Larry in SC:  I am so very sorry for the loss of those 9 fire fighters last night in your fair city!  I hope that everyone will find peace.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of those heroes and their families.

How are all of are TX bloggers?  Is everybody accounted for? I hope all is okay.

What a way to start the day!

PEACE

If you will all indulge me for a minute here.  My brother John plans on doing a weekly diary/log email to our family and friends.  

My love and respect for my brothers and sisters will never be in question, but this is just a small part as to why John is my friend and HERO:

"I have individual things I do with each of my children and I won’t go into them, but they have such a wide variety of interest and talents, they make me so proud to be their father.

I guess one of the reasons I do what I do is because I want my kids to see I believe in something.  I am sure everyone knows my view on this particular part
of the “War”.  I just want everyone to know I do this so my kids will hopefully they know I do my job to take care of people. That is why I am here, not to
fight terrorism or win a war, but to take care of my fellow soldier when he or she is injured or sick.  I am very proud of my job and awe of the people I work
with, especially the young ones.  Kids going to war in their early 20’s going for their 3rd and 4th times. Studs.  That is all I have for now, until next
week.  
John"

PEACE!

Wow...once again, lots to say, so I'll try to be as organized in my thoughts as I can.

Who was it who decided that Mayor Giuliani was even QUALIFIED to sit on the Iraq Study Group?! Oh yea, qualifications don't matter; politics does. OK...by this logic, since Rudy's qualified because he was mayor of New York City on 9/11, then the mayor of Washington DC should've been asked as well as the mayor of the town in PA closest to where Flight 93 went down. Makes sense to me! [insert Bronx raspberry here]

And, a politician (namely Senator Thompson) or anyone else in a supervisory position took credit for work that someone else who worked for them did?! I AM SO STUNNED [insert another raspberry here].

As far as the signing statements, even though President Bush seems to use signing statement AD NAUSEUM, these have been used for a long time by presidents from both parties. Does anyone know how this practice began? Just recalling my high school government class, this practice seems to put a big 'ol kink in the whole "separation of powers" concept. Congress passes a law, the president either signs it or vetos it; if it's vetoed, it goes back to Congress (is anyone else waxxing SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK besides me?).
Yep, I know; silly me for expecting this President to know or remember anything he learned in a civics or government class about the Constitution or separation of powers [insert yet a 3rd raspberry here].

I better stop here; my monitor's going to need wiper blades on high speed pretty soon.

Rudy has the exact same lack of curiosity and love of power that got us where we are today.  Why participate in a study group? He was there on 9/11 so he must already know everything.  He, like bush doesn't need to bother with pesky facts or truth.  He's rudy. Who's going to question him? Certainly not the media.    

Thompsons appeal is that no one really knows who he is yet.  When asked about a bunch of candidates they know and one they don't republicans pick the one they don't know.  

I'm not sure it is still news that the bush administration does'nt fallow laws.  I feel like everyday there is a new example of the same story.  At this point it is impossible for me to be outraged at the president for this.  I'm disappointed at the speed of congress and the lack of outrage by the american people.

Todd,  reference to the other thread, and fanatical Christians.  I submit that there are some fanatical Christians who do stupid things, but the difference is in numbers and reasons.  The Christians don’t like abortion, consider it murder and feel compelled to act.  The Muslims go nuts burn embassies and kill people over things like Cartoons.  Were talking about a lot of Muslims, not just a few fringe fanatics.  Look at the recent events in Pakistan, a senior mainstream Muslim has called for suicide bomb attacks against Salman Rushdie due to his recent knighthood in Britton.  I know you are not good at Maths, and ratios as one of your posts recently claimed that 7:3 was 70%, but you should understand that millions of Muslims who believe in jihad and suicide bombings are a little more dangerous than a few nutty Christians.

Larry/SC: Ditto what Jamie expressed about the firefighters from your home town. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with the community of Charleston.

I was wondering when those Signing Statements were going to get in the news again.

As for Fred (the lobbyist) Thompson - he was always lazy as a Senator and never really accomplished anything.  Just another seat warmer (and paycheck collector).

