The Noble Pundit

2 Links For Nighttime Reading

Getting up at ten of five in the morning every morning is still killing me and probably will until my body has a chance to better adjust to the new schedule. I had two other articles I was going to comment on, but instead I'll just present the links here, with a mild commentary after:

Aristide Defiant, to Sue US, France, Over Kidnapping - How dare he! Of all the low down, dirty, evil things to do to us! He can never be allowed to resume power ever again, anywhere. Not even as block captain for a neighborhood watch.

I don't really care about the kidnapping accusation. False accusations are levied all the time in foreign affairs. That's just part of the game. But to lump us with the French....that is just beyond the pale. That is what you call a low blow and is why I think that Aristide should spend the rest of his days hanging out in the Central African Republic as far away from the crystalline waters of the Caribbean as you can get him.

Iran Defends Nuclear Program In Face Of UN Criticism - I don't know about this. The Iranians seem to be playing a version of the "definition of 'is'" game, but with much higher global stakes. Methinks it might be about time to turn up the heat one the ayatollahs...

Some Stories To Chew On This Morning

I'm still in an exceptionally bad mood this morning, so rather than write something I might regret, I'm just going to post a few stories I found this morning with minimal commentary (á la my Quick Links of yore).

First up we have the first two stories on this page over at Fox News.

Re the first story: I've handled the boxes human tissue are shipped in. It takes a complete and utter moron to mistake them. In this case we had two. The chick shipping 119 lbs of pot via air cargo was pretty obviously a moron, but so was the cargo agent who gave her the organs. It's not too often that styrofoam coolers with big red labels marked "HUMAN TISSUE" come through. The only good thing here is that the organs got to the recipient in time. Otherwise I'd be calling for charging both the doper and cargo agent with some form of manslaughter. There is no excuse for this. None.

re the second item: At 63 years old doesn't this guy have a clue about acting maturely? Didn't he ever learn that committing a wrong to counter a wrong is still wrong? The very fact that he's on the city council makes me hope that the DA throws the book at him and charges him with each and every infraction. Politicians seem to be forgetting that they are not above the law. A reminder needs to be sent.

And the San Jose Mercury News has an article today that discusses the problems that Kerry, Edwards, and Kucinich (if he makes the trip west, and if anyone pays attention to him) are going to have trying to sell their opposition to NAFTA in California. Actually, I think Edwards might have a problem as he actually has taken a clear position on the issue. Kerry is on both sides of this fence, too having voted for NAFTA, but now claiming that he doesn't like it (Kerry seems to have a pattern of this - he votes one way and then expresses his regret about having done so, thereby trying to triangulate by staking out positions on both sides of the debate. His only clear position seems to be that he can claim to be on every single side of any issue.). And Kucinich, well nobody would listen to him anyway, so we won't go there. It's too bad that California probably won't accord this issue the attention it deserves. This, more than most issues, will definitely have an effect on their economy. Do I see another clear choice in the making???

This Weekend

Sorry about the lack of posts this weekend. I spent Friday and Saturday working over at the Church Street Ballroom (where I got an opportunity to listen to Lt. Governor Toni Jennings of Winter Park speak on Friday) and then I've been spending time with the family and watching the Super Bowl tonight.

I have been perusing the Internet some during the game and came across two very graphic and disturbing items (both were actually found via Drudge):

The first is disturbing more on an intellectual level, an article (link doesn't appear to be available at the moment) that details out some of the more disgusting parts of the German cannibal.

If that isn't quite enough for you, the Government of Israel has posted a video of the aftermath of the latest bus bombing. Before going over here, be warned, when they say it is graphic, it is graphic. I do think that it is instructive to remind us of just how devastating these terrorist attacks are on a human level. I challenge anyone to watch this and to find a rationale for why this should be acceptable behavior. There is no excuse for it. None.

Drudge also has one other headline with no links that I think merits some mention. He's talking about the Dean campaign and how they were providing valet parking at events and were also bussing in supporters to Iowa to pump up the apparent size of the crowds. So what? Yes, it was poor budgeting. Yes, it demostrates that they failed to develop a real, diverse support base. But it also simply demonstrates why the man does not have what it takes to be President. If he can't plan his campaign, why should we trust him to plan our national path for four years?

Quick Links

Navy Announces Ohio Class SSGN Conversion Contract Award - 145 Tomahawks, plus 60 Special Forces guys. Makes for one hell of a platform. I don't necessarily like the fact that we're giving up some of the SSBNs, but if they think that it will make us safer in the end...

Libyan deal shows need for shift in U.S. diplomatic tactics, analysts say - Negotiating is nice and should be the preferred method of dealing with others, but sometimes a use of force is the best negotiating tool available.

Is Kim sweating over dictator's capture? - Good question. I'm really starting to think that there is a link between Quaddafi's change of heart and Kim's mysterious Jimmy Hoffa impersonation.

Quick Links

This is the week I changed my mind about hanging - A death penalty opponent takes a long, hard look at his beliefs and has the intellectual honesty to realize that his actual belief was in conflict with his stated beliefs.

