The View-Point

Who Needs Cable TV?

2009-01-25T01:00:00.003-05:00

Non-lame alternatives to the cable TV monopoly:

Hulu.com - Full, streaming episodes. Lots of Fox and NBC content, such as The Office, The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, Family Guy, etc.

Joost.com - Lots of CBS content and other older TV shows.

Like music? Try:

Songza.com - Internet Jukebox. Try it. Awesome.

And for the more adventurous, who know how to use search boxes and reference the lengths of video clips:

YouKu.com - What's on the local theatre marquee? the TV program guide? (No, you do not need to be bilingual...)

Let's not even talk about BitTorrent.

Hook up your computer to your TV with a cable from:
SVideo.com

Pay-for-access cable monopolies are dead. Long live the most democratic of communication mediums - the Internet.

MichaelSavage.com RSS/XML Feed

2007-12-17T22:50:00.003-05:00

Looking for an RSS / XML feed for Michael Savage and "The Savage Nation"?

If you answered 'Yes' to this question, you are not alone in the quest to find an RSS feed that monitors MichaelSavage.com and all of the daily updated 'Savage Approved' news stories.

Unfortunately, Dr. Savage's website does not provide an 'official' feed. Below is an alternative solution that allows you to never miss another great news headline. Works great in Google Reader!

~~RSS/XML: MichaelSavage.com News Headlines Feed~~
~~(via irisfeed.com)~~
[NOTE: Dead URL; As of September 2007, irisfeed.com is offline]

~~NEW FEED! (Updated 12/17/07):~~
~~RSS/XML: MichaelSavage.com News Headline Feed~~
(via Ponyfish.com)
[NOTE: Feed empty due to restructuring of MichaelSavage.com]

UPDATE (19-Feb-2009): If you can't listen to Savage, here is another on-demand listening option:

Daily archives of the Thom Hartmann Show

(Originally Posted: 7/31/2007 @ 10:30pm)

'Savage Nation' Preempted by Baseball - Alternative Listening Options

2007-07-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

Michael Savage fans in Pittsburgh, PA are steaming over the frequent preemption of "The Savage Nation" by Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. While listeners in the 'burgh are fortunate enough to have a FM News/Talk station that carries the program (8-11pm Eastern) in all of its stereophonic glory, 104.7FM, as of this summer, is now a Sports/News/Talk station, carrying each and every Pirates game of their (loosing) season. The unfortunate result is that serious discussion of national and international issues is being preempted by the frivolous and trivial distraction of baseball.

While I am not a baseball fan (Cricket is much more interesting), my objection is on the philosophical ground that discussion of serious issues should take precedent over sports, diversions, and other forms of entertainment. It is all the more insulting that the Pirates, despite having the most beautiful (tax-payer financed) stadium in the country, are a poor team with a terrible win/loss record.

So what other listening options are out there for Pittsburgh fans of The Savage Nation?

Via the Internet
Live Internet streaming is available from Savage's home station of KNEW 910AM in San Francisco, CA, at the 910 KNEW Live Streaming page. Note that the show is broadcast live 6-9pm Eastern, with the first hour rebroadcast 9-10pm Eastern. ~~For you l337 h4x0rs that prefer direct links and non-embedded media players, this is my gift to you (hint: WMA)~~ [UPDATE: Direct stream link is dead as of July 2007].

1230 WBVP / 1460 WMBA [AM Band]
PRO: Listeners in or near Beaver County, PA can hear The Savage Nation on these stations weekdays 7-10pm (7-9pm is a live broadcast of the second & third hours of the show; 9-10pm is a rebroadcast of the first hour).
CON: These stations also broadcast Pirates baseball (talk about redundant!) and are thus subject to the same preemptions!
[Pittsburgh Pirates 2007 Schedule]
570 WKBN [AM Band]
PRO: This Youngstown, OH station carries The Savage Nation weekdays 7-10pm (7-9pm is a live broadcast of the second & third hours of the show; 9-10pm is a rebroadcast of the first hour).
CON: WKBN also carries Cleveland Indians baseball, so it has its own preemption issues. At least the Indians' and the Pirates' schedules occasionally differ.
[Cleveland Indians 2007 Schedule]

(Originally Posted: 6/1/2007 @ 11:50PM)

Commentary: Cho Seung-Hui - A 'Christian' Response

2007-04-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

The View-Point:

Over the past few days, The View-Point has been getting a lot of hits from people searching for a connection between Christianity & the Virginia Tech massacre committed by Cho Seung-Hui. While I have no great argument to make at this point, I can only offer the following point:

"Why does God allow this kind of evil thing to happen?"
"How can He be a God of love and yet let such pain and suffering prevail?"

These are questions that many people may be asking at such a difficult time as we are now in. The essential question is one of the role that God plays in the actions and choices of individuals.

The Christian faith holds that God has created human beings with a 'free will' and as moral 'free agents'. Simply put, God allows us to choose to 'do our own thing,' whatever that may be. Indeed, the concept of sin essentially refers to actions and thoughts that are contrary to full communion with God and with His creatures and His creation (including our fellow human beings).

This may not be very comforting in such a trying time as this, as it leaves us in a state of temporal vulnerability to such evil, malicious actors. But the point is that the actions of deranged individuals such as Cho Seung-Hui cannot properly be attributed to God, no more than the actions of a child are the direct responsibility of its parents.

The perceptive reader, of course, will have noted that the key term in the previous paragraph is temporal vulnerability. It is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, fully human and fully divine, through his suffering, death, burial, and resurrection that God has come into our temporal realm of free will and free choice to freely offer to us the gift of eternal life.

(Originally Posted: 4/18/2007 @ 8:25pm)

Commentary: VA Tech Massacre & Gun Control Failure

2007-04-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

The View-Point:

If yesterday's horrible massacre on the Virginia Tech campus by South Korean native Cho Seung-Hui has proved anything, it has illustrated the utter failure and disaster presented by anti-Second Amendment, Gun Control laws.

As I understand it, after a round of so-called 'gun violence' last year, the campus of Virginia Tech implemented a "Gun Free Zone" policy. Now understand that I am no 'gun Nazi'; I've never owned or even held a real gun. But let's look at this issue from a philosophical perspective:

A person with a loaded and functional gun holds a significantly disproportionate amount of power over and above that held by people with no gun. Any decent person is unlikely to use this disproportionate power for selfish or personal gain, but a corrupt or troubled individual, simply from the possession of a gun, has a powerful tool to accomplish selfish and/or disturbed actions.

What does this have to do with gun control? The gun-holder only has this disproportionate power over non-gun holders; against someone who also has a gun, this disproportionate power is diminished and somewhat neutralized (given relatively equal skill levels in gun handling). As an extreme example, if Cho Seung-Hui would have walked into a classroom with 30 students, all armed and skilled at shooting, his only advantage would have been an element of surprise; other than that, he would have stood no chance.

It is absurd to think that everyone should have a gun, let alone be properly trained in shooting it. But it does not take a roomful of decent people with guns to reduce or neutralize the disproportionate power held by the malicious gun-bearer; it only takes one.

By instituting a "Gun Free Zone" policy/rule/law [Side Note: Criminals by definition do not obey policies/rules/laws!], Virginia Tech essentially sealed its fate in ensuring that no decent, altruistic, gun carrying individual could even potentially have come into contact with Cho Seung-Hui and 'neutralized' his disproportionately deadly level of power.

Gun Control -- It only benefits the malicious and ill-willed.

(Originally Posted: 4/17/2007 @ 4:50pm)

News/Commentary: "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" 'Documentary'

2007-04-12T17:10:00.000-04:00

***** Note: See Below for Latest Updates from 4/12/07 *****

Jesus Family Tomb Believed Found
(Discovery Channel, 2/25/2007)

'News':

"New scientific evidence [...] suggests a 2,000-year-old Jerusalem tomb could have once held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. The findings also suggest that Jesus and Mary Magdalene might have produced a son named Judah...."

"'Mariamene, or Mariamne, probably was the actual name given to Mary Magdalene.' [...] Although not included in the Bible, the 'Acts of Philip' mentions the apostles and Mariamne, sister of the apostle Philip...."

"Since tombs normally contain either blood relations or spouses, Jacobovici and his team suggest it is possible Jesus and Mary Magdalene were a couple. 'Judah,' whom they indicate may have been their son, could have been the 'lad' described in the Gospel of John as sleeping in Jesus' lap at the Last Supper...."

Commentary:

Along the lines of the "Da Vinci Code" comes the next assault on the foundations of the Christian faith: a Discovery Channel so-called 'documentary' titled, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus".

All of this comes from "Academy Award-winner" (and therefore expert on everything) James Cameron. The so-called 'documentary' will be shown on the Discovery Channel on March 4 at 9pm.

Question: Why don't we see any serious effort put towards trashing other religions (e.g. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Atheism, Materialism, Positivism, etc.)? Why must the assault unilaterally be against Christianity, in either its Catholic or Protestant forms?

Refutations:

Archaeologists, Scholars Dispute Jesus Documentary
(CNN.com, 2/26/2007; Thanks to BC)
Bones of Jesus & son uncovered in Jerusalem? Airing new evidence
(israelity bites, 2/23/2007; Thanks to KW)
‘Lost Tomb of Jesus’ documentary claims unfounded, hype, archeologist says
(Catholic News Agency, 2/26/2007)
Prelate's Assault on "Tomb of Jesus" - Archbishop Forte Says Discovery Is False
(ZENIT.org News Agency via EWTN, 3/1/2007)

Follow-up Commentary:

Now that this 'documentary' has aired, it seems to have come Dead-On-Arrival. (Full disclosure: I did not watch it.) Leading up to the 'exclusive' Discovery Channel showing, I saw about 3 stories refuting these ridiculous claims for every 1 promoting or supporting them. And a quick Google News search on 3/6/2007 presents the following sample of headlines:

'Lost Tomb of Jesus' doesn't shake the foundations (Siftings Herald, AR)
The Jesus Tomb: Find of the Century or Publicity Stunt? (Emediawire - press release)
Biblical Documentary Producer Challenges "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" (WDC Media News)
India won't air 'Jesus Tomb' documentary (Spero News)
'Tomb' can't keep Christianity down (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Note to James Cameron: You are known for producing high-quality fiction. What made you think you would be taken seriously with this 'documentary'? People are predisposed to expect high production-value fiction from you, and that is what they got. As for you, you've earned a reputation for shamelessly profiteering off of the sacredness of religion & religious belief -- and, no doubt, some extra punishment in your eternal rest.

The Discovery Channel Recants:

Is Discovery Burying 'Lost Tomb'? Net Pulls Repeat, Declines to Tout Ratings
(TVWeek.com, 3/8/2007)

"Departing from normal procedures, the cable network didn't tout its big ratings win. The network also scheduled a last-minute special that harshly criticized its own documentary, and has yanked a planned repeat of 'Tomb.'

"'This is not one where you necessarily beat the drum, from a business perspective,' said David Leavy, executive VP of corporate communications at Discovery. 'It's not necessarily about making money, or making ratings, or shouting from the highest office building. Sometimes having some maturity and perspective is more important than getting picked up in all the ratings highlights.'"

Scholars Backtrack on 'Documentary' Claims:

Jesus tomb film scholars backtrack
(Jerusalem Post, 4/11/2007)

"Several prominent scholars who were interviewed in a bitterly contested documentary ... have now revised their conclusions, ... a new study on the fallout from the popular documentary shows.

... dramatic clarifications, compiled by epigrapher Stephen Pfann of the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem in a paper titled 'Cracks in the Foundation: How the Lost Tomb of Jesus story is losing its scholarly support,' ..."

(Originally Posted: 2/25/2007@ 4:45pm)

News: "Durham Dirtbag" Identity Revealed

2007-04-11T21:40:00.000-04:00

Duke Charges Dropped - North Carolina attorney general calls lacrosse trio "innocent"
(The Smoking Gun, 4/11/2007)

Crystal Gail Mangum (Photo source: The Smoking Gun)
The identity of the accuser in the Duke Lacrosse Team rape case has been revealed, now that all charges have been dropped as completely baseless and unfounded. We now have the name and a photo of Crystal Gail Mangum, whom Michael Savage of The Savage Nation has dubbed "The Durham Dirtbag" -- a moniker that now has the evidence to back it up.

(Originally Posted: 4/11/2007 @ 9:40pm)

News: The Corruption of Dianne Feinstein

2007-04-03T08:55:00.000-04:00

Dianne Feinstein Resigns
(metroactive.com via MichaelSavage.com, 3/28/2007)

NEWS:

"Sen. Dianne Feinstein has resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee... she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum's ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein..."

