was the blogosphere this slow last year between the holidays? or is it just a post-election slowdown?
anyway, go see the incredibles movie. it's funny, clean, and has a good story line.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Friday, November 26, 2004
"Question Authority"
The tired old saying "Don't trust anyone over thirty" finally makes sense, in context of this silly list, which is proof positive that rolling stones can, in fact, gather moss.
"Imagine there's no Beatles. Now we're halfway there.
No music they had written, Just the boomers care.
Imagine there's no Yoko, screeching like a goose. woo-hoo-oo-ooo..."
"Imagine there's no Beatles. Now we're halfway there.
No music they had written, Just the boomers care.
Imagine there's no Yoko, screeching like a goose. woo-hoo-oo-ooo..."
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Thanks Giving
Psalm 107, KJV
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Lileks on ACLU vs BSA
Lileks' column at Newhouse News Service has this to say about the ACLU picking fights with the Boys Scouts:
(ed. update: i added the link in the middle)
And we're talking about the BOY SCOUTS, for heaven's sake, not some Junior Klan League noted for torchlight parades through Jewish neighborhoods. Who has the time to worry whether the scouts are meeting in the local library? Isn't there some real, actual evil handy you could sue? Better yet: If you don't like the scouts' oath or rules, how about you drink a nice hot cup of LIVE AND LET LIVE and start your own group?
(ed. update: i added the link in the middle)
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Fallujah coverage
In case you missed the story on the evening news... go read this article (and this linked one) about the victory in Fallujah. The best quote:
The resistance has suffered a loss of more than 2,000 combatants, out of a total force estimated by U.S. Central Command at about 5,000 (other estimates are higher) as well as its only secure base in the country. But both the Arab media and ours emphasize that the attack on Fallujah has made a lot of Arabs mad. By this logic, once we've killed all the terrorists, they'll be invincible.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Go read...
UPDATE: This is a must-read, as usual for VDH.
"Intellectual elitists see red all over" by Richard Kirk, who coins the term "Starbuckeroos".
"If they’re so eager to flee to Canada, by all means, let’s help them."
"Intellectual elitists see red all over" by Richard Kirk, who coins the term "Starbuckeroos".
"If they’re so eager to flee to Canada, by all means, let’s help them."
Thursday, November 18, 2004
repost: Oliver Stone's "Alexander"
(A slightly edited repost of this from last June, when I first heard that the movie was in production.)
Oliver Stone is making a movie about Alexander the Great. Given the "factual accuracy" of his previous movies, here are some enhancements Mr. Stone may be considering:
Oliver Stone is making a movie about Alexander the Great. Given the "factual accuracy" of his previous movies, here are some enhancements Mr. Stone may be considering:
- A bungled break-in at the Library of Alexandria, resulting in an eighteen minute gap in several parchments.
- A detailed explanation of the "Magic Phalanx Theory".
- Drugged-out Alexander collapses in battle while yelling "I am the Lizard King!".
- Quote: "It's a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in a pita bread with some feta cheese!"
- Odd flashback sequences in the style of "Father Knows Best".
- Bucephalas is the name of Alexander's black Huey helicopter.
- Discovery that his father Philip was actually assassinated by Jack Ruby (who was working for the Persian Mafia).
- Working title: "Born in the Summer of 356 BC".
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
sympathy for the green bean
This article was so bizarre, it required little editing to produce a 'Scrapplefaced' version:
---
Vegetable-rights activists have launched a novel campaign arguing that vegetables -- contrary to stereotype -- are intelligent, sensitive entities no more deserving of being eaten than fish. Called the 'Think Vegetatively' Project, the campaign reflects a strategy shift by People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables as it challenges a diet component widely viewed as nutritious and uncontroversial.
"No one would ever pull a fish out of the ground and eat it." said PETV's Fred Fennel. "Once people start to understand that vegetables are just as intelligent as we are, they'll stop eating them."
