Fed Plan on Protecting Ports Is Delayed - Yahoo! News
I take this personally.
What's the deal with this, anyway?
What's with so-called Homeland Security?!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
White Sox sweep World Series !!!
White Sox sweep World Series - Yahoo! News
Those are my exclamation points.
My hometown team has finally done it. This is a joyous thing for all Chicagoans - northside or southside, residents and former residents. Something like this has never happened in my lifetime (or in most people's lifetimes). You go Sox.
Those are my exclamation points.
My hometown team has finally done it. This is a joyous thing for all Chicagoans - northside or southside, residents and former residents. Something like this has never happened in my lifetime (or in most people's lifetimes). You go Sox.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Thought this surfer might be from our own Orange Coast beaches, but...
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms on Yahoo! News Photos
...this is a dude surfing off a New York City beach! Look at the size of that wave, too.
Strange weather the U.S. has been having this year...
...this is a dude surfing off a New York City beach! Look at the size of that wave, too.
Strange weather the U.S. has been having this year...
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
U.S. Military Deaths Reach 2,000 in Iraq
U.S. Military Deaths Reach 2,000 in Iraq - Yahoo! News
Title pretty much tells it all.
Also, let's not forget the many troops seriously wounded and even maimed in this war.
Title pretty much tells it all.
Also, let's not forget the many troops seriously wounded and even maimed in this war.
Monday, October 17, 2005
SI.com - MLB - 2005 Postseason - White Sox fans celebrate
SI.com - MLB - 2005 Postseason - White Sox fans celebrate rare pennant - Monday October 17, 2005 12:28AM
Gee, not sure if I'm still a bummed Angels fan, or am starting to be a happy Sox fan...
This is pretty exciting stuff if you're from Chicago, as well as remember those famous 1959 Sox. Nellie Fox, 2B, my favorite. Luis Aparicio, SS, my next favorite. I was so little then, this exciting 1959 season was when and how I first learned about baseball.
Still wondering how Cubs fans are reacting...
Gee, not sure if I'm still a bummed Angels fan, or am starting to be a happy Sox fan...
This is pretty exciting stuff if you're from Chicago, as well as remember those famous 1959 Sox. Nellie Fox, 2B, my favorite. Luis Aparicio, SS, my next favorite. I was so little then, this exciting 1959 season was when and how I first learned about baseball.
Still wondering how Cubs fans are reacting...
MLB - Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Angels Recap - Sox Win Pennant
From SoCal mid Severe Weather Alert - Winter Storm (OIOW, it's raining.)
This has been a conflicted pennant series for me - I'm an Angel fan, but was a Sox fan in my Chicago childhood.
In fact, I'll confess to cheering on the Go Go White Sox in that 1959 series. I haven't forgiven the Dodgers since, in spite of the fact that I now live in L.A.
So, I was an Angels fan during the play-offs, but will now put on my Chicago (White Sox) "hat" for the World Series. Hey, maybe the Sox can do this time what they couldn't do back in 1959? And, I have to wait this long for them to do it? (OTOH, I'm also a Cubs fan, so 'nuff said. If the Cubs can win one before I'm dead, it would be a good thing, seriously.)
So, bummed about the Angels loss. They folded after that goofy ump call a few games back, the wusses. And where was The Man from Vlad, the All-Star, the Angels' big bucks player? El Guerrero, The Warrior? The Angels were not hitting; their pitching fell apart at the end. While the Sox pitching was near-miracle. How many complete games did their starters have at the end? The Sox got the job done; the Angels did not.
Baseball fans in Chicago must be eating this up. They have died and gone to heaven, believe me. Ha, I wonder if even the Cubs fans are supporting the South-Siders?
Now, on to my sweet home Chicago and the World Series...!
This has been a conflicted pennant series for me - I'm an Angel fan, but was a Sox fan in my Chicago childhood.
In fact, I'll confess to cheering on the Go Go White Sox in that 1959 series. I haven't forgiven the Dodgers since, in spite of the fact that I now live in L.A.
