Archive for May 30th, 2006
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
If you are still all pissed off about my previous post, then read this post from Kung Fu Monkey and everything will be cleared up for you.
There is a goddam world of difference between asking a man to risk his life to defend the nation and waste his life proving a point.
That these unquestioning war devotees will not sacrifice their lives, their comfort, their safety: that’s hardly a sin in modern society. But they are not even willing to risk emotional discomfort by admitting their faith has been misplaced. That they will not even risk this, this tiny, tiny thing … that is the sin. It is not that that you’re not risking your life. It’s that you are risking nothing.
The problem is, there is no single word in English for a man risking absolutely nothing, who demands someone else risk absolutely everything. I’m sure there’s a word in German — they are a whizzer with those kicky compound nouns — but none in English for that precise combination.
Posted by smithersmpls at 7:35 pm in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
In reaction to CBS correspondent Kimberly Dozier being severely injured in Iraq, a caller to AM 1500 KSTP just asked why we have journalists in Iraq at all instead of relying on the military to tell us what we need to know about what is happening over there?
It would probably make it easier for the Bush Administration to keep the public in line on the war if we only got our news from the military…that’s what all the great dictatorships do isn’t it?
People can be so stupid sometimes…
Posted by smithersmpls at 6:28 pm in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
Science Magazine:
Some corporations whose revenues might be adversely affected by controls on carbon dioxide emissions have also alleged major uncertainties in the science. Such statements suggest that there might be substantive disagreement in the scientific community about the reality of anthropogenic climate change. This is not the case.
…
The scientific consensus might, of course, be wrong. If the history of science teaches anything, it is humility, and no one can be faulted for failing to act on what is not known. But our grandchildren will surely blame us if they find that we understood the reality of anthropogenic climate change and failed to do anything about it.
Many details about climate interactions are not well understood, and there are ample grounds for continued research to provide a better basis for understanding climate dynamics. The question of what to do about climate change is also still open. But there is a scientific consensus on the reality of anthropogenic climate change. Climate scientists have repeatedly tried to make this clear. It is time for the rest of us to listen.
Pretty much the only scientists who think man-made global climate change is bunk are those employed by the industries who have something to lose in this debate. The question is not whether man-made global climate change is occurring, the question is what do we do about it.
It’s not realistic to expect people to give up their cars and have everyone convert their homes to solar energy. This problem is a world wide issue and solutions need to be practical for parts of the world where industrial development is still taking place. But to ignore the problem or dismiss the problem as a myth is unconscionable.
Posted by smithersmpls at 4:58 pm in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
This final week to sponsor me in the Tour de Cure ride to fight diabetes. Did you sponsor me yet?
I am making a major push this final week. I have a friend of mine who is suffering from diabetes. I also have members of my extended family that is dealing with the effects of this disease. Plus I generally have a bad attitude towards diseases so this one is in for punishment from me this year.
Think about all the things that you spend money on during the course of a week. Can you spare a few bucks to fight this disease?
Maybe your charitable donation dollars are already committed or you are saving them for another purpose, in that case don’t worry about it. But if you have not contributed to another cause please consider this one. Diabetes sucks, help me fight it.
Your generosity in the fight against diabetes is greatly appreciated!
Posted by smithersmpls at 3:07 am in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »
