Hugo Chavez the "Caracas crackpot"

OK Maybe you've heard or not. Hugo Chavez has said some nasty things about President Bush, the US, etc.

Ian James, Associated Press Writer September 22, 2006
NEW YORK --Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he stands behind his description of U.S. President George W. Bush as "the devil." But his charged comments, coming near U.S. legislative elections, also have drawn condemnation from some Bush critics.
The New York City tabloids were more aggressive, with The New York Daily News page 1 headline Friday telling Chavez to "ZIP IT!" and the New York Post calling him a "jerk" and the "Caracas crackpot."
There were also signs that efforts by Chavez to reach out to the American people by boosting sales of discounted heating oil to the poor could face some new obstacles.
Maine's Democratic Gov. John Baldacci, who approved an agreement last winter to buy discounted oil, said Thursday he had no plans to seek a similar arrangement this winter, and called Chavez's words "unnecessary and offensive."
Representative Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia also accepted Chavez oil.
Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd, whose home state of Connecticut has also participated in the program, called Chavez's comments "destructive to the United Nations as an institution" and said Chavez should face a rebuke.

Chavez should be rebuked? The politicians that support him by taking his cheap oil should be removed from office or better yet, charged with giving "aid and comfort" to a supporter of terrorism. Here's an idea. BOYCOTT CITGO! It is the national Venezuelan oil company. It's not difficult. Do what I did. Cut up the damn card, send it back. If you live in one of the neo-treason politician's voting districts, express your dissatisfaction in a letter, the, this fall, vote them out.
we need to start somewhere.

To my elected officials

To elected officials of Cincinnati and Hamilton County:
As a duly designated taxpayer of Hamilton County and an unrepresented, unwilling one for the City of Cincinnati, (my wife and I work there but live in the county) I am hereby serving notice that Iand my fellow taxpayers are tired of your misrepresentations. You promised two stadiums for 451 million dollars. We paid that much for just one. That means you lied. Don't smile sheepishly. Don't hem and haw. You lied. Bold faced. You promised us a downtown cultural center with living spaces, shopping and entertainment. It's been ten long years. No matter how quickly you break ground now, it will cost 10 times as much as you said it would. So again, you lied. Now you are about to go into our pockets again for three million dollars a year to support (meaning "to prop up") the Underground Railroad Museum Center. You remember that don't you? That wonderful self-sustaining cultural center that Hollywood stars and other cultural icons would flock to support with big money fundraisers? The one that would draw thoundands of visitors to our beautiful city just to see it and them visit The Banks for shopping and entertainment? Well surprise! There's no shopping or entertainment there. Why? Because you lied. The Center isn't self sustaining; you said it would be. You lied. So here's an idea. Stop it. Do the honorable thing and get out now. Leave politics. Let someone else try to succeed where you failed. But you won't. Because you know one thing. No matter how often you lie, we continue to elect you. Apparently we don't mind liars.

Enough apologies already! Grow up!!

Oh my God! The Washington Post has actually published an pro-Western, non-apologist, op-ed piece. Perhaps world peace can be achieved in our time! See it here:

Enough Apologies

If you don't have time, or are just too stunned, in the words of Inigo Montoya, let me 'splain. No, is too much, let me sum up.

Anne Applebaum regarding the recent papal apologies et al, says we need to stop. To whit:

...since nothing the pope has ever said comes even close to matching the vitriol, extremism and hatred that pour out of the mouths of radical imams and fanatical clerics every day, all across Europe and the Muslim world, almost none of which ever provokes any Western response at all. And maybe it's time that it should: When Saudi Arabia publishes textbooks commanding good Wahhabi Muslims to "hate" Christians, Jews and non-Wahhabi Muslims, for example, why shouldn't the Vatican, the Southern Baptists, Britain's chief rabbi and the Council on American-Islamic Relations all condemn them -- simultaneously?....

Yours truly posted the following comment on Matt Rosenberg's blog:

and with that comment from Anne Applebaum, perhaps the apologist tide will begin to turn. I am sick unto death of the hand-wringing, the editorial stratigizing, the sheer whimpering of West every time some innocuous comment or miscontrued statement incites the Muslim world to riot, rampage and rhetoric, calling for doom, death and destruction to rain down on the indfidels of the West. Like a petulant child in public, they throw a tantrum for all to see and scream, "I hate you! I wish you were dead!" If adults permit these action, the child is encouraged to continue in this manner, eventually growing into a mal-adjusted,sociopathic adult. So here's an idea. Explain to the child that if their unacceptable actions continue, there will be consequences and then make sure those consequences are imposed. Enough is enough. If you are Muslim, repudiate these ill-behaved, petulant children. Prove you are members of a "religion of peace." We are watching. Don't force us to act.

Christians are outraged too!

