Now I know Jimmy Carter is buddy-buddy with Hugo Chavez, but it is beyond me that we let this guy go around running his mouth. I guess we get the majority of our oil from him.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/30/D8J6NURG0.html
sorry, I don't know how to post this as a link.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
25 Years Ago on This Date...
Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll.
And below are a few of the first videos played. Amazing how they used to play music on music television. Who would have thought.
Talking Heads
The Police
Phil Collins
And below are a few of the first videos played. Amazing how they used to play music on music television. Who would have thought.
Talking Heads
The Police
Phil Collins
Friday, July 28, 2006
Message from Dubya
Believe it or not, the President of the Free World emailed me the other day. Here is what he had to say:
Dear Tc,
Republicans have a record of dealing with some serious economic times during my presidency. We have had a recession, a stock market collapse, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals and major natural disasters.
Because Republicans acted and had an economic recovery plan, we have created strong economic growth and nearly 5.3 million new jobs in the last two and half years; the national unemployment rate has dropped to 4.6% -- that is lower than the average rate of the 1960s, 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s; productivity is up and household net worth is at an all-time high.
Republicans understand that by cutting taxes people will have more of their own money to save, spend and invest as they see fit, not as the government wants. So our Party and GOP members of the U.S. Congress stood squarely for tax relief for everybody who pays taxes.
We have a lot of work to do to make sure America remains a prosperous country, so that every single citizen can realize the great promise of America.
That is why your support as a Sustaining Member of the Republican National Committee is vital to our Party's success in the 2006 mid-term elections.
Tc, nothing threatens our hard-won reforms and economic prosperity more than a Democrat victory this November.
Today, many Democrats want the tax relief we passed to expire in a few years. Some even want to repeal it now.
The Democrat Party has a clear record when it comes to taxes.
In 2001, more than 71% of the congressional Democrats voted against cutting income tax rates. More than 90% of the Congressional Democrats voted against a bill that provided tax relief for married couples.
More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that would have put the death tax on the road to extinction. More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that doubled the child credit. In 2003, more than 96% of the Congressional Democrats voted against cutting taxes on dividends and capital gains.
And recently, during the budget debate, Democrats used the occasion to call for $173 billion in tax hikes and fee increases.
The difference is clear: if you want the government in your pocket, vote Democrat. If you want to keep more of your hard-earned money, vote Republican.
Republicans have the right ideas to keep our economy growing strong. The first thing is to make the tax cuts permanent.
Republicans are also working to cut the deficit. The best way to reduce the deficit is to keep pro-growth economic policies in place, and be wise about how we spend your money -- which is exactly what Republicans are doing in Washington. We are on our way to cut the deficit in half by 2009.
But to do that, Tc, we must re-elect Republican majorities to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Our GOP candidates need your support. Please send a contribution of $100, $50 or $25 to the RNC today to help elect more Republicans in 2006. You can make your donation on the RNC's secure website at www.GOP.com/Sustaining/c.
We have made remarkable progress enacting our bold, responsible agenda for America in the last five and a half years. Working together, we can continue to keep our nation moving forward to greater peace, prosperity and security.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
P.S. Tc, the 2006 elections will be close. Your support is critical to providing the resources our Republican candidates need to win. Please visit this secure website to send the RNC a special contribution of $100, $50 or $25 today. Thank you.
http://www.GOP.com/Sustaining/c
Dear Tc,
Republicans have a record of dealing with some serious economic times during my presidency. We have had a recession, a stock market collapse, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals and major natural disasters.
Because Republicans acted and had an economic recovery plan, we have created strong economic growth and nearly 5.3 million new jobs in the last two and half years; the national unemployment rate has dropped to 4.6% -- that is lower than the average rate of the 1960s, 1970s, the 1980s and the 1990s; productivity is up and household net worth is at an all-time high.
Republicans understand that by cutting taxes people will have more of their own money to save, spend and invest as they see fit, not as the government wants. So our Party and GOP members of the U.S. Congress stood squarely for tax relief for everybody who pays taxes.
