John Podhoretz liked Cinderella Man:
Just to whet your appetite: The upcoming Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ron Howard, is a thrilling piece of work. No, more than thrilling. I left the screening room this afternoon exhilarated, moved, excited, stirred and overwhelmed, convinced that Cinderella Man is one of the best movies ever made. Since I've learned not to trust my early enthusiasms (I had forgotten until some merciless wags recently reminded me that I actually said nice things about the horrible Phantom Menace when it opened six years ago), I'm going to let a few weeks go by and see Cinderella Man again when it opens on June 3 before I say it a second time.
Cinderella Man is the true story of a boxer named James J. Braddock and how he was lost and then found again in the depths of the Great Depression. It's a great boxing movie -- Braddock's patented style of pugilism is here called "pop pop bang," and that little soundbite captures the vivid intensity of the scenes in the ring -- but it's not just a boxing movie. It's a terrific Depression melodrama, but it's not merely a Depression melodrama. It's a sterling biopic, but it's not a standard-issue biopic. It's, rather, the story of a family man and a portrait of a good marriage -- and it's the depiction of these simple phenomena that makes Cinderella Man so wonderfully powerful.
Howard has become his generation's answer to William Wyler -- a classic cinematic storyteller who can work wonders in any genre. As for Russell Crowe, there's almost no superlative that wouldn't be appropriate. Crowe hasn't made a full-on comedy yet. If it turns out he can do that too, Russell Crowe will then have proved himself unquestionably the greatest screen actor not only of our time, but probably of all time.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
The God Science Takes Another Hit
Science is wonderful. It's provided many amazing discoveries (and many not so good) over the years. However, science is a human endeavor and, as such, is limited and many times wrong. This important fact is more often than not forgotten by our science worshippers.
Case in point:
Scientists are excited about a vitamin again. But unlike fads that sizzled and fizzled, the evidence this time is strong and keeps growing. If it bears out, it will challenge one of medicine's most fundamental beliefs: that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun. Doing that may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents, some researchers think.
The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen blocks its production, but dermatologists and health agencies have long preached that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer. Now some scientists are questioning that advice. The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer.
In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.
Many people aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's hard to do from food and fortified milk alone, and supplements are problematic.
Case in point:
Scientists are excited about a vitamin again. But unlike fads that sizzled and fizzled, the evidence this time is strong and keeps growing. If it bears out, it will challenge one of medicine's most fundamental beliefs: that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun. Doing that may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents, some researchers think.
The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen blocks its production, but dermatologists and health agencies have long preached that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer. Now some scientists are questioning that advice. The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer.
In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.
Many people aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's hard to do from food and fortified milk alone, and supplements are problematic.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Classic Hillary
"We're seeing the slow and steady erosion of what made America great in the twentieth century," Clinton told her audience in an even tone. "When I got to the Senate I asked myself, What's going on here? At first I thought the President just wanted to undo everything my husband had done." Clinton waited a beat, then added, "And I did take that personally."
The audience laughed.
"But then I thought, Wait a minute. It's not just about turning the clock back on the 1990s.... They want to turn the clock back on most of the twentieth century. They want to turn the clock all the way back beyond Franklin Roosevelt. Back beyond Teddy Roosevelt. That's why they're trying to undo Social Security. Make no mistake about it.
"What I see happening in Washington," Clinton continued, "is a concerted effort by the Administration and the leadership in Congress to really create absolute power. They want to control the judiciary so they can have all three branches of government. I really don't care what party you are--that's not in the American tradition.... Right now young men and women are putting their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting for the America we revere. And that is a country where nobody has all the answers--and nobody should have all the power.... We all need to stand up for what made America great--what created a wonderful set of values that we revere, that we exported and tried to really inculcate in people around the world!"
So what about the 40 or 50 years that the Democrats controlled the legislative and judicial branches, and many times controlled the executive? Was Democratic "absolute" power a problem? Nope. Hillary's a damn fool.
The audience laughed.
"But then I thought, Wait a minute. It's not just about turning the clock back on the 1990s.... They want to turn the clock back on most of the twentieth century. They want to turn the clock all the way back beyond Franklin Roosevelt. Back beyond Teddy Roosevelt. That's why they're trying to undo Social Security. Make no mistake about it.
