U.S. Humanitarian Aid is "stingy"

The devastation wrought by the tsunami in Southeast Asia is horrible. At last count, the death toll is over 22,500, and expected to rise significantly, possibly even double. The United States has, so far, pledged $15 million towards the relief effort, and this is only the first step, according to Secretary of State Powell. Apparently, the United Nations thinks that is not enough. U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland (Norwegian-born) said the following: "It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really. Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become." He went on to say that there would be more available if taxes were raised.

I want to be sure that I understand this properly. The United States, and other Western nations, should raise taxes so that there would be more to give the UN in terms of humanitarian aid. Aren't these the same people who have been running the Oil-For-Food program in Iraq for the past decade? How much of that money has gone into the pockets of Kofi Annan's son, Jacques Chirac, Germany, et al? Billions? Why not just have them make a donation to the relief effort? Maybe the UN just wants more money so that they can have an even better sex party than the UN seems to have anywhere else it goes.

The US is a very generous nation. I'm certain that many charitable organizations will step up and make contributions, both in terms of dollars and labor. We always have. Germany has pledged $1 million so far. The United States pledged 15 times that amount, but we're stingy.

These comments sound to me like another cash grab attempt by the UN at the expense of a natural disaster. What a disgusting organization.

Christmas Presents - Why?

Reading the title, you may think this is my most cynical posting to date. Just bear with me.

I think we can all agree that one of the enduring icons of Christmas is Santa Claus. Who goes to see him in the malls? Children. Who write letters to him addressed to the North Pole? Children. To whom does Santa Claus bring gifts? Children. I have always thought that Christmas gifts are for children. That being said, why do adults give presents to each other for the same occasion on the 25th of December? Because it's tradition? Because it's nice? Because we love to give? Does anyone stop to think what this does to the other person? Let's look at it.

Someone buys you a Christmas present. Any normal person receiving the gift then feels obligated to reciprocate, in one way or another. If you truly don't, then you are indeed a very selfish individual. By virtue of receiving a gift, you now feel that you have to get something for the other person. In this example, this is the reaction you get if you know in advance that someone has purchased a present for you. If you know that someone is getting something for you, and you do not have something for them at the time of the exchange, you look like a greedy person, and the person giving the gift is also disappointed. What's that you say? You just like to give, as what can be described as a "selfless act"? Sorry. There's no such thing. Every act you do is done for selfish reasons. How? Simple. You do it, thinking you're being selfless, and getting nothing in return. However you are getting a sense of self-satisfaction, knowing you made someone "happy". THAT is why you do it. There's nothing wrong with helping others, or charity, particularly if that is your reward. But I'm talking about Christmas presents.

By the way, you know that gift you gave someone because you like to give? You forgot the other thing that goes along with your gift - shame. You've made that person who you gave a gift to, who doesn't have one in return for you, feel about 3 inches tall. You illicit a very disappointed feeling in the other person because they didn't get you anything. How does it feel to just "give" now?

Why is it only at Christmas, and birthdays, that you buy gifts? Why not give a gift on the 23rd of February? Or the 7th of August? Ah. Because it's Christmas. Well, there's nothing better than to celebrate the birth of our Lord by spending $40 on a coffee maker. Let's face it. We celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus by giving baubles that could just as easily be bought by the other person if they so choose. I would like to think that the true meaning of the holiday isn't lost. I'm afraid that every year, the true meaning is more and more lost. Christmas is about the hopes and ideals within all of us to strive to make the best of our world. Celebrating it should mean being with family and loved ones, not buying objects.

Professor Terrorist

Here's a good one. Hamilton College, a small liberal arts school in Upstate New York, has a new professor in Susan Rosenberg. Her class is a one-month course entitled "Resistance Memoirs: Writing, Identity, and Change.” Why is this worth noting? Well, because she was a convicted left wing terrorist. She was serving a 58-year sentence for the possession of more than 700 pounds of explosives and a stockpile of illicit weapons. To this day, she still considers herself to be a communist revolutionary who advocates collective violence. Nice lady. In her 16th year in prison, she was granted clemency by none other than President William Jefferson Blythe Clinton, on his last day in office, no less. Thank you, Mr. Clinton, for freeing her. I'm sure the families of the police officers killed by her group are happier now for her release.

