Linkagery

Images of mohammad...Zombie Time
Danish Food Fight
Islam's Nancy Boys

Glenn Reynolds I ain't.

I will be so happy when my place is repaired and I can live like normal people again. This boarding house thing really, really sucks. Unless I use a public terminal, my internet access is limited to when everyone else is asleep...forget about extra phonelines or satellite dishes, as they are forbidden. Oh, and did I mention that cell phones won't work until you travel two miles down the road.
Sorry for the rant, had to get that off my chest...at least I convinced the owners that a computer won't cause the place to catch on fire. ;-)

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An interesting post...

A local blogger has an interesting post that is very well thought out and has handy links. The post concerns Arcata, California and the newly minted Sandy Springs, Georgia. Keep an eye on these two experiments in local government. And thanks to Tim Peck for noticing and caring enough to write about it.

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Monday Links

Monday's Winds of War: 30 Jan 2006
by WoW Team Monday at January 30, 2006 05:47 AM

Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Monday's Winds of War briefings are given by Peace Like a River and Security Watchtower...Grab a cup of Joe and read the rest.

Have you ever wondered what the neocons are up to? Go here for a taste of what some people are thinking. Full Disclosure: Since I used to be a member of the Democrat Party, and liberal, I am considered a Neoconservative. My views on this Fourth World War we are engaged in lead me to believe that the Bush 43 administration aren't warlike enough for my taste. Remember, I think Ghengis (hard g, Mr. Kerry) Khan is to the left of me. ;-p

I send out my prayers to the ABC co-anchor, his cameraman; and their family and friends. These guys aren't afraid to leave the green zone, and should be respected for their efforts to cover the story of the Iraqi Theater of WWIV.

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Sunday Contrails

Apollyon

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Battlestar Galactica episode "Black Market"

No content spoilers, psychological spoilers only.

I hope this was an aberration. My personal nickname for this episode is "Saigon on a Freighter" and just, well, I dunno. Threw me for such a loop I forgot to continue recording after the 2nd commercial break. The deleted scenes for this episode better show an editing problem of biblical proportions. Too much new material to absorb at once, I guess I'll have to record again Monday night and watch it a few times.

Note to Ron Moore:

Please don't pull a "V"-style Elizardbeth with the hybrid Homo sapiens cylonensis. Please, man. I am begging you. Don't go there.

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A Question for The Legacy Media

Imagine these guys were Americans celebrating an election win.

Would the Legacy Media approach their coverage the same way?

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Hamas wins elections?

I guess the old adage that says the Palestinians don't miss an opportunity to mess up IS true.
I hope this finally beats it into some thick skulls in the Israeli electorate that the Palestinians are so driven by hate that they have forfeited any right (if they ever had any) to be regarded as rational people.
I heard the news from the BBC this morning, but didn't give any credence to it because of the Beeb's bias against Israel. Later, as I checked out the Top Stories on FOX, I saw a promo for the rebroadcast of Cavuto talking about a Hamas win. What? Has the world gone mad?
In my opinion, this makes war virtually inevitable. Whether it is a low-intensity conflict or a full-blown affair remains to be seen.

The one bright spot in this whole thing is I believe it improves the chances of Bibi Netanyahu being elected to the office of Prime Minister this spring.
Oh, and one more thing, maybe this will bring the stupid, misguided policy of the Bush 43 administration of trading land for peace to an end. It is folly of the highest order to assume that Palestinians, or their allies, are capable of being faithful to any agreement.
Pray for Israel, her people and her leaders, as well as our own. I see Dark Days ahead.
The Jerusalem Post has a story. I am sure the Blogosphere is inundated with similar stories and misgivings about the future.

I don't even have to check out The Gates of Vienna to know that an insightful analysis is soon to be, if not already, posted.
Another two sites to check are The Belmont Club and the Winds of Change. While I don't always agree with some of the crew at Winds, I am assured that they have thought things through from their point of view.

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Strike Three for the Unfit Nations

What? A Scandal at the UN involving money?
The boys in Powder Blue ran away while people were being killed?

Wretchard has the details.
I just wish i could meet someone who works for the UN face-to-face, just one time, I'd laugh at him/her/it until it hurt.
I find myself beginning to believe they are far more dangerous to us than all our oher enemies because they provide shelter for them.

I guess the prefix their acronym spells out was a Freudian slip after all, at least The League of Nations had a ring to it, even if they were just as an incompetent bunch of boobs as the current bunch.

