I do not wish to belittle the efforts of the resuce workers to the lives lost due to this massive earth-event, but CCN.com is having a quick vote, and currently, 82% of the 117,000+ who voted call the tsunami the biggest event of the year. While it is quite significant, I think the events in the Ukrane and even the US elections were bigger events than the tsunami. Just my thoughts.

Posted by Ryan S. at 7:02 PM | Permalink | |

Overall, I enjoyed To The Last Man by Jeff Shaara. His portrayal of the air war through Lufbery and Richthofen were especially enjoyable for me, as the extent of what I knew came through Peanuts comic strips. The political intrigue from the vantage point of General John Pershing was extremely fascinating. I would recommend it to the person who is not a WWI book, but interested. I eagerly await his next project, about Korea.

I have begun Digital Fortress by bestseller machine Dan Brown. I just hope it turns out to be more than a poor man's Cryptonomicon. I have read every other book by Brown, with my favorite being Angels & Demons. Either way, I'm going to enjoy this.

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:46 PM | Permalink | |

Apparently Webshots (recommended by friends) won't let me link directly. You can't see my pics yet...and I don't have time to fix it now. A update is forthcoming.


Also, finished to The Last Man. Thoughts later, as well as a full-on reading update.

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:33 AM | Permalink | |

Overall my excursion to New York was uneventful, except for the NYPD with M-16's. I would have a picture, but I was too timid to take it, as they had M-16's.

It still provides an excellent excuse for photoblogging.

FoxNews HQ (1, 2)

Radio City Music Hall

Rockerfeller Plaza Ice Rink (My pics of the tree are not so good)

I could have stayed home in Philly and saw this...

Shopping was fun, but I was not impressed with the new FAO Schwarz. It was crowded, and it's more of a toy boutique rather than just an amazing toy store. The Toys "R" Us in Times Square is a much better example of a really amazing toy store. FAO did have two guys reenacting the famous scene from Big (a personal favorite of mine). At least they haven't forgotten their history.

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:11 AM | Permalink | |

Very interesting. Not sure about the focus on evangelicals...but predictions for Iraq, bin Laden, and the Supreme Court, will ring true, but I doubt that the EU will ever come close to rivaling the US, and if they do, it won't be this year.

Posted by Ryan S. at 8:51 PM | Permalink | |

I'm not turning into Glenn Reynolds antime soon, but I did recieve a Digital Camera for Christmas (A Samsung Digimax 401, if you're wondering), and so photoblogging can comence! Going to New York tomorrow with the folks to do some shopping. I'll be bringing my new toy with me, in case I see something of note. I won't be cat-blogging on Fridays, as I don't have one, but I may dog-blog while I'm home, and squirrel-blog while I'm as school (they seem to live in abundance on the UD campus).

Posted by Ryan S. at 8:33 PM | Permalink | |

I work at a local stand-alone department store, to earn cash for school textbooks and such. Nowhere is the attack on Christmas more evident (more on this here and here). Though the store is decorated for Christmas, it seems that the word itself has been purged from the lips of all, shoppers and employees alike. I gave out many a "Merry Christmas," while I was working register today, usually to those buying a lot, or dressed festively, or commenting on the great gift they got. I only recieved a few in return, mostly with a "Happy Holiday" or whatever. Now, I uderstand the catch-all phrase "Happy Holidays," which I tend to use before Hannukah, or to African-Americans celebrating Kwanza (more on Kwanza after Christmas, I promise). However, on the day before Christmas Eve, to those complaining about the Holiday rush, I don't think that the phrase "Merry Christmas," should be far from our minds. None of the signs in this store say "Christmas," they all says Holidays, or Cheer, or Festive, but in no way refer to this mysterious holiday celebrated by 96% of Americans every year. The Left, in the reactionary spirit of the 60's that still dominates most of the liberals who attempt to run the country, has been attacking Christmas declaring "equality for all." What I want to know, that if I am not offended by the celebration of Hannukah, or Rhamadan, or any other religious holiday, and if I am not specifically harming others by the celebration of my religious holiday, what is the big deal? Are Liberals afraid of Christmas? or just Christianity?

More right-wing Christmas shopping here. That is quite funny, and deals with an entirely seperate issue than what I am talking about.

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:15 PM | Permalink | |

The e-mail I recieved this in claims that it was written by a Marine. I do not doubt the poetic inclinactions of our best and bravest, but I have no way of knowing if this is true. In any case, I do feel that the message is important, and so I am replecating it here.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE, IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE; I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Merry Christmas a little early, especially to all of those who put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we all enjoy, and should never take for granted.

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:53 PM | Permalink | |

According to USA Today, Red States are grwoing at the fastest pace, especially those in the West and South. This may create a power shift to red states in the future, especially in the House of Representatives. By 2010, Florida will be more populous than New York, and in three, New Jersey (10th largest), could be passed by North Carolina.

The population trends show that economic and political power is shifting to
states attracting suburbanites from congested, densely populated areas, says
William Frey, demographer at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. The
10 fastest-growing states — from No. 1 Nevada to No. 10 New Mexico — are all in
the West and South. President Bush won nine of them in November's election. The
exception was Delaware, ranked eighth. The Census Bureau classifies Delaware as
a Southern state.
Seats in the House of Representatives are reallocated every 10 years to
reflect population shifts. The next round will come after the 2010 Census.
Based on the latest population estimates, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and
Indiana each would lose a House seat, according to Kim Brace, president of
Election Data Services, a Washington D.C., consulting firm that specializes in
the Census and redistricting. Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah each would gain a
seat, he says.
“It's the New America,” Frey says. “It's taking population and political
clout from the highly urbanized Old America.”

This doesn't necearrily mean that all the people flocking to red states agree with the politics, but either way, it will have an interesting effect on the politics. If they are conservative, however, or at least vote Republican, this could widen the gap in the House and also the Senate. If not, the regional gap closes. Only time will tell.

Posted by Ryan S. at 7:53 PM | Permalink | |

Here's a case that just screams for tort reform.

FoxNews.com

DALLAS — Near the end of her short life, Shayla Stewart, a diagnosed manic-depressive and schizophrenic, assaulted police officers and was arrested for attacking a fellow customer at a Denton Wal-Mart where she had a prescription for anti-psychotic medication. Given all those signs, her parents say, another Wal-Mart just seven miles away should have never sold her the shotgun she used to kill herself at age 24 in 2003. Her mother, Lavern Bracy, is suing the world's biggest
store chain for $25 million, saying clerks should have known about her
daughter's illness or done more to find out.

But pharmacy prescription records are confidential under a 1996 federal law, so stores cannot use them when deciding whether to sell a gun. Also, Wal-Mart did a background check on Stewart, as required under federal law, but through no fault of its own, her name did not show up in the FBI database. The reason: The database contains no mental health records from Texas and 37 other states.
Texas does not submit mental health records because state law deems them confidential, said Paul Mascot, an attorney with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Other states have not computerized their record-keeping systems or do not store them in a central location for use by the FBI.

Michael Faenza, president and chief executive of the National Mental Health Association, applauds Texas' refusal to share information with the FBI database. He said it would not be fair to violate patients' privacy when there is no data to support claims that mentally ill people are more violent than others.

Tragic as this case is, Wal-Mart is not at fault by any stretch of the imagination. Wal-Mart followed the law in performing a background check. Under privacy law, perscription records are confidential. It is not the fault of Wal-Mart that Texas statute forbids the admittance of percription records into the FBI database. While I am not belittiling the tradegy, or even claiming no one is at fault, becuase there is blame to be had by a broken, hypocritcal system, I just want to make the argument that Wal-Mart, as a company, should not held liable for a death that they did not share fault in. Imagine the case where a man is denied his right to buy a car because he is an alcoholic, or where a woman is not allowed to buy peanut butter for her kids because she has an allergy bracelet. The car dealership, in reality, would not be held legally liable for the man's death or the death of others should be drive while intoxicated, nay the liquer store that sold him the alcohol would not even be sued. This may be an extreme case, for sure, but this is the future we face if frivolous lawsuits like this are allowed to continue.

