The recent controversy over the amount of US aid to Southeast Asia is an interesting one. Is the US a generous nation? You be the judge.
As of early Tuesday, dozens of countries and relief groups had pledged $81 million in help for South and East Asia, said the Geneva-based U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The United States uses the most common measure of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 30 rich nations that counts development aid.
By that measure, the United States spent almost $15.8 billion for "official development assistance" to developing countries in 2003. Next closest was Japan, at $8.9 billion. That doesn't include billions more the United States spends in other areas such as AIDS and HIV programs and other U.N. assistance.
Measured another way, as a percentage of gross national product, the OECD's figures on development aid show that as of April, none of the world's richest countries donated even 1 percent of its gross national product. Norway was highest, at 0.92 percent; the United States was last, at 0.14 percent.
Such figures were what prompted Jan Egeland -- the United Nations' emergency relief coordinator and former head of the Norwegian Red Cross -- to challenge the giving of rich nations.
"We were more generous when we were less rich, many of the rich countries," Egeland said. "And it is beyond me, why are we so stingy, really.... Even Christmas time should remind many Western countries at least how rich we have become."
...Natsios said the Paris organization's figures overlook a key factor -- the billions more Americans give each year in private donations.
Americans last year gave an estimated $241 billion to charitable causes -- domestic and foreign -- according to a study by Giving USA Foundation. That's up from $234 billion in 2002. The foundation did not break down how much was for domestic causes and how much for foreign.
"That's a European standard, this percentage that's used," Natsios said. "The United States, for 40 years, has never accepted these standards that it should be based on the gross national product. We base it on the actual dollars that we spent."
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
New Cancer Study
It appears that most cancers - like sin - are inherited:
Inheritance plays a part in 16 out of 27 cancers, a recent study reveals.
The study, conducted by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, examined the rates at which cancer occurred among all first to fifth-degree relatives of 32,000 patients who had cancer diagnosed between 1955 and 2002.
A first-degree relative is a parent or child or sibling who shares 50 per cent of an individual's DNA. Fifth-degree relatives, such as great-great-great grandparents, share 3.125 per cent of DNA with the patient.
Details of the study were published today in the open-access journal Public Library of Science Medicine.
According to the report, a total of 27 cancers were studied, including many of the most common such as lung, breast, prostate, colon and skin.
For 16 of these, relatives of patients were at a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.
Inheritance plays a part in 16 out of 27 cancers, a recent study reveals.
The study, conducted by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, examined the rates at which cancer occurred among all first to fifth-degree relatives of 32,000 patients who had cancer diagnosed between 1955 and 2002.
A first-degree relative is a parent or child or sibling who shares 50 per cent of an individual's DNA. Fifth-degree relatives, such as great-great-great grandparents, share 3.125 per cent of DNA with the patient.
Details of the study were published today in the open-access journal Public Library of Science Medicine.
According to the report, a total of 27 cancers were studied, including many of the most common such as lung, breast, prostate, colon and skin.
For 16 of these, relatives of patients were at a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.
Hmmmm
Is it just a striking coincidence?
The 9.0 killer earthquake in Asia that unleashed tsunamis killing tens of thousands followed exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran, earthquake that killed 26,000.
On Dec. 26, 2003, a 6.6 quake hit the ancient city of Bam in Iran. While the quake was much smaller than the one that struck near the island of Sumatra Sunday, its epicenter was directly under the city.
On Dec. 26, 2004, the 9.0 quake struck in South Asia. While the death toll will be much higher, most of the destructiveness was the result of the giant waves triggered by the earth's movement under the India Ocean.
The 2003 quake hit at 01:56:52 UTC, while the 2004 quake struck at 00:58:55 UTC – exactly one year, 58 minutes apart.
The 9.0 killer earthquake in Asia that unleashed tsunamis killing tens of thousands followed exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran, earthquake that killed 26,000.
On Dec. 26, 2003, a 6.6 quake hit the ancient city of Bam in Iran. While the quake was much smaller than the one that struck near the island of Sumatra Sunday, its epicenter was directly under the city.
On Dec. 26, 2004, the 9.0 quake struck in South Asia. While the death toll will be much higher, most of the destructiveness was the result of the giant waves triggered by the earth's movement under the India Ocean.
The 2003 quake hit at 01:56:52 UTC, while the 2004 quake struck at 00:58:55 UTC – exactly one year, 58 minutes apart.
NY Times Correction of the Day
From the Dec. 24 corrections column:
Because of an editing error, a front-page article yesterday about new rules for managing the national forests referred incorrectly in some copies to a representative of Earthjustice who criticized the plan. The representative is a man, Martin Hayden. The article also misstated his title and, because of another editing error, described Earthjustice incorrectly. Mr. Hayden is the organization's legislative director but is not a lawyer. Earthjustice is an environmental law firm, not affiliated with the Sierra Club.
In other words, we didn't get anything right.
Because of an editing error, a front-page article yesterday about new rules for managing the national forests referred incorrectly in some copies to a representative of Earthjustice who criticized the plan. The representative is a man, Martin Hayden. The article also misstated his title and, because of another editing error, described Earthjustice incorrectly. Mr. Hayden is the organization's legislative director but is not a lawyer. Earthjustice is an environmental law firm, not affiliated with the Sierra Club.
In other words, we didn't get anything right.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Wow, 300 Votes
Thank you left-wing nutjobs. Because of your weeks and weeks of crying and complaining, we now know that Bush won Ohio by 118,457 votes instead of 118,775 votes. That's a whopping 300 vote difference. What would we do without Jesse Jackson.
TOLEDO, Ohio - Election officials finished the presidential recount in Ohio on Tuesday, with the final tally shaving about 300 votes off President Bush (news - web sites)'s six-figure margin of victory in the state that gave him a second term.
The recount shows Bush winning Ohio by 118,457 votes over John Kerry (news - web sites), according to unofficial results provided to The Associated Press by the 88 counties. Lucas County, home to Toledo, was the last to finish counting.
The state had earlier declared Bush the winner by 118,775 votes and plans to adjust its totals to reflect the recount later this week.
TOLEDO, Ohio - Election officials finished the presidential recount in Ohio on Tuesday, with the final tally shaving about 300 votes off President Bush (news - web sites)'s six-figure margin of victory in the state that gave him a second term.
The recount shows Bush winning Ohio by 118,457 votes over John Kerry (news - web sites), according to unofficial results provided to The Associated Press by the 88 counties. Lucas County, home to Toledo, was the last to finish counting.
The state had earlier declared Bush the winner by 118,775 votes and plans to adjust its totals to reflect the recount later this week.
I'd Probably Just Put a Bullet in my Head
Of all the articles I've read about the tsunami, this story sticks out:
Among the dead was a young girl, Anousha, aged three.
"My house collapsed and I had my daughter's hand in mine as we ran back from the water," said her distraught father, Raja. "But the wave took her from my hands."
Among the dead was a young girl, Anousha, aged three.
"My house collapsed and I had my daughter's hand in mine as we ran back from the water," said her distraught father, Raja. "But the wave took her from my hands."
Quote of the Day II
"The Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash has a chance to muscle past Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan to become the NBA's first recognized point guard since Magic Johnson in 1990 to win the MVP award. It would be great to see passing rewarded in a league where it's almost extinct." -- Marc Stein, ESPN
Jim Tressel Watch Continues
A Columbus businessman’s relationship with Buckeye quarterback Troy Smith raised enough eyebrows at his office that the company attorney called Ohio State.
That Dec. 9 phone call eventually led to Smith’s suspension from the team and an investigation involving Robert Q. Baker, a 46-year-old Springfield resident who pays big bucks to watch football games from a 35-yardline luxury suite in Ohio Stadium.
Geoffrey Webster, 56, an attorney for Poly-Care Services, confirmed for The Dispatch yesterday that Baker gave Smith an unspecified amount of cash and tried to arrange jobs for Smith and another player.
"I can’t comment on any of it," OSU Athletics Director Andy Geiger said yesterday. "It’s an ongoing investigation."
Andy, the entire football program is an ongoing investigation. Geiger must go...and Tressel should probably follow.
That Dec. 9 phone call eventually led to Smith’s suspension from the team and an investigation involving Robert Q. Baker, a 46-year-old Springfield resident who pays big bucks to watch football games from a 35-yardline luxury suite in Ohio Stadium.
Geoffrey Webster, 56, an attorney for Poly-Care Services, confirmed for The Dispatch yesterday that Baker gave Smith an unspecified amount of cash and tried to arrange jobs for Smith and another player.
"I can’t comment on any of it," OSU Athletics Director Andy Geiger said yesterday. "It’s an ongoing investigation."
Andy, the entire football program is an ongoing investigation. Geiger must go...and Tressel should probably follow.
Quote of the Day
"The systems are geared to run 100 percent, and hopefully nothing goes wrong. This time, just too many things hit (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport). Each one became part of the domino effect. We now know not to connect through Cincinnati in the winter or to fly Comair or U.S. Air." - Tom Parsons, BestFares
Now that's good for Comair's business.
Now that's good for Comair's business.
Roman Catholic Church in Crisis
Not only is there a moral crisis, but a financial one as well.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - First came the sex scandal. Then there were lawsuits. Now there are bankruptcies.
And some economic analysts believe this could be just the beginning of the financial fallout from widespread charges of clerical sexual abuse within the U.S. Catholic Church.
...The question is how to pay for it.
"Even without the sex abuse scandal, the Catholic Church was in deep financial difficulty," said Charles Zech, an economics professor at Villanova University who monitors church finances.
Zech said the church's money troubles include the costs of deferred maintenance on church properties, the aging of its low-cost work force of priests and nuns and its disproportionate holdings in real estate -- often run-down inner-city buildings that are hard to sell.
Frank Butler, president of a group of major donors to Catholic institutions, said the problems may go deeper.
"Many of the archdioceses are very marginal operations, and the reason for that is they have a very aging infrastructure that includes the parishes and schools," Butler said from the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, known as FADICA.
In addition, American Catholics give less per person to their individual churches than Protestants or Jews do, Butler said, adding that those who do give are getting older.
"Their donor base would seem to be shrinking," he said.
Added to these long-term problems are expected payments that could total billions of dollars nationally to victims of priest sexual abuse.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - First came the sex scandal. Then there were lawsuits. Now there are bankruptcies.
And some economic analysts believe this could be just the beginning of the financial fallout from widespread charges of clerical sexual abuse within the U.S. Catholic Church.
...The question is how to pay for it.
"Even without the sex abuse scandal, the Catholic Church was in deep financial difficulty," said Charles Zech, an economics professor at Villanova University who monitors church finances.
Zech said the church's money troubles include the costs of deferred maintenance on church properties, the aging of its low-cost work force of priests and nuns and its disproportionate holdings in real estate -- often run-down inner-city buildings that are hard to sell.
Frank Butler, president of a group of major donors to Catholic institutions, said the problems may go deeper.
"Many of the archdioceses are very marginal operations, and the reason for that is they have a very aging infrastructure that includes the parishes and schools," Butler said from the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, known as FADICA.
In addition, American Catholics give less per person to their individual churches than Protestants or Jews do, Butler said, adding that those who do give are getting older.
"Their donor base would seem to be shrinking," he said.
Added to these long-term problems are expected payments that could total billions of dollars nationally to victims of priest sexual abuse.
How Things Have Changed
For all of President Bush's accomplishments, none is greater than the way he has changed the landscape of the Middle East. We've seen it in Afghanistan (free elections), in the Palestinian territories (the isolation of Arafat and ascension of Abbas who is now calling for an end to the Intifada), and in Israel (where the formerly hawkish Sharon is now pulling settlements out of the West Bank and Gaza). Bush is largely responsible for all of these changes.
But his greatest accomplishment is in (and through) Iraq. It is here that tyranny and despotism has given way to the hope of democracy. It is here that the battle has shifted from taking up arms to boycotting elections. Check out the latest from Osama:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - In an audiotape broadcast Monday by Al-Jazeera satellite television, a man purported to be Osama bin Laden endorsed Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq and called for a boycott of next month's elections there.
Think about this for a moment. Osama bin Laden, the great terrorist mastermind, the mighty warrior of Islam, is calling for....boycotting an election? Man, this is Jesse Jackson territory.
