A horse is a horse, of course

Haay Ray

A talking horse? I knew I should have stayed away from that bottle of Boone’s Farm Snow Creek Berry. That cheap wine will make you see things ....Uh, hey there Mr. Ed? Why the long face?

I'm Okay Ray, I'm just enjoying a nice day pasturing.

I see ... So who's your buddy in the background there, looks like he's been horsing around in the paint shed ... How very patriotic of him.

That's Mr Slew, He once was a very spirited horse, but over the years, he lost quite a few races and now that he started to flag, we just leave him to pasture alone.

When did this start to happen?

you mean the flagging?

no silly, when did you start talking?

Since you finished that bottle of Snow Creek Berry, Ray.

oh, wise guy horse huh?

Ray, a guy of your stature shouldn't be drinking that cheap stuff. I would recommend Creek Berry only to people whose taste buds have been surgically removed ... Tastes like heavily sugared anti-freeze colored and flavored with raspberries.

Actually, Mr. Ed, I'll have you know that I'm a class act ... I prefer a cold beer to a cheap glass of wine, NL baseball to AL baseball and Janet Jackson to Britney Spears. And, even if I'm going to indulge on a $3.99 bottle of wine, I usually go for the more obscure grape varietals or anything where the nutrition label on the bottle indicates that I received 6 percent of the recommended daily calcium allowance.

You are hallucinating Ray, ... Any wine under five bucks surely tastes like grape drink fermented under a radiator. Furthermore, they're usually produced in a variety of unholy fruit flavor combinations that all manage to resemble pure rubbing alcohol. Look, I will chat with you again when you're a little less hammered, ta ta..

Mr Ed, *hiccup* thanks for dropping by ... Have a great day at pasture and give my best regards to your buddy old glory.

Greatest Moment

Former heavyweight boxing champions Muhammad Ali, left, and Larry Holmes get together at a New York restaurant, Friday Dec. 6, 2002, as Ali presents "Muhammad Ali - The Greatest,"

a magazine of his choices for the ten greatest heavyweight bouts.

(AP Photo/Radcliffe Roye)

Imagine

Imagine a world where dreams meet reality. Where the childlike hopes and wonders that dwell within each of us do not always fade into cynicism over time. Imagine a world where happiness is not an ambition hoped to be achieved sometime in the distant future, but rather a familiar constant that is experienced daily. Imagine a world where the frequency of finding and keeping true love is more often than not. Where smiles and joy far outnumber tears and heartache. Imagine a world where all this and much more is possible. A world where anything is possible. Just imagine...

... that you didn't have to imagine.

Because you don't.

In reality, anything is possible. And the only way that dreams cannot meet reality, the only way that the plethora of hopes and possibilities that lie within your grasp die...

... is if you let them.

If you're happy and you know it

Bomb Bomb Iraq: Sung to the tune of If You're Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands:

If we cannot find Osama, bomb Iraq.
If the markets hurt your Mama, bomb Iraq.
If the terrorists are Saudi
And the bank takes back your Audi
And the TV shows are bawdy,
Bomb Iraq.

If the corporate scandals growin', bomb Iraq.
And your ties to them are showin', bomb Iraq.
If the smoking gun ain't smokin'
We don't care, and we're not jokin'
That Saddam will soon be croakin',
Bomb Iraq.

Even if we have no allies, bomb Iraq.
From the sand dunes to the valleys, bomb Iraq.
So to hell with the inspections
Let's look tough for the elections
Close your mind and take directions,
Bomb Iraq.

While the globe is slowly warming, bomb Iraq.
Yay! the clouds of war are storming, bomb Iraq.
If the ozone hole is growing
Some things we prefer not knowing
(Though our ignorance is showing),
Bomb Iraq.

So here's one for dear old daddy, bomb Iraq,
From his favorite little laddy, bomb Iraq.
Saying no would look like treason
It's the Hussein hunting season
Even if we have no reason,
Bomb Iraq.

(Via Karen DeCoster.com Weblog)

Kissinger Uncensored

The Photos Henry Kissinger Doesn't Want You to See

And,

If you think that was priceless, take a look at Mark Fiore's latest on the elder statesman.

But on a more serious note, David Corn takes a closer look at Kissinger's past and opines on the ability of some to overlook the importance of integrity in public office.

One for the road

The NY Daily News reports that the New York state legislature, in an effort to ease the state’s money woes, is seriously considering a repeal of the blue laws that have kept liquor stores closed on Sunday and prevented grocery stores from selling wine . The extra fees and taxes raised by an added day of liquor sales would, of course, certainly help things out.