The View-Point:

This story first reached national attention on the 3/28/2007 edition of the Michael Savage radio talk show. Although the reporting newspaper and author are virtual unknowns, some simple Internet research using the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine can confirm the basic facts of Feinstein's exit from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee:

Wayback Machine archives of: feinstein.senate.gov
- 7/1/2006 archive lists Feinstein as belonging to the following committees:
-- Appropriations Committee
-- Ranking member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee

Wayback Machine archives of: appropriations.senate.gov
- 5/25/2006 archive confirms the above information:
-- SUBCOMMITTEE on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
-- Senator Dianne Feinstein (Ranking Member) (CA)

The current versions of both of these websites reflect that Feinstein is no longer a member of the subcommittee in question:
- United States Senator Dianne Feinstein: Committee Assignments
- United States Senate Committee on Appropriations - Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

Bottom Line: If my third-grade level of research can confirm a few of the most basic facts of this story, then I only expect that members of the 'professional' (read: paid) media can bust the full details wide open.

UPDATE:

NewsMax.com has picked up coverage of this story:
Sen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post
(NewsMax.com, 4/2/2007)

(Originally Posted: 3/28/2007 @ 11:48pm)

News: Pope to Enhance Access to Latin Mass

2007-03-28T22:55:00.000-04:00

Motu Proprio Ready with Accompanying Letter, German Paper Reports
(Catholic World News Brief via EWTN.com, 3/28/2007)

NEWS:

"A papal document widening access to the Latin Mass is prepared for release... Die Welt reports that a motu proprio restoring regular access to the pre-conciliar liturgy has been completed. Pope Benedict XVI is determined to release the document, despite substantial opposition... Although no date for that release is given, the German newspaper says, 'the issue has been decided.'"

The View-Point:

Here it comes! The long awaited document broadening access to the pre-Vatican II Tridentine Latin Mass (Order of the Latin Mass) is about to be released. Upon release, the document should be available on the Vatican website at this location: Benedict XVI - Motu Proprio.

Cricket World Cup 2007 - Free Coverage Options for US Fans

2007-03-18T22:10:00.000-04:00

With the Cricket World Cup 2007 (Official Site) well underway, fans, such as myself, who live in the United States are finding themselves with a serious lack of coverage options -- other than the official DirecTv media partner. Here are a few free Internet resources that I have found useful -- feel free to comment with your own suggestions. Happy Cricketing!

Live Match Coverage & Statistics:

Cricinfo.com coverage of the Cricket World Cup 2007
By far, the best site for live match coverage -- use this site to follow the action as it happens. Exclusive & live ball-to-ball commentary and updates. Includes a new, experimental Cricinfo 3D feature that uses computer animation to render the action for you in near-real time. A full set of statistics and other analyses available for each match, plus News, Photos, Audio Commentaries, Video, and more.

Video Highlights:

YouTube Video Highlights from the Cricket World Cup 2007
A YouTube video search optimized to display the most recent video highlights from the World Cup. Note that coverage is rather spotty and limited to what videos fellow cricket fans have uploaded.
Options for downloading and saving YouTube video highlights:
KeepVid.com -- Download & save videos from YouTube & other video services
KissYouTube.com -- A simple option for downloading & saving YouTube videos
Options for playing YouTube Flash video (.flv) files:
Wimpy Standalone FLV Player -- For Windows 2000/XP & Mac OS X
K-Lite Codec Pack w/Media Player Classic (other D/L options) -- Best for Win98 / Win98SE

(Originally Posted: 3/18/2007 @ 10:05PM)

News: Pope Benedict XVI Endorses Widespread Use of Latin in Liturgies

2007-03-14T17:17:00.000-04:00

Sacramentum Caritatis: Pope Benedict XVI apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist
(Libreria Editrice Vaticana via Catholic.org, 3/13/2007)

News (excerpt from Sacramentum Caritatis):

"The Latin language
62. [...] In order to express more clearly the unity and universality of the Church, I wish to endorse the proposal made by the Synod of Bishops, in harmony with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, (182) that, with the exception of the readings, the homily and the prayer of the faithful, such liturgies could be celebrated in Latin. Similarly, the better-known prayers (183) of the Church's tradition should be recited in Latin and, if possible, selections of Gregorian chant should be sung. Speaking more generally, I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant. (184)"

Official Full Text in English:

Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
(Official Posting on Vatican.va)
Additional Languages:French, German, Latin, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish
(Official Postings on Vatican.va)

Related:

Vatican Releases "Sacramentum Caritatis" with Press Conference
(Catholic News Agency via EWTN.com, 3/13/2007)

(Originally Posted: 3/13/2007 @ 7:25PM)

Best of the Web: Zamzar & Daily Prayer Podcast

2007-02-27T23:30:00.000-05:00

Zamzar - Free online file conversion

Upload a file from your computer (or enter a URL) -- 100MB max -- select the file type you want to convert to, and Zamzar will email you when your file is ready! Very slick. Converts a ton of file types, including:
Image - bmp, jpg, gif, etc.
Document - doc, html, pdf, ppt, rtf, txt, etc.
Music - aac, mp3, wma, etc.
Video - avi, flv, mov, mp4, wmv, etc.

The Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church Podcast - Daily Prayers Podcast

Podcast recording of the daily prayers of the Maronite Catholic Church. Recordings can be played directly on the webpage, downloaded via MP3 file, or subscribed to with RSS/iTunes. Provides a very nice daily devotional.

Other Catholic Daily Devotional Podcasts
XML/RSS: Daily Office of Readings
XML/RSS: Verbum Domini

Best of the Web: KeepVid, vixy, & WorldCat

2007-02-13T16:30:00.000-05:00

KeepVid - Download & save videos from Google Video, YouTube, & more...

Very slick and straightforward to use. There are some issues with needing the correct codecs to play Google Videos (.avi / .mp4) and using a FLV (Flash Video) player to play YouTube videos (.flv).

See this article on Dvorak's blog for additional video download options.

vixy.net - Online FLV Converter: Download online videos direct to PC / iPod / PSP

One step beyond KeepVid, vixy automatically downloads (to its own servers) and converts those pesky Flash Video FLV's (YouTube, etc.) to an MPEG4 AVI/MOV/MP4/3GP/MP3 (audio only) file than can more easily be played on a variety of devices.

WorldCat [OCLC] - The world's largest library network

Search for 1.3 billion items in more than 10,000 libraries worldwide & sort results by proximity to your location

News: For Sale - Mike Veon's Political Connections

2007-02-13T00:05:00.001-05:00

Defeated Rep. Veon Now Tobacco Lobbyist
(Pgh. Post-Gazette, 2/12/2007)

News:

"[Veon] has created a new consulting/lobbying firm here, called, not surprisingly, Mike Veon & Associates. So far, however, it's just him, without associates. And his first, and so far only, client is U.S. Tobacco Co., which makes smokeless tobacco and cigars, both of which are targeted to be hit by the state sales tax under Gov. Ed Rendell's budget plan.

Mr. Veon [...] said he'll urge lawmakers not to extend the sales tax to cigars and chewing tobacco for the first time. Mr Veon said he will lobby members of the Senate and governor's office, but is barred for a year from lobbying his former House colleagues."

The View-Point:

It is painful to realize that we the citizens of Pennsylvania have footed the bill for what was, in effect, the 'job training' that enabled Mike Veon to setup this new private venture. Certainly many defeated politicians go the route of 'influence whore', but it is utterly disgusting that Veon would sell his soul to the tobacco industry in exchange for the almighty dollar. Coming from a county inhabited by a significant number of elderly people, many sick or dying from tobacco-related cancers, Veon should be ashamed of the crudity of his new venture. On the bright side: More confirmation that the voters of Beaver County were right to vote this 'bum' out!

(Originally Posted: 2/13/2007 @ 12:01am)

Commentary: Nancy 'Evita' Pelosi in 2008?

2007-02-11T00:09:00.000-05:00

Could Nancy Pelosi be the next Eva Perón?

Here's a novel idea for the Pelosi 2008 Presidential Campaign: 'Evita' Pelosi!

Whereas Evita Perón was "La Santa Peronista," Nancy Pelosi can be "La Santa Terrorista" (to secure that all-important al-Qaeda vote), or even "La Santa Mexicanos" to gain the support of the massive illegal immigrant voting block.

Now what about a theme song to appeal to the millions of entitlement-minded Democrat voters? With slight modifications, Sirs Rice and Lloyd Webber provide the solution:

"Would you like to try a college education?
[NEWS: Democrat-led House will try to help with college costs (USA Today, 11/8/2006)]
Own your landlord's house, take the family on vacation?
[Nancy] and her blessed [House] can make your dreams come true
Here's all you have to do my friends
Write your name and your dream on a card or a pad or a ticket
Throw it high in the air and should our lady pick it
She will change your way of life for a week or even two
Name me anyone who cares as much as [Nancy Pelosi]!"

(Source: Lyrics to "And the Money Kept Rolling In" from the musical "Evita")

(Originally Posted: 11/16/2006 @ 4:30PM)

News: Nifong Busted in Ethics Complaint

2007-01-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

Ethics Rap For Duke Prosecutor
(The Smoking Gun, 12/28/2006, 17 pp.)

The North Carolina State Bar accuses D.A. Mike Nifong, prosecutor in the "Duke Lacrosse rape case" (p. 2), of "engag[ing] in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" (p. 16).

Justice may end up being served to the prosecutor (Nifong) who engaged in an abuse of his power in the so-called "Durham Dirtbag Case".

UPDATE: Nifong Charged With Withholding Evidence
(FOX News, 1/24/2007)

"Former Duke lacrosse rape prosecutor Mike Nifong has been slapped with additional ethics charges by the state bar association, which has accused him of withholding DNA evidence and making misleading statements to the court.

The new charges by the North Carolina State Bar against Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong were announced Wednesday and could lead to his removal from the state bar, according to a copy of the updated complaint....

Nifong's actions constitute a 'systematic abuse of prosecutorial discretion ... prejudicial to the administration of justice,' the complaint read...."

News/Commentary: Ungrateful Iraq PM Criticizes US - Time To Go!

2007-01-18T11:35:00.000-05:00

Iraq PM Criticizes US Effort In Iraq
(1/18/2007, AP via Yahoo! News)

News:

"...The Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that al-Maliki was deeply critical of President Bush during a briefing with a small group of reporters.

'The situation would be much better if the United States had immediately sent our security forces more adequate weapons and equipment. If they had committed themselves more and with greater speed we would have had a lot fewer deaths among Iraqi civilians and American soldiers,' the newspaper quoted al-Maliki as saying...."

Commentary:

How many billions of dollars have we spent cleansing this God-forsaken country -- and the Iraqi PM still has the nerve to be "deeply critical"? I say that enough is enough! He wants "more adequate weapons and equipment" -- then give him everything he wants and then leave! If the PM of Iraq, functioning as that country's spokesperson, does not even have the decency to express gratitude for the money and lives we have spent in his awful country, then I say that it is time to go. The guests are no longer welcome at the party, so let us leave the gifts of "weapons and equipment" that we have brought and go home. Good luck on your own, al-Maliki.

News/Must-See Videos: Saddam Hussein Execution

2007-01-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Execution of Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006 at approximately 06:00 local time (03:00 UTC) according to the Wikipedia entry on his execution.

*** WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT -- VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED ***

Saddam Execution - Poor Quality Cell Phone Video
*** GRAPHIC CONTENT ***
YouTube: A - B (embedded below)
Google Video: C

'Official' Video from Before & After the Hanging
*** SEMI-GRAPHIC CONTENT ***
YouTube: D

(Originally Posted: 1/1/2007 @ 1:10PM)

Must-See Videos: Hitler's Nazis Do the Lambeth Walk

2006-12-26T13:52:00.001-05:00

The Lambeth Walk, Nazi Style
(Quicktime & Windows Media formats; FLV embedded below)

This clip is worth a view for a bit of entertainment and jolly fun -- as well as an example of the effective use of visual rhetoric to lambast an unpopular figure. (See the link above for QT & WMV formats.) Also embedded below is a more 'traditional' performance of The Lambeth Walk. Enjoy -- Oi!

News: Pittsburgh's New Riverfront Casino

2006-12-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

Casino Coming To Pittsburgh's North Shore In '08
(KDKA.com, 12/20/06; with video clips)

"The Pa. Gaming Control Board voted this morning to award Pittsburgh's only stand-alone slots license to PITG Gaming/Majestic Star on the North Shore... Don Barden tells KDKA he's planning to open his new casino in March 2008..."

Majestic Star Casino (Pittsburgh, PA) Conceptual Drawings
(from STRADA, LLC)

Five artistic renderings of the new North Shore riverfront casino, with details on proposed amenities.

Satellite Photo & Map of the New Casino's Location-To-Be
(via Google Maps)

The new casino will be located to the west of Heinz Field and the Carnegie Science Center (the building facing the river-bound submarine), presumably in the large, open parking lot area.

