Another one, this time at the Washington Monument.

UPDATE: I swear I didn't steal the post title, but more bomb threats everywhere.

Posted by: Rusty at 03:28 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Liberals and Conservatives either like or dislike Harriet Miers, the White House Counsel that President Bush picked to replace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Then there are the select few that are like me in that we're waiting to pass judgement on Harriet Miers.

Liberals are going to dispise any nominee President Bush puts up, period. Liberals' hatred every the President has long spilled over into any thing he thinks of, any thing he touches, or even any one that mildly supports him. There's no getting around that. It would seem now that liberals on Capitol Hill are trying to bait Conservatives into not liking Harriet Miers by giving her at least the slightest of warm receptions.

Some Conservatives on the other hand don't like Harriet Miers for a myriad of reasons (not this Conservative though; I don't know if I like her or not). Some say she doesn't have a solid background or paper trail that can be looked at to see her views. Some think Harriet Miers might turn out to be another David Sooter. I find that very hard to believe since the President has known her for what... twelve years. Isn't that one of the excuses the liberals are going to use to not vote to confirm Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court? more...

Posted by: Chris Short at 07:03 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 422 words, total size 3 kb.

Scroll down for high resolution photos.

Update: Paul from Wizbang and I essentially agree and the photos really tell the same story: Nagin is an idiot, he just thinks Nagin is a bigger idiot than me.

Something odd struck me about the photo posted by Paul at Wizbang this morning. It occured to me that this photo couldn't be accurate, since I didn't see any flooding. So I did a quick search and came up with an even higher resolution photo of the Algiers Bus Depot. What do you know, I found one. Paul's photo is correct, but another photo shows that the busses were eventually used to help evacuate the city.

This one was taken by the NOAA on August 31st of this year. It was done as part of an aeriel assesment of hurricane damage. You can see the original photo here to verify its accuracy. Compare it to the one that Paul has up, and you'll notice that it is the same depot by the large water stain. I'll assume he and Kevin are calling it the Algiers Bus Depot correctly.

Update: Paul tells me his photo was taken about 10:00 a.m., meaning my photo was taken sometime later that afternoon. So, just to be clear, some time after 10:00 a.m., somebody had the brilliant idea of taking a bunch of unused parked busses and gettting people out of Dodge on them. Yet, for some unknown reason, no one thinks to drive a couple of miles and start picking up people in desperate need and who's plight is all over the airwaves? Brilliant.

To put that date into perspective, Hurrican Katrina hit in the wee hours of August 29th (Monday morning) and the levies began to break at 11:00 that morning. This photo, then, was taken on Wednesday afternoon, 48 hours after the hurricane hit and smack in the middle of when news reports were coming out about the horrible conditions in the Superdome. Click below for larger version.

Now look at the photo. Carefully. Notice something about the busses? They are moving. It looks like three police vehicles are waiting to escort them. In the upper left corner you can see one police vehicle already moving. [Update: To put this into context this means that these busses were fully functional and could have been used at any time to help start the evacuations.] But do they go to the Superdome to help evacuate people? No. Then where are they moving to? Let's look at another piece of this very large photo. Click for larger image.

Yes, those are the missing busses from the photo. Yes, that is a large group of people getting on the busses.

Clearly, the busses were being used to evacuate people from Algiers. If you can positively identify this location, please e-mail me. I am told, and I have no reason to doubt, that this is Algiers Landing.

Gentle reminder to Paul and Kevin: There were refugees all over the city. It's possible, and indeed highly likely in light of this photographic evidence, that busses were evacuating people from Algiers at least. To where? I've no idea.

Update: On further reflection, where were these busses going and why did they not come back for those stuck in the Superdome?

Update II: It's important to realize, too, that the photos posted at Wizbang from the same day show a clear road between the Algiers bus depot and the Superdome. The busses could easily have driven to it.

So, on the one hand we know that busses were being used to evacuate people. On the other hand, why were these same busses not being used to evacuate everybody? Remember, this photo was taken on Wednesday and the Superdome was not evacuated until Friday. So, regardless if the effort was being coordinated properly, there were efforts to get people out of harms way.

If you have the time, now go to the NOAA photos of New Orleans here. How much flooding do you really see? What's really amazing about these photos is just how little flooding actually occured. From what I had gathered from TV reports, the entire city was flooded. Not so. Click around some.

In fact, my first impression was that I must have this wrong. That the dates must be wrong. But:

The date of the photography can be derived from the first 3 characters of the image name. Image names beginning with 243 were acquired Aug 30, 2005, those beginning with 244 were acquired Aug 31, and so on.

Where is all the freaking flooding?!?!! From the news it seemed as if the entire city was under water. That maybe a few places here or there escaped the rising waters, but the majority of the city was under water. Where is it all?

Was there flooding? Of course, pictures don't lie. Here is a picture of a flooded downtown, but that's one of a hundred or more. Others in the vicinity show some neighborhoods flooded, and others on the same street with almost no damage

Pictures do tell a distorted view of reality. Geraldo Rivera on a deserted street is not headline news. Geraldo Rivera floating down a street is. So, if you're a producer you find the areas of worst damage and then show those pictures. You don't show images of the other 75% of the city that wasn't damaged near as much.

And while most of the city was busy getting out, reporters were camped out broadcasting the worst images and the people in the worst conditions and acting as if it was a typical experience.

So, is Roy Nagin to blame as we earlier asserted? Yes, a little. Maybe even more than most. As I said before, New Orleans might be the worst run city in the worst run state of the Union. But, regardless of its lack of leadership it seems that somebody thought to get those busses moving. Perhaps the reason we didn't hear massive complaints coming from this neighborhood is that they got out, on busses.

More later.

UPDATE: After going back and forth with Paul, you know, I think he's right. If someone thought to use these busses two days after the storm hit, then why did no one think to use them the day before the storm hit? And why were these busses not used to evacuate the people out of the Superdome?

So, in summation, Nagin is an idiot. That is all.

PS-And I'm spent......

Posted by: Rusty at 06:10 PM | Comments (40) | Add Comment
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1 Rusty you are so close yet so far.... The flooding was on the EASTBANK. (here is the confusing part, the river flows north at canal street so the EASTbank is on the WEST side of the picture) The westbank never flooded. That's the whole point. Go follow my link ... oh what the heck, here it is again look on the EAST side of the river (well west um, left) and you will see flooding. (and notice the Dome roof is ripped) I did not make the google map Rusty. NOW- As to your image. If you note, the images on google maps were taken at 10am. Look carefully at the shadows then compare the shadows in your picture. It is the same day but many hours later. (go look) Apparently they figured out they had the busses mid-day on Wednesday. But STILL did not use them to get people out the dome. Either way, they sat for 48 hours. Gentle Reminder Rusty... If you are going to say one of my links is wrong, you might follow it before you say it buddy. ;-) P

Posted by: Paul at October 04, 2005 07:50 PM (yVS2b)

2 As Paul said, you might want to find out if Algiers is a different municipality than New Orleans itself.

Posted by: Robert Crawford at October 04, 2005 07:55 PM (Gn9tM)

3 Um, but Paul's original photo is of Algiers... Paul, I didn't mean to imply that your photo was wrong (did I word that poorly?) only that the busses were actually being used, by Wednesday at least, to evacuate people.

