Ogre's Politics & Views
August 23, 2005
New Blog Carnival Showcase
The New Blog Carnival Showcase is here! The New Blog Carnival Showcase is here! Well, not actually HERE, but over at Cadmusings. Head on over and read about the newest blogs in the blogosphere.
The New Blog Carnival Showcase is a Traveling carnival. It's a blog post that highlights the newest blogs. To be included in the showcase, you need to have a blog that's less than 3 months old. If you do, just fill out the form at
Conservative Cat. If you, while surfing, find a young blog, suggest they submit, or just submit them yourself!
Each week the carnival travels to new locations. YOU, too, can host the New Blog Showcase Carnival. It's simple, easy, and gets you links. Even new blogs can host it -- there's really no requirements. To host, you just compile the list of the new blogs and make a post about them.
You can make the list long and detailed, or you can just provide the links -- remember, links are cash in the blogosphere, so people really like them! If you're interested in helping keep this tradition going (it's been going like this for 25 weeks now), just drop me a line (email is in the upper right corner under the emailbox picture). Check the
main page for open dates (as of this writing, they're ALL open).
Posted by: Ogre at
12:03 PM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
Homespun Symposium XXXI.VII.V
Oh dear, another week, another lack of a topic from the folks over at the Homespun Bloggers. Well, this week, instead of just making up a question and answer, I'll volunteer to come up with a question for the rest of the Homespun Bloggers.
Ok, well, I guess it's unlikely that all the other Homespun Bloggers will come to this humble page and find a question, but I'll give it a shot anyway. And heck, if you want to participate this week, or you have writer's block or anything else, feel free to jump in and answer this question here in the comments, or on your own blog. Trackback for links!
The State Constitution in Kansas states that the people of Kansas have
inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Based on that statement, the Kansas Legislature, in 2002, voted to ask courts whether state funding of abortion was legal. Now the Kansas Attorney General, Phill Kline,
filed a lawsuit against the governor to attempt to make state funding of optional abortion illegal. This will have zero effect on abortions for rape, incest, or the health of the mother, as those are covered by other funds.
Regardless of your position on abortion (and I know it will be tough to keep that opinion out our your answers), what do you think about this option? Should it be legal for the state, using taxpayer funds, to pay for optional abortions?
Posted by: Ogre at
10:30 AM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
Whiny Leftists
Any people actually believe Fox News is slanted right apparently never read their web site. I usually check it every day or two to find out what the headlines are, then I head elsewhere to find out the details about the news. It seems that more and more lately they are "featuring" leftists anti-war idiots.
Today there's an
opinion piece by far-lefty
Martin Frost. He is a former chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, so that tells you how far left he is, by definition.
In his article he complains vociferously about the idea that people in Washington aren't sending their own children to war. Apparently Mr. Frost has completely forgotten that today's military is 100% voluntary and that the people fighting there actually WANT to fight and serve their country. I know, Mr. Frost, that concept is completely foreign to you.
However, this is a standard tactic of the left -- you cannot make rules about anything unless you've experienced it. Well, Mr. Frost, I guess you're not allowed to have sewer service at your house because you didn't dig the ditches for the pipe. And you're not entitled to have electricity because YOU didn't personally build the power plant that generates it.
Mr. Frost, one of the things to understand about this country is that we all work together, no matter that you don't want us to. People find things that they are good at, and they do it, helping others in the process. In this case, there are good men and women who volunteer to risk their lives to protect YOUR freedoms, Mr. Frost, including that of free speech. If you're so opposed to people voluntarily serving in the military, perhaps you'd be happier trying to write your moronic opinions from Cuba.
Posted by: Ogre at
09:31 AM
| Comments (7)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
"People find things that they are good at, and they do it, helping others in the process. In this case, there are good men and women who volunteer to risk their lives to protect YOUR freedoms, Mr. Frost, including that of free speech. "
Damn, the Ogre ALWAYS gets to the core of things. You gotta love the Ogre!
Posted by: GM Roper at August 23, 2005 09:18 PM (0CqNu)
2
OH, but didn't you know, in order for leftists to whine less (they will NEVER stop), you have to "send" your kids (meaning you must FORCE someone who is legally an adult) to war, then they will just whine less when you can hear them but still whine about everything. Apparently freedom of speech is only guaranteed to the left these days, or so it seems!
Posted by: Smoke Eater at August 24, 2005 05:06 PM (kjw01)
3
There are some people who just believe it's their job to complain, and they are honestly not happy unless they are complaining. It's just tough to tell these people from the ones who have legitimate issues that can be fixed.
Posted by: Ogre at August 24, 2005 05:26 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Correction
Yesterday I mentioned Jim Gilchrist's run for Congress as quite possibly the only candidate to be running who actually opposes ILLEGAL immigration. As a side note, my current representative, who is much-liked and will easily win re-election, admits there is a problem, but complains that they can't agree upon a solution, so they're effectively ignoring the problem.
However, in the posting, I incorrectly listed his party affiliation. No, he's not running on the Republican ticket (didn't I already tell you he's OPPOSED to illegal immigration?) -- he's running on the American Independent Party ticket.
He's running in California's
48th District, so if you're there, you really should support this fellow. You can read more about him at
his site. Please do.
Thanks to
Eaglet for pointing out my error in Mr. Gilchrist's party affiliation.
Posted by: Ogre at
07:30 AM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
Must Hatch Oysters
Once again, North Carolina Democrats show their abilities to spend as much taxpayer money as possible while claiming they have no money left for minor, apparently unimportant things like enforcing the law. In the massive $17 billion bloated state budget recently passed, some $600,000.00 has been allocated for hatching oysters.
