An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 8 August 2008
Cute
Minn. baby born 8/8/08 at 8:08; 8 pounds, 8 ounces
Hailey Jo Hauer was born on the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008 at 8:08 a.m. So it wouldn’t make sense for her to weigh anything other than 8 pounds, 8 ounces.
Lindsey Hauer thought staff at Lake Region Hospital in Minnesota were joking when they told her the time of her daughter’s birth. Then she got a call from the birthing suite noting Hailey’s weight.
Nurse Jenny Harstad joked that she tried to shrink the baby to 18 inches from her actual 19.5 inches.
Several hospital staff members pledged to buy lottery tickets.
Muslims? In COMMUNIST China?
Islamic group threatens Olympic transport
Police shut down the bustling International Bazaar in the capital of China’s restive Muslim region of Xinjiang on Friday amid threats from an Islamic group that attackers might target buses, trains and planes during the Olympics.
A sign at the entrance of the bazaar in Urumqi did not explain why the area, surrounded by mosques with minarets, was off limits as the country prepared to kick off the Summer Games thousands of kilometers away in Beijing.
But one of the many security guards in the bazaar’s plaza, which was marked off with crime scene tape, told an AP reporter, “The area is closed because of a possible terrorist attack. It’s just a defensive measure.”
Wait a minute! There are MOSQUES in China? Christians are persecuted at every level, but Muslims are free to worship? I thought this was COMMUNIST China. Communist don’t like religion of any sort. Yet, reading that sentence for the 7th time…..that’s what it says alright.
Uh…. Knock knock! Hellooooooo??? I’m very confused. Can someone please ‘splain this ‘un to me?
Last month, the militant group issued videotaped threats and claimed responsibility for a series of bus bombings in China in recent months. The latest video features graphics similar to ones used earlier: a burning Olympics logo and an explosion imposed over an apparent Olympic venue.
The new video claims the communist government’s alleged mistreatment of Muslims justifies holy war. It accuses China of forcing Muslims into atheism by capturing and killing Islamic teachers and destroying Islamic schools, according to the SITE. It also says China’s birth control program has forced abortions on Muslim women.
I gotta tell ya. I’m totally baffled. Did the Chinese import a few dozens Muslims just to make it look like there was freedom of religion in the country, and they multiplied?
Obviously, if Islam is a threat to China, with the restrictions on human freedoms they have, how much more dangerous is it to a country who welcomes the diverse?
Reckon I’m a “Racist”
25 Reasons You May be a Racist
Peter Kirsanow
The tendency of Obama supporters to see racist impulses behind every criticism of their candidate has evolved into absurdity. Now even the first black president feels compelled to declare he’s not a racist. By this measure, nearly every American is at risk of being branded a racist at some point in the campaign. To assess whether you’re at risk just consult the list below ( apologies to Jeff Foxworthy ):
1.If you think Obama’s the most liberal member of the senate you…may be a racist.
2.If you object to Obama raising your payroll, capital gains and estate taxes you…may be a racist.
3.If you’d prefer a president have at least some foreign policy experience you…may be a racist.
4. If you’re in favor of drilling for oil and building nuclear power plants you…may be a racist.
5. If you think “Vero Possemus” is Latin for “Massive Ego” you… may be a racist.
6. If you wonder why Obama was hanging around William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn you…may be a racist.
7. If your pastor is nothing like Rev. Wright or Father Pfleger you… may be a racist.
8.If you don’t want the majority of justices on the Supreme Court to be like Stephen Breyer you…may be a racist.
