Written by: Beck

And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for
don't ask me I don't give a damn, next stop is Viet Nam.
And it's five, six, seven, open up the pearly gates
ain't no time to wonder why, whoopee we're all gonna die.

What's that spell?!

Written by: Beck

When bacon wrapped hot dogs become illegal, America ceases to be a country I can recognize any longer.

Bacon. Wrapped. Hot. Dogs. You should win an award for selling that. Not jail time.

Written by: Beck

The biggest argument in favor of red light cameras is that they increase safety. Opponents always argue that there won't be an appreciable increase in safety, and that the cameras are all about revenue generation. It turns out they were both wrong. Red light cameras actually lead do a decrease in safety, with increased accidents in areas that have installed them. From the research abstract:

Running a red light can cause severe traffic crashes especially when one vehicle runs into the side of another. Red light cameras photograph violators who are sent traffic tickets by mail. Intuitively, cameras appear to be a good idea. However, comprehensive studies conclude cameras actually increase crashes and injuries, providing a safety argument not to install them.

Written by: Beck

Say hello to the future of health care!

Written by: Beck

Insane:

The Archbishop of Canterbury says the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK "seems unavoidable".

Dr Rowan Williams told Radio 4's World at One that the UK has to "face up to the fact" that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system.

Dr Williams argues that adopting parts of Islamic Sharia law would help maintain social cohesion.

For example, Muslims could choose to have marital disputes or financial matters dealt with in a Sharia court.

He says Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

Sane:

Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister "believes that British laws should be based on British values".

The Tories called the archbishop's remarks "unhelpful" and the Lib Dems said all must abide by the rule of law.

Written by: Beck

Remember, only criminals need to fear the consequences of systemic destruction of privacy rights. But just to be on the safe side, be sure to enjoy the hell out of whatever it is you're doing right now. You know, just in case.

Written by: Beck

Headline: Obama backer accuses Bill Clinton of suppressing vote

Beck: I love it when the Democrats eat their own.

Written by: Beck

The Democratic Party nominee for the White House will win the presidential election this year.

I'm more confident of that outcome than I am of whose going to win the Democratic nomination in the first place (probably Hillary, but she could screw it up at any point). The war is doing well, and the economy looks sketchy. This year reminds me so much of 1992--a year with a mild recession which was already over by the time Bubba actually took office--that I'm contemplating buying tickets to Lollapalooza.

My prediction could come unmade if the security situation in Iraq severely worsens or if there's another major terrorist attack on American soil. Otherwise, say hello to Americas next major military embarrassment as we cut and run in Iraq, giving a much needed propaganda victory to our enemies.

Or maybe I'm just feeling pessimistic because Fred Thompson just dropped out of the race.

Written by: Beck

Having stumbled upon a random article on CNN.com about presidential candidates and the hispanic vote, I discovered this lovely little nugget:

Hillary Clinton got off to a rocky start. While chatting with Hispanic voters in a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, she stretched for an analogy to explain how all Americans are connected and their problems interconnected despite the fact that "we treat them as though one is guacamole and one is chips."

Could someone explain to me what this is actually supposed to mean? And this woman wants to be president? I've had pets that were able to express themselves more clearly.

Written by: Beck

Now that entire countries have begun banning smoking, it's only a matter of time before it becomes completely illegal. In the mean time, enjoy this story out of Germany of what happens when the justifications of the health fascists are used against them:

The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.

[...]

"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."

I'm sure it won't be long before someone brings legal action against Mr. Thomas, but until then, I salute him for standing up for his right to hire and fire whomever he chooses, on whatever grounds he likes.

Written by: Beck

I am so sick of hearing about change. It would not be possible for the current crop of presidential candidates to use the word "change" more frequently while still forming complete, grammatically correct sentences.

At Hillary Clinton's victory speech last night (or perhaps it was Obama's concession speech, I don't precisely recall, and it doesn't precisely matter), the audience actually began chanting "Change!" at one point. I thought that was a fitting image for a Democratic Party rally: an audience full of people who give off the same vibe as the corner homeless man begging for loose money. "Got any spare change buddy?"

I would like to hear, just once, someone point out the obvious: that people don't want change so much as they want someone who is not named George Bush. Then there's Obama who takes it to the next level: change AND hope. Hope is not a political platform. It is not a plan. Know what hope is? An expression of wishful thinking, i.e. the embodiment, in one word, of the majority of modern Democratic Party principles.

Written by: Beck

First, read this article.

Second, read this article.

Third, connect the dots.

Finally, this post, coincidentally, is the 1500th post to INCITE. Hard to believe there was once actually such a high level of activity at this site.

Written by: Beck

John McCain: Sounded the most like a Washington insider. Also interestingly manages to criticize Bush for the Iraq war while being the most aggressively pro-war among candidates.

Rudy Giuliani: Sounded the most like someone I'd like to have a drink with.

Sam Brownback: Sounded the most like someone who's running for Vice President.

Duncan Hunter: Sounded the most like someone that no one outside of Kansas has ever heard of.

Mike Huckabee: Sounded the most Mike Huckabeeish.

Ron Paul: Sounded the most like a big 'L' Libertarian. I'd love it if this guy could run American domestic policy, but I'd sooner let Hillary run our foreign policy than Paul.

Fred Thompson: Sounded the most like someone who isn't ready for Prime Time. When asked for specifics on Social Security he spent a minute rambling then named one specific. After having earlier said that devaluation of the dollar is a major problem, was unable to give a good answer to the question, "Why is devaluation of the dollar a problem?" It seemed like the best part of his preparation was the part that involved thinking up snappy one-liners, of which he had several. Overall a disappointment, but I don't think anyone was actually watching apart from me, so no biggie.

Mitt Romney: Sounded the most presidential. I don't like Romney. I think he's one of the most liberal candidates in this field. But he is the one who gives off a major presidential vibe. Considering that Americans are more inclined to vote for physical appearance than policy platform, I think Romney is the man to beat: tall, nice dark hair, powerful confident speaking style. I think I'm starting to understand how he, a Republican, could win the governorship of Massachusetts.

Written by: Beck

Mourn America. And never forget.

Written by: Beck

Rudy Giuliani, discussing tax policy:

"I’ve seen how pro-growth policies lead to broader prosperity. We'll not only keep the current tax cuts in place or their equivalent, we'll enact additional tax relief and give the Death Tax the death penalty. High tax rates hurt business and destroy jobs. I know that tax cuts are good for the economy. It's not just theory for me because I cut taxes and got results as Mayor of New York City. As President, I will cut taxes further."

My fear is that it's just a matter of shoring up the support of fiscal conservatives in the right wing and not genuine sentiment.