Too Late For Regrets
Good grief, NOW he regrets saying it? According to this CNN.com article, former CIA Director George Tenet told an audience in Kutztown, PA. (sure it's not "KLUTZtown?) that he regrets saying Iraq was a "slam dunk".
My heart goes out to all those who have loved ones that have perished during this mistaken war... including the Iraqis.
True to form, though, Tenet DOESN'T say WHY he felt so strongly confident about the issue back in 2002. C'mon! Didn't he just receive a Medal of Freedom?
More later...
Paul
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Another 9/11 Related Farce
This is the trial that the media should be focused on; not Michael Jackson, not Scott Peterson, not Robert Blake. This One. The only person in the United States charged in connection with the 9/11 tragedy... a French national.
This story has it all. The defendant originally dismissed his court-appointed defense attorneys because he said they were incompetent. He wanted to represent himself, but the judge denied him that right in 2003 saying his legal filings "include contemptuous language that would never be tolerated from an attorney and will no longer be tolerated from this defendant."
What the hell?
Now the media reports that the defendant intends to plead guilty, but the judge has to determine if the defendant is mentally competent to make the plea.
Again, what the hell? And why isn't this news all over the front pages? Well, I'll tell you why: the press has abdicated its duties. Period.
More later...
Paul
This is the trial that the media should be focused on; not Michael Jackson, not Scott Peterson, not Robert Blake. This One. The only person in the United States charged in connection with the 9/11 tragedy... a French national.
This story has it all. The defendant originally dismissed his court-appointed defense attorneys because he said they were incompetent. He wanted to represent himself, but the judge denied him that right in 2003 saying his legal filings "include contemptuous language that would never be tolerated from an attorney and will no longer be tolerated from this defendant."
What the hell?
Now the media reports that the defendant intends to plead guilty, but the judge has to determine if the defendant is mentally competent to make the plea.
Again, what the hell? And why isn't this news all over the front pages? Well, I'll tell you why: the press has abdicated its duties. Period.
More later...
Paul
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Give This Man Some Credit
Of all of the news dinosaurs still breathing, I never thought it would be Sam "Really, it IS my hair" Donaldson finally admitting that Network News Is Dead. And yet, here he is, apologetic even, while confessing "The monster anchors are through."
Sam is about as inside as an insider can get. He's been through enough contract negotiations to see the writing on the wall. I suspect he's about to join the ranks of the former-broadcasters-turned-bloggers, but I won't believe it until I see it. In any case, kudos to him for telling it like it is.
Only question left: will the network news organizations go away quietly, or are they gonna put up a (losing) fight?
Here comes the kicking and screaming...
More later...
Paul
Of all of the news dinosaurs still breathing, I never thought it would be Sam "Really, it IS my hair" Donaldson finally admitting that Network News Is Dead. And yet, here he is, apologetic even, while confessing "The monster anchors are through."
Sam is about as inside as an insider can get. He's been through enough contract negotiations to see the writing on the wall. I suspect he's about to join the ranks of the former-broadcasters-turned-bloggers, but I won't believe it until I see it. In any case, kudos to him for telling it like it is.
Only question left: will the network news organizations go away quietly, or are they gonna put up a (losing) fight?
Here comes the kicking and screaming...
More later...
Paul
Why Should We Take This Man Seriously?
So, a German Cardinal has been elected Pope. He's friggin' 78 years old! I hope he's healthy, but is health something they considered in the so-called "conclave"?
In one of his very first public statements he shows how out of touch he his. He said, "The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers..." I mean, he almost sounds surprised that God can work with anything and anyone. In an attempt to come off as humble, instead he sounds to me to be manipulative at best.
The article labels the pope as the "Roman Catholic Church's leading hard-liner". That just doesn't sound right. But should I even be surprised that the Catholic Church would do something disappointing?
More later...
Paul
So, a German Cardinal has been elected Pope. He's friggin' 78 years old! I hope he's healthy, but is health something they considered in the so-called "conclave"?
In one of his very first public statements he shows how out of touch he his. He said, "The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers..." I mean, he almost sounds surprised that God can work with anything and anyone. In an attempt to come off as humble, instead he sounds to me to be manipulative at best.
The article labels the pope as the "Roman Catholic Church's leading hard-liner". That just doesn't sound right. But should I even be surprised that the Catholic Church would do something disappointing?
More later...
Paul
Monday, April 18, 2005
The Coverup Is Officially Underway
Here we are in the middle of the so-called War On Terror... and wouldn't it be kind of nice to know how our side is doing so far? Well, based on the results of the last presidential election, one would think that we're winning. Unfortunately, the State Department's National Counterterrorism Center has recently reported that there were MORE terrorist attacks in 2004 than in any year since 1985! And the statistics DO NOT include terror attacks in Iraq. How did our government respond? They decided to stop publishing the report!
