The world is burning...

and we're still talking about Dubai Ports World! It must be a real bitch to be such an honest president and have your base lose sight of what's important and align itself with your enemies.

To my vast readership

You know who you are, Bob! I can't stress enough that you really need to read Media Lies everyday. I've been deficient myself for last couple of weeks and just got through catching up on antimedia's posts. He has so much there on what's right in Iraq, what's going on with the mainstream media (hint, the blog title) and so much more. Always thoughtful and doesn't go on rants like I do. That's why I read him.

Tax Time

Well, Mrs. Right and I just finished the 2005 income tax return. We'd celebrate, but we're a little too depressed.

Don't piss us off here in Marion County

Because we can get a little testy. Such as a fellow citizen in Marion County who got tired of a neighbor who reportedly slammed her door too loudly. He brutally killed her. I hope the bastard gets the chair, I mean, gets the needle. But just keep this in mind if you're thinking of moving to Florida.

I've not been posting...

for several days. There's lots of stuff to talk about, but I'm not quite up for it. Mostly I'm pissed with how we conservatives routinely form ourselves into circular firing squads.

About this ports operation contract: I've been reading and listening to fellow conservatives I (usually) respect. And here is how it stands: some of us are on the same side as Hillary Clinton; and others are on the same side as JimmuhCarter. This is a bitch. And the words I've been hearing from conservatives, Democrats and America haters have had lots of volume and vitriol and passion.

Here's how I stand on this issue. I agree with President Bush. Not because I'm in lockstep with all his positions and policies...hell, no! But because he's right on this one. Christ, this is one area that we've always had some vulnerability on since this firm and so many others operated by potential enemies and actual enemies (can you say China) have been operating ports of departure for ships that enter all our ports. They already know our security protocols and operating procedures.

But don't get me wrong, I would prefer only friends and allies get juicy contracts. Oh yeah - and the UAE is just that! At least as much as France. But I really wish Halliburton had bid on and gotten the contract. That really would have been fun to listen to Democrat howls.

Another Warrior Home!

And he's safe and sound. A young lady in my office has been so excited. Her husband, a Marine captain, had been in Iraq for 10 months. He was on active reserve and got called up. He was only supposed to be gone 6 months.

Well, he finally came home to her Wednesday. They were only married for about 6 months when he left stateside. Welcome home, Chris! Your wife missed you so much. It was hard on her, but she too is a warrior.

And thanks, man, for your service.

Well it's been a couple of interesting weeks

I haven't posted in days. That's because I've been busy doing United Way committee activities. So far it's taken me 22 hours (at least) to do the minimum. More to come. I'm tired but it has been (mostly) satisfying.

I'm also on the board of a professional organization that relies solely on volunteer time. We've been putting together a 3 day conference for March. Wow, it's been a time consumer, but thankfully it looks like it will be a great success. That's mostly because the other board and committee members are very hard workers.

Wow, been one of those days

Started off at the doctor's office for a blood letting. The half gallon (I'm estimating) will be analyzed to determine just how many years (months?) I will live. Well, I'm just guessing. I'll get the results next week, at the same time of my annual full physical. However, I'm pretty sure I'll be told that I have the health and physique of a 65 year old man. However, I'm not quite 55. Should be interesting.

Well of course my appointment was only an estimated time, as far as the doctor was concerned. Trouble is, I was scheduled to attend a United Way committee meeting at 8:30 am. Needless to say, I was a little late. Then the fun began. United Way, like so many worthwhile organizations, rely upon volunteers. So about a dozen of us toured agencies requesting funding for FY 2007. So we visiting 4 agencies today, which took 5 hours. Oh, yeah, I also had to go to work and perform my job. Life can be a bitch, you betcha.

Look, I'm only kidding. This is very worthwhile and I'm pleased to do this. So much so that I'll do it again this Thursday and next Thursday. It'll take about 16 hours, plus another 4 in meetings, but it's worth it. And you find out just what it means to be in need. Makes your petty crap seem like, well, petty crap.

