Tuesday, July 08, 2008
New Blog
Ok, people. Today, I'm forcing you to go over to the new blog if you want to read what I'm writing.
MelissaClouthier.com will get you there.
MelissaClouthier.com will get you there.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Nancy Pelosi Works With Terrorist Organization
Being terrorist's metaphorical friends is not the same thing as actively working against one's own government, but that's exactly what Nancy Pelosi has done. No doubt, being in bed with terrorist scum will endear her to her constituents, but will average voters like it?
And there's this: How will Barack Obama respond to the House Leader's actions? No doubt, he'd be thrilled to have a member of Congress actively undermining the United State's interests were he to be President. Of course, he'll probably be working to undermine America's interests, so they'd be working together.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News and Melissa Clouthier.com
And there's this: How will Barack Obama respond to the House Leader's actions? No doubt, he'd be thrilled to have a member of Congress actively undermining the United State's interests were he to be President. Of course, he'll probably be working to undermine America's interests, so they'd be working together.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News and Melissa Clouthier.com
Eternal Life Sentence for Sex Offender
You know you've been bad when your next 40 lives will be spent in prison.
Abortion As Social Injustice
"Senator Obama talks about bringing hope, faith and change to American politics. We now see this is all just political 'doublespeak.' One of his top priorities as President would be protecting abortion rights and even expanding them. If elected, Senator Obama would become 'The Abortion President,' with the most extremist policies on abortion of any President in history.David Brody says:
"Senator Obama's views on abortion are so radical that he even wants American citizens to pay for them. This would include Catholics, Evangelicals and all people of faith. He would also expand abortion rights through his passionate support of The Freedom of Choice Act.
This is Obama’s challenge with Evangelicals. He can talk about the social justice issues all he wants and yes, it resonates to a certain extent but unless he moves on abortion (not likely) he’ll have a problem. If he shows some support for parental notification laws or the annual fetal pain bill that moves through Congress then that will help insulate him to a degree on the extremist abortion tag.Abortion as social injustice undermines a key Democratic tenet that matter to conservative Christians: taking care of the poor and neediest and being a voice for those who don't have one. All sorts of individuals find a home in the Democrat party because together, they have more power. But still, these people have voices and often loud mouths--which, in itself, calls into question how oppressed they truly are when everyone knows exactly what they
Still, Christians believe their mission includes clothing the poor, feeding the needy, tending the sick, visiting the imprisoned, caring for the widows and orphans, and on it goes. Jesus told his followers that "whatever you do to serve the least of these, you've done for me." To a conservative Christian, it doesn't get more "least" than a helpless unborn child.
Hope and changeyness sounds wonderful--even to evangelical ears, but upon closer inspection, it rings hollow. Democrats will find their social justice messages a tough sell when the greatest social injustice, abortion, is a central plank of their social platform. Their only hope is to try to deceive conservatives into believing that Obama really is against abortion. Which, of course, he isn't.
Cross posted at Right Wing News and Melissa Clouthier.com
An Honest Thief Thwarts Terrorist Attack?
Terrorism in New York? Well, who knows what this was intended to do, but a thief stopped the maddness.
Newness
Hey patriotic peeps, welcome back to work. Over the past month or more, I've been working with Daniel Summers putting together a new blog. Why has it taken so long? Because I have big ideas and he has a full-time job and that job doesn't happen to be technical director for Melissa Clouthier. Blogging doesn't pay that well.
Anyway, today is going to be my first day over at the new blog MelissaClouthier.com. I will be experimenting around with it during this very busy week, so things might be weird here and there. You can always check back here. And, of course, I'll be putting up two blog entries over at Right Wing News daily, too.
For those who couldn't navigate back to the front page of the new blog, just click anywhere in the header on my name, Voila! You'll be back. You're welcome to give me feedback and ideas. I appreciate your patience while things are being put back together.
Anyway, today is going to be my first day over at the new blog MelissaClouthier.com. I will be experimenting around with it during this very busy week, so things might be weird here and there. You can always check back here. And, of course, I'll be putting up two blog entries over at Right Wing News daily, too.