Secretary Rice, you should be ashamed of yourself.
More later...
Paul
Here we are in the middle of the so-called War On Terror... and wouldn't it be kind of nice to know how our side is doing so far? Well, based on the results of the last presidential election, one would think that we're winning. Unfortunately, the State Department's National Counterterrorism Center has recently reported that there were MORE terrorist attacks in 2004 than in any year since 1985! And the statistics DO NOT include terror attacks in Iraq. How did our government respond? They decided to stop publishing the report!
Secretary Rice, you should be ashamed of yourself.
More later...
Paul
Saturday, April 16, 2005
This Could Change Everything
Ever want to broadcast a television show of your own? Participatory Culture Foundation may have the answer. And it's FREE.
Have my dreams finally been answered? We'll see when they release their software in June.
More later...
Paul
Ever want to broadcast a television show of your own? Participatory Culture Foundation may have the answer. And it's FREE.
Have my dreams finally been answered? We'll see when they release their software in June.
More later...
Paul
Glad To See This
It's nice to see SOMEONE getting mad at those who voted for the bankruptcy bill. MoveOn.org has stepped up to the plate:The Raw Story | Moveon.org PAC to run ads targeting Democratic leader in House Steny Hoyer
What's news about this is that it is widely assumed that the MoveOn organization is pro-democrat. Turns out that they're just pro-American. Will wonders never cease?
More later...
Paul
It's nice to see SOMEONE getting mad at those who voted for the bankruptcy bill. MoveOn.org has stepped up to the plate:The Raw Story | Moveon.org PAC to run ads targeting Democratic leader in House Steny Hoyer
What's news about this is that it is widely assumed that the MoveOn organization is pro-democrat. Turns out that they're just pro-American. Will wonders never cease?
More later...
Paul
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Senator Scrooge? Congressman Curmudgeon? President Pennypincher?
Seen as part of the Republican's "legal reform" agenda, here it comes - the boot in the butt of the masses: Yahoo! News - Bush Will Sign Bankruptcy Bill
If it's the Republican's agenda, why did 73 House Democrats vote in favor of it? Who elects these people?
Let's take a look at some of the reaction from "the other side":
- Opponents say the bill is too harsh on ordinary Americans, arguing many of those filing for bankruptcy were driven into debt by unemployment, a medical crisis or divorce.
(Unemployment? Wouldn't it be nice if Congress tackled THAT little issue, instead of Steroids in pro sports and Terry Schiavo?)
- "This is the most special-interest-invested bill that I have ever dealt with in my career in Congress," said Rep. John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat first elected in 1964. "It massively tilts the playing field in favor of banks and credit card companies and against working people and their families."
- The AFL-CIO labor organization denounced the measure as "further proof that big business is steamrolling legislation through Congress."
NSS (that's "No Shit, Sherlock"). This current Congress is just BEGGING for a popular revolution.
More later...
Paul
Seen as part of the Republican's "legal reform" agenda, here it comes - the boot in the butt of the masses: Yahoo! News - Bush Will Sign Bankruptcy Bill
If it's the Republican's agenda, why did 73 House Democrats vote in favor of it? Who elects these people?
Let's take a look at some of the reaction from "the other side":
- Opponents say the bill is too harsh on ordinary Americans, arguing many of those filing for bankruptcy were driven into debt by unemployment, a medical crisis or divorce.
(Unemployment? Wouldn't it be nice if Congress tackled THAT little issue, instead of Steroids in pro sports and Terry Schiavo?)
- "This is the most special-interest-invested bill that I have ever dealt with in my career in Congress," said Rep. John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat first elected in 1964. "It massively tilts the playing field in favor of banks and credit card companies and against working people and their families."
- The AFL-CIO labor organization denounced the measure as "further proof that big business is steamrolling legislation through Congress."
NSS (that's "No Shit, Sherlock"). This current Congress is just BEGGING for a popular revolution.
More later...
Paul
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
Give ME Some Money, While You're At It...
This story upsets me. It's not the most upsetting thing I've read recently, but it still works my nerves:USATODAY.com - U.S. aims to spend money in Iran
According to the article, "Congress has appropriated $3 million, and the State Department is inviting proposals from 'educational institutions, humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights...' "
The article also notes that MY country, the U.S.A., is already spending $15 million per year to broadcast radio and television programs in Farsi into the country.