So, I was an Angels fan during the play-offs, but will now put on my Chicago (White Sox) "hat" for the World Series. Hey, maybe the Sox can do this time what they couldn't do back in 1959? And, I have to wait this long for them to do it? (OTOH, I'm also a Cubs fan, so 'nuff said. If the Cubs can win one before I'm dead, it would be a good thing, seriously.)
So, bummed about the Angels loss. They folded after that goofy ump call a few games back, the wusses. And where was The Man from Vlad, the All-Star, the Angels' big bucks player? El Guerrero, The Warrior? The Angels were not hitting; their pitching fell apart at the end. While the Sox pitching was near-miracle. How many complete games did their starters have at the end? The Sox got the job done; the Angels did not.
Baseball fans in Chicago must be eating this up. They have died and gone to heaven, believe me. Ha, I wonder if even the Cubs fans are supporting the South-Siders?
Now, on to my sweet home Chicago and the World Series...!
Friday, October 14, 2005
JibJab.com - the Brothers are back with - Big Box Mart [WalMart]
JibJab.com
The JibJab Bros. do it again with their new Big Box Mart taking a jab at WalMart - and the like, the trade deficit, consumers...
See WalMart shoppers - through a long, sad, but accurate, chain of events - become WalMart employees.
All done to music, in the JibJab style.
The JibJab Bros. do it again with their new Big Box Mart taking a jab at WalMart - and the like, the trade deficit, consumers...
See WalMart shoppers - through a long, sad, but accurate, chain of events - become WalMart employees.
All done to music, in the JibJab style.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
White Sox get a tainted win
SI.com - MLB - 2005 Postseason - White Sox even ALCS on controversial call - Thursday October 13, 2005 2:54AM
[First, about my POV. I live in Orange County, CA and have Angels pennants hanging in two of my apartment windows as I speak. But, I'm from the Chicago area and was a full-on White Sox fan as a child. So, while I was only too glad to see the wretched Yankees go down, my loyalties are a little more blurred this time around, as my old hometown team plays my "new" hometown team. So it doesn't matter as much to me who wins this series, not as much as it did to whupping those stuck-on-themselves damn Yankees.]
Okay, I agree with Angels Manager Mike S (excuse me while I don't even try to spell his last name) that if the Angels had played better last night that bizarre umpire call wouldn't have mattered. And I do believe that rookie Angels catcher Josh Paul didn't handle that play in the best manner possible. But, even so - what the heck was that? More than anything, IMHO: a case of umpire error. I am certainly not alone in that opinion.
Now, if the Angels go on to win the playoffs, it won't matter.
If the Sox go on to win the playoffs, it'll matter more.
If the Sox go on to win the playoffs, but lose the World Series, then it'll matter a little less.
However, if the Sox go on to win the World Series, then it will matter (in a baseball kind of way) hugely and will go down in Baseball History. Or, should I say, Infamy?
Yes, it will be interesting to see how the Angels fans (a huge, enthusiastic bunch) will response to the Sox as they take the field tomorrow in Anaheim.
[First, about my POV. I live in Orange County, CA and have Angels pennants hanging in two of my apartment windows as I speak. But, I'm from the Chicago area and was a full-on White Sox fan as a child. So, while I was only too glad to see the wretched Yankees go down, my loyalties are a little more blurred this time around, as my old hometown team plays my "new" hometown team. So it doesn't matter as much to me who wins this series, not as much as it did to whupping those stuck-on-themselves damn Yankees.]
Okay, I agree with Angels Manager Mike S (excuse me while I don't even try to spell his last name) that if the Angels had played better last night that bizarre umpire call wouldn't have mattered. And I do believe that rookie Angels catcher Josh Paul didn't handle that play in the best manner possible. But, even so - what the heck was that? More than anything, IMHO: a case of umpire error. I am certainly not alone in that opinion.
Now, if the Angels go on to win the playoffs, it won't matter.
If the Sox go on to win the playoffs, it'll matter more.
If the Sox go on to win the playoffs, but lose the World Series, then it'll matter a little less.
However, if the Sox go on to win the World Series, then it will matter (in a baseball kind of way) hugely and will go down in Baseball History. Or, should I say, Infamy?
Yes, it will be interesting to see how the Angels fans (a huge, enthusiastic bunch) will response to the Sox as they take the field tomorrow in Anaheim.
US ignored forecasts of Iraqi ethnic turmoil-CIA
US ignored forecasts of Iraqi ethnic turmoil-CIA - Yahoo! News
Hmmm, I thought the Administration merely disregarded it. I didn't realize it was a matter of paying "scant attention." A shrugged off "whatever..."?
So, why didn't they consider this Iraqi turmoil? Jeez, even I did. Our Government is supposed to be smart - we elect them to do that - so what's the deal?
Hmmm, I thought the Administration merely disregarded it. I didn't realize it was a matter of paying "scant attention." A shrugged off "whatever..."?
So, why didn't they consider this Iraqi turmoil? Jeez, even I did. Our Government is supposed to be smart - we elect them to do that - so what's the deal?
Monday, October 10, 2005
CNN.com - Aid agencies working in the quake zone/Earthquakes
CNN.com - Aid agencies working in the quake zone - Oct 10, 2005
Help is needed now. ASAP. Needed badly. Please do help.
Some thoughts on the Pakistan earthquake...
Thought #1:
Isn't there some way Third World countries can build their buildings "quake-proof"? Isn't there some way it can be done effectively, while at the same time affordably? Seems there should be if people would just put on their thinking caps about it.
Note that the U.S. and Japan have 6- and 7-magnitude quakes often - and what kind of death tolls do we have? I can't remember over a hundred victims for a quake here in Calif. There's usually a couple of deaths because the quake scares the people to death (aka heart attacks). The few buildings which do fall apart are usually old ones that were not yet retrofitted. We know better than to build our buildings with brick or stone, as so many buildings Back East can get away with. Loosely-built woodframe is what most residences are here. Buildings with a lot of give, that can sway and creak and rattle - without falling apart. Not as weather-proof as Back East, but considering the climate here and the quake factor, that's okay.
Bottom line: why can't a way be found for quake-proof buildings for, as the Spanish say, todo el mundo? For everybody - for all the world. Why not?!
Thought #2:
There must be Muslims interpreting this awful earthquake as Allah's Will. Interesting implications to this.
Along that line, isn't (wasn't) Bin Laden living in some cave in this area? I wonder how he is.
Consider the implications if Bin Laden happend to be killed in this earthquake. (Also, see "Allah's Will" mentioned above.)
Thought #3:
Closely related to Thought #2.
If we were extremely generous and helpful to these Pakistan area quake survivors, wouldn't it be awfully hard for Al Qaeda and the other jihadists to consider us the "Spawn of Satan." How could they keep declaring us Evil when we do so much Good for them in their time of need? (Factor in also how helpful we were to the Muslims in the tsunami.) Being good to them weakens their arguments of how evil we are. Not to sound too evangelical, but wasn't this Jesus' teaching and M.O.? Guess what - maybe he was right, maybe it really works! What a concept.
Thoughts done, except for, let's just help out these Pakistan area quake survivors, anyway. Regardless of any of the above, just because they're our fellow human beings, our neighbors on this Planet.
Help is needed now. ASAP. Needed badly. Please do help.
Some thoughts on the Pakistan earthquake...
Thought #1:
Isn't there some way Third World countries can build their buildings "quake-proof"? Isn't there some way it can be done effectively, while at the same time affordably? Seems there should be if people would just put on their thinking caps about it.
Note that the U.S. and Japan have 6- and 7-magnitude quakes often - and what kind of death tolls do we have? I can't remember over a hundred victims for a quake here in Calif. There's usually a couple of deaths because the quake scares the people to death (aka heart attacks). The few buildings which do fall apart are usually old ones that were not yet retrofitted. We know better than to build our buildings with brick or stone, as so many buildings Back East can get away with. Loosely-built woodframe is what most residences are here. Buildings with a lot of give, that can sway and creak and rattle - without falling apart. Not as weather-proof as Back East, but considering the climate here and the quake factor, that's okay.
