Blog For Free!
Archives
Home
2006 December
2006 April
2006 March
2006 February
2005 September
2005 August
2004 November
2004 October
2004 September
2004 August
2004 July
2004 June
2004 May
2004 April
My Links
The Local
Aftonbladet
Sydsvenskan
Dagens Nyheter
Intellectual Conservative
American Daily
CNN
BBC News
Conservative Party UK
The Republicans
The Libertarian Party
American Red Cross
Fox News
MSNBC News
The Guardian UK
Samizdata
The Right to Carry
Lewrockwell: Property, Freedom, and Peace
The Spectator
National Rifle Association
Spirit of America
Gun Control, NOT!
Guncite
Redtigress's Blog
News by Google
New York Coalition Against Terrorism
Keep and Bear Arms
Rutherford Institute
God Guides
Defend America
Jihad Watch
Newsmax
The View from 1776
New York Times
International Herald Tribune
The Democratic Party
Stop the ACLU
Conservative Monitor
The Reality Check
No DNC
The Conservative Voice
Enter Stage Right
Young Conservatives
Breaking All the Rules
The Bully Pulpit
Prevent Truth Decay
Raging Lady
Mich News
Right Nation
USA News and Views
Move Off
Terrorist Watch
Shop the Right
Lib Fibs
Throw Away the Key
Accuracy in Media
Capitol Hill Coffee House
Team America
You Don't Say
Freedom Writer
Patriots' Herald
Renew America
Nealenews
The Daley Times-Post
The Rant
A Satirical Political Beliefs Test
DPRK Studies
Black Anthem
Mex America
Muslim Alert
China Big Issues
Army Technology
Naval Technology
Air Force Technology
JB Williams
Michael Yon
Mothers Against the Draft
Constitution
Michelle Malkin
ThreatCon Outfitters
Elite Tactical Sources
Cdnn Sports
Military Manuals
Militia
tBlog
My Profile
Send tMail
My tFriends
My Images
Sponsored
Blog
THE TERROR ALERT LEVEL
| EXPAND YOUR MIND - END CENSORSHIP! |
|
| Médecins Sans Frontières |
| 07.29.04 (5:37 am) [edit] |
Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders, the Nobel-prize winning humanitarian organization, has announced it is pulling out of Afghanistan after 24 years because of security concerns and frustrations with the U.S. military. This is indeed a tragedy for Afghans, as MSF provided valuable medical expertise and treatment. The reason for the pull-out is that the US military cannot guarantee security, and the fact that members of the organization were brutally gunned down a few months ago, and the US and Afghan government have failed to locate and punish the killers, or flatly refused to do so.
Whatever the reason for the pull-out, it will hurt the people of Afghanistan the most, and especially the children, and that is indeed a sad state of affairs.
|
|
|
| |
| Tell me a fable |
| 07.27.04 (5:30 am) [edit] |
THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE
A peasant had in his garden an apple-tree, which bore no fruit, but only served as a perch for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and, taking his ax in hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labors. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his ax. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his ax, and, looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it. Self-interest alone moves some men.
FABLES, AESOP, SIXTH CENTURY B.C.
************************* **************
I like this fable because it once again demonstrates that men act when self-interest is at stake. So too do nations. And it is a reminder that sometimes acting on behalf of oneself can achieve good things, and is not necessarily bad.
|
|
|
| |
| Christians and the upcoming US election |
| 07.26.04 (11:11 am) [edit] |
************************* ************
"The Spirit Of Fear" Controls Many Christians
by Chuck Baldwin
Founder and Pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, Commentator
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul instructed believers that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear" (II Tim. 1:7). Yet, "the spirit of fear" is exactly what many Christians demonstrate every time they vote for President of the United States. In fact, it is hard for me to recall a single presidential election when the "spirit of fear" has not been the overriding motivation for the way most Christians voted. And this same "spirit of fear" seems to be the motivating factor in the hearts of Christians again this election year.
I well remember the 1996 presidential election. As a radio talk show host, I was inundated with Christian callers frantically lobbying me to support Bob Dole because of the "frightening" prospect of having four more years of Bill Clinton in the White House. The "spirit of fear" propelled millions of Christians to vote for Dole even though they knew that by doing so they were compromising many of their deeply held conservative convictions.
As we all now know, in spite of Dole losing the election, America survived Clinton's second term, all the fear mongering notwithstanding. In fact, in many ways, the country fared better under the Clinton's second term than it is faring under the current administration.
