PrezKennedy's Soapbox
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Where oh where will I be next year?
It's that time of the year again... when I worry about where I'll be staying next semester. Since my grades are all good, I'll be back here at UMBC again (whoo hoo!!) continuing on my path to greatness... and that Bachelors Degree.
The question comes up... where will I be next semester? Will I be back here at Walker Avenue Apartments, where they're pressuring me to sign up for an annual lease saying they don't have any more academic leases available, or do I go live in the smelly dorms or one of the other apartments? I personally want to stay here at Walker so I can continue working with Brenton on our little business venture. Of course, the fact that I have my own fairly spacious room adds to it as well. The plan for next semester was for four of us to get one of the new apartments (they were building them all year) and set up the living room as the computer room. We'd have a 27" TV and all other types of goodies. I'd also be able to get to sleep before midnight for once too!
Alas, it may not happen as the front desk is pressuring me into this very restrictive legal document before I'm fully confident in making that choice yet. I admit they are being somewhat nice about it since they haven't told me it's "Do or die" time yet...
Walker is the best place to live at UMBC, hands down. I just hope I can do it again next year... ¶ 7:44 PM 0 comments
It's that time of the year again... when I worry about where I'll be staying next semester. Since my grades are all good, I'll be back here at UMBC again (whoo hoo!!) continuing on my path to greatness... and that Bachelors Degree.
The question comes up... where will I be next semester? Will I be back here at Walker Avenue Apartments, where they're pressuring me to sign up for an annual lease saying they don't have any more academic leases available, or do I go live in the smelly dorms or one of the other apartments? I personally want to stay here at Walker so I can continue working with Brenton on our little business venture. Of course, the fact that I have my own fairly spacious room adds to it as well. The plan for next semester was for four of us to get one of the new apartments (they were building them all year) and set up the living room as the computer room. We'd have a 27" TV and all other types of goodies. I'd also be able to get to sleep before midnight for once too!
Alas, it may not happen as the front desk is pressuring me into this very restrictive legal document before I'm fully confident in making that choice yet. I admit they are being somewhat nice about it since they haven't told me it's "Do or die" time yet...
Walker is the best place to live at UMBC, hands down. I just hope I can do it again next year... ¶ 7:44 PM 0 comments
Inept Mother sues Everyone but the Kitchen Sink
If you thought people couldn't get any dumber than needing labels on McDonald's coffee cups warning them that the contents may be hot, than you are in for a nasty surprise. Here's why:
Quote:
The mother of a 19-year-old killed in a traffic accident is suing Coors Brewing Co., claiming that it promotes underage drinking.
The amusing part is that it was her own son that had the beer, took his girlfriend's car and then slammed it into a light pole at 90 miles per hour. The woman is also suing her son's girlfriend and the girlfriend's mother. While handing the car over to her boyfriend was probably a bad idea, what does this have to do with the girlfriend's mother? Someone please tell me if they know!
This is clearly a case of where the real guilty party (the mother of the dead son) is unwilling to accept the fact that she did a poor job raising her son to make wise decisions on his own. The only person she should be suing is herself, for failing at her duty to raise her son properly. This case could be thrown out of court in less than an hour... you need a better reason than this to sue someone, sorry.
The full story is on CNN.com.
¶ 7:40 PM 0 comments
If you thought people couldn't get any dumber than needing labels on McDonald's coffee cups warning them that the contents may be hot, than you are in for a nasty surprise. Here's why:
Quote:
The mother of a 19-year-old killed in a traffic accident is suing Coors Brewing Co., claiming that it promotes underage drinking.
The amusing part is that it was her own son that had the beer, took his girlfriend's car and then slammed it into a light pole at 90 miles per hour. The woman is also suing her son's girlfriend and the girlfriend's mother. While handing the car over to her boyfriend was probably a bad idea, what does this have to do with the girlfriend's mother? Someone please tell me if they know!
This is clearly a case of where the real guilty party (the mother of the dead son) is unwilling to accept the fact that she did a poor job raising her son to make wise decisions on his own. The only person she should be suing is herself, for failing at her duty to raise her son properly. This case could be thrown out of court in less than an hour... you need a better reason than this to sue someone, sorry.
The full story is on CNN.com.
¶ 7:40 PM 0 comments
Human Shield Kidnapped...
Quote:
An Australian peace activist claimed Friday she was kidnapped and held for 20 hours by Muslim fighters in Fallujah, Iraq. Donna Mulhearn told Sydney radio stations she and three other foreign humanitarian workers were seized Wednesday by heavily armed rebels as they tried to leave Fallujah. Mulhearn's claims could not immediately be verified. She previously made headlines when she acted as a human shield in Baghdad before last year's U.S.-led invasion.
I wonder how much of an idiot this woman feels after trying to sacrifice her own life to protect others only to have them kidnap her and hold her hostage (supposedly) for twenty hours. Wake up and smell the coffee already, they don't want you there, whether you're trying to help them improve their situation or not. If you want to help people, head to Africa or downtown Baltimore... you're less likely to be kidnapped in either. Of course, in Baltimore you're more likely to get shot... ¶ 7:39 PM 0 comments
Quote:
An Australian peace activist claimed Friday she was kidnapped and held for 20 hours by Muslim fighters in Fallujah, Iraq. Donna Mulhearn told Sydney radio stations she and three other foreign humanitarian workers were seized Wednesday by heavily armed rebels as they tried to leave Fallujah. Mulhearn's claims could not immediately be verified. She previously made headlines when she acted as a human shield in Baghdad before last year's U.S.-led invasion.
I wonder how much of an idiot this woman feels after trying to sacrifice her own life to protect others only to have them kidnap her and hold her hostage (supposedly) for twenty hours. Wake up and smell the coffee already, they don't want you there, whether you're trying to help them improve their situation or not. If you want to help people, head to Africa or downtown Baltimore... you're less likely to be kidnapped in either. Of course, in Baltimore you're more likely to get shot... ¶ 7:39 PM 0 comments
Hamas Leaders are Dropping Like Flies
It looks like the Israelis hit the jackpot again today; they managed to kill the new Hamas leader, Abdel Aziz Rantisi. Looks like they'll be looking for yet another new leader to replace him. While I admit this won't cause tensions to decrease in any way, Hamas are killers anyways; the only way to get rid of them would be to finish off the entire organization. The full story is on CNN.com entitled Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike.
