28 February 2005

8 inches and counting


Thus the photoblogging at BumperStickerPolitix commences. The N'easter that is about to whack the east coast is currently off the coast of NC and we are getting a good head start up here in the mountains. Wx forecast calls for continued snowfall thru tonight and into Wednesday.

I will have to fire up the tractor in a little while and begin digging out for the PowerWagon. -SpinDaddy

the drive


the drive
Posted by: spindaddy.
The drive. It is steeper than it looks. I will attack it with the Gravely tractor with the snowplow attachment later. -Spin

SpinDaddy's Powerwagon


SpinDaddy's USAF PowerWagon, this is a BIG truck and the snow is almost up to the axles right now. -Spin

schoolboy's delight


If you look closely, you can almost see the dimple. Watauga county schools: closed. And so are Ashe, Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, etc. -Spin

26 February 2005

SpinDaddy tries PhotoBlogging


Okay, now let's try buzznet. -SpinDaddy

25 February 2005

DON'T Fire Ward Churchill

An excellent rundown of the Chomskyite apologist Ward Churchill can be found here at the blog Stygius. Very thorough and very damning evidence. Also be sure to check out the following links as it looks increasingly as though Churchill, former "Ethnic-Studies" at Colorado University is not only NOT an indian (native-American whatever) as he had claimed, but it also looks like he is an academic fraud as well.

CU should not fire him for what he said, they should not fire him because he is an academic fraud. Although they would certainly be within their rights to do so. In fact, they should not fire him at all. They should leave him right where he is, perhaps they should make him president of their unversity. They should also give him a loud microphone. He is far too valuable in the cause of expanding the influence of "Red State America". CU might look at who vetted him and reviewed his qualifications for tenure and fire them, but please please leave him right where he is.

I have heard his type of nonsense from other Chomskyite socialist-wannabes before. They honestly believe that the people who showed up for work at the WTC 11SEP01 had it coming to them. Some try to be clever and say that only the Pentagon deserved to be attacked. Regardless of their parsing, the sad and troubling point is that these people loathe their own nation and secretly take delight in seeing her come to harm. In fact they hope for her failure. Look at their conduct during the ensuing war on terror. They have constantly snipped and sniped at President Bush and our military's conduct of the war. This despite success after success after success.

Just to refresh your memory, during the runup to the liberation of Afghanistan we were told constantly that our effort was doomed to failure, just like the Russians. It was going to be a bloodbath etc. etc. Wrong. We dispatched the Taliban, such as it was, in a matter of weeks. Rewind to the runup to the liberation of Iraq. we were told the same thing again. Wrong again. We were rolling into downtown Baghdad in a matter of days.

Prior to 30JAN05 we were told to expect blood to run in the streets during the Iraqi elections. We were subjected to the constant harangues of so-called middle east experts, who were actully just leftists with an axe to grind, that we should postpone the election. Wrong. Again!

Instead; 8 million Iraqis voted in defiance of credible death threats, and it is looking as though a virulent strain of democracy fever has taken hold in Lebanon, the Palestinian areas and is spreading throughout the region. Imagine if Kerry, Dean, or Kucinich had managed to be elected, and had bowed to such foolishness. Red-meat-eating-Red-State-America is right and America-loathers like Dean, Churchill, Moore, Chomsky and their sychophants in the MSM are wrong. Way wrong.

Syria and Iran would be well advised not to give much credence to analysis from the left and the MSM in this country and in Europe. Especially as it regards our ability and willingness to deal with them should their intransigence continue.

So keep it up Churchill, you and Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore and those other misguided souls who think like you do, provide a useful service in spite of your intent. Keep it up. -SpinDaddy

24 February 2005

Moonbats and Radical Snarks Beware

The unquestioningly brilliant, not to mention prolific David Horowitz is stoking up the fires in the forge of truth known as the blogosphere. Horowitz was raised in a household where his parents were part of the communist underground in the 1930's thru the 1950's. During the 1960's he was editor of the so-called "New Left" magazine Ramparts.

By the 1970's he had become acutely aware of the seedy underside of the political left, and defected from the movement to become probably it's most caustic and effective critic. His unique perspective, wrought of having escaped the slimy grasp of the political left is invaluable. He has launched a new website, Discover the Network and is heading up a staff of very good bloggers at Moonbat Central, with David acting as Editor-In-Chief. This should be good, very good. Hat tip to my Memphis Bloggin' buddy Joefish for the heads up.

I have really enjoyed some of Davids books particularly Radical Son, and Unholy Alliance . David has been active in many causes and founded Frontpage.com an online magazine. Now he is putting the heat to the leftists with Moonbat Central. They are already off to a good start. You can tell by whom they are angering.

I also find this post by Plauts Complaint to be invaluable. It has some very keen definitions that MSM types may be unfamiliar with. Below are but a few samples. Read the whole thing.


2. Liberal:Before 1960, someone who believes in individual freedom, economic freedom, and opposes discrimination.Since 1970, someone who opposes individual freedom, opposes economic freedom, and supports discrimination.

5. Socialist:A. Someone who refuses to study economics.
B. Someone practicing recreational compassion.

31. Freedom of speech: something PC leftists want promoted through censorship and speech codes.

I like this whole business of redefining the language, and have been doing my part to contribute to the cause at the Urban Dictionary. See some of my definitions below.

Gore-Loser

MSM

Prebuttal

Keep watching Moonbat Central, this should be a lot of fun. Being led by someone with Horowtz's passion, drive, and unique perspective is a recipe for success the expense of the left. -SpinDaddy

23 February 2005

Immigration Woes for W

While watching C-Span last night, I saw some coverage of last weeks CPAC events in DC. The forum I saw concerned immigration, legal and illegal. Very entertaining. Very informative.

Phyllis Schlafly was there and offered a compelling meme on securing our borders, and mantaining sovereignty. After she spoke, Tamar Jacoby came to the podium to defend the administrations position. It was quite entertaining and informative to watch a shill for the Bush administration, be booed and hissed by what was undoubtedly a room chock full of Bush supporters. Well, supporters on every other issue but immigration. There is demonstrable disonance between the administration and its base supporters on this issue. Whether Bush intends to address this will be interesting to watch unfold.