Yes, apparently oysters, which, according to the state-sponsored religion of naturalism, have been around for
30 million years. However, the Democrats in the Legislature of the State of North Carolina seem to think the poor little mollusks cannot continue to exist without help.
If you live in North Carolina, please be sure to thank your Democrat Legislator for ensuring that the slimy oyster has had it's 30-million year lifespan expanded by one year.
Posted by: Ogre at
04:00 AM
| Comments (5)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
How mean you are! What are you? Some kind of anti-oysterist?
Mollusk rights now!
Posted by: Harvey at August 23, 2005 05:24 PM (ubhj8)
2
Why yes, I AM The Anti-mollusk.
Posted by: Ogre at August 23, 2005 07:22 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
August 22, 2005
Thomas Herrion's Death
For those who do not follow football, or the top national news, you may not recognize the name "Thomas Herrion." The late Mr. Herrion was a professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers football team. He died Saturday night after an exhibition football game.
Mr. Herrion was 6'3" tall and 334 pounds. That's not a typo, that really is three hundred and thirty four pounds - that's 1.9 meters and 151.5 kilograms for any non-American standard readers out there. That's a BMI of 41.9. According to the all-knowing
government, that qualifies as "Extremely Obese." As a note, 334 pounds is way off the chart for even calculating BMI.
So now,
all the reports on the Late Mr. Herrion are all focused on "why." What happened? Why did he die? What's wrong?
I understand close friends wanting to know why. However, I'm afraid this is going to turn into another
Steve Belcher circus -- where someone wants to blame someone else so they can get some quick cash.
Folks, the person was three hundred and thirty four damn pounds! That's not normal! Then he played a professional football game! I'm surprised more fat people aren't dying under those conditions. How come no one ever dies of natural causes any more? I think it's because no one will take responsibility for anything and instead they just want to BLAME someone.
Posted by: Ogre at
04:03 PM
| Comments (11)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
I find myself in agreement with your commentary for the most part. I'd have went further and asked where should the responsibility lie for this kid's death? Does it lie with the league, or is it in society or do they get intermingled along the way? Sad and a waste, but apparently this nation doesn't much care about wasting it's youth!
Posted by: Thomas Meier at August 22, 2005 09:37 PM (9BOhK)
2
I saw where ESPN was going to run a "special" that was supposed to answer the question "Are linemen too fat?" or "Why are linemen so fat?" or something like that.
They're going to lay the blame on society for wanting better players and more powerful lines for the NFL to entertain, so it's all society's fault.
And yes, it is sad -- and so many youth I see just can't imagine a better life for themselves as an overpaid athlete.
Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 10:09 PM (L0IGK)
3
I heard that this whole thing was being looked into... the big lineman thing.
I calculated, hopefully correctly, that if I weighed the same as he did, pound per inch, I would be 276 pounds. I am 5'2". I don't think my damn legs could hold up 276 pounds.
Blech, just thinking about that gives me the urge to go running. Makes my heart hurt just thinking about how bad that was for his body.
Posted by: Bou at August 22, 2005 11:04 PM (5JHEt)
4
And no, he wasn't "fit" by any definition -- he was obese. But someone other than he MUST be to blame.
Posted by: Ogre at August 23, 2005 06:26 AM (L0IGK)
5
forget all yall talking down on my boy "Big T".yall didnt know him,he was very fit and in shape he had a very solid frame.i wish u folks would said all that stuff when he was alive in his face,i know yall cowards would have been kissing his rear.i grew up with that boy,and like heck i wish i could have gave my life for him,he was my road dawg,more than my blood brothers.so forget anyone who ever say my homies name in vain.rest in heavanly peace bro.i love u homie!!!!!!
Posted by: roderick smith at October 21, 2005 05:59 PM (Kxati)
6
I never said he was a bad person, Roderick, I said he was fat. Anyone who is 334 pounds is fat. I'd be willing to bet that he'd even have admitted it. I'm sorry he's gone, I just hate that someone else is going to be blamed for his death.
Posted by: Ogre at October 21, 2005 06:23 PM (iJFc9)
7
Blaming society is just another way for the entertainment industry to pass the buck on someone else while pulling in the cash. If the defense is “blame society for wanting better players and more powerful lines for the NFL to entertain” than we have come to a sad cross road. The cross road places a man's life whether he be fat, in-shape or anything else second to the money making machine. My heart goes out to the family of Thomas Herrion and any individual that get’s caught in this entertainment machine. Shame on the owners, coaches and the players who allow themselves to be played! In this great country we place money over everything else and it is a me world and I am sick over it.
Posted by: Phillip Flores at October 23, 2005 08:50 AM (XbvFB)
8
And that is exactly where we have arrived, Phillip. Money is the god of America, and everything else is second.
Posted by: Ogre at October 23, 2005 10:11 AM (iJFc9)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
By What Right?
Take a moment and think what your answer is to this question:
On the whole, do you think it should or should not be the government's responsibility to provide a decent standard of living for the elderly?
No, go ahead, I'll wait.
Decide in your mind a simple "yes" or "no" answer to that question.
Apparently
over 80% of people answer that question "yes." To me, that's incredibly disturbing. Social Security is over 70 years old now, and still
most people apparently think it should not only be continued but expanded.
If you answered "yes" to that question, I have another question or two for you:
By what damn right do you claim a portion of MY earnings that I work for, so that YOU may sit on your lazy ass? Where do you think the almighty government gets their damn money? It's not free, you know! And don't try any of that crap about "it's your money that you put into the system." No one seriously believes that any more, and it's simply not true.
