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Cole finds all homers not created equal vs. A's
Starter exits after seven strong innings; Alvarez goes deep in loss
PITTSBURGH -- In the Pirates' rise toward the top of the National League, it may have been forgotten that the offense has, at times this season, been stifled for days at a time. But the pitching has been so good, both from the rotation and bullpen, that the Bucs ascended to the top of media power rankings and into the national spotlight anyway.
Tuesday night against the Athletics, Pittsburgh's troubling offensive trend continued. Gerrit Cole's strong start was wasted as the Pirates fell to the A's, 2-1, at PNC Park after a rainless rain delay of one hour, 42 minutes before first pitch. The Pirates have now scored 23 runs in their last eight games, dropping six of them, and six runs during this four-game slide.
"We play through and get wins, not much is made of it," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, whose club has won 53 games -- the second most in the NL -- despite the inconsistent offense. "When you don't score runs, everything is always magnified in the game of baseball."
A Pedro Alvarez solo home run in the second was all the offense the Bucs could muster Tuesday, as A's righty Dan Straily turned in his second straight strong outing. He allowed just two hits and three walks while fanning seven over 6 1/3 innings to win his sixth game of the season after tossing seven shutout innings Thursday.
Cole was just as efficient. Sans a changeup he left elevated in the zone to former Pirate Brandon Moss, one of the two-run variety sent over the Clemente Wall in right, his outing may have been considered dominant. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings for the longest outing of his six-start career, walking two and striking out four.
Despite turning in possibly the best start of his young career, Cole was understandably upset with the end result -- a Pirates loss. But he said going toe-to-toe with Straily brought out the best in him.
"You want the best out of the other team," Cole said. "Any competitive person will say that. Straily threw the ball really well tonight."
The Pirates threatened in the seventh, when Alvarez walked to start the inning and Russell Martin moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, trying to take Cole off the hook for his second straight loss after opening his Major League career with four wins.
Lefty Sean Doolittle came in for Straily with one out. Gaby Sanchez, pinch-hitting for Garrett Jones, watched a two-strike breaking ball go by him on the inside corner for the second out. Jordy Mercer then popped out to first.
Tony Watson pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Pirates, and Ryan Cook did the same for Oakland before Grant Balfour secured his 24th save in as many tries.
"There's definitely no panic; we're playing good ball," said Jones, Pittsburgh's first baseman. "The hits haven't come in bunches, but they will. Every team goes through this. We just want to get out of it quick and get back on track."
Moss put the A's in front in the fourth with a two-out, two-run homer to right field. Cole had retired nine straight batters before John Jaso slapped a double to left against a heavy shift, and Moss followed with his 16th dinger of the year.
"You just pick your pitch," said Moss, who hit just 13 home runs in 195 games with the Bucs from 2008-10. "I thought that that would be what he'd use to get ahead or get weak contact with, and I thought it'd be a better pitch to sit on than the fastball.
Cole had just two difficult innings. He loaded the bases in the first but struck out Jaso with a changeup to keep the A's off the board. He also dialed up a double play in both the fifth and sixth innings. He faced three batters in five of his seven frames.
The UCLA product relied on his upper-90s fastball in his first few starts, but he has started to mix in his off-speed stuff more and more. Tuesday, Cole showed the ability to get strikeouts when needed, but he also had innings of four, eight and 10 pitches. He retired 10 hitters on three pitches or fewer.
"We're not going to try to put him in one lane or the other," Hurdle said of Cole's strikeout stuff versus his ability to get quick, efficient outs. "Because I think he's going to have the ability to do both as he continues to grow."


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Social Wiki mix ii
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1,000 Social backlinks into 100,000 wiki links
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Backlink pyramids involves the process of building special types of links in an ordered & systematic way, use sites as the base for you links and then building several layers of connected backlinks that point to each other which finally point to your website.Basically link Pyramid is the perfect long term method that deploys a wide variety of link building types as well as a strategic link building methodology.
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Lawless Lawyer
Whatever gets the job done. Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) grew up living the gangster life, full of tough physical fights and evading the law. When his mother dies a tragic death, he is determined to avenge her death.Sang Pil becomes a lawyer and begins to go after people with absolute power who think they are beyond the law. With the cunning and skills from his previous life, Sang Pil uses both his fists and legal loopholes to amass an impressive winning record.Ha Jae Yi (Seo Ye Ji) is a young lawyer who believes the law is sacred and fights for justice. But her license gets suspended when she hits a judge over an unjust ruling during a trial. Jae Yi ends up going to work for Sang Pil so that she can continue to pay off her father's debts.When Sang Pil and Jae Yi get involved in a case that involves Cha Moon Sook (Lee Hye Young), a senior judge who wields a great deal of power, and Ahn Oh Joo (Choi Min Soo), a former gangster who is now the CEO of a corporation, can they figure out a way to beat the most powerful people in the city at a very dangerous game?"Lawless Lawyer" is a 2018 South Korean drama series directed by Kim Jin Min.


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JWST factsheet
Mission Exploring the Universe from the solar neighbourhood to the most distant galaxies.
Name The James Webb Space Telescope honours NASA's second administrator, James E. Webb, who headed the agency during part of the Apollo era, from February 1961 to October 1968. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was originally known as the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST).
Partnership JWST is a joint project between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Description JWST is a major space observatory often presented as the successor to the very successful NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (HST). It has a large 6.5-metre segmented mirror that will collect almost 6 times more light than HST. It has also been designed to work with infrared light. It will address a broad variety of scientific topics ranging from detecting the first galaxies in the Universe to studying planets around other stars.
Instruments JWST will carry four state-of-the-art science instruments: the MIRI mid-infrared camera and spectrograph, the NIRSpec near-infrared spectrograph, the NIRCam near-infrared camera, and the FGS-NIRISS combined fine guidance sensor and near-infrared imager and slitless spectrograph.
Launch JWST is working toward a launch on 30 March 2021 on an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from ESA's spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana.
Journey and orbit After launch and after 1 month on a transfer trajectory, the observatory will operate at approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, in an orbit around the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system, L2.
European contribution to JWST The four major contributions of Europe to the mission are: the provision of the NIRSpec instrument; the provision of the MIRI instrument optical bench assembly; the provision of the launcher; and the provision of manpower to support JWST operation. In return for these contributions, European scientists will get a minimum share of 15% of the total JWST observing time, like for HST.
JWST mission facts
Scientists expect JWST to find out more about the origins of the Universe by observing infrared light from the first stars and galaxies.
Scientists will use JWST to study the properties of planets around other stars, including looking for the signature of water in their atmosphere.
JWST's wavelength range will be from about 0.6 to 28 microns (visible to the mid-infrared light). By comparison, the Hubble Space Telescope observes at 0.1-2.5 microns (ultraviolet to the near infrared).
JWST will have a segmented primary mirror with a diameter of 6.5 metres that will collect almost 6 times more light than the Hubble Space Telescope.
JWST has a sun-shield the size of a tennis court, which is used to keep the telescope and its instruments permanently in the shade where they will cool down to -233ºC.
JWST scientists have described packing a 6.5-metre telescope equipped with a sun-shield the size of a tennis court into a small rocket fairing with a diameter of five metres as "a bit like designing a ship in a bottle".


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TV Everywhere Hits Snags
Rights deals, ratings standards and advertiser disinterest hinder growth
Faced with competition from Netflix and Hulu, cable companies have pegged TV Everywhere as a major strategic tool in the fight to retain influence. Yet the concept of TV Everywhere—cable packages that allow customers to access channels from any screen—is hindered by rights deals and advertiser disinterest, executives told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Guilty as charged. We haven't made it as easy as we need to. There's a lot of effort around that," said Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts. "It's a matter of focus and commitment to it. We're now heading in a good direction. We've got more TV Everywhere usage, and a year from today we will have more than we have today."
The top 10 ad-supported, paid TV networks offer mobile viewing to only 4 in 10 subscribers, according to data from research firm The Diffusion Group. Premium networks like HBO, Starz and Showtime offer mobile viewing to 7 in 10 subscribers. ABC, NBC and CBS offer mobile viewing to people without subscriptions, but only certain shows, and in the case of live TV, only certain cities.
Currently, most network shows that are available on mobile devices are only available inside the home via the user's WiFi connection.
"In a TNT application within the home you're accessing TV Everywhere, but in an Xfinity application it could be [just the cable company's] VOD" programming," Jeremy Legg, vp of Time Warner Inc.'s Turner Broadcasting, told Deadline.
"Explain to a consumer why they can get TNT in the home and they can watch a basketball game but they can't get it out of the home," Legg added.
Another major hurdle for TV Everywhere initiatives is advertising. Citing unreliable ratings standards for mobile viewing, advertisers are reluctant to pay for commercials on smartphones and tablets. TV executives voiced concern over online audience measurement during a panel at industry summit The Cable Show.
"We either don't get any credit at all, or if we do get credit, it's at a fraction of what we would have gotten if they first watched it live on the TV," said Ron Lamprecht, NBCUniversal's evp for digital distribution.
This dearth of advertising revenue leaves TV providers with little incentive to buy the rights to broadcast shows online. Faced with scant choices on network sites, viewers rely on Netflix with its array of content and availability on multiple devices.


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Now showing items 1-2 of 2
Measurement of D-meson production versus multiplicity in p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV
(Springer, 2016-08)
The measurement of prompt D-meson production as a function of multiplicity in p–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}=5.02$ TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC is reported. D$^0$, D$^+$ and D$^{*+}$ mesons are reconstructed ...
Differential studies of inclusive J/$\psi$ and $\psi$(2S) production at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at $\mathbf{\sqrt{{\textit s}_{_{NN}}}}$ = 2.76 TeV
(Springer, 2016-05)
The production of J/$\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ was measured with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The measurement was performed at forward rapidity ($2.5 < y < 4 $) down to zero transverse momentum ($p_{\rm ...


