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You know what, I really cannot take this "democracy" talk. When I hear about Lebanon ousting the pro-Syria government, I hear every freaking Republican talk about how Bush's spread of democracy is working. DO THESE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE WENT TO IRAQ BECAUSE OF WMD? This democracy stuff is not what the people were told. Seriously, everyone that holds similar opinions to myself, need to constantly remind everyone that why we went to war. We cannot let them get away with this manipulation of the basis for the war.
Manic Monday
Things are getting better in Iraq. That's what we hear. I want to believe it. It just look like the reality.
Today was the bloodiest single day in over a year. Today's attack was the single largest in over two years.
I am really sorry about posting this picture. I pondered whether it was appropriate, but decided to show it. It is a reminder of what is happening everyday in a country that we unjustly attacked.
For the first time ever, I watched the Academy Awards. I only watched because Chris Rock was hosting. He was pretty funny. His Bush jokes were funny, and it was true to the point. I have actually heard some right-wingers complaining about Rock last night. Pretty pathetic, especially since there was a funny joke at the expense of John Kerry (claiming Kerry proposed to Oprah, because Oprah is so rich).
A few other thoughts I had: 1) what happened to Johnny Depp? 2) Sean Penn is a loser. he looked all drugged up and didn't even bother to button his shirt. 3) I think Jamie Foxx might have fake cried. I hope not, but it just seems planned because he has done this before.
Limp Bizkit? Can't Be! Putin Bush.
Fred Durst of forgotten band Limp Bizkit had his T-Mobile Sidekick hacked into and a video of him having sex is now on the internet. No link to the video here because we are a family site. I'm sure you can find it. Everyone should learn a lesson... wear a mask.
President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down at the end of the President's trip to politically hostile Europe. Conservative William Safire summed it up pretty well on NBC's Meet The Press:
"I was disheartened and dismayed by the way he went eyeball to eyeball with President Putin and Bush blinked. Here is a president who has been talking eloquently about extending freedom and fighting for democracy around the world in his inaugural address and the State of the Union. And as soon as he comes up against the man who is doing more to stop the extension of freedom than anybody else, he wimps out all of a sudden..."
"This was the time to stand up to him and say, "Hey, you're providing arms to Syria. You just sent 100,000 Kalashnikovs to Castro's friend who runs Venezuela. You're helping Iran develop nuclear bombs, and you ought to stop it. And worst of all, you're rolling back democracy in Russia." And so what does he do? He talks about my friend, Vladimir." - William Safire
Unrelated, but also interesting is this Social Security Calculator. It helps to illustrate why Social Security reform is dead for now. Click on the picture and calculate the effect the President's reform will have on your benefits:
The Return of One-Sided Ideology
Well, I am back, sorry to disappoint anyone. I was never really gone, I was just out of town this week taking the Arizona bar exam. I was just kidding with my leave of absence, so sorry for anyone that seriously thought I was that big of a dick that I would quit the site because of basketball. It was a blogger "sweeps week" stunt, that may have appeared too serious. Thanks to everyone that was concerned over my absence (I actually did receive calls and emails). And for those that think my posting is one-sided ideology, I am glad I can return to ruin your reading. (on a side note: Bush supporters complaining of one-sided ideology. ha. these are the same guys that thought we were getting greeted with flowers in Iraq.)
Anyways, I have been out of the news loop for a while, so I have some catching up to do. The one thing I did see that I wanted to talk about was the Bush tapes. Bush admits drug use, and Bush admits misleading the public in his answers. But there is one thing that really, really pissed me off about these tapes: this asshole makes fun of Al Gore for being honest by admitting he tried pot. That is sick. That's what you get with these guys. Making fun of Gore for being honest to the American people. Sadly, that always Gore's problem, because he was so honest.....kinda like how he honestly discussed social security DURING the campaign.
RIDICULOUS?
Today in Brussels President Bush said...
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table."
