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August 22, 2005
The best Beer Ad EVA. . .
Really, This is the best beer ad ever. Really, it is. At least I'm sure it's the BIGGEST.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Amends. . .
Ok, Ok, so I didn't blog anything over the weekend. In order to make amends, here's a collection of the useless, cool, helpful and just plain timewasting things I found over the course of the last couple of days.
Firstly, get your daily dose of GEEK PORN. Don't worry, it's safe for work.
Here's a VERY COOL short movie from Double Edge Films (which has lots of cool stuff) that has the premise along the lines of "If Angel's were DJ's"; or something like that. Watch it!
It seems as though our fears have been realized. Walken 2008 is a hoax, promulgated by the great folks at GenMay. Be warned if you click the link -- they BITE!
This game, Guess the Google, sucked hours out of my life. It's a simple game where you are shown a collage of 20 images returned from a single "google image" search. Your job is to guess the search word. Good luck, my best was 301.
An interesting little setup to turn yourself into a roving WiFi Hotspot.
A series of funny, or maybe just stupid videos from AllDumb.com:
A really dumb cat. . .
And now a dumb dog. . .(you need volume for this one)
A very trippy bike. . .
Finally a dumb promo for Japanese baseball. . . Japanese TV is wierd I tell ya.
Here's a page of graphics toys that can let you create pictures like this one:
That should keep you busy for a while. Have fun.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:35 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 18, 2005
So let me get this straight. . .
The Captain points me to this article from the AP about where SCOTUS appointee Judge John Roberts grew up.
Like many towns across America, the exclusive lakefront community where Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. grew up during the racially turbulent 1960s and '70s once banned the sale of homes to nonwhites and Jews.
The article suggests that Roberts' is somehow responsible for where he grew up. Excuse me, but generally, that's your parents decision, not yours.
BUT WAIT. . .
It turns out that the Roberts home did not have the caveats described in the first paragraph:
The family purchased land a few blocks from the beach in 1966 and built an unassuming tri-level house. The Roberts property did not include a racially restrictive covenant, according to LaPorte County deed records, and the restrictions had begun fading away by then.
So are we supposed to believe that somehow Roberts is responsible for events that transpired in the community DECADES EARLIER???
Other homes built decades earlier in the town had covenants. Deeds on file from the 1940s in Long Beach ban the sale or lease of houses to "any person who is not a Caucasian gentile."
So exactly what the HELL is the story here. That when Roberts was growing up (from elementary school til he left for college) he was living in a community where decades before there were covenants in property deeds (but not his family's) restricting the sale of property to non-whites and non-gentiles?
Or is the story in the second paragraph, which damns Roberts (WHEN HE WAS 15!) for living near another community where racial strife broke out?
Just three miles from the nearly all-white community of Long Beach, two days of looting and vandalism erupted when Roberts was 15, barely intruding on the Mayberry-like community that was largely insulated from the racial strife of that era.
Later in the article, it does try (but not quite succeed) to balance the smears of the first few paragraphs, by ending with:
"I think it's legitimate to look at the past if it tells you anything about the person. But so what if there were race riots? Did he cause them? No. He was a 15-year-old kid. We don't shape the events that take place in our hometown."
So there we have it, now it's considered improper form to grow up anywhere that decades before there MAY have been (even if there weren't) mechanisms of racism, and that while you're in elementary and high school, if you live NEAR racial strife, you are somehow tainted. The Democrats and MSM are really having to stretch to find something to use against Roberts. They went after his kids, then they used a BLATENTLY FALSE ad by NARAL to smear him, and now we see they are going after his parents (falsely as well) and their descision on where to raise him.
Newsflash for the lefties who are trying to smear Judge Roberts:
This guy IS going to get confirmed. I'm quite sure he's going to remember how your side of the aisle went after his children, his parents and how your side has lied about his record. If you think that telling lies about him, slandering his family or misleading the public is going to endear your causes to him in any way, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. In fact, I'd suggest that by attacking him in this way you are driving him further to the right, making him more adversarial to your causes and generally shooting yourself in the foot not only with the next SCOTUS Justice, but the American people in general.
It's high time we end this new "false but accurate" style of reporting. Telling lies, making false accusations and suggesting guilt by "extremely loose" association isn't proper political discourse, it's certainly not doing the Democrats and the left any good judging by the last decade and a half of elections and it's certainly not in any way shape or form good for America.
But then again, the left isn't about what's good or honest or proper for America anymore, are they???
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:30 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Someone else noticed Mauritania. . .
If your visit here regularly, you know about the coup in Mauritania (previous posts linked below). This has indeed been a story overlooked by the MSM and even much of the blogosphere. Finding reliable information about the coup and international reaction has difficult, but Donald Crankshaw has posted a good overview of the whole situation.
--Jason
Previous Mauritania Posts:
Puppets, Pledges and Cholera. . .A Mauritania
Conflicting Thoughts. . .
Military coup in Mauritania. . .
State Department Press Briefing excerpt.
