Evening Snack (4/15)

Report: Serial Killers Cleared by Iranian Supreme Court as Victims’ Activities Were Un-Islamic

At least 18 people were killed on the murder spree, but the men were only tried for five of the deaths. Some of the victims were stoned, others were suffocated and at least one man was buried alive, according to the vigilantes’ confessions.

Go ahead, Nan. Go have a chat with the paragons of civility!

Mount Pleasant officer charged with assault

A Mount Pleasant crime prevention officer has been charged with assault with intent to kill after police say he pointed a gun at a woman and demanded she have an abortion.

‘Crime prevention officer’? I don’t bloomin’ think so! How about charging him with attempted murder too!

Columbia families received $26.6 million settlement

NASA paid $26.6 million to family members of the astronauts who died on the space shuttle Columbia in 2003, a newspaper reported today, citing recently released documents.

No offense, but….why?

War protesters dump dye into river

The hourlong protest, held by Citizens for Peace and a Rational Energy Policy, concluded with demonstrators dumping three pounds of vegetable-based red dye into the Willamette River “to represent the blood our brothers and sisters are losing every day in Iraq,” said Joe Keating, the event’s organizer.

I’d have to say these peaceful anti-war types are rather destructive, aren’t they.

‘Clean’ War Bill Will Pass, Cheney Says

“I think the Congress will pass clean legislation,” Cheney said during a taped interview broadcast yesterday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” If Democrats do not have the votes to override Bush’s veto, “they will not leave the troops in the field without the resources they need to be able to carry out their mission.”

I NO faith in the Dems to do the right thing.

Northwest Pilot Nabbed With Suspected Cocaine After Border Chase

A Northwest Airlines pilot made a U-turn at a U.S.-Canada border crossing, then led deputies on a chase in his Hummer before being subdued and found to be holding cocaine, a sheriff’s officer said Sunday.

One more reason not to fly Northwest. Ya never know if the pilot is going to drunk, or on drugs.

Israeli-Syrian conflict can be resolved in 35 minutes, Clinton says

Former US president Bill Clinton said that peace between Israel and Syria could be achieved within 35 minutes, if Iran would stay out of the matter.

I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you Bubba.

Eight are hurt in gunfire Friday, Saturday

Five Milwaukeeans suffered gunshot wounds on Saturday, including an 18-year-old man who was critically injured, police said.

Nope, no problems at all, eh Chief?

American radio icon Don Imus disgraced, fired after threat to reveal 9/11 secrets

In a clear sign of its intent to reign in dissident American media personalities, and their growing influence in American culture, US War Leaders this past week launched an unprecedented attack upon one of their most politically ‘connected’, and legendary, radio hosts named Don Imus after his threats to release information relating to the September 11, 2001 attacks upon that country.

Ya gotta give the Russians credit for creativity. LMAO

East Coast Storm Nixes Over 400 Flights

A powerful nor’easter pounded the East with wind and pouring rain Sunday, grounding airlines and threatening to create some of the worst coastal flooding some areas had seen in more than a decade.

I’d say everyone is having a fairly nasty spring.

Dr. Feelgood

Paying to absolve the sin of emissions

When Cal Broomhead drove to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone last summer on vacation, he felt pretty bad about the carbon dioxide emissions from his Volvo station wagon.

Then he should have stayed home and played Tiddly Winks with the kiddies.

So he paid $100 to a company that then subsidized a wind energy project that generates electricity without producing greenhouses gases. Broomhead was told his contribution made up for a year of driving about 12,000 miles as well as his household’s annual use of electricity and natural gas.

Why couldn’t I come up with a scheme like this. I mean, after all, if you’re going to bamboozle people, ya might as well make a few bucks, right?

In the new vernacular, Broomhead and his family were “carbon neutral.”

“It makes me feel good. It means I’m walking my talk,” he said.

I’m gonna take a wild stab and say this guy, and his family, is still breathing. Not so “carbon neutral”. But, by all means, if it makes ya feel good……

Still to be determined is whether carbon offsets are the new commodity that will truly help the environment — or merely salve the consciences of people who don’t want to give up the luxury of big cars, jet travel, overheated homes, blazing lights and gluttonous appliances.

I turn off lights. I don’t drive a luxury car, but I do keep up on the maintenance so it won’t pollute any more than necessary. The only time we fly is when I can’t drive, typically water crossing is involved. I recycle. And I’m NOT paying some fool just to make myself feel better.

