Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, meanwhile, described Sharon yesterday as the Palestinians' best chance for peace.

Oh, surely, this is but a small thing. However - it is also a sign of times.

I wonder, what will liberals say about it many years from now? I think it will be something similar to "Ronald Reagan did not win the Cold War, the Soviet Union collapsed on its own".

Когда устраивался на работу, спросил, оплатят ли они мне курсы повышения квалификации. Сказали - оплатят. Надо было уточнить, покрывают ли они Defensive Pistol. Пять дней. 1000 патронов.

Позвонил им, говорю, мол, можно у Вас пистолет рентовать, а то я живу в Нью Джерси (в ответ тяжкий вздох) и идти в какой-нибудь Нью Йоркский аэропорт с пистоле... - да, говорят, мы понимаем Ваш предикамент. Это, - говорят, - можно, и даже легально. Федеральный закон позволяет. Однако, досмотр кишечника тоже легален, предусмотрен Федеральным законом, и, в нашем возрасте - даже необходим. Но - доверяем ли мы проктологам, которые практикуют в общественном транспорте? Словом, аэропорт - не место для юмора.

Рентовать даже лучше. Разнообразие будет. 1911. Хотя я бы лучше CZ попробовал. Ни по какой специальной причине - просто они мне нравятся внешне.

Это будет второй курс. Первый брал у Массада Айюба - легендарной личности.

I have noticed a new breed of visitors in my journal - Prolific Idiots. There are people who manage in a very short time to flood my journal with messages in many threads and branches that are totally devoid of any sense and value. I like... no, I LOVE to argue. However, the number of people who visit my journal grew and so did the number of those idiots. Things that are tolerable and even entertaining in small quantities - are not so amusing in bulk.

When I got hit by geneus, I tried arguing. But it was too much. My life is too valuable to spend it repeating same things over and over again. Now, here is another attack of the brain-dead. When I complained the first time, nalymov in not so many words suggested banning as a tool that best suits the problem. I regret to say, I have to run with this advice. I did promise banning those who argues with bumper-stickers, didn't I?

So, from now on Prolific Idiots will be banned. They will still be able to read, of course. Second, even Less Prolific Idiots may also be targeted for banning. I grew tired. I am of the opinion that an idiot must have some redeeming virtue. Posting only a few short messages is best. Politeness will do. "Personality goes a long way". People I like are most certainly exempt.

This is my journal - do not expect me to be fair. The only fairness I can promise is a warning. I may warn someone few times, but do not count on it. I promise just one. After that an offender will be banned quickly and painlessly.

* * *

One small thing, another pet peeve of mine: if you intend to argue about American politics, democracy, law, principles, elections - then please, with a sugar on top - read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution beforehand. I mean - those documents are short and pretty simple. I am not asking too much.