Charter Member of the Sub-Media

May 31, 2004

Not Good « Blogging »

I don't like the recent trend of this graph:

server2.gif

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Posted by Nathan at 10:20 AM | Comments (1)
Doing Our Job Duty « GWOT »

The military loves to "process" people. No matter where you go, you must go through "inprocessing" when you arrive, and "outprocessing" when you go. You go through the same sort of things for quarterly and annual training, medical check-ups, vaccinations.

I went through inprocessing when I arrived on station here. One apparently mandatory aspect of inprocessing is The Video of People Doing Cool Stuff to Get You Excited About Your Assignment. We had the obligatory testosterone shots of jets flashing past and bombs being dropped and impacting on tanks and fighting positions with impressive and lethal flashes of light and billows of smoke...

...but what moved me the most, what got me choked up, was simply the shots of people doing their jobs. Watching guys use pickaxes and shovels to dig trenches for cables and/or pipes. Seeing men and women synchronously lift tent poles to set the roof of the new chow hall tent. An airman in a grease-grimed uniform ducking under an engine to tighten a bolt on the underside of the wing. An NCO gently sliding the fuse into Mk 82 bomb.

The shots weren't staged; all the airmen seemed oblivious of the filming. I can only assume it was because they had a job to do that absorbed too much of their attention to waste time or energy being self-conscious.

We do our job. We do our job under conditions that would make most Americans quit in disgust. We do our jobs on holidays when we'd rather be home with our families. One co-worker called me "Holiday Man", because in a span of about 6 months the list of important dates I miss includes just about everything except Columbus Day: Anniversary, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, my birthday, my wife's birthday, Memorial Day, Father's Day, and Independence Day. We do our job even under fire, even if it means our lives are given. Our blood, sweat, and tears are spilled in the dust of the Middle East for you, for our families, and for our comrades.

At some point, it's no longer a job. At some point, it is a duty that we have undertaken, a burden that we shoulder. Why? Why us? Because we can. Because others will not. Because sometimes, someone just has to "take one for the team", and fairness and equality don't always enter into it.

That doesn't mean we are special, or different, or even heroes. Some of us join out of chance. Some of us join because it seems like the best choice at the time. Some of us join for purely selfish reasons, and only later grow into the responsibility. I know that for every one of us here, there are 10 people back home who would be willing, even eager, to take our place. But it is not to be. Your job is vital, too.

You must keep the nation for us. Give us something to come home to. Keep the economy humming so that we can afford to give the military pay raises and quality-of-life improvements and new, up-to-date equipment and top-notch training. Love your wives/husbands, teach your children. Vote for the candidate of your choice after you educate yourself. Keep the faith.

It's your duty.

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Posted by Nathan at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
» blogoSFERICS links with: Heroes
Deployment Issue « Music/Guitar »

So my laptop is not working, and that immediately wipes out about 4/5ths of my entertainment and "me-time" mood recovery activities: Jagged Alliance 2, Writing, Music (listening), and Music (composing/transcribing). That's contributed mightily to the general bad mood and crankiness that I hope I've prevented from affecting my posting too much...

I'm working on trying to get it fixed, but I've received no word yet.

That leaves me with my guitar.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:05 AM | Comments (0)
Caption Contest « Humor »

ca.jpg

"I'd like to feel her pain, if you know what I mean..."

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Posted by Nathan at 04:08 AM | Comments (7)
» blogoSFERICS links with: Elwood and Jake Reminisce
Disturbing, If True « Social Issues »

Via Drudge:

Those with conditions that can usually be corrected medically - such as deformed feet and cleft lips and palates - are instead being terminated.

And the number of abortions of Down's syndrome babies now outstrips live births, despite the fact that those with the condition can live a long and fulfilling life. As screening techniques improve, the trend is likely to grow - horrifying pro-life campaigners.

Shouldn't that horrify everyone? More below:

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Posted by Nathan at 02:03 AM | Comments (1)

May 30, 2004

Linked for the Title

Elena Dementieva Downs Lindsay Davenport at French Open.

Cuz, yanno, she was crazy out there. She showed mad tennis skills.

And is it just me, but isn't all this discussion of "love" and "scoring" in relation to something called the "French Open" sound like yet another SSM advocacy gathering?

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Posted by Nathan at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
This Just In: « GWOT »

General Franco is still dead, and Muqtada al-Sadr is still an untrustworthy fool.

Please note the paragraph stating:

The US-led coalition has said it was not a party to the agreement, but would suspend offensive operations to give the deal a chance to bring peace to Najf.

The US had no reason to go along with the agreement. We have al-Sadr on the run and we could have pressed our advantage. But we haven't really pressed any advantage we've gained yet. Why?

Because we are teaching them. We are not imposing order as much as encouraging maturity: fight and die, or assimilate and live.

I'm sure we are still pursuing leads in military intelligence to locate ringleaders and weapons locations. But it seems that we are content to wait for them to attack us before we take them out.

It makes some sense, on some levels. I'm not sure I would have the confidence to advocate this method. But I can see that if I had a foster child who had been severely physically abused, I might choose a more patient, non-reactive, certainly non-violent response to that child acting out. Yes, I realize this is more serious than that, that our soldiers are dying in following this plan. But don't police officers do the same thing? Don't Peacekeepers do the same thing? Haven't we, at some unspecified point, changed our mission from major combat to peacekeeping? It sure seems like it from this vantage, and no, they don't keep me in the loop; I'm guessing as much as anyone else is.

If I'm correct, then we are showing restraint and patience to demonstrate that attacking only brings death, but those who don't attack won't be pursued....for now. It implies that amnesty might be possible for those who lay down their arms and begin helping rebuild the nation. It shows that we are not an occupying force trying to insidiously make Iraq dependent on us enough to steal oil. It lends credence to the oft-repeated intent to leave as soon as Iraq is peaceful and stable. It gives them the chance to learn there are other ways to seek goals other than fighting and killing.

We'll see. We've shown remarkable restraing over the last month, and all over Southeast Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr is being blamed for the violence and the damaged mosques, not the US. This is the only explanation I can think of...and it does seem to be working....

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Posted by Nathan at 10:04 AM | Comments (0)
Friendly Fire Likely Killed Tillman « GWOT »

A tragedy, yes.
Full text in the extended entry.

I'm really not sure what else to say about it. From the report, it is my understanding that his actions were still heroic, and still saved lives in his platoon. It wasn't a case of a bomb going off course or badly-aimed fire coming from behind, it was an engagement in which both sides thought the other was the enemy in a condition of bad lighting and visibility restriction.

...I just didn't want to ignore the story, even if I have nothing significant to say about it...

Read More "Friendly Fire Likely Killed Tillman" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:28 AM | Comments (1)

May 29, 2004

I Don't Know What To Say « Social Issues »

This is just weird.

Excerpt:

John became the first person in Britain to be charged with inciting his own murder.

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Posted by Nathan at 01:23 PM | Comments (1)
You Heard it Here First « Quotes You Can Steal »

"The news media used to tell us what we wanted to know; now they tell us what they want us to hear."