For those who couldn't navigate back to the front page of the new blog, just click anywhere in the header on my name, Voila! You'll be back. You're welcome to give me feedback and ideas. I appreciate your patience while things are being put back together.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Yellow Cake...Was, Like, Totally, Not a Lie, Ya'll
Now the nasty (pretend) stuff isn't in Iraq anymore. Canada bought it. Specifically, it's in Ontario. Hey, I lived in them thar parts. I don't trust those people and I'm not alone. Via Ace:
Wait a second…now Canuckistan has yellow-cake? This can’t be good news, what with them a mere 0 miles from our borders. The barbarian hordes from the frozen North “say” they’re going to use the uranium for peaceful “electrical” purposes, but ever since they began their massive naval build-up a few years back, I think we need to keep a sharp eye on these Neo-Scandis.It was so much better when the pretend, non-existent yellow cake wasn't in Iraq because it was far, far away. Now it's supposedly real and exists close to American borders. This war on terror bullshit just gets worse and worse.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
FARC Defeated In Colombia
Fausta Wertz analyzes the implications of the daring hostage rescue (if you don't know, Americans were rescued). I'm still snickering that these dumb-butts bought the Ché shirts worn by the Columbian military guys. You need to read her whole post. The thumbnail: Communism has been dealt a serious blow in South America. Obviously, this is good news for America and for anyone who values freedom.
It's worth noting that freedom is coming at the point of a gun with someone willing to die for it. That's usually how it works.
It's worth noting that freedom is coming at the point of a gun with someone willing to die for it. That's usually how it works.
Around The Web
British children are forced to bow to Allah. The two who didn't get detention.
And you thought Republicans were dumb. They have some wimpy competition.
Intelligent design stuff.
Greta Van Susteren smacks down Anderson Cooper. Anderson has a staff of 60. A couple are dedicated to peeling his grapes and fanning him no doubt.
James Lileks smacks down M. Night Shamalayan:
The taxing work of being rich and finding enlightenment. Sigh. Aimless and dough-filled make for such trying times. Via Alarming News
Barack Obama's pedigree includes forged papers? Is it possible he doesn't really exist?
Speaking of Obama, if he really is an American citizen, which is in question (see above), he's not patriotic. I question, very openly, his patriotism as does Jonah Goldberg. But the true believers question the questioners. It's amusing.
Tigerhawk on loving America....and those who hate it.
Patterico honors Jesse Helms and thanks the Left for their sympathy.
This is what the world is coming to and Rachel Lukas has a solution. She's going soft.
And on that outrageous note, I'm going for a walk, because my blood pressure is up again from watching the video at Rachel's link.
And you thought Republicans were dumb. They have some wimpy competition.
Intelligent design stuff.
Greta Van Susteren smacks down Anderson Cooper. Anderson has a staff of 60. A couple are dedicated to peeling his grapes and fanning him no doubt.
James Lileks smacks down M. Night Shamalayan:
The trailer doesn’t spell out the message, but Gort – played by Keanu Reeves – says “if the earth dies, you die. If you die, the earth lives.” Well, there’s a message we can all get behind. And if the film flops, you get the Malibu beach house. Seems win-win for everyone except, well, the poison-belching peons who will queue up for another sermon. Gentle cautionary tales are one thing; this groveling self-hatred is another. Same with the M. Night film that has the trees emitting pollen that makes us all kill ourselves – apparently the trees took a big wait-and-see attitude towards deforestation in the late 19th century, and finally decided to kill people when we were just starting to get the point.
The taxing work of being rich and finding enlightenment. Sigh. Aimless and dough-filled make for such trying times. Via Alarming News
Barack Obama's pedigree includes forged papers? Is it possible he doesn't really exist?
Speaking of Obama, if he really is an American citizen, which is in question (see above), he's not patriotic. I question, very openly, his patriotism as does Jonah Goldberg. But the true believers question the questioners. It's amusing.
Tigerhawk on loving America....and those who hate it.
Patterico honors Jesse Helms and thanks the Left for their sympathy.
This is what the world is coming to and Rachel Lukas has a solution. She's going soft.
