Moving blog here

http://wp.me/p4UeNv-3

Kim Jong Il says "MORE COWBELL"

From the "You CAN'T make this shit up" department comes this gem from the KCNA (North Korean News). Go about halfway down for the line that will make all SNL viewers explode:

New Symphonies Created
Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- New symphonies have recently been created by the State Symphony Orchestra of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Orchestral pieces "Cantata to Marshal Kim Il Sung" and "Reach for Ultramodern Science," symphonic poem "For My Only Motherland" and other numbers are of high ideological and artistic value.

In particular "Reach for Ultramodern Science," reflecting the spirit of the times, gives a representation of the Korean people pushing ahead with the building of a thriving nation.

Orchestral piece "The Sound of the Cowbell", unique in composition, rich in colors and different in means of performance, reminds the audience of vast, affluent fields.

Orchestral music "'My Home Village', Selection of Korean Famous Songs" makes a deep impression on the audience for its significant theme and for the large scale, rich sound and diversified colors of the performance.

Also included in the new program of the orchestra are string quartet "Father's Best Wishes", violin ensemble "Let's Drink a Toast" and other instrumental pieces and foreign music.

Copyright (C) KOREA NEWS SERVICE(KNS) All Rights Reserved.

Yeah, don't want to step on the Commies intellectual rights. I'd actually be interested to hear some of these to see if they sound any good or if they are just ripping off western composers (like, who in N. Korea would know, and could they say HOW they know without being arrested for that illegal satellite dish).
But "Reach for Ultramodern Science" sounds like a Les Baxter song. A song with that title needs to use a theramin.

Why do I think this email is a scammer?

Recieved by my yahoo email account. Maybe I should have some fun with him.

ROBERT MUELLER III
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON D.C
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP
INTERNET


ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY,



We believe this notification met you in a very good present state of mind and health. The Federal bureau of investigation (FBI) Washington,D.C in conjunction with some other relevant Investigations Agencies here in the United states of America have recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you presently have a transaction going on with the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE as regard to your over-due contract payment which was fully endorsed in your favor accordingly.


It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facet and of which you have the lawful right to claim your fund without any further delay. Having said all this, we will further advise that you go ahead in dealing with the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE accordingly as we will be monitoring all their services with you as well as your correspondence at all level.


In addition, also be informed that we recently had a meeting with the British GOVERNMENT AND DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE, in the person of The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Sir Paul Stephenson along with some of the top officials of the ministry regarding your ATM card and they told me that the total sum in the ATM card is $10,650,000.00 (Ten Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) and they told me that the only thing that is holding your ATM card is the shippment fee ($220) . They also told us that the only problem they are facing right now is that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating the Executive Governor and the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE.



We were also made to understand that a lady by the name Mrs. Joan C.Bailey from OHIO has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary documentations evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally by you prior to the release of your contract fund valued at about US$8,000,000.00 (Eight million united states dollars),but the Barclays Bank office did the wise thing by insisting on hearing from you personally before they go ahead on wiring your fund to the Banking information which was forwarded to them by the above named Lady so that is the main reason why they contacted us so as to assist them in making the investigations.


We were further informed that we should warn our dear citizens who must have been informed of the contract payment which was awarded to them from Barclays Bank, to be very careful prior to this irregularities so that they don't fall victim to this ugly circumstance. And should in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming to be from the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE, you are further advised to STOP further contact with them in your best interest and then contact Immediately the real office of the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE


We advice you to send the sum of $220 to tham so that they can ship you ATM card to you with out any delay and also you have to send to them your information that you want him to ship your ATM card to. Find below his contact address that you will contact and send the sum of $220 to them at once.


NAME: MR. GARY HUSTON
OFFICE ADDRESS: DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE,
15th/16th New Scotland Yard,Broadway,London,SW1H 0BG,UNITED KINGDOM
Email : huston.swiftcent@live.co.uk
Cell : +447956337992


NOTE:


In your best interest, any message that doesn't come from the above email address should not be replied to and should be disregarded accordingly for security reasons. Meanwhile, we will advise that you contact the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE immediately with the above email address and request that they attend to your payment file as directed, so as to enable you receive your ATM card.


