Another Suzuki Foundation poll for your consideration.
Apropos of nothing, “I just don’t have time” is currently trailing.
Now remember – cheating is for climate modellers!
Friday Morning Update: Another poll goes horribly wrong…
Coming Events: Counter Protest In Montreal
Montreal Alliance:
This Saturday March 17th at 1PM the usual gang of far leftists and radical Islamists will be hitting our streets on the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War. While they cloak themselves in the language if peace and the media takes them at their word, they actually support war, they are just on the other side. If any of you have every been to these rallies you will have noticed that there is no shortage of signs with messages such as “9/11 is an inside job” or “support the resistance in Afghanistan.” In essence these messages show that they do support violence only when it’s against our troops.
Below is a link to their leaflet, as can be seen they are very disappointed that the Taliban are not back in Afghanistan.
link.
If anyone is interested in counter protesting this event a few of us will be there with signs such as “Support our Troops, Not Global Jihad!” and “We Stand with the Free.” We will have police cooperation and protection and a couple of people with video cameras to film the reaction of our opponents.
Please email me back if you are able to attend, so that I can get an estimate of how many we are going to be. In addition feel free to bring your own messages and flags.
The rally and demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at Dorchester Square in Montreal.
Update – Not in Montreal? Check the comments for info on demonstrations in other centers.
You Don’t Say
| Palestinian girls living in war zones outperform boys academically Palestinian girls focus on studying and writing, and are generally found to do better at school than boys during war time, suggest Queen’s University researchers. “War and violence limit opportunities for girls,” says Hana Saab, research associate with the university’s Social Program Evaluation Group’s (SPEG) Palestinian youth project. But they suffer the consequences much differently than boys. Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the research was conducted through a partnership between Birzeit and Queen’s Universities. Carried out in the West Bank’s occupied Palestinian territory, findings suggest that gender roles have a significant impact on how girls deal with the effects of living in contexts of prolonged conflict and violence. Current research also suggests that the different needs of both sexes should be identified when designing approaches for working with Palestinian girls and boys with psycho-social and emotional health needs due to war zone conflict. “Psycho-social mental health interventions have to be designed in ways that address gender differences and can’t follow a biomedical model where everyone is treated in the same manner,” says Ms Saab, a doctoral candidate in Education. She suggests that girls are more social than boys, which means peer-to-peer support and group counselling are more effective in addressing psycho-social and emotional health issues in girls. SPEG is currently conducting a pilot project in the West Bank to test these forms of treatment. “Working with community-based rehabilitation centres, our research groups hope to develop an approach for dealing with mental health issues that are sensitive to cultural values and gender roles,” says Ms Saab. The research consisted of two phases, which surveyed over 3400 girls and boys in grades 10 and 11. The first phase highlighted a need to address gender differences in the way youth respond to trauma, and how the social conditions surrounding them changed in response to conflict and violence. Ms Saab was part of a panel discussion earlier this week at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York. As part of the discussion of how girls survive in situations of violence and armed conflict, her contribution was a discussion of gender issues compiled by SPEG’s research among adolescents in the West Bank. She also participated in a panel discussion in Ottawa put on by IDRC and The Gender and Peacebuilding Working Group of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee. |
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Rumble In The Tummy
Times Reporter Dares to Buy Sliced Brisket:
“A friend related a story of visiting Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Tex., one of the high holy shrines of Texas barbecue. He tried to describe the vibe in the room while he was eating: a low, throbbing, violent, ready-to-rumble hum that he felt and felt part of.”
A useful service to the public
Sitecoach, apparently used in public internet kiosks offers this useful feature:
The main goal of SiteCoach is to filter pornographic content and content glorifying violence, as well as right-wing and other so-called forbidden content that “hits below the belt.”
We certainly wouldn’t want the public exposed to “right-wing” ideas, would we?
h/t
Update: From the comments, the company responds:
There is a terrible error in our product descriptions on our web site. Our software does not filter political views. It blocks pornographic and illegal content, e.g. neo-Nazi content etc. The term ‘right-wing’ is flat wrong. I apologize for the confusion.