And on that outrageous note, I'm going for a walk, because my blood pressure is up again from watching the video at Rachel's link.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Man Woman Gives Birth, America Is Definitely Home of the Free
He is not a he, he is a she with boobs lopped off and testosterone that would increase the size of the clitoris and make it look more penis-like. Let's be real here. A man cannot carry a baby. She was not born with ambiguous genitalia. This "dude" is not a dude. She is a dudette. She is a mother. She gave birth through her vagina. That's right "he" gave birth naturally.
He is a she. I am sick of the politically correct nonsense around this woman. Just because someone has surgery and names herself a man, doesn't make it so. Might make her delusional. And it makes the news media look more insane than average, too,"The new dad walked easily, although he appeared tired, .... Someone opened the door for him." Oh, and can you imagine how this kid is going to feel about "dad". This is just nuts. (Couldn't resist.)
She is free to call herself whatever she wants. This is America. And so I am free to call her a she and so I will.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Parade Pictures & Other Bits of Americana
While I'm watching the Hot Dog Eating Contest, I thought I'd put up the parade pictures. Good grief! Can you imagine shoving 66 hotdogs down your gullet at one time? Go, Joey Chestnut! Just the thought or the man's distended abdomen....
Dash was one of the first heroes to show up at the parade. He's high-fiving my son.
Well, a couple years ago, the "parade" was more like a group of people who glommed together to go for a walk baking in the sun--kinda like golf without grass, golf balls and clubs.
The Marines received wild applause.
Herbie showed up and was disappointingly unpatriotic. Perhaps it's his German heritage. Still sore about losing and whatnot.
The West Side story got sung. The kids didn't mind the heat. The show must go on....and they have a stage.
A masked McCain and Obama worked the crowd. Horrifying! I see the future movies now. McCain with a chainsaw. Obama and his ears running for his dear life as his co-conspirator turns on him in bloody rage. Hold on...I was talking about the parade.
Some poor person got life-flighted out. Probably a heart attack secondary to dehydration. It was freaking hot!
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!
Unlike Zombietime's delightful picture parades, in my neck of the nape, people are more.....um, normal. Well, normal is a continuum. Parades tend to draw those who are comfortable with their individuality, no matter where you are in America.
Dash was one of the first heroes to show up at the parade. He's high-fiving my son.
Well, a couple years ago, the "parade" was more like a group of people who glommed together to go for a walk baking in the sun--kinda like golf without grass, golf balls and clubs.
The Marines received wild applause.
Herbie showed up and was disappointingly unpatriotic. Perhaps it's his German heritage. Still sore about losing and whatnot.
The West Side story got sung. The kids didn't mind the heat. The show must go on....and they have a stage.
A masked McCain and Obama worked the crowd. Horrifying! I see the future movies now. McCain with a chainsaw. Obama and his ears running for his dear life as his co-conspirator turns on him in bloody rage. Hold on...I was talking about the parade.
Some poor person got life-flighted out. Probably a heart attack secondary to dehydration. It was freaking hot!
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!
Unlike Zombietime's delightful picture parades, in my neck of the nape, people are more.....um, normal. Well, normal is a continuum. Parades tend to draw those who are comfortable with their individuality, no matter where you are in America.
It's Good To Be Free of Tyranny
My brother sent me the Declaration of Independence, just for the reminder, I guess. Here's the beginning:
And for the sad little Democratic Club of Southern Montgomery County, the One Authority wouldn't be Barack Obama. His devotees were enthusiastic, I'll give them that. Around here, though, they were observed with wry interest. More on the parade in the next post.
It's good to be free. Refreshing our memory of the Declaration every year would be a nice exercise.
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.I explained to my kids that at the Olympics, no American will bow to a foreign dignitary. Why? Because Americans bow to no man. We answer to One Authority.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
And for the sad little Democratic Club of Southern Montgomery County, the One Authority wouldn't be Barack Obama. His devotees were enthusiastic, I'll give them that. Around here, though, they were observed with wry interest. More on the parade in the next post.
It's good to be free. Refreshing our memory of the Declaration every year would be a nice exercise.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
How To Feel American: Take Me Out To The Ballpark
So today, I had the pleasure of seeing the Astros lose at the gorgeous Minutemaid Park. It was a pleasure, too. The company, two of my sweet cherubs (have I mentioned that I'm a breeder?) and the mad blogging Floridian Cassy Fiano escorted by her conservative, buff, national guardsman and even better, Texan boyfriend, made the day. The game, meh.