The grass roots campaign is still in the germination stage and will face broad skepticism. Major groups such as the American Heart Association recommend vegetables as part of a healthy diet; some academics say it is wrong to portray the intelligence and pain sensitivity of vegetables as comparable to fish. "Vegetables are very complex organisms that do all sorts of amazing things," said University of Seattle scientist Rose Jimson. "But to suggest they know they what's happening to them and worry about it, that's just not the case."
PETV, headquartered in Greenleaf, CA., has campaigned for years against gardening, challenging claims by Jimson and others that harvested vegetables do not feel pain. PETV also has joined other critics in decrying the high levels of manure the vegetables are subjected to on farms.
The 'Think Vegetatively' Project is a departure in two respects -- attempting to depict the standard practices of commercial farming as cruel and seeking to convince consumers that there are ethical reasons for not eating vegetables. The project was inspired by several recent scientific studies, which discovered that certain vegetables' intelligence actually exceeded that of the researchers.
"Vegetables are so misunderstood because they grow in such foreign lands, like Nebraska," said Robin Carrotson. "They're such interesting, fascinating individuals, yet they're so incredibly abused."
"Most people dismiss vegetables as dimwits... Yet this is a great fallacy," wrote University of Edinburgh biologist Kale Green. "In many areas, such as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of 'higher' vertebrates, including activists and protestors."
"There's no doubt that vegetables of all shapes and forms are capable of learning fairly complex tasks," Green said. "They can learn from their environment and experience." Oxford University researcher Rudy Baga de Treesa, for example, reported that the Chilean cave beet is able to draw detailed mental maps of its surroundings in Photoshop and post them on the internet.
To press their argument, PETV activists plan demonstrations starting next month at selected vegan restaurants nationwide. PETV also will urge changes in commercial farming practices, for example proposing that tractor drivers perform show tunes for the vegetables before uprooting them.
National Farm Institute president John Redcorn says "It's irresponsible to discourage people from eating vegetables at a time when doctors and dietitians advise eating them twice a day. If anything, we should be eating more vegetables."
Fennel questioned why there is popular support for sparing the cute vegetables -- such as tomatoes and celery -- yet minimal concern for species like artichokes, "whose suffering should warrant felony vegetable cruelty charges."
He also acknowledges the difficulty of changing long-held customs, but thinks his project is worthwhile. "We'd rather go too far than not far enough," he said.
Her voice quivering with emotion, Robin Carrotson exclaimed, "Won't someone PLEASE think of the cabbage!"
---
See also: Carrot Juice Is Murder
---
Vegetable-rights activists have launched a novel campaign arguing that vegetables -- contrary to stereotype -- are intelligent, sensitive entities no more deserving of being eaten than fish. Called the 'Think Vegetatively' Project, the campaign reflects a strategy shift by People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables as it challenges a diet component widely viewed as nutritious and uncontroversial.
"No one would ever pull a fish out of the ground and eat it." said PETV's Fred Fennel. "Once people start to understand that vegetables are just as intelligent as we are, they'll stop eating them."
The grass roots campaign is still in the germination stage and will face broad skepticism. Major groups such as the American Heart Association recommend vegetables as part of a healthy diet; some academics say it is wrong to portray the intelligence and pain sensitivity of vegetables as comparable to fish. "Vegetables are very complex organisms that do all sorts of amazing things," said University of Seattle scientist Rose Jimson. "But to suggest they know they what's happening to them and worry about it, that's just not the case."
PETV, headquartered in Greenleaf, CA., has campaigned for years against gardening, challenging claims by Jimson and others that harvested vegetables do not feel pain. PETV also has joined other critics in decrying the high levels of manure the vegetables are subjected to on farms.
The 'Think Vegetatively' Project is a departure in two respects -- attempting to depict the standard practices of commercial farming as cruel and seeking to convince consumers that there are ethical reasons for not eating vegetables. The project was inspired by several recent scientific studies, which discovered that certain vegetables' intelligence actually exceeded that of the researchers.