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How many times have you visited a marine mammal facility and dreamt of making that your career? Many people who come to Dolphin Research Center ask us how we got into the field. We've all had different educational routes and various internship or volunteer experiences. When we were looking for a way to work with marine mammals, there was no school or educational program that gave us all of the tools needed to follow our dreams. However, there is now.
In response to the limited availability of licensed professional educational programs that prepare individuals for careers regarding the behavior, care and training of marine mammals, DRC has established the The College of Marine Mammal Professions (CMMP).
Students enrolled in CMMP will gain hands on experience and knowledge needed to work with marine mammals. Our staff will provide you with the skills to be in demand by marine mammal facilities, zoos, and aquariums. Furthermore, you will be trained to work with the public on programs as well as learn how to do each step involved in marine mammal care, from fish house to medical procedures to enrichment.
The CMMP will begin taking applications on November 1st, 2012 with a postmark deadline of November 30th, 2012.
All applicants must complete a minimum of 24 general education quarter credits including the specific courses listed below prior to applying to the MMBT program. These courses must be completed with a "C" grade or better. The courses must be taken at an Accredited College or University. High School classes do not apply toward the prerequisites. A previously attained associate's or bachelor's degree may be considered by the college for equivalency.
The following documents must be sent to the College of Marine Mammal Professions Program Office in one envelope between November 1 and November 30, of the academic year of the program for which the student is applying (see current academic calendar).
a. All official, sealed college transcripts documenting successful completion of the prerequisite coursework with a C or better;
b. Completed MMCBT program application form.
c. Two sealed letters of recommendation from a person unrelated to the applicant and whom the applicant has known for 2 years or more.
Information on the College can be found on DRC's website:
An application can be downloaded at the link below:
For any questions regarding the College, please contact: email@example.com
Please like CMMP on Facebook for further information: http://www.facebook.com/#!/CollegeOfMarineMammalProfessions


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Signature Precision
Drummer Feedbacks
Series Description: The new series is created using Paiste's proprietary Signature Alloy, and features the typical hallmarks of Paiste's original Signature sound - brightness, fullness, strong presence and projection, with brilliant musicality. A particular quality of the Signature «Precision» is its clean and focused character in combination with a very articulate, straight-ahead sound. The finish of Signature «Precision» purposely follows the tradition established by the original Signature series. Fans of the original Signature sound, look and feel will thus find these cymbals a compelling choice for their cymbal sets. «The goal for the Signature 'Precision' was to create a more affordable Signature sound. We specifically researched and designed the manufacturing process to achieve that goal. Part of the success of this project is the incredible sound potency that already exists within the Signature Alloy.» - Erik Paiste
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Download MP3 Sound Files Signature Precision
Home > Products > Cymbals > Signature Precision > Rides | Crashes | Hi-Hats | Chinas (& Swishes) | Splashes (& Bells) |


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Located in Brookings, Oregon, and affiliated by common ownership and management, we've been manufacturing the famous Socomi Brand of high-quality Doug Fir lumber for more than 50 years. Our product line now includes HDO, MDO, PSF concrete forms and LVL concrete forming panels, green and kiln dried Doug Fir lumber, PS 1-09 rated plywood and LVL door and window components.
We're dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of our customers with affordable high-quality products and with the wise use and management of our renewable environmental resources. In fact, certification to the Forest Stewardship Council standards is available upon request for all of the products manufactured by our Pacific Woods Laminates affiliate. Our customers can depend on environmentally responsible, competitively priced products backed by the support of our knowledgeable sales staff and our efficient delivery schedules.


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Listen To "Ride Of Your Life" By Tinashe
Tinashe takes a break from seducing us with her body to seduce us with new music. In support of her forthcoming album Joyride, Tinashe collaborates with Metro Boomin on the new single "Ride Of Your Life".
Tinashe takes a break from seducing us with her body to seduce us with new music. In support of her forthcoming album Joyride, Tinashe collaborates with Metro Boomin on the new single "Ride Of Your Life".
Embracing her raunchier side, Tinashe delivers her new single "Throw A Fit." Stream the track below and stay tuned for visuals.
After releasing her Joyride album earlier this year, Tinashe is back with a new single "Like I Used To". The record is produced by…
Tinashe "Joyride" (Album Stream)
Tinashe drops her debut album Joyride. The project contains 13 records with features from Future, Ty Dolla Sign, French Montana and more. Listen below….
Tinashe "Me So Bad" (Feat. Ty Dolla Sign & French Montana)
Supporting her debut album, Joyride, Tinashe drops off "Me So Bad." The record features Ty Dolla Sign and French Montana. Joyride drops April 13th….
Tinashe "Joyride" Album Cover & Tracklist Revealed
Tinashe has revealed the official artwork and tracklist for upcoming album Joyride. The LP contains 13 records with features from Future, Ty Dolla Sign,…
Tinashe "Faded Love" (Feat. Future) (Official Vertical Video)
After releasing "No Drama" featuring Offset last month, Tinashe returned last week with the Future-assisted "Faded Love". The record has now gotten the vertical…
Tinashe "Faded Love" (Feat. Future)
Let's face it, Tinashe's long-awaited album Joyride is probably never going to get a release date. But, the talented singer isn't going to stop…
Tinashe "No Drama" (Feat. Offset) (Official Music Video)
Shortly after releasing her brand new single "No Drama" with Offset, Tinashe comes through with the official visual. The record is set to appear…
Tinashe "No Drama" (Feat. Offset)
Tinashe is planning to release three new singles to promote her upcoming sophomore album Joyride. Today she kicks things off with a record titled…
Blackbear "Cybersex" (Album Stream)
Interscope artist Blackbear celebrates his birthday with the release of his new album Cybersex. The project contains 14 records with features from 2 Chainz,…
Tinie Tempah – Text From Your Ex (Feat. Tinashe) (Official Music Video)
Tinie Tempah returns with a visual for his Tinashe assisted single "Text From Your Ex". While the song features Tinashe, she doesn't appear in…
Tinashe returns with another new single titled "Flame". The song is produced by Bloodpop and Stargate. Those Joyride singles of he past? Forget them….
Tinashe Models For Urban Outfitters & Juicy Couture
Tinashe is the new face of Urban Outfitters and Juicy Couture collaboration in which she did a photo shoot for with Petra Collins. The…
Lost Kings – Quit You (Feat. Tinashe)
Tinashe sings her heart out on "Quit You" by production duo Lost Kings. The pleasant surprise also dropped with a lyric video. Peep that…
Tinie Tempah – Text From Your Ex (Feat. Tinashe)
British emcee Tinie Tempah returns with the Tinashe featured single "Text From Your Ex". The song is set to appear on Tinie Tempah's forthcoming…
Tinashe – Company (Official Music Video)
Tinashe is set out to make 2017 special with her "Company" video. The talented artist returns with a dance heavy visual that's sure to…
Future "Perkies" (Produced by Metro Boomin)
Debonair Brown "Embrace It" (Official Music Video)
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie "Reply" (Feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
Future "Last Name" (Feat. Lil Durk)
Lil Peep "Everybody's Everything" (Album Stream)
Tory Lanez "Chixtape 5" (Album Stream)
Kanye West "Jesus Is King" (Album Stream)
Kirill & Jaco "Hublot" (Official Music Video)
Lil X "New Kid on the Block" (Album Stream)


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Instrument Shop in Barnstaple, Devon. Selling Guitars, Drums, Keyboards, Pianos, Amplification. Fender, Marshall, Dexibell, Yamaha, Ibanez, Zildjian, Bose L1.
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Please note: Where possible, items ordered before 10am Mon-Fri, will be delivered the next working day. We will contact you with delivery information.
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Tahiti Tourisme North America (TTNA) is the Los Angeles-based DMO (Destination Marketing Office) for French Polynesia, more commonly known as "the Islands of Tahiti."
The Islands of Tahiti are much closer than many think, just an eight-hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles with daily departures on Air Tahiti Nui. Receiving as many tourists in an entire year as Hawaii gets in about 12 days, and only a few more hours in the air, Tahiti is a perfect backdrop for filming.
There are a total of 118 islands and atolls that comprise this South Pacific country from the more well known Islands including Bora Bora and Moorea to lesser known gems including, Huahine and Taha'a, to name a few. The friendly Polynesian people, cultural experiences, signature overwater bungalows, extraordinary cuisine and lagoon activities in a pristine environment are just a few of the many reasons to consider this South Seas paradise for a shoot.
Tahiti Tourisme North America is the local liaison for filming projects in North America and works closely with Tahiti's film commission Tahiti Film Office.
Tahiti Tourisme North America's mission and services include:?
A quick overview of some of the key islands often considered for shooting:
Tahiti, is the largest and most populated island, and is the starting point for all international travelers. With lush green peaks reaching more than 7,300 feet, its scenery is dramatic. Cascading waterfalls and rippling pools in the jungle-like interior provide a striking contrast to the black- and white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons of the island's perimeter.
Moorea, was the inspiration for James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai. It is just 11 miles across the Sea of the Moon from Tahiti. Moorea has two twin bays, Cook's and Opunohu.
Huahine, is located 110 miles northwest of Tahiti and is just a short plane ride away. A 20-mile road winds through the island, passing through small villages and climbing high into the hills for spectacular views of the white-sand beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons.
Raiatea and Taha'a are two islands that are encircled by the same barrier reef. Raiatea has the only navigable river in the islands, the Fa'aroa, and popular excursions include exploring its cool, green waters in an outrigger canoe.
Bora Bora is just 18 miles in circumference is encircled by a protective necklace of coral. Lush mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the indescribable turquoise, lapis and aquamarine of the sheltered lagoon. Arriving by air is a unique experience, as the runway is on a motu (small islet), and visitors must travel by boat to reach the main island. Bora Bora is home to world-class resorts and quaint French-inspired restaurants.
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As I write this post, it has been five days since the murder of Nazish Noorani, 27, a mother of two, in Boonton, NJ.
A week prior to her death, she texted her brother...
"I dont no wht to do…Cant talk to him cuz he abuse me than…He dosent wanna live with me…I dont no kids get scared of him sometimes…I m so tired of this…I dont no i m scared…someday u will find me dead but its cuz of kashi…he wants to kill me."
Unfortunately, regardless of her warning, she could not save herself. Her husband, Kashif Pervaiz, successfully plotted and killed her with the help of his girlfriend, Antoinette Stephen.
February 12, 2010, marked the first anniversary of the gruesome murder of general manager and co-founder of Bridges TV, Sister Aasiya Zubair Hassan. She was killed by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, the other co-founder and CEO of Bridges TV.
Many of you know by reading my earlier posts on the topic that this particular murder had hit me and my family very hard. We felt the Zubair family's pain directly, as we knew if we had not acted on time the dead victim could have been my first cousin, Sadia, instead of Aasiya. Sadia is Muzzammil's ex-wife. We were thankful to Allah for saving Sadia's life. At the same time, we were very sad for losing Sr. Aasiya at the hand of an established, known abuser. Since we personally knew many major players of the story, our reaction has been mixed with grief and anger. Grief for Aasiya's children and her family. Anger toward the community and friends around the couple.
Written by Usama Hassan
God and Muhammad, peace be upon him, clearly wished to ban domestic violence, as numerous hadiths indicate. The verse was always known to be a temporary compromise, an extremely limited concession that required minimum use of violence, if at all. "New" findings are:
1. Numerous hadiths say emphatically, "Don't beat your wives." The Qur'an apparently says, "You may beat your wives." This apparent difficulty must be resolved. The verse is perhaps the most quoted by critics and enemies of Islam, the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
2. The article tries to highlight a basic and serious flaw with the way many Muslims read and teach the Qur'an, including some preachers and clerics. Helping to correct this problem will, God-willing, open the way to dealing with numerous other controversial issues and "problematic" ayahs and hadiths.
3. Many issues around human rights and women's rights, gender-equality, dhimmitude etc. may be fruitfully-addressed along similar lines.
Written by Anntoinette Cooper
The stereotypical views and myths associated with Islam and Muslim women; the generalization of the Muslim population by mainstream society and the countless fears of victims which include the threat of deportation, blacklisting from the religious community, mistreatment from authority figures, undue scrutiny of Islam and the list goes on. All of these add to the already complex issue of domestic violence within our community making it even more compound.
Written by Imam Johari Abdul Malik
I was quoted in a NY Times article about the outstanding work that Muslim activists are doing across the country to prevent domestic violence in our communities. Many of us have been doing this work for many years, and I was featured in a front page article in the NY Times nearly 20 years ago about my work mentoring new fathers in a community based grass root effort in Washington, D.C. My wife, Nia Seale, was working in that same institution with young mothers.
However, I want to be clear that we reject the implication that Islam is somehow inherently violent against women and that a "new interpretation" is needed to address this problem. Our goal is to return people to the original and proper understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah on this issue. We believe that the Words of the Qur'an are the Words of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and that it has been preserved. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – who is the best example – never beat his wives. The Qur'an calls upon men to be maintainers and protectors of women and this is a religion of expressing God's love (rahma) and being kind to one's spouse. The goal of a marriage in Islam is to promote love and compassion between the spouses and the family in general.
Written by Mehnaz M. Afridi
Courtesy: Common Ground News Service (CGNews)
Los Angeles, California - International Women's Day on 8 March provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the work women are doing to combat gender inequality. Violence and inequality affect women around the world, including women in Muslim societies who, like their non-Muslim counterparts, are engaged on a day-to-day basis to improve their environments for the better.
Travelling back and forth to Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, I witness the amazing work that women are doing both for human rights and economic growth firsthand. Women are running companies, shelters and businesses, and countering the images of disenfranchised, illiterate and socially deprived Muslim women so pervasive in Western media.
Bushra Aslam, for example, opened an orphanage in Islamabad for young girls after the 2005 Pakistani earthquake. She provides educators, mentors, counsellors and interfaith activities for the 45 girls living there. Another inspiring figure is Rukhsana Asghar, the president of Fulcrum, a Pakistan-based human resources consulting company that offers scholarships to train girls from poor families in preparation for jobs.
Written by Dr. M.N. Tarazi
Saturday, July 17, 2010
"Your mother is so great that I did not have to beat her up once in the thirty years we have been married!" a father told his sons as he was trying to praise his wife.
"Every time she will talk back at me I will slap her," a brother told me as I was trying to provide marital counseling for him and his wife. Apparently he had "smacked" her before they came to see me. The mind boggling thing is that when I asked him, "What did she say to you that caused you to hit her?" he replied, "We had an argument and she provoked me so I said to her "Haywaneh!" (you're an animal!) Then she dared to talk back at me saying, "Inteh el Haywan" (you're the animal). Then I exercised my "God given right" to beat her up."
Though this is hardly a common idea in our community, if only a few brothers follow this misunderstanding of our religion, it damages their families and it damages our whole community.
The opponents of Islam often accuse Islam and Muslims of mistreatment of women and allowing men to beat up their wives referring to the Quranic verse 4:34. Unfortunately some Muslim men do strongly believe that this verse in the Quran gives them some "God given right" to beat their wives.
Written by Imam Abdullah El-Amin, MMNS
January 24, 2008
Courtesy of Muslim Media Network
"Men are the maintainers and protectors of women, because ALLAH has given the one more (strength) than He has given the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard what ALLAH would have them guard. As to those women on who you feel disloyalty and ill-conduct, first admonish them, next refuse to share their beds, and finally, beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): for ALLAH is Most High, Great (above you all). "
Holy Qur'an 4:34
The above verse has been the topic of much discussion and disagreement in the Muslim world for many years. The biggest question from the ayah 34 is whether ALLAH allows men to physically beat, hit, or strike women. For all practical purposes and logical thinking, the answer is NO. This, even though the majority of the Muslim world have accepted and justified the practice of hitting women and say it is sanctioned by ALLAH. If you look at our beautiful, delicate females, and think, you will come to the realization that it is not logically feasible that ALLAH, the sole Creator of us all, would give men carte blanche to hit women if the men are not satisfied with them. The Holy Prophet (s) has never been reported to have struck any of his wives. And isn't he our example?
In Islam, does God permit husbands to beat disloyal wives? A new translation of the Qur'an says no--but will this take hold?
Interview by Andrea Useem
Courtesy: Beliefnet
While many Muslims say that Islam liberates women, one verse in the Qur'an has sparked debate on this idea for years. According to many popular English translations, verse 4:34 instructs Muslim men who "fear disloyalty and ill-conduct" from their wives to first admonish them, then refuse to sleep with them, and then "beat them (lightly)." Does that verse mean that in Islam, God permits husbands to beat their wives?
Non-Muslims often wonder if this verse justifies domestic violence. At the least, doesn't it reinforce the idea that women are inferior to men? A new English translation of the Qur'an, published by Iranian-American scholar Laleh Bakhtiar this spring, aims to strike down these ideas. Instead of translating the root verb DARABA as "beat them lightly," Bakhtiar translates this key verse to mean "go away from them." She bases her word choice on, among other things, the example of Prophet Muhammad, who, according to prophetic tradition, never hit anyone in his family, not even lightly, and always treated his wives (there were 12 over the course of his lifetime) with respect.
Critics, like "Koran for Dummies" author Sohaib Sultan, argue that Bakhtiar's translation is a "modern-day revisionist report," saying other well-read translations of the Qur'an have always taken the word DARABA to mean something physical. But Bakhtiar says the word has 17 different meanings, the most popular being "to separate."
Did you know that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime? 1
According to a carefully estimated guess by major Islamic social service organizations in North America, this statistic applies to the Muslim women too. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year 2. This number also includes thousands of Muslim women.
Yes, one in every four Muslim women. You must know some who are already abused.
I know many.
Nearly 17,000 people, mainly women, are killed each year by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Denver.
Written by Zerqa Abid
Muzzammil Hassan, the owner and CEO of Bridges TV has been arrested for beheading his wife, Aasiya Zubair.
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJAIUN, indeed everything belongs to Allah (God) and to Him we will return.
This is the news of the year that has once again damaged not only the Muslim image in American society, but it has also damaged our trust and the hope that we place in American Muslim leadership.
It's been five days now that my family along with the rest of the community has been in shock. The fact that Muzzammil was married to my first cousin before marrying the victim still horrifies us. Ms. Zubair was his third wife. Both of his earlier wives filed divorce on the same grounds of severe domestic violence and abuses.
Project Sakinah
Dar al Islam
P.O. Box 180
Abiquiu, NM 87510


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THC Welding
THC Welding
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THC Welding caters to winery and brewery needs. We provide sanitary welding including piping, tank modifications, hoppers, installations, filters and process lines. We build catwalk systems, platforms and make repairs and custom fabrication.
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Owner, Toby Heer, has been working in the structural steel industry since 1998. Starting at a welder, Heer moved up to working as a welder/fabricator for the wine industry and added licenses hydraulic crane operator to his skills and certifications in 2006. His experience includes everything from setting wine tanks, refrigeration lines, process lines, catwalks, crush pads, conveyors and anything else related to the wine and brewery industries.
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Year company founded: 2018
Number of employees: 3
Language Spoken: English
Parking: Parking Lot
License #: 889867
Payments Accepted: Cash, Check


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Ariel's Song by Evie Knight Release Day Tour & Giveaway
Ariel's Song
By: Evie Knight
Release Day Blast: November 22nd, 2013
Colin Hoskins, famous classical violinist, is tainted by his past. Angry at life, unable to move beyond the betrayal of his dead fiancé, he's sworn off performing or falling in love ever again. All Colin wants is to be left alone, except no one listens. Especially the pretty little assistant he can't fire and his body burns to claim.
