Since I can't vote for the fictional character of Jack Bauer from "24", I'll be supporting Senator Barack Obama.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
It only takes one person to change your life--you. --Ruth Casey
Change is not easy, but it's absolutely unavoidable. Doors will close. Barriers will surface. Frustrations will mount. Nothing stays the same forever, and it's such folly to wish otherwise. Growth accompanies positive change; determining to risk the outcome resulting from a changed behavior or attitude will enhance our self-perceptions. We will have moved forward; in every instance, our lives will be influenced by making a change that only each of us can make.We have all dreaded the changes we knew we had to make. Perhaps even now we fear some impending changes. Where might they take us? It's difficult accepting that the outcome is not ours to control. Only the effort is ours. The solace is that positive changes, which we know are right for us and other people in our lives, are never going to take us astray. In fact, they are necessary for the smooth path just beyond this stumbling block.
When we are troubled by circumstances in our lives, a change is called for, a change that we must initiate. When we reflect on our recent as well as distant past, we will remember that the changes we most dreaded again and again have positively influenced our lives in untold ways.
Change ushers in glad, not bad, tidings.
When we are troubled by circumstances in our lives, a change is called for, a change that we must initiate. When we reflect on our recent as well as distant past, we will remember that the changes we most dreaded again and again have positively influenced our lives in untold ways.
Change ushers in glad, not bad, tidings.
Time to Boycott!
Bank of America Announces Credit Cards For Illegal aliens.
Boycott Now!
Major news outlets, such as Reuters and Glenn Beck, broke the news that Bank of America is intentionally offering credit to improve the "quality of life" of illegal aliens.
Even though bank officials say they are just trying to make a buck, their efforts directly undercut Federal efforts to control illegal immigration.
Help make an example of Bank of America to prevent other businesses from encouraging more illegal immigration.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Nancy Grace appearance at Indiana State University
NancyTV - CNN and CourtTV personality Nancy Grace speaks Tuesday afternoon, at a press conference in the Ohio Building, about how she selects cases for her law-themed 8 p.m. CNN Headline News show. Grace said there is a team of 20 to 25 people who review different cases throughout the country based on media accessibility in the courtroom.Grace: ordinary people can be heroes
By Clay Cunningham
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: Campus
Well-known TV analyst and former Georgia prosecutor Nancy Grace made her presence known when she visited ISU Tuesday for two separate events.
In an afternoon press conference, Grace spoke about high-profile celebrity cases and the interest they garner, such as Michael Jackson, O.J. Simpson and Anna Nicole Smith."Anna Nicole Smith is symbolic of the legal system," she said. Grace called Simpson's proposed book "If I Did It" an attempt at blood money.
"Justice is blind when it comes to missing persons," she said after being asked about the missing Terre Haute native and ISU student Scott Javins who went missing in 2002. Grace later agreed to look into Javins's case.Grace said the hard-hitting questioning techniques that have made her famous come directly from cross-examinations in the courtroom.
"I feel very strongly that victims don't have a voice in the legal system," she said. "When I see the system fail, I feel like someone kicked me in my stomach."
Grace said that when she's not on television she exercises and reads frequently. Grace went into law after earning a degree in English. She doesn't regret giving up English for law, but still misses it. She recently returned from the Globe Theater in London.
"I miss it very much," she said of her English studies. "But I don't feel I had a choice."Grace defined the American justice system as "a test of truth born out of controversy."Grace said that while in law school, she would sit in church and study her law books. It's something she regrets, but she says she's making up for it by attending church anywhere she is.
Grace doesn't consider practicing law work, but rather something she's deeply passionate about. "It's not like a job where you clock out," she said. "It's something I believe in. You don't just shut it off."
In the evening, Grace conducted a conference in the Tilson Auditorium as part of ISU's speaker series. She entered the stage greeted by a partially standing ovation. She mostly avoided discussing her television persona, electing to talk to the audience about how everyday people can become heroes. Grace said that the opportunity for seemingly normal people to perform heroic acts happen all the time, it's just that many people don't seek these opportunities out.
"It's so easy for ordinary people to do extraordinary things," Grace said. 'The question is not will the call come, but when it comes, will you answer it?"
One story she shared came from her personal life. When Grace was young, she was laying on asphalt when she was confronted by a rattlesnake. Before it could attack her, her mother came from behind with a garden hoe, and stuck it into the snake killing it, and in doing so saving young Nancy's life.
"I felt like I had gotten off the world," Grace said. "It just didn't seem like the world could just keep spinning but it did. The only thing that changed was me."
This incident is what drove Grace to the law, where she would eventually become the first female federal prosecutor in inner city Atlanta. She told colorful stories about her bizarre trials she participated in when she began. She then went into detail about her first murder trial. A mentally and financially challenged woman named Mary had been suffocated with a plastic bag. Her family was unable to attend the trial, because they couldn't afford the cost of a bus ticket to get to the courtroom. Grace said that this was the moment she felt like she was doing something special.
"This is when I got to do something extraordinary," Grace said. "I got the chance to give a voice to the voiceless."
Since this moment, Grace has dedicated her time to defending the rights of crime victims. Though she has had a select few of her convictions overturned, she has never lost a felony case. She closed her speech by re-emphasizing her earlier points about how those can break the restraints of ordinary life and make a true impact on the world.
"I know you think your ordinary, but you're not," Grace said. "Let me ask you to do the good you can, when you can, for as long as you can. This is your race, so run."
The evening concluded with a question and answer session. Grace has come under fire for incidents such as when the mother of a kidnapped baby committed suicide one day after an intense interview with Grace. She has also been criticized for speculating of the guilt of high profile criminal suspects such as Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson, without having concrete evidence to support her claims. While she encouraged people to ask her about these incidents, no one did, indicating that most of her critics stayed home.
Speaking up - Grace, the third speaker in this year's University Speakers Series, spoke Tuesday night in Tilson Auditorium about becoming an everyday hero, as her mother was. She challenged listeners by saying, "Will you hear the call (to be a hero) and will you answer it?" Photos by Sam Allen
Monday, February 19, 2007
This guy is just awesome!
Check out this video at YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfn8Dz_13Ms
I've also posted a photo of this work on my other blog,
http://asunnyworldrevisited.blogspot.com/2007/01/ahhhhhhh.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfn8Dz_13Ms
I've also posted a photo of this work on my other blog,
http://asunnyworldrevisited.blogspot.com/2007/01/ahhhhhhh.html
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Fear
Your Higher Power is your greatest teacher. It willlead you into situations that, once faced, will bring you out theother side a far better person.
In any learning situation there is initially a bit offear. Think back on your life and you will see that the situations from which you gained the most always involved a bit of fear at the onset, from starting a personal relationship to flying in an airplane. Even recovery from addiction involves a great deal of fear in the beginning. But did not all of these result in a gift of some kind?
I believe fear to be a negative response to a positive situation. It is a sign that your Higher Power is about to bestow a gift. Your Higher Power ALWAYS gives gifts wrapped up in a problem. If one can learn to see truly in this way, fear will be seen for what it really is: the beginnings of a learning situation.
We must all learn to 'feel the fear and do it anyway'. If we are to learn anything new, we must leave the familiar path and strike out upon a new one . . .
And yes, we will still be here. But think how much we will have gained thereby.
In any learning situation there is initially a bit offear. Think back on your life and you will see that the situations from which you gained the most always involved a bit of fear at the onset, from starting a personal relationship to flying in an airplane. Even recovery from addiction involves a great deal of fear in the beginning. But did not all of these result in a gift of some kind?
I believe fear to be a negative response to a positive situation. It is a sign that your Higher Power is about to bestow a gift. Your Higher Power ALWAYS gives gifts wrapped up in a problem. If one can learn to see truly in this way, fear will be seen for what it really is: the beginnings of a learning situation.
We must all learn to 'feel the fear and do it anyway'. If we are to learn anything new, we must leave the familiar path and strike out upon a new one . . .
And yes, we will still be here. But think how much we will have gained thereby.
It is a long baptism into the seas of humankind, my daughter. Better immersion than to live untouched. --Tillie Olsen
We have each had days when we preferred hiding under the covers, avoiding life at all costs. And in times gone by, we did just that, sometimes too frequently. What we didn't always know, and what we still forget on occasion, is that we have a ready and willing Partner who will join us in every pursuit.The more fully we commit ourselves to one another and to all our experience, the closer we will come to the very serenity we long for. Serenity accompanies our increasing understanding of life's many mysteries. It's easy to cheat ourselves out of the prizes any day offers us. Fear fosters inertia, leaving us separate, alone, even more afraid. But we have an appointment with life. And our appointment will bring us to the place of full understanding, the place where we'll be certain, forever after, that all is well. And that life is good.
Today's appointments are part of the bigger plan for my life. I will face them, enjoy them, and reap their rewards.
Today's appointments are part of the bigger plan for my life. I will face them, enjoy them, and reap their rewards.
I believe that everyone needs a mentor. --Harry Bartholomew
We have all had mentors -- many of them, in fact. We might not have labeled them as such, but throughout our lives we have been picking up ideas and mannerisms from many people. From some, we sought to learn specific skills, perhaps on the job or while in school. A few inadvertently became our mentors simply because of our proximity to them. Along the way, we may have chosen some mentors impulsively and to our detriment. The process of mentoring is how most of us learn, ultimately. Have we forgotten that we, too, have served as mentors for many others who have shared our journey?We obviously are not through living yet. Thus we are not through mentoring either. Every encounter we have with someone is mentoring in action. One moment we're on the learning end; the next, perhaps we're acting as teacher. Mentoring has always been a two-way street.We have never been able to control another's mentoring, but we have always been free to choose or refuse to follow his or her example. What we can control, and this has always been true, is the content of our own mentoring. Are we satisfied that we've done our best?
Today I'll remember that my role as mentor isn't over yet.
Today I'll remember that my role as mentor isn't over yet.
Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear. --Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Reflecting on the past reveals that indeed we do find the strength and the ability to cope with whatever experience ripples our calm. Moreover, we have come to accept that these tides of turmoil wash in new awarenesses, heightened perceptions, and measurable calm.Tragedies are guaranteed to trigger first pain, then perceptible growth, and finally, tranquility. Over and over again we pass through these stages that are designed to nurture our fuller development as healthy human beings. Over and over we see that the tough times teach us what we're ready to learn.We can look to the day ahead fully expecting to be strengthened enough to handle whatever we've been readied to experience. Nothing will present itself that can't be coped with.
Today I can be certain of growing. I will meet the challenges in unison with my inner strength.
Today I can be certain of growing. I will meet the challenges in unison with my inner strength.
Friday, February 16, 2007
My horoscope for today...hmmm
Every relationship you have is a partnership -- be aware of power issues today.
A new idea has definite possibilities -- but move slowly. Remember, some situations need to simmer or else they can boil over. Work with it as it appears and let it develop in its own fashion and on its own schedule.
They say pride goes before a fall, but it's pride that needs to be set aside prior to falling in love. Assess yourself and your situation realistically. Cultivate openness and acceptance. Be humble.
Every relationship you have is a partnership of one kind or another -- and in every partnership, there's a balance of power to be considered. Today you will be especially aware of these power issues, although there will not necessarily be any type of battle. Just understanding the give and take of every exchange you have with someone will help prepare you for potential clashes. The more prepared you are, the shorter these future conflicts will be.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
How brutally honest are you?
| You Are 80% Brutally Honest |
 Most of the time, you tell it like it is. Even if it's hard for people to hear. Sometimes you hold back though, because you never want your honesty to be hurtful. |
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Look, the wind vane fluttering in the autumn breeze! Look how it takes hold of certain things that cannot be held. --Feng Chih
When we think we are losing our grip, we have good reason to look up. Consider the moon suspended in the sky, how it continues to come and go, follows its natural law, and never really loses face. Consider the sun, the stars, the seasons, how they refuse to abandon us, to let go of their hold on our lives. And come closer to home. We can marvel at the magic of small efficient things--the toaster and stove, the light in the room, the words in a good book that are permanent, faithful, and clear. We can consider how music, without saying a word, still speaks to us, and how a few friends, maybe miles away, continue to hang on to the strength of our small and faithful words.
We can keep in mind that we are part of a complex and loving system, and our grip can never be lost.
We can keep in mind that we are part of a complex and loving system, and our grip can never be lost.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Cops: Homeless patient 'dumped' on Skid Row
Cops: Homeless patient 'dumped' on Skid Row
POSTED: 10:32 a.m. EST, February 9, 2007
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A hospital van dropped off a paraplegic man on Skid Row, allegedly leaving him crawling in the street with nothing more than a soiled gown and a broken colostomy bag, police said.
Witnesses who said they saw the incident Thursday wrote down a phone number on the van and took down its license-plate number, which helped detectives connect the vehicle to Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site.
Police said the incident was a case of "homeless dumping" and were questioning officials from the hospital.
"I can't think of anything colder than that," said Detective Russ Long. "There was no mission around, no services. It's the worst area of Skid Row."
The case comes three months after the L.A. city attorney's office filed its first indictment for homeless dumping against Kaiser Permanente for an incident earlier last year.
In that case, a 63-year-old patient from the hospital's Bellflower medical center was videotaped wandering the streets of Skid Row in a hospital gown and socks.
An after-hours call Thursday to Hollywood Presbyterian seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Kaylor Shemberger, the hospital's executive vice president, told the Times the incident was under investigation.
"Obviously we are very concerned about the information that has been presented to us," Shemberger said. "If some of the facts are correct, it is clearly not in line with our policy of handling these types of patients."
City officials have accused more than a dozen hospitals of dumping patients and criminals on Skid Row. Hospital officials have denied the allegations, but some said they had taken homeless patients to Skid Row service providers.
In 2005, Hollywood Presbyterian was accused of homeless dumping.
At the time, a top executive denied the charge, but said Skid Row service providers offered treatment and care for some patients who had nowhere else to go.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/09/homeless.dumping.ap/index.html
POSTED: 10:32 a.m. EST, February 9, 2007
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A hospital van dropped off a paraplegic man on Skid Row, allegedly leaving him crawling in the street with nothing more than a soiled gown and a broken colostomy bag, police said.
Witnesses who said they saw the incident Thursday wrote down a phone number on the van and took down its license-plate number, which helped detectives connect the vehicle to Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site.
Police said the incident was a case of "homeless dumping" and were questioning officials from the hospital.
"I can't think of anything colder than that," said Detective Russ Long. "There was no mission around, no services. It's the worst area of Skid Row."
The case comes three months after the L.A. city attorney's office filed its first indictment for homeless dumping against Kaiser Permanente for an incident earlier last year.
In that case, a 63-year-old patient from the hospital's Bellflower medical center was videotaped wandering the streets of Skid Row in a hospital gown and socks.
An after-hours call Thursday to Hollywood Presbyterian seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Kaylor Shemberger, the hospital's executive vice president, told the Times the incident was under investigation.
"Obviously we are very concerned about the information that has been presented to us," Shemberger said. "If some of the facts are correct, it is clearly not in line with our policy of handling these types of patients."
City officials have accused more than a dozen hospitals of dumping patients and criminals on Skid Row. Hospital officials have denied the allegations, but some said they had taken homeless patients to Skid Row service providers.
In 2005, Hollywood Presbyterian was accused of homeless dumping.
At the time, a top executive denied the charge, but said Skid Row service providers offered treatment and care for some patients who had nowhere else to go.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/09/homeless.dumping.ap/index.html
Dedicated to Gina
Yarra River, from Warburton to Upper Yarra Reserve to Kane's Bridge near Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
I'd love to see more scenic photos of the area surrounding Melbourne.
More thoughts...
Do you think the fight against political correctness is causing hate to be taught to our children? What has happened to acceptance, tolerance, and love for every human being? Why can't we just let people live their lives the way they want? Is it really that bothersome what someone is doing behind closed doors? What happened to freedom of expression? Why can't all religions coexist? We should be able to let Joey carry his Bible, Saeed carry his Quran, and Raven carry her Book of Shadows, let David read his Torah, let Shih Chang consult his Buddhist scrolls. What's most important is how we teach our children. They are the world's future leaders and we need to impress upon them moral and ethical values.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
I'd like to know your thoughts on this
These are not my words. This was sent to me through a social networking web site. I'd like to know your thoughts on this. Leave comments please.
{Definition of Political Correctness
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional illogical liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous liberal press which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end!"
Perhaps a better definition would be from the Bible - Isaiah 5:20 ("Woe unto you that call good evil, and evil good.....")
When the liberals:call our soldiers "terrorists" and the terrorists "freedom fighters"call our president a "dictator" and say "Iraq was better off with Saddam"accuse our soldiers at Gitmo of torture and abusing the terrorists as the terrorist spit at and throw feces at our troopscall the deserters "heroes" and our soldiers "mercenaries"when they say "I support the troops" and say they "are uneducated, school rejects"say that terrorist are "good" and our country is "evil"
This could go on and on................
Political Correctness also says you can't pray in school and you can't spank but you can hand out condoms and teach kids the Islamic religion and the ACLU is the supreme authority not GOD. You can't have a bible but you can have the Koran or a book with witchcraft spells in it. Then they wonder why schools are getting shot up by Gothic devilish little thugs and illicit sex and drugs are rampant and kids are not learning. It is obvious except to the people that look at things through the spectacles of political correctness.}
{Definition of Political Correctness
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional illogical liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous liberal press which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end!"
Perhaps a better definition would be from the Bible - Isaiah 5:20 ("Woe unto you that call good evil, and evil good.....")
When the liberals:call our soldiers "terrorists" and the terrorists "freedom fighters"call our president a "dictator" and say "Iraq was better off with Saddam"accuse our soldiers at Gitmo of torture and abusing the terrorists as the terrorist spit at and throw feces at our troopscall the deserters "heroes" and our soldiers "mercenaries"when they say "I support the troops" and say they "are uneducated, school rejects"say that terrorist are "good" and our country is "evil"
This could go on and on................
Political Correctness also says you can't pray in school and you can't spank but you can hand out condoms and teach kids the Islamic religion and the ACLU is the supreme authority not GOD. You can't have a bible but you can have the Koran or a book with witchcraft spells in it. Then they wonder why schools are getting shot up by Gothic devilish little thugs and illicit sex and drugs are rampant and kids are not learning. It is obvious except to the people that look at things through the spectacles of political correctness.}
In defense of 24 (thanks Phil)
I only hope that more Muslims as well as other Arabs will have the courage to say what the author below stated so eloquently.
In Defense of '24'
BY EMILIO KARIM DABUL OpinionJournal.com of the Wall Street Journal February 7, 2007
I am an Arab-American as well as a fan of "24." The two things are not mutually exclusive, despite what the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other such groups have to say about this season ' s opening episodes possibly increasing anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice in American society.
Most of the terrorists represented in "24" through the years have been Arab Muslims. Why? Well, probably because most terrorists today are, in fact, Arab Muslims. As a descendant of Syrian Muslims, I am very well aware that the majority of Muslims world-wide are peaceful, hard working, and law abiding. That still does not change the fact that the greatest terrorist threat to the U.S. today comes not from the ETA, the IRA, etc., but from one group: Islamic terrorists.
And this is what makes "24" a compelling drama every week. Instead of pretending Islamic terrorists don ' t exist, the show presents frighteningly real worst-case scenarios perpetrated by Osama bin Laden ' s followers. So CAIR thinks it ' s over the top for the terrorists in "24" to blow up Los Angeles with a nuke? Please, if bin Laden and his crew had nukes, most of us would be way too dead to argue over such points.
There is a dangerous trend in the U.S. today that involves skirting the truth at the risk of offending any individual or group. When Bill Cosby talks to African-Americans about self-respect and responsibility, and says publicly what many have been saying privately for years, he ' s branded a "reactionary," "misinformed," "judgmental," and so on. When "24" confronts America ' s worst fears about al Qaeda--whose goal remains to kill as many Americans as possible whenever possible--the show is said to be guilty of fueling anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice.
Well, here ' s the hard, cold truth: When Islamic terrorists stop being a threat to America ' s survival, viewers will lose interest in "24," because it will have lost its relevancy. Until such time, I will continue to watch "24"--because, believe it or not, the idea that there are Jack Bauers out there in real life risking their lives to save ours does mean something to me.
And as for "24" causing a possible backlash against Muslims and Arab-Americans, where ' s the evidence of that? The show is now in its sixth season and there hasn ' t been one recorded incident of any viewer ever slurring or attacking any Muslim or Arab-American because of something that happened on the show. More to the point, in the latest episode President Palmer stated, "The American Muslim community is the greatest line of defense against these terrorists." He advocates strengthening ties with Islamic leaders across the U.S. , and is opposed to measures that would in any way infringe upon the constitutional rights of Arab Americans.
