jason.defay.org | you're grounded, chicken!

I was recently contacted by a publisher from Lambert Academic Publishing who was interested in publishing my dissertation as a 'print on demand' monograph. I decided not to take them up on their kind offer & have instead published the full text right here on my website free of charge.

To read it online please click here: http://jason.defay.org/?q=node/108  Or to download a PDF version you can click here http://defay.org/jason/academic/J-DeFay_Dissertation.pdf

Why is the US media so obsessed with American Muslims?

The US has a severe case of cultural anxiety when it comes to Muslims. Mostly this is because the majority of Americans have a Christian background, but this Christian cultural bias doesn't fully explain a news story like the one below.

Jeff Carlton, the AP reporter who wrote this story, interviewed an imam who knew the shooter writing he 'gave no sign of extremist beliefs and regularly wore his uniform at prayers'. So why the big headline concern over "Allahu Akbar!"?

It's mostly due to ignorance and bigotry about Muslims & Muslim Americans. Think about it for a minute. If a man had screamed 'Jesus' before pulling the trigger, would it be front page news?

Army: Suspect said `Allahu Akbar!' before shooting

Thomas turned two in April.  We had a combined birthday party / Easter celebration up at the cabin and there was snow on the ground!  We've been keeping busy since then going on various adventures and having a good time.

We're now working on potty training and he's doing great!  He's also given up his pacifier and we're so PROUD!  Since I've not been able keep up on my blog lately (too darned busy) I've put together a photo album with various pictures we've taken since Easter.  Click on the photo to see the full album.

Ever since the FCC came up with their 'Do Not Call List' I've noticed a massive increase in the number of telemarketing calls I've gotten.  I figure the FCC probably got slapped by the powerful US telemarketing lobby after they dared to try and curtail the millions of unwanted and unsolicited phone calls made every day by telemarketers in the United States.

Today I got another pre-recorded advertisement at work by a company called "Warranty Solutions" and have gotten so fed up with these spammers that I decided to file a complaint with the FCC.  The recording begins with the words, "Your auto warranty is about to expire..."