Maggie's Farm

Bush speaks up for America at the UN. Quit the terror - we want peace. It's the right message. Comments in the NY Sun.

"They say that it's the institution..."  Thinkin' about blaming it on "the system," at Asst Village Idiot. One quote:

The Zen koan "The Tao that can be described is not the real Tao," applies here. The system that can be described is not the real system. Better to start from the idea that there is no system at all.

Free Willy Nelson! Does this explain his politics? Protein

From the author of Path to 9-11, Cyrus Nowrasteh:

In July a reporter asked if I had ever been ethnically profiled. I happily replied, "No." I can no longer say that. The L.A. Times, for one, characterized me by race, religion, ethnicity, country-of-origin and political leanings--wrongly on four of five counts. To them I was an Iranian-American politically conservative Muslim. It is perhaps irrelevant in our brave new world of journalism that I was born in Boulder, Colo. I am not a Muslim or practitioner of any religion, nor am I a political conservative. What am I? I am, most devoutly, an American. I asked the reporter if this kind of labeling was a new policy for the paper. He had no response.

Whole piece at Ed Driscoll

Experts want to move the Mississippi to save New Orleans. Why not. What the heck? It's just water, right? NYT Science News

Wish I had written this, quoted from a piece by Malzahn in Spiegel Online:

One thing should be kept in mind, however: The often violent protests that erupted in the Muslim world in the wake of the cartoon controversy have often been manipulated and fuelled by Islamists. The bile currently being flung at the pope is no different.

But the attacks against the pope are especially grotesque. The severe criticism -- often coupled with threats of violence -- directed at the speech held last Tuesday by Benedict XVI is not just an attack on the head of the Catholic Church. The malicious twisting of the pope's words and the absurd allegations made by representatives of Islam represent a frontal attack on open religious and philosophical dialogue.

That so many in the Muslim world joined the protests against the pope merely show just how influential Islamist extremist groups have become. The political goal of the Islamists is clear: any dispute between Christianity and Islam must obey the rules handed down by political Islamism.

Bending to this demand would be a mistake -- indeed it would be tantamount to turning one's back on freedom of expression and opinion. What will come next? Perhaps a complaint that Allah feels insulted by the numerous European women who don bikinis during a summer trip to the beach. It could be anything really -- militant Islamists will always find something. But the response needs to be firm.

Big Supermarket is Watching You. How stores study buying behavior to get you to buy more. Science News

My father asks for nothing. He was a ball gunner on a Liberator. Sippican

Dennis Prager interviews Howard Zinn.  I won't quote from it, but you have to read it. Unbelievable. They let this bozo write textbooks? His knowledge of history seems so...um... incomplete. Or selective? Almost like he had an agenda or something?

And we feature yet another supposed historian with selective memory of what he learned in school. This is Rick Moran quoted from his piece on Juan Cole's comments on "Moslem sensibilities":

Shooting old women in the back, burning churches, and threatening the life of the leader of a billion Catholics is an excellent demonstration of Muslim “sensibilities” I must say. Cole’s analysis is spot on. Who woulda thunk it? All the burning, and killing, and screaming, and gouging, and stabbing is the fault of the West and our mean old ancestors who told the fanatic’s ancestors that their religion was dirt. Failing that, it is the legacy of those superior airs put on by the Brits and the Frogs that is causing our Muslim brothers so much pain.

Of course, the good professor conveniently forgot to mention the most famous footstools in history – the Ottomans – and their bloody, inhuman rule over the Middle East. By the time Napoleon saw the pyramids, the Ottoman’s had made themselves at home in the region for nearly 300 years. Known as “the sick man of Europe” the Ottoman’s proved that they not only could out-atrocity the west on any given day, but also proved that they could be pretty damn good colonial oppressors themselves even when they weren’t feeling 100%.

Of course, the Ottomans didn’t worship Jesus. They didn’t recognize the Pope’s authority. They never saw the inside of a synagogue (except to set fire to one), nor did they worship, Bal, Babel, Ra, Isis, or any other regional deity. They followed the teachings of the Prophet Muhammed.

