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Friday Funnies and Open Thread

I'm told this is the most popular screen-saver in the U.S. (If he gets stuck, just move him with your cursor or right-click and press play.)

Here's an open thread to begin the holiday weekend.

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  • Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:05:37 AM EST
    This screen saver is far more entertaining than the real thing.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:42:22 AM EST
    I can't have that on my SS. The guy gives me the creeps. I have a wanted poster on the wall behind my computer screen, and even that bothers me. But it should be a minimum penalty that, as a US citizen, I should be forced to gaze upon his image for the duration of his time in office.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#3)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:46:08 AM EST
    Jondee - You want, you get. Jondee - Just for you.
    and our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says:-- Whoever amongst us is killed (i.e. martyred), shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, ....Volume 4, Book 53, Number 386
    70 or 72? Such a problem.
    It is in the Islamic Traditions that we find the 72 virgins in heaven specified: in a Hadith (Islamic Tradition) collected by Al-Tirmidhi (died 892 CE [common era
    Dark-eyed virgins sheltered in their tents (which of your Lord's blessings would you deny?) whom neither man nor jinnee will have touched before." The word hur occurs four times in the Koran and is usually translated as a "maiden with dark eyes".
    Modern apologists of Islam try to downplay the evident materialism and sexual implications of such descriptions
    More
    A Palestinian Authority religious leader encourages the striving to achieve Shahada by promising numerous rewards for those dying as shahids, including "72 dark eyed" - the 72 virgins.
    PA social and religious teaching promises great heavenly rewards for shahids, those who die for Allah. One of the rewards promised in PA Islam, is "72 dark eyed," - the Maidens of Paradise


    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:52:59 AM EST
    Give Iran is the beacon of enlightenment that it is, how else is a young man ever going to set eyes on a woman. Strap that bomb on, me hormones is playing up.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:30:32 AM EST
    Eeh bah gum lass, what is it that you're trying to inflict on us? If I didn't know better I might be thinking that you had the traits of one of two groups in this real estate tale. The Marquis de sade's chateu was placed on the market for fifteen million francs. The masochists offered twenty million. The sadists turned them down.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#6)
    by HK on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:52:34 AM EST
    I love this video ~ Karaoke for the deaf. Not political, but it might make some of you laugh. You don't have to know the song, but you do have to listen to the words. And it's one of those that when you watch it again, you see things you didn't see the first time.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:59:05 AM EST
    Some still believe the word of Bush actually means something for that in itself is worth a ton of laughs.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:15:46 AM EST
    A reminder; Fleet week is underway. Go to pier 88 to visit the ships including the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious helo carrier. Buy the sailors a beer.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#10)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:24:33 AM EST
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:25:30 AM EST
    Oh Lord above Send down a dove With wings as sharp as razors To cut the throats Of all the blokes That sells bad beer to sailors (not original)

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#12)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:31:41 AM EST
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#13)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:45:20 AM EST
    Jondee - You want, you get. ;-)

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#14)
    by profmarcus on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:49:13 AM EST
    i watched the clip of bush saying this... it was so painful, i put my hand over my eyes and just shook my head... he looked like the schoolyard bully who was caught by the teacher punching out another kid and being forced to apologize even though he didn't mean a word of it...
    Q: Mr. President, you spoke about missteps and mistakes in Iraq. Could I ask both of you which missteps and mistakes of your own you most regret? PRESIDENT BUSH: It sounds like kind of a familiar refrain here. (Scattered laughter.) Saying "Bring it on." Kind of tough talk, you know, that sent the wrong signal to people. That I learned some lessons about expressing myself maybe in a little more sophisticated manner. You know, "Wanted dead or alive," that kind of talk. I think in certain parts of the world it was misinterpreted. And so I learned -- I learned from that. And, you know, I think the biggest mistake that's happened so far, at least from our country's involvement in Iraq, is Abu Ghraib. We've been paying for that for a long period of time. And it's -- unlike Iraq, however, under Saddam, the people who committed those acts were brought to justice; they've been given a fair trial and tried and convicted.
    how about the people who AUTHORIZED those acts, you know, the ones up the chain of command...? what about THEM...? http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#15)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:55:23 AM EST
    PPJ - Its an evil religion and they're all terrible people who should be exterminated from the face of the earth. Happy? Now go google the Baruch Goldstein Memorial and explain to us why we never hear about those people. Oh thats right, they're not sitting on land that you and your pals want to confiscate.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#16)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:59:42 AM EST
    That you dont mind associating yourself with "Christians" like that just proves what shameless, warmongering trash you've allowed yourself to become. Ever heard of Blessed are the Peacemakers?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#17)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 05:10:45 AM EST
    Bush isnt fit the drink from Lincolns muddy foot prints Tweety.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#18)
    by DonS on Fri May 26, 2006 at 05:45:46 AM EST
    Its always helpful and inspiring to have real experts in comparative religion explain the nuances of less accessible faiths to the great unwashed, even when religious scholars of those scriptures differ amongst themselves. Where would we be indeed without these prescient keyboard giants?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 05:47:59 AM EST
    Jondee - You don't like facts? Why ask? He believed paradise held the promise of 72 virgins for single men, but only 23 if a man had been married on earth, as he has... 'We kill to get peace,' said Samudra, adding that his message to the United States and Australia - which lost 88 citizens in the Bali bombing - was 'I win. Link
    The boy's father, 54-year-old Hassan Hotari, reports Kelley, says he is "very happy and proud of what my son did and, frankly, am a bit jealous." Hotari's son was responsible for the June 1 terrorist bombing outside a disco in Tel Aviv - the worst such incident in four years. "I wish I had done it. My son has fulfilled the Prophet's (Mohammed's) wishes. He has become a hero! Tell me, what more could a father ask?"
    That's what? 6? I got 213,000 more to go. Tell us again about the courage of "suiciders," Squeaky.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#20)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 05:49:33 AM EST
    DonS - Where would you be? You have shown us.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:10:05 AM EST
    Yeah lookin down at you in the sewer.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#22)
    by DonS on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:16:25 AM EST
    Jim, you know this is a lefty site. And you know you insist on rubbing every crackpot right wing meme in our faces, well, just because you can. . . while maintainig that you are a "social liberal". I think it would do you a lot more good to take up bowling or something like that rather than get your rocks off titlting at windmills here. But I've felt that for years, and you persist. I suppose you believe you are engaging in honest and enlightening debate. You're not. You have rarely shown and open mind, but a mighty ego.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:50:54 AM EST
    On a more serious note: Critics Blast Bush For Not Praying Hard Enough
    "Every time the president is criticized, he insists that the nation is in his prayers," said the Family Research Council's Bob Jensen. "That may be, but it's becoming more and more clear that these prayers are either too infrequent, too brief, or not strongly worded enough to be effective." Jensen added: "This nation deserves more than a president who just pays lip service to prayer. It deserves a president who demands that his prayers get real-world results." ... The White House Office of Communications, which has denied any wrongpraying, released transcripts of Bush's inner dialogues with God from May 12 through Oct. 22, 2005 and tried to paint the president as "very close" to the Almighty, saying he speaks with Him "regularly."


