Target Centermass

Month: November 2005

  • Mother’s Iraq Protest Plays to Smaller Crowd

    Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan’s Thanksgiving vigil in Crawford will not go down as a rousing success.

    Dancing to reggae music and hugging her supporters, Cindy Sheehan led an anti-Iraq war rally Saturday at a one-acre campsite adjoining the ranch where President Bush is spending his holiday weekend

    Wait, whoa, stop right there! Dancing to reggae music? Is this Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan’s idea of a mournful vigil? A traditional Thanksgiving? No, it’s a brief crack in the mainstream media’s coverage of Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan. Oops, sorry about that folks, don’t expect to hear more about it, or about her actual radically leftist views. Now, back to the story.

    As in August, when she galvanized attention and made headlines for days with similar protests, there were songs and speeches and demonstrators holding signs reading “Bring the Troops Home” near the main entrance of the 1,600-acre ranch where Bush has been vacationing since Tuesday.

    Unlike then, when hundreds came from all over the country for major events at the two campsites named after Sheehan’s son, who was killed in Iraq, Sheehan found herself addressing a crowd of only about 100 Saturday afternoon. The large tent where supporters had erected a stage hung with the banner “Speak Truth to Power” was only partially full. In the morning Sheehan signed copies of her new book, being published this week, for an even smaller crowd.

    Regarding that sparsely-attended book signing, Jawsblog looks at a picture similar to the one accompanying the WaPo piece and reminds us of a time-tested business axiom.

    Meanwhile, turn out the lights, the party’s over … for now.

    Dozens of war protesters packed up their tents and left their campsite in a field near President Bush’s ranch Sunday, vowing to return during Easter for a third vigil if U.S. troops are still in Iraq.

    The weeklong protest, which coincided with Bush’s Thanksgiving holiday visit to his ranch, drew about 200 people. It was a continuation of the August demonstration led by California mother Cindy Sheehan, whose son Casey died in Iraq last year during combat.

    […]

    Before leaving town Sunday, the group of about 50 war protesters held an interfaith service at the Crawford Peace House.

    They also planted a tree at their campsite, a private lot about a mile from Bush’s ranch. The landowner who let demonstrators use the property the last few weeks of the August vigil has leased it to them through next year. Before last week’s protest, the group had water and electricity installed.

    “We’re here for the long haul. As long as this country is at war with Iraq, we’ll be here to oppose it,” said Hadi Jawad, a co-founder of the Crawford Peace House, which opened a month after the war began in March 2003. “I think Crawford has become a point of pilgrimage to a lot of people. This has become hallowed ground.”

    Hmmm … I’ve been to Crawford, and it ain’t hollowed ground. Not even if one adds a silly sculpture and calls it a monument. For hallowed ground, I would instead offer the site where Casey Sheehan raised his right hand and volunteered for our country’s military. Or perhaps the site where he chose to re-enlist, again vowing to support his nation. Or perhaps the site where he fell, giving all in service to his nation and his comrades in a manner he rightly held noble.

    I am curious about the financing of that water and electricity installation. Any chance we could get some names there?

    Perhaps upon Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan’s return to Crawford in Easter, we can actually get media coverage of the woman herself? Maybe some video of the mournful Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan dancing to reggae during the traditional egg roll? Maybe an inciteful look at her controversial quotes that have pretty much gone uncovered outside the blogosphere? Nah, that would take reporting.

    During her autumn stunts, I blogged that Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan was fighting tooth and nail for an addition to her fifteen minutes of fame. In a comment on my post about the silly monument, Phil pegged her as currently being at about her nineteenth minute. The woman is addicted to attention, as demonstrated by her jealousy of hurricane coverage, and will not wait until Easter. I only fear how low Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan will stoop to be in front of cameras in the meantime.

  • Court of Public Opinion has Saddam’s Fate Set

    From the mouths of Baghdad:

    Most residents of Iraq’s biggest city don’t mince words when it comes to their former leader.

    The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven of his associates — charged with killing more than 150 residents of the northern city of Dujail in 1982 — is scheduled to resume Monday.

    A random sampling of Iraqis in and around the capital, a city that still bears numerous relics from Saddam’s 24-year rule, were asked what message they would like to give to the former dictator, if given the chance.

    “I hope I see you in hell,” said tomato seller Radi Abd al-Hussein, 30, a Baghdad resident who has sold vegetables at an east Baghdad marketplace for five years.

    “I want to cut his head off,” he elaborated, through a translator. “He’s a tyrant. He hurt all of the Iraqi people. All of us. In times before, we couldn’t stand here and do what we want.”

    Go read for other choice quotes.

    In related stories, Saddam’s trial is set to resume as an alleged plot to kill the chief judge is foiled.

  • Quote of the Week, 27 NOV 05

    I am convinced that the best service a retired general can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit and to mothball his opinion.

