This would give the Republicans two victories. Daschle winning the Democratic nomination for President, which is unlikely, would be a gift to Bush. The open senate seat would probably be filled by a Republican. The best reward will be Daschle disappearing from the political scene.
How will these countries be held accountable? Will aid be with held until after the legal system is set in place? If the countries wanting aid are required to make changes in their system before receiving aid, then what is the UN really accomplishing. The free market already rewards countries that implement these changes. The only beneficiaries would be the dictators and corrupt governments that do not want to make the systematic changes.
This makes it very clear that the agenda is much larger than just this conference.
Here we go, this is the goal. Notice he uses the plural taxes, not just a tax. There are many others they would love to implement, like a tax on guns or the size of a military.
Fairness-For the utopian leaders at the UN, this means funding of abortions and supporting dictatorships with humanitarian aid.
The developing countries generate a disproportionate share of emission, on a per capita basis. This is simply a plan to redistribute money from America to other countries.
The flat rate is being used to ease the fears of large countries. They will implement a graduated tax, in the name of fairness, where wealthier countries will be required to pay more.
This is not just about economics, it is about a particular vision for the world. this vision is one that Karl Marx would approve.
This will only be accomlished by implementing democratic governments and eliminating the despotic leaders in thexse countries. Does anyone really believe that the UN is ready to make those type of radical changes?
Why should America send money through an international buracracy, instead of giving it directly wher it will have a greater impact? This is just another plan to make the UN a world government, and redistribute wealth.? What would it accompish? Afghanistan is being rebuilt without this agreement.
Once they are given the authority to tax, they will require the authority to enforce payment. An international IRS being run by third world dictators and socialist. If that does not cretae fear, then we have truly lost our understanding of sovereignty. This would accomplish all of the UN's socialist goals with one simple act. There would no longer be Kyoto treaties, they would just implement a tax. It would all be done to accomplish the socialist dream of fairness.
They found Terry Ford's body sprawled by a tree in his front yard, his brown-and-white terrier curled up beside him, growling at anyone who approached. For months, militia from Zimbabwe's ruling party had menaced the white farmer, warning him to abandon his thatched-roof cottage in a pine grove near the broad Mamyami River.
posted by Sean McCray |
12:48 AM
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Capitalism's on the sly in Cuba
Capitalism offers a better life, even where it is illegal.
"Many are motivated by the constant quest for U.S. dollars, which, despite the 4-decade-old U.S. trade embargo, are the coin of the realm. With greenbacks, almost anything from Brussels sprouts to treadmills can be had. Without dollars, even milk is scarce."
Not only is the socialist economy failing, the highly praised (By the UN) health care system is also not working. It appears that universal health care is neither healthy or free.
"A soft-spoken man with a gift for language, Miguel used to work in his neighborhood bakery, producing bread for daily rations. Now he makes bootleg copies of the latest CDs on a borrowed computer, selling them for $3 apiece. By way of explanation for his illicit trade, he holds up his right hand and says, "Look at this." His thumb and two adjacent fingers are missing. Six years ago, Miguel caught his wrist in the bakery mixer, badly mangling it. A month later, his fingers were amputated because he could not afford the three pills needed daily to induce circulation. They cost $1 apiece, and, at the time, he was paid in bread -- six loaves a day."
"In this situation, I have more tranquillity," Miguel said. "I am my own boss. I work when I want. I rest when I want . . . and my money is my money."
The American dream of self determination appears to be pretty popular, even in this socialist country.
posted by Sean McCray |
12:10 AM
|
Smash Hit: The power politics of missile defense
The Pentagon's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization now says it will have a rudimentary missile-defense system ready a little more than two years from now. It won't protect the United States against a massive attack from China or Russia, but it will make it impossible for a country with primitive missile technology, such as North Korea, to engage in nuclear blackmail.
There's even a target date for deployment: September 2004. Hmmm. The first time an American president can tell his country that it's safe from a nuclear power's sneak attack comes about two months before the next presidential election. Sounds like a campaign event.
posted by Sean McCray |
12:08 AM
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3/19/2002
I have updated my links. I need to make a few adjustments
posted by Sean McCray |
4:16 AM
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Challenging Democrats, Bush Proposes Tax-Cut Plan Bush seems to recognize that his original taxcuts were not large enough.
In an election year challenge to Democrats, President Bush will propose a plan on Tuesday to permanently repeal estate taxes and help small businesses boost investment and lower health care costs. The package, which would cost more than $117 billion over 10 years, includes many tax cuts popular with Republican constituents.
posted by Sean McCray |
4:15 AM
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STAR WARS EPISODE TWO: ATTACK OF THE CLONES
Harry Knowless got a sneak preview of Star Wars: Episode II. "You have to understand something in going into this film. What you have seen in Star Wars movies before were skirmishes… incidents… Remember, The Battle of Hoth was small, a minor hiccup. In ATTACK OF THE CLONES, you have the first REAL Star War...What Lucas has done, is to make a film that is so relentlessly entertaining and thrilling, that there will be no movie this summer that can stand against it. This is it. This movie is the real deal."
posted by Sean McCray |
4:12 AM
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I really have no problems with gays adopting children. It should not be the first choice, but it is better than fostercare.
posted by Sean McCray |
4:12 AM
|
3/18/2002
Was Nixon, not Clinton, the 'first black president'?
Personally, I find the idea of calling Clinton "the first black president" offensive. Here is more proof that Clinton was a great pretender.
The president with a hardscrabble past understood how hard it was to fight barriers like segregation and fought to open doors to blacks. "If Bill Clinton had Richard Nixon's record, he'd be quite a worshiped figure," says Dean Kotlowski, a Nixon scholar. A Salisbury (Md.) University history professor and author of Nixon's Civil Rights (Harvard University Press),[...] While there was "little doubt" Nixon was prejudiced, Kotlowski found repeated examples of the prez telling aides he had to "do what was right," even if it hurt politically. Like expanding voting rights, funding black colleges, and desegregating the South's schools.[...] By comparison, says Kotlowski, Clinton "talked the talk but didn't walk the walk."
Nixon was also the first to add quotas to affirmative action policies of the federal government.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:42 PM
|
Contaminated Piss!
Urine from Guantanomo prisoners may tell tale of nukes.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory scientists say they can test whether someone has been exposed to plutonium in at least the past five years, perhaps as long as 20 years. They are creating a similar test for uranium, the other main ingredient in nuclear weapons.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:41 PM
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How do they verify their work hours? When do they clock in and out?
Prostitutes working in a Berlin brothel have been offered employment contracts with a 40-hour working week and a profit-sharing scheme.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:41 PM
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Blogstops
I am still trying to get up to speed on the theodicy debate going on between some bloggers. Louder Fenn, Junk Yard Dog , William Sulik , Charles Murtaugh , Mark Byron and Hokiepundit are all involved in this discussion.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:41 PM
|
There is something really wrong when we are still asking Arafat to denounce violence. I think the US should allow Israel to respond without restraint. If the Arab nations feel that terrorism works, then it will intensify their efforts against America. We cannot go back and forth with the enemy, and should not be asking Israel to be restrained. When our policymakers wake up and realize that it does not matter what America does, they will still villify and seek to destroy us.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:40 PM
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Economy in sudden acceleration
In not much more than a week, perceptions of the US economy have shifted decidedly, from glimmers of recovery to visions of clear-cut growth.
And while some forecasters say heavy debts could restrain America's high-spirited consumers, others talk of full-fledged 5 percent growth.
If the economy picks up speed and grows at a rate of 3% or more, then the budget will again have a surplus. This will take away the one issue Democrats are trying to use agaisnt the President.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:40 PM
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Makings of a 'Dirty Bomb'
RTGs are self-contained power sources that convert radioactive energy into electricity. Compact and relatively small -- Soviet models are between two and four feet in length and weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds -- they are ideal for remote areas with little access to traditional fuels.[...] each contain up to 40,000 curies of highly radioactive strontium or cesium. These two heavy metals could contaminate large areas if combined with conventional explosives in a radiological weapon or "dirty bomb."
posted by Sean McCray |
9:40 PM
|
Paul Krugman informs us that the right wing conspiracy has been busy in ANWR. I am right, conservatives hate the environment and the common person is stupid. That pretty much sums up the attitude of in his article on ANWR.
"...was an alliance between conservatives who hate the very idea of conservation, on one side, and union leaders trying to demonstrate their influence by making politicians jump."
He just cannot fathom the idea that the conservatives may have a legitimate reason. That would require him to actually think through his own ideas.
"The Times recently had an eye-opening article confirming something I had been hearing myself, that oil companies are not behind the push for drilling there - indeed, they are notably unexcited by the prospect."
He decides to ignore that Alaskans want to drill for oil in ANWR. Many people, libertarians and conservatives, are uncomfortable with the federal governments intrusion into local decisions.
The rights of the land owners to develope their land, is reason enough.
He states that the real reason conservatives want to drill in ANWR is because "it makes the tree-huggers furious, and that's what's appealing about it.
He bases his opinion on what "one very moderate environmentalist" told him.
Do not even waist your time reading this article. There is not enough substance in it to debate.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:39 PM
|
Conservatives win in Portuguese election
The Social Democrats have pledged to cut corporate taxes, slash public spending and sell off some state companies in an effort to revive Portugal's faltering economy.
''We lost, but we lost honourably,'' Socialist leader Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues said.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:39 PM
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Clinton to Violate Treaty in War Against Iraq
For all those people screaming about Bush's stance on the use of nuclear weapons. All Bush did was clarify the policy. Clinton was the one that actually changed the policy to allow for the use of nuclearweapons against Iraq.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:38 PM
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Contaminated Piss!
Urine from Guantanomo prisoners may tell tale of nukes.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory scientists say they can test whether someone has been exposed to plutonium in at least the past five years, perhaps as long as 20 years. They are creating a similar test for uranium, the other main ingredient in nuclear weapons.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:51 PM
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3/16/2002
Help me googlebomb the New Black Panther Party: (This is the first time I have tried this.)
You just "View Source" and copy it for your blog. You do not have to actually click on the links.
Malik Zulu Shabazz is the African-American Muslim head of the New Black Panther Party. Malik Zulu Shabazz promotes anti-semitism. The New Black Panther Party gained publicity for protesting Bill Clinton moving to Harlem, and the war on terrorism.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:05 PM
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Russia 'will stand by coalition even if Iraq is attacked'
Russia made clear yesterday that it would not pull out of the American-led coalition against terror even if the United States launched a unilateral strike against Iraq. Russia and Britian are not leaving the coalition if the US attacks Iraq. Does anyone else really matter?
posted by Sean McCray |
4:02 AM
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Giving back the latest from Walter Williams
"Free markets -- along with peaceable, voluntary exchange -- are morally superior to other alternatives. In order to make a claim on what my fellow man produces, I must serve him. Contrast that principle to government handouts, where a person is told: "You don't have to serve your fellow man. We'll take what he produces and give it to you."