We have a lot of work to do to make sure America remains a prosperous country, so that every single citizen can realize the great promise of America.
That is why your support as a Sustaining Member of the Republican National Committee is vital to our Party's success in the 2006 mid-term elections.
Tc, nothing threatens our hard-won reforms and economic prosperity more than a Democrat victory this November.
Today, many Democrats want the tax relief we passed to expire in a few years. Some even want to repeal it now.
The Democrat Party has a clear record when it comes to taxes.
In 2001, more than 71% of the congressional Democrats voted against cutting income tax rates. More than 90% of the Congressional Democrats voted against a bill that provided tax relief for married couples.
More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that would have put the death tax on the road to extinction. More than 71% of Democrats voted against a bill that doubled the child credit. In 2003, more than 96% of the Congressional Democrats voted against cutting taxes on dividends and capital gains.
And recently, during the budget debate, Democrats used the occasion to call for $173 billion in tax hikes and fee increases.
The difference is clear: if you want the government in your pocket, vote Democrat. If you want to keep more of your hard-earned money, vote Republican.
Republicans have the right ideas to keep our economy growing strong. The first thing is to make the tax cuts permanent.
Republicans are also working to cut the deficit. The best way to reduce the deficit is to keep pro-growth economic policies in place, and be wise about how we spend your money -- which is exactly what Republicans are doing in Washington. We are on our way to cut the deficit in half by 2009.
But to do that, Tc, we must re-elect Republican majorities to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Our GOP candidates need your support. Please send a contribution of $100, $50 or $25 to the RNC today to help elect more Republicans in 2006. You can make your donation on the RNC's secure website at www.GOP.com/Sustaining/c.
We have made remarkable progress enacting our bold, responsible agenda for America in the last five and a half years. Working together, we can continue to keep our nation moving forward to greater peace, prosperity and security.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
P.S. Tc, the 2006 elections will be close. Your support is critical to providing the resources our Republican candidates need to win. Please visit this secure website to send the RNC a special contribution of $100, $50 or $25 today. Thank you.
http://www.GOP.com/Sustaining/c
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Take it off!
Check out this girl. She's kinda cute. Too bad she's a 17 year-old, gun-toting carjacker. Not to mention, she's a lousy driver.
http://new.savannahnow.com/node/111546
Friday, July 21, 2006
Lamar Owens Acquitted of Rape...
but guilty of lesser charges: It's on espn.com under the college football tab, I can't get the link to work.
This was a terrible situation, but I do take the stance that this girl was setting Lamar up.
This was a terrible situation, but I do take the stance that this girl was setting Lamar up.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Dubya Readies The Veto Pen (Finally)
The Senate passed a bill today lifting the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The proposal, for those of you who don't know, would pour millions of tax dollars into a field of medical research that is very promising for victims of incurable diseases. One small problem: the process requires the destruction of human embryos.
One Maryland Democrat said the following: "This is the kind of issue that voters use to distinguish members who are beholden to the far right...Every family in America is touched by someone who could benefit" from embryonic stem cell research."
He's right on both counts. The vast majority of Americans support this proposal. Nancy Reagan supports it. Most of our fellow bloggers here probably support it. Plus, my sister is a diabetic, and my grandma has alzheimer's. But still, for me this remains a no-brainer. I'm totally against it. I guess this makes me a far right-winger. But the way I see it, you either believe life begins at conception, or you don't. And if you believe that human life begins at conception, like I do, then creating human lives for the sole purpose of destroying them is inherently evil and wrong. Even if this seems like a "gray area," as it does to many, I think it still always makes sense to err on the side of life.
Anyway, I look forward to debating Ryan, Tim, and pretty much the rest of the world on this one.
One Maryland Democrat said the following: "This is the kind of issue that voters use to distinguish members who are beholden to the far right...Every family in America is touched by someone who could benefit" from embryonic stem cell research."