The best solution I heard involved enforcing immigration laws on the books now, and securing our borders. This among a few other interesting suggestions were put forth by Roy Beck of NumersUSA. Take a look for yourself. -SpinDaddy

22 February 2005

Hillary on the Move

In recent weeks the jr senator from the great state of NY has been on the move. She has been on the move to the center to read the American MSM. If she is moving to the center, by deduction we can conclude that she is moving in what direction? To the RIGHT !

Globetrotting Hillary.

World Leader Hillary.

The worlds MSM are breathless in their fawning.

After she was elected, she scurried to get a seat on the influential Senate Armed services committee. This was shrewd on her part, as it would give her an opportunity to accomplish two objectives. One; offer the military backhanded compliments while at the same time, carping about how it was being deployed and run. And two; to "appear-concerned" with issues of national defense, thus blunting a longstanding and valid criticism that the democrats in general and the Clintons in particular were soft on defense. "Appear-concerned" being a staple of the Clinton machines rhetorical riffs.

Her move is an overt attempt to get the MSM on the meme, that Bush-Reagan democratic voters have nothing to fear from a Hillary presidency. She is cognizant of the erosion of democratic party's voters in the middle. They are also losing ground among hispanics and black voters. Hillary is content to let the howling moonbat crowd wail and gnash teeth about her political manoeuvring , while she courts the middle early. This might turn out to be too arrogant by half on her part. She may be misunderestimating the Moore/Dean wing of the party. It appears she stayed out of the fray over the chairmanship to avoid announcing her candidacy too early, thus revving up the right wing spin machine. It was funny though, how she had McAuliffe torpedo the DNC fundraising mechanism on his way out the door, by opening Demzilla up to basically anyone who wants a copy.

Stay tuned, this will all be very funny to watch unfold over the next few years.

Also there is a great must read here at Infinite Monkeys on the depth of the impact of blogs, hat tip to Hugh Hewitt. -SpinDaddy

21 February 2005

Hunter S Thompson RIP

Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005.

Hope he finds whatever he has been looking for, but we will miss him back here. -Spin

19 February 2005

Bloggorist Alert System

A Trend Perhaps

The MSM has been awakened from its deep slumber by a sharp stinging sensation in its backside, and they are just now swatting around to see what it is .

None other than the WSJ has this from Peggy Noonan. It is entitled The Blogs Must Be Crazy Or maybe the MSM is just suffering from freedom envy.

Business Week online has this commentary by Stephen Baker. It is entitled Don't Fear the Blog and the FuryDoes a blogosphere frenzy that helps bring down a CNN news exec for a comment he made mean free speech is in peril? Nope. It's exploding.

From the WashTimes a few days ago, this OpEd by Douglas MacKinnon. It is entitled Blogs sound death knell.

Hmmm. Look at those titles again.

Blogs-Crazy. Or how about, Fear-Blog. And lastly, Blogs-death. Now don't get the wrong idea. All of these pieces say good things about Blogs. I just think it is interesting how the MSM feels the need to equate blogs with some sort of dysfunction, or foreboding or even lethality to hook their readers into reading about the blogosphere.

Perhaps the MSM should form a consortium to set up some kind of color coded alert system like the DepHomelandSec does. Or perhaps a warning system like the one proposed for the Indian ocean basin in the wake of the recent Tsunami. It would work something like this; if Powerline, Hugh Hewitt, Instapundit, Little Green Footballs, and Captains Quarters all start riffing on the same meme, look out! RedAlert!! RedAlert!!

When it goes to all red, the "real-journalists" that make up the MSM could hike up their pants and run for the high ground while calling their lawyers. When they get there, they could safely begin spinning and dissembling.

Stammering "...What I really meant to say was..." or "...I remain convinced the documents are authentic..." while they watch the blog wave roil in all its digitial, cross-linked fury. Scrubbing the littoral monopoly of the MSM clean, devoid of the failed institutional structures known heretofore.

The Wrong Metaphor

I have blogged here before about blogswarms using the metaphor of the kicked hornets nest, and while that may be good at describing what happens to individual "journalists" (Rather) and other hangers on (Jordan). I believe the tsunami metaphor better at describing the fate of the MSM writ large.

Should the MSM be afraid of the blogosphere? Yes, by all means. Just as if Chertoff raised the terrorism threat level to red. Is that a good thing? Yes, just as all the articles linked above conclude. -SpinDaddy

Good One

I lifted this one from Powerline; so tip of the hat to them and the Instapundit. Glenn our prayers and thoughts are with you and the Instawife for her speedy and healthy recovery. Please don't blog from her bedside; she might shut you down, then where would we be?

Also big hat tip to Tomfoolery of the Highest Order , from whence this originated.
Good blog love the Colorado pics . Enjoy your Instalanche! -SpinDaddy

When Osama bin Laden died, he was met at the Pearly Gates by George Washington, who slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you try to destroy the nation I helped conceive!"

Patrick Henry approached, punched him in the nose and shouted, "You wanted to end our liberties but you failed."

James Madison followed, kicked him in the groin and said, "This is why I allowed our government to provide for the common defense!"

Thomas Jefferson was next, beat Osama with a long cane and snarled, "It was evil men like you who inspired me to write the Declaration of Independence."

The beatings and thrashings continued as George Mason, James Monroe and 66 other early Americans unleashed their anger on the terrorist leader.

As Osama lay bleeding and in pain, an Angel appeared. Bin Laden wept and said, "This is not what you promised me."

The Angel replied, "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you in Heaven. What did you think I said?"

18 February 2005

Sound Politics

If you follow politics with any kind seriousness you should be following the still simmering and very controversial outcome of the race for the Washington State Governors office. Where a Gore-Loser and her cronies have managed to pull a fast one on the people of the evergreen state.

The Shark and the other guys and gals out in Washington State at Sound Politics.com are still keeping the fire of truth stoked up. Hopefully at some point the heat will prove too great for those who would rely on insidious fraud to advance their political/social agenda. The Shark today has a couple of interesting posts regarding an election official in Los Angeles praising King County election commissions accuracy. LOL

Sharkansky also cites this article by Jim Miller. It is a must read. I challenge all who follow the political process to keep a vigilant eye on the fight out there as it wends its way through the courts out there. As I have blogged extensively here before, national Democrats are watching this fight as well and taking notes on how to benchmark, and replicate a Gore-Loser model that works. It appears thus far, that in Christine Gregoire they have found one. When they get this process dialed in they will expand it to other parts of the country. They cannot win natonal elections, or congessional elections outside of districts that are not populated with extreme left wing populations, on the merits of their positions. That leaves the Gore-Loser model. -SpinDaddy

17 February 2005

the Angry Horde

Brave New World Indeed

Over at Vodkapundit, Stephen Green has a really really good post regarding the nature of the blogosphere, in particular how it relates to the so-called Gatekeepers of information in the MSM.

