File it under: First Amendment

U.S. students say press freedoms go too far. And what they mean by that is that 36% of students in this study said that newspapers should get government approval to publish studies. 51% said they should be able to publish freely. Apparently, if two students (two making 'students' plural, thus making the headline accurate) they could have hyped up the story just as much. But note that according to the left, Bush's 51% isn't a mandate therefore the press does not have a mandate with U.S. students and should report accordingly. Or some shit... I side with the 51% of students in unrestricted freedom of the press. I feel journalists should be free to make huge douchebags of themselves daily. via Drudge *****

File it under: Anheuser-Wuss

Apparently Budweiser is going to start spiking some of their beers with other additives. On the menu: traditional suds spiked with caffeine, fruit flavoring, herbal guarana and ginseng. All in a cute 10oz can. It's one thing if Bud wanted to add caffiene or vitamins 'n' stuff to beer. It's another to add fruit flavorings. We call those 'wine coolers.' I offer five other ideas that Bud can add to beer to capture market share. Testosterone - to capture more of the European Soccer Fan demographic A triple shot of vodka - to capture more Ted Kennedy market share LSD - to capture more of the democraticunderground demographic Donuts stuffed with bacon grease - to capture Michael Moore's 81% share Nothing - because it's fuckin' beer! Taking more ideas in the comments... because, let's be honest. I just whacked the softballs. *****

File it under: Update Your Bookmarks!

World renowned political blog and TerrorXchange discussion page, File it under, has a sexy new look and a snazzy new web address. www.fileitunder.com FIU is a collaboration of three charming, good looking, politically minded gentleman with large, exercised medulla oblongatas. After all, the internet needs another blog that links to and is linked from other blogs on matters pertaining to blogs, bloggers, blogging, and the sinister hippy agenda. Stay tuned, we promise to impress! *****

File it under: Headline

From today's Dallas Morning News front-page headline: War's deadliest day for U.S. Tragedy could help diminish public support for conflict At least the MSM hopes it does. The opening paragraph: The crash Wednesday of a Marine Corps helicopter, the worst since the Vietnam War, could help sour public support of the conflict in Iraq, even thought it was believed to be an accident, analysts said. Who said? Analysts? Who might they be? Anonymous analysts, I'm thinking. And again, the Iraq war equals Vietnam. Sound a little editorialized there? It does to me, too. And following this logic, it's a damn miracle we US citizens drive our cars given the number of accidents that happen daily. Accidents should diminish the desire and need to drive using this line of thinking. And from the "Holy Fucking Irony, Batman" section comes the next paragraph. "Particularly anyone who is against the war in Iraq, they're going to use this in every shape, form and fashion to say 'Here, once again, we've lost a large number of our troops, and it's because of the war,'" said retired Lt. Gen. Fred McCorkle, former deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for aviation. I can conclude that Richard Whittle (author of the piece) has a great sense of humor. If only Fred McCorkle knew that the subject of his quote would be Dick and the MSM, since they are adamantly against the war. You know that Richard shit himself when Fred was quoted. Kudos to Richard for going ahead and leading with that opening paragraph. The article then goes on to say that the accident could have happened anywhere because it was weather related. Yeah, no shit. It also quotes an ex-Pentagon official during Reagan's tenure (who is critical of the Iraq war). It also states how this will hurt Bush's portrayal of the elections as a positive?!? What? Other analysts said the crash probably would sharpen public concern about American losses in Iraq and interfere with the administration's ability to portray Sunday's elections for Iraq's National Assembly a step forward. How'd they make that leap? More anonymous analysts. Richard gets some balance from the anti-Bush Pentagon official by quoting Mr. Michael O'Hanlon, "a military analyst with the nonpartisan Brookings Institution"as saying, "The ability to use the election milestone to change the mood about Iraq is going to be severely compromised by this helicopter crash. I think the combination of likely Sunni Arab low turnout with the terrible tragedy today will make this another bad week in Iraq." So here we have it. With the Sunni turnout going to be low and this crash, the elections won't be a positive development and could sour the mood of the war at home. Here's the formula for this article: Helo crash + Low Sunni turnout = Bush failure in Iraq Write that down. *****

File it under: Announcement

In regards to the passing of late-night television great Johnny Carson, I would like to announce that I did not know him and, thusly, do not have any heartwarming memories of he and I to regurgitate ad nauseum for you to read, see or listen to. Thank you. *****

File it under: Bastard

Rob hits the ejection seat while over warm tropical islands. It's just us for a few days, Tom... us and our three readers*. ***** *Not counting us three, of course. I think.