He's right on both counts. The vast majority of Americans support this proposal. Nancy Reagan supports it. Most of our fellow bloggers here probably support it. Plus, my sister is a diabetic, and my grandma has alzheimer's. But still, for me this remains a no-brainer. I'm totally against it. I guess this makes me a far right-winger. But the way I see it, you either believe life begins at conception, or you don't. And if you believe that human life begins at conception, like I do, then creating human lives for the sole purpose of destroying them is inherently evil and wrong. Even if this seems like a "gray area," as it does to many, I think it still always makes sense to err on the side of life.
Anyway, I look forward to debating Ryan, Tim, and pretty much the rest of the world on this one.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Go Israel, Go!!
In case you haven't heard yet, World War III is now officially underway in the Middle East.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Tybee denies Chu's building project
Scott M. Larson - Savannah Morning News
The idea of a 14-unit subdivision between the beach and Butler Avenue died Thursday by the hand of Tybee City Council.
For now.
Businessman and developer Bobby Chu vowed to fight again - after he consults his attorney.
"This is by no means over," he said.
The property is one of the last significant pieces of land between Butler and the beach. The only structure on the land is a historic "Tybee raised cottage."
The property is 1.52 acres, according to Chatham County records.
Chu was seeking a variance to build a slightly bigger road through the development and to build past the city's jurisdiction line. The line stops short of the dunes and beach and Chu proposed building four houses past the line.
A month ago council sent the plan back to the Tybee Island Planning Commission to figure out if the council could grant a variance to the city's jurisdiction line.
Some in the crowd lambasted Chu, saying he was only seeking the variance in order to build more houses, including two right up on the sand dunes of the beach. If the development was forced to be built inside the city limits, Chu could lose those four houses from his plan, he said.
And that would not justify the cost of the property, which he didn't disclose.
"It's not about greed. This is the American way, capitalism," he said. "If you like socialism, I think China has a better way. I just got back from there."
He also noted that two lots on Butler Avenue would never be allowed to be built on, saving some large oak trees.
Councilman Paul Wolff made the motion to deny the variance requests. He said a developer could build fewer houses and still make a profit.
"I think this is overkill," he said.
Councilwoman Wanda Doyle voted against Wolff's motion. Councilman Eddie Crone, because he works at a Chu's convenience store, recused himself, although City Attorney Bubba Hughes stated that there was no conflict.
In other business:
Developers seeking to build residences on the Lazaretto Creek pulled the petition from the Tybee City Council's agenda Thursday.
Many on the island are opposed to building residences in the "Maritime District." It is the area on the island where the shrimp boats dock and the first thing visitors see as they get to the island.
City staff said the petition would come back next month.
The idea of a 14-unit subdivision between the beach and Butler Avenue died Thursday by the hand of Tybee City Council.
For now.
Businessman and developer Bobby Chu vowed to fight again - after he consults his attorney.
"This is by no means over," he said.
The property is one of the last significant pieces of land between Butler and the beach. The only structure on the land is a historic "Tybee raised cottage."
The property is 1.52 acres, according to Chatham County records.
Chu was seeking a variance to build a slightly bigger road through the development and to build past the city's jurisdiction line. The line stops short of the dunes and beach and Chu proposed building four houses past the line.
A month ago council sent the plan back to the Tybee Island Planning Commission to figure out if the council could grant a variance to the city's jurisdiction line.
Some in the crowd lambasted Chu, saying he was only seeking the variance in order to build more houses, including two right up on the sand dunes of the beach. If the development was forced to be built inside the city limits, Chu could lose those four houses from his plan, he said.
And that would not justify the cost of the property, which he didn't disclose.
"It's not about greed. This is the American way, capitalism," he said. "If you like socialism, I think China has a better way. I just got back from there."
He also noted that two lots on Butler Avenue would never be allowed to be built on, saving some large oak trees.
Councilman Paul Wolff made the motion to deny the variance requests. He said a developer could build fewer houses and still make a profit.
"I think this is overkill," he said.
Councilwoman Wanda Doyle voted against Wolff's motion. Councilman Eddie Crone, because he works at a Chu's convenience store, recused himself, although City Attorney Bubba Hughes stated that there was no conflict.
