HAWT action [hot ak-shuhn]

Web_geM: The Daily Show's Indecision 2008

2008-09-05T16:30:00Z

Every once in a while, something pops up on the web that even
HAWT finds noteworthy. This is the series called Web_geM,
and it's gonna snuggle you into clapping, hitting refresh
and forwarding it on to everyone you know...

No day (Monday through Thursday) is complete without Howard Stern and the Daily Show. I'm going to be honest: the Daily Show's Indecision 2008 doesn't hold a torch to the Daily Show's Indecision 2004. I just don't think the correspondents are cutting it. Four years ago we had Steve Carell (The Office, Get Smart), Stephen Colbert (Colbert Report, Strangers With Candy), Rob Corddry (tons of things) and Ed Helms (The Office) covering the election brilliantly. Each night brought a delight. This year? Not so much.

One thing the Daily Show can still do is research and write. I've covered their successes here in other
Web_geM's, and I feel the need to call out their segment on the media's terribly biased coverage from Wednesday night. You don't want to miss this video.
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Well, the Daily Show explores the lunacy in this 6-minute clip.

Brilliant, and simply HAWTaction [hot ak-shuhn].

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JLF: I Endorse Obama/Biden

2008-09-05T03:30:00Z

Johnny Lead Foot here, and I'm endorsing Obama/Biden for President of these United States...

John de Guzman, our fearless and sometimes-smelly leader, has yet to HAWTaction's endorsement for President, but I have no problem admitting that JLF, the best blogger, ever, is voting for Obama/Biden this election. I didn't post during the Democratic convention because it's boring to report that all the major speakers hit the right nails on the head. Now that iTunes has made all the speeches available for download, I'm sure I'll fly through them again and post comments on why I see a solid, reasonable platform of issues and actions there. Meanwhile, as the Rupublican convention continues, I realize, more and more, that the Republicans are making this election a joke.

For those of you who don't know, PBS is actually running coverage of all the speakers at the convention, not just the 10pm block the networks are broadcasting. I'm trying to get through the PBS broadcast from last night that culminated with Palin, and I'm about to pull the hair out of my head. These speakers (including Carly Fiorina, former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard and Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of EBay) are regurgitating such political garble-generic-jargon that I'm assuming it's a joke now. Of course I'm appalled by the shallow platform under McCain/Palin: McCain is threatening to "fight" the very Washington he has built, but I'm more appalled by the way these speakers are spinning the world to be a different place than we are living in.

Of all the speakers, I'm going to discuss the most charismatic. Former Governor of Massachusetts should have left even the most staunch Republicans scratching their heads.

]]> State of the Union series, I'm just going to paste Mitt Romney's words and then provide my own commentary on how insane they are. The bold is to represent my fury.

"You know, for decades now, the Washington sun has been rising in the east. You see, Washington has been looking to the eastern elites, to the editorial pages of the Times and the Post, and to the broadcasters from the -- from the coast." Really? Tell me the last time Bush showed any interest in the media. He played the media (along with his buddies) like violins. In fact, show me the last time any president bowed to this "media." In addition, point to one thing that the New York Times that has published that was not true.

"Last week, the Democratic convention talked about change. But what do you think? Is Washington now, liberal or conservative? Let me ask you some questions. Is a Supreme Court decision liberal or conservative that awards Guantanamo terrorists with constitutional rights? It's liberal." ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? That's not liberal, that's HUMAN to prove someone's a terrorist before treating them like a sub-human. No charges have been brought up on these men, Romney. Habeus corpus is one of the few things that the founding fathers, as different as they were in policy, agreed on, but Bush and Cheney have pushed that fundamental right aside. For this alone, the election should be over. Closed up shop, because the Republicans agree that they are treating this all like a joke.

"Is government spending, putting aside inflation, liberal or conservative if it doubles since 1980? It's liberal." How can you even say that? All arguments about government spending is moot because the last Democratic President left the largest surplus in the history of the U.S. The current Republican President is leaving the largest deficit in the history of the U.S. How is that a valid statement? It's just bull shit at this point. Since 1980, 20 of the years have been under Republican Presidents, with only 8 for the one Democratic Chief.

"We need change all right: change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington. We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington: Throw out the big-government liberals and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin." Throw out big-government liberals like George Bush and Dick Cheney? What the fuck is Romney talking about? Is he denying that his party has been in charge for the last 8 years? Are we going to take Bush and the House's terrible record and paint it as that of a Liberal leadership? Again, this is just more bull shit.

"It's the same prescription for a stronger economy. I spent 25 years in the private sector. I've done business in many foreign countries. I know why jobs come and why they go away. And I know that liberals don't have a clue." What? There is no basis for this. Again, this is just more bull shit.

"Opportunity expands when there's excellence and choice in education, when taxes are lowered, when every citizen has affordable, portable health insurance, and when constitutional freedoms are preserved. Opportunity rises when children are raised in homes and schools that are free from pornography, and promiscuity, and drugs, where there are homes that are blessed with family values and the presence of a mom and a dad." As a self-employed person, I've never seen affordable, portable health insurance, so I don't know how he's even using that as a marker. It's like me saying Maritans on Venus use brown paper, so things are all good here. It's just as realistic. Constitutional freedoms? You just said you didn't want to extend them to people held without habeus corpus. You have also been fighting, as a party, to keep constitutional rights away from gays. Pornography, promiscuity and drugs? What's funny about the Republican party right now is that they are pro gun, saying that safety can be taught by parents to their children. At the same time, though, parents seem powerless to keep adult entertainment away from children, so they want to pull that away as an option for everyone. Guns? Flood the country. Pornography? Something that never killed anyone? Keep it out of this religious country. Focus on that last one, Romney... let's start with educating the importance of having a sound family with two parents.

"You see, liberals would replace opportunity with dependency on government largesse. They grow government and raise taxes to put more people on Medicaid, to take work requirements out of welfare, and to grow the ranks of those who pay no taxes at all." The government has never been bigger than it is now, and Bush is cripling the future of this country by spending out of control while insisting on keeping taxes low. He's thinking he'll just let that slip away to the next generation. Pass the buck. Meanwhile, Romney turns his back on reality and denies the existing bloated government spend.

"Dependency is death to initiative, to risk-taking and opportunity. It's time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is." Again, where is this dependency coming from? Where is this magical, hidden poison?

