More immigrants are finding out that America isn't always the land of milk and honey. (via Daily Pundit)

''To the immigrant community, this signaled a targeting of their populations,'' said Reshma Shamasunder, director of government affairs at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. ''Immigrants work, they pay taxes, and they have contributed to the state economy in great numbers. It's our turn to give back to them what they've given to us.''

• • • • •

 
I really don't understand why people think they deserve reparations for slavery. I'm not black, so maybe that's a logical assumption on my part, but there's a couple of things that bother me.

1. Slavery was abolished in 1865 - that's 137 years ago. My own great-grandparents would have been quite young back then, so what direct effect does it have on the people of today? The argument can be made that the "Jim Crow" laws and repressive post-Reconstruction policies of White America were a by-product of slavery, but I believe that's a copout.

2. Who in the hell is going to pay these reparations? Have these people forgotten that we are at WAR? Or should we just forget about Al-Qaeda and start paying reparations?

3. Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Colin Powell. Not to mention pretty much the entire National Basketball Association.

4. Finally, it's ILLEGAL under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race,
color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

In other words, if the government's giving out money to one group on the basis of race, it must also give out an equal sum to another group. These people claiming "reparations" were not slaves, and these are bogus claims. It is, of course, a Democrat that is behind getting this through Congress. Maybe he should learn that we don't want to pay taxes for something that happened a century and a half ago, and would rather go forward with our lives.

UPDATE: Darmon Thornton, who is black, is also against reparations, and will add further comments later. Oliver Willis shows me that this is not as much a Black-White issue. He agrees with me that John Conyers is an idiot.
UPDATE #2: Shell has some choice words for those in favor of reparations. Also, Susanna Cornett has a radio interview with Charles Barron, the loudmouth NYC councilman who was at the rally. I saw him on television debating the topic with Bill O'Reilly, who stifled him.

• • • • •

 
Fox News is reporting that a warehouse full of missiles has been uncovered in New Mexico.

In reference to the man arrested: The complaint said Hudak was a Canadian national who was in the United States illegally.

What a surprise.

• • • • •

 
AMBER ALERT! The search continues for 9-year-old Jennifer Renee Short. Anyone who has information about Jennifer Renee Short or has seen her family recently is urged to call the Henry County Sheriff's Office at (276) 638-8751.

• • • • •

 
I already knew about this, but Brett at the Ville was cool enough to post it. He'll also get added to the blogroll.

• • • • •

 
Brett at The Ville displays a sign from a country club which observes Islamic law. (via Susanna Cornett)

• • • • •

 
I saw this and just had to blog it. I used to live in that part of town when it wasn't as built up as it is now, and there wasn't quite the amount of traffic there is now. One thing the stat mongers don't point out is that all those intersections listed are in a five-mile radius of one another. Phoenix is mapped out on a grid. Every eight numbered streets are spaced one mile apart. At least that was the original intent.

I'm going to take the 2000 locations and shuffle them out of order:

East Ray Road and South 50th St
South 48th St and East Ray Road
South 46th Place and East Ray Road
South 44th St and East Ray Road

What does that indicate? First of all, east of 50th Street is the I-10 freeway, and then you cross the city line, which is why the statistics do not continue, but anyway, Ray Road is a damn unsafe road to drive on. West of 44th Street, it turns into residential, which may put a rubber stamp on what I said three years ago - that it was too built up in that area. They kept building - even on the other side of the freeway.

South 48th St and East Chandler Blvd
South 44th St and East Chandler Blvd
South 42nd St and East Chandler Blvd
South 40th St and East Chandler Blvd
South 32nd St and East Chandler Blvd

Chandler Boulevard is not as much of a mess as Ray Road, in fact, I'm a bit surprised that anywhere west of 48th Street, which is very busy, made the list. The only problem with that road is that it's the only road to a very large residential area. It's hemmed in by natural barriers, namely, South Mountain. However, there is a section of this road that merges with the end of Ray Road, and speeds are often high.

East Warner Road and South 48th St - Simply an evil intersection, usually because people approach it at a high speed. I prefer taking Warner to Ray when I'm in the area, so I'm as guilty as the next person for bad driving in that area.

