President Hugo Chavez creates own time zone

Venezuela creates its own unique time zone on Sunday, putting the clock back half-an-hour on a permanent basis.
President Hugo Chavez says that an earlier dawn means the performance of the country will improve, as more people will wake up in daylight.

"I don't care if they call me crazy, the new time will go ahead," he said.

This guy is a trip. It's all about oil these days.

Does this bother anyone but me?

Does this bother anyone besides me?

"John Edwards' Universal Health Care Plan Would Make Regular Checkups Mandatory

"TIPTON, Iowa - —  Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.

""It requires that everybody be covered. It requires that everybody get preventive care," he told a crowd sitting in lawn chairs in front of the Cedar County Courthouse. "If you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK." "

Fuzz says:
Unless I'm mistaken, it seems that this proposal would FORCE everyone to use the healthcare system regardless of their preferences or desires. While I realize some do not have "health care" because of a lack of funds, there are some who have no desire to use this system. Will the "Health Police" handcuff them and drag them to the doctor ?

Allies ?

If Iran and the US are both fighting al Qaeda, does that make them allies ?

What Now ?

Things are not going well with the "War". So how do you defend against people who's main tactic is suicide ? What kind of madness is this ? What would happen if we just left ? Yet, one has to wonder what good it is to stay.
It is said that Iran is keeping things stirred up. Probably. They seem to have everything to gain by the unrest.
Has the US overstepped itself here ? We seem to have come a long way since 1776.

Now Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- In an incident described as the first of its kind, Hezbollah gunmen surrounded a Lebanese police patrol Friday and held them for "entering a Hezbollah security zone."

Lebanese political and security sources told CNN that three Lebanese internal security policemen in a clearly marked vehicle were on a routine patrol in a southern suburb of Beirut when they were intercepted and encircled by gunmen from Hezbollah.

The Lebanese policemen were disarmed in the vicinity of Bir El Abed and taken to a Hezbollah interrogation center, where they were accused of "entering a Hezbollah security zone."

After the intervention of high-level political contacts, the policemen were returned and handed back their weapons.

Political sources claim this is the first publicly known incident of its kind.


Fuzz says:
I think it is obvious which way things are going.

No Peace

The Palestinians in the Gaza are lobbing rockets into Israel in the hope that if the Israelis attack, they'll have someone to shoot besides each other. There will be no peace in the middle east until God, Himself, intervenes.

Hairy Campaigning

Great campianing here, $800 hair doo. Do I really want this man in charge ?

Gaza

It's really something how the Palestinians get along these days. It seems that Gaza City is pretty much wide open, with gangs ( called "Clans" ) having the run of the place. It looks like they might have been better off under the Israelis.

Hostages

It seems the Iranians have gone back to holding hostages for their foreign policy. This seems to be the way they do things over there. The hostages are now appearing on international TV. The British are already in pretty deep in Iraq, but maybe Iran should remember the Argentineans.

Quotes

"I would rather be right, than consistent".
W. Churchill

Out of Here

Now that Congress has essentially told the Islamists that they've won in Iraq, what happens next ? When we pull out it will be hell over there, but I guess you could say it already is. This is why Iran has copped an attitude, they know they're in the best position to pick up the pieces. This will also embolden Hamas and Hezbollah. There is no incentive for them to make peace. Have they ever made any concession to Israel ? Why should they start now. The US has the ability to vaporize them, but of course it won't. But what would happen if the shoe were on the other foot ?

Truth ?

It is my understanding that firing people for political reasons is not exactly a crime, just bad form.
So what does it mean that these guys can testify, only not under oath ? I can only guess that this means they can talk, but they can tell lies.

Sticky Words

I would have thought a "Tar Baby" was a mess that was hard to get out of. But then, I guess that is what it is in McCain's case. It's getting hard to say anything these days with out somebody getting on your case. But I guess that's a good way to avoid the actual issues.

"Free" Speech

Is it possible that there may actually be such a thing as an "immoral act" ? If there is, why should someone be required to "apologize" for their opinions on the matter ? Apparently we are only allowed "Free Speech" if it doesn't offend certain people.

You Win, We Lose

Isn't the setting of a date for withdrawal from Iraq the same thing as saying "You Win" ?

California Prime

I see where California is moving their primaries to Feb. I guess next some one will have them in Jan. Shoot, why not next month. This way we can get the election over a lot sooner.

The "F" Word

What's with all this Ann Coulter stuff ? I mean, the chick makes her living by saying outrageous things. The Right Wingers love it, and the Left Wingers hate it (and get off on it). So why take any of this seriously ? The election isn't 'till 2008 for cat's sake ! Does any one really think Edwards is a "faggot" ? Now we have the "N" word, the "F" word, and what ever else comes up next. Don't we have any real problems ? Give me a break.

