Good News Everybody

On my way to a Funeral today I stopped off at a 7-11 and learned that we will soon be having a 7-11 brand of gasoline which SEEMS to not be the citgo brand of gas.

Well I can now buy from 7-11 and not feel guilty and helping Hugo Chavez out

Scared Straight

Magen David Adom Comprimise

While I didn't like this comprimise when put forward it seems that the folks in Israel are willing to go with it (H/T Dean via NYTs)

Magen David Adom will continue to use the Star of David in Israel, but abroad it will carry a red crystal, shaped like a thick square standing on its point, along with a smaller Star of David. The Israeli army will use the crystal on its ambulances and other rescue facilities.

Humanitarian workers say they hope the crystal will prove a model for use in other countries that are split along religious lines. For instance, workers in Eritrea could use a crystal with a cross in Christian areas and a crystal with a crescent in Muslim areas.

I think this is a mischaracterization and doesn't address the strong Anti-Judaism expressed by members of the executive of the International Red Cross.....

But, lets see how this works

We've seen the internet parody.... now see the original

Having had bad customer service from comcast....

This makes me smile



(H/T betapundit)

those are some big eggs man

I have to tip my hat at the size of the grapefruits on this dude

The man was caught watching the film during afternoon prayers on Thursday. Worshippers and policemen who were praying at the mosque heard bizarre sounds of men and women moaning and groaning. After prayers police searched the area and found an expatriate worker in a room watching a porn movie. Police arrested the man and found 160 CDs in his possession. After conducting investigations the man will be deported.

(H/T to Sugiero and Fark)

Sharon Stone continues her Parade of good motherhood

By leaving her child in a car alone

Yes the kid was being cared for by the Chaufer but
#1) She was doing it while she was having dinner with some dude
and #2 from the article

One photographer says, "I was stunned when I saw she had left her son

sleeping in the car. Why on earth would she do that when she has a house a couple of miles away.

"It was a hot night and he could have been traumatized by the camera flashes

going off."

Sharon maybe you should spend less time telling other people's kids about sex unasked and focus more on your own spawn M'kay?

A cool to much time on their hands moment

First the embraced terrorists

Now this

Presbyterians Think Of Changing 'Father, Son, Holy Spirit'

POSTED: 5:09 pm EDT June 19, 2006
UPDATED: 7:11 pm EDT June 19, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The divine Trinity -- "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" -- could also be known as "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend" at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church's national assembly.

Delegates to the meeting voted to "receive" a policy paper on gender-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. That means church officials can propose experimental liturgies with alternative phrasings for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.

what is happening to old school protestant churches

Craig's List update.....

Seems Craig of Craig's list fame saw this week's RINO Sightings.

Here is the initial post which brought Craig here

But in the fair and balanced issue here is the other side from Craig

However, after news started appearing on this, I was contacted by them again, last week. They restated that it was their problem, and they'd be shipping a fix to Cox in August; no assurance that it would actually be sent to customers in a proactive manner.

I asked:

* why did it take so long?

* why were my calls and emails unanswered?

* how will this be fixed in the field?

That was five days ago. The details are here


First, I want to thank members of the Cox abuse team, I've worked with some myself to go after bad guys. I honestly have no idea as to the role of Cox management in this.

I guess I'm real disappointed in Authentium, it's taking an extraordinary amount of time to fix this. As you see, it'll take at least six months to just start to deploy the fix.

Craig

So there is Craig's side. You can read the original article and sort it out on your own

New Schisms to come

The US Episcopal Church which has now started annointing Gay Bishops and has talked about a gay marriage Cerimony now opens more lines in a fault war of the faith.

"I don't believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us," she said.

"Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender."

I think the problem is here that the church isn't trying to bring its people along as it changes so their is going to be a big fight soon... and I don't think it will just be US churches defecting to African Bishops

Break in case of end of the world

The Scandinavian nations have built a Seed Ark in case of the end of the world.

Prime ministers of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland were to attend the cornerstone ceremony on Monday morning near the town of Longyearbyen in Norway's remote Svalbard Islands, roughly 620 miles from the North Pole.

Norway's Agriculture Minister Terje Riis-Johansen has called the vault a "Noah's Ark on Svalbard."

Its purpose is to ensure the survival of crop diversity in the event of plant epidemics, nuclear war, natural disasters or climate change, and to offer the world a chance to restart growth of food crops that may have been wiped out.