His analogy conjures images of an angry horde milling around the gate while the gatekeeper nervously wonders how bad it will be when the gate is torn from the hinges, and then the walls the hinges are attached to are also torn down.

"...What a brave, new world we inhabit on the internet. Unless, of course, you're one of the gatekeepers. And boy, are they mad..."

Read the whole thing it is good. Of course being a blog post it is littered with cool links as well, another point Stephen riffs on. I am convinced that the ability to link to source references with the push of a button is one of the things that is driving traffic away from the MSM and why the blogosphere continues its roiling expansion.

A Gauntlet Thrown

Mort Kondracke has an interesting challenge for the Democratic party and their new chair in a piece over at RealClearPolitics. Beat W to the punch on tax reform.

Here here.

One thing Kondrackes challenge is missing though, is a stern and affirmative admonishment to the socialist-leaning party that calling for tax INCREASES does not per se meet the definition of a tax reform. Kondracke does make the interesting observation that the Bush administration seems to be reforming the tax code through tax cuts.

"... Aides say that Bush's ideas for tax-deductible health savings accounts, retirement accounts and education savings accounts, plus lower taxes on investment income, amount to piecemeal tax reform - a gradual conversion of the income tax system to a consumption-tax system..."

I don't agree. Just as the democrats proposing to increase taxes does not, by definition, qualify as "tax reform" neither should the Bush administrations cuts be considered "tax reform". What is so onerous about the current Federal taxation regime is it's complexity, and inconsistency. Everyone has seen the examples of identical returns being prepared blah, blah so I won't rehash that here.

The notion that perhaps we should strive for a consumption tax system is perfectly natural since we have an economy driven by consumer spending. The Federal governments method of revenue collection should reflect that. Maya MacGuineas' proposal in the piece is interesting; that of imposing tax reform in such a manner as to encourage savings, especially amongst the less wealthy is a very worthy notion. Probably the best way to get the Democratic party to carry such a proposal is to make it economically rational for them to do so. As a vehicle by which they could reclaim political power.

As to the issues of complexity and inconsistency, that is where the Federal government may have to relax a little. These issues are driven by the fact that the government is taxing income, the creation of wealth; a perverse notion that is not economically rational. Were the government to tax consumption at the retail level, consistently for everyone, and stay out of the social engineering business through revenue collection or the diminishment of same, this country would move to the next level, economically and socially.

That is where the democrats come in, if they offer W some competition in the way of tax policy proposals that are more transparent, and consistent from taxpayer to taxpayer, a bidding war could unfold that has nothing but positive benefits for the American taxpayer.

It might also benefit the democratic party politically. If they want to be the party of the little guy again, perhaps they could start by getting the monster of Federal tax Bureacracy off our back, a monster that they are largely responsible for by the way.

If the Republicans talk-the-talk of getting government off peoples back, and win elections and power with that notion. Imagine what the Democrats might be able to do by walking-the-walk. -SpinDaddy

16 February 2005

MSM v blogosphere

Will Collier over at Vodkapundit has a fantatsic and I think entirely reasonable piece on what expectations the blogosphere has of the MSM. I think Collier speaks for a majority of serious bloggers when he says:

". . . What I'm interested in is not destruction, but rather disclosure, transparency, reform. You can boil all of the above down to one term that ought to be the watchword for everybody in all of journalism's myriad forms: honesty. I don't mind a biased press (more on this later), but I do mind a dishonest press . . ."

The MSM claims the mantle of journalistic keepers of the fourth estate, yet time after time they have demonstrated utter disregard if not outright contempt for the audience they are there to serve.

I watched Chris Matthews Hardball tonight and was mildly disappointed, but not surprised to see that he still doesn't want to get it. Matthews did an entire segment on the three at CBS who are apparently refusing to step down, and not once did he mention "blogs", "bloggers" or "blogosphere". As if the CBS house of cards collapsed of its own accord.

I have had occasion to deal with local media types in TV and print from time to time and have found their work ethic utterly lacking, and generally have learned to trust that maybe 50 percent of what they report is accurate. Where do the major MSM recruit their talent from? This cesspool of mediocrity.

Hugh Hewitt also has a great post on what the MSM can do to avoid kicking the hornets nest of the blogosphere. It goes like this:

". . . Here are the rules: Don't serially slander the military as assassins and torturers, and you can say whatever you want at Davos. Don't pass off obviously forged documents as super-"Scoops!" in the middle of a presidential election, and you can intone all the absurd "anchor" sayings you want. Don't cover for plagiarists, and you can be the off-the-cliff lefty editor for as long as you want. Don't say the memory of Christmas-Eve-in-Cambodia is "seared, seared" in your memory and then say "oops," you were mistaken, and folks won't question your credibility on other war-stories. Don't appear to endorse segregation, and you can be the Leader. These aren't high bars. Cross them. . ."

Unfortunately, as Matthews demonstrated on his show tonight, he doesn't want to get it. The MSM will continue to wallow in their own Hubris for some time to come.

Another great read, this topic at the WashTimes. -SpinDaddy

Does MSM have Exclusive Claim to Fair Use?

It has taken awhile, but it appears somebody in the MSM has fired a return volley against the blogosphere. Volokh Conspiracy and the Instapundit both have posts regarding BatesLine a blog for pay out of Tulsa OK, that has been sent a threatening letter from the local paper regarding his use of copyrighted material from their paper.

Opinion writers in the MSM use quotes from articles written by others all-the-time, as a basis for their commentary. And it is SOP in academic journals, in order that one might rebut or reinforce another authors point.

I haven't seen the material in question, but if the Fair Use principle applies here, then this is probably just a harassment ploy. Glenn Reynolds opines that this seems lame to him. James Joyner at Outside the Beltway indicates that the paper might have some argument, and his post has the pertinent Fair Use Questions.