We know Iraq has finally arrived if, after the election, Osama calls for a recount.
But his greatest accomplishment is in (and through) Iraq. It is here that tyranny and despotism has given way to the hope of democracy. It is here that the battle has shifted from taking up arms to boycotting elections. Check out the latest from Osama:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - In an audiotape broadcast Monday by Al-Jazeera satellite television, a man purported to be Osama bin Laden endorsed Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq and called for a boycott of next month's elections there.
Think about this for a moment. Osama bin Laden, the great terrorist mastermind, the mighty warrior of Islam, is calling for....boycotting an election? Man, this is Jesse Jackson territory.
We know Iraq has finally arrived if, after the election, Osama calls for a recount.
Churchill/Roosevelt = Blair/Bush
The great historian Martin Gilbert thinks so.
People often ask how history will remember our generation of leaders in comparison with Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many comment that today's leaders look small compared with the giants of the past. This is, I believe, a misconception.
In their day, both Churchill and Roosevelt were frequently criticised, often savagely, by their countrymen, including legislators who had little knowledge of the behind-the-scenes reality of the war.
The passage of time both elevates and reduces reputations. Today there is a cult of Churchill, particularly in the United States, but also far greater scholarly criticism, which regards him, increasingly, as a flawed war leader. The same is true of Roosevelt: his recent biographers are constantly revealing - to their satisfaction, at least - feet of clay.
Although it can easily be argued that George W Bush and Tony Blair face a far lesser challenge than Roosevelt and Churchill did - that the war on terror is not a third world war - they may well, with the passage of time and the opening of the archives, join the ranks of Roosevelt and Churchill. Their societies are too divided today to deliver a calm judgment, and many of their achievements may be in the future: when Iraq has a stable democracy, with al-Qaeda neutralised, and when Israel and the Palestinian Authority are independent democracies, living side by side in constructive economic cooperation.
If they can move this latter aim, to which Bush and Blair pledged themselves on 12 November, it will be a leadership achievement of historic proportions.
People often ask how history will remember our generation of leaders in comparison with Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many comment that today's leaders look small compared with the giants of the past. This is, I believe, a misconception.
In their day, both Churchill and Roosevelt were frequently criticised, often savagely, by their countrymen, including legislators who had little knowledge of the behind-the-scenes reality of the war.
The passage of time both elevates and reduces reputations. Today there is a cult of Churchill, particularly in the United States, but also far greater scholarly criticism, which regards him, increasingly, as a flawed war leader. The same is true of Roosevelt: his recent biographers are constantly revealing - to their satisfaction, at least - feet of clay.
Although it can easily be argued that George W Bush and Tony Blair face a far lesser challenge than Roosevelt and Churchill did - that the war on terror is not a third world war - they may well, with the passage of time and the opening of the archives, join the ranks of Roosevelt and Churchill. Their societies are too divided today to deliver a calm judgment, and many of their achievements may be in the future: when Iraq has a stable democracy, with al-Qaeda neutralised, and when Israel and the Palestinian Authority are independent democracies, living side by side in constructive economic cooperation.
If they can move this latter aim, to which Bush and Blair pledged themselves on 12 November, it will be a leadership achievement of historic proportions.
Uh, Just Kidding
Now that was a quick change of heart:
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, who has been mentioned as a candidate for several major coaching jobs in the last month and recently signed a new contract to remain with the Cardinals, has met with LSU to discuss its coaching vacancy.
LSU asked for and received permission in recent days to speak with Petrino, ESPN.com's Pat Forde reports. Sources have told Forde that if LSU were to make an offer to Petrino, it would not do so until after Louisville played Boise State (11-0) in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.
...Petrino, 43, signed a new deal last Tuesday that will pay him $1 million a year -- nearly doubling his old salary -- and assured members of Louisville's athletics association board that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'm looking forward to the upcoming years," he said last week. "This is the place I want to be; this is the place my family wants to be. We're looking forward to the future."
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, who has been mentioned as a candidate for several major coaching jobs in the last month and recently signed a new contract to remain with the Cardinals, has met with LSU to discuss its coaching vacancy.
LSU asked for and received permission in recent days to speak with Petrino, ESPN.com's Pat Forde reports. Sources have told Forde that if LSU were to make an offer to Petrino, it would not do so until after Louisville played Boise State (11-0) in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.
...Petrino, 43, signed a new deal last Tuesday that will pay him $1 million a year -- nearly doubling his old salary -- and assured members of Louisville's athletics association board that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I'm looking forward to the upcoming years," he said last week. "This is the place I want to be; this is the place my family wants to be. We're looking forward to the future."
Good Out of Evil
PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - William Robins vowed Monday to change his life forever after the professional golfer from California and his new bride, Amanda, narrowly escaped death in the grip of a tsunami.
This reminds me of God's promise that he will bring good out of evil for all those who trust Him. Usually, great tragedies are merely an occasion for God's mercy. The death and destruction serves as a means for much greater good.
Like this young couple, many thousands (if not millions) will be forced to reevaluate their lives, how they live and what they believe. And despite the massive human toll, that's a good thing.
This reminds me of God's promise that he will bring good out of evil for all those who trust Him. Usually, great tragedies are merely an occasion for God's mercy. The death and destruction serves as a means for much greater good.
Like this young couple, many thousands (if not millions) will be forced to reevaluate their lives, how they live and what they believe. And despite the massive human toll, that's a good thing.
"My Life is Over"
CUDDALORE, India (AP) -- The buzz of grim conversation in the darkened morgue was broken by a man's shriek as the small body was lowered on a bed. "My son, my king!" wailed Venkatesh, hugging the limp shrouded bundle.
Thousands of miles away in Indonesia, farmer Yusya Yusman aimlessly searched the beaches for his two children lost in Sunday's tsunami. "My life is over," he said emotionlessly.
In country after country, children have emerged as the biggest victims of Sunday's quake-born tidal waves -- thousands and thousands drowned, battered and washed away by huge walls of water that have wiped away huge number from an entire generation of Asians.
Go here to help.
Thousands of miles away in Indonesia, farmer Yusya Yusman aimlessly searched the beaches for his two children lost in Sunday's tsunami. "My life is over," he said emotionlessly.
In country after country, children have emerged as the biggest victims of Sunday's quake-born tidal waves -- thousands and thousands drowned, battered and washed away by huge walls of water that have wiped away huge number from an entire generation of Asians.
Go here to help.
Monday, December 27, 2004
I Like This Move
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Eric Milton agreed to a three-year deal Monday with Cincinnati, giving the Reds a desperately needed proven left-hander and joining right-hander Paul Wilson at the top of their revamped rotation.
Milton, 29, led Philadelphia in wins, starts and strikeouts last season, going 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 34 starts.
His career record is 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances with Minnesota and Philadelphia. Milton made the AL All-Star team in 2001, and went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA with the Twins in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.
Milton, 29, led Philadelphia in wins, starts and strikeouts last season, going 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 34 starts.
His career record is 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances with Minnesota and Philadelphia. Milton made the AL All-Star team in 2001, and went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA with the Twins in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.
Another AP Howler
From the Wall Street Journal:
Reporters thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger made news in the event-starved days before Christmas when he supposedly told a German newspaper he wanted Republicans to "move a little further left and place more weight on the center," as the Associated Press version of his interview had him saying. Pundits immediately jumped on the remarks. Conservative columnist Cal Thomas suggested the Terminator might really "be the Democratic Party's 'plant' inside the GOP." Alan Colmes, the liberal half of the Hannity & Colmes debate show on Fox News, hailed it as evidence that a new "Rockefeller Republican" wing was emerging to counter President Bush.
The Governator certainly does part company on issues such as abortion and promoting hybrid fuel technology. But he was misquoted by German reporter Marc Hujer. What he actually said was: "I think that right now the Republican Party is all the way from the right to the center. And the Democratic Party is all the way from the left to the center. And I like the Republican Party to cross that centerline. Keep it to the right where it is, but I mean cross over that centerline a little bit, because that would take immediately away 5% from the Democrats and be home free for good. That's the trick."
Mr. Hujer says the governor never recommended explicitly that Republicans should edge toward the left. "He did not use the word 'left,"' Mr. Hujer admitted. "This is really unfortunate. I was trying to translate into German political terms." There's another German translation Mr. Hujer might want to familiarize himself with: dummkopf.
Reporters thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger made news in the event-starved days before Christmas when he supposedly told a German newspaper he wanted Republicans to "move a little further left and place more weight on the center," as the Associated Press version of his interview had him saying. Pundits immediately jumped on the remarks. Conservative columnist Cal Thomas suggested the Terminator might really "be the Democratic Party's 'plant' inside the GOP." Alan Colmes, the liberal half of the Hannity & Colmes debate show on Fox News, hailed it as evidence that a new "Rockefeller Republican" wing was emerging to counter President Bush.
The Governator certainly does part company on issues such as abortion and promoting hybrid fuel technology. But he was misquoted by German reporter Marc Hujer. What he actually said was: "I think that right now the Republican Party is all the way from the right to the center. And the Democratic Party is all the way from the left to the center. And I like the Republican Party to cross that centerline. Keep it to the right where it is, but I mean cross over that centerline a little bit, because that would take immediately away 5% from the Democrats and be home free for good. That's the trick."
Mr. Hujer says the governor never recommended explicitly that Republicans should edge toward the left. "He did not use the word 'left,"' Mr. Hujer admitted. "This is really unfortunate. I was trying to translate into German political terms." There's another German translation Mr. Hujer might want to familiarize himself with: dummkopf.
Indians are Dealing
At least one Ohio major league team knows what it's doing:
CLEVELAND -- Free agent right-hander Kevin Millwood is working toward agreement on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, baseball sources told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
CLEVELAND -- Free agent right-hander Kevin Millwood is working toward agreement on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, baseball sources told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
Bad Move for the Fins
Miami hires Nick Saban (a good move), but then gives him total control (a bad move). Coaches are coaches, not general managers. Ask Bill Parcells if that works.
The contract will be for five years and is worth $4.5 million-$5 million annually. It will also provide Saban with near-absolute control over football-related decisions and allow him to help reshape the organization following a disastrous 2004 season.
The contract will be for five years and is worth $4.5 million-$5 million annually. It will also provide Saban with near-absolute control over football-related decisions and allow him to help reshape the organization following a disastrous 2004 season.
Yes!
Pro-West opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko claimed victory in Ukraine's historic presidential election rerun, telling supporters the vote was a triumph for the country and proclaiming that "now we are free" from dominance by neighboring Russia.
Speaking in a hall at his campaign headquarters packed with journalists and campaign activists, the man who led the "orange revolution" that shook Ukraine for weeks said: "It has happened."
"For 14 years we have been independent, but now we are free. This is a victory for the Ukrainian people, for the Ukrainian nation," the 50-year-old opposition leader and former prime minister said as his audience broke into applause and chants of "Yu-shchenk-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!"
Yushchenko appeared in public as the central election commission reported that he held a 16-point lead over his pro-Russian opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, with more than 63 percent of the country's precincts reporting results.
The commission credited Yushchenko with 55.98 percent of the vote, compared to 40.2 percent for Yanukovich. Three independent exit polls published at the close of voting Sunday gave Yushchenko at least a 15-point lead over his rival.
Speaking in a hall at his campaign headquarters packed with journalists and campaign activists, the man who led the "orange revolution" that shook Ukraine for weeks said: "It has happened."
"For 14 years we have been independent, but now we are free. This is a victory for the Ukrainian people, for the Ukrainian nation," the 50-year-old opposition leader and former prime minister said as his audience broke into applause and chants of "Yu-shchenk-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!"
Yushchenko appeared in public as the central election commission reported that he held a 16-point lead over his pro-Russian opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, with more than 63 percent of the country's precincts reporting results.
The commission credited Yushchenko with 55.98 percent of the vote, compared to 40.2 percent for Yanukovich. Three independent exit polls published at the close of voting Sunday gave Yushchenko at least a 15-point lead over his rival.
This Should Get Our Attention
"All the planet is vibrating" from the quake, said Enzo Boschi, the head of Italy's National Geophysics Institute. Speaking on SKY TG24 TV, Boschi said the quake even disturbed the Earth's rotation.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Associated What?