Must-See Videos: Borat & Unreflective Thinking

2006-12-19T12:10:00.000-05:00

Borat & the Ultimate Test of Reflective Thinking
(via DailyMotion.com, embedded below)

While superficially offensive in its apparent anti-semitism, Jewish comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (see also his exclusive Rolling Stone interview), as the character Borat Sagdiyev, effectively puts to the test the level of reflective thinking that patrons of a country-western bar engage in. Granted that most of them are totally smashed, you would think that at least someone would have the sense to question what they were singing.

(Originally Posted: 12/11/2006 @ 11:20AM)

News: Debunking Global Warming with Senator Inhofe

2006-12-16T14:25:00.000-05:00

A Skeptic's Guide to Debunking Global Warming Alarmism -- Hot & Cold Media Spin Cycle: A Challenge to Journalists who Cover Global Warming (PDF from epw.senate.gov)

From the office of US Senator James Inhofe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, comes an outstanding document debunking how the media has fueled one side of the so-called global warming controversy.

I find this document to be useful for illustrating the epistemological crisis that results from bombardment by an endless stream of messages from various media-created information environments. How do we know "What is truth?" (cf. John 18:38)

News: Detailed Coverage of Islamic Terrorism in America

2006-12-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

FBI says Muslim in Illinois planned grenade attack in mall (AP, 12/9/2006)

I am happy to report that this story represents a succesful thwarting by the FBI of an attempted terrorist attack by a Muslim, one Talib Abu Salam Ibn Shareef, to whom the ex-mainstream media will only refer to as Derrick Shareef.

The Smoking Gun (as pointed out on national radio on 12/8/2006 by Michael Savage) has the full text of the 11-page affidavit that details the incident, including the reference to "shank[ing]" DeKalb, IL area Jews with a "steak knife" (source) that most ex-mainstream news sources have failed to report:

Affidavit: Shopping Mall Terror Plot Foiled (TSG, 12/8/2006)

Hit-run suspect tricked family, fled in the SUV (San Francisco, CA - 8/31/06)

"Omeed Aziz Popal's family, worried about his recent mental breakdowns and erratic behavior, tried to keep an eye on him all the time. But Tuesday morning, relatives and authorities say, the automotive worker from Fremont slipped away -- pulling a trick on his mother and sister that got them out of his sport utility vehicle, then speeding off on a hit-and-run rampage that killed one man in Fremont and injured at least 19 people in San Francisco."

No mention is made in this story of Omeed Aziz Popal's (pictured above, on right) self-made claim that he was committing an act of terrorism. As with the July 28, 2006 incident in Seattle, WA (see below), the accused is being labeled as mentally unstable. This is an example of using words to define reality as meaning what one wants it to mean (see Michel Foucault, "Madness and Civilization"). I say that all Islamo-Fascist Terrorists are by definition Mentally Unstable!

The ex-mainstream media continues to hammer more nails into its coffin with the refusal to cover the latest incident of Islamic terrorism in the United States. This is where Daniel Pipes comes in. One paragraph of one article on his website contains more information on the recent incident of Islamic terrorism in Seattle than any other reporting I have seen from the ex-mainstream media.

"Sudden Jihad Syndrome" in Seattle - by Daniel Pipes

"At about 4 p.m. on July 28, on the eve of the Jewish sabbath, a Muslim terrorist of Pakistani origins named Naveed Afzal Haq forced a 14-year-old girl to get him into the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building by holding a gun to her back. He then pulled out the two large-caliber semi-automatic pistols he had just purchased and went on a murderous rampage...."

More on Naveed Haq, Seattle's Sudden Jihadi

Flashback to University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill:
Sudden Jihad Syndrome (in North Carolina) - by Daniel Pipes

"...a just-graduated student named Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, 22, and an Iranian immigrant, drove a sport utility vehicle into a crowded pedestrian zone. He struck nine people but, fortunately, none were severely injured."

More on the North Carolina Jihadi, Mohammed Taheri-azar

(Originally Posted: 8/12/2006 @ 2:21PM)

Commentary/Photos: Hugo Chavez vs. Baby Huey

2006-11-30T17:30:00.001-05:00

The View-Point

Presents

A Photo Juxtaposition

Between

Hugo Chavez

and

Baby Huey

News: It's Official: Women Talk More Than Men

2006-11-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

Women talk more than men: official (The Register, 11/28/2006)

This is the most recent take on the research of Dr. Louann Brizendine that The View-Point originally covered back in August 2006. An excerpt from that story:

"'Connecting through talking activates the pleasure centers in a girl's brain. We're not talking about a small amount of pleasure. This is huge. It's a major dopamine and oxytocin rush, which is the biggest, fattest neurological reward you can get outside of an orgasm.'" (San Francisco Chronicle, 8/6/2006)

The latest story adds the following memorable quote:

"'the simple act of talking triggers a flood of brain chemicals which give women a rush similar to that felt by heroin addicts when they get a high.'" (The Register, 11/28/2006)

Must-See Videos: Iraqi Car Bomb Survivors

2006-11-29T14:45:00.000-05:00

Car Bomb Survivors, No Longer Statistics - 11.27.2006 (from Alive In Baghdad.org)

First-hand accounts from Iraqi civilians who are surviving victims of a car bomb attack on a marketplace.

Includes an explosive allegation that the label on a second, unexploded car bomb identified it as being "made in Iran".

(WARNING: Contains graphic images of the amputated victims in their hospital beds.)

(Originally Posted 11/28/2006 @ 12:58PM)

News: Kamau Kambon's Call to "Exterminate" White People

2006-11-20T16:10:00.000-05:00

The Racist, Terroristic, & Genocidal Comments of Kamau Kambon (via YouTube; embedded below)

From C-SPAN coverage of an event on "Hurricane Katrina & Issues Facing African Americans"

The comments of Kamau Kambon (owner of BlackNificent Books) in this clip are so extreme that they defy commentary, except to ask why the FBI has not arrested this nut for making terroristic and genocidal threats.

Best of the Web: International YouTubes

2006-11-18T13:30:00.000-05:00

Here are a few sites from around the world that feature YouTube-like streaming video content:

Dailymotion.com - The French YouTube

English language interface with Flash video content in various languages
YouTube-style options for linking and embedding videos
RSS feeds galore

TuDou.com - The Chinese (Mainland) YouTube

Chinese (Simplified) language interface ONLY (sorry, anglophones)
Flash video content primarily aimed at Chinese-language speakers
YouTube-style options for linking and embedding videos
Lots of Chinese / Korean / Japanese / American TV Dramas

News/PA Election 2006: Veon. Gone.

2006-11-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

Mike Veon
Member of the PA House of Representatives, 1985-2006
R.I.P. -- Retire in Peace, that is.

On Election Day 2006 (11/7/2006) the voters of Beaver County, PA sent a major shock wave throughout the entire democratized world. No longer were they willing to blindly reinstate an incumbent legislator who refused to hold himself accountable to his constituents.

The unofficial numbers as of the morning of 11/8/2006 (Source: Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information):

14th Legislative District:
Candidate...............Votes.....Percent
VEON, MIKE (DEM)........8,992.....46.1%
MARSHALL, JIM (REP).....10,511....53.9%

This 10,511-person strong tidal wave has finally supplied a reason for that deer-in-the-headlights look. Enjoy your pension, Mike....

(Originally Posted: 11/8/2006 @ 10:52AM)

Best of the Web/Online Books Page: Flatulent Etymology

2006-11-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

The Online Books Page once again proves its worth by giving us instant access to one of the oldest know occurrences of a certain English slang word, proving that life ca. 1600 was not so far removed from our own day. See if you can spot it:

Title: The Alchemist
Author: Ben Jonson
Excerpt (Source):

BEN JONSON'S PLAYS
THE ALCHEMIST
BY
BEN JONSON.

[...]

ACT 1. SCENE 1.1.

A ROOM IN LOVEWIT'S HOUSE.

ENTER FACE, IN A CAPTAIN'S UNIFORM, WITH HIS SWORD DRAWN, AND SUBTLE WITH A VIAL, QUARRELLING, AND FOLLOWED BY DOL COMMON.

FACE. Believe 't, I will.

SUB. Thy worst. I fart at thee.

DOL. Have you your wits? why, gentlemen! for love --

FACE. Sirrah, I'll strip you --

SUB. What to do? lick figs
Out at my --

FACE. Rogue, rogue! -- out of all your sleights.

News/Commentary: Kanye "Look-at-me" West

2006-11-07T13:19:00.000-05:00

News: Kanye West Sore Loser at MTV Europe Awards (AP, 11/3/2006)

"Kanye apparently was so disappointed at not winning for Best Video that he crashed the stage Thursday in Copenhagen... In a tirade riddled with expletives, Kanye said he should have won the prize for his video 'Touch The Sky,' because it 'cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it. I was jumping across canyons.' 'If I don't win, the awards show loses credibility,' Kanye said."

Commentary: Here we go again with this worthless idiot. As The View-Point pointed out back in September 2005, in response to West's post-Katrina "George Bush doesn't care about black people" comment, West is nothing more than the latest social degenerate to make millions of dollars by infecting young minds with his talentless garbage.

The quote above alludes to the fact that this worthless purveyor of pornography (why else use a pornographic-slut like Pamela Anderson?) has:

1) no talent - uses pornography to sell his product
2) no shame/humility - considers himself to be the standard of 'excellence' for this award show
3) a serious emotional dependency on the attention of others - stage crashing to make news and get attention

So why do I take time to write about this moron? Only to remind us of the increasing moral degeneracy of the West (pun intended) and the furor that it is stirring up in the hearts and minds of our enemies (e.g. portions of the Islamic world), who refuse to accept such shameful displays.

(Originally Posted: 11/3/2006 @ 3:36PM)

News/Commentary: CNN - The Enemy Propaganda Machine

2006-10-23T13:10:00.000-04:00

I was first made aware of CNN's role as the propaganda machine of the enemy, aka "Aljazeera West", when on 10/19/2006 Michael Savage played on The Savage Nation audio excerpts from CNN's Anderson Cooper show, where Mr. Cooper had broadcast a video report from Australian reporter Michael Ware (see also here) in which Ware narrated an Iraqi insurgent-filmed video (see links below) depicting the murder of US soldiers by enemy sniper fire. Of course, CNN was 'sensitive' enough that it "dipped to black at the moment of actual impact of the rounds," according to the Anderson Cooper blog.

View the segment from CNN's Anderson Cooper show:

AC: The sniper video (High-quality QuickTime video from Mickware.com), specifically this clip
CNN video - Insurgent snipers (YouTube.com - embedded below)

Register your complaint with the Federal Communications Commission regarding this despicable and treasonous misuse of the ex-mainstream media's broadcast power:

FCC Obscene, Profane, and/or Indecent Material Complaint Form (Form 475B)

(Originally Posted: 10/20/2006 @ 10:33AM)

Commentary: Gas Prices - The Unsolved Mystery

2006-10-05T13:09:00.000-04:00

[See Below for Updated Information]

Yesterday I filled up my gas tank. $2.69 for a gallon of regular unleaded, 87-octane. But just now, as I was driving into The View-Point headquarters, a mere 15-minutes ago, I passed a gas station, where, to my mixed reaction, regular unleaded is now $2.59 a gallon. Why the mixed reaction? Yes, I am happy that prices are still on the decline, but I am also more than a little ticked that I missed the price change by 12 hours. This incident has spawned the following reflection:

If my memory serves me correctly (and it always does), it was just a few weeks ago that we were told by the schmucks in the ex-mainstream media that $4/gallon gas was on the way as a result of the Alaskan oil pipeline (supplying 1/8 of the US crude oil supply) being taken offline by BP for corrosion problems. But since that story was originally reported, I have seen nothing but a steady decline in gas prices at the pump, as evidenced this very day by the aforementioned anecdote. So what exactly is going on here?

QUESTION: Exactly what factors actually do contribute to gas price fluctuations?

I think this is a rather pertinent and meaningful question to ask, but I have not seen any substantive treatment of or reporting on this question done by the putzes in the ex-mainstream. Instead we are constantly assaulted with a stream of garbage information about Tom Cruise's new baby and Paris Hilton's brassiere color.

[RANT] I don't care what color panties some media slut wears! Do some useful reporting you degenerate, materialistic scum! I demand useful reporting on meaningful subjects that have a substantial effect on our lives! Do something useful to redeem yourselves, you ex-mainstream pukes! [/RANT]

PRICE TRACKER:
10/5/2006 = $2.19/gallon

QUESTION: Exactly what factors actually do contribute to gas price fluctuations?