That said, I would certainly welcome more characters in movies, TV programs and novels who reflect the overall Arab-American experience. Truth is, most of us don ' t have bomb-making skills or a desire to become human missiles. And there are Muslim and Arab-American CTU heroes out there, as well as doctors, superdads, women scientists, etc. But just as it took Saul Bellow to give literary voice to the Jewish-American experience, we need our own storytellers to weave the pastiche of tales that make up Arab-American life. In the meantime, the next time a journalist decides to report on Arab-American concerns about shows like "24," maybe he could actually talk to someone other than CAIR and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and seek out Arab-Americans with a different point of view. We actually do exist.
And maybe that same reporter could take a closer look at CAIR. Ask CAIR about the Holy Land Foundation and its support of Hamas. Ask it about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the CAIR board member who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in that case--yet still sits on CAIR 's board. Look a little closer, and maybe you 'll find that CAIR has good reason to get nervous about shows like "24."
Because terrorists and their supporters continue to hide among us in plain sight, we need Jack Bauer, now more than ever.
Mr. Dabul is a free-lance writer and the author of "Deadline," a novel about modern terrorism.
In Defense of '24'
BY EMILIO KARIM DABUL OpinionJournal.com of the Wall Street Journal February 7, 2007
I am an Arab-American as well as a fan of "24." The two things are not mutually exclusive, despite what the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other such groups have to say about this season ' s opening episodes possibly increasing anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice in American society.
Most of the terrorists represented in "24" through the years have been Arab Muslims. Why? Well, probably because most terrorists today are, in fact, Arab Muslims. As a descendant of Syrian Muslims, I am very well aware that the majority of Muslims world-wide are peaceful, hard working, and law abiding. That still does not change the fact that the greatest terrorist threat to the U.S. today comes not from the ETA, the IRA, etc., but from one group: Islamic terrorists.
And this is what makes "24" a compelling drama every week. Instead of pretending Islamic terrorists don ' t exist, the show presents frighteningly real worst-case scenarios perpetrated by Osama bin Laden ' s followers. So CAIR thinks it ' s over the top for the terrorists in "24" to blow up Los Angeles with a nuke? Please, if bin Laden and his crew had nukes, most of us would be way too dead to argue over such points.
There is a dangerous trend in the U.S. today that involves skirting the truth at the risk of offending any individual or group. When Bill Cosby talks to African-Americans about self-respect and responsibility, and says publicly what many have been saying privately for years, he ' s branded a "reactionary," "misinformed," "judgmental," and so on. When "24" confronts America ' s worst fears about al Qaeda--whose goal remains to kill as many Americans as possible whenever possible--the show is said to be guilty of fueling anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice.
Well, here ' s the hard, cold truth: When Islamic terrorists stop being a threat to America ' s survival, viewers will lose interest in "24," because it will have lost its relevancy. Until such time, I will continue to watch "24"--because, believe it or not, the idea that there are Jack Bauers out there in real life risking their lives to save ours does mean something to me.
And as for "24" causing a possible backlash against Muslims and Arab-Americans, where ' s the evidence of that? The show is now in its sixth season and there hasn ' t been one recorded incident of any viewer ever slurring or attacking any Muslim or Arab-American because of something that happened on the show. More to the point, in the latest episode President Palmer stated, "The American Muslim community is the greatest line of defense against these terrorists." He advocates strengthening ties with Islamic leaders across the U.S. , and is opposed to measures that would in any way infringe upon the constitutional rights of Arab Americans.
That said, I would certainly welcome more characters in movies, TV programs and novels who reflect the overall Arab-American experience. Truth is, most of us don ' t have bomb-making skills or a desire to become human missiles. And there are Muslim and Arab-American CTU heroes out there, as well as doctors, superdads, women scientists, etc. But just as it took Saul Bellow to give literary voice to the Jewish-American experience, we need our own storytellers to weave the pastiche of tales that make up Arab-American life. In the meantime, the next time a journalist decides to report on Arab-American concerns about shows like "24," maybe he could actually talk to someone other than CAIR and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and seek out Arab-Americans with a different point of view. We actually do exist.
And maybe that same reporter could take a closer look at CAIR. Ask CAIR about the Holy Land Foundation and its support of Hamas. Ask it about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the CAIR board member who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in that case--yet still sits on CAIR 's board. Look a little closer, and maybe you 'll find that CAIR has good reason to get nervous about shows like "24."
Because terrorists and their supporters continue to hide among us in plain sight, we need Jack Bauer, now more than ever.
Mr. Dabul is a free-lance writer and the author of "Deadline," a novel about modern terrorism.
Are you a Manly Man???
I borrowed this from my friend Twin1. Thanks!
Here are 11 questions that will determine whether you are a true Manly Man, or some other type of girlie-man,euro-man, boy toy, or other meaningless subservient type.
NOW..Don't scroll to the answers til you've chosen, and be sure to write down how many you got correct.
1. A Manly Man cuts his steak with: A - Steak Knife B - Buck Knife C - Swiss Army Knife D - None of the above
ANSWER 1. A, B, C - Wrong. A Manly Man eats his steak with his hands. The only knives he needs are his teeth. D - Correct. A Manly Man doesn't need sissy utensils to eat meat in the first place.
2. My favorite footwear is: A - Penny Loafers B - Steel Toed Wolverines C - Topsiders
ANSWER 2. A - You're kidding, right? Penny loafers are for shoe clerks, not Manly Men! B - Correct. Good for work, good for play, good for kickin' some pansy ass too... C - Maybe for your yacht, rich boy, but that's no Manly Man shoe.
3. A perfect woman is: A - 36-24-36, blonde, blue eyes B - Career-oriented and self-motivated C - 5 feet tall, no teeth, flat head
ANSWER 3. A - No doubt a blonde, blue eyed 36-24-36 type is a good-looking woman, but not perfect. B - What, can't support yourself so you're planning on riding on her apron strings? C - 5 feet tall = the perfect height. No teeth = you know why. Flat head = somewhere to put your drink and ashtray.
4. The Manly Man Saturday consists of: A - Watching football B - Playing football C - Coaching football
ANSWER 4. A - Wrong. Watching is for spectators, and spectators watch Manly Men. B - What else is there when rugby season is over? Correct! C - Wrong. Those who can - do. Those who cannot - teach.
5. The Manly Man's Favorite Store is: A - Tools R Us B - Lowe's C - Sports Town
ANSWER 5. All of the above
6. For entertainment, a Manly Man prefers: A - "Dirty Harry" B - "The Longest Yard" C - "Debbie Does Dallas"
ANSWER 6. A - Correct. All of these answers are correct, but this one kicks the most ass, making it the most correct. B - All of these answers are correct, but "Dirty Harry" kicks the most ass, making it the most correct. C - Correct, and what a plot! But, Dirty Harry kicks more ass, making it the most correct.
7. A Manly Man expresses himself... A - With warm, outward emotional displays. B - Through poetry, song and art. C - From behind the wheel of his classic '70's muscle car.
ANSWER 7. A - Incorrect. Listen up all you Euro-wimps and '90's guys! B - Not a chance. Manly men are too busy fighting wars to bother with poetry, song and art. C - Bingo. Talk to my GTO if you need more input about my inner person.
8. A Manly drink is... A - A shot and a beer B - Gatorade C - Spring Water
ANSWER 8. A - Correct. Extra credit for a "boilermaker". B - Wrong. Even if Michael Jordan drinks it, this is still the drink of skeletal, long distance runners C - No way! Anything that would wash down goose liver pate is anti-Manly.
9. Beneath his jeans a Manly Man wears: A - Boxers B - BVD's C - Nothing
ANSWER 9. A - No. Boxers are for fashion models. B - Wrong. A Manly Man package is not comfortable restricted to a tight fit like this. C - Correct. Manly Men, well-endowed, swing in the breeze.
10. Why did the Manly Man cross the road? A - What's it to you? B - To get to the other side. C - To beat the crap out of some sissy boy.
ANSWER 10. A - Right. Now get outta my face. B - Wrong. A Manly Man would demand the other side come to him. C - Wrong. A Manly Man could beat the crap out of some sissy boy without crossing the road.
11. A Manly Man gets a woman's attention by: A - Grunting loudly in her ear B - Ripping off her dress C - None of the above
ANSWER 11. A - Wrong. This could be misconstrued as whispering sweet nothings. B - Wrong. You're confusing getting attention with foreplay. C - Correct. A Manly Man already has a woman's attention.
How'd you do?
1 CORRECT - Pass the mascara girlie man!
2 CORRECT - Eek! A mouse!
3 CORRECT - How's that skirt fitting these days?
4 CORRECT - You could pass for a bull dyke.
5 CORRECT - It would be fun kicking your pansy ass!
6 CORRECT - Moving out of the math club group
7 CORRECT - Wimpy, but with potential.
8 CORRECT - With work, you could be a boy...
9 CORRECT - A manly man junior varsity player.
10 CORRECT - With a little work, you too could be a manly man.
11 CORRECT - You, fine sir, are a prime example of a manly man!
12 CORRECT - You're cheating, lying scum!
OK....so nobody said this was fair! hehe
Here are 11 questions that will determine whether you are a true Manly Man, or some other type of girlie-man,euro-man, boy toy, or other meaningless subservient type.
NOW..Don't scroll to the answers til you've chosen, and be sure to write down how many you got correct.
1. A Manly Man cuts his steak with: A - Steak Knife B - Buck Knife C - Swiss Army Knife D - None of the above
ANSWER 1. A, B, C - Wrong. A Manly Man eats his steak with his hands. The only knives he needs are his teeth. D - Correct. A Manly Man doesn't need sissy utensils to eat meat in the first place.
2. My favorite footwear is: A - Penny Loafers B - Steel Toed Wolverines C - Topsiders
ANSWER 2. A - You're kidding, right? Penny loafers are for shoe clerks, not Manly Men! B - Correct. Good for work, good for play, good for kickin' some pansy ass too... C - Maybe for your yacht, rich boy, but that's no Manly Man shoe.
3. A perfect woman is: A - 36-24-36, blonde, blue eyes B - Career-oriented and self-motivated C - 5 feet tall, no teeth, flat head
ANSWER 3. A - No doubt a blonde, blue eyed 36-24-36 type is a good-looking woman, but not perfect. B - What, can't support yourself so you're planning on riding on her apron strings? C - 5 feet tall = the perfect height. No teeth = you know why. Flat head = somewhere to put your drink and ashtray.