One of the things that bothers me is the amount of funds appropriated. To our government, $3 million is less than chump change. That's "walking around money" for some of the rich guys that represent us. It's clearly some type of payoff money that they're dressing up to look legit. In fact, I'm kind of confused about the amount of money they're spending on broadcasts. Somebody is getting paid bigtime in that scenario.
I wish we could let sovereign nations alone, but in this era of $3/gallon gasoline I know it's asking too much. This current administration is dead-set on taking over Iran, and this little bit of money is absolutely nothing compared to what it will cost when we start sending the troops in.
More later...
Paul
This story upsets me. It's not the most upsetting thing I've read recently, but it still works my nerves:USATODAY.com - U.S. aims to spend money in Iran
According to the article, "Congress has appropriated $3 million, and the State Department is inviting proposals from 'educational institutions, humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights...' "
The article also notes that MY country, the U.S.A., is already spending $15 million per year to broadcast radio and television programs in Farsi into the country.
One of the things that bothers me is the amount of funds appropriated. To our government, $3 million is less than chump change. That's "walking around money" for some of the rich guys that represent us. It's clearly some type of payoff money that they're dressing up to look legit. In fact, I'm kind of confused about the amount of money they're spending on broadcasts. Somebody is getting paid bigtime in that scenario.
I wish we could let sovereign nations alone, but in this era of $3/gallon gasoline I know it's asking too much. This current administration is dead-set on taking over Iran, and this little bit of money is absolutely nothing compared to what it will cost when we start sending the troops in.
More later...
Paul
A New Era Has Arrived
And there will be even MORE posts, now that the email
functionality has been established.
And it was good.
More later...
Paul
Friday, April 08, 2005
I'm Not Mourning For Him
The media says the whole world is mourning the Pope. But they didn't ask me. I feel pretty much the same way I felt when Reagan passed on.
"See Ya!"
Here's hoping the Catholic Church takes this opportunity to join the rest of us in the 21st Century. No, I won't hold my breath.
More later...
Paul
The media says the whole world is mourning the Pope. But they didn't ask me. I feel pretty much the same way I felt when Reagan passed on.
"See Ya!"
Here's hoping the Catholic Church takes this opportunity to join the rest of us in the 21st Century. No, I won't hold my breath.
More later...
Paul
Friday, April 01, 2005
Somebody Explain This To Me
So the Pope is near death. And the news media reports stuff like this:Yahoo! News - Catholics Pray as Pope Slides Towards Death
And I have to ask: why? Why pray for the Pope? Are they praying for God to spare his life and let him live? When I was raised Catholic, we were taught that the Pope was basically God on Earth, or at least God's top representative here. If that's the case, what difference will Bob's prayer make when the Pope has The Man's ear already?
Or are they praying that God will accept the Pope into heaven? A lot of people pray that for their dying loved ones, that God will have mercy on their eternal souls and allow them to enter the pearly gates. Good Grief (almost said God there), if ANYBODY is "saved" it's the Pope, right?
So maybe they're praying that the Pope is comfortable and not feeling any pain. I would think that the Vatican's health care benefits would take care of that. I'm sure the Pope is getting the best treatment money can buy... it's not like he's poor or something. He has been sick for a long time now; he probably should have retired a decade ago, but Pope's really don't do that.
My suspicion is that all of those praying Catholics are secretly praying for themselves. They SAY they're praying for the Pontiff, but they're really trying to curry favor with God... "See how selfless I am? I'm praying for a guy who doesn't even need my prayers!"
More later...
Paul
So the Pope is near death. And the news media reports stuff like this:Yahoo! News - Catholics Pray as Pope Slides Towards Death
And I have to ask: why? Why pray for the Pope? Are they praying for God to spare his life and let him live? When I was raised Catholic, we were taught that the Pope was basically God on Earth, or at least God's top representative here. If that's the case, what difference will Bob's prayer make when the Pope has The Man's ear already?
Or are they praying that God will accept the Pope into heaven? A lot of people pray that for their dying loved ones, that God will have mercy on their eternal souls and allow them to enter the pearly gates. Good Grief (almost said God there), if ANYBODY is "saved" it's the Pope, right?
So maybe they're praying that the Pope is comfortable and not feeling any pain. I would think that the Vatican's health care benefits would take care of that. I'm sure the Pope is getting the best treatment money can buy... it's not like he's poor or something. He has been sick for a long time now; he probably should have retired a decade ago, but Pope's really don't do that.
My suspicion is that all of those praying Catholics are secretly praying for themselves. They SAY they're praying for the Pontiff, but they're really trying to curry favor with God... "See how selfless I am? I'm praying for a guy who doesn't even need my prayers!"
More later...
Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)