This is the little ceramic Christmas tree I keep on my desk here at home. And you thought my other one was little 
My mother made it probably 20 years ago. She used to have a bigger version of the tree somewhere, but I don’t remember what happened to it. Ah well …
As per the norm, I’ll be away from the computer on Saturday, but wanted to post some links in the meantime for your perusal:
—– Think global warming alarmists are telling you the truth about polar bears? Ok, I realize you, my very smart readers, know they’re not telling the truth, but the ill-informed don’t. The Daily Mail tackles the agw polar bear arguments here.
—- While we’re on the topic of global warming, ST reader GWR sends along this link to some (surprise) biased reporting about how gw is supposedly having a horrible effect on nature. His comment in response:
In all the hysteria about mass extinctions, the writer forgot to mention that (a) it would take about 1000 years at the current rate of temperature increase to get to this level, (b) how many species become extinct every year regardless, (c) CO2 trails temperature increase, not causes it, and (d) the sun isn’t cooperating with the AGW cultists. Maybe the UN can pass a resolution demanding that the sun cool down. That should do it.
—– John Hinderaker at Powerline takes a look at Mike Huckabee’s recent rise in the polls and ponders about the possibility that Huckabee could be the Howard Dean of the 2008 election cycle. I doubt it, because I think Huckabee’s popularity will be shortlived. But then again, I’ve never been that great at predictions in politics, so my speculation on that front probably isn’t worth much
—– While Mitt Romney’s “Faith in America” speech was a hit with many conservatives, Lee Harris at TCS Daily wasn’t impressed. And The Politico’s Jonathan Martin says the speech isn’t playing well in Iowa.
—– I’ve officially declared MSNBC’s David Shuster the Mediot of the Month after his bigoted rant against Christians. He fits in on MSNBC very well.
—– Chavez’s pal Sean Penn has officially announced his support for a Democratic presidential contender: Dennis Kucinich. What does Kucinich now have in common with John Edwards, in addition to being a clueless Democrat? Back in June, Edwards invited onto the campaign trail with him actor and supporter Danny Glover, who also supports Chavez (and Fidel Castro, too). Maybe one day they can all meet for cigars. In Cuba. And stay there.
—– Will Obama supporter Oprah Winfrey, who’ll be in South Carolina on Sunday to promote her candidate, be feeling the love from SC voters? The NYT’s Katharine Q. Seelye looks at how Obama’s rivals - and their supporters - are reacting to and preparing for her upcoming visit.
—– If anyone’s taking nominations for jerks of the month, the two Penn State students (see photos at Drudge) who dressed as Virginia Tech victims, complete with blood-stained clothes and bullet holes, should be considered strong contenders.
—– Here’s a shocker: The Daily Mail has the story of the daughter of a British imam and how she’s been in hiding for 15 years - because she converted to Christianity (h/t: BCB).
—– Best wishes to my friend Angevin at the Oxford Medievalist, who is leaving the blogosphere. He did leave open the door the possibility of returning to blogging again sometime in the future, but for now has decided to take an extended leave of absence. I wish him well.
—– European dynamo Michael van der Galien has changed web addresses. The new one is www.Poligazette.com. Make sure to update your blogrolls/news feeds/bookmarks with the new info if you haven’t already.
—– Last but not least, I couldn’t let the day go by without remembering Pearl Harbor. 1,177 American soldiers lost their lives that fateful day aboard the USS Arizona. We will never forget.
Must be time to cut and run! Alliance negotiators lied and stories died!
Comment by forest hunter @ 12/8/2007 - 3:23 am
With respect to the sun cooperating with the UN, it may well be. The next solar cycle hasn’t started yet, it’s overdue, and there are no sunspots currently. Some solar scientists are predicting that we are entering another Daulton Minimum, if not a Maunder Minimum period. If they’re right, expect significant cooling. Real cooling with all it’s negative effects, not this overstated mild warming we’re experiencing now. Cooling is bad, much worse than warmer, as it always has been for mankind, and the plant and animal kingdom (here’s a hit fellas, more extinctions happen in cold periods).
But if the sun does cool down and us with it, expect the usual suspects to claim it’s because of all the carbon reductions due to Kyoto and other useless treaties, even though no one is abiding by or meeting the reduction goals. They’ll still claim it was because of their regulation, and the gullible in the media and elsewhere will regurgitate this ad nauseum and they’ll use it as evidence for why we need to keep them around and put them even more in charge.
Comment by Severian @ 12/8/2007 - 3:24 am
On another topic, did y’all hear about the grocery store in NY that had a sale on hams with a sign “Perfect for Hanukkah” on the hams in the window? ROFL!!! Hanukkah Ham! Sign came down the next day after they realized their faux pau, but wow!
But this gives us another “teachable” moment, let’s compare the response of the Jewish community to this to what the Islamic one would do. The Jews just laughed and shook their heads at the stupidity of it. Can you imagine a similar response from the Islamists? They’d have burned down the shop and rioted about the “insult.”