The best part? Hearing the packed stadium sing America the Beautiful during the Seventh Inning stretch. Wait, the other best part? Seeing a marine throw out the first pitch and receive a standing ovation. This man, this patriot, who had sacrificed so much--he lost his legs from the knees down--displayed child-like joy and sincere delight at receiving the signed ball, and the adoration of the crowd. Oh man, there was another best part! A commander in Iraq gave a speech relaying the successes and ended with an enthusiastic, "Go Astros!" The crowd ate up his words. And then there was the soldier who sang the National Anthem with a flag the size of a basketball court in the middle of the field. Beautiful! And get this: hot dogs were $1 today.
I love America.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Violent Rapist? Get Rehabilitated In Vermont
If you've watched the news, you know about the little "missing" girl from Vermont. Well, her remains were found yesterday on her uncle's property. Vermont, it turns out, has a wonderful sex offenders rehabilitation program. Daniel Goleman (of Primal Leadership fame) enthuses in the New York Times fifteen years ago:
Let's just look at Brooke Bennett's case. Her uncle Michael Jacques has done this before:
Since no one knows who will or who won't re-offend, why are any of these people released back into the community? And I don't put the flashers or oglers in the same category as a violent rapist. A violent rapist should know that if he gets convicted, he's in prison for life, period. Sure, some of these guys might reform or go impotent or get too old to have the energy to commit their dastardly deeds. The problem is, since no on knows who will and who won't offend, the risk is too great.
Let them rot in prison. Keep society safe from these freaks. Prison does not reform these jerks. At best, some inhibit their impulses. Let them be free of temptation. Keep them in prison.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
The sex offender treatment program in Vermont, among the most sophisticated in the country, showed similar successes, according to a report at the Kent State meeting. In an evaluation of 473 sex offenders who have been released from prison for up to eight years, the average rate of sex crimes in the same period for a comparison group who received no treatment was 38 percent, at least double the rate of those treated for various sex crimes.So my take away is that treatment may or may not work and we have no way of telling who it will work on, but we should be thrilled because maybe it will work on someone. And of those treated, one out of five will offend again. That means that one out of five will commit a violent rape again.
For child molesters in the treated group, the rate of sex crimes after release from prison was just 7 percent; for exhibitionists or voyeurs, 3 percent; for rapists, 19 percent. While the figure for rapists is highest, it is still just half that of those who did not receive any treatment.
To be sure, not all sex offenders respond to treatment. Among rapists, for instance, rape is often more an act of violence than of sex. This kind of rapist is less likely to benefit than are those for whom fantasies are more important than violence.
Let's just look at Brooke Bennett's case. Her uncle Michael Jacques has done this before:
In 1993, he was convicted of kidnapping and rape committed in June 1992. Court records show that the victim was an 18-year-old young woman he supervised at a fast-food business in Rutland. The records show he and a friend got her drunk and then Jacques alone forced her into his car and over the next four hours raped her several times. The police affidavit says she was choked with a rope around her neck, gagged with a cloth in her mouth, and handcuffed with police-style cuffs. Police say Jacques eventually let her go after he told her he needed help and was going to seek psychiatric counseling.And he has been treated in Vermont's stellar program:
The victim told police that Jacques said he had killed a 12-year-old girl he raped in Arizona in 1985 because she threatened to go to the police, "so he had to kill her."
The police were unable to confirm his claimed killing of the 12-year-old in Arizona, but Jacques did plead no contest to the charges of kidnap and rape in Vermont. In return, under a plea agreement, he got six years in prison, but was released after serving only four and half with credit for good time.Do you see how insane it is to release these criminals from prison with or without treatment? If they don't get treatment, nearly half repeat offend. If they do get treatment, only one out of five re-offend--that get caught, anyway.
That 1992 plea deal also required Jacques to complete the sex offender treatment program before he could be released from probation. According to the records, he did complete the therapy program, and was released from state supervision in December 2006. Corrections officials say Jacques completed his sex offender treatment program in 2000.