File it under: Powerlinks

Powerline does a great job in scooping political stories on their own but they also do a great job of tracking others' links. Right now there are three cases of Democratic voter fraud that are making blog headlines. Powerline links the work done by Sound Politics on the stolen Washington state governor's election. They note that this election probably won't be overturned but that the local media up there are being "forced" to cover it because of all the issues that have arrived. Soundpolitics is hereby blogrolled. I've been reading it for weeks now. Good stuff. Boots & Sabers is all over the Milwaukee fiasco. It appears that Bush likely won Wisconsin, too but did not because of massive abuse of Wisconsin's election laws and system. Gig 'em, Ags! Powerline also links and reports on a potential murder plot in St. Louis. Oh, and these dipshits are hereby charged... I love it. *****

File it under: Current Score

U.S.A. - 1 U.N. - Forfeit *****

File it under: Axis of Assclowns

One thing I've noticed since that infamous Axis of Evil speech is this: All of the three countries mentioned were dictatorship states - Iraq, Iran and North Korea. I know, I know. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. But I'm betting that it won't take full scale combat to overturn either of those other two regimes. If you can hope that the citizens of Iran and N. Korea have a little more willpower than the folks in Iraq then maybe all it'll take is some CIA "on the ground." Both Iran and N. Korea have significant portions of their oppressed that wouldn't hesitate to help overthrow their oppression. Iran's entire youth would, if given the chance and just recently, signs of resistance in N. Korea emerged, too. I'd graffiti posters too if I was starving to death. The US cannot repeat the process of Iraq liberation with other countries. We don't have the manpower or the ability to keep down terrorist resistance. Though in N. Korea, there's probably a lot lower likelihood of suicide bombings. *****

File it Under: Negative Return On Investment

If you protested the Presidents Inaugural speech today, you are a moron. I'm sorry, but protesting is to politics as abstinence is to the porn trade. The are somewhat linked but totally ineffective as to stopping what is going to happen anyway. I just hope that the moralistic majority of the left has the sense to hook up with each other and have some "fun babies" because other than a chance to nail a hippy girl, they wasted their time. *****

File it under: Life Support

It's been two weeks since anyone has posted on the TX message board. I rarely ever check my TX account any more. Darius of stfu hasn't posted since December 19th. Satori hasn't emailed me back in about two months. There was brief talk about a revamped system in early December. I'm now supporting that move 100%. Make a V1.0 Hall of Fame and clear out the entire user data base. With the downtime and neglect going on so long, it's really the only option, in this user's opinion. Also to be considered is the complete shutting down of the TX. I find this unlikely unless nothing happens past the month of March. But the chances are still out there. I can understand Satori and the other designers being busy with revenue generating work whole-heartedly. But not returning an email is a little more ominous sign for the survival of the TX. The TX is the common thread for the three contributors to this blog. I'd presume we'd blog on with or without a TX. Tom and Rob, what are your thoughts/scenarios? *****

File it under: Have You Seen Me?

Missing since January 11th, 2005. This man: If you know the whereabouts of this person or have any clues or leads, please contact me at hoodlumman@gmail.com or thatdamnrob@gmail.com Thank you. ***** Update: Subject located. All posts stand down. Tom adds: Last seen with Terri Hatcher somewhere in Southern California.

File it Under: California Ruled for Whitey?