"What I see happening in Washington," Clinton continued, "is a concerted effort by the Administration and the leadership in Congress to really create absolute power. They want to control the judiciary so they can have all three branches of government. I really don't care what party you are--that's not in the American tradition.... Right now young men and women are putting their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting for the America we revere. And that is a country where nobody has all the answers--and nobody should have all the power.... We all need to stand up for what made America great--what created a wonderful set of values that we revere, that we exported and tried to really inculcate in people around the world!"
So what about the 40 or 50 years that the Democrats controlled the legislative and judicial branches, and many times controlled the executive? Was Democratic "absolute" power a problem? Nope. Hillary's a damn fool.
This Does Not Help Hugs
Another senior member of the University of Cincinnati's Athletic Department has been arrested on drunken driving charges.
Greenhills police confirmed today that Bruce Ivory, associate athletic director for academics and compliance, was arrested on a DUI charge Thursday night.
Officers on duty early this morning said Police Chief Thomas E. Doyle would provide more details later today.
Brian Teter, of UC's sports communications office, said early today he was out of town, had just heard about the incident and had not yet talked to Athletic Director Bob Goin.
Ivory, who joined the UC staff in 1984 as an assistant football coach, oversees the program that monitors the classroom progress of student-athletes, and oversees the operation of the office that make sure the university is in compliance with NCAA rules.
Ivory became assistant athletic director for academic services in 1995 and was promoted to Associate AD in 2002.
Greenhills police confirmed today that Bruce Ivory, associate athletic director for academics and compliance, was arrested on a DUI charge Thursday night.
Officers on duty early this morning said Police Chief Thomas E. Doyle would provide more details later today.
Brian Teter, of UC's sports communications office, said early today he was out of town, had just heard about the incident and had not yet talked to Athletic Director Bob Goin.
Ivory, who joined the UC staff in 1984 as an assistant football coach, oversees the program that monitors the classroom progress of student-athletes, and oversees the operation of the office that make sure the university is in compliance with NCAA rules.
Ivory became assistant athletic director for academic services in 1995 and was promoted to Associate AD in 2002.
Brilliant Idea
NEW DELHI: A former politician in southern India has launched a "rent-a-crowd" company to recruit people to cheer at party rallies and said he has been deluged by would-be recruits.
"When all political parties and organisations are doing it discreetly, why can't we do it professionally?" the Hindustan Times newspaper quoted the company's founder, Devarajan, who goes by one name, as saying.
Indian political parties are known for paying people to show up for rallies, often transporting them in fleets of buses, but usually the recruitment is carried out by the parties.
Devarajan is offering recruits training, guaranteed wages and says they can be deployed when parties need a "decent-sized crowd" at a rally, the newspaper reported.
"When all political parties and organisations are doing it discreetly, why can't we do it professionally?" the Hindustan Times newspaper quoted the company's founder, Devarajan, who goes by one name, as saying.
Indian political parties are known for paying people to show up for rallies, often transporting them in fleets of buses, but usually the recruitment is carried out by the parties.
Devarajan is offering recruits training, guaranteed wages and says they can be deployed when parties need a "decent-sized crowd" at a rally, the newspaper reported.
It's America's Fault
If a lake "disappears", it must be the Americans.
Officials in Nizhegorodskaya region, on the Volga river east of Moscow, said water in the lake might have been sucked down into an underground water-course or cave system, but some villagers had more sinister explanations.
"I am thinking, well, America has finally got to us," said one old woman, as she sat on the ground outside her house.
That old woman must be a Democrat...or at leasts a member off MoveOn.
Officials in Nizhegorodskaya region, on the Volga river east of Moscow, said water in the lake might have been sucked down into an underground water-course or cave system, but some villagers had more sinister explanations.
"I am thinking, well, America has finally got to us," said one old woman, as she sat on the ground outside her house.
That old woman must be a Democrat...or at leasts a member off MoveOn.
Sweet!
A gun that spits out ball bearings after spinning them to extreme speeds is being developed by a US inventor. The novel design has already caught the imagination of some defence industry experts.
The weapon, called DREAD, was invented by Charles St George, a veteran of the US firearms industry who founded the company Leader Propulsion Systems to promote the idea. He claims a major US defence company has shown an interested in developing it further and has produced a promotional video showing a prototype in action, which can be seen here (Quicktime). He says a new prototype will be developed in August 2005.
