RoverPundit

Can we talk?

Can we talk?
Now that IDF tanks are closing in on him with a certain vengeful gleam in their eyes, Yasser Arafat wants a cease fire.

When I mentioned this to my SO, she replied with "Well, duh."

Funny, that was my thought.

"I would like to reiterate our readiness to work for an immediate cease-fire," Arafat said, adding that he had informed U.S. Middle East Envoy Anthony Zinni, who is in the region.

Translation - "Now that I am facing my own very incipient mortality, could we try out that cease fire? Oh, you mean we tried that? It didn't work? Why wasn't I told about this!? (Cut to pistol waving, frathing at the mouth, etc. Use stock footage.)

But Arafat's words -- delivered in Arabic at a Ramallah news conference -- were immediately doubted by Israeli officials, who demanded action rather than words.

Talk is cheap, Yasser. Your life just got even cheaper.

I'm with the Captain on this one

I'm with the Captain on this one
In this article, Steven Den Beste states:

I put the odds at even money that Arafat will die within 48 hours.

Not a moment to soon.

Update: He's upgraded the odds to 3 out of four that Arafat dies within a week.

Personally, I think that he won't last the next 24. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Updated Update: In one of his comments on his discussion board, he ends with this gem:

The more I read and the more I think about this, the more certain I become.

And quite frankly, I won't mourn. Maybe I'll go find a TV camera and dance in the street in front of it.

Me, too, man.

Me, too.

Quitting

Quitting
Like the illustrious HawkGirl, I am trying to stop smoking. Only, unlike her, I am an idiot. I tried to quit cold turkey.

Didn't work. Going from a pack a day to nothing is not fun. Learned something new, though... Never, ever, ever, attempt to give an important status report to the Board of Directors when nic'ing ones balls off. My god, I thought I was going to kill someone in there.

So, I went back to my old habit. But only until tomorrow. Tomorrow, I purchase the patch.

If anyone reading this has any advice, please drop me an e-mail at roverpundit@attbi.com.

How do I love Dell, let me count the ways...

How do I love Dell, let me count the ways...
Just when I was getting sick and tired of dealing with Dell, they come through with the excellent service that makes me their cheerleader.

My home machine, which I use primarily for gaming, is approaching the end of it's warranty. A month or so ago, the video card fan started making noise, and I called to get it replaced. My old video card was a barely adequate nVidia GeForce256 with 64MB DDR RAM. Not bad, but not great. I was trying to figure out where the money to replace it was going to come from.

The new one arrived last week, and the first thing I notice is that it looks much different than the one I had in the machine. So I pop it in, boot the system, and wait for the drivers to tell me what I had gotten.

nVidia GeForce3 TI 500. Woohoo!!!

They replaced my ailing card with their top of the line.

This is why I am, forever, Michael Dell's bitch.

(I am in no way affiliated with Dell. I just have no shame.)

No More

No More
After this last attack, I now have no sympathy for the Palestinians. They don't want peace, they don't want a homeland, they want to kill Jews, Christians, and anyone else they disagree with. As Stephen Green said so Stephen, or Lileks, so I'll direct you to their amazing writing.

As an American, I'm all for disagreement. I love disagreement, argument, debate. My father refers to me and my mother as "Olympic Class Arguers", which I'm pretty sure isn't a compliment, but should rule out the possibility that I want all debate crushed. With that said, someone needs to explain to the Palestinians, and the entire Arab world, that you do not argue by killing everyone who disagrees with you. If that's the way you absolutely must argue, then don't be surprised when the rest of us get together and kill you.

Which leads nicely, I think, to the next point. The Captain pointed out that we can't just militarily defeat the Islamofascists, we must break their will, destroy their confidence, defeat them so badly that there is no way for them to spin it as a victory, or even a stalemate. I feel that this applies to all of the belligerent Arab states and quasi-states; Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Palestine, etc.

I didn't always think this way. I had sympathy for the Palestinians, they've had a rough time, nobody likes them, no countries will give them a place to live, lotsa bad shit. In my naivete, I wondered why the IDF went after these poor unfortunate rock chuckers with tanks, gunships, and trained soldiers. This was before September 11th, when I was still living in my perfect little world. Then, while NYC burned and thousands died, these fuckwads were dancing in the streets and celebrating!?! Celebrating, for the love of God! At that moment, they became my enemy.

