June 17, 2004
Read My Lips
There seems to be a disconnect between the mainstream media and reality. i never heard President Bush say that Hussein was involved in 9/11. But the media keeps reporting the 9/11 commission's conclusion that there was no Hussein Al Qaeda connection in the attacks as if it was news.
As the President said this morning, yet again:
This administration never said that the 9-11 attacks were orchestrated between Saddam and al-Qaeda. . . . We did say there were numerous contacts between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda, for example, Iraqi intelligence agents met with (Osama) bin Ladin, the head of al-Qaeda in Sudan.
Nobody said there was a connection
in the attacks. Why would there be? Ben Ladin wanted money, training camps and protection from Hussein, but that doesn't mean Ben Ladin would have told him about the 9/11 plans. Hussein didn't need to be in the loop on that. Obviously, Al Qaeda was capable of carrying out the attack without Hussein's help.
The point that always seems to get lost in these pissing contests, and the only point that matters in my view, is that Saddam Hussein and Ben Ladin both hated us badly. Therefore it was too dangerous to leave Hussein around and able to help Al Qaeda in the future. Did anybody seriously believe that Ben Ladin would not have eventually approached Hussien for support and training camps after we kicked him out of Afghanistan?
If anyone had doubts on that point, the 9/11 Commission's report should clear that up:
Al Qaeda did approach Hussein.
Al Qaeda did meet with the Iraqi government.
There was an Iraqi-Al Qaeda connection.
Just not on 9/11.
It's not necessary to take Bush's word or even my word on it. That's what the 9/11 Commission said. But the media keeps trying to put words in the president's mouth. Yet even The Washington Post couldn't find a quote that states what their editorial writers want us to believe. In this collection of administration quotes they call "White House Statements on Iraq, al-Qaida", i defy anyone to find a direct statement by any admininstration official saying that Iraq and Al Qaeda collaborated on the 9/11 attacks.
You'd think if such a quote were there, the Washington Post would have found it. Instead, the Post's anthology of quotes merely shows that the administration was right about the budding relationship between Hussein's Iraq and Al Quada. We can believe they were right because the 9/11 Commision agrees that there were links.
And it therefore follows, i say, that we were right to take out Saddam Hussein before those links turned into a full fledged alliance.
More on topic: read DANEgerus.
Posted by: annika at
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Greetings Annika! Hope you are enjoying your new home.
The NYT and WaPo stories I have read have buried the 9/11 Commission's bombshell assertion deep in their stories- Al Qaeda and Saddam were in contact over the years. The real story is that the 9/11 Commission made this assertion- since contact between Al Qaeda and Saddam totally justifies the Iraq invasion as a viable part of the WOT.
Serious people agree with you-- the legitimate possibility of Al Qaeda/Saddam cooperation justified invasion of Iraq. The NYT and WaPo are completely wedded to story that Osama and Saddam would never cooperate. They buried the bombshell story under a mountain of misleading headlines and lead paragraphs. This is about the media willfully distorting the story in order to protect their reputations and their claims of righteousness, and also to get Bush defeated in November.
Posted by: gcotharn in Texas at June 17, 2004 12:00 PM (PcgQk)
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"and also to get Bush defeated in November."
You're absolutely right GC.
They place politics above the safety of Americans, even their own safety.
They completely and conveniently ignore the question of whether it is reasonable and likely that Al Qaeda and Saddam would ever cooperate in the future. Given that they most certainly would, our response to Saddam's failure to comply with numerous UN resolutions is totally justified.
i don't understand what's so hard to understand about that.
Posted by: annika! at June 17, 2004 12:26 PM (zAOEU)
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Actually the money quote from the commission report does not say that there was no Iraq involvement with al Qaeda attacks on the U.S. It says that the commission has no "credible evidence" of cooperation.
This from a group that didn't consider the Goerlick memo establishing a wall between intelligence and law enforcement, one of the principal pre 911 failures, as credible evidence of a conflict of interest.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at June 17, 2004 04:43 PM (4819r)
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My exact thoughts today annika and the nature of my post to -- I'm just curious if anyone really wants to change their mind. I've concluded that those who still oppose the war in Iraq either lack the intellectual courage to overcome their stubbornness (they just hate Bush) or seek to change what for so long it has meant to be an American (because we're racist, greedy imperialists).
Posted by: Scof at June 17, 2004 05:45 PM (uluG3)
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CNBC's 'Capital Report':
GLORIA BORGER, co-host: Thank you so much for being with us, Mr. Vice President. And we will get to talk about the economy in a few minutes.
Vice President DICK CHENEY: OK.
BORGER: But obviously first the news of the week is the 9-11 Commission report. And as you know, the report found, quote, "No credible evidence that al-Qaida collaborated with Iraq or Saddam Hussein. Do you disagree with its findings?
Vice Pres. CHENEY: I disagree with the way their findings have been portrayed. This has been enormous confusion over the Iraq-al-Qaida connection, Gloria. First of all, on the question of whether or not there was any kind of a relationship, there clearly was a relationship. It's been testified to. The evidence is overwhelming. It goes back to the early '90s. It involves a whole series of contacts, high-level contacts between Osama bin Laden and Iraqi intelligence officials.
[...]
BORGER: Well, my reading of the report is that it says that, yes, contacts were made between al-Qaida and Iraq, but they could find no evidence that any relationship, in fact, had been forged between al-Qaida and Iraq.
Vice Pres. CHENEY: And you're talking generally now, not just 9/11.
BORGER: Not just 9/11. And let's talk generally and then we'll get to 9/11.
Vice Pres. CHENEY: Talk generally.
BORGER: Generally.
Vice Pres. CHENEY: That's not true.
BORGER: So you disagree?
Vice Pres. CHENEY: Absolutely.
[...]
BORGER: Mr. Vice President, I don't think I've ever seen you, in all the years I've interviewed you, as exercised about something as you seem today.
Vice Pres. CHENEY: I was. I admit, Gloria, and you and I have known each other a long time. But I do believe that the press has been irresponsible, that there's this temptation to take...
BORGER: But the press is making a distinction between 9/11 and...
Vice Pres. CHENEY: No, they're not. They're not. The New York Times does not. The Panel Finds No Qaida-Iraq Ties. That's what it says. That's the vaunted New York Times. Numerous--I've watched a lot of the coverage on it and the fact of the matter is they don't make a distinction. They fuzz it up. Sometimes it's through ignorance. Sometimes it's malicious. But you'll take a statement that's geared specifically to say there's no connection in relation to the 9/11 attack and then say, `Well, obviously there's no case here.' And then jump over to challenge the president's credibility or my credibility....
Posted by: gcotharn in Texas at June 18, 2004 02:36 AM (PcgQk)
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you guys seem to be from a different planet: Bush and Cheney ARE international terrororists and should be tried in a court of law. Its is very evident that ever since Bush (unlawfully) took office America's standing in the world became considerably worse and its security just as well. No need to blame anyone for this aside from that idiot from Texas. And, dont get me wrong, no body hates him, its just that he is quite obviously an idiot.
Posted by: Denis at June 22, 2004 09:00 AM (JdRVY)
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June 16, 2004
Poetry Wednesday
i have been negligent for not posting any poem by my favorite poet on one of these Poetry Wednesdays. Today i will correct that. The following is by Edna St. Vincent Millay:
God's World
O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!
Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this;
Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart,—Lord, I do fear
ThouÂ’st made the world too beautiful this year;
My soul is all but out of me,—let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.
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Glad you're back to this... I'm so utterly with you on Millay... "Fatal Interview", whew.
Posted by: Hugo at June 17, 2004 09:47 AM (MipRl)
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June 15, 2004
Lakers Eulogy
If the Lakers lose tonight, it will be because they did not get the ball to Shaq on every posession. Larry Brown knows that Kobe will try to take the game on his shoulders, and like last Sunday, Kobe will be triple teamed. Get the ball in to Shaq and stay in the triangle offense.
But they won't do that. Because guys like George and Medvedenko think they are good, instead of hacks, which is what they really are. They will come downcourt and throw up jumpers with 15 on the shot clock, like they always do.
If Detroit wins, much as i love my Lakers, i will have to admit that the best team did win.
Posted by: annika at
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Hear, hear!! Bad boys, bad boys....
Posted by: Dawn Summers at June 15, 2004 05:18 PM (HLOeu)
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heh, maybe they should wear masks..it's workin' for Rip!!
ps East Coast - represent!
Posted by: jimi at June 15, 2004 07:40 PM (lN8eP)
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too bad the lakers lost.
Posted by: jey at June 15, 2004 11:05 PM (TxkuL)
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The next guy Slava blocks out on will be the first! All these shorter Pistons crashing the boards...it would have been nice if Shaq had a little help.
Posted by: G Turk at June 16, 2004 08:53 AM (8xavh)
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Thanks for the link.
It was an amazing game.
Not necessarily because I wanted to see the Pistons win (I always root for the underdog), but because of how they performed on the court. I haven't seen a team play as a "team" like that (from the Eastern Conference anyway) and execute plays with such ease in a long long time.
Posted by: Amy at June 16, 2004 10:46 AM (RpVKX)
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Uh oh... no posts today?
Annika, are you ok?
There's always next year...although Kobe may be a New Yorker (or inmate) by then...
Posted by: Dawn Summers at June 16, 2004 12:47 PM (HLOeu)
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The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
The Lakers lost! They suck! They are done! It's all over! No more! Goodbye! Hated while you were here, hate you no less while gone! Fuck you!
ps. I hate the Lakers!
Posted by: Radical Redneck at June 17, 2004 01:32 AM (Eg7dC)
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Skankwoman Update
Did i or did i not predict that Brittany Spears would be in rehab by October of this year?
Answer: i did, sort of.
Allow me now to gloat and report to you that Brittany indeed will be undergoing eight to twelve weeks of rehab, starting six weeks from now.
Never doubt me again.
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You rock, Annika.
But, what about the props you were giving to Choi a short while back?
Hope you are settling in. . .
Posted by: jcrue at June 15, 2004 04:22 PM (G9kk0)
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She wasn't selling enough tix for her North American summer tour...
Posted by: Scof at June 16, 2004 10:07 AM (XCqS+)
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Annika's North American summer tour? Oh wait; never mind. ;-)
Posted by: Dave J at June 17, 2004 07:51 AM (x8mt5)
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June 12, 2004
Reagan Memorial Week, Final Impressions
Whatever else you can say about this week, i think it's been a seven day long commercial for the Republican Party. Tremble Democrats, because countless young people watching the proceedings are almost certainly going to grow up to be Republicans.
Nancy Reagan handled everything with a selfless grace and dignity that should set an example for us all.
i love Michael Reagan. He seems like a really decent and kindhearted man.
When the Democrats act like pessimistic crybabies again, starting next week i should think, your average American will remember the pride he or she felt during the week of Reagan's remembrance.
Looking at the tens of thousands of people who waited 5+ hours on both coasts, just to pay their respects where the President's body lied in state, i was struck by how many hundreds of thousands there were, myself included, who would have done the same if they could.
And looking at the thousands of people who lined the route from Point Mugu N.A.S. to Simi Valley, just to show their gratitude, i was struck by the fact that we may all owe our lives to that great man. Maybe there's no way i can prove that, but can you prove it's not true?
President Bush managed to put a former president, a former prime minister and the heir to the throne of Great Britain to sleep. That's power.
i thought Ron Reagan's swipe at President Bush was inappropriate and unfair.
The musical performances at the Cathedral service on Friday were outstanding, particularly the choral version of Jerusalem, both versions of the Battle Hymn and the very moving recessional music.
The two most heart-wrenching moments for me were when George H. W. Bush got choked up for a moment, and when Nancy Reagan, surrounded by her family, said a final goodbye to her husband, who loved her so very much.
Did you see John Kerry whisper something in Bill Clinton's ear before the Cathedral Service, then hold his finger up to his lips? What sort of conspiracy are they cooking up?
Ronald Reagan was both a good man and a great man. i fear that the world owes him a debt that cannot be repayed. i am grateful that he lived, and for his many gifts to us all. But now that he's gone, i don't see anyone that even comes close to his goodness and his greatness. And that makes me afraid for the future.
Posted by: annika at
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It does raise interesting questions, Annika, about who the GOP has lined up for 2008, assuming that Bush wins re-election. Cheney is a no go. No one else in the administration is nationally electable. McCain is too much of a wild card, and ain't no way Jebbie can pull it off (we don't like dynasties that much!) Y'all don't seem to have a very "deep bench"...
Posted by: Hugo at June 12, 2004 02:55 PM (APlYz)
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The Dems apparently don't have a particularly deep bench, either, Hugo, if all they could come up with was Mike Dukakis's former Lt. Governor. I mean, just think for a second about the electoral stupidity of that.
Jeb is smarter than his brother in some senses, but he's neither as good a politician nor as effective a manager: he owes his own job in large part to the fact that the Florida Democratic Party not only doesn't have a deep bench, but does have a talent for self-destruction. Put him in with the rest of the potential 2008 field and I'd be surprised to see him get through the GOP primary: if I had to put out one name to keep an eye on, it'd be Colorado governor Bill Owens. Of course, if Giuliani wanted to run in 2008, I think he'd be a lock, especially if any of the rumors prove true and Cheney bows out in his favor for face-saving "health concerns."
I'll go out on a limb and counter the conventional wisdom by betting that Jeb won't even run in 2008. I'd expect him to run against Bill Nelson for his US Senate seat in 2006 and that'd definitely be a close race: win or lose, he wouldn't shoot for the White House only two years later.
Posted by: Dave J at June 12, 2004 04:12 PM (V0Wwd)
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What did Ron Reagan say about Bush?
Posted by: Karol at June 12, 2004 04:55 PM (AGo3+)
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I suspect you'll see Cheney resign mid-way through a second term so the party can set up the next nominee because the GOP won't want a long and expensive primary given Hillary will have amassed her own large war chest...lots of folks inside the beltway whisper about Tom Ridge stepping in to be the VP.
Posted by: Col Steve at June 12, 2004 08:19 PM (Zgxih)
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Also, I'd like to extend a plug to the tremendous job by members of the military, especially the Old Guard soldiers and their counterparts from the other services and the Coast Guard.
The General who escorted Nancy Reagan is the Commander of the Military District of Washington - a former boss of mine and a great Christian, mentor, and leader.
Posted by: Col Steve at June 12, 2004 08:24 PM (Zgxih)
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Hey! Who spilled the beans about the platform?!
