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November 30, 2006

Dems Break Pledge to Make Post 9/11 Changes

With their pledge to keep us safe by implementing all 9/11 Commission suggestions, it turns out its really just business as usual for Democrats.

It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112901317_pf.html

Why should they bother? They just got power, and they intend to keep it.  How many times did we hear from Democrats that the 9/11 Commission was the authority on the mistakes Bush made and how they could be corrected.  Not so much when it comes to how they can spend money.

Posted by Ed Z at 09:53 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 29, 2006

Rubber Chicken Alert: DeVito

Danny DeVito gets drunk, whips out his rubber chicken and bashes Bush on The View.  Guess he needs to drum up some attention for his new movie. Check out the link below.

Source:  Woozy Devito Bashes Bush on The View

Posted by Ed Z at 03:10 PM | | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (1)

Lohan's Letter

This is the kind of stuff that just makes me laugh, via Hot Air:

Confirmed: Lindsay Lohan’s barely literate

Posted by Ed Z at 09:27 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 28, 2006

007 is Back

I went to see the new James Bond move, Casino Royale, and I have to say I was impressed. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives, the latter only being the length of the movie and sections that seemed to drag on a bit too long. Otherwise, it had a solid story, amazing action sequences, dialogue in a Bond tradition with out being corny, and most important, fantastic acting.

Daniel Craig makes an excellent Bond, playing Bond rough around the edges as opposed to the more refined recent portrayals. For the record, I believe Sean Connery was the best Bond, and I'd like to see Craig string together several 007 performances like the one in Casino Royale before I can truly judge him, but he is off to a great start.

If you're a fan of James Bond, I recommend this movie.

Posted by Ed Z at 01:17 PM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

November 26, 2006

The Age of Entitlement

Fellow blogger, prying1, has a great post on the possible increase in minimum wage and the effects thereof. I have always been fascinated by people who believe raising minimum wage can solve economic problems. Somehow the money just appears.

Raise minimum wages and it gives the unions the right to demand more. I understand that many unions have their wage structures tied in with the minimum wage. Hmmm. And the Dems love the unions...

Every time there is a raise in the minimum wages many people getting paid more than minimum wage find they're closer to the bottom and do not get increases themselves...

Democrats will continue to foster the age of entitlement as Folk Marxism marches on.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:06 PM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

November 25, 2006

Abortion Ruminations

Without repeating all of the valid/invalid arguments, I'll say that I think you can get a reasonable majority of Americans to agree that sometimes an abortion is justifiable. Sad, but justifiable. In fact, it was the "justifications" arguments that persuaded many state legislatures to enact today's permissive abortion laws. You know them by heart: rape, health of the mother, incest, deformity-stuff like that.

Where folks part company is when it is stipulated that no justification should be required at all; that personal convenience is all that matters. And, that all taxpayers should pay the price. Really? Now that Convenience has become our Society's life or death standard, where are the limits to what can be done under its banner?

Anyway, the fervent "abortion-for-convenience" crowd can't abide the "abortion-with-justification" crowd. The "no-abortion-ever' crowd was beaten a long time ago.

What's up here?

-Zorroaster

 

**UPDATE**

Saw this headline on Drudge: More women have abortions as it loses stigma

Also Karol at Alarming News talks about this today: Abortion is bad

-Ed Z

Posted by Ed Z at 09:07 PM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Posted by Ed Z at 10:58 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 21, 2006

What's In a Name? More Than You Want to Know

If you're a regular reader, you might know by now that I'm not particularly fond of certain advertising methods. While I'm all for low-brow humor, I think it has to have a context and an appropriate time and place.

Some advertising is so in-your-face, it doesn't give a viewer the option to ignore it, because by that time, it is too late. Other ads, I believe send the wrong message, and you wonder, how can you possibly counter these ads when a child is involved.

Several weeks ago my wife received a Victoria's Secret catalog and while browsing through it, she came across a makeup kit named the Very Sexy Ultimate Makeup Kit. Upon reading the description she called me over to share some of the names of the contained items: Loose Shimmer Powder in Role Play, Mosaic Eye Shadow in Satisfied, Perfect Lipstick in G and Hot Spot, Mosaic Lip Palette in Hedonist, Lip Lacquer in All Access and Chills, Lip Gloss in Lover and Hot Pants, Sheer Lip Liner in Red Light, and Silky Eye Shadow in Blindfold, Wink and Ravish Me. G spot? Hedonist? Ravish me?