Bottom line: why can't a way be found for quake-proof buildings for, as the Spanish say, todo el mundo? For everybody - for all the world. Why not?!
Thought #2:
There must be Muslims interpreting this awful earthquake as Allah's Will. Interesting implications to this.
Along that line, isn't (wasn't) Bin Laden living in some cave in this area? I wonder how he is.
Consider the implications if Bin Laden happend to be killed in this earthquake. (Also, see "Allah's Will" mentioned above.)
Thought #3:
Closely related to Thought #2.
If we were extremely generous and helpful to these Pakistan area quake survivors, wouldn't it be awfully hard for Al Qaeda and the other jihadists to consider us the "Spawn of Satan." How could they keep declaring us Evil when we do so much Good for them in their time of need? (Factor in also how helpful we were to the Muslims in the tsunami.) Being good to them weakens their arguments of how evil we are. Not to sound too evangelical, but wasn't this Jesus' teaching and M.O.? Guess what - maybe he was right, maybe it really works! What a concept.
Thoughts done, except for, let's just help out these Pakistan area quake survivors, anyway. Regardless of any of the above, just because they're our fellow human beings, our neighbors on this Planet.
Friday, October 07, 2005
CNN.com - Pentagon: Bin Laden deputy complains about money, Iraq tactics
CNN.com - Pentagon: Bin Laden deputy complains about money, Iraq tactics - Oct 7, 2005
In all fairness.
An interesting article. Quoting:
"The lengthy communication was said to detail the strategy of Muslim extremists to push the United States out of Iraq and establish an Islamic state that could expand its form of governance to neighboring countries, Whitman said."
Theocracy wouldn't surprise me one bit, as Iraq appears to be moving in that direction on its own.
There's a big difference between Islamic theocracy and the extremist, militant theocracy of Al Qaeda, however. (Not that either is to be desired, in my American opinion.)
According to al-Zawahiri, the writer of this letter...
"...the suicide bombings of Muslim civilians, may risk alienating the "Muslim masses"..."
Well, duh.
It's good to hear that al-Zawahiri and the Al Qaeda are feeling bummed and blue these days, as well as broke. I wish them more of the same!
Note that extremism and evil loses out, eventually. The rub is the "eventually."
In all fairness.
An interesting article. Quoting:
"The lengthy communication was said to detail the strategy of Muslim extremists to push the United States out of Iraq and establish an Islamic state that could expand its form of governance to neighboring countries, Whitman said."
Theocracy wouldn't surprise me one bit, as Iraq appears to be moving in that direction on its own.
There's a big difference between Islamic theocracy and the extremist, militant theocracy of Al Qaeda, however. (Not that either is to be desired, in my American opinion.)
According to al-Zawahiri, the writer of this letter...
"...the suicide bombings of Muslim civilians, may risk alienating the "Muslim masses"..."
Well, duh.
It's good to hear that al-Zawahiri and the Al Qaeda are feeling bummed and blue these days, as well as broke. I wish them more of the same!
Note that extremism and evil loses out, eventually. The rub is the "eventually."
Donning Clerical Collar, Danforth Slams GOP's Religious Rhetoric -- Beliefnet.com
Donning Clerical Collar, Danforth Slams GOP's Religious Rhetoric -- Beliefnet.com
And Danforth's a Republican as well as an ordained Episcopal priest, in addition to being a former senator and UN ambassador.
This could also be considered related to that business of "Holy War", God speaking to GWB, defining Christianity, etc. I posted earlier.
Quoting the article and Danforth:
"Right there in the midst of all the partisanship, in the midst of all the nastiness, right there with their wedge issues and litmus tests and extreme rhetoric, right there as the most divisive force in American life, are my fellow Christians."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In framing his central question -- "Is religion essentially divisive or uniting?" -- Danforth said his goal is to generate response and stir an overdue national discussion. When asked what's at stake, Danforth answered: "One of the biggest issues of our time is the role of religion in creating divisiveness to the point of bloodshed. And so what's the future?" (the emphasis is mine)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If they [people of faith] believe that the purpose of religion is to hold us together, then the second step is to then think of what we're doing now that works in the other direction, and what we can do to create a sense of greater inclusiveness and tolerance," said Danforth."