Don Surber makes the case FOR pork-barrel spending. Don - that argument is 100 years old, from the days when they didn't have so much of our money to play games with. It is ours, remember. We earned it. Your argument, Don, is that politicians are slimy jerks for whom the pork greases the wheels.  I am sure that that is true.

To think like an Islamist, you have to take a time machine to the Dark Ages. Few of us can do this. Quote from a piece by Eric at Classical Values:

There's a crucial difference between the West and its attackers:

the bottom line is simply that we in the western world don't act that way. We don't riot when insulted; we don't burn when inflamed.

That difference is what we in the West naively call civilization. We tend to assume that all people want to be civilized. The enemies of civilization don't. They want to kill us. For things like looking at the wrong pictures. For quoting obscure Byzantine emperors. And what do we do?

We apologize, because among civilized people, an apology is seen as the civilized thing to do when someone is offended. The problem is, uncivilized people see apologies as weakness. No number of apologies is ever enough. Which means one is too many.  

Image: That would be a Jersey Cow. A good looking, smaller, and manageable breed of dairy cattle. Read about their history here.

(h/t, No Pasaran, and Cox and Forkum)

Terror fund-raising in Boston. Solomonia.

Hey, Carl. We love your books, but what is this baloney? Babalu

A quote from a predictably intelligent Oxblog piece:

A bit ham-handed perhaps, but one might even have argued that in the second aspect here we have a respectful pope attempting in a somewhat bumbling manner, and without the political grace of his predecessor, to engage theologically with the Islamic tradition and its contemplation of God - just the sort of engagement between West and East people of good will ought applaud. It seems to me in this second regard the pope is attempting a dies academicus between religious traditions, which is something much more clever and respectful than the saccharine anodyne of most interreligious activity as it tends to be conducted. It's at any rate in a different register of intellect and intention to 'islamic fascism', altogether.

So mixed reviews, but I'll step in for partial defence of the pope, to note what he was doing was a bit more complex than slathering the Qur'an in pork fat.

Foreign-trained docs taking over US primary care. Kevin MD

Hey, Pope. Quit apologizing. Bird of Paradise

Evil Repubs gain in polls.

Pretend to seek peace. That's the gimmick. Not very sneaky, unless you are an MSM, or a dhimmi. Betsy. We all love peace.

Vote Dem and Die.  Dems still trying alternate appeals to voters, besides national security. Ignore those Moslems - we'll give you a free doctor.

Confederate Yankee says what we all know, but, in modesty rarely say: Don't mess with Texas - meaning the US. We have been gentle thus far.

Google ordered to remove French and German newspapers. Good riddance!  Author's rights.

For all of you would-be engineers, an update on the Tacoma Narrows bridge from Dr. Bob

The difference between a dog's breakfast and a dog's dinner, Tweedlee Dum and Tweedlee Dee, and related topics. Althouse.

Want a dobro? Know exactly what they are? Synthstuff.

Gaghdad Bob takes a look at the deep sickness: Fascism coming to America. Be very very afraid.

Armstrong at The Guardian blames the West: Our tradition of hating Islam. What?

A Saddam and Al Quaida update: The Wide Awakes

New York Times denounces the Pope. Guess they didn;t read his speech either. View from 1776

Editor Bird Dog emailed me with a quote from a friend, who said that this was no battle of civilizations, but a battle of civilization against barbarism.

Did any of the protesters read the Pope's speech?  I doubt it. I doubt that the entire speech was even translated. If they did, they would have seen, in Pope Benedict, a Christian heart at work and at thought, seeking connection, respecting other faiths, and opposing violence.

Via Dino, some sanity from the Aussies:

“We live in a world of terrorism where evil acts are being regularly perpetrated in the name of your faith,” Mr Robb said at the Sydney conference. “And because it is your faith that is being invoked as justification for these evil acts, it is your problem. You can’t wish it away, or ignore it, just because it has been caused by others. Instead, speak up and condemn terrorism, defend your role in the way of life that we all share here in Australia.”

Moslems threaten war over Pope's remarks. Ahem. YNET. And guess who was behind the Pope? The Joooos, of course.