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at October 04, 2005 07:59 PM (JQjhA)

4 BTW- That is the Algiers ferry landing. I have no idea why anyone would be there during a storm... and remember this is 2 days later and there was no flooding in that area. (well I'm sure a few houses took water but I mean mass flooding) Clearly if the city figured out that they had busses, the Dome was a more pressing need than people who were in their own (relatively unscathed) neighborhood. So the "best" case for the mayor is that he let the buses sit for 48 hours then did not use them where they were needed most, all the while whining the Feds did not come bail him out. hmmmm Frankly Rusty, you damned him. Many people argued the busses might be broken or he could not get drivers. You took those 2 off the table.

Posted by: Paul at October 04, 2005 07:59 PM (yVS2b)

5 As I said in my post several times. Algiers is part of New Orleans. Those were Nagin's busses.

Posted by: Paul at October 04, 2005 08:00 PM (yVS2b)

6 You are quite correct. I wonder, though, if Nagin is to blame or the incompetent corrupt New Orleans system of government? And, after some reflection, I think maybe you're right. Nagin be damned!

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at October 04, 2005 08:05 PM (JQjhA)

7 I have been saying this since right after the flood. Thanks, Paul, for a job well done. The pajamahadeen have struck again.

Posted by: jesusland joe at October 04, 2005 08:20 PM (rUyw4)

8 BTW- I'm allowed to think he is a bigger idiot than you... I live here. P

Posted by: Paul at October 04, 2005 08:47 PM (yVS2b)

9 Spontaneous order To All, Welcome to the world of public service. I just retired after surviving 35 yrs in a So Cal law enforcement agency(300K daytime pop). Trust me you put too much confidence in the ability of government to perform in these situations. Fortunately in CA the emergency ops folks have their act together much better than apparently was the case within the New Orleans Region. We do have our four seasons here of floods, fires, earthquakes, and riots. We are currently in the fire season. You may have noticed the fire folks here do come together and seem to be able to coordinate their resources. It sounds like there was mass confusion with little prior preparation between the multitude of local and regional agencies that must interact when such a disaster strikes. On Rusty's discovery on the busses my guess is some low level public servant threw the book away and decided to tell someone to use the "GD" busses to move people out of the area. Probably violating a multitude of chain of command regs. No big surprise they were not used at the Superdome as the powers that be probably were unaware they had buses that were functional because the communication system went down earlier in the game. If I remember correctly the backup generators were powered by natural gas that failed because of other systems failing. There is a term for this: Spontaneous order RLS Link Also read my comments above and below this post

Posted by: Ron Wright at October 04, 2005 10:36 PM (3NBxL)

10 Some background: the NO school board discussed a plan to use school buses in an evacuation in June 2005, and the business managers of the school district says they weren't used because the drivers had been evacuated. People should start trying to find those who were on these buses or those who drove them to see what happened when.

Posted by: Katrina Coverage at October 04, 2005 10:40 PM (Z2PkX)

11 Who cares who drove the buses. In an evac scenario there's no need to worry about standard school bus driver training because the buses won't be stopping and red-flashing so kids can cross the road to get on the bus. In this situation anyone who can drive a stick is a bus driver, unions be damned.

Posted by: Captain Ned at October 05, 2005 01:24 AM (Acn6I)

12 Bullshit: (1) New Orleans is the worst run city in the worse run state. (2) Blame the officials in neighboring Gretna and Jefferson Parish Officials for protecting their city from looters and thugs. More bullshit. (3) Nagin is an idiot. His gross exaggerations left everyone running in circles not knowing what to believe. 20,000 dead. Bullshit. (4) There was plenty of high ground or areas of water less than a foot. Plenty of buildings downtown that were 50 stories high. Where you ask? Easy. Across the street from the superdome. In fact the Coast Guard's 8th district headquarters are on the 17th floor of a building across from the Superdome. Why didn't city officials open the thousands of rooms in fancy hotels on Canal street? Anyone ask that question? Hell they had generators. It's the law. And the majority are powered by Diesel. I have a friend who rode the hurricane out at the Marriott. They had emergency power. Why? Not to house the homeless but to protect it from the looters everyone expected. Anyone notice the pictures of the looters. Strange how easy they got around. Movement was easy for looters and hard for everyone else. Bullshit. (5) Poor leadership in New Orleans is what caused many police to become looters themselves. Of course only of high dollar items. Excuses will be made for them. (6) When New Orleans officials directed people to start walking in circles they were not even thinking about buses. The purpose was to make Nagin the idiot look good and the federal government look bad. (7) The entire government in New Orleans parish was elected, appointed and promoted for one reason and one reason only. Because they are black. Not on ability, experience or intelligence. Merely because they are black. New Orleans you got the leadership that you wanted. Now the rest of us will pay the bill. As usual. You have the worst education department in the country. Your city is unsafe. Your police department racist. Your school board is a joke. The judges you have elected are corrupt and your mayor is an idiot. Something that we in the surrounding parishes have known for years. I have one question that has risen. I cannot prove it but I have heard that school buses were available and ready to move and Fema would not use them because they were not air conditioned. If this is true, there is also a federal idiot involved. Probably afraid of getting sued. Many actions by the feds in my area of gulf coast Mississippi have been slowed by the feds. President Bush admitted that today and explained why federal equipment could not aid us on private land. Again, that can be blamed on greed and lawyers. People in New Orleans, piss, moan, complain and wail with their hands out. What needs to be remembered here is that while people in Orleans Parish stood on roof tops people in Mississippi didn't have a roof to stand on. The flooding was a slow process caused by leaks in the levees. Mississippi was hit by a wall of water 30 ft high all at once. I guess the difference is the Mississippians didn't have time to loot and complain and murder. One thing I would like to make clear. Seems like the rest of Louisiana acted different than the people of New Orleans. WHY? I would also add that there not a redneck in Mississippi who can't drive a school bus so that dog don't hunt. When a entire city relies on de govement instead of themselves they will be in trouble. In one day the roads to my farm were cleared of hundreds of trees. By whom? My neighbors. We pulled together and watched out for each other. The generator I purchased 3 years ago went to another family with a 92 year old lady in ill health. Others chipped in fuel. Fuel that was purchased when we were told the storm was coming. Food was shared and freezers that didn't have power were emptied for all. My driveway was cleared of 8 large trees by someone with chain saws and strong backs. I still don't know who. Difference in people I guess. Some are conditioned to support the Government and some conditioned to live on it. Some say they had no way out when evacuation was ordered. There was a way. On plenty of school buses, city buses, trucks, cabs etc: None of these were offered by the city of New Orleans Officials who saved their asses and got out. Some police acted as they should. Others only thought of themselves. I know of not one case of a coastal Mississippi police officer running away. I fact we had so many people running around with T-shites saying police and pistols on their hips that it was a bit scary. So much for my thoughts. I am still siting in St Louis, Mo. Nice place but not home.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 05, 2005 05:17 AM (ywZa8)

