Iran is Burning
Like Americans, Iranians love their cars and hence, hate gas rationing.
Take it to the Mullahs!
A tipping point?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Insomnia = Good
On Sunday I played in a soccer game followed by a dinner party during which I injested 3 beers. I had gotten a bunch of work done during the weekend and was feeling good, no anxiety or lingering deadlines. The recipe was perfect for a good night's sleep. Only I couldn't. I kept waking up. I was incredibly comfortable, I remember, because I spent time setting up my fan to bring cool air into my room.
It made no sense. I even got out of bed at one point and started doing a little work on a script. My day at work was miserable. I kept falling asleep.
So I figured last night I would crash early. I got into bed around 10ish with a book and was like, all right, a good night of sleep. And then, again, tossing and turning. This time I really jumped up and worked on my script until about 2am.
Now I'm tired again at work, but I did get a good deal of work done during these weird bouts of insomnia that I am currenty blaming on my experimental fried chicken...which was the only constant over the last two nights - both times I had it for dinner.
On Sunday I played in a soccer game followed by a dinner party during which I injested 3 beers. I had gotten a bunch of work done during the weekend and was feeling good, no anxiety or lingering deadlines. The recipe was perfect for a good night's sleep. Only I couldn't. I kept waking up. I was incredibly comfortable, I remember, because I spent time setting up my fan to bring cool air into my room.
It made no sense. I even got out of bed at one point and started doing a little work on a script. My day at work was miserable. I kept falling asleep.
So I figured last night I would crash early. I got into bed around 10ish with a book and was like, all right, a good night of sleep. And then, again, tossing and turning. This time I really jumped up and worked on my script until about 2am.
Now I'm tired again at work, but I did get a good deal of work done during these weird bouts of insomnia that I am currenty blaming on my experimental fried chicken...which was the only constant over the last two nights - both times I had it for dinner.
Not Staying the Course
A detailed outline of the surge plan, how it differs on the ground from previous operations, and why it has a good chance of working.
A detailed outline of the surge plan, how it differs on the ground from previous operations, and why it has a good chance of working.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Hitchens on How to Deal With Angry Muslims
Angry Muslims are starting to grow passe on me already. Worldwide interest in them has peaked, and I'll grant them some credit for lasting longer than Lindsay Lohan in the world's eye.
Hitchens has listed all the offenses over and over: Rushdie's book, Danish cartoons, a rumor out of Guantanamo, the pope's comment, Rushie's knighthood...all of these minor insensitivities (and that's being generous) somehow get young Muslim men from all around the world up in arm, burning flags, calling for death...meanwhile Al Queda bombs a mosque in Iraq TWICE trying to kill as many innocent Shiite civilians as possible and what is the reaction from the angry Muslim? Blame the Jews or the Americans, of course.
Give us a break, these guy's don't deserve being treated with any respect or interest whatsoever. The appropriate response, if we were watching them from above, burning flags and going crazy over some bullshit offense in the streets of Karachi would be to whip it out and piss on their heads.
Angry Muslims are starting to grow passe on me already. Worldwide interest in them has peaked, and I'll grant them some credit for lasting longer than Lindsay Lohan in the world's eye.
Hitchens has listed all the offenses over and over: Rushdie's book, Danish cartoons, a rumor out of Guantanamo, the pope's comment, Rushie's knighthood...all of these minor insensitivities (and that's being generous) somehow get young Muslim men from all around the world up in arm, burning flags, calling for death...meanwhile Al Queda bombs a mosque in Iraq TWICE trying to kill as many innocent Shiite civilians as possible and what is the reaction from the angry Muslim? Blame the Jews or the Americans, of course.
Give us a break, these guy's don't deserve being treated with any respect or interest whatsoever. The appropriate response, if we were watching them from above, burning flags and going crazy over some bullshit offense in the streets of Karachi would be to whip it out and piss on their heads.
Intelligence and Leadership
Why smart leaders tend to do worse than stupid leaders. I'm paraphrasing, of course, as two of the smartest men on the planet talk about the issue.
Why smart leaders tend to do worse than stupid leaders. I'm paraphrasing, of course, as two of the smartest men on the planet talk about the issue.
Clever
Headline: Bush looking for Iraq War Truce on Capital Hill.
This seems to me the making of a very clever political maneuver where the Democrats can be made to look like trouble makers if they come across as more interested in making Bush looking like a fool than actually trying to resolve anything. Say what you will about Bush, he is a talented politician.
