Whatever I think of Israel, I am not a fan of Hezbollah. They are homicide bombers, trying to eradicate Israel - which smacks of genocide.

Maybe this post should be titled something like: Protest in Toronto against Israeli Action in Lebanon. The would be much more…um…I’m not sure…neutral(?) of me. But the large photos of Hezbollah’s leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, and the distinctive Hezbollah flag being flown near the front of the parade (with its distinctive AK-47) are enough for me, personally, to associate most of the (if not the whole) incident with Hezbollah supporters in Toronto. And, oh yeah, the chants of, and I quote, “Long live Hezbollah!” were another give away.

I was studying at the college today, when I heard the cries of a parade. I rushed to the wondow to take a peak, and saw a protest against Israeli action in Lebanon. The yellow Hezbollah flag caught my eye. I only had my phone with me, so the images aren’t great. But here is what I got:

Note the photo of Nasrallah, just next to the yellow Hezbollah flag. Many many Lebanon flags, as well as Canadian.

Here is the Hezbollah flag among all the Lebanese and Canadian flags. Note the image of the AK-47 at the top of the flag. This was accompanied with shouts of, among other things: Long live Hezbollah.

Is that red flag there a Che Guevara flag? That’s strange. Another image of Nasrallah in the centre. And the white sign to the right of the photo says: “Thirsty for Blood? Join the Israeli Army and Kill Kids.” If I remember properly, the side of it blocked in this picture had an image of a wounded child.

Canada’s PM - Stephen Harper - came out and said that Israel’s response has been “measured.” These people disagree. Chanting at this point, I believe, “Occupation is a Crime.” Or to that effect. CNN reported this morning that something like 83% of Israelis agree with their government’s actions, but don’t believe the response to Hezbollah’s kidnapping of two of their soldiers, and rocketing of Northern Israel, has been strong enough.

A Jewish man making the statement that the actions of Israel are not consistent with Jewish belief.

Now, I’m not saying that all these people are Hezbollah supporters…though the majority of the crowd was chanting, “Long Live Hezbollah!” over and over again…which is quite a thing to associate one’s self with, in my opinion. And, whatever I think about these people’s opinions (I generally would probably disagree), I applaud their unfettered and bold exercise of freedom of speech.

That was a truly interesting thing for me to see. I am glad that I did.

Casey

technorati tags: hezbollah toronto lebanon israel israel protest Hezbollah Supporters

news, life | 2 Comments »

Thinking about all the stuff I was taught as a kid as simple and final, I now realize isn’t so simple, or final.

Never throw the first punch (what about premptive action?)
Stand up to a bully (and then the world gets mad at you. See: Israel)

The bad guys are bad, and the good guys are good (Hezbollah provides health care and schools for a huge number of Lebenese citizens - while simultaniously working for the extermination of Israel - teaching children in those schools to hate Israel. Israel, while I don’t believe they are targeting civilians, are in fact killing Lebanese civilians. OR - While I believe that our troops in Iraq are there for good reason, that maybe the cause is just - our own soldiers are accused of Rape and Murder of the people that they are supposed to protect.)

The world is just a really really complicated place.

Then again, what do I know?

Casey

life | No Comments »

Saw this on CNN this morning.

At the G8 conference, apparently unaware that there was an open mic, President Bush was caught on tape speaking with Prime Minister Tony Blair, criticizing UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, and the UN’s handling of the situation in the Middle East saying,

See the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it’s over.

And, you know…I think he’s right. Say it outloud Mr. President. Say it outloud.
Casey

CNN Story: Bush frustration sparks expletive

news | 2 Comments »

Finally.

Probably the most stressful day of my life.� I will spare the details, but will say that once the woman at Canada Customs told me on the phone after I had already picked up the Jeep, that what I was trying to do was illegal and if I lied at the border I would be arrested, let’s just say that my day went downhill.� It amazes me how everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, at the border depends on the person you get, their mood, and their disposition.� All rules are interpreted according to these things.
Review of buying a vehicle on ebay to come in the near future.

Long story short - I got it home, and I love driving it.� Going topless is the way to go.

Casey

and - UPS still sucks.

life | No Comments »

I went back to the UPS store where I sent the package from in order to get a refund. Here is how it transpisred, in short:

Me: I said tomorrow. On Friday, “tomorrow” means Saturday. It got there on Monday. I would like a refund.

Them: Well, we didn’t charge you for “Saturday Delivery.”

Me: It is not my responsibility to know your policies and procedures. I would have paid for Saturday Delivery, but you gave me the impression that it would be delivered on Saturday when you said “These will be delivered tomorrow.” Again, on Fridays, “tomorrow” means Saturday.

Them, and I quote: “Well, I’m not going to call you a liar, but I am very confident that we never had that conversation.”

Me: “So, essentially, you are calling me a liar.”

Them: “No.”

Me: “Then what does it mean that: I’m not calling you a liar, but what you are saying happened never happened?”

Them: “I’m not calling you a liar, but I am confident that that conversation never happened. But I will refund your money and let’s call it a day.”

Me: Thank you.

I HATE UPS I HATE UPS I HATE UPS I HATE UPS I HATE UPS I HATE UPS
But I got my money back!

Casey

technorati tags:UPS UPS Store UPS Sucks

life, Rant | 2 Comments »

The Left Behind franchise has now expanded into video games. The game sports major warfare, a lot of violence…and soldiers draw strength for spiritual warfare through prayer. I would actually have to see this game to make a judgement…but I’m skeptical. I would hesitate linking blatent violence with Christian belief in such an overt manner.

Reviews of the game from mainstream sources are referring to it as “bigoted” and “hateful.” Whether it is or not is beside the point. How it is perceived, portrayed, and reflects on the church, is the point. And it doesn’t look good.