In other business:
Developers seeking to build residences on the Lazaretto Creek pulled the petition from the Tybee City Council's agenda Thursday.
Many on the island are opposed to building residences in the "Maritime District." It is the area on the island where the shrimp boats dock and the first thing visitors see as they get to the island.
City staff said the petition would come back next month.
Friday, July 14, 2006
3 Quality Pop Songs of Summer '06
What is going on? For years now, the only pop music on the radio was either ghetto noise like Destiny's Child (who hide their mediocre singing voices under muddy production), or bleepy, sampled non-music like Black Eyed Peas or Gwen Stefani. All of the sudden, though, the market is flooded with well-written, original, and high-effort pop songs.
1. Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous. Awesome beat and music, great lyrics and singing, 80s style chorus. Plus, it's completely different than the song she's most known for.
2. Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man. I don't know if that's the song title, but it's the one she performed at the Mtv Movie Awards. It's got a throwback sound, and there's nothing trendy about. It just proves the point that this type of music is timeless and will never sound dated. I've always hated her, so things are looking up. And she can really sing.
3. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack. I have the most investment in this one, since I still claim that his Justified album is the best pop album since Thriller. Justified was full of real instrumentation and had songs that didn't sound like anything that had been on popular radio for a very long time. This song sounds completely different than his other stuff, and at first I hated it. But now I see how much effort he is putting into doing something unique within the limits of radio. This is what it would sound like if Radiohead wanted to make dance music. Weird vocal effects, weird beat, weird everything. But in the end it is still a dance song.
Yeah, all these songs "suck" because they're not The Beatles or The Four Supreme Sensational Tops. I get it. But I want to know if you think these are good pop songs, not something you would buy.
1. Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous. Awesome beat and music, great lyrics and singing, 80s style chorus. Plus, it's completely different than the song she's most known for.
2. Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man. I don't know if that's the song title, but it's the one she performed at the Mtv Movie Awards. It's got a throwback sound, and there's nothing trendy about. It just proves the point that this type of music is timeless and will never sound dated. I've always hated her, so things are looking up. And she can really sing.
3. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack. I have the most investment in this one, since I still claim that his Justified album is the best pop album since Thriller. Justified was full of real instrumentation and had songs that didn't sound like anything that had been on popular radio for a very long time. This song sounds completely different than his other stuff, and at first I hated it. But now I see how much effort he is putting into doing something unique within the limits of radio. This is what it would sound like if Radiohead wanted to make dance music. Weird vocal effects, weird beat, weird everything. But in the end it is still a dance song.
Yeah, all these songs "suck" because they're not The Beatles or The Four Supreme Sensational Tops. I get it. But I want to know if you think these are good pop songs, not something you would buy.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Hippie Ann Coulter
http://www.jambands.com/Features/content_2006_06_23.06.phtml
This is an interview with Ann Coulter about the Grateful Dead. It's a lot of hippie Grateful Dead talk, but there are a few lines in there that are worth the read. My favorite is when she is referring to a Deadhead friend of hers: "He's so far out there he practices this weird, freaky ritual known as commerce.”
This is an interview with Ann Coulter about the Grateful Dead. It's a lot of hippie Grateful Dead talk, but there are a few lines in there that are worth the read. My favorite is when she is referring to a Deadhead friend of hers: "He's so far out there he practices this weird, freaky ritual known as commerce.”
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Wow..
As some of you witnessed on Sunday, I was tricked into getting a citation for having glass on the beach at Tybee. I just called to find out the grand total of the fine, and it comes out to a whopping $87.50. As was agreed to after the ponytail having douchebag left, we were going to split up the ticket between those who contributed to drinking from said glass bottles. Please fess up and help me pay for this, as I seriously don't have $87.50 to foot the bill with. Post a comment or send me a message to help remedy this as soon as possible. Thanks.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Sand Gnats & Superman
I knew already that I was bringing my dad to Grayson to see some below-average, single A ball on Saturday. What I did not know is that it will be a double-header starting at 5:00. How do you top that? With fireworks after the second game. You have to join us.