13 Just thinking of something. Why are the blacks in New Orleans relying on Bush. None of them voted for him. They voted for Nagin. They should rely on him. Ha. Vote for Nagin and scream for Bush when shit happens. There's some irony here.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 05, 2005 06:37 AM (ywZa8)

14 There is no doubt that someone should have commandeered anything with wheels to evacuate those that were trapped. But you should also remember, Gretna cops controlled the west bank of that bridge, and turned back those who tried to cross it, starting Monday the 29th. The chief of police said "Evidently, someone on the ground (in New Orleans) was telling people there was transport here ... There wasn't." Meanwhile, as the photos show, there was transport, and it appears some of them were used. So this isn't all on Nagin. It's obvious there weren't many people in power, from mayors to police chiefs, willing or able to do the right thing.

Posted by: Reid at October 05, 2005 07:17 AM (CnKub)

15 IMO, the definitive pictures of the NO flooding are the Global Security series (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans-imagery.htm). They clearly show the areas that did and did not flood.

Posted by: Steve L. at October 05, 2005 07:26 AM (hpZf2)

16 I believe the pictures of the people at Algeries landing is of the St. Bernard parish evacuation. The people of St. Bernard were evacuated by ferry boat to the west bank. They were then removed by buses. The St. Bernard evacuation is a story of local people taking care of themselves without help from the Feds or State govt.

Posted by: RJ at October 05, 2005 07:38 AM (n6q58)

17 Reid, Other photos show the bridge where people were allegedly turned away. Only two cop cars on the bridge. Something is fishy about that story........

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at October 05, 2005 08:58 AM (JQjhA)

18 Lateat reports from NOAA now have Katrina hitting New Orleans as a strong Category ONE or weak Category TWO.The primary cause of the disater was that the levees broke. Could that have been prevented ? By whom ? Flood control has been Federal for 100 years. Pork. Pork.Porl.Gimmmie Gimmmie Gimmie. Bush approves and signs Bills but it is Congress who writes them. This is a direct result of the one party system. Checks and Balances ? Compromise? Accountability ? Under our Federal System ALL citizens of These United States have the right to "LIFE LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of Happiness" regardless of negligebt local government. Where was Fema in these pictures two days later ? Should the city of New Orleans had a better plan ? duh...... There is plenty of blame togo around. And of courseif all else fails we can always use the defense of last resort BLAME THE VICTIMS. The reporting was the worst tabloid journalism. Remember the shooting at helicopters ? NOT !!! Looting ? minor compared to what is happening now with the contracts.Were the "left" newspapers worse than the "right"papers? Hard to say for me.

Posted by: john Ryan at October 05, 2005 09:26 AM (ads7K)

19 That's because you're on the Left, John Ryan, and they could shit in a cup and you would take it for ice creme.

Posted by: jesusland joe at October 05, 2005 10:09 AM (rUyw4)

20 That authority several seem to be searching for was sitting about 70 miles up the road in Baton Rouge. I start with the mayor but since he seems to be the overwhelmed Idiot that actually got HIT, I quickly go to the source that could have controlled the entire situation (and was not hit). Governor Blanco is more responsible in this fiasco than anyone else I can find. She had authority to control state police, Nat Guard, access into NO or out, permission slips for aide groups (Red Cross/Salv Army) and also access to enough school buses to bring her people out of NO. There is someone that has a name that was playing political chicken with the Feds. No other reasonable explanation because of the short distance between BR and NO. You got a better?

Posted by: owl at October 05, 2005 10:42 AM (60rrd)

21 Good job with all the photos and analysis! I think when a hole appeared in the top of the Superdome, that should have been their clue.

Posted by: RepJ at October 05, 2005 10:47 AM (6krEN)

22 I am tired of the asshole mayor and dipshit Gov. in La. blaming the Feds. First off they were the first line of government. They failed to act. They failed to ask for help. They failed as elected leaders. Its clear that the entire government of the state of LA. is corrupt, dumb and plain stupid. A majority of the residents are living off the federal and state government checks each month and just sit waiting for a hand out. So how can the Mayor even to begin to think they could follow even a simple disaster plan. And to make matters worse he spent the money for the plan on a roadway study. If I was sitting in a city 12 ft. below sea level with any type of hurricane coming toward me, it would be good by city. But no lets ride it out and then cry for help. Why is it we all watched the news converge on NO like stink on shit while you seldom saw any areas of Miss. Ala, Fl. Yeah NO go water, Miss. lost everything down to the concrete slabs but you did not see them robbing stores, stealing big screen TV's, and crying to the feds. If you even saw them, they were picking up the pieces, helping their neighbors and coping the best they could. Sorry but the plan to rebuild NO sucks, I would bulldoze and burn the damaged areas, pop the levees and make the area shoreline again. It would be the cheapest for us taxpayers, create wildlife habitat and clean up a blight. Just my thoughts and opinions! Jim

Posted by: Jim at October 05, 2005 12:13 PM (w3g+6)

23 Just been browsing here - very interesting subject. Here is something I found a week ago that is also interesting concerning the drivers for the buses: Although many of RTA’s buses flooded in Katrina, the agency has enough to begin the limited run, Cook said. And staffing isn’t a problem, she said. Many bus drivers stayed at RTA’s Canal Street office during the storm and evacuated on the Tuesday after the hurricane for shelter in Baton Rouge, Cook said. “There’s no problem with getting personnel,” she said. Its from the Times-Pic, link is at http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09_30.html

Posted by: Jean at October 05, 2005 12:13 PM (oeKCc)

24 You said it all, prettymuch . . greyrooster . . . My only comment might be a telling comparison . . In N'awleens, 50% of the police(and other first responders) resigned or didn't show up . . apparently it was the 50% who showed up that looted stores and stole Cadillacs (so they could patrol? Quoting one of Nagin's statements) and the Firemen "had no water" to put out the fires that arsonists started, as they stood in knee deep water . . . Beside their pumpers . . . watching private property burn . . . While the Firemen in Galveston were fighting a fire in the downtown area IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE RITA! And the Police and other first responders never left any other hurricane impacted areas in Alabama, Mississippi, West Louisana, nor Texas . . . Or did I miss something? Perhaps one has to fail a basic IQ test to live in N'awleens . . .