Human beings do not kill nuns. Period. As of now, my efforts at "understanding" have ended. If the Moslems ended their efforts to kill the infidel, there would be no more violence in the Middle East.

Also, heap big update on the Pope story at Anchoress. And you can scroll down for Bird Dog's post yesterday: "Not the same god."

Image: Jihadists discussing some of the fine points of a subtle theological discussion of the role of reason in religion and faith.

Spain outlaws skinny models on catwalks. Talk about intrusive government. However, nanny state France refused to follow suit: the fashion business is powerful in Paris. I think the French model to the right, from Drudge, looks like a skelaton, but it's not the government's problem. (Would somebody please take this gal home and feed her some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn bread? With a few beers? And maybe some ice-cream?)

Looking to be offended, and using it in a loony manner: Moslems and the Pope. The Pope said nothing offensive, and asked for an end to religious violence. CAIR blasts Pope - LGF.  Moslems go berserk - My Way News. Moslems call for beheading of Pope - SDA. (Of course.)  In the words of Confederate Yankee, "it remains to be seen how many must die as Islam proves how peaceful it is."

The many Dem slogans for 2006: Viking.  (I like the Repub slogan - "Vote Dem and Die.")

Time for Jews to flee Europe? Joshuapundit thinks so.

Holy Wooly Mammoth blood! A huge and very cool archeological find, in Canadadanistan. Synthstuff. Wish I could assist with the dig.

Blair slams anti-Americanism. Spot on, Tony.

I'd love to be a crim in Britain - they can't shoot you, they won't lock you up, and now they cannot even chase you! You might fall and hurt yourself! What do they put in the water in the UK? Or is those Frenchie-Norman genes? Note to American and all world-wide crims: move to Britain, and live the good life. (h/t, our pals at Tangled Web)

Heard any voices in your head lately? Apparently many people do, and enjoy it. Strange. I hear plenty of thoughts, but nothing outloud.

Quote from Glenn Reynolds:

One might almost think that feminism has become nothing more than a subset of the Democratic Party's activist base. Actually, that has become so obvious that even Maureen Dowd managed to figure it out when she famously commented: "Feminism died in 1998 when Hillary allowed henchlings and Democrats to demonize Monica as an unbalanced stalker, and when Gloria Steinem defended Mr. Clinton against Kathleen Willey and Paula Jones."

New York Times conspiring to cover up future crimes (of their own). Jim Miller

"Does this offend you? Good." Right Wing Nation

Did you miss the white buffalo? Wish it had been born on Maggie's Farm, for the traffic to the blog, which is our humble vegetable stand on the roadside. Our Indians go nuts over this sort of thing. The Great Spirit and all that. Gotta respect other religions, but what importance is skin color? I call it "animal racism" - I thought white was bad. Anyway, bring drums!

India has too many people. Not doubt. But it also seems to have too many elephants. How could you have too many elephants?

Hee hee hee. Our post on the Praying Mantis and rough sex (linked on left on recent essays) has gotten tons of hits for "rough sex" searches. Good grief. Sorry for the disappointment, creeps: It's about BUGS! Free advice to those people: Get a nice girlfriend, and treat her real nice and special, and quit the internet perverse BS. Life can be good.

Who wondered how corrupt New Jersey politics are? Instapundit.

Gee whiz. I thought these hospitals were non-profits. New York Presbyterian Hospital donating to Dem PACs. WTH?

Did you call your Senators yet to support Bolton? Info here. He's the only sane human at the UN.

An easy 5 million. Find Adnan, last seen house-hunting in Texas with a Mexican consular ID. Of course.

Hahaha. Can't scare me, morons. Moslems threaten West yet again. LGF. And now the French are in their sights - because they are weenies. Polipundit. They will crumble like Roquefort.

Speaking of Moslems, Ned Lamont has spent, thus far, 5 1/2 million of his own money on his campaign. Chump change for the average limo liberal. Hey, Ned! That money would go a lot further towards helping CT via helping charter schools for the poor kids.

Life imitates art. The Firesign Theater already did the "Marxist Martyrs High School, " thirty years ago. Canada catches up. Tee hee. Out-to-lunch.

