buffycat

Nice catch. Poor Norman, he has really been flogged about lately and what happened here is certainly an academic nightmare wrt freedom of expression. I beleive Walt and Mearscheimer have also been cancelled in Chicago. There has been many appearances of those who question the Lobby that have been cancelled or denied (not to mention when one goes to hear some of these brave folks speak it is disgraceful what those oppossed do at these lectures - I've seen it myself). I also recall the fiasco on CBC Sunday wrt Norman (it was truly sickening).

Setting aside the wiki quote - the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia has been mentioned here before. It's something which has been discussed and I agree with you to the point of 'why don't we see more protests at the SA embassy?'. Good question - perhaps because the Saudis are the Bushies friends? Perhaps because SA is on 'our' side? Truly, I'm not sure. I would also like to add that the whole arguement that we go into countries to 'free' their women, or using the treatment of women as a justification of invade a soveriegn state is simply put: Hogwash. As the light hand wrt SA certainly shows us. Let's face it - these wars in the ME have Nothing to do with womens' rights and an awful lot to do with securing resources from their rightful owners. Keep in mind that it is not even 100 years since women got the vote in Canada. During the time of the suffraget movement there were many a man who found the whole idea distasteful - in fact I imagine there are still men in the West who question whether it was a good idea. Come to think of it, perhaps if 'western' interests had not been messing with various ME states for the past 70 years, installing brutal puppet regimes, we would already have seen a move towards more egalitarian and secular societies there (remember Mossadeq). There are also many women's rights groups who DO complain about SA.

Washing or rinsing rice is usually done to remove excess starch, which causes the rice to be sticky and clumpled. Parboiling is done with steam while the rice is still in the husk. Since steam, by definition, is at least 100C in temp I think one could consider this step as 'washing'. If you are concerned about your rice may I suggest buying a nice Basmati from India? Or a lovely jasmine rice. Easy to cook and wonderful to taste. There is also the earthy full flavoured Native Rice available here - it's expensive - but if you mix some of the wild rice with say a basmati or brown rice the result is quite delicious. Sadly, so much of our commercial rice is becoming GM... But that's a whole other topic. WRT products from China, I think one should try to differentiate between products which are mass produced and those which really to benefit the artisans and makers. For instance there is a shop here in town who sells mostly furniture and folk art from China. On the wall near the door they have pics of all the villages and people they deal with, complete with interesting stories about the origins of the piece, who made it and a little about their families and lives. I find this shop to be a wonderful combination of business and social conscience - for the villagers they retain their lifestyle (ie are not forced to work as near slaves in sweatshops, and for the consumer one can buy some really beautiful hand made pieces - a win win. Mugs and cheap toys are a totally different story though.

LOL! Thanks Margrace - I literally laughed out loud at that! When hasn't this dude not been 'sick'? IMO he is the best argument why anyone shouldn't drink and do coke. It brings on early dementia. Best not even to listen to him - reading what he says is bad enough. Of course if he really is 'sick' I imagine the media whores would spin it for all the sympathy it would be worth. (In my books none).

Indeed, I imagine you have seen this? White House Manual for Dealing with Protestors It's the same up here - as recent events have shown.

While amusing, who really cares HOW he says it. The concern should be whether he will use them - nookular weapons. After living with Chretien so long how can we talk? (Note this is in no way whatsoever meant to defending Bush - at all. Personally my skin crawls the minute I hear is drawling snide and arrogant sounding voice... but that's another issue)

LOL! American Woman, you beat me to it!! I made the mistake of reading alot of the site! Very interesting - sums up all you wanted to know about the RC 'Mounted' Police! Says on their tour schedule they will be at the Vermont State fair in about a week - are you far from there?