Posted by: large at October 05, 2005 12:44 PM (Ny1Tj)

25 Good job and here is another task. Find the pics of buses in Baton Rouge-Aug 31. Then ask anyone that lives there how far it is to NO. If you don't listen to MSM or political talking heads, I think all this gets a lot simplier.

Posted by: owl at October 05, 2005 12:45 PM (60rrd)

26 the busses parked in the algiers point bus barn were used on wednesday not for evacuating the residents of algiers point (since most evacuated before the storm and the remaining ones stayed and protected their neighborhood) but for evacuating residents of st.bernard parish (chalmette more precisely), brought there from their completely flooded eastbank neighborhood. it is unclear still, but seems to me that they got there on the river, since they were at the ferry landing, and the only exit point from chalmette was their own ferry landing by paris road. i would like to find out if the ferry was used, or what other way they got there, but seems like the consensus among algerines is that they were chelmesian evacuees. more info on what happened in algiers, at polimom.com, directly from the folks who were there.

Posted by: the algerine at October 05, 2005 01:53 PM (B4hna)

27 You said it greyrooster. I think there were/are some people in NO that are doing what they can - we just aren't hearing about them. About a week after Katrina, I saw on either CNN or MSNBC, can't recall and can't find it now, about a lady in the 7th ward, I believe her name is Mama Dee, she is a community activist. She stayed during the hurricane and the flooding of her neighborhood. She was organizing everyone down to the kids. They had food they gathered together from each others fridges, water, ice and were rescuing people; they had found boats somehow. The military was trying to get her to leave but she wouldn't. They interviewed her again just prior to Rita and she was staying for that too. She was prepared for it. Also, the waters had receded and she and the residents were cleaning up the neighborhood, even around the houses of those that had evacuated. The military was again trying to get her to leave but was mainly just checking on her; she was giving them drinks and sandwiches ! If you search for her name, Mama Dee, you will find articles on it, mainly on activist sites that are a little strange but the articles on her are good.

Posted by: Jean at October 05, 2005 01:59 PM (oeKCc)

28 To the algerine. all three local ferries were used to evacuate st. bernard. the people of st. bernard were evacuated house by house by recreational boaters to the east bank levee and then by ferry to the algiers landing.

Posted by: rj at October 05, 2005 03:41 PM (n6q58)

29 Fantasic work Rusty and the blogs in general on this one. the media portrayed total destrution and selected the images that framed the whole hurricane story. You have just shattered that image. Rusty is the man I'll work for him for nothing as long as I can becuase it's people like Dr Rusty Shackleford that bring the truth to the people. Signed Howie: Unworthy Paduan beotch to the very good and totally not evil Dr. Rusty Shackleford.

Posted by: Howie at October 05, 2005 04:57 PM (D3+20)

30 I agree totally with Grey Rooster. This was the result of idiocy, panic and corruption at local level. Lots of the other buses we have seen pictures of should have been moved to higher ground before the storm - or rather, should have been used to help people get the hell out. Just get the people above sea level - even in the higher parts of the city itself, worst case. Noone should have been left below sea level, especially in those nursing homes. And I saw figures elsewhere that however many buses there were in NO, the state of LA has some 20,000 registered buses in total. All this is being mostly ignored by the press who were responsible for atrocious "reporting".

Posted by: JohninLondon at October 05, 2005 05:48 PM (0RlGL)

31 Hey, this post made #1 on Blogniscient's Top Conservative Politics Blog Articles list today ( http://politics.blogniscient.com ). Congrats to all and keep up the great work!

Posted by: reston at October 05, 2005 06:15 PM (SxyVn)

32 Regarding the Gretna/turned away incident, I believe the police chief says they were letting people through for a few days, until the WalMart was looted and that was the final straw. I'll let someone else see how that fits into the timeline of the pictures.

Posted by: Katrina Coverage at October 05, 2005 07:43 PM (kol+Q)

33 Reid: Had the people entering Jefferson Parish had been evacutees in buses, etc: the brave take charge major of Jefferson Parish would have allowed them through and helped all he could. But that wasn't the case. Who were the very few that were turned back? The officials of Jefferson Parish took charge and behaved like real leaders. If the people of New Orleans had a brain that would look to Jefferson Parish for their next Mayor and Chief of Police. But that will not work and you and I know why.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 05, 2005 09:02 PM (ywZa8)

34 JEAN: We will find Mama Dee. She deserves something good.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 06, 2005 08:29 AM (M7kiy)

35 Greyrooster: I'd bet there are others quite like Mama Dee, just no one paid attention to them . . they are the Human Element that makes humanity good . . problem is . . there's too few of them! How 'bout those mysterious chain saw weilders that cleared your street and driveway? heh, heh . . a hat to 'em all!

Posted by: large at October 06, 2005 03:23 PM (Ny1Tj)

36 Klanrooster, you are so racist, you give whitey a bad smell..

Posted by: Downing Street Memo at October 07, 2005 06:02 AM (A5eqb)

37 Keep flapping those purple lips. Rasmus.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 07, 2005 10:09 AM (M7kiy)

38 Downing Street Moron: How would you know what a white man smells like. No one in your family is one. Get them thar greens & hog jowls, Boy De white man caused de hurcane. Simple minded jungle bunny.

Posted by: greyrooster at October 08, 2005 12:10 AM (M7kiy)

39 I feel sorry for the people who have to use negative name calling (i.e. simple minded jungle bunny?) to express their opinions. It allows people to see how intelligent they are, NOT. I must admit that I am black but; I also believe that the situation days before Katrina and the first days after the storm, does fall on the sholders of the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana , with plenty of blaim for both of them. But let's be real, once you get pass day 2, 3, and 4 of Katrina and still No FEMA intervention has taken place for evacuations, or for the basics like water, food, for people or formula's for babies!!! It falls on the shoulders of the Government, and like it or not the Head Man in Charge is BUSH (the buck stops on his desk). The idiot that Bush had in charge of FEMA, Brownee, forgot to change hats; from being responsible for horses to being responsible for people. I don't blame Bush for Katrina, I don't blaim Bush for the flooding; but I certainly blaim him for what the people had to go thur after the storm. Babies, children and adults, who had to suffer the un-Godly conditions at the Super Dome and on the bridge for as many days as they did. You can say what you want, but; that was un-called for, no human being in this United States of America should have to live like that for days when it was not necessary. This United States can get food around the world quicker than they got water and food to these people. If the reporters could get in to take pictures, than FEMA could have gotten in to drop off water and food, and evacuate the sick. Please, try to understand that unlike the majority of people in the shore front property in Mississippi, the majority of people left behind in New Orleans did not have the means to evacuate, that does not make them stupid just poor and unfortunate. I wonder what Jesus would say our responsible to the poor is? Would Jesus say, Slander the victims,(call them stupid, idiots, or jungle bunnies) or bear false witness against them (claim that they have killed and raped hunreds or were shooting at helicopters) or would he say feed my people?