East Elliot Road and South 48th St - I used to live right down the street from this intersection, and it's still not bad, in my opinion. It is right near a freeway interchange, but it's not a busy one, and it's the second light.

South Mountain Pkwy and East Ranch Circle - It's in a residential district, but also near a high school. I only go by this intersection when I visit the dentist. Hey, his office is in that neighborhood.

Yes, it's a boring Saturday. I'll blog Central Phoenix later...

• • • • •

 
Pimentel takes full advantage of his overly secure position at a Gannett newspaper to make a case for alien smuggling. Give me a freaking break. I have an idea. Maybe we should send HIS ass to Mexico, and save the good people of Arizona the burden of having to read his poorly written columns - unless, of course, I'm the only one who actually reads his drivel.

• • • • •

 
UPDATE: Ted Turner has dropped his claim to land on St. Helena island that was claimed by descendants of Gullah slaves. That might be a wise PR move on your part, Ted. I'm sure you have other land somewhere else you can use. (link courtesy InstantMan)

• • • • •

 
Meryl is also blogging her Nigerian spam, as is Norwegian Blogger.

• • • • •

 
Now I know why my wife has stayed married to me for the past eleven years. I am a brilliant cook. A humble one, too. Right now I am eating some of the best salmon I have ever tasted, and it's nothing special. It's frozen salmon steaks that came from Price Club and had been sitting in the freezer for God-knows-how-long. It may have something to do with the recipe, so I'll share it with you. Good food should be shared:

INGREDIENTS:

1 or 2 salmon fillets (1 1/2 pounds total) - NOTE: I cooked 3 salmon steaks for this recipe, as this is what I had lying around the house.

Plenty of coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

6 tablespoons Dijon mustard (coarse mustard can be used as well, but I've never tried it)

6 tablespoons brown sugar

You will also need a 6x14 inch cedar plank, soaked in salted water for 2 hours, then drained.

Remove the salmon skin (if buying a whole fish), and remove all bones. Rinse the salmon under cold running water and blot dry. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Lay the salmon on the plank and spread the mustard over the top and sides. Place the brown sugar in a bowl and crumble it between your fingers. When powdery, sprinkle it over the mustard.

Set up your grill for indirect grilling, in other words, so the food will be furthest from the fire, and preheat to medium-high.

When you are ready to cook, place the salmon and plank in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the fish for 20 to 30 minutes. Serves 2-4, depending on amount of fish.

• • • • •

 

You are 20% geek

OK, so maybe you ain't a geek. You do, at least, show a bit of interest in the world around you. Either that, or you have enough of a sense of humor to pick some of the sillier answers on the test. Regardless, you're probably a pretty nifty, well-rounded person who gets along fine with people and can chat with just about anyone without fear of looking stupid or foolish or overly concerned with minutiae. God, I hate you.

Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com

(link via Susanna).

• • • • •

 
Sgt. Stryker has returned with his daily briefing. Good deal!

• • • • •

 
UPDATE: Adriana Cronin over at Libertarian Samizdata has a plausible explanation for this phenomenon.

• • • • •

 
I'd like to make a proposal to the rest of the blogosphere. Let's all try and post pictures of missing children when an AMBER Alert has been issued. If someone's reading a blog instead of traditional media and it may help to locate a child, we have done more than our part.

• • • • •

 
An AMBER ALERT continues in the case of 9-year-old Jennifer Renee Short.

• • • • •

 
I got a reply this time!

