Grasshoppa

Yeaahhhhhhh Boiiiii

I firmly believe that this clock should be on everyone's holiday shopping list.

Update: And if you are a child of the 80's you definitely need one of these

Jews Jews everywhere

Between the brutal lynching of two American soldiers the other day and the stories recounted here sometimes makes me think that we should have just let the Iraqi population continue to rot under Saddam. In fact, one Iraqi would have preferred it:

"Saddam was better. At least he was a Muslim. Isn't that better than Jews?" When pressed on the issue, he explained that "the Americans are Jews, their work is Jewish. Nobody accepts them".

Of course, we all know that it's the policies of Sharon and Bush that force Iraqis to feel this way.

Not the future we want

Instapundit touts Jim Dunnigan'sanalysis (ostesibly because it suits his view of things) of al-Qaeda based on its recent attacks in Muslim countries. Specifically he cites this part:

Al Qaeda does have a lot of Moslems on its hit list, particularly Moslems who al Qaeda does not consider Moslem enough. But since al Qaeda recruits from Moslem populations, angering Moslem populations is suicidal to the organization. This is what happened to the radical faction of the Moslem Brotherhood in Egypt during the 1990s. (emphasis mine).

Now, I'm surely no expert on Egyptian internal politics and terror but reading that little line reminded me of this story about potential successors to Hosni "Fall down go boom" Mubarak. In it, we find this:

The Islamist movement's most moderate voice, the Brotherhood has in recent years made significant strides toward its ultimate goal of usurping power by stealth: it has set up impressive social structures, including hospitals and schools, far superior to those in rundown government facilities. It has also routinely swept elections in Egypt's most important unions, student organizations, and professional syndicates. But during the 1990s, at the height of the Islamist insurgency, it suffered defections from its ranks, particularly among the young, who were increasingly frustrated by the ongoing failure of the Brotherhood to reverse the emergency order banning it. As a result, young men and women from the generation that Gamal Mubarak is attempting to woo swelled the ranks of the militant Islamist underground.

Since everyone to whom I spoke agreed that the Islamists would almost certainly win if free and fair elections were held in Egypt in the coming months or year.

It appears to me that the Egyptian Brotherhood hasn't lost all that much support and frankly, I don't think this is the kind of future we'd like al-Qaeda to have. Perhaps Dunnigan should find another analogy.

Savagery

There's not much to say about the lynching of American soldiers yesterday; the act speaks for itself. But if you're masochistic enough, you can read the rest of the article about another soldier killed by a roadside bomb, an assassination of an Iraqi police chief, and the DHL plan hit by a rocket. Day by day the situation gets worse. And of course when the US military decides to do something about it, the usual suspects (the commenters much more so than Kevin himself) become unhinged. To these folks Israel=evil and thus anything associated with Israel is thusly tainted. They fail to see that while Israeli strategy has been... less then effective in the long term, some of their tactics have been effective. After all, when was the last time you've heard of Israeli soldiers being killed by roadside bombs. Just because the US is picking Israel's brain doesn't mean that it will adopt every measure Israel suggests.

Slam on Islam?

Johnny Hart's B.C. strip above is the latest target of CAIR's ire. As much as I am loathe to agree with anything CAIR says, I think I have to agree that this strip is saying Islam stinks. That said, I'd take CAIR's complaint more seriously if they ever uttered a single word condemming the vicious anti-Semitic cartoons that are published daily in the Arab/Muslim world.

Renaming Paris

Jeff Jarvis suggests a game to rename Paris Hilton based on her latest flick. Since she is named after a city, suggested names must also be cities. With that I give you my Top 10 New Names for Paris Hilton:

10. Sexmoan Hilton (Sexmoan, Luzon, Philippines)
9. Climax Hilton (Climax, PA, USA)
8. Embarrass Hilton (Embarrass, MN, USA)
7. Assawoman Hilton (Assawoman, VA, USA)
6. Hooker Hilton (Hooker, OK, USA)
5. Dickeyville Hilton (Dickeyville, WI, USA)
4. Horneytown Hilton (Horneytown, NC, USA)
3. Spread Eagle Hilton (Spread Eagle, WI, USA)
2. Fukum Hilton (Fukum,Yemen)
and of course
1. Intercourse Hilton (Intercourse, PA, USA)

Instanbul bombed again

This time at least 25 are dead as both the British consulate and the HSBC bank headquarters were bombed. Obviously this was timed to coincide with the Bush/Blair meeting and meant as a warning to the Brits.

I am curious to see how many Muslims were killed this time, because latetly Al-Qaeda seems to be more effective at killing Muslims than anyone else.

