You’re getting very sleepy
January 22, 2009
From Cute Things Falling Asleep
–WKW
Tortured reality
January 22, 2009
Someday, hopefully someday soon, the national discourse will rise above debating why it’s not OK for the U.S. to torture. But right now, that’s where it toils.
–WKW
No one expects a blogaround
January 22, 2009
Periodically, when I have produced nothing worth reading, I like to point others toward readable material. I’m a giver that way.
- Rafael Marques de Morais: A student in Angola gives you a real look into a government-controlled media.
- Phillip Barron: Looking back at what could have been for Tony Blair. And, hey, isn’t Blair some sort of Super Peace maker now in the Middle East?
- The Sideshow: The War on Drugs an instrument of societal control.
- Out of the frying pan into the … friary?: Irim gets dreamy.
- Glenn Greenwald: Who would have thought that Jack Bauer doesn’t speak for the Average American?
–WKW
Terror attacks vs the BCS
January 21, 2009
Listening to Bush (falsely) claim that following the time he didn’t keep the U.S. safe, he kept the U.S. safe for seven years, I was struck by how terror attacks are like the Bowl Championship Series. The press will forgive an early loss. It’s an imperfect system, of course.
–WKW
White House Web Site 2.0
January 21, 2009
In keeping with a modern presidency, the Barack Obama team has unveiled its new Whitehouse.gov Web site. It’s spiffy. And likely won’t crash the first time Drudge The Huffington Post links to it.
–WKW
Hitchens: Torture for thee but not for me
January 20, 2009
The daft intellectual Christopher Hitchens is amending his previous “waterboarding is torture” article with the following line: “But torture is cool.”
We are never invited to ask ourselves what would have happened if the Democrats had been in power that fall. But it might be worth speculating for a second. The Effective Death Penalty and Anti-Terrorism Act, rushed through both Houses by Bill Clinton after the relative pin prick of the Oklahoma City bombing, was correctly described by the American Civil Liberties Union as the worst possible setback for the cause of citizens’ rights. Given that precedent and multiplying it for the sake of proportion, I think we can be pretty sure that wiretapping and water-boarding would have become household words, perhaps even more quickly than they did, and that we might even have heard a few more liberal defenses of the practice. I don’t know if Gore-Lieberman would have thought of using Guantanamo Bay, but that, of course, raises the interesting question—now to be faced by a new administration—of where exactly you do keep such actually or potentially dangerous customers, especially since you are not supposed to “rendition” them. There would have been a nasty prison somewhere or a lot of prisoners un-taken on the battlefield, you can depend on that.
I’m think Hitch needs to do some research for a new article.
–WKW
Today’s big event: “Add Bill to your Blogroll”
January 20, 2009
From an exclusive e-mail sent today:
Dear (Insert name here),
Hi and welcome to the first-ever “Add Bill to your Blogroll” E-mail. In this e-mail, I’ll be discussing the benefits of adding William K. Wolfrum (“Bill”) to your blogroll.
First off, let me just say that I don’t care if you add me to your blogroll, or not, Ok? I am far too
bitchin’cool to be concerned about whether I have any readers.That said, please add me. Barack Obama would want it that way.
The benefits to you, dear blog owner, are multiple. First, you’ll look bitchin’ with the kids in the know. William K. Wolfrum Chronicles is a blog with a cult following. A really small cult, of course. More a quorum, really. But an edgy quorum.
Also, I had someone say good things about me in the New York Times, recently. Have you had that happen? If you add me to your blog roll, it’ll be like the New York Times said something good about you, too.
Also, I’ll totally return the favor, thus giving my loyal and groundbreaking 75 readers access to your blog.
I could go on and on all day, but I’m far too cool to care. But take a look at a few of these recent posts, and you’ll see I’m a blogger on the go. And a blogger readied to be blogrolled by (insert name here).
http://www.williamkwolfrum.com
http://www.williamkwolfrum.com/2009/01/14/the-ammunition-accountability-act-e-mail-a-hoax-it-already-failed-in-2008/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/arts/television/13hoax.html?ref=artsAct now, don’t delay. Do it for our new President! Blogroll
my site! Or not. Whatever. Like I care.Cheers,
Bill
–WKW
Pardon Me?
January 20, 2009
This has raised some eyebrows:
WASHINGTON — President Bush on Monday commuted the sentences of two former Border Patrol agents imprisoned for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler, but he was preparing to leave office without granting clemency to any better-known figures or government officials who could face liability over administration policies.
The former agents, Jose A. Compean and Ignacio Ramos, will be freed from federal prison in less than two months as a result of Mr. Bush’s commutation, cutting short prison terms that were due to run at least eight more years.
The two men, both of El Paso, were convicted on assault charges for shooting the unarmed, fleeing drug smuggler in the buttocks in 2005 and then trying to cover up the episode.
The case energized debate on border policies, and appeals for leniency for the two men had become a cause célèbre among some politicians, law enforcement officials and anti-immigration advocates.
The decision to commute their sentences appeared to represent a relatively safe yet high-impact action for Mr. Bush, who has been especially sparing in his use of his constitutional pardon power.
Still, the decision came as something of a surprise not only to the agents’ supporters, who had believed their chances for clemency were fading, but also for lawyers in other criminal cases who had been lobbying hard at the White House and the Justice Department on behalf of dozens of people seeking clemency.
A senior White House official said that the commutations announced on Monday would be Mr. Bush’s last acts of clemency before he leaves office.
My eyebrows – consider them raised.
–WKW
From the sports desk
January 20, 2009
Views from an occasional sports writer:
- A good friend of mine is a Miami Dolphins fan and he said that 2008 was one of the best years he had as a fan. The team wasn’t supposed to do anything, but made it to the playoffs anyway. As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I must say it has been a satisfying NFL campaign, as well. Pittsburgh had the toughest schedule in the league, but have basically cruised into the Super Bowl. And as good as Steelers defenses have been in the past, this one can compete with any of them.
- Ok, I’ll bite:The Arizona Cardinals walk into the Super Bowl and?…and?? Wow, it’s no joke. Attaboy Kurt Warner and crew.
- The 2009 Super Bowl will be a replay of the 1979 Super Bowl. The Cardinals will play the role of the Rams, while the Steelers will be playing themselves.
- I’m sorry, Kaka is really, really good, but if I’m AC Milan, there’s no way I turn down $150 million during these troubled financial times.
- Andre Berto will soon get dramatically knocked out. That said, I love watching Andre Berto. He reminds a bit of Meldrick Taylor. They are equal in hand speed, and while Berto brings a better punch, Taylor had the better skills. Sadly, both can’t resist a brawl. Here’s hoping Berto doesn’t go down the same path as Taylor, but it’s a possibility. A real future superstar would have easily handled Luis Collazo. Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto would take Berto out early. Berto vs. Ricky Hatton would be a fight-of-the-year candidate. Like I said, I love watching Andre Berto.
- Yuriorkis Gamboa, also. How fun is it to watch this guy? The Cuban sensation looks exactly like Mike Tyson’s personal Mini-Me. And he fights like Tyson fully hydrated with Red Bull. And he has a weak-(ish) chin so he’ll get knocked out the first time he really steps up, also. It’ll be fun to watch, though.
–WKW
“Jeff the Crash Survivor” set to replace Katie Couric at CBS News
January 16, 2009
HOLLYWOOD – US Airways Flight 1549 passenger Jeff Kolodjay has signed on at CBS News and is being groomed to take over the anchor spot from Katie Couric. Kolodjay – better known as “Jeff the Crash Survivor” – became a nationwide sensation yesterday, after speaking so eloquently following the flight’s crash into the Hudson River.
“That was some scary shit,” said Kolodjay, his eyes haunted from the near tragedy.
CBS News Chief Les Nessman said Kolodjay was what the public was looking for – “just a normal Jeff.”
