AP Reports Contention Over Bush Initiatives

“A rebellious Senate committee defied President Bush on Thursday and approved terror-detainee legislation he has vowed to block, deepening Republican conflict over terrorism and national security in the middle of election season.”

“I will resist any bill that does not enable this program to go forward with legal clarity,” Bush said at the White House.” Bush is quoted as saying.

“The internal GOP struggle intensified along other fronts, too, as Colin Powell, Bush’s first secretary of state, declared his opposition to the President’s plan.

“The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism,” Powell, a retired general who is also a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a letter.

Bush has been very “public” recently as election time is upon us again. It is believed he is trying to build solidarity within the GOP – but even some of his own, are starting to distance themselves from our President and his slipping approval ratings. I think the American public is a little more savvy than this President has guessed – leading to very pointed, “on target” criticism of his actions while in office.

The Venezuelan President, during his speech at the U.N. this morning, Hugo Chavez referred to George W. Bush as “the devil.” Bush was at the U.N. yesterday, and Chavez said “the place still reeked of sulpher.” He has been quoted as calling him a drunkard and in need of a psychiatrist as well!

Chavez began his address by brandishing a Noam Chomsky paperback, urging the assembly to read the American leftist’s ruminations on Washington. “The devil came here yesterday” Chavez said, gesturing to where he was standing at the podium. “He came here talking as if he were the owner of the world.”

Wow, good job Hugo – regrettably most won’t read it and really don’t give a shit about your opinions – but kudos for the stones it takes to come out swinging at Bush that way! He’s our President so regardless of your remarks and their veracity – my money would be on George to stomp you into “Silly Putty”. Lotsa balls – but no manners at all. You have made a splash with your big mouth Hugo – but you’re way out of line with that MOUTH dude! Reel it in a bit eh? You sound like you could be next in line for time on the couch!

This a Copy & Paste of a SPAM Email I just Got Today

This kind of reminds me of the “Austin Powers” movie – “There’s only two things I can’t stand, intolerance of other people’s cultures and the Dutch!”

The SPAM Begins:

Hooray for Michigan State University (The Spartans) and Professor Wichman!!!

Well, what do we have here. Looks like a small case of some people being able to dish it out, but not take it. Let’s start at the top. The story begins at Michigan State University with a mechanical engineering professor named Indrek Wichman.

Wichman sent an e-mail to the Muslim Student’s Association. The e-mail was in response to the students’ protest of the Danish cartoons that portrayed the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist. The group had complained the cartoons were “hate speech.”

Enter Professor Wichman. In his e-mail, he said the following:

Dear Moslem Association:

As a professor of Mechanical Engineering here at MSU I intend to protest your protest. I am offended not by cartoons, but by more mundane things like beheadings of civilians, cowardly attacks on public buildings, suicide murders, murders of Catholic priests (the latest in Turkey!), burnings of Christian churches, the continued persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt, the imposition of Sharia law on non-Muslims, the rapes of Scandinavian girls and women (called “whores” in your culture), the murder of film directors in Holland, and the rioting and looting in Paris France.

This is what offends me, a soft-spoken person and academic, and many, many, many of my colleagues. I counsel you dissatisfied, aggressive, brutal, and uncivilized slave-trading Moslems to be very aware of this as you proceeded with your infantile “protests.” If you do not like the values of the West — see the 1st Amendment — you are free to leave.

I hope for God’s sake that most of you choose that option.

Please return to your ancestral homelands and build them up yourselves instead of troubling Americans.

Cordially,

I. S. Wichman, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Well! As you can imagine, the Muslim group at the university didn’t like this too well. They’re demanding Wichman be reprimanded and mandatory diversity training for faculty and a seminar on hate and discrimination for freshman. How nice. But now the Michigan chapter of CAIR has jumped into the fray. CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, apparently doesn’t believe that the good professor had the right to express his opinion.

For its part, the university is standing its ground. They say the e-mail was private, and they don’t intend to publicly condemn his remarks. That will probably change. Wichman says he never intended the e-mail to be made public, and wouldn’t have used the same strong language if he’d known it was going to get out.

How’s the left going to handle this one? If you’re in favor of the freedom of speech, as in the case of Ward Churchill, will the same protections be demanded for Indrek Wichman? I doubt it!

The SPAM Ends

Then I was regaled with propaganda about how “THIS IS A WAR…” and enjoined to send a copy to everyone in my address book – which of course – I didn’t! I might have picked up a nasty Trojan or virus though? I better run a full system scan!

