insignificant thoughts

Yep. No doubt about it.

Indonesia’s top Islamic body declared Tuesday that Muslims can drink civet coffee — the world’s most expensive coffee, which is extracted from the dung of civet cats.

A preacher recently suggested the beverage might not be “halal” — or religiously approved — because its unusual provenance makes it unclean. But after a long discussion Tuesday, the influential Indonesian Ulema Council said that the coffee, known locally as Kopi Luwak, could be consumed as long as the beans were washed.

Kopi Luwak, which takes it name from the Indonesian word for civets, is made from hard beans that have been eaten by the nocturnal critters and then fermented in their stomachs before being pooped out and roasted. Civet cats are mongoose-like animals.

Don’t laugh. Veronica Belmont tried it once and liked it. That’s good enough for me

While Hamas continues to complain that Gaza lacks building materials, a luxury mall in Gaza City held its grand opening over the weekend. Among the goods on sale are Israeli men’s clothing, and items from Turkey, France, and the United States.

Photojournalist Tom Gross, who publicized photos from Saturday’s event on his website, noted that the opening coincided with a visit to Gaza from European Union foreign policy director Catherine Ashton. “The BBC and other media have featured extensive reports all day long on what they term the dire economic situation in Gaza; why are they not mentioning the new shopping mall that opened there yesterday?” Gross asked.

Why haven’t we heard about it? Because it doesn’t fit the template of poverty. After all, luxury malls don’t exactly say “poor!”

The American Federation of Teachers recently passed a resolution at its annual convention which demands an immediate cessation of American activities in Afghanistan. From the Democratic Socialists of America website:

Delegates adopted a resolution that puts the giant teacher union on new ground in opposition to the war and occupation of Afghanistan, opposing any further escalation and calling for “rapid, orderly withdrawal of all armed forces and military contractors, to begin immediately.”

But what’s funny – not to mention hypocritical – is that the teachers union is also pushing the $80 billion war spending bill because it contains pork for public schools.

Gotta love those unrelated riders…

Thursday’s Post reported about a growing controversy over the Justice Department’s decision to scale down a voter-intimidation case against members of the New Black Panther Party. The story succinctly summarized the issues but left many readers with a question: What took you so long?

For months, readers have contacted the ombudsman wondering why The Post hasn’t been covering the case. The calls increased recently after competitors such as the New York Times and the Associated Press wrote stories. Fox News and right-wing bloggers have been pumping the story. Liberal bloggers have countered, accusing them of trying to manufacture a scandal.

But The Post has been virtually silent.

This is so brilliant. Watch as Andrew Alexander tears his own paper to shreds and makes them look like partisan racist hacks. A complete demolition by a man on the payroll; this guy surely understands what his job as Ombudsman entails.

Obama tells NBC in an interview that “nobody in the White House is satisfied” with continuing high unemployment.

But he also says the midterm congressional elections could come down to “a choice between the policies that got us into this mess and my policies that got us out of this mess.”

Oh really, Mr. President? We’re out of this mess?

Mark my words; this is President Obama’s “Mission Accomplished” moment.

At Bob Sheppard‘s last Mass Thursday, his friends and family were reminded what it was like to be in the presence of “a good and decent man” who, as a husband, father, athlete, wartime naval officer, teacher and public address announcer, lived about the most perfect life, for 99 years, as anyone God ever placed on this Earth.

It was just too bad that not a single player whose name Sheppard introduced, ever so properly and eloquently, over 57 years as the Yankees‘ P.A. announcer, was among those paying their final respects to the “Voice of God.” Even if one player – certainly one among the former players employed by the team for this very purpose – would have shown up, it would have provided the touch of class George Steinbrenner always made sure to exhibit in these circumstances.

Completely unsurprising. Tradition, history, and team loyalty are all just buzzwords thrown around the team but when push comes to shove, none of them deliver.

Not that they’re any different from any other athletes, of course, but then again, this isn’t just “any team” we’re talking about. These are the representatives of Jesus Christ on earth with bats and balls we’re talking about.

You have to be a true geek to get this one.

Because there is a difference between making work and creating a job.

The Stimulus Plan made work, but it did not create or save jobs.

I believe I made a similar point about the government creating busy work on IT.tv 195…