The headline says it all: Army Dismisses Gay Arabic Linguist

Well, not quite all... A few weeks ago I read about how the military is facing a shortage of interpreters. Shows you their priorities, I guess. I'm sure Andrew Sullivan is in a twist over this one.

"But how could Nixon have won? I don't know a single person who voted for him!"

This now-famous line was utted by a Manhattan socialite after Nixon's landside election victory in 1972, winning every state except Massachusetts. (Later, after Nixon's 70s version of a iPod was revealed, this would spawn the bumper sticker "Don't blame me: I'm from Massachusetts")

But I digress. My point is that there exists a certain disconnect between those who consider themselve the "elites" in society, and the rest of us who live in "reality". This alterted state of mind is prevalent in places like Hollywood, Washington, and of course, New York. Fortunately, every once in a while, an event comes along that reminds the rest of us just how far flung these self-made aristocrats (in the truest Greek, the "best") really are.

Take for example, this screed in today's Washington Post, lamenting the fact that Congress, it seems, is poised to give big business "another corporate tax break".

I know. I was just as panicked as you are now when I read that.

But take heart, for here drops the proverbial other shoe! (Free registration required). For those of you who don't want to bother, here's the gist:

"An unexpectedly steep rise in tax revenues from corporations and the wealthy is driving down the projected budget deficit this year...

Tax revenues are climbing twice as fast as the administration predicted in February, so fast that the budget deficit could actually decline this year.

The main reason is a big spike in corporate tax receipts, which have nearly tripled since 2003, as well as what appears to be a big increase in individual taxes on stock market profits and executive bonuses."

And yet, here we have the Post, positively ashamed that Congress would have the gall (that's "cajones" for my Latin brothers) to send forth, as we are told, another tax cut to corporate America! If I wasn't so used to it, I might be surprised.

One of the favorite lines of the far left is that there is a growing "gap" between the rich and the poor in this country. Turnabout being fairplay, I would posit that the biggest chasm in America today is the one growing between mainstream America and Howard Dean wing of the Democratic Party. On issues such as the war against the Islamists to economic policy and beyond, the Deaniacs and their allies in the media and "upper crust" of society are every day living more and more in a fantasy world.

House GOP: 'God wants us to waste the country's time'...

You think I'm kidding? Well, I'm not. The House of Representatives attempted and failed to pass a gay marriage ban amendment, despite the fact it had already been defeated in the Senate. Follow that link to see how they invoked God's name for this endeavor.

Perhaps this one's too easy...

[btw, that woman getting her shoulders rubbed by President Bush is Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany]

Chris Letkewicz has a great post on international freeloaders such as China, Russia, and many European nations, and how their hobbling of diplomatic efforts makes their criticism of the U.S. and Israel hypocritical. Power quote from the column he cites:

There's a direct causal link between this freeloading irresponsibility and Israel's bombardment of Lebanon. The Chinese and Russians ensure every day that diplomacy is limp, and then they sound surprised when Israel chooses the military option.

Western Europeans lament the fact that the Bush administration, its energies sapped by the Iraq war, has not shown much appetite for the shuttle diplomacy that brokered the last Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire in 1996. But if France and others had not undermined sanctions on Iraq in the late 1990s, the case for the military alternative would have been weaker -- and the war might not have happened.

...from this article:

A new brain-computer-interface technology could turn our brains into automatic image-identifying machines that operate faster than human consciousness.

Researchers at Columbia University are combining the processing power of the human brain with computer vision to develop a novel device that will allow people to search through images ten times faster than they can on their own....

The United States' $4 billion Anti-Ballistic Missile system underwent another successful test last week. This test, conducted at White Sands Missile Range, was undertaken to see if the "kill vehicle" could impact an incoming medium range ballistic missile and destroy it such that no residue or remnants make it to the ground.

While this test was successful, the program has more tests scheduled. For the ABM system to be fully effective, it must be able to distinguish between warheads and decoys, a challenge some question whether the program will ever meet.

However, with the progress made so far, defense officials say the system could be used in a year against North Korean or Iranian missiles.

Let's face it: obesity is the most serious health problem facing America today. Obesity is leading to a surge in Type-2 Diabetes cases, hypertension, and a myriad of related problems. And while I applaud efforts to curb the epidemic, still more could be done.

One positive step has been the removal of pop machines from many grade schools and high schools. When you're trying to cut caloric intake, the elimination of simple sugar empty calories is the logical first step.

Another positive step, in Indiana, is a program by the state to encourage Hoosiers to eat a healthier diet and to get more exercise. The program, called Indiana INShape, includes a website that people can create personal accounts on. The site tracks members' weights, blood pressure, vegetable and fruit consumption, and other vitals (all data inputted by individual members of course). It also relays information on healthy recipes, food discounts at certain grocery stores, and fitness & exercise opportunities at local parks and such. The problem, of course, is that Hoosiers have to take the initiative to follow the site's recommendations.