9. If you’re not impressed with Obama’s 100% NARAL rating you…may be a racist.
10. If you’re not sure whether Obama opposed or supported FISA reauthorization you…may be a racist.
11. If you don’t think America is a “downright mean” country you…may be a racist.
12. If you think Obama should’ve visited wounded troops at Ramstein and Landstuhl you…may be a racist.
13. If you think the surge is working and that’s a good thing you…may be a racist.
14. If you oppose racial preferences in employment, school admissions and contracting you…may be a racist.
15. If you think “we are the change we’ve been waiting for” is a line from a Monty Python skit you…may be a racist.
16. If you prefer that a president have a smidgen of executive experience you…may be a racist.
17. If you’re appalled that Obama voted against treating infants born after an abortion attempt the same medically as other infants born alive you…may be a racist.
18. If you were proud of your country even before Obama’s candidacy you…may be a racist.
20. If you don’t think American troops are just “air raiding villages” you…may be a racist.
21. If your grandmother isn’t a “typical white person” you…may be a racist.
22. If you don’t think rural, working class people are bitter and “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them” you…may be a racist.
23. If you’re not sure invading Pakistan is a particularly good idea—what with their nuclear weapons and all— you…may be a racist.
24. If you don’t want the president to meet without precondition with the leaders of state sponsors of terror you…may be a racist.
25. If you don’t care how Hollywood or the European elite think you should vote you…may be a racist.
This campaign has, to paraphrase Moynihan, defined racism down.
ACT NOW!
H/T: Sean Hackbarth via Twitter
A Note To Nashville Voters: SIGN THE POSTCARD PETITION
Council urges voters: Reject English-only plan
If voters sign the English First postcard petitions they’re receiving in the mail, they’ll be doing it with the Metro Nashville Council’s disapproval.
The council voted 25-8 on Thursday to urge voters to oppose a measure that would prevent city business from being done in languages other than English. If Councilman Eric Crafton’s English First group collects enough signatures, the measure will go on the Nov. 4 ballot.
When are those 25 council members up for re-election? Even though I don’t live in Nashville, I’d be more than happy to help out there opponents!
Their vote came after Mayor Karl Dean addressed the full council, describing the English-only plan as dangerously restrictive, economically regressive and unproductive.
Regressive and unproductive? Let’s see, what language do the French use in their everyday business? Hmmm… Oh yeah….French. What language do the Germans use? I do believe it would be German. How about Mexico? Do they use a foreign language in their government offices to deal with the business of the day? No, I do believe they speak Spanish….which is the language of the land! Wouldn’t you think if you moved to another country, legally, or ILLEGALLY, you’d be required to speak THEIR language? Why yes. Yes, you would!
He spoke “to assure that everyone fully understands the consequences of passing a law that will tie our hands in the global economy, that will detract from our appeal as an international tourist destination and that will damage our reputation as a welcoming and friendly city.”
One of the more ignorant statements I’ve heard in……well, at least 15 minutes. As one who has gone to foreign lands as a tourist, I do not EXPECT them to speak English. I do my best to communicate through a little knowledge, and a lot of charades. The transaction usually goes through flawlessly. Being a “welcoming city” does NOT include kowtowing to a group of immigrants.
Crafton, whose similar measure was vetoed by former Mayor Bill Purcell last year, said he doesn’t understand.
“This week I have been burned in effigy, called a racist and compared to Adolf Hitler,” Crafton said. ” … To me, I just can’t get my mind around how this is mean, or a slight to immigrants … to say that our council meetings will be in English.”
If my memory serves me correctly, Nashville is in Tennessee. Tennessee is part of the United States of America. What is the language that we speak in the USA? Golly gee…..I do believe it is ENGLISH! If I go to a city council meeting, in any city in the the US, they damn sure better be speaking the language of the land! If you want to attend a meeting in Spanish, German, French, go to the country where they actually speak those languages. This is the US, and WE SPEAK ENGLISH!
Cross posted at The Tennessee ConserVOLiance.
Obamarama
Morning Coffee 08/08/08
Though today’s date doesn’t have quite the same symbolic weight as 06/06/06 — a number often considered evil and named in the Bible as the date the Antichrist would be revealed — many are nevertheless buzzing about 08/08/08′s potential implications.
