Meditate on This...

Further proof of the inverse relationship between artistic acheivement and sensibility in today's world....

US film director David Lynch hopes to raise $7bn to fund a giant meditation programme he believes will bring about world peace. The Oscar-nominated movie-maker is to launch the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-based Education and World Peace.

The foundation's aim is to raise money to allow meditation to be taught in schools and eventually spread across the world by practitioners.

"But the real joke is that we don't laugh when the US government develops a bomb for $2bn that only serves to kill people. "They spend billions of dollars on military projects and people don't bat an eyelid. That's a pathetic, sick joke."

I'm guessing Mr. Lynch isn't planning to start in the Saudi and Pakistani madrasas, either.

Bill Clinton Offered Goats and Cows For Chelsea

From the insert your own joke here file….

Former US president Bill Clinton has been offered 40 goats and 20 cows for his daughter by a love-struck African government official. Mr Clinton was offered the deal on a recent trip to Kenya.

He was offered the animals as a traditional African way of getting a father to give away his daughter's hand in marriage. The dowry is a very generous one by the country's own standards.

Godwin Kipkemoi Chepkurgor wrote to Mr Clinton through Kenya's Foreign Minister. He said: "Had I succeeded in wooing Chelsea, I would have had a grand wedding. "I would have invited South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu to preside at the ceremony."

The councillor gave the names of the former Kenyan president Daniel Arap-Moi and two of his college mates as character references.

Mr Chepkurgor also said he was also impressed by Mr Clinton's wife, Hillary, for standing by Mr Clinton during the Monica Lewinksy scandal.

He said Mrs Clinton acted like a "like an African woman".

I’m not quite sure what is meant by that last comment, but I think African women should be insulted.

Movie Recommendation: The Island

Young Master Nordeaster and I ducked out of the humidity and took in "The Island" this weekend. The movie has received very mixed reviews, but critics aren't typically kind to the science fiction genre, and the pro-life, anti-stem cell/cloning message the movie carries won't endear the typical movie critic.

One sign of a good movie is that scenes, images and lines keep popping into your head days after seeing it. I find that happening with this movie, and I'm not just talking Scarlett Johansson in a form fitting white body suit type images (although those certainly do). There are a couple of scenes that have a lingering, thought provoking effect -- an essential for any well done science fiction movie.

I love a movie that seems as though it's actually letting you peek under the curtain into the near future -- where the technology is amazing, yet realistic (think mag-lev trains not flying cars). "Minority Report" is a favorite of mine for this reason. Like "Minority Report", "The Island" painted a very intriguing, yet reasonably believable future vision (glass desktops that double as giant computer screens, suspended light rail, urinals that run instant lab tests).

Visually, "The Island" hits a 500 ft. home run. Atmospherically and thematically it is also very strong. "The Island" has the attitude of a 70's science fiction movie with an updated look and feel. It starts out in sterile and controlled "Brave New World" type of environment , but soon turns into a sort of Logan's run with some very intense vehicle chases. Apart from that, I'll stay away from story discussion. It's hard to do without prematurely revealing some key plot points.

Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson were not outstanding, but solid in the lead roles. The supporting cast included some heavy hitters (Steve Buscemi, Michael Clark Duncan, Sean Bean), that really added a great deal to the overall quality of the film. Most refreshing are the positive pro-liberty and pro-life messages, surprising and rare in today's Hollywood.

Hollywood box office numbers are down this summer, but strangely I'm not contributing to that trend. I've attended four movies this summer, which is probably two more than typical. Even more unusual is that I have not been disappointed with any of the four (Star Wars, Batman Begins, War of the Worlds, and The Island).

Add Another Book to the List

Unfortunately, the "Books I Plan to Read" list grows much faster than the "Books I've Read Recently" list. Today, Dennis Prager interviewed David Oshinski, professor of Modern American History at the University of Texas. His new book is titled Polio: An American Story. It sounds like a great read.

The book covers a wide range of issues around the Polio experience of the 1950's -- the terror the disease inspired, the dramatic race to find a cure, the rivalry between Jonas Saulk and Albert Sabin, the innovations in fundraising brought about by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and the March of Dimes, such as the use of "poster children" and orginizing large numbers of volunteers, and changes in analytic and testing methods that grew out of the research.

