Students and graduates of Texas A&M University (TAMU) have long been the brunt of bumpkin jokes in Texas. Aggie jokes are usually interchangeable with “dumb Pollack” jokes. [How many (Aggies/Pollacks} does it take to change a lightbulb?] Actually TAMU is a well-regarded university, that is until now, according to University of North Carolina - Wilmington criminology professor Mike Adams.
In yesterday’s Townhall.com, Adams had an article entitled, “Texas Gay&M University” Here are some excerpts:
“Some time ago, I recommended Texas A&M University as a good place to get an education. Now that it has added a course in the English Department called “Gay and Lesbian Literature” I need to reconsider. Generally, when a school dedicates entire courses to homosexuality its days are numbered as a university to be taken seriously.
Dr. Krista May now offers a course that “surveys the historical and social constructions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender identities, primarily as they are expressed in the literature of British and American writers.” That sounds innocent enough. But why spend a semester studying such a narrow aspect of literary works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries? The syllabus continues: “The course also investigates earlier literary periods in order to contextualize relatively recent notions of sexual identity by situating them within cultural and historical frameworks.”
The stated purpose of the course is to provide students with “a starting point for understanding historical concepts that inform contemporary notions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender identities …” This is done in order to challenge students to “think critically about strategies deployed in literary expressions of sexual identity.”
There is so much more to the reading in “Gay and Lesbian Literature” than the obvious Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Students also get to read The Columbia Anthology of Gay Literature as well as The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transformation from Female to Male.
Now that’s intellectual progress! Who said the Aggies were a bunch of backward hicks?”
I’d say that this worthless politically correct course is a self-inflicted Aggie joke. I think Mike gets it right when he now refers to TAMU as TEXAS GAY&M UNIVERSITY.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
WILL THIS EVER HAPPEN IN AMERICA?
With the growing influence of Islam, British teachers must now kowtow to Muslims.
CHRISTIAN TEACHER ‘FORCED OUT’ AFTER COMPLAINING MUSLIM PUPILS PRAISED 9/11 HIJACKERS ‘AS HEROES’
By Lucy Ballinger
Daily Mail
February 9, 2010
A Christian teacher yesterday claimed he was forced out of his job after complaining that Muslim pupils as young as eight hailed the September 11 hijackers as heroes.
Nicholas Kafouris, 52, is suing his former school for racial discrimination.
He told a tribunal that he had to leave his £30,000-a-year post because he would not tolerate the 'racist' and 'anti-Semitic' behaviour of Year 4 pupils.
The predominantly Muslim youngsters openly praised Islamic extremists in class and described the September 11 terrorists as 'heroes and martyrs'.
One pupil said: 'Don't touch me, you're a Christian' when he brushed against him.
Others said: 'We want to be Islamic bombers when we grow up', and 'The Christians and Jews are our enemies - you too because you're a Christian'.
Mr Kafouris, a Greek Cypriot, taught for 12 years at Bigland Green Primary School in Tower Hamlets, East London.
According to Ofsted 'almost all' its 465 pupils are from ethnic minorities and a vast proportion do not speak English as a first language.
The teacher claims racial discrimination by the school, its headmistress and her assistant head after they failed to take action about the comments made by pupils to him.
He said there was a change in attitude of the pupils after the atrocities of September 11, 2001. They told him: 'We hate the Christians' and 'We hate the Jews', despite his attempts to stop them.
He said he filled out a Racist Incident Reporting Sheet but claimed headmistress Jill Hankey dismissed his concerns.
In a statement submitted to the Central London Employment Tribunal he said: 'Miss Hankey proceeded to excuse and justify the pupil's behaviour, conduct and remarks to me as if I had no right to be offended by the child's remarks and conduct.
'Amongst Miss Hankey's justifications for the child's remarks, she said, "If the child was older, say 15, I might take it more seriously. He's only nine - he's only doing it to wind you up".'
He added: 'I felt the head's behaviour and conduct towards me amounted to direct religious discrimination. I was intimidated in the way she spoke to me which indicated "Don't come back with such issues again".'
Mr Kafouris, a bachelor, said the comments became more frequent after the head did nothing about the initial incidents.
CHRISTIAN TEACHER ‘FORCED OUT’ AFTER COMPLAINING MUSLIM PUPILS PRAISED 9/11 HIJACKERS ‘AS HEROES’
By Lucy Ballinger
Daily Mail
February 9, 2010
A Christian teacher yesterday claimed he was forced out of his job after complaining that Muslim pupils as young as eight hailed the September 11 hijackers as heroes.
Nicholas Kafouris, 52, is suing his former school for racial discrimination.
He told a tribunal that he had to leave his £30,000-a-year post because he would not tolerate the 'racist' and 'anti-Semitic' behaviour of Year 4 pupils.
The predominantly Muslim youngsters openly praised Islamic extremists in class and described the September 11 terrorists as 'heroes and martyrs'.
One pupil said: 'Don't touch me, you're a Christian' when he brushed against him.
Others said: 'We want to be Islamic bombers when we grow up', and 'The Christians and Jews are our enemies - you too because you're a Christian'.
Mr Kafouris, a Greek Cypriot, taught for 12 years at Bigland Green Primary School in Tower Hamlets, East London.
According to Ofsted 'almost all' its 465 pupils are from ethnic minorities and a vast proportion do not speak English as a first language.
The teacher claims racial discrimination by the school, its headmistress and her assistant head after they failed to take action about the comments made by pupils to him.
He said there was a change in attitude of the pupils after the atrocities of September 11, 2001. They told him: 'We hate the Christians' and 'We hate the Jews', despite his attempts to stop them.
He said he filled out a Racist Incident Reporting Sheet but claimed headmistress Jill Hankey dismissed his concerns.
