What am I reading...:

I hate to sound like that lizard, Rush, but I have a "theory," or an interesting line of inquiry:

We're coming to learn that the attack on the Libyan embassy was a planned military operation. What if the making and posting of the film was part of that operation? Even if the film's funding was "only" $100K, it involved a lot more planning then that jerk Terry Jone's stupid antics. What if part of the military operation's planning was as follows: Make and post the film, stir up resentment, sneak the military operation in as part of the demonstration, then open fire?

Freedom of speech requires toleration of things we find loathesome. BUT if the posted speech was part of a terrorist operation against our embassy, crimes were committed. We can investigate that angle on american soil. THE INVESTIGATION MUST BE SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR, but if it turns up criminal activity of the kind I've mentioned, the world, not just the american people, needs to know.

IN OTHER NEWS, RUMSFELD AND SANTORUM DEFEND MITT AND FREE SPEECH:

I don't know where to begin. I don't know whether to laugh, shake my head in despair, or get sick. Joe Kyl said the embassy's statement was like a judge blaming a female rape victim for being raped (I assume he was referring to a legitimate rape, of course). Now these two chime in like SNL parodies of themselves.

I keep thinking of a scene in THE PRODUCERS: Right after the "Springtime for Hitler" number, the camera turns to the audience; dumbstruck, aghast, paralyzed. That's why I don't know where to begin.

if this topic is open, i found an interesting to an Associated press image. It is very telling about mitt's attitude towards the American people.

The film is disgusting and insulting why would anyone make a film like this if not to incite anger and hatred. Isn't this what the right has been doing all along with President Obama? Finding the person or persons responsible for this film will bring light on the why. If burning a Qur'an incites such anger this film is just as bad. Having said that this attack on the Libyan embassy was a planned attack to coincide with the riots. As I understand parts of this disgusting film were shown on Egyptian TV Why? Did they show it in Libya too? How about the other rioting countries? Why? Who are these people responsible?

Terry Jones mission to unleash a holy war-That's the only reason someone would portray a religious icon in a negative light under the cover of a pseudonym and release it in this manner. Even the name Sam Bacile (imbecile) is a poke at us. He out to be taken to task and sued for defamation by the Islamic people. If his savior were the subject of a similar attack, you be he'd be all over Fox News demanding action over it.

Why do Muslins feel they have to defend??? their god??? That does not seem very godly!!! Our god is attacked all the time and insulted by his followers constantly and no ones burning embassies for him!

FYI - for anyone interested - the PA Voter ID Law Appeal before PA Supreme Court is being Live Tweeted here

So now it's Christian extremists who are spoiling for a fight with Islamic extremists. When will the world learn that holy wars should be avoided at all costs? They only hurt everyone and never improve anything.

While what the Romney camp said and when they said it was idiotic, incorrect and greedy, and doubling down on it is just another example of the right wing having severe issues with admitting fault with anything, technically I must agree with the sentiment that all things being equal and under normal circumstances people representing this country shouldn't have made that statement criticizing the use of free speech. But all things weren't equal, and I don't think you can criticize them for attempting to stem the dangerous tide the way they did with that statement.

What's interesting to me, is the fact that the Christian Right wing in this country have so much respect, need and reverence for free speech when it comes to gaining political points by making statements standing up for our rights to insult Muslims, but have absolutely no respect, need or reverence for it when it's used against their own Christian religion. Then it's a war on Christians, then they're being persecuted.

Pastor Terry Jones needs to be brought up on charges of trying to incite a WAR! The fact that he is not insensitive to what he has deliberately done indicates that what has happened is what he desired to happen. He is constantly here in MIchigan trying to incite the Muslims that live in Dearborn with his anti-Muslim antics. He should be charged, put on trial as a traitor and sentenced to serve out his time in : "Gitmo" with the other traitors! Our President has worked hard to get the U.S. some respect overseas and Pastor Jones sets back all that hard work with one ill made film. First Libya, now Yemen and possibly even more Arab states are having protests. Those people are just as ignorant as Pastor Jones in that they cannot just chalk it up to one insane man and walk away without even giving it any credence or value which is what Pastor Jones wants. Do not validate his ignorance and bigotry with riots. If he is ignored, he will eventually disappear from the horizon!

MITT ROMNEY: "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to DEFEND OUR VALUES."

I thought the embassy's condemnation of religious intolerance WAS a defense of "American values".

Do we define "intolerance" by the messenger and not the message? Do we deplore only one side's vitriol and hatred? Do we expect Muslim leaders and Muslim countries to condemn extremism in their name and on their soil, but turn a blind eye against extremism here?

These are stormy times, and we need leaders with a clear-eyed view of the horizon and a steady hand at the helm. Not ones that tack according to shifting political winds, willing to steer into shoals of ignorance and intolerance.

This is the US diplomat official Sean Smith tribute page by people who knew a different side of him through EVE Online, an online game:

http://themittani.com/news/rip-vile-rat

If you play this stupid game, you may not realize it, but you play in a galaxy created in large part by Vile Rat’s talent as a diplomat. No one focused as relentlessly on using diplomacy as a strategic tool as VR. Mercenary Coalition flipped sides in the Great War in large part because of Vile Rat’s influence, and if that hadn’t happened GSF probably would have never taken out BoB. Jabberlon5? VR made it. You may not even know what Jabberlon5 is, but it’s the smoke-filled jabber room where every nullsec personage of note hangs out and makes deals. Goonswarm has succeeded over the years in large part because of VR’s emphasis on diplomacy, to the point of creating an entire section with a staff of 10+ called Corps Diplomatique, something no other alliance has. He had the vision and the understanding to see three steps ahead of everyone else - in the game, on the CSM, and when giving real-world advice.

Watching ongoing horror show of voter suppression issues. Sad face inserted here. I have a thought: Why not use finger print or thumb print at all voting places? Everyone has one of those, it doesn't evolve driving anywhere, filing forms, opening checking accounts to pay for said forms(Pendot doesnt accept cash or debit cards- just checks) They can easily be scanned into a system, used to verify you haven't been to multiple locations, etc. I thought about it when I recently got something notarized and I had to put my thumbprint next to my signature in her notary book. And then I thought about the last time I wanted to cash a check at my bank rather than deposit it- they had me do a thumbprint on the back of it- and they know me there. And then I thought of when I accompanied a friend to get her check cashed at one of those check cashing places because she doesn't have a bank account- they took her thumb print. Seems that the data base technology already exists for "thumbprint control" or all of these entities wouldn't use it. I am baffled that those who are truly worried about voter fraud aren't concerned with absentee voters. Someone nefarious could intercept my requested ballot and fill it out and send it back with out me being the wiser. And even though my vagina has super powers- I don't think it would protect me from that?!

On the occasion of the 911 tragedy, Alex Jones has quite a few postings and asks a number of legitimate questions that deserve truthful answers by our government. See: Building 7 - Still Smoking Gun: