Marines Snub UAW

Marines snub UAW olive branch - 03/15/05
Well it appears that the UAW really upset the Marines when they barred them and their "Bush bumper stickers" -- that story is here. The Marines are not accepting their apologies it appears.

DETROIT -- The United Auto Workers union waved a white flag Monday in its parking skirmish with neighboring reservists, but the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines are not accepting surrender.

Iraqis Future Looks Brighter

USATODAY.com - Most Iraqis say future looks brighter
This is good news -- wonder how the gloom and doomsayers will spin this?

WASHINGTON -- More Iraqis believe their country is headed in the right direction and fewer think it's going wrong than at any time since the U.S. invasion two years ago, according to a new poll.

Light Blogging

I have been out all day today and have not been keeping up with the news of the day -- sorry for not blogging anything today, but will resume to my regularly scheduled blather soon.

The Battle Rages On!

ABC News: Court Rules California Cannot Ban Gay Marriages
Well the battle over gay marriage rages on with many more skirmishes on the horizon.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - In a victory for gay rights groups, a California Superior Court judge ruled on Monday that the state's voter-approved ban on homosexual marriage is unconstitutional.
Both advocates and opponents of gay marriage said the decision was just one step in what will likely be a long legal battle that may continue for years"

The judge mentioned there was no "rational", reason to prohibit -- well in that case is there a "rational" reason to condone it? What is rational?

1. Having or exercising the ability to reason.
2. Of sound mind; sane.
3. Consistent with or based on reason; logical: rational behavior

Well I submit, as I have about the meaning of "fair", this is a subjective term/word. Who is to decide was is "rational" or "fair" to you, I, or anyone else for that matter. This is just the tip of the "iceberg" -- be prepared to hear about how "irrational" Christians that oppose gay marriage are because now it is supported by a "legal decision"... Doesn't this smell of thought police?

I have never weighed in on my stance -- well I am against it! However, knowing we live in a free country, wanting to ensure my freedoms, and believing that one of God's many gifts was a freedom to choose I personally do not believe I or anyone else should dictate with whom you share yourself. Further, being a Christian and believing that homosexuality is an abomination before God and that marriage is a promise under God and designed by God I cannot support calling homosexual unions a marriage. Hence, I voted and will continue voting for marriage to be defined as a union between a man and women...

With this said -- I have been accused of hate -- which is a fabrication and gets back to my question -- "Doesn't this smell of thought police?". I believe it does, because if the "trend" continues someone will be determining what my thoughts are that guide my motive to be for or against gay marriage and as I have already stated many get it wrong... Basing this decision on rationality is not a rational thing to do in my opinion.

I Believe God Brought Him

Hostage: 'I believe God brought him to my door':
I have heard people on every cable news network imply that Ashley Smith must have developed feelings for this man -- feelings other than human compassion... This is absurd and I simply mark this up to a demonstration of why there is such a national debate over "religion and faith" -- unfortunately we as a country have simply forgotten or many were never taught the power of faith and of God and my hope is this incident will go far in educating our country.

ATLANTA - For hours, Ashley Smith gently talked to the armed suspect in Atlanta's courthouse slayings, turning from hostage to confidant as they discussed God, family, pancakes and the massive manhunt going on outside her apartment.

'I believe God brought him to my door,' Smith said Sunday, only hours after her 911 call ended a manhunt for Brian Nichols, who is accused of shooting four people since Friday.

Over the course of the night, Nichols untied Smith, and some of the fear lessened as they talked. Nichols told Smith he felt like 'he was already dead,' but Smith urged him to consider the fact that he was still alive a 'miracle.'

U.S. Election Coverage Harder on Bush

ABC News: Study Shows U.S. Election Coverage Harder on Bush
What a shocker -- glad the truth is being reported!

The annual report by a press watchdog that is affiliated with Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism said that 36 percent of stories about Bush were negative compared to 12 percent about Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.

Wait just a minute -- While Reuters' above article is accurate; the media proves that once again they are half-right by providing this inaccurate story.

NEW YORK Mar 13, 2005 - A study of news coverage of the war in Iraq fails to support a conclusion that events were portrayed either negatively or positively most of the time.

The Project for Excellence in Journalism looked at nearly 2,200 stories on television, newspapers and Web sites and found that most of them couldn't be categorized either way.

Maybe, as I mentioned here, the United States population is not exposed to the positive stories.

New Bankruptcy Bill is Horrible

I was not happy when this bill passed -- however, thought that many more articulate people across the internet expressed their disdain so I choose not to post anything... Today Jackson's Junction has a video of Dave Ramsey's view of this bill -- I personally like Mr. Ramsey and agree with most of what he says so I thought I would share his opinion of the New Bankruptcy Bill -- video here.

Yes I am poltically conservative and am saying that the Republicans let us down on this one.
(Hat tip: Jackson's Junction)

Sgrena: "I DEMAND..." -- Right

Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - News In English
Now this is getting ridiculous -- it appears that Sgrena is attempting to milk her "fifteen minutes of fame" and worse attempting to use the tragic death of here rescuer to promote here communist agenda. BTW who does she demanding anything from our President, who I might add she has continually ridiculed -- one that will communicate with her government, as is appropriate; although, it appears she has equal distain for her government -- hey she is a communist what can I say...

Rome, March 11 - 'I want the government to investigate on what happened', said Giuliana Sgrena, in an interview with Spanish TV broadcast by Sky TG24, her first ever since she was freed. 'The government is looking at various accounts of the facts', she said, 'but my account coincides with the one provided by the car driver, who also survived. We demand concrete answers on what really happened. Obviously an inquiry commission will be set up. I do have faith in them. What happened was just terrible. Our questions need to be addressed. And not only by the Italian government, but by Mr Bush himself."

Iran says Europeans too Slow

USATODAY.com - Iran says Europeans moving too slowly on nuclear talks
More evidence of Iran learning from North Korea's negotiating technique, which is say "yes, say "no", and then criticize -- my question will Europe be criticized for Iran's tactics as President Bush is for North Korea’s; like either Europe or President Bush can change the mentality of those they are attempting to negotiate with.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran described progress on nuclear talks with Europe as unsatisfactory and too slow, with Tehran's chief negotiator warning Sunday that it soon may walk away from the discussion.
Iran has made such threats before, accusing Europe of wasting time and not making proposals that conform to the Iranian bottom line -that it will develop peaceful nuclear technology. Europe seeks to ensure it does not use the technology to build bombs.

Iraq Won't Be Islamic State

ABC News: Officials Say Iraq Won't Be Islamic State
Well this is good news -- let's see if it becomes a reality; however, their making the effort indicates knowledge that this is needed to establish a successful government.

BAGHDAD, Iraq Mar 12, 2005 -- Ukraine withdrew 150 servicemen from Iraq on Saturday, beginning a gradual pullout, as Shiite and Kurdish politicians refined plans to form a coalition government that officials said includes an agreement not to turn the country into an Islamic state.

Mixed Messages

Appears Iran is being taught about conducting nuclear talks by North Korea -- in one day we get two stories. Which to believe?
The Good

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One day after the United States agreed not to block Iran's application to join the World Trade Organization, Iran's leader has said his country is ready to temporarily suspend its uranium enrichment program.

President Mohammad Khatami insisted, however, that Iran has a right to nuclear technology.

"We have accepted postponing the activities of uranium enrichment in a voluntary way and only temporarily, even though we have no obligation. We are doing this for moral reasons," he said through an interpreter while visiting Caracas, Venezuela.

Then the Bad

TEHRAN, Iran - Neither threats nor incentives will alter Iran's pursuit of its nuclear program, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said yesterday, defying new moves by the European Union and the United States to ensure Tehran never develops a nuclear bomb.
[...]
Asefi rejected Washington's move. "Lifting some restrictions against Iran will not stop Iran from pursuing its rights," Asefi was quoted as saying.

I am sure President Bush will be blamed -- like the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart the "left" loves to believe President Bush has this kind of power -- guess it eases the fact their guy lost the election.

Sgrena - Backs off Claim

Americans were not trying to kill me, hostage decides
Well what do you know -- the hostage herself is coming around; now if the "left-wing nuts" will only admit the obvious.

The Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who was wounded by American fire last Friday soon after being released by kidnappers in Baghdad, has said that she does not think that the Americans were trying to kill her. 'I never said that they wanted to kill me"

More Interesting Information

US deliberately kept in dark about fatal Italian hostage-freeing: general
This is very interesting.

ROME - US authorities in Iraq were kept in the dark about an Italian operation to free a kidnapped journalist which ended in debacle with an intelligence officer killed by GIs, an Italian general was quoted Saturday as saying.
[...]
Mario Marioli, a deputy commander of the US-led coalition troops in Iraq, was quoted by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica as saying: "I asked Calipari if I should inform our American allies of the hostage-freeing operation, but his reply was that under no circumstances was the ally to be informed."

Got Him

FOXNews.com - ATF: Brian Nichols Is in Custody

ATLANTA - After a two-day massive manhunt in Atlanta, Ga., suspected courthouse triple slayer Brian Nichols (search) is in police custody, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms told FOX News on Saturday.

Japan WWII Sex Slave Issue

BBC NEWS -- Japan WWII sex slave redress call
Japan has only partially acknowledged their atrocious "war crimes" during WW II -- unfortunately, aiding them in this endeavor was international attention focusing on the Jewish holocaust, and our concentration on their "democratic rebuilding"... What is mention in this article is only a drop in the bucket -- entire villages killed, women and children raped, artwork and riches from conquered nations stolen, on and on and on. However, I do not see them [Japan] changing their policy on these issues -- the world has never really held their feet to the fire, yes, there were some token trials that got little or no attention because the Nuremberg trials were also in progress, but no full admission of their action was ever offered.