"You know, it's time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother." At this point, I think he's kidding. Nothing says Big Brother more than the Patriot Act, a Republican initiative. Isn't this enough proof that they just aren't taking it seriously?

"Our economy is under attack. China is acting like Adam Smith on steroids, buying oil from the world's worst and selling nuclear technology. Russia and the oil states are siphoning more than $500 billion a year from us in what could become the greatest transfer of economic wealth in the history of the world. This is no time for timid, liberal, empty gestures." This is not time? What about for the last 8 years? That wasn't the right time? Bush has been timid with North Korea (they'll behave), Russia (please don't kill your intelligence agents, reporters or invade Georgia?), Iran (we don't even want to talk to them... so they'll go away). THESE LAST 8 YEARS HAVE BEEN EMPTY GESTURES. Is he fucking kidding me?

"The right course is to rein in government spending, lower taxes, take a Weedwacker to excessive regulation and mandates, put a stop to tort windfalls, and to stand up to the Tyrannosaurus appetite of government unions." Again, this is YOUR fucking party's government, dick head.

And that's why I'm endorsing Obama/Biden. The Republicans have jumped on this "Change" bandwagon when, really, they are what they aim to change from. They have distanced themselves from the record of the last 8 years. They don't speak accurately or with any specificity on the current government or the Democratic platform. It's a party that's shoveling bull shit, spreading more terrorist fear and trying, desperately, to pull 4 more years out of this ship that's now sitting at the bottom of the ocean. They would even say to you, "I can't believe we've been carrying all this liberal ballast. We're at the bottom of the ocean and if they stay in charge, we'll sink deeper!" Shit heads, you've been the engine, captain and rudder of this ship.

Just as I'm about to sign this off and jump out a window, McCain is addressing the country in his acceptance speech. He just read, "I fight to restore the pride and priciples of our party. We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us." My comments? If you're so disgusted with your party, change parties, like most of us want to. Leave this Republican corpse behind. And, ooooh, how Washington has changed you, maverick. I remember thinking highly of you in 2000, but when George Bush crushed you in that election with Karl Rove tactics, you fell right in line with the Republican parade... this very parade you're shouting we need to now change.

I'm the best blogger, ever.

- JLF

Spain Continues to do Sassy Things

2008-09-04T17:30:00Z

Back when HAWTaction was a hairless, blind newborn, I wrote a post about how Spain is Doing Sassy Things, covering Spain's surprising effort to utilize renewable energy. I grew up in Spain, so no one could be more surprised (and delighted) than me in these initiatives to lead the way with creative solar power options and other... sassy things. Turns out a few other things have popped out recently and it looks like Spain Continues to do Sassy Things.

First, Spain is taking on the auto industry. There was a formal speed limit in Spain when I grew up there (140 km/h on highways, 87 mph), but it took hitting 180 or 200 km/h to get any cop's attention. That's why I'm surprised at a report in Treehugger at the end of July that reported a trio of Spanish initiatives to change their automobile industry.

The country's energy minister is aiming to set the speed limit, nationwide, at 80km/h (50mph) to conserve gasoline. Spain also intends to save jet fuel by allowing passenger planes to take short-cuts over military airspace. In addition, they are introducing a pilot program to manufacture one million electric and hybrid cars. Before 2014, they intend to hand out (free) 49 million low energy light bulbs. Finally, in a move I can't applaud enough, they are expecting to limit air conditioning in public buildings to 26 degrees C (79 F). (They will also aim to limit heat in winter.) Nothing gets me more mad than going into a store that is over heated and/or over cooled. It's just a waste!

That's Spain taking things seriously. There is still more sass, though!

]]> Second, Spain is leading the solar power industry. A Spanish company, Torresol, has gotten $1.24 billion in funding to bring three massive solar power plants to Spain. The first one is similar to Sevilla's Solar Tower discussed in Spain is Doing Sassy Things. That first Solar Tower is expected to provide power to 600,000 residents by reflecting sunlight (with giant mirrors) to a tower that turns water to steam and runs it through a turbine to make electricity.

This new one will be similar, and it will look like this, but... like... real:

The other two plants will use parabolic trough technology, which sounds... interesting. It looks like this:

This mirrors works on a smaller scale, but also reflects the sunlight up to a water, turns it to steam and pumps it through a turbine. Zero-carbon emissions. Totally clean. Totally great. [Treehugger]

Third, Madrid is following the Dutch in laying down special asphalt. In a kind of brilliant move, someone thought, why not capture dangerous emissions at the source? Madrid's approach is to line a normal street with a layer of "noxer" that, on a warm day, captures nitrous oxide, turning it into a less harmful product that can be washed away with rainwater. Totally sassy. In addition, Madrid's trying out a road that's made of recycled tires to minimize noise pollution. [Engadget]

I'm proud of my country. Keep leading on, little guy. Your initiatives are total HAWTaction [hot ak-shuhn].

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Tall Building: Burj Dubai... in Dubai... in Pictures

2008-09-03T04:00:00Z

I'm way into big buildings. They do a lot more for a city's character and future than most people recognize. So, I think it's HAWTaction [hot ak-shuhn] to keep tabs on new projects like the Burj Dubai... in Dubai... in Pictures, CCTV and TVCC Towers, Tokyo Sky Tree, Burj Dubai (Revisited), Dancing Towers, Dynamic Tower, Dubai Towers, The Lighthouse (Paris), The Lighthouse (Dubai), Antilla, London's Super Tower, Eiffel Tower, Shuffle Tower, Full Moon, Caspian Bay, Chicago Spire, Chicago's Aqua Tower, Infinity Tower, Teardrop, Christmas Tree or the Burj Dubai.

We have visited the Burj Dubai as the first Tall Building post: Tall Building: Burj Dubai... in Dubai. We have revisited progress on the building with Tall Building: Burj Dubai... in Dubai (Revisited). Now, our little baby's grown up. It's weeks away from reaching it's final peak, and there are a new crop of photos. Read the links above, then zip through these amazing pics.

Those buildings next to the Burj Dubai? They are plenty tall in their own right, but they look like lego projects next to this true monster.

Oh, there's more.
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It looks like a photo from satellite, and it just might be.

Elevator shaft? (I just met her...)

The photos are big because the building's big. It works that way. When we cover the Smurf mushrooms, you're going to need a magnifying lens. Click on any of these photos for a larger, pop-out.

This post is brought to you by a giant, phallic things.

