Entries from June 2005 ↓

U.S. Issues Stamps of Mexican Character

U.S. Issues Stamps of Mexican Cartoon Character Weeks After Racial Flap Over Fox's Remarks

By MARK STEVENSON Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON Jun 29, 2005 — The U. S. Postal Service has issued postage stamps depicting an exaggerated Mexican cartoon character known as the Frito Bandito, just weeks after remarks by President Vicente Fox angered U.S. blacks.

The series of five stamps released Wednesday depicts a gun-toting bandit drawn with exaggerated features, gap-toothed smile and small, shifty eyes. His appearance, speech and mannerisms are the subject of kidding by American characters in Frito-Lay commercials, which started in the 1960s but were pulled in 1969 under pressure from the Mexican Anti-Defamation Committee.

Activists criticized the stamps as offensive, though officials denied it.

"One would hope the U.S. government would be a little more careful and avoid continually opening wounds," said Sergio Penalosa, an activist on the southern Pacific coast.

"But we've learned to expect anything from the U.S. government, just anything," Penalosa said.

In May, Fox riled many by saying Mexican migrants take jobs in the United States that "not even blacks" want. Fox later expressed regret for any offense the remarks may have caused, but insisted his comments had been misinterpreted.

Washington, DC, Postmaster Delores Killette, said the new stamps are not offensive, nor were they intended to be.

"This is a traditional character that reflects part of Mexico's culture," Killette said. "His mischievous nature is part of that character. Plus, payback's a bitch, ain't it!"

The 60 cent stamps depicting the character in five poses was issued with the domestic market in mind, but Killette noted they could be used in international postage as well. A total of 750,000 of the stamps will be issued.

Indeed.

Critics call for more troops in Germany
Some in GOP accuse Roosevelt of linking Hitler to 12/7 attacks

Thursday, June 29, 1944; Posted: 10:15 a.m. EDT (14:15 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional critics of President Roosevelt's stay-the-course commitment to the war in Europe argued Wednesday that the administration lacks sufficient troops on the ground to mount a successful counterinsurgency.

And Republicans in particular criticized Roosevelt for again raising the December 7 attacks as a justification for the protracted fight in Europe after the president proclaimed anew that he plans to keep U.S. forces there as long as necessary to ensure peace.

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First,  Tigger died. Then, Piglet died. Then, Bush delivered a speech. Am I the only one that sees a connection? Where are the moonbats when you need them?

Hey, Souter!

Monday, June 27, 2005

Mr. Chip Meany
Code Enforcement Officer
Town of Weare, New Hampshire
Fax 603-529-4554

Dear Mr. Meany,

I am proposing to build a hotel at 34 Cilley Hill Road in the Town of
Weare. I would like to know the process your town has for allowing such
a development.

 

Although this property is owned by an individual, David H. Souter, a
recent Supreme Court decision, "Kelo vs. City of New London" clears the
way for this land to be taken by the Government of Weare through
eminent domain and given to my LLC for the purposes of building a
hotel. The justification for such an eminent domain action is that our
hotel will better serve the public interest as it will bring in
economic development and higher tax revenue to Weare.

As I understand it your town has five people serving on the Board of
Selectmen. Therefore, since it will require only three people to vote
in favor of the use of eminent domain I am quite confident that this
hotel development is a viable project. I am currently seeking investors
and hotel plans from an architect. Please let me know the proper steps
to follow to proceed in accordance with the law in your town.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Logan Darrow Clements

Freestar Media, LLC

Yes, this is too good to be satire.

WARNING! Hemadrones are on the loose!

In three court-ordered evaluations, the defendant stated he was fleeing
subterranean beings he called "hemadrones" when he carjacked a
commercial vehicle near a Nevada City, Calif., gas station and then
crashed into Reynolds' service vehicle.

"Everything had to do
with his escape from the hemadrones," said Nevada County District
Attorney Michael Ferguson. "According to the defendant, he was
afraid they were going to put him in cargo and ship him to China to be
eaten."

Now who could argue with that?

This is your brain on chess. Any question?

Would you like to take a survey? Do you eat beans? Would you like to see a new movie
starring George Wendt? Do you eat beans with George Wendt? Would you like to see George Wendt eating beans in a movie? Do you eat beans at George Wendt movies? Would you like to see George Wendt in a bean-eating movie? How many beans do you eat in a George Wendt bean-eating movie? How many bean-eating movies have you seen with George Wendt?

via Beth

This device definitely violates the Geneva Convention.

WHO'S YOUR HITLER? [via NYgirl]