ANSWERS:

Oil jumps on OPEC cut (Reuters, 10/5/2006)
"Oil jumped a dollar to above $60 on Thursday after OPEC officials said the producer group will cut output by 1 million barrels per day as soon as possible to prop up prices.... 'Prices would have kept coming down unless we saw concrete action by OPEC,' said Adam Sieminski, analyst at Deutsche Bank...." (emphasis added)

How Hot Money Inflames Oil Prices (BusinessWeek, 10/4/2006)
"...Without any major changes in supply or demand, the price of oil has been tumbling, dropping below $59 on Oct. 3. That's 25% off the peak of $78 in July.... Behind the price declines is a sharp contraction in the amount of money being invested in energy assets...." (emphasis added)

Analyst predicts plunge in gas prices (Seattle Times, 9/14/2006)
"The recent sharp drop in the global price of crude oil could mark the start of a massive sell-off that returns gasoline prices to lows not seen since the late 1990s — perhaps as low as $1.15 a gallon...."

Opec concerned over falling oil prices (Financial Times, 9/10/2006)
"Now ministers no longer think oil prices, at around $67 a barrel, are too high. Instead they are concerned that the recent $10 drop in prices could be a sign that the market is at the beginning of a larger correction, one that could eventually impinge on oil producers’ revenues." (emphasis added)

(Originally Posted: 9/9/2006 @ 1:25PM)

Best of the Web: Nero's Perversity & Female Beautification

2006-09-30T16:00:00.000-04:00

The things one can find in the New Listings section of the University of Pennsylvania's Online Books Page can shock, amaze, and disgust. Here is just a tiny sample:

Roman History Lesson of the Day: Nero the Pervert
Title: Dio's Rome, Volume V., Books 61-76 (A.D. 54-211) (Translated in 1906)
Author: Cassius Dio
Excerpt (Source):

"Now Nero called Sporus Sabina not merely on account of the fact that by reason of resemblance to her he had been made a eunuch, but because the boy like the mistress had been solemnly contracted to him in Greece, with Tigillinus to give the bride away, as the law ordained.... After that Nero took to himself two bedfellows, Pythagoras to treat as a man and Sporus as a woman. The latter, in addition to other forms of address, was termed lady, queen, and mistress.

Yet why should one wonder at this, seeing that this monarch would fasten naked boys and girls to poles, and then putting on the hide of a wild beast would approach them and satisfy his brutal lust under the appearance of devouring parts of their bodies? Such were the indecencies of Nero.

When he received the senators he wore a short flowered tunic with muslin collar, for he had already begun to transgress precedent in wearing ungirt tunics in public...."

Female Beautification: Ooo Ooo That Smell...
Title: Natural Magick (1658)
Author: Giambattista della Porta
Excerpt from: The Ninth Book of Natural Magick, "How to Adorn Women, and Make them Beautiful."

Chapter XXVIII
"How to correct the ill scent of the Armpits."

"The stink of the Armholes makes some women very hateful. Especially those that are fat and fleshy. To cure this, we may use such kind of experiments. The Ancients, against the stink of armpits, used liquid Allome with Myrrh to anoint them. Or the Secrets and Armholes were strewed with the dry leaves of Myrtles in powder. The roots of Artichokes smeared on, does not only cure the ill scent of armpits, but of the whole body also. But Zenocrates promises by experiment, that the faultiness of the armpits will pass forth by Urine.... So in some days we shall correct the strong smell of those parts. But it will be done more effectually thus. Pound Litharge of Gold or Silver, and boil it in Vinegar. And if you wash those parts well with it, you shall keep them a long time sweet. And it is a remedy, that there is none better."

Note: If you think this excerpt is bad, then you should not read the next chapter, Chapter XXIX.

(Originally Posted: 9/25/2006 @ 5:09PM)

Best of the Web: Must-See Videos (September 2006)

2006-09-30T15:59:00.000-04:00

Must-See Videos

Minuscule - The Ladybug
A combination of live-action country-side footage mixed with CGI animation of some cute insects. Poor spider!

Paris Hilton Punked by Bansky
Sorry to sink so low as to include this kind of content, but it is yet another example of a new form of 'art' that blends with and extends upon the contours of our consumer capitalist society (in the UK this time).

Flatulating Granny
Yes, I do realize how far I have fallen by posting fart jokes, but this is just too hilarious. If you need a good (and rather low-class) laugh, then watch this!

Must-See Videos (August 2006)

Commentary: Structures of Humor & The "Dung" Joke

2006-09-30T15:58:00.000-04:00

Arthur: Here's a good one, I heard it in a pub. What's brown, what's brown and sounds like a bell?
Victor: I beg your pardon?
Arthur: What's brown and sounds like a bell? Dung! Ha, ha, ha, that's a good one....

Source: Monty Python's Flying Circus, Visitors from Coventry sketch (Video @ approx. 1:45)

Let's use the Ogden-Richards Symbol-Reference-Referent triangular model as a basis for analyzing the "Dung" joke to understand the structure of humor embedded within it.

"What's brown and sounds like a bell?"

This joke relies on the confusion of properties of Symbols with the properties of Referents:

Brown, of course, is a property of the Referent/existent Dung of the punchline.

The Symbol/word 'Dung' sounds similar to the Symbol/word 'Dong', which is an onomatopoeia for the sound made by the Referent/existent Bell.

So it is that we progress in meaning from Bell > Dong > Dung > Brown, mixing Referential and Symbolic meanings and usage along the way:

Referent (Bell, the existent thing) to
Symbol ('Dong', onomatopoeia for the Bell's sound) to
Symbol ('Dung', sounding like 'Dong') to
Referent (Dung, the existent thing) to
Referent (Brown, an abstracted property of the (existent, not symbolic) Dung)

It is obvious that such a tortured picking apart of the joke tends to sterilize it and make it seem "not funny". The key point here is, however, that when we "get" the joke, our minds have automatically and unconsciously put together all of these pieces, resulting in the "getting" of the joke and laughing (hopefully) at the verbal incongruities that make up the joke.

(Originally Posted: 8/24/2006 @ 11:40AM)

News/Commentary: Pope Benedict XVI vs. The Muslim Masses

2006-09-18T10:12:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Pope Benedict XVI for his rhetorical excellence that has incited the fury of millions of illiterate, uneducated, 9th-century throwback Muslims around the world, through the agency of the ex-mainstream media. The Pope, through the use of a simple and straightforward quote regarding the incompatibility of the nature of God and the use of violence, has made a highly relevant and insightful point that serves as material that Muslims, along with their ex-mainstream media partners, can twist and distort to further their own demonic objectives.

Let's first look at the relevant portion of what Pope Benedict XVI actually said on 9/12/2006:

"...the central question about the relationship between religion and violence in general, saying: 'Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached'. The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. 'God', he says, 'is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death...'.

[Source: Full Text of the Pope's Speech (PDF) (BBC); Key Excerpts (BBC)]

Now let's contrast this to the response from a member of the Muslim community:

"Salih Kapusuz, a deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party, said Benedict's remarks were either 'the result of pitiful ignorance' about Islam and its prophet, or a deliberate distortion. 'He has a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the Middle Ages. He is a poor thing that has not benefited from the spirit of reform in the Christian world,' Kapusuz was quoted as saying by the state-owned Anatolia news agency. 'It looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades.' 'Benedict, the author of such unfortunate and insolent remarks, is going down in history for his words,' he said. 'He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as (Adolf) Hitler and (Benito) Mussolini.'"

[Source: Muslims express fury over pope's remarks (AP) 9/15/2006]

KEY POINT: As is exemplified in the above response from Salih Kapusuz, the Islamic community knows how to engage in an effective war of words, a.k.a. 'the PR battle', or what I like to call Rhetorical Warfare. What does this mean for anyone who perceives the threat and the danger posed by the Islamic community? We must learn to engage and defeat our enemy on the Rhetorical battlefront! But let's be clear on one point: We must NOT count on the ex-mainstream media to fight this battle. This is the obligation and responsibility of the millions of us who see the truth and who are not willing to stand by while the Islamo-facists cut our throats!

The bottom line is this: At the risk of sounding crude (which is not my intent)Pope Benedict XVI, as a celibate, 79-year-old man, has more cojones than any other major world political and/or religious leader. The pope was not afraid to express the truth in his speech, nor did he attempt to pander to the Muslim masses. God bless the pope.

UPDATE: Iraq al-Qaida says pope, West are doomed (AP - 9/18/2006)

These quotes, all from one news story, are an amazing continuance of the Muslim Rhetorical Warfare (emphases added in all quotes):

"An al-Qaida-linked extremist group warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that he and the West were 'doomed,' as protesters returned to the streets across the Muslim world to demand more of an apology from the pontiff for his remarks about Islam and violence...."

"...The group said Muslims would be victorious and addressed the pope as 'the worshipper of the cross' saying 'you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere. ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (killed by) the sword.' Islam forbids drinking alcohol and requires non-Muslims to pay a head tax to safeguard their lives if conquered by Muslims. They are exempt if they convert to Islam...."

"...The secretary-general of the Turkish HUKUK-DER law association submitted a request to the Justice Ministry asking that the pope be arrested upon entering Turkey. The appeal by Fikret Karabekmez, a former legislator for the banned pro-Islamic Welfare Party, called for Benedict to be tried under several Turkish laws, among them obstruction of freedom of belief, encouraging discrimination based on religion, and inciting religious hatred...."

(Originally Posted: 9/15/2006 @ 4:41PM)

News: Pittsburgh's New 26-year-old Mayor

2006-09-07T10:20:00.000-04:00

With the untimely passing of Mayor Bob O'Connor, 61, who succumbed to cancer on Friday, 9/1/2006, City Council President Luke Ravenstahl, 26, has been sworn in as Pittsburgh's new mayor. Although his term might last only until 2007, perhaps some good can come out of these unfortunate circumstances, with the injection of young-blood into the politics of the fair city of Pittsburgh, PA.

The View-Point sends out condolences to the O'Connor family, and best wishes to Mayor Ravenstahl.

Pittsburgh's 26-Year-Old Mayor Confident
NewsMax reports on Mayor Ravenstahl's agenda for the future of Pittsburgh.

(Originally Posted: 9/2/2006 @ 4:30PM)

Best of the Web: Beachwear for Muslim Women

2006-09-07T10:16:00.000-04:00

Haþema Covered Swimsuits from Turkey

I rather like the bright colors of some of the outfits found in the Products section, also viewable here.

Honestly I'd have to say that I would prefer seeing this kind of swimwear to some of the cotton-from-a-pill bottle bathing attire so common in America today. The View-Point dealt with this issue back in July 2005:
SUMMER = HOT = ITSY, BITSY, TEENY, WEENIE...EVERYTHING !

UPDATE: In early September 2006, Paul Harvey featured a story on this new kind of swimwear for the 'modern' Turkish Muslim woman.

(Originally Posted: 8/11/2006 @ 11:25AM)

Commentary: "Nuns with Guns" - A 'Textual' Interpretation

2006-08-31T13:10:00.000-04:00

"Nuns with Guns" - A 'Textual' Interpretation

It has come to my attention that the "Nuns with Guns" photograph pictured here may be viewed as offensive by some practitioners of the Catholic religion. I couldn't disagree more, and in this Commentary I intend to explain why.

Let me first say that I view this picture as portraying a positive role for Catholics and their role in God's redemptive process. The caption at to foot of the picture sets the tone of the message being communicated: The 'virgins' conceived by Muslims are juxtaposed with the chastity of Catholic nuns. This functions to link the (distorted) theology of Islam with the (true) theology of Christianity and the Catholic church. In this sense, the caption and the picture work together as a 'lens' to correct the demonically-induced distortion perpetrated on Muslim believers.

Turning to the visual elements of this picture, an immediate incongruity in detected between the concepts of 'nuns' and 'guns'. Guns are weapons of physical warfare, typically used by males of the warrior-type. Nuns, in contrast, are by definition female, and engaged in peace-making, charity, and caring for the poor and afflicted. So what is the purpose of putting guns in the hands of nuns? The guns function not as a symbol of physical power and earthly warfare, but instead represent visually (by use of a familiar object) the spiritual power that nuns assert in their roles in the war against the corruption of sin and evil.

Thus the nuns pictured, as the brides of Christ Jesus, bringer of ultimate redemption, are portrayed as having a crucial and powerful position in the spiritual warfare of God's redemptive process.

In conclusion, let me note that I do recognize how a superficial glance at this picture might be suggestive of many negative comparisons: Humble and chaste Catholic nuns being depicted with vile instruments of violence, labeled as 'virgins' (a word that comes attached with particularly strong intensional meanings). Hopefully I have been able to convince you, dear reader, that digging beneath the surface and engaging in an extensionally-based process of meaning-making can be productive in getting at deeper levels of meaning.

[NOTES]
The terms intensional and extensional come from Alfred Korzybski's General Semantics. For more information, see here and here.

(Photo courtesy Michael Savage - origins unknown.)

