March 28, 2004
Great WIsdom
Finally! True words of wisdom we may all be able to live by - or at least - get *something* from. Personally, I think my favorite ones are #'s 11, 12, 14, 18......on second thought, I like them all :
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of
me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the
hell alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal your neighbor's
newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. No one is listening until you fart. (oh....isn't THAT the truth!)
6. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
7. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
8. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a bad example.
9. It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
10. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
11. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
12. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
13. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish
and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day.
14. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it.
15. Don't squat with your spurs on.
16. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
17. Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield.
18. Don't worry, it only seems kinky the first time.
19. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes
from bad judgment.
20. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put
it in your pocket.
21. Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
22. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
****This next one is for all you men out there :-) *****
23. Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side & a dark side, and
it holds the universe together.
24. There are two theories to arguing with women.......Neither one works.
25. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your mouth is moving.
26. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
27. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
28. We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.
March 27, 2004
Go to B-Day Party, take pics of Fire?
Yea, I'm strange like that some say. However when your armed with a nice digital camera your always on the lookout for interesting and eye catching pics. Plus my bro Dilok (aka.. Dilok.com) inspires me with his photographic genius.
So here is one pic I grabbed and made an easier size to deal with, it's still big.
Interesting thing is, the closer I moved to the fire for this pic the hotter everything became. Odd. :-P
March 26, 2004
Audio Commentary?
I was thinking of adding a new category to Muddysmind.com, Audio Commentary.
Maybe even discussions or interviews. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
March 24, 2004
Al-Qaida No. 2: We Have Briefcase Nukes
"SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Osama bin Laden's terror network claims to have bought ready-made nuclear weapons on the black market in central Asia, the biographer of al-Qaida's No. 2 leader was quoted as telling an Australian television station.
In an interview scheduled to be televised on Monday, Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said Ayman al-Zawahri claimed that "smart briefcase bombs" were available on the black market. It was not clear when the interview between Mir and al-Zawahri took place."
Read the entire article here
The Clinton Mind-Set
"The commissioners on the Sept. 11 panel asked the same question over and over: Why didn't the Clinton administration take stronger military action against al Qaeda's Taliban refuge in the 1990s, when the Sept. 11 plot was being hatched?"
Read the entire article here
cwilli note: This is an outstanding article that is a must read for anyone who actually wants to know the answer to "What could we have done to prevent 9/11".
March 23, 2004
Black Clergymen Come Out Against Gay Marriage
ATLANTA — More than two dozen black pastors added their voice to the critics of same-sex marriage, attempting to distance the civil rights struggle from the gay rights movement and defending marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
"When the homosexual compares himself to the black community, he doesn't know what suffering is," said the Rev. Clarence James, an African-American studies professor at Temple University.
WARNING - The following is NOT politically correct and/or may contain language that is adult in nature.
Jones and 29 pastors rallied late Monday with their supporters at an Atlanta-area church where they signed a declaration outlining their beliefs on marriage and religion.
The declaration is meant to pressure state representatives to approve a constitutional ban on gay marriages, which will be considered again by the Georgia House as soon as this week.
Full Story @ FOXNews.com
*Muddy's Note*
I was working on something in regards to this but I'll just add it to this one. Along the same lines just my view is a bit more raw. :-P
Day after day, the headlines, the news updates, the radio stories and news paper editorials rage. Gays fight for their special rights and they are alleging illegal discrimination because of sexual orientation. Now I challenge anyone, show me where in the constitution or the bill of rights or in any founding document of this country or even the states where it guarantees rights based on sexual preference. How in the hell can your rights be violated when you had NONE to begin with? You have rights based on your humanity, not your passion to pounce on another man's butt and ride it.
If humping the same sex is your thing then keep it in the bedroom, nobody wants to hear about it. You have no right to Demand any Privileges because of a choice you made.
This is such B.S. I'm amazed the American public has laid down and taken this for as long as it has.
For those that don't know it, here is the first amendment.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
What's really humorous is this country was founded on Religious Freedom and freedom of speech, and I don't know of ANY religion (not cults) that accepts homosexuality.