Posted by: j. colbert at October 11, 2005 02:17 PM (Z83bx)

40 J. colbert: That's your opinion and they are like assholes. I will not comment on further on your post. As from experience has taught us that you are just another Cindy Sheehan pie in the sky know nothing.

Posted by: BigAl at October 23, 2005 07:39 PM (6krEN)

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Who's fault is it that so many died in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? Let me officially point a finger at Ray Nagin. He's not responsible for all the deaths in New Orleans, but 60 busses sitting idle? That goes beyond incompetence.

As a good friend of mine who grew up in the French Quarter recently told me, "There is no city in the U.S. that can even begin to compare with the corruption and incompetence of New Orleans." Indeed.

Or as I'm fond of saying, "New Orleans Parish. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."

Kevin and Paul have the photos to back up the accusation.

CRITICAL UPDATE: I now have photographic evidence that proves the busses were used to evacuate people from New Orleans. Perhaps I was too hasty in this post. Please see this post here.

Posted by: Rusty at 03:15 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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All things being equal, John McCain willl be the Republican nominee in 2008. Why? It's about how the media is framing the issues.

For instance, the Tom DeLay scandal could easily be framed in a number of ways. A conservative might frame the issue as one of big government run amok--DeLay as a sympton rather than a cause. A Democratic partisan might frame the issue as one of Republican misdeeds--DeLay as cause rather than affect.

But how is the MSM generally framing the DeLay scandal? Corruption fed by campaign finance abuses.

The way you frame an issue inevetably leads to a solution. If the problem is big government, then the solution is making government smaller. This is the way I or other small government types might like to frame the DeLay issue. No one is buying this.

If the problem is Republicans in office, then the solution is putting Democrats in office. This is the way the Democrats are trying to frame the DeLay corruption charges. The media are generally too savvy to fall for this one.

Instead, the media seems to trend toward the campaign finance angle. And if the problem is campaign finance abuse then the solution is, and you see where this is going, John McCain.

So, it may be important to follow who is making trips to Iowa already (is John Kerry dellusional, or what?), but if the current media climate prevails for the next couple of years, it will be McCain in '08.

Unless of course the next big trend in political analysis will be to blame the growing deficit on fat people. In that case, Gove. Mike Huckabee is a shoe in.

Posted by: Rusty at 01:28 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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Al-Qaida is planning to detonate nuclear devices in seven major U.S. cities next month during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. At least, that's what World Net Daily is reporting. Of course, to find out the details of the report WND is only asking for the paltry sum of $99 dollars a year or $9.95 a month.

On a related note, The Jawa Report has intercepted a message from al-Qaeda Godfather Osama bin Laden to Iraq's sheikh of al-Qaeda, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in which he reveals exactly which seven American cities will be nuked.

Which cities will suffer, and I quote, "a nuclear hell storm"? For the amazingly low price of $1,000, The Jawa Report will let you in on the big secret.

Here's a hint: you there, the guy reading this right now from your office computer. Yeah, you. I'd be having second thoughts about that business trip to you-know-where next month.

Seriously.

Ok, so there is no intercepted message. Color me skeptical about WND's claims of an impending nuclear holocaust. If al-Qaeda has nukes, is it simply waiting for Ramadan for maximum impact? Why didn't it use them on September 11th? Fourth of July? Chanukah? Groundhog Day?

Scenario 1) Al Qaeda doesn't have nukes, and never has had nukes. If they ever did manage to get a hold of an old Soviet suitcase bomb it was a dud or a fake. Most likely scenario.

Scenario 2) Al Qaeda has nukes but is afraid to use them. The goal of al Qaeda is the gradual restoration of the global caliphate. Nuking the U.S. would surely unleash retalliation so severe as to make several parts of the future caliphate unlivable for the foreseeable future. Less likely, but possible.

So, relax, go about your business, and enjoy the traditional Ramadan festivities--such as personally slitting the throat of a sheep or goat!

Thanks to John from Stop the ACLU for the tip.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:38 AM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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1 I will celebrate Ramadan by renting a Kabbab Cart and parking it in front of a Mosque. I will then cook up a delicious batch of Lamb Kabbabs and Cumin cakes and fan the delicious smells into the mosque to drive the faithfull into a lather.

Posted by: Filthy Allah at September 30, 2005 08:59 AM (5ceWd)

2 Rusty, I'm liking your comments. They made me laugh. Such silliness is doing this country no good and just adds to the fear everyone has today. There is no way this ragtag group has nukes. Sure they are good at roadside bombs but how would they launch these nukes? And from what sub? The US is not that pathetic. Next thing we'll hear about are how a certain middle-eastern man has made inquires into submarine school. He doesn't want to learn how to surface or anything, just how to shoot the missiles. Give me a break.

Posted by: jason at September 30, 2005 09:23 AM (BmtfW)

3 If they do this we celibrate by nuking mecca

Posted by: sandpiper at September 30, 2005 09:30 AM (Tl3bz)

4 In the case of New York, L.A., San Fran, and Seattle it would be seen as a definite improvement to the social climates and attitudes.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 30, 2005 09:34 AM (y+I+a)

5 The libs would call this action "Arab Urban Renewal"

Posted by: Filthy Allah at September 30, 2005 09:36 AM (5ceWd)

6 I swear, World Nut Daily is the Apocolyptic Christian version of the National Enquirer. They may report some actual news from time to time, but they do so many sensationalistic pieces that it's hard to tell when they're being serious. The chief over there, Joseph Farah, is an Arab, and we all know that Arabs are genetically incapable of being completely honest, no matter their religion.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 30, 2005 09:52 AM (0yYS2)

7 I take umbrage at that Arab remark. As far as you know, I'm an Arab.

Posted by: Rusty at September 30, 2005 09:55 AM (JQjhA)

8 WND has already named the seven cities they suspect such a device to be detonated in, but they offered it free. Bin Laden has received clearence to detonate a nuclear bomb by his religious authority, but WND has been going gangbusters with this constant talk with AQ and nukes. They predicted this would happen a couple of months ago, and since it did not, it seems like they are trying to keep the story alive and rehash it several times over. They have lost a lot of credibility in my book from this exact scenario.