When Clinton left office we had large budget surpluses, an unconstitutional, Gestapo-like Patriot Act had not been passed into law, we had not experienced the massive terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, our troops were not languishing in another no-win, meaningless war half way around the world, gas prices were not climbing to over two dollars a gallon, and millions of illegal aliens had not been promised amnesty.
To be sure, the reason for much of the country's positive readings at the end of Clinton's term had more to do with the fact that Republicans in Congress often actually behaved like conservatives (unlike now) and served to stalemate a Democratic White House. In Washington, D.C., gridlock is always a good thing!
In 2000, Christian conservatives again were obsessed with "the spirit of fear" of a Gore presidency and G.W. Bush was narrowly elected. Today, many Christians seem to believe that Bush has ushered in the Millennial Kingdom, the reality that America may actually be worse off under Bush notwithstanding.
Now, once again, another election year is bringing out "the spirit of fear" in the hearts of millions of Christian conservatives. We constantly hear statements such as, "Think of how bad it will be under Kerry!" "Kerry will destroy America!" "Kerry is the worst thing that could happen to our country!" This is the same endless, mindless fear mongering we have been hearing for years.
Yet, the injunction of the Apostle Paul remains the same: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." So, where does this spirit come from, if not from God?
Obviously, this "spirit of fear" comes from Republican pundits, and sadly, from many Christian pulpits, which have become nothing more than Republican propagandists. Christian conservatives seem to have forgotten that "the battle is the Lord's," and all that God requires of us is that we be faithful to truth and to right.
In other words, a Christian's decision should never be based upon the potential outcome of his decision, but upon the rightness of his decision. As John Quincy Adams succinctly stated, "Duty is ours; results are God's." Notice, "the spirit of fear" is totally absent from that statement. Accordingly, "the spirit of fear" should be totally absent from a Christian's life and thinking.
Therefore, when it comes to voting, Christians are obligated only to cast an informed vote based upon their convictions of right and wrong. Who wins and who loses is God's business, not ours.
The truth is, Christians do not need to fear a Kerry presidency or a Hillary presidency or any other presidency. The only fear that should consume their hearts is the fear of God! Remember, the Scripture says, "The fear of man (even Democrats) bringeth a snare" (Proverbs 29:25).
During a speech at Hampton University last year, comedian Bill Cosby made a profound statement that needs to be taken to heart by every Christian conservative today. He said, "God can't find a way if you are in the way." Obviously, God can do anything He wants to do with our help or without it, however, Cosby's point is well taken.
The probability of God doing something great and wonderful in our political elections is greatly hindered by "the spirit of fear" that dominates the hearts and lives of His people. Instead of standing courageously upon God's principles and promises, Christians are cowering in fear before political pollsters and parties. Instead of deciding to bravely vote their convictions, they bow sheepishly before the intimidations of politicians. Instead of trusting God to multiply their votes into a great miracle, they timidly regurgitate the redundant themes of pragmatism and fear.
Who knows what God would do in America if Christian people would again cast off this insidious "spirit of fear" and start living and voting according to their beliefs and convictions.
Therefore, I challenge every Christian who reads this article to study the record and policies of John Kerry and G.W. Bush and compare them to those of Constitution Party Presidential Candidate Michael Peroutka. Then, without "the spirit of fear," vote your conscience! Try it. Who knows what God may do? And whatever He chooses to do, you and I can face our Savior with the confidence in knowing that our lives were not controlled and dominated by "the spirit of fear."
|
|
|
| |
| A philosophy to live by! |
| 07.25.04 (6:48 pm) [edit] |
"Influence for moral betterment proceeds from those above to those below; it extends from the elder generation to the younger. This is why, when the father is not kind, the son is not filial; when the elder brother is not friendly, the younger is not respectful; when the husband is unjust, the wife is not obedient. When the father is kind and the son refractory; when the elder brother is friendly and the younger is rude; when the husband is just and the wife insolent, then these are people who are naturally evil, and they must be subjected to punishment, since they are not to be changed by counsel and guidance... The gentleness tempered with severity used in governing the household is indeed like that which is required in governing the State."
-Yen Chih-t'ui, 6th Century
|
|
|
| |
| Drug planes in Brazil |
| 07.20.04 (3:30 pm) [edit] |
The Brazilian government today announced a new law that would allow the Brazilian Air Force to shoot down drug planes, or planes smuggling drugs. Critics argue that drug dealers will put innocent men, women, and children on planes to exploit the new law.
Will the Brazilian Air Force kill innocent men, women, and children??? Obviously there is no easy solution to this problem. Since the Western world, including Europe and the US, is addicted to illegal drugs, the continuing demand means that there will be people willing to kill innocent people to meet the demand. It is classic economics of supply and demand.
