Blogger War Intelligence

President Bush today used words written by an Iraqi blogger as evidence his new strategy is having an effect in Baghdad. I found this interesting because I have been a regular reader of the blog he referenced, as well as three other english language blogs from Iraq, since days after the war began. I have found them to be tremendously helpful tools for divining the truth of the situation on the ground in Iraq. It is truly astounding to be able to read the words of someone who is so affected by this thing we see on TV that is so far away.

The one blog that has meant more to me than the others is that of a girl from Mosul named Najma. She is the exact same age as my oldest daughter and for the past four years I have seen her struggle with the same life issues that my daughter faces, the main difference being that Najma's difficulties include bombs, tanks and soldiers. In spite of the war in her country, though, many of her biggest concerns and fears are about her grades and the social things that young girls worry about universally.

I have learned a great deal about Iraq, war, cultural and religious prejudice and the news media by reading these blogs. I highly recommend the practice. Here is a list of currently active Iraqi bloggers. Be warned, they vary greatly in their viewpoint from pro-America to vehemently anti-West. Some are remarkable for the way they blog about life just as most American bloggers without ever mentioning politics or the war and some are only about the war.

Omar and Mohammed, ITM

Zeyad

Iraq Pundit

Hammorabi Sam

Ambassador Fayrouz

Baghdad Treasure

24 Steps to Liberty

Iraqi Mojo

Konfused Kollege Kid

Sooni

Anarki-13

Attawie

Caesar of Pentra

Morbid Smile

Morbid Smile's Photos

Alaa, the Mesopotamian

Into the Sun

Iraqi Roulette

Marshmallow26

BlogIraqi

Faiza

Khalid

Raed

Riverbend

Asterism

Sooni

Sami

Najma

Nabil

The Talisman Gate

Ibn Al Rafidain

Husayn

Beth Nahrain

Abu Khaleel

HNK

Baghdad Girl: Cat Blogger

Sunshine

Sunshine's Mom: Mama

Baghdad Artist

I64 Footage Makes National News

AP, among other outlets, are featuring this video that was shot from Fort Hill of the Oakwood curve on I64 on Saturday.

$700K Going once...$700K going twice... SOLD for $650,000!?

A couple of weeks ago a group of investors led by former Puntam County Senator Oshel Craigo made the high bid for Sandy Brae Golf Course at an auction held by the Kanawha County Commission. That bid, though less than the stated minimum acceptable bid, was for $700,000. Lots of public comment followed the auction, most notably from the lips of Commissioner Kent Carper, since the expected sale price was in excess of $1 Million. After a lot of discussion and grandstanding for the media, a second auction was scheduled. This time the high bid was $650,000.

Now it is up to the County Commission to decide whether to accept the bid or to have another auction. Who knows? They might get $600,000 this time.

I think they should keep on auctioning the thing until it gets down into my price range. I have a hundred bucks or so to spend and I've always wanted to own my own golf course.

Thanks for Sharing

The scene has been repeated 3 or 4 times in the past month. The players and props change, but the story is the same:

As I am pumping gas a car pulls up with the windows down and the music blaring. The young male, wearing a baseball hat which sits backwards upon his head, gets out and goes into the store, leaving his car running, windows down and music at full volume. He comes back out, pumps his gas and then leaves. Thankfully.

It's not that I'm not a music lover, I am. But the "music" that always eminates from these vehicles is filled with the most disgusting lyrics that you can possibly imagine. It's as if there is an unwritten rule, some mathematical imperative that demands a direct coorelation between the level of profanity in a song and the volume it must be played. And when the volume reaches a certain level, then apparently the windows must be left open to keep them from shattering.

There really is no other explanation that is satisfactory.

My New Favorite Blog in the World

From the Blog Description at Hillbilly Savants:

This blog is about our Appalachia - the real one, not the Hollywood-stereotype nor the third-world nation-esque stereotype being sold by do-gooders, or even the neo-Romantic sylvan stereotype that Rousseau would probably buy into.