For more details on this story, please go to:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=16081

Detroit Pistons and WDFN

All right. I just turned off a Pistons home game where they got bombed at home. Again. The Atlanta Hawks, who were 3-13 coming in, manhandled the World Champs on their own home court. This is not the first time this season where they were shellacked at home. Does anyone remember the actual GAME that was played the night the Indianapolis Pacers-Detroit Pistons turned their contest into a typical bar night for Mike Tyson? Oh yeah, the Pacers won by 15. Why are the Pistons losing games and losing ugly? The reason that gets tossed around is injuries. Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, and Carlos Delfino have all missed time. Also, Ben Wallace missed 6 games for his part in the BasketBrawl. But, if we follow the WDFN philosophy concerning the Lions, injuries are a part of the game, don't count, and if the Lions lose, they are just awful. Actually, even when they do manage to win a game, they are still awful. After all, the Lions always have injury problems, and can not seem to overcome them. And thus, WDFN savages them for it. But, seeing as they are the home station for the Pistons, will they rip the Pistons? Doubtful. Sounds like a double standard to me. The Pistons, overall this season, have not looked good for any sustained stretch. Sure, there's been spurts (the win in Dallas was good) but it doesn't mean much when you follow it up with a debacle like they did against the Hawks. If you're going to use the slogan "Not bought and paid for by the home team" be sure to actually show it.

News Bits

There are a few news items over the last couple of weeks that did not get a lot of attention that I thought needed to be mentioned. Nothing too special, but they did pique my interest:

• Locusts swarms in North Africa/Canary Islands Anyone seen the pictures of the sea of red from these insects? While an infestation is frightening with the loss of vegetation and all that, the pictures were pretty cool.
• Godzilla gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Why did it take Hollywood so long to honor one of the finest actors working? For a one-line actor, he sure wasn't forgettable. What about the son of Godzilla? Where's his due?
• France unilaterally invades the Ivory Coast Don't you just love the hypocrisy of the French? For all of the grief at the UN Security Council regarding unilateral action....Oh, France wants to retort? "Our invasion is completely different by.....AH! WE SURRENDER!!"
• Dan Rather talks to Edward Murrow CBS newscaster claims that he speaks with the ghost of Edward Murrow in the halls of CBS. Apparently, Dan's lost it more than we ever suspected. He should hang out with Hillary Clinton. After all, while she was First Lady, she claimed she talked with the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Life on Mars? Scientists are making sure that any probes, rocks, etc. that come back from Mars are clean of any microbes, germs, etc. so that they don't accidentally bring something foreign back to Earth. Well, aren't microbes and germs a form of life?
• Teen couple in Florida are arrested after reporting to police that the pot they were planning to sell was stolen. Drug dealing teenage morons. You gotta love the youth of America!
• Texas is playing in the Rose Bowl instead of Cal A caller on the Dan Patrick Show on the radio said that it's George Bush's fault that Texas is going instead of Cal since he's from Texas. This line is so good (and so idiotic) I wish I had thought of it myself.
• Canada's transport minister reports that over 1,000 uniforms and security badges have been stolen this year from 89 airports across Canada. Some of the articles have ended up for sale on Ebay, while others are still missing. Is it just me, or aren't these the types of items terrorists would need to get on board airplanes? Nice job, Canada.

Detroit Sports Figure

When you think prominent Detroit sports figures, who is number 1? Steve Yzerman? Barry Sanders? Ben Wallace? Maybe Mike Illitch. No. The number 1 sports figure here in Detroit doesn't own a team, manage a team, or even play a sport. I speak, of course, of David Hall of Rock Financial. Outside of Detroit, you may ask yourself 'Who?' David Hall runs a mortgage loan business that is very successful here.

However, in terms of Detroit sports, he is EVERYWHERE! His company gives away tickets to any event here on practically every radio station, and his company sponsors the Detroit Pistons. Excuse me, they are no longer the Detroit Pistons. I meant Rock Financial presents The Detroit Pistons. During broadcasts, both in radio and TV, Rock Financial is mentioned at every possible juncture. They show him on TV whenever he's at games. He has time on morning shows. I was listening to S&L in the morning on 1270 AM today, and he was a guest. A guest! On a SPORTS talk show! And during this time, he's pimping whatever new loan program Rock Financial is currently offering, as well as giving his opinion on whatever sports topic was being discussed. Last year before the NBA playoffs started, Chauncey Billups was doing the morning show rounds, talking to them about the playoffs. And he was accompanied by David Hall!! Why??? The CEO (or whatever his title with Rock Financial is) was along to also talk about the Pistons. Who cares what he thinks? It's great that he's a sports fan, but he had no business doing that, other than his company is a corporate sponsor. What's next? Rock Financial presents the PGA Tour? "These guys scores may be low, but if your credit score is low, call Rock Financial. We can help. David Hall. What do you think about Tiger Woods' chances at this tournament?"

You know what all of this reminds me of? That scene in 'Wayne's World' when Wayne interviews Noah Vanderhoff, simply because Noah's Arcade sponsors Wayne's World. I wish someone would put on the screen 'Sphincter Boy' the next time he's on the screen. His firm may be awesome at mortgages, but please, PLEASE, keep him away from sports!!!