God bless Savannah.
Post Script: I couldn't end on such a positive note, so I'd like to add something about Superman Returns. Maybe if you're lucky I'll write a full review after everyone has seen it so that I can fully explain what was so wrong with a choice they made. But even worse is a scene that I saw in the trailer that never hit me until after I saw the movie. Perry White says, "Does he still stand for truth, justice...all that stuff?" I love that America (or just Hollywood) is so fargone and cynical and drama-queen liberal that they can't have him say, "The American Way."
That IS Superman. He's an American icon. He's supposed to be the ultimate do-gooder boy scout. There's even a little in-joke in that same scene where Perry wants the reporters to find out about his "lifestyle." All this media crap about Superman being gay is such a great example of what is wrong with the media/Hollywood mindset of our country these days. To take such a pure symbol of what is right and to just soil it with pathetic, snarky, dark-rimmed glasses, yankee smarminess is pathetic and disgusting.
Here is a link with the screenwriters addressing this issue. I really hate them and what they did to Superman.
God bless Savannah.
Post Script: I couldn't end on such a positive note, so I'd like to add something about Superman Returns. Maybe if you're lucky I'll write a full review after everyone has seen it so that I can fully explain what was so wrong with a choice they made. But even worse is a scene that I saw in the trailer that never hit me until after I saw the movie. Perry White says, "Does he still stand for truth, justice...all that stuff?" I love that America (or just Hollywood) is so fargone and cynical and drama-queen liberal that they can't have him say, "The American Way."
That IS Superman. He's an American icon. He's supposed to be the ultimate do-gooder boy scout. There's even a little in-joke in that same scene where Perry wants the reporters to find out about his "lifestyle." All this media crap about Superman being gay is such a great example of what is wrong with the media/Hollywood mindset of our country these days. To take such a pure symbol of what is right and to just soil it with pathetic, snarky, dark-rimmed glasses, yankee smarminess is pathetic and disgusting.
Here is a link with the screenwriters addressing this issue. I really hate them and what they did to Superman.
Monday, June 26, 2006
I'm giving up whiskey for a while.....
Stephen asked me to post a recap of what happened to me this Saturday night, so I will. A friend of mine had an engagement party in Augusta. Open bar, black dudes serving everybody in tuxedos, pretty nice. I decide that I'm too good to drink beer since they're serving Crown for free. Mistake. The party went fine, as I actually remember leaving. Afterwards, everyone decides to go to the new Irish pub that just opened up around the corner. Keep in mind that one of my cousins owns the joint, so they treat us pretty well. As some on the board know about me, when I get enough of the whiskey in me, my body decides when it's sleepy time, and it doesn't matter where or what I'm doing. So at some point, I venture into the bathroom and lock myself in there. The bathroom is a single, one toilent, sink, pretty cozy. It's now nap time. Fast forward to about 4:30 in the morning when I awoke from my slumber. I walk out to find the lights out, doors locked, everyone gone. You would think I coud just walk out of there, but that is not the case. The doors are dead-bolted. I start to panic. I look at my phone, and of course I had about 30 missed calls as people were looking for me, but nobody thought to look in the bathroom. I make myself a coke, and start looking through drawers for a key. All I find is the cash drawer which is totally unlocked. Not good. Luckily I decide that it wouldn't be a good idea to touch the money that's staring me in the face. Finally, I get in touch with my brother Dennis. He is about to call my dad, which would not have been cool. I venture my way to the back and find a door I can unlock. Freedom. I close the door behind me and haul ass back to my aunt's where I was supposed to be staying. I'm sure the cops were called in when they opened for business on Sunday as the back door was unlocked, and I left all the lights on. Whiskey is a wicked mistress that I cannot tame.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Las Vegas, City of Sin
I just found a red eye flight to Las Vegas out of Atlanta for late Wednesday night, July 19th for $250, after taxes and fees. The returning flight is the following Sunday night. You can't beat that. I'll be meeting up with Tim and Pat the following day.
