the WIZARD, fkap

Binary Choices

the WIZARD, fkap — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 02:37:00 +0000

A society with a billion dollar fast food industry is always short on time.

Michael, in a reply to Bill Roggio's article, Iraq: The Greatest Enemy is Time

Iraq is not simple. The war on terror is not simple. And no matter how hard our fellow bloggers and television pundits and Washington politicians try to KISS us off ("Keep It Simple, Stupid"), the real issues are complex and the solutions difficult.

Bill Roggio said it best in his really superb article Iraq: The Greatest Enemy is Time, originally published in Die Weltwoche, but thoughtfully translated into English and reprinted in his blog by the author himself.

As President Bush unveiled his new vision to move forward on Iraq, the political debate in the United States has continuously degenerated into a simple, binary choice of withdrawal to prevent further American casualties, or surge more troops to attempt to restore order in Baghdad.

I would be hard pressed to be more disgusted with the level of political posturing in Washington over the last two day. Democrats, nearly all of whom are running fro President, have pontificated endlessly in front of their supposed "witnesses," while barely able to put together an intelligent sentence, let alone a reasonable question.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has now assured us that the Democrats don't need to come up with any ideas at all. "That's the President's job," he assured television reporters today.

I feel so much better now understanding his only responsibility is to insult the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. I am quite certain it is the only job for which Mr. Reid is qualified.

So we have President Bush's reasonably well laid out plan for the next several months in Iraq. In 22 minutes on national television Bush was pretty clear. And further details and specifics have come over the last two days.

And we have the Democrat's alternative of attacking the President for the next six months. Hold hearings. Attack and insult witnesses. Hold meaningless straw votes. Talk vaguely about some sort of troop withdrawal.

And the key Democrat strategy, of course, will be to distance themselves from real and very brave leaders like John Murtha and Edward Kennedy, who have specific plans and proposals and aren't afraid to state them.

The real situation in Iraq demands more. Bill Roggio's thoughtful article about a possible future for Iraq was developed after he spent two months embedded with the US troops in the Anbar Provence.

After spending two months out of the last 12 in the land between the two rivers, one thing I've learned is nothing is simple about Iraq, and there are no easy solutions to the vast array of problems. But despite the constant media portrayal of Iraq as a hopelessly violent nation, Iraq is not a nation without hope.

The average life of an insurgency is about nine years. In Iraq, the insurgents and al-Qaeda hope to wear down the will of the American government and people, and precipitate a premature withdrawal.

Roggio is not unbiased. Those who have read his blog, articles or seen or heard him, know he is a hawk in the war on terror. He sees a real threat. And he believes in real solutions.

But he is knowledgeable and he researches and studies his subject with discipline. His opinions must not be dismissed out of hand.

When I talk to American troops about Iraq, their greatest concern isn't for their safety, but they are worried the American public has given up on the war before they can complete their mission. They watch the news - CNN, MSNBC and FOX News are beamed into the mess halls, some even possess satellite dishes with access to BBC World, Al Jazeera and hundreds of programs at their fingertips. Internet is readily available in many areas. I surfed the web in the center of Fallujah on wireless Internet.

American troops watch the news and follow the debate in real time. They will tell you the war they see on television isn't the war they are fighting. To the troops, the war as portrayed on television is oversimplified and digested into sound bites. The soldiers are portrayed as victims and the violence is grossly exaggerated.

From my own experiences with two months in Iraq out of a year, I had not personally witnessed an ambush, a roadside bombing or other attack. The closest action I saw were some poorly aimed mortar attacks in Fallujah, or a near by patrol getting hit (the bullets and RPGs never made contact). And this is in Anbar province, the most dangerous region in Iraq. I make it a point to accompany the troops on foot and mounted patrols on daily basis.

We can not and should not dismiss the fact that the invasion and occupation of Iraq was miscalculated and grossly mishandled. It's possible, even likely, that it should never have even occurred in the first place. Nothing that I write here or that Bill Roggio writes should be seen as a vindication or even an exoneration of George Bush and his team.

But is walking away, hat (and troops) in hand even a remotely acceptable answer to the mess we are in?

Senator John McCain went on his own offensive today against the grandstanding Democrats. The quotes below are from the Associated Press article here:

"I believe that together these moves will give the Iraqis and Americans the best chance of success," said McCain, R-Ariz., a leading presidential contender for 2008.

McCain also took a shot at Democrats who say the United States must bring some troops home within four to six months.

"I believe these individuals ... have a responsibility to tell us what they believe are the consequences of withdrawal in Iraq," he said. "If we walk away from Iraq, we'll be back, possibly in the context of a wider war in the world's most volatile region."

What are the costs of withdrawal? How many Iraqi's are we willing to sacrifice?

Let's return to Roggio's article.

The nature of the insurgency in Iraq is complex, and cannot be simply framed as a sectarian war or a war against "U.S. occupation." The insurgency is designed to destroy any semblance of a democratically elected Iraqi government, and is directed at the developing Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi government and institutions, U.S. and Coalition forces, and against sectarian targets.
In Anbar province, where I embedded in the city of Fallujah last December, sectarian violence is virtually non-existent. In fact, Sunni tribes have rallied to protect their Shia neighbors numerous times in the past and drove of al-Qaeda attempts to 'cleanse' the region of Shia. Al-Qaeda blood ran in the streets the few times they tried to purge the Shia from Ramadi.

In Fallujah, Ramadi and greater Anbar province, Al-Qaeda in Iraq the most dominant insurgent organization. Al-Qaeda focuses its attacks on Iraqi government security forces, government institutions, as well as U.S. Army and Marine units operating in the region. Their ability to fund the insurgency in the impoverished province is their greatest weapon. Unemployed Sunnis are a paid well (as much of $1,000 according to a military intelligence source) to attack Iraqi and Coalition forces. While there is a large volume of insurgent attacks, the large majority of attacks fail.

Inside Fallujah, there is no U.S. Marine or Army presence, save the members of the Police and Military Transition Teams – small, 15 to 20 man teams that are embedded within the police and Army units. I embedded as a reporter with both the Police and Military Transition Teams in Fallujah. The Marines in these teams take great risk in dong their daily job. They live, eat and sleep with their Iraqi counterparts, and are wholly dependent on them for security. Their American backup is stationed outside the city limits.

As brave as the American Marines are, their Iraqi counterparts outshine them. The police, who are local to the city, are specifically targeted by insurgents. Since the late summer, 21 Iraqi police were murdered by insurgents. Their families are regularly threatened with violence. Several police officers told me how that while they were home they would sit with their backs to the door, AK-47 in hand, as they feared their homes would be stormed and their families would be killed.

This is quite a different picture than we see in our national media.

Can this Iraqi force develop and grow? Is there a future for the elected Iraqi government? Will threats of scheduled troop pullouts help the fledgling Iraqi police and military?

The [Iraqi] police and soldiers do their jobs with very little resources. Some haven't been paid in a year. Supplies and equipment such as helmets, bullet proof vests, uniforms and batteries are in high demand demand, as the Iraqi Army logistical system is broken. The police just received armor Humvees to patrol the city, and have been up-armoring their pickup trucks with scrap armor kits. Despite these problems, morale and fighting spirit are not an issue. In fact, the police and Army believe that, if given the right equipment, they can defeat the insurgents without U.S. help.

Nationwide, the Iraqi Army and Police clearly are not ready to fight the insurgents and militias on their own. Baghdad and Ramadi are clearly two cities where the police and Army would collapse without U.S. backing. But the police and soldiers in Fallujah believe they can. Pride, courage and fighting spirit are certainly traits these soldiers do not lack.

They will need time to develop the capacity to fight on their own, and time is the one commodity the West seems to be short of.

From the very day the Coalition invaded Iraq I have said that we cannot win. We have superior fighting force. We have vastly superior weapons and logistical supply lines. We have talent and military knowledge. And we have great soldiers.

We can't win because we lack the patience and persistence to win. Our will was strong on day one. But we like six day wars. We want everybody home on Sundays.

There are dozens (perhaps hundreds or hundreds of thousands) of reasons why President Bush should not have embarked on this folly. For a man who so adamantly campaigned against the concept of nation building back in the fall of 1999, Bush began one of the toughest projects ever attempted.

But, having embarked on this tragic adventure, our problem today is that Al-Qaeda or Syria or Iran (or the Shi'ites or perhaps even the Sunni's) have the ultimate weapon we lack. Time.

TECHNORATI TAGS: BILL ROGGIO IRAQ EDWARD KENNEDY AL QAEDA DEMOCRACY WAR ON TERROR PRESIDENT BUSH SOLDIERS DEBATE JOHN MCCAIN JOHN MURTHA

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I Left My Heart in San Francisco

the WIZARD, fkap — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:47:00 +0000

Much of the "conservative" blogosphere and virtually all "conservative" radio talk show zealots are all talking about the nasty attack on the Yale a capella singing group The Baker's Dozen in San Francisco this past New Year's Eve.

This hits especially close to home for me because our radio station, WiZARD RADIO, plays the music of The Baker's Dozen and many of the other fine and talented college a capella groups. In fact, for the past three years WiZARD RADIO has done special March Madness programming each spring showcasing the nation's finest college a capella groups.

The reason for conservative outrage is that the group was taunted and then physically attacked after performing in sports coats and ties and singing The Star Spangled Banner.

That conservatives would jump to this conclusion isn't without merit. San Francisco has been the center of outrageous liberal behavior over the last several years. The city council and mayor, in particular, have set a tone that might seem to foster an anti-military, anti-conservative morality, and even "anti-preppy" atmosphere.

Whether it's forcing ROTC out of city schools or attempting to illegally sanction gay marriage, San Francisco is on the forefront of liberal values and causes. It might seem safe to assume that the mayor and city council actually reflect the views of the San Francisco population.

But the truth of this story is much darker and more sinister. This is much more likely to be an anti-gay hate crime.

Here's a portion of a report by San Francisco Chronicle columnists Matier and Ross, New Year's nightmare for visiting Yale singers

The 16 singers showed up late to the party wearing preppy sport jackets and ties, and launched into "The Star-Spangled Banner."

A couple of uninvited guests started mocking them, and allegedly the words "faggot" and "homo" were tossed -- and so were a couple of punches.

The loud noise drew relatives from next door, who promptly ordered the house cleared.

The Yale kids, most of whom were staying with a family a block away, began heading home.

But witnesses said one of the uninvited guests -- who happens to be the son of a prominent Pacific Heights family -- pulled out his cell phone and said, "I'm 20 deep. My boys are coming."

According to Rapagnani and others, the Yale kids barely made it around the corner when they were intercepted by a van full of young men.

"They were surrounded, then tripped -- and when they were on the ground, they were kicked," Rapagnani said.

According to police reports, the cops arrived about 12:40 a.m. to find 20 people fighting in the street.

To the police, who were out in force to keep a lid on New Year's, it looked like just another drunken brawl.

But according to Rapagnani, "This was not a fight -- it was an attack."

Four of the alleged assailants were detained at the scene, then released after the cops took their names.

Meanwhile, Sharyar Aziz Jr. was taken by paramedics to San Francisco General Hospital, and later had to undergo reconstructive surgery in New York for a broken jaw that will remain wired shut for eight weeks.

