Current Events

[editor]

I thought I'd start a thread where we could discuss various aspects of the news, if we are so inclined.  Here's something off the Drudge report today.  I find it totally fascinating.

PLAYGIRL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OUTS HERSELF -- AS REPUBLICAN
Mon Mar 07 2005 19:42:14 ET

When it comes to sex and politics, Democrats are the more liberal, right? Not so fast. Playgirl editor-in-chief Michele Zipp explores “down and dirty” politics and examines sexuality on both sides of the aisle. In the process she comes to a realization about herself and reveals for the first time she’s now a Republican.

“Siding with the GOP when you live in the bluest state around is almost like wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey at a New York Yankees’ home game,” says Zipp in the April issue of PLAYGIRL. ”I cannot tell you how many times a person assumed I voted for John Kerry in 2004. Most of the time, I don’t have the heart to tell them, or the energy to discuss my reasons for going red this election year. But this is Playgirl magazine so it’s about time I was the one who bared what’s underneath.”

How could a member of the media who produces adult entertainment for women possibly side with conservatives from the red states? Zipp spells it out. “Those on the right are presumed to be all about power and greed – two really sexy traits in the bedroom. They want it, they want it now, and they’ll do anything to get it. And I’m not talking about some pansy-assed victory, I’m talking about full on jackpot, satisfaction for all.”

“The Democrats of the Sixties were all about making love and not war while a war-loving Republican is a man who would fight, bleed, sacrifice, and die for his country. Could you imagine what that very same man would do for his wife in the bedroom?” asks Zipp.

Developing...

[moonflower2]

A "man's man" fishes for these! 

http://www.carpwatersworldwide.com/

The 1 million-dollar carp!
 
The American Carp Society are offering a reward of 1 million dollars for the capture of the New York State rod caught record (standing at 50lb 4oz) in their 2005 World Carp Championship. The match will be held on the mighty St Lawrence River from 5-10th June 2005 and is set to be the largest ever carp match in the world.
The organizer Mr David Moor from the American Carp Society believes the reward will bring the carp to the forefront in the USA and prevent the sport of bow hunting.
The prize is only offered to participating anglers at a cost of $2500 to enter the composition which covers a team of two anglers and covers hotel accommodation on the first and last night of the week long festival. The opening and closing events will be held at Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in New York.
A 40 mile stretch of the river with 200 swims using computer controlled updated information on whose catching what and when. The event will be on television and radio covering the whole event all week which means loads of publicity for the winners.
A limited amount of places available to different countries are controlled by the International Carp Fishing Association in the UK. Booking are only available through Angling International by calling Rob Hughes on 01980 591484.
For updates visit www.americancarpsociety.com.
 

[al Hartman]

     Sounds like a lotta carp!

[lenore]

 :)March 9th.
Here are news items from Yahoo News:
My contribution to the discussion of this post.
......Its been over 25 years since I last pick up or read a Play Girl Magazine. ...As for being a daughter, sister, wife, and trained for a year as a nurse. ....Nothing new under the sun...Ecc.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 
Americans flood Canadian MPs with letters and calls in gay marriage debate

Tue Feb 22, 5:30 PM ET 

BETH GORHAM

(CP) - Bob MacCready's already written to Canadian Liberal MPs who support allowing gays to marry, telling them he thinks it's against God's own law and everything that's decent.

   

Now he's thinking of sending a second letter to underscore his fervent opposition to Canada's pending same-sex marriage legislation, expected to pass this spring.


A conservative Christian who lives near Philadelphia, MacCready is one of untold Americans who've been flooding the offices of Canadian politicians with letters and calls in the past few weeks.


Many have relatives north of the border but have never before become involved in a Canadian political issue.


It's a trend that belies the strong convictions and polarized debate stirred in the United States, where President George W. Bush (news - web sites) supports a constitutional amendment to outlaw same-sex marriages.


MacCready's married daughter lives in London, Ont., with his four grandchildren and he once considered moving to Canada to be close to them.


"We're very concerned about the way things are going there," he said in a recent telephone interview from his home in Media, Pa. "How is it going to be for my grandchildren growing up?"


MacCready, a businessman, says he's sensitive to the fact that Canadians might not appreciate people like him voicing their views on a national issue, but he just can't stay silent.


"What I'm saying needs to be heard," he says. "I also feel a bit sad that (the two countries) aren't working more in harmony. It's like we've grown apart."


