Archive for 2010|Yearly archive page
Kentucky Basketball Schedule 2010-2011
In Sports, UK Basketball on November 14, 2010 at 6:55 amDate Opponent / Event Location Time
11/12/10 vs. ETSU Lexington, Ky. W 88-65
11/19/10 at Portland Portland, Ore. 10:30 p.m. ET
EA Sports Maui Invitational
11/22/10 vs. Oklahoma Maui, Hawaii 5:30 p.m. ET
11/23/10 UVa/Wash Maui, Hawaii 4:30/9:30 ET
11/24/10 TBD TV Maui, Hawaii TBA
11/30/10 vs. Boston University Lexington, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET
12/04/10 at North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. 12:30 p.m. ET
SEC/Big East Invitational
12/08/10 vs. Notre Dame Louisville, Ky. 9:30 p.m. ET
12/11/10 vs. Indiana Lexington, Ky. 5:15 p.m. ET
12/18/10 vs. Miss Valley St Lexington, Ky. 8:00 p.m. ET
12/22/10 vs. Winthrop Lexington, Ky. 1:00 p.m. ET
12/28/10 vs. Coppin State Lexington, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET
12/31/10 at Louisville Louisville, Ky. 12:00 p.m. ET
01/03/11 vs. Penn Lexington, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET
01/08/11 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. 4:00 p.m. ET
01/11/11 vs. Auburn * Lexington, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET
01/15/11 vs. LSU * Lexington, Ky. 4:00 p.m. ET
01/18/11 at Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. 9:00 p.m. ET
01/22/11 at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C. 6:00 p.m. ET
01/29/11 vs. Georgia * Lexington, Ky. 4:00 p.m. ET
02/01/11 at Ole Miss * Oxford, Miss. 7:00 p.m. ET
ESPN College GameDay
02/05/11 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 9:00 p.m. ET
02/08/11 vs. Tennessee * Lexington, Ky. 9:00 p.m. ET
02/12/11 at Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. 1:00 p.m. ET
02/15/11 vs. Mississippi State * Lexington, Ky. 7:00 p.m. ET
02/19/11 vs. South Carolina * Lexington, Ky. 4:00 p.m. ET
02/23/11 at Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. 8:00 p.m. ET
02/26/11 vs. Florida * Lexington, Ky. 4:00 p.m. ET
03/01/11 vs. Vanderbilt * Lexington, Ky. 9:00 p.m. ET
03/06/11 at Tennessee * Knoxville, Tenn. 12:00 p.m. ET
SEC Tournament
03/10/11 SEC Tournament TV Atlanta, Ga. TBA
03/11/11 SEC Tournament TV Atlanta, Ga. TBA
03/12/11 SEC Tournament TV Atlanta, Ga. TBA
03/13/11 SEC Tournament TV Atlanta, Ga. TBA
Kentucky outduels the ETSU Bucs 88-65
In Sports, UK Basketball on November 13, 2010 at 2:43 pm
First game of the regular season. The Cats come out guns a blazing. Terrence Jones slams down 25 Points and 12 Rebounds for his first Double Double of his UK Career. Brandon Knight (17 pts/5 ast) and Doron Lamb (20 pts) bring it with Double Digit scoring. Young Doron also pulled in 5 rebounds.
And in what is most likely a surprise for many a UK fan who had left him for dead, Deandre Liggins throws down for 14 points, dishes out 6 assists and nabs 3 rbds.
It’s going to be a group board effort this year without Kanter. Unless Vargas and Jorts step up big time. Jorts is a big fella. he should be snatching balls left and right. We’ll see.
Jorts had a respectable 7 rebounds (4 Offensive). He’ll be sorely needed this year with Kanter being ruled ineligible. A shame that. The NCAA made a piss poor decision on that call. 13,000 dollars makes one a “Professional.” Who’d a thunk it. I thought Pro Ballers were cashing million dollar checks. Yet, the NCAA rules that a measly 13,ooo bucks and 20,000 bucks in school expenses makes one a “Professional.” The NCAA is still a joke.
Anyway. Great Game and Great Opener on the Season. Many is the fan was worried about this game. The baby Cats proved up to the challenge of the Great Bucs of ETSU. Imagine!
The one down side is free throw shooting. An abysmal .391. Can’t give up the freebies like that and expect to make any kind of run in the NCAA Tournament.
Last word. Darius Miller. The kid seems to have talent. He doesn’t seem able to bring it except on occasion. I think he can ball as well as the Frosh. Why he continues to be satisfied with second string is unfathomable.
| Kentucky | ||||||||||||
| Name | Min | FG | 3Pt | FT | Off | Reb | Ast | TO | Stl | Blk | PF | Pts |
| J. Harrellson | 16 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| D. Liggins | 37 | 5-10 | 2-4 | 2-3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| B. Knight | 32 | 6-13 | 4-7 | 1-4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 |
| T. Jones | 35 | 10-19 | 2-3 | 3-10 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
| D. Miller | 31 | 3-9 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| S. Poole Jr. | 1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Lamb | 28 | 7-10 | 3-5 | 3-5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| J. Polson | 1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Vargas | 13 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| J. Hood | 6 | 1-3 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Totals | 200 | 33-68 | 13-26 | 9-23 | 16 | 48 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 88 |
| Percentages: | .485 | .500 | .391 | Team Rebounds: 3 | ||||||||
| Game Info | ||||||||||||
| Technical Fouls: None Attendance: 23,740 Officials: Doug Shows, Lee Cassell, Chuck Jones |
||||||||||||
The Irish and PriceWaterhouseCooper Must Be Retarded
In culture, Humor, Politics, Stupidity, thinking out loud on November 11, 2010 at 1:59 pmThis has got to be the dumbest scandal in the history of dumb scandals.
Having met a few “holier than thou” Leftist PC from Hell Irish Dudes here in Bangkok, though, I can understand how this is an issue on the Emerald Isle.
Bunch of freakin’ panty wastes!!!!
Accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) is mired in scandal after a group of 17 male employees in Dublin started forwarding around a “top 10″ list of their picks for the most attractive female employees in the office. We have it.
The frat boy behavior of 17 Irish PWC employees is quickly becoming an international incident. The company has already launched an investigation after the email was forwarded all over Ireland, and made its way into the newspapers there today:
“We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are launching a full investigation. We will take all necessary steps and actions in line with our firm’s polices and procedures,” PWC’s human resources partner Carmel O’Connor said last night.
Accounting trade magazines have picked up the story; once it hits the British tabloids, it’ll certainly be a PR nightmare for PWC—which has 2,000 employees in Ireland, and 160,000 worldwide. It’s already circulated widely in the Irish corporate world, and the media there has seen it, but no news outlet has published it yet.
Judge for yourself. (Don’t get all exercised; there’s nothing pornographic, it’s standard company photos and titles.) Perhaps this will serve as a warning to office-working dudes across the corporate world: Don’t do this.
They need an investigation? Why? Gather the morons together. Smack them on the wrist with unpaid time off and put it to rest. The biggest crime here is that it’s a top ten list with 13 gals on it.
AND IT’S AN ACCOUNTING FIRM!!!
P.S. I’ve met a few cool Irish dudes as well. So don’t get your panties in a wad.
A UK Football Note: Bowl Eligibility
In Sports, Stupidity, UK Football on November 11, 2010 at 10:09 am
I can tell you right here and now that this year Kentucky’s bowl game will once again be played in Tennessee.
Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Cats don’t need to be bowl-eligible to play there.
Yes, the Kentucky-Tennessee game on Nov. 27 in Neyland Stadium is the game the Big Blue Nation is truly anticipating.
To be sure, the Cats need to handle matters this Saturday and notch the season’s obligatory sixth triumph by flogging feeble Vanderbilt.
How feeble? The Commodores are last in the SEC in both total offense, total defense and scoring offense. On the bright side, they are 11th in scoring defense.
Last week, in a 55-14 drubbing by visiting Florida, the Commodores punted 12 times. Poor punter Richard Kent — get this man a leg massage — is on pace to break the team record for most punts in a season, a record set last season.
The ‘Dores are converting just 20.7 percent of their third-down opportunities. Next worst among SEC teams in that category is Tennessee. The Volunteers are converting at a 35.6 percent clip.
Need we go on?
How did Vanderbilt beat Ole Miss in Oxford all the way back on Sept. 18?
Houston Nutt, you have some explaining to do.
Joker Phillips will have some explaining to do, too, should the Cats slip Saturday. We shall excuse last Saturday’s near slip. It’s tough for any SEC school to get up for an FCS team, especially one that lost 66-7 to Hawaii. Playing a flat game against a bad FCS team is one thing, being unprepared for an SEC foe — even one by membership only — with something on the line, is another thing.
I find this article to be the height of stupidity. It’s a joke. My opinion is that THE JOKE already has some explaining to do. Like how “Operation Win” turned into Operation Failure with one of the easiest schedules that UK will face for a while.
This was supposed to be a year in which UK graduated to a bigger Bowl picture. Instead, Neyland and the possible defeat of a downtrodden Vols team is THE BOWL GAME of 2010.
WHAT A JOKE!
At least the name fits.
The “Bowl Game” to which UK Football is looking forward is the game at Knoxville?
It’s an admission that UK Football is so bad that they can’t win against a quality opponent. UK must win this year while UT is down or miss it’s chance at breaking that streak.
UK Football is so terrible that they’re looking forward to going down to Neyland Stadium and defeating (or attempting to defeat) the Volunteers. A Tennessee Vol Team in disarray. A UT Football team on it’s 3rd coach in as many season. A team depleted by scholarship reductions, defections and any number of scandals and problems.