Lefties ignore reality, believe what they like. Perfect example, at Norm's normblog #158 Profile. Yo - Kumbaya, Comrade!!  Hope they don't let Clare vote, though. A quote:

What philosophical thesis do you think it most important to combat? > The concept that all or some humans are by nature selfish and violent.

Open those eyes, Clare. You sound like a sweet lady, but...ummmm....maybe a bit dreamy? 

Criticism is not censorship. Precisely. Betsy

VDH on the Dem's hysteria, which I think is correct:

Why this exaggeration and shrillness? It is frustration from having lost the Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court and the majority of the state legislatures and governorships. Frustrations follow from learning that a cobbled together coalition of gay marriage advocates, radical feminists, abortion on demand supporters, the old race industry emblemized by Jesse Jackson, as well as the radical pacifism of the leftwing blogs—all that only garners 45% of the popular vote—unless there is a Republican scandal, a losing war, a recession, or a Democrat running for President with enough of a southern accent to fool voters that he is a true conservative.

His whole post here.

These people can map your Y chromosome, and then map your ancestors' origins. Family Tree DNA

Study: Men more intelligent than women. No comment. Daily Male Mail

Mid-60s freakbeat and garage music videos, at Iowahawk

Tom Bowler has it exactly right - that old "income gap" comes up on slow news days. He makes the case that illegal immigration is the main cause.

In the mood for some more Krugman lies?

We think Arnold Kling is great, but this is petulant. Bainbridge

George Will on WalMart, via Env. Economics:

The median household income of Wal-Mart shoppers is under $40,000. Wal-Mart, the most prodigious job-creator in the history of the private sector in this galaxy, has almost as many employees (1.3 million) as the U.S. military has uniformed personnel. A McKinsey company study concluded that Wal-Mart accounted for 13 percent of the nation's productivity gains in the second half of the 1990s, which probably made Wal-Mart about as important as the Federal Reserve in holding down inflation. By lowering consumer prices, Wal-Mart costs about 50 retail jobs among competitors for every 100 jobs Wal-Mart creates. Wal-Mart and its effects save shoppers more than $200 billion a year, dwarfing such government programs as food stamps ($28.6 billion) and the earned-income tax credit ($34.6 billion).

High-quality piece from Asst. Village Idiot on the culture of political resentment, especially as it emerged around the Clinton administration. One quote:

Contrary to the current mythology of the left, conservatives did not have this abiding hate for Clinton from the start. The idea that there were dark forces already at work to undermine his presidency is just crap. Rush Limbaugh had said several nice things about Clinton early on, and even when he was annoyed at his election, took pains to point out several good things that were likely to happen in a Clinton presidency. National Review was grudging in its praise, but had some, and reminded readers to give a duly-elected president a fair shot. There were indeed people who didn’t like Clinton, but not because he was seen as too liberal – Dukakis in ’88 was seen as farther left, and Jerry Brown, a major primary opponent was seen as much further left – but because they thought he was a weasel. Clinton ran as and was elected as a New Democrat: centrist, pragmatic rather than doctrinaire.

Quoted from a recent piece at Blamebush:

In order to preserve our democracy, steps must be taken to create a more level political playing field and restore the Spirit of Bi-Partisanship our Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote it into the Constitution. The logical course of action would be to abolish 9/11 altogether, jumping straight from 9/10 to 9/12 each year. An extra day could be added to the end of the month to make up for it, or we can put it after April 22nd and turn Earth Day into a two-day affair.

However, in the Spirit of Bipartisanship, Democrats may have to scrap that idea and offer up some sort of compromise. For instance, Repugs could keep their precious 9/11, in exchange for their cooperation in passing a Congressional resolution that would effectively prohibit all right-wing blogs, hate radio jocks, TV pundits, and politicians from speaking or writing about 9/11 in a manner that makes Democrats look like a bunch of limp-wristed weenies more concerned with protecting the enemy’s feelings than crushing him.

You don't know what "Shoes for Industry" is about? Check here.

Image: A 1944 Farmall, Model H

Very multicultural. Dutch minister would welcome sharia law. Can you say "dhimmitude"?

Are we a Blog for Bolton? Darn right we are. Dem. Project. But even a Bolton cannot clean up the mess at the UN. Here's Frist's Blogging for Bolton. Click that site, then call your senators.

The so-called oil shortage. Polipundit

Jimmy Carter wants Lieberman to lose. That endorsement should give Lieberman a big boost.

The first Moslem Representative? Ellison update. NY Sun

NYT obsessed with successful WalMart, while its own business dies. Sensible Mom

Kissinger warns of "war of civilizations," says:

"The debate sparked by the Iraq war over American rashness vs. European escapism is dwarfed by what the world now faces.

"Both sides of the Atlantic should put their best minds together on how to deal with the common danger of a wider war merging into a war of civilizations against the background of a nuclear-armed Middle East."

Kissinger wrote that the big threat lay in the erosion of nation states and the emergence of transnational groups.

Iran was at the centre of the challenge, he said, with its support for Hezbollah, radical Shiite groups in Iraq and its nuclear program.

Washington must accept that many European nations were more optimistic about talks designed to convince Iran to halt uranium enrichment -- a process Tehran denies is aimed at making weapons, he wrote.

But in return, he said, Europe should accept the process must include a "bottom line" beyond which diplomatic flexibility must not go and a time limit to ensure talks did not become a shield for "developing new assaults."

Estonia, today. Who knew? Samizdata

Latest stats: who goes to college, etc. CSM

Freedom Tower: Why not built yet? Does anyone want to work in a symbol? Reason

Nanny Police on the job: Sean Penn, whose no-doubt carefully and deeply thought-out politicial positions are somewhat at odds with those of Maggie's Farm, is in trouble with Canada for smoking a cigarette. Give the jerk a break. Can't a guy have a smoke?

Nobody ever expects the French Inquisition: Guy on trial for doubting the French govt. news. Seriously. I'd be in trouble over there: I would never believe a word of what they print.

Speaking of France, here is the Complete Military History of France.

The fantasy of "squandering good will." Betsy

Raw sewage in the Jordan. LiveScience

The "Swedish model" on its last legs. Meaning the country. No Pasaran

A piece of history: from CNN in 1996

Republican leaders earlier met with White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta for about an hour in response to the president's call for "the very best ideas" for fighting terrorism.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, "These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get."

Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- "a phony issue."

"If they want to, they can study the thing" already, Hatch asserted. He also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.

An engineer's photo website, from the Bighorn Subdivision of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Includes discussion of the rule book for engineers. Photo below from Engineer Krug's website.

VDH likes Hillsdale College.

Buddhist schoolteachers in Thailand arming themselves against Moslem assaults. Ace

Gates of Vienna recalls the heroism of Jan Sobieski, who drove the Moslem army from Vienna 323 years ago.

The Examiner takes a look at Mitt Romney as presidential candidate.

Translations of two of Pope Benedict's recent homilies. Anchoress

Head of Brit Moslem group threatens Britain with two million terrorists.

Why I am so hard on Massachusetts. Jay Tea at Wizbang

Wizbang has a fine extraordinary 9-11 summary of pieces and reminiscences. Favorite quote from it, from Dave Barry:

“The people who did this to us are monsters; the people who cheered them have hate-sickened minds. One reason they can cheer is that they know we would never do to them what their heroes did to us, even though we could, a thousand times worse. They know that when we hunt down the monsters, we will try hard not to harm the innocent. Those are the handcuffs we willingly wear, because for all our flaws, we are a decent people.”

Sturgeon returning to North American waters. This is good. Good meat, good eggs, big fish, and remarkable critters. But Blue Crab Blvd. seems a bit afraid of them.

Sen. Rockefeller wants Saddam back. Well, Saddam is still alive. LGF It is the most shameless hypocrisy and distortion on Rockefeller's part, as Captain Ed reviews Rockefeller's track record on the war.

A chef complains about those stickers on fruit. I agree. Why the heck do they do that? Does a machine put them on? Bananas are ok, but everything else? Chef Mojo at Daily Pundit

China expanding censorship of news. Calif. Yank

I missed Part 1 of the miniseries. I see Rick liked it. If interested enough, Allah has pre and post-edit comparisons. When people do something like that, you can see that the blogs truly are an "army of Davids."