Dorothy McCallum, a retired bookkeeper, has been faxing and re-faxing letters to Ontario MPs from her home in Royal Oak, Mich.


"We're not against gay people themselves," says McCallum. "We feel (gay marriage) is wrong by the Bible. We're Christian believers and we just feel very strongly that this is not a good bill."


McCallum and MacCready say their lobbying is personal and they're not affiliated with any of the powerful conservative religious groups in the U.S.


Credited with helping re-elect Bush last fall, groups like the Moral Majority Coalition and Christian Coalition have been pushing their social agenda harder than ever.


Now some are supporting efforts in Canada to defeat the same-sex bill, introduced earlier this month.


Focus on the Family's B.C. chapter is backed by a massive organization based in Colorado led by James Dobson, who recently broadcast his opposition to gay marriage on 130 Canadian radio stations.


And the organization recently advertised to fill an executive director's position in Ottawa at an annual salary of more than $100,000 Cdn.


The Knights of Columbus, based in New Haven, Conn., says it's prepared to offer major help and has already spent about $80,000 on a postcard campaign.

   



Still, some American groups deny that huge sums are flowing north.

"That's a scare tactic that's been trumped up to raise the ire of Canadians," insists Robert Knight, head of the Culture and Family Institute at Concerned Women for America.

"There's not enough money to go around here. But I've seen e-mails urging people to contact politicians on both sides of the border."

Staff workers in some MPs offices have complained about the unique deluge of mail and phone calls that began in earnest in late January, about a week before the legislation was introduced.

Most don't respond to correspondence that's not from constituents.

Tony Cortese, an ethics professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, says pressure from the U.S. on the issue is "really out of bounds."

"I can see why they're doing it. They're worried about the spillover effect from Canada (if the bill passes). But we wouldn't think of interfering with any other Canadian law."

It appears there's little Canada can do about organized U.S. lobby efforts, says Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, who's concerned the Canadian debate could be skewed by those who don't understand "we've got court decisions in the country that are different from the United States."

Ellen Wyman says she's just exercising an important prerogative.

An American citizen married to a Canadian, Wyman has lived in London, Ont., for 33 years and has been writing letters for weeks to gay marriage supporters in Parliament.

"Sometimes the government needs to be told what to do," Wyman said from Cleveland, where she has been dealing with a family illness.

"The United States is the great nation it is because of its moral code. Canada isn't even considered a Christian nation anymore and they seem OK with that. It's more of a melting pot. That doesn't make any sense to me."

Wyman, whose family owns construction and masonry businesses, says they'll pull everything out and move back to Ohio - with their three grown children and their families - if the legislation goes through.

She says they have a lot of business friends who feel the same way.

"You'd be surprised how many people consider it kinky and think it's the beginning of a rotting in this society," said Wyman.

"The economy is going to fall apart. Once the morals start to go, then health care is going to go."

Wyman is particularly incensed that Prime Minister Paul Martin has pushed up the timetable on the bill and is insisting that cabinet ministers support it.

"It's corrupt. I don't know where Martin's getting this authority."


 

[Joe Sperling]

That $1 million dollar carp contest is truly amazing. Can you imagine cathching a fish
worth a million dollars? That is far less than the prize a few of my friends and are offering
in Southern California this month. It will take place in the San Bernardino Mountains. The
entry fee is $25.00, with the chance of winning $10,000. Not too shabby actually.

E-mail if you would like to enter. You will need to bring a burlap sack and a flashlight
because the hunt will take place at night. We will be hunting for a record sized "White
Spotted Snipe", who are completely nocturnal, and who can only be taken with the
bare hands. The record for a Snipe caught with bare hands is 31 lbs. Enter now to see
if you can better the record. $10,000 dollars is nothing to shake a stick at. If interested,
E-mail me and I'll send the entry form.

Thanks,Joe

[al Hartman]

That $1 million dollar carp contest is truly amazing. Can you imagine cathching a fish
worth a million dollars? That is far less than the prize a few of my friends and are offering
in Southern California this month. It will take place in the San Bernardino Mountains. The
entry fee is $25.00, with the chance of winning $10,000. Not too shabby actually.

E-mail if you would like to enter. You will need to bring a burlap sack and a flashlight
because the hunt will take place at night. We will be hunting for a record sized "White
Spotted Snipe", who are completely nocturnal, and who can only be taken with the
bare hands. The record for a Snipe caught with bare hands is 31 lbs. Enter now to see
if you can better the record. $10,000 dollars is nothing to shake a stick at. If interested,
E-mail me and I'll send the entry form.