Also, don't try the line about "uncaring" or "unfeeling." There is NO virtue in charity with other people's money. Government money is not received voluntarily, only by force. I will donate all the money *I* want to help others, and I can do it a whole lot more efficiently than the government.
I really do wish people would grow some gonads and
take some damn responsibility for themselves. If YOU want to retire, YOU save your own damn money and stop trying to take mine.
Posted by: Ogre at
11:44 AM
| Comments (9)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
I answered No.
My hubby and I are saving on the premises that we will get no social security or pensions.
So when we don't we won't have to eat dog food, we will still be able to afford hamburger.
It still pisses me off every paycheck I get to see the amount of SS they take out knowing that I will never get any and then hear the old people complain about the little amount they are getting. I mean did anyone really believe they would be able to live the same life style with the little amount the gov't was paying?
And what is more unbelieveable is people my age not saving for retirement. It's mind boggling.
Posted by: Machelle at August 22, 2005 04:10 PM (ZAyoW)
2
That's the way to think. I don't understand the idea that you are owed a living simply because you're old.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 05:16 PM (L0IGK)
Posted by: Bou at August 22, 2005 11:06 PM (5JHEt)
4
Even scarier, that wasn't a onetime fluke, all three different surveys had close to the same result.
Posted by: owlish at August 22, 2005 11:37 PM (w/D+Z)
5
Good for you, Bou.
And yes, owlish, those numbers are not changing over time -- the vast majority of people believe it, and that's destroying the republic.
Posted by: Ogre at August 23, 2005 06:29 AM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Jim Gilchrist for Congress
In case you've never heard the name "Jim Gilchrist," he is the founder and leader of the Minuteman Project that very successfully used individual private citizens to protect our southern border. He has just announced that's he's running for Congress. I think this would be a first -- an elected representative in Congress that actually opposes ILLEGAL immigration.
This could be a very interesting election, as Mr. Gilchrist is not running as a Republican -- he's running as a member of the American Independence Party. While illegals keep
killing people in North Carolina, this man is trying to stand up and stop the criminals. You ought to go
support him. I know I will.
(Hat tip to
Lorie Byrd via
Michelle Malkin.)
Posted by: Ogre at
08:40 AM
| Comments (6)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Hi Ogre,
I just wanted to clarify Mr. Gilchrist's party's name.
It is the American Independent Party (not "Independence"), which is the California affiliate of the Constitution Party.
Thanks,
Eaglet
Posted by: Eaglet at August 23, 2005 12:51 AM (XDl3V)
2
Yikes, I missed that! Great, thanks for the correction!
Posted by: Ogre at August 23, 2005 06:30 AM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
NC Teapot Museum
I'm not quite sure how North Carolina has managed to survive all these years without one of our critical needs, finally met with the 2005 North Carolina Budget. However, through hard work of the North Carolina Democrats, meeting only the absolute needs of the state, after assuring us they have "cut the budget to the bone," we finally have our $10 million Teapot museum funded.
I'm not kidding.
Representative Jim Harrell (D-Surry), managed to slip in a provision in the budget to help build the museum. It seems a very rich couple from California had a $5 million teapot collection and they "wanted a home for it." So a North Carolina millionaire did what most do today -- they kept their own money and demanded you, the taxpayer pay for this museum.
Oh, and in case you're not in North Carolina and think this won't affect you, think again. Two of the North Carolina representatives in Congress are trying to get another million in taxpayer cash -- after all, it will create jobs, so it's good, right?
Am I the only person left in this country who sees this stuff as so far away from the purpose of government as to be insane?
Posted by: Ogre at
06:08 AM
| Comments (8)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
I must ask... does this stuff make the front page of your paper? You find the most horrible stuff. Florida MUST be the same way. It's not possible that every idiot lawmaker resides in NC.
Posted by: Bou at August 22, 2005 07:55 AM (5JHEt)
2
Unfortunately, no.
The newspapers here honestly absolutely LOVE this sort of spending. The editorials rave about this crap and think we should do more of it.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 07:57 AM (/k+l4)
3
You just can't make up crap as good as this.
Posted by: tomslick at August 24, 2005 04:16 PM (xNjHI)
4
And the person who proposed it is defending it to no end -- you see, the county has lost jobs, so this will somehow create jobs and save the world.
Posted by: Ogre at August 24, 2005 05:21 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
August 21, 2005
National Republicans' Future
There can be no denying the fact that the GOP's abandonment of a large measure of the small-government agenda is alienating much of its base. At the same time, it is difficult to see what small-government activists can do about it.
This statement comes from
an article at Tech Central Station. It's very well written and helps illustrate the problems conservatives have today -- there is no real political party for us.
The Democrats are just too darn liberal, the National Republican Party agrees with the Democrats in competing to see who can make government grow bigger and faster, and those two coordinate things to ensure no other party can join them.
Posted by: Ogre at
06:19 PM
| Comments (9)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Maybe if everyone votes for Peroutka, the GOP will wake up.
Posted by: ArklahomBoy at August 21, 2005 07:46 PM (hVlkK)
2
If you can. North Carolina won't let him on the ballot...
Posted by: Ogre at August 21, 2005 09:13 PM (L0IGK)
3
"[T]he National Republican Party agrees with the Democrats in competing to see who can make government grow bigger and faster, and those two coordinate things to ensure no other party can join them."
Wow.
Now you're REALLY starting to sound like a bunch of Marxists.
Posted by: Jape at August 21, 2005 11:17 PM (ZkHgJ)
4
Jape - that is a bit of an unfair, and inaccurate, statement. Marxists would embrace a big govt, would they not? And for true Conservatives the cancer-like growth of the govt is a Bad Thing.