It has been explained how free speech and the right to protest (part of freedom of expression) has been oppressed many times on this thread already - did you bother to read? By instigating violence, the police deter future protests to either a. occur or b. by drastically reducing the number of people assembling. This is done by instilling 'fear' on many levels. As I have already stated, I know many 'professionals' who agree with the protests but do not go themselves - not because they don't want to take a day off work (a 'sick' day) but because they are concerned about the event turning violent, as well as being photographed an on record with the various police forces. Hence - they allowed themselves to have thier rights and voice silenced out of fear. That is by definition oppressive. It also furthers the militarised police forces' aganda = more power, control and of course cash (for all those great new toys!). Oh and btw White Doors do you ever add anything to a convo or simply insult others?

I respectfully disagree. The Saudis have made it known before - that they don't like this too much. With previous incidences - ie Koran in toilet etc: one would think that a little thoughtful reflection be in order. Why have any flags on them at all? Why not just have regular old soccer balls dropped? Something is wrong with this whole picture. Now, while I do actually find the idea of putting any flag on a ball as rather distasteful - what if this whole thing is actually just a non story, and designed simply to make it look like these folks are 'radical'? Who knows why they would do this - though to me the whole affair smells funny. (If they are going to drop anything how about care packs - with food and water, blankets and fuel? You don't know what the Saudi Flag looks like? This makes me wonder what else you might know or not know about the whole region and the very real people who inhabit it (and I'm not talking puppet dictators or warloards supported by the same). I don't mean that to sound condescending - just kind of a surprise since while I don't always agree with your posts, they are usually well thought out and considerate - ie not alot of nasty business on your part, you have also made many attempts at understanding 'other's' opinions, for which I certainly commend you.

Rue, as usual you respond in such a rude manner. Are you quite sure you have spelled your handle correctly? Or did you forget the letter 'd'? Anyhow - all the items you have provided are statues and jerseys - not a football with, as I gave as an example - Jesus' face on it. Kind of different - but I appreciate you attempt at spin control!!

Kuzadd, IMO those who don't want to admit that police could ever instigate - or wish to insitgate - a riot or an outcome beneficial for their own agenda are those whose belief systems would be turned upside down, and for many that is terrifying to admit to, or go through. IOW - it's a little too scary to admit that the old PR about Cops being everyone's friends, above reproach and there to 'serve' is not necessarily always the case.

That's fine BC and it is of course your opinion - for what it's worth. Part of the problem for Paul is that he is ignored by the mainstream press to a very large degree - which of course begs the question - who really 'elects' our leaders? One cannot dismiss the role of media, and with its concentration into a very few elitist hands - esp in the last decades - and how it effects the 'pre-screening' of candidates. It is interesting to see how the internet and younger generations are effecting this age old PR machine known as mass media - I think you may be surprised - as some of the recent straw poles have shown wrt Paul. I agree though that sadly he won't be elected, and that is not due to the manufactured idea that Dr. No has nothing to offer - it's due to the fact that what he does offer scares the bejezuss out of the established 'elties' who want the status quo to remain - again esp wrt the sickening turn which US foreign policy has taken, again over the last decades (no matter if a Dem, like Clinton is in power or a so-called Republican like Bush 1 and 2 - though please I pray - anyone but Hillary *gack*).

Oh yeah they could. It's oddly the case that the loss of civil libs occurs drastically under Democrat rule. Clinton has as much blood on his hands as either of the Bushes. (I am in NO way a neocon Bush supporter btw). Another interesting tidbit wrt Hitlery - she has managed to seal all records of any meeting she had while she was first lady - gee Hilly whatcha hidin? She is a warmonger with the best of them. The Americans have the same problem we do - the major parties are simply two sides of the same coin. Dr. Paul is the ONLY one who is advocating a return to constitutional government - he is such a breath of fresh air.

I think you all might want to check the stats again. While Obama has quite a few votes - the second runner up is certainly NOT Clinton (thank goodness) - but the most honourable Dr. Paul!!! Obama = 6630 Paul = 5806 Clinton = 1272 Go Ron!!