Michelle Malkin also has an excellent post here regarding the topic of Fair Use.

The MSM is totally without a clue. Instead of suing bloggers, they should be hiring them. If for nothing else but to cover the blogosphere. Hugh Hewitt has argued this persuasively many times. Serious bloggers have demonstrated, on their own, an ability to be very productive, and with minimal supervision.

And as has been amply demonstrated regarding everything from Dan Rather, through Eason Jordan, and even Jeff Gannon; the serious bloggers are after the truth, or they are standing there to shine light of perspective on what are often intensely slanted pieces coming from the MSM. -SpinDaddy

Update 16FEB05 0902hrs: The blog California Yankee has a great post this topic. It also contains some good links, and this :

" . . . At Wizbang, Kevin Aylward posts the terrific e-mail he sent to Mr. Bair.
In his letter to Mr. Bair, Kevin explains why the Tulsa World's attempt to muzzle Bates is important to the blogoshpere:
Even though you are only targeting a couple small weblogs, when you attempt to silence them you attempt to silence us all..." -Spin

15 February 2005

Time for China to Step Up

Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute has a really good opinion piece on N. Korea and the fact that they have paid absolutely no price whatsoever for their antisocial behavior, and therfore there is no economically rational incentive for them to behave any differently than they have so far. Read the Whole Piece.

". . . North Korea has borne exactly no costs for what is ostensibly an extraordinarily destabilizing nuclear transgression..."

The Chicago Sun-Times editorial page argues that China has the best opportunity to influence N. Korea. I agree, it is time for China to step up the pressure, or deal with the consequences of a nuclear arms race in the region.

China absolutely does not want to face a Nuclear armed Japan, or even better a Nuclear armed Taiwan. It is time for China to step up to the plate. If not, they need to stay out of the way if we have to deal with it.

Should China fail to act, they can fairly be seen to have forfeited any claim to the mantle of worldpower.

-SpinDaddy

Bush Resubmits Judicial Nominations.

Bush resubmits 20 judicial nominees to Senate for confirmation. Some of these were successfully filibustered by the obstructionist wing of the democratic party in the Senate. Tom Daschle of South Dakota formerly the minority leader led this faction in the last congress, however he was removed from office by South Dakotans and replaced by John Thune last November. Much in the same fashion that sitting Speaker of the US House Tom Foley was replaced by George Nethercutt ten years earlier. Unseating a US House Speaker is virtually unheard of in Congressional history.

Apparently the Democrats still haven't learned their lesson. From the WashTimes piece linked above, Daschle's replacement Harry Reid of Nevada seems ready to commit his party to a futher erosion of seats in the Senate in the name of obstructionism.

" . . .Mr. Frist [Majority leader R TN] said he hoped to confirm the nominees, or at least give each a final vote on the Senate floor, through diplomacy. . . Diplomacy is not likely to work, said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, who told reporters last month that if Mr. Bush renominates the same judges, the Democrats will block them again. "To replay this narrow and completed debate demonstrates the Bush administration's failure to craft a positive agenda for the American people," Mr. Reid said yesterday after the renominations were announced . . . "

At which point Frist is likely to invoke the "Constitutional" option and restore order along constitutionally intended lines. Should be fun to watch as the democrats in the Senate become even more marginalized than they are today, with an electoral exclamation point to reinforce it in 2006. Go for it Sen Reid. -SpinDaddy

14 February 2005

Ford Antics Continue

John Ford a state Senator in TN , is at it again. Those familiar with TN regional politics know what a one-man-laugh-machine Ford is whether it is shooting at truck drivers on I-40, or brandishing a shotgun on a utility crew, John is a non-stop barrel of laughs.

Joefish's Freshwater blog has a good post with links to the Communist Appeal, the so-called local newspaper. It seems John has not one, but two snafu's boiling right now. Also Memphis Red Blogs has a very good post here. -SpinDaddy

Eason Jordans Hornets Nest 4.0

14FEB05 0753hrs

The sting from the Hornets swarm around Eason Jordans Comments has yet to subside.

The MSM is really funny to watch right now, as they are beginning to glance over their shoulder. Even the crew at FNC's Fox and Friends, kept saying "bloggers" with a twinge of paranoia in their voice this morning during an interview on Easongate. As if they might be next. They shouldn't have anything to worry about as long as they are diligent in their reporting and don't sound off with inane Micahel Moore/Howard Dean type statements. Just don't kick the hornets nest of the blogosphere.


Apparently they have been reading the MSM's take on it. The MSM seem to have dismissed Rathergate as a fluke. Now with Eason Jordans departure, a few of them might be beginning to recognize their is a new sheriff in town, and he just put another notch in his pistol grip.

Dismissing the blogosphere as a few kooks in pajamas is a huge mistake. While we may not have a large corporate structure, and advertising (yet); we do have what Chris Anderson describes as the "long tail", Edward B. Driscoll, Jr at Tech Central Station points out that the blogosphere too has a long tail.

". . . The Blogosphere's version of the long tail is its stream of tens of thousands of little known and under-publicized weblogs. They exist underneath such household names as
Glenn Reynolds and Andrew Sullivan, whose blogs can receive hundreds of thousands of visitors a week, and the lion's share of attention from big media (although Sullivan recently put his blog on hiatus).

And yet, as radio talk show host
Hugh Hewitt notes in his new book, Blog, underneath those well-known sites, there are about seven million more weblogs, according to a report done by the Pew Research Center (and also independently by myself, simply by crunching a few numbers). Technorati, the blog-oriented search engine, tracks over five million of them. Surveys show that less than 50,000 of them are updated daily, but as Hewitt observes, that's "the sleeper fact" of these reports. "From the big bang of blogging", Hewitt writes, "50,000 new virtual newspapers had been born."

In comparison, as of 1998, there were
1,489 daily "dead tree" newspapers in the US. Just to get a scope of what 50,000 daily newspapers means in terms of readership, let's look at a hypothetical weblog that's riding near the end of the tail. If it only has 100 readers a day, and there are 50,000 blogs with similar quantities of readership, that makes for a whopping 5,000,000 total readers. Five million readers would make weblogs the second largest newspaper group in the nation, behind Gannett, just ahead of Knight-Ridder and with twice the readership of The New York Times Co.