Ned Lamont was against Clinton's sexual escapades before he was for them. Guess he's learning how to become a politician.

Heading to the beach tonight, probably for the last time this year, looking for the gal on the right. Is she in Newport? No plastic, guaranteed?

Dylan's new record is #1.  How nice for the old guy.

Zit myths cleared up.

Sex medicine. The new meds are great, but a new one for premature you-know-what is a good deal. A good thing for over-excited fellows.

Perfect example of the AP making up a non-existent story. Dino

"Alternative medicine" is an oxymoron. Duh. DB

Where are the Lamborghini's of the trial lawyer's clients? Overlawyered

In praise of Enoch Powell. He got it, but he was before his time. Scruton

Is life fair? Stumbling, on Hayek:

[The function of the price system] is not so much to reward people for what they have done as to tell them what in their own as well as in general interest they ought to do. …To hold out a sufficient incentive for those movements which are required to maintain a market order, it will often be necessary that the return to people’s efforts do not correspond to recognizable merit...

Ethanol starves people of cheap food. The Commons

I was wrong. ABC submits to Clinton pressure on the Path to 9-11. What a world! Our courageous, truth-telling media. The Anchoress is on the story.

Who are the super-rich? You and me. From a piece by Boudreaux at TCS:

When I lecture to teenagers and twentysomethings here in the United States, I often ask members of the audience to "raise your hand if you're wealthy." Except for the young woman years ago who announced that her father owned a string of 7-11s, no one ever raises a hand.

"Oh but you are wealthy!" I insist. "Each of us is among the wealthiest people ever to breathe."

The Tragedy of Conrad Black, in The New English review. It begins: 

The last three years have not been kind to Conrad Black: his media empire and his reputation are in a shambles, his various properties are being auctioned off by court-order, and his assets and family jewelry are being confiscated – all this, and Black has yet to be convicted of a single crime.

Newt's ideas on how to win elections. He is usually correct, and he is right this time. Daily Pundit

Will ABC collapse under Clinton pressure? Doubt it. How would they look? Wizbang/ Clearly some people like to try to suppress speech... Singleton

The old racial stereotyping theory gets an updated spin. LaShawn

The Bush economy sucks. Unemployment 4.7%. ("full employment" = 5%) Pardon my English

62% of Brits think they should try to make the Moslems happy. Pathetic. View from the Right

More on the UN's opposition to the concept of self-defence, this time from Willisms.

Edubabble, interpreted. (h/t, Right Wing Nation)

Image: another photo of Villa Balze in Fiesole

Academics soft on fascism? Isn't that an academic tradition? (h/t, Instap.)

Somebody pulled down Move-On's pants, and people do not like what they see. Israpundit

Do these "top professors" really believe this crap? I doubt it. I think they are just spreading disinformation, in the classic Marxist manner. Atlhouse

Tolerance for me but not for thee. "Tolerance" is always a one-way street. In fact, "tolerance" is always intolerance. Samizdata

Germaine Greer is pleased with Steve Irwin's death. But she doesn't much care for men in general. Dust my Broom

Do we need any more evidence that Special Counsel Fitzgerald is a rogue prosecutor? Thge NYT wants to "keep hope alive" that the story will continue, at least for two more months. Just one Minute

Atlas reminds us of the "stench of Soros."  Yes, he is trying to buy America, but his name should be a dirty word. Let's make it one. The man hates America, and American traditions, and he likes anything that leads towards world government...controlled by him, no doubt. The battle of freedom vs. empire never ends. People who seek power because they "mean well" are the creepiest of all.  Hey, George: "If you're so rich, how come you ain't smart?"

I did not realize this, (but how many Americans know anything about Mexican history?). Mexican democracy is facing yet another crisis:

To get a sense of the danger hovering over Mexican democracy, consider these numbers: In the 681 years between the founding of the Aztec empire in 1325 and the present day, Mexico has lived for 196 years under an indigenous theocracy, 289 years under the absolute monarchy of Spain, 106 years under personal or party dictatorships, 68 years embroiled in civil wars or revolutions, and only 22 years in democracy.