And now the Christians are rioting

Well, of course not! But, as Rich Lowry of the above NRO post says in his first sentence, it's an option. "Christians have long wondered how to get due regard for their religious sensibilities from the arbiters of our culture. Now they know the answer: mayhem."

But it's an option for only the most simpleminded, backwards Christian. Not that there haven't been centuries when such did occur. But these days, such spoiled childlike fundamentalists seem to be Muslims. Of course I'm generalizing.

However, just wait until there's a small scale riot by members of any loony brand of Christianity in any part of the world. Or for that matter, a letter writing campaign. Then you'll see just how brave our MSM really is. They presently are very respectful of (the peaceful) religion, but I'm sure they will locate their missing testicles and be able to cover every stupid act of any nutjob Christian cult. They've done it before, and in considerable detail over many days.

Speaking of stupidity and religion, Southern Knight posts on something I had thought of doing since it also involved religion in Florida. "It was to be a celebration of "Black History" month in Deltona, Fla. However; three of the paintings on display in the city hall HAD to be removed because they contained small references to the Christian faith."

That's right, apparently the fear of displaying anything Christian (even though that religion was a major part of black history) made a local government willing to show disrespect for Black History Month. Must have been one hell of difficult decision. You see, they were not afraid of Christians, so they must have been afraid of offending atheists or other religions, maybe even (shudder) Muslims. Don't want to be offensive you understand. Well, maybe toward Christians.

Islam most certainly is the perfect religion

for third world hicks with a well deserved sense of inadequacy. What else can one conclude from this story in the AFP?

At least 3000 protesters enraged by the alleged desecration of the Koran clashed with police and torched two cinemas in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, police said today. *** The trouble erupted late yesterday when copies of the Muslim holy book were found lying in a drain in the Bhatta area on the fringes of the sprawling city, located near the Indian border.

Got that? A book got wet, so of course third world jihadists are sure some infidel did it.

It becomes even more difficult to respect such a religion (or culture) as practiced by such adherents.

Okay, back to the cartoon version of Islam

Took the day off from 'Muslim bashing' with the hope that the supposedly greater number of calmer, wiser, modern, moderate practitioners of Islam would finally speak out against the over-reaction of their far fewer radical co-religionists. There have been a few brave enough to speak out against the violence. Good for them. Still waiting for the mass demonstrations of people rejecting their terrorist brethren, but have little expectation of that happening.

My opinion is very much summed up by the above linked post in NRO's TKS blog whose writer knows and has lived among Muslims in Turkey:

I wonder how many Muslims understand how the actions of the embassy-torching maniacs define their faith to so many. I wonder how many don't know, how many don't care, and how many do know and care but are too scared of the consequences to stand against the violence committed in their name. I'm trying to articulate my positive experiences with Muslims over here to my readers, but it's not as powerful and penetrating an image as screaming lunatics burning down embassies and threatening to behead anyone who they believe has insulted them. And frankly, I'm not all that wowed with the reaction of moderate Muslims. I'm not sure how much further I want to stick my neck out defending a faith community that won't loudly and firmly police or rebuke its own members.

Hi, I'm a CrackBerry addict and...

and I'm really hopeful that an amicable decision is reached by February 24th. I use the BlackBerry for work only, but it's become a very important tool. Even when I'm on vacation, as I am now, I stay in touch by email and phone. It makes me better enjoy my time off by knowing that I'll know now if something blows up at the office. Gives me peace of mind. However, I don't think Mrs. Right really understands this.

UPDATE (2/25/06)
Yea!! More time given for the parties to cut a deal. My crackberry addiction continues.

No more Muslim bashing

at least for today.

Mainstream Media-Hypocrites or Cowards?

Excerpts from WSJ's Best of the Web today show that the MSM is both.

