I've added an email address, and a site meter. We are getting pretty official here, aren't we?

Thought I'd get at least something in today. The Oklahoma relatives are buying out Wal Mart for both kids, so the house is actually quiet. I did want to pass this on from Tom Gallagher. He has a wonderful site called tleeves. Worth taking a look at, if you get tired of this blog. I wrote him a gushing compliment about his blogsite late Friday note. . Lo and behold, he wrote me back. Here is his response:

Thanks for the compliment, Mark.

Your site is pretty cool, too. I liked the comment
about the fires having intelligent direction and your
concern for the actual people affected by the Andersen
and WorldCom tragedies.

If I can help with a HTML code question, just let me
know.

Tom

That's a great compliment from a veteran blogger. Thanks Tom!

It's not likely I'll get much more out this weekend. I have the relatives from Oklahoma visiting,and will be pretty busy. Have a good weekend folks!

Earlier this month, Peter Jennings decided Toby Keith's new song, Courtesy of the Red White and Blue wasn't appropriate for ABC's 4th of July celebration. Apparently it was too violent, or maybe contained the word "ass." As I said earlier, this from the network that brought us "NYPD Blue."
Here's the words, from Toby's own website. As Sean Hannity said, "What's wrong with this country?!?!"

I find myself agreeing with Charles Krauthammer more and more often. Bush did open up the idea of Democracy in The Middle East. It's about time.
Peace Through Democracy (washingtonpost.com)

Well, of course it was all in fun. I mean, doesn't every culture dress their infants up as homicidal terrorists?
Baby photo raises row in Mideast
"A cousin of the wanted militant, whose name was not released by the Israeli authorities, told Reuters that the young boy had been dressed as a suicide bomber for fun during a family party.
“What’s all the fuss about? It was all a joke,” he said, declining to be identified.
Children have been seen dressed up as suicide bombers at school ceremonies and rallies supporting militants spearheading the uprising against Israel’s occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories taken in the 1967 Middle East war."

This article fits in well with two preceding it. Daniel Henninger speaks of the real cost of the 9th Circuit's decision about the Pledge this week.

I've been trying to put some kind of perspective on the corporate meltdowns. I know people in St Charles, IL who have lost their jobs through Arthur Andersen, and others who work for WorldCom. I think Peggy Noonan has it about right today. It's not so much a scandal as a tragedy. I especially like these seven principles of a corporation. How does yours match up to these?

Edward Younkins of the Acton Institute distills Mr. Novak's philosophy into "Seven Great Responsibilities for Corporations": satisfy customers with good services of real value; make a reasonable return to investors; create new wealth; create new jobs; defeat cynicism and envy by demonstrating internally that talent and hard work will and can be rewarded; promote inventiveness, ingenuity and creativity; diversify the interests of the republic

All this requires morality, and employers and employees with ethics and Character, who can see beyond the bottom line. Ethics and Character were out of fashion in the last decade of the twentieth century. About time for a comeback, don't you think? Maybe the comeback of Character has begun under the Radar. Take a look at the story below this one, from Breakpoint.

This is an interesting look at the lasting spiritual impact of September 11. Seekers under the Radar - Breakpoint

A revealing portrait of the 9th Circuit. How Sad.
FlashbackMore Nonsense from the Ninth Circuit

A letter to Martha, From Hillary.
OpinionJournal - America the Beautiful

This is an important link. Watch the interview. It was all "Perky Katie" could do to keep her composure. The excerpts of the book are effectively the first chapter. Highly recommended reading.
Defending the conservative stance

What a fascinating decision. Please take note of the very end of this article, that the 9th circuit is the most liberal, and most overturned court in the country.
CNN.com - Court rules Pledge of Allegiance 'unconstitutional' - June 26, 2002

Dennis Prager asks a good question "Why Does the Left Support the Palestinians?", and gives a good answer too.

Walter Williams is now up and running, doing the job our schools used to do. It's gonna sound new to anyone who graduated after about 1980, but its really just Market Economy 101.

There are alot of articles here about Mr Bush's speech Monday. But as usual, Michael Kelly's is the one to read.
An End to Pretending (washingtonpost.com)

James Tarranto has his usual wonderful analysis of the liberal fallout following Mr Bush's speech yesterday.