Back to the Palestinians plight. Like I said, I was sympathetic. Then I started reading about the attacks on civilians by Al-Aqsa, and the retaliations from the IDF, and I began to understand. I've read about the "cycle of violence" in the news, on Metafilter(will not link), on Indymedia(really will not link), and I started to realize that everything that I had thought true about the conflict was wrong. So I read more.

The Israelis (why is it Israelis, and not Israelites?) are not perfect. They've got blood on their hands. The IDF has had its moments of barbarity, its shameful behavior. Overall, though, they have been prosecuting their attacks with extreme restraint, and limiting their attacks to military targets. If they didn't restrain themselves, does anyone really think there would be a single Palestinian left anywhere near Israel? So, for the most part, they are fighting like a soldier fights: with honor.

The Palestinians, for the most part, have been bloody awful. They attack civilians, unarmed men, women, and children, whose only sin is being Jewish. They attack them in Sbarro's, in hotels, in shopping malls, anywhere they can find them unprotected. This is not the way a soldier fights. Their is no honor in targeting and killing civilians.

Back to my original point, the terroristic Arab states must be defeated. When I heard about the latest attack, I was ready to go further and demand their cities razed, no stone standing upon another, and sowing the earth with salt. I've calmed down a bit, although I'm not sure it's that noticeable. Now, I just want them stomped so hard their descendants will talk about it in hushed voices, while looking over their shoulders in fear. I would like this to be known as the day that the Palestinian cause died, the day the "American Street" rose up in rage.

Well, that was rambling. I apologize to anyone who has made it this far.

Home, James

Home, James
Dudley Moore is gone. The only movie that I remember of his is Arthur. I think I'll go rent it this weekend.
RIP

I am Uber-Slacker

I am Uber-Slacker
Sorry about the 7 postless days. No excuses. I suck.
(I have no idea why I write these apologies. It's not like I actually get traffic. For my one semi regular reader, Thank You!!!! I'll try to be more interesting.)

No snarky comments, please

No snarky comments, please
When one runs out of shirts, one should probably look in the dryer. God, I'm a slob.

That's just wrong

That's just wrong
Found this little gem over at Neal Boortz's site

SURE FIRE CURE FOR A COUGH
A listener heard me talking about being kept awake at night with a persistent cough. He suggested taking a huge dose of Ex Lax. His experience is that after you've taken a large Ex Lax dose you wouldn't DARE cough.

Ewwww....

Morons

Morons
Well, if there was any doubt that Yasser Arafat is either unwilling, or unable, to stop the Palestinian attacks, this really should dispel them.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a busy shopping street in Jerusalem on Thursday, killing three Israelis and prompting Israel to put off U.S.-led cease-fire talks.
...
More than 40 were wounded by the blast, which wrecked shop fronts and hurled people and limbs through the air.
...
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a group linked to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for the attack, Israel's second suicide bombing in two days.

Ah, Reuters. Grow a fucking spine. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is the militant wing of Yasser Arafats Fatah movement. That's a little stronger than "linked to," don't you think?
It's becoming increasingly obvious that Palestinians, led by Arafat, are not interested in peace unless they get to kill all of the Jews in the middle east.
Fuckers.

Moore is Less

Moore is Less
Yet another delectable screed from James Lileks.

I Love the UK

I Love the UK
Looks like the UK is set to follow the US's lead, and is warning rogue states that it will go nuclear in response to WMD attacks.

BRITAIN would be ready to make a nuclear strike against states such as Iraq if they used weapons of mass destruction against British forces, Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, told MPs yesterday.

He issued his warning as officials in Washington and London privately predicted that military action to try to topple Saddam Hussein was likely to be launched at the end of the year.

Mr Hoon was briefing the Commons defence select committee on the threat posed by four countries Britain had identified as "states of concern": Iraq, Iran, Libya and North Korea.

He said that Saddam had already used chemical weapons against his own people. The possibility that rogue states would be prepared to use such weapons again, possibly sacrificing their own population, could not be ruled out.

He said that dictators such as Saddam "can be absolutely confident that in the right conditions we would be willing to use our nuclear weapons.