posted by Sean McCray |
3:55 AM
|
Claritin’s manufacturer decides it’s safe after all
The decision to allow Claritin to be sold over the counter was started by WellPoint petitioning the FDA.. "This is a blatant example of a company gaming the regulatory system to ensure profits at the expense of its customers. I don’t hate the pharmaceutical industry, which produces products that make life better for millions of people. But it’s also extremely dependent on the government, which funds 40 percent of its research and then grants it monopoly patents. The industry also benefits from perverse incentives built into the tax-code-subsidized third-party payer system, which makes most drug customers insensitive to a product’s real costs."
posted by Sean McCray |
3:47 AM
|
3/15/2002
Blasts at U.S. Embassy in Yemen
In Washington, a U.S. official said two concussion grenades were thrown at an embassy wall. One person was apprehended, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:13 PM
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A Victory for Guns. Man Forces Intruder At Gunpoint To Call Police "A man fed up with recent break-ins to his Bristol, Ohio, home decided to take care of the problem himself this week. Police said that Jerald Miller decided to camp out in his living room with a handgun to try and catch the intruder. Miller's wait paid off when a teen-age boy he didn't know entered the house. Miller pointed the gun at the boy and made him call the police on himself."
posted by Sean McCray |
2:10 PM
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Thomas Sowell is Naming names
His latest article is a must read. He opened my eyes to how black family names developed in America.
"Names are just part of the process of creating wholesale frauds about the past, in order to advance special agendas in the present. Personal names are also part of that fraud....Slaves were not only not given family names, they were forbidden to have family names.
Of all the reactions against the supposed "slave names" among blacks, the most painfully ironic has been the taking of Arab names instead."
posted by Sean McCray |
9:20 AM
|
More cool futuristic military stuff. Army selects MIT for $50 million institute to use nanomaterials to clothe, equip soldiers.
"MIT won the Army competition for the five-year, $50 million proposal for an Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN). Industry will contribute an additional $40 million in funds and equipment."
"The ISN will focus on six key soldier capabilities: threat detection, threat neutralization (such as bullet-proof clothing), concealment, enhanced human performance, real-time automated medical treatment, and reduced logistical footprint (i.e., lightening the considerable weight load of the fully equipped soldier). At the news conference, Thomas noted that one ISN goal is to reduce the weight of a soldier's equipment from today's 125-145 pounds to the 45 pounds carried by Roman warriors"
posted by Sean McCray |
9:13 AM
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U.S. Navy mulls robot submarines
"Elated by the success of unmanned spy planes over Afghanistan, the U.S. military is rushing ahead with plans to build a new fleet of "drones." This time, they're robot-controlled submarines. Cruising surreptitiously along a hostile shore, the sensor-packed U.S. Navy submarines would hunt mines and map coastlines ahead of an invasion force."
posted by Sean McCray |
9:09 AM
|
Minister Louis Farrakhan writes an Open Letter To Jamil Al-Amin
"It grieves me and the members of the Nation of Islam to learn of the decision of the jury. We had hoped that you would be found innocent."
Did the family of the African-American officer that Jamil Al-Amin killed get a letter? Probably not, they are not Muslims.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:06 AM
|
3/14/2002
My 2 Cents:
Activists revive the Black Panthers, at least in name.
"The New Black Panthers win instant credibility, not for their politics or ideology, but simply because of their name." Most of the original Black Panthers oppose the use of their name. They say this new group, which they believe espouses antiwhite and anti-Jewish hatred, is exploiting the Panther name and symbolism and tarnishing their legacy. The focus seems to be headline grabbing not community service.
The New Black Panther Party (NBPP) is a cult that espouses a mix of racist, pseudo-science and perverted Islam to promote socialism. After reading many speeches and articles, I was confused by the contradictions. I was trying to figure out how they could make contradictory statements, and then I began to see a paradigm of beliefs. (Example of two common paradigms: socialism is better than capitalism because a greater importance is placed on equality of wealth; capitalism is morally superior to socialism because it allows more freedom.) Here is a hierarchy of the NBPP philosophy:
The lowest, at the bottom is "the jew", the scum of the earth. (I did not capitalize it on purpose; I do not equate their use of the word with the proper use of Jews.)
Only slightly above "the jew", is the white race.
These two control the world, and all evil emanates from their existence.
Religion then begins to play a role. Christianity is seen as a Western religion that has been perverted over the years. They are fundamentalist Muslims, except when race or political ideology trump those concerns.
Then the victims: People of Color (POC). These people are morally superior based solely on their ethnicity. They are victims of circumstances, which were created by the "jews" and whites.
Since their view of ethnicity is based on skin complexion, the darker POC are greater victims and therefore morally superior. Lighter skinned POC (Chinese, White Latinos, lighter Arabs) rank lower than darker complexioned POC (Africans, Black Hispanics, etc.) Ethnicity, victimhood and religion are mixed in a haphazard manner that is situational.
The highest value they hold, the one that trumps all others, is socialism. They will argue that religion or race is their highest priority but quickly ignore those when in conflict with their socialist agenda. Creating an Islamic state is secondary to building a socialist government. China and Cuba are used as examples of good systems that only have problems because of the capitalistic system preying on them. The persecution of Muslims in China is ignored. Slavery in the Sudan is dismissed as a media ploy. Like fascists their real god is a nationalistic socialist state.
The biggest problem I have, is how the media is allowing them to be used. I have seen the head of the organization on all three of the large news channels. The networks understand that controversy creates higher ratings. There is a small unofficial coalition of extremists that help keep groups like this in the media. The white supremecy groups want the message of racial division to be promoted, and to project the "angry black man" image. Many on the extreme left want to promote their socialist agenda, regardless of the medium being used.
