Still, a photo of Gary (or an autograph) is not worth losing your life for so before Gary tries to run you over too, head over to eBay and pick up one of Gary's many different cards. The Americana card below is selling for less than $15 but if you'd like the double whammy of Arnold and Willis, you will need to shell over $70 big ones.

You know, on second hand I think I'll try my luck with an in-person autograph...

STEVE SCHMIDT, John McCain’s chief campaign strategist, told The Washington Post last week that the news media were “on a mission to destroy” Sarah Palin and that The Times in particular had written “an absolute work of fiction” about how she was vetted before becoming the Republican vice presidential nominee.

In our instant-news and celebrity- obsessed culture, Palin went from Sarah Who to conservative rock star in less than a week. In less than two months, she could be elected vice president to serve under the oldest president, at 72, ever elected to a first term, and one with a history of recurring melanoma. Intense, independent scrutiny by The Times and the rest of the news media of Palin’s background, character and record was inevitable and right.

And, yes, it was inevitable, and right to a more limited degree, that her family would come under the spotlight, too. As Bill Keller, The Times’s executive editor, said, “Senator McCain presented Mrs. Palin’s experience as a mother as one of her qualifications for the job.”

By choosing a running mate unknown to most of the nation, and doing so just before the Republican National Convention, John McCain made it inevitable that there would be a frantic media vetting. It turns out that Palin was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, that she sent e-mail complaining about a lack of disciplinary action against a state trooper who was going through a messy custody battle with her sister, and that she never made a decision as commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard, one of her qualifications cited by McCain.

The drip-drip-drip of these stories seems like partisanship to Palin’s partisans. But they fill out the picture of who she is, and they represent a free press doing its job, investigating a candidate who might one day be the leader of the Free World.

More at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/opinion/07pubed.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Today, David Gregory came in to his house after a few games of hoops, a game tall people play, and he gets a phone call:

NBC/MSNBC: Hey, David, this is your boss.

David Gregory: What's up? And call me 'Stretch,' like the Prez, please.

NBC/MSNBC: We're moving the idiots.

David Gregory: You're getting rid of Matt and Meredith?

NBC/MSNBC: No. The other ones.

(brief silence)

David Gregory: I'm at a loss. Which ones?

NBC/MSNBC: Olbermann and Matthews - but just from prime time news coverage. They still have their shows.

David Gregory: That's cool. Whatever. I get to sit in the big chair, right? Next to Brokaw and Williams?

NBC/MSNBC: Yes. But there's one thing.

David Gregory: What is it?

NBC/MSNBC: You have to call David Shuster every morning to wake him up. Scarborough says the dude is lazy.

END TRANSCRIPT.

This week will have a couple of interesting items. The end of the magazine sale is Tuesday. Theresa LoBue will be handling this and tell us how she'd like the money given in to the office. Just a note to Kinder and 1st, on Tuesday, Theresa will not be very available so you'll need to plan for that. Wednesday will be the Early Bird turn in date for the Fireworks. Sr. Lourdes will be giving out a copy of the incentive sheet to each teacher so you'll all be aware. I know these dates are back-to-back, but since it's the Early Bird, perhaps it won't be that bad. However, with two major due dates this week, I'm going to ask Student Council not to collect mission money. Thank you. Wednesday is also picture day. Children come dressed in full uniform. They bring their swim bag if they have PE. We usually call those who have PE first so they still look ok for the pictures. Then we call the rest of the classes. On Friday, the first grade is scheduled to take a field trip to the SC County Fair.

Speaking of the Fair, it begins on the 9th. What we usually do is assign a lot less homework during this week so the kids have a chance to attend the fair with their parents. Many of them are also involved in the fair through 4-H, horseriding competitions... This then becomes a way to give that small break midstream. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

There is a diocesan principals' meeting on Wednesday, the 10th, that I'll be attending. I'll also need to be out on Tuesday afternoon. Other than that, it'll be a normal week. Don't forget to post your conduct grades so the parents can see them tomorrow. Thank you!!!

Was it Hurricane Gustav? In my wisdom I didn’t think to Google “bookies' favorites” + “2008 Man Booker” + “shortlist” before predicting that Joseph O’Neill’s novel Netherland would waltz into the final six on Tuesday. Now that I’ve hit the “Search” button, it seems that I am far from alone in my view. In fact, it appears that only people who don’t think Netherland will make the shortlist are those who think that “God Save the Queen” is the national anthem of Venezuela. But even with the 3-to-1 odds in his favor, O’Neill will be far from a sure bet to win if he makes the finals. He was born in Ireland and an Irish writer, Anne Enright, won last year. And he’s become a U.S. citizen, which could work against him if the judges are among the many Brits whose favorite insult for the former prime minister was to call him “President Blair.”