If anyone is interesting in going, come on. I bought my ticket on hotwire.com. The hotwire people told me this special will run for about a week. Also, Tim and Pat have already set up the hotel room.
What do you say hum babe?
If anyone is interesting in going, come on. I bought my ticket on hotwire.com. The hotwire people told me this special will run for about a week. Also, Tim and Pat have already set up the hotel room.
What do you say hum babe?
I can't wait to finally see Celine Dion... in concert!
Friday, June 23, 2006
NEW YORK'S ARROGANCE
I'm just going to copy and paste what Boortz said about this because I agree with him completely:
By now I'm sure you have heard that there is no small amount of angst over plans by the Homeland Security Secretariat to reduce by some amount the flow of anti-terrorism funds into New York City in favor of some other locations in the country. Now ... bear this in mind: New York City will still get more anti-terrorism funds than any other state or local government entity in the nation. It's just that for those in New York City, it's not enough.
There are people in Europe who think that once they've hopped on a plane, flown across the ocean, and spent three days in New York City, they've seen America. Sadly, there are quite a few people in New York who would agree with them. To them America disappears when you travel more than 30 miles from Times Square.
Charles Schumer .. heard of him? He's New York's senior senator. He is spitting fire over the diversion of some anti-terrorism funds to POTNY ... Places Other Than New York. When he discovered that some of those funds would be channeled to Georgia he had this little gem of a quote:
"Other states that have very little problems got an increase, Georgia got a 40 percent increase. Somehow this administration thinks that Georgia peanut farmers are more at risk than the Empire State Building. Something is dramatically wrong."
So ... there you go. Georgia is all about peanut farmers. Yankee arrogance and stupidity rears its head yet again. So, not that he'll ever hear it, I have a little message for Senator Schumer:
Senator. First of all, the money is allocated to the City of Atlanta, not to the State of Georgia. Last time I checked there were no peanut farmers in Atlanta, though you will find peanuts at Atlanta Braves Baseball games. The Braves, senator. Perhaps you've heard of them. Your Mets have finished the last 14 seasons sniffing the Braves' hind quarters. We also have an airport in Atlanta, Senator Schumer. Perhaps you've heard of Hartsfield International Airport? Do we need to remind you that the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were launched from busy airports? Well, ours is the busiest. Hartsfield is busier than LaGuardia and busier than Kennedy. Prettier too, with friendlier people. In fact, Hartsfield is busier than any other airport anywhere in the world. This ain't peanuts, senator. Airports need to be watched and protected, and the largest in the world could very well need more attention than it's getting right now. Something else, Senator Schumer. You do know that terrorists might use biological weapons, don't you? Ever heard of the CDC? The Centers for Disease Control? The CDC is here in Atlanta. You'll find it right in the middle of a peanut field just two miles east of downtown. Just where do you think much of the important research in bio-terrorism is being handled? That's right, the CDC. I don't know if the CDC does any work on peanut allergies. Perhaps you could have one of your staffers check on that. Get back to us on that one, will you? Oh, and by the way ... we have tall buildings in Atlanta too, senator. And they're not peanut storage facilities. They house the offices of many of the nation's Fortune 500 companies. Some of them are even tall enough to have elevators. I'm not in the apology game, Senator Schumer, so I'm not asking for one from you. I did just want to point out that you did an exemplary job of showing your ass with that statement about Georgia and peanut farmers. Thanks for fortifying the image that so many Americans have of people from New York.
By now I'm sure you have heard that there is no small amount of angst over plans by the Homeland Security Secretariat to reduce by some amount the flow of anti-terrorism funds into New York City in favor of some other locations in the country. Now ... bear this in mind: New York City will still get more anti-terrorism funds than any other state or local government entity in the nation. It's just that for those in New York City, it's not enough.
There are people in Europe who think that once they've hopped on a plane, flown across the ocean, and spent three days in New York City, they've seen America. Sadly, there are quite a few people in New York who would agree with them. To them America disappears when you travel more than 30 miles from Times Square.