Thanks,Joe

Joe,

As I believe you are fully aware, I lost my pet white spotted snipe in those mountains a number of years ago.  By this time Poopsie, if she has survived, will probably weigh 55-60lbs.  Please tell your friends that I really want her back (as well as her front, sides, top & bottom) and will pay a reward if anyone succeeds in capturing her unharmed.

Poopsie was wearing a blue eartag, bearing the number A-26.  Nevermind that spotted snipe do not have external ears-- we can get into that later.  She also was wearing a radio-emitting collar which, except for a few mysterious automatic garage door openings near Lake Arrowhead in 1992-3, has offered us no clues to her whereabouts.

Poopsieless and lonely,
al

P.S.-- Tell contestants to bring a BIG burlap sack!  And cotton candy-- Poopsie LOVES cotton candy!

[moonflower2]

We used to spear 2-foot carp (true size) from a pier with pitch forks at a lake in Michigan that was being overrun by them. We would pile them up on shore and bury them. The town had to finally kill all the fish in order to bring the lake back to normal again. They couldn't catch enough or net enough of the carp to bring them under control. Maybe the 88 foot depth of the lake had something to do with that.

They said the carp population was a result of an accumulation of years of polution from the Gerber baby food canning business.

Occasionally, the carp would swim along the surface in schools of about 15 with the curve of their backs just above the water. It was frightening to see them coming toward you even when you were in a boat.

Loch Ness Monster babies?? 

[al Hartman]

From the Internet:

Science Discovers New Element

A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the
heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named
"Governmentium." Governmentium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons,75
deputy neutrons, and 11 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic
mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are
surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.
Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be
detected, as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.
A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four
days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second.

GOVERNMENTIUM has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but
instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant
neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's
mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will
cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This
characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that
Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in
concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical
Morass."

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium - an
element which radiates just as much energy, since it has half as many
peons but twice as many morons.

[lenore]

March 10th:
My contribution is about the funeral for the four R.C.M.P. officers that were killed this past week.
While these men were dying for their country at a Pot Grow Up Operation, Canadian political members are considering decriminalizing marijuna use.
........................................................................

Canada - Canadian Press
 
 
Thousands of police stream into Edmonton for RCMP memorial service

Wed Mar 9,10:42 PM ET 

JOHN COTTER

EDMONTON (CP) - It will be the largest memorial service ever held for Mounties killed in the line of duty - a ceremony that will begin with a parade of scarlet and feature four brown Stetsons on four black pillows.

   

More than 10,000 officers from as far away as New York and Newfoundland and Labrador were streaming into the city Wednesday to prepare for Thursday's national memorial to four Mounties killed last week near Mayerthorpe, Alta.


The massive show of support by people who never met the victims was already helping some RCMP officers deal with the loss of their comrades.


"It is overwhelming. It is like being supported by your own family," said a veteran Mountie taking part in the preparations who declined to be named.


"When you get support and people try to do what they can to make you feel better and to indicate that they are on your side, it really helps."


Along with police, thousands of mourners - including dignitaries such as Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson and Prime Minister Paul Martin - are to attend the service, which is to be broadcast nationally from the University of Alberta Butterdome.


The families of constables Peter Schiemann, 25, Lionide Johnston, 32, Anthony Gordon, 28, and Brock Myrol, 29, will be the focus of the memorial, which is to include honour guards, a minute of silence, a choir, and the playing of the Last Post by an RCMP bugler.


The ceremony is to begin with scarlet-clad Mounties on horseback leading a parade of 5,000 police officers on a kilometre-long march from a city park to the facility.


Once inside the Butterdome, the trademark Stetson hats worn by the slain Mounties will each be set on a black pillow and placed on a stage.


A representative from each family will then address the crowd.


Don Schiemann, Peter's father, said he hopes the service will help people across Canada deal with the brutal ambush of the four young men by James Roszko, 46, during a stakeout at the convicted criminal's farm.


"It is a time to grieve together and to celebrate the lives of these men," said Schiemann.


"Even in the midst of such despair there is tremendous hope. That is what is keeping me going, and I hope the nation hears it loud and clear."


Later in the service Canadian music icon Ian Tyson is to sing his song Four Strong Winds. Other musicians, including Susan Aglukark and Tom Jackson, are to perform songs including Songbird and Amazing Grace.