Being a white cop in California has to be the crappiest job in the world. But at least they got paid. The bad thing is that after Rodney King's failed flight from the law, everyone thinks that they are doing a civic duty by video-taping an arrest. The down side is that it gives a very incomplete picture of the situatuion. The plus side is that it has revealed some over the top stuff. This is one of those times. The shocker to me was that you could get a California jury to find for the ex-cop and his partner. It would seem that the law of averages would give you a jury pool that was too biased for that. I have no idea who the paralegal was that helped the lawyer pick his jury but those two guys deserve a raise. *****

File it under: Fuzzy Math

How about statistically improbable math. You'd expect increased voter rolls in growing states. And you'd expect the rolls to grow proportionately to population increase. But in Milwaukee, the population is in steady decline and the voters are (re?)registering in droves. You can even register on election day there. Maybe a crying Kay Bailey Hutchison should have protested Wisconsin's electoral votes a la Barbara Boxer vs. Ohio voters. *****

File it Under: Saving Face

The NHL lite and the NHLPA lite are going to meet at a unspecified locale to discuss Fact: If you're one of the 3 people that has followed the NHL's labor fandango, you know that Bob Goodnow (BG) and Gary Bettman (GB) are painted into a corner. Both have taken hardline stances that equate to playing chicken. This is bad considering that the NHL is hardly mainstream. So, when you have two top dogs standing there refusing to blink what do you do? Send in the subordinates. That's right, I do this all the time at work. My boss is arguing with some guy about a deal, they can't agree and the deal is going down in flames. They step off to make their respective cell phone calls and the other underling and I hash out what they can't see eye to eye on, cover the nuances that they missed and figure out how it works. When they come back in to say "Well I don't think we can do this deal." We say, he and I figured out that we can do this and it will fix it for both of us. Everyone smiles, they sign stuff and we go drinking like we are highschool buddies on the way to a whore in the movie "Porky's." Watch, there will be "further discussions" from this that will eventually lead to a deal that is not quite a salary cap nor an open market. *****

File it under: You Don't Say...

Check this out. As it turns out, those tax cuts are causing tax revenue increases and a projected shrinking deficit. Well, the MSM will have to find new talking points - most likely the weak dollar and trade deficits. Neither are as newsworthy as "RECESSION" or "JOBLESS RECOVERY" because a weak dollar actually makes US products more affordable overseas. And FWIW, Saturday Night Life did a stupid-ass skit last Saturday on, wait for it... ... ... the weak dollar. Yeah, it sucked. It still would have sucked if I were a rabid moonbat, too. *****

File it under: Prognostications

Hell yeah. Pittsburgh over Jets - Roethlisberger gets it done in easy fashion as Curtis Martin's season ends after frickin' lazer beams, man, shoot out of Bill Cowher's eyes and pierce Curtis at the knees. Paul Tagliabue fines Cowher $10,000. Atlanta will outscore St. Louis 49-42 behind a quarterback assault and shitty defense. Bulger will throw for six touchdowns and 467 yards (0 ints) but Vick will get the edge on 2-17 passing for 19 yards (3 ints) and 481 yards rushing with seven TDs. Philly will squeak one out vs. Minnesota. Why? Because they have to do so to be able to choke next week vs. Atlanta. The Colts will drop kick the monkey on their back and finally beat New England at Foxborough. Tom Brady will continue to have sex with any and every attractive female that he desires. Bastard. You heard it here first, folks! *****

File it under: Freedom of Expression

Via Bill INDC. Clint Eastwood had a statement for Michael Moore. [I]f you ever show up at my front door with a camera — I'll kill you. I mean it." Outstanding. Moore, who received a special "Freedom of Expression" award for his anti-Bush documentary, appeared to laugh off Eastwood's comments. After quietly shitting his pants. *****

File It Under: Hey, Don't Bogart My Jihad Man!

It seems that just like watching an episode of survivor everyone wants to start the fire, but no one wants to get out of the way so the other guy can do it. Our pals in Iraq and the Arab world seem to have so much "Alpha Male" syndrome that it's making them split faster that a Baptist chuch that just got lottery money. Look and see. The Arab ego may be more responsible for the Iraqi defeat than any other cultural element there. Don't let Dr. Phil go over there because I think we have them where we want them.