And it's actually greater than five million, of course, since there are many, many blogs with many more than a hundred readers. And some of the millions of "not updated daily" blogs actually have fairly consistent readership.

The vast majority of those weblogs go unnoticed by big media -- but there's another factor to them that is little understood outside the Blogosphere. They may have fewer readers than the big boys, but often those readers are much more passionate. And while tens of thousands of regularly updated blogs on the outliers of the tail also further fragment pop culture and discourse on news and politics, when groups of blogs with similar points of view unite and focus en masse on a story, they can generate amazing word of mouth. Even a small subset of the tail can be a surprising force..."

Michael Barone opines in the piece referenced below that the object of bloggers hatred is the MSM. I disagree with that to some extent. For serious bloggers, the blog is about having an alternative method of information distribution. And it particularly riles many in the blogosphere to see slanderous statements made by executives of the so-called MSM only to have them swept under the rug and ignored. We in the blogosphere will not tolerate it. It is unacceptable. What Jordan is purported to have said at Davos is well documented by eyewitnesses and patently absurd, and his and CNN's spinning it will not resolve it. There is a tape of what he said.

Release it.

Too many in the MSM, and especially in local television and print markets around the country are just plain lazy, caught up in their own "celebrity", and mistakenly assume that foisting their own world view off on their audience is an acceptable substitute for doing the job of journalist or reporter.

The
NY Post has a brilliant thinkpiece from Michelle Malkin on the subject that should be read by anyone who is interested even slightly in the blogosphere, and where it is going.

".
. . The ad hominem hysterics of Jordan's defenders stand in stark contract to the way the vast majority of bloggers approached the search for truth in this matter. Veteran journalist and blogger Jeff Jarvis (buzzmachine.com) got it right when he said on CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday: "We didn't want his head — most of us didn't. We wanted the truth." We're still waiting...It seems clear from a number of eyewitness accounts, including Rep. Frank's, that while Jordan may have backtracked, he did not completely back off — rendering his Friday night explanation that he "never meant to imply U.S. forces acted with ill intent" disingenuous at best.

What Hath the Blogosphere wrought?


Is a question posed by Michael Barone in a really good piece at RealClearPolitics. It may be too soon to tell but, it looks to have helped Bush and the Republicans more than the Democrats.

"
. . . Going into the 2004 election cycle, just about everyone said the Internet was going to change politics. But no one was sure how. Now we know. . .When four American contractors were killed in Iraq in April 2004, dailykos.com wrote: "I feel nothing over the death of the mercenaries. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them." . . . As Dean says, "I hate the Republicans and everything that they stand for." Hate. But Bush hatred was not enough to beat Bush in 2004 -- Democratic turnout was up, but Republican turnout was up more -- and doesn't seem likely to beat Republicans in 2006 and 2008. The left blogosphere has driven the Democrats into an electoral cul de sac . . .The right blogosphere's greatest triumph came after CBS's Dan Rather on Sept. 8 reported that Bush had shirked duty in the National Guard and the network posted its 1972-dated documents on the Web. . . Within four hours, a blogger on freerepublic.com pointed out that they looked as though they had were created on Microsoft Word; the next morning, Scott Johnson of powerlineblog.com relayed the comment and asked for expert views. Charles Johnson of littlegreenfootballs.com showed that the documents exactly matched one he produced using default settings on Microsoft Word. CBS defended the documents for 11 days, but finally confessed error and eased Rather out as anchor. MSM tried to defeat Bush, but succeeded only in
discrediting itself. . . "

The Senate already has gone Nuclear and Daschle did it; now, how do we decontaminate the mess he left?

This article in the WashTimes by Charles Hurt and Stephen Dinan shows a finessed approach in Frist's likely upcoming use of the "Constitutional Option" to restore the Senates minority faction to order.

There was a sensational book published in the '70's by a "Captain X" about the airline indutry. In one tale he related how he learned as a new Captain to utilize his assets sparingly when he went back to the cabin to deal with an unruly and drunk passenger, he was assaulted. After that he learned to get involved only after he had sent the flight engineer and then the first officer.

Perhaps Frist read this book, he seems to be holding his fire until he sees the whites of their eyes. Probably a smart move given the minoritarian structure of the Senate.

" . . . Asked about the so-called "nuclear option" of changing Senate rules to bar filibusters against executive nominations, Mr. Frist said that would be a "constitutional option." "The nuclear option is what they did to me last year when they changed the precedent," he said....But although he warned in the opening session that he is ready to employ the option, he said last week that he won't necessarily do it at the first filibuster against a judicial nominee. "The specific decision has not been made," he said. "I've got some pretty clear alternatives to use and, again, I'll just continue to appeal to the other side."....Mr. Frist, who has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2006, would not speculate on his political future and the possibility of a 2008 campaign for
president. . . "
-SpinDaddy






13 February 2005

Eason Jordans Hornets nest 3.0

I am a little late here, I have been busy with something really important; spending time with family.

Eason Jordan, reeling from swarming Hornets nest of the blogosphere, has stepped down.

I've said it here before, MSM so-called journalists that think they can continue in the way of the old school; where their hair was more important than getting the story right, do so at their own peril.

Michelle Malkin has the best compilation of the whole story complete with a very comprehensive set of links.

BTW when are FNC or better yet CNN, or CBS going to give Michelle Malkin her own show? See could provide some much needed coverage of the Blogosphere. The MSM continues to ignore the blogosphere at their own peril. -SpinDaddy

Update 13FEB05 0942hrs: Fox News Sunday is about to have a segment on the Hornets nest and Easongate.

11 February 2005

General Mattis said WHAT?!

The recent wincing by in the MSM brought on by Genearal Mattis comments of late, is well rebutted here at Varifrank.

You absolutely must read, it lends important historical perspective that is so lacking in the MSM.
Hat Tip to the Vodkapundit.

Some excerpts:

" . . . Allow me to put his comments into historical perspective:

Admiral William Halsey - US 7th Fleet.
“Before we are through with them, the Japanese language will only be spoken in hell.”

General Curtis Lemay - Strategic Air Command [Father of the modern USAF -Spin]
"You've got to kill people, and when you've killed enough they stop fighting."


