Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Hey!

This guy just called me a swabbie doxie. Why am I laughing? Read the whole comment party where the sputtering, childish non-Navy guys pout about Sailors.

Discovery Times

SouthieBoy recommended this and I did just finish watching a really interesting story on Hamas.

Cranky People.......

better be feeling more cooperative Wednesday night.

Last Day of the Symposium

I know I haven't blogged about Sunday yet, but I will. In some ways Sunday kinda shook me. Plus, Sunday night didn't end very well. Today I have just been trying catch up on everything I put on hold for the last couple of days.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

The Politics of Fear (Saturday)

The Midnight Knock: Living Under State Terror

I missed most of this one because I could not drag my behind out of bed at 0700 in order to be in my seat at 0900. Although I did get there in time for the Q&A. I found the most compelling speaker to be Monique Skidmore talking about Burma. Guess, I never really thought much about Burma. It sounds pretty bleak.

Extremism and Ideology in South Asia

Here the discussion centered on India, Pakistan and Kashmir.

Identity Crisis: Europe, Immigration, and the "Other"

Really liked this one. The opening statements led to a spirited debate of assimilation vs. segregation of Muslims in Europe and how different countries have different Muslim populations with different goals. The overall conclusions were that the younger generations being courted by the Salafists and extremists knew relatively little about their religion and that the current talk of Muslims ignored that fact that Muslims have been present in Europe forever.

I was sorry to see from the program that Professor Prins was gone. I worried that no one could fill his shoes. This was unfounded. Todays irreverent and engaging speaker was Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. He disagreed with nearly everyone on the panel and was extremely amusing in explaining why.

Transcending Fear: Profitable Security Solutions for Oil, Climate and Proliferation Problems

Now this guy had something to say which should interest us all. He was explaining how to become free of our oil addiction by 2050 through conservation and alternative fuels. He wrote a book, I might get it, lol, it might be way way over my head.

Shifting Paradigms: The Changing Nature of Terrorists and States

This panel discussed the legalities of chasing the terrorists, respecting other countries sovreignties, etc. There was a whole discussion of "what would you do if Osama walked through the door?". Where would you get the legal authority to arrest him? Where are you trying him? Can you just shoot him? (Hell, yes, gimme a gun - and stand back, I've never fired one). How bad we are not to recognize the ICC. How naive we are to object to placing ourselves under someone elses juristiction. Blah, blah, blah. Jack Blum stated with outrage and incredulity "Did you know that we insist that no American service member can be held responsible for his actions except by our own military courts?" Duh! Baby, that's why we don't join the ICC.

It was tough at times being the only conservative in the room.

Last but not least - The Necessity of Torture? Ethics and Utility

Here we go - out comes Abu Ghraib, a big club to beat us over the head with. The personification of the military was Commander Gibb of Annapolis. He's never been in combat, he's never been to Gitmo or Iraq. He took it well and I went up afterwards to shake his hand. During the Q&A I got up and asked him to contrast Abu Ghraib and the other cases being discussed. In particular Hentie Botha, a police officer from South Africa who described routinely torturing with his supervisors approval and protection. Whereas at Abu Ghraib it was a fellow soldier who turned in Lyndie, and Graner and the others, the Army investigated, and prosectued the miscreants. That every service member I know was angry about it. Therefore the acceptence of torture and mistreatment was not systemic in the military. (What I wanted to say was the the SecDef did not send that stupid cow Lyndie to torture people in secret. If he wanted that he would have sent me and it would have stayed secret) CDR. Gibb fumbled at first, but recovered and stated that yes, things were better because most soldiers, marines and airmen (he never mentioned sailors in any of his remarks - maybe he doesn't know they are in Iraq too) agree torture is wrong and fruitless and now leadership is more watchful and taking preventative actions.

After this lecture, on my way out the Russian panelist from Friday night Peter Roudik stopped me to say he got my point and agreed with me. I was kind of taken aback. He seemed to want to talk more (probably recognized a girl who likes a good police state) but I was kinda flustered. LOL. I know that's not like me. Anyway, I dashed off.

Now I am off to the shower so I can be in my seat for todays concluding lectures.

