An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Archive for 28 December 2007
Forgetting is NOT an Option!
Beth, at Blue Star Chronicles, just returned from her trip to Germany. She shares some of her experiences which should be read.
We Went to Dachau Concentration Camp Today
My discomfort suddenly seemed completely insignificant and self indulgent. How could I complain when so many had suffered so terribly there. I stopped hurrying. For some odd reason it seemed disrespectful for me to let my feeling cold move me faster across the grounds. I feel silly even typing that out. Its such a ridiculous idea that has no real meaning at all. Still, it seemed that too many had died there for me to give any concern for my own comfort while walking across that gathering place. I walked slower and let myself feel my discomfort. It was an embarrassingly small gesture, but it was instinctual and all there was that I could do.
Man’s inhumanity to his fellow man never ceases to amaze me. It should never be forgotten either.
Success!
Actually, it’s $265,894 as of 9:26 central. 
 Of course, this doesn’t mean we should stop now! Why not keep right on going, get it to a cool mil? Say, by midnight New Year’s Eve? Hey, why not! Do we really want criminals in the White House? Or a nutjob? Or an ambulance chaser?
Some Pictures Just HAVE To Be Taken!
Mr. Spot…aka Lunatic Cat!
Scum Walking
David Hicks walks free from jail
TERRORISM supporter David Hicks has been freed from an Adelaide prison.
The 32-year-old walked out of the Yatala prison in Adelaide’s north at 8.17am (CDT).
Hicks has been in custody since being captured among Taliban forces in Afghanistan, in December 2001.
The father of two has completed a jail sentence, after pleading guilty before a US military commission in March this year to a charge of providing material support for terrorism.
Hicks was driven out of the maximum security jail in the back seat of a police sedan which drove slowly past waiting media.
Hicks, with closely cropped hair, was to be driven to a secret location in Adelaide where he will start his life out of custody.
I have never figured out why, when someone pleads guilty, they get off a lot easier than they would if they went to trial and were found guilty. Now, this guy who basically conspired to commit murder, and end Western civilization in favor of some 9th century ideals, is walking free after 6 years? What is wrong with THIS picture!?!
It’s Not Too Late!
H/T: Right On the Right via Stop the ACLU
4 From the R’s – 6 From the D’s
And FOUR of them are presidential candidates!
Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians†for 2007
1. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
2. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
3. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID)
4. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
5. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
6. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
7. I. Lewis “Scooter†Libby
8. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
9. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
10. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
Does no one find it more than disconcerting that not only presidential candidates are on this list, but both the Speaker of the House AND Senate Majority Leader?
See more at Stop the ACLU!
Morning Coffee 12/28/07
Russia Denies Plans to Sell New Missile Defense System to Iran
Iran’s defense minister had said earlier this week that Russia was preparing to equip Iran with the S-300 missile system, which would dramatically increase the country’s ability to repel an attack.
But Russia’s Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service denied the claim in a brief statement.
“The question of deliveries of S-300 systems to Iran, which has now arisen in the mass media, is not currently taking place, is not being considered and is not being discussed at this time with the Iranian side,” said the agency, known by its Russian initials, FSVTS.
And we’re suppose to trust what either side is saying? Pfft!
Pastor Joel Osteen speaks out on Mormonism
When asked about specifics of the Mormon faith, such as the gold tablets allegedly found by Joseph Smith with the so-called “new revelation” from God, and the belief that humans can become gods, Osteen said he did not know enough about the religion’s beliefs to comment.
“I certainly can’t say that I agree with everything that I’ve heard about it,” the Houston pastor responded. “But from what I’ve heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his Savior, to me that’s a common bond.”
I have a bit of a problem with that. Revelation 22:19-20 – I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. So, ya see, Joseph Smith was adding to it, and I have issues.
Islamic Jihad technical expert killed
A top Islamic Jihad man, Muhammad Abu Abdullah, also known as Abu Murshud, was killed in an air strike late Thursday evening.
An IDF spokesman said Abdullah was a senior operative in charge of manufacturing Kassam rockets and explosives. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), he added.
Gee, I’m all teary eyed. A murderer is dead.
Tiger attack: Victim’s brother doesn’t believe he would taunt beast
When Carlos Sousa Jr. didn’t show up for Christmas dinner, his father called several of his son’s friends – including the two brothers injured in the tiger attack that killed the teen.
Either Amritpal “Paul” Dhaliwal, 19, or his 23-year-old brother Kulbir Dhaliwal answered the phone and told Sousa Sr. that his son wasn’t with them. In reality, the three young men were either on their way to or had already arrived at the San Francisco Zoo, where they would later be mauled by a 350-pound Siberian tiger.
“I said, ‘Have you seen my son?’ and he said, ‘No,’ then he wished me a merry Christmas,” the father said.
If you read the whole article, you’ll find out those two brothers are a real piece of work. Not exactly your upstanding young men. If the kid who died was as he is being stated, then I question his choice of friends.
Readiness urged for smoking ban
Chicago officials Thursday urged business owners to prepare for a statewide indoors smoking ban that goes into effect Tuesday.
The new law closes most remaining loopholes in the no-smoking ordinance Chicago adopted about a year ago and supersedes similar ordinances passed in a number of suburbs. Smokers in stand-alone bars and restaurants with bar areas will then have to go outside — at least 15 feet from any entrance, exit or window — to light up.
