Base10Blog
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
 
Boorish, Er, Moorish Behavior,
Ungrateful Olympians
and More Politics as Usual

UPDATE: Base10 penned this screed last night, but had some trouble with the links and publishing. Problems with Blogger? Oh, the humanity!

Base10 saw a few conventioneers today on the subway. It's easy to spot them. (Remember, I'm a Republican too). They dress like geeks--strictly shorts-and-polo-shirt attire, and they do not know how to hold onto the pole in the subway. In any event, although they may have a confused look about them, they seem to act much like us. They travel with their families, they seem curious and attentive. They're even willing to spend some money in this 'burg. They seem so much like you and me. Why do they want to kill our children?

Base10 caught the Republican Convention last night. Two speeches: McCain and Giuliani. Although the blogosphere polls appear to favor Giuliani by a wide margin, Base10 rather liked McCain. His speech was powerful and full of passion. When Base10 saw it, he immediately thought that John McCain is positioning himself for a Presidential run in 2008. Giuliani on the other hand, was merely amusing. He does know how to work a crowd, and while his speech was entertaining, it didn't deliver the same sense of urgency as McCain's. Well you can judge for yourself: here are the transcripts of McCain and Giuliani.

To be fair, Base10 is sick and tired of Giuliani. Maybe he has seen him speak too often. Readers should note that Giuliani has all but declared his own 2008 ambitions. Frankly, speaking as a Giuliani-era employee of this fair city, if he ever runs for President, it may be the only thing that would cause Base10 to change parties. Trust me America, this man does not belong in the White House. All the scare hyperbole that you hear about totalitarian Bush--it's all true of Giuliani.

During McCain's speech he made a remark about "disingenuous filmakers"--a clear reference to Michael Moore for those not paying attention. Moore--unwilling to let a moment go by without some sort of media attention--gave McCain the "loser" sign. (And click here for an excellent photoshop of it). Well, I guess in Moore's fervor to see the Republicans lose, he forgot to look at the latest polls. He should also take a look at the Fox News ratings for their convention coverage during primetime. And maybe take a look at this article that suggests the Kerry campaign is spiralling out of control. What was that Michael? In touch with the common man you say?

To add a few blood pressure points, look at Moore's convention coverage piece in USA Today. Base10 digs the disclaimer at the end. Jonah Goldberg covered the DNC, so anything Moore does is okay. I don't recall Jonah Goldberg gesticulating to the cameras when a Democrat was speaking. And maybe USA Today thinks that readers forgot that they fired Ann Coulter from her spot writing about the DNC. Given that her piece was far less offensive than Moore's, one wonders about the hearts and minds over at USA Today.

In non-Convention news, members of the Iraqi Olympic team were highly critical of President Bush and the Iraq war. I wonder why they never spoke up about their conditions under Saddam? Oh that's right, he and his lunatic sons would torture athletes. Well I'm glad that the Iraqi Olympians feel safe enough now to voice dissent. Maybe if they would have fought their regime to begin with, it wouldn't be necessary for the coalition to do it. If surrender were an Olympic sport, the Iraqi team might win gold. (No Base10 takes that back. They would win silver. Gold would go to the French). Base10 finds it amusing that the newly minted free speech rights afforded the Iraqi athletes are being used to bash the very entity that bestowed them. Caveat here: Base10 does not think this attitude is universally held by Iraqi athletes--or Iraqi citizens for that matter.

In convention violence, let's see. One cop viciously beaten by "peaceful protestors," a sergeant lucky he's not losing a leg because of "activists" and a cop with minor burns because demonstrators had to set fire to something. Well, it could be worse.

Base10 has to go. The twins are on. And Laura and Aaaahnold! More tomorow.
Monday, August 30, 2004
 
Cheese Eatin' Surrender Monkeys?
Not So Fast!
And Other News

Base10 is back from the great state of Florida. But alas, he has little good news to report about Dame Base10. Base10 simply asks that readers keep her in their prayers.

The GOP Convention opens today, and Base10 has some comments about it and the protests but will blog about them in a separate entry.

In other news, it appears that France will not back down on its newly minted national law prohibiting the wearing of headscarves in public schools. Militants in Iraq kidnapped two French journalists and pledged to kill them by Monday unless France repealed the law. Base10 assumed the obvious: France would comply. But even the French can see common sense here, non? In a move obviously designed to fight terrorists by shocking them into falling out of their chairs, the French government grew a spine and declared that it would not lift the ban. There is a great quote from Iraqi PM Allawi about l'affair du headscarves here:

The French, like all democratic countries, cannot let themselves be satisfied with adopting a passive position. Governments that decide to stay on the defensive will be the next terrorist targets. [T]he French, despite all the noise they are making, [such as] 'We don't want war', will soon have to fight against terrorists.

The French are apparently angry that someone might question their patriotism. Well, we didn't need Mr. Allawi for that, we just had to look at the history of France for the last fifty years. For some backround on the headscarves affair, click here. France's actions have been condemned by many, but Base10 actually thinks there are many justifications for the ban. In the latest development, the militants have extended the deadline for another day. Who's the surrender monkey now?