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:08 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 17, 2005
Fire Away. . . .
Michelle Malkin and Brian Maloney fire the first of what promises to be a four-shot volley at Air America Radio and the growing scandal. It's a great read and very damning for the "network".
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Wal-ken! Wal-ken!! Wal-ken!!!
In case you didn't realize it, the webcomic "Day by Day" is available by clicking the link on the sidebar, but since today's comic is directly related to this post(maker sure to see the comment from Kyle), I thought it would be nice to throw it up on the main page today.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:22 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Who'd have thunk it. . .
So here I am, minding my own business, check my email and find this:
Yes, I'm on the mailing list for Bloomies, and I'm quite comfortable with people knowing that. I just found this particular ad a bit odd. Maybe you will too.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:16 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
In case you're unsure why the Islamists are so bad. . .
You should take a deep breath, prepare yourself, then read this:
Of 1,554 women and girls over 10 years old interviewed by WADI’s local medical team, 907, or more than 60 percent, said they had had the operation [FEMALE CIRCUMCISION]. The practice is known to exist throughout the Middle East, particularly in northern Saudi Arabia, southern Jordan, and Iraq. There is also circumstantial evidence to suggest it is present in Syria, western Iran, and southern Turkey.
It amazes me that groups like the National Organization for Women are against the war in Iraq. In the world the Islamists want, women are little more than chattle, subjected to every sadistic whim of their male "owners", forced into the burka and given no chance to advance their place in the world.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have quite literally "freed" millions upon millions of women who have long been denied education, personal freedom and even the most basic of human rights. Yet groups supposedly supportive of women's rights and women in general, call for an end to the war and neglect to recognize that George W. Bush has given more women the franchise, and therefore the right and ability to control their own destinies, than any other figure in history. You'd think that that would be something the NOW would be pleased about, ironically, they don't even acknowledge it.
It's long time that the hypocrisy end. It's time that those groups on the left that constantly harp that this war was "all about WMD", WAKE UP and realize what we are really fighting over there. We're fighting groups of people with a warped world view, one that would roll back the freedoms of women worldwide and reduce them from human beings to property.
--Jason
PS - If you're looking for a gift to give that certain someone in your circle of friends who still doesn't understand what we're really fighting against, consider this:
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam
-JC
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:33 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 16, 2005
Car funnies. . .
Why you shouldn't buy a Mini Cooper.
---and---
Is it wrong to laugh at this????
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:11 PM | Comments (2)
August 15, 2005
India Company's video from Fallujah. . .
Great video put together by USMC Combat Correspondent Cpl. Jan M. Bender featuring India Company of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment(RTC-1) during the Battle of Fallujah:
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:24 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 14, 2005
Everyones gonna run, eventually. . .
Remember this?
At the time it was a fun idea (image courtesy the Wayback Machine), which of course turned out to a hoax, or at least a good prank.
Well, now we've got:
We'll have to wait and see what surprises they have in store at the "official" website. No matter what tho' it's a great publicity stunt for a great actor and a helluva scary guy.
And there's this great slogan:
He'd definately get my vote over Hillary, or even Frist.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:50 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 13, 2005
Did we hurt yur wittle feelings???
!No Parasan!, which is always a good read, points out that the Frenchies have their feelings hurt.
------------------------------------
Totally unrelated, but interesting, he also points to the video to go with this report:
«''The 5-man Blackwater crew that was assigned to CPA Najaf were coming under heavy small arms and mortar fire, the city was being taken over by insurgents. The police stations and hospitals were taken over as well, after a day of fighting off hundreds of insurgents the city had been completely overrun, with the CPA in the heart of the city and no way out. … Well that night all hell broke loose and we flew back in. Over 1000 insurgents (reported by the F18 pilots) had taken the city and now wanted the CPA after a day of intense fighting by 11 BW guys, airstrikes, a handful of Marines and 1 sniper we were able to hold them off. After it DIED down and gunships and SF guys finally started to roll in the battle was soon over and the CPA was saved.That's pretty much it in a nut shell...''»
Read the description a few times for it to sink in, then check out the VIDEO.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sheehan, Schmehan. . .
This is all I really need to know about this story.
The lady is either whacked and broke with reality sometime a while back, or she's a shill for the anti-war loonies.
Sure she's entitled to "change her tune" but to take her shift to this extreme just reeks of the Michael Moore Moonbat crowd (she's the star of his website for now) taking advantage of this woman's grief.
Michelle Malkin has more about her shift if you're interested. I'm not.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Never forget. . .
The New York Times has the NYFD Dispatch calls that were among the recently released oral histories of 9-11.
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
Ask and ye shall receive. . . .
A commenter was having trouble finding the text of the new Anti-Kelo legislation passed by the Alabama legislature and signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley in special session. So he asked me (not sure why, but hey, I gots connections) to help him find it.
Lo and Behold, here it is. Senate Bill 68 or Act #2005-313.
Hope this helps Fred.
