Tuesday, August 23, 2005

S.E.T., August '05, Part 2

(CNN) -- Conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has called for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez . . .

O.K., Pat, I know it's VERY difficult, but I want you to THINK -- think very far back in your ministerial education, back when you actually believed in something other than your own arrogance:

Once upon a time, there was this guy in Palestine, who went around saying things like "forgive your enemies," "blessed are the meek," "blessed are the peacemakers."
Pop quiz, Pat -- who was that guy?

First we had "What Would Jesus Do?"
Then "Who Would Jesus Bomb?"
I guess now it's time for
"Who Would Jesus Assassinate?"

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Remember When . . .

Remember when everyone thought that gas hitting $1.00/gallon would mean the End of Civilization As We Know It?

Remember when the Republicans thought a President should be impeached for lying to the public?

Remember when a woman who lost a son in battle was a Gold Star Mother, immune from attacks on her character?

Remember when those who thought fighting a war was the right thing to do, went down to the recruiter's office and signed up?

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Stupid Evangelical Tricks, August '05 Edition

I think this story speaks for itself, and needs no comment from me.


Group to protest homosexuality at military funeral
Thursday, August 4, 2005
By Jon SeidelSpecial to the Daily Southtown
A Baptist group from Kansas has announced it plans to picket Friday at the funeral of Spc. Adam Harting.
Portage, Ind., police learned about the group's intentions by fax Wednesday.
"We're doing everything here to ensure the safety of everyone involved," Chief Cliff Burch said.
The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, is not specifically targeting Harting, who died in Iraq last week.
It pickets at military funerals all over the country, saying God is killing U.S. soldiers as punishment to America for allowing homosexuality.
The group also has announced plans to picket at military funerals in Minnesota, Alabama and California this week.
It protested in Valparaiso, Chesterton and Gary in 1998 after a gay-awareness poster was allowed in a Chesterton classroom.
Army Sgt. Bob Jaso, military liaison to the Harting family, said the group tries to provoke physical confrontation with mourners.
Because the funeral home and cemetery where Harting will be buried are private property, Jaso said, pickets will not be able to get any closer than the sidewalk across the street.
"Even if they yell something, they're still going to be far enough away that they can be ignored," Jaso said.
At other funerals, Jaso said, people were able to block the group from being seen.
Harting, 21, a 2002 graduate of Portage High School, died July 25 in Samarra, Iraq, from an explosive device.
He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Ga.
The Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Fourteen

Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.

That was all it said, the link on cnn.com yesterday. You know, in the little section at the bottom of other stories. It wasn't even at the top of its section; it was second, after a link to a story about the shuttle spacewalk.

Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.

Fourteen Marine reserves. All from the same Ohio unit. A unit that had already lost five just on Monday. Fourteen Marines, killed "when a huge bomb destroyed their lightly armored vehicle, hurling it into the air in a giant fireball." (Associated Press)
And note, please, the phrase "lightly armored."

Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.

So, what did you do last night after work? I fed the animals. Watered the plants. Looked at microfiche viewers on Ebay. Rejoiced that my favorite Twins player saved the day.

No funeral to plan.

No friends and relatives to call with the bad news.

No child to hold, and try to explain why Daddy won't be coming home.

Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.

I wonder what the Liar-in-Chief did last night.