Things I learned from the interview:

Virtually no government money went into research for the cure. Funds were raised almost exclusively through private donations.

Polio was much more common in suburban, antiseptic environments than in inner cities and industrial areas. Kids that were exposed to a greater number of other germs and pathogens were more resistant to getting the disease.

The fear of polio and it's perception as an epidemic was much greater than the diseases actual impact.

Million Muslim March?

In today’s WSJ, Ahmed H. Al-Rahim an Iraqi-American, who has taught Arabic and Islamic studies at Harvard University has a call to action for his fellow Muslims – A Million Muslim March. Read the whole story.

…Sadly, only the voices of Western political leaders constantly remind us that Islam is a "religion of peace." Where are the Muslims, especially those living in the West, who have the freedom to organize and make their voices heard? It seems that the only time we hear from the Muslim masses is when there are alleged desecrations of the Quran, or of prisoner abuse in Iraq. Where is the Muslim outrage, the mass protests to defend Islam, in whose sacred name murder is committed nearly every day, against what Western leaders describe as a "perversion of its true nature"?

Unfortunately, those in the Muslim community have a hard time hearing reasonable voices like Ahmed H. Al-Rahim’s over the “Death to America” chants.

Spelling Bees? No, But They Can Read

I was in Northfield a couple of weeks ago. While waiting to be seated at a restaurant I discovered this fascinating story in Good Times, the area’s local free paper. The story is about how Bushel Boy taught bees to “read”…

Bushel Boy grows a very tasty tomato (2nd in quality only to Bogus Gold Brand tomatoes), and if you live in Minnesota, odds are you’ve experienced them. To increase yields, Bushel Boy lengthened the amount of time their plants are under artificial lighting. To produce fruit, the plants need bees to pollinate the blossoms. The plants grew at a faster pace, but there was a problem with the bees.

The yellow spectrum light was similar to daylight, so the bees had no problem going out to seek food, but bumble bees don’t see well enough to find their way back to their hive until light is in the blue spectrum similar to dusk. The bees were spending too much time wandering and not enough time in productive pollination. Bushel Boy estimated that it would have to invest in twice as many bees, so they looked for another solution.

A Bushel Boy scientist was familiar with some research a Dutch entomologist conducted on bee vision. The Dutch scientist found that bees can recognize bold rudimentary symbols. Bushel Boy brought this idea back to Owatonna.

A unique symbol was placed on each hive (it takes many hives for one greenhouse). Identical symbols were placed throughout the greenhouse. The bees now go out into the greenhouse, gather pollen and follow the symbols for their specific hive like a trail of bread crumbs back home. The time bees spend getting back to their hive has dropped, thus increasing the time they spend pollinating the blossoms.

In terms of productivity, the American economy is tops in the world. It is ingenuity like that used by Bushel Boy of Owatonna that keeps American productivity on the rise. Even the bumble bees are chipping in.

China Takes First Step Towards Un-pegging Yuan to Dollar

It's a baby step, but a step in the right direction...

China said Thursday it will no longer peg its currency to the U.S. dollar, adopting a more flexible system based on a basket of foreign currencies that could push up the price of Chinese exports to the United States and Europe.

China had been under pressure for years from its trading partners to let the value of the yuan float or at least trade at a stronger rate and some U.S. lawmakers had threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs if China didn't adjust its currency scheme. The United States and others had said the communist nation undervalued the yuan by up to 40%, giving Chinese exporters an unfair price advantage.

This is the start of a gradual appreciation process," said Frank Gong, managing director of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Hong Kong. "It will help balance Chinese trade flows. Export volumes will come down. Import volumes will pick up. It will help reduce trade tensions."

A Special Trivia Buddy

Young Master Nordeaster will be joining his "old man" for Keegan's trivia tonight. We're golden if the topics are "Adult Swim" cartoons, Spain, contemporary Christian music, the Book of Ecclesiastes, soccer, snack foods and breakfast cereals. I'd add MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge), but Mitch might give us a run on that one.

After a very intense (but very productive) couple of weeks of work, I'm looking forward to it -- and to a 3 day weekend with my son.

Thankfuly, 2nd London Terror Attempt Not Devastating

Fortunately, this terror attack in London was not a repeat of the attacks two weeks ago.

Terrorists have attempted to set off bombs on tube trains and a bus in London, as the capital's transport system came under attack again.

Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair said the bombers had tried to kill and maim Londoners - but this time they had failed.

Three tube trains and a bus were evacuated after small explosions were reported.

Reports suggest only the detonators on the devices went off.

Detectives investigating the attacks are working on the basis that the bombs were not properly primed, sources have said.

Authorities say the four primary suspectes -- Abu Larry, Abu Moe, Abu Curly and Abu al Shemp -- are still at large.

Pakistani Anti-Terror Movement Back from Vacation

Pakistani intelligence official said Wednesday that authorities had arrested an "important" suspect in the London bombings…

"We have an important man in our custody," a senior Pakistani intelligence official told The Associated Press. "I am not in a position to disclose his name right now, but the maximum that I can tell you is that he has some direct links with the London attacks."

The British Al Qaeda leader linked to the London terrorist attacks was being questioned by police in Pakistan last night after the discovery of mobile phone records detailing his calls with the bombers.

Haroon Rashid Aswat has emerged as the figure that Scotland Yard have been hunting since he flew out of Britain just hours before the attacks which killed 56 people.

Intelligence sources told The Times that during his stay Aswat visited the home towns of all four bombers as well as selecting targets in London.

It is isn't clear if the arrest was a separate operation or related to these....

The number of people arrested in a Pakistani law enforcement crackdown on banned jihadi and extremist groups has exceeded 200...

The nationwide crackdown, which is also targeting madrassas -- or religious schools -- that promote extremism began Tuesday and continued Wednesday.

UPDATE:

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has vowed to fight religious extremism and said militants like those who carried out the London bombings two weeks ago were defaming Islam.

Musharraf promised "stern action" against those involved in the printing, publication and distribution of hate material…

These are bold words from President Musharraf given the large extremist contingent in Pakistan. Time will tell whether Pakistan security force actions will fully back these words. The arrests over the last two days are a good start. Musharraf's actions against terror are likely acts of self-preservation than they are representative of being a true partner in the war against terror. Like the Saudis, Musharraf faces a tough balancing act with his constituents. However, some effort is better than none.

Bomb Chemicals Found in Saudi Terror Hideout

You may want to delay that trip to Saudi Arabia....

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — As Interior Ministry officials announced the discovery of a suspected terrorist hideout containing large quantities of chemicals used to make explosives, a warning was issued for Americans in Saudi Arabia that a series of terrorist attacks may be in the pipeline, a spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh (search) told FOX News on Wednesday.

The information originated from the American National Counter-Terrorism Center.

The chemicals discovered included ammonium nitrate and other very dangerous ingredients. It's hard to get a handle on the Saudi's. They've had a couple of big terror "gets" in the last few months, but they turn a blind eye to Wahabi schools that create these goons. My take is they do just enough to keep the heat off, but in this case you have to give them some credit for cooperating with the Counter-Terroism Center.

Bush Grenade Attack Suspect Nabbed

This is good news.

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgian police on Wednesday detained a man suspected of throwing a live grenade during a rally at which President Bush (search) spoke in May, the Interior Ministry said. The capture came after a shootout in which one officer was killed and another wounded.

The suspect was caughgt only two days after his photo was released. Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili put out an $80,000 reward for information that led to the thug's capture, so they were taking it very seriously. The article doesn't say whether the the arrest was a result of tips from a citizen who will be getting a very sizeable reward.

The swift and serious response is positive sign. Kyrgyz is still in a lot of turmoil, but the prospects for both Ukraine and Georgia are looking better every day since their recent revolutions. I only hope Putin can keep his heavy thumb off long enough to let the orange and the rose bloom.

Is There a Converse To Seasonal Affective Disorder?

I'm swamped with work this weekend, so not much time to post. It's lame, but I'm going to resort to griping about the weather.

Nine straight days of 90+ and humid, and nothing but sun. It looked like there would be some relief tonight, but the rain went south. If such a thing exists, I suffer from reverse SAD's. I never get cabin fever in the winter, but long spells of heat and sun really get to me. Bring on the clouds and the rain. If this keeps up much longer, I'm going Green and joining the anti-global warming gang, or possibly moving to Seattle (which is kind of the same thing). At least TCM had a couple of good classic sci-fi flicks to entertain me while I worked.

I guess I shouldn't complain. This weather would be a cold-snap for our troops in Iraq. Makes me appreciate their service just that much more.