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy - for shame.  Here's a regular guy that became a multi-millionaire from 9/11.  More shame for him.  But these Repugnikants sure know how to squeeze a buck for themselves out of anything.  How can these guys sleep at night?

The Federal Government appears to have contracted the diease 'Ebola Dubya' from the Sacred Leader.  Any law that he don't like, they don't like.  Of course that doesn't apply to We the People.  There are a couple of stinker laws passed by the Government that seem to apply to us but not to them.  What if We the People started ignoring them?  Then we'd have Anarchy at the lowest level to match the Anarchy at the highest level, I guess.

Can I put a signing statement on my speeding ticket?

Rudy didn't read the 9/11 commission report (evidence by his igno-rant debate critism of Ron Paul), so why would he bother to sit in on the Iraq study group. He is a no-it-all no-nothing just like the Shrub.

"What's more important to Rudy - Commander-in-Chief credentials or his checkbook"?

Does this question even have to be asked? The majority of people who have done any research on Mr. Cameraman know full well he has always placed his personal needs, political and the like, above the interests and well-being of those he had a duty to protect and was entrusted to do so.  I will never forgive this man for placing the Command and Control Center inside the Towers after repeated warnings from counter-terrorism experts of the potential catastrophic results in doing so.  After the 1993 attack, and after the ego maniac became Mayor of New York City, he personally lobbied for this move more than the actual lobbyists themselves.  With complete disregard for human life, "big bucks" and “special interests" prevailed in the “heart and soul” of this cold, cruel and pitiful man. Cameraman ignored any and all advice (sound familiar?) and did it "his way" (again, sound familiar)? On September 11, 2001, the catastrophic results he was repetitively warned about, yet callously and willingly chose to ignore, came to fruition. Fire fighters, police officers and citizens tragically lost their lives on that heartbreaking day based solely on Giuliani Genius!! His ill-fated and self-serving decision was also key in Cameraman seemingly “everywhere” on 9/11 and the days following.  He knew precisely what he was doing; yet again, and amongst the horror surrounding him, he quickly located his almighty ego. This sub-human is not only grossly incompetent; he is not trustworthy enough to walk my dog!! The proven ego maniac, having abandoned his position on the Iraq Study Group, something as vital to the survival of our young Americans in Iraq, in lieu of cameras and lining his multiple suits with money, speaks for itself, and abhorrently.  It is just one more blatant instance of his deep-rooted callousness, and also proves once more he is a miserable excuse for a human being.  

"I know you are not good at Maths" scott henderson nv (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 11:00 AM)

Well Scott, it appears you are not good at English, "MathS"?? Again, one word, Ireland!!

And you're wrong Scott.  I have fundamentalist Pentacostals in the family.  I know how dangerous they can be from first hand experience.  Feel free to be wrong again.  RE: Thompson.  Is anyone surprised an actor would take credit for the work of others, let alone an actor/lawyer?  RE: Signing Statements - A President unilaterally writing and rewriting law without the approval of both House and Senate is illegal (see Legislation Without Representation for a start, finish with the Separation of Powers Doctrine).  Anyone obeying them is an idiot or scared of Bush and the Fascists.  If there is ANY justice left on the Supreme Court, they will eventually be ruled unconstitutional and void ab initio.  

If Rudy is to replace Dubya, it's critical that he have Both credentials.  Commander in Chief so he can get the big Corporations involved in Worldwide Resource Grabbing, and Checkbook in Chief to juggle all the Corporate Kickbacks incoming after his stint in the White House.

Larry SC: Though I don't know you personally, you were my one of my first thoughts when I saw the news report about the fire and the lives lost.  I hope you and yours are safe.  My prayers are with your entire community.

Krista:  Thank you for the Schoolhouse Rock shout out!  From your posts, I get the feeling that we grew up during the same period.  I was 2 when Nixon resigned, so I have zero recollection of anything during that period that did not pertain to Sesame Street or the Electric Company on PBS (remember that one? My first introduction to Morgan Freeman & Rita Moreno...).  I bought the DVD version of Schoolhouse Rock for my son, & he loves it.  OK I confess, I bought it for myself, but the fact that he walks around singing "In 1787 I'm told, our Founding Fathers all sat down...", just warms my heart!  I think that little ditty - which saved my skin when I had to recite the Preamble in 4th grade; began my love affair with the Constitution.  

Rudy Giuliani: All I can say is "AACK!" & "Thbbbt!" (Bill the Cat was quite eloquent)

Unnamed sources claim that Kilmer Middle School will wrap all students in strapping tape at the beginning of the school year in the fall.

Pam, I was using the term the way the British use it, they for some reason pluralize math and write maths.  Probably because mathematics is pluralized.  Sorry Pam but as you can not conceptualize, there are usually more than one way to do things including spelling math.  Todd,  so I guess Pentecostals in your family blow people and things up when they find a cartoon offensive.  Your arguments on this Todd, are like comparing a nuclear weapon to a rifle, after all both can kill.  The crazy Christians are marginalized; the Muslims who believe in suicide bombings and jihad are mainstream.  

No touching?  Sounds like someone watched the late, great "Arrested Development" and took it too seriously.  Cafepress has AD-inspired "no touching" T-shirts the kiddies could wear.  What's next:  "Children should neither be seen nor heard?"

People forget that before 9/11 dear Rudy was just about as popular as Bush is now.  His popularity ONLY comes from the cameras that were following him around and hanging on every word he spoke because:

1.  BushCo was in hiding

2.  He didn't have an office (yeah, he did, somewhere underneath the rubble)

He's made millions off 9/11.  Off the bodies he never looked for.  Off the people poisoned by the toxic Ground Zero atmosphere.  Off the reputation he clearly doesn't deserve.  Off the fear he continues to raise.  

He's the guy that never improved the communication equipment for police or fire after they failed during the first WTC attacks.  And they STILL don't have improved equipment or frequencies even AFTER the second attack caused hundreds of deaths because the first responders didn't know to evacuate (I wonder what the excuse is going to be when they fail again causing massive death among police officers and firefighters).

Rudy for President?  Who does he think he's kidding?

Scott: I hate this compariosn game that is played as with Bush vs. Clinton and now Muslims vs. Chritians. And when it is played note how the arguements of one evoke the ire of another. You state "Christians don't like abortion, consider it murder, and feel compelled to act". "Muslims go nuts burn embassies and kill people over things like cartoons". You made an attempt to acknowldge that both religions have their fanatics who particpate in acts of violence in the name of their religion, but if you read your statements is there really an acknowledgement of guilt on both sides. What if you had sad "Muslims go nuts, burn embassies and kill people, and Christians go nuts, bomb abortion clinics and kill people. The point being Scott (without embellishing) here are the facts:

Do some Muslims go nuts-yes
Do some Christians go nuts-yes
Do some Muslims burn embassies and kill people-yes
Do some Christians bomb clincs and kill people-yes

And is there really any need to try and justify one side or the other by pointing out what is assumed to be the reasons for going nuts, burning and bombing, and killing people. I think not. Burning, bombing and killing is wrong no matter if over a cartoon that degrades a people or a belief that abortion is murder. For both have assumed the role and sole right of their God and have decided to act as jury, judge and executioner for that God. I don't think either God would be happy with these people do you? I also don't think that either God will minimize or discriminate the level of punishment they will dish out to such people whether these people's victims numbered 1 versus 100 or whether over a cartoon or disagreement with the act of abortion.    

But Scott, I will agree there does appear to be many more Muslims going nuts and killing innocents at this time in our history then Christians going nuts and killing innocents. Maybe in the nexty century the tables will turn, who knows. They have in the past.    

