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Whats worse than El Nina? La Nina of course.

2006-02-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

Climate Experts Predict La Nina Phenomenon - Yahoo! News

It's too early to tell how that will affect spring and summer weather, they said, but often La Nina conditions coincide with stronger and more numerous hurricanes, wet weather in the Pacific Northwest and dry conditions in the South.

Stronger Hurricanes, I have been thinking of moving to Northwest Arkansas.

Middle East Blogs.

2006-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

In the picture above a hungry boy watchers diners at the first KFC in Damascus.

Some of the best reporting being done on the Middle East and the entire Islamic Campaign is fromKevin Sites on Yahoo. This is yahoo's first real foray into original news coverage. The comments on Kevins stories are very virulent often more from westerners more than from Islamic nations.

Especially nice is this weeks latest from Syria that centers on Syrian bloggers. It gives Americans, the least traveled, least knowledgable citzens of all the western nations, a chance to peek into the minds of ordinary citzens of Syria. Unfortunately it goes both ways:

Across Syria Blog comented on Sites comments:

Horrified, that many of those who commented, were bothered by the story
and bothered to see everyday people in Syira telling their stories.
Would these hateres rather not see our faces? Do they prefer that in a
time of conflict we die, without faces? Would that be easier on them?

Another well known and well read blogger from Lebanon, was Michael Totten.

Totten recently had to close his comments again because of the B/S comments coming mainly from Americans. Totten is in the Kurdish area of Iraq.

Both Totten's lournal and Sites Yahoo reports will give you a lot to read and comprehend that despite the worse governments do to us, people are people and have more in common than not.

Technorati Tags: middle east blogs, syria, lebanon, kevin sites, michael totten,

Superbowl XL the big snooze

2006-02-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

I may just have expected more, or maybe I have not been exposed to as much of the dribble that tv networks expose us too about the superbowl this year. But I have a feeling this may be the lowest rated tv superbowl in a long time. Their just doesn't seem to be much buzz this year. No one is really talking about the game in the bars I go too. Maybe its the Seahawks and Steelers are just too far away for folks in Houston to get pumped. I will make a pick anyway.

I have already called the bookie and laid my money down. Seattle wins their first. Seattle 37 Pittsburg 27.

Technorati Tags: superbowl, seahawks, steeler, gamble

Light for the Republicans in '08?

2006-02-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

Today the House Republicans elected John Boehner as Majority Leader. Boehner is corrupt and has been disciplined for passing out bribes from corporate sleaze bags on the House floor himself. But in comparison to Tom Delay he is a Saint. And if he renews the Contract with America from the Newt days, maybe just maybe there is hope for the Republicans to regain some degree of being honest in Government.

I have no doubt the Republicans will probably win majorities in the '08 elections. When Katrina flushed New Orleans she laid out for America to see the incompetence and corruption in a Democratic City and State. As much whining as that idiot Ray Nagin can muster does not convince anyone that the bullshit that followed Katrina was a federal failure. New Orleans and Louisiana are a microcosm of what could happen at the federal level if you let the limp wrist demos occupy 1600 Pennsylvania and the Congress.

Your only reason to watch Oprah this year.

2006-02-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Ok unless your are some stay at home proffesional whiner, or queer eye type you probably do not watch Oprah. Friday, 2/03/06, is the day to watch this garabage program no matter what.

Why do you ask. Dave Chappelle is going to on and maybe he will announce he is hitting the road again or hopefully a HBO deal to get back on the air.

Papa Drayton needs some new shoes...ER..BATS

2006-02-01T17:41:00.001-08:00

Astros file insurance claim on Bagwell - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

As expected the Stros filed on the teams insurance policy to reclaim 15.6 million of the insane 17 million the Stros owe Jeff this year. Now we know why the prices are so damm high at the juice box.

Previously.

Pettitte unlikely to pitch in World Baseball Classic | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

2006-02-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

Pettitte unlikely to pitch in World Baseball Classic | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

No Pettite in the World Baseball Classic. This is probably a good thing for the Stros. As many problems as Andy has going a complete season is unlikely and he doesn't need to add more pitching to his season at the Classic.