To this effect, you are required to reconfirm and authenticate the information below for certainty and onward processing and release of your ATM card as we will not be held liable for any wrong payment.



YOUR FULL NAME:
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE:
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
SEX:
AGE:



Ensure you follow all their procedures as required by them as that will further help hasten up the whole procedures as regard to the cliam of your ATM card. Also have in mind that the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE equally have their own protocol of operation as stipulated on their banking terms, so delay could be very dangerous. Once again, we will advise that you contact them with the above email address and make sure you forward to them the sum of $220 for the shippment only. all the necessary information which they may require from you prior to the release of your ATM card to you accordingly.


All modalities has already been worked out even before you were contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about.


All we require from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us be on track with you and the DIRECTORS FOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTRE. Without wasting much time, we will want you to contact them immediately with the above email address so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as time is already running out.


Should in case you need any more information in regard to this notification, feel free to get back to us so that we can brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this project has been completely perfected and you have received your ATM as stated.


Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.


Best Regards,


Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.

Great things to come?

OK, have to start out with one picture:

That is, reportedly, our 44th President Barack H. Obama, circa the early 1970s as a pirate.


I know, I used the middle initial, not something a good libtard like myself is supposed to do. What can I say? Apparently Barry shares his middle name with Jesus, so I am going to use it. I also like to think of it as standing for "Hopey."


Anyway, just like the Freepers warned us, there's your new President ready to make some scalliwag walk the plank. Or maybe Sean Hannity. And what do I have to match it? Why this:



That's Xavier B. Mac. No, B is not for some Kenyan-American or obscure character from the Old Testament (look it up), but look at his obvious glee as he contemplates sending Fox News "commentators" to Davey Jones' locker.

Maybe that wasn't what he was thinking about, but I'll work on him. And for now I will consider this an auspicious pair of images.

If I can get a pic of Barry in a dinosaur costume I'll post another costume-themed blog on the old Tubernet.

Hopefully this will stop a stupid anti-Obama email

Hopefully this will open the eyes of our nation before it's too late!
* A Response to a stupid chain email

* A family relation sent another closer family member the following when she found out that I’m voting for Obama, even though he’s (black). And I knew that mattered to these folks, but I didn’t realize they bought into the following. Mind you, my people aren’t responsible for inventing this, its obviously an email myth spread around the tubes of the internets.
I’m not a cultural genius or a religious scholar, so the following are my ideas of the proper responses. Maybe I made some mistakes myself. But this is just dumb and I had to try SOME response.
The following original text is cut and pasted from the way it got to me with a few blank spaces and >>> thingees taken out, but generally no attempt to correct spelling, change wording, etc.

>>>
>>> > CAN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS?
* Because of course there haven’t been Muslims in America for more than what, 2 years so we can’t just look down the street and say “how good of Americans are those folks?”

>>> > This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to Finish and send it on to anyone who will read it. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. Can a good Muslim be a good American? This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following is his reply:
* First a general problem, a logical fallacy here I think falls under “Appeal to Authority.” This WHOLE thing is based on the opinions of one guy who lived in the most severe Islamic country. We aren’t told who this guy is, so maybe he never existed, but if he did, we have no way of verifying whether he is a noted theological and cultural expert or a crank who also thinks the Apollo landings were faked. Even if you grant his opinions to have a degree of credence, your still saying you can judge the range of beliefs among a billion and a half people in a hundred countries by the experiences of one guy who’s visited a couple of those countries and talked to, what, a few thousands, tops?
Even given his expertise, he's criticizing worldwide Islam because of practice in Saudi Arabia, home to Wahabi extreme Islam. That's sort of like writing a criticism of worldwide Christianity based on your time in a Mormon-separatist/polygamist compound.