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Posted by Nathan at 01:19 PM | Comments (0)
Journalism vs. Blogging « Stuff Important to Me »

Zombyboy asked an excellent question in this post, opining that despite all the self-congratulatory back-patting, "blogging" doesn't rise to a level that can be considered "journalism". The discussion got going pretty good, and some excellent points were made.

Something else came to me recently, but I don't want to post it there because it's been so long, no one would have seen it but Zombyboy.

So here goes:

Read More "Journalism vs. Blogging" »

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Posted by Nathan at 11:45 AM | Comments (4)
» resurrectionsong links with: Because I Don't Want You to Miss It...

May 28, 2004

So Why Even Ask? « GWOT »

Or post the pictures, if you aren't going to do anything about it?

Hmmm...could the agents have been busy investigating a different sinister gathering?

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Posted by Nathan at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
Happy Birthday To Me! « Stuff Important to Me »

I passed my mid-30s sometime over the last few weeks...

...I didn't really talk about it, well, because I guess I'm slightly paranoid about identity theft, and I don't want to make it easy on anyone.

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Posted by Nathan at 08:55 AM | Comments (9)
David St. Hubbins Mulls His Surprising Emotional Stability « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation."

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Posted by Nathan at 07:44 AM | Comments (1)

May 27, 2004

Frank Drebin Explains « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith."

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Posted by Nathan at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)
Just Askin' « Politics As Usual »

...how come we never hear about Wesley Clark anymore?

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Posted by Nathan at 10:57 AM | Comments (3)
Dr. Thornton Poole Reveals His Oral Fixation « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"She seems to have such nicely rounded diphthongs!"

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Posted by Nathan at 08:40 AM | Comments (1)
Reviews of Former Vice President's Insane Rant in Five Words or Less: « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

Nation Lucky Gore's Not President.

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Posted by Nathan at 08:07 AM | Comments (0)

May 26, 2004

The War In Iraq: Progress Report « GWOT »

I really can't go into specifics, much. I hate jail time, yanno? So I'll just give you an overall impression instead, okay?

I'm surprised, disconcerted, upset, and disappointed in how the conflict has progressed since I left right at the beginning of the year. I left this place in pretty good shape, and when I come back, just look at the mess everyone made of it in my absence!

No, seriously, I really thought that capturing Saddam would be a turning point, and I even predicted that things would be largely calm by March at the latest. Obviously, I was absolutely wrong.

But I do try to point out: in matters of serious import, when you have an opponent actively trying to stymie your efforts, the best-laid plans do often go awry. Sometimes ours has.

And yet, it also hasn't.

Where is the nation-wide uprising of Iraqis who reject our presence? We've avoided that pretty well. Where's the reign of death and destruction in the United States to repay the indignation of having a leading Muslim leader deposed and/or humiliated? Absent, but not from their lack of trying. Where is the huge Shia-Sunni civil war? It's been more than a year, and there hasn't been one yet...not even close, actually. There's actually more of split among the Shias right now, with Muqtada al-Sadr leading a group of uneducated, pessimistic thugs only on the basis of a message of hate and anger...

See, I was frustrated we didn't squash Muqtada like a grape when he started causing problems. He took advantage of the negative press regarding Fallujah to create a ruckus that would increase opportunities for negative, anti-US press. We tried all sorts of methods to get him to back down, but he has stubbornly hung on. As recently as a week ago, it looked like he was expanding the fight against us, attracting followers, and gaining ground.

And then over the course of one weekend, our slow, patient, indirect methods started bearing fruit. Muqtada al-Sadr's star is waning, and waning fast....and we did it without having to destroy a mosque, bomb a village, and much of the population of Iraq blames Muqtada al-Sadr for the hardships/disruptions to their lives engendered by the conflict with al-Sadr.

Heck, Sistani (the leading Shia leader, one who insists on a proportional representative government to ensure Shias can dominate the political scene) even approved the nomination of a moderate Sunni to be the Interim President appointed to take over on 30 June until the first elections.

My point is that a more direct engagement with the insurgents might be cathartic and satisfying, but would result in little progress in the region. We need to:
1) Ensure a smooth transition to an Iraqi government that the Iraqis recognize and credible and legitimate
2) Train Iraqi police and military forces to provide security for themselves, with us only in an advisory role
3) Prevent any destabilization movement from gaining significant traction

We've made progress in each of those areas. While things are not as good as I had hoped they would be at this point, things are also far better than news media and left-leaning pundits have predicted before the war, immediately after the war, and even several times since then.

President Bush might not have the situation to the point you expect. Before you blame him for it, remember that things are far more stable and positive than our opponents hoped and work for.

It's a tug-of-war, and while we haven't dragged them into the mud yet, the ribbon on the rope is slowly moving in our direction.

Read More "The War In Iraq: Progress Report" »

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Posted by Nathan at 07:38 PM | Comments (0)
» blogoSFERICS links with: 'No Battle Plan Survives First Contact With the Enemy'
» resurrectionsong links with: What I'm Reading While I'm Not Writin'
Jagged Alliance 2 and the FN-FAL « Stuff Important to Me »

This has been a part of my life for so long now, I can't believe I haven't really blogged about it before.

Read More "Jagged Alliance 2 and the FN-FAL" »

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Posted by Nathan at 01:47 PM | Comments (1)
Mood

My, I'm in a foul mood today.

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Posted by Nathan at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)
» Accidental Verbosity links with: Ugh.
The Definitive Blogosphere Map « Blogging »

Unfortunately, not clickable...

map.bmp

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Posted by Nathan at 02:39 AM | Comments (0)

May 25, 2004

Want Hits? « Blogging »

Maybe...but not enough to post gratuitous references to the name of the girl below.
But I gotta say: she's not unattractive in appearance.

It's unfortunate the same probably cannot be said of her character. Ah, well, there are probably even less savory people out there in the blogosphere, too...

The more I learn, the more I regret putting the pictures up. So they're gone. In their place, plese find the complete text of an excellent Michelle Malking piece regarding this issue. (Jo, she doesn't write "like a man" in this one...)

Read More "Want Hits?" »

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Posted by Nathan at 04:24 PM | Comments (3)
Still More "Letters From the Front" « GWOT »

This one via Rae.

The Whole Thing.

Excerpt One:

You would be very proud of the Marines as they have been able to switch gears from intense offensive operations back to what we call "stability operations." Stability operations simply translates to getting out into the countryside and teaching Iraqi Police and soldiers how to do their jobs. More importantly, our priority is just making contact with them and trying to instill a sense of confidence and pride in what they are doing. As I have shared with you over the past 15 months or so, it is hard to imagine trying to establish a police force or "national guard" (the equivalent of what we are working with) out of a population that has never even seen such entities as we understand them. If you said National Guard in Missouri, most people would think "the guys who show up when there is a flood, blizzard or tornado to help people." Or maybe after 9/11, that guy at the drug store who left for Iraq for a year as part of an engineer unit.

Here, they simply have no paradigm of what such a force is.