Arab Conspiracy Theories on Saddam's Capture - Is an event in the Arab world without a conspiracy theory really an event?

Revealed: the real reason for Gaddafi's WMD surrender - Intercepted shipment? Hmmm. Has anyone seen Kim Jong Il lately (rhetorical question, I know that he's been missing for over a month now)?

The Saudi Hate Machine - Interesting. Reeducating radical clerics. Why do I not think that it's going to be overly effective?

Iraqis Exact Revenge on Baathists - After 30 years of oppression, you knew that there had to be period of retribution after the fall of Saddam. Now that he has been captured and his reign is well and truly over, these acts need to be taken more seriously and cracked down on, in the name of law and order.

U.S. Contracting in Iraq Should Serve as Model for American Trade Policy - I don't know why there has ever been a question about the idea of not trading (not restricting trade, simply refusing to trade) with nations or companies that we find to be distasteful.

Quick Links

Green Eggs and Spam? E-Mailed Scam Gets Into the Wrong Hands - Man. Of all the people to target for a computer crime. Serves the stupid crooks right.

Give Them a Chance - There almost seems to be a coordinated effort in Saudi Arabia to make nice towards us.

Al-Jazeera Khartoum office closed - Gees. The Sudanese are calling them liars. Doesn't say much for their credibility, now does it?

Parliament supports setting up U.S. military bases - New Europe, this time Bulgaria, is really doing well with proving themselves to be true friends and allies.

Morning Linkage

The amazing depth and extent of anti-Semitic hatred in the Islamic world - and why it threatens every American - We already knew about the depth and extent of the hatred, but it's always good to remind ourselves anyways.

From the spiritual world:

Well you won't die laughing. It's deadpan humour only as Church bans jokes at funerals - (link requires registration) It's in Ireland, but it just goes to show how far we've slipped if they feel they need to ban inappropraite behavior at funerals. Personally, I like the Celebration of Life idea better than the morbid, depressing funeral, but that's just me.

Lawton woman burns apartment to get rid of ghost - In keeping with the spiritual theme... Apparently the ghost lived in her bathtub, so she torched to entire place. There's no accounting for some people....

Man Accidentally Killed When Posing As Piñata For Kids - You should just instinctively know that it's never a good idea to put a rope around your neck and stand on something like a chair. Never.

France to ban "symbols of stereotyping", introduce customer service - Ah, if only it were true....

Close encounter with a US diplomat - US Ambassador to Egypt David Welch "discusses: issues with Al-Ahram weekly. Actually, it's not much of a discussion as he pretty well takes them apart. Great read!

Morning Quick Links

P-3s Saved; Dutch Parliament Over-rules Military - A good move by the Dutch

Al-Qaeda "Recruits Bulgarian Students"

How The ACLU Stole Christmas

Should Hillary Be Tried For Treason? - I'm going to say no on this one. Her speech may be offensive and ill-timed, but treason should carry a very high burden of proof and telling our troops that the outcome is still in doubt, while completely tasteless, does not, in my opinion, meet that burden. Censure her in the Senate. Use her statement against her in her next campaign. But expressing an opinion, even if it is wrong, is not treason. This just doesn't meet the burden, even if I would love nothing more than to see her get kicked out the government in disgrace.

The Racism Of Diversity

Quick Links

Despite Saddam’s Capture, Iraq War Was Wrong: Experts - The Arab News goes looking for someone to still preach the "the war was wrong" line and they find someone in the CATO Institute.

Small Submarines Increasingly Appeal to Terrorists, Criminals - An interesting look at how subs might be used against us. But my favorite part is that the North Koreans have a sub class called "Yugo." I certainly hope that it is better than the car (and yes, I do know that "Yugo" is our term for the sub, not theirs)!

Talk of Blockading North Korea "not in our thinking" - I have to admit that I hadn't thought of using a naval blockage against the North Koreans. OK, so it's not in our thinking now, but maybe it should be?

Quick Links

I looked into his eyes and I was looking at pure evil, says victim -A description of Saddam and his victims finally getting together for a little more intimate meeting than their first.

France Pledges to Help Reduce Iraq Debt - It's a nice start, but they still have a ways to go to rebuild any kind of real goodwill in the international community when it includes the US.

And from Debkafile:

Russia has sold Iran advanced 300-A air defense missile system – against Washington’s objections - to defend its controversial Bushehr nuclear reactor. This was discovered Sunday when two missiles were fired accidentally during installation, killing at least two and injuring 20 aboard a minibus and causing heavy damage in town. Casualties and damage believed more extensive than admitted by Tehran.

Hmmm. Maybe the reactor is not so peaceful in intention after all. At least Israel now knows what it's facing if and when they go to neutralize the facility.

Quick Links

New boy Poland flexes its muscles - The Guardian notices that Poland is an up and coming nation (although much further along than the Guardian would ever admit). How does the Guardian respond? By painting Poland as a troublemaker, of course!

The privatisation of war - The Guardian has also noted the fact that there are private military contractors out there, a fact that I noted way back in July.