The gun consists of a mounted circular chamber that spins the metal ball bearings to high speed. A release mechanism on one side spits the balls out one behind the other, a handful at a time.
St George says the projectiles travel at around 300 metres per second upon release from the weapon, about the same speed as a handgun round. He claims a fully developed DREAD gun would be quieter than a conventional gun, less prone to malfunction, and could contain more ammunition.
DREAD also releases its balls in extremely rapid succession, which allows it to unleash formidable firepower against a target. Promotional material for DREAD states: "Due to its extraordinary high rate of fire capability, it delivers its bullets 8.5 millimetres apart, thereby delivering more mass to the target than any other weapon."
The weapon, called DREAD, was invented by Charles St George, a veteran of the US firearms industry who founded the company Leader Propulsion Systems to promote the idea. He claims a major US defence company has shown an interested in developing it further and has produced a promotional video showing a prototype in action, which can be seen here (Quicktime). He says a new prototype will be developed in August 2005.
The gun consists of a mounted circular chamber that spins the metal ball bearings to high speed. A release mechanism on one side spits the balls out one behind the other, a handful at a time.
St George says the projectiles travel at around 300 metres per second upon release from the weapon, about the same speed as a handgun round. He claims a fully developed DREAD gun would be quieter than a conventional gun, less prone to malfunction, and could contain more ammunition.
DREAD also releases its balls in extremely rapid succession, which allows it to unleash formidable firepower against a target. Promotional material for DREAD states: "Due to its extraordinary high rate of fire capability, it delivers its bullets 8.5 millimetres apart, thereby delivering more mass to the target than any other weapon."
Who Hates the French Besides Me?
Well, apparently the rest of Europe.
Language, history, cooking and support for rival football teams still divide Europe. But when everything else fails, one glue binds the continent together: hatred of the French.
Typically, the French refuse to accept what arrogant, overbearing monsters they are.
But now after the publication of a survey of their neighbours' opinions of them at least they no longer have any excuse for not knowing how unpopular they are.
Why the French are the worst company on the planet, a wry take on France by two of its citizens, dredges up all the usual evidence against them. They are crazy drivers, strangers to customer service, obsessed by sex and food and devoid of a sense of humour.
But it doesn't stop there, boasting a breakdown, nation by nation, of what in the French irritates them.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Britons described them as "chauvinists, stubborn, nannied and humourless". However, the French may be more shocked by the views of other nations.
For the Germans, the French are "pretentious, offhand and frivolous". The Dutch describe them as "agitated, talkative and shallow." The Spanish see them as "cold, distant, vain and impolite" and the Portuguese as "preaching". In Italy they comes across as "snobs, arrogant, flesh-loving, righteous and self-obsessed" and the Greeks find them "not very with it, egocentric bons vivants".
Interestingly, the Swedes consider them "disobedient, immoral, disorganised, neo-colonialist and dirty".
But the knockout punch to French pride came in the way the poll was conducted. People were not asked what they hated in the French, just what they thought of them.
"Interviewees were simply asked an open question - what five adjectives sum up the French," said Olivier Clodong, one of the study's two authors and a professor of social and political communication at the Ecole Superieur de Commerce, in Paris. "The answers were overwhelmingly negative."
According to Mr Clodong, the old adage that France is wonderful, it's just the French who are the problem, is shared across Europe.
"We are admired for our trains, the Airbus and Michelin tyres. But the buck stops there," he said.
Another section of the study deals with how the French see the rest of Europe.
"Believe it or not, the English and the French use almost exactly the same adjectives to describe each other - bar the word 'insular'," Mr Coldong said. "So the feelings are mutual."
Language, history, cooking and support for rival football teams still divide Europe. But when everything else fails, one glue binds the continent together: hatred of the French.
Typically, the French refuse to accept what arrogant, overbearing monsters they are.
But now after the publication of a survey of their neighbours' opinions of them at least they no longer have any excuse for not knowing how unpopular they are.
Why the French are the worst company on the planet, a wry take on France by two of its citizens, dredges up all the usual evidence against them. They are crazy drivers, strangers to customer service, obsessed by sex and food and devoid of a sense of humour.
But it doesn't stop there, boasting a breakdown, nation by nation, of what in the French irritates them.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Britons described them as "chauvinists, stubborn, nannied and humourless". However, the French may be more shocked by the views of other nations.