    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#24)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:57:16 AM EST
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#25)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:04:06 AM EST
    They filled up Blackburn Lancashire (sp?) He has an in-your-face base.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#26)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:04:22 AM EST
    PPJ your crap doesn't support your orignal statement. Go back and support your entire statement and prove it. Finding a couple of people who say what you want them to say doesn't prove anything. Or if I adopt your reasoning then all Christians are homophobic, anti-muslim, anti-sex extremists who want to control the government, women's bodies. Using your logic I can safely say that Fred Phelps speaks for all Christians. Christians when they died for their religion were supposed to go to heaven also. Just no virgins, but Christianity, especially catholicism, never was much fun.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#27)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:17:16 AM EST
    Good one, Jondee. I never thought of it that way!

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#28)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:34:52 AM EST
    I like the bit about Bush's prayers not being "strongly worded enough." Are you gonna make me come up there God? Dont make me come up there!

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#29)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:37:47 AM EST
    Oral George? Send in yer votes today folks, gawd's about ready to call me back to that big bottle and mirror in the sky?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#30)
    by HK on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:46:47 AM EST
    Re: Bush and his conversations with God As it happens, I don't believe in either of them. But if such dialogue did exist, I wonder which one of them is it who isn't listening.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#31)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:51:48 AM EST
    Cheney said. "If something's wrong with those prayers, I would suggest that it's perhaps the fault of a supernatural entity. But it's not the president's. He is doing his duty."

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#32)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 07:56:47 AM EST
    Heh! HK, you caught me with that last one! At first I though you meant you didn't believe in the conversations, or in god... I'm a little slow on the uptake this morning. Heh!

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#33)
    by Edger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 08:02:28 AM EST
    Jondee? I think that 100+ is his base, no?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#34)
    by Peaches on Fri May 26, 2006 at 08:32:52 AM EST
    Peaches - So, in your world only those who do unpopular things have "moral courage?"
    Jim, That's right.
    In my experience it takes moral courage to put yourself at risk, especially if by doing so you will also put your loved ones at risk. The citizen who leaves his wife and family to fight for country must have a high belief in the morality of his actions and from that he draws his moral and physical courage.
    Possibly, or maybe he or she just needs some money for college. Maybe, he or she never beleived they would actually see a combat situation. Maybe he or she got all caught up in the army commercial he or she saw during the Super Bowl. Maybe he or she believed the myth about the glory of war... lots of possibilities that I would place ahead of moral courage for joining the military.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#35)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 08:43:39 AM EST
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri May 26, 2006 at 08:56:50 AM EST
    Peaches, Or maybe he or she was trying to avoid jail time. Seriously, there were several people in my old Army unit that were there because they copped a plea. I wasn't one of them. My problem was I was deluded enough to think I was actually protecting the Constitution of the United States. The same one that George Bush takes a big healthy sh*t on after waking up each day, while the usual suspects applaud heartily.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#37)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:35:29 AM EST
    DonS - As Popeye said, "I am what I am." As for honest debate, it is difficult to discuss something with someone whose response is always to call someone "liar." Never the less, I do try, and every now and then, typically on subjects like health care, drug reform, gay rights we come somewhat together. My comment to Jondee comes from the "Suicider" thread, in which Squeaky claimed that suicide bombers are courageous. My response was that they are not because of the promise of paradise and 72 virgins they have. That is it doesn't take courage when you believe that the act you do results in great personal reward. In the midst of all of this Soccerdad decided that he needed proof of something that pulls 219,000 Google hits. And then Jondee decides to join in. My comment was: Ab absurdo - From the absurd (establishing the validity of your argument by pointing out the absurdity of your opponent's position) Jondee goes into a spasm over the use of the words, "exact promise," so I'm giving him a few links that show the relationship between that belief and the "suiciders." He of course wants first to parse, and when given references he wants to deny the accuracy. That's typical. I give you an example of his claims. Posted by Jondee May 25, 2006 10:30 PM As with torture, ppj is against atrocities - but, prove they dont work. No links, no proof, just an attack that is so ill stated that I would think that the Left would try to say it came from Bush. So now you understand the links.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#38)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:37:57 AM EST
    Jondee:
    They filled up Blackburn Lancashire (sp?)
    Actually, the 4,000 holes in Blackburn were potholes in the roads there. What they filled was the Albert Hall. And since this is an open thread, you may find the history of A Day in the Life interesting.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#39)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:40:08 AM EST
    soccerdad - No. Only if they died in a state of grace. But no matter, that's not part of the christian faith and hasn't been for a long, long, time. And that is the difference. The Catholic church was reformed. Islam has not been. It remains a religion of conquest and war. But just keep on ignoring those 219,000 hits...