Too Tired To Blog

Sorry

Saturday, February 25, 2006

The Politics of Fear (Friday Night edition)

This will be quick. I have to be back in my seat at 0900 tomorrow.

Tonight's topics were:

Keynote Address: Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi
This was awful! The woman claimed to be advocating peace yet she asked if America didn't bear some responsibility for 9/11 because we funded terrorist schools in Afghanistan (WTF!) and blamed Denmark for the riots. She softly denounced the embassy burnings as more or less bad strategy, but said nothing about the deaths that have been caused. She also rebuked us for calling it Islamic Terrorism. Whatever, yeah, you're a religion of peace, yada,yada. The mids from Annapolis sitting in my row looked uncomfortable when she was getting a standing ovation and stood with the crowd. That's OK, they're young. I on the other hand.....am old. I don't give a fat rat's ass. I sat and didn't clap and scowled.

Occidentalism and Orientalism, Cabot Auditorium
This guy was interesting. He also spoke of the cartoons. Much more reasonably though.

So Who's at Guantanamo, Anyway?, Cabot Auditorium
This guy boiled my blood. He is working on some cases at Gitmo, in particular, the Weegers. He gave just enough misinformation so it sounds like W and Cheney are keeping them at Gitmo for their own private amusement. Also he stated that W wants to bug everyone's bedroom and tap everyone's phone. Just blatant nonsense. I got up to speak, but I was so peeved, it wasn't good. Again, no clapping, no standing for me, just scowling.

Then the panel.
Fault Lines: The Tension between Security and Civil Liberties
Really interesting. They got a late start and went on until 2300 hours. Again Professor Prin was my favorite. But I really liked Ms. Levush and Peter Roudik as well.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Favorite Quote of the Day

I found this by way of the Townhall.com people. They just had the quote and I Googled to find the article.

"Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves," Monsignor Velasio De Paolis, secretary of the Vatican's supreme court, thundered in the daily La Stampa. Jesus told his followers to "turn the other cheek" when struck.

Read the whole article here.

Multitasking

Too many late nights this week and it's catching up with me. I overslept this morning, was late to work and still haven't gotten my behind in gear. I don't know how other people do it.

The Politics of Fear

Tufts University is hosting an EPIIC (Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship) Symposium this week. I was invited to attend and wasn't quite sure how that came about. I missed last night opening lecture but made it for tonight's topic "Causes and Consequences of Anti-Americanism". I found it hugely interesting. Although a common thread was the bemoaning of the fact that America acts in it's own best interest first and foremost. Sometimes that coincides with our espoused ideals or the interests of other countries/peoples and sometimes it doesn't. I'm not going to apologize for that. Our foreign policy should be about us first! The most interesting speaker was Professor Gwyn Prins. When he spoke it was funny, knowledgeable and highly enjoyable. He referred to us as an imperial power and then spoke about how that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I agree. We are and I won't shy away from it. My least favorite was Professor Winn, very dour and super critical of the U.S. While no one was rah-rah for the U.S, most agreed we were mostly a force for good. Overall, more fair to the US as the lone superpower and less critical to the current administration than I expected. Most points brought up against the Bush Administration were legit.

When I was leaving I asked one of the students running things how I had come to be invited (remember, my Mum was sure it was a setup and I was about to be whisked off to Gitmo because of all my poking around on the Internet). She asked if I was on the Cambridge Forum mailing list and that was it. I jokingly brought up my mother's Gitmo remark. A gentleman standing nearby misunderstood and told me to "keep fighting Gitmo". I laughed and told him that he misunderstood.........that there were maybe a dozen people in the lecture hall as conservative as me.......and they were in uniform. There was a small group of students from Annapolis and another group from West Point with their faculty advisors.

Tomorrow night "Fault Lines: The Tension Between Security and Civil Liberties"

Thursday, February 23, 2006

More Port Stuff

I am 180 degrees from where I was last week on this port deal. Some more stuff that sets my mind at ease can be found here and here.

I do think this was an enormous political blunder. The only way out now is to give Congress their 45 days of grueling hearings, liveshots, etc.