Excerpt Two:

The enemy is confused right now. He goes to bed convinced he is going to win because he watches the Al Jazeera and then the US media and believes that we are a weak willed people who can be terrorized and who have a penchant for self-loathing. Then, he wakes up and he comes across a coalition check point and he sees a young Soldier or Marine who stands there like a rock and exudes strength and conviction. The same terrorist who was in the mosque the night before in a frenzy is now subjugated by the presence of a guy who does not match up with what he has been told and sees on TV. It must be confusing as all get out. Every day, he will continue to see in three dimensions the best that our society has to offer and their is no amount of sound bites that will trump that in the end.

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Posted by Nathan at 01:07 PM | Comments (1)
More "Letters From the Front" « GWOT »

This one via Tony Woodlief.

The Whole thing for you to read

The Excerpt:

So, the Iraqis here say that now that the Sunni's are in Abu Ghraib, they tell me it's "God's judgment." And how do the Kurds feel about it? Yawns all around. It is only the liberal American media who will just not let this thing go. I still tell folks, however, that this scandal doesn't represent what is great about America. But they follow up by saying, "What about justice for those who did this to us under Saddam? There is no justice for them!"

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Posted by Nathan at 01:01 PM | Comments (1)
Fixing Our Nation « Politics As Usual »

So what's wrong with our nation?

Read More "Fixing Our Nation" »

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Posted by Nathan at 11:39 AM | Comments (1)
101 Great Books « Stuff Important to Me »

Just one of the meme's floating around the blogosphere...

You can see the list here.

So the bloggers print the list and highlight the ones they've read. My list? Glad you asked:

Read More "101 Great Books" »

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Posted by Nathan at 10:58 AM | Comments (1)
A Response « Social Issues »

Stumpjumper tries to seize the moral high ground on Same-Sex Marriage here.

Here's his argument:

Gay marriage has been an important topic for me for several years. I have talked it to death both in realtime and here on the blog. Last night, while discussing it with a gay friend, I realized that the entire debate can be reduced to one word. It is in this one, little, four-letter word that the opponents of same-sex marriage will find themselves on the losing side of history. Proponents and supporters of gay marriage use this word every time that they discuss the issue. They consider it to be a cornerstone of the debate. They feel that the debate cannot exist without it. More importantly, it is the reason why this is a civil rights issue. It is the reason why homosexuals do not have the same rights as heterosexuals. The truth of this lies in the fact that opponents of gay marriage avoid the word. They explain their position and espouse their message of doom-and-gloom while specifically refusing to utter it. They talk around it, they neglect it, and they often deny its obvious relevance and importance to the debate. The word, quite simply, is love.

Normally I'd just leave a comment. But since my response is rather inflammatory, it's probably best if I post it on my site rather than venting my irritation on their blog.

Read More "A Response" »

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Posted by Nathan at 10:16 AM | Comments (18)
President Bush's Speech, 24 May « GWOT »

The text.

An approving response.

A not-so-approving response.

All from the National Review Online.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:42 AM | Comments (0)

May 24, 2004

Hitting the Wall « Stuff Important to Me »

I dunno. It seems I've hit it awfully early this deployment. I've hardly been gone two weeks.

What I mean is the wall of loneliness/isolation. I have two co-workers here, but they work the other two shifts. I interact with the air crews, but only to give them briefings.

At home, I have co-workers to joke with, kids to play with, a wife to talk to in bed at night.

Here? A laptop computer, a guitar, and this blog.

[sigh]

I'll be okay, but I can't wait to get home. Only about 6 weeks to go...

Read More "Hitting the Wall" »

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Posted by Nathan at 06:25 PM | Comments (4)
An Interesting Prediction « Politics As Usual »
Here's how it's all going to come down in the end. There'll be some sort of "October Racial Surprise," something like the Trent Lott remark perhaps, and so the turnout campaign in African-American neighborhoods, well greased with campaign cash and supported by ads in African-American newspapers (the grateful publishers of which are most assuredly in a position to do many favors for their Representatives in Congress), will be able to scream and yell about what awful racists the Republicans are, and convince apathetic base voters to go to the polls after all.

We'll have to see if it comes true. If it does, how will it affect your political views?

Visually digest all the stuff.

Link via Dodd at Ipse Dixit

Update:
Evidence.

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Posted by Nathan at 08:46 AM | Comments (5)
Heimlich Expresses a Willingness to Help « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"Ach! Candy Corn! Let me help you to eat it!"

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Posted by Nathan at 07:06 AM | Comments (0)
A Law Enforcement Icon Expresses His Regret Over His Inability to Accept His Rival's World View « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"You are a sad, strange little man. You have my pity. Farewell"

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Posted by Nathan at 06:54 AM | Comments (0)

May 23, 2004

Writing Problems « Writing »

Have you noticed I haven't triumphantly proclaimed a word-completion total for my novel lately? There's a good reason for that.

Read More "Writing Problems" »

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Posted by Nathan at 07:40 PM | Comments (3)

May 22, 2004

Speaking of Colors

Roses are red blue. WTF?

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Posted by Nathan at 07:44 PM | Comments (0)
Query « Blogging »

Colors?

Comment.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:38 PM | Comments (4)
I'm Somebody Now! « Blogging »
The new blogmap's here! The new blogmap's here! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity I need. My name in print. That really makes me somebody. Things are going to start happening to me now.

--Navin R. Johnson

That's some dang fine company. I'm touched and honored.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:09 PM | Comments (5)

May 21, 2004

Kerry Picks Up Another Endorsement « Politics As Usual »

Sort of

A pole poll of the strippers indicated they'd already had all the Bush the current President they could bare bear. They seemed to feel that the President was a pasty patsy for (massage) oil interests lubrication production the petroleum industry. Interestingly, their feigned arousal responses did indicate a strong interest in Dick Vice President Cheney.

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Posted by Nathan at 10:49 AM | Comments (3)
» resurrectionsong links with: Nathan Gets All Naughty

May 20, 2004

Yeah, But I Don't See Liberals Giving Up Lattes Any Time Soon « Social Issues »

Check it out.

Via The [Liberal] Conspiracy to Keep You Poor and Stupid

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Posted by Nathan at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
True To His Word « Link O' Admiration »

Yes

That's why I support him fully.

Via Kevin at his new digs. I like 'em, dude.

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Posted by Nathan at 01:28 PM | Comments (1)
I Like President Bush, but... « Politics As Usual »

That seems to be a common refrain as I trip lightly through the blogosphere.

"I like President Bush, but..."

...but I don't like some of his spending proposals.
...but I don't like his stance on SSM marriage.
...but I don't like his restraint in Iraq.
...but whatever.