White Like Obama
Debra Dickerson, with Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert.
Best. Interview. Ever.
The Last Laugh
Calgary Sun, Dec 19, 2006;
Calgarians are mad as hell and we don’t want to take it anymore.
That’s the way this newspaper interprets the massive outpouring of public support for Const. Shaun Horne, who revealed he lost faith in the legal system after Justice of the Peace Kristine Robidoux decided to release Albert Walter Brazill, despite the fact he had 65 convictions for crimes from kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery to forcible confinement — and was wanted on Canada-wide warrants.
Hardly what you’d call a model citizen.
Horne called the JP’s decision a “mockery and a joke” and swore at the suspect in court. From his outburst, which he knew would bring disciplinary action down on his head, it’s fair to assume the 25-year police veteran was mad as hell and doesn’t want to take it anymore, either.
We can’t defend Horne’s actions in the courtroom. As a letter below from Ian Wilms, Chair of the Calgary Police Commission points out, Horne was professionally out of line by mouthing off. If everybody vented their inner sentiments in court, there would be even more disorder than we see now.
Still, Horne offers some compelling reasons for his outburst, which he said was the result of years of pent-up frustration. After the justice of the peace released the suspect, he failed to show up for his next court appearance.
Horne’s actions have hit a raw nerve with a public fed up with our revolving door system of justice. Violent offenders are too often released into the community, where they have a chance to offend again.
Horne earned sympathy for refusing to back down and for taking his lumps. To top it off, he is donating his time while on suspension, as well as donations offered to him, to the Salvation Army. No wonder many consider him a hero.
A corrections officer writes;
Here’s the joke: The organization which he is donating his time and money to, (Drumheller branch), on Monday, December 18, arrived at the Drumheller Penitentiary with approximately $5,000 worth of Christmas bags, stuffed full of candy and other goodies, specifically for the 550-odd inmates serving time there. Not for the homeless. Not for the poor. Not for the destitute.
For the convicted criminals, eating 3 hot meals a day, drawing a wage for doing work or attending school, playing hockey on the institution skating rink (recently reconstructed following being burnt down BY THE INMATES, twice, during 2 separate riots in 2001). Inmates sitting on their beds, watching TV and sponging off of society, who have a canteen where they can purchase candy and cigarettes and pop and chips for grossly discounted prices, were so deserving of this show of charity. I’m sure that the humanitarian side of Cst Shaun Horne thinks it’s a good idea. I’m also sure that the cop side of him would scream in frustration if he knew.
The Number One Issue In The World
Edward Greenspon, Editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail. Jan 27, 2007:
“It’s crystal clear: The environment will be the single most important issue of 2007”.
Google, World’s top search engine, Feb 10, 2007:
“Maybe so. But so far, it’s Anna Nicole Smith with the early lead … superbowl commercials fading fast and Britney Spears just eating up ground on the outside…”
All Hat, No Cattle
| “When I saw the resolution, I was looking for Cher’s name in there.” |  |
“In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space”
|
Statement of the College of William and Mary Board of Visitors, Feb. 7, 2007
The President’s decision to alter the policy governing the display of the cross inside Wren Chapel has sparked a vigorous and passionate debate about religion, history, tradition, values and diversity. The Board of Visitors has heard from countless people both supporting and opposing the decision. Today, in an unprecedented move, the Board of Visitors invited individuals from several constituencies with diverse viewpoints to share their views on this controversial issue. We are grateful for their counsel. While the debate has separated pros and cons into separate camps, what is most inspiring is what binds them rather than divides them—a deep, unflinching love of William and Mary. We love its history and tradition. We love its singularly unique character. We love our experiences and the memories that have made indelible marks on our lives. And we love the promise that the College’s greatest days remain ahead. It is the depth of this feeling that explains why so much passion has come to the surface over this issue.