In a statement submitted to the Central London Employment Tribunal he said: 'Miss Hankey proceeded to excuse and justify the pupil's behaviour, conduct and remarks to me as if I had no right to be offended by the child's remarks and conduct.
'Amongst Miss Hankey's justifications for the child's remarks, she said, "If the child was older, say 15, I might take it more seriously. He's only nine - he's only doing it to wind you up".'
He added: 'I felt the head's behaviour and conduct towards me amounted to direct religious discrimination. I was intimidated in the way she spoke to me which indicated "Don't come back with such issues again".'
Mr Kafouris, a bachelor, said the comments became more frequent after the head did nothing about the initial incidents.
A CAKEWALK FOR HOMELAND SECURITY
King Cake is a special cake baked in some countries and in cities that hold Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrations. We can all rest easier now that we know Homeland Security is preventing these cakes from blowing up by keeping terrorists from boarding airliners while carrying King Cakes filled with cream cheese or blueberry gels.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport's website contains this warning from Sean C. Hunter, Director of Aviation:
Many local travelers will be taking the Mardi Gras celebration with them to places outside of the area. A key component of the celebration is a King Cake. As delicious as a King Cake is, in an airport environment it could pose a security risk.
You can travel with a King Cake but there are some rules to follow. King cakes should be declared at the checkpoints. Plain king cakes, i.e., king cakes without filling, may be permitted through the checkpoints. Filled king cakes (king cakes with fillings such as cream cheese, strawberry, blueberry, etc.) will not be allowed through the checkpoints. Why? Because many of these king cake fillings may be prohibited as gels.
Passengers should pack filled king cakes in their checked baggage, or ship them in advance of traveling. Passengers should also arrive early enough to check any King Cakes that cannot be allowed through the checkpoint.
If you do not want to go through security with a King Cake but wish to still take one with you, check with some of our airport stores beyond the checkpoint. They plan to have King Cakes for sale.
As usual, your safety is our main concern at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. For this reason, our security will be in full force to handle any problem that might arise during the holiday season.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport's website contains this warning from Sean C. Hunter, Director of Aviation:
Many local travelers will be taking the Mardi Gras celebration with them to places outside of the area. A key component of the celebration is a King Cake. As delicious as a King Cake is, in an airport environment it could pose a security risk.
You can travel with a King Cake but there are some rules to follow. King cakes should be declared at the checkpoints. Plain king cakes, i.e., king cakes without filling, may be permitted through the checkpoints. Filled king cakes (king cakes with fillings such as cream cheese, strawberry, blueberry, etc.) will not be allowed through the checkpoints. Why? Because many of these king cake fillings may be prohibited as gels.
Passengers should pack filled king cakes in their checked baggage, or ship them in advance of traveling. Passengers should also arrive early enough to check any King Cakes that cannot be allowed through the checkpoint.
If you do not want to go through security with a King Cake but wish to still take one with you, check with some of our airport stores beyond the checkpoint. They plan to have King Cakes for sale.
As usual, your safety is our main concern at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. For this reason, our security will be in full force to handle any problem that might arise during the holiday season.
Monday, February 08, 2010
RETINAL SCANNER IDENTIFICATION
I’m sure the Right to Privacy crowd will have a ball with this one.
TEXAS SHERIFF’S OFFICE GETS RETINAL SCANNER
This technology is the latest in ID tools
El Paso Times
February 6, 2010
EL PASO, Texas — You are who your eyeballs prove you are. Persons can beat an ID check with fake paperwork, or even sanded-off fingerprints. But the El Paso County Sheriff's Office now has the latest technology in identification.
It's a retinal scanner said to be 12 times more accurate than fingerprints -- and a whole lot less expensive than DNA testing.
Ours is one of the first retinal scanners in operation. It came via a $10,000 grant from the National Sheriffs' Association. There is no cost to county taxpayers.
Once someone is scanned, the Sheriff's Office will have that person's retina data on computer. The scan identifies 235 eyeball points, all unique.
The Sheriff's Office plans to start its data bank using jail inmates. As time goes on, Sheriff Richard Wiles sees retinal scanners being placed in patrol cars.
So this is not all about the bad guys. Retinal scans can immediately ID lost elderly persons and missing children, too.
As theory goes, if retinal scans were to replace paperwork, waiting lines in all walks of life could be reduced. One's retinal data is even more "you" than your passport.
In the future, look for scanners at the international ports of entry. Criminals or persons with outstanding warrants would have a more difficult time entering the country. Others would have less hassle.
And if you're stopped on suspicion of criminal activity, and you didn't do the bad deed, the retinal-scan data bank can immediately set you free. And you might well get an apology from the law-enforcement officer.
"This is the future in law enforcement ... This will reduce the potential for taking the wrong individual into custody and things like that," Wiles said.
El Paso County is the first of 45 law-enforcement agencies to receive the retinal scanning technology.
Personal IDs are required in many walks of life -- bank transactions, airline travel, licenses ...
By using the latest technology, such as retinal scanning, we can be made safer and efficiencies improved in law enforcement and other areas.
EDITOR’S NOTE: One El Paso Times reader commented that “I guess you'll lose that million dollar bank account when you get an eye disease since it will change your eyes and they won't know who you are!”
TEXAS SHERIFF’S OFFICE GETS RETINAL SCANNER
This technology is the latest in ID tools
El Paso Times
February 6, 2010
EL PASO, Texas — You are who your eyeballs prove you are. Persons can beat an ID check with fake paperwork, or even sanded-off fingerprints. But the El Paso County Sheriff's Office now has the latest technology in identification.
It's a retinal scanner said to be 12 times more accurate than fingerprints -- and a whole lot less expensive than DNA testing.
Ours is one of the first retinal scanners in operation. It came via a $10,000 grant from the National Sheriffs' Association. There is no cost to county taxpayers.