Taiwanese women forced to become sex slaves by the Japanese during World War II are campaigning for Japan to take legal responsibility for the crime.
They are hoping to collect a million signatures for a petition they, and other victims across Asia, intend to present to the UN in April.
[...]
They sought an official apology from the Japanese.

The high court in Tokyo rejected their demand on the basis that the claims were filed many years after the abuse occurred.

Now the women are working with other victims - in Korea, the Philippines, China, Indonesia and the Netherlands - to bring the issue to the attention of the UN.

Saddam's $2m Offer

Telegraph --Saddam's $2m offer to WMD inspector
Well we are reintroduced to the whole "Iraq had WMD question" -- if Saddam is/was lily white and did not have WMD(s) why the Bribe?

"Saddam Hussein's regime offered a $2 million (£1.4 million) bribe to the United Nations' chief weapons inspector to doctor his reports on the search for weapons of mass destruction.

Rolf Ekeus, the Swede who led the UN's efforts to track down the weapons from 1991 to 1997, said that the offer came from Tariq Aziz, Saddam's foreign minister and deputy."

(Hit Tip: Betsy's Page)

Sgrena operation 'kept from US'

BBC NEWS -- Sgrena operation 'kept from US'
Well the BBC is coming around to maybe the Americans didn't know -- wonder if the US MSM will?

"Gen Marioli's testimony is crucial because he is the man who was keeping the US forces informed of the car's arrival before the fatal shooting, in which a US patrol killed the secret service agent and injured Ms Sgrena and a second officer.
Gen Marioli's version, as reported by the papers, also contradicts a reconstruction by the Italian government and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who said the US military had been advised that Ms Sgrena was on board the car. "

U.S. Forces Maybe Knew a Little

FOXNews.com - U.S. Forces Partially Knew of Italian Hostage Mission
More news out of Italy -- guess what it is conflicting; however, it does have an Italian admitting the US was not fully informed.

ROME — U.S. forces in Iraq were only partially informed about last week's Italian intelligence mission to release a hostage, which ended with a shooting on the road to Baghdad airport and the death of secret service agent Nicola Calipari, Italian newspapers said Friday.

While U.S. authorities were informed of the presence of Calipari and a colleague, they did not know that the mission was aimed at freeing journalist Giuliana Sgrena, Italian dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported. Sgrena hade been kidnapped in Baghdad on Feb. 4.
[...]
Both newspapers cited a report by Maj. Gen. Mario Marioli, an Italian who is the coalition forces' second-in-command. The report has been given to Rome prosecutors investigating the killing.

According to the newspapers, Marioli informed U.S. officials that Calipari and the other Italian officer were there, but not that the mission was aimed at releasing Sgrena. The lack of full information was possibly due to known U.S. opposition to Italy's policy of negotiating with kidnappers, Italian media have suggested.

However, the papers had conflicting versions over how much Marioli knew: Corriere said he knew that Calipari was working to have the hostage released, La Repubblica said he didn't.

Abstinence and Monogamy Work!

News from Agape Press
Well go figure -- notice that his study was dismissed, why -- maybe because it disagreed with the "mainstream liberal line".

A senior research scientist from Harvard says abstinence and faithfulness are more effective than condoms to stop the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Dr. Edward Green of the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies is the author of Rethinking AIDS Prevention (Praeger, 2003). He says he wrote the book after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) dismissed his study of effective AIDS prevention program, and instead hired another researcher, one who favored condoms, to conduct another investigation."
[...]
Nearly two years ago, Green testified before the U.S. Senate's African Subcommittee about the effectiveness of Uganda's ABC approach. He observed that, in little more than a decade, it had helped bring about a steep decline in the African nation's HIV/AIDS infection rates: they had dropped from 21 percent to 6 percent since 1991.

In his 2003 Senate testimony, Green noted, "Many of us in the AIDS and public health communities didn't believe abstinence and faithfulness were realistic goals. It now seems we were wrong."

Allegation -- Detectives Killed for Mob

The New York Times -- Detectives Killed for Mob, Indictments Say
Bad news for the New York Police Department if these allegations prove true.

Two retired New York City police detectives, onetime partners who had long been suspected of ties to organized crime, were charged by federal prosecutors yesterday with taking part in eight murders on behalf of the Mafia - most while one or both were still active members of the police force.
The charges, detailed in an indictment unsealed in Federal District Court in Brooklyn, were among the most startling allegations of police corruption in memory. In one case, in 1990, prosecutors said the detectives, driving an unmarked police car, pulled over a Mafia captain on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn and shot him to death for a rival mob figure. In another, in 1986, they flashed their badges and kidnapped a mobster, threw him in the trunk of their car and delivered him to a rival, who tortured and killed him. "