The 2004 Political Landscape: Evenly Divided and Increasingly Polarized - Hmmm. I think I hinted at the polarized part in my last post. Why, yes. Yes I did.

Blair 'to strip Mugabe of knighthood' - "In an effort to force a 'regime change'?" This will be the most wholy ineffective measure Blair could come up with. Absolutely a useless gesture.

Words that Kill - This is a tough one. I'm really glad that this isn't a case involving Americans, because I would then be forced to defend these two and their First Amendment right to free speech - no matter how distasteful. But since they're not American, I don't have to feel so bad. What does concern me though is that this is a step on the path towards policing thoughts, and the UN and the ICC are setting themselves up as the determinants of acceptable thought - a scary precendent.

U.S. Shuts Out France, Germany for Iraq Work - Aww, gee. Don't you just feel so bad for France and Germany after the way they tried to screw us? I don't.

Stone Age sites found under North Sea - Way cool stuff here. One day, I would love to be able to take some time out to help in an archaelogical exploration. I think that would be such a blast.

Special Mid Day Quick Links

I'm not done posting for today, but I've already got a few articles I'm likely not going to get around to today, so I'll go ahead and clear them out of the way with a midday quick links!

On the issue of religion in Europe:

France split by proposal to ban Islamic headscarves and crucifixes in schools - I don't think that Chirac and Co. would want to admit it yet, but this is merely a minor battle in the war to protect France from radical fundamentalism, the greatest threat of which is being presented by Islam. If the French government loses this battle, it will likely be the beginning of the end of the French Republic as an egalitarian institution.

Do Jews Have a Future in Europe? - It's becoming an age old question, but still as important as ever. Daniel Pipes looks at the question in light of the suppressed and now released-with-disclaimer report on anti-Semitism in Europe.

And a grouping on the Israeli/Palestinian part of the world:

Comfort and Joy, Palestinian Style - Another assertation that the PA might actually be corrupt? With examples of said corruption? Surely it must be a Zionist plot! </sarcasm>

The 'Times' embraces Geneva - The JPost has a pretty good fisking of the New York Times recent support for the Geneva Accord and why the Times is (surprise, surprise, surprise </Gomer Pyle Accent>) wrong.

In Sharon's plan, settlements may be 'moved' - And Ariel Sharon shows what an evil monster he is by risking his government to propose unilateral movement along the Road Map, specifically the dismantling of some of the settlements.

Quick Links

Chirac stokes Muslim veil debate - Ooooo. Chiraqi is expressing concern over Islamic fundamentalism is France. What what a foresightful genius he is!

64 Die in Congo From Anti-Sorcery Potion - They did it to ward off evil spirits. It sure warded them off, ALL of them.

Soldier's family facing eviction - There are a bunch of things about this story that stink. Something just doesn't seem right with the way that this was handled, by almost everyone involved, even disregarding the fairly obvious slant in the piece.

Two Court Decisions Have Declared Marriage "Irrational" - Marriage is irrational? Gee isn't that what men have been saying for years? Oh wait, this time you're serious, not just blowing smoke? Ohhhhhhhh.

Controversial fence proves its worth - A postive story about the Fence? Can it be that there might be some benefit to border security? Nah. Surely you jest!

U.S. Officials Fear Socks Represent New Way to Smuggle Bombs Aboard Planes - No one ever thought before this to be a little suspicous of socks tied around a traveller's neck? Or is this just another excuse to make going through airport security even more of a hassle? Little half-measures like this are next to useless. We need to come up with a comprehesive security system, not a collection of security Band-Aids. And it's time to face facts, some sort of profiliing will almost certainly be needed. Uncomfortable or not.

Quick Links

Hollywood loses control of the political script - I'll bet that this has Tinseltown all in a tizzy that, basically, we don't care what their political beliefs are. We'd be much more happy if they'd go back to making the occasional movie that people wanted to watch.

Dean blasts Bush in Texas campaign stop - Dean says "I think it's time that elections in Texas were not about guns, God, gays and abortion. I think it's time elections in Texas were about jobs, health care and education." Well that's just great Howie, except that the people of Texas get to decide what the important issues are to them. It is smug, arrogant, and elitist to think that you have any right to tell the people of Texas what their issues should be. Your issues are no better than theirs and maybe it's time to grow up and learn that politicians are elected to serve, not to lord over the subjects.

Iran still hasn't signed nuke agreement - OMG! Shock! Surprise! Utter disappointment and disbelief at the fact that Iran still hasn't signed that agreement that they promised to. I'll bet if we keep looking, we'll find that they're still an oppressive, totalitarian regime, also. They probably still even support terrorism. How could they do this to us? How could they betray our trust like this? </sarcasm> Did anyone truly expect them to sign the agreement in the first place (besides the media)?

Quick Links

12 posts here today, plus one at my unofficial Orlando History Blog, and I got my book recommendation page up and running. Not a bad day of blogging, but I think I need to do some other stuff for a while. So here are tonight's Quick Links:

Revenue files 'disappear' from PA Finance Ministry - We lost the files. Sounds vaguely familiar for some reason. Something about a Rose. Hmmm.