    —General Omar Bradley

  • India calls for scrutiny of AQ Khan network

    Not a bad idea here, but perhaps it’s more of a case of proposing shutting the barn door after the animals have taken to the hills.

    India has demanded a scrutiny of the “Pakistan-based AQ Khan network” for greater transparency in non-proliferation.

    In his statement at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday, India’s permanent representative Dr Sheel Kant Sharma called for “greater clarity” regarding clandestine proliferation activities. He singled out the AQ Khan nuclear proliferation network, saying that Pakistan needed to shed greater light on its activities.

    “Greater clarity and transparency in this area will serve the objectives of non-proliferation, to which we are all committed,” the Indian representative said. “This would also enhance the IAEA’s credibility.” India also expressed “happiness and relief” that Iran’s controversial nuclear programme was not put to a vote for referral to the UN Security Council at the IAEA meeting. “We are extremely happy and relieved that there was no vote,” a senior Indian official said. The meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors — of which India is a member — even refrained from passing a fresh resolution on Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran claims that its programme is for peaceful purposes, but the US and Europe suspect that it is aimed at building nuclear weapons.

    At the nuclear watchdog’s last meeting in September, India had surprisingly sided with the West on a resolution criticising Iran’s nuclear activities and threatening referral to the UN Security Council. India’s vote had caused an uproar in the country, with both government allies and opposition criticising it. The left-wing parties, whose 60 seats in parliament provide crucial support to the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), had vowed to oppose a fresh Indian vote against Iran.

    External Affairs Ministry officials claimed that the outcome was the result of a diplomatic campaign launched by India with some other countries, including the US, several European nations, Russia and China. “It has kept the door open for resolving the issue between Iran and the EU-3 through negotiations,” a Foreign Ministry official said.

    Indian officials said that the West had the numbers on the 35-member IAEA board to refer the issue to the Security Council, but the “divisive” move would have created fresh tensions in the already-volatile region.

    Negotiations between the EU-3 — Britain, France and Germany — and Iran are scheduled to begin early next month. All key players are now discussing a proposal that allows Iran’s enrichment programme to be outsourced to Russia. Tehran has so far opposed this. “Every country has a public position on the issue. However, it remains to be seen how willing they are to be flexible to find a solution,” the Indian official said.

    And, just because I can: Khan!!!

  • Vt. Teacher Accused of Anti-Bush Quiz

    Ah, one wonders at the state of public schooling and our educators. Now, a tale arises of a teacher injecting his political views into English vocabulary lessons.

    A high school teacher is facing questions from administrators after giving a vocabulary quiz that included digs at President Bush and the extreme right.

    Bret Chenkin, a social studies and English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, said he gave the quiz to his students several months ago. The quiz asked students to pick the proper words to complete sentences.

    One example: “I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes.””Coherent” is the right answer.

    Principal Sue Maguire said she hoped to speak to whomever complained about the quiz and any students who might be concerned. She said she also would talk with Chenkin. School Superintendent Wesley Knapp said he was taking the situation seriously.

    “It’s absolutely unacceptable,” Knapp said. “They (teachers) don’t have a license to hold forth on a particular standpoint.”

    Quite right. It’s bad enough that some teachers are afraid to use red ink to grade papers for fear of being abrasive. Now, here’s a fool who feels that his position as an English instructor entitles him with the authority to indoctrinate students with political views. Does he even understand the argument against his practice?

    Chenkin, 36, a teacher for seven years, said he isn’t shy about sharing his liberal views with students as a way of prompting debate, but said the quizzes are being taken out of context.

    “The kids know it’s hyperbolic, so-to-speak,” he said. “They know it’s tongue in cheek.” But he said he would change his teaching methods if some are concerned.

    “I’ll put in both sides,” he said. “Especially if it’s going to cause a lot of grief.”

    No, Chenkin does not understand the issue. Since he seems to have trouble understanding the language he teaches, I’ll spell it out in simple words — leave politics out of your English class.

  • Anti-War Protesters Unveil Monument In Crawford

    As if the story of Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan in Crawford wasn’t beat down enough, it has resurfaced with “news” of a big, heavy tribute to Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan waiting for her on her recent return to the site of Camp Casey for a little Thanksgiving shindig.

    Anti-war demonstrators unveiled a stone monument in Crawford, Texas today that honors the California mother who inspired their efforts.

    Cindy Sheehan, who staged a 26-day protest outside Bush’s ranch in August, cried when she saw the two-foot-high sandstone marker with the words “Sheehan’s Stand.”

    Sheehan and other protesters are back in Crawford to protest during President Bush’s holiday vacation,

    The 12-hundred pound rectangular slab lists the names of more than two dozen soldiers whose families were part of the vigil.

    Several Bush supporters also gathered in Crawford today with a sign reading: “The price of freedom is not free.”

    Anti-war and pro-Bush rallies were planned for tomorrow in Crawford.

