Get Gonzales Gone

White House enveloped in deepening federal prosecutors' probe as attorney general fights for his job

In my opinion, Gonzales should be fired for being stupid enough fire all those people at the same time, and not think that people would look into why. They tacked on a couple more people who may have been needing to get fired, but the San Diego US Atty is the one that really makes the firings odorous since their supposed reason of not enough immigration prosecutions is like firing a cop for not writing enough parking tickets while he's been busy catching murderers or effectively stopping gang violence. She was busy catching some pretty corrupt people, it doesn't matter which party they belong to because it's something that needs to be prosecuted to ensure that our political system remains fair to all.

It's just absurd. It's stupid beyond belief and maybe that's an indicator how much pressure was put on Gonzales, because nobody gets to his position being that stupid. Only Rove would have the gall and arrogance to push it to that point thinking there would be no consequences. This should make you wonder what all he's gotten away with to think that way.

I think Gonzales should not have allowed the firings. If the White House, Bush, threatened him with either going along with or getting fired, Gonzales should have chosen to get fired, which would have been pretty risky for Bush because doing so would show him to be directly within the loop of what was going on and why. You'd think after DeLay and the other corruption cases that Bush and Co. would tread a little more carefully in DC's current culture of corruption... but no.

I can tell it's going to be a choice of which evils can you live with in the next Presidential election. Right now I don't like any of the front-runners. For instance, McCain. I like him on most all issues, but any candidate who wants to impose their personal religious belief on people, most of whom disagree, then there's something wrong with that. I have no desire for America to become a theocracy, which Republican candidates in general seem to wink at.

And I have no desire to see the US lose in any military conflict, which Democrats appear to not understand. Yes, everyone wants us out of Iraq, but not until we WIN first. I just don't think Democrats really understand the people they claim to speak for, maybe because they're too poll driven.

NEway, politics right now is pretty scary no matter which party you choose. And this Gonzales debacle is just another instance showing how even our system of government can fail.

India News

Certain vitamins may shorten lifespan: "They found that taking antioxidant supplements neither increased nor reduced the risk of death. Rather, these appeared to raise the risk of death."

Note to India News, if you want to report in English, then you may want to hire someone who can understand and write in English. The two sentences together basically say, "Supplements don't increase the risk of death, but they increase the risk of death." /boggle

McCain: Roe V. Wade Should Be Overturned

McCain: Roe V. Wade Should Be Overturned

And there goes any chance of a vote from me. Too bad I have this thing against returning women to the dark ages of backstreet abortions. An economist of some sort has said that abortions have led to decreased crime rates, explaining that since women who knew they couldn't afford a baby or couldn't provide/care for very well got an abortion instead of raising the child in poverty or neglect, such disadvantages having been shown to lead to a life of crime. Not my theory, but interesting.

Monica Maybe, and I'm Working Out Some

So I called Jada, nothing. She's only 29 and I guess talking to me is probably the last thing on her list of priorities. No offense taken. I'd wish her well but she never answers her phone.

So I go on the pursuit again, enter Monica. Monica doesn't want to talk on the phone at all. I can respect that. I gave her my number because she seems safe enough, a straight shooter, no BS'n around. She has a great smile from some of her older pictures, her newer ones show someone that's been pretty disappointed. I know the feeling, and I'd really like to put a smile back on her face, she's so pretty especially when smiling. Anyway, like me, she broke up in October, except her relationship had been a longer than mine, 3 yrs. I guess it had to be breaking down for a while for her to be back into the swing of things already. I suspect the guy may have cheated on her because she cut her hair off, the hair he had always told her not to cut because he liked it so much.

I like long hair too... what guy doesn't? But if a woman wants to experience having shorter hair, let her. She'll see in her guy's eyes that he doesn't like it for a long enough time that she'll probably grow it out again and keep it that way... unless she's in the process of leaving.

But anyway, if the guy did cheat on her, I know her pain all too well. Not from my last, though I suspect, but from prior ones. The last one which hurt so badly that I said "fuck it" to dating for a long time, didn't want that hell. Then something happened that lit a fire on my ass and now I'm actually trying. Thought it was dead in me, but apparently it wasn't.

I think way too far ahead. We've only emailed each other a handful of times and I'm already thinking about meeting her. What did you think I was going to say? :) Yeah, I went and bought some clothes this weekend, Granny helped me find stuff, it was a hoot. Anyway, I already know what I'm going to wear IF we ever meet. I almost emailed her saying something like, "So when are we going to meet" or "How long until you think we should meet." Decided not to write it though because that would be way to forward, too much too fast, me thinks, err, I think she would think that anyway.

Anyway, I think if we do meet we'll have fun. It's hard to know because I know I probably "sound" terrible on email. Can't really convey inflections or whatever so you have to write a little differently... well anyone reading this has probably written an email before and knows. Haha, like anyone reads this blog or would make it this far down anyway. Hmm... this blog is turning into an online journal for me. Oh well. /tangent. So it'll be quite a feat if we ever do meet. Can't wait, sure hope it happens because we have a lot in common and I wouldn't be surprised if we clicked. Never really know until ya meet though.

Unrelated, I upped my intensity on my Friday upper body workout, I've been taking creatine, glutamine, and whea protein, and my arms blasted a whole quarter inch more, still there too, been waiting for them to deflate to maybe an eighth higher than what it had been, but no, it's still a quarter inch more. Even Granny saw on Saturday, when I tried on a particular shirt, that I had gained a lot of size.

To recap, I think after Sheri I was probably down into the 150s. Normally, I was probably at 170, not really too sure because I didn't own a scale. After a few weeks of working out, and eating like a human should, I bought a scale and I weighed 160. I could tell I had gained a few pounds already, but I'm not sure how far below 160 I actually went, thank God. So anyway, I'm at 175 now, naked. Not bad after only 9 weeks of working out and eating, with about the last 4 or 5 weeks including protein drinks, vitamins, the last 3 weeks including mountain biking weekends, and the last week including creatine and glutamine.

So now my legs aren't looking as chicken related, and my arms are over 14" pumped, 13.75" cold. Yeah that's not huge, but it's an improvement for me and I've only just begun. I think maybe 15" might be good enough for me. Just wish I had some free weights... I really don't want to have to join a gym... but there is a World's opening up soon off Parmer... and a 24 fitness right by work is being built. Decisions, decisions. Maybe 16" arms will be my goal, just have to see how they as I go, I don't want to look like a freak, just muscular fit, like van damm, or however his damn name is spelled.

I guess after I get a little bigger, maybe when my arms are 14" cold, I'll take some pictures and post them on dating sites, unless I'm seeing someone already, like maybe Monica. :) I hope. But yeah, I'm totally serious about keeping fit now, I used to get away with not having to work out at all, but now I can't. If I don't I get way too out of shape and... can strain a muscle during sex of all times! Yeah, more embarrassing than painful, and it did hurt. Strained my butt muscle once, and my thigh muscle another time. Ugh. Never again, unless maybe it's some super duper really out of control doing some freaky stuff sex... though it probably wouldn't be unexpected if it's that wild. "Hey babe, let's have sex so hard that I strain a muscle" Hmm... may have to come up with a "workout" that might push the limits. Hmm, something to think/fantasize about hehe.

Carlos Mencia (fake name) Steals Jokes... Often

Joe Rogan vs.Carlos Mencia continues: Rogan dropped by The Gersh Agency

So, Rogan exposes Carlos (real name Ned) for the thief he is... and Rogan takes the hit? It says Gersh agency, but for some reason I think they should change their name to Deuch Agency. They'd rather represent a liar/thief that needs to be further exposed for the fraud he's committing, than the guy who is simply the messenger? Apparently, almost all comics know about Ned's thieving so it's not like Joe was saying anything out of the ordinary in their profession... he was just saying it in public.

One thing you won't hear is Ned suing for Libel or defamation, because his lawyer will tell him that if it's true, he has no case... and apparently it's pretty easy to show that Joe was telling the truth.

I'd like to see Leno weigh in on this so future comics won't steal like Ned, aka Menstealia, aka "that tard." Oh yeah, his race is fake too, yeah, he's not even a Mexican. The guy lies and lies and lies... someone needs to put a stop to it and I sure hope Joe's effort is just the beginning.

Maybe someone with the resources or connections could backtrack and point out most or all the material stolen by Ned in the last few years. I'm thinking a documentary or news journal type of production... something that speaks credibility.

I never did like Mind of Mencia... seemed more hateful/annoying than funny to me. I don't like relaxing to screaming I guess. NEway... bleh.

Feel free to sign the petition to get rid of Ned, at... http://www.petitiononline.com/nocarlos/petition.html

Pelosi says Bush would need congressional approval to invade Iran - National Politics

Pelosi says Bush would need congressional approval to invade Iran

Excuse me... but this is bullshit. Pure BS. Just because this beeotch was voted by her peers to be the speaker of the new majority in the House, doesn't mean she dictates national policy. Americans voted for a lot of democrats not to cut and run from Iraq, but to change whatever was necessary (mainly Rumsfeld) to get the job done, aka WIN, and then get the fuck out (pardon my french).