Once someone is scanned, the Sheriff's Office will have that person's retina data on computer. The scan identifies 235 eyeball points, all unique.
The Sheriff's Office plans to start its data bank using jail inmates. As time goes on, Sheriff Richard Wiles sees retinal scanners being placed in patrol cars.
So this is not all about the bad guys. Retinal scans can immediately ID lost elderly persons and missing children, too.
As theory goes, if retinal scans were to replace paperwork, waiting lines in all walks of life could be reduced. One's retinal data is even more "you" than your passport.
In the future, look for scanners at the international ports of entry. Criminals or persons with outstanding warrants would have a more difficult time entering the country. Others would have less hassle.
And if you're stopped on suspicion of criminal activity, and you didn't do the bad deed, the retinal-scan data bank can immediately set you free. And you might well get an apology from the law-enforcement officer.
"This is the future in law enforcement ... This will reduce the potential for taking the wrong individual into custody and things like that," Wiles said.
El Paso County is the first of 45 law-enforcement agencies to receive the retinal scanning technology.
Personal IDs are required in many walks of life -- bank transactions, airline travel, licenses ...
By using the latest technology, such as retinal scanning, we can be made safer and efficiencies improved in law enforcement and other areas.
EDITOR’S NOTE: One El Paso Times reader commented that “I guess you'll lose that million dollar bank account when you get an eye disease since it will change your eyes and they won't know who you are!”
URINE TESTS FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS
This is a GREAT idea.
TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE --Words of wisdom from an unknown person:
Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes & the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.
In order to get that paycheck, in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem).
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
So, here is my question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT----doing drugs while I work.
Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could call the program "URINE OR YOU'RE OUT."
And while we’re at it, shouldn’t all members of the U.S. Congress and other political office holders have to pass a urine test too?
TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE --Words of wisdom from an unknown person:
Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes & the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.
In order to get that paycheck, in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem).
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
So, here is my question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT----doing drugs while I work.
Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could call the program "URINE OR YOU'RE OUT."
And while we’re at it, shouldn’t all members of the U.S. Congress and other political office holders have to pass a urine test too?
ISRAEL'S DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSE (3)
Even those who aren't particularly fond of Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, could get a good measure of satisfaction from this interview with British Television during last winter’s war against Gaza to stop Hamas' shelling of Israel.
The interviewer asked him this loaded question: "How come so many more Palestinians have been killed in this conflict than Israelis?"
Netanyahu: "Are you sure that you want to start asking in that direction?"
Interviewer: "Why not?"
Netanyahu: "Because in World War II more Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyone' s mind that the war was caused by Germany's aggression. And in response to the German blitz on London, the British wiped out the entire city of Dresden, burning to death more German civilians than the number of people killed in Hiroshima. Moreover, I could remind you that in 1944, when the R.A.F. tried to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen, some of the bombs missed their target and fell on a Danish children's hospital, killing 83 little children. Perhaps you have another question?"
The interviewer asked him this loaded question: "How come so many more Palestinians have been killed in this conflict than Israelis?"
Netanyahu: "Are you sure that you want to start asking in that direction?"
Interviewer: "Why not?"
Netanyahu: "Because in World War II more Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyone' s mind that the war was caused by Germany's aggression. And in response to the German blitz on London, the British wiped out the entire city of Dresden, burning to death more German civilians than the number of people killed in Hiroshima. Moreover, I could remind you that in 1944, when the R.A.F. tried to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen, some of the bombs missed their target and fell on a Danish children's hospital, killing 83 little children. Perhaps you have another question?"
Sunday, February 07, 2010
"I'M A U.S. MARINE AND A REPUBLICAN"
A Harley biker is riding by the zoo in Washington , DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.
The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.
A reporter has watched the whole event.
The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'
The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt, doing what was right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page... So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation Do you have?'
The biker replies, 'I'm a U.S. Marine and a Republican.'
The journalist leaves.
The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:
U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH
That pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.
The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.
A reporter has watched the whole event.
The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'
The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt, doing what was right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page... So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation Do you have?'
The biker replies, 'I'm a U.S. Marine and a Republican.'
The journalist leaves.
The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:
U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH
That pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.
WHAT A WEEPING WILLOW LEARNED FROM CONTACTS WITH CONVICTS (2)
ReentryConsultantOnline (“State Sanctioned Jail Break Supporter Defends The Indefensible” 1-22-10 & 1-24-10), who claims to be a long-time “Criminal Justice Practitioner,” remains consistent in his bleeding heart approach to prison inmates. In Bob Walsh’s words, “He is obviously a ‘warm and fuzzy care and treatment’ individual.”
On this occasion, ReentryConsultantOnline got upset with Centurion who responded to “What A Weeping Willow Learned From Contacts With Convicts” (2-5-10) with a clever parody spoofing Pat Finn, the These Days Producer at KPBS, who by visiting a prison became convinced that if you just give prison inmates an education and some job training, along with a few atta-boys, most of them will leave prison to become sterling citizens.
Here is Centurion’s parody:
"I once spent 7 hours discussing the animals in the San Diego Zoo, and I happen to own two cats, which makes me somewhat of an expert on the subject.
More recently, I actually toured the zoo. It is situated on 500 acres of land within the City of San Diego. It ain't the wilds of Africa, but it ain't the Roman Coliseum either.
I observed the animals interacting with each other and their keepers.
I am firmly convinced that most of these animals....if given some potty training....some socialization skills...maybe just a little more affection....would make excellent house pets, especially for families with young children.
I mean....it's like....real expensive to keep them in the zoo and all."
ReentryConsultantOnline apparently took Centurion’s spoof seriously because this is how he replied:
“Maybe Pat is viewing the problem with rose colored glasses; but, comparing inmates to animals in the zoo just exacerbates the problem, not help.
