Hurricane Katrina

This is a very strong storm, one that is causing some serious damage. I have been watching news coverage on all the cable news networks and have heard that some people couldn't
leave for two reasons:

1.) They couldn't afford to leave.

2.) They didn't listen to the warning.

These are NOT VALID EXCUSES.

Solution to problem 1, is to have people carpool or set aside money to provide transportation for mandatory evacuations. The solution to problem 2 is that people should always listen to the warnings.

I am so sick and tired of people not listening to these warnings, any warnings. Do they think there is some conspiracy? Give me a break. The ones issuing the call are trying to prevent anything worse from happening. Casualties can be avoided. Why do you think they have tornado warning systems in the Midwest? They are doing it to prevent senseless casualties. There is one difference though- the Midwesterners actually listen to them and act upon them. Are they the only ones with common sense?

Today's Laughing Gas

Last night/early this morning I saw one of the funniest TV commercials at about 1:35 AM EST.

The subject- POISON CONTROL HOTLINE!

It was about a minute long. The scene that caught my attention was the part when an Asian woman answered the phone and said in an Asian-American accent "It's OK, that much won't hurt you." I nearly choked on some water. If you don't think that that was funny, maybe you would if you saw it, especially after 3 long days of work.

Question Of The Day

How many of you still feel safe on planes considering the past two weeks?

Judgment Day- Part I

Today is the day one Brooklyn, NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind is calling 'the worst tragedy he has seen'. By now, everyone should know what I am talking about.

The road barrier was lowered, stating occupation was prohibited by law. Some skirmishes have already taken place in the early morning between protesters and soldiers.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abbas said on Israeli TV that "this is the right path and they have chosen the right path." He has also said, and I quote, "don't listen to the voices of the extremists who want a continuation of the occupation."

I have one thing to say about his first comment- whatever Abbas says, I will ALWAYS believe that the opposite is true. So, if he thinks that this is the right path, it is obviously the wrong path.

Now about the second comment- there's more to just black and white when dealing with issues like this. You have two extremes on the opposite ends of the spectrum, and then you have the in betweeners, and then the moderates. That leaves a lot of gray area. From what I take, Abbas must think that all the Israeli right are extremists. In reality, people like Natan-Zada are minimal, whereas the rest of the right are trying to protest peacefully (although there are some outbreaks). Abbas doesn't realize that an opinion doesn't classify someone under the 'extremist' label, it is the actions taken by the persons that helps in the labeling.

While all of this is going down, let's take a look to see what the Palestinians are doing shall we. As expected, they are celebrating. Some are even burning Israeli flags. What a class act don't you think? These guys are scum, plain and simple. To all those who support Ariel Sharon, what do you think now? These guys are very appreciative, right? Do you really think that these guys are going to back down attacking Israel? If you do, then you are full of BS, because now they are even closer. Please, just use logic and history to think this one through.

****************************************************************

Dov, however, was clearly not choosing his words very wisely. This is not the worst tragedy he has seen. Since I don't know his age I am going to ballbark he is in his fifties. Let me think of a few things that he might have seen:

1.) WWII and the Holocaust
2.) 9/11 (this especially hits it home, as he is across the water from Manhattan)

(If anyone would like to add to the list, note it in the comment section.)

(I Know It's Late) Britain's New Policy

Britain has pushed into legislation its new counterterrorism plans. Here's some of the details:

1.) Anyone who speaks pro-terrorist messages can be kicked out of Britain
2.) Anyone can be held for three months without formal charges being put on them

A necessary step? Yes. Have they gone too far? No. As of right now, I don't doubt Britain's moves facing terrorism. They have been hitting the bullseye with everything. The U.S. has tried to do something with the Patriot Act, but super lefties cried foul. I am a liberal and I didn't care about the Pat Act. If you don't have anything to hide, why should you? Maybe now with the success of the Brits, we can finally crack down on terrorist groups and supporters inside America.