Posted by: Matt at June 12, 2004 09:55 PM (b+0PW)
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The Memorial was put together very well. There were images that would make John Ford(the director) very proud. One did get the impression that you were watching the end of a 1950's era Western. It certainly did set s new standard for high profile Memorials in the age of TV! Did anyone catch that the recessional song from the National Cathedral was from the movie "We were Soldiers"?
Posted by: Lawguy at June 12, 2004 10:00 PM (exyyf)
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Where have you guys been? No bench? What, is Rudy Giuliani, a potted plant? Ridge is good, but what about George Allen and Mitt Romney?
I think that the Dem's are the ones without a bench...they've got the Wicked Witch of New York (Ex Washinton D.C., Arkansas, Illinios and G_d knows wherever else) and then who?
It's gonna be fun watching the Clintons fake it, professing to support Kerry while dreading the thought of him actually winning, thus putting her eight years away from a shot at the White House.
Hey, this is better than any opera I've ever seen...
Posted by: shelly s. at June 13, 2004 06:02 PM (My8fB)
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Karol, Ron Reagan said:
"Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference."
Posted by: annika! at June 14, 2004 08:29 AM (zAOEU)
Posted by: Scof at June 14, 2004 09:13 AM (XCqS+)
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I that the recessional music was great too, so I looked it up. It is called the "Mansions of the Lord", and it was originally recorded by the USMC Glee Club for the rolling credits of "We Were Soldiers". Excellent choice to end the funeral of a great man.
Posted by: javaslinger at June 14, 2004 03:50 PM (ihS95)
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USMC Glee Club???? Not the Marine Corps I was in. So much for "Don't ask, don't tell".
Posted by: Casca at June 14, 2004 05:18 PM (q+PSF)
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USMC Cadet Glee Club. My bad.
Posted by: javaslinger at June 16, 2004 01:36 PM (gPNOe)
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Should anyone be interested, the version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" used both at the cathedral and in California was arranged by Peter Wilhousky, and is available on the Mormon Tebernacle Choir's CD "God Bless America." (Sony)
Posted by: Bob at June 18, 2004 08:34 AM (azTSf)
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June 10, 2004
Hasn't Made A Good Album Since Reagan's First Term
The Boss needs to just "shut up and sing." He thinks
every American needs to read Al Gore's speech and calls it "one of the most important speeches I've heard in a long time."
And we should listen to Springstien's advice on politics because . . . ?
. . . Oh that's right, he's a musician. The only pundits with any credentials on the left are all entertainers of some sort.
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But can Al Gore carry a tune.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at June 10, 2004 05:22 PM (4819r)
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Bruce has gone the same direction as his music...downhill.
Posted by: Brent at June 10, 2004 06:31 PM (w+y2e)
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I'm from Jersey and even I think Springsteen sucks.
Posted by: ginger at June 11, 2004 09:47 AM (BgaW7)
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it's funny how a protest song, born in the usa, became such an optimistic and pride-swelling song to listen to. I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A....
Posted by: Scof at June 11, 2004 11:38 AM (XCqS+)
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I have good friends who are decades-long fans of Springsteen, and, if anything, lean to the left. Even they are appalled by his categorization of Gore's latest rant as "one of the most important speeches I've heard in a long time." As one of them said, "not one of, but possibly THE dumbest comment I've heard in a long time." It is important to remember that we all endow our heroes or favorites with qualities that they often prove not to possess. While not a Springsteen fan, I recognize his musical talents. That does not empower him with any particular philosophical or moral acumen. That he believes it does indicates he has bought into the "star-making machinery" in a way he professes to detest. Rather than "shut up and sing," I would prefer that he continue to pontificate--exposing himself for the mental lightweight he is. Better that those who see him as a prophet realize he is merely a guitar player with a pretentious impression of his own importance and insight.
Posted by: DBrooks at June 11, 2004 08:36 PM (YixpN)
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The opinions of celebrities only count more than those of the average person because the press reports their mouth farts and the public, perhaps, thinks that those personal attributes that give rise to celebrity somehow confer authority in matters of politics and public affairs. However, it must be the case that not that many people are swayed by political celebrities, because we'd all be voting for Democrats were that the case. Me, I like Springsteen's music, just as I am highly entertained by Susan Sarandon's acting, without agreeing for a minute with their politics.
"The Rising," by the way, is an awesome album. Listen to "Into the Fire," think about the firefighters who died in the Towers, and consider whether you need to reconsider your assertion that he hasn't done any good work since Reagan's first term.
Posted by: Jack at June 13, 2004 12:39 PM (4zSWd)
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I remain a Bruce fanatic and will defend his later work, but I'd agree that even as lefty as he is, Bruce should know better than the Gore madness.
I still maintain that Bruce is as responsible as anyone for the misunderstanding of Born in the USA, given how he wrapped the album, video and tour in the flag. But the song was also something of a watershed in terms of rehabilitating popular culture's view of Vietnam vets as mostly good guys who got crapped on by their country rather than as war criminals or nut jobs. (Heck, that may even have helped a certain vet get elected to the Senate in 1984.)
Posted by: Crank at June 15, 2004 02:03 PM (6weK3)
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June 09, 2004
Today Is Lyrical Wednesday
In lieu of a poem, and in honor of Cole Porter's birthday today, i present to you the lyrics to my favorite Cole Porter song. You may not have heard these lyrics because the song is more famous as an instrumental. It was band leader Artie Shaw's theme song, i believe.
Begin the Beguine
When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
It brings back a memory ever green.
IÂ’m with you once more under the stars,
And down by the shore an orchestraÂ’s playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine.
To live it again is past all endeavor,
Except when that tune clutches my heart,
And there we are, swearing to love forever,
And promising never, never to part.
What moments divine, what rapture serene,
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted,
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted,
I know but too well what they mean;
So donÂ’t let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember;
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you,
Till you whisper to me once more,
'Darling, I love you!'
And we suddenly know, what heaven weÂ’re in,
When they begin the beguine
i think it's Porter's most romantic tune.
Happy one hundred and thirteenth birthday Cole Porter!
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What a truly wonderful song!
Posted by: Brent at June 09, 2004 06:59 PM (w+y2e)
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I spent 15 years as a professional trumpet player - mostly big band music, as well. To me, the swing era was hands down the best musical years that we, as a society, ever experienced. The irony is that of one of my favorite swing tunes of all time, and the tune I
always think of when I think of that era, isn't even swing. It's a beguine. Begine the Beguine. Great tune.
And for some silly reason, I always picture Woody Shaw playing from a huge open clam shell on stage. No idea where that came from.
BTW, is it safe to comment again?
Posted by: Rich at June 09, 2004 09:48 PM (LEVY0)
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Actually, Annie, Shaw's theme song was a little known song called "Nightmare". It probably should have been "The Wedding March", considering his penchant for marching down the aisle.
Begin the Beguine, a rhumba-like melody from the Carribean, was one of my father's favorite songs. He constantly played Eddie Heywood's record (78's then) and played it himself on the piano. It was one of about five songs that he could play.
Thanks for bringing back the memory.
Posted by: shelly s. at June 10, 2004 02:13 AM (AaBEz)
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A pretty good bio of Artie Shaw may be found
here.
Interesting guy. Married 8 times, once to Ava Gardner. Besides being a big band leader and clarinetist, he was (is?) "a nationally ranked precision marksman, [and] an expert fly-fisherman." He also enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and led a Navy band in the Pacific. He made some leftist statements and was subpoenaed to testify before the HUAC in 1958, calling himself a "red dupe." He also lived as an expatriate for a short time in Franco's Spain before returning to California.