Science Fiction Fun Quiz

I'm a science fiction fan, so I couldn't pass this up. I'm pleased with the results. I might even give the sideburns a try.

I am: Isaac Asimov One of the most prolific writers in history, on any imaginable subject. Cared little for art but created lasting and memorable tales.

Which science fiction writer are you?

Ancient Scroll Fragments Found in Israel

If authentic, this is pretty cool...

Biblical Scroll Found in Israel

JERUSALEM — A secretive encounter with a Bedouin in a desert valley led to the discovery of two fragments from a nearly 2,000-year-old parchment scroll — the first such finding in decades, an Israeli archaeologist said Friday.

Where'd All That Money Come From?

Tax cuts mean less revenue for the government, right? Not necessarily. While the debate continues on the level of causality, evidence continues to mount that there is at least a correlation between tax cuts and revenue growth. The truly interesting part of this New York Times story that appeared in today's Strib is the source of the additional revenue.

"The big surprise this year has been tax revenues, which are running nearly 15 percent higher than in 2004. Corporate tax revenues have soared about 40 percent, after languishing for four years, and individual tax revenues have climbed as well."

Those darned evil corporations. All take and no give. Yes, they were more profitable, but isn't that the point. Fiscal policy that makes business (large and small) more profitable so that society can reap the benefits of economic growth (more jobs, better wages, increased productivity that leads to lower costs for the same goods, etc.).

"Most of the increase in individual tax receipts appears to have come from higher stock market profits and business income of relatively wealthy taxpayers. The biggest jump came not from taxes withheld from wages and salaries but from quarterly payments on investment profits and business earnings, which were up 20 percent this year."

Those on the left keep chanting the mantra that the top 1% or 2% in income need to pay more taxes. Well, how's 20% more? I would be willing to bet that even a John Kerry or Larry Pogemiller type tax rate increase would raise that kind of revenue. In fact, I would argue that it would likely result in a decline in tax revenue.

Yet the author still doesn't get it. The story concludes...
"Other financial hurdles are just down the road. Bush's intent to extend his tax cuts indefinitely, and to add new ones, is expected to drain more than $1.4 trillion from government coffers over the next 10 years."

Well, if those drains are similar to the drains caused by this round of tax cuts, drain away. For a more thorough analysis check out SCSU Scholars or Viking Pundit.

Warring Factions Reach Agreement

A long-standing feud came to a close today in New York. Peace in the Middle East? No, but the agreement will have far reaching global impact. Well, no it really won't, but it will impact my winter and spring TV viewing schedule. I'm one of the few south of the Canadian border who cares, but the NHL lockout appears to be at an end.

Both sides reached an agreement in principle, pending ratification by the NHL Board of Governors and the NHLPA. The financial details ended up where most felt they would have to long before the process began, which makes it you wonder why this couldn't have happened a year ago.

The expected salary cap will likely have a ceiling approaching $40 million and a minimum somewhere between $20 million and $25 million.

Player salaries will not exceed 54 percent of league revenues.

There have been some ugly things said about both sides. It will be interesting to see how quickly the wounds heal. I don't think the NHL will suffer to the degree baseball did after their strike. Hockey's fan base is no where near that of baseball, but hockey has a much higher ratio of avid fans to casual fans. It seems you either love the sport or you don't know it exists. I'm in the former camp. I like baseball, but after baseball's strike, I didn't watch a game for two years. I am much more disgusted by the ineptitude on both sides in the NHL lockout, but I'll be watching the Wild's season opener.

The Sky Is Still Up There

The Los Angeles Times has one of the few op-ed sections in the nation with a reputation of being as left or even more left than our local Star Tribune. However, credit must go to the Times op-ed staff for including this piece (registration required) regarding the Patriot Act in yesterday's edition.

BY THE NUMBERS
Civil libertarians argue that the Patriot Act curtails American freedoms. Fans of the act say those fears are overblown. By the numbers, since inception of the Patriot Act through 2004:

Civil rights complaints to the Justice Department's inspector general: 7,136
Number of those deemed related to the Patriot Act: 1

"Sneak and peek" warrants, allowing searches without telling a subject: 155
Roving wiretaps: 49
Personal records seizures under Section 215 of the act: 35
Source: Justice Department inspector general

One civil liberties complaint out of 7,136. One. Repeat, one. I know it may be confusing to some when arguments are based in fact rather than unfounded paranoia. It's clear that when they are, the Patriot Act especially as it has been used by the current administration, has had virtually no impact on our civil liberties.