Ph.D's while blogging

I think Instapundit needs to broaden his horizons. After all, both Dr. Haggai and myself have received our Ph.D's while blogging.

Belated weekend bullets

I had a busy weekend and wanted to comment on a couple of items that I should have mentioned a couple of days ago:

• The Istanbul synagogue bombing: I don't know what there is to say that has't already been said. Obviously, to me it was a horrible act, but so what? My saying so won't change anyone's mind. Those who believe this to be a sick act don't need to listen to me, and those who think it was a valid expression of Arab/Muslim rage will continue to ignore me. Aside 1: I am impressed with the way Turkey is handling this so far, and I find the draping of the Turkish flag over the coffins to be a touching gesture. (Wry) Aside 2: Do "shahids" lose access to a virgin for every Muslim they kill? If so these guys only get 54 virgins. Tough luck.

• The Memo: On the surface, this Pentagon memo looks like a wet dream come true for the Bush administration, and I'd like to believe what it contains. But I'm still bothered by the timing. Why now? If the this information was available weeks, even months ago, why wasn't it used to make the case against Saddam? However, if this stuff is questionable, some of it should be verifiable. For example, Abu Hajer, who is currently in a New York prison allegedly had several dealings with Iraq. Surely some enterprising reporter, or ambitious US intelligence agent could interview this guy. (Of course he may not talk). In short, this all sounds too good to be true.
  

Sayonara Saruman

Inexplicably, Saruman has been cut from the upcoming Return of the King movie. How Peter Jackson intends on wrapping up the seige of Isengard without Saruman is beyond me.

Back in session

After a prolonged recess, the Politburo is back in session. It's about time.

Long Island driving rules

For those Long Islanders visiting, I present you this:

Long Island Driving Rules

1. A right-lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same drivers to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.

2. Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Long Island driver never uses them. Use of them in Massapequa may be illegal.

3. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

4. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered "going with the flow."

5. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.

6. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork.

7. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.

8. Construction signs warn you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the backup.

9. Electronic traffic warning signs are not there to provide useful information. They are only there to make Long Island look high-tech, and to distract you from seeing the state police radar car parked on the median.

10. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.

11. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions, and are apparently not enforceable during rush hour.

12. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Long Island driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.

13. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident, or even if someone is just changing a tire.

14. Throwing litter on the roads adds color to the landscape and gives Adopt-a-Highway crews something to clean up.

15. It is assumed that state police cars passing at high speed may be followed in the event you need to make up a few minutes on your way to work, or the beach.

16. Learn to swerve abruptly. Long Island is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to potholes.

17. It is traditional in Long Island to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.

18. Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right of way, except in Garden City where it acts as an invitation to duel or play chicken.

19. Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding. In Long Island it is common to stop and then decide which direction to turn.

20. Remember that the goal of every Long Island driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.

21. Real Long Island female drivers can put on pantyhose, apply eye makeup, and balance the checkbook at seventy-five miles per hour, during a snowstorm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

22. Real Long Island male drivers can take off pantyhose, unsnap a bra with one flick of their wrist at seventy-five miles per hour during a snowstorm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

23. Heavy snow, ice, fog, and rain are no reasons to change any of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are God's way of insuring a natural selection process for body shops, junkyards, and new vehicle sales.

You have no control

The truth comes out: we all really are corporate stooges.

(Via E. Nough)

Boxcars

I don't understand the recent trend of developing SUVs that look like nothing more than boxes on wheels. First we had the Honda Element, then came the Mercedes Reichmobile (I'm sorry it just looks like that only Nazi SS officers should be tooling around in that thing), and now we have the new Scion xB. Admittedly the Element and xB are a cute in a quirky sort of way, but the thought of dropping $75k on that Nazimobile blows my mind. No doubt they put the utility in Sport Utility Vehicle, but still they're nothing but rolling boxes. I suppose I do have to admit, however, that they're not nearly as unsightly as the hideous Pontiac Aztek.

In the meantime, I think one of the most intriguing cars coming out next year is the new Saab 9-2x. Depending on how they design the exterior, putting a Saab skin on a WRX chassis and engine could make for an exciting car. I believe the car will be debuted at the Los Angeles auto show next month. We shall see.

Frum Fashion

C.R. Jew: for all your Frum fashion needs.

Humping Hilton

Let's face it, the biggest story right now is not Iraq, but the Paris Hilton sex video. (You can download it if you like following that link). My rating? LAME. If you've ever had any fantasies of screwing Paris Hilton, this video will ruin every one of them, unless of course you dream of her answering her cell phone in the middle of it all. The video quality is bad, although my sources tell me it looks a lot better on video. I also understand that the full video is much longer....I can't wait.