"Vegetables are so misunderstood because they grow in such foreign lands, like Nebraska," said Robin Carrotson. "They're such interesting, fascinating individuals, yet they're so incredibly abused."
"Most people dismiss vegetables as dimwits... Yet this is a great fallacy," wrote University of Edinburgh biologist Kale Green. "In many areas, such as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of 'higher' vertebrates, including activists and protestors."
"There's no doubt that vegetables of all shapes and forms are capable of learning fairly complex tasks," Green said. "They can learn from their environment and experience." Oxford University researcher Rudy Baga de Treesa, for example, reported that the Chilean cave beet is able to draw detailed mental maps of its surroundings in Photoshop and post them on the internet.
To press their argument, PETV activists plan demonstrations starting next month at selected vegan restaurants nationwide. PETV also will urge changes in commercial farming practices, for example proposing that tractor drivers perform show tunes for the vegetables before uprooting them.
National Farm Institute president John Redcorn says "It's irresponsible to discourage people from eating vegetables at a time when doctors and dietitians advise eating them twice a day. If anything, we should be eating more vegetables."
Fennel questioned why there is popular support for sparing the cute vegetables -- such as tomatoes and celery -- yet minimal concern for species like artichokes, "whose suffering should warrant felony vegetable cruelty charges."
He also acknowledges the difficulty of changing long-held customs, but thinks his project is worthwhile. "We'd rather go too far than not far enough," he said.
Her voice quivering with emotion, Robin Carrotson exclaimed, "Won't someone PLEASE think of the cabbage!"
---
See also: Carrot Juice Is Murder
Aucum sang pour le chocolat!
CHIRAC LIED!!! IVORIANS DIED!!! NO BLOOD FOR CHOCOLATE!!!
Someone needs to investigate these war crimes.
p.s. Hopefully this headline will be the only time Phrench appears here...
Someone needs to investigate these war crimes.
Some evacuees echoed the Ivory Coast government's complaints of excessive force. An American restaurant worker and other witnesses said French helicopters fired on demonstrators in the commercial capital, Abidjan.
''Man, we heard of a lot of Ivorian friends dying,'' the worker said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Hospital officials and the AP confirmed 27 deaths and 1,000 injured in the past week.
p.s. Hopefully this headline will be the only time Phrench appears here...
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
cool random stuff
I have no idea what Fljúgandi....ehhh....sláttuvél? means, but you must go see it!!
Periodic table, really.
A pipe organ that plays in just intonation, controlled by telephone relays.
Some even stranger instruments.
Periodic table, really.
A pipe organ that plays in just intonation, controlled by telephone relays.
Some even stranger instruments.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Go read...
One of the memes bouncing around Democratic circles these days is that Blue States are now paying taxes to a federal government under the complete control of the Red States. Now they know how the Red States felt from about 1952-1994...
All kinds of Good News from Afganistan
Open Letter to Europe
Rightwingsparkle is in a mood...
All kinds of Good News from Afganistan
Open Letter to Europe
Rightwingsparkle is in a mood...
Sunday, November 14, 2004
I Was a Teenage TV Addict!
The addiction started much before my teenage years though...
I was a TV addict. Sure, there were worse cases out there, but I was definitely hooked. For as long as I remember, I preferred to have the TV on, even if only for background noise.
Pink Panther and Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons. Price is Right. Match Game 7x. Diff'rent Strokes. MASH. WKRP in Cincinnati. National Geographic specials. Charlie Brown & Grinch & Willy Wonka & Wizard of Oz specials. Odd Couple. A-Team. Dukes of Hazzard. Miami Vice. MTV (back when they actually played music videos). Twin Peaks. Star Trek NG. The Simpsons. ER. And many many others...
(After watching waaay too many ER reruns, I had a funny dream about it once).