Fair-Weather Free-Speech Friends:
Blogger Eugene Volokh wondered if the Globe was equally solicitous of the feelings of Christians offended by various government-sponsored artworks in the U.S. It would appear not. Volokh digs up an editorial from 1999 praising a judge who ordered New York City not to withhold funding for a museum that displayed "a painting of a black Virgin Mary spotted with elephant dung," as well as two editorials from 1990 denouncing then-Sen. Jesse Helms and others who had criticized the National Endowment for the Arts over artworks including Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ."

and

What accounts for the difference? A combination of fear and ideology. Muslim fundamentalists, or at least some of them, express offense by torching embassies and threatening terrorist attacks. By contrast, U.S. military leaders write firm but polite letters to the editor, and Christian fundamentalists ask their elected representatives to stop spending tax money on offensive stuff. (Never believe a liberal when he professes to find Christian fundamentalists "scary.") There is no need to appease an opponent who respects rules of civilized behavior.

The MSM are fearful cowards. As I've stated before, they obviously have no fear of Christians, but they have understandable fear of Muslims. They are therefore sometimes cowards, but always hypocrites.

Islam - The Perfect Religion

Yeah, perfect for simpletons, headcases and terrorists.

Islam is not a peaceful religion. Violence and murder and hatred of non-believers are implicit and explicit in its holy text.

Of course the Christian bible has the old testament which is full of killing on the order of, and in the name of, God. So when was the last time the Jews took such instructions as being doctrine? We know a lot of atrocities have been committed in the name of Jesus. But there are no such instructions by Jesus in the new testament. Anyway, civilization has advanced under Christianity. No such advances occurred under Islam and would have been impossible. A dark ages religion has no sophistication or nuance. And definitely no mercy for those who trespass against dogma.

I've heard for many years about how science and math and critical thought flourished under Islam during its first few centuries. That did occur and here's how. Islam is/was a desert religion that spread through war. It conquered many lands that already had a sophisticated learning structure or culture. It absorbed and tolerated this for some time until its religious leaders were able to bring the entire culture under Islam. That's when learning and knowledge began to fade and religious indoctrination became sacrosanct. There never was, nor ever will be, an Islamic renaissance. Such would be in direct conflict with the prophet's teachings. Ignorance of science and intolerance of differing opinions and beliefs are integral to the advancement of Islam.

Does it seem like I hate Muslims? Maybe I come across that way, but it's not true.

Here's the deal-I'm not religious, but I believe in many moral precepts found in most religions, particularly Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

I don't hate Islam or any other religion. I actually have a considerable measure of respect for those who peacefully practice their religion, even when I disagree with some or all of it. That's their choice. Peace be upon them...if they are peaceful. I have the choice of no religion, and I've taken it.

I also have the ability of recognizing an intolerant and dangerous religion. And I can easily reason that anyone who responds to an 'insult' to his religion by advocating death to infidels is a simpleton...or a headcase...or a terrorist.

Cartoon Violence

Cartooning made easy:

Outline a backward culture; then sketch a dark ages religion; good, now color in hypocrisy; fine, then add well-deserved low self esteem to establish a sense of dimension. Oh, yeah, don't forget the absurdity. There, you've made your first violent cartoon. Real violence...real blood.

Sometimes you just have to wonder about the world we live in. In so much of the world there is incredible violence, human suffering and indignity. But does that start the populous rioting, threatening death and plotting mayhem? No, for some reason, the people can handle atrocities committed by their secular and religious leaders.

But publish a cartoon about their fearless leader...I mean, peerless prophet...now, that's what upsets them.

I've heard so many 'sophisticated' people make fun of believing Christians all my life. Hell, I've done it myself on occasion (okay, on several occasions). Yet I don't remember a riot. Do you? The MSM never misses a chance to challenge Christian beliefs, but they are very careful about how they mention the 'religion of peace.' Do you think it's because they know their lives could be endangered. But they know when it comes to trashing Christians, they get invited to the better parties.

Just one of the many absurdities of our world.

Religion of Peace, My Ass! (wait, another sequel)

Come on, you peaceful religionists....they're cartoons for christ's sake. Get pissed, okay. But threaten to behead infidels, etc. etc. Frankly, this is so very old.

Are there any sane members of the 'religion of peace' left on earth? If so, they are few and will not raise their voices. Of course, they know just how nuts all the rest of their co-religionists are. So, I guess they will stay vewwy, vewwy qwiet.