I stole this from my sister’s blog. I thought it might be an interesting change of pace:
1. One book that changed your life:
In a strange, convoluted way, Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. I first read the book when I was in 4th grade and was interested enough that I read the entire series. I put them away after a while, but when I was in college I pulled them out again. My interest in them and the movies based on them led me to stumble on a forum devoted to the third movie, which was to be released in 2000 (it was a terrible movie, completely unlike the books). It was through this forum that I eventually met Mrs. X, which led me to move from my old job to my current job. A long string of event based off a random reading in 1987.
2. One book that you've read more than once:
I have officially lost count of the times that I have read The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. I first read it when I was about 9 or 10 and enjoyed it so much that I have reread the book many times. In fact, the first copy I had was duct taped together for a while I had read it so much. I now have a nice hardcover edition that I pull off the shelf on occasion.
3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
In the vein of the last post, I would pick the Lord of the Rings trilogy (which they can sell as one book). It’s a very long, engaging read that should pass the time sufficiently while I wait for rescue.
4. One book that made you laugh:
I don’t read a lot of pure comedy books, although I do have a lot of comic collections. One of the few I do have is Fatherhood by Bill Cosby. A lot of things he references I’ve seen in his stand up acts and it makes for an amusing read.
5. One book that made you cry:
I don’t know that I’ve ever cried when reading a book, however, I do recall getting extremely angry while reading few books, mostly due to frustration with the character’s stupidity. Probably the one I recall the easiest is Needful Things by Stephen King. On at least one occasion, I wanted to step into the book and strangle several of the characters for acting in such a stupid fashion.
6. One book you wish had been written:
This is hard because just about every good movie or story I’ve heard has been based on a book. I’ll have to leave this one blank.
7. One book you wish had never been written:
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I’m no fan of Dickens under most circumstances, but I couldn’t stand this story. Days of Our Lives has had less convoluted and eyebrow raising plots.
8. One book you're currently reading:
I haven’t started it yet, but I’ve put Band of Brothers on reserve at the library. Mrs. X and I just finished watching the miniseries and I thought it might be interesting to get more details in the book.
9. One book you've been meaning to read:
There are a lot of these. One that’s been sitting by my bed for quite a while is Love and War by John Jakes. It’s the second book in the North and South series and I’ve started it twice but always put it down and never gotten back to it. Maybe later this winter I’ll pick it up and stick with it.
10. One book that has scared the crap out of you:
It didn’t exactly scare me, but I was deeply disturbed by the novella The Long Walk by Richard Bachmann (aka Stephen King). A very disturbing story about a fascist US that holds a contest where 50 young men walk continuously in competition. If you fall behind a set speed too often, you are shot. Last man standing wins a big prize. Very disturbing concept.
11. The one book that is most recommended to others by you:
Mrs. X has repeatedly recommended the Generations books. They’re a non-fiction series dealing with historical trends and patterns among the various generations and how one can use these trends to observe various sociological patterns. I keep meaning to read them but never quite get around to it.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Momentary Calm
With the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel signed, all the religious types are starting to sit down again. I however am taking a slightly more long view. In previous posts I thought this looked like the Amos war. I still believe that, however the finishing of it may not come for another year.
Israel and Hezbollah have signed a Hunda, a temporary halt to hostilities that Muslims use to regroup and retool before launching a fresh attack whenever it suits them. Mohammed famously used this when he signed a ten-year treaty with the tribe holding Mecca after being defeated by them in battle. Mohammed returned to Medina, regrouped his army and then launched a surprise attack two years later, successfully taking Mecca. This is what Hezbollah has agreed to.
We should also remember that Israel is still fighting with Hamas in the south. That has gotten very little airtime with the war in Lebanon, but operations continue there as well, though not to the scale as in the north.
Prime Minister Olmert’s government will fall eventually but I don’t believe it will happen in the next few days as some predict. The other parties will try, but Labor and Kedima are still in tight lockstep. There will have to be some defections for a vote of no confidence to be declared. I suspect that Olmert’s government will not collapse until he tried to implement his pull out of the West Bank. That will push enough people over the edge that the government will collapse. Once the new leaders are elected (more to the right and perhaps even a stronger representation from the Orthodox parties), Iran and Syria might feel that they have no choice but to resume fighting before Israel has a chance to recover her morale and get the army back into a strong fighting force.
Either way, I’m still holding to my position that by June of next year, we will start seeing some major happenings over there. We might recall that WWII began with Germany conquering Poland in three weeks in September. Then nothing happened until Hitler launched the campaign against France in the spring. I believe this is a lull, the calm to give the Muslim armies confidence to jump in with both feet next time.
There is also supposedly the chance that Iran could do something stupid to flare things up by Tuesday (Aug 22). I’m beginning to think that Iran is backing off that date for the moment and might defer it until next year. After all, the 12th Imam has waited over 1400 years. He can wait one more year. 2007 is looking to be a banger year over there.
