Amen, Cass!

Villainous Company: We're Supposed To Be Better Than This is an excellant discussion on civility (or lack thereof)in the blogosphere. Also, it is good to see Cassandra writing again (VC has been back running for a couple of weeks now)

Another one Rode Hard and Put up Wet!

The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken another horsey ride and are on their way to Detroit to face the Seattle Seahawks. They have been installed as an early favorite over the 'Hawks.
HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO1

I Would Assume you Knew it was a Catholic School when You Enrolled

Scotsman.com News - Education - Islamic group urges Catholic school to move to Muslim faith related a fascinating tale of out and out arrogance.

The Campaign for Muslim Schools said 90 per cent of pupils at St Albert's Primary, in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow, are Muslim, yet children are having to take part in Catholic rituals like saying the Lord's Prayer and attending mass.

If I am not mistaken, when these Muslim children were enrolled, they had a meeting in an office where there was most likely a crucifix on the wall. This should have been their first clue that Islam was not going to be practiced. Actually what this appears to be is a good old-fashioned land grab. On what do I base this? Well, the words of Osama Saeed:

Osama Saeed, co-ordinator of the alliance of Glasgow's main mosques and Muslim organisations, said he could see no reason why the main faith of the school should not change.

He said: "Clearly the parents of that area find a faith school, even if it is of another denomination, preferable to a secular one. But surely it should be possible for them to have one that is relevant to their own faith.

"To move towards this would be a fantastic example of good faith - in more ways than one - on the part of the Church.

Good faith? I don't know how Saeed can say those words with a straight face. This is not only a land grab, but a land grab with an eye toward desecration. Remember, if they are observing sacraments it is on consecrated ground. These Muslims knew what they were doing and if anybody needs to be lectured on "good faith" it is Mr. Saeed et al
HT:Rhymes with Right via My Pet Jawa

ON TO DENVER!

After being written off since losing to the Colts earlier in the season, my boys, the Pittsburgh Steelers avenged that loss and are heading to the AFC championship game against the Broncos. I guess the Steelers get to take another horsey ride to the Super Bowl!

Like We didn't see this coming

Man Convicted of Pope Assassination Attempt Fails to Report to Police contains no surprises. Memhet Ali Agca was paroled Thursday with orders to report to Turkish police. Guess who has yet to see him.
I love the last sentence of the story, "Agca would remain free until an appeals court reviewed the case." Hate to break it to them, but they've seen the last of him. Too many places in that region (Iran, Syria) will gladly give him a hero's welcome, even if he couldn't inflict a fatal wound at point blank range.
That last is probably why See-Dubya at Jawa Report thinks he is in more danger from his employers who had him try to kill John Paul II than from revenge crazed Catholics. He makes a good case for it and may be right. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

How Long can You Tread Water, Senator

After the shameful conduct of the Senior Senator from Massachusetts, here is my response to his having the gall to give lectures on "personal responsibility".

Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment.

One of the Undersigned

The Truth Laid Bear: An Appeal from Center-Right Bloggers is a must read.I got it second-hand from Darleen's Place.
The Abramoff scandal is going to tar both parties, but the GOP being the majority will make the black eye a bit darker in the public's eye.
It is time for transparent leadership in the houses of congress. No more having to resort to semantic gymnastics in order to justify yourself. If you even have a passing this-probably-won't-look-good type thought, then it would probably be a good idea to forego that evening in the sky box, or whatever other schmooze you were offered.
Yeah, put my name on this

Regarding Wikipedia

If you wish to argue with me and wish to present contradictory evidence that is perfectly okiefine. Just be warned, citations from wikipedia will be dismissed out of hand. I have zero confidence in any source where anybody can create or alter any entry