(Originally Posted: 8/17/2006 @ 1:30PM)

News/Commentary: Legal Justification for War with Iran

2006-08-31T13:09:00.000-04:00

Romania Reports Oil Rig Occupied By Iran's Military

"The Romanian Embassy in Tehran has confirmed that Iranian military forces have attacked and occupied a Romanian oil rig in the Gulf...."

Iran's Navy Attacks and Boards Romanian Rig in Gulf

"'...The Iranians fired at the rig's crane with machine guns,' Tabanesku said. 'They are in control now and we can't contact the rig.' The Romanian company has 26 workers on the platform, he said...."

The following commentary comes to The View-Point courtesy of 'Prof. E':

Given the fact that the United States and Romania are both NATO Member Countries, and given the fact that Article 5 of the the North Atlantic Treaty states that:

"The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area."

It is therefore legally justifiable for the United States and its NATO Allies to engage in the use of millitary force against Iran in response to the Iranian millitary attack on and occupation of the Romanian oil rig.

(Originally Posted: 8/22/06 @ 1:52PM)

News/Ethics: Ethical Issues & the 'Baby' with Two Heads

2006-08-29T13:31:00.000-04:00

Indonesian baby born with two heads

"...Though she has two heads and two spines, there is only one pair of limbs and a set of internal organs. The parents named her Syafitri, insisting there is only one baby...."

Ethical questions raised by this story:

- Is this one person/soul or two?

- Is it acceptable for the parents to give only one name to this child(ren?) and insist that there is only one baby/human/individual/soul in existence?

- Assuming this baby (these babies?) survive, will they face any identity issues different from those issues faced by other conjoined twins?
What effect would the parents' insistence on an individual baby have on the development of two separate personalities?

- On what basis might we consider this baby to be two separate individuals? Two heads? Two brains? Is a shared set of limbs and internal organs compatible with the definition of a 'human'?

- Does our (English) language even have ways of grasping the concept of the 'two-persons with one body'?

(Originally Posted: 8/15/2006 @ 11:24AM)

Best of the Web: Must-See Videos

2006-08-29T13:30:00.000-04:00

Must-See Videos (August 2006)

Some of these videos are entertaining, some are quite shocking eye-openers, but all are Must-See:

Islamo-Fascist Children's Indoctrination TV
Warning: Contains Psychological Nudity

What Tom Cruise Actually Believes
"Truth" is stranger than Science-Fiction; a portrayal of Scientology's beliefs about the 'origin' of humanity

Matrix-style Live-action Ping-Pong
Unbelievably cool Matrix-style special effects re-created live!

Slo-Mo Home Depot by ImprovEverywhere
"225 Improv Everywhere Agents shop in slow motion at a Manhattan Home Depot."
Question: Is this Art? Does it represent a new blending of modern consumerism and theatre?

Japanese Toilet-Training Cartoon
Consider it research into intercultural dynamics...

The Antics of the Dear Professor and Student (VW Commercial)
Inside-Joke-Warning: Our dear Professor Opi and his most-esteemed student getting graded

'The Office' (BBC) Faux-Training Videos for Microsoft UK: Part 1 & Part 2
Faux training videos for Microsoft UK employees featuring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in their roles from the BBC version of 'The Office'.

(Originally Posted: 6/20/2006 @ 1:16PM)

News/Best of the Web: Islamo-Fascist Indoctrination TV

2006-08-24T10:06:00.000-04:00

MEMRI TV - The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) TV Monitor Project

Understand the Islamic mind by watching the very propaganda Muslims are exposed to from childhood. MEMRI TV features clips from major Arab TV channels, with onscreen English language translations. What you will see will frighten you.

Children of the Future Jihad (on YouTube.com)
A 10-minute compilation of MEMRI TV clips featuring segments aimed at inciting and indoctrinating children. Features cartoons of suicide-bombers, children singing anti-Israeli songs, etc. An absolute Must-See. (Thanks to John Dvorak for sharing this clip.)

(Originally Posted: 8/16/06 @ 4:13PM)

News: 8/22/06 = Doomsday?

2006-08-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

Iran Hints at Aug. 22 Doomsday for Israel

"...What deterred both sides from using nuclear weapons during the Cold War was the concept of MAD, mutual assured destruction. But the "apocalyptic worldview” of Iran’s current leaders works against that concept, according to Lewis...."

8/24/06: Looks like the little Hitler in Iran was impotent after all -- at least for the time being...
8/22/06: At this moment it is 6:30PM in Tehran and 6:00PM in Jerusalem. No news is good news???
8/21/06: It's only a day away....

(Originally Posted: 8/9/2006 @ 1:48PM)

Pittsburgh Cricket Association

2006-08-18T16:12:00.000-04:00

Pittsburgh Cricket Association

Attention everyone in and around the Pittsburgh, PA area: Pittsburgh now has an official, non-profit Cricket Association! Matches are played most weekends in the summer (2006 Schedule) at Edgebrook Field in South Park.

Just what is the game of Cricket? Take a look at a basic overview of the game, or, seeing that Cricket is generally similar to the game of Baseball that most Americans are already familiar with, a comparison between cricket and baseball may be helpful in illuminating the details of the sport.

Want to see live-action videos of Cricket being played? Watch the Cricket Masterclass series of instructional how-to videos or one of the many other Cricket related videos on Google Video or YouTube.

For detailed coverage of Cricket matches being play around the world, including live scores, visit CricInfo.com.

(Originally posted 8/10/2006 2:50pm)

News: UK to 'Profile' Muslims

2006-08-15T14:09:00.000-04:00

Muslims face extra checks in new travel crackdown (UK)

"...The passenger-profiling technique involves selecting people who are behaving suspiciously, have an unusual travel pattern or, most controversially, have a certain ethnic or religious background. The system would be much more sophisticated than simply picking out young men of Asian appearance. But it would cause outrage in the Muslim community because its members would be far more likely to be selected for extra checks...."

Well it's about time. Count on the Brits to be the first to do the sensible thing. We can only hope that this new "passenger-profiling technique" will catch on here in the States fairly quickly, and let all opposition from the ACLU and Muslim pressure groups be damned!

Best of the Web: Coolest Websites, Historical Photo Fakes, & one Iranian's Blog

2006-08-14T14:58:00.000-04:00

Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites 2006

Lots of fresh and new websites; I haven't even heard of most of these.

See also Time's supplement of more established and highly useful websites:
25 Sites We Can't Live Without

Pictures That Lie - from CNET News.com

In the wake of the Reuters Photogate scandal, CNET brings us a nice little compilation of past and present (and mostly benign) photo fakes.

Live from Iran, it's Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Blog!

Blimey... Just when we thought we'd seen it all. I'll say one thing for the Islamo-fascist terrorist scum: They certainly know how to make effective use of the Propaganda machine. George W., where is your blog?

Since this blog is most definitely not in English, you might want to read the related NewsMax article.

News/Photos: Egyptian 'Students' vs. 9/11 Terrorists

2006-08-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

Egyptian 'Students' vs. 9/11 Terrorists

11 Egyptian "students" being sought in the U.S. - by Douglas J. Hagmann

Thanks to Michael Savage for a heads-up on the photo of the Egyptian 'Students'.

No comment, other than the juxtaposition, is offered on the following photos. Decide for yourself.

News/Opinion: Al Gore's Hypocrisy

2006-08-10T14:30:00.000-04:00

Gore isn't quite as green as he's led the world to believe - USA Today Opinion piece

Al Gore: Details on his hypocrisy and lack of credibility, according to Peter Schweizer:

"The issue here is not simply Gore's hypocrisy; it's a question of credibility. If he genuinely believes the apocalyptic vision he has put forth and calls for radical changes in the way other people live, why hasn't he made any radical change in his life?"

(Yahoo News link to this piece)

Best of the Web: BlogTalkRadio & Bizarre Statues

2006-08-09T13:52:00.000-04:00

BlogTalkRadio

"Your BlogShow lets you host your own talk show online. Receive live callers, interview guests, and broadcast to an unlimited number of listeners. All you need is any type of phone, an internet connection, and something to say. All your listeners need is streaming audio or any type of phone should they choose to call in."

Yet another website offering services to host your own Internet-based, call-in, archivable talk show. Do-it-yourself talk shows are quickly becoming a new trend, but quality of content is still the long sought after holy grail.

Thanks to Rafe Needleman over at CNET for the down-low on this one. See his article for info on other interactive podcasting services.

Bizarre Statues from Around the World - Viewer Discretion is Advised

It's hard to believe that some of these are real statues that exist in public places. You just have to see and judge for yourself. A few are cute, and quite a few more are simply absurd.

News: Reuters Photo Fakes, Floating Bed, & a Simple Motor

2006-08-08T15:24:00.000-04:00

Reuters Faked Photos - YouTube video presentation of the Reuters Photo Scandal

As if the bias evident in what is reported and what is not reported wasn't enough; Now we have to contend with cheap Photoshop hack jobs on the photo wires.

Courtesy of Dvorak Uncensored: Some other obvious fakes, along with the Reuters fakes, to watch out for.

Designer creates floating bed - Cool News of the Day

"A young Dutch architect has created a floating bed which hovers above the ground through magnetic force..."

Video: The Simplest Motor In The World - Cool Video of the Day - For Geeks Only!

A battery, a wire, a magnet and a screw...

News: Hizbollah, The Female Brain, & 'Open Pipes'

2006-08-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

What we still don't understand about Hizbollah

"This week, world terrorism expert Robert Pape will share with the FBI the findings of his remarkable study of 462 suicide bombings. He concludes that such acts have little to do with religious extremism and that the West must engage politically to halt the relentless slaughter...."

"In terms of structure and hierarchy, it is less comparable with, say, a religious cult such as the Taliban than to the multi-dimensional American civil rights movement of the 1960s."

FEMME MENTALE - San Francisco neuropsychiatrist says differences between women's and men's brains are very real, and the sooner we all understand it, the better

While I disagree with the evolutionary perspective of this article, there are a few noteworthy quotes, e.g.:

"So the next time parents scold their daughters for excessive text messaging, consider Brizendine's neurological explanation:

'Connecting through talking activates the pleasure centers in a girl's brain. We're not talking about a small amount of pleasure. This is huge. It's a major dopamine and oxytocin rush, which is the biggest, fattest neurological reward you can get outside of an orgasm.'"

Bikers' 'open pipes' disturb communities - a USA Today Opinion piece

I couldn't agree more with this piece; Riding a motorcycle is one thing, but disturbing the peace with noise pollution is totally unacceptable.

The View-Point addressed this issue way back in June 2005:
SUMMER = MOTORCYCLES = NOISE POLLUTION

Best of the Web: H.D.R Photography

2006-08-04T14:56:00.000-04:00

High Dynamic Range Photography - Painting-like photography with vibrant tones and rich colors

This digital darkroom technique can create some truly stunning photos, rich in detail and color.

10 Pictures of Tokyo Gotham
Must-see examples of H.D.R. photography from Japan. Make sure you view the 'Large Version' of these images in order to appreciate all of the detail.

NY Times article, "Was It Done With a Lens, or a Brush?" on H.D.R.

Best of the Web: AllYouCanUpload & Xdrive

2006-08-04T12:57:00.000-04:00

AllYouCanUpload.com - Free Image Hosting; No Account/Sign-on Required!

Free Image Hosting -- so what? The differentiating feature of this service is that no individual user account or log-in is required to upload & host images. In this sense, it is totally anonymous. And on a practical level, this service makes it very quick and easy to upload a file and get a URL for sharing the file. Negative: Don't upload anything that you might want to delete later!

The 2600-reading H4X0R in me makes me wonder about the level of file-format verification that this service implements...

Xdrive - Coming in Early September: AOL offers everyone 5Gb of free storage

With a slick-looking user interface, automated backup options, and online sharing tools, this could come in handy! I personally cannot imagine maxing out the 5Gb... Check back in early September, but in the meantime, read more about it in this article.

Best of the Web: TiddlyWiki

2006-08-03T13:41:00.000-04:00

TiddlyWiki - A reusable, non-linear, self-contained personal web notebook/wiki

Talk about cool! You have to go to the site and play with it to see how it works -- it's hard to describe. Certainly provides an interesting alternative to the traditional linear blog.

There seems to be a slight learning curve to learning how to use/edit/save/update a TiddlyWiki, but it is well worth the effort.

I wonder how this might be used in an educational setting, to provide a static set of content for students to interact with. Definitely on the cutting-edge.

Best of the Web: meebo & Photosynth

2006-08-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

meebo -- Web-based Instant Messaging (IM)

Supports simultaneous, mutliple IM accounts from all the popular services: AIM/ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger, Jabber/GTalk, MSN

Also has a meebo me widget feature to intergrate IM-style chatting into any webpage, so that visitors can chat with the website's author

Photosynth from Microsoft Live Labs -- 3-D Imaging from 2-D Photos

This technology represents the future of digital photography. I can just imagine how this software could be used on sites like Facebook to stitch together photos taken on a college campus by various people.

