Happy Birthday Elvis !!!!!!!!!

He would have been 74.


Sometimes I have an idea to write about something then I learn something I did not know before. Around 2003, we got this intern at Percom. Very nice kid. Wish we were as nice to her as she was to us. Two facts my co workers can attest to: 1. My desk is always messy. 2. Part of that mess is I always had books.

Not only did we not pay her anything for her work but once in a while she had nothing to do. That's when she had the guts to read what I handed to her. That was the beginning of her discovery of Elvis. It's almost my raison de etre. Years later she still tells me she is an Elvis fan. I hope she reads this and chimes in with a testimonial. On his birthday I hope you all respond with something nice to say about the King. To the one blog that asks you nicely . I promise it won't "return to sender".


I have more than a few Elvis videos supplied and yes there is a standard song there but I also included two gospel numbers that you may have never heard. Elvis loved gospel music regardless of what his image was. If nothing else, watch the last video which is not of Elvis but of Sonny, Red , Marty , Lamar and Billy.

The video right before that is Elvis singing with former army buddy Charlie Hodge. The man honored to get his scarves and water. Elvis influenced Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. That's all you need to know.

Ed




Frank Sinatra Quotes about Elvis Presley
His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.

Rod Stewart Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps.

Mick Jagger Quotes about Elvis Presley
He was a unique artist… an original in an area of imitators.

Hal Wallis (Producer) Quotes about Elvis Presley
A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.

John Landau Quotes about Elvis Presley
There is something magical about watching a man who has lost himself find his way back home. He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect from rock 'n' roll singers.


Doughboy Quotes about Elvis Presley
There are no bad Elvis movies, only bad people who think that there are bad Elvis movies

Greil Marcus Quotes about Elvis Presley
It was the finest music of his life. If ever there was music that bleeds, this was it.

Jackie Wilson Quotes about Elvis Presley
A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.

Bruce Springsteen Quotes about Elvis Presley
There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.

Bob Dylan Quotes about Elvis Presley
When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.

Leonard Bernstein Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century. He introduced the beat to everything, music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution… the 60's comes from it.

Frank Sinatra Quotes about Elvis Presley
There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.

President Jimmy Carter, on Elvis' Death, Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.

Al Green Quotes about Elvis Presley
Elvis had an influence on everybody with his musical approach. He broke the ice for all of us.

Huey Lewis Quotes about Elvis Presley
A lot has been written and said about why he was so great, but I think the best way to appreciate his greatness is just to go back and play some of the old records. Time has a way of being very unkind to old records, but Elvis' keep getting better and better.

Time Magazine Quotes about Elvis Presley
Without preamble, the three--piece band cuts loose. In the spotlight, the lanky singer flails furious rhythms on his guitar, every now and then breaking a string. In a pivoting stance, his hips swing sensuously from side to side and his entire body takes on a frantic quiver, as if he had swallowed a jackhammer.

John Lennon Quotes about Elvis Presley
Before Elvis, there was nothing.

Johnny Carson Quotes about Elvis Presley
If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.

Eddie Condon (Cosmopolitan) Quotes about Elvis Presley
It isn't enough to say that Elvis is kind to his parents, sends money home, and is the same unspoiled kid he was before all the commotion began. That still isn't a free ticket to behave like a sex maniac in public.

Ed Sullivan Quotes about Elvis Presley
I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy.

Howard Thompson Quotes about Elvis Presley
As the lad himself might say, cut my legs off and call me Shorty! Elvis Presley can act. Acting is his assignment in this shrewdly upholstered showcase, and he does it.

Carl Perkins Quotes about Elvis Presley
This boy had everything. He had the looks, the moves, the manager, and the talent. And he didn't look like Mr. Ed like a lot of the rest of us did. In the way he looked, way he talked, way he acted… he really was different.







http://www.elvis.com/graceland/calendar/elvis_birthday.asp


Annual Events
The Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration

Below is the current Elvis Birthday Celebration 2009 calendar of events along with ticket purchase information for each event. Updates to the calendar will be made as additional guests, details and events are confirmed. Please check back often to get the latest updates.

The ticket prices below include sales tax. There is a $4.50 per transaction service fee for each order placed through Graceland. This includes orders made over the phone or online orders. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Please note, if you are ordering your tickets to tour Graceland at the same time as ordering your birthday event tickets, the $4.50 order fee for Graceland tickets is a separate charge from the $4.50 order fee for birthday tickets and will appear as two separate order fees on your final order listing.

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ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 2009
Thursday, January 8 - Sunday, January 11

TUESDAY 6
If you will be in town earlier in the week, you can enjoy Elvis night at the Memphis Grizzlies game.

2009 Grizzlies Elvis Birthday Night - A Night of Elvis and Grizzlies Basketball
7:00pm. FedExForum, downtown Memphis. Join Elvis fans in town for Elvis' birthday as the Memphis Grizzlies celebrate the life of a Memphis legend – Elvis Presley. The Memphis Grizzlies will be playing the Minnesota Timberwolves and there will be Elvis–themed music, movie clips, and live entertainment. To order tickets, visit the Grizzlies web site.
THURSDAY 8

D&N's and Elvis Meetup's Gospel Tribute to Elvis
12:01 a.m. - 12:15 a.m. Graceland Front Gates
D&N's Elvis Presley Fan Club and the Elvis Meetup Fan Club invite you to join their annual tradition. Meet at the gates of Graceland at midnight on Elvis's birthday as they join fans from across the globe singing familiar gospel songs, and of course, Happy Birthday to Elvis.
Elvis Presley Day Ceremony
9:30 a.m. North lawn of Graceland. Enjoy a ceremony with a special program hosted by Priscilla Presley, along with Graceland/EPE officials, a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by Memphis and Shelby County officials. Free admission. Complimentary birthday cake and coffee served at the Chrome Grille restaurant across the street from the mansion following the ceremony.

Can't be in Memphis for the Elvis Day Ceremony? You will still be able to enjoy the ceremony live via a special streaming livecam that will be available. Click here for details and to bookmark the page.

Terry Mike Jeffrey Performing Live
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Graceland Ticket Pavilion. After enjoying Elvis birthday cake, enjoy a live, unplugged session of Elvis music performed by Terry Mike Jeffrey inside the ticket pavilion at Graceland. Free.

Bears on Tour - Scavenger Hunt at Graceland
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Starting at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion (no audio tour) and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously participating in a trivia scavenger hunt. All participants receive a collectible, limited-edition Elvis Presley birthday bear from Limited Treasures. Adult and junior versions of the scavenger hunt will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. Admission: $29.00 Adults; $12.00 children 7-12. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.

Club Elvis at Graceland
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated, no smoking inside. Admission $20.00. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.
FRIDAY 9

Elvis Meet Up at Marlowe's
12:00 p.m. 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd.
No cover charge but attendees pay for their own food, drinks and tips. Special guests have been invited and Elvis door prizes will be given. RSVP to Sharon Parker at 615-830-5126 or email elvismeetupatmarlowes@hotmail.com.

Official Elvis Insiders Reception and Graceland Tour
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. An event exclusively for members of the Elvis Insiders. A private evening tour of Graceland Mansion in all its holiday splendor and a reception across the street in Graceland Plaza. The reception will not be a seated "theater-style" event but will be a progressive event moving about the plaza area and will include Elvis's airplanes, The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum and the "Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access" exhibit in the Sincerely Elvis Museum. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bars will be available. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Elvis' historic recording sessions at American Sound Studios on January 13, 2009, special guests for the event will be The Memphis Boys (Gene Chrisman, Bobby Wood, Bobby Emmons, Reggie Young and Mike Leach), who are all part of the self-named rhythm section that served as the house band on those recording sessions. In twelve days, Elvis cut 36 sides at American Sound and the sessions produced some of his best work. "In the Ghetto," "Suspicious Minds," and "Don't Cry Daddy" all went gold, and "Kentucky Rain" was also a huge success. In addition, Rex Mansfield, who was inducted, trained and served with Elvis in the Army, and Elisabeth Mansfield, Elvis' secretary while he was stationed in Germany, will also be special guests at the event and will be meeting fans, signing autographs and selling copies of their book Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Everyone wins a door prize. As has become tradition, just for the dates of the Elvis Birthday Celebration, special Elvis exhibits from the Graceland Archives will be in place inside the residential area of the mansion. The special evening tour of the mansion includes the audio tour presentation, plus Elvis Christmas music playing in the background. Decorations for the 2008/2009 holiday season will be in place. Because of space limitations, Elvis Insiders may purchase only one guest ticket in addition to their own. Admission $44.00 adults, $22.00 children 7-12, children under 7 free. Parking in the main Graceland parking lot is free beginning at 4:30 PM. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.
SATURDAY 10

Fan Club Presidents' Event
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. Fogelman Executive Conference Center, University of Memphis. Join Elvis Presley fan club presidents from independent Elvis fan clubs from around the world at this special event to learn about the amazing work that fan clubs do to continue on Elvis's name and memory. All fans are invited to attend this event where they can learn more about what official Elvis Presley fan clubs do, while also enjoying a program of EPE company updates and special announcements. The special guest speakers for this year's event will be Rex Mansfield, who was inducted, trained and served with Elvis in the Army, and Elisabeth Mansfield, Elvis' secretary while he was stationed in Germany. Rex and Elisabeth will be sharing stories about their time they spent in the Army with Elvis. Elvis Presley fan club presidents will receive an invitation to the event directly from EPE to reserve their complimentary ticket for the event and do not need to call Graceland Reservations. Tickets for additional fan club members and the general public are $8.00. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online.

Elvis Birthday Celebration - Mississippi RiverKings vs. Texas Brahmas
Game time 7:05 pm, DeSoto Civic Center.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, with the first 1,000 fans receiving an Elvis Presley themed hockey puck. Elvis Tribute Artist, Joe Trites will sing the National Anthem. ETA Matt Joyce will lead a "Rock-a-Hula" hula hoop contest. ETA Cody Slaughter will sing Elvis hits during intermission and post-game public skating. Also, Elvis trivia, music and film clips will played throughout the night. Tickets start at just $10. Call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 for ticket and promotional information.

The Elvis Presley Birthday Pops
8:00 p.m. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street in downtown Memphis. Celebrate the king of rock 'n' roll with The Imperials, Terry Mike Jeffery and Elvis himself on the big screen as the Memphis Symphony presents its annual Elvis Birthday Pops concert. Tickets are available through the MSO Box Office by calling 901.537.2525, or online at MemphisSymphony.org.
SUNDAY 11

Elvis Birthday Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Enjoy breakfast in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while listening to Elvis music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen. Tickets are $27.00 per person. Tickets on sale now through Graceland Reservations by calling (800) 238-2000 or (901) 332-3322, or you can click here to purchase online. Cut off for purchasing tickets for this event is Wednesday, January 7 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
MULTIPLE DATES

Graceland Tours
Tours of Graceland Mansion, the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, Elvis's personal jets, the Sincerely Elvis Museum and Private Presley available daily. Click here for tickets and details. Graceland Mansion is decorated in all its traditional splendor indoors and out through January 11th. Especially for fans coming in for the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration, special additional exhibits will be in place throughout the mansion January 8-11. Click here to purchase tickets online. To order tickets over the phone, call from all parts of the world (901) 332-3322. Or, from the USA and Canada, call toll-free 800-238-2000.

Free Walk-Up Times for The Meditation Garden
Daily throughout the year there is a period of time for free-admission walk-up visits to the Meditation Garden at Graceland, where the grave sites of Elvis and members of his family are located. Then the area becomes part of the regular ticketed Graceland Mansion tours for the rest of the day. The winter hours for free walk-up visits are 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. daily. During the Elvis' Birthday Celebration, there will also be nightly walkups from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on January 7, 8 and 10.