Hillbilly Savants is one of those blogs that makes you want to just want to pull up the rockin' chair and put your feet next to the fire. Do check it out, and take your time. Look over the archives. Lots of great photos and articles from a couple dozen or so contributors.

Of particular and immediate note is this article by April Cain. Great, great reading.

Squirrel Birth Control

In West Virginia, we just inject them with buckshot.

Charleston Going to the Dogs?

An article in this morning's Gazette stirs up all kinds of emotions in yours truly. The main subject is the tethering of dogs, but it touches on a few other doggy issues as well like pooper scooping and vicious mutts. The one thing it does not address is barking dogs. And that is what I am most interested in.

I am interested because I have a neighbor with a very, very large and very, very loud dog. Since I live in one of those older neighborhoods where houses are built ten feet or so apart, the dog is a real problem. When it barks I hear it. Whether it's inside the house or outside in the yard, and whether or not I am inside my house or in my yard, when it barks I hear it. This fact is made all the worse by the fact that the dog is not only loud, but completely insane. It barks at any stimulus, real or imagined. At anytime, day or night, it will suddenly and without any provocation other than that which exists in its own evil soul, will bolt outside through its barn-sized doggy door and bark like there's no tomorrow and it's his job to warn humanity of impending doom. The proximity of the houses makes it impossible to ignore or escape.

When I am in bed at 3:00AM and the dog decides to have one of its barking fits there is no possible way that anyone with normal hearing ability sleeping 20 or 30 feet away can stay asleep. Yes, I've tried earplugs; yes, I have tried white noise generators; yes, I have very much considered canineicide, but, so far, I haven't succumbed to this temptation. But I can't guarantee that some night, fueled by sleep deprivation, I might throw the dogs some kibbles and bits of cyanide.

The City of Charleston has a dog barking ordinance that reads:

No person shall own or keep within the city any dog which shall, by barking, howling, squalling, crying or in any other manner whatsoever, disturb the
comfort or quiet of any reasonable person.

Now I am a reasonable person, at least I was before this dog showed up next door. I have spoken to my neighbor but they are not disturbed by the barking AND they are not reasonable persons, so apparently the ordinance doesn't apply to them. I have spoken to the police, but they say they need to witness the dog barking and I am convinced that the only trick the dog knows is "Shut Up When The Police Are Around" because every time I have had the opportunity to demonstrate the problem to police officer the dog is completely silent. This had caused me to seriously consider adopting a policeman to come and live with us.

So, when I read this story in the paper, bleary-eyed from another 4:45AM wake up call from the devil-beast next door, I find little compassion in my weary soul for dogs that are tethered. Instead of debating this matter further, I wish our City leaders would address the tethering of dog owners. Especially those who live next door to me.

Live Blogging Jerry Waters Radio Show

10:05 Oh My God! It's Jackie Lantern and The Film Geek on Jerry Waters!

10:06 - Jerry reads from this blog...again - still didn't give out the URL!

10:08 - Jackie trying to explain a blog to Pete Thaw: "Well, imagine an abacus..." LOL!

10:15 - Jackie says that everyone who knows him recognizes he is independently wealthy! LMAO! Jerry says he looks like someone who is going to hold up a 7-11!

10:24 - No, it wasn't me that asked to be on the show. I can't imagine who it might have been.

10:25 - Raging Red gets some love from Jerry. "I think she's a lawyer." Duh!

10:26 - Jerry's going to post a link to the HotDogBlog. A guy on the phone wants to be start a hot dog cart business. Film Geek asks "what is everything on a hot dog?" Stanton is beaming, I'm sure.

10: 28 - Commercial break. Good show so far. Thought: Jackie, can a link list be added to wvbloggers as a central clearing house to send people looking for local bloggers?

10:38 - More love for the Hot Dog Blog. Stanton is a "Media Darling."

10:39 - Caller questions anonymity of bloggers. Is she calling for an investigation of blogger?! Jerry says only 2 or 3 are worthwile. Most are rants and raves. Not news. Somebody mention feeds and subscriptions, please!