What.. the.. hell is this.. this.. world.. coming toooooo? (old Metallica - FFWF - as sung not via the lyrics page, dorks)

I swear, despite the intellectuals within the party, the current Dems have got to be the stupidest party not only in Dem history, but in American political history. These current Dems don't even see what's going on... I guess being in Washington puts you in a vacuum or in some thick fog. Here they are with a great opportunity show that they're a mainstream party and in tune with the general public... no, they succumb to their extreme side, the side that takes a very simple stance, do the opposite of everything Republican. No... not something like, let's have a vision for America, or maybe... let's win this war on terrorism by forcing Bush to make good decisions in a more prompt manner (since it took way too long to boot Rumsfeld).

No, can't do something like that because that would require taking a stand and defending it, something they've proven themselves to be inept at in the past, so now they're just avoiding it all together. So, they'll just want the opposite of Bush, which makes for an easier argument to defend since you just say you don't want what Bush wants. Idiots.

Thing is, Americans voted Dems to get Bush straightened out, now that that's happened and the Dems have proven themselves aloof to Americans in the aftermath, don't count on a Dem president after the votes are counted in 2008.

Scooter's Coffee

WhitePages.com - Online Directory Assistance:
"Scooters Coffee House
in Austin, TX"

Seriously, is there a better place to get coffee? I think not. I've been getting the same type of coffee for a while now, a vanilla latte with an extra shot. The first time I got one from Scooter's I couldn't believe how much better it was than any other place I've been. Wow. So, I go there just about every morning.

In doing so, I happen to keep seeing a girl there, well, she works there so... Anyway, she's cute and seems very... delicate? careful?... not sure what word I'm trying to think of, but she uses both hands to make sure nothing drops or spills when handing coffee to me. Her eyes are really nice too, blue I think... I'm bad with colors, I listed mine for years as brown when they're more like hazel. She's thoughtful too, she gave me a Premium Customer Card so I could get points or whatever each time I buy a coffee. And then...

Yesterday was Valentines Day. I'm fortunate enough to have her give me my coffee, so I wish her a happy Vday. She says "you too" or something and turns around as I drive off. I then go to take a drink, and there it is. "Happy -- a heart -- Valentine's Day" is written on the lid. Made me smile that maybe she wrote that just for me. But, what if they did that for everyone that day? Probably.

So, this morning I go and get my coffee, I'm going to ask her if they did that for everyone or if I was just special, but she didn't give me my coffee, the guy that works there handed it to me, and I wasn't going to ask him. So, maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll just call there and ask. Of course if I was the only one, then they'll know I called... but that's fine, I just need to figure out her name and ask her out sometime. If it was to everyone, then oh well, guess I'll just go gradually... ask for her name, then ask her out later.

But, what if she says no? Or worse, she says yes and we break up later... will I still be able to get the coffee without worrying about spit or worse in it. Should I risk really good coffee in an effort to pick up a really good woman? Coffee... woman... I'm so confused! :) Well, I guess if she says no then I could still get coffee there with just a slight bit of embarrassment. And if we go out and have a bad break-up later, then there's always the Starbuck's down the road... ugh... but that's like going from broadband to dial-up (yes, Scooter's coffee is THAT good).

Well, I need to wait anyway. I may be going out with someone else anyway. Jada. I haven't met her yet though. But she seems like a very interesting person. Cute too. She just turned 29 last month so there's a 9 year difference.. not too bad. Would have gone out with her already but my dad broke his leg pretty badly and so I was out of town last weekend when she called wondering if I might be able to do lunch. Yeah... first off, we've been playing phone tag for like a month, then when I finally hear my phone ring and am able to answer it when she calls, I'm with my dad in his hospital room, and he's awake. So it's ringing and I really don't want to talk to her with my dad right there... but we've been playing phone tag for so long... I answer. I tell her what's going on and that I'll call her later this week (umm, today's Thursday, so I'll call her today). I hand up and my dad, who had been in and out of sleep thanks to his morphine every 10 minutes, asks me who's Jada, where did you meet her, etc. Ugh! Now if things don't work out between us, it'll be, what ever happened to Jada, how long did you see her, blah blah blah.

Jada, what a cool name. If we don't work out, then that's a name I may suggest for when/if I have a daughter. But then, if it ends as suddenly/weirdly/hurtfully as Sheri, forget it! Oh fug, now I'm thinking about Sheri.

I think I tried to take and moderate everything, even feelings, so much that maybe that's what made Sheri depressed or lose her feelings of love for me. I dunno... don't care, it's in the past and gone forever. Fuck it. One thing I learned is that kissing a big fake boob is like trying to kiss a fully inflated balloon. She sure was pretty though. Wish I had been in better shape while with her, and had gone ahead and done some things that I was holding back on... but I wasn't solely interested in sex with her and didn't want to give her the wrong impression. Bleh, I think I screwed up by just not being myself... what a dumbass I am.

Oh well, hopefully I'll learn from it and not screw up so badly with my next relationship, if I have one. Yeah, I'm seriously thinking maybe it just wasn't meant to be for me. I pray sometime and thank God for my happiness, my wife, and children (sorta like affirmations for things yet to come). Umm, I'm happy already I guess... just want to make sure it doesn't go away. :) Right, so for now, I see how it goes with Jada. If Jada doesn't work out, then maybe I'll see about going after the Scooter's woman. Kinda weird, I already know there's something about the Scooter's woman... wonder if I can tell over a lunch if there's something about Jada. Yeah, I can... it's either there or it isn't, physical attraction is pretty straight forward.

Oh geez, now that I think about it... Scooter's woman's face sorta looks like Sheri's. But maybe she really is nice, not fake nice like Sheri was. Fake nice, fake tits, fake last name at first, fake something else that I dismissed because I didn't want to lose her early on, even though I should have said no until everything was right. So, maybe this Scooter woman is the "real" version of what I thought Sheri was. Well, Sheri on antidepressants I guess, or whatever it was that made her happy, nice, thoughtful, and loving. It's funny, as lovely as she was on the outside, I thought she was even more lovely on the inside. I'm sure she really is, she just decided she didn't want me anymore I guess.

Thing is, I was waiting for something from Sheri, that never appeared... and I don't even know what it is, but I know when I see it. Well, I thought maybe I saw it when I last looked into her eyes after our last kiss... but that certainly wasn't it either, maybe I hoped it was something it wasn't. Anyway, I'm glad I can think about the stuff now without getting depressed.

I know I'll never know exactly why it ended until I meet Jesus, so it's hard to take and learn from the experience. If I knew the real reason why she fell out of love, then maybe I could focus on and improve it so I don't make the same mistake with Jada or possibly Scooter woman.

Anyway, I'm keeping the Happy Vday lid that came with my coffee yesterday... at least until I learn that they did it for everyone or if Jada and I become a thing. :)

Evilution?

Conservatives lose latest Darwin battle in Kansas:
"Some religious groups argue that evolution cannot be proven and clashes with Biblical teachings about how God created the Earth, humans and animals. Teaching evolution misleads and confuses students, opponents say."

Darwin never said, and it shouldn't be implied, that evolution is how everything was created. Evolution is limited to things that have already been created. Why must people make evolution appear evil... it's a tool of God after all. Thank God for evolution, that we adapt, that He makes us stronger and able to survive. The whole primordial soup as a theory of how we were created is not what evolution is all about, and isn't even a good way to explain creation since it supposes matter, at the very least in the form of protons and electrons. And of course, what made the protons and the things that make up protons, etc.?

Yeah, evolution is not evilution, there is harmony between what Darwin observed and God. The people who are spazzing about all this are doing a real disservice, not only are they turning a blind eye to facts (yes you can prove that evolution happens, see Darwin's observations and countless fruit fly experiments), but they're also making Christians look ignorant, of little faith, and of much uncertainty in God. I mean... all this hysteria makes it seem like if evolution happens, then God doesn't exist. Get real. This is almost as bad as the thought that the earth must be in the center of the universe, that the sun must rotate around the earth, etc. Evolution doesn't affect my faith one bit, if anything it helps show how He works.

U.S. not planning for war with Iran

U.S. not planning for war with Iran, Gates says

How can we NOT be planning for a war with ANY country that looks like it may harm the US or US interests? No contingency plan? Nothing planned if they suddenly throw a nuke our way? Nothing planned if they decide to move in on Iraq? As if they haven't already. No plans eh? Wow, the powers in Washington must be ignorant and lazy. Right? Yeah, right. pfft. I seriously doubt we don't have a war plan with a country we've labeled as an axis of evil. Hmm... we're not "planning" for war with Iran... because we've already done that! We're beyond planning, we're... doing something else now, but not planning. No, that's over and done with.

Death Penalty Sought in Fetus Theft

Death Penalty Sought in Fetus Theft

Sounds like "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" gone really bad. Me thinks (Shakespeare-talk) Hall wanted the hubby to herself without the encumbrance of his children. But who knows why crazy people do the crazy things they do... besides FBI profilers. :)

Casey: Only half of troop boost needed - Yahoo! News

Casey: Only half of troop boost needed

...No doubt from the Rumsfeld School of Troop Calculations. It's already failed, let's not continue to underestimate the enemy... mmkay? Not even mentioning the recent Iranian activity, which may mean EVEN MORE troops needed. I'm sure Casey is an overall good General, but Generals have been wrong before, and have played the political game before. So, take what Casey says with a grain of salt because he just might be a democrat in Army clothing.