Posted by: Chad Evans at September 30, 2005 10:21 AM (KMwbU)

9 I'm with IM here in blaming Joseph Farah on this, not because he's Arab, but because he's kind of an alarmist. Of course, if I were an Arab Christian who knew the history of Islamic persecution I would also be a little alarmist......

Posted by: Rusty at September 30, 2005 11:22 AM (JQjhA)

10 Don't take umbrage unless you are willing to pay for it.

Posted by: Filthy Allah at September 30, 2005 11:48 AM (5ceWd)

11 ah, yes I believe the words of a man who once bought an irradiated canister full of ash.

Posted by: dave at September 30, 2005 11:55 AM (CcXvt)

12 I AM GOING TO ORANGE ALERT !!!! NO...... ALL THE WAY TO RED !!!!!!

Posted by: john Ryan at September 30, 2005 12:30 PM (ads7K)

13 J.Adams: I for one, welcome our new Mardi overlords why is it no surprise that the muslim equivalent of Jesus comes to kill all the non-muslims, instead of reading storybooks to Children or healing the sick. The Muslim Jesus has already caused one prophecy to pass I see: Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf and Yasser Arafat will be annihilated in the same month. Oh No's! The Muslim jesus killed arafish with Aids, but forgot the paki president!

Posted by: dave at September 30, 2005 01:07 PM (CcXvt)

14 No doubt in my mind. It's going to happen, just when and where.

Posted by: dick/elliott at September 30, 2005 01:15 PM (XlQVK)

15 if Rusty is an Arab than i am the Tyrant of Crete...but anyways, Al-Queda with nukes???....dounbtfull, as these knuckleheads have enough problems with their roadside bombs going off on them as it is, so imagine one of them fooling around with a suitcase nuke....and who knows how old one of those are???....rather unstable and probally most of the wiring and hardware has been so exposed to radiation and been handled rather roughly the past few years, well, you know....lookie, there goes Abdullah and Akmed up to see Allah on top of that small mushroom cloud...have a good trip, fella's

Posted by: THANOS35 at September 30, 2005 01:19 PM (FMsU7)

16 He don't know us very well do he. should they even come close to nuking the USA all that oil wil be getting pumped out through a big layer of glass for free.

Posted by: Howie at September 30, 2005 01:32 PM (D3+20)

17 I can't remember the last time WND was right about anything. They are just as bad, if not worse, than Debka.

Posted by: Ariya at September 30, 2005 03:15 PM (noCGr)

18 I am very happy for being a muslim

Posted by: Ismael at October 03, 2005 06:16 AM (vUpEQ)

19 Found this posted on another site; ----- If I were to put a bet on when the attack would happen, it would be 10/13. 10/13/2005 = 698th Anniversary of the Destruction of the Knights Templar in 1307. The descendants of the Templars are the Freemasons, who founded the United States. Therefore an attack on this date would be symbolic of the destruction of the Templars who fought the Muslims during the Crusades. 10/13/2005 = 9th Day of Ramadan during the 9th Month on the Islamic Calendar. Put the two "9's" together and you get the number 99. In Islam, "99" represents the number of names of Allah; http://www.themodernreligion.com/basic/islam_99_names.htm 10/13/2005 = Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of Atonement, the most important religious holiday in Judaism. So circle 10/13 on your calendar because the fecal matter is about to hit the fan. ---

Posted by: Jack Bauer at October 08, 2005 10:59 PM (fWTP2)

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I'm not going to DC to witness the demonstrations, because it's just too depressing. I once thought that any policy mistakes the US happens to make will get sorted out in the public debate. That's the way democracy works, I figured. But mainstream media doesn't even appear capable of discussing the 2005 hurricane phenomenon with any degree of competence, let alone the strategy and tactics we're using in the "Long War Against Irreconcilable Islam." It's not so much that they're wrong, as that there isn't even a core of sense to grab onto. It isn't that their analysis is flawed, so much as that they have no idea what they're talking about. It's like your mechanic telling you that your car isn't running because your parachute wasn't packed properly. We can't have productive discussions about policy because almost half the public doesn't realize the cheese has slid off their cracker.

more...

Posted by: Demosophist at 11:23 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
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The following are a list of resources for those in the Galveston or Houston area. They include an evacuation map, weather information, traffic conditions map, traffic cams, and other live webcams. Expect the webcams to go off air as wind speed increases. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 10:26 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Delegates to the Constitutional Convention gave their assent to the document on September 17th, 1787. Today, I'm scheduled to be the key-note speaker at our University's Constitution Day celebration. Here is the text of my speech. I think it might ruffle a few feathers. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:06 AM | Comments (24) | Add Comment
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1 The one that gives warmaking power to Congress.

Posted by: Downing Street Memo at September 20, 2005 08:09 AM (VhNDM)

2 Yup, Art. I, sec. 8.

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 20, 2005 08:31 AM (JQjhA)

3 I can hook you up with a couple adjunct classes here when you get fired.

Posted by: Leopold Stotch at September 20, 2005 09:19 AM (1DaBi)

4 Sweet. Do you think Nancy, the three kids, and me can crash at your house, too?

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 20, 2005 09:38 AM (JQjhA)

5 Just so IÂ’m clear on this: your not tenured right?

Posted by: Brad at September 20, 2005 09:38 AM (6mUkl)

6 Nope. You think this alters my chances?

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 20, 2005 09:39 AM (JQjhA)

7 I donÂ’t know man, If the PC police track you back to this blog, your dead. You might want to call your brother in law and make sure that fertilizer sales job is still open before you give this speech.

Posted by: Brad at September 20, 2005 09:54 AM (6mUkl)

8 Senator Byrd is talking about that "living" Constitution that says whatever in the hell the liberals want it to say.

Posted by: jesusland joe at September 20, 2005 10:18 AM (rUyw4)

9 Rusty, are you really going to give that speech on a college campus?

Posted by: jesusland joe at September 20, 2005 10:25 AM (rUyw4)

10 Have you forwarded this to Byrd? Oh, and I know of a small conservative liberal arts college in West Tennesse that might hire you.

Posted by: Razorgirl at September 20, 2005 10:29 AM (H+tJ8)

11 You also should mention somewhere the Preamble to the Bill of Rights: The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution.

Posted by: IO ERROR at September 20, 2005 10:43 AM (+UctD)

12 "The Constitution is not a series of cases decided by the Supreme Court, it is a document written in 1787, ratified in 1789, and which has been amended exactly 27 times." That's brilliant. And it is a remarkably difficult notion to get across to people.

Posted by: Craig McCarthy at September 20, 2005 10:45 AM (WfwK9)

13 The idea of a living document in the shape of the Constitution is not stupid. What is stupid is not recognizing that the document itself is very specific about what that means. If your gonna go down, go down hard and add something about the commerce clause being the tool of the modern day tyrant.