It is this sort of dehumanization which supports the, 'lock'em up and through away the key,' mindset which has caused the fiscal turmoil that is currently being experienced in California due to spiraling prison costs. Proposition 83-Jessica's law is another example of the consequences of such ideology.
Most of us would agree that we must protect our children but, this law is not accomplishing those goals.
I have to believe that both BarkGrowlBite and Centurion would agree, removing a sex offender from his family home, because he lives too close to a school, and depositing him in a fleabag motel where there are many children, who with their parents, are residing there with vouchers from local welfare agencies because they are homeless.
Where is the safety net? This is what occurs when you dehumanize the offenders, you end up with nonsensical propositions and decisions without the benefit of thorough assessments.”
Hey fellow, Centurion did not dehumanize inmates because he was not comparing them to animals. His zoo parody was meant to and succeeded in showing how foolish it was for Finn to come up with her conclusions after a short prison visit.
ReentryConsultantOnline complains about the "lock'em up and through away the key mindset." Sorry pal, but that just doesn’t compute. Without that mindset, our nation’s crime rate would be much higher than it is now.
ReentryConsultantOnline then switches tracks by claiming that Prop. 83 – Jessica’s Law – contributes to spiraling prison costs. I too am very critical of Jessica’s Law but only because when sex offenders are prohibited from residing within 2,000 feet of any school or park, they are in fact prohibited from living anywhere in most cities. A more reasonable distance, say no more than 1,000 feet, would seem to be called for.
If we could get ReentryConsultantOnline away from his defense of the indefensible we would probably find him to be a really swell guy. But as long as he continues to defend the early release of prison inmates, he is either a propagandist for the Governor and the Department of Corrections or just another weeping willow social worker.
On this occasion, ReentryConsultantOnline got upset with Centurion who responded to “What A Weeping Willow Learned From Contacts With Convicts” (2-5-10) with a clever parody spoofing Pat Finn, the These Days Producer at KPBS, who by visiting a prison became convinced that if you just give prison inmates an education and some job training, along with a few atta-boys, most of them will leave prison to become sterling citizens.
Here is Centurion’s parody:
"I once spent 7 hours discussing the animals in the San Diego Zoo, and I happen to own two cats, which makes me somewhat of an expert on the subject.
More recently, I actually toured the zoo. It is situated on 500 acres of land within the City of San Diego. It ain't the wilds of Africa, but it ain't the Roman Coliseum either.
I observed the animals interacting with each other and their keepers.
I am firmly convinced that most of these animals....if given some potty training....some socialization skills...maybe just a little more affection....would make excellent house pets, especially for families with young children.
I mean....it's like....real expensive to keep them in the zoo and all."
ReentryConsultantOnline apparently took Centurion’s spoof seriously because this is how he replied:
“Maybe Pat is viewing the problem with rose colored glasses; but, comparing inmates to animals in the zoo just exacerbates the problem, not help.
It is this sort of dehumanization which supports the, 'lock'em up and through away the key,' mindset which has caused the fiscal turmoil that is currently being experienced in California due to spiraling prison costs. Proposition 83-Jessica's law is another example of the consequences of such ideology.
Most of us would agree that we must protect our children but, this law is not accomplishing those goals.
I have to believe that both BarkGrowlBite and Centurion would agree, removing a sex offender from his family home, because he lives too close to a school, and depositing him in a fleabag motel where there are many children, who with their parents, are residing there with vouchers from local welfare agencies because they are homeless.
Where is the safety net? This is what occurs when you dehumanize the offenders, you end up with nonsensical propositions and decisions without the benefit of thorough assessments.”
Hey fellow, Centurion did not dehumanize inmates because he was not comparing them to animals. His zoo parody was meant to and succeeded in showing how foolish it was for Finn to come up with her conclusions after a short prison visit.
ReentryConsultantOnline complains about the "lock'em up and through away the key mindset." Sorry pal, but that just doesn’t compute. Without that mindset, our nation’s crime rate would be much higher than it is now.
ReentryConsultantOnline then switches tracks by claiming that Prop. 83 – Jessica’s Law – contributes to spiraling prison costs. I too am very critical of Jessica’s Law but only because when sex offenders are prohibited from residing within 2,000 feet of any school or park, they are in fact prohibited from living anywhere in most cities. A more reasonable distance, say no more than 1,000 feet, would seem to be called for.
If we could get ReentryConsultantOnline away from his defense of the indefensible we would probably find him to be a really swell guy. But as long as he continues to defend the early release of prison inmates, he is either a propagandist for the Governor and the Department of Corrections or just another weeping willow social worker.
POLARIS ATV TO BE USED BY SOLDIERS IN ENEMY TERRITORY
ISRAELI ARMY PURCHASES ATVs FOR RISKY TRANSPORT
Plan to enable soldiers to carry large amounts of equipment into enemy territory and operate independently.
By Yaakov Katz
Jerusalem Post
February 7, 2010
In an effort to improve IDF logistic capabilities, The Ground Forces Command has purchased dozens of Polaris all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that will be distributed to infantry battalions to transport supplies behind enemy lines.
Each battalion will receive a number of two-seater ATVs, which an IDF source said, could carry 700 kilograms of supplies in the back compartment, as well as at least one wounded soldier. The vehicles have a maximum speed of close to 80 kilometers-per-hour.
The ATVs arrived in Israel in December and infantry brigades have sent soldiers to bases in the South to learn how to operate them. The IDF purposely purchased the two-seater vehicles so one soldier can drive and the other is free to protect the vehicle.
IDF sources said that the ATVs would enable soldiers to carry large amounts of equipment into enemy territory and continue to operate independently even if they are cut off from regular military supply lines.
Plan to enable soldiers to carry large amounts of equipment into enemy territory and operate independently.