Another unidentified Yale student sought treatment for a concussion, and a third for a swollen ankle and other abrasions.

Yale Dean Peter Salovey told the school paper that he was "shocked and appalled" by the incident, which has yet to yield an arrest.

Bruce, the superb blogger over at Gay Patriot summed it up:

Of course, I naturally assumed the attack on these boys was because they dared sing our National Anthem in the City by the Bay.

Ah, but no.... it appears those tolerant folks in the Bluest of Blue America... went after the guys in a gay-bashing rage.... in San Francisco! *shocked*

Great, just great.! I actually have to be in San Fran in less than two weeks for work. I guess I better not wear a tie, look cleaned up, or sing the National Anthem. Maybe I'll attend all of my business functions dressed as a homeless bum. Heck, I might get a San Fran taxpayer-funded stipend out of it!

TECHNORATI TAGS: GAY BASHING HATE CRIMES SAN FRANCISCO STAR SPANGLED BANNER YALE LIBERALISM THE BAKERS DOZEN HOMOSEXUAL A CAPELLA WIZARD RADIO PREJUDICE

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The System is (in the process of) Working

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:29:00 +0000

President Bush outlined his long awaited new tactics for the OCCUPATION of Iraq (and the largely coincidental war on terror) last night in a prime time television address. I thought his speech was well written and moderately well presented.

More importantly, I thought his strategy was well thought out and has the potential for some measure of success. Since, in the short term at least, he has the power to implement these tactics, I hope and pray for great success.

As I pointed out in a reply to comments to an earlier blog entry, peace and security are critical for the ultimate implementation of democracy and freedom. Bush's new tactics are an to attempt to provide security for the average Iraqi citizen and, therefore, could possibly be the key to ultimate success.

If you detect a tremor of doubt in my above statements, you are correct. I'm not at all certain that Bush's tactics will work. His tactics have been horribly wrong so far!

Of much greater interest to me this week was the impassioned speech by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who insists that Congress MUST step up to the plate and bring Bush to heel. He sees his role is to turn the surge of troops around into a planned and programmed reduction of forces.

Kennedy's speech was played and replayed on all cable and network channels and I'm willing to bet more people saw Senator Kennedy than bothered to watch President Bush last night.

Thankfully more people were exposed to the eloquent and impassioned Kennedy than the largely uninspiring Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) who gave the "official" Democrat response to Bush's speech last night. Durbin.... Pelosi..... Reed...... This team is never going to the Super Bowl of political discourse, but I digress.

The key is that Congress is set to act! Those who always "claim" they want a lively, full, in depth and detailed debate of the issues should be thrilled! Over the last five days we've seen our finest leaders present facts, plans and issues to the press, Congress and, ultimately, the American public.

President Bush's presentation last night was clear, clean, logical and detailed. Senator Kennedy (and many, many others) have been equally clear, impassioned, and thoughtful in their discussion.

Right now it's clear that Kennedy and his forces are winning the hearts and minds of the American public and they are making inroads in Congress.

But the Democratic Process will continue. And while many, including some of the most impassioned readers and comment contributors here, will decry the Bush's short term ability to wage further war on the Iraqi people, the fact is that our system is working.

Here we have the ability and the forum to debate ideas and strategies and tactics. And we have the ultimate ability to allow the winners of these debates to enforce their will, even overturning the President on occasion.

That may happen sooner rather than later.

Compare all that is happening here to the story on National Public Radio yesterday (Wednesday, January 10, 2007), by Benjamin Tupper.

Listen as an embedded U.S. Army National Guard Captain in the Afghan National Army recounts hearing a midnight transmission over the military radio: men from his group involved in a pitched battle. Ultimately, one of his Afghan comrades is isolated and his throat is slashed.

I'm not at all certain that the ideas of the Taliban could stand up to debate in the arena of public opinion. They must resort to terror to ultimately control the populace. On the other hand, such debate isn't even possible today in Afghanistan.

Public debate and discourse like that practiced (to perfection) by Senator Kennedy isn't possible in huge sections of the world today.

Again, I urge you to listen to this report about the plight of women in Afghanistan on National Public Radio yesterday by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson. Seeking to escape cultural oppression and economic hardship, an alarming number of Afghan women are taking their own lives.

I pray that someday these women will have a Senator Kennedy to help them.

TECHNORATI TAGS: AFGHANISTAN IRAQ EDWARD KENNEDY RICHARD DURBIN DEMOCRACY WAR ON TERROR PRESIDENT BUSH SOLDIERS DEBATE IDEAS

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Boise State is Number One

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:03:00 +0000

In case you've somehow missed the biggest sports story of this century, you should hop over to CBS Sportsline and read Dennis Dodd's superb story, "Fiesta finish a legend with rag-tag roots."

If you missed watching the Fiesta Bowl, you may have missed the greatest college football game in the entire history of the sport.

Dennis Dodd is one great sport's columnist, but the Boise State story almost writes itself.

"There were a lot of people rooting for us," [WAC Commissioner Karl] Benson said.

Only the entire nation, minus the state of Oklahoma. Everything changed because just about everything you know about college football is now subject to review. Benson's WAC headliner, Boise State, belongs in the big time after Monday's shocking Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma.

With a coach who makes about one-seventh of what Alabama is offering Nick Saban.

With a stadium that would be considered a seating expansion in the SEC.

With the play-calling chutzpah of an 11-year old PlayStation 2 vet jacked up on Mountain Dew.

Boise State ends the season with a perfect 13-0 record.

Now there may be a few folks who will tell you that next Monday Number 1 Ohio State will play Number 2 Florida for the National Championship. That just isn't true.

And it doesn't matter a hill of beans who the AP or the coaches vote into the Number One spot in the polls next Tuesday.

In the hearts and minds of every sports fan who ever cheered for an underdog, Boise State has already won. And nothing that happens this next week can diminish their glory.

On a side note I want to mention something you've probably already noticed. For the next few weeks, The Wizard, fkap Journal will be hosted on blogspot.

We have, for well over a year, used the blogger.com software and simply hosted the resulting pages on our own website. But recently we've had numerous and painful difficulties uploaded and maintaining the journal on the Earthlink servers, which have housed the wizardfkap url since its inception.

Therefore we are moving wizardfkap.com onto servers we own and operate. This is actually the second to the last of our wide empire of websites to make the move. We've owned, operated and even leased space out on our servers for years.

At the same time we are cleaning up the over 10 years of history in The Wizard,fkap. Nothing will be lost, but most of it will be more accessible. We hope to complete the project in a few weeks.

We URGE YOU to NOT move any bookmarks, since once we leave blogspot there will be no trail for you to follow. Continue to link directly to www.wizardfkap.com and let the redirect take you here. That way you'll still find us after the move is complete.

TECHNORATI TAGS: BOISE STATE FOOTBALL OHIO STATE FLORIDA BCS COACH'S POLL ASSOCIATED PRESS THE WIZARD FKAP WIZARDFKAP

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It's a Beautiful Wreath, Except for the Trout

the WIZARD, fkap — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:56:00 +0000

A picture is worth a thousand words. And I had my camera with me. But, in this rare instance, I think it's better if you simply use your imagination.

We ate at a wonderful restaurant last night and they had a large wreath decorating the wall of the main dining room. The wreath was filled to overflowing with greenery and pine cones and berries. There was even a bird's nest, as you often see in "natural wreaths."

And then there were three large plastic trout. Not jumping through the wreath as you might imagine, but just included in the greenery around the wreath.

You have to wonder. Who looked at this gorgeous wreath and said, "I know just what this wreath needs!! Three large plastic trout!!!"

How and why did this happen? And exactly how did the restaurant owner decide on this particular wreath.

"Oh honey, let's buy the one with the trout."

Let's face it, a lot of people must have gone into the process that ultimately placed this trout laden wreath in the center of this restaurant.

Perhaps it was a committee decision. A compromise!! That's it.

"You can have a wreath decorating the restaurant, but only if you add a few trout!"

And, speaking of compromises, let's note that the United Nation's established and supported government of Somalia is now, finally, back in control of a sizable portion of that country.

The resurgence of the supposedly legitimate Somalian government wasn't due to any action of effort by the United Nations. Instead it was the neighboring army of Ethiopia that intervened and propelled the hapless U.N. backed government back to power.

The country had been largely controlled by the Council of Islamic Courts, which, frankly, seems to have a lot more popular support. The regions controlled by the Council of Islamic Courts were relatively peaceful. The return of the government seems to also mean a return to lawlessness. The legitimate government cannot control the "clans" or warlords.

There is an excellent audio report on National Public Radio here.

The Council of Islamic Courts, the umbrella group for the Islamic movement that ruled Mogadishu for six months, wanted to transform Somalia into a strict Islamic state. And they were rumored to have strong ties to al-Qaida and are supposedly harboring several known terrorists.

Secular and largely Christian Ethiopia feared a strict Islamic state on its borders. And Ethiopia has the largest, best trained and best equipped army in Africa.

The United Nations had condemned the Islamic revolutionaries for several reasons, including their use of child soldiers on the front lines of the fighting. Even now there are reports of forced conscription of twelve year old children to fight in the latest battles. Parents are fleeing with their children in hopes of protecting their lives.

But no one expects the 15 year civil war to end easily. From a report by the Associated Press on MSNBC:

“Even if we are defeated we will start an insurgency,” said Sheik Ahmed Mohamed Islan, the head of the Islamic movement in the Kismayo region. “We will kill every Somali that supports the government and Ethiopians.”

It seems to me that the biggest problem is that the United Nation's established government in Somalia has the same identical problem as the United State's established government in Iraq.

Both are wreaths, well intended gifts to the people of the respective, but occupied countries. And both are seriously infested with trout.

They must have sounded good to the bureaucrats in New York and Washington, D.C., but they look funny and work badly in the countries who must mount them on their walls.

TECHNORATI TAGS: SOMALIA IRAQ UNITED NATIONS ETHOPIA COUNCIL OF ISLAMIC COURTS AL QAIDA PRESIDENT BUSH SOLDIERS ARMY ISLAM

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Words Have Consequences

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 03:55:00 +0000

Anyone of my liberal, progressive or left leaning readers who think the following is simply "Right Wing Hysteria" or a "Conservative Fiction" or just a mere "Blogosphere Exaggeration" needs to open their eyes and think again.

Ben of Mesopotamia writes in his blog:

After praising Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak, Senator John Kerry came to Iraq this weekend.

Before his arrival, rumors were already flowing that every FOB (Forward Operating Base) Commander told General Casey that they already had another "DV" (Distinguished Visitor) to support while Sen. Kerry was in country -- or that they would be in the middle of ongoing operations -- and hence were unable to support his visit. This rumor was either sparked or confirmed by a post by Matt on Blackfive. (Blackfive, for those who don't already read it, is an infinitely more interesting military blog than mine).

Hey, I just came from a meeting where they were trying to get some commander, any commander, in the Green Zone, to host Jawn Carri.

Swear to God, the CG is saying, "You can't tell me you ALL have things going on at that time! Come on!"