Dear Partner and Friend Brian Sinclair,
Thanks for your kind reponse to my mail.As to the role
you are to play in this deal,you will be required to
front for us as the next of kin the deceased man.Note
that this is the only way this money can be
claimed,otherwise the bank will convert this funds to
their account in due time when nobody come for the
claim.I must let you know that this deal is 100%risk
free because all modalities for the claim as been
worked out and all logistics in place.
This may sounds a big deal or imposible but all the
necessary informations you will need to back up your
claim are in place and will be given to you
accordingly.Also the deal will be observed in
accordance with both local and international laws
guiding such transaction,there will be no need for you
to entertain any fears as this deal must succeed.
You will need to write an application letter to the
bank to lodge your claim.Not to worry I will send you
an example of how to write such application letter,so
all you will need to do is to re-type and fax the
application letter to the customers service department
of our bank where it will be sent to the approprate
quaters for processing.I will also send the telefax
numbers of the customers service department of our
bank to you for this pupose beacuse you were suppose
to have the bank telefax as the next of kin.
After the verification of your claims and the
confirmation by the bank management you will be sent a
form you are to fill and send back to the bank for
processing.I must remind you at this juncture that I
will mail to you all the necessary informations you
will need to fill the form as contained in the
deceased client file with the bank.
Upon the receipt of your reply to this mail I will
start to effect some changes in the deceased file to
reflect your name as the next of kin.And also giving
you the necessary informations as and when due.
Please endeavour to reach me as soon as possible so
that we can start this deal formally.Do send your
phone and fax numbers to me for exchange of
informations you have to be privy to informations so
that we can meet up with the time frame as
planned,thanks and may God bless you.
Best Regards,
Mr David Chijoke.
N.B.
You can contact me on this phone
number;234-80-33289115
for more informations.

I can't wait to do business with such an upstanding fellow! I am really excited about this!

David,

Unfortunately, I do not have a fax machine here in my place of business. (Actually, I DO, but he ain't getting the number.) However, should the time arrive where we need to transfer any legal documents, I'm sure I can find a fax machine somewhere in the United
States. (The Secret Service has a fax number he can send stuff to) Also, I would prefer to deal with you via e-mail than over the
phone. It is not that I do not trust you (actually, I DON'T trust him), it is because my business phone and residential phone are one and the same, and other household members do not work during regular business hours. I hope you understand. (I could really care...)

Regards,

Brian

• • • • •

 
This was in yesterday's e-mail:

ACCESS BANK NIG.PLC

HEAD OFFICE NO.36,

ADESOYAN STREET SHOMOLU,

LAGOS, NIGERIA.

ATTN:

I AM DR.DAVID EKPO THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER(AGM)
BILL OF EXCHANGE FOREIGN REMMITANCE DEPARTMENT,ACCESS
BANK NIGERIA PIC. AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT
OF ACCESS BANK NIGERIA PLC.WE ARE IN SEARCH OF A GOD
FEARING AND A VERY HONEST PERSON,ALSO VERY
CONFIDENTIAL TO ASSIST US CLAIM THE SUM OF EIGHT
MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS($8M) THIS MONEY CAME AS
A RESULT OF OUR VERY GOOD CUSTOMER WHO DIED ON A
GHASTLY MOTOR ACCIDENT SINCE JUNE 2000 UNKNOWN TO
ANYBODY THAT HE HAS THIS MONEY WITH OUR BANK.
THIS IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE BECAUSE THIS ACCOUNT HAS
BEEN LEFT UNSERVISED FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND IN BANKING
PROCEDURE THERE IS A DURATION FOR ENTERTAINING AN
ACCOUNT UNSERVISED AFTER WHICH THE ACCOUNT WILL BE
CLOSED BY THE BANK AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO
PREVENT AS SUCH WE ARE IN SEARCH FOR ANY FOREIGNER
WITH A NOTABLE CHARACTER TO ACT AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO
THE LATE MAN AND COLLECT THE MONEY ON OUR BEHALF FOR
THE BENEFIT OF BOTH PARTIES.IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE
THAT THE MANAGER OF !OPERATION IS MY PARTNER IN THIS
DEAL. AFTER THE MONEY IS TRANSFRERD INTO YOUR ACCOUN
THE TOTAL MONEY SHALL BE SARED THUS: YOU SHALL TAKE
25% FOR YOUR ROLE,WE 70% AND 5% WILL BE USED TO TAKE
CARE OF ANY EXPENSES BOTH PARTIES MIGHT INCURE IN THE
COURSE OF THE DEAL. NOTE THAT YOUR STRICT
CONFIDENTIALITY IS UPERMOST IN THIS DEAL.IT IS
IMPORTANT TO LET US KNOW YOUR ABILITY TO HANDLE THIS
TRANSACTION VERY WELL . YOU SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THIS
TRANSACTION WILL NOT EXCEED 7 WORKING DAYS IF YOU ACT
PROMPTLY TO THIS LETTER AND CO-OPERATE ACCORDINGLY
WITH US. WE AWAIT YOUR QUICK RESPONSE.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS

DR.DAVID EKPO

To which I replied:

David,

Sounds like a fascinating proposal. I have a week to kill. Send me
information on what I need to do, and we can get started.