I do think I fell, hook, line and sinker for Chuck Schumer's boogie man.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Small Technical Difficulties

....kept me from my wake up call. I would appreciate the opportunity to say these things at 1630.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

THANK GOD FOR THE U.S. NAVY!!!!!!

LOL

GOD HELP THEM!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Fortunately..........

for me..............

this awaits...............

Body Polish!

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

How! How? How the fuck are we responsible for this?

Shiite Leader Cites U.S. in Shrine Blast

The rest of this crackhead story is here.

UAE Deal

Ok I have been ranting/blogging about this deal since 02/13/06. I have found it to be very alarming. Every day a few more people express alarm as well. All along certain people have told me it's not that big a deal (SouthieBoy, The Chief). So I have been trying to keep an open mind. Now that I have read more about it at the CounterTerrorism Blog and listened to this story on NPR Morning Edition, I am starting to rethink my position. It is unfortunate that once again, the White House has not put out the best information in their own defense. The SecDef's words last week really bear this out. This issue was slow to build (10 days at least to my knowledge), there was plenty of time to head a lot of us off at the pass with facts. Why are they so tone deaf on this stuff. Is Karl Rove ok? He most definitely does not have his finger on the pulse of the American people.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Hey Southie

Read and answer this

Hey Southie

Read and answer this

Also, it's been 111 days!

Dubai Ports World

Fox News reports that there is one politician defending the White House.

Jimmy Carter.

Enough said.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Yoga


Tonight I was the only one in yoga class. The teacher said it would be a one on one lesson. That's a good thing, right? Wrong!!!!!! That just means I can't cheat and wimp out. There she was, hovering over me. Making me suck in my gut. Reach higher. Stretch longer. Work harder. I am going to shower and wait for Jack Bauer to entertain me.

I need someone to scrub my back.

Tonight's body lotion........Biotone Lavender and Calendula.

Dubai Ports World

I don't feel any better after listening to Chertoff on Meet The Press. Again even though it kills me, Schumer is right. Howie is talking about it on the air now.

Curt Gowdy

A voice from my childhood.

The Truest Thing I Know About Heterosexual Men

I had a little email exchange with 1SG Keith (the sweetheart who tagged me for the quiz below *dripping sarcasm*). I referred to him as a "pain in the ass". He replied "actually, I'm not into THAT.............".

In reply, let me tell you the truest thing I know about heterosexual men.

Heterosexual men are into anything women will go along with, period.

LOL

Here's a guy I always get a laugh out of.....

of course, since he writes about ridiculous things in Massachusetts.........it's usualyy at my own expense.

Today's gigle was "....... I promised my dead horse he could have President's Day weekend off........."

Pop over and visit Bruce

Do You Know What Today Has In Common With The 4th Of July, Or

.....are you sucking serious windage?

Answer in the comments before you peek here.

1SGT Keith is a pain in the ass

Another quiz....this is like high school.

1. Black and White or Color; how do you prefer your movies?

Doesn't matter as long as it's as the director envisioned it. I abhor "colorized" movies.

2. What is the one single subject that bores you to near-death?

Anything printed in People magazine. American Idol, Brittany, Jessica, etc.

3. MP3s, CDs, Tapes or Records: what is your favorite medium for prerecorded music?

Vinyl on my Curtis Mathes stereo on a hot summer day with windows open.

4. You are handed one first class trip plane ticket to anywhere in the world and ten million dollars cash. All of this is yours provided that you leave and not tell anyone where you are going ... ever. This includes family, friends, everyone. Would you take the money and ticket and run?

Are we saying leave and never come back? No, never. I am a Bostonian.
But if I get to leave and come back, then yes. I've kept bigger secrets.

5. Seriously, what do you consider the world's most pressing issue now?

Cartoons. Oh, seriously.......GWOT.