The boys over at Power Line once again point out the fraud that is the Associated Press.
Say It Ain't So, Dibs
Rob Dibble, a two-time major league All-Star relief pitcher from Southington, is out as a baseball analyst and radio announcer at ESPN. "ESPN has decided not to renew Rob Dibble's contract," ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Thursday.
Dibble was co-host of "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio and locally on WPOP 1410. He also worked ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," which has featured a revolving cast of analysts in recent years, including Steve Phillips, John Kruk and former Mets manager and Stamford native Bobby Valentine."
Recent additions have strengthened our MLB analysts team, and radio programming is constantly evolving,"Krulewitz said. "We feel that 'The Dan Patrick Show' is best hosted solely by Dan."
Dibble, 40, won a World Series ring with Cincinnati in 1990, when he was co-MVP of the NLCS. He combined with Randy Myers and Norm Charlton to form the "Nasty Boys" bullpen, a moniker he carried into broadcasting, including a year in the Fox studio in 1997.
Dibble was co-host of "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio and locally on WPOP 1410. He also worked ESPN's "Baseball Tonight," which has featured a revolving cast of analysts in recent years, including Steve Phillips, John Kruk and former Mets manager and Stamford native Bobby Valentine."
Recent additions have strengthened our MLB analysts team, and radio programming is constantly evolving,"Krulewitz said. "We feel that 'The Dan Patrick Show' is best hosted solely by Dan."
Dibble, 40, won a World Series ring with Cincinnati in 1990, when he was co-MVP of the NLCS. He combined with Randy Myers and Norm Charlton to form the "Nasty Boys" bullpen, a moniker he carried into broadcasting, including a year in the Fox studio in 1997.
Bearcats to Eliminate Football?
Man, they should. Check this out:
UC CONTINGENT: UC sold about 4,200 tickets to the game, but only about a hundred Bearcat fans actually attended the game.
They did beat Marshall last night, but in front of 100 fans. 100 fans?
UC CONTINGENT: UC sold about 4,200 tickets to the game, but only about a hundred Bearcat fans actually attended the game.
They did beat Marshall last night, but in front of 100 fans. 100 fans?
Friday, December 24, 2004
Now That's A Problem
The NY Times has an article today on the Democratic Party's abortion problem. Most of those interviewed think the party should stay true to their pro-abortion stance, but just hate pro-lifers less.
But I think Democratic strategist Donna Brazile sums up their problem best: "Even I have trouble explaining to my family that we are not about killing babies."
But I think Democratic strategist Donna Brazile sums up their problem best: "Even I have trouble explaining to my family that we are not about killing babies."
Self-Esteem is...
...overrated. Here's the scoop:
"Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, research shows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior."
Tru dat. People who believe in themselves and their "worth" are usually either very annoying individuals or a#*holes. I think we could all use a little less self-esteem.
"Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, research shows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior."
Tru dat. People who believe in themselves and their "worth" are usually either very annoying individuals or a#*holes. I think we could all use a little less self-esteem.
Yushchenko a Jew?
This is not surprising. My friend Yan is from the Ukraine and is Jewish. Jew hatred is a sport in the Ukraine...has been for centuries.
What's interesting is that in the past, it's been more of a problem in the western part of the country. Yet this piece of anti-Semitic trash originates from the east (the Russian-speaking part of the Ukraine).
I guess they're opportunistic anti-Semites.
What's interesting is that in the past, it's been more of a problem in the western part of the country. Yet this piece of anti-Semitic trash originates from the east (the Russian-speaking part of the Ukraine).
I guess they're opportunistic anti-Semites.
The Kofi Watch Continues
The expert was a Frenchman who worked at Goma airport as part of the UN’s $700 million-a-year effort to rebuild the war-shattered country. When police raided his home they discovered that he had turned his bedroom into a studio for videotaping and photographing sex sessions with young girls.
The bed was surrounded by large mirrors on three sides, according to a senior Congolese police officer. On the fourth side was a camera that he could operate from the bed with a remote control.
When the police arrived the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a sting operation. Three home-made porn videos and more than 50 photographs were found.
The case has highlighted the apparently rampant sexual exploitation of Congolese girls and women by the UN’s 11,000 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians at a time when the UN is facing many problems, including the Iraqi “oil-for-food” scandal and accusations of sexual harassment by senior UN staff in Geneva and New York.
Where's Kofi's righteous indignation over this?
The bed was surrounded by large mirrors on three sides, according to a senior Congolese police officer. On the fourth side was a camera that he could operate from the bed with a remote control.
When the police arrived the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a sting operation. Three home-made porn videos and more than 50 photographs were found.
The case has highlighted the apparently rampant sexual exploitation of Congolese girls and women by the UN’s 11,000 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians at a time when the UN is facing many problems, including the Iraqi “oil-for-food” scandal and accusations of sexual harassment by senior UN staff in Geneva and New York.
Where's Kofi's righteous indignation over this?
The Jim Tressel Watch
I've got a feeling even the OSU diehards are tiring of this stuff:
OSU FR WR Albert Dukes has been arrested on suspicion of Lewd or Lascivious battery with a 13-year old female. An arrest warrant was issued earlier in the week after authorities investigated the initial charge. I'm told Dukes turned himself in on Tuesday....he remains in jail as of 1:34pm Thursday afternoon. The rest is sketchy, and most office people have gone home for the holidays. According to the OSU media guide, Dukes is 18-years old. I am told that it appears the incident took place this past summer.
For a guy with a squeaky-clean reputation, Tressel is running a rogue program. It's going to catch up with him - and Andy Geiger - sooner rather than later.
OSU FR WR Albert Dukes has been arrested on suspicion of Lewd or Lascivious battery with a 13-year old female. An arrest warrant was issued earlier in the week after authorities investigated the initial charge. I'm told Dukes turned himself in on Tuesday....he remains in jail as of 1:34pm Thursday afternoon. The rest is sketchy, and most office people have gone home for the holidays. According to the OSU media guide, Dukes is 18-years old. I am told that it appears the incident took place this past summer.
For a guy with a squeaky-clean reputation, Tressel is running a rogue program. It's going to catch up with him - and Andy Geiger - sooner rather than later.
John Riedling, Truthteller
"I'm sad to leave Cincinnati and it is going to be weird," Riedling said. "But Florida has ownership that spends money."
"What I don't understand is that they keep saying they are going younger, but then they sign three old guys for the bullpen (David Weathers, 35; Ben Weber, 35; Kent Mercker, 36)."
"The Reds have a good staff that works hard, but there is so much the staff can't deal with, like the club not spending money. I'm going to be pitching for a team that has guys who get on base, pitching for an exciting team and pitching in front of an outstanding defense."
Amen, brother.
"What I don't understand is that they keep saying they are going younger, but then they sign three old guys for the bullpen (David Weathers, 35; Ben Weber, 35; Kent Mercker, 36)."
"The Reds have a good staff that works hard, but there is so much the staff can't deal with, like the club not spending money. I'm going to be pitching for a team that has guys who get on base, pitching for an exciting team and pitching in front of an outstanding defense."
Amen, brother.
Big Ten $$$
This breakdown of Big 10 coaching salaries is interesting:
$1.5 million: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
$1.5 million: John L. Smith, Michigan State
$1.5 million: Glen Mason, Minnesota
$1.4 million: Jim Tressel, Ohio State
$1.35 million: Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
$1.3 million: Joe Paterno, Penn State
$1.052 million: Lloyd Carr, Michigan
$1 million: Ron Zook, Illinois
$1 million: Joe Tiller, Purdue
$950,000: Randy Walker, Northwestern
$600,000: Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
Based on performance, I'd say Joe Tiller is a steal at $1 million per year. At this point in his career, JoPa is waaaay overpaid. Terry Hoeppner is a bargain at $600,000...the man can coach.
$1.5 million: Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
$1.5 million: John L. Smith, Michigan State
$1.5 million: Glen Mason, Minnesota
$1.4 million: Jim Tressel, Ohio State
$1.35 million: Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
$1.3 million: Joe Paterno, Penn State
$1.052 million: Lloyd Carr, Michigan
$1 million: Ron Zook, Illinois
$1 million: Joe Tiller, Purdue
$950,000: Randy Walker, Northwestern
$600,000: Terry Hoeppner, Indiana
Based on performance, I'd say Joe Tiller is a steal at $1 million per year. At this point in his career, JoPa is waaaay overpaid. Terry Hoeppner is a bargain at $600,000...the man can coach.
The Mike Davis Watch Continues
Plavich's bucket gave IU (2-6) its sixth loss in a row. That's Indiana's longest such skid since the 1967-68 season. It also guarantees IU a losing record going into the Big Ten for the first time since the 1969-70 season. That team was 4-5 heading into conference and finished 7-17.
The Fat Guy didn't want to coach at USC; maybe he'll like Indiana.
The Fat Guy didn't want to coach at USC; maybe he'll like Indiana.
Powell Says More Troops
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last month that there were too few troops in Iraq, according to people familiar with official records of the meeting.
Powell made his assertion during one in a series of intense discussions on Iraq between Bush and Blair this fall. Those sessions, which have largely been kept secret, indicate that there was a tough debate behind closed doors as the Bush administration reexamined its handling of Iraq in the wake of Bush's reelection victory. Less than three weeks after the White House meeting, the Pentagon announced that it would boost the U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000 troops, to 150,000.
It appears that everyone thinks we need more troops on the ground (former Cabinet members, politicians, commentators, etc.), except the people who actually run things on the ground - the generals. I think I'll stick with their judgment on this one...for now.
Powell made his assertion during one in a series of intense discussions on Iraq between Bush and Blair this fall. Those sessions, which have largely been kept secret, indicate that there was a tough debate behind closed doors as the Bush administration reexamined its handling of Iraq in the wake of Bush's reelection victory. Less than three weeks after the White House meeting, the Pentagon announced that it would boost the U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000 troops, to 150,000.
It appears that everyone thinks we need more troops on the ground (former Cabinet members, politicians, commentators, etc.), except the people who actually run things on the ground - the generals. I think I'll stick with their judgment on this one...for now.
A Confederacy of Dunces
The dunces are on the march:
A 12-year-old New Hampshire boy who wanted to jolly up his junior high dance by dressing in a Santa suit instead got a lesson in political correctness when his Scroogelike principal turned the student away, fearing he might offend his classmates.
"I go by the principal and he asked me what I was wearing. I said a Santa suit and he shakes his head,'' recalled Hampton Academy Junior High student Bryan Lafond.
To make matters worse, Principal Fred Muscara sent the preteen home from the holiday dance by himself to change into more secular attire. His mother spotted her son in the rearview mirror as she drove away.
One question: When did Santa become a religious symbol? The whole purpose of the Santa myth is to make Christmas a more secular holiday by distracting from Christ.
A 12-year-old New Hampshire boy who wanted to jolly up his junior high dance by dressing in a Santa suit instead got a lesson in political correctness when his Scroogelike principal turned the student away, fearing he might offend his classmates.
"I go by the principal and he asked me what I was wearing. I said a Santa suit and he shakes his head,'' recalled Hampton Academy Junior High student Bryan Lafond.
To make matters worse, Principal Fred Muscara sent the preteen home from the holiday dance by himself to change into more secular attire. His mother spotted her son in the rearview mirror as she drove away.
One question: When did Santa become a religious symbol? The whole purpose of the Santa myth is to make Christmas a more secular holiday by distracting from Christ.
That A Boy
WASHINGTON (AP) - Refusing to be brushed off by Democratic opposition in the Senate, President Bush plans to nominate for a second time 20 people who did not receive up or down votes on their nominations for federal judgeships.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
A Festivus for the Rest of Us
Happy Festivus! Now, for the airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Trapped!
8 to 9 inches of snow and a bunch of ice. I'll attempt to shovel out the cars later this morning, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Dope of the Day
"UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says current attempts to end the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region are not working."
Do you think so?
Do you think so?
God 1, LA 0
Los Angeles County supervisors expressed concern Tuesday that the $700,000 estimate to replace the official seal on thousands of items might soar because the new decals haven't effectively covered the old versions.
"The original plan was just to cover up the seals," said John Musella, spokesman for Supervisor Don Knabe. "Now, they will have to pay to physically remove the old seals and put up brand new ones, which will escalate the costs greatly beyond the $700,000 estimate the Chief Administrative Office gave the board."