“People want someone they can relate to,” said Nessman. “And that’s Jeff. I think he’s going to become a major star of unlimited potential. Like Elvis.”
While nothing is known about Kolodjay aside from his crash experience, the general public doesn’t seem to mind – the latest polls show “Jeff the Crash Survivor” has a 98% approval rating, scoring poorly only with “other crash survivors.” Nessman said the record 10-year, $500-million contract signed by Kolodjay represents an investment in America.
“What we’re doing is giving back. Mostly giving back to just one person, of course,” said Nessman. “We don’t see how this can fail.”
–WKW
“Have some courage to tell the truth”
January 15, 2009
It’s the greatest profession in the world. You’re making a real contribution to democracy by keeping people informed. And have some courage to tell the truth. I think it’s difficult at times. There are many barriers, but go for it. It’s a great, great profession.
–WKW
George W. Bush’s diabolical plan to have Osama bin Laden die of old age nears fruition, perhaps
January 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, U.S. President George W. Bush told the nation he was resolute in his pursuit of terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, saying the U.S. would capture bin Laden “dead or alive.”
Seven years later, sources close to the Bush Administration have leaked information on the Bush Administration’s secret, fool-poof plan to take down the leader of Al Qaeda – by allowing him to die of old age.
“We all knew we had to take out bin Laden,” said the source. “When we looked at the best options, we realized that we could just wait him out. Bush calls it the ‘time wounds all heels’ method of justice.”
While many have expressed concerns that the Bush plan on getting bin Laden hasn’t been aggressive enough, new reports show that nature may be taking its course and that bin Laden is, in fact slowing down.
Following the latest audio tape from bin Laden, ABC’s Brian Ross published a story that made it clear that bin Laden’s health could possibly be taking a turn for the worse. Perhaps.
Between the threats and the rhetoric on this tape, however, one can also hear that bin Laden is quite short of breath for a man who is just 52 years old, suggesting a possible health issue.
Does the latest audio tape reveal clues about the al Qaeda leader’s health?“This is the first real indication that we’ve had of a bin Laden health problem,” said John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and ABC News consultant. “There have been rumors for years, but this is really the first solid evidence that there’s some sort of problem with his health.”
In 2002, there were widespread rumors and reports that bin Laden had serious kidney problems, but U.S. officials never confirmed his diagnosis. The new audio is an exciting development for analysts that pore over the various messages from the al Qaeda leader looking for some sort of clues as to his whereabouts and condition.
“This indicates to me that something is amiss. Perhaps it is a result of all these years living wherever it is he’s living – in a cave, in a series of tunnels, in a mud fort somewhere. Perhaps, his body just can’t take the strain of all these years living in the rough,” said Kiriakou.
The Bush Administration source said that these reports were just one reason why historians will be forced to show respect for Bush’s tenure as President.
“We could have diverted troops away from Iraq in order to go after bin Laden and Al Qaeda, but that just wasn’t prudent. It was far smarter to take out Saddam Hussein before he ever attacked us than worry about someone who had already attacked us several times,” said the source. “While time will tell how future historians judge Bush, time will most certainly take care of bin Laden. Just a few decades more and he’s done. The clock is ticking.”
—WKW
Finally, peanuts can kill us all
January 15, 2009
If there is one thing in the world that bugs me, it’s discrimination. I firmly believe that all who practice discrimination should be rounded up, placed in a prison in a foreign country and be tortured until they get their act straight.
And it’s not just the big discrimination that concerns me. Sure, people will always discriminate against others for reasons of race, gender and sexual identity. But often there is discrimination against smaller groups. One group in particular has long suffered the slings and arrows of an insensitive population – those with peanut allergies.
The peanut allergic have lived in fear since the beginning of time. Who amongst us is free of the sin of looking down on someone who turns down a peanut? What child hasn’t been blatantly mocked for taking a cottage-cheese-and-jelly sandwich to school? Because not only do the peanut allergic have to fear for their lives should they consume something with peanuts in it, they also have to live in shame due to an unsympathetic public. And that’s just not right.