The Burj Dubai remains HAWT action [hot ak-shuhn]. You know we'll revisit once it is complete with furniture, windows, working elevators and a suite with HAWTaction on the door.

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State of the Union, Part IV: 2004

2008-09-02T20:00:00Z

As a countdown to Bush leaving the office of the President of these United States, we at HAWT will look back at his addresses to the Union in an 8-part series, starting with his Inaugural Address in 2001 and ending with his State of the Union in 2008.

"Political rhetoric." It is empty, hollow and is rarely followed through on. Of course, we all want schools to be better. We all want the economy to get better. We all want lower taxes, added safety. We all want those basic things that political contenders blabber about... and when they get into office, they continue to blabber. It seems like blabbering is politicking. Policy-making isn't politicking.

Knowing how everything has turned out for Bush's stay at the helm, let's look back at George Bush's choppy, poorly delivered political blabber. In this series, you will see cherry-picked excerpts of George W. Bush's speech. These are all his own words. There are some gems in here. A new entry in the series, State of the Union, will appear on the first of every month until January 1, 2009.

President George W. Bush
State of the Union
2004

"As we gather tonight, hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure."

"We've not come all this way -- through tragedy, and trial and war -- only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same from us. In their efforts, their enterprise, and their character, the American people are showing that the state of our union is confident and strong."

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"[W]e must continue to give our homeland security and law enforcement personnel every tool they need to defend us. And one of those essential tools is the Patriot Act, which allows federal law enforcement to better share information, to track terrorists, to disrupt their cells, and to seize their assets. For years, we have used similar provisions to catch embezzlers and drug traffickers. If these methods are good for hunting criminals, they are even more important for hunting terrorists."

"You need to renew the Patriot Act."

"Last March, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a mastermind of September the 11th, awoke to find himself in the custody of U.S. and Pakistani authorities. Last August the 11th brought the capture of the terrorist Hambali, who was a key player in the attack in Indonesia that killed over 200 people. We're tracking al Qaeda around the world, and nearly two-thirds of their known leaders have now been captured or killed."

"As of this month, [Afghanistan] has a new constitution, guaranteeing free elections and full participation by women. Businesses are opening, health care centers are being established, and the boys and girls of Afghanistan are back in school. The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free and proud and fighting terror -- and America is honored to be their friend."

"Since we last met in this chamber, combat forces of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Poland and other countries enforced the demands of the United Nations, ended the rule of Saddam Hussein, and the people of Iraq are free."

"Having broken the Baathist regime, we face a remnant of violent Saddam supporters. These killers, joined by foreign terrorists, are a serious, continuing danger. [...] The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime."

"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. [...] Today our coalition is working with the Iraqi Governing Council to draft a basic law, with a bill of rights. We're working with Iraqis and the United Nations to prepare for a transition to full Iraqi sovereignty by the end of June."

"Month by month, Iraqis are assuming more responsibility for their own security and their own future."

"Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons. Colonel Qadhafi correctly judged that his country would be better off and far more secure without weapons of mass murder."

"Along with nations in the region, we're insisting that North Korea eliminate its nuclear program. America and the international community are demanding that Iran meet its commitments and not develop nuclear weapons."

"Many of our troops are listening tonight. [...] [M]y administration, and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror."

"The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got."

"Some in this chamber, and in our country, did not support the liberation of Iraq. [...] Already, the Kay Report identified dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations. Had we failed to act, the dictatator's weapons of mass destruction programs would continue to this day. Had we failed to act, Security Council resolutions on Iraq would have been revealed as empty threats, weakening the United Nations and encouraging defiance by dictators around the world. Iraq's torture chambers would still be filled with victims, terrified and innocent. [...] For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's regime is a better and safer place."

"Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices."

"America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country."

"We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again."

"As long as the Middle East remains a place of tyranny and despair and anger, it will continue to produce men and movements that threaten the safety of America and our friends. [...] [W]e will finish the historic work of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq, so those nations can light the way for others, and help transform a troubled part of the world."

"We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire [...], yet we understand our special calling: This great republic will lead the cause of freedom."

"The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; new home construction, the highest in almost 20 years; home ownership rates, the highest ever."

"I propose a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st Century. This program will provide extra help to middle and high school students who fall behind in reading and math, expand advanced placement programs in low-income schools, invite math and science professionals from the private sector to teach part-time in our high schools. I propose larger Pell grants for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school. I propose increasing our support for America's fine community colleges, so they can train workers for industries that are creating the most new jobs."

"[T]he tax cuts you passed should be permanent."

"Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run -- so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy."

"We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people. And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting as good stewards of taxpayers' dollars."

"In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years."

"Tonight, I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy because employers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary worker program will help protect our homeland, allowing Border Patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security."

"I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws."

"Our nation's health care system, like our economy, is also in a time of change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving lives. This dramatic progress has brought its own challenge, in the rising costs of medical care and health insurance. Members of Congress, we must work together to help control those costs and extend the benefits of modern medicine throughout our country."

"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs. Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. (Applause.) I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance."

"A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world."

"[T]onight I proposed an additional $23 million for schools that want to use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives. The aim here is not to punish children, but to send them this message: We love you, and we don't want to lose you."

"The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now."

"To encourage right choices, we must be willing to confront the dangers young people face -- even when they're difficult to talk about. Each year, about 3 million teenagers contract sexually-transmitted diseases that can harm them, or kill them, or prevent them from ever becoming parents. In my budget, I propose a grassroots campaign to help inform families about these medical risks. We will double federal funding for abstinence programs, so schools can teach this fact of life: Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually-transmitted diseases."

"I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states."

"Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage."

"The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight."

"By executive order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again."

"My fellow citizens, we now move forward, with confidence and faith. Our nation is strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is right, because it is the cause of all mankind. The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable -- and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true."

"May God continue to bless America."

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JLF: Sarah Palin is a Disaster. McCain? Not Doing Well Either.

2008-08-31T02:00:00Z

Johnny Lead Foot here, and I'm furious...

[To see Jenn Cloutier's comments on Palin, check out J.C.: Sarah Palin is the Best! She Should be President!]

I honestly don't know what I saw on Friday with John McCain. Did he really just pick someone with less experience than Obama to be his running mate? Did he really? Isn't that McCain's main argument as to why Obama isn't ready to be President? So, he picked someone with LESS THAN TWO YEARS' EXPERIENCE as the governor of Alaska to be his 2nd in command - one heart beat away from leading us? I still can't believe it.

