Top News Article | Reuters.com:
"'As soon as I saw his picture in the paper, I knew that was the bastard,' said Scott, of Jonesboro, Georgia. 'The new president of Iran is a terrorist.'"
I knew he looked familiar, but I figured maybe I was just stereotyping or something. He's definitely the guy in the photos that show him walking beside hostages with an unfriendly look on his face. 25 years and he still has the same hairstyle, beard, everything. I think the people of Tehran and probably most of Iran had to know who he is, I'm sure he kept his "look" for the recognition factor that always plays a part in elections.
So... what's next? Does this just put him along the lines of Kim Jong Mentally Ill, or is he something different because he took a leading part of one of America's darkest hours? I say he's obviously different, and I think he makes Iran a prime target for the USA to... oh, how should I say... spread democracy. Yeah, this guy brings back old wounds, and it would be great to get revenge on him. Paybacks are a bitch. =)
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Ozone Advisory - Your Lungs Are Burning
I finally read something that tells why ozone on the ground is bad aside from it being "pollution."
---
Editorial: No Breathing Easy: Heed ozone danger;
your lungs will thank you
Dallas Morning News
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
"Picture the worst sunburn you ever saw. Now picture it inside your lungs.
"That's the picture you get from a couple of photos the EPA uses to illustrate the way breathing ground-level ozone sears lung tissue. The healthy tissue is the color of a white peach: creamy with tinges of pink. The ozone-inflamed tissue is the color of a ripe tomato.
"That's why it's important to pay attention and curtail outdoor activity – especially for children – when the ozone alert level climbs to orange or red. That's why anyone who believes that North Texas' air isn't a serious health hazard needs to come back from Washington and spend a couple of days in the emergency room at Children's Hospital.
"This summer may or may not turn out to be especially bad for our lungs. But it got an early start on the ozone season, with the first orange alert May 6 and the first red alert last Tuesday. If the bad days do continue to stack up, it may be tempting to ignore the warnings. Kids – and even adults – do not like being cooped up indoors. But before you blow off the cautions, consider these facts, taken directly from the EPA's Web site:
•Even at very low levels, ground-level ozone triggers a variety of health problems including aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis.
•Repeated exposure to ozone pollution for several months may cause permanent lung damage.
•Damage to children's developing lungs may lead to reduced lung function in adulthood. In adults, ozone exposure may accelerate the natural decline in lung function that occurs as part of normal aging.
•Ozone damage can occur without any noticeable signs. People who live in areaswhere ozone levels are frequently high may find that their initial symptoms goaway over time – particularly when exposure to high ozone levels continues forseveral days. Ozone continues to cause lung damage even when the symptoms have disappeared.
"For an hour-by-hour animated map of current ozone conditions, go towww.epa.gov/airnow/aqimaps.html. And enjoy your summer."
---
Editorial: No Breathing Easy: Heed ozone danger;
your lungs will thank you
Dallas Morning News
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
"Picture the worst sunburn you ever saw. Now picture it inside your lungs.
"That's the picture you get from a couple of photos the EPA uses to illustrate the way breathing ground-level ozone sears lung tissue. The healthy tissue is the color of a white peach: creamy with tinges of pink. The ozone-inflamed tissue is the color of a ripe tomato.
"That's why it's important to pay attention and curtail outdoor activity – especially for children – when the ozone alert level climbs to orange or red. That's why anyone who believes that North Texas' air isn't a serious health hazard needs to come back from Washington and spend a couple of days in the emergency room at Children's Hospital.
"This summer may or may not turn out to be especially bad for our lungs. But it got an early start on the ozone season, with the first orange alert May 6 and the first red alert last Tuesday. If the bad days do continue to stack up, it may be tempting to ignore the warnings. Kids – and even adults – do not like being cooped up indoors. But before you blow off the cautions, consider these facts, taken directly from the EPA's Web site:
•Even at very low levels, ground-level ozone triggers a variety of health problems including aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis.