On Monday, county officials discovered that the tiny Christian cross on the two original seals in the Board of Supervisors' hearing room could be clearly seen through the new $1,800 seals glued on to cover up the cross. In fact, the cross is now directly over the rendering of the San Gabriel Mission, which is pictured on the new seal without a cross.
Jesus once described Paul's persecution of the church (and Him) as "kicking against the goads". I think the City of Los Angeles is "kicking against the goads" too.
"The original plan was just to cover up the seals," said John Musella, spokesman for Supervisor Don Knabe. "Now, they will have to pay to physically remove the old seals and put up brand new ones, which will escalate the costs greatly beyond the $700,000 estimate the Chief Administrative Office gave the board."
On Monday, county officials discovered that the tiny Christian cross on the two original seals in the Board of Supervisors' hearing room could be clearly seen through the new $1,800 seals glued on to cover up the cross. In fact, the cross is now directly over the rendering of the San Gabriel Mission, which is pictured on the new seal without a cross.
Jesus once described Paul's persecution of the church (and Him) as "kicking against the goads". I think the City of Los Angeles is "kicking against the goads" too.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Best Movie of the Year?
I keep hearing great things about Clint's new movie "Million Dollar Baby." Roger Ebert has already declared it the best movie of the year. Now Roger L. Simon (a screenwriter himself) weighs in:
MILLION DOLLAR BABY"Etonnez-moi!" Diaghilev famously told Cocteau was the prescription for great art. I'm not sure Million Dollar Baby is quite that, but Clint Eastwood's film from a Paul Haggis screenplay (based on stories by F. X. Toole) did astonish me, continually taking me further than I ever expected it would. It is the complete opposite of Finding Neverland in that regard.
I admit boxing flicks tend to be predictable, so they present easy opportunities for this kind of surprise. Still you don't expect them to spend their third act dealing with the essence of father-daughter love in the face of death, but this one does. Million Dollar Baby is one of those rare films that continue to grow in impact in your imagination after you have seen it. Much credit goes to Eastwood, of course, who year after year uses his immense Hollywood power to confront bleak and powerful dramatic themes. That his directing skill grows at his age is extraordinary and almost unique. Praise is also due his actors, notably Morgan Freeman (as usual) and Hilary Swank (soon to be as usual).
Haggis's script, however, is the structure that makes this all happen. Like the film it is quite subtle, seemingly at first a rehash of ground we have trod before (Requiem for a Heavyweight), but then so much more. Rarely does it call attention to itself with flashy writing; always it moves the story forward to a new place. This is no simple thing, especially when it is based on a series of short stories. For now it sits atop my nominating list for this year's "Best Adapted Screenplay."
MILLION DOLLAR BABY"Etonnez-moi!" Diaghilev famously told Cocteau was the prescription for great art. I'm not sure Million Dollar Baby is quite that, but Clint Eastwood's film from a Paul Haggis screenplay (based on stories by F. X. Toole) did astonish me, continually taking me further than I ever expected it would. It is the complete opposite of Finding Neverland in that regard.
I admit boxing flicks tend to be predictable, so they present easy opportunities for this kind of surprise. Still you don't expect them to spend their third act dealing with the essence of father-daughter love in the face of death, but this one does. Million Dollar Baby is one of those rare films that continue to grow in impact in your imagination after you have seen it. Much credit goes to Eastwood, of course, who year after year uses his immense Hollywood power to confront bleak and powerful dramatic themes. That his directing skill grows at his age is extraordinary and almost unique. Praise is also due his actors, notably Morgan Freeman (as usual) and Hilary Swank (soon to be as usual).
Haggis's script, however, is the structure that makes this all happen. Like the film it is quite subtle, seemingly at first a rehash of ground we have trod before (Requiem for a Heavyweight), but then so much more. Rarely does it call attention to itself with flashy writing; always it moves the story forward to a new place. This is no simple thing, especially when it is based on a series of short stories. For now it sits atop my nominating list for this year's "Best Adapted Screenplay."
Liberal Secularists Replaced by Jesusland
The NY Times' Nicholas Kristof points out today that the most vociferous advocates of liberal humanitarianism are Christian conservatives:
Members of the Christian right...are the new internationalists, increasingly engaged in humanitarian causes abroad -- thus creating opportunities for common ground between left and right on issues we all care about... Liberals traditionally were the bleeding hearts, while conservatives regarded foreign aid, in the words of Jesse Helms, as "money down a rat hole." That's changing. "One cannot understand international relations today without comprehending the new faith-based movement," Allen Hertzke writes in "Freeing God's Children," a book about evangelicals leaping into human rights causes.
My how things have changed. So what is left for The Left to stand for? Nothing. Well, I shouldn't say that. They stand for anything that stands against America.
Members of the Christian right...are the new internationalists, increasingly engaged in humanitarian causes abroad -- thus creating opportunities for common ground between left and right on issues we all care about... Liberals traditionally were the bleeding hearts, while conservatives regarded foreign aid, in the words of Jesse Helms, as "money down a rat hole." That's changing. "One cannot understand international relations today without comprehending the new faith-based movement," Allen Hertzke writes in "Freeing God's Children," a book about evangelicals leaping into human rights causes.
My how things have changed. So what is left for The Left to stand for? Nothing. Well, I shouldn't say that. They stand for anything that stands against America.
More Bad News for Democrats
Trends show political and economic power shifting to Sun Belt
Robust population growth continues to sweep the nation's Southern and Western states, according to estimates released today by the Census Bureau.
If the trend continues at its current pace, states in the Northeast and Midwest that have been population powerhouses since the 19th century will lose their dominance to Sun Belt states by 2010.
New York, now the third-most-populous state, will likely be overtaken by Florida in five years. New Jersey, the 10th-largest state, could be passed by North Carolina in three.
“By 2010, none of the three most populous states will be in the North,” says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech.
Robust population growth continues to sweep the nation's Southern and Western states, according to estimates released today by the Census Bureau.
If the trend continues at its current pace, states in the Northeast and Midwest that have been population powerhouses since the 19th century will lose their dominance to Sun Belt states by 2010.
New York, now the third-most-populous state, will likely be overtaken by Florida in five years. New Jersey, the 10th-largest state, could be passed by North Carolina in three.
“By 2010, none of the three most populous states will be in the North,” says Robert Lang, director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech.
Hmmmm
Apparently, the mid-life crisis (or late-life crisis) is not limited to the West:
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Nobel Prize laureate Chen Ning Yang, 82, will marry a 28-year-old post-graduate from south China's Guangdong Province next month, an official with Beijing-based Tsinghua University announced here Friday.
As marriage is a private matter, the official hopes people in all social sectors will respect Yang's choice.
Yang's fiancee, named Weng Fan, is working for a master degree at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Foreign Trade. They are expected to get married in January 2005 at the end of Yang's current semester courses at Tsinghua University.
BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Nobel Prize laureate Chen Ning Yang, 82, will marry a 28-year-old post-graduate from south China's Guangdong Province next month, an official with Beijing-based Tsinghua University announced here Friday.
As marriage is a private matter, the official hopes people in all social sectors will respect Yang's choice.
Yang's fiancee, named Weng Fan, is working for a master degree at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Foreign Trade. They are expected to get married in January 2005 at the end of Yang's current semester courses at Tsinghua University.
The Grand Experiment Is Over
The signing of third baseman Joe Randa Tuesday means a lot of things:
• It means the Austin Kearns experiment at third did not work out.
• It means the Reds are back to four starting outfielders with three available spots.
• But more than anything it means the Reds are committed to trying to win in 2005.
The move is the fourth free-agent signing in a week. All four are veteran players 35 or over with proven track records.
"It's an effort to win," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "We want to win. Mr. (Carl) Lindner wants to win."
Signing Joe Randa proves you want to win. What? Joe Randa? John Allen is a buffoon.
• It means the Austin Kearns experiment at third did not work out.
• It means the Reds are back to four starting outfielders with three available spots.
• But more than anything it means the Reds are committed to trying to win in 2005.
The move is the fourth free-agent signing in a week. All four are veteran players 35 or over with proven track records.
"It's an effort to win," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "We want to win. Mr. (Carl) Lindner wants to win."
Signing Joe Randa proves you want to win. What? Joe Randa? John Allen is a buffoon.
No Respect
Now that's no way to treat a mentor:
CHICAGO (AP) -- This is one victory Steve Alford won't savor.
Alford got his first win over former coach and mentor Bob Knight with Iowa's 83-53 rout of Texas Tech on Tuesday night, and it was just as strange as Alford imagined it would be.
"Coaches have many, many players, but players only have one college coach," Alford said. "So I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for the players. But it's a little bittersweet for me. I still much more enjoy being on coach Knight's side than going against him."
CHICAGO (AP) -- This is one victory Steve Alford won't savor.
Alford got his first win over former coach and mentor Bob Knight with Iowa's 83-53 rout of Texas Tech on Tuesday night, and it was just as strange as Alford imagined it would be.
"Coaches have many, many players, but players only have one college coach," Alford said. "So I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for the players. But it's a little bittersweet for me. I still much more enjoy being on coach Knight's side than going against him."
That Christian Nut!
I just loved this post from David Adesnik:
THAT CHRISTIAN NUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE: Isn't there anyone over at 1600 Penn. Ave who realizes that the leader of the free world shouldn't say things like this:
"Our government makes no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith."
Or that:
"Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.
Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life."
Or that:
"We can stand up and hold up our heads and say: America is the greatest force that God has ever allowed to exist on his footstool. As such, it is up to us to lead this world to a peaceful and secure existence."
Or finally, that:
"Faith is evidently too simple a thing for some to recognize its paramount worth...But your husbands and brothers and fathers can testify that in the terrifying nakedness of the battlefield, the faith and the spirit of men are the keys to survival and victory."
If faith and spirit are the keys to victory, then things are looking up for the insurgents in Iraq. But what the f*** did Dwight Eisenhower know about guerrilla warfare?
Yeah, that's right: Eisenhower. Who did you think said all of those offensive things mentioned above? George W. Bush? Bill Clinton?
THAT CHRISTIAN NUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE: Isn't there anyone over at 1600 Penn. Ave who realizes that the leader of the free world shouldn't say things like this:
"Our government makes no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith."
Or that:
"Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.
Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life."
Or that:
"We can stand up and hold up our heads and say: America is the greatest force that God has ever allowed to exist on his footstool. As such, it is up to us to lead this world to a peaceful and secure existence."
Or finally, that:
"Faith is evidently too simple a thing for some to recognize its paramount worth...But your husbands and brothers and fathers can testify that in the terrifying nakedness of the battlefield, the faith and the spirit of men are the keys to survival and victory."
If faith and spirit are the keys to victory, then things are looking up for the insurgents in Iraq. But what the f*** did Dwight Eisenhower know about guerrilla warfare?
Yeah, that's right: Eisenhower. Who did you think said all of those offensive things mentioned above? George W. Bush? Bill Clinton?
The Great Physicians
This is a very important story concerning faith and medicine (and good news). And here's the kicker:
Religion and the practice of medicine
Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey is that a majority of doctors (55%) said that they have seen treatment results in their patients that they would consider miraculous (45% do not). Most physicians pray for their patients as a group (51%). Even more, 59% pray for individual patients.
67% encourage their patients to pray. Of those physicians, 5% did so for God to answer their prayers, 32% for psychological benefits and 63% for both reasons. 33% did not encourage their patients to pray.
Religion and the practice of medicine
Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey is that a majority of doctors (55%) said that they have seen treatment results in their patients that they would consider miraculous (45% do not). Most physicians pray for their patients as a group (51%). Even more, 59% pray for individual patients.