March 20, 2004
Why The World Hates the US
Another great article from one of my favorite writers; Jack Kinsella
"One would have to presume that the New York Times, being located in New York and named after New York, would owe its first allegiance to the people OF New York. And, since it claims the title of 'America's Newspaper of Record', that it would by extension, also owe some sense of allegiance to the United States of America. "
"The editorial page of the New York Times calling on the Socialist leader of Spain to put pressure on the US to force it to submit to the UN. Shouldn't this editorial be running in Pravda, instead of being offered as the editorial consensus of America's 'newspaper of record'? Or is it just me? "
"But here's the thing -- to the rest of the world, the New York Times is the voice of America. To somebody living in Berlin, or Ankara or Moscow, the New York Times is a mirror of America.
They read in the New York Times that America is a loose cannon, that George Bush, in defiance of public opinion (eg. The NYTimes) defied the United Nations, which is why nobody should trust the United States as long as George Bush is in office. "
Read the entire article here
March 19, 2004
w00t! Chelsa, Manchester U. coming to the U.S.
PITTSBURGH - Art Rooney II, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers and president of the PSSI Corp./Heinz Field, announced that Heinz Field will play host to a sporting event of international stature.
Two of the world’s best soccer teams – AS Roma and Chelsea – will meet at Heinz Field on Thursday, July 29. The game is part of the 2004 ChampionsWorld Series scheduled for seven premier venues across the U.S. and Canada.
“Pittsburgh competed against more than 100 cities to host this match,” Rooney says. “We’re excited to bring this international event to our fans and to introduce these two outstanding teams to our great region.”
Full Story @ Pittsburgh Steelers - News
March 17, 2004
The difficult question of George W. Bush
"Many Christians are rethinking their support of George Bush and, frankly, with good reason. I'm not talking about George Bush the Christian, but George Bush the politician.
There is a lot of discussion about George Bush and whether or not he is a "real" Christian, as if that in some way had a bearing on whether or not they will vote for him. If one is going to base his vote on the best Christian for the job, who then gets it? Kerry? Nader? Just not vote at all? Throw it away on a fringe candidate?
Nobody is actually running for the job of Theologian in Chief, and those who will vote for Bush on that basis make up a small portion of the general electorate. When was the last time you voted for a president based on his Christian doctrinal worldview?"
This article is a must read for anyone who wonders why anyone would want to vote for George W Bush.
Read the article here
March 16, 2004
Typical Ohio Weather
As for the sniper they are now hunting for... his last name is McCoy. I find it a bit Ironic myself. In case your interested here is a story (one of many) about the guy they are now hunting for.
*Update* Well on the way to work I noticed that the snow started again, the road was wet but clear, that is for the first mile or so. Then the snow became thick as fog, visibility was reduced to about fifty yards. I do enjoy a good hard snow myself as it rids the road of bad drivers. I witnessed about a dozen off to the side of the road standing about their vehicles wondering how they are going to get out of the drifts. At least my evening drive home will be exciting. :-)
March 13, 2004
Democrat, Republican or Southern Republican?
What with elections coming up, we should all decide.
Question?
How do you tell the difference between Democrats, Republicans and Southern Republicans?
Now look closely.
Answer: Consider the following situation...
Your walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.
Suddenly, a dangerous looking man comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises a machete, and charges. You are carrying a Glock .40 and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?
------------------------------------------------------------
Democrat's Answer:
Well, that is not enough information to answer the question!
Does the man look poor or Oppressed?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think?
What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?
What does the law say about this situation?
Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 911?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have a paint and clean day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
This is all so confusing!
I need to debate this with some friends for a few days and try to come to a consensus.
---------------------------------------
Republican's Answer :
BANG!
--------------------------------------
Southern Republican's Answer :
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
click....(sounds of reloading).
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
click
Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those Full Metal Jacket or Hallow Point?"
March 11, 2004
SCO's Suit: A Match Made in Redmond?