Israel and Hezbollah have signed a Hunda, a temporary halt to hostilities that Muslims use to regroup and retool before launching a fresh attack whenever it suits them. Mohammed famously used this when he signed a ten-year treaty with the tribe holding Mecca after being defeated by them in battle. Mohammed returned to Medina, regrouped his army and then launched a surprise attack two years later, successfully taking Mecca. This is what Hezbollah has agreed to.
We should also remember that Israel is still fighting with Hamas in the south. That has gotten very little airtime with the war in Lebanon, but operations continue there as well, though not to the scale as in the north.
Prime Minister Olmert’s government will fall eventually but I don’t believe it will happen in the next few days as some predict. The other parties will try, but Labor and Kedima are still in tight lockstep. There will have to be some defections for a vote of no confidence to be declared. I suspect that Olmert’s government will not collapse until he tried to implement his pull out of the West Bank. That will push enough people over the edge that the government will collapse. Once the new leaders are elected (more to the right and perhaps even a stronger representation from the Orthodox parties), Iran and Syria might feel that they have no choice but to resume fighting before Israel has a chance to recover her morale and get the army back into a strong fighting force.
Either way, I’m still holding to my position that by June of next year, we will start seeing some major happenings over there. We might recall that WWII began with Germany conquering Poland in three weeks in September. Then nothing happened until Hitler launched the campaign against France in the spring. I believe this is a lull, the calm to give the Muslim armies confidence to jump in with both feet next time.
There is also supposedly the chance that Iran could do something stupid to flare things up by Tuesday (Aug 22). I’m beginning to think that Iran is backing off that date for the moment and might defer it until next year. After all, the 12th Imam has waited over 1400 years. He can wait one more year. 2007 is looking to be a banger year over there.
Friday, August 11, 2006
In another Biblical doubletake, Strategypage is reporting that Ethiopia and Somalia are preparing to go to war with each other. Strategypage is predicting an Ethiopian win, however, I would caution them that Sudan might intervien on behalf of their radiacal Muslim bretherin in Somalia. If the two sides unite and push the Christian Ethiopians back, we could well have a united pan-Islamic state on the Horn of Africa. Not exactly making it the nicest place for US or Israeli interests, to say nothing of what that would mean in terms of extending ties with Iran.
I would also suggest that people keep an eye on Egypt during this time. I don't know when it will erupt, but a civil war is brewing there too. The Muslim Brotherhood is becoming increasily violent towards the government in power and I don't think it will take much for them to try and take over the government. Especially if Hamas and Hezbollah are defeated in the war with Israel. Hamas is a direct offshoot of this group and they feel that Egypt should be in the war, hitting Israel from the south as Syria and Lebanon are from the north. I give the over-under on an Egyptian civil war 3 years.
I would also suggest that people keep an eye on Egypt during this time. I don't know when it will erupt, but a civil war is brewing there too. The Muslim Brotherhood is becoming increasily violent towards the government in power and I don't think it will take much for them to try and take over the government. Especially if Hamas and Hezbollah are defeated in the war with Israel. Hamas is a direct offshoot of this group and they feel that Egypt should be in the war, hitting Israel from the south as Syria and Lebanon are from the north. I give the over-under on an Egyptian civil war 3 years.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Thoughts and Reunions
No matter how religious you are, or how much you believe in certain passages of the Bible, it is still a bit freaky to hear something on the news and have it printed directly for you in the Bible.
As I have mentioned before, I have postulated that the current war between Hezbollah/Hamas and Israel, is the opening salvo in the war mentioned in the book of Amos. This morning, I was listening to a discussion of the war and one of the commentators mentioned that according to various news reports, Hezbollah has a large array of bunkers hidden by brush scattered throughout Lebanon and Syria in a manner very similar to Japanese tactics used on Iwo Jima. The commentator noted that when the US fought the Japanese, they were forced to go into the fortified hills and burn away the brush using flame throwers before they could go in and either flush the bunkers or destroy them using air power. This is the system that Hezbollah has set up.
Now, relate this scenario as to how Israel is going to have to deal with Hezbollah to this passage in the book of Amos: “I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses.” Most of the bunkers are in the south, arrayed in a pattern surrounding the major cities of Tyre and Beirut. If one views these bunkers as small fortresses (and I think any sensible military commander would) and knowing the methods that Israel will have to use to root them out, it does give one pause and a little bit of gooseflesh.
On a lighter note, my high school class had their 10-year reunion this past Saturday. I did not go as that would have required putting Mrs. X and Baby X (who is now three months old) in a long car ride for a party that I’m not sure I would have been that comfortable at. But the main organizer did send out a couple of pictures of those who went. Using my yearbook, I was able to successfully identify all but one person in the photo and I have a guess as to who she is (I needed the yearbook for names. Even though we only had 80 people in the class, I only went there two years and didn’t really interact with over half the class). It is amusing to see how much some people have changed and how little some others have. I was also mildly amused to see She Who Must Not Be Named there as well, especially given that she had told me on a couple of occasions that she had no interest in ever going to a High School Reunion. But, I did notice that she seems to be connected with someone again and I can only wish her the best.
