Iraqi Statue (good news from Iraq)

I first saw this picture at Americanwarmonger titled Images of hope 17. I was struck with the power it conveyed and wondered why I had never seen it anywhere else.
Jeremy has a great site which is worth checking out and since he beat Dr.Sanity one of my favorite bloggers out of the King of Blogs crown, I'm now supporting his quest (so to speak) and encouraging others to do so also.
I will warn you Dear Readers, Jeremy does cowtow to the judges. His site used to blast you with "Indie music" way before the text and graphics loaded. I was always amused and entertained but if you didn't care for it, even the most technically challenged person (like me) could click to stop it.
I also loved ALL the flags in the sidebar offering language translations. It was gracious and accomodating and so GLOBAL enabling just about anyone in the world with access to read his site. What a big thinker! Besides it was colorful and pretty. But oh no, the judges thought it was excessive...so he changed it.
Well I'm only 1 blogger amongst millions with little or no traffic but I do wonder how far he or anyone will go to please the judges.
All kidding aside. Good luck Jeremy and thanks for the photo of the Iraqi statue as well as your on going commentary and insights on the military, current affairs and independent music.

Things to do

Yikes! I just realized I have as many "Drafts" as I have "Published " posts. I don't know what that is all about but it can't be good.

I'm reminded of the late Hunter Thompson and his infamous writers block that forced him to submit an incomplete outline to his editor which essentially innitiated his "GONZO" style of journalism. So in the spirit of Hunter's prose ( admittedly whose day has definitely come and gone), I offer this outline of the things I've been thinking about........ which may or may not get advanced.

1. Entertainment vs News : How they have become intricately entwined and muddled

2.The Lack of Critical Thinking: Who is saying what and why? Pretty simple stuff. Too bad it doesn't seem to matter in acadamia, politics, or journalism until widespread outrage occurs. How else can we explain the events and facts around "Rathergate", Eason Jorden and Ward Churchill?

3.Links and trackbacks...I'm NOT getting it

4. Giving credit: Not because I have to because I want to. Depends on when I get #3.

5. Books I just finished: Stossel's Gimme a Break, James Burke's Twin Tracks (The unexpected origins of the modern world)and Peggy Noonan's The Case Against Hilary Clinton.

6. Books in progress: Good Poems selected and introduced by Garrison Keillor

7. Books I am interested in: Thomas Sowell's The Vision of the Annointed, F.A. Hayek's The Constitution of Liberty, John Horgan's Rational Mysticism

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Insignificant Microbe

I couldn't resist. I had to become part of TTLB Ecosystem. The categories are so interesting and insightful and enticing. I suppose I should be ashamed to admit it but I love being an INSIGNIFICANT MICROBE (as if any of us are anything more in this incredible universe).

Anybody remember The Sand Pebbles, a good book later made into a movie starring Steve McQueen? The main character struggles with the insignificance of his acts but still tries to do the right things. He is just one tiny sand pebble amidst the millions of others. Being an INSIGNIFICANT MICROBE reminds me of that. Of course if this is entirely too humbling I can always aspire towards achieving the more lofty status of WIGGLY WORMS, SLIMY MOLLUSCS (sic), or SLITHERING REPTILES. Do I dare mention in the same breath what the big boys (and girls) have achieved like the mighty HIGHER BEINGS, MORTAL HUMANS, PLAYFUL PRIMATES and LARGE MAMMALS?

I do alot of blog crawling. It's so compelling and I confess it is the primary reason I don't post much. I'm way too busy checking out what everyone else is saying and how they are saying it. I have so much to learn.
Anyway, it seems to me I come across a lot of LARGE MAMMALs. Funny that I don't see any other admissions. For example I have NEVER seen a blogger admit to being a FLAPPY BIRD, or FLIPPERY FISH or CRUNCHY CRUSTACEAN much less an INSIGNIFICANT MICROBE (as I have done). So I'm wondering if this is like the mystery of revealing your true age and/or weight, which I never understood. Isn't it pretty obvious? Just how much can one fool others but, more importantly why does anyone try?