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Why did Canada vote Conservative?

Because they didn't want our liberals moving there!

Since I didn't work yesterday (it was raining), I was fortunate enough to be ensconced in Hunter Library at WCU all day.
I got to hear the last few minutes of Ken Bagwell before 9 am on WZNNWZGM.

Later, I listened to a little Rush and then Take A Stand with Matt Mittan. Visited my very first Chat Room also during the show. It was different, hearing the host on the radio and seeing his words typed on the screen as he carried on conversations with the "Cave Dwellers". Found out wb means welcome back. ;-)
I had to google chat room abbreviations and print them out to get a better grip on what was happening.
It's too bad I'll be listening at work, OUTSIDE, and unable to see what's happening in the Cave. And Yes, What happens in the Cave, Stays in the Cave.
You can visit Matt's website here, and as a friendly warning: DO NOT PLAY THE PENGUIN GAME !!!
It is addictive and my best score is 298.4 Matt's is 324 or so...But we don't really know that do we? I think that is one reason he hasn't put his site up sooner, He wanted to boost his Penguin score to a number virtually impossible to reach. And since I can't play it very well on a 28k connect speed, I'll never beat him. (sniff)

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Monday Briefing 01-23

Monday's Winds of War: 23 Jan 2006
by WoW Team Monday on January 23, 2006 05:21 AM

Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused...read the rest.

No work today...more rain.

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Sunday Blogger for 01-22-006

I found this blog whilst surfing. In particular, this article was my landing spot. Very nicely done, Ed. Oh, and he is located in NC as well. Add him to your favorites, or use my sidebar to visit him, you'll be glad you did.

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CLoud Pictures

Picture taken 01-21-2006 around 10am.

Lots of contrails all day long!

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Fire on the Mountain

Yesterday, some contract workers tried to burn a brush pile without raking around it, and even worse, had no rakes or shovels with which they could've combated a breakout. WoW ! And to think we had a hard time keeping our piles going. Go Figure. Anyhow here are some photos I shot of the fire and the response...

About four brush trucks from the NC Forest Service and a truck from the Maggie Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded. They all left out the other way, so I didn't get to take their pix while leaving. I don't see how more than an acre could've been burnt. Since we left our fires after dark, I couldn't get a photo of the aftermath. I'll do that Tuesday, since Monday looks to be a rain-out and a day at Hunter Library.

The History Guy

My first Friday without the good Doctor Forstchen on the radio. Bummer. At least I had Dr. Walter Williams to listen to on the other station as he subbed for El Rushbo.

Battlestar Galactica

Oh.My.Freaking.Gosh. (!!!) Somebody slap Dr. Baltar.

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Blue Screen of Death

I've restored emergency life-support and may have to abanbon ship.
I have demanded too much for too long from a 300 MHz chipset and cheated death with 32 Meg of RAM and under 4Gb of Hard Drive space.
This episode has beaten into my thick skull that perhaps it is time to get another ship. Maybe even leave Windows 98SE behind and switch to XP...
I have much to say this weekend, and will leave you a photo (should my system remain stable long enough) to ponder...

New Episode of Battlestar Galactica tonight !!!

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American Civil Liberties Union

Does the ACLU stand for American Civil Liberties Union, or does it stand for All Criminal Liberties Union?

(Google Search) ACLU files lawsuit

(Google Search) ACLU files lawsuit against Bush

I think they stand with our enemies. I just haven't really decided if it is naive, stupid, or malicious.

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Ha !!! Take THAT Lefties !

I found this post recently on Western World Politics:
emphasis mine

10 ways Nazis and Communist are both far left

"There is more that binds us to Bolshevism that separates us from it...I have given orders that...Communists are to be recruited into the party at once. The petite bourgeois Social Democrat and the trade union boss will never make a Nazi, but the communist always will" - Adolf Hitler

Read the rest here.

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Blame Me...

They serve for me — blame me.
They were wounded for me — blame me.
They died for my freedom — blame me.

In my heart, every day is Memorial Day.

There is a lot of contention regarding the war on terror recently. I don't understand why. We're at war with people who would destroy us without thinking twice. I certainly respect the feelings of mothers who have lost children in the service of our country. In another way I also thank people like them, because the precious sacrifices of their children keep me free. God bless them, for they have offered up a priceless sacrifice. The anti-war activists among them do America great harm. They undermine morale at home and on the battlefield. They have gone too far for too long...