Check out the video demonstration of Photosynth

Commentary: Evita and Boredom

2006-07-14T16:21:00.000-04:00

Evita and Boredom

A quote from a July 10, 2006 news story on Space Tourism reads:

"... British billionaire Sir Richard Branson is banking on a lot of pent-up demand. "Of all the businesses I've started, this is by far and away the most exciting."

His new company, Virgin Galactic, is already taking reservations for suborbital flights from the paying public.

For $200,000, you're promised a three-hour flight, with several minutes of weightlessness. And you can float around the cabin if you want to...." (from Space Tourism Isn't Necessarily Out of the Question)

The question is, who can afford to pay $200k for a 3-hour thrill-ride? Obviously this venture is aimed at the super-rich. After all, if you've got $200k burning a hole in your pocket, I suppose you'd be on a constant look out for the latest and greatest thrill. Perhaps Branson's new operation could be considered the New Drug for the uber-rich.

Our old friends Rice & Lloyd Webber, while specifically addressing fame, have characterized this top-of-the-world attitude best in the following lyrics from the beloved musical/opera, Evita:

... High flying, adored
What happens now, where do you go from here?
For someone on top of the world
The view is not exactly clear
A shame you did it all at twenty-six
There are no mysteries now
Nothing can thrill you, no one fulfill you

High flying, adored
I hope you come to terms with boredom
So famous so easily, so soon
It's not the wisest thing to be...
(from Evita, "High Flying, Adored")

Commentary: Evita and Marketing Ethics

2006-06-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

Evita and Marketing Ethics

(see Lyrics to Rainbow High)

Keywords:

style, glamour, excitement, image
adore, dazzling, "They must have excitement, and so must I"
"I'm their product, it's vital you sell me", thrilling, "They need their escape, and so do I"

Key Concept: Style vs. Substance

Commentary:
This lyrics from Rainbow High are particularly illustrative of the emphasis that Marketing communications can place on the Style of a product/service/person versus the actual Substance of the subject.

Think about toothpaste: On the shelves of Walmart are already 40 different kinds of toothpaste; yet consumer product companies continue to 'develop' and introduce new toothpastes to the market. Is there really a need for the 41st kind of toothpaste? More to the point, will that 41st kind of toothpaste do something substantively new or different that the 40 other kinds do not?

Now think about men's shaving razors: The Gillette Fusion -- what does a 5-bladed razor do that its 4-bladed and 3-bladed competitors do not do? Most men will agree that the substantive differences are marginal at best. Yet Gillette spent $100 million (if memory serves me correctly) on a marketing campaign for the Fusion.

Question: What aspects of these products are being 'marketed'???

Answer: The Stylistic elements that have been conjured up and created by the marketing firms that created the advertising and branding campaigns. To borrow key words from Rainbow High, its the style, glamour, excitement, and image that's being marketed.

Is that ethical? Is public value being created, or is there merely a transference of wealth that is occurring from consumers to the marketing company and its client?

Commentary: Holistic Education and Learning Context

2006-06-24T14:30:00.000-04:00

Holistic Education and Learning Context:

The "Stop and Smell the Flowers" Model of Pedagogy

Sometimes the the forces of nature and God's Creation can have an overpowering and stimulating effect on the mind.

As a gentle rain fell, I decided that it would be good to spend time strolling around campus, enjoying the always-stunning landscaping of my campus. As I walked out of the Library with my umbrella in hand, a nearby cluster of flowers captured my attention. The interplay of the raindrops on the petals, the colors, the textures, the form of the flower -- all of these elements coalesced into a profound experience of the Aesthetically Beautiful.

Contrast

In the core Humanities curriculum of my college, Art is one of the topics covered. But "good" art is what if it is not a representation and recreation of the Beauty as found in nature?

Synthesis

When we study art in college, we read about it, we look at pictures in books or projected onto luminescent screens, perhaps even venture to the local art gallery. This is all well and good. But if one of the goals for learning to appreciate art is also to learn to develop a refined sense of and appreciation for Aesthetic Beauty, then what restricts us from studying beauty as it is found in nature on the very confines of our own campus?

The Power of Context

Malcolm Gladwell in his wonderful book, "The Tipping Point" discusses the power of Context and the effects of Context on our attitudes, behaviors, emotions, actions, reactions, thoughts, etc.

Question: In Higher Education, why is our dominant tendency to ignore the Power of Context in favor of the artificially constructed contextual environment of the classroom?

This is not to say that the classroom is a wholly irrelevant and useless context; certainly it does tend to produce the desired effect of focusing the attention of the "Learners" on the "Teacher" (think about all of the assumptions about the nature of education implicit in that statement!).

But if a Teacher wants to cultivate in his students a sense of the Aesthetically Beautiful, what is wrong with beginning with an Authentic Experience of that which is truly Aesthetically Beautiful? (Recall the painting of a pipe labeled, "This is not a Pipe") Go out side in the Fall or Spring! Stop, look, smell, touch, envelop the senses in the Authentic Experience of Beauty!

Broader Implications

At this point it would be appropriate to back up one step before tumbling over the edge and descending down the slope towards an aphoristic/Nietzchean-style of writing.

The broader implications of this experience with the flower is that teachers, as the more experienced conversants in a conversation with less experienced learners (Paul Ramsden, "Learning to Teach In Higher Education, 2nd Edition") need to attend to the alignment of LEARNING CONTENT with LEARNING CONTEXT. My thesis is that the least friction between CONTENT and CONTEXT, or, to put it in a positive sense, the more that CONTEXT can complement CONTENT, the better.

News: Forcing Athletes Off Facebook

2006-06-23T13:56:00.000-04:00

Forcing Athletes Off Facebook

"Laing Kennedy, the university’s athletics director, told The Columbus Dispatch that the Facebook ban was intended, at least in part, to prevent students from being contacted by strangers (or, worse yet, sports agents). In that case, why not just ask students to delete phone and e-mail information from their profiles? As Mr. Kennedy said, Kent State is also trying to protect its own reputation: Pictures of hazing and underage drinking aren’t exactly good news for athletics programs."

Oh, I see, instead of trying to address the problems of hazing and drinking, the response of Kent State is to cover-up the facts of the situation, to hide them from the prying eyes of the public. What an unprincipled stance.

Commentary: Summer Reading Recommendations

2006-06-23T13:23:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading Recommendations
Cutting-Edge Ideas for the 21st Century

For all of you students not busy with summer classes, below is a list of 5 excellent books to keep you entertained and your mind stimulated and out of the summer slump. All of these books present new information or opinions that are highly relevant for this new century. Enjoy!

A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
by Daniel H. Pink (2005)

Teaser: Is the Information Age already over? What are the effects of Abundance, Automation and Asia on job prospects for this new century? Great perspectives on Right-Brained vs. Left-Brained thinking.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
by Malcolm Gladwell (2000)

Teaser: Who determines what is 'Cool' or Fashionable? Are you a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman? Find out more about the Law of the Few, The Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell (2005)

Teaser: What is the value of first-impressions? Why do some people have an ability to instantly form opinions and judgements that turn out to be correct? What is 'thin-slicing'?

The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
by Tom Friedman (2005)

Teaser: This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the effects of globalization and the formative power of the information-based economy in the 21st century. How has the Internet contributed to the 'flattening' of the world? What is the connection between 9/11 and 11/9? This book is of particular relevance to students and scholars of political science, economics, business, and sociology.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner (2005)

Teaser: What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real-estate agents? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? Would a Roshanda by any other name smell as sweet? Facinating questions and connections explored in this book. Of particular sociological interest is the authors' look at the effects of Roe v. Wade and abortion -- not what you might expect!!!

Commentary: Shame on Google AdSense

2006-06-19T14:06:00.000-04:00

Shame on Google AdSense...

It seems as if Google is being highly selective in its acceptance of who to include and who to exclude from its AdSense program. I received the following response to my AdSense application:

"Thank you for your interest in Google AdSense. After reviewing your application, our specialists have found that it does not meet our program criteria. Therefore, we are unable to accept you into our program...."

Just what exactly are Google's "program criteria"? Whatever they are, rest assured that they are intended to maximize Google's revenue while giving no consideration to the little guy trying to make a few bucks. And a cursory Google search (isn't that ironic) shows quite a few anecdotes of AdSense program participants who have had their accounts cancelled just before payday... Hmm...

Doesn't Google own Blogger.com? I wonder how long it will be before this site gets cut off for criticizing th--

Commentary: Terrorism, Suicide & Demon-Possession

2006-06-09T15:08:00.000-04:00

Terrorism, Suicide & Demon-Possession

The recent death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi led me to consideration between Terrorism, Suicide Bombings and Demon-Possession. Why would anyone want to commit suicide in the act of killing others? Wouldn't it be more practical to one's cause to remain alive (and able to kill more) as long as possible?

There is something intuitively wrong with the conception of suicide bombings. Certainly it is not a sound military strategy -- it is not valid as a key/core tactic of warfare. So what is it that seems positively inhuman about these acts?

Reflect on a short passage from the New Testament narrative account of Jesus: Mark 5:1-20. In short, Jesus casts a "Legion" of Demons out of a possessed man into a herd of pigs. Upon entering the pigs, the demon-possessed pigs rush into the sea and commit suicide.

Terrorism & Suicide. Demon-possession & Suicide. Terrorism & Demon-possession???

I am left to wonder whether the most heinous of terrorists and suicide bombers are not in fact demonic spirits in human flesh...

Commentary: "Western Standards" of Democracy in Iraq?

2006-06-06T16:12:00.000-04:00

"Western Standards" of Democracy in Iraq?

Consider for a moment the incidents of sectarian violence reported on a near-daily basis out of Iraq. Such Muslim-on-Muslim acts of killing have little or nothing to do with the on-going war in Iraq, led by America and the coalition of nations.

The sad and contrasting fact is that Iraq under the murderous and brutal regime of Saddam Hussein seemed to provide an effective level of containment to reduce (or at least control) the sectarian violence. The ironic state of affairs is that although the people of Iraq are better off (according to Western standards) having been released from the grasp of a tyrant, that tyrant and his 'unorthodox' methodologies (by Western standards) seemed to have been the only effective way of maintaining a modicum of 'peace' in Iraq. It somewhat resembles a backwards, 'Bizarro world, measured by Western standards, where a brutal dictator was most effective at maintaining 'peace', and now that Freedom and Democracy have been put into place, brutality and terror rule the day.

Question: Can "Western standards" be applicable outside of the Western world?

Commentary: "Children Will Listen..."

2005-11-18T14:58:00.000-05:00

"Children Will Listen..."

""Get Rich or Die Tryin'" isn't the most violent movie ever made. Nor is it the most graphic in terms of nudity and gore.... The story is an old one, and it's filled with violence, nudity and foul language. The characters drop f-bombs and n-bombs throughout.... [John] Kirkwood, who went to the show with friend Stacy Law, also of Beaver Falls, and his son, John, 3, said the movie portrayed that positives can happen for people who learn from their mistakes.... As for young John Kirkland, his father said he was more interested in the popcorn and didn't know what was going on in the movie." (from "Movie incite violence?" by Bob Bauder, Beaver County Times 11.12.2005)

"Careful the things you say

Children will listen

Careful the things you do

Children will see and learn..."

-- Lyrics from the musical "Into the Woods"

Dear Editor,

The article "Could his movie provoke murder?" leaves some questions unanswered:

Question 1: Why would a man take his 3-year old son to a movie filled with violence, nudity and foul language?

Question 2: Why would movie theater employees allow a man to take his son to see a movie filled with violence, nudity and foul language?

The fact that these two events did occur can mean only two things:

1) Basic common sense and parenting skills are somewhat scarce (at least among people interested in seeing such movies as "Get Rich or Die Tryin'") -- Ever hear of a babysitter? Can't find one? Too bad; don't go!

2) The movie theater involved is more interested in profit (and clinging on to an every shrinking pie of revenue from ticket sales) than "Do[ing] the Right Thing" (to borrow from the title of another movie in the line of "Get Rich or Die Tryin'") and exhibiting common sense in not letting a 3-year old into a movie theater where he will be exposed to gratuitous nudity, violence and the ever constant dropping of "f-bombs and n-bombs".

Here is one potential common sense response to this situation:
1) Arrest the parent(s) who took the child to see the movie and charge him/them with child abuse and/or endangerment
2) Levy a hefty fine on the movie theater for contributing to the child abuse and/or endangerment

Please, lets all wake up and show more concern for the future generations.