4. The Manly Man Saturday consists of: A - Watching football B - Playing football C - Coaching football
ANSWER 4. A - Wrong. Watching is for spectators, and spectators watch Manly Men. B - What else is there when rugby season is over? Correct! C - Wrong. Those who can - do. Those who cannot - teach.
5. The Manly Man's Favorite Store is: A - Tools R Us B - Lowe's C - Sports Town
ANSWER 5. All of the above
6. For entertainment, a Manly Man prefers: A - "Dirty Harry" B - "The Longest Yard" C - "Debbie Does Dallas"
ANSWER 6. A - Correct. All of these answers are correct, but this one kicks the most ass, making it the most correct. B - All of these answers are correct, but "Dirty Harry" kicks the most ass, making it the most correct. C - Correct, and what a plot! But, Dirty Harry kicks more ass, making it the most correct.
7. A Manly Man expresses himself... A - With warm, outward emotional displays. B - Through poetry, song and art. C - From behind the wheel of his classic '70's muscle car.
ANSWER 7. A - Incorrect. Listen up all you Euro-wimps and '90's guys! B - Not a chance. Manly men are too busy fighting wars to bother with poetry, song and art. C - Bingo. Talk to my GTO if you need more input about my inner person.
8. A Manly drink is... A - A shot and a beer B - Gatorade C - Spring Water
ANSWER 8. A - Correct. Extra credit for a "boilermaker". B - Wrong. Even if Michael Jordan drinks it, this is still the drink of skeletal, long distance runners C - No way! Anything that would wash down goose liver pate is anti-Manly.
9. Beneath his jeans a Manly Man wears: A - Boxers B - BVD's C - Nothing
ANSWER 9. A - No. Boxers are for fashion models. B - Wrong. A Manly Man package is not comfortable restricted to a tight fit like this. C - Correct. Manly Men, well-endowed, swing in the breeze.
10. Why did the Manly Man cross the road? A - What's it to you? B - To get to the other side. C - To beat the crap out of some sissy boy.
ANSWER 10. A - Right. Now get outta my face. B - Wrong. A Manly Man would demand the other side come to him. C - Wrong. A Manly Man could beat the crap out of some sissy boy without crossing the road.
11. A Manly Man gets a woman's attention by: A - Grunting loudly in her ear B - Ripping off her dress C - None of the above
ANSWER 11. A - Wrong. This could be misconstrued as whispering sweet nothings. B - Wrong. You're confusing getting attention with foreplay. C - Correct. A Manly Man already has a woman's attention.
How'd you do?
1 CORRECT - Pass the mascara girlie man!
2 CORRECT - Eek! A mouse!
3 CORRECT - How's that skirt fitting these days?
4 CORRECT - You could pass for a bull dyke.
5 CORRECT - It would be fun kicking your pansy ass!
6 CORRECT - Moving out of the math club group
7 CORRECT - Wimpy, but with potential.
8 CORRECT - With work, you could be a boy...
9 CORRECT - A manly man junior varsity player.
10 CORRECT - With a little work, you too could be a manly man.
11 CORRECT - You, fine sir, are a prime example of a manly man!
12 CORRECT - You're cheating, lying scum!
OK....so nobody said this was fair! hehe
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
24: Aqua Teen Hunger Force...classic!
If you are a fan of the show 24 and you heard about Cartoon Network's tactics in Boston recently with advertising for "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" then you would definitely appreciate this video. Just follow the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUaQVZHzyI
Thanks to Youtube and 24Fan blog for the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUaQVZHzyI
Thanks to Youtube and 24Fan blog for the video.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Terror-Free Oil
Here is a friend & fellow 24 fanatic, MJ.Photo by Mike Berens
Gas Station To Offer Terror-Free Oil
February Grand Opening Planned
POSTED: 4:48 pm CST January 18, 2007
UPDATED: 8:53 am CST January 22, 2007
OMAHA, Neb. -- Area drivers will soon be able to fill up with gasoline made from "terror-free oil."
A gas station about to open near 129th and Q streets is named Terror Free Oil, and the idea is to offer consumers petroleum products from countries that do not sponsor terror.
The gas station is associated with the Terror-Free Oil Initiative. The group's objective is to encourage Americans to buy gasoline that originated from countries that do not export or finance terrorism. A representative said that Omaha's will be the first of several terror-free oil gas stations to open across the country. "The terror-free oil initiative is dedicated to encouraging Americans to buy gasoline that originated from countries that do not export or finance terrorism," according to the group's Web site.
Chris Decker, professor of economics with the University of Nebraska-Omaha said the idea may make for good marketing.
"From a business perspective, it's kind of a neat way to differentiate yourself from the competition. To me, that sounds an awful lot like what we in environmental economics refer to as eco-labeling. Like, when you purchase a can of tuna with a symbol that there was no harm to dolphins to catch the tuna," Decker said.
Will drivers make a special trip? Mary Ann Buscher said the station got her attention, with its bright red, white and blue advertising, but she isn't sure when or if she'll stop there.
"I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, probably. No, I wouldn't," she said.
The grand opening is Feb. 12.
http://www.ketv.com/automotive/10786780/detail.html
Sunday, February 04, 2007
U.S. in Afghanistan May Mean Harder Line
Canadian soldiers of the NATO -led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stand guard on the main road after a suicide attack on the out skirts of Kandahar province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. A suicide bomber in an explosives-filled car attacked a NATO convoy outside the town of Kandahar, said Haji Razaq Khan, a police official. No NATO troops were injured in the blast, he said. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan)U.S. in Afghanistan May Mean Harder Line
Sunday, February 4, 2007 4:04 PM EST
The Associated Press
By JASON STRAZIUSO
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Gen. Dan McNeill, the highest ranking U.S. general to lead troops in Afghanistan, took command of 35,500 NATO-led soldiers on Sunday, putting an American face on the international mission after nine months of British command.
The transition comes after a year of sharply increased violence following the alliance's push into the Taliban's southern heartland, and military officials said privately they expect McNeill to take a harder line with militants than his predecessor, Gen. David Richards.
Richards backed a peace deal in the southern town of Musa Qala that crumbled in his last days in command when an estimated 200 Taliban fighters overran the town on Thursday.
NATO said a targeted airstrike Sunday killed a key Taliban leader causing the upheaval.
One American military officer who labeled McNeill a "warfighter to the bone" said his arrival likely signals the end of such deals, saying they would go under "much greater scrutiny." The official asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
A senior Afghan military official, meanwhile, said the Defense Ministry expected McNeill to implement a policy of "strong military action." Other American officials said they expected a stronger approach under McNeill without specifying what that would be.
The appointment of McNeill, one of only 11 four-star generals in the Army, raises the profile of the American mission here two weeks after the Defense Department extended the tour of 3,200 10th Mountain Division soldiers.
There are now 26,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the highest number ever. About 14,000 American forces fall under the command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force; 12,000 troops focused on training Afghan forces and special operations fall under the U.S.-led coalition.
By comparison, there were only about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan in 2002, the year after the Taliban's ouster.
Col. Tom Collins, an ISAF spokesman, said McNeill's arrival and the increased troop levels underscored the American commitment.
"Last year was a very tough year in Afghanistan and the enemy was able to make some gains in the south," Collins said. "We have a lot of work that still needs to be done. ... It's important we get more forces here. The United States has stepped up."
McNeill takes command after a bloody 2006 in which insurgents launched a record number of suicide and roadside bombs. About 4,000 people died in insurgency-related violence last year, according to an Associated Press count based on numbers from U.S., NATO and Afghan officials.
McNeill — a veteran of five foreign conflicts, from Vietnam to Afghanistan, where he served in 2002-03 — said at a handover ceremony Sunday that ISAF's mission was to facilitate reconstruction so Afghans "might enjoy self-determination, education, health and the peaceful realization of their hopes and dreams."
"We will quit neither post nor mission until the job is done or we are properly relieved," McNeill said.
Ninety minutes before the ceremony, a NATO airstrike killed a Taliban leader in Musa Qala, where an October peace deal between village elders and the Helmand provincial government prevented NATO, Afghan and Taliban fighters from coming within three miles of the town center.
Mohammad Wali, a Musa Qala resident, said the airstrike killed a militant named Mullah Abdul Gafoor and some of his associates while they were riding in a truck just outside Musa Qala. Collins did not name the person killed, saying officials wanted to be certain of his identify.
Another resident, Lal Mohammad, told The Associated Press on Saturday that the Musa Qala militants were being led by Gafoor, the hardline militia's corps commander in western Afghanistan during the Taliban regime.
Musa Qala saw intense battles between Taliban fighters and British troops last summer and fall. The fighting caused widespread damage to the town of around 10,000 inhabitants, most of whom were forced to leave. British forces withdrew after the truce, which turned over security to local leaders.
Richards defended the deal on Saturday, saying it had caused a split between locals and Taliban fighters and that it was a classic tool of counterinsurgency warfare.
Richards oversaw NATO's largest-ever ground battle, a fight in the southern district of Panjwayi in September that NATO says killed over 500 fighters. Military officials say the Taliban thought they could drive out NATO forces right as they moved into the south.
The United States supplies the largest number of foreign troops backing the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai, followed by Britain (5,200), Germany (3,000), Canada (2,500) and the Netherlands (2,200). Thirty-two other countries provide some troops.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Guilty
Cold is my shattered heart
Dark is my broken mind
Once I had an abounding love
I could never seem to find
I hoped your love was true
I thought you were right
Pulling in two directions
You hurt me out of spite
You built me up too high
Made me think you're good
Feelings spilling like the waterfall
Oh I'm sorry you misunderstood
I meant what I said
I gave you my word
Let's be friends you say
To me that's absurd
But you know how I am
I will do what you say
Holding you in my heart
I love you every day
You could never do anything
To make me stop loving you
My love is unconditional
My heart and love are true
Maybe one day you will realize
How much you truly mean to me
I have waited this long
I can wait for an eternity
If you are an obsession
Then I'm guilty as sin
Because what's in my mind
I will always keep within
They say it's too soon
Well maybe that's true
All I've known for years
Is that I've always loved you
Dark is my broken mind
Once I had an abounding love
I could never seem to find
I hoped your love was true
I thought you were right
Pulling in two directions
You hurt me out of spite
You built me up too high
Made me think you're good
Feelings spilling like the waterfall
Oh I'm sorry you misunderstood
I meant what I said
I gave you my word
Let's be friends you say
To me that's absurd
But you know how I am
I will do what you say
Holding you in my heart
I love you every day
You could never do anything
To make me stop loving you
My love is unconditional
My heart and love are true
Maybe one day you will realize
How much you truly mean to me
I have waited this long
I can wait for an eternity
If you are an obsession
Then I'm guilty as sin
Because what's in my mind
I will always keep within
They say it's too soon
Well maybe that's true
All I've known for years
Is that I've always loved you
Friday, February 02, 2007
My absence
Sorry I've been gone, my youngest daughter has been very ill this past week.