For the Germans, the French are "pretentious, offhand and frivolous". The Dutch describe them as "agitated, talkative and shallow." The Spanish see them as "cold, distant, vain and impolite" and the Portuguese as "preaching". In Italy they comes across as "snobs, arrogant, flesh-loving, righteous and self-obsessed" and the Greeks find them "not very with it, egocentric bons vivants".
Interestingly, the Swedes consider them "disobedient, immoral, disorganised, neo-colonialist and dirty".
But the knockout punch to French pride came in the way the poll was conducted. People were not asked what they hated in the French, just what they thought of them.
"Interviewees were simply asked an open question - what five adjectives sum up the French," said Olivier Clodong, one of the study's two authors and a professor of social and political communication at the Ecole Superieur de Commerce, in Paris. "The answers were overwhelmingly negative."
According to Mr Clodong, the old adage that France is wonderful, it's just the French who are the problem, is shared across Europe.
"We are admired for our trains, the Airbus and Michelin tyres. But the buck stops there," he said.
Another section of the study deals with how the French see the rest of Europe.
"Believe it or not, the English and the French use almost exactly the same adjectives to describe each other - bar the word 'insular'," Mr Coldong said. "So the feelings are mutual."
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Ouch!
Martin Peretz in The New Republic:
The journalistic establishment is circling the wagons, of course. Journalists usually blame themselves last and forgive themselves first. They are taking special umbrage at the White House's indignation about Newsweek's iniquity and insisting that this is the pot calling the kettle anti-Muslim. It is certainly true that the Bush administration, at Guantánamo and at Abu Ghraib, is responsible for a good deal of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world (see Noah Feldman, "Ugly Americans," page 23). The Bush administration is not perfectly qualified to give lessons in transparency. But, if Scott McClellan should not be allowed to hide behind Michael Isikoff, neither should Michael Isikoff be allowed to hide behind Scott McClellan. The subject this week is not the misdeeds of government. The subject this week is the misdeeds of journalism. No wonder many editors and editorialists want to change the subject.
"We feel badly": With those insultingly wan words, Whitaker thinks that he has wrapped things up. All of Newsweek's penitential protestations notwithstanding, what emerges from this episode is the image of a profession that is complacent, self-righteous, and hopelessly in love with itself. Is this a terrible generalization? Well, there are 17 people who lost their lives because of the state of journalistic practice at a U.S. magazine. When American journalists do not think of themselves as heroes, they think of themselves as victims; but here they are neither. They are--I mean Isikoff and his editors--simply scavengers.
The journalistic establishment is circling the wagons, of course. Journalists usually blame themselves last and forgive themselves first. They are taking special umbrage at the White House's indignation about Newsweek's iniquity and insisting that this is the pot calling the kettle anti-Muslim. It is certainly true that the Bush administration, at Guantánamo and at Abu Ghraib, is responsible for a good deal of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world (see Noah Feldman, "Ugly Americans," page 23). The Bush administration is not perfectly qualified to give lessons in transparency. But, if Scott McClellan should not be allowed to hide behind Michael Isikoff, neither should Michael Isikoff be allowed to hide behind Scott McClellan. The subject this week is not the misdeeds of government. The subject this week is the misdeeds of journalism. No wonder many editors and editorialists want to change the subject.
"We feel badly": With those insultingly wan words, Whitaker thinks that he has wrapped things up. All of Newsweek's penitential protestations notwithstanding, what emerges from this episode is the image of a profession that is complacent, self-righteous, and hopelessly in love with itself. Is this a terrible generalization? Well, there are 17 people who lost their lives because of the state of journalistic practice at a U.S. magazine. When American journalists do not think of themselves as heroes, they think of themselves as victims; but here they are neither. They are--I mean Isikoff and his editors--simply scavengers.
Me No Like This
So I'm walking past the Palace loading dock Tuesday night, after the Pistons waxed the Pacers in Game 5 of their series, and there, standing by the bus, were Rasheed Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal, and they were talking and laughing and at one point they must have shared a joke so funny that Rasheed doubled over and shook his head in hysterics.
Now, as you know, these two do not play for the same team. An hour earlier, they had been battling on the court. They often guard each other in the blood feud known as Detroit-Indiana. They are "opponents" in every sports sense of the word.