I wasn't quite sure of the demographic of Victoria's Secret shoppers, but my wife believes that many young girls do shop there because of the implied sex appeal of the clothing. Which brings me to the point of all of this: is this ok?

I know they're only names, but it just doesn't feel right. If I had a 15 year old daughter, would I want her wearing Hot Pants lip gloss? And really it isn't just the names, but the whole culture being promoted. It's a culture of pornography, and while there is ample chance for kids to be exposed to porn it shouldn't start with makeup.

I would really like to hear your thoughts on this, from parents and non-parents. Have you had to filter out products from your kids that you never dreamed you'd have to? How would you feel if your child asked for this for Christmas? Or went out and bought it and was using it already. What would your reaction be?

Posted by Ed Z at 11:02 PM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (2)

November 20, 2006

Rangel Wants Draft Reinstated

During the 2004 presidential election, Democrats were trying to scare young men and women into voting against Republicans by claiming the draft would be reinstated. They said the military was spread too thin in Afghanistan and Iraq and more soldiers would be needed.  They also claimed that if re-elected, Bush would surely go to war with Iran and North Korea.  It would only be a matter of timer before Republicans brought back the draft.

You can imagine my shock when I heard over the weekend that Charlie Rangel (D-NY) will introduce a bill to reinstate the draft. Only this time, according to Rangel, it will be a deterrent. You know, to keep the administration from starting wars. Oddly enough, it paves the way for any future administration to have a draft in place.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said.

Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061120/D8LGK3D00.html

Check out Michelle Malkin's post for details on the scare tactics used by Democrats in 2004.

And as an added bonus, Karol at Alarming News points out that Rangel had a similar bill and proceeded to vote against it in October, 2004.

Posted by Ed Z at 11:39 AM | | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (1)

November 19, 2006

Ready to Wear and Willing to Die

Will there be a time in the near future, when during a fashion show a doctor will walk around examining the models, like horses in the stables before a race or dogs in the kennel before a show? Will the fashion industry be forced to regulate the health of its models since they obviously do not want to do it themselves? I am not in favor of any such laws, but what can you do when girls keep dying?

Last week a Brazilian model died from health problems induced by anorexia. Ana Carolina Reston, a 21 year old woman at 5 foot 8, weighed 88 pounds. This is the healthy weight of a 12 year old girl.

My friend, and fellow blogger, Bramble, shares her experience with this subject:

The sad news of yet another model dying last week, should be, but will not be, a wake up call to women everywhere. And yes, the age-old cry of the absolutely fabulous, "you can never be too rich or too thin" is a lie. In the past couple of months 2 models have died because they were simply too thin. Thinking one can exist on diet soda and lettuce, is not really thinking at all. What happened to the hourglass figure? Where have all the Marilyns gone? The same girl consuming 0 calories a day is the same girl wearing the pin up girl t-shirts, and cinching their waists with big belts, trying desperately to create curves. Why not just have curves? Women are women after all, not men. What is wrong with being 5' 7" and a size 8? This I ask myself everyday, and yet still, I wonder what it's like to be the size 2s I see on the rack. Do those girls have a better life than me? I seriously doubt it.

Read her whole post, because it may give you, as it did me, some insight as to what women are dealing with on a daily basis.

Posted by Ed Z at 01:44 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 17, 2006

Coming in 2036: Armageddon II, This Time With Feeling

NASA has identified a small asteroid, Apophis, as a possible threat to Earth in 2036 and is drawing up plans to land someone on it. They're watching Armageddon and taking copious notes.

Chris McKay of the Nasa Johnson Space Centre in Houston told the website Space.com: "There's a lot of public resonance with the notion that Nasa ought to be doing something about killer asteroids ... to be able to send serious equipment to an asteroid.

"The public wants us to have mastered the problem of dealing with asteroids. So being able to have astronauts go out there and sort of poke one with a stick would be scientifically valuable as well as demonstrate human capabilities."

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1950258,00.html

Posted by Ed Z at 03:54 PM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

November 16, 2006

Campaign Spending--Monopolists Own America’s Election Money

"Media Companies to Come Out Winners As 2006 Political Spending Heads for Record Books"-Press Release by PQ Media, November 2, 2006.