It's also a hollow attempt to show the Republicans are diverse, too. "We aren't just white men! We've managed to brainwash non-white men! Look at this sex pot!" It screams of desperation, trying to pull the female vote. They saw the power and passion of the female vote with Hillary. The problem is, the female vote that fell in line with H. Clinton? They aren't interested in voting for a female Taliban leader.

]]> She's against gay marriage, doesn't believe we are the reason for global warming, doesn't believe in a woman's right to chose (even in the case of rape or incest), she wants to drill in Alaska's wildlife refuge, wants creationism taught in school and sued the U.S. government because they dare label polar bears an endangered species. (Didn't the White House understand that polar bears got in the way of oil drilling up there?)

This is not Hillary Clinton. I mean... she's so far right, this isn't even McCain. She's so far right, she's on the tip of the wing, waving back at Huckabee. This is the blinded-by-faith and narrow-minded religious extremists we are fighting in Afghanistan.

What happened to McCain? I remember in 2000 when he was a strong candidate. He was like an older Bloomberg with Republican ideals, but flexible enough to be considered a human. After Bush/Rove kicked his ass in the primaries, though, McCain fell in line with big business, tax breaks for the rich and cuddling the religous right. He started denying science, like global warming and recessions. His policies shifted from those for the people to those of the corporation. Bush's lap dog, he still has yet to admit that anything has gone wrong in Iraq. If we have to praise his service in the armed forces in Vietnam, we also have to acknowledge his dis-service to the armed forces in Iraq. Denying the issues with the war is losing lives and crippling policy.

Now his 2008 campaign. I don't know how he beat out the other candidates in the primaries. How did this man, who doesn't know how many homes he has and struggles with reading, beat out Romney and Huckabee? Granted, I don't want any of them as President, but I still don't know how McCain came out on top there.

He's been talking about "fighting" once he gets into office, but I ask you... what is he fighting? Things now are exactly the way he wants them to be. He's agreed with Bush almost every time as Bush has set insane policies, including torture. So, what is McCain going to fight? He's going to fight anyone who wants to change the status quo? I listened to his speech again where he introduced Palin, and he says he's going to fight the Washington system that puts the politician first, the country second. It seems like he's going to be beating himself up a lot. And that Palin, too. She might not be so fiery with a black eye.

The first true test of a Presidential candidate is who he chooses to be the number 2. The first member of his cabinet. McCain? In his first major decision as a would-be President, he picks a psycho, religious, inexperienced nut to be his running mate. She's so inexperienced, she saiid this a couple of weeks ago.

Who can look at this administration's 8 years and not know what the VP does? What the f*ck bubble has she been living in? A bubble called Alaska where a beauty queen/tv hournalist/hockey mom can be awarded the office of governor with just over 110,000 votes. See, there is only one constituency in Alaska. Big business who's trying to extract the planet of its natural resources, including coal, precious stones and oil. They will place anyone in office who would vote their way. She's only ever had to think about placating big business, and she's done a bang up job. She fights to take polar bears off the endangered species list because they are getting in the way of the extraction! That's all the experience she has, and that's not someone I want in any position of power.

I don't know how people like Jenn Cloutier can support this ticket. I just don't get it.

Always your pleasure.

- JLF

Find me on Facebook.com, and join the HAWTaction.com Reader group. My name there is Johnny LeadFoot (they didn't allow the space).

J.C.: Sarah Palin is the Best! She Should be President!

2008-08-30T16:20:00Z

[To see Johnny Lead Foot's comments on Palin, check out JLF: Sarah Palin is a Disaster. McCain? Not Doing Well Either.]

I know it's Saturday and this is the first weekend post, ever, on HAWTaction, but.... I.... like.... have to talk about how excited I am for John McCain's pick for his Vice President. I mean, I've already outlined why I think Obama's a terrible candidate, but now? [Click on my name in the column on the right to see my work.] With Sarah Palin on board? How can you NOT love this ticket!

I was as surprised as everyone else when McCain announced this news. Who was this foxy momma? She's so hot!!! She looks like Tina Fey, who I don't find to be that funny, and Elaine from Seinfeld, who I didn't find to be that funny, either. So hot! Maybe the reason no one knew who she was because she hasn't had much experience in, like, an elected position. Turns out she is from Alaska - which is like out in the Pacific, but north - where she's been Governor for almost two years. In that time, she has done many great things! First off, she had a baby! That means she got into office, got pregnant nine months into it, then had a pregnancy and took maternity leave. She was back to work three days after the baby's birth. Girl power!

Unfortunately, she's 42 and that probably lead to the complications where they found out that their child had Down syndrome while she was still pregnant. Boo. :-( But, the first thing I'll point out that's so great about Palin is that she doesn't believe in abortion, not even in the case of rape or incest. Did she kill the Down syndrome child in her belly? No. She had that baby and she is so proud of him that she had him up on the stage with the family on tv yesterday. She was such a good mom that it was like she had him as the family mascot! %-) She also had her children signing autographs, which is awesome!
]]> sued the U.S. government because they are still listing polar bears as endangered species. Still! I can't believe it! I mean, look at how big Alaska is! Polar bears have plenty of places to go! Yeah!

So, Palin said enough of this wildlife coddling! We're going to build pipelines and we're going to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because there is oil there. She doesn't care that there are thousands and thousands of miles of land already leased by the petroleum companies they aren't drilling on. She knows there's oil in the refuge, and she's pushing to make that happen. It's our oil, after all!!! Bush, incidentally, responded to her law suit by lessening the restrictions for companies working in the area. It's ok for them to now "inconvenience" animals with their construction. Yay!

Another reason she's the best?!?! She doesn't think we are causing global warming. It's not us! We still don't have enough data to make an informed decision! She's totally right.

Also? She thinks creationism should be taught in school. We really don't know how this planet was made, so why are we only focusing on evolution? It actually doesn't make any sense! Why not teach all the options! I mean...the Bible says... well, I'll leave religion out of this.

Palin also wants to reverse Roe v. Wade.

So, I'm not just excited about her... I'm super excited! :-) Even if McCain were to die... like... a couple of months after getting into office, she's totally ready to take over. She has two years running a state of a few hundred thousand people! How much experience do you need to be President? And she would bring the values back to the White House that we need.