Click Here

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Death of a Friend

My favorite radio station is changing its format to Fox Sports, and will change its call letters as well.

A brief Roll Call:
Local Show Top of the Morning with Brian O'Brien and Betsy O'Betsy
National Laura Ingraham
Local Shows No Apologies Radio (Brandon Randolph)
Mountain Guardian with Peter Dawes and Carri Hudson
Entrepreneurs' Edge with Elaine Robinson
Lifestyles Food and Wine with April Adams
The Tech Know Dude (Matthew Ledford)
The History Guy (Dr William R. Forstchen of Montreat)
Dennis Prager
Heads Up America with Ken Bagwell

I couldn't listen to the other programming because I live out of range of the signal and my internet connection too slow to get the streaming.

I wish all the talent at the station well, and hope the listeners will stay active in their communities. If there is one epilogue to WZNN, I hope it is an increased civic involvement.

More to come, as I gather my thoughts...I just found out about this as I updated my mirror of Kens' site.

Message to Brian O'Brien...Stay in touch here and via e-mail!

Bobby

Update Rained out of work, will probably post more and will check my email thunderpigblog AT yahoo DOT com or robertcogginsjr AT yahoo DOT com.

This too funny !!!

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New Terror Tactics spread to Nigeria

John Robb, of Global Guerrillas, reports on new tactics used by MEND of Nigeria.
An excerpt from the article follows:

Monday, January 16, 2006

NIGERIAN EVOLUTION

"Our aim is to totally destroy the capacity of the Nigerian government to export oil..." from an e-mail sent by the new Nigerian guerrilla group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta (MEND), that claimed the recent attacks.

A series of high tempo attacks (four in the last five days) have deeply disrupted Nigeria's oil production -- attacks on oil platforms, a pumping station, and pipelines have already reduced the country's oil production by 10%. Shell has withdrawn 330 employees from the region, and shut down four pumping stations. Four Shell employees are currently being held hostage.

These attacks are substantially more sophisticated than previous efforts which were typically either riot/protests or bunkering gone awry. These new attacks include:

Swarm-based maneuver. The guerrillas are using speed boats in the Niger Delta's swamps to quickly attack targets in succession...(read the rest).

If it rains,I'll post more here today.

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Monday Morning Briefing

Every Monday morning, I get my briefing at Winds of Change. This morning's article is entitled:
Monday's Winds of War: 16 Jan 2006, and it is good reading over a couple cups of coffee.

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Alito Poll from local ISP

If you had a vote, would you vote to confirm Judge Alito?

Yes 76.11%
No 23.88%

Go here to participate. No telling when they'll put another question up, so haste is of the essence.

We got snow!!! Ya Hoo! But, I'll still have to go to work tomorrow. Bummer. No MLK observation in the construction industry.

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The Idiots' Guide To the Alito Confirmation, part one

Chair...The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether my colleages can trick you into taking their rope, tying a noose in it, then placing it around your neck and jumping off your chair on live television.

Alito...I'll try not to do that, sir.

Sen D...Here is some pretty rope. Do you want to hold it?

Alito...It sure is pretty. I'll pass.

Sen R...That was a bad rope Sen D tried to offer you. I am sure you know how to handle that kind of rope, and am glad you left it alone.

Alito...I know a bad rope when I see it.

Sen D...My rope is pretty. Far prettier than the other ropes. Hold it in your hands and notice how well it is made.

Alito...It sure is pretty, and smooth, too. But, I am not sure it is all that well made. Sure is pretty, though.

Sen D...Notice the length of that rope you are holding, and think of how easy it would be to tie it into a noose for me.

Alito...It sure is long, but I am not sure it would be appropriate for me to tie this rope into a noose. Thanks for asking, though.

Sen R...Here is a piece of rope. You don't want it, do you?

Alito...Sure don't.

Sen D...I think Alito has already had a rope in his hands before these hearings. In fact, I believe there is evidence that he tied the rope into a noose and jumped off a high place with the noose around his neck. I demand that my minions be allowed to prove this thing.

Chair...I don't think so, Sen D.

Sen D...I demand it !!!

Sen R...You are in no position to demand anything, Sen D. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I will allow your minions to pursue this red herring.

Time passes...

Chair...The minions of Sen D searched and searched, but they could find no red herring, nor were there ropes to be found.

Alito...I don't remember the piece of rope Sen D says I had. I never did anything with it, I just, well, I just flirted with it was all.