"Grey's Anatomy" star in counseling after gay slur

"Grey's Anatomy" star in counseling after gay slur

This IS a joke right? Right?? I mean... come on, counseling for saying "faggot?" A faggot is also a cigarette, in Scotland if I recall correctly. And who cares if he said it in a hurtful way? You do? Who cares if you do? Get over it. Stop being so thin skinned. I think the guy has a constitutional right to call the faggot a faggot. It's not really derogatory if it's the truth. And the guy he said it about is a faggot, so if the shoe fits... If the faggot has issues with being a faggot, then maybe HE is the one who needs counseling, not the guy who called him out on it.

Yeah, it wasn't nice to say that, and maybe a slap on the hand could be justified... but to send him off to counseling... GEEZ! Since when is professional treatment needed you say something not-too-appropriate while angry? Shit happens, realize it for what it is and move on without acting like you've been horribly abused or victimized or that the guy who said it was so out of line that he needs treatment!

WTF is going on?!?!

GOP Hopefuls Vow to Overturn Roe V. Wade

GOP Hopefuls Vow to Overturn Roe V. Wade

Oh come on, why is it that whether it be Democrats or Republicans, these people wanting to be President have to be polar? Why can't someone run who's isn't a Taliban style conservative or a pansy liberal? Yeah, pansy... because lately that's what the Demorálcrats are projecting as of late. The whole "let's just leave Iraq" they're espousing really gets under my skin. And here's the Republicans, they're basically going to be running up against a black, a Mexican, and a woman... so all they really need to do is put up someone who isn't a complete idiot and they'll probably win in a landslide. And yet these candidates come out of the woodwork who just want to divide and cause drama in country in a time when we really, desperately, need to be united. Where's Ronald Regan when you need him?

I actually like the approach Bush is taking now. It's basically a strategy of kicking ass and taking names. The whole increase in troop levels isn't a plan, it's just something to help implement it. I'm getting tired of the rhetoric about it, if H. Clinton believe we should send more, then she should come out and say it, if she did that then maybe people would believe she's might actually be hard core enough to lead the most powerful nation on earth, at least until the Chinese start going into full swing and flex their muscle by re-establishing Taiwan as part of China through their massive and probably tech savvy military. And that's probably going to happen sooner than you think. So, whoever is President at that time had better have some balls.

LG's PRADA Phone Rivals Apple iPhone

Wireless Tech - LG's PRADA Phone Rivals Apple iPhone

Ok, I don't really care whether one is better than the other... although I don't see, yet, where the LG is capable of accessing regular web pages with a full feature browser. So what's my problem....

Why isn't the USA getting the phone at launch too? I think I know the answer, and the answer is because we've been lagging in phone technology for DECADES thanks to the FCC (saw a program on PBS about it, so it must be true). And so during that time, all these other countries have been using their cell phones, developing even better technology etc. while we, the USA, have remained in the dark ages.

What pisses me off even more is that even when Apple produces the iPhone, it'll only be initially produced for a single carrier. So I sure hope Sprint has taken notice and is trying to do something about it. :)

NEway, it's just sad that our market isn't attractive enough to warrant immediate shipment of new technology for our use. All these tech companies aren't located in the US. Not a single TV is American anymore. Where's our place in the global market aside from buying other countries' products? How long can we afford to do so? How about this... Mexico :: USA, USA :: Korea/Japan. Is that our future? Surely not, but it's not hard to imagine right now.

Senate moves toward a clash with Bush / Nonbinding resolution against troop boost is introduced, called message to president

Nonbinding resolution against troop boost is introduced

This is just... idiocy, isn't it? If we're just electing people to go and vote as the polls at any given time indicate, then why are we wasting the time and money? Why not just fire all the representatives, senators, president... mayors, governors, state officials, etc., and just act according to how these polls magically indicate the supposed will of the people? We'd save millions on the salaries alone. Let's go another step and fire the court system too, that way popular opinion can flex its muscle there too and we can save a lot of time and money with that whole appellate process, pfft, surely the opinion of the masses must be right! Right?

Hell no. In fact, most people are stupid. Polls reflect what the average American FEELS to be true or right or whatever. I say feels because most Americans don't know or otherwise lack the intellectual power to fully understand world events. (I'm not trying to be mean, just being honest) So when I see elected officials that have their roles ass-backwards, it's disappointing. No... no... that can't be right, that's just too stupid. It must be something else. Something even more pathetic.

Oh yeah, grand-standing. That's it. This is all just a show. Don't pay attention to what they're doing because they know it doesn't matter, and the ones that may actually think it matters are the average Americans who drive the poll results. Yeah, that's it, make them think you're doing their will, that way you might get some votes. Yeah, forget about doing the right thing, it's all about getting re-elected or elected to a more powerful position. That's what it's all about, it's just a game no different than any other, one that people try to win.

Americans like winners though. And that's the problem in Iraq. Of course Bush gets it right for once, changing the game plan because the old one wasn't working. That's what we Americans were collectively wanting in the last election, to change something in order to win in Iraq so we can get the hell out of Iraq. I'll agree with the masses on that one. So the Democrats naturally don't get it, go to the extreme and think that in order to better pander to the average American's thought, that we should simply get out of Iraq, asap.

Sometimes I wonder if the big whigs in the Democratic Party even think, or do they just go on feelings and sense of smell. I admit I was wanting someone other than Bush for president... all the Dems had to do was put up someone agreeable to the nation. What did they do, they put up a liberal guy from the North who didn't fight back, and during a debate, after giving a great come-back that can be likened to a boxer hitting his opponent so hard it sends the guy buckling, continued to talk about some BS and made the hard punch into a weak jab. How stupid. Up until then, I think he had made some progress on overcoming his Yankeeness, and that's a compliment.

Anyway, once again the Dems appear to be out of touch. Lieberman is probably the only, or one of very few, to have it right. Of course, he had to become an independent to get his message out. Dems should learn from what happened... but they won't. Nope, they'll continue to be reactionists, getting the wrong messages, screwing up. I bet they think they won the last elections based on their platform... WRONG! They only won because people wanted something different to happen in Iraq. That's it. No American wants to lose, and simply pulling out of Iraq would be worse than losing.

What's hard to imagine is that in WWII, we'd lose thousands upon thousands of people in a single battle. We've only lost a few thousand people in this entire conflict so far and yet you'd think we were suffering heavier losses than we did in WWII. Look at the Vietnam death tolls, we're doing a lot better than back then too. Anyway, I'm sure that's of no help to those who've lost loved ones over there, but in looking at the big picture, we're changing a whole country, insurgency included, with surprisingly low casualties. That's a testament to how well our military operates. Surely, if the politicians would support the military and free them up to do what they need to do, then we can get the job done in Iraq.

A Smoking Tradition Snuffed Out By Pelosi

A Smoking Tradition Snuffed Out By Pelosi - washingtonpost.com

Is this her ethics reform? The first thing she does is alienate smokers... well when she said she was going to clean house, I guess it was a little more literal than what I thought she meant. Soon she'll be changing the interior decorating. Anyway, I'm surprised one person has the power to just ban smoking from where they've been smoking for years. So, my first impression of Pelosi is that she's probably one of those micromanagers that drives everyone nuts. But, she's kinda hot for her age, wish most women would age that gracefully. Hot momma. :) So, she can get away with being a nut, if she is one.

Apple's new iPhone

Now that technology has finally enabled true browser capability in a phone with a pretty hefty hard drive, that can play your favorite music, display your photos very nicely, etc... it's getting harder and harder to justify hooking up the PC to the internet unless it's through the iPhone or similar device. Say you need to update your PC's Photoshop software, just bluetooth sync it to the iPhone and do it to it. Now, I doubt that's possible right now, I could be wrong... but geez, maybe that's another reason why Apple changed its name today from Apple Computers to just Apple. It probably won't be long until the iPhone or it's progeny are so powerful that you simply sync to your favorite monitor, printer, keyboard, whatever, so that the iPhone can have the dual role of "home computer." Now... that may be a little too much since I'd hate to absent-mindedly leave my home computer in a public restroom, but you get the idea... so much potential.

Anyway, wow, can't wait until Sprint gets in on the iPhone, if not soon enough I'll leave them when my contract is out to get the iPhone. Unless they try to screw people over by not having "anytime" or unlimited evening minutes, or some other outrageous fee that discourages my carefree surfing of the internet with the phone. Anyway, by the time I get the phone (I'll wait over a year) all that should be sorted out... wishful thinking I know, but ya never know.

Help Abbas if you want peace?

Help Abbas if you want peace - Middle East

Anyone who believes that peace is achievable over there is either fooling themselves or joking. It simply will never happen unless a supernatural power intervenes... and Abbas is no supernatural power.

Lawmaker won't apologize for 'Islamophobic'�letter - CNN.com

Lawmaker won't apologize for 'Islamophobic'�letter - CNN.com: We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country.

But... I thought muslims hated America. Why would a muslim want to live with what they consider evil? Ironic. Well, unless they're full of shit. Yeah, that's probably closer to the truth. Just like how they do those fake protests that last as long as the camera is rolling. "Make room for the camera man so he can get a good shot of us burning a plastic flag." I actually heard someone proclaim that Islam is a peaceful religion... I may have been born at night, but not last night. Hello... the middle east isn't peaceful now, and has never been peaceful before... they call people martyrs if the die killing others in the name of their religion... they still dress as though it's still medieval times!