File it under: Rather Abusive

Using CBS's line of thinking and investigating, this is irrefutable proof. Stop burying this story, MSM. *****

File it under: IRCO

[IRCO] - Iraq Establishes A Sovereign Democratic Government, Maintaining Civil Order With the Iraqi elections scheduled for the 30th of this month, and the strike date of IRCO being just a few days later, it's difficult to argue that these two are not related. At $15.80 with a strike price of $50, IRCO could be a real steal - but the wise investor will steer clear. At this point in time, with the entire world watching, the Iraqi elections will most certainly take place. But civil order in Iraq is fleeting, perhaps for another decade to come, perhaps never at all. I have emailed Satori, but did not receive a reply (this is not an attack on him, I know he's busy). With Satori's absence, we are left to conjecture on the true meaning of IRCO, though possibly we could decide on a strike ourselves. But keep in mind Zarqawi is ever-elusive, Iran is stirring up all kinds of trouble, and not a day goes by without a deadly explosion. Maintaining Civil Order is the caveat on which IRCO hinges. I hold no shares in IRCO. *****

File it under: You Want To Be A Millionare For A Few Hundred Bucks?

Let me show you how to become a millionare faster that the chinese guys on the infomercials. That's right, you too can have a piece of the American dream, via Iraqi money and patience. I saw this a while back and said, "Why not." The irony is that this is far from a stable investment but it can prove to be lucrative at a low cost because after you destroy a econmy the only place it can go is up or out. Keep in mind while you may lose a $100 bucks on it, this is the 2nd largest exporter of oil in the world. On a side note: My wife, when I told her that I bought some Iraqi cash, thought that I was going to have to go there for work and flipped out. (Normally, when I get sent on a trip I get local currency so I get gouged less on prices.) I told her that it wasn't just me, we were all moving there. It illicited only the 3rd time in the 11 years I have known her that she actually cursed. So, while it is a quasi-investment thing to do, the conversion rate on divorce will be a lot higher if I ever take a job there or try that stunt again.

File it Under: Why "Mara" Is A Word That Americans May Learn

I have been to Honduras once. It was about 6 years ago. While we were riding in the car with the person that was showing us around they gave us two pieces of advice. This is exactly what they said: " Hey, since you are American let me tell you this. If you have a bunch of kids, you know teens, threaten you for your wallet, give it to them. The probably won't hurt you if you just hand it over. Whatever you do, don't fight or challenge them ,you know. Also, tell any women with you not to wear jewelry and make sure that you don't carry watches or you passport with you because you'll just lose them. Carry your credit card somewhere they won't look. They probably won't want it anyway cause there is nowhere to use it where they are, but American cash is really valued." The more we asked about it the more he told us about the "Maras", which are violent street gangs of teens that run hundreds strong. Now, why should America care? Well, these kids view themselves as disposable so the have no regard for life and the live totally by situational ethics derived from a horrible street life. On top of that as they have become more violent, the government response is a push for a zero tolerance death penalty for gang members. So in short, you take violent people in inhumane conditions and push them in a corner threatening their very lives. It's a recipe for disaster. Then add that special ingredient touched on in this article. "We know from El Salvadoran law enforcement that al-Qaida is meeting with violent gang leaders in El Salvador," Ortiz said in a Sept. 2 news release. It could be the typical "call everything a terrorist event to make it ok to pull off the kid gloves" statement, but if not, as a person from a border state, I know that getting a Honduran across the border is a lot easier than a Pakistani. On top of that, in the news today they reported that they stopped an assassination attempt on the President there that they believe is in response to the crackdown the President has authorized after some of the Maras opened fire on a tour bus. Either way it stinks. The link for that assassination story is here.

File it Under: "Didn't You Get The Memo?..."

CNN.com - CBS fires 4 over Bush-Guard story - Jan 10, 2005 Let me see, 4 people got axed over the CBS Bush/National Guard memo. I think it's fitting that there were firings because they absolutely wrecked CBS credibility and did show a systemic bias towards the left among their staff, if not their organization. The only question to me is why try to cover that bias in the report? The statement that they issued said "despite accusations of political bias against CBS -- "[the panel] cannot conclude that a political agenda at '60 Minutes Wednesday' drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." Still, "the bottom line is that much of the September 8th broadcast was wrong, incomplete or unfair," Les Moonves, co-president of CBS parent Viacom, said in a statement announcing the firings." I don't see any problem with admitting that the political motivations of the people that were fired allowed for the mistake. It takes the onus off the station from trying to white wash over the fact that it was a partisan attack that they facilitated through bad judgment. I assume that they don't to protect themselves in case the fired people sue. Still CBS' omission of factual finding show a remarkable amount of self preservation when they should just say that they were wrong and that they were sorry. They got half of it right. The said that they were wrong. Just say that your sorry. America is a pretty forgiving country as a whole, but we want you to ask for it first.