Thankfully, the peanut allergic are now much more free due to the U.S. federal government. That’s right, in a land where lead inclusion is now mandatory in every product (citation needed), and rules and regulations regarding food products are considered overt acts of socialism, peanuts can now kill us all.
Yes, the United States is currently going through an outbreak of peanut salmonella poisoningKellogg as decided to play it safe and pull its handy peanut cracker snacks from shelves.
Some may look at this attack of the deadly peanuts episode as a breakdown in government. Some may think that the government should play a bigger role in protecting its citizens from food that could kill them. But these people are missing the big picture. Because the government’s laissez-faire attitude toward food safety has become a great equalizer. No more do the peanut allergic need to fear abuse from the non-peanut allergic. Because peanuts can kill us all now. And for that, the world is a better place.
–WKW
Barack Obama a hero to bad golfers everywhere
January 15, 2009
When Barack Obama golfs, people listen. Read my latest commentary at BadGolfer.com to see the many reasons why Obama is deserving of the title “Bad Golfer of the decade.”
–WKW
The Ammunition Accountability Act e-mail a hoax – It already failed in 2008
January 14, 2009
If you own a gun, there’s one thing for sure – you are living in constant fear that Barack Obama is going to come to your house and forcibly take it away. Never mind the slew of issues that are threatening the nation, for gun owners, Barack Obama and the Democrats represent the ultimate worst-case scenario – gun-control activists with a badge.
It is with this in mind that I received an e-mail breathlessly titled “We Told You so!!” that brings up the Ammunition Accountability Act. As Snopes has yet to provide us with a handy go-to link to debunk this, I figured I’d try my hand at it.
Here’s part of the e-mail message I received:
If you thought I was crazy … Think again!
>
> Ammunition Accountability Act
>
> Did you know anything about this?
>
> Pennsylvania is one of the states mentioned. The gun
> control liberals got a setback when the Supreme Court upheld
> the 2nd amendment rights in Wash. DC. Now they are trying
> to come thru the back door.
>
> Please forward this to all you know that want to keep their
> guns!!!!
>
> Maybe we can start a ground swell, or continue it at least,
> that will go all over
> the U.S. and have a positive impact on the outcome.
>
>
> Remember how Obama said that he wasn’t going to take
> your guns? Well, it seems that his minions and allies in the
> anti-gun world have no problem with taking your ammo! The
> bill that is being pushed in 18 states
(including Illinois
> and Indiana) requires all ammunition to be encoded by the
> manufacture a database of all ammunition sales. So they will
> know how much you buy and what calibers. Nobody can sell any
> ammunition after June 30, 2009 unless the ammunition is
> coded. Any privately held un-coded
>
> ammunition must be destroyed by July 1, 2011.(lncluding
> hand loaded ammo.)
> They will also charge a.OS cent tax on every round so every
> box of ammo you buy will go up at least $2.50 or more! If
> they can deprive you of ammo then they do not need to take
> your gun!
>
> This legislation is currently pending in 18 states:
> Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois,
> Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New
> Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
> Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. To find
more about the
> anti-gun group that is sponsoring this legislation
> and the specific legislation for each state, go to:
>
> http://ammunitionaccountability.org/Legislation.htm
First off, sorry for not fixing the format, but I’ll be damned if I’ll fix formatting on another e-mail that’s been forwarded so often it makes it impossible to decipher. Second off, some quick research showed me this – The Ammunition Accountability Act is real, but the e-mail is a hoax. All sponsored AAA Legislation came up in 2007 and 2008 and none even made it to a vote.
Here is what happened to AAA legislation in the 18 states it came up (info was either obtained via phone calls to state legislatures or use of state Web sites):
Alabama Senate Bill 541: It was indefinitely postponed in House of origin. It will not pass and would have to be reintroduced.
Arizona House Bill 2833: It never got heard in any committee. Never voted on. It would have to be reintroduced.