And Danforth's a Republican as well as an ordained Episcopal priest, in addition to being a former senator and UN ambassador.
This could also be considered related to that business of "Holy War", God speaking to GWB, defining Christianity, etc. I posted earlier.
Quoting the article and Danforth:
"Right there in the midst of all the partisanship, in the midst of all the nastiness, right there with their wedge issues and litmus tests and extreme rhetoric, right there as the most divisive force in American life, are my fellow Christians."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In framing his central question -- "Is religion essentially divisive or uniting?" -- Danforth said his goal is to generate response and stir an overdue national discussion. When asked what's at stake, Danforth answered: "One of the biggest issues of our time is the role of religion in creating divisiveness to the point of bloodshed. And so what's the future?" (the emphasis is mine)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If they [people of faith] believe that the purpose of religion is to hold us together, then the second step is to then think of what we're doing now that works in the other direction, and what we can do to create a sense of greater inclusiveness and tolerance," said Danforth."
BBC NEWS | Americas | White House denies Bush God claim
BBC NEWS | Americas | White House denies Bush God claim
Very interesting news video here from the BBC with the producer of the series in question being interviewed. Video clips are also shown of the actual controversial statements.
I am much more convinced now that GWB actually did say these things.
Note that the BBC in this article uses the term "Holy War." Food for thought: The Al Qaeda and their gang already consider themselves fighting a Holy War against us. Could it be possible that GWB is fighting something of a Holy War against them?
Weren't The Crusades over many centuries ago? (And, thank God.)
Regardless, I don't see GWB as representing Christianity. Certainly not what Jesus talks about in the Gospels. I certainly, as a Christian, don't want to be lumped into GWB's brand of Christianity!
Further food for thought: Consider the separation of Church and State. Does this fit into this??
Very interesting news video here from the BBC with the producer of the series in question being interviewed. Video clips are also shown of the actual controversial statements.
I am much more convinced now that GWB actually did say these things.
Note that the BBC in this article uses the term "Holy War." Food for thought: The Al Qaeda and their gang already consider themselves fighting a Holy War against us. Could it be possible that GWB is fighting something of a Holy War against them?
Weren't The Crusades over many centuries ago? (And, thank God.)
Regardless, I don't see GWB as representing Christianity. Certainly not what Jesus talks about in the Gospels. I certainly, as a Christian, don't want to be lumped into GWB's brand of Christianity!
Further food for thought: Consider the separation of Church and State. Does this fit into this??
White House denies Bush claimed divine inspiration [Man on a Mission - from God?]
White House denies Bush claimed divine inspiration - Yahoo! News
For the other side of the story, from White House spokesman, Scott McClellean.
I remain unconvinced, this rebuttal sounds like damage control.
See the photo in the article. Is this GWB listening for God's instructions?
From the article:
"Shaath, now the Palestinian information minister, said: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I'm driven with a mission from God'."
I'm reminded of the Blues Brothers movie. Dan Ackroyd, one of the Brothers, kept saying, with a straight face: "We are on a mission from God."
We thought it was funny then, because it sounded so overblown and incongruous.
To hear it from U.S. President George W. Bush, Leader of the Free World, is just plain creepy. Scary.
Who is GWB to be such an expert at interpreting God's will, anyway? God's will for the United States and for all of the World?
No, it's all just creepy.
I'll be looking for this BBC series to check this out for myself.
For the other side of the story, from White House spokesman, Scott McClellean.
I remain unconvinced, this rebuttal sounds like damage control.
See the photo in the article. Is this GWB listening for God's instructions?
From the article:
"Shaath, now the Palestinian information minister, said: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I'm driven with a mission from God'."
I'm reminded of the Blues Brothers movie. Dan Ackroyd, one of the Brothers, kept saying, with a straight face: "We are on a mission from God."