Posted by: annika! at June 10, 2004 09:08 AM (zAOEU)
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Uh, Woody Shaw, Artie Herman - whatever. Apparently the fog
hasn't lifted. Bollocks.
Posted by: Rich at June 10, 2004 11:56 AM (V43HN)
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Fascist Lefties
Almost every day i see another example of the freakazoid left's infatuation with violence. You may remember i posted
my theory on that subject here. i should make it a regular feature to post further evidence of my theory.
In today's Bee, there's a story about how the protesters in my old hometown of San Francisco failed to shut down the biotech conference. Some protesters "pushed conference attendees aside and shouted profanities" at them. As the police escorted the scientists and attendees into the Moscone Center (no doubt to protect them from hurled objects as much as hurled invective) the unwashed, jobless retards shouted the following peaceful slogan:
ARREST THEM! SHOOT THEM!
It seems ironic, but i've no doubt that these same people are all bent out of shape over Abu Ghraib.
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probably the most damaging contribution marx made to the history of political thought was attaching criminality not to the what, but to the who. therefore it's totally okay to have unprincipled hatred for contradictory reasons, as long as it's directed at the same perceived group of people.
the hippies don't have to have a conscience, annika, because they never have to worry about whether they're right or not. hippies are always right.
Posted by: candace at June 09, 2004 03:28 PM (GitZG)
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I find Abu Ghraib highly offensive, but I'm in favor of biotech research. What does that make me? Another anarcho-fascist, as I have read on so many pro-Bush blogs, just because I think America should hold its soldiers and employees to the moral and ethical values we purport to subscribe to? I don't think the violent protesters are reasonable, and most of them should probably be spending some time incarcerated. But that doesn't invalidate the fact that some of our soldiers, apparently with the blessing of their commanders penetrated people's anuses with night sticks, strangled people to death, beat people, and other acts that go beyond simply humiliating them (although, that too is against the Geneva convention). The US claims to be morally superior to people like terrorists, yet when it really counts, we seem to always have members of groups who are supposed to be representing us acting just like those groups that we, as a nation, seek to condemn on moral grounds.
Posted by: flaime at June 10, 2004 03:35 PM (uKXhE)
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Actually, I don't think being upset about Abu Graib makes you anything more than a conscienous human being, one with compassion for one's fellow man. And absolutely right. We as a nation and a people are better than that.
And the thing is, that was already being dealt with, with the accused being tried and the guilty being punished, before you or I heard about it. Like it is supposed to be. The pictures are there because one of the defendents wanted to get out of jail, free, and blame someone else instead of himself.
Now, if we truly were not a nation with the moral high ground, as you seem to in danger of accepting, then you would never know about Abu Griab, let alone know that the military was investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators. The fact remains those soldiers and their officers are getting what they deserve (with the possible except of BG Karpinski, but that is another issue)
When we find stuff like that going on, we stop it, and punish those that did it. When the other side does something like that, they get promoted.
BTW, ain't 'anarcho-fascist' a contradiction in terms? How can you have a state that is both anarchistic, as well as fascist? I don't think the two go together.
Posted by: Ben at June 11, 2004 06:53 AM (Xaong)
4
Not sure I agree about Gen. Karpinski. Her career is effectively over, because she failed to exercise proper control over her subordinates. Which is only fitting, because it was her job to run these facilities. I think that is probably punishment enough for what she failed to do.
Having served in the Marines for 6 years, I cannot believe that this treatment of prisoners is or was official policy, or that she knew of it, authorized, or condoned it. It is just too stupid.
Posted by: Mark at June 11, 2004 11:43 AM (oQofX)
5
Ben:
We almost didn't know about it. Indeed, the only reason we found out about it is that a consciencious soldier refused to accept the orders his direct superiors were giving him to not report it. And, the military was interested in not allowing the public to ever hear about it even then.
I don't know about "anarcho-fascist"...It's an O'Reilly/Limbaugh term.
Mark:
You haven't been listening to what's coming out of the White House: Torture is acceptable.
Posted by: flaime at June 11, 2004 12:36 PM (Bax1+)
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June 08, 2004
Incredible WWII Escape Story
i love adventure stories and WWII is a great source for true stories of escape and adventure . From every theater, it seems. Everyone knows that
The Great Escape was based on actual events. And i'd highly recommend reading the
The War Journal of Major Damon "Rocky" Gause, which is a true story about an escape from Bataan.
Here's yet another true WWII escape story, about a soldier from the historic 506th PIR, who took part in D-Day, only to be captured by the Wermacht, escape twice, get captured again by the Gestapo, get beaten and tortured, escape again, flee to the east, take refuge with a Russian tank battalion, fight with them for a month as they headed to Berlin, get wounded during an attack by Stukas, land in a Polish hospital, where he met Marshal Zhukov, and finally make it back to the US embassy in Moscow, where he learned that he had been declared dead. What an amazing story.
Link via Serenity.
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1
LOL, your range of reading amazes me. I've actually read the Rocky Gauze book, and it's an incredible story, particularly if you've spent any time in the PI.
Posted by: Casca at June 08, 2004 10:46 PM (q+PSF)
2
As an aside, the 506th is still in service, at least part of it: http://www-2id.korea.army.mil/units/brigades/2nd/506th/
Posted by: Tony at June 09, 2004 09:46 AM (QwFky)
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Morissey? Fuck Him
i'm pleased to announce that legislation has just been signed, which will outlaw Morissey forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.
Fuck him and fuck the lemmings who cheered him.
Link via Michele.
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I never liked him and his whiny music anyway. Asshole.
Posted by: ginger at June 09, 2004 05:45 AM (WX5CY)
2
Wow. I'm sure such a comment is going to sic the FBI/CIA on his ass to investigate like they did Eminem.
Posted by: Amy at June 09, 2004 03:38 PM (RpVKX)
3
What is not to like about Morrissey? His keen insight into life brought us a few hidden gems, including the revelation that "Some girls are bigger than others" and his further statement tha "some girls mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers". Timeless!
The man is a genius.
Posted by: Mike at June 22, 2004 10:17 AM (f01WH)
4
I hope George Bush gets assasinated in a very horrible way!
Long live Morissey!
Posted by: row at July 06, 2004 12:13 AM (DKaJd)
5
He was right to say that. George W Bush is useless.
Posted by: Kat at July 06, 2004 06:48 AM (0pu3W)
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June 07, 2004
Ronald W. Reagan, My Tribute
My first memory of President Reagan is from November 1984. i was seven. My father asked me to take a walk down the block with him. We went into a neighbor's garage where there were little booths set up. People went into the booths and pulled a curtain behind them. i stood in line with my dad as he gave his name to a lady who handed him a card. Then my dad took me into the booth with him to watch him cast his vote for president of the United States.
It's fitting that my first introduction to democracy was watching my dad vote for Ronald Reagan.
Another formative experience of my life was the tragedy of the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. Like many children, i watched the launch on television with my class. It was horrifying. i'll never forget how President Reagan spoke afterwards, directly to us young people, sharing our pain and somehow giving us a way to understand that traumatic loss.
I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.