You know what I liked most about McCain's announcement? It felt quaint and simple. It felt like a small-town homecoming celebration. It felt like Palin was nervous and talking to a large crowd for the first time. I love that! I mean, the Democrats were in a STADIUM! Boo. How elitist can you get? You can keep your 75,000 people and your stadium. I want something more quaint and personal. I'll take the presidential campaign that feels good and familiar. I'll take the presidential campaign that feels like a homecoming celebration.

I loooooooooooove Sarah Palin! Ladies? Forget Hillary Clinton! We have a real woman to support!

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Monthly Review & Update: August 2008

2008-08-29T16:30:00Z

The last day of the month brings the Review and Update for the HAWT action [hot ak-shuhn] posts! We have a high volume of output here, and I want to walk you through the month's content.

Catch up on any story you missed (and Jason's comments)! ]]> HAWTaction.com. Read away...

SPECIAL SERIES

State of the Union

Olympic Building

08-08-08. The Olympics are going to hit Beijing like a political sledgehammer. One thing the world can agree on, though, is that Beijing's Olympic buildings are stunning. The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube? They have no precedent. They are totally ground-breaking. You'll see.

Johnny Lead Foot (the best blogger in the world, ever) has deep, researched posts. He provides the Steve Kroft to my Jon Stewart. His posts this month have been fantastic, and I encourage you to get a cup of tea and sit down for some great reads.

Jenn Cloutier (a different kind of blogger) has a unique voice on this site. Her reports aren't as "researched" as JLF, but she represents a large part of the U.S.'s voice.

ArcHiT3cT:
There are a lot of Tall Building posts on HAWTaction, but where's the love for the little guys? We find them here, in the ArcHiT3cT: series where we profile outstanding architects whose works don't fall under the Tall Building parameters. Enjoy the works of architects like Zaha Hadid, Santiago Calatrava, Herzog and de Meuron, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry... Oh, this is going to be a fun series.

ArcHiT3cT: Paul Andreu. The Egg.

ORIGINS
Some things are essential to our everyday lives, yet their ORIGINS have escaped us. The names of the days of the week? The months? Our "Arabic" numeral system? Giving someone the bird? 60 seconds in a minute? What defines the length of a second? The game of chess? It goes ON and ON... HAWTaction [hot ak-shuhn] will bring you those histories in ORIGINS.

ORIGINS: The Computer Keyboard

Breaking Knews

... From your news headquarters ... at HAWTaction ... we bring you ... Breaking Knews ...

Breaking Knews: George Lucas Presents Additional Star Wars Projects

Web_geM

Playing God
When things go so advanced in the science of biology, like when we determine aspects of our babies or cause human ears to grow on mice, we are Playing God. This is a series that explore those advances.

Playing God. Project: Artificial Pancreas

General Content
These posts run the gambit from environmental achievements to entertainment news. Learn something!

Photo&Caption

Photo&Caption: Solar Eclipse

Enjoy! Here comes September, the month of vacation! Thanks for reading (and commenting)!

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Posthumous Credit Card Bills

2008-08-28T04:30:00Z

If it's Amex, it's all good. Any other institution? Anxiety kicsk in when I pick up the phone to fix/negotiate/arrange/change/complain/dispute something. Honestly? The systems are built to frustrate you, from the long menus to the in-the-box thinkers you finally talk to.

The first thing you do is put in your account number, which, in this day of emailed statements, is never anywhere to be found. I don't think "Account ending in 0203" has ever helped. Once you ferret that out and punch it in, it's repeated back to you, you approve.... then it asks you for your home phone number. Then a security code. Then it tosses a bunch of data your way, like your outstanding balance and due date. Then you explore a menu of options that are both generic and non-specific... eventually, a person, usually after sitting on the 0 button. The first thing they ask for? Your account number, phone number and security code. It's enough to drive you mad.

And they are programmed to be dumb. They read from their scripts like soul-less robots, immune from any urgency or frustration you may be experiencing. I've certainly had my share of yelling matches and threatening expletives.

Well, thanks to brother Alex, I was pointed in the direction of one FairLoanRate.com. They have an example of a conversation between a service representative (and manager) and a man who is informing them their client, his family member, had passed away.]]> The script from the FairLoanRate article.

Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die!!
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.
Here is the exchange:
Family Member: “I am calling to tell you she died in January.”
Citibank: “The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.”
Family Member: “Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.”
Citibank: “Since it is two months past due, it already has been.”
Family Member : So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?”
Citibank: “Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!”
Family Member: “Do you think God will be mad at her?” (I really liked this part!!!!)
Citibank: “Excuse me?”
Family Member: “Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?”
Citibank: “Sir, you’ll have to speak to my supervisor.” (Duh!)
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: “I’m calling to tell you, she died in January.”
Citibank: “The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.” (This must be a phrase taught by the bank!)
Family Member: “You mean you want to collect from her estate?”
Citibank: (Stammer) “Are you her lawyer?”
Family Member: “No, I’m her great nephew.”
(Lawyer info given)
Citibank: “Could you fax us a certificate of death?”
Family Member: “Sure.” (Fax number is given)
After they get the fax:
Citibank: “Our system just isn’t setup for death. I don’t know what more I can do to help.”
Family Member: “Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. I don’t think she will care.”
Citibank: “Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.” (What is wrong with these people?!?)
Family Member: “Would you like her new billing address?”
Citibank: “That might help.”
Family Member: “Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.”
Citibank: “Sir, that’s a cemetery!”
The Conversation ended here but I wonder if citibank is still sending credit card statements and collection staff to this address.

I don't know how accurate this re-telling is. I don't know if it's a stroke of creative genius behind the minds of FairLoanRate. What I do know, is that I believe this can happen. It can totally happen. Conversations like this happen every second of every day. Until we at HAWT are granted Patriot Act snooping capabilities, we're just going to have to dream about the possibilities.

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The Volcano Stadium

2008-08-27T14:00:00Z

Architecture is just getting sassier and sassier. People like Calatrava, Herzog & de Meuron, Hadid, Gehry, Piano and Koolhaas have set a new standard. Beyond functional and beautiful, the building, itself, can be the reason someone visits the building. Heck, the bulding can even give a new lifeline to its city... check the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain or the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee.

