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:: MAX BLACK ::

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." --C.S. Lewis

"The Swiss pocket knife of conservative thought on the web..." - Eli Kardrakian

"Bookmark Max and dump your subscription to the newspaper; if you don't have a birdcage you really don't need it anyway..." - Shirley St. James

:: Monday, January 31, 2005 ::

Blog Sweden

"Antiwar fatigue in Sweden could stem from any number of things. Perhaps it is a repudiation of tired sixties relics whose stubborn infatuation with brutal communist thugs and dictators has repulsed saner elements of the Left. Or maybe the movement simply died out because its scruffy, rock-hurling hooligans, their lives no longer suffused with animus for the American warmongers and imperialists, have moved on to a new venue for violence. One would hope, though, that the dearth of demonstrators means that people have realized that freedom is an inalienable right for everyone–not just pompous scholars and NATO parasites. Linderborg’s portrait of a hard core of enlightened '68ers who, dumfounded, can’t understand why everybody else doesn’t think like they do reveals a woman in thrall to classic intellectual elitism. "If only you knew what we know" is her leitmotif."

Scandinavia, present and accounted for. The Stockholm Spectator has been added to the Prairie Fire blogroll under the Europe heading.

:: Max 9:44 PM [+] ::
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The Sad Truth

Victor Davis Hanson at his best:

"The world after September 11 has reminded us of three other lessons as well. Democracies rarely attack each other and thus the greater the number of them, the less likely is war itself. Citizens vent better through ballots than bullets. And freedom is innate to all born into this world rather than the sole domain of the West."

"If the past is any guide to the future, that hard road to democracy in the Middle East will create as much immediate chaos and caricature of President Bush's new idealism as it does enduring stability and eventual praise--but only long after he is gone."

Unfortunate isn't it...

:: Max 9:33 PM [+] ::
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Thanks guys...

With all of the excitement surrounding the Iraq election, a little thanks might be in order. Here's a stunning reminder of who really made it all possible.

And while I'm at it, fuck the UN, Michael Moore, Jacques Chirac, the Germans, the Russians, Osama bin Laden, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, The New York Times, Dan Rather, Bill Moyers (especially Bill Moyers), Howard Dean, and any other dickhead who would malign the greatest, most generous, bravest, smartest, kindest military the world has ever known. Fuck em all.

:: Max 7:51 PM [+] ::
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Report from the Second Annual South Texas Feinstein-Daley Memorial Shoot

"We'd intended to include some clay shooting this year, but circumstances prevented that, so we just did more IDPA competition, bowling pin massacres and, a new game, golf ball shooting (ever seen a golf ball go after being shot with a .45? it's pretty damn impressive). We also played "chase the bowling pin" with shotguns, which is a fine and manly activity."

Heh...Kim's got his new and improved site up and running--make sure to change your links to the new url.

:: Max 1:14 PM [+] ::
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Manolo Monday: "flying from the handle..."

"What about the shoes, the Manolo asks?"

"How can the joy that is the shoes be spread if the Manolo, he is off flying from the handle at the notice of the moment? It is too much for the Manolo. He must go lay down for the second to recover his composure following his grevious error of the decorum."

Sadly, the Manolo has apparently lost the composure at the expense of the Fug Girls! But "the joy that is the shoes!" Yes, I see, now--the joy that is the shoes...

:: Max 11:52 AM [+] ::
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Kerry to Sign Form 180?

Wow--Today, on Meet the Press, Tim Russert actually coerced Kerry into stating that he would sign form 180, thereby releasing his military record for public scrutiny (better late than never, Tim). I'll go out on a limb and predict that Kerry will never, ever sign form 180 because it would be the end of his political career.

Minuteman has the transcription of today's MTP interview with Tim Russert--bookmark it for future reference.

:: Max 10:08 PM [+] ::
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European Reaction

David's Medienkritik has a shakedown of German Media reaction to the victory in Iraq. Here's an excerpt of his commentary:

"That settles it, Luc Walpot of ZDF wins this years "Idiot Prediction of the Year" award. Here again is his statement: "In light of the daily threats, kidnappings, bombs and murders, the interest in the election programs is tiny." The interest is tiny? How bout them apples Mr. Walpot: Over 70% of Iraqis vote. The election is an enormous success. Freedom triumphed over fear. You may go back to drinking the Kool-Aid with Ms. Slomka now Mr. Crackpot...er Mr. Walpot.

This is stunning folks. The German media has an 80% negative quotient for reporting on elections that are an undeniable and historic triumph for democracy in the Middle East. They are either completely out of touch with reality, completely biased or both. I think the following statements from Mr. Schatz are particularly telling..."

Read more...

:: Max 9:56 PM [+] ::
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It is forbidden to remove this from the house.

via LGF [>]

:: Max 3:48 PM [+] ::
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"The voting centers were amazingly free from any political party influence! Oh my God, for people in my age group and older this is unbelievable. We remember the Saddam's elections with the outcomes of 99.99.99%...and how fearful was it when you would arrive in the voting center. Although there would be no more than one candidate (Saddam Hussein) and all what you had to do was to say yes or no but the attendance used to be really 99.99% simply because you and your family would be in a real danger if you would not go. The joke among Iraqis after each election was that the new government's number one's task or agenda was to find the .001% of the population who said no for Saddam and kill them!! The new experience of free voting today for Iraqis was huge, just huge.

This interesting quote is excerpted from an eyewitness report from an Iraqi posted at The Corner.

:: Max 3:22 PM [+] ::
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Iranian Mullahtocracy on the Brink?

Certainly the news of successful elections in Iraq must have the stinky old religious thugs in Iran stroking their beards, pacing the mosque and losing sleep...keep your eyes on The Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran [SMCCDI] for breaking news on the teetering Iranian regime.

Related: Zeyad, of Healing Iraq voted in Amman and had this interesting discussion with a Jordanian:

"Jordanians were wishing Iraqis luck these few days everywhere on the streets. One young man at a mall, on recognising my Iraqi accent, asked me who I would be voting for. I politely told him that I would vote for who I believe is sincere. Strangely, he said that he personally preferred Allawi and hoped most Iraqis would be voting for him. I wished his country luck as well since the King had promised direct elections for municipal councils as a first step. He dismissed that as nothing much and said that "One should start from the 'Head' down, not the other way around". This last remark played on my survival instincts, even though the fellow looked far from being a Jordanian Mukhabarat agent, so I left the man in peace."

The Iraqi election is going to send shock waves through the Middle East and it's going to be fascinating to watch how the people of the region react. Interestingly, some westerners are protesting the election--check-out these goofballs!

Also related: Well, you might want to keep an eye on Syria too.

:: Max 3:10 PM [+] ::
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Winning the hearts and minds?

Some post election commentary from Iraqi bloggers:[Update: Do not miss Florida Cracker's excellent roundup of pictures of people voting--so far the best I've found--they literally crawled to the polling booth!]

"On the top of our privileged today are those who were killed in their way for voting. Their names should be perpetuated for ever! Their names should be written in Gold in Al-Fordos Square in Baghdad!

Our thanks go to George W Bush who will enter the history as the leader of the freedom and democracy in the recent history! He and his people are our friends for ever!"

{...}

"God bless Iraq and America!"

--Hammorabi

"I bow in respect and awe to the men and women of our people who, armed only with faith and hope are going to the polls under the very real threats of being blown to pieces. These are the real braves; not the miserable creatures of hate who are attacking one of the noblest things that has ever happened to us. Have you ever seen anything like this? Iraq will be O.K. with so many brave people, it will certainly O.K.; I can say no more just now; I am just filled with pride and moved beyond words. People are turning up not only under the present threat to polling stations but also under future threats to themselves and their families; yet they are coming, and keep coming. Behold the Iraqi people; now you know their true metal. We shall never forget the meanness of these bas…s. After this is over there will be no let up, they must be wiped out. It is our duty and the duty of every decent human to make sure this vermin is no more and that no more innocent decent people are victimized."

--The Messopotamian

"I walked forward to my station, cast my vote and then headed to the box, where I wanted to stand as long as I could, then I moved to mark my finger with ink, I dipped it deep as if I was poking the eyes of all the world's tyrants. I put the paper in the box and with it, there were tears that I couldn't hold; I was trembling with joy and I felt like I wanted to hug the box but the supervisor smiled at me and said 'brother, would you please move ahead, the people are waiting for their turn'".

--Iraq the Model

Let me end today's posts with a picture I found of a woman who was so overcome with emotion at voting that she cried. I believe this picture symbolizes every Iraqi's feelings today.

--Hussayn

"...a press lady who started asking voters about their choices and when answered she made sneer comments about the party in question. The voters started complaining to the staff, and she was ushered outside to be reminded politely of the code of conduct. She gave the excuse of freedom of press, Umm yeah no one said dont ask questions but its a NO GO Lady when you interefere with the voters choices and belittle them."

--Neurotic Iraqi Wife

"I did it, I voted
YES,YES, I did it. I have the courage to do it.

--Diary From Baghdad

"To all the men and women who have served and serving in Iraq, to all the families of those who have paid the ultimate price to all those who have suffered during their service in Iraq, my family’s and my deepest thanks, gratitude and pride both from the U.S. and Iraq for all the sacrifices, endurance and service for our great country and Iraq and the Iraqis. God bless all of you and keep you safe."

link via Arthur Chrenkoff

Iraq, January 30th, 2005.

Related: Speaking of winning the hearts and minds, the election in Iraq has not gone unoticed in Iran.

More here: As usual, Arthur Chrenkoff and Tim Blair are way out in front of MSM in reporting the Iraqi election status. Sure is nice to know I no longer have to rely on the talking heads or a stale newspaper for my fix.

:: Max 9:34 AM [+] ::
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MSM Fuels Insurgency--And They Know it.

What if main-stream-media told the truth about Iraq? What if the UN denounced the Iraqi "insugency" led by former Baathists and Islamofascists and supported the movement toward Democracy in the middle east? What if Jacques Chirac sent troops to Iraq to assist the US in election security? What if the Canadians made an appeal to the leaders of the Arab world to denounce homicide Bombings? What if Al Jazeera aired a few stories about how the US is attempting to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure and that every time they succeed, a terrorist blows up yet ANOTHER water treatment plant?

It is becomming quite clear the media is fueling the insurgency through an insideous form of selective journalism that is killing US troops and jeaprodizing stability in the region--and they are shameless in their utter disregard for the facts of the Iraq reconstruction. History, should it be told honestly, will implicate MSM in the lag of stability and progress for the embattered Iraqi people. This is the crux of it from Greyhawk - an eyewitness to the situation in Iraq--via The Corner:

"Somewhere in central Iraq an aircraft lands delivering goods that aren't made in country. Nothing unusual in that; go to any bazaar in this land and you'll find imported items outnumber those manufactured locally. Years of brutal dictatorship, UN sanctions, and ultimately war to end both have left this nation's manufacturing infrastructure less than intact, to say the least. The task of rebuilding is a daunting one, made more so by factions that would see to it that success is limited, that progress isn't made."

"That's the future, at least the future as those with any sense of optimism see it. For now forklifts scurry quickly up the lowered cargo door and hoist pallets of material then return to their starting points, unload and climb for more. A forest of pallets forms on the pavement, soon to be loaded on trucks for transport away from the relative safety of the airbase. Now empty, the plane taxis away to retrieve another load. Now full, a convoy of trucks departs for other locations around the country, the drivers will quite literally risk their lives to get this material to its intended destination."

"The forklifts stand by as in the distance the drone of another approaching aircraft signals their job is far from over."

"The scene is repeated in various locations around the country. The payload? The material thought worth dying for by hundreds of men determined to move their nation forward? Election material, of course. The future history of free Iraq is being written. Across the country the people express a commitment to democracy, a determination to vote. Should they see the reports from America they must be stunned; stories of "disenfranchisement" from here and there where the weather was bad and many voters felt the wait in line was just too long, thanks. This is America? Could these people actually be somehow related to the men and women in uniform here in Iraq? Those who are shoulder to shoulder with the people of Baghdad, Mosul, Basra... delivering the ballots, manning the checkpoints, ever vigilant for the appearance of the "former regime loyalist" and the "foreign insurgent" determined to inflict the rule of the knife on a population that has never known anything but?"

"Bloody days are in store. These elections will be like nothing before witnessed. In most areas of the country all will be well, but elsewhere a shredded remnant of the anti-Iraqi forces will make their presence known. Their efforts are nearly impotent; on a recent day five separate car bomb attacks failed to reach their intended targets. Yet even as their failures mount, even as their ranks are diminished and their slaughterhouses are shut down they know one thing that brings them a glimmer of hope: their allies in the world media will not let them down. Whether to simply sell papers, lure advertisers, or to support a cause they firmly believe in, many in the media are the insurgent’s final hope.