Light Blogging Weekend

I didn't do much blogging this weekend as my attention was focused on hanging out with young master Nordester. With our time limited, I try to put aside as many distractions as I can. What little free time I had went towards my activist duties.

Master Nordeaster's first aid training came in handy this weekend. He did a great job bandaging my finger after I snipped a chunk off while hedge trimming. At least for a couple of days I will have an excuse for fat-fingering my typing. To those of you who have teenagers, I highly recommend first aid training through the Red Cross or a similar organization. It increases their knowledge, boosts their confidence and heightens their awareness of potential dangers. Most importantly, the life they save may be yours. This was only a very minor injury, but given my track record I'm sure there will be more opportunities for first aid practice.

Terror Threat in Birmingham, UK

Thousands of people are being evacuated from Birmingham city centre after police issued a terror warning.

West Midlands Police said no vehicles are being allowed past the inner ring road.

Around 200 bars, restaurants and clubs are being emptied and searched

A spokeswoman said: "West Midlands Police are issuing a public warning to people after they received intelligence to suggest a threat to the city centre.

UPDATE: Fox news TV is reporting from their Sky News affiliates that bomb squads executed several controlled explosions in the city. If this is accurate, this means the police either uncovered a bomb before it had a chance to blow, or that they at least found something suspicious enough to warrant the precaution of a controlled explosion.

Say It Ain't So

Oliver Stone is going to direct a Paramount Pictures film on 9/11...

Oscar-winning star Cage will take the lead role of New York Port Authority policeman Sergeant John McLoughlin, who was trapped along with one of his fellow officers in the mangled wreckage of one of the twin towers that crumbled after being hit by hijacked passenger jets.

The movie will focus on the two men as well as on their rescuers and families as they battle to find out what happened to their missing loved ones in the aftermath of the attacks that left a total of around 3,000 people dead in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

I'm not one of those who feel 9/11 is a hands off topic. If told right, this could be a very inspiring story about true heroes -- something we need more of from today's movies. Given Stone's track record, I'm skeptical that he can keep to the story and stay away from the political jabs and wacky conspiracy theories.

I wonder how long before CAIR complains about the anti-muslim sentiment that will be stirred by the movie?

London, We Are With You

Unfortunately, I don't have time to blog on this today. Frankly, even if I did, it would take a while for me to gather my thoughts and emotions enough to put down something meaningful. My prayers are with all the people of Great Britain, and especially those who were killed or injured in the bombings and their friends and families. I can't think of a better way to sum up the events of today than through the words of London mayor, Ken Livingstone....

"I want to say one thing, specifically to the world today — this was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful, it was not aimed at presidents or prime ministers, it was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian ... young and old … that isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted fate, it is an indiscriminate attempt at mass murder."

"They seek to divide London, they seek Londoners to turn against each other ... this city of London is the greatest in the world because everybody lives side by side in harmony. Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly attack."

Livingstone also had words specifically for the terrorists: "I know that you personally do not fear to give your own life in exchange to taking others ... but I know you do fear you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society ... in the days that follow, look at our airports, look at our seaports and look at our railway stations ... you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world, will arrive in London to become Londoners, to fulfill their dream and achieve their potential … whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail."

The Birds, 2005

Hollywood is remaking everything else these days, so why not a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic “The Birds”? Picture the attractive school teacher (Suzanne Pleshette in the original) with the school children on the playground. Slowly at first, then more rapidly the birds gather, only this time instead of a murder of crows, it’s a gaggle of hissing geese encircling the unsuspecting kids. Suddenly, the geese attack in a tumult of beating wings and honking….In the next signature scene, Melanie Daniels (Tippy Hedron in the original) takes cover, only this time not in a phone booth, but in a porta-john along Lake of the Isles where she was jogging. The geese relentlessly dive bomb the flimsy plastic structure and peck feverishly at the walls until one goose’s head pops through inches from Miss Daniel’s face. Outside, bicyclists are sent crashing and roller bladers upended until the geese withdraw as quickly and mysteriously as they appeared…

Okay, maybe that’s stretching it, but the urban goose is becoming a serious nuisance and a potential health hazard in the Twin Cities area. Increased bacteria in lakes can make swimming a risky proposition and the waste also acts as a fertilizer for algae.