--Jason
NOTE: If Dean knew my politics, he surely wouldn't have posed for that with me. Actually, if those that gave me credentials to attend that meeting knew my politics, they probably would have tried to ban me from the building.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 9, 2005
Puppets, Pledges and Cholera. . .A Mauritania Update
The military junta of Mauritania has begun freeing Islamist extremists jailed by the deposed civilian government.
Additionally, they've "selected" a civilian Prime Minister. Looks like their promises of "democratic reforms" have been quickly forgotten. I expect the junta will quickly stack all government posts with strict Islamists. They've already disbanded the civilian parliament are expected to stack this body quickly as well.
The junta has also sent a new representative to the U.N. who has presented his credentials to Kofi Annan. It will be interesting to see whether Annan and the U.N. will accept this new representative, and whether the deposed civilian government will have representation retained as a "government in exile". The African Union still condemns the coup and demands the return of the constitutional civilian government, although they are scheduled to begin talks with the leaders of the coup to try and resolve the issue.
Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has pledged support for the junta and plans to continue normal relations. In other words, the African Union has already split.
Finally, to add insult to injury, there are reports of a cholera outbreak in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott.
Not good.
--Jason
Previous Posts on Mauritania:
Conflicting Thoughts. . .
Military coup in Mauritania. . .
State Department Press Briefing excerpt.
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Looks like we spoke too soon . . .
Yesterday, I linked to a Lebanese blogger asking the question, "why isn't there a jihad against China?"
Well, something interesting is making out of the People's Republic despite efforts of the Chinese government to supress the information. A suicide bomber apparently has blown up a bus in China.
The Jawa Report has links to Chinese bloggers that are getting the information out.
Should this prove to be the work of Islamic extremists, and if it continues, I'd expect that the Chinese reaction will be swift and brutal. It's one thing when you have to fight a war in the full view of a free press and have dissidents and activists working against your efforts to defeat terrorists, but it's quite another when you're a totalitarian regime that controls the media and doesn't tolerate any criticism of the state's activities.
The Chinese won't play around with terrorists, and it's unlikely that if they get their hands on those responsible that anything close to humane treatment will be meted out. I doubt their interrogation techniques include Harry Potter and "proximity to females".
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:35 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 8, 2005
Hey, Yeah, Why?
Why doesn't al-Queda declare a jihad against China?
Inquiring minds want to know. At least I do, and so does the Lebanese blogger at the link above.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:46 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
More Air Amerika Madness. . . .
If you haven't been keeping up with the growing Air America scandal, here's the latest from The Radio Equalizer (who "owns" this story). It seems now that AA can't pay it's staffers, but no word yet on whether it's "top"(I use that term VERY loosely) talent will be getting their paychecks. Given that Franken, Garafaolo, Malloy et al are under contract and not "mere" employees, I'm doubting that they'll suffer any in the pocketbook unless they choose to do so, and there's not any indication that that is coming.
Michelle Malkin, Captain's Quarters and LaShawn Barber all have updates on the scandal today. So if you're looking to catch up, or find out about it for the first time, check there, because even though it's only a quick subway ride away, the New York Times is still silent.
Air America has already admitted that they received funds from the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Center, and that those funds weren't meant for them. The Wise Center gave AA the funds, totalling over 800K, instead of using the funds for the intended purpose, namely to support children's and Alzheimer's patient programs. Keep in mind, that we're talking about FEDERAL DOLLARS HERE, that were diverted to the "radio network".
This is going to get uglier and uglier as the true nature of the left and their hypocrisy is revealed.
--Jason
UPDATE: Further reading of Captain's Quarters also reveals this VERY telling comparison of the coverage of the AA scandal and the last two weeks of Martha Stewart coverage. So, lets get this straight, Martha's ill-gotten 51,000 is more important to the New York Times than Air America's ill-gotten 800,000+++, even AFTER Martha has already served her jail time.
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Round and round she goes. . .
Here is the NASA mission report announcing that Discovery will stay in orbit another day due to unpredictable cloud cover. Boy do they have this stuff planned out in detail:
Preparations are now focused on the first opportunity to land Tuesday which would begin with an engine firing by Discovery at 3:01 a.m. CDT and lead to a touchdown at KSC at 4:07 a.m. CDT. The additional landing opportunities include: a 4:33 a.m. Shuttle engine firing leading to a 5:39 a.m. landing at White Sands; a 4:37 a.m. engine firing leading to a 5:43 a.m. touchdown at KSC; a 6:06 a.m. engine firing leading to 7:12 a.m. touchdown at Edwards; a 6:09 a.m. engine firing leading to a 7:13 a.m. landing at White Sands; and a 7:44 a.m. engine firing leading to a 8:47 a.m. landing at Edwards.
But HEY, that's what they do.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Google throws a hissy. . .