10:43 - So far the callers seem to be interested in bloggers and blogging. I expect that we'll get some traffic as a result if Jerry will give out a URL. How about Oncee? His URL is manageable to communicate orally and he has an awesome blogroll.

oncee.blogspot.com/

10:50 - Jerry Acknowledges this live blogging effort. STILL DOESN"T GIVE A URL!!!

10:53 - Film Geek and Jerry discuss Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers." Film Geek is a "flaming liberal!" according to Jerry. Film Geek's review is here.

First hour is in the books. Topics were limited to blogging, bloggers, David Anderson and the Sandy Brae auction. Film Geek seems to be hogging the mic. Poor Jackie can't get a word in edgewise. I'd like to hear more about the source of Jackie's wealth, but I suspect Jerry's right and it comes from a life of crime. Very entertaining radio, at least for me.

11:05 - Finally gives a URL. But to the wvhotdogs.com site. Maybe folks can link to blogs from there.

11:08 - Jerry raises the prospect of making money on blogs. Film Geeks says he would if he knew how! Amen, brother! Maybe Jackie's figured it out?

11:12 - Regular caller and uber-con from Lincoln County, Bryant, calls to talk about a movie he hasn't seen. Jerry sounds reasonable by comparison.

11:16 - Jackie finally gets to talk. Says he blogs about the "most rediculous things ever." Funny, he doesn't sound like an independantly wealthy man.

11:23 - Jerry backhands the radiothon on WCHS and asks for donations to his personal benefit. They are raising money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital on the other station.

11:30 - Heading into the last half-hour. I wish Jerry would talk about the great blogs like Rick Lee, Downtown WV, Oncee, Donutbuzz, etc. There really is a good diversity of Charleston/Huntington bloggers that is not being represented. Some really great writers, too, like Sharon Lyn, that people would enjoy reading.

11:35 - Jerry reads an email from on the air from Scarlett. She says bloggers aren't all about ranting and raving, but connecting with people of like interests. Well said! Jerry plugs the hot dog site again.

All in all a fun show. Thanks Jerry, for acknowledging our meaningless existence. Thanks Film Geek and Jackie for representing us well.

Bloggers on Radio - Friday

Jerry Waters has announced that he will be hosting some local bloggers on his radio talk show tomorrow. I know I'll be tuning in to see who actually shows up, because I can't think of any local bloggers that really fit Jerry's show, which is mostly about:

A. Homeless people using the library.
B. How terrible we have it in "This State."
C. Parachuting (including BASE Jumping).
D. Obesity is worse than smoking.
E. Estonia.
F. Birds.

Even though he's pretty predictable it's still the most entertaining local talk show on the air in Charleston. Jerry's show is on from 10:00 to noon on 950 AM.

Kanawha County School Board Reinstates Pratt Principal

David Anderson, the principal at Pratt Elementary who was arrested for cocaine possession last year was cleared to return to work at tonight's school board meeting. He was found not guilty of the charges last week by a Kanawha County jury.

The vote tonight was split. Becky Jordan said this was a case of bad judgement and that everybody makes mistakes.

Anderson allegedly was asked to hold on to a package by a friend when they were confronted by the police at 3:00 AM in downtown Charleston - several counts of bad judgement in my view. Pratt teacher Kristina Elson was also with Anderson when he was arrested.

Oh yeah, I want my kid to go to their school. If I had a kid at Pratt Elementary I would exercise good judgement and take him elsewhere before the faculty and administration made another mistake.

Bill Ragland was livid after tonight's meeting. He said , quite correctly I believe, that if this had been a a 16 year-old black male that he "would be eating his lunch at Mount Olive."

We should count our blessings. It wouldn't matter if Suddenlink Cable went off the air and all of the movie theaters closed down; As long as we have the Kanawha County School Board on duty we will always be entertained.

But, where are we to go for our alligator nuggets and raspberry iced tea?

I'm sad to report Hallelujah Wings has shut its doors forever.

Last Minute Valentine Scramble

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. These guys pick through the dregs of Rite Aid's Valentine cards late on February 13th.

Rio Grande Charleston & The Chirp

I love Mexican food. I've never had a bad meal at any Mexican place around Charleston, but I really, really love Rio Grande's Mexican fare.

I have been a fan of Rio Grande for years. Since they opened the first Charleston location, on Capitol Street where Banana Joe's is (or was? What is it now?). Rio Grande is always my first choice for dinner when I want to have a great meal. I have spoken to dozens of people who feel as I do. I love the chips and salsa. I really love Combination Dinner #1 (Las enchiladas DE pollo, por favor). And while I don't imbibe, I have heard from many that the Margaritas are very good and very potent.

The atmosphere is very nice, and as authentic as you can expect in downtown Appalachia, with la musica playing at appropriate volume to give it an authentic Mexican feel. Mexican-themed murals and colorful sombreros and pinatas provide the visuals. All in all, a great place to eat.

Except for that damned chirp.

If you are a Rio Grande regular and have ears, you have to know what I am talking about. Every thirty seconds a smoke alarm, located in the dining area nearest the kitchen, chirps. The chirp means that the battery on this hard-wired smoke detector needs replacing. It has needed replacing for at least seven years. Every time I eat there, once per month on average, I hear it. I can't keep from hearing it. It is like an electronic version of the Chinese water torture. Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

How can the people that work there ignore this infernal auditory vexation? [chirp] Do they become immune to it after a while? Have they learned to just tune it out? [chirp] Could it be that they don't know what it is? Like Jed Clampett trying to find that music that played ever so often but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door each time he looked for it? [chirp] Do restaurant employees come in each day and say "¡Hay ese ruido loco otra vez!"?

Do firemen ever eat there? It seems like one of them would [chirp] tell the manager that the battery needs changed? I mean, it's been at least 7 freakin' years! Wouldn't someone have brought it to their attention by now?

Maybe it's an amusement for them. Maybe they have a pool [chirp] every night where they bet on what time someone will crack under the pressure and try to tell someone about it. I've noticed that the waiters will stand around in a circle speaking Spanish and laugh. Maybe they are telling stories [chirp] of the classic ways that the locals have tried to to tell them about the problem, exaggerating the Appalachian drawl in their mocking: "'scuse me, amigo, but yer battry in your smoke thingy is a goner," they might say and then throw back their heads and laugh. Of course [chirp] the guy who won the pool laughs loudest.

One of these days I am going to walk in with a stepladder [chirp] and a 9 volt Duracell. I'll dress in some nondescript coveralls with "Ralph" emblazoned on the left chest panel. They'll ask me what I'm doing and I'll just say, in broken Spanish, "Soy del departamento del reemplazo de la batería" and go straight to the smoke detector and set up my ladder. Before they can find the manager I'll zip up the ladder, take out the seven year old battery (if it will even come out at this point - probably welded into place by the corrosion), pop in the new copper top, slide down and fold up the ladder in one smooth motion and out the door I'll go without another word. I hope I can keep myself from looking back, to see if the employees have leaned out the front door watching me go. "¿Quién era ese tipo loco?" they will ask each other blankly as I walk into the sunset.

That would be so great! But I might have to have a few Margaritas before [chirp] I get the nerve.

No More Lefts at Lucado

The DOH got it right. In spite of pressure from Charleston City officials, who were responding to pressure from the affluent residents that use this intersection most, the Division of Highways traffic planners refused to put a stoplight at the intersection of Lucado Road and Corridor G. Instead they chose to restrict left turns from Lucado. Bravo. This story in today's Gazette covers it well.

People that live on Smith Road and its recently added (and ever growing) tributary streets, who normally use Lucado for a quick detour to Southridge will simply have to take a little longer route now. This will save lives and property.

Lucado is too heavily traveled. It always has been. In the late 1970's, long before this section of Corridor G was built, Lucado was the site of frequent wrecks because it emptied onto Oakhurst Drive in a downhill curve. The grade of the intersection forced cars to slowly exit Lucado onto Oakhurst. Cars coming down Oakhurst had no warning that slow moving cars were ahead and the reult was frequent t-bone or rear-end collisions. A friend of mine that drove Oakhurst every day on the way home from GWHS remarked once that he thought every person in South Hills lived on Lucado because of the never ending stream of traffic that eminated from this little street. The population that uses Lucado now is far greater since all of the development on Smith Road has occurred.