With those words, President Reagan showed me that courage comes with its own cost. Just as he did with his address on the fortieth anniversary of D-Day, which i've heard again this weekend. And later, when i could understand with the hindsight of a history student, Ronald Reagan showed me the meaning of steadfast courage in the face of incredible opposition - when he led Democracy to victory over the forces of Communist dictatorship.
That last victory, his greatest, was not easy. And it was not certain. Reagan didn't stumble his way into it either. Victory in the Cold War was the almost uniquely held vision of this one great man. He alone among the post war presidents had the courage to say: "Let's win this thing. We can win this thing." When Nixon and Carter were trying to figure out how to co-exist with the Communists, when Ford was denying the Soviet domination of Europe, Reagan alone seemed to know that we would win, because we were better.
And he got us to believe it too. And we did win. Despite all the nay-sayers (funded from behind the iron curtain, by the way) who were shouting "nuclear freeze," Reagan rolled back the nukes, doing it from a position of strength and leaving our nation infinitely safer than if he had listened to the peaceniks. And when the left shook their heads after Reykjavik, saying we had blown our chance for peace, Reagan, by his courageous stand on principle, led us to the lasting peace that only victory could win.
i've been weepy all weekend. i, too, loved Ronald Reagan. i'm proud to have been alive while he was president. i'm proud that i'm a Californian, a Republican, an American, and he's a large part of those things. i've heard it said, and i fully agree, that if Ronald Reagan were president today, he'd know exactly what to do. i wish that were possible. But in a way, i'm glad he didn't realize how much trouble we've gotten into since we lost the blessing of his stewardship. He would have been deeply disappointed.
Or, perhaps i'm wrong about that. Ronald Reagan was an eternal optimist. And one of the great things about all the tributes of the past few days has been the long overdue recognition of his optimism. We should honor his optimism, by remembering it, and re-igniting it. What President Reagan said at the 1992 Republican Convention has been quoted often in the last few days, but i don't think it can be repeated often enough.
Well I've said it before and I'll say it again -- America's best days are yet to come. Our proudest moments are yet to be. Our most glorious achievements are just ahead. America remains what Emerson called her 150 years ago, 'the country of tomorrow.' What a wonderful description and how true. And yet tomorrow might never have happened had we lacked the courage in the 1980's to chart a course of strength and honor.
God Bless you, Ronald Reagan.
Recommended on topic: The Maximum Leader meets the President.
Also Recommended: Lileks, as always. Professor Hugh looks at the Democratic spin attempts. And Daniel Weintraub spins the President as a liberal.
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Posted by: Casca at June 07, 2004 10:42 PM (q+PSF)
2
Reagan from alays the ill of I! Then by me, from hom I feel Soviet never, trade unions of in of to be anted I have that to remind on. Society during Kollektivumonderfull to this too intended to belong I have only from child of small of only one likeise. Each itself more helping and nobody in compitition. Then these have of and coboy of of its body masters! It pays one more turned fair one on perfectly it practically from progressive and from communists more than capitlist, the filled of flag from ith allt! the connerie United States on. of not enough this of theres of silicon of ho.
Posted by: Um Yeah at June 08, 2004 12:30 AM (KBwQo)
3
Cuba. Therapy. Spellchecker. In reverse order.
Les.
Posted by: Lesmorte at June 08, 2004 03:55 AM (LFtoQ)
4
This is the best writing on Reagan that I have seen yet in blogs or in the mainstream media.
Posted by: ginger at June 08, 2004 05:43 AM (WX5CY)
5
how dare you make me cry so early in the day with such a heart warming post.
Posted by: missie at June 08, 2004 07:41 AM (m+/Dj)
6
"Good night, sweet prince."
Extremely well put, Annika.
Posted by: Jason O. at June 08, 2004 08:27 AM (loMDg)
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Well put Annika. Very well put. (And thanks for the link.) Although some have lamented the abundance of Reagan eulogies on the internet, I for one, think they are great. He would be very touched to read them all.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at June 08, 2004 04:56 PM (0PRJS)
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Annika, this is one of the best posts I've read. Thank you.
Posted by: Anna at June 09, 2004 11:17 PM (uvamW)
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thank you annika-
mainly from your past writings about Reagan, I have been promted to pick up one of his latest books "Reagan in his own hand". He truly was a visionsary.
eg. "..our current tax system is simply a way of transferring wealth from the most productive members of society to the least"
Posted by: jimi at June 12, 2004 11:45 AM (lN8eP)
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Ronald W. Reagan
". . .
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done. . . ."
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June 04, 2004
Coffee Spitting Moment
The funniest sentence i've read in a blog this year has got to be the following, by Moxie:
I felt like Hilary Clinton, except without a cock. And a daughter.
Read the rest here.
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Annika,
Nothing makes me happier than knowing something I've written made someone laugh.
Thanks for the shout out!
And yay for Marlboro ultra lights
Posted by: Moxie at June 04, 2004 11:17 AM (klzsl)
Posted by: Radical Redneck at June 07, 2004 12:51 PM (w7Tmy)
Posted by: Brent at June 07, 2004 06:43 PM (w+y2e)
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The Capitol City
Last week has not been easy. On Friday i moved into a room in the four bedroom house with my other new housemates Colleeen and Mike. Mike is a real sweetheart, very easygoing and funny. Colleen, i had forgotten, has a personality that tends to the negative and she can be a moody bitch a lot of the time. On Monday, for some reason, she decided she was going to be snippy to everybody, and i began to think i had made a mistake by moving in. But on Tuesday, she was back to normal. Weird. But i'm determined not to let her get to me. The house is great. The fourth housemate will be moving in tomorrow; it's another first year named Sherry or Shelly, i cant remember.
The Capitol City is like a small town with a few tall office buildings. After living in S.F. and L.A., i'm a snob. This is the provinces. But the people seem nice, and life is definitely slower than in L.A., if not the Bay Area too. On Tuesday, i started work at the local office of the law firm i've been at for the last couple of years. This is the third branch office i've worked at. They must like me. This operation is very small, only 5 attorneys, and i'm to be their part-time paralegal to help the full-time girl, who's going on maternity soon.
i still haven't seen Schwarzenegger, but i'm looking out for him. There's a few things i need to say to him regarding his job performance thus far. Some good, some not so good. The office had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe the other day and i was joking about Arnie's failed venture with Willis and Stallone. What was it called? i don't even remember the name of it. No, i'm talking about the restaurant, not California. Overpriced hamburgers, bad service. Just like the Hard Rock. Damn, i can never remember the name of it.
i miss my family and Jason terribly. i feel weird, like i don't belong. i guess i'll get used to being here eventually. i'm planning to go back home for Father's day though, and i'm so looking forward to that.
Blogging is hard these days, because i work in a small office and the boss is always nearby. At home, i don't have a computer yet and i don't want to blog from my roommates' computers. It sucks. i really wanted to blog about Clinton's speech, which i saw last night. He was smooth wasn't he? Damn, that guy is good. Slick Willie, for sure. i plan to buy his book, by the way.
Gotta go, the boss is back.
Highly Recommended: Richie* on Sports at Candied Ginger.
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1
Planet Hollywood, kiddo.
Darn. When I saw capital city, I thought you were coming to DC.
Posted by: Victor at June 04, 2004 09:19 AM (L3qPK)
2
I think the Governator tends to visit the Esquire Grill on 13th and K on a regular but intermittent basis...
I should stop by one time and say hi to you since I'm in Sacramento like every week.
Posted by: Chris at June 04, 2004 09:28 AM (Wj1fh)
3
Perhaps we can both blog about Clinton's book on the same day -- it's on my list too!
I haven't spent much time in Sacramento, but I did do the nifty California International Marathon there in December. By the end of the race, all I could think was that the town was too damned flat.
And the summer heat... hoo boy.
Posted by: Hugo at June 04, 2004 10:09 AM (APlYz)
4
Oh bitch, bitch, bitch: I'm even more of a snob than you are and I'd trade Tallahassee for Sacramento without a second thought, so keep in mind that it's all relative. Provincial? Not even; this is nowheresville. Two and a half years and I certainly haven't gotten used to it, let alone ever felt I "belonged" here (thank God).
But at least I'm not bitter. ;-)
Posted by: Dave J at June 04, 2004 11:32 AM (VThvo)
5
i spent a night in Talahassee when i was 12 years old. i remember it as a beautiful and sleepy town with lots of weeping willow trees.
Posted by: annie at June 04, 2004 11:39 AM (zAOEU)
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Well yeah, but that gets pretty old after a few days. It'd be a nice place to take a leisurely drive through on vacation, but I wouldn't want to live here (oh wait, I do). With both the legislators and the students gone, it is absolutely DEAD. Not that I'm suggesting a full-time legislature like yours would be an improvement. [shudder]
In fact, I think I remember Schwarzenegger talking about going back to a part-time legislature. California's due for a constitutional overhaul: that could go hand in hand with dramatically increasing the number of legislators, so their districts would be small enough to make for some genuine accountability. If NEW HAMPSHIRE, of all places, has 400 members in its House of Representatives, the California Assembly could certainly deal with 200 or more.
Posted by: Dave J at June 04, 2004 12:43 PM (VThvo)
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Welcome to town, Annie! I'm sure that I'll see ya around
Blu
Posted by: Blu at June 04, 2004 01:32 PM (lj3Ju)
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You BETTER go to the 33rd Street Bistro before you leave.
Or, spend $75 at the Supper Club. I'm sure that'll be easy for you...
Posted by: Chris at June 04, 2004 08:52 PM (Wj1fh)
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June 02, 2004
Swimwear Poll Data
Not pool,
poll.
i'm pleased to find that The Sacramento Bee is not afraid to tackle the big issues that are foremost on the minds of Californians. Here's some interesting data:
Lands' End catalog and online clothing company recently completed a survey of more than 1,000 women ages 18 and older. One-third wished for a multipurpose suit; two-thirds say they spend their summer doing a lot more than sunbathing.
. . .
[A] swimsuit, unlike a tube of lipstick, is anything but an impulse purchase. A lot of thinking goes into the buying. According to the NPD Group, a market research firm, nearly 70 percent of women make an outing of it.
. . .
[S]even out of 10 women own a two-piece bathing suit, designers recognize the average woman is still a size 14, so teeny-weeny bikinis, while great on the young, aren't as suitable for the young at heart.
. . .
'Believe it or not, one out of five women say they do yardwork or garden in their suits,' Thorson says. 'About 28 percent exercise in them.'
. . .
Venus Swimwear in Florida is 98 percent mail-order and online shopping, Randolph sees interesting demographics on what suits sell from coast to coast.
'East Coast goes more for a midrise, standard bottom; West Coast buyers opt for a retro, low-rise, California surfer-girl bottom.'
. . .
[T]hree out of four women spend less than $50 for a single swimsuit, most on sale. Two out of five expect it to last two years.
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A lot of thinking goes into the purchase? Well. Oopsie. I went to Target and bought the first one I saw that wasn't ugly. At least the last statistic sort of applies to me. I think I spent about $35. But I expect that it will last a lot more than two years (pretty much until it no longer fits), as I don't swim often.
Posted by: other Annika at June 02, 2004 11:30 AM (N3472)
2
Annie, take a break. I think that moving has addled your brain.
Four days of silence and this is what we get? A treatise on swim suits?
Go over to the Capitol and watch the legislature make sausage*. Then tell us what you think.
* "Those who love the law and sausage should watch neither being made."
Chancellor von Hindenberg
Posted by: shelly s, at June 02, 2004 08:39 PM (AaBEz)
3
Gone almost a week and you come back with
swimsuits? Couldn't you have at least posted a photo? The State Legislator fog is descending upon you!
Posted by: Rich at June 02, 2004 09:14 PM (KpIwR)
4
So...where in the valley are you, Annika?
Posted by: Chris at June 03, 2004 03:22 AM (Wj1fh)
5
Shelly S and Rich you guys suck. SHe can write about whatever the fuck she wants. Give her a fuckin' break. If you don't like it don't read. And go troll for pictures somewhere eles ass hat.
Posted by: Mark at June 03, 2004 08:14 AM (R4Q9p)
6
Shelly, as someone who works for the legislature of a sister state (and who is an incurably pedantic nitpicker), I feel obliged to correct your attribution of the quote about laws and sausages. It was Bismarck, not Hindenburg. Hindenburg, while the last President before Hitler, was also never Chancellor.
The Weimar presidency was largely ceremonial (although not quite as ceremonial as the current German presidency), so Hindenburg would never have had any legislative experience to premise that quote on. Bismarck, OTOH, as Imperial Chancellor and before that Prime Minister of Prussia, was on the floor of the proverbial butcher shop with the knives out for most of his life.
All that said, it's basically true.
Posted by: Dave J at June 03, 2004 11:19 AM (VThvo)
7
Mark, I am most certainly not a troll, and I hope that Annika knows that Shelly and I are joking. Besides, I have all the
photos I need. But thanks for sticking up for a fellow blogger.
Posted by: Rich at June 03, 2004 02:09 PM (V43HN)
8
I... need... my... annika... must... have... more... soon.
Posted by: d-rod at June 03, 2004 05:33 PM (bFVN1)
9
Just so you all know. I blog naked.
Posted by: Casca at June 03, 2004 06:12 PM (q+PSF)
10
Dave's right about the source of the quote; I'm wrong. One should be precise in these matters.
The thought, however, remains the same. No sense in living in a Capitol, if you do not take advantage of the opportunities.
And, none of us would want to see most of the women in that fair city in a bathing suit, so why the Bee choses to write about it is beyond me...
Posted by: shelly s. at June 04, 2004 06:30 AM (My8fB)
11
You're deliberately provoking me, arent you, Shelly? Here's some even more pedantic nitpicking: I may work in a Capitol (building), but I only come close to living here when we're in session. Or did you mean capital (city)? ;-)
Posted by: Dave J at June 04, 2004 07:30 AM (VThvo)
12
Clearly I need to clean up my act. Too many years with no one criticizing my style has made me bloated and careless.
I stand corrected, once again. Living in the Capitol is not what one does, except during the budget sessions (now); the state Capitol is just a building, while the capital is the term that describes the city.
Posted by: shelly s. at June 04, 2004 10:49 AM (0GNJF)
13
I get paid to be hypercritical, which is amazing because I'd do it for free. ;-)
Posted by: Dave J at June 04, 2004 11:33 AM (VThvo)
14
Rich I didn't call you a troll, I said you were trolling for pictures. Big difference and it sucks that you're twisting my meaning. I'm not sure how those commments are 'coded' to be 'jokes', but they were ungracious, insensitive and unfunny either way IMO. That shit's not funny man.