That’s how awesome UK Football truly has become under Rich Brookes.
Now! Dont get me wrong. Rich Brooks did an incredible job of pulling UK Football out of the dregs. He took UK Football from the bottom of the SEC to a respectable bottom of the SEC. And that was a HUGE improvement. That’s how terrible UK was. Now, UK is a threat to actually beat the 2nd Tier Teams of the SEC and to occasionally defeat a #1 LSU team. They’ve done it. They defeated UGa two years in a row. They picked off Auburn last year. They finally took out Spurrier and the Cocks this year.
The only problem is that UK has no depth. They lose one or two key players and the year is over. The year that they beat #1 LSU. They went on to lose the next three games. Why? Injuries.
Why can’t UK recruit? I don’t know. They get decent kids. They just never have enough get over the hump and to stay there. Recruiting kills UK.
Now, we’ve got The Joke and Operation Win. No more moral victories. The Failed First Season.
I don’t see anything that’s changed. Some of the UK fans whom I know rave about The Joke. I don’t see it. What UK needs is something to bring in the recruits. Usually, that’s a head coach. I see Joker Philips simply continuing to bring in the same kind of recruits that Brooks brought in. An occasional gem but no depth.
That’s not going to build UK Football into a powerhouse nor is it going to bring UK Football out of the “respectable basement” of the SEC. It’s simply going to maintain the status quo.
Now, don’t go repeating these things on Kentucky Forums if you agree with me. It’s a sure fire way to be suspended or banned or, at the very least, booed off the board. lol
Bottom line. I’m not excited about defeating a down in the dumps Tennessee Vol team. Sure, it would be nice to kick the SOBs while their down. It’s just that I’d like to see a Kentucky Football Team that can go into Neyland in a UT Vol Championship year and kick their butts. I’d like to see a Kentucky Football program that is feared in the SEC. Not just a team that the other SEC programs shouldn’t overlook.
Problem is. The UKAA doesn’t want this and UK Football fans don’t know what they want. And if UK Football fans did know what they wanted, they wouldn’t have the necessary courage and fortitude to do anything about it. The sporting world is full of chumps.
If you need any evidence of that: There are still UK Basketball fans who love Tubby TLT Smith. (They’re usually the same stupid SOBs who don’t want to hear anything but positivity about UK Football.)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
Political and Religious Discussion
In Middle East, Military, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, Stupidity, thinking out loud on November 11, 2010 at 4:46 am
I have discussed religion and politics around the world with people with whom I have no reason to expect agreement.
China
Thailand
Korea
Afghanistan
Turkey
Israel
Egypt
Cambodia
Greece
Italy
France
Yet, I’ve never been in a fight. And I don’t really hold back on that which I believe.
For instance, I know for a fact that I disagree with most Europeans with whom I come into contact over Israel. Yet, I discuss and we’ve discussed without it becoming a problem. This is in personal, face to face conversation. Yet, on the internet, it always turns ugly. Why is this? I’m constantly attacked and called a “cunt” on the ‘net. Especially on websites such as ThailandFriends.com.
It seems that on the net. Where one can be as ugly as possible without physical repercussions, the folks get ugly almost immediately. Without thought. A few folks on this website in particular are guilty of this. One can not speak of Islam without an onslaught of insult. If you ever go there, Ciaran, Beej and Pee Marc are the most egregious examples of this inability to discuss subjects intelligently and amicably. I’ve discussed the pros and cons of Islam with Muslims in Muslim lands and have never been insulted as much. What’s even more hilarious is that one mention of Islam brings about attacks on Christianity. I’m not Christian. So the tactic does not work.
I find it ever more hilarious that one of these guys has as part of his Artistic portraiture a picture of Jesus made up of dollar bills and another print/creation of Shell with blood as oil. Yet, he doesn’t stop to consider that the Holy Keepers and Sacred Defenders of Islam known as Saudi Arabia are the folks who benefit most from the bloody old trade. It’s the Saudis who benefit most from oil and have since their unholy alliance with FDR. Yet, he attacks the dollar and Jesus when it is the Saudi denomination in both money and religion that benefits most from the dollar. Perhaps, he’s too stupid to realize this. The House of Saud, Mohammad and Islam had benefited most from oil.
Then again, most ideologically pure folks are too blind to realize their stupidity.
Which leads to the question? Why?
What is it about White Anglo Saxon Protestants and other Europeans that lead them to attack those who question Islam more vociferously than even Muslims themselves. Muslims are capable of self examination. It seems that White Europeans and their cousins in America are not capable of this. It’s a quandary with which I am not particularly capable of answering. Are these folks so emotionally crippled by their guilt over past “sins” that they are incapable of questioning the present. What is it?
