My Least Favorite Commercial"I'm Dr. Greg Cynaumon and no offense to casual dieters, but if you only want to lose 5-10 lbs., then Cortislim is not for you...."
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. I hate that commercial. I see it every freakin' day.
lj | Sunday, February 29, 2004
|
|
You Know It's a Bad Church Meeting When...17. The church loudmouth rises to his feet and announces
dramatically, "I can no longer remain silent.."
16. Mike Wallace and the 60 Minutes crew are there to film it.
15. Your picture ends up on a milk cartoon.
14. People arrive at the meeting, clutching copies of books about
"spiritual abuse."
13. The church constitution suddenly becomes revered as the most
important legal document since the Magna Carta.
12. The little blue-haired lady who's in charge of the nursery pounds
the lectern with her shoe and screams, "We will bury you!"
11. The next day your spouse books a one-way flight to South America
and doesn't invite you to come along.
10. Your neighbors hear about the meeting on their police scanners.
9. A loyal supporter presses a can of Mace into your hands.
8. Another loyal supporter presses a moving company business card
into your hands.
7. Another loyal supporter presses Jack Kevorkian's business card
into your hands.
6. You're asked to try on a pair of bloody gloves.
5. People begin referring to you as "our former pastor."
4. Jim Bakker shows up to speak on your behalf.
3. The Deacons invite several off-duty deputies to supply security,
"Just in case."
2. Someone parks a U-Haul truck in your driveway a few hours before
the a "Special Called" business meeting.
And the Number one sign It's going to be a bad church meeting......
1. You arrive just before the business meeting to find a sign guy
using paint remover to take your name off the church bus.
lj | Saturday, February 28, 2004
|
|
Late Night LinersThe Donald Trump show, "The Apprentice," is a big hit. Tomorrow night's show is especially good. Instead of getting fired, the losing contestant is outsourced to India.
The owner of the Lakers, Jerry Buss, said this weekend that he expects Kobe Bryant to be a "Laker for life." Unless he gets life.
I'm on the new Ralph Nader exercise program. It's not too strenuous. I only have to run every four years. ~Jay Leno
lj | Friday, February 27, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stonesephemera (i fem' er eh) -
1. Transitory or short lived things.
*See also Rosie O'donnell's marriage
lj | Friday, February 27, 2004
|
|
'Passion' Nails $26.6 Million on First DayPerhaps Ash Wednesday should be renamed Fat Wednesday.
Fueled by an unprecedented media frenzy and religious fervor, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ has delivered on the hype.
Playing on 4,643 screens at 3,006 theaters, the $30 million production took in a whopping $26,556,573 on Wednesday – ironically prompting most in the industry to use the Lord's name in vain out of sheer amazement.
In the process, The Passion burned onto the record books, notching the biggest opening day for a movie released outside the summer (May-August) and holiday (November-December) seasons. Hannibal was the previous title holder with $19.8 million posted in February 2001. Even if one subtracts the $3 million from private church group screenings on Monday and Tuesday that were folded in to the Wednesday gross, The Passion is still comfortably on top.
Among all opening days, The Passion land at No. 9, but it reached No. 3 among all Wednesday bows, behind only The Return of the King's $34.5 million and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace's $28.5 million and ahead of The Two Towers's $26.2 million and The Matrix Revolutions' $24.3 million.
The Passion ultimately followed a similar pattern to Return of the King.
In just one day, The Passion has become the highest-grossing Christian-themed movie of recent memory. It's a genre that's been ghettoized as a niche market up until now – former champ Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie grossed a modest $25.6 million in its entire run.
lj | Thursday, February 26, 2004
|
|
Bible Club Denied School DisplayPORTLAND, Ore. — The Hispanic Club, the Chess Club and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance are just some of the clubs that have displays in the hallways of Portland schools.
But after the Bible Club at Marshall High School put a Bible and some other Christian books in a display case, some teachers complained to the principal. After a call to the district's lawyer, the display was taken down.
District officials said they felt the display gave the impression that the school was endorsing Christianity.
Sometimes it's better for me just to not say anything, so I won't.
lj | Thursday, February 26, 2004
|
|
10 Reasons Why The Passion of the Christ does NOT promote anti-Semitism :1] Respected Jewish authorities who are not part of the ADL have pointed out the hypocrisy of the ADL’s position.
2] Respected Christian leaders like Billy Graham, James Dobson, Charles Colson, Cardinal Francis George and many, many more who are supportive of the Jewish people are unanimous in their praise of the film.
3] The involvement of the Jewish Pharisees in the plot to have Jesus killed is a biblical fact.
4] This biblical fact is verified by the Jewish Talmudic writings as pointed out by noted Jewish author and historian David Klinghofer.
5] Showing the involvement of Jews in a first century event should have no bearing on treatment of Jews in the 21st century.
6] People seeing this film will not be motivated to hate the Jews since Jesus, while on the cross, said "forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
7] In one of the flashbacks of the film, Mel Gibson shows Jesus teaching his followers to love their enemies.
8] The blame for the death of Jesus is not placed on the Jews alone. In fact, Gibson skillfully shows the involvement of Satan, Judas, Peter, the Romans, God the Father, and you and me and the sins of the whole world.
9] The film shows that no one took Jesus' life from Him, but He freely gave it up for you and me and the whole world, including His chosen people, the Jews.
10] This movie does not inspire hatred, but love, appreciation and thankfulness.
The Underlying Reason Why They May Not Leave This Accusation Alone
Though the overt criticism of the film is potential anti-Semitism, a close inspection points out that the criticism is more a liberal agenda than a Jewish agenda. Recent articles make it clear that the ADL are proponents of a pro-choice position, in favor of gay marriage, and want to preserve religious pluralism. By religious pluralism they do not mean the ability to co-exist, but that all religions are basically equal and no religion should be able to make claims of absolute truth. These are not Jewish positions but liberal positions.
The bottom line is that critics of the film are critical of the claim that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God. The Passion of the Christ clearly claims that Jesus is Lord. The film should not be censored for that belief.
lj | Thursday, February 26, 2004
|
|
Late Night LinersChina has announced plans to open a Disneyland in Hong Kong. The bad news is that they’ve already eaten Goofy.~ConanHave you heard about the Ralph Nader scandal? When Ralph Nader was young he might have sped through a yellow light! ~Kilborn
lj | Thursday, February 26, 2004
|
|
France Calls for Troops to Haiti ViolencePARIS (AP) - French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on Wednesday called for the "immediate" dispatch of an international civilian force to restore order in Haiti, where a rebellion threatens to topple President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Why don't they just send their own army? Oh, that's right. They don't have one. We should block them every step of the way. Let them know what it feels like. No one knows who the good guys are in Haiti and I hope we don't get involved.
lj | Thursday, February 26, 2004
|
|
The Passion of the Christ - First Impressions Review Okay, finally, I can post intelligently about this movie since I have just returned from seeing it. I tried to keep all the things I have heard and read about this movie in mind as I watched it. Here is what I think.
1. The Anti-Semitism -
This is the dumbest argument I have ever heard of. Everyone who uses it either hasn't seen the movie or already has preconceived notions about God or the Bible. Saying this movie is anti-semitic is like saying the Civil War was anti-american. Americans fought Americans in that war so why demonize all Americans? The whole story involved Jews you big dummies. What do you want, a politically correct story with every nationality and race represented? The high priest was jewish, Jesus was jewish, His disciples were jewish, simon of cyrene was jewish and everyone who witnessed, much to their horror, was jewish. The Romans simply held an outpost so their presence was military as far as I understand. I actually walked away more angry at the Romans for how their soldiers treated Jesus. The suffering was unrelenting.
2. The Violence -
Already, the news is interviewing, even as I write, little kids on what they thought of it. What do you think they are going to say? It is a scary thing to watch, for anyone, even me. You will see a detailed whipping, with the cat-o-nine tails which will rip flesh. You'll see numerous whippings and beatings, mocking, the crown of thorns platted on His head and you will visibly see the nails being driven into His hands and feet. Also, His side is pierced.
So, is it violent? You better believe it. But when the Bible says, "He died for our sins," what do you think that entails? I've heard people say it's an execution movie, likening the cross to the electric chair. That completely misses the point of why Christ died. The cross is more than a symbol of an execution. Jesus said He laid His life down voluntarily. So the question of who killed Christ is moot. That is if you believe in Him.
3. The reviews -
So why the mixed reviews? Is it because of the movie or because of what you think about God? After seeing the movie, I can honestly say that I think the bad reviews are based on anti-Christian movies.
"It's a myth," "Too much violence," "Not historically accurate"; My question to those critics is this: Where have you been? These are the same people that are hailing Cold Mountain as the best movie of the year. Isn't it a myth? Isn't there a lot of violence in it? Is it historically accurate? In short, those who give this movie bad reviews already have something to get off their chest about religion and they can't see their hypocrisy because of their hate for Christ and His followers. Braveheart wins awards when it chops off heads but the Passion is criticized because of blood. Funny isn't it? It always comes back to the blood.
My advice to you is if you are a Christian and you see this film with someone whom you care for and hope it changes their life, don't press right away. I came out and everyone is like, "So what did you think? Did you like it?" And I felt annoyed. Do you do that in church during an invitation? Whatever God was doing in my heart was immediately squelched by incessant questions. Give someone time to process what they've experienced and let the Spirit work. I'm glad I realized that so that when I take the youth on Friday, I know how to approach what to do afterwards.
So if I had to put the movie in one word what would it be? I can't. It's impossible. At first I thought, speechless but that doesn't do it. Then I thought wonderful but it's not a strong enough word. Moving, yes, but not quite. Emotionally draining, yes, but still not it. Painful? definitely, but still not there.
Thankful. Yeah, that's it.
lj | Wednesday, February 25, 2004
|
|
Passionate Signs of Ticket Sales After over a year of unprecedented attacks, Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" is showing all of the signs of a blockbuster.
Even though the normal studio distribution doors were closed to Gibson, the film will appear in close to 3,000 U.S. theaters, putting the foreign-language movie in the same category as a major Hollywood release.
Independent distributor Newmarket Films has increased the number of prints of the film to more than 4,000, as advance ticket sales sell at a phenomenal pace.
Online ticket service Fandango has indicated that "The Passion of the Christ" has become its second-biggest film in advance sales, just behind "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
The Left Coast Report hears that a sign on a theater marquee somewhere in one of the "red" states reads "There's a new Lord in town."
lj | Wednesday, February 25, 2004
|
|
Now we know why he looks FrenchKerry Family Ties Trace Back to France
Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were both famously proud of their Irish roots. But given the circumstances of the run-up to the U.S. war in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry may not be touting his family ties, which trace back to a small town in France.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
This Day in History1803 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled itself to be the final interpreter of all constitutional issues.
Hmmm....
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Bush Backs Amendment Banning Gay MarriageWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush called on Congress on Tuesday to approve a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage as he leaped into a divisive issue that could bolster his support among conservatives in the November election.
The decision was immediately condemned by gay rights groups and many Democrats. Even some Republicans cast doubt on the move, which would likely take years to bring to fruition.
* As a die hard conservative, even I have to be subjective about this one. The way I see it, this is about as effective as the Emancipation Proclamation was in freeing slaves only that resided in the South. And it is just as political. You'll find, if you look, that the Emancipation Proc. was a completely political move as it only freed slaves in the South. Yes, slavery was still legal in the North. It wasn't until the passing of the 13th amendment that slavery was abolished. It was completely ratified in December of 1865, when the war was over. Why not do it before the war if the war was supposedly fought over slavery? Don't get me started.
Back to the story at hand. I don't personally believe homosexuals should be lumped into the same category as slaves in respect to civil rights. I know they like to use that argument, but it doesn't wash (sorry dan). The simple reason is because I don't think it is inherited or something you're born with. I know that goes against a lot of people but such is life. Not to mention the fact that a homosexual cannot complain about being sold on the market or having to work in the fields all day or being whipped. And that God is completely opposed to it.
So why is this move political for George Bush?
1. It forces Kerry and Edwards' hand on the issue. He knows it makes them have to come up with an answer since it is in the news and they will be asked about it. Bush also knows that democrats in general will not be happy with their answers.
2. It brings back some of the Republicans that are farther right and that have begun to stray.
But let's not get too excited, on either side. Passing a constitutional amendment is a difficult undertaking. For the amendment to be adopted, it requires ratification by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and the approval of the legislatures of 38 states.