/TJ
Posted by: TJ at August 22, 2005 05:36 AM (/0bzs)
5
I'm sounding like Marxist? Only if by noting a match is hot makes me an arsonist.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 06:00 AM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
New Neighbor #27
It's time again! This is the time each week that I search through the Evangelical Blogroll and introduce someone from the blogroll to you, my good reader. This week's new neighbor is
Cerulean Sanctum is run by Dan Edelen from Ohio. He's also apparently working on writing a novel (I keep meaning to, also...). The blog appears to have been started way back in September, 2003 with
a post that simply contains:
It begins...
I wonder if that one made it to the
Bonfire of the Vanities...
The blog gets entries every day, for the most part, and they're long, detailed entries as well. His
most recent entry talks about the horrible trend in society today where everyone complains about everything that's not their fault and the idea that almost no know takes responsibility for anything:
I'm convinced that the next time I actually hear a person say, "I messed up," I'm going to hand him $20 and say, "Thank you for taking responsibility for the problem."
Honestly, it's that bad.
I agree completely with that sentiment. People, stand up and take responsibility! He's also got
extensive book reviews and nice
historical corrections.
The site's very clean and easy to read, with good content and a clean layout. So
head on over and meet a new neighbor this Sunday afternoon.
Posted by: Ogre at
12:07 PM
| Comments (5)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
Sunday Funnies
Provided by VW Bug:
"WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1000 AL QAEDA TERRORISTS THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN"
This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Philadelphia. You are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement. One would think that anti-hate groups from all across the country would be marching on this business . . . and that the National Guard might have to be called to keep the angry crowds back.
But, perhaps in these stressful times one might be tempted to let the proprietors simply make their statement . . . . We are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty. And after all, it is just a sign.
You may ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign?
Posted by: Ogre at
07:15 AM
| Comments (7)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Well, I'm planning to be a lawyer for the prosecution, so they will provide me some business too, before we send them to meet this gentleman, right? Loved it Ogre!
Posted by: Smoke Eater at August 21, 2005 12:41 PM (WJO7V)
2
I'll see how much business we can send your way!
Posted by: Ogre at August 21, 2005 09:04 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
August 20, 2005
To: Cindy Sheehan
Here's a long letter (in the extended entry) that is absolutely excellent. It shows exactly what's wrong with the left today.
An Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan From the Proud Father of a U.S. Marine
By Brantley Smith
Posted On August 17, 2005
Posted by: Ogre at
06:09 PM
| Comments (17)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Thanks for posting this. I will link and back track as soon as I get back.
Posted by: vw bug at August 21, 2005 08:25 AM (coJPb)
2
Holy crap. Great letter.
Posted by: caltechgirl at August 21, 2005 02:35 PM (H5rmO)
3
I think the vast majority of Americans would agree.
Posted by: Ogre at August 21, 2005 09:13 PM (L0IGK)
4
If this is your position on Iraq War, then you will find special comfort in this tune, originally brought to us from the trenches of Flaunders by soldiers in the First World War, and later popularized by the Boy Scouts Association of America:
(Sung to tune of "Auld Lang Syne")
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here!
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here.
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here.
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here Because
We're Here!
If you feel that I am guilty of throwing empty platitudes at a serious threat to national security, please go talk to your President; I think he suffers from the same problem. Except, of course, that he is the President.
Posted by: Jape at August 21, 2005 11:03 PM (ZkHgJ)
5
I'm sorry, Jassalasca, that you choose to side with the terrorists.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 05:59 AM (L0IGK)
6
The idea behind any cosequence of this letter assumes:
1)she can read
2)she will read
3)she has enough logic to apply what she has read to herself.
I think that at least 2 and 3 are largely in disupte.
(*)>
Posted by: birdwoman at August 22, 2005 10:05 AM (vR7Sl)
7
And perhaps #1 as well, birdwoman!
But it's nice to see this sort of thing getting out to counter such blantant media leftism.
Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 10:07 AM (/k+l4)
8
This "OPEN LETTER" email is a hoax/fraud, or the differnt versions I've read are from someone who is very confused, and thus will do nothing to help our troops or their standing at all! If you are going to write something like this, write it from the heart, from your truth, and not some multiversioned soap-box propanganda! This doesn't do anyone any good!
Get Bin Laden, the Saudi's and anyone else involved and bring our troops home ASAP!
Posted by: qazex at August 26, 2005 06:59 AM (8J5MS)
9
This "OPEN LETTER" email is a hoax/fraud, or the different versions I've read are from someone who is very confused, and thus will do nothing to help our troops or their standing at all! If you are going to write something like this, write it from the heart, from your truth, and not some multiversioned soap-box propanganda! This doesn't do anyone any good!
Get Bin Laden, the Saudi's and anyone else involved and bring our troops home ASAP!
Posted by: qazex at August 26, 2005 06:59 AM (8J5MS)
10
"This doesn't do anyone any good!"
And Cindy I'm-a-tool-and-an-idiot Sheehan IS doing anyone any good?
Posted by: Ogre at August 26, 2005 07:29 AM (/k+l4)
11
An open letter to Brantley Smith
7 September 2005
Mr. Smith:
I have read what you posted in a format similar to this one as a letter to Cindy Sheehan. Your open letter reveals that you desperately need schooling in what it means to be an American. Allow me.
With respect to my bona fides, my father retired from the Regular Army, I served 8 years of active duty in the US Air Force, and both my son and his wife served four year tours in the US Marine Corps. My son would still be in, but the Marine Corps chose to discharge him due to an injury (not combat related) he incurred while performing his duties.