"What I cannot be absolutely confident about is whether that would be sufficient to deter them from using a weapon of mass destruction in the first place."

I guess the UK's getting fed up with the restraint line coming out of continental Europe, and letting it be known that they're not playing any more.

via Drudge

Blogger Like Posts

Blogger Like Posts
Well, it doesn't matter after all. I nearly finished my screed, Alice finds a better one. I try to link to the better one on Alice in TV Land, blogger eats the link.
Grrr
I think I'm going to stick to networks. Those I understand.

On With The Show

On With The Show
That was foul. Really, really foul.

I'll be in the corner kicking the cat

I'll be in the corner kicking the cat
I know I promised a rant on the whiney Yale grad's column. Unfortunately, the cat thought this would be a lovely time to make a mess. So I'll be cleaning for a few.
Many apologies.

It Ain't My Fault

It Ain't My Fault
Steven Den Beste lets loose a mighty rant.
I can't, for the life of me, find anything to disagree with in it.
Wow.

Cruel and Unusual

Cruel and Unusual
This is just too much.

For years, owning a car in Iran meant just one thing, the government-made Paykan. First made in Britain as the Hunter Hillman, the Paykan remains Iran's most popular car, despite the fact that nary a screw has been redesigned since the first one was built here in 1967.

Could you imagine? The only car available for thirty years is BRITISH?!? Thirty years of Lucas "The Prince of Darkness" Electrics. Thirty years of leaky, inefficient engines; thirty years of horrible engineering experiments. If we needed tangible evidence of evil, here it is.
Well, at least they're bringing out some new models. But, they're looking at getting the power plants from BMW or Rover? BMW I can see. Rover, though... You'd think they'd have figured out that, if you want a vehicle that is even moderately economical, the Brits still haven't figured out how to design one.
Don't get me wrong. I love my Rover, no matter its faults. (Intermittent wipers with extra-intermittent-ness, squeaky interior, strange transmission behavior, incredibly expensive maintenance, wierd starts, leaky sunroofs, leaky engine, leaky power steering, leaky transfer case, and incredible thirst for all things refined-gas, oil, all fluids.) But a British auto should only be imposed upon one's self, with full knowledge of the pain that accompanies it. To force another into that pain? That's just wrong.

Thanks to Amygdala for the link.

Can't sleep, clowns will eat me

Can't sleep, clowns will eat me
I'm back, mostly. Insomnia's a bitch.
Have a couple of things percolating right now, we'll see how they look later.

Biking, hiking, riding, camping

Biking, hiking, riding, camping
Not much going on today. Just getting ready for vacation. 4 days in Moab. I can't wait.
Till then, be well.

Now, It's Personal

Now, It's Personal
Looks like the Sarge is diversifying. Now, we get a site that is dedicated to personal stuff. Sweet.
And with a name like More Stupid Than Stupid, you just can't miss.

Oops

Oops
This is gonna give somebody a hell of a black eye.

When our government decides to be efficient, nothing beats it.

In July of 2000, two men on tourist visas signed up for pilot training at a school in Florida. The school then made a request to the INS on behalf of those men for student visas. This week, the school received paperwork from the INS approving the issuance of student visas. That's a snappy 20 months to process the paperwork.

By the way, the men were named Mohamed Atta and Marwan Al-Shehhi; and they piloted the two jets which struck the WTC towers.

Via U.S.S. Clueless

Yet there is beauty...

Yet there is beauty...

Never Forget

Never Forgive
via Daimnation!

Long day today. Long, busy,

Long day today. Long, busy, but nicely productive day. Let's see if I can catch up.

Falling Down

Falling Down

Watched the 9/11 documentary last night.

Who knew falling bodies made such a noise?

Who, having seen the bodies hit, could ever sleep again without hearing the sound?

How many good men are going to eat the barrel in six years just to make the sound stop?

I don't think there is anthing else to say...

Flourescent Stupidity

Flourescent Stupidity
This is why I will battle moral relatavists on every front. Excellent takedown of insane gibberish, by the Fly Bottle.

Six Months After

Six Months After
5 pieces, looking back. The terrorist have lost if..., The City, The Senses, The Show, and a Sermon. From someone who was there, who lived through the ordeal. Must read.

