It Depends on What the Definition of Support Is

They were just trying to collect donations for American troops. But the Boy Scouts end up getting busted by the City of Cambridge. All their boxes were taken down at polling stations for being too "pro-war."

I'm confused. I've been hearing ad nauseum from the likes of Senator Harry Reid, Rosie O'Donnell, Speaker Pelosi et al. that "You don't have to support the war to support the troops. We all support the troops". Well, apparently not. At least according to Cambridge, Massachusetts election board, which claims that you CAN'T Support the Troops unless you are "Pro-War". ( I am certain that Sens Kerry and Kennedy of MA have also claimed to Support the troops, but not the war. OK, I know that no one with half a brain believed either one of them when they said that, as they both have slandered our military on more than one occasion, but still) What the hell does "pro-war" mean, by the way? Um, most people that I know do not LIKE War, but understand it is a necessary evil at times. Though, I guess if you don't even believe in the existence of evil (terrorists being just poor misunderstood freedom fighters and all), then you don't comprehend that concept.

Yeah, I'm even angrier than usual about this. However, I'm not surprised, sadly. Due to the reason given in the diatribe above and also because I'm fairly certain that the Left has had the Boy Scouts in their sights ever since that whole no gay troop leaders debacle. Speaking of which, I wonder if those parents concerned about the possibility of gay troop leaders have subsequently removed their kids from public schools and if they no longer send them to church. Only because it seems to me, based on the current hip trend, there is more to worry about with female middle school teachers and catholic priests.

Not to mention the fact that The People's Republic of Massachusetts, in its infinite wisdom, most likely believes that the Boy Scouts' time would be much better spent picking up birth control from the school nurse, learning about Heather's Two Mommies and practicing dissent as patriotism as opposed to ACTUAL patriotism.

The fact that the Boy Scouts use the term "troop" must also stick in their craw. I expect a petition soon asking the Boy Scouts to call each group a co-operative, as the term troop is far too War Monger-y and violent. And you know what happens when kids are exposed to violence, right? I'm actually asking because I'm confused as usual. They keep coming out with new studies! Childhood obesity, I expect, though.

Requiem For A Hero

A Brave & Beautiful Soul Remembered. With a warning: It is a TEARJERKER. Seriously, have a tissue handy. Several, actually.

An amazingly beautiful and touching piece by Christopher Hitchens. Even if you aren't a Hitchens fan (and I know he engenders quite a bit of ire, to say the least, at times), this piece is a MUST read. You may even feel for Hitchens quite a bit. I did.

Rest In Peace, Lt. Mark Daily. I can't express my gratitude in words, nor can I express how badly I feel at the loss of such a good, brave, kind, heroic and wonderful man. And I know there are many others just as brave and good who have been lost to us all.

So, I'll just copy a line from the HItchens article that jumped out at me and struck home:

As one who used to advocate strongly for the liberation of Iraq (perhaps more strongly than I knew), I have grown coarsened and sickened by the degeneration of the struggle: by the sordid news of corruption and brutality (Mark Daily told his father how dismayed he was by the failure of leadership at Abu Ghraib) and by the paltry politicians in Washington and Baghdad who squabble for precedence while lifeblood is spent and spilled by young people whose boots they are not fit to clean.

Please take the time to read the article in its entirety.

Toyota Prius, the New Limo?

I hope this dude loses his appeal. Because I, for one, would be completely pissed off if I ordered a Limo and a freakin' butt ugly PRIUS showed up.

TAMPA - Moshe Leib says it's not a stretch to call his black Toyota Prius a limousine.

Hillsborough County's Public Transportation Commission is skeptical, though, and has denied Leib's application to operate the gas-stingy vehicle as a limo service. That means Leib, who operates TB Limo in Pinellas, can use the car to take customers into Hillsborough County, but he can't pick them up there, even at the airport.

Now the North Redington Beach man is suing the agency in federal court.

Leib's Prius has four doors, seats five, including the driver, and has black leather seats. Passengers are entitled to bottled water and a newspaper. The also derive comfort from knowing they're driving in a fuel-efficient vehicle, he said.

Bottled water, a newspaper and environmentally conscious? Er, no thanks. Give me my huge wasteful stretch with a wet bar.......a full one, of course, a cranking stereo system and a moon roof (for actual mooning after wet bar fun commences).

He says the commission infringed upon his right to earn a living as he sees fit when it denied his request for a waiver of its rules that regulate limos.

"It's my right, and the people's right, to drive this car and be driven in this car. If you want to be green, an environmentalist, then you should be able to do that," he said.

I LOVE his entitlement attitude. He has the RIGHT to earn a living as HE sees fit? Um, sorry but we have rules and laws here. Granted, I hate most of them, but as they are currently in place, everyone else has to follow them so you do as well, Mr. Cheap-Ass-Trying-to -Pull-a-Scam-to-avoid-taxi-permit- lottery-and-failing-Dude.

If driving in a Prius is a "right", then that is one right I can gladly live without.

Never Mind Brittany; Help Jenna Jameson

She is clearly crying out for help. Actually, more like bellowing.

I've long lived my life by the tenet WWJD (What Would Jenna Do), but have recently realized that may no longer be such a smart idea.

First, the vaginoplasty. Correction........botched Vaginoplasty. Ew.

Washington, Mar 31 (ANI): Porn star Jenna Jameson is reportedly so annoyed with the results of her vaginoplasty that she has refused to speak to anyone, and in turn has almost jeopardised her best-selling book, "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star's, " chances of being made into a movie.

"She underwent a vaginoplasty at a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, and she is very unhappy. She has decided to hole up and not speak to anybody. The producers are about to pull the plug on the movie," " the source added."

Oh, Baaaad choice of words, Source.

Second, the hilarious coming out backing of Hillary Clinton:

PR.com: "Who's your favorite Democratic front runner for 2008? Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John Edwards?" Jenna Jameson: "I love Hillary. I think that in some ways she's pretty conservative for a Democrat, but I would love to have a woman in office. I think that it would be a step in the right direction for our country, and there would be less focus on war and more focus on bettering society."

PR.com: "Do you find that the climate of the adult industry changes when there is a Republican administration versus Democratic?"

Jenna Jameson: "Absolutely. The Clinton administration was the best years for the adult industry and I wish that Clinton would run again. I would love to have him back in office. I would love to have Al Gore in office. When Republicans are in office, the problem is, a lot of times they try to put their cross hairs on the adult industry, to make a point."

"It's sad, when there are so many different things that are going on in the world: war, and people are dying of genocide...I look forward to another Democrat being in office. It just makes the climate so much better for us, and I know that once all our troops come home, things are going to be better and I think that getting Bush out of office is the most important thing right now."

Tee heeing at the obvious fact that President Clinton was good for the porn industry. The revenue from all the Monica/cigar / Oral Office movies alone must have been staggering. And I'm so glad the pesky Wars and genocide go by the wayside and are no longer such a nuisance once a Dem is in office, making the climate much better for the porn industry. That IS what matters most (she says sarcastically. Although, I've long said that MORE porn is needed, preferably air-dropped into the Middle East. It will, I guarantee, get them out of caves plotting terror. Plus, it will help the poor, sexually harassed livestock).

But, if she wants bush out of the office, then why is she backing Hillary? (groan). Oh wait....never mind. Safe to assume Hillary is bush-less. Meow AND groan. That was bitchy, even for me. Apologies! (but not apologetic enough to edit myself)

Now, the final straw, she's just had her implants removed.

LOS ANGELES — Porn princess Jenna Jameson has officially retired from starring in XXX movies, and to mark the transition she’s had her famous breast implants removed.

"When I had implants, I felt uncomfortable. I would be shy at the beach," she told Us Weekly. "Even for women with naturally large boobs, getting a reduction is so freeing. I feel like I can stand up straighter … before, when I jogged, I had to hold my boobs. I looked like I was molesting myself!"

Jenna added that she was so "ecstatic" after the surgery that she "went home and cried."

As are a multitude of men (and some women) crying tonight, Jenna. Oh, the sorrow you've wrought! It is very clearly, however, a pathetic and sad cry for help. I'm there for you, Jenna. I'm off to file the appropriate papers for a new Save Jenna campaign. I need to work on a name first, though. I'm open to suggestions.

Mission Iran?

According to John Bolton, Yes. In fact, he "absolutely hopes" we strike Iran within the next six months. I respect John Bolton immensely and I most often agree with him. However, call me crazy, but isn't the timing a bit disconcerting? Aren't we stretched a wee bit thin as it is? Militarily?

I also don't see any conceivable way for President Bush to get any support whatsoever to authorize such a military strike. He's little, if any, political capital left and the public is in no way going to support another military action. The majority want us out of the present War as it is.

However, it seems to me that it is pretty clear that Iran IS involved militarily already. They are, no matter how hard Keith Olberman and his ilk try to spin otherwise, involved in Iraq and they ARE killing American and coalition forces.

But, I'm no expert. And perhaps wary only out of selfish fear. The World scares me of late.

Which makes me ever so grateful, as always, for the brave men and women around the World fighting for our freedoms, our safety and our very lives. Brave men and women, all.

Um, John Edwards? Maybe Try Thinking Before Speaking?

Seriously, this dude appears to be a few sandwiches short of a picnic and I am thanking my lucky stars that he didn't become Vice President in '04. His latest gaffe:

August 3, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - John Edwards, who yesterday demanded Democratic candidates return any campaign donations from Rupert Murdoch and News Corp., himself earned at least $800,000 for a book published by one of the media mogul's companies.

The Edwards campaign said the multimillionaire trial lawyer would not return the hefty payout from Murdoch for the book titled "Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives." The campaign didn't respond to a question from The Post about whether it was hypocritical for Edwards to take money from News Corp. while calling for other candidates not to.

In addition to a $500,000 advance from HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp., Edwards also was cut a check for $300,000 for expenses. Edwards claimed $333,334 in royalties from last year's release of the book, according to media accounts. The campaign said last night that those funds were part of the advance.

He says he gave that amount to charity, which would also provide tax benefits for Edwards. "We're more than happy to give even more of Murdoch's money to Habitat for Humanity and other good causes," spokesman Eric Schultz told The Post yesterday. He declined to show proof, however, that Edwards had donated the $500,000 advance or $300,000 expense checks to charity.

Meanwhile, Edwards yesterday attacked Hillary Rodham Clinton for taking more than $20,000 in donations from News Corp. officials, arguing that the company's Fox News Channel is tilted to the right. News Corp. also owns The New York Post.

Clinton declined to respond.

The Edwards campaign said it would return less than $1,000 in donations from three Fox employees.

Languishing in the polls behind Clinton and Barack Obama, Edwards also has led the Democratic field's boycott of a Fox co-sponsored presidential debate.

"The time has come for Democrats to stop pretending to be friends with the very people who demonize the Democratic Party," Edwards said.

Uh, Mr. Edwards? You kind of deflate the sails of your intended "gotcha!" moment when you somehow fail to remember that you received $780,000 MORE than the people you are attempting to criticize. I don't even want to know how it is possible that one can fail to remember more than 3/4 of a million dollars. Although I guess it could be rather difficult to keep track of all your cash in a 28,000 s.f home. Meow.

Plus, give it up already with all the puerile Fox news bashing, lefties. Seriously, can't y'all come up with something better than "Faux Noise"? It is really played. And wasn't even creative or funny to begin with. I'd suggest coming up with something better than "Shrub" for President Bush as well. Really juvenile and, again, not even funny. I mean, nothing wrong with a little immaturity as long as it is humorous at least. Just trying to help!

And attend the damn Fox News debate, Democrats. If you can't handle Wayne Goler, then how in the hell do you think you can take on the little man from Iran? Al Quada? Hugo Chavez? OK, Britt Hume is a tad intimidating, but still. And while I'm at it.....Republicans man up and do the stupid youtube debate. No one will be paying attention to your answers anyway. They'll be too busy mentally poking fun at the video submissions. While waiting hopefully for the Obama Girl to make an appearance.

Welcome Back, Smoker!

At least according to one upstart airline, who says Thank You For Smoking.

DUESSELDORF, Germany -- At the international airport in this western German city, smokers are shunned. If you want to light up, you're restricted to a handful of bars in the terminal, or else stuck puffing on the dingy street outside.

Soon, however, tobacco lovers from around the world could be beating a path to Duesseldorf. A start-up airline based here plans to offer long-haul luxury flights -- to Asia, at first -- that cater to smokers, countering a decades-long global trend that has made it impossible to enjoy a cigarette on most passenger flights.