About 6 or 7 years ago, it became clear to me how much time I was wasting in front of the tube. One major symptom was a loss of interest in my creative pursuits. I used to draw and paint, make models from kits and from scratch, record music and build experimental instruments. But increasingly, my time outside of work and sleep was spent 'vegetating in cathode radiation'.
That should have been enough to make me quit, but it wasn't.
A couple of years later, the suggestive content (which had been there for quite a while) began to bother me. It was spreading everywhere, but my main example was the Drew Carey show. The first season was funny - with the 'Moon Over Parma' theme song - but after that, most of the jokes really became genitalia-centric. That 70's Show was similar. Ads for Viagra, condoms, and 'feminine products' became commonplace, too.
That should have been enough to make me quit too. It wasn't, but I did cut back a little.
That overlapped with my 2 times of unemployment, when I was sort of O.D.ing on TV. My conscience (or Someone else) started saying "This is filth. Why are you polluting your mind with it?"
(Actually, the first time I heard those words clearly was after watching the movie "Fight Club". Although an interesting movie, it made me want to shower twice after seeing it.)
The nails in the coffin of my addiction came during the year prior to this election, with the media loudly proclaiming its utter contempt for American values - except for freedom of speech (which they grant only to themselves).
They have cured this addict. I hope they have cured many many more.
---
update 4/05: here are two different reactions to tv.
I was a TV addict. Sure, there were worse cases out there, but I was definitely hooked. For as long as I remember, I preferred to have the TV on, even if only for background noise.
Pink Panther and Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons. Price is Right. Match Game 7x. Diff'rent Strokes. MASH. WKRP in Cincinnati. National Geographic specials. Charlie Brown & Grinch & Willy Wonka & Wizard of Oz specials. Odd Couple. A-Team. Dukes of Hazzard. Miami Vice. MTV (back when they actually played music videos). Twin Peaks. Star Trek NG. The Simpsons. ER. And many many others...
(After watching waaay too many ER reruns, I had a funny dream about it once).
About 6 or 7 years ago, it became clear to me how much time I was wasting in front of the tube. One major symptom was a loss of interest in my creative pursuits. I used to draw and paint, make models from kits and from scratch, record music and build experimental instruments. But increasingly, my time outside of work and sleep was spent 'vegetating in cathode radiation'.
That should have been enough to make me quit, but it wasn't.
A couple of years later, the suggestive content (which had been there for quite a while) began to bother me. It was spreading everywhere, but my main example was the Drew Carey show. The first season was funny - with the 'Moon Over Parma' theme song - but after that, most of the jokes really became genitalia-centric. That 70's Show was similar. Ads for Viagra, condoms, and 'feminine products' became commonplace, too.
That should have been enough to make me quit too. It wasn't, but I did cut back a little.
That overlapped with my 2 times of unemployment, when I was sort of O.D.ing on TV. My conscience (or Someone else) started saying "This is filth. Why are you polluting your mind with it?"
(Actually, the first time I heard those words clearly was after watching the movie "Fight Club". Although an interesting movie, it made me want to shower twice after seeing it.)
The nails in the coffin of my addiction came during the year prior to this election, with the media loudly proclaiming its utter contempt for American values - except for freedom of speech (which they grant only to themselves).
"Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?... You have seen fit to bring it out, and if there is a God in heaven, it will do neither you nor your cause any good."
They have cured this addict. I hope they have cured many many more.
---
update 4/05: here are two different reactions to tv.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Friday, November 12, 2004
MSM again
Cassandra at I Love Jet Noise wrote:
RTWT
In the wake of RatherGate, NYTroGate, and the exit poll brouhaha, there have been a slew of articles and online editorials in the mainstream media opining that bloggers are irresponsible, unprofessional, and not to be trusted.
Coming from a group of ostensible "professionals" who openly stumped for one candidate in this election to the extent of suppressing entire news stories and manufacturing others out of whole cloth, this attitude is stunning in its arrogance...
RTWT
heeheehee...