Sore Loser

Sore Loser
According to this article, Alec Baldwin lost a college election by one vote. He demanded a recount, and when it became clear that he had lost, he changed schools. For some reason, I'm not surprised.

Freedom for Pacifism Act

Freedom for Pacifism Act
I've long been in favor of this idea, but he wrote it much more eloquently than I could.

Life Insurance Payouts

Life Insurance Payouts
When are insurance companies going to include a stupidity clause in their policies?
(Post titled Local View)

Fire Bad!!!!

Fire Bad!!!!

Josh was writing for MTV when those kids decided to set each other on fire. While MTV went through all his scripts looking for trouble (litigation), (which, of course, they found), he wrote this.

Very funny.
Via B-May.

Reflections begin

Reflections begin
Joshua Trevino has come out with his opinions of the 9.11 documentary that aired this evening, as does Christopher Johnson. Joshua also looks back on being in New York while it happens. The best quote of the night, though, has to go to Joshua. It's a big chunk, but it's all very worthwhile.

There was the shock of seeing New Yorkers, ordinarily so awful to one another, clogging the blood banks and the volunteer centers. And there was the shock of seeing some friends descend into depraved idiocy, circulating e-mails demanding restraint from "vengeance," explaining why they could not fly American flags, wringing their hands over anti-Arab "racism." They were inevitably the graduate students, the humanities majors. They died that day, too. If there is a nobility of soul that makes life worth living, then those people on that day were exposed as having none of it, and I regard them as empty men. I will not forget who they are.

Exactly right. Now read the rest.
I'm really upset that I didn't get a chance to watch it. If anyone taped it, and would be willing to provide me with a copy, I would be in your debt.

I am currently trying to

I am currently trying to get some words down, something to sum up my thoughts on the 6 month anniversary. Writers block is a bitch. I should have something up tomorrow.
Update: Not getting any better...

Music for thinking

Music for thinking
Nothing beats Pink Floyd's The Wall when one's in an introspective mood.

I got wild, staring eyes
And I got a strong urge to fly
But I got nowhere to fly to

Just one of those nights...

Remember

Remember
Six months tomorrow.
I think he managed the most effective tribute I have ever seen. And I hadn't even got to the article. The man is a genius.
Also, winter weather, Sunday morning reminisces, and a movie review. What more can you ask for?

Let 'em eat pizza

Let 'em eat pizza
This is bizarre, even for Minnesota.

Pope Incorrigible I

Pope Incorrigible I
I enjoy my atheism, but this could make me get religion...
A religion for the drinking man, by the drinking man. Hallelujah!

This is a very funny

This is a very funny critique of the Noble Savage/"Man living in harmony with nature" school of thought that many environmentalists seem to be very fond of spouting. Plus, anyone who can figure out a way to use the phrase "Pale penis people" to describe the Europeans who settled America is ok in my book.

Well, now that I'm ready

Well, now that I'm ready to post, bloggers down hard. This sucks.

And now, it looks like

And now, it looks like I have a functioning counter. Cool.

Ye flippin' gods, that picture

Ye flippin' gods, that picture looks horrible. This is much harder without my image tools. :-p
There. That's much better. Still need to shrink it down a bit, though.

New template. Am I a

New template. Am I a glutton for punishment, or what.
Also, I seem to have lost any HTML ability that I might have had. I will figure out the picture and the counter, so help me Dog.

Well, the pictures working, but

Well, the pictures working, but I'm a slacker.
I was originally inspired to do this by Glenn Reynolds of InstaPundit fame. I know that I will never be at the level he is at, but maybe I can muddle along. Also, I was hoping to improve my writing skills through this. Who knows how that'll work.
I've been casting about, looking for a purpose for this blog. There are more than enough blogs offering excellent and witty commentary, and I am somewhat less than excellent and witty. Then I found my reason.
My SO is in school right now, studying for pre-vet. This means that she has very little time to read the news and keep current on events. So, I will note the things that I find that I think are worthy, and hopefully she will read it and be interested.
Well, that's the plan, anyway.
This weekend is going to be fairly busy, but I'll try for one item a day. Let's see if I can do this...