Osama's niece

You better give me that record deal, or else.

She's not the model niece Osama bin Laden's looking for - but she is modelling.

This is how Wafah Dufour, the al Qaeda leader's niece, will appear in the January 2006 issue of GQ magazine.

Dufour, who took her mother's maiden name after the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, is an aspiring musician struggling to make a name for herself.

She says she has never met Osama bin Laden.

"Everyone relates me to that man, and I have nothing to do with him," she said in the article.

"There are 400 other people related to him, but they are all in Saudi Arabia, so nobody's going to get tarred with it.

"I'm the only one here.

Radio Iran - All Cat Stevens, all the time.

In a move sure to inflame the 'youts' of Iran, President Ahmadinejad has banned all Western music from the Iranian airwaves. What does this nut job have against Kenny Chesney?

"Blocking indecent and Western music from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is required," according to a statement on the council's official website.

Ahmadinejad's order means the IRIB must execute the decree and prepare a report on its implementation within six months, according to the newspaper.

On further review it seems that he wants ban all foreign music, even Kenny G! Oh the horror of it. Young impressionable Iranian youths listening to the smooth Jazz hits of Kenny G and his sax.

Maybe its some kind of ban on torture. Kenny G falls into that category for me.
I wonder if Senator McCain has looked into this?

Canada - America's retarded cousin.

I don't agree with Tucker Carlson often, but I have to give a big 'Amen!' to the bow tied wonder on this one.

Canada is a sweet country. It is like your retarded cousin you see at Thanksgiving and sort of pat him on the head. You know, he's nice but you don't take him seriously. That's Canada.

I had my truck broken into at the Calgary Zoo in 88', but I'm over it now.
Stinkin' canucks.

Coming to an Iranian Nuclear site soon.

If I were President Ahmadinejad, I would start looking for a nice cave to hide in. When the B2s go wheels up from our bases, Ahmadinejad's chest thumping, hard-line imbecility will have brought a little too much international attention for his own good.

Iran sits on more oil than it could use in fifty lifetimes. They don't need nuclear power, the only use for a nuclear program in Iran is for weapons development. That cannot be allowed to occur. Ahmadinejad is mad as a hatter, and hates the US almost as much as he hates Israel. It seems that CIA director may be tipping our hand.

During his recent visit to Ankara, CIA Director Porter Goss reportedly brought three dossiers on Iran to Ankara. Goss is said to have asked for Turkey's support for Washington's policy against Iran's nuclear activities, charging that Tehran had supported terrorism and taken part in activities against Turkey. Goss also asked Ankara to be ready for a possible US air operation against Iran and Syria. Goss, who came to Ankara just after FBI Director Robert Mueller's visit, brought up Iran's alleged attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It was said that Goss first told Ankara that Iran has nuclear weapons and this situation was creating a huge threat for both Turkey and other states in the region. Diplomatic sources say that Washington wants Turkey to coordinate with its Iran policies. The second dossier is about Iran's stance on terrorism. The CIA argued that Iran was supporting terrorism, the PKK and al-Qaeda. The third had to do with Iran's alleged stance against Ankara. Goss said that Tehran sees Turkey as an enemy and would try to"export its regime."

I will not be surprised when CNN reports that a 'civilian nuclear reactor' in Iran was blown into small pieces. I hope the Air Force, takes a few F22s along for the trip just to rid Iran of a few French fighters.

Log burner!

Just another name the environmentalists can call me. I am all too happy to add that monicker to my list. I am the poster boy for the anti-liberals anyway, why not add another.

White Male
Christian
Heterosexual
Conservative
Meat Eater
Pick up driver
NRA life member
Rancher
Hunter
Off road enthusiast
and now for the piece de resistance, owner of a non-EPA approved fireplace.

In the better-ventilated and less-industrial Sacramento area, the soot proposal likely would bring wood-burning stoves and fireplaces under regulation for the first time, said Larry Greene, executive officer of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.

"They'll be regulated at some level," Greene said.

Future measures could range from requiring EPA-certified, low-polluting fireplace inserts and wood stoves to prohibiting fires altogether when the air is cold and stagnant.

San Joaquin Valley communities already have such bans, with first-time violators issued $50 tickets. The bans went into effect earlier this month as temperatures dropped and fog moved in.

Is this where we are heading as a society?