Hi folks:
This is off topic, but I couldn't find anywhere else to put it. Just a short YouTube video on Canada's newly minted no fly list ... grrrrrrrrrrr!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIppWzTfUhU

Good link to a new story on Tim Griffin (he's the Rove aide who was appointed as US Attorney in Little Rock Arkansas during the Attorney firings).  2 Senators (Kennedy and Whitehouse) have asked for an investigation into his involvement in voter suppression (caging):

http://www.gregpalast.com/senators-demand-justice-dept-investigation-into-tim-griffin-rnc-2004-vote-caging-allegations/#more-1769

enjoy

What's more important to any Republican, money or country? MONEY. Money or family? MONEY. Live Iraqis with their oil or dead Iraqis with American oil? MONEY. Closing a border to ensure national security or fetchin up Manuel to replace Kunta Kinte stolen from Redneck by law? MONEY. Fethchin up the dead after Katrina for the glory of God and rebuilding their shattered world, or sucking on a parasite for 18 holes in hopes of a crumb. MONEY. Gawd Bless One Nation Under Gawd and Gawd Bless Money and the Grand Oil Party. The Rich Jesus will pay baby scooter well for jail. Will Scooter tell his tale or will the spectre of Dick the lying murdering prick knowing where the Scooterettes live keep him zipped up in the slammer? Only MONEY will tell? Do not attempt to adjust your set. Unfortunately this nightmare is real.

What's more important to any Republican, money or country? MONEY. Money or family? MONEY. Live Iraqis with their oil or dead Iraqis with American oil? MONEY. Closing a border to ensure national security or fetchin up Manuel to replace Kunta Kinte stolen from Redneck by law? MONEY. Fethchin up the dead after Katrina for the glory of God and rebuilding their shattered world, or sucking on a parasite for 18 holes in hopes of a crumb. MONEY. Gawd Bless One Nation Under Gawd and Gawd Bless Money and the Grand Oil Party. The Rich Jesus will pay baby scooter well for jail. Will Scooter tell his tale or will the spectre of Dick the lying murdering prick knowing where the Scooterettes live keep him zipped up in the slammer? Only MONEY will tell? Do not attempt to adjust your set. Unfortunately this nightmare is real.

I don't think there is any justice left on the Supreme Court.  After all, they put Bush in office in the first place.  Since then, with Roberts and Alito joining the crowd, it's just gotten worse.  It doesn't seem like anything is going to change until We the People do something about it.  Anyone ready for a new revolution?

And what's with the no touching policy in VA?  I've got a middle schooler myself, and I can't imagine this being a big problem in his school.  By and large, they aren't a touchy-feely bunch!

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:42 PM)  My only point CA, and I think you get it, is that at this point in history the Muslims are far more prone to violence.  To equate present Christian violence to present Muslim violence is not accurate, the Muslims are committing far more acts of violence in the name of their religion than the Christians.

Pam, I was using the term the way the British use it, they for some reason pluralize math and write maths. scott henderson nv (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:36 PM)

Yeah, nice try Scott!! In case you’re not up to par on history either, Britain no longer controls this country, and I "believe" Nevada is part of "this country".  No Scott, like George W. Bush, "I made a mistake" is not in your vocabulary; however, you love to point out the mistakes of others, in addition to foolishly taking on others like Todd, who is head over heals above your ability to debate!! (Amongst many other things) PEACE!!

Scott: I won't agree that Muslims are more "prone" to to violence. I will agree that many more fanatical Muslims appear to be more openly violent at this point in history. Any religion is prone to violence. It just depends which believe at the time that violence will achieve whatever goals or objectives they happen to desire at those times in history. Kind of like the Catholics approving the rounding up, enslaving, slaughter and elimination of the South American socities as the Incas and Mayans because they thought they were Godless and unworthy animals.        

Christina, Helena, AL...Bill the Cat is MY HERO!! I still have the stuffed Bill that I bought for myself as a high school graduation present, but he looks a bit more worse for wear (if that's possible!) because he's a favorite cat toy. AND, I have laminated BLOOM COUNTY comic classics magneted on my fridge. I miss BLOOM COUNTY; thanks for the great stroll down Memory Lane!

Again breaking with my policy of not getting involved with fight wingers and their (weak) arguments):

Scott:  You forgot the Crusades.  

You also forgot about the Inquisition - how many thousands died in that?

Our Christian history is full of blood spilled in the name of God.