This is where the blogosphere has a role to play. The mainstream press is afraid of the entire race issue, and will never expose organizations like NBPP. The bloggers have no commercial interests, and can expose these people before they really get a platform like Jackson or Sharpton. This must be done in at least two ways: 1) Promoting intelligent people that can dialogue about race, across the political spectrum. 2) Expose those extremist organizations, and demand accountability of the mainstream press.
posted by Sean McCray |
11:39 PM
|
My First Googlebomb (by way of VodkaPundit)
The following text and links were lifted directly from Megan McArdle's Jane Galt, in an effort to Googlebomb away shoddy civilian death statistics from the Afghan campaign.
Feel free to "View Source" and copy it for your blog, too. You don't need to click the links to make the Googlebomb, so just scroll on down to my next post.
"Kill Marc Herold Afghan casualties meme by Googlebombing it. For the uninitiated, “Googlebombing” takes advantage of the fact that Google gives a high ranking to regularly updated sites; this means that if a lot of bloggers link to, say, Iain Murray’s take-down of the Herold Afghan casualties study, using relevant search terms like Afghanistan civilian casualties and Herold collateral damage and Marc Herold Afghanistan study, we can move Iain’s article to the top of Google’s search results."
posted by Sean McCray |
11:32 PM
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Whoa, this is sick:
Police have broken up a ring of child pornographers who videotaped themselves and watched each other violently spanking and abusing their children.
posted by Sean McCray |
11:30 PM
|
They are coming after your burger and fries. Obesity is being compared to the greatest sin of all, cigarette smoking. This is their attempt to lay the groundwork for taxes, and socialized medicine. Obesity Harder on Health Than Smoking, Study Says: "The study found that obesity -- linked to health complications including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, strokes and certain cancers -- raises a person's healthcare costs by 36 percent and medication costs by 77 percent...In terms of dollar amounts, the study found that obesity raised healthcare costs by an average of $395 a year, while smoking increased costs by $230 and heavy drinking is associated with a $150 annual increase."
posted by Sean McCray |
4:33 PM
|
CRISIS Interview with Mikhail Gorbachev
On Clinton: "My relationship with President Clinton was quite strained, if not downright tense...I was highly critical of his foreign policy. He is guilty for the fact that the U.S. has wasted those ten years following the end of the Cold War."
On the strong relationship between President Bush and President Putin: "It would be good if no one paid attention to those who criticize Bush in the United States or those who tend to criticize Mr. Putin in Russia. Mr. Putin has great support among the ordinary people, but some scholars and intellectuals who cater to the party interests of ruling elites try to criticize him."
posted by Sean McCray |
1:07 AM
|
Michelle Malkin is Just wondering :
What really happened on United Airlines Flight 93?
What really happened on American Airlines Flight 11?
Who murdered Katherine Smith, and why?
Why does Norm Mineta still have a job?
Who's responsible for the anthrax attacks?
So where the hell is Osama bin Laden, anyway?
posted by Sean McCray |
1:05 AM
|
Racial Profiling Not Unique To U.S.
In a report from the U.K., racial profiling is alive and well. While the overall number of people stopped by police fell by 17% last year, the number of Black people stopped by police increased by 4%. Figures show that Black people are still seven times more likely to be stopped by police.
posted by Sean McCray |
12:58 AM
|
3/13/2002
Chocolate’s dark secret
Two documentary filmmakers say that at least some of the workers who harvest the cocoa bean from which chocolate is made are kept as slaves, locked up at night and beaten if they try to flee.
posted by Sean McCray |
7:58 PM
|
Study: Health Care Unequal for Blacks
This was done by a group of Harvard researchers, so I will have to do some research before commenting.
posted by Sean McCray |
7:54 PM
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No auction of Malcolm X’s items Letters from late black activists’ family halts Butterfields’ sale.
posted by Sean McCray |
7:50 PM
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UK Courts Rule in Favor of Farrakhan
posted by Sean McCray |
7:48 PM
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Cheer, cheer for the Fightin' Whities
I know this has already made it around the web, but it just has to be repeated.
posted by Sean McCray |
7:45 PM
|
Terrorist Pilots' Student Visas Approved After 9-11
This is absolutely mindblowing incompetence
posted by Sean McCray |
2:04 AM
|
3/12/2002
blogger is acting crazy
posted by Sean McCray |
4:20 PM
|
My Blogstops
Balloon Juice: The best picture of the WTC memorial he has seen; and he mentions that HokiePundit has an interesting method for getting people to mention them, and even more important, an effective way to punish them for not mentioning him. It works, it really does.
HokiePundit: Next Right has been moved from People Who Haven't Mentioned Me to Consie Christers. Told you, it works.
Ideas etc...: Kevin's mother is coming to visit for six weeks! His mom and his wife for SIX WEEKS! He will not be golfing much during that time.
Kyle Still Free Press: Letterman Ain't Going Nowhere. I love Letterman, and agree with Kyle about Leno. "I cannot for the life of me see why Leno outdraws him, but who cares? I'm sticking with my man."
USS Clueless: Suggests using porn to get more hits.
VodkaPundit on Janet Reno: "After the speech, Reno admitted it had been difficult not to play with matches in a room filled with "so many, many helpless people."
posted by Sean McCray |
4:17 PM
|
3/11/2002
My Blogstops
PatrickRuffini.com: Condi Rice 2004/2008 Veep to Prez idea. "Apparently, the RNC has done some polling related to the subject".
USS Clueless: This is a great quote about copy protection and its ability to stifle technology.
Copy protection is a lockout feature. That's the opposite of a "killer feature". A killer feature is "must-have". A lockout feature is "must not have".
