Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

And you believe the NY Times?

The timing for the announcement seems to be related to a laptop that was seized in a raid on al Qaeda in Pakistan a few days ago.

Sorry, David, but I had to vent this for your perview:

I probably will not vote, or, if I am suddenly moved to do so, I will do so quite reluctantly. Americans are too soft, and do not deserve democracy. They deserve Boooosh. This, based on the pure number of people driving around in little climate controlled cocoons, which drives me insane. You deserve what you get.

"Can accidents of scientific fantasy and organizations of social brotherhood be cherished as the progressive restoration of original innocency?..."

Democracy

"The flag's off to that filthy place, and our speech drowns the sound of the drum.
"In the centers we'll feed the most cynical whoring. We'll smash all logical revolts.
"To the peppery dried-up countries!--in the service of the most gigantic industrial or military exploitation.
"Goodbye to this place. No matter where we're off to. We conscripts of good will are going to display a savage philosophy; ignorant in science, takes where our comfort is concerned; and let the world blow up! This is the real march. Forward, men!"

PS: And because of this, from The Nation

"The potential for fraud and error is daunting. About 61 million of the votes in November, more than half the total, will be counted in the computers of one company, the privately held Election Systems and Software (ES&S) of Omaha, Nebraska. Altogether, nearly 100 million votes will be counted in computers provided and programmed by ES&S and three other private corporations: British-owned Sequoia Voting Systems of Oakland, California, whose touch-screen voting equipment was rejected as insecure against fraud by New York City in the 1990s; the Republican-identified company Diebold Election Systems of McKinney, Texas, whose machines malfunctioned this year in a California election; and Hart InterCivic of Austin, one of whose principal investors is Tom Hicks, who helped make George W. Bush a millionaire."

"it's information we may have had even before 9/11." from what's been reported, although the info was gathered before 9/11, it was only just discovered in pakistan. which is still not an excuse for administration hyping, but if al qaeda decided to hang onto the material this is not completely insignificant.

Al Qaeda is so bogus at this point. I don't think they ever were much of anything to be feared in the first place because any group that uses suicide as a first line tactic is exhibiting desperasion and weakness no matter what devastation it may be able to bring in one shot. There have been no attacks since 9/11. Surely if Al Qaeda were an organization worthy of our deepest fears, they would have struck again.

I initially thought Al Qaeda might make a better boogey man than even the Soviets over the long term since you can pretty much make what you want of them, but now I'm beginning to question this. Data on a computer almos 4 years old doesn't exactly inspire fear. A few more stunts like the one a few days a go, and people might really begin to question what's going on.

exactly. what a sham. it's not as if they have tanks and bomber planes pounding our cities for Christ's sake.

Jason Leopold writes an interesting article here , published at the Znet site, comparing Bush's poll ratings with the timing of terrorist alert pronouncements.

America is the best country on the planet. Why don/t you left idiots move to Iran or saudia Arabia.. We are the most compassinate country on the earth.. Where are the rest of the muslim country's helping withe tsaunmi relief what about the french???????????????????.. Please quiet reporting only bogase reports or the on's that are armful to the u.s. get the h... out if you don't like the US..

It has been given to me from a very credible source that NFL referees have been told to be more favorable to the New Orlean Saints organization during home games. This directive was given by former Comissioner Paul Tagliabue and agreed upon by
the new comissoiner. This behind closed door agreement indicates that all calls and noncalls of penalties are to be given or should lean more toward the Saints to incourage
the team and promote stability and excitement in the region. Also to have a inspiring story within the NFL. During the game calls are to be made timely during the game to give the advantage toward the Saints but not to be to obvious with it
so it doesn't arose suspcion.