By Yaakov Katz
Jerusalem Post
February 7, 2010
In an effort to improve IDF logistic capabilities, The Ground Forces Command has purchased dozens of Polaris all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that will be distributed to infantry battalions to transport supplies behind enemy lines.
Each battalion will receive a number of two-seater ATVs, which an IDF source said, could carry 700 kilograms of supplies in the back compartment, as well as at least one wounded soldier. The vehicles have a maximum speed of close to 80 kilometers-per-hour.
The ATVs arrived in Israel in December and infantry brigades have sent soldiers to bases in the South to learn how to operate them. The IDF purposely purchased the two-seater vehicles so one soldier can drive and the other is free to protect the vehicle.
IDF sources said that the ATVs would enable soldiers to carry large amounts of equipment into enemy territory and continue to operate independently even if they are cut off from regular military supply lines.
CLASSIFIED AS LOW-RISK OR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS (3)
Here is yet another example of inmates who were classified as low-risk or non-violent offenders before they were released from prison:
ANOTHER NON-SERIOUS NON-VIOLENT HOMICIDE
By Bob Walsh
PacoVilla Corrections blog
February 6, 2010
Silvio Ruben Perea, G-27558, was on parole from a DUI with a prior. He is now in jail under suspicion of murdering his neighbor. He was paroled on February 1, 2009. I think they are having trouble with the Magic 8-Ball that miraculously predicts who will be violent and who will not be violent in the future. Damn, they are going to have to work on that.
ANOTHER NON-SERIOUS NON-VIOLENT HOMICIDE
By Bob Walsh
PacoVilla Corrections blog
February 6, 2010
Silvio Ruben Perea, G-27558, was on parole from a DUI with a prior. He is now in jail under suspicion of murdering his neighbor. He was paroled on February 1, 2009. I think they are having trouble with the Magic 8-Ball that miraculously predicts who will be violent and who will not be violent in the future. Damn, they are going to have to work on that.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
FORD FOUNDATION A STRONG SUPPORTER OF ANTI-ISRAELI GROUPS
The Ford Foundation, which is now based in New York, was chartered in 1936 in Michigan by Edsel and Henry Ford "to receive and administer funds for scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare."
Henry Ford had a history of anti-Semitism going back to 1915. According to Ford, the Jews were responsible for everything that was wrong with society. There was a mutual admiration between Ford and Hitler, with Adolf keeping a picture of Henry on his desk.
Ford was the publisher of The Dearborn Independent and The International Jew. The Dearborn Independent was a virulently anti-Semitic newspaper. The International Jew was a four-volume compilation of articles from the Independent purporting to show how the Jews were trying to take over the world. However, in the last years of his life, Ford who died in 1947, apologized for his anti-Semitic pronouncements and tried to make amends to the Jewish community.
Other than its name, the Ford Foundation has not had any connections to the Ford Motor Company nor the Ford family for over thirty years. However, the Ford Foundation seems to be following in Henry Ford’s original Jew hating footsteps. It has a history of providing financial support to vehemently anti-Israeli Arab groups and disburses millions of dollars annually to left-wing Israeli groups that accuse the Israeli army of war crimes and support anti-Israel campaigns abroad.
One of those groups, The far-left New Israel Fund (NIF), receives much of its money from the Ford Foundation. The NIF then used that money to support Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza. NGOs receiving financial support from the NIF made up the bulk of Israeli sources used by Richard Goldstone’s UN panel of inquiry that condemned the Israeli army’s conduct in last winter’s Gaza operation.
Henry Ford had a history of anti-Semitism going back to 1915. According to Ford, the Jews were responsible for everything that was wrong with society. There was a mutual admiration between Ford and Hitler, with Adolf keeping a picture of Henry on his desk.
Ford was the publisher of The Dearborn Independent and The International Jew. The Dearborn Independent was a virulently anti-Semitic newspaper. The International Jew was a four-volume compilation of articles from the Independent purporting to show how the Jews were trying to take over the world. However, in the last years of his life, Ford who died in 1947, apologized for his anti-Semitic pronouncements and tried to make amends to the Jewish community.
Other than its name, the Ford Foundation has not had any connections to the Ford Motor Company nor the Ford family for over thirty years. However, the Ford Foundation seems to be following in Henry Ford’s original Jew hating footsteps. It has a history of providing financial support to vehemently anti-Israeli Arab groups and disburses millions of dollars annually to left-wing Israeli groups that accuse the Israeli army of war crimes and support anti-Israel campaigns abroad.
One of those groups, The far-left New Israel Fund (NIF), receives much of its money from the Ford Foundation. The NIF then used that money to support Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza. NGOs receiving financial support from the NIF made up the bulk of Israeli sources used by Richard Goldstone’s UN panel of inquiry that condemned the Israeli army’s conduct in last winter’s Gaza operation.
AN OBVIOUS VICTIM OF POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST MINORITIES
Jose DeLaRosa, a scumbag with a criminal record, was terminally rehabilitated on Thursday by Harris County Sheriff’s deputies. His family says the cops murdered their beloved Jose and a civil rights attorney is condemning the officers for not lifting a finger to help the mortally wounded killer as he bled to death.
DeLaRosa had just shot four people, killing two women and critically wounding a man and another woman. He was spotted by deputies after he fled the scene in a car. They gave chase and DeLaRosa eventually crashed into a telephone pole. He emerged from the wrecked car and fired several shots at the deputies who responded by opening fire on this “obvious victim of police brutality against minorities.”. Over six minutes passed before paramedics arrived. It is true that from the time poor Jose was shot until the paramedics arrived, the deputies stood over the fallen killer and, rather than helping him, engaged in the usual bantering that cops do.
Now all the TV stations are questioning the cops’ behavior. Le me get this straight once again. Jose up and murders two people and wounds two others. When the cops catch up to him he tries to kill them. And they’re supposed to try to save this killer’s life? And because they don’t, now they’re murderers. Come on give me a break! These cops are heroes. Instead of condemning them, they should be hailed for saving the taxpayers the cost of a trial and imprisonment and for ridding the earth of a worthless piece of shit.
