earlier today, forrest sent me a link to an article that said malnutrition among iraqi children had increased since the US-led coalition forces invaded in 2003, from around 4% to nearly 8%; so it sounds like it doubled. but let's see what another source has to say, shall we? according to the chicago media watch,The UNICEF-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2000 has shown that 30% of children under-five suffer from chronic malnutrition. Voices members have photos and slides taken on the December trip documenting children in hospitals and elementary schools.
last i checked, 8% was a lot lower than 30%. but maybe somebody changed the rules, or switched to the metric system or something while i wasn't looking.
h/t the rott
--update--
read this, including the comments. its fairly informative.
20050330
starving kids?
20050329
who knew?
apparently, canada had tanks at some point: between 1941 and 1944, they sent 1,400 to help russia fight the germans.
say goodbye to wet feet
my new shoes are finally here. they're replacing my old pair of danner boots, which lasted about 2 years. they finally got a crack in the sole, which meant that any time the ground was wet, my feet got soaked. which really sucked. but the new ones a) don't have a crack in the sole, and b) are lined with gore-tex, so they basically rule. that is all.
20050328
oooh, pretty...
just make sure you go to the bathroom first; it was so good, i almost peed my pants.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
if this is any indication of what the movie is going to be like, i completely forgive george lucas for episodes I and II.
--update--
i want one of these, too. so if you have an extra $1000 laying around and can't decide what to do with it, feel free to spend it on me.
20050327
the actual important thing today
happy Easter all. hope your weekend was as relaxing as mine. just rememeber what the holiday is really about.
(hint: it has nothing to do with chocolate, rabbits, or eggs. or ham, even.)
great song, crap lyrics
"hell bent" by kenna is a pretty sweet song, at least as far as sound goes. but then i looked at the lyrics, and half of them make no sense. i hate when that happens.
20050326
i'm bored, and i don't know html.
the people i was hanging out with earlier decided to go out drinking; and since i'm still not 21 (93 days left...), i'm stuck here at school. maybe i'll get some homework done, but probably not. anyways, here's a list of the blogs i read on at least a semi-regular basis; may they keep you more entertained than i am at this point.
in no particular order:
Wizbang
Powerline
The Rott
Rachel Lucas
Emily
Red
Protein Wisdom
Tongue Tied
MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
and, believe it or not, American Bodhisattva (good to keep an eye on the other side, eh forrest?)
enjoy. i'm gonna go do laundry or something.
20050325
unrelated topics
for things that look good for America, there's the news; for everything else, there's reuters. because of course, it couldn't all be good news, now could it?
in a totally unrelated note, i bring you the wonders of communism:
"The question of giult or innocence was to be predetermined by a preliminary inquiry, as a rule conducted by the police. In the same year [1934], a decree on 'counterrevolution and high treason' provided for collective family responsibility in cases of flight by military personnel abroad. Severe penalties were established for failing to inform the authorities about an act of treason, whether actually committed ore merely contemplated. A decree of April 7, 1935, extended capital punishment down to twelve-year-olds."
(source: Dziewanowski, M.K. Russia in the Twentieth Century, sixth edition. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2003. p. 186-187.)
20050324
20050323
i'm set
| President You scored 63 Patriotic, 32 Lazy, 48 Power Hungry, and 95 General Knowledge! |
Well, well, well. You've got what it takes to make a great leader, but you might want to tone down as far as trying to control everyone and everything around you. Stop and listen to your people and what they really want before making any important decisions. What sets your apart from every day Americans is that you are not lazy. You've got good knowledge of your country and you're ready to fight for it. Your pride and good leadership skills would make you a good political leader. |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Just How American Are You? Test written by g_nome on Ok Cupid |
no me gusta
perfect. just perfect. now that my computer is feeling better, i am not. i'm getting cold; that doesn't happen unless its really cold outside (usually takes near- or sub-freezing temperatures) or i'm sick. and the return to saga food definitely isn't agreeing with my bowels. i'll leave it at that.
looks like there's still some hope for europe
according to this article from the new york times (free registration required), the EU has given in to US pressure, and will continue its arms embargo against china. here's a few of the important bits for those of you who don't want to subscribe:
WASHINGTON, March 21 - Yielding to pressure from President Bush and threats of retaliation from Congress, the European Union has put off plans to lift its arms embargo on China this spring and may not press the issue until next year, American and European officials said Monday.
The officials said that in addition to American pressure, European nations have been shaken by the recent adoption of legislation by the Chinese National People's Congress authorizing the use of force to stop Taiwan from seceding. The Chinese action, they said, jolted France and undercut its moves to end the embargo before June.