This Strib article contains more information that you care to know about the Canadian goose. Suffice it to say that the phrase “Like crap through a goose” appears to be very well founded. Below are a few excerpts (in italics) and some of personal observations.

The giant Canada goose was thought to be extinct for nearly 30 years. In 1962, a biologist discovered the bird in Rochester, said Steve Wilds, regional migratory bird chief for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

I guess we just needed to restore the land to include more of their natural habitat – golf courses, town home complexes, and multi lane highway ditches.

The article goes on to say that geese relieve themselves 22 times per day. One goose produces roughly 2 pounds of droppings a day. Let’s extend the math. According to the article, there are approximately 17,500 geese in the Twin Cities area. That’s 35,000 pounds of crap per day. Annually, that’s 12.8 million pounds of crap (insert your own Nick Coleman joke here).

In Rochester, Silver Lake hosts 40,000 geese, said city park superintendent Roy Sutherland.

They hold a water skiing event on that lake every year. I hope no one does a face plant.

The DNR was running a program to relocate goslings to more remote areas before they learn to fly. However, they are running out of places to put the geese. According to Jim Cooper, a retired University of Minnesota professor who works with the DNR, without controls the Twin Cities would host more than 300,000 giant Canada geese (my paraphrasing).

If that is the case, the DNR should be commended for job keeping the population around 20,000.

THE NEW PLAN AND THE ILLOGIC OF THE LEFT:
The new plan is to kill some of the adult geese and use the meat to stock local food shelves. We reduce a nuisance and potential health risk, improve environmental balance and feed the hungry. No problems, right? Not if you’re this guy…

Michael David Feld, national program director for Geese Peace, said cities from Boston to Rockford, Ill., are adopting what his organization bills as more humane and more effective goose control. The multipronged approach includes oiling the eggs to prevent them from hatching and using border collies to persuade geese to move elsewhere.

So, it’s more humane to let the hatchlings die a slow death due to cold, suffocation, or whatever the cause of death, than to kill an adult goose with one quick cleaver stroke? I think I’m starting to understand the left. The rule is if you can’t see it die it isn’t really death. And it doesn’t just apply to embryos (goose, human or otherwise). I think this may even explain some of the get out of Viet Nam, Iraq, etc, but who cares about Rwanda illogic. Even though there may be more death following their position, it isn’t really death if it isn't on American TV every day and therefore it won’t make them feel all icky and sad and stuff.

Iragi Security Forces Latest in Torture Allegations

I'm guessing the MSM will have a field day with this AP story, but will fail to see an important nuance...

BAGHDAD, Iraq - As she tells it, security forces put her in solitary confinement for days on end, whipped her with electric cables and accused her of having sex with a stranger. Humiliated and fearful for her life, the 46-year-old Iraqi housewife went before a TV camera and "confessed" to helping insurgents….

Zakiya appeared on a much-touted Iraqi TV program that airs confessions of alleged insurgents. The show has won the praise of security officials who credit it with boosting Iraqis' confidence in security forces, hurting the insurgency.

But the program has come under criticism from Iraqi lawyers, former detainees and families of suspects who accuse security officials of abusing suspects to extract the confessions, a practice reminiscent of Saddam Hussein's era.

Iraq's acting human rights minister, Nermine Othman, said she was aware of the allegations and has written to the interior and justice ministries about them.

If this is indeed happening, it is not good. I hope these accusations are only the exaggerations of insurgents and insurgent sympathizers looking to discredit the Iraqi security forces. However, there is one important distinction that does not make this “reminiscent of Saddam Hussein’s era,” as the lawyers cited in the story state. In Saddam’s era I doubt they could have made a statement like that and kept their tongue inside their head. Certainly Saddam would not have a human rights minister legitimately looking into the situation. The Iraqis have a long way to go. If the allegations are true, this could damage the new government’s credibility with the people, but it also is a sign that due process and accountability are taking hold.

Fear and Loathing In Minnesota

Okay, day 5 of the partial Minnesota government shutdown. No one dead, no one injured by the shutdown. Heck, I'm not sure any one has been even slightly inconvenienced (other than the 9,000 NON-ESSENTIAL state workers). That is, unless you give any credence whatsoever to the Star Tribune. In that case, it's Armageddon....