General William Tecumseh Sherman
"War is cruelty. There's no use trying to reform it, the crueler it is the sooner it will be over... "

-SpinDaddy

Eason Jordans Hornets Nest 2.1

The MSM is grudgingly getting on the Eason Jordan story, Instapundit points to Jay Rosens PressThink for a comprehensive update.

It is fascinating to watch the extinction of the species known as the MSM. Like the dinosaurs or buggy-whip manufacturers of the late 1800's, that did not understand the need to adapt to changing conditions.
-SpinDaddy

Carter-Lag

We've all heard of jet-lag a condition brought on by crossing many, many time zones in rapid succession, causing our circadian rythm to get out of sync. This article from the WashTimes shows Jimmy Carter to be suffering from some kind of permanent affliction of this nature. He finally has the good sense to acknowledge the huge success of the Iraqi elections of almost two weeks ago.

If memory serves, didn't Jimmuh negotiate with the North Koreans during Clintons administration to put an end to their efforts to develop Nuclear weapons? I wonder how long until he admits that was a huge failure.

-SpinDaddy

08 February 2005

Eason Jordans Hornets Nest 2.0

Eason Jordans woes are not abating. He is surely feeling the wrath of the blogosphere swarming around stinging him. Howard Kurtz is getting a good dose too.

FNC's Hannity&Colmes just had a segment on the story and had Danny Schecter on, basically shilling his movie. I guess he thinks he's the next Michael Moore. He is awfully close to invitng the blogosphere swarm upon himself as well. He refuses to categorically renounce the thrust of Jordans statement.

Let's see; the blogosphere has been on fire with this for what 12 days now, and the more traditional outlets are finally getting around to the story? Hmmm.

Joe Gandelman has a really good recap of the story here. Hat tip to the Instapundit. -SpinDaddy

Misunderestimated AGAIN ! !

A good friend sent me this in an email, here goes. -SpinDaddy


George and Laura Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton-Rodham are traveling by train to the Super Bowl.
At the station George and Laura each buy a ticket and watch as Bill and Hillary buy just one ticket.

"How are the two of you going to travel on only one ticket?" asks George W, astonished at what he is seeing.

"Watch and learn," snaps Hillary.

They all board the train. George and Laura take their respective seats but Bill and Hillary cram into a toilet together and close the door. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the toilet door and says, "Ticket,please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.

The Bushes see this happen and agree it was quite a clever idea, so after the game they decide to try a similar plan on the return trip. When they get to the station they see the Clintons at the window buying a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Clinton's see that the Bushes don't buy any ticket at all.

"Aren't you taking a terrible chance by traveling without a ticket?" says Hillary.

"Live and learn," Laura Bush answers, cooly.

When they board the train the Bushes cram themselves into a toilet and the Clintons cram into another toilet just down the way. Shortly after the train leaves the station, George W. leaves their toilet and walks over to the Clinton's toilet, knocks on their door and says, "Ticket, please."

And the Democrats are still trying to figure out how they lost the election.

BlogRoll Updates

Three new additions to the BumperStickerPolitix blogroll "Spin Reccomends". And one new entry under "Americana".

The first is uh60punk, by Chris a uh60 Blackhawk driver stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan and you cannot miss his post OUR NATION IS CARRIED ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS. Scroll down just a bit until you see the photo of Houston James of Dallas, and Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. Looking forward to more great posts here. Thank you for your service sir, and Godspeed.

The second is Joefish's Freshwater Blog . Joe is a Memphis boy, like SpinDaddy used to be. Here is a good example of Joes work. Lots of good links; not to mention, Memphis links.

Memphis politics is always good for a belly laugh, especially the ongoing saga of the Ford family v Boss Willie. Apparently the latest contest between these two factions is who can spawn the most illegitimate offspring. Like I said Memphis politics is always, always good for a laugh.

The third is Memphis Redblogs the title being a play on the local baseball team. More good laughs from Memphis' so-called political leaders.

Under "Americana" I have added a link to James Lileks excellent collection of images that simultaneously mourn and celebrate an America that unfortunately, has passed from the scene.

Finally, I have learned that Davidson's Law Blog has also added BumperStickerPolitix to their blogroll, quite an honor, much thxs and I am very grateful. -SpinDaddy

07 February 2005

Blog-Mob

There is a fascinating read by Ed Driscoll on blogs and their ever increasing influence at TCS.

Hat tip to Stephen Green at Vodkapundit. The future of communications is here, and it is almost completely horizontally integrated. Virtually sans hierarchy as we have known it. It is a brave new world. -SpinDaddy

bspolitix Milestone

At the risk of tooting our own horn. BumperStickerPolitix is pleased to announce our first (to our knowledge anyway) unsolicited blogroll listing. Matt Rosenberg, one of the principal contributors at Soundpolitics, sent me a nice note in email.

". . . Hey, SpinDaddy you commented on a few posts of mine at Soundpolitics a while back, and so I checked out your blog. I like it, and am gonna' add it to my own blogroll at Rosenblog
. . . keep up the fine work,

Matt Rosenberg
Freelance Writer/Journalist, Seattle+Editor/Chief Writer, Rosenblog
Co-founding Contributor, Sound Politics
Contributing Editor, Red State. . ."

Such recognition from someone with Matts background and experience is humbling. Matt is a very accomplished journalist with a great deal of experience. He has contributed as an editorial writer to the Seattle Times, and Seattle Weekly as well as National Review Online and the Jewish World Review. Matts own blog is also very good and he had a fantastic piece recently on business and corporate blogs that is well worth a read.

Matt, we thank you and of course, have reciprocated by including a Rosenblog link right below Soundpolitics in the links to the right. When you go to Matts blog you can find us in the "Unsung Heroes" section. Matt, thank you again. -SpinDaddy & Voice


Rumsfeld Nailed Russert

Watching the Sunday talking head shows yesterday, I was very pleased to see SecDef Donald Rumsfeld nail Meet the Press' Tim Russert.

Russert pulled an old MSM trick, that of selective editing to present some scenario in a manner that supports their "template" or worldview. Russert used a selectively edited piece of video showing Rumsfeld answering a question about US soldiers scrounging through dumps looking for scrap metal in order to up-armor their HUMVEES last fall.