However, it is rumored that members of both parties in Congress are prepared to back the amendment, and since 34 states have already adopted ''defense of marriage'' laws which define marriage as the union of one man and one woman and refuse to recognize same-sex unions performed in other states, it may not be so political after all.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Kerry's Vietnam service deserves a lookThe Democrats have been making much hay over President Bush's time in the National Guard. However, John Kerry's Vietnam service has been taken for granted.
In only four months in Vietnam, Mr. Kerry won a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. That is some record. Better than Audie Murphy, Sgt. York or even Hollywood's Rambo. Yet something here does not compute.
In action, any combat vet will say there are few minor wounds. Yet Mr. Kerry took three of them in 16 weeks and had little down time. Upon the third award, he used them to earn a trip home eight months before his tour ended. This is closely followed by his early out from the Navy to run for Congress.
Mr. Kerry, in winning his Silver Star, is said to have come under fire from a Viet Cong rocket-propelled grenade and his Swift Boat crew wounded the VC gunner with .50-cal. machine-gun fire. Mr. Kerry then beached his boat, chased down the wounded enemy and returned victorious with the VC's rocket-propelled grenade. Again, any Swift Boat combat vet would say if, under fire from RPGs, you get out of range and return fire. And any wound from a .50 caliber is generally very serious if not fatal.
John Kerry may be a real hero, but these things bother me. They are not explained while questions swirl and swirl over President Bush's Guard service. Where is the unbiased fair and balance of journalism in this?
Some checking may find Mr. Kerry's heroics are as true as the Democrats' boasting of Max Cleland's "battlefield" wounds. Mr. Cleland lost three limbs to a grenade accident, not enemy fire.
Danny Lee, Corsicana, Texas* I'm not sure how you approach this argument though. How do you question someone's service during a war? Democrats have found the political loophole for such an argument. Anyone who served in some sort of home guard while not seeing any active duty in a foreign war is fair game, so they think. But I think the above article is right to question his service. After all, as they say in the courtroom, "you opened the door..."
And there is no doubt that Kerry has touted his medals as a reason why he can serve as president. If it turns out those medals were somehow gained dishonestly, he's toast.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Father spanks his daughter in front of high school classAccording to school officials, the girl had disrupted her biology class Feb. 11, leading first-year assistant principal Greg DePue to notify her father when he was at school the next day addressing a situation with another child.
DePue said the father responded: " 'You know what? There won't be a problem in today's class because I'm going to be in there.' "
Later that day, DePue took the parents to their daughter's class. The teacher stepped out to speak with them, while DePue watched the class. After a minute and a half, DePue said, the father entered the classroom, called his daughter to the front and told her he would not have her disrupting class.
He then told the girl to turn around, and spanked her on her bottom.
"It was so fast," DePue said. "It just happened."
DePue said he immediately went to the office with the parents, and their daughter waited in a separate office while police were called.
*And you thought it was embarassing to be dropped off at school in that old clunker of a car? Imagine getting spanked as a high school student no less.
I'm a firm believer in the rod of correction. I believe it's biblical. I don't see it as abuse as long as it doesn't cross the line into violence. You don't correct your children, spanking or not, out of anger. But I don't think these parents were thinking about what their child will have to deal with at school because of this incident. I feel sorry for her.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
The real message of Mel's movieThere has been a lot being said and written about the upcoming Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ" in recent days, and a good bit of it has centered on whether the movie is anti-Semitic. The arguments seem to revolve around the portrayal of the Jews and the Romans, and exactly who was responsible for the crucifixion. If people would only take the time to read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and death they would understand the placing blame for his death is not an issue. Jesus was born of a woman and took the form of man for one express purpose, to die for our sins. It is arrogant for mankind to think that any group of people was directly responsible for his death because it was pre-ordained by God.
Was the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem involved in the drama? Yes, as were the Roman authorities. Each had their part to play and each did it well. I watched an NBC special the other night where expert went back and force debating who was responsible and how one event was not in keeping with Jewish law and another was uncharacteristic of Roman rulers of the time, but no one made any reference to the divinity of Christ and the purpose of his life. No one can understand the importance of this event and those leading up to it, if they are not willing to accept the fact that Jesus was God made man, fulfilling a pre-destined role. For years in this country there has been a very successful movement aimed at removing religion in general and Christianity in particular from public life, possibly the discussion about man and his relationship to God that Mr. Gibson's movie is creating will help combat that trend. Hopefully more and more people will come to understand that the message of the movie is not one of blame, but one of the extreme love God has for his creation and the sacrifice made to show that love. If that comes to pass then it will truly be the greatest story ever told.
Amen.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Late Night LinersYou know why University of Colorado football players go into a huddle? To get their stories straight.
George Foreman boxing again. Is that a good idea? Do we want to see more exposed breasts at a sporting match? ~Leno
I think President Bush is starting to get worried about John Kerry. He is now calling for a ban on same-sex debates.
~Kilborn
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
6th-grade boy suspended for bringing in swimsuit editionThe annual swimsuit edition published by Sports Illustrated has resulted in the suspension of a sixth-grade boy who brought the popular magazine to school with him.
12-year-old Justin Reyes of Belpre, Ohio, had his copy confiscated by a teacher before being issued a three-day punishment, according to Pittsburgh television station WPXI.
"You saw bad stuff on the super bowl half-time show," Justin told the station. "You could see more on that than in [the magazine]."
Belpre School District officials say sexually suggestive material is not allowed on campus.
Except of course in the library and in the computer lounge. Oh and maybe in some in class movies. But other than that.....
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Barry Farber: How to Spot a Liberal: Newsmax.com Radio legend Barry Farber, master of ceremonies at NewsMax's lecture by Dick Morris, had the crowd roaring Thursday night in Palm Beach.
Farber demonstrated again why we love him so much: He's a strong voice for conservative values but always remains civil and courtly as he pokes fun at the left in a way that could make even John Kerry and Terry McAuliffe laugh.
Among the gems he revealed Thursday: A liberal is someone who tours a sewer in a glass-bottom boat.
A liberal is someone who thinks a goat is a sheep with a deprived childhood.
I think we ought to keep liberals around for "research and breeding purposes."
I'm proud to be paying taxes in America. I'd be just as proud to pay half as much.
lj | Tuesday, February 24, 2004
|
|
Ebert and Roeper give "The Passion" two thumbs upMel Gibson's $25 million movie depiction of the death of Christ is "masterful" and "deeply moving," say TV movie critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper, the first prominent reviewers to comment on the film.
Ebert said he was "deeply moved" by "The Passion of the Christ," and added: "It's a very great film."
"This is the most powerful, important and by far the most graphic interpretation of Christ's final hours ever put on film," Roeper gushed in a press release about the duo's exclusive review, which airs today. The movie opens on Wednesday.
The popular reviewing duo also said the film is not anti-Semitic.
* I'm sure it will get it's share of bad reviews, simply because of the content, but I'm surprised at this review.
Thanks to
Robert Prather
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
New Feature: Media Line MondayI'm starting a new feature here on the blog. Since I'm a general media freak (movies, music and tv) I figured I would quote some memorable lines every week. Your suggestions are welcome. I will start with a classic movie, one of my favorites.
"What's her last name?"
"You know, I don't really recall. Uh, it starts with "S". Let's see. Swammi? Slippy? Slappy? Swenson? Swanson?"
"Maybe it's on the briefcase."
"Oh, yeah!"
"Here it is! "Samsonite"! I was way off! I knew it started with an "S" though."
Know what it's from?
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stonessimony - (si' me nee)
* Simon the sorcerer offered to pay the Apostle Peter to teach him the wondrous cures he had seen Peter perform, not understanding that his feats were miracles rather than magic tricks. From Simon's name comes the term "simony."
1. The sin of buying and selling ecclesiastical preferments.
* See also
marketing for the Passion
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
On Being Called to the Ministry: But which one?
When I was first thinking of moving from my first church, my dad tried to convince me that I was ready to be a Pastor. I have thought about that many times and wondered if in fact I was correct in telling him no. I think I was. I am not only called to THE ministry, I am called to YOUTH ministry. Now that I am at a church where I can actually begin to accomplish what God has laid out for me, I am enjoying it.
That's right, I said I was enjoying it. Imagine that….actually enjoying the ministry. Before I had only been in the ministry for three years, but already I was beginning to get burned out. I wondered many times what it was God wanted from me and if I could even accomplish anything. It was basically three years of discouragement and failure. Three years in the valley….and I don't mean the Shenandoah.
The call to preach is something that is very hard to explain. Those who are called understand exactly what I am saying. It is as Isaiah says, "A Fire shut up in your bones." There is no better way to describe it. No matter how much you fail, how many hospital visits you make, how many problems you suppress or how many toilets you unclog, there is always, ALWAYS that desire, deep within, that wants to PREACH the WORD. It is a lot like being hungry. If you go a long time without it, you feel like you are going to burst. I will always have that burning desire because I know I am called. And I have always known that someday, God will call me to be a Pastor of a church, a Shepherd of a flock. I have not only known it, but it has always been a desire of mine.
But I have since changed my mind. I no longer know if God will call me to be a Pastor. Not that I wouldn't make a good one. I think I would. But to be real honest, I don't want to be a Pastor. I am not only content as a Youth Minister, I can't imagine not being one. If God is using me immensely in my present capacity, why should I desire to be somewhere else? If it is possible to be a 60 or 70 year old youth pastor, then I am willing to be one. If God can use me and I can still relate to them, then I look forward to it. Being young really is a state of mind. Our bodies change, but we don't change.
Where will I be in 20-30 years? Well, only God knows, but I want to be right where I am now. A youth pastor, reaching young people. Sure, there are discouraging times. Apathy, lack of discipline, disobedience, annoying phone calls, angry parents, crotchety members, and a general unwillingness to cooperate. These things can beat you down and make you want to quit. And trust me, I've considered it. At one point I think I was ready to get a job a Burger King. There aren't crotchety members there are there? As long as I don't work the breakfast shift I would be okay. But I guess I knew all along that quitting was never really an option. Not because I would have trouble saying goodbye to a few select people, but I could never abandon those that bring me joy. In the end it's really a twisted sort of thing if you think about it. It's those rough experiences that keep you there.
When you see the hurt in their eyes, your heart breaks with them.
When they have family problems, you agonize with them.
When they wonder if they are normal or cool enough, you remember how hard it was for you to fit in.
When you know they cry themselves to sleep sometimes worrying about their problems, it only brings back the same memories of yourself, and now you do the same, only for them.
When they make the same prayer request every week, you remember the burdens you used to endure.
When they fall down at the ski resort and knock over hundreds of neatly stacked skis and poles, you sympathize with their clumsiness (and capture it on video). Such a burden as this cannot be simply set aside. It is a calling, and I plan to answer it.
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
"She bangs, she bangs." Oh boy.....Who would have thought you could be famous and get a record deal by bad singing? I smell a new reality series.
http://www.williamhung.net
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
Ever wonder where those weird creatures on the Quizno commercials came from?
Here you go
lj | Monday, February 23, 2004
|
|
lj | Sunday, February 22, 2004
|
|
Am I such a bad person?Maybe I am, but I thought this was hilarious.
I give him an 8 for creativity
lj | Sunday, February 22, 2004
|
|
How to be a good Democrat:
* I didn't write this, although I wish I had. I'm unsure of the source.1. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.
2. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.
3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese & North Korean communists.
4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.
5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical, documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUVs.
6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.
7. You have to be against capital punishment but support abortion on demand.
8. You have to believe that businesses create oppression, and governments create prosperity.
9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.
10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.
11. You have to believe that the military, not corrupt politicians, start wars.
12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.
13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.
14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E.Lee, and Thomas Edison.
15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.
16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and really a very nice person.
17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.
18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and sex offender belonged in the White House.
19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.
20. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese government is somehow in the best interest of the United States.
21. You have to believe that this letter is part of a vast, right-wing conspiracy.
lj | Sunday, February 22, 2004
|
|
Schwarzenegger: Gay marriage licenses illegal(CNN) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the marriage licenses San Francisco is issuing to same-sex couples are illegal, after the city sued the state over a law banning such marriages.
"The marriage certificates submitted to the Department of Health Services by the city and county of San Francisco fail to meet legal standards," Schwarzenegger said in a statement on his Web site.
San Francisco on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the state of California, challenging the state law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman only, the city attorney's office said.