>>> > Theologically - no. . . . Because his allegiance is Allah, The moon God of Arabia.
* I don’t know the etymology of Arabic words but I do know that Muslims believe Allah to be their word for the God of Abraham and Moses and, although they believe very different things about his ultimate importance, Jesus of Nazareth.

>>> > Religiously - no. . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256)(Koran)
* I looked this verse up on an online English translation of the Quran, and it seems an odd verse to quote for this assertion. Like Christianity, Islam sees itself as, essentially, the only way a truly pious person is supposed to seek God. But that verse is apparently used by some people to argue AGAINST strong-arming people into Islam; I’ve read interpretations that the verse means people will believe what they want to so it's no good trying to force them. Sort of off your point, you may want to find a better verse to make your case.

>>> > Scripturally - no. Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
* Hmmm, didn’t the Romans make this argument against Christians? Isn’t this a potential problem for every religious believer if he believes his core values are in conflict with those of the state? Can you state some specifics about these five pillars and statements in the Quran that totally prohibit Muslims from paying their taxes, raking their leaves, attending the local PTA meetings and everything else big and small you’d associate with good citizenship?


>>> > Geographically - no . Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
* Sounds like an argument that was made against Kennedy in 1960—“He’s a Catholic and you know they all get secret orders straight from Rome.” So they bow towards a city, that doesn’t stop any Muslims in Egypt, Lebanon Iraq, etc. from being hyper-nationalistic about their own country. It doesn’t even stop some Muslims in Saudi Arabia from being terribly opposed to their own government which oversees Mecca. Why couldn’t they be patriotic here?


>>> > Socially - no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
* Wait, this is just false. The best proof is that our current President (Bush 43) and his father (41) are good friends with several Saudi princes. There’s one prince that’s supposed to be such good friends of the Bush family that he’s called “Bandar Bush.” George HW Bush was reported to be meeting with his good friends the Bin Laden family on 9/10/2001.
But… if Obama is a Muslim who can’t have non-Muslim friends, why are you constantly pointing out his supposedly disreputable non-Muslim friends?


>>> > Politically - no. Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.
* Couple things. Islam DOES mean “submission,” but to God, not specific earthly leaders or power structure. Islam has no “Vatican.” There are at least 2 major divisions, the Sunnis and Shi’a, and dozens of smaller schools of thought. Some mullahs do teach death to Israel and America, but lots of others teach the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Unlike certain Christian churches that DO suggest its followers must follow the specific teachings of a very defined set of leaders. That said I’ll grant that there are some Muslims undoubtedly under the sway of certain mullahs or imams in a cult-like total devotion fashion. But that’s not true of all 1.5 Billion in Islam.


>>> > Domestically - no. Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34)
* I want to make sure the person passing this around was not a prior supporter of Mitt Romney, because his church also has this potential problem. A FEW modern Muslim countries seem to encourage polygamy, but I don’t think all do, and I am talking countries where Muslims have their own way. Plus, while the verse you quote approves of marrying multiple wives, it doesn’t say every man has to marry exactly four. It was written at a time when their people lost a lot of people in war and that was their idea of how to take care of the widows and orphans. Not my preferred solution for TODAY’S widows, but I’d think someone who lived in Saudi Arabia would know that bit of historical context.
To the second part—I’m not a fan of what I perceive as a general Muslim attitude toward women, but that attitude is differs between Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Indonesia and American Muslims.

>>> >
>>> > Intellectually - no. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
* First, a BIG misconception to lance. While the US Constitution was created by people who knew the Bible with an intimacy modern theology students might not have, they did not make it the “basis” for the Constitution. What part of Genesis was used to delineate the separation of duties between the House and Senate? The Constitution had its basis on English law, colonial practice and some brilliant new invention by those old white guys in Philadelphia.
Second part, find me a quote from a Muslim who actually condemns the US Constitution. Usually Islamic critics are unhappy with a perception of the way we use more concrete military or economic power, or our “decadent” culture (in ways similar to conservative Christians). I don’t hear Osama complaining about the way the powers of the judiciary are laid out in Article 3, he just hates foreigners in any part of his native country.