See, I don't feel that way. At this point, I haven't seen a single decision he's made that I didn't like. About the only differences I've had with him are based on information that has come to light long after the fact, i.e., I really wish he'd chosen someone with more integrity and leadership ability than Colin Powell for Secretary of State.
I look at the Justice Department, and despite some pointless whining from people who are reacting to the idea of John Ashcroft as A.G., I see a department in far better shape and far more effective than under Janet Reno. He's made some blunders and mistakes, but no major ones, and no one's perfect.
I didn't really like Bush saying he'd sign an extension to the Assault Weapons Ban if it were put in front of him, but I can't say that really bothers me that much. First, I figure the extension has less than a 10% chance of making it to him. Second, I've still been able to buy any gun I've wanted; the only appreciable difference the assault weapon ban makes is the price of high-cap magazines. Not worth getting my panties in a wad.
I would really prefer that Bush would replace Paul Bremer, personally. Paul was an improvement, but certain trends have become problematic, as can happen when someone is in place too long. Put someone in with a fresh perspective who can correct some of the things that have gone off the wire, I say. But then, I don't think that rises to the level of a "criticism", because I recognize that President Bush is at the top of perhaps the most extensive and richest information flow in the world, something I am a part of and yet not fully privy to. I'm willing to express my opinion but not to the point of asserting I know more on any issue of national security than he does. I'm willing to be patient and see how it turns out.

Bluntly: there is not another person in the world who could get my vote for President this November. Sure, maybe he wasn't the perfect man for the circumstances in which we find ourselves...but it would be impossible to determine who that mythical "perfect" person might be. In my opinion, President Bush has done an excellent job of approximating the ideal President. I approve of and support everything he has done and said, wholeheartedly.

If that qualifies me as an idiot, so be it.

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Posted by Nathan at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
Say it Isn't So! « Link O' Admiration »

Ace has the scoop on liberal writer who almost goes off message regarding WMD.

Scan copious amounts of writing.

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Posted by Nathan at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)
» IndustrialBlog links with: What the hell...
Thoughts on Marriage « Social Issues »

Ignore the premise, and pay attention to the insight.

To accept her argument as valid, you have to restrict SSM-advocates to only one aspect of their argument. I don't. However, I do think she does understand what forms the basis of a successful marriage:

Viewing love as mutual affection has created the unrealistic expectation that we can judge the strength of our unions by our feelings. Many straight people hold this view. We stay married as long as we like the way we feel with the other person. But basing marriage upon mere feelings is a recipe for divorce — because feelings are fickle.

The alternative is to view love as a decision. To love is to will and to do the good of the other. This understanding of love sustains us, to the benefit of the whole family, children and parents alike.

Oh, yah: the link

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Posted by Nathan at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
Kris Kristofferson's Notebook (Excerpt) « Humor »

"floppy brim" is just another word for "Easy for the wind to blow off your head"

"Democrat Politician" is just another word for "Out of touch with reality"

"French" is just another word for "Cheese-eating Surrender Monkey"

"Brain Fertilizer" is just another word for "Sexy as the day is long"

"Freedom" is just another word for "Nothing left to lose"

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Posted by Nathan at 11:24 AM | Comments (1)
Top Ten Annoying Commercial Slogans « Humor »

10. "Where's the Beef?"
9. "Calgon, take me away!"
8. "Gentlemen prefer Hanes."
7. "All Tempa-Cheer!"
6. "Finger lickin' good!"
5. "Continental Airlines--we really move our tail for you!"
4. "Flick of my Bick"
3. "Her Windsong stays on my mind."
2. "A totally organic experience."
1. "Ancient Chinese Secret, huh?"

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Posted by Nathan at 07:51 AM | Comments (13)

May 19, 2004

Frank Ramsey Contributes to Interservice Rivalry « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"I expect and demand your very best. Anything less, you should have joined the Air Force."

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Posted by Nathan at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
Chris Knight Reveals His Helpful Side « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"If there's ever anything I can do for you . . . or more to the point, to you, you let me know, okay?"

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Posted by Nathan at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
Another Football Hero « Social Issues »

Tony Richardson.

"You don't achieve anything by looking backward."

It makes me feel proud to be his fan.

Let me know if the link doesn't work.

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Posted by Nathan at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
» Emigre With Digital Cluebat links with: A hero of another kind
Open Letters, Re: WMD « GWOT »

Dear Hans Blix,
You didn't find the sarin gas shell. In fact, you didn't find anything. You do realize you have zero credibility on this issue, right? Return to obscurity, pawn.

Dear Members of the Political Left,
You said the war wasn't justified because there was no evidence of a WMD program in Iraq. We found mobile labs and precursors that possibly had civilian uses...but weren't being used for those civilian purposes, and could be used to produce WMD at the press of a button.
But that wasn't good enough for you. You insisted the war wasn't justified because we hadn't found any actual WMD delivery vehicles. We found several empty warheads...no reason for Saddam to keep them unless he might want to use them right?
But that wasn't good enough for you. You insisted the war wasn't justified because we hadn't found any actual WMD. We have now found both mustard gas and sarin gas still in the shells.
But that wasn't good enough for you, either. You now insist the war wasn't justified because the shells were degraded with age and we haven't found a stockpile. Will anything ever be good enough for you?
Your superhero, Hans Blix, couldn't find anything. The military did. Clearly, the inspections were not working.
You claim "Bush Lied" or at least "misled". It's time to admit that you are the ones being dishonest on this issue.

Dear Members of the Mainstream News Media,
The evidence given by SecState Powell in his address to the UN was based largely on visual evidence of Iraq moving WMD; the indicators were in the presence of decontamination trucks and the like, because if Saddam hadn't been moving the WMD in an attempt to conceal the WMD from the inspectors, we would not have had the satellite photos.
Still, Hans Blix could not find WMD. But the terrorists stumbled across some, which resulted in an inadvertant discovery by our soldiers. WMD has been found in Iraq in the hands of terrorists. How did it get there? Obviously, it was either concealed by Saddam to be found only by chance (again, inspections not working), or were delivered directly to the terrorists/former regime loyalists for safekeeping. Either way, President Bush is at least partially vindicated. Why aren't we hearing this from any of you? Why aren't you providing some sort of analysis of this issue? Why don't you do your job? Are you too busy trying to ensure President Bush is not re-elected? "Objectivity" is just a nonsense-sound to you, isn't it?

Dear SecState Powell,
I'd heard that you tended to cover your posterior, politically-speaking. I guess it makes sense, since most Generals must be politically savvy and self-protective to make that level of rank. It's no wonder you are the Left's favorite Republican.
Thus, it is sweet irony to me that the very same week you try to protect your reputation and distance yourself from President Bush by telling Tim Russert your briefing to the UN on WMD was apparently mistaken, we encounter actual WMD in Iraq. Yes, it's not a stockpile indicative of an active WMD program. It's also still significant enough that your retraction makes you look pretty stupid. I'm very glad you won't be around as Secretary of State any more. If you worried more about integrity than reputation, your department might have had some more successes.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 07:02 AM | Comments (2)
Mr. Kerber Narrows It Down « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »

"Remember to memorize pages 39 through 110 for tomorrow's lesson."

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Posted by Nathan at 05:40 AM | Comments (0)

May 18, 2004

Fun With Google, Pt 3499 « Blogging »

I'm #2 and #7 for Google searches for "Sean Kinsell". Umm, dude, he's over here (#1 in the search, as it should be).

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
Aw, Crap

Sterling Sharpe is a month younger than me.

I know that doesn't make much difference...I mean Tom Brady is years younger, and I'll probably never accomplish as much as Tom did in his first 2 years in the NFL.

But every once in a while, these things hit home.

Dangit.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 11:11 AM | Comments (1)
Societalist? Responsibilist? Consequensalist? « Social Issues »

One thing that is near and dear to me:
I want a mature society for our country. I want our society to reverse the trend toward isolation and "privacy" and regain interconnectedness. I want to restore standards of decency and conduct. But please, before you react, read what those words mean to me:

Read More "Societalist? Responsibilist? Consequensalist?" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
Chandler Jarrell Turns Down an Offer of Employment « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »
And, it's your destiny to seek some serious psychiatric help.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:08 AM | Comments (1)
Otto West Receives an Explanation on His Location on the Bell Curve « Meme Stolen from Jeff G. »
Oh, right, to call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you! I've worn dresses with higher I.Q.s!

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:04 AM | Comments (3)
Fun With Google, Pt 3498 « Blogging »

I'm #6 on a Google Search for "Site Very Important".

The only thing is, it's from the French Google.

Thanks. I think.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 08:04 AM | Comments (0)
A New Low « Politics As Usual »

The Democrat Party, the Party of "Yeargh!" and Al Sharpton and Cynthia McKinney and Michael Moore, have a new embarassment:

The Ohio Democratic Party has named raunchy former talk show host Jerry Springer as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Boston, the Associated Press reports:

"He's made 50 appearances at Democratic events this year. He's been an outspoken advocate for the party," said Dan Trevas, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party.

The party also named Springer "Democrat of the Year." Imagine how humiliating this was to the runner-up.

From Monday's Best of the Web

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Posted by Nathan at 05:31 AM | Comments (1)
Can't Think of a Title « Social Issues »

Great post by one of my favorite thinkers over here. I really think Sean should be a leading voice in our society, and will become so if he chooses that path...

One thing I wish I could get across clearly to the rest of you want to emphasize and make absolutely clear:
1) I don't approve of homosexual behavior; I cannot condone or approve of something I feel is sinful behavior.
2) It doesn't matter if I don't approve, any more than it matters that I don't approve of people trying to get rich using the Stock Market (which I also consider sinful), or that I consider the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be heretical.
3) Disapproval of a belief or behavior does not equate to disapproval of the person.
4) Get over it, and get over yourself. (getting over myself, first)

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 03:13 AM | Comments (3)

May 17, 2004

WMD Found In Iraq « GWOT »

Several similar reports.

At the very least, this represents a major development in the evolution of tactics used against Coalition Forces.


Update:
This report goes a little deeper; however, I disagree with some of its conclusions. Even if this shell dates back to prior to the first gulf war, I think its presence is more than an oversight (oops! forgot to destroy one!), and signifies a deliberate effort to retain WMD, which is a further material breach of Resolution 1441 and absolutely satisfies all given objections to invading Iraq.

Update II:
Hm. A definitive coverage on the Sarin gas shell can be found at Citizen Smash's

Read More "WMD Found In Iraq" »

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Posted by Nathan at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
Was I Wrong About the Ghraib Prison Abuse? « GWOT »

Phil Carter of Intel Dump has some good stuff regarding the Prison Abuses in Iraq in his post on 15 May.

If the sources are correct, and if his analysis is accurate, then I'm wrong about Gen. Karpinski, and Rumsfeld should step down. However, this is still in the early stages, and I'm not willing to concede anything; my assertions may still bear out. We'll see.

But like the Nick Berg story, this raises more questions than it answers.


Update:
This seems to answer the allegations well, in my opinion.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 06:34 AM | Comments (6)

May 16, 2004

What's Up With the Ecosystem? « Blogging »

Here are my stats for the last few days from NZ Bear's Ecosystem:

2004-05-16 1943 38 36 
2004-05-15 1943 38 36 
2004-05-14 1943 38 36 
2004-05-13 1943 38 36 
2004-05-12 1943 38 36 

Yep, that's right: no change for the last 5 days. Now, I know I have at least two new unique links that aren't showing up...and even with no new linkage, there is still some variation of position, usually.

All I can say is: Hmmm.....

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:25 PM | Comments (4)
Well, Whaddya Know? « Blogging »

My Blog comes up #4 in a Google Search with the words "Nathan Brilliant".

Thanks, people. I couldn't have done it without you. Really, you are too kind.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
Mother's Day Post, Revisited « Media Distortions »

A few comments were left regarding this post last week.

They were left while I was in transit, and I wanted to take some time to respond to them more fully, so I didn't get to it until now.

Read More "Mother's Day Post, Revisited" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:28 PM | Comments (4)
Interconnected Rogue States « GWOT »

Interesting.

There will need to be an accounting for both nations, at some point. Now isn't the proper time, because we are fully occupied in Afghanistan and Iraq. 2005 or -6 might be a real possibility for either one, though.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:31 AM | Comments (0)
Homosexual Blogcest « Link O' Admiration »

With a title like that, you have to read the post, dontcha?

Read More "Homosexual Blogcest" »

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Posted by Nathan at 06:01 AM | Comments (10)
» cut on the bias links with: John the Unrepentent Homophobe

May 15, 2004

Objective Reporting? « Media Distortions »

Can't find it at the New York Times, obviously.

...and here's one example.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)
How Democrats Think
"Senator McCain would not have to leave his party," Mr. Kerrey said. "He could remain a Republican, would be given some authority over selection of cabinet people. The only thing he would have to do is say, `I'm not going to appoint any judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade,' " the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, which Mr. McCain has said he opposes.

See, the Democrats think it perfectly natural and normal for someone to sell out their ideals for a chance to seize power. Clinton did it by "triangulating": a blatant deliberate move to the center to win swing voters. Gore did it by "reinventing" himself every few months (...I still can't believe the "non-"liberal news media let him get away with that), Leiberman suddenly "forgot" his objections to Hollywood when he agreed to become Gore's running mate, Kucinich suddenly discovered he had a lifelong desire to support abortion rights when he decided to run for President, and Kerry's contortions to try and say what he thinks voters want to hear are the stuff of legend.

Why anyone ever votes Democrat is beyond me. It's like putting a "Kick Me" sign on your own back.

...but there are people who can't break up with someone who abuses them, too, so I guess there's precedent...

...the whole thing

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:16 AM | Comments (1)
Evidence: Iraq Connection to 9/11 « GWOT »
Evidence is “something that indicates,” according to Webster’s. Proof is “conclusive demonstration.” The report of a well-regarded allied intelligence service that a 9/11 hijacker appeared to have met with an Iraqi intelligence agent a few months before the attacks is certainly evidence of an Iraqi connection.

...snip...

Iraq was indeed involved in those assaults. There is considerable information to that effect, described in this piece and elsewhere. They include Iraqi documents discovered by U.S. forces in Baghdad that U.S. officials have not made public.

Peruse the entire piece.

Thanks to Dodd Harris

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
Increasing Wireless Internet Opportunities

Can anyone think of why this might be a bad idea? I can't.