67% encourage their patients to pray. Of those physicians, 5% did so for God to answer their prayers, 32% for psychological benefits and 63% for both reasons. 33% did not encourage their patients to pray.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Quote of the Day
"The danger that people feel here is coming from terrorists and insurgents who are trying to destroy the possibility of this country becoming a democracy. Now where do we stand in that fight? We stand on the side of the democrats against the terrorists. And so when people say to me, 'Well look at the difficulties, look at the challenges,' I say, 'Well, what's the source of that challenge?' The source of that challenge is a wicked, destructive attempt to stop this man, this lady, all these people from Iraq, who want to decide their own future in a democratic way, having that opportunity. And where should the rest of the world stand? To say, 'Well, that's your problem, go and look after it,' or, 'You're better off with Saddam Hussein running the country' - as if the only choice they should have in the world is a choice between a brutal dictator killing hundreds of thousands of people or terrorists and insurgents. There is another choice for Iraq - the choice is democracy, the choice is freedom - and our job is to help them get there because that's what they want. Sometimes when I see some of the reporting of what's happening in Iraq in the rest of the world, I just feel that people should understand how precious what has been created here is."
That's from my main man Tony Blair. Maybe he could be our next president.
That's from my main man Tony Blair. Maybe he could be our next president.
Fetus...Baby...Fetus...Baby...I'm Confused
Rich Lowry of National Review on the Kansas mother murder/baby kidnapping:
During the coverage of the crime, the status of the Bobbie Jo Stinnett's unborn girl steadily changed. All at once on AOL News during the weekend, there were headlines tracking events in the case: "Woman Slain, Fetus Stolen"; "Woman Arrested, Baby Returned in Bizarre Murder"; "Infant in Good Health." Note how a "fetus" -- something for which American law and culture has very little respect -- was somehow instantly transformed into a "baby" and "infant" -- for which we have the highest respect. By what strange alchemy does that happen?
An AP story effected this magic transition all in one sentence: "Authorities said Montgomery, 36, confessed to strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett of Skidmore, Mo., on Thursday, cutting out the fetus and taking the baby back to Kansas." At one point, when Montgomery was still at large, an Amber Alert went out about the Stinnett girl, putting news organizations in the strange position of reporting such an alert for what many of them were still calling a "fetus."
Given that fetuses are routinely destroyed in America (and legally can be destroyed up to the point of delivery), it was odd to see such an uproar about the welfare of one. Indeed, it is tempting to say that from a pure legal point of view, Lisa Montgomery simply killed the wrong victim, taking the life of the mom instead of the fetus . . .
Tru dat.
During the coverage of the crime, the status of the Bobbie Jo Stinnett's unborn girl steadily changed. All at once on AOL News during the weekend, there were headlines tracking events in the case: "Woman Slain, Fetus Stolen"; "Woman Arrested, Baby Returned in Bizarre Murder"; "Infant in Good Health." Note how a "fetus" -- something for which American law and culture has very little respect -- was somehow instantly transformed into a "baby" and "infant" -- for which we have the highest respect. By what strange alchemy does that happen?
An AP story effected this magic transition all in one sentence: "Authorities said Montgomery, 36, confessed to strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett of Skidmore, Mo., on Thursday, cutting out the fetus and taking the baby back to Kansas." At one point, when Montgomery was still at large, an Amber Alert went out about the Stinnett girl, putting news organizations in the strange position of reporting such an alert for what many of them were still calling a "fetus."
Given that fetuses are routinely destroyed in America (and legally can be destroyed up to the point of delivery), it was odd to see such an uproar about the welfare of one. Indeed, it is tempting to say that from a pure legal point of view, Lisa Montgomery simply killed the wrong victim, taking the life of the mom instead of the fetus . . .
Tru dat.
The Wonders of Life
That pro-abortion argument is getting harder and harder to make every day:
CHICAGO (AP) - A premature infant believed to be the smallest baby ever to survive was called "a great blessing" Tuesday by her mother, who is preparing to take the little girl and her twin sister home from the hospital.
The baby, named Rumaisa, weighed 8.6 ounces when she was delivered Sept. 19 at Loyola University Medical Center - less than a can of soda. That is 1.3 ounces smaller than the previous record holder, who was born at the same the hospital in 1989, according to hospital spokeswoman Sandra Martinez.
Rumaisa, her twin sister, Hiba, and their parents were introduced Tuesday at a news conference at the hospital in suburban Maywood. The girls were wrapped in identical striped blankets.
Their mother, Mahajabeen Shaik, said she didn't "have the words to say how thankful I was" when she first got to hold her children, in their second month.
CHICAGO (AP) - A premature infant believed to be the smallest baby ever to survive was called "a great blessing" Tuesday by her mother, who is preparing to take the little girl and her twin sister home from the hospital.
The baby, named Rumaisa, weighed 8.6 ounces when she was delivered Sept. 19 at Loyola University Medical Center - less than a can of soda. That is 1.3 ounces smaller than the previous record holder, who was born at the same the hospital in 1989, according to hospital spokeswoman Sandra Martinez.
Rumaisa, her twin sister, Hiba, and their parents were introduced Tuesday at a news conference at the hospital in suburban Maywood. The girls were wrapped in identical striped blankets.
Their mother, Mahajabeen Shaik, said she didn't "have the words to say how thankful I was" when she first got to hold her children, in their second month.
Interesting
WASHINGTON -- Microsoft Corp. sold its popular Slate online magazine Tuesday to The Washington Post Co., a move that makes Slate's political commentary and quirky feature articles more broadly available across the Internet.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Slate editor Jacob Weisberg said the amount was "a very respectable, impressive price."
Microsoft has said Slate, with roughly 6 million readers monthly, breaks even financially but isn't consistently profitable.
Microsoft has sought a buyer since the summer. Under the sales agreement, visitors to Microsoft's MSN Web site will continue to be directed to Slate.
I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean, I get why the WaPo wants to get into the internet/blog business. But Slate? Nobody reads it. The only reason they have traffic is because Microsoft directs you there from all of its other sites.
It's as if the WaPo knew they had to make a move - which they do - but decided to acquire the one online journal that is most like them. That's a typical move from a large organization - and one that won't pay off.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Slate editor Jacob Weisberg said the amount was "a very respectable, impressive price."
Microsoft has said Slate, with roughly 6 million readers monthly, breaks even financially but isn't consistently profitable.
Microsoft has sought a buyer since the summer. Under the sales agreement, visitors to Microsoft's MSN Web site will continue to be directed to Slate.
I'm not sure what to make of this. I mean, I get why the WaPo wants to get into the internet/blog business. But Slate? Nobody reads it. The only reason they have traffic is because Microsoft directs you there from all of its other sites.
It's as if the WaPo knew they had to make a move - which they do - but decided to acquire the one online journal that is most like them. That's a typical move from a large organization - and one that won't pay off.
Are You A Mall Parking Lot Stalker?
Which one are you?
A. Search and destroyers. Do you roam the aisles, cruising endlessly for the perfect spot?
B. Lay and wait parkers. Do you position yourself at the end of an aisle and wait for a space to open up in what you start to believe is your territory?
C. Stalkers. Do you slowly follow shoppers leaving the store back to their parking spot?
D. See it and take it parkers. Do you not care how far you have to walk?
I'm definitely a "see it and take it" parker. Lynn's a "search and destroyer"...except when she's with me. Then she has to settle for a "lay and wait" or "stalker."
A. Search and destroyers. Do you roam the aisles, cruising endlessly for the perfect spot?
B. Lay and wait parkers. Do you position yourself at the end of an aisle and wait for a space to open up in what you start to believe is your territory?
C. Stalkers. Do you slowly follow shoppers leaving the store back to their parking spot?
D. See it and take it parkers. Do you not care how far you have to walk?
I'm definitely a "see it and take it" parker. Lynn's a "search and destroyer"...except when she's with me. Then she has to settle for a "lay and wait" or "stalker."
This is Good News for Big Blue Nation
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Billy Stull's first recruiting letter came from the University of Kentucky. So did his first scholarship offer.
In the mind of Stull, rated by Rivals.com as the No.11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation, it only made sense to reward the Wildcats with a commitment.
Stull said he told UK coach Rich Brooks yesterday that he plans to sign with the Cats on Feb. 2, national signing day. With the addition of Stull and Memphis lineman Jeremy Jarmon, who committed to UK over the weekend, the Cats' recruiting class of 2005 has stretched to 19.
Brooks also announced the signing of Fatu Turituri, an offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College. Turituri, a native of Samoa, is expected to enroll next month and be available for UK's spring practice.
But Stull and Hopkinsville quarterback Curtis Pulley, Kentucky's Mr. Football, appear to be the jewels of this class. Pulley already has committed to UK, and Brooks has said that he wanted to sign two quarterbacks because the Cats have just two scholarship QBs returning.
In the mind of Stull, rated by Rivals.com as the No.11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation, it only made sense to reward the Wildcats with a commitment.
Stull said he told UK coach Rich Brooks yesterday that he plans to sign with the Cats on Feb. 2, national signing day. With the addition of Stull and Memphis lineman Jeremy Jarmon, who committed to UK over the weekend, the Cats' recruiting class of 2005 has stretched to 19.
Brooks also announced the signing of Fatu Turituri, an offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College. Turituri, a native of Samoa, is expected to enroll next month and be available for UK's spring practice.
But Stull and Hopkinsville quarterback Curtis Pulley, Kentucky's Mr. Football, appear to be the jewels of this class. Pulley already has committed to UK, and Brooks has said that he wanted to sign two quarterbacks because the Cats have just two scholarship QBs returning.
Outrage!
More outsourcing of jobs....from Japan and Sweden to the U.S.
Honda's CR-V sport utility vehicle will be made for the first time in the United States at one of two Ohio plants, the production sites of five other Honda vehicles.
Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Monday that it wanted to move production of the CR-V for the U.S. market from the United Kingdom closer to the SUV's buyers who mostly live in the United States.
Honda is not the only auto manufacturer bringing more production to the United States. Swedish truck maker Volvo AB had already announced that it will bring assembly of its truck engines to Hagerstown, Md., and said Monday that it may move more production to the United States if the dollar keeps weakening.
CR-V production will begin in 2006 at one of two plants northwest of Columbus, in Marysville or nearby East Liberty.
Honda's CR-V sport utility vehicle will be made for the first time in the United States at one of two Ohio plants, the production sites of five other Honda vehicles.
Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Monday that it wanted to move production of the CR-V for the U.S. market from the United Kingdom closer to the SUV's buyers who mostly live in the United States.
Honda is not the only auto manufacturer bringing more production to the United States. Swedish truck maker Volvo AB had already announced that it will bring assembly of its truck engines to Hagerstown, Md., and said Monday that it may move more production to the United States if the dollar keeps weakening.
CR-V production will begin in 2006 at one of two plants northwest of Columbus, in Marysville or nearby East Liberty.
Help Those Bell Ringers
More positive press for Target from today's Cincinnati Enquirer:
As of last week, the Greater Cincinnati Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign was 10 percent short of the same time last year, said volunteer coordinator Matt Pearce. The organization hoped to raise more this year - $430,000, up $10,000 from 2003's total - but it's running out of time. The campaign ends Friday.
"These last five days," Pearce said, "are vital."
It's tough to pinpoint why donations are down, Pearce said - that can depend on anything from the economy to the weather - but one cause may be the absence of kettles at Target stores.
Target Corp. barred the bell ringers, saying it had to apply its no-solicitation policy to everyone. The loss was a blow to the Salvation Army. Nationwide, bell ringers at Target stores brought in $9 million last year, about 10 percent of all donations.
In Greater Cincinnati, they brought in more than $75,000, nearly 20 percent of the local kettle revenue.
But Target's ban had a curiously positive effect as well, Pearce said. Hearing of Target's decision, people began calling the Salvation Army to see how they could help. Some pledged not to shop at Target. Others made a special effort, as Linda Spore did Monday at Fountain Square, to find a kettle and make donations.
"With the bad came the good," Pearce said.
Whoever at Target made that decision should be canned.
As of last week, the Greater Cincinnati Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign was 10 percent short of the same time last year, said volunteer coordinator Matt Pearce. The organization hoped to raise more this year - $430,000, up $10,000 from 2003's total - but it's running out of time. The campaign ends Friday.
"These last five days," Pearce said, "are vital."
It's tough to pinpoint why donations are down, Pearce said - that can depend on anything from the economy to the weather - but one cause may be the absence of kettles at Target stores.
Target Corp. barred the bell ringers, saying it had to apply its no-solicitation policy to everyone. The loss was a blow to the Salvation Army. Nationwide, bell ringers at Target stores brought in $9 million last year, about 10 percent of all donations.