Regards,

Brian Sinclair

• • • • •

 
The EUrinals are pissing me off now. They're a bunch of ungrateful son-of-a-bitches, and their rhetoric is getting close to warlike. This USA Today piece, which was linked by PhotoDude and Mike Hendrix, made me blow my stack.

Bush's plan to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is stoking anti-American hostility to bonfire levels. In Germany earlier this month, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder launched his re-election campaign by denouncing what he derisively called Bush's proposed military "adventures" in Iraq. In England, the new head of the Anglican Church and other leading bishops circulated a petition proclaiming that any attack would be illegal and immoral.

"My sense is that much of the rampant anti-Americanism we see now is very much linked to a war with Iraq and the Israel-Palestine issue," says Mary Kaldor, a London-based scholar on international relations.

Many are enraged by Bush's support for steel tariffs and farm subsidies, his refusal to involve the United States in the new international criminal court and what is widely regarded abroad as one-sided support for Israel and its prime minister, Ariel Sharon.

In recent months, polls have shown a less-than subtle change in attitudes toward Americans, U.S. foreign policy and, in particular, the president from Texas. British newspapers reported Thursday that secret polls commissioned by Prime Minister Tony Blair revealed "spectacular unpopularity" for Bush among voters here. (ED. NOTE: I always trust "secret polls commissioned by the government.")

In April, the German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that less than half (48%) of Germans consider the United States a guarantor of peace in the world, compared with 62% who did in 1993. Nearly half — 47% — rated Americans as aggressive rather than peaceful (34%). And 44% called them superficial.

Meanwhile, in an April poll for the Council on Foreign Relations, based in Washington, Europeans proved highly critical of Bush and what they label his unilateral approach to foreign policy: 85% of Germans, 80% of French, 73% of Britons and 68% of Italians said they believed that the United States is acting in its own interest in the war on terrorism.

I can guarantee you that once these countries get invaded, they'll call Uncle Sam asking for an immediate bailout. Bush should say "Screw you, Gerhardt. You bailed on me once, and I gave my money to Sharon."

• • • • •

 
Gwyneth Paltrow says that she hardly ever gets asked out on dates when she is in England. She wondered if men in London were afraid of dates. (via Libertarian Samizdata)

• • • • •

 
The hot topic, and I will link to various sites at the end of this post, is the use of pseudonyms in a weblog. Although I don't use one, as far as you all know, I don't really see what the big deal is. We're not all here to become millionaires, we're here to share ideas in an open forum know as the Internet - and more specifically - the blogosphere. Everyone's idea counts here, no matter how "professional" it may sound, and no matter what side of the political spectrum you come from. Here is one place where all people are indeed created equal, even if they choose not to reveal their names.

Susanna Cornett, Media Minded, The Last Page, Alley Writer, Steven den Beste, Glenn Reynolds, Jane Galt, and N.Z. Bear have also commented. I'm sure others have as well.

• • • • •

 
Tony Woodlief has an excellent post up about how academics are failing to work with the military on "ethical" grounds. Wake up, academia - it's not the sixties anymore, and your country needs you. Repressive programs, such as Harvard's decision to ban ROTC because the school didn't agree with the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, only make the problem worse. If the brightest minds dissuade other bright minds from working with or joining the military, then our military faces a bleak future. I hope those professors don't mind losing their jobs to Islamic mullahs - because that's who'll be instilled once the undertrained military loses the war on Islamism. (link courtesy Susanna Cornett)

• • • • •

 
A 9-year old girl in Virginia is missing after her parents were found dead this morning. An AMBER ALERT has been issued.