•Repeated exposure to ozone pollution for several months may cause permanent lung damage.
•Damage to children's developing lungs may lead to reduced lung function in adulthood. In adults, ozone exposure may accelerate the natural decline in lung function that occurs as part of normal aging.
•Ozone damage can occur without any noticeable signs. People who live in areaswhere ozone levels are frequently high may find that their initial symptoms goaway over time – particularly when exposure to high ozone levels continues forseveral days. Ozone continues to cause lung damage even when the symptoms have disappeared.
"For an hour-by-hour animated map of current ozone conditions, go towww.epa.gov/airnow/aqimaps.html. And enjoy your summer."
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Lying Liars & the Presidents Who Employ Them
Lying Liars & the Presidents Who Employ Them - Yahoo! News:
"As Karl Rove's comments later demonstrated, however, Durbin's cave was pointless. Speaking to New York's Conservative Party, Rove all but termed Durbin--and every liberal--a traitor:
Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers. In the wake of 9/11, conservatives believed it was time to unleash the might and power of the United States military against the Taliban; in the wake of 9/11, liberals believed it was time to submit a petition. I am not joking. Submitting a petition is precisely what MoveOn.org did. It was a petition imploring the powers that be to 'use moderation and restraint in responding to the...terrorist attacks against the United States.'...Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said: We will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said: We must understand our enemies. Conservatives see the United States as a great nation engaged in a noble cause; liberals see the United States and they see Nazi concentration camps, Soviet gulags and the killing fields of Cambodia. Has there been a more revealing moment this year than when Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, speaking on the Senate floor, compared what Americans had done to prisoners in our control at Guantanamo Bay with what was done by Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot--three of the most brutal and malevolent figures in the twentieth century? Let me put this in fairly simple terms: Al Jazeera now broadcasts to the region the words of Senator Durbin, certainly putting America's men and women in uniform in greater danger. No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals."
I saw a documentary regarding Karl Rove. In it, he is depicted as someone who is fairly smart and detailed. That he is a liar is a given. That's nothing new for anyone in politics, and it certainly is within the current track record for Republicans. This article ends pointing out that the times have changed in politics. There is no more working together like we had even in the 80s where then-democrat Phil Gramm worked on Reagan's budget or some sort of economic package. Yeah, those days are dead right now, and if there isn't compromise to achieve an American agenda, as opposed to a strictly Republican agenda, I predict that there will either be a major backlash, or there is going to be some vietnam-style protests to get back lost rights, freedoms, and fairness, and other signs of social strife by non-baby-boomer Americans.
"As Karl Rove's comments later demonstrated, however, Durbin's cave was pointless. Speaking to New York's Conservative Party, Rove all but termed Durbin--and every liberal--a traitor:
Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers. In the wake of 9/11, conservatives believed it was time to unleash the might and power of the United States military against the Taliban; in the wake of 9/11, liberals believed it was time to submit a petition. I am not joking. Submitting a petition is precisely what MoveOn.org did. It was a petition imploring the powers that be to 'use moderation and restraint in responding to the...terrorist attacks against the United States.'...Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said: We will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said: We must understand our enemies. Conservatives see the United States as a great nation engaged in a noble cause; liberals see the United States and they see Nazi concentration camps, Soviet gulags and the killing fields of Cambodia. Has there been a more revealing moment this year than when Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, speaking on the Senate floor, compared what Americans had done to prisoners in our control at Guantanamo Bay with what was done by Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot--three of the most brutal and malevolent figures in the twentieth century? Let me put this in fairly simple terms: Al Jazeera now broadcasts to the region the words of Senator Durbin, certainly putting America's men and women in uniform in greater danger. No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals."