The internet behemoth Google, is thowing a hissy fit over this article from CNET News.com article. It does seem like Google is flexing it's muscles and is freezing out CNET from access to its employees(scroll down to the last paragraph). This will be interesting to see how it plays out, as CNET is one of the big boys on the net as well. While I don't expect Google will actively work against CNET beyond the admonition to it's employees not to cooperate, Google does have the power to remove CNET from it's News Search feature and they certainly can play around with CNET's rankings on Google should they choose to.
While Google may be that mother of all search engines that is seeking to take over the world, they definately have a right to respond to the CNET article, but I'd caution about freezing out a media outlet that reports on you. It begins to look like sour grapes, and draws more attention to the original reporting. Probably better to work with your public relations people to put your corporate spin on it, point out the shortcomings of the reporting and focus on the positive aspects of your company. Google may have over-reacted, and if this "freezing out" business turns out to be true, Google needs a thicker skin.
I like Google. They have certainly had a profound effect on the internet and how people use it, but let's not forget the lessons of EPIC. Which is a fun, or scary, flash animation about the evil merging of Google and Amazon in an effort to crush Microsoft and rule cyberspace.
If you haven't seen EPIC yet, here it is, it runs about 10 minutes and will definately make you think.
--Jason
EDIT: This post has been edited from the original posting an hour ago, I got off on a tangent that distracted from the topic. Sorry about that, and I'll save the other issue for another post. I didn't want people to think I was complaining, because I wasn't.
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
While the cat's away, the mice are playing. . .
The blogfater, puppy-blender, Instapundit, Leader of the Wingnuts, or whatever you want to call him is on vacation. Yes, Glenn Reynolds isn't blogging this week and has turned over the keys to the largest blog on the "right" side of things to Ann Althouse, Michael Totten and Megan McArdle.
Althouse and Totten have been on my blogroll from the beginning, and I check out their blogs at least once a week, if not more. I have to admit that I've rarely visited McArdle's site before today, but rest assured that all three are excellent bloggers (much better than your not-so-humble author) and promise to make Instapundit a varied and interesting link-fest and read this week.
A couple of things are readily apparent to the regular Instapundit reader instantly. They write more. They actually give us a few paragraphs instead of quick one-liners. This is good and bad, it gives you a little more inside into the issue but it also slows down the read a bit.
Nevertheless, there are three times as many Instalanches available this week, so all you fellow bloggers out there should get on the ball and rant, rave, educate and enrage your respective communities. The "right" side of the blogosphere can and should grab this opportunity to tighten up their writing, get their ideas down and publicize and propagate them well.
I'm sure that Ann, Megan and Michael will do a fine job subbing for the Instapundit, so don't waste any more time with me and head over there.
--Jason
PS, I'll be working a little on the back end of this blog today to fix some broken stuff and rearrange the sidebar, so if it goes down for a bit, it's not gone, just in the shop. Unless I get an Instalanche, of course.
JC
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 7, 2005
Catching up. . .
I haven't blogged much about the Space Shuttle other than the launch, links to Mission Reports and my thoughts on what to do if the shuttle was damaged. I'm waiting until Discovery lands before I comment any more on the mission.
However, if you're looking for the all the mission reports, they are HERE, and I promise to write an extended post about the shuttle mission and space exploration in general after Discovery returns safely. The shuttle is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:45 (EDT).
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Conflicting thoughts. . .
It's hard to support or condemn the events unfolding in Mauritania. As I mentioned before, the President of Mauritania has been deposed in a bloodless coup (as far as coups go, that's pretty good). President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya has been characterized as a tyrant, and there are certainly some issues to look at in his 20 years of elected rule, but the fact remains that this is a military group that has seized power against that nation's constitution and trashing a constitution is never really a good thing. As we learn more, we may find that this case is the exception to the rule, I'm not sure, but I'll be watching.
Reuters is reporting that the Military Council that has seized power is stating that they will hold a Constitutional Referendum and elections within two years and they are making efforts to normalize internal and external relations. A positive sign, for sure, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. Military juntas historically, have been reluctant to turn over power to civilian constitutional rule.
The President remains in Niger, the African Union has condemned the coup, they're talking about it at the U.N. and the U.S. State Department says that they are monitoring the situation closely and do not approve of extra-constitutional seizures of power.
We're hearing NOTHING about this from the American MSM. Google searches return hits from Russia, China, South African and other African media, but there is virtually NOTHING from the American Media big boys. I can only assume that since there was no bloodshed, no rioting and nothing in this event to cast blame on Bush they just aren't interested in a soverign nation being taken over by a military junta.
Just another example of how the MSM just doesn't care about reporting, but rather that they care only about what they can cast in a negative light.
--Jason
PS - I'm still seeing hits from Mauritania in my logs, and a few have emailed that they are glad "someone in America" is noticing. If you live in Mauritania and happen to come across this blog, please drop me a line at Jason[AT]JasonColeman.com and share your experiences in connection with these events.
Military coup in Mauritania. . .
State Department Press Briefing excerpt.
**Comments are closed for this entry, if you'd like to add something, contact me via email.**
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:28 AM
Chrenkoff is hanging up his blogging shoes. . .