File it under: Bad Precedents

It's a great scenario. I doubt republicans would do this simply because we value this country for what it was founded on and actually value all votes, not just ones for our candidates. *****

File it under: Why US Aid Won't Change Perceptions Of Us "American Cowboys"

Mercury - Mixed reactions to US aid In a story by the Mercury one section really stood out to me from a story about US aid to tsunami victims. "Some, however, voiced a lukewarm welcome for the Americans. "I would take aid from the US or even the devil himself if it would mean getting those people on (Sumatra's) western coast some medicine and food," said Anton Hermawan, a doctor from the Indonesian Red Crescent, the Islamic world's equivalent of the Red Cross. Hilmy Bakar, the spokesman of the Islamic Defender Front, which is conducting its own aid mission, said he was keeping a close eye on the US presence. "It's okay that aid from the US is here," he said. "If they open bars, sell alcohol or open prostitution centres, then we will fight them. We will burn those places to the ground. They must abide by the traditions and faith of the Acehnese people." People are displaced, dead, injured, dying, diseased, homeless, familyless and suffering and the Islamic concern expressed is that the US might "open bars, sell alcohol or open prostitution centres." I guess that if we sent "whores-r-us" to administer the aid that would be a realistic concern, but since we didn't it highlights that the propaganda machine of the Muslim faith will always point out any non-Muslim as suspect. This is one area where I feel that American Muslims have let the US down by not making a stronger effort to prove to their peers overseas that Americans are almost painfully tolerant of religion and that is what gets us into trouble. If we didn't respect their views due to some moral or amoral agenda, would we have a moral reason to help in the first place? Wouldn't we just tell them to kiss off and deal with their own problems? It seems that the Islamic faith refuses to separate the American people from American policy in the same way that I doubt this aid worker can effectively fight much of anything the US decides to do over there. Islam needs a few logical people to step into the front of the ranks and tell the following masses to get a clue. Then again, I guess they don't want "smart sheep" that think for themselves. *****

File it under: You're Kidding...

Palestinians don't know who Richard Gere is? Imagine that. "I don't even know who the candidates are other than Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas), let alone this Gere," Gaza soap factory worker Manar an-Najar told Reuters Wednesday. And my favorite line, "We don't need the Americans' intervention. We know who to elect. Not like them -- they elected a moron." I expect an even more full embrace of the Palestinian "cause" by the left now since they spout the same crap. Next down the pipe, Susan Sarandon appeals to foreign nations with lucrative oil contracts to stop letting money trump actual intervention on the Darfur crisis in Sudan. My ass... *****

File it under: Jewish Women And Black Caucuses

If Ohio Democrats won't step up to challenge the Ohio election (more so), California Senator Barbara Boxer will. As a Californian, I apologize for her. *****

File it under: Inquiry

Can anyone tell me why on IMAO and Michelle Malkin's blogs all pictures show up as those annoying red x's. It's only their sites. I've tried IE and Mozilla - nothing but red x's. What gives?

File it under: Now You Know, Billy Boy

Bill Gates had a little computer issue during a presentation. For some reason I find it amusing that he suffered the digital equivalent the "toilet paper on the shoe." You have to think that some marketing person that was in charge of making sure the presentation was loaded and functional for the show is getting ripped up one side and down the other. At least they didn't suffer the dreaded X-10 Camera popup. That would have been bad. *****

File it under: How to Defeat A Jihad

The Saudis love dat internet porn. If we can get the Saudis hooked on porn I think that we can effectively take the steam away from the Anti-American sentiment and extremism. Will they decry it as immoral? You bet. But just like clergy in the states they will be spanking it to Scandinavian jello wrestlers in no time flat. Look at the Article stats - 93% tried to download porn, the other 7% had AOL so you know they'll look for it once they reconnect from being dropped over and over. *****