Andrew Sullivan: gives a vivid description of the 9-11 documentary.I would be doing a disservice to quote any of the description, but he ends it with a succint comment. " In an odd way, having seen it all again, I feel less afraid of what lies ahead, and more eager to get on with it. The simple virtue of those rescuers remind us of what human beings are capable of, and the invincible character of the civilization they are a part of, however ruthless the evil arrayed against it."
posted by Sean McCray |
10:42 PM
|
Pilot believed alive, held in Iraq
What the ..... If this turns out to be true, will the Europeans be angry about the Geneva Convention being violated?
Missing Pilot's Bio Information
posted by Sean McCray |
2:47 PM
|
9-11 Looking Back Through Blogs
I wanted to see what bloggers wrote on 9-11 as the events of that day unfolded. I went through every blog on links, and most did not have an archive that dated back to September 2001. Blogging, especially warblogs, is a convergence of online technology and national tragedy. The blogging explosion was created by people who found common ground on political issues. While going through many of the archives, I found that some of my favorite bloggers hold political views in direct opposition too my own. The terrorist attacks forced everyone to focus on the most important and urgent issues facing this country. This is where the American bond is created, in ideas and values, not ethnicity or background.
Here are some links to some blog archives from 9-11.
little green footballs
USS Clueless
PatrickRuffini.com
Libertarian Rant
BlueChemical.com
KEN . LAYNE . DOT . CON
Metafilter
Midwest Conservative Journal
posted by Sean McCray |
2:40 PM
|
The Blogsters...
I keep trying to mention other blogs in my postings. So I am just going to do it:
Kevin Holtsberry at Ideas etc...has Blog Watch Three up.
I am sorry. I really am. I read Hokiepundit everyday, and he has me in the list of bloggers that haven't mentioned him. he does deserve to be mentioned. He has made me go back and refresh my theology training.
Patrick Ruffini. This guy has been the one to go to for a conservative perspective on California's Governors' race. He has also been featured on FoxNews.com
Vodkapundit writes "An Open Letter to George W. Bush" about tariffs on steel.
Michael Moynihan, at The Politburo, takes The Globe to task for continuing the Cuba's propaganda. This was on time for me, I was in the middle of a debate on a website and someone mentioned Cubas health care system.
Muslimpundit got some hate e-mail, accusing him of not being a "real" Muslim. I want some hate mail too. I should have pissed someone off by now.
posted by Sean McCray |
1:44 AM
|
Who Needs To Work? - Panhandling a Boon for "Shaky Lady"
The Shaky Lady is, to many, a poor desperate soul who is in dire need of help. But as the article shows us, she is actually making off like a bandit, and making a mockery of the charity and kindness of others who pass her way. How much of this occurs in other areas, in other cities? If I could sit at a street corner and earn a couple of hundred dollars for a few hours of abject begging, maybe all my time spent at university and plans for a career are actually misguided? Perhaps being a theatre major would end up being a more lucrative course of study in the end?
She is getting $2500 per week, for begging!
posted by Sean McCray |
1:29 AM
|
3/10/2002
WTC Symbol
From USS Clueless: There was a sculpture made of steel and bronze called "The Sphere" which was in the plaza at the World Trade Center. After the collapse, it was found. It had been badly damaged, but it still existed and it was preserved.
This symbol is perfect, it is unique and can easily be identified with the 9-11 tragedy.
posted by Sean McCray |
7:03 PM
|
Russia's US chicken ban in force If we can protect steel, they can protect their poultry industry.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:36 AM
|
3/09/2002
My 2 Cents
My suggestions for both the PLO and Israel, on how to win over world opinion.
Israel- Unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank to the 1967 border everyones claims they want. You do not need a buffer to protect your people, your military is far superior to any other Arab nation. This would take away every excuse that the PLO uses to justify their terrorism.
The Palestenians - Arrest all terrorists, at least all future terrorists, and close down all terrorist organizations. Promote non-violent protests to Israel's occupation. Instead of spending money on weapons and bombs, spend it on lobbying western countries and on economic developement.
If either side made these moves they would gain the moral high ground. If both sides made these moves it would create peace.
America should withdraw ALL financial and military support from both parties until after they make the above moves.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:19 PM
|
U.S. Works Up Plan for Using Nuclear Arms
The Bush administration has directed the military to prepare contingency plans to use nuclear weapons against at least seven countries and to build smaller nuclear weapons for use in certain battlefield situations, according to a classified Pentagon report obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
The secret report, which was provided to Congress on Jan. 8, says the Pentagon needs to be prepared to use nuclear weapons against China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria. It says the weapons could be used in three types of situations: against targets able to withstand nonnuclear attack; in retaliation for attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons; or "in the event of surprising military developments."
The critics responded: "They're trying desperately to find new uses for nuclear weapons, when their uses should be limited to deterrence," said John Isaacs, president of the Council for a Livable World. "This is very, very dangerous talk . . . Dr. Strangelove is clearly still alive in the Pentagon."
The more possible uses, the greater the deterrence. Why spend the time and money to build these weapons and not be willing to use them? If it is a choice between losing American lives or destroying an enemy, we must destroy the enemy.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:10 PM
|
3/08/2002
Engaging China on humane family planning
"...the recent administration decision to freeze funds for the UN Population Fund because it is trying to work with the Chinese on voluntary family planning."
Voluntary ? Either you have an abortion, or the government will volunteer you for their abortion.
"We cannot expect China to reconstitute itself in the American image overnight. Instead, it is in our interest to engage with China in the search for deeper understanding."
Just crazy leftist talk. What is the deeper understanding?
"It is an especially unwelcome development given that the president requested funding in his fiscal 2002 budget, and the final appropriation bill that he signed included $34 million for the agency and was approved unanimously in the Senate and by a 3-1 margin in the House."