Isn't the Middle East great? All the stuff going on over there makes me want to pack my bags and go for a trip to visit. Err... maybe not.
¶ 7:34 PM 0 comments
It looks like the Israelis hit the jackpot again today; they managed to kill the new Hamas leader, Abdel Aziz Rantisi. Looks like they'll be looking for yet another new leader to replace him. While I admit this won't cause tensions to decrease in any way, Hamas are killers anyways; the only way to get rid of them would be to finish off the entire organization. The full story is on CNN.com entitled Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike.
Isn't the Middle East great? All the stuff going on over there makes me want to pack my bags and go for a trip to visit. Err... maybe not.
¶ 7:34 PM 0 comments
Internet Privacy Act of 1995
Have you ever seen anything resembling this on a website before:
Quote:
If you are affiliated with any government, anti-piracy group or any other related group, or were formally a worker of one you CANNOT enter this web site, cannot access any of its files and you cannot view any of the HTML files. If you enter this site you are not agreeing to these terms and you are violating code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act signed by Bill Clinton in 1995 and that means that you CANNOT threaten our ISP(s) or any person(s) or company storing these files, and cannot prosecute any person(s) affiliated with this page which includes family, friends or individuals who run or enter this web site.
Well, it's a hoax, no such Privacy Act was ever signed. This is just one of those disclaimers that "crackers" and other "not-so-legal" websites use to attempt to justify the files they make available. I'll be putting this "Internet Privacy Act" into the jargon file as well.
¶ 7:32 PM 0 comments
Have you ever seen anything resembling this on a website before:
Quote:
If you are affiliated with any government, anti-piracy group or any other related group, or were formally a worker of one you CANNOT enter this web site, cannot access any of its files and you cannot view any of the HTML files. If you enter this site you are not agreeing to these terms and you are violating code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act signed by Bill Clinton in 1995 and that means that you CANNOT threaten our ISP(s) or any person(s) or company storing these files, and cannot prosecute any person(s) affiliated with this page which includes family, friends or individuals who run or enter this web site.
Well, it's a hoax, no such Privacy Act was ever signed. This is just one of those disclaimers that "crackers" and other "not-so-legal" websites use to attempt to justify the files they make available. I'll be putting this "Internet Privacy Act" into the jargon file as well.
¶ 7:32 PM 0 comments
Bin Laden offers Truce to European Nations - First Impression: BS
The latest news from the Middle East indicates that Al Qaeda's top man wanted to negotiate a truce with the European community. The truce would come in the form of European countries withdrawing from combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fortunately the Europeans have balked at this, stating they won't negotiate with terrorists. Probably the first time in recent memory that France has shown some backbone on fighting terrorism.
Honestly, who would trust such a group? Their main objective is to kill all of the non-believers of the Islamic religion. A truce would simply prolong the inevitable. For the full breaking story, check out Europe: No deal with bin Laden on CNN.com.
Don't bother negotiating with Al Qaeda, it's a waste of time.
¶ 7:23 PM 0 comments
The latest news from the Middle East indicates that Al Qaeda's top man wanted to negotiate a truce with the European community. The truce would come in the form of European countries withdrawing from combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fortunately the Europeans have balked at this, stating they won't negotiate with terrorists. Probably the first time in recent memory that France has shown some backbone on fighting terrorism.
Honestly, who would trust such a group? Their main objective is to kill all of the non-believers of the Islamic religion. A truce would simply prolong the inevitable. For the full breaking story, check out Europe: No deal with bin Laden on CNN.com.
Don't bother negotiating with Al Qaeda, it's a waste of time.
¶ 7:23 PM 0 comments
Forgive this Zionist, Whom is About to Rip You Apart
One of the occasionally nice features of the XOOPS CMS is that it has a designated page in the administrative section that announces all of the latest updates and news for the XOOPS world. Sometimes it even has a decent site using XOOPS as well, but alas, this review sure ain't about one of those.
First of all, I'll start by saying I don't worry about site design and colors in my reviews unless it is some God awful combination like purple and black or white and yellow. Now, let me aim you at the site and shoot you right at it... ArabAmerican.net. Let me just say that if a website can beat mine in terms of news about nothing, then they're already up a creek without a paddle. Fortunately my audience is so small that no one really cares if I bash people... so let's get back to that review.
ArabAmerican.net is what I'd consider a bit radical, lots of ranting and whining about the worldwide situation (moreso than here), and very little of it is productive, in either helping _BLANK_-Americans to understand the problems that Arab Americans face, or show us that they can think for themselves. Most of their articles are HUGE, so anyone not cheesed off by what they have to say, or already indoctrinated into believing it won't care and won't read on, I certainly didn't. Can you imagine how boring my writing would be if it was about 10 times the size that it is now? I can... so can my English professor. :-D
I didn't really care about anything it had to say, I just clicked on the link to see if it said what I thought it would, and it did. I was a bit disappointed in the website for Arab-Americans. It just shows they have a lot more in common with their brothers halfway around the world, than they do with the people they live, work and play with here in the United States.
I give the site 2 PK's out of 10, the only thing saving it from a 1 is the fact that it isn't running phpNuke, plus I am slightly curious as to what type of people visit it (besides myself of course). :-) This does bring up an interesting question though, should I submit PrezKennedy.org to XOOPS as well? Obviously they let anyone on that page, so what do I have to lose right? ¶ 7:21 PM 0 comments
One of the occasionally nice features of the XOOPS CMS is that it has a designated page in the administrative section that announces all of the latest updates and news for the XOOPS world. Sometimes it even has a decent site using XOOPS as well, but alas, this review sure ain't about one of those.
First of all, I'll start by saying I don't worry about site design and colors in my reviews unless it is some God awful combination like purple and black or white and yellow. Now, let me aim you at the site and shoot you right at it... ArabAmerican.net. Let me just say that if a website can beat mine in terms of news about nothing, then they're already up a creek without a paddle. Fortunately my audience is so small that no one really cares if I bash people... so let's get back to that review.