................................
European officials say the European Union will not back off its commitment, made last December and pressed by President Jacques Chirac of France, to lift the embargo at some point, but that doing so now would not be worth jeopardizing relations with the United States. [emphasis mine]
looks like maybe we're not the ones who need to be worried about improving relations with our neighbors across the atlantic, eh?
20050322
the quizzes are back
darn you for getting me started again, emily.
| Paladin You scored 85 Holy, 57 Tactful, 47 Natural, and 45 Arcane! |
Hahah... I once heard you described as a paragon of chivalry and virtue, but just because you fight (hard) for a God doesn't mean you're virtuous in society's eyes. Especially because in this world as you could just as easily be an anti-paladin, so don't let it get to your head. That warning aside, you are pretty awesome... you are a knight in the Templar style. You are almost always found riding around on a glistening (or nightmarish, your choice) horse, with impeccibly shined armor sparkling in the ray of sunshine that God makes sure never leaves your side, with your sword making neatly coreographed swishing motions, and caught amongst a cloud of blood and bits of non-believers that splatters everything 10 yards around you save your armor and your achingly-white-toothed fanatic smile. Is there any creature of God more dangerous than the single-minded paladin riding around, smiting everything it sees?.... Thank God (most of) you are on our side. No, literally. |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Which D & D Class am I Test written by effataigus on Ok Cupid |
| The Harlequin You scored 44% Cardinal, 38% Monk, 29% Lady, and 48% Knight! |
You are a mystery, a jack-of-all-trades. You have the king's ear, but also listen to murmurings of the common folk. You believe in the value of force and also literature. Truly you are the puzzlement of the age. |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test written by KnightlyKnave on Ok Cupid |
| Comfy & Conservative You spent $800000, and $450000 of it is certainly equitable. |
Your savings account is strong since you have left a considerable amount of your money unspent, which is good should any problems arise with your new purchases. You can also use the savings to invest if you so choose. |
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My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The If I Had a Million Dollars Test written by Renegade_Master on Ok Cupid |
not sure about this one, but sounds good to me:
| Ares Gods! You scored 32! |
You are most like Ares, the god of war and conflict! Often portayed as a warrior, Ares was impressed with his own stegnth and skills. His throne on Mount Olympus was covered in human skins. Big, tough and brawny. Today he'd probably be a jock who likes to show off. Hey, that's you! |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The What Greek God Are You Test written by mellyelf on Ok Cupid |
i love this show! too bad its been so long since i've watched most of it. and i've only seen one episode of season 8, so it was all guesses on those questions.
| Lt. Colonel Congratulations! You scored 72! |
Some say you would have a unhealthy obsession with the show, but you don't care. Get some civilians together and share your love of the show. |
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My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Ultimate Stargate Test written by joram on Ok Cupid |
i'm just a really good guesser. i swear.
| Great Gamer GM says drop 2d10, aanndd... you roll 57% ! |
Not too bad- not too bad at all. You're not exactly a first generation gamer, and you probably have other hobbies besides rolling dice and slaughtering orcs, but you've managed to collect enough knowledge to impress even the most experienced gamer. Pull out a few more nights for gaming and spend some more time with the obscure books, soon you're well on your way to becomming the Ultimate Gamer. |
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My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Real Gamers use Dice Test written by luminasita on Ok Cupid |
this will be updated periodically. last time i tried to put a bunch in, there was an html error somewhere that i couldn't figure out, and i lost all of it. it kinda sucked.
--update--
knowledge is apparently more than just power...
| Vocabulary Vixen! Congratulations! You got 17 correct answers! |
You sexy thing! You probably own a book or two. You can communicate in complete thoughts and your knuckles don't drag while walking down the street. Now promise me you will use your word power for good not for evil. |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The BIG WORDS ARE SEXY Test written by MissMariah on Ok Cupid |
another great show...
| Yakko You are 21% sweet, 68% intelligent, 9% raging, and 51% looney! |
You are Yakko! The eldest and brightest of the Warner trio, you're responsible for the care of your younger sibs, but also for wreaking mayhem and havoc whenever possible! |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Which Animaniac are you? Test written by AuroraStarlite on Ok Cupid |
bwahahahahaha!!!
| High Emperor Enjoy your life as a....110!!! |
Your Medeival responsibility is to be a high lord of civilization. You have cruel tendencies, but generally tend to know what is best for others. That is because the masses are stupid, selfish pieces of shit who don't really know anything about... well, anything! So when you take power, PLEASE revoke the people's right to vote! |
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My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Medival Career Guide Test written by alexium on Ok Cupid |
