The Real Bhutto?

December 28, 2007 -- FOR the next several days, you're going to read and hear a great deal of pious nonsense in the wake of the assassination of Pakistan's former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.

We need have no sympathy with her Islamist assassin and the extremists behind him to recognize that Bhutto was corrupt, divisive, dishonest and utterly devoid of genuine concern for her country.

During her years as prime minister, Pakistan went backward, not forward. Her husband looted shamelessly and ended up fleeing the country, pursued by the courts. The Islamist threat - which she artfully played both ways - spread like cancer.

In fact, Bhutto was a frivolously wealthy feudal landlord amid bleak poverty. The scion of a thieving political dynasty, she was always more concerned with power than with the wellbeing of the average Pakistani. Her program remained one of old-school patronage, not increased productivity or social decency.

Colonel Ralph Peters in the New York Post... One man's opinion.

Geez Ralph... She isn't even cold yet.

Does Bush Administration Share Responsibility in Bhutto's Death?

Former U.N. ambassador John Bolton says U.S. intervention in Pakistani politics was a factor in the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

“In part the United States is responsible for this by pushing (Pakistani President Pervez) Musharraf to try and cut a deal with Benazir Bhutto, by encouraging her to go back in the country, by trying to act like we could have a democratic election campaign in a situation with great instability,” Bolton told the Fox News Channel..."

He said he thinks “this tragedy should guide us now as to what we do next, which I think ought to be declaring a time-out on internal politics; let’s re-stabilize, it probably will require a period of martial law.” “But let’s keep our eyes on the prize. For the United States, that’s the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.”

Like border security and dealing with illegal aliens, the Bush foreign policy can be rather "Carteresque" in the way it is driven by naive principle - rather than what is in the best interest of our country. I remember when the Ayatollah Khomeini won the support of liberals and leftists in Iran and the U.S. - over the Shah... And after his triumphant return, turned the Revolution against them and the West. The same forces are working in Pakistan... And Musharraf has been as good a friend as we have in the region.

Bush's foreign policy is enigmatic... Strong, as in his preemptive strike policy, and perplexing in its relationship with Mexico and now... Pakistan.

Just a note...

I ran the adoption scenario from my previous post - What is good for Us - past several of my friends at work... I wanted to see their reaction. They all chose the poor couple.

But the poorer among them and the Fundamentalist Christians chose immediately. The ones that had more money and who belonged to more liberal churches... Hesitated... Two saying it was a tough choice.

My survey was very limited... But the results were consistent... And, I thought... Interesting.

What is Good for Us

Suppose for a moment that you are the parent of a one year old child... And suppose that you learn that you and your spouse are about to die. Suppose there is no family member or friend that is willing to take the child.

Suppose you have two choices... And the following is all you know.

There is a couple who is willing to take the child, but they are dirt poor. Your child will be loved and have enough to eat, but life will be hard and he will want for many things that he desires... Even Christmas and birthdays will be yearly disappointments. But the couple will see to it that he studies... And they will be very focused on the development of his character - Teaching him that honesty, integrity, and hard work are paramount to living a successful life.

But there is another couple that is willing to take and raise your child. They will love him every bit as much as the poor couple. They are wealthy and neither the man nor his wife has ever worked. They will give your child everything he could ever want... Including the social and educational advantages of the rich. Being very rich and very busy, they will naturally be less attentive and involved in your child's life and personal development... But they will be attentive to his wants, his entertainments, and his life-broadening experiences.

That is all you know... And with only this information you must choose.

For most of us, this is not a terribly hard decision.... Though we spend so much thought and energy on acquiring the "things" we think will make us happy. Maybe it takes a parent's wisdom to know what is best for us.

So the next time an earnest or desperate prayer goes unanswered... Or life is painful, lonely, or hard... Consider the incalculable wisdom of your Heavenly Father - who loves you... And knows what is best for you.

Merry C-mas


I hope you get some cool loot.


I'll be working... Saving lives, you know...

Thanks for your visits... And your comments...

Bob Hope - Thanks For The Memories

My Vote Should Count

I really hate being discriminated against.

OK... So maybe I'm not as smart or as important to God as the people in Iowa and New Hampshire... But shouldn't my vote count when it comes to picking the president?

By the time Indiana's Presidential Primary rolls around on May 6th, the candidates will already be decided... Which means that Guam (May 3rd) has more influence than I do... And that's just not right.

And why do the idiots in Montana (June 3rd) even bother?