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:47:29 AM EST
    I just heard some gurgling noises coming from the sewer again. Anybody else hear that?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#41)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:48:55 AM EST
    Cymro - It remains their masterpiece IMHO.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#42)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:52:03 AM EST
    Peaches - Yes, some have joined for the reasons you note. That doesn't mean that they don't have moral and physical courage. At least they didn't join looking or 72 virgins. ;-) Moral courage by itself is too easy to claim. I give you Jean Roche who was playing to a homefield crowd, making comments she knew no one would raise a hand against, yet making claims of courage. I find that is a trait well established in the Left side of our politics.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#43)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:55:50 AM EST
    Jondee - That is the truth fighting free of the garbage you have thrown out in a futile attempt to keep it down. 219,000 Jondee, 219,000. Guess you can't figure out how to Google. Figures. SD - And you just sound so happy that the economy might turn bad. Oh well, that is just so you.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#44)
    by roger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:58:50 AM EST
    So, does W speaking to hand-picked crowds prove him a coward?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#45)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:59:59 AM EST
    They sure wont find 'em in red Colorado. And what an eloquent rejoinder to Roche: almost word for word what McCains chief aide said in rebutal. What are the odds?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#46)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:12:38 AM EST
    SD - And you just sound so happy that the economy might turn bad. Oh well, that is just so you.
    Its all a delusion in that little mind of yours. What else are the voices telling you?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#47)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:14:36 AM EST
    Roger - No, and neither does Jean Roche speaking to a homefield crowd prove that she is a coward. But it doesn't prove that she has "moral courage," either, yet she claims it. Bush doesn't claim it.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#48)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:16:12 AM EST
    Jondee - Prove either of us wrong. You can't, and we both know it.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#49)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:18:41 AM EST
    Slandering an entire religion practiced with many different variations by four billion people world-wide. If Jim wasnt such a widely recognized scholar of world religions, I'd swear he was attempting to promulgate fear, hatred and bigotry.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#50)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:25:08 AM EST
    As long as its just a religion and not a race, I guess you're allowed to do that here. Oh, wait..

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#51)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:43:32 AM EST
    The Catholic church was reformed. Islam has not been. It remains a religion of conquest and war.
    There is a meaningless non sequitur for you. Campaign finance was reformed as well. Islam has also been reformed. The apt comparison here is fundamentalist christians and their Armageddon fantasies. Religious extremists, like ppj, would tell you anything, drink the kool aid. Mighty refreshing. Not to mention that a large proportion of suicide bombers are not even religious. The 72 virgins has long been debunked as a primary reason these people blow themselves up. It is a way of changing the subject and discounting the act as the only political option left for these people. Here are some statistics regarding the widespread phenomena of Suicide Bombing in Iraq:
    2004 Total attacks: 26,496 Improvised bombs: 5,607 Car bombings: 420 Suicide car bombings: 133 Suicide bombers wearing explosive vests: 7 2005 Total attacks: 34,131 Improvised bombs: 10,593 Car bombings: 873 Suicide car bombings: 411 Suicide bombers wearing explosive vests: 67
    bbc
    The use of the term "martyr" for a suicide bomber is a very recent innovation by Islamist radicals. Traditional Islam forbids suicide and a suicide would never have been considered a "martyr" in classical Islam. You can't interpret a religion with 1.3 billion members that has dominated much of the Old World for 1400 years through the lens of the last 20 years in Gaza-Israeli relations. If you do, it leads you to look like a total idiot and frankly, a fascist.]
    ppj paints with a very wide and ahistorical brush. link
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#52)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:47:35 AM EST
    ppj paints with a very wide and ahistorical brush.
    I think the word you're looking for is "smears" ;-)