Hypocrisy In Action* Do you remember Roy Moore? The supreme court justice that challenged the law concerning a ten commandments monument? Remember the public outcries for his job? Remember the shock expressed by liberals and news media that someone would challenge the law by such an action?
Where is all that now? What makes homosexual marriage a more worthy cause? Why is this a civil rights case and the ten commandments case wasn't? The difference is that Roy Moore was making a statement, he knew the Ten Commandments would be removed. San Francisco however, is simply trying to circumvent the law. The Ten Commandments have been a main foundation of our law system, homosexual marriage has not.
The only right action in this case is the same as what happened to the Ten Commandments, complete removal. If we can't have the Ten Commandments, you can't get married. Quit trying to circumvent the law and go through the correct avenues that you claim everyone else should have to do. In short, quit being a hypocrite.
Once again, it's a court battle, and once again, our judicial system grows larger in power as the fate of our country rests in their hands. Once again, judges set the moral and social agenda for the rest of the people. I look for Samson to appear at any minute now....
lj | Friday, February 20, 2004
|
|
Court to Hear Case to Reopen Roe V. Wade DALLAS -- A federal appeals court has agreed to hear a request from the woman formerly known as "Jane Roe" to reconsider the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.
Norma McCorvey, who joined with anti-abortion activists nearly 10 years ago, is seeking to have the decision overturned, citing what she says is more than 30 years of evidence that abortions are psychologically harmful to women.
A federal district judge threw out her initial request in June, saying it was not made within a reasonable time. But the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to hear McCorvey's arguments March 2.
"It's something that I've wanted ever since Day One, and it's happening," McCorvey said from her Dallas home.
"It's important that the court hear from somebody representing the position that the district court took, which I think is clearly right," said David Schenck, a lawyer representing the professors. "At this point, the case is moot, and she's presenting at best a political question."
The Supreme Court decision came after McCorvey had her baby. The baby was the third child McCorvey put up for adoption; she was a 21-year-old carnival worker at the time.
She publicly identified herself as Jane Roe in 1980.
lj | Friday, February 20, 2004
|
|
The Passion financial predictions
Don't think me sacriligous for discussing the financial nuances of a religious movie. I think the impact this movie will have is far reaching and measured in higher things than finances. But, alas, it is my blog, and this interests me.
A few days ago I posted the top 25 grossing movies of all time. As the opening of the Passion approaches I have no clue where it will rank financially. But I'm willing to take a guess.
I mentioned 3 comparisons it will be measured against in regards to other movies. 1. Subtitled movies. 2. Religious movies and 3. All movies.
I want to add #4: Rated R movies. And that's where I will make my guess. If you go back and look at the top 25 list you will notice only ONE movie that was rated R. The Matrix Reloaded. There's a reason for that. Hollywood knows that for a movie to be a winner it has to reach everyone, not just adults. Families have to take their kids to see it to bump it higher. Case in point: Finding Nemo. Also, families have to want to take their kids AGAIN to see it. (If you have kids you know they watch a movie over and over).
That's why hollywood is constanly pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and what they can get by with. That's why PG-13 was created. That's why you can see a PG-13 movie that seems like an R movie. That's why they fight hard to cut out one little thing that can bring the rating down to PG/PG-13, so that families come together to watch it.
I don't remember a movie that has sold out so many pre-sale tickets and ended up being a flop. Can you think of one? Of course, that doesn't ensure success but for unconventional advertisement, I'd say it's a pretty good start.
So what is my prediction? I say it will rival or pass the Matrix Reloaded which ranks 21st with $281,492,479. That would make it the highest grossing rated R movie in history. Maybe that's foolish optimism. Probably, but then again, maybe it's a conservative estimate.
What's your prediction?
lj | Wednesday, February 18, 2004
|
|
The House that Bonds BuiltFeds: Trainer Admitted Giving Steroids to Baseball PlayersSAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Barry Bonds' personal trainer told federal agents he gave steroids to several baseball players, according to documents released Tuesday.
No players were identified in the documents and it was unclear whether the trainer, Greg Anderson, gave specific names to the federal agents.
Anderson was one of four men charged last week in a steroid-distribution ring that allegedly supplied athletes with banned substances. All four pleaded innocent. No athletes have been charged.
..............................
"Upon further questioning, Anderson admitted that he had given steroids to several professional baseball players," the documents say.
Federal agents followed Anderson on Sept. 11, 2002, as he made a quick visit to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative - the nutritional supplements lab allegedly at the center of the steroid-distribution ring.
"Anderson returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drive directly, without stopping, to Pacific Bell Park, a professional baseball stadium," the documents say. "Anderson was followed until he entered the players' parking lot area of the professional baseball stadium, past a gate and guarded entrance."
The Giants played a home day game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 11, 2002. Bonds went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, but the Giants lost 7-3.
*If it turns out that Bonds and others are/were using steroids, somebody better take some white out to the record books. Pete Rose will be one happy man because the wrath of Khan will come down on someone else for a change.
I am respecting Babe Ruth more and more every day. All those homeruns on beer and pizza? The only thing he probably loaded up on before a game was cannolis.
This will be a huge story if they start naming names. Watch out.
lj | Wednesday, February 18, 2004
|
|
Changing faces: statue honors fallen heroes
TIKRIT, Iraq -- When he was forced to fashion statues of Saddam Hussein on horseback, the Iraqi sculptor, Kalat, had no idea that someday he would melt them down to create a memorial for American Soldiers.
The two original statues -- which adorned a gate at the palace complex where 4th Infantry Division’s headquarters group is located -- were removed with explosives in early July, said 1st Sgt. Mark Anderson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
The statues were cut into pieces by the 555th Engineer Group and shipped to Kalat who reshaped the chunks of bronze into a likeness of an American Soldier. A small girl comforts the Soldier as he mourns a fallen comrade.
The likeness was fashioned from a photograph of 1st Sgt. Glen Simpson, the former HHC first sergeant, who knelt for a picture that has become an immortal portrait in bronze, said Command Sgt. Maj. Chuck Fuss, 4th Inf. Div. command sergeant major.
Kalat spent several months sculpting and casting the statue.
“Though he created the original statues of Saddam along with another artist, he created the 4th Infantry Division memorial through his own design,” Anderson said.
The sculpture is based on a scene many in Iraq have witnessed in one form or another.
A Soldier kneels before a memorial of boots, rifle and helmet - his forehead resting in the hollow of his hand. Behind and to his right stands a small Iraqi girl with her hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.
The statue evokes emotion. The girl was added to the statue to remind people of why the sacrifice was made, Fuss said.
“It’s about freedom for this country, but it’s also about the children who will grow up in a free society,” he said.
~By Spc. Benjamin R. Kibbey
Why aren't we hearing stories like this on the news?
lj | Tuesday, February 17, 2004
|
|
Hidden in crowd, two dogs are married in mass SF wedding Oscar and Pluto get marriage licenses Among the 2,340 same-sex marriages conducted under a controversial San Francisco edict was one involving two happy mongrels. It wasn’t intentional.
Susan Peterson and Gail Fromberg had taken the animals with them for their own – Susan’s and Gail’s – wedding. As a lark, they listed the dogs as witnesses, but the city clerk misread the paperwork, and as a result Oscar and Pluto are now husband and husband.
The marriage ceremonies involve ten couples at a time. They take their vows in unison, and thus no one noticed that Oscar and Pluto uttered yips instead of yups.
When it came time to kiss the spouse, Oscar and Pluto did the doggie version, sniffing each other in the usual places.
A nearby couple was heard to admonish, “Can’t you two wait?”
Mayor Gavin Newsom defied state law by authorizing “gender neutral” marriage licenses. His ruling did not, however, deal with species neutrality, and thus there is a question as to the legality of Oscar’s and Pluto’s union, since they don’t qualify as homo sapiens. At least not the sapiens part.
In fact, there is a question about the legality of all of the civil ceremonies. Oscar and Pluto are, of course, oblivious to the controversy. They’re on a wedding trip to the gay area of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, leaving their signatures on various lamp posts.
Alas, the canine wedding may never be consummated. Oscar and Pluto were both neutered some time ago.
Even so, it adds another unique element to the wedding. It was not only the first involving two dogs, but also the first involving two eunuchs. As far as anyone knows.
lj | Tuesday, February 17, 2004
|
|
I have enjoyed
OTB's caption contests. There are too many good pictures out there not to do this.
Insert your own caption
lj | Tuesday, February 17, 2004
|
|
Week 5: Picture This....Picture this.....One is a lonely number
Picture this.....happiness has nothing to do with your hair.
Picture this.....happiness is never blurred.
Picture this.....happiness is being a princess.
Picture this.....bright ideas.
lj | Tuesday, February 17, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stonesdementia - (di men' shah)
1. Madness; insanity; severely impaired mental function
See also
PETA
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
Red States Are the Real America, 2000 Election Facts ShowProfessor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minn., points out some interesting facts concerning the most recent presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore=127 million
Bush=143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore=580,000
Bush=22,427,000
States won by:
Gore=19
Bush=29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore=13.2
Bush=2.1
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
Nomar traded to Yankees for Enrique Wilson: Will play 2nd base Just kidding. But I'm sure it wouldn't come as a shock to Red Sox fans. They have learned to expect the worse. As the Alex Rodriguez trade settles in, bitterness and anger ensues, adding fire to an already volatile rivalry. It's over a month away from opening day, and things are heating up. Guess who plays the first game? Yep, the Yankees.
Also look for the Astros to become a big rival of the Yankees. Not only because they have a good team, but because of Clemens and Pettite. If Clemens throws at a Yankee, it will be worse than the Pedro incident.
Should be a good season.....
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
BUSH'S GUARD 'ACCUSER' ADMITS FAULTY MEMORY: Has Alzheimer's disease (seriously)February 15, 2004 -- Serious doubts have been raised about the stories of two key Alabama National Guard figures who questioned whether President Bush showed up for weekend duty there in the early 1970s.
Retired Brig. Gen. William Turnipseed, the 187th's Tactical Reconnaissance Group's former commander, recanted his statement that he couldn't remember if Bush reported for duty, now saying his memory is faulty because he's in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease.
And The Boston Globe, which took the lead in challenging Bush's Guard service, reported serious doubts about the account given by one of Bush's prime accusers.
Turnipseed reversed gear after retired Lt. Col. John "Bill" Calhoun went public to say he remembered Bush well, and that in fact it was Turnipseed, then a colonel, who introduced Bush to him.
"Col. Turnipseed brought [Bush] in when he first came to me. I just know that he saw him there," Calhoun told The Post. Turnipseed said he regards Calhoun as trustworthy and believes he'd remember it correctly.
So why is this still an issue? Why is it still on the news? Could they be biased? Nah.....
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
Late Night Rehash:Are you following John Kerry? The Democrats are back. The good news, John Kerry has an intern. He had an affair. Out of habit Bill Clinton denied it.
And Hillary said she was going to stand by him.
~David Letterman
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
Star in 'stripes: A-Rod deal official
NEW YORK -- The biggest trade since Boston sent Babe Ruth to New York became official on Monday, as the Yankees and Rangers completed the deal that sent Alex Rodriguez to New York.
Texas received second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later. The Rangers will pick up approximately $40 million of Rodriguez's remaining contract in addition to the $27 million it still owes him, leaving the Yankees to pay $112 million over the next seven years.
Rodriguez, a two-time Gold Glove shortstop, will shift a few feet to his right, becoming New York's new third baseman. Derek Jeter will remain at shortstop, giving the Yankees a star-studded left side of the infield.
Woohoo. Not only did the Yankees get Arod, Boston didn't. I'll be Len Evans is having a fit right now. Sorry Len....
lj | Monday, February 16, 2004
|
|
Top Ten Things People Won't Say When They See the Christian Bumper Sticker or the More Subtle Fish Symbol On Your Car:10. "Look! Let's stop that car and ask those folks how we can become
Christians."
9. "Don't worry, Billy, those people are Christians -- they must have
a good reason for driving 90 miles an hour.
8. "What a joy to be sharing the highway with another car of
Spirit-filled brothers and sisters."
7. "Isn't it wonderful how God blessed that Christian couple with a
brand-new BMW?"
6. "Dad, how come people who drive like that don't get thrown in
jail?" "Dad, can we get a bumper sticker like that, too?"
5. "Stay clear of those folks, Martha. If they get raptured, that
car's gonna be all over the road!"