Vote for Dr. Sanity King of the Blogs

King of the Blogs: KOTB Week 9 Tournament
Vote for Dr. Sanity: shining a psychological spotlight on a few of the insanities of life. Great read. Good humor.
If any woman could be King, she can!

STOP FEEDING THE FISH or how demagogues are created

I have to comment on Ward Churchill. Usually I don't like spending any time or effort on someone with such unremarkable ideas and beliefs. But, I live in Denver and he is getting a whole lot of attention and press. I think it's like feeding the fish. (I have a small pond outside my home.) The more you feed them, the larger, more bloated and dependent they become. If you let then "fend for themselves" they adapt to their environment or die. This guy apparently has been "fed" since the 60's. His rhetoric, demeanor and appearance hasn't changed with the times. Is academia that insular everywhere I wonder. But that is a different subject.

Anyway it seems to me that everyone has gotten the story wrong. It's not about freedom of speech and it's not about expressing unpopular or even offensive beliefs. It is not about treason or anti- American activities.

It is about CREDIBILITY. This guy is an intellectual lightweight. As a result, his "work" has languished in academic obscurity for most of his career. His credentials are at best questionable if not frankly fraudulent. No peer within his field of expertise has come forward to defend his work (to my knowledge) and the Cherokee Nation has publicly distanced themselves from him.

So why do we care? The guy has had his 15 minutes of fame.
Colorado University should care because he is on their payroll and they gave him tenure. But CU has dealt with several scandals recently ranging from questionable athletic recruiting practices, and alleged rapes to costly investigations with inconclusive results. Now it seems, their tenured professors meet less than rigorous examinations. In fact Ward Churchill may only be a charlatan.

So lets stop feeding the fish. This may apply to inscrutable "ethnic studies" professors, beautiful but uneducated actresses, talented singers with no experience in business or economics, comedians with zero geopolitical sense and anyone lacking the credentials to support their positions. Of course everyone has the right to express their opinions but lets determine the weight of their words (and the influence they wield ) by the heft of their education, experience and character.

Much to do about Nothing, Monday morning mutterings

Congratulations Patriots! And thanks Eagles for keeping it close. How many Super Bowls have effectively been over at halftime? Good game!
Speaking of halftime....I didn't watch it. Really who cares anymore? (Except the media, more on that later.) The halftime show had lost it's appeal to me long before the "wardrobe malfunction" controversy. At best it was a joke, something to be made fun of and at worst an embarrassment. This year, I wasn't the least bit interested. Ho hum. I changed the channel.
The expensive commercials used to interest me. You can almost always determine the target market sponsors seek from what kind of products they advertise. Since I have never bought a pick up truck nor been much of a beer drinker I have never been part of that target market, at least in the past.
This year I liked the ad with monkeys. What person hasn't felt at least once that they were working with monkeys? Amusing with widespread appeal, but I can't remember the name, a job sourcing company?
Truthfully I didn't watch all the commercials. Ho hum. I turned the channel.

Thomas Sowell: Victory and defeat

Thomas Sowell: Victory and defeat
Has anyone read this? Mr. Sowell has expressed my sentiments exactly.

Thank you Iraqi voters

Wow! Wasn't it great watching the Iraqis' dance at the polls, in the streets and with each other after they voted? Their obvious joy was so contagious. At least that's what I thought before I heard the "sour pusses" ie. the BBC, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. What? Did they not see or hear the same election news as I did? Everyone knows about the hard work ahead and the big challenges that face the Iraqi people but what a beginning! Gentlemen take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.

For the Iraqi people who voted, THANK YOU. Your courage and strength and demonstration of your desire for freedom makes it entirely worthwhile. For ALL the military and civilians who helped make this happen, stand tall. I am proud of you and grateful for your sacrifices.