To start, I'll point out the fallacy of assuming that because one has an audience, one has a cultural or political responsibility to them. Quite the contrary; this is America, where the 'audience' of Americans is expected (dare I say required?) to evaluate other's opinions for themselves, judging the impact those opinions will have. Of course, we also have a responsibility to our minor children, and often a *desire* to make these evaluations for them when they are no longer minors.
Like your daughter, Ms. Sheehan's son, and my own children, I enlisted in the US Armed Forces for many reasons, not the least of which is a belief in my responsibility to protect my rights and freedoms, and by extension those of all Americans.
Despite the depth and breadth of your self-righteous arrogance, I am here to inform you, Mr. Smith, that while there are no guarantees, Ms. Sheehan may very well change the policy of our government. This may happen as a direct result of Mr. Bush considering what she has to say, but you and I clearly agree that such is not likely. It may result from the attention garnered through the media, focused on the problem from the perspective of a parent of a soldier. It may very well not happen at all, of course, but it is surely possible.
What clearly will *not* happen is anything remotely related to what you seem to fear. You imply that these twisted, mind-numbed fools feel some need to hew to the truth - that without Ms. Sheehan's opinions, they would have one less weapon. In fact, if Ms. Sheehan says something which they can twist and use, they will do so. If not, they will make it up. Conversely, allowing the heartfelt grief and righteous anger she feels to be denigrated and marginalized is one step toward exactly what these people want for all of us: less freedom. You obviously have no inkling of what motivates the people we face. I suggest to you that if you have actual civic concern, you take the time to do some pertinent research. Briefly, you will find that when there is any actual information available to the average fundamentalist fanatic, it is twisted; that what the educated leaders among these people resent is the freedom possessed by every American to make life choices, and the personal and national prosperity that is a direct result of those freedoms. Unless and until those freedoms are destroyed, they will not be satisfied.
There are few things I have seen or read lately as laughable as the notion that anything Cindy Sheehan can say on behalf of her dead son could 'embolden' these pathetic, ignorant savages beyond the lies and deceptions that are already heaped upon them. Your self-serving notions are simplistic at best, and potentially dangerous at worst. Not everyone will be able to see through your ignorance and discern your failure to understand our culture or to analyze the situation; some decent and honest citizens may find themselves deceived by your misrepresentations. I hope to help others avoid that. You have the freedom to disseminate your views, and wrong as they are, I would not see that freedom abrogated.
It would behoove you, and the rest of us, sir, if you took the time to attempt to understand what is happening on the world stage - and why. Your example of the Civil War is instructive.
I for one am glad that the United States has remained a single country; I believe that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Nonetheless, what Abraham Lincoln and the Union forces did was not just illegal; it was wrong. There is simply no reason extant which can ever justify using force to keep those states which wished to be out of the Union, in. Likewise, I am glad Saddam Hussein is out of power; he was clearly a despot, and potentially dangerous. Again similarly, the government of the United States had no justification for removing him.
You need merely place yourself in either of the two positions to see the problem; for example, thinking as an American, how could you possibly believe that your nation could or should be forced to remain in the United Nations organization? Note that I am not asking whether our nation should remain in the United Nations organization - but whether the rest of the members would be justified in using force to keep us there if we chose to withdraw.
Likewise, how can any American who understands the freedoms we have and the responsibilities that go with them seriously believe that *any* nation can be justified in replacing the government of another nation because we don't like them, or because they *may* do us harm? Unlike the invasion of Afghanistan, this is beyond foolishness. In America, we learn that if we are justified in doing it to them - absent aggression like the invasion of Kuwait or the invasion of Poland - then they are justified in doing it to us. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "I have never been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others."
Yet another similarity between the two conflicts is my support for those American troops who fought, or fight, for what they believe is right. In the case of the Civil War, the American boys who fought for the Confederacy truly believed that what they were doing was the right thing, from Robert E. Lee down. Likewise the American boys who fought for the Union. I cannot say what I would have done in that time; breaking the union would have been a terrific mistake, yet I believe that the citizens of the Confederacy had the right, as Americans, to make that mistake.
Likewise, I believe the people of Iraq have the right to determine their form of government, and what we have done there is wrong; nonetheless I support the members of our Armed Forces in their endeavors. The place to redress this mistake is not in Iraq; it is in America.
As Cindy Sheehan is trying to do.
Posted by: Dave Kelsen at October 01, 2005 09:11 AM (0RhDQ)
12
Hey Dave, would you have helped Poland, Austria, France, England, and dozens of other countries in WWI & II, or would you have "let them determine their own form of government?"
Posted by: Ogre at October 02, 2005 07:41 PM (iJFc9)
13
The answer is yes.
I don't quite get the 'or' here. Those countries were invaded by foreign powers - i.e. they were not determining their own form of government. Furthermore, I don't necessarily claim that invading another country is bad. I'm good with Afghanistan, for example, as well as the '92 Gulf war, not to mention what we did as Americans in the two World Wars. To the degree that we were defending the citizens, I'm good with the Korean and Vietnam wars as well.
A more pertinent question would be, "If the citizens of another country voted to be ruled by a despotic oligarchy that you knew was evil, and would ultimately be bad for them, would you stop them/invade them/rescue them?" The answer to that is 'no'; that's their choice, and their problem.
Dave Kelsen
Posted by: Dave Kelsen at October 11, 2005 10:52 AM (+mLkP)
14
In that case, Dave, then you'd have to let the Nazis have their way -- Hitler was elected.
To even claim that Saddam was elected is total insanity. Do you actually believe that? Do you honestly believe that the people of Iraq wanted to be led and killed by Saddam?