Elvis Bingo
January 8: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
January 9: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
January 10: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
January 11: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartbreak Hotel Dining Area. Play bingo for great Elvis prizes. Admission is FREE, but you need at ticket. Free tickets are available at the entrances into the dining area at least 30 minutes before the games start. Available on a first come, first serve basis.

NOTE: All event information is subject to change.

Who Would Believe This?

I don't believe this for a second. For those of you who care this drug/ bribe case is major local news. First of all to semi quote Claude Rains in Casablanca , I am shocked that Filipino government officials would take bribes. Second of all you know the excuse below is baloney. If you don't believe me then you probably never ate a 3M Pizza. Out of all the gin joints , I mean pizza places in Manila , she would have to order a 3M? Next dumb story please.


Ed





http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/thealabangbriberycase/index.php


http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/thealabangbriberycase/view.php?db=1&article=20090106-181593

‘3M pizza’ triggered talk of payoff?
January 06, 2009 00:45:00
Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—A suggestion for the “Alabang Boys” to treat their captors to “3M pizza” may have triggered allegations of a P50-million payoff for their liberty.

Hours before Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson were to face the inquest fiscal, one of the two narcotics agents guarding them allegedly said: “Paborito naming kainin 3M pizza,” lawyer Felisberto Verano Jr. said Monday at the National Bureau of Investigation.

“This was repeatedly told to (Brodett, Joseph, and Tecson),” said Verano, counsel of Brodett and Tecson.

“It would have been ignored except that it seemed the agents were dropping hints at the time,” he added.

The lawyer alleged that “3M pizza” could have meant “P3 million,” which the agents could have been waiting to be paid to drop the drug charges.

Brodett, Joseph and Tecson were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and Cubao, Quezon City, on Sept. 20, 2008. Seized from them were 60 tablets of Ecstasy, sachets of cocaine, and marijuana.

The PDEA claimed that P50 million had changed hands that resulted in state prosecutors recommending on Dec. 2, 2008 the dismissal of the case against Brodett, Joseph and Tecson. (The prosecutors have denied the allegation.)

Moreover, three bribe offers ranging from P3 million to P20 million were made to Major Ferdinand Marcelino, head of the PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service that arrested the Alabang Boys, the agency said.

Marcelino said the offers came from an emissary related to Tecson.

But Verano told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “At that time, there was no need anymore to bribe the PDEA because the inquest fiscal was arriving.”

“We have always believed we have a strong case so we will definitely not bite. Apart from that, the families have no capacity to make such a payoff and the children are innocent so there is no need to pay anyone,” the lawyer said.

Verano said the “3M pizza” hint would be included in the affidavits that Brodett and Tecson would submit to the NBI Special Task Force, which is investigating the alleged bribery.

Asked why it took time to reveal the alleged extortion attempt, Verano said: “We thought that the children were going to be released after the case against them was dismissed by the prosecutors but the PDEA continued issuing statements. We were also careful because they are still in the custody of the agency.”

Fancy story

Also Monday at the NBI, the parents of Brodett and Tecson accused the PDEA of concocting the “fancy P50-million story” to justify its continued existence. They also called for the dissolution of the agency, which they said had “not been doing well for the country.”

Butch and Myra Brodett and Joe and Flora Tecson, accompanied by Verano, insisted that they had no capacity to make a P50-million payoff.

Speaking for his clients, Verano said: “We have been quiet because we are afraid for the three boys (Brodett, Joseph and Tecson).”

Bruises

He showed pictures of Brodett with bruises on several parts of his body, including the arms and nape.

“These boys are victims… they (PDEA) are trying to justify their existence. PDEA must be dissolved completely,” Verano said.

He said the three young men had been framed and subjected to excessive force and illegal arrest, the reason for the dismissal of the charges.

“They have to say they have caught a big fish when they only caught galunggong and not pating (sharks),” the lawyer said, denying there was ever a P50-million bribe.

Butch Brodett told reporters: “Actually when they say bribery, look at the capacity first to bribe. How will you live after that (shelling out P50 million)?”