Stranded in a foreign country, bankrupted heiress Ariel Parks needs a job to fund her way home. Assistant of sorts to the musician she's fantasized about for years sounds like a dream job. She never imagined the gorgeous genius would be a reclusive beast. But the real problem is the way every nerve in her body tingles at the mention of his name.
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Author Info
Evie Knight writes wickedly sexy contemporary romances with irresistible bad boys, sassy heroines, a bit of conflict, humor and a dash of spice. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time blogging, reading, listening to music, or looking for a muse.
She lives in sunny Southern California.
Evie loves hearing from her readers. Feel free to drop her a line at email@example.com or you can stalk her on Twitter @inlovewromance
Author Links
The long narrow hallway looked as lush as everything else in his house. Ariel looked at the spotless dark wood floors lined by warm sand colored walls accentuated with expensive paintings. She bet all were originals.
"Well, off you go." The plump housekeeper motioned to the hallway. "He's in his music studio."
Ariel bit the inside of her cheek, doubting her decision. Maybe it'd be best to ask the older woman to show her in. She turned to ask, finding the woman no longer stood next to her. Ariel looked around hoping to find her, realizing she stood in the middle of the room alone. She took a deep breath, glancing up at the vast arched ceiling, feeling it swallow her whole.
All right, here goes nothing. Ariel adjusted the tote on her shoulder and walked down the hall, following the origin of the music, slowing down as she approached a half closed door from where the melody came. The notes to a Nirvana song filled her ears. She closed her eyes, allowing his music to hypnotize her how it always did. God. She loved his music.
Some people frowned upon classical crossovers like Colin. Ariel bet he didn't give a shit what anyone thought of his musical arrangements. He was an artist playing for the love of music and nothing else. He'd probably continue to mix classical with Pop, Rock, and Metallica for as long as he lived.
She drummed her foot on the floor, her insides squealing. Her favorite musician played on the other side of the door. She bid her time, enjoying the music. As tempted as Ariel was to let him know she'd arrived for her first day of work, she didn't want to interrupt.
When Colin finished playing the Nirvana song, Ariel took a step forward ready to announce her presence. Then, the strings with the first notes to a gypsy song halted her mid-step. Ariel leaned on the wall, closing her eyes once more to hear him play. She resisted the impulse to remove her shoes and dance to the gypsy melody in his hall. Damn, he could play.
"Are you going to come in or stand there all day?" he asked from inside the room.
His voice startled her. Shit. She opened her eyes. How did he know she'd been there all along? Ariel cleared her throat and walked in. "Hi. I-I was waiting…" She motioned to his instrument. A palpable tension filled the air the moment her gaze met his, drawing her to him. His black T-shirt and jeans gave him a dark angel aura.
He wore his hair down without a ponytail. Colin stood next to his music stand. His stubble denser, framing his face, giving his piercing eyes a darker caramel shade. Ariel cast her gaze to the large skull ring on his left pinky finger. The man was a hot rocker playing Mozart.
"Let me make something clear to you." He raked a hand through his hair, securing a strand behind his ear. "No one walks through that door when I'm in here practicing. Any questions?" Colin placed the bow on the stand and set his violin in its case.
Ariel regained her composure. "No questions. However, I think we need to set some ground rules." She crossed the room to the bay window opposite from him. "If I'm going to be your assistant, there are some things we can't do." She ran her index finger along the edge of the window then placed her tote on the side table next to it. "For starters—" She turned and bumped into his strong chest.
"Enlighten me," Colin said.
Her heart skipped a beat as she lifted her gaze to him, lingering on his mouth before she met his eyes. Ariel fought the need to kiss him again. How would she ever pull this off when he looked at her with those eyes? Colin trapped her between the bay window and him. He hadn't touched her yet, but the heat radiating from him being so close ensnared her all the same. Ariel shifted on her feet, trying to set an inch or two of distance between them.
"For starters what, Ariel?" Colin placed a hand on either side of her, making it harder for her to escape. At her silence, he asked, "Are you going to answer me?"
"This." Ariel rested a hand on his chest, to push him away, his warmth burning her palm. "If we're going to work together, there won't be any touching." Her fingertips tingled at the thrum of his heartbeat. Colin glanced at her hand on his chest. Shit. She curled her fingers into a fist. What was she doing feeling his hard muscles?
"You mean you don't want me to touch you like this?" He gripped her waist, and she jerked at the unexpected contact.
The heat of his grasp on her waist seeped through the thin layer of her clothes, stirring her insides. "Yes." She shook her head. "No."
Colin angled his head, closing the distance. "What else?" he asked, his lips a breath away from hers.
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Guests: Howard Fineman, Sue Herera, Josh Marshall, Michael Steele, Steve McMahon, John Harris, Chris Cillizza, Rush Holt
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Going hard right. Hard right.
Let's play HARDBALL.
Good evening. I'm Chris Matthews down in Washington.
Leading off tonight: Poll vault. In the next few minutes, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is expected to announce his budget for the next two years, but he takes the podium knowing that two new polls show that nationwide, the public has little taste for cutting union rights or pay, and that in Wisconsin, Walker's beginning to pay a steep political price. Walker may win the battle with Wisconsin's unions, but his party could well lose this war. That's our top story tonight.
Plus, when Orrin Hatch called the new health care law a, quote, "dumb
ass program" and "a piece of crap"—those are his words, I'm assuring you
he reminded us that the Tea Party's takeover the GOP has left Republicans with three choices—join them, go hard right like Hatch is doing it, challenge them to bring it on, like Richard Lugar of Indiana's doing it, or just surrender and switch parties, like Arlen Specter. Which one works? Well, here's a hint. Only one of these strategies has averted electoral defeat.
Also, as head of the Government Oversight Committee, Darrell Issa has announced the first casualty of his operation, his own press secretary. We'll unravel that mystery today.
And score one for the man over machine—the man who beat the machine. This Democratic congressman from New Jersey just beat Watson, the IBM computer, in an exhibition "Jeopardy Contest." I am so impressed by this guy. The question to that answer joins us later in the show. We're playing "Jeopardy" right here.
"Let Me Finish" tonight with how the Republican Party now represents that old movie, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
Let's begin with the public's distaste for what Scott Walker wants to do in Wisconsin. The HuffingtonPost's Howard Fineman joins us. He's an MSNBC political analyst. And Josh Marshall is with TalkingPointsMemo.
Let's talk a look at these—the polling that's coming out. A new poll by PPP, we call it—Public Policy Polling—asked Wisconsin voters, if they could vote again, would they vote for Governor Scott Walker or his opponent, the guy he beat, Tom Barrett? Well, just 45 percent right now would vote for the governor again, 52 percent would vote for the guy they voted against last time. In November, by the way, Walker won with 52 against 47 for his opponent. Well, that's a big swing in about just four months. PPP, by the way, is a Democratic robopoll, as I said, which some pollsters say isn't quite as accurate as some of the word-of-mouth polls.
Well, let's go to this—just assuming that that's roughly accurate, Howard, this guy's not doing well with his union bashing.
HOWARD FINEMAN, HUFFINGTONPOST.COM, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I think what the internals of that poll and other polls show, Chris, is that independents and even some Republicans who were supporting Walker I think are abandoning him and are looking at this fight between what looks like union busting and deficit cutting and having second thoughts.
And I think—well, this is the new generation of Reagan Democrats.
Remember union members—Ronald Reagan appealed to those union members.
Now their sons and daughters are sort of—
MATTHEWS: Yes.
FINEMAN: -- moderate Republican types, but they don't want the union bashing necessarily.
MATTHEWS: You know, despite the fact some people on the left like to argue—and I don't think they're ever thinking it through, Josh—most Republicans are not rich people. They may serve the interests in their voting patterns of rich people. They may inadvertently vote for trickle-down economics. But most Republicans are cloth-coat Republicans. My parents were cloth-coat Republicans. I know exactly all about it. They're regular middle-class people. I don't think they're union bashers. And that, of course, is the question here.
Is Howard right? Did they venture in the last election into grabbing those middle-of-the-road Reagan Democrats to vote for them and now realize those people—I should say those people now realize they didn't vote for this crowd and this point of view?
JOSH MARSHALL, TALKINGPOINTSMEMO.COM: That's exactly right. It's a classic case of overreach. And I think, you know, what happened early on in this struggle was, you know, the unions pretty quickly came back to Walker and said, Fine on the cuts. On the, you know, bigger contributions to our pensions and health care and so forth, we'll do all of that. And they focused on the issue of collective bargaining.
And people around this country I think get—you know, unions are kind of like democracy. You know, has all sorts of problems to it, maybe the worst system in the world except all the alternatives. And I think that a broad—you know, a lot of people in this country may think that this union's got too big a deal or this has to be changed, but when it comes down to basically getting rid of unions entirely, I think a broad majority of the country gets that if there were no unions, which is what getting rid of collective bargaining would mean—
MATTHEWS: Yes.
MARSHALL: -- it would really mean no unions, that would—that would definitely be worse than what we have now. So he's kind of awakened, I think, a pretty big majority in the country. The polls are bearing it out, that people know that's not—it's not progress to get rid of unions.
MATTHEWS: Yes, I agree with you. Let's take a look at "The New York Times" poll just came out, a CBS poll, as well. It shows 60 percent of Americans now oppose efforts, obviously, by this governor to weaken collective bargaining. Only 33 support it. Again, you know, labor needed a little, what do you call it, electroshock. It looks like they're getting it. You know, Howard's with me here, I have to tell you, the unions—you know, when you look at some of these poll, it's kind of scary.