To allow these cars to turn left across what is effectively four lanes of traffic was never a good idea. The downhill grade on the southbound side of Corridor G made it even more dangerous. Putting a light there would have made it worse, since cars who beat the light at Oakwood would be at full speed when coming down the hill. There would be very short notice of a red light and on wet roads the result would be carnage.

Good for the DOH for not bending to the pressure of an affluent group and doing the right thing.

"To each his own..."

When the YWCA board and management announced their decision to close down the building on Quarrier Street and abandon their fitness program in favor of programs that were more in line with their mission, howls of protest came up from many sectors of the city's population. Rev. James Lewis, perennial protester he, led a disparate group of disgruntled citizens to form an organization that would scream bloody murder until the YWCA board reversed their decision to sell the bulding, which they did.

Today a meeting will be held to formally launch the fundraising campaign that will raise the $1 million or so that is needed to keep the building open. See the Gazette's story here. It should be noted that the Gazette was influential in assisting Lewis' group in getting a foothold and that its reporting has definitely shown a bias against Y management on this subject.

Chuck Avampato, head of the most influential and richest funder of comunity projects in town, the Clay Foundation, is quoted in the article as saying "“I think it’s a big waste of time and money,” he said. “To me it’s spending an enormous amount of money on something that’s not program related. But to each their own."

He's exactly right. It is a huge waste of money. The building, while a landmark in downtown Charleston, is decrepit and completely unsuited for the YWCA as it exists today. The Y staff and board made a good business decision when it decided to sell the building. It would direct more money to the Y's programs and provide more people with vital serices it provides. But this decision was over ruled by the desire to keep an old building from the wrecking ball. To each his own.

A few years ago, just after the Multi-Cap fiasco came to a head, The Gazette railed against non-profits who owned property that was ill-suited for the programs they ran. They questioned the need for non-profits to own large buildings whose upkeep drained resources from programs. Tunes change, I guess. It's their paper, they can say what they want. To each his own.

So the YWCA will be raising a million and the library is already underway with raising its $30 million, this on the heels of the Clay Center's 10 year anniversary of sucking the community dry of every dollar it can get every year. Meanwhile non-profits who are trying to raise money in the community to address basic human needs are turned away because donors are tapped out, or have been convinced that buildings are worth more than people. To each his own.

At least the hungry, sick, hurting and homeless can have some nice buildings to look at.

Toasted, Schmoasted - Bellacino's

I was hungry but in a hurry today at lunchtime. While I was driving up Capitol Street I caught sight of the newest eatery, Bellacino's, and when I looked inside I saw that it didn't look too awfully busy so I thought I'd take a chance. I parked at a nearby15 minute meter and filled it to the brim with two dimes and a nickel. I knew it was a gamble, but like I said it didn't look busy.

I walked right in and straight up to the register where you place your order. I thought I'd better order something straight off the regular menu with no substitutions that would take more time. I opted for a Mountaineer Grinder which has roast beef, turkey and ham. This would be called a club at Subway and it would be toasted. "Toasted Schmoasted" says the Bellacino's employee's tshirts, "We're oven baked!" That, apparently, is what a Grinder is: A baked sub. The bread is crustier and it's a little bigger, but it's a baked sub.

The sandwich was pretty good, but not worth the price I paid. You see, after I paid my $6 for the nine inch sandwich I was told it would take 15-20 minutes. "15 to 20 minutes?" I asked? For a sub? "A Grinder," the register person corrected me. "A Grinder is prepared to order by hand. Quality takes time."

"So a sub isn't prepared by hand?" I thought, but I didn't want to delay my order by arguing.

22 minutes later I got my sub, er Grinder, and headed back to my car. And with perfect timing I turned the corner just in time to see the parking enforcement jeep pulling away from my car, leaving behind a nice little flourescent green greeting card. $10.

So my sandwich cost me $16.24. Grinder Schminder. Next time I get a toasted club where parking is free.

Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and the locals

I have heard so many people say recently that their favorite pizza has changed from Pizza Hut to Papa Johns. It's nearly an epidemic. I. too, have recently switched but not because Papa Johns has gotten better; I have decided that I no longer even care for Pizza Hut pizza. It was my favorite for decades. Something has changed. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not the same.

Having said that, I still have a thing for locally owned pizza joints. I truly prefer them over any chain. The best thing about a chain is that it is consistent from location to location. A locally owned place is subject to many more variables and is therefore somewhat unpredictable. But, then again, maybe that unpredicatbility is what I like. Who knows.

Anyway, my favorite local place was always Lorobi's in St. Albans. I haven't been there in years so I can't vouch for it today. Lately I've found good pizza at the Giovanni's on Spring Street. They have a Mediterean topping pizza that is to die for. Giovanni's is a chain, but a local one.

The Anchor has great pizza, but the restaurant is definitely not in compliance with the Kanawha County smoking ordinance and I can't stand to eat in the place. When someone gets it to go, though, count me in for a few slices.

Tony Cavalier: The Hardest Working Man in Weather

This evening's 6:00 weathercast opened with video of a towboat heading up the Ohio River through the dense fog that set in today. Voiceover Tony (singing): "Dashing through the fog, In a one horse open barge, o'er the Ohio we go, splashing all the way..." and he proceeds to sing an entire verse of this "Jingle Bells" parody. Then, when the singing's over, he spends another 20 seconds explaining to the viewers what he meant.

I'm gonna have to get a TV card so I can capture his daily quirkiness. Much of it is simply beyond my ability to explain.

A Brand New Cavalierism

Did you ever hear someone tell a joke that they thought was so clever that tell it over and over even if nobody laughs?

Well, on his last two forecasts Tony has labeled the weekend "Auld Lang Mild" on the five day forecast graphic. He seems very proud of his little wordplay.

He is a never ending source of bemusement.

We Are Marshall: Post Premiere Comments

I have suppressed the urge to post on this subject because I really hoped I would be wrong, but it now appears my gut was correct.

Chris James nailed it when he wrote "We Are...A Flop!" I am so not surprised, and here's why:

• The Title - While it is a cherished part of the Marshall and Huntington culture, The "We Are Marshall" chant really doesn't serve well as a title for the movie. I just doesn't say much to outsiders about what the movie is about. It is rare that a working title of a major motion picture ends up being the actual title and I was very surprised that they stuck with the original title all the way. It must have tested out pretty well in focus groups, but recent transplants to our area have told me that they thought the name was curious and that if they didn't know what the movie was about they wouldn't get it from the title. The fact is that not many people outside our area know the story and therefore will not make the connection. Too bad "Ashes to Glory" was already taken; I think that would have been much better.
• The Actors - The "Sexiest Man Alive" list is replete with winners whose next career move was a bad one. Affleck had "Gigli", Clooney had "Batman." Now McConaughey has "We Are Marshall." This is his first venture outside the chick flick genre and from all accounts, his portrayal of Jack Lengyel is pretty hokey. Matthew Fox has a huge TV fan following but I don't seem him bringing in an audience. The total lack of a leading woman is problematic, too. Kate Mara and Kimberly Williams should have been played up more in the publicity.
  
• The Timing - Let's face it, Christmas weekend releases are reserved for sure-fire family films (Toy Story, Babe, etc.) or Oscar contenders. This movie is neither. The field is way too crowded this time of year for a lackluster movie with little appeal to a wide audience.
• The Director - I never understood why the local news media made such a fuss over director "McG". The highlights of his directing credits include two very bad movies (Charlie's Angels) and some Wierd Al Yankovick videos. I don't know any movie buff that is going to shell out their eight bucks to go see a movie because it was directed my McG.

I had really hoped that the movie was going to do well in spite of these obvious potential problems. How fitting it would have been if the movie would have overcome the obstacles and rise to greatness like the team in the story does. Sadly, the movie's fortunes looks more like a glory to ashes story.

The movie's failure is no reflection on Huntington or Marshall. The only thing the community did was to have expectations that were unrealistically high, and I blame McG and Co. for that.