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#53)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:47:37 AM EST
    dipped in warmed-over wingnut horse sh*t.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#54)
    by Peaches on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:51:15 AM EST
    Jim, I am unsure of who you are refering to--Jean Roche? I was making a distinction between physical and moral courage in the case of war and suicide bombers (who are fighting their own brand of warfare. In both cases their are people who hold up the actions (killings and death) of soldiers and bombers as heroes with great courage. I am saying that we are talking about physical courage in this case which is different from moral courage. I think it takes great moral courage to refuse to inflict violence on your enemies--to face death while turning the other cheek. IT may not be a good strategy, but it takes moral courage. It also takes moral courage to tell your comrades in war that the actions they are taking are wrong--that we should not abuse this prisoner, that we should not take the pains of our lossess out on the civilains in a local population. To go against your unit takes courage that most of us do not possess. As far as suicide bombers and the 72 virgings go, it really doesn't matter. Heaven is what we make of it. Christains have their pearly gates and everlasting happiness and the bombers are promised virgins for their everlasting happiness. In both cases, no one can be sure how much faith each individual actually has when coming face to face with death. Either way, I am saying this is not an example of moral courage. At best, it can be considered a case of physical courage for walking into almost certain death. The one with the greatest courage would tell his superiors that he was not going to follow through with his mission because he does not want to take innocent life. He (or she) cannot justify it for the cause. This would take moral courage and could also lead to his or her death at the hands of his superiors. Have you seen Paradise Now. Interesting movie about the psychology of a suicide bomber in Palestine.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#55)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 11:31:59 AM EST
    Peaches writes:
    As far as suicide bombers and the 72 virgings go, it really doesn't matter. Heaven is what we make of it. Christains have their pearly gates and everlasting happiness and the bombers are promised virgins for their everlasting happiness.
    The difference is vast. Christians aren't "suciders" and their religion doesn't urge it. Go back and read some of the links:
    The Prophet said, 'Nobodbe killed 10 times for the sake of the great honour that has been bestowed upon himy who enters Paradise will ever like to return to this world even if he were offered everything, except the martyr who will desire to return to this world and '." [Sahih Muslim, chapters 781, 782, The Merit of Jihad and the Merit of Martyrdom.]
    As for turning the other cheek, MLK and Gandhi both won wars doing that. Problem is the battles were wihin a culture that was civilized and respects life. I wouldn't recommend that with the terrorists. Squeaky - Juan Cole? Really? You regard him as a source that is accurate? Link Jondee, SD.... You have my links, prove them wrong. Obviously you can't, so you agaun resort to personal attacks.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#56)
    by Peaches on Fri May 26, 2006 at 11:48:13 AM EST
    The difference is vast. Christians aren't "suciders" and their religion doesn't urge it. Go back and read some of the links:
    Jim, You are smarter than that. I am talking about courage. I already said I am not going to say a suicide bomber is couragous. You are outraged by the quotes you link to. So am I. We can also be outraged by some of the things said by Christains in the name of our religion. Fundamentalist Islamic culture is a problem for the peaceful existence of communities in the world. But set your emotions aside for one second and try and understand what I am saying--you don't have to agree. We don't know where an individuals faith is at during the moment of death or what he or she believes in. We all face going to the light by our lonesome selves. What is promised us by our religious and political leaders might mean nothing at this time. Nobody has ever come back to reveal to us exactly what we will experience. That is all I am saying. Thus, there is no separation between a suicide bomber and the combat soldier as far as courage in the face of death.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#57)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 11:56:22 AM EST
    PPPJ - your quote does not prove suicide it could apply to any death defending Islam. Not to mention your reference is not mainstream Islam. BTW frontpage is worse that newsmax, they wouldn't know the truth if it bit them, just like you. It is of course the height of hypocrisy for the king of snark to whine about mean postings. But as we have said many times in the past bullies can hand it out but can't take it. Well I've had enough of talking to this $%&&^%#$% for today. TaTa.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#58)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 11:58:58 AM EST
    Juan Cole? Really? You regard him as a source that is accurate?
    yes I do ppj. Like to point to some of his inaccuracies. How bout it ppj? Running on empty again? Cole is what you call a scholar. His area of expertise id the ME. He is known as an arabist. Here is his CV. And here he describes his experience. Your moonie times smear on him had zero credibility. It is a direct product of the AIPAC lobby.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#59)
    by roger on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:03:12 PM EST
    Who is Jean Roche? When did she become the President of the US?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:20:32 PM EST
    Some interesting stats on terror investigations and NSA spying from Justin Rood:
    Two years ago, White House budget documents showed that the FBI in 2003 had 23,785 open terror investigations. For a country that hadn't seen a terrorist attack in two years, that was a lot of terrorist investigations! The previous year, 2002, they had something like 12,000 open terror probes; the stat was around 9,000 in 2001. That's odd, isn't it? Despite the absence of terrorism, the FBI was continuing to open thousands of new terrorism investigations every year. What to make of it?
    Worth a read via war and peace

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#61)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 12:30:31 PM EST
    Here are some mp3s from Dylan: Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds, Acura Stage, April 28, 2006. link via robot wisdom

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#62)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:00:15 PM EST
    There's certain kind of fundie says you gotta abstinate, Others chuck rocks if you find a little playmate. When all said and done, These religions can't be fun. If she wants to put out don't you hesitate. 21 00 bst

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#63)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:14:18 PM EST
    40, 50 years ago in the U.S it was still socially acceptable in some parts of the country to denigrate an entire race; today the racists spiritual offspring - who changed their clothes but never took a bath - think they're free to vent their hatred on 4 billion adherents of a religion. Tomorrow it'll no doubt be some other race or religion, but the rotten stink will be the same as its always been.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#64)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:33:40 PM EST
    Its no accident that he likes to link to a Klansman-quoting "Jacksonian."

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#65)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 01:57:19 PM EST
    MSNBC is reporting that Hayden's been 'easily confirmed' As my display name suggests, I am Canadian so my understanding of the constitution does leave a little to be desired. That said, it was my understanding that having Hayden as head of the CIA was unconstitutional. I hope someone can provide some insight.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#66)
    by Peaches on Fri May 26, 2006 at 02:07:27 PM EST
    it was my understanding that having Hayden as head of the CIA was unconstitutional.
    Canuck, I am no constitutional scholar and I am an American, but I don't think there is anything about the CIA that is constituional. In fact, some feel the entire organization is CONSTITUTIONALLY ILLEGAL For the following reasons:
    · THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ENTITY. THIS AGENCY WAS NOT SET UP WITHIN THE BASIC FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, WHICH REQUIRES A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES. · THIS AGENCY IS THE ONLY AGENCY WHO'S BUDGET, PERSONEL, DOCUMENTS ETC. IS TOP SECRET AND UNAVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS MOST GOVERNMENT LEADERS. · THIS AGENCY IN THE PAST AND MOST PROBABLY NOW TOO, CLOAKS THEIR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR BEHIND THE SHEILD OF NATIONAL SECURITY, AND THEREFORE ARE IMMUNE FROM ANY POLICE AND SUBSEQUENTLY PROSECUTORIAL ACTION.