I am truly perplexed by this strange phenomenon. Will some European please explain it to me without becoming enraged and simply calling me a cunt. lol
It’s quite hilarious. So, if you want to debase yourself by calling me a cunt. Please do so. I will laugh it off and spread further the Euro apoplexy. If someone with the intelligence and the ability to emotionally separate oneself from their ideology could explain this strange phenomenon to me could be so kind, I would truly appreciate it.
I’m curious. perhaps, they are so anti-West and so elitist and so bigoted that they can’t see that those whom they seek to “protect” are just as illegitimate and just as corrupt as those against whom, in their impotence, they rebel.
Peace….Dave
Leather Crafts in Istanbul
In Commerce, culture, Holidays, Middle East, thinking out loud, Travel on November 9, 2010 at 9:22 amThis is one of the more interesting items I saw as we walked around the shops in Istanbul. Thought about buying one but passed. I regret that decision a bit. Would have been a nice decor piece.
If World War 1 was a Bar Fight
In Military, Politics, thinking out loud, War on November 3, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Germany, Austria and Italy are standing together in the middle of a pub when Serbia bumps into Austria and spills Austria’s pint.
Austria demands Serbia buy it a complete …new suit because there are splashes on its trouser leg.
Germany expresses its support for Austria’s point of view.
Britain recommends that everyone calm down a bit.
Serbia points out that it can’t afford a whole suit, but offers to pay for the cleaning of Austria’s trousers.
Russia and Serbia look at Austria.
Austria asks Serbia who it’s looking at.
Russia suggests that Austria should leave its little brother alone.
Austria inquires as to whose army will assist Russia in compelling it to do so.
Germany appeals to Britain that France has been looking at it, and that this is sufficiently out of order that Britain should not intervene.
Britain replies that France can look at who it wants to, that Britain is looking at Germany too, and what is Germany going to do about it?
Germany tells Russia to stop looking at Austria, or Germany will render Russia incapable of such action.
Britain and France ask Germany whether it’s looking at Belgium.
Ottoman and Germany go off into a corner and whisper. When they come back, Turkey makes a show of not looking at anyone.
Germany rolls up its sleeves, looks at France, and punches Belgium.
France and Britain punch Germany.
Austria punches Russia.
Germany punches Britain and France with one hand and Russia with the other.
Russia throws a punch at Germany, but misses and nearly falls over.
Japan calls over from the other side of the room that it’s on Britain’s side, but stays there.
Italy surprises everyone by punching Austria.
Australia punches Ottoman and gets punched back.
There are no hard feelings because Britain made Australia do it.
France gets thrown through a plate glass window, gets back up, staggers back into the bar and carries on fighting by attempting to kick Germany in the balls while he hides behind Britain’s skirt.
Russia gets thrown through another window, gets knocked out, suffers brain damage, and wakes up with a complete personality change and starts punching itself in the face.
Italy throws a punch at Austria and misses, but Austria falls over anyway.
Italy raises both fists in the air and runs ’round the room chanting inane Italian taunts.
BRITAIN AND FRANCE START WHINING THAT THEY NEED HELP FROM AMERICA.
America watches the belligerents until Britain and France are about to fall over from sustained punching from Germany.
Shakes her head in disgust, contempt and resignation.
Then walks over and ends the fight by by smashing Germany over the head with a bar stool
Yells; “I gotta stop partying with these belligerent assholes!”
By now all the chairs are broken and the big mirror over the bar is shattered. Britain, France and America agree that Germany threw the first punch, so the whole thing is Germany’s fault.
While Germany is still unconscious, Britain and France go through its pockets, steal its wallet and buy drinks for all their friends.
Russia inexplicably continues to punch himself in the face.
Just for the hell of it, Britain and France take Ottoman out to the back alley and shake her down. She has no money so they take her clothes instead.
After everyone else leaves and Germany is still unconscious on the floor, France buggers Germany and smashes the Kraut over the head with a wine bottle one last time.
Germany awakens several hours later and vows revenge on the French.
(I was sent this on facebook by a Scottish friend. It was a bit skewed so I fixed it. Original here.)
On Religious Tolerance and Acceptance
In culture, islam, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, Stupidity, thinking out loud on November 1, 2010 at 12:01 amMuslims can be tolerant and Muslims can avoid hostility towards others. To do so, they must disregard whole passages in their Qu’ran.
The same is true of Christians and Christianity.
Both are world devouring religions. Anyone who denies this is denying the message of their religion. Both religions teach that they are the true religion and that all others are false. There is no tolerance in that dogma. Both preach that unbelievers, heretics and infidels are going to hell. Both agree that homosexuality is an abomination. Both are patriarchal versions on life that preach that the man is the leader of the household. Both call the other and all others false.
The ultimate goal of both religions is the conversion/reversion of all of the peoples of the world. Both have tried to convert by force of Arms. One is attempting to do so today.
I know this will offend the Islamophiles and Christians on this board. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit the truth of it, though.
