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Author Archives: The Poet Omar
Much Ado about Nothing
Boy oh boy! Were the headlines in the media and blogosphere ever more hyperbolic and littered with ignorance than they were today? Actually, they probably have been, but today’s gaggle of garbage certainly has to rank up in the top … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
8 Comments
Supporting carbon creds means no street cred
Since the entire concept of carbon credits emerged a few years ago, I’ve constantly found myself questioning not only the actual effectiveness, but also the underlying motivation behind them. Donating or purchasing carbon credits basically seemed, to me at least, … Continue reading
Louisiana, tops in the nation for all the wrong things… again
Once again, Louisiana leads the nation in the “bad” categories. In this case, it’s per capita number of national level elected officials involved in scandals. While Representative William Jefferson winds his way toward what I can only hope will be … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
6 Comments
Political Ping-Pong
As yet another sign of the coming Apocalypse, politicians and political hacks are now channeling their energy (albeit a very small amount of it) into creating video games about politics. Have a look at this article detailing two of the … Continue reading
Cindy Sheehan to retire
This announcement was made a few days ago, but I felt that it was important enough to comment on. While it cannot be denied that Cindy Sheehan has damaged the efforts of the troops in the field and the progress … Continue reading
More follies from the “Reform” Congress
Apparently, Congressman Murtha was absent when Democrats were campaigning on the earmark reform platform during last year’s elections. Oops, wait a minute… maybe he wasn’t. Have a look at this lovely CNN piece on Murtha’s actions on earmark reform versus … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
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Extra Geeky Goodness
Since it is a long weekend, I’ll happily provide some extra geeky goodness for your enjoyment. First, take a look at what really happened after the first Death Star was blown up. Then, see Vader having a real heart to … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
6 Comments
Good news for BBC America fans
Recently, BBC America has announced its plan to air the entire first season (first series to you Euro-types) of Torchwood during its summer restructuring. Despite a fair degree of success in attraction US viewership, the execs at BBCA felt that … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
5 Comments
Thought MLB had it bad?
Apparently Democrat Congressman from California, Tom Lantos, has decided that Congress’ recent attacks on Major League Baseball and its various teams and athletes just weren’t enough. Now, it seems, the NFL is in for it. Citing the recent investigation into … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Sports, The Poet Omar's Page
1 Comment
Republican Debate
I didn’t have the opportunity to watch the entire Republican Presidential candidate debate, but I felt that the highlights mentioned at Fox News were informative enough about the frontrunners positions to be worthy of comment. My own breakdown follows the … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
40 Comments
The Home of the Future
Professor Richard Horden of University of Munich recently unveiled a new permanent or semi-permanent housing unit design: the m-ch. While not exactly a title that set marketing execs hearts aflutter, the idea is actually pretty amusing. The original concept was … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Technology, The Poet Omar's Page
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On Ethics in the GWOT
This is a great piece from former SpecWar officer, Vietnam War veteran and father of SEAL Team Six, Commander Richard Marcinko. For those unfamiliar with Commander Marcinko’s rise and fall, his autobiography makes for excellent, though highly graphic reading. I’ve … Continue reading
Weirdest story of the day
This story absolutely left me speechless (a difficult thing to accomplish). I really thought that I had seen just about everything. Even Hollywood couldn’t come up with a story like this. Update: The accused has been found guilty. Google the … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, The Poet Omar's Page
3 Comments
See, I Told You So
I think that this story and the conclusions it references can be filed under the category of, “see, I told you so.” Or perhaps, “tell me something else that I already knew.” Let’s look at what took the APA such … Continue reading
Update on Haditha
This article gives a few quick details on the “60 Minutes” interview given by Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich regarding his actions in Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005. Examine the key final paragraph which is Wuterich’s explanation and evaluation of … Continue reading
The Mindset in Iran
Update and correction: Keith has provied me with the correct link to the article in question, so I have deleted the full version of it from this post and substituted the link, instead. Much thanks! This article by Iranian scholar … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
11 Comments
“Pacing” himself
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs recently “clarified” a statement that he made to the Chicago Tribune regarding the immorality of homosexual behavior. General Peter Pace suggested that he should have focused his comments more on the military’s “don’t ask, … Continue reading
Interesting case of syncretism
Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to study this site in detail, I was quite interested in its basic premise : Islam and Libertarianism are not only quite compatible, but actually darn near separated at birth. That’s actually quite … Continue reading
Americans United strangely silent
Many people in the US have become aware, some more recently than others, of the antics of alleged separation of church and state group, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. They have formally existed since 1947 and … Continue reading
Adding fuel to the Climate Change fire
We’ve recently sparked some interesting discussions on climate change and global warming here at ASHC. I’d like to add a little fuel (biodegradable, earth-friendly fuel, of course) to the fire by recommending this article on Dr. David Orrell’s new book, … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Environment, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
6 Comments
A growing problem
This is an interesting look at the dark side of Scientology. For years, we’ve been bombarded with the idea that Scientology is merely a new religion facing massive prejudice by an unenlightened population led by old-guard church leaders who refuse … Continue reading
It’s DAA Colts!