6. How would you rectify the world's most pressing issue?

Fight the terrorists in their backyard. Seal our borders, period. Flood the airwaves with facts Americans don't get in sound bites. No more Mr. Nice Guy! I'd have a department of the government devoted to monitoring the MSM and making them correct the crap they spew. We didn't fund Osama in Afgahanistan, we funded the mujihideen in the 80s and they became the Northern Alliance. The Taliban didn't even exist until the mid 90s. We are finding shit in Iraq that violated all UN sanctions and waiting would have just made them more dangerous. We are doing good things in Iraq and most of the country has an improved quality of life, thanks to us. The MSM is pounding people with spin, inaccuracies and outright lies. I would pound them right back. I would make every network and cable channel play coverage from 9/11 every day, I would tell Europe to fuck off. Remember the saying "Lead, follow or get out of the way"? Well, we're leading. I'd review every school districts cirriculum and make them add civics, world history and US history. Real history with facts and dates. And guess what, it's full of dead white guys, deal with it.

7. You are given the chance to go back and change one thing in your life; what would that be?

The day I graduated from high school I would have gone to Logan Airport and camped out until SouthieBoy found me.

8. You are given the chance to go back and change one event in world history, what would that be?

This is tough. I've seen enough episodes of the Twilight Zone to know that sometimes you just mess things up worse. Sentimental favorite, saving Bobby Kennedy. Hey I'm from Boston. Yeah, yeah, I know Southie, you want Jack. But seriously, I don't think history should be tampered with.

9. A night at the opera, or a night at the Grand Ole' Opry --Which do you choose?

Opera. (Please! Are you seriously thinking there would be a different answer out of me?) Pavarotti singing Puccini's Turandot.

10. What is the one great unsolved crime of all time you'd like to solve?


"Who pulled the trigger on JFK?" I am with the 1SG on this one.

11. One famous author can come to dinner with you. Who would that be, and what would you serve for the meal?

Dennis Lehane, I have never related to a book the way I did with "Mystic River". Also, "Shutter Island" was very moving.
Dinner? Well, one would trot out what they do best, right? Surprisingly, for an Irish girl the thing I make best is chicken parmagiana. I used to hang out in a bar/restaurant in Revere in my mispent youth. The owner of the restaurant part was worried that I would never find a suitable husband (translation, an Italian husband) if he didn't teach me how to cook his signature dish. So he taught me his secrets after the appropriate blood oathes were sworn.
If it wasn't a famous author, I would pick Glenna Finley. She wrote romance novels that I read when I was 16. They shaped my idea of love, romance, and relationships.
Same menu: baguettes from French Memories in Duxbury, caprese salad with balsamic vinigrette, chicken parmagiana with thin spaghetti, and fresh green beans. Dessert: cookie pizza.

12. You discover that John Lennon was right, that there is no hell below us, and above us there is only sky -- what's the first immoral thing you might do to celebrate this fact?

Well this is silly! John Lennon was an idiot. All that naked-in-bed crap with Yoko. People looking to him for deeper meaning. Finiding out there is no hell means there is no heaven, no purgatory, no point to my religion. I'd be too busy being devastated. That said, there is someone I wouldn't mind murdering. LOL

Also, did this question presume that most stuff I do already wasn't immoral? Insert evil laugh here.

Now, to tag others.
Well, the guy over at the NCO Club pulled the covers off of me this morning, so I'll return the favor.
And Jon the Mechanic has been a smart aleck lately.
The last person to do this to me was the Chief, so here you go baby.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

This Day In History

In 1945, U.S. Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima, opening one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during World War II.

http://www.iwojima.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0219.html#article

Father Mahoney's Birthday

Today is Father Mahoney's 75th birthday. He arrived in St. Francis in 1966 when I was going into first grade. He has been there to guide me and comfort me for 40 years. He has been present at nearly all the biggest events in my life.

When my sister was diagnosed with MS I went to Mass in the Chapel a few Saturday mornings in a row. Everything is still the same as when I was a little girl. Each week we greeted each other snd spoke for a few minutes. Each week I told him that everything was grand. On the third Saturday, he had me wait so we could walk out to the street together. We spoke about the boys, my parents etc., then he put an arm around my shoulders. He asked if I was ready to tell him what was wrong. I laughed, then started to cry and told him maybe next week. He said OK, he was always there for me. The next week I did tell him. How wonderful it is to have someone who just knows you, and loves you, and is always there for you.

