The Wandering Rebel

Kadafy's Smack Down In NY.

2009-09-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Never thought I'd have a NY real estate agent as my hero, but now I do! No, really.

Seems that Moammar Khadafy - you know the despotic terrorist dictator and fashion leader of Libya - the gold elephant hat is particularly striking - is having a rather hard time finding a place to stay during his upcoming visit to the UN. After the locals living near his first choice told him to take his tent and shove it and for some strange reason his request to set up a tent in Central Park was turned down, he decided to rent some posh digs on the Upper East Side (5 E. 78 st - wherever the hell that is). Alas, Moammar's ego was again shattered - this time by Jason Haber, who used all the tact of Gen Patton when he politely declined to rent the dictator the digs. O.K., there was no "polite" in the decline - In Haber's own words:

They kept asking, 'What would be the price? What would be the price?' I thought about it and said, 'Why don't you send Megrahi back to Scotland, and then maybe we can work something out.' They hung up on me immediately.

Megrahi is the Libyan who was convicted and jailed in Scotland for blowing up the Pan Am flight over Locerbie killing 270 people, including 189 Americans. Alas, he was freed by the Scottish authorities with the help and support of the British government - supposedly because he only has 3 months to live. However, it turns out that the real reason this terrorist was released was so the UK could secure some rather large oil contracts for BP with the Libyans. To make it worse, the Brits claim that the Obama administration was kept informed of the plans to release this murderer all along.

NY real estate brokers go where Scotland, the UK, and apparently Obama fear to tread...who woulda thunk?

No Sex In Saudi Cities!

2009-08-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, not sure which is dumber - the Saudis shutting down a T.V. station for airing a segment on sex and showing - oh my God - sex toys, or the Saudi who bragged about his sexual prowess and showed his sex toys on Saudi T.V.

Fox is reporting that:

Abdul-Rahman al-Hazza, the spokesman of the Ministry of Culture and Information, told The Associated Press that the office of LBC, a Lebanese-based satellite TV station, in the western city of Jiddah was closed because of the program and because it is unlicensed.

"The closure is indefinite," al-Hazza said.

And to think the Saudis freak out when someone brings a Bible into the country.

Brooks Brothers Fake Grassroots Advocates

2009-08-07T16:55:00.001-07:00

I knew the political-powers-that-be would eventually push back against the grass roots opposition to Obamacare. However, I never dreamed that they would do so in such a , well such a stupid manner. The Democrats and their surrogates have explicitly or implicitly called these American protesters everything from Nazis to mobs organized by the Republicans to disrupt meetings held by Democrat senators and congressmen. But the stupidest statements I heard were from Senator Boxer (D-Ca) and Chris Matthews on MSNBC where they agree that the protesters have to be fakes because they are too well dressed. Best answer to this asinine statement is this video - and the music is good too - enjoy!

One thing that has been bothering me - these politicians think that calling the people who elect them Nazis, fakes, tools, pawns, etc is a good idea. Do we really want people that stupid in charge of our health care and 1/6 of the GDP? I don't.

Iran Targets Lawyers

2009-08-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

I guess it's not good enough for the crazy clerics of Iran to round up protesters, beat them, try them in kangaroo courts, sentence them to long prison terms, and even kill them. Now the mad hatters are targeting lawyers that have the nerve to defend protesters. The Jerusalem Post is reporting that at least 7 lawyers have been killed by the Iranian regime for defending protectors, and several more have been arrested or are missing.

In Tabriz, Iran's fourth-largest city, the bodies of five lawyers were returned to their families earlier this week, the sources said. The five had been representing some of the hundreds of Iranians detained in the northwestern city during the post-election protests. They were then themselves accused of disrupting security and encouraging unethical actions against the regime, and were sentenced to three years each in jail.

Three of them then died from injuries suffered during their detention. They were so badly beaten that their families could barely recognize their faces, this reporter was told.

The other two - prominent figures in the local community - were executed, having been sentenced to death on trumped-up charges of drug possession, the sources said...

In similar cases in Mashhad, in eastern Iran, two more lawyers were hanged on fabricated charges of drug trafficking, the sources said. Both were known to have been representing young students detained by the Iranian authorities.

In addition to the 7 killed, at least two other lawyers have been arrested or are missing. One lawyer was able to get his bother out of jail - who is also a lawyer - by agreeing not to represent any protesters and turning over all his files to the government. I understand his dilemma, but fear he may be the cause of more deaths by turning his files over. A second lawyer is reportedly "missing."

Crazy clerks, kangaroo courts, extra-judicial killings, flogging gays, stoning rape victims, suppression of free speech, killing lawyers for representing protesters, and rigged elections - and not barely a peep from the "great" human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch - guess they are too busy holding fund raisers in that enlightened country of Saudi Arabia.

I'm Not Really A Nurse, But I Stayed At A Holiday Inn Express

2009-08-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

Officials: 'Nurse of the Year' Not Really a Nurse

Is This The Future Of Obamacare?

2009-08-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

From Wizbang comes this disturbing story of a woman with cancer and her insurance company's refusal to pay for life extending medication - and instead offering her assisted suicide. What makes this story even more disturbing is that the state of Oregon is her insurance company!

The Oregon state health care system responded to Susan Harding's request for cancer treatment that could extend her life - but not cure her cancer - for $4,000 a month by sending her a letter denying the request, and instead, stating that the "plan would pay for comfort care, including 'physician aid in dying,' better known as assisted suicide."

Oregon denies that they make life and death decