Saturday, 31 December 2005

I'm With Stupid

I came across this article on the Interweb the other day about how the NSA was using cookies on their web site.

he National Security Agency's Internet site has been placing files on visitors' computers that can track their Web surfing activity despite strict federal rules banning most of them. These files, known as "cookies," disappeared after a privacy activist complained and The Associated Press made inquiries this week, and agency officials acknowledged Wednesday they had made a mistake. Nonetheless, the issue raises questions about privacy at a spy agency already on the defensive amid reports of a secretive eavesdropping program in the United States.

My first thought was wow, these people are completely clueless about what a "cookie" is and how it is used. The depths of the stupidity and pointlessness of this article ran deep. A pretty silly attempt to hang more Bush is spying on you theme that the media has been running with lately.

But then, I saw that CNN had decided this AP report was as a major story that warranted the front page of their web site. And of course, they tied it into the Bush administration.

The Bush administration has come under fire recently over reports it authorized NSA to secretly spy on e-mail and phone calls without court orders.

Since The New York Times disclosed the domestic spying program earlier this month, President Bush has stressed that his executive order allowing the eavesdropping was limited to people with known links to al Qaeda.

But on its Web site Friday, the Times reported that the NSA, with help from American telecommunications companies, obtained broader access to streams of domestic and international communications.

The NSA's cookie use is unrelated, and Weber said it was strictly to improve the surfing experience "and not to collect personal user data."

Of course these incidents are not related, but they tied them together anyway? What really annoys me is not just the ridiculousness of tying these two stories together, but to what links CNN went to give this story gravitas. Within the article they have a link to watch a clip from the cable giant that was titled Watch how cookies can track where you surf The clip has this guy talking about how cookies are small programs that get loaded onto your computer and can be used to track your activity!

That sounds ominous until you really know what a cookie is. A cookie is a very small file that contains a name value pair. Something like name = Brian. That is all a cookie is. This information is sent every time you request a page from the web site that originated the cookie. The cookie is only good for the web site that gave it to you! Cookies are generally used by most sites to inform them when you come back to the site at a later date. Ever wonder how Amazon knows it is you when you come back to the site? Cookies are the answer. There is no way a cookie can be used to track ANY of your activity outside of the NSA web site. So the privacy concerns are slightly greater than zero, but not by much. Yet this story was pimped hard by the media so it could continue its onslaught of the Bush administration.

Just another small example of a wee bit of bias in the main stream media.

Posted by elendil at 11:20 AM in National Politics
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Thursday, 29 December 2005

Interesting Articles

After reading Where The Boys Aren't by Melana Zyla Vickers, I have to wonder when the movement is going to start to equalize the playing field for men. The trend in higher education is taking us backwards in the quest for equality of the sexes. But then who cares about men's rights?

The Courier Journal has a heart warming story about the Men of Quality. A local organization that is composed of successful black men who mentor young men locally. They challenge them to cast aside stereotypes and take a more positive view of themselves and their futures. These men are setting an example for kids growing up in challenging environments without fathers. They are encouraging them to do the right thing and make the most of their talents. Helping them down the road to success.

I bet they are doing more to help people in this community than any government program ever could. Keep up the excellent work!

Posted by elendil at 6:39 PM in Political Issues
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Wednesday, 28 December 2005

MSM - Propoganda Wing of the Democrats

Today's main stream media's propaganda piece is brought to you by CNN.

I am not sure the Democratic party couldn't have written a more glowing review about the Democrat's chances! If this highly partisan tripe continues from the MSM, I believe that the campaign finance laws should be applied to them. Why should some partisan organizations have to submit to the stupidity of the campaign laws why the MSM media gets a pass?

I think it would be wonderful if some enterprising Republican lawmaker introduces a law that would label the media as a partisan organization and apply the draconian campaign laws to them.

Posted by elendil at 10:46 AM in National Politics
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Tuesday, 27 December 2005

The Sky is Falling

This is the worst economy in the last 30 years. Bush's tax cuts have been devastating to economy. We are heading into another depression. Just look, the Bush policies have caused Christmas sales to plummet to record lows. I don't see how any business can continue to keep their doors open.

What? What is that you say? U.S. consumers spent 8.7 percent more during the just ended holiday shopping period than in the comparable period a year ago.

Hmmm

Well, Bush lied and people died!

Posted by elendil at 10:50 PM in National Politics
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Sunday, 25 December 2005

Plans to Test Single Sex Schools Scrapped

The Jefferson County school system, in an incredibly stupid move, has delayed plans to create two single sex high schools in the Louisville area.

Among the reasons cited for the delay is objections by the ACLU. They claim that the plan would reinforce gender stereotypes as well as provide for unequal educational opportunities. There is also concern that students would not be guaranteed an option to transfer which could violate the students constitutional rights.