I saw a documentary regarding Karl Rove. In it, he is depicted as someone who is fairly smart and detailed. That he is a liar is a given. That's nothing new for anyone in politics, and it certainly is within the current track record for Republicans. This article ends pointing out that the times have changed in politics. There is no more working together like we had even in the 80s where then-democrat Phil Gramm worked on Reagan's budget or some sort of economic package. Yeah, those days are dead right now, and if there isn't compromise to achieve an American agenda, as opposed to a strictly Republican agenda, I predict that there will either be a major backlash, or there is going to be some vietnam-style protests to get back lost rights, freedoms, and fairness, and other signs of social strife by non-baby-boomer Americans.
Iraqis Split Over Bush Pledge on Troops
Iraqis Split Over Bush Pledge on Troops - Yahoo! News
The Iraqi people should be hoping that their security/armed forces can get trained or be able to control the terrorists faster, instead of hoping for the coalition forces to leave. If the coalition forces suddenly left today, Iraqies would be whining even more. Whine whine whine, that's all you ever hear over there, bunch of whiners. Too lazy to do things for themselves, have to hold their hands for everything, try to be nice to them and they still keep whining. The only people over there that you don't hear whining are the terrorists, but that's probably because they don't have as much access to the media.
The Iraqi people should be hoping that their security/armed forces can get trained or be able to control the terrorists faster, instead of hoping for the coalition forces to leave. If the coalition forces suddenly left today, Iraqies would be whining even more. Whine whine whine, that's all you ever hear over there, bunch of whiners. Too lazy to do things for themselves, have to hold their hands for everything, try to be nice to them and they still keep whining. The only people over there that you don't hear whining are the terrorists, but that's probably because they don't have as much access to the media.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
As Iranians head to polls, a lesson emerges for U.S.
Yahoo! News:
"In Iraq, the USA is already facing some unintended consequences. Iraq wasn't a central battleground in the war on terror when the United States invaded, but it is now. Long-term uncertainties include the possibility of an Islamic, anti-U.S. government.
If so, one lasting hope for a successful democratic model in the Muslim world might be Iran. Not because the United States can hammer it into its own image, but because Iran's people, looking westward, might demand what they do not have."
So very optimistic this one is (in a yoda voice). Optimistic, but unrealistic. The middle east folks appear to need a very strong and "hands on" government. I think the political systems over there reflect that, because a stable government over there needs to be able to handle the unstable/wild population, and the only way to do that, apparently, is to be controlling/brutal/totalitarian. Although they could give democracy or republicanism (not the GOP) a try, I predict it will ultimately fail due to the instability. Hopefully I'm wrong, hopefully the Iraq experiment will be a success, hopefully democracy will take root and bear fruit... I doubt it, but there's hope.
Perhaps I'm thinking that democracy in any form will probably only be a real option for civilized nations. When one thinks of civilized nations, I do not believe any middle-east country comes to mind. Instead, the monicker of "Arabic country" comes in. I mean, come on, they're stuck in time... they still dress like people 2,000 freekin years ago, and sadly, that's not a joke. Either their religion set the clothing of its time upon them forever, or they're not creative enough to progress even clothing! Either way, it's pathetic.
And then of course comes the contradictions. The biggest one people hear about is how they abhore the "West" for its technology. Well here's a technology they should get rid of if they really believe that, electricity. Here's another one that they need to scrap, plumbing. And how about medical and surgical technologies, are they doing without those at all? No, of course not. They want technology as much as anyone else, so it's not really a belief, but an excuse, and not a very good one at that.
Anyway, even though Persia was once a model of civilization, for its time, that's not longer the case. They have something holding them back in a big way. It's not their religion though, that'd just be another excuse. It's fear. Fear of what? Well, a lot. Trying, success, individualism, accountability, expression, and change, to name a few. But maybe I'm wrong. /shrug
"In Iraq, the USA is already facing some unintended consequences. Iraq wasn't a central battleground in the war on terror when the United States invaded, but it is now. Long-term uncertainties include the possibility of an Islamic, anti-U.S. government.
If so, one lasting hope for a successful democratic model in the Muslim world might be Iran. Not because the United States can hammer it into its own image, but because Iran's people, looking westward, might demand what they do not have."