Note: Other favorites of bettors, in order, include Salman Rushdie’s The Enchantress of Florence, Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44, Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture and Linda Grant’s The Clothes on Their Backs. Click here for the bookies’ odds on all books on the Booker longlist announced in July
www.themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1108.

© 2008 Janice Harayda. All rights reserved.

Nick J

So far, I have evolved from a single celled creature to something that resembles a fat beaked beaver with pan ears, talons and two orifices on my butt that shoot out poison....certainly not too shabby in this world of warped and demonic creatures. I've been "killed" at least a half dozen times but am always resurrected in my nest. I'm sad to say I've caused at least 3 species of creatures to go extinct. Hey, a guy's gotta eat you know!

Anyway, this post's brevity and shallowness definitely owe allegiance to sitting in front of my computer looking for my next meal and/or another species to befriend.  Forgive me but I need to go....I think that monkey creature with the huge eyes and saber teeth is NOT looking to borrow a cup of sugar.

Wish me luck....

From the HuffPo:

The Third Wave is a revival of the theology of the Latter Rain tent revivals of the 1950s and 1960s led by William Branham and others. It is based on the idea that in the end times there will be an outpouring of supernatural powers on a group of Christians that will take authority over the existing church and the world. The believing Christians of the world will be reorganized under the Fivefold Ministry and the church restructured under the authority of Prophets and Apostles and others anointed by God. The young generation will form "Joel's Army" to rise up and battle evil and retake the earth for God.

Learn more about the Third Wave at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/sarah-palins-churches-and_b_124611.html

Almost six months ago, on 17th March 2008, the High Court granted leave for a Judicial Review against DBKL's decision to not holding a Public Hearing on proposed development by Gasing Meridian Sdn. Bhd.(GMSB) on Bukit Gasing - KL Side. The 108 applicants for the Judicial Review were also granted an interim stop order requiring DBKL not to issue an development order to GMSB.

We have had to put up with late affidavits being submitted, hoarding approval issued by DBKL suddenly being acted on and claims of 'limitation of time' arguments. It resulted in six hearings (excluding one that could not proceed because of heavy court scheduling), that were duels between lawyers whilst we watch in amazement and wondered when justice can be heard.

At last, the time is near for progress to be made. On Tuesday, 9th September 2008, commencing 10:30am, our Judicial Review hearing and interim stop order against DBKL (GMSB is now 2nd Respondent) will be heard again. We are expecting that after months of legal manoevres by DBKL and GMSB, the High Court will now be able to hear some proper arguments. Whilst the Judicial Review arguments will probably continue for some time, we hope some clarity on the right of DBKL to presume itself to be above the law will be ruled by the court.

108 residents of Bukit Gasing had to find the courage and resources to commence action against DBKL. This blog is our voice to all of our fight and many others. Hillslope development and in particular, steep hillslope development endangers lives. Time and time again, we see the destruction of our hills and green areas causing turmoil to many. The reckless, arrogant, and many may add corrupt, inflict needless pain to many. We have all read, felt and tasted them.

This fight is not against developers. It's against irresponsible local authorities that have not balanced the need for development against the good of many, now and in the future. They are the ones we must bring to heel and require transparency and accountability.

This September could be the continuation of  'Spring for Malaysia', started by GE12. A time for regeneration of our hopes and aspirations of justice, transparency and good governance. Do join us if you can at the hearing. This legal battle will continue for sometime and if you wish to contribute to this cause financially please contact us for more information by commenting, [or click this link for information on how to contribute].

Gary Yeoh
JAC for Bukit Gasing.

Lead of 4% among registered voters.  But a lot of registered voters don't vote.  Likely voters are the ones to watch.

Some people will no doubt be disappointed at the news.

Over the months leading up to the 150th anniversary of the Parliamentary Library a committee led by Ruth Graham has planned the events. We thought it was time that this committee was put on the record. From left to right: Mike Keane, Paul Bellamy, Bill Lake, John Martin, Ruth Graham, Jill Taylor, Sarah Kreig, Kate Peacocke, Felicity Rashbrooke, Carolynne Stormer, Katherine Close and Ellen Fitzsimons.

The storm wasn't expected to get here until Tuesday, but by the time I got home, the winds of Hurricane Ike were beginning to blow.

I'm not talking about feeder bands and storm surge. I refer to the cyclonic blasts of hot air issuing from the local news outlets.

Redundant, useless and just pathetic.

This is my first hurricane tip to anyone new to the hurricane experience: turn off the television.