So, it appears that JF'nK will be coming to the Palace at the Embassy Annex and sitting around sucking up coffee at the Green Bean while we all try to ignore him.

And ignor him they did. While the soldiers swamped Bill O'Reilly with hundreds lined up for autographs, they avoided Kerry.

Kerry couldn't even get any local or national coverage for a press conference and had to cancel because... well, no one came.

Why?

The reason is simple and should be ignored only at our own peril. The soldiers are supporting those who support them.

I wrote earlier about FOX's unabashed love fest with the soldiers this Christmas. It wasn't journalism. It was a shower of old fashioned support.

Soldiers were allowed to talk on FOX. Unrestricted.

O'Reilly said one thing over and over and over and over and over again during his trip to Iraq: Thank You!!!

Kerry made a bad joke. Kerry refused over and often to apologize. And don't think for a minute today's soldiers aren't painfully aware for Kerry's slander against the troops during Viet Nam.

John Kerry is not their friend. And they know it.

And the soldiers are supporting their friends.

You don't have to like it. You can think the soldiers are "brainwashed" or misled.

But we must learn from Bill O'Reilly, Oliver North, FOX News and John Kerry.

Words Have Consequences.

TECHNORATI TAGS: JOHN KERRY IRAQ OLIVER NORTH BILL O'REILLY FOX NEWS BEN OF MESOPOTAMIA PRESIDENT BUSH SOLDIERS ARMY MARINES

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My Christmas Wish: Tolerance on Earth

the WIZARD, fkap — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:33:00 +0000

Predictable, yet poignant, the Associated Press has a Christmas story about the difficulty the few Iraqi Christians have in celebrating Christmas. Here is a link.

I can't remember a Christmas without such a story (or two, or three). Different countries, different wars, different Christian denominations or sects, different oppressors, and yet the stories themselves are virtually identical.

These stories of oppression always, remarkably enough, mirror the original Christmas Story. One group of people is oppressed, occupied or enslaved by another. They are forced to live in the shadows, to live in fear of violence. At the time of Jesus birth, it was the Jews who were oppressed and their lands occupied (as it has often been throughout history).

Traditionally, the AP gives us these Christmas stories of religious oppression from China where most religious celebrations, and even worship itself, must be hidden from the government. I remember reading these stories as a child. And even today many Christian and other religious leaders are imprisoned for the open demonstration of their faith.

But during the war in Bosnia, such stories came from there. It makes perfect sense the AP would profile the plight of Christians in Iraq.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Umm Salam draws her curtains across her windows, then settles into an armchair in a living room festooned with colored lights and a portrait of Jesus on the cross. Her Christmas tree glitters in the corner.

One of Iraq's estimated 800,000 Christians, the 56-year-old widow celebrates the holiday quietly with her children and grandchildren, as violence sweeps the country.

"It is very risky to go the church in our neighborhood, so we will have a party at home and some of our relatives will come to celebrate," she said. "They'll have to stay the night at our home due to the security situation and the curfew."

The evening service at the local church was canceled for security reasons.

The spirit of Christmas is still alive in Iraq, but it's tucked away behind the closed doors of Christian families, who represent about three percent of Iraq's 26 million people.

Of course the most horrific violence and oppression exists within the Muslim communities. And the worst violence is directed between Sunnis and Shiites. The Christian suffering is just a footnote.

As a Unitarian Universalist they thing I understand least of all is this lack of tolerance. The lack of mutual respect. The absence of inter religious support.

But I'm not sure why I'm surprised. Such lack of understanding and support and tolerance is rampant in this country. Why should the world be any different?

Why, indeed?

For over 50 years I've wished and prayed for Peace on Earth every Christmas. Maybe my wish was just too big. To difficult, even for God.

So this Christmas, I'll tone it down a bit. Let me just wish for a little Tolerance on Earth. I pray for a small amount of compassion. A little mutual respect. I pray everyone who wishes to celebrate Christmas can do so in peace, in safety and with hearts filled with happiness, not fear.

Dear Lord, please do what you can and grant us the wisdom and the courage to do the rest.

Merry Christmas.

TECHNORATI TAGS: CHRISTMAS IRAQ RELIGION CHRISTIAN PEACE ON EARTH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHINA SUNNI ISLAM SHIITE

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A Personal Note

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:04:00 +0000

I'd like to take a moment of your time to say "Hello" to Randi Rhodes, talk show host extraordinaire on the struggling Air America Network.

Randi and I share a wonderful set of friends, David and "LaLa." Randi occasionally mentions them on the air. She is spending the Holidays with them.

I have listened to Randi many times thanks to Internet Radio. Tragically, Air America had no outlet here in the deep interior south. There are (or were) outlets in Memphis and New Orleans.

Often outrageous and often courageous, Randi is a very important part of the political discourse in this country.

Over the last few months I have noted with troubled amusement the many conservative bloggers (including some I deeply respect and quote here) who have rejoiced at the financial woes and impending death of Air America.

It's as if somehow financial mismanagement of one company is a victory for the conservative set of ideas!

Of course nothing could be further from the truth! Ideas, concepts and philosophies must survive and grow on their own. And liberal and progressive ideas are flourishing now more than any time in the last 30 years.

Randi is more valuable because she is "out there." She is unapologetic. She is a force in the progressive community.

I, for one, am hopeful that she survives, grows and prospers. Perhaps Air America is the wrong venture. But there is ample room for the diversity of ideas Air America represents.

Happy Holidays to David, LaLa and Randi.... and to all of you reading here from around the world. May peace fill your hearts and the new year bring you the happiness you so richly deserve.

TECHNORATI TAGS: IDEAS FREE SPEECH RANDI RHODES AIR AMERICA

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Capt. Jamil Hussein versus Col. Oliver North

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 02:58:00 +0000

The fog of war. Or something more?

I'm going to make a flat out statement with which many of you will disagree. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN IRAQ.

In spite of the news anchors, talk show hosts, bloggers extraordinaire, news magazines, cable networks and politicians, all of whom CLAIM to know the facts, WE DON'T HAVE A CLUE.

Two weeks ago the Iraq Study Group painted a very gloomy picture. Many pundits, bloggers and glitterati trumpeted the report as if it were the word of god, handed down from the mountain.

The only question left unanswered was which came first, the gloom or the doom.

But, somewhere in the background that very same week, Col. Oliver North, a conservative zealot to be certain, reporting for right leaning Fox News, began a series of reports from Iraq's absolutely worst hotzones. North is embedded with the troops, an increasingly rare vantage point. And he's outside of Bagdad, in Ambar Province and later in the city of Ramadi.

And his reports, almost all interviews with U.S. troops from privates to generals, is decidedly upbeat. Progress is being made. Iraqi's are taking control. Police forces are working. Violence is dropping. U.S. troops are taking a step back.

It's old fashioned reporting. Four years ago every network was doing it. Talk to the troops. Let them wish loved ones back home a Merry Christmas. Give them a much deserved pat on the back. All pretty much out of style in 2006.

Other networks turn up their noses. Only FOX and Ollie North are cheerleaders this Christmas.

Objective? No, not really. Fair and balanced? Nope.

Pro Bush? Yep. Pro U.S. troops? Absolutely.

While George Stephanopoulos treasures the dead each week, Ollie North treasures the living.

The other networks, newspapers and news magazines don't have the time for old fashioned troop support. There's hard news to report. They've got a civil war to cover. Sectarian violence. Murders. Kidnappings. Torture. Bagdad is burning.

Bagdad is burning. The reporters, safe in their Green Zone Hotels, can smell the smoke.

The violence increases daily. On November 24th, the Associated Press (AP) reported the most horrific violence yet. Iraqi Police Captain Jamil Hussein told the AP that Shia thugs in Baghdad "grabbed six Sunnis as they left Friday worship services, doused them with kerosene and burned them alive near Iraqi soldiers who did not intervene."

Twelve Mosques were burned. Payback for earlier violence against the Shia's was hell on earth for innocent Sunnis. Steven R. Hurst, writing for the Associated Press, reports,

BAGHDAD — The attack on the small Mustafa Sunni mosque began as worshippers were finishing Friday midday prayers. About 50 unarmed men, many in black uniforms and some wearing ski masks, walked through the district chanting "We are the Mahdi Army, shield of the Shiites."

Fifteen minutes later, two white pickups, a black BMW and a black Opel drove up to the marchers. The suspected Shiite militiamen took automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers from the vehicles. They then blasted open the front of the mosque, dragged six worshippers outside, doused them with kerosene and set them on fire.

This account of one of the most horrific alleged attacks of Iraq's sectarian war emerged Tuesday in separate interviews with residents of a Sunni enclave in the largely Shiite Hurriyah district of Baghdad.

The Associated Press first reported on Friday's incident that evening, based on the account of police Capt. Jamil Hussein and Imad al-Hashimi, a Sunni elder in Hurriyah, who told Al-Arabiya television he saw people who were soaked in kerosene, then set afire, burning before his eyes.

You'll remember this incident because it was so widely covered. It led the news reports. Civil War in Iraq was no longer a concept that could be debated. Civil War was a reality.

But there is one little problem. This might never have actually happened. This widely reported and often repeated story might actually have a whole lot less credibility than Col. Oliver North's cheer leading reports from Ambar.

Almost immediately the U.S. military liaisons questioned the report. They could not confirm it ever happened. The the Iraqi government denied the report. And finally the Iraqi's denied that there was ever anyone named Capt. Jamil Hussein in any branch of the Iraqi government, armed forces or police.

However, the U.S. military said in a letter to the AP late Monday, three days after the incident, that it had checked with the Iraqi Interior Ministry and was told that no one by the name of Jamil Hussein works for the ministry or as a Baghdad police officer. Lt. Michael B. Dean, a public affairs officer of the U.S. Navy Multi-National Corps-Iraq Joint Operations Center, signed the letter, a text of which was published subsequently on several Internet blogs. The letter also reiterated an earlier statement from the U.S. military that it had been unable to confirm the report of immolation...

...The U.S. military said that neither police nor coalition forces had reports of such an incident.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry later said that al-Hashimi, the Sunni elder in Hurriyah, had recanted his account of the attack after being visited by a representative of the defense minister...

The AP has stood by it's story.... sort of. But they've back peddled every day. And they can't seem to produce Capt. Hussein. The story has virtually fallen apart.

Hussein is likely a Sunni plant. For over two years he supplied stories to the AP that depicted horrific violence against Sunni's, but never a single incident of violence against Shiites. And the AP was duped.

The real problem is that the supposedly real reporters are trapped in the Green Zone. They are highly visible targets and their lives are in danger. They rely on Iraqi stringers. Sources can't be checked.

Bloggers who first broke the story are now traveling to Iraq in search of the elusive Capt. Hussein.

But where is the truth in all this? Oliver North claims progress, real progress, is being made. Is it possible he and the U.S. troops he interviews are telling the truth?

Or is Capt. Jamil Hussein just as real as the AP has claimed? Is Iraq in the throws of Civil War? Is the violence he reported (and virtually everyone covered without any question or confirmation) real? Or is it just partisan propaganda? Point and counterpoint to North's cheer leading?