What gender stereotypes are being reinforced in this scenario? I don't understand that argument at all. Don't ALL schools provide unequal educational opportunities? Last time I checked no two schools or their teachers were ever equal. So how would single sex schools be any different from what already exists? And the last time I read the constitution, I didn't see any rights to public education. Thus I don't know how not being able to transfer violates a child's constitutional rights.

On the other hand the benefits from single sex education are significant. It allows teachers to tailor lessons to each gender and reduces distractions for the students. It also reduces instances of misbehavior that occurs when both sexes are in the same classroom.

Evidence supports this line of reasoning. At Southern High school, they have same sex classes. Students below grade level has fallen from 34 to 29 percent and suspensions have fallen. In addition most of the best academic high schools in the city are single sex parochial schools.

Personally, I went to an all male high school and there is no doubt that there is greater focus for the students. Boys are free to be boys, and girls are free to be girls without the sexual pressures that occur when the two sexes intermingle. It also generates a sense of camaraderie that is commonly found in the organizations like the college Greek system and the military. A bond that provides students with a sense of purpose beyond self.

Opposition to this proposal has nothing to do with helping kids to learn. Heck the left has never cared about kids. They only want to continue their grotesque social experiment. They realize that if this program succeeds, then their experiments will be shown for the failure that they are. I fear this noble program will never see the light of day.

Posted by elendil at 12:31 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Christmas! Especially our troops overseas that can't spend this special time of the year with their families.

May God's grace be with you this holiday season!

Posted by elendil at 11:59 AM in Announcements
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Friday, 23 December 2005

MSM Propoganda Machine

Another example of agenda journalism can be found in this article from the Lexington Herald. It begins with a prediction of doom and gloom in the housing market.

Sales of new homes plunged in November by the largest amount in nearly 12 years, providing the most dramatic evidence yet that the red hot housing market over the last five years is starting to cool down.

Of course the amusing thing is the contradiction found at the end of the paragraph.

While sales of both new and existing homes are still on track to set records for a fifth straight year in 2005, analysts are forecasting sales will decline in 2006 as the housing boom quiets down.

Yes it is a record year for house sales, but next year is going to be doom and gloom. Talking about putting your hopes and dreams into an article. We have been hearing about this downturn in the housing market all year, only to see the numbers bounce back the following month. But of course there is no such thing as agenda journalism.

Posted by elendil at 9:42 PM in National Politics
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Kentucky Supreme Court Rules in 37th Senate Seat Case

The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 5-2 today that Republican Dana Seum Stephenson was not qualified to hold the state senate seat she won electorally over a year ago. But, the court refused to seat Democrat Virginia Woodward claiming the election was invalid.

This is an absolutely horrendous ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court. In an act of super-constitutional power, five judges overturned the rights of the state Senate set forth clearly in the state's constitution.

Let's take a look at the two sections that are applicable to this case. First the division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial are described in Section 28.

No person or collection of persons, being of one of those departments(branches), shall exercise any power properly belonging to either of the others, except in the instances hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.

Now let's look at the rights of the General Assembly as prescribed in section 38 of the constitution.

Each House of the General Assembly shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of its members

The constitution appears quite clear about which branch of the government determines the results of an election. No where does it say that the Judiciary can override the will of the General Assembly. This obvious conclusion was clearly stated in the minorities opinion.

Roach said the election controversy didn't belong in the courts because the "Kentucky Constitution grants to the Senate the exclusive power to judge the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members."

And Scott accused the Supreme Court of invading the constitutional power of the legislature, calling the majority opinion "unconstitutional."

Heck, even those in the majority all but admitted that this was a political hack job.

"Responsible officials will reject any notion of defiance or retaliation against the judiciary, for such action would be an attack upon the constitution itself," Chief Justice Lambert wrote.

Why else would you worry about retaliation unless you knew you overstepped your bounds? Of course, we are treated to the typical hypocritical response from the Democrats.

"If the governor does not call a special election, he has to take full responsibility for the people of Jefferson County not having a voice in government," state Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan said in a statement.

Talking about the height of hypocrisy!!! It was the Democrats who "challenged" this election in the first place. They were to ones who kept the seat from being filled for over a year! What a pathetic joke. Of course Woodward's response might have been worse.

Woodward said she was "elated" by the ruling, adding, "It's a huge win for the people of the 37th District."

How is this a win for the people who elected Seum in the first place? An election that was accepted by our duly elected representatives? How is it a victory for the people when the will of the people is thwarted by 5 guys in robes who overstepped their constitutional bounds? Please explain that one to me.

Posted by elendil at 5:08 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Thursday, 8 December 2005

Kentucky Wins Bid To Host World Equestrian Games

Good news for Kentucky. Lexington was awarded hosting priviliges for the 2010 World Equestrian games. The even could draw up to 300,000 people and bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

It is only right for such a grand event to come to the home of thoroughbreds, saddlebreds, and the Kentucky Derby. Congratulations!