Hmmmm. Am I missing something? Cause it sounds like Bush is saying that he refuses to remove ridiculous options from the table. O.K. That being the case, I'd like to submit some other ridiculous options that the administration might not have thought of yet...
(1) Trojan Horse.
(2) Recruit Frisbee-golf pros to throw Frisbee shaped bomb.
(3) Fund light-saber research.
(4) Train grizzly bears to maul people with beards.
(5) Top-less front-line.
(6) New uniform for troops, based on Shredder from T.M.N.Ts.
(7) Killer Chimps.
In our current situation there are no easy answers. But hopefully these ridiculous ideas, combined with those of others, will help to fill the metaphorical table with options. Please, do your part. Add any and all ridiculous ideas in the comments section of this post. Think outside the box, folks.
The Strange Division
February 25 (Thursday of this week) one of my favorite bands lead by two of my favorite guys, The Strange Division, will play a their first show after long break and some band changes. They will play The Grog Shop tomorrow at about 10:00. More details on the show and The Grog Shop are available here. They encourage those heading to the show to get there early and to get hammered so as to cause a scene.
Former lead singer Wes Dodd has left for the west coast. The band is now back as a trio with lead guitarist Pete Milo back as the band's front man. Rumor has it that bassist Tim Fitzwater will be singing back up vocals. Go check out their show Thursday night at 10:00 at The Grog Shop!
U.S. Casualities Continue in Iraq
 
Elections in Iraq may have brought life to a possible democracy, but they have not curbed the daily deaths of U.S. soldiers. Since January 31, 2005 (day after the election) there have been 47 U.S. soldiers killed. That is just over two troops per day. These facts were taken from the website Iraq Coalition Casualities Count. I would encourage all to go there to get a real understanding of the numbers.
Since the eleciton in Iraq, I haven't seen much mention in any U.S. press about the continuing loss of U.S. soldiers. I'm not trying to take a shot at the administration. I just believe it is important for those on all sides of this issue to know that while we debate people Americans are being killed.
On the financial cost, this spreadsheet put out by the White House Budget office which details their projections for spending on the war.
Am I getting soft?
Well libs, get ready to fall off your bar stool...as a whole I liked Bush's speech Monday in Brussels.. Although some times it was openly hypocritical and strayed from reality. But all things considered, I liked the general direction. After a solid year of being pessimistic I am feeling strangely (and maybe temporarily) optimistic today. In no particular order, here are some parts of the speech that stood out to yours truly:
(1) "Yet for Russia to make progress as a European nation, the Russian government must renew a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We recognize that reform will not happen overnight. We must always remind Russia, however, that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power, and the rule of law."
---Now normally this would piss me off to no end. I mean Bush talking about the Rule of Law is one of my pet peeves (seeing as how we are holding all those folks indefinitely in Gitmo without lawyers or having been formally charged with any crimes.) But instead, I'd like to say that I am glad to at least hear the administration call Putin out, as opposed to turning a blind eye. It's a start.
(2) "A successful Palestinian democracy should be Israel's top goal as well. So Israel must freeze settlement activity, help Palestinians build a thriving economy, and ensure that a new Palestinian state is truly viable, with contiguous territory on the West Bank....A state of scattered territories will not work."
---The first two sentences are the standard administration line. Nothing special. But the last one, I like. Now does Bush&Co. really mean it?...I am going to do my best to stay optimist-Bob for at least one day.
(3) "Syria must also end its occupation of Lebanon."
---OK...he finally said it. Next time watch for a 'or else' to sneak in there.
(4) "In Iran, the free world shares a common goal. For the sake of peace, the Iranian regime must end its support for terrorism and must not develop nuclear weapons...In safeguarding the security of free nations, no option can be taken permanently off the table. Iran is, however, different from Iraq. We're in the early stages of diplomacy."
--The headline at Yahoo is: "Bush offers forceful words to Syria and Iran." Forceful? He was much less direct and aggressive than I expected, and by no means out-of-line.
(5) "Governments must choose to fight corruption, abandon old habits of control, protect the rights of conscience and the rights of minorities...Governments must invest in the health and education of their people, and take responsibility for solving problems instead of simply blaming others...Citizens must choose to hold their governments accountable."
---Just as I was starting to give the guy a chance...he started into the high-and-mighty, home-of-the-brave generalizations. I mean these are Bush's priorities: fight corruption (Enron, Haliburton), rights of minorities (Gay ban Amendment), healthcare (dismantling SS and siding with big pharmaceuticals), education (No Child Left Behind). And his call that all governments be held accountable brings old hatred to the surface. I mean, didn't this guy initially oppose the 9/11 commission?!
(6) "We refuse to live in a world dominated by fear."
---Sorry...these guys are fear mongers. Period. I mean aren't we still using the color-coded scare system? Gimme a break.
(7) "We will not be intimidated and the terrorists will not stop the march of freedom."
---'March of Freedom' scares me. I mean, the guy got re-elected, he has 4 years to do what he wants. Someone please tell him he can ease up on the rhetoric.
So, half good, half bad.
After a review like this the question must be asked...Am I getting too soft on old W.?
Hunter S. Thompson Suicide
Hunter S. Thompson shot himself over the weekend. He was 67. He was best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and wrote one of the best books I have read called The Rum Diary. Here are a few lines of his work:
"The delicate illusions that get us through life can only stand so much strain."
~The Rum Diary
"Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most mens reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of the rat race is not yet final."
~ The Great Shark Hunt
Snitch - New Bush Tapes Leaked
Today a man named Doug Wead leaked 9 hours of tapes of private conversations with President Bush to ABC News and The New York Times. Wead was an advisor to Bush 41 and close friend of the Bush family. He is stabbing the Bush family in the back. It was this close personal connection that Wead exploited to record the tapes. ABC news posted a brief video with audio clips of the tapes.
Partisanship aside, I feel bad for the President on this one. Wead is a snake. You don't do that to friends.
RE: I can't take it anymore
Don't forget to watch the NBA Allstar Game tonight at 8:00pm EST. Starting for the East will be Lebron James. It will be nice to sit at home on my couch under my Lebron James poster and watch him shine.
Also sitting at home watching the game in Boston will be Tyree Ricardo Davis .
I can't take it anymore
Well, I am sad to say, that all is not well amongst The Chief Source staff. I got in to a heated argument with Kyle over this "Lebron is King" comment. I don't know if I can work for such a person. As far as I can see, Lebron is a loser that fakes injuries, has a one of the most annoying mom's ever, has a baby, and has less championships then Darko. My political views have always been accepted here, but evidently my basketball views are not. Therefore, I am taking a leave of absence to rethink some things and explore other career options.
Lebron's Mom
Sunday's Meet the Press features of the possible 2008 Presidential Race, McCain versus Hillary. Then there is a discussion including the beautiful Katty Kay and her accent. This all adds up to mandatory viewing.
McCain wearing the worst hat in baseball.
Let The Truth Be Told
What if the American people saw what war is really like? What would they think? Well, we will find out. PBS (your tax dollars at work) is airing a documentary Tuesday February 22 titled "A Company of Soldiers." They will be airing a "clean" and "dirty" version of the show. The dirty version should give us all a good idea of what life as a soldier in Iraq is really like.
Thanks to Erick Lobao of eglobao.blogspot.com for the tip.
Is it gettin hot in here?
(1) RICE names IRAN as an "outpost of terror." (jan 19th)
(2) RICE says: A US attack on Iran is "not on the agenda at this point." (feb 4th)
(3) Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, (who had called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the country) is killed. (feb 14th)
(4) RICE warns Syria against interfering in Lebanon (and mentions that Syria has harbored Iraqi insurgents and allowed them to cross into Iraq to fight against US troops) . (feb 16th)
(5) IRAN says: "We are ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront threats" (feb 16th)
(6) RICE says: We have "an increasing list of problems" with Syria.