This is very good news if you're a lush, wino, drunk (or my homie Joe from around the way) — no more being forced to wait before you can buy that much-needed bottle of Boone’s Farm Snow Creek Berry.

Hey You

Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, dont help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight.


Hey you, out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you, with you ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home.


But it was only fantasy.
The wall was too high,
As you can see.
No matter how he tried,
He could not break free.
And the worms ate into his brain.

Hey you, standing in the road
always doing what you're told,
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall,
Breaking bottles in the hall,
Can you help me?
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

Lyrics by Pink Floyd (The Wall album) -- Photo is Album cover to "Shine On" box set

Pink Floyd fan since 1986. The most significant part of the lyrics above, for me .... "Hey you, dont help them to bury the light, don't give in without a fight".

Central Park 5

As we've all heard, the matter is moving in the right direction. I will be saying more about this case in the near future. For now, I'm simply enjoying some good reads as others debate and comment on the various issues surrounding the case. Ronn has done a fine job keeping us updated during the past few months. Instapundit has an intelligent and fair discussion on the matter, and I also liked what Calpundit had to say:

DNA evidence backs up Matias Reyes' recent confession.

Further DNA evidence (from tests conducted last May) shows that hairs found on one of the suspects didn't come from the jogger.

The prosecutors themselves agree the case should be dismissed.

The original confessions were faulty in many details and were arrived at only after the police had taken the suspects to the scene of the crime.

The five teenagers who were convicted in this case have almost certainly committed other crimes. But they didn't commit this one and they deserve to be exonerated for it.

And Ann Coulter is an animal for suggesting otherwise.

Plans for African American Museum

Almost a century after an African-American memorial was first proposed for the U.S. capital, a grand vision for a museum encompassing black life in the United States is moving toward realization. Backed by $2 million in federal funds, a special commission appointed by Congress and President Bush started work this summer on a feasibility study for a national museum of African-American history and culture.

"I think it goes without saying that African-Americans have been the major backbone in building and developing America into the country that it is today," said Robert Wright, the chairman of the commission. "Unfortunately ... African-American history, like African-American life in America, was very suppressed. That needs to be told. I think that time has come."

He invoked religion for sexual acts

The Boston Globe has this story.

The documents are among the most remarkable in the 2,200 pages of once-secret church files released yesterday: allegations that a priest had initiated sexual acts with teenagers preparing to become nuns by encouraging them to believe they were making love to Jesus Christ himself.

the Rev. Robert V. Meffan [73] admitted it was true, and said he still believes his sexual relationships with teenage girls were ''beautiful, spiritual'' experiences intended to bring young people closer to God.

But Meffan said he put limits on the physical nature of the relationships. He touched the girls' breasts, for example, but stopped short of intercourse to protect his celibacy vow. ''I don't think that was destroyed,'' Meffan said, ''because I always felt that to destroy celibacy you really had to have intercourse.''

Reminds me of the Clinton defense .... "I did not have sexual relations with that woman"

Bush: I got the hook up.

Bush Restoring Cash Bonuses for Political Appointees

"The White House has decided that several thousand political appointees across the federal government will be eligible for cash bonuses, abandoning a Clinton-era prohibition that grew out of questionable practices in the first Bush administration."

The policy is causing rumblings of discontent from some career officials. They say the policy threatens to reward employees for political loyalty and could force career civil servants to compete against well-connected political appointees.

Why of course, a little greasing of the palm goes a long way.

Letter to Santa

William Repsher of the NY press says in this article

It’s that time of year again: ... New York Press has caught wind of a special letter, actually an audiotape, from Osama bin Laden sent to Santa via the Al Jazeera Network. Below please find the translated transcript:

Excerpt:

[Dear Santa]

If by some chance Allah decrees your soul to be true, I would like 200 virgins, an olive orchard, a five kilogram hunk of plutonium and the new Justin Timberlake CD. I have been nice this year. Any naughtiness was the result of American cultural and political imperialism for which I am simply repaying the favor on behalf of all Muslim people. Think of Rudolph and his shiny red nose, and all those who would make him an outcast for this. His red nose was the light that guided the way, as am I.

Your Teacher was right

Tom Tomorrow makes a point about what your teacher used to always tell you.

