Steve Fields, the finest guard ever to put on the Golden Eagle uniform.
"I am going to concentrate on getting my degree from Southern Miss while I take care of some personal matters," Carruth said Thursday in a statement issued by the school. "(Coach Larry Eustachy) has been like a second father to me, and I am grateful for all he has done and continues to do for me."
Carruth, a guard, averaged 13.4 points last season.
Pretty tough to follow in the footsteps of Steve Fields, the finest guard ever to put on the Golden Eagle uniform.
Quote of the Day
Howard Dean on Hardball:
"Well, certainly the president can claim executive privilege. But in the this case, I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, Hide the Salami, or whatever it's called."
Huh?
"Well, certainly the president can claim executive privilege. But in the this case, I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, Hide the Salami, or whatever it's called."
Huh?
The Failure of Gay Activists
Iran executes gays and Hamas will outlaw it in the new Palestinian state. Where are the gay rights activists? AWOL.
When it comes to the oppression of gays and lesbians in Muslim countries, gay activism hasn't died; it never really existed. Gay activists have used two types of excuses to justify their failure to aggressively mobilize for the rights of gay Muslims--moral and strategic. The moral argument is that Americans are in no position to criticize Iranians on human rights--that it would be wrong to campaign too loudly against Iranian abuses when the United States has so many problems of its own. Then, there are two strategic rationales: that it is better to work behind the scenes to bring about change in Iran; and that gay rights groups should conserve their resources for domestic battles.
The strategic rationales are not especially compelling, but it is the moral argument that is particularly troubling, because it suggests that some gay and lesbian leaders feel more allegiance to the relativism of the contemporary left than they do to the universality of their own cause. Activists are more than willing to condemn the homophobic leaders of the Christian right for campaigning against gay marriage; but they are weary of condemning Islamist regimes that execute citizens for being gay. Something has gone terribly awry.
When it comes to the oppression of gays and lesbians in Muslim countries, gay activism hasn't died; it never really existed. Gay activists have used two types of excuses to justify their failure to aggressively mobilize for the rights of gay Muslims--moral and strategic. The moral argument is that Americans are in no position to criticize Iranians on human rights--that it would be wrong to campaign too loudly against Iranian abuses when the United States has so many problems of its own. Then, there are two strategic rationales: that it is better to work behind the scenes to bring about change in Iran; and that gay rights groups should conserve their resources for domestic battles.
The strategic rationales are not especially compelling, but it is the moral argument that is particularly troubling, because it suggests that some gay and lesbian leaders feel more allegiance to the relativism of the contemporary left than they do to the universality of their own cause. Activists are more than willing to condemn the homophobic leaders of the Christian right for campaigning against gay marriage; but they are weary of condemning Islamist regimes that execute citizens for being gay. Something has gone terribly awry.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Sad, But Not Surprising
Rev. Larry Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church of Cold Spring, Ky., pleaded guilty this morning to charges that he lied on a loan application and evaded paying his taxes.
Davis appeared before U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning in Covington and pleaded guilty to two counts of a seven-count indictment.
Davis' sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17. He faces between 24 and 30 months in prison with no chance of parole. He remains on bond.
Davis appeared before U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning in Covington and pleaded guilty to two counts of a seven-count indictment.
Davis' sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17. He faces between 24 and 30 months in prison with no chance of parole. He remains on bond.
This Is Encouraging
BAGHDAD -- Recent polling shows widespread support for a new Iraqi constitution to be voted on Oct. 15, even in strongholds of Sunni Arab groups that are fighting to derail the charter.
Mehdi Hafedh, director of the Iraqi Center for Development and International Dialogue, said his latest survey showed that Iraqis are exhausted by the continuing violence and that most are hoping the new constitution will be a first step toward the restoration of order.
Mehdi Hafedh, director of the Iraqi Center for Development and International Dialogue, said his latest survey showed that Iraqis are exhausted by the continuing violence and that most are hoping the new constitution will be a first step toward the restoration of order.
Good News for America
The McCain amendment barring cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of military detainees by any American personnel anywhere in the world passed last night 90-9 in the Senate.
Here's what McCain had to say:
Mr. President, war is an awful business. I know that. I don’t think I’m naïve about how severe are the wages of war, and how terrible are the things that must be done to wage it successfully. It is a grim, dark business, and no matter how noble the cause for which it is fought, no matter how valiant the service, many veterans spend much of their subsequent lives trying to forget not only what was done to them and their comrades, but some of what had to be done by their hand to prevail.
I don’t mourn the loss of any terrorist’s life nor do I care if in the course of serving their ignoble cause they suffer great harm. They have pledged their lives to the intentional destruction of innocent lives, and they have earned their terrible punishment in this life and the next.
