P is for Palestine I for Israel and boom is the sound of a nuke

I don't normally post about news stories but our world is changing and the recent election in Palestine, which has given the Hamas a majority 76 seats to Fatah's 43 in a 132 member legislature frightens me.

Watch How the Hamas' victory affects Americans
2:50

According to Wikipedia: Hamas, acronym of Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Arabic: حركة المقاومة الاسلامية, literally "Islamic Resistance Movement" and Arabic for 'zeal'), is a Palestinian Islamist movement and political party.

The Hamas are viewed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and other European powers and are bent on the total annihilation of Israel.

An incoming Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, had this to say about Israel, “Why we are going to recognize Israel? Why? Is Israel ready to recognize the right of return for Palestinian people? Is Israel ready to recognize an independent (Palestinian) state, including Jerusalem? We (will) not recognize anybody on the expense of our national interest.”

What does the Hamas's victory in Palestine's parliamentary elections mean for the world in general? My opinion is that a Palestine under Hamas rule puts an end to the already hopeless road map for peace, this election will perpetuate the conflict, and reshape it from an Israeli-Palestinian conflict to a greater Jewish-Arab one, and I think it could be argued of a Western-Muslim one. Such a conflict, backed by the jihad movement and Iran, has neither a solution nor an end.

Iran congratulated Hamas for its election victory and praised voters for choosing “to continue the struggle and resistance against occupation.”

The United States has already taken precedence in attacking nations harboring terrorists. Tensions exist between us and Iran and much of the Middle East. With the United States trying to spread democracy in the Middle East, our nation has to respect the Hamas victory in Palestine or risk losing all progress in the promotion of democratic policies. Since our nation is already heavily involved in the conflict between Israel and Palestine we're going to be thrust into another a very stressful time. Whatever our nation does is going to be viewed or construed by others as the Americans trying to impose their beliefs and ideals on people that don't share those values.

Sources from which I read:
A Hamas leader says the group has no plans to recognize Israel
Hamas win sets precedent for Arab democracy
Iran Cooler on Russian nuclear proposal
Thousands of Fatah Members Protest in Gaza
Furious protesters demand Abbas quit
Video: The impact of Hamas

TNT or "Titles Now on Tour"

A beautiful thing never gives so much pain as does failing to hear and see it.
~Michelangelo

I'm saving my titles from the black abyss of the internet and giving them a permenant berth in a post. In order of first appearance.

The first Sea of Steve Title


I add a border


I decide to add some color


Halloween


Thanksgiving


I try to make my Title pop with more color


Christmas


Current Title less contrast version
It goes on tour too because who knows when I'll change it to something else


Valentine's Day

Everyone set sail on the Sea of Steve

Welcome to all my family and friends that I have finally opened my website up to! Enjoy!

In celebration here are some interesting clicks for everyone.

Emily sent me this link of an awesome website of an UK Honda Civic ad that is stunning! An a cappella choir sings all the sounds effects. Click this link http://www.honda.co.uk/civic/ and skip the intro. Once you’re at the screen showing the car, down below you will see links of Home Explore etc . . . click on Watch and thoroughly enjoy!!!

While you're still tapping your fingers give this website a click.

I have been working at putting together another website to showcase my artwork. It is still in its construction stage but you're more then welcome to visit Steve's Art Pad Let me know what you think.

Moi quoted bequeath pity upon me

It really is time for a post in the year 2006 (I have failed miserably at my New Year's Resolution) So for all you poor folks that keep clickin' here and those weird people that search for the darndest things and wonder across my blog, I give you a post that will truly make you appreciate the National Enquirer or maybe the incredible true articles from the New York Times but most of all to 'poke' fun at myself.

Yes I was quoted in my school's newspaper, that is if you can call it a n-e-w-s-paper. Rather it's a joke-a-page except for the comic section which is duller then a pencil sharpened by our president. (Yeah I make jokes at both sides because I'm a moderate. Don't be harsh because I too am about to poke fun at myself) Anyway, so I was quoted in this fabulous publication known as the Branding Iron. Do they even have a website? Oh I guess they do. Now you're all waiting for this great quote by moi, because it will quite frankly change the world.

Steve Held is a sophomore art major who works in the UW Telecommunication and System Services Department. He said that everyone he knew had an online account. "Facebook is a fun Web site," Held said.

Ah frick. I was going to post the article but it seems that the in·co·her·ent BI website isn't complete yet. Probably never will be. Take my word for it, it was a terrible article but for only the cost of shipping and handling you too can get your grimy fingers on this article. So act now. Hurry! while supplies last. Or maybe I'll just scan it for you.


Click on it to make it bigger and thus legible. *edit: corrected spelling from ledgible

Ok...ok not too bad, about a 5th grade level wouldn't you say? (Not my quote you idiot, the whole article) The article was supposed to be about social networking sites and was titled, Social networking sites abound. Ohhhhh abound wow really....hmmmm... AWESOME! except that the whole article only focuses on one www.facebook.com and boy that does abound doesn't it sheep?

Now not to make fun of facebook because and I quote, "Facebook is a fun website." In fact why don't you join and add me as a friend. That is if you don't mind having the famous person of that quote as a friend.

Prayers for my grandfathers

Baba Yetu



My family is going through a rough time right now. Both of my grandfathers are in the hospital. It's been hard on our families, especially since it's around Christmas time. They're both truly great men and I'd appreciate all of your prayers.

The song you heard or should hear is Baba Yetu, composed by Christopher Tin. It is sung in Swahili, a language of the Eastern Africa origin, a place more commonly known as The Cradle of Life.
The song is actually Our Lord's Prayer spoken in Swahili. "Baba Yetu" means "Our Father." If you don't know the Lord's Prayer, it is from Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, As we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

CHORUS
Baba yetu, Yesu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, Yesu, amina!
Baba yetu, Yesu, uliye
Jina lako litukuzwe.
(x2)

Utupe leo chakula chetu
Tunachohitaji utusamehe
Makosa yetu, hey!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe
Waliotukosea usitutie
Katika majaribu, lakini
Utuokoe, na yule, milelea milele!

CHORUS

Ufalme wako ufike utakalo
Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni. (Amina)

CHORUS

Utupe leo chakula chetu
Tunachohitaji utusamehe
Makosa yetu, hey!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe
Waliotukosea usitutie
Katika majaribu, lakini
Utuokoe, na yule, simama mwehu

Baba yetu, Yesu, uliye
Jina lako litukuzwe.
(x2)


This is not just a beautiful song, it is a work of art with great meaning. It represents so much and is fitting of fathers. You can download it as well, for free, from Christopher Tin's website http://christophertin.com/samples.html

Merry Christmas

on
this
holiday
season,
I would like to
thank the readers
of my humble blog.
I wish everyone a very
Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year 2006!!!!!!
This blog would be nothing without
readers like you. I am truly thankful
for each and everyone who happens to
visit The Sea of Steve and for all my loyal visitors!
May all your lives be blessed!
Peace
Love
Steve

The Kite has fallen

Good books leave you satisfied, great books change the very fabric of who you are. The last page of The Kite Runnerwas dog eared this morning. I was struck at how much I cared for the main character, then hated him, only to absolutely hate him, finally to like him again, and after repeating this cycle a few times I ultimately cared for him because I could see myself through him and in the other character as well. I'd like to believe that I mostly resemble this other character, Hassan, but very few people in the world can ever attest to having a stature like that. For this I will recall a great phrase from the book

"there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft."

I'd feel like I was stealing from Hassan by comparing myself to him even if he is a fictional character.