Salvation Army baffled by lack of applications - I hate to see the toys not get handed out to needy kids, but if the parents are thinking that they're doing well enough to not need the help, well that's a wonderful gift for the parents. It's a little dark cloud with a huge silver lining.

Christmas is more than religion: Those who bemoan the holiday's commercialization should take a historical view - He has some good points, but I think that he misses the basic point of the argument he's attempting to refute. I don't think that many people want to decommercialize Christmas, just to rein in some of the excesses of the season - to remember a little more of the religious underpinnings of the holiday, while still enjoying the commercial and familial aspects of the holiday also.

Amtrak Posts Thanksgiving Ridership Mark - This would be great, except that these are the kind of numbers that need to be normal, not exceptional, if Amtrak is to remain in its current form. Otherwise, we really need to start taking a serious look at privatization or a system of regional rail systems that can better respond to the needs of the local region, rather than through executive fiat from Washington.

Quick Links

I'm off from work tomorrow, so hopefully we'll get a little more posting in than we have lately. Unless we keep referring to ourself as we, in which case we'll be committed to the loony bin.

Afghans on perilous road to democracy - It is a series of little steps that will make up the entire journey to democracy for both Afghanistan and Iraq. Afghanistan has now taken that first, tiny step on its journey.

Store owner fights display ban - Nice. A year-round Christams store has over $47,000 in levies against it for displaying Santa out of season. The bureaucrats all say "We value his contribution to the community" as they trying to put him out of business. Rules are rules, I've said that many times before and I still believe it, but I think that most every rule has some room for creative interpretation when faced with an unmitigated good that would otherwise be squashed by the heavy hand of government intervention. But this is Palm Beach County, where they're apparently just figuring out how to read and follow those rule things. Thinking must still be out of the question.

Dr. Dean's Infinite Arrogance - Howard Dean, trustbuster a la Teddy Roosevelt. Yeah, right. Want to bet that the only network he tries to break up is Fox?

Quick Links

Gun Laws do Not Reduce Criminal Violence According to New Study - A Canadian study that shows pretty damning evidence that gun control laws are relatively ineffective in controlling violent crime. Excellent article.

Wayne County Deputies Shop For Potential Jurors At Wal-Mart - Attention Wal-Mart shoppers: Jury Duty on aisle 12! Actually, I give them credit. So long as they're verifying the citizenship of each selectee, this is a good method of finding potential jurors. It's actually pretty innovative.

Louisiana School Punishes 7-Year-Old for Talking About Lesbian Mother, ACLU Alleges - This is wrong. The sins of the mother should not be visited on the son (to paraphrase another quote). His mother is what she is and he should be able to talk about his parents as other kids talk about theirs. If his mother is gay, well she's gay. It's a fact, not a slur. So far as I'm concerned this is another example of an overreacting educational system.

French troops under attack from mobs - Quagmire alert!!! Are the French creating another Vietnam for us to try to clean up? It sure seems like it.

Valuation Wave Reversion 3 - I'm going to have to read this in more detail, but at first glance it looks to be an excellent, if somewhat detail oriented, essay on how valuation can affect your long term returns on investment accounts. Most investors miss out on how important valuation is and how it is one of the worst factors to fight.

Quick Links

U.S. Troops Kill 46 Iraqis But Allies Suffer Losses - This is a wonderful example of an article full of loaded phrases. Referring to our allies as "foreigners," while technically true, smacks of an certain, over the top brand of arrogance. I certainly hope that someone at Reuters has a conversation of the importance of choosing words with the utmost of care.

Sharon Rejects Palestinian Condition for Talks - Sharon is smart to be refusing to make unreciprocated concessions. The Palestinians need to make more of a real effort at peace, rather than the current making of demands.

Roy Disney Steps Down From Board At Company - Another passing of an era. Now there will be no more living link to Walt on the board of the Walt Disney Company. I have to agree with Roy though, Eisner needs to go. He's gone from media genius in the '80s and early '90s to a mediocre and overpaid CEO now.

Ivory Coast Soldiers Call on French to Leave Line - Gee, why are they worrying about the French military? Are they afriad that the surrendering might get in the way of the fighting between the warring parties?

Quick Links

Faltering Chirac urged to step aside - He must really be getting bad if even the French want him to go.

Hillary Clinton urges slower handover - Gee first it was that we were turning it over too slowly, now we're going too fast. The contrarians are so confusing sometimes.

Taiwan's president tests China's nerves, threatens sovereignty vote in March - I don't know how good an idea it is to twist the tail of the tiger, but I like the spunk.

Chinese city to cut electricity one day out of four to save power - Maybe Gray Davis' California wasn't the best model to emulate....

Quick Links

Billy Bob says Bad Santa controversy is 'ridiculous' - Gee, if Europe is so much more accepting of this crap maybe it would be a great idea if all of his movies were made for release over there. And they complain about the degradation of American tastes....