This level of sophistication has reached international sporting stadiums. For some reason the two new baseball stadiums in NYC aren't doing anything "special." Internationally, though? Look at the Olympic Bird's Nest or Allianz Arena in Germany. And now... we have... Mexico’s Club Deportivo Guadalajara. Designed by the french architect company Massaud, this is the Volcano Stadium.

Awwwwwwww, yeah. There's a stadium in there. What happens when you walk through one of those little slots at the bottom of the "volcano?"]]>

That is hidden in the grass-covered slopes of the volcano. It's odd because this computer-render of the stadium has white seats, but I've read the seats will be lava red... in keeping with the theme, you know.

Key to the building's function is the "cloud" above the volcano. Made of fabric, it protects the patrons from the elements. It will also act as a projection screen where advertisements will be broadcast. It's supported by extremely thin columns (it's quite light), that make the cloud look like it's floating over this green volcano.

This complex will cost about $100 million, and will not only have a stadium, but a restaurant, museum, 2 stores, a hairdresser (no joke), theater, skateboard park, 50 beverage stations and parking structure with capacity for 750 cars. It will seat 42,250 attendees with 340 suites and a Chivas club with 500 spots. One of those spots will be mine.

Now, I know soccer/futbol isn't quite popular in Mexico, so I hope this stadium brings the sport some popularity to the beautiful sport down there. Guadalajara's getting a gem.

The Volcano Stadium is some HAWTaction [hot ak-shuhn].

[Thanks Andres, for the lead.]

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Yeah, Mars Has Moon

2008-08-26T14:00:00Z

Mars. The Red Planet. The War Planet. All that. What people don't seem to know is that Mars has a moon. It's called Phobos, and it's just as inhabitable as our cheese-filled one.

Mars, our closest planet neighbor, was originally discovered a quadrillion years ago by the Ancient people who were bored at night and just looked up. It became a symbol to almost all cultures, including a symbol of the God of war for the Romans, Greeks and Sanskrit cultures; fire, war and destruction for the Babylons; Mangala in Hindu culture; Horus the Red for Ancient Egyptians; "the one who blushes" for the Hebrews; the God of faith for the Persians; and the fire symbol from the five elements for Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese.

With all of that staring and worshiping and doting, it wasn't until 1877, in the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C., that someone looked and said, "I see a moon off that red dude."

This is one of the first detailed photos of the moon, courtesy of Exxon Mobil. Wait... I mean NASA. Phobos, the God of Fear, is the son of Mars in Greek Mythology. First seen by Asaph Hall, Sr., Phobos is strange because it's really porous, it orbits closer to Mars than any other moon to its planet and is incredibly not reflective. Light hits this guy and gets sucked in. Essentially, it's more like an asteroid than a planet. It's also extremely NOT symmetrical. (It's also extremely NOT Mars' only moon.)]]>
That is a mosaic of three photos taken by Viking I. [Read more about NASA spacecraft here: The Voyager Spacecraft Kick Ass! Prove Solar System is Not Straight!] Phobos has been beat up pretty severely.

Now, though most people don't know Mars has a moon, fewer know that Mars has two moons. In fact, the smaller moon, Deimos, was discovered by Hall about a week before he discovered Phobos, so this is post is pulling off a Memento. (Whoa! Shocked? Surprised?) Deimos is named after another of God Mars' people, the Greek symbol of Dread. This is Deimos, just as irregular, dark and barren as its big brother, Phobos.

These little guys, both a fraction the size of our moon, sometimes cut in front of the sun and are captured as hilarious, tiny eclipses. I'll leave you with photos of said eclipses and the reminder that you just learned something.

Phobos eclipse

Deimos eclipse

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JLF: State of the Union, Part III: 2003. JLF's Response.

2008-08-26T00:00:00Z

Johnny Lead Foot here, and I'm taking on Bush's State of the Union...

John continues an 8-part series that explores President Bush's addresses to the U.S. population called State of The Union, from his first inaugural speech in 2001 to his State of the Union in 2008. John brilliantly pastes Bush's words. Just his words. He left it up to us to figure out what to make of them. I had to comment on our General's comments. Enjoy. The bold is necessary for my fury, especially since we're a few months out from Iraq's invasion.

Click on State of The Union (there, or to the right) to see all posts.

President George W. Bush
State of the Union
2003

"During this session of Congress, we have the duty to reform domestic programs vital to our country; we have the opportunity to save millions of lives abroad from a terrible disease. We will work for a prosperity that is broadly shared, and we will answer every danger and every enemy that threatens the American people." Except China, Iran, North Korea, poverty, energy crisis...

"...our faith is sure..." Our? Your? Both are questionable.

]]> "This country has many challenges. We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, to other presidents, and other generations." Except the environment, deficit, international relations, education, Muslim extremists' hate towards us...

"During the last two years, we have seen what can be accomplished when we work together. To lift the standards of our public schools, we achieved historic education reform -- which must now be carried out in every school and in every classroom, so that every child in America can read and learn and succeed in life. To protect our country, we reorganized our government and created the Department of Homeland Security, which is mobilizing against the threats of a new era. To bring our economy out of recession, we delivered the largest tax relief in a generation. To insist on integrity in American business we passed tough reforms, and we are holding corporate criminals to account." Homeland Security. What a success. In terms of integrity in American business, it didn't stop the collapse of the housing market. Where are those laws for Fannie and Freddie Mac?

"Some might call this a good record; I call it a good start." I call it a crappy start.

"Our first goal is clear: We must have an economy that grows fast enough to employ every man and woman who seeks a job. After recession, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals and stock market declines, our economy is recovering -- yet it's not growing fast enough, or strongly enough. With unemployment rising, our nation needs more small businesses to open, more companies to invest and expand, more employers to put up the sign that says, 'Help Wanted.'" How'd that go for you? Grow the economy into a recession? Are you going to tell me that was the plan all along, or just ignore the recession? Oh, the latter?

"The best way to address the deficit and move toward a balanced budget is to encourage economic growth, and to show some spending discipline in Washington, D.C." How did that go for you, too, Mr. Biggest-Spending-President-of-All-Time?

"I will send you a budget that increases discretionary spending by 4 percent next year -- about as much as the average family's income is expected to grow. And that is a good benchmark for us. Federal spending should not rise any faster than the paychecks of American families." Hahahahahaha. You funny.

"Our second goal is high quality, affordable health care for all Americans. [It] will not be solved with a nationalized health care system that dictates coverage and rations care." How'd that go for you? (I'm tired of asking this question.)