>>> > Philosophically - no. . . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
* You’ve blindly stumbled on almost a good point. There’s a problem of bad governments across the Islamic world. EXCEPT Turkey is a multi-party democracy that has a way to go but is steadily improving, and Lebanon was making impressive strides toward healthy democracy… until Israel bombed them to the stone age destroying the political clout of all parties except Hezbollah. Oh, and despite grievances Muslims participate in the Democratic process in India, and India has the SECOND LARGEST population of Muslims in the world.


>>> > Spiritually - no. Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' the Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran's 99 excellent names.
* Well, here’s an area that my lack of expertise requires me to give you a point. Let’s make that a half-point. I have no idea if the Quran ever calls God “love” or “father,” and so I'll agree it doesn't. Although I don’t understand how this makes a difference on whether Muslims can live and work in Harmony with Christians, Jews, Agnostics and whatnots. Certainly the fact that Christian translations and interpretations of the Bible that DID call God those things has not prevented a few Christians from doing horrendous things; from the occasional lone crazy serial killer to the organized atrocities of the Ku Klux Klan or Jim Jones.


>>> > Therefore, after much study and deliberation....
>>> >
>>> > Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and good Americans.
* Because that’s what made America great—drawing lines through our neighborhoods and deciding who was a good American and who should sit in the back of the bus. While we’re at it, wasn’t our country more powerful before we let Catholics, Jews and Mormons participate fully in civic life? Maybe we should put THEM in their place too.


>>> > Call it what you wish it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future. The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. . ..
>>> >
>>> > And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT to be kidding! Wake up America !
* Even if all the above were true PROVE THE ASSUMPTION OBAMA IS A MUSLIM!!! Last I heard, everyone was mad at Obama for attending the wrong Christian church for so long. If he’s a Muslim, what’s with the Rev. Wright controversy. I suggest you choose why you hate him and stick to that.


>>> > Obama even says if he wins the election, he will be sworn in on the Quran---not a Bible!
* Where did he say this? Give us a source. But I suppose this is part the NEXT section…

>>> > Footnote: He was sworn in on the Quran for his current office and he refuses to pledge allegiance to the United States or put his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played!
* Sworn in: No he was not. You are thinking of Keith Ellison, a congressman from Minnesota elected in 2006. Ellison set off a mini-firestorm when HE used a Quran in the unofficial photo recreation that some Congressmen get. Oh, and, by the way, Ellison used THOMAS JEFFERSON’S Quran in that incident. And the Republic survived.
* Pledge & anthem: This stupid thing again. Give me your source for the pledge refusal. I’ll point out that the urban-legend website Snopes.com has a section on this issue. It includes an incident where he MAY not have properly been covering his heart during what is reported to be the national anthem. There are also several pictures purporting to be him properly pledging or antheming and a video clip of him DENYING this charge. In case you want to say he was lying or pretending in those clips, I’ll remind you the statement here indicated he was OPENLY hostile to the pledge and anthem, while I can find records of him OPENLY promising to abide by the pledge and anthem protocol.

The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.
* All of them said this?
Hello! Having a Muslim president would seem to fit the bill! Will you trust this man with our national secrets?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
>>> >
>>> > THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S.
* Let me find the link about the growing number of Obama yard signs appearing on young family housing sections of US Marine bases.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-tucker/younger-military-families_b_133183.html?page=6 Don’t portray this as Obama supporters against Patriots, there are people who love their country on both sides of the spectrum.

>>> >
>>> > Please don't delete this until you send it on.
* Oh you know I won’t.

One other note. I was heartened to learn while writing this at home that my Word for Mac X program wants me to change “Obama” to “Boatman,” unlike my Word 2000 for Windows at work that keeps suggesting “Osama.” Did Karl Rove do any consulting with Microsoft?