Recently, it came out that these two men, friends since their days together in Portland, had spent last Saturday night, the night before Game 4, at O'Neal's house, watching a fight on TV.
Do what you want during the offseason. But during the playoffs, it's all business.
Now, as you know, these two do not play for the same team. An hour earlier, they had been battling on the court. They often guard each other in the blood feud known as Detroit-Indiana. They are "opponents" in every sports sense of the word.
Recently, it came out that these two men, friends since their days together in Portland, had spent last Saturday night, the night before Game 4, at O'Neal's house, watching a fight on TV.
Do what you want during the offseason. But during the playoffs, it's all business.
Strategic Recruiting
Michael Porter, a 6-foot-2 football and basketball player from Modesto (Calif.) Christian -- the same school that produced former University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes -- is the first recruit from the 2006 class to commit to the UK men's basketball team.
Porter, who averaged 16 points and seven assists last season, is the son of Modesto Christian basketball coach Gary Porter, who also coached Hayes.
"My son has always said that this was his dream, so when he was offered a scholarship to Kentucky, there was no use in messing around," Gary Porter said.
Porter won't be found on any recruiting lists, but fellow Modesto Christian guard Adrian Oliver can. Oliver visited UK with the younger Porter last weekend and also was offered a scholarship.
Oliver, who averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds and was named California's Division 5 Player of the Year, plans to visit Washington this weekend before making his decision.
Porter, who averaged 16 points and seven assists last season, is the son of Modesto Christian basketball coach Gary Porter, who also coached Hayes.
"My son has always said that this was his dream, so when he was offered a scholarship to Kentucky, there was no use in messing around," Gary Porter said.
Porter won't be found on any recruiting lists, but fellow Modesto Christian guard Adrian Oliver can. Oliver visited UK with the younger Porter last weekend and also was offered a scholarship.
Oliver, who averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds and was named California's Division 5 Player of the Year, plans to visit Washington this weekend before making his decision.
What A Waste
A federal judge knocked Olympic boxer Ricardo Williams Jr. out of the ring for at least three years Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Williams, a silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics, was sentenced to three years in prison for his part in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Prosecutors accused Williams and two others of trying to pick up a package of drugs shipped to Cincinnati via FedEx. U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel could have sentenced Williams to 10 years or more.
The 23-year-old Williams, a silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics, was sentenced to three years in prison for his part in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Prosecutors accused Williams and two others of trying to pick up a package of drugs shipped to Cincinnati via FedEx. U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel could have sentenced Williams to 10 years or more.
Reds News
From the Dayton Daily News:
Minority owner and New York resident Bill Reik Jr., who has no function in Reds day-to-day operations other than being one of the team's biggest fans, wonders what is going to happen if the Reds continue to inhabit the lower regions of the National League Central.
"Carl Lindner authorized the team to spend $17 million more on players this year, and the team is in last place," he said."Last year at this time, there wasn't a nickel spent, and the team was in first place," he added.
When Reik was told about ownership elsewhere who have said, "We're in last place with these expensive guys, so we can be in last place without them, too," he smiled and said, "Yeah, that's certainly true."
Minority owner and New York resident Bill Reik Jr., who has no function in Reds day-to-day operations other than being one of the team's biggest fans, wonders what is going to happen if the Reds continue to inhabit the lower regions of the National League Central.
"Carl Lindner authorized the team to spend $17 million more on players this year, and the team is in last place," he said."Last year at this time, there wasn't a nickel spent, and the team was in first place," he added.
When Reik was told about ownership elsewhere who have said, "We're in last place with these expensive guys, so we can be in last place without them, too," he smiled and said, "Yeah, that's certainly true."
Another Buckeye Arrested
OSU redshirt freshman tailback Erik Haw was cited by University Police Wednesday for possession of marijuana. His arrest comes on the heels of Jonathan Skeete's arrest a week earlier for drug trafficking. OSU coach Jim Tressel has issued a statement on what is at least the 16th brush with the law by one of his players since his arrival in January 2001.
Huh?
I'm still scouring the Scriptures for evidence of this belief.....I'm still looking.....still looking.
A group of Roman Catholic and Anglican leaders studying the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, said Monday that after years of talks they have agreed that Catholic teachings on the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary into heaven are consistent with Anglican interpretations of the Bible....
