MCCS1977

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Blockquote Fest

“The British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa .”

George W. Bush, ‘ State of the Union ,’ 28 January 2003

. . . at April’s Nuclear Security Summit, we will bring forty-four nations together behind a clear goal: securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years, so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists.

These diplomatic efforts have also strengthened our hand in dealing with those nations that insist on violating international agreements in pursuit of these weapons. That is why North Korea now faces increased isolation, and stronger sanctions – sanctions that are being vigorously enforced. That is why the international community is more united, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is more isolated. And as Iran’s leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt: they, too, will face growing consequences.

Barack Obama ‘ State of the Union ,’ 27 January 2010

We continue to assess Iran is keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities that bring it closer to being able to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so. We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons.

Admiral Dennis Blair – 2010 Annual Threat Assessment

…the Obama administration is asking Congress to increase spending on the US nuclear arsenal by more than $7 billion dollars over the next five years. …despite a pledge to cut the US arsenal and seek a nuclear weapons-free world. The Obama administration argues that the boost in spending is needed to ensure that US warheads remain secure and work as designed as the arsenal shrinks and ages. … Part of the proposal includes large funding increases for a new plutonium production facility…

Despite Non-Proliferation Pledge, Obama Budget Request Seeks Additional $7B for Nuclear Arsenal Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!

A tip of the hat to Montag and Charles Davis.

…And without a complimentary waterboarding!

Around here.

The following three bands are the most successful to come out of the area around my home town, which I think has a lot to say if you look at it from the perspective of “this was our cultural heyday.”

Blue Öyster Cult – Don’t Fear The Reaper peaked at #12 on the Pop Singles chart, 1976.

Eric Bloom was one of the vocalists and infamous cowbell player for Blue Öyster Cult. He came up in the Geneva, New York music scene of which Hobart College was the epicenter.

Dio – Holy Diver Billboard 200 #56, 1983.

Ronnie James Dio has sang for many bands, “Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio.” He was raised just over the hill in Cortland, New York, were he actually started out playing Rockabilly in the late 50’s. You also may remember him in his roll as himself in the movie Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.

Manowar – Kings Of Metal 1988

Manowar are the hometown boys of Auburn, New York. Band leader Joey DeMaio worked with Ronnie James Dio in ELF and later when Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, DeMaio toured as a bass tec and fireworks manager. There he met fellow New Yorker, Ross the Boss Friedman, a former member of influential proto-punk band The Dictators, and Manowar was soon formed. They have multiple gold records in Germany and tour to this day, as well as holding “the Guinness Book of World Records honour [sic] of ‘World’s loudest band’ being captured at a mind numbing 129.5 dB.”

From the only album by them I ever owned…

The Who – Young Man Blues (Live at Leeds)

Clintonesque

In contrast to the seventy some minutes you may or may not have wasted watching the State of the Union address the other night, the Presidential Remarks at House Republican Conference yesterday are must see.

A word of advise to Mr. Obama, you do remember what happened to the last President who tried to out Republican the Republicans, don’t you?

See also: The Ratchet Effect