Thanks to Phil and Donna Kay for the well wishes.
Thanks to Melynda for the "nursing" support.
Now all I need is a psychiatrist!
Thanks to Phil and Donna Kay for the well wishes.
Thanks to Melynda for the "nursing" support.
Now all I need is a psychiatrist!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
My horoscope for Friday the 26th
Quite interesting considering what's going on lately...
Feel responsible for someone who's struggling? Let him or her go it alone for now.
When dealing with a stubborn person or situation, you need to gauge what the most effective tactics are before you make your move. You'll get a lot further using charm. Force will just make them dig in their heels.
A certain matter of the heart that might've appeared to be simple reveals its many subtleties, layers and complexities now. Denial's not going to get you anywhere; start delving in so you can deal.
As your life begins to get more entwined with someone else's, you could feel a growing sense of responsibility toward this person. You and your generous, compassionate nature want to reach out and help him or her make necessary adjustments, but that might not be the right idea today. Putting your two cents in right now could come off as intrusive. You need to give this person space to grow.
Feel responsible for someone who's struggling? Let him or her go it alone for now.
When dealing with a stubborn person or situation, you need to gauge what the most effective tactics are before you make your move. You'll get a lot further using charm. Force will just make them dig in their heels.
A certain matter of the heart that might've appeared to be simple reveals its many subtleties, layers and complexities now. Denial's not going to get you anywhere; start delving in so you can deal.
As your life begins to get more entwined with someone else's, you could feel a growing sense of responsibility toward this person. You and your generous, compassionate nature want to reach out and help him or her make necessary adjustments, but that might not be the right idea today. Putting your two cents in right now could come off as intrusive. You need to give this person space to grow.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Please read and sign
Help stop a street in the city of Harlem from being named after a cop killer.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/say-no-to-naming-a-harlem-street-after-cop-killer.html
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/say-no-to-naming-a-harlem-street-after-cop-killer.html
Played
It has fallen from its high place.
Shattered into many pieces.
Do you even understand?
Little shards all over my world.
Look at what you've done!
Do you even realize?
Come clean up the pieces!
Find a way to fix it!
Do you even care?
You have played too long,
With my fragile heart.
Shattered into many pieces.
Do you even understand?
Little shards all over my world.
Look at what you've done!
Do you even realize?
Come clean up the pieces!
Find a way to fix it!
Do you even care?
You have played too long,
With my fragile heart.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Forever
When I was young I saw you as the only one for me
When we were together you made me feel wanted
I'd never felt that before in my life
You made me feel whole like you were the missing link
Then so suddenly you left and I felt alone
For so many years I felt lost in a cruel world
I did so many things to rid my mind of you
I forgave you for leaving but I never forgot you
Then one day many years later we found each other
You made me whole again because you were the missing link
You slowly opened my heart to feelings I hadn't felft before
You made me love you even more than before
My heart belongs to you forever
So why do you hurt me so
I've committed my life to you
What have I done to make you hurt me
Why must you love me then throw me away
All I ask is for you to be by my side forever
No one else in between
You belong with me forever
Please take me forever
Because I am in love with you forever
When we were together you made me feel wanted
I'd never felt that before in my life
You made me feel whole like you were the missing link
Then so suddenly you left and I felt alone
For so many years I felt lost in a cruel world
I did so many things to rid my mind of you
I forgave you for leaving but I never forgot you
Then one day many years later we found each other
You made me whole again because you were the missing link
You slowly opened my heart to feelings I hadn't felft before
You made me love you even more than before
My heart belongs to you forever
So why do you hurt me so
I've committed my life to you
What have I done to make you hurt me
Why must you love me then throw me away
All I ask is for you to be by my side forever
No one else in between
You belong with me forever
Please take me forever
Because I am in love with you forever
Most important
Who is most important in your life?
Who do you love the most?
Who loves you the most?
Who would sacrifice most anything to be with you?
Who wants to be with you forever?
Who loves you unconditionally?
These are very important questions when you have someone's feelings hanging in the balance. When the person that you claim to love tells you they will love you forever, do you hurt them? I think not. You should want to hold them and comfort them every day. It's okay to make mistakes. Just ask for guidance if you find yourself in trouble. Don't leave that person hanging in the wings of doubt. Don't let that person think whatever you did is their fault. If that person tells you every day that they love you no matter what, this should be the most important thing to you above all else. No one expects you to be perfect, but commitment takes effort. You have to want it. If you don't want the commitment then set the person who loves you free.
Who do you love the most?
Who loves you the most?
Who would sacrifice most anything to be with you?
Who wants to be with you forever?
Who loves you unconditionally?
These are very important questions when you have someone's feelings hanging in the balance. When the person that you claim to love tells you they will love you forever, do you hurt them? I think not. You should want to hold them and comfort them every day. It's okay to make mistakes. Just ask for guidance if you find yourself in trouble. Don't leave that person hanging in the wings of doubt. Don't let that person think whatever you did is their fault. If that person tells you every day that they love you no matter what, this should be the most important thing to you above all else. No one expects you to be perfect, but commitment takes effort. You have to want it. If you don't want the commitment then set the person who loves you free.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
A great recovery message
Property Lines
A helpful tool in our recovery, especially in the behavior we call detachment, is learning to identify who owns what. Then we let each person own and possess his or her rightful property.
If another person has an addiction, a problem, a feeling, or a self-defeating behavior, that is their property, not ours.
If someone is a martyr, immersed in negativity, controlling, or manipulative, that is their issue, not ours.
If someone has acted and experienced a particular consequence, both the behavior and the consequence belong to that person.
People's lies, deceptions, tricks, manipulations, abusive behaviors, inappropriate behaviors, cheating behaviors, and tacky behaviors belong to them, too. Not us.
People's hopes and dreams are their property. Their guilt belong to them too. Their happiness or misery is also theirs. So are their beliefs and messages.
If some people don't like themselves, that is their choice. Their choices are their property, not ours. What people choose to say and do is their business.
What is our property? Our property includes our behaviors, problems, feelings, happiness, misery, choices, and messages; our ability to love, care, and nurture; our thoughts, our denial, our hopes and dreams for ourselves. Whether we allow ourselves to be controlled, manipulated, deceived, or mistreated is our business.
In recovery, we learn an appropriate sense of ownership. If something isn't ours, we don't take it. If we take it, we learn to give it back. Let other people have their property, and learn to own and take good care of what's ours.
Today, I will work at developing a clear sense of what belongs to me, and what doesn't. If it's not mine, I won't keep it. I will deal with myself, my issues, and my responsibilities.
Friday, January 19, 2007
New Charity Site
http://sixdegrees.org/A newly launched site from Kevin Bacon where you can donate to a celebrity's favorite charity or donate to your own. They are all in one place!
Please go and check it out! There's a huge list of charities by state or interest. You can also sign up to volunteer through this site. I looked through the whole site and ended up donating to NCMEC.
BACON TURNS 'SIX DEGREES' GAME INTO CHARITY
KEVIN BACON is stunned by the success of trivia game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" and has found a way to use it to raise money for charity. The premise of the game is any film actor can be connected, through their film roles, to Bacon by six links. And starting today (19JAN07), the star will officially launch SixDegrees.org, an online network that gives visitors a chance to learn about and donate to celebrities' favourite charities. He explains, "People pick up celebrity magazines to see how people dress, which handbags are hot, which cars to buy. Why not look at what (celebrities) care about?" NICOLE KIDMAN, WILL FERRELL, TYRA BANKS, JESSICA SIMPSON and KANYE WEST are among the stars who have already agreed to be featured on the site.19/01/2007 03:50
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Here is a countdown of a few points to ponder in 2007
10) Life is sexually transmitted.
9) Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
8) If you don't have time to do it right, when will you ever have time to do it over
7) Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the internet and they won't bother you for weeks
6) Some people are like a Slinky not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs
5) Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing
4) All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism
3) Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut save you only 30 cents?
2) In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world IS weird and people take Prozac to make it normal
AND THE NUMBER ONE THOUGHT FOR 2007 IS.
We know exactly where one cow with mad cow disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't go a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration and national security!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!!!
Today's mighty oak is yesterday's little nut that held it's ground....
10) Life is sexually transmitted.
9) Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
8) If you don't have time to do it right, when will you ever have time to do it over
7) Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the internet and they won't bother you for weeks
6) Some people are like a Slinky not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs
5) Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing
4) All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism
3) Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut save you only 30 cents?
2) In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world IS weird and people take Prozac to make it normal
AND THE NUMBER ONE THOUGHT FOR 2007 IS.
We know exactly where one cow with mad cow disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't go a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration and national security!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!!!
Today's mighty oak is yesterday's little nut that held it's ground....
Monday, January 08, 2007
Money for all: accessible currency
Please read and sign petition.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mfaacp/petition.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/mfaacp/petition.html
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder. Both Asperger's Disorder and Autistic Disorder are in fact subgroups of a larger diagnostic category. This larger category is called either Autistic Spectrum Disorders, mostly in European countries, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders ("PDD"), in the United States. In Asperger's Disorder, affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood. There are impairments in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal communication. Though grammatical, their speech is peculiar due to abnormalities of inflection and a repetitive pattern. Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and gross motor behavior. They usually have a circumscribed area of interest which usually leaves no space for more age appropriate, common interests. Some examples are cars, trains, French Literature, door knobs, hinges, cappucino, meteorology, astronomy or history. The name "Asperger" comes from Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician who first described the syndrome in 1944. An excellent translation of Dr. Asperger's original paper is provided by Dr. Uta Frith in her Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Learn more @ http://www.aspergers.com/index.htm
Learn more @ http://www.aspergers.com/index.htm
Bacharach-Dickinson daughter commits suicide
Nikki Bacharach, left, with mother Angie Dickinson, committed suicide, according to a statement from Dickinson and ex-husband Burt Bacharach.Bacharach-Dickinson daughter commits suicide
POSTED: 8:43 a.m. EST, January 8, 2007
Story Highlights
• Nikki Bacharach committed suicide Thursday
• Bacharach the daughter of Angie Dickinson, Burt Bacharach
• Bacharach had suffered from Asperger's Disorder
BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) -- Nikki Bacharach, daughter of Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson, committed suicide, the songwriter and actress said in a statement Friday.