Posted by: Ogre at October 11, 2005 11:00 AM (/k+l4)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Stop the ACLU Ad
The folks over at Stop the ACLU want to run a full-page ad in the Washington Times. However, that's quite expensive -- at least $2,500. They're asking for help.
If you can donate a little, even just $5,
head on over and drop a few coins in the collection jar. They are trying to fight the anti-American, communist-based ACLU, and I fully support them and this effort.
Posted by: Ogre at
01:05 PM
| Comments (3)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
Terrorist Appeasement
Well that sure didn't take long (hat tip to Tomslick).
Dozens of masked Hamas gunmen took over Gaza City's central square on Saturday and announced they would not stop attacks on Israel, despite Israel's ongoing withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
So let's see...Sharon forcibly removed Jewish people from an area of land where they had been living for decades and gave that land to terrorists, in the hopes that the terrorists would then stop blowing up innocent people in Israel.
The response from the terrorists is exactly as I expected, but hoped it would not be: The terrorists are claiming victory and have renewed strength for more attacks, vowing to not stop until all of Israel and all Jewish people are destroyed.
Folks, terrorists are NOT reasonable people. They CANNOT be "talked to" and reasoned with. They want you dead, period.
Posted by: Ogre at
11:57 AM
| Comments (7)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
I think too many people get confused between appeasment and peace. I just noticed over at My Pet Jawa, a great quote. It says, "Tolerance is a crime when it applies to evil." Couldn't say it any better than that.
Posted by: Jay at August 20, 2005 12:37 PM (BKqRl)
2
I saw that quote, too. And yes, it is a good one!
Posted by: Ogre at August 20, 2005 01:14 PM (L0IGK)
Posted by: Caren at August 21, 2005 06:33 AM (lMe0a)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
August 19, 2005
Flame-Point Siamese
This is often referred to as a "flame-point" Siamese cat. I have heard that term used often, and I have owed a couple that people, including Humane Societies, have called flame-point Siamese. I really like the Siamese temperament and usually the colors (but not the really skinny ones, ewe).
However, there really is no such breed. According to the
Cat Fanciers' Association, the coloring of a Siamese should not be that way, and it's really a mix of different breeds.
Well that's fine, because I always get my pets from the shelters and the human societies (and
Cat Houses), so I don't really care they're official, I just like them.
I just thought you might like to know.
Posted by: Ogre at
01:52 PM
| Comments (28)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Another odd tidbit of information that will now go into my brain and push out something important. Sigh.
Posted by: vw bug at August 19, 2005 04:00 PM (coJPb)
2
Just doing my job, clogging the world with information.

Posted by: Ogre at August 19, 2005 05:09 PM (L0IGK)
3
Don't let them disrespect your cat Ogre. My limited experiences have show me that the fussy "offical" animal groups will disparage your animal up to and including it being an actual "breed". They seem to forget that all the breeds are a result of selective breeding, so I don't see what right they have to sneer at an attractive animal that breeds true.
ER
Posted by: Enlightenment Reactionary at August 19, 2005 07:28 PM (Y/uvF)
4
Yeah, I get all mine from shelters anyway, so it doesn't really matter what they want to call it, it's still pretty cool. The yellowish one I have now chases the dogs all over the neigborhood.

Posted by: Ogre at August 19, 2005 08:00 PM (L0IGK)
5
I actually like cats, but they don't like me. They make my eyes itch. So... we'll have to go for a dog.
Posted by: Bou at August 19, 2005 09:30 PM (5JHEt)
6
I have a cat that barks like a dog, does that count?

Posted by: Ogre at August 19, 2005 11:26 PM (L0IGK)
7
Had a blue-tip siamese for a while. SUCH loyal cats. Congratulations.
Posted by: Mike Marden at August 20, 2005 05:45 AM (9yPEb)
8
We have a half Siamese, half six toed cat ... probably the product of six generations of inbreeding!
Awesome personality, and he truly "walks thru walls" Although he comes inside, nobody's seen him go outside for six months.
Weren't Siamese cats developed in Thailand to be Temple Guards ... to keep evil spirits away from the departed ... ?
Posted by: Caren at August 20, 2005 11:19 AM (lMe0a)
9
Definately loyal. The last siamese I had would wake up 5 minutes before I got home from work (after sleeping all day, of course), and greet me at the door -- and I didn't feed him, he just showed up to greet me, then went back to sleep!
And Caren, I think I had heard something about that. Of course my memories could be tainted by Hollywood and movies like The Mummy...
Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Ogre at August 20, 2005 11:46 AM (L0IGK)
10
Robert Heinlein: "The Cat Who Walked Thru Walls" Used to think it was fiction!
Posted by: Caren at August 21, 2005 06:38 AM (lMe0a)
11
Oh, no! Just about any book written about cats is either fact or closely based on fact! They ARE that good -- just ask them, they'll tell ya.
Posted by: Ogre at August 21, 2005 09:32 AM (L0IGK)
12
the 6-toed cat is a Polydactyl (google it). My wife and I got a polydactyl on July 5th. It has 7 toes on the front paws and 5 on the back (the vet said cats are only supposed to have 4 on the back.)
People breed polydactyls because they are supposed to have a good temperament. Ours is a little terror though.
What kind of temperament are siamese cats supposed to have?
Posted by: Echo Zoe at August 22, 2005 11:20 AM (K+h36)
13
I've heard of those extra-toed cats, but I'd never seen one! Maybe next time I come visit...
Siamese are renowned for their loud voices, aloofness (more than most), and intense loyalty. Most have very loud "meows," but when they select an owner, they are extremely loyal and friendly, some even becoming protective. They can be very agressive cats, but not to their own.