Since no one knows who will or who won't re-offend, why are any of these people released back into the community? And I don't put the flashers or oglers in the same category as a violent rapist. A violent rapist should know that if he gets convicted, he's in prison for life, period. Sure, some of these guys might reform or go impotent or get too old to have the energy to commit their dastardly deeds. The problem is, since no on knows who will and who won't offend, the risk is too great.
Let them rot in prison. Keep society safe from these freaks. Prison does not reform these jerks. At best, some inhibit their impulses. Let them be free of temptation. Keep them in prison.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Make It An Explosive 4th of July
I'm here to help you, and naturally, if possible. Trouble with erectile dysfunction? Want to be a machine between the sheets? Well, eat yer watermelon menfolk, the effects are similar, if more general than Viagra-type drugs:
Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists in Texas, one of the nation's top producers of the seedless variety.On the downside, watermelon has one of the highest glycemic indices of any fruit. It's right up there with a can of Coke or a bagel, for that matter. That is, eating a ton of it rockets your blood sugar up quickly. But then, that could be a good thing, too. You'll get a sugar rush which translates into easy energy for that exercise you'll be getting.
Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems.
"Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center. "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."
Dukes Of Hazzard Rocks
Well, kinda. But I have a reader, she knows who she is, who has loved Dukes of Hazzard since the beginning and has the car horn to prove it. The horn is on the Suburban she uses to cart her brood. Hey, even mothers of five children can have flair, ya'll.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Help Me
Okay guys.... I need your help. The new blog is almost ready, but still needs a little work. I'm going to have a featured article. The blog, where you can click on a post and then related posts will pop up. And then, in the right-hand column, I'll have links to posts that are good, but I don't have the time or inclination to blog about.
So, go check it out. Do you like it? What would make it better? Mind you, it's my blog and if it sucks, but I like it, oh well. But your feedback would be appreciated.
It is: MelissaClouthier.com
So, go check it out. Do you like it? What would make it better? Mind you, it's my blog and if it sucks, but I like it, oh well. But your feedback would be appreciated.
It is: MelissaClouthier.com
You Have To See This
This picture brought tears to my eyes. It's not just our freedom that matters. Everyone deserves to be free.
H/T Tigerhawk
H/T Tigerhawk
Texas is Great! Give Me Chocolate Cake!
That was an inane Bill Cosby comedy reference. But check this out via Don Surber:
Brian Stevens told News 4 his wife, whose six months pregnant, had just called him after she noticed someone lurking around the house. When Stevens got home, he saw the suspect going house to house. He went inside his home and then heard some rattling coming from his own back fence. Stevens then ran upstairs and grabbed his gun.Castle doctrine. Smart wife. Armed husband. Almost dead dumbbell burglar. All in all, a good day for crime abatement in Texas.
"I was waiting for the police, and he just walked in the door. He just walked in," explained Stevens.
Stevens said a man later identified as Stephen Garcia made his way inside the home and started walking towards him.
"I gave him plenty of times. I mean, I was screaming at him, telling him 'Get out of my house. Who do you think you are? Just get out. Get out!'," Stevens told News 4.
But Stevens said the 21-year-old intruder kept coming.
Where The Children Are
Ann Althouse wonders where the kids are. Makes me think about the book Where The Wild Things Are. Our neighborhood is full of kids, yet good luck finding evidence of them. Where are they?
Swimming--in public pools or in pools in the back yard. Summer camp. There are camps for everything and since playing stick ball with make-shift bases isn't part of the modern world, a child goes to a camp organized by adults, supervised by teenagers and it kills a couple birds with one stone. Children and teenagers, occupied! Wii--We bought one two weeks ago and I've been beaten in baseball, bowling, boxing, and my Mii has been beaten severely in tennis, though I have yet to play. My children have created a Wii community filled with mutant beings. It's great fun to make your dad bald, short, fat, with strange facial hair, a unibrow, pink cheeks, disco shades and eye shadow. Don't forget the moles. Cartoons. Come on! They are a summer staple. Yes, your children sit like mindless blobs of protoplasm absorbing what little mental nutrition can be extracted from these worthless shows. On the plus side, mom blogs in peace! Trampolines--Nothing says summer like working up a sweat engaging in repetititve bouncing activities. It's therapeutic. Down side--intracranial injuries. Eh, our generation rode bikes without helmets and skateboards without elbow pads, they'll be fine.