Arthur Chrenkoff has announced that he's taken a job that will prevent him from blogging. While his departure from the blogosphere is a few weeks off, you may want to head that way and check out the fantastic work he's done in reporting the "Good News" from Iraq [Parts 1 through 25] and Afghanistan [Parts 1 through 10]
Chrenkoff has been instrumental in my understanding of what's really going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. His reporting has been objective and his blog, coupled with a few others, led me to starting this particular small corner of the blog world.
Farewell, godspeed and I wish you all the best Mr. Chrenkoff. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Pay him a visit, spend some time and look around, it's well worth your time. If his blog disappears, I'll take it off my blogroll, if it sticks around, so will the link.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Things that make me feel small. . .
At 6'4" I rarely feel "small", but when I see things pictures like this, it puts it all in perspective:
Clicking on the picture will open
high resolution image in new window.
From Astronomy Picture of the Day:
Explanation: Stars are battling gas and dust in the Lagoon Nebula but the photographers are winning. Also known as M8, this photogenic nebula is visible even without binoculars towards the constellation of Sagittarius. The energetic processes of star formation create not only the colors but the chaos. The red-glowing gas results from high-energy starlight striking interstellar hydrogen gas. The dark dust filaments that lace M8 were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the debris from supernovae explosions. This spectacular portion of the Lagoon Nebula was created in scientifically-assigned colors from light emitted in very specific colors by hydrogen, silicon, and oxygen. The light from M8 we see today left about 5000 years ago. Light takes about 50 years to cross this section of M8.
I highly recommend making APOD part of your daily internet surfing.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'll tell you where the heroes are, but you won't report on them. . .
Damien Cave of the New York times wonders, "Where Are the War Hero's?" Cave uses the piece to criticize the administration for not promoting the individual heroic deeds of the GWOT and suggests that the reason the military isn't applauding their heros lies in their desire to avoid scrutiny.
NEWSFLASH FOR DAMIEN CAVE: You aren't hearing about heros, because the MSM is too busy looking for deserters and soldiers against the war whom the media-elitist wish to make out as "heroes" for opposing the President and our War on Terrorism. Yes, Mr. Cave, there are many heroes in this war, but you and your mentors at the NYT and the MSM in general aren't reporting on them. If you want to find an answer Mr. Cave, take a look around the NYT newsroom and you'll find it.
The "lesser media" and blogosphere has been reporting many heroic deeds and individuals from this war, but the MSM has been woefully silent. So before you go around critcising the Adminstration, remember that it's YOUR job to report these events, you get the Pentagon releases of activity in the war, you get the lists of medals awarded and you have reporters on the ground. YOU and your fellows in the media are the ones failing to report the heroic deeds of our soldiers and sailors in harms way, and it's YOU and the MSM in general that are failing, not the administration and not the military.
If you want to find heros, look to the blogosphere, or the lesser media who aren't afraid to praise the bravery of our boys and girls overseas for fear that their editors will scorn them for portraying our military in the good light they so richly deserve.
--Jason
Shrinkwrapped has a better commentary on this than I can offer, plus he's got an instalanche, so go check it out.
SondraK gives us yet another war hero, take that NYT, Neayh!
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:48 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 6, 2005
They wanna ban WHAT????
When I'm curious about interesting goings on in Germany, I turn to Davids Medienkritik(which is on my blogroll), you can only imagine my surprise when I checked in and found out that the EU wants to ban this:
I'm sorry, but I just can't approve.
Come on now, Eurofreaks, get over yourselves. I just can't believe that the Euros are so eager to legislate EVERYTHING that they want to force employers to protect employees from the sun. That's getting a little ridiculous now isn't it.
I find it very unlikely that construction workers are going to cover every inch of exposed skin while they're performing physical labor. Next thing you know, it's going to be a crime to allow your children to play outside.
If you're European and think that this is just as silly as I do, then you're excused from the Eurofreak moniker. HOWEVER, if you think that banning the dirndl is a good idea, you're definately deserving of my newfound title for you.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Iranian Jedi????
I never really thought Jedi really existed, now we know that Lucas' Jedi are alive and well in Iran:
Blue text is translation to a well-documented Jedi Mind Trick.
The following are excerpts from a press conference with Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi, which aired on Iranian Channels 1 and 2 on July 31, 2005.Reporter: What will the scope of the (UCF) activity in Esfahan be at the beginning? Will it have full or partial capacity?
[Stormtrooper: Let's see some identification.]Asefi: What do you care?
[Translation - Obi-wan: You don't need to see his identification.]Female reporter: I'll repeat my colleague's question...
[Stormtrooper: We don't need to see his identification.]Asefi: Go ahead, please...
[Obi-wan: These aren't the droids you're looking for.]Female reporter:... regarding the UCF in Esfahan. Will its activity start at full or partial capacity, in order to show that the suspension...
[Stormtrooper: These aren't the droids we're looking for.]Asefi: He asked, and I already said it is of no interest to you.
[Obi-wan: He can go about his business.]Female reporter: Please tell us, it might interest us.
[Stormtrooper: You can go about your business.]Asefi: No. I know it is of no interest to you.
[Obi-wan: Move along. . .]Reporter: Regarding the IAEA inspectors stationed in Tehran, when the UCF activity starts in Esfahan, will the inspectors be there, or did the Iranians plan a special ceremony to mark the start of activity?
[Stormtrooper: Move along. . .]Asefi: No. If by "special ceremony" you mean handing out cake and candy, then we have no such thing.
[Obi-wan: The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You will find it a powerful ally.]
Yes, folks, it does appear that the Jedi Council may have taken conrol of Iran. It's getting close to the time we need to "Execute Order 66".(Excerpt courtesy of MEMRI TV & LGF)
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 5, 2005
I love NASA propaganda. . .
Because it's so damn inspiring. Remember kiddies, propaganda is not always BAD!!!!
Click play to watch the video, then if you're interested, check out:
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Mauritania Update. . .
The following is the transcript from the State Department's Daily Press Briefing that addresses Mauritania:
QUESTION: Mauritania, do you have anything to report on today's meeting between the coup leader there and the U.S. Ambassador?MR. CASEY: Let's see.
QUESTION: Was coup involved?
MR. CASEY: Well, let me just step back a little bit and talk a little bit about where I understand the situation is. I think most of you saw her statement last night. The United States joins the African Union in condemning the overthrow of the Government of Mauritania and we oppose any attempts by rogue elements to change governments through extra constitutional or violent means.
As I understand it, the situation on the ground is still fluid, but the Military Council for Justice and Democracy as it is calling itself appears to be in control in the capital. Certainly, we intend to work closely with the African Union and the UN and other regional and international partners to restore constitutional rule to Mauritania as quickly as possible.
Ambassador LeBaron, our ambassador in Nouakchott, has spoken with President Taya's chief of staff who is in Niger. President Taya, I think, as we mentioned yesterday, was attending the funeral of King Fahd and his plane diverted to Niger when news of the coup reached it and that is where he remains. The Ambassador was convoked for a meeting late this afternoon by the Foreign Ministry with leaders of the Council, but I don't have any readout on that meeting or any additional information at this time. And we'll endeavor to get something on it.
Yes. Saul.
QUESTION: Forgive my ignorance, "convoked"? Is there a particular diplomatic weight to that? What does it mean in diplomatic terms?
MR. CASEY: I think that in simple English, it means he was asked to come to the ministry.
QUESTION: Does he have to go? It's a request?
MR. CASEY: I don't believe there was use of force involved, no.
QUESTION: And he did go; is that correct?
MR. CASEY: That's my understanding was he was intending to do so, but I don't actually have a readout on it.
QUESTION: Even though he's our standing government official, these are coup (inaudible) officials, do you know? I mean they aren't the standing government.
MR. CASEY: Well, again, the request was made by the foreign ministry for him to
come and meet with the Military Council of Justice and Democracy. That is an
organ, as I understand it, of the Government in Mauritania and my understanding
was he is intending to go meet with them.QUESTION: Sorry, so when it's a request and this word convoked -- yes, he's not
being escorted by anyone with arms, but is there some kind of threat involved
in the request, that "You have to turn up, otherwise you" --MR. CASEY: I'm not aware of any threats involved in the request, no. Sorry, you
want to let Saul follow-up?QUESTION: Forgive me if I misunderstood. Has he met or is it that he's going to
meet?MR. CASEY: My understanding was he was going to. I don't have confirmation that
they have and I will try and get that for you and (inaudible).QUESTION: Can you explain the thought behind why you would decide to go meet
someone who's organized a coup, as opposed to making a symbolic a statement
that you know, we don't deal with you, you're not the constitutional
government?MR. CASEY: Really, Saul, at this point, I don't have anything more for you on
it. I'll endeavor to get you something else.QUESTION: So, how will the U.S. respond if its demands for the return to power
of the president continue to be completely ignored?MR. CASEY: Well, again, I don't want to speculate. At this point, we're working
with the African Union and with the UN. We certainly are seeking a restoration
to a constitutional government in Mauritania and we'll continue to put our
focus there for now.Teri, did you I'm sorry.
QUESTION: No, I was --
MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros?
QUESTION: On the Balkans --
QUESTION: No, can I just --
MR. CASEY: Sir, you want to stay on this for a second Peter?
QUESTION: Yeah, just to stay on this for one second.
MR. CASEY: Okay.
QUESTION: You say you want the return to a constitutional government.
Yesterday, you said you wanted the return of the president. Are you still
sticking to the return of the president?MR. CASEY: The president is the head of the constitutional Government of
Mauritania.
More later. . .
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 4, 2005
Military coup in Mauritania. . .
Mauritania, a Saharan West Africa Islamic state, has apparently experienced a military coup while the President was out of the country. The US State Department issued the following statement:
The United States joins the African Union in condemning the attempted overthrow of the government of Mauritania. We oppose any attempts by rogue elements to change governments through extra-constitutional or violent means. We call on all members of the military and security forces to avoid violence and the loss of innocent life.
The group that staged the coup bills itself as the Military Council for Justice and Democracy and has announced that it will hold power for two years, while democractic reforms are implemented.
Mauritania has been fighting off coup attempts for some time now. The African nation established relations with Israel in 1999 and has incurred the wrath of the Islamic world for doing so. Islamic radicalism has been on the rise in region for some time now and is seen as a relatively new phenomenon in the region. It should be noted that Mauritania is home to a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader, Abu Hafs al-Mauritani (Mahfouz Ould al-Walid), who is billed as a spiriual advisor to al-Queda and has been implicated in the African embassy attacks and 9/11! It is believed that al-Mauritani is currently in Iran. Should this guy pop his head back up in Mauritania after this coup, I'm all for going in and cutting it off.
The French haven't been very vocal, YEP this is ANOTHER former French colony in turmoil in Africa, even though there are some strong diplomatic and cultural ties there. I'm sure the U.N. will pick this up (not that they'll solve anything) and we'll learn more about Ould Taya and this military "council" over the next few days.
Israel has not pulled out it's diplomats yet, but I'm sure they are watching the situation VERY carefully. (I'm sure some loon will begin shouting "It's the JOOOS!" any minute now.)
My logs indicate that I've got some regular visitors from Mauritania. Nothing beats a first hand perspective, so if you're out there and you read this, please drop me a line at Jason[at]JasonColeman.com if you have any info you'd like to share.
Until I can learn more about this, here's some info from The Jamestown Foundation.
UPDATE: Oh this makes my head hurt, apparently the deposed president is a Ba'athist and the leader of the coup is Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall (a former secret police chief). This whole thing will be quite the mess.
--Jason
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Posted by JasonColeman at 8:33 AM
Sic 'em girl. . .
Michelle Malkin is still all over the "Air Enron" scandal. In her column yesterday, she explains why we haven't heard anything from Al and Jesse on this one.
She's also announced her new book, Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild, which I just ordered.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Snuppy, the franken puppy. . .
Ok, that's a little harsh on a puppy that really doesn't deserve it, but seriously, if we as a somewhat "cogent" species can't get the abortion debate settled have got NO BUSINESS cloning anything.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Minnie Driver??? Go figure. . .
Never expected this one at all. I just added every one of her movies to my Netflix queue.
--Jason
UPDATE: Some people are having problems viewing the link with certain firewall software. So I'm quoting the reference for those that are having difficulty:
I suppose most readers around these parts would reckon that actors should stick to acting, and keep their political opinions to themselves.But what about these opinions?
"People think more aid will help, but it won't," said Ms. Driver, an actress who is working on her second music CD. "Trade is the surest way of decreasing the savage amount of poverty in our world. These countries have got to be able to trade fairly."And the point is, by "fairly", she does not mean being paid artificially high prices; she means getting rid of agricultural subsidies in the rich countries.
It was never a practical project to silence the acting profession. These people are famous. Having acquired their fame, they then want to use their fame to do good, and in the process to become even more famous. This is only natural, especially when you consider that doing good and being heroic is what, according to the entertainments these people spend their lives making and acting in, life is all about. Trying to stop famous actors from expressing what they consider to be virtuous and heroic opinions in public is like trying to stop the wind from blowing or the sea from being wet.
No, the task that faces us is not to silence the acting profession from ever opining about goodness. That would be impossible, to say nothing of censorious and unpleasant. Rather is our task to change the definition of goodness that actors of sufficient fame to care about such things reach for when they get to the public virtue stage in their careers, and to make goodness really mean goodness.
Ms. Driver's pronouncements concerning the superiority of trade over aid as a means of rescuing the world's poorest people is evidence that some progress is being made along these lines.
Many actors surely already believe such things, on the quiet. But it is still a fine step forward when one of them feels able to say such things in public.
Hope that helps some of you that e-mailed me.
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Catching up. . .
The MSM has done a good job of covering the Discovery's mission, but the mission reports give a few more details.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Push them into the sea. . .
Pamela observes that Israel is the "canary in the coal mine", and you know what? SHE'S RIGHT! (via Trey Jackson)
She also provides a link to Briggite Gabriel's interview video and this quote:
"If we want to survive as a civilization, we must learn to classify Muslims not as moderate and extremist, because such distinctions only exist in our imagination; not as Sunni and Shia, because both are our mortal enemies determined to exterminate us before they go for each other's throats; but simply as observant and non-observant. A non-observant Muslim, even if his name happens to be Osama bin Saddam, is just a person. An observant Muslim, even if his name happens to be Chaim Baruchovich Shapiro, is our enemy for the simple reason that his religion demands him to be. And unless we treat him as an enemy before he gets a chance to blow himself up or slam an airliner into an office building, he will either do it himself or help his more stupid coreligionists do it. Depending on his choice, we will call him a moderate Muslim or a Muslim extremist. In both cases, we will be equally wrong; he is just an observant Muslim."