ArabAmerican.net is what I'd consider a bit radical, lots of ranting and whining about the worldwide situation (moreso than here), and very little of it is productive, in either helping _BLANK_-Americans to understand the problems that Arab Americans face, or show us that they can think for themselves. Most of their articles are HUGE, so anyone not cheesed off by what they have to say, or already indoctrinated into believing it won't care and won't read on, I certainly didn't. Can you imagine how boring my writing would be if it was about 10 times the size that it is now? I can... so can my English professor. :-D
I didn't really care about anything it had to say, I just clicked on the link to see if it said what I thought it would, and it did. I was a bit disappointed in the website for Arab-Americans. It just shows they have a lot more in common with their brothers halfway around the world, than they do with the people they live, work and play with here in the United States.
I give the site 2 PK's out of 10, the only thing saving it from a 1 is the fact that it isn't running phpNuke, plus I am slightly curious as to what type of people visit it (besides myself of course). :-) This does bring up an interesting question though, should I submit PrezKennedy.org to XOOPS as well? Obviously they let anyone on that page, so what do I have to lose right? ¶ 7:21 PM 0 comments
High Speed Chase ends in Teen Death; Police Blamed
What's that you say? Why is it the police's fault? Well according to Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), if the police hadn't of engaged in pursuit of this poor helpless teenager who just so happened to steal her parent's car and go joy riding, she might still be alive! Let us ignore the fact that the car was stolen, and the girl was only fifteen years old. Let us also ignore the fact that the police know a lot more about car chases and street crime than some politician who hangs out with the real crooks. Maybe if we could ignore [b]all[/b] of that, then there would be some justification for this new legislation that Aanestad wishes to have passed in the great state of California. Otherwise, I'd say he'd need to come up with a better reason for it.
For the full article, which isn't nearly as biased (:lol:), head on over to Proposed Law Would Limit Police Chases on Yahoo News. ¶ 7:19 PM 0 comments
What's that you say? Why is it the police's fault? Well according to Sen. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), if the police hadn't of engaged in pursuit of this poor helpless teenager who just so happened to steal her parent's car and go joy riding, she might still be alive! Let us ignore the fact that the car was stolen, and the girl was only fifteen years old. Let us also ignore the fact that the police know a lot more about car chases and street crime than some politician who hangs out with the real crooks. Maybe if we could ignore [b]all[/b] of that, then there would be some justification for this new legislation that Aanestad wishes to have passed in the great state of California. Otherwise, I'd say he'd need to come up with a better reason for it.
For the full article, which isn't nearly as biased (:lol:), head on over to Proposed Law Would Limit Police Chases on Yahoo News. ¶ 7:19 PM 0 comments
Starting a bit Young Perhaps?
Police in New Port Richey are arresting kids young these days. Being nine won't stop them from handcuffing a child anymore either. Seriously, is the kid going to run off? Pull a knife on the cop? Pull a gun out of their training bra?? While I do agree that the child should have been picked up and placed under police custody for stealing, the police were insensitive to the needs of the child on this one. I'm quite sure that being handcuffed will stick with that child for the rest of her life, I know it would certainly haunt me for the rest of mine! At the age of nine, I think it would be acceptable to place the child in the police car, keep an eye on her, and take her down to the station. For the full story on this mistake, check out the article on AIM Today.
Parting thought, do you think that cop has children??
¶ 7:16 PM 0 comments
Police in New Port Richey are arresting kids young these days. Being nine won't stop them from handcuffing a child anymore either. Seriously, is the kid going to run off? Pull a knife on the cop? Pull a gun out of their training bra?? While I do agree that the child should have been picked up and placed under police custody for stealing, the police were insensitive to the needs of the child on this one. I'm quite sure that being handcuffed will stick with that child for the rest of her life, I know it would certainly haunt me for the rest of mine! At the age of nine, I think it would be acceptable to place the child in the police car, keep an eye on her, and take her down to the station. For the full story on this mistake, check out the article on AIM Today.
Parting thought, do you think that cop has children??
¶ 7:16 PM 0 comments
Fear and Hatred in North Korea
Over in North Korea, the world's most beloved dictator (right after Saddam Hussein) is teaching the next generation of North Koreans to hate everyone and everything that would be considered "American". How is he doing this? By warping the message behind "The Diary of Anne Frank", Kim Jong-II is teaching young North Koreans to fear and hate Americans of any type. He's spreading the message that America revels in war and that a war between the two countries is inevitable.
The whole message behind Anne Frank's diary is that of a plea for peace and freedom. It's a shame that a crackpot dictator has to use such a book to try and further his political agenda. The most disturbing part follows:
Quote:
And to make sure the students give that same answer, Dutch television caught one teacher whispering to her students, telling them just what to say to the Dutch reporter.
Teacher:: Say that we don't want war, but that that is impossible as long as our enemy lives. So for us war is inevitable. We are not going to beg for peace. Instead, we must crush our enemy without mercy.
Student: You should not beg for peace. As long as the imperialists live, there will be no end to war.
“The most shocking thing is their comparison for President Bush with Hitler. that is absolutely disgusting,” says Anne’s cousin, Buddy Elias, who was her playmate and her last living direct relative.
Elias was the one who approved giving North Korea the rights to publish her diary, for a symbolic payment of less than $2,000.
“We were not told that it would be misused in schools. That, we had no idea,” says Elias, who considers today’s Hitler to be Kim Jong-Il, North Korea’s supreme leader. Kim insists that whenever anyone mentions his name, they must first call him respected or beloved.
The lesson behind all of this? There isn't much thinking going on in North Korea, similar to pre-World War II Nazi Germany. If you'd like the full effect of the article, you can read If Anne Frank Only Knew ... on CBS News. ¶ 7:13 PM 0 comments
Over in North Korea, the world's most beloved dictator (right after Saddam Hussein) is teaching the next generation of North Koreans to hate everyone and everything that would be considered "American". How is he doing this? By warping the message behind "The Diary of Anne Frank", Kim Jong-II is teaching young North Koreans to fear and hate Americans of any type. He's spreading the message that America revels in war and that a war between the two countries is inevitable.
The whole message behind Anne Frank's diary is that of a plea for peace and freedom. It's a shame that a crackpot dictator has to use such a book to try and further his political agenda. The most disturbing part follows:
Quote:
And to make sure the students give that same answer, Dutch television caught one teacher whispering to her students, telling them just what to say to the Dutch reporter.