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:19 PM | Permalink | |

I just started reading To The Last Man by Jeff Shaara, which is a novelization of WWI, the other "forgotten" war (besides Korea). I find Shaara, most famous for his Civil War works (follwing his father's The Killer Angels), more engrossing, and as accurate as most history texts. WWI is often overlooked in favor of WWII, like the History (Hitler) Channel, which seems to offer mostly WWII-based programming (though I am a 'Modern Marvels' fan as well). However, this may be changing as I saw The Lost Battalion and "The Christmas Peace on there today. In any case, the book jacket boasts To The Last Man as being the best WWI novel since All Quiet On the Western Front, but I haven't heard of any others. It's good so far, really digging in (pardon the pun) to trench warfare.

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:02 AM | Permalink | |

That other cable news channel may be courting current PBS host and Cossfire co-host Tucker Carlson (who is one my idols, BTW)., according to TVNewser. Tucker's contract is up on Dec. 1, and he may be taking the 9:00 spot away from Deborah Norville. You remember Carlson as "that guy in the bow tie" from his dirty debate with The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.

I know that I would tune in to the Tucker Carlson show every day. I think that he's a bright guy, and in the proper format, can even give Conservative Pundit Guy Sean Hannity a run for his money. That time slot would also allow me to watch Carlson on a regular basis. As of now, I just catch Crossfire sparingly, with classes and such, and his PBS show is on here at 1:30 on Sundays, and I am either watching football or NASCAR and forget (when I'm even home).

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:13 PM | Permalink | |

Like Karl Rove in the new BarneyCam video over at WhiteHouse.gov (which is quite funny, as it deals with Barney, President Bush's Scottish Terrier, and his search for the new Scottie, Miss Beazley), liberals also want a partisan Christmas this year. Witness Buy Blue, which urges Americans to buy things from "Blue" Companies."

"You may have voted blue... But every day you unknowingly help dump millions of
dollars into the conservative war chest. By purchasing products and services
from companies that donate heavily to conservatives, we have been defeating our
own interests as liberals and progressives."

So far their Red/Blue business list is based off of political campaigns, making Wal*Mart, Home Depot, Hallmark, The Limited Brand (which includes Victoria's Secret, and Bath & Body Works), as well as my favorite brick & mortar and online stores, Target and Amazon.com. Under food, Outback Steakhouse, KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell, and Cracker Barrel are all Red.

Their numbers come from "contributions from PACs, soft money donors, and individuals giving $200 or more. (Only those groups giving $5,000 or more are listed here.) In many cases, the organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates . All donations took place during the 2003-2004 election cycle and were released by the Federal Election Commission on Monday, October 25, 2004. "

Interesting. I find it amusing that most business are Republican, as I never would have guessed that, but more importantly, that there is a difference shopping at a red store and a blue store. As I noted in this post earlier this week (back when I was under exam anxiety), Americans seem to be attracted to the "Do It Yourself" ideal, which is notably Republican. Home Depot encourages home projects, and Target, Wal*Mart, and Taco Bell are not known for thier surperior customer service, but good prices and a family atmosphere (how Victoria's Secret fits in, I'm not sure). I'm glad to know I don't shop blue. Even K-Mart, home of the blue-light special is a red store.

Barnes & Noble is a blue store, which may account for this post, just after the election. Borders, where I did most of my holiday shopping, isn't listed (yet), but I feel they are probably lefty too. I guess I'll stick with Amazon.

Posted by Ryan S. at 7:13 PM | Permalink | |

A NOTE: You may have noticed my blog cover more than politics recently, and I have officially decided to open it up to anything I care to write about, which will still have a focus on on political stuff.

