Rioters Attack U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

So the Serbs just have to go and prove what asshats they are once more. And they wonder why Kosovo wanted to break away from them and why the U.S. and other nations supported the move. These morons don’t even know how to protest properly if they’re trying to get international opinion on their side.

I’m sure the vast majority of Serbians protested peacefully, but the simple fact that no move was made to stop the rioters (both at the Embassy and the border posts) to me indicates at least tacit approval of such behavior by the citizens and government of Serbia.

St. Patrick’s Day Conundrum

St. Patrick’s Day causing Catholic dilemma I’m not Catholic but I am of Irish descent (from my father’s side) so I don’t see the problem with allowing the more secular activities associated with St. Patrick’s Day like parades and celebrations of Irish culture to proceed as normal alongside the religious rites involved with Holy Week. I can’t see how they are mutually exclusive to one another if a devout Catholic chooses to place religious rites over that of the revelries or vice versa.

Times and Space

The Times We Live In 

I have to wonder at the purpose of the New York Times’ article For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk. Of course the McCain camp countered this article quickly. Is this simply partisan politics by more journalists who believe they have every right to manipulate the political landscape of the United States or simple bad journalism lacking ethics and integrity. After reading the article, I would say that it is a combination of both. All the article has is implication and inference and no evidence. Even then what little innuendo is given, I am instantly suspicious of any journalist endeavor that relies on “anonymous” sources. Add to this the likelihood a story like this would have made great political hay in Arizona during McCain’s previous and assorted political campaigns make me further question the validity of the claims.

I also found it somewhat baffling to bring up the whole Keating Affair once again. Those of us in Arizona at the time of the scandal are all quite well aware, perhaps better than most, of what was involved in the whole saving and loan collapse. Mr. McCain satisfactorily explained, accepted his censure, and used the incident to put himself back on track to integrity and honesty instead of the path of greed and pandering earning himself continual re-election as an Arizona Senator since then.

Mostly I feel sorry for Ms. Iseman being used by the press in a poor attempt at campaign smear and highlights the continued degradation of journalistic quality and integrity in the United States.

Satellite of Not-so-much Love 

Satellite Shot Down It appears the shoot down of a disabled spy satellite has been successful. Of course China and other opposed to the eliminating the potential threat the satellite presented (both environmentally and to US security interests) are continuing their whining despite China doing a similar shoot down not long ago with a weather satellite. The implication by Chinese officials that the U.S. would keep tracks of the debris secret is also ludicrous given the variety of organizations dedicated to observing, tracking, and issuing warnings of space debris threats. Sure there are some things that must be kept secret for obvious reasons, but I highly doubt now useless debris is one of them.

I found amusing the attempt at oneupmanship at the China Daily Website that posted an article on the new Shenzhou airlock module and spacesuit just above an article about the shoot down and Chinese concerns of weapons tests. Yes, we all know the U.S. and China are in a slow burning space race at this time, but this was kind of pathetic and obvious.

Mine, Mine, Mine! Or not.

Kosovo is Ours Um, no. It is not. Getting dressed up in uniforms and causing mayhem only prove to many that the Kosovars were correct in deciding to become independent of Serbia, despite their being the cradle of Serbian history and culture. It’s too reminiscent of the early days in Serbia before the launch of the most recent Balkan War. Even Serbia’s current president, while obviously opposing the move, has shown much greater restraint and awareness than his fellow Serbs over the situation perhaps realizing common sense and respect towards Kosovo are more likely to lead to any reconciliation (however unlikely at this time) than not.