Muslims Express Fury Over Pope's RemarksFriday, September 15, 2006 by SUZAN FRASER

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Muslims around the world expressed outrage Friday over Pope Benedict XVI's comments on Islam, with Turkey's ruling party accusing him of trying to revive the spirit of the Crusades and scores taking to the streets in protest.
Pakistan's parliament unanimously condemned the pope, and the Foreign Ministry summoned the Vatican's ambassador to express regret over the remarks.
The Vatican said the pope did not intend the remarks — made in Germany on Tuesday during an address at a university — to be offensive.
Benedict quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.
"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad 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.'"
Benedict did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it.

After all the recent barbarous acts performed in the name of Islam against Christians and Jews, these animals are furious over something said in the 14th century? WHO CARES? They have NO right to take the moral high ground and deserve no consideration whatsoever. I seem to remember they got their ass handed to them back then too. Some people never learn.

Our Govt makes sure Dog gets his day...ruined

Duane 'Dog' Chapman Arrested by FedsThursday, September 14, 2006 By MARK NIESSE

HONOLULU (AP) — TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping three years ago.
The charges stem from Chapman's capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Villarta, Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.Charges have been pending against the three since local police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Villarta for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.
Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country after being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E. The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said.

Wonderful. Murderers, rapists and thieves hightail it across the border from the US all the time and the Mexican'ts won't ship them back to us, but we just roll over with a whimper and no protest whatsoever. As stated at Court TV's Website 3 years ago:

Law enforcement officials bristled at the mention of Chapman in a press conference late Wednesday, chastising him for going too far, and signaling that they would not help the bounty hunter dodge potential kidnapping charges.
"I think his actions are just beyond the bounds that I can condone," said Ralph Boelter,the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Ventura office. "He's out there acting on his own ... Certainly it is not something the FBI would condone. We will not be acting on his behalf."
http://www.courttv.com/news/2003/0618/lustermoredetails_ctv.html

In the end, Dog did get there first and make the FBI look stupid, (not that it's difficult) but when you piss them off, they do get even. Always remember that.

Chracter counts? Don't bet on it.

Democrat Could Be 1st Muslim CongressmanWednesday, September 13, 2006 12:44 PM EDT By MARTIGA LOHN MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

State lawmaker Keith Ellison didn't let questions about his past slow down his campaign to become the first Muslim in Congress. On Tuesday, voters responded to his liberal message calling for peace, withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and universal health care. He beat three contenders in the Democratic primary in a Minneapolis-area district long dominated by his party.
"You're not on your own," Ellison told supporters at an Egyptian restaurant in a speech that had the call-and-response of a revival meeting. "We are with you. We do these things together, y'all, and we don't let nobody break us apart."
Ellison, a 43-year-old criminal defense lawyer who converted to Islam as a college student, overcame questions about late parking tickets, overdue taxes and his past ties to the Nation of Islam. He has since denounced black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan and was endorsed by a Minneapolis Jewish newspaper. He has also pledged to improve his personal record-keeping.

Gee, remember when it was all about character??

Sometimes, the jokes write themselves

AP Sept 12, 2006 GETTYSBURG, Pa. - A woman facing drug charges admitted in court that she smoked marijuana with her 13-year-old son, often to reward him for doing his homework.
Amanda Lynn Livelsberger, 30, pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor drug charges Monday in Adams Country court and will be sentenced Nov. 27.
She admitted she had been smoking marijuana with her son since he was 11 and said she had also smoked with two of his friends, ages 17 and 18.
Livelsberger pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of a small amount of marijuana with intent to distribute. The plea agreement did not stipulate a sentence.

How about the sentence, "I am an idiot"?

Five years doesn't dull the pain

It's been five years. Five long years and I find myself asking the political pundit question " Am I better off than I was 5 years ago?"

Much to my chagrin, no.

We have not found Osama. Worse yet, if we did-intead of slowly killing him, live on national TV, by tying off one joint at a time, until he was a writhing torso, or by controlled evisceration- we would try him in our courts and debate his troubled childhood, his poor choice of associates, and in a fit of delusional self-recrimination, we would commute his sentence to life in prison, and in a few years we'd let him out for unsupervised visits with his friends and family. The ones he still has because nobody killed them.

We have not won the peace in Iraq, or the rest of the Middle East. Not our fault. t seems IMuslims would rather subjugate themselves in religious misery, killing themselves and each other over which view of "peaceful" Islam is the correct one. One email respondent to a news article on Iraq stated "Muslim country shold boycot us. (sic) We shold not trade with them." I agree. We need a new source of energy and quick. And export it to other countries. When the oil money dries up, these zealots will return to being sheep and goat herders. With nothing else to offer the rest of the world, no scholars, no manufacturing, no technology, they will wither and die. That day will come. Tomorrow would not be soon enough.

We have not sealed our borders. Not just against terrorism, but against the malaise of illegal immigration. If you come to my country legally, I will embrace you with open arms. Being an American is just that, American. No hyphens. If the other country was so great, why did you come here? Your previous heritage is a fine thing, but your new heritage should be more important. Learn the language. Blend in. The only times that this country has accomplished great things has been when we all came together as Americans.