The two sides issued a joint document, "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ," which will now be examined by the Vatican and the Anglican Communion. If the terms of the new accord are eventually accepted by top church officials — by no means a certainty — it would overcome one of the major doctrinal disagreements dividing the world's 77 million Anglicans and more than 1 billion Roman Catholics.
A group of Roman Catholic and Anglican leaders studying the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, said Monday that after years of talks they have agreed that Catholic teachings on the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary into heaven are consistent with Anglican interpretations of the Bible....
The two sides issued a joint document, "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ," which will now be examined by the Vatican and the Anglican Communion. If the terms of the new accord are eventually accepted by top church officials — by no means a certainty — it would overcome one of the major doctrinal disagreements dividing the world's 77 million Anglicans and more than 1 billion Roman Catholics.
Ditto
Christopher Hitchens on the terrorists and the NY Times:
The Bin Ladenists did have a sort of "governing program," expressed in part by their Taliban allies and patrons. This in turn reflected a "unified ideology." It can be quite easily summarized: the return of the Ottoman Empire under a caliphate and a return to the desert religious purity of the seventh century (not quite the same things, but that's not our fault). In the meantime, anyway, war to the end against Jews, Hindus, Christians, unbelievers, and Shiites. None of the "experts" quoted in the article appeared to have remembered these essentials of the al-Qaida program, but had they done so, they might not be so astounded at the promiscuous way in which the Iraqi gangsters pump out toxic anti-Semitism, slaughter Nepalese and other Asian guest-workers on video and gloat over the death of Hindus, burn out and blow up the Iraqi Christian minority, kidnap any Westerner who catches their eye, and regularly inflict massacres and bombings on Shiite mosques, funerals, and assemblies. . . .
The Bin Laden and Zarqawi organizations, and their co-thinkers in other countries, have gone to great pains to announce, on several occasions, that they will win because they love death, while their enemies are so soft and degenerate that they prefer life. Are we supposed to think that they were just boasting when they said this? Their actions demonstrate it every day, and there are burned-out school buses and clinics and hospitals to prove it, as well as mosques (the incineration of which one might think to be a better subject for Islamic protest than a possibly desecrated Quran, in a prison where every inmate is automatically issued with one.)
The Bin Ladenists did have a sort of "governing program," expressed in part by their Taliban allies and patrons. This in turn reflected a "unified ideology." It can be quite easily summarized: the return of the Ottoman Empire under a caliphate and a return to the desert religious purity of the seventh century (not quite the same things, but that's not our fault). In the meantime, anyway, war to the end against Jews, Hindus, Christians, unbelievers, and Shiites. None of the "experts" quoted in the article appeared to have remembered these essentials of the al-Qaida program, but had they done so, they might not be so astounded at the promiscuous way in which the Iraqi gangsters pump out toxic anti-Semitism, slaughter Nepalese and other Asian guest-workers on video and gloat over the death of Hindus, burn out and blow up the Iraqi Christian minority, kidnap any Westerner who catches their eye, and regularly inflict massacres and bombings on Shiite mosques, funerals, and assemblies. . . .
The Bin Laden and Zarqawi organizations, and their co-thinkers in other countries, have gone to great pains to announce, on several occasions, that they will win because they love death, while their enemies are so soft and degenerate that they prefer life. Are we supposed to think that they were just boasting when they said this? Their actions demonstrate it every day, and there are burned-out school buses and clinics and hospitals to prove it, as well as mosques (the incineration of which one might think to be a better subject for Islamic protest than a possibly desecrated Quran, in a prison where every inmate is automatically issued with one.)
Monday, May 16, 2005
You Can Take The Boy Out Of Newport, But You Can't Take The Newport Out Of The Boy
Police Officer Accused Of Hitting Wife With Car
Officer On Unpaid Leave
CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ky. -- A Newport police officer was placed on administrative leave after being accused of threatening his wife, News 5 reported.
According to an arrest report, Officer Chad Cunningham was involved in an off-duty domestic-related incident in Kenton County at about 3:35 a.m. Sunday.
The report said Cunningham drove at his wife, Jessica, on the sidewalk and in the grass at 747 Buttermilk Pike. Cunningham allegedly told her he would have no problem running her over. According to the report, he hit her with the car and knocked her down.