Newsweek Story Here

Left Behind Game website

Kotaku review of Left Behind
And, check out a google search on “Left Behind Video Game” for blog and media opinions of the franchise.

Finally, a screen shot of the game:

Casey

technorati tags: Left Behind Left Behind Video Game

pop culture, news | No Comments »

I came accross this website that is really cool: http://postsecret.blogspot.com

The website states as its purpose:

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

Each Sunday new postcards/secrets are posted. They range from funny, like this one (or, maybe ambiguously funny, as this one could go either way):

To incredibly sad, like this one:

The site, it seems from reading, has helped a lot of people who are battling depression and/or contemplating suicide. People come across the site and see that they aren’t the only one with deep, hurtful, painful secrets. There are links on the website to HopeLine, a suicide hotline.

Also, a book has been compiled of many of the postcards received.

It is just a really interesting site. I will be reading often.

Casey

pop culture, art, internet | 1 Comment »

According to CNN Headline News this morning, this woman DID NOT know that she was pregnant. How do you not know you are pregnant? Here’s the news story, but this one doesn’t mention her not knowing about the pregnancy:

Woman Gives Birth to Baby in WalMart Bathroom

July 7, 2006 - A Utah woman went shopping at Wal-Mart and came home with a something that was not on her list — a baby girl. Brittany Miller gave birth to little Callie in the Salt Lake City store’s restroom.

The store manager lent a hand, gathering towels and calling the paramedics. By the time they got there, the 6 pound, one ounce baby had arrived.The happy mom says the store has a liberal return policy but she is keeping this package wrapped in pink.

Link to Story

I’ll keep looking for the CNN story online. But, in doing a search on this, I found that WalMart, and their bathrooms in particular, are actually semi-popular destinations for giving birth:

Woman Gives Birth at Wal-Mart

Employee Calls Birth “Excellent Customer Service”

6:28 pm EST February 17, 2006

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A South Florida woman who went to Wal-Mart to pick up a car seat and some other last-minute items before her baby came said she did not expect to give birth in the store.Justine Deceus became a new mother at the Florida City Wal-Mart.

“I heard on my two-way radio that a lady wanted to give birth here in the layaway department,” said John Ruiz, a Wal-Mart employee.The middle management team came through and put off all other business to deliver Helesia, and there are pictures to prove it.”It was excellent customer service,” Ruiz said.Deceus and the baby’s father were shopping for baby furniture when Deceus had to tell a store employee that she needed help.”I tell her if she could call 911 because I cannot walk anymore, and then now, the baby came out,” Deceus said.The middle management team did it all.Wal-Mart even gave the family baby furniture as a gift.”Thank you for all of your support and everything.”

Deceus said. Deceus and her daughter, Helesia, are doing fine.

Link to Story

And, another woman who DIDN’T KNOW she was pregnant:

Wal-Mart restroom birth leads to prison

Mother who abandoned newborn convicted of murder

Thursday, June 15, 2006 Posted: 1913 GMT (0313 HKT)

MACON, Georgia (AP) — A 27-year-old woman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for leaving her newborn daughter in a Wal-Mart restroom last year.

Amy Shorter covered her face after the verdict was read Wednesday, and several relatives cried as they left the courtroom. They declined to comment.

The jury found Shorter guilty of felony murder for causing the baby’s death while committing first-degree cruelty to children.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Lane had argued that Shorter did not intend to kill her child.

Lane said Shorter didn’t know she was pregnant and panicked after giving birth in the Macon store restroom on August 14, 2005. She left the baby there on impulse, Lane said.

The 8-pound infant died five days later at a hospital.

“I’ve seen you express remorse. I don’t know what was in your mind that day,” said Superior Court Judge Byron Smith.

Link to Story

And, according to Wikipedia:

Billie Letts’ 1995 novel Where the Heart Is depicts 17-year-old Novalee Nation moving in to, and giving birth in, an Oklahoma Wal-Mart

Ok…so the bank finally finished the paperwork. I received it today, immediately turned it around to the seller’s bank in Virginia. I went to the UPS store and specifically said I needed this overnighted, and that it needed to be there TOMORROW MORNING. They said nothing about tomorrow being Saturday.

I go to track the package tonight. It says scheduled for delivery MONDAY JULY 10. Monday July 10 is not tomorrow. It is Monday. I call UPS. They say “Did the package have a sticker on it that says “Saturday Delivery.” I said “I have no idea. But I asked for it to be delivered tomorrow, which happens to be Saturday.” She puts me on hold. After 10 minutes comes back and says “The best I can say is that if it doesn’t get there tomorrow, it will be there by Monday at 1030 am.” That doesn’t help me. If it isn’t delivered tomorrow, I want my money back.
Second problem with UPS in the last 2 weeks. That’s it…I’m a FedEx man now. Never again as far as possible.

But then again, as my grandpa used to say: “If that’s the worst thing that ever happens to you…then you’re doin’ alright.” Too true grandpa.

Casey

UPDATE

UPS still sucks…but even worse now.� So, this morning I noticed that on the tracking info the delivery date was changed back to July 8th.� I was happy.

Then, it changed back to July 10th.� I was unhappy.

Then, I called UPS.� In Canada, UPS national phone line is closed on weekends.� So I called UPS in the US.� They confirmed that it would be delivered on Monday.

I asked for a refund.

She could not understand why.

I told her I requested delivery today, and it would be delivered on Monday.
She said that the account did not indicate Saturday delivery.

I told her that that was the exact reason that I wanted a refund.

She said I had to call UPS Canada.

I said UPS Canada is closed.

She said I have to wait until Monday.

I HATE UPS.

My documents are currently only miles away from their destination, and they will not deliver them.

Rant | 2 Comments »