Everything the TV weatherman says is presented in a simpler, more concise and less ambiguous manner on the National Hurricane Center website, supplemented by any number of other weather sites (see my previous post for some favorites.) Keep an eye on the maps showing the 3 and 5 day cones. Think of the line as just the centerline of the cone, and not the actual track. The accuracy is good up to 3 days, but at 4 and 5 days, not so good.

And as far as the "in the field" reporting -- give me a freakin' break.

Here's a list of the stock footage guaranteed to be seen and repeated ad nauseum:

1. Empty shelves at the grocery store. The purpose of showing this bit of reverse product placement is to induce panic spree buying. (Tip: you don't need bottled water. The shit is just tap water. Load up some empty bottles or the bathtub or whatever and save some hassle.)
2. Consumers at the Home Depot tying sheets of plywood on the roof of their Corolla. (Nailing up plywood is about as useful as taping your windows, the shit will just blow away and damage something else in a storm of any size.)
3. Interviews with panicked consumers in the parking lot.
4. Film of palm fronds waving. Note that palms, having evolved in the tropics, are designed to handle tropical storms, and that the fronds move in the slightest breeze.
5. Massive ficus tree leaning against someone's house/crushing a car. These trees have shallow root systems and dense foliage and are like giant sails. They fall over like teenage drunks in a stiff breeze.
6. Interview with owner of said house/car: "We're pretty darn sure it had to be a tornado!"
7. A sand-blasted windbreaker-clad reporter standing on the beach filming idiots on surfboards. The police are telling people to evacuate, and channel X is providing a surf report. Gnarly, dude.
8. A line of cars driving through water half way up their doors. And you think people aren't herd animals?
9. Reporters standing next to a large puddle. Usually happens after the police kick them off of the beach for creating a nuisance. It looks like the ocean with the wind.
10. People nailing shower curtains and blue tarps over the holes in their roofs.

Someone could make some cash by creating some stock footage of the above items, superimpose the content from the National Hurricane Center over it and do a green screen thing in a studio with strong fan and a hose and cover the storm without setting foot in the state. Throw in some local/state/federal talking heads and you're done.

Anyway... they kept moving Ike's track west and south so that we ended up not doing any hurricane prep -- shutters, clearing the patio, etc. etc. Looks like Ike's heading for Texas.

Glad we didn't get to meet.

Foreign Secretary Dr. Palith Kohona has called upon the world community to crack down on the LTTE’s fund raising network and help reduce its capacity of financing its war at a time Sri Lanka is about to end terrorism.

Dr. Kohona made this request during his tour of Brussels on 5 September 2008. He met Ambassador Xavier Demoulin, Acting Secretary General of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Joao Aguiar Machado, Deputy Director General of the European Commission, and Ambassador Tomasz Koslowski, Chief of Task Force on Asia of the European Council, according to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Brussels.

Dr. Kohona called on his interlocutors to support Sri Lanka’s request to ban the TRO and associated LTTE front organizations which contributed to the perpetuation of terrorism. He emphasized the need to separate terrorism related obligations of the international community from human rights.

Briefing the foreign dignitaries on the operations currently being carried out in Sri Lanka’s north to end terrorism, he said that the Government of Sri Lanka had adopted in collaboration with UN and international agencies a range of measures to mitigate difficulties encountered by IDPs.

Appraising his interlocutors of the APRC recommendations including the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, he reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to a political solution to the present conflict and detailed a series of measures taken in the Eastern Province to achieve that goal.

He requested the assistance of the European Union as well as the Belgian Government in the development of the Eastern Province to sustain democracy and peace.

Dr. Kohona also informed European and Belgian senior officials of the measures taken by the government to ensure the protection of human rights of all Sri Lankan citizens and action taken to bring the perpetrators of alleged violations to justice.

Informing his interlocutors that Sri Lanka would be presenting its application for the renewal of GSP+ benefits for the period 2009-2011, he expressly stated that Sri Lanka would satisfy the requirements of an objective review.

Both the Belgian and European officials congratulated Sri Lanka on utilizing this scheme to achieve substantial desired results, including better standards of living for the people, and encouraged Sri Lanka to make a strong application for the renewal of the scheme.

During his meeting with the Acting Secretary General of the Belgian Foreign Ministry,      Dr. Kohona expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the Belgian authorities for the recent relaxation of the travel advisory on Sri Lanka. He stressed the need to further enhance bilateral ties through the increase of investment, trade, and tourism.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Ravinatha Aryasinha, Counsellor, Saroja Sirisena, and First Secretary, Senarath Dissanayake of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels, were present at these meetings.

