Just a few stories your PYY team (of one) is currently following:
Merkel Stands Firm Against Terrorists from Der Spiegel.
This is the first test of her leadership against those those that seek to use blackmail as a tactic. How she responds to it will set the tone for the rest of her tenure. But, you can look for the left in Germany to exploit her hard stand for political gain.
Western White Woman Was Suicide Bomber by the Times Online.
Dumb broad, yes. But is this something to look forward to, both here and abroad? (No pun intended) (Well, maybe a little)
Pelosi Embraces Murtha's Proposal from the AP, via My Way.
Here is the text of her remarks if you have the stomach for it.
What could I possibly say about this that hasn't already been said?
Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Joe Biden, and a whole host of others have flip-flopped all the way and now is no different. They know that the left is the driving force in their party and they have to say anything negative to remain in favor with the Michael Moores, George Soroses, and others (that have hijacked the Democratic Party) that contribute huge sums of money.
The Party of FDR and JFK has become the party of Deaniacs.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Indianapolis Colts are 11-0. Is This The Team?
Note - Taking a break from the madness for just a moment.
Whenever a team gets this far in an NFL season, has won eleven straight, and has done it in such a versatile fashion; the 72 Dolphins start getting mentioned with more and more frequency and they get a little nervous in the process. They get more requests for interviews and get more opportunities to re-live the one thing that was so phenomenal in professional football. I say it was so phenomenal, because I have only seen it happen once in my lifetime. And, it was something that I thought would never happen again, especially when the regular season schedule was increased to 16 games.
But after seeing the Colts dispose of some quality opponents in quality fashion, it has become apparent that this team has become, the team to beat this year. They are the "king of the hill" right now and every team that plays them from now until they lose (IF they lose), will be gunning for them like it's a championship game. Losing teams would love nothing more than to say they were (the) one team that beat the Colts this year and would certainly use it as a motivating tool for next season; winning teams would want to send a message to them (and the rest of the league), as a psychological ploy to intimidate the opposition for when the playoffs get underway.
It is often said and has many times been proven in the past that having an outstanding, high-powered defense with an efficient offense (one that makes the plays they need to, when they need to, nothing flashy) wins Super Bowls. But the Colts have an outstanding, high-powered offense with an efficient defense (one that bends but does not break, gives up yards but not points). All players are stepping up in games and playing extremely well as a functional team unit, on both sides of the ball.
But it is the offense that makes this team so special. They have so many viable weapons.
In the early days of football and right up until the 1980s, football was primarily a running game. Teams set up the pass with the running game, after the run was well-established. If a team started doing a lot of passing, it was usually because they were behind and desperate. But since Bill Walsh revolutionized the game with the advent of the short pass as a game plan (to take the place of multiple running plays), football has been more of a balanced attack. And, every now and then, there comes a quarterback that has intelligence, a solid understanding of NFL defenses, as well as the talent, to make big passing plays and set the run up with the pass, when the game plan calls for it.
That guy today, is Peyton Manning. He is the nucleus, the leader, but he has a star-studded ensemble surrounding him and taking a lot pressure off of him. Without him, it's just another team that will probably get to the playoffs and get ousted in the first or second round. But without them, he is just another Archie Manning. He is a great quarterback that is damned good (and fun to watch), but one who watches the playoffs on television because he has no real talent, to play with. In essence, he would be his father.
But lucky for Colts fans, he has a stellar supporting cast.
Let's look at the running game. Edge is the real deal. He has speed and power. And he has plenty of both. He squares his shoulders up when he runs and keeps his legs moving until the whistle blows. Often he is good for 3-4 extra yards after he is hit. Behind him on the bench is the return specialist Dominick Rhodes and fullback James Mungro. When Edge is taking a breather after some intense action, either guy can come in for a couple of plays and make plays, when they need them. Backup running back is by committee.
As for the passing game, we all know about Manning. But who are his receivers? Marvin Harrison we all know and those of us that are into the NFL with any serious interest know Reggie Wayne, too. But Manning has tight end Dallas Clark, who can act as a good receiver or block like a good tight end. Brandon Stokley is another receiver that can certainly get open, especially when the opposing secondary doubles on Wayne and/or Harrison. Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead are more than adequate third and fourth stringers at receiver, and this kid Bryan Fletcher has caught a couple of TD passes, as a back-up to Clark at tight end. The receiving corps is the deepest in the league.
Field goals are almost always a given with Vanderjagt and punter Hunter Smith is averaging 43.7 yards per punt, this year. Their only weakness is on kickoffs.
