Archive for the ‘internet/free speech’ Category

Good news from the war front:

Posted: February 16, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, war
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Looks like a big fish has been landed:

The Taliban’s top military commander was captured several days ago in Karachi, Pakistan, in a secret joint operation by Pakistani and American intelligence forces, according to American government officials.

The administration is allowed to take credit here and we should not hesitate to approve when they either do something right or get out of the way to let our agencies do it. The war is an American problem not a republican or democratic problem.

Then again when the first words out of the mouth of some is this:

Apparently Baradar has been in custody since last week and is being interrogated by both the Paks and us. (This is why the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group exists.) The ultimate point of fighting the Taliban is to compel them to give up fighting and accept some version of a post-Taliban order in Afghanistan. Torturing Baradar — which the Pakistanis have been known to do — is counterproductive to that effort. If we treat the guy respectfully, in a demonstrated way, it might spur a reconsideration of Taliban goals. I am not counting any chickens, but any hope of a game-changing possibility will be foreclosed upon if we or our allies torture Baradar. Let’s be smart — and true to Obama’s stated principles/executive order. If there was any doubt whatsoever, the Abdulmutallab case proved we don’t need to torture to get good intelligence. emphasis mine

What is he a baby seal? Shall we just make up signs that say “Save the Terrorists?” When the very first words out of some people’s mouths are this nonsense you wonder what world they live in.

Some people just shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Quick FYI concerning the Planned Parenthood interviews…

Posted: February 16, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff
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…in case you are wondering how they come about here is what I do:

I show up at the protest with my wife’s camera.

I ask people if they are willing to talk.

If they say “yes” film them asking whatever questions come to my head.

I upload them to my son’s youtube account and post then.

That’s it, no editing, no setup questions etc, it’s my opinion that people speaking their mind is much more interesting than canned answers. I learn more in one minute talking to any of the people I posted than in asking Governor Romney direct questions.

Planned parenthood: Meet Brandy Jackson

Posted: February 15, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, local stuff, opinion/news
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Two days ago I posted Joan speaking on planned parenthood and the targeting of minorities.

Yesterday I posted Jeff Mercie on the subject.

I’m sure that produced a laugh or two. It’s something out of South Park, a “token”. You’ve put up a lot of video in the last week and that has been the only non-white face we’ve seen. It’s tokenism. It’s not as if you have black people in Fitchburg driving by, seeing the protesters and wanting to join in or something…

These pictures (and a few more that I haven’t put up yet) are from Friday’s protest, I didn’t attend or see Saturday, I’m told the attendance was strong (20+) from people who attended but I didn’t see it myself.

A little perspective people

Posted: February 15, 2010 by datechguy in baseball, internet/free speech, opinion/news
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There has been a bit of a fuss about Eric Erickson and his decision to keep out birthers and truthers from Red State.

I have already given my opinion on both subjects, but in terms of Red State here are my thoughts:

1. Everybody has a right to their opinion

2. Everybody has the right to try to propagate that opinion as best they can.

3. That doesn’t include a right to post at RedState.

Just over 16 months ago I signed up for a free blog at wordpress and began blogging here. How successful that blogging has been was dramatically illustrated recently. There is nothing to stop anyone with internet access from starting their own blog and making their case to a world wide audience. If your arguments are skillful then others who agree will link and eventually notice will be given outside your circle.

But to expect Erickson to give you a platform against his will? Sounds a lot like an entitlement to me, not very conservative.

If your argument is good it can stand up under fire, otherwise you are like the kid in the old Ty Cobb story.

You don’t know the story? It’s from the 1985 edition of the Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract (p.113) and goes like this:

A small town pitcher 6′ 4″ says he can strike out Cobb on three pitches anytime and writes Cobb’s manager saying it only will cost him $1.80 train fare to find out. Jennings sends the cash and after warming up then send out Cobb. As James tells the story:

Cobb hit his first pitch against the right field wall. His second pitch went over the right field wall. The third pitch went over the center field wall. Cobb was thinking they ought to keep this guy around to help him get in a grove.

“Well,” said Jennings. “What have you got to say?”

The pitcher stared in hard at the batter’s box. “You know,” he said, “I don’t believe that’s Ty Cobb in there.”

For suggesting reading I would name Eject Eject Eject’s famous post on conspiracy theories: Seeing the unseen. Give it a read, think about it and then make your choice as you will and remember this, there is no shame in being wrong, everyone is wrong about some things.

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