US eyes plan to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program - I sure hope the plan consists of several demands and very little, if anything, in the way of concessions. We do not need to be appeasing this little tyrant whose nation is ready to implode anyways.

Federal splurge causes worry: Critics see the Medicare bill as the latest sign that U.S. spending is out of control. - I hate to say it, but this is a real concern. Where is the money coming from? Some deficit spending sometimes is ok, but this is starting to get out of hand - again.

Quick Links

Al-Qaida terrorists to gas U.S. subways? - Is anyone really surprised that Osama and friends are trying to get hold of a gas weapon to use in the subways?

Study Says Medieval New World Map Is Real - So maybe Leif Erickson did make it here before Columbus.

Quick Links

The 'new' anti-semitism: is Europe in grip of worst bout of hatred since the Holocaust? - Ignore the scare quotes for a moment. It's actually a pretty insightful article for the Guardian: " 'Anti-semitism has become politically correct in Europe' ," " 'What we are facing in Europe is an anti-semitism that has always existed and it really is not a new phenomenon' ," and " 'This anti-semitism is fundamental, and today, in order to incite it and to undermine the Jews' rights for self-defence, it is re-aroused. These days to conduct an anti-semite policy is not a popular thing, so the anti-semites bundle their policies in with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.' "

Fresh nod to peace process in Israel? - Unilateral concessions haven't worked in the past, so why would they work now? But I'll give Sharon credit for trying again and again and again.

Britain threatens veto on EU - This would be the best move for protecting British sovereignty that there could be. If it's going nuclear, then go nuclear.

Quick Links

Israel threatens strikes on Iranian nuclear targets - So why are the Israelis still talking about it? Just do it already.

Muslims have just as much to fear from militant Islam - Towards the end of the column it starts to talk about a budding tyranny of the minority in Britain also. Just more proof that freedom must be defended against all threats - both foreign and domestic.

Why the Democrats Are All Boxed In - I don't agree with all the statements and insinuations, but the conclusions are pretty accurate.

THE PATH TO REBUILDING - I love this. Reopening a building with "WORLD TRADE CENTER" written across the front of it. Somewhere, if Osama is still alive, he's got to be beating his head against his cave wall. Just more proof that he failed in his quest to defeat or demoralize the American Spirit.

Democrats look away from Dixie - An absolutely brilliant strategy - position yourself as a national party by ignoring a large chunk of the nation. This has to be the most brilliant move I've seen in a while.

War on Terror: Holy War 101 - MSNBC looks at the madrassas as the next big ting in quagmires.

Moving Targets - And they follow up by trumpeting al-Qaida's latest success as proof that thy're on the rise, not the decline.

Al-Qaeda's hatred could be route to their demise - Obviously, the MSNBC folks don't read the Scotsman or else they wouldn't have such a doom and gloom glee about them.

Quick Links

Unwanted Penis Web Ads Prompt Calif. Spam Rage - I don't condone what the guy did, but you just kind of knew that it was just a matter of time before this happened. I only surprised that he simply threatened and didn't act. The spammers are really destroying the usefulness of the internet.

Congress poised for antispam vote - It's a nice token gesture (though very watered down at this point). It's just too bad that nothing will really change. The spammers are generally offshore and outside our reach.

Computer citations coming to Mississippi - I'm guessing that there will be a lot of people upset over this, but if it allows the cops to do their job better and more efficiently allowing them more time for patrolling and making the streets safer, then so be it. This is a good use of the technology available.

Quick Links

Sorry about the dearth of posts today. It was last day at my job and I start my new one tomorrow morning. I also have a kid over at the ER right now, so I'm not really in a great blogging mood at the moment. I need to start trying to get some rest so that I'm not tired for the first day. So here are some of the articles I had been thinking about:

Only U.S. Strength Can Defeat Islamism - Excellent essay and I have to agree with the conclusion that Arab honor/shame is by far the biggest stumbling block to peace in the Middle East.

Israel’s Sacred Places - I don't agree with all the statements in this one, but I know that when I went to the Wall, I experienced many of the same feelings Mr. Shapiro describes. It is absolutely incredible.

Yasser Arafat is the Big Winner - A column detailing how Arafat has manipulated Oslo and made himself out to be the champion of peace in the face of the war-mongering Israelis.

Enough is Enough: Let’s Take This Country Back - How can you pass up an article with this paragraph: "Mormons used to have multiple wives. They can probably have them again, I suppose. Moslems already do in places. What if I wanted to marry every unmarried or divorced woman in Oregon? Would my employer have to provide health insurance coverage for all of them? If you can marry somebody of the same sex, what about bisexuals? Could they wed one of each sex at the same time? What if I wanted to marry a burro? Would my employer have to provide veterinary coverage?"

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Footage Out-take - For the tinfoil hat crowd.

Ancient Buddhist temple uncovered in west Afghanistan - One good thing about the Taliban, they were so inept at most anything besides terror that they weren't able to accomplish any of their other "goals." As a result, they missed this Buddhist temple. Despite their best efforts, even they couldn't completely destroy history.