Things Parents Should be Thinking About

I have been looking at some studies on the impact of media (in all of it’s expressions) and find some contradiction but mostly agreement.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published the definitive epidemiological study on the impact of TV violence. The research demonstrated what happened in numerous nations after television made its appearance as compared to nations and regions without TV. The two nations or regions being compared are demographically and ethnically identical – only one variable is different, the presence of television. In every nation, region, or city with television, there is an immediate explosion of violence on the playground, and within 15 years there is a doubling of the murder rate.

The Journal of the American Medical Association also stated – “the introduction of television in the 1950’s caused a subsequent doubling of the homicide rate, for example., long-term childhood exposure to television is a causal factor behind approximately one half of the homicides committed in the United States, or approximately 10,000 homicides annually…if, hypothetically, television technology had never been developed, there would today be 10,000 fewer homicides each year in the United States, 70,000 fewer rapes, and 700,000 fewer injurious assaults” (June 10, 1992).

Now the BBC comes out with conflicting opinions regarding two other forms of media – gaming and Death Metal music. I was mortified to see a game on TV for sale called “Hitman” I believe, where your young gamer can murder people and choose his method i.e. knife – gun and more. You can choose your victims and bla bla… I couldn’t believe my eyes. My kids can’t sneak a “Slayer” concert past me as easily as a cd.

Back on topic this BBC piece seems to make a ho-hum argument that violence in gaming is not specific to the game but a whole host of other “weird science”.

In another article the BBC published – this article reporting that music about death and murder are connected to Satanism and the occult, violence and murder.

Just speaking for myself but I find this sort of entertainment repugnant, but it does exist and we make our choices in life – Moms and Dads – talk to your kids. Read the stuff you find in their rooms, like the inserts and dust jackets on books, music and gaming CDs and try to be a part of their life and not a spectator. Don’t be afraid to say “no” about certain games or movies that your kids want to watch. Sometimes that means saying “NO” to yourself as well, as you change the channel on the TV set. Try to discuss and oppose behavior that appears unduly violent, or aberrant in your children. You’ll thank yourself years down the road!

For my money – Woody Woodpecker was one of the most violent TV characters ever – but that’s me!

Producers Fined $2.1 Million

CNN reported that the entertainment company that produces the “Girls Gone Wild” films and its founder pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that they failed to document the ages of female performers in sexually oriented productions.

Mantra Films of Santa Monica, California, entered a plea agreement in a federal court in Panama City, Florida, the Justice Department said.

Authorities said Joseph Francis, founder of Mantra Films and a related company, MRA Holdings, also agreed to plead guilty to charges to be filed later in Los Angeles, and to pay fines and restitution totaling $2.1 million.

The “Girls Gone Wild” videotapes, featuring young women partying heavily and showing their breasts, are widely advertised on many cable TV channels.

Mantra Films pleaded guilty in Florida, to charges that it failed to create and maintain age and identity documents for performers. The company also admitted it failed to label its Video-tapes and DVDs as required by federal law.

Court documents say the alleged violations occurred during the productions titled “Ultimate Spring Break,” “Girls Gone Wild on Campus Uncensored,” “Totally Exposed Uncensored and Beyond,” and “Girls Gone Wild College Girls Exposed/Sexy Sorority Sweethearts.”

The Justice Department said this was the first case filed under a law designed to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Well it’s about time. I work nights and when I get home, almost every channel on TV has this trashy show on in some version. If I get up to do something (check email for instance), I’ll come back to the living room and the gals are going wild again at the 1/2 hour mark – shuffling from channel to channel – sometimes more than one or two at a time, on different channels! My wife asked “why do you watch this garbage”? “It wasn’t on when I left the room dear”. “Uh-huh, right” she mutters as she heads back to bed again. Thanks guys (sarcasm)!! Maybe these knuckleheads will completely “cease and desist” in the future!

President Bush Speaks Out In Atlanta

USA Today reports that President Bush called on Congress to quickly pass legislation setting up a military commission to try terrorist suspects and authorizing the controversial use of electronic surveillance without a warrant.

The President shrugged off criticism of “electronic surveillance w/o warrants” and said this is “a critical tool in that fight”.

The appeal came in the fourth speech in his campaign to rally support for the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq. Use the link provided to read the full story!

Stop Them Before They Hurt Someone!

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that “sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964“.

Further:

“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”

“Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

1. The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.

2. The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.

3. The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

4. Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.