We thought it was funny then, because it sounded so overblown and incongruous.
To hear it from U.S. President George W. Bush, Leader of the Free World, is just plain creepy. Scary.
Who is GWB to be such an expert at interpreting God's will, anyway? God's will for the United States and for all of the World?
No, it's all just creepy.
I'll be looking for this BBC series to check this out for myself.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Norm Ornstein: What's Next? - Yahoo! News
Norm Ornstein: What's Next? - Yahoo! News
Well, here it is, already...
From the blog above:
"In a move that stunned the international financial community, President George W. Bush today announced that Stanley A. Weinberg was his choice to replace Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Weinberg is Mr. Bush's longtime personal financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. "He's like a member of the family," Bush said."
Well, here it is, already...
From the blog above:
"In a move that stunned the international financial community, President George W. Bush today announced that Stanley A. Weinberg was his choice to replace Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Weinberg is Mr. Bush's longtime personal financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. "He's like a member of the family," Bush said."
Bush claimed God told him to invade Iraq, Afghanistan: BBC - Yahoo! News
Bush claimed God told him to invade Iraq, Afghanistan: BBC - Yahoo! News
All I can say is.... "Whaaaa....?!"
GWB is starting to scare me.
What does he think God is going to tell him to do next?!
All I can say is.... "Whaaaa....?!"
GWB is starting to scare me.
What does he think God is going to tell him to do next?!
Bush: Militants Seek to Establish Empire
Bush: Militants Seek to Establish Empire - Yahoo! News
Quoting Bush from this article:
"The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in the war against humanity. And we must recognize Iraq as the central front in our war on terror," he said.
That doesn't really make sense, IMHO. Guess Bush is running out of excuses for the American presence in Iraq.
Quoting Bush from this article:
"The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in the war against humanity. And we must recognize Iraq as the central front in our war on terror," he said.
That doesn't really make sense, IMHO. Guess Bush is running out of excuses for the American presence in Iraq.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Marine investigated over stolen White House papers
Marine investigated over stolen White House papers - Yahoo! News
Well, this is something new and disturbing.
Well, this is something new and disturbing.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight
Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight - Yahoo! News
At first I wasn't sure I was reading this right.
Would this be about using military weapons instead of vaccines to kill flu viruses?!Huh?
Then I started reading the article. "[GWB]...suggested dispatching American troops to enforce quarantines in any areas with outbreaks of the killer virus." Whaa...?
Rumors have it that GWB has been hitting the bottle again. Well, first, there's the Supreme Court judge nomination of his personal lawyer (another one of his buddies?)who has never been a judge. Then, there's this. All in only two days.
At first I wasn't sure I was reading this right.
Would this be about using military weapons instead of vaccines to kill flu viruses?!Huh?
Then I started reading the article. "[GWB]...suggested dispatching American troops to enforce quarantines in any areas with outbreaks of the killer virus." Whaa...?
Rumors have it that GWB has been hitting the bottle again. Well, first, there's the Supreme Court judge nomination of his personal lawyer (another one of his buddies?)who has never been a judge. Then, there's this. All in only two days.
Monday, October 03, 2005
SI.com - John Donovan: Yankees-Angels ALDS preview
SI.com - Writers - John Donovan: Yankees-Angels ALDS preview - Monday October 3, 2005 4:37PM
Looking forward to this game tomorrow. Go Halos!
(It's always fun to see the Yankees' butts kicked, anyway...)
Looking forward to this game tomorrow. Go Halos!
(It's always fun to see the Yankees' butts kicked, anyway...)
Saturday, October 01, 2005
L.A. Could Use Breath of Fresh Air - Los Angeles Times
L.A. Could Use Breath of Fresh Air - Los Angeles Times
More on dealing with the poor air quality related to the fires. Also fire updates.
Our firefighters, once again, have done an amazing job of saving life and property.
More on dealing with the poor air quality related to the fires. Also fire updates.
Our firefighters, once again, have done an amazing job of saving life and property.
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