Perhaps I Can Explain it so even Senator Schumer can Understand

The Political Teen � Schumer: Abortion Is a Constitutional Right Because Free Speech Is (VIDEO) is something you must read because it exposes (for the 548,358th time) the utter stupidity of the senior senator from New York.
Here is how it works, senator. The Bill of Rights spells out certain rights which the founding fathers believed to be "inalienable" (yes I know that is from the Declaration of Independence so you can save your "gotchas" for something else). The very first amendment says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,[emphasis added] or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Now, senator read that carefully. What do you read there?
Very good, you see that the right of free speech is there for all to see. No ifs, ands or buts.
Now, show me where there is an inalienable right to an abortion mentioned.
Not there? Okay, let's go to the next amendment, that other one that you and your don't like, the second. Oops, not there either. Here's the entire constitution let's see what we find here. Not there either.
You see, Senator, the Constitution specificly protects free speech. It is there in the text. What is not there is a right to an abortion. That was interpreted into the Constitution out of whole cloth. The worst part is that you knew that when you asked the question. This shows me two things Senator. 1)There is no level to which you will not stoop for a cheap political ploy, and 2) it shows how little regard you have for the Constitution itself. Of course your career speaks for itself on that note.
More (and most likely better) coverage at:
Michelle Malkin
Human Events Online
Ankle Biting Pundits
Hugh Hewitt
Sister Toldja

2 Real News

This just in from correspondant Gallagher: The president of Mexico announced today that he will be moving to Los Angeles to get closer to his people.

Your Honor, Somebody's Soul IS Corroded...

... and it is your's. It seems Judge Edward Cashman does not believe in punishment because it does not work. He thinks that two months is an appropriate sentence for Mark Hulett and his his molestation (I refuse to use the euphemism, "sexual abuse" in this case) of a girl over a four year period. From the time she was seven until the age of ten, Mark Hulett raped this girl repeatedly...and gets two months! I might could see that IF, and only if it were an isolated incident, but this went on over a four year span!
Yes, I know he also he has to "receive sex offender treatment as rehabilitation" or face life. If it is like most of those type courses all he has to do is show up and behave himself for the duration. Which means that in all likelihood he will be inconvenienced for about eight months total. This compared to the suffering he inflicted over a four year span.
This leads me to the most galling aspect of this story, the judges sanctimoneous lecturing of those in the court. Cashman said, "The one message I want to get through is that anger doesn't solve anything. It just corrodes your soul,". If all is does is lie there and fester and is nursed, that is true. Having said that, what he did was paint the victim and her family as something less than deserving of sympathy. So Judge Cashman no longer believes in punishment. If that is so he is no longer fit to serve on the bench. Apparently, in Judge Cashman's belief that anger accomplishes nothing takes precedence. I would like to remind da judge that was more than just mild annoyance that ended slavery in this country. It was more than being a little miffed that led to civil rights reforms during the Sixties. It took anger to make those steps forward. With a little luck for the people of Vermont, anger will have the positive effect of getting this cretin off the bench.
HT:Michelle Malkin

UPDATED:Cathouse Chat is also covering this

The MSM Stikes Back...In a Sneaky Under-handed Way

In a post onPatterico’s Pontifications written back in spring of LAST YEAR, a person named "Biff" posted the following:

"Patrick Frey? a deputy district attorney? commenting on the LA Times? and people care what you think because….????"
Thing is, he did it just the other day. I guess he thought he was being cute.

Apparently ol' Biff was unaware that that WordPress captures IP addresses and gives them to the site owner. Well guess who owns that IP addy?
Hint: What newspaper is Patterico a very vocal critic of and who owns it? That's riiiiiiiiiiight! The LA Times which is owned by the Tribune Company of Chicago, Illinois. That's right, some hack from Tribune thought he would be cute and post a few dismissive insults around the blog. Kind of a drive-by flip-off. From this point forward, the next time somebody from any Trib-owned paper starts talking about such things as "ethics", "courage" and "journalistic integrity" I will just remember this, chuckle and sing this parody of a jingle used on WGN (another Trib company) during the 80's:

Kids at the Tribune havin' a good time
They're all trollin' Patterico

just a side note, they used actual version that jingle primarily to promote the Bozo the Clown show

Some Thoughts on the "War on Christmas"

Figures that my first post in a while is a link to another blog (I know it's mine, but what the heck)
I put this on My Lewisian Pipe Blog because it is of a largly ecclesiastical nature.

