Almost done...

With the book previously mentioned. I don't think that it is going to win any literary awards, however, it has been worth the read. ( by this, i only mean that it is written as a narrative of the events of the authors life, and that there is much repitition in the story telling, and so it feels like you jump around in time alot-- not surprising for a man who is a Air Force General by trade and not an author.) It confirms what any thinking person would guess. That saddam had, used, and hid WMD's of chemical, biological natures, and that he was ardently persuing Nuclear weapons and would not have hesitated to use them had he gotten them. Also, that the commanders of the troops going in to baghdad were advised to handle things differently... in a way that the author believes would have not swelled the ranks of the insurgency. It was also revealed (to me, maybe everyone else knew this) that saddam was offered a way out by those looking to make peace. Saddam was offered the chance to take all the wealth, family and friends he wanted and be able to live comfortably in his choice of 3 different asian countries, and in exchange, he would have to leave Iraq. He never even answered the peace negotiators. When asked by an officer if war could be avoided with the US a second time, Saddam said "No, the price is too high." - A response not understood at the time it was asked. The "price" of course was his pride. There are reports that an even later offer by the UAE for asylum was offered and nearly accepted, but the war had already begun and it was too late.
So many people ask, Why Iraq? why not Sudan or North Korea? Well, I don't know what the dictators are like in these countries, but I do know that Saddam has instigated war with Iran, Invaded Kuwait, Fired Scuds on Israel (he wanted to strike Israel with chemical WMD's but we crippled him so quickly in 91 that he couldn't do it.) besides using WMDs on his own people.
People ask, Why didn't we find WMDs? Aparently, a natural disaster in syria shortly before the war allowed Saddam to fly comercial planes loaded with weapons and drive trucks supposed to have aid but laiden with chemical weapons into syria. The Baath party in syria agreeing to hold onto them until needed. The author is just as surprised that no one has spoken out about this yet. I suspect that the US administration wants tangible proof before playing their next hand.
As for me, I belive the testimony of these witnesses. If I am wrong, I have belived a liar. Time will hopefully tell.

Im going to start a club....

The Exclusive Univeralists. Our slogan: Universalists Only!
If that fails I will try to start a Hermit's Union. Our slogan: Hermits Unite!
Failing that, I will try and lay down some rules for my anarchist group meetings. If you can't follow our rules, you can't be an anarchist. Thats what my anarchist leader used to always say.


In real news, my back hurts like the dickens. Since friday i have had an inexplicable pain in my back. It used to hurt when I breathed deeply. Now most breathing and twisting actions cause little to no pain, however, it still feels like I am getting the business end of a bayonet in my back. Or perhaps getting shot in the back. Either way, I think it heightens my street cred and I will be producing multi-millions dollar rap albums in no time. Bling!

thanks alot basketball...

Well, I only need a few more teams to lose before my bracket is completly wrong.
What is standard proceedure here? Root for BC because they are ACC? maybe.

Update....

I bought that book that I mentioned 2 posts ago. It is, so far, amazing.

Licensed to Die.

Yesterday I successfully go my motorcycle learner's permit.
I'll leave you with a line from a song called "The Wizard needs food badly."
"I think a motorcycle's a good way to die."

Authority...

I, like most young adults, get about half of my news from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The rest I get from the internet, blogs, and flipping through the channels. Today I watched Jon Stewart interview a man who used to be an aid for Saddam Hussein. A personal advisor to Hussein. He worked for him for 15 years or so. He has written a book called 'Saddam's Secrets'. In the book, and on the show this man claimed that Saddam was, in fact, hiding weapons of mass destruction up until the US invasion of Iraq (the second one). He claims to have seen them before the invasion, and to have talked to the men who flew them into Syria. This man is also currently the Iraqi chief of security or something like that. He lives in Baghdad. He repeatedly made positive references to america's presence in Iraq. He said that not just he, but everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Saddam was finally arrested. That they knew the tyrany was over and they would have a chance at freedom. I mention this, why? As noted before, we accept the vast majority of the things we believe on authority. We shouldn't learn or believe very much if we didn't. At the very least, this guy has sparked my interest. I think I may check this book out.

Amazing!

Someone actually visited my store and bought my JJ reddick shirt! Someone I don't even know! Thats hillarious. Now, I only need about 1000 more people to do so.

As promised here are the beach pictures.

lets hear it for sunburn.