Just as the legal battle over Linux was about to become even more expensive, Microsoft suggested that a hedge fund invest in the outfit.
For months, rumors have swirled around the Web alleging that Microsoft helped finance a small Utah software company's suit against IBM and two corporations that use Linux software. BusinessWeek has learned that Microsoft did not put up the money, but did play matchmaker for SCO Group and BayStar Capital, a San Francisco hedge fund which made a $50 million investment in SCO last October.
Full Story @ BW Online
Report: Al Qaeda Claims Credit for Madrid Blasts
The Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi said Thursday it had received a claim of responsibility for the Madrid train bombings issued in the name of Al Qaeda, the terror organization responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
The five-page e-mail claim, signed by the shadowy Brigade of Abu Hafs al-Masri, was received at the paper's London offices. It said the brigade's "death squad" had penetrated "one of the pillars of the crusade alliance, Spain."
"This is part of settling old accounts with Spain, the crusader, and America's ally in its war against Islam," the claim said.
Referring to Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, the statement asked: "Aznar, where is America? Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?"
The newspaper faxed the claim to The Associated Press office in Cairo.
The paper's editor Bari Atwan told Fox News the alleged letter from Al Qaeda "looks authentic" and consistent with letters the paper has received from the terrorist organization in the past.
A van containing several detonators and an Arabic-language tape of Koranic verses was found near Madrid, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said later Thursday, announcing that new lines of investigation into the bombings were being opened.
Full Story @ FOXNews.com
March 10, 2004
Army to Gates: Halt the free software
Microsoft has been mailing free copies of its pricey Office productivity software to government employees, but CNET News.com has learned that at least two federal agencies are warning recipients to return the gifts or risk violating federal ethics policies.
Since the launch of Office 2003 last year, Microsoft has given out tens of thousands of free copies of its flagship software, which retails for about $500, to workers at its biggest customers. The giveaway was expanded to government workers this year, but ethics offices at the Department of the Interior and Department of Defense have said the offers constitute unauthorized gifts and must be returned.
The Department of the Army went a step further, calling on Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to stop sending the software to Army personnel.
"We ask that you cease immediately the mailing of free software, and other types of gifts, to the Department of the Army personnel," Deputy General Counsel Matt Reres said in a Feb. 19 letter seen by CNET News.com. "Your offer of free software places our employees and soldiers in jeopardy of unknowingly committing a violation of the ethics rules and regulations to which they have taken an oath to uphold."
The issue comes up as many governments are looking at open-source alternatives for Office and the Windows operating system. The British government has been evaluating a switch to the Linux OS, while open-source software is also being eyed in Korea, China, India and even at some local agencies in the United States.
Full Story @ CNET News.com
The Biggest Story that Never Was
Nary a day goes by without some news story about poor US intelligence, or complaints from the UN, or France, or Germany -- or Democrats -- that the US unseated Saddam based on flawed intelligence or deliberate manipulation of known facts.
Or stories about US failures in Iraq, or US troops being 'bogged down' by terrorist activity or a lack of cooperation from local Iraqis, etc., etc.
When the news isn't running stories about the president being a crook, or innuendo pieces about Haliburton contracts (Dick Cheney's former company. Did you know?), there are stories about how homeland security is too restrictive, too lax, too intrusive, or too weak.
But NOBODY is talking about when our alleged allies sold us out to Saddam Hussein. Nobody is talking about the improprieties surrounding the UN's administration of Iraq's Oil-For-Food program that bought Saddam computers, new Mercedes', weapons components, but very little food.
Nobody is investigating the secret slush-funds Saddam used to pay off politicians like British MP George Galloway. (Galloway personally pulled in nearly $10 million while defending Saddam.)
Why is the fact Saddam's allies profited by pocketing the difference between the price of oil under the U.N.'s "Oil for Food" program and the price of oil on the open market not news?
Full Story @ The Omega Letter
March 09, 2004
Convicted Washington Sniper Muhammad Sentenced to Die
March 9 (Bloomberg) -- John Allen Muhammad, one of two men accused in the sniper-shooting deaths of 10 people in the Washington, D.C., area in 2002, was sentenced to death by a Virginia judge for murdering a man at a gas station.