4. "Oh, look! That Christian woman is getting a chance to share Jesus
with a police officer."
3. "No, that's not garbage coming out of their windows, Bert --
it's probably gospel tracts for the road workers."
2. "Oh, boy, we're in trouble now! We just rear-ended one of God's cars."
1. "Quick, Alice, honk the horn or they won't know that we love Jesus!"
Contributed by Pastor Greg Williamson at http://home.flash.net/~go4crown/bumper.htm
*If you have a Jesus fish or bumper sticker, my apologies but I thought it was funny.
lj | Sunday, February 15, 2004
|
|
What about Financial goals for the Passion? I am probably as excited about this movie as anyone and the more interest that is generated about it, the more people will want to see it.
I want the movie to do well at the box office. I mean really well. Like #1 all time good. I mean how mad would James Cameron be if a Jesus movie topped his magnum opus
Titanic. Which incidentally, I must be the only remaining person who doesn't really like that movie.
Of course the most important thing to evangelical Christians is that the story of Christ is represented accurately and passionately. That others will not respect Christians, but will turn to Christ. That has always been our prayer and while we usually fail to accurately live lives representative of our Master, we hope that others will look past our flaws to the One that was flawless.
But from a financial standpoint, what would
The Passion of the Christ have to accomplish on it's release to make history? Well, a few things. It will be compared in many different ways.
1. First whatever success it has will be compared to other films about Christ. This will be an easy obstacle to overcome in my opinion, based on the enthusiasm and fervor that has already been generated.
2. After it surpasses other religious films it may briefly be compared to films not produced in English. Movies produced with subtitles that were somewhat successful. An example would be in my opinion,
Life Is Beautiful. I don't remember people reserving multiple seats and reserving whole theatres for Life is Beautiful so I don't anticipate the Passion to have a problem in this category.
3. Finally, when the
Passion makes history by surpassing the first two obstacles set up, it will be compared to all movies, which is ultimately what we want. We want hollywood to squirm at a religious movie with subtitles that threatens to break the top 25, 10 or shall I say dethrone Titanic?
Here are the top 25 grossing movies all time. This should give you an idea of what it would take. | Rank | Title | Total Box Office |
| 1 | Titanic (1997) | $600,743,440 |
| 2 | Star Wars (1977) | $460,935,655 |
| 3 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) | $434,949,459 |
| 4 | Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) | $431,065,444 |
| 5 | Spider-Man (2002) | $403,706,375 |
| 6 | Jurassic Park (1993) | $356,763,175 |
| 7 | Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003) | $351,133,343 |
| 8 | Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002) | $340,478,898 |
| 9 | Finding Nemo (2003) | $339,714,367 |
| 10 | Forrest Gump (1994) | $329,452,287 |
| 11 | Lion King, The (1994) | $328,423,001 |
| 12 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) | $317,557,891 |
| 13 | Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001) | $313,837,577 |
| 14 | Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) | $310,675,583 |
| 15 | Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) | $309,064,373 |
| 16 | Independence Day (1996) | $306,200,000 |
| 17 | Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) | $305,411,224 |
| 18 | Sixth Sense, The (1999) | $293,501,675 |
| 19 | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | $290,158,751 |
| 20 | Home Alone (1990) | $285,761,243 |
| 21 | Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) | $281,492,479 |
| 22 | Shrek (2001) | $267,652,016 |
| 23 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) | $261,970,615 |
| 24 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | $260,031,035 |
| 25 | Jaws (1975) | $260,000,000 |
Source:
Internet Movie Database*Could the Passion of the Christ break the top 25 financially? That's certainly aiming high but not out of the realm of possibilities. After all, hollywood isn't driving this movie. Look for a lot of unhappy people if that happens.
* If it does crack the top 25 or even threaten the #1 spot, it will be, in my opinion, a much more worthy recipient. After all, the marketing techniques are unconventional (I just saw the first tv trailer today, less than 2 weeks from the opening). Not to mention the religious and communication barriers it would have had to overcome.
*Most movies rely on individual bands of people to attend their movie in mass numbers to drive it financially. While everyone in the country may not be interested in the Passion, it's movie goers will attend it in droves. Whole youth groups, whole churches, whole families. That alone is enough to drive it financially. Not to mention those that will watch it repeatedly.
Whatever it does, this much is certain: It won't be ignored. And to me, that already makes it successful.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Bling Bling on Valentine's DayAstronomers spy 10 billion trillion trillion-carat diamondLOS ANGELES (AP) - If anyone's ever promised you the sun, the moon and the stars, tell 'em you'll settle for BPM 37093.
The heart of that burned-out star with the no-nonsense name is a sparkling diamond that weighs a staggering 10 billion trillion trillion carats. That's one followed by 34 zeros.
The hunk of celestial bling is an estimated 2,500 miles across, said Travis Metcalfe, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
"You would need a jeweler's loupe the size of the sun to grade this diamond," said Metcalfe, who led the team that discovered the gem.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
‘Faith, Hope, Love and Forgiveness’
Mel Gibson Tackles Passion Controversy, and Despair That Spurred His Faith
Jesus Christ "was beaten for our iniquities," Gibson says. "He was wounded for our transgressions and by his wounds we are healed. That's the point of the film. It's not about pointing the fingers."
"It's about faith, hope, love and forgiveness," he says. "It is reality for me. … I believe that. I have to … for my own sake … so I can hope, so I can live."
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Top Ten Things Never Before Said by a Presidential Candidate10. "Vote for me or I'll slash your tires"
9. "Forget universal health care -- I'm buying every American an XBox"
8. "In a crisis I ask myself, 'What would Tony Danza do?'?
7. "I'd give you my plan for economic recovery if I wasn't rip stinkin' drunk"
6. "If your last name begins with 'M' through 'Z,' sorry -- your taxes are doubling"
5. "We're gonna cut the deficit by selling North Dakota to Canada"
4. "I have tons of experience from being president of the Burt Reynolds fan club"
3. "Lady, that is one ugly baby"
2. "When I'm president, I'm putting Regis on Mt. Rushmore"
1. "Read my lips: no new wardrobe malfunctions"
~From David Letterman's Top Ten Archives
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
The First Ever Penn Awards --
50 First Dates - a review
Well, I got to go see
50 First Dates tonight and I was really looking forward to it. It was overall a funny movie, one in which you will be pleased if you are an Adam Sandler fan.
I am not real hard to please when it comes to movies, but I felt this movie tried too hard to be funny. It relied too heavily on crude sexual innuendos to get a quick laugh. It really didn't need it. It was a good story, a cross between Groundhog Day and Memento. I won't rehash the movie, you can read a preview someplace else, but it was the story that keeps me from trashing this movie.
The best part of the movie is when the main storyline is being developed, which incidentally was the least crude part. That part was when Sandler's character was trying to come up with creative ways to re-introduce himself to Barrymore's character without getting shot down. Essentially, a first date every day. The introductions, the getting to know you, etc.
Oh and since when is Rob Schneider believable as a hawaiian guy? Sorry, I couldn't get past that "Hot Chick" movie he did.
The acting was pretty good,
Rudy Sam wise Sean Astin was Barrymore's brother, and played a steroid driven, lisp talking, barney fife. He did an excellent job although I kept thinking, "Don't worry Mr. Frodo, I will carry you. We'll make it home."
So in honor of the Academy Awards coming up, I hereby institute a new movie review rating system. This one will be different though: the goal is not to receive an award. Since the AA's are political anyway, and since I've named my award the Penn's, after the American traitor/attempted actor.
So out of 0 Penn's: (0 being the best-5 being the worst)
I give
50 First Dates -
2 Penn's 
*Sorry, but human anatomy jokes and vomiting animals just gets old after a while, but probably worth the price of admission. Might watch it again if it didn't require my signature.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Am I my brother's PayPal?Typo Changes Ad to 'Brother for Sale'VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Barbara Bennett wanted to sell her Brother brand sewing machine, so she bought a classified advertisement under "Miscellaneous" and "Items under $50" in The Columbian newspaper.
Instead, the words "sewing machine" were accidentally dropped, leaving a "BROTHER" for sale ad.
One caller wanted to know if the price was negotiable. Another, upon hearing what was really for sale, said merely, "Thank you," and hung up.
Bennett, 41, a customer service representative, said Tuesday she has two brothers in California and is not putting either on the block. Newspaper officials agreed to run a corrected ad.
"It's OK, I needed a good laugh," Bennett said. "I had minor heart surgery on Friday, so it helps."
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
And You thought the Super Bowl was bad...
Teacher Asks Student to Pose in BoxersHOUSTON - A high school art teacher who asked a student to pose for classmates wearing only boxer shorts has been suspended.
Karen Fearon, an advanced placement art teacher at The Woodlands High School near Houston, was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
"I asked him if he'd feel comfortable wearing them in class. At first he was hesitant, then he said, 'Yeah, I will,' Fearon told Houston television station KPRC. "Before I knew it, I turned around to get the paper and supplies and he had dropped his pants in the class. Well, that was kind of shocking because ... I usually have them go in the back room to change."
Conroe Independent School District school officials did not say how long the investigation will take into the Feb. 5 incident. Fearon was suspended the following day.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
You have got to be kidding me
PETA Has Beef With Town of Slaughterville
SLAUGHTERVILLE, Okla. (AP) - Residents of this central Oklahoma community have a beef over an animal rights group's attempt to raise awareness of animal abuse.
Slaughterville administrator Marsha Blair received a letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, urging the town to change its name from Slaughterville to Veggieville.
"I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, our 800,000 members and supporters, and other compassionate Americans to ask Slaughterville to change its name - which conjures up images of the violent and bloody deaths of terrified chickens, pigs and cows - to Veggieville, a friendly name honoring a heart-healthy and compassionate alternative to animal corpses," the letter said.
PETA, based in Norfolk, Va., promises to donate $20,000 in veggie burgers to a school district nearest to the town, said Bruce Friedrich, director of PETA's vegan campaigns. A vegan is someone who abstains from consuming animal products.
The town was named after a grocery store run by James Slaughter in the early 20th century.
Friedrich, who once lived in the town of 3,600, said Thursday he knows the origins of the name.
"People find our requests amusing, and they chuckle," he said. "But when they're laughing, they have the opportunity to consider the animal abuse it brings up."
For Blair and other residents, the Slaughter family's lingering reputation makes the town's name a sacred cow.
*snort*
*hmph*
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Well, at least he got something out of itKucinich Wins Date on 'Tonight Show' SkitBURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich took his quest for a girlfriend to late-night television - and won a date with actress Jennifer Tilly.
The Ohio congressman, who has been divorced twice, asked questions of a trio of unseen women Thursday in a takeoff on "The Dating Game" on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Responses by Tilly, actress Cybill Shepherd and Los Angeles radio talk show host Kim Serafin blended sexual innuendo with politics and references to Kucinich's environmental concerns.
Serafin said she would help Kucinich relax after a long day on the campaign trail by rubbing him "with oil not tested on animals."
Shepherd, in a reference to Janet Jackson's Super Bowl halftime show, plotted a "wardrobe malfunction" - pulling up her dress to reveal red boxers.
Kucinich asked bachelorette No. 1: "So I win the Democratic nomination, but I have laryngitis so I ask you to make the victory speech. What do you say?"
"Good evening delegates," Tilly responded. "My husband, Dennis, thought he was going to lose so he didn't write a victory speech. And now he's pretending like he has laryngitis."
"That's really good," Kucinich said, laughing.
After Kucinich selected Tilly and she emerged from behind a screen, Leno presented Kucinich with a gift certificate to a Santa Monica vegan restaurant.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Bush Orders Release of Military Records*sigh*I guess there was something I always knew about my country but refused to believe it: you really are guilty until proven innocent.
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Confused about this whole Hanoi Jane thing? Read the story
here. Thanks to
Dan.
The most prominent example of a clash between private citizen protest and governmental military policy in recent history occurred in July 1972, when actress Jane Fonda arrived in Hanoi, North Vietnam, and began a two-week tour of the country conducted by uniformed military hosts. Aside from visiting villages, hospitals, schools, and factories, Fonda also posed for pictures in which she was shown applauding North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gunners, was photographed peering into the sights of an NVA anti-aircraft artillery launcher, and made ten propagandistic Tokyo Rose-like radio broadcasts in which she denounced American political and military leaders as "war criminals."