Even so, I don't think it's bad to allow immigrants from the middle east, you can't help where you were born. I think a better position to take would be to, along with limiting the overall amount of immigrants allowed to enter the county, that the ones applying be checked, thoroughly, for extremism or other areas of concern and only allow those to enter who are clearly and convincingly above board. That shouldn't hurt or be unfair, in my totally non-expert opinion. :)

Got Fat? Don't Blame Yourself, Blame Bacteria

Got Fat? Don't Blame Yourself, Blame Bacteria

HAHA... yeah right, it's not the fact that you're eating twice as much as a person who's of normal (notice I don't say average since most Americans are fat) weight, you're just a victim of having bacteria that are good at what they do. Seriously... gimme a break. (link has pic of lardass on poor innocent chair)

Katie Rees photos, wow

Photos

Girl gone wild, good thing someone had a camera!

Ain't No Sunshine

'Ain't No Sunshine' (Will Young?)

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she always gone too long anytime she goes away

Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away

I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, know, know, know, know
I know, I know
Hey I ought to
I ought to leave her alone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away

Was thinking of Sheri again yesterday when this song just popped in my head. Yeah, well, I know I need to cowboy up and get over it, but I keep thinking of her. I know it's over even though she never said as much, and I certainly wanted to keep it going... but it sure is hard to move on when you still have that lingering hope.

Reading, going out with friends, doing stuff around the house, working out, those things help to keep my mind off her, but then when I'm just sitting around somewhere, anywhere when I have time to think, I inevitably think of Sheri. I guess I'm weak. Love can sure be painful. It's like I almost wish I'd never met her, that way I wouldn't be in this funk (pretty selfish huh?). I guess time will eventually heal, hopefully God has something even better for me since this didn't work out. And hopefully she'll find happiness too, even though it looks like it won't be with me.

Britney Spears' boobs

Britney Spears: It’s a boob show this time!

She's young and has a nice body, so who cares if she shows it off... It'd be different if she was ugly or flabby, but she's pretty enough so it's ok. :)

Illinois police officer charged with DUI

Yahoo! News: "PEKIN, Ill. - An off-duty police officer who was recently honored for cracking down on drunken driving has been charged with driving under the influence in a crash that injured 10 people."

What irony!

Internet campaign protests honoring of Dutch soldiers who failed to stop Srebrenica massacre

Internet campaign protests honoring of Dutch soldiers who failed to stop Srebrenica massacre

What a bunch of horseshit! Especially on this day, December 7th, on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where we, the USA, lost a terrible battle in a surprise attack by the Japanese. We lost a little over 2,000 lives in a matter of minutes. We got spanked, in other words. The same happened to the Dutch soldiers, they lost that battle. They didn't massacre anyone, they simply didn't win a battle that, had the circumstances been different like having more men, aerial support, and better armament/equipment, then maybe the battle would have been won.

But it wasn't. I doubt the Serbs were mindlessly roaming the countryside. I'm sure they saw what they were up against, then planned and executed a winning strategy. The Japanese saw what they were up against at Pearl Harbor, they planned and executed a winning strategy.

So, how the hell do these people get off on trying to humiliate the Dutch soldiers who were there trying to help. Some of whom will never fully recover from the experience. Why be so critical of their nation in honoring the effort and sacrifices they gave not only for their own nation, but a foreign one as well. In America, we honor those who survived and died in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 from the Japanese attack. We don't try to humiliate them and tell them they should have won to spare other lives. That'd be just insane!

It's just amazing to me how an idiot on a radio station can find so many other idiots to lead around. And that's not limited to just this one critical of the Dutch soldiers... even here in the good ol' US of A, I'm sure you can think of some idiots on radio who have audiences which let the radio guy do their thinking. But anyway, this is such in poor taste on a couple of levels, I find it disgraceful.

No, I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. But I do know that war is hell and that we should honor and respect those who serve their country. Shit happens in battles, one wrong decision or move can change the outcome. Anyone who doesn't know this doesn't know much history. And certainly one business that doesn't require much knowledge of history is a student radio station, as evidenced by this one which blindly protests on a whim. ,,|,,

Ohio State-Michigan: Biggest college football game ever?

The Seattle Times: Sports: Ohio State-Michigan: Biggest college football game ever?

Not no, but hell no. Last year's championship game was much bigger with USC's Heisman trophy winners and Texas' Vince Young who should have won the trophy over Bush, in my opinion anyway. It was No. 1 v. No. 2 for the championship, major NFL type talent on both sides of the ball, both sides with something to prove, it just doesn't get any bigger than that game. To even suggest OSU v. Michigan in a regular season game could be the biggest ever... that's just idiocy.

Sheri

So, I wrote her a letter, a love letter. Did it on stationary, cologne, everything but neat handwriting because that's something I've never been able to do neatly. Hopefully she can read it.. I mean, it's not THAT bad. Anyway, I think that's going to be the last overt act I do until/unless she tries to communicate with me. If this is her way of breaking up, to just stop talking and let it die slowly without closure, then that's pretty messed up. I don't deserve that, it's cruel, I didn't do anything to warrant all this pain. I guess maybe that's also why I still think there's a chance she really just needs time to get over the depression; that's real and not some cruel way to end a relationship.

So, I'm pretty depressed and my friend Misty calls and tells me her mom died... a week ago! Her mom, Karen, had cancer that got pretty bad. A few months ago, Misty took her on a cruise, just the two of them, and they had a great time. It meant so much to Karen, and Misty. I've been praying for Karen, and I know she's much more comfortable now. So, Misty told me she's been really sad but glad Karen isn't suffering anymore. So, she's depressed about her mom, I'm depressed about Sheri, and so she asks me if I'd like to go out with her and Kat on Saturday. Brilliant. We both need to get out and have some fun, or at least try to. Misty said she's going to make me have fun. You'd think I was the worse off, but she's the one who lost her mom. But Misty is really strong, I admire her for her inner strength. She happened to mention about how she had given a situation to God, and He came through for her. I hadn't told her yet about how I had given my situation to God, so hopefully mine will turn out good too.

I don't expect to hear anything from Sheri anytime soon since she rarely checks her mailbox. Plus, I put a picture of us in there that she hadn't seen before the Friday I last saw her, and that hasn't produced any reaction. So, why not go out and have some drinks Saturday night? Plus, I haven't seen Misty in forever, so it'll be nice to see her. Kat is cool too. Maybe Mickey, Misty's hubby, will come too, though he'll probably stay home and watch the two babies and maybe Kat's daughter too. What a handful. Speaking of which, Misty says her boobs are huge. I mean, they were already big, but now that she's had another kid and breast-feeding, they're producing milk and so they're really huge. So anyway, it'll be nice to see Misty and Kat, maybe that'll help to temporarily take my mind off Sheri.

I just wonder still how long I should wait before attempting to move on. Maybe I'll just wait until I think I'm over her, that way it won't be like I'm rebounding. Maybe I'll just wait a couple weeks to see if she tries to contact me at all, if she doesn't, then I'll just go ahead and do my own thing and forever wonder why the woman of my dreams suddenly disconnected from me. Yeah, wait a couple weeks and then move on. After all it's already been a month since she started distancing herself from me. Ugh, she said thanks for being patient, that she just needs some time. Well crap, how much time? I know the answer is that she doesn't know. How can anyone know. Am I doing the right thing by not trying to communicate anymore after the letter? I don't want to harass anyone, and if she doesn't want to talk to me, then I feel like that's what I'd be doing. So confused, she's depressed and I don't want to make it even rougher on her. I guess I love her enough to not talk to her? Heh, that's pretty funny. But she needs to do whatever it she needs to do, and she wants to do that without me. I just hope when she's better, that she'll let me know whether she wants me again, good or bad because closure is good to have when something is dead. We'll see.

Clear Channel agrees to $18.7B buyout - Yahoo! News

Clear Channel agrees to $18.7B buyout - Yahoo! News: "The company's directors has approved the agreement," - By ELIZABETH WHITE, AP Business Writer

They has approved? You is a writer? You knows grammar? /sarcasm off

No Love with Depression?

Well I've been seeing this woman, Sheri, for almost 4 months now. A few weeks ago, things were going fine, we loved each other, she even mentioned how she couldn't wait to see me and get real hugs and kisses instead of Xs and Os that I had sent her in a text message. You see, we live about 1.5 hours apart, so we see each other on weekends. We were even considering moving in together, just before this.

About 4 weeks ago, Sheri tells me that she needs some time to herself because she felt like she hadn't been spending enough time with her son. Then the next weekend, her son away at his dad's, she tells me she still needs some time to herself because she's feeling depressed and overwhelmed with stuff that needs to be done around the house (as if I'm not more than willing to help and had already done a lot?). The Thursday after that we talked, she still wanted time to herself, I told she seemed to be getting distant and asked if everything was ok between us, she said yes. She further explained that she's really depressed, mentioned thoughts of suicide (been there) as to how serious it was. I told her one story of mine when I thought I was going to do it after a big argument with my dad. I didn't tell her about a couple other times though... but I hoped she knew that I could relate.

