Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Busy Busy Busy

I'm off to fiddle whilst Rome burns.
I have way too much on my plate right now to be goofing off here.
Just single handedly trying to do my part to stimulate the local economy.
-And without a gubberment check, mind you! (I didn't qualify--boo-friggin' hoo.)
So much to do and only 2 weeks left to do it, so off I go.
See ya sometime.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

I'm Hungry

A commenter over at Michelle's by the moniker "Harris" has put into words my feelings exactly. This was from a thread about McCain's admission that he never had even seen the North Carolina Republican's "controversial" ad-and yet went on to publicly condemn it!

" I recall a friend of mine in ‘04 telling me he was not voting. When I asked him why, the response was, “I just don’t like either candidate.”

At the time I didn’t really understand where he was coming from. I was one of those ‘if you don’t vote you can’t complain’ kind of people. Now I realize how foolish that statement is.

It’s like someone giving you a choice between a plate of cat hair and a bowl of used motor oil and saying, “Bon appetite!
Then you say, “What? Are you crazy? This isn’t food! I don’t want this crap.”
“Well, if you don’t eat don’t complain about being hungry.”

John McCain Sucks.
Barack Obama Sucks.
Hillary Clinton Sucks."


Our waiter took our order and then never came back. The cooks all clocked out and now all we are left with are the busboys and dishwasher. And they don't have a clue and half of them don't even speak English.
And we're still hungry. No way in hell am I eating cat hair du jour.
This restaurant blows.
Y'know, it used to be a really nice place, too. One wouldn't know it now.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Just Plain Creepy...and Sad

...But maybe it's just me.

Fake sleeping puppies and kitties...that appear to be breathing. Perfect for those totally incompetant, irresponsible, I-disavow-any-consequences-for-my-actions type folks.
Y'know, Obama voters.

A snippet from the promotional text:
Great for home, office, dormitories, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

("Hey! I know, let's get granny a fake kitty! She'll never know the difference!")

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Celebrating Earth Day in the Ozarks

My goodness, this "holy day" crept up on me!
My plans for the day include some much needed "spring cleaning" around the grounds in the form of trash disposal. Out here in the 3rd notch of the Bible Belt leaves us with few options for ridding ourselves of trash. We don't have any trash pick up to speak of, no company will come out to leave and/or empty any dumpsters-that's how remote we are. So us locals usually employ one of 3 options, sometimes combining them depending on the situation and amount.

Option 1) Just pile it all up and burn it (weather permitting)

Option 2) Dig a pit and bury it on your property. (this option is for those who have access to a bobcat or other type of entrenching rig, since the ground around here is near impossible to hand dig.)

Option 3) Load up the pick up and dump the stuff on a remote patch of ground somewheres on your property.

I'm going for Option 1 today, since the breezes will be mild and the humidity high, the bonfire will be more easy to keep in check. I have all manner of accumulated 'big trash' to be rid of. An old mattress, a bus seat (don't ask) and various debris from a recent remodel of the old store building. A bag or 2 of just household trash will be tossed in for good measure.

Hey, Al baby, Gotta light?



Thanks, man.

So, How will the other citizens of the Hillbilly Ecosystem be celebrating this most sacred and holy occasions??

Monday, April 21, 2008

It's a Matter of National Security and Our Economy





Cap'n Ed over at Hot Air puts it all in a nutshell, this is exactly what I've been thinking for well over several years now.

"Of course, we could import less oil from Canada and Mexico if we drilled more of our own oil domestically. We could open ANWR and the coasts to oil production, and we could build the first new refineries in 30 years to produce our own gasoline. That would employ more Americans, drop the cost of gasoline, ease our reliance on Middle East oil, and eventually strengthen the dollar. That would not only end the NAFTA trade imbalance, but would make us a stronger nation.."

I ain't no rocket scientist, but this is SO damn obvious. But apparently our leadership ain't as smart as the rest of us dumb hicks.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Weekend Loose Ends...7 unimportant things about yours truly

Cookie has tagged me...AGAIN.
This time it's suppose to be a list of 7 unimportant facts about yourself. (only 7?!)
So what the heck? I'll play. I'm just piddling around here until the younguns awake and we can get busy slapping some paint on this dump- our project for the weekend.
So, here we go:

1) I have double jointed thumbs. (not that it serves any useful purpose.)

2) I refuse to wear shoes unless it is absolutely necessary. (Yes, even in winter.)

3) The scent of diesel exhaust reminds me of Disneyland. Back in the day, the train that travels the perimeter of the park used diesel. The smell of it's exhaust was the 1st thing you noticed when you got out of your car in the parking lot. To me, it's the odor of good times.

4) To this day I can still recite, from memory, the entire monologue part of Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant. (Oh! If only I would have put my brainpower to more noble purposes!)

5) "Milk rings" in the bottom of a drinking glass totally and completely disgust me.

6) In my entire adult driving life, I have only got one speeding ticket...and even that one I contested-and won!

7) The only known allergies I have are to cannabis smoke and Zest soap. (those wishing to find a discreet way to kill me, take note!)

Now, the next part of this Tag thingy is to list 7 of your favorite blogs:

Hillbilly White Trash
Michelle Malkin
The Jawa Report
Born Again Redneck
Boing-Boing
Hot Air
The Cook Shack

And then as these things go, you are then suppose to tag others. But quite frankly, this is where I always run into trouble. I know 2 kinds of people: Those who like these kind of things and those who absolutely abhor them and refuse to participate. I am in the middle. So when those who do like them tag me, by then everyone I know has already participated, leaving me to tag only those who would hate me with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns if I even suggested their names...so sadly, the tag often just curls up and dies here, because I can't think of anyone who would continue. Sad little life I have , eh?

(But by all means if you read this and would like to further it along even without being officially tagged, Hey, I ain't gonna complain.)

Friday, April 18, 2008

An update to the wretchedness below

The mental case "artiste'" plays the expected "Shucks, I was just kidding!" card, then recants.
Either way, my initial evaluation of this pathetic female still holds.
She is in dire need of some sort of psych eval.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Fall of Western Civilization Continues...

Words fail me.

Luckily, Michelle Malkin is made of tougher stuff.
(Note: Link to her story IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!)

OK, maybe just one remark, I just can't keep my yap shut about this. This is a quote from the "artist":

”I believe strongly that art should be a medium for politics and ideologies, not just a commodity,” Shvarts said. “I think that I’m creating a project that lives up to the standard of what art is supposed to be.”

However, she apparently felt that her intentional miscarried babies were merely "commodities"; just art supplies, if you will.

I lost a child when I was 28. It was the most traumatic, painful and emotionally gut wrenching experiences I have ever had. I spit upon this so called woman who cheapens the tragedy in this flippant and insane manner. She is a psychopath. Period.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Students Want Chance to Defend Themselves

CINCINNATI, Ohio (CNN) --
"Would you rather just sit there and cower underneath a desk when someone executes you or would you rather have a chance to defend your life? That's what it really boils down to."


Michael Flitcraft says students should be allowed to protect themselves from potential killers.

Michael Flitcraft, a 23-year-old sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, has become a leading advocate for college students to carry weapons on campus. He's an organizer for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a grass-roots organization that was formed after last year's Virginia Tech massacre that left 32 college students and professors dead.

The group boasts more than 25,000 members.

Standing on the Cincinnati campus, Flitcraft calmly explained he is licensed to carry a weapon in Ohio. He wants to carry his gun on campus to defend himself from potential killers, but by law he can't.

"To me it makes no sense that I can defend myself legally over there," he said, pointing to the city streets. "But I am a felon if I step on the grass over here."






'Nuff said!

What The HUCK?!

Strange doings at Huckabee's former campaign website.

Guess we'll find out in just a couple of hours. (tick...tick...tick...)

The McCain campaign star 'n' line graphics used could be a troubling clue.

UPDATE: Sheesh...He's formed a PAC. Quote from the Mission Statement page:
Huck PAC is committed to helping Republicans regain control of the House and Senate, regain a majority of governorships and elect John McCain as the 44th President of the United States.

Hmm, Elect Republicans and get McCain in office. Isn't that a contradiction?

"I, for one, Welcome our new alien overlords..."


Wow. Peggy Shapiro over at American Thinker gets it.


"I knew that I had seen this before, and then it came to me that this image appropriates the graphic style of totalitarian Soviet propaganda. It recalls the idealzed portraits and personality cult of the "Beloved Leader" such as Stalin and Lenin. The leader, face illuminated by a "holy" light, looks off to the horizon and sees the truth that is not available to his mere mortal followers, who must look up to his image.