It is estimated that $3.14 billion was spent on political advertising and marketing communications in 2006. Isn't it interesting that with all of the hullabaloo attached to Campaign Finance Reform and limiting political fund-raising, so little attention is paid to who gets all those $ billions?

Extrapolating from 2004 breakdowns, more than 65% went to broadcast media companies (primarily television and radio). In any given American locality a few of these companies possess the exclusive and virtually perpetual right to broadcast over (and charge for) a tightly restricted number of assigned airwave frequencies. In other words, there is no "ease of entry" for new competitors to spring up. In contrast, anyone with the resources can start a newspaper or magazine anywhere in America-but, you can't start broadcasting over the airwaves!

Do you see a certain irony that, in a country of 300 million that cherishes freedom of speech, a few thousand government-protected broadcasters control the airwaves and the revenues created by elections? Is there a valid reason why, in exchange for being granted monopoly power, these guys shouldn't be required to broadcast campaign materials as a public service? If 65% of campaign costs were eliminated, would there be any need for McCain-Feingold's restrictions on donations?

-Zorroaster

Posted by Ed Z at 09:25 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 15, 2006

Kucinich: Cut Off Iraq War Funds

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is calling for an immediate cut-off of funds for the Iraq war.

I want to say that there's one solution here, and it's not to engage in a debate with the President, who has taken us down a path of disaster in Iraq, but it's for Congress to assume the full power that it has under the Constitution to cut off funds. We don't need to keep indulging in this debate about what to do, because as long as we keep temporizing, the situation gets worse in Iraq.

"We have to determine that the time has come to cut off funds. There’s enough money in the pipeline to achieve the orderly withdrawal that Senator McGovern is talking about. But cut off funds, we must. That's the ultimate power of the Congress, the power of the purse. That's how we'll end this war, and that’s the only way we’re going to end this war.

Source: http://kucinich.us/archive/home/display.php?src=k_20061115_qrzabj_bhgbsvend.cuc

This may be the beginning of the end folks, and it reminds me of a recent New York Sun editorial from last week, 1975 and 2007.

In October, the 93rd Congress passed a law cutting off all foreign aid to Vietnam. President Ford vetoed the measure, but the Congress overrode the veto. In November, the Democrats sharply expanded their power on the Hill, gaining 48 seats in the House and five in the Senate. Many of the newcomers were of a new, far more left-wing, mindset.

Definitely worth reading.

Posted by Ed Z at 05:43 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oil Oil Everywhere

Pulitzer Prize-winning oil historian Daniel Yergin has put out a study claiming our world's oil reserves are three times larger than estimated. And we're apparently 25 years away from peak oil production.

CERA's report, titled "Why the Peak Oil Theory Falls Down," challenges an increasingly popular view that the world is about to run out of oil. On the contrary, CERA argues that the world is likely to begin running out of oil between 2030 and the middle of the century. Even so, CERA says, efforts are needed now to push that date back, such as new oil field discoveries, new technologies, energy conservation and alternative energy sources.

Source: http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington//16012061.htm

I've been reading about this story for a few days, and I find it remarkable that whenever we're told the planet is on its last legs we find out it may not be true.  One thing that will always remain a fact: stories of doom and gloom will always have legs.

Posted by Ed Z at 09:42 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 12, 2006

What Did the Voters Teach the Kids?

"Teach Your Children Well…"-Crosby, Stills & Nash

Do you think our kids watched, listened and learned these songs from the November 2006 elections?

"Diff'rent Strokes By Diff'rent Folks"--Sly and the Family Stone: Qualifications for education, school sports, jobs and justice should be based on race, sex and quotas; not abilities. Equality of outcomes is more important than equality of opportunities. Multilingualism is preferable to a common language for public discourse. Racial profiling for Islamic terrorists is impermissible; profiling little old ladies is okay.

"If It Feels Good, Do It"--Sloan: Any sexual relationship can be sanctified as marriage. Abortion is a valid form of birth control. There is nothing immoral about an abortion. Condoms and condom demonstrations belong in teenagers' classrooms. Timothy Leary had it right, "Whatever turns you on!". Banning the Boy Scouts is an affirmation of the tolerance of different life-styles.

"You Can't Hide Your Lying Eyes?"--The Eagles: Well, yes you can--Good GDP growth, low unemployment and stock market highs equal a bad economy…America and Americans are not generous enough in sharing their wealth with the world's and their own poor.