Defense is much improved this year. The addition of defensive tackle Corey Simon has made it damned near impossible to run up the middle and defensive end Dwight Freeney is relentless, as can be his counterpart, Robert Mathis. Both can sack the quarterback and both can stop the run. The secondary is a team effort that can create havoc to anyone's passing game, except Carson Palmer's. (Cincinnati will be another team like the Colts, when they mature.)
So, if you ask me whether I think this team has the ability to run the table, I'd have to say yes. It's always hard to say whether a team will or won't, but they certainly have the stuff to do it. They are in control of their own destiny, at this point in the season. They have a couple of tough ones yet to play, San Diego and Seattle. But, SD is inconsistent and Seattle hasn't had a tough enough schedule, to impress me just yet. And Jacksonville, the one team that I picked to beat the Colts in two weeks (in Jacksonville), has just been dealt a huge blow, with the injury of quarterback Brian Leftwich (who is the guts of that team). That leaves Tennessee and Arizona. Neither of those two has nearly enough horses to handle the Colts, unless the Colts play their reserves, for 60 minutes.
And so, the drama is on. The 72 Dolphins are begininng to sweat it (and rightfully so). But there is a lot of football left and this is the NFL; where any team can beat any team, on any given day. That much you can count on.
Whenever a team gets this far in an NFL season, has won eleven straight, and has done it in such a versatile fashion; the 72 Dolphins start getting mentioned with more and more frequency and they get a little nervous in the process. They get more requests for interviews and get more opportunities to re-live the one thing that was so phenomenal in professional football. I say it was so phenomenal, because I have only seen it happen once in my lifetime. And, it was something that I thought would never happen again, especially when the regular season schedule was increased to 16 games.
But after seeing the Colts dispose of some quality opponents in quality fashion, it has become apparent that this team has become, the team to beat this year. They are the "king of the hill" right now and every team that plays them from now until they lose (IF they lose), will be gunning for them like it's a championship game. Losing teams would love nothing more than to say they were (the) one team that beat the Colts this year and would certainly use it as a motivating tool for next season; winning teams would want to send a message to them (and the rest of the league), as a psychological ploy to intimidate the opposition for when the playoffs get underway.
It is often said and has many times been proven in the past that having an outstanding, high-powered defense with an efficient offense (one that makes the plays they need to, when they need to, nothing flashy) wins Super Bowls. But the Colts have an outstanding, high-powered offense with an efficient defense (one that bends but does not break, gives up yards but not points). All players are stepping up in games and playing extremely well as a functional team unit, on both sides of the ball.
But it is the offense that makes this team so special. They have so many viable weapons.
In the early days of football and right up until the 1980s, football was primarily a running game. Teams set up the pass with the running game, after the run was well-established. If a team started doing a lot of passing, it was usually because they were behind and desperate. But since Bill Walsh revolutionized the game with the advent of the short pass as a game plan (to take the place of multiple running plays), football has been more of a balanced attack. And, every now and then, there comes a quarterback that has intelligence, a solid understanding of NFL defenses, as well as the talent, to make big passing plays and set the run up with the pass, when the game plan calls for it.
That guy today, is Peyton Manning. He is the nucleus, the leader, but he has a star-studded ensemble surrounding him and taking a lot pressure off of him. Without him, it's just another team that will probably get to the playoffs and get ousted in the first or second round. But without them, he is just another Archie Manning. He is a great quarterback that is damned good (and fun to watch), but one who watches the playoffs on television because he has no real talent, to play with. In essence, he would be his father.
But lucky for Colts fans, he has a stellar supporting cast.
Let's look at the running game. Edge is the real deal. He has speed and power. And he has plenty of both. He squares his shoulders up when he runs and keeps his legs moving until the whistle blows. Often he is good for 3-4 extra yards after he is hit. Behind him on the bench is the return specialist Dominick Rhodes and fullback James Mungro. When Edge is taking a breather after some intense action, either guy can come in for a couple of plays and make plays, when they need them. Backup running back is by committee.
As for the passing game, we all know about Manning. But who are his receivers? Marvin Harrison we all know and those of us that are into the NFL with any serious interest know Reggie Wayne, too. But Manning has tight end Dallas Clark, who can act as a good receiver or block like a good tight end. Brandon Stokley is another receiver that can certainly get open, especially when the opposing secondary doubles on Wayne and/or Harrison. Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead are more than adequate third and fourth stringers at receiver, and this kid Bryan Fletcher has caught a couple of TD passes, as a back-up to Clark at tight end. The receiving corps is the deepest in the league.