Asked if he would even consider bribery, he said: “No way. When I saw what happened to my son. I’m not in the mood to bribe. No way will I bribe.”

For his part, Joe Tecson maintained that his family had no capacity to carry out any payoff being merely a set designer for TV programs, and not a construction magnate that he was initially claimed to be.

He added that he didn’t know personally any official in government.

“They did not even check the backgrounds of the families (before making accusations of the bribery),” Verano said.

Arbitrary detention

The families are planning to file charges of arbitrary detention and libel against the PDEA and seek the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus from the Court of Appeals.

NBI’s Arnel Dalumpines confirmed that the lawyer had informed him of the alleged extortion attempt by agents of the PDEA.

He told the Inquirer that the “3M pizza” was among the allegations made by Verano and the parents of the “Alabang Boys” during Monday’s interview in his office.

He said the allegations would form part of the sworn statement of the parents in connection with the NBI probe of the alleged P50-million bribe.

Copyright 2009 INQUIRER.net and content partners. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

David Duchovny and his Crush

Keep in mind all this was out way before the world knew about Duchovny's habit. No matter what, he is a very amusing guy and a good sport. Actually who am I to try to figure out Duchovny? Watch the whole thing but skip the 3rd scene since it's just a short clip of something already there . Parts 1,2 and 4 make up the entire episode and it is so funny. The genius of the Larry Sanders show is it lets celebrities play themselves and expose their dark sides. Thank you to the kind soul who uploaded the whole thing. With cameos by Charles Nelson Reilly and Elvis Costello.


Ed

Brief History on the Hamas Israeli Conflict

I honestly knew next to nothing about this so I started to pay a little bit more attention. Anyway , here from two different sources. I still know next to nothing but giving you some sources if you wish to make up your own mind.


Ed



http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/surreal-gaza/

December 31st, 2008 11:07 pm
Surreal Gaza
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The World Reacts

I spent today reading accounts of Gaza—NY Times, AP, Reuters, etc. There are no terrorists, just militants. Not much about past rocket attacks on Israel–most everything on the crowded conditions of Gaza. Iranian aid is rarely elaborated on; stories about quiet Arab support for defanging Hamas are likewise rare; common is the buzz about protests in Europe. In reaction, I jotted down the following random thoughts.

Gaza as Monte Carlo, perhaps Hong Kong, or is it to be Switzerland of the Mediterranean?

Gaza is a sort of lab experiment in the Middle East. Recall for a minute: the Israelis withdrew en masse, a so-called “retreat” that reverberated all over the Middle East. The West supported free and open elections that gave Hamas their legitimacy, such as it was. Gaza is strategically placed on the Mediterranean with a prime shoreline. It borders Egypt the traditional center of the Arab world. Hundreds of millions of dollars of Middle-East oil money, and Western relief donations have poured into the tiny state. Israeli clearly wants no more of it, and would love to let Gaza alone to be Dubai.

The result?

Hamas with its serial rocket attacks on Israel interprets all of the above not as an opportunity for prosperity, but as a stage one for the great accomplishment of its generation—the absolute destruction of the Jewish state. Its agenda is clear and unambiguous, and apparently shared by millions of elites in the West itself, without whose support Hamas could not exist. The common theme of Western press coverage is the misery of Gaza, never the misery of Gaza as a product of the garrison-state mentality of Hamas’s radical Islamic vows to wage perennial war against Israel.

The Enablers

Hamas counts on the fact that its own losses will be characterized as a “holocaust” and appear comparable in the Western media to something like Darfur or the slaughtering in Zimbabwe, or the usual carnage that we wake up to on the news. Take away Western press attention from Gaza, and Hamas is just another violent, illiberal regime that impoverishes its own people while seeking victim status in the West.

Is that too harsh? I don’t think so. Again, if it were to call a one-year truce with Israel, seek normal relations with Egypt, and swear off Iranian-Hezbollah terrorist aid while it sought to rebuild infrastructure, ensure security, and recruit foreign capital, then there would be no more world attention, and its cadres of hooded youth would lack the pizzazz of “militants.”