[Published as "Letter to the Editor - Was anybody thinking?" (Beaver County Times 11.18.2005)]

Commentary: Kanye West & Racism

2005-09-09T19:09:00.000-04:00

"Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!"

"The chart topping hip hop rapper star [Kanye West] who used a network hurricane fundraiser to charge "George Bush doesn't care about black people" was loudly and lustily booed during last night's NFL kickoff show..." (Drudge Report)

[ENOUGH IS ENOUGH]

I've had enough of idiot race-baiters like this moron Kanye West.

How is it again that an uninformed idiot like this guy gets media attention that he truly does not deserve? It's certainly not by virtue of his talent or insight into current social issues.

Jesse "Stay out the Bushes" Jackson & the Reverend Al Sharpton better watch out: There's a new race-baiting, manipulative, stay-on-the-entitlement-plantation mouthpiece in town.

Point: It would be nice if intelligent, thoughtful, and well-intentioned people would be given more media attention, and worthless idiots like Kanye West would crawl back under whatever meaningless rock they emerged from.

[/ENOUGH IS ENOUGH]

See also: Laura Bush reacts to Kanye West's "disgusting" comments (AP)

Commentary: The Fruits of a “Peaceful Tree”

2005-09-04T14:30:00.000-04:00

The Fruits of a “Peaceful Tree”

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit." Matthew 12:33 (HCSB)

I keep coming back to the notion of Islam as a "religion of peace”. The problem with this claim is that the term ‘peace’ also implies some other related concepts and qualities that exist along with peace. It could even be said that these qualities are the ‘fruits’ of a ‘peaceful tree’.

Restoration, harmony, co-existence, freedom (or lack of oppression); the list could go on and on. Where do we see these qualities of life being lived out in the so-called ‘peaceful tree’ that is the Islamic world?

Which Islamic nations are striving towards restoration? Is there even an ‘ideal’ that Muslims would seek to be restored to? Or is the goal simply to have a world in which everyone serves the Muslim conception of Allah, following the precepts set forth by the prophet Mohammed? But what is the ultimate end? What is the purpose of it all?

Where are the influences of harmony and co-existence seen at work in the Islamic world? In the Israeli / Palestinian conflict? In the war of jihad against any and all things non- and anti-Islamic? Where are Muslims seeking to bridge gaps and co-exist with non-Muslims?

In which Islamic nation are men and women living freely in pursuit of whatever they freely choose to pursue? Which Islamic government promotes equality and fights against the forces of oppression that unjustifiably restrict the freedoms and choices of some and/or all of its citizens?

These are just a few questions that I do not have answers to. It would seem to me, however, that if Islam were truly a “Religion of Peace,” then any government or nation based on Islamic principles should exhibit some, if not all of these characteristics and qualities that are fruits of a ‘peaceful tree’.

Commentary: Saddam Photo Caption Contest

2005-09-04T14:00:00.000-04:00

The Saddam Photo Caption Contest continues...

Use the Comments section below to post your best photo caption...

"No way I'm disco dancing..."

Commentary: Fuel Price Hike Sparks Fresh Unrest in Nepal

2005-08-22T20:08:00.000-04:00

Fuel price hike sparks fresh unrest in Nepal NewKerala.com
"The government headed by King Gyanendra last week approved an increase of Nepali Rs.5 per litre in kerosene, diesel, petrol and air transport fuel prices in a bid to bail out the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the state-owned monopoly importer and distributor of petro-products... Fuel prices in Nepal remain lower than international prices, causing the state exchequer a loss of millions of rupees monthly on subsidies..."

What would happen if every time prices are raised at American gas pumps, people rioted in the streets, throwing rocks and other burning stuff?

This price increase in Nepal is the equivalent of a $0.27/gallon price increase. For sure, that is quite a big jump to happen overnight, but prices here in the US have risen about $0.90/gallon since January!

Are price increases in small increments easier to take? Or are some people in this world ungrateful for how good they have it, government fuel subsidies and all?

Commentary: Face of the "Religion of Peace"

2005-08-17T19:31:00.000-04:00

Face of the "Religion of Peace"

"Palestinian militants from the Hamas movement march during a rally in the early celebrations for Israel's imminent pullout from Gaza ... in the southern Gaza Strip August 16, 2005. (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)"

While watching video of these "peaceful" young men my attention was drawn to the images of them waving their AK-47'S in the air and parading around with mortar launchers and RPGs in their bare hands, while black hoods covered their faces.

In contrast to this, I was reminded of the precision movements of an organized military drill team, making very precise and coordinated movements with their rifles while marching in lock-step.

The latter an example of controlled civility; the former a brutal image of savage instability and chaos.

Look very carefully at the pictures of the "men" in the image above: Can we still refer to them as human beings? Or have the choices they've made in their lives degenerated them into inhuman instruments of evil?

All men and women were created in the image of God, but how can we rectify the actions of these young men? Should we still think of them as 'human', or are they now, by virtue of their own choices, cold-blooded animals?

One thing is for sure: The "Religion of Peace" it is not. Rather, the "Religion of Fear, Hatred, and Oppression".

Commentary: Women's Rights to be Safeguarded in Iraq

2005-08-15T19:29:00.001-04:00

Women's rights to be safeguarded in Iraq Telegraph.co.uk

One can only hope that the new Iraqi government will protect women's rights.

I'm no feminist, but I recall a TV news story broadcast last week about a young Iraqi woman who was hacked to death by her male family members because she sought help from these abusive men. Unfortunately, what we would consider to be an extreme over-reaction here in the West is normal and acceptable under Islamic law. Now that's scary.

Some "Religion of Peace"... Peace for the abusive male-scumbags, and terror for the women...

Commentary: Saddam Photo Caption Contest

2005-08-13T12:28:00.000-04:00

The Saddam Photo Caption Contest

"Can I pwease have my country back? Pretty pwease? I pwomise I'll be a good boy! Saddam no wikey his jail cell!"

Beware of those sad, puppy-dog eyes...

Commentary: One Finger Pointing at Me, Three Back at You

2005-08-13T12:24:00.000-04:00

L.N. Smithee has a funny pictorial compilation of how the truth can come back to bite you:

One Finger Pointing at Me, Three Back at You: Then and Now

Commentary: Ricky Martin & Arab Youth

2005-08-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

[Point]
“I promise I will become a spokesperson, if you allow me to, a spokesperson on your behalf. I will defend you and try to get rid of an stereotypes.”
Ricky Martin, saying he will try to change negative perceptions of Arab youth in the West

[CounterPoint]
Stereotype #1 to get rid of: Arabs and Hispanics look alike.

Note to Mr. Martin: It would be more beneficial for you to work to change negative perceptions of the West in the minds of Arab youths...

Commentary: Failed Terrorist Bombings as 'Scare' Tactic

2005-07-31T18:58:00.000-04:00

From his jail cell in Rome, Ethiopian refugee Osman Hussain, aka Hamdi Issac, claims that the failed terrorist bombings he participated in on 21 July were meant only to ‘scare’ and cause panic. According to him, the bombings were meant to protest the war in Iraq, and the explosive devices used were not powerful enough to kill any one, only to create panic and fright.

Point 1.) A bomb is a bomb is a bomb. If you merely want to frighten people, fireworks or phoned-in bomb threats would suffice. Why would anyone take the time and risk to manufacture explosives that are only meant to cause a scare? No, these devices were intended to kill.

Point 2.) Because some of the materials used in these bombs degraded, they effectively became ‘duds’. This raises an interesting observation: although the 9/11 attacks were spectacular in the sense of the horror, destruction and mayhem they created, we should keep in mind that probably the majority of these terrorist cells are fairly amateurish in their abilities. The reason that 9/11 happened is primarily because it was unexpected, and we “weren’t looking”. But now the whole world is on guard, and these bad actors have much more pressure on them. Hence the failed 21 July London bombings; under pressure of getting caught and not being sent off to their 77 virgins, these “Muslim warriors” (aka Devil’s handmaidens) perhaps cut a few corners. Nobody’s perfect.

So let’s keep the watchful eyes out and the pressure on. These Islamic Devils will be less likely and less capable of pulling off something spectacular when the heat is kept on them.

Commentary: London Bomb Suspects & Torture

2005-07-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

Police hold four 21 July suspects BBC News
"Police believe all four 21 July London bomb suspects are now in custody after armed raids in the capital and Rome."

Now what do we do with these Islamic Devils?

I don't know what restrictions the UK and Italian governments have on the use of torture in the interrogation of terrorists, but hopefully these demon-possessed tools of evil will give up some useful information.

The novel "Memorial Day" by Vince Flynn provides some interesting examples of how to make terrorists talk...

News/Photos: Photos of London Bombs

2005-07-27T20:05:00.000-04:00

Photos of London Bombs ABC News

This photo looks like it comes straight from the cover of a Nine-Inch Nails album (no pun intended)

And this looks like an 8th grade science experiement. Quite frightening!

Commentary: Japanese Develop 'Female' Android

2005-07-27T19:52:00.000-04:00

Japanese develop 'female' android BBC News
"Japanese scientists have unveiled the most human-looking robot yet devised - a "female" android called Repliee Q1."

OK, let's get this straight. It is:
1) Developed by male Japanese scientists
2) 'Female' in appearance
3) Abilities include: Fluttering eyelids and human-like hand movements

Hey, I'm only quoting from the story.

Goodbye Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hello Keiko Ishiguru...

Commentary: Enough is Enough! This Means War!

2005-07-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

Enough is Enough! This Means War!

UK police: Latest bombers failed
"LONDON, England (CNN) -- Two weeks to the day after the July 7 London bombings, attackers tried -- and failed -- to set off explosive devices at three Tube stations and on a double-decker bus."

Enough is enough already.

The good news is that this group of Islamic terrorist-scum failed miserably and left potentially vital clues. The bad news is that these evil forces are very much alive and functioning, with no intentions of ending their homicidal ways.

What will it take to stop the terrorists? One thing is for sure, nice words and kind requests will do nothing to appease them and make them go away.

What will be the response from the so-called "Peaceful Muslims" to today's events? More BS -- sorry, they call it a 'fatwah' -- meaningless, empty words to put themselves "on record" as being opposed to such violence. Yah, right. Let's see some action.

Poverty drives young men to become terrorists? The bombings of two weeks ago showed us that these mad, homicidal maniacs are not just poor young kids from impoverished countries, and that seemingly 'regular guys' can turn sour. I'm confident we will see more confirmation of that fact as the details behind today's events unfold.
[/¡]

Commentary: Saddam Photo Caption Contest

2005-07-21T19:34:00.000-04:00

The Saddam Photo Caption Contest

"Now children, settle down and Uncle Saddam will read you a bed-time story. It's a story about a wonderful king and his many beautiful palaces. Then one day the Big, Bad Evil Great Satan came knocking on the castle door.........."

Commentary: What took you so long? "Muslims Condemn London Bombing"

2005-07-18T20:07:00.000-04:00

What took you so long?

Muslims Condemn London Bombing
"Muslims worldwide have condemned the terrorist bombings in London that killed more than fifty people."

Is this 'Too Little, Too Late'?

I would expect that a truly sincere denunciation of the acts of their fellow Muslims would come a little sooner after the actual terrorist bombing. Why the delay?

Perhaps the individuals and groups quoted in this article want to be "on-record" as to what their stated opinion is.

But when will we see actions by these so-called mainstream, non-extremist Muslims to put and end to the terrorism and violence that is committed in the name of their Allah, and their religion?

If they truly feel that such terrorist acts are not in accordance with their Muslim faith tradition, why don't they stand up and defend their own religion? Why is it primarily the non-Muslim world that is committing the lives of its young men and women to the goal of the eradication of this evil scourge from the face of the earth?

Muslim leaders, if you truly mean what you say, stand up and take action!

Commentary: SUMMER = HOT = ITSY, BITSY, TEENY, WEENIE... EVERYTHING!

2005-07-11T19:48:00.000-04:00

SUMMER = HOT = ITSY, BITSY, TEENY, WEENIE...EVERYTHING!

Sex!

There, I've gotten your attention, and doubtless jumped several thousand spots up in search engine rankings.

Which brings me to my point. Summer-time seems to bring out the best -- or is it the worst -- or perhaps the least in women, at least when it comes to the arena of clothing.

Surely I can understand the desire to be comfortable in 90+ degree weather, but there is such a thing is modesty and decency in dress. It is not necessary to let it all hang out.

I find particularly disturbing the use of scantily-clad women in the media, particularly on TV and in print. I wasn't aware that the NFL drafted a bikini model for this football season, but I was soon set straight by the cover of a Fantasy Football magazine on display at the local grocery store.

The problem goes far beyond the "Janet Jackson Issue". It is a entrenched mentality in popular culture and secular media that sex sells and brings in the money.