So Friday, nothing, no call, no text, no anything. Saturday I text her asking if she's alright, she texts back that she's ok and that she and some of her relatives were burning wood outside. Sunday, nothing. I'm calling, texting, trying to talk to her and getting nothing. I text her on her son's birthday, the next Thursday (Nov. 2) and she replies saying thanks, it was thoughtful of me, smiley face. Ok... One thing I noticed was that she hadn't said or texted "I love you" since the last time we actually talked on the phone. I could tell something was up, I sent a text the next afternoon, Friday, asking if her not talking to me and not seeing meant she wanted to see me anymore, that I didn't want to lose her but I need to know if she wants me out. No reply. Later on I called, no answer. I called again, left a long message about how I love her, and that because I was hoping that we'd one day get married etc., that it especially hurts me that she's not talking to me, is it just the depression, did I make you mad, what? and that if I don't hear back from you soon, I'm coming over there and you can tell me in person... but as I was hanging up my big thumb hit a number and I heard a beep. I figured it went through.

So I drive down there, I think I may have waited at most 10 minutes before grabbing a jacket and taking off. I couldn't take it anymore. Not seeing her or hearing from her kills me. She's so sweet, thoughtful, nice, and overall simply beautiful inside and out, at least when she's not depressed. Oh, by the way, everyone I tell says she's probably cheating or found someone else. It's not like her to lie, and I know she feels the same way I do in that we're not ones to see more than one person at a time. I, personally, find it disgusting but I don't blame other people for doing it. I wish I could, then maybe it wouldn't take me so long to find my soul mate. But here I am, thinking I have.

Anyway, I arrive at her house and knock on the door. She answers... I'm just floored at how beautiful she is. She's not wearing makeup and was painting a room so she wasn't dressed up or anything, but it'd been a few weeks since I last saw her, and I'm telling you, I guess I'd forgotten how physically attractive she is because I'd been so in love with who she is... I guess love can blind out appearances.

So I ask her basically what's going on, why isn't she talking, etc. She tells me she's really depressed, that she's not returning other people's phone calls, that she really just needs some time, and that there's nothing to talk about. I asked her if she'd thought about taking medication again for it, and she said she needs to see her doctor. She had already told me a while ago that she was told she should probably be on antidepressants for the rest of her life, and that she hadn't taken anything since... I think she said since March and this was in September I think.

I was really relieved. I was unhappy that she was so depressed of course, but relieved that it wasn't something like her wanting to break up, which I was prepared to hear. She then talked about a lot of things that had been going on (nothing to talk about?) and we went and smoked a cigarette. We go back inside and in the kitchen we talk more. I tell her I love her and she says "you put me on the spot." Oh god. What the hell. She explains that she doesn't feel like she loves me, that she doesn't feel like she's capable of being in a relationship at this time. I asked if it was the depression, she doesn't know. I ask if it's temporary... she doesn't know. I'm of course stunned, taken aback, and I try to tell her that it really hurts to hear that because I had hopes for us. (Oh, she never got the message I left on the phone, apparently whatever I pressed erased it) I then make my exit, ask for another hug, we hug, tight. I ask for a kiss, she says not a good one, and so I gave her a kiss. As I pulled away I noticed her smiling big. I've seen it before, the smile she has when she's really happy. At least that's what I thought it was. If she has no feeling of love for me and I see that smile... what the hell? Have I been totally duped? Does she still love me deep down inside? Or was she just smiling because I had my eyes closed while we kissed and she peeked? Or have I just been some sort of play thing for her?

Anyway, I can only hope that somehow her depression is what caused her to lose the feeling of love she once had for me. I have to give her time to get her life straightened out, which is apparently fixing up the house enough to where she can come home and relax.

My stepsister told me that it's really hard to love a depressed person because "all they can really think about is their own little world and it's hard for them to focus on anything or anyone else." Makes sense. I've had mild depression all my life, but this is the first time I guess that I've ever really seen full blown depression.

Part of me thinks I'll never see Sheri again, that she'll recover and during that time she'll meet someone new and forget about me. A part of me, to be honest, thinks she really doesn't want to continue with our relationship even if she does get better. I tend to think the worst so that I can be prepare for it since I'm pretty sensitive. But, I've given her a couple of really good opportunities to let me know if she wanted it to end, and she didn't. So, I guess I have a little hope that maybe I won't lose her.

I sent her tulips, her favorite, and she text me saying thanks and that they're beautiful, and a smiley face. I've been good about not calling her, it's hard, real hard, but that's what she seems to want for now.

Anyway, after visiting her Friday night, hearing she doesn't love me, etc., I've been pretty depressed myself. People at work can tell, everyone. Monday night, I prayed to god and just gave him the situation. If it's his will that I be with Sheri, then it will work out. If not, then it won't. I'm not going to worry about it because it's in his hands now. I'll still do my part of course... umm... like sending flowers once in a while, and I think I'm going to write a letter since I tend to express myself better through writing than verbally. I really don't know what to do. I don't understand how a person can suddenly cease loving another. This wasn't some flash in the pan love, it was still growing, slowly, one that lasts if given the chance. I feel like part of my heart has died a premature death. The hurt is so deep... and I have to question whether I'll be able to handle this again if we get back together and she has another episode. I've no idea, but I don't feel like I'll have to worry about it since it seems like she doesn't and may never have really truly loved me... or is that just my own depression talking? Who knows.

Cleric blames rape on 'suggestive' women

Telegraph | News | Cleric blames rape on 'suggestive' women: "'If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside on the street, or in the garden or in the park ... and the cats come and eat it ... whose fault is it?

'The cats or the uncovered meat?'"

-- So, according to the muslim faith or at least this particular person, teenage muslim boys have as much self control, or lack thereof, as cats... rely on instinct... have no conscience... don't know right from wrong... lack MORALES???? So what does that say of the religion, women are responsible for the morale behavior of muslim men? That muslim men cannot be responsible for their actions if enticed or provoked? Sounds pretty weak, wishy washy, convenient... makes me wonder what a muslim stands for, because all I ever hear about them is them blaming everyone else for whatever they feel is wrong. I don't see them searching for God, but hoping to get some virgin bootae after they die. What kind of goal is that? Does this whole religion revolve around sex? And what happens to them after the virgins are no longer virgins... or is it your duty to keep them virgin... in which case, wouldn't that be hell? Well, maybe they're really ugly, so it isn't so hard.

Iran's envoy to Moscow says Tehran keen to restart nuclear talks

Iran's envoy to Moscow says Tehran keen to restart nuclear talks

Of course they want to have more talks... more talks means more time for them to further develop their nuclear ambitions. Hello?

News 8 Austin

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES:
Yellow Bike Project to lose headquarters
10/11/2006 10:38 PM
By: Hermelinda Vargas
"The bike project involved into something much more; it's now an educational nonprofit."
----------
EVOLVED maybe? Sheesh!

Bush signs homeland security bill - Yahoo! News

It's about damn time...
---
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

"President Bush on Thursday signed a homeland security bill that includes an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1.2 billion for fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border to stem illegal immigration.

Bush signs homeland security bill - Yahoo! News

It's about damn time...

---

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

President Bush on Thursday signed a homeland security bill that includes an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1.2 billion for fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border to stem illegal immigration.

Bush signs homeland security bill - Yahoo! News

It's about damn time...

---

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

President Bush on Thursday signed a homeland security bill that includes an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $1.2 billion for fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border to stem illegal immigration.

The Raw Story | Kerry endorses Lamont over Lieberman in general election

The Raw Story | Kerry endorses Lamont over Lieberman in general election

United States Senator John Kerry (D-MA) today came out in support Ned Lamont's bid to be the next Senator from Connecticut, RAW STORY has learned.

Calling the result of the vote, "a strong statement about the current course in Iraq," Kerry has "strongly" endorsed Lamont over current Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman.

"I’ve worked with Joe Lieberman since our days in college together," Kerry said in a statement today, "and I respect his many contributions to our public life. But the Democratic Party stands for something, and the Democratic Party in Connecticut has made a choice."

"The events of the past months make even more clear," Kerry added, "the differences Democratic leadership would make for our country on Iraq, in making America safer, in having an economy that works for everyone, and in achieving energy independence. That’s who we are as Democrats, and that’s what we’ll be fighting for. It’s time for all Democrats to come together to support Ned Lamont. It’s time for Democrats to unite.”

And so the Democrats will be seen as cowards, and the Republicans will win again. Nice job! With the idiots Democrats are putting up for our highest office, it's really hard to take them seriously these days. I guess I'm starting to lean towards the right now... oh well.

globeandmail.com : Pro-war Lieberman on brink

globeandmail.com : Pro-war Lieberman on brink

Ya know... we need a new Democrat system to pick candidates because it seems the South has no say, and that's the demographic which is needed to win. You pick some yankee, anti-war, anti-everything, and expect to win... you're mistaken. Democrats need a Southern Democrat platform, you know, something realistic and more with how most of the country thinks and feels. He doesn't have to be an intellectual... GW... but should be able to articulate the core values and beliefs most Americans can relate with. Having someone who is "anti-Iraq" is going to lose. Because that means you don't support our troops, it means you may humiliate America in your eagerness to get our troops out. We had enough humiliation in the 70s... and I don't think we should run from a fight, especially against terrorists. I don't think most of America would support that as well.