There is simply no room for tolerance in either religion for true believers. For those who pick and choose what they wish from the religions, tolerance and the better form acceptance is possible. For those who take a literal view, tolerance is only a stop gap. Acceptance is impossible.
Therefore, in the end, neither religion can truly tolerate the other or any other. All of this talk of tolerance and acceptance is merely chimerical voodoo. It merely delays the inevitable conflict.
America preaches freedom of religion. We practice it as well. For the most part. Reality on the ground is that all are free to practice their religion of choice in America. Practitioners are not free from criticism. Neither are they free from attack. Physical, spiritual or otherwise.
One is free to choose. Free to practice. Free to preach.
This freedom is only possible in the West. In the lands occupied by Islam, this is not possible. Islam prohibits this. Islam prohibits proselytizing of other faiths. Islam severely restricts the practice of other religions. Muslims scream to the high heavens about tolerance in the West. In the East/Occupied Lands, they speak not of tolerance. They act as if it is the natural order that no other be allowed to freely preach their religion or seek converts. Even in the most Western or least Islamically dogmatic countries such as Egypt and Turkey, seeking converts is problematic. One’s life is at risk.
Yet, Muslims and in some cases the same Muslims who would react violently to Christians proselytyzing in Muslim lands come to America and abuse our freedoms in order to seek converts (reverts) to their religion.
When do we start to hold them to account for their actions. They come here and are allowed to build their Mosques and bristle at any criticism and any challenge to their aggressive campaigns against other religions. Then they go home and act in the exact opposite manner that they expect Westerners to act towards them in the West.
Eventually, the two systems must clash.
Either that or Christianity lays down and Islam becomes the dominant religion on the planet.
What happens then?
Is an Islamic America still America or is it simply another Muslim Occupancy wherein Sharia becomes the law of the land?
Imagine a majority Muslim America. How long do the freedoms and liberty last?
On the other hand, imagine a truly Christian America. How long til freedoms are reversed. Christians led by the Republican Party wish to add religious laws to our legal code. They wish to make homosexuality a legal abomination. They wish to reverse divorce laws. There is much, much more that Christians speak to when they are amongst themselves.
Both of these patriarchal religions are intolerant and un-accepting of any other order. Both wish to re-make the world in their chosen religions image.
That! I find dangerous and offensive.
Christians at this moment use the systems in place to further their agenda. Muslims are beginning to do so. Muslims are a minority in America for the foreseeable future. And thank the Gods this is so. I’ve lived and traveled in Muslim lands. I can tell you for certain that not many of you would be comfortable in these places.
Neither would I be comfortable in a truly Christian land.
I am comfortable in America. For now. If the Right gets it’s way, there may come a day when America becomes unpalatable to me.
That day is not yet here. Thankfully, the radical Christians are peaceable for the most part and are willing to use the systems in place to further their agenda.
There are no true Christian lands. There are only lands wherein Christians live. Such has not always been the case. I would say that I hope this trend never reverses itself.
As well, I hope that Islam does not make any further advances. That includes Israel.
Every land wherein Islam is the power is a backward place. I’ve been to most of them. There is a reason for this and it isn’t Colonization by Western powers. The backwardness of these provinces of man are the reason that they were so easily colonized.
Islam is a danger. It’s not the danger that is preached by the Homeland Security types. It may come to pass that is becomes that great a danger. This is why I am against any Wahhabi mosque being established in America. Wahhabism is the greatest evil of all time. And it is not a new evil. It is a yoke on the spirit and free will of mankind. It is violent. It carries with it death.
IT is worth fighting on all fronts. It is worth laying aside tolerance and acceptance and becoming intolerant and unaccepting. Wahhabism should never be allowed on our shores.
It is too late for this as in our weakness and folly, we have allowed it to reach our shores.
The backlash that could occur here is dangerous. People could flee to Christianity and become rigid. Freedoms could be lost in our search for security against the very danger that we invited in to our home.
Think hard about these things.
The threat is there. It is looming. It very well may bring us down.
Rome did not think she would fall to the Barbarians. Britain laughed at the Colonists as well as at Gandhi. The Holy Roman Empire and the Christian Kingdoms of Europe laughed once at Islam. The Roman Pagans once laughed at and persecuted Christians.
We are there again.
Laugh at your peril. Dismiss the danger at your peril.
America is not to Blame for Islamic Extremism
In Afghanistan, Central Asia, Introduction, islam, Middle East, Military, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, Stupidity, thinking out loud, Useful Information, War on November 1, 2010 at 12:01 am
Islamic Extremism began before America was founded. It existed in our early days. It was there in the Barbary Pirates. It was there before our Revolution in the Nejd being fought against by other Muslims. It existed long before we started our foray into the World as a power of any great importance (real or imagined).