Nikki Bacharach, 40, suffered from Asperger's Disorder, a form of autism. She killed herself Thursday night at her condo, said Linda Dozoretz, a spokeswoman for the family.
"She quietly and peacefully committed suicide to escape the ravages to her brain brought on by Asperger's," the statement said.
Nikki Bacharach died of suffocation using a plastic bag and helium, said Mike Feiler of the Ventura County coroner's office.
Born prematurely in 1966, Lea Nikki Bacharach studied geology at Cal Lutheran University, but could not pursue a career in the field because of poor eyesight.
"She loved kitties, and earthquakes, glacial calving, meteor showers, science, blue skies and sunsets, and Tahiti," the statement said.
Nikki Bacharach was the only child of Burt Bacharach, 77, and Dickinson, 75, who were married from 1965 to 1981.
It was the second marriage for both Bacharach, the Oscar-winning composer of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and "What the World Needs Now is Love," and Dickinson, star of the film "Dressed to Kill" and the TV show "Police Woman."
Bacharach has three children from other marriages.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/08/obit.nikkibacharach.ap/index.html
Mystery smell settles over Manhattan
Mystery smell settles over Manhattan
POSTED: 12:22 p.m. EST, January 8, 2007
Story Highlights
• Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls the odor "unpleasant" but harmless
POSTED: 12:22 p.m. EST, January 8, 2007
Story Highlights
• Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls the odor "unpleasant" but harmless
• Smell is detected throughout Manhattan and in parts of New Jersey
• Some buildings are evacuated; PATH commuter train line temporarily suspended
NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York officials evacuated a number of buildings and shut down some trains after a mysterious gaslike odor was reported Monday.
A New York Police Department spokesman said an air quality test determined that the air is not hazardous, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said there is no indication terrorism was involved.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the smell "unpleasant" but said it posed no harm.
"One thing we are very confident of, it's not dangerous," Bloomberg said. "How long and what the sources are, we just don't know."
The pervasive odor was reported throughout Manhattan and as far away as Newark, New Jersey, 10 miles west of the Big Apple. In New York, the smell was reported from Midtown to Battery Park City.
Authorities are investigating the source of the smell. Several buildings were evacuated, and the PATH commuter trains along the Sixth Avenue line were temporarily suspended. The odor had no effect on subway service in the city.
New York police initially said no gas leak was reported, but a spokesman for Mayor Jerramiah Healy in Jersey City, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River, said the odor was emanating from a leak near Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
Bloomberg later confirmed a "small gas leak" near Sixth Avenue and Bleecker Street but said the smell appears to be a natural gas additive. Natural gas has no smell, so an additive, mercaptan, is included to give it a detectable smell in the event of a leak.
However, Bloomberg said that he didn't believe the Manhattan gas leak could account for the smell being reported in New Jersey.
"We're all working together to pinpoint the nature of the leak," he said. "So far, the city's air sensors do not report any elevated level of gas."
The mayor said that "these things are normal, happen all the time."
The police said utility provider Consolidated Edison told officials there's been no drop in gas pressure in the city.
No injuries have been reported, according to the Office of Emergency Management.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/08/nyc.odor/index.html
• Some buildings are evacuated; PATH commuter train line temporarily suspended
NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York officials evacuated a number of buildings and shut down some trains after a mysterious gaslike odor was reported Monday.
A New York Police Department spokesman said an air quality test determined that the air is not hazardous, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said there is no indication terrorism was involved.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the smell "unpleasant" but said it posed no harm.
"One thing we are very confident of, it's not dangerous," Bloomberg said. "How long and what the sources are, we just don't know."
The pervasive odor was reported throughout Manhattan and as far away as Newark, New Jersey, 10 miles west of the Big Apple. In New York, the smell was reported from Midtown to Battery Park City.
Authorities are investigating the source of the smell. Several buildings were evacuated, and the PATH commuter trains along the Sixth Avenue line were temporarily suspended. The odor had no effect on subway service in the city.
New York police initially said no gas leak was reported, but a spokesman for Mayor Jerramiah Healy in Jersey City, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River, said the odor was emanating from a leak near Manhattan's Greenwich Village.
Bloomberg later confirmed a "small gas leak" near Sixth Avenue and Bleecker Street but said the smell appears to be a natural gas additive. Natural gas has no smell, so an additive, mercaptan, is included to give it a detectable smell in the event of a leak.
However, Bloomberg said that he didn't believe the Manhattan gas leak could account for the smell being reported in New Jersey.
"We're all working together to pinpoint the nature of the leak," he said. "So far, the city's air sensors do not report any elevated level of gas."
The mayor said that "these things are normal, happen all the time."
The police said utility provider Consolidated Edison told officials there's been no drop in gas pressure in the city.
No injuries have been reported, according to the Office of Emergency Management.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/08/nyc.odor/index.html
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Points of interest
New York City, New Yorkhttp://www.nycvisit.com/home/index.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City
Caracas, Venezuelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracas
http://www.geographia.com/venezuela/index.htm
These are some points of my interest that were pings on the visitor map.
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.dispatch.com/
http://www.osu.edu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus,_Ohio
Leesburg, Florida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leesburg,_Florida
http://www.leesburgbikefest.com/
http://www.leesburgflorida.com/
Seminole, Florida
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole,_Florida
http://www.seminoletribe.com/
Portland, Oregon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon
http://www.portland.com/portland/index.cfm
Houston, Texas
http://www.houston-guide.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas
More at a later date...
Friday, January 05, 2007
HOORAY! WE WON!!!.....well sort of...
This was just sent, from Glenn Beck's newsletter.
"Hello Columbus Fans -
THANK YOU! Because of your support and loyalty, we’ve found a new radio home in Columbus.
Starting on Monday morning, January 8th, tune in to 103.9 FM to hear the Glenn Beck Program from 10am-1pm every weekday!
PLEASE show your support for our new affiliate by tuning in on Monday, and telling all your friends to do the same.Thank you for signing up for the email newsletter to stay in touch with us. We really appreciate our Columbus fans and everything you have done to support us.
More details to follow.
-glenn"
I'm so excited, even though it's not live but it's the next best thing. Thanks for the GlennSupport Columbus!
"Hello Columbus Fans -
THANK YOU! Because of your support and loyalty, we’ve found a new radio home in Columbus.
Starting on Monday morning, January 8th, tune in to 103.9 FM to hear the Glenn Beck Program from 10am-1pm every weekday!
PLEASE show your support for our new affiliate by tuning in on Monday, and telling all your friends to do the same.Thank you for signing up for the email newsletter to stay in touch with us. We really appreciate our Columbus fans and everything you have done to support us.
More details to follow.
-glenn"
I'm so excited, even though it's not live but it's the next best thing. Thanks for the GlennSupport Columbus!
We have the right...
We have the right to have conservative and liberal radio talk shows in our cities! Why monopolize? As the liberals would say, this is violating our civil rights! Glenn, hope you come back to my town real soon. As a conservative Democrat, I feel I have the right to listen to whatever I want and so should everyone else. I'm being forced to listen to crap radio. Well I'm not taking it. I'm turning the radio off!
Beck attempts to save his slot on 610 WTVN
Beck attempts to save his slot on 610 WTVN
Meanwhile, Air Americans fight back
January 4, 2007
The management at 610 WTVN probably made Mike Coleman happy when it decided to dump Glenn Beck’s syndicated show from its morning lineup.
But unlike Mayor Coleman, who famously defended his manhood in an on-air dust-up with Beck in 2005, most Columbus listeners don’t have a disagreeable personal history with Beck. And some of them—like Beck himself—feel grievously wronged by his pending disappearance from 610’s airwaves.
On Tuesday morning, the dispute spilled onto the national airwaves, no doubt boring the life out of listeners to Beck’s 233 other affiliates, and onto glennbeck.com, where the usual home page was replaced by a stark screen with this message:
“Welcome Fans from Columbus, OH. As you may have heard, the Glenn Beck Program will be removed from 610 WTVN AM. Since 2004, the Glenn Beck Program has ranked amongst the top three shows in our time period in Columbus.”
In an affiliated website, Beck fans spent the early part of the week planning a protest that, as of Wednesday, was scheduled for late Saturday afternoon on the Short North Cap.
“The Gallery Hop will be going on that night,” wrote a poster named glennbecky, “so we can be right there in the middle of it.”
The odd intermingling of art browsers and conservative radio fans will apparently include missing_glenn, who wrote, “Planning to be there—have a ton of things on my ‘to do list’, but none more important than keeping Glenn on the line.”
Though Beck won’t be replaced by local host Joel Riley until next week, Beck fans accused 610 of a suspicious programming decision Tuesday, when live coverage of Gerald Ford’s funeral suddenly interrupted the Glenn Beck Program as the host was in the middle of his public complaints about WTVN.
Calls to Beck’s PR representative and to WTVN Program Director Bruce Collins Wednesday were unreturned.
Collins, who’s also the PD for Clear Channel’s 1230 WTPG—soon to lose its liberal lineup and become WYTS—said in an e-mail to a Beck fan that the station wanted to move his morning show over to WYTS.
“Unfortunately,” the Collins e-mail said, “Glenn declined to be a part of our new talk plans.”
Say this for Clear Channel’s Columbus operation: It’s an equal-opportunity annoyer of listeners.
Fans of 1230’s Air America lineup have formed their own website, ohiomajorityradio.com, aimed at keeping Al Franken and other liberal hosts from being replaced by the likes of Laura Ingraham and Jim Rome.
They’re probably inspired by fellow prog-talk fans in Madison, Wis. A Clear Channel station in that famously liberal enclave was supposed to dump Air America this month, but a campaign by fans saved the old format.
Ohio Majority Radio implores Columbus Frankenphiles to write not just their own U.S. senators but other people’s. It directs supporters to write Sen. Hillary Clinton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “And Ask Them To Help Save Progressive Radio In Central Ohio.”