Take the time to read the post and view the video. It's more than worth it. If you still have time, take a look at the American Congress from Truth site.
NOTE: Server load for the video is quite high, keep trying.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 1, 2005
Another Video. . .
Also from SondraK, but this one is an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team blowing up a munitions dump. Quite impressive!
NOTE: the audio may not be safe for work.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 3:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Kerry and Kennedy miss the mark on Bolton. . .
Captain Ed points out that this statement by John Kerry (he was in Vietnam, ya know) is simply untrue:
"The president has the right to make this recess appointment, but it's the wrong decision. It only diminishes John Bolton's validity and leverage to secure America's goals at the U.N. John Bolton has been rejected twice by the Senate to serve as our Ambassador to the United Nations. This is not the way to fill our most important diplomatic jobs."Kerry gets it wrong yet again. A filibuster does not equate to a rejection; it means that the minority refused to let the Senate vote to accept or reject the nomination. Bolton did not get rejected by the Senate at all, and had the Democrats not filibustered the vote, he would have won confirmation, albeit on a narrow margin. That foregone conclusion led the Democrats to stage the filibuster in the first place.
The Captain goes on to skewer the other Senator from Massachusettes. Kerry just can't bear "the truth" and Kennedy has lost his mind long ago (it's probably under that bridge in Chappaquiddick). Do these guys actually think this is the sort of thing that will get their party more seats in '06?
I hate to break it to them, but I'd posit that the opposite will probably be the case and the Republicans will gain both House and Senate seats in the mid-terms. Of course, then we'll have the looniest of the left bemoan how the Republicans are taking over the country and how it's all part of Karl Rove's secret plan.
NEWSFLASH FOR THE LEFT: We're not taking over the country; you are giving it away.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
What can I say. . .
THIS IS HILARIOUS, Click it, Dammit! Click it!!!!
Make sure you catch this part too!!!!
Found this via !No Parasan!, quite the excellent blog from an interesting Euro perspective you won't see on TV.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Must-See TV. . .
Courtesy the most wise and beautiful SondraK, two videos you definately should spend the time viewing:
Both videos are quite large, so you may want to "Right click, Save As. . " so they play smoothly. Especially the 101st's video, it's 22 megs.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I should watch more soccer. . .
I never played soccer in school, I've never been that interested in soccer. In fact, I've always thought soccer was boring.
NOT SAFE FOR WORK!
I need to watch more soccer apparently. Anyone know what team she's on????
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dean lies, and lies again. . .
Howard Dean really has lost touch with reality. In truth, the Democrats in general have lost touch with reality (check out the comments from the sick-KOS). All is ok with the world though, because now the KELO issue is in the realm of the states, and ironically ALABAMA is leading the way in anti-KELO legislation to protect the property rights of individuals:
Alabama was first out of the gate. At the urging of Gov. Bob Riley, a special legislative session unanimously approved legislation to forbid condemnation of private property for "nongovernmental retail, office, commercial, residential or industrial development or use." Sponsors note that Alabama never used eminent domain to acquire the property that Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota used to build plants.
I've been saying it for a while now, but people really do underestimate Alabama. We're the butt of many jokes and the proverbial "Well, that's Alabama" statement in vogue to describe something backwards. Well, if having a thriving economy, clean air and water, sustainable development, the best high school in the nation and much much more (including anti-KELO legislation), then I'm proud to be Alabama.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:31 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Whoa now. . .
The Washington Times is reporting that U.S. Border Patrol agents now have $50,000 Bounties on their heads. If this is indeed true, it's a very, very disturbing development. Check out The Immigration Blog for more on current border and immigration developments.
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Say it ain't so Al. . .
In case you haven't heard yet, the Moonbat echo-chamber, Air America, has been busy stealing money from kids and alzheimer's patients. Check Michelle Malkin's latest piece on the brewing scandal for a description and links.
--Jason
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Posted by JasonColeman at 11:13 AM
But. . .But. . .What about our right to obstruct???
Oh lordy, the Democrats are ticked off. How dare President Bush use a "recess appointment" to install John Bolton as U.N. ambassador?
Well I'll tell you. . . He dared to do it because the whiny obstructionists who bark "no" blindly at any proposal or initiative offered by the administration wouldn't bring the Bolton nomination to an up or down vote. Sorry folks but we live in a democracy, and just because you Democrats don't want to live up to your responsibility to vote on issues doesn't mean the government stops moving. So the Dems blocked Bolton's appointment with games, and the President shows them who's better at the game. They had their chance and failed.
I expect we'll see great things from Bolton. The U.N. will rebuff him at first, but I don't think that will phase him and I'm sure he'll be a bull in China shop. That's EXACTLY what we need right now! Break some things, get out the broom and clean it up, and then move on with real work.
As for the Democrats' "right to obstruct"? Well, here's the short version, THEY DON'T HAVE ONE.
UPDATE: The DU'ers are positively off their rocker about it.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