Islamic Extremism has been there since the beginning of Islam. Islam was born in blood. It was born extreme. The first act of Muhammad was to use Islam as a tool to capture Mekkah and to turn the pagan shrines there into Islamic Shrines with the Ka’aba as it’s center.
What we know in the modern era as Islamic Extremism was started by al Wahhab. Al Wahhab was a Cleric born in the late 1700s. He assisted the Saudi Family in their ultimately successful efforts to conquer Arabia. Afterwards, his adherents became so violent that they were put down by the Egyptians at the behest and with the approval and thanks of the Ottomans.
The Muslim Brotherhood traces it’s philosophical founding to al Wahhab. All Islamic Terrorism groups not sponsored directly by Iran and even some of those such as Hezbollah, the Quds Force and Hamas trace their philosophical foundings and their violence back through the Muslim Brotherhood to al Wahhab.
I find it amusing when Westerners who are wholly ignorant of the history of Islam and it’s people wax poetic about how America or the West is to blame for Islamic Extremism.
Islam began as a tiny desert cult or sect in the deserts of Arabia. It conquered it’s way via Holy War from Central Asia and Western China to India and Indonesia to parts of Southeast Asia thorugh Asia Minor into Eastern Europe down through the Middle East and the Levant to North Africa and into the African Interior ending in Spain.
This peaceful religion then sided with the Germans in both World Wars I and II. Syria and Egypt then sided with communism and the Soviet Union.
I suppose that is peaceful as compared to a pacifist community or two…
Currently, Islam is used to justify African Slavery, Holy Jihad and suicide bombs, Airplane Hi Jackings, Clitorectomies on young women, the chattel slavery and oppression of millions of women across the Islamic world and in the West, execution of homosexuals, honor killings of sisters, mothers and wives for the slightest of reasons.
It is a given that not all Muslims practice these things or approve of such things. It is a given that the leadership of Islam is weak and vacillating. Relying on oppression and duplicity to remain in power.
Yes, Christians have done ugly things as well. That said, Christians, for the most part, are not doing these things now.
There is no mainstream movement in Christianity that calls for the Bible as Christian Law. No mainstream movement that calls for the execution of infidels, homosexuals or women based on Christian law.
This does not exist in the West. Not in the mainstream.
There are loons and fools a plenty. None of them get the time of day from the majority of the Western World including adherents to the Christian faith.
The world would be better off without Islam and Christianity. That much I believe. Individual Christians and even smaller organizations are fine. It is primarily the politicized and the mainstream fundamentalist Christians with whom I have a problem. Christianity has done much harm. The belief in Jesus of Nazareth and those who follow the actual teachings of Christ have been a great boon to the world at large. Christianity as we know it is a perversion created by the State of Rome as a mechanism of control. It was also used by the Monarchies of Europe to further their power and political aims. Jesus, I believe, would not approve of what we have called Christianity for the past 1600 plus years.
We’d find others things over which to fight.
The West is not to blame for Islamic Extremism.
America is not to blame for Islamic Extremism. It pre-dates America herself and it certainly pre-dates American Global Power.
Someone someday might successfully explain to me how something that existed before her birth is the fault of America. As of this date, no such person has arisen.
Only fools who know nothing of history.
Not all Muslims are enemies of Liberty and Freedom. Not all Muslims would force their brand of religion on others. Even so, there are many Muslims who would. Radicals are always the more powerful force in history. Moderates will usually fight for nothing. Pacifists will not fight. Those who believe in nothing will not fight for their vision of life on the planet.
This is the danger of Islamic Extremism. The radicals are willing to fight and to die for that in which they believe. Ignore that at your own peril–as many have done before.
You Will Be Losers
In islam, Middle East, Quotes, Religion, Stupidity on October 23, 2010 at 7:33 pm
This sign is right outside of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth
Smells like tolerance to me…
Speaks volumes to the propaganda of certain parties and their agenda to turn the tide of public opinion against Israel. Arabs/Muslims in Israel are as tolerated/accepted and as free as those in Europe and the United States. That tolerance, acceptance and freedom ends when the Muslims resort to acts of terror.
I felt completely safe in most of Israel. The only time that I felt endangered was around Palestinians because they noted that I was an American and had been a soldier by a pin I was wearing and my bearing.
In the end, Israel creates life out of the desert. Palestine does nothing but destroys and tears down. The Palestinian leadership would much rather destroy itself battering itself against Israel than build it’s people up and create a Palestinian Nation.
That is the major difference to me.
Shadow War against al Qaeda
In Afghanistan, islam, Middle East, Military, Politics, Religion, Stupidity, thinking out loud, War on October 20, 2010 at 12:01 am
I disagree with waging this “Shadow War” against al Qaeda.
Announce to the world that it is our intention to destroy al Qaeda. They attacked our Nation. They declared War. We did not. This is the War desired by Osama bin Laden and his motley crue of Wahhabist thieves, cuthroats and murderers. They wanted it. They got it.