Extremely hard to argue with this editorial from the Arizona Republic, but I'm sure the Environmentalist Wackos will try.
Costly lawsuits provide kindling for forest blazes

Update
Here's more on this from CNN. I'm sure it pains them to be reporting this story. Hehehe.

What fascinates me about the local stories is how they present the fires as having intelligent direction, as though it was a creature they were fighting rather than an inanimate event.
Denver Post.com - Rockslide may save Durango
and here is the latest from Arizona, where things are also looking up.

In February, Jimmy Carter said referring to Iraq as part of the "Axis of Evil" is overly simplistic. If this story is any indication, maybe it's Mr Carter that is overly simplistic, or just plain wrong.

So who is really to blame for the fires. The case is building against the very "environmentalists" that claim to want to preserve it.

I stayed up late for this reaction. It was worth it, a good analysis. And the Journal is right. The temptation will be to water it down, dilute it, and make it palatable to the Arab Dictatorships. Sadly, Colin Powell has become quite good at that. .

Analysis of the speech from Ha'aretz. Might be a little optimistic. Bush goes after Israel pretty hard too. I think pulling back to 1967 borders is unrealistic. I think they have the timeline correct though. First, Arafat must go, the Palestinians get their act together, THEN we will discuss what Israel will do.

I simply haven't had time to digest this. It's quite a speech.
Text of Bush's Statement (washingtonpost.com)

The "root causes" for the fires in the west.
WorldNetDaily: The Greens are toast – burned toast

Another one about the fires along the same lines
Federal Forest Fires

An excellent synopsis of the decade past, and the philanderer in chief who symbolized it.
TownHall.com: Conservative Columnists: Paul Greenberg

We've come to believe Mr Bush is at his best when he listens to his Conservative instincts. Let's hope he is listening now.
The Center for Security Policy

Here's the latest on the Colorado fires, as of this morning.

I couldn't ask the question any better than the beginning of this editorial.

We have a Texan in the White House, hundreds of congressmen who fly home for weekends, and terrorists who ram planes into buildings. So why is it we're not allowing pilots to fly with side arms?

Prisons make the perfect breeding ground for terrorists. Chuck Colson would know, as he continues to work in prisons and jails around the world.

The fascinating thing about this long article from Time magazine is how even handed it is. It does not paint those of us who believe in the imminent return of Jesus as "nuts." Bravo for Time!
TIME.com: The Bible and the Apocalypse
If you've read the Left Behind series, you'll love this article. If you haven't, you've probably heard of it. This story will help you understand what all the fuss is about. For more information, visit Left Behind.com.

I hope voters in her district are aware enough of this to vote in somebody with some sanity.
ajc.com | Metro | Arab-American money supports McKinney

I don't often put the whole Best of the Web up, but today's is filled with good stuff. Enjoy.
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today

A story on what our generation is losing, as the WWII generation passes on.

This is such a cool story. Might make you think twice the next time you swat a fly.
Chicago Tribune | Fly on wall may have an engine

This is an important link. Take a look at one of the latest victims of the homicide bombers. I can't argue with the comments below the picture. Here is the interview with the mother.

Peggy Noonan is my wake up call every Friday. Today's column on smallpox rings loud and strong.

Just when you thought all you had to worry about were scuba diving terrorists...
Asteroid gives Earth closest shave in years

I don't think we have any idea just how bad the fires out in Denver have been. This article does a good job.

It's about time someone mentions the "D" word. If this really is a war, then a draft makes a lot of sense.
Stanley Kurtz on War & Draft on National Review Online

Good look at the new relationship between evangelical Christians and Jews.
David Klinghoffer on Christians & Jews on National Review Online

A very deep look at the real struggle within the Catholic Church.
Michael Novak on Catholic Church on National Review Online

Great guide for writing HTML, the language of Web Pages, and Blogs.
Writing HTML

Here's more on the latest bombing. From MSNBC

Jack Buck died last night. You may not know who he was, but if you play the audio clips at home, you'll recognize the voice.
MLB.com: Jack Buck, 1924-2002

Walter Williams: Professor Williams will join Michael Kelly as a regular on Wednesdays. Three Cheers for self interest!
TownHall.com: Conservative Columnists: Walter Williams

Michael Kelly: This is very nice sarcasm, really puts a whole lot of scandals in perspective.
A Pittance for Titans (washingtonpost.com)

Israel will establish some permanence in the West Bank again, after the latest bombing. Despite the whining from the Left, this is probably a good thing.