The one-word message offers a simple (simple-minded) promise of a utopian existence. These stenciled words bring to mind They Live, a 1988 film, in which secret alien gods take over Los Angeles and control the inhabitants by subliminal billboard messages which display the word "Obey." Coincidentally or not, the website for the artist, Shepard Fairey, who designed Obama's posters is called Obey and boasts on its homepage, "Manufacturing quality dissent since 1989," and the artist bills himself as an agent of "worldwide propaganda delivery."..." (Link to the artist website)


Being a fan of Soviet propaganda art, I noticed the creepiness of Obama's hip and arty campaign posters immediately.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

My Dad, the Spy (redux)

(WTR note: Since a few of y'all have asked, here's a re-post of the story about my Dad and the back story on the SACO flag. I've fired up a new blog to post any more information I unearth-like I don't have enough to do already!-And part 2 of the story can be found there as well. Clicky here to view.)




Ok, so that title is somewhat tongue-in-cheek and misleading. In fact I was never 100% sure just what Dad had done during his time in the Navy.

It bugs me that I don't know anything about what my Dad did in the Navy. It bugs me that he never would elaborate, never volunteer information, never give any memories. It bugs me that I never really ever asked.

But even if I had, I really don't think he would have told me. That's just the way he was. He would have probably found some way to change the subject, blow me off with a "Ah, you don't wanna hear all that, it's the past anyway." and then asking if I had seen that boxing match on ESPN the other night or did Ma tell me about what happened at their last doctor's appointment? Dad was a master at playing close to the vest, keeping secrets, being discreet, keeping alot in. Maybe that's why he was so drawn to and custom wired for the outfit that he spent a chunk of his Naval career in. That outfit was SACO. The acronym for the Sino-American Cooperative Organization.


The ship pennant above has a most curious history. While trying to figure out just what in the world my old man did in the Navy before and during WW2, I came across this site, delsjourney, where he has this story. Being a good little blogger, I swiped it, but at least I'll give his site credit. The story is as follows:

"The American SACO commander during WWII, Milton Miles, created the pennant in 1934 when he was a junior officer on the destroyer U.S.S. Wickes in the Pacific Ocean. Occasionally during tight maneuvers, one of the ships in the fleet would do something unexpected and, during such instances, Miles wanted to send a pennant up the mast saying "What the Hell?" Miles asked his wife "Billy" (Wilma) to create such a pennant without using obscenities. Billy suggested using characters like exclamation points, saying that when newspaper writers wanted to use an obscenity, they did the same. Soon afterwards, Billy created a pennant that included question marks and exclamation points.

Miles enjoyed using the pennant for the next several years in light-hearted situations. However, in 1939, two years before the U.S. entered World War II, the pennant proved to be useful in a potentially serious situation with the Japanese Navy. Miles was skipper of the destroyer John D. Edwards that August and was ordered to Hainan Island, off the coast of China, where the Japanese Navy was threatening a coastal village, including American missionaries. When Miles arrived at Hainan, he saw several large Japanese naval ships bombarding the village. The Japanese flagship hoisted a flag warning the American destroyer to leave, which put Miles in a quandary, since his orders were to protect the American missionaries in the village. After considering the situation, Miles decided to ignore the Japanese threats and hoisted a pennant of his own -- his "What-the-Hell?" pennant.

Upon seeing the American destroyer hoisting a pennant, the Japanese halted their bombardment, giving Miles time to nestle his destroyer between the Japanese Navy and the village. The Japanese commander was puzzled about the pennant, though, since it wasn't in any of the Japanese code books, but he decided to err on the side of caution and backed the Japanese fleet away from the village. Milton Miles went ashore that afternoon, gathered up the missionaries, and departed the following morning. The Japanese Navy, meanwhile, sat offshore, still wondering about the meaning of the curious pennant.

Throughout World War II, Milton Miles' "What-the-Hell?" pennant was the unofficial emblem of SACO and was often found flying at SACO camps throughout China."


What a great story! And the flag is funny. Heck, even if I didn't know the history of it, I'd want one just hoist on the flagpole here. Seeing the times we're in now, this 'what the hell?!' flag would be appropriate.
Alright, I'm veering off course, like I always do.

Anyway, here's some more backstory from delsjourney :

"One of the most interesting stories about the Chinese theatre in World War II involves the Sino-American Cooperative Organization, also known as SACO. SACO (pronounced "socko") [note by WTR: my Dad always pronounced it "sack-o"] was a unique and unprecedented joint military effort between the U.S. and the Chinese Nationalist forces during World War II. It consisted of about 2,500 Americans, mostly from the U.S. Navy, who lived, led, trained and fought with tens of thousands of Chinese Nationalist troops in China. Often stationed behind enemy lines and hundreds of miles from supplies, they were not only amazingly brave, but they were incredibly resourceful, as well.