As I have mentioned before, I have postulated that the current war between Hezbollah/Hamas and Israel, is the opening salvo in the war mentioned in the book of Amos. This morning, I was listening to a discussion of the war and one of the commentators mentioned that according to various news reports, Hezbollah has a large array of bunkers hidden by brush scattered throughout Lebanon and Syria in a manner very similar to Japanese tactics used on Iwo Jima. The commentator noted that when the US fought the Japanese, they were forced to go into the fortified hills and burn away the brush using flame throwers before they could go in and either flush the bunkers or destroy them using air power. This is the system that Hezbollah has set up.
Now, relate this scenario as to how Israel is going to have to deal with Hezbollah to this passage in the book of Amos: “I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses.” Most of the bunkers are in the south, arrayed in a pattern surrounding the major cities of Tyre and Beirut. If one views these bunkers as small fortresses (and I think any sensible military commander would) and knowing the methods that Israel will have to use to root them out, it does give one pause and a little bit of gooseflesh.
On a lighter note, my high school class had their 10-year reunion this past Saturday. I did not go as that would have required putting Mrs. X and Baby X (who is now three months old) in a long car ride for a party that I’m not sure I would have been that comfortable at. But the main organizer did send out a couple of pictures of those who went. Using my yearbook, I was able to successfully identify all but one person in the photo and I have a guess as to who she is (I needed the yearbook for names. Even though we only had 80 people in the class, I only went there two years and didn’t really interact with over half the class). It is amusing to see how much some people have changed and how little some others have. I was also mildly amused to see She Who Must Not Be Named there as well, especially given that she had told me on a couple of occasions that she had no interest in ever going to a High School Reunion. But, I did notice that she seems to be connected with someone again and I can only wish her the best.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Lieberman's Window
Several months ago, if you had said that Joe Lieberman was going to lose the Democratic nomination for Senate, most people would have laughed at you. But now that looks like it’s going to be the case. Ned Lamont leads Joe Lieberman 54-41 in the latest poll of likely Democratic primary voters.
Most people will talk about other symptoms, but I think this is another example of God forcing his people back to Israel. I know George Bush is a lightning rod of hate on the Left by now, but how could a single issue candidate (the war in Iraq) defeat a man who is more liberal than the Minority Leader of the Senate (Harry Reid – NV). Yet that is exactly what is happening. Lieberman will push ahead and run as an independent and that will most likely have two results. Lamont will win anyway because enough Connecticut voters will knee jerk vote for the guy with the “D” next to his name, or Lieberman will steal enough votes from Lamont and the independents that the Republican challenger will win in a bizarre 35-32-33 race. Especially if the second option happens, Lieberman will be hounded out of Democratic politics.
Now, despite what most of the world thinks, I think the current conflict in Israel will last quite a while, perhaps as long as a year or more. More countries will get dragged into it and as Israel’s methods get harsher in trying to secure peace, animosity towards Jews will increase around the world. I saw on the news last night a report from a group of Jewish teenagers who had been in Israel when the fighting started and despite the need for security, all they talked about was how much they loved the country and couldn’t wait to go back.
I believe that a majority of the Jewish people in the world have a secret love of the home country buried within them and I think that as anti-Semitism grows over the next couple of years, we will see a significant migration back to Israel. So, it really wouldn’t surprise me if we hear in 2010 that Joe Lieberman has been appointed as Israel’s ambassador to the United States or even to a higher office. God may be shutting the Senate door to open the Israeli window for Mr. Lieberman.
Most people will talk about other symptoms, but I think this is another example of God forcing his people back to Israel. I know George Bush is a lightning rod of hate on the Left by now, but how could a single issue candidate (the war in Iraq) defeat a man who is more liberal than the Minority Leader of the Senate (Harry Reid – NV). Yet that is exactly what is happening. Lieberman will push ahead and run as an independent and that will most likely have two results. Lamont will win anyway because enough Connecticut voters will knee jerk vote for the guy with the “D” next to his name, or Lieberman will steal enough votes from Lamont and the independents that the Republican challenger will win in a bizarre 35-32-33 race. Especially if the second option happens, Lieberman will be hounded out of Democratic politics.
Now, despite what most of the world thinks, I think the current conflict in Israel will last quite a while, perhaps as long as a year or more. More countries will get dragged into it and as Israel’s methods get harsher in trying to secure peace, animosity towards Jews will increase around the world. I saw on the news last night a report from a group of Jewish teenagers who had been in Israel when the fighting started and despite the need for security, all they talked about was how much they loved the country and couldn’t wait to go back.
I believe that a majority of the Jewish people in the world have a secret love of the home country buried within them and I think that as anti-Semitism grows over the next couple of years, we will see a significant migration back to Israel. So, it really wouldn’t surprise me if we hear in 2010 that Joe Lieberman has been appointed as Israel’s ambassador to the United States or even to a higher office. God may be shutting the Senate door to open the Israeli window for Mr. Lieberman.
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