I tuned in to NPR three times today - randomly, - to hear what they were discussing. All three times, at random times of the day they were discussing the "torture" at Abu Grhaib. The solipsistic phoneys that pose as "journalists" at NPR don't have a clue--they really don't understand "torture" - that is until one of their pretentious, smug little "reporters" has his head sawed-off by Zarqawi and his Luditte band of Islamofacist butchers. But that is unlikely to happen because NPR doesn't have anybody in harms way--like say the three brothers at Iraq the Model. NPR, like Dan Rather and his ilk, are reminiscent of the little clatch of highschool girls, grouped around the drinking fountian, fabricating salacious, cruel and deadly rumors at the expense of an innocent victim.

I really don't think that anyone wants a media that cheerleads US foreign policy but what MSM is passing off for journalism these days is nothing less than transparent and easily debunked propaganda. I can't believe my tax dollars pay the salaries of the NPR staff. They are truly lazy and dispicable ideologues and I'm thrilled nealy all the main-stream sources like "public" radio and TV are losing listeners, viewers, readership, marketshare at a fantastic pace. Can't happen fast enough for me.

Update: Instapundit has this and - no- you won't hear it on NPR: "INTERESTING NEW POLL RESULTS from Iraq. The Iraqis' views on security are especially interesting: "75% of Iraqis say security where they live is either 'good' or 'average.' Not exactly the impression you would get from the American press."

:: Max 11:13 PM [+] ::
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Firefox

Roger L. Simon is touting Firefox (and the 19 year old programming talent who invented it). I've taken the leap (on Simon's recommendation) and downloaded it but won't make the final conversion until I've researched the downside (assuming there is one--I've heard there might be some security issues but I can't imagine anything could be less secure than Explorer (the digital version of Swiss Cheese?!)). I'll post the results (if I can still access the Internet) sometime later in the week. Pray for me.

:: Max 11:17 PM [+] ::
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German Blogger Davids Medienkritik Hits Million Mark

DM is bitch-slapping German MSM with a pithy writing style that is sure to attract substantially more readership in the future. Of course, this is why they've reached the million mark but they're sure to exceed this by orders of magnitude in short order if they can keep it up. If you want to know why these bloggers are so successful, just drop in and check-out the DM photo-blogging of the Bush inaugural, along with a very nice shakedown of how German media is reacting to Fox News (they ain't happy). Just keep scrolling--you won't be disapointed.

Congratulations DM--godspeed.

Related: The Dissident Frogman has an update on the strikes that are crippling what's left of the French economy (no pun intended):

"As you may know, the ultra privileged 25% of the French workforce who live at the expense of the rest of us, just decided to give up with working simulations and get back to their default mode once again: strike."

"The reasons they certainly formulated for that are not really important, and the bottom line is always something in the spirit of "less work, more pay, no responsibility for what we do and what we don't, and hey, you cunts keep paying the bill all right?"

"All of that thank to various state enforced monopolies that allow these thugs to regularly take the rest of the society hostage".

Remember when Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers? By all means, read the whole thing--it'll bring back fond memories of 'The Gipper'.

:: Max 10:17 PM [+] ::
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Great winter suggestion from The Manolo:

"Manolo says, the snow it is falling, in the home you are stuck, so why not put on the sandals from the Miu Miu's Summer 2005 collection and dream of the sandy beaches and better weather."

I'm all over it Manolo...

:: Max 6:05 PM [+] ::
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This really cracked me up (click "View the VW Ad")

Whizbang via Sondrak

:: Max 5:58 PM [+] ::
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UN to Save World!

No, really--Diplomad has the 'report' [>]

:: Max 5:31 PM [+] ::
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Jeff Jarvis is at his best when he's disecting the media--he's blogging the confab "as long as [his] sanity holds out".

For those of you who might have never stumbled upon it, this is what real journalism looks like folks. And what a breath of fresh air it is.

Update: Speaking of real journalism, Scott Burgess (one of my all-time favorite thinkers) demonstrates his considerable research and writing skills. I'm gonna be soo p-o'd if this guy ever stops blogging.

:: Max 8:29 PM [+] ::
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Don't miss this classic smack-down of NPR 'reporting' via Roger Simon [>]

Money quote:

"I'm a Peter Bienert Democrat who primarily listens to KPCC, but I'm also someone who is worried that junk science badly damages our ability to make smart policy decisions and worse, damages the credibility of the environmental movement. We live in an era when we have to assume that our facts will be checked, and where we need to make our arguments both from facts that tell us what the world is and from our beliefs in what kind of word we want it to be.