How do you solve a problem like this? If you were a Brazilian fighter pilot and spotted a huge cargo plane filled with tons of cocaine on its way to the US, and as you were about to shoot it down, the pilot announces that there are a several school kids on board, what would you do? Would you follow orders and shoot it down, or would your conscience make you abort?
And what if there was a private plane who had lost its ability to communicate, say its radio is busted, would you shoot it down when it doesn't respond to your requests to land immediately at the nearest airport?
I think I would be very torn between following orders and sparing the lives of innocent people. But if you look at it this way, if those tons of drugs manage to reach the US, how many lives and innocent people will not be killed and ruined there? Are US citizens worth more than Brazilians? Of course not, but either way somebody will lose because of thuggish drug dealers and US drug addicts.
I place all the blame on the drug dealers, those are the ones who kidnap and put innocent people at risk. Sometimes there is no simple answer to questions of right and wrong, and sometimes you have to turn your back to the crowd to lead an orchestra; and sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. Does it mean you win? No, in this situation everybody loses...
|
|
|
| |
| Interesting World War 2 Facts!!! |
| 07.16.04 (5:52 am) [edit] |
:arrow: The first German serviceman killed in the war was killed by the Japanese (China, 1937).
:arrow: The first American serviceman killed was killed by the Russians (Finland 1940).
:arrow: 80% of Soviet males born in 1923 didn't survive World War 2.
:arrow: The youngest US serviceman was 12 year old Calvin Graham, USN. He was wounded in combat and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age. (His benefits were later restored by act of Congress).
:arrow: At the time of Pearl Harbor, the top US Navy command was called CINCUS (pronounced “sink us”), the shoulder patch of the US Army’s 45th Infantry division was the swastika, and Hitler’s private train was named “Amerika”. All three were soon changed for PR purposes.
:arrow: Germany lost 110 Division Commanders in combat.
:arrow: 40,000 men served on U-Boats during World War 2; 30,000 never returned.
:arrow: More US servicemen died in the Air Corps that the Marine Corps. While completing the required 30 missions, your chance of being killed was 71%. Not that bombers were helpless. A B-17 carried 4 tons of bombs and 1.5 tons of machine gun ammo. The US 8th Air Force shot down 6,098 fighter planes, 1 for every 12,700 shots fired.
:arrow: Germany’s power grid was much more vulnerable than realized. One estimate is that if just 1% of the bombs dropped on German industry had instead been dropped on power plants, German industry would have collapsed.
:arrow: Generally speaking, there was no such thing as an average fighter pilot. You were either an ace or a target. For instance, Japanese ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa shot down over 80 planes. He died while a passenger on a cargo plane.
:arrow: When allied armies reached the Rhine, the first thing men did was pee in it. This was pretty universal from the lowest private to Winston Churchill (who made a big show of it) and Gen. Patton (who had himself photographed in the act).
:arrow: The German Air Force had 22 infantry divisions, 2 armor divisions, and 11 paratroop divisions. None of them were capable of airborne operations. The German Army had paratroops who WERE capable of airborne operations.
:arrow: When the US Army landed in North Africa, among the equipment brought ashore were 3 complete Coca Cola bottling plants.
:arrow: Among the first “Germans” captured at Normandy were several Koreans. They had been forced to fight for the Japanese Army until they were captured by the Russians and forced to fight for the Russian Army until they were captured by the Germans and forced to fight for the German Army until they were capture by the US Army.
:arrow: Following a massive naval bombardment, 35,000 US and Canadian troops stormed ashore at Kiska. 21 troops were killed in the fire-fight. It would have been worse if there had been Japanese on the island.
:arrow: Most members of the Waffen SS were not German.
:arrow: The only nation that Germany declared war on was the USA.
:arrow: During the Japanese attack on Hong Kong, British officers objected to Canadian infantrymen taking up positions in the officer’s mess. No enlisted men allowed!
:arrow: Germany lost 136 Generals, which averages out to be 1 dead General every 2 weeks.
|
|
|
| |
| Philippines pulls a Spain |
| 07.13.04 (5:59 am) [edit] |
A Filipino truck driver kidnapped in Iraq is expected to be released today after the Philippine government agreed to withdraw its 50-member humanitarian force from Iraq ahead of schedule, a diplomatic source in Baghdad said. The abductors had demanded Philippine troops leave Iraq by July 20.
CNN Headline News
I read this news this morning and it disappointed me. Once again a government has capitulated to terrorism, thinking that collaboration and negotiation is preferable to force of arms.