Flying Space Monkey said: "ABC is a Disney subsidiary and a fully licensed Mickey Mouse outfit."
Tesla Towers
If you happen to know who Nikola Tesla is, or even just what a Tesla Coil is, you might be impressed/intrigued by these:
Wardenclyffe Tower
Teleforce
I found these links a couple of weeks ago. Have any of you heard about these before?
Wardenclyffe Tower
Teleforce
I found these links a couple of weeks ago. Have any of you heard about these before?
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Headline
This Yahoo News item is titled "7 Said Killed in Ivory Coast Violence". Who would have thought there could be so much hostility between two brands of soap?
;)
;)
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Purple America
Here is a more fair and accurate map of voting patterns by county. Even when I posted this, I knew the old red-vs-blue map was an oversimplification, and wondered if there was a more accurate, 'nuanced' (lurch groan), version.
I found the link to the purple map at LaShawn Barber's blog, which also includes this good quote:
UPDATE: Here are some more versions. They look odd at first - read the explanations.
I found the link to the purple map at LaShawn Barber's blog, which also includes this good quote:
My advice to liberals: Stand tall and be men and women of conviction, if you believe you’re right. I think you’re wrong, but you have the freedom to express your viewpoint. You do not have the freedom to impose your will on me, though.
While you’re refining, repackaging and analyzing your message, consider this: truth is truth and decency is decency. If your “product” doesn’t contain both of these elements, your next advertising campaign won’t appeal to us, either.
UPDATE: Here are some more versions. They look odd at first - read the explanations.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Go read...
Ballou's News has some funny stuff - like "Kerry Campaign Sued by Descendents of Ghengis Khan".
Go read...
"American Exceptionalism" by Victor Davis Hanson. Key quotes:
Despite losing the majority of state legislatures and governorships, the U.S. Congress, the presidency, and soon the Supreme Court, our anointed elite still doesn't quite get it...
The Internet, right-wing radio, and cable news do not so much move Middle America as reflect its preexisting deep skepticism of our aristocracy and its engineered morality imposed from on high...
George Bush — through the beheadings, the kidnappings, Abu Ghraib, the hysteria of a Richard Clark, Joe Wilson, Anonymous, Rathergate, the 9/11 Commission, CIA rogue analysts, cheap European slurs, insane remarks from Walter Cronkite to Bill Moyers, and last-minute media fabricated "scandals" — has never faltered, so confident was he in the exceptionalism of America and the unshakeable resolve and competence of the U.S. military.
Most of the American people, of course, agreed all along.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Red State Blue State
Many of you have seen the red county vs. blue county voting map. Patterns have emerged, but there has not yet been any explanation of *why* those particular small areas of the country typically "vote blue" - until now. Amazingly, it seems that voting patterns may be influenced by particular geographic properties! Here are some examples:
Any other isolated blue areas are simply inexplicable.
While an investigation into this phenomenon continues, the search for a cure needs your support.
- The blue areas along the Mississippi river, and other rivers and coastlines are "all wet".
- The blue areas located in the mountains are "high as a kite".
- The blue metropolitan regions are "particularly dense".
Any other isolated blue areas are simply inexplicable.
While an investigation into this phenomenon continues, the search for a cure needs your support.
another slowdown
my blograte had increased because i thought my computer was ok, but it's acting up again so i probably won't be posting as much for a little while.
spyware stinks.
spyware stinks.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Thanksgiving starts early this year
Everybody who was praying for President Bush to win, or for Kerry to lose, or even for an non-legal-wrangling-prolonged election process, should take some time today to thank God for his mercy and grace. Pray that those who opposed Bush's reelection respect the electoral process. Pray continued protection and wisdom for the President in his second term. And continue to pray for victory in the war against terror.
Monday, November 01, 2004
last blog-dream bit
In addition to the three blog-related dreams already posted, there is one other blog-related fragment that has occured a couple of times...
Many of my dreams include lots of driving. Although it feels like there is a reason for the travel, the resulting path usually meanders aimlessly across a city (or even several states).