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Posted by Nathan at 06:50 AM | Comments (0)
Coercion Banned in Iraqi Prisons « GWOT »
Under a barrage of international and domestic criticism, the top U.S. commander in Iraq has banned virtually all coercive interrogation practices, such as forcing prisoners to crouch for long periods or depriving them of sleep, the Pentagon announced on Friday.

Personally, I fear that it will turn out to be a mistake, but I can understand why they made this decision...

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 06:48 AM | Comments (2)
An Exit Strategy...of Sorts... « GWOT »
COALITION forces will leave Iraq if the new interim government asks them.

The United States, UK, Italy, and Japan made their position clear following a meeting of the Group of Eight foreign ministers in Washington.

You may, if you wish, peruse the entire piece.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)
Don't Read This Post « Puns »

CNN/Reuters: News reports have filtered out early this morning that US forces have swooped on an Iraqi Primary School and detained 6th Grade teacher Mohammed Al-Hazar. Sources indicate that, when arrested, Al- Hazar was in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and a calculator. US President George W Bush immediately stated that this was clear and overwhelming evidence that Iraq did indeed possess weapons of maths instruction.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 06:08 AM | Comments (2)

May 14, 2004

Worth Reading « Social Issues »

I don't agree with all of it, of course. Some of it I do. Some of you will hate it, since it's Derb. Some of you will refuse to read it.

Which would be a shame. There's good food for thought here

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 04:33 PM | Comments (1)
» The White Peril links with: I like the way you cross the street 'cause you're...precious
Provoking Thought « Social Issues »

Who does it better than Susanna?
Read this and this.

And this, too.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
Summary of Ghraib Abuses « GWOT »

Spartacus has the goods.

You know the drill.

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Posted by Nathan at 03:25 PM | Comments (0)
Nick Berg « GWOT »

I guess I wouldn't to go so far as saying Nick Berg is dirty...

...but the more we learn, the more perplexing his story seems.

The Commissar has a good summation, including links to articles at Wizbangblog and Chronwatch.

My own early gut-reaction is that Nick was a useful idiot to the terrorists, and they used him as an unwitting sacrificial lamb. I think he agreed to help, and didn't realize the caliber of the men he was dealing with.

...but I could be wrong. There may be a rational explanation for his 2-degrees of separation with Moussaoui, but I can't think of one off-hand. His continued presence in Iraq is rather questionable, as well.

I don't know. We may never know the truth.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
Anecdote From the Trip Over « Militaria »

Okay, so there I was, in the Congo...no, wait, that wasn't me...

Anyway, when we deploy, the Air Force has something they call the "Troop Commander": the poor sap who gets stuck with making sure the whole trip goes smoothly and everyone arrives at the appointed locations at the appointed times. It is usually the highest ranking person who can't get out of it. So Flight Docs and even aircrew in non-aircrew positions don't have to do it, and that means I've been Troop Commander on every deployment flight except one.

I've never had a problem before...

Read More "Anecdote From the Trip Over" »

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Posted by Nathan at 03:02 PM | Comments (1)
Letter From the Front « GWOT »

Thanks, Rae, for sharing this with us.

Excerpt:

Read More "Letter From the Front" »

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Posted by Nathan at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)

May 13, 2004

More Musings on the Abuse of Prisoners in Iraq « GWOT »

When the pictures of the abuse of prisoners by the military in Iraq first surfaced, I advanced the idea that a large contributing factor was "Mob Mentality". By this, I mean that the idea of abuse was something that grew almost on its own, and may be impossible to assign to one person. It was the result of "egging on" and "spirit of the moment" that can happen to anyone under the right circumstances. It is the sort of thing that leads to riots, excessive hazing, excessive teasing, and the like. It is humanity at its worst. However, the abuses went on so long and went so far precisely because everyone involved lacked the courage to stand up and say, "This is wrong! Knock it off!", and so I absolutely blame the individuals involved.

I also blame the leaders who bore the responsibility to keep the prisoners safe and the authority to ensure it, but did not.

But there is another factor that I did not really discuss earlier.

Read More "More Musings on the Abuse of Prisoners in Iraq" »

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Posted by Nathan at 07:30 PM | Comments (5)
Yeah « GWOT »

Not only "Yeah", but "Hell, Yeah!"

And this, too.

Via Bill

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Posted by Nathan at 11:05 AM | Comments (1)
» resurrectionsong links with: Take the Time
» Spartacus links with: Putting things in perspective...
Reporting Anything That Supports Conservatives Is Inethical « Media Distortions »

At least, that's the only conclusion that can be made from watching the "non-" liberal news media fall all over themselves in their haste to publicize photographs of US servicemembers abusing prisoners, and yet minimize any publicity of Nick Berg's execution.

Heck, where are all the people who were saying we should show coffins of US soldiers? Shouldn't they at least be urging the "non-" liberal news media to show the execution with the more graphic parts blurred?

I'm guessing we won't see that happen. It is becoming more and more difficult to deny that the left is cold-bloodedly attempting to manipulate coverage of the deaths of Americans for political gain.

Here's a deeper look at the issue. Take a look.

(Link via Jeff G.)

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 06:50 AM | Comments (0)

May 12, 2004

10 Things I Know About « Link O' Admiration »

I hadn't seen this meme yet. But I like it.

So. What are the top ten things I know more about than is probably healthy (in no particular order)?

Read More "10 Things I Know About" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:22 PM | Comments (5)
General Announcement III « GWOT »

I appreciate all the well-wishes. It warms my heart to see the out-pouring of good will...

...however, I do want to clarify: I'm so far behind the front lines, I'm in virtually no danger. I'm probably in more danger during my morning commute back home than I am here.
They take pretty good care of us: internet access, video games, movies, activities, hot food, air-conditioned rooms, decent coffee...they even have a Pizza Hut, Subway, Baskin Robbins, and several coffee/espresso huts around.

The last time I was here (just a few scant months ago...!), we still lived in tents with only a sheet separating you from your tent-mates, no way to turn on the light without disturbing someone sleeping on another shift, and only about 40 sq ft of personal space.
Now it's more like 100 sq feet in a private room. Definitely a step up!

I will never encounter or even see the enemy. I am in no danger whatsoever. I am a part of the military machine, but I'm several inches back from the point of the spear. I am support.

I am proud of what I do, and I do it darn well, and I have a significant role in keeping some of our pilots safe. But there really is no need to worry about me.

...now my next assignment (I'll find out what it is within about 6 months) might be different. We'll see. And "here's hoping!" [grin]

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:16 PM | Comments (3)
» A Likely Story links with: Something Special in the Air
General Announcement II « Blogging »

Oh, yeah:
I won't be able to check my yahoo account very often, if at all, for a while. Leave a message in the comments if you really need to get in touch with me...

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:26 AM | Comments (4)
General Announcement « GWOT »

Okay, I've arrived safely in Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I apologize for not giving you much warning, but it's the regs...

...anyway, posting will resume soon.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 09:11 AM | Comments (2)
» Your Daily Prescott links with: Wishing nathan well
» blogoSFERICS links with: Back in the Sandbox

May 09, 2004

Mother's Day Post « Social Issues »

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I'd link the excellent discussion going on in this post, and excerpt the two most salient comments:

Update:Oh, and the discussion continued over here, with some even more salient comments made...but too many to continue to excerpt.