Pitchers and Catchers report in 16 days.

Previously.

The Troops are right again.

2006-02-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

United Press International - Security & Terrorism - Some US troops question Woodruff coverage

From UPI comes this story that troops serving in Iraq are upset that the blanket coverage of Bob Woodruff's injury and the coverage he has been given. I believe they have every right to be upset over this.

Woodruff and his camera man to a lesser extent, were hurt while grandstanding in the gun turret of a Iraq Military vehicle. The entirety of the U. S. broadcast networks jumped on this like it was a Presidential Assignation. The explanation on the two being in the turret of the gun truck is "they were always willing to take the risk to get the story".

What story ABC? That Iraq is dangerous. You jackasses. Americans know Iraq is dangerous. The troops know Iraq is dangerous. Your employees know Iraq is dangerous. That is a non story. Stop sending these TV personalities to Iraq. The insurgency targeted that convoy and that vehicle specifically because they were probably tipped about the presence of the reporters. Your carelessness put both Iraqi and American troops at greater risk that night. The insurgency gets American news via satellites. They know how to get attention on the news channels and killing a ABC anchor would do that. And if you cannot kill him injury him.

And get your people out of the Naval Hospital, ABC . There are many fine US hospitals you could treat this pair at, they do not need to take up beds at a major military hospital that otherwise go to injured troops. You have money ABC stop grandstanding.

IE 7 beta 2 is out

2006-01-31T17:17:00.000-08:00

So I downloaded and I am using IE 7 Beta 2 tonight. I like the interface fine and of course Microsoft has added tab(s) finally. I use a fast broadband but I am not sure if IE adds any speed over Firefox. One complaint I always had on Firefox was the java instability and usually kept java disabled. Like previous versions of IE this one seems stable.

I like quick tabs button which shows all your tabs placemarked on one page.

UPDATE:Dwight Silverman reports a flaw in IE7 already.

Hope for New Orleans, chocolate and vanilla.

2006-01-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Times-Picayune reports that Mitch Landrieu will oppose the trainwreck that is currently Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin.

Nagin has to be the most incompetent, ignorant fool ever elected Mayor in a city. Maybe if Nagin is shown the road out of town Landrieu will appoint a non criminal as police chief. That has to be the starting point for rehabilitating New Orleans.

Next step Louisiana get yourself a decent governor.

Beautiful Seattle and a decaying Detroit.

2006-01-30T12:34:00.001-08:00

I lived in Seattle for several years after the Army. It was the most beautiful and greatest place I ever lived. Nice overcast skies with sunbreaks when you are lucky and really cool rain a lot. Very good tavern weather. And there are lots of taverns in Washington. I used to drive down to the ferry landings at Mulkiteo and Edmonds just to gaze at the cold deep water of Puget Sound. I saw lots of games in the old Kingdome, both Mariners and Seahawks.

People prior to the California invasion were just great in Seattle. Jobs were easily gotten, almost pushed on me at times. For all the vaunted hospitality of the south it was in Seattle that people sough out friendship. It was very hard to be solitary there. Where I lived (Everett) was a community. Seattle, Portland and the entire west was changed by the California exodus that was funded by the real estate boom in the brown state. Housing prices jumped and Seattle began moving into a high tech economy that is still there today.

Yet at its heart Seattle is a merchant marine town. Seattle holds on to its maritime past with great affection and the waterfront still hosts shipping, industry, taverns and good food. Seattle has a yuppie aura in some areas but if you know where to look you find a great blue collar heart.

This week a few thousand brave souls will venture from this beautiful place to Detroit. A city filled with despair and poverty. White flight condemned Detroit to a blight that is hard to match even in other rust bucket towns. I have been to Detroit twice. Once driving near the old Ford Headquarters. The interior of Detroit had a very third world look and feel. Empty buildings with broken glass and boarded windows everywhere. It wasn't scary just plain damm depressing. If you wanted to squat, Detroit would probably be a wise choice.

Steve Kelly of the Seattle Paper writes a column about the despair that is Detroit today. I found it a interesting read. And I liked the fact that a newspaper guy from beautiful Seattle penned empathy for a decaying city like Detroit.