She also spoke with eight American POWs at a carefully arranged "press conference," POWS who had been tortured by their North Vietnamese captors to force them to meet with Fonda, deny they had been tortured, and decry the American war effort. Fonda apparently didn't notice (or care) that the POWs were delivering their lines under duress or find it unusual the she was not allowed to visit the prisoner-of-war camp (commonly known as the "Hanoi Hilton") itself. She merely went home and told the world that "[the POWs] assured me they were in good health. When I asked them if they were brainwashed, they all laughed. Without exception, they expressed shame at what they had done." She did, however, charge that North Vietnamese POWs were systematically tortured in American prison-of-war camps.
To add insult to injury, when American POWs finally began to return home (some of them having been held captive for up to nine years) and describe the tortures they had endured at the hands of the North Vietnamese, Jane Fonda quickly told the country that they should "not hail the POWs as heroes, because they are hypocrites and liars."
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
The Lie is unravelingThe
big boys are all over it
lj | Saturday, February 14, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stonestsuris (TSOOR-is) noun - Trouble; aggravation; woe.
*See also
Microsoft
lj | Friday, February 13, 2004
|
|
I don't know if this is true, but it sure is interesting.OUT OF AFRICA: KERRY PREPARES RESPONSE TO MEDIA PROBE OF RELATIONSHIPDemocratic presidential frontrunner John Kerry is planning a response to a DRUDGE REPORT exclusive which first revealed the frantic behind-the-scenes drama surrounding a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry!
The nature and details of a claimed two-year relationship, beginning in the Spring of 2001, between a young woman and Kerry is at the center of serious investigations at several media outlets.
After being approached by a top news producer, the woman fled to Africa, where she remains, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.
Unlike the Monica Lewinsky drama, which first played out publicly in this space, with audio tapes, cigar and a dress, the Kerry situation has posed a challange to reporters investigating the claims.
"There is no lawsuit testimony this time [like Clinton with Paula Jones]," a top source said Thursday night. "It is hard to prove."
A close friend of the woman first approached a reporter late last year claiming fantastic stories -- stories that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head.
Kerry is scheduled to appear on IMUS IN THE MORNING on Friday. Later he is scheduled to join General Wesley Clark, who, in an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, plainly stated: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue."
Reporters who witnessed Clark making the stunning comments marvel at the General's reluctance to later confirm they were spoken -- only to later endorse Kerry for the nomination!
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Veggie Tales - Part II: How I lost weightFirst of all, as I said before, I am not against vegetarians. I am against the notion that you are good and I am evil for eating meat. Poor bambi.
Second of all, I don't consider myself to be an expert on the subject. I recommend you do extensive research before starting any diet, which is less than what I think most people do. I don't share my experience to brag. I still don't have a six pack (it's more like a 2-liter) but I am thinner than I was. And I feel great.
I lost 35 lbs. in six months without really going on a diet. You don't need Atkins or any of the other diets to do this. Before I go into why these diets are bad, let me tell you what I did, just in case you care.
1. I started drinking only water. With the exception of a few youth activities and holidays, I cut out soft drinks. People don't realize that it's not just the sugar that makes you gain weight but the carbonation slows your metabolism. I had migraines when I started drinking water only because of caffeine withdrawals (remember that most headache medicine has caffeine), but they soon went away. I also used to have bad heartburn, it vanished also. Water also flushes out any toxins in your body.
2. I stopped eating fried foods - again, I still eat french fries occasionally, but I try to make smart choices when I eat fast food. You would be surprised at how nutritional you can eat when you go out. Stay grilled, drink water and you can even eat dessert.
3. Meat isn't the enemy - if you eat at Mcdonalds every day you're going to pay for it. But meat in general has a lot of protein.
4. I started exercising - I let a Youth group snow skiing trip be my exercise kickoff and vowed that on the return home I would start a weight-lifting program. I started by working out too much (2 1/2 hours, 3-4 times a week) but have since cut back to 45 minutes to an hour 3 x a week.
5. I increased my protein intake - not to the effect that Atkins advises, but if you are lifting weights or working out, you are tearing down muscle. You need to arm your body with the ability to re-build it. I tried a host of protein bars (yuck) until I found the one I liked. (Designer Whey makes great tasting bars packed with protein - Uturn, Detour and One-Way) and I found a good Whey Protein shake powder that I liked (Optimum Nutrition's instantized whey protein is the best tasting that I have found) which is full of Amino acids and has 23 g of protein per serving. Drinking water is very important when increasing protein consumption because it can be dehydrating and hard on the kidneys. Water flushes the kidneys from any toxins.
6. I went to skim milk - I've never really been much of a milk drinker but this one was nasty at first. It's like white water, especially if you like cereal like I do. But now I could never go back. If you drink a lot of milk, skim will help you keep the weight off guilt free.
7. I cut out snacks - not completely but when I was in college I would eat a whole box of swiss cake rolls or fudge rounds. Snack sensibly, especially honey buns. When I reach for a snack now I think about my workout and how hard it's going to be if I eat it. But if you just want to maintain your weight and you are exercising regularly, you are entitled to a few pleasures.
8. I cut back on a few things but didn't cut them out completely - a prime example was bread. I only use bread as a bulldozer anyway so when I eat it, I eat one piece. Before I ate two. I went to whole wheat and lite mayonnaise.
9. Carbs are important - calories are the enemy, not carbs. If your body was a car, carbs would be the fuel. It's stupid to cut them out completely. Cutting back on sugar isn't a bad idea. (remember things like ketchup has sugar). I won't go into the insulin spike factor, but an over amount of sugar will turn to fat. Carbs are necessary to make it through the day and through your exercise routine.
** I know it seems like I went on a diet, especially now that I look back at it, but these aren't major changes, only minor alterations. Notice I didn't mention a particular food that you absolutely cannot eat. Everything in moderation. There is a sense of freedom in it all, that you are losing weight, keeping it off and still eating basically how you were. It's a lot like cracking down on your finances. You can save a lot of money if you just pay attention to what you're doing.
** The main thing is if you truly want to lose weight, you will be determined to do whatever is necessary.
**Things I also learned:
1. My energy level was affected by what I ate and what I drank; It was also affected by my workout. It increased with activity.
2. Also, my overall attitude and mood improved. I am more confident and happy.
3. It taught me spiritual discipline and gave me an outlet to release tension. Many times in my garage with my music working out, I spend time talking to God. It is an alone time that I wouldn't have otherwise set aside.
Next topic: Veggie Tales: Part III - The problem with fad diets
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Veggie Tales - Part IAtkins' Records Ignite Another Diet Fight
NEW YORK (AP) - The debate over Dr. Robert Atkins' popular high-fat, low-carb diet flared posthumously when it was learned that Atkins himself was a bloated 258 pounds at his death.
A city medical examiner's report filed after Atkins' 2003 death from a fall showed the 6-foot doctor was at a weight normally considered obese. A physicians group that is highly critical of the diet released details of the report Tuesday, claiming the Atkins diet led to weight and heart troubles for its 72-year-old creator.
Atkins' allies immediately disputed that.
The Atkins Physicians Council said the carbohydrate-shunning doctor gained more than 60 pounds through fluid retention in the eight days he spent in a coma before dying last April. He had slipped on an icy street and hit his head.
(AP) Weight loss guru Dr. Robert Atkins is shown speaking in Washington in this Feb. 24, 2000 photo....
Full Image
Atkins weighed 195 pounds when he was admitted, the group's chairman said.
"Critically ill patients, when sustained on fluids in the hospital, gain weight," said Dr. Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council, a group affiliated with the Atkins diet empire. "He was grossly swollen, so much so that his family and associates barely recognized him."
The medical examiner's report also noted that Atkins had a history of heart trouble, including congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the records on Tuesday.
When I weighed 205 lbs. I was overweight and headed for worse. I did a lot of research when I decided to change. I decided against the fad diets like Atkins, south beach, etc. because if you look deeper you will find that there is always something unhealthy about it that is in the fine print that most people fail to realize. I will give you an example in just a minute but first a word about the above story.
While I don't agree with the Atkins diet, I don't like the company that puts me in. I am sick and tired of these groups who are pushing their agendas on everyone else and hogging the media airways in order to place a guilt trip on their opponents. I am speaking of vegetarians.
Now before you get mad at me, I am not against vegetarians. I am against elitist vegetarians. I am against your self-righteous attitude toward those who eat meat.
Just because you went to a liberal college that brainwashed you on the horrors of food production and animal cruelty, gives you no right to impose those views on everyone else. What is it about liberals that makes them think that their views must be followed by everyone else? And they will do anything to circumvent laws to accomplish their mission, including the unlawful release of medical records. This is similar to those days before the Civil War when the issue wasn't slavery, but the notion of one people imposing a way of life or lifestyle on another people.
I see another Civil war brewing and this time it won't be north and south or blue and gray. It will be vegans and homosexuals against the rest of us.
This is war.....
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Inspector GadgetThanks to Andy the Geek (who incidentally must really be a geek. It's not just a cool name), for putting me on to Firefox. It definitely makes browsing more fun and easier. If you are a fast clicker and browse with multiple windows, you need to download this. It's free!
I had tried Mozilla but the updated Firefox is much better. Go get it now, you big nerd.
My favorite feature: I can move favorites folders that I use frequently to the browser toolbar for faster browsing. Very cool.
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Keep it up, you're on thin ice young man
San Francisco Officials Perform Marriage of Gay Couple
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- In a bold political and legal challenge to California law, city authorities officiated at the marriage of a lesbian couple Thursday and said they will issue more gay marriage licenses.
Meanwhile in Massachusetts, legislative leaders met Thursday to try to find words that would ban gay marriage but legalize civil unions, expressing optimism as they reconvened their constitutional convention.
** As my mom always said when I was pushing the limit, "Keep it up, you're on thin ice young man." I can't remember a time when the homosexual agenda has been pushed on us so much. I just finished watching a story on Fox news where MTV is coming out with an all Homosexual channel (I refuse to refer to them as gays. They stole that word from us.)
With Massachussetts, the above article, Queer eye, etc, I say enough is enough. The media portrays the country as 90% homosexual. Where are all the kids coming from then?
Phooey. It's time for you to speak out. Let the country know what a backlash really is. Hit 'em where it hurts. And just like when I pushed the limit with my parents, backlashes on me left whelps. And it won't be something they'll soon forget.
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Top 4: Week 4 - Ooops
Since it's week 4, I'm choosing 4 this week. This week there was a definite theme with my choices. Seems I can relate to their real life frustrations. Murphy's law notwithstanding.
In no particular order:
Superblessed - What's a guy gotta do to get some pins around here?! (the frustrations of retail stores)
Tim Samoff - ("The CD That We Were Never Meant To Have -- or, Sorry Eric") - my life in a nutshell
Codswallop and Flapdoodle - A wholey holy and very holey...oops (always amusing - I'm surprised it hasn't happened to me.)
Our Hangout - Wednesday's oops... - this is almost hard to read but too funny not to be in a top list.
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stonesmobocracy [mob OK rah see] (noun)
1. political control by a mob
2. a place, such as a nation, where a mob has control of public affairs: "Since we don't live in a mobocracy, don't expect immediate political change to come from this protest, no matter how large it becomes."
** See Massachussetts Legislature
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Another reason to hate Duke"We try to hire the best, smartest people available," Brandon said of his philosophy hires. "If, as John Stuart Mill said, stupid people are generally conservative, then there are lots of conservatives we will never hire.
"Mill's analysis may go some way towards explaining the power of the Republican party in our society and the relative scarcity of Republicans in academia. Players in the NBA tend to be taller than average. There is a good reason for this. Members of academia tend to be a bit smarter than average. There is a good reason for this too."
I guess we're too st...st...stoopid.
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Dog pee?"Now that we're on dog pee, we can have an interesting conversation about that," Dean said. "I do not recommend drinking urine . . . but if you drink water straight from the river, you have a greater chance of getting an infection than you do if you drink urine."
I guess Howard Dean has never been on survivor before. Wouldn't that be interesting. Maybe we should choose our candidates that way. Let's see, Kucinich would be voted off first because he's too annoying. Lieberman would be next because he's too nice. Clark would make an alliance and then forget that he made one and then remember later. Edwards would lecture his tribe about how there are two survivors and he wants to lead the better one. Kerry would win because it would take him forever to get his words out. Al Sharpton could be the black Richard Hatch.
*choke* yuck, I just got a mental picture.
lj | Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
Bye-ku for Wesley ClarkDid I just get a
Dishonorable discharge
Or did I desert?