Announce that we will strike al Qaeda wherever they exist. Wherever they hide. In any hole. On any mountain. On any sea. In any place where al Qaeda deems it necessary to plant a parasitic, violent bud, we shall strike to root it out before it takes root.
Announce that if al Qaeda is allowed to plant operatives or to exist unmolested by the local populace, said populace will be accountable for the actions of al Qaeda and said population will be accountable for any and all deaths resulting from al Qaeda and their brothers and sisters. The fault lies with the folks who cooperate with al Qaeda.
Tell the NGOs and Humitarian Organizations of whatever stripe that we do no hold ourselves accountable for the deaths surrnouding al Qaeda. Whether it be bullets, cluster bombs or fragments of US munitions or suicide vests and IEDs from insurgents or al Qaeda operatives.
We did not want this war. Nevertheless, we have it. We intend to prosecute the war to it’s conclusion. The conclusion is the destruction of al Qaeda and it’s subordinate and parallel organizaations in whatever part of the world it may exist.
After that announcement is made, we, The United States of America, should bomb the Nejd and every place sacred to the Wahhabis. We should invade Saudi Arabia and hold Mekkah hostage all the while allowing the Hajj to continue unmolested. Circulate rumours that we have planted a nuclear device under the Ka’aba along with the intent to detonate said device should a strike occur on US soil.
Also, we should pull out all military resources that protect or support or otherwise maintains the power of any Islamic despot. From Cairo to Iraq and Afghanistan. Tell the people of the Islamic World that their governance is now up to them. If they show that they are worthy and willing to fight for Democracy and their share of the delights of Liberty and Freedom that we will at a time, deemed opportune to us, intercede on their behalf. We will support no country that has as a defining point in their National Statement or
beliefs the destruction of Israel or any other Democracy. Period. We will support no Nation that has as part of it’s Constitiution
Immediately halt all support for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq until they actually come on line with a WESTERN AGENDA as opposed to an Islamist agenda. I would like to end all support of Islamic Countries period. I would include the protection of their shipping on the sea lanes. Let Iran fight it out with the Sunnis and afterward step in to pick up the pieces. These parties would slaughter each other. The West should precipitate such a crisis and then step in and pick up the pieces after they’ve murdered 2/3rds of each others populations.
Shariah Law. We will support no Nation which has as part of it’s national belief system the enslavement or disenfranchisement of minorities or women.
After this, we strike out at al Qaeda wherever they surface. If locals are killed. It is their fault for not having rooted out al Qaeda or for having allowed al Qaeda to plant roots.
Eventually, they’ll get the message. If al Qaeda is there, missiles will rain down in holy terror. If no al Qaeda is there, no missiles will arrinve.
We must halt our support of terrorising despots. We must support freedom and liberty. We must defeat al Qaeda.
As of now, we are losing this war. Especially when we allow them to plant their seeds of terror in our own front yard.
The Sacred Trusts
In culture, islam, Middle East, Military on October 17, 2010 at 12:02 am
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!
The TopKapi Palace in Istanbul has a collection called the SACRED TRUSTS.
In this collection are the swords of Hassan, Husayn, Ali, Uthman and many of the other companions of Mohammad. It also includes the Sword of Mohammad himself in addition to a whole array of other items that were handed down from Dynasty to Dynasty of the Caliphate of the Islamic Empire.
That’s incredible.
It was amazing walking through those rooms. I had no idea that these things existed. A real treat for me. Indeed.
I’ll have to get a copy of the book in order to show it around. Expensive, big and heavy, though.
Still. Amazing. I was awestruck.
This is a list of the items on display in this collection:
- The Holy Mantle
- The Honored Standard
- First Manuscripts of Quranic Verses
- The Letters Of Prophet Muhammad
- The Sacred Seal
- The sacred Strands of Hair
- The Prophet’s Footprint
- The Sacred Sandals
- The Bow Of the Prophet
- The Holy Tooth
- The staff Of Prophet Muhammad
- The staff Of Moses
- The Cooking Vessel Of The Prophet Abraham
- The Turban of the Prophet Joseph
- The Prophet John’s (John the Baptist) Forearm and a Fragment Of His Skull
- The Keys and Locks of the Kaba
- The water Bag used during the restoration of the Tomb of the Prophet
- Covers Of Kaba and the tomb of the prophet
- Soil form the Grave of Prophet Muhammad
- The Prayer Rug and Bridal Veil of Fatimah al-Zahra
- The scarf of Aisha bint Abu Bakr
- Sword Of The Prophet
- Sword Of Abu bakr al-Siddiq
- Sword Of Umar ibn al-Khattab
- Sword Of Uthman ibn Affan
- Sword Of Ali ibn Abu Talib
- A Piece of a Mantle Attributed to Husayn ibn Ali
- A Piece of Earth from Karbala
* I don’t know about the Staff of Moses. Everything else would seem to be original and in decent shape for swords, clothing, etc that are well over 1,000 years old.