According to Kelly Xu of the Organization of Chinese Americans in Washington, D.C., the Chinese view eight as an enormously lucky number.
Happy Birthday to brother in law, Steve!
Bill Clinton to give speech at convention
Party officials say former President Clinton will deliver a speech on the third night of the Democratic National Convention before an address by the as-yet-to-be-named running mate for Barack Obama.
Exactly what role the former president would play at the gathering in Denver Aug. 25-28 has been the subject of speculation since his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, ended her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in early June and endorsed Obama.
Whup de flippin’ go! Does anyone even watch the conventions anymore? They’ve taken the drama out of it! It’s nothing more than a mutual admiration society, for both parties. One of those “We love ourselves so much, we are wonderful. We’re going to put on a grand show for you little people!” Pfft! I miss the days when they actually MEANT something in the democratic process. It was quite an education.
EPA rejects Perry plea on Ethanol
The Bush administration made clear Thursday it has no intention of easing federal quotas for corn ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply despite a challenge from Texas Gov. Rick Perry and a broad alliance of industries hurt by high corn prices.
In a move that did little to quell the debate, the Environmental Protection Agency denied Perry’s request to reduce by half this year’s U.S. ethanol requirement — to 4.5 billion from 9 billion gallons.
Perry said the waiver was needed because rising U.S. ethanol output is inflating corn prices, wreaking havoc on the state’s massive livestock industry and boosting grocery bills for American families.
I’m seriously beginning to believe the Bush administration is filled with twits! Has NO ONE noticed that the price of food has risen? Do they really think that using food to fuel your vehicle is a good idea? Not to mention the fact it gives you really crappy gas mileage and costs more to produce. Remove thy collective hind ends and freakin’ PAY ATTENTION!
Secretary of State Rice is signaling she won’t stand in the way of an Israeli military action to stop Iran’s nuclear program, ratcheting up the American pressure on Tehran.
Following the Iranian government’s latest refusal to give what Washington considered a “satisfactory” answer to the most generous offer yet that leading world powers have made to Tehran, the Bush administration vowed to impose a new round of Security Council sanctions. Council members say, however, that several weeks will pass before the divided body can impose punitive measures on Iran, if at all. Some diplomats even argue that any significant policy agreement among the powers on Iran must wait until next year, when a new American president takes charge.
Ummm….. I was under the impression that Israel was a sovereign nation, and they were free to defend themselves against any threats. Has the US really had so much control over their actions? Serious question. And heaven forbid if B. Hussein takes the reigns. His desire to chat with Ahmadinnerjacket won’t solve the problems anymore than the previous chats have accomplished. Since Useless Numnuts sanctions don’t seem to affect anyone, why do they still bother puffing up their chests, thinking the world will listen? 
GOP Reluctant to Criticize Bush’s Olympic Attendance
President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing, and while many Republican members of Congress deplore Communist China’s human rights record, they are reluctant to criticize Bush’s attendance.
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) co-sponsored a resolution in the House asking that Bush not attend the opening ceremonies as a means of protesting China’s authoritarian rule. However, on Thursday, he said he did not want to criticize the president for attending.
Why? Why not criticize him when you know it’s the wrong thing to do? Giving China legitimacy? I was under the impression that Bush was against terrorists, yet he basically honors a government that terrorizes it’s citizens. I’m at a loss!
County health system’s interim finance chief to be paid $36,000 a month
“I think a lot of us who supported the independent board thought it would provide more rigorous financial accountability, but this doesn’t sound like a very responsible use of the taxpayers’ dollars,” said Commissioner Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago), a critic of how the system was run under County Board President Todd Stroger. “It’s hard to believe they would have to spend that kind of money to bring in a CFO.”
But Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D- Evanston), who backed the county’s controversial one-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase in exchange for establishing the new health board, said the decision did not upset him.