For those of you who missed it on CNN, as I did, it's up on Youtube here: God's Warriors I am surprised as well that CNN showed this, although since I haven't watched it in its entirety - I'll reserve judgement as to the quality of the piece. Off to begin watching parts now.

They knew darn well that it would be offensive - it's called a psyop jbg. It's done in order to demoralize people. How would all these so called Christians feel if the balls had pics of Jesus on them? For anyone to not realize that this is offensive is BS - they knew it.

Wake up Rue, this sort of thing has been going on for a long time!! Oh and thanks for the arbritrary insult, I'll let Kuzadd know! Man you have issues.

Uh, I don't make generalisations about all Jews, I am very careful to note that my beefs are with the behaviour of the Israeli Administrations. Your slander is not based on fact - just your own paranoia and persecution complex I never said that - show me where I said the PA recieved NO funding. I also acknowledge freely that the PA under Arafat likely embezzled huge sums - if his wife is any kind of indication! So don't go putting words in my mouth - oh I forgot that is YOUR SOP!! LOL see above! What good does any of the money do if the state is by NO means soveriegn - if the state, or so called future state is under occupation and thus has ALL her borders (like there are any where Israel is concerned) controlled by the occupying force? Man - you are one blind dude always reverting to insults and smear, along of course with unsubstantiated accusations. LOL Follow the money Rue!

I think this incident has helped to wake a few folks up. Again, I will reiterate: This is not the first time that these sorts of provocations have happened. It is the first time the police have been caught so clearly and employed complete idiots for the job. Why? Why the hell would they do that? " To stifle dissent by use of fear tactics and media spin. There are alot of people who won't go to demonstrations anymore due to the percieved tendency for them to turn ugly, so in that matter instigating violence serves the 'security' sector well, as well as delegitimizing honest protest actions (what is required for a real democracy to run). It's and age old ploy.

I don't buy the SQ explanation that they were trying to find protesters who were not peaceful. They look like they were out to rile someone up IMO. *** Of course they were. Old trick, same old schtick. And as we all know, once some idiot starts there are always the morons who will simply follow. Hence the term: provacatuer

Hi Jefferiah, Venison requires a certain touch IMO, not only when cooking but also when butchering. I've found it better when the steaks were cut thickly, and grilled over a medium to high heat to rare to medium rare, yielding delicious results - mind you I am still learning wrt preparation of wild game! If you don't like it as a main course in a meal try it in a nice goulash - hungarian style with pappers, paprika, onion and tomatoes (and whatever hot spices you like ) - you will love it. As for Kohl rabbi!! I thought I would never hear of it again! It's great you can use it in many ways, google some recipes and enjoy youself.

Dancer your willingness and desire to shut down public opposition to governmental agendas is far more reminiscent of Nazi Germany than anything which the protestors might or might not have done. This is NOT the first time that police have planted provacatuers at rallys and protests - gosh it's an old trick and works on the gullible all the time - get a ouija board and ask Goering.

Bison is terrific, wonderfully tasty meat. Haven't had caribou - but I love venicin - I'm lucky to have a nieghbour who hunts, my fingers are crossed for two nice specimens this year! How different are caribou in gameyness compared to deer? I find most beef one buys today to be rather tasteless, unless of course one can come across grass fed organic beef - then the yum factor is lip-smackingly good!

Personally I'll wait to see Riverwind use her table analogy again!! That was truly a good laugh!

IOW you don't know. You are simply projecting your clear bias towards those who you think are inferior. I still call BS to your 'bet'. Israel, through not only the US but also Germany, Poland and other Europeon lands has recieved BILLIONS of dollars in aid, as well as nice free subs and planes and bombs etc since her creation by the UN. So, I call nonsense to your assertion that the PA has recieved anywhere near the amount of aid that Israel has and continues to recieve - without any oversight of consideration of the effects of that so called aid. Your bigotty knows no end sometimes jbg.