Snapped Shot

For those few who believe that President Obama, the most magnificent hallowed be his name, is just another ordinary politician, remember he did promise change and a hope for that change.

What is this change that some of you have been hoping for?

SEATTLE — Many of the workers arrested by immigration agents last month in a Bellingham work site raid have been released and given permission to work.

In February, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 28 people at a Yamato Engine Specialists plant. They were suspected of being in the country illegally.

The Bellingham Herald reports ICE gave the immigrants work permits or the option of returning to their native country. ICE spokeswoman Lorie Dankers says the workers were released pending further investigation of the engine company.

So, now ICE will be doing the INS duties? Is this on-the-spot amnesty? Why go through the Congress or the Courts when you can just hand out a piece of paper on the street. "Happy Birthday.. you are a new citizen today!"
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Like California, the state of Washington has a nasty and totalitarian habit of forcing green laws upon its citizens. Granted, as most of those laws are passed in Olympia and focus upon the Pugeot Sound area and its overcrowding problems, those same laws are having unintended consequences for others outside of the Seattle-Olympia area.

Case in point, Washington passed a new law that nearly bans all phosphates now. Back in the day, laws were passed to remove phosphates from laundry detergent. We've been working to find suitable replacements ever since. Recently, Olympia Washington passed a law that limits the phosphates in dishwashing detergent to 0.5 or less. As a consequence, resource usage has increased.

Read on to find out what WA people are doing in order to have clean dishes....
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With a nod from Hugo Chavez and Joseph Stalin....

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama asserted unprecedented government control over the auto industry Monday, rejecting turnaround plans from General Motors and Chrysler and raising the prospect of controlled bankruptcy for either ailing auto giant.

Eager to reassure consumers, Obama also announced the federal government would immediately begin backing the warranties that new car buyers receive — a step designed to signal that it is safe to purchase U.S.-made autos and trucks despite the distress of the industry.

In a statement read at the White House, Obama said he was "absolutely committed" to the survival of a domestic auto industry that can compete internationally. And yet, "our auto industry is not moving in the right direction fast enough," he added.
...
In an extraordinary move, the administration forced the departure of Rick Wagoner as CEO of General Motors Corp. over the weekend, and implicit in Obama's remarks was that the government holds the ability to pull the plug on that company or Chrysler.

Can you say, "We're Screwed!!!"?

When the government can fire the duly appointed head of a private industry, then you know your country has become full-fledged Socialist. Continue reading »

The Iraqi Army likes to point guns at women:

An Iraqi soldier patrols a street during a military operation in Baghdad's al-Fadhil district March 30, 2009. Iraqi security forces swept through an area of Baghdad on Sunday and detained several people after Sunni patrolmen angry at their leader's arrest clashed with police and troops in a battle that killed three people. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ CONFLICT IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE MILITARY)

Most of Mohammed's other shots are more pedestrian in nature, but it's always interesting to see photos like this hit the wire, considering how often similar photos are used to illustrate the "cruelty" of politically-unpopular armed forces around the world. Such as this and that.

In short, if you see photos like this in your local paper, stop and ask yourself—Are you reading news? Or are you really just looking at raw emotion, published with the intent of changing your opinions?

Because only one of the two purposes is a valid function of a news agency.

Barack's Teleprompter makes it look so easy:

U.S. President Barack Obama, seen through his teleprompter, delivers remarks announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington March 27, 2009. Standing behind is U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES POLITICS IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE)

Lyrics below the fold.

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I know it's been quiet around here for a while. You may be surprised to hear this, but I've actually become pretty burned out from all of the political stuff that's been going on as of late. Actually, given how quiet this site has been this year, maybe it's not that surprising at all.

Anyway, in an effort to deal with my apathy, I've turned to actual photo blogging. The site's still a work in progress, but I think it's a relatively decent start. For an amateur. And as spring rolls in around here, I plan on being out and about more often, goofing off with my camera. Looking at things outside of the Newsreader for once. And trying my best to spend less time cooped up at this darned keyboard.

I'll still be posting here at Snapped Shot. I just might not do so as often. Which is why we've got two very excellent co-bloggers over here to help pick up the slack.

But if you don't see me around here for a while, be sure to take a peek and watch me try to relax.

...And he has a wonderfully, dark sense of humor!