Don't go down without it

With America’s attentions focused on the UN weapons inspectors in Iraq, the holiday season here at home, and the numerological revelation that Bush’s smallpox vaccination plan represents the Mark of the Beast, it’s easy to overlook the important inventions like this .

Around The Blogosphere

West Coast power blogger and inspiration to many (including yours truly) Tony Pierce says he's a big fan of Ray Garraud. I'm an even bigger fan of the Busblog, and I highly recommend Tony's upcoming book as a nice addition to your Christmas list.

Speaking of Christmas , have you you made your list and checked it twice? ... There's one list at Buzzmachine called The Blogger's Christmas Shopping Catalogue that you should take a look at. I've already placed my order for this .


John Hiler has started Cityblogs.com which I think is an excellent addition to the NYC blogging community, more details here.

Go Knicks!

The Knicks are 5-10 overall, but 4-3 with Sprewell back in the lineup after his suspension and rehabilitation for his injured hand.

The Knicks are starting to look more cohesive and potent. Allan Houston, Kurt Thomas and Latrell Sprewell all scored 20 or more points on Monday, as the Knicks crushed the Cavs 125-93 at home.

Houston led the offense with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting, and Sprewell added 11 assists to his 20-point night. The knicks will go for another win tonight against Orlando.

Iran-Contra Reunion?

Scandals and convictions couldn't hold these men back from high-paying, influential positions in government and the media.

While we're still debating Poindexter's latest brain child ... Now this:

In the latest installment, The Washington Post reports that yet another member of the Iran-Contra gang returns to a prominent post in the Bush administration.

Iran-contra figure Elliott Abrams, who has served in the White House for more than a year, has been promoted to a key post among President Bush's national security aides.

Abrams was appointed to lead the National Security Council's office for Near East and North African affairs. The senior director job oversees Arab-Israeli relations and U.S. efforts to promote peace in the troubled region.

His appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, was announced yesterday by Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.

Abrams pleaded guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress. Abrams received a Christmas Eve pardon from President George H.W. Bush in 1992.

(A Summary of what the Iran-Contra affair was all about is here)

It's all a big game and you're not going to win unless you know all the rules.

New Study Reveals . . . Cheating Makes Your Marriage Stronger

Dr. Lucielle Ostertag from the Italian Institute of Social Sciences conducted the controversial research.

"I started the analysis project to discover how damaging infidelity was to marriages," says Dr. Ostertag. "I was as surprised as everyone when the numbers proved that cheating on your spouse is actually good for your marriage."

I don't make the news, um, I just observe and report .

Take a Cyber Cigarette Break, why don't you?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

Christmas trees are lighting up throughout NYC this week.

After the closing bell on Monday, the switch was flipped on a 65-foot Norway spruce outside the New York Stock Exchange. Nearly 100,000 holiday lights are also shining Downtown at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden, as part of the Festival of Light and Sound.

Across the street, a 32-foor Balsam fire was installed on the World Trade Center site, and it will be lit in a ceremony next week.

The annual Lincoln Center tree-lighting also went off without a hitch Monday.

Yesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg presided over the lighting of the Christmas tree in City Hall Park.

The most famous tree-lighting, in Rockefeller Center, is set for 7 p.m. today. More than 30,000 lights strung on the 76-foot Norway spruce there will be switched on, with a slate of musical performances as well.

If you can't make it to the ceremony, the tree will be lit from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day through January 5.

Dems: Clark for V.P. in '04

The Democrats don't appear to have an outstanding presidential candidate for 2004 — but they may have an excellent choice for veep: Retired General Wesley Clark. The 57-year-old former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe has tried to downplay his partisan loyalties, but the facts suggest he harbors Democratic political ambitions. [more]

A military man to take on a wartime president? That's a thought. Without risks, there are no rewards.

Fatal Attraction

Rolf Eden, a Berlin property tycoon, former nightclub owner, and all-purpose celebrity, says he is offering $125,000 to any woman, from anywhere in the world, who can kill him with sex.

"My real desire is to die on a lady, while making love," Eden said. "A lawyer has my will, and in my will I have $125,000 for this lady."

Eden says that even at age 72 he is fit as a fiddle, and ready for love. He claims he will pay for an unspecified number of women to fly to Berlin from various parts of the world, for a couple of days of sexual activity, providing they fit his criteria.

Read the story Here (Via ABC News)

Can't blame the man for wanting to come and go at the same time.