First, there's the classic fear mongering...

"In the past few days, the Health Department has responded to reports of outbreaks of salmonella, Legionnaires' disease and West Nile virus with a staff reduced from more than 1,300 to 196, union officials said."

If only we could have gotten a budget agreement done on time, there wouldn't have been any mosquito bites or potato salad left in sun. Legionnaire's disease? Last time that was an issue, Jimmy Carter was president. Please governor Pawlenty do something quick, ebola is knocking at the door.

Then there is the deep concern of the public servants....

"I don't rely on an emergency to do my job. Everything I do is essential," argued Bart Andersen, a road and bridge maintenance worker. About 600 inspectors have been deemed unessential as of Friday, the first day of the partial shutdown. Andersen said the lack of inspections could result in road hazards and threats to public safety.

"One pothole can destroy the driving public's day," he told special master Ed Stringer, a retired Supreme Court justice appointed by the courts to make recommendations on determining essential services.

One pothole? You've got to be kidding! What about the hundred unrepaired potholes I hit on the way to work every day prior to the shutdown? I guess those weren't a risk to destroy my driving day, only a risk to destroy my vehicle's alignment.

And finally, the compulsory sympathy plea...

Merrideth Herried, 44, of Woodbury, who ran the help desk for child care services at the Department of Human Services, set up a table with cookies, sweet rolls and chocolate chip bars. "Laid Off. Help Me Feed My Kids," read a cardboard sign near a jar of dollar bills.

Like thousands of other employees, she is taking paid vacation. But she'll need a resolution soon to the budget impasse if the vacation pay is to show up on her July 22 paycheck. And she only has one week of vacation coming....She's not the only state employee short on vacation time. About 4,000 of the more than 9,000 employees who were put out of work had fewer than 80 hours of vacation that they could use during the first two weeks of a shutdown.

It's been five days, she has a week of paid vacation, yet suddenly her kids are starving? Sorry, but get in line behind Latrell Spreewell. Some how is it possible that many of those state employees with less than 80 vacation hours might have been paid for that time off earlier in the year? Poor things -- arleady forced to have a paid week off. I've had two days.

And the media hypnotist drones... "You will pay high taxes for non-essential services. You will feel good about it. You will pay high taxes...The "shutdow" is a distaster. You will believe..." In this case however, it is the Star Tribune that is in a trance. And, if they ever do wake up, may they look in a mirror to see just how non-essential THEIR service is.

UPDATED to include the link to Strib article

Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Part 2

To shed further insight into the character of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of his writings is posted below. As the father of a sixteen year old boy, I'm always looking for ways to instruct him on being a man. I thank God that I can turn to men with wisdom this great for assistance…


Kosciuszko's Advice to a Youth

To do honor to your family and yourself and at my recommendation, you must reread what follows every day so that it will be engraved on your memory on which your well being will depend.
Rise at four in the summer and six in the winter. Your first thoughts must be directed towards the Supreme Being; worship Him for a few minutes. Set yourself to work with reflection and intelligence, either at your prescribed duty carried out in the most scrupulous manner, or perfect yourself in some science in which you should have true mastery. Avoid lying under any circumstances in your life, but always be frank and loyal and always tell the truth. Never be idle but be sober and frugal even hard on yourself while indulgent to others. Do not be vain nor an egotist. Before speaking or answering on something, reflect and consider well in order not to lose your point and say something stupid. Never fail to give due recognition under any circumstances to the person who is in charge of your well being. Anticipate his desires and his wishes. Pay close attention with proper humility. Look for an opportunity to be useful. As you are a foreigner in the country, redouble your concern and efforts to gain trust and preference over the natives legitimately by your merit and superior knowledge. If a secret is entrusted in you, keep it religiously; in all your actions you must be upright, sincere and open; no dissimulation in your speech, do not argue but seek the truth calmly and with modesty, be polite and considerate to everyone, agreeable and obliging in society, humane and helpful to the unfortunate according to your means. Read instructive books to embellish your mind and improve your spirit. Do not degrade yourself by making bad acquaintances, but rather those with high principles and reputation thus your conduct should be such that the whole world approves it and that wherever you may be it will be considered irreproachable.