A jury in Virginia Beach, Virginia, convicted Muhammad of capital murder, terrorism, conspiracy and firearms violations in November for the death of Dean Harold Meyers, 53, who was gunned down in Manassas, Virginia, in October 2002. Meyers was the seventh sniper victim.
The same jury a week later recommended the death sentence for the crime. Prince William County Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. today accepted the jury's recommendation and imposed the death penalty, county sheriff's Captain Brenda Perkins said in a telephone interview.
``There are no winners today,'' Meyers's brother Bob said at a televised press conference. ``This was not a victory. But yet it was something that had to be done and it was done right.''
Muhammad's execution is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 14, pending appeals, officials said. A formal date will likely be set after an appeal is filed, Prince William County Court Administrator Bob Marsh said.
Full Story @ Bloomberg.com
March 08, 2004
John Kerry is a traitor
John Kerry touts his war record in his campaign and reminds us every 10 min that he is a 'war hero' but in reality he was a man who joined the likes of Jane Fonda to speak out against the war. I really don’t have a problem with speaking out for what you believe is right but I find it a bit hypocritical to brag about your war experience in order to get a job when you were against the very things that you did in the first place.
Here is a copy of a flyer that his group passed out to the Americans people. John Kerry was a member of the group that passed this flyer out. Next time your see an ad with John Kerry's 'war buddy's' remember that he is talking about them in this flyer. Here is a copy of the minutes from one of their meetings and shows John Kerry as a member.
I have a HUGH problem with this and believe that when you go to the trouble of sending out this kind of propaganda you are not a ‘war hero’, you are a traitor.
March 04, 2004
The Passion Of The Liberal
IN THE DOZENS and dozens of panic-stricken articles the New York Times has run on Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," the unavoidable conclusion is that liberals haven't the vaguest idea what Christianity is. The Times may have loopy ideas about a lot of things, but at least when they write about gay bathhouses and abortion clinics, you get the sense they know what they're talking about.
But Christianity just doesn't ring a bell. The religion that has transformed Western civilization for two millennia is a blank slate for liberals. Their closest reference point is "conservative Christians," meaning people you're not supposed to hire. And these are the people who carp about George Bush's alleged lack of "intellectual curiosity."
Full Story @ anncoulter.com
SCO Slips up, Microsoft to Thank
Document shows SCO prepped lawsuit against BofA
The SCO Group filed lawsuits this week against DaimlerChrysler and AutoZone, but the Unix seller's attorneys also had prepared a complaint against Bank of America, according to a document.
A Microsoft Word document of SCO's suit against DaimlerChrysler, seen by CNET News.com, originally identified Bank of America as the defendant instead of the automaker. This revision and others in the document can be seen through powerful but often forgotten features in Microsoft Word known as invisible electronic ink.
A feature in the word-processing software tracks changes to documents, who made those changes, and when they were made. These notations typically are invisible to someone reading a Word document. But as some lawyers, businesspeople and politicians have learned the hard way, Word can also display so-called metadata in the document--including the original version and all subsequent changes. This information is available by viewing the document under "original showing markup" or "final showing markup."
Full Story @ ZDNet
Muddy's Notes : I find this whole ordeal profoundly sad. Your not making money, going to go under and so you start suing people who work on "free" software to earn cash by being bastards of the highest caliber. You threaten everyone you think might have money you can swindle, then you don't show any bloody proof to back up your baseless accusations then start suing more people still without showing any evidence. On top of that you send out hacked word docs that anyone with a few brain cells can look at and see what changes you made. How in the hell these mindless twits are still around is beyond me.
March 03, 2004
"The Passion of Christ" - My Review:
Sometimes, with a movie such as this, one realizes that there is sooo much to say that sometimes one bothers to say hardly anything at all except maybe for just a simple; "It was so cool" or "Wow! What an awesome movie". Granted, some people have been saying MUCH more than that about *this* particular film. Everything from; "It's very Biblically based and follows the scriptures." to the well known accusations of - "This a an "anti-semitic" film - portraying the Jews as the ones who killed Jesus".