[…]
Finally, and importantly, the Board believes William and Mary is and should be a diverse and welcoming place to all students from around the Commonwealth and around the globe. This should be the message that is projected to prospective students and the outside world. One might argue about where the balance should be struck to achieve this imperative, but we are convinced that adding fuel to the current flames of controversy will only singe the reputation of our College.
President Nichol is a strong and passionate leader. In him we have placed our hopes and aspirations for the William and Mary yet to come. And, we have placed in his hands a sacred trust to protect and preserve the precious green and gold jewel that has been finely polished over the centuries. President Nichol has our confidence and our pledge to work with him to chart a course that will lead to a shore on which we all will be proud to stand.
Virginia Gazette, Feb 14, 2007;
Topless women weren’t the only thing keeping students at the College of William & Mary focused Monday night at the Sex Workers Art Show.
Sparkling nipple adornments, feather boas, bare bottoms, erotic dances, striptease music and sex toys entertained a crowd of more than 400 who were packed into the auditorium of the University Center. Another 300 were turned away. The show attempted to empower the actors by portraying the realities of their careers.
[…]
A woman named Dirty Martini did a striptease. Weighing in at well over 200 pounds, she finished her routine wearing only a G-string and pasties.
Cono Snatch Zubobinskaya, clad initially in military fatigues, gave a theatrical performance that included a dildo shaped like a gun. Her anti-war message was that sexual favors would be given if “doing so can end the war. Just don’t force me.”
Oh Yeah? Wait Until They Take Away His Dirt Bike
After viewing this, I started the truck just to let it idle.
h/t.
Lord Of The Fruit Flies
The 2003 recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award
“Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful, is shown on a chair spinning in a circle…
Little Mosque On The Catwalk
(Via Drudge)
Florida Food Guide
I didn’t know meth was a vegetable.
Bruce Montague
Via email;
“On October 5, 2005, the Canadian Government led at the time by the Liberals, took their first steps in court to seize the home of Bruce and
Donna Montague. This was done in response to their constitutional challenge of Canada’s failed “gun control laws”. Is this any less terrorism and tyranny? You might expect this to happen in some backwater third world country but this is taking place right now in Ontario, Canada!
For more details, click on www.brucemontague.ca
To help in the fight to eliminate Bill C68, there is an online petition here.
Spitting Back
There were a few tense moments;
[…] including an encounter involving Joshua Sparling, 25, who was on crutches and who said he was a corporal with the 82nd Airborne Division and lost his right leg below the knee in Ramadi, Iraq. Mr. Sparling spoke at a smaller rally held earlier in the day at the United States Navy Memorial, and voiced his support for the administration’s policies in Iraq.
Later, as antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were standing, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protestors spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling; he spit back.
“If they’re gonna support us, support us all the way.”
At CJunk – Open Season
The Square Root Of All Evil
The Great Leap Forward.
The Killing Fields.
Rabble.
h/t
Robert Redford, We Hardly Knew Ye
Showing at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, a “smart”, “eloquent” film of “visual poetry” about “thresholds”.
Because it’s not really porn if the horse wears a body suit*
More, in the comments
Social conservatives have been warning about the normalization of pedophilia, bestiality etc for years. As usual, we are dismissed as hysterical cranks.
Then when we turn out to be right yet again, the same people will tell us to “lighten up” and “get with it.”
As surely as night follows day.
There will be a bestiality themed tv series on HBO within the next 5 years and it will win a bunch of Emmy Awards. You heard it here first.
signed, the Hysterical Crank.
Probing deeper into “The love that dare not comb its mane”… Jesusland lags behind an enlightened Europe.
Cold On The Heels
Of John Baird’s growing list of successes on the global warming file, comes more news of a turnaround further south;
Arnold Schwarzenegger signed anti-warming legislation on September 27. Rather than risk prison or the Governator’s wrath, California’s climate is aggressively complying with Schwarzenegger’s new rules.
Well, now that that’s been taken care of, I’m calling Carol Skelton’s office to see if she can put in a good word for an Order In Council authorized warming spell.