Ask the Chickasaw, the Cherokee, the Creek, the Choctaw and the Seminoles about Christian humanity. Ole Hickory and others labelled them the Five Civilized Tribes just before self-professed Christians shot them, stole their land and livestock, burned their villages and placed them naked and starving on the Trail of Tears to the most god-awful place they could imagine at the time, northeast Oklahoma. Oh yea, and the Dahlonega gold. The Cherokee just happened to have a bunch of gold so the Christians killed them to have something shiney. Our ancestors slaughtered their way from coast to coast and as always we need a catchy slogan, Manifest Destiny. It's not revisionist history. It's history and the truth about Christian intolerance, murder and theft. Ask the Incans or the Aztecs? Ask the Ecuadorians about Christians from Chevron?

We all know Scott regularly utilizes "British" terminology on this blog.  Just like his god w, both intentionally lower case, he can't admit ----ing up!  And, Scott, 7:3 can certainly be used to indicate 70%, even in England.    

Even when Rudy was serving as Mayor/Prosecutor of New York, he wasn't found on a lot of top ten lists for nice guy. That may explain why he has such a troubled relationship with his children. Nobody has profited more from 9/11. What more needs to be said?

Scott - Listen to what C A has just beautifully articulated.  You are STILL attempting to justify your argument that Muslims are more violent, but now in a most passive-aggressive manner through your word choice.  Again, study the conflict in Ireland Scott. I’ll quote, in part, the very conflict I speak of.
“For more than 30 years the words Northern Ireland have conjured images of violence and bitter sectarian division.  During that period the six counties that make up Northern Ireland -- Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone -- have witnessed a depressing catalogue of death and injury as Catholics and Protestants fought each other. Between 1966 and 1999 a total of 3,636 people were killed and 36,000 injured as the conflict spread beyond Northern Ireland's borders onto the British mainland and elsewhere. Most of the victims were innocent civilians”.
It appears you don’t fully accept the arguments by many here, or you choose to ignore the multiple postings to you regarding the murdering of doctors when entering clinics that perform abortions; however, these clinics also provide, at little or no cost, VITAL services to women who have no health insurance and cannot afford to see their "regular doctor" because they cannot afford the luxury of one. You ignore the innocent people who have been killed by bombs at these clinics, again, many who were seeking services such as necessary examinations needed as noted above.

Sectarian violence is not “owned” by Muslims, as Christians have had their share of sectarian violence throughout history.  One Irish-American man wrote the following after the attacks of September 11th, “On St. Patrick’s day back in the eighties and early nineties there would be fund raising for groups that everyone knew were responsible for shipping arms to the IRA. Oh, it was never explicitly said, but just like the “Islamic charities” everyone knew what we were really paying for.  I'm ashamed to admit that it took September 11th to show me the kind of murderous animal I was supporting. It took an attack on my country to make me realize that supporting terrorism was not a game, not romantic and not civilized behavior”. PEACE SCOTT!!

Hello all...below is a link to Charlie Savage's first article about King George's signing statements...Required reading since it also gives a history of signing statements...Todd, please don't read! I feel you will explode or implode, not sure which!!! in 1986, a young Justice Department lawyer named Samuel Alito, Jr, wrote a strategy memo about signing statements...yes, that Samuel Alito...Reagan made them common...and Yes Scott and Larry, Clinton signed some too!!! ENJOY...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/04/30/bush_challenges_hundreds_of_laws?mode=PF


And Keith and Countdown, I did return to viewing, but I tune out after Worst Person...I refuse to listen to any more stories about the Paris and the Mensa Blondes of the Apocalypse...I will only watch the last segment if they execute Paris...Later...

I wish the media would stop using the terms "Muslim Terrorists" or "Islamic Terrorists" and instead identify the terrorists by their national origin.   We, the non-Arab Muslims, comprise 80%-85% of all Muslims but sadly must suffer for the misdeeds of some misguided souls who hide behind religion to justify their heinious acts. Our religion has been hijacked and totally trashed yet I would guarantee that most people don't even know what Islam is all about. Moderate Muslims are totally unrepresented in the Media, people's perception of Islam might change if they get to hear what true Muslims believe and practice. Of course, that will never happen.

SGP- Why would you worry about the presence of Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court?  Didn't Bush do a great job when he put "Heckova-job Brownie" on the payroll?  How about Rummie.  How about that guy at the World Bank?  And who can forget that madcap AG Albeto Gonzales??