American SACO soldiers totally immersed themselves in Chinese culture: they lived in Chinese huts, spoke Chinese, ate Chinese food, and began to think "the Chinese way." Together, the American and Chinese military forces effectively battled the Japanese in China from 1943 until 1945. This was the first and only time in U.S. history that an American military unit had been completely integrated into a foreign military force and placed under the command of a foreign leader. SACO was an amazing and unique military unit -- and it was also one of the most effective combat forces in World War II."

Wow...so how come we never hear anything about this operation? Probably because it was covert. Special Ops before such a phrase became mainstream. Probably because they were a bunch of guys in it just like my Dad, tight lipped, keep-a-lid-on-it types, who were sworn to never speak of their involment with SACO for at least 25 years after the fact. Maybe because the government seeing China fall to the Commies shortly afterwards figured it best not to really mention the subject that they had our guys there blowing crap up and creating all manner of mayhem as we tried to stave off the Japanese. Who knows. But there's not alot out there on them. A few books, at least one out of print now. A couple of websites. Google or Yahoo SACO or Sino-American Cooperative Organization and you won't get alot of true hits, but you will get a gob of pages for cities and towns name Saco. It's as if as the servicemen who were in SACO die off, so does the history.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

The New Preamble

( This one's been floating around the innernettube emailler thingies for awhile, but it's a lazy Saturday, so I figured I'd run with it today.)


NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great- great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.


ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.


ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.


ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.


ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.


ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.


ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair, sniff the gas chamber, swing from the gallows, or take it in the vein.


ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't whine if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.


ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.


ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.


ARTICLE X: You do not have the right to expect us to learn your native tongue. This is an English speaking country. It is the common language of commerce and day to day interactions. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it, or be left out.


ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, grow a thicker hide or get out.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Woo-Hoo! My flag arrived!

About a month ago I contracted with the Flag & Banner Company of Indianapolis, IN for a custom job.
It just arrived via DHL and I'm tickled pink with how nice it came out.

I wanted a reproduction of the "What the Hell?" pennant that was the unofficial/official flag for SACO, the Navy outfit my Dad was in.

Working with only an emailed small photo and some general directions via phone, Nancy at Flag & Banner did a bang up job re-creating the pennant for me. And at a price that I thought was fair for a custom job. It measures 18" x 3 ft.

It will proudly fly under Ol' Glory at my business!

Here it is, fresh outta the box (and hastily tacked up to a wall for the photo.)



A nice thank you letter is in order.

Some questions for those FLDS guys...

I have just 2 questions for those righteous men of God down there in that Texas compound.

1) How many wives did Jesus Christ have?

And

2) Could they point out just where (chapter and verse) in the New Testament it advises one to doink as many underage girls as possible under the ruse of "spiritual marriage"?
(I seemed to have missed that part in the passages where Paul was laying down just how bishops and church elders should conduct themselves publicly and privately. I appreciate any edification on that.)



(Not holding my breath awaiting the answers.)

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Just Celebrating the Diverse Diversity of Tolerance, Peace, Love and Global Harmony of the World's Faiths

My 'Babies' are Home

We've had a blessed break in the deluge of '08, the big creek has dropped down to a passable state and the younguns came home Sunday evening!
As much as I hate to admit it, 4 days without them was long enough. I think it's safe to say, judging by their reaction, the feeling was mutual.

I'm suffering from the classic parental paradox- Most times you relish the thought of being free of parental responsibility (especially now that both are rocketing into adolescence!)and yet, when your wish does come true you become a lost soul.

We had a dab of rain yesterday, which brought the creek up yet again, but nowhere to the extreme it has been. We have had several days rain-free and that helped alot to bring the level down. The bus was able to traverse it. But word is we are gonna get socked hard yet again starting tonight. We will flood once more before it's over.
Maybe it will stay out of my yard this time.

The good Lord promised us He wouldn't flood the earth ever again, but quite frankly, I'm beginning to wonder about that.

Monday, April 07, 2008

White Trash Blog Housekeeping: Mea Culpa?

Walker has alerted me to a serious problem with this here blog and I have taken the necessary steps to fix it. (I hope!)

Long story short, my email notification for comments twixt Blogger and my email went gaw-flooey recently. Since I rely upon this feature to let me know if ANYONE comments here, I was clueless for a few days. I only check comments via the Blogger dash if I suspect a problem. I had no reason this time to suspect anything...I just figgured y'all thought I suck!

This all relates to the recent changeover of my ISP's webmail to evil Gmail.
Now THAT is a post unto itself. Don't even get me started. Let's just say it's a geekoid nitemare I really don't want to relive anytime soon!