He is not just my parish priest but he is the Chief Chaplain of the Boston Fire Department. He has impacted thousands of lives in and out of my parish. He is a very impressive man who gave his life to the service of others.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Saturday, February 18, 2006

My necklace

I got my Claddagh necklace back from the jewelers. I'm not one much for jewelry, but I wear this necklace from my father all the time. My favorite story about my necklace was when SouthieBoy came back from an overseas deployment. The first time we saw each other, after a few minutes, he focused on the necklace. He asked where it came from. I smiled an evil little smile and told him "A man who loves me very much went to Ireland and brought it back for me. He knows me very well and knew I would love this necklace. He wanted me to know how much he cared for me and missed me." Then I waited for a reaction. But SouthieBoy also knows me very well. He just smiled that smug, superior, infuriating smile of his..............and asked "So baby, how did your Dad like Ireland?"

Spring is here

The Bostonian Society has sent out it's flyer on The Lowell Lecture series for Spring 2006! Yesssssssss. Soon there will be croci & tulips. The New England Flower Show. The full sap moon. Lent. Robins. And.........my birthday. Remember, my birthday is celebrated like that of the dictator of a small country. Start preparing now.

Yoga class at 0830

Whose bright idea was this? I don't want to get out of bed.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

American Port Security

Did you read this? You should. I love Dubai.......but........

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/16/opinion/16thu2.html?ex=1140757200&en=b7982052408037b3&ei=5070&emc=eta1

This is important.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

So Far, So Good

I got a manicure. I gassed up the car, checked the tires, checked the oil, added the fuel cleaner. I am good to go. I used my $50 Expedia Goodwill coupon, so my room is only $7.80. Please, please let it be one of the new rooms with the jacuzzi. I am so beat from yoga. I would kill for one of the renovated rooms. The hotel has Tempurpedic mattresses and they are really comfortable. I will still be good, I have low-carb chocolate in my bag. I am also going to crack open Richard Miniter's "Disinformation".

Now I just need the rest of the day to fall into place; 5 pm hair coloring (I am old right now and will be young again in 6 hours); pick up someone's gift at my house (if the package arrives per UPS' promise); head south (driving carefully and not speeding); and someone retains the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Even if there is no jacuzzi..............a long soak will be fabulous. Tonight's scent -

Bath & Body Works
Comfort Vanilla Milk

Be Careful What You Wish For........

Remember bad girls have no patience because patience is a virtue. Also, we don't do as we're told.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Another Yoga Class.....

.....another ass kicking! Tonight was supposed to be easy. Pat and I were trying the new yoga studio in Plymouth. We chose the 6:30 "Express Hatha Flow". Easy, under an hour, right? All I could handle after last night's yoga/pilates combination. So our very enthusiastic instructor gets a little bit of a late start and asks us to stay for the next class......which is 90 minutes long. Pat screws after ten minutes, some baloney about a boyfriend, a date, Valentine's Day....blah, blah, blah. I end up with over two hours of yoga. I could not wait to fall into bed. The hell with a shower. But no.....Frankie calls. Can I get chips? Well I need laundry soap, so.......ok. Fine I'll still be in bed by 2200 hours, right? No. Jennifer calls. Can I come and give her a ride home from dinner? Well, she is the baby sister, so......ok.

No rest for the wicked.

I'm getting into the shower now.......but it's not going to be easy......I can't raise my arms above chest level.

Some People Think This Is Important.........
















Truck left today

The Red Sox equipment truck left from Fenway Park in Boston today, bound for the team's spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla.
(AP Photo)

Happy Valentine's Day

OK, I swear I'm going to bed now














I love this! Cheney is the man! This makes me remember how much I loved those debates with Edwards.

Hat tip to Denny @ http://www.grouchyoldcripple.com/

Jon Stewart/Dick Cheney

Despite my decrepit condition, Jon Stewart was worth waiting up for. The Dick Cheney story was like Christmas for him. Unfortunately Colbert was a repeat. I bet he's bummed out.

Yoga/Pilates

Started a new class that is a combination of yoga and pilates. My arms hurt. My legs hurt. My stomach hurts. My ass hurts.

Monday, February 13, 2006

I'll be scheduling a brain scan now.....

Yesterday I disagreed with Bil Kristol and now today................