Sen D...I hope you do your job like I would.

Alito...I'll do the job as well as I can. If approved, that is.

Sen R...I hope you do your job like I would.

Alito...I'm not going to commit to that, either.

Sen D...I hope you do your job like the person you are replacing did. (sniffles)

Alito...That person did the job well, and I'm not sure I'll do as well. I'll just do what I can given what I run across during my tour...if approved, that is.

Sen R...Soon we will vote on you, and at how well we thought you avoided doing bad things with all the rope that was offered to you.

Sen D...I think you wanted to use the rope. I know I wanted you to do so... so that people like me could have your job.



Coming in part two...The Vote

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WWII Bomber captured midflight

Thanks to Defense Tech for the Heads Up.

Go here for the story

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Political Quiz Results

Forgive me for posting two quizes so close together. I took this one last fall and lost the address. Thanks to the wonders of Google, I found it again. I plan on adding this to my sidebar AND in my bookmarks site. Here are my results, which are the same as what they were earlier. (No flip-flopper am I!)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enterpriser
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Enterpriser typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Enterprisers represent 9 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
As in previous studies conducted in 1987, 1994 and 1999, this extremely partisan Republican group’s politics are driven by a belief in the free enterprise system and social values that reflect a conservative agenda. Enterprisers are also the strongest backers of an assertive foreign policy, which includes nearly unanimous support for the war in Iraq and strong support for such anti-terrorism efforts as the Patriot Act.

Defining Values
Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole. Very satisfied with personal financial situation.

Who They Are
Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30.

Lifestyle Notes
59% report having a gun in their homes; 53% trade stocks and bonds in the stock market, and 30% are small business owners – all of which are the highest percentages among typology groups. 48% attend church weekly; 36% attend bible study or prayer group meetings.

2004 Election
Bush 92%, Kerry 1%. Bush’s most reliable supporters (just 4% of Enterprisers did not vote)

Party ID
81% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 1% Democrat (98% Rep/LeanRep)

Media Use
Enterprisers follow news about government and politics more closely than any other group, and exhibit the most knowledge about world affairs. The Fox News Channel is their primary source of news (46% cite it as a main source) followed by newspapers (42%) radio (31%) and the internet (26%).

Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December. Based on your answers to the survey questions, you most closely resemble survey respondents within this group, even though you may differ significantly on one or more issues or traits.

In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.
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Here is what they say about other "types"...

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What has happened to Thunder Pig ???

I have intended for this blog to be secular.
That is not working out for me.
I won't push my faith on anyone.
There has been self-censorship on my postings, being that I have conciously not posted things I have run across that are Christian-related.

No longer.

I found an interesting post here.

Here is an excerpt to get a taste to help you decide whether of not to follow the link:
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SECURITY BREACHES IN THE UNITED STATES

Shortly after 9/11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that America’s freedoms could eventually destroy her. What did he mean? I believe he was alluding to something he saw in our national psyche. He realized that America was so concerned with protecting the civil rights of individual terrorists and other groups planning the destruction of America, that we were jeopardizing our own freedoms and nullifying our own rights.

We can see this occurring at the present. In Cuba, a detention center for alleged terrorist suspects is called “ Gitmo Bay.” Prior to the 2004 Presidential election, liberal politicians were jumping on the band wagon by saying that these men were being mistreated. Such alleged “mistreatment” included eating food that was against their religion, mishandling the Qu’ran, and keeping them in the heat instead of an air-conditioned building. The same cry is being raised again, as the left is raising opposition to the President for allowing wiretaps of terror suspects.

The brain-dead of the beltway establishment attempt to make the argument that “poor old grandmother is having her rights taken by the government invading her privacy.” First of all, a law-abiding person is not going to be wire-tapped. Secondly, if grannies are hanging around terrorists or people who have threatened to attack America, then by all means, expose the grannies’ plans before they happen.

It seems that some with short-term memory loss have forgotten that we have not had another 9/11 attack on American soil as of December 31, 2005. Wonder why? Could it be that the 3,000 people who have been arrested and deported were exposed BEFORE the attacks unfolded because of the surveillance and intelligence operations at work?

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I never heard of this character !

I think while the Dhimmicrats and RINOs attempt to burn Judge Alito on the altar of abortion, I will ignore it today and post on the lighter side.
Which Winnie The Pooh character are you?

I took another quiz, and this result has me puzzled:


Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Who is kanga?