It's one thing to be angry at why we're there, but to let that anger make you stupid is another matter entirely. And I'm thinking yet again, Democrats are going to lose because they're just being stupid again. Step back, feel the pulse of America instead of your own, then come up with a Democratic platform that isn't so freekin biased towards yankee attitude. But no, nobody has the balls to inform yankee democrats that they're all screwed up. :P

Lebanon demands ceasefire as death toll climbs

Lebanon demands ceasefire as death toll climbs

Had Lebanon not allowed Hezbola to fester within its borders, then all that's happening now would not have occured. The blood of innocents that happened to be killed is on Lebanon's hands, not Israel's. If Lebanon truly wants the fighting to end, they can do it by getting rid of Hezbola. (I've seen "Hezbola" spelled different ways so I'm spelling it my own way too)

Fighting in Lebanon: Ground Troops Spread as Hezbollah Fires Deeper into Israel - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

Fighting in Lebanon: Ground Troops Spread as Hezbollah Fires Deeper into Israel - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

Hezbollah rockets on Wednesday reached the deepest into Israel so far: One fell on the town of Beit Shean some 42 miles from the border, and another strayed into the West Bank. Fierce fighting, meanwhile, continued just inside southern Lebanon, as Hezbollah guerrillas clashed with Israeli forces near the border village of Taibeh. An Israeli missile destroyed a house in the village and killed a family of three, according to Lebanese security officials.

Hello! There's like... military conflict going on if you haven't heard the bombs and stuff exploding. So if you have a family or otherwise living in southern lebanon, get out!

ABC News: Iranian Presidents Rejects Resolution

ABC News: Iranian Presidents Rejects Resolution

Chavez' two-day visit comes as Iran faces renewed international criticism for its nuclear program and as a backer of Hezbollah guerrillas, engaged in fighting with Israel since they captured to Israeli soldiers July 12.(AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)

Ok, this is ABC news, and they don't catch a "to" that should be a "two." Nice job ABC.

Lebanon demands compensation from Israel - Yahoo! News

Lebanon demands compensation from Israel - Yahoo! News: Lebanon demands compensation from Israel

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah guerrillas on the Lebanese side of the border Wednesday, while Lebanon's prime minister reported a death toll of 300 and demanded compensation from
Israel for the 'unimaginable losses' to the nation's infrastructure.

Israel should be charging Lebanon for expenses incurred in their sweeping out hezbola, which Lebanon was supposed to have done years ago. Lebanon's weakness and failure to do that is the root cause of why Israel now has to do Lebanon's dirty work. But for Lebanon's failure to take control of their country 6 years ago and rid themselves of the hezbola, they wouldn't have had all the current damage which Israel believes is necessary to eliminate hezbola. Lebanon impliedly asked Israel to do this by taking no action at all. What else could they have possibly expected? That Israel was just going to let hezbola fester in Lebanon after Lebanon agreed to take control of the problem?

Anyway, Iran is ultimately to blame. Jimmy Carter should have had a pair of balls back then and dealt with them instead of making the US look like a bunch of pansies. Thanks Jimmy. I actually like him now though, good guy, but a lame president. So yeah, here we are again dealing with Iran's crap. How do the Iranian people tolerate it?? Doesn't make sense to me at all.

Israel blames Hamas mine for beach blast - Yahoo! News

Israel blames Hamas mine for beach blast - Yahoo! News: "'We have enough findings to back up the suspicion that the intention to describe this as an Israeli event is simply not correct,' Peretz said at a Tel Aviv news conference on the inquiry's findings. 'The accumulating evidence proves that this incident was not due to Israeli forces.'

Palestinians angrily rejected the findings, saying militants were unlikely to plant bombs at a beach teeming with hundreds of people every weekend.

The bloody images of dead Palestinian civilians and wailing survivors on the beach kindled anger against Israel that has swept around the world."

-Whatever... I think Israel has a lot more credibility than Hamas. The people over there really do seem to look for any reason to help them be identified as victims, when they should have tried to assimilate into a peaceful society so that they could actually prosper instead of having to rely on handouts their whole lives. Of course I don't live there, thank God, so maybe I'm way off, but I see nothing nor hear nothing contrary.

Microsoft speeds up virtualization push - vnunet.com

Microsoft speeds up virtualization push - vnunet.com: "Microsoft plans to launch a beta of its virtualization hypervisor management console earlier then previously expected."

I think phonics is showing itself more and more in print these days. For instance, in the above, the author uses the word "then" rather than "than." Why, well because spellcheck expects the author to know the difference. Come on, it's really not that hard... earlier than, rather than, bigger than, smaller than, stupider than... first this, then that, if this, then that, because of this, then that... basically, this then that. Get an editor.

VOA News - Amnesty Sees Duplicity in 'War on Terror'

VOA News - Amnesty Sees Duplicity in 'War on Terror'

"Amnesty International has accused the United States and other major powers setting aside human rights protections in the war on terror."

- OK, so what are we supposed to do, kill them with kindness?

"Ms. Khan has singled out the United States for particular criticism over the detention of suspected terrorists at a military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba."

- So... is there some other place we should hold them? Are they supposed to stay at a Hilton? Motel 6? Or does Guantanamo Bay, Cuba have some intrinsic element to it that constitutes cruelty whereas if they were detained someplace else it would not? Surely it can't be that bad, the base has been there for quite some time now. It's even tropical. Hmm... so maybe we could do the opposite and detain the suspected terrorists in Alaska or maybe someplace on the Antarctic, and maybe that would make this more humanitarian. Enough sarcasm, the things people are saying these days is laughable enough as it is.

Senate Votes Twice for English Language - Yahoo! News

Senate Votes Twice for English Language - Yahoo! News: "Senate Votes Twice for English Language

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer 38 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Whether English is America's 'national language' or its national 'common and unifying language' was a question dominating the Senate immigration debate.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Senate first voted 63-34 to make English the national language after lawmakers who led the effort said it would promote national unity.

But critics argued the move would prevent limited English speakers from getting language assistance required by an executive order enacted under
President Clinton. So the Senate also voted 58-39 to make English the nation's 'common and unifying language.'

'We are trying to make an assimilation statement,' said Sen. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), R-S.C., one of two dozen senators who voted Thursday for both English proposals.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., disputed charges that making English the national language was racist or aimed at Spanish speakers. Eleven Democrats voted for his measure."

---
This is what makes Democrats look like idiots, not voting for something that will unify Americans. Instead they take the stand that it's devisive. Democrats need to realize that America isn't a free-for-all, as in you can't cross the Rio Grande and just do whatever the hell you please. We've been accommodating that for far too long which is why things are the way they are right now, devisive, and why it's only going to get worse the longer we don't do anything about it. It sucks because I like some of the Democrat ideals... but on some other things they are just ass backwards, in my opinion.

The top news headlines on current events from Yahoo! News

The top news headlines on current events from Yahoo! News: "BAGHDAD, Iraq - Four Marines drowned when their tank rolled off a bridge and plunged into a canal, the military said Friday, adding that while the accident occurred in a Sunni insurgent stronghold, it was not the result of an enemy action."

Well... the whole reason we're still over there is because of enemy action.

Text / The Complete Military History of France

Text / The Complete Military History of France

Interesting that France is still France considering how often they lose.

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: You can't spell new Microsoft without A and D

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: You can't spell new Microsoft without A and D

It sounds like they could be thinking about putting ads within the OS... that'd be the right push to go to Linux or some other Ad-Free OS for me. Ads suck.

Her

What is it about her? If I don't hear from her for over a day, I start getting a sick feeling. I think about her almost constantly, she's even in my dreams! I want to be around her, I want to have great conversations, I want and I want and I want... yet I have no idea what she wants, yet she said I always know how to make her smile. She can't give herself to me. She is in a "situation." She says she knows what I'm going through. She says she wants me too. She said I'm the man of her dreams, and then she jokingly said it's a dream because it will never happen. She then said she loves me, in a jokingly serious way.


What is it about her? It's not her very large boobs, even though I am a boob-guy. It's not her very nice butt, though I really do like it too. It's not her eyes, though I could stare into them forever. It's not her hair, though I'd love to sink my fingers through it every day. It's not physical at all...

It's how happy she becomes when I give her a gift, she fusses over it, telling me how she loves it and how wonderful it is. It's how she cries on my shoulder when something has made her very upset. It's the feelings that are shared when we've embraced each other. It's our common beliefs. It's our compensating differences. It's love isn't it? But love comes from God. So why do I love someone in a "situation?" Has God sent me to hell?

Ahmadinejad's defiant stand on eve of nuclear deadline - World - Times Online

Ahmadinejad's defiant stand on eve of nuclear deadline - World - Times Online

This isn't news, it's repetitive.

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Publisher Rejects Soph’s Apology

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Publisher Rejects Soph’s Apology

The thing that's more shocking than a 19 y.o. student cheating these days, is how brazenly she went about it. Knowing that she lifted so much from another's work, how could she not know that someone would recognize it? How did she get into Harvard if she's so stupid as to think people will actually believe her lame excuse that McCafferty's work was in her subconcious and simply spilled out onto her own work. She's not very bright, she's certainly cheated and got away with it many times before to think that she could get away with this, she should be quickly kicked out of Harvard, and she should be investigated for other acts of cheating in the past so that other colleges aren't duped by a cheat-gpa or other lies. What a disgrace.

States Help Schools Hide Minority Scores - Yahoo! News

States Help Schools Hide Minority Scores - Yahoo! News: "'I can't believe that my child is going through testing just like the person sitting next to him or her and she's not being counted,' said Angela Smith, a single mother. Her daughter, Shunta' Winston, was among two dozen black students whose test scores weren't broken out by race at her suburban Kansas City, Mo., high school."