Sue - Another four-hour "black out" today?? Countdown, please keep the blog updated, as so many of us find this place the only place we can vent, debate, etc. and when it is hours before the blog is updated, our efforts becomes mute. Thank you and a HUGE WELCOME BACK KETIH!!

Scott, wake up...Muslim jihadists are marginal too...What about all the Muslims in Central and Southeast Asia? Not a real hotbed for Jihad...What about the Muslims in India? Jihad is unique to Muslims in the Middle East not all Muslims around the world...if you love percentages so much, only about 20 percent of Muslims come from Arab countries...and not all 20 percent of them enjoy Jihad...the majority are peaceful people...so the percentage of Muslim Jihadists is not as mainstream as you state...more like a fringe group...the fanatic fringe...wrong again Scott...stick to Global warming, your area of expertise!!! ...For the record, mathematics is a plural noun that is treated as a singular since its meaning is singular...Maths is actually an elided form of Mathematics...Maths is used colloquially. Another example of the elided form is typos which is the elided form of typographical errors...too many years teaching English!!!

    Scott you are 1 step away from being a religious terrorist yourself. First demonize the opposition. State only facts and actions that justify your actions. Remember we invaded a muslim nation. Scott how would you like it if a muslim nation invades the USA. Would you not try to do everything possible to get rid of said occupiers. So Scott is assuming facts when we invaded and not the other way around. Scott if you want to get into a pissing match about which religion is worse, Just take some time and look at the history of Christianity. Who was the bishop that 20,000 civilians because about 200 people were not christians and instead of taking the time to find these 200 so called heathens, he killed them all. That way no heathen can walk away. Christian history is filled with these stories. Remember Scott , more people have died in the name of God than all other reasons combined. So Scott you are already walking down the slippery religion slope. Be careful, fall off and you might want to bomb a college that is loaded with liberals. All religious people scare me. They are just one step from being fanatics. Religious fanatics are the one causing all the hate, violence,and war in this world. I am a practicing catholic, but none of my friends know it.

    Scott you are 1 step away from being a religious terrorist yourself. First demonize the opposition. State only facts and actions that justify your actions. Remember we invaded a muslim nation. Scott how would you like it if a muslim nation invades the USA. Would you not try to do everything possible to get rid of said occupiers. So Scott is assuming facts when we invaded and not the other way around. Scott if you want to get into a pissing match about which religion is worse, Just take some time and look at the history of Christianity. Who was the bishop that 20,000 civilians because about 200 people were not christians and instead of taking the time to find these 200 so called heathens, he killed them all. That way no heathen can walk away. Christian history is filled with these stories. Remember Scott , more people have died in the name of God than all other reasons combined. So Scott you are already walking down the slippery religion slope. Be careful, fall off and you might want to bomb a college that is loaded with liberals. All religious people scare me. They are just one step from being fanatics. Religious fanatics are the one causing all the hate, violence,and war in this world. I am a practicing catholic, but none of my friends know it.

LOL Pam - it was over 4 hours in black out yesterday - maybe we're getting lucky (or someone remembered to make coffee at the office over there).

pa, Los Angeles, CA - Bravo and I agree.  I lived in Amman, Jordan and the Muslim teachings are beautiful.  It is the extreme, which we have in EVERY religion, which harms those like you.  I am sorry and I do defend the Islamic faith whenever I hear people who know nothing of your faith chastise it. After 9/11, a young man working at the local Seven-Eleven was terrified.  I had got to know him from frequent purchases.  He was not Arab, but Muslim and had just been threatened by a group of young American men.  They told him they would be back to "get him". I felt so bad for this young man.  There were similar stories and violence across America during that period.  It was wrong, and I am sorry. God Bless & PEACE!!

George - Thanks for the link friend!!