We don't know because in this war truth is not just a victim, it's the sworn enemy of each faction. Every player in this drama has a reason to suppress the truth.

Sunni's plant stories. Shiites plant stories. The Iraqi Government has its message. The U.S. military orchestrates entire docu-dramas.

Politicians carefully paint partisan pictures.

And even the networks, newspapers and newsmagazines have agendas.

Holding reporters in the Green Zone serves everyone's interests.

Don't just wag the dog. Put on an entire dog and pony show. Just don't let any reporters actually look behind the stage.

Any reporters who might like to do their jobs are held captive in the Green Zone auditorium, unable to venture out beyond its walls, unable to trust anyone or anything, least of all what they see on stage.

The Truth is Out There.

Trust No One.

Save the Cheerleader, Save the World.

-------------------------------------------------

A Tip of the Wizard's Pointy Cap to Michelle Malkin, whose reporting on this issue was invaluable to me, even though she might disagree with my conclusions. Michelle is now planning to travel to Iraq in further pursuit of this story.

Click for an UPDATE from USA TODAY on the Capt. Hussein and Michelle Malkin portion of this story

TECHNORATI TAGS: THE IRAQ REPORT STUDY GROUP REPORT IRAQ OLIVER NORTH CAPT. JAMIL HUSSEIN FOX NEWS GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS PRESIDENT BUSH SUNNI ISLAM SHIITE

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There is No Silver Bullet

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:25:00 +0000

The United States Institute of Peace has made The Iraq Study Group Report available for free download or for free reading on-line here.

I was finally able to read the entire report yesterday. It's an easy and relatively quick read. My delay in reading the report was due to outside time constraints and not any problem with the report itself.

But, since I was unable to read the report until yesterday, I was able to absorb the reaction to the report from newspapers, radio talk show hosts, television pundits and bloggers left and right all this past week.

Before I even got to the report I had the following observations based on the wide range of reporting available on the Hamilton/Baker chaired study.

The Left generally loved the report's flaming condemnation of the Bush administration and the multiple failures leading up to and executing the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq. There were more bombs being thrown over in The Huffington Post in one day than than in the entire city of Bagdad in a month.

Let me go ahead and apologize right now for the above analogy. I couldn't resist, but let me make it clear, when Arianna Huffington, Alec Baldwin or Nora Ephron throw bombs, no one dies.

Still, the left was out in force.

The Right saw the report as a pathway to surrender. A few pointed out good ideas but the Right almost universally rejected whole sections of the recommendations, cherry picking just a few points as worthy of consideration.

President Bush himself indicated some recommendations of the report might not be accepted, but generally was more receptive than the commentators, radio talk show hosts and bloggers on the right.

The Left and much of the mainstream media (which does tend to lean a little left) initially demanded that the report be accepted in totality. Vigilante (who always, very correctly, points out he does not speak for the left, or anyone, except himself) cleanly and clearly and FORCEFULLY made the point here (editing and emphasis are mine):

The ISG Report is not a 'fruit salad' to be cherry-picked....

But you and I could come together if Bush and Cheney would only eat their fruit salad in total. If they refuse, then they should be made to eat their vanity war before they are excused from the table. Progressives should demand that Bush and Cheney should be excused from the White House by November 2008, or our troops are excused from Iraq by the same date.

However, quickly the left realized, exactly as the right had already concluded, that the report was no silver bullet and had many, many flaws and loopholes. In fact, a sizable portion of the left quickly moved to generally condemn the report as simply more "stay the course."

The best blog entry (essay, for us old timers) comes from Senator Russ Feingold writing over at The Huffington Post in his entry A Washington Inside Job (editing and emphasis are all mine):

When the Iraq Study Group's report was unveiled this week, it was like the opening of a blockbuster movie, with reporters counting down the minutes until it was released. But now that all the hoopla has subsided, all we are left with is a Washington inside job: a report written by Washington insiders, for Washington insiders, who share the same mindset that led us into the misguided war in Iraq.

The Iraq Study Group essentially sees Iraq the same way that most of official Washington does - as the be-all and end-all of our foreign and national security policy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The report has some good recommendations, including its call for the U.S. to step up diplomatic efforts with countries like Iran and Syria. But many of its recommendations perpetuate the Iraq-centric policies that have failed so miserably. They fail to correct the course that the American people rejected at the polls in November.

Feingold is right. Which, paradoxically means that President Bush and the commentators on the right are also right. The report is not the whole answer, but may contain a few good tactics.

I wish it had been more. I believe James Baker and Lee Hamilton and the group did their level best. But the occupation of Iraq is a quagmire. The solution will not be found in any 98 page report.

TECHNORATI TAGS: THE IRAQ REPORT STUDY GROUP REPORT IRAQ JAMES A BAKER VIGILANTE LEE H HAMILTON RUSS FEINGOLD PRESIDENT BUSH

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Remembering Darfur on Human Right's Day

the WIZARD, fkap — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 22:42:00 +0000

It would be virtually impossible for me to improve on the impassioned and heartfelt words of Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi this December 10th, Human Right's Day.

Below is a reprint of her comments from the Save Darfur Website. However, the various emphasis are mine.

Fifty eight years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, announcing the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which every citizen of the world is entitled, and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, declaring genocide a crime under international law which the civilized world must prevent. This weekend, we mark these anniversaries with heavy hearts, reminded that we are bound to aid those who have been deprived of these very rights and protections.

In the preamble to the Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations and its members pledged to achieve "the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms." Despite this pledge, we have seen an atrocity unfold before our very eyes in Darfur, yet we have taken little action to protect these sacrosanct rights. The lack of international action has allowed the Sudanese government to continue with what USAID and the United Nations have called an "ethnic cleansing," as the nightmare continues for our brothers and sisters in Darfur.

Although the Declaration promises "the right to life, liberty, and security of person," hundreds of thousands of civilians have been murdered and more than 2.5 million people have been displaced into unprotected camps throughout Sudan or sent to refugee camps in neighboring Chad. The Declaration states that "no one shall be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," yet hundreds of women are raped or sexually assaulted every week, with no force to protect them. The African Union, the only peacekeeping force in Sudan, does not have the manpower or the mandate to prevent these heinous acts from occurring. It is obvious that the Sudanese government has no intention of stopping its indiscriminate massacre of Darfuris. If we do not act, the people of Darfur will continue to suffer, without hope or end in sight.

As we commemorate the 58th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Genocide Convention we must remember that with the crisis in Darfur, now is no time to celebrate. It is time to champion the rights of the Declaration not by words, but through our actions. We cannot stand idly by as the Sudanese government continues its systematic destruction of the people of Darfur. We are compelled by the conscience of the world to put an end to this humanitarian disaster and restore dignity and hope to the Darfuri. If we do not, we betray our commitment as the protector of human rights, and risk compromising the very nature of our own conscience. I join with you on this Weekend of Prayer for Darfur, and pray that our efforts will bring more attention to the worsening crises.

--Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi

Go GREEN This Christmas

As you consider gifts this Holiday, please remember to give a little GREEN to everyone on your gift list. Give the Save Darfur Wirstband.

Wearing your wristband and sharing them with friends will help others become aware of the crisis in Darfur and demonstrate your commitment to ending the suffering there. Wristbands serve as a visible declarations of our desire to bring an end to the violence and atrocities in Darfur.

Moreover, the bands further our awareness and education efforts by stimulating conversation on the crisis.The green wristbands read "Not On My Watch - Save Darfur" and are available in both youth and adult sizes.

The "Not on My Watch" Darfur Wristbands are just $15.00 for a package of 10 bands. Please buy several to give to your friends and relatives. They can be ordered on the SAVE DARFUR Website.

TECHNORATI TAGS: SAVE DRFUR SUDAN RELIGION FREE SPEECH HUMAN RIGHTS DARFUR NANCY PELOSI UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

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Congratulations, Mary Cheney

the WIZARD, fkap — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 20:17:00 +0000

A tip of the Wizard's pointy cap to Mary over at Freedom Eden for her really excellent commentary on Mary Cheney's recently announced pregnancy.

Let me join the very, very few who seem to be congratulating Mary and her life partner Heather Poe on the upcoming birth of their child. It is a most joyous occasion.

TECHNORATI TAGS: MARY CHENEY HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS RELIGION LESBIANISM HUMAN RIGHTS GAY MARRIAGE CHILDBIRTH ADOPTION FREEDOM EDEN

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Universal Rights?

the WIZARD, fkap — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:18:00 +0000

I'd like you to ponder once again the question of which basic human rights (if any) are universal and should be the rights of every human being on earth.

It's a tricky question, especially since the U.S. led coalition invaded and now occupies Iraq.

One of my closest "liberal" friends who once strongly supported efforts to extend women's rights to oppressed countries like Iran, now is afraid to champion such causes. She is rightfully concerned that President Bush (or some future president) will take such public sentiment as a license to invade another country and engage in nation building.

Still, I ask you to consider if certain rights must be given to all people regardless of where they live. Regardless of country. Regardless of the religion practiced by the majority of the populace.

On the right of the main Wizard page I've paraphrased and republish a comment found on many web pages of those involved in the effort to secure protection and rights for the people of Darfur:

It's so simple really.....

Every human being on this earth deserves to wake up every day and know they have a roof over their head, enough food to sustain them, and no fear of displacement, torture, rape or death.

We need to aid the people of Sudan people in gaining principal ship of their own lives. We must advocate for these people until they can advocate for themselves.

We must do it swiftly or they will not get a chance.

Almost everyone agrees with this. Yet we have done a pitiful job in helping or protecting the people of Sudan. The cruelty continues unabated.

So, it does beg the second question. What should we do to insure these basic rights? At what point do we say that we must intervene?

What caused this line of thought this morning was the news of the latest restriction of rights in Iran. The government is preventing its citizens from accessing or viewing the popular video sharing site YouTube.

Of course there are probably some reading here today who might say this is a blessing for the people of Iran.

From the Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube.com, and a media rights group warned Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise.

Internet users who tried to call up the YouTube site Tuesday were met with the message, "On the basis of the Islamic Republic of Iran laws, access to this Web site is not authorized" which appears on numerous opposition and pornographic Web sites the government blocks.

It was not known how long the site had been on Iran's Web blacklist. The Paris-based media rights group Reporters Without Borders said YouTube had been blocked for the past five days.

Iran's Shiite cleric-run government regularly blocks opposition Web sites, including blogs, and the number of sites that bring up the "unauthorized" message has been increasing over the past year. Western news sites, however, are generally available.

Videos from the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq and other Iranian opposition groups have been posted on YouTube.com, along with videos posted by individual Iranians critical of the regime. The site also has Iranian pop music videos, which are frowned upon by the religious leadership.

In its statement Tuesday, Reporters Without Borders warned that "censorship is now the rule rather than the exception" in Iran.

Certainly invasion of Iran because of YouTube censorship would be a dramatic over reaction.

But do the people of Iran have the right to freedom of Information?

Are there Universal Human Rights?

If so, are there Universal Human Obligations to provide those rights?