The article is here.

King5 TV Cams
Loftcam.com live cams page
Seattletimes Homepage

Iraq is dangerous ABCNEWS.

2006-01-29T08:35:00.000-08:00

Taji Iraq is a town nearly centered between Baghdad and the largest American Base at Balad, Camp Anaconda. This is the heart of the Sunni triangle. The road that runs north thru Taji (Highway 1) is a small 4 laned asphalt road that has explosion scars every few feet. Some of the craters are huge.

The US and Iraqi Military are prime targets for attacks. Secondary targets are the supply convoys that I was part of for a year.

Bob Woodruff was injured in a convoy at Taji today. He was riding in a lead Iraqi military vehicle and in the turret. This is what smells like a set up to me. Very rarely would a gunner not be in the turret of a military gun truck, and the insurgency rarely ever targets the lead vehicle.

The standard attack mode is hit a convoy near the center and spilt or disrupt the convoy and follow up with a attack on ground. Very likely someone in the Iraqi unit tipped the Sunni insurgency about the presence of the journalist in the lead vehicle.

Woodruff is undergoing surgery and he and the cameraman are both in serious condition. He probably was sent to Anaconda (read this cnn story about the Anaconda CSH) for surgery although there is a small CSH (combat surgical hospital) at Taji.

Never ever should jounalist be allowed to replace gunners in the turret of vehicles in a military convoy. This is why.

As dangerous as the turret gunner was this was the prized seat for all our American gunners over there. Crazy bastards love to ride the turret gun. I love grunts.

Taji itself is the home base of the Iraqi General called "Chemical ALI". There are Americans, Australians and the home of the first Iraqi division at Taji. I spent 6 weeks there in March/April 2005. In my personal view the dinning facilities at Taji were the best in Iraq. The main MWR at Taji is named for Sgt Matt Maupin.

I like the winter olympics.

2006-01-28T14:14:00.000-08:00

Ok I said it I am a closet skier. I first started skiing while in the Army stationed in Germany. I basically went on ski weeks to get out of duty. But it was fun and after the Army I lived north of Seattle in Everett and skiied Stevens Pass many times. My favorite person to watch this year will be Bode Miller. Bode has gotten a lot of greif from the uptight media worries in the USOC but I like him. Young brash and very very good Americans should shoot their mouth off, especially at the Olympics. And its not like he is the first person to ever ski after a drink. There will be Gold in Turin for Bode.

Saturday Baseball continues

2006-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Roving around I see the Nationals have now got the lease completed on RFK. That is important because it allows DC to issue construction bonds for the new DC baseball facility. Spotted on Baseball Musings, David Pintos excellent Baseball Site.

The Nationals were hands down the best story in all of baseball last year. A goal of mine is to hit DC for a baseball game at RFK before it closes. It I were not a Astros fan I would definitely be a Nationals fan.

Saturday Noon, Andy Pettite and the Gay 82nd

2006-01-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Its Saturday and I really don't care the Army is investigating Soldiers from the 82nd AirBorne Corps for performing on a homosexual website.

No I much rather read about Andy Pettitte getting ready for Spring Training. I think the commencement of Spring Training should be a federal holiday and opening weekend games should all be daylight games and a mandatory three day vacation from work.

We all knew/wanted it to happen. That's right the Rocket is again talking to the Stros. Expect him back in May.

Pitchers and Catchers report in 19 days.

Another reason to hate the INS.

2006-01-27T12:15:00.000-08:00

The Feds don't care enough to act against Mexican Army Drug runners and protect the sovereignty of the United States. The Feds don't care about deporting the millions of illegal latinos who exist here on the fringes of life, murdering, robbing homes, raping, drugging, molesting kids.

But they cared enough to deport Dorismar.

Stupid Stupid Government. Keep Dorismar and ship out the tens of thousands of juans who hang out daily on Houston streets pissing all over the place.

Great waste of time at work.

2006-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

There are lots of reasons to hit IFOC daily. But none better than Lauerence's almost daily rant on Houston's vaunted Metro System. Todays rant is classic with lots of pictures.