    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#67)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri May 26, 2006 at 03:03:23 PM EST
    What about that shooting today at the What Do You Call Wing At The White House. Underground in a parking structure. What was really funny is FOX News (may god bless them cause they ain't got no souls at least that's what it appears to be a bunch of Bush clones in disguise,only the look is different but the brain is the same)thought that is was a national emergency. So what was so tragic yesterday was it a coverup so they could mourn Kenneth Lay or was it that gay apperance with the British Prime Minister that we are supposed to digest. Or Or

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#68)
    by soccerdad on Fri May 26, 2006 at 04:32:14 PM EST
    Iraq is improving, as long as you're not wearing shorts

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#69)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 05:35:17 PM EST
    The neocons are pulling us all down the rabbit hole.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#70)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 26, 2006 at 09:45:01 PM EST
    Squeaky - Running on empty? Have you read the link? Obviously not. Jondee - And I see you still would rather be ignorant of what your enemy said than actually read it and understand him. Your inability to understand context is either terribly limited or you just want a phony reason to complain. Of course in your case it could be both. Oh well, logical thinking is not for all of us.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#71)
    by jondee on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:08:17 PM EST
    ppj - I'll decide who my enemies are. And right now your nitwit-elect, his rapacious band of mayberry machievellis and you are at the top of the list. Go peddle your racist neocon swill somewhere else before Frontpage and Powerline run out of things for you to say.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#72)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:11:10 PM EST
    PPJ-Yes, I read that piece of slander. It is cowardly smear propaganda generated from AIPAC. You and your friends Pipes and Hitchens et al are obviously part of the campaign to smear Juan Cole in order to derail an appointment at Yale. You are reprehensible. The smear is laughable and utterly transparent. He will get the appointment at Yale.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#73)
    by squeaky on Fri May 26, 2006 at 10:19:27 PM EST
    Cheney's secrecy violates an executive order.
    So what he is DIck Cheney. Number two Unit.
    The Office of the Vice President failed to report statistics regarding Cheney's classification and declassification activity in 2005, defying an executive order requirement that he do so. The Office of the Vice President has declined to report such data since 2002.
    think progress

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#74)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:04:31 AM EST
    Squeaky - Of course he will get appointed by Yale. What does that have to do with your question? Yale has sunk so low that they have allowed a member of the Taliban to attend classes. This is truly a damning indictment of the collapse of our so-called "elite" schools. As for Cole, the article had lots of links. Which one of them were wrong? Have another glass of the Leftie Kool Aid Special, Squeaky. Do you want Green or Red? Jondee - Who was it that said a man is known by his enemies? I am honored. Peaches writes:
    We don't know where an individuals faith is at during the moment of death or what he or she believes in
    You are begging the issue. I don't think it especially interesting as to the state of the "suicider's" mind as they blow themselves up, killing innocent people around them. I do care about how they got there, and you should too. The links I provided Jondee and Squeaky show in great detail what the fringe element of the Islam faith is thinking and doing. It is that group that is a problem, and it is that group that must be controlled.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#75)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:13:00 AM EST
    Roger - You should get out more often. ;-) Jondee - I just can't resist quoting you.
    ppj - I'll decide who my enemies are.
    Remember that the first time you run up against a mugger, a murderer or some variation of truly bad people who want nothing less than to harm you. Note I didn't mention OBL. Since you won't serve in the military there is no chance that would happen. You may, of course, get to experience the fruits of his labors, as 3000 of us did on 9/11. Which brings me to this question. Do you consider OBL an enemy of the Country? Of you?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#76)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:15:45 AM EST
    More than 500 Iraqi scientists and academic professors have been assassinated in the past three years by hit squads operating in Iraq with the complicity and assistance of US forces. The assassinations have apparently been carried out by Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, according to a report from Aljazeera dated May 09, 2206 carried by Axis Of Logic:

    According to the report, which was referred to the U.S. president George W. Bush, Mossad agents had been operating in Iraq with the aim of liquidating Iraqi nuclear and biology scientists, among other scientists, and prominent university professors.

    The report also outlines a presentation by Dr Ismail Jalili titled "Plight of Iraqi Academics", in which he detailed Mossad crimes against the Iraqi scientists at at Madrid Cconference in late April of this year.

    There has been to my knowledge virtually zero coverage or reprinting of this report by any western mainstream media, although USA Today did print a previous article datelined Baghdad January 25, 2005 stating that:

    about 300 academics and university administrators have been assassinated in a mysterious wave of murders since the American occupation of Iraq began in 2003. About 2,000 others, he says, have fled the country in fear for their lives.

    Where is the ostensible progress being made daily in rebuilding Iraq since the invasion. How can the assassinations of so many of the scientific academic leaders upon which Iraqi progress would be based be squared with the stated goals of the US government of building freedom and democracy in Iraq?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#77)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:18:24 AM EST
    It seems that no one would touch this subject or no one who has claimed that the invasion of Iraq is and/or was justified in any way has addressed my two questions in the Tuesday open thread, so here's a second chance

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#78)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:25:22 AM EST
    Come on guys. I know you can do it. I hve faith in you, dontcha know? :-) Thinking up good reasons for murdering scientists and academicians should be a breeze. A cakewalk for you, no? Need some help to get started? Like maybe the scientists were really the WMD's we all knew were there? Let's see - you could always rely on that old standby, the doctrine of preemption. They might learn something. Better kill 'em now. Get their kids too, before they grow up as smart as their parents. Hmmm? Or just try outright denial. After all the report was first published by Aljazeera. No credibility there, right? There you go - "It never happened!" Denial - the perfect defence. Or you could just ignore the issue altogether? hey, that might work, huh? Come on guys. Use your imagination...

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#79)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:51:35 AM EST
    And no one dare Disturb the sound of silence. Fools said I, you do not know Silence like a cancer grows. Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you. But my words like silent raindrops fell, And echoed In the wells of silence

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#80)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 08:01:58 AM EST
    From the report:
    • The assassinations, kidnaps and threats to life forcing academics and doctors to leave Iraq do not follow any religious or sectarian pattern.
    • The only dominant pattern is that the absolute majority of victims are ethnically Arabs.