While Base10 has been following the story of Muqtada al-Sadr and Najaf, he hasn't written much about it. It appears that the Najaf insurgency is over. The Imam Ali mosque has been turned over to the supporters of moderate cleric Ali al-Sistani and the al-Sadr militia has been disarmed and disbursed. The price: allowing al-Sadr to join the mainstream political process. While Base10 thinks that al-Sadr's determination to save his own skin may have been at the heart of the recent violence, the Iraqi govenment obviously gets some credit for its determination to end the insurgency. Although it's probably easier to crush militants if you meet with them first.

As the GOP convention opens, criticism of John Kerry's war record is continuing. Swiftboat Veterans for Truth has published a new ad placing comments by group members intersposed with footage of Kerry making his atrocity and war crimes comments in front of various TV cameras. Pretty compelling stuff. The Kerry camp on the other hand has been forced to at least address the issues. Kerry claims "lies are being spread" by the group that Bush has "doing his dirty work." Please, let me hear Kerry publically condemn George Soros and MoveOn.org. This AP article is interesting, not for what it says but for how it has spun the controvery:

John Kerry's Vietnam War service records run to multiple medal commendations and a notation of "conspicuous gallantry" in combat. President Bush's file tracks the stateside career of a National Guard test pilot. Yet the combat veteran is the one under attack as a wartime pretender in the race for the White House.

How dare anyone question Kerry's service record when Bush was only in the National Guard! How about this:

It's a controversy — Democrats call it a smear — stirred by the president's allies and aimed at undermining Kerry's truthfulness, personal character and fitness for office as much as his claim to the medals he came home with. Smear or not, the charges are spreading at the speed of talk radio, cable television and the Internet, and affecting the campaign in unpredictable ways.

So Bush's minions are responsible after all! And then it's being spread by--my God--blogs, talk radio and cable television. The horrors! Base10 doesn't think this is a reference to Air America, but rather to Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

In the other Swiftboat controversy, Kerry's "seared" memory is coming back to haunt him. John Kerry has sworn up and down that he spent Christmas in 1968 in Cambodia. He has done this on the Congressional Record and numerous media interviews. (But apparently Kerry is easily seared--see this). Yet it is not possible that this took place. Could Kerry's memory be that bad. Given the recent re-release of the Manchurean Candidate, Base10 is not the only one to wonder about this.

See this extremely thoughtful article by Victor Davis Hanson at NRO about the l'affair du Swifboat. (Once you get into that French mode, it's hard to stop!) Hanson argues that it's easy to dismiss the irregularities in Kerry's combat record given the "fog of war" but it is harder to ignore Senator Kerry's Cambodia statements since they are so obviously false. It is more difficult still to ignore Kerry's record post-war as both a protester and his record as a lawmaker. The Kerry camp can whine all they want about attacks on his patriotism. These last items are legitimate issues. No amount of name calling is going to make them go away. There are also several great pieces in the Weekly Standard on this.

In mysterious news, Rep. Edward Schrock abbruptly withdrew from his reelection bid in Virginia. Citing unspecified allegations, Schrock announced his retirement. Could this be another McGreevey moment?

Ridiculous headline? The AP ran the headline "Bush Suggests Terror War Cannot Be Won." Here is the actual quote in a Matt Lauer interview:

Question: Can we win?
Bush: I don't think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that the — those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world.

Base10 thinks this is an example of an honest assement of the situation. Perhaps even nuanced. John Edwards and the Democrats spun it this way: "After months of listening to the Republicans base their campaign on their singular ability to win the war on terror, the president now says we can't win the war on terrorism." Please Senator, tell us the Kerry plan for winning the war on terror. Sticking your head in the sand with the French doesn't count.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
 
The John Kerry Song

Check out this mp3 file about John Kerry's "Back and Forth" record. (Found via KerryHaters.blogspot.com).
Thursday, August 26, 2004
 
Republican Conspiracies, Democratic Double Standards, and Other News

Base10 is still in the great state of Florida. Unfortunately, Dame Base10's condition has not improved much.

Base10 wishes he lived in a swing state like Florida for this election. Living in New York, especially NYC, he gets to see few if any campaign commercials. In Florida however, the battle certainly has been joined. It is incredible. TV campaign advertising seems to dominate the airwaves, especially on the local stations. It is refreshing to see that at least some states are not permanently blue and dominated by one party to the extent that debate is entirely stifled. Despite the healthy influence of Republican mayors, the government of NYC is so exclusively run by one-party Democrats that it should be considered the east coast version of the Central Committee. Apparently New Yorkers are on the cutting edge of everything except politics.

Base10 has finally found his one-stop shopping site for polls. Rasmussen Reports has polling information updated daily and includes electoral vote counts. The public site is pretty informative, and they seem to have premium services for political pros.

Readers with a little time on their hands should take a look at World War IV: How It Started, What It Means, and Why We Have to Win, by Norman Podhoretz in September's Commentary. Base10 cautions that this article is very long. This may mean that Podhoretz missed out on the Republican "smears and lies" conspiracy since this obviously took a lot of work. Readers with shorter attention spans should check out this summary in the Weekly Standard. Anyway, Podhoretz traces the history of what led to 9/11 and is critical of all political parties. Good read.