Posted by: Mark at June 04, 2004 11:50 AM (R4Q9p)
15
And don't condescend me with your 'thanks'.
Posted by: Mark at June 04, 2004 11:52 AM (R4Q9p)
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May 28, 2004
Moving
Today is moving day. i'll be back on Tuesday after i'm settled.
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A,
"Today is moving day. i'll be back on Tuesday after i'm settled."
While I've written several column-inches describing what it was like to take a shit on a given day, I've never actually
announced that I was going to take a shit before.
I hope your bowels will have settled by Tuesday. If not, I fear for California, I really do.
But maybe the sinking of the west coast is inevitable. California attracts more than its share of beautiful blondes, and as we all know,
blondes fart harder.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at May 28, 2004 12:38 PM (w2ALR)
2
Ack! Moving. Bleh. I'd rather have root canal.
You have my sympathies. I hope the move goes as painlessly as possible (even if we're talking about what Kevin's talking about). Heh.
Posted by: Emma at May 28, 2004 07:52 PM (NOZuy)
3
Moving day, hmmmmmmmmm(Dream sequence: scantily clad sweaty blonde exhausted by moving boxes collapses, her chest heaving and limbs akimbo.... ) You'll have to subscribe to penthouse to read the rest.
Posted by: Casca at May 29, 2004 12:50 PM (q+PSF)
4
Hey there,
Came across your site through a variety of links, and will start reading. I go to Cornell, and I've been dealing with all sorts of liberal nonsense, so it's always relieving to come across right wing bloggers.
And right on for liking Alan Keyes. It's nice to see someone with an actual ability to debate.
Posted by: J. Peter at May 29, 2004 05:24 PM (LMxOc)
5
I would rather have my arms pulled off than have to move. I wish you luck and inspiration!
Posted by: Brent at May 31, 2004 06:23 PM (w+y2e)
6
BUT THEY DON'T USE IT
< a href="http://timblair.spleenville.com/archives/006833.php "> I' of VE in view of this absurd criticism by realm Whingers everywhere against that one, those the public it support healthcare. < blockquote>What?s the bet that Natasha Stott Despoja is momentary fulfilled an attorney healthcare public with passion into hospital? that you know, I supports soup kitchens for the homeless person. I gave them even the money! Does this means I have to eat in one each night? to become this means, which I cannot reject, completely in one imprisoned? Never? Yeesh!
Posted by: Bob McClelland at May 31, 2004 11:33 PM (33Lfb)
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May 26, 2004
Political Quiz
Here's a not-so-dumb-ass political quiz that i found on NakedVilliany, which was created by
Tony Pierce.
1. Which political party do you typically agree with? The Republican Party.
2. Which political party do you typically vote for? The Republican Party. The only Democrat i have ever voted for in any election was Diane Feinstien.
3. List the last five presidents that you voted for? In 1996 i voted for Bob Dole in the general and Steve Forbes in the primary. In 2000 i voted for George W. Bush in the general and Alan Keyes in the primary.
4. Which party do you think is smarter about the economy? The Republican Party.
5. Which party do you think is smarter about domestic affairs? The Republican Party.
6. Do you think we should keep our troops in Iraq or pull them out? Keep them in until there is a stable, pro-U.S. democracy in place.
7. Who, or what country, do you think is most responsible for 9/11? Al Qaeda and violent Islam.
8. Do you think we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? No.
9. Yes or no, should the U.S. legalize marijuana? Yes.
10. Do you think the Republicans stole the last presidental election? Quite the contrary. The Republicans barely avoided an all-out attempt by the Democrats to steal the election.
11. Do you think Bill Clinton should have been impeached because of what he did with Monica Lewinski? No. He was impeached for committing purjury. i believed then, and still do, that he should have been impeached. Although i wanted him to be convicted at the time, in retrospect, it was probably for the good of the country that the Senate acquitted him.
12. Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good president? Absolutely not.
13. Name a current Democrat who would make a great president: Joe Lieberman or Zell Miller.
14. Name a current Republican who would make a great president: Besides Bush, Dick Cheney, Rudy Giuliani.
15. Do you think that women should have the right to have an abortion? No.
16. What religion are you? Roman Catholic.
17. Have you read the Bible all the way through? No.
18. What's your favorite book? Ana Karenina.
19. Who is your favorite band? Favorite performer? AC/DC, Frank Sinatra.
20. Who do you think you'll vote for president in the next election? George W. Bush.
21. What website did you see this on first? NakedVillainy.com.
Update: Re-reading this entry in January 2005, i would probably remove Zell Miller from number 13, and add Evan Bayh and Dick Gephardt.
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Be happy that you are not going to Boalt Hall for Law School. With answers like yours (mine, almost exactly, (except for pro-choice)they'd hang you at Sather Gate.
Posted by: shelly s. at May 26, 2004 06:22 PM (AaBEz)
2
I love you more than ever!
Posted by: Casca at May 26, 2004 07:08 PM (q+PSF)
3
Did you fill this in weeks ago? We DID find WMD's, despite the goalposts being immediately moved and the story buried or ignored.
FWIW, I voted for McCain in the Massachusetts GOP Primary in 2000, which he won; in retrospect, I am frequently exceedingly glad that he lost the nomination.
I like to say in the abstract that I don't kneejerkingly vote Republican, that I would consider every candidate in every race on the merits, but in all honesty, I must admit that I've never once voted for a Dem, ever. That's not saying it could never happen, but I doubt it.
Anyone who thinks the Gore campaign and its proxies were pure as the driven snow (that we never have, but that I'd love to see fuck with the locals' heads) here in Tallahassee, doesn't know this state at all, especially not the Florida Supreme Court, the 9th Circuit of state judiciaries.
Posted by: Dave J at May 26, 2004 08:38 PM (V0Wwd)
4
Thanks for pointing out that Clinton was not impeached over sexual escapades with an intern. This is a fiction that we will all have to beat back for the rest of our days. Even during the Senate Trial, the fiction had begun, as all Dems cried out that "it was about sex."
The impeachment was about a President illegally using the power of his office to sway a court case against a very unpowerful citizen. AND the President threw in some perjury for good measure.
Posted by: gcotharn in Texas at May 26, 2004 09:07 PM (0GNJF)
5
Thanks for the links. It wasn't a hard quiz, but one that can get some pointed questions answered.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at May 27, 2004 07:19 AM (MeCkf)
6
The last time I checked, Bob Dole was never a president
Posted by: Steve S. at May 27, 2004 10:51 PM (9qhsK)
7
I was with you until your views on abortion.
I hope that you never -- EVER -- have to make that choice.
Posted by: Emma at May 28, 2004 12:03 AM (NOZuy)
8
Amen to The Chairman. AC/DC ain't too bad either...
Posted by: Todd at May 30, 2004 06:40 PM (zYKx2)
9
pro-U.S. democracy [in Iraq]
What if that turns out to be a contradiction in terms?
Posted by: Joshua at June 01, 2004 11:59 AM (vNkaO)
10
Difi? You voted for Difi? Please tell me the night before that particular election someone slipped something potent & long lasting into your drink.
I have debated whether or not to ask, but considering Difi making an AWB attempt again I have to ask - Why?
Arnie was bad enough (he too made some recent press statements about wanting the AWB renewed) but Difi?
Of course you don't have to explain if you don't wish to, but this is as shocking to me as it would be to you if I said we should scrap all Garands & use the metal to make more M16's (Shudder to the Nth degree).