Every one I've had has been an excellent mouser and every one has caught birds. New animals are a little trouble to add to a house with a Siamese, unless the new animal accepts it's role as inferior to the Siamese.
I love 'em, but the official breed is a little too skinny for me -- I like 'em with a little meat on 'em.

Posted by: Ogre at August 22, 2005 11:28 AM (/k+l4)
14
We had a polydactyl cat (not a siamese) when I was a child. Fantastic cat. Behaved like a dog in a lot of ways: came when called, knew his name, went jogging with my father.
He was also really laid back. Whenever we came home after school he'd be there to meet us, and would roll over on his back for tummy rubs.
I have two siamese, and pretty much ignore what cat breeders say about "correct" breeds. Siamese color patterns are the result of a heat sensitive mutation, and can be bred into any cat.
And breeders tend to want to do the nuttiest things. Burmese cats (my mom was a fan) used to be compact elegant little cats that looked like dark siamese with golden eyes. Now they look like retarded boston terriers, with pug noses and bizarre round eyes.
Siamese also now look like bat-eared, skinny freaks. Like Mr. Bigglesworth with fur. They've been bred to an extreme, and I hear that there are starting to be really bad health problems in "purebred" siamese: They don't live as long, they catch diseases more easily and they get eye infections a lot.
Breeding is really just animal eugenics.
Posted by: Jonathan at August 26, 2005 06:18 PM (BtgUe)
15
I didn't know the patterns were a result of heat! And I completely agree with the "purebred" ideas -- I've never known ANYONE who's had a purebred that hasn't had major health problems.
The Siamese do look really bad so skinny, if you ask me. I like the Siamese personality, and their coloring, and their short hair -- but NOT the current trend of skininess!
Posted by: Ogre at August 28, 2005 07:39 PM (L0IGK)
16
And thanks for stopping by, Jonathan!
Posted by: Ogre at August 28, 2005 07:40 PM (L0IGK)
17
Hi Ogre,
About the heat thing....actually siamese darken depending on the climate...the colder the climate the darker the points become ...as well, the older the cat the darker the points will become. A flame point just adopted me...came to my house in the middle of the night and screamed until I let him in. Beaten up and skinny...obviously has a sixth sense to know what door was his saving grace. He's a beauty. My second siamese although flame points are not considered purebreds ...but who cares?! He's what I'd consider a traditional siamese - more robust and appleheaded. This is what the original ideal was when they first were registered by cat fanciers. Therefore, to me, he's genuine!
Posted by: Maria at September 09, 2005 10:27 PM (OOckL)
18
I agree on the applehead part -- I really can't stand the really skinny ones.
I hadn't noticed a darkening in the climate. The one I own seems to do the opposite, but I haven't look that closely -- he seems to get lighter in the winter, when the snow is on the ground, but darker in the summer. I need to take some pictures and compare more closely, I think...
Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Ogre at September 10, 2005 01:08 PM (L0IGK)
19
Thanks for the reliable info and links. My owner is very happy to finally know who I am. I am a flame-point siamese mix with more house cat look but the wierd blue eyes, the kitten-like ways, the loud talkative me-ow (a specific one for each of my many needs), and the moarnful cry when ever she's someplace I'm not. I feel less panic attack when she tells me she's OK during her shower. But the safe gaurding the bathroom door and previous near-knocking-myself-silly head butts to get in made her wonder if she had a cat stranger than fiction.
Posted by: Price at September 11, 2005 11:30 PM (iWpgy)
20
Hehe.
And if you're like some I know, you help your owner dry off after the shower, too...
Posted by: Ogre at September 12, 2005 05:30 AM (L0IGK)
21
I rescued a family of "flame points" from my local pound. I went for a puppy, but they were going to euthanize 6 kittens to try to find mommy a home. My intent was to foster, but they are so sweet, I might now have 11 kitties!
Posted by: Angel at October 12, 2005 08:51 PM (d9Qv+)
22
ELEVEN? Wow. Good luck cleaning THAT cat box!

Posted by: Ogre at October 12, 2005 09:01 PM (iJFc9)
23
I have a Birman and she doesn't have health problems. She's a big hearty force of nature. Birmans don't seem to be bred to weird extremes, so far. The current Birmans look just like Birmans from 60 years ago, and were probably developed from crossing longhairs (possibly Persians) with Siamese, before either were bred to be bizarre, and now Birmans still look normal. She just looks very beautiful and cute, and has a wonderful friendly playful quirky personality, very loyal and companionable, like a Siamese but with a quiet voice and just a bit less active. And she has super-gorgeous semi-long hair that needs no combing, unlike fancy longhairs that can't maintain their own coats. Coolest cat I've ever lived with. I just adopted a new kitten and I deliberately went for a Siamese mix from a shelter, in order to find a kitty like an old fashioned Siamese. Apparently there is enough demand for healthy, old style Siamese among cat lovers that there are now many breeders breeding them instead of the modern scrawny ones. They can't "show" them in the major circuits since they don't meet the modern standards, but they are what cat lovers want.
IIRC, some cat associations accept flamepoints. Some associations only accept a few "traditional" colors for colorpoint cats, while others accept "new" colors like flame point that had to be crossbred to other breeds to achieve. It is the same situation with Birmans. Not that it's important or anything!
Posted by: surnia at November 01, 2005 08:14 PM (QuNR2)
24
Neat! I haven't heard of Birmans before. I think as long as they're not strictly bred, they will be great -- it's the purebred breeding that really kills them health-wise!