In Greater Cincinnati, they brought in more than $75,000, nearly 20 percent of the local kettle revenue.
But Target's ban had a curiously positive effect as well, Pearce said. Hearing of Target's decision, people began calling the Salvation Army to see how they could help. Some pledged not to shop at Target. Others made a special effort, as Linda Spore did Monday at Fountain Square, to find a kettle and make donations.
"With the bad came the good," Pearce said.
Whoever at Target made that decision should be canned.
Quote of the Day
"We won't do things like Notre Dame. We always have a plan."
-- University of Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett, speaking to reporters after firing Henry Bibby and before hiring Rick Majerus
Except for the fact that Majerus accepted...then backed out of the job. What now Mr. Garrett?
-- University of Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett, speaking to reporters after firing Henry Bibby and before hiring Rick Majerus
Except for the fact that Majerus accepted...then backed out of the job. What now Mr. Garrett?
Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't
In his first term, Bush ran up huge deficits through massive spending increases in all sectors of government...and the Democrats howled. In his second term, he's pushing for minimal increases in spending to cut the size of the deficit...which will also receive howls from the Democrats.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Monday he will submit a federal budget that will cut the deficit in half in five years and maintain strict spending discipline.
"We will provide every tool and resource for our military, we will protect the homeland," Bush said. He said he would "maintain strict discipline in spending tax dollars."
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Monday he will submit a federal budget that will cut the deficit in half in five years and maintain strict spending discipline.
"We will provide every tool and resource for our military, we will protect the homeland," Bush said. He said he would "maintain strict discipline in spending tax dollars."
"Not Free"
This is disappointing:
NEW YORK, December 20, 2004 -- Political rights and civil liberties have become so restricted in Russia that the country has been downgraded to "Not Free," Freedom House announced in a major survey of global freedom released today.
The global survey, "Freedom in the World," shows that Russia was the only country to register a negative category change in 2004, moving from Partly Free to Not Free. However, Russia was not the only country in the former Soviet Union that experienced political and civic changes: setbacks took place in Belarus and Armenia, while freedom gained in the aftermath of civic protests in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Russia's step backwards into the Not Free category is the culmination of a growing trend under President Vladimir Putin to concentrate political authority, harass and intimidate the media, and politicize the country's law-enforcement system," said Freedom House Executive Director, Jennifer Windsor. "These moves mark a dangerous and disturbing drift toward authoritarianism in Russia, made more worrisome by President Putin's recent heavy-handed meddling in political developments in neighboring countries such as Ukraine."
NEW YORK, December 20, 2004 -- Political rights and civil liberties have become so restricted in Russia that the country has been downgraded to "Not Free," Freedom House announced in a major survey of global freedom released today.
The global survey, "Freedom in the World," shows that Russia was the only country to register a negative category change in 2004, moving from Partly Free to Not Free. However, Russia was not the only country in the former Soviet Union that experienced political and civic changes: setbacks took place in Belarus and Armenia, while freedom gained in the aftermath of civic protests in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Russia's step backwards into the Not Free category is the culmination of a growing trend under President Vladimir Putin to concentrate political authority, harass and intimidate the media, and politicize the country's law-enforcement system," said Freedom House Executive Director, Jennifer Windsor. "These moves mark a dangerous and disturbing drift toward authoritarianism in Russia, made more worrisome by President Putin's recent heavy-handed meddling in political developments in neighboring countries such as Ukraine."
Maybe He Was Right
David Brooks wonders why there now exists a plausible chance for peace in the Middle East:
After all, here is a man who staffed his administration with what Juan Cole of the University of Michigan called "pro-Likud intellectuals" who went off "fighting elective wars on behalf of Tel Aviv." Under Bush, the diplomats agreed, the U.S. had inflamed the Arab world and had forfeited its role as an honest broker. . . .
And yet here we are in this hopeful moment. It almost makes you think that all those bemoaners and condemners don't know what they are talking about. Nothing they have said over the past three years accounts for what is happening now. It almost makes you think that Bush understands the situation better than the lot of them.
After all, here is a man who staffed his administration with what Juan Cole of the University of Michigan called "pro-Likud intellectuals" who went off "fighting elective wars on behalf of Tel Aviv." Under Bush, the diplomats agreed, the U.S. had inflamed the Arab world and had forfeited its role as an honest broker. . . .
And yet here we are in this hopeful moment. It almost makes you think that all those bemoaners and condemners don't know what they are talking about. Nothing they have said over the past three years accounts for what is happening now. It almost makes you think that Bush understands the situation better than the lot of them.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
What Planet Does He Live On
Tom Shales writes this in today's Washington Post about Bill Moyers. Unbelievable.
This Sounds Like a Simpsons Episode
The "carnies" get there day:
SPREAD JOY THROUGH YOUR WORK IN CIRCUSES AND FAIRS
VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received participants in the Seventh International Congress of the Pastoral Care for Circus and Fair Workers. The meeting, which is taking place in Rome from December 12 to 16, was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
After recalling the theme of the congress, "Welcoming Circus and Fair Workers: from diversity to the coexistence of differences," the Pope said that their work, "which is difficult and very special, can be a privileged occasion to proclaim the authentically human values in the world's fora. In a time when it seems as if the frenzy of producing and getting rich is the only thing that matters, spreading joy and cheer is true testimony to those non-material values that are necessary to live fraternity and gratitude."
"Your world, that of the circus and amusement parks," concluded the Pope, "can be turned into a new field of the great themes of pastoral care, ecumenism and the encounter of members of other religions, and the common commitment to building a universal brotherhood."
SPREAD JOY THROUGH YOUR WORK IN CIRCUSES AND FAIRS
VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received participants in the Seventh International Congress of the Pastoral Care for Circus and Fair Workers. The meeting, which is taking place in Rome from December 12 to 16, was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
After recalling the theme of the congress, "Welcoming Circus and Fair Workers: from diversity to the coexistence of differences," the Pope said that their work, "which is difficult and very special, can be a privileged occasion to proclaim the authentically human values in the world's fora. In a time when it seems as if the frenzy of producing and getting rich is the only thing that matters, spreading joy and cheer is true testimony to those non-material values that are necessary to live fraternity and gratitude."
"Your world, that of the circus and amusement parks," concluded the Pope, "can be turned into a new field of the great themes of pastoral care, ecumenism and the encounter of members of other religions, and the common commitment to building a universal brotherhood."
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I just wanted to get that off my chest. If I get another "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" card, my head's going to explode. IT'S CHRISTMAS!
I Think I Found the Pot (and the Kettle)
The American Civil Liberties Union is using sophisticated technology to collect a wide variety of information about its members and donors in a fund-raising effort that has ignited a bitter debate over its leaders' commitment to privacy rights.
Some board members say the extensive data collection makes a mockery of the organization's frequent criticism of banks, corporations and government agencies for their practice of accumulating data on people for marketing and other purposes. . . .
The group's new data collection practices were implemented without the board's approval or knowledge, and were in violation of the A.C.L.U.'s privacy policy at the time, said Michael Meyers, vice president of the organization and a frequent and strident internal critic. Mr. Meyers said he learned about the new research by accident Nov. 7 in a meeting of the committee that is organizing the group's Biennial Conference in July.
He objected to the practices, and the next day, the privacy policy on the group's Web site was changed. " They took out all the language that would show that they were violating their own policy," he said. "In doing so, they sanctified their procedure while still keeping it secret."
Some board members say the extensive data collection makes a mockery of the organization's frequent criticism of banks, corporations and government agencies for their practice of accumulating data on people for marketing and other purposes. . . .
The group's new data collection practices were implemented without the board's approval or knowledge, and were in violation of the A.C.L.U.'s privacy policy at the time, said Michael Meyers, vice president of the organization and a frequent and strident internal critic. Mr. Meyers said he learned about the new research by accident Nov. 7 in a meeting of the committee that is organizing the group's Biennial Conference in July.
He objected to the practices, and the next day, the privacy policy on the group's Web site was changed. " They took out all the language that would show that they were violating their own policy," he said. "In doing so, they sanctified their procedure while still keeping it secret."
Get to Work, Mr. President
Milton Freedman says:
"After World War II, opinion was socialist while practice was free market; currently, opinion is free market while practice is heavily socialist. We have largely won the battle of ideas; we have succeeded in stalling the progress of socialism, but we have not succeeded in reversing its course. We are still far from bringing practice into conformity with opinion. That is the overriding non-defence task for the second Bush term."
"After World War II, opinion was socialist while practice was free market; currently, opinion is free market while practice is heavily socialist. We have largely won the battle of ideas; we have succeeded in stalling the progress of socialism, but we have not succeeded in reversing its course. We are still far from bringing practice into conformity with opinion. That is the overriding non-defence task for the second Bush term."
Where's The Outrage?
AUBURN, New York (AP) -- A judge Thursday refused to block Wells College's plans to allow men to enroll next year for the first time in its 136-year history, saying the survival of the institution was at stake.
Two students had challenged the school's decision to go coed on several grounds, including fraud and breach of contract, but Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter Corning said they failed to prove their arguments in seeking an injunction.
Corning said he saw the case as "balancing the inconvenience of two students against the annihilation of the college."
I don't have a problem if girls want to attend an all female school. In this case, that's why they went there. But where's the outrage at students attempting to exclude members of the opposite sex from furthering their education? If this were men excluding women, it would be all over the news. But because it's women excluding men, it's not even a blurb in the paper.
Amazing.
Two students had challenged the school's decision to go coed on several grounds, including fraud and breach of contract, but Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter Corning said they failed to prove their arguments in seeking an injunction.
Corning said he saw the case as "balancing the inconvenience of two students against the annihilation of the college."
I don't have a problem if girls want to attend an all female school. In this case, that's why they went there. But where's the outrage at students attempting to exclude members of the opposite sex from furthering their education? If this were men excluding women, it would be all over the news. But because it's women excluding men, it's not even a blurb in the paper.
Amazing.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Great Move By Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart to Match Kettle DonationsAssociated Press
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Folks dropping money in Salvation Army kettles at Wal-Mart stores can make their money go twice as far. The world's largest retailer announced Thursday it would match up to $1 million in donations.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has more than 3,600 domestic stores operating as Wal-Marts, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club warehouse stores.
The company said the clock started Thursday on the match and runs through Christmas Eve.
Wal-Mart competitor Target Corp. has joined a number of other major retailers in banning the Salvation Army bell ringers, saying it was not fair to select certain charities and not others for the coveted space.
Wal-Mart, as well as Kmart, kept the bell ringers. Wal-Mart restricts, however, which groups can solicit at its properties but allows its local stores to select the specific nonprofits.
"We hope our customers join us in donating what they can to benefit an organization that does so much in our communities to serve families in need," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Betsy Reithemeyer said in a news release. "The Salvation Army red kettles and the bell ringers are truly a holiday tradition worth keeping."
The Salvation Army said the kettle donations are spent locally and said the Wal-Mart match will extend local donations.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Folks dropping money in Salvation Army kettles at Wal-Mart stores can make their money go twice as far. The world's largest retailer announced Thursday it would match up to $1 million in donations.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has more than 3,600 domestic stores operating as Wal-Marts, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club warehouse stores.
The company said the clock started Thursday on the match and runs through Christmas Eve.
Wal-Mart competitor Target Corp. has joined a number of other major retailers in banning the Salvation Army bell ringers, saying it was not fair to select certain charities and not others for the coveted space.
Wal-Mart, as well as Kmart, kept the bell ringers. Wal-Mart restricts, however, which groups can solicit at its properties but allows its local stores to select the specific nonprofits.
"We hope our customers join us in donating what they can to benefit an organization that does so much in our communities to serve families in need," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Betsy Reithemeyer said in a news release. "The Salvation Army red kettles and the bell ringers are truly a holiday tradition worth keeping."
The Salvation Army said the kettle donations are spent locally and said the Wal-Mart match will extend local donations.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
A New Majority?
This is surprising:
NEW YORK A new Gallup poll shows that the public values “values” less than November exit polls suggested, but another survey from the same outfit released today shows a historic surge in Republican party affiliation.
In Gallup's latest poll this month, those identifying themselves as Republicans jumped to 37% of the public, with Democrats now clearly trailing with 32%.