...

In my own life, I am attempting to cut my weight. Since January I have lost 20 pounds, but I have a far far way to go. I realized that if I do not cut my weight now, I WILL get Type-2 Diabetes when I reach middle to old age. The stats are too grave to ignore or deny.

So, I am going to stick to my modest plan: lift 3 times a week, jog or other cardio activity at least 3 times a week, and cut the empty calories and carbs. I'm not losing it quickly, but I think it's a plan I can stick to for the rest of my life. But really, the alternative is unacceptable.

...

Check out this article on the numerous factors leading to obesity in America. It's not quite as simple as just eating too much and not getting enough physical activity.

I hope Newt Gingrich runs for President in '08. And as the days pass by, it looks more and more like he'll do just that.

I like Newt because he's an 'ideas man.' He looks at governance as a series of problems in need of solutions. And do not misunderstand me: this does not mean Newt sees government AS a solution. Rather, as he showed in the Contract With America, often times solutions to problems entail a reduction in the role of government.

With problems facing this country such as illegal immigration, social security finances, healthcare, and the ever-growing global threat of Islamic radicalism, Newt may be the best person for the job. While as I have previously stated, I think John McCain possesses the creativity and ability to cross the partisan divide necessary to attack problems, I have many concerns about his political philosophy. In short, McCain lacks certain conservative credentials, and a Gingrich candidacy would most likely expose these shortcomings.

Finally, I think Newt could help improve the GOP, even if he does not gain the party's nomination. Interviewed by The New Republic, he states the problem with the current GOP:

"What we [the 1994 Republicans] did was create a solution-oriented, idea-based, grassroots movement that led Washington by changing the country. I think neither Bush and Rove in Texas nor the DeLay faction ever understood what we did. They didn't study it, they didn't think about it."

Today's Republicans have prioritized political survival over an effective and effectuated set of policy initiatives. Not only is this harmful to the nation, but as Newt would argue, an intelligent policy agenda can also be politically rewarding.

Of course there's some risk associated with being a party of ideas. But since when did anything good ever come without any risk?


P.S. Gingrich and Sen. Joe Biden were on Meet the Press together. Newt actually argued that the U.S. is not being aggressive enough against North Korea, Iran, and Syria. He makes a pretty good argument, but I also think the U.S. needs to be able to focus on Iraq currently, and not drag itself into multiple concurrent conflicts.

Watch a few of these NCAA Football 07 clips and it'll be enough to make you drool.

Meanwhile, The Rock ponders if maybe we're all being a little too optimistic.

Ah yes, women have endured suffrage for too long!

Haha, but in all seriousness, this gag was done by the Man Show several years ago, but I can't find that clip on YouTube.

It's sad that so few people know what "suffrage" means, but it's oh so funny seeing women sign these petitions...

Here are some other examples on YouTube:

At another high school...

At the University of Vermont... (this one's got some great quotes in it)

At a supermarket...

The more I hear about the Zidane head-butt story, the more disgusted I become. First we see several commentaries from Euro outlets (such as the BBC) basically defending Zidane's actions, or at least suggesting that a severe enough verbal taunt would be a proper provocation for such idiotic behavior.

Second, the French are widely backing him, despite the fact that he probably cost them a World Cup victory.

Third, and most infuriating, we get Zidane's own reaction to the incident. Interviewed on French television Zidane said, "This was not something to do. I want to make it clear because it was watched by two billion people and by millions of kids. I want to apologize to them but I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said."

Let this stand as the worst apology ever (and the quickest to be self-contradictory). Zidane shows that he would do the same idiotic thing in the future, if faced with similar circumstances. In Zidane's mind a verbal insult is vindicated if not responded to with violent force. Grow up! Professional athletes are not little kids and we should expect them to act their age.

Apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree. According to this article, Zidane's mom has asked "to bring me Materazzi's balls on a platter."

...

Now a few more things to note... Don't be fooled by characterizations made by sports announcers. When Zidane got his red card, the common line was, 'This is so out of character for Zidane. He's had a great career and it's sad to see it end this way.' Bull crap! Zidane got a red card for stomping on a man's chest with his foot in a 1998 match against Saudi Arabia. This behavior, in fact, should come as no surprise to sports journalists.

On a positive note, FIFA is looking into stripping Zidane of the Golden Ball award. They should. Finally, make sure an play the Zidane head-butt game... [thanks to Emperor Dan for the link]

Haha, well early reports said that Zidane headbutted Materazzi because the Italian called him a dirty terrorist. However, since then, Materazzi denies that is the case. Speculation from sources close to Zidane say the comment may have related to a Zidane's mother.

Either way it matters not! When you're a star player playing in overtime in the world championship of any sport, you don't lose your cool this way. That this BBC article (and French president Chirac) have somewhat defended Zidane is utterly insane.