    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#81)
    by squeaky on Sat May 27, 2006 at 11:02:44 AM EST
    ppj
    Squeaky - Of course he will get appointed by Yale. What does that have to do with your question?
    It has everything to do with the slanderous article you posted. Joel Mowbray arch neocon columnist wrote that piece and others as part of an organized attack on Cole. The point of the smear was to derail the appointment of Juan Cole, an eminently qualified arabist scholar, to a prestigious seat at Yale. There are very few academic scholars to chose from that can compete with Cole in his areas of expertise. Yale will be lucky to have him. Here is his response to John Fund's smear in the opinion page of the WSJ. It was also written to derail Cole's appointment.
    Yale has sunk so low that they have allowed a member of the Tailban to attend classes. This is truly a damning indictment of the collapse of our so-called "elite" schools
    Better tell your president because the last I heard the Taliban is our mortal enemy. Wonder why Sayed Rahmatullah Hashemi is not in some Military prison? Could calling Hashemi a member of the Taliban be a smeary slip of ppj's propaganda pen? He is a moslem it is true. Hate to let you in on the news but Yale is also accepting Jews, Blacks, and (horrors) Mexicans. The comparison is meant only to smear by false association. Or is Cole Taliban too? Comprable to a student? Odd that John Fund makes the same comparison. It is called yellow journalism. Echo chamber ppj at work. You have shown your cards and are clearly part of the organized campaign to cleanse our Universities from any that do not fit a neocon profile. Yes there are blacklists. People who have never read a book in their lives are lobbying to get people like Juan Cole blacklisted from Academia. You have joined the ranks of the most extreme yellow bellied cowards who ruin people because of their political religious beliefs. Hitler, Stalin, McCarthy, all are part of your crowd. You are a certified coward. How did you like the smear Mowbray did on General Zinni? His other propaganda pieces are similar. Nice to see that you have shed your 'social liberal' costume and come out as a full fledged neocon operative on an ugly mission. What you and your peers are attempting to do to the American university system should send a chill down every americans's back. It is ugly, mean, and truly unamerican. Clearly McCarthy is your hero. Do you also subscribe to Discover the Network.org a guide to how to smear the political left? I am sure that there are others as well in your bookmark file. Here is their mission statement:
    The stated mission of the Gamaliel Foundation (GF) is "to be a powerful network of grassroots, interfaith, interracial, multi-issue organizations working together to create a more just and more democratic society."
    link By smearing intellectuals with the goal of having them fired from their University they are fighting for a more democratic society? Right, ethnic cleansing first and then democracy later. David Horowitz is a big contributer to your academic smear machine. He is also an editor of Front Page magazine (your Cole smear link), a certified yellow journalism site. His book The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America is full of lies and smears much like the unfounded garbage you regularly post here. His research is on par with your Cole piece. It is garbage. Shoddiest academic standards imaginable published by the 'stellar' Regnery Publishing co. A wingnut hatchet operation. You have no credibility here and are associating with a very evil group of political operatives who stoop to the lowest form of slander and libel in order to reshape america in the neocon ideal.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#82)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 12:14:45 PM EST
    With the help of a generous infusion of cash from the very same people who thought investigating blowjobs should take precedence over the other pressing needs of the nation. Yeah, those are the visionary types we want guiding our destiny,

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#83)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 12:59:51 PM EST
    ppj - People like you, Bush, and the rest of the chickensh*t hawks will always insure that this country has steady supply of OBLs into the forseeable future. Its your first duty right after keeping your ownselves out of harms way and making sure "the moment of crisis" is always an exploitable moment-of-oppurtunity.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#84)
    by squeaky on Sat May 27, 2006 at 01:10:11 PM EST
    Bush lies to West Point Cadets: WaPo
    When the United Nations Security Council gave him one final chance to disclose and disarm, or face serious consequences, he refused to take that final opportunity. So coalition forces went into Iraq and removed his cruel regime. And today, Iraq's former dictator is on trial for his crimes _ and America and the world are better off because Saddam Hussein is no longer in power.
    Not how I remember it.
    The only problem with that line of argument, of course, is that the UN didn't support going to war. The US flouted the will of the international community, fanning the flames of anti-Americanism. It thus is disingenuous, at best, for Bush to cite UN resolutions as a justification for the war.
    Professor Bainbridge agrees.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#85)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 01:33:55 PM EST
    Another leftie professor, put his name on the list. "I have here in my hand the names of 163 people in the State Department.."

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#86)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 02:57:42 PM EST
    Squeaky - Nonsense. No one thinks that there is any way possible for Cole to NOT be appointed. I ask again for some specific information on the claims in the article. If you have none, then all you can say that it is your opinion. You have a real potty mouth Squeaky. Everyone who disagrees with you is an evil person that must be squelched. I am glad I don't live in your world. Always in the shadows, always making claims, but never any evidence, just another round of claims. Again The claims in the article are specific. Prove that they are wrong. Quit trying to change the subject. edger writes:
    After all the report was first published by Aljazeera. No credibility there
    Couldn't have said it better myself.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#87)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:15:11 PM EST
    ppj - So you're claiming those people arnt trying to thwart Coles appointment as your "nobody thinks he wont get the appointment" suggests? Who here do you think buys that not-even-imaginative b.s? Thats right up there with Mission Accomplished was refering to a successful ocean voyage. As the ship-of-fools founders more each day, you're becoming increasingly a desperate parody of yourself.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#88)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:17:24 PM EST
    Pretty pathetic.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#89)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:36:27 PM EST
    That dishonest, bandwidth devouring hack stays, but Charlie gets the boot. Makes perfect sense to me.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#90)
    by squeaky on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:42:18 PM EST
    Squeaky - Nonsense. No one thinks that there is any way possible for Cole to NOT be appointed.
    Right ppj. All those words in the right wing blogosphere and the WSJ by your pals did not think so. If they did they wouldn't have wasted the effort and a huge smear effort it was/is. potty mouth?? whatever I have said is but a fleck compared to the foulness of your neocon smear effort. McCarythy would be proud, may he rot in his grave. You are his progeny. The claims are all smears. You do not know anything about Cole first hand. If you did you would know that the vicious campaign to discredit him is a load of neocon sh*t.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#91)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:43:29 PM EST
    "Couldnt have said it better myself" But the powerline, Frontpage and the people that fund B.J investigations are supposed to have credibility. Heimlich maneuvre time again!

