Odd Bits: April 2007

Fallen Angel

See Garry Wilmore's post and photo of Lieutenant Kevin Davis, pilot of Blue Angel #6. RIP.

Mainstream Media Never Has to Say It's Sorry

Howard Kurtz has it right:

Everyone, including Don Imus, agrees that the remarkable women of the Rutgers basketball team were unfairly maligned by his racial slur.

But what about the living hell visited on three young men from the Duke lacrosse team? In all the coverage of the sexual assault charges that were finally dropped last week, very few have talked about how the media slimed them.

That miscarriage of justice was aided, abetted and amplified by a media that unfairly turned the men into a national symbol of pampered, out-of-control student-athletes. Prosecutor Mike Nifong might lose his law license over the botched case, but the media never get disbarred.

Imus repeatedly apologized for calling the Rutgers women "nappy-headed hos," and a national uproar prompted CBS Radio and NBC News to pull the plug on his program. But where is the apology to David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann from news organizations that launched a classic feeding frenzy based on one woman's shaky allegations? Even Nifong has said he is sorry.

Read the whole thing.

Only in England -- Trebuchet fun

Catapults rock!

And now for something completely different...

The Brits speak English alright but some words have very different meanings. Witness this headline: "Family of faggot fans fly the flag." Meet the Doodys.

Hat tip Abbie Duston.

In memoriam

Read about the victims here.

Internal dissension the greatest threat to freedom

The slow-bleed-to-defeat strategy of the Democrats in Congress has a precedent in the Book of Mormon: "king-men" rebelled, sought the judgment seat, were in league with their country's enemies, and prevented provisions from being sent to their nation's armies.

"Moroni asks Pahoran to strengthen the forces of Helaman—The Lamanites take the city of Nephihah—Moroni is angry with the government. About 62 B.C." (Chapter heading to Alma 59).

"Moroni complains to Pahoran of the government’s neglect of the armies—The Lord suffers the righteous to be slain—The Nephites must use all of their power and means to deliver themselves from their enemies—Moroni threatens to fight against the government unless help is supplied to his armies. About 62 B.C." (Chapter heading to Alma 60).

"Pahoran tells Moroni of the insurrection and rebellion against the government—The king-men take Zarahemla and are in league with the Lamanites—Pahoran asks for military aid against the rebels. About 62 B.C." (Chapter heading to Alma 61).

"Moroni marches to the aid of Pahoran in the land of Gideon—The king-men who refuse to defend their country are put to death—Pahoran and Moroni retake Nephihah—Many Lamanites join the people of Ammon—Teancum slays Ammoron and is in turn slain—The Lamanites are driven from the land, and peace is established—Helaman returns to the ministry and builds up the Church. About 62—57 B.C." (Chapter heading to Alma 62).