Teacher:: Say that we don't want war, but that that is impossible as long as our enemy lives. So for us war is inevitable. We are not going to beg for peace. Instead, we must crush our enemy without mercy.
Student: You should not beg for peace. As long as the imperialists live, there will be no end to war.
“The most shocking thing is their comparison for President Bush with Hitler. that is absolutely disgusting,” says Anne’s cousin, Buddy Elias, who was her playmate and her last living direct relative.
Elias was the one who approved giving North Korea the rights to publish her diary, for a symbolic payment of less than $2,000.
“We were not told that it would be misused in schools. That, we had no idea,” says Elias, who considers today’s Hitler to be Kim Jong-Il, North Korea’s supreme leader. Kim insists that whenever anyone mentions his name, they must first call him respected or beloved.
The lesson behind all of this? There isn't much thinking going on in North Korea, similar to pre-World War II Nazi Germany. If you'd like the full effect of the article, you can read If Anne Frank Only Knew ... on CBS News. ¶ 7:13 PM 0 comments
Monday, November 22, 2004
No Slots in Maryland!
During Economics 101 today, my professor spent the entire lecture hour discussing whether gambling would actually help Maryland balance its budget in the coming years. The two best arguments given were related to relatively simple concepts. The first being that the money doesn't appear out of nowhere, and most of it would be cannabalized from other revenue sources like state sales taxes. Sure, people would come to Maryland to gamble, but the numbers just wouldn't be significant enough to pad the budget. The second concept is that the horse tracks would be gaining the most benefits. For little work, they will be able to rake in millions, if not billions of dollars. A horseracing subsidy just isn't worth it; the money would be better spent subsidizing high tech industries and other more worthy forms of development.
While I was fairly against the measure of introducing legalized gambling into the state of Maryland before, I'm absolutely against it now... and I also want to make sure our Governor, Mr. Ehrlich, does not return for another term. Gambling is bad! ¶ 6:16 PM 0 comments
During Economics 101 today, my professor spent the entire lecture hour discussing whether gambling would actually help Maryland balance its budget in the coming years. The two best arguments given were related to relatively simple concepts. The first being that the money doesn't appear out of nowhere, and most of it would be cannabalized from other revenue sources like state sales taxes. Sure, people would come to Maryland to gamble, but the numbers just wouldn't be significant enough to pad the budget. The second concept is that the horse tracks would be gaining the most benefits. For little work, they will be able to rake in millions, if not billions of dollars. A horseracing subsidy just isn't worth it; the money would be better spent subsidizing high tech industries and other more worthy forms of development.
While I was fairly against the measure of introducing legalized gambling into the state of Maryland before, I'm absolutely against it now... and I also want to make sure our Governor, Mr. Ehrlich, does not return for another term. Gambling is bad! ¶ 6:16 PM 0 comments
A Presidential Promise
Here's a promise worth remembering...
If I should ever make it into an elected office at the town or state level, I will donate the money I'm paid as an elected official to a charity (probably a food kitchen or something like that). Now, if I made it up to the Presidency... the current annual salary is $400,000. That is a lot of Turkey dinners for the poor on Thanksgiving, or a lot of presents for children on Christmas Eve. I'd just like to be the first President to actually serve my country and leave it a better condition than I found it in.
Here's to the future! ¶ 6:15 PM 0 comments
Here's a promise worth remembering...
If I should ever make it into an elected office at the town or state level, I will donate the money I'm paid as an elected official to a charity (probably a food kitchen or something like that). Now, if I made it up to the Presidency... the current annual salary is $400,000. That is a lot of Turkey dinners for the poor on Thanksgiving, or a lot of presents for children on Christmas Eve. I'd just like to be the first President to actually serve my country and leave it a better condition than I found it in.
Here's to the future! ¶ 6:15 PM 0 comments
Playing the Blame Game - Who's Fault is 9/11?
One of the worst attributes of politicians is that they'll never accept the blame for anything. That's the case right now with our infamous President, George W. Bush. What has he gone and done now? Well there's been various testimony before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. This commission is designed to find out who we can point our fingers at and blame, even though the accident was three years ago, and humiliating the people responsible will not bring back the 3,000 lives lost on September 11th, 2001.
I've been following the updates on these hearings, as one of the people testifying is Richard Clarke an ex-counterterrorism chief for the White House. He recently published a book blasting both the Clinton and Bush administrations for not doing enough to protect the country from terrorists. From what I've seen of his arguments and testimonies, I believe the man, and hope he can help settle this issue once and for all... not to blame someone, but to get on with "business". As always, the article is available at MSNBC, entitled Government 'failed you,' Clarke Testifies.
I just want to remind anyone reading, the blame game won't heal the wounds. It's just a political game of vengeance. Whoever takes the bullet will be finished politically, and that's all that will be accomplished. ¶ 6:13 PM 0 comments
One of the worst attributes of politicians is that they'll never accept the blame for anything. That's the case right now with our infamous President, George W. Bush. What has he gone and done now? Well there's been various testimony before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. This commission is designed to find out who we can point our fingers at and blame, even though the accident was three years ago, and humiliating the people responsible will not bring back the 3,000 lives lost on September 11th, 2001.
I've been following the updates on these hearings, as one of the people testifying is Richard Clarke an ex-counterterrorism chief for the White House. He recently published a book blasting both the Clinton and Bush administrations for not doing enough to protect the country from terrorists. From what I've seen of his arguments and testimonies, I believe the man, and hope he can help settle this issue once and for all... not to blame someone, but to get on with "business". As always, the article is available at MSNBC, entitled Government 'failed you,' Clarke Testifies.
I just want to remind anyone reading, the blame game won't heal the wounds. It's just a political game of vengeance. Whoever takes the bullet will be finished politically, and that's all that will be accomplished. ¶ 6:13 PM 0 comments
Hamas Unsatisfied with Terrorizing Israel, Threatens United States as Well
Today is a good day to focus our attention on the Middle East. We know how much they love attention over there. Why all the attention on some silly old men getting silly young men and women to blow themselves up? Well, now they might be taking aim at the United States of America. It seems as though terrorizing the Israelis isn't enough for Hamas, and now they're looking for other scapegoats to blame for their current situation. Notably, that situation is that they are no better off now than they were when they started attacking Israelis back in 2000. Here's just a small quote from the MSNBC article, "Israel to target all Hamas leadership"...