Jenin Redux

Meanwhile, we suffer through the Jenin reinvention of the rules of war: (1) proportionality: Hamas is allowed to keep trying to kill as many Jews as it can to “balance” those lost to far more lethal Israeli countermeasures. Rule I. War is a tit-for-tat game, where fairness is defined as killing no more than you lose.

(2) Civilians and warriors: there is no such difference. Hamas’s terrorists who shoot rockets against Israeli families burrow into their own civilian infrastructure. They are tragic innocents to the world when they are killed and heroes to their own if can they kill innocents Jews through their barrages. Rule II. The age of uniforms and battle lines is over, replaced by the civilian shield as the best mechanism of defense against Western mastery of traditional arms.

(3) War that is lost on the battlefield can be won through the international media. The Palestinians have counted on six truths in the international arena (a. the world remains largely anti-Semitic; b. the world appreciates the strategic calculus that Arabs are numerous with oil; and Israel is tiny without it; c. Westerners fear Islamic terrorists, not the IDF; d. The West is prone to self-loathing, and romanticizes any who best capture the mantel of victimhood; the Palestinians have brilliantly reinvented themselves by claiming a status akin to women, gays, Hispanics, and blacks—fellow victims of rich while male Westerners; e. Any culture abroad whose hospitals Westerners would not like to be operated in are idealized; any who emulate Western technological supremacy are shunned. Rule III: Just copy any group that sets up shop on an American campus free speech area, and the resulting sympathy is worth a division.

Incremental Victory

The Hamas way of thinking is that it has constantly redefined losses to such an extent that 300+ killed are now dubbed a “Holocaust.” Meanwhile the frequency and range of its rocketry are expanded and embedded into the “normalcy” of the Middle East. Hamas seeks to establish the principle that it can daily wear away the psyche of Israelis while carefully constraining Israeli responses. What a Westerner would call an Israeli “victory” (e.g., terrible destruction of Hamas infrastructure with far greater casualties inflicted than suffered), Hamas and others would call “progress” in a century-long war (e.g., the world now accepts that showering Israeli with rockets is not an act of war, and not deserving of serious retaliation).

A final note: some of the most vicious anti-Israeli sentiment comes from Europe, especially countries like Spain and Greece. Yet I remember Morocco and Spain nearly shooting at each other in 2002 in a dispute over an uninhabited rock in the Mediterranean, and Greece goes ballistic every time Turkey customarily overflies Aegean airspace. Israel alone is not supposed to respond to rocket barrages; our conclusions can only be that the world deems it an illegitimate state worthy of destruction, and will allow its enemies to keep trying until they succeed (Why else would a British television station invite Ahmadinejad to answer the Queen’s Christmas address—a thug who promised the destruction of Israel, is seeking the means to do it, and whose terrorists recently kidnapped British sailors?)

Meanwhile we await “Gaza, Gaza”—the anguished documentary movie as hundreds of filmakers have no doubt already descended to offer us by spring a must see movie on every American university campus.

Great Classy Clip from WKRP

Set up the scene. There is a garbage strike in Cincy. Dr. Johnny Fever spontaneously tells his audience to take their garbage to city hall since they can't solve the mess. In a rare moment that proves they actually have listeners, garbage actually accumulates and what you see next is an attempt at damage control. The staff discusses with the station lawyer.

Ed

Robbie Madison Vegas jump

Commentators are correct. He makes it look so easy. This happened New Year's Eve so yesterday Manila time. Incredibly gutsy. Woman you see clapping is his nervous fiance.ESPN radio built it up enough for me to be curious. Their descriptions (pre jump) did not adequately paint the accurate picture of lunacy . Judge for yourself.

Ed

Everybody Have Fun Tonight

Cheers was a show under appreciated by me. This scene I find myself thinking about every once in a while. Not sure why it resonates so but it does. Maybe because I have the original song in my mp 3 player. I remember seeing this episode way back summer of 86. The season it first came out. Some of you not even born yet.


Ed