Read More "Mother's Day Post" »

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Posted by Nathan at 04:10 PM | Comments (6)
Blogroll Alert « Blogging »

I'm adding Iron Blog to the blogroll because I can't resist. It might be a fricken train wreck, but it should be lotsa fun to watch!

Thanks, Deb, for the general announcement.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)
Reporting Facts is Inethical (UPDATED) « Media Distortions »

Thanks to Kevin for calling my attention to this piece by Kevin Paul. A different Kevin, I mean.

My first thought was: Maybe they should do another study to find out what erroneous views are held by watchers of other news outlets; for instance, that these other viewers might believe no evidence of WMD was found in Iraq (wrong: evidence abounds...it's just that a definitive presence has not been established), that there is absolutely no connection between Iraq and terror (again, wrong: evidence abounds...it's just that a definitive connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden has never been established, nor does it need to, because Saddam's connections to international terror organizations is undeniable; it's a media red herring to keep mentioning no connection has been drawn from Saddam to 9/11: no one is even looking!). So why doesn't someone look into the views of the average CNBC viewer?

UPDATE: Thanks to all the losers and trolls who have stopped by to leave totally stupid and immature comments. If your comment doesn't pass a 'basic intelligence' test, it will be edited. Using any sort of profanity in your comment is sure to get me to edit it, and the results won't make you look good.

Instead of spewing stupidity, why not try actually thinking for once? I know that's very difficult for liberal brats like you, and liberals tend to avoid difficult things, but you could do it if you tried.

Fact: Clear connections between Saddam and terror, including clear connnections between Saddam and Al Qaeda. Anyone who willfully refuses to recognize those facts will earn nothing but derision.

Read More "Reporting Facts is Inethical (UPDATED)" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:33 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (1)
» damnum absque injuria links with: Dog Trainer: If it Ain't Liberal Journalism, it Ain't Journalism
Mother's Day Payoff « Social Issues »

Ah, Mother's Day! Today is the day that we give our Moms breakfast in bed, take them out to brunch, buy them jewelry, or nice clothes, let them have the entire day off...whatever we can think of to indulge our maternal figures.

And appease them, I'm thinking.

Read More "Mother's Day Payoff" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:17 AM | Comments (7)
» Read My Lips links with: Sunday, 05-09-2004

May 07, 2004

President Bush and SecDef Rumseld Apologize « GWOT »

Okayfine. I guess I have no problem with that... The abuse of the prisoners in Iraq was a pretty horrific thing.

Read More "President Bush and SecDef Rumseld Apologize" »

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Posted by Nathan at 02:12 PM | Comments (1)
The 5.56mm Mistake « Gun Issues »

Here is a great discussion about the 5.56mm and its drawbacks. I was already against it, but reading this taught me a few things:

(click "next comment" to follow the entire discussion)

This is a little dryer and more academic, but discusses why the 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester) is what we need:

7.62 mm Versus 5.56 mm

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
...There's No Accounting... « Politics As Usual »

There are some people to whom "Supporting the Troops" means the US Military can do no wrong. Others to whom Bill Clinton can do no wrong. Some people think Rush Limbaugh is entertaining. Other people don't recognize Washington's Senators (Murray and Cantwell) are absolutely useless idiots. Heck, some people actually trust what Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton say, and Dan Quayle actually got support in his campaign for President in the 1996 primaries. For that matter, some people still defend communism as a good idea.

America: Freedom to be an idiot.

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Posted by Nathan at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
Hello, Osama! « Blogging »

According to Kevin, Mr. bin Laden is still making regular visits:

20 United States
3 Pakistan
2 Italy
2 Sweden
2 Australia
2 - -
2 Hungary
2 Indonesia
1 Mexico
1 Japan
1 France
1 Uganda
1 New Zealand
1 Saudi Arabia
1 Netherlands
1 Germany
1 United Kingdom
1 Denmark
1 Portugal
1 Finland
1 Norway

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
Taking Over the World... « Blogging »

...one time zone at a time. I'm up to "16 Zones" people! Yep, fully 2/3 of the world is paying attention to my blog:

View image

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Posted by Nathan at 08:12 AM | Comments (2)
Free Speech « Social Issues »

Emily asks a good question. Here's my answer:

Free speech should be the expression of a free mind. Thus, I think the guarantee to free speech should be limited to being able to express your religion, political view, and criticisms of government and religious leaders without fear of censure or censor.

That's it. Other speech need not be regulated, necessarily, but I think there is no compelling argument to guarantee the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater, or to stand outside an elementary school shouting profanity, or to sell pornography.

I'd really prefer we started considering our rights in light of whether or not it contributes to a strong and safe nation, rather than just being dependent on what you want to do without interference....

...but that's just me. And that's why I don't agree with Libertarians.

via Jay Solo

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Posted by Nathan at 06:23 AM | Comments (2)

May 06, 2004

Military Christians « Militaria »

So why do you think there are so many Christians in the military?

I have my ideas, but I want to hear what you people think before I share my musings.

Read More "Military Christians" »

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Posted by Nathan at 08:20 PM | Comments (1)
Must Read « Social Issues »

Great stuff from Dawn Eden on Curves and more on Planned Pregnancy.

The best part?

Read More "Must Read" »

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Posted by Nathan at 04:16 PM | Comments (2)
My Next Gun « Gun Issues »

l1a1.jpg

...well, not this gun, specifically.

A friend of mine who owns a pawnshop picked up a Century Arms R1A1 and is selling it to me for $350. A gunsmith who is a friend of his says it is well-made and doesn't seem to have the quality-control problems the earlier Century Arms FAL-clones had. It's a little bit of a gamble, but we'll see...if it is as good as it seems, I got the rifle for about $180 under the going rate, and I'm quite excited about it. Reasonable accuracy, excellent reliability, great range (it's chambered in .308). I can't wait to get it out to the range. I've got it on lay-away, however, and won't take possession until August, probably.

Links to read about FAL rifles

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 03:30 PM | Comments (11)
Good Stuff There... « Social Issues »

...although I don't agree with his conclusions.

But you can see a down-n-dirty of my opinion in the comments.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 02:29 PM | Comments (0)
Content-Free Cryptic Post « Writing »

I'm making a pledge right now. Or promising an attempt to get 7000 words written on my novel within a certain time period.

Unfortunately, I can't really tell you what that time period is. At least, until after it's over. Just remember, when I come back triumphantly proclaiming success or despondently admitting failure, that it is absolutely related to this post.

Remember: 7k words or humiliating admission!

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Posted by Nathan at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

May 05, 2004

More Fun With Google « Blogging »

Google says I'm #10 when you put in the string Torture In Iraq.

So, "Welcome!", all you searchers that found me that way.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 02:33 PM | Comments (2)
More on Abusing Iraqi Prisoners « GWOT »

Wanna know more? There's lots of info easily available. Remember, every single person in the military gets at least exposed to this in basic training, then once again, annually, and then again before deploying. It is possible to slip through the cracks once, perhaps, but you would have to be deliberately avoiding this sort of education to miss out on it every single time.