Although not a huge fan of either of the teams playing in this year’s Superbowl, I admit to being both impressed and happy that Indy won. The first quarter made me doubt Indy’s chances, but they struggled back to to … Continue reading
Posted in Sports, The Poet Omar's Page
4 Comments
Ah, the Paleocons
This is a nice example of why I take paleocons even less seriously than I take diehard, doctrinaire Libertarians. As some QandO commenters are fond of saying (in full snark mode), “It’s all dem Joos’ fault!” Here’s a post from … Continue reading
Skepticism on the Surge
I daresay that those who have read my recent posts on President Bush’s new strategy for Iraq and my comments here, at QandO, and elsewhere believe that I am fairly gloomy in my outlook on the situation in Iraq. I … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
4 Comments
On a Positive Note
As I have been accused of being rather “dour” in my outlook on world affairs today, I thought that this story would “brighten” things a bit. This is very exciting news, not because I am necessarily a huge fan of … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
3 Comments
Assessing the President’s New Plan for Iraq
Much discussion of the President’s speech has gone on of late throughout the wonderful world of blogging. Although I have at least skimmed some of the major left/right/center blogs, I have really only dedicated significant time to following this discussion … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
19 Comments
Real Estate and the Dems
This is an interesting take on the new Dem Congress from Real Estate Broker and “The Apprentice 3″ winner, Kendra Todd. I’m hardly an expert on matters of real estate speculation, but I’d like to examine this brief articles contentions … Continue reading
Racism, Democracy, and the Realists
One of the most frequently heard talking points amongst US foreign policy “Realists” is that not every culture in the world is a suitable breeding ground for democracy. General Brent Scowcroft is one of the most recognized prophets of this … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, History, The Poet Omar's Page
22 Comments
An interesting take on the Hajj
I was reading several recent posts from Muslims around the world dealing with their experience of the Hajj and its impact on them personally and on life in general. As one who has completed it, I can certainly say that … Continue reading
At Long Last, We Can See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
This is the great finale that we’ve been promised for nearly twenty years. It’s about time that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg live up to the hype that’s been building. Here’s hoping that there are no further delays and that … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
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The End of an Era
Ding dong the witch is dead. Saddam is finally gone. Whether that actually changes anything or not in Iraq remains to be seen, but the thirty year chapter of war, corruption, rape, murder, and genocide that was Saddam’s regime closed … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
3 Comments
Now I can justify all those late-night sessions
I have quite firmly announced my status as an MMORPG’er on this very site in the recent past. I am still quite proud of it. Having said that, I acknowledge that participation in MMORPG’s, like participation in most hobbies, doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
8 Comments
The long-awaited return
Islam Q and A. I know, gentle readers, you’ve missed it. You’ve beaten your chests and gnashed your teeth. You’ve stared holes into your monitor screens. And now, your wailings and gnashings of teeth can end. Friday Islam Q and … Continue reading
Posted in Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
2 Comments
Remembering past Libertarian heroes
Although the world is certainly a darker place without the presence of champion of Libertarian ideals, Milton Friedman, I always felt that my libertarian leanings were more a product of the late Robert Nozick than more traditional authors like Friedman … Continue reading
Important History
Keith sent this very interesting link to Michael awhile back and he forwarded it to me. This is a great example of a moderate Muslim voice trying to offer a little fragment of the positive relationship that Jews and Muslims … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
7 Comments
On the Lighter Side
All of the talk lately around the blogsphere tends to drift toward the Iraq War and how it will be handled in the very near future. Some bloggers have also discussed the plans that the incoming Democrat leadership will be … Continue reading
Losing Gracefully
Of all the comments I’ve seen on the results of last week’s election, I think Pat Sajak really does sum it up best. Yes, that Pat Sajak.