Supreme Court Watch

The Supreme Court re-entered the debate over affirmative action yesterday, agreeing to decide if minorities can be given a boost to get into public universities.The court will decide by next June if race can be used in college admissions, an issue that the justices have dealt with only once before, in a cloudy 1978 ruling that led to more confusion.

"It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the court's decision in these cases will directly affect the lives not only of this generation of students but of generations of students to follow," Theodore Shaw, counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, told justices in a filing on behalf of black and Hispanic students.

I think it's appropriate for The Supreme Court to take on this issue if for no other reason than to begin sorting out the current confusion of legal opinions on affirmative action. If the justices rule that there is a compelling societal interest in pursuing diversity for the educational benefits it confers, I'm certain that Americans will benefit as a result.

Love, Sweet Love

A separatist group operating in north-eastern India has decided to no longer accept women into their ranks. The organization gives a very simple explanation: there have been too many instances when male terrorists fell in love with female members and gave up the armed struggle. [more]

Give me a break.

MTV's New Generation

Five years ago, MTV’s ratings were flatlining as music videos started to look like a relic of the eighties. Now it’s the envy of every other network, spawning The Osbournes, Jackass, and a score of other offbeat—and wildly popular—offerings. How’d it happen? Call it chaos theory, managed (barely) by two of television’s unlikeliest executives. Man, this could be chaos. [more]

Fighting Whites

Remember these guys well. they're back in the news.

What started out as an attempt to shame a local high school into dropping a mascot name viewed as racist has raised at least $100,000 for scholarships for Indian college students

They raised it all by selling more than 15,000 shirts and hats ... Hey, you even get to pick your own Logo design.

The spy inside your home computer

So-called "parasite programs" are logging what you do online and, like a nest of busy gossips, sharing the information with anyone who will pay to listen. Most parasite programs divide into two categories:

"adware" - programs on your computer that fling pop-up ads at you, install toolbars full of adverts or hijack searches and web use; and

"spyware" - more underhand, these devices surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and dispatch it across the web.

What they have in common, is that they quietly download onto your computer while you are online ... Sometimes without your permission [more]

Bush and the Environment

In the midst of all the talk about war, terrorism etc. Blogger Robert Byrd reminds us of an important issue, that is also worthy of inquiry.

While we were looking away, Bush has slowly begun to dismantle environmental protections. Over the last two weeks the administration has taken action relating to logging and clean air that will negatively affect us for years to come.

fear that these changes are only the first of many. We can't allow Bush and headline media to distract us from what is really happening. The world that Bush is creating is not the one that I envision for my children and grandchildren.

Homeland Security Watch Dogs

Don't forget to check us out at Liberty Dogs. Keeping a watch on issues pertaining to Homeland Security.

Census + Consensus

Blacks remain the most highly segregated minority group in neighborhoods across the United States, despite changes over the last 20 years, the U.S. Census Bureau reported on Wednesday.

Billed as one of the agency's most exhaustive study ever of residential segregation, the report focused on trends between 1980 and 2000.

Smoke Screen

Seeds for low-nicotine tobacco were essentially banned by the USDA in 1963. To this day, in order to be eligible for full government price supports, farmers must certify each year that they are not growing any low-nicotine varieties.

So, while the government sues tobacco companies for killing 400,000 Americans each year, it is enforcing laws that ensure cigarettes remain addictive.[more]

Chuck Slams Poindexter

NY Sen. Chuck Schumer slammed Iran-Contra figure John Poindexter yesterday as the wrong man to head the Pentagon's new "big brother" program, saying the retired admiral barely escaped jail.

"If we need a big brother, John Poindexter is the last guy on the list that I would choose," said Schumer (D-N.Y.). [ more]

Link and Think

Link and Think is an observance of World AIDS Day in the personal web publishing communities. The project involves hundreds of webloggers, journalers, diarists and other personal website publishers, each linking to resources about HIV/AIDS or publishing personal stories about how the AIDS pandemic has affected them. Learn more About Link and Think.

(Via Ronn, Jason, Brad.)

Nations Mark World AIDS Day With Rallies

Southern African countries marked World AIDS Day on Sunday with hopes that the region, which has the highest rate of HIV positive people on the planet, can slow the spread of the disease.

There are 42 million HIV positive people worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa home to 75 percent of them, according to UNAIDS, the U.N.'s AIDS agency.

South Africa has more HIV positive people than any other country in the world. Figures released by the government more than two years ago showed that 4.7 million people -- one in nine -- were infected, and the figure today is believed to be substantially higher. [more] Via Newsday