Welp, if ya ever wonder why there’s not enough money for actually health care in your city, look no further than the salaries some are paying folks. Where can I get a gig like that?
Russia sends forces into Georgian rebel conflict
Russia sent forces into Georgia on Friday to repel a Georgian assault on the breakaway South Ossetia region and Georgia’s pro-Western president said the two countries were at war.
South Ossetia’s rebel leader Eduard Kokoity said there were “hundreds of dead civilians” in the main town Tskhinvali, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.
A senior Russian military commander said parts of Russia’s 58th army were approaching the rebel capital, where fighting raged between Russian-backed separatists and Georgian forces sent in on Friday to seize it.
I am a bit confused. I thought when the old Soviet Union collapsed, the territories were free to set their own path. Russia doesn’t seem to care much for that idea, I guess. Any doubt Putin is still in charge? What about that ‘soul’ thing, eh Pres. Bush?
Terrorists Prance Around Ruins of Atzmonah
Hamas terrorists have videoed themselves amidst the ruins of the former Jewish town of Atzmona in Gush Katif, Gaza – singing, dancing and play-acting their militaristic plans against Israel.
The set for most of the act is the destroyed synagogue of Atzmona. It can be seen here in its former glory. Other former houses in Atzmona appear to be part of a training ground for urban-area fighting.
What do you think the reaction would be if Israelis danced around in a mosque? Do you think there would be any reaction at all, world wide? I’m not real sure why a large chunk of people think the Pallies are ‘victims’. Personal opinion, they victimize themselves. Instead of using the land they stole for good, they destroy everything in sight, and blame others.
At least 9 killed as SUV packed with 19 rolls over
A sport utility vehicle packed with suspected illegal immigrants flipped over on a rural highway southeast of Phoenix, killing at least nine people Thursday, authorities said.
The SUV that crashed on State Route 79 had 19 people aboard, Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said. The other 10 occupants were injured.
A Suburban is a very large vehicle, but I have to ask……how do you cram 19 people in one?
McCain seeks to define himself and Obama
John McCain’s efforts to define Barack Obama have been well cataloged in recent days, from the substantive (calling Obama a tax raiser slow to offer an energy plan) to the silly (comparing the Illinois senator to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.)
What’s less apparent are McCain’s efforts to define himself.
The GOP presidential hopeful has adopted a new campaign slogan, “Country First,” a paean to his years in the military and decades in Congress. He’s begun speaking more openly about his years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. And despite his wealth and elite legacy as the scion of admirals, McCain has tried to cast himself the embodiment of middle-class, middle-American values.
Since ‘country’ is second on my list of priorities, and ‘world’ is waaaaaaay down on the list, I’d say McFeingold was heading in the right direction.
Flu Bigger Threat Than Terrorism
A pandemic flu bug is a bigger threat to the country than terrorism or flooding, the Government has revealed in a new ‘risk register’.
If there was to be a pandemic flu virus it could claim up to 750,000 lives, according to the document.
But such an incident is only ranked fifth in the “most likely” list and is thought to be slightly less likely than a severe weather attack.
I’m going to lay the blame squarely on the ‘anti-bacterial’ obsession! Over use of antibiotics is a culprit too. We’re killing our immunes systems, making our kids sickly cuz they tend to come into contact with a germ once in a while, and they have no attack system. OH, and since when is weather an ‘attack’? Weather doesn’t attack. It happens. Jeeeez!
IRI will not give up its nuclear rights
Delivering his second Friday prayers sermon, Ayatollah Kashani urged China and Russia to avoid being influenced by the US and the UK plans.
“The world people are well informed of dirty plans of the US and the UK and are mobilized to confront the two countries’ plans; they (the US and the UK) should stop the mischiefs themselves,” he said.
Hopefully, the ‘world’ is a little better informed than the folks attending those so called “prayer services”. I’d say trying to prevent Iran from ‘wiping Israel off the map’ was a rather noble quest.
Verse of the Day
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