Here is a report of the incident from the Houston Press:
JOSE DELAROSA, TWO UNIDENTIFIED WOMEN, BAYOU BODY COUNT NOS. 28-30
By Chris Vogel in Bayou Body Count
houstonpress.com/hairballs/
February 5, 2010
It was a bloodbath near Aldine Thursday as three people were shot to death and another two were critically wounded. This one had a little bit of everything: men busting into homes guns blazing, a police chase, a horrific car accident and then a lawman ending it all with a flurry of gunfire.
It all started at about 4:20 p.m., Harris County Sheriff's investigators say, when they got a call about a shooting on Landfair St. near Aldine. When deputies got there, they found a woman who had been shot. But she was not the only one. She told the deputies to go over to the house across the street.
At 14201 Landfair, deputies found two women who had been shot to death and a man who was badly wounded. He said that two guys had broken the door down and burst into the house shooting, authorities say. The gunmen then stole a truck and sped off.
Authorities broadcast a description of the car and it didn't take long for deputies to spot it. They chased the driver for a while, but then the gunman crashed and rolled his truck. As he tried to run away, authorities say, he fired several shots at the deputies. Unharmed and fearing for their lives, the deputies shot back, killing the man. His name is Jose Delarosa, investigators say. The names of the people he is suspected of shooting have not released.
DeLaRosa had just shot four people, killing two women and critically wounding a man and another woman. He was spotted by deputies after he fled the scene in a car. They gave chase and DeLaRosa eventually crashed into a telephone pole. He emerged from the wrecked car and fired several shots at the deputies who responded by opening fire on this “obvious victim of police brutality against minorities.”. Over six minutes passed before paramedics arrived. It is true that from the time poor Jose was shot until the paramedics arrived, the deputies stood over the fallen killer and, rather than helping him, engaged in the usual bantering that cops do.
Now all the TV stations are questioning the cops’ behavior. Le me get this straight once again. Jose up and murders two people and wounds two others. When the cops catch up to him he tries to kill them. And they’re supposed to try to save this killer’s life? And because they don’t, now they’re murderers. Come on give me a break! These cops are heroes. Instead of condemning them, they should be hailed for saving the taxpayers the cost of a trial and imprisonment and for ridding the earth of a worthless piece of shit.
Here is a report of the incident from the Houston Press:
JOSE DELAROSA, TWO UNIDENTIFIED WOMEN, BAYOU BODY COUNT NOS. 28-30
By Chris Vogel in Bayou Body Count
houstonpress.com/hairballs/
February 5, 2010
It was a bloodbath near Aldine Thursday as three people were shot to death and another two were critically wounded. This one had a little bit of everything: men busting into homes guns blazing, a police chase, a horrific car accident and then a lawman ending it all with a flurry of gunfire.
It all started at about 4:20 p.m., Harris County Sheriff's investigators say, when they got a call about a shooting on Landfair St. near Aldine. When deputies got there, they found a woman who had been shot. But she was not the only one. She told the deputies to go over to the house across the street.
At 14201 Landfair, deputies found two women who had been shot to death and a man who was badly wounded. He said that two guys had broken the door down and burst into the house shooting, authorities say. The gunmen then stole a truck and sped off.
Authorities broadcast a description of the car and it didn't take long for deputies to spot it. They chased the driver for a while, but then the gunman crashed and rolled his truck. As he tried to run away, authorities say, he fired several shots at the deputies. Unharmed and fearing for their lives, the deputies shot back, killing the man. His name is Jose Delarosa, investigators say. The names of the people he is suspected of shooting have not released.
Friday, February 05, 2010
WHAT A WEEPING WILLOW LEARNED FROM CONTACTS WITH CONVICTS
Pat Fin is the These Days Producer at KPBS, a PBS member station that is owned by San Diego State University. Recently Finn visited the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, one of California’s state prisons. Here is what she reported learning from her contacts with convicts:
“Not only is prison a fundamentally sad and scary place, but in California it is also deeply counterproductive. Sure there are people who are actually pernicious and evil, and we all should be grateful to those who keep them away from the rest of us. But I believe that most of those in Donovan or San Quentin or Las Colinas are not really like that. I believe that if taught to read, or taught a trade, or discover that hope and parole are not empty words, that good behavior and self-improvement can mean redemption and that rehabilitation is a reality, then most of them -- some of them -- will become what we all want to be -- constructive and productive Americans."
How naïve! Finn, an obvious weeping willow, got conned by a bunch of convicts, something they’re really good at.
“Not only is prison a fundamentally sad and scary place, but in California it is also deeply counterproductive. Sure there are people who are actually pernicious and evil, and we all should be grateful to those who keep them away from the rest of us. But I believe that most of those in Donovan or San Quentin or Las Colinas are not really like that. I believe that if taught to read, or taught a trade, or discover that hope and parole are not empty words, that good behavior and self-improvement can mean redemption and that rehabilitation is a reality, then most of them -- some of them -- will become what we all want to be -- constructive and productive Americans."
How naïve! Finn, an obvious weeping willow, got conned by a bunch of convicts, something they’re really good at.
HOW MUCH IS THE STANLEY CUP WORTH?
How much is the Stanley Cup, North America’s oldest sports trophy, worth?
Ilya Kovalchuk has been the franchise player of the Atlanta Thrashers since the Russian superstar was drafted first overall in 2001. He is one of the NHL's leading offensive players, scoring 52 and 43 goals the last two seasons. Kovalchuk has already scored 31 goals this year in just 49 games played.