And I'm really saddened to hear that you ... as someone who makes a living in journalism ... would filter what you read by your distaste for the ‘wrapper’ it was presented in. As a consumer of media, let me as gently as possible suggest that until that attitude changes, the credibility and effectiveness of your profession will continue to be under strong attack, and you won't be able to do the job that is so badly needed - of bringing the truth to the people.

Marc"

It's really refreshing to see an honest Democrat shakedown MSM for the shoddy reporting that NPR passes off as journalism.

:: Max 8:59 AM [+] ::
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Egizmo

Courtesy Scott Burgess; The Incredible Inflation Calculator!
I think this thing is so great, I'm adding this to the prairiefire blogroll under the "marketplace" heading for future reference.

:: Max 11:01 PM [+] ::
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Instructional Graphics

Kim du Toit points to a neat animation of the inner workings of a semi automatic handgun--the STI Trojan (hint: click Slide:Hide and Frame:Alpha for best viewing.

:: Max 1:34 PM [+] ::
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Rathergate - The Saga Continues

Looks like the terminated producers at CBS News are a little reluctant to resign. Could it be Les Moonves and his lawyers have "their backs against the wall and their shirt tails on fire" with threats of "tell-all" books from the producers? I suspect they're negotiating massive hush-money settlements before they clean out their desks, exit the premises and begin a new life of leisure on some tropical island. And they'll probably get their way.

Too bad; I was so looking forward to these disgruntled producers airing CBS's dirty laundry for all the world to see. Given Dan's legendary odd behavior one can only imagine the high quality dirt Mapes & Co. must have on him and the network.

Update: LGF has more [>]

:: Max 7:59 AM [+] ::
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Main Stream Media Melt-Down

A dispicable column by Sarah Boxer drags the New York Times to a new, bottom of the barrel low.

Wonder if this increasingly irrelevant rag will exist in ten years--any bets?

:: Max 1:20 PM [+] ::
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News Junkie Alert

Keep your eyes on this new site, looks interesting.

:: Max 11:03 PM [+] ::
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Kicking Ass

Make no mistake. Contrary to reports in the main-stream-media, The United States Military is winning the war in Iraq. Here is a report from Black Five via Powerline:

"Much of the problem is about perspective, putting things in scale and balance. From where I sit in my command post at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, things are not all bad right now. In fact, they are going quite well. We are not under attack by the enemy; on the contrary, we are taking the fight to him daily and have him on the ropes. In the distance, I can hear the repeated impacts of heavy artillery and five hundred-pound bombs hitting their targets in the city. The occasional tank main gun report and the staccato rhythm of a Marine Corps LAV or Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle's 25-millimeter cannon provide the bass line for a symphony of destruction. Right now, as elements from all four services complete the absolute annihilation of the insurgent forces remaining in Fallujah, the area around the former stronghold is more peaceful than it has been for more than a year. The number of attacks in the greater Al Anbar Province is down by at least 70-80% from late October -- before Operation Al Fajar began. The enemy in this area is completely defeated, but not completely gone. Final eradication of the pockets of insurgents will take some time, as it always does, but the fact remains that the central geographic stronghold of the insurgents is now under friendly control. That sounds a lot like success to me. Given all of this, why don't the papers lead with "Coalition Crushes Remaining Pockets of Insurgents" or "Enemy Forces Resort to Suicide Bombings of Civilians"? This would paint a far more accurate picture of the enemy's predicament over here. Instead, headlines focus almost exclusively on our hardships.

"Main-Stream" news sources are losing credibility at a fantastic pace. It will be interesting to watch how they cover the upcoming elections in Iraq--very interesting.

:: Max 9:37 AM [+] ::
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Bwhaa-ha-ha-ha...

:: Max 11:53 PM [+] ::
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Go ahead...

...stick Osama bin Ladin in the eye with a fork!

:: Max 2:58 PM [+] ::
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The Manolo, he says:

...if they are under $20 of the dollars, you may waste your moneys on them, if you wish.

But, be the forewarned, your feet they will sweat in the plastic, and beautiful mens they will say you have the stench like the Britney.

The Manolo, because of his incomparable taste and street cred, has been added to the Prairie Fire blogroll under the outrageously NEW! Fashion section. Really darling, you must drop in for a visit--the the basement of the bargains, it is how you say--fabulous!

(magnificent no?)