"Instead of bureaucrats and trial lawyers and HMOs, we must put doctors and nurses and patients back in charge of American medicine." Oooooorrrrrrr, we can look to the insurance industry to set the standards.

"Our third goal is to promote energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment. I have sent you a comprehensive energy plan to promote energy efficiency and conservation, to develop cleaner technology, and to produce more energy at home. [This was 5 years ago, right? Ooooh, I get it. By "promote" you mean "promote" not "execute." Clever!] I have sent you Clear Skies legislation that mandates a 70-percent cut in air pollution from power plants over the next 15 years. [B.S. Clear Skies, for the record, LESSENED pollution restrictions - like for NO, NOx, SO2 - and pushed enforcement of public health standards until end of 2015. I'm getting full HAWT.] I have sent you a Healthy Forests Initiative, to help prevent the catastrophic fires that devastate communities, kill wildlife, and burn away millions of acres of treasured forest." Wait... a policy that leaves giant logging companies in charge of thinning forests? How could that be bad for the world?

"I ask you to take a crucial step and protect our environment in ways that generations before us could not have imagined. [...] Tonight I'm proposing $1.2 billion in research funding so that America can lead the world in developing clean, hydrogen-powered automobiles." Ummm... How'd that go for you? I've yet to see any progress in hydrogen-powered cars. Looks like you jumpd over from hydrogen to corn-based ethanol, right, and we know what a mess that is.

"A single chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates energy, which can be used to power a car -- producing only water, not exhaust fumes. With a new national commitment, our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles to taking these cars from laboratory to showroom, so that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free." It's funny, W. Bush, Man-of-Science... no exhaust fumes, but I still smell bull shit.

"Our fourth goal is to apply the compassion of America to the deepest problems of America. [...] Americans are doing the work of compassion every day -- visiting prisoners, providing shelter for battered women, bringing companionship to lonely seniors. These good works deserve our praise; they deserve our personal support; and when appropriate, they deserve the assistance of the federal government. [...] I urge you to pass both my faith-based initiative and the Citizen Service Act, to encourage acts of compassion that can transform America, one heart and one soul at a time." What? That's our forth goal? What the hell is this? Is this to help cocaine and alcohol users find Jesus like you did?

"And because no human life should be started or ended as the object of an experiment, I ask you to set a high standard for humanity, and pass a law against all human cloning." Where did THIS come from? Out of noooooowhere. So, no life should be eneded as the object of an experiment, but we'll just throw those fetuses from fertility clinics in the trash. Wait a second... I htink fertility clinics start AND end lives as the object of experiements. Oh, and once they get older, President Bush says killing inmates is a.o.k., so have at it.

"The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in America also determine our conduct abroad." We'll see how well this goes. I get the feeling that: Courage + compassion = torture + secret kidnappings to take people to hidden CIA prisons in other countries.

"AIDS can be prevented." But, that would take money and yours is gonna be all tied up elsewhere.

"There's never a day when I do not learn of another [terror] threat, or receive reports of operations in progress, or give an order in this global war against a scattered network of killers. The war goes on, and we are winning." SO, you get a report every day, but didn't pay attention to the one that read, "Bin Laden Determined to Attack In The U.S.?" Hmmmm... And we actually might have been winning when we were just focusing on the Taliban in Afghanistan. Not so much anymore.

"All told, more than 3,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested in many countries. Many others have met a different fate. Let's put it this way -- they are no longer a problem to the United States and our friends and allies." Let's put it this way, too, I'm going to piss on the constitution, Geneva Convention and habeus corpus to make sure they can't erase my "terrorist" label.

"America and coalition countries have uncovered and stopped terrorist conspiracies targeting the American embassy in Yemen, the American embassy in Singapore, a Saudi military base, ships in the Straits of Hormuz and the Straits the Gibraltar. We've broken al Qaeda cells in Hamburg, Milan, Madrid, London, Paris, as well as, Buffalo, New York." Looks like we got rid of all of 'em. How about we find/build a giant one in Iraq! We can spend years, thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars breaking that one up!

"We've intensified security at the borders and ports of entry, posted more than 50,000 newly-trained federal screeners in airports, begun inoculating troops and first responders against smallpox, and are deploying the nation's first early warning network of sensors to detect biological attack. And this year, for the first time, we are beginning to field a defense to protect this nation against ballistic missiles." Wow, empty rhetoric. Those either turned into nothing or were insanely ineffective. Might have well just farted into the microphone for this one.

"The budget I send you will propose almost $6 billion to quickly make available effective vaccines and treatments against agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, Ebola, and plague. We must assume that our enemies would use these diseases as weapons, and we must act before the dangers are upon us." That actually would have been a good use of our money.... but f it. Bombs are cooler.

"We have called on the United Nations to fulfill its charter and stand by its demand that Iraq disarm." Or else...

"In Iran, we continue to see a government that represses its people, pursues weapons of mass destruction, and supports terror. We also see Iranian citizens risking intimidation and death as they speak out for liberty and human rights and democracy. Iranians, like all people, have a right to choose their own government and determine their own destiny -- and the United States supports their aspirations to live in freedom." Unless they aren't ready to determine their own destiny. Maybe we can't shove democracy down everyone's throats? By the way, Myanmarr (Burma) has been begging us to step in and help them get democracy... they have oil there! Isn't that enough?

"On the Korean Peninsula, an oppressive regime rules a people living in fear and starvation. Throughout the 1990s, the United States relied on a negotiated framework to keep North Korea from gaining nuclear weapons. We now know that that regime was deceiving the world, and developing those weapons all along. And today the North Korean regime is using its nuclear program to incite fear and seek concessions. America and the world will not be blackmailed." We might not be blackmailed, but we will turn the other cheek.

"Our nation and the world must learn the lessons of the Korean Peninsula and not allow an even greater threat to rise up in Iraq. A brutal dictator, with a history of reckless aggression, with ties to terrorism, with great potential wealth, will not be permitted to dominate a vital region and threaten the United States." He got rough with the only one without a real army.

"[Saddam Hussein] pursued chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, even while inspectors were in his country." Or not.

"[Saddam Hussein] has shown instead utter contempt for the United Nations, and for the opinion of the world." Whereas Iran, North Korea and China are U.N. BFFs.