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Photo of Kerry with Fonda enrages Vietnam veterans
A photograph of John Kerry together with Jane Fonda at an anti-Vietnam War rally in 1970 in Pennsylvania has surfaced on the Internet, angering veterans who say his association with her 34 years ago is a slap in the faces of Vietnam War veterans.
....................<< snip >>
Mr. Kerry spoke at the 1970 rally, the culmination of a three-day protest hike from Moorestown, N.J., to Valley Forge, which featured a speech by Miss Fonda and a reading by Hollywood actor Donald Sutherland.
"When he stands up with Jane Fonda, someone that is so notorious and hated by veterans, and Tom Hayden, and a couple of others as well and supports their agenda," Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, California Republican, said yesterday, "it diminishes the service some of us almost gave our lives for, and the over 56,000 people that lost their lives —it slaps their families in the face."
"I think it's his right, but it kind of upsets you," Mr. Cunningham said. "He had honorable service, but it's a shame someone would let politics rule their life, instead of their principles."
....................<< snip >>
Mr. Kerry testified in 1971 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, however, citing accusations that American soldiers in Vietnam routinely committed atrocities such as beheadings, killing children and razing villages. He did not present evidence of these claims.
....................<< snip >>
"If you mention Jane Fonda's name to a Vietnam veteran, it's a lightning-rod reaction," says Ted Sampley, publisher of the U.S. Veteran Dispatch and staunch opponent of Mr. Kerry. "She was supposed to be antiwar, but she clearly sided with one of the belligerents, which precludes her from being antiwar. She was a partisan."
Mr. Sampley first saw the photograph Monday on the Internet and purchased it for his online newsletter. He saw it pop up elsewhere, and he soon began receiving e-mail messages from readers who had seen the photograph.
"This picture exposes just how close John Kerry was to Jane Fonda," he says. However, he says the photograph doesn't reveal anything that many veterans of Vietnam didn't already know.
"Joining the antiwar movement was possibly the worst thing he could have done to the soldiers still in the field," he said. "He basically gave aid and comfort to the enemy."
....................<< snip >>
"I think it symbolizes how two-faced he is, talking about his war reputation, which is questionable on the one hand, and then coming out against our veterans who were fighting over there on the other," Mr. Johnson said.
Mr. Johnson recalled that his North Vietnamese captors played recordings of Miss Fonda telling U.S. troops to give up the war. "Seeing this picture of Kerry with her at antiwar demonstrations in the United States just makes me want to throw up."
Now that the dems have chosen the vietnam war as an issue, they are stuck with it. And, unfortunately for them, I think a Jane Fonda connection is much more condemning than a little thing about National Guard service. It's like the Red sox....their fans always say in the spring, "This is the year, I can feel it." But in the end, something always happens that reminds them of their cursed nature.
The point? The Babe was a republican.
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Hillary makes top 25 -- toughest guys in AmericaIn its March issue, already on newsstands, the magazine publishes its annual list of "The 25 Toughest Guys in America" -- and Clinton weighs in at No. 25, just behind human crash test dummy Rusty Haight, who has been in 740 car wrecks.
What I want to know is, who would have been #26? I would hate to be that guy.
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Edwards and Dean plan to reveal their Boy Scout records
Pair says they were never AWOL
Democratic party leaders are urging John Edwards and Howard Dean to withdraw from the presidential race now that John Kerry has snapped up so many wins, but the two are counting on their Boy Scout records to save their campaigns.
President Bush opened up his National Guard records Tuesday, responding to criticism that he had failed to meet his military obligation. Edwards and Dean did not serve in the military, but claim their Boy Scout activities prove that they have “done our duty to God and Country.”
“President Bush says he’s against gay marriage, but we have actually taken an oath to keep ourselves morally straight,” Edwards and Dean said in a joint statement. “The National Guard doesn’t have an oath that comes anywhere near the Scout Oath.”
“The question is, does America want a president who has not pledged on his Scout’s honor to be straight? We think not,” said Edwards and Dean.
The unusual joint statement portends possible problems down the road, however. How can the two oppose each other, when both are equally committed to moral straightness?
“We’ll deal with that later,” said an Edwards spokesman. “I’m sure John has helped more old ladies across the street than Howard has. Or John Kerry, for that matter.”
Kerry was also a Boy Scout, but says he doesn’t wear that on his sleeve along with his Viet Nam medals.
“He does, however, love to show off in hockey uniforms and biker outfits,” a Dean spokesman says. “But just wait until Howard starts wearing his Cub Scout uniform to rallies. He’ll win the adoration and support of den mothers everywhere.”
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Move it along, there's nothing to see here
White House Releases Bush Military Pay Records
WASHINGTON — Pummeled by election-year questions about President Bush's military record, the White House on Tuesday released documents it says proves the president did serve out his term with the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Will it be enough to satisfy the democrats? Did you see the press conference? They'll never be satisfied, that much is already clear.
So why release the records?
I say don't play their game anymore. Just let it go. I don't remember Clinton trying to find documents to combat his critics in 1992 (although I could be wrong about that).
The point is, let's move it along...there's nothing to see here.
Next.
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Granny get your gun
Every Burglar's Worst Nightmare
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (AP) — A 53-year-old woman who fired nine shots with two handguns to ward off an intruder said she tried to avoid hitting her furniture.
"Priorities, right?" said Carolyn Lisle of Rancho Cordova. "It was one of those nights. I have a few holes in my glass out front."
The Sacramento County sheriff's department said William Kriske, a 47-year-old parolee, was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm, then jailed on suspicion of burglary and resisting arrest after he crashed through Lisle's sliding glass door Thursday evening.
Lisle's three guests fled the home, but she took action, opening fire with a .357 caliber revolver.
"He was like a mosquito hitting the window. Every time he turned around, poweee," she told the Sacramento Bee.
She emptied her first handgun as the intruder crashed through another window to escape, then retrieved a second revolver as he broke into her garage.
"I like to be prepared," she said.
Over the river and through the woods.....
I'm not afraid of the big bad wolf....
(the jokes are endless)
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Scott Peterson charged with 2 counts of murderI know what you're thinking. Wasn't that like almost a year ago? Yes. I admit, I haven't been paying much attention to the case.
However, something occurred to me today....something that most people have probably already thought about. I admit it may sound like a defense for Scott Peterson. It's not. If the guy did it, I hope he gets his justice. I have no opinion really on the case.
Just one quick question: how can he be charged with 2 counts of murder (the other one being his unborn child) when abortion is legal in Colorado? How is it not a baby when you are in a doctor's office but it is a baby when you're in the courtroom?
How can our laws be so completely screwed up that it differentiates between a killed, unborn baby by a non-doctor with a killed, unborn baby by a doctor? This makes absolutely no sense to me. Perhaps I am just simple-minded. Maybe I don't have all the facts. But if our government claims it isn't a baby until it leaves a mothers womb then the law should apply to doctors as it does to everyone else.
In the immortal words of Jim Carrey, "Am I right or am I right, or am I right? Right? Right. Right."
lj | Wednesday, February 11, 2004
|
|
Since Abortion will most likely be an issue this election.....Testimony of abortion survivor Gianna Jessen before the Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on April 22, 1996.
My name is Gianna Jessen. I am 19 years of age. I am originally from California, but now reside in Franklin, Tennessee. I am adopted. I have cerebral palsy. My biological mother was 17 years old and seven and one-half months pregnant when she made the decision to have a saline abortion. I am the person she aborted. I lived instead of died.Read full article >>
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Wesley Clark to Quit CampaignWell, since his campaign staff hasn't been paid in a week, I guess it was only a matter of time.
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Former President Clinton won a Grammy last night, he won the award in the children’s category for his readings of the classic "Peter and The Wolf”. I believe he played the wolf. ~ Jay Leno
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Sicko CinemaDid you hear the one about the German cannibal who was convicted of manslaughter for killing and eating a willing victim? It's no joke.
The twisted soul was fanaticizing about eating a man, so he did what determined cannibals do - advertised for a victim on the Internet.
Sadly, he actually found a computer engineer who dreamed of becoming cuisine.
Now, according to his lawyer, the real-life Hannibal has received several inquiries from film companies about making a movie of the depraved saga.
The cannibal's lawyer dismissed media reports that were circulating in Britain and Germany that actor Hugh Grant was trying to buy the film rights and wanted to play the lead role.
"Where are we living?" the magazine Der Spiegel recently asked. "Has all measure of the difference between normal and abnormal, right and wrong, of morality and decency been lost?"
The Left Coast Report notes that's what conservatives have been asking for the last 20 years.
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Dad Body-Slams High School RefA parent body-slammed a referee, giving the official a severe concussion, during a high school basketball game played under stepped-up security, police said Monday.
.........
Officials say the rivalry between the schools has escalated to new highs over the past year. A large fight broke out between students at the two schools during a game last season, and a baseball game was canceled as a precaution, according to police.
In an effort to prevent more fights, administrators for both schools agreed to hold closed-door games this year, where only the players' parents and grandparents were allowed to attend. A closed-door game was played earlier this season without incident.
Their efforts apparently failed Friday.
Peter J. Dukovich, 47, of Gibsonia, allegedly attacked referee Ronald Bell, 57, after Bell asked security officials to escort Dukovich's wife out of the gym for yelling obscenities at the him, police said.
They say Dukovich's wife, RaeLynn, complained that Bell was making bad calls.
"Her husband came down onto the court, picked up the official, threw him on the ground with his back striking first and then his head hit the floor," according to West Deer Township police Chief Jon Lape.
* I went to one of my youth basketball games the other night and was just about to write on this topic. I went to a Jr. High girls conference tournament (congratulations to our girls who went 14-0 and won the tournament). The final game was pretty intense. As you know (not to be sterotypical, but...) girls games can get pretty emotional. I've seen pile ups on the floor, shoving, scratching, screaming and crying. And that's usually from the players, but I noticed something disturbing this time....the parents.
*Parents are getting worse when it comes to sportsmanship. Our particular team was especially hated because of their undefeated record. I can deal with that. I understand everyone wants to beat the #1 team. I even understand that you root for your team and against the other team. I'm not against a little trash talk, when it's generalized toward the team. I'm not even against shouting "Miss it," or banging on the bleachers during an opponent free-throw. That's all part of the game. But when parents start to taunt Jr. High girls individually on the other team, I take exception to that.
I am one of the most competitive people you will ever meet, but an adult should have no part in emotionally badgering 14 year old girls. Cursing referees, taunting and shouting at the opposing team members, and worse of all, teaching your children to be the same way. Perhaps a professional or college game is different, I don't know, I'm not that type, but in my opinion, when you go to an elementary or high school sports event, you should remember: people are watching.
If you want to shout, you can yell at me all you want. But mocking and ridiculing kids is shameful.
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stones - Today's Wordignominious (ig' ne min' ee es) - 1. disgracing one's name
2. Humiliating
*See
Al Gore
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
"I'm here personally to express my anger, as a veteran, that a president who would..... promise to put Vietnam behind us is now breaking yet another promise and trying to use Vietnam and service in order to get himself re-elected."
"That is not an act of leadership, that is an act of shame and cowardice,"
"It is a sad day when the president of the United States is willing to sully another man's reputation and challenge his patriotism merely to get elected,"~ John Kerry, 1992 (via
Newsmax)
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Outside the Beltway - Caption contest
lj | Tuesday, February 10, 2004
|
|
Another reason not to drinkDrunken Man Enters Zoo's Bear Compound SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - A drunken man visiting the Sofia zoo entered the compound of a Himalayan bear and refused to leave, the zoo director said Monday.
The man survived the incident Sunday without injuries because the door to the cage that held the 330-pound female beast was stuck, zoo director Ivan Ivanov said.
The 51-year-old man jumped over the fence surrounding the outside part of the bear's compound. He sat down on a piece of lumber, taunting zoo officials and police who had rushed to the scene.
"He was drinking from a bottle of liquor and shouting to the police: 'Hey come on, have you got the guts to come over here?'" Ivanov said.
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
L.A. Times: 'Huge' Turnout Expected for Gibson FilmMel Gibson, who spent as much as $30 million of his own money making a film he was warned would be a box office disaster, may recoup his entire investment within five days of its opening on Feb. 25.
According to the Los Angeles Times, no booster of Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," just three weeks before its release the film "has the industry buzzing – not just because of its controversial portrayal of Jesus' last hours – but because it seems to be generating the kind of interest among moviegoers that could deliver $25 million to $30 million in its first five days."