So This is approximatly the color of my sunburned skin. Yesterday I decided to go to the "beach" (by "beach" i mean Jordan Lake) and just chill out for the day. We spent about 5 hours there, and my dumba** doesn't apply sunscreen to anything but my face. Needless to say, I got a pretty good burn. I think I am glowing- and not in the good way. However, I did get a chance to fly my stunt-kite. I mean really fly it. I have tried to do so round here, but to no avail. But there is always a wind at the shore, and it was extra windy yesterday. Let me just say that that was SO much fun. If I ever doubted the fun had by kite flying, i doubt it no further. Of course, I never had a kite while young. We didn't have open spaces so much from where I come. Anyway, its hard to say if the kite flying was worth the burn. Probably so. So i get home and decided that I need to go into work having had a talk with my boss about my work habits earlier in the day. I shower and dress and it gets to be about 8pm or so... and I konk out. And I stay in bed until ~7:30am. Then I get to work at ~8:30 and work until ~7:30. I haven't put in a work day like that since I was taking classes. (don't tell my boss that). Anyway, other than the unquenchable burn, Im feeling pretty good. Check my flickr for pictures of the beach.
Peace.

a man of my word.

Well, it took me long enough, but I finally came through. Here is the long awaited, over-hyped, Monster Truck Video.

oh dear...

have you noticed how every post has a dot dot dot? I have. So my heels lost. Thanks alot for not cheering hard enough. Check the times. Its 2:47ish and I am still up. What is wrong with me? I am becoming a college student. The hunt for a motorcycle continues. I have tried to research stats on bike safety and I have decided that I will still be relatively safe. There is nothing I can do to avoid being hit by someone else's negligence. Those kinds of accidents will happen no matter what I drive. For the convenience, the fuel economy, and the awesomeness, a motorcycle seems to be the way to go. Anyway, You (collective) have about a month to convince me that a motorcycle would be an unwise investment. Or you can give me the thumbs up. anyway, I have to be up early for church so if you don't mind, I will be going to bed now.
Peace.

For thoes of you keeping track...

Dropping TWO spots to number 3
DUKE university. (boo hiss)

Gaining 5 more spots all the way to No. 10, The TAR HEELS my babies!

its official...

There's something about having the paper that make one sigh with relief. Maybe its just me. I don't know. But I was happy to get this in the mail last week. In fact, last week was one of the most blessed weeks of my remembrance. I gave a well recieved talk, I worked productively, I got a CD I had ordered, I got my diploma, I got to see UNC win twice, and Duke lose twice, I borrowed a drum set from a friend...and I suppose I could go on with a little more thought. The point is, God is good and to God be the glory.

Will you join me?

LETS GO TAR HEELS
(CLAP, CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!)

revenge...

So the title of this post is oh so meaningful. First i want to talk about yesterday. Yesterday, Friday, around noon, The students of Chapel hill gathered as they are wont to do near the "pit"- a so called sunken area of cement that is central to campus and directly in front of our beloved dining hall. At the same time a man in a rented SUV came to the pit and intentionally drove the Jeep into the pit where the throngs of students were. 9 people were struck, 6 seriously enough to be taken to the hospital. The man then drove off like nothing had happend.
This man happened to be muslim. Of Iranian decent as my sources claim. When the police asked him why he did it, he told them to go look at his apartment to find out why. The officers imediatley evacuated the building and though a muffled explosion was heard by witnesses, the police have publicly said that nothing too suspicious was found yet at his apartment. His apartment happens to be one street down from mine.
This was a psych major from UNC that had just graduated last year. What drove this man to commit this act I cannot say. He obviously was seeking revenge for something. How he could blame the random assortment of students who gathered in the pit this friday I can't say either. His act sparked in me a reaction- mentally I was so angry at this man. At muslims. At cowards who think they are noble for acting out some belief- no matter what the consequences. Then angry at relativists who justify what cowards like this man do because of how they view western culture. Who compare what this man does to some event in history as if to say, "well they were bad, so he can be bad too" or people who would never distinguish between justice and revenge.
Then Timothy came to my mind. I am recently studying through Paul's letter to Timothy and Paul says "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointinig me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and persecutor and a violent man. I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly along with the faith and Love that are in Christ Jesus."
It changed the way I thought. I felt pity for this man. Pity that he has been given lies as truth. I pray for God to continue to change my heart, and that he could call this man to repentance even as he has called me. I pray also for this man to recieve justice from men, and mercy from God.

Now on to pleasenter things. The Duke-UNC game is, of course, tonight and I am willing to bet a beverage of the winners choosing that the Heels will win. We will have REVENGE!... the good kind. And if we don't I might just run over JJ and Sheldon with the motorcycle I am going to buy...I'll check to see if I have any takers before tipoff.
Peace

Awww.....

Thats too bad about your losing to Florida State.
In other news...
Jumping 6 (or 8) spots to No. 15 (or 13) THE FREAKIN

TAR HEELS
my babies...