Quick Links

India to deploy Israeli planes along border with China and Pakistan - An Indo-Israeli military cooperation. That has got to be worst nightmare of the Islamists in between.

Trade without borders - A not-so-flattering look at globalization, NAFTA and the effects on the workplace.

Ancient Jewish village uncovered in Jerusalem - A really cool find, but I'm most amazed by the order given to the priestly class to drive around the site until an underground separation is built. That's one of those things I never would have thought about.

Quick Links

Lots of interesting news stories today, but I'm beat at the moment and getting ready to head off for an early bed. But here are the stories I was looking at tonight:

Limbaugh Promises 'more Honesty to Come' in Radio Return - Rush, for whatever reason, has never been one of my favorites, but it's good to see him back on the radio. He has a lot of rehabilitation in front of him, both personally and professionally. Honesty is going to be the only path to true success for him and he needs to remember that.

Palestinians reprint schoolbooks praising jihad 'martyrs' - Yeah, Arafat wants peace....teaching hatred, muder, and suicide is certainly the proper path to take, right?

Terror futures market back in business - Strikes me as kind of low-class and distasteful, but I guess some people will gamble on anything. Don't know how much help it would really be in combating terrorism, but if it helps, I guess it helps.

Democrat Edwards Promises Higher Minimum Wage, Equal Pay - Let's see. We're in the first stages of a naisscent recovery - and we're going to raise the minimum wage, pricing more people out of the marketplace. And this is good economic policy, why?

U.S. Senate fails to force vote on aviation bill - You know, if the FAA, of all government agencies, is recommending that part of their job be privatized - DO IT! Ignore the unions in this case. The FAA is one of the least efficient agencies in the government and one that will not privatize so long as there is any other even slightly unreasonable reason not to. If the FAA is saying that these 69 towers should be privatized, then they need to be. Heck, even the DOT says there is no difference in safety while there is an improvement in efficiency.

Quick Links

Predators at law - Dishonest lawyers? Who'd a thunk it?

Betting on Bulgaria - Bulgaria is rapidly becoming one of the new success stories of Eastern Europe and good friends to us.

A Muslim Scholar Raises Hackles in France - Tariq Ramadan defending himself against accusations of being a demagogue and anti-Semite.

Gloomy French offered grim reading on nation's decline - This aren't looking to good in France these days and DeGaulle's quote: "France can only carry out reforms via revolutions" doesn't make it look any too promising.

Same-Sex Smooch Gets High School Girls Suspended - I got to agree with the school on this one: the way she handled the kiss, shouting it out, jumping on a tile, and then keeping it going for 12 seconds can certainly legitimately be labeled as disruptive.

Scan shows how brain suppresses latent racism - So does this imply that racism can be scientifically tested for?

Limbaugh's return to the microphone: Will his signal fade? - The true rehabilitation of Rush starts tomorrow.

Why Microsoft wants to buy - then trash - Google - A conspiracy theory to make the conspiracy theorists proud.

Closing the books on Arafat - Corruption in the PA? Say it ain't so!

A short history of PA corruption - Yep. I guess there really is. Gee, what a surprise.

Quick Links

A special expanded edition tonight!

Is porn beginning to beat a retreat? - She obviously hasn't seen my inbox lately....

Allard blasts Daschle for leaving Senate debate to attend Denver fundraiser - Daschle is saddened by the accusations. But not enough to refrain from accusing Allard of hypocrisy.

BROKER BLASTS MARTHA IN COURT - More on Martha. But in her lawyer's assault on the broker's invocation of the Fifth Amendment, isn't he still in jeopardy until he's sentenced and therefore his use of the Fifth Amendment protection would still be justified?

New Service Is the Last Word in E-Mail (link requires registration) - $9.99 for the ability to send email from beyond the grave during the next three years. I guess people will pay for just about anything.

Slavery lives on in Sudan - Is anyone really surprised that slavery would still exist in a land of dhimmitude?

Baby Sitter Arrested, Accused Of Witchcraft, Satanism - Actually she was charged with giving the kids alcohol, but that doesn't sound as freaky as witchcraft and satanism, now does it?

U.N.: Al Qaeda Trying to Use WMDs - Gee, it is nice to see the UN might actually be waking up to the facts of the real world.

Energy Bill Would Impose Power Grid Rules - Great. Another big government answer. Got a problem? Solve it with more government rules and regulation!

Democrat Blanco Wins La. Governor's Race - Well, they had to win something, right?

Blame Israel, says Red Cross as it ends food aid for West Bank - Whoa! I'm confused. They're stopping emergency food aid because of an economic collapse in the West Bank that they claim is being engineered by....THE JEWS!!!! Isn't an economic collapse the time when food aid is needed most? Is the Red Cross only supportive when it isn't desperately needed?

U.S. businesses take sides on free trade arret ea (sic) spanning Western Hemisphere - There are two sides to every story. Always interesting when they meet in a small town.

Three Brokerages Face Charges Over Discounts - American Express, Wachovia and Legg Mason join the parade of mutual fund miscreants. This is a complete and total failure on the part of the regulators at every level.