NEW YORK A new Gallup poll shows that the public values “values” less than November exit polls suggested, but another survey from the same outfit released today shows a historic surge in Republican party affiliation.
In Gallup's latest poll this month, those identifying themselves as Republicans jumped to 37% of the public, with Democrats now clearly trailing with 32%.
The Ax Will Fall
From the Washington Times:
Heads to roll
A CBS News insider tells Inside the Beltway "four or five" of the network's employees face dismissal as CBS prepares to release a "critical" internal investigative report on the use of fake documents in a pre-election story challenging President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard.
CBS' Dan Rather already has announced he's stepping down from the anchor chair on March 9 — his 24th anniversary on the job — although the network says his departure is unrelated to the fallout from the bogus claims leveled against the president. Mr. Rather will remain a network correspondent.
Here's hoping Dan's head rolls.
Heads to roll
A CBS News insider tells Inside the Beltway "four or five" of the network's employees face dismissal as CBS prepares to release a "critical" internal investigative report on the use of fake documents in a pre-election story challenging President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard.
CBS' Dan Rather already has announced he's stepping down from the anchor chair on March 9 — his 24th anniversary on the job — although the network says his departure is unrelated to the fallout from the bogus claims leveled against the president. Mr. Rather will remain a network correspondent.
Here's hoping Dan's head rolls.
Reds Make a Move...Finally
...and I like it:
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the acquisition of starting RHP Ramon Ortiz from the Angels in exchange for minor league RHP Dustin Moseley.Ortiz, 31, last season went 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 games, including 14 starts and 20 relief appearances. Prior to 2004, Ortiz had made all 123 of his Major League appearances as a starting pitcher.
Each season from 2001-2003, Ortiz posted at least 13 victories while making 32 starts and accumulating at least 180.0 innings pitched. He produced his best year during the Angels 2002 World Series championship season, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 4 complete games. He followed that campaign by winning a career-high 16 games in 2003.
Ortiz has a career record of 59-49 in 157 Major League appearances, including 137 starts. He led the Angels in victories in 2000 (8), 2001 (13) and 2003 (16).
Moseley, 22, last season combined to go 5-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts between Class AA Chattanooga and Class AAA Louisville. He was selected by the Reds in the supplemental first round (34th overall) of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds general manager Dan O'Brien today announced the acquisition of starting RHP Ramon Ortiz from the Angels in exchange for minor league RHP Dustin Moseley.Ortiz, 31, last season went 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 34 games, including 14 starts and 20 relief appearances. Prior to 2004, Ortiz had made all 123 of his Major League appearances as a starting pitcher.
Each season from 2001-2003, Ortiz posted at least 13 victories while making 32 starts and accumulating at least 180.0 innings pitched. He produced his best year during the Angels 2002 World Series championship season, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 4 complete games. He followed that campaign by winning a career-high 16 games in 2003.
Ortiz has a career record of 59-49 in 157 Major League appearances, including 137 starts. He led the Angels in victories in 2000 (8), 2001 (13) and 2003 (16).
Moseley, 22, last season combined to go 5-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts between Class AA Chattanooga and Class AAA Louisville. He was selected by the Reds in the supplemental first round (34th overall) of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.
Better Late Than Never
Cornwell recants. This from The Economist:
As he admits, Hitler's Pope (1999), his biography of Pope Pius XII, lacked balance. “I would now argue,” he says, “in the light of the debates and evidence following Hitler's Pope, that Pius XII had so little scope of action that it is impossible to judge the motives for his silence during the war, while Rome was under the heel of Mussolini and later occupied by the Germans.”
That's nice, but hasn't the damage been done.
As he admits, Hitler's Pope (1999), his biography of Pope Pius XII, lacked balance. “I would now argue,” he says, “in the light of the debates and evidence following Hitler's Pope, that Pius XII had so little scope of action that it is impossible to judge the motives for his silence during the war, while Rome was under the heel of Mussolini and later occupied by the Germans.”
That's nice, but hasn't the damage been done.
More Good News for the NY Times
This isn't very PC, especially at a NY Times print shop. Shame on the The Times.
The Jewish plaintiff is Harvey Alpert, a 53-year-old resident of Marlboro, N.J., who began working at the Edison plant as a chauffeur in 1977 and is now a floorman. The complaint alleges that, like the other men bringing the suit, Alpert was "subjected to very offensive epithets" that included being addressed by a colleague as "a (expletive) fat Jew Bastard." The same colleague is alleged to have said "I hate that Jew bastard. I want to kill him."... The other complainants, two Latinos and six African-Americans, also alleged that fellow employees addressed them as "nigger," "coon," and "spook." "This stuff is highly pervasive and of long standing in the sewer where these people have been working," said one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Jeffrey Bernbach of White Plains, N.Y., in an interview with New Jersey Jewish News. "The New York Times has long been aware of it and has done nothing to clean it up."
The Jewish plaintiff is Harvey Alpert, a 53-year-old resident of Marlboro, N.J., who began working at the Edison plant as a chauffeur in 1977 and is now a floorman. The complaint alleges that, like the other men bringing the suit, Alpert was "subjected to very offensive epithets" that included being addressed by a colleague as "a (expletive) fat Jew Bastard." The same colleague is alleged to have said "I hate that Jew bastard. I want to kill him."... The other complainants, two Latinos and six African-Americans, also alleged that fellow employees addressed them as "nigger," "coon," and "spook." "This stuff is highly pervasive and of long standing in the sewer where these people have been working," said one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Jeffrey Bernbach of White Plains, N.Y., in an interview with New Jersey Jewish News. "The New York Times has long been aware of it and has done nothing to clean it up."
Being Alone is Bad
Apparently, we were not created to be alone:
The team, from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said the findings strengthened previous research suggesting that marriage improved people's quality of life. A recent study concluded that single men were at greater risk of dying than smokers. Researchers said that singletons tended to drink more because they socialised more. They also worked longer because they had no partner to make time for and often missed meals. Dr Patricia Mona Eng said that increased alcohol consumption among widowed and divorced men could be linked to the stress of being alone.
Heck, I could have told you that and saved you a bunch of money.
The team, from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said the findings strengthened previous research suggesting that marriage improved people's quality of life. A recent study concluded that single men were at greater risk of dying than smokers. Researchers said that singletons tended to drink more because they socialised more. They also worked longer because they had no partner to make time for and often missed meals. Dr Patricia Mona Eng said that increased alcohol consumption among widowed and divorced men could be linked to the stress of being alone.
Heck, I could have told you that and saved you a bunch of money.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
More Coaching News
The Irish are settling for an NFL coordinator with NO head coaching experience. Let's see if he can get the job done.
Charlie Weis is to become the new Notre Dame football coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Sources close to the university confirmed Saturday that the New England Patriots offensive coordinator has agreed to a six-year contract that will pay him approximately $2 million per year.
Weis will fly to South Bend after Sunday's home game against the Cincinnati Bengals and meet with the Fighting Irish football team that night.
A press conference to introduce Weis will be held Monday.
Charlie Weis is to become the new Notre Dame football coach, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Sources close to the university confirmed Saturday that the New England Patriots offensive coordinator has agreed to a six-year contract that will pay him approximately $2 million per year.
Weis will fly to South Bend after Sunday's home game against the Cincinnati Bengals and meet with the Fighting Irish football team that night.
A press conference to introduce Weis will be held Monday.
Possible Good News in Oxford
This is interesting:
San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson has emerged as the secret leading candidate to become coach at the University of Mississippi, multiple sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Erickson plans to stand firm this week against 49ers front office sentiments that he fire some of his assistant coaches, Mortensen reports. Erickson, who has contractual control over his own staff, reportedly will ask for clarification on management's plans to improve the team through free agency.
Erickson's a great coach, especially with x's and o's. He had great success at Washington State, Miami, and Oregon State. This would be a huge catch for Ole Miss.
San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson has emerged as the secret leading candidate to become coach at the University of Mississippi, multiple sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Erickson plans to stand firm this week against 49ers front office sentiments that he fire some of his assistant coaches, Mortensen reports. Erickson, who has contractual control over his own staff, reportedly will ask for clarification on management's plans to improve the team through free agency.
Erickson's a great coach, especially with x's and o's. He had great success at Washington State, Miami, and Oregon State. This would be a huge catch for Ole Miss.
Heresy
From a NY Times piece on internet dating:
Feeling weary and, she said, "jerked around," Ms. Gold let her paid subscription to Match.com expire, and she has turned to real-life singles mixers for professionals. "I think I just burned out," she said. "It's kind of like communism. On paper, it's a perfect system."
Whoa, how did the Times' editors let that slip through.
Feeling weary and, she said, "jerked around," Ms. Gold let her paid subscription to Match.com expire, and she has turned to real-life singles mixers for professionals. "I think I just burned out," she said. "It's kind of like communism. On paper, it's a perfect system."
Whoa, how did the Times' editors let that slip through.
Is Beinart the Left's Buckley?
George Will on the Democratic Left's quandary:
Beinart aspires to change the Democratic base so that it will accept a presidential candidate who espouses 1947 liberalism -- someone for whom anti-totalitarianism is the organizing imperative of politics.
But how do you begin reforming a base polluted by the Michael Moore-MoveOn.org faction? Moore says "there is no terrorist threat" -- that terrorism is a threat no greater than traffic accidents. MoveOn says that "large portions of the Bill of Rights" have been "nullified" -- presumably, then, the federal judiciary also has been nullified.
When Moore sat in Jimmy Carter's box at the 2004 Democratic convention, voters drew conclusions about the party's sobriety. Liberalism's problem with the Moore-MoveOn faction is similar to conservatism's 1960s embarrassment from the claimed kinship of the John Birch Society, whose leader called President Dwight D. Eisenhower a Kremlin agent.
The reason that Moore is hostile to U.S. power is that he despises the American people from whom the power arises. Moore's assertion that America "is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe" is a corollary of Kuttnerism, the doctrine that "middle America" is viciously ignorant.
Beinart is bravely trying to do for liberalism what another magazine editor -- the National Review's William Buckley -- did for conservatism by excommunicating the Birchers from the conservative movement.
But Buckley's task was easier than Beinart's will be because the Birchers were never remotely as central to the Republican base as the Moore-MoveOn faction is to the Democratic base.
Beinart aspires to change the Democratic base so that it will accept a presidential candidate who espouses 1947 liberalism -- someone for whom anti-totalitarianism is the organizing imperative of politics.
But how do you begin reforming a base polluted by the Michael Moore-MoveOn.org faction? Moore says "there is no terrorist threat" -- that terrorism is a threat no greater than traffic accidents. MoveOn says that "large portions of the Bill of Rights" have been "nullified" -- presumably, then, the federal judiciary also has been nullified.
When Moore sat in Jimmy Carter's box at the 2004 Democratic convention, voters drew conclusions about the party's sobriety. Liberalism's problem with the Moore-MoveOn faction is similar to conservatism's 1960s embarrassment from the claimed kinship of the John Birch Society, whose leader called President Dwight D. Eisenhower a Kremlin agent.
The reason that Moore is hostile to U.S. power is that he despises the American people from whom the power arises. Moore's assertion that America "is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe" is a corollary of Kuttnerism, the doctrine that "middle America" is viciously ignorant.
Beinart is bravely trying to do for liberalism what another magazine editor -- the National Review's William Buckley -- did for conservatism by excommunicating the Birchers from the conservative movement.
But Buckley's task was easier than Beinart's will be because the Birchers were never remotely as central to the Republican base as the Moore-MoveOn faction is to the Democratic base.
Red State Syria?
My suspicion is that there's much more of this sort of thinking in the Middle East.
Two months into my stay, the issue of pro-Bush Syrians suddenly re-emerged when I began teaching English classes to several dozen students. The students were, almost without exception, from the upper echelons of Damascene society: well educated, financially comfortable, with many hailing from important Syrian families involved in high-level economic and governmental decision-making.