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#92)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:47:05 PM EST
    Jondee writes:
    Posted by Jondee May 26, 2006 02:33 PM Its no accident that he likes to link to a Klansman-quoting "Jacksonian."
    Been kind of a busy day, Jondee, but I didn't forget this little snarky remark because it shows you off perfectly. Your remark comes from a previous similar remark made either by you or someone else who was/is also as uninformed as you. The Link. Now let us examine some of what the author wrote:
    Despite historical experiences that would have completely alienated many ethnic minorities around the world, American black popular culture remains profoundly--and, in times of danger, fiercely--patriotic. From the Revolution onward, African Americans have sought more to participate in America's wars than to abstain from them, and the strength of personal and military honor codes in African-American culture today remains a critical factor in assuring the continued strength of American military forces into the twenty-first century.
    Now. tell us how a "Klansman" would write such a statement. The author further quotes:
    As Hiram W. Evans, the surprisingly articulate Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, wrote in 1926, the old stock American of his time had become... a stranger in large parts of the land his fathers gave him. Moreover, he is a most unwelcome stranger, one much spit upon, and one to whom even the right to have his own opinions and to work for his own interests is now denied with jeers and revilings. 'We must Americanize the Americans,' a distinguished immigrant said recently
    Notice how this "fan," if we believe Jondee, says "surprisingly articulate.." That isn't a comment one would make of someone you admire. And the author notes:
    The old nativist spirit, anti-immigrant, anti-modern art and apparently anti-twentieth century, still had some bite--Ku Klux crosses flamed across the Midwest as well as the South during the 1920s-- but it all looked like the death throes of an outdated idea.
    Now that was another remark that could not be made by a KKK person. And then we find the point.
    What came next surprised almost everyone. The tables turned, and Evans' Americans "americanized" the immigrants rather than the other way around. In what is still a largely unheralded triumph of the melting pot, Northern immigrants gradually assimilated the values of Jacksonian individualism. Each generation of new Americans was less "social" and more individualistic than the preceding one. American Catholics, once among the world's most orthodox, remained Catholic in religious allegiance but were increasingly individualistic in terms of psychology and behavior ("I respect the Pope, but I have to follow my own conscience"). Ties to the countries of emigration steadily weakened, and the tendency to marry outside the group strengthened.
    Jondee, you like to make claims, yet you are so closed minded that you won't take the time to read an article that notes how Jackson brought an improved democracy to the country, and how these ideas grew and morphed until they incorporated all races, religions and people. The Democratic Party of my father, and my youth, came from that. You so love to attack me because I have mentioned the article that you attack an author who quotes a klansman while that very author is using the klansman's own words to show how the power of democracy and American culture destroyed the Klan. You have defined yourself, Jondee. We can see you clearly. ... .

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#93)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 03:54:25 PM EST
    Jondee writes:
    ppj - So you're claiming those people arnt trying to thwart Coles appointment as your "nobody thinks he wont get the appointment" suggests?
    You continue to demonstrate such a desire to attack that you never take the time to read. I didn't say they are trying to prevent Cole from being employed, just that nobody thinks he won't get the job. Two completely separate statements. Squeaky writes:
    The claims are all smears.
    The claims are well defined and very specific. Prove them wrong. According to you that shouldn't be hard. That you do not says volumes.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#94)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 04:39:21 PM EST
    Couldn't have said it better myself. Denial - the perfect defence.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#95)
    by Edger on Sat May 27, 2006 at 04:41:26 PM EST
    A google search on "iraq scientists assassinated" yields more than 300,000 results...

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#96)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 04:57:50 PM EST
    ppj - "We can see you clearly." Yes, Im sure "we" can. The fact remains that at least one or more of those "we's" likes to demonize and slander a large swath of humanity that encompasses billions of people in the very same way that your favorite Klansman undoubtably did. You've thouroghly demonstrated your mental sympatico with the Imperial Wizard in the thread above. Of course I dont expect "we" to ever own up to it. In the same way that we cant bring itself to admit that its friends - even in the light of the most glaring evidence to the contrary - are trying to hinder Coles appointment; which is such a stupid lie that Im suprised we has the audacity to expect us to swallow it.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#97)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 05:02:58 PM EST
    We are not amused.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#98)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:04:29 PM EST
    Now sometimes my language is blunt, Should be careful, tho often i wun't. Sorry you all heard Meself use that word, The C one, the one rhymes with blunt. appologies...Al Swearengen i am not. good on you, oscar wilde; welcome home. p.s. just got back from local park where i witnessed over 50 white crosses for fallen soldiers from here in Michigan alone. made me sick.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#99)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:05:36 PM EST
    Jondee - Try reading. Squeaky wrote:
    You..... are obviously part of the campaign to smear Juan Cole in order to derail an appointment at Yale. You are reprehensible. ....The smear is laughable and utterly transparent. He will get the appointment at Yale.
    I wrote:
    Squeaky - Of course he will get appointed by Yale. What does that have to do with your question?
    And after some very vulgar personal attacks by Squeaky, I wrote: Squeaky - Nonsense. No one thinks that there is any way possible for Cole to NOT be appointed. Enter Jondee:
    ppj - So you're claiming those people arnt trying to thwart Coles appointment as your "nobody thinks he wont get the appointment" suggests?
    Nice way to try and put words in my mouth. I have made no claim as what these people are, or are not, doing. How can you possibly make such a connection? Then Squeaky comes back.
    All those words in the right wing blogosphere and the WSJ by your pals did not think so. If they did they wouldn't have wasted the effort and a huge smear effort it was/is
    Well, dear Squeaky, my opinion is that no one thinks he will not get the job. You can disagree all you want, just don't say that I said he wouldn't. I said the opposite. Dear Jondee. Hope the above makes you feel as dumb as you look. And then dear Jondee, you whip out the race card and play it. Why? Well, I wrote:
    You so love to attack me because I have mentioned the article that you attack an author who quotes a klansman while that very author is using the klansman's own words to show how the power of democracy and American culture destroyed the Klan.
    Now if I had been paying attention to your inabilities to understand simple English, I would have written this. From the article you attack I have quoted three statements that no KKK member would have made. I am sorry but I can't make it much simpler, so I must conclude that if you reject this then it is obvious your extreme limitations are the result of pathology, bias or both. Squeaky - I am still waiting for you to prove those very specific charges incorrect. That you have not proves that you cannot. Let us expand the universe. Can anyone help Squeaky?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#100)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:10:44 PM EST
    doesnt it get lonely, jimbo?