But now all is well. I think.
And again, I deeply apologize to all who cared to leave comments. I'm really sorry. I wasn't ignoring you. I was just blissfully ignorant of a real problem.

Friends?

Saturday, April 05, 2008

"Dude!"


Being a former native of Southern California, this made me laugh so hard this morning.
Dude...I can relate!
(blantantly swiped from Boing-Boing.)

Craiglist stoner thanks pizza guy for best pizza ever!

This Ann Arbor, MI Craiglist "missed connections" ad is a sincere and lovely note of thanks from one toker to another:

"I called you from my cell phone but had completely forgot who I was calling by the time you answered the phone. Of course, you were also baked to bajeezus and forgot to tell me that I had called Cottage Inn.

When you answered and said, “Whatsup?” I thought about it, and after a 20 second pause I told you that was hungry. You suggested I try a pizza, and I agreed that it was probably a good idea.

Then I asked you if you sold pizza and you said that you could make me one. I said I wanted anchovies and something else on my pizza. You asked me what that something else was.

We spent five minutes listing toppings until we figured out that I was trying to remember how to say: “Sun dried Tomatoes.” When you said: “We'll bake that right up for you,” we both started laughing uncontrollably.

It was the best pizza I ever had; I just wanted to thank you for helping me out."

**********
He may be a slacker stoner, but at least his mommy taught him to be appreciative!
Spicoli is alive and well and living in Michigan.

Friday, April 04, 2008

"Popular Dog Names Sound Downright Human"

"Fido and Rover are 'so' yesterday.

When it comes to naming dogs, Americans are opting for names that are downright human. A survey using data from the computers of Veterinary Pet Insurance says the top four male dog names are Max, Buddy, Rocky, and Bailey. For female canines, it's Bella, Molly, Lucy, and Maggie."...

(link)

HT: FreeRepublic


I guess I was way a head of the popular curve! In the past 40 or so years I have had the pleasure of the canine company of:

Sid (1959-1974)

Ben (1977-1990)

Douglas (1984-1997)

Steve (1987-2000)

Zeke (2000- present)

Hannah (? - 2008 , And the only female I have ever kept)

Dennis (2006 to present)


The somewhat paranoid, but always loyal Zeke, the Freak


Our resident class clown, Dennis

"A woman's heaven is beneath her husband's feet."


(As the rest of the country's media commemorate the 40th anniversary of the assassination of MLK, jr. and the usual gang of race card players bemoan that blacks in this nation aren't any better off now than then. (when was the last time you saw a "whites only" public water fountain?) Cravenly using a man's death to once again pick at the scab of racism-either real or contrived. I'd like to run an article about REAL oppression and violations of human rights.--WTR)


From the New Media Journal

Women in Islam: Suffering the Barbary of an Ideology
Frank Salvato, World Managing Editor
April 4, 2008

News spread quickly that anti-Islamofascism activist Dr. Wafa Sultan has gone into hiding, along with her family. They are in hiding because of her participation in a recent debate on Al-Jazeera in which she challenged Egyptian Islamist Talat Rheim over Dutch cartoons of Mohammed and the ideology of Islam in general. For her truthful criticisms of Islam Dr. Sultan earned a fatwa, a “religiously” decried death sentence, from an Islamic scholar. That she criticizes Islam is enough justification in the eyes of the radical Islamist to kill her. That she is a woman infuses into the fatwa an unbridled viciousness and a need for expediency.

In the al-Jazeera interview, Dr. Sultan proclaimed:

"...any belief that chops off the heads of its critics is doomed to turn into terrorism and tyranny. This has been the condition of Islam, from its inception to this day. Islam has sentenced [its critics] to prison, and whoever crosses the threshold of that prison meets his death... If you want to change the course of events, you must re-examine your terrorist teachings, you must recognize and respect the right of the other to live, you must teach your children love, peace, coexistence and productive work. When you do that, the world will respect you...”

Not long after Dr. Sultan’s remarks, Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of Islam’s most respected scholars, presented his religious edict and denounced Dr. Sultan, calling for her death. Qaradawi, it should be noted, has also declared the killing of American soldiers in Iraq and suicide bombings against Israel as a religious obligation for all Muslims. Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, describes Qaradawi as, “one of the world’s pre-eminent Islamofascists.”

To date, Dr. Sultan and her family are living clandestinely, in a world of anxiety and inconvenience. She can’t work; her family cannot have contact with their friends; and they are all constantly looking over their shoulders for the jihadi threat. That we would ever know sacrifice as this brave woman does.