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
In light of recent events in Florida, this is very disturbing....Man charged with assault, impersonating officer BURLINGTON, N.C. (AP) - A man has been charged with impersonating an officer to kidnap and sexually assault a 16-year-old girl, police said.
Ismael Rodriguez Cruz, 25, of Burlington, was charged Sunday with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree sex offense, impersonating a police officer, false imprisonment and resisting arrest, according to warrants.
Police said a girl told officers she kidnapped late Saturday in an apartment complex parking lot. The girl told police that a man posing as a police officer told her to get in his car or she would be arrested.
Read more>>
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
GREEN WITHOUT ENVYFormer Vermont Gov. Howie Dean and his advisers are looking into options that would allow him to run for president on the Green Party ticket should he fail in his bid to wrench the Democratic nomination away from Sen. John Kerry.
Dean had been looking at the Green Party long before his campaign caught fire. As early as late last summer, Dean was considering the Greens as an option, particularly because at the time Ralph Nader, the Green nominee in 2000, appeared less interested in a run.
"This isn't a ploy to get Democrats to pay attention to us," says a Deaniac in Washington. "This is about ensuring that our man's views and this supporters' views get carried into the fall campaign. A Green Party bid puts him in the debates with Bush and whomever the Democrats nominate. It keeps us viable."
It would also, as the Deaniac pointed out, get the attention of Terry McAuliffe and the DNC pretty quick. Dean is first to brag he's brought in hundreds of thousands of new voters to the party -- voters who most likely would follow Dean to the Greens. He probably would generate more votes than Nader himself pulled in 2000, again dooming Democrats to another loss.
Nader has not yet indicated what he will do in the 2004 campaign. In the past three months he has twice pushed back a decision on whether he's running.
* Who do I make the check out to?
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
Sticks & Stones - Today's Wordignoramus (ig' ne ra' mes) -
1. An extremely uninformed person
* From the Latin word meaning
we don't know, derived from "ignorare," (to not know).
2. See Sean Penn
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
Sean Penn: I Am More Of A Patriot Than BushThe “Mystic River” star was in South America, promoting the flick, when he was asked about the heat he’s been taking for speaking out against the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq.
When Penn was asked if he considered himself to be a patriot, he replied, according to our source and translator, “I am more patriotic than this president we have, who I consider a traitor of human and American principles.”
* Don't they make dog muzzles for people? Just curious...
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
Twenty-one Reasons Why Bush Will Win1. No more drunk driving lightning bolts
2. Bush defeated the incumbent party in a time of peace and prosperity
3. Democratic get-out-the-vote
4. National Security and the War on Terror
5. The perfect timing of the economic cycle
6. The perfect timing of the national conventions
7. The collective weakness of the Democratic hopefuls.
8. Same Sex marriage
9. Republican get-out-the-vote
10. Florida is much more Republican now
11. Redistricting
12. The Base is solid
13. Proven leadership
14. New Hampshire is more Republican
15. Minnesota and Iowa are more Republican
16. Governor Schwarzenegger
17. Ohio's social conservatism
18. The Deaniacs' pending revolt
19. Democratic experts still think Dubya's dumb
20. Giuliani's campaigning
21. Democratic filibusters of Bush's judicial nominees
* I would like to add at least one to this list: the Democratic message right now has nothing to do with helping this country move forward. Every time I watch one of them on TV, all they can say are feel good phrases like, "This is the beginning of the end for President Bush," or "Start packing because you'll soon be moving out," or "Like father like son, one term and you're done."
Of course, these phrases make the already hostile crowd toward Bush go crazy, but I've never heard of a candidate being elected because he had cute phrases.
*Let's not be over-confident. It will be a fight, and after two terms from Clinton, I'll never be surprised anymore by what America does, but I would be a little surprised if Bush were not re-elected.
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
American Gladiator President Bush did fine on "Meet the Press" yesterday. Tim Russert, not so fine. At least as far as Bush's critics are concerned.
They had high hopes for the interview. Russert is known as an incisive questioner and he had a full hour to interrogate the President. The editor of The Nation, Katrina vanden Heuvel, spoke for Bush haters everywhere when she urged Russert to seize the opportunity to be "a gladiator."
On Saturday, Sen. John Kerry made this tongue-in-cheek prediction about the show. "I know what everybody's going to say afterward. They're going to say he looks smart, looked presidential, knew his foreign policy and domestic policy. Of course, we're talking about Tim Russert."
.......
In fact, nothing Bush said yesterday was new, ill-considered or accidental (or particularly convincing). But that's not Russert's fault. The notion that Bush can be demolished by a journalist is pure fantasy. If the Democrats want a gladiator, they'll have to nominate one. And when they do, a fully armed George W. Bush will be in the arena, waiting.
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
N.Y. Times Pouts as U.S. Adds Jobs It's not just the Democrats who keep trying to talk down America's economy. So are their media allies.
The U.S. had another good piece of economic news Friday with the decline of the unemployment rate to 5.6 percent and the creation of 112,000 jobs.
So what was the lead headline on the Web site of the New York Times? "U.S. Adds Fewer New Jobs Than Expected."
lj | Monday, February 09, 2004
|
|
What week is it, oh I don't know...4? Not sure if Darren knows. "Welcome to week 4. The theme for week 3 is Oops." Right.OOOPS! Got a hemi?
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
My brush with fameI went to cheer on one of my youth today at an arm wrestling tournament and wound up having a brief, brush with fame.
The tournament features various weight classes for righties and lefties (physically, not politically), men and women, and amateurs and pros. (Congrats to the young man whom I went to watch that received first place in both right and left arm categories. Truly an amazing feat for such a young man.)
Anyway, as it happened, they were filming an arm wrestling documentary featuring some of the greatest arm wrestlers in the world. Of course, I had never heard of them because, well, let's face it: I'm weak and puny. These guys are definitely not. Some of the biggest guys I have ever seen in person.
I was beginning to gain some confidence in my weight lifting workouts. Now my self confidence is completely shattered.
Here are some of the "famous" arm wrestlers that I got to see in action.
Ron Bath
Travis Bagent
David Randall
There may have been others there, but those are the ones recognizable from the website. Here is the website of the documentary being made:
Pulling JohnSo if you by chance ever see this movie when it comes out, and in some tournament footage you see a puny guy in the back with his jaw dropped, that's me. Take heart, you know a star. It will probably be as close as I will ever get.
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
A new kind of terroristWoman's chastity belt set off airport security alarm
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
Canadian teen makes money from feud with Microsoft
Mike Rowe, 17, who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, had registered the domain name mikerowesoft.com to host his budding Web development business but quickly found himself the target of Microsoft lawyers who threatened to sue him over alleged copyright infringement.
He made international headlines when he refused to give up the domain name, turning down an initial offer from Microsoft of 10 dollars to cover the cost of registering the Internet address, but eventually settled for expenses incurred, free Microsoft certification training and an X-box video game system.
An X-box? Come on Mike, we had such high hopes....
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
How could I not post this?Trucker Gets Driving Award After Accident MISSOULA, Mont. - A truck driver received his million-mile safe driving award in a hospital after getting injured in a crash.
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
Today's wordcanard - (ke nard') = a false story, report, or rumor, usually derogatory.
see democratic presidential candidates
lj | Sunday, February 08, 2004
|
|
Key Evidence for Bush Being AWOL Crumbles
lj | Saturday, February 07, 2004
|
|
Mystic River is like Al Sharpton....it won't go awayI haven't seen this movie. Don't want to. Anything with Tim Robbins and Sean Penn is an immediate turnoff to me. That's just me. You may be able to separate priciples and media but I can't. I wish I could.
Does anyone else think it's odd that the most outspoken critics of Bush have had a movie out in theatres for almost 20 weeks? Lost in Translation came out around the same time and it is already out on DVD.
I don't care what the critics say, it doesn't deserve this kind of treatment. Re-release? Some of the greatest movies of all time don't receive treatment like that. Go ahead, sit there and tell me it deserves it.
But I say go away. Please.....I'm tired of watching the commercial.
lj | Saturday, February 07, 2004
|
|
Oooh, a dark spotOkay, I'm all for space exploration and I'm glad we're throwing around our national sovereignty by being on Mars, thus sticking it to the Chinese and Russians, but don't you get tired of reports of every little thing that happens? I'm not an astronomer or a scientist and I love reading about space exploration, but come on, a dark spot? Whoahoahoooo! It's a dark spot, you know what that means don't you? Maybe someone's been here.
Unless they find weapons of mass destruction or Jimmy Hoffa, I don't think I will be excited anymore. Maybe it's just me....
Spirit rover uncovers a rocky surprise
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
A Walk to Remember -- Happy Birthday Mr. President
My Father’s BirthdayHappy Birthday, GipperRonald Reagan: The Great Communicator
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Okay, You Be the Look-Out...
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Carlie Brucia Found Dead Authorities ended their search for Florida pre-teen Carlie Brucia Friday after they found her body in a church parking lot and charged a suspect with her abduction and murder.
I was hoping with everyone else I guess that they would find her alive since they quickly found a promising suspect. I was saddened to find out this tragic news this morning. As a youth pastor and a father, I mourn for the family.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Man Says Wife Died In 9/11 Tragedy, But She Didn't
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Oh, I just thought we had bad waterTexas woman strikes oil in toilet
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Clark tells voter "I don't believe in abortion."Didn't he just say he was pro-choice? That it is a woman's choice? Clark blames the media for his not winning the nomination but this is why he won't win it. Because you can't win an election without opening your mouth and every time he does, something stupid comes out.
Now he wants to clarify his statement. Please, by all means, do. But no one is listening anymore.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
NFL backs off on fine for cross hat -- Quarterback penalized for unapproved faith-based apparel The National Football League has decided a Cincinnati Bengals quarterback will not have to pay a $5,000 fine for wearing a hat during interviews that features a Christian cross symbol.
Jon Kitna routinely wears the cap to signify his faith, but only league apparel can be worn during interviews immediately following games, an attempt by the NFL to protect its sponsorship deals.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
File this one for later. It will be relevant when Blix' book is releasedU.N. a Gold Mine for Blix NewsMax.com's U.N. correspondent, Stewart Stogel, has learned that former chief weapons inspector Hans Blix was under a special salary agreement that made him second only to Secretary-General Kofi Annan in take-home pay.
Documents shown to NewsMax detailed Blix's unusual "salary arrangement" with the United Nations.
The former chief arms inspector netted more than $15,500 a month during his three years at the United Nations. That gave him a gross annual salary of $224,816.
Only Annan, who is reported to have grossed $227,253, made more during the same period.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Is Soros Planning 'October Surprise' for Bush?International financier George Soros is worth $7 billion -- and he so desperately wants to oust George Bush from the White House, he says he would even give away his whole fortune to do so.
Soros did not make this comment glibly, telling the Washington Post it would be a real consideration “if someone could guarantee” Bush’s defeat.
The billionaire's zeal to unseat Bush has caught the notice of top policy-makers in Washington who worry that Soros would not need to risk his whole fortune to cause mischief.
Here's the real worry: Could the master currency trader manipulate the financial markets to create a panic, collapsing the stock market or the U.S. dollar on the eve of the November election?
The thought of such a scenario – dubbed a "Financial October Surprise" – has some worried.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Why it's important to be good at video gamesTeen survives 20-storey jumpA 15-year-old boy miraculously survived after leaping 20 storeys to escape taunts by his older brother for losing in a computer game.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
MIPI raids Sharman Networks, Brilliant Digital EntertainmentMusic Industry Piracy Investigations this morning raided the offices of P2P companies Sharman Networks and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, along with the homes of key executives and several ISPs.
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
I'm not only a spokesperson, I'm a client3 Accused of Putting Hairpieces on Cows
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Am I my brother's keeper? O brother where art thou...
MAN, 72, LIVED WITH HIS DEAD BROTHER
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Massachusetts rules individuals may get married to themselves More than same sex, it’s same person
The highest court in Massachusetts ruled that two people are not needed to create a marriage. “It is time to end discrimination against widows, widowers, spinsters, divorcees and other single people,” the Supreme Judicial Court said. “People may marry themselves and obtain all the legal rights of married couples.”
“For too long, single people who live alone have been considered to be living in sin,” the court said. “They are chastised for shacking up with themselves. This ruling grants them full legal status as spouse and spouse.”