I think I agree with Chuck Schumer. As a matter of fact.......I think I'm as worried as he is about this. I don't have all the facts yet. I caught the Senator on Fox & Friends, but only the tail end. He was saying that Dubai Ports is about to buy several ports in the U.S. including New York. This would put them in charge of security.

I have to so some more surfing before I say anything more.

John Boehner

Caught up on all my DVR viewing. I was a week behind a lot of stuff. Thanks to all the snow I'm all caught up (and the house is clean). John Boehner was on last weeks (05 Feb 06) Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183845,00.html

It was painful to watch him. Boehner was defending Congressional travel as a vital tool to get out and take the pulse of America, get in touch with constituents, etc. Then Chris Wallace puts his last couple of trips up on the screen and they are all golf resorts. Thank God golf pros and caddies have someone in their corner, lol.

It was awful. This guy should step down.

Funny Link

This was over at a blog called "The Nose One Your Face".

Top 9 Signs Your Religion May Not Be So Peaceful.

http://www.thenoseonyourface.com/the_nose_on_your_face/2006/02/top_9_signs_you.html

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Snow Snow Snow

Today I am taking advantage of the snow day to clean and organize while I listen to the Sunday morning talk shows.

The panel on Fox News Sunday disagree with me that people should stop reprinting the Muslim cartoons. I almost never disagree with Bill Kristol.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/697dhzzd.asp

Tufts is having "The Politics of Fear Symposium". I just got my invitation this week. I am psyched. Lot's of interesting stuff. The boys just think it's a setup and the government is going to snatch me up because of all the stuff I read. My parents are sure I have an F.B.I. file.

Getting Ready

Yesterday was a good, productive day. I went to work out, had breakfast with my sister, was in work for seven hours and then went to hang with Jen again. Everywhere in person and online was.........dun-dun-daaaaaaa..............the STORM! What have you heard? How bad will it be? Are you ready? I never really get excited about these things. We could lose power so I do put the flashlight closer to the bed...........but there's no big preparations. After all, the storm will be worst on a Sunday. I'll stay in bed and read. Then I started to think how irritated I would be about the house. No electricity means no laundry. So when I got home at 2300 hours........I cleaned everything.

OK, I'm ready.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

February 11th

Sixteen years ago today I got up at some ungodly hour to watch Nelson Mandela be released from prison. It was historic and I wanted to be some small part of it. It gave me chills.

Friday, February 10, 2006

The Pentagon Channel

Don't get me wrong, I love the Pentagon channel. I am very grateful that the SecDef cleared me to see it on my work computer as wel as my home computer, lol. However, I do have one teeny tiny little problem. I can watch live or choose a particular program. But not every program is available all the time. I really, really want to watch "Battleground". But that's one that you have to watch in it's actual time slot....on the weekends. It's not fair! It's John Wayne!

Please sir, I know you are busy with the GWOT, but if you could get someone on this..........

kisses.............love Maggie

Overslept

Last night was "Girl's Night" and I stayed up way too late. I am a bad girl and I know better. My biggest problem was that I forgot to turn the heat down. During the day I have it up higher but at night I turn it down to 60 otherwise my bedroom is unbearable. I sleep like I'm drugged. I haven't read anything, I know nothing that's happening in the world.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

NPR

What I was trying to explain last night and not doing a very good job, was this story.


"Research News
Babies' Cells Linger, May Protect Mothers

by Robert Krulwich

Morning Edition, February 8, 2006 · Some scientists have proposed that when a woman has a baby, she gets not just a son or a daughter, but a gift of cells that stays behind and protects her for the rest of her life. That's because a baby's cells linger in its mom's body for decades and -- like stem cells -- may help to repair damage when she gets sick. It's such an enticing idea that even the scientists who came up with the idea worry that it may be too beautiful to be true."

The whole story is here.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5195551

There's a part at the end when the researcher talks about his own mother that is very moving. The whole sound bite is 7 minutes and 48 seconds.

So, my point was...............you are always with your mother................always taking care of her.

"Guadalcanal Is Ours"

February 9, 1943

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0209.html#article

What a Great Day

I was driving down the highway this morning with "Lifehouse" blasting on the stereo. I am 11 days into Atkins, no cravings, no headaches. Went to the gym 3 nights in a row, yoga tonight. My boys are good. 13 days to go to a treat I want more than I can say.