Charles Schumer .. heard of him? He's New York's senior senator. He is spitting fire over the diversion of some anti-terrorism funds to POTNY ... Places Other Than New York. When he discovered that some of those funds would be channeled to Georgia he had this little gem of a quote:
"Other states that have very little problems got an increase, Georgia got a 40 percent increase. Somehow this administration thinks that Georgia peanut farmers are more at risk than the Empire State Building. Something is dramatically wrong."
So ... there you go. Georgia is all about peanut farmers. Yankee arrogance and stupidity rears its head yet again. So, not that he'll ever hear it, I have a little message for Senator Schumer:
Senator. First of all, the money is allocated to the City of Atlanta, not to the State of Georgia. Last time I checked there were no peanut farmers in Atlanta, though you will find peanuts at Atlanta Braves Baseball games. The Braves, senator. Perhaps you've heard of them. Your Mets have finished the last 14 seasons sniffing the Braves' hind quarters. We also have an airport in Atlanta, Senator Schumer. Perhaps you've heard of Hartsfield International Airport? Do we need to remind you that the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were launched from busy airports? Well, ours is the busiest. Hartsfield is busier than LaGuardia and busier than Kennedy. Prettier too, with friendlier people. In fact, Hartsfield is busier than any other airport anywhere in the world. This ain't peanuts, senator. Airports need to be watched and protected, and the largest in the world could very well need more attention than it's getting right now. Something else, Senator Schumer. You do know that terrorists might use biological weapons, don't you? Ever heard of the CDC? The Centers for Disease Control? The CDC is here in Atlanta. You'll find it right in the middle of a peanut field just two miles east of downtown. Just where do you think much of the important research in bio-terrorism is being handled? That's right, the CDC. I don't know if the CDC does any work on peanut allergies. Perhaps you could have one of your staffers check on that. Get back to us on that one, will you? Oh, and by the way ... we have tall buildings in Atlanta too, senator. And they're not peanut storage facilities. They house the offices of many of the nation's Fortune 500 companies. Some of them are even tall enough to have elevators. I'm not in the apology game, Senator Schumer, so I'm not asking for one from you. I did just want to point out that you did an exemplary job of showing your ass with that statement about Georgia and peanut farmers. Thanks for fortifying the image that so many Americans have of people from New York.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Take that Howard Dean! You no good, son of a...
Report: Hundreds of WMDs Found in Iraq
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Fox News
WASHINGTON — The United States has found 500 chemical weapons in Iraq since 2003, and more weapons of mass destruction are likely to be uncovered, two Republican lawmakers said Wednesday.
Monday, June 19, 2006
The Wealth of Nations
Manhattan ("New Amsterdam" at the time) circa 1660
Another excellent site I recommend everyone add to their favorites is Tech Central Station, an online business and political journal run by conservative libertarians like myself. Today's main article, written by this Turkish guy, explores whether Islam and capitalism can ever coexist (outside of the exceptions of Dubai and Turkey). I tend to disagree with the author's contention that Islam was originally an undoubtedly peaceful religion, but I think the article does a good job of pointing out how a necessary ingredient for economic prosperity is a culture that is favorable to investment, wealth creation, hard work, free markets, and thus capitalism as a whole.
For historical proof, look no further than the Netherlands in the 1600s and England in the 1700s. Neither of these tiny countries had much in natural resources or royal riches like France or Spain, but they were quickly swept by a Protestant ethos and Calvinist theology which preached hard work, individual accomplishment, profit-making, property rights, and economic freedom (by allowing usury). This stood in stark contrast to the lazy, bloated, socialist, bureaucratic, inefficient, centrally planned Catholic countries. As a result, England and Holland (and America) boomed, blooming into dynamic, mobile, and prosperous societies, and leaving Spain and France in the stone age. This is because the English and the Dutch provided legal/economic environments and frameworks favorable to wealth creation and economic freedom, as they continue to do so today.
