PrezKennedy's Soapbox
Friday, December 10, 2004
Trouble with Firefox
Well it looks like I'll need to do some fixing of all the templates with the Google ads since they appear to break it. I have to admit that I've been pretty lazy lately when it comes to writing HTML that works under the acceptable standard.
I'll try and come up with a solution to make it look nicer, since Firefox really is a nice browser, and anyone who uses it deserves a fully working webpage to look at. I'll do that ASAP! ¶ 6:55 PM 0 comments
Well it looks like I'll need to do some fixing of all the templates with the Google ads since they appear to break it. I have to admit that I've been pretty lazy lately when it comes to writing HTML that works under the acceptable standard.
I'll try and come up with a solution to make it look nicer, since Firefox really is a nice browser, and anyone who uses it deserves a fully working webpage to look at. I'll do that ASAP! ¶ 6:55 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
December 7th, 1941... A Date that has Lived in Infamy
Normally I would pick a picture to describe a significant event, as they're worth a thousand words. Today is different though. I looked for a picture that could best describe the chaos in Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attacked, but I could only find black and white photos of low resolution; nothing powerful enough to take anyone's breath away, or to even really understand. Instead, I have something just as powerful to share... a transcript of Franklin Roosevelt's speech the day after Pearl Harbor, taken from Wikisource. In these difficult times, it's something with which every American can relate with and remember from the time when our country and freedom all around the world was seriously threatened by the powerful dictatorships of Germany and Japan.
Quote:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Take a moment to remember all those who lost their lives during that attack and during World War II. Also take a moment to remember all those people who died on September 11th, the worst attack against the United States of all time... and the Pearl Harbor of our time. ¶ 10:23 AM 0 comments
Normally I would pick a picture to describe a significant event, as they're worth a thousand words. Today is different though. I looked for a picture that could best describe the chaos in Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attacked, but I could only find black and white photos of low resolution; nothing powerful enough to take anyone's breath away, or to even really understand. Instead, I have something just as powerful to share... a transcript of Franklin Roosevelt's speech the day after Pearl Harbor, taken from Wikisource. In these difficult times, it's something with which every American can relate with and remember from the time when our country and freedom all around the world was seriously threatened by the powerful dictatorships of Germany and Japan.
Quote:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Take a moment to remember all those who lost their lives during that attack and during World War II. Also take a moment to remember all those people who died on September 11th, the worst attack against the United States of all time... and the Pearl Harbor of our time. ¶ 10:23 AM 0 comments
Ken Jennings Pimps Encarta
The longest running contestant on Jeopardy! is going to be pimping Microsoft's latest encyclopedia software, Encarta Premium 2005 according to a BetaNews article. He'll be going around being quizzed by people on a nationwide promotional event. Jennings set a new record after Jeopardy! removed the limitations on how often a contestant can come back after winning... he made it on the show 75 times!
Sadly, I would have to say that was more of a publicity stunt for Microsoft than anything else. Jennings could have really used his knowledge to promote much nicer and freer encyclopedias, like Wikipedia. It would be safe to say that doing something for Wikipedia would have given him a much more positive public appearance than signing up to be Microsoft Encarta's "spokesperson". It would have also gotten people less likely to even know about it to give it a try. Alas, at least you'll have the opportunity and try to outsmart him by looking up some obscure fact in any encyclopedia and then quizzing him on it.
¶ 3:09 AM 0 comments
The longest running contestant on Jeopardy! is going to be pimping Microsoft's latest encyclopedia software, Encarta Premium 2005 according to a BetaNews article. He'll be going around being quizzed by people on a nationwide promotional event. Jennings set a new record after Jeopardy! removed the limitations on how often a contestant can come back after winning... he made it on the show 75 times!
Sadly, I would have to say that was more of a publicity stunt for Microsoft than anything else. Jennings could have really used his knowledge to promote much nicer and freer encyclopedias, like Wikipedia. It would be safe to say that doing something for Wikipedia would have given him a much more positive public appearance than signing up to be Microsoft Encarta's "spokesperson". It would have also gotten people less likely to even know about it to give it a try. Alas, at least you'll have the opportunity and try to outsmart him by looking up some obscure fact in any encyclopedia and then quizzing him on it.
¶ 3:09 AM 0 comments
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Universal Symbol of Peace Lost on Muslims
An interesting article on CNN talks about a Buddhist attempt at extending the hand of friendship between Muslims and Buddhists. There has been a decades long conflict in Thailand that has embittered both sides, but Buddhists to the north spent days folding symbolic paper birds to drop on the predominantly Muslim south. Many in the north, even the Prime Minister of Thailand participated in this large event.
Unfortunately, it was completely lost on a few stupid fools. As quoted from the CNN article:
Quote:
"The paper birds are not a traditional symbol for us," said Abdullaham Abdulsamad of the Narathiwat Islamic Council. "It's a different culture. Our people do not understand what the birds stand for."
Are you kidding me? Are you stupid? If you were to ask anyone from almost any country, from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia or Australia what a paper dove symbolizes, I'm certain they'd all realize that in this instance it symbolizes peace. Where has your culture been? Maybe it's been living under a rock for the past fifteen-hundred years while civilization has been growing up all around it?
Maybe the Thai people could fold oragami assault rifles to bridge the culture gap. I know your people would understand their symbolism.
¶ 8:44 PM 0 comments
An interesting article on CNN talks about a Buddhist attempt at extending the hand of friendship between Muslims and Buddhists. There has been a decades long conflict in Thailand that has embittered both sides, but Buddhists to the north spent days folding symbolic paper birds to drop on the predominantly Muslim south. Many in the north, even the Prime Minister of Thailand participated in this large event.
Unfortunately, it was completely lost on a few stupid fools. As quoted from the CNN article:
Quote:
"The paper birds are not a traditional symbol for us," said Abdullaham Abdulsamad of the Narathiwat Islamic Council. "It's a different culture. Our people do not understand what the birds stand for."
Are you kidding me? Are you stupid? If you were to ask anyone from almost any country, from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia or Australia what a paper dove symbolizes, I'm certain they'd all realize that in this instance it symbolizes peace. Where has your culture been? Maybe it's been living under a rock for the past fifteen-hundred years while civilization has been growing up all around it?
Maybe the Thai people could fold oragami assault rifles to bridge the culture gap. I know your people would understand their symbolism.
¶ 8:44 PM 0 comments