We have not kept up the pressure. Pressure against those who support terrorism either monetarily, or with training or equipment. In the name of political correctness or placation, we have gone far out of our way to not offend or accuse others and in doing so, we have forgotten. We have lost our sharp, angry memory of our dead. Not just in 2995 in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, but the 10 kidnapped and beheaded in Iraq and Saudi Arabia The 17 killed on the USS Cole., 265 dead on Flight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland. 241 dead in their barracks in Beruit. All tolled, thousands dead to Islamic terrorists. The list dates backward from 1970. 1970? Yes. Bobby Kennedy was killed by an radical, Islamic terrorist. Or did you forget?

Finally and perhaps most importantly, we have not given up hope. No nation on this globe is more generous with its wealth, its knowledge, its people or its willingness to help. No other nation is more demonized, reviled or vilified without and within. We are the first to be criticized. The first to be accused of jingoism. The first to be taken to task for whatever we do. The key thing to remember is we are the first to be called. And the first to forgive. Always.

"Justice" comes Full circle.

Ex-Governor Is Sentenced To Prison
Ryan Plans to Appeal Corruption Conviction
By Peter SlevinWashington Post Staff WriterCHICAGO, Sept. 6 -- Former governor George H. Ryan, who won global attention for emptying Illinois's death row, was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison Wednesday for a decade of tawdry corruption and official lies that he minimized to the end.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer rejected Ryan's request for leniency, saying that he violated the public trust through sweetheart deals and political favoritism. If Ryan thinks the allegations were "relatively minor or insignificant," Pallmeyer said, "I would suggest they are anything but."

How potentially ironic. Maybe one or more of the death row inmates he commuted will thank hizzonner personally. Very personally. Over and over and over. Ooooh.

"Oh wouldn't it be nice?'

Jennifer Aniston and a photographer have settled a lawsuit regarding topless photos shot of the actress late last year.
The 37-year-old actress sued Peter Brandt in December 2005, claiming he invaded her privacy by using a telephoto lens to photograph her inside her home when she was topless or partly dressed.
She alleged that Brandt used "invasive, intrusive and unlawful measures" to capture the images. Brandt said he took the photos while standing on a public street about 300 yards away from Aniston's home.
As I have said in the past, most of the legal stupidity in the US starts in California. In saner parts of the country, this pervert would have been prosecuted under CRIMINAL statutes, like "peeping tom" or voyeurism laws. It's generally a misdemeanor, but enough convictions could ramp it up to felonyor habitual offender or even sexual predator status and maybe the paparrazi would take notice. To quoute the Beach Boys "Oh wouldn't it be nice?"

If you want us to believe, don't be silent

Muslim Group: Bush Distorts 'Islamic' Friday, September 1, 2006 The Associated Press By CARLA K. JOHNSON
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The newly elected head of the largest Muslim group in North America called President Bush's recasting of the war on terror as a "war against Islamic fascism" inaccurate and not helpful to people of her faith.
Then tell them to renounce Islam or terrorism, We don't care which, but your silence in denouncing them gives your consent to their acts.
Ingrid Mattson, the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America, said Friday that labeling terrorism as "Islamic" only adds to a misunderstanding of the religion.
But that's what it is, Islamists committing terrorists acts
Mattson acknowledged that terrorist groups "do misuse and use Islamic concepts and terms to justify their violence. But I think that when we then bestow that term upon them we only make the situation worse and somehow give validity to their claims which we need to deny and reject," she said at the opening of the group's 43rd annual convention.
Make it worse? How can it be made worse? You shouldn't just "deny and reject", you should actively be turning these animals in. Until then, "Islam is a religion of peace" is an outright lie!
Bush and other Republicans have been using the wording in recent speeches. White House aides and outside Republican strategists have said the new term is an attempt to more clearly identify the ideology that motivates many organized terrorist groups.
"I'm convinced that it is not only inaccurate, but unhelpful," she said. "If our major concern is security, security of this country, this is a term that has very bad resonance in the Muslim majority world and makes us feel uncomfortable here."
Good. You should be uncomfortable. Horrid acts are being committed in the name of your religion. Until you actively oppose these animals, you deserve no consideration.
Mattson said her group would argue to eliminate the use of the phrase. U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, are attending the meeting.
"We're hoping that there can be some adjustment to this language and we're trying to voice that opinion to those who have been using this, circulating this term," she said.
OK, dissent is an American right, but if you were in most Islamic countries, you wouldn't have it, much less be a woman in a large Muslim organization
England did not address the issue during a Friday afternoon panel, but said American Muslims will play an important role as the Pentagon improves its training of the military on Islamic culture."They understand their culture, obviously, much better than we do," England said. "We have not done a very good job in the past and we need to do better."
Yes, we Americans do need to do better. We need to do our best to root these animals from their holes, find their nests and destroy them utterly and completely. And Muslims the world over need to actively support our efforts, if they want us to believe that they are a religion of peace. Why are we even having this debate? When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, we didn't quibble whether or not that Shintoism was a peaceful religion, we sent as many to meet their Kami as it required to make sure they were peaceful Until Muslims the world over actively oppose terrorism, they are all complicit. Silence gives consent.