Russert acknowledged that the question was formulated by a reporter from Chattanooga, TN. The footage Russert and his producers chose to show of course, made Rumsfeld appear cold and heartless, thus reinforcing their view of Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld was having none of it. He stopped the interview and pointed out that that was unfair. I thought at first Rumsfeld was talking about the question. Then he pulled out a transcript of the whole exchange and proceeded to read his whole response, which placed the selected excerpts in context. GOTCHA!!

Despite the lefts unsubstantiated claims about Rumsfeld, he is one of the sharpest people in the Bush Administration, and we are extremely fortunate to have him as SecDef. -SpinDaddy

Update 07FEB05 2201hrs: Opaque Lucidity has a great post on this topic with excerpts from the transcript. Read it for yourself, and you can see how well Rummy nailed Russert. Hat tip to Opaque Lucidity, great work. -SpinDaddy

SEC'Y RUMSFELD: That was unfair and it was selectively taking out two sentences from a long exchange--there it is--that took place. And when you suggested that that's how I answered that question, that is factually wrong.


MR. RUSSERT: No, we...


SEC'Y RUMSFELD: That is not how I answered that question.


MR. RUSSERT: But, Mr. Secretary, it clearly represents the exchange and...


SEC'Y RUMSFELD: It does not.


MR. RUSSERT: All right. What is missing?


SEC'Y RUMSFELD: You want to hear the exchange? There is it. It's right here. I'll read it to you.


MR. RUSSERT: I just...


SEC'Y RUMSFELD: If you're going to quote pieces of it, I'll give you the exchange. He asked that question, and I said, "I talked to the general coming out here about the pace at which the vehicles are being armored. They have been brought from all over the world, wherever they're not needed, to places where they are needed. I'm told they are being--the Army is--I think it's something like 400 a month are being done now. And it's essentially a matter of physics. It's not a matter of money. It isn't a matter on the part of the Army's desire. It's a matter of production and capability of doing it. As you know, you go to the war with the Army you have. They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.
"Since the Iraq conflict began, the Army has been pressing ahead to produce armor necessary at a rate that they believe--it's a greatly expanded rate from what existed previously but a rate that they believe is the rate that can be accomplished. I can assure you that General Schumacher and the leadership of the Army and certainly General Whitcomb are sensitive to the fact that not every vehicle has the degree of armor that would be desirable to have, but that they're working at it at a good clip.
"It's interesting. I've talked a great deal about this with a team of people who've been working hard at the Pentagon. And if you think about it, you can have all the armor in the world on a tank and the tank could still be blown up. And you can have an up-armored Humvee and it can be blown up. And you can go down and the vehicle--the goal we have is to have many of those vehicles as is humanly possible with the appropriate level of armor available for the troops. And that's what the Army's been working on. And, General Whitcomb, is there anything you want to add?" And then he spoke.
Now, that answer is totally different from picking out two lines. And I think it's an unfair representation and it's exactly what some of the newspapers around the country did. Now, let's go back to Susan Collins' comment, Senator Collins...


MR. RUSSERT: Well, let me just finish on the Humvees because...


SEC'Y RUMSFELD: You bet. OK. I'll tell you right now where we are. By February 15th, nine days from now, there will not be a vehicle moving around in Iraq outside of a protected compound with American soldiers in it that does not have an appropriate level of armor.

Update 08FEB05 0951hrs :Joefish's Freshwater Blog has a great post this topic, and another great post by Justin Katz over at Dust in the Light. The title of the post is called "I Happen to Have That Right Here" and it makes a good point that many politicos or others being interviewed wish they had thought to do; such a thing as have a transcript with them. It is really telling of the thoroughness of Rumsfelds approach to any task. A quality to be much admired in a SecDef.
Anyone who was watching that exchange should clearly understand who was in command on the set, and it was not Tim Russert. -SpinDaddy




03 February 2005

Eason Jordans Hornets Nest

CNN's Eason Jordan appears to have stepped in it, by slanderously accusing the US military of targeting journalistas in battle Iraq. Even worse than stepping in it; he has kicked the hornets nest known as the blogosphere. Jordan looks for all the world like the Ward Churchill of the MSM, free to shoot his mouth off about anything he likes, and utterly unaccountable. How dare the MSM types get their feathers up about BLOGs?!

Hugh Hewitt is all over it with several good posts and a long list of bloggers covering the subject. Captain Ed
is pounding the story also.

New Sisyphus reports that Jordan has had this kind of problem before in April of 2003.
It seems he really has a soft spot in his heart for Saddam Hussein.

These MSM types still haven't learned that there is a new sheriff in town; and the sloppiness if not outright malfeasance, that has been the norm for the last twenty years or so will not cut the mustard anymore. The utter lack of accountability, or even old-fashioned shame in the MSM is truly amazing.
Maybe Jordan and CNN suffering the stinging welps inflicted by the blogosphere will serve as an example to others in the so-called "real media". Probably not.

If you want to get in on the fun here is CNN's feedback forum page.

Tip of the hat to Hugh Hewitt. -SpinDaddy

02 February 2005

SOTU: Apogee and Perigee


The Apogee
President Bush in his fifth state of the union address declared "the state of our union is confident and strong". He gave a very powerful speech that built to a powerful and emotional crescendo. When the President recognized the parents of Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood of Pflugerville, Texas, who was killed during the assault on Fallujah. The most emotional moment of the speech came when the Marines mother Janet Norwood gave a heartfelt hug to Safia Taleb al-Suhail an Iraqi woman and human rights advocate who had voted for the first time this past weekend because of Sgt Norwoods, and his families sacrifice. Safia Taleb al-Suhail also received a rousing ovation herself as she held up the blue-finger of a patriot.

Another reminder of why we are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan is as follows:

"In the long term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder.

If whole regions of the world remain in despair and grow in hatred, they will be the recruiting grounds for terror, and that terror will stalk America and other free nations for decades.

The only force powerful enough to stop the rise of tyranny and terror and replace hatred with hope is the force of human freedom."

The President was also very bold in naming names in the middle east with his gentle but firm admonitions to Saudi Arabia and Egypt to do more to lead the region in democratic reforms. Also he gave a firm reminder to Syria, and the Mullahs in Iran both of whom continue to tolerate if not encourage terrorist activity.

The President also proposed reducing or eliminating 150 programs with the admonition that ..."The principle here is clear: Taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely or not at all." Here, here.

And finally President Bush closed with these thoughts:

"As Franklin Roosevelt once reminded Americans, 'Each age is a dream that is dying or one that is coming to birth.'