One afternoon I was explaining the passive tense of verbs, and I used an example that came to mind from American culture. I asked them if they knew who was nominated by the two main parties to run for president. "John Kerry was nominated by the Democratic Party, and George Bush was nominated by the Republicans," replied one of the brightest in the class, a veiled Muslim engineering student named Rahaf. "Very good," I said. "Now, who do you think will be elected?" "Bush," cried several of the students at once, smiling. Abandoning my lesson plan for the moment, but curious at this sudden display of interest in the election, I ventured: "Who do you want to win?" "Bush," said Rahaf, while a number of others nodded in solid agreement. I pressed them further for a few minutes, asking individual students why they liked Bush. The same ideas came up again and again: he is a strong leader, an honest man, and, most of all, a believer. Like the winning margin of American voters this year, these Middle Easterners related to Bush's sense of religious conviction and his confident steering of a nation and culture they admired.
"But doesn't he scare you?" I asked finally, unable to contain my personal feelings and throwing the lesson plan out the window. "Because of Bush's ideas many people in my country think that all of you are terrorists." Rahaf and most of the others just shrugged. Maybe that was all true, they said, but he was still a good president.
I found these same sentiments expressed almost word for word in my two other classes.
Two months into my stay, the issue of pro-Bush Syrians suddenly re-emerged when I began teaching English classes to several dozen students. The students were, almost without exception, from the upper echelons of Damascene society: well educated, financially comfortable, with many hailing from important Syrian families involved in high-level economic and governmental decision-making.
One afternoon I was explaining the passive tense of verbs, and I used an example that came to mind from American culture. I asked them if they knew who was nominated by the two main parties to run for president. "John Kerry was nominated by the Democratic Party, and George Bush was nominated by the Republicans," replied one of the brightest in the class, a veiled Muslim engineering student named Rahaf. "Very good," I said. "Now, who do you think will be elected?" "Bush," cried several of the students at once, smiling. Abandoning my lesson plan for the moment, but curious at this sudden display of interest in the election, I ventured: "Who do you want to win?" "Bush," said Rahaf, while a number of others nodded in solid agreement. I pressed them further for a few minutes, asking individual students why they liked Bush. The same ideas came up again and again: he is a strong leader, an honest man, and, most of all, a believer. Like the winning margin of American voters this year, these Middle Easterners related to Bush's sense of religious conviction and his confident steering of a nation and culture they admired.
"But doesn't he scare you?" I asked finally, unable to contain my personal feelings and throwing the lesson plan out the window. "Because of Bush's ideas many people in my country think that all of you are terrorists." Rahaf and most of the others just shrugged. Maybe that was all true, they said, but he was still a good president.
I found these same sentiments expressed almost word for word in my two other classes.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Bill Moyers - King of Fools
This is vulgar. Try this on:
It hasn't been so much a habit for Moyers as a truth-telling mission during his three decades as a TV journalist. But come next week, he will sign off from "Now," the weekly PBS newsmagazine he began in 2002, as, at age 70, he retires from television.
"I'm going out telling the story that I think is the biggest story of our time: how the right-wing media has become a partisan propaganda arm of the Republican National Committee," says Moyers. "We have an ideological press that's interested in the election of Republicans, and a mainstream press that's interested in the bottom line. Therefore, we don't have a vigilant, independent press whose interest is the American people."
For that, his absence after the Dec. 17 "Now" will be all the more keenly felt: Moyers' interest has always been the American people.
A humanist who's at home with subjects ranging from the power of myth to media consolidation, from drug addiction to modern dance, from religion to environmental abuse, Moyers has produced hundreds of hours of diverse programming on issues that others shortchange, sidestep or simply fail to notice. And through it all, he has looked upon his audience not as targeted consumers, or as voters split along a Red State-Blue State divide, but as his fellow citizens.
He's a citizen-journalist with a robust background, this Texas native who, early on, earned a divinity degree (he's an ordained Baptist minister) then served as special assistant to President Johnson, and for several years was publisher of the Long Island newspaper Newsday.
There are 2 MAJOR problems with this story. First, Bill Moyers is faaaaaar from being an objective journalist. He's a Leftist hack. Now that's fine; Leftists can be journalists. But at least be forthcoming about your political motives.
Second, THIS IS AN ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY! It's not an editorial or a letter or anything else opinion-driven. It's supposed to be a "news" story.
Yep, that right-wing media is taking over.
It hasn't been so much a habit for Moyers as a truth-telling mission during his three decades as a TV journalist. But come next week, he will sign off from "Now," the weekly PBS newsmagazine he began in 2002, as, at age 70, he retires from television.
"I'm going out telling the story that I think is the biggest story of our time: how the right-wing media has become a partisan propaganda arm of the Republican National Committee," says Moyers. "We have an ideological press that's interested in the election of Republicans, and a mainstream press that's interested in the bottom line. Therefore, we don't have a vigilant, independent press whose interest is the American people."
For that, his absence after the Dec. 17 "Now" will be all the more keenly felt: Moyers' interest has always been the American people.
A humanist who's at home with subjects ranging from the power of myth to media consolidation, from drug addiction to modern dance, from religion to environmental abuse, Moyers has produced hundreds of hours of diverse programming on issues that others shortchange, sidestep or simply fail to notice. And through it all, he has looked upon his audience not as targeted consumers, or as voters split along a Red State-Blue State divide, but as his fellow citizens.
He's a citizen-journalist with a robust background, this Texas native who, early on, earned a divinity degree (he's an ordained Baptist minister) then served as special assistant to President Johnson, and for several years was publisher of the Long Island newspaper Newsday.
There are 2 MAJOR problems with this story. First, Bill Moyers is faaaaaar from being an objective journalist. He's a Leftist hack. Now that's fine; Leftists can be journalists. But at least be forthcoming about your political motives.
Second, THIS IS AN ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY! It's not an editorial or a letter or anything else opinion-driven. It's supposed to be a "news" story.
Yep, that right-wing media is taking over.
Karl Rove Must Be Behind This
As a Republican, this is grand news. But as an American, this is bad. Now we're going to have one party dominance (Republicans) for years and years to come...and that's never a good thing.
WASHINGTON - Liberal powerhouse MoveOn has a message for the "professional election losers" who run the Democratic Party: "We bought it, we own it, we're going to take it back."
A scathing e-mail from the head of MoveOn's political action committee to the group's supporters on Thursday targets outgoing Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe as a tool of corporate donors who alienated both traditional and progressive Democrats.
"For years, the party has been led by elite Washington insiders who are closer to corporate lobbyists than they are to the Democratic base," said the e-mail from MoveOn PAC's Eli Pariser.
"But we can't afford four more years of leadership by a consulting class of professional election losers."
Under McAuliffe's leadership, the message said, the party coddled the same corporate donors that fund Republicans to bring in money at the expense of vision and integrity.
"In the last year, grass-roots contributors like us gave more than $300 million to the Kerry campaign and the DNC, and proved that the party doesn't need corporate cash to be competitive," the message continued. "Now it's our party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back."
WASHINGTON - Liberal powerhouse MoveOn has a message for the "professional election losers" who run the Democratic Party: "We bought it, we own it, we're going to take it back."
A scathing e-mail from the head of MoveOn's political action committee to the group's supporters on Thursday targets outgoing Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe as a tool of corporate donors who alienated both traditional and progressive Democrats.
"For years, the party has been led by elite Washington insiders who are closer to corporate lobbyists than they are to the Democratic base," said the e-mail from MoveOn PAC's Eli Pariser.
"But we can't afford four more years of leadership by a consulting class of professional election losers."
Under McAuliffe's leadership, the message said, the party coddled the same corporate donors that fund Republicans to bring in money at the expense of vision and integrity.
"In the last year, grass-roots contributors like us gave more than $300 million to the Kerry campaign and the DNC, and proved that the party doesn't need corporate cash to be competitive," the message continued. "Now it's our party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back."
Fire Rather, Now
There is a battle royale within CBS over whether or not to release the full text of the upcoming Memogate report, RatherBiased.com can reveal. Many higher-ups within the network do not want it released to the public in its entirety.
Word is that the report will be bad. But really, how bad could it be? Reporters made stuff up? That's not new. Reporters used bad information? That's not new either. Reporters hyped a non-story? We see that every night.
Word is that the report will be bad. But really, how bad could it be? Reporters made stuff up? That's not new. Reporters used bad information? That's not new either. Reporters hyped a non-story? We see that every night.
Keep It In Your Pants
If accurate, this is great news:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Fewer teens are engaging in sexual activity than in the past, and those that do are more likely to use contraceptives, the government said Friday.
The National Center for Health Statistics said that for girls aged 15 to 17 the percentage who had ever had intercourse declined from 38 percent in 1995 to 30 percent in 2002.
For boys, the agency said, the decline was 43 percent to 31 percent.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Fewer teens are engaging in sexual activity than in the past, and those that do are more likely to use contraceptives, the government said Friday.
The National Center for Health Statistics said that for girls aged 15 to 17 the percentage who had ever had intercourse declined from 38 percent in 1995 to 30 percent in 2002.
For boys, the agency said, the decline was 43 percent to 31 percent.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Dr. Frankenstein, Call Your Office
You know, I'm no scientist, but this is definitely a road we don't want to go down:
In Minnesota, pigs are being born with human blood in their veins.
In Nevada, there are sheep whose livers and hearts are largely human.
In California, mice peer from their cages with human brain cells firing inside their skulls.
These are not outcasts from "The Island of Dr. Moreau," the 1896 novel by H.G. Wells in which a rogue doctor develops creatures that are part animal and part human. They are real creations of real scientists, stretching the boundaries of stem cell research.
Biologists call these hybrid animals chimeras, after the mythical Greek creature with a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail. They are the products of experiments in which human stem cells were added to developing animal fetuses.
In Minnesota, pigs are being born with human blood in their veins.
In Nevada, there are sheep whose livers and hearts are largely human.
In California, mice peer from their cages with human brain cells firing inside their skulls.
These are not outcasts from "The Island of Dr. Moreau," the 1896 novel by H.G. Wells in which a rogue doctor develops creatures that are part animal and part human. They are real creations of real scientists, stretching the boundaries of stem cell research.
Biologists call these hybrid animals chimeras, after the mythical Greek creature with a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail. They are the products of experiments in which human stem cells were added to developing animal fetuses.
You Can Teach Old Dogs New Tricks
Wow! Antony Flew sees God. This is like the Pope denying the existence of God. Amazing...and wonderful.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
An Ovation for What?
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who faces criticism over corruption in the agency's defunct oil-for-food program, enjoyed a standing ovation Wednesday from General Assembly members.
The expression of support was planned. Earlier in the morning, diplomats said they wouldn't be surprised if members of the U.N. General Assembly delivered such a rare gesture.
I'm shocked that crooks and cowards would give another crook and coward a standing ovation. I'm shocked.
The expression of support was planned. Earlier in the morning, diplomats said they wouldn't be surprised if members of the U.N. General Assembly delivered such a rare gesture.
I'm shocked that crooks and cowards would give another crook and coward a standing ovation. I'm shocked.
I Didn't Do It
So you're president of the university, but you have no say in the decision to fire the football coach. Pleeeeaaaasssseeee.
NEW YORK -- Notre Dame president Rev. Edward Malloy said Wednesday he was upset that his university fired Irish football coach Tyrone Willingham last week.
"In my 18 years, there has only been two days that I've been embarrassed to be president of Notre Dame: Tuesday and Wednesday of last week," said Malloy, speaking during a panel discussion at the Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
In his three seasons as Notre Dame coach, Willingham compiled a 21-15 record. Malloy said he was not part of the decision-making process because he will retire in June.
NEW YORK -- Notre Dame president Rev. Edward Malloy said Wednesday he was upset that his university fired Irish football coach Tyrone Willingham last week.
"In my 18 years, there has only been two days that I've been embarrassed to be president of Notre Dame: Tuesday and Wednesday of last week," said Malloy, speaking during a panel discussion at the Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
In his three seasons as Notre Dame coach, Willingham compiled a 21-15 record. Malloy said he was not part of the decision-making process because he will retire in June.
Nice Try
MEDICAL experts have confirmed that Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine’s opposition leader, was poisoned in an attempt on his life during election campaigning, the doctor who supervised his treatment at an Austrian clinic said yesterday. Doctors at Vienna’s exclusive Rudolfinerhaus clinic are within days of identifying the substance that left Mr Yushchenko’s face disfigured with cysts and lesions, Nikolai Korpan told The Times in a telephone interview.
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