We've *all* heard just about every comment (positive and negative) made about this film. There doesn't even seem to be any "middle ground" so to speak. It seems that either people hate it or they love it. That they seem to think either it's Biblically sound or that it lacks Biblical standing - and *some* of these comments have been made from people who have yet to even *see* the movie for themselves. Well, whether you like the film or not ( whether you've actually *seen* the film or not ) one thing IS for certain that I *think* we can all agree on. This film will be the topic of a lot of discussions and highly debated for quite some time.
Well, after seeing it for myself, I really wanted to write my thoughts down while they were still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, like I said, there *is* so much to say (without giving away the style from which this movie was created) that I'm not even sure where to begin.
Personally, as a girl who was raised in a Christian home (accepting Christ myself when I was four years of age ) as well as receiving most of my childhood and some of my adolescent education from a Christian school, I was told the story of Jesus' death many times ( as most of us *have* been told to a degree at one time or another ). At one point, ( I believe it was my freshman year in high school ), I was taught along with my classmates more about the customs of Jesus' day and was also given a little insight to the details of His crucifixion as well as the details of the many sufferings He received leading *up* to the crucifixion itself. Of course, though, I was told these things in moderation based upon the age I was then and how much I could handle at that time.
Let's face it, *anytime* you read the Bible (or almost *any* book for that matter) you can always get *something* new from it depending on where you are in your life. The same goes for this movie. I believe (for me anyway) that this will be one of those films that - because it is directly from the Word - I will be able to watch it MANY times and still be able to get something new from it.
Was it Biblically sound...yes. Did Mel Gibson as an artist take certain "liberties" to drive home the message clearer....yes....However, it was still Biblically sound. Was it extremely violent....yes! Though none of the violence ( in my opinion ) was unnecessary for it showed not only what Jesus DID go through but it showed it in such a descriptive manner that each audience member couldn't help but to have just a little more insight to what Jesus AND the people around Him ( His accusers, His abusers, His disciples, His friends, His family ) went through themselves and what they may have been feeling.
Every expression of each character's face and body language was communicated so beautifully and in such a descriptive manner ( especially as the camera turned to "slow motion" mode ) that you could feel the emotion radiate through the screen - penetrating into each and every audience member. When the camera would pan in on Jesus face, you could plainly see His severe pain and agony. And in spite of it all - even at times when what may have even been a state of utter confusion ( just trying to piece together all of the events happening to Him ) and numbness of body and mind - all He felt for these people was love and forgiveness.
I will say this too....Mel Gibson successfully relayed the loving bond He had with all those around Him...His disciples, followers ( including Mary Magdalene )....and of course, His very own beloved mother....Mary. The whole film moved me beyond what words could begin to describe BUT it was the bond between mother and Son that proved to be *my* first true "breaking point". At one point, you could clearly see the look on Mary's face - feeling so helpless - as her Son was literally beyond her loving protective arms. Knowing that as He was being beaten and made to drag the streets *dragging* His own cross over His own body - that this was indeed the path He had to take - by Himself. Yeah, that was the point I truly broke.....sobbing uncontrollably. In the end, though, even as He hung on that cross - He looked at His mother and one of His disciples and said, "Woman behold thy son..." - then looking at His disciple He said..."Behold thy mother". Even on the cross He not only put others before Himself and forgave those who persecuted Him but He also knew how to look out for His mama :-) You gotta like that :-)
Oh, one last word. Those who say this film is "anti -semitic"? Well, as my sister told my *own* mother: "They don't have a leg to stand on.". Even though there *where* a lot of Jews who condemned Him to death, there where also those who reached out to help Him. My thoughts on anyone becoming "anti - semitic" after seeing this film is this.....if that's the way someone *leaves* the movie theater then that's the way they CAME to the theater and therefore they would just be using this film as an excuse to act out any emotion that has been festering in them from long before!