And we live in the country where the biggest dreams are born.

The abolition of slavery was only a dream -- until it was fulfilled.
The liberation of Europe from fascism was only a dream -- until it was achieved.
The fall of imperial communism was only a dream -- until, one day, it was accomplished.

Our generation has dreams of its own, and we also go forward with confidence. The road of providence is uneven and unpredictable, yet we know where it leads: It leads to freedom."


The Perigee
The Presdent called again for action to make significant changes to the failed socialistic ponzi scheme we know as Social Security. Of course the democrats took this as an opportunity to show their ignorance of the opinion of most Americans on this issue. Poll after poll shows large majorities of Americans support such reforms, particularly young Americans. So when the democrats hissed and remonstrated against the Presidents suggestion, they were booing and hissing at everybody who supports these reasonable reforms. Never mind that countless democrats, including among them Clinton, Gore, Kerry, etc. at one point or another have all acknowledged the need to address Social Security shortcomings. Clearly they have failed to learn anything from the elections in November.



Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reids response seemed flat and grating in comparison to the Presidents speech. Pelosi really demonstrated how obtuse she is when she chided the President for not presenting an exit startegy for battle Iraq. Ms. Pelosi listen again, here is a direct quote of the Presidents exit strategy.

" We are in Iraq to achieve a result: a country that is democratic, representative of all its people, at peace with its neighbors and able to defend itself.

And when that result is achieved, our men and women serving in Iraq will return home with the honor they have earned."

And now Janeane Garofo-whatever is on MSNBC sounding like so many fingernails on a chalkboard, and so it continues. -SpinDaddy

01 February 2005

See Howie Run, Run Howie Run

Former VT governor Howard Dean is running hard for the Chairmanship of the Democratic party. Good. His Chairmanship may be the best thing for the party in the long run, as it may cause the real party to emerge.

This may not be the best thing for the party electorally; mind you, as the real values of that party are seriously out of the American mainstream. This precludes them from winning any elections of course, but at least they could once again become a party that at least stands for something, even if it is such weighty issues as gay marriage, recycling, animal rights, and bowing and scraping at the feet of whichever corrupt bureaucrat happens to be warming the bosses chair at the UN at the time; but hey it's an agenda right? Right now it looks as if their agenda is refusing to acknowledge W's right to exist, and whining about every success he has. As was demonstrated last November, in a rather resounding fashion, this is not a winning plan.

A Dean Chairmanship might allow them to shake out these vacuous seat warmers like say, the two senatorial seat warmers from the great commonwealth of MA. Like the Senate and House minority leaders, they are only interested in the democratic party as a vehicle, a shell corporation if you will, by which they gain and maintain the ultimate bureaucratic position. They are like tenured university professors, only with slightly better benefit packages. They don't actually have to produce anything more demanding than the occasional soundbite to roust the rabble into sending in checks, so that they might keep their comfy positions. That is even easier than being a tenured university professor, the holy grail on the bureaucratic food-chain. They step in front of the cameras to complain about W, democratic drones send in checks to see them do it again. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. It is an unhealthy cycle.

Really, Nancy Pelosi and the like should stop complaining so shrilly. They have achieved every bureaucrats fanatsy. Easy, easy "work", unaccountability, a n d a great benefits package. What's not to like. Sounds to me like they owe Newt, and W, and Karl Rove a debt of gratitude. Howard Dean as party chair might upset their cushy deal.

It also will be interesting to see how all this plays out over at Camp Hillary.


Esoterically.net has a slightly different take on this. Also hat tip to Deacon at the Powerline Blog .

Update 04FEB05 0805hrs: Will Collier over at Vodkapundit has a heads up about an LA times piece that shreds the impending Dean reign at the DNC; definitely good for a laugh. Like I expect the DNC will be for the extent of Deans tenure, should it come to pass.

" . . . So, how did Dean manage to trounce all comers for this position? Dean's supporters see his triumph as the victory of the masses over a tiny Democratic elite desperately trying to cling to power. As one left-liberal blogger gloated: "The fact that Howard Dean will most likely be heading up the Democratic Party is our victory. It is the voice of the grass roots lifted up into the halls of power once owned by the 'aristocracy of consultants.' " That actually has it backward. A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that only 27% of Democrats approve of Dean . . . "

Hee-hee, this should be fun to watch. Like when we were kids and knew where a particularly bad intersction was, we were out there early on the days when it would snow, waiting for those with more speed than sense.

-SpinDaddy

Update 05FEB05 1709hrs: Vodkapundit added this link to this article in TNR. It is a very informative piece for anyone who has never sat through a college level PoliSci class on the workings of the democratic party. James Carvilles comments are especially telling. To wit :

". . .To many Washington Democrats watching the circus-like contest from afar, it has been an embarrassment. "I think it's pathetic," says James Carville. "It's so indicative of the Democratic Party. Now we're just playing into every stereotype: We're weak, disorganized, flopping around. ... Somebody should have fixed this damn thing in November. I wish someone would have taken charge and three or four people would have gotten together in a smoke-filled room. ... They're not running for president! They are running for party chair. This is supposed to be a rigged deal. You think the Republicans would do it this way?. . ."

To answer serpent heads rhetorical question. No; but we sure are having fun watching y'all do it this way. LOL -SpinDaddy


Why the courts are Crucial

Anyone who doesn't understand why appointing conservative judges who will restrain their judicial decisions to the framework set forth in the Constitution, should read this from the Washington Times. Excerpt below.
-SpinDaddy

" . . . U.S. District Senior Judge Joyce Hens Green said there was "no question" the rights asserted by 54 Guantanamo detainees in a case pending in her court were among "the most fundamental rights recognized by the U.S. Constitution," and that they had the right to due process . . ."Of course it would be far easier for the government to prosecute the war on terrorism if it could imprison all suspected 'enemy combatants' at Guantanamo Bay without having to acknowledge and respect any constitutional rights of detainees," said Judge Green, who was appointed to the bench in 1979 by President Carter . . . "

Weather Report

I was watching the weather report with great interest as they reported that it appears HELL has frozen over. An article with decent things to say appeared in th NYT. Granted it was from an Iraqi via the BBC and the Financial Times, and not an actual NYT staffer but still.... -SpinDaddy