Field goals are almost always a given with Vanderjagt and punter Hunter Smith is averaging 43.7 yards per punt, this year. Their only weakness is on kickoffs.
Defense is much improved this year. The addition of defensive tackle Corey Simon has made it damned near impossible to run up the middle and defensive end Dwight Freeney is relentless, as can be his counterpart, Robert Mathis. Both can sack the quarterback and both can stop the run. The secondary is a team effort that can create havoc to anyone's passing game, except Carson Palmer's. (Cincinnati will be another team like the Colts, when they mature.)
So, if you ask me whether I think this team has the ability to run the table, I'd have to say yes. It's always hard to say whether a team will or won't, but they certainly have the stuff to do it. They are in control of their own destiny, at this point in the season. They have a couple of tough ones yet to play, San Diego and Seattle. But, SD is inconsistent and Seattle hasn't had a tough enough schedule, to impress me just yet. And Jacksonville, the one team that I picked to beat the Colts in two weeks (in Jacksonville), has just been dealt a huge blow, with the injury of quarterback Brian Leftwich (who is the guts of that team). That leaves Tennessee and Arizona. Neither of those two has nearly enough horses to handle the Colts, unless the Colts play their reserves, for 60 minutes.
And so, the drama is on. The 72 Dolphins are begininng to sweat it (and rightfully so). But there is a lot of football left and this is the NFL; where any team can beat any team, on any given day. That much you can count on.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Kosovo Clamors For Independence
From the IHT comes this piece by an Albanian from Kosovo that believes, the autnomous region of Kosovo should be an independent and sovereign state. Ethnic Albanians now make their own rules and Serbs make theirs. Serbs, while still a minority, still make up a large segment of the population.
I have mixed feelings about this idea. It creates a delicate situation for a lot of reasons.
One prominent reason is, it is a conflict that is located squarely on the border, of both the Christian and Islamic worlds. It, like other areas of the world that have a border with a state that is run by Muslims or a significant amount of Muslims living within their border (in large blocs), has not been a particularly peaceful area to live in. Ask Thailand, there is an area that Muslims want to yank out from under those that practice the Buddhist faith. Almost the entire peninsula is Muslim. Rebels are fighting to carve it off into a Muslim-state and they are using terrorist tactics to do it. You can also ask Myanmar and the Phillipines, they suffer a similar plight.
Now comes this renewed call for Kosovo independence. Now comes more trouble in a region that had to be bombed to get one side to stop exterminating the other, in order to force them out. We, the United States of America (at the request of Europe), stopped it. But it did not solve the problems that will always plague a region, when there is a significant Muslim population that is restless and longs to implement some form of Islamic law, claiming the land as forever Muslim.
The questions now become:
Will this become another powder keg region, again? Will it re-emerge as a war torn region? If the Serbs stand firm on this and refuse to allow Kosovo to become an independent and sovereign state, will the jihadists take their causes back to the Balkans and fight for Muslim sovereignty, against Christians? Will Europe step up and solve their own issues, this time around? Or, will the U.S. once again be summoned to intervene, because Europe is weak and has sizable Muslim populations of its own to worry about?
If we allow them to do this again, they gain advantages over the U.S. in two areas.
One is, it helps keep the U.S. from strengthening and depletes its resources. They are afraid of us for some reason ( at least that I have never been able to figure out). Europe did not want to contribute to the cause of Iraqi freedom for lots of reasons, this was one of them. They knew that this conflict, along with Afghanistan, would further stretch our forces and cause us to spend military dollars doing it. Add to that another potential conflict to take the place of Iraq and Afghanistan, once we get out of them, and you can continue to force us to commit miltary force, with all of its costs attached.
The other area they gain the advantage if we do the dirty work is, they come out smelling like roses, while we look more like the bad guys. We do the work and we look like the imperialists, diverting anger towards us and not continental Europe, where more riots could break out at any given moment, over the least little thing.
This time around, it would better serve the people of these areas, if Europe would be more involved. Somewhere at sometime, somebody besides the U.S. is going to have to take a stand. At some point in time, the U.S. is going to have to stop fighting Europe's battles for them and force them to take responsibility for themselves.
As we watch the developments in this area closely over the coming months, it can reasonably be argued that now is that time.
I have mixed feelings about this idea. It creates a delicate situation for a lot of reasons.
One prominent reason is, it is a conflict that is located squarely on the border, of both the Christian and Islamic worlds. It, like other areas of the world that have a border with a state that is run by Muslims or a significant amount of Muslims living within their border (in large blocs), has not been a particularly peaceful area to live in. Ask Thailand, there is an area that Muslims want to yank out from under those that practice the Buddhist faith. Almost the entire peninsula is Muslim. Rebels are fighting to carve it off into a Muslim-state and they are using terrorist tactics to do it. You can also ask Myanmar and the Phillipines, they suffer a similar plight.