Speaking of the Republican lie and smear machine, the Democrats have at least won the Google wars. A search of "lies smears Republicans" on Google News yields 98 results as of this writing, while a search of "lies smears Democrats" yields only 7. Mr. President, there is a lying and smearing gap!

In other news, a bipartisan Pentagon commission investigating the Abu Graib prisoner abuse scandal was released Tuesday and was followed by another report prepared by the Army. Certainly Gen. Janis Karpinski, who commanded the 800th Military Police Brigade at Abu Ghraib and Col. Thomas Pappas, commander of the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade will be held to task for allowing such conduct as well they should. When you are a military commander, you are responsible for what goes on on your watch. If they didn't know what was going on, they should have. Although the report places primary blame on an out-of-control night shift and found most of the incidents to fall well short of the "torture" word that the media is so fond of using (see this piece in the Opinion Journal), John Kerry called for the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld. Base10 doesn't think Rumsfeld's head is called for, but would not disagree if he resigned. The only thing Base10 notes is that the world and the DoD in particular would be a smaller place without him.

And finally, in the "let's use a pathetic disabled veteran in a ridciculous political stunt" department, erstwhile Senator Max Cleland trekked to the Bush ranch in Texas to deliver a letter pleading with the President to condemn the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth anti-Kerry TV ads. In what Base10 considers a brilliant political move, President Bush roundly condemned all "527" soft money attack ads and urged John Kerry to do he same.

In related news, Benjamin Ginsberg, a lawyer involved in the Bush campaign resigned because he had done legal work for the Swifites advising them on the "527" statute. Democrats were quick to condemn this and said they were "shocked...shocked" that this sort of thing could go on until reminded that Robert Bauer, a Democratic election lawyer represents the anti-Bush 527 group, America Coming Together, and Joseph Sandler, another top Democratic attorney, represents both the Democratic National Committee and MoveOn.org. Sounds like a Kerry campaign Homer moment. (See this for some figures on "527's").

P.S. Base10 urges residents of where he is staying, namely Clay County Florida, to vote for George Bush for County Commissioner.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
 
Pardon the Interruption

Base10 is in Florida as he writes this. (Thank God for CDMA modems!) The mother of Base10 is in the hospital recovering from surgery. Unfortunately, Dame Base10 was not doing too well over the weekend, but has reportedly improved a bit. Not very good news of course, and blogging will be spotty at best. Base10 plans on staying through the week.

In the interim please check out this hysterical piece by James Lileks, and today's freshly minted Tuesday Morning Quarterback by Gregg Eastebrook.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
 
Sunday Morning Shoutfest Preview

There's an interesting lineup this Sunday morning. On Meet the Press, Tim Russert interviews Senators George Allen and John Corzine, Kerry campaign's Tad Devine and Bush campaign's Ken Mehlman.

On Face the Nation, Bob Schieffer Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Intelligence committee, Senator Carl Levin of the Armed Services Committee and Alexandra and Vanessa Kerry, relatives of the Senator John Kerry.

On Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace interviews Van Odell and Larry Thurlow of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Senators Sam Brownback and Joe Lieberman.

Finally, on the eponymous This Week with George Stephanopoulos, no inteviews were yet listed. Shame, shame, ABC.

Actually an interesting lineup. Base10 will probably go for the lurid and make sure he catches the Swifties on Fox followed by the Kerry daughters. (Let's hope that Alexandra is not quite so open as this).
Thursday, August 19, 2004
 
Do the Football Gods Watch Preseason? And other Sports News.

Our crosstown cousins play Carolina tonight and it should make for an interesting game. Eli Manning will get the start with the first unit tonight so it will be very interesting to see what he does with the ball. Base10 finished in the cellar of his fantasy league last year and will be watching carefully to see if Eli Manning is worth the first pick overall. While you may have doubts, if Eli is only half as good as his brother, who is one of the premiere fantasy players around, he is definitely worth it. Unfortunately, Base10 is in what is called a dynasty league with long term keepers. Like his brother Payton, if you don't grab him now, you'll never see him again.

Speaking of the brothers Manning, the Jets will be playing against the elder sib on Saturday. Players to watch: WR Jerrico Cotchery is making fans and Coach Edwards take note. Look for a big game. Also, free-agent SS Reggie Tongue, who will surely be the subject of numerous puns during the season, is recovering nicely from a calf strain and will likely see some time Saturday. In other Jets news, Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z has an interesting piece about AFC East training camps. There is a really cute story about Weeb Eubank at the very end of the article.

In Mets news, they are once again devastated by injuries, with hurler Victor Zambrano being pulled early in Tuesday's game for a sore elbow. He awaits MRI results. Although this resulted in a Mets loss, last night's game was rained out and a double header will be played today and tonight. As exciting as it might get, remember, the Mets are eleven games out.

