Hello there. I find it quite amusing that when you go to a search engine and look up an ole' pal you might find this link:

WASHINGTON - President Bush offered up a new entry for his catalog of "Bushisms" on Thursday, declaring that his administration will "never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people."

In Louisville, Ky., local Republican Party activists John Lowler and Peter Hayes feuded recently over their status at the upcoming state convention, with Lowler alleging that Hayes punched him. Lowler had first accused Hayes of smearing him by suggesting that he had recently had gay sex. (Lowler acknowledges that he used to be gay but says he is now straight). Hayes said it was Lowler who smeared first by denigrating Hayes' religion, the Unification Church (headed by Rev. Sun Myung Moon). Hayes told the Louisville Courier-Journal in April that Lowler had taunted him by saying, "Moonie, Moonie, Moonie, Moonie, Moonie." (However, Lowler said he could recall saying only "Moonie, Moonie, Moonie.") [The Courier-Journal, 4-16-04]

In April, choreographer Jenefer Davies Mansfield staged her "NASCAR Ballet" production at the Roanoke (Va.) Ballet Theatre, featuring 20 colorfully unitard-clad dancers, wearing corporate patches of the theater's sponsors, prancing and leaping around a banked-racetrack stage (to new-age music and the sounds of revving engines), "racing" but occasionally crashing into each other, to be rescued by other dancers who are the "pit crews." Mansfield was hoping for a big crossover audience of NASCAR fans gathered for a big race in nearby Martinsville. "In this business," she said, "you've got to take chances." [Washington Post, 4-7-04]

Here´s an interesting quote from a article in the NY Times:

But in the immediate future, he (Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the Army's Central Command) said, American prospects would depend on getting tough with Mr. Sadr and others challenging American control.

"This has been a nation of intimidators," he said. "We only have to stop the culture of intimidation, and it will only be done with a fair and firm response by us."

"And it will often be deadly," he said, "but that's what we've got to do."

That seems like the type of self-contradicting quote that would make a great jumping off point for an Onion article.

And here´s a nice Onion short:
Boxer Hopes He Can Make Money Punching Things In Retirement
CHICAGO—Shortly after announcing his retirement, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, 38, said Monday that he hopes to continue to make money punching things. "I have a few other skills, but I'm probably best at punching," Lewis said. "Cows, computers, sheets of glass—if the price is right, I'll punch it good."

Peter Bergen, a fellow of the New America Foundation, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, and the author of "Holy War Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden," suggests asking:

Tuesday, January 27, 2004
LIES? DECEPTION? BUSH?

My favorite here is the last six words of the first quote: "...and its long campaign of deception." Something that Bush may know quite a bit about.
____

By The Associated Press

Comments by President Bush about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction:
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We are interviewing Iraqi citizens and analyzing records of the old regime to reveal the full extent of its weapons programs and its long campaign of deception. — Sept. 23, 2003, speech to the U.N. General Assembly.
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Intelligence throughout the decade showed they had a weapons program. I am absolutely convinced with time we'll find out that they did have a weapons program. The credibility of this country is based upon our strong desire to make the world more peaceful, and the world is now more peaceful after our decision. — June 9, 2003, remarks to reporters after Cabinet meeting.
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Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly. Yet our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. — March 19, 2003, address to the nation.
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Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised. — March 17, 2003, address to the nation.
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The dictator of Iraq has got weapons of mass destruction. He has used weapons of mass destruction. He can't stand America and what we stand for. He can't stand our friends and allies. — Jan. 22, 2003, speech in St. Louis.
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It's important for our fellow Americans to understand that, when we're talking about Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), we're talking about a man who said he has had no weapons of mass destruction, yet we believe has weapons of mass destruction — a man who has not only had weapons of mass destruction, but he's used weapons of mass destruction. ... He's a threat and he's a danger. — Dec. 3, 2002, speech in New Orleans.
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Today this regime likely maintains stockpiles of chemical and biological agents, and is improving and expanding facilities capable of producing chemical and biological weapons. Today Saddam Hussein has the scientists and infrastructure for a nuclear weapons program, and has illicitly sought to purchase the equipment needed to enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon. Should his regime acquire fissile material, it would be able to build a nuclear weapon within a year. — Sept. 14, 2002, radio address.

// posted by Paul @ 9:46 PM

Monday, January 26, 2004
Here are the reactions to a recent NY Times book review of some of our junior policy analysts here at the Fruitpole Center Against the Re-Election of Bush, his Enron pals, And other Reprobates (CARE BEAR).

To read to article go to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/books/review/25SCHMEMT.html
- you will have to create a free user account to access it.

___________________________
Actually, no. I'm not being sarcastic. Despite my capacity to take virtually nothing too seriously, this is one thing I am quite passionate about. I feel very strongly that this administration is doing this country, and world politics as a whole, severe harm. At risk of sounding defeatist, if not melodramatic, it's heartbreaking how close to futile resistance might really be. Thus far, the Bush administration is arguably one of the most powerful entities in history, political and otherwise. And they have had the foresight to claim one of the other most singularly powerful forces in history, Christianity, as their own.
So, no. When I say that it's almost crushing, I'm being sincere. In their "If you're not with us, you're against us" world, I'm relegated to being an opponent. I don't like that position, but I'm damn sure not with "them." I don't think we understand yet the amount of work it will take to undue the harm that they have done and will do with another four years in power. And I just don't like to work that much.

Rev. King

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

It is extremely disturbing. I want my country big,
powerful, and BENEVOLENT - stopping war crimes, being a
beacon of light and truth in the world. We have a
country that is duplicitous, manipulative, and focused
only on its own financial and security well-being. The
cover of Texas Monthly last month has a picture of
Bush with the caption "MAYBE" underneath. The writer is
a Republican who is very hesitant to reelect Bush.
He's pissed because Bush's campaign talk in 2000 of
unification and working toward compromise has been
complete horseshit. Regardless, Bush will probably be
re-elected.

The hatred and disgust of the US abroad sucks.
Go Democrats, Go.
What do you think of Dean?

scoot
---------------------------------

Indeed. And the Administration's stance is only strengthened by the sheer stupidity of middle class America by buying into the notion that it is our duty to take democracy to the rest of the world, and overtly isolating ourselves from pragmatic thinking when it comes to the rest of the world. Also, I have a rash.............And I'm single again and living free...the type of free that involves men in cabled tennis sweaters and starched linen trousers. FREE. Like good advice.....and i'll give you some while I'm at it. Rub butter
on the back of your testicles before sliding down a glass window.

I have had no conversations in the past few months where people have praised the Bush Administration (except for with my office manager, who pisses her pants everytime Bush calls on Yahweh.) The one thing I hear repeatedly is that something has to change. Now, like minds find like minds, this much is true. But i also believe there is a large portion of thinking America that is disenfranchised by the current leadership, but are left feeling like theirs is the plight of similar thinkers. It's bullshit, of course and what the current leadership has, besides money, is organization. Too many people I talk to think that things have to change, but have no real plan to change it, or themselves, for something better. That seems to be America in a nutshell. Happy with just good enough. I think that just might run us right into the ground in the next ten years, and then we might get the America we want, Ayn Rand style. Until then, we get the government we deserve........

When are you coming back, if ever? Also, do you like puppies?

I think I'll go with John Kerry on this round of public affairs lite.

Adios

Jarrett N. Smith

// posted by Paul @ 8:36 PM