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#101)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:24:31 PM EST
    actually 82 fallen in Iraq from Michigan today. the crosses were probably planned as a memorial day installation some weeks ago. i thought 50 seemed high.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#102)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:26:01 PM EST
    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#103)
    by soccerdad on Sat May 27, 2006 at 06:58:33 PM EST
    PPJ is in full bull mode insulting people but nothing ever gets done about it. He insists that people respond to hi, but he refuses to back up his own crap that he spews here, and continues to spew no matter how many times he's proven wrong. And Charley got banned. What nonsense. What double standards!

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#104)
    by soccerdad on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:00:05 PM EST
    That should have read bully, but bull with another word after it would have worked just as well.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#105)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:15:06 PM EST
    PPJ reminds me of the old W.C. Fields quote about how one has to take the bull by the tail and look the situation straight in the eye :)

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#106)
    by soccerdad on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:16:35 PM EST
    of course the frontpage article sites Kramer as a distinguished historian. He is about a big an expert as that other neocon flack Daniel Piipes. Here's ehat Kramer wrote on his web blog Heydemann writes, 'The threatening intent of critics is not an exaggeration. Martin Kramer, a Middle East scholar who has made a second career out of attacking Middle East studies, told his academic colleagues to start worrying. Invoking tactics more common to the former Iraqi regime than to a democracy, he warned professors that their Web sites would be "visited late at night" to police their content. "Yes, you are being watched," Kramer wrote on his Web site, telling faculty to "get used to it." Intimidation is the aim of these critics, not accountability. The very real prospect that Congress will impose political litmus tests on funding is troubling. Though modest, Title VI funds have helped sustain our nation's capacity to teach and conduct research about a part of the world that is central to American interests. The program has been crucial for ensuring instruction in all the major and minor languages of the Middle East. ' So one smear artist links to multiple know neocon hatchet men and we're supposed to sift through the lies just becuase some bully tells we have to even though he refuses to back up what he says. His latest response to me when asked for reference to prove one of his obviously incorrect statemets was well you wouldnt believe them anyway.But yet he rails against the rest of us as if he is somehow morally superior when in fact its been proven over and over that in fact he is morally bankrupt.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#107)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 07:45:52 PM EST
    He claims that "everyone" (which includes his weasal friends) thinks the Cole appointment is inevitable (lie 1) and then claims that he isnt saying whether or not they're trying to prevent it (lie 2) - as if anyone trys to prevent something they know they cant prevent.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#108)
    by jondee on Sat May 27, 2006 at 08:00:08 PM EST
    I dont think he even reads his own links. Theres no way - unless you're a crack-brained idiot - you could read that Cole link he gave and "not know whether or not" they were trying to prevent his appointment.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#109)
    by squeaky on Sat May 27, 2006 at 08:59:23 PM EST
    I'll tell you what ppj, I will engage with you if you present an argument of your own, regarding Juan Cole books or blogging that you have read with your own links to his texts. I have been reading him on a daily basis for the last several years, since he began his blog informed comment So am quite familiar with his wrirings. I am not interested in arguing with the likes of Mowbray, Pipes, and the other right wing propaganda blogs that you always link to. Your association with that group grosses me out. What they are doing to University professors across america is despicable. It is organized smear and lies all to meant to destroy a persons career. They may as well be the KKK or aryan nation for all I am concerned. You are part of that machine when you ask us to answer to one of their articles about someone else's article namely Juan Cole. The campaign to block the appointment and discredit Professor Cole has been fierce. Since his appointment is imminent you discredit Yale itself and say of course he will get the appointment. When you show me that you have the faintest idea that you know what you are talking about regarding Cole, and not just repeating propagana I will gladly respond.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#110)
    by Che's Lounge on Sun May 28, 2006 at 12:37:09 AM EST
    Jim is a progressive political debate simulator.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#111)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun May 28, 2006 at 03:46:22 AM EST
    Raul. I was most moved by what you wrote those few days ago. Thank you.

    Re: Friday Funnies and Open Thread (none / 0) (#112)
    by Edger on Sun May 28, 2006 at 06:55:58 AM EST
    ppj - You seem to delight in infuriating people, and in being contrary. You seem to argue just for the sake of arguing. You seem to have a penchant for taking positions that are grossly immoral and disgusting. You seem to have no respect for other human beings or other cultures. I have some questions for you. Depending on whether and on how you answer, I may occassionally engage you again in future, or I may continue not responding to things you say. The only criteria I intend to use is is my own subjective judgement.
    • How does it feel to have arrived at a point where almost no one here has any respect for you, or even agrees with you on anything whether they respect you or not?
    • You seem to purposely work towards producing such reaction from others... Why?
    • You seem to believe that you somehow are the one man in a room full of the blind able to see truth. What is your basis for this belief?