"The United Nations concluded in 1999 that Saddam Hussein had biological weapons sufficient to produce over 25,000 liters of anthrax -- enough doses to kill several million people. He hasn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it." Wait... he didn't provide proof of destruction of something he didn't have?

"The United Nations concluded that Saddam Hussein had materials sufficient to produce more than 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin -- enough to subject millions of people to death by respiratory failure. He hadn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it." Again... he didn't provide proof of destruction of something he didn't have?

"Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent. In such quantities, these chemical agents could also kill untold thousands. He's not accounted for these materials. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed them." Or not... and we might destroy anyone who proves that statement wrong. (Ahem, Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame.)

"U.S. intelligence indicates that Saddam Hussein had upwards of 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents. Inspectors recently turned up 16 of them -- despite Iraq's recent declaration denying their existence. Saddam Hussein has not accounted for the remaining 29,984 of these prohibited munitions. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed them." Again... he didn't provide proof of destruction of something he didn't have?

"From three Iraqi defectors we know that Iraq, in the late 1990s, had several mobile biological weapons labs. These are designed to produce germ warfare agents, and can be moved from place to a place to evade inspectors. Saddam Hussein has not disclosed these facilities. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed them." Again... he didn't provide proof of destruction of something he didn't have?

"The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon and was working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a bomb. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production. Saddam Hussein has not credibly explained these activities. He clearly has much to hide." Oh, did we find it.

"The dictator of Iraq is not disarming. To the contrary; he is deceiving. From intelligence sources we know, for instance, that thousands of Iraqi security personnel are at work hiding documents and materials from the U.N. inspectors, sanitizing inspection sites and monitoring the inspectors themselves. Iraqi officials accompany the inspectors in order to intimidate witnesses." Marines? Ready!

"Iraq is blocking U-2 surveillance flights requested by the United Nations. Iraqi intelligence officers are posing as the scientists inspectors are supposed to interview. Real scientists have been coached by Iraqi officials on what to say. Intelligence sources indicate that Saddam Hussein has ordered that scientists who cooperate with U.N. inspectors in disarming Iraq will be killed, along with their families." Media spin? Ready!

"Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help them develop their own." Halliburton? Ready!

"Before September the 11th, many in the world believed that Saddam Hussein could be contained. But chemical agents, lethal viruses and shadowy terrorist networks are not easily contained. Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known. We will do everything in our power to make sure that that day never comes." Fear machine? Ready!

"Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike? If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option." Super fear machine? Ready!

"The dictator who is assembling the world's most dangerous weapons has already used them on whole villages -- leaving thousands of his own citizens dead, blind, or disfigured. Iraqi refugees tell us how forced confessions are obtained -- by torturing children while their parents are made to watch. International human rights groups have catalogued other methods used in the torture chambers of Iraq: electric shock, burning with hot irons, dripping acid on the skin, mutilation with electric drills, cutting out tongues, and rape. If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning." We're going to take out all evil leaders! I'm game! Wait... we're only taking out this evil leader? That.... doesn't... make... sense.

"And tonight I have a message for the brave and oppressed people of Iraq: Your enemy is not surrounding your country -- your enemy is ruling your country. And the day he and his regime are removed from power will be the day of your liberation." Liberation = new enemy for you to hate and feel oppressed by.

"The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. [We can wait no longer!!] America will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country, and our friends and our allies. The United States will ask the U.N. Security Council to convene on February the 5th to consider the facts of Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world. Secretary of State Powell will present information and intelligence about Iraqi's legal -- Iraq's illegal weapons programs, its attempt to hide those weapons from inspectors, and its links to terrorist groups." We're going to war!!!

"We will consult. But let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him." We're going to war!!!

"Tonight I have a message for the men and women who will keep the peace, members of the American Armed Forces. Your training has prepared you. Your honor will guide you. You believe in America, and America believes in you." We're going to war!!!

"Sending Americans into battle is the most profound decision a President can make. This nation fights reluctantly, because we know the cost and we dread the days of mourning that always come" We're going to war!!!

"We seek peace. We strive for peace. And sometimes peace must be defended. A future lived at the mercy of terrible threats is no peace at all. If war is forced upon us, we will fight in a just cause and by just means -- sparing, in every way we can, the innocent. And if war is forced upon us, we will fight with the full force and might of the United States military -- and we will prevail." We're going to war!!!

"And as we and our coalition partners are doing in Afghanistan, we will bring to the Iraqi people food and medicines and supplies -- and freedom." Remember when we actually HAD partners?

"America is a strong nation, and honorable in the use of our strength. We exercise power without conquest, and we sacrifice for the liberty of strangers." I think you're sitting on the motorcycle of America at this point, and you're ready to rev the engine and exercise your power all over this planet. Leave your mark, W.

"Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God's gift to humanity." I don't quite believe he speaks like this. Is he serious? I think those are the words of a religious extremist... It's no different than, "Allah says..." or "Zeus dictates..."

"We do not know -- we do not claim to know all the ways of Providence, yet we can trust in them, placing our confidence in the loving God behind all of life, and all of history." May we be led by a holy book! Just like them Middle Easterners!

"May He guide us now. And may God continue to bless the United States of America." "He" is the almighty dollar.

Always your pleasure.

- JLF

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Web_geM: Hurricane Fay

2008-08-25T17:30:00Z

Hurricane Fay may have caused flooding in Florida, but it certainly was gentle with its touch on the dangling state. (Compared to Katrina & Wilma.) The most interesting way to look at it, I say? At a macro and a micro level. Luckily for you readers, I have two videos to pull it in perspective for you, thanks to one of HAWT's favorite site, Live Leak.

Awwww, yeah.

First, the macro. This is a video from the International Space Station... up.. in space...

To capture this, the ISS was, luckily, in the right place with the camera at the right angle. The result is a unique shot of the giant water-pillow that was raining on the panhandle.

The second video takes on the micro, and it's amazing.
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To practice parasurfing, to get the feel of the harness/kite, one leaves out the surfboard. One stands on the beach and gets the feel for the wind and how one could control oneself in the winds. Well, only an idiot would parasurf in hurricane winds. Heck, only an idiot would even practice parasurfing in hurricane winds.

Here's an idiot.

I hope you got to see that man fly by the screen like an insect. The parasurfer ended up hitting a building and is still in the hospital. I'm sure the collision did nothing to help his intelligence. Maybe we'll get more of these from him if he ever gets better...

[Live Leak] via [gizmodo]

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