Oh, I get it, she is Kanga, and her child is Roo. I guess me forgetting all bout Pooh HAS been a blessing after all...

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NewsMax Poll on NSA "Comm Intercepts"

NewsMax continues to update its online poll. You can still vote - just Go Here Now.

NewsMax Poll: Bush Justified in Wiretapping

Americans overwhelmingly support President Bush's authorization to the National Security Agency to tap the private conversations of U.S. citizens to search for evidence of terrorist activity, an exclusive NewsMax.com poll reveals.

In one of the largest responses to a NewsMax poll ever, more than 150,000 people across the Internet have made their opinions known about this controversy.

And they resoundingly say that the President was justified in taking this action to protect America.

Here is a breakdown of the poll results for several key questions:

1) Has President Bush been justified in tapping the conversation of U.S. citizens?
Justified - 80%
Not Justified - 20%

2) Do you believe the President must have a court-approved warrant to conduct a wiretap?
Yes - 23%
No - 72%
Not Sure - 5%

3) Do you believe President Bush's claim that he undertook this action to protect America?
Yes - 83%
No - 17%

4) How would you rate media coverage about President Bush's actions?
Fair - 20%
Unfair - 80%

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Saddams' Terror Training Camps?

Pat Campbell of AM540 WFLA has blogged on PC540: Saddam's Terror Training Camps. it is worth a look.

Bobby

P.S. President Roslin Rocks!!! (BSG inside comment)

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Battlestar Galactica Returns !!!

I promise this will be the last post of the day!!! (...and the crowd roars)

The last half of seaoson two of Battlestar galectica airs tonight at 10pm for most, 1am for me. (long story)

SciFi Channel Site

Bulletin Board

Another Site

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Heads Up America guest schedule for next week

I just heard Ken give a list of expected guests next week on his show.
His Guest Page is here for more current updates.

I hope he doesn't get mad, but I'm gonna post it here:


Monday Thomas Woods The Politically Incorrect Guide to History
Tuesday Bob Terrell Local Writer (You don't want to miss this !!!)
Wednesday (was interupted) something about the ACLU
Thursday Richard Weikart From Darwin to Hitler
Friday Charles Liebert sixdaycreation.com

Monday link

Tuesday link

Thursday link

Friday link

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Macon County not afraid of ACLU

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Sharon not dead

Well, I guess I just got bit by rushing to publish instead of trying to get multiple sources to confirm. This is definitely a case I am glad to be wrong!

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FLASH...Drudge Report says Ariel Sharon dead

Drudge

World Tribune Article

In the time it took to type this...Drudge steps back and says reports are conflicting. I hope Sharon makes it. My prayers are with him and his family, and his nation.

Bobby

Text of article follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ariel Sharon dies



SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, January 6, 2006
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the most powerful Israeli leader in 50 years, has died. He was 77.

Sharon was declared dead by physicians at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital before 1 p.m. Israeli time [6 a.m. EST], Middle East Newsline reported. Authorities have already been notified of the death, and a government announcement was expected to be issued over the next hour.



The prime minister was felled by a massive stroke on late Jan. 4. A nine-hour operation failed to repair what physicians and officials termed was widespread damage to his brain and other vital organs.
A computed tomography scan taken on Friday morning showed little to no brain activity in Sharon. At that point, Sharon's son, Omri, called aides and senior officials to the hospital to prepare for an announcement of the prime minister's death.

Sharon was expected to be succeeded by Vice Premier Ehud Olmert, who is also the nation's finance minister. On Friday, Olmert met Sharon's political ally, former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, in an attempt to form a working relationship ahead of parliamentary elections on March 28.




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Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.
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Via The Corner

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Congressman Taylor responds

I recently e-mailed Congressman Charles Taylor supporting his stance on denying citizenship rights to children born to illegal immigrations after I posted about it here.

You may e-mail him here.

I know it is a generic response, but hey, here goes!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thank you for your kind words of support for my representation of the
Eleventh District of North Carolina. I appreciate hearing from you and
having the benefit of your views.

As your Member in Congress, I do my best to represent the voice and
interests of every citizen of the Eleventh District. It is always
encouraging to receive words of support such as yours, and to know that I am
meeting the challenge of representing the needs of Western North
Carolina. Please be assured that I will continue to stand up for the principles
upon which I was sent to Congress, and will strive to best represent
the people of the Eleventh District of North Carolina.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Should you need any assistance in
the future, please do not hesitate to call or write. Your thoughts and
comments are always welcome.