Bad Bad Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut gives free pizza to kids who read books. Now some are blaming them for fat kids. Is pizza the devil now ? The problem isn't those little pizzas, it's when the kids don't get off their butts and do something. It looks like we would want kids to read, they might even learn something. I don't think tofu would be much motivation.

Bang, You're Dead.

The only thing going on in Iraq any more, is killing. Kill kill kill. Blood blood blood. It doesn't matter who or why, just kill kill kill.

Jesus' Grave

I see where someone else has claimed to have found Jesus' grave. Of course this can't actually be "proved" any more than His resurrection can be "proved". No one can "prove" the existence of God, and no one can "disprove" this either. So yes, there is an element of Faith. I am amazed at the arrogance of those on both sides of the issue. How can anyone force anyone else to believe something, other than the fact that they can hurt them if they say the wrong thing.

Respect

I just want to make the point here, that any dissatisfaction or cynicism of mine with our government, does not reflect on our servicemen (or women). We have family in the service and I was once drafted myself. I sometimes wonder about people who refuse to serve, but love to bitch. They have earned our respect, and I give it.

Trusted ?

It's February. Sometime next year there will be a presidential election (if we're still here). Why is this stuff already started ? It would seem to be really hard for the Democrats to loose this one. But Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are already fighting with each other over the money. There seems to be an assumption that the most money automatically wins. Are we really this stupid ? I have to wonder why these people want to be president so badly. I'm beginning to subscribe to the theory that anyone who wants the job, can't be trusted with it.

Domination

It was kinda foolish to think that America could dominate the world for long. It is only natural that someone would put together some sort of coalition, no matter how weird, to counter the US. No one likes being dictated to, not even Dictators. I think the saddest thing is that American credibility is pretty much destroyed. Oh, we're still very dangerous, but it was stupid to act as if we were invincible.

Just as a weird side note, America seems to play no role in the Biblical last days scenario.

It's a Gas

I see where the terrorists in Iraq are using poison gas now. Crude, but effective. Regardless of the way things are now, isn't poison gas a type of WMD ? Even if the nuclear thing has been discredited, we do know The Late Iraqi President did have this stuff, and had used it in the past. But nobody wants to hear any of this now, do they.
I kinda hope I'm wrong, but all I see is Iran dominating the region now. They know all they have to do is wait it out and we are out of there.

End Times ?

I confess. I do believe in God. And I believe He is ultimately in control. I know this seems incredible to a lot of people, but it's not my place to defend Him. I can not "prove" this of course, but neither can it be "proved" that I'm wrong. I do believe history is moving toward a culmination, and it involves the Middle East. Do I believe the world will end in 7 years from today ? I have no idea. That's not really my business is it. But it is interesting to see the possibilities here. Does this mean I wish destruction on all "infidels" ? Of course not. I do believe God will judge, but it will be by His own criteria, not mine, not any man's.

Supporting the Troops

How does "We don't want you there, you're wasting your time (and lives), and, we'll pull you out in 20 months, so try and stay alive" "support" our troops ?
This smells like Viet Nam all over again.

Always Meddlers

I'm a little skeptical of politicians in general. Some years back, the republicans got into power by promising less government. In this state, they proceeded to jump right in there making a bunch of laws about seat-belts, kids not riding in pick up trucks, and stuff like that. It seems like pretty soon we will need a permit to wipe our ass. It seems like anyone that gets into power takes it upon themselves to save us from ourselves and improve our lives weather we want it or not.

Blackmail

What's the deal with N. Korea ? They counterfeit our money and starve their own people so they can field a huge army and produce nuclear weapons. So now we will pay them a huge amount of money and goods, (that we are borrowing) so they will say they aren't making more bombs. Didn't they lie about this before ?

Iran ?

It makes sense that Iran would want to make trouble for us in Iraq. We're already in pretty deep. I can't help but wonder where all this talk about Iran is leading.

The Vultures

The Bush administration still has a couple years left, but the vultures are already circling. With everyone else talking about pulling out of the war, the insurgents know all they have to do is hold on.

Arab Politics

It's kinda interesting to watch how they do politics in the middle east. Assassinations, carbombs, kidnappings, torture, and gunfights, etc. I suppose this is all our fault somehow. But then, it's hard to feel sympathetic for someone who's big ambition in life is to drink my blood. It would probably make them sick anyway.

So Soon ?

Doesn't it seem a little premature to be starting the next presidential election already ? I guess I wanted a bit of a break after the mid-terms. Oh well, If you don't have a life, it gives you something to do. It is a bit entertaining to watch all these people trying to say something without saying the wrong thing. If you say the "wrong" thing all the others jump on you like flies on a turd. Shoot, I put the foot in my mouth all the time. I'm just glad I have a real job and I'm not in politcs.

Why ?

They always say not to talk about religion or politics around people you don't want to offend. But screw all that. This will be a place to spout all those half baked harebrained ideas that wander though my mind from time to time. To rant and rave and see if I make any sense to myself even.