Quick Links

Germany Backs Down on EU Military HQ - Hmmmm. German reproachment. I think that we ought to let this play out.

Tribute for gay victims of Nazism - A "me-too" memorial for, at most, 15,000 dead cheapens the memory of the Holocaust, in my opinion. What happened was deplorable and unacceptable, but worthy of a tax payer funded memorial?

Charges Schwab Joins Brokerage Scandal (link requires registration) - Even the brokerage firm for the little guy isn't clean. Just goes to show that the mutual fund scandal was not a localized event.

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IOC OK Transsexual Athletes in Olympics - Men's, Women's and Other's? Sheesh, this is getting out of hand.

Turks Concerned Over Rising Christian Missionary Activity - Hmmm, it addresses the needs of the people, rather than the people addressing the needs of the religion. Maybe the Turks could learn something from the missionaries rather than just complainin about the aid.

Jerusalem Cafe Still Employs Arabs Despite Poison Attempt - You know them? There are probably people who said the same thing about Mohammad Atta.

What Memo? - Hugh Hewitt takes on the mainstream media and their reluctance to take on "The Memo."

Quick Links

Gore blames TV for U.S. complacency - This coming from the man who claimed to have invented the Internet.

Like it or not, America is becoming an imperial power - Are we having to do some of the same things as the imperialsts did? Yes. But does that make us imperialsts? I don't think so. I we wanted to have an empire, we could have an empire. But we don't. That is what seperates us from the imperialsts of years past.

When Will the Next Ice Age Begin? (Link requires registration) - So does this mean that global warming is or isn't a problem? I'm getting confused. How are we going to warm our way into the next ice age?

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It's not raining men for Saudi women - Well, gee. After seeing pictures of some of the aging ones, I can understand this.

Arsonist's parents must pay $715,000 - This is one of those articles that makes me just so happy to be a parent.

Petition drive aims to repeal Nevada tax increase - Another tax increase is followed by another tax revolt. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

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Dean dispute puts focus on Dems' lag in the South - Yeah, points out that the Democrats lost the South, but mainly points out that Dean hasn't got a clue about us.

Education 'Miracle' Has a Math Problem - My kids are currently being taught using the new math crap, and let me tell you, I can believe that there is a math problem in the statistics. After seeing the new math up close and in person, I can understand why our kids can't do it.

Paris Store Offers Striptease Lessons - I wonder which waiting list was longer: the one to take the lessons, or the one to watch the lessons?

Will Investors Stampede Out of Mutual Funds? (link requires registration) - Coming full circle for the day. It's no surprise that people are pulling their money out of the mutual funds that are accused of dirty dealing. I would not be surprised if a few go out of business or are merged out of existance.

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Mini job miracle - Germany learns about the value of reducing the burden of overtaxation. The unions are, of course, up in arms about it.

There once was a word for tax freedom: 'fray-oh-dome': U of T releases next letter in dictionary of Old English - Too bad we don't have a word for tax freedom today...

"I didn't know I was suing you!" - Lawyers interfering in the doctor-patient relationship in the name of venue shopping. This is truly offensive. The lawyers have got to be stopped before they destroy our civilization.

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Bush Challenges Iran, Syria to Adopt Democracy - Good to see Bush raising the pressure on the nutcases in the Middle East.

Reality show looks for porn stars of tomorrow - I wonder how long it will be before this follows Joe Millionaire IV....

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Republicans Win Kentucky, Mississippi Governorships - For all the claims that they Republicans would suffer from the war and the economy, this doesn't bode well for the Democrats.

Advocates Want Other Cities to Follow San Francisco and Raise Minimum Wage - Hmmm. Another brilliant economic move. Let's raise the minimum wage to an unrealistic level to encourage illiegal immigration, a black market in under minimum wage labor, and many more unemployed poor people. I love it, let's help people by taking away opportunities. Pure genius, it is.

Judge dismisses lawsuit that sought to legalize gay marriage - Oh! OH! A judge who understands that the proper way to change the law is through the legislature, not by judicial fiat. Someone needs to promote this lady!

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Al-Qa'ida Website Issues Ramadan Warning of Imminent Attacks: Calls on Muslims in DC, NY, and LA to Leave Those Cities - These guys are becoming a joke. They threaten, threaten ,threaten, but nothing ever seems to happen like they claim. Either we're really, really good at stopping them, or they're really, really inept. I'm guessing it's probably somewhere in the middle.

THE COMING COLLAPSE OF FREE TRADE (registration required) and FOLLIES: New Republic Blames America First (Again) - Two different looks at free trade. The first article tends to contradict itself at times, but it's interesting to read nonetheless.

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Saudis fear that Britain sees them as the next Iran - If the House of Saud is getting concerned that the West is seeing through the facade, that's a good thing.

Power-tower 'terrorist' arrested in California - The guy is complaining because it was difficult to negotiate his surrender. He's pulling bolts out of power towers and endangering people, and his biggest concern is getting an exact answer regarding his fate?