More than four dozen companies worldwide sell carbon offsets, the credits for cutting emissions through green energy projects. And although many seek independent experts who verify that the money is used to cut greenhouse gases, the businesses are unregulated by the government and lack even voluntary standards. That opens the door to fraud and mismanagement, critics say.

Fraud? Ya think? (snicker)

Denis Hayes, who coordinated the first Earth Day in 1970, doesn’t see harm in individuals buying carbon credits. But it could be like trying to absolve sins by buying indulgences, he said.

“I find it slightly offensive that somebody who literally goes on two safaris a year, drives a Rolls-Royce, has at least three houses, and offsets his carbon emissions for $85 can brag about it,” he said. “It’s doing some good, but it doesn’t in any way compensate for his impact on global warming.”

If a person can afford to do all that, then he/she can damn well cough up more than that to make themselves feel good.

Studies show that at the present rate, global citizens will produce 2 trillion tons of carbon dioxide over the next 50 years. At least 642 billion tons must be cut to stabilize Earth’s greenhouse gas levels and escape the most extreme effects of global warming — melting ice fields, rising sea levels, widespread extinctions of species, and extreme weather like drought, heat waves and hurricanes.

What on earth makes these people think we have anything to do with stabilizing the planet? Or even that we could? We do not control this great big ball.

I’ve got some ‘Gullibility Credits’ for sale. How many should I put ya down for?

Morning Coffee 4/15/07

Parents, politicians spar over vaccine

In Wisconsin, state Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) is preparing legislation that would require the HPV vaccine for all young girls. But some lawmakers, physicians and parents say many educational and financial obstacles must be addressed before it can be taken seriously. They also argue the vaccine is too new and needs more time to be tested.

Sorry Lena, you are just flat out wrong on this one. No government should force parents to give their daughters a vaccine that is not 100% proved. There just isn’t enough information yet on the long term effects.

Foes of FB ban clash on tactics

“People on the same side of an issue sometimes get angrier at each other for not agreeing how to fight than they get at their opponents,” said Christopher McGuire, one of the leaders of Uniting Farmers Branch, a grassroots movement launched last fall to fight Ordinance 2903. “And also, I think people are feeling pretty stressed, because it looks like we’re going to lose pretty badly. My prediction is we’re going to lose 2-1.”

This could get ugly. Fighting against enforcing the law. Odd!

Militants hit U.S. targets in Morocco

Two brothers blew themselves up outside American offices yesterday, marking the third terrorist attack since Tuesday in what bears the hallmarks of a new al Qaeda campaign in North Africa.

I guess since the Dems have surrendered it Iraq, they think it’s ok to spread the evil.

N.J. Governor Undergoes Another Operation

Governor Corzine underwent a second operation here Saturday morning, an hourlong procedure to clean the wound around his badly broken thigh bone. The hospital’s director of orthopedic trauma, Dr. Robert F. Ostrum, declared the surgery to be “routine and uneventful.”

I pray for his speedy recovery.

Campaign donor’s cash arrived with baggage

Clinton, beaming, warmly thanked Jinnah and noted that he had been among the first well-wishers to call her husband, Bill, after his recent heart surgery.

At about the same time, the Justice Department began investigating allegations that Jinnah’s fundraising on behalf of Clinton and others was illegal. He would later be charged with violating federal law by reimbursing employees and associates for contributions made in their names to Clinton’s HillPac and the Friends of Barbara Boxer campaign. Today, having fled the country, Jinnah is on the FBI’s “featured fugitives” list.

I thought Mrs. Clinton was suppose to be extremely intelligent? Wouldn’t she be aware it was illegal to take money from foreigners? Hmmm….

Prices ignite new oil boom in Tennessee

The oil flowing from a well 1,415 feet deep promises to make this Kentucky-bred oil wildcatter a nice paycheck. When it hit last month, industry officials said it was perhaps one of the biggest oil wells in recent state history.

Cool, but can that oil be refined? Where?

Maryland Boy Hospitalized for Burns After Using Playground Equipment Doused With Drain Cleaner

A 2-year-old boy was severely burned Saturday after he went down the slide at an elementary school playground. Someone had broken into the school, stolen several bottles of industrial-strength drain cleaner and splashed it all over the playground equipment, authorities said.

I really hope they catch the SOB who thought it would be fun to destroy and endanger a children’s playground. Perhaps a little pay back would be in order? A bit of slow torture?  My prayers are with this little boy and his family.