TECHNORATI TAGS: IRAN SUDAN RELIGION FREE SPEECH HUMAN RIGHTS DARFUR YOUTUBE CENSORSHIP IRAQ PRESIDENT BUSH

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Do They Know It's Christmas?

the WIZARD, fkap — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:47:00 +0000

Don Babwin over at the Associated Press reports from Chicago:

A public Christmas festival is no place for the Christmas story, the city says. Officials have asked organizers of a downtown Christmas festival, the German Christkindlmarket, to reconsider using a movie studio as a sponsor because it is worried ads for its film "The Nativity Story" might offend non-Christians.

"The last time I checked, the first six letters of Christmas still spell out Christ," said Paul Braoudakis, spokesman for the Barrington, Ill.-based Willow Creek Association, a group of more than 11,000 churches of various denominations. "It's tantamount to celebrating Lincoln's birthday without talking about Abraham Lincoln."

The city does not want to appear to endorse one religion over another, said Cindy Gatziolis, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office of Special Events.

"Our guidance was that this very prominently placed advertisement would ... be insensitive to the many people of different faiths who come to enjoy the market for its food and unique gifts," Jim Law, executive director of the office, said in a statement.

It seems to me that there is something about Christmas which brings out the absolute worst in "politically correct" officials around the country. Can you imagine any mayor or government representative suggesting we purposely block mention of Islam and the meaning of fasting during the month of Ramadan?

Or how about a city official demanding that we prohibit discussing that Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year?

How about prohibiting all mention of Mexico and the heritage of Hispanic American's during Cinco de Mayo. After all, if we even mention the story Mexican Independence, it might somehow offend anglos who are just there to "enjoy the market for its food and unique gifts."

The city of Chicago has certainly offended me.

TECHNORATI TAGS: ISLAM MUSLIM RELIGION CHRISTMAS NATIVITY CHICAGO THE NAVITY STORY CHRISTIANITY CINCO DE MAYO BIBLE RAMADAN ROSH HASHANAH CHRISTKINDLMARKET

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Darwin the Terrorist

the WIZARD, fkap — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:22:00 +0000

Talk about intelligent design! The plot of this story isn't just intelligent, it's simply brilliant. It's clean, logical and easily understood.

The authors have created a villain so evil, so cunning, so underhanded that everyone understands the need for his defeat. Good must triumph over evil!

And the heroes are common, ordinary, good folks. They are your friends and they are your neighbors. And they are fighting to save all mankind. Plus, God is on their side. They cannot, they must not, lose.

Save the cheerleader. Save the world.

Well, maybe not. In this story, the villain is not the creation of Hollywood, but the creation of the military leaders in ISTANBUL! Yep, Istanbul, Turkey.

The villain? None other than Charles Darwin!

When the right wing military coup took place in Turkey in 1980, the new leadership needed to redirect the left leaning population's attention away from the lure of communism. They needed an enemy for the average citizen to blame for their woes. And they found one right in the bookstores. He looked a lot like Karl Marx. He could almost be Marx's twin.

On the bookstore shelves was Darwin's Origin of Species.

On the surface it was tough for the military junta to blame Marx for anything. Ahhh, but Darwin. That was another matter. Darwin's teaching were a direct affront to the teachings of the Qur'an (Koran).

The early verses of the Qur'an are nearly identical to the Bible. Allah created the world in just six days. God created Adam from the dust of the earth. The teachings of the Qur'an must not be denied or insulted. And Darwin looked like Marx. It was a plot made in Heaven. Literally.

"It looked like Marx and Darwin were together, two long-bearded guys spreading ideas that make people lose their faith," said Istanbul journalist Mustafa Akyol.

But like a lot of well laid plans, this plot took on a life of it's own.

All the military leaders did was to insert a paragraph on creationism as an alternative to evolution was added to high school science textbooks. Oh, and they had a conservative Christian book "Scientific Creationism" translated into Turkish.

But you cannot unring a bell. The plot worked too well. The Muslims were quick to condemn Darwin. And fundamentalist Christians, seeing a new ally in their war on Evolution, quickly streamed to Turkey to assist in the fight against their old (well, long dead) enemy.

By the early 1990s, leading U.S. creationists traveled to Turkey to speak at several anti-evolution conferences in Turkey.

But things were bound to get ugly. And they have. A home-grown strain of anti-Darwinist books has developed with a clearly political message.

"Atlas of Creation" offers over 500 pages of splendid images comparing fossils with present-day animals to argue that Allah created all life as it is and evolution never took place.

Then comes a book-length essay arguing that Darwinism, by stressing the "survival of the fittest," has inspired racism, Nazism, communism and terrorism.

"The root of the terrorism that plagues our planet is not any of the divine religions, but atheism, and the expression of atheism in our times (is) Darwinism and materialism," it says.

Today we have Islamic creationism, a movement with deep financial pockets with its roots in the Muslim population of Turkey.

Creationism is so widely accepted in Turkey that, in a recent 34 country survey concerning the acceptance of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, Turkey placed dead last! Of course, the United States was next to last.

"Darwinism is dead," said Kerim Balci of the Fethullah Gulen network, a moderate Islamic movement.

Sadly, Celal Sengor, a geology professor at Istanbul Technical University has said it all. "Science is hardly an issue in Turkey."

LINK & SOURCE OF ALL ABOVE QUOTES: Creation Versus Darwin

AN ASIDE FROM THE WIZARD: Isn't it curious that the hit NBC television series HEROES, referred to above by their now very famous advertising tag line "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World," has, as its plot line, the next steps in man's EVOLUTION. My guess is that this series won't make it on Turkey's television stations.

TECHNORATI TAGS: ISLAM MUSLIM RELIGION DARWIN ORIGIN OF SPECIES HEROES TURKEY CHRISTIANITY QURAN BIBLE KORAN KARL MARX EVOLUTION

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Islam, Conservatives, Liberals and Progressives

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 13:31:00 +0000

Appearing right above this essay later today (if time permits) or tomorrow will be a rather classic liberal look at one aspect of Islam, both Islamic religious teachings and the effect those teachings have on certain aspects of middle eastern societies.

That soon to be written essay will be critical and will apply the same perspectives I have already applied to nearly identical Christian teachings frequently here in this blog over the last ten years.

Of course, if you are reading these words on Monday, you've already read the essay, since it appears directly above this one. So reading down here is a lot like time travel. You've traveled back in time, before the above essay was ever written. But I digress.

As a long time, traditional liberal who fought for human rights in Afghanistan long before anyone outside of Texas heard or cared about George W. Bush, I find the silence of the left on issues of Islamic teachings and practices very disturbing.

The Huffington Post rails mightily every day about women's rights, racism, the rights of hispanic immigrants, gay marriage, the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transexuals, daily outbreaks of Christian hypocrisy, prayer in school, global warming and evolution versus creationism. But you'll virtually never find a single blog about the failings of Islam or the Islamic world on these very same topics.

To be certain it's easier and more fun to attack Kansas than Teheran, However, the left wing hypocrisy is glaring and, to my mind, maddening.

Years ago I fought against the evils of the Taliban along side these same Hollywood liberals as we pleaded for the UN to intercede on behalf of women in Afghanistan. Now the silence from the left is deafening.

Meanwhile the right is on a unified campaign to point out nearly every Islamic evil. If a day goes by without a good enough (errr.... bad enough) example, the right dreams one up or relives some past evils.

Right wing bloggers like Michelle Malkin and Little Green Footballs are on a crusade against Islam.... and, absolutely, the pun was intended.

What's really interesting is that the right is generally using the exact same arguments traditionally used by the old school left: women's rights, racism, the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transexuals, daily outbreaks of Islamic hypocrisy, prayer in school, global warming and evolution versus creationism.

Read Michelle Malkin today and you could be reading Susan Sarandon ten years ago. Now that is a disturbing thought.

Why is this happening? I have three observations.

First, the left today has two rather diverse movements, liberals on one hand and so-called progressives on the other. Progressives are not liberals. In fact many hold very traditional conservative goals. They tend to be isolationist, against free trade, and against open borders. This crowd includes many who fight against big corporations, fear international institutions and want a stronger, bigger U.S. government with socialist overtones.

Talk about a big tent. This crowd includes everyone from Keith Olbermann to Pat Buchanan to Alex Jones.

Progressives unite in one critical area: they hate George Bush and they hate the invasion and occupation of Iraq. They want the troops home now and they want Bush humiliated and controlled, if not impeached and imprisoned. Nothing can be accomplished until Bush is removed from effective power. No time to criticize Islam until the greatest evil in history is removed from the world stage.

Once Bush is gone (and their campaign can only last two more years, at most), this coalition can turn to other issues. A few might become objectively critical of Islam. Others will not. Many will continue to strictly confine their observations to things within the sphere of US influence. They will never be critical of anything but the United States, it's policies and practices.

Second, we liberals do often suffer from terminal, if highly selective, political correctness. We are rightfully sensitive to the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide, and especially those living in the West. We want to draw a line between valid criticism and an attack on an entire religion.

With the right labeling Islam the "religion of perpetual intolerance," or "the religion of perpetual outrage," we liberals are careful to actually protect the religion and people being so unfairly attacked. We delay or curb our criticism of Islam for fear of being accused of "piling on."

Worse yet, if we attack any aspect of Muslim life, we might get lumped into a basket with Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity.

We can safely attack the foilbles of Christianity because Hannity, Coulter and Limbaugh will defend the Christians. We are prevented from similar criticism of Islam because it puts us on the wrong side of the "liberal versus conservative" dichotomy.

I know that is stupid, but you know I'm right.

Finally (third), I'm embarrassed to tell you the left is withholding criticism of Islam out of fear. How many liberal free speech advocates openly defended the Danish cartoonists? How many reprinted the cartoons? Damn few. Once again, liberals had to look toward leaders like Michelle Malkin to carry the water for them. Sarcasm fully intended.

Around the world written criticism or even minor insults to Islam lead directly to beatings, torture, imprisonment and death. And it is scary. Here is a short capsule of recent brutality (courtesy once again of the great liberal leader, Michelle Malkin).

Conservatives are fearless and stupid. Just ask George "Bring it on" Bush. Malkin, Coulter and others are actually baiting Muslims. "Go ahead, make my day!"

Liberals need a little more courage. And so I begin the essay that will appear above this one later today or tomorrow.

TECHNORATI TAGS: ISLAM MUSLIM RELIGION LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANITY ANN COULTER MICHELLE MALKIN KEITH OLBERMANN ALEX JONES

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Free Speech? Only if it's not controversial

the WIZARD, fkap — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 03:16:00 +0000

******* UPDATE BELOW *******

Adam Brodsky writes in the New York Post:

DISSENT CRUSHED

November 19, 2006 -- MUSLIMS are often accused of not speaking out sufficiently against terrorism. Nonie Darwish knows one reason why: Their fellow Muslims won't let them.

Darwish, who comes from Egypt and was born and raised a Muslim, was set to tell students at Brown University about the twisted hatred and radicalism she grew to despise in her own culture. A campus Jewish group, Hillel, had contacted her to speak there Thursday.

But the event was just called off.

Muslim students had complained that Darwish was "too controversial." They insisted she be denied a platform at Brown, and after contentious debate Hillel agreed.

