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Updated: 01/10/03



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Friday, 10 January, 2003

I got this in the mail yesterday from Maura. It is so accurate - I think that's all that Suki does, at least as evidenced by the quantity of the outbox *ahem* contents. I'm going to have to get one of those industrial, multi-cat Littermaids when I move, because this one's poor little motor is no match for the Amazing Bladder.

Suki, VP

OK, so Rabbits rule. But seriously, Lileks absolutely rules. His Bleat column today goes from accidently whacking his dog in the head while playing to a surgical dressing-down of Martin Scorsese's latest role as Celebrity Loud Mouth. It is a thing of beauty, especially the description of Cameron Diaz.

Saw this interesting tidbit in Yahoo News (emphasis mine):

Hamas Urges Iraq to Use Suicide Bombers Against US

JABALYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - A leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas urged Iraq on Friday to use suicide bombers to confront any U.S. military offensive.

"I call on Iraq to prepare an army of would-be martyrs and prepare tens of thousands of explosive belts," Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi told 3,000 Hamas supporters at a pro-Iraq rally in the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

"Blow yourselves up against the American army. Bomb them in Baghdad," said Rantissi, whose Islamic fundamentalist organization has carried out dozens of suicide attacks in Israel before and during a Palestinian uprising for statehood.

Iraq has paid millions of dollars to families of Palestinians, including those of suicide bombers, killed by Israeli forces since the start of the uprising in September 2000.

Excuse, Mr. Reuters, but I have a question: how is it that suicide bombers can be "killed by Israeli forces"? I always thought the whole point of "suicide" was a kind of DIY project, neh?

[No, no bias here . . . move along, move along . . .]

On the topic of the Palestinian situation, USS Clueless has a very interesting column about the reasons behind the current terrorist actions. In part:

None of what the Palestinians are doing makes sense in terms of a war of liberation, but that's because they aren't really fighting a war of liberation. The terrorist campaign is being targeted at Israel, but not really because of Israel. There may have been a time when the goal of the Intifada was to gain an independent Palestinian homeland on acceptable terms, but that's not what it's about now.

What is really going on is that various Palestinian factions are trying to position themselves to take power once Arafat dies. What you're seeing is the byproduct of a Palestinian power struggle. The Palestinian civil war started about a year ago.

The whole column is lengthy, but it is a interesting look at the motivations behind the various factions. He also has an excellent response to those who suggest that the 9/11 attacks were our fault and that we need to "ask ourselves why they hate us."

But my favorite part was his entry today:

The UN announced today that if the US attacks Iraq that it would not only result in mountains of dead, a rise in terrorist reprisals, increased hatred of America around the world, destabilization of half of the world's governments, destruction of the world's economy, massive increases in global warming, a drastic increase in tooth decay and acne, and rioting in the streets of Berkeley, but that it would also cause a cancellation of the TV shows "Friends" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

[Love it.]

Well, that's enough of death, destruction and Kay's political views for the time being. Saw a news story today reporting that police in the UK and Holland found 500 original recordings of the Beatles that had been stolen years ago, including several never released tracks. All well and good, but when I saw this headline on Yahoo . . .

Police Recover Beatles Tapes Stolen in 1970s

. . . I had a mental image of some guy wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt saying, "Dude, you found my eight-tracks! How awesome!"

Here are the last two Chinese Zodiac signs. And remember, the Year of the Black Sheep starts February 1st.

Year of the Snake
Years: 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001

Snakes are often cool and reserved, preferring to remain home rather than socialize, lying around in the grass or on a rock in the sun. They are sensitive, but decisive, and able to make long-term friendships. The snake symbolizes wisdom, intelligence, and kindness, and most of those born under the sign of the Snake have these qualities, except the ones that don't. Once offended, however, the Snake will always take revenge, often in the form of bogus magazine subscriptions being sent to your home. Snakes prefer their own judgement to advice from others. Often somewhat vain, Snakes are up there with Tigers in the snappy dresser department, but just can't handle the heels. Ideal jobs include teaching, psychiatry, and fortune telling.

Year of the Horse
Years: 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002

If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. You can be led to water, but you can be very stubborn - mule-headed, one might say. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Your passion is inspiring, and you attract many friends, always buzzing around you. You are a great leader, make really incredible cookies and are practically perfect in every way. Your sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, or jockey.

Well, I am off to Florida for a few days. I should be able to post from time to time, since I know I'd rather be sitting in a hotel room typing on my laptop instead of enjoying the sunshine and palm trees and water.

[And if you believe that, I have some lovely swamp land in . . . errr . . . Florida to sell you.]

~ ~ ~

Quote du jour:

"When the snake is in the house, one need not discuss the matter at length."

-- African Proverb

"Horse sense is a good judgement which keeps horses from betting on people."

-- W. C. Fields (1880 - 1946) US actor, comedian

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