When will people learn that you cannot negotiate with terrorists? After all do you negotiate with a pitbull who is trying to kill you? No you kill it, and since terrorists are animals, that's what you will have to do. There is no room for sitting and talking or arguing with these people. They can't even talk properly, and I don't mean that because they are not speaking English, I mean that because what they are saying it not making any sense. They have no plan except hating Israel and the United States, they have no economic alternative to the West, they have no plan for creating a viable, functioning society. In fact they have nothing but hate in their hearts, and that is very sad.
I'm sorry to see the Filipino government withdrawing from Iraq, but I didn't expect anything less from a former colony of Spain.
|
|
|
| |
| Eroding civil liberties |
| 07.12.04 (4:15 am) [edit] |
I was browsing the web last night and I came across this interesting web site which I will make a link on my Blog. It is the Rutherford Institute's website, an organization dedicated to the defense of civil liberties and human rights. I think you should all take a look at it in case you think that eroding civil liberties is happening only in other countries and not the United States. Defend liberty, protect your freedoms, and speak up! Your voice matters!
:arrow: http://www.rutherford.org/
|
|
|
| |
| Saddam gets a make-over |
| 07.11.04 (6:29 pm) [edit] |
For his upcoming trial Saddam is getting a make-over. Having suffered through CNN's Christiane Amanpour's criticism of his jail attire and shabby looks, Saddam Hussein decided to hire the Queer guys to give him a once-over. :D
[image]Shark99_392941223.jpg[/image]
|
|
|
| |
| God love those Canadiens |
| 07.07.04 (2:06 pm) [edit] |
I saw this article on the BBC website and I couldn't resist. I can't even believe it's true! Yet another reason to be amused at our friendly neighbors up north ;)
Canada guide dog in language row
A blind francophone student in Canada has been barred from English immersion classes - because his guide dog only responds to commands in French. Yvan Tessier, 39, from Quebec says it would be too confusing to retrain his black Labrador, Pavot, to respond to "stay" instead of "reste".
But the University of New Brunswick insists English must be the only language spoken in its lessons.
Canada is officially bilingual but this status can provoke tensions.
Mr Tessier says he is entirely dependent on his dog and is worried that trying to teach him English commands could be confusing and even dangerous.
"My dog is my eyes, my autonomy, and my independence," he told the Globe and Mail newspaper.
"He represents everything to me. I knew that I'd have to speak English to people. But I thought I could speak French to my guide dog."
Mr Tessier says he is considering bringing a claim for discrimination against the university in the anglophone province neighbouring Quebec.
Language minefield
But the university says the success of its intensive language course depends on everything being conducted in English.
And they say there have been other cases of students attending the classes with their guide dogs.
"In the past, with advance preparation, the guide dog has been trained in a few English commands to make sure the person is safe and mobile," spokeswoman Susan Mesheau told the Toronto Star newspaper.
Commentators say Pavot's ability to understand just one language throws the spotlight on the minefield of Canada's linguistic legislation which aims to guarantee the status of both English and French.
The issue of language is also intricately tied to the perpetually thorny issue of separation of the French-speaking province of Quebec from Canada.
|
|
|
| |
| I graduated! |
| 07.06.04 (2:53 pm) [edit] |
The University of Blogging
Presents to
Shark99
An Honorary
Bachelor of
Comment Spam
Majoring in
Anonymous Commenting
|
|
|
Blogging Degree
From Go-Quiz.com
|
|
|
| |
| Only in Canada! |
| 07.05.04 (8:15 pm) [edit] |
Hahaha, you gotta love those Canadiennes!
******
Angry Strippers Bust Colleague's Breast Implant
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Two exotic dancers who punctured a third dancer's breast implant with a broken wine glass onstage have been spared jail time.
According to testimony Wednesday in British Columbia Supreme Court, customers in a downtown nightclub were stunned when two dancers attacked a third after a performance on July 18, 2002, cutting her in the right breast and rupturing her implant.
The attackers got angry because they believe the dancer had a snooty attitude, Justice Deborah A. Satanove was told.
Andrea Hauser, 25, convicted of aggravated assault, was sentenced to a year of community service, a year on probation and payment of $3,750 to the injured dancer for medical expenses.
Shayla Clewis, 25, convicted of assault, received a three-month conditional sentence and three months on probation.
|
|
|
| |
| Our friends the French |
| 07.04.04 (8:07 pm) [edit] |
From the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, Commodore John Paul Jones once remarked, when asked so surrender, "I have not yet begun to fight!" With these few words he demonstrated the courage and fierce independence that is inherent in all Americans. Americans never back from a fight, nor do they give up too quickly when they believe their cause is just.