The number that jumped out at me, when they asked people, Do you think people should have a right to collectively bargain, to unions, which means the basic notion that you get together and you fight the boss and try to get a raise or better working conditions or air-conditioning put into a plant or whatever -- 20 percent say they haven't heard enough about unions. There are more people in this country now who say to pollsters, I don't know anything about unions to have an opinion, than there are members of unions.
FINEMAN: Yes, and—
MATTHEWS: Some 7 percent of the workforce are unions, 20 percent of the people are saying, I don't know enough about these. What are unions? Isn't that an incredible statement?
FINEMAN: Well, as Josh was saying, I think that the—if the unions are lucky, the sort of vestigial memory that we have of the basic American bargain about unions—we had this argument in America about 70 or 80 -- you know, 70 years ago—
MATTHEWS: Back in the Pinkertons.
FINEMAN: -- yes, about whether this was interference with individual contract to create a collective union. And we decided that, yes, you could have a collective union that would override the idea of individual contract between the owner and the employer (SIC). We had that huge argument.
MATTHEWS: In the Wagner Act.
FINEMAN: Yes, and it was—and it got violent at times. And I don't think—I still think there's a memory the American people have that this is somehow necessary as part of our democratic bargain between power and the people. And so the younger union people that I talk to are delighted to have this opportunity to try to educate people, even though they have to educate them on behalf of public employee unions, which aren't always the most popular.
MATTHEWS: You know, it's interesting, the netroots really came into the real power—they didn't win, but they made a big argument for the public option with regard to health care, Josh. We were all part of that discussion. It was more than a discussion, it was a passionate, passionate cause. And now it seems to me what might be happening here is a merging of interests and identities between the netroots people who really are younger, I would argue, younger and perhaps more educated than most people, who use computers, laptops to communicate, the Internet—they know how to get around in terms of modern communication—now say, Well, wait a minute. I think we're on the side of labor here. And they may not have thought much about it before, and now they say, You know, the right to organize collectively may not be something that's affected my life yet, but I'm with these people.
MARSHALL: Well, you know, I think, you know, the netroots stars, for lack of a better word, Kos and a lot of other people—they thought a lot about unions. They've been—they've been, you know, down with this program for a long time.
But I do think you're right that there—and that 20 or 20-odd percent number that you said of kind of, like, I haven't heard enough—I mean, you know, most people think, Wow, I've heard—you know, whether you like them or not, you've heard plenty about unions. And I think that's a real opportunity for the labor movement in this country that there's that many people—I mean, I think that there was another, like, 15 percent that were undecided and then hadn't heard enough.
So yes, I think that—I think that is a really—a really good point. And going back to the—you know, the earlier issue we were discussing, you know, what—what Walker is saying is that, you know, We just—we just can't afford collective bargaining at all. And I think that a lot of people have a basic sense of fair play, that if—you know, if the taxpayers vis-a-vis the public employees unions are represented by the government, maybe I, as a taxpayer, want the government to drive a bit of a harder bargain. But the idea that the people—the public employees don't even get to negotiate—
MATTHEWS: I know.
MARSHALL: -- I think that offends a lot of people. Just basic sense of fair play.
MATTHEWS: Well, there's a new ad that's been put out by the Republican Governors Association. They apparently made a pretty good strong buy out in Wisconsin. They're airing it right now. Let's look at the how the Republicans National Governors Association—they were meeting here in Washington—what they think they have as a case. Hear the other argument. Let's put it on. Here's the Republican argument for Wisconsin. Let's listen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a sea of red ink in Madison. And while senate Democrats are fleeing their responsibility, Governor Walker is leading, balancing the budget without raising taxes so Wisconsin will be open for business again, and asking state employees to contribute to their own benefits, just like everyone else.
MATTHEWS: Well, there you go, Howard. Skipped the issue of union organization, didn't they.
FINEMAN: Yes.
MATTHEWS: They never brought that in.
FINEMAN: Right.
FINEMAN: And if that's what the conversation was, none of this would be going on. You wouldn't have the people sitting in the state capitol. It's the fact that he—that the governor went the other step.
MATTHEWS: Well—
FINEMAN: And this is a classic defense ad here because they're revealing the weakness that they know they have.
MATTHEWS: Exactly! And let's clarify our role here as public educators, Josh. The unions gave on these give-backs right in the beginning. They said, Yes, we'll agree to a co-pay on health benefits. Yes, we'll agree to a co-pay on pension benefits. They rolled on that very quickly, way before this ad was produced. So this ad is really deceptive. It's saying there's an issue at hand here that's already been resolved.
MARSHALL: I think that's exactly right. You know, they see that—the Republicans, Walker, et cetera, sees that that collective bargaining argument, which is really what's being discussed right now, is a loser for them. And when you have these poll numbers that are 60/30, you know, those are lethal for anybody in politics—
MATTHEWS: OK. Lethal? Did you say lethal? Because let me tell you who's using the word "lethal." You know how we all agreed in the media world—I think we all agreed a couple weeks ago, after the horror in Arizona, that we weren't going to talk about, you know, "shoot 'em up," we were going to use terms, ballistic term in the way we talk. We're not going to say "mow down our opponents" or all that. We're going to stop talking about guns and regular political discourse.
MARSHALL: I don't think that—I don't think that—
MATTHEWS: Somebody didn't get the message!
MARSHALL: I don't think that's in the same category. I think—
MATTHEWS: Well, no, hear me out—
MATTHEWS: Here's Boehner—well, here's—I'm just teasing! You are—I used you to tease into Boehner!
MATTHEWS: You were part of my set-up, sir. Let's take a look. Here is John Boehner, who didn't get—you, of course, have always got the message. Here's John Boehner on unions, and let's look at his metaphor. Let's listen.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: In some of these states, you've got collective bargaining laws that are so weighted in favor of the public employees that there's almost no bargaining. You know, we've given them a machine gun put right at the heads of the local officials, and they really have had their hands tied.
MATTHEWS: What is this Glenn Beck talk, guns at the heads? That's how Glenn talks! I'm going to put a gun to your head, and all this!
FINEMAN: Well, when John Boehner backslides, he really backslides.
MATTHEWS: I mean, he's the guy that—
FINEMAN: What amazes me about this whole thing is, Chris, it's probably been a half a century or more before the issue of collective bargaining—
MATTHEWS: Yes.
FINEMAN: -- since the issue of collective bargaining and unions was front and center—
MATTHEWS: Big labor!
FINEMAN: -- big labor—in a presidential campaign. You could maybe in '84 with Reagan and Mondale, but not really. Nobody took that seriously. But to go at the guts of the question of collective bargaining and turn it into a presidential election issue, which the Republicans seem determined to do because Karl Rove just said American Crossroads is going to put $120 million—raise $120 million in the name of fighting the unions.
MATTHEWS: Yes. But that's sort of like LaRouche always runs—
FINEMAN: I have not seen anything out of a guy like Karl Rove attempting to wave the bloody shirt of the unions—
MATTHEWS: Yes.
FINEMAN: -- in decades.
MATTHEWS: He's looking for something hot.
FINEMAN: It's been abortion or it's been the Panama Canal, going back a generation, or it's been spending. It's been something else. I haven't heard the unions used in that way.
MATTHEWS: Well, you want to know the flavor of the week, go to Karl Rove.
FINEMAN: Absolutely.
MATTHEWS: Thank you very much, Howard Fineman. Thank you, Josh Marshall, as always.
Coming up: As the Tea Party pushes the Republican Party far, far to the right, what's the best strategy for less ideological Republicans who want to survive? If you want to root for them, go ahead. I wish they'd just stand for what they believe in. Push back, switch parties our even go harder right. We know they've tried them all. Let's see how it works. That's ahead. How to survive the Tea Party when it's coming to get your body!
You're watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.
MATTHEWS: Well, Newt Gingrich is the first major name Republican to make a formal step towards getting into the 2012 presidential race. Gingrich is set to announce the formation an exploratory committee this week. That means business. The former House speaker has scheduled a pair of trips to early primary states in the next few weeks. He'll be in Iowa next week, New Hampshire later this month.
We'll be right back.
MATTHEWS: Back to HARDBALL. A Tea Party challenge is serious business for Republican incumbents, and there are three simple ways to handle it. The first is to do what Utah senator Bob Bennett did, try to make the case for keeping your job. Trouble is, it didn't work. So that's what we call "the Bennett." Step one is to make your case. Step two, lose.
Then there's the approach that Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter took. Here he is, summing it up in 2009.
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (D), PENNSYLVANIA: My change in party will enable me to be reelected. And I have heard that again and again and again on the street—Senator, we're glad you'll be able to stay in the Senate and help the state and the nation.
MATTHEWS: Wow! You can't beat that. But that didn't work, either. That's what we call "the Specter"—step one, switch parties. Step two, lose.
So the only approach that seems to work is what John McCain did. After years of calling himself, and being, a maverick, even running for president as one, he told "Newsweek," "I never considered myself a maverick." And that's what we call "the McCain." Step one, go hard right. Step two, win.
Well, that appears to be the tack that Utah senator Orrin Hatch is finally taking for 2012. Here he was at the CPAC convention a couple weeks ago, talking about his vote for TARP.
SEN. ORRIN HATCH ®, UTAH: To my Tea Party people, I've said I feel badly I did vote for it. On the other hand—
HATCH: No, wait. No, wait. Wait a minute. But I also make it very
I also make it very clear, under the circumstances at that time, we were in—we were going down. And let me tell you, we were going into a—
HATCH: Well, let me—let me—let me answer. Let me answer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let him answer.
HATCH: Let me answer, and then you may disagree, but you're not sitting there having to make these decisions.
MATTHEWS: Sounds like he was at the zoo. Anyway, it looks like he was going with the "Bennett" right there, and it wasn't working. How about trying the "McCain." So here he was on Friday, Senator Hatch, talking to a group of college Republicans up at Utah State about health care.