Now comes this renewed call for Kosovo independence. Now comes more trouble in a region that had to be bombed to get one side to stop exterminating the other, in order to force them out. We, the United States of America (at the request of Europe), stopped it. But it did not solve the problems that will always plague a region, when there is a significant Muslim population that is restless and longs to implement some form of Islamic law, claiming the land as forever Muslim.
The questions now become:
Will this become another powder keg region, again? Will it re-emerge as a war torn region? If the Serbs stand firm on this and refuse to allow Kosovo to become an independent and sovereign state, will the jihadists take their causes back to the Balkans and fight for Muslim sovereignty, against Christians? Will Europe step up and solve their own issues, this time around? Or, will the U.S. once again be summoned to intervene, because Europe is weak and has sizable Muslim populations of its own to worry about?
If we allow them to do this again, they gain advantages over the U.S. in two areas.
One is, it helps keep the U.S. from strengthening and depletes its resources. They are afraid of us for some reason ( at least that I have never been able to figure out). Europe did not want to contribute to the cause of Iraqi freedom for lots of reasons, this was one of them. They knew that this conflict, along with Afghanistan, would further stretch our forces and cause us to spend military dollars doing it. Add to that another potential conflict to take the place of Iraq and Afghanistan, once we get out of them, and you can continue to force us to commit miltary force, with all of its costs attached.
The other area they gain the advantage if we do the dirty work is, they come out smelling like roses, while we look more like the bad guys. We do the work and we look like the imperialists, diverting anger towards us and not continental Europe, where more riots could break out at any given moment, over the least little thing.
This time around, it would better serve the people of these areas, if Europe would be more involved. Somewhere at sometime, somebody besides the U.S. is going to have to take a stand. At some point in time, the U.S. is going to have to stop fighting Europe's battles for them and force them to take responsibility for themselves.
As we watch the developments in this area closely over the coming months, it can reasonably be argued that now is that time.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Former Saddam Officers Joining Iraqi Army
From the World Tribune comes this piece on the recent recruitment offer extended towards former officers that served under Saddam.
If you ask me, other than the top level of the upper echelon of officers, they should have kept the vast majority of them. This is one area I must be critical of the Administration. They dropped the ball on this one.
BAGHDAD — Officers who served in Saddam Hussein's military forces have been flocking to join the Iraq Army.
U.S. officials said that over the last month, thousands of Saddam officers have applied to join the Iraq Army. They said after a screening most of the applicants were accepted.
If you ask me, other than the top level of the upper echelon of officers, they should have kept the vast majority of them. This is one area I must be critical of the Administration. They dropped the ball on this one.
What A Difference A Party Makes
The link to One Marine's Words by Mona Charen was sent to me by Mustang of Social Sense. If you're reading PYY, you need to read him.
Here is an excerpt, worthy of some intelligent reflection:
Now, let's look at this a little.
It was okay with Europe (and other world leftists) when we bombed the hell out of the Balkans. Innocent people were killed then, too. They even bombed the Chinese consulate (or something) by mistake and got a free pass. And, agree with that action or not, the objective was to stop the ethnic cleansing of Muslims, by Christians. (You'd think the jihadists and their leftist allies would remember that. But they don't.)
But the clincher is, Europe and the left begged for the U.S. to do something. They were powerless (as they often are) to solve the issue through diplomacy. Milosevic (sp?) wasn't bargaining, negotiations were failing, and Europe was clamoring for intervention. We did it, with very few protests and those that did occur were minimized by the MSM, if reported at all.
Today, they are on the opposite side of the spectrum. They work like hell to subvert every noble cause and effort. Which makes you wonder that if Clinton had been the one to go into Iraq, would the Cindy Sheehans even exist?
Here is an excerpt, worthy of some intelligent reflection:
I do know that since Vietnam, liberals have viewed every exercise of American military power (with the exception of those undertaken by Bill Clinton) as preludes to disaster.
Now, let's look at this a little.
It was okay with Europe (and other world leftists) when we bombed the hell out of the Balkans. Innocent people were killed then, too. They even bombed the Chinese consulate (or something) by mistake and got a free pass. And, agree with that action or not, the objective was to stop the ethnic cleansing of Muslims, by Christians. (You'd think the jihadists and their leftist allies would remember that. But they don't.)