And there are people who think we all drive Pickups and wear Cowboy Hats. We have light rail dammit. Thats only during the Rodeo.

I like this better than the US system.

2006-01-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

CNN.com - Furious protesters demand Abbas quit - Jan 27, 2006

People who vote for the Fatah Party in Palestine are rioting after realizing they have lost power in the elections this week.

You can hate on the Arab/Palestine people for their on going war on the Jews in Israel but you have to admire people with any passion for government, politics or life.

Here in the states, you lose by calling your opponent on the phone and making a tearful speech before a group of well dressed and reflective people.

Then voters get back on the corporate train and hit a fast food joint to buy poison for your family on the way home to watch it unfold on TV.

People of the Middle East live with a passion for life that the American people can never fathom.

When Hillary loses in '08 I want to see the democrats take to the streets and burn cars etc. That would be great politics. Burn Jesse Burn.

Blogging from Death Row.

2006-01-27T10:21:00.000-08:00

A Death Row Blogger's Advice for Life
Vernon Evans is on death row in Maryland for two contract killings a couple decades ago. You can read his sad tale at the Washington Post at the above link. If you read the whole column about 4/5s through the article actually tells you why he is dying. WAPO even names the people he offed which earned him a 20+ year stay at hotel pokey. There is even a picture of Vernon way back when, but no pictures of the couple he murdered.

Vernons Blog is here.

David Scott Piechowicz, 27, and that man's sister-in-law, Susan Kennedy, 19, in 1983 were murdered by Vernon and so far no one is blogging the spirits of the murdered, at least that I know.

Baseball is in the air.

2006-01-26T23:12:00.000-08:00

Mar 2 the Stros will take the field at Kissimmee (above), 1205 EST vs the Indians to start 2006.

Oh yeah the first column in a while signaling the end of the extended foolishness that has become the NFL.

What passes for winter in Houston has nearly gone and soon the 60 degree temps this month will give way to 100 degree scorchers. But until then we have Kissimmee. And the promise of a pennant run. I for one cannot wait to start reading box scores again.

Coffee shop happenings.

2006-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

So I am blogging this from a coffee shop on Fuqua. I like coffee shops not just for the caffiene but also the neighbors. This AM, two ladies who are agents for Mary Kay are discussing selling strategies at the table next door. One is new and the other is the pro.

Saying things like "always try to sell a set of 7". Neither of these ladies are attractive with good skin etc, both would have a hard time selling me something to fight the aging process. I just heard one say she was 33 and worried about the aging process. YIKES

Harry wants to go to Iraq.

2006-01-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

BostonHerald.com - International News: HarryÂs a real trooper: Prince may see Iraq action

It is tradition after all. I remember Andrew in the Falklands.

The second son is expendable and probably will never have to humiliate himself in public duties so I say let him go. Live a little Harry. The second Prince in England is similar to a backup QB. Always more popular than a starter unless your team is actually winning.

Hamas is in charge, Islam marches on.

2006-01-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

Recently the new Iranian President was derided for saying the coming confrontation between Islam and the west was at hand. Today another clear example that the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad knows or reconizes this movement for what it is. At least more than the American Presidency and the leaders in Wetsern Europe.

What am I talking about? Islamic Hardliners put Hamas in charge today in Palestine by voting Hamas in majority numbers in every province.

Kubiak is in town.

2006-01-25T18:16:00.000-08:00

The new Texans HC is in town.

Mexican Military Drug runners: updated

2006-01-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: The El Paso paper has a follow up with some small pictures.

Update to this previous post:

Go read this story on the article to grasp the seriousness of the Mexican Military Incursions into Texas and other border states:

Chief Deputy Mike Doyal of the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Department told the newspaper that Border Patrol agents called for backup and were joined by Hudspeth County deputies and DPS troopers. Mexican army personnel had several mounted machine guns on the ground more than 200 yards inside the U.S. border, the newspaper said.

Doyal said deputies captured a Cadillac Escalade that had been reported stolen from El Paso, and found 1,477 pounds of marijuana inside. He said Mexican soldiers set fire to one of the Humvees stuck in the river.

