Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Friday, December 14, 2007

Poll finds rift between minorities

"The nation's three largest minority groups — African Americans, Hispanics and Asians — view one another with deep suspicion..."

So. Who should I start calling racist?

Being Chinese myself, I can safely say, from the experience I had with those of my race, the Chinese are the most racist people I've interacted with. The thing is, they're just very good at hiding it--knowing when to speak about it and when to pretend to be courteous and polite.

I actually distrust Chinese people (older generations) the most because I know how two-faced they can be. It's all about "mianzi," literally "face," which is the concept of saving face. The depth to which they would go for it is the thing I hate most about the culture in general. Many times I've seen my elders talk nicely about a person to their face only to say bad things afterwards. Lying, back-stabbing, gossiping, it's all fine as long as it doesn't effect your reputation. This isn't, by far, an exclusive fault to the Chinese. It's just that this is the culture where I've witness it happen with regularity (well, no duh).

Race I trust the most? Same as is mentioned in the article: whites. This actually might be some kind of side-effect of all that one-sided racism as whites become hyper cautious in dealing with minorities. It's kind of sad and definitely unfair. A jerk is a jerk no matter what race, and being a minority does not make one entitled to a all purpose race-card.

Ah, for calling my own race a bunch of hypocrites, am I a racist? But wait, all my friends are Chinese!

A Dad's Christmas Gift

Over at Hot Air, video of a Christmas gift that made both my eyes and nose run. So touching, a very Merry Christmas indeed for those girls.

Hot Air Video: The best Christmas gift ever

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Boys, 11 and 14, Charged With Sex Assault on Woman, 60

From FOXNews.

The whole thing is baffling in itself without this tidbit:
A 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were standing outside the victim's house serving as lookouts, Stanfield said, but they have not been charged because they did not break into the house.
Something tells me this was a horrible, horrible dare. Or even some sick revenge thing. But really, this deserves a "WTF" label--so much so, I'm creating one.

IMAO: lolterizt! Part 27


More lolterizt! fun.

IMAO: lolterizt! Part 27

Saturday, December 8, 2007

The List of Things That Offend Muslims

The Amboy Times: The List of Things That Offend Muslims

An ongoing list, I assure you.

We Christians also get offended at many stupid things, as is true for any group in general, but at least, to my knowledge, not to the depth that Muslims do.

Firsthand account of the Von Maur shooting

Exactly as the title says.

The authenticity is, of course, unproven yet, but who am I to second guess personal accounts at this moment. I am one of those supportive of the Second Amendment and would be right in line training to get a license if only I could afford it (or feel up to tackling California's strict gun laws).

Even if I won't be allow to carry it anywhere that mattered, having one in the house sounds good considering the attempted break-ins we had and the reports of theft in our neighborhood. We don't have a man in the house (sadly, the manliest one is probably me), except temporarily when my uncle is around, so there are security concerns.

I would definitely want to even the odds in the event that a home invader comes armed.

The Teddy Bear that Embarrassed Sudan

We need to hear more of this.

If rational, moral, moderate Muslims speak up more, things would be better. I've always believed that only Muslims who aren't truly serious about their faith are the good ones. My teachers were Muslim, my neighbors, and some of my friends. But they were mostly cultural Muslims on the same level as cultural Christians in the U.S. that go to church only twice a year (Christmas and Easter, mostly). These people are very nice, wonderful people who are okay with befriending and associating with kafirs on a daily basis. They don't have strong opinions about their faith nor the faith of others and don't listen to most fatwas.

If they were Christian, I would wonder about their salvation.

Thinking about it, it's probably what most people feel about other people with strong opinions or beliefs that differ from their own. Only, it seems, when regarding Islam, there's always a touch of self-preservation at hand.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Girl Shot 6 Times While Protecting Mother

Wow, truly an angel. Speaking of angels, one must have been looking over the daughter and mother that day.

Girl, 7, Shot 6 Times While Protecting Mother
Tillie, who was armed with a handgun, shot Parker in the side of the head and in the arm after Ford stopped for gas, but before he could fire a third shot, Goggins jumped over the seat between her mother and Tillie, begging him to stop, the Detroit News reported. Without hesitation, Tillie reportedly pumped six shots into the child.
It's amazing that no one died. God bless that child.

lolterizt! 25 and 26

Heh, missed posting 25 a bit back. Here's lolterizt! 25 and 26.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

I don't know why I do this to myself...

After reading through stupid in the last post, I had to go on and see stupid.

Oak Grove Tree-Sit Anniversary Protest (zombietime)

Don't these people don't have jobs? Friends and family? Who are sane? A raison d'etre that don't involve turning into juvenile monkeys? (Rhetorical questions, I know.)

I won't be the slightest bit surprised if they start flinging poo at spectators.


The 2nd Annual Worst Quotes From The Daily Kos (2007)

Over at Right Wing News, The 2nd Annual Worst Quotes From The Daily Kos (2007 Edition).

I would laugh for a while before despair overcomes me. My favorite would be #5 by slw0606 in which I wonder if he'll realize how stupidly paranoid he sounds by the time his BDS recedes (if ever... gah, the despair). Excerpted from the list:
5) "I have never in my 50 years of life been more frightened then I am now. I have seen the arrogance of this White House and the massive damage done to our country. But the Katrina-size storm clouds are gathering folks. If we do not wake up now and flood Congress to impeach the President and Vice President, one year from now, Daily Kos may be banned and Markos himself may be disappeared, in a federal prison somewhere.

....This is deadly serious folks. This is not just another diary. We ignore this threat at our own peril. I would suggest even I in writing articles like this and the many writers at Daily Kos are personally at risk of being arrested in a future dictatorial United States. The government will use these writings as an excuse to put us away.

....I say WAKE UP Daily Kos!! If the people at Daily Kos cannot take this seriously and try and do something about it, then the United States, as a free country IS doomed. Enjoy your freedom to read and write at such sites as Daily Kos, because that freedom will be taken away WHEN Bush declares martial law."

Sunday, December 2, 2007

When in Sudan...

Do as the Sudanese do, or get... jailed over a teddy bear?

Thousands of Islamic fanatics wielding knives demand jailed teddy bear teacher is executed

Not all cultures are created equal, especially ones without this little something better cultures like to call "common sense."

I am pretty surprised they didn't go threaten the kid who named the bear in the first place.

Update: Great news, the teacher is pardoned. I still find it awful that she had gotten jailed at all, as well as being practically kicked out of the country. However, it is most likely better for her to be back in UK where she would be (somewhat) safer.

Even after all she went through, she had the grace to be thankful and positive about her time in Sudan. While this says more about her character than it does Sudan, sometimes I wonder if it's really how she felt. I know that I wouldn't be so gracious, even if I would still be outwardly positive to avoid dragging the matter further. Although... is this a matter that shouldn't be so easily forgotten or ignored?