File it under: Tsunami Aftermath

Not all of it will be about rebuilding. In the aftermath, young men from all over are entering Indonesia to assist those stricken by the earthquake. [A] group chaired by an influential cleric identified by Western intelligence sources as an al-Qaeda sympathizer, and local religious authorities say they are bracing for trouble. A battle of ideas will come first. Depending on who wins that battle will determine if future hotels and infidel tourist spots become targets of terrorism. "God willing, we will have about 5,000 laskar [forces] in Banda Aceh within a few weeks," said Hilmy Bakar Almascaty, vice-chairman of the Jakarta-based Islamic Defenders Front, known by its Indonesian initials, FPI. "We are very close friends with the military and they have been assisting our efforts to help the Acehnese people by bringing us on their airplanes. I expect we will be here for a very long time." Mr. Almascaty said the FPI is co-ordinating its efforts with the hard-line Hizbut Tahrir, an international organization with strident anti-Western views, and the Indonesia Mujahedeen Council (MMI), which is chaired by Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged spiritual leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group. Super. I'm sure folks are just over-reacting, right? The hard-liners espouse an uncompromising Wahhabi brand of Islam that is not widely practised in Southeast Asia, and the Acehnese fear it could further destabilize their precarious situation. Now coming to a disaster ravaged South Asian nation near you; an uncompromising Wahhabi brand of Islam. Others, such as 19-year-old Yusuf Wahid from the Javanese city of Semarang, are cleaning debris from rubble-choked streets. But pressed about his mission, Mr. Wahid confessed to other motives. "We are here to protect Islam and save our Acehnese brothers from the infidels," he said. "They have no right to impose their beliefs on Indonesia." I'd like to ask some hard-liners (theoretically speaking... I don't ever want to be near Islamofacists unless I have lots of automatic weapons and back-up) if those that don't choose to follow Islam (Christian or not) have "no right" to live. Many don't think so. I'd also like some assurances that all these millions in aid aren't going to fund militant Islam in the far-away places of the world. Our generosity should go towards food, water and medicine, not rocket-propelled grenades. *****

File it under: Of Gerbils and Other Woodland Creatures

My oh my... Thanks for the tip on #5. Now reapply that Grecian 5. ***** Update: Not intended to rhyme... as if a word rhyming with itself counts.

Introducing: Rob

One of Tom's and my New Year's resolution was to add more assclownery to File it under. We didn't have to look far. Beaten and dragged from his own blog, Rob now joins FIU for the new year. Rob is a fellow Terrorxchange participant and patriotic US citizen. He brings to FIU that evil big oil touch along with a love for hockey and paint chips. Welcome, Rob. And remember, don't ever let Tom sneak up behind you. *****

File it under: Ashlee Simpson Sucks

This is what you get with Hollywood/Music Industry nepotism. Shitty performances. She gets lambasted for lip synching on SNL, so for the Orange Bowl, she does it live. And guess what, she can't sing for shit. Jessica is a better singer, hotter and probably a better actress... a better everything and I don't even like Jessica beyond her looks. But someone comes along with Jessica's last name and she gets a "no talent" pass? Go to college, Ashlee. You're gonna need it. via Drudge *****

File it under: Underneath the Surface

I'm sure this will be a recurring story over the years as the US presence in the Middle East lengthens and becomes more permanent. It's been 14 years since we've liberated Kuwait and it's hard to compete with Islamist propaganda, al Jazeera and even the MSM in trying to show that we aren't the ones you should be fighting against. It is a key transit point for civilians, U.S. and foreign troops going into Iraq. Several Kuwaitis, however, are crossing the border to join a Sunni Muslim insurgency against U.S. forces and the U.S.-backed government in Iraq. Apparently these poor souls have forgotten who liberated them from Saddam back in 1991. Hopefully they'll share the eventual fate of all terrorists. *****

File it under: News Flash or Rumor?

The Bulgarian News Network is reporting that al-Zarqawi has been captured. If Bulgarian News isn't reputable enough for you, try the Washington Times. Or is it the other way around? Kurdish Media? I give up, not one reputable source. We wait. ***** Update: Drudge says it's bogus. U.S. military and intelligence sources are denying print and broadcast reports that terrorist Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi has been arrested in Iraq, MSNBC reported Tuesday. Either the Washington Times or Drudge is right. In other news, it's one cold day in hell.

