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People who live alone are twice as likely to suffer serious heart disease as those who live with a partner, according to research published on Thursday. Yahoo News

I got Natalie, and she's got me. One more reason to be happy about that.

ABC's President of Advertising Sales, said this week that he would love to have the opportunity to shut down the "fast forward" button on users' DVRs. Though he did not claim that commercial-skipping TiVo owners were thieves, Shaw is clearly unhappy with how easy it is to skip his network's ads. Shutting down the fast forward feature on DVR isn't an easy proposition, though; ABC would require support from DVR makers, who could build their devices to recognize the presence of a broadcast flag. The flag would tell the DVR whether fast forwarding should be allowed during any particular show. But what DVR maker would want to do this? Shaw told MediaDailyNews that he "would love it if the MSOs [cable companies], during the deployment of the new DVRs they're putting out there, would disable the fast-forward [button]." It doesn't require a great leap of imagination to suspect that ABC is in such talks with cable companies right now. ears technical

ABC is barking up the wrong tree. As always, they just don't get it. Make your shows better. Make the ads something people want to watch. No, we want to take the ability for people to fast forward past the crap away because we can't make things people want to watch. We are incapable of actually entertaining folks.
I do not have a DVR. I'm so glad I don't watch TV anymore.

However depressing, I --like most in the pro-victory camp-- take comfort in the quiet wisdom of political sages like Victor Davis Hanson:     For all the pro da of al Jazeera, the wounded pride of the Arab Street, or the vitriol of the Western Left, years from now the truth will remain that our soldiers did not come to plunder or colonize, but were willing to die for others’ freedom when few others would. Neither Michael Moore nor Noam Chomsky can change that, because it is not opinion, but truth — something that the Greeks rightly defined as “not forgetting” or “something that cannot be forgotten ” (alêtheia). So here's to "not forgetting," and continuing the mission. July 12, 2006 04:09 PM    The Long War OP-FOR

I don't normally quote quotes, but this one was worth it. Go to the site and look at the poignant and powerful political cartoon.

The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah has said two captured Israeli soldiers will only be returned through talks and a prisoner exchange. Hassan Nasrallah said if Israel wanted to escalate the crisis his forces were ready for confrontation. Israel launched an assault in southern Lebanon using planes, tanks and gunboats following the capture. ... UN Secretary General Kofi Annan both condemned Israel's Lebanon offensive and called for the soldiers' release. ... Hezbollah and the Lebanese Government have brought this assault upon themselves Daniel Schay, Edenvale, South Africa BBC

The shit is hitting the fan in the Middle East. Israel has been attacked from within (Gaza Strip) and without (Lebanon) by the group I'm calling the CTS (collective terrorist army). Israel is striking back hard. They have called in the reserves and have put their air force on high alert.

	There are indications of close cooperation between Hamas, which triggered the current crisis by kidnapping an Israeli soldier a week ago, and Hezbollah, which executed the most recent outrage. Perhaps a "full-blown confrontation" with both Hezbollah and Hamas is the only course now open to Israel. This is the pass to which years of "peace" talks and "peace" agreements have brought the Israeli people. Power Line
	War may have broken out in the Middle East, as Israel's patience has perhaps been stretched to the breaking point. Hamas and Hezbollah are begging for war, and they may get their wish. If it happens, no one will be betting on them. Power Line

I"m getting to the point where I think a knock down drag out fight is needed between these four. It is not a fair fight because Israel is against six or eight factions. If it is going to happen it had better happen before Iran gets nuclear weaponry on line. I believe Israel, with the backing of the U. S. could destroy the primary strength of the entire reason. This would not solve the problem. There will still be a billion people on the Earth who hate the Jews.
I'm not one who thinks every one in the world is supposed to like me or my way of life. They had better leave me the fuck alone and not try to kill me or push my people into the sea. People complain all the time the Western culture "invades" or "pushes out" their culture. Well, when you won't let people express a grievance or show their face in public as in burkas, you are asking for folks to tell you to take a hike.