Jesus in the Aya (Hagia) Sofia
In culture, Religion, thinking out loud, Travel on October 16, 2010 at 12:01 am
Inside the Hagia Sofia -- Christianity's Original Center
This is one of the Mosaics from the upper floor of the Hagia Sofia. There are 6 or 7 of these depicting either Jesus or Mary in combination and with others. This Cathedral and possibly these mosaics are over 1700 years old. It’s amazing to see something like this survive from the late Roman Empire in such fine shape.
Istanbul Says FREE ENES!!!
In Humor, Travel, UK Basketball on October 15, 2010 at 3:59 am
FREE ENES!!!
We just happened to be in Istanbul this week as the Pete Thamel/NCAA created Hullaballoo over our Big Blue Turkish Bro goes into overdrive. With that in mind, we headed out to Aya Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque in the Sultanahmet District to grab a couple of photos with our “FREE ENES” sign.
Turkey has been the friendliest country on this years Big Trip through the Middle East. I’ve been here a couple of days now and have been out walking in the city and sightseeing with Unny and Becca. Everyone has been friendly. No scary, angry or freaked out faces staring at us over our clothes or our shoes or our scarves or whatever. People here seem to be Euro oriented and the religious overtones that were so heavy in Jerusalem and Cairo are non-existent here. So far, it’s been a nice stay.
Off to Ephesus and Pammalukke tomorrow. We’ll see the Temple of Artemis which will be awesome as it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Good Times.
Enjoy and hope you have a laugh at our pics.
NCAA! I'm coming for ya!!! FREE ENES or else!!!
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- Just having fun…
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- NCAA! I’m coming for ya!!! FREE ENES or else!!!
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- FREE ENES!!!
- Just having fun…
Random Photos of Egypt
In family, Holidays, Middle East, Travel, Unny on September 28, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Quick hit. A few photos selected at random from our trip through Egypt. Jonathan, Unny and I are having great fun and Becca joins us tomorrow evening.
We can’t wait.
Hope you enjoy the pics…
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Question all things…
In Literature, Quotes, thinking out loud, Travel on September 8, 2010 at 12:31 am
“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings – that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” — Buddha
Big Blue Downs the Red Tards 4th Time in a Row
In Sports, UK Football on September 6, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Louisville goes down for the 4th Straight time to the Big Blue!
GO BIG BLUE!
The Story of Don Gato
In culture, family, Humor, Kids, Literature, Music on August 27, 2010 at 2:25 pm
O Senor Don Gato was a cat.
On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
He was there to read a letter,
(meow, meow, meow)
where the reading light was better,
(meow, meow, meow)
‘Twas a love-note for Don Gato!
“I adore you,” wrote the ladycat,
who was fluffy white, and nice and fat.
There was not a sweeter kitty,
(meow, meow, meow)
in the country or the city
(meow, meow, meow)
and she said she’d wed Don Gato!
O Senor Don Gato jumped with glee!
He fell off the roof and broke his knee,
broke his ribs and all his whiskers,
(meow, meow, meow)
and his little solar plexus
(meow, meow, meow)
“Ay Caramba!!” cried Don Gato.
All the doctors they came on the run,
just to see if something could be done.
And they held a consultation,
(meow, meow, meow)
about how to save their patient,
(meow, meow, meow)
how to save Senor Don Gato.
But in spite of everything they tried,
poor Senor Don Gato up and died.
No, it wasn’t very merry,
(meow, meow, meow)
going to the cemetary,
(meow, meow, meow)
for the ending of Don Gato.
But as the funeral passed the market square,
such a smell of fish was in the air,
though the burial was plated,
(meow, meow, meow)
he became reanimated,
(meow, meow, meow)
he came back to life, Don Gato!
Absolutely loved this song when I was a kid. We sang this at Franklin Elementary School off of Frankfurt Avenue. It’s a fun little song.
Tamerlane Macabre
In Afghanistan, Central Asia, culture, Humor, islam, Literature, Middle East, Military, Politics, Quotes, Religion, thinking out loud, Travel, Useful Information, War on August 18, 2010 at 2:40 am
I was reading Tamerlane ~ Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World when I came across this passage. I laughed out loud. Unny was sitting beside me and looked at me funny. So I “made” her read the passage. She looked at me like I was an idiot and asked me why it was funny.
I couldn’t really explain why? It just was….
Tamerlane ~ Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World
Tamerlane ~ Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World
The book was a most entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Justin Marozzi has a similar style to John Man. Man writes exhaustively about Central Asia, China, Genghis Khan and his grandson Kublai.
Timur was a madman. I love the guy.
We need a Timur or a Genghis in our age. Someone with the balls to do what is necessary rather than politicize and haggle like clucking hens.
