Ask A Religious Nut

Curious as to how the sickening tumult in Lebanon and Israel can be made even more sickening? Why not ask a religious nut? Media Matters has a run-down on both the perverts publicly frothing at the mouth for biblical Armageddon and the tv news folk that love them. Send in the clowns.

Beirut Confidential

This is a great article on the madness in Lebanon and Israel by rock star chef and "Kitchen Confidential" author Anthony Bourdain. He was there to do a tv special on, what else, the cuisine of the newly resurgent country. But like everything else in the region, it's fucked now. His documentation of the the war's outbreak makes for a unique take on the affair. And incidentally, the main pic for the article is from none other than the intrepid Stephanie Sinclair.

From the article (link follows):
Everything had begun so beautifully. Our fixer, Lena, was bursting with enthusiasm when she met us at the airport. After months of preproduction, finally we were here! Finally, the American television crew had arrived -- to show the world how beautiful her country was, how lovingly restored, how hip and forward thinking in the years since the bloody civil war. On the first day of filming, we'd had a sensational early lunch of hummus, kibbe, stewed lamb and yogurt at Le Chef, a local, family-style joint in a charming neighborhood. The customers at the tables around us in the tiny, worn-looking dining area chattered away in Arabic, French and English. Stomachs full, my crew and I headed over to Martyr's Square and the Rafik Hariri memorial; a few blocks away, our fixer and friends pointing out old scars and new construction, trying to explain how much Beirut and Lebanon had changed since the man's death in 2005. They spoke effusively of the calm, the peace, the relative tolerance that had followed the galvanizing effects of Hariri's assassination.

Read "Watching Beirut Die."
*Update - Read an email Q&A with Bourdain at the Washington Post.

Work Party Thursday

We're having a group outing today. Playing Whirlyball and drinking beer.

Why not watch this music video:

From the "Bit of a Shocker" Dept.

U.N. Shocked by Strike on Border Post

From the article:
JERUSALEM — Israeli warplanes bombarded a U.N. post in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, killing four observers in a strike that Secretary-General Kofi Annan termed "apparently deliberate."

From The "No Real Surprise" Dept.

FOX News Deliberately Hides Fact That "Middle East Analyst" Is Apocalyptic Christian Preacher

From the Article:
Monday morning, July 24, 2006, in a blatant bit of "lying by omission", FOX & Friends host Mike Jerrick introduced End of Days Christian preacher and author Michael D. Evans as a "Middle East Analyst."

Evans is a rapture Christian who believes that, once Israel is at peace, the end of the world will come, at which time a very few chosen Christians (including himself and George Bush) will be wisked into heaven by Jesus while the rest of non-believing humanity will be cast into the fiery pit for all eternity.

While Mr. Evans is entitled to his quaint religious notions, FOX News was playing it fast and loose with the truth when it labeled him a "Middle East Analyst". "Right Wing Christian Lunatic" might have been a better choice.

Ronnie Clay Redux

I fixed the tagging gaffes on the Ronnie Clay post.
You can find it here: Ronnie Clay: More Prophit (sic) Then (sic) Critic,
Or just scroll down.

Quote of the Day

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russel

Bedtime Story For Grown Ups

The following was grabbed as part of a goosebump inducing article by historian Juan Cole on his Informed Consent website. Read it under the covers with a flashlight and your teddy bear.
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"...The Israeli military proceeded methodically and systematically to destroy Lebanon's infrastructure, and clearly had been casing targets for some time. The vast majority of these targets were unrelated to Hizbullah. But since the northern Sunni port of Tripoli could theoretically be used by Syria or Iran to offload replacement rockets that could be transported by truck down south to Hizbullah, the Israelis hit it. And then they hit some trucks to let truck drivers know to stay home for a while.

That is why I was so shaken by George W. Bush's overheard conversation with Tony Blair about the war. He clearly thought that it broke out because Syria used Hizbullah to create a provocation. The President of the United States did not know that this war was a long-planned Israeli war of choice.

Why is that scary? Because the Israeli planning had to have been done in conjunction with Donald Rumsfeld at the US Department of Defense. The US Department of Defense is committed to rapidly re-arming Israel and providing it precision laser-guided weaponry, and to giving it time to substantially degrade Hizbullah's missile capabilities. The two are partners in the war effort.