Two original Erie Canal locks rediscovered - See? Not all cool historical discoveries happen overseas. I'm just surprised that we managed to lose the canal in the first place.

Spanish treasure ship missing since 1681 found - But then again, a lot of cool discoveries do happen overseas (or in this case, in the seas).

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Make excellence a 'black thing' - SATs, HOPE scholarships and grade inflation. A well written column that makes excellent sense.

Castro: Is Schwarzenegger All Muscle? - Fidel questioning someone's intelligence. Pretty funny.

Mind the gap - A column slamming "hipocrisy." Yes, spelled with an "i" not a "y." Excellent article.

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Permanent ban on Internet service taxes bogs down as temporary ban runs out - The ban needs to get renewed ASAP. The last thing the Net needs is getting taxed.

Day of the Dead: Many Mexicans seek burials in their homeland - I'm going to skip the rude comments here - although the possibilities are legion.

UT students single out profs: The Young Conservatives of Texas target professors over ideology - I know this has got to have the professors up in arms, but I really don't see anything wrong with it. The kids are advertising who they are.....

Lawmakers Fume on Canceled N. Korea Trip - North Korea is a bad enough situation without having Congress getting in there trying to screw it up even more.

More Quick Links

I couldn't resist linking to these also:

Get PLAY: NU gets good vibrations - Hmmm. Makes you wonder what they're really studying at Northwestern.

The perfect gift for the pet that has--ahem--almost everything - " 'How are you, Bucky?' He gave me his paw, and I shook his hand. He went to clean himself, and I'll never forget the look on his face. He looked down and didn't do anything but look up at me, then look back down and back up with those big bloodhound eyes. 'Where in the world did they go?' he was asking. After that, he acted extremely depressed for three days.' " Can I really say more?

Man makes startling discovery in break-in: Nude photos of sister found in apartment - This is when you know that burglary is not the profession for you.

Hillary Thinks Bush is Bad For Democracy - Well, she would know now wouldn't she?

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Ignoring Jewish Humanity - Raises good questions, but ones that are never answered.

Poll: Young not in step with 30-plus crowd - Oh great. Now, according to CNN, I'm old.

BLOODY KING LINKED TO SAXON BEACH FIND - Another of those little history stories I like so much.

"35 or 40" countries able to make nuclear weapons: IAEA chief - He wants to create a new safety system based on fairness, not dissuasion. Sounds like a pipe-dream to me.

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Discriminatory deeds a shocking discovery and Racist fliers likely protected as free speech, FBI reports - Just because something is offensive does not necessarily make it illegal. In both cases here, the speech was reprehensible, but protected.

Deficit warning for France and Germany - France to rest of EU: "EU rules for thee, but not for me." Is anyone really surprised?

Texas Sex Offenders Face Halloween Orders - Frankly, I'm surprised that this wasn't already in place. I just don't like the "for the children" justification quote at the end.

Curbs sought on DoD contracting with foreign civil air carriers - This is a good move, hamstring our ability to move large numbers of troops and equipment in a fit of "Buy American"ism. This is a bad move. Foreign companies should not be the backbone of CRAF, but should be able to participate in an airlift if it becomes necessary.

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When Rogues Defy Reason: Bashar's Syria - Ah, haven't seen too much of Baby Bashar in the news lately. Good to know he still hasn't gotten a clue.

AP: Iraq Expense Leaving Others in Cold - Lots of whining about a lack of spending on those other important programs.

French May Scrap Holiday for Health Care - Hmmm, think that might be a good idea after this summer's debacle?

THE WORST HALLOWEEN COSTUMES OF ALL TIME - I'd try to find one or two of these for the kids for Friday, but they're probably too much money and I'd get killed.

Quick Links

I'll get the Quick Links posted early tonight, in anticipation of the coming of the Carnival...

Hispanic advocates decry tax-preparation deceit - I don't know why, but I am consistantly surprised by the people who abdicate the use of common sense. If you're going to take business deductions, doesn't it just make sense that they would have to bear some resemblence at least to your business?

Jihad remains key subject in Pakistan's religious schools - No real great surprise here. Doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy about the possibility of rational dialogue, huh?

Greek Muslim women want education first, sharia abolition later - I think it should be the other way around. Education first, abolition second just means that they will intellectually know how badly they're getting screwed - and still won't be able to do anything about it.

'Smart stamps' next in war on terrorism - It's Orwellian, it's obnoxious, and it's probably a next to useless waste of money. The only real effect I see this having is to scare off folks engaging in legitimate free speech that may be unpopular. We really need to find better ways to spend our money, we really do.

Quick Links

Before we get to the quick links for tonight, don't forget that the deadline for Carinival of the Capitalists submissions is 6 pm Eastern tomorrow! Email your entry to cotc - at - cbnoble.com or capitalists - at - elhide.com Looks like we're going to have well over 20 entries, so don't be left out!

Also, take a look at the blogroll. Many new names have been added to it over the last few days. Go pay them a visit!

And now for tonight's quick links:

Saudi terror plot in "final stages" - It's tough when the evil minions turn on you. Really, really tough.