This is a friendly notice from the air quality management district. This week is a 'spare the soot week', houses with an address ending with an even number can have a fire tonight, odd addresses tomorrow. Please make sure you are burning in an EPA approved insert and using approved synthetic logs. Natural wood logs will be phased out starting next year so please try to use up your natural wood logs by burning them on warm days. Please also note that we will be coming by to install the wireless soot monitor in all chimneys next week to ensure everyone is staying within their allotted soot output levels. Chimney license plates will be required soon and we have still have personalized plates available for a small extra fee. These license plates will be required to face the street to ensure the yearly tags are kept current. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Good grief!

They will never find me in here........

I would like to have RC introduce a bill when he is elected to the Senate. I call it the "Tiger on every corner bill"

The crime rate will drop like Ted Kennedy's good driver discount.

Need proof?
Ok, here you go.

A South African mugger has been mauled to death by tigers after fleeing the scene of his crime and taking refuge in what turned out to be a tiger enclosure at a nearby zoo, police said. The incident took place on Sunday in Bloemfontein, about 400km south west of Johannesburg. "The guy who was found in the tiger enclosure had been trying to escape after he had robbed a couple with a knife early on Sunday morning" police spokesman Sam Makhele said. "There were security guards nearby and they gave chase to this man and he jumped the fence into the zoo and he ended up in the tiger enclosure," he said. He said the man had been mauled to death and had bite marks on his neck. There were two tigers in the enclosure.

The Clinton Patriot Act 1995

A very interesting article from the folks over at Above Top Secret News.
Its actually an op/ed piece about the partisan nature of national security. While some of the criticism stings, the facts are hard to dispute. But I try.

To the Democrats who want to state that the expanded power afforded and the encroachments of civil rights via the passing of the PATRIOT Act are results of "Neo-Con" powermongering, and that the Democrats are some pristine vanguard of the protection of our rights who would NEVER consider such fascist actions, I say to you that is a load of crock! Clinton tried to get the Ombnibus Act passed in 1995 after the WTC bombing in 1993, and it is virtually verbatim the PATRIOT Act.

Read More

To the Republicans who want to state that their party is the only party with the spine to do something in the name of "homeland security" (i.e. the PATRIOT Act) and that Clinton did nothing to try to prevent terrorism, I say to you that is a load of crock! The Republicans shot down Clinton's attempts at the same measures in the name of security that the Republicans now laud as the second coming of the Savior of the U.S. citizenry - only they made darn sure the savior was riding an elephant instead of a donkey this time. Major point you're missing in this argument: if you think the PATRIOT Act is a reasonable measure due to the attacks of 9/11, and that these measures are in place to thwart, or have thwarted, further terrorist actions you MUST admit that if the Republicans had not killed the passing of the Omnibus bill in 1995, SEPTEMBER 11TH MIGHT NOT HAVE HAPPENED! YOU CAN NOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

The particulars of the Omnibus Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995.

My answer to the last statement would be, if the Clinton administration would have made it a priority to actually kill some of these folks instead of gathering information and treating terrorism as law enforcement issue, 9/11 may not have happened. That is the major difference I see in the two strategies. The GOP wants to find these killers and, well, kill them. The Democrats want to find them, question them and maybe arrest them if they have an ACLU proof case. Two drastically different ways to handle a threat.

I like the 'kill the killers' approach much better.

20/20 hindsite.

What's the name of the evil little dwarf who served the White Witch?

Harry Reid, yea that's it.
What a piece of work this guy is.

When he is met with applause by his Democratic supporters for saying that we have just defeated the Patriot Act, it makes me wonder who's side he is on? I believe he, like most in the Democratic party leadership, would rather win back the House or Senate, than win the war on terror.

There is no Democratic power in an Iraq victory , oh but if they could get back control of Congress, just think of all the committee chairman positions they could use to gain even more power. "You back my doubling of tax rates and the chairmanship is yours, what do you say" That image should send shivers down your spine. Maybe if the terrorists were in the top 1% of tax payers the Democrats would get serious about them. They could at least tax them to death.

The problems Reid sees with the Patriot Act are so minute compared with the security of our nation. As soon as I find his quote from Fox News Sunday I will post it. I call it the 'What happens in Vegas' threat to our civil liberties. It is laughable. Is anyone really concerned the feds tracked who stayed in Vegas on New Years Eve 2002? Or the even more tyrannical tracking of who rented cars! They even know what model you picked! Oh the horror of it all!