Incredulously, but for her notoriety, the dangers and treatment of Dr. Sultan would be unremarkable in fundamentalist Islamic culture.

A traditional Islamic saying is that, "A woman's heaven is beneath her husband's feet." In the Islamic culture, to show someone the bottom of ones shoes, to figuratively place them beneath ones feet, is an insult of the highest order.

The fact of the matter is that women in the fundamentalist Islamic world are relegated to the status of possessions. They are subjected to incredibly harsh and degrading cultural edicts where transgressions are punished – justified under Sharia Law – by whippings, beatings, stoning and death.

The penalty of death is imposed quite frequently on women in the fundamentalist Islamic culture. Offenses that warrant a death sentence under Sharia Law range from un-Islamic dress to being in the presence of an unrelated male.

The revered Islamic scholar, Abu Hamed Mohammad al-Ghazzali, who has been called 'the greatest Muslim after Muhammad,' writes that the role of a Muslim woman is to:

"...stay at home and get on with her sewing. She should not go out often, she must not be well-informed, nor must she be communicative with her neighbors. She should only visit them when absolutely necessary; she should take care of her husband...and seek to satisfy him in everything...Her sole worry should be her virtue...She should be clean and ready to satisfy her husband's sexual needs at any moment."

This totalitarian screed, we will soon learn, would be the least of a woman’s concerns where life in fundamentalist Islamic culture is concerned. In fact, the litany of transgressions against female humanity at the hand of fundamentalist Islam is countless.

▪ The testimony of a woman in courts of law that use Sharia as their basis for justice recognizes the testimony of women as only half that of a man. This presents an almost impossible scenario for equity and fairness in matters of marriage termination. In fact, in countries that practice strict Sharia Law – such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt – all a man has to do is recite the verse “I divorce you” three times and under Sharia Law he is divorced.

▪ A husband has the right to beat his wife for perceived disobedience or misconduct. According to Islamic law, a husband may strike, a husband may beat his wife for any one of the following four reasons:

- If she does not attempt to make herself beautiful for him
- If she refuses to meet his sexual demands
- If she leaves the house without his permission or a "legitimate reason"
- Or if she neglects her religious duties

Any of these are also sufficient grounds for divorce.

The president of Cairo's Al-Azhar University described the proper method of wife-beating in a television interview: "It's not really beating," Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb explained, "It's more like punching.”

(Well I know I would prefer being punched in the face repeatedly rather than be beaten...wouldn't you?--WTR)

▪ Girls as young as nine years old are routinely sold into marriage, often to men many decades their senior. A father receives a monetary dowry in return. These young girls, prepubescent children, are treated as slaves during the day and as unwilling sexual conquests at night.

▪ Women are routinely subjected to the Islamic cultural malady known as honor killing, where a woman may be killed at the hand of a male relative for even the intimation of dishonor. These honor killings take place with no consequence for the murderer, no justice for the murdered.

▪ A disrespectful – or perhaps even an unlucky – wife can be sequesters into what are known as “wife rooms.” These are rooms within the family home in which women are confined with no food or water for a length of time determined completely by the level of tyranny possessed by her captor husband. In many cases, these rooms serve as chambers of horror where women wait between severe beatings from their husbands, their captors, to die. Many do.

Interestingly, delinquently, appallingly, women’s groups around the world, especially the progressive, pro-feminist groups such as the National Organization for Women, pay little more than lip-service to an issue that should illicit outrage of the highest order. ( "Ummmm, Yeah- Kim Gandy? Yeah, this is your conscience calling, baby...why won't you answer my voice mails?! Gimme a call back, 'kay?")

Columnist Jeff Jacoby, in a December 2007 article for the Boston Globe titled, The Islamist War on Muslim Women, lists an enumeration of outrages perpetrated against women at the hand of fundamentalist Islam:

In Pakistan, a tribal council ordered a woman to be gang-raped as punishment for her brother's supposed liaison with a woman from another tribe.

In San Francisco, a young Muslim woman was shot dead after she uncovered her hair and put on makeup in order to be a maid of honor at a friend's wedding.

In Tehran, a father beheaded his 7-year-old daughter because he suspected that she had been raped; he said he acted to defend his honor, fame, and dignity.

In Saudi Arabia, the Islamic police prevented schoolgirls from leaving a burning building because they were not wearing headscarves and abayas; 15 of the girls died in the inferno.