The site is near Neely's Crossing, about 50 miles east of El Paso, it said.

"It's been so bred into everyone not to start an international incident with Mexico that it's been going on for years," Doyal said. "When you're up against mounted machine guns, what can you do? Who wants to pull the trigger first? Certainly not us."

After the newspaper reported on Mexican military crossings, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the report was overblown and most of the incursions were just mistakes

Michael Chertoff cannot even deliver RV trailers to washed out residents in Louisiana and Mississippi, how can that incompetent worthless piece of crap be expected to grasp what is happening on the Texas Border.

Every dime the states and federal government spends on locking up drug abusers should be doubled and put into the border security on the Mexican border.

Redskin Riches or too many coaches spoils the game plan.

2006-01-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

Land of 1,000 Coaches

Hey Tony K, do the Redskins really have 53 assistant coaches or is that some TK old guy radio humor. I still miss your radio show, any Siruis or XM guys here, I will subscribe if you get Tony back on the radio.

Mexico continues to use its military to export narcotics to the US.

2006-01-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

Texas DPS officers at war with Mexico Soldiers.

Mexican Soldiers are again caught well inside the United States Border and were pursued across the border by Texas State DPS Officers. The United States needs to wake up and start active US Army Patrols on the border to confront, attack, and kill the Mexican military units invading the US borders near daily to export drugs.

There is good news here. The border entry control points are so effective at stopping the flow of drugs at the authorized border crossings, the drug cartels are having to turn to the Mexican Military and their chief drug lord, Vincente Fox, to get the drugs into Texas and the US.

My money is on the Texas DPS guys anytime. We just need to buy them faster cars.

Good Bye Jeff.

2006-01-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Seems like yesterday you were just a baby faced Astro in from the Red Sox. 1991 Rookie card above. God Jeff you are getting old...you not me.

The Stros intend to pursue a insurance claim on Jeff Bagwell which effectively ends Bags as a Astro. This is a sad day indeed, but I understand the club needs the millions for a couple bats.

Houston we have a coach.

2006-01-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

Chron.com | Texans set to hire Kubiak this week

God what awful picks. 0-2 for the conference championships. Glad I didn't bet "too" much money. But the real news for me is the Texans have now got their coach. Kubiak is expected in Houston in the next couple days to start hiring coaches and preparing to attend the Senior Bowl in Mobile on the 28th.

My predicted breakout QBs in this years Senior Bowl are both playing for the North Squad. Charlie Whitehurst (Clemnson) and Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt). WHitehurst is 6-5 and 235, when I see Big Ben of the Steelers play thats is Charlie WHitehurst. He should be a top 10 easily.

Conference Championship picks.

2006-01-22T11:43:00.001-08:00

Steelers at Broncos: Broncos
Panthers at Seahawks: Panthers

Chron.com | Rooney Rule not working like it should

2006-01-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

John Lopez's latest Houston Chronicle column has him asking the world shattering question of "How does Capers, off a horrendous 2-14 year, get an interview in Buffalo, but Jerry Gray, who just finished his fifth season as Bills defensive coordinator, is told he would not be considered?"

Lopez seems upset that Bears Defensive Ron Rivera (who he pumped for the Texans next HC) is not going to wind up as a head coach this year. Not as upset as the Bears defense was last week when they could not hold the Panther's diminutive Steve Smith from scoring 2 TDs and 218 yards receiving!

The thing for Lopez and all interested persons to remember is that for every reaction there is a equal and opposite reaction! Forcing the NFL owners to interviews blacks and minority candidacy will not result in more minority hires. More minority assistants will result in more minority hires, if they are employed by successful or well regarded Head Coaches. It really doesn't have much to do with skin color but with the programs they are associated with.

I'm Not Chocolate - Mayor Ray Nagin and a Chocolate New Orleans

2006-01-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

You knew it was coming. The Superdome is gonna be topped with chocolate to comply with the worlds most ignorant mayor to make New Orleans chocolate again! And now bumperstickers and t-shirts!

Superdome image stolen from Lone Star Times.