5. The harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome.

It is helpful for the victim to directly inform the harasser that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop. The victim should use any employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available.

When investigating allegations of sexual harassment, EEOC looks at the whole record: the circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual advances, and the context in which the alleged incidents occurred. A determination on the allegations is made from the facts on a case-by-case basis.

Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to take steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. They should clearly communicate to employees that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. They can do so by establishing an effective complaint or grievance process and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains.”

One of our daughter’s friends has been working (her first job) at a nearby Steak House as a waitress. She just turned 17 yrs. old and has been experiencing unwanted remarks, jokes etc. from another new employee – a married, 25 yr. old man. Tonight he finally went way over the line and grabbed her in the kitchen, then started dragging her around as if he was dancing with her, and began kissing her on the neck. I was absolutely disgusted and seriously considered parking behind his car and waiting for him after work.

Because of this deviant, antisocial behavior, our daughter’s young friend wants to quit her new job “and just get away from the place”. We don’t agree. My wife and I tried to counsel the girls that this sort of thing needs to be reported to the family, employer, and finally to the Police if she wants to make sure this man never does this again – to anyone!

These types of deviants play on the ignorance of youth and use it to shelter their repulsive behavior. Rather than worrying about losing his job and going to jail, he’s at home relaxing with his unlucky wife and children, while our daughter’s friend is crying and sobbing about it, while feeling too embarrassed to do or say anything to the restaurant owner – the “perp” – or the police.

We tried to explain to her that she was victimized and didn’t do anything wrong, and that it was very important that she take action – quickly – by reporting this matter to her parents, and employer, at the least. I’m not sure if this is a police matter at this point, but I advised her to report it anyway. (I told you I thought police officers were very necessary for some people) – like the helpless victims of such treatment as our little friend got tonight. I won’t rant about what my approach to this would be – it’s laughable anyway – if you didn’t know me!

So you ask, how do I prove that the sexual conduct was unwelcome? Well, you may show that the conduct was unwelcome by showing; emotional distress, deteriorating job performance, avoiding the harasser, by telling friends and/or family of the harassment, telling the harasser, or other company representative of the harassment, and finally, by the absence of evidence showing that the conduct was welcomed or encouraged.

Please stop these people NOW – immediately – these are the sort that begin by abusing – but some continue to progress to rape, kidnapping and/or rape, and a percentage go on to begin the life of a serial killer. Now this may sound extreme – and it may be in this case – we don’t know yet. But, I challenge you to read case studies on serial killers and show me that most don’t engage in a pattern of this behavior early in their careers and progress to full blown monsters. Then again, some guys just don’t know when enough is enough.

That said, I fall back on my SOP – telling people what happened – NOW!!

Taser In Action – Demo by Ohio’s Finest

“Drunk Gets Tasered… again and again”

The way it SHOULD be The Cool New Taser Boys!

Now contrast the 1st video where the OS Trooper just melts every circuit in the man’s body with continuous new blasts of the Taser – compared to the 2nd one – big Rookie cop who almost craps his pants when Tasered one time! Also look at the size and condition of the Ohio Trooper compared to the little turd that he tortures with constant re-application of the Taser. That Trooper must have been asleep in self defense application classes – as this drunk could have been put down easily. He had him arm-barred but didn’t bother to take him down – EASILY – nope! Let’s light him up with our new Taser he stalks him and well, you watched it right?

I am tired of placing my ads in areas of our expertise and having them systematically removed by the same people at Wikipedia who then place ads to their e-commerce stores to drive traffic there!

All you have to do is search this blog for Air Taser, Taser..etc. to find the volumes of posts and case studies that show these weapons are nearly lethal in certain usages – OR, lethal in many cases. Amnesty Intl. is fully correct in calling for their ban despite Taser CEO rants and raves on the safety and efficacy of the “less than lethal deterrent”! Yup – he’s gone from pauper to prince with his Air Taser – what else would one expect?

What happened to good old fashioned stun guns? Cops are certainly large enough and well trained in hand to hand combat right? It should be relatively easy for them to use a standard stun gun (which has no such sordid reputation as Air Taser) and avoid the mounting backlash of citizens across the land who are very opposed to the use of the Air Taser gun. Probably because they look like their beloved Glocks – with laser sighting and the ability to shock the mortal shit out of an alleged “perp” from nearby. Just need the popcorn boys, you seem to enjoy the show!!

We’ll see how long the linksters at Wiki will leave this link up? I’m not selling anything but my message against the use of Air Taser guns.