Anyway, 3 or 4 times now, those dream travels have brought me to Minneapolis. Having never actually seen the place, the scenery never looks the same twice - once it even resembled the adobe style of Santa Fe NM. Each time, I find out that James Lileks is signing copies of his books at a bookstore in a mall somewhere downtown. Each time, I hear about this just as I arrive in town, and for various reasons can never get there in time - either I can't find the mall, or it closes just before I arrive, or the car has trouble.
---
Okay, that's all the blogdreams for now. I'll post if there are others, but I don't think I could top this one by A Little Aardvark. Has anybody else had any blog-related dreams?
Many of my dreams include lots of driving. Although it feels like there is a reason for the travel, the resulting path usually meanders aimlessly across a city (or even several states).
Anyway, 3 or 4 times now, those dream travels have brought me to Minneapolis. Having never actually seen the place, the scenery never looks the same twice - once it even resembled the adobe style of Santa Fe NM. Each time, I find out that James Lileks is signing copies of his books at a bookstore in a mall somewhere downtown. Each time, I hear about this just as I arrive in town, and for various reasons can never get there in time - either I can't find the mall, or it closes just before I arrive, or the car has trouble.
---
Okay, that's all the blogdreams for now. I'll post if there are others, but I don't think I could top this one by A Little Aardvark. Has anybody else had any blog-related dreams?
Go See...
Some conservative punk posted this cartoon about F9/11.
Cold Fury has this article about the war on terror, including these words against the hateful left:
Cold Fury has this article about the war on terror, including these words against the hateful left:
THERE ARE NO LEGITIMATE GRIEVANCES that justify flying planes into a building, strapping bombs to women and children and sending them into pizza parlors and nightclubs, throwing a wheelchair-bound senior citizen over the side of a cruise ship, and the like. NONE...
Align yourself with the way of thinking that says that this horridly medieval and anti-humanist philosophy is one to be understood and ultimately tolerated if you like. Put yourself on the same side as those who behead truck drivers and aid workers helping to rebuild Iraq, burn their bodies, and drag them through the streets. Myself, I’ll stand on the side of liberty, civilization, and progress rather than religious oppression and fascist murder.
Excellent News From Iran
Iranian government officials admit Christianity ‘out of control.’
The article deals with the case of Hamid Pourmand, 47, a lay pastor in the Assemblies of God Church, who was arrested along with 85 other evangelical church leaders. Then the last section gives us this broader picture:
Romans 12:17-21 "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The article deals with the case of Hamid Pourmand, 47, a lay pastor in the Assemblies of God Church, who was arrested along with 85 other evangelical church leaders. Then the last section gives us this broader picture:
Over the past year, prominent government leaders have publicly denounced Christianity, Sufism and Zoroastrianism as threats to Iran’s national security.
Under Iran’s Islamist regime, several ex-Muslims who converted to Christianity have been either assassinated or executed by court order, under the guise of accusations of spying for foreign countries.
Apostasy is listed along with murder, armed robbery, rape and serious drug trafficking as a capital offense in Iran.
...Shiite cleric Hasan Mohammadi from the Ministry of Education declared, “Unfortunately, on average every day, 50 Iranian girls and boys convert secretly to Christian denominations in our country.”
After the speech... the father of one student in the audience told IPS that Mohammadi had “unknowingly admitted the defeat of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a theocratic regime in promoting its Islam.”
According to one Iranian Christian who spoke with Compass last week, “Neither the government nor the established churches can control what is happening spiritually across Iran right now.”
“We are hearing estimates that 60 percent of the Iranian people have now heard the message of Christ, even out in the villages,” the source said. Although many of the new Christians are young people, reports indicate entire families have come to faith in Christ and started worshipping in the privacy of their own homes.
“So really, the government can’t do anything to stop the growth of Christianity in Iran,” he said. “It’s out of control.”
Romans 12:17-21 "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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