Screw loose Change Blog

I am adding the Screw Loose Change Blog to my favorites links. It is a refutation of 9/11 theories and one popular conspiracy video particularly. If you have had anyone tell you that 9/11 was caused read this blog and... I thought I had another but I guess I'll have to get that one later.

Conspiracy lovers always say they want people to open their eyes and see the truth, but actually it is they who engage in the self-blinding and magical thinking. Anyone who brings a serious answer to one of their charges, the answer is either ignored (often they will keep repeating long-discredited arguments) or claim the source of the answer is one of "them." Legitimate truth seekers, even when they have a point, realize when they made mistakes. Darwin and Einstein got things right but also admitted when they got things wrong and found a new answer.


Heres another blogspot site:
http://911conspiracysmasher.blogspot.com/

The Stupid LA Rail System, With Suggestions

OK, I started as a believer, but I am moving to critic and maybe even a foe.

I mean the LA Light Rail and Subway System. When I first moved to LA I really liked it and did not understand why everone was bad mouthing it. Well, I had to admit there was not enough to make a serious dent in transportation problems. Then there are design flaws from the beginning like all the routes have only 2 tracks, one for each way. Where are the tracks for express routes, especially on that long downtown to Long Beach Run? And why so many street grade crossings. Even with the Gold Line to Pasadena AFTER so many fatal accidents on the Blue Line. There should be a law to NEVER have a street crossing again, to either go over or under all streets. If it costs more, then don't build it till you can afford that.

And now as it ages, especially the downtown parts, I am tempted to join the other side and oppose any new construction of rail if they are going to continue running it like THIS.

I have been finding that the downtown stations, especially the Pershing Square stop, are falling apart. Increasing water marks on the tunnel walls. Tiles that are cracking, peeling and coming up. Bird poop collecting on the exit stairwells, even dead bird carcasses (hello West Nile and Avian flu viruses).

And on the LA MTA website is news of a 'Bike to Work Day' Promotion which seems to overlook that because you are banned from taking your bike on the trains at rush hour when you would most need to, and because they provide no security and take no responsibility for stolen bikes at their stations, they have taken all the practicality of biking to work out of the picture. Is it possible that LA's mass transit is STILL run as a subsidiary of an automobile manufacturer?

But here is an idea to help, at least on the degrading infrastructure problem. First let me mention another flaw in the MTA's planning by outlawing (with hefty fines) eating and drinking on the trains. I can in my car, isn't it SAFER for me to do so on the train where I can't crash because I dropped my bagel? Isn't this yet another thing that would ENCOURAGE ridership if you allowed it?

Anyway, my suggestion. Not only lift this ban, but use some of the very generous space in those stations to rent to small food/drink vendors (like I've seen in large New York subway stations) and vending machines on the streetcar platforms. Then earmark the rent money for a fund to repair station infrastructure, hire people to ride the trains and visit stations cleaning up the small amount of extra trash generated, and perhaps any surplus into a fund to help clean grafitti on busses. I'd also accept advertising in those stations and trains (just like in busses) if it meant a cleaner ride.

So how about it MTA? Are you interested in taking suggestions and SERVING the people you are supposed to instead of just proclaiming what they should have?

IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT FOR INTERNET USERS

To protect your internet freedom right check out --
www.savetheinternet.com/

Do not confuse it with the "Hands off the Internet" group, which is an astroturf organization pretending to be grass roots protecting all of our internet access rights...

... BUT IS ACTUALLY an industry group wanting to be able to restrict and charge more for internet access. Specifically they want to fight "network neutrality" which says that when you spend you $20 or $40 or whatever per month for internet access it all comes to you at the same speed.

Without this your provider could make it faster to access, say, Amazon.com, and then SLOWER to access say iTunes. This is especially bad if you want to watch live webcasts or used VOIP. The big service providers could virtually wipe these services out if they are not required to be Net Neutral. This is exactly what government is SUPPOSED to regulate--making the playing field level for all businesses so the small companies can show us their new technologies and large companies don't force us into inferior forms simply because they have the monopolies that can kill competition.