WTF???

Osama bin Laden is starting to sound as disconnected from reality as Jimmy Carter. A few excerpts from a tape that has surfaced and aired on Al Jazeera television:

"It never occurred to us that the commander in chief of the country (Bush) would leave 50,000 citizens in the two towers to face those horrors alone ... because he thought listening to a child discussing her goats was more important."

Oh, how stupid of us. You're right -- Mr. Bush should have repealed the laws of physics or something and not let those towers fall down after your 19 goons flew jumbo jets full of fuel into them. How utterly demented of us to blame you for the unfortunate deaths of 3,000 people. (NOT 50,000 people, dipshit.)

... bin Laden also said the U.S. administration resembled "corrupt" Arab governments.

As opposed to the "non-corrupt" Arab governments of .................?????

Oh, gawd ... is anyone else as bored as I am of this asshole? Of him and every other dipshit with a camcorder and warmed-over jihadi rhetoric?

I'm not saying Islamofascism shouldn't be taken seriously or that these people aren't dead serious about their campaign of terror and death.

But in the same way C.S. Lewis portrayed the devil in Perelandra, the self-appointed luminaries of Islamist lunacy are ultimately unoriginal and tiresome, their threats and harangues ringing more and more hollow as Truth and Light close in on them.

Post-dramatic stress disorder

Yes, you read correctly: post-dramatic stress disorder.

2004 has been an intense year for your humble correspondent, and the spectre of lawyers swarming the peaceful countryside like locusts on Nov. 3 just raises the drama quotient that much higher.

Is it just me, or is everyone about ready to crawl into a hole with a six-pack and a pillow and not emerge until St. Patrick's Day?

Thank goodness for the guys at JibJab.

"W" stands for "weather"

Our local weather service is predicting a the possibility of a potential outbreak of severe weather on Election Day. If George Bush wins, do you think the Dems will somehow blame him for manipulating the weather to suppress the Democratic vote? Maybe he has a secret weather manipulator machine in the White House basement?

"I'm John Kerry, and I've always been in favor of sunny skies and balmy temperatures. If you vote for me, it will never rain on your parade, and every cloud will have a silver lining, paid for by the rich people who've had more than their fair share of good weather. Meanwhile, my opponent says he never promised you a rose garden, that along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime. And I say that's the rhetoric of the past! In my administration, we'll have no more hurricanes, no more tornadoes, and Mt. St. Helen's will sleep like a baby."

Vacuum cleaners, candy corn and Ol' Scratch himself

It’s almost Halloween again, time for much weeping and gnashing of teeth among some of the bretheren about the pagan origins of this holiday.

I’m not going to dispute the fact that bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating, dressing in costumes and jack o’ lanterns all have pagan origins. What gets me cranky is the idea that Ashley in her princess costume or Dylan with his bag of candy corn is invoking the Prince of Darkness himself. To start off my rant, let me ask you a question:

If a guy sits down at a restaurant, orders a glass of merlot and nibbles on a crusty baguette, is he having the Lord’s Supper?

Of course not, you’d say. Why not? After all, he’s drinking wine and eating bread. Isn’t that what the Lord’s Supper is all about?

You know where I’m going with this: He’s not taking the Lord’s Supper because the bread and wine are being consumed completely outside of any religious context or intent.

So … if context and intent give meaning to external actions, then what – if there is no occultic intent – is inherently wrong with putting on a costume, gutting a pumpkin and putting a candle in it, or sticking your head into a barrel of water to retrieve an apple with your teeth? Answer: NOTHING.

And don’t give me this hooey about someone “accidentally” invoking the powers of darkness through innocent words or actions. A lot of people will quote Exodus 23:13, which warns against even speaking the names of pagan gods. Well, if that meant any mention of a pagan god, how 'bout those two men named Apollos and Hermes (both named after pagan gods), who are identified in the New Testament as Christians?

And while I’m at it, let me give you a few more common names and words that are derived from pagan mythology:
- the names of the days of the week (e.g., Thursday is “Thor’s Day”)
- morphine (from Morpheus, god of sleep)
- cereal (from Ceres, goddess of grain)
- jovial (from Jove, the supreme god)
- hermeneutic (from Hermes, god who became associated with the Egyptian god Thoth)

(I know someone who took Exodus 23:13 to an absurd extreme. She refused to own a Dirt Devil™ vacuum cleaner, and she called her deviled eggs “angeled” eggs. Gack. Funny, though, I’m sure she felt jovial on Thursdays.)