So if you read in coming weeks that Clinton is missing a lot of votes and Reid is shirking his leadership duties, you can safely assume it’s because they’re on the phone hollering at Bruce Collins.
http://www.theotherpaper.com/TOP1-4/1-4_substory2.html
Meanwhile, Air Americans fight back
January 4, 2007
The management at 610 WTVN probably made Mike Coleman happy when it decided to dump Glenn Beck’s syndicated show from its morning lineup.
But unlike Mayor Coleman, who famously defended his manhood in an on-air dust-up with Beck in 2005, most Columbus listeners don’t have a disagreeable personal history with Beck. And some of them—like Beck himself—feel grievously wronged by his pending disappearance from 610’s airwaves.
On Tuesday morning, the dispute spilled onto the national airwaves, no doubt boring the life out of listeners to Beck’s 233 other affiliates, and onto glennbeck.com, where the usual home page was replaced by a stark screen with this message:
“Welcome Fans from Columbus, OH. As you may have heard, the Glenn Beck Program will be removed from 610 WTVN AM. Since 2004, the Glenn Beck Program has ranked amongst the top three shows in our time period in Columbus.”
In an affiliated website, Beck fans spent the early part of the week planning a protest that, as of Wednesday, was scheduled for late Saturday afternoon on the Short North Cap.
“The Gallery Hop will be going on that night,” wrote a poster named glennbecky, “so we can be right there in the middle of it.”
The odd intermingling of art browsers and conservative radio fans will apparently include missing_glenn, who wrote, “Planning to be there—have a ton of things on my ‘to do list’, but none more important than keeping Glenn on the line.”
Though Beck won’t be replaced by local host Joel Riley until next week, Beck fans accused 610 of a suspicious programming decision Tuesday, when live coverage of Gerald Ford’s funeral suddenly interrupted the Glenn Beck Program as the host was in the middle of his public complaints about WTVN.
Calls to Beck’s PR representative and to WTVN Program Director Bruce Collins Wednesday were unreturned.
Collins, who’s also the PD for Clear Channel’s 1230 WTPG—soon to lose its liberal lineup and become WYTS—said in an e-mail to a Beck fan that the station wanted to move his morning show over to WYTS.
“Unfortunately,” the Collins e-mail said, “Glenn declined to be a part of our new talk plans.”
Say this for Clear Channel’s Columbus operation: It’s an equal-opportunity annoyer of listeners.
Fans of 1230’s Air America lineup have formed their own website, ohiomajorityradio.com, aimed at keeping Al Franken and other liberal hosts from being replaced by the likes of Laura Ingraham and Jim Rome.
They’re probably inspired by fellow prog-talk fans in Madison, Wis. A Clear Channel station in that famously liberal enclave was supposed to dump Air America this month, but a campaign by fans saved the old format.
Ohio Majority Radio implores Columbus Frankenphiles to write not just their own U.S. senators but other people’s. It directs supporters to write Sen. Hillary Clinton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “And Ask Them To Help Save Progressive Radio In Central Ohio.”
So if you read in coming weeks that Clinton is missing a lot of votes and Reid is shirking his leadership duties, you can safely assume it’s because they’re on the phone hollering at Bruce Collins.
http://www.theotherpaper.com/TOP1-4/1-4_substory2.html
On fire in Central Ohio
Big changes at 2 stations cause static among fans
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tim Feran
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
They’re coming from the left and the right. And they’re taking aim at Clear Channel Radio over planned changes for two of its central Ohio stations. Liberals are upset that the media company on Monday will drop leftleaning Air America programming on WYTS (1230 AM), formerly known as WTPG. Conservatives are annoyed that on Saturday it will replace right-leaning talk-show host Glenn Beck on WTVN (610 AM). Both groups plan rallies in support of their causes. Air America fans have also gathered more than 1,000 names on petitions to keep the programming in place. "It would be nice to have an alternative view in this town," said Rosalie Immel of Columbus, who signed a petition. "After all, more than half of us in this county voted Democratic in the last election." Adding to the static are supporters of weatherman Pat Pagano — who are bothered that WTVN is getting rid of the forecaster after 27 years. Listeners of all stripes have showered the company with gripes. "Far and away, the communiques have been in opposition to our changes," said Tom Thon, market manager for Clear Channel Columbus. "It’s really nothing more than human nature and human emotion taking over and not liking change." Protesters are inspired by events in Madison, Wis., where, after a heavy backlash, Clear Channel recently reversed a decision to cut Air America. Still, Thon said, the alterations — based on "cold, hard business facts" — are likely to stick, whatever the outcry. Bon voyage , Air America After two years, as Clear Channel announced in December, it is eliminating a roster of liberal hosts, including Al Franken and Randi Rhodes of Air America, and the syndicated Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz. Instead, WYTS will air a schedule that includes conservatives Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage as well as sports and consumer shows. "Unfortunately, central Ohio listeners did not respond to the progressive format," Thon said. "It’s been very underperforming in ratings and revenue." The station has languished near the bottom of the Arbitron ratings for years. (Most recently, it tied for 23 rd among 31 stations.) Yet fans hope to influence Clear Channel with the petitions and a rally — followed by a mock funeral procession — from 11 a.m. to noon Monday on Capitol Square. "We want to say: ‘Yes, there is an audience. Let us help you as they did in Madison,’ " said Dave Daulton of Gahanna. "We want to show there is a passion, there are listeners." Bye - bye , Beck. The decision to replace syndicated host Glenn Beck on WTVN with central Ohio talk-show host Joel Riley is likewise drawing the ire of listeners. "Our family is very upset that we are losing Glenn Beck on our morning radio," said one fan, Jean Butler of Gahanna. "We love Joel Riley, but not to replace Glenn." Beck supporters plan to gather at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at N. High and Goodale streets, then march to Nationwide Arena. Clear Channel offered to move Beck to the 9 a.m. slot on WYTS. Beck, however, called the signal too weak. "I’ve had listeners e-mail me," he said, "and say, ‘I can’t even pick up that signal in my car, and I live in the city.’ It’s not good for our clients, for the show; it’s not good for the listeners." Clear Channel wanted WTVN, which Thon describes as "Columbus’ townhall station," to be locally oriented. And it sought to keep Beck on the air, he said. "We very much wanted Glenn to be part of the new 1230 AM," Thon said. "Glenn is a terrific talent. We didn’t drop him; we just wanted to move him. He made the decision." Pagano, meanwhile, has received at least 300 e-mail messages of support, he said. "I’ve been in the business 33 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this," said Pagano, who provides his weather forecasts from New York. "I always knew my listeners in Columbus were the best." Given such a response, Beck and Pagano are pursuing other stations. Pagano is willing to do more, he said: Should the decision be overturned, he’ll consider moving to Ohio.
tferan@dispatch.com
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/05/20070105-B1-00.html
CONTACT WTVN
Telephone:
Main Office: 614-486-6101
Main Fax: 614-487-2559
Jeff Rehl - General Sales Manager
jeffrehl@clearchannel.com
Bruce Collins - Program Director
brucecollins@clearchannel.com
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tim Feran
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
They’re coming from the left and the right. And they’re taking aim at Clear Channel Radio over planned changes for two of its central Ohio stations. Liberals are upset that the media company on Monday will drop leftleaning Air America programming on WYTS (1230 AM), formerly known as WTPG. Conservatives are annoyed that on Saturday it will replace right-leaning talk-show host Glenn Beck on WTVN (610 AM). Both groups plan rallies in support of their causes. Air America fans have also gathered more than 1,000 names on petitions to keep the programming in place. "It would be nice to have an alternative view in this town," said Rosalie Immel of Columbus, who signed a petition. "After all, more than half of us in this county voted Democratic in the last election." Adding to the static are supporters of weatherman Pat Pagano — who are bothered that WTVN is getting rid of the forecaster after 27 years. Listeners of all stripes have showered the company with gripes. "Far and away, the communiques have been in opposition to our changes," said Tom Thon, market manager for Clear Channel Columbus. "It’s really nothing more than human nature and human emotion taking over and not liking change." Protesters are inspired by events in Madison, Wis., where, after a heavy backlash, Clear Channel recently reversed a decision to cut Air America. Still, Thon said, the alterations — based on "cold, hard business facts" — are likely to stick, whatever the outcry. Bon voyage , Air America After two years, as Clear Channel announced in December, it is eliminating a roster of liberal hosts, including Al Franken and Randi Rhodes of Air America, and the syndicated Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz. Instead, WYTS will air a schedule that includes conservatives Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage as well as sports and consumer shows. "Unfortunately, central Ohio listeners did not respond to the progressive format," Thon said. "It’s been very underperforming in ratings and revenue." The station has languished near the bottom of the Arbitron ratings for years. (Most recently, it tied for 23 rd among 31 stations.) Yet fans hope to influence Clear Channel with the petitions and a rally — followed by a mock funeral procession — from 11 a.m. to noon Monday on Capitol Square. "We want to say: ‘Yes, there is an audience. Let us help you as they did in Madison,’ " said Dave Daulton of Gahanna. "We want to show there is a passion, there are listeners." Bye - bye , Beck. The decision to replace syndicated host Glenn Beck on WTVN with central Ohio talk-show host Joel Riley is likewise drawing the ire of listeners. "Our family is very upset that we are losing Glenn Beck on our morning radio," said one fan, Jean Butler of Gahanna. "We love Joel Riley, but not to replace Glenn." Beck supporters plan to gather at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at N. High and Goodale streets, then march to Nationwide Arena. Clear Channel offered to move Beck to the 9 a.m. slot on WYTS. Beck, however, called the signal too weak. "I’ve had listeners e-mail me," he said, "and say, ‘I can’t even pick up that signal in my car, and I live in the city.’ It’s not good for our clients, for the show; it’s not good for the listeners." Clear Channel wanted WTVN, which Thon describes as "Columbus’ townhall station," to be locally oriented. And it sought to keep Beck on the air, he said. "We very much wanted Glenn to be part of the new 1230 AM," Thon said. "Glenn is a terrific talent. We didn’t drop him; we just wanted to move him. He made the decision." Pagano, meanwhile, has received at least 300 e-mail messages of support, he said. "I’ve been in the business 33 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this," said Pagano, who provides his weather forecasts from New York. "I always knew my listeners in Columbus were the best." Given such a response, Beck and Pagano are pursuing other stations. Pagano is willing to do more, he said: Should the decision be overturned, he’ll consider moving to Ohio.
tferan@dispatch.com
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/05/20070105-B1-00.html
CONTACT WTVN
Telephone:
Main Office: 614-486-6101
Main Fax: 614-487-2559
Jeff Rehl - General Sales Manager
jeffrehl@clearchannel.com
Bruce Collins - Program Director
brucecollins@clearchannel.com
HEY COLUMBUS, OHIO!!!!