Read More "More on Abusing Iraqi Prisoners" »

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Posted by Nathan at 02:23 PM | Comments (1)
Pinging Problems « Blogging »

I don't know what the problem is, but there is a pinging/trackback error every single time I post over the last two days. Normally it only happens when I link another site/post, but now it's happening even on entries that are wholly self-contained.

What that means to you: I may be posting, but you won't be seeing it if you are looking at a Blogrolling Auto-update blogroll like the ones at Ipse Dixit, Resurrection Song, or blogoSFERICS.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 11:46 AM | Comments (4)
Typing Problems « Blogging »

I have a band-aid on my right ring-finger.

No big deal, it's a minor wound...probably equal in seriousness to two of the three injuries Kerry used as pretexts to get Purple Hearts...

But the most interesting thing is that since it partially covers the bad of the fingertip, it is significantly affecting my typing adversely. I'm mis-spelling all over the place. Frustrating, irritating...and fascinating in its glimpse into the complexity of the brain-ability feedback loop that can be impacted by a minor sensory-input variation.

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Posted by Nathan at 11:43 AM | Comments (2)
International Flavor « Blogging »

From my Statcounter stats:

16 United States
13 Italy
4 France
4 Canada
4 Malaysia
3 Switzerland
2 Ukraine
2 Germany
2 Belgium
2 Turkey
2 India
1 Egypt
1 - -
1 Greece
1 New Zealand
1 Thailand
1 Taiwan, Province Of China
1 Luxembourg
1 United Kingdom

I like having international visitors. It makes me feel cosmopolitan and nuanced, ya know?

And Site Meter says that my visitors are arriving from 13 different time zones. Cool...

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 11:37 AM | Comments (2)
More Reasons to Hate Baseball « Social Issues »

I stopped watching baseball in 1985, just after the Royals won the World Series, and, incidentally, the last year the Royals were competitive.

Football has been my sport, and I've considered Major League Baseball to be silly and a waste of time.

Apparently, so does Major League Baseball.

[There are two different link there. --ed. Yeah, so?]

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:41 AM | Comments (2)
Just When You Thought PC Couldn't Get Any Dumber « Social Issues »

Somebody has to do something asinine like this.

It's blackmail. It's idiotic. It's a waste of everyone's time.

Show Comments »

Posted by Nathan at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)

May 04, 2004

Fun With Google « Blogging »

I'm #3 on a Google Search for "Churchill liberal heart conservative brain", which is due to my repeating Churchill's quote, "If you are young and are not a Liberal, you have no heart; if you are older and are not Conservative, you have no brain.*

Woohoo!

Read More "Fun With Google" »

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Posted by Nathan at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
Kid Blogging « Blogging »

On Easter:

kids.jpg

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Posted by Nathan at 08:11 AM | Comments (2)
Impaling « Blogging »

Anyone else see a Sitemeter Spike of epic proportions in the making?

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Posted by Nathan at 08:07 AM | Comments (2)
A Flip-Flop I Can Agree With « GWOT »

"It appears, as they peel away the weapons of mass destruction issue - and we may yet find them," [Kerry] told host Chris Matthews. "Look, I want to make it clear. Who knows if a month from now, three months from now, you find some weapons? You may."

Link via Der Kommissar

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Posted by Nathan at 07:53 AM | Comments (2)

May 03, 2004

Whither Iraq? « GWOT »

The inimitable Glenn Reynolds rounds up some opinions on Iraq for us.

I agree with the main thrust, that we've got to get Iraq right, we can't afford to get this one wrong.

Here's a link to another view...including links to still other views

Read More "Whither Iraq?" »

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Posted by Nathan at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)
Aftereffects of Mistreatment of Iraqi Prisoners « GWOT »

I just want to emphasize again what I think the long-term effect of these actions will be:

Within the month, the EU and Amnesty International will bring up the issue of the International Criminal Court again, specifically linked with the most credible evidence they can prove of mis-deeds by US Soldiers in Iraq. They'll insist that the US sign on by arguing that the US Military covered up or minimized sentences, and that the ICC is designed for and would only be used to prosecute actions like these.

And if we fall for it (the domestic movement to sign led, no doubt, by leftists and Democrats), it will be a disaster for the United States Military and the U.S. Constitution.

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Posted by Nathan at 02:48 PM | Comments (1)
Learning Music « Music/Guitar »

I'm a little depressed today, and it's affecting my blogging. I can't seem to get any decent political entries going...

So I'm casting about for anything else I feel like I can talk about with some authority...hence: a discussion of music, tangentially related to the brain itself.

Read More "Learning Music" »

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Posted by Nathan at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)
Best Little Guitar Amp « Music/Guitar »

I purchased a guitar amp last week:

The Roland Micro Cube.

I was thinking about buying a tiny amp for about $30 that I could take on my next deployment to the Middle East (coming up soon...), but the salesman said I should check out the Roland. For 4-5 times the price, I wasn't sure...

...but I was sure as soon as I tried it out. This is an awesome guitar amp! It puts out just about as much sound as my other practice amp, but is a fraction of the size and weight. The sound is every bit as good as they claim; I sound like a better guitarist on this amp, and that encourages me to play more often for longer periods.

Sure, it's too small for a jam session; but my old method was to use the practice amp as a head plugged into a 4-speaker 200-watt bass amp anyway, and this will do the same thing. I can now sell my digital effects processor and larger practice amp for about what it cost to buy this one.

Yeah, yeah, the digital effects pedal can create a wider range of sounds, and has an auto-wah, so I'll be restricting myself somewhat if I seel it. And one thing I would say is a drawback on the Micro-Cube is that you have to reach out and twist knobs to change a sound...you can't just step on a pedal to get an instant sound change.

But those two drawbacks really don't bother me that much. Because, to be honest, the digital effects processor had a whole host of sounds I never really wanted or needed. Messing around with it never really made me itch to play, and certainly never made me sound any better. Even with fewer sounds on the Micro-Amp, I'll use the ones I have to greater effect...every sound I want to make can be produced with just this little amp. And with only 6 "AA" batteries, I can play even without an outlet. The versatility that allows is amazing. It's a great buy, and I'd recommend to any guitarist who can spare $125 that s/he go try one out ASAP.

It's that good.

More Pics (but less effective writing)

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Posted by Nathan at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)

May 02, 2004

Rifles « Gun Issues »

...so I'm thinking...while more than a little tipsy, which is dangerous...that I've been looking all over the place for articles about pre-WWII bolt-action military surplus rifles.
The problem with most magazines and books is that they are attempting to push new rifles...advertising dollars and all....
But while I have experience with 20+ different types of old military rifles, in many cases I've only sent bullets down-range on one example of each type. Do you think I'm qualified to write a book regarding my experiences? I know I'd buy such a book, just to get somebody else's impression of these fine old rifles...but wouild my experiences be considered worthwhile?

...heck, I guess I can write it and let the editors decide.

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Posted by Nathan at 08:10 PM | Comments (1)