These same people complain about Americans not being fed, but have no problem giving $34 million to a Communist country. This writer does not explain that China is increasing their military budget by 17% in 2002. The more we pay for their social programs, the more they have to build a military that will attempt to kill Americans.
In its assessment of human rights in China, the State Department noted significant progress in reducing coercive family planning.
What exactly is "significant progress"?
If one person was forced to keep a child until full term, would this writer see that as a small issue?
posted by Sean McCray |
11:49 PM
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Denmark- the Socialist Model
Denmark is often cited as an exemplary country within the EU, with an economic system that others should seek to emulate. In the comparisons of GDP per capita, Denmark ranks consistently in the top ten worldwide, and often in the top five.
This article decides to look behind the facade and gets to some important facts.
In 2002, the lowest marginal income tax level is 44.31 percent, then it increases to 49.77 percent and 63.33 percent. Forty percent of the working people pay the top marginal tax rate of 63.33 percent, which applies to all income over $33,000.
A sales tax of 25 percent hits just about everything.
The capital gains tax is 59.7 percent for a private person in the high income tax bracket, unless you hold your investment for more than 3 years. It then falls to 44.8 percent.
For cars, there is a 180 percent special tax on top of the sales tax of 25 percent. Then there is a registration fee and a weight fee to be paid twice per year for the privilege of using the roads. The price of gasoline is nearly three times as high as it is in the US.
A total tax level that approaches 70 percent is a relentless and debilitating reminder that this country desires no personal economic achievement and no accumulation of wealth.
posted by Sean McCray |
11:44 PM
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Deroy Murdock says Free-Trade ’Em Into Shape
Free trade should be another arrow in America's anti-terrorist quiver. Countries that aid this new war, especially those in the Middle East, should gain duty-free access to American markets.
posted by Sean McCray |
6:46 PM
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Arafat asks US to halt Israeli 'slaughter'
Two problems:
Arafat can't control terrorists, but expects America to control Israel?
If America asks Israel to stop, and Israel does stop retaliating, then it will feed into the myth that America can control the violence.
posted by Sean McCray |
6:35 PM
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It's Not my fault for being lazy and fat! I am relieved, I think I will celebrate with some chocolate. They're coming after you
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is one of the Washington lobbies that wants to control what we eat. These tyrants not only propose taxes on what they deem as non-nutritious foods, they've also proposed a 5 percent tax on new television sets and video equipment, and a $65 tax on each new car or an extra penny per gallon of gas. You might ask why tax these items? CSPI Nazis see watching television and videos, and riding instead of walking, as contributing to obesity. And, as they see it, just as tobacco companies were responsible for people smoking, television manufacturers are responsible for people being couch potatoes, automobile companies are responsible for people riding instead of walking and the food industry is responsible for people eating too much.
posted by Sean McCray |
3:56 PM
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Bush sheds tears
I really like this guy. He is genuine.
posted by Sean McCray |
3:52 PM
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Black daughter of Confederacy
When Nessa B. Johnson attended her first United Daughters of the Confederacy meeting in January, she said chapter members welcomed her like family even though she is black.
posted by Sean McCray |
3:46 PM
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Activists give Bush plaudits for effort to combat hunger
Something is wrong when hunger activist agree with Bush.
posted by Sean McCray |
1:07 PM
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US jobless rate falls to 4-month low
The percentage of US workers seeking unemployment benefits edged lower to 5.5% in February, the US Labor Department reported
posted by Sean McCray |
12:54 PM
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3/07/2002
U.S. Troops Survive 18-Hour Ring of Fire From Al-Qaida Fighters
"It's quite a surprise to our enemies that my boys are up there at 10,000 feet, chasing them down,"
The enemy does not understand what this country is capable of accomplishing. We will not tire.
posted by Sean McCray |
11:31 PM
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Glenn Harlan Reynolds of Instapundit fame, feels the Republicans should side with the consumer against the record companies. This will back Democrats into a corner. Republicans Should Back Recording Artists, Consumers
Record companies regularly deduct 15 percent off the top of sales as an allowance for "breakage" — a survival from the days of shellac records that now simply serves to reduce artist royalties by that amount.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:10 PM
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Note This: A Good Idea from Congress. Bipartisan Caucus of Lawmakers Tout Zero Capital Gains Tax
Eliminating the federal capital gains tax would be good for the economy and wouldn't make much of a dent in the flow of tax dollars to Washington, says a new congressional caucus.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:01 PM
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You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
"...research, development and production of high-tech munitions will be funded to the tune of $1.8 billion in the '03 budget, according to Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. The munitions range from the newly familiar to the truly eye-popping:"
posted by Sean McCray |
2:39 PM
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The free market is punishing Anderson more than Congress ever can. Delta latest company to drop Andersen
posted by Sean McCray |
2:31 PM
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Never Forget!
ABCNEWS.com : Two Policemen's Bodies Found at WTC The bodies of two police officers are recovered at Ground Zero.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:28 PM
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Report: Half Billion People Have Home Net Access
How many hits are you getting? Just a little perspective on internet traffic.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:25 PM
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DUH!
Maryland blacks ask more from Democrats
Maryland Republicans — led by state party chairman Michael Steele, who is black — have been making efforts to recruit minorities
Democrat Delegate Lisa Gladden of Baltimore said "The young African-Americans that have talent are tempted and often taken by the Republicans because they know they'll push them to the top,"
Roscoe Nix, former president of the Montgomery County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said..."If African-Americans were being strategic politically, they'd join the Republican Party...If they were politically astute, they'd infiltrate the Republican Party. They need to be more adaptable."
posted by Sean McCray |
2:21 PM
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Waiting lists highest ever: 58,000 queue for treatment
Socialist medicine at its best!
n "excess waiters" - those who have had to wait longer than 12 months for cardiac surgery or 18 months for other specialities - has risen by 2,124.