Food for thought.
Comment by Severian @ 12/8/2007 - 3:38 am
To quote Homer Simpson “Mmmmmmm Ham”.
I was actually impressed with Mitt’s speech and I have talked to several of my friends and they have all said they liked what they heard. So if it isn’t playing well in Iowa, I must not be talking to the right persons.
Lastly, Cute Tree Dear. Your Mom must have a talent for this sorta thing. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 12/8/2007 - 12:01 pm
If you heard Sean Penn’s “acceptance” speech in regards to Kucinich, he made several references to what “Bin Laden” thinks… Who gives a F*** Penn? You self absorbed Libtard! Grrr these celebs drive me crazy and they shouldn’t!! But they do!
LINK
Thx LT.
Comment by Lt. Listener @ 12/8/2007 - 12:08 pm
I and my h.s. students have rechristened the current environmental crisis as “Global Weather Change.” We like the feel that that gives to the tone of the we-gotta-fix-it-now discussions.
Next up? Stop Global Continental Drift!
;o/
Comment by Wry Mouth @ 12/8/2007 - 5:55 pm
Damn right, stop Continental Drift! And let’s work on banning that dangerous di-hydrogen-monoxide while we’re at it.
If you’ll excuse me, I have a DOTGU* meeting to attend.
*Defenders Of The Geocentric Universe
Comment by Severian @ 12/8/2007 - 6:10 pm
Where was that video of the ban di-hydrogen-monoxide recruitment special olympics taped?
Comment by forest hunter @ 12/8/2007 - 6:49 pm
I love Obama !!
Thank You Oprah !
Comment by Baklava @ 12/8/2007 - 6:57 pm
Forest, the classic Penn and Teller dihydrogen monoxide video is here if you want a good laugh.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 12/8/2007 - 8:32 pm
Has anyone seen that movie ‘The Mist’? Probably the most disturbing ending I have ever seen! For all these ideas to come from one mind is bizarre. I swear they’re gonna find some bodies buried under Stephen King’s house one day!! Don’t get me wrong, it was a good movie, but BIZARRE!!
Comment by NC Cop @ 12/8/2007 - 8:49 pm
Thanks GWR, that was the one I was thinking about. (In my best Minnie Mouse voice)” I don’t really know exactly what it is but I’m against it! Aren’t I?”
Comment by forest hunter @ 12/8/2007 - 9:11 pm
NC I have never and I never will be a fan of Stephen King. I have read a few of his books and they bore the living crap outta me. How this man became so popular I will never figure out. His plots are boring his “terror” isn’t at all scary. I will never read his garbage or waste my money on his movies again. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 12/9/2007 - 1:37 am
I agree with Lorica. However, in matters of taste there is no “right” or “wrong”. The types of music, books, and television shows I prefer probably repel other folks - maybe a majority, in fact.
On the subject of movies - the upcoming move I Am Legend interests me. Adapted from Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name, it might be the one movie that I go to see this year. I loved 1971 version of the movie called The Omega Man with Charlton Heston and the sexy Rosalind Cash.
But I have to wonder - will the producers make the current remake Politically Correct?
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi @ 12/9/2007 - 2:33 am
No Surprise that I agree with Mwalimu
In matters of taste there is no “right or wrong” no matter how lost I am as to why someone likes something.
I too am looking forward to seeing I am Legend, and I loved the Omega Man. I worry that it is going to fit Global Warming or some such into it. But I am still looking forward to seeing it. - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 12/9/2007 - 9:55 am
“If you heard Sean Penn’s “acceptance” speech in regards to Kucinich, he made several references to what “Bin Laden” thinks… Who gives a F*** Penn?”
If I remember correctly, Righties used the “bin Laden wants Kerry to win” meme endlessly. Was it the correct thing to do then?
Comment by Michael @ 12/9/2007 - 10:45 am
I think there’s a big difference between what Sean Penn thinks and what Al Qaeda wants. Sean Penn is a Bush hating, Chavez loving, propagandist and egomaniac.
As far as what us “righties” thought about what Al Qaeda wanted, we were correct:
Al Qaeda Sends a Message to Democrats
Gosh, it sure sounds like the terrorists were happy the dems won. So much in fact that they are taking credit for the dems win in 2006.
Comment by NC Cop @ 12/9/2007 - 8:12 pm
Well, NC, you have to remember that whenever “righties” quote anyone directly, regardless of the message or who says it, we end up owning it. It becomes our fault. So AQ spokesmen saying something is no big deal, but one of us calling attention to it is hate speech.
Comment by Steve Skubinna @ 12/9/2007 - 9:11 pm
That is so funny, I have the exact same tree that my Mom made back in the late 60’s. Never thought I’d see another one.
Comment by Todd @ 12/11/2007 - 3:47 pm