• • • • •

 
Another moron bites the dust (via Daily Pundit)

A teen-age motorcycle rider died Wednesday as he turned to give the finger to police officers who had given up pursuing him and slammed into a taxi, police said.

• • • • •

 
Just to show that people make foolish bets, some British gamblers are taking bets on whether Elvis is still alive. (via Amish Tech Support)

"We have just taken a bet of 50 pounds ($76.58) at odds of 1,000-1 that Elvis is still alive," William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said on the eve of the 25th anniversary of his death.

As the King himself sang - "Now and then, there's a fool such as I..."

• • • • •

 
Over at Amish Tech Support, they are linking to an Associated Press story about Elvis's possible Jewish roots. However, Daily Babble readers knew about that connection over a month ago, as it was reported here.

It's an intriguing story, and we at the Babble do understand that everything to do with Elvis will get more press and earlier stories may even get republished. I encourage you to read both the updated version, and the original Washington Post story.

• • • • •

 
Amish Tech Support is reporting that the air marshal system is falling to pieces. Hell, I'll do it. I need a job right now.

UPDATE: Bill Quick is also comenting on this story.

• • • • •

 
A former Dallas Cowboy lineman has been sentenced for smuggling drugs. However, I'm astounded at the amounts:

Federal narcotics agents said they arrested Newton on Dec. 12 after observing his red Ford F-150 pickup traveling in formation with a white Chevrolet rental car that was carrying 175 pounds of marijuana from Garland to Houston.

He was also arrested Nov. 4 in Louisiana after state police reported finding more than 200 pounds of marijuana in the van he was driving. He was released after posting $100,000 bail.

• • • • •

 
There are just some things they do with lab mice that seem a bit odd to me.

Mice have produced pig and goat sperm after having bits of testicles transplanted under their skin in an experiment that could one day help men father children even if they lose their testicles.

Producing live sperm in a lab could not only provide fertility treatment for humans, it could also help save endangered species by allowing breeders to create sperm from young males without waiting for them to grow up.

• • • • •

 
Let the bodies hit the floor...

Drowning Pool frontman Dave Williams was found dead on the band's tour bus in Manassas, Virginia, today; he was thirty. No cause of death has yet been determined.

• • • • •

 
Byron York says that President Bush is just as popular as he was BEFORE September 11.

• • • • •

 
Amy Fisher reflects on being a schoolgirl - which was shortly before she became a convict.

• • • • •

 
UPDATE: After encouraging his fellow countrymen to cross into the United States illegally, the president of Mexico is having a hard time understanding U.S. law.

Mexican President Vicente Fox on Wednesday canceled a trip to Texas -- which was to include a meeting with President Bush -- because the state executed Javier Suarez Medina for killing an officer.

"The president laments he cannot meet with them," referring to Mexican nationals residing in Dallas and Houston, as he had planned, said Rodolfo Elizondo, Fox's spokesman. "It would be inappropriate to go."

Suarez, 33, was put to death shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday for the 1988 killing of a Dallas narcotics officer.

Fox had repeatedly criticized Suarez's death sentence, saying he was not provided with proper legal assistance guaranteed to foreigners under an international treaty. Fox said Suarez might have avoided the death penalty if he had received help from the Mexican government.

Amish Tech Support has a great comment on this one, and it's worthy of quoting here:

"Doesn't matter what your last meal was, Suarez, because all cop-killers end up biting the big burrito eventually."

My thoughts exactly, and they're enough to add you to my blogroll.

• • • • •

 
Charles Johnson over at Little Green Footballs has uncovered more damning evidence against the House of Saud.

These guys were NEVER our friends. (link courtesy Instapundit)

• • • • •

 
This piece on the blogosphere offers one method of how some of us could be recognized. (via Daily Pundit)

• • • • •

 
Almost forgot to post the Asshole of the Week. That of course, would be none other than Arizona gubernatorial candiate Matt Salmon, whose campaign appearance on a Christian television network may either win the election or lose the election for him. Either way, it was an act of desparation on his part, in my opinion, and the former United States Congressman had better get his act together, lest he be the first two-time Asshole of the Week. At this point, he's forced me to support his main contender - a Democrat.