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
1 Comment
49′ers relocating
After negotiations with SF mayor Gavin Newsom, yes that Gavin Newsom, broke down, the team announced it’s decision to pack up and move. Theoretically, this could be as soon as 2008 when their lease runs up, although they could always … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
3 Comments
Fisking Fox (or something like that)
This little charmer from the AP appeared on Fox News’ website today. Although I haven’t done a lot of “fisking” in the past, I’m going to attempt to do so now as this article is pure garbage and deserves to … Continue reading
A well oiled machine
That’s what brought the Dems control of the United States Congress (they have the House clearly and will probably get the Senate). Of course, given the ineptness of the Republican leadership, it was the Dems’ race to lose. Let me … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
13 Comments
On a related note
I’ve been reading quite a bit lately (big surprise, I know). In addition to re-reading TME mentioned below, I’ve also been reading a much more pop history type book (although a pretty darn good one), Team of Rivals : The … Continue reading
Posted in Books, The Poet Omar's Page
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Reflections on the past
I’m not really one to do book reviews. Frankly, I’m considered by colleagues to be overly critical. Almost every biography I’ve been asked to review I’ve rejected as shameless hagiography; every theology or comparative religious work incorrectly formatted for the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, The Poet Omar's Page
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Iraq and the Paper Tiger argument
Over at QandO, McQ has posted an interesting take on the old US is a paper tiger debate. While he makes some excellent points, I consider that the “paper tiger” issue misses the more important point about the American people … Continue reading
Lions and Tigers and Usurers, Oh My!
***Update*** A point I neglected to mention is that distributism, like Marxism, seems overly concerned with labor and production of concrete goods. It does not adequately address what could broadly be considered the “service sector,” which could be said to … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
2 Comments
Barack and Roll
It seems like Queen Hilary I may be in for more of a nomination fight than may have initially been thought. Recent Democratic party golden boy Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. has just indicated that he is seriously considering throwing his … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
8 Comments
Libertarians and Environmentalists on the Same Page
I know, I know. This is one of the signs of the Apocalypse. Actually, believe it or not, I find that this happens more often than you’d think. The specific issue that I’m referring to here is the idea that … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, The Poet Omar's Page
5 Comments
And the Academy Award goes to… not you guys
Like many other people who find themselves slightly to the right of the Hollywood crowd (both politically and geographically speaking), I find myself constantly baffled by the fact that despite the legions of potential conservative or libertarian movie fans out … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
38 Comments
The One About Arabs
I recently had a chance to read this very interesting post dealing with Stephen Browne’s Observations on Arabs. Woody M. at GM’s Corner blog has dissected Browne’s analysis and offered up a few observations and questions. It’s actually quite a … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
19 Comments
War! Maybe.
Early this morning, North Korea issued a statement indicating that the UN Security Council resolution calling for sanctions and an end to it’s nuclear weapons program was tantamount to a declaration of war. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161079746602&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home also covered here http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/17/world/main2096678.shtml (with slightly … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
10 Comments
Rooting for the D’s
In the last several weeks, many of the blogs that I’ve visited (including ours) have been enmeshed in the ongoing debate over how to vote in the coming elections. The hard-cores of the group advise that we adopt what I’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, The Poet Omar's Page
16 Comments