7 Days And Counting

Some information on Netanyahu's resignation and what may happen.

1.) He did do this for future running for Prime Minister. This has been confirmed by the media.
2.) He will most likely challenge Sharon for heading the Likud Party.
3.) This decision could (and may most likely) sway even more people to become anti-pullout.
4.) Officials fear that within the next week, violence will escalate.

Today, he vote was counted for step one in the pullout. The vote was 17-5 in favor of. I am telling you, Sharon and his followers have gone insane. What ever happened to national security? Netanyahu said it best when resigning that he could not support a move which would only promote terroristic ways. Netanyahu also holds some serious power. The Israeli stock market dropped 5% because of his leaving office, although the man who replaced him (according to the paper) should turn that loss around.

A Message From A Tribute

Peter Jennings, ABC news anchor passed away last night after battling with lung cancer. MSNBC has had some great tributes to him, one on the Abrams Report, and the other on Countdown With Keith Olbermann.

Keith's was especially good. One note I would like to pass on (which he said in the tribute) was to quit smoking or get someone else to quit. Nicotine is highly addictive and hazardous drug. But now with the patch and gum, there are ways to get rid of cravings and aid in the quitting process.

I do not approve of smoking, nor have I ever smoked. The name of my other blog 'Nicotine & Rock' came about with a random blurb that 'The Beak' said was good enough for a name, (I have to admit it is catchy.) The use of 'nicotine' was to signify the addiction to rock music, especially in my case.

My grandmother was a heavy smoker. When my parents had me, she decided to quit. She has never picked up another cigarette to this day. During her cold turkey days, there were no real patches or gum, so when she quit, she really quit. I am glad she did, yet I am not sure whether she knows that I know she used to be a smoker.

Do My Eyes (And Ears) Deceive Me!?

I saw the end of a report on MSNBC which said that London had received warning of the 7/7 bombings by Saudi Arabia. WHAT!? Saudi Arabia warning London of a terrorist attack!? I was about to have a heart attack. Is today the day that pigs flew or did hell freeze over? Did anybody else hear this?

In another similar note, the U.S. is acting on warnings about a terror attack within the Saudi kingdom. Americans in the country have been told to look into leaving the nation or avoid hitting certain areas by taking caution. Officials said this information came from a credible source and was very specific. Finally, someone is acting on these warnings. It is about time. Like the saying says, "better be safe than sorry".

The Great 1-3

Today, the greatest quarterback in NFL history was enshrined into the hall of fame today. No it's not Steve Young, it is Dan 'The Man' Marino. He was the reason I became a Miami Dolphins fan. No record of his (other than most TD passes in a season) will ever be touched, EVER. Now there is a new reason for me to go back to Canton, OH. It was only appropriate to save the best for last in the ceremony today. The way the fans reacted to his speech was great. Dan's close was brilliant, with the slightly high pass.

Anniversary Of A New Warfare

On this day, 60 years ago, the U.S. in the midst of WWII, dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima which killed over 140,000. The Manhattan Project's effect had to this day impacted the way war was conducted and who had the most control over international affairs, as seen in the Cold War era. There was a ceremony in which many Japanese attended. A moment of silence was held at 8:15 AM.

Can anybody imagine what would have happened if we never released the atom bomb? It may slip under the radar for some and be overshadowed by other items, but this is one of the most impacting/life-changing things to have ever been created.

NOT The Way To Do It

Today's front page of the Post put me in disgust. An Israeli army deserter, 19 years old, killed four Israeli-Arabs, before being killed himself.

Bus 165, going from Haifa to the Arab town of Shfaram was the scene of chaos and death. Natan-Zada was the identified gunman in yesterday's attack. On this bus, he took out a gun and shot the driver, two young women, and another man. When Natan tried to reload his weapon, an Israel Arab police officer and a second Arab security worker prevented him from executing his attempt. Shortly after, a gigantic mob formed around the bus, and the soldier was stoned and beaten to death by the mob. The two officers were also beaten by the mob because they thought the officers were protecting the Israeli soldier. Thirteen people, including the two officers, were injured.