File it under: Blatant Hipocrisy

When you weigh the MSM's obvious anti-Bush stance (you waited too long, chimpy!!) with The Diplomad's coverage of the non-existent and snail's pace action by the UN and EU, you wonder how irate the MSM will be against those two institutions. I'm guessing they'll give it zero coverage/comment. Actions speak louder than words... much to the ire of the soon-to-be-defunct MSM. ***** Update: Wizbang beats me to my point.

File it under: The Diplomad

The Diplomad is being blogrolled because of their recent lambasting of the UN. Since the tsunami hit 10 days ago, the UN has actually done... well... nothing. And Diplomad has been documenting this daily. Tom, you should really dig these guys. *****

File it under: Liveblogging* The 2004 SBC Cotton Bowl

*Sort of... ok not really. Texas A&M has made a drastic turnaround from their horrible 4-8 season in 2003. To end the 2004 season, the Aggies meet the Tennessee volunteers in Dallas Texas. 8:16 - Rise and shine. Damn. Who scheduled this crap for a 10:00AM kickoff the morning after New Year's Eve? 8:34 - Starbucks should solve these early morning woes/hangover side-effects. 9:15 - Rendezvous with friends, head to the Cotton Bowl. There's not much cotton in this area of Texas. I suppose Silicon Bowl is a little inappropriate regardless of how accurate it might be. 9:45 - I had never been to the Cotton Bowl before. It's an antiquated forum but satisfactory nonetheless. $6.00 and $8.00 for beer? Leeches. Well, not this early anyway. The crowd is about 80% maroon. This is basically a home game. A&M is favored by three points. 10:05 - A&M wins the coin toss. We defer. We'll kick off to start (and only do it once more for the day). 10:11 - After an A&M offsides penalty on third down gives Tennessee a first down, they score on a 57 yard catch and run. 10:25 - A&M fumbles on their next possession. The Vols drive the field and miss a field goal. On A&M's first play after, an option pitch hits the RB in the hands and fumbles. Vols recover. One of my buddies goes to get a beer. I place an order for one, too. 10:37 - Four plays later it's 14-0. 10:50 - After holding Tennessee on defense, they punt. We muff the punt and Tennessee recovers. One play later it's 21-0. 11:01 - Three and out for A&M. Punt. Six plays later it's 28-0 Tennessee. I'm gonna need more beer quick. 11:18 - Halftime. Down 28-0, any hope for a win is about gone. We can make it competitive, we'll just have to see how A&M adjusts at the half. 11:51 - A&M receives and drives the field. Down huge, you have to go for it with 4th and one yard on their six yard line. We gain 0 yards, Vol ball. 12:15 - Twelve plays and two A&M 15-yard penalties later, it's 35-0. I can't drink fast enough, but as it were, I don't want to drink much at this point. 12:20 - Three and out. Screw this. 12:30 - Seven plays later the Vols kick a field goal. We just want to be there to see A&M score. That's all. Please, God. 12:39 - A&M drives the field on their next possession. A completion to Murphy takes A&M to the Vol seven yard line giving A&M a first-and-goal opportunity except for the fact that Murphy fumbles the ball at the end of the catch and run. No first and goal at the seven for A&M, it's now first and ten for Tennessee. We take this opportunity to leave the game. 1:15 - We end up missing the A&M score (and turnover #5) but we do beat the traffic so it was the better move indeed. It sucks that our 2003 team showed up for our 2004 bowl game but there's always next year... that is unless that assbeating cost us some recruiting, which I'm sure it did. The remainder of the day was spent sulking and occasionally cursing. I think Tennessee was that good and we were that bad. No other reasons, really. *****

File it under: Friendly Reminders

Good afternoon. This is your friendly neighborhood MSM reminding you that Iraq is still a Vietman-esque quagmire and that we should refocus on that fact other than the regional tragedy in the Indian Ocean. I mean we know that the tsunami was tragic and all but remember, the Iraqi freedom fighters insurgents are still giving us all we can handle. Happy New Year, Main-stream Media *****