What I do regret, what I do mourn, and what I do care very much about is what we lose, what we -- the American serviceman and woman and the great nation they defend at the risk of their lives – what we lose when by official policy or by official negligence – we allow, confuse or encourage our soldiers to forget that best sense of ourselves, our greatest strength – that we are different and better than our enemies; that we fight for an idea – not a tribe, not a land, not a king, not a twisted interpretation of an ancient religion – but for an idea that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights.
I have been asked before where did the brave men I was privileged to serve with in Vietnam draw the strength to resist to the best of their ability the cruelties inflicted on them by our enemies. Well, we drew strength from our faith in each other, from our faith in God, and from our faith in our country. Our enemies didn’t adhere to the Geneva Convention. Many of my comrades were subjected to very cruel, very inhumane and degrading treatment, a few of them even unto death. But everyone of us knew, every single one of us knew and took great strength from the belief that we were different from our enemies, that we were better than them, that we, if the roles were reversed, would not disgrace ourselves by committing or countenancing such mistreatment of them. That faith was indispensable not only to our survival, but to our attempts to return home with honor. Many of the men I served with would have preferred death to such dishonor.
The enemies we fight today hold such liberal notions in contempt, as they hold the international conventions that enshrine them such as the Geneva Conventions and the treaty on torture in contempt. I know that. But we’re better than them, and we are the stronger for our faith. And we will prevail. I submit to my colleagues that it is indispensable to our success in this war that our servicemen and women know that in the discharge of their dangerous responsibilities to their country they are never expected to forget that they are Americans, the valiant defenders of a sacred idea of how nations should govern their own affairs and their relations with others – even our enemies.
Those who return to us and those who give their lives for us are entitled to that honor. And those of us who have given them this onerous duty are obliged by our history, and by the sacrifices – the many terrible sacrifices -- that have been made in our defense – we are obliged to make clear to them that they need not risk their or their country’s honor to prevail; that they are always, always – through the violence, chaos and heartache of war, through deprivation and cruelty and loss – they are always, always Americans, and different, better, and stronger than those who would destroy us.
God bless them as he has blessed us with their service.
Here's what McCain had to say:
Mr. President, war is an awful business. I know that. I don’t think I’m naïve about how severe are the wages of war, and how terrible are the things that must be done to wage it successfully. It is a grim, dark business, and no matter how noble the cause for which it is fought, no matter how valiant the service, many veterans spend much of their subsequent lives trying to forget not only what was done to them and their comrades, but some of what had to be done by their hand to prevail.
I don’t mourn the loss of any terrorist’s life nor do I care if in the course of serving their ignoble cause they suffer great harm. They have pledged their lives to the intentional destruction of innocent lives, and they have earned their terrible punishment in this life and the next.
What I do regret, what I do mourn, and what I do care very much about is what we lose, what we -- the American serviceman and woman and the great nation they defend at the risk of their lives – what we lose when by official policy or by official negligence – we allow, confuse or encourage our soldiers to forget that best sense of ourselves, our greatest strength – that we are different and better than our enemies; that we fight for an idea – not a tribe, not a land, not a king, not a twisted interpretation of an ancient religion – but for an idea that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights.
I have been asked before where did the brave men I was privileged to serve with in Vietnam draw the strength to resist to the best of their ability the cruelties inflicted on them by our enemies. Well, we drew strength from our faith in each other, from our faith in God, and from our faith in our country. Our enemies didn’t adhere to the Geneva Convention. Many of my comrades were subjected to very cruel, very inhumane and degrading treatment, a few of them even unto death. But everyone of us knew, every single one of us knew and took great strength from the belief that we were different from our enemies, that we were better than them, that we, if the roles were reversed, would not disgrace ourselves by committing or countenancing such mistreatment of them. That faith was indispensable not only to our survival, but to our attempts to return home with honor. Many of the men I served with would have preferred death to such dishonor.
The enemies we fight today hold such liberal notions in contempt, as they hold the international conventions that enshrine them such as the Geneva Conventions and the treaty on torture in contempt. I know that. But we’re better than them, and we are the stronger for our faith. And we will prevail. I submit to my colleagues that it is indispensable to our success in this war that our servicemen and women know that in the discharge of their dangerous responsibilities to their country they are never expected to forget that they are Americans, the valiant defenders of a sacred idea of how nations should govern their own affairs and their relations with others – even our enemies.
Those who return to us and those who give their lives for us are entitled to that honor. And those of us who have given them this onerous duty are obliged by our history, and by the sacrifices – the many terrible sacrifices -- that have been made in our defense – we are obliged to make clear to them that they need not risk their or their country’s honor to prevail; that they are always, always – through the violence, chaos and heartache of war, through deprivation and cruelty and loss – they are always, always Americans, and different, better, and stronger than those who would destroy us.
God bless them as he has blessed us with their service.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
What Would Dean Hammond Think Of This
Dude, you just didn't pass out on campus. You passed out in the college president's office.
A University of Buffalo student is likely enduring razzing after campus police said he was found passed out in the president's office over the weekend.