Manolo's fashion tip of the day: "If you do not have the chin, the goatee she will not give you one."

:: Max 1:27 PM [+] ::
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Florida Cracker is reporting on a FEMA fraud investigation in her neck of the woods. Strange, haven't heard anyhing about this via MSM. Maybe Drudge will pick it up: FEMA Falsifies NOAA Weather Maps in Fraud Investigation!

:: Max 10:30 AM [+] ::
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"Does Zimbabwian Law Overrule the Constitution?"

Sorta hard to believe this question can be asked in polite company and with a straight face but--well--Check-out this must-read Powerline post regarding the devolution of the Constitution of the United States.

:: Max 8:21 PM [+] ::
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"Secondly, if you lay a map of oil regions in the Middle East and Asia over one showing American bases and military presence in the War on Terror, you'd find they roughly overlap. Coincidence? Right, and Mullah Omar's the next guest host on SNL. Under the rubric of fighting Al Qaeda, the U.S. has moved assets around the Caspian Sea and into Central and South Asia, where they will eventually serve to check Chinese penetration into those regions in search of oil. America and the PRC are on a collision course similar to Britain and Germany before World War I. What we can hope is that the liberation of Iraq, Afghanistan and (to anticipate my argument) Iran will, in the long run, create good will toward the U.S. and gain us allies in a coming conflict with Beijing."

Well, it's not that far fetched at all if you think about it. Read the whole thing [>]

:: Max 3:39 PM [+] ::
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"My name is Rather. And I'm a dick"

:: Max 6:28 PM [+] ::
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"The UN's performance in this disaster has been a disgrace of epic proportions; it's vastly overfunded and overstaffed agencies, allegedly established to deal with precisely this type of event, are MIA. We are now in day 16 (DAY 16!) of the crisis, and the UN is still not ready to act. It is no wonder affected countries want to deal with the US and not the UN. At a minimum, the UN owes the world an apology; the entire upper echelon of the UN and its bloated agencies should resign."

Diplomad's on a roll--drop in for a visit [>]

:: Max 1:33 PM [+] ::
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"With the elections' day getting closer, I'm hearing more voices warning of the possibility of a civil war in Iraq after the elections and I want to say that I do not find that theory the least acceptable; the theory of the civil war doesn't match any of the facts on the ground and it's based on visions of people who have never lived among Iraqis and have no real-if any-experience in the region. The coming days will be a test for these theories but I'm almost positive that nothing like that is going to happen and so I don't need to wait to find out."

--Mohammed, ITM

:: Max 7:29 AM [+] ::
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Sir--Having survived the tsunami in Sri Lanka, I have one abiding memory of the aftermath.

On New Year's Eve, I was returning to my evacuee relief centre, when I passed one of Colombo's finest restaurants. It was with surprise and dismay that I saw it was filled with freshly suited UN officials, their finely polished official cars and dutiful drivers parked ostentatiously outside.

I went to bed early, on the floor of a sports hall along with 500 other displaced tourists. I couldn't get into a hotel; they were full of aid officials.

I hate the UN.

:: Max 7:13 AM [+] ::
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Docs in Socks Update

Florida Cracker (among others) isn't letting go of the Berger caper.

(thank God Al Gore invented this internet thingy)

:: Max 11:49 PM [+] ::
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New Blog

The Counterterrorism Blog is "The first multi-expert blog dedicated solely to counterterrorism issues, serving as a gateway to the community for policymakers and serious researchers. Designed to provide realtime information about cases and policy developments." It looks like a serious effort so I've included it in the blog-roll under the 'security' heading.

Via Winds of Change [>]

:: Max 1:11 PM [+] ::
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Apologies from Max

I am sorry for slacking a bit on the blog but I have a gravely ill family member in ICU right now and her prognosis is, frankly, bleak. She is not going to make it. In any case, we've got our hands full right now--back later.

Update: No substantive change--it's a vigil.

[The hospital is a curious place after it's been locked-down for the evening--very curious--glad they have this internet thingy to keep me company].

Update 2: Because of our situation, I've been reading alot about cancer--from everything I can gather, there has been very little accomplished in the way of medical 'breakthroughs' on the disease since the 70s! VERY early detection is the key folks...before you can 'feel it'.

Had a checkup lately?

Update 3: She's a very tough customer, the Reaper must be re-evaluating his strategy because whatever he's been doing it ain't working.

:: Max 9:15 AM [+] ::
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