So the mock news publication The Onion is celebrating 10 years online: 1996-2005. Check it out now to see highlights from each of the past years...

When I was browsing through these archives I found the famous headline "Secondhand Smoke Linked To Secondhand Coolness," which was cited in this poster I made while at ND to promote the ND Pipe Club:



As my ND readers may recall, this poster mocked the format and message of one of the university's anti-smoking posters...

52 B.C. Julius Caesar completes his conquest of Gaul, modern-day France. Tens of thousands of Gallic warriors are slaughtered on the battlefield, and hundreds of thousands sold into slavery. Italians control France for the next half of the millennium.














2006 A.D. Italy defeats France on penalty kicks to win the World Cup!!!

Algore may be out promoting his new flick, but meanwhile, real intellectuals are busy debunking the myths and hysteria about global warming.

This piece by Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson led NRO blogger John Derbyshire to comment "Samuelson deserves some kind of columnist's award for highest proportion of good sense to words output."

Then you have MIT Professor Richard S. Lindzen's piece in the Opinion Journal. Money quote
"[T]here is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."

No, I'm not going to summarize everything for you! They're good columns, you need to read the whole things!





















It's ok, Al. Everyone in Hollywood is feeling the pinch right now.

Well, maybe not yet, but if things keep on the same course in New Jersey, it's a very real possibility.

Years of electing Democrats to the state legislature, and most recently, sending Jon Corzine to the governor's mansion, have left the Garden State in financial ruin. Consider these sobering stats from the Wall Street Journal:

"A new Quinnipiac poll finds that 47% of voters identify taxes as the biggest problem in the state — the highest number for any issue the polling firm has ever found in New Jersey. The Garden State has raised taxes nearly every year since 2000 and nearly twice as much per resident as the next highest tax state. Yet, no surprise, Trenton still has the biggest budget crisis outside of the states ruined by Hurricane Katrina. This taxing binge hasn't balanced the budget because state expenditures have ballooned by $8 billion, or about 45%, in six years. Mr. Corzine is nonetheless sticking to his story that state schools and services are underfunded."

The situation became so dire that this past week Gov. Corzine shutdown the state government after a budget dispute between himself and the Democrat-controlled state legislature. Corzine wants to, and apparently has won, an increase in the state sales tax from 6% to 7%. His fellow Democrats in the statehouse were panicked that the move would be a political disaster, but I for one don't know why. Apparently the voters of New Jersey are dumb enough (or masochistic enough) to keep re-electing these people every single year, no matter how high taxes climb.

The compromise that was reached will supposedly use some of the money generated by the sales tax increase to lessen New Jersey's burdensome property taxes. Supposedly. But if Garden Staters are smart, they won't hold their breath.

Observe some simple liberal budgetary truths:

1. Democrats NEVER cut taxes.
2. Government NEVER does without.
3. If you think otherwise, you are a greedy richest 1%er who wants schoolchildren to starve.

So yes, expect another budgetary crisis to develop when the time comes to use the sales tax to lower property taxes. You'll need new schools, more teachers, better roads, etc. Just be prepared, because once you give your money to the government, it's gone. Forever. It doesn't come back, not when Democrats are in power.

New Jersey: further proof that you can't tax yourself into prosperity.

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Patriotism and fireworks are just such an amazing combination.

That said, add some baseball and a picnic to the mix and you have a near perfect day... Indianapolis' minor-league team, the Indians, always play at Victory Field (consistently called one of the best minor-league stadiums in the nation) on July 4th and every year my family goes to the game.

This year the Indians beat the Columbus Clippers. I don't get too emotionally involved in baseball, but the game is always followed by the fireworks inside the park and then by the downtown Indy fireworks display. Here are a few cell phone pics:


...a view of the ballpark and game


...downtown Indy skyline at dusk


...aforementioned fireworks

Indiana ranks last in the nation --LAST!-- in high school drop-out rate. The Hoosier state sees 13% of its highschoolers drop out some time during their tenure.

Absolutely shameful.

Indianapolis ranks the #14th "smartest place to live" in the U.S. according to this list... Indiana had a few other cities on the list as well. [credit to In The Agora]

<<
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
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...from the Gray Lady





















Also in this issue, Paul Krugman blames President Washington for misleading nation into revolution!

So who is this guy? Japan's latest Olympic standout? A world-class gymnast? No and no. He's the world's best competitive eater. That's right, this is Takeru Kobayashi who has won the Nathan's hot dog eating contest 5 years straight. Funny, I eat a lot too, yet my abs don't look like that. Maybe I should eat even more ;-)

However, this year's contest (held tomorrow) may not be another easy stroll in the park for Kobayashi, as past years have been. American newcomer Joey Chestnut, who set the world record for grilled cheese sandwiches this year, has reportedly eaten 50 hot dogs in practice. Kobayashi set the record at 53 1/2 two years ago, but only got 49 last year.

Go USA!!