Even though the Cup side lost to Sydney and the Plate side was knocked out in the semi-finals, the SF Fog played some awesome Rugby last week. Here are some shots, mostly of my favorite Rugger who I am very glad to have back home

Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

Image 6, Image 7, Image 8, Image 9, Image 10

Image 11, Image 12

Sometimes I have to wonder what type of thought process can lead someone to this type of conclusion. I think it is far better to have Memorial Day than it is not to, especially if your reason for not having it is that some people don’t observe it for the reasons it was originally created. Aside from that, the comparison between Memorial Day and September 11th isn’t a valid one.

Memorial Day is intended as a day to remember the sacrafice of our soldiers, past and present, and to celebrate the freedom their sacrifices have brought us. Although I have never uttered the words “Happy Memorial Day,” (I just did about 20 minutes ago in response to my Mom when she called, to wish me a happy Memorial Day). “Happy Memorial Day” seems more appropriate than not to me, given what I consider to be the intent of the holiday.

What’s to celebrate about 9/11? Nothing, and federal holiday or not, I don’t think you would get many people that think it is an occasion to celebrate, other than the jihadis.

I don’t know if having September 11 designated as a federal “holiday” is a good idea but surely “I never - not EVER - want someone to come up to me and say ‘Happy September 11th!!!’” isn’t a good reason not to.

I am watching coverage of the day’s observances and celebrations on TV. All around the country parades centered around our soldiers are traking place along with other observances, large and small. Whether you think today is something to celebrate or not, it is perfectly obvious that today is not meaningless for the vast majority of Americans.

**UPDATE**

Michael responds.

Just let me say I don’t disagree that the potential is there. Certainly, there are always those crass individuals or companies that are going to try to make a buck and there will always be people to help them by buying their crap. Hell, they are already doing it at ground zero - street merchants peddling 9/11 “souvenirs.”

And, there will always be children whose parents did a very poor job at explaining to them what the meaning is behind their day off from school.

But I have to believe that there are more of us than there are of them and if I have to decide whether I am for or against the idea of a federal “9/11″ holiday it will likely be based on the overall question of appropriateness and will have little if anything to do with how the silly bimbo behind the register at Old Navy chooses to “celebrate.”

And sorry Michael, but I think your reasoning there was silliness. I share the same frustrations as I am sure many people do, but deciding you don’t support the idea of a federal holiday commemorating September 11 because of how some people might observe it 10-30 years from now is pretty silly. You did title the post, “Why September 11th Should NOT Be a National Holiday” after all.

**UPDATE**

I’ve been de-blogrolled at Gay Orbit, apparently for having the stones to question Michael’s logic and ability to form his own opinion in the past. I don’t know when it happened so I am guessing it had something to do with this and a comment I made to one of his posts along the lines of “Michael’s opinion never goes deeper than the first web site he read it on” - which he deleted. In fact, Michael has a habit of deleting comments critical of his positions - at least my comments anyway. But he wants to make sure you know, he’s not petty, no siree! Calling someone the “definition of an asshole” is not at all petty.

Of course, Michael is free to add and remove people from his blogroll at will - such is the nature of having a blog. Too bad Michael has such a difficult time dealing with criticism though.

**UPDATE**

Read the comments to this post - Michael says he didn’t do it to be petty. I’ll let you be the judge.

**UPDATE**

Now Michael has taken to deleting all comments by me relating to this discussion, including pingbacks. But. He’s. Not. Petty.

And worth every KB/s. Now, why can’t I get this at work?

So much for the “Guiliani can’t get the nomination because of his stance on social issues” argument.

Stunning, simply stunning, in a very good way. If/when video comes out I’ll post a link.

**UPDATE**

Video and transcript. Where the hell has this GWB been?

Sorry, but I can’t say I agree. We’re at war. You don’t like the immigration bill? Fine. But don’t you dare sit on your hands in November and turn the House over to this Democratic party. This Democratic party cannot be trusted with national security and those of you that would sit out in protest damned well know it.

If your loyalty to your country is outweighed by loyalty to your ideology, then I think you have some soul-searching to do. But hey, that’s just my opinion.

It has a tendency to be a REAL bitch at the most inopportune times.

**UPDATE**

Yeah, this one doesn’t appear to be true either. He givith and he taketh away.

I second that with one addition: Condi as his VP.

But BUSH is the real problem, not the guy developing nuclear weapons, declaring Israel should be wiped off the map, or slapping color-coded badges on people to identify the non-believers by their religious affiliation. I mean, like that would EVER happen, right?

It is never going to be the right time to take this lunatic out which is precisely why it must be done now - or do we wait until they start opening up concentration camps and gassing people?

**UPDATE**

Well, maybe not such a factual report.

**UPDATE**

Nope, true.

The act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals.

Let’s say you are a criminal and you are convicted of a crime and go to prison. Prison is the punishment for the crime. The only way to get out of prison, assuming you are not there for life, is to a) complete your sentence or b) receieve a pardon.

If the crime is crossing the border illegally, can there be an amnesty without a punishment? Surely yes. However, what if there is a punishment and that punishment happens to be a $2000 fine, you have to learn english, and you have to wait up to 10 years before you can become a citizen? You have a crime and you have a punishment after which you can then become an American citizen. An amnesty, or pardon, in this situation would be to waive the punishments and allow immediate citizenship.

So what everyone is REALLY pissed about is that they don’t like the punishment being prescribed. Just something to ponder.