However, I'd like to address the rift across the Atlantic which pundits are more than happy to spiel about. You know what I'm talking about, the endless hatred which French have of Americans, and vice versa. I'd just like to say that traditionally the French have been our strongest allies, and Americans have always had a love affair with France and the French.
I think that this "rift" is no more than the natural French exception which we all know about, the French love going their own way and doing their own thing. Much like Americans...
Can we deny that France was the country that gave us the Statue of Liberty? Can we deny that we were their inspiration for the French Revolution? After signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (geez I wonder what day it is today???), Benjamin Franklin travelled to Paris and stayed there for seven and half years negotiating with the French court for loans, military help, and begged for much-needed war supplies to help fight our modern day allies, the British, in the Revolutionary War.
Who answered our nation's call for help in our hour of need??? No other than the French, who sent a fleet to blockade Chesapeake Bay forcing British General Cornwallis to surrender Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. Who answered France's call for help to end the German occupation in World War II? America was there, and having seen the white crosses, and the Stars and Stripes flying high above the beaches of Normandy, I'm awed how close our two nations are together. French blood has been shed in the Americas, and American blood has been shed in France, both in the name of freedom. Freedom from tyranny, and let us not forget it! Ask the average Frenchman, and the average American, neither hates each other, just each other's politicians or policies, but deep down there is a mutual admiration. Both our people love freedom.
In 1779 King Louis XIV rebuilt a French merchant ship and gave it to Commodore John Paul Jones to refit into an American warship. In honor of Benjamin Franklin's war efforts, Commodore Jones named the ship the USS Bonhomme Richard, paying tribute to Benjamin Franklin's penname for his magazine the Poor Richard's Almanac which you can still find published today.
I think it is important to recognize that on this day of American independence, the French contribution to American civilization, and to remember that the French people are not our enemies, but our friends, and that the message to terrorists around the world should be: "We have not yet begun to fight!!!"
|
|
|
| |
| Bill Cosby blasts blacks |
| 07.02.04 (8:05 am) [edit] |
Finally somebody had the balls to stand up and fight for black rights. Bill Cosby is a great American, a great comedian, and I admire him very much. Last night he blasted black parents for not paying enough attention to their kids and their community. This follows another NAACP conference where he said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids – $500 sneakers for what? And won't spend $200 for 'Hooked on Phonics.'"
He added: "They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English. I can't even talk the way these people talk: 'Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' ... And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk. ... Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. ... You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth!"
The Post said Cosby also targeted imprisoned blacks.
"These are not political criminals," he said. "These are people going around stealing Coca-Cola. People getting shot in the back of the head over a piece of pound cake and then we run out and we are outraged, [saying] 'The cops shouldn't have shot him.' What the hell was he doing with the pound cake in his hand?"
Indeed, bless his heart, Bill Cosby is right. When will people realize that kids are influenced by bad behavior as much as they are good behavior? Kids emulate and look up to their elders, and it is high time we adults become good rolemodels. Don't lie, cheat, or steal. Don't kill people, and don't blame your problems on anybody else. Ultimately you are responsible for your own actions, and the decisions you make are your own, and you have to stand and live by them. If you choose to live like a thug, dress like a thug, and talk like a thug, then that will influence your kids, and then don't be surprised when they run out and rob a liquor store.
I hate hearing about how people are complaining about racism, and that slavery made them poor, and that this is all the white man's fault. Get over yourselves. Look at the Jews, talk about surviving slavery (the Pharoahs weren't very nice to them), and endless racism and hatred, the Jews have been persecuted for centuries, yet they don't go out robbing people, wear thuggish clothes, and call each other the N-word. They send their kids to college, and they care a lot about other people not just themselves.
It's time for people to stand up and take advantage of the opportunities which are available instead of standing on the street corner blaming everybody else for their problems. People must realize that change begins with them.
Having grown up in a very diverse environment, and having seen a lot of stuff in my life, I can honestly say that my parents raised me well, and parents are the most important thing in the world to me. And when I become a father I'm gonna raise my kids the right way, my daughters will not dress like Britney Spears, but like Mandy Moore, and my sons will learn how to protect themselves and their community, and they will grow up to be honorable men. At least that is the plan, but you never really know how people will turn out, but you can influence them, and I think the best way is to show them by example.
|
|
|
| |
| Chinese fortune cookie |
| 07.01.04 (6:10 pm) [edit] |
I knew I shouldn't have eaten that!
[image]Shark99_1223153321 .jpg[/image]
|
|
|
| |
|
|