Cunningham was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment. He was placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
He has been a Newport police officer since October 2001.
Officials said they believe alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.
And trust me, alcohol WAS involved.
Officer On Unpaid Leave
CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ky. -- A Newport police officer was placed on administrative leave after being accused of threatening his wife, News 5 reported.
According to an arrest report, Officer Chad Cunningham was involved in an off-duty domestic-related incident in Kenton County at about 3:35 a.m. Sunday.
The report said Cunningham drove at his wife, Jessica, on the sidewalk and in the grass at 747 Buttermilk Pike. Cunningham allegedly told her he would have no problem running her over. According to the report, he hit her with the car and knocked her down.
Cunningham was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment. He was placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
He has been a Newport police officer since October 2001.
Officials said they believe alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.
And trust me, alcohol WAS involved.
Nice Benefits
Hmmm, now why is the City of Covington having budget problems? Oh, yeah.
Covington employees pay no deductibles for individual or family health costs, pay $10 for doctor visits, pay no more to visit doctors outside the city- approved network of physicians, and pay $5 to fill drug prescriptions - whether brand-name or generic drugs.
Why not just give them free health care?
Covington employees pay no deductibles for individual or family health costs, pay $10 for doctor visits, pay no more to visit doctors outside the city- approved network of physicians, and pay $5 to fill drug prescriptions - whether brand-name or generic drugs.
Why not just give them free health care?
Barney Frank, the Voice of Reason in the Democratic Party
Yes, that Barney Frank.
Howard Dean says: Tom DeLay ''ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail sentence."
Frank responds: Dean's remark, in a speech to Massachusetts Democrats at their party convention, drew an immediate rebuke from US Representative Barney Frank, the Newton Democrat and one of DeLay's harshest critics. ''That's just wrong," Frank said in an interview on the convention floor. ''I think Howard Dean was out of line talking about DeLay. The man has not been indicted. I don't like him, I disagree with some of what he does, but I don't think you, in a political speech, talk about a man as a criminal or his jail sentence."
Howard Dean says: Tom DeLay ''ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail sentence."
Frank responds: Dean's remark, in a speech to Massachusetts Democrats at their party convention, drew an immediate rebuke from US Representative Barney Frank, the Newton Democrat and one of DeLay's harshest critics. ''That's just wrong," Frank said in an interview on the convention floor. ''I think Howard Dean was out of line talking about DeLay. The man has not been indicted. I don't like him, I disagree with some of what he does, but I don't think you, in a political speech, talk about a man as a criminal or his jail sentence."
The Lines Are Being Drawn
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) -- A Roman Catholic priest denied communion to more than 100 people Sunday, saying they could not receive the sacrament because they wore rainbow-colored sashes to church to show support for gay Catholics.
Before offering communion, the Rev. Michael Sklucazek told the congregation at the Cathedral of St. Paul that anyone wearing a sash could come forward for a blessing but would not receive wine and bread.
A group called the Rainbow Sash Alliance has encouraged supporters to wear the multicolored fabric bands since 2001 on each Pentecost Sunday, the day Catholics believe the Holy Spirit came to give power to Christians soon after Jesus ascended to heaven. But Sunday's service was the first time they had been denied communion at the altar.
Archbishop Harry Flynn told the group earlier this month that they would not receive communion because the sashes had become a protest against church teaching.
Sister Gabriel Herbers said she wore a sash to show sympathy for the gay and lesbian community. Their sexual orientation "is a gift from God just as much as my gift of being a female is," she said.
Before offering communion, the Rev. Michael Sklucazek told the congregation at the Cathedral of St. Paul that anyone wearing a sash could come forward for a blessing but would not receive wine and bread.
A group called the Rainbow Sash Alliance has encouraged supporters to wear the multicolored fabric bands since 2001 on each Pentecost Sunday, the day Catholics believe the Holy Spirit came to give power to Christians soon after Jesus ascended to heaven. But Sunday's service was the first time they had been denied communion at the altar.
Archbishop Harry Flynn told the group earlier this month that they would not receive communion because the sashes had become a protest against church teaching.
Sister Gabriel Herbers said she wore a sash to show sympathy for the gay and lesbian community. Their sexual orientation "is a gift from God just as much as my gift of being a female is," she said.
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