The Olympics go on! Congratulations to Mariel Zagunis who won a gold medal in woman's saber. She is the first American fencer to win gold in one hundred years. The US woman's softball got another mercy rule win against Greece and looks like a shoe in for gold. And how about Paul Hamm? After falling into the judges stand on a dismount, Hamm came back with a stunning performance to win gold in the Men's gymnastic all-around. He is the first Amercian man to ever do that. Base10 stayed up late to watch it and it was quite impressive. Also, the American women's swim team broke the oldest Olympic swim record on the books by getting gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay. Last but certainly not least, Tyler Hamilton, who had to withdraw from the Tour de France with a back injury won gold in the men's individual time trial. Bobby Julich also took the bronze. Hamilton said later, "Ever since I was a little kid, I was in awe watching the Olympics and seeing a gold medalist on top of the podium, then hearing the national anthem. It's not a yellow jersey, but it'll work."

The Iraqi soccer team is still defying all expectations by leading its group with two wins in three matches. They play Saturday against the Australian team. Good luck!
 
Workaholic Monkeys, Search Engine IPO's and More...

Slashdot and others are reporting that researchers have discovered a way to make slacker monkeys into veritable workaholics. By blocking a dopamine receptor in the brain, the scientists speculate that the monkeys could not formulate a risk/reward balance that would prevent them from doing tasks at the last moment. Yes, but can they type out Shakespeare any faster?

In news that outweighs everything else today, Google is going public with an initial price of $85 a share.

Slashdot is chock full of good stuff this week, in another report, engineers at Onomy Labs have designed a computer console based on a retro-futuristic Philco Predicta TV set from 1958. Way cool!

In news with potentially disasterous consequences, the US has cancelled its nuclear fusion research program. Since fusion provides clean and potentially limitless cheap power, it boggles the mind why we aren't going full speed ahead in perfecting this technology. It would certainly solve many problems in the middle east.

In news with less disasterous , but nonetheless serious consequences, MSNBC has an interesting story about the potential for athletes to engage in "gene doping" using gene therapies to produce performance enhancements that would be al but undetectable. Interesting premise with the backdrop of the Olympic Games in Athens.

In other disasterous consequence news, the average time to infect an unprotected network computer on a broadband connection has dropped to twenty minutes. Ouch!
Sunday, August 15, 2004
 
Base10's Cousin

One of Base10's cousins is visiting NYC in a couple of weeks. While Base10 questions the timing of this visit since it coincides with the RNC, he was asked by Mrs. Base10 to provide a list of typical New York things to do--and not the typical tourist things. Base10 has a top ten list of suggestions:
  1. Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Have a drink and a bite to eat at Henry's End.
  2. Walk over the Williamsburg Bridge. Have a drink and a bite to eat at Teddy's (brunch recommended).
  3. Walk over the Queensboro BridgeTake the 7 train under the Queensboro Bridge and stop in Sunnyside for a drink and a bite to eat.
  4. Have breakfast in a dim sum house in Chinatown. (Caution: Not for the PB&J on white bread crowd).
  5. Have lunch at Katz's Deli. Be daring and try the Reuben.
  6. Rent a tandem bicycle and ride the loop through Central Park a few times. Get a bite to eat in the Boathouse.
  7. If you're very lucky, you might see just one of these things in your entire lifetime. Go to the New York Public Library and see all three of them:
  8. If you're very lucky, you might see just one Vermeer in your entire lifetime. But if you go to the Frick Collection, you can actually see three of them.
  9. Have dinner at Two if By Sea, the most romantic restaurant in NYC (caution: High $).
  10. Visit Pete's Tavern and see where O. Henry wrote the Gift of the Magi.


See you soon!
 
A Note about NCAA Football

Base10 loves football. He would rather watch the Cardinals play the Bengals than watch the World Series. Base10 also loves college football. His only complaint is that following NCAA football is like having a full-time job. HIs theory has always been that you have to sellect a few teams and follow them. Unlike the pros, the college version is just too broad to follow all the teams. It also doesn't help that the players don't stick around long enough to get a real identity with the team.

But college football is the precursor to the pros, not the other way around. This is the origin of the sport and the game is in many ways more exciting than the pros. Consider that the oldest football rivalry is not between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. Neither is it between the Florida State Seminoles and the University of Miami. It is between Harvard and Yale. That's the origin of football. (Click here for a great article about the origins of American football--Base10 might even get this book).

Well anyway, the AP poll has USC rated number one this year, just like they finished last year. USC so far is clearly the team to beat. What better way to kick off the college season by opening the year on August 28, with a game between USC and Virginia Tech? Base10 will be watching.
 
The Jets, the Mets and the Big Unit

Base10 is watching the Mets as he blogs. It is the top of the 6th with no score. Randy Johnson (and how does a grown man get a knickname like that?) is pitching a gem, but then again so is Steve Trachsel the Mets' hurler. Meanwhile the rain is pouring. Mrs. Base10 actually went to the game--to get the Hello Kitty Mets Doll no doubt--and Base10 hopes she is managing to stay dry. Should the Mets win this game they will have swept Arizona in time to start a six-game road trip on Tuesday against Colorado and San Francisco followed by an eleven-game homestand. The Mets were ten back this morning with seemingly little chance to get a wild card. But you can't even hope unless they win games, which they've started to do. The funny thing is that the Mets are playing this well given the fact that they are being ravaged by injuries: Piazza, Reyes, and Matsui are all on the DL and Glavine is still out folowing the car accident he had in a cab from LaGuardia.