Of course, on this issue, I think he's got the big picture right and his opponents generally have it wrong, making it all the easier to come out looking better.
Headline: Bush looking for Iraq War Truce on Capital Hill.
This seems to me the making of a very clever political maneuver where the Democrats can be made to look like trouble makers if they come across as more interested in making Bush looking like a fool than actually trying to resolve anything. Say what you will about Bush, he is a talented politician.
Of course, on this issue, I think he's got the big picture right and his opponents generally have it wrong, making it all the easier to come out looking better.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Good
Who knows if it's nuclear blackmail. Frankly, I don't care. With the way the world is right now, we should pay NoKo to stay out of the nuke club...they don't seem to be into proliferating and there is no sense that they would be able to deal with regime change. The place is obviously backwards and heinous, but at the moment, we've got much bigger fish to fry.
I'm way more concerned with Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan.
Who knows if it's nuclear blackmail. Frankly, I don't care. With the way the world is right now, we should pay NoKo to stay out of the nuke club...they don't seem to be into proliferating and there is no sense that they would be able to deal with regime change. The place is obviously backwards and heinous, but at the moment, we've got much bigger fish to fry.
I'm way more concerned with Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan.
I'm Used To It, Now
Oakland is going to part with Milton Bradley. I liked this guy and am sad to see him go, but he was injured too often to be counted upon. Still a good hitter...
Oakland is going to part with Milton Bradley. I liked this guy and am sad to see him go, but he was injured too often to be counted upon. Still a good hitter...
Not Knowing vs. Bad Intel
Knowing Iraq does not have WMDs seems better to me than not knowing under Saddam.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not entirely sure why.
Knowing Iraq does not have WMDs seems better to me than not knowing under Saddam.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not entirely sure why.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Hope For Democracy?
The "weak" Lebanese Army crushes the Fatah Islam.
I've got one thing to say: Boo-Ya.
The "weak" Lebanese Army crushes the Fatah Islam.
I've got one thing to say: Boo-Ya.
Reporting From Iraq
This is blogging at it's best.
Michael Yon is out there in Iraq in the middle of shit writing up stories on his website. This is raw, like hearing a conversation. He says locals are turning on AQ and giving up information. I imagine that has less to do with believing in our cause than picking the stronger horse. I'm glad to see that they think it's us.
This is blogging at it's best.
Michael Yon is out there in Iraq in the middle of shit writing up stories on his website. This is raw, like hearing a conversation. He says locals are turning on AQ and giving up information. I imagine that has less to do with believing in our cause than picking the stronger horse. I'm glad to see that they think it's us.
Skill of the Week 6/19
Update:
Last week (6/12): Teaching self to make steamed milk at the work espresso maker.
Status: Have learned to heat the top of the milk to make more froth. Still not an expert, but make satisfactory Cafe Au Lait - 1/2 coffee and 1/2 steamed milk.
This week (6/19): Teaching self the one-handed backhand.
Status: Been working on it a little bit for awhile now, but think I made a conceptual break through on how to grip the racket differently from a forehand. Makes the shot a bit more difficult b/c it requires changing grip during play, but with the grip, the shot is a lot more effective and easy.
Potential Future Skills:
1. Top spin second serve.
2. How to fry chicken.
3. Develop a mini-work out to be performed during work
4. Create a small, playable board game.
5. Learn how to write an inquiry letter for a magazine article.
Update:
Last week (6/12): Teaching self to make steamed milk at the work espresso maker.
Status: Have learned to heat the top of the milk to make more froth. Still not an expert, but make satisfactory Cafe Au Lait - 1/2 coffee and 1/2 steamed milk.
This week (6/19): Teaching self the one-handed backhand.
Status: Been working on it a little bit for awhile now, but think I made a conceptual break through on how to grip the racket differently from a forehand. Makes the shot a bit more difficult b/c it requires changing grip during play, but with the grip, the shot is a lot more effective and easy.
Potential Future Skills:
1. Top spin second serve.
2. How to fry chicken.
3. Develop a mini-work out to be performed during work
4. Create a small, playable board game.
5. Learn how to write an inquiry letter for a magazine article.
You Call That Reporting?
CNN Headline: 14 Troops Killed.
I guess they didn't read my link to Bill Roggio's blog yesterday. Not a single mention of the major operation against AQ right now. It seems to me the context here matters quite a bit. This is a case of what war supporters call MSM bias. I'm not convinced it's any more than lazy stupidity.
