From Nassar Abdo to Muhammad Ali, the song remains the same

US Army Private First Class (PFC) Nasser Abdo is seeking a conscientious objector discharge from the military based on his religious beliefs as a Muslim.

While his case is polemic and has already drawn criticism and death threats, it does bring to mind another conscientious objector whose words still reverberate today, just as they did more than four decades ago:

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” — Muhammad Ali.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – The Danger Zone

Tommy Maddox turns 39 today. He may not have been one of the better quarterbacks in Pittsburgh Steelers history, but he never raped anyone, and that’s a good thing.

Wolfrum’s Word

Say what you will about British Petroleum’s PR effort, but as it stands now, it’s been brilliant. Just get Obama to say all’s clear, swim somewhere vaguely near the Gulf of Mexico and all is forgiven. But all is not forgotten, and won’t be for a long, long time. See more at my latest post at Alan Colmes Presents Liberaland.

News/Politics

Hurricane Earl: North Carolina braces for its imminent arrival.

Discovery Drama: The Left will point to the Right and the Right will point to the Left, but the fact is, hostage-taker James Lee was just a very sick man.

Afghanistan: More dead.

Iraq: Gosh, now that it’s over, there are just so many people to thank. We’ll let the Iraqis get their thank yous in later.

Listen

There’s been a lot of commentary around here about people getting songs stuck in their head. I feel left out, so:

You won’t get that combo of music and video out of your heads for weeks. Take that.

Blogs

Sadly, No!: There will be no signs in the Muslim-Hate Room.

TPMDC: Oh the fun we’ll have when Republicans shut down the government.

His Vorpal Sword: Dear God, Ben Smith sucks.

Open Left: What the Elites are trying to steal from us and why.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – Taxing Your Faith

When you have the money to paint your churches gold, you have enough money to pay income tax, says I.

Wolfrum’s Word

Freedom isn’t free. So why is freedom of religion tax-free? At my latest post at “Alan Colmes Presents Liberaland,” I take a look at whether it’s time to pull the non-profit rug from underneath Churches.

News/Politics

[Read more]

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – Mosque Madness

Nothing quite showcases the hallowed ground near Ground Zero better than Thunder Lingerie.

Wolfrum’s Word

There are still 11 weeks to go until the November elections, but Silly Season is seriously underway. Over the past few weeks, some of the biggest political stories have been – Shirley Sherrod, changing the 14th Amendment and ignoring the First Amendment outright. The simple fact is that the GOP Republican Shadow Government will spam the political discourse to get the onus off their actual record. It’s what they do. But with unemployment off the charts and none of their economic plans amounting to much (why didn’t those Bush Tax Cuts protect the economy, anyway?) it would be pleasant to see U.S. voters see through the charade this time.

News/Politics

[Read more]

Covering South American Sporting venues in UAE’s “The National”

From time to time I’ve been known to escape the confines of this blog, and this week is one of those times, as I have some stories up at The National, an English newspaper in the United Arab Emirates.

The stories – given to me by former colleague Paul Oberjuerge – were on sporting venues in South America. The three stories:

Maracana is the heart of Brazilian football

Chocolate Box of Boca is no treat for visiting clubs

Where Speed is King in Brazil

They were interesting stories to write. I talked with a few people about the venues, and was also able to add some of the knowledge I’ve picked up in Brazil to the story. All in all, a quite interesting and positive assignment and experience.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – July 12, 2010

Spain celebrates it’s first World Cup triumph (AFP)

World Cup

Spain Takes First World Cup: In a game that featured two beautiful teams playing rough-and-tumble soccer, Andre Iniesta hit an overtime goal to give Spain it’s first World Cup title as it beat Netherlands 1-0, and concluded a successful World Cup in South Africa.

Nothing New for Iniesta: The Barcelona man is used to scoring timely goals.

Webb’s World: Yes, Howard Webb clearly missed what should have been a corner for Holland. But in such a tightly played game, only one player was shown a red card and the referee kept the game under control.

Paul the Octopus to Retire & Other Notes: Will Paul the Octopus be able to retire with a perfect record of prediction? Yeah, probably.

News

BP’s Big Cap: Right now, oil is free-flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, but with a better-fitting cap being placed on the geyser, British Petroleum hopes to get its oil disaster better contained.

Uganda Bombing: As the World Cup ends on a high note for South Africa, murderous suicide bombings in Uganda show there’s still plenty of chaos on the continent.