William Beahen, the RCMP's historian emeritus, said the service will be the largest memorial in the force's history.


The violent death of the officers eclipses the loss of three members of the Northwest Mounted Police who were fatally shot in the Duck Lake Massacre in March 1885.


"This will be a memorial service for the single most tragic incident in the history of the RCMP where four young officers were assassinated," Beahen said from Nepean, Ont.

   



"This has been overwhelming for Canadians. It is a very poignant moment in the history of our country."

About 120 people attended an ecumenical prayer vigil on Wednesday night in Mayerthorpe.

Rev. Arnold Lotholz began the service by saying that March 3, the day of the shooting, would go down in history not just for the local community but for the whole world.

"It's a day that has turned a world upside down, but now we want to begin to pick up the pieces and begin to turn it rightside right," he said.

The emotional evening of worship and song saw some light candles and say small, private prayers, while others took to the pulpit to share their feelings, including prayers for the families of both the victims and the shooter.

"Heavenly Father, I don't understand why you allowed this tragic happening but . . . please assist us to get through the pain," Jurgen Preugschas told the congregation.

"Most of all, be with the leaders of this country so some good comes out of this and we don't have to go through something like this again in the future."

Two on-duty ambulance attendants left their vehicle running and stood quietly at the back of the church throughout the service.

The deaths of the Mounties have also been felt in police forces across the United States.

Representatives from services as diverse as the FBI, as well as state and local police forces, have sent officers to take part in the event.

"A tragedy of this magnitude does not recognize any borders. Whether we know these people or not is irrelevant," said Lt. Doug Ladd of the Oregon State Police, who drove up to the city with four colleagues.

"We are all cops and we all need to support each other when something terrible like this happens. We feel as badly for the families up here as if it was right in our own backyards."

The service won't be the first time Edmonton has been the location for a national memorial to mark the death of Canadians who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In April 28, 2002, thousands of people gathered in the city to pay tribute to four soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan by a bomb mistakenly dropped by a U.S. fighter jet.

One of those soldiers, Ainsworth Dyer, was engaged at the time to Aart Van Sloten's daughter.

Van Sloten said attending that memorial was an important way to say good-bye to a man who was going to be his son-in-law. He wants to attend Thursday's ceremony, but may not because the idea makes him choke up with bad memories.

"I got the same feeling I had when I heard about Afghanistan. I could just imagine and visualize the pain and suffering the families are going through," he said.

But he hopes Canadians across the country will be watching.

"It is important because it shows a sense of unity," he said.

"We are all basically on the same team and we need law and order. We have to support them in any way we can."

Also Wednesday, police investigators contacted CBC to ask about two of the last calls that came from gunman Roszko's farm. The calls were to an audience relations number and The National's toll free line. There was no indication when the calls were made.


 



 

[al Hartman]

Taiwan Declares its Independence at Lighthouse Relighting Ceremony

March 11, 2005

In a speech before relighting the Fuiguiqiao Lighthouse, former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui declared Taiwan a separate independent sovereign nation separate from China.

In ceremonies that took place at the lighthouse on February 28, the former president stated, "Our Light of February 28 will beam across the world to declare to the world formally Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation country, and Taiwan and China are two countries on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." He stated that the relighting ceremony is a milestone on the march to democracy and liberty that will never be turned back by the Communist Chinese government.

As the light in the lighthouse was turned on a huge map of Taiwan was shown on the wall of the lighthouse located 10 miles north of Tamsui, the oldest town in northern Taiwan.

(from Lighthouse Depot Dispatch)

[vernecarty]

Taiwan Declares its Independence at Lighthouse Relighting Ceremony

March 11, 2005

In a speech before relighting the Fuiguiqiao Lighthouse, former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui declared Taiwan a separate independent sovereign nation separate from China.

In ceremonies that took place at the lighthouse on February 28, the former president stated, "Our Light of February 28 will beam across the world to declare to the world formally Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation country, and Taiwan and China are two countries on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." He stated that the relighting ceremony is a milestone on the march to democracy and liberty that will never be turned back by the Communist Chinese government.

As the light in the lighthouse was turned on a huge map of Taiwan was shown on the wall of the lighthouse located 10 miles north of Tamsui, the oldest town in northern Taiwan.

(from Lighthouse Depot Dispatch)

If this is true and they are serious, all you-know-what is about to break loose.
I guess we will see what the U.S is really made of...
Verne

[lenore]

 :DMarch 11th.