Quote:
For the first time, Hamas also threatened the United States, saying its backing of Israel made the assassination possible.
“The Zionists didn’t carry out their operation without getting the consent of the terrorist American administration and it [the United States] must take responsibility for this crime,” Hamas said in a statement. “All the Muslims of the world will be honored to join in on the retaliation for this crime.”
Remarkably, Hamas considers it a crime to assassinate their own leaders, but an honor to kill their enemy's leaders. The UN condemned this crime stating that it went against International Law of course, but when is the last time the UN could do anything but "suggest" and "condemn"? Perhaps the UN could do something about protecting the civilians in Israel, or maybe "suggest" that something be done to protect them. Plenty of other deaths have been marked today in the Middle East, including several police in Iraq, and attacks against Pakistani troops attempting to stamp out Al-Qaida operatives. Doesn't all of this make you want to visit the Middle East for your summer vacation? ¶ 6:11 PM 0 comments
Today is a good day to focus our attention on the Middle East. We know how much they love attention over there. Why all the attention on some silly old men getting silly young men and women to blow themselves up? Well, now they might be taking aim at the United States of America. It seems as though terrorizing the Israelis isn't enough for Hamas, and now they're looking for other scapegoats to blame for their current situation. Notably, that situation is that they are no better off now than they were when they started attacking Israelis back in 2000. Here's just a small quote from the MSNBC article, "Israel to target all Hamas leadership"...
Quote:
For the first time, Hamas also threatened the United States, saying its backing of Israel made the assassination possible.
“The Zionists didn’t carry out their operation without getting the consent of the terrorist American administration and it [the United States] must take responsibility for this crime,” Hamas said in a statement. “All the Muslims of the world will be honored to join in on the retaliation for this crime.”
Remarkably, Hamas considers it a crime to assassinate their own leaders, but an honor to kill their enemy's leaders. The UN condemned this crime stating that it went against International Law of course, but when is the last time the UN could do anything but "suggest" and "condemn"? Perhaps the UN could do something about protecting the civilians in Israel, or maybe "suggest" that something be done to protect them. Plenty of other deaths have been marked today in the Middle East, including several police in Iraq, and attacks against Pakistani troops attempting to stamp out Al-Qaida operatives. Doesn't all of this make you want to visit the Middle East for your summer vacation? ¶ 6:11 PM 0 comments
The Buck Doesn't Stop Here!
The Presidential races are heating up, and there are allegations that our beloved President, Mr George W. Bush, was more interested in bombing Iraq after September 11th than the real culprits in Afghanistan. According to this article on MSNBC, "Donald Rumsfeld was arguing at a cabinet meeting that Afghanistan, home of Osama bin Laden's terrorist camps, did not offer 'enough good targets.'" Now, I don't have anything for Saddam Hussein, but I think this is out of line. We probably could have captured Osama bin Laden if we had focused more troops in the Afghanistan region.
I have but one thing to say, I don't believe in manipulating the blame for mistakes, and unlike the Bush administration, I would be much more willing to be straightforward and honest. Afterall, being President is to serve the country, not for the country to serve the President. Just my two cents... ¶ 6:08 PM 0 comments
The Presidential races are heating up, and there are allegations that our beloved President, Mr George W. Bush, was more interested in bombing Iraq after September 11th than the real culprits in Afghanistan. According to this article on MSNBC, "Donald Rumsfeld was arguing at a cabinet meeting that Afghanistan, home of Osama bin Laden's terrorist camps, did not offer 'enough good targets.'" Now, I don't have anything for Saddam Hussein, but I think this is out of line. We probably could have captured Osama bin Laden if we had focused more troops in the Afghanistan region.
I have but one thing to say, I don't believe in manipulating the blame for mistakes, and unlike the Bush administration, I would be much more willing to be straightforward and honest. Afterall, being President is to serve the country, not for the country to serve the President. Just my two cents... ¶ 6:08 PM 0 comments
Design Template Worked Out
All of the templates have been setup in a satisfactory manner now.
I still have over 100 different stories to copy into Blogger, but I'm not in any rush to do that. For now, all the new stuff is still located at PrezKennedy.org, so check it out!! ¶ 3:35 AM 0 comments
All of the templates have been setup in a satisfactory manner now.
I still have over 100 different stories to copy into Blogger, but I'm not in any rush to do that. For now, all the new stuff is still located at PrezKennedy.org, so check it out!! ¶ 3:35 AM 0 comments
Germans Committed to Afghanistan
This article isn't entirely politically correct, or entirely serious...
I was quite stunned to see that Germany is still committed to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, years after the war to oust the Taliban. The real good news is that they will be increasing the contingent of 220 soldiers that they will have policing the countryside. Perhaps France could commit about 200 troops as well, and then they can play a good game of Soccer... and even have a crowd large enough to start a riot when either team loses.
Seriously... 220 troops from a country that started two world wars and massacred more than six million of their own Jewish people in the early half of the 20th century. What happened to their guts??
More people live in my apartment complex than they have committed to all of Afghanistan for peacekeeping!! Why bother?? They could ship them all home on one Boeing 767. I doubt 220 troops could even secure the campus I'm living on! Come on Germany, get serious already. :-? Sure, we don't see eye to eye on Iraq, but honestly, you can do better than send a couple hundred guys to Afghanistan because you don't like the leadership here in the United States.
I have faith in you... ¶ 2:56 AM 0 comments
This article isn't entirely politically correct, or entirely serious...
I was quite stunned to see that Germany is still committed to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, years after the war to oust the Taliban. The real good news is that they will be increasing the contingent of 220 soldiers that they will have policing the countryside. Perhaps France could commit about 200 troops as well, and then they can play a good game of Soccer... and even have a crowd large enough to start a riot when either team loses.
Seriously... 220 troops from a country that started two world wars and massacred more than six million of their own Jewish people in the early half of the 20th century. What happened to their guts??
More people live in my apartment complex than they have committed to all of Afghanistan for peacekeeping!! Why bother?? They could ship them all home on one Boeing 767. I doubt 220 troops could even secure the campus I'm living on! Come on Germany, get serious already. :-? Sure, we don't see eye to eye on Iraq, but honestly, you can do better than send a couple hundred guys to Afghanistan because you don't like the leadership here in the United States.
I have faith in you... ¶ 2:56 AM 0 comments
Terrorist Attacks in Spain Kill Hundreds
More than 180 people died this morning on several commuter trains in Spain. This comes two and a half years after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.
I didn't find out about this until almost 8:00 tonight, as I actually forgot to check the news today inbetween classes. I'd just like to say that my heart is with all of those people who were wounded and killed, or had loved ones killed in the attacks. The civilized world must stand together when attacks like this occur, as they threaten our lifestyle, and the survival of humanity as a whole. Attacks like this show us that our time spent in Iraq has changed little in the fight against Al-Qaeida. Eventually, we are going to send more of our people to the Middle East to continue the fight against terrorism... probably to countries like Saudi Arabia,
Remember those who were killed this morning, and keep them and their families in your prayers. ¶ 2:56 AM 0 comments
More than 180 people died this morning on several commuter trains in Spain. This comes two and a half years after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.
I didn't find out about this until almost 8:00 tonight, as I actually forgot to check the news today inbetween classes. I'd just like to say that my heart is with all of those people who were wounded and killed, or had loved ones killed in the attacks. The civilized world must stand together when attacks like this occur, as they threaten our lifestyle, and the survival of humanity as a whole. Attacks like this show us that our time spent in Iraq has changed little in the fight against Al-Qaeida. Eventually, we are going to send more of our people to the Middle East to continue the fight against terrorism... probably to countries like Saudi Arabia,
Remember those who were killed this morning, and keep them and their families in your prayers. ¶ 2:56 AM 0 comments
A Blast from the Past
Remember the Nintendo? The original one, not any of those with prefixes or suffixes, just... the Nintendo. Looking at E-Bay last night I saw some old Nintendo systems going for $10-30 bucks. One even had the original packaging and everything! Now, my Nintendo may be classified as "rare" but it most certainly hasn't had the packaging for more than ten years now. Remember the Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt combo? That's when I got my first video game system.
As I saw these being sold on E-Bay, I thought about whether or not I could make much money selling our old games, afterall, they all work, and some of them (like Super Mario Bros. 3) are legendary classics. The more I thought about it however, the more memories I had of playing my old games like when I got them... the amount of begging involved in order to get them, and what their endings were like. I decided I could never part with those... even if I had to box them up and hide them in the corner of my closet here at college, I would still keep them. Other people would say "well they're just games", and I know that. But they are games worth more than the 99 cents that Gamestop will give you to buy them. I saw a girl bring in five games once and she only got a couple bucks for all of them put together. Why bother?
I figure in fifteen years I can whip out my old Nintendo and show my kids a thing or two about old skool gaming, and then I can listen to them complain about how it isn't in 3D with 6.1 stereo surround sound. That's ok though... back then they didn't need those to be fun. ¶ 2:55 AM 0 comments
Remember the Nintendo? The original one, not any of those with prefixes or suffixes, just... the Nintendo. Looking at E-Bay last night I saw some old Nintendo systems going for $10-30 bucks. One even had the original packaging and everything! Now, my Nintendo may be classified as "rare" but it most certainly hasn't had the packaging for more than ten years now. Remember the Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt combo? That's when I got my first video game system.
As I saw these being sold on E-Bay, I thought about whether or not I could make much money selling our old games, afterall, they all work, and some of them (like Super Mario Bros. 3) are legendary classics. The more I thought about it however, the more memories I had of playing my old games like when I got them... the amount of begging involved in order to get them, and what their endings were like. I decided I could never part with those... even if I had to box them up and hide them in the corner of my closet here at college, I would still keep them. Other people would say "well they're just games", and I know that. But they are games worth more than the 99 cents that Gamestop will give you to buy them. I saw a girl bring in five games once and she only got a couple bucks for all of them put together. Why bother?
I figure in fifteen years I can whip out my old Nintendo and show my kids a thing or two about old skool gaming, and then I can listen to them complain about how it isn't in 3D with 6.1 stereo surround sound. That's ok though... back then they didn't need those to be fun. ¶ 2:55 AM 0 comments
Browserlist... a Blast from the Past
I recently noticed that the old browserlist that I used to help maintain went down after a server update. They say they have backups... which is good because my most recent backup is from before the major redesign... and is almost three years old!! Anyways, to ensure that the browserlist is forever archived, I have posted it under Open Source Gaming. If you're interested in many of the old skool browsers, than head over and check out my old baby... the browserlist project, in its eternal format. ¶ 2:54 AM 0 comments
I recently noticed that the old browserlist that I used to help maintain went down after a server update. They say they have backups... which is good because my most recent backup is from before the major redesign... and is almost three years old!! Anyways, to ensure that the browserlist is forever archived, I have posted it under Open Source Gaming. If you're interested in many of the old skool browsers, than head over and check out my old baby... the browserlist project, in its eternal format. ¶ 2:54 AM 0 comments
What is this guy on?
On occasion, when I'm running Windows XP, I'll just Stumble through the internet using the Stumble-Upon toolbar. I do this because I don't really have anything better to do when I'm in Windows. I was happily clicking along and I found this website. Conspiracy theorists, and people who spend more time talking than thinking, really do grate on my nerves. I'm going to focus on one particular thing he talks about, no stars in any of NASA's moon pictures.
I was out walking tonight, and I figured out why there are no stars in any of the pictures on the moon. It's so obvious and simple that even a little kid could understand. When you're in the city, there's a lot of background light both lighting up the ground and the sky. Now, try and see any stars through that and you won't be able to do it. That's similar to the moon. Remember, the full moon is VERY bright in the sky, and that brightness comes from sunlight being reflected off of its surface. This same bright surface is what the astronauts were on, which is why they nor the cameras, could see any stars. Pretty simple right?
The rest of the stuff on the website is pretty much the same way, I just thought it was amusing because it was so far out in left field. I really liked his comments about people who use Free Software as well. How an AOL user could be informed on such technical stuff is beyond me. I'm impressed when they can log in ok and keep their systems up to date with Windows Update. ¶ 2:52 AM 0 comments
On occasion, when I'm running Windows XP, I'll just Stumble through the internet using the Stumble-Upon toolbar. I do this because I don't really have anything better to do when I'm in Windows. I was happily clicking along and I found this website. Conspiracy theorists, and people who spend more time talking than thinking, really do grate on my nerves. I'm going to focus on one particular thing he talks about, no stars in any of NASA's moon pictures.
