Unclear on the concept!

Thanks to eleri for pointing this out.

Bush: Hezbollah could enter Lebanon's political mainstream

President Bush on Tuesday expressed the hope that Hezbollah -- which the U.S. State Department has long regarded as a terrorist group -- could enter the political mainstream in Lebanon.

"We view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization," Bush said at a news conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II after the two met in the Oval Office.

"I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they're not, by laying down arms and not threatening peace."

So far, so good, but later in the article we find this:

"First things first," the senior Bush administration official said. "Syria must get out, and Lebanon must have unfettered elections, then Hezbollah must disarm. ... There is no place for an armed militia in a democratic society."

Um, maybe this official should wander over to the National Archives and read the Bill of Rights?

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Before George Washington got the job as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, the Revolution was fought by militias. Does this official think they should have disarmed as well?

More proof that the neocons have no clue about history.

Radiance bath!

Ascended a Valkyrie in Nethack 3.4.3 today, nothing special, except for my armory when I ended.

Mjollnir, +5RP (weapon in hand) (got by sacrificing)
Snickersnee, +6RP (bonesfile)
Grimtooth, +0 (found in Mines)
Sting, +1RP (bonesfile)
Magicbane, +2RP (wished for)

So I battle around, make ut up to the Astral Plane, and things get silly. I find the following on various bodies:

Sunsword, +4RP
Frostbrand, +7RP
Fire Brand, +8 greased
Vorpal Blade, +0

The only other interesting thing was I fianlly made it to level 30. Lots of wraith corpses and potions of gain level laying about. Had 266HP at the end.

So let's hear it for Anna, Demigoddess of Artifact Weapons!

It Must Be Mine!

The ultimate GM's Tool!

Just what I need!

In other gaming news, I've found (though a posting on the Traveller Mailing List) a nice program for distributed gaming. Klo0ge.Werks is a nice RPG engine which seems to be quite versatile. I just need to see how easy it will be to adapt for GURPS. One feature I like is importing images for use in maps, and being able to link graphics to icons on screen, so if a player wants to read the menu in the bar, he can do so without bothering everyone else. That and the usual chat stuff. Going to be looking at this one closely.

The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

( The Alcohol Quiz )

Line of the week.

From a SFGate story on a bill that would outlaw playing adult DVDs on your in-car player where the public could see them.

Benoit said his bill, supported by the conservative Traditional Values Coalition and California Family Alliance, was pro-family but not anti-porn.

"If you want to play a pornographic film in the privacy of your own home or your own bedroom, that's your business,'' he said. "But when you display it where people can see it while they're driving, that's inappropriate.

"Try to explain to your 5-year-old what he just saw when he wonders, 'Why was that man doing that to that woman?' It's a hard thing.''

Yes. Yes it is. :)