In May of 2006 in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, Ayesha, an 18 year old girl, accused of adultery by her husband of only one and a half months left the marital home to stay with her brother for fear of her life. Her husband, accompanied by his brother and under the guise of reconciliation met with her and persuaded Ayesha to return to the marital home. She agreed. Ayesha recounted from her hospital bed how when they were traveling back to the marital home the husband and his brother stopped the car in a semi-remote area and started to beat and torture her. They cut off her nose and her lips. They then left her in a field unconcerned with whether she would live or die.

Again in May of 2006, another Pakistani woman, Shamin Mai, who committed the “crime” of marrying a man of her own choosing rather than acquiescing to a pre-arranged marriage by her family, had her legs chopped off; this atrocity taking place at the hands of her brother and uncle.

Mutilations, the barbaric Islamic tradition associated with Muslim honor killings is the act of permanently scarring a woman as punishment for a transgression against the man – be it the father or the husband and whether actual or perceived. The act is acceptable behavior in fundamentalist Islam.

It has been established that when the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 1996 that a decree was issued forbidding women to leave their homes. Prior to the Taliban’s seizing of power, women in Afghanistan held jobs in hospitals, schools and in the civil service sector. Women were doctors and teachers. They were professionals. With the Taliban’s decree employment and education for women came to a screeching halt. In fact, many would become beggars.

This tyrannical dogma extended to men who tried to help women. In 2006, years after the “liberation” of Afghanistan, a 46-year-old Afghan schoolteacher, was dragged from his family, his home, and horribly murdered – disemboweled and then dismembered – for defying orders to stop educating girls.

In Iran, two girls, identified only as Zohreh and Azar – sisters, were sentenced to death by stoning, having been convicted of adultery. Under Sharia Law death is the punishment for women who commit adultery.

The “crime” for which these two women were convicted and sentenced to death was caught on video tape. This “adultery” consisted of the two women being in the presence of other men when their husbands were absent. Let me repeat that and expound; their crime – caught on videotape – was to be in the presence of other men when their husbands were absent. There was no sexual activity, no touching. It’s hard to tell from the tape if they were even conversing. But under Sharia Law they committed “adultery” and have been sentenced to death by stoning. They also received 99 lashes for “illegal relations.”

In a stoning death, the woman's hands are tied behind her back and her body is placed in a cloth sack. Then, when she is securely "packaged" she is brought to a hole located in the center of a circle, predetermined in size, and buried up to her shoulders. After she has been affixed in the hole people start chanting "Allah hu Akbar" – or god is great – and proceed to throw palm sized stones at her head from a designated distance. The stones are thrown until she dies or until she escapes from the hole and crosses out of the circle.

These true atrocities continue around the world and even take place right here in the United States at the hands of radical Islamists, Islamic fundamentalists.

It needs to be noted here that in Wahhabist ideology – radical Islamist ideology – it is forbidden for Muslims to imitate, befriend or assist those who do not practice Islam, in any way. By Wahhabi edict, it is forbidden for fundamentalist Islamists to assimilate from the Islamic culture into any other. Further, fundamentalist Islamism instills a natural hatred for the United States because our nation is governed by legislated constitutional law rather than by tyrannical Sharia law. It is because of both, the radical Islamists’ refusal to assimilate and his contempt for our form of government, that events such as the murders of Amina and Sarah Said have taken place right here on American soil.

In Dallas, Texas, Yaser Said is said to have killed his two daughters, Sarah, 17, and Amina, 18, because he felt Western culture was corrupting the chastity of his daughters. He is currently at large. Law enforcement believes he is being harbored by the Islamic fundamentalist community in North Texas.

Similar stories have been reported in areas with large Islamic populations around the country, including in Dearborn, Michigan and the greater Herndon, Virginia area.

In addition to physical abuses that women face in the fundamentalist Islamic society the social dogma and familial hierarchy present an equally oppressive and inequitable existence.

In Islamic law – Sharia Law – those who commit adultery are to be put to death, most often by hanging, beheading or stoning. In the matter of adultery a gross inequity exists in the instances of sexual abuse and rape.

In fundamentalist Islam, the burden of avoiding non-marital sexual encounters, of any sort, is placed on the woman. Under Sharia Law, sexual assault, or rape, can only be proven if the rapist confesses or if no less than four male witnesses come forward to testify to the rape having occurred. Because women are worth less than men in fundamentalist Islamic society there are seldom, if ever, four men willing to testify against another man in support of a woman.

Women who allege they have been sexually assaulted by a man who is not their husband, women who allege they have been raped, are actually confessing to having had sex outside of their marriage. Without the benefit of four male witnesses to the attack – mind you, four men who are willing to testify to have witnessed the act – the attack itself is considered to be adultery and, as has been established, punishable by death.