Sore Blogging

I am still a bit sore after this event that benefitted Toys for Tots. We managed to raise a nice truckload of toys (never underestimate the power of a $50 discount on the entry fee is every body on your team donates a toy.)
Unfortunately I came down with something at some point yesterday and was sick at work last night and had to call out today. Will post again when I am feeling more lucid. please resist the temptation of adding "guess we won't be hearing from you again"

New Look

Web Design Graphic Art Miva Merchant Web Design is the source for the new appearance for the House of Opinions. It reminds me of Furman University's rugby jerseys. Just bear with me as I get my blogroll back up. I also apologize for losing all previous comments.
UPDATE:Apparently I didn't lose the previous comments and trackbacks

It Seems You no longer need to Lurk at the Airport

They aren't even waiting and taking the effort to meet them at the airport to spit on them. During and after Viet Nam the anti-war people at least put some effort into goint to airports to spit on returning soldiers. First we see them whooping it up when the 2000th soldier died (sorry guys the pics and rhetoric speak for themselves). Now, thanks to the marvels of modern technology you can do it from the comfort of whatever room you keep your computer. As I was reading Cao's Blog I found a link to this post on A Female Soldier. These words lept out at me making me sick to thinks to the depths some in the anit-war crowd strive for.

I wish to express my congratulations to the hackers, vandals, and anti-war visitors who successfully blocked my ability to post any further tributes to the soldiers. I am sure you find victory in preventing myself and others from having a place to read and pay our respects to the Fallen Female Soldiers, and my brother’s in arms, the brave soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. I can only imagine your satisfaction in justifying the disgrace of men and women who died for this country. You may not feel it was justified, but they gave their lives believing in what they were doing. Apparently freedom of speech is merely a phrase to you, not something you believe, in unless it applies to you.

Please read the rest at the link above.

I scrolled down and found the comments referred to. The biggest culprit is some ...I know that "troll" is the phrase being used in reference to this person thus far, but I think it is too weak...oh well, we'll stick with "troll" til I think of something better. As I was saying, the biggest culprit was some troll calling him/her/itself "Amanda" (which I think is even more of an efront as I once had a girlfriend in collefe named Amanda). Here is some of what this blogging tubgirl was spewing:

"Do you not feel guilty that you are helping in the killing of innocent Iraqis - what did they do to deserve what has happened to them?
You can always choose not to go.
As for prayers and sympathy to your family - forget it!
And when you get back and realise all the death and destruction (which you helped to cause) is a complete waste - dont say you have not been warned" [btw, that is the entire comment, can't cry, "out of context"]

Just to show that ol' Mandy isn't drive-by troll this was posted later"

"If you think you are doing an important job for your country, just look at how much you or your family will get compensated for your death or injury.

Now tell me the President thinks what you are doing is important.

Our country needs idiots like you so we can over-run other countries and take their natural resources [emphasis added]"

Then another clown calling itself "Christians for Cheap Oil" chimed in as well.
These two cretins (as well as the population of Kos and DU) have every right to oppose the war...but it certainly belies their claim that they support the soldiers and oppose the mission. They just couldn't wait for them to arrive at the airport to start spitting on them.

UPDATE: Others have picked up on this and it looks like an all out blogburst brewing.
I will be posting those I discover to be participating.
Cao's Blog
In the Right Place
Whizbang
Small Town Vetran
Pirates' Cove
Random Numbers
Freedom Folks

UPDATE II: Just a random thought, if these folks' IP's could be traced to their employers' computers? I think they might be interested to see what their employees are up to.

If It is a Lie for One...

...it's a lie for the first one to say it!



Sorry, but you can't call it a lie for one and not the other. I think both men believed the intel that was before them and acted in that they believed to be the appropriate manner.

Thank you, Michelle Malkin

Thank You, Beth

Comic book fan that I am I followed the link to this site that I found in My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and spent more time than I intended looking at all that stuff and reading the hilarious commentary that accompanied. Now I am wayyyyy behind schedule.

Thank You

I am the son of a veteran (USMC). He had served before I was born so I don't know the sacrifices that many military families make except as an observer. These brave men and women put themselves between the enemies and their families, friends and countless people who they will never meet. Whether they come back or not, we owe them a great deal as they are reminders that the freedoms we enjoy are not free. There is a price, and our veterans put themselves on the line to defend them.
Thank you, vets.

C'mon down to South Park and Meet Some Friends of Mine

Between Samantha Burns and My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy I just had to try this:




Try your hand at it at Planearium