HATCH: Every state has different demographics. Every state has different problems. It's good to allow them to work out their own problems (INAUDIBLE) rather than a one-size-fits-all federal government, stupid, dumbass program.
HATCH: I apologize. I should never swear. (INAUDIBLE) awful piece of crap.
MATTHEWS: Well, he certainly got them giggling, those wild Republicans out of Utah State, with those dirty words like "crap" and "dumbass." Those were the winners for him. So is that the answer, talk tough and dirty, and you're in the clear?
Michael Steele is the former chairman of the Republican National Committee and Steve McMahon's a Democratic strategist.
Sir, is that what you have to do, be a full, full pander, a full McCain?
MICHAEL STEELE, FORMER RNC CHAIRMAN: No, no.
MATTHEWS: You got to lay down and kiss them—
STEELE: No, no, no, no, no.
MATTHEWS: -- the Tea Partiers, to get by them?
STEELE: I think—
MATTHEWS: So what was he doing there?
STEELE: I think he was—
MATTHEWS: Using bad words?
STEELE: No, I—I think that—and the senator did come back and say, well, that's not really his nature to do that.
But I think the one thing that I have always admired about him, he's a very passionate man. He's very passionate about the health care debate. He has been.
The language was not necessarily his style, but he admitted that. I don't think there was pandering going on. I known him to be consistent.
STEELE: He's a consistent conservative. He has been. He will be.
And I think he's the best thing—
MATTHEWS: Yes, you know what? He was sitting on the Finance Committee and he was part of the negotiations and walked away. He could have made that bill a more moderate bill if he wanted to, and he didn't do it.
STEELE: Well, look, they're—as he said, you can sit back and hindsight is 20/20. You can always second-guess what someone do in the moment. He did what he thought was best at the time. And that's been consistent about him.
He said that at CPAC. He was honest.
MATTHEWS: OK. You know what we do here, Michael?
MATTHEWS: We criticize them when they do it and we remember afterwards and we criticize later.
STEELE: Right.
MATTHEWS: As the door closes him behind, we hit them. OK?
STEELE: Well, look, you can hit him all day long, but I think the one thing you can say about him is, he's consistent.
MATTHEWS: He's consistent?
STEELE: Yes, he's been consistent.
STEVE MCMAHON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: He may be principled, but he's also very, very pragmatic, which explains what is he's trying to do. He's trying to run to the right as far and as fast as he can, because he saw what just happened.
MATTHEWS: He has the most conservative voting record in the Senate now. He's at 100. He's gone to 100.
MCMAHON: He saw what happened to the chairman, to his colleague
Senator Bennett, who didn't run to the right as far and as fast, and lost -
MATTHEWS: Didn't McCain do this? Didn't McCain go from being a maverick on immigration—
STEELE: There's a big difference between—But there's a big difference between Senator Hatch and Senator McCain when it comes to these issues.
You have got to be fair. The senator has been—Hatch has been very consistent in his conservatism. He's not waffled on those conservative issues.
MATTHEWS: How about McCain?
STEELE: McCain is not up for election. He won. He's moved on.
STEELE: His voters know him and they voted him back in. I think the same is true here in Utah. And I think you will see this senator stand very strongly with conservatives in that state. Tea Party or not, he's been a consistent fighter for the people of Utah, and he will be in 2012.
MCMAHON: One of the things that people liked about Orrin Hatch and about John McCain is when there were issues that were very important to the country, they could put aside partisanship and work with people like, yes, Ted Kennedy. Orrin Hatch did that on a number of occasions. And I'm not suggesting he—
MATTHEWS: He won't do it again.
MCMAHON: He won't do it again.
MCMAHON: John McCain did it on immigration. And neither one of them will do it again, because the crazies have taken over their party. And they can't get through—they cannot get through a nominating process, particularly a caucus, where the Republican Tea Party movement is ready to toss them out of office. Senator Lugar is the same way in Indiana.
STEELE: I think there are number of things you need to understand here.
A lot of folks on the left and a lot of my friends out here want to blanket the Tea Party as this right-wing part of the GOP. There are many Democrats, conservative Democrats, in the Tea Party who will be voting in Democrat primaries coming up.
MCMAHON: I don't think that's—
STEELE: I think it's bad politics for both parties to ignore the weight and force of this movement out here.
MCMAHON: The Tea Party movement has not defeated a Democratic incumbent. The Tea Party movement has not defeated a Democratic incumbent in a primary.
MATTHEWS: All right. OK.
MATTHEWS: I have got a broader brush here, Michael, now that you're playing defense well for your party.
You're still a Republican, right?
STEELE: Yes, last time I checked.
MATTHEWS: Let's take a look at these guys, top senators facing Tea Party trouble in 2012. Utah's Orrin Hatch, well, we have already talked about his move to the right, no matter what you say.
Maine's Olympia Snowe and Indiana's Richard Lugar. Now, I think those other two people, the lady from—the gentlelady from Maine, and Lugar from Indiana are going to hold—they will hold themselves.
STEELE: Yes.
MATTHEWS: I think they have pride and I think they're not going to switch to the right. What do you think?
STEELE: I think—I don't think they have to. I think they are going to be consistent with their voters back at home. They're going to go and stand before those voters, as they do every election cycle. And I believe they will get renominated and reelected.
MATTHEWS: You're a charming guy. And I like you.
But let me tell what you he's wrong about. I see the Republican Party, everybody, moderate conservatives, middle-of-the-road conservatives, are all going hard right. Pawlenty, I have never had any problem with the guy. He seems like a good governor. He's now saying bring back DADT. Who is he pandering to, to bring back don't ask, don't tell?
What's that about? We have gone through this argument. The public has changed on it. He wants on go backwards. Then you got Huckabee out there today saying that President Obama grew up in Kenya. He was never in Kenya one minute in his youth. Not one minute was he there.
STEELE: I don't Huckabee is running.
MATTHEWS: Here he is back—he's back to birtherism.
These guys are all going hard right, and you know it, Michael.
STEELE: Well, they're going—
MATTHEWS: They're going hard right.
STEELE: You can characterize it as going hard right. I characterize as they're reflecting the concerns, the questions, that issues that a lot of people have out there right, left, center, a lot of Americans, a lot of Americans out there.
MATTHEWS: Yes, they're pandering. They're pandering.
MCMAHON: Republican primary voters. No, no, so here's what's going on. If they're in the Senate—
STEELE: I mean, Huckabee is not running, so he's not a panderer to a Republican primary voter.
MATTHEWS: Why is he talking about the president growing up in Kenya?
STEELE: I don't know.
STEELE: I didn't hear the quote, so I can't comment on the quote.
MCMAHON: You know why. You know why. He's appealing to the base vote, even though he's not running.
MATTHEWS: He's like Boehner, who won't go after the birthers.
MCMAHON: It's the base vote of the Republican Party. It's the base viewer of the FOX News Network.
And what the Republicans who are running in Senate primaries are doing is they're running to the right, except for the Republicans who, as Chris points out correctly, are basically they're—they're standing up and saying, I'm principled, like you say Orrin Hatch is. I'm not going run away from my record. I'm going to stand up for my record. I'm going to defend my record. And if I lose, I lose. That's frankly what politics should be all about.
STEELE: And I think policy should be that.
But let's see how the Democrats, the seven or eight Democrats who are going to be in trouble in '12 who are in states like Pennsylvania and elsewhere, who are going to be struggling in their general election with these very same voters that you're now talking about—
MATTHEWS: Nice try, Michael. Did you see "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"?
MATTHEWS: OK. That's what's going on in your party.
STEELE: Please. Come on. Come on. Please.
MATTHEWS: Anyway, thank you, Michael Steele and Steve McMahon.
MATTHEWS: Up next: a Texas-sized gaffe from Governor Rick Perry. He seemed to forget where his state ends and Mexico begins.
You're watching HARDBALL. I like when Perry blows it.
You're watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.
He dresses well, I think.
MATTHEWS: Back to HARDBALL. Time for the "Sideshow."
First up: We know a lot of Republicans wrongly believe that President Obama was born and raised in Kenya, over in Africa. Guess who recently joined the birther chorus? Mike Huckabee. Here's Huck on radio yesterday talking about the president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't you think we deserve to know more about this man?
MIKE HUCKABEE ®, FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR: I would love to know more. But what I know is troubling enough. And one thing that I do know is his having grown up in Kenya, his view of the Brits, for example, very different than the average American.
MATTHEWS: Well, the reality, of course, is President Obama grew up in Hawaii, one of the states of the union, and Indonesia, when he had a stepfather there. In fact, he didn't even visit Kenya in his entire youth ever.
Huckabee's spokesperson, by the way, finally backpedaled late today, saying his boss simply misspoke. Yes, he was pandering to that radio guy.
Next up: border wars. Yesterday, during a meeting of drug
enforcement, Rick Perry, the Tea Party governor of Texas, warned—quote -
"Juarez is reported to be the most dangerous city in America."
Well, Juarez is, of course, across the border in Mexico, not the U.S.. And they quickly corrected him on that point—a lot of corrections from the Republicans these days.
In addition to geography, Perry, it seems, also has issues with reporter access. A number of journalists noticed they were being blocked from following the governor's Twitter feed. Perry's spokesman didn't deny the snub, saying it's the governor's personal account, so he manages it as he sees fit.
Governor Perry apparently wants to keep his Twitters—his tweets, rather, to himself, 30,000 online followers, just not the reporters covering him.
Finally, Chris Dodd proves that there are second acts in American life, despite what F. Scott Fitzgerald said. The longtime Connecticut senator has just been named to head the Motion Picture Association of America, a big job. In case you forgot, Senator Dodd's no stranger to the big screen. Here he was in a cameo in that great movie "Dave."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: The president has proposed a comprehensive full employment program unparalleled since the days of FDR. The proposal brought swift reaction here on Capitol Hill.
SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD (D), CONNECTICUT: I think President Mitchell's on the right track. I think putting people to work in this country is what we ought to be doing. It's far better to have someone with a job than collecting a welfare check.
MATTHEWS: Well, it was one of my all-time favorite movies, obviously.
In a fitting move, Senator Dodd will take up his new role on March 17.
He's a great Irish-American. That is Saint Paddy's Day.
Up next: Darrell Issa, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, promised to clean up when he got his powerful chairmanship, but he's been forced to start in his own backyard. He fired his press flack.
You're watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.
SUE HERERA, CNBC CORRESPONDENT: I'm Sue Herera with your CNBC "Market Wrap."
March coming in like a bear, the Dow Jones industrials plunging 168 points, the S&P 500 giving up 21, the Nasdaq shedding 44 points.
Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke telling Congress that high oil prices could stall economic growth and boost inflation if they persist. And those oil prices are still climbing with all the Mideast unrest. U.S. crude jumping 3 percent today to finish just under $100 a barrel.
Investors were also locking in profits, especially in the auto sector. The automakers mostly lower despite strong February sales pretty much all the way across the board. The Las Vegas Sands tumbling on word that it's being investigated by the Justice Department and the SEC. Goldman Sachs shares slipping after the SEC accused a former board member of insider trading. And J.P. Morgan slumping on word that its legal losses could top $4.5 billion. And that is more than it has in its litigation reserves.
That's it from CNBC, first in business worldwide—and now back to HARDBALL and Chris.
MATTHEWS: Welcome back to HARDBALL.
If you have ever wondered if there's a cozy relationship between journalists and the politicians they cover, listen to this that erupted over the last 24 hours.
Last night, Politico, the great news sheet and political informer sheet for us, reported that a spokesman for Congressman Darrell Issa of California, who is chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the House, had been sharing his e-mail correspondence with Washington journalists with another journalist, "The New York Times"' Mark Leibovich, who is writing a book on Washington personalities and culture.
Well, today, after Issa conducted his own internal investigation, that spokesman, Kurt Bardella, was fired by the chairman, Issa.
Here to give us the details is Politico editor in chief John Harris and Chris Cillizza, managing editor of PostPolitics.com.
I have got great respect for you guys and I'm trying to figure out this story and how to explain it to people who don't do what we do for a living. We all do something a little different in this journalism business.
But, John, you're one of the kings in this business right now running Politico. What is it that happened here where a flack, a press secretary from a top member of Congress, was apparently sending out copies of e-mails to Leibovich, who is writing this book about relationships between him and journalists?
JOHN HARRIS, EDITOR IN CHIEF, POLITICO.COM: Yes, something like that happened, Chris, we now know.
I should say that we still don't know the full facts of what happened. What I know of this is that, starting late last week, we'd heard reports that this activity might be taking place. We made inquiries to Congressman Issa's office, got very incomplete and frankly somewhat troubling responses from his office, which made us think that this might—this activity might in fact be taking place.
I wrote a letter to Chairman Issa saying I thought that when reporters are dealing with the people he pays to represent him, there is an expectation that that material is not going to be surreptitiously shared.
MATTHEWS: Yes.
HARRIS: And I thought this was improper.
He told me in a subsequent phone conversation that he agreed that there was an expectation that the sort of professional code between journalists and people who represent public officials would not allow for this kind of surreptitious and clandestine sharing.
And he said he would get to the bottom of it. Today, he said he did get at least partially to the bottom of it and made a decision to part ways with the press secretary who was engaged in this activity.
MATTHEWS: Well, Congressman Issa put up this statement saying in part: "It's become clear to me that the committee's deputy communications director," this guy Kurt Bardella, "did share reporter e-mail correspondence with 'New York Times' journalist Mark Leibovich for a book project. Though limited, these actions were highly inappropriate, a basic breach of trust with reporters it was his job to assist and inconsistent with established communications office policies. As a consequence, his employment has been terminated."
You don't get many people that are fired that abruptly, Chris Cillizza, and in public light. This is a big story now, firing a guy, not letting him quit, not letting him sort of say I have to resign because I was write a book.
CHRIS CILLIZZA, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Yes.
MATTHEWS: Is this is a big—here's what I'm trying to figure out.
Did they have—is Leibovich on to cases where a reporter might call up a press secretary and say I need this for deadline, all I need is one answer to this one question, I'm not going to hit him on this girlfriend he had two months ago, I just need this thing answered tonight, I need to get the damn story, tell him to please answer my question?
Is that supposed to be somehow incriminating, a cozy relationship? Is that what Leibovich is working on here? I can't figure out what the—what they used to call the MacGuffin in a Hitchcock movie is. What does he want, Leibovich?
CILLIZZA: I think what he wants, Chris, is to show kind of both the fascinating, the sublime and the ridiculous in Washington, which you, John and I know exists.
One important thing—
MATTHEWS: Oh, there's more meat than there than that. He's going for something that is going to sell books, not the day-to-day stuff.
CILLIZZA: Absolutely. No question, that's what we're—that's what we're all after.
But what I would say, Chris, one important thing, I think, for—for your average person watching this, it might seem weird. You used the phrase a reporter calling Kurt Bardella and saying, hey, can you give me this?
The truth of the matter—I will put myself in this category—I probably do 95 percent of my reporting via e-mail. And I think that's why to John's point, this is so insidious and can be a breach of trust. Look, I probably send 200, 300, maybe more emails a day cajoling people, asking people—
MATTHEWS: Yes.
CILLIZZA: -- to give me stuff before they give it to John and his folks. I mean, that's our business. That's what we're in. But unlike a phone call, Chris, where unless you tape it and then you replay it for someone—
MATTHEWS: Right.
CILLIZZA: -- it's so easy now with email to just say, hey, check out what this guy who I don't like sent me. It's troubling I would say as a reporter because—
CILLIZZA: -- ultimately we deal in trust. You know, if I'm sending you something, I don't assume you're then sending to somebody else. I think that's what John—
MATTHEWS: This guy apparently was bragging in the "New Yorker" a couple of months ago, John Harris, about how he could go to a reporter and say, here's a story, dishes the story to somebody, and next thing it runs verbatim the way he dished it and he's saying reporters are hacks, I can get them to write them anything I want.
Now, this is something the public would like to know if from some pal from California is able to have his flack call up a major newspaper or TV station and say here's the story I want out today, Issa said to investigate Sestak or something, I need that. Or Issa not to investigate Sestak, fills him up with 500 words and he's got a story.
Is that what you got here? What do you got, John? Come on, tell me what you got. Come on.
HARRIS: I would agree that that practice, his critique of the press was interesting. I'm happy to say as the editor who runs "Politico" that I don't believe that kind of lazy reporting is happening here. I think his problem was when the press secretary becomes the story, that's not a good thing.
MATTHEWS: Yes, I do.
HARRIS: Paul Begala had this line during the Clinton years like the problem with this White House is we wear our underwear on the outside.
HARRIS: And I don't think you as a press secretary want to be wearing your underwear on the outside. That's more attention on you and the process than your point you're trying to make.
MATTHEWS: OK. Let's go to the gold one here. This is the golden one here. Howie Kurtz, probably the major media reporter in town here in Washington, called him up, to put on the phone with a guy named he thought Issa. It turns out he was talking to a guy named Bardella.
He was talking to him, the press guy. He does the whole interview with the guy. He calls him congressman all through the interview. He prints out the story, puts in print. It's on the record as an interview with the congressman. He thanks the guy for it. And it turns out it was Bardella impersonating the boss the whole time professionally, not as a gag, but acting like he's the congressman. What's that tell you, Chris, about the way this guy perhaps riding a little too high in his own notion?
CILLIZZA: Let me, first, say this in the interests of full disclosure, I don't know Kurt well. I've played basketball with him, but I don't know him well.
That said, there is a pattern of behavior I think that would not lead to you the conclusion that this was a guy who was long for the job. I think a lot of people I talked to after the—after the Ryan Lizza story that you mentioned, the "New Yorker" story came out, thought he might be gone. You add that Howie Kurtz, was he talking to the congressman, was he not?
Look, I think in a lot of ways, Mark Leibovich got exactly the story he was looking for or what he's looking for in his book, which is a kid, you know, Kurt is in his late 20s, a kid who rises very past with a member of Congress, who's on a fast rise, too, and then falls very fast. John knows that. We all know. That is a story that's played out time and time again here in Washington.
MATTHEWS: You know, unless you're watching—in case you're watching Mark Leibovich, I really like you, by the way, buddy. I never thought of you before.
Anyway, thank you, Harris—and John Harris likes you, and Chris Cillizza.
HARRIS: You'll be playing basketball with him anytime.
MATTHEWS: By the way, you're apparently saying that Bardella took too many shots beyond the three-point line. Anyway, thank you.
CILLIZZA: He didn't pass me the ball enough.
MATTHEWS: OK, thank you, sirs. We're getting to the bottom of this, I think.
Coming up: the United States congressman who beat IBM's Watson super computer at "Jeopardy!" Finally, a politician who knows more than you know maybe. New Jersey Democrat Rush Holt coming on, he's the guy that did it.
This is HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.
MATTHEWS: Well, if the Republicans do pick Mitt Romney as their presidential nominee, he'll make a race out of key swing state of Michigan.
A new poll shows a Romney-Obama match-up would be competitive, with each getting 38 percent. That's a lot of undecideds out there, 24 percent. And leaners—and leaners in Romney leads the president in Michigan by five points. So people are tending towards him there.
His father was, of course, the governor out there. Romney has ties to the state. His dad was governor back in the 60s.
HARDBALL back after this.
MATTHEWS: We're back and it's time to play a quick game of "Jeopardy!"
