Funny...They didn't ask me where I get mine...

So 70%+ of Americans still get their news from the local broadcast networks and National news.

It's probable that they just don't know yet where the real news is being reported. Thank God for the blogosphere and the thousands of real journalists (read "authentic") who are interviewing, sifting data and analyzing to report what is really happneing.

It is unfortunate, as they obviously still have no clue as to what is happening in the world. I suspect this is an artifact of the boomer genration and their parents who are still around. Having grown up with network TV, its probably asking too much for them to walk away.

A Simple Jew: Guest Posting From Chabakuk Elisha - The Perils of Yisro's Path

A Simple Jew: Guest Posting From Chabakuk Elisha - The Perils of Yisro's Path

Interesting article. Says alot about the essence of faith, regardless of the particular religion.

It's the same challenge for us all. Do we continue to try and dissect the fundamentals of what we believe, trying to establish exactly why and what we believe, trying to establish a defensible bedrock?

Or do we simply accept what is told as revealed and true, regardless of the questions and ridicule of others who do not understand?

In many ways, the second is easiest. Capitulate to the beliefs, accept them as true and spend one's spare time trying to live them and on other areas of life.

I think, though, that everyone has a responsibility that extends beyond simple acceptance. The responsibility is to those others who question our beliefs.

We need to accept, but also seek to be able to explain, to the extent that we can. Ultimately, however, it is the way we live our beliefs that says the most about them to others.

Nobody respects the man who can fully explain his faith but fails to live it

Found a Few here

In the search for rational Muslim leaders, a few have shown their faces and spoken out, such as Jordanian journalist Jihad Momani who wrote:

"What brings more prejudice against Islam, these caricatures or pictures of a hostage-taker slashing the throat of his victim in front of the cameras, or a suicide bomber who blows himself up during a wedding ceremony?" (Read it all here, courtesy of the NY Times.)

Well said!

Too bad he's now facing prosecution and appears in court today to defend his action. I think the punishment for heresy is death.

It doesn't bode well for the future if those who would speak out can't because they are dead

Willful Ignorance?

Two separate posts, one at Roger Simon and the other at Rossputin detail similar examples of what I would call willful ignorance.

Roger links to a book review "While Europe Slept" that describes Western Europe's willingness to believe that the cultural dichotomy between European Liberalism and Islamic Fundamentalism will resolve itself in Europe's cultural favor.

Rossputin links to an article (written pseudonymously by a Colorado legislator) that describes the Democratic Party's war on Christianity in general and the Catholic Church specifically.

Although the venues and targets are different, the goal is the same: gradual attrition of prevailing cultural and social norms that get in the way of a radical ideology. In both cases, the targets slowly bleed to death while hoping the attacker will suddenly make nice - and then everyone will all get along.

War, whether cultural or otherwise, doesn't work that way. Only one side can win. Sometimes its a decisive victory, usually the open conflict devolves into a guerilla war that lasts until one capitulates.

Did we find one?

Last week, I wrote "Where are the Muslims who..."

Perhaps we found one here, by Mansoor Ijaz at the L.A Times, courtesy of Atlas Shrugs.

Although the article is encouraging, the author still doesn't condemn the violence that seems to be becoming the norm for Islamic expression.

He writes, "You either believe in the oneness of God or you don't. You either believe in the teachings of his prophet or you don't. You either learn those teachings and apply them to the circumstances of life in the country you have chosen to live in, or you shouldn't live there."

OK.

I say:

-You either believe it is wrong to saw someone's head off with a knife or... you don't
-You either believe it is wrong to strap a bomb to your body and walk into a movie theatre ...or you don't
-You either believe non-believers in your faith have basic human rights..or you don't.

The list of black and white can grow quite long, but the point should be clear.

I'll keep on looking

Mad, I tell you ...Mad as a hat!

One of the sharpest lines of the week comes from National Review's new weekly roundup section called Window on the Week.

Referencing former Vice President Gore's comments in Saudi Arabia this week, NR writes:

"Speaking before an audience in Saudi Arabia, Al Gore, who used to be vice president before he went mad..."

Perfect.

Democratic Party Hacks Hackett

Looks like the Democratic incumbents decided to support a 'safe' insider by taking out Paul Hackett's campaign for Senate.

Good thing for the Republican majority, I think. Not so good for the Democrats. Unfortunately the GOP has dirty hands here as well. Remember Pay Toomey vs. Arlen Spectre. Can't say I'm happy with his performance since the adminstration saved his campaign.

Gracious Gentleman

Harry Whittington, the man inadvertantly shot by the Vice President while hunting, was released from the hospital today. His statement reveals a very gracious man.