My point is certainly not to bash Catholicism, as it has clearly reformed itself and now welcomes free-enterprise (look at Ireland and Eastern Europe). It is instead to show, unlike some who dismiss these things as valueless because they are intangible, that culture and religion clearly play a role in the legal and economic institutions that determine the wealth and poverty of nations.
God, I'm a huge nerd.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
A Special Day for a Special Boy
I'm trying to remember any time after elementary school that I've had a birthday party. I cannot recall such an occasion. I've always felt weird about organizing a gathering with the sole purpose of celebrating the wonder that is me. But other people do it, so why not? I'll be in Athens on the 21st, so I don't expect anything on my actual date of birth.
But since I'll be in the 912 the weekend of June 30th-July 4th, can we set aside at least an afternoon, preferably that Saturday, where everybody is together in one place to drink and pretend that my 23rd birthday means anything? I want to drink non-non-alcoholic beer on the beach. I won't even expect anyone to pay for it. And maybe we could even extend the festivities into the evening hours. Don't question my imbibing abilities of late - with the aid of 200mg caffeine pills, I can drink like I'm 20-years-old. So spread the word.
P.S. This post was really tough to write, knowing that there was no way to make it sound straight.
But since I'll be in the 912 the weekend of June 30th-July 4th, can we set aside at least an afternoon, preferably that Saturday, where everybody is together in one place to drink and pretend that my 23rd birthday means anything? I want to drink non-non-alcoholic beer on the beach. I won't even expect anyone to pay for it. And maybe we could even extend the festivities into the evening hours. Don't question my imbibing abilities of late - with the aid of 200mg caffeine pills, I can drink like I'm 20-years-old. So spread the word.
P.S. This post was really tough to write, knowing that there was no way to make it sound straight.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Can They Play Football?
According to the latest edition of BC eNews, Benedictine has been awarded a grant of over $400,000 to cultivate Latino diversity within the school. The grant will provide financial aid for Latino families as well as fund a full time position for a Latino counselor.
With 104 years of academic and athletic success, and a mission to educate students from diverse cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds, Benedictine Military School now has the financial backing of The Goizueta Foundation to deepen diversity specifically in the Hispanic/Latino community. Benedictine Military School grants more need based tuition assistance to its families than any other private or Catholic school in the region however, there remains continued financial need, in the community. Aided by The Foundation, whose own goal is “assisting organizations that empower individuals and families through educational opportunities to improve the quality of their lives” Benedictine is now able to offer tuition assistance in the form of a fund specifically targeted to Hispanic/Latino students. President of Benedictine Military School and a graduate of BC’s Class of 1960, Dennis Rooks states, “I welcome the opportunity to open our doors to more Hispanic youth. We have a proud tradition of helping deserving students to become BC Cadets and The
Goizueta Foundation will help us do even more.”
Along with the scholarship fund, a portion of the grant has been set aside to fund a new position in the Benedictine Guidance Department. The position will be a Director for Academic and Cultural Diversity, a Spanish speaking individual who has specialized training in support of the needs of minority students. Benedictine Military School Principal, Kelly Burke states “Whether a student brings unique cultural attributes or has a learning style that differs from the norm, they can be very successful at Benedictine Military School with the proper support and guidance. The Director of Academic and Cultural Diversity will take the lead with our faculty in providing that support to our students and their families.”
The Goizueta Foundation has also established and endowed The Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund with a $186,000 gift. The endowment will provide need based scholarship assistance annually for Benedictine students. Preference will be given to Hispanic/Latino students whose families currently reside in the United States. “Our mission calls us to educate a diverse male population”,
said Greg Markiton, a member of the Benedictine Class of 1992 and Director of Development. “The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority population in southeast Georgia. These families tend to be mostly Catholic and very family focused, two values that line up with the mission of Benedictine Military School making these families a perfect fit for our school.”
The Goizueta Foundation was established in 1992 by Roberto C. Goizueta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company until his death in October 1997, to provide financial assistance to educational and charitable institutions. The Foundation supports educational programs that promote sustainable change and have a long –term impact in the community.
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