610 WTVN is taking Glenn Beck off their airwaves! I, for one, am very outraged over this. Here is a snipped post from Glenn from the Glennate Forums.
"Columbus fans I can't tell you how disappointed I am that WTVN is dropping us. We have had trouble with WTVN over the years as the former P.D. was not a fan. Even when we first had numbers higher than Rush, he still wanted to drop us. (I like to say he caught a bit of what Cleveland had). Some people just don't like the show or get it no matter how it does in ratings. We had hoped with the exit of this pd and the show always finishing one or two that things would be different. As you see they are not. The station says that they want to build two strong stations instead of just one and asked to build the second one around us. However, as it was a 1000 watt am station it wasn't the right thing to do for the show, the sponsors or the fans. Unlike many hosts, I will not take just any station in a market to be able to claim we air there. It is only fair to my sponsors that they can trust me when I say we are heard in a market to be on the right station. For us that has always been WTVN. I know how this is going to turn out because we have seen it before. Cleveland is still suffering a 50+% audience loss as are other stations that have tried this. With that being said, I wish WTVN the best and hope that someday we can find the right home in the market and that it once again is WTVN. My greatest disappointment over the years is that we have never been allowed to visit the market for a tour stop. Believe me, when we find a new home .... Columbus will not be just a tour stop. We should make it our winter home. Our fans in Columbus have always been the best. We will get the chance to meet. Until that time arrives we can be heard on line and on XM radio. (without Paul Harvey) Please express your feelings with the station in writing and calls. Tell your friends and your Glennators. Glenn"
Contact 610 WTVN or ClearChannel @
bobconners@wtvn.com
merlin@610wtvn.com
joebradley@wtvn.com
benjohnson@clearchannel.com
brucecollins@clearchannel.com
mikeelliott@wtvn.com
stevesullivan@clearchannel.com
scottkahler@clearchannel.com
jeffrehl@clearchannel.com
danvandeusen@clearchannel.com
clintbuckingham@clearchannel.com
RALLY FOR GLENN
Keep Glenn in Columbus!
Please contact Becky if you can come to the rally. We're trying to keep the show on air here in Columbus. We need a lot of people to make this work. It appears that Stu will be coming. Spread the word.
Here is the final schedule and locations for our Saturday, January 6th Rally:
(NOTE THERE ARE TWO LOCATIONS)
Time: 4:30 MEET AT THE CONVENTION CENTER AT THE CORNER OF HIGH & GOODALE. The Gallery Hop is right there, so we can go by Cafe Mojo where people start the Gallery Hop. We will be there until 6:15
400 N. High St. Columbus, Oh 43215
Time: 6:15 walk to NATIONWIDE ARENA. (We Go to the entrance on W. Nationwide Blvd. if the truck rally is outside/if I find out it is inside, we will be at the Front St. entrance) I will post more info as I have it.
200 W. Nationwide Blvd
Columbus, Oh. 43215
Don't forget to bring money for parking and a sign.
This location will be wall to wall with people. The Gallery Hop will be going on that night starting at 5. The Monster Truck Show starts at 7:30. Not only can people see our signs, but we can pass out flyers with information for people to contact WTVN. It'll be crazy busy, but it will make it worth our while.
Here's some sign ideas from one of our Insiders/Dave McCoy:
Dumping Glenn Beck Never Solved Anything"
Front: "Talk Radio with Brains" Back: "Demand Glenn Beck"
Front: "Don't do it WTVN!" Back: "Demand Glenn Beck"
"WTVN = HATE MONGERS!"
"Glenn Beck Rich & Chocolaty"
"Loyal Listeners for GLENN BECK!"
"Another Patriot for Glenn Beck"
"College Students for Glenn Beck"
"Farmers for Glenn Beck"
"Honk for Glenn Beck"
"Save Glenn Beck"
"We Want Glenn Beck"
"We (heart) Glenn Beck"
"Buckeyes for Glenn Beck"
Becky Braunstein
beckyscookies@gmail.com
"Columbus fans I can't tell you how disappointed I am that WTVN is dropping us. We have had trouble with WTVN over the years as the former P.D. was not a fan. Even when we first had numbers higher than Rush, he still wanted to drop us. (I like to say he caught a bit of what Cleveland had). Some people just don't like the show or get it no matter how it does in ratings. We had hoped with the exit of this pd and the show always finishing one or two that things would be different. As you see they are not. The station says that they want to build two strong stations instead of just one and asked to build the second one around us. However, as it was a 1000 watt am station it wasn't the right thing to do for the show, the sponsors or the fans. Unlike many hosts, I will not take just any station in a market to be able to claim we air there. It is only fair to my sponsors that they can trust me when I say we are heard in a market to be on the right station. For us that has always been WTVN. I know how this is going to turn out because we have seen it before. Cleveland is still suffering a 50+% audience loss as are other stations that have tried this. With that being said, I wish WTVN the best and hope that someday we can find the right home in the market and that it once again is WTVN. My greatest disappointment over the years is that we have never been allowed to visit the market for a tour stop. Believe me, when we find a new home .... Columbus will not be just a tour stop. We should make it our winter home. Our fans in Columbus have always been the best. We will get the chance to meet. Until that time arrives we can be heard on line and on XM radio. (without Paul Harvey) Please express your feelings with the station in writing and calls. Tell your friends and your Glennators. Glenn"
Contact 610 WTVN or ClearChannel @
bobconners@wtvn.com
merlin@610wtvn.com
joebradley@wtvn.com
benjohnson@clearchannel.com
brucecollins@clearchannel.com
mikeelliott@wtvn.com
stevesullivan@clearchannel.com
scottkahler@clearchannel.com
jeffrehl@clearchannel.com
danvandeusen@clearchannel.com
clintbuckingham@clearchannel.com
RALLY FOR GLENN
Keep Glenn in Columbus!
Please contact Becky if you can come to the rally. We're trying to keep the show on air here in Columbus. We need a lot of people to make this work. It appears that Stu will be coming. Spread the word.
Here is the final schedule and locations for our Saturday, January 6th Rally:
(NOTE THERE ARE TWO LOCATIONS)
Time: 4:30 MEET AT THE CONVENTION CENTER AT THE CORNER OF HIGH & GOODALE. The Gallery Hop is right there, so we can go by Cafe Mojo where people start the Gallery Hop. We will be there until 6:15
400 N. High St. Columbus, Oh 43215
Time: 6:15 walk to NATIONWIDE ARENA. (We Go to the entrance on W. Nationwide Blvd. if the truck rally is outside/if I find out it is inside, we will be at the Front St. entrance) I will post more info as I have it.
200 W. Nationwide Blvd
Columbus, Oh. 43215
Don't forget to bring money for parking and a sign.
This location will be wall to wall with people. The Gallery Hop will be going on that night starting at 5. The Monster Truck Show starts at 7:30. Not only can people see our signs, but we can pass out flyers with information for people to contact WTVN. It'll be crazy busy, but it will make it worth our while.
Here's some sign ideas from one of our Insiders/Dave McCoy:
Dumping Glenn Beck Never Solved Anything"
Front: "Talk Radio with Brains" Back: "Demand Glenn Beck"
Front: "Don't do it WTVN!" Back: "Demand Glenn Beck"
"WTVN = HATE MONGERS!"
"Glenn Beck Rich & Chocolaty"
"Loyal Listeners for GLENN BECK!"
"Another Patriot for Glenn Beck"
"College Students for Glenn Beck"
"Farmers for Glenn Beck"
"Honk for Glenn Beck"
"Save Glenn Beck"
"We Want Glenn Beck"
"We (heart) Glenn Beck"
"Buckeyes for Glenn Beck"
Becky Braunstein
beckyscookies@gmail.com
Thursday, January 04, 2007
My laugh for the day
A friend of mine sent this ecard to me because I'm still under the weather and she said I needed a laugh.
Click the link to view a plain version of the ecard.
http://www.americangreetings.com/display.pd?path=23531&bfrom=1&strSearch=&prodnum=3055128
Click the link to view a plain version of the ecard.
http://www.americangreetings.com/display.pd?path=23531&bfrom=1&strSearch=&prodnum=3055128
Customer service call
CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL
"Ridge Hall computer assistance; may I help you?"
"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
"What sort of trouble?"
"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
"Went away?"
"They disappeared."
"Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"It's blank, it won't accept anything when I type."
"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"
"How do I tell?"
"Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?"
"What's a sea-prompt?"
"Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"
"There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
"What's a monitor?"
"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?"
"I don't know."
"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
"Yes, it is."
"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
"No ."
"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
"Okay, here it is."
"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."
"I can't reach."
"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"
"No."
"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark."
"Dark?"
"Yes, the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
"Well, turn on the office light then."
"I can't."
"No? Why not?"
"Because there's a power failure."
"A power... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing st uff your computer came in?"
"Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
"Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you g ot it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
"Really? Is it that bad?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
"Tell them you're too fecking stupid to own a computer."
"Ridge Hall computer assistance; may I help you?"
"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
"What sort of trouble?"
"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
"Went away?"
"They disappeared."
"Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"It's blank, it won't accept anything when I type."
"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"
"How do I tell?"
"Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?"
"What's a sea-prompt?"
"Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"
"There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
"What's a monitor?"
"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?"
"I don't know."
"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
"Yes, it is."
"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
"No ."
"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
"Okay, here it is."
"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."
"I can't reach."
"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"
"No."
"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark."
"Dark?"
"Yes, the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
"Well, turn on the office light then."
"I can't."
"No? Why not?"
"Because there's a power failure."
"A power... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing st uff your computer came in?"
"Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
"Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you g ot it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
"Really? Is it that bad?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
"Tell them you're too fecking stupid to own a computer."
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
PLEASE SIGN: Put CourtTV back on DISH Network
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CourtTV_BACK_ON_DISH/index.html
Please sign to put CourtTV back on DISH Network. So many people actually do watch it and it's better than most programming that's out.
Please sign to put CourtTV back on DISH Network. So many people actually do watch it and it's better than most programming that's out.
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