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Miscellaneous links while away from work

WW IV Daily returns!
Northern Virginiastan remebers TWA 847 and murdered Navy Diver
Trackback test because I don't really understand how to use it yet and am conducting an experiment.

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Friday Morning Links

Dymphna has an excellent post on the "youth problem" in the land of the lilly-livered...France.

Given my love of Science and Science Fictionn, this post over at Defense Tech on an apparently theoretically workable Hyperdrive. While I don't have schooling on the subject, I suspect it'll end up panning out like this: Workable only for vessels that are really really tiny on a microscopic or nanoscopic scale. Although that would make for a fast comm network with tiny "ships" delivering packets of info on an interplanetary or interstellar scale.

Wish I could say more, gotta get ready for work in the bitterly cold weather. The above link will give current forecast...the wind chills are forecast in the 20's or less. Brrr!! Good day to linger at a burning brush pile.

Bobby

UPDATE: Thank Goodness for copy & paste!

Here are a couple of things to show what today is expected to bring.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
348 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED TODAY IN PORTIONS OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...

NCZ048-051-052-058-061700-
/O.CON.KGSP.SN.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-060106T2300Z/
MADISON-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-GRAHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHEROKEE...WAYNESVILLE
348 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.

NUMEROUS SNOW SHOWERS WILL AFFECT THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES ALONG THE TENNESSEE BORDER THIS MORNING. SNOW
SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF TO A FEW FLURRIES IN THE AFTERNOON.

BY THIS AFTERNOON...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE
EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND LOCATIONS NEAR THE
TENNESSEE BORDER. LOCATIONS FARTHER AWAY FROM THE BORDER SUCH AS
ROBBINSVILLE...BRYSON CITY...WAYNESVILLE...CANTON AND MARSHALL
WILL SEE LOWER TOTALS...POSSIBLY AS LITTLE AS A DUSTING.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$
MCAVOY

AND THE WIND WILL BE BLOWING!!!

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
354 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-061700-
/O.CON.KGSP.LW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-060106T2300Z/
AVERY-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-BUNCOMBE-GRAHAM-
NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA-HENDERSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NEWLAND...SPRUCE PINE...CHEROKEE...
WAYNESVILLE...ASHEVILLE...SYLVA...FRANKLIN...BREVARD...
HENDERSONVILLE
354 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON.

GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS IN THE WAKE OF A COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE
ACROSS MOUNTAIN LAKES TODAY. WIND SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE.

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY INDICATES THAT WINDS WILL CAUSE ROUGH CHOP
ON AREA LAKES. SMALL BOATS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO CAPSIZING.

$$

NED

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Illegal Immigration: Charles Taylor

.
U.S. House Representative Charles Taylor is supporting a bill to deny citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants. Please follow this link to let him know you support him in this issue.

Here are a couple of links on the issue:

Asheville Citizen-Times
The Olympian

BTW, Tom Bethell, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science will be on Heads Up America at 3pm on WZNN at 3pm today.

Last Link before work:

Largest Prime number discovered.
Story
Warning! first link is a 9 Meg download file containing all the digits of the number. For folks like me, at 28.8 k, it would take a while to download.

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The Phone Game in Real Life

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The tragic death of 12 of 13 Miners, and the communications mixup which ensued reminds me of a somthing I learned right after becoming a volunteer firefighter in the late eighties, the phone game.
I believe we were in a communications class, and our instructor told all of us rookies to line up in a semi-circle. He had a message to deliver to the last person in line. There were between twenty and thirty of us betwwen him and the last person in line. He whispered his message, that person then whispered it to the next, and so on until the last person inline received the message.
Our instructor then asked that person to repeat the message. The instructor read the original message and confirmed it with the first person in line.

The instructor then proceeded to explain to us the vital importance in reducing uneccesary information from any communications we had while involved in a response to any call we had, and the equal importance of including unambiguous data in those comms with other firefighters and incident commanders.

That lesson also included the importance of correcting erronous reporting as soon as possible, which served our fledgling department well in the coming years. We learned from the mistakes of those who had come before us.

Here is a link relating the story:
Heartbreak in West Virginia

I hate that the miscommunication happened, but I sorely wish that the people in possession of the correct information had not waited so long.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of the miners, and to the surviving miner.

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Why? Freedom.

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Amen, brother, amen.


Under suspicion for 2008.

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