The seeds, packaged in foil, would be stored at such cold temperatures that they could last hundreds, even thousands, of years, according to the independent Global Crop Diversity Trust. The trust, founded in 2004, has also worked on the project and will help run the vault, which is scheduled to open and start accepting seeds from around the world in September 2007.

I for one am glad that Norway is on the ball with this project

An intresting bit of Masonic blogging popped up on NPR

Some Romantic Masonic History on NPR

All Things Considered, May 25, 2006 · The society of Masons is a fraternity that evokes images of mysterious symbols, grand legends of King Solomon's Temple, hidden treasure and the founding fathers. It also fits right in with America's current Da Vinci Code fascination. Recently, commentator Holly Rossi got an assignment to write a newspaper story about the Masons. And she rediscovered her personal connection to Masons. Holly Rossi lives in Arlington, Mass.

Though I do have to say that when I listen to people with Masonic history in some one's family tree I find a lot of common familial ties as the lodge lessons pass into family lessons.

Ms. Holly Rossi I think would be very surprised at how those things carried over.

Congressman Bernard to Mother Sheehan.

Congressman Bernard had some words on his website today for Anti-War Protester Cindy Sheehan

It is terrible to lose a son, but Ms. Sheehan is using her son to advance her own personal fortune which I find much worse.

She says her son didn't want to go yet her son volunteered. He choose to go into the armed services when the very reality of going to Iraq was palpable and tangible. After serving in Iraq Casey volunteered to stay again. I think a mother's grief is horrible but we should not stand for her using Casey to make a personal or political profit.

Congressman Bernard Speaks out

Congressman Bernard Speaks out on Patriotism to a group of Boy Scouts Visiting his Washington Office.

Today meeting with a Scout Troop the Congressman spoke on the term of Patriotism

I was reading this interview with the Dixie Chicks and they asked a question. People care about Patriotism because they are part of something as American citizens, something larger then themselves. Being an American isn't about your bloodline but about the ideas you embrace about how people should live and about the kind of society people should live in.

The problem people like that have, is that Patriotism is about a way of life. And thats why it matters. Its about our fathers and Grand Fathers who died for people in this country, and countries all over the world to have a better way of life. Thats why living a life of loving this country, even if you may not agree with others on what that love means is important to people.

The Chicks are transitioning to another form of music and attacking this country as a way to get ahead. Which is why they don't understand why Patriotism matters because to them this is all about the Pay Check

RINO SIGHTINGS: Fathers Day Edition

Today I open up the week with the latest Monday round of RINO Sightings. And I want to open this week's edition up with a dedication to both my father and grand fathers but as a Senior DeMolay to a lot of the “Dad's” who helped form me into the man I am today.

So this is dedicated

Larry Dean Bernard (Father)
Hubert Bernard (Grand Father -Deceased)
James Meeks (Grand Father)
J.G. Kicklighter J.R (Advisor, Chairman of the B.O.A and mentor Deceased)
Earl Collins II (Chapter “Dad” of Sarasota Chapter (Order of DeMolay.)
Donald W. Crowley (Chapter Dad of Jupiter-Tequesta Chapter Order of DeMolay, member of the B.O.A and mentor)
W. Dale Dietzman (man behind J.B.U and much of my masonic and life education)
Al Graulich (Director of knighthood in Florida and a nemesis for many of us, but in a good way.)

Don Surber opens us up with a bit of what pays his bills as a reporter

If the junior senator from Massachusetts truly believes that his judgment was so clouded that he sent thousands of American men and women to their deaths needlessly, then he should do the honorable thing and resign from Congress.

Senators and congressmen who stand by their votes nearly four years later do not have this problem.

But I have a major problem with those who send in 150,000 troops only to abandon the cause in a year (in Murtha's case) or three (in Kerry's case).

Dean Esmay is also on the Victory Boat

Based on statements from Maliki's people, ISF, and U.S. forces, 2007 appears to be the year in which a large proportion of U.S. troops will return home, even if the insurgency continues at present levels. Some U.S. troops will no doubt remain, partly in an advisory/support capacity but also as an implicit guarantee of the sovereignty of Iraq's democratic rulers (no one is going to carry out a coup under the shadow of F-16s carrying laser-guided bombs). Though some will claim we're retreating under fire and point to continuing violence to claim this was no "Mission Accomplished," when the last area of operations is handed over to ISF control, that will in fact constitute U.S. victory.