The President is on the Pentagon Channel and I just finished listening to MG Rick Lynch and The Baghdad Breifing. Happy Ashura.

Life is good.

The Gym

Some people will do anything rather than get their asses out of bed and go to the gym.

My job this morning was the wake up call. I assumed the responsibility of making sure certain people got up went to the gym. I set my alarm, got up and brushed my teeth (I always do for our phones calls, lol) and at exactly 0512 I dialed the number. Despite attempts to put me off (no, I don't want to go to the gym), despite attempts to distract me (if you were here....) despite attempts to make me forget my name (then you always remind me) by 0535 I was successful. That's why Rumsfeld gives me these missions...........I always come through. He knows girls named Maggie are very patriotic. Plus I wouldn't want him to cut off The Pentagon Channel feed to my office computer.

I had get a drink, my throat was very dry. All that laughing.

OK.........now............let me be a bitch.....and say.........I'm going back to sleep.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Wednesday

Are we going straight to our room after class? I talk first. LOL

Question - the office has a TV, does it have a fridge?

Movies

Went to the movies tonight with Trish. We saw "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah. Funny, inconsequential.

The part that made my mouth water was the spa in the hotel she stays at in the movie.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Hey SouthieBoy

Read my Splash answer

Col. Janis Karpinski

How do we get rid of this disgraceful woman?

You must read this story at Mudville Gazette.

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/004141.html

The only thing more unbelievable than this story is that some people are listening. This is like Kerry and his Winter Soldier shit.

*****UPDATE***** She is retired, so we don't need to get rid of her, lol.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Specter's Hearings on CSpan

Sen. "Splash" Kennedy (D-Under some barstool) just posed a question to Attorney General Gonzalez in which he addressed him as "General".

LOL, this is what happens when you drink your breakfast.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Bullshit!!!!!!!!!

There is NFW that I would believe that the government of Yemen isn't involved in this.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/05/cole.escape/index.html

Every time we trust a foreign government to handle justice on our behalf, it goes south.

February 5, 2006

Off to Boston........Mass......CCD........breakfast with the parents........movies.......late lunch.............Superbowl.

Who am I cheering for? If the Patriots aren't in it I don't think I care.

A whole day with no news ( I DVR Fox News Sunday, Meet The Press, etc.), no web surfing. I will be jonesing by late tonight. Last Sunday when I spent the day away from the computer Bob Woodruff had been injured by an IED. I felt like I Rip van Winkle.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

A Moderate Muslim Voice

Al-Sistani in Iraq

"Al-Sistani, who wields enormous influence over Iraq's majority Shiites, made no call for protests and suggested that militant Muslims were partly to blame for distorting Islam's image.

He referred to "misguided and oppressive" segments of the Muslim community and said their actions "projected a distorted and dark image of the faith of justice, love and brotherhood."

"Enemies have exploited this … to spread their poison and revive their old hatreds with new methods and mechanisms," he said of the cartoons.

Though al-Sistani did not call for demonstrations, other Shiite Islamic and Sunni leaders across Iraq did."

Read the entire article here.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1575774&page=1

Something Morbid

My family is fairly irreverent. On the subject of death and dying, little is taboo. Over the years after attending wakes and funerals the discussion invariably turns to our own wishes. My mother wishes to be buried with a comfortable sweat suit tucked in the corner of the casket. She does not want to end up like the mother on "Providence", wandering for eternity in a dressing outfit and uncomfortable nylons. Jennifer wants jeans and her dock martins. My uncle Walter and I want good caterers to do our after funeral parties. They all want to but buried with all their "parts". I am ashamed to say, despite my pleading, cajoling, scorn and logic, I am the only organ donor. As for myself, I want to be "held over all this week" at Carr's. The current one day deal is not enough for me and it's not enough to go back to the old way of two afternoons and one evening. I want all week. They tell me that there are probably laws against this. Well guess what? Coretta Scott King is doing it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060204/ap_on_re_us/coretta_scott_king

I don't need multiple locations or the horse drawn carriage.