Of all the things he could have said (and most probably would have said in similar circumstances), sympathy for the Cheney's and their media gauntlet is not one that I would have expected.

It is the kind of statement I would expect from a true Christian, which I suspect he is.

Idaho Coral Reefs......Idaho?

This is the website of a friend I know. Actually, he does the website and this is a link to his page on the website. So, why link this?

How many coral reefs do you know in the state of.......Idaho?

http://www.idahoreefs.org/ReefTour2004/ScottMorellSlide/Scott_Morell.html

Time for Action

Victor Davis Hanson is on the target yet again with his discussion of the nuclear threat in Iran.

In a relativistic world view he takes a black and white approach to the question that says "who are we to tell others they can't have Nukes?"

Eventually action will be taken, but will it be in time to make a difference?

"Totally Depraved" - What Are You?

According to QuizFarm I am a :

"Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists." Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 89% Roman Catholic 86% Neo orthodox 86% Charismatic/Pentecostal 79% Emergent/Postmodern 68% Reformed Evangelical 50% Fundamentalist 50% Classical Liberal 25% Modern Liberal 21%

I'm not sure I'd buy the 'totally depraved' part, but the rest feels about right...

We're Number One!!

According to Rossputin, according to Charles Krauthammer.

Go USA!

Ftsenarzemi?

Chareon,

When I first came to the company and started using email all the time, I struggled to find something appropriate to put at the end of my notes.

• 'Sincerely' sounded too trite and too formal. Although I was usually sincere, most of my writings were not very formal.
• 'Cheers' irritated me when it came from anyone other than a Brit or an Irishman, as I saw Americans who used it as posers.
• 'Best Regards' was similar to 'Cheers' but not as bad, I just didn't feel comfortable using it
• Using nothing at all seemed rude

I finally settled on 'Take Care', as an expression that conveyed sincerity, and was intended to convey a sense of well being, good journeys in life, etc.

The only problem with this is that after working with many Europeans, Asians and Israelis who do not use English as their primary language, it occurred to me that they probably had no idea what I was intending to convey.

'Take care' literally translated probably came across as 'don't drop' 'be careful' 'watch out' 'caution', etc.

So I'm training myself not to use it, but slipped and put it at the end of your email by accident.

I have been saying 'Best Wishes', but find this can still be misunderstood.

From now on, I am going to simply use the following:  'Ftsenarzemi', which means absolutely nothing in any language known to man.  However, since it occupies the space at the end of the note, it will allow the reader to decide what is meant by the expression 'Ftsenarzemi', based upon the tone and content of the email as well as the punctuation.

For example:

Ftsenarzemi!!
Ftsenarzemi.....
Ftsenarzemi??

See what I mean?

Thanks for asking,

Ftsenarzemi!!

Tom

*******

Hi Tom,

What do you mean by "Take care"? 

Where are they?

Where are the Muslims who condemn the craziness?

Where are the Muslims who condemn the beheadings and suicide bombings?
Where are the Muslims who accept Israel has a right to exist?
Where are the Muslims who accept that the Holocaust happened?

If there are two sides to every argument and if ideological thought bridges a spectrum from far left to far right, then where are the vocal, far left Muslims who believe the above?

Do they exist? I sure hope so. I'm going to start looking. If I can't find them, I can only conclude that a very long and bloody series of battles are coming.

Denmark Pissed off

Great editorial. I think the tide is starting, ever so slightly, to finally turn. Perhaps the major news outlets can finally play a useful role and be unbiased on reporting on this topic.

The more this escalates, the more likely the folks who pays the politician's bills may start to call for sides to be taken. Perhaps that will provide the cover the real Muslims (who abhor the hijacking of their faith by radicals) need to speak out against the craziness.

LGF has more comments here

Fred on Everything

Fred is great. I mean it. I disagree with about half of what he writes, but I can at least see why he holds those views. He can write on the topics he does because he has experience in those areas. So many who blather on about this and that have no clue.

They are not necessarily wrong, nor is he right, but he is authentic whereas they are not. He can speak from having lived, that living having shaped his life and perspective.

He irritates me more often than not, but rather than being driven away, I am interested in his perspective and views. The typical frantic ranter simply causes me to walk away.

Read Fred. Get on his mailing list. Enjoy a good think.

Plus, he is unashamedly un-PC. This is fun.

Fred on Everything.

2nd Post - Woo Woo!

So I signed up for a blog so I could post a reply to 'Baconeatingatheistjew'.

See it all here:

Guess I should have a blog too

So, I wanted to post on another blog and it asked me whether I wanted to post as a blogger.

And I said "Why Not".

This is my first post. I am sure you are underwhelmed if you are reading this.