Base10 also caught the Jets preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Friday night. He must say that Pennington looked pretty good, although he was in for only one series. The Jets first defensive unit also looked pretty good holding New Orleans to three and out. However, after the first series with the starters, there's nothing much to watch anymore. Base10 is a little concerned about backup QB Brooks Bollinger and he's not the only one. By committing two turnovers, including one from horrible snap handling, saying that he looked confused is an insult to people with ADD everywhere. Maybe he will get better, but the Jets might just want to see what's floating in the free agent waters.

As for our crosstown footall cousins, the Giants beat hight powered Kansas City. Once again, since all preseason games are basically plain vanilla exercises which involve rookies three-quarters of the time, the outcome is really not indicative of anything. Howeve, Ron Dayne did look good. Both Eli Manning and Ron Dayne looked pretty good.

UPDATE: The Diamonbacks just took the lead at 2-0 with a two RBI hit against the Mets.
 
Olympic Politics

The Olympic Games are supposed to be completely divorced from politics. But they clearly are not. Allahpundit has a couple of great pieces on the opening ceremonies here, here and here. Particular things pointed out by Allah (and others) that Base10 liked:


Base10 does enjoy the Olympics. For example, the women's beach volleyball competition was absolutely riveting on Saturday. Base10 did lose interest when men's gymnastics came on. Base10 knows they are fantastic athletes, but there's something about the sport that brings to mind...well, New Jersey. (See last post). By the way, congratulations to Michael Phelps who won his first Olympic gold medal in swimming in the men's 400m individual medley. Phelps won in spectacular fashion, breaking a world record in the process.

Congratulations as well to the Iraqi soccer team that stunned Portugal by beating them 4-2 in their opening match.



 
A Frail Flower Blooms in the Garden State

Base10 apologizes for not posting for a few days. But away we go...

Friday brought some stunning news out of New Jersey. Governor Jim McGreevey has anounced his resignation effective November 15 because of an homosexual affair that he had with an aide. The aide, Golan Cipel, was both the Governor's Homeland Security and then a "Special Advisor" when it was revealed he could not get security clearance because he is not a US citizen. The McGreevey camp is claiming that Cipel was trying to blackmail him, demanding $5 million to remain quiet. Cipel on the otherhand is saying he is the victim of sexual harrassment.

McGreevey is obviously trying to position himself as both a victim and as a potential future candidate. Indeed, many newspapers are suggesting that the Governor's dalliances were really no secret. Isn't the real issue here not that McGreevey is gay, but that he gave his lover a six-fugure patronage job at taxpayer expense? McGreevey's newfound gay pride seems to be no more than a politically expedient front. For example check out this quote in the Times piece:

Mr. McGreevey soon began preparing a speech to make to the public about his life and current circumstances. In doing so, he began conferring with directors at the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent gay advocacy group in Washington with which Mr. Fox was familiar. The most dramatic line the governor eventually uttered — "I am a gay American" — was developed by the group and was a poll-tested phrase used to reframe the debate about gay causes from one about sexual liberation to one about civil rights.


And it seems to have worked. Check out this quote from Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality reported in CBS News:

There are millions of lesbians and gay citizens of America who know how very hard it is to come out as an openly lesbian or gay person, but to have to do so in such a public fashion like this, I cannot even imagine what the governor has gone through. My heart is filled with emotion and compassion and I know I speak for the whole lesbian and gay community not only for the governor but for his entire wonderful family.

The other issue about the resignation is the timing. McGreevey is delaying the resignation to avoid a special election should he resign before November. The NJ GOP is fuming and wants him to leave now.

UPDATE: Best cartoon depiction of the McGreevey Affair.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
 
Police News Roundup (Weekly Edition)

Police and fire unions continue their high-profile tactics in the current rounds of labor "talks" with the city. This morning they protested in front of the live morning news shows. Newsday's account is a little more ominous suggesting the posibility of a strike. In spite of this, the Mayor and Commissioner are pledging New York will be safe for the RNC.

In Albany, Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain, the leaders of an upstate mosque will be arraigned on Thurday on charges that they laundered money to buy a shoulder fired missile.

Lenny Levitt is reporting in a somewhat indeciferable story that Commissioner Kelly and the Mayor don't like Pasquale D'Amuro the current head of the FBI's New York office. Why this is news eludes Base10. It should be noted that in Levitt's previous column, he alluded that Kelly didn't like former Commissioner Kerik either. While animosity toward the former Police Commissioner is understandable, doesn't this indicate a slow news day?

Heroes:


Goats:

And finally in the "stop me before I pun again" department, an unidentified farmer in Australia was sent packing from an agricultural exhibit after officials discovered a banned substance in the cow's udder. This sounds udderly ridiculous!