Posted by: Publicola at June 03, 2004 03:29 PM (Aao25)
11
You must be an idiot if you think Cheney would be a good President. Guess that goes without saying since you voted for Bush and Keyes.
Posted by: Billy at August 11, 2004 05:26 AM (EdA3A)
12
HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! HALLIBURTON EVIL YEAAAAAH! lol.
Posted by: annika! at August 11, 2004 06:03 PM (GkwXz)
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A Meme
Hugo had a great post on Monday about
the number. Curiously, it generated no comments. Then tonight, a local radio talk show host named
John Ziegler did a segment on
the number. One caller made the point that women always lie about theirs, and i would agree. Whether it's inflated or under-stated, women tend to fudge
the number in conversation.
i have this urge to reveal my own number, my true number, not because i'm either proud or ashamed of it, but because it's a topic that people have been talking about lately, and therefore a good subject for blogging. Also, it might be an excellent way to generate hits. Still, i'm reluctant to just blurt out my number. Even though this is my blog and one point of having a blog is to enable complete honesty, i do have a minor amount of tact left.
Then i thought, what if it were a meme? How's about this for a blog meme: Visitors try to guess the blogger's number and if anyone guesses correctly within a reasonable time, say before midnight, the blogger has to post a picture of her ass.
Part of me asks: is this a good idea? Another part of me says, what the hell, i'm curious what y'all think of me. And what i lack in tact, i can always make up in tackiness.
Posted by: annika at
12:54 AM
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Post contains 232 words, total size 2 kb.
1
six
...and this is for you: http://www.pinocchia.com/galleries/showgallery.asp?galleryID=40
Posted by: Rick at May 26, 2004 01:23 AM (cCRym)
2
Eight.
There's nothing wrong with reading junk and comic books; only then can you learn to appreciate true literature and great writing. So it is with this stuff; if you have nothing to compare it with, you never know if what you finally choose is the right choice.
Send me the picture.
Posted by: shelly s. at May 26, 2004 02:24 AM (0GNJF)
3
Hmm, since you didn't say how many guesses we get apiece...
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,etc...
I'm positive it's a two digit number. I'm doubtful the first digit is a 3 or higher but I'm not at all certain the first digit is greater than 0.
I'll guess firmly at 24. My not so firm second (actually third) guess would be 17. But I wouldn't be surprised if the number was around 11.
& I assume we're only counting those that were aware of what was happening? (I've heard about you big city women & your wicked ways - unfortunately noone sent pics.)
But if I or anyone else is right, then why would our reward be showing a picture of a donkey? I mean hell Annika - I didn't even know you owned livestock. thought they outlawed all private property in Cali a while back - especially animals. Well the pic at least be of you riding the poor little over-regulated critter?
Course next I would expect a contest to see who can guess about your swallowing habits: African or European.
Posted by: Publicola at May 26, 2004 05:13 AM (Aao25)
4
I say 12.
Jason H.
Austin, Texas
Posted by: Jason H at May 26, 2004 06:58 AM (yDD8m)
5
Not a bad idea for a meme. It's always good to know the whore quotient of a blog. I think that's an exact quote from Sen. Mike DeWine, come to think of it.
As for your number, I can tell you are an angel, so I'm going to guess 0. Unless of course you're married. Then I guess 1.
(Always give the benefit of the doubt.)
Posted by: GE at May 26, 2004 07:20 AM (waQOJ)
6
A gentleman doesn't presume anything about a lady's past. He also is never shocked by a number that is higher than his.
Posted by: Hugo at May 26, 2004 09:18 AM (9ndHD)
7
Hugo has the answer.. to all of life's mysteries!
Posted by: Madfish Willie at May 26, 2004 09:31 AM (rQ9MS)
8
I forgot to ask, in this Clintonian day and age, does oral sex now count?
Jason H.
Posted by: Jason H at May 26, 2004 09:42 AM (yDD8m)
9
Two. You're a good girl!
Posted by: david at May 26, 2004 10:03 AM (Q4I4P)
Posted by: ken at May 26, 2004 10:57 AM (1VDSY)
11
Virtually knowing you less than a year, I'll just say TWENTY. (slap/ouch, okay SIX...)
Posted by: d-rod at May 26, 2004 12:56 PM (CSRmO)
12
Oops sorry, I see Rick already said SIX. Make my second choice NINETEEN.
Posted by: d-rod at May 26, 2004 01:07 PM (CSRmO)
13
I warned you about Joe Kennedy. You should keep him reserved when he pitches in Colorado.
Posted by: gturk at May 26, 2004 01:20 PM (8xavh)
14
Oral does not count. God, no.
Posted by: annika! at May 26, 2004 02:14 PM (zAOEU)
15
I've found that the women who you'd think have a high number ususally don't. They like the image of being footloose and fancy free, but deep down don't actually want to be that. Purity is something that women still seem to struggle with in a much more substantial level than the openness of society would suggest, and that's why you get the number fudging.
So, I don't think the number is that high.
I'll tell you my number if you want, if that makes you feel more comfortable...
Posted by: Neil Uchitel at May 26, 2004 02:32 PM (0PTwh)
16
So, when do we get the picture?
Posted by: shelly s. at May 26, 2004 02:52 PM (b/7hi)
17
I'll say four serios relationships, and one vaction fling. Maybe two.
Five or Six.
Posted by: The Agnostic at May 26, 2004 05:32 PM (h4C4X)
18
Now that we've cleared up the BJ thing, does the football team count as one, or 47?
Posted by: Casca at May 26, 2004 07:13 PM (q+PSF)
19
16, nobody got it. too bad.
Posted by: annika! at May 27, 2004 09:47 AM (zAOEU)
Posted by: d-rod at May 27, 2004 10:51 AM (CSRmO)
21
Whew. Glad that it's settled without anyone being able to crow.
Posted by: Hugo at May 27, 2004 11:30 AM (ZpV+R)
22
Actually, Publicola got it. Take a look--it's right there between "15" and "17."
Posted by: Victor at May 27, 2004 12:34 PM (bQa9J)
Posted by: dan at May 27, 2004 05:05 PM (gs6lZ)
Posted by: The Agnostic at May 28, 2004 04:09 PM (iL5jU)
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May 25, 2004
Moving Again
On Friday i will be moving once again, this time to the great central valley of California. An friend of mine from Cal, named Colleen, will be starting her third year at the law school where i will start this fall. As luck would have it, she lives in a four bedroom house and two of her roommates moved out this month. Since she needs two roommates right away and i agreed to move up early. i spent last weekend packing and transferring some of my belongings to my parents' house. It's been a very busy and hectic couple of weeks. i hate moving.
Posted by: annika at
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1
Curious: which part of the valley are you going to be in (the Sacramento or San Joaquin)?
Posted by: Chris at May 25, 2004 04:48 PM (Wj1fh)
2
danger.danger. third year students party all the time, you could become corrupted - get a single!!
Posted by: jimi at May 25, 2004 05:25 PM (lN8eP)
3
also a question to ponder while you're packing...do you still really love all those books!!
Posted by: jimi at May 25, 2004 05:27 PM (lN8eP)
4
Welcome to the Big Valley. Hope your friend has air conditioning. Oh my God! Is it almost June again?
Posted by: John at May 25, 2004 07:53 PM (+xC6N)
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