But the clincher is, Europe and the left begged for the U.S. to do something. They were powerless (as they often are) to solve the issue through diplomacy. Milosevic (sp?) wasn't bargaining, negotiations were failing, and Europe was clamoring for intervention. We did it, with very few protests and those that did occur were minimized by the MSM, if reported at all.
Today, they are on the opposite side of the spectrum. They work like hell to subvert every noble cause and effort. Which makes you wonder that if Clinton had been the one to go into Iraq, would the Cindy Sheehans even exist?
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving
I want to take a moment to wish everyone that reads Political Yen/Yang a happy and safe Thanksgiving. And please know that I appreciate your support and your comments, immensely.
We won't be having a huge crowd this year, just my wife, my mother-in-law, and myself. Some years we have put on a big spread and others not. I have spent Thanksgivings in messhalls, in Europe, in Hawaii, in restaurants, at home, and at others' homes. I have spent them with people I like and with those I don't. I have spent them alone.
But no matter what the circumstances have been, in any given year, I have ALWAYS had reason to be thankful. And this year is no different.
(I will really be thankful if Dallas can beat Denver, because I never have been a Bronco fan.)
ADDENDUM: I have gone on a speed blogging binge so if you are a lazy scroller, be sure to scroll down and check out the links I posted, last evening. Some are pretty darned funny.
We won't be having a huge crowd this year, just my wife, my mother-in-law, and myself. Some years we have put on a big spread and others not. I have spent Thanksgivings in messhalls, in Europe, in Hawaii, in restaurants, at home, and at others' homes. I have spent them with people I like and with those I don't. I have spent them alone.
But no matter what the circumstances have been, in any given year, I have ALWAYS had reason to be thankful. And this year is no different.
(I will really be thankful if Dallas can beat Denver, because I never have been a Bronco fan.)
ADDENDUM: I have gone on a speed blogging binge so if you are a lazy scroller, be sure to scroll down and check out the links I posted, last evening. Some are pretty darned funny.
China Said To Be Moving Closer To U.S. And E.U. On Iran Nuke Situation
From the San Diego Union-Tribune and the AP comes this story.
They need to be concerned. China has long buried their heads in the sand about Iran and the Islamic jihad movement, in general. They think that just because they adhere to an isolationist foreign policy, they are immuned to being targeted.
But even though this sounds a bit promising, I will not be holding my breath on this one, just yet.
VIENNA, Austria – Washington and its European allies, in a diplomatic coup, are gradually enlisting Chinese support on how to deal with Iran and its suspicious nuclear activities, U.S. and European officials said Wednesday.
Beijing's backing before a key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday adds additional clout to an ambitious international Iran strategy that has recently seen Russia join the Americans and Europeans in pressuring Iran to give up technology that could make nuclear arms.
They need to be concerned. China has long buried their heads in the sand about Iran and the Islamic jihad movement, in general. They think that just because they adhere to an isolationist foreign policy, they are immuned to being targeted.
But even though this sounds a bit promising, I will not be holding my breath on this one, just yet.
UN Blames Hezbollah For Recent Skirmishes
From the UPI comes this story.
Look out!
We are at DEFCON: Deep Concern.
That's still a long way from DEFCON: Outrage.
Translation: Hezbollah is wrong (sort of). We are sorry. But we are powerless to do anything, because we are irrelevent and the world knows it. Not that we would want to do something, mind you.
Just once wouldn't you love to see the U.N. go to DEFCON: Condemnation or DEFCON: Sanctions, just to see what it's like?
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council has expressed deep concern about hostilities along the Blue Line between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon earlier in the week.
Look out!
We are at DEFCON: Deep Concern.
That's still a long way from DEFCON: Outrage.
In unusual specificity Wednesday, it said the Monday clashes "were initiated by Hezbollah from the Lebanese side, and which quickly spread along the entire Blue Line," and said it regretted the casualties on both sides.
Translation: Hezbollah is wrong (sort of). We are sorry. But we are powerless to do anything, because we are irrelevent and the world knows it. Not that we would want to do something, mind you.
Just once wouldn't you love to see the U.N. go to DEFCON: Condemnation or DEFCON: Sanctions, just to see what it's like?
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
The Real Reason Dems Are Playing "The Withdrawal Timetable" Card
AICS at The Logic Lifeline has the reason at his site. But I am not going to tell you, you have to go read it for yourself.
A Nickie Goomba Flashback
Nickie Goomba had a post a while back that is still pertinent today and everytime I think about it, I burst out laughing. Even if you have already read it, it will at least make you smile.
Check it out.
Check it out.
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