Betcha didn't know that some of our favorite activities once had pagan associations. Surfing had sacred aspects for the ancient Hawaiians. The ancient Chinese believed that fireworks would scare away evil spirits. Where’s the uproar about surfing and fireworks?

When I was a kid, Halloween was simply about dressing up in fun costumes, playing with my friends and eating candy. Now we have “fall festivals” (or the goofier appellation "Holyween") so that kids can focus on – guess what – dressing up in fun costumes, playing with friends and eating candy. (And don't even get me started on "judgment houses.")

Granted, some Halloween imagery is disturbing and morbid. I am fully aware that there are modern-day “witches,” Druids and assorted pagans who regard Oct. 31 as a sacred day. Super. They have their holiday, I have mine. I’m not about to mistake Santa Claus, mistletoe and Rudolph for authentic Christianity, and I can distinguish between real occultism and the cultural observance of Halloween as a day of general fun and innocent mischief.

Mull that over while I enjoy a refreshing, ice-cold Pitch Black soda in honor of the season.

Sunday reflections

As much as I love politics, I have to be reminded of the limited power of government, law and policymaking in the quest to change the human experience. Internet Monk shares some sorely-needed perspective on this very topic.

THK: Nothing's sacred

I know everyone's read by now what Teresa Heinz Kerry said about First Lady Laura Bush's never having had a "real job."

The blogosphere immediately dispatched the knuckle-rapping that THK so richly deserved, and one would hope that she got privately thwacked by the DNC for being such a dipstick.

But let's take a second look at this "job" analogy. Should defenders of truth, justice and the American way be talking about what a real "job" motherhood is? I don't think so.

Gloria Steinem and her ilk hijacked the debate when they said motherhood was basically the conjugal version of so many minimum-wage jobs. A mom was a cook, maid and nanny, and she didn't even get overtime pay! In other words, motherhood was purely an economic transaction but without the paycheck.

Baloney. And we're piling on the mustard for a big, fat baloney sandwich when we start talking about moms being "CEOs of the household."

Motherhood is not a job. It is a relationship. For the love of God, it is a sacred calling.

For a child, the woman is the first contact to reality. She is the first embodiment of what is love and what is truth. For the first few years, the universe is called "Mother" (and, if the child is lucky, "Father," too.) How well a woman handles that sacred calling will be a huge factor in how well that child handles the totality of his or her life.

This is so much bigger and more transcendent than just a "job." There is nothing like it in the world of commerce, and it cannot be outsourced.

This is why I find THK's comments so stunning. She is a mother herself, so she should be praising the fact that Laura Bush answered the sacred call along with having a real job as a teacher and librarian.

But I shouldn't be surprised. The Left has told women for years that motherhood should be outsourced while women follow the sacred call of Self.

Ack!

In searching for the Web site for DHC Skin Care, I almost typed "www.dnc.com" into my browser's address window.

:-0

While I don't recommend health care or national defense by the DNC, let alone skin care, I do recommend DHC's line of products. You can find them at www.dhccare.com. Otherwise, you might wind up looking like this guy.

It's gettin' ugly, folks

Rachel Lucas shares a thoughtful and reflective look on the upcoming election.

You go, girl. (Hat tip: Martini Pundit.)

Ground Control to Major Jimmy

It now can be confirmed that former prez Jimmy Carter is no longer on planet Earth.

In an Oct. 18 interview with Chris Matthews on Hardball, Carter offers his views on the "necessity" of the Revolutionary War. (Yes, that war from the 1700s that you might have read about in history class, provided they teach history nowadays.)

Read it for yourself. (Hat tip: Little Green Footballs.)

More Photoshop parody of the peacenik parade

Apologizing to Saddam is groovy

Damn, this is funny.

Another great reason to vote GOP

ABC News: 'Primetime Live' Poll: More Republicans Satisfied With Sex Lives Than Democrats

Heh ... heh ... heh ...

If you really need a laugh break today

Tim Blair: THE TERRIFYING FACE OF FORGIVENESS

I know these people are well-meaning, but after you've reviewed the snapshots of these peaceniks (and the accompanying hilarious captions), don't miss the "apology accepted" photo for some sorely needed perspective.

