MrSpkr's random thoughts . . .
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Surprise, surprise, surprise!
A senior Hezbollah official said Tuesday the guerrilla group did not expect Israel to react so strongly to its capture of two Israeli soldiers.
In other words, they were used to Westerners cowering in fear rather than muscularly responding.
Here's hoping Israel finishes the job against Hezbollah.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Monday, July 17, 2006
Funerals are always such a drag
I just got back from Tulsa, my old stomping grounds. On Saturday, we buried my uncle, Robert Todd. It was a surreal experience.
Robert was my aunt's third husband, and the only one who was worth a spit. He accepted her children as his own, and, indeed, decided to forego having natural children to focus on raising hers.
He was also a good lawyer, rising from nothing to become the leading bankruptcy attorney in Oklahoma in little more than a decade. He loved boats, family, and was always a great host at family parties. He died of cancer after a very short illness.
I didn't know Robert as well as I would have liked, but I know that he was a good husband for my aunt (who otherwise had terrible taste in men) and a good father for my cousins. He will be missed.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran: Critical Mass in the Middle East
Wretchard has posted an interesting argument which suggests that Iranian ground troops are actively helping Hezbollah with the missile attacks against Israel.
Israel, in the mean time, seems to have adopted half of an effective strategy: if a country allows terrorists to operate within their borders and attack a neighbor, the host country should pay a high price. An Israeli general has indicated that the goal is to set Lebanon back 20 years by attacking various infrastructure targets.
IMHO, that should tactic is incomplete. Political leaders who actively support terrorists (I'm thinking specifically of Iranian president Ahmadenijad) should pay a high personal price, too. I would be neither surprised nor upset to learn of Israeli air strikes against both the Iranian nuclear plants and the Iranian political leadership.
The mob called it 'sending a message.' It is effective -- and forces the politicians to accept some personal responsibility for supporting terrorists.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
I hope mine is as eloquent.
Best. Obituary. Ever.
Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark, who had tired of reading obituaries noting other's courageous battles with this or that disease, wanted it known that he lost his battle as a result of an automobile accident on June 18, 2006. True to Fred's personal style, his final hours were spent joking with medical personnel while he whimpered, cussed, begged for narcotics and bargained with God to look over his wife and kids. He loved his family. His heart beat faster when his wife of 37 years Alice Rennie Clark entered the room and saddened a little when she left. His legacy was the good works performed by his sons, Frederic Arthur Clark III and Andrew Douglas Clark MD, PhD., along with Andy's wife, Sara Morgan Clark. Fred's back straightened and chest puffed out when he heard the Star Spangled Banner and his eyes teared when he heard Amazing Grace. He wouldn't abide self important tight *censored*. Always an interested observer of politics, particularly what the process does to its participants, he was amused by politician's outrage when we lie to them and amazed at what the voters would tolerate. His final wishes were "throw the bums out and don't elect lawyers" (though it seems to make little difference). During his life he excelled at mediocrity. He loved to hear and tell jokes, especially short ones due to his limited attention span. He had a life long love affair with bacon, butter, cigars and bourbon. You always knew what Fred was thinking much to the dismay of his friend and family. His sons said of Fred, "he was often wrong, but never in doubt". When his family was asked what they remembered about Fred, they fondly recalled how Fred never peed in the shower - on purpose. He died at MCV Hospital and sadly was deprived of his final wish which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a double date to include his wife, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter to crash an ACLU cocktail party. In lieu of flowers, Fred asks that you make a sizable purchase at your local ABC store or Virginia winery (please, nothing French - the *censored*) and get rip roaring drunk at home with someone you love or hope to make love to. Word of caution though, don't go out in public to drink because of the alcohol related laws our elected officials have passed due to their inexplicable terror at the sight of a MADD lobbyist and overwhelming compulsion to meddle in our lives. No funeral or service is planned. However, a party will be held to celebrate Fred's life. It will be held in Midlothian, Va. Email fredsmemory@yahoo.com for more information. Fred's ashes will be fired from his favorite cannon at a private party on the Great Wicomico River where he had a home for 25 years. Additionally, all of Fred's friend (sic) will be asked to gather in a phone booth, to be designated in the future, to have a drink and wonder, "Fred who?"I'll raise a glass to your memory, Fred. You're the kind of guy I aspire to someday become. Prost!
Hat tip, Ace of Spades.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Islamic Extremists Conduct 'Test Run' Against AIrpot Security; Police, TSA Argue amongst selves
So, a guy with hollowed out tennis shoes, a clock with a 9 volt battery taped to it, and a copy of the Koran attempts to board an airplane . . . and is allowed after a few questions from local police.
Once the story comes out, the TSA and local police argue over who allowed the man on the plane.
Sigh. How many more will die before bureaucrats get serious?
Monday, July 03, 2006
Just looking for a better life II
These two young men ran a young lady off the road, then kidnapped, raped, beat and stabbed her. They left her for dead in the middle of nowhere.
Both are here illegally. This crime would not have occurred had we simply enforced our existing immigration laws and secured our border.
but we shouldn't worry about that. They're just here looking for a better life, right?