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
"The Deck of Weasels"
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
Ricin that was found in an office of a senator forced congress to shut down for most of the day. If they’re going to attack members of our government why don’t they start at strip clubs, brothels and liquor stores? Craig Kilborn
lj | Friday, February 06, 2004
|
|
2004 Democratic Candidates Still Mostly Unknown Despite having nine choices, today a large minority of the public says there is not a Democrat running who they would vote for over George W. Bush.
A large minority? Wouldn't that be a majority?
lj | Thursday, February 05, 2004
|
|
Tar Heels Host No. 1-Ranked Blue Devils Carolina has beaten 10 No. 1-ranked teams (Associated Press poll) in its history.
Carolina will host top-ranked Duke on Thursday night at 9 p.m. in the Smith Center. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2 and regionally in the Atlantic Coast Conference area by Raycom/Jefferson-Pilot.
Carolina has already beaten one No. 1-ranked team this season, having defeated Connecticut 86-83 on Jan. 17 in the Smith Center. The Tar Heels have beaten 10 No. 1-ranked teams (Associated Press poll) in their history, tying UCLA for the most wins over No. 1-ranked teams in NCAA history.
The Tar Heels, ranked No. 17 by the Associated Press and No. 19 by the coaches, are 13-5, 3-4 in the ACC this season. The Tar Heels are ranked No. 18 in the nation in the latest RPI rankings and have played the nation's 11th-toughest schedule.
What a better way to break UCLA's record than to beat Duke?
lj | Thursday, February 05, 2004
|
|
Girl says 'hell' in school, suspendedPITTSBURGH -- A second-grader was suspended for a day for telling a classmate he would go to hell for saying, "I swear to God."
Brandy McKenith, 7, was suspended for swearing for saying the word "hell," but her family says she was referring to the biblical location of fire and brimstone.
Uh...what other place could she have been referring to besides Massachusetts?
lj | Thursday, February 05, 2004
|
|
Blacks Balk at Gay Marriage-Civil Rights Links A new controversey has erupted around the issue of gay marriage, as some black leaders have been outraged by comparisons being drawn between the civil rights movement and the right of homosexuals to marry.
Observers have been drawing similarities between the two movements since the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled last week that the state's constitution guarantees gay couples the right to marry. The court cited landmark laws that struck down bans on interracial marriage, but conservative black leaders object to the comparisons, arguing that sexual orientation is a choice.
The Rev. Talbert Swan II said the two struggles are not similar because blacks were lynched, denied property rights and declared inhuman.
"Homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle," he said. "I could not choose the color of my skin. ... For me to ride down the street and get profiled just because of my skin color is something a homosexual will never go through."
A poll released by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press on Nov. 18, the day of the ruling, indicated 60 percent of blacks opposed gay marriage.
We have been told for years now that homosexuality is not a choice, that it is something they are born with. That is not something I personally believe, which is why I hold the views I do. I too, believe it is a lifestyle choice. It is wrong to discriminate against someone because of something they were born with.
I agree with the above article...it is NOT something you're born with. It can't be. Otherwise there are a lot of close-minded, judgmental people.
I'm sure you will hear some tear-jerker story about a homosexual couple on their death bed, not able to see one another. I am not unsympathetic. I understand it must be tough. But just because you saw it on ER doesn't mean the whole country agrees.
Marriage is a religious institution/recognition...civil unions are not. That is the crux of the issue. That is why John Kerry and George W. Bush are both opposed to gay marriage.
I don't think you can compare it to race and if I were black, I would be outraged too. But I'm not (black) and there is no way to change that, no matter what my choice is because that is something I was born with.
lj | Thursday, February 05, 2004
|
|
The Many Faces of John Kerry In 1991, Kerry joined most of his fellow Democratic senators in voting against the Gulf War. At the time, he said he did not want to see U.S. soldiers die unless it was absolutely necessary. In a speech delivered on the Senate floor, he asked, "Is the liberation of Kuwait so imperative that all those risks are worthwhile at this moment?" Then he used a phrase that he would recycle 11 years later: "There is a rush to war here. We are willing to act, it seems, with more bravado than patience."
In 1998, after Kerry voiced support for Operation Desert Fox, in which the United States and Britain bombed Iraq for three days, Kerry was asked whether he had cast the wrong vote in 1991. "My speech on the floor of the Senate [in 1991] could not have been clearer about my support for military force," he said. Then why, exactly, had he voted against the 1991 war? Again, Kerry wouldn't say.
The truth is, Kerry's votes on Iraq over the last ten years have been wildly inconsistent: He voted against war in 1991, for war in 2002, and then against the $87 billion appropriation for reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003. What will happen, asks Peter Feaver, when Republicans ask Kerry, "Tell me the conditions under which you will use force?" It's a question for which the candidate doesn't seem to have a coherent answer.
lj | Wednesday, February 04, 2004
|
|
Top 5 Time:Some of my favorites this week are a little long but if you are patient and read them, you will be rewarded. Again, great job to everyone.
In no particular order:
joshua.michael - The Day in the Life of a Junior High Elvis Impersonator. I don't really need to explain that do I?
Skywalking - A Day In The Life Of...The Pastor's Bible.
Ian's Messy Desk - The Life of Riley
\___Cliff between the Lines___/ - Playing with Knives
Codswallop and Flapdoodle - Days, Lives, Inns, and Outs
Great job everyone! Thanks to all who voted for me.
lj | Wednesday, February 04, 2004
|
|
Here's a shocker...Lieberman Drops OutWASHINGTON — After failing to win any of Tuesday's seven contests, Joe Lieberman gave up his presidential candidacy.
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
More proof that our courts are incongruous with our people
Ohio House Approves Defense Of Marriage Act
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
Looking South
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
Well, this is just weird....Kansas Woman Posed As 13-Year-Old Boy
33-Year-Old Allegedly Tried To Enroll In Middle SchoolThanks to
The Drudge Report
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
And just in case you are still dumb enough to think it wasn't planned, click here.[Note: MTV wipes statement from its website; Cached version from Google historically preserves announcement.] -
Drudge Report
That will be the end of this subject for me. I've already posted 2 more posts on it than I wanted to.
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
So goes the MTV experimentSuperbowl.com statement: "The show was offensive, inappropriate and embarrassing to us and our fans. We will change our policy, our people and our processes for managing the halftime entertainment in the future in order to deal far more effectively with the quality of this aspect of the Super Bowl."
After singer Janet Jackson's breast was exposed on national TV during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, the unhappy NFL announced it was "unlikely" MTV would ever produce another Super Bowl halftime.
Maybe something good did come out of this.
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
Think he'll get out of it?Clark motorcade gets speeding ticket
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
Cool video on the Mars rover (May take a few minutes to download - 17 mb)
Anyone ever see Red Planet?
lj | Tuesday, February 03, 2004
|
|
How big is God? How small am I? This should give you an idea
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
Hate Cats? Take out your frustrations here
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
Are you a liberal? I have good news and bad news.
Good news: Cheney may be dropped as VP on Presidential ticket
Bad news: Rudy Guiliani may be taking his place
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
Top 10 Super Bowl Commercials....according to ESPNIf you missed any of these, like me, you can view them here
(as with any website, I can't vouch for other links by this site. If you explore off of this page, do so at your own risk)
1. Bud Light
Synopsis: A guy is treating his lady friend to a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride in a snowy park. He hands her a candle for some "candlelight," then leans over to get the other light, a Bud Light. When he does, the horse lets one rip, causing a huge fireball to engulf the woman.
2. NFL Network
Synopsis: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is trying to cheer up coach Bill Parcells, who is disappointed not to be in the Super Bowl, by singing the song "Tomorrow" (made famous by Little Orphan Annie). Cut to several other notable NFL players who are out of the playoffs doing various mundane tasks and singing "Tomorrow" as well. The tagline: "As of tomorrow, we're all undefeated again."
3. AOL
Synopsis: AOL teamed up with the father-son team from TLC's "American Chopper" for a series of ads where they take the new AOL technology and use it to soup up various vehicles like a motorcycle, a Jazzy scooter and a car. Of the three, the best ad had to be the first -- when they hooked up the new AOL optimized technology to a motorcycle in an attempt to jump several tanker trucks. The result? The motorcycle not only jumps the tanker trucks, but proceeds to go an extra mile or so.
4. H&R Block
Synopsis: Willie Nelson, who has had his own run-in with the IRS, is back selling a "Willie Nelson Advice Doll" that is guaranteed to help you make some of your toughest financial decisions. Just pull the string, and Willie does the rest. Figure out your taxes by taking a wild guess? Sure! Get the bass boat instead of the 401k? Willie says yes! But the clincher had to be Don Zimmer. During a bench-clearing brawl, Zim asks if he should "give this guy a shellacking" The Willie doll tells him to go for it, and with nothing on the screen but the company logo, you hear a resounding "Oooh!" from the crowd.
5. Subway
Even though this ad didn't appear until right after the Super Bowl ended, it needs to be recognized.
Synopsis: The folks at Subway want to clear up one thing: eating low-fat food at Subway allows you to occasionally eat badly, not act badly. So, some of the things Subway would like you to stop doing include: cutting a child's kite strings, bringing back bad van art and, most of all, no Wang Chung reunion tour. Why It Works: First of all, any Subway ad without Jared is cause for celebration. Second, I refuse to not recognize any commercial that successfully incorporates a Wang Chung reference.
6. MasterCard
Synopsis: The latest installment in the "priceless" series brings us to the life of Homer J. Simpson. Homer goes about his errands rather quickly using his trusty MasterCard with a few missteps along the way. Diapers, milk and laundry detergent are part of first stop at the Quick-E-Mart, but all that seems to make it to the counter are beer, donuts and a hot dog. So, why use your MasterCard? According to the voice over to be able to "spend more time with your family." Homer uses his extra time to join the guys at Moe's for a beer. When MasterCard needed a poster boy for avoiding responsibility, Homer Simpson was a "priceless" choice.
7. Pepsi
Synopsis: Two bears ransack a cabin looking for food. They find plenty, but no Pepsi to go with it. What to do? It's a no-brainer. You dress up like the mega-hairy hunter who owns the place, take his ID and buy some Pepsi with a check at the local convenience store.
8. Charmin
Synopsis: It's crunch time in the big game, and the center is ready to hike the ball. One problem, the QB can't keep his hands off him. It seems the Charmin bear mascot has replaced the center's usual towel with soft, luxurious Charmin toilet paper. So, the clock winds down ... a delay-of-game penalty is called, and the team is ticked. All the while, the QB is still trying to grab the Charmin on the center's butt.
9. Budweiser
Synopsis: A donkey professes his lifelong dream to be one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. He takes us through his life of training to be ready for his big break. He gets his shot, and when asked why he should be a Clydesdale, he responds with a nails-on-the-chalkboard hee haw. Don't worry, he didn't blow it. He "must have said something right" because it closes with him pulling the Budweiser wagon with his fellow Clydesdales.
10. Chevrolet
Synopsis: Several kids are seen with bars of soap in their mouths -- most likely for something naughty they said.
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
I knew it was only a matter of time...50 Cent Reportedly Wanted For Alleged Gun ViolationThere's word police in New York City are looking for 50 Cent.
The New York Post reports that an arrest warrant was issued for the rap star after he allegedly drove up to a video shoot in Queens and hinted he was going to fire a gun.
The paper quoted the police report in the case as saying the rapper pulled up to a video shoot Saturday afternoon and said, "What up? You ready for this?" -- while extending his empty hand, motioning like he was shooting a gun.
It's not clear who was filming the video -- or why 50 Cent went there.
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
IS FRENCH'S MUSTARD FRENCH? The makers of French's Mustard made the following recent statement:
"We, at the French's Company, wish to put an end to statements that our product is manufactured in France. There is no relationship, nor has there ever been a relationship between our mustard and the country of France. Indeed, our mustard is manufactured in Rochester, NY.
The only thing we have in common is that we are both yellow."
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am having email problems and it has totally consumed me. Just like every problem that pops up in my life I have to resolve it quickly. It is a quest. It is a mission. It is annoying.
How can your email program work one day and cease to function another? I rue the day when the world is run by computers...probably already is. But I despise spending my day off on a problem that is still unresolved.
If you ever notice my blog posts becoming few and far between, then rest assured that in a living room somewhere, words are forming.
Descriptive...colorful....words.
lj | Monday, February 02, 2004
|
|