At the top of the show, we did give you this clue: this Democratic congressman from New Jersey just beat Watson, the IBM super computer, in an exhibition match of "Jeopardy!" The correct question, of course, it's always backwards, who is Rush Holt? He's a Democratic congressman and nuclear physicist. He defeated Watson, the machine, 8,600 points to 6,200 points in a remarkable triumph of man over machines, real John Henry stuff here.
And here he is to tell us about it. Remember John Henry, the guy that beat the machine, and then died back in mythical times?
REP. RUSH HOLT (D), NEW JERSEY: That's right. He died with his hammer in his hands.
MATTHEWS: Died with his hammer in his hands. How did you do it? Did you feel—I hear the machine is faster than man, but it's not always right, obviously.
HOLT: Well, Chris, it's good to be with you.
I'm not sure that IBM Watson computer wasn't having a low voltage night, but, you know, it was all for fun. But with a real point—and the point to emphasize the importance of research. And, you know, that's why IBM did this. To show that programming, complicated decision-making and information retrieval can be done in a way that is good for medical diagnosis and transportation planning and, yes, even playing games.
And so, I did it because for decades I've been trying to highlight the need for more investment in research and science education. That's what it was about. But it sure was fun.
MATTHEWS: Well, you also did a lot of reading out of school. I know the secret.
Here is an example where you beat Watson in a category called presidential rhyme time. The clue was Herbert's military strategies. And you said, what is Hoover's maneuvers? That's—love that one. I never heard that one.
Category was called also a laundry detergent. The clue was a three letter nickname for the Beatles. And your correct answer was, what is Fab? Like the Fab 4.
And in the category of phobias, the clue was someone who has hippophobia has a fear of what. And you said, what is horses?
So, sir, we have one for you right now.
HOLT: Oh, no.
MATTHEWS: All right? We have three—no, no, they're not as hard but they will be recorded. Let's try a few exercises. The first clue, he was the youngest president.
HOLT: John F. Kennedy.
MATTHEWS: Actually—
HOLT: Who was—no.
MATTHEWS: Who was Teddy Roosevelt?
HOLT: You stumped me. That was my second choice, I got to tell you.
MATTHEWS: Teddy Roosevelt, he was the youngest elected president, John Kennedy.
HOLT: Oh.
MATTHEWS: Remember Teddy Roosevelt came in with McKinley. McKinley was shot.
OK. These aren't hard. These are easy. OK, here's one. It is our most Southern state.
HOLT: Hawaii.
MATTHEWS: Hawaii. What is Hawaii?
HOLT: What is Hawaii?
MATTHEWS: What is Hawaii? Very good. You get one out of two.
HOLT: Yes. Watson would have rung in by this time.
MATTHEWS: OK. I know. But here's the tiebreaker. I'll give you a little more time with this because it's shear politics, and I'm a political junkie and I wouldn't ask you a question I didn't know well myself. He was Harry Truman's vice president.
HOLT: I do know this one, too. Kentucky.
MATTHEWS: Yes. A.B.
HOLT: Barkley.
MATTHEWS: Right.
HOLT: Alben Barkley. Who is Alben Barkley? Thank you.
MATTHEWS: That's pretty good.
HOLT: With your help.
MATTHEWS: Well, you're very good. You beat a machine. You can beat me.
Let me ask you about this, on tiger moms—there's a lot of talk about really hard, rigorous education of kids. No play time, no overnights, no TV, nothing. Just really—like the aspirational cultures to come this country from Asia and other countries. Tiger moms, is that too much for kids in America?
HOLT: Well, you know, that's one of the reasons I liked this "Jeopardy!" game. It showed that hard thinking, which is what the researchers put in to develop this kind of software that can make these word games and information retrieval and so forth, can be fun.
MATTHEWS: Yes.
HOLT: And so, that's—it's serious in the sense that they're developing ideas that are applicable in all sorts of things. You know, I showed up because it's fun.
MATTHEWS: OK. Apply Watson, this machine—the machine that's beat a lot of really serious contestants in "Jeopardy," what use could you put this machine do you think in terms of application, other applications?
HOLT: You know, that's the point of research. When you start, you don't always know where it's heading. I'm sure they've learned some things about decision-making that will be applicable in medicine, you know, where you got a difficult diagnosis, where somebody presents with something other than the textbook symptoms. But it's not entirely, you know, different.
Or in traffic management where you've got to keep track of lots of different inputs but think with a certain amount of imagination. In other words, not entirely predictable. So, you know, I think it's going to be all sorts of things.
I did say that I don't think it's going to take the place of either a member of Congress or of a congressional staff members, because, you know, there's no—there is no computer that is wise nor is there any bank of parallel processors that can balance the competing interests of school lunches versus space exploration versus traffic safety. This requires the kind of human gestalt that I don't think a computer will ever have.
MATTHEWS: Do you think we will have a replicate of a human being mentally at some point?
HOLT: Well, no, see? That's my point. I don't think so. There's no question that these computers will find—provide tools. They already do provide tools like we've never seen.
MATTHEWS: What about the HAL 9000 in "2001," the movie. The HAL 9000, that developed the personality of its own and began to manipulate events. In fact, it started killing the spacemen.
HOLT: You know, Chris, I would have been worried if Watson has started calling me Dave.
MATTHEWS: I'm scared, Dave. I'm scared.
Thank you. A great movie, by the way. Thank you and congratulations.
I'm very impressed—Congressman Rush Holt of New Jersey.
HOLT: Thanks, Chris.
MATTHEWS: When we return, "Let Me Finish" with the invasion of the body snatchers. That's what's happening right now to a lot of Republicans in the U.S. Senate. I'm serious. This is a horror movie.
You're watching HARDBALL, only on MSNBC.
MATTHEWS: "Let Me Finish" tonight with a grade B horror movie. If we still have drive-in movie theaters, this one would be on the midnight spook show, right at midnight. It's called "Return of the Body Snatchers." This is a story of how regular somewhat intelligent people are now being transformed into zombies right on the floor of the United States Senate. How regular Republican senators, some of them distinguished members, are having their bodies taken over by the right.
You know the plot. One minute, the guy or a woman seems normal—a person who thinks, lives, acts for themselves. The next second, you meet them, and you realize from the blankness in their eyes they've been transformed, their bodies snatched by this weird force taking over.
Remember Arlen s, proud modern Republican. Modern Republican, he of the Scottish verdict and the Clinton impeachment trial. Snatched. One day, he awoke a Democrat, said it was a matter of survival.
A lot of this is to do with fear—fear of defeat, fear of losing careers, fear of the power of the Tea Party people and whatever candidate they can throw up against you.
Remember John McCain, the maverick, a guy with enough guts to get out there and back immigration reform, campaign reform? He was ready to take on the haters and big right wing fund-raisers and still managed to win the Republican nomination for president. Snatched. One day, he awoke in the Arizona desert a full-blown right-winger himself. No J.D.—what's his name—was going to take his Senate seat away from him.
Orrin Hatch—used to be able find common ground with Ted Kennedy. Actually helped him along personally when he needed a good friend, did some good educational work with the senator from Massachusetts as I recall. Snatched. This week, Hatch is out there making gross comments about President Obama's health care program using bad words to do it.
Is this the route for safety to Republican senators? Is this what the future of Olympia Snowe and Richard Lugar and the others who managed to keep independent, political person going to be all about?
Will the invasion of the body snatchers continue until it snatched every single Republican in the U.S. Senate?
That's HARDBALL for now. Thanks for being with us.
More politics ahead with Cenk Uygur.
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text:
|Do you know where your variables are?
Re: Re: New Power Proposalby footpad (Monsignor)
|on Jul 28, 2001 at 08:55 UTC ( #100522=note: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
I'm sorry I wasn't clearer in my earlier remarks. I did not mean to suggest that your specific handle is offense or that your behavior was. I apologize.
It's a bit suspicious, you must confess, to have several anti-handles registered in a few minutes. In any event, you are correct. We assume you're innocent first.
However, I feel it's important to point out what I was thinking when I saw a large number of anti-handles registered in a few minutes. I did not think, "Oh, there's a troll!" Instead, I thought, "Oh, geez, what if mr_leisure realizes he can do this."
Now, you're new (I'll assume), so that name will mean nothing to you. However, it means a great deal to the people he hassled during his various appearances. If memory serves, he has a few other handles he was operating under at the time. His favorite strategy was to privately /msg obscene remarks to people online at the time, including myself and at least three other monks I know of. (and, yes, in that last sentence, "monks" is a genderless noun.)
If a such a pea-brain can think that he can abuse the CB in such a fashion, logic suggests that he might also realize that he can be even more offensive by picking obscene handles. And, yes, he was offensive.
I'm sorry if it sounded like I thought you or the other Anti-handles were offensive. Naturally, they're not. (Personally, I thought it was cheap in Crisis; I mean really! Can't you be a bit more creative than Anti-Monitor? Sheesh!)
(And, by the way, if you just happen to *not* be new, well...I'm sorry I didn't get the joke earlier. Guess it had some unintended consequences. Some jokes are like that. Comedy isn't pretty; just talk to Jack Napier some time.)
So, nothing personal...I still believe there's a risk. I did my job; I pointed it out and I offered suggestions. If y'all decide you can live with that risk, great; then we've reached consensus. I'll support that; it is, after all, the community's decision and that's all I was trying to bring into the process.
I've learned a lot of things in the years since high school, but one of the most important is that there really is more going on than you may realize. I've also learned that one doesn't discuss secrets or personal data in public. So, I'm sorry. I should have been more clear. You weren't the target of my suspicion or really the audience for it. I apologize for sullying your introduction to the Monastery.
In any event, whoever you are, welcome! I apologize for being such a grouch and, oh, have one on me. The bar's down the hall, around the corner, and to the left. And, please...don't turn out the light; you might be eaten by a grue--I mean, troll.
In Section Perl Monks Discussion