Since women in fundamentalist Islam bear the burden of sexual responsibility, inequitable as it may be, the reality of the matter is that only women are executed for adultery, even if they have been the victims of what we in the West would consider a sexual assault.

There are thousands, if not millions, of stories like Zohreh & Azar’s, Sarah & Aminas and Ayesha & Shamin’s and they come from every corner of the world, some from right here in the United States. Yet the feminist community does nothing. The Progressive-Left humanitarian organizations do nothing. The United Nations does nothing. And women – girls – daughters, mothers and granddaughters die.

To be born female into the world of fundamentalist Islam is to be inferior by Quranic edict. To be born a female into the world of fundamentalist Islam, it would appear, is to understand death while one is alive.

As I continue to study Islam, its radical tenets and the threat that it poses to Western Civilization, I become more convinced everyday that it will be the women of our society that end up being the motivating factor for our definitive action. I only pray that it happens soon because today we are losing the battle.

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Ms. Sultan is part of a fearless handful of educated Muslim women bravely speaking out. Here's a few more. Each one of these chicks have my utmost respect and admiration.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Maryam Namazie

Nonie Darwish

Irshad Manji
(If the NYTs calls Malkin a "Philipina firecracker", then Irshad is a Ugandan M-80. Bold, spunky, smart, witty, in-your-face attitude... what's not too like? And I love her haircut! Out of all these brave gals, she is my personal favorite.)

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Lord? Are Ya there?...You can stop now.

Well, here we are on the verge of yet another flash flood down here in the holler. This will be the fifth one in about 3 weeks. Almost twice weekly we've been getting hit with torrential rain that just won't quit, dumping over 5 inches a pop in just a few hours. I blame Algore.

Luckily, maybe this one won't be so devastating. The bulk of it seems to be shifting more southward this time. The poor dumb bastards in Tennessee and Arkansas will now get a taste of what we've been dealing with since mid March. Not that I wish this misery on anyone, but hey...better them than us for a change! Personally, I'm a nervous wreck and seriously sleep deprived from anxiously trotting outside every 30 minutes or so, flashlight in hand, all night long to monitor the flood water when it does rise-hoping like hell it won't come to bug-out time.
Things have got so bad that I have taken the extreme decision to farm my kids out until this abates. The constant flooding wipes out our roads as soon as the county grader can get the debris shoved aside-sometimes as soon as 12 hours later! This has led to the younguns missing quite a bit of school since the bus can't get down here. It also adds to the anxiety level, since not only am I fretting about my property but the safety of the younguns as well. Adding to that is the fact that my car's tranny took a dump on us Monday. So, even if we had to bug out, we couldn't-not easily anyway. Fleeing on foot up to the top of Door Knob in cold pouring rain is not the most ideal option with youngsters in tow, but just as for myself- I don't have a problem with it, I just don't want to subject the kids to that.

So, off to town they went.
We packed a big duffle bag with about 4 days worth of clothes for both of them last night and off on the school bus they went this morning. They will be staying with my in-laws in town-recent empty nesters with plenty of room. They'll be safe there and can get to school without any drama and interruption.
So now it's just me and the dogs...and the chickens...and the barn cats.

The chickens and barn cats are on their own if the shit hits the fan.

Here's a few latest pics:


This is the neighboring hayfield...after the water had receded. It was a raging wide river of flood water earlier, completely under about 3 foot or higher of water. You can see where the flotsam and debris took out the fence. This was on Mar. 30th.


My road out, a few days prior. Or should that be my road IS out. Here, the hayfield was under water in this pic, but not raging like it would soon do. The only part of the road not under water was that strip there in the center of the pic!

To date we have gotten about 18 inches of rain.
This is just plain nuts.

As for flood insurance... try a preminum of about 1500 a year. Our county doesn't participate in the national flood insurance thingy. And according to FEMA, I'm in a low risk area anyway.
Yeahhhhhhhhh, riiiiiiii-iiight.
Flash floods and even flooded conditions lasting longer than 3 days are not unheard of here. But normally, we have 2 or 3 instances of that maybe 3 times a year! We've already doubled that just in a few weeks!
This is an exceptional season so far...and Spring has just begun.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Google Australia Rolls Out New Feature


HOLY CRAP, GUYS!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!

You gotta check it out!

Fresh outta beta testing.
We need this like ...yesterday!
As much as I hate Goog, I must admit this is purty damn cool!