For the Bush administration, Iran and Hizbullah are not existential threats. They are proximate threats. Iran is hostile to US corporate investment in the oil-rich Gulf,, and so is a big obstacle to American profit-making in the region. Rumsfeld is worried about Iran's admission as an observer to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is to say, that he is worried about a budding Chinese-Islamic axis that might lock up petroleum reserves and block US investments. If Chinese economic and military growth make it the most significant potential challenger to the Sole Superpower in the coming century, a Chinese alliance with the oil-rich Muslim regions, including Iran, would be even more formidable. The Shanghai group has already pulled off one coup against Rumsfeld, successfully convincing Uzbekistan to end US basing rights in that country.

Rumsfeld also believes, contrary to all available evidence, that Iran is actively destabilizing Iraq and is conniving with Syria and Hezbollah to do so.

[snip]...Clearly, if one could get rid of Iran and Hezbollah, in Rumsfeld World, Iraq is much more likely to turn out a delayed success than an absolute disaster. And then the stalled-out rush to Bush's vision of "democracy" (i.e. Big Private Property) in the region could proceed. In fact, the instability in Iraq mainly comes from Sunni Arab guerrillas, who hate Iran and it is mutual.

The Bush administration's perceived economic and geopolitical interests thus overlap strongly with Israel's perceived security interests, with both benefitting from an Israeli destruction of Hizbullah. It is not impossible that the US Pentagon urged the Israelis on in this endeavor. They certainly knew about and approved of the plan..."

Read the entire artice.

(Via Cursor.org)

Ronnie Clay: More Prophit (sic) Then (sic) Critic

So, I was checking out some user reviews for the "V For Vendetta" DVD on Amazon yesterday and a particularly goofy one from a fella by the name of Ronnie Clay from Louisiana caught my eye. I went on to look at all the guy's reviews. They turned out to be a treasure trove of laughs. The cream of the crop follows:

*Note: The full, brain-melting list can be found HERE.