Weird: No one had said boo about such Brown events as a patently anti-Israel "Palestinian Solidarity Week." But Hillel said her "offensive" statements about Islam "alarmed" the Muslim Student Association, and Hillel didn't want to upset its "beautiful relationship" with the Muslim community.

Plus, Brown's women's center backed out of co-sponsoring the event, even though it shares Darwish's concerns about the treatment of women. Reportedly, part of the problem was that Darwish had no plans to condemn Israel for shooting Arab women used by terrorists as human shields, or for insufficiently protecting Israeli Arab wives from their husbands.

In plugging their ears to Darwish, Brown's Muslim students proved her very point: Muslims who attempt constructive self-criticism are quickly and soundly squelched - by other Muslims.

"Speaking out for human rights, women's rights, equality or even peace with Israel is a taboo that can have serious consequences" in the Arab world, Darwish says.

Isn't it a wonderful thing that our finest centers of liberal education no longer allow controversy! It's so annoying. And it almost always interferes with indoctrination.

UPDATE (11/22/2006): Talk Show Host Michael Graham has announced that Brown University itself has re-invited Nonie Darwish to speak on campus. I don't have a date or time as yet.

Graham believes this is a victory for talk shows and the blogosphere. I hardly think so. First of all, Graham himself tried unsuccessfully to get former Iraninan leader Mohammed Khatemi banned from speaking at Harvard. He is no friend of free speech, but simply hides his personal bias and prejudices behind his radio host "aura" of free speech.

No, I believe it is simply Brown University doing it's job and realizing a great wrong had been done here. When it comes to protecting free speech, I trust Brown Universtiy a whole lot more than I trust Michael Graham.

Can One Small Voice Change the World?

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 06:47:00 +0000

One Small Voice
as performed by Myra, Camille Winbush and Taylor Momsen
From the CD, NO WAY! It's Like So CHRISTMAS
Music and Lyrics by J. Brooks and A. Kasha
St. Nicholas Music Inc. (ASCAP)

One small voice can change the world
One small voice can still be heard
In the darkest place on earth
He hears every word

One small voice, a way to start
Words of truth, straight from the heart
Man or woman, boy or girl
It starts out here and goes 'round the world

Chorus:
Kumbaya, Kumbaya
kumbaya, kumbaya
It doesn't matter what the language only what we say
Give us peace on earth this Christmas day

One small voice in the endless night
Full of fear and full of fright
Why can't there be more love for all?
What can I do, for I'm so small?

repeat chorus

One small voice, all it takes
makes the world a better place
One small voice, can be heard
Around the world

Repeat Chorus 2x

One small voice can change the world
One small voice can still be heard

I was listening to Wizard Radio while reading the news on the Internet tonight.......
Myra, a talented singer with a lovely voice, is especially popular among the early teen and pre-teen "Disney Radio" audience. This song is originally from the Public Television Series Sesame Street.

And I was reading....

Afghan women commit suicide by fire
By ALISA TANG, Associated Press Writer
Sat Nov 18, 6:04 PM ET
Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan - Blood dripped down the 16-year-old girl's face after another beating by her drug addict husband. Worn down by life's pain, she ran to the kitchen, doused herself with gas from a lamp and struck a match.

Desperate to escape domestic violence, forced marriage and hardship, scores of women across Afghanistan each year are committing suicide by fire. While some gains have been made since the fall of the Taliban five years ago, life remains bleak for many Afghan women in the conservative and violence-plagued country, and suicide is a common escape.

Young Gulsum survived to tell her story. Her pretty face and delicate feet were untouched by the flames, but beneath her red turtleneck sweater, floral skirt and white shawl, her skin is puffy and scarred.

More than a month after her attempt, her gnarled hands still bleed.

"It was my decision to die. I didn't want to be like this, with my hands and body like this," she said, sitting on a hospital bed in Kabul and hiding her deformed hands beneath her shawl.

Reliable statistics on self-immolation nationwide are difficult to gauge. In Herat province, where the practice has been most reported and publicized, there were 93 cases last year and 54 so far this year. More than 70 percent of these women die.

"It's all over the country. ... The trend is upward," said Ancil Adrian-Paul of Medica Mondiale, a nonprofit that supports women and girls in crisis zones.

The group has seen girls as young as 9 and women as old as 40 set themselves on fire. But many incidents remain hidden, Adrian-Paul said.

"A lot of self-immolation and suicide cases are not reported to police for religious reasons, for reasons of honor, shame, stigma. There is this collusion of silence," Adrian-Paul said on the sidelines of a conference this week in Kabul on self-immolation.

Five years after the fall of the repressive Taliban regime, domestic violence affects "an overwhelming majority" of Afghan women and girls, according to a recent report from Womankind, an international women's rights groups.

An estimated 60 to 80 percent of Afghan marriages are forced, the report said. More than half of Afghan women are married before they turn 16 and many young girls are married to men who are several decades older, the report said. The exchange of women and girls to resolve a crime, debt or household dispute is also common.

Under the hard-line Taliban regime, women were unable to vote, receive education or be employed. In recent years, women have gained the right to cast ballots and female candidates have run for parliament, but women are often still regarded as second-class citizens.

Is this acceptable? How should we act when faced with this reality?

Do we say, "It's their country and it's none of our business how they treat their women?"

Is the American (NATO or UN) presence actually preventing the country from making progress?

Do we join the rapidly growing chorus of Democrat Leaders calling not only for a pull-out of Iraq but also a quick exit from Afghanistan?

Were we right to overthrow the Taliban?

Now the Taliban are returning with greater strength. Can the Afghan government stand against them if we leave?

And what will happen to the women of Iraq if we pull out of that country?

Is an American life really worth more.... much, much more.... than an Iraqi or Afghan life?

What do we tell our daughters?

Your comments and observations are most welcome.

TECHNORATI TAGS: WOMEN'S RIGHTS SUICIDE FORCED MARRIAGE AFGHANISTAN RELIGION TALIBAN ISLAM
IRAQ CHRISTIANITY MYRA SLAVERY EDUCATION CHRISTMAS

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No Wonder Liberal is a Dirty Word

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 14:28:00 +0000

Often during the recent election one Republican or another tosses out the label "liberal" as a vile condemnation of their Democrat opponent.

"She's just too Liberal for our state."

"He's a Nancy Pelosi Liberal."

"The good folks around here don't accept those left coast Liberal ideas."
How did Liberal become such a dirty word?

The problem isn't really the name calling of reactionary Republicans. There is ample name calling in every election cycle by both sides.

And the problem really isn't that Liberals are tolerant and even open to new ideas. Or that liberals tend to support alternative concepts, beliefs or even lifestyles. I've learned that most people of all political leanings tend to be tolerant and understanding. Some conservatives actually are compassionate.

The problem is there are a large bunch of tyrannical fascists parading around pretending to be liberals.

I am, as my personal friends and long time readers here know, one of the dreaded Secular Humanists. I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, one of the most liberal religious fellowships on earth. At most of our churches and fellowships, on any given Sunday, you'll find Wiccans, Hindus, Jews, Christians, Muslims, even far eastern metaphysical religious followers and all of us secular humanists gathered over coffee, donuts and some of the best soups ever created.

We'll be discussing the upcoming wedding of two of our dear gay friends and the upcoming Christian baptism of our newest member.

Over in the corner there will be a heated discussion about immigration, or Iraq or school uniforms.

O.K., enough of the personal anecdotes. I have a point to make.

Liberals are reviled not because of what they stand for, but because of what some people pretending to be liberal stand against!! Many pseudo-liberals practice so damn much hatred, intolerance, fear mongering and dictatorial control, it's no wonder liberals become hated.

Bill O'Reilly is able to rant against what he calls the secular humanist "agenda" because he sees the constant and unceasing attacks on Christianity around the nation. And if my liberal friends think O'Reilly is just full of Christian paranoia, they need to open their eyes and look at what is really happening.

A real liberal never, ever forbids or denies the open practice of Christianity. We do actually wish our Christian friends "Merry Christmas" and use the actual words.

We accept Christianity as a worthy religion, equal to the world's other great religions (although not better or worse). We may rail against its flaws or disagree with some of its prejudices, but we welcome its followers as friends and companions on the very human journey through life.

Let me finally get to my point.

Today we have another, glaring example of dictatorial tyranny masquerading under the label of liberalism. The narrow minded, prejudiced, despots of the San Francisco School Board have decided to deny their students the option participating in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

SAN FRANCISCO
School board votes to dump JROTC program

After 90 years in San Francisco high schools, the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps must go, the San Francisco school board decided Tuesday night.

The Board of Education voted 4-2 to eliminate the popular program, phasing it out over two years.

Dozens of JROTC cadets at the board meeting burst into tears or covered their faces after the votes were cast.

"We're really shocked,'' said fourth-year Cadet Eric Chu, a senior at Lowell High School, his eyes filling with tears. "It provided me with a place to go."

The board's decision was loudly applauded by opponents of the program.

Their position was summed up by a former teacher, Nancy Mancias, who said, "We need to teach a curriculum of peace."

Ann Coulter in her thought provoking (and very funny) book, Godless, talks about the "religion of liberalism" and how the left is forcing it upon America while denying competing religions.

She is able to make that horrible accusation precisely because there are people operating under the guise of liberalism who want to prohibit competing ideas and concepts. They want to allow only the teaching of ideas that meet their strict moral code.

Coulter gets away with calling liberalism a religion because some folks want it ramed down the throats of others like a over zealous religious prophet.

What San Francisco has done is closer to the Sharia Schools of Saudi Arabia, than the teaching of good liberal schools in America.

What the hell does the San Francisco School Board think a "liberal education is?" One that prohibits the open and free exchange of ideas? One that denies alternative lifestyles? One that prevents students from seeking structure, support and leadership training?

Tyranny of the left is not liberalism. It's tyranny.

TECHNORATI TAGS: ROTC JROTC SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL BOARD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM RELIGION LIBERALISM CHRISTIANITY ANN COULTER TYRANNY EDUCATION PREJUDICE

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The Cost of War

the WIZARD, fkap — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 03:06:00 +0000

As long as I'm directing my faithful readers to other blogger's websites for wisdom, I'd like to direct you all to read Vigilante's great entry from this morning, Almost Too Much to Grasp.

It's only fair after directing you to conservative Michelle Malkin that I next direct you to progressive Vigilante's excellent blog, The Vigil.

Vigilante introduces us to Michael White's Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, a site I'm embarrassed to admit I had never seen. White is considered my many to be the pre-eminent statistician on the real human costs of what Vigilante's has so aptly named the un-provoked, unnecessary, largely unilateral invasion and unplanned occupation of Iraq (UULUIUOI).

White keeps astonishingly accurate records of the soldiers who have died, and those seriously wounded in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His blog is completely non-political, but the facts and figures he chronicles speak louder than any pundit or politician.

I think it's really important that each and every one of us keep a daily eye on Michaels blog. As the politicians debate the Iraq adventure on Capitol Hill this spring, we need to make certain we don't get lost in the rhetoric. Michael's site will always keep you grounded.

Vigilante's own writing on this matter is excellent and the many replies and comments to his article are worth reading, too.