Sports

There’s Just One Diana: In women’s basketball, it’s Diana Taurasi and everyone else.

Tour de France: Lance Armstrong isn’t going to win, so feel free to ignore the rest of the tour if you wish.

Blogs

Oliver Willis: Why Didn’t Obama’s DOJ Go After The New Black Panther Party For Voter Intimidation?

Broadway Carl: Some Must-reads from a master linker.

Osborne Ink: Remember, the rich are just different.

Gary Weiss: How to Lie in Plain Sight, Overstock.com Edition.

Phydeaux Speaks: Ah, the difference a year makes.

Something Interesting

Oh black water, keeps on flowing (HT FreakOutNation)

–WKW

The World Cup just means more to Brazilians

While millions will be rooting on Holland or Spain in today’s World Cup Final, let us not forget the pain felt by those eliminated. In Brazil, where soccer is King, Queen and the rest of the royal court, the disappointment of seeing their side knocked out was too much for many. Especially young Salomão:

In case you need a translation: The kid is really upset.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – July 8, 2010

Only one thing can stop Paul the Psychic Octopus’ reign of terror – yes, I speak of Mega-Shark.

News/Politics

Mama Grizzlies: Sarah Palin touts a “Mom Awakening.” In other news, we’re all going to die. Painfully. And deserve it.

Let the Courts Decide: Millions of gallons of oil free-spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, threatening, perhaps, the entire planet. And we have to go to court to stop deep-sea drilling. See above note for predictions of horrible death.

More Death in Iraq: Seems like it’s pretty tough to run two (or more) concurrent wars.

Sports

LeBron James!: Will play basketball again soon. Somewhere. Of this you can be certain. But in other news.

Spain topples Germany: Spain just plain outplayed Germany to earn the 1-0 victory and move on to the World Cup Finals. A Carles Puyol header did the trick for the Spaniards who move to their first final. With neither team having won a World Cup title, and starts littering the pitch, the finale between Holland and Spain on Sunday has lots of promise.

NBA Socialism: The super-economically healthy NBA set its team salary cap at $58 million. Sounds like socialism to me.

Entertainment

OMG!: Megan Fox & Brian Austin Green’s Wedding Photo Revealed! (Always try to get something for everyone is my motto)

Blogs

Doctor Cleveland: How to lose a counterinsurgency, Part II.

Gawker: It’s official, Paul the Octopus is psychic.

Nukes of Hazard: Kingtson unloads on Romeny’s ignorance of nukes. A quote:

“Romney’s screed is political posturing at its worst, almost certainly designed to get a leg up in the early stages of the race to the bottom that is the battle for the Republican nomination for President in 2012. Much like Inhofe and DeMint’s ranting, Romney’s raving would actually be funny if it weren’t for the fact that our national security is at stake.”

Tweet of the Day

“(Bill) O’Reilly has a body language expert on and reminds me that I am now a “Licensed Tweet Language Expert.” Just $1 a character.

Something interesting

The Wind in Dog’s Hair

–WKW

LeBron James to take a shower tonight at 8:30 p.m. – ESPN Reports

CLEVELAND – Basketball star LeBron James will reportedly be taking a shower at around 8:30 p.m. EST tonight. James – who averaged nearly 30 points and nine assists per game in 2009-2010 – will very likely use soap, shampoo and possibly conditioner, said an anonymous ESPN source.

“LeBron normally takes just one shower a day when not playing basketball,” said the ESPN source. “This second shower is important, and we’ll be outside the bathroom reporting it all night long.

Later in the evening, ESPN promises to go to all-night “LeBron Sleeping” coverage, as viewers will be able to watch James sleep and decide if he’s dreaming about playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat or New York Knicks.

“This is sports journalism at its highest level,” said the ESPN source. “About the only thing that can ruin this is if Tiger Woods has an orgy. And we have people on that.”

–WKW

Nike, Obama order Media away from LeBron James

CLEVELAND – Citing potential “National Security Issues,” President Barack Obama today ordered all media to stay 2,000 feet away from basketball superstar LeBron James, while he makes his decision whom to play for in 2010-11.

“This decision requires time and peace,” said Obama. “Also, should he choose the Chicago Bulls, he has himself a solid.”

Nike has long held that James was too important of a mythical figure to be photographed in reality-based imagery.

“This is perfect,” said a Nike spokesperson, adding that any reporter that defies the new law will be arrested and perhaps beaten within the rules of the Geneva Convention as we now see them. “Now you’ll see LeBron the way we choose for you to see him. Plus, the national security issues.”

“Where LeBron James plays basketball matters to each and every American and will help reshape the American landscape,” added Obama. “The last thing we need now is a bunch of reporters snooping around trying to understand the process.”

James could not be reached for comment as he was quite far away.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – July 5, 2010

It’s a Hot Dog!

Odd News

Eating Anarchy: Competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won the annual Coney Island “Stuff your Face With Hot Dogs” thing, his fourth victory in the event. Chaos later ensued, when legendary eater Takeru Kobayashi – who is starting his own eating league, I think – crashed the party and was later arrested. Dear Lord, we are stupid people.

Lady Gaga rules Facebook: Hey, someone has to, right?

News

No News from the Gulf: Well, at least now it”s not just British Petroleum that’s keeping the media away from the Gulf. Now the President is blocking access. Must be some al Qaedians down there.

How Much is this Gonna Cost?: So far, the only steady coverage from BP is how much this will run them. They say they’re up to $3 billion in claims.

Petraeus in Afghanistan: The War in Afghanistan has reached a critical moment. Luckily, we’ve been practicing nine years for this.

Sports

European Domination: About a week ago, I was going to gloating write that several teams from South America and two teams from North America were alive in the World Cup. Kinda glad I didn’t do that, as with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay falling, South America is left with one team – Uruguay – to go up against European powerhouses Germany, Holland and Spain. Unfortunately for Uruguay, Lupe Suarez and his hands will be on the bench in its next match.

Maradonas Gone Wild: I fell a lot better about writing this post now that Diego Maradona is running around Germany yelling at German fans.

Boxing on Internet: Wanna see Universum Box Promotions’s latest fight card, as well as past shows including the Klitschko Brothers and Dariusz Michalczewski. Then UBP’s channel on YouTube is a place to visit.

Blogs

DagBlog: How to lose a counterinsurgency, Part I.

Shakesville: An open thread hosted by a Sigg water bottle. God. I love Paul the Spud.

LitBrit: On Sarah Palin’s falsehoods and the audacity of committing non-sexist, non-partisan journalism.

Blue Gal: Fran And Driftglass wax supreme about the economy and other things in this week’s podcast.

Something Interesting

The original trailer for Spiderman , which was set to be released just after 9/11 and was accordingly shelved.

–WKW

Also posted at Dagblog.

Brock Lesnar chokes out Shane Carwin for UFC Super-heavyweight title

For a moment in the first round of their UFC 116 Main Event, following a Shane Carwin right uppercut, the much ballyhooed Brock Lesnar reacted badly. The big man, obviously ultra-aware of the power in Carwin’s hands, staggered away like a hurt animal, looking vulnerable. Carwin jumped on the chance but couldn’t ground-and-pound a dazed Lesnar into submission, with Lesnar regaining his confidence.

By the second round, with Carwin still exhausted from the first, Lesnar got Carwin to the ground and quickly and efficiently ended it with a choke hold, as Carwin tapped out for his first UFC loss. With the win, Lesnar retains his UFC Super-Heavyweight title and wipes out the ïnterim “title” Carwin won after Lesner was held up due to injuries.

The fight had a nearly Ali-Frazier vibe about it, with the exception of having any cultural significance whatsoever. Nonetheless, Carwin represented the best Lesnar could fight and questions were being asked. But this was a night of answers for Lesnar.

Despite a bit too much respect for Carwin’s power – that almost got him knocked out – Lesnar did a solid job in tightening his roll as the “Toughest man in the world. After allowing Carwin to take control in the first round, his high-energy ground attack proved too much. It was, thus far, a career-defining victory for Lesnar.

Dana White and the UFC put together a very strong card, as well. hile not ringing with grand names, the competition was excellent.

The always exciting Chris Leben got a tough win by submitting Yoshihiro Akiyama. It was Leben’s second win in three weeks. Being that he just bailed out White big time, look for Leben to get a big fight next, he won’t disappoint, regardless.

Stephan Bonnar lived up to his nickname “American Psycho” giving and taking as much as could humanly accept before finally pummeling Polish tough man Krzysztof Soszynski.

Also on the undercard, The Ultimate Fighter 10″ runner-up Brendan Schaub kocked out Chris Tuchscherer within a minute, Ricardo Romero submitted Seth Putrezeli, and George Sotiropoulos decisioned Kurt Pellegrino.