Posted by elendil at 8:55 AM in Sports Topics
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Al Cross in the Ivory Tower at the Courier Journal

While the Lexington Herald bemoans the obvious struggles of Democrats in this state, the writers at the Courier Journal still hold out hope. In a column entitled Lewis could face stiff challenge, Al Cross sitting in his Ivory Tower at the Courier makes the case for Democratic success in the congressional races. Towing the Democratic mantra on the war, he sees a silver lining for the Dems. Actually, he is just hoping the hayseeds from this state will "see the light". His elitism spews forth in the article as he derides Rep Ron Lewis.

But Lewis has yet to shed the notion among people who pay close attention to Congress that he has progressed as much as he should have in 11�� years in the House. Witness the debate that followed Murtha's declaration, when Lewis claimed that the U.S. had won the war in Iraq. His simplistic, sometimes halting speeches make him the most verbally challenged member of Kentucky's House delegation.

Yes, Lewis should not be our Representative because he is verbally challenged! How dare some average guy raise up and become a Representative of the people!!! That is only for the well spoken highly educated elitists like ourselves! What tripe.

What is wrong with having a guy of the people serving us rather than some smooth talking snake oil salesman. Lewis is much closer to the average person he represents then the egalitarians at the paper. And that is what frosts those high brows at the Courier so much. Because they despise the common man who holds "conservative" values. How can these simpletons be allowed to determine how we are governed they whine? Because simpletons understand they don't want to live in some oligarchist's socialist paradise.

Oh yeah, I bet Lewis wins easily again.

Posted by elendil at 8:52 AM in Kentucky Politics
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Wednesday, 7 December 2005

Democrats Field Weak Candidates in Kentucky Races

The Lexington Herald is bemoaning the fact that Democrats are having a difficult time fielding credible candidates for state senate and house races.

Party chairman Jerry Lundergan said at a Friday night fund-raiser that the party expects to put up challengers in 34 of the 44 House districts held by Republicans. That compares to just four candidates going against incumbent state senators.

They are only challenging 4 incumbent Republican Senators? It looks the Republicans will easily hold onto their 4 seat advantage and might even have a chance to pick up a seat or two. The Congressional races are just as bleak

The Democratic Party spent much of this fall desperately searching for candidates to run in the five Republican-held congressional districts.

And so far, they've had a rough go of it.

They have yet to find someone to take on Rep. Anne Northup in Louisville.

In Northern Kentucky, Democrats say their only hope to challenge freshman GOP Rep. Geoff Davis is to coax former congressman Ken Lucas out of retirement.

But the most glaring example of the party's dearth of up-and-coming prospects could be the 2nd Congressional District.

State Rep. Mike Weaver announced he's leaving his Elizabethtown-based House seat to try to upset Rep. Ron Lewis of Cecelia, who for 11 years has represented the 19-county district that includes Bowling Green and Owensboro.

Weaver faces a tough fight.

In a 30-month span during the 1990s, conservative voters easily propelled Lewis past three of the Democrat's most formidable candidates -- former Senate President Pro Tem Joe Prather, former Owensboro Mayor David Adkisson and former state Sen. Joe Wright.

Regardless of what happens in the congressional race, it's Weaver's decision to challenge Lewis that's been illustrative of the Democrats' problem. His move might have cost the party a state House seat as well as a chance to pick up a crucial spot in the Kentucky Senate....Meanwhile, Republicans are wiping their brows in relief now that Weaver won't challenge Republican state Sen. Elizabeth Tori of Radcliff.

Of course this failure by the Democrats in Kentucky is not surprising. The people of this state are religious, pro-gun, pro-family, pro-military, and pro-America. In short they are conservative people. This conservatism is reflected in many Democrats that are currently serving in the state legislature. The problem for the Democrats in this state is that the national party is not conservative. In fact it is quite the oposite.

The most recent example of this extreme tilt to the left was illustrated when Rep Murtha called for US troops to be removed immediately from Iraq. In the process, he called the military broken and too weak to continue the fight. This trend continued when Howard Dean said we can't win the war on terror. This call for surrender to the terrorists is not the cowardly action that the hard working people of this country want. But the Democrats can't help being anti-military and anti-American. It is who they are. And this is just one example.

In reality, the Democratic party's core values revolve around being secularistic, anti-gun, anti-military, and anti-American. The opposite of what the people of Kentucky want. Thus it is no surprise that Democrats locally don't want to stand forth and have to defend the filth that is spewed forth from the national party. I know I wouldn't want to run with that baggage.

Posted by elendil at 9:00 AM in Kentucky Politics
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