Natan-Zada had done this in protest to the Israeli pullout in Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

Israeli officials have already denounced this attack, yet Hamas is claiming that they will counter.

More and more Jews are protesting this pullout. People are joining in the tens of thousands to express their feelings towards this movement. However, they are doing it peacefully, like Dr. King in the 1960s. One settlement protest group turned in their weapons yesterday because like one member said "Jews shouldn't kill Jews." The group, since they are protesting, put orange ribbon around their munitions, as well as wore orange shirts.

A terror attack is most certainly NOT the way to try and get anywhere, especially in this situation. This guy was definitely not thinking of the best interests for Israel. What if Hamas does retaliate because of this murderer, although in all likelihood, wouldn't they do so anyway? The difference is now they have a reason. Why did Natan stoop to their terroristic ways? He should have said "I am better than them", but he didn't. He royally screwed things up, plain and simple. In the end, violence can only lead to more violence.

A Follow Up To Last Post & A Comment Of Mine

Ahmed Qureia, Palestinian PM, said,

"We are standing at the gates of Jerusalem. The retreat of the Israelis from Gaza and from Jennie (a West Bank settlement) is only the first step. We are approaching the gates of Jerusalem. We will not stop."

I said in a comment from the last post that this whole pullout didn't make sense because the Palestinians are land hungry and they won't be happy until they control Israel. They're like a homeless animal in the sense that if you feed it once, they'll be gnawing at you for more, much like the Palestinians hassling Israel for more and more land.

Question Of The Day?

W.T.F. IS ISRAEL DOING!!? Why are they finally giving in to Palestinian demands for the Gaza Strip, and some of the West Bank? Has Ariel Sharon lost his mind!?

A Slight Note About This Blog (and N&R)

Just yesterday I started work at a major retail corporation (we will leave it nameless because it doesn't matter). I will continue try to post up new articles ASAP because I like hearing dissenting and/or coinciding opinions. However, instead of a daily post as the routine I have started, it might become every other day or so. Also, most stuff will probably be posted between 9 PM-12 AM eastern standard time. I'm working on something right now and I would have posted it tonight, but it was rushed and not worthy of publication right now. Since I have tomorrow off, I will try and do a double tomorrow.

Underestimating Can Get You Killed

The more I am reading news about Britain, the more I feel that they have underestimated their enemy. What they failed to do after 7/7 is something that very near cost innocent civilians their lives- they did not pull an all out raid on potential terrorists, something they did very publicly and successfully after 7/21. Although it is true the police didn't have to look for suspects after 7/7, authorities should have taken a heavy stance on combating the problem. Britain had detained much more than the four key suspects and believed terrorists between 7/22-7/29. They were also successful in locating extra bombs and equipment.

There's an old saying- "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me". I don't necessarily believe that Britain was fooled, but their lack of action puts them at fault, especially if the bombs DID go off properly.

All nations need to take these threats seriously and do everything in their power to prevent the situation, not just counterattack. Britain was warned about a possible attack just before 7/7 and failed to act. How many times must be see an onslaught before nations act on tips given to them by intelligence? Too much blood has been lost. As I stated before, prevention, is the best attack.

Suicide Bombers Increase

In the Sunday NY Post, I came across a little blur article, which gave some disturbing information. Suicide bombings in Middle East and Europe in the last five years is the worst the world has seen. Since 9/11, these attacks have killed over 4,400 people.

"Suicide attacks have risen from an average of 3 per year in the 1980s to about 10 per year in the 1990s to nearly 50 in 2003," professor Robert Pape of the University of Chicago.

This trend shows a key issue-- more Muslims are turning toward extremism, or these Muslims, who already have extremist views, are starting to act out more through means of suicide attacks. If you sit and do the math, these trends show something highly disturbing and worrisome.