Posted by: Defense Guy at September 20, 2005 10:53 AM (jPCiN)

14 Right DG. and what "privacy" is construed to mean. And what separation of church and state really means. We saw Newt Gingrich speak at UNF last night. Yes, in an academic environment no less. He was really very clear and concise. One strong point he brought up was this [I'll paraphrase, of course]: Stop this effort to drive God out of public life. 91% of the people are actually against the extreme measures being taken to do this and 8% are dictating to the 91%. He made the point that our forefathers acknowledged that our rights came from our creator. If the creator is driven out of our lives then who will our children grow up thinking our rights came from? "The State?" Not good. Not good at all.

Posted by: Oyster at September 20, 2005 01:03 PM (fl6E1)

15 Robert Byrd brains constitution is different from what the founding fathers wrote bobby byrds consits of big goverment and more regulation and uncontroled taxing and spending

Posted by: sandpiper at September 20, 2005 01:58 PM (r8sk+)

16 The dhimmis see the Constitution as either a stepping stool to get over the will of the people, or a stumbling block to thwart their plans, but they do not see it as inviolable.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 20, 2005 02:36 PM (0yYS2)

17 Outstanding.

Posted by: Jim at September 20, 2005 05:31 PM (iD0gu)

18 When the Left says that the US CONSTITUTION is a "living document" Of course, they really only mean the parts of they don't like! That things in it that they like - like the part where it guarantees a right to an abortion - (nevermind about looking for it; it's not in the US CONSTITUTION, not in any literal sense) - well that part is WRITTEN IN STONE. SO: to the Left, it not only means what they say it means, whatever they say it measn in NOT living, but permanent. God forbid Roe v. Wade should EVER be re-interpreted; no: you must SWEAR UNDER OATH that Roe v. Wade is SUPERDUPER-PRECEDNT, untouchable and writ in stone. SHEESH. What effin hypocrites! Not only are their policies crappy; the underlying "logic" they use is faulty. They have no consitent alues underlying their ideology EXCEPT belief that an elite knows better what's right then the individual does for himself, AND that the world would be better off if this elite made all the decisions. IOW: collectivism/socialsm/Leftism. They will use whatver meanx - employ any argument at any time (even if it is inconsistent with other arguments they make). But it gets worse: because they will often support policy "B" - like regime change in Iraq - if and only if it's promoted by a fellow traveller. BUT... if a conservative actually does something about it, well, then... the policy msut be bad! I think this is because post-WW2/post-modern Leftsist have have no transcendent universal values, and are relativists. The only wasy they have to measure success is momnetary outcomes. When the Iraq War has a bad day, then the war itself is bad. Which of course aids the enemy. Only a deep belief in transcendent universal values can actually enable a person to have the resolve toi get through tough struggles which are important, if nopt CRUCIAL - like the Iraq War. The pathetic thing is: FDR would be more supprting of Bush and the neocons, then the so-called his of his New Deal. In another light, though, perhaps there is some conection: FDR and Joe Kennedy were enemies. Joe supported the NAZIS. Perhaps Teddy is more like his isolationst father than he is like FDR or RFK or JFK? Perhaps the Left is now more like Alger Hiss than FDR? They are more allied to enforcing the social and economic outcomes they want - and the eltists organizations they control, then actually promoting policies which might actually have better/the best outcomes. They believe in the UN despite the fact that the UN is a useless cesspool of corruption. They believe in affirmative action even though it is astate-sponsored racism. They believe in gun control even though there is not one scintilla of proof that it lowers violent crime. They believe in progressive taxes even though there's evidence that a flat tax is better for growing economies -whcih is the BEST way to helkp poorer people become less poor. They believe in isolationism to protect jobs, even though trade is the BEST single engine to improve standards of living for everyone. OM AND ON. I have come believe these folks of the post-modern Left cannot really be argued with. I know: I was a leftist. Raised a leftis by card-carrying commies. It took the Fall of the Wall for me to admit Reagan was right. And it took seeing that Deng Tsao Ping had improved China by getting rid of Marx and Mao. I had to look reality in the eye, and blink. The problem is most Lefties TURN AWAY, and avert their eyes! They REFUSE to read or watch anything but their Leftist media: the NYTIMES and CNN. If it ain't in the NYTIMEs then it didn't happen to the Left. (They think I'm brainwashed because I read BOTH the NYTIMES and the Wash Times; they don't even realize that THEY are the limited/brainwashed party!) HOW DO WE GET THEM TO OPEN THEIR EYES? Results. Facts on the ground. Results so big even the media can't hide them. Bigger than LOW UNEMLOYMENT - which doesn't get reported much. Bigger than expanded drug benefits for seniors, or improving grades from kids in schools. Bigger than Qaddafy's renunciation of WMD. Bigger than getting Syria out of Lebanon. Bigger than ALL of Bush legislative successes - he's already accomplished more in 5 years than Clinton and his Pop did in 12! It will take withdrawal from a democratic self-sufficient Iraq. And maybe a revolution in Iran. And the toppling of Lil Kim in NOKO. Then maybe maybe MAYBE the Left MIGHT open one eye. Hang in there baby; KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!

Posted by: reliapundit at September 20, 2005 05:57 PM (9OasS)

19 Whew. Barely any one showed up. I guess my tenure prospects weren't flushed down the tube. But, I did spend some time writing that dayum thing. Would've been nice to at least tick somebody off.......

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 20, 2005 07:12 PM (JQjhA)

20 Pfft, forget them - we enjoyed it. And that is the beauty of online documents; it will remain here to be read by all (pro or con). I can get mad if you want ... ? /TJ

Posted by: TJ at September 21, 2005 08:37 AM (/0bzs)

21 Yeah, but can you issue a fatwa against me?

Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at September 21, 2005 01:22 PM (JQjhA)

22 Rusty I know the pre amble. Got it from schoolhouse rock. want me to sing it for you?

Posted by: Howie at September 22, 2005 12:47 PM (D3+20)

23 We the people in order to from a more perfect union. (background howling of dogs and loud cube neighbor protests) Establish justice and insure domestic tranquility eeeahee Provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare ahhand Secure the blessings of a liberty to ourselves and our posterity (high screeching tone) Do ordain and establish this constitution... for the United Sstates of America... .... for the United States of America

Posted by: Howie at September 22, 2005 01:06 PM (D3+20)

24 The government we have today was shaped by Civil War, the Constitution is merely a fig leaf.

Posted by: DHR at September 28, 2005 05:05 PM (G2kLz)

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...because it's true.

Posted by: Rusty at 10:08 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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If you don't have something more fun to do, like getting that root canal you've been putting off, you might find watching the John Roberts hearings live interesting.