• • • • •

 
Gov. Bush eyes candidates to replace Kearney

Michele Gillen of WFOR-TV in Miami, appearing on The O'Reilly Factor:

"The first thing Governor Bush has to do is appoint a predecessor."

• • • • •

 
Pepsi Blue is among the most repulsive soft drinks I have ever tasted. It tastes kind of like a blue Slurpee, only with added carbonation.

• • • • •

 
My cable bill may be going up. But what ticks me off is the reason behind it.

Company executives said Monday that spiraling salaries in professional sports are driving up costs for programming from networks like ESPN. Cox froze TV rates this year in Phoenix, its biggest market, but can't guarantee it will do the same in 2003.

• • • • •

 
These people should realize that the school wouldn't have implemented the policy if there hadn't been a drug problem at the school in the first place. Even money the ACLU loses their appeal.

• • • • •

 
The INS is finally getting their act together.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service has broken up an international ring that smuggled hundreds of children into the United States from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, agency officials said yesterday.

The ring began operating in 1994 and mainly brought to the United States children whose parents already were in the country illegally. Parents paid the smugglers $5,000 a child, INS officials said.

The ring began operating in 1994 and mainly brought to the United States children whose parents already were in the country illegally. Parents paid the smugglers $5,000 a child, INS officials said.

Here's a perfect opportunity for a plea-bargain. In exchange for reduced sentences, the smugglers can cooperate with the government in locating the parents who gave them the money. Then they can send them back, along with their children.

posted by Brian 11:32 PM

• • • • •

 
The Associated Press is reporting that Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley have gotten married.

posted by Brian 6:31 PM

• • • • •

 
A police officer in Texas nearly lost her job. Why? Because of her name.

posted by Brian 12:10 PM

• • • • •

Sunday, August 11, 2002

 
Looks like an illegal alien is finding out about another American reality.

Mexico government officials want the death sentence of a Mexican citizen, scheduled to be executed Wednesday for fatally shooting a Dallas narcotics officer, commuted to a life term.

The Mexican government claims Texas' failure to inform them of Suarez's arrest and 1989 trial was a violation of the Vienna Convention, a treaty signed by the United States 30 years ago that requires countries that arrest foreign nationals to let the detainee know he or she has the right to contact his or her country's consulate for assistance.

"Whenever a Mexican citizen is facing the death penalty, prompt and extensive consular support is provided to ensure that the defendant has every means necessary to mount a full and fair defense," the Mexican Embassy wrote in protest of Saurez's scheduled execution. "In case after case, timely assistance from the Mexican authorities has literally meant the difference between life and death."

Yeah, right. And I'm sure that he and his family gave us the same notice when they crossed over from Mexico. And now he's murdered an American citizen. Screw him.

posted by Brian 7:22 PM

• • • • •

 
All I can say is... Crikey!

posted by Brian 6:07 PM

• • • • •

 
UPDATE: Mike Hendrix was so fond of the lambaste over at Whacking Day, that he named it Slam of the Week. I wonder if 'ol Adrian is any more popular with the Euroweenies than he is over here.

posted by Brian 4:38 PM

• • • • •

 
Forner Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley has fractured his spine in a race car crash in Kentucky.

Actor Jason Priestley's race car crashed head-on into a wall at nearly 180 mph Sunday at the Kentucky Speedway, breaking his back and leaving him in serious condition with a concussion and other injuries. The former Beverly Hills 90210 television star was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center with a spinal fracture in the middle of his back and a closed head injury, as well as broken bones in both feet, Indy Racing League medical director Henry Bock said.

posted by Brian 4:06 PM

• • • • •

 
US Airways has filed for Chapter 11.

The airline, which has mentioned bankruptcy as possibility after it lost $2.1 billion during 2001, said all of its flights are expected to continue. The Arlington, Va.-based airline said it received $500 million in financing to keep operating while it reorganizes.

posted by Brian 3:24 PM

• • • • •