I was out walking tonight, and I figured out why there are no stars in any of the pictures on the moon. It's so obvious and simple that even a little kid could understand. When you're in the city, there's a lot of background light both lighting up the ground and the sky. Now, try and see any stars through that and you won't be able to do it. That's similar to the moon. Remember, the full moon is VERY bright in the sky, and that brightness comes from sunlight being reflected off of its surface. This same bright surface is what the astronauts were on, which is why they nor the cameras, could see any stars. Pretty simple right?
The rest of the stuff on the website is pretty much the same way, I just thought it was amusing because it was so far out in left field. I really liked his comments about people who use Free Software as well. How an AOL user could be informed on such technical stuff is beyond me. I'm impressed when they can log in ok and keep their systems up to date with Windows Update. ¶ 2:52 AM 0 comments
Areas of my Expertise
I've been putzing around with this site for a few months now, so I think it's about time that I put up some of my credentials. Prepare to not be blown away. This is just an experiment afterall. For some fun, just check out "walker avenue apartments" on Google and look who's near the top. This means that if I should have any significantly poor experiences here at Walker Ave, people who search for more information on the web will get some grand tips.
Anyways, I'm an Information Systems major here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); I transferred in from Harford Community College (HCC), where I was a Computer Science major. My first semester here was a wake up call to the fact that I don't like to program all that much, but instead I would rather administrate systems, do security, and stuff like that as opposed to writing code all day. That's more along the lines of what I've been doing ever since I got my first computer, so I'm more at home, and more interested.
Since I've switched majors I've been very happy, and I'm glad to be here at such a fine school. It beats the pants off of College Park easily. Anyways, I also have a very nice job at the Army Research Laboratory doing cool things for the U.S Army.
Sure, I don't have much, if any experience in politics, but how much experience is needed to be like George W. Bush? I have my geography, history, and psychology down... and I'm very uncorruptable (at least some people say that... ) I don't live for money, so I have that going for me too... unlike some of the people in public office right now. I'll keep working on making my views obvious throughout this website, and I plan on writing some essays about stuff like abortion, religion, the war on terror, etc. in the future. Just have to find the time... afterall, I am in college. ¶ 2:51 AM 0 comments
I've been putzing around with this site for a few months now, so I think it's about time that I put up some of my credentials. Prepare to not be blown away. This is just an experiment afterall. For some fun, just check out "walker avenue apartments" on Google and look who's near the top. This means that if I should have any significantly poor experiences here at Walker Ave, people who search for more information on the web will get some grand tips.
Anyways, I'm an Information Systems major here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); I transferred in from Harford Community College (HCC), where I was a Computer Science major. My first semester here was a wake up call to the fact that I don't like to program all that much, but instead I would rather administrate systems, do security, and stuff like that as opposed to writing code all day. That's more along the lines of what I've been doing ever since I got my first computer, so I'm more at home, and more interested.
Since I've switched majors I've been very happy, and I'm glad to be here at such a fine school. It beats the pants off of College Park easily. Anyways, I also have a very nice job at the Army Research Laboratory doing cool things for the U.S Army.
Sure, I don't have much, if any experience in politics, but how much experience is needed to be like George W. Bush? I have my geography, history, and psychology down... and I'm very uncorruptable (at least some people say that... ) I don't live for money, so I have that going for me too... unlike some of the people in public office right now. I'll keep working on making my views obvious throughout this website, and I plan on writing some essays about stuff like abortion, religion, the war on terror, etc. in the future. Just have to find the time... afterall, I am in college. ¶ 2:51 AM 0 comments
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Foreign Languages... Yay or Nay?
This morning I had an exam for German 102. Let me start off by saying I had nightmares all through the night, and was quite scared the next morning when I went in to take my exam. Well, my nightmares were justified because the exam was long, and it was difficult. Through the entire thing, our professor needed to keep explaining questions, and one of my classmates would whine and complain about how hard it was. She covered for me while I tried to finish everything in time. I got done just in the nick of time too!
Now that I have my little anecdote out of the way, I wanted to put forth this thought... Foreign Language should be taught in elementary school, where kids will have the best change of absorbing all of it. This is when people have the most learning capability, when they're young. I have always struggled through foreign language because I just can't pick up more than the basics. Sure, I can name the colors, count to a hundred, and ask simple questions, but anything more than a short paragraph would have me weeping in a dark corner. This is forced torture even, as it is required to graduate from UMBC... I must take three language courses, either in the language itself, or a culture class related to it. That is torture for someone who is an Information Systems major. If anything, I should be required to take an Indian language as they'll be the people who either a) take my job, or b) work underneath of me as my subordinates.
Some things are just plain screwy, and learning a new language in college is one of them! I would definitely support a movement to teach a foreign language in elementary school, when it is far more productive and useful. ¶ 9:20 PM 0 comments
This morning I had an exam for German 102. Let me start off by saying I had nightmares all through the night, and was quite scared the next morning when I went in to take my exam. Well, my nightmares were justified because the exam was long, and it was difficult. Through the entire thing, our professor needed to keep explaining questions, and one of my classmates would whine and complain about how hard it was. She covered for me while I tried to finish everything in time. I got done just in the nick of time too!
Now that I have my little anecdote out of the way, I wanted to put forth this thought... Foreign Language should be taught in elementary school, where kids will have the best change of absorbing all of it. This is when people have the most learning capability, when they're young. I have always struggled through foreign language because I just can't pick up more than the basics. Sure, I can name the colors, count to a hundred, and ask simple questions, but anything more than a short paragraph would have me weeping in a dark corner. This is forced torture even, as it is required to graduate from UMBC... I must take three language courses, either in the language itself, or a culture class related to it. That is torture for someone who is an Information Systems major. If anything, I should be required to take an Indian language as they'll be the people who either a) take my job, or b) work underneath of me as my subordinates.
Some things are just plain screwy, and learning a new language in college is one of them! I would definitely support a movement to teach a foreign language in elementary school, when it is far more productive and useful. ¶ 9:20 PM 0 comments
36 Bucks for THAT??!?!!?!?!
I've been ironing out some book purchases I had to make before the semester began, and today, I felt the pain in my wallet. The pain was in the form of thirty-six dollars transferring from my wallet to the school over a packet that held a CD and a key to register for an online website. The ultimate insult behind all this is the fact that I went and bought a new Deutsch Buch and this didn't come with it. HELLO!! If I bought a new book then obviously I need the CD too, even if I don't know it yet!
There are some seriously intelligent people working in the bookstore, plotting to rip an unsuspecting student off at any chance they get. I spent ninety-five dollars for that German book. For that much money it should be able to TALK TO ME!! ¶ 9:20 PM 0 comments
I've been ironing out some book purchases I had to make before the semester began, and today, I felt the pain in my wallet. The pain was in the form of thirty-six dollars transferring from my wallet to the school over a packet that held a CD and a key to register for an online website. The ultimate insult behind all this is the fact that I went and bought a new Deutsch Buch and this didn't come with it. HELLO!! If I bought a new book then obviously I need the CD too, even if I don't know it yet!
There are some seriously intelligent people working in the bookstore, plotting to rip an unsuspecting student off at any chance they get. I spent ninety-five dollars for that German book. For that much money it should be able to TALK TO ME!! ¶ 9:20 PM 0 comments
Transcript Backups, Good or Bad?
I was going through a backup of my old homepage, stuff from the days of Spaceports, the "unlimited space" webhost. Most of it was old stuff I was doing before I got into the open source movement. I had old directories from when I was doing websites for friends, working on "Software Multiverse", and the Total Annihilation File Archive Project. Amazing how interest died away with that... Some things aren't forever... which brings me to the topic at hand. I found some old instant messenger transcripts from about three years ago, and I was looking through them. Unfortunately, they were conversations with an ex-girlfriend, after a very difficult period in our friendship... they reminded me why I stopped talking to her.
The thing to think about... how long should chat transcripts be kept, if they should be kept and when they should be deleted. This kind of reminds me of the Watergate scandal back in the 1970's, if you don't have the transcripts, you can't be held accountable for them. Maybe it's time to delete that old stuff? I'm starting to think so... ¶ 9:18 PM 0 comments
I was going through a backup of my old homepage, stuff from the days of Spaceports, the "unlimited space" webhost. Most of it was old stuff I was doing before I got into the open source movement. I had old directories from when I was doing websites for friends, working on "Software Multiverse", and the Total Annihilation File Archive Project. Amazing how interest died away with that... Some things aren't forever... which brings me to the topic at hand. I found some old instant messenger transcripts from about three years ago, and I was looking through them. Unfortunately, they were conversations with an ex-girlfriend, after a very difficult period in our friendship... they reminded me why I stopped talking to her.
The thing to think about... how long should chat transcripts be kept, if they should be kept and when they should be deleted. This kind of reminds me of the Watergate scandal back in the 1970's, if you don't have the transcripts, you can't be held accountable for them. Maybe it's time to delete that old stuff? I'm starting to think so... ¶ 9:18 PM 0 comments
Subsidies for Trains Vs. Subsidies for Planes
I noticed an interesting story on the yearly bailouts for Amtrak, so that way their trains keep on running. Now, compared to the amount of money that airlines receive each year, along with their poor security and poor service makes me wonder... Why??? Compared to every airline that has received bailouts in the past three years, Amtrak service is superb. I rode on the Capitol Limited, a route that goes from Washington D.C to Chicago, and it was excellent. It took about sixteen hours to reach my destination, but along the way I could get up and walk around, enjoy the scenery in the lounge car, have a steak dinner in the dining car, and sleep in a nice reclining chair through the night.
On my trip to Chicago with the airline, it took only two hours, but i was cramped inside a 737 along with about 100 other people, some with screaming babies, and it wasn't nearly as luxurious. I received a bag of peanuts and some water through the flight. This was before September 11th, 2001, but even then the service was mediocre. Anyone remember all the complaints about waiting on the Tarmac for hours on end and not getting anywhere? I was lucky... we actually left almost on time. The view was stunning from the airplane... I would enjoy seeing it again someday.
I don't think that will be anytime soon though, because of the whole terrorist scare, and it's just too expensive. In a way, I'm already paying the airlines through my taxes, and then they expect me to pay again to actually fly. How wrong is that?? Make your own money, everyone else has to!!! At least Amtrak has been improving its service the past several years, and they have a shot at becoming profitable. Besides, a good train network is excellent for industry and the economy as a whole. You can't send thousands of tons of oranges by plane can you? Didn't think so...
All in all, I'm supporting the train industry far more than the airline industry. The airline industry needs to redesign itself, or suffer the fate that any other organism receives when its skills just aren't adequate enough, death. ¶ 9:15 PM 0 comments
I noticed an interesting story on the yearly bailouts for Amtrak, so that way their trains keep on running. Now, compared to the amount of money that airlines receive each year, along with their poor security and poor service makes me wonder... Why??? Compared to every airline that has received bailouts in the past three years, Amtrak service is superb. I rode on the Capitol Limited, a route that goes from Washington D.C to Chicago, and it was excellent. It took about sixteen hours to reach my destination, but along the way I could get up and walk around, enjoy the scenery in the lounge car, have a steak dinner in the dining car, and sleep in a nice reclining chair through the night.
On my trip to Chicago with the airline, it took only two hours, but i was cramped inside a 737 along with about 100 other people, some with screaming babies, and it wasn't nearly as luxurious. I received a bag of peanuts and some water through the flight. This was before September 11th, 2001, but even then the service was mediocre. Anyone remember all the complaints about waiting on the Tarmac for hours on end and not getting anywhere? I was lucky... we actually left almost on time. The view was stunning from the airplane... I would enjoy seeing it again someday.
I don't think that will be anytime soon though, because of the whole terrorist scare, and it's just too expensive. In a way, I'm already paying the airlines through my taxes, and then they expect me to pay again to actually fly. How wrong is that?? Make your own money, everyone else has to!!! At least Amtrak has been improving its service the past several years, and they have a shot at becoming profitable. Besides, a good train network is excellent for industry and the economy as a whole. You can't send thousands of tons of oranges by plane can you? Didn't think so...
All in all, I'm supporting the train industry far more than the airline industry. The airline industry needs to redesign itself, or suffer the fate that any other organism receives when its skills just aren't adequate enough, death. ¶ 9:15 PM 0 comments