He Comes Next ~ Ian Kerner ARE YOU NUTS! HE COMES FIRST AND WOMEN COMES LAST!!, July 6, 2006 Men should be the one to come first in the bedroom cause males know how to comprimise instead of being bossing cause women always need to have it their way when will they learn to work together then they wouldn't be complaining about bad sex! Monty's Party Picante Sauce - XXX Ignorant Hot Gourmet Salsa I was disappointed with what I found, July 4, 2006 The only reason I click on this Monty Party Picante Sauce cause I saw the three XXX's on the cover and I was thinking it had something to do with porn, but all it repersents is this sauce is very hot it will burn you into tomorrow. It clams that it's flamble like it can start a fire PLEASE. WHY WOULD THEY MAKE SUCH DANGEROUS STUFF IN THE FIRST PLACE. All for You ~ Janet Jackson WOOO Janet Jackson is really horney!, June 30, 2006 Some of her songs are really talking about getting down and dirty. In the song "Would You Mind" is her really coming out of her shell. When I was hearing her saying all the things she wants to do to a man like touching, teasing, holding, kissing, and especially licking and man that made me have a hard-on. Another so is her saying a man having his hands up her thies I mean Janet really knows how to use sex for sell. I love the song "China Love" and "All for You" which is really a dance song. What's Left of Me ~ Nick Lachey In your face Jessica Simpson, June 16, 2006 Nick Lachey is better then his ex-wife now cause his solo ablum sounds so amazing. It i sad to see that it's takes a break up in order for him to make his own cd cause if they were still married Nick wouldn't have this big success. This whole ablum is singing about him being heart broken over his loss I know he can get over her cause Jessica Simpson is not everything, she's a LOSER. Especially now cause she's not doing a cd. Tang Orange Drink Mix, Makes 20 Quarts, 71 oz Almost better the Kool Aid, June 8, 2006 I hadden had tang in a long time. And to me it still taste good. I wonder if they will ever come up with different flavors for tang instead of just orange cause I know it's been out for a long while. Gatorade Fierce-Grape Thirst Quencher, 32 fl oz I love this s**t, May 27, 2006 Gatorade is just as good as water cause it won't give you bad kidneys if you drink too much of it and also you won't have to go to the bathroom so quick. Who ever says Gatorade is salty is on crack. Playboy - Hungarian Ed WOO BABY!, May 1, 2006 I love looking at these naked women inside this magazine. Women from the country Hungary are way more sexier then the American Thundercats - Season Two, Vol. 1 DVD ~ Katsuhito Akiyama I love Thundercats, April 14, 2006 The second season on DVD well at least part of it. Why can't they just put the whole season in one box set. It can still be 6 disc just put more episodes on each disc. Lion-O is the leader of the group and he can fight by using his sword. Fiber Choice Fiber Supplement, Sugar Free Assorted Fruit, Chewable Tablets 90 tablets Who cares about taking pills, March 26, 2006 On the cover of this medicine they have pictures of fruits to make it seem like it flavorable which it will really taste like crap. Not to mention they take all your money cause this cost too high. Only weak sissy's take pills I'm a strong macho man who is never sick. I never have fiber. The Godfather (PS2) The game is better then the movies, March 25, 2006 Before Marlon Brando died (which I'm glad he did) recorded all of his dialogues to reprise his character, Don Corleone. While some actors from the film have reprise their so call famous roles for the video game adaptation, Al Pacino flat out refused to reprise his famous Michael Character (which I don't blame him). I love this game like I love intimidating hot women. Live in Dallas, Texas DVD ~ Superjoint Ritual When will a concert be live in Winnsboro, March 23, 2006 I'm jealous cause all the music concerts always be live in big cities like Dallas Texas. No concert ever come's to small towns like mine which is called Winnsboro. It's just boring. Pornography - The Secret History of Civilisation DVD ~ Kate Williams (III) It's important ot know your porn history, March 21, 2006 This is a serious, non-titillating history of pornography, from the earliest days of erotic art right up to the present days of mulitmedia. Debbie Does Dallas Uncovered DVD ~ Debbie Does Dallas-Uncovered Location, Location Location, March 21, 2006 I'v been to Dallas,Texas five times, its a beautiful city unlike my small crappy town Winnsboro. Brokeback Mountain (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Heath Ledger I HATE FAGS, February 19, 2006 I discriminate against gay men I think it's disgusting to see. Thats why I hate this movie cause it has gay cowboys how sicken. How can people love this movie. And give it these Oscars winnings. Iraq Flag Polyester 3 ft. x 5 ft. Support Iraq, December 26, 2005 I feel bad for Iraq cause America invaid that country. I love the Iraqi flag cause Saddam is the man. Rayon Japan miniature flag (4 in. x 6 in. / 10 in. staff) What a great flag, December 26, 2005 I love this flag to represent Japan cause it is a good country that make's anime. They are kind of weird cause I don't know what the red dot in the middle stands for. Apple 20 GB iPod M9282LL/A this new technology is too complicated for me, December 8, 2005 this device is something that can download music up to 5,000 songs and it plays cds it also runs on windows xp. I hate this stuff A Little More Personal (Raw) ~ Lindsay Lohan If Lindsay Lohan took a big S**T on the ground I would eat it, December 8, 2005 This is her second ablum. The video for the single was filmed on 26th Street in New York, in which store windows were remodeled to depict scenes from Lohan's childhood. The video was release October 26, 2005. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Full Screen Edition) DVD ~ Judd Apatow It's all the women's fault for this man being a virgin at 40 cause their all selfcentered prudes, December 8, 2005 I enjoyed parts of the movie for the unique Hollywood depiction of a man's choice to remain a virgin in a society where sex is pervasive. One moment I found to be revealing about modern life is when Andy and Trish get married. She's Out of Control DVD ~ Stan Dragoti don't watch this, December 1, 2005 Someone needs to put her back in control and that's a man's job so I'm counting on Tony Danza. Hush Puppies Men's California Clog Slipper I hear them all day, December 1, 2005 At night when it's cold I have to put these on my feet to keep them warm. I can't believe these where made in California where it's hot at. I wear these house shoes so much around the house I sometimes forget that I have them on. Fresh Spanish Onions, 1 lbs Stephen Garcia must have really doo doo skunky breath, November 19, 2005 I hate all kinds of onions I don't want to have stank breath. The taste of those vegtables don't even taste right. I wish God never made onions. He-Man & She-Ra - A Christmas Special DVD Even She-Ra celebrates christmas with He-Man, November 4, 2005 At least something of She-Ra is out on dvd. I will love the christmas special when it comes out December 6. I think both her and He-Man make a cute couple. Forrest Gump DVD He's as dumb as a doorknobe but we love him, October 22, 2005 Tom Hank's plays the stupid Forrest Gump who somehow went to college played football how he made the team the football coach saw Forrest running on the field. Their team became champion's and went to the white house to meat JFC. Forrest drank too much drinks and had to go pee. Forrest got his degree then went to the army he fought in Vietnam and earn the highest metal the army can give you (The Congressional Medal of Arnor) then Forrest pulled his pants down. Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini by Mark Leyner If men read this book they must be gay, October 8, 2005 Who cares about men having nipples is Mark Leyner way of being funny. Their are questions about things that people wonder everyday. How do people have sex in wheel chairs, why does sweat stink, can contact lens slip inside a person's head. Does pee stop a jelleyfish sting which it doesn't the book says vinguar. Taco Bell Taco Dinner, 10.75 oz Buy Taco Bell at grocery stores, September 3, 2005 I always buy this kind at the grocery store. It has the two pack of taco sauce inside. It also has enough shells to use which is 12 shells. My parents love to break their shells and make theirs into a salad with the meat and cheese and other but not me. I love keeping like it is and stuffing the meat salad and cheese inside. To me it just wouldn't be like real taco if the shell didn't stay the way it is plus it's dis-respect to the country Mexico, destroying their tradition. No Title Available the best in the world, August 28, 2005 I love using these oxy pads it makes my face cleaner smoother. I have no dirt on my face what-so-ever. I never have to use a bar of soap ever again. Holmes HAOF-90UC 10-Inch 3-Speed Blizzard Table Fan small things comes in large package, August 20, 2005 This fan maybe little but it works well everytime I go outside to sit on the poarch cause it's so hot out their I plug it in and have it right up on me. When I get a desk job of any office I'm going have this same fan sitting their. Epson Stylus C86 Inkjet Printer photo ablums of the future, August 15, 2005 When I take pictures sometimes I love to put print them and it comes out crystal clear, the picture be so big it takes up the whole paper. It makes it seem like real people are traped inside paper. Too bad color printers come seperate with computers. The Moment ~ Kenny G. This cd rocks the house, August 14, 2005 I like this cd it only has one song wear somebody sings the rest are just music tones. It is a good way to get in a sad mood or happy mood. Jazz is great music. No Title Available You hear that ladies "Just for Men" keep your stinkin paw's off, August 4, 2005 This stuff is great on my hair. I call it the super shampoo. My hair hasn't gone gray since two weeks ago. I look younger. No Title Available Mr. Head & Shoulders, July 31, 2005 This shampoo changes the way I appear life. I have nothing to be ashamed about my hair anymore. It gets big huge flakes that makes your hair grow back faster, it keeps it away for about a week. As far as getting all of the dandruff out well it doesn't. It may not be perfect but it's the best I can fine. I hides this in my dresser from my sister. Aquafina Spring Water, 50.7 fl oz water sucks, July 27, 2005 I could care less about drinking spring water it has no good flavor taste to it. It only slows me down when I'm playing sports outside. To try a real drink I perfer BEER Lolita, Vol. 4 by Belor art, June 21, 2005 This book made me want to pay more attention to art. I love the full naked woman with tattos on the cover of this book. Super Size Me DVD ~ Dr. Daryl Isaacs No More Junk Food. Hit the Jim., June 21, 2005 This documentary should have never gotten anywere near an oscar nomination. "Fahrenheit 9/11" was robed. All this documentary is about some guy who loves eating burgers and fries at fast food resturants what the point in that, how can people love this. America is the fattest country enough as it is and this dvd is a bad influnce.