Richard Bennett digs into Craig's list a intresting part of the internet and some claims that seem at home with the Daily Kos, Democratic underground, or other bastions of nuttiness on the interweb

PS: I did my own inspection of Craig’s List’s TCP packets and found the same thing: their initial ACK advertises a Window Size of 0. By comparison, my blog advertises one of 5792, and so does Technorati.

Craig Newmark’s site is screwed up and he’s blaming Cox for it - and seeking a new law. That’s taking Internet retardation to a whole new level.

I have to say I've liked Craig and found him to be one of the better voices on the internet. But his demagouging issues like this is rather shameful

Orac rolls out a double deuce

the subjects are two of the most bomb throwy conservatives in the buisness.

QUIGLEY/STENDER CALL ON NJ MERCHANTS TO BAN SALE OF 'VICIOUS' COULTER BOOK

Hate-filled Attacks on NJ 9-11 Widows Has No Place on NJ Bookshelves

(TRENTON) - Assemblywomen Joan M. Quigley and Linda Stender today castigated political commentator Ann Coulter for vicious remarks made against four New Jersey September 11th widows in her new book "Godless: The Church of Liberalism."... In response to these incendiary, hate-filled attacks on women who suffered a terrible personal tragedy four-and-a-half years ago and have selflessly advocated to improve national security in the intervening years, the Assemblywomen issued the following statement, denouncing Coulter's attacks and asking New Jersey retailers to ban the sale of her book throughout the state:

Thanks to these two state legislators Ann's book probably has sold anothjer 10,000 copies... Ignore the coulter

Mark at Decision 08 talks about the fact Joementum may be changing the dynamic of the Lieberman senate seat

“My opponent says it broke Democratic unity,” Lieberman said. “Well, dammit, I wasn’t thinking about Democratic unity. It was a moment to put the national interest above partisan interest.”

Sources in Connecticut tell me that momentum in the campaign is mostly with Lamont. Lieberman insists he can win the primary. But he has another option. Connecticut law says that he could run as an independent, but he would have to file 7,500 signatures the day after the primary.

I like Mark's idea. I also think the possibility of a three way senate race and how it will change the 06 dynamics.

Der Commisar opens up with something more Father's day oriented...sports (Even if it is Soccer)

Over on Armies of liberation we have a nice report on how the Government of Yemen seems to try to make the situation in Somalia a little bit better

While I higlighted earlier the good news and progress in Iraq over on Enrevanche my buddy Barry has the Democratic Response (a conservative critique of the war from the NRO)

Digger brings the illegal immigration mess back on the table

Humane Borders received $25,000 in taxpayer funds from Pima Arizona to put up and maintain these water stations in September, 2005. Then Humane Borders went further in January 2006 and decided that it would print full blown maps of the border showing the best routes for illegal aliens to take, border patrol stations and routes and locations of their water stations. This group is actively aiding and abetting illegal aliens. These maps were to be distributed throughout Mexico by the Mexican human rights agency. Mexico later backed down on distributing the maps after public outcry here in America.

KVOA


Mich says vandals have been coming out to the water stations, pulling the caps off the tanks and dumping the water out into the desert.

The volunteers also say vandals are destroying the blue flags that fly atop 30-foot poles in the middle of the desert -- flags the immigrants look for when seeking out a water station on their journeys.

"Flags have been destroyed, and not in this station but in others. They've put bullet holes [the water tanks]," [Paula Mich, a volunteer with Humane Borders] said.

Mich also says each week Humane Borders finds at least one or more of their 70 water tanks vandalized, an act these volunteers say can kill.

This illegal immigration battle is lawlessness on both sides. and that lawlessness can kill

Pigilito goes off on "modern art"

This obscures the point. Namely, that what was meant to act solely as a base and support for an artistic piece was received as art itself. By experts in the field. Neither the artist, nor the writer (in the example) intended their work to be viewed in this way. Usually art requires some degree of training. And it certainly requires the intent to create. In these cases the person who misplaced the sculpture or the printer who lost the final chapter are the "artists." Neither one sought to create anything, they simply made mistakes.

Sadly in Art schools they teach that using skill to make Art isn't art (I saw this based on my Roomate who is an art school grad, his girl friend who has done her time in art school and the numerous beer induced cursing about what the art world has become)

The Unabrewer was ready with the Libertarian charge on Anti-price gouging laws but luckilly Alberto was a Bust

So folks thats the RINO Sightings.... thank your Dad, your Grand Father, and any other Men who may have formed who you are today.