Posted by: Rusty at 12:50 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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What does it even mean to be 'stingy' with the Constitution? That's what Ted Kennedy is hoping to ask John Roberts at his confirmation hearings. Tom at Scared Monkeys has Kennedy's odd statement on video here.

Is that kind of like, "Hey John Roberts, stop being so 'stingy' with the Constitution and pass it around on the left hand side"?

Man, that Constitution is giving me the munchies. Big time.

Posted by: Rusty at 05:51 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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If I had just lost my house in the hurricane, I'd go straight to Prada. You know, shopping just makes you feel better. I guess a lot of the victims prefer Louis Vuitton, though. No accounting for taste I guess.

Posted by: Rusty at 12:05 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 Just what we need more pork on the FEMA budget who did this ROBERT BYRD BRAIN?

Posted by: sandpiper at September 12, 2005 01:37 PM (U+eLg)

2 It'll be interesting to see where these cards are used as time goes by. This is just the first specialty store that spoke up. I wonder if they're able to use it as a debit card for cash at an ATM? And if it gets used to buy crack.

Posted by: Oyster at September 12, 2005 02:04 PM (fl6E1)

3 Any comment I cared to make would just be redundant, since pretty much everyone is thinking the same things right now, but I will say that I wish I was shocked by this news.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 12, 2005 02:20 PM (0yYS2)

4 IM, I know exactly what you're thinking. And the thought was in my head too.

Posted by: Oyster at September 12, 2005 05:39 PM (YudAC)

5 It's amazing how we all have to speak in code now, lest certain people accuse us of certain crimes. Wait, is it wrong to say "we", and "us", and "certain people"? Oh crap, I'm going to get taken to a reeducation camp.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 12, 2005 07:18 PM (0yYS2)

6 Godamnit I knew it. I blogged about it the first day I heard about the cards. What a crock of crapnuts.

Posted by: Henry at September 12, 2005 07:50 PM (NdKxH)

7 damn can you edit trackbacks? Stupid thing didn't work right. I want you to delete my first two trackbacks please

Posted by: Henry at September 12, 2005 07:57 PM (NdKxH)

8 We had money deposited into our account and damn if my crack dealer didn't all his crack in the flood. But seriously, there will always be people who exploit the system, the reality is that the majority of us REALLY needed the help. Do you know how much a hotel room costs for a month....$54 for a 30 day stay!

Posted by: nina at September 28, 2005 07:16 PM (JTnis)

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For the first time, a human embryo has been created without a male DNA donor, scientists in Britain revealed today. The British press, though, is being careful not to call what was done 'cloning', for fear of public outcry, instead opting to use the eupemism of 'Parthenogenesis', Greek for 'virgin birth'.

Virgin conception? As if Christians weren't going to be offended enough that humans are being cloned for the first time, scientists and their allies in the press decide to name the procedure after a central tenent of the very faith the euphemism is intended not to offend. Brilliant.

But don't worry, scientists at Edingburgh's Roslyn Institute, made famous for cloning Dolly the sheep, are telling us, this isn't really cloning. Far from it.

The difference between 'virgin conception' and 'cloning'? If I understand the technical issues correctly, parthogenesis stimulates a human egg to start dividing like an embryo without the addition of any genetic material. In other words, the cell is induced to begin dividing, splitting, and then growing on its own. Only the mother's DNA is present, but it is the DNA contained in the original cell. The cells are not implanted.

Cloning is when you inject the mother's DNA into an egg to start the process, and then implant the egg into a host womb.

See the big difference here?

BBC has more here.

Posted by: Rusty at 03:37 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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This website has been silent on the Air America scandal. Frankly, it just didn't interest me. No longer. Let the next thousand years um be declared the Franken Millenium!

UPDATE: And yet again.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:53 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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If ever there was a case where the death penalty was called for, this is it. The suspects are still at large, but if it was me that found them.....

Osiel Hipolito's wife and unborn baby were also hurt. The baby was delivered later that same day. What do you say to a child who's birthday falls on the same day that her father was murdered?

AP:

A Navy sailor on leave from the war in Iraq was killed in a suspected gang shooting that also wounded his brother, pregnant wife, and the couple's unborn baby.

Osiel Hipolito, 20, was shopping at a strip mall near Compton with his wife and brother when he was assaulted by two men believed to be gang members, Sheriff's Deputy Scott Gage said.

"He goes to defend himself and one of the gang members draws a gun and begins shooting at the group," Gage said.

Hipolito was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The baby, a girl, was delivered prematurely with a leg wound. Hipolito's wife and brother were in stable condition, Gage said.

As in, "My father and this thing called a fetus--you know, this appendage attached to my mother which eventually became me, but wasn't really me until three hours later--were shot by gang members. My father died, but I survived. And by I, I mean the fetus which would become me, but wasn't me until several hours later. And by survived, I mean, well, er, I don't know, because how can something that is not legally alive survive anything?"

Posted by: Rusty at 04:21 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin: If the CIA slips me something and next week you don't see me, you'll all know what happened.

Via the curiously silent Ace of Spades HQ

Posted by: Rusty at 09:25 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
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Dead at 80

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Environmentalism as a religious creed is the new black of the Left. It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between religious nuts like this guy who says Katrina is God's retribution for the South's racism and environmental-mystics like the Minister of the Environment in Germany who blame every natural disaster on global warming, which, as we all know, is Chimpy-McBush's fault.

And I thought the Kennedy's were Roman Catholic? Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., though, looks like he has converted to the cult of blame-every-bad-thing-on-Bush-induced-global-warming cult.

Never mind that none of these prophets who claim to know the mind of God/Gaia/Mother Earth (insert deity here) bothered to check out the racial identity of those hardest hit by the hurricane or check out NOAA charts tracking the number of hurricanes over the years.

Somewhere, I'm sure, Fred Phelps is reading God's mind and finding that the true blame for Katrina's devestation rests squarely on the shoulders of the gays.

So, who or what is responsible for hurricane Katrina? I am. It was either suffer a terrible hurricane or blind. God told me so.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:36 AM | Comments (22) | Add Comment
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From The Paranoid Style:

Such a strange, strange world we live in now of David Duke praising Cindy Sheehan's scapegoating Israel.

George Bush who risked his presidency to free millions of Iraqis is to be the moral equivalent of Jefferson Davis — but perhaps is just as hated by the unhinged Right because he is not enough like their beloved Jefferson Davis.

Forcing imperial Japan to surrender is the same as terrorists blowing up the World Trade Center.

And stopping the genocide of Saddam and promoting constitutional government are warmongering.

And all this nonsense transpires in the midst of a war in which the only way we can lose is to turn on each other and give up.

VDH has identified the common thread that runs through all of these counterfeit pearls.

(Cross-posted by Demosophist to Demosophia)

Posted by: Demosophist at 01:00 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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