Two versions of the same story:
1. 14 more US troops dead. Implication: Needless death.
2. US undertakes major new operation to root out and kill AQ insurgents in and around Baghdad. 14 soldiers killed in battle. Implication: Sad but necessary sacrifice.
I think everyone is against needless death. So when we're told by news outlets this version, it helps explain why support for the war is so low. But regardless of all that...isn't it the job of reporters to find the story and the context of events? I don't care if the truth doesn't support my opinion, I'd rather hear it and make my own judgement than merely get statistics that reflect someone else's...
CNN Headline: 14 Troops Killed.
I guess they didn't read my link to Bill Roggio's blog yesterday. Not a single mention of the major operation against AQ right now. It seems to me the context here matters quite a bit. This is a case of what war supporters call MSM bias. I'm not convinced it's any more than lazy stupidity.
Two versions of the same story:
1. 14 more US troops dead. Implication: Needless death.
2. US undertakes major new operation to root out and kill AQ insurgents in and around Baghdad. 14 soldiers killed in battle. Implication: Sad but necessary sacrifice.
I think everyone is against needless death. So when we're told by news outlets this version, it helps explain why support for the war is so low. But regardless of all that...isn't it the job of reporters to find the story and the context of events? I don't care if the truth doesn't support my opinion, I'd rather hear it and make my own judgement than merely get statistics that reflect someone else's...
Good For Them
Some Liberal Arts colleges are deciding not to participate in US News and World Reports Rankings.
Some Liberal Arts colleges are deciding not to participate in US News and World Reports Rankings.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Growing Sympathy
I used to have little sympathy for NFL players or any athlete or movie star asking for more money when they were already getting paid an enormous (by any regular standard).
But now, I have a growing sympathy for them. A star athlete takes tremendous physical risks by choosing their career. They also take on a financial risk because success in a professional sport is quite a rare achievement, yet they dedicate a lot of time and energy to that pursuit. Same goes for movie stars. Plus, their shelf life of value is relatively short. Unlike a businessman, lawyer, or many other professions, athletes and movie stars risk only being relevant for a short period of time. The average NFL career is something like 4 years. Not only is that a short career, the NFL doesn't exactly prepare you for another job...save coaching. My point is, these folks get very little opportunity to "cash in," both in terms of making a bunch of money and in terms of winning a risky bet by getting to a position where they are able to demand more money. The downside is coming across as greedy...but long after the crowd forgets your name and consequently, whether you were greedy or not, if you've pocketed away a good chunk of change at least your family will be taken care of.
By sacrificing one year or a couple years of lower pay during their prime, an athlete runs a huge risk of getting hurt, lowered performance (after all, you're competing against the best), and consequently devaluing oneself. Not only that, they do not benefit from sticking it out with the firm over the long term because the firm rewards loyalty. Bullshit. If a better player comes along, they are gone...just like that. And then we ask them to be loyal to us, as consumers as teammates, etc.
I used to have little sympathy for NFL players or any athlete or movie star asking for more money when they were already getting paid an enormous (by any regular standard).
But now, I have a growing sympathy for them. A star athlete takes tremendous physical risks by choosing their career. They also take on a financial risk because success in a professional sport is quite a rare achievement, yet they dedicate a lot of time and energy to that pursuit. Same goes for movie stars. Plus, their shelf life of value is relatively short. Unlike a businessman, lawyer, or many other professions, athletes and movie stars risk only being relevant for a short period of time. The average NFL career is something like 4 years. Not only is that a short career, the NFL doesn't exactly prepare you for another job...save coaching. My point is, these folks get very little opportunity to "cash in," both in terms of making a bunch of money and in terms of winning a risky bet by getting to a position where they are able to demand more money. The downside is coming across as greedy...but long after the crowd forgets your name and consequently, whether you were greedy or not, if you've pocketed away a good chunk of change at least your family will be taken care of.
By sacrificing one year or a couple years of lower pay during their prime, an athlete runs a huge risk of getting hurt, lowered performance (after all, you're competing against the best), and consequently devaluing oneself. Not only that, they do not benefit from sticking it out with the firm over the long term because the firm rewards loyalty. Bullshit. If a better player comes along, they are gone...just like that. And then we ask them to be loyal to us, as consumers as teammates, etc.
Welcome to the Surge
Bill Roggio outlines the surge plan currently taking place in Iraq.