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home"-Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore: Saddam Hussein was actually a nice guy; it was wrong to depose him. ROTC doesn't belong at American colleges. Israel and terrorists are morally equivalent. American culture and morality is inferior to the United Nations.

"The Ballad of the Easy Life"-Kurt Weill: Corrupt politicians should be re-elected. Soak the rich is the way to go! (But, don't ask who's considered rich.) High tax rates are good.

"Faith of Our Fathers, Living Still"-Frederic Faber : Forget this one--Atheism, which in itself, is a belief system, is the only religion American's should tolerate-EXCEPT FOR ISLAM which is entitled to a place of honor and deference.

"And Know They Love You"?--Crosby, Stills and Nash

-Zorroaster

Posted by Ed Z at 10:36 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 11, 2006

Veterans Day

My grandfather, my father and my closest friend are veterans. Though I am not, I try to understand the sacrifices they and all veterans have made for our country.

My words are like breath on a cold day, visible only for a moment, a scattered memory. I hope my actions last longer, and truly honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

God bless you all.

Posted by Ed Z at 04:24 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

November 10, 2006

Mets to Name New Park?

Matthew Cerrone over at MetsBlog is reporting that the New York Mets may be naming their new stadium Monday. The stadium is set to open in 2009 and while I'll be happy to see the Mets in their new abode, I'll miss Shea's grotesque appeal. I have so many great memories there but I look forward to the new ones

.

So far, nobody has leaked the new name but as Matthew's post points out, someone mentioned CitiField.

Since the announcement of a new stadium, I hoped MetLife would buy the rights. MetLife Park, Met Field... it just makes sense.

Let me know what you'd like to see as the new name. Also, what do you think is the worst name in current MLB parks? I vote for U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

 

Posted by Ed Z at 03:37 PM | | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

When Your Enemies are Happy

When your enemies celebrate the results of your elections, something has gone terribly wrong.

A purported audio recording by the leader of Iraq's al Qaeda wing gloated over the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, as a top U.S. general said the military was preparing to recommend strategy changes.

Source: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?...

"This issue (the elections) is not a purely domestic issue for America, but it is the defeat of Bush's hawkish policies in the world," Khamenei said in remarks reported by Iran's student news agency ISNA on Friday.

"Since Washington's hostile and hawkish policies have always been against the Iranian nation, this defeat is actually an obvious victory for the Iranian nation."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061110/pl_nm/usa_elections_iran_dc_3

Makes you feel good, doesn't it?

Ann Althouse puts it well:

I'm upset because I think we have sent a terrible message to our enemies: Just hang on long enough and continue to inflict some damage, and the Americans will lose heart and give up. You barely need anything at all. You might not be able to hijack a plane with a box cutter anymore, but you can take back a country -- a country we conquered with overwhelming military power -- merely by mercilessly and endlessly setting off small bombs in your own town day after day.

How much harder it becomes ever to fight and win a war again. Only pacifists and isolationists should feel good about the way this election was won.

We've emboldened our enemies and shown them we have no stomach for war.  Even when faced with enemies who are bent on our destruction, we're seemingly happier to just hope it goes away.

Via: Hot Air & Instapundit

Posted by Ed Z at 02:18 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

November 09, 2006

Late Late Show: Ode To Rumsfeld

I'm definitely going to miss you Rummy.

 

For six months after 9/11 I was working from home, as my office was closed down for repairs.  Rumsfeld's daily press conferences were something I honestly looked forward to, and in a weird way, kept me sane.  I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of him.

Posted by Ed Z at 11:25 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Senator Tom Coburn on the Elections

With the Democrats taking control of the Senate many of you may be wondering what went wrong (or right).  I still firmly believe that conservative values did not lose in this election, but Republicanism, in its current state did.  Many Republicans who lost their seats did do because they abandoned their conservative values and the Democrats won by moving to the center.

Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma wrote his thoughts on the election and I encourage you to take a look.

The overriding theme of this election, however, is that voters are more interested in changing the culture in Washington than changing course in Washington, D.C. This election was not a rejection of conservative principles per se, but a rejection of corrupt, complacent and incompetent government.

Source: http://coburn.senate.gov/public/...

Posted by Ed Z at 09:51 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 08, 2006

Rumsfeld to Step Down

AP is reporting Rumsfeld will step down.  More when I know it.