Kids are doing lots of stuff, just not the stuff that puts them in the public square or their own backyards much. Have you watched the news? No, most bloggers don't watch the news. Do blog readers watch the news? Well, if you watched Greta VanSusteren, last night, you saw children, young women, young men and families who were bludgeoned to death by a rampaging psycho. Oh, and then there were the three or four young women who were raped and killed 1) by relatives 2) while jogging 3) while taking a bath. My husband and I were talking about implanting a GPS device in my daughter. I kid you not. Evidently, we're not the only ones with this train of thought. For now, it looks we'd have to settle for cell phones.
The point is that parents don't feel free to let their kids roam like we did when we were kids. At five or six, we'd walk a couple streets over to play (walking through yards). At eight or nine, we'd be outside for hours until dinner time. I think my mom locked us out. Not now. Parents must observe children non-stop. What if something happened?
It might not be rational. In fact, upon researching it, it looks like it's not rational:
The U.S. Department of Justice reports:
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Swimming--in public pools or in pools in the back yard. Summer camp. There are camps for everything and since playing stick ball with make-shift bases isn't part of the modern world, a child goes to a camp organized by adults, supervised by teenagers and it kills a couple birds with one stone. Children and teenagers, occupied! Wii--We bought one two weeks ago and I've been beaten in baseball, bowling, boxing, and my Mii has been beaten severely in tennis, though I have yet to play. My children have created a Wii community filled with mutant beings. It's great fun to make your dad bald, short, fat, with strange facial hair, a unibrow, pink cheeks, disco shades and eye shadow. Don't forget the moles. Cartoons. Come on! They are a summer staple. Yes, your children sit like mindless blobs of protoplasm absorbing what little mental nutrition can be extracted from these worthless shows. On the plus side, mom blogs in peace! Trampolines--Nothing says summer like working up a sweat engaging in repetititve bouncing activities. It's therapeutic. Down side--intracranial injuries. Eh, our generation rode bikes without helmets and skateboards without elbow pads, they'll be fine.
Kids are doing lots of stuff, just not the stuff that puts them in the public square or their own backyards much. Have you watched the news? No, most bloggers don't watch the news. Do blog readers watch the news? Well, if you watched Greta VanSusteren, last night, you saw children, young women, young men and families who were bludgeoned to death by a rampaging psycho. Oh, and then there were the three or four young women who were raped and killed 1) by relatives 2) while jogging 3) while taking a bath. My husband and I were talking about implanting a GPS device in my daughter. I kid you not. Evidently, we're not the only ones with this train of thought. For now, it looks we'd have to settle for cell phones.
The point is that parents don't feel free to let their kids roam like we did when we were kids. At five or six, we'd walk a couple streets over to play (walking through yards). At eight or nine, we'd be outside for hours until dinner time. I think my mom locked us out. Not now. Parents must observe children non-stop. What if something happened?
It might not be rational. In fact, upon researching it, it looks like it's not rational:
Research has shown that between 40 and 150 incidents of child abduction murder occur each year, which is less than one half of one percent of the murders committed nationally.This is small comfort for the parents of those children, but the threat is not as great as the amplified news makes it seem. Yet, it happens. And parents think, how could I live with myself if something happened? Here's more:
[Katherine M. Brown, Robert D. Keppel, Joseph G. Weis, and Marvin E. Skeen. CASE MANAGEMENT for Missing Children Homicide Investigation. Olympia, Washington: Office of the Attorney General, State of Washington, and U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, May 2006, page 1.]
The U.S. Department of Justice reports:
797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.Still, most people don't read statistics. They watch the news. And the news freaks parents out. Yes, I think we're in that Twilight Zone episode. A nuclear blast didn't decimate the world. A news blast did.
203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.
[Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. U.S. Department of Justice. "National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview" in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.]
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Waterboarding Is Torture....
Read Christopher Hitchen's article and then come back and vote. His conclusion:
H/T Instapundit
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
I apply the Abraham Lincoln test for moral casuistry: “If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.” Well, then, if waterboarding does not constitute torture, then there is no such thing as torture.That being said, that's not the real question, is it? Let's just assume for the sake of argument that waterboarding is torture. Is it justifiable?