Kovalchuk will soon become an unrestricted free agent. Atlanta offered him a new $100 million contract but Kovalchuk wanted a max contract — $11.3 million per season. And he wanted it for the next 10 to 12 years. That left Atlanta with no choice but to trade him and that’s what they did yesterday when they sent him to the New Jersey Devils.
I am sure there was more to this trade than meets the eye. Was Kovalchuk just another greedy sports superstar or did he have a hidden motive? I don’t think greed had anything to do with his salary demands. He had to know that Atlanta would be forced to trade him and he was looking to land on a team that is a Stanley Cup contender, something the Thrashers have never been.
The Stanley Cup is so coveted by the NHL’s players that some of them would kill for it. The Devils were in contention for the Stanley Cup, and their chances of winning it have now been enhanced. And now Kovlacheck has a chance to have his name inscribed on the holy grail of ice hockey. That’s what he really wanted all along.
Of course there is no way of telling whether Kovalchuk will still be with the Devils next season. What with the NHL’s salary cap and his free agency, New Jersey may not be able to meet his salary demands. But in the meantime, both got what they wanted. The Devils now have a better chance to win the Stanley Cup and Kovalchuk now has a chance to have his name inscribed on the holy grail of hockey.
There is a downside to the trade. Atlanta has been struggling with attendance problems and some sports analysts believe that, without Kovalchuk in the lineup, the Thrashers will not be able to survive.
So how much is North America’s oldest sports trophy worth? At least a 100 million bucks.
Ilya Kovalchuk has been the franchise player of the Atlanta Thrashers since the Russian superstar was drafted first overall in 2001. He is one of the NHL's leading offensive players, scoring 52 and 43 goals the last two seasons. Kovalchuk has already scored 31 goals this year in just 49 games played.
Kovalchuk will soon become an unrestricted free agent. Atlanta offered him a new $100 million contract but Kovalchuk wanted a max contract — $11.3 million per season. And he wanted it for the next 10 to 12 years. That left Atlanta with no choice but to trade him and that’s what they did yesterday when they sent him to the New Jersey Devils.
I am sure there was more to this trade than meets the eye. Was Kovalchuk just another greedy sports superstar or did he have a hidden motive? I don’t think greed had anything to do with his salary demands. He had to know that Atlanta would be forced to trade him and he was looking to land on a team that is a Stanley Cup contender, something the Thrashers have never been.
The Stanley Cup is so coveted by the NHL’s players that some of them would kill for it. The Devils were in contention for the Stanley Cup, and their chances of winning it have now been enhanced. And now Kovlacheck has a chance to have his name inscribed on the holy grail of ice hockey. That’s what he really wanted all along.
Of course there is no way of telling whether Kovalchuk will still be with the Devils next season. What with the NHL’s salary cap and his free agency, New Jersey may not be able to meet his salary demands. But in the meantime, both got what they wanted. The Devils now have a better chance to win the Stanley Cup and Kovalchuk now has a chance to have his name inscribed on the holy grail of hockey.
There is a downside to the trade. Atlanta has been struggling with attendance problems and some sports analysts believe that, without Kovalchuk in the lineup, the Thrashers will not be able to survive.
So how much is North America’s oldest sports trophy worth? At least a 100 million bucks.
IRANIAN NUCLEAR THREAT NOT THE SAME FOR THE U.S. AS IT IS FOR ISRAEL
THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR QUESTION
By George Friedman
Outside the Box
John F. Mauldin, Editor
johnmauldin@investorsinsight.com
All along, Obama has focused on diplomacy on the Iran question. To be more precise, he has focused on bringing together a coalition prepared to impose "crippling sanctions" on the Iranians. The most crippling sanction would be stopping Iran's gasoline imports, as Tehran imports about 35 percent of its gasoline. Such sanctions are now unlikely, as China has made clear that it is not prepared to participate — and that was before the most recent round of U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan. Similarly, while the Russians have indicated that their participation in sanctions is not completely out of the question, they also have made clear that time for sanctions is not near. We suspect that the Russian time frame for sanctions will keep getting pushed back.
Therefore, the diplomatic option appears to have dissolved. The Israelis have said they regard February as the decisive month for sanctions, which they have indicated is based on an agreement with the United States. While previous deadlines of various sorts regarding Iran have come and gone, there is really no room after February. If no progress is made on sanctions and no action follows, then the decision has been made by default that a nuclear-armed Iran is acceptable.
The Americans and the Israelis have somewhat different views of this based on different geopolitical realities. The Americans have seen a number of apparently extreme and dangerous countries develop nuclear weapons. The most important example was Maoist China. Mao Zedong had argued that a nuclear war was not particularly dangerous to China, as it could lose several hundred million people and still win the war. But once China developed nuclear weapons, the wild talk subsided and China behaved quite cautiously. From this experience, the United States developed a two-stage strategy.
First, the United States believed that while the spread of nuclear weapons is a danger, countries tend to be circumspect after acquiring nuclear weapons. Therefore, overreaction by United States to the acquisition of nuclear weapons by other countries is unnecessary and unwise.
Second, since the United States is a big country with widely dispersed population and a massive nuclear arsenal, a reckless country that launched some weapons at the United States would do minimal harm to the United States while the other country would face annihilation. And the United States has emphasized BMD [Ballistic Missile Defense] to further mitigate — if not eliminate — the threat of such a limited strike to the United States.
Israel's geography forces it to see things differently. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth while simultaneously working to attain nuclear weapons. While the Americans take comfort in the view that the acquisition of nuclear weapons has a sobering effect on a new nuclear power, the Israelis don't think the Chinese case necessarily can be generalized. Moreover, the United States is outside the range of the Iranians' current ballistic missile arsenal while Israel is not. And a nuclear strike would have a particularly devastating effect on Israel. Unlike the United States, Israel is small country with a highly concentrated population. A strike with just one or two weapons could destroy Israel.