 
Iraq, Afghanistan, Swiftboats and the CIA

The Kerry camp is firing off its salvo in the Swiftvets affair. An op-ed piece appeared today in the Opinion Journal authored by Jim Rassmann, the man that John Kerry saved in Vietnam. While Mr. Rassmann's article is a moving description of bravery under fire--no one ever said the man did nothing brave--it does not address the fundamental issues raised by the Swiftvets, namely that a candidate for president of the the United States who has wrapped himself up completely in his war time service may have completely misrepresented this service to the American people. The Dems are certainly capable of firing back--check out this article about a claim filed against the Swiftvets for violating Federal Election Committee rules. There's even a leftie wiki entry (alright, I changed it a little).

Meanwhile in Iraq, the situation in Najef looks like it's leading to a lot of carnage, but carnage that is almost entirely on Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia. Having broken a ceasefire, al-Sadr has vowed to fight to the death. That may just happen, judging by this quote:
Najaf Gov. Adnan al-Zarfi gave U.S. forces approval to enter the shrine, a senior U.S. military official said Monday. "We have elected at this point not to conduct operations there, although we are prepared to do so at a moment's notice," the official said.

Sounds like fellow Shiites are fed up with al-Sadr. Base10 thinks this is a pathetic attempt at a power grab. The most senior Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is out of Iraq getting medical treatment in London.

Kerry made a rare forceful statement about Iraq today. Prompted by a challenge from the President, Sen. Kerry said that he would have still voted for the war even if he had known that the intelligence was faulty and there were no WMD's. Apparently unwilling to be too hawkish, Kerry also said that he would drastically reduce the number of US troops in Iraq by August of next year. This inspite of growing evidence that none of our allies would be helping us.

In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai will face seventeen challengers in the upcoming October 9 elections in that country. Well I guess Michael Moore was wrong again.

And in CIA news, the President has nominated Congressman Porter Goss of (R-Fl) to be the new CIA Director.

 
Geek News

Some quick links:

Slashdot is reporting that NASA is going to repair the Hubble Space Telescope after all. Details here. In other news, the Japanese space agency has deployed the first ever solar sail. Dig the physics major arguments that follow! In computer news, Microsoft recalled Windows XP will be distributing a massive patch for its flagship product this month. Slashdot is also reporting that NASA will be creating a new supercomputer using a 10,240 Itanium Linux cluster. Maybe it'll help with the telescope.

And in the "what is old is new again" department, William Shatner is planning a to make a guest spot on the current Start Trek serial, Star Trek: Enterprise.

Monday, August 09, 2004
 
Special to Babu

Base10 has come across an interesting piece about cashiered former Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf, more commonly called "Bagdhad Bob." It seems that Bob has gotten a new gig as a commentator for Abu Dhabi TV. Baghdad Bob a pundit! How fitting. I'd love to see him do some US election commentary. Check the link here.

PS Base10 just loves the name of the website.

 
Sport News

Having been devastatingly swept by the Braves last weekend, the Mets gave their fans one last glimmer of hope by sweeping the Brewers during the week. However, they then were themselves swept by St. Louis. Alas, the Amazin's are now 11 games out and they look like they're done.

Football on the other hand is alive and well. Base10 has been playing fantasy with his friends for the last ten years but has just joined two new games this year. First, a pay salary cap league run by the Sporting News. Second, the free game run by the NFL Players Association. The free game has a grand prize of an all-expense paid trip to the Pro Bowl and dinner with an actual fantasy team. Pretty cool!

The Hall of Fame game is tonight. Help is on the way Mets fans! Tonight's matchup features the Denver Broncos and the Washinton Redskins. Players to watch include RB Clinton Portis acquired by the Skins from the Broncos. And then there is Jake Plummer the Bronco's QB who has certainly had his share of NFL struggles. If there's no other reason, also watch for the returning Joe Gibbs.

The Jets have their first pre-season game on Friday against New Orleans. Our NFC cousins also kick-off the pre-season when the Giants meet Kansas City.

In news to make Jets fans happy, the Dolphins lost another key player. Dolphins WR David Boston is out for the season due to a knee injury.

 
Politics as Usual

There is an excellent piece on National Review Online about the Paul Krugman/Bill O'Reilly debate on Saturday's Timm Russert CNBC show. Base10 didn't know about it, but would have tried to catch it. Base10 used to like O'Reilly alot. Years ago he was more edgy and was a breath of fresh journalistic air. Indeed, I didn't perceive him to really have a conservative agenda. Today though, Base10 like him less. He seems to spend more time shouting at people than doing interviews. Still, Donald Luskin's account of the debate makes one hopeful about O'Reilly. (via Allahpundit).

Many blogs are reporting the Drudge/Boston Globe/Michael Kranish/Swiftboat controversy. Boston Globe reporter Michael Kranish reported that one of the Swiftboat Veteran's For Truth recanted the allegations made in their forthcoming book. The Vets have not backed down and claimed (via affadavit by the interviewee) that he was both misquoted and mischaracterized. Meanwhile, the same reporter was called to task by Drudge for writing the introduction to the compaign's official book while still reporting on the campaign for the Globe. The Globe so far has stuck by it's story. Interestingly, many many bloggers are pointing out the cached web pages that are still up do indeed show Kranish as a listed author. A typical but very good description of the controversy is over at LGF. What I don't get is that people believe they can alter the internet without leaving a trail.