Malott's Fix: A National Party Caucus Day on the first Tuesday in February... Followed by a National - Party Declared - Primary Day on the first Tuesday in May.

Redemption

I love movies like Dickens' A Christmas Carol, The Natural, etc... But they are Hollywood's counterfeit stories of redemption.

Broken lives, broken people... Changed and healed... Those stories are authored by Someone else.


He came to my desk with a quivering lip;
The lesson was done.
"May I have a new sheet, dear teacher?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
So I took his sheet all spoiled and blotted,
And gave him a new one – all unspotted,
Then into his sad eyes smiled,
“Do better now, my child.”

I came to the Throne with trembling heart;
The day was done.
“May I have a new day, dear Master?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
So He took my day, all spoiled and blotted,
And gave me a new one – all unspotted,’
Then into my sad heart smiled,
“Do better now, my child.”

World's Oldest Man, A Bachelor...

Dies at 116

I find this story fascinating!

Hryhoriy Nestor, a bachelor who was thought in his lifetime to be the oldest person in the world, has died at the age of 116 in Ukraine.

Born, according to family documents, on 15 March 1891, Mr Nestor, a former farm labourer, put his long life down to the fact that he never married.

"He didn't find himself a mate because he was a short man and never had money," Oksana (A relative he lived with) believes.

Fascinating! We're practically twins. And look at the size of his ears!

As some of you know, I've always believed that bachelors die young. You can imagine how excited I am to learn that a short man with no money... Who doesn't appeal to women... Lives to the age of 116... I mean...

This man is me!

I'm 5' 9" tall... I'm practically penniless... I am anathema to women...

I MAY LIVE TO A RIPE OLD AGE!

Fascinating!

To the Morning - Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg R.I.P.

Your refreshing Art turned into Pop... But those first three albums were pretty special.

I hope that somewhere... You turned to Jesus.

Tim Russert...

You Hypocritical A-Hole

I'm at work and I just heard Tim Russert on Meet the Press conduct an hour-long attack-interview with Mitt Romney. Romney did a brilliant job defending himself, but Timmy-Tim was relentless with accusation after accusation... His manner steeped with verbal attacks, and incredulous, mocking facial expressions, betraying his bias. Russert expressed an adversarial attitude nowhere found in his softball interviews with Democrat Candidates.

You would have thought Russert, photographed above while high on cocaine, had been hired by the Democrat Party purposely to hurl mud at Romney.

Russert, shown above with his bookie... Carl, even tried to use decades-old discriminatory practices of the Mormon Church against the candidate.

Russert, whose mug shot is pictured above after his arrest for soliciting sex with a pigeon, obviously showed no interest in any of Romney's explanations, barely giving the former governor time to answer before trying to discredit his answer with another attack.

The entire staff at Malott's Blog, who abhor such slanderous mischief... Are just furious with Tim Russert... And we condemn his lies, his attempts at mudslinging, and his biased misrepresentations.

Offended Muslim Syndrome

The most sensitive among us have had enough of the insensitivity and the abuse. They feel they must put their foot down and politely ask for a little respect.

http://www.thepeoplescube.com/

Huckleberry Leads in South Carolina

Who is this guy... Hucklebee? Do we really need another governor from Arkansas running for president?

You realize what it will mean if we nominate a loser...? That's right.

We lose.

And the country can't afford for the Republicans to lose. The Huckster is going to have to come up with more than snappy answers for me to be convinced that he can win on a national level.

All you have to do is look at Clinton and Obama... You know what they're going to do! Suddenly the Republican Nominee's ability to win - dwarfs any disagreement that we might have with his beliefs or policies.

In the words of Roy Hobbs: "Go pick me out a winner, Bobby."

Roe Test

At Citizenlink there is a Roe IQ test. I missed 2 questions.

But I was in a hurry.

The Golden Compost

"I don't think it's possible there is a God... I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief... My books are about killing God... I am all for the death of God."
...Phillip Pullman - Author of The Golden Compass

Well yeah... But what do you really think, Phil?

Don Feder writes: So as not to offend families at the outset, Pullman's message has been downplayed to the point where most of the story's anti-religious elements were removed from the script. If "The Golden Compass" succeeds, Pullman's agenda will be up front in the next two installments.

That's smart. Suck the kids in with the first movie, and then proselytize them with the second and third.

The movie's director - Chris Weitz - says it best: "The whole point, to me, of ensuring that 'The Golden Compass' is a financial success is so that we have a solid foundation on which to deliver a faithful, more literal adaptation of the second and third books. This is important: whereas 'The Golden Compass' had to be introduced to the public carefully, the religious (anti-religious) themes in the second and third movies can't be minimized without destroying the spirit of these books."