Posted by: Ogre at November 01, 2005 08:51 PM (7PCNv)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
New on my gift list
I really think I need to get one of these for my driveway, even if I don't actually HAVE any llamas:
Posted by: Ogre at
11:44 AM
| Comments (6)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
We.must.search.ebay.this.Christmas. ;-)
Posted by: Bou at August 20, 2005 05:56 PM (5JHEt)
Posted by: Ogre at August 20, 2005 09:25 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Harvey's Away
Harvey of Bad Example is away from his blog for the weekend. While he's gone, he wants you to play with (his) body parts. Oh, I know it's silly and perhaps even just wrong. But hey, the site IS named "Bad Example," and it does have a tagline of "A celebration of things kids shouldn't try at home."
Posted by: Ogre at
10:03 AM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
You Don't Speak For Me Cindy
In case you're wondering if the recent developments in the Cindy I'm-a-tool Sheehan's situation have changed the plans of others (because the world does revolve around her, according to the FMSM and her), please note that they have not:
"We are sorry to learn of the illness facing Cindy Sheehan's mother. Sheehan's spokeswoman has indicated Cindy plans to return to Crawford, Texas in the next 24 to 48 hours. Whether or not she returns, the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" Tour will continue as originally planned. The issue here is the fact that the servicemembers and their families have not had their voices heard during the past weeks of Ms. Sheehan's vigil. They support the troops AND the mission they are serving in. We are going to bring that voice to Crawford, Texas - and we invite people from around the nation to join our caravan and meet us for the super rally in Crawford, Texas on Saturday, August 27th."
Signed,
Melanie Morgan
Chairman, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org
A nice video of their current ad can be seen
here.
Posted by: Ogre at
07:35 AM
| Comments (9)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Good deal! There would be no reason not to go on with this. I hope it is HUGE!
Posted by: Jay at August 19, 2005 09:51 AM (2FcUc)
Posted by: Ogre at August 19, 2005 05:08 PM (L0IGK)
3
She doesn't speak for the majority of americans either.
Posted by: michele at August 20, 2005 05:09 PM (ht2RK)
4
But the Formerly Mainstream Media (FMSM) continues to claim that she does.
Posted by: Ogre at August 20, 2005 09:24 PM (L0IGK)
5
It's about time. I am living in a foreign country and the news I see is all negative. I hope to see some positive news or at least truthful news for a change. Cindy doesn't speak for the majority of Americans any more than the Sunni's speak for the majority of Iraq citizens. They are getting a new chance to live free, even the Sunni's, and they deserve our support. The Sunni's shouldn't be able to upset everything for the majority.
Posted by: Ken Wallace at August 29, 2005 01:17 PM (fUXyf)
6
Most certainly agreed. I assue you, Ken, that Cindy and her ilk are in a VAST minority, I would bet less than 1/10 of 1% of the people of this great country. The majority of Americans just ignore her and go about their business, working hard.
Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Ogre at August 29, 2005 02:16 PM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Statesmen in North Carolina?
No, sorry to get your hopes up with that title. I'd like to use this article to point out that we are, in fact, a representative republic, and NOT a democracy -- at least we're not supposed to be.
The article (and
others) favorably mention a poll that shows 61% of the people in the state want the North Carolina Legislature to continue to take money from individuals and give them to big businesses (so-called "economic incentives"). Of course, the poll was done by "North Carolina Economic Developers Association," so the results are certainly very questionable.
This is where statesmen should step in. Real statesmen, elected officials who are true to their job and understand how a representative republic is supposed to work, would reply with statements about how it is not the job of government to steal from one person to give to companies.
One opponent of the measures brought up the fact that he employs several people and pays taxes, but he doesn't get $4 million for "incentives" -- a very valid point. One problem with incentives is that the government gets to decide which companies they support and which ones they do not. That is NOT a free market.
However, some will respond, "the majority of the people want it, so we're going to do it." That is just plain wrong. I'll go ahead and use Rush Limbaugh's example that I heard many years ago -- if Democracy truly is just the majority decision, if there's 4 men and 1 woman in a room and 3 men want to rape the woman, that's okay, because it was a majority decision.
What we need today to fix this country are statesmen -- people who will do the right thing, no matter which way the wind is blowing. We need people who will stand up and tell people that they support the Constitution, no matter what polls say, no matter what the "majority" say, and no matter what anyone else says.
Anyone know any statesmen we can elect so we can have our country back?
Posted by: Ogre at
05:23 AM
| Comments (7)
| Add Comment
| Trackbacks (Suck)
1
Anyone know any statesmen we can elect so we can have our country back?
No
But this post reminded me of Dick Gephardt saying the American people do not want a tax cut.
You have to wonder where they get these polls from.
Posted by: tomslick at August 19, 2005 09:47 AM (xNjHI)
2
I'd love to know at exactly what point this government changed from limited and doing what was right, to oppressively expansive and doing whatever people asked them to do.
Posted by: Ogre at August 19, 2005 05:08 PM (L0IGK)
3
I know what you mean there. And it seems they are not doing whatever people ask them to do, but what the highest bidder asks them to do.
It doesn't seem that they have the constitutional right to do half of what they do.
Posted by: tomslick at August 20, 2005 05:56 AM (xNjHI)
4
It just doesn't make sense to me. The politicians will argue, "that's what I was elected to do." But it's WRONG. It IS mob rule, and that's not the type of government we're supposed to have here.
Posted by: Ogre at August 20, 2005 11:48 AM (L0IGK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
<< Page 150 >>
Processing 0.02, elapsed 0.5317 seconds.
37 queries taking 0.5218 seconds, 110 records returned.
Page size 80 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.