TECHNORATI TAGS: JOHN WHITE IRAQ COALITION CASUALTY COUNT THE VIGIL VIGILANTE MICHELLE MALKIN IRAQ AFGHANISTAN

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John Bolton

the WIZARD, fkap — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000

O.K., I really, really, really wanted to write about Jane Harman and the 'new direction' of Nancy Pelosi's House. I even intended to add several comments about Pelosi's support of John Murtha for House Majority Leader. And for good measure I was going to add to my long list of compliments for Representative Charles Rangel by noting his very vocal support for Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer for the Majority Leader position.

All in all, the article was going to be about the new spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship being exhibited by Nancy Pelosi. O.K., that is a joke.

MEANWHILE: In reading my daily grouping of bloggers, I've noted that poor Michelle Malkin has really gone of the deep end. The "firecracker" of conservative bloggers, Malkin has gotten considerably more conservative and considerably more strident since the election.

So that I would quote Malkin, let alone virtually copy her in entire blog entry today (in the spirit of plagiarism as an artform), comes as a surprise to me.

But the decision of the Democrats to 'swiftboat' United Nations Ambassador John Bolton as their first real act of bipartisanship speaks volumes about the real world of politics over the next two years than any of the political payback appointments being made by our first Madame Speaker.

Certainly a big part of my strong support of Bolton during his soon to fail bid for Senate confirmation has been his superb support for the people of Darfur. We simply couldn't ask for a stronger, more forceful or more eloquent defender of the people. Bolton has strong support among Darfur activists here and around the world.

Since he is doomed, let's hope his successor will continue his fine efforts.

Here is Malkin's blog entry, reformatted into my style with a few editorial changes. Thank you Michelle for allowing bloggers to reprint your work and your strong support of Internet Freedom.

Blogging for Bolton

The Democrats want John Bolton's scalp.

This is a moment for conservatives to stand up to the Left's empty, vindictive obstructionism and support a strong voice for America's interests at the corrupted, soft-on-jihad offices of Turtle Bay.

We're videoblogging for Bolton over at Hot Air.

Call Congress and make your voice heard here.

Editorial boards weighing in: The Chicago Sun-Times: "Confirm Bolton"

Bolton has done an exemplary job at the U.N. He succeeded in getting resolutions to impose sanctions on North Korea; he brokered a Security Council resolution to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

If the Democrats are genuine about working in a collegial manner with the president, they will endorse Bolton: He has turned out to be far more co-operative than divisive. He is, in fact, an able diplomat.

The Wall Street Journal:

The opposition to Mr. Bolton is based on nothing save vindictiveness. Republican Lincoln Chafee, who would have lost his GOP primary without White House support and who finally did lose last week, now says he won't vote for Mr. Bolton though he had once supported him. Mr. Chafee is a mystery wrapped in a muddle even to himself. Democrats Chris Dodd and Joe Biden are trying to show that any political appointee who refuses to bend to their wishes can't be confirmed. They know other Democrats would vote to confirm Mr. Bolton if he made it to the Senate floor.

Having had one recess appointment, Mr. Bolton can't get another one and be paid. But he could retain his position and be paid if Mr. Bush names him to a non-confirmable post at State and then assigns him to the U.N. Ambassador's duties. Now, that's a compromise.

The New York Post:

...John Bolton has been too good an ambassador - at a time when America sorely needs an effective envoy at Turtle Bay - to be tossed on the scrap heap because of the Democrats' short-sightedness.

* It was Bolton who recently organized the majority coalition that blocked Hugo Chavez's Venezuela from winning a seat on the Security Council.

* It was Bolton who worked with France to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah (flawed as it was).

* It was Bolton who took the lead in pressing for comprehensive reform of the U.N.'s rotting institutional infrastructure.

* It is Bolton who has refused to play the game of diplomatic double-talk, refusing to participate in the new - and already discredited - Human Rights Council, which he memorably called a case of "putting lipstick on a caterpillar and calling it a butterfly."

...Last week, Tehran called Tueday's elections a victory for Iran, Chavez called for Bush's execution, al Qaeda in Iraq said it wouldn't rest until it blew up the White House, and former Gitmo detainees moved to bring criminal charges in Germany against top Bush administration officials.

Much of this, of course, is little more than a postelection pile-on against a president seen as a powerless lame duck. But it may also represent a genuine belief that the Democrats, who campaigned against every aspect of Bush's foreign policy, will go soft in the War on Terror.

Democrats have an obligation to demonstrate conclusively to America's enemies that they don't have allies on Capitol Hill. By moving so swiftly to torpedo John Bolton, they've sent precisely the opposite signal.

If the White House were to proceed with a second recess appointment for Bolton, he would have to serve without pay. Claudia Rosett proposes a fund-raising drive to pay for Bolton's salary.

Hugh Hewitt seconds that idea. Thirding it!

I cannot stomach the idea of Beltway GOP elites cutting and running from Bolton. Make sure to make a call today.

***
Pam at Atlas Shrugs has video of Sen. Norm Coleman supporting Bolton.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Reading the above entry by Michelle Malkin reminds me again why she is just about the finest blogger on the net from the standpoint of style and readability.

But I also echo her remarks about Bolton. Sadly, I realize it is a failed effort.

TECHNORATI TAGS: JOHN BOLTON UNITED NATIONS NANCY PELOSI DEMOCRATS MICHELLE MALKIN DARFUR NANCY HARMAN JOHN MURTHA SENATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Emergence Day

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 04:26:00 +0000

Sunday, November 12, 2006, beginning at 12:01 am is Emergence Day.

Emergence Day is (choose one):

The day Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid "emerge" as the new leaders of the United States Congress.

The day Osama Bin Laden and the leaders of Al Qaeda "emerge" from hiding and launch the next wave of terror.

The day when the Locust Horde "emerge" from the ground to devour all mankind.

Unless you knew the answer was Number 3, "the day when the Locust Horde 'emerge' from the ground to devour all mankind," you are sadly unaware of one of the greatest cultural events since the very creation of the Internet.

I'm not joking.

Beginning just a few minutes from right now tens of thousands of people all across North America will log onto the Internet, not in the conventional fashion using a PC or a Mac, but using Microsoft's XBox 360, to engage in a series of tournaments, contests, challenges and events all based around a new XBox 360 supergame called Gears of War.

Wade Steel, writing for ign.com, gives the background:

"Ever since the announcement of the Xbox 360, one game has consistently been held up as an early "must-have" for Microsoft's next-generation console -- Gears of War."

"For nearly two years, gamers have watched as Epic Games' third-person shooter tempted and teased with its promise of a dark sci-fi plot, incredible graphics powered by Unreal Engine 3, and brutal, visceral combat."

"Today, that wait comes to an end as Microsoft and Epic announce that "Emergence Day" -- the day Gears of War ships and gamers finally get to engage the terrifying Locusts -- is November 12, 2006."

In addition to a quality of graphics, writing and direction that sets new standards for video games, Gears of War is unique in it's very design and purpose. The ign.com review states:

"Gears of War is all about teamwork in a big way. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage co-operative play, whether it be with A.I. partners or human players (with A.I. teammates designed with specific strengths, weaknesses and personalities.) "

"On top of that, voice recognition will be available for players, and obviously voice chat to discuss strategy with your friends. In addition to voice chat, gamers will be able to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player achievements, customize their games, and build and personalize their gamer profiles over Xbox Live."

Among the wealth of events surrounding Emergence Day are the following:

A 24-Hour Leader board Tournament.
The tournament winner receives a one of a kind "Gears of War" branded guitar as well as an automatic bye to the finals of a Global "Gears of War" Tournament planned for 2007.
Hourly sweepstakes drawings and prize giveaways including the chance to win one of several Samsung HT-P29 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Systems
An exclusive free "Gears of War" Gamer pic and theme only available on Emergence Day
Game with Fame sessions with legendary heavy metal band and "Gears of War" fans Megadeth, the game's lead designer Cliff Bleszinski and other members of the Epic Games team
Never before seen videos including a special Emergence Day transmission from Cliff Bleszinski
An MTV "Gears of War: The Road to Launch" Sneak Preview

If you read all this and think it's just some silly promotion from Bill Gates and Microsoft, you are clearly missing the entire point.

This is a cultural event that transcends state and national borders, economic strata, age and gender groups, political parties or affiliations, religious affiliations, sexual orientation and any boundary that tends to separate humankind into different groups.

Here we have an event that will tie together, in a massive number of people in tournament play, people from all across North America. The internet has removed any of the old boundaries of space or culture and allowed tens of thousands of people to gather together in a single, albeit cosmic, space and time.

And to dismiss this all as a game also misses the point of what is happening today. The Internet has now reached a new level to bring people together at a single moment for a single purpose. Today that purpose is a tournament the like of which has never existed at any time before on the planet.

Tomorrow it could be voting in elections, or actually making governmental or cultural decisions.

The Internet, if properly protected and allowed to remain free, has more power than any invention in the history of mankind. That's precisely why some governments like Iran and China fear it so very much.

And that's why is must be protected. Today the locusts, tomorrow the world.

TECHNORATI TAGS: EMERGENCE DAY XBOX MICROSOFT LOCUST HORDE INTERNET GEARS OF WAR EPIC GAMES MTV XBOX LIVE BILL GATES

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Mississippi

the WIZARD, fkap — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 03:36:00 +0000

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) is about to become a lot more powerful. With the Democrats becoming the majority party in the House of Representatives, Rangel will become the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. That's easily the most powerful committee in the House, maybe in the entire Congress!

Now you know Charlie Rangel. He's a frequent guest on all the cabel news networks. He's the go to guy in all political debates.

Affable, smart and funny with a quick sarcastic wit, he always makes a good guest. He's likeable, intelligent, a dependable partisan and, most importantly, he's likely to leave a great sound bite.

But today Charlie outdid himself. The target of his carefully aimed barb was the hapless state of Mississippi, my adopted home state.

"It's not just committees - our influence within the House Democratic caucus will grow enormously," Mr. Rangel said in an interview.

To that end, he sketched out an expansive federal agenda: Teaming up with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on gun control, passing new tax incentives for urban job programs, and redirecting federal money to New York in return for the outsize tax collections that the federal government makes here.

"Mississippi gets more than their fair share back in federal money, but who the hell wants to live in Mississippi?" Mr. Rangel said.

My elected representative, the Honorable Bennie Thompson (D-MS) was characteristically quiet. WAPT, Channel 16 in Jackson is all over this story. They believe Rangel's comments were an insult to Mississippi and the result of cultural stereotyping and prejudice. WAPT contacted Bennie. WAPT reported, "He didn’t want to comment."

No way Bennie was going to criticize a fellow Democrat for merely insulting his state and all constituents who only days before had elected him to REPRESENT THEM in Congress.

Representing constituents is not one of Bennie's strong suits.

But Representative Charles Pickering (R-MS) was quick to pick up the gauntlet and issue a good natured response.

"From the Coast to the Delta to the Pinebelt to the Hills and across Mississippi, there is beauty in every city, charity in every heart, love in every church, and majesty in every countryside. When I travel this state I see it in the resolute handshakes, the hospitable smiles, and the sincere prayers of our neighbors: we love Mississippi and we are proud and happy to live here," Pickering said.