KABUL, March 26 (Reuters) - A would-be suicide bomber accidentally blew himself up on Thursday, killing six other militants as he was bidding them farewell to leave for his intended target, the Interior Ministry said.

"The terrorist was on his way to his destination and saying good-bye to his associates and then his suicide vest exploded," a statement from the ministry said.

AllahAchbar!

(Hat Tip: Jawa Report)

The parents of a British teen, who died suddenly two months ago, received a disturbing letter from the girl's high school saying she needs to improve her attendance or can't go to the prom, the Manchester Evening News reported.

The letter said Megan Gillan's attendance was 60.4 percent and the school requires its students to keep a 92 percent attendance record. (Source)

And to think so many intelligent people are out of work... I guess that's what happens when idiots control government. My father, who has been deceased for over 15 years, still gets jury duty notices. At first I just wrote "DECEASED" across the form and returned them. Now I just fill in the 'changed address' to Little Arlington, Fort Bragg.

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As I mentioned previously, I wrote to Fairfax Christian School to try and find out what their thoughts surrounding the ISA expansion was.

FCS has responded, and has quite a bit to add to this story:

To the best of my knowledge, the property was sold because it was put is a Chesapeake Bay watershed district (which I believe has now been removed). We were not able to expand or even replace a building that burned down. We had secured 65 acres on the corner of Vale Rd and Hunter Mill Road and did not think the zoning was going to be a problem. Unfortunately, we were wrong and ended up at our current location.

We hope that is Saudi Academy get all the zoning they want. Any private school expansion is an asset to the county.

Thank you.

Jo Thoburn
Director

The Fairfax Christian School
www.FairfaxChristianSchool.com

The Center for American Culture
www.CenterforAmericanCulture.com

I'll dig into this a little bit below, so be sure to click beyond the fold if you're looking for more! Continue reading »

Update [Brian]: I'm pulling the picture off of this one.

It doesn't belong here, and goes well beyond any "reasonable" level of discourse.

Click the link above to view the article that DM's referring to. Otherwise, feel free to chime in with your thoughts below.

I've noticed that comment spam is starting to actually stick to the topic being discussed in the article lately. Pretty impressive—Though it's still not worth the trouble of allowing unpaid advertisements on the site. Thusly, all links contained below have been "adjusted."

Item the First, posted to an article discussing discrimination:

User IP-address: 80.122.229.70
User Name: Dusty
User Email: temagardon@gmail.com
User Homepage: http://************/

Comments:
Good morning. Ask a deeply religious Christian if he'd rather live next to a bearded Muslim that may or may not be plotting a terror attack, or an atheist that may or may not show him how to set up a wireless network in his house. On the scale of prejudice, atheists don't seem so bad lately. Help me! I find sites on the topic: Pegasus is an airline experienced in charter flying and at present operates to more than airports in countries.. I found only this - Airline Tickets. Includes destination guides, travel blogs and advice, cheap airline ticket information, flight information, reservations and lodging. Buy dirt cheap airline tickets dirt cheap airline tickets online best dirt cheap airline tickets all about dirt cheap airline tickets. Thank you very much . Dusty from Kiribati.

More examples of commentary excellence following the fold. Continue reading »

In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.

The switch comes despite implied assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible. (Source)

Yeah, that's what we need for third world nations - cheap condoms. But, I guess if anyone would know about condoms, it's the Chinese...

What could go wrong?

The Washington Post has finally chimed in on the proposed expansion of Islamic Saudi Academy in rural Fairfax County, Virginia. And, judging by the things that the Post has chosen to focus on, I can say with confidence that they are as clueless as ever:

The Islamic Saudi Academy has asked the county for permission to build a state-of-the-art building on one of its two campuses, a 34-acre property near Fairfax City. The increased capacity could draw as many as 200 additional students to the 750-student campus each day, which has sparked concern among neighbors.

What's left out? The fact that the "state-of-the-art building" is to be built on conserved land. Have any of you homeowners here in Fairfax County (or abroad) tried building on land that the Government tells you is environmentally protected?

And are any of you living under the illusion that you could build a 111,000 square foot monstrosity without any amount of government interference?

That's what ISA's doing, and the County is not concerned at all. Why is that not worthy of discussion? Continue reading »