–WKW

Crossposted at DagBlog.com

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – June 30, 2010

Larry King will retire from CNN. This may be the straw that breaks America’s back.

News

Oil-Soaked Beaches: With Hurricanes pushing the waters, oil is hitting more and more beaches, making this disaster a lot more real to many.

Kagan’s Confirmation: Should her politics matter?

Democrats Still Trying: If Democrats can get unemployment benefits turned back on for a few million, that should help at the ballot box.

Sports

Today in Jail: Cincinnati Bengal’s running back Cedric Benson, busted for assault. Look for Cincinnati to easily cover the Over on “No. of players arrested” this season.

Spain Strong: Simply put, Spain shut down Portugal yesterday in its 1-0 World Cup victory because Spain is damned good. Still, it was good to not have to see much Cristiano Ronaldo.

Blogs

Kevin Drum: Financial reform should pass, and, like many other things, it will be better than nothing.

DagBlog: Republicans say the darnedest things.

Alan Colmes: Sharon Angle is Conservative. A Really Really fundamentalist Conservativist. And a Scientologist. If she beats Harry Reid, we may just have to quarantine everything Nevada not named Las Vegas.

Tweet of the Day

5 applicants for every 1 Job. Four must die. One moves on to $7.25 per hour. Coming next week to Fox – “The Interview”

Tweet of the Day II

I’m no economist, but when Wal-Mart became the biggest employer in U.S., someone should have raised their hand.

–WKW

Cristiano Ronaldo finally disappears – Spain-Portugal World Cup Analysis

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo gets a bet of a bad rep. How many other players have been openly booed during the World Cup in South Africa. I can understand, of course. He’s too good-looking and too aware of it. He’s arrogant. He’s really, really good. And he’s always up in your face. Yes, Ronaldo is Europe’s answer to a Kardashian sister, but with talent and accomplishments. Be it ads, interviews, feature stories or tabloid stories, Cristiano Ronaldo is all up in your face.

Except for 90 minutes against Spain. For Ronaldo detractors, it must have been a blissful time. For long stretches of time, I was equally as influential on Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Spain as Ronaldo. Blame it on the formation or Spain’s dominance, or the (rather hideous number of) bad calls against him, but Ronaldo looked afraid to upset a church mouse on the pitch.

So Ronaldo detractors, I know you’ll be living in a Ronaldo-dominated world soon again. But for 90 minutes Sunday, you got to enjoy life without Cristiano Ronaldo.

–WKW

William K. Wolfrum’s Morning – June 29, 2010

The Grandpa Lady Gaga Poker Face Dance. Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t unsee it. So I’m making you see it, as well.

News

Hurricane Alex: Nothing enhances an unprecedented oil disaster like a good, old-fashioned Hurricane.

A Kind Word and a Gun: The Supreme Court gives gun owners another victory. Obama’s ultimate dream of stealing everyone’s guns just got a little tougher.

Kagan Confirmation: Elena Kagan says she’d be a modest member of SCOTUS. Republicans say she’s an activist who’ll kill us all. Who’s right?

Russian Spies!: Or not. But let’s say it again for emphasis – the FBI busted some Russian Spies!

Sports

Spain v. Portugal: Iberian supremacy is on the line as these two rivals meet to see who will move on to the World Cup’s Elite Eight. Prediction: Cristiano Ronaldo crying.

Brazil Cruises to Holland: Brazil was more than impressive in it’s 3-0 swallowing of Chile in its first knock-out stage round. Now things get tough, as a talented Holland Squad stands in front of the Brazilians and the World Cup semi-finals.

Venus Williams Out at Wimbledon: I openly admit to being a fan of the Williams’ sisters. So I’m sad to report that Venus just got trounced by 82nd-ranked Tsvetana Pironkova.

Blogs

Dvorak: Terrorist babies. Yes, the Republicans are afraid of terrorist babies. Let Rep. Louie gohmert explain:

AmericaBlog: The World and Hoover-ite economics.

American Prospect: Why, oh why can’t we just outlaw bloggers once and for all?

Raw Story: Gen. Stanley McChrystal reportedly to retire. Probably should check with Rolling Stone first.

Broadway Carl: Sarah Palin is like a box of chocolates. Really ignorant chocolates.

Digby: Oh, those radical DFH protesters.

Tweet of the Day

“Just blow up the fucking #BPoilgusher, already. Screw it, why go slow death. Cross fingers, nuke shit out of it, enjoy show.”

–WKW

Next Page »