Dear Ms. Smith, your daughter is a "her." So the next time you talk of someone sitting next to your daughter, you can say that they are sitting next to "her" and not "him or her" because that makes it sound like you're not sure of your daughter's gender. Geez.

Fan tosses syringe near Bonds

YES!
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Fan tosses syringe near Bonds: "Fan tosses syringe near Bonds

(AP) - SAN DIEGO-A fan tossed a syringe near Barry Bonds as he came off the field in between innings on Monday at Petco Park, and the San Francisco Giants slugger said he picked it up in his glove and carried it off the field.

The syringe apparently did not have a needle.

'I just put it off the field so no one would get hurt,' said Bonds, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball for alleged steroid use.

The syringe toss occurred after the bottom of the eighth inning of the San Diego Padres' 6-1 win over the Giants.

'If that's what they want to do, embarrass themselves, then that's on them,' Bonds said. 'That has nothing to do with me at all.'

According to the book 'Game of Shadows,' written by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters, Bonds used a vast array of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids and human growth hormone, for at least five seasons beginning in 1998. According to the book, Bonds used several substances in various forms, including by injecting himself with a syringe and taking injections from his personal trainer.

Bonds, who has denied using performance-enhancing drugs, was booed often by the sellout crowd of 43,767 on Monday.

'I don't judge them,' Bonds said. 'I have to concentrate on baseball. I leave that up to you guys to make those statements in the paper.'"

Fidelity Laptop With Customer Info. Stolen

Fidelity Investments is willing to put sensitive data of almost 200k people on a laptop... you are warned.

"Fidelity Laptop With Customer Info. Stolen

(AP) - BOSTON-A laptop computer belonging to Fidelity Investments and containing sensitive data on about 196,000 retirement-account customers was stolen last week, the company said.

The nation's largest mutual-fund manager confirmed reports Thursday that the computer held information on participants in Hewlett-Packard Co.'s pension and 401(k) plans and that it has alerted those affected, offering them free credit monitoring for 12 months.

The data included names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers and other information that potentially could be used by identity thieves.

There is no evidence that the data has been misused, Fidelity spokeswoman Anne Crowley said. Fidelity is not disclosing where the laptop was stolen from, just that it was in the United States, she said.

Boston-based Fidelity, the sole provider of Hewlett-Packard's defined benefit and defined contribution plans, said it would reimburse account holders for any losses linked to unauthorized transactions connected to the stolen laptop.

It is unusual to have so much information on one laptop, Crowley said, but the computer in question was brought to a business meeting by a team of employees.

Fidelity said the license to the software that contained the data has expired and, as a result, the scrambled data is difficult to interpret.

As an additional precaution to prevent misuse of the information, Fidelity has expanded the number of authentication steps required by HP plan members to access data about their accounts, Crowley said.

Fidelity is recommending that the affected Hewlett-Packard employees remain vigilant for the next year or two, regularly review account activity and obtain a credit report from one or more of the national credit reporting companies."

DVD is dead, but what's coming next? - Technology - theage.com.au

DVD is dead, but what's coming next? - Technology - theage.com.au: "In one corner stands the Japanese electronics giant Sony, which has gathered a wide spread of support for a new format known as Blu-Ray. That is being rivalled by HD-DVD, a cheaper, less advanced option championed by Toshiba."

To hell with Sony and their Blu-Ray root kit trojan horses. I don't trust Sony farther than I can spit at them. Most of their products tend to be crap these days anyway.

Coke jingle/slogan

Know what it is? I don't. All I know is that I buy Coke because it's the best. Their slogan could be, "Coke, made from donkey balls" and it'd still be #1. I really like the caffeine free coke's taste, not sure what they use to get rid of the caffeine, but even if its slogan was, "Caffeine Free Coke, cancer-causing goodness" and I'd still buy it. I mean, it's not like I'm going to lower myself to drinking Pepsi! Well actually, I did buy a 12-pack of Pepsi the other week... not bad, but it's not Coke.

Professor in Terror Case May Face Deportation

What the hell? It's becoming more and more clear that if you have to pick a country to go in for your trial and want to increase your chances of getting away with a crime... welcome to the USA. Because even with the liberty-strangling "Patriot Act," we cannot convict a guy who is up to his neck in terrorist activities (at least that's the impression of his involvement). Come on, this county has convicted innocent people before even without the Patriot Act, so why can't we get this guy? Maybe he really is innocent? Nah, he's probably just smarter than many other criminals or terrorists.

But what's going to be funny, in a sick way, is that after he gets deported he'll probably become a mastermind for some terror organization, if he isn't already.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: College Football

"Paterno had been the winningest coach until Bowden past him a few years ago."

How about "passed" instead of "past?"

Authorities' hands are tied in dog mauling case

Want to get away with murder... hello Milam County Texas.
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www.news8austin.com


Authorities' hands are tied in dog mauling case
Updated: 11/28/2005 11:37:20 PM
By: Bob Robuck

Milam County authorities believe six dogs belonging to a nearby neighbor attacked and killed 76-year old Lillian Stiles of Thorndale Saturday afternoon.

The dogs are also believed to have bitten a man who tried to help the Stiles family. The animals have been euthanized. Their remains have gone to a lab for rabies testing.

The dogs present a unique problem for investigators attempting to pursue criminal charges against their owner. Milam County is a rural area, and there are no laws on the books that cover what happened to Stiles.

"What I'm incensed about is that somebody needs to be responsible for what happened to this woman," Milam County Sheriff Charlie West said.

Officers are proceeding with their investigation. A local veterinarian has collected evidence.

"We collected hair out of their mouths and saliva for DNA testing," veterinarian Valerie Bobbitt said.

What happened to Stiles in her own front yard has drawn attention to a small community that didn't want it -- putting pressure on authorities to act. County lawmakers say they can't even pass new laws that may stem from the incident.

"Under state law, the commissioners hands are tied. I don't think they have the authority to pass any ordinances or laws," West said.

An autopsy is currently underway. Investigators hope to have preliminary results sometime Tuesday.

Zaqari kills muslims, but claims he doesn't target them

Zarqawi: "We ask God to have mercy on the Muslims, who we did not intend to target, even if they were in hotels which are centers of immorality."

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Suicide bombers killed 74 worshippers at two Shiite mosques near the Iranian border Friday.
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So... muslims in hotels were supposedly unintentional, but what about the muslims in the mosques? The mosques aren't American made, as far as I know anyway. Yeah, this zarqari guy is nothing but a lying murderer/terrorist. He and his cult don't care if you're muslim, they just want to blow stuff up and see how many people they can kill before they're eventually killed or caught. That people are STILL willing to die under him, is natural selection at work.

Jordanians Rally to Denounce Al-Zarqawi

Is this a first? Has to be. Not blaming America for something bad that happened in the arab world... yeah this has to be a first. Are the arabs finally realizing that maybe, just maybe, that they're killing each other in the name of killing things American? Sure, you hate America, so you go blow up a bunch of Iraqi children because they had some American candy... this actually made sense to someone!

Anyway, article below:

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Jordanians Rally to Denounce Al-Zarqawi

By JAMAL HALABY, Associated Press Writer 28 minutes ago

AMMAN, Jordan - Hundreds of angry Jordanians rallied Thursday outside one of three U.S.-based hotels attacked by suicide bombers, shouting, "Burn in hell, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi!" after the terrorist's group claimed responsibility for the blasts that killed at least 56 people.

In an Internet statement, al-Qaida in Iraq linked the blasts at the Grand Hyatt, the Radisson SAS and the Days Inn hotels to the war in Iraq and called Amman the "backyard garden" for U.S. operations.

Police continued a broad security lockdown and authorities sent DNA samples for testing to identify the attackers. Land borders were reopened after being closed for nearly 12 hours.

The Amman protest was organized by Jordan's 14 professional and trade unions — made up of both hard-line Islamic groups and leftist political organizations — traditionally a vocal critic of King Abdullah II's moderate and pro-Western policies.

Protesters — including women and children — gathered outside a bombed hotels, shouting, "Death to al-Zarqawi, the villain and the traitor!" Drivers honked the horns of vehicles decorated with Jordanian flags and posters of the king. A helicopter hovered overhead.

"We sacrifice our lives for you, Amman!" the protesters chanted.

State television said a second rally was planned in the Red Sea port of Aqaba, where attackers using Katyusha rockets narrowly missed a U.S. ship and killed a Jordanian soldier in August.

The streets of the capital appeared deserted early Thursday, which was declared a day of mourning. Public and private offices were closed under government instructions, apparently to allow tightened security measures to take hold.

Government spokesman Bassel Tarawneh said 56 people were killed in the suicide attacks, but he said that number likely would rise. The victims included 15 Jordanians, five Iraqis, one Saudi, one Palestinian, three Chinese, one Indonesian; 30 others had not been identified.

The nearly simultaneous attacks also wounded more than 115 people, police said. They detained several people overnight, although it was unclear if they were suspects or witnesses.

The al-Qaida claim said Jordan became a target because it was "a backyard garden for the enemies of the religion, Jews and crusaders ... a filthy place for the traitors ... and a center for prostitution." The authenticity of the posting could not be independently verified, but it appeared on an Islamic Web site that is a clearing house for statements by militant groups.

The claim, signed in the name of the terrorist group's spokesman, said the attacks put the United States on notice that the "backyard camp for the crusader army is now in the range of fire of the holy warriors."