(7) SYRIA says: "[Syria and Iran] require a united front due to numerous challenges." (feb 17th)
(8) BUSH says: The United States will work with other countries to pressure Syria to remove its troops from Lebanon. (feb 17th)
(9) BOB says: "This is bordering on scary."
Maybe I am blowing this way out of proportion. But if I was the evil leaders of Syria and Iran, I wouldn't wait around to be 'liberated.' I mean, they know that they're on Bush's to-do list and unlike Saddam, they can be sure he isn't bluffing. But as of now, Bush still has his hands full with Iraq. If I were them, I'd be assuming that the minute Iraq is up-and-running that those U.S. troops are coming my way. And Bush can always tie the death of Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to Syria to justify the move (the new WMD propaganda). If it were me, I'd sneak everything I had over the border to try to destabilize Iraq (which seems to be happening), and if that didn't work...
I'd ring the Jihad-Bell!! Can you imagine?
EXTRA! EXTRA! SYRIA, IRAN STRIKE FIRST!
Someone please tell me that I'm being paranoid.
New News on my Gannon/Guckert
It has now been revealed that Gannon/Guckert (fake journalist/gay military pimp) was in the White House press room even before Talon News existed. It is becoming more and more likely that Gannon/Guckert has been planted by the Bush White House. This is the same President that has given the fewest press conferences ever. The same President that pays journalists with American tax dollars to write fake complements about his stupid programs.
In an unrelated item: The Senate passed a law that shifts Class Action lawsuits to Federal Court. It will limit class action suits, and is just another giveaway to big business. This is just another example of the hypocritical nature of these guys. Republicans run around yelling about all the lawsuits that are ruining the country, but THE PEOPLE decide on these awards. They listen to the facts, and make a decision. So the Republicans must think every juror (who come to near unanimous decisions) are a bunch of idiots. They don't want the government in your life, unless it involves getting justice against companies like Walmart.
Technical Times - Editor's Note
I want to appologize to our readers who tried to log onto this website yesterday to find it completely messed up. Blogger is in the process of "improving" their service. You may have noticed that when making comments the pages have drastically changed in format. These changes being made completely broke my wbesite yesterday.
In college I majored in Political Science and not Computer Science. As a result, I have built a site that is unstable. This website is built using a computer language called HTML. To computer people it is simple, but to me it looks like nonsense. If one little symbol in hundreds of lines of code is different it completely throws off the entire format. The fact that I have have learned how to do this by trial and error makes errors frequent.
In any event, please bare with the extra space on the left side of the screen, the missing content from our sidebars, and other adjustments as I rework things.
Conservative Columnist Chris Nugent, back by popular demand, resides in San Diego California:
I want to start this post by expressing my respect and appreciation for the generations that have preceded us. Our world is based on the ingenuity and advancement of the men and women in our past. Those of us who are beginning our journey through life owe everything we have to the ones that have come before.
Switching to cold blooded bastard mode-
With that said, I want to put forth a depiction of elderly persons living in this country today in relation to our move toward “fixing” social security and enacting medicare. We live in a time of exponential growth concerning technological advancement. With computer aided research, we are seeing an unnaturally quick progression in the understanding of the human body- what ails us and how to fix it. Drug companies have exploded in recent years taking rightful advantage of this knowledge. And while the benefits are virtually innumerable, the effect that this wave is having on the senior most citizens of this country is cause for concern.
Senior citizens today are enjoying a spoiled life in comparison to those that have lived and died on more natural paths before us. Drugs exist to cure or suppress so many ailments that meant death in the past, creating unusually long lives, by recent historical standards. This is not a bad thing except that our golden years are extending without a parallel in social trends toward living patterns. And by that I mean- we still wind down at roughly the same age, leaving productivity behind us for longer and longer periods of retirement. Given the nature of exponential growth, this is a problem that will become more obvious with time.
You may think tha |
Chuck, 
BJ, 