Therefore, Israel has a very different threshold for risk as far as Iran is concerned. For Israel, a nuclear strike from Iran is improbable, but would be catastrophic if it happened. For the United States, the risk of an Iranian strike is far more remote, and would be painful but not catastrophic if it happened. The two countries thus approach the situation very differently.
How close the Iranians are to having a deliverable nuclear weapon is, of course, a significant consideration in all this. Iran has not yet achieved a testable nuclear device. Logic tells us they are quite far from a deliverable nuclear weapon. But the ability to trust logic varies as the risk grows. The United States (and this is true for both the Bush and Obama administrations) has been much more willing to play for time than Israel can afford to be. For Israel, all intelligence must be read in the context of worst-case scenarios.
By George Friedman
Outside the Box
John F. Mauldin, Editor
johnmauldin@investorsinsight.com
All along, Obama has focused on diplomacy on the Iran question. To be more precise, he has focused on bringing together a coalition prepared to impose "crippling sanctions" on the Iranians. The most crippling sanction would be stopping Iran's gasoline imports, as Tehran imports about 35 percent of its gasoline. Such sanctions are now unlikely, as China has made clear that it is not prepared to participate — and that was before the most recent round of U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan. Similarly, while the Russians have indicated that their participation in sanctions is not completely out of the question, they also have made clear that time for sanctions is not near. We suspect that the Russian time frame for sanctions will keep getting pushed back.
Therefore, the diplomatic option appears to have dissolved. The Israelis have said they regard February as the decisive month for sanctions, which they have indicated is based on an agreement with the United States. While previous deadlines of various sorts regarding Iran have come and gone, there is really no room after February. If no progress is made on sanctions and no action follows, then the decision has been made by default that a nuclear-armed Iran is acceptable.
The Americans and the Israelis have somewhat different views of this based on different geopolitical realities. The Americans have seen a number of apparently extreme and dangerous countries develop nuclear weapons. The most important example was Maoist China. Mao Zedong had argued that a nuclear war was not particularly dangerous to China, as it could lose several hundred million people and still win the war. But once China developed nuclear weapons, the wild talk subsided and China behaved quite cautiously. From this experience, the United States developed a two-stage strategy.
First, the United States believed that while the spread of nuclear weapons is a danger, countries tend to be circumspect after acquiring nuclear weapons. Therefore, overreaction by United States to the acquisition of nuclear weapons by other countries is unnecessary and unwise.
Second, since the United States is a big country with widely dispersed population and a massive nuclear arsenal, a reckless country that launched some weapons at the United States would do minimal harm to the United States while the other country would face annihilation. And the United States has emphasized BMD [Ballistic Missile Defense] to further mitigate — if not eliminate — the threat of such a limited strike to the United States.
Israel's geography forces it to see things differently. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth while simultaneously working to attain nuclear weapons. While the Americans take comfort in the view that the acquisition of nuclear weapons has a sobering effect on a new nuclear power, the Israelis don't think the Chinese case necessarily can be generalized. Moreover, the United States is outside the range of the Iranians' current ballistic missile arsenal while Israel is not. And a nuclear strike would have a particularly devastating effect on Israel. Unlike the United States, Israel is small country with a highly concentrated population. A strike with just one or two weapons could destroy Israel.
Therefore, Israel has a very different threshold for risk as far as Iran is concerned. For Israel, a nuclear strike from Iran is improbable, but would be catastrophic if it happened. For the United States, the risk of an Iranian strike is far more remote, and would be painful but not catastrophic if it happened. The two countries thus approach the situation very differently.
How close the Iranians are to having a deliverable nuclear weapon is, of course, a significant consideration in all this. Iran has not yet achieved a testable nuclear device. Logic tells us they are quite far from a deliverable nuclear weapon. But the ability to trust logic varies as the risk grows. The United States (and this is true for both the Bush and Obama administrations) has been much more willing to play for time than Israel can afford to be. For Israel, all intelligence must be read in the context of worst-case scenarios.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
BEAN COUNTERS: TO HELL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY
The bean counters’ solution to fixing Los Angeles’ $218 million budget shortfall – stick it to the police and fuck the public’s safety in order to save $69.3 million.
BUDGET ANALYST SUGGESTS L.A. CUT POLICE
By Bob Walsh
PacoVilla Corrections blog
February 4, 2010
A budget analyst has suggested that the LAPD could save over $69 million by the simple expedience of cutting way back on it's police department. The suggestion would be to eliminate 616 current probationary officers and back off on plans to hire another 106 cops.
As one might expect, the prospect of thousands of released criminals running around the streets combined with a significant reduction in the police force is not appealing to the taxpayers or a number of the city council.
Additionally, LAPD has what is possibly THE MOST restrictive gun permit policy in the state. For many, many years the LAPD had issued only ONE gun permit, that was to a guy they hired from out of state as the Chief of Police who had not passed the POST test to get certified in California. They had to loosen up slightly in response to lawsuits, but it is still an almost impossible task, leaving only cops and criminals with guns.
BUDGET ANALYST SUGGESTS L.A. CUT POLICE
By Bob Walsh
PacoVilla Corrections blog
February 4, 2010
A budget analyst has suggested that the LAPD could save over $69 million by the simple expedience of cutting way back on it's police department. The suggestion would be to eliminate 616 current probationary officers and back off on plans to hire another 106 cops.
As one might expect, the prospect of thousands of released criminals running around the streets combined with a significant reduction in the police force is not appealing to the taxpayers or a number of the city council.
Additionally, LAPD has what is possibly THE MOST restrictive gun permit policy in the state. For many, many years the LAPD had issued only ONE gun permit, that was to a guy they hired from out of state as the Chief of Police who had not passed the POST test to get certified in California. They had to loosen up slightly in response to lawsuits, but it is still an almost impossible task, leaving only cops and criminals with guns.
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