Hate to break it to ya, folks, but the people we're making war against are not the Iraqi people themselves but bloodthirsty apes who would think nothing of turning you into mulch if it suited their purposes. If you still think we should leave them alone after a quick review of how Eugene Armstrong and Jack Hensley lost their lives, you just go right ahead.

Site updates!

Check out the right-hand sidebar for the XML site feed for this blog, which makes it readable in news readers such as Feed Demon. I've also added links for some of my favorite blogs and news/opinion sites.

The professor whose mind is absent

Yahoo! News - Physics Professor Goes on Rage in Class

Hmmmm. There has gotta be more to this story. I'm sure someone, somewhere is investigating this wacko. Will keep you informed.

Cartoon insulting Condi Rice disappears ... almost

Condi Rice smeared in cartoon

A racially offensive cartoon by Jeff Danziger that depicted Condi Rice as "Prissy" from Gone with the Wind has been removed from his official Web site after an avalanche of protest, but you can still see what all the fuss is about at the link above.

Can I get a good, hearty amen?

"School violence toleration" by Walter Williams

Columnist Walter Williams, who happens to be black, hits the nail on the head regarding school violence -- schools are not dealing with the situation, and parents who try to pull their children out of unsafe schools are being punished by the system.

Williams quotes a comprehensive report that indicates that the lion's share of school violence is found at a small percentage of schools, mostly in the inner city. They must have "leaders" like Birmingham school board member Virginia Volker, who cannot wait to play the race card and scare local officials and police out of taking the hard line with thugs and bullies.

But who loses? The minority kids who are locked into out-of-control schools and the teachers and parents who can only stand helplessly by while their communities implode. Read my earlier comments here and here on this issue.

Where are the PC police?

So much for political correctness. Check out this cartoon by Jeff Danziger.

I wanna hear La Shawn Barber take a shot at this piece of trash. (Props to Michelle Malkin.)

This'll curl your hair

FrontPage magazine.com :: An American in London by Carol Gould

Carol Gould is an American Jew abroad ... and perhaps in need of body armor. She doesn't live in Riyahd or Jakarta or even Paris -- she lives in Great Britain.

And I'd always wanted to visit England, but now ...

A break from politics

I'd just like to take a moment to say what a cool e-tailer ThinkGeek is.

I got a shipment today from them of their Caffeine Candy Sampler 4.0. The Jolt Gum in spearmint is particularly refreshing. ;) An officemate of mine got the charming "wysiwyg" babydoll tee in periwinkle. It's good to work with other geekettes.

I have no business relationship with ThinkGeek -- I'm just a satisfied customer.

Welcome, Abigail!

My extended family has a new member: Abigail Cain, 9 lbs 1 oz, 22 in!

When doves cry

More inanity from pop music has-beens.

Prince, the artist formerly known as someone who actually was entertaining, has released a video titled "Cinnamon Girl," which depicts a young Middle Eastern woman who, after being taunted by her ignorant cracker classmates, decides that her only recourse is to blow herself to smithereens in an airport terminal rather than do something constructive, like go on the Montel Williams Show.

Maybe those purple pants are too tight and have cut off circulation to his noggin.

Arab-Americans should find this offensive. Prince's implicit assumption is that they are so psychologically warped that the slightest provocation will turn them into homicidal maniacs.

Your humble correspondent attempted to download this fine piece of videographic art, but alas, my computer does not like the AOL Media Player.

Nevertheless, you can read all about it in the Detroit Free Press. Is it just me, or is their choice of headline telling? "Prince releases controversial music video depicting discrimination of Arab Americans" is much less scorching and much more PC than "Prince releases controversial music video depicting heartless, cold-blooded murder of innocent airline travelers."

However, the syntax should be "discrimination against Arab Americans." The phrase "discrimination of Arab Americans" implies that the Arab Americans are the ones doing the discriminating. Hmmm.

Props to Michelle Malkin for breaking this news to the blogosphere.

Rock stars appealing to under-voting-age demographic

The Onion -- Irrelevant Pop Stars Unite Against Bush

While Lowell Ponte offers a more serious take on rockers who probably cannot win at "State Capitals" on those long road trips, much less articulate a reasoned repudiation of Bush's platform, The Onion reminds us that sometimes irony is the best policy. :-)

You don't say!!!