**UPDATE** Drudge is now reporting this.

**UPDATE** Former CIA Director, Robert Gates, to be next Secretary of Defense.  Confirmed by POTUS.

Here are some links on the story:

Fox News

Debka

Reaction at Hot Air

Posted by Ed Z at 01:50 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Post Election Thoughts

The elections aren't quite over but the Democrats have control of the House and are poised to pick up the Senate. Democrats picked up 4 Senate seats (2 undecided) and 27 (13 undecided) House seats as voters sent a clear message that they're not happy with the war.

For those who are saying this is a sweeping rebuke of conservative American values, I would quote Michelle Malkin:

The GOP lost. Conservatism prevailed. "San Francisco values" may control the gavels in Congress, but they do not control America. Property rights initiatives limiting eminent domain won big. MCRI, the anti-racial preference measure, passed resoundingly. Congressman Tom Tancredo, the GOP's leading warrior against illegal immigration--opposed by both the open-borders Left and the open-borders White House--won a fifth term handily. Gay marriage bans won approval in 3 states. And as of this writing, the oil tax initiative, Prop. 87--backed by deep-pocketed Hollywood libs, is trailing badly in California.

For me, the bottom line is, "show me what you've got". I still haven't heard any of the Democrats' plans for the war, let's hope they have one.

Posted by Ed Z at 11:43 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 06, 2006

Voter's Checklist

The mid-term elections are tomorrow and though many of you have already decided how you will vote, I have something that may only take a few minutes, but it may shed some light on your own beliefs.

Dennis Prager has a 23-point checklist of positions held by liberal Democrats and mainstream liberal institutions.  You can simply read the positions and see if you agree or disagree.

In the end, it may just reinforce your positions, or perhaps you may find that your beliefs run differently than you once thought.

Click the link below to see the questionnaire.

Are You a Liberal?

Posted by Ed Z at 10:36 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

November 05, 2006

Death by Hanging

Saddam sentenced to death by hanging Sunday, November 5.

Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced Sunday to hang for crimes against humanity in the 1982 killings of 148 people in a single Shiite town, as the ousted leader, trembling and defiant, shouted "God is great!"

Source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SADDAM_VERDICT...

May God have mercy on your soul.

Posted by Ed Z at 09:57 AM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

November 03, 2006

Bribing Voters in Arizona

Though the story is a bit old, this is going to be voted on come Tuesday, so I thought it relevant. An Arizona ballot would award a random voter $1 million for participating in a general election or a primary.

The funds would come from unclaimed Arizona lottery money. Not that those funds could go to something better, like education, but hey gambling is more fun.

This gimmick may attract more voters, but there is no incentive to actually be an informed voter. It doesn't improve the democratic process just dilutes the pool of people who take voting seriously. So, who benefits most from this, besides the person depositing the cool million?

I think it is safe to say that people who have less money would be more inclined to want money. Numbers show that party affiliation among people who have an annual income lower than $30k heavily favors Democrats. Can you guess creator, Mark Osterloh's party affiliation?

The initiative calls for financing the award through unclaimed state lottery prize money, private donations and, if need be, state money. A spokeswoman for the Arizona Lottery Commission said its unclaimed prize pot fluctuated greatly, but it now stood at more than $1 million.

Mr. Osterloh said private donors could add their own incentives, like a car dealership offering a new car to a random voter.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/us...

And I suppose as the stakes increase in an election so might the cash and prizes.  Once the door is opened, who's to say that $1 million couldn't turn into $100 million.  I hear Bob Barker may be available.    This is nothing more than a bribe.

Posted by Ed Z at 02:26 PM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

November 02, 2006

Update on Possible Iran Strike

Debka is reporting that the USS Eisenhower and USS Enterprise are in the Red Sea off the Saudi Arabian coast.

With the arrival of the USS Eisenhower in the region, there are now three US aircraft carriers in the Persion Gulf and surrounding waters, including the USS Iwo Jima. Accompanying the USS Eisenhower are the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio, the guided-missile destroyers USS Rampage and USS Mason and the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Newport.

Source: http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=3452

More info on Hot Air.

Posted by Ed Z at 09:59 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

November 01, 2006

Photo of the Day

Like these guys don't have enough to deal with on a daily basis-- then they have to hear what Kerry said about them.  It's great to see they have a sense of humor about it.  God bless all of them.

Via: Michelle Malkin & Hot Air

Posted by Ed Z at 05:24 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)