Behold my latest little graphic. I just get so irked when I see those stupid blue backgrounds with the insipid phrase repeated on them. Because -- you know, saying a lie a million times makes it true, but saying it and having it appear behind you a million times too -- well, that's sure to convince people.

Da World

The US now lends support for Israeli growth in West Bank settlements. A shocking turn of events!

The new American statements this week reflected "a covert policy decision toward accepting natural growth" of some settlements, despite repeated past statements, according to [an administration official].

Pfff. The Bush administration's support for Israel is about as covert as David Blaine.

Iraqi civilians killed in Iraq clashes? Aljazeera must be lying again -- I haven't heard anything about this in the US press! (That's sarcasm, for those who can't tell.)

Bush is trying to score points for his education "reform". But for some reason, certain educators disagree that Bush deserves the credit for improving schools.

J.B. Buxton, a former education adviser to Democratic North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, said that while the state welcomes the federal money, state and local officials "would be amazed to hear the president taking credit for their progress." . . .

Last week, an interest group, funded in part by the nation's largest teachers' union, launched $2.5 million worth of new commercials assailing Bush's education reform law. Communities for Quality Education's 30-second ads claim the 2001 law is shortchanging the nation's schools by wasting money on bureaucracy, leaving classrooms overcrowded with fewer teachers and out-of-date books and materials.

Those teachers! What the heck to they know about education? They ought to just clam up and let the business folk do their job of making the schools better!

Now here's some property destruction I can support wholeheartedly. You know, because it's an accident. (wink)

That UN -- always warning us about impending wars. When was the last time Hutus and Tutsis ever clashed with each other?

Movies

Speaking of evil deeds -- Diane and I last night watched One Day in September, a documentary about the 1972 hostage-taking/murder of eleven Israeli athletes at the Olympic games. Timely in light of the sports in Athens, and a mostly well-done movie. (Some of the music placement is weird.)

The film is remarkable for many reasons, but the most intriguing for me is the interview with the last surviving Palestinian terrorist, who speaks publicly for the first time about their deeds. I wish they had gone into some more background on his life (we don't hear about any family members he probably lost; the only real explanation we get of his anger is the bleak future he felt while living in a refugee camp), but it's pretty well-rounded overall.

On a less bloodsoaked note, there's a new movie coming out called One Happy Movie. It looks kinda intriguing, but not as good as 1992's fantastic Where Are We? Make sure you check out the clip from Las Vegas.

Other

Minnie Driver sings! Hey, she ain't too bad. She's no Margaret Fiedler, but still..

Uhhhh... Umm, uhh. Nope, can't do it. I just can't think of anything to say about it.

TimeWaster™

Invisibility is frustrating and stupid. Enjoy!

Today I'm listening to: Laika!