Kind of makes you sick, doesn't it? Shouldn't attacks on Jesus and His Church be more subtle? Shouldn't the targeting of children be more covert?

The times... They are a' changing.

Vitros Fusion 5,1

The jury is still out on the chemistry analyzer shown above. From the patient's point of view... It's a very good instrument. It turns out accurate results. And, its precision is impressive.

In fact, its dry slide technology, developed originally by Kodak, redefined clinical precision.

But if the engineers had purposely designed it to waste reagents and supplies... They couldn't have done a better job.

But it's new. Maybe we'll get the bugs out.

Truth be told... I was spoiled by its little brother... The Vitros 250. Now there was a great chemistry analyzer!

National Review Pulls The Trigger

Our guiding principle has always been to select the most conservative viable candidate. In our judgment, that candidate is Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. Unlike some other candidates in the race, Romney is a full-spectrum conservative: a supporter of free-market economics and limited government, moral causes such as the right to life and the preservation of marriage, and a foreign policy based on the national interest.

Romney is an intelligent, articulate, and accomplished former businessman and governor. At a time when voters yearn for competence and have soured on Washington because too often the Bush administration has not demonstrated it, Romney offers proven executive skill. He has demonstrated it in everything he has done in his professional life, and his tightly organized, disciplined campaign is no exception. He himself has shown impressive focus and energy.

More than the other primary candidates, Romney has President Bush’s virtues and avoids his flaws. His moral positions, and his instincts on taxes and foreign policy, are the same. But he is less inclined to federal activism, less tolerant of overspending, better able to defend conservative positions in debate, and more likely to demand performance from his subordinates.

The article also discusses the other candidates' faults and strengths.

I'm a little weary of Republicans who do not hold victory as their number 1 concern. There is no greater issue than keeping the Democrats out of the White House. Viability is my number 1 issue.

Malott Discovers Satellite TV

The entire staff at Malott's Blog would like to congratulate our Blogger Emeritus, Mr Malott, on his recent acquisition of Direct TV satellite service.

When asked why he made the switch from cable, Malott answered, "I wanted 'TV Land' and access to 'The Big Ten Network,' which cable doesn't offer." Malott is known for being an Indiana University Basketball fan.

Upon learning that Malott will have 3 free months of the premium movie channels, we asked if he would be tempted to watch some of the racy movies that those channels broadcast. He answered, "Yes, I will be sorely tempted... I'm old, but I'm not dead." When pressed, Malott intimated, "I plan to put a picture of Jesus on top of all my TVs. That should fix me!"


Though he still owns no cell phone, Malott is clearly a Renaissance man and a guiding light among the over-fifty technology consumers.

Episcopal "Church" Begins to Crumble

SAN FRANCISCO (Dec. 9) - The conservative Diocese of San Joaquin voted Saturday to split from the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church, becoming the first full diocese to secede from the denomination in the debate over the Bible and homosexuality.

Clergy and lay members of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin voted 173-22 at their annual convention to remove all references to the national church from the diocese's constitution, said the Rev. Van McCalister, a diocesan spokesman.

The diocese serves about 8,500 parishioners in 47 congregations in central California. (about 180 people per congregation)

OK... Gays who do not accept the teachings of the Bible should not join - or try to change -Churches that do. They should start their own Church.

But of course... Theirs is a movement... Not a faith that is based upon the teachings of our Lord and His word.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wrong... Obviously it may.

NBC Refuses Ads That Thank Troops

WASHINGTON — NBC has nixed holiday advertisements meant to thank troops for serving overseas...

The ads, paid for by the non-profit Freedom's Watch, are a simple thank you, the group says, with people shown paying gratitude to members of the military and the final frame showing the group's Web address, www.freedomswatch.org.

NBC is refusing to air the ads as long as the address is included...

Freedom's Watch President and CEO Bradley Blakeman told FOX on Friday that this is not the first time NBC has turned down his group's ads and believes it has a specific objection to his group's support for the War on Terror.

It was NBC last summer that gave Al Gore 75 hours of free air time for "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis.”

And as soon as I write this...

WASHINGTON -- NBC reversed course Saturday and decided to air a conservative group's television ad thanking U.S. troops.

"We have reviewed and changed our ad standards guidelines and made the decision that our policy will apply to content only and not to a referenced Web site..."