The new airline is called, naturally, Smoker's International Airways, or Smintair for short. The founder is a local entrepreneur who promises a return to the days when air travel was considered glamorous, when stewardesses were happy to bring you a glass of scotch, and when smoking in the lavatory didn't risk criminal prosecution.

This fabulous new airline might very well be the answer to my recent (and of no particular origin excepting oddity) debilitating and admittedly pathetic fear of flying. The very idea of sending the militant anti-smoking crusaders into an apoplectic fit is reason enough. Add in booze and food and it is heavenly. Why drink and drive when you can drink, smoke and fly? (note: I don't really drink and drive, but I do have.....surprise surprise, NOT....an issue with the obnoxiously low blood alcohol level laws. I'm kind of small. ONE drink puts me right at the legal limit)

The only catch is that the only flights at first will be from Germany to Japan, as apparently 1/3 of Japanese adults smoke and 1/4 of Germans smoke which is shocking considering that smoking is the evil of all evils, yet Japan is quite the healthy nation. The healthiest, in fact. How can this be? With all that 2nd hand smoke floating about? Perplexing! Anyhoo, sadly neither Germany or Japan are anywhere within my proximity. oh yeah, and I'm not rich. The flights will start at around $6,000 a ticket. I do, nonetheless, now have a humongous crush, sight unseen, on the founder of the airline, Mr.Schoppmann (or is it Herr?). Just take a look at what is posted on the airline's Job portal:

Allergics to any kind of smoke or aviation specific conditions, militant Anti-Smokers, or people with other social deficiencies are kindly asked to not apply"

Tee hee! What's not to love? And there's more!:

"People think the cabin will be full of smoke, which is bollocks," he said. "The air on Smintair will be more refreshing than on a normal flight. You will not even notice the smell of somebody smoking a cigarette or pipe in the next seat."

Not that there's anything inherently unhealthy about tobacco smoke, insists Schoppmann, who adds that he doesn't believe a word of the warning labels printed on tobacco products. He's already gotten into a public spat with the World Health Organization, dismissing public health concerns over secondhand smoke as "the biggest scam of all times."

"I'm just another healthy smoker," said Schoppmann, who inhales about a pack a day. "I haven't seen a sick smoker in my life. The only thing I see are sick nonsmokers, and they are always sick with all sorts of crap."

Again, genius Mr. (Herr) Schoppman! 'Tis true; militant non-smokers do seem to suffer from every allergy and ailment known to man. And everyone I know who flies does often get some sort of bug after their trip. It seems as if airlines figured that once the dastardly smoke was gone, then no need to crank up the air circulating thingies. Uh, what about ACTUAL health risks (as I must note the preponderence of studies indicating 2nd hand smoke has next to ZERO adverse health effects) and not just convenient scapegoats? Like real germs? Screeching toddlers? And rancid body odor? OK, the last two are just pet peeves of mine and minor inconveniences (hmm, like passive smoke), but the germs part is real.

An aside: I, out of morbid curiosity and a sad need to punish myself, perused some liberal blogs regarding this airline story. As you can imagine, they were filled with the expected "oh gross. It won't last because smart people will refuse to be exposed to such evil carcinogens" proving once again that they have a hard time either reading or comprehending or both. Hello? You don't HAVE to fly on that airline. Not to mention that I'm pretty sure you'd be hard-pressed to afford the ticket price what with your being unemployed students, professional "protesters" and full-time Health Nannies and all. The worst comments of the bunch were ones that actually stated thing like "I hope they all get cancer". Not kidding. Nice, huh? The wonderfully compassionate and caring "progressives" at work.

Hey, I have an idea. Stop imposing your choices on others. No one will FORCE you to fly on a vile smoking plane. Unlike how you FORCE smokers to fly on a boring, germ-filled, nicotine withdrawal hell, smokeless flight.

Before this turns into a tome (yes, I do ramble. Apologies!), I'll leave off with wishing much success to Smintair! And a thank you for doing your part for freedom and personal choice. If I ever win the lottery, I'll be sure to book a flight with you forthwith. Hint, hint: I'd love a trip to Australia. Try to fit that into your later flight patterns. Thanks!