Kerry says Franco-German troops unlikely - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - October 06, 2004

File that one under "No sh&t, Sherlock." (Props to Allah Pundit.)

Nuancing himself into a corner

Jonah Goldberg's "If it looks like a veto ..."

Read the irrepressible Jonah Goldberg's take on Kerry's "global test" comment.

Kiddies in the clink

First-Grader Arrested, Handcuffed After Fight

As much as I think this is overdoing it a little, I can't help thinking that a little time in the hoosegow now may keep these kiddos from getting a taser gun aimed at them in high school. (See entry below.)

Stun guns in schools, part 2

Dumb quote of the day:

"I think it's ironic that people in expensive shirts and ties who think they are official somebodies feel that the only way to deal with a social problem is another ... high-priced cattle prod."

-- Virginia Volker, Birmingham City Schools board member,

in reaction to the superintendent and police's move to arm school officers with Taser guns

And what would you suggest to deal with out-of-control, violent teenagers, Virginia? In-school suspension? A time out? A dunce cap? Spent any time in the classroom lately? (I'd love to hear what the teachers actually think about this plan.)

Volker also said the plan reminded her of pre-civil rights days when police used cattle prods to intimidate blacks.

There ya go, Virginia. Play the race card, refuse to deal with thugs and contribute to the disintegration of your own community. Somebody give this woman a medal.

Read the whole story here and my Oct. 5 comments here.

Middle East deserves better than this

Before you think any of my below posts belie a certain xenophobia, let me assure you, I am a greater conoisseur of Arabic and Middle Eastern culture than the average Anglo-American. As a dancer trained in classic raqs sharqi and huge fan the region's music, food and art, it pains me to see a rich culture held hostage -- figuratively and literally -- by a sadistic dealth cult known as the jihadist wing of Islam.

Just wanted to go on the record. Now, on with the blog.

Must-see TV ... Islamic terrorist style

What they didn't tell you about those videos of hostages being beheaded ...

You might think I'm nuts, but I recently attempted a download of the "home movie" of American contract worker Eugene Armstrong being beheaded by the terrorist group "Tawhid and Jihad" (which means "Monotheism and Holy War" -- a detail that news reports often conveniently omit). This is the group headed by Public Enemy No. 1 in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

My buffer clogged up before the main event -- a partial relief. But what got me steaming mad was what I saw before I ever got a glimpse of Zarqawi and his four goons with a pitiful, bound-and-blindfolded Eugene Armstrong keening on the floor.

The video opened up with a nifty animated ID -- Horrorwood's equivalent of Universal Pictures' spinning globe or the 20th Century Fox searchlights. Then you see opening titles. Yes. Opening titles with a soulful Arabic music track underneath.

What is this -- a movie of the week for Al-Jazeera? Believe it or not, Jihad Watch reports that DVDs of the beheadings are hot sellers in Baghdad.

Folks, when you're dealing with people who think beheadings are entertainment, fighting a more "sensitive war" doesn't sound like a good idea, now does it?

BTW, if you think you can handle it, Michael Savage has several of the videos on his Web site.

It's a Small World after all

While you're surfing, check out this gem of the 'Net:

www.briscoe.org

Tip of the Day

Habanero hot sauce and contact lenses don't mix. OUCH.

Stunning development in B'ham schools

Picking a fight in school may now be an electrifiying experience. The Birmingham News reports that Birmingham police patroling city schools may be allowed to wield stun guns (or, more accurately, taser guns) to bring down out-of-control students.

Naturally, this has some "local leaders" in a lather:

Michael Jordan, senior pastor at New Era Baptist Church, said allowing stun guns in the public school furthers the stereotype of inner-city students as dangerous.

And he says this after three separate fights last week at West End High School. This is the same kind of goofy PC logic that allows a group of Syrians to terrify a Northwest Airlines flight while airport security confiscates eyebrow tweezers from 60-year-old grandmothers. (Yes, that actually happened.)

Welcome to my blog!!

I'm an Internet junkie and a journalism graduate ... of course I had to start my own blog. ;)

This is a small start, but I hope you'll come back and visit to see my random ramblings about whatever strikes my fancy. (Which, at least until Nov. 2, will probably involve politics.)

'Tis true -- Geek Girl Blonde has invaded the blogosphere.