Businesses must also post “No Smoking” signs, remove ashtrays and report customers who refuse to comply with the ban to police.
More nanniness! More loss of revenue. It’s one thing to insist on people go outside in the warmer climes of the south, it’s a completely different thing to expect people to stand outside in penguin land. I wonder, how much is it going to cost to have those cops going from place to place? How many REAL crimes will go unsolved because they are forced into ‘nanny duty’?
Doctors sue over anonymous critics
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has asked a federal judge to stop the Texas Medical Board from accepting anonymous complaints.
The group claims the regulatory board has used anonymous complaints to intimidate and retaliate against doctors.
“The situation has reached the crisis point for patients and doctors,” said Jane Orient, the national group’s executive director. “Our members are too afraid of retaliation to sue the board as individuals.”
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Texarkana, says the board and its physician members have manipulated anonymous complaints. It also alleges conflicts of interest and privacy breaches by board members and expert witnesses hired by the board.
How are you suppose to respond to a complaint if ya don’t know that it’s legit?
Hello Kitty Products Target Young Males
The cute cuddly white cat from Japan’s Sanrio Co., usually seen on toys and jewelry for girls and young women, will soon don T-shirts, bags, watches and other products targeting young men, company spokesman Kazuo Tohmatsu said Friday.
“We think Hello Kitty is accepted by young men as a design statement in fashion,” he said.
The feline for-men products will go on sale in Japan next month, and will be sold soon in the U.S. and other Asian nations, according to Sanrio.
Good grief! Another generation of ‘pussified’ males.
Ancient pyramid found in central Mexico City
Archeologists have discovered the ruins of an 800-year-old Aztec pyramid in the heart of the Mexican capital that could show the ancient city is at least a century older than previously thought.
Mexican archeologists found the ruins, which are about 36 feet high, in the central Tlatelolco area, once a major religious and political centre for the Aztec elite.
Since the discovery of another pyramid at the site 15 years ago, historians have thought Tlatelolco was founded by the Aztecs in 1325, the same year as the twin city of Tenochtitlan nearby, the capital of the Aztec empire, which the Spanish razed in 1521 to found Mexico City, conquering the Aztecs.
Cool.
More Consequences From the Nannies
Smoking ban flaming out some restaurants, igniting others
Rob Forsyth has watched more alcohol age behind his bar, more drinks go unmixed and more plates stay clean since Tennessee’s statewide smoking ban started.
He’s watched his wallet get thinner, too.
Forsyth, the day bartender at Sportsman’s Grille in Nashville’s trendy Hillsboro Village, said his income has been cut in half since the smoking ban became effective Oct. 1 and chased customers — and tips — away.
He’s not alone.
For every business that’s flourished under the ban, there’s another losing money because customers can’t light up. The losses have trickled down to employees like Forsyth, who have continued to spark debate.
“The smoking ban is hypocritical,” Forsyth said. “They’re growing tobacco all over the state, yet they want to tell people they can’t smoke. The ban is the worst thing that’s ever happened to the restaurant business. I have bills to pay, but can’t.”
All the nannies in this country keep telling us what we can and cannot do, but they don’t ever bother to think of the unintended consequences, like loss of revenue, or even loss of livelihood. With such a sue happy bunch, how ’bout a few law suits in the opposite direction. Sue Gov. Bredesen, and his minion nannies, for loss of income.
Gov. Phil Bredesen signed the law in June to extinguish most workplace smoking in Tennessee. The ban applies to most offices and businesses, including restaurants.
Some exceptions to the law include businesses employing no more than three workers, retail tobacco stores and places with garage doors. But what’s caused the most uproar is an exemption for bars and restaurants that prohibit people under 21 years old.
Shouldn’t this choice be left up to the businesses? There were already plenty of restaurants that were non smoking, by choice. They weren’t hurting for business, smokers just chose not to patronize them. And if they did, they chose not to linger over dessert and coffee, or an extra cocktail, after dinner. Choice!
Tennessee Restaurant Association President and CEO Ronnie Hart said he is lobbying for the 21-and-up exemption to be eliminated because too many owners are not following the “spirit of the law.” He said it’s also cost some employees their jobs, as the exemption doesn’t allow the businesses using it to employ anyone under 21.
There was a place in Memphis the Mr and I wanted to check out, but didn’t because we had Jr with us at the time. Make no mistake, we’ll have our Irish fare one of these days. I don’t fault the place at all. Besides, when you think about it, if you don’t have small children, odds are, you don’t want to frequent restaurants that cater to small children. If a place is serving alcohol, is it just a good idea to employ those not old enough to serve it?
One more thing the nannies might want to think about the next time they want to BAN something. How much tax revenue is being lost for the state due to their infernal meddling? If a place goes out of business, there are no more taxes being collected on said business. Since everything is taxed in TN, there is significant loss of sales tax.
If you think back to your U.S. history, one of the many reasons we broke away from Britain was because of the oppressive rules, regulations, and TAXES! Consistently raising the tax on every damn thing in the country is bound to have a major backlash. Think about that the next time you decide you need more control over MY life.
Rain
Ya know, as much as we still need rain around here to get ‘caught up’, I wish it would wait until after I’ve done all my posting and reading. Better yet, it would be nice to have a good 6 to 8 inches before I even wake up. That would solve both problems.Â