I must admit, however, there's something oddly comforting knowing that a $300 million debutante sucks cock.

And again

I've been following the story of the suicide bombing of the Italian base in Nasiriyah and it's only gotten more depressing as the death toll continues to grow.

Pusstrios.

Ah once again there's that chickenblogger epithet. Funny that this comes from a blogger too chicken to use his real identity. Those Luskins must be lethal.

Veteran's Day

This year's Veteran's Day is more poignant than those of recent memory given the rather constant rather rate of casualties our soldiers have been taking in Iraq. Never forget the sacrifice that they and soldiers past have made for this country.

Kristallnacht Remembered

I suppose that this should be properly labeled as anti-Zionism, right?

Once more, with feeling

Oh the blogger came back, the very next day
The blogger came back, they thought she was a goner
But the blogger came back, she just wouldn't stay away

Blackhawk down (again)

Didn't I read about this a few days ago? I feel like I'm living in the Dune universe and we're the Harkonnens.

Discount SUVs.

Hopelessly addicted to foreign oil, what do we do? Give a huge tax credit on the purchase of extra-heavy SUVs. No wonder I see so many of those abomidable H2's on the road.

Spreading spam

From time to time I'd get random chatters on Yahoo! messenger imploring me to checkout they're live webcams. Now the phenomenon has spread to AOL Instant Messenger. An amusing example:

Freeman Tomlinso: Watch Fred Flintstone Analy Violate Willma! Never Before Seen Anime!!

It doesn't take all kinds, folks. We just get all kinds.

Democratic debate

Watching the Democratic Presidential debate is sometimes infuritating, sometimes laughable, and sometimes just plain depressing. Frankly, the only person who has availed himself well so far (as of 7:45 pm) is Joe Lieberman.

Some notes so far:

1. It didn't go unnoticed that the question about civil rights posed by the Arab American was pointed at Joe Lieberman, the only Jew among the eight. It also shouldn't go unnoticed that a prominent Jew was genuinely concerned about the state of Arabs in this country. The chances of the reverse happening lay somewhere between slim and none.

2. Do they screen the questions before they're asked? If so, then the stupid baseball and Mac/PC question got through are an embarrassment. If not, the questioners should be embarrassed, especially that stupid girl. She did wonders for the image of young American college women.

3. I fail to see what the hype over Dean is all about. It's never good to get schooled by Al Sharpton especially over tolerance and race relations. Remember folks, Sharpton helped to incite not one, but two race riots in New York, as well as ruining a man's life thanks to his race baiting. It's also telling that Democrats give Sharpton a pass depsite his past. But back to Dean. Does he ever actually answer the question posed to him?

4. Every candidate, except Lieberman, seems to think that the UN is the magic salve in Iraq. Not one of them elaborated how surrendering control in Iraq to the UN was going to somehow miraculously bring more international support to rebuilding Iraq. I'd like to see how Dean thinks he's going to convince Arab/Muslim countries to send troops to Iraq.

5. Those thirty second commericals for each candidate are terrible. Lieberman's wasn't bad, but Edwards' was terrible, and Clark's was embarrassing. General Clark, no matter what your opinions on Outkast are, you don't look cool.

6. Oh God, Kucinich's 30 second commerical was even more embarrassing than Clark's. Dean's wasn't bad though (I liked the background music, I admit).

I find myself rather uninspired by this debate. It won't take much to convince me not to vote for Bush, but right now, the only candidate I like, Lieberman, has no chance of winning.

Perspective

Nice cherry picking, Dr. Pangloss. Here's some more perspective from Iraq. Oh and here's some more. As I said on Jeff Jarvis' comments, it all depends on which sentiments are more prevalent.

And so it goes

Just another day in Iraq. Four wounded in a missle or grenade attack, and now the Spanish are pulling out some of their staff for "consultations."

Do you ever get the feeling that the US Military is like that ogre in Moria (in the Fellowship of the Ring)? I sure do.

Swarm

Word of warning, do not underestimate the power of the grasshoppa.

Severance

Dear BU,

I would like to offer my application for the position of university president. After having spent 8 years a graduate student at a local local university I believe I am eminerntly qualified for the position. Moreover, if, after being offered the postion, some aspects of my personality come to light that may render me unsuitable for the job, will accept a severance package of $900,000, which I believe you'll find to be an absolute bargain.

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Geoff M.

F U C K

I really have no other reaction to the downing of the Chinook that killed 16 Americans than the title of this post. It's too bad the helicopter didn't land on these bastards:

"We usually celebrate Ramadan at the end of the month. Now we are celebrating in the beginning after these infidel Americans were shot down," taxi driver Abdullah Hissein said.