Heart disease? Can we schedule you for June 2003?
posted by Sean McCray |
2:14 PM
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Undergraduate union approved
Resident assistants at the University of Massachusetts yesterday voted to form a union, becoming what is believed to be the first group of undergraduate students in the country to organize.By a vote of 138-88 with 12 ballots contested, the resident assistants, or RAs, voted to join United Auto Workers Local 2322.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:01 AM
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Jurors Refuse To Convict Accused Murderer Because He Is Black
Four witnesses testified that Montez Taylor chased down an SUV last July in a Cincinnati neighborhood and, after the vehicle turned over, shot the driver and passenger execution-style. These testimonies, along with the evidence against him, could have had Taylor facing the death penalty. Instead, today his trial ended in a hung jury.
Two jurors, one black, one biracial, refused to seriously deliberate on the charges. Ignoring the evidence, the two jurors didn't want to convict him strictly because he was a black man.
How can releasing a murderer into the black community be constructive? The victims were also black. If people get angry about the police murdering blacks, they should be just as angry with these people.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:00 AM
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3/06/2002
Best Comeback by a politician this week:
Actor Alec Baldwin was at the Capitol on Wednesday, much to the surprise of Gov. Jeb Bush.
"He had promised he would leave the country if my brother got elected," Bush said during a stop in Orlando. "Well he's back, I guess. We'll welcome him to Tallahassee."
posted by Sean McCray |
5:39 PM
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Washington state refuses to rename highway after Black war hero. A state Senate committee has quietly killed a proposal to rename Jefferson Davis Highway after William P. Stewart, a black Civil War veteran and early Washington settler. "It's pretty disgusting," groused Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, who sponsored the bill to rename the highway, better known as state highway 99. "This is a statement about what Washington state thinks is important."
I was surprised to find Washington state arguing over Civil War issues.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:29 PM
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I loved this quote from a local Afghani regarding the latest military attacks by America.
"Good, good, America, America good," he said in English, pointing skyward to the vapor trail left over Shah-i-Kot by a B-52. "They're not bombing good Afghan people, they're bombing Arabs and Chechens and Pakistanis, and we don't want them here, either. It's not their country, and they came here to make war. We want to live in a country in a peaceable condition. We want to forget all about war."
posted by Sean McCray |
5:23 PM
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The Core of Muslim Rage
Thomas Friedman has a must read article in todays NY Times.
Why is it that when Hindus kill hundreds of Muslims it elicits an emotionally muted headline in the Arab media, but when Israel kills a dozen Muslims, in a war in which Muslims are also killing Jews, it inflames the entire Muslim world?
Why are you so pained about Israelis brutalizing Palestinians, but don't say a word about the brutality with which Saddam Hussein has snuffed out two generations of Iraqis using murder, fear and poison gas?
How could a tiny Jewish state amass so much military and economic power if the Islamic way of life - not Christianity or Judaism - is God's most ideal religious path?
This is not to say that U.S. policy is blameless. We do bad things sometimes. But why is it that only Muslims react to our bad policies with suicidal terrorism, not Mexicans or Chinese?
posted by Sean McCray |
5:19 PM
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Fred Barnes asks What If . . .Democrats were in control of the war on terrorism
The scary part, is that some will read this and actually wish we had responded accordingly.
"The United States would be a lot more loved and a lot less respected. There would be less projection of raw military power, more attention to the social work aspects of foreign policy. The country would be less secure because fewer sponsors of terrorism would be terrified and fewer weapons to fight them would be produced."
posted by Sean McCray |
5:11 PM
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Gambling with the lives of Americans. They are sacrificing safety for political correctness.
After Sept. 11, the airlines decided to rely on a random search program rather than using a comprehensive profile selection system. As a result, 40 million air travelers each month participate in a system that has as low a chance of success as a state lottery - with their lives in the balance.
Instead, we routinely search individuals who are the least likely people to be a terrorist in a system that emphasizes the appearance of security over the reality of security.
Yet more than 75 percent of African-Americans polled recently said that they favored profiling at airports and understood the difference between airport and racial profiling.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:05 PM
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This is not a joke, or a headline from the Onion.
Rights panel asks for big raise
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is asking for a $6 million budget increase for 2003.
posted by Sean McCray |
5:01 PM
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The real cost of war. "Families Count Cost of Afghan Battle With Memories From 7 Lives" These are real people, not just statistics on the news.
The seven servicemen were drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Those from the Army were Sergeant Crose; Specialist Anderson; Sgt. Philip J. Svitak, 31, of Joplin, Mo.; and Pfc. Matthew A. Commons, 21, of Boulder City, Nev., the Pentagon said. The Pentagon listed Sergeant Crose's age as 27, but his father said he was 22.
The four Army soldiers were members of the First Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Hunger Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga.
The sailor who was killed was Petty Officer First Class Neil C. Roberts, 32, of Woodland, Calif., the Pentagon said.
The Air Force dead were Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, 36, of Waco, Texas; and Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, 26, of Camarillo, Calif., the Pentagon said.
Airman Cunningham, who was stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia
posted by Sean McCray |
1:50 PM
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Scientists Develop Plastic That Mends Itself
In the latest efforts to design more resilient materials, scientists at U.C.L.A. have developed a transparent, yellowish plastic that mends its cracks when heated.
posted by Sean McCray |
1:48 PM
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China takes delivery of aircraft carrier
A U.S. intelligence satellite photo of Russia's unfinished aircraft carrier Varyag, then docked at Nikolayev shipyard on the Black Sea. The Varyag has now reached the S. China Sea and will be used by the Chinese military.
posted by Sean McCray |
1:46 PM
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3/05/2002
Radical New Views of Islam and the Origins of the Koran
Applying western theological methods to the Koran, could lead to a more secular Islam.
Yet despite the fear, a handful of experts have been quietly investigating the origins of the Koran, offering radically new theories about the text's meaning and the rise of Islam.
As long ago as 1977, John Wansbrough of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London wrote that subjecting the Koran to "analysis by the instruments and techniques of biblical criticism is virtually unknown."
Mr. Wansbrough insisted that the text of the Koran appeared to be a composite of different voices or texts compiled over dozens if not hundreds of years. After all, scholars agree that there is no evidence of the Koran until 691 - 59 years after Muhammad's death - when the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem was built, carrying several Koranic inscriptions.
These inscriptions differ to some degree from the version of the Koran that has been handed down through the centuries, suggesting, scholars say, that the Koran may have still been evolving in the last decade of the seventh century. Moreover, much of what we know as Islam - the lives and sayings of the Prophet - is based on texts from between 130 and 300 years after Muhammad's death.
posted by Sean McCray |
10:12 PM
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Social Security Rethink
This is why I like William Rasberry, common sense trumps political ideology. He quickly debunks the Enron argument being used by those who oppose privatizing social security. Much of the argument against a thrift-savings component to Social Security amounts to little more than liberals against conservatives. Conservatives love it, so liberals must oppose it. It would be good if we could move beyond this partisan silliness and deal with some of the real issues -- and perceptions -- of the matter.
posted by Sean McCray |
10:10 PM
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The Soldier of the Furture
The Objective Force Warrior envisioned by the Army and a team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and organizations throughout the country. The goal is to develop a high-tech soldier with 20 times the capability of today's warrior and to have that soldier commissioned by about 2010.
posted by Sean McCray |
10:09 PM
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Black profs to boycott Thomas visit
A coming visit to UNC this week by Clarence Thomas has rankled the black members of the university’s law school faculty, none of whom plan to attend any of the day’s events featuring the conservative associate justice of the nation’s highest court.
The open dialogue of college campuses only applies to liberal ideas.
posted by Sean McCray |
3:05 PM
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'Shadow Government' Was Not a Mystery
Maybe Daschle doesn't read. Articles about the "secret"government were run as early as October.
posted by Sean McCray |
3:01 PM
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Bush to Announce Tariffs Amid Worries About Reaction of Allies
Tarriffs will only make the steel industry weaker and less competitive.
posted by Sean McCray |
2:58 PM
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3/01/2002
Jesus in Islam
I read this book review and did a little research on how Islam views Jesus.
This short book ("The Muslim Jesus") contains...sayings and stories of Jesus drawn from Islamic literature.The legacy of Jesus is gentleness, compassion, and humility."
In Muslim writings, Jesus has a life of his own. His miraculous birth is emphasized, but there's no mention of the Passion. Here Jesus companions with ascetics rather than with sinners, as in the Gospels...The sayings and stories are presented in 303 segments. Each segment contains a translation and a short commentary.
Examples:
"Jesus said," goes No. 122, " 'God likes His servant to learn a craft whereby he can become independent of people, and God hates a servant who acquires religious knowledge and then adopts it as a craft."
"Jesus met a man and asked him, 'What are you doing?' 'I am devoting myself to God,' the man replied. 'Who is caring for you?' 'My brother,' replied the man. Jesus said, 'Your brother is more devoted to God than you are.' "
The Ahlul Bayt `Aalim Network was a mailing list consisting of Islamic scholars who answer questions about Islam.
(Example: In response to a question about Jesus….. "He was blessed in two ways, one of which was not shared by many other prophets. He was both chosen as a Prophet and also blessed with the Holy spirit (2: 87, 253; 5: 110; 21:91; 19:17). Many other prophets were not blessed by the Holy spirit. )
The Nature of Jesus This is a paper that attempts to portray the Islamic view of man and God, and the position of Jesus within the Islamic world view. The main thesis states that only by placing him within the theological context of Islam is it possible to gain some insight into Jesus.
Answering-Islam A Christian website that gives very detailed explainations of the differences between Islam and Christianity.
(Examples: In the topical subjects area, under Jesus: · Muslims believed that Jesus will come again during the last days. Some traditions attribute that Jesus will be a just ruler. Some identify Jesus with the Mahdi, while others that he will be a follower of Imam Mahdi. see MAHDI.
In Islam, it is not clear what the status of Jesus is at the present moment in heaven. It is said that the sign of his coming is the moon and sun eclipsing in the same month of Ramadan. Ahmadis believe that it happened to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian in 1894. [We certainly need astronomers to confirm this.] Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said "How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you and he will judge people by the Law of the Quran and not by the law of Gospel (Fateh-ul Bari page 304 and 305 Vol 7) (Sahih Bukhari 4.658)
Another Christian site: Islam: A Guide
posted by Sean McCray |
2:10 PM
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Boycott-Riaa.com
Lots of information on the record company cartel.
posted by Sean McCray |
10:46 AM
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I will be doing some moving today, so posting will be light
posted by Sean McCray |
10:13 AM
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Revised GDP shows stronger growth
Gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic activity on U.S. soil — rose at a 1.4% annual pace in October, November and December, stronger than estimated by most analysts and the best showing since the fourth quarter of 2000, the Commerce Department said.
posted by Sean McCray |
9:59 AM
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