Troops

FORMATING CHANGE

Ok kids... I have been very burned out on the subject of politics and having a bit of a problem posting on it... which has burned me out on blogging as a whole

I will be trying something different. All political blog posts will be done in the "Character" of Congressman Larry Bernard. if this works out well in the 2006 election season I will be rolling out the Presidential campaign for Congressman Bernard in 07/08

In an effort to Brutalize my childhood further

Marvel comics outs spiderman.

"I'm proud of who I am, and I'm here right now to prove it," the legendary webslinger tells a press conference called in New York's Times Square, before pulling off his mask and standing before the massed ranks of reporters as newspaper photographer Peter Parker.

"Any questions?" Parker asks in the final panel of the issue, amid a barrage of camera flashes.

The struggle Pete had living two lives was so fundementally part of what Spider-Man was as a comic book. Its part of what made his eventual revelation to Aunt may so powerful and made her and his evolution as a character so good.

But Marvel right now is out to make a buck....

@_#(*#@(_# you Marvel comics

Some filler amusement

I've stayed out of most of the Katrina mess

But this little bit from "Brownie" shows me that the Bush administration really didn't get it.

The September 2005 e-mail reads: "I did hear of one reference to you, at the Cabinet meeting yesterday. I wasn't there, but I heard someone commented that the press was sure beating up on Mike Brown, to which the president replied, 'I'd rather they beat up on him than me or Chertoff.' "

The sender adds, "Congratulations on doing a great job of diverting hostile fire away from the leader."

CNN has been unable to verify the authenticity of the e-mail, but the White House designation "eop.gov" is part of the sender's e-mail address, indicating it came from the Executive Office of the President.

Instead of worrying about the fact it was being politicized they were happy FEMA got burned

Tribute

I was all of 12 at the time

But my mother reminds me often that the fact I was so emotionally torn by the deaths of these people who just wanted their freedom she kept me out of school the next day.



I have to agree. This isn't settled. Not by a long shot

Make me a Billionare

Warren Buffet You could be worth $6 billion... someday

Based on our rigorous interrogation of your personality, we have determined that deep down you are more good natured than evil, more hard-working than lazy, and more lucky than cunning. We have determined that you possess an enormous potential for raking in the billions -- but that your success will be largely due to luck, not hard work. You were probably born into some money, and have probably invested it well, but our analysis indicates you probably aren't likely to build any new companies or pioneer any new products or technologies. Something to ponder next time you're sitting on your diamond toilet. Fortuntaely for the rest of us, you also appear to be fairly good-hearted. Thus, your closest analog in the real world is Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha." He made his billions with a series of shrewd investments through his company, Berkshire Hathoway (actually the name of a failing textiles company he and other investors took over in the 60's). Buffett only pays himself $100,000 a year and when he dies most of his fortune will pass to his charitable Buffett Foundation, dedicated to educating the American populace about the difference between himself, singing legend Jimmy Buffett, and the counter where you get your breakfast at Shoney's. And as far as we know, his toilet isn't even made of gold, let alone diamonds -- but to be honest we aren't convinced you possess the same level of self control. For reference, Buffet's fortune of $42 billion makes him the 2nd richest man in the world, or the 73rd richest country (just before Slovenia). Compare that to your score and weep or jeer, as approrpiate.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 50% on Vileness You scored higher than 83% on Hardworkingness You scored higher than 14% on Cunning You scored higher than 10% on Net Worth

Link: The Billionaire Test written by stuffisthings on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Assemble

Captain America You scored 31 Power, 62 Intelligence,and 58 Teamwork!

aka: Nomad, The Captain Strength, agility, speed, endurance, and reaction time are all boosted by the super soldier serum you took during World War II making you the perfect human specimen. You are a master at hand-to-hand combat, and your only weapon, an indestructible round shield, is like an extension of your body. You're an expert strategist and tactician. After being on ice since World War II, you were thawed out in Avengers #4 and have been an Avenger ever since, mostly as their leader. You may not be as strong as Thor, as smart as Iron Man, or as fast as Quicksilver, but your natural leadership abilities coupled with your perservering spirit make you the one Avenger that the team can not do without. Your female counter-part is Mockingbird, and you are least like the Hulk. Hank Pym is more powerful. Hawkeye is less intelligent. Black Panther is less teamwork oriented.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 11% on Power You scored higher than 49% on Intelligence You scored higher than 33% on Teamwork You scored higher than 0% on Gender

Link: The which Avenger are you Test written by Galth on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test