Posted by Ryan S. at 5:10 PM | Permalink | |

I wore my LIVESTRONG bracelet for a couple months, until John Kerry started wearing his. I still support Lance Armstrong's charity, however. Ever since Kerry started wearing his, and I stopped wearing mine, I have been looking for a charitable "alternative" bracelet. I finally got one through 7-Eleven and the USO. It does not say "USO" on the back, but I think the message is important. I urge you all to get one, and show the guys and gals my age that we are behind them.

I only have two gripes. One, $2.99. My actual LIVESTRONG bracelet was $1, and the entire dollar went to charity. Two, MADE IN CHINA. Ugh.

I will proudly wear mine until they all come home.

Posted by Ryan S. at 3:57 AM | Permalink | |

Betsy's Page has posted an "inside scoop" that President Bush will be Time maganize's Man of the Year. He deserves it, not only for the good he's done, but also for winning the election with a majority vote. She also says that bloggers were in the running, but that they got cut to not make it seem that they were avoiding Bush. Interesting, and I hope it is true.

Posted by Ryan S. at 3:36 AM | Permalink | |

This is one for the WWII buffs. A critque on the FDR Administration.

"Wouldn't be screwy with Dewey!"

Posted by Ryan S. at 3:32 AM | Permalink | |

The missile defense test yesterday was a no go. Hope fully the Missile Defense Agency will get on the ball with that one.

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:44 AM | Permalink | |

I just reviewed my newest Rush (my favorite band) acquisition on Amazon.

Posted by Ryan S. at 5:45 AM | Permalink | |

Decided to pull an all-nighter for my American Foreign Policy exam tomorrow. I just hope she doesn't give us that "Global Test" Kerry was talking about. Being pro-Israel, I'd fail. Inpromptu blogging may ensue.

Posted by Ryan S. at 4:45 AM | Permalink | |

Too many books!!

Here is my to be read queue (actual order may vary:
The Right Man - David Frum
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
The Big U - Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
The NeoCon Reader
To The Last Man - Jeff Shaara
Cosmopolis - Don DeLillo
The Stand - Stephen King
The Guns of the South - Harry Turtledove
The Bourne Supremecy - Robert Ludlum
The Emperor of Ocean Park - Stephen L. Carter
The Last Juror - John Grisham
Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
The Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
State of Fear - Michael Cricton

Plus others I am forgetting...

Posted by Ryan S. at 7:26 PM | Permalink | |

This post, dubiously titled "Women and Porn," is about America's (specifically women's) addiction to home improvement, which seems to have it's roots in the 1950's, and the DIY movement.

Evidence, besides glorious HGTV? This Home Depot store. I remember when we had 1 Home Depot within reasonable distance from our house. We now have 7 and 2 Lowe's. It's a fascinating trend, especially with a Republican majority, becuase of the "bootstraps" Republicans like Ahhnohld, finding favor with Middle America. An interesting connection indeed.

Posted by Ryan S. at 5:57 PM | Permalink | |

This Op-Ed by Tyler Golson is fascinating, and shows liberal, multilateral loving, Bush-bashing, worried about America's appearance abroad academics that they are wrong. Syrians for Bush!!

Posted by Ryan S. at 2:38 PM | Permalink | |

Apparently, some American travellers are diguising themsevles as Canadians when they travel overseas. Heh.

------------------------------------

Exams are next week, so posting is going to be light until the 17th. I'll be back, though, don't worry.

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:25 AM | Permalink | |

Al-Jazeera is a Zionist plot!!


Proof here.

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:59 AM | Permalink | |

an "Anonymous" reader replied to my Liberal Academia post earlier. In case you missed his/her comment, here it is, as well as my rebuttle. Enjoy.