H/T Instapundit
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Zero Happening At Ground Zero--UPDATED
What's happening in New York City this balmy summer day? The city bustles but there is little building going on ground zero. Prices are sky-rocketing. Government officials are wrangling (imagine that):
In a report to New York governor David Paterson, Mr Ward said: "The schedule and cost estimates of the rebuilding effort that have been communicated to the public are not realistic."
He said developers and government agencies would set new "clear and achievable timelines" by the end of September.
Mr Ward said the earliest rebuilding estimates in the wake of the 9/11 attacks were not truthful, referring to them as "emotional dates".
My initial response to the Twin Towers going down was that we should rebuild as quickly as possible. Get it done and show the world what America is made of tough stuff. Nothing keeps us down and all that.
Given that the Left operates like 9/11 didn't happen and ignores the consequences of unchecked Islamofascism and feels the threat is exaggerated (see here, here, or just watch CNN) a huge dirt hole seems to be an appropriate reminder. Put up 2,000+ markers where the people died and be done with it. Let every person look and ponder what happens when bad ideologies triumph (at least temporarily).
As an added bonus, there should be flat screens replaying the Towers going down with video of our soldiers hunting and killing terrorist scum. It's "raw", I know, but there's a simple elegance to my plan don't you think? As an added bonus: It's cost effective.
UPDATED:
Rachel Lucas reminds us why we need constant reminders of the consequences of Islamofascism:
Dear Britain: the more you apologize for stupid shit like this, the more you will be apologizing in the future for ever more innocuous “offenses.” You will never be done with it, you will never be able to satisfy these people until you utterly BEND TO THEIR WILL, and you will apologize yourselves right into cultural oblivion as Islam slowly but very, very surely mows you down with its “outrage” and your proclivity to be doormats. Very impressive. Your dead and dying grandfathers and grandmothers, who stood up to the last set of fascist assholes when most of your neighbors didn’t - they must be so proud.Dirt. Pit. We need the reminders.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Dumpster Diving Behind Public Schools
And this is what you'll find. I know, I had bad thoughts when I read this headline, too.
All Good Things Must Come To An End
See, what I meant about the ugly choices? Marrying Rosie O'Donnell can't last long. It's the ending that makes it all worthwhile.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Don't Mess .... In Texas, You'll Get Shot and Killed Dead
Why would you be a bad guy in Texas? Everyone owns a gun and people really, really like to use them. Dave from Ace's blog has been watching this case, as have I. He explains what happened:
One would think that a few instances like this would be a major deterrent to crime. Move to DC, it's safer to be a criminal there.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
Allah says:To recap: Joe Horn, a resident of Pasadena Texas observed two men (illegal aliens as it happens), burglarizing a neighbor's home, and he called 911.
He spent some time on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
They didn't, and he grabbed a shotgun and went out to confront them.
According to the transcript, the 911 operator repeatedly urged Joe to stay inside and wait for law enforcement. Joe waited a while, then said 'he did not believe it would be right to let the burglars get away'.
"Well, here it goes, buddy," Horn can be heard telling the operator. "You hear the shotgun clicking and I'm going."
He went out, told em to stop. They didn't. And he shot both of them, in the back.
There’s the “stand your ground” provision. If it justifies him leaving the house to face them down, it’s not so much an exemption from the duty to retreat as an affirmative right to advance. And how was deadly force “immediately” necessary if it could have been prevented just by sitting tight? He’s got the shotgun and he’s watching them; if they try to come in his house, they’ll never know what hit them. Eh, whatever. It’s not worth parsing the statutes too finely since ultimately it’s in a (grand) jury’s hands and they’re not going to send an old man to jail for shooting two felons caught in the act, whatever the felony and time of day.Well, this is Texas. The police took a long time to show up. A plain clothes detective saw it and did nothing. Will this force a change in Texas concealed hand gun statutes? Doubtful. Will the Castle Doctrine and its parts and pieces get revoked? Doubt that, too. Will it confirm for knobby-headed elites that Texas is a barbaric, cowboy-attitude-infested wasteland? Probably. Just want to remind the naysayers of this.
One would think that a few instances like this would be a major deterrent to crime. Move to DC, it's safer to be a criminal there.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News