It seems that the Swift Veteran controversy that spawned the Kranish affair is getting some legs. It was at least mentioned on Fox News Sunday and Meet the Press. Many are suggesting that Bush condemn the ads. (When will Kerry condemn Michael Moore and George Soros)? A detail is rising to the surface. Kerry made a statement on the Congressional Record that he spent Christmas on an illegal mission in Cambodia in 1968. Apparently, the Swifties are claiming that this is a baldfaced lie. See original report from Drudge. Meanwhile, the mainstream media is begining to take notice here and here.

Thursday, August 05, 2004
 
The Amish?

An interesting article appeared on the AP today. Aparently, the Bush campaign is courting the Amish as a voting block for the November election. It's actually an interesting read, pointing out that a majority of the nation's Amish live in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Absolutely best quote:

Stolztfus [the Amish man-on-the-street, or is that man-on-the-farm?] proudly says the Amish are "sort of swept up with Bush fever. You could hold up a dead mouse with a sign 'I love Bush' and we'd still probably think twice about stomping that mouse underfoot."
 
Vinny and the 'Boys?

In a highly strange move, the Dallas Cowboys have cut last year's starting quarterback Quincy Carter thereby making erstwhile New York Jet QB Vinny Testaverde the starter going into camp. Rumours are swirling, the primary one being that Carter failed a drug test. Already on drug monitoring, Carter still might have not faced a serious penalty in the NFL's "three strike" policy. While Carter himself made light of the drug rumours, there remains the possibility that he failed a team test after having undergone a stint in rehab.

This staggering turn of events leaves Dallas in a difficult situation. Their starter in camp is now Vinny Testaverde. While Dew Henson is behind Testaverde and is considered a highly regarded prospect, he has never played in the NFL.

Just one thing. New York Jets fans, including Base10, love Vinny (mostly). And of course we wish him well. But there is no way I'm rooting for that team!
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
 
Geek Tidbit

Given all of Base10's gushing about Cassini, readers should note the launch early this morning of the Messenger probe to Mercury. Messenger will do a flyby of Venus, a flyby of Earth and then enter orbit around Mercury in 2011. Can't wait!

 
Sports Shorts

This past Friday, the New York Mets announced a blockbuster trade. In a three-way trade, they received two starting pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano and gave up 3B Ty Wiggington, their best leftie pitching prospect LFP Scott Kazmir in addition to prospect RHP Jose Diaz. That night, the Mets began a three-game series at their archrival, the Atlanta Braves, even slotting Benson into the rotation for Saturday's game. The Mets had been foundering a little after the All-Star break. They were hovering around the .500 mark but were still in the hunt for the NL East. This kind of trade sends a message to the players: "We think you can win now! We're going to give you the tools to do it. Now go out there, play ball and show us what you're made of!"

Unfortunately, the Mets players showed us exactly what they were made of and were promptly swept by the Braves putting them nine games back.

Now don't get Base10 wrong, there is plenty of baseball left to play. But if history is any predictor, the Mets will fold up until it doesn't matter any more and then go on a streak when all the pressure is off. Time will tell. As for Base10, if the Mets want him to be a consistent viewer, they'll have to win some.

Roger Clemens was ejected from a youth softball game because he disputed a call made against his ten year-old son Kacy. What kind of message does this send? Some would argue that sports figures shouldn't be accorded role-model status from their young fans, but this is Clemens' son! Roger Clemens the pitcher will surely go to Cooperstown. But there is something that Yankees fans knew before he came to work in the Bronx and something that Mets fans have known all along: Roger Clemens the man is a jerk.

With the likely sunset of the Mets, Base10's attention naturally turns to football, and the preseason is here! Training camps have started and now football fans are treated to a steady stream of trivial information: what WR caught a couple of passes, what RB fumbled, what CB made an interception, who the coach is particularly fond of that week, and most important, who is the come-from-nowhere, feel-good, Wayne Chrebet-like success story in camp. Stay tuned. Base10 actually enjoys the preseason since it gives the fantasy football owner a chance to see the rookies and lesser known veterans in action. Base10 will comment more on this as the preseason progresses but reminds readers that the Hall of Fame Game is this coming Monday!

Monday, August 02, 2004
 
Where is the Book Deal?

Base10 has just realized that he has hit the big two-oh-oh in posts to his blog. Hurrah, let the balloons fall (but no cursing like the Democrats if they don't fall all at once). As of this writing Base10 has had 2,502 page views. Certainly not as wide an audience as possible, but hey, we can only write and hope for results.

Base10 does have some readers. (He can't be the only one responsible for all the hits). At the two hundred mark, Base10 would like to take this opportunity to thank his readers and encourage all to send more email and submit comments.

Sunday, August 01, 2004
 
Shoutfest Aftermath
or
What Bounce?