Whole piece at WaPo.

Chimpanzee crossing guards. Cool.

"I know the material - I just don't do well on exams."  Right....  Betsy

Debtors could make a difference in the election?  Why? The economy happens to be excellent. If you go into debt, it's your own damn problem. Ankle-Biting

Marketing made very simple. This is good. Reasoned Audacity

Sometimes you just have to trust the pilot: (stolen from Mr Free Market)

Michael Caine is sick of modern movies. Me, too.

Arrested for stealing garbage? Dumpster-diving is a fine American tradition. These cops goofed.

Being a public atheist is not fun. Life is tough. Anti-faith writers: Newsweek

Iranians love America. I have said it here many times. Their leaders are just nuts. I do not wish to bomb these good folks. Powerline

Healing faith. Dr. Bob

Life is not an alcohol deficiency.  Psychiatry and AA try to get it together.

The government can raise kids better than you can. Of course they can. They are so wise! They do studies!  Did the Brits ever read Brave New World? Or did they like it? SDA

We offer a Guernsey cow today, to get the fall off to a good start. Most American Guernseys are descendents of the original six imported to the US in the 1840s. Good buttermilk.

Have a good holiday, readers. I am visiting friends in Rhode Island, and hope to meet the lovely miss on the right at the beach today. I could not find her yesterday, and I have to be back in Pittsfield by Tuesday morning. Cherchez la femme. I once met a Swedish gal like this in Riverside Park, but was too timid to proffer the appropriate invitation. "Let's get something to eat and go back to my place and have some fun." No more. Life is short. Hey, Jude. Carpe diem and all that. Nothin' to lose but your pride and self-esteem, and the agony of rejection: part of the challenge of being a guy: guys have to learn to suck it up. (?)

Jay Tea does religion - an agnostic takes on the faiths of the world.

Rick takes on restaurants, and wants the fattiest, most delicious stuff he can find.

Climatologists moderate their predictions. Am Thinker

A good senior moment joke: Lib Leanings

The death of the First Amendment, thanks to McCain-Feingold. From the DC Examiner (via Polipundit)

Something almost without precedent in America will happen Thursday. That’s the day when McCain-Feingold — aka the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 — will officially silence broadcast advertising that contains criticism of members of Congress seeking re-election in November. Before 2006, American election campaigns traditionally began in earnest after Labor Day. Unless McCain-Feingold is repealed, Labor Day will henceforth mark the point in the campaign when congressional incumbents can sit back and cruise, free of those pesky negative TV and radio spots. It is the most effective incumbent protection act possible, short of abolishing the elections themselves.

The right to self-defence, and the UN, at Willisms. One quote:

The UN is most eager to deny that self-defense is a right, because this would obligate the UN to defend the concept of individual self-defense. Since unarmed self-defense in a world full of weapons is too often meaningless, this puts the UN in the position of having to defend the individual right to bear arms. Quelle horror! Is there anything more vulgar to a silk-suited euroweenie diplomat than individual gun ownership? This should not baffle you - the UN and its supporters are proponents of a single world government, under the ludicrous belief that a unitary government would hold a monopoly on all arms throughout the world, thus abolishing violence. Then, once violence is abolished the UN may disarm itself and the glorious new age of peace, love and rainbows can ensue.

Convert or die: The new Al Quaida tape. These guys need a cultural sensitivity program. How come it's always us who need them?

The Dem 1864 Party Platform. Astonishing parallels. Gateway

Clausewitz on the Iraq war. The politics of war. Dem Project

Ernesto wasn't much of a hurricane, but it brought some strong winds to New England. Chris took this in his harbor in CT (more of his storm photos here.) Quite a few boats came off their moorings, despite storm harnesses (heavy cables).

Only in Lebanon. Photo borrowed from Big Pharoah:

Frank Furedi in Spiked:

How long before British adults will need a licence to parent their children? UK prime minister Tony Blair and his colleagues believe that the solution to society’s problems is to get their hand on the nation’s toddlers before their parents get a chance to ruin them.

Is Maryland ready for a transgender lawmaker? WaPo. I don't get what it is in the first place. Everybody's confused, if they think too much about it.