So very optimistic this one is (in a yoda voice). Optimistic, but unrealistic. The middle east folks appear to need a very strong and "hands on" government. I think the political systems over there reflect that, because a stable government over there needs to be able to handle the unstable/wild population, and the only way to do that, apparently, is to be controlling/brutal/totalitarian. Although they could give democracy or republicanism (not the GOP) a try, I predict it will ultimately fail due to the instability. Hopefully I'm wrong, hopefully the Iraq experiment will be a success, hopefully democracy will take root and bear fruit... I doubt it, but there's hope.
Perhaps I'm thinking that democracy in any form will probably only be a real option for civilized nations. When one thinks of civilized nations, I do not believe any middle-east country comes to mind. Instead, the monicker of "Arabic country" comes in. I mean, come on, they're stuck in time... they still dress like people 2,000 freekin years ago, and sadly, that's not a joke. Either their religion set the clothing of its time upon them forever, or they're not creative enough to progress even clothing! Either way, it's pathetic.
And then of course comes the contradictions. The biggest one people hear about is how they abhore the "West" for its technology. Well here's a technology they should get rid of if they really believe that, electricity. Here's another one that they need to scrap, plumbing. And how about medical and surgical technologies, are they doing without those at all? No, of course not. They want technology as much as anyone else, so it's not really a belief, but an excuse, and not a very good one at that.
Anyway, even though Persia was once a model of civilization, for its time, that's not longer the case. They have something holding them back in a big way. It's not their religion though, that'd just be another excuse. It's fear. Fear of what? Well, a lot. Trying, success, individualism, accountability, expression, and change, to name a few. But maybe I'm wrong. /shrug
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Award Limit in Tobacco Case Sets Off a Strenuous Protest - New York Times
Award Limit in Tobacco Case Sets Off a Strenuous Protest - New York Times
So, the whiners here are those who have the power to make tobacco illegal. So if they were really concerned about the health issues, then they could do something more productive than whine about the money that they were expecting to get from tobacco companies.
The original figure was based on testimony from Dr. Michael C. Fiore, an expert on tobacco addiction, who said an effective nationwide program that included a telephone help-line, access to medical treatment and counseling and a budget for advertising and promotion would cost $5.2 billion a year for 25 years
I don't think I like the idea of the government relying on one person's testimony/research in seeking billions of dollars. Me thinks other experts' figures were probably less than this guy's.
So, the whiners here are those who have the power to make tobacco illegal. So if they were really concerned about the health issues, then they could do something more productive than whine about the money that they were expecting to get from tobacco companies.
The original figure was based on testimony from Dr. Michael C. Fiore, an expert on tobacco addiction, who said an effective nationwide program that included a telephone help-line, access to medical treatment and counseling and a budget for advertising and promotion would cost $5.2 billion a year for 25 years
I don't think I like the idea of the government relying on one person's testimony/research in seeking billions of dollars. Me thinks other experts' figures were probably less than this guy's.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Democrats Unlikely to Stop Bolton
Biden: Democrats Unlikely to Stop Bolton - Yahoo! News
It's funny because I think Bush would look better getting rid of Bolton rather than forcing his approval. Bolton is nut and is an indicator of the current administration.
It's funny because I think Bush would look better getting rid of Bolton rather than forcing his approval. Bolton is nut and is an indicator of the current administration.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
49ers' PR Director Apologizes for Video
49ers' PR Director Apologizes for Video - Yahoo! News
A guy makes a video of what not to do or what to be careful of doing. It sounds like he did exactly that. But now, of course, instead of looking at it for it what it is, let's take a moral highground and condemn it as though it was an actual reflection of someone's, or the 49er's, values. Gimme a break, much ado about something so stupid.
A guy makes a video of what not to do or what to be careful of doing. It sounds like he did exactly that. But now, of course, instead of looking at it for it what it is, let's take a moral highground and condemn it as though it was an actual reflection of someone's, or the 49er's, values. Gimme a break, much ado about something so stupid.
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