Malott's Interpretation: They have reviewed and changed their ad standards guidelines and made the decision that they will cave when their policy reveals their bias and makes them look like unpatriotic, ungrateful miscreants.

Mitt Romney Part 1

Mitt Romney

The Fair Tax

The FairTax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment.

The FairTax Act (HR 25, S 1025) is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.

The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend on new goods or services, not on what we earn. The FairTax is a fair, efficient, transparent, and intelligent solution to the frustration and inequity of our current tax system.

What do I like about this proposal that will cost us 23% sales tax at the checkout counter?

1) Illegal aliens pay taxes on the benefits they enjoy - A disincentive to come here illegally.
2) Drug dealers and other criminals pay taxes just like me... Tax base expanded.
3) With no corporate taxes (that are now passed on to consumers), The U.S. becomes a most favorable place to manufacture products and start businesses... Aided by an increase in foreign investments.
4) I keep my entire (gross) paycheck and I'm taxed only on my purchases.
5) Tourists from France help fund the United States Government.
6) The poor are still exempt from taxation.
7) Congressmen of both Parties will no longer be in the business of rewarding friends and penalizing enemies.
8) No more impossibly complicated tax rules and laws.
9) Retail prices will fall dramatically because there will be no more hidden business taxes.

Got to Peter Heck's website and listen to the audio archives - 2nd and 3rd segments for 12/5/07... to hear more... Or go to www.fairtax.org to get more details.

A Match Made in Heaven

Or perhaps Heaven's Gate.

I've long held the opinion that third-party tickets always feature self-serving egomaniacs that are more preoccupied with personal ambition and notoriety than any supposed principle or issue.

But Kucinich/Paul creates a number of other problems... Like how would you name the Party or describe it? Liberal-Libertarian... is a conflict in terms and philosophy.

But nonetheless...

The race goes on, but one thing that can be said for U.S. Rep. and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, of Ohio, and that is he is always proposing something new. This time he mentioned a possible Democrat-Republican ticket. The Republican he is suggesting, Ron Paul, is a congressman from Texas.

There is a disturbing symmetry here.

Reagan's Eleventh Commandment

I've heard talk by Conservative Christian Leaders who are quick to criticize certain Republican presidential candidates. These well-meaning and passionate Christians declare that - certain GOP contenders will not receive their votes or support. Just like a tree that's planted by the water, [They] shall not be moved.

It's a matter of principle.

Much of this talk centers around the abortion issue and the pro-choice Rudy Giuliani. Personally, I share the desire to nominate a Pro-Life, Social Conservative to the ticket...

But what if?

What if Rudy gets the nomination? Will Conservative principles stay home... and elect a Clinton or Obama? Will Giuliani, a pro-choice Republican who has pledged to nominate Strict Constructionists to the Supreme Court, be abandoned by Christian voters... Insuring a Democrat victory - and the packing of the Court with Liberal Judicial Activists who will dominate our culture for the next 30 years?

All for principle?

If Ronald Reagan was alive and politically active today, he would not be criticizing any of the Party's candidates. In his words: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican." He would speak of issues and let the voters decide... And then he would get behind the nominee.

Now I'm not sure what the Supreme Court would look like after 4 or 8 years of a "President Giuliani." Or a Romney... Huckabee, or Thompson for that matter. But there is absolutely no doubt how a President Hillary or Obama would shape the Court.

In short: There is just too much at stake in this election to be piously principled... And Stupid.

Look. It's a fine thing to stand firm for what you believe in. But if your principles are more important to you than making the best choice... Are you really doing what's in the best interest of the unborn?

So during the primary process - let's work hard to nominate the best man. And when the tickets are set... Let's support the better choice.

Hey, Hey, We're The Monkeys

I love this story.

...five numbers flashed on the screen only briefly before they were replaced by white squares. The challenge, again, was to touch these squares in the proper sequence.

When the numbers were displayed for about seven-tenths of a second, Ayumu (the Monkey) and the college students were both able to do this correctly about 80 percent of the time.

But when the numbers were displayed for just four-tenths or two-tenths of a second, the chimp was the champ. The briefer of those times is too short to allow a look around the screen, and in those tests Ayumu still scored about 80 percent, while humans plunged to 40 percent.

Yes, that's all very nice... But if you put 1,000 monkeys in front of 1,000 typewriters for 1,000 years... There will be no sonnets produced.

Most mammals are probably superior to humans when it comes to the old shell game.

The Gray Suit

Is she formidable... Or just scary?