Officials at the campus told The Buffalo News that a student headed home after a night of drinking got into the president's suite early Saturday morning after the overnight cleaning crew left the door ajar.
Campus police say the cleaner returned a few minutes and found the student lying in the office's reception area.
Police say the student probably got off a bus at a nearby stop and was looking for a place to sleep it off when he found the office open door.
The student was taken to a Buffalo hospital for evaluation.
A University of Buffalo student is likely enduring razzing after campus police said he was found passed out in the president's office over the weekend.
Officials at the campus told The Buffalo News that a student headed home after a night of drinking got into the president's suite early Saturday morning after the overnight cleaning crew left the door ajar.
Campus police say the cleaner returned a few minutes and found the student lying in the office's reception area.
Police say the student probably got off a bus at a nearby stop and was looking for a place to sleep it off when he found the office open door.
The student was taken to a Buffalo hospital for evaluation.
Joke of the Day
Kate: "Dad, do you know why hurricanes are named after girls?"
Dad: "No, why?"
Kate: "Have you ever heard of a himmicane?"
Dad: "No, why?"
Kate: "Have you ever heard of a himmicane?"
Thanks News Media
From the WaPo:
Five weeks after Hurricane Katrina laid waste to New Orleans, some local, state and federal officials have come to believe that exaggerations of mayhem by officials and rumors repeated uncritically in the news media helped slow the response to the disaster and tarnish the image of many of its victims.
Do you think so?
Five weeks after Hurricane Katrina laid waste to New Orleans, some local, state and federal officials have come to believe that exaggerations of mayhem by officials and rumors repeated uncritically in the news media helped slow the response to the disaster and tarnish the image of many of its victims.
Do you think so?
I Think Mitt May Have The Answer
BOSTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, mulling a White House bid in 2008, on Thursday stood by his comments in favor of wiretapping mosques after religious leaders stepped up demands for him to take them back.
Civil rights groups and Muslim leaders have blasted the Republican governor since he raised the prospect on Sept. 14 of putting some Muslim students and their teachers under surveillance.
On Thursday, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders delivered a petition to his office signed by 75 people from a dozen religious groups urging him to reconsider his views.
Romney refused, telling Reuters in an interview that attacks by Islamic terrorists in London and the United States justify stronger scrutiny by U.S. authorities on activity at mosques in America.
Civil rights groups and Muslim leaders have blasted the Republican governor since he raised the prospect on Sept. 14 of putting some Muslim students and their teachers under surveillance.
On Thursday, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders delivered a petition to his office signed by 75 people from a dozen religious groups urging him to reconsider his views.
Romney refused, telling Reuters in an interview that attacks by Islamic terrorists in London and the United States justify stronger scrutiny by U.S. authorities on activity at mosques in America.
And Now, the Rest of the Story
Details are still emerging on the story of the suicide bombing Saturday night just 100 yards from 84,000 football fans attending the OU-Kansas game. Authorities are still just calling it a simple suicide, but the information coming out seems to paint a much more sinister picture.
1. The FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force are the lead agencies on the case.
2. The bomber had inquired about buying "a significant amount of ammonium nitrate, the primary ingredient used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing".
3. He apparently attended the same mosque as Zacarias Moussaoui.
4. His roomates had islamic fundamentalist beliefs.
5. Investigators found a huge cache of weapons in his apartment. (enough that police were overheard saying it would take 24 hours to remove all of it).
6. He was "bright and lonely"... just the kind of kid terrorists like to recruit.
1. The FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force are the lead agencies on the case.
2. The bomber had inquired about buying "a significant amount of ammonium nitrate, the primary ingredient used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing".
3. He apparently attended the same mosque as Zacarias Moussaoui.
4. His roomates had islamic fundamentalist beliefs.
5. Investigators found a huge cache of weapons in his apartment. (enough that police were overheard saying it would take 24 hours to remove all of it).
6. He was "bright and lonely"... just the kind of kid terrorists like to recruit.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Nuts!
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Nicolas Cage, who was once set to star in Tim Burton's doomed Superman project, hasn't let go of the Man of Steel.
The Oscar winner and his wife Alice Kim Cage became the proud new parents of Kal-el Coppola Cage on Monday morning (Oct. 3). For those scratching their heads about the latest weird celebrity baby name, Kal-el is Superman's original Kryptonian name before he was adopted by lowly Earthlings and renamed Clark Kent.
The Oscar winner and his wife Alice Kim Cage became the proud new parents of Kal-el Coppola Cage on Monday morning (Oct. 3). For those scratching their heads about the latest weird celebrity baby name, Kal-el is Superman's original Kryptonian name before he was adopted by lowly Earthlings and renamed Clark Kent.
Quote of the Day
"It's not as bad as Caligula putting his horse in the Senate." - Richard Brookhiser, National Review, on Bush's appointment of Harriet Miers.
Monday, October 03, 2005
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