Seriously, do we really need a dirty bomb going off in Seattle or San Francisco to make these idiots wake up? Is that what it takes? I am certain that even that would be lost on LalaPelosi and Dingy Harry. They would hold a news conference within an hour blaming the President's 'illegal war in Iraq' with making us a target for terrorism. If its bad news for America, its good news for the Democrats. That could be their bumper sticker for 2006.

Folks, you cannot trust the Democrats with your security. You better throw in Senator McCain in that group as well. He is behind the Al-Qaeda Bill of Rights the President just agreed to.

Stem cell researcher fakes results.

I'll bet that prop 71 money is being well spent, right?

When you start curing people, give me a jingle. Until then, if your research isn't getting anywhere, don't fake the results to get more money.

Roh also told MBC television that Hwang had pressured a former scientist at his lab to fake data to make it look like there were 11 stem cell colonies.

Roh said nine of the embryonic stem cell lines Hwang claimed were cloned in the paper were faked, and the authenticity of the other two was unknown.

Roh told MBC he heard from Hwang on Thursday morning that "there were no embryonic stem cells" because all colonies have since died in the lab.

Hwang did not answer his phone and researchers from his lab at Seoul National University could not immediately be reached for comment.

Criminal.

The Daily Democrat - what are they smoking in the editors office?

Liberal Bias at The Daily Disappointment? You be the judge.

Congress is proposing to cut $35 billion over five years from the very people who need it most: The poor.

Amid all the national bickering over "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays," it's clear that Scrooge is the favorite holiday figure for members of Congress.

Proposed congressional cuts in poverty programs could cut off more than 220,000 people from food stamps, impose new co- payments on Medicaid recipients, squeeze school lunch programs and reduce federal aid for child-support collections.

The proposed spending cuts would save $35 billion over five years under the Senate's plan or $49 billion under a House plan. A conference committee will settle the issue. (Meanwhile, of course, the House is proposing to continue tax cuts that primarily benefit the well-to-do, exacerbating the federal deficit even with spending cuts.).....

But the proposed federal cuts are small potatoes and would reduce Medicaid spending growth by just 0.3 percent. And, shifting the financial burden to states is not the answer until they have developed their own plans to deal with the growing costs.

What? The 'cuts' are a reduction to proposed increases in Medicaid funding. That's right, only in D.C. and Woodland can an increase in Medicaid spending of 7% be referred to as a 'cut'. I am surprised they didn't use the word 'slash' or 'gut'. I would bet you dinner at the Burger Barn in Esparto that the person writing this Editorial did not vote for George W. Bush in 2004. Any Takers?

And as for those tax cuts for the well-to-do, they have increased revenue to the Treasury! Boy, if only we could afford them!
Well, at least the didn't use this headline.

A little help here?

I'll bet this woman would like to have a few words with her brother.
Something like "could you have at least poked around the rubble pile for a while to make sure I wasn't trapped, jackass!"

Two months after the earthquake, she is found alive in the rubble that was her kitchen.

I'll bet she found a ten year old fruitcake to eat. After 6o days eating rotting food, I might even eat friutcake. Umm, maybe not.

The Chronicles of Narnia - who will stay home?

It seems the buzz surrounding the release of this picture has been based on the Christian message interwoven into this story of fantasy and adventure. It is an easy sell for spiritual people looking for a reason to take their family out to movie. An adventure film with no cursing, and a positive message, what is not to like? But what about the non-Christian, why should they watch movie?

For those who are non-Christians, many will rebuke of this film without seeing it, stating they do not wish to be indoctrinated with the Christian message in a movie. Too bad for those who take this view. They will miss out what is a great story of innocence, hope, weakness, redemption and triumph. In their stubborn certainty, they may keep their children from seeing a wonderfully adapted movie with outstanding performances and stunning visually effects. Unlike most of what is churned out in Hollywood, the effects are not the basis of the movie, they complement the telling of the tale.