Just read the article submitted by Al about the Taiwan Independence Declaration.
Maybe my thinking here would show that I am an ignorant Canadian. But why should this declaration of independence show the United States what they are made of.

Would be it be another country that would cause the United States to flex its muscles, or would they defend this tiny country independence.

Canada has been dealing with the thought of Quebec Separation for decades now, with at least two defeated votes within that province. But another referendum on this topic is always a threat, and the next one could mean a Independent Declaration by the province of Quebec separating itself from Canada. Which will also separate the Altantic Provinces from the rest of the country. I believe it is under the disguise of the language French and English battle, but I believe it is deeper than that. Just like it is deeper cause that caused the fighting to go on in Ireland, and other parts of the world. The visible fighting cause may not be the true cause of the fighting.

Taiwan Independence could be simple like not wanting to embrace the communist way of life, or the restriction that under the government of China will insist the Taiwan people to live by.
Taiwan probably is just trying to protect the way of life, the freedoms they already have.

So Verne could you explain what you meant by "This will show the United States what it is made of" statement please.

Thanks.
Lenore

[editor]

:DMarch 11th.

Just read the article submitted by Al about the Taiwan Independence Declaration.
Maybe my thinking here would show that I am an ignorant Canadian. But why should this declaration of independence show the United States what they are made of.

Would be it be another country that would cause the United States to flex its muscles, or would they defend this tiny country independence.

Canada has been dealing with the thought of Quebec Separation for decades now, with at least two defeated votes within that province. But another referendum on this topic is always a threat, and the next one could mean a Independent Declaration by the province of Quebec separating itself from Canada. Which will also separate the Altantic Provinces from the rest of the country. I believe it is under the disguise of the language French and English battle, but I believe it is deeper than that. Just like it is deeper cause that caused the fighting to go on in Ireland, and other parts of the world. The visible fighting cause may not be the true cause of the fighting.

Taiwan Independence could be simple like not wanting to embrace the communist way of life, or the restriction that under the government of China will insist the Taiwan people to live by.
Taiwan probably is just trying to protect the way of life, the freedoms they already have.

So Verne could you explain what you meant by "This will show the United States what it is made of" statement please.

Thanks.
Lenore

The United States has always stood by Taiwan as an ally, and has had a doctrine of protecting Taiwan from PRC aggression for decades.  I think what Verne is saying is that he wonders if we have the gumption to do what we said we would do in the face of Chinese aggression.

China may think we are weak and over-extended right now, giving them opportunity to move across the straight.  This may be true, and if so, it is an ominous sign.

Brent

[vernecarty]

:DMarch 11th.

Just read the article submitted by Al about the Taiwan Independence Declaration.
Maybe my thinking here would show that I am an ignorant Canadian. But why should this declaration of independence show the United States what they are made of.

Would be it be another country that would cause the United States to flex its muscles, or would they defend this tiny country independence.

Canada has been dealing with the thought of Quebec Separation for decades now, with at least two defeated votes within that province. But another referendum on this topic is always a threat, and the next one could mean a Independent Declaration by the province of Quebec separating itself from Canada. Which will also separate the Altantic Provinces from the rest of the country. I believe it is under the disguise of the language French and English battle, but I believe it is deeper than that. Just like it is deeper cause that caused the fighting to go on in Ireland, and other parts of the world. The visible fighting cause may not be the true cause of the fighting.

Taiwan Independence could be simple like not wanting to embrace the communist way of life, or the restriction that under the government of China will insist the Taiwan people to live by.
Taiwan probably is just trying to protect the way of life, the freedoms they already have.

So Verne could you explain what you meant by "This will show the United States what it is made of" statement please.

Thanks.
Lenore

The matter of Taiwan's status has been a long-standing bone of contention between that island and the mainland.
They Chinese leaders contend that Taiwan is a part of China.
The Taiwanese people aspire to independence and self-rule.
The traditional U.S policy towards China has been that saber-rattling is O.K. but hands off.
The smart money is saying that if they have to, China will exhert its perceived hegemony by force, even at the risk of running afoul of the U.S military.
I used to think that we would never allow Peking to take that island by force.
Now that they (China) are buying so much of our National debt...who knows?
Verne

[moonflower2]

These are pictures to my Carp Current Affairs. I don't spend money for cable TV, so pictures like these are just a thrill!!  Did God really make these? 

Note especially the 243 pounder from Thailand about 3/4 of the way down.

http://www.carpecarpio.com/bigcarppics1.html