Well Folks: you have all made your case that no matter the religion over time all religions have used violence against others in the name of their God or religion. But Scott is right on an issue here. Currently, at this time (not talking about the crusades or crimes against native americans, south american natives, northern Ireland, whatever), many of those of an Arab Muslim national origin are in fact at the height of the majority of terrorists activities, suicide bombings, etc. today. You can argue that other religions have also been exceptionally violent in the past, but it does not remove the fact that the vast majority of these current violent acts against people including others of the same nationality including innocent women and children are being committed by fanatical arab muslims in the middle east and in other parts of the world. Yes, Chrisitans have been just as guilyt of such acts of violence and crimes, but Scott is right. You do not see Christians that mostly populayte the US and Europe currently waging such gruesome and numerous bombing attackes against other Christians and/or other religious groups. Does it happen, yes. On the scale that is currently being waged by many fanatical Arab Muslims, no.    

Dan, Princeton, IN (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 2:55 PM)  My God!  Now y’all are redefining mathematics symbols.   The “:” symbol is used for ratio - 7:3 is 7 to 3 or 7/3*100= 233.3%.  70% would be represented by 7:10 or 70:100.   No wonder attempting to converse with liberals is such an exercise in frustration, words, conventions, and symbols are redefined at will!

George, Hammonton, NJ (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:03 PM)  ---  South east Asia includes the Philippines, and Indonesia both of which have experienced Jihadist type terrorism.   If you don’t think there is and has been Islamic terrorism in India you do not pay attention.  Remember the Pope’s comments about Muslim violence which pissed the Muslim’s off so they did what? – committed violent acts.  I am not arguing that all Muslims are prone to violence, I am just pointing out that in these current times Muslims are far more prone to acts of violence in the name of their religion than any others.  This is just fact arguing against it is silly, which is probably why you should stick to teaching English.  

Can anybody tell me why there are so many people on the campaign trail??  And so early!  

What's going on with James Webb, the Dem who beat Macaca Allen in Va?  I read his (Webb's) book "Born to Fight".   Good read.    

And another thing regarding Scott-NV and Larry-SC. Sure, I think they make some inappropriate attacks on others in here and I disagree with many of their thoughts and ideas. But they have a right to them. And some of you folks who are supposed to represent the party of diversity and tolerance get just a little too carried away in your criticisms of these guys. I see no problem with disagreeing with them or challenging them, even when they may become a little nasty and call folks idiots or the like. But there is an undercurrent of intolerance in here that is not representative of what I know you people to be. An example is an attack on Scott's spelling of math. So be it. I make many spelling errors and sometimes after reading what I have posted think what the hell did I mean by that because I was typing too fast or wanted to get my thoughts posted before I double checked what it is I had written. As far as mispellings or the use of poor grammer on occassion, mention that to me and I'll tell you to kiss my ass and then move on into the next discussion with you. We should be encouraging other opinions and those that are strongly in disagreement with ours to keep these blogs interesting and tantalizing rather than belittling those who may disagree with us or who call us idiots now and then. We do some name-calling as well on occassion. And those who don't are thinking of some pretty choice names for others from time to time. I have seen it. Just some thoughts.      

A thought on fundamentalism:  One problem with "fundamentalism" in any religion is that fundamentalists believe in literal reading--that is, they don't believe that writte words (e.g., holy books) can have more than one interpretation.  Thus fundamentalism has a flaw at its core, since language, by its nature, can be figurative, ambiguous, metaphoric, etc.  But the idea of only one interpretation leads individuals and groups to believe that their PARTICULAR interpretation is the correct one, and thus everyone else is a heretic or doomed to hell or something expendable.  It is that intolerance of other ways of seeing the world that makes fundamentalism dangerous.  But this is just my view, for what it is worth.

Jon Krakauer's book on fundamentalist Mormons ("Under the Banner of Heaven") provides a great example of the dangers I describe.  And I am not citing Mormon example to be anti-Mitt.  But the book provides a detailed case, if you will, examining the dangers of fundamentalism in general.

CA I tend to agree, but the fact is that we're over there meddling in their countries and have been for some time.  Just think of what we would do if it was them, over here, doing to us what we're doing to them.  If our doors would be broken in, us hooded and taken outside our homes to be interrogated, us jailed for suspiscion, us with no decent water or jobs, us with only a couple of hours of electricity per day when it's 115 degrees outside.  What would WE do?  What would our religious fanatics extoll us to do "in the name of God"?

Every kind of extreme fundamentalism is wrong.

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