Base10 didn't get much involved in the weekly shoutfest this weekend, having had his fill with the DNC. However, he did catch Kerry-Edwards on Fox News Sunday (is this an attempt to capture the Fox demographic?) and was not very impressed. When Chris Wallace (who is a very good interviewer in Base10's opinion) tried to pin down the candidates on what they would do differently on Iraq, the answers were quite unsatisfactory. Something like this:


Q: "Senator, you have said that you would do things diferently in Iraq, but have given little detail, other than saying you would involve our allies more. How would your plan differ from the President's?"

A: "Well the first thing I would do is involve our allies. And I don't mean just by involving our allies, I mean that we have to really involve our allies. This
administration has cut out our allies. I would negotiate with our allies to get NATO and Europe more involved."

Edwards interupting: "It's not just a promise about our allies--if I may--we want to get our allies involved in forgiving Iraq's debts, get our allies involved in reconstruction contracts and of course to get our allies involved in Iraq."

Q: "But Senator, NATO, largely blocked by France, has already given President Bush the cold shoulder regarding even the training of Iraqi security forces."

A: "But we need a new start. Negotiate with our allies. That's what I would do. This administration has not done enough to involve America's allies."

Q: "But specifics, Senator. What if the Shi'ites decide to form a theocracy? What if the Kurds decide to form their own state? Do you have any specific plans about Iraq?"

A: "I'm not going to negotiate with our allies here on TV. We need a fresh start."



(Base10 is trying to be facetious, but you know what? As he reads this over, it's probably not so far from the transcript, and I'm not the only one to notice this theme).

And then there is the elusive "bounce." What happened? The first post-DNC polls from Newsweek have Kerry at 49 to Bush's 42. That's barely different considering the 3% margin of error and--how shall we say it delicately--Newsweek's leanings. It would be no surprise if it returns to a dead heat when some more polls come out. Other news sources have seen the "bounce" as pretty mixed. For example, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll puts Bush ahead 50 to 46. In the meantime, the Democrats have apparently forgotten that George W. Bush is quite a good campaigner.



 
Police News Roundup

Base10 has been getting away from police news roundup lately and concentrating more on national political and tech news. Base10 has found that trying to do it every day is too time consuming to do right, but would like to keep it up as a weekly survey of juicy issues. Like these:

ABC News reports that federal authorities have received credible evidence that al Qaeda is planning to strike New York City in the next few months possibly using suicide truck bombs and possibly targetting financial institutions and/or international organizations. The frightening thing about this item is the reported capture of a Pakistani woman trying to sneak over the Mexican border with $7000 in cash, a fraudulent passport and an airline ticket to New York.

It is satisfying to know that the Police Department can catch bombers that are on the payroll. Former Police Officer Joseph Rodriguez was arraigned on charges that he set an explosive device off in the Times Square subway station two weeks ago. Rodriguez who was involunarily retired from the NYPD for psychiatric reasons, was purportedly warning people away from a backpack when it exploded causing Rodriguez minor injuries.

Meanwhile in labor talks, the unions are obviously adopting some new tactics. This week, a group of officers descended on City Hall demanding to have a meeting with the mayor to discuss the current contract situation. It is good that the unions are adopting some media friendly, in-your-face tactics like this--they always seem to work for the Teachers Union. The mayor of course declined to talk saying that labor policy should not be set in this manner. Maybe so, but labor policy should not be set by arbitrary pattern bargaining, either. Also, an unsigned letter was found circulating in the precincts suggesting that members call in sick during the Republican National Convention. While the PBA has denied any involvement in making this "blue flu" contagious, this clearly has to have RNC planners thinking. Perhaps the most disingenuous thing said in this mater was spoken by Police Commissioner Kelly, "We'll have more-than-adequate resources in place for the convention. Our cops are the best in the world. They're doing a great job, and I expect them to live up to their oath of office."

That's a nice thought. Maybe that's why 36 members, including supervisors and those assigned to good details, just resigned to join the Nassau County Police Department and why 1650 unarmed recruits assigned to the Police Academy will be used for security around Madison Square Garden. Commissioner, it is time for you to step up and tell the mayor that the labor situation must change!

While terrorism and labor may be a concern, New Yorkers also have to watch out for wild life(and Base10 is not talking about the club scene). Yesterday afternoon, a Bengal tiger escaped from a circus in Forest Park, Queens and wandered around parts of Glendale, ultimately causing a car accident on the Interboro Parkway. The tiger was eventually captured unharmed and no major injuries were sustained by any humans. Base10 was actually walking by the Park with Mrs. Base10 during the early afternoon, but is happy to report that neither of us were eaten.

The city has decided not to appeal a ruling by a State Human Rights Commissioner allowing two Sikh Traffic Agents to wear their turbans while on duty. This ruling is unprecedented in the United States (but apparantly is allowed in some parts of Canada). Shame on those making this recommendation in the Law Department and the NYPD Legal Bureau.

On Friday, the NYPD promoted 150 members to various ranks. Congratulations!

And finally, in the "Hey, that's a lot of clams!" department, two men were charged in Florida for stealing $41,000 worth of clams from a clam farm (is that the right word?) in Cedar Key, Florida. The men have apparently not made any statements, their lips being sealed tighter that the hindquarters of the bivalves that they filched.


Powered by Blogger