If you don't know who Ann Coulter is, think of this as an introduction. I suspect you will see alot of her on this blog.
Welcome To The Official Ann Coulter Site!

For a very different perspective on Watergate from what you will hear in the media. Admittedly, Mr. Buchanan is a loose cannon, no pun intended, but his history of Nixon is accurate.He downplays Nixon's culpability, but is on target regarding the protection given to Democratic Presidents.

An excellent look at the convergence of ideas and actions in the war on terror.
Is the war on terror a war of ideas? -- The Washington Times

Here's the latest on the fire from the Denver Post.

If this article wasn't by Bill Gertz, I'd tend to put it in the same category as the terrorist scuba divers of a couple of weeks ago. But Bill Gertz has proven very accurate over the years, and has excellent sources. When you couple it with this prediction from the Governor's office in California, it adds up to a rocky summer.

Walter Williams is syndicated across the country. An African American conservative professor of economics at George Mason University. His most recent column on profiling is worth looking at.
TownHall.com: Conservative Columnists: Walter Williams

What an awful thing for the forestry service. The Denver Post has stayed up to date on this story from the beginning.
Denver Post.com - Forest Service worker charged in Hayman fire

Excellent editorial on the 2nd amendment.
P-I Focus: Triggering new debate over guns

Marc H sent me this. In a few years, you'll be able to carry around more computer
than is available on a company server.
ZDNet: Tech Update: Networking / IBM puts new spin on nano-storage

Excellent Editorial by Margaret Thatcher on why Saddam must be taken out.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article Margaret Thatcher on Iraq

What a sad commentary on our supposed "liberal" college campuses.
The New Republic Online: West Bank

Excellentlook at why the Bush Administration wants to topple Saddam.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article

Check out the mascots at the bottom.
OpinionJournal - Best of the Web Today

This is a look at what a blog is, and why they are growing by leaps and bounds.
O'Reilly Network: What We're Doing When We Blog [Jun. 13, 2002]

The Pentagon is not safe from 15 year olds Maybe the movie Wargames isn't so outdated after all.

This is an excellent exposition on the Constitution and Military Combatants.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article

This is a definitive editorial on Political Correctness. Worth reading a few times.
OpinionJournal - Wonder Land

I'm not sure I agree with Peggy here. Rudy carries his own baggage with him, and that baggage could get in the way of doing an important job.
OpinionJournal - Peggy Noonan

Great song! On the network that gave us Sipowitz, censoring Toby Keith's song smacks of other agendas.
USATODAY.com - Singer Toby Keith speaks out on ABC censorship

This is a truly major find. Especially look at the similarities between this solar system and our own.

Major Discovery: Jupiter-Like Planet Could Point to Another Earth

I find this inexcusable. I hope people remember this vote come November, and start taking those vitamins to ensure you live at least until January, assuming the Republicans can take back the Senate.

Yahoo! News - Senate Rejects Repeal of Estate Tax

Here's a link I took from Instapundit.com. Worth looking at. It'sa site called flashbunny.org.
Pay particular attention to The Gunshow Loophole slide show.

Ths is sort of a tradition for the gang. Michael Kelly comes out on Wednesdays.
It Is a War, After All (washingtonpost.com)

Glad you could come! This is a great article on Russion Prison Camps. Yes, they are still there.
OpinionJournal - Outside the Box

this is an excellent article from the Washington Times on College Professors.

This another excellent column, on the relationship between Evangelicals and Jews. Jeffrey Ballabon on Jews & Christians on National Review Online

Folks, I'm still learning how to make this work, so patience is a virtue.
Peggy Noonan's column today is important, and may prove prophetic. Now if I can just figure out how to link it here.