I find that the quality of American TV dramas and comedies is at the bottom of a decline into the PURE GARBAGE category. This is primarily because the actors and actresses have no talent in acting, either dramatic or comedic. What usually seems to happen is that a good-looker is cast on a show, in an attempt to draw the male 18-25 year-old demographic over to the timeslot and increase ratings. What else could explain Paris Hilton having her own show? Or Britney Spears? Or Pamela Anderson? Or 10-dozen other faces whose names will never be remembered.

What is the solution? Rigid rules for how women can dress in public, and what can be displayed on TV? I would have to say NO.

Such rules would be an attempt to set up EXTERNAL CONTROLS on the behavior of others, external controls that set the LETTER but not the SPIRIT of the law.

What is the solution? Encouraging the development of INTERNAL CONSTRAINTS is the only way to promote modest dress and behavior without a forceful violation of the free will of others. Developing Internal Constraints is the process of shaping and refining an individual's free will. No amount of external coercion can ever truly teach a person the meaning of right and wrong, modest and immodest.

2005-07-11T19:28:00.000-04:00

GOOGLE MAPS

Google Maps now has world-wide satellite imagery available! Road maps, however, don't seem to be available for many non-USA locations, for those of us hoping to vacation in Kabul, Afganistan or Baghdad, Iraq.

2005-07-07T19:30:00.000-04:00

My condolences go out to all of those who lost friends or family members in today's terrorist bombings in London.

I encourage all British people to courageous and not be intimidated by these acts of war against the UK, and against the Western world.

These terrorists, surely Islamic militants, only prove to the world once again their abject cowardice and pure evil. Only the minions of Satan could commit such spineless and stupid acts. Stupid because the response to this act of war will be an even stronger resolve of the people in the fight and destroy these Islamic terrorists.

The whole world knows that it is an "Us vs. Them" situation. New York. Spain. London. Where next? It doesn't matter where; these conduits of evil will receive what is due to them, both in this life and the next.

2005-07-06T19:00:00.000-04:00

-- Happy Birthday to President George W. Bush --

2005-07-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

"Liberalized" Beer Sales in PA, Part 2

Imagine if it were possible to walk into a 7-11 and purchase a single bottle or can of beer. This is not to difficult, for all one has to do is cross into Ohio or visit any other state with "liberalized" beer-sales laws.

Now imagine that it were possible for a young teenager to purchase a single can or bottle of beer, just as he would a bottle of Coke or a candy bar. No ID Check. No Age Limit. No Questions.

No Way! Not in this country!

Different cultures and different societies have different ways of understanding the world. There are different standards of conduct and acceptable behavior all around the world. And I'm not just talking about the laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, but also the mindset and attitudes of the purchasers.

What would seem perfectly deplorable in the USA, e.g. sale of alcohol to minors, is an issue to which no second though is given in other countries. Why? Perhaps these countries don't have any teenage drinking epidemics to be concerned about, and little Johnny really is just purchasing a beer for Dad to enjoy after a long day at work.

The laws we have: are they made in response to certain behaviors to keep those behaviors in check, or are they an expression of some ideal or 'moral code'?

2005-07-05T20:14:00.000-04:00

[PA] State Senate OKs Sunday Beer Sales
"The bill would change current law, which limits purchases to two six-packs from a restaurant or tavern. Instead, the state's 1,300 beer distributors would have the option of paying $100 for an annual license and opening between noon and 5 p.m. on Sundays to sell cases."

This was the lead story today on all the local talk shows and news updates. One conservative / "Christian" viewpoint I heard expressed decried the evil of allowing the sale of beer cases on Sunday. What's the difference? Beer cases can already be bought Monday thru Saturday, and even on Sunday in the form of 2 six-packs.

From a open-market capitalist perspective, this new legislation makes sense because it evens levels the playing field by removing a pointless regulation that is unfairly biased against distributors (in favor of restaurant/tavern owners).

If a business wants to honor Sunday as a holy day, then that business should take it upon itself not to be open on Sundays. One notable example is Chick-Fil-A, which is closed on Sundays, even at its mall-locations, where arguably it could do quite a good bit of its business on a Sunday when malls are packed with weekend crowds. Using the force of law to keep businesses closed does nothing to truly honor Sunday as a day of rest. It is merely an imposition of the will of one group onto another group, through the force of law. How is this different from the Mosaic law and its "Pharisitical" followers who crucified Jesus Christ?

2005-06-29T20:15:00.000-04:00

New Freedom Tower Addresses Security

Question: Who would want to work in what will unquestionably be the Number 1 target on the International Terrorists' hit list?

Any replacement for the fallen twin-towers must have security measures such as those outlined in the article. To rebuilt without the extra precautions would be suicidal.

Commentary: SUMMER = DRIVING = COP!

2005-06-27T20:39:00.000-04:00

SUMMER = DRIVING = COP!

I want to question the logic of police officers who position themselves on busy stretches of highway during rush hour.

On one particular stretch of roadway in my city known as the Parkway West, Mr. Policeman likes to lurk on the far side of a bend with his window-mounted radar on full-blast. The only problem is that the side of the road he is watching is so congested with rush hour traffic at the time he is there that he would be lucky to catch anyone going over 30mph!

Further down on that same stretch of road, on the opposite side, there is another one of our friends who likes to proudly proclaim his presence, lights flashing in all their Red, White, and Blue glory. He positions himself at the top of a hill that is, again, heavily congested. The problem is that although most drivers are already going rather slow because of the traffic, when they crest the hill and see Mr. Bojangles sitting there, most driver's instinctively slam on the brakes, to the behest of the car(s) behind them.

The point here is that due to the fact that the reaction of most drivers is to slam on the ol' brakes whenever they see Mr. Policeman, whether they're speeding or not, Mr. Policeman's presence actually creates more danger than would his absence.

And who does he hope to catch anyways, in bumper-to-bumper traffic???
[/RANT]

Commentary: SUMMER = MOTORCYCLES = NOISE POLLUTION

2005-06-27T10:53:00.000-04:00

SUMMER = MOTORCYCLES = NOISE POLLUTION

This is the first of three observations I had last Friday while driving in my car for 8 hours in 90 degree weather. Two of these pieces will be somewhat trivial in subject matter, and quite deserving of a [RANT] warning. The third, however, I hope will provide a more introspective look at the subject matter it deals with. So, with that in mind...

WARNING: The following is a [RANT]

Could someone out there in Cyberland please explain to me the relationship between the power of a motorcycle engine and the amount of raw noise it puts out? I know that when I was younger and I had my first car, when the exhaust pipe rusted out of the muffler fell off, neither of these things did anything along the lines of increasing the power to my fledgling 4-cylinders.

So why are so many motorcycles so dang loud? Perhaps the explanation is not mechanical in nature, but rather is psychological. In the sense that the bigger the noise, the more attention that is drawn to the motorcycle and thus its rider. The question remains as to what kind of attention this is -- negative attention or positive attention. Certainly the attention that is drawn from me is negative in the strongest fashion. I don't have any problem with motorcycles, but I certainly do have a problem with noise pollution in my neighborhood.

But could the riders of these menacing machines actually believe they are attracting people's admiration and approval? Do they care? Or is it simply a matter of "Look at me, look at me!" irregardless of whether the stares they are receiving are looks of approval or of extreme annoyance...

We'll explore this theme of "Attention for Attention's Sake" in a later article.
[/RANT]

2005-06-25T10:28:00.000-04:00

COMING SOON:

SUMMER = MOTORCYCLES = NOISE POLLUTION

SUMMER = HOT = ITSY, BITSY, TEENY, WEENIE...EVERYTHING

SUMMER = DRIVING = COP!

Commentary: TUNNEL RAGE

2005-06-23T20:14:00.000-04:00

WARNING: The following is a [RANT]

TUNNEL RAGE

Why do certain people fear large, dark holes in the side of a mountain? Despite the signs that say "Maintain speed thru tunnel," 90% of the drivers traveling thru the Squirrel Hill tunnel for some inexplicable reason feel the need to slam on the brakes and decelerate from 60mph to 25mph in 5 seconds.

As if this weren't enough, at the very point where the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is visible, some drivers still feel the need to slow down yet again. Perhaps there is a large monster lurking just outside of the exit-mouth of the tunnel, waiting to pounce on your car as you drive out...

I just don't get it. Seems to me that if you're afraid of tunnels, you'd want to go as fast as possible to get the heck outta there...
[/RANT]

2005-03-06T19:33:00.000-05:00

Re: "Today's fashions are pushing onward 'ho'" 03.03.05 PghTribPM
(an article addressing the fashion trends of young American girls, where 'less' is more, and 'showing off' is the goal)

Dear Mike,

I couldn't agree with you more about the "age of the ho". But what possibly could be the driving force behind such trends,where matters that should be highly personal and private are flaunted around in public? What has made our culture so"accustomed to sleaze" and promoted this kind of dress (and theoften accompanying behavior) as the "cool thing to do"?

I would have to think that a significant portion of theresponsibility lies with the misuse of our major forms of media. Notice that I am not blaming the various media formats, but rather the messages that they carry. Media is merely a vessel for communication; it is the content -- more specifically the creators of the content -- that are responsible for such misuses.

The images on our TV sets and movie screens, lyrics in our popular music, pictures and printed words in our magazines and newspapers -- all of these things display and glamorize the "age of the ho". Why? Of course we all know that "Sex Sells". [How often have I seen on the front page of the TribPM -- usually inthe top-left corner -- some provocative story that appeals to the prurient interest?]

'What's wrong with giving people what they want?' I might be asked. I think the correct response would be found in the opening paragraph of your article: The clothes you wrote of were sized to fit young, innocent 12-year old girls......

The problem is what such messages teach our children, and the influences such messages have on young, impressionable minds.

To sum up, I can only mention the song, "Children Will Listen"from the musical "Into the Woods", which warns: "Careful the things you say, / Children will listen. / Careful the things you do, / Children will see. / And learn..."

2003-05-27T20:34:00.000-04:00

Mainland Chinese: The Eternal Diggers of Gold - Why a Sars spitting ban is catching in throats of Chinese
"...Spitting in public, which until a month ago was about as common as breathing, now carries a fine of between 50 and 200 yuan, a hefty sum for the average Chinese...."

In all fairness, I will skip the obvious jokes about a new Olympic sport for the 2008 Olympics to be held in Beijing, China...

2003-05-24T23:07:00.000-04:00

Fashion despite Fatalism or Capitalism despite Chaos?

2003-05-24T21:43:00.000-04:00

Some bad Shiite... - Kirkuk Elections End in Shouting Matches
"...The balloting Saturday in Kirkuk took into account the ethnic divide. Thirty-nine U.S.-approved electors from each of the city's main ethnic groups — Kurds, Arabs, ethnic Turks and Christians — voted for six council members from their ethnic group...."

Ah, the trials and tribulations of setting up a phoney-baloney government in a country where the majority of citizens most likely have never lived under or experienced any kind of real democracy. The amount of racial tension that exists in Iraq should be enough to put to shame any critics who feel American has serious race or ethic troubles...

As was the 7-year rebuilding of Japan after World War II, I would expect that things will not be very easy in the rebuilding of Iraq. Maybe we should teach the Iraqis a little something about life in a democracy by sending them "The Simpsons" TV show. After all, who could think of Homer as an infidel? D'oh!

2003-05-21T21:22:00.000-04:00

Would you like a chocolate and a SARS mask on your pillow? - Avoid whole of Taiwan: WHO
"GENEVA - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has extended its travel advisory for Taipei to include the whole of Taiwan as the Sars crisis escalates in the island's south...."

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse... I shudder to think of the further negative impact this latest piece of news will have on Taiwan's economy. The island, which has been struggling to promote itself as a destination for trade shows, conventions, and summits in the East-Asian region will surely suffer even greater set-backs as the cancellations and postponements of events continue to flood in... At least now Taiwanese students can seek refuge in the summer ESL classes at the University of California at Berkeley... Stay tuned.

2003-05-21T21:07:00.000-04:00

ALERT! - Military on Highest Domestic Terror Threat Alert
"The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has raised its warning of possible terror attack against military facilities in the United States to its highest level, defense officials said on Wednesday...."

And at a time like this, there are still people willing to take a position against the 2nd Amendment and who believe that citizens should not have the right to own the proper tools to protect themselves... Unbelieveable...

2003-05-20T22:23:00.000-04:00

From the Left Coast: University Further Relaxes SARS Policy
"UC Berkeley officials revised the SARS policy because the university set aside resources to treat potential SARS cases, said UC Berkeley spokesperson Marie Felde."

Key word in this quote is potential. The initial blanket ban was surprising, especially coming from a university in California, where the idea that members of certain races should be given unearned advantages is the PC-way-to-be. The universal ban on students from certain SARS epedemic countries added up to giving unearned disadvantages to members of certain countries, and by extension certain races. What's going on out there California?