"To tell you the truth I think you are a little naive to think there is a biast
against conservative fools such as yourself. It is common knowledge that
educated people are 2x more likely to be liberals then conservatives, just take
a look at the way most of the states voted...most of the intellectual states
went for Kerry with most of the backcountry hick states going for Bush.
Professors are informed about the topics so therefore they will vote Librally.
People such as yourself who watch FoxNews and idolize Ann Coulter will vote
conservative...hopefully the recent pie she recieved in the face will not be her
last.:)"

Actually, the only reason I have found that professors are liberal, is because they live in a world where ideas take precedent over action. Liberal academics sit around and discuss ideas, which if implemented in their ideal bubble worlds, would, in their opinion, fix the world's problems. I myself am originally fom Philadelphia, and now reside in Delaware, both blue country, but I still believe that the esteemed residents of these "backwater" red states would still not appreciate being called that. Some people, like notable liberal celebrities, who live in blue California, New York, and other Metropoitan areas originate from red states. Professors "inform" themselves how they wish. This means reading the New York Times, or perhaps the Washington Post, watching CNN and Michael Moore films. This is in the same token as you accusing me of only watching FOXNews and reading Ann Coulter. I read the Washington Post everyday, and the Wall Street Jounral when I can get it. FoxNews is more centrist than conservative (look for a post later in the week on that one). We all make our own news. I truely strive to make mine as "fair and balanced" as possible, by listening to more than one voice and finsing my own opinion. I do not "idolize" Ann Coulter. I read her, and look at her point of view, which does frequently line up with mine. The point here is, some of us "close-minded" conservatives aren't as close-minded as some of you "enlightened" liberals.
And for the record, that dumb "protester" missed Ann Coulter. From an armslength. He missed by three feet. Who's not informed now?

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:14 AM | Permalink | |

It may only be the second of December, but tax season is around the corner. I actually have to file this year, and finally understand what my father dreads every year, the horror of trying to get your money back in your pocket and not the government's.

President Bush has promised tax reform, and I hope he delivers on that promise. The only question is how.

One proposal is to create a national sales tax. A national sales tax, if effective could eliminate income taxes and payroll taxes, freeing up business expenses, individual spending, and lowing prices. Here's something that explains the idea better than I can:

Emancipating America from the Income Tax:How a National Sales Tax Would
Work
by David R. Burton and Dan R. Mastromarco

This study demonstrates how the individual and corporate income tax, the capital gains tax, the estate and gift taxes, and non-trust-fund excise taxes all could be replaced with a national sales tax (NST). The NST would exempt low-income Americans from tax and raise the same amount of revenue currently collected. The ideal NST plan would include the following features:

A 15 percent sales tax on the final purchase of goods and services at the retail level. The NST would be similar to state sales taxes. The rate should decline in future years to 10 to 12 percent as economic growth allows more revenue to be raised at a lower rate and government downsizing continues.

A universal rebate for every household, exempting all consumption up to the poverty level. That would mean that the first $18,588 of consumption each year for a family of four would be tax-free. The rebate could be provided as a refundable credit against the payroll tax. Reimbursement to states and retailers of the cost of collecting the national sales tax.

Abolition of the Internal Revenue Service. The states
should bear the primary responsibility for administering the national sales tax.
The IRS would be abolished, and a much smaller, less intrusive federal excise
tax bureau would collect trust fund excise taxes such as the gasoline tax. The
Social Security Administration would enforce and collect payroll taxes.

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:13 AM | Permalink | |

FOXNews just had a story on Brit Hume's "Grapevine" about the liberal academia. There was a poll done saying that students felt "pressured" by their professors about politics, and that even professors teaching "non-political subjects" talked biasedly about politics. The poll also revealed that students feel pressured to agree with professors to get an A.

I for one have encountered this in my tenure here (which only started in September). Every professor I have had this semester (spread among the Political Science, History, Economics, and Philosophy departments) have talked biasedly about politics. While this may have something to do with the election, I do not think so, and I'll be on the lookout for this in the spring.

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:45 AM | Permalink | |