Pickering concluded, "Last year, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Coast. We have been working hard not only to rebuild our own homes and communities, but also to repair and protect the network of refineries, pipelines, and transmission grids that supply energy, gas, and oil to the rest of the country, including New York."

"If Mr. Rangel believes those efforts required more than our fair share of federal money, he is welcome to send that energy back to our state and find an alternative supply..."

Let me be honest. It's simply not possible for anyone to stay mad at Charles Rangel. My hat's off to Chip Pickering. Let's hope all the debates in the next Congress can be this good natured.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES AND LINKS: New York Times (registration required), Mississippi's Sun Herald, Michelle Malkin

TECHNORATI TAGS: CHARLES RANGEL CHIP PICKERING MISSISSIPPI BENNIE THOMPSON

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Anybody Seen the Baby?

the WIZARD, fkap — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 04:05:00 +0000

MSNBC has just projected that the Democrats will have a significant majority in the new U.S. House of Representatives. The early projection has the Democrats with 231 seats to the Republican's 204 seats. Nancy Pelosi will become the first woman to assume the position of the Speaker of the House.

My congratulations to the Democrats and to Speaker Pelosi. It looks like my prediction of two weeks ago was almost exactly correct.

It's still too early to predict the U.S. Senate, but it's clearly not the landslide we see in the House. Still, by the time the evening is over, I may still be correct in my Senate prediction, made back on October 23rd.

I have great faith in the American public and the wisdom of their votes. This is very different from "bowing to the will of the people." Of course, we do that. The voters have spoken and they have made their decision.

No, what I'm speaking of is much deeper. I have great faith in the wisdom of this vote. While we can all get into a heated argument with one person or another here in the blogosphere, the WISDOM comes from the combined votes of the millions. American's generally get it right.

Now we need to see if the Democrats can rise to the occasion. Will we have endless confrontations? Or will we have a meaningful effort to solve the problems that America has so clearly identified tonight?

Some legislation is simple. The minimum wage will be raised. Bush will sign it.

Some legislation is meaningless and stupid. We will see the house pass a stem cell research bill. It's unnecessary and useless and designed only to illicit the expected Presidential veto. Such a bill is only designed to inflame the public.

But will we see endless subpoenas and investigations into the events leading up to the war in Iraq? Will we spend the next two years looking backward?

Let's hope not. We need to work today to solve this problem, not wait for another two years of death and destruction.

Will we see the building of a case for impeachment, in spite of Nancy Pelosi's pledge not to allow this to happen?

Frightening is the rumored move by Pelosi to remove Jane Harmon from her deserved Chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee and replace her with, of all people, Alcee Hastings. In 1989, Hastings was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives for corruption and perjury. So much for Pelosi's claim she will "drain the swamp."

Tom Brokaw said tonight on MSNBC that he believes America DID NOT VOTE for subpoenas. Let's hope that Tom Brokaw's wisdom reaches Nancy Pelosi's ears.

It is not time for a witch hunt. It's time for solutions and ideas on Iraq. The public now will demand the "fresh ideas" the Democrats promised, but never articulated.

Chris Matthews did an amazing about face tonight, attacking the newly elected Democrats for failing to make any proposals, meaningful or otherwise, on Iraq. How quickly the press can turn on you.

"The King is dead. Now let's kill the new King" is the mantra of the press and pundits.

Will the Democrats take the steps necessary to maintain this superb economy? Will they, as promised, protect the tax breaks Bush really did give to the middle and working class?

You can't have this type of wholesale change without risking "throwing out the baby with the bath water." Let's hope the Democrats keep their eye on the baby.

----------------------------------------

On a personal note, the courageous Erik Fleming and Yvonne Brown went down in flames here in Mississippi.

Erik, a Democrat, lost to Republican legend Trent Lott, but did manage to gather almost 35% of the vote without money, without any support from the Democrat Party and without even the passing interest from any media.

Yvonne, a Republican, also managed to gather 35% of the vote in a district gerrymandered into overwhelming Democrat superiority. This is partially a "tribute" to the incredible arrogance and ignorance of the incumbent, Democrat Bennie Thompson, who shouldn't have the support of anybody.

The Republican's should have given Yvonne money and support, but they didn't. To his credit, Trent Lott did give financial aid and moral support to Yvonne.

Erik and Yvonne are victims of a political system designed to protect the incumbents.

So I give my congratulations and thanks to Democrat Erik Fleming and Republican Yvonne Brown for their efforts to make democracy a reality. They are my heroes, even in defeat.

TECHNORATI TAGS: YVONNE BROWN REPUBLICAN ERIK FLEMING DEMOCRAT GERRYMANDERING BENNIE THOMPSON TRENT LOTT CHRIS MATTHEWS NANCY PELOSI ALCEE HASTINGS

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Your Vote (Probably) Doesn't Count

the WIZARD, fkap — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 14:39:00 +0000

For the vast majority of us living in the great United States, our votes for candidates at the "federal levels" of our government are merely tokens of support for the status quo.

No matter how strongly you feel about the major issues of the day, the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the war against terrorism, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the state of our economy, the importance of increasing the minimum wage, the funding and future of education, gun control, the right to life (or freedom to choose), you vote simply doesn't matter. Not one tiny bit.

You have no say. You have no voice. You have no control.

And this is true for about 90% of the voters who will cast votes this coming Tuesday. Maybe 10%, and that is being generous, will have a say in shaping the answers to these important questions over the next two years.

I know, I am one of the 90% whose vote doesn't matter.

Most of you and I have been relegated to the sidelines by a political system that is not designed to serve the will of the people, but to preserve the power, position and authority of a very few.

The United States is a wonderful and free democracy, arguably the freest and fairest in the world. How did the disenfranchisement come to be?

While you might be naive enough to believe for even a second that the two major political parties are about ideas, principles and serving the people, they are really about preserving and enhancing power.

And the parties play the electorate like a giant game of chess, moving pieces around the board, attempting to gain more pieces than their opponents. But they also work to insure the safety of their existing knights, bishops, rooks, queen and (every four years or so), their king.
You and I are just pawns. And we are just as dispensable.

The two major parties engage in two important forms of gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is the art and science of rearranging voting districts so as to elect or re-elect a predetermined candidate or party. While, in theory it's illegal, it is actually used in 100% of the United States without any effective challenge.

And today, there is a second and even more effective form of gerrymandering, financial gerrymandering. The political parties dole out their hundreds of millions of dollars, based not on ideas or principles, or concepts, but in order to gain more pieces on the giant chess board.
More money is being spent this year in this election that in any election in the entire history of the United States. And almost all of those expenditures are aimed at the 10% of the electorate whose votes actually count.

Here in the 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi, my vote doesn't count at all. The decisions on who my representatives will be have been made on my behalf by the Democrat and Republican Parties, working in concert, to maintain the status quo.

The 2nd Congressional District is one of the most bizarre and most illogical districts in the world. Zig zagging through tiny parts of dozens of counties, often taking single neighborhoods while leaving other neighbors in different districts, the 2nd Congressional District was formed in compliance with the one form of gerrymandering expressly allowed by the courts: racial allocation. The 2nd District was formed to insure there would be a black Representative in a state where 40% of the population is black.

Which means our representative is a Democrat. And one who generally doesn't need to listen to or pay any attention to his constituents. And Bennie G. Thompson generally lives down to the absolutely lowest expectations of his constituents might have. To say he takes his district for granted is an understatement.

Yvonne R. Brown for Congress. A real rarity in the 2nd Congressional District is a successful elected Republican official and Yvonne Brown is such a rarity. As the mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, she is strong, effective, fair, hard working and greatly admired.

She doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of being elected in the 2nd district. She has received absolutely no funding from the Republican Party. She has no television advertising, no radio, not much of a campaign staff, and little organization.

Meanwhile Bennie has unlimited funds which he won't bother to spend. Bennie will get 60% plus of the vote.

Do you want to vote to keep President Bush's tax cuts? Do you want choice in Education? Do you feel the Republican's can best fight the war on terror? It doesn't matter. The Republican Party will make sure you never hear from Yvonne.

The powers of the status quo have decided Yvonne is to sacrificed. In order to assure they have two completely safe districts, Republicans have sacrificed the 2nd District. The Congressional election is over in Mississippi and has been for years. No votes are necessary. But I'll still cast mine for Yvonne.

Erik Fleming for U.S. Senate. An even greater lost cause is the U.S. Senate here in Mississippi. This year's sacrificial lamb being placed on the alter of the great Trent Lott, is Democrat Erik Fleming.

Emily Wagster Pettus writing for the Associated Press tells this story perfectly:

JACKSON -- Democratic state Rep. Erik Fleming has made a 30-second ad in his effort to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, but he says he doesn't know if he'll be able to gather enough money to put the ad on television.
"On November 7th, I need your vote because I believe we deserve a better Mississippi. A better Mississippi means better wages, better access to education and health care and a better retirement system," Fleming says in the ad, shot at the state Capitol in Jackson.

For now, the spot is showing only on Fleming's campaign Web site -- a reminder of the difficulties that challengers face in Mississippi this year as they try to compete against well-funded incumbents for U.S. House and Senate.
The latest round of campaign finance reports shows the incumbents have a hefty fund-raising advantage leading into the final few days before the Nov. 7 election.

Lott is a former Senate majority leader who was first elected to the chamber in 1988 after serving 16 years in the U.S. House. His campaign had $1.4 million cash on hand as of Sept. 30, according to records posted to the Web site of the Federal Election Commission. His campaign had a beginning cash balance of $773,404. It has raised $2.3 million and spent $1.7 million.

For the same reporting period, records show Fleming -- who is making his first run for statewide office -- had $2,474 cash on hand. His campaign started this season with a zero balance.

It has raised $26,961 and spent $24,507.

Fleming says his campaign is negotiating with national Democratic political action committees to try to get enough cash to buy TV time for his ad. He said he believes the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee "made a decision from Day One that they can't do anything to change Mississippi."

The Democrats need to spend their money in Tennessee and Ohio and Rhode Island and Virginia.

Here in Mississippi, Trent Lott will get over 75% of the vote. Most voters will not even know Erik Fleming's name.

Do you want to vote against the Invasion in Iraq? Do you want to see a different approach to disasters like Katrina (Fleming's big issue)? Forget about it. Your vote doesn't count. The Democrats have starved your candidate into obscurity.

My vote for Erik Fleming won't matter.

Out of 33 Senate seats up for election, only 8 are really contested. This really means that if you live in states where one of the other 25 Senators will be elected, the political parties have already determined the outcome. They will not offer even token support for the purpose of debating the important issues. Only eight states matter.

The house is much, much worse. Through both political and financial gerrymandering, only 50 out of 425 House seats matter. If you live in any of the 385 other House districts, you vote has been neutered. There will be no meaningful discussion. Protest votes like mine will be the rare exception.

Frankly, to misquote Senator George Allen, elections in the U.S. are "macaca."

TECHNORATI TAGS: MACACA YVONNE BROWN REPUBLICAN ERIK FLEMING DEMOCRAT GERRYMANDERING BENNIE THOMPSON TRENT LOTT

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