    Folks, I just happened to be there at Camp Casey when this “monument” was delivered in August. I blogged that day with pictures of the memorial and its hippie-leftover creator. This is all as sadly silly now at it was then. And Gold Star mom Cindy Sheehan supposedly cried when she saw it? That woman can apparently cry at the drop of a hat or, to be more accurate, the sight of a camera.

    Other photos of my August trip to Crawford can be found here.

  • Ags Fall to Close 2005 Season

    The Aggies wrapped up their disappointing 2005 campaign with an exciting, hard-fought loss to the Texas Longhorns, their traditional archrivals. Despite outgaining the heavily-favored Longhorns and keeping vaunted Heisman Trophy candidate Vince Young in check, the Aggies just couldn’t muster enough and came up on the short end of the 40-29 outcome.

    If A&M fans can take any consolation for the loss, there are two items to be considered. First, despite the score, the defense played an excellent game against one of the strongest, deepest and talent-rich offenses in the nation. Second, the Aggies may have found their quarterback of the future in redshirt freshman Stephen McGee, making his first start in lieu of injured senior Reggie McNeal. McGee, recruited for his strong arm, actually showed composed, enthusiastic leadership and a surprising running ability (108 yards, 2 touchdowns) as he topped Young in total yards.

  • Nothing Tonight but Thanksgiving Wishes

    The shoes are shined. I’m ready for Thanksgiving with the fiancee’s family.

    I just got a good workout in, and I’m already looking forward to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce (from a can!), pumpkin and pecan pie. And then seconds. And then leftovers.

    I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

    First, thank you to my fiancee. Love ya, Doll. By the way, she and I have set a May wedding date and decided on Hawaii for the honeymoon. Any feedback on the Maui-or-Oahu decision would be appreciated.

    I’m thankful that my close friend and former tank crewmate Bill is wrapping up his tour in Iraq (more here and here).

    I’m thankful for those that stop by here and read Target Centermass, and I want to thank the members of my blogroll who have brought the world to me, its news and their views, along with a healthy dose of laughter.

    Here’s wishing y’all a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

  • Introducing the Liberty Papers

    A new libertarian group blog has launched with the debut of the Liberty Papers.

    Eric Cowperthwaite, proprietor of Eric’s Grumbles Before the Grave and founder of the Life, Liberty, Property community, has gathered together a bevy of contributors with high hopes of building a strong voice for personal freedom. Eric explains the site’s purpose with the following:

    So, why this blog? Our goal is a place where we can write on Liberty. We aim to be the place you come to when you want to read political thought from a classic liberal perspective. There’s many other places on the web you can go for freedom and liberty writing. You can visit Catallarchy for anarcho-capitalist writing, or Q And O for neo-libertarian writing (a blend, really, of neo-conservative and libertarian perspectives). So, we aim to be the place you go for liberal thought from a classic perspective. Expect to see a wide variety of writing, as we have a wide variety of contributors.

    Go give it a gander. I know I’ll certainly spend time aplenty watching it develop. Hey, if I ever get off my duff and wax political, maybe I’ll try to throw my two cents into the Liberty Papers.

  • Japan Set to Loosen Army Curbs

    After years of consideration and debate, Japan has finally proposed changes to its constitution that would free some of the post-WWII constraints on its martial forces. What next? Well, looks like more years of consideration and debate.

    Japan’s dominant political party has backed constitutional reforms that would permit the pacifist nation to take a more assertive military stand.

    As the centrepiece of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the Liberal Democratic Party endorsed a draft version of the national constitution that recognises Japan’s right to maintain a military force and play a stronger role in international security.

    The proposed charter retains the first part of the 1947 constitution’s Clause 9, which renounces war as a means of settling international disputes, and still limits the scope for military action.

    But a significant change in the wording makes it clear Japan can maintain military forces, rather than merely self-defence forces.

    This change in Japan’s position has long been urged by the US which, as the occupying power in 1947, imposed the pacifist charter on the defeated nation.

    Although the LDP has stretched constitutional restrictions to the limit – non-combatant units have been sent abroad many times in the past decade, including to Cambodia, East Timor and Iraq – the changes would allow Japan to take part in armed peacekeeping.

    […]

    The proposed amendments would not come into effect for several years. To change the constitution, the LDP needs to win a two-thirds vote of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The amendments would then be put to a national referendum, needing the approval of a simple majority of voters.

    I support this move whole-heartedly, as last month I blogged the following:

    It is late 2005. Japan’s constitutional constraints are the results of the nation’s aggressiveness over sixty years past. It is time for a revision — it is time for a great nation and regional and global power to unshackle itself, say it can act responsibly on the global stage, and become the contributor that it should be.

    Unsurprisingly, China has firmly stated its opposition to the proposed constitutional changes, much preferring to have a pacifist Japan off its shore. Hmmm …. there might be some history between those two.