We are facing an ecological disaster of immense proportions. This is a disaster of our own making, one that could have been prevented if not predicted with precision.

Let's start with just a few facts. Every piece of plastic that has ever been produced and has not been re-cycled (less than 2%) still exists . . . all of it. According to a recent article in Salon, every year Americans throw away some 100 billion plastic bags after they've been used to transport a prescription home from the drugstore or a quart of milk from the grocery store. It's equivalent to dumping nearly 12 million barrels of oil.

Forget about inflating your cars tires . . . stop throwing away all those plastic bags you use for a minuscule amount of time and then toss.

Plastic bags are killing us

The most ubiquitous consumer item on Earth, the lowly plastic bag is an environmental scourge like none other, sapping the life out of our oceans and thwarting our attempts to recycle it. The plastic bag is an icon of convenience culture, by some estimates the single most ubiquitous consumer item on Earth, numbering in the trillions. They're made from petroleum or natural gas with all the attendant environmental impacts of harvesting fossil fuels. One recent study found that the inks and colorants used on some bags contain lead, a toxin.

And there's more.

A vast swath of the Pacific, twice the size of Texas, is full of a plastic stew that is entering the food chain. Scientists say these toxins are causing obesity, infertility...and worse.

There are signs that plastic pollution is doing more than blighting the scenery; it is also making its way into the food chain. Some of the most obvious victims are the dead seabirds that have been washing ashore in startling numbers, their bodies packed with plastic: things like bottle caps, cigarette lighters, tampon applicators, and colored scraps that, to a foraging bird, resemble baitfish.

( One animal dissected by Dutch researchers contained 1,603 pieces of plastic.) And the birds aren’t alone. All sea creatures are threatened by floating plastic, from whales down to zooplankton.

There’s a basic moral horror in seeing the pictures: a sea turtle with a plastic band strangling its shell into an hourglass shape; a humpback towing plastic nets that cut into its flesh and make it impossible for the animal to hunt. More than a million seabirds, 100,000 marine mammals, and countless fish die in the North Pacific each year, either from mistakenly eating this junk or from being ensnared in it and drowning.

We are better than this!

Next time . . . look for "how did we get here?" & "taking your own plastic inventory!"

(August 26, 2008 – New York, NY) Multi-platinum three-time MTV VMA-winning Island Records group Fall Out Boy have officially announced their upcoming new third Island album FOLIE A DEUX, to be released on November 4th 2008. The band told a packed audience about the release last night at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, when they headlined the "Rock the Vote Ballot Bash." FOLIE A DEUX was produced by Neal Avron at The Pass Studios in Los Angeles. The first single will be the track "I Don't Care." Radio dates to be announced shortly.

For FOLIE A DEUX, Fall Out Boy spearheaded a politically charged group that unveiled cryptic "Big Brother" type messages in order to support and ignite a democratic process. Impressively, the creative album roll-out garnered over 1 Million impressions in just one week online across literally hundreds of websites such as absolutepunk.net, friendsorenemies.com, Live journal communities and many other popular music websites, including the band's own site, www.falloutboyrock.com. "This roll-out was started to engage people and let them tell their own stories. We came up with the beginning and the end, while the rest happened organically." says FOB bass player Pete Wentz.

Meanwhile, Fall Out Boy's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" has been nominated for Best Rock Video at this year's 25th annual MTV VMAs. The worldwide cablecast takes place live from Paramount Studios in Hollywood, on Sunday night, September 7th at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern).

- taken from www.falloutboyrock.com, www.friendsorenemies.com

P.S. - Watch out for FOB's third album, Folie de Deux, coming out on November 4, 2008. This is the international launch date of the said album.

P.P.S. - For all the fans of Fall Out Boy and Fueled By Ramen artists out there (Panic At The Disco, The Cab, Academy Is..., Cobra Starship, Hush Sound, Tyga, Hey Monday, etc.), check out this site on www.friendsorenemies.com: Welcome To The New Administration - Mixtape Number 60-- It's a mixtape created by the artists I've mentioned (and more). Best part is, you can download it for FREE!!! I'm listening to it right now and I have got to say it is sooweeeeeetttt!!!! I don't like remixes, but this I actually enjoy listening to. I have no idea why...strange, really...

P.P.P.S. - First single of the said album is entitled "I Don't Care," release date to be announced soon. To hear the entire track (not the remix) visit Fall Out Boy's MySpace account. According to FOB bassist, Pete Wentz (read it from his blog "Meelikey...A Boy's Life") that "I Don't Care" was inspired by the movie "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead". Cool, huh? =P