Hugh Hewitt and the cartoon issue

http://hughhewitt.com/archives/2006/01/29-week/index.php#a001246

While I agree that the cartoon are in bad taste, I think Hugh misses the point of the issue. In the article above he points out that there are lots of things that offend us here and we should understand the Muslims being offended. I do understand. I am drawing the line at their call for censorship. Joel Stein http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-stein24jan24,0,4137172.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions offended me. However, I am not saying that the LA Times should be shut down, California should be boycotted and Mr. Stein should be beheaded. It's about free speech. No one has the right to never be offended. The cartoons in Denmark didn't advocate harming Muslims, it's not hate speech. I am in solidarity with the Danish because of the overreaction of the Muslim people.

UPDATE: Here is the difference between me beefing about Joel Stein and Muslim reaction to cartoons.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/04/syria.cartoon.ap/

I Do Not Like Where This Is Headed

A Navy Commander was expelled from Venezuala.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13779720.htm

We are so focused on The Gulf, it's almost as though Chavez is misbehaving to get our attention.

A Long Night

I have a friend who is self employed, a jack of all trades and has law enforcement connections up the wazoo. It has come in handy to be his friend on many occasions. He called me yesterday to say he would be dropping off diesel (which he buys deeply discounted and will work the same as home heating oil) for me. In New England this is huge! So, I wait as long as I can in the evening for him, but finally I carry on with my plans and go to dinner. At 2300 hours he calls, I missed it, he left voice mail. I assume he's calling to apologize for missing me. When I am leaving Boston at 0030, I call him. He asks where I am and can he follow me home and take care of the fuel then. LOL. OK, fine. He delivers 100 gallons of fuel, puts 6 gallons of gas in my car and tada! gets the stupid slim jim ( http://bostonmaggie.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-life-is-fellinni-film.html ) out of my car in two minutes flat! How happy am I? When we're all set and he's ready to leave, we are both exhausted, what do I do? Come on, guess. Yes, that's right I lock my keys in my car! He gets the tools back out and opens the car again. He told me that I was lucky because he was too tired to slap me.

Thanks Michael.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Friday Night

Home from the gym and a manicure................jumping in the shower....body scrub......body cream..........then off for the evening!

Pouting

The Chief is not playing fair! I am pouting.

http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/005248.html

I sent him an email about the "CuddlePuddle" thing (see 2 posts down) to post over at the Castle if he were interested. The point of emailing it to him was to stay under the radar. But once again he has taken this opportunity to shine a spotlight on me. He is really cramping my style. I do my best work in the dark.

Of course, I know better than to expect any sympathy here.

NPR

They have a sense of humor!! This morning's story on Lewis "Scooter"Libby was reported by Libby Lewis. Cute.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

New York Magazine

Laura Ingraham was ranting about this story today. Not sure that this isn't very exaggerated, but still interesting. Love the new phrase "CuddlePuddle".


http://www.nymetro.com/news/features/15589/

Muslim Cartoons

The Mulsim boycott of Denmark and things Danish continues. Americans need to support Denmark.
Here is a link to Michelle Malkin (who is great) showing the cartoons in question.

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004413.htm


Buy Danish!!

February 2, 2006

It's 73 and fair in Dubai, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Today is Groundhog Day. I say this because everyone else is saying this. I don't think I care. A mild spring is not really all that important to me. This is New England, sometimes it's miserable. Suck it up or live elsewhere. If you didn't have cold, wintry, blustry, slushy weather...........you can not truly appreciate those perfect spring, summer and fall days. I can think of nothing worse than living somewhere with no seasons. No extremes = boredom = purgatory.

Today House Republicans chose a new majority leader, I wanted Shadegg, oh well.

BTW, SouthieBoy, you lose and I have witnesses.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Blogging Questions

My profile and archive stuff has moved to the bottom of the page. Does anyone know how to put it back up to the top. LOL I am soooooo bad at this stuff. I read through "Blogger Help" quickly but I don't have a lot of time to spend on it. I have to stop this silliness and work.

State Of The Union Address

Wasn't as bad as NPR makes it out to be.

Wasn't as good as Laura Ingraham will make it out to be.

It was ok.

It's fun to watch and read the live blogging at the Corner at the same time.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/

Brit Hume did a good job too.