JibJab presents ‘Second Term’ – Via Sisyphean Musings

So the old saying is correct – A rolling stone does gather no moss

Rick Brady at Stones Cry Out – the best name for a blog, ever – is having a contest to design a header for his new blog.

I thought I’d try out my hand at some simple designs and enter some myself, so here are my submissions. (Click on the small images below for the larger version.)

The scenery for all the photos is Badlands National Park in southwestern South Dakota. My wife and I visited in September of 2003. The first five photos were taken at sunrise along the Window Trail. And the last photograph was taken from our campsite.

Now head on over to Stones Cry Out and give Rick some feedback on all the great designs that have been submitted. I have a feeling I might regret plugging the contest. I certainly don’t need any more competition.

FBI arrests man for tsunami e-mail scam

Islamicists hate us for who we are, not what we do – Victor Davis Hanson answers the question “Why do they hate us?”

Here’s the money quote:

The United States has adopted a rational strategy against Islamic fascism: kill the terrorists, remove illegitimate regimes that aid the extremists, foster democracies in their places and alter American policy from tolerance of the corrupt status quo to calls for reform. Yet we cannot finish the Islamicists’ war unless we understand why they started it. For that answer, look at who Americans are and what we represent – not at what we supposedly have done.

I’ve added two new images to the header photo rotation. Both are from the set of photographs I took in the Florida Everglades over Thanksgiving weekend. (Click on the small images below for the larger version.)

Up close and personal with an alligator, Big Cypress National Preserve, November 2004

American Alligator, Big Cypress National Preserve, November 2004

Bush won’t rule out military action against Iran – And he shouldn’t

Such a course of action would compromise any effort to get the Iranian’s to comply with their non-proliferation treat obligations. Even if we aren’t planning an imminent strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, telling the Iranian government that we aren’t ready to back up our words with deeds is a bad idea.

Official Chinese reaction to Zhao Ziyang’s death: Keep it quiet – The Chinese government is censoring websites and only giving limited media exposure to the news

Here’s what appears to be the official Chinese statement.

More news:

• ABC News: Family of China’s Zhao Forgoes State Funeral

• BBC News: China stands firm on Tiananmen

• CNN News: Beijing warns on Zhao reaction

• Telegraph: Zhao Ziyang

Security measures to be taken for Iraqi elections

Iranian government denies U.S. media report that American soldiers are operating in Iran – Supreme National Security Council spokesman calls the story “psychological warfare”