And what a tale it is. The many messages that I came away will differ from yours due to our past experiences, however the similarities in the truth and power of the story are universal. Where I may see a little more Edmund in my composition, you may identify with Susan's logic, Peter's courage or Lucy's innocence and openness. All will see the truth in the message of loving relationships, how the love for those we hold dearest is the force that keeps the snarling wolves at a distance. Nor would any of us wish for the Turkish delight, if we knew the price we and others would have to pay for its momentary indulgence.

While we can find a small part of ourselves in most of the characters, there is one whom all long to emulate. "Aslan is on the move" Just the mention of his name is enough to make the forces of evil shudder and drive the clouds from the sky. This power offers hope to all those trapped in their own 100 year winter.

I remember reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a six or seventh grade student. Honestly, I don't remember the book having any lasting impact on my life or reading preferences, I just thought it was a good story. It was only when I re-read the book as an adult did the full meaning sink in. You may say that you are far too intelligent and logical to find meaning in a children's story, fair enough. This is not an intellectual study in spirituality or philosophy, it is the story of four children with gifts and faults and their journey into a magical land complete with good and evil. Maybe that is what will keep you away, the good are transformed into the very good and the evil is truly evil. Not many shades of gray to hide behind.

As a footnote, if this film would have been released a few years sooner, Roy from Siegfried and Roy may have been saved from his mauling. When the White Witch attacks with her hordes, the white tigers and clearly on the side evil. If only Roy would have known sooner...

The problem with feel good laws.

Lawmakers should write laws, actually competent lawmakers should write laws. Here is an example from our French friends. eco-terrorists are released because of a constitutional law supporting the goal of "maintaining a healthy environmentt". Can I destroy private property? Sure, as long as your goal is maintaining a healthy environment.

PARIS (Reuters) - the appeals court of Orleans (Loiret) released 49 people who had destroyed two fields of genetically modified corn in 2004 and 2005.

The court found that they had acted "in response to a danger of the consequences of releasing GMOs into the environment, even though their use is permitted under French law, even though itÂ’s in contravention with the constitutional law on maintaining healthy environment".

Does this mean I can kill anyone smoking a cigarette in my presence with a Garden Weasel because I am maintaining a healthy environment? Where do you draw the line? What idiot wrote that law? Nevermind, I forgot we are talking about France.

If you don't want GM crops in your country, ban them outright. Define exactly what you will allow and what you will not.

It reminds me of Senator McCain's amendement on torture. What constitutes "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment"? Who defines it? The ACLU or a First Sergeant in Fallujah trying to find out where the next 'super IED' is hidden? Torture is already defined by the US military, why do we want to subject our troops to prosecution from the ACLU with a law that is very open to interpretation.

Does the phrase "arbitrary andcapriciouss" come to mind?

Mad Max - Underdome

From the oh please just stop it already files, it looks as though folks are trying to draft Mel Gibson to replace Arnold in the next election.

Republicans of every stripe have been dismayed by Mr Schwarzenegger's tack back to the centre after a brief flirtation with the conservative wing of the party, which included a rousing, nationally televised embrace of the party's values at its national convention last year.

Last week he announced the appointment of Susan Kennedy, a former cabinet secretary for his Democratic predecessor, Gray Davis, and a leading abortion rights activist, as his new chief of staff. At the time the Governor welcomed Ms Kennedy as "someone who could implement my vision".

The president of the California Republican Assembly, Mike Spence, says there are several reasons for putting Gibson's name forward, including the suspicion that the decline in his poll numbers may decide Mr Schwarzenegger against running in the election next November.

"He has abandoned everything that he ran on," Mr Spence said. "Mel Gibson is someone who can catch the attention of people and articulate a vision better than the Governor."

Is the Republican shelf that bare?

Single payer healthcare? I can't wait.

Its a good thing John Kerry married a billionaire wife because he threw his medals over the fence at the White House in protest.

Fighter ace sells medals to spare wife long wait for hip replacement

One of the most decorated British fighter pilots of the Second World War has sold his medals, diaries and other memorabilia partly to pay for a hip replacement operation for his wife who faced at least a six-month wait on the National Health Service.

Or were they medal badges, or someone else's medals? He has never really given a solid answer.

He served in Viet Nam, I bet you didn't know that.

Welcome to the "Situation Room"

Be sure to vote for WazzaDem.

Congressman, you've made some very controversial statements recently. You said that the Army is "broken, worn out" and "living hand to mouth," and those statements have been contradicted not only by members of the administration, but by military commanders and service men and women on the ground in Iraq.

Wolf, I did say those things, but there is one very important detail to this story that is not being reported, and that is that I was doing...

This.





I'm sorry, I don't understand what it is you're doing.

"Quote marks"

See the whole thing here

Get religion takes on a new meaning

For some people the Christmas season doesn't start until the Christmas lights and displays adorn their neighborhood. In every town around this great nation there are streets where these displays take on the scale and expense of a Hollywood production. For those in the Sacramento area, Dovewood Court in Orangvale is one that comes to mind. A co-worker of mine invited me to come by his house on Dovewood, to get the backstage view of this madness. His neighbors started in November to have all the lights, sets, animatronic displays and music ready for the thousands of spectators who would walk through this static Christmas parade. I applaud the effort, but no thank you, I will stick to the 'gutter lights' and the rope lights around my trees thank you very much. Besides, who would drive out in the hinterlands to see a light display anyway?

Which brings me to Dorothy Rodefeld, a widow from Wisconsin who loves her nativity scenes and has one in her yard. That is until someone stole Jesus. The scumbags, I mean thieves, who made away with the infant savior also coveted a wiseman and one shepard. I hope these criminals get caught before Christmas. I would like to suggest a sentence befitting their crime.

Imagine the scene, Christmas eve in front of the busiest shopping mall in the area. A man (or woman) dressed in a Santa suit without the beard to hide their face ringing a bell, also wearing a large sandwich board with this message written in a large font -
"I stole baby Jesus from a widow, please tell me what you think"

Howard Dean - We won't win in Iraq

Not if Howard Dean has anything to say about it. Hat Tip to Pappy.

Saying the "idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong," Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean predicted today that the Democratic Party will come together on a proposal to withdraw National Guard and Reserve troops immediately, and all US forces within two years.

Another proud day for the Democratic Party. Surrender and retreat, that is their vision of US foreign policy. How inspirational, and French for that matter.

Howard, here is something you should be aware of.

Sanity 403
Insanity 3

Scoreboard.

UC Davis beats Stanford again!

I wonder what the odds in Las Vegas would have been for UC Davis to sweep Stanford in football and basketball? 500 to 1?
That would have been a good $2 bet.

When I saw Stanford on the schedule I ordered 10 tickets to the game for friends and family and I am glad we were all there to see it. What a game.

Cowboys, showgirls and livestock.

I have returned from the city of Lost Wages with little permanent damage. While the rest of nor-cal was being drenched in rain my wife and I were taking in some of the sights in the sunshine of the southern Nevada.

Vegas has a little bit something for everyone and the casinos and retailers market to whoever is in town. When NASCAR is in town, its all about the race fans, when the NFR blows in for 10 days, its rodeo time. There must be a large convention or show every week, and the casinos target every one of them.

We arrived on Wednesday night and checked into our hotel. The rates are great during the week, then quadruple on Friday and Saturday night. We found several western retail events while we were there. Cowboy Christmas at the convention center and several more at various casinos. We also found good seats for the rodeo opening night.

The Thomas and Mack Center at UNVL is about the same size as Arco Arena and its a great place for the NFR. The rodeo was fantastic, the best cowboys, the best bucking horses and bulls in the world converge on sin city for ten nights of action to decide the world championship in seven events, plus the world all around champion cowboy. After watching the rodeo, we went over to the Gold Coast Casino for the award ceremony at 11:00. It was great to see that nights winners get their buckles and most had their families with them. Rodeo is one of the only sports where you can watch your favorite athlete compete that night, then play blackjack with him.

Most of the young guys on the rodeo tour love Vegas. Coming from Montana or Texas, Vegas is like wonderland to a 21 year old kid with money in his pockets. On the plane ride home we started talking to the folks in front of us who watched the rodeo on the big screen at the casino. They were so impressed by the cowboy's athletic talent and the beating they take for the relatively small amount of money they compete for. The world champion bull rider this year will win in the neighborhood of $250,000 dollars. That is nothing to sneeze at, but it almost the same as Craig Stadler won this year on the PGA tour. I love 'the walrus', but he played in SIX tournaments this year chasing a little white ball around a beautiful golf course.

My wife and I had a great time in Vegas and may go back for the NFR in a few years, but like she said on the flight home, its like Disneyland, once every few years is plenty.