JudgeBob’s Neighborhood

The fog that delayed all those flights in Auckland on Friday didn’t seem too bad in the morning. A view from my apartment there:

   I only really noticed it when heading out west for the Ford Focus photo shoot. On the way, I spotted this lovely Ford Consul Mk II:    I couldn’t see any rust on this car: it was beautifully maintained. And no, I have no idea why this place is called Koala Auto Services since koalas are not native to this country.

Australians won’t find this as cool since they’ve had this model for a few months, but it was a treat for me to see the E241 Ford Falcon (or FG series) prior to its official New Zealand launch. These are at Manukau, Ford Motor Co.’s New Zealand HQ, along with a classic Model A in its reception area.
   The models are the top-of-the-line G6E luxury model and the performance hero, the XR8.
   In the metal, they look nice but not that big, especially as the CD345 Mondeo has grown considerably. The slab sides make for a less aggressive look, which I don’t think is that good an idea in 2008, but such gentler shapes will probably be perfectly timed for 2010. The Ford family look is very apparent, as well as VW–Audiesque touches such as the rising feature line in the doors’ lower sills.
   It will have its loyal fans and the cabbies will love the LPG versions, even if the Japanese are moving into that market like crazy.
   I can’t wait to drive it as I hear Ford is on to a winner and dynamically, the Falcon is better than its chief rival, the Holden Commodore. And it’s certainly better than any Ford sedan available in the Americas.
   But if it were my money, and I had to get a Ford, the Mondeo makes more sense considering it’s basically now the same size. I don’t need a big four-litre six or a V8 under the bonnet and while I prefer rear-wheel drive, I’m willing to sacrifice that for the better fuel economy of the Mondeo.

   Finally, a step in to the past:

Peggy has always been one of my favorite writers.  She cuts to the chase quickly.  Her ability to put aside her conservative leanings to address the issues objectively is the mark of a reasonable Republican.  I applaud her wisdom and talent. 

Mr. Bush has squandered the hard-built paternity of 40 years. But so has the party, and so have its leaders. If they had pushed away for serious reasons, they could have separated the party's fortunes from the president's. This would have left a painfully broken party, but they wouldn't be left with a ruined "brand," as they all say, speaking the language of marketing.

I am a moderate and a registered Independent in a world that is harshly divided between conservatives and liberals.  Even though I lean right sometimes, I try to be objective.  This is my take on Sen McCain's campaign.

The Republican Party is going to have a difficult time in the General Election.  The reasons are obvious.  The Iraq war, no immigration plan, and the poor economy can spell disaster for the Republicans. 

On Tuesday, a conservative Democrat won a special election in what had been a staunchly GOP district in Mississippi -- the third defeat for a Republican in a special congressional race this year -- prompting senior party officials to warn candidates that if they want to win this fall, they had better do everything possible to cut the chain from the political anchor that is President Bush.

I have not decided who I will vote for.  Sen. Obama is too closely tied to radical friends who are anti-American.  I cannot vote for anyone who supports Rev. Wright, Black Liberation Theology, the Black Panthers, and Louis Farrakhan. 

Myth

Fact

Islam: Religion of peace.

8:72-73 So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allâh. Certainly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And those who disbelieve are allies to one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so (i.e. become allies, as one united block with one Khalifah - chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world to make victorious Allâh's Religion of Islâmic Monotheism), there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism, etc.) and oppression on earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of polytheism). Tafsir:  1 2 3 4 5

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Eight Taliban Suspects in Raid
Fri, 16 May 2008 13:19:00 -0500

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Eight Taliban Suspects in Raid American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 - Afghan and coalition security forces detained eight suspected Taliban militants during a joint operation conducted in Paktia province yesterday, U.S. military officials said. Afghan and coalition forces searched several compounds in the province's Zadran district while looking for a Taliban operative with links to local roadside bomb attacks and the movement of insurgent fighters. Some explosives components discovered during the search were removed for disposal. In other news, one militant was killed and 13 others were detained during a coalition operation in Helmand province May 14. During a search of several compounds in the Garmser district, coalition forces fired on and killed a militant that was deemed a threat. Thirteen people linked to terrorist operations were detained during the operation. (Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

Related Sites: Combined Joint Task Force 101 NATO International Security Assistance Force

Finally, a celeb decides to extend a hand of friendship to beleaguered celeb Britney Spears:

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0516/spearsb.html

   Mel Gibson may slag off Judaism and Jews when drunk but it is high time someone showed some kindness to Britney and her family.
   It’s a good move for two celebs who need a bit of a positive boost in the media.

Here’s the full publicity picture from US Life on Mars, including the American Gene Hunt himself (Colm Meaney), Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) and Annie Cartwright (Rachelle Lefevre).

   What is American for ‘You great, soft, sissy, girly, nancy, French, bender, Man. United-supporting poof!’?
   Here’s another pic from the network:. Question: who’s the old dude on the left? Is this the American Ray?    And, finally, the trailer, which is of great interest to me. Fans of the original, you’ll notice many things are repeated from the first episode in the UK, except the Americans drive on the wrong side of the road—so Sam stops his Jeep on the right side. (He is, interestingly, struck from left to right, too.) The suspect’s name, Colin Raimes, is the same, Sam’s girlfriend in the present is called Maya, and even the Life on Mars title card looks very much like the original with a few changes for US tastes. IMDB says Edmund Butt, who scored the original, has the same job this time around.
   Gene seems less tough in this incarnation though. Maybe Philip Glenister desensitized us?
   I was laughing through most of it (note the American VO with ‘Back in the nick of time’, used in the second series) but unlike most Brit fans, I am looking forward to this.     Un pub pour la nouvelle série américaine Life on Mars, avec les photographies de publicité. Il y a beaucoup de similitudes avec la série originale britannique du BBC.

At Wyldreams’ suggestion (or inspiration) I have set up a group for idealists on Vox. The premise: if porn, gossip and related crap can so easily get propagated online, why not inspirational messages and idealist thoughts about how our world can be run? And if we all post our ideas there, and others can read them, then maybe we can start effecting some positive change? Please consider joining and posting.
   Note: I know politics may enter it but let’s try to not make things divisive, please.

http://idealists.groups.vox.com

Pass the word!