The hotels, frequented by Israelis and Americans among other foreign guests, have long been on al-Qaida's hit list.

Iraqi government spokesman Laith Kubba said the attack should alert Jordan that it needed to stop hosting former members of
Saddam Hussein's regime.

"I hope that these attacks will wake up the `Jordanian street' to end their sympathy with Saddam's remnants ... who exploit the freedom in this country to have a safe shelter to plot their criminal acts against Iraqis."

He also said Iraqis may have had a hand in the attacks.

"The al-Qaida organization has become as a plague that affected Iraq and is now transmitted by the same rats to other countries. A lot of Iraqis, especially former intelligence and army officers, joined this criminal cell," Kubba said.

Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher said shortly after the blasts that al-Zarqawi was a "prime suspect." The Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi is known for his animosity to the country's Hashemite monarchy. The claim of responsibility did not name King Abdullah II but twice referred to the "tyrant of Jordan."

In the attacks, the suicide bombers detonated explosives at the three hotels just before 9 p.m. One explosion occurred inside a hall where 300 guests were celebrating a wedding.

Until late Wednesday, Amman — a comfortable, hilly city of white stone villas and glitzy high-rises — had mostly avoided large-scale attacks and was a welcome sanctuary of stability in a troubled region.

Al-Zarqawi is most known for the string of devastating suicide attacks launched in Iraq, often against U.S. targets but also against Shiite Iraqis. He has shown a flair for propaganda and drawn wide support among militants in the region.

But outside Iraq, and especially in Jordan, he has been equally active.

He was sentenced to death in absentia by a Jordanian military court for the October 2002 assassination of a U.S. diplomat, Laurence Foley, in Amman.

His group also is accused of previously trying to blow up the Radisson SAS in Amman as part of the so-called Millennium plot in 1999 and of the August attack at the Jordanian port of Aqaba. In Amman, a security official said authorities had tips on suspects who are being hunted, including possible sleeper cells or individuals who may have assisted the attackers and later fled in a vehicle bearing Iraqi license plates.

The official, insisting on anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to reporters, said DNA tests were being carried out to determine the identity of the perpetrators, including two suicide bombers who blew themselves up. A third suicide attacker used a car.

The state Jordan Television showed Abdullah inspecting the sites of the blasts after returning home early Thursday, cutting short an official visit to Kazakhstan. He later presided over a meeting of his security chiefs, including police and intelligence.

Austin going Republican?

In case a "protest by not even showing up" campaign didn't work, Austin police set up a barrier so that nobody could see a KKK rally. Might as well have told the KKK that they could have the podium in the middle of the woods. Anyway, the plan worked, no violence or riots, which is a good thing. However, why not just ban the KKK from speaking instead of going through this elaborate exercise to deny speech being heard?

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Austin police sued over anti-Klan protest
11/7/2005 5:37 PM
By: Hermelinda Vargas

The hate group visiting Austin this weekend has come and gone, but the effects of their visit may play itself out in the courtroom in the weeks and months ahead..

Eight Austinites are now suing the city for what they claim was a violation of their First Amendment rights. They say the violations occurred during the Ku Klux Klan's rally at City Hall Plaza on Saturday.

The individuals are Alex Costilla, Ken Zarifis, Debbie Russell, Charles Brown, Isa Boonto, Nick Papatonis, Pam Thompson and Spencer Nutting. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Costilla calls himself a “hobby historian.”

"I was at the last two Klan rallies in ‘93 and ‘94 and I figured this was of historical significance what happened this past Saturday. So I came out here just to get a little bit of history," he said.

Instead, what Costilla got is a view towards the City Hall Plaza from Colorado and Cesar Chavez. A police barricade kept him and others from going any further to witness or voice their message to the Klan directly. He said that's a violation of his First Amendment rights.

"Not only could we not hear them, we couldn't even see them," he said.

But what the plaintiffs see as free speech violations, the city sees as necessary to protect the peace.

"The police department felt like they needed to secure the safety of individuals that were going to be here, both people in the Klan and the counter-protestors," city of Austin chief of litigation Anne Morgan said.

On Saturday, Austin Police Chief Stan Knee called the area between the hate group and the counter-demonstrators a safety zone. Morgan reiterated that idea.

"That's the way it is with the KKK. Because there is that history of violence and so they do have a separation," Morgan said.

The situation had about 14 of the hate group members in City Hall Plaza with about 200 police in riot gear guarding various barricades. The closest counter-demonstrators were about 40 feet away from the opposite side of the street. The media was allowed closer in, but only with city credentials.

On Saturday, Knee told the press he was proud of his department and of Austinites because violence was averted. But what Knee claims is a victory, Costilla sees as a loss because he believes the city thought too much of safety and not about the rights of free assembly and free speech.

At least two plaintiffs said they are suing the city because of its media credential policy for the protest. Both are independent documentary filmmakers and said the policy was made up at the last minute to exclude non-mainstream media.

The city said it only asked for two letters of recommendation from news organizations that had previously hired freelancers. The two freelancers counter that policy was made up two days before the weekend event.

Some Iranians Trying to Rein in [their] President

In addition to some of the evils mentioned on this nutcase, he was also one of the main figures during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Let's not forget that one.

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Some Iranians Trying to Rein in President

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer 17 minutes ago

TEHRAN, Iran - Since taking office in August, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has jettisoned
Iran's foreign policy of detente and moderation, provoking international outrage and deepening the country's isolation. Some in Tehran's leadership cadre are searching for a way to rein him in.

It took the ultraconservative Ahmadinejad less than three months to re-stamp the country's international and social agendas with the radicalism of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and to largely bury the reforms crafted by his predecessor,
Mohammad Khatami, during an 8-year struggle to loosen the control of the country's Shiite Muslim clerical ruling class.

Ahmadinejad replaced all the pragmatists on the Supreme National Security Council, a powerful body that handles Iran's nuclear negotiations with Europe, with hard-liners.

His interior minister replaced all reformist provincial governors with hard-liners supporting Ahmadinejad's anti-reform domestic agenda.

Then, the president provoked global condemnation after he said
Israel should be "wiped off the map." The call sounded alarm bells in the United States and some European capitals, prompting fresh calls for containment of the Islamic republic and its nuclear ambitions. Washington says Tehran wants to build a weapon. The Iranians say their atomic program is for generating electricity.

Ignoring global and domestic outrage, perhaps even relishing it, an unrepentant Ahmadinejad renewed his call for the Jewish state's destruction just days later.

His comment sent the stock exchange plummeting 30 percent despite continued high oil prices. Iran is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' second largest producer.

Further consolidating the changes, Ahmadinejad's foreign minister announced Wednesday that 40 of Iran's ambassadors and senior diplomats — all of whom supported warmer ties with the West — will be removed from their posts by March. Some have already lost their jobs.

Reformists from other key ministries have also been ousted in the largest shake-up inside Iran's ruling establishment in more than 20 years.

"Ahmadinejad believed democratic reforms pursued by Khatami betrayed the goals of the 1979 Islamic revolution that brought hard-line clerics to power," said Hashem Sabbaqian, a liberal dissident and former interior minister. "He seeks to take Iran back to its days of radicalism in the 80s."

Sabbaqian said Ahmadinejad — a former Tehran mayor and Republican Guard commander — is fulfilling his campaign pledge to fight Western influence and return Iran to the fundamentalist state that emerged under Khomeini after the ouster of the U.S.-allied shah.

Ahmadinejad's cultural policy seeks to re-impose many social restrictions Khatami had eased step by step.

His minister of culture, Hossein Safar Harandi, has banned women employees at his ministry from work after sunset, saying females need to be home to look after their families.

The all-powerful clerics who have the last say in national affairs appear to be watching developments closely.

"The establishment is now thinking about how to contain this president whose actions risk global confrontation with Iran," said Davoud Hermidas Bavand, a professor of international relations at Tehran's Imam Sadeq University.

It's not clear how far Iran's supreme ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can comfortably back Ahmadinejad. So far, Khamenei has refused to say anything for or against Ahmadinejad since his anti-Israel comments. But some observers say Khamenei is not entirely pleased.

He has increased the powers of the Expediency Council, which arbitrates between the parliament and the government. That effectively undercuts the authority of Ahmadinejad's government and hard-line voices in the parliament, many of them former military commanders opposed to the United States.

"Khamenei is worried that Ahmadinejad, his trusted agent, is causing too many problems for Iran. It appears that Khamenei doesn't like everything Ahmadinejad does but wants to give him time," Bavand said.

Meanwhile, moderates including former president Hashemi Rafsanjani have sought to dial back the rhetoric and assure the world that Ahmadinejad won't be allowed to turn Iran into a full-fledged rogue nation.

Rafsanjani told King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia that Ahmadinejad will be contained, a close aide to Rafsanjani said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

InformationWeek - Sony Issues Patch As Hackers Pounce On Rootkit

"Sony Issues Patch As Hackers Pounce On Rootkit Nov. 3, 2005

Sony's patch removes the cloaking technology it's been using for audio CDs--but hackers are already talking about ways to use the rootkit to hide their own illegal code.
By Gregg Keizer
TechWeb News"

And suddenly, I no longer trust Sony products. I'm wondering if this is incorporated into their new DVD format, Blu-ray. What else are they willing to secretly do to people who use their products? Nope, that's it, to hell with Sony because it isn't worth the risk.