-- T Kosciuszko

Thaddeus Kosciuszko – A Hero of the American Revolution, an Inspiration to Liberty

The bad thing about going to Washington-Kosciuszko elementary school was that you had to spell Kosciuszko at a very young age. The good thing was learning about this lesser known hero of the American Revolution. (Of course that was when the American history in public schools actually focused on something other than colonialism, slavery and the civil rights movement). For Independence Day, I'm paying tribute to this great man.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko graduated the Royal Military Academy in Warsaw with a captain’s commission and then went on to France to study engineering and artillery. When he returned to Poland, much of the country was under the authority of Russia, Prussia and Austria. Shortly thereafter, in late 1975 or early 1976, Kosciuszko heard of events at Lexington and Concord and the beginning of the American Revolution. He was intrigued, and with little for him in Poland, he made off for America.

Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia in 1776, Kosciuszko read the Declaration of Independence and was moved to tears because he discovered in this single, concise document everything in which he truly believed. He felt obliged to meet the author of this impressive document. A few months later, while moving south with the Continental Army, Kosciuszko stopped in Virginia to meet with Jefferson. After the war, the two continued their friendship. Thomas Jefferson said of Kosciuszko, “He is as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known, and of that liberty which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone…” and counted him among his greatest friends.

Kosciuszko’s role in the American Revolution was vital. He first assisted in the fortification of the Philadelphia waterfront at Fort Mercer. He was then sent to New York to fortify defenses along the Hudson. After the American defeat at fort Ticonderoga, Koscuiszko’s was given command of 1,000 men who took down trees, bridges and flooded the land to create bogs. These tactics delayed the British forces enough for the Americans to retreat and re-group.

Kosciuszko then was asked to create a new defensive line in the Hudson Valley and surrounding bluffs. For this, Kosciusko selected the Bemis Heights area. These strategic defenses were the key factor in American victory at Saratoga, the turning point in the war for independence. Kosciuszko’s greatest achievement was his 28 month construction of permanent fortifications at West Point. The first monument at the US Military Academy, built by the cadets themselves, honors Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

In 1784, Kosciuszko, returned to Poland to help his own country win independence from the surrounding European powers. After victories in Raclawice and brief liberations of Warsaw and Wilno, the rebellion was squashed. Kosciuszko was imprisoned by the Russians. He was later released by Czar Paul I, with the condition that he not return to Poland. Kosciuszko returned to Philadelphia where his friendship with Jefferson grew. In 1798 he moved to Switzerland where he died in 1817. In his American will, written by Thomas Jefferson, Kosciuszko asked that his money be used to free and instruct slaves.


The Poles and Americans have often been intertwined in the fight for liberty around the world. After World War I, a group of Americans assisted the Poles in their long struggle against Russia by volunteering their service in the fledgling Polish Air Force. This unit was named the "Kosciuszko Squadron". In the 1980, Lech Walesa’s Solidarity Movement stood up to the Soviet Union and their puppet, defense minister Wojciech Jaruzelski, and lit the spark of freedom in Eastern Europe. Three years later, the words of Polish Pope, John Paul II, fanned those flames with this speech to a million freedom hungry Polish citizens. The words and actions of Ronald Reagan helped them to achieve that freedom. Today, the Poles are one of America’s greatest allies in the war against terror in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Thaddeus Kosciuszko would be proud indeed.


For more information on Thaddeus Kosciuszko, check out the Polish American Center, or this link or this link, or this one or this one.

When in Rome...

I finally decided to dip my toe in the blogging pool. I’m not sure what finally pushed me to do it. Perhaps it was the urge put my words on paper (so to speak), or maybe the draw of a new experience, or was it simply the desire to fit in better with the “cool kids” down at Keegan’s on Thursday night? To be honest, I think it’s just that I have a little extra free time this Independence Day weekend. I’ve been hesitant to do this because I’m not sure if I will have the time or the ingenuity to write interesting posts on a consistent basis. I guess I’ll find out.

I consider myself a conservative libertarian, with a heavy interest in politics -- particularly in the areas of national security and economics. I suspect that will make up the bulk of my postings, but I suspect I will also be blogging on history, science, pop culture, food and other areas of interest. If I struggle for a topic, I may even resort to an update on my herb garden. I hope both people that will be reading my blog will be pleased.