The basic idea: block the exits and trap AQ in their current positions. Then, kill them instead of merely clearing them out. Afterwards, they have holding troops and humanitarian aid ready to step in and help with the aftermath.
Meanwhile, Special Forces continues to raid and kill AQ head quarters and rear positions and smaller offensive operations against Sadr militia and Iranian networks take place as warning shots: do not get involved.
Bill Roggio outlines the surge plan currently taking place in Iraq.
The basic idea: block the exits and trap AQ in their current positions. Then, kill them instead of merely clearing them out. Afterwards, they have holding troops and humanitarian aid ready to step in and help with the aftermath.
Meanwhile, Special Forces continues to raid and kill AQ head quarters and rear positions and smaller offensive operations against Sadr militia and Iranian networks take place as warning shots: do not get involved.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Rather Disgusting
Palestinians are trying to flee Gaza into...Israel. I wonder why? Why would they flee their democratically elected province into an illegal, oppressive, occupying force?
Not only that, a few Hamas fighters disguised themselves as fleeing civilians and threw gernades at the Israeli checkpoint.
I'm all for humanitarian help, but I don't blame Israel one bit if they don't in a single Palestinian. Sorry folks, by why should a country help you if you call for their destruction? I don't say this with animosity...I say it because you elected a government whose charter - ie by definition - calls for the destruction of the state of Israel and sanctions any and all forms of illegal (by international standards) violence against said country.
Do these people not understand irony? How can you deal with a suicidal culture?
Palestinians are trying to flee Gaza into...Israel. I wonder why? Why would they flee their democratically elected province into an illegal, oppressive, occupying force?
Not only that, a few Hamas fighters disguised themselves as fleeing civilians and threw gernades at the Israeli checkpoint.
I'm all for humanitarian help, but I don't blame Israel one bit if they don't in a single Palestinian. Sorry folks, by why should a country help you if you call for their destruction? I don't say this with animosity...I say it because you elected a government whose charter - ie by definition - calls for the destruction of the state of Israel and sanctions any and all forms of illegal (by international standards) violence against said country.
Do these people not understand irony? How can you deal with a suicidal culture?
The Biggest Testament to Our Sorry-Ass Foreign Policy
Is that we have a group like Al Queda who is basically a murderous gang of thugs with a clear M.O.: pick weak Muslim countries and try to spark chaotic violence through murder and mayham. Their hope: all civilized people and armies will eventually pack up and leave, allowing them the remnants to install Sharia Law to govern otherwise failed states.
It's the same story from Afghanistan, to Waziristan, to Somalia, to Iraq, and to Lebanon. How we can't create a band of allies to fight this scourge is truly pathetic. I understand certain countries have at various time uses for Al Queda - we did against the Soviets in Afghanistan, the Saudis have at times used them as a bulwark against their own internal discord, Iran is using them right now in Iraq to hamper US interests, the Taliban used them to run Afghanistan...but that we don't have a wider consensus to get rid of these guys is a testament to pretty enormous failure of expressing our ideas and winning over friends.
Is that we have a group like Al Queda who is basically a murderous gang of thugs with a clear M.O.: pick weak Muslim countries and try to spark chaotic violence through murder and mayham. Their hope: all civilized people and armies will eventually pack up and leave, allowing them the remnants to install Sharia Law to govern otherwise failed states.
It's the same story from Afghanistan, to Waziristan, to Somalia, to Iraq, and to Lebanon. How we can't create a band of allies to fight this scourge is truly pathetic. I understand certain countries have at various time uses for Al Queda - we did against the Soviets in Afghanistan, the Saudis have at times used them as a bulwark against their own internal discord, Iran is using them right now in Iraq to hamper US interests, the Taliban used them to run Afghanistan...but that we don't have a wider consensus to get rid of these guys is a testament to pretty enormous failure of expressing our ideas and winning over friends.
Just Stop Provoking Them
If we'd just stop provoking and attacking Muslims, they would stop attacking us...of course, attacking Muslims includes knighting Salman Rushie. What a bunch of insensitive savages we are....Jeezus....this shit is never going to stop. Can we just plaster those damn Danish cartoons over all the currency we spend in the Middle East?
If we'd just stop provoking and attacking Muslims, they would stop attacking us...of course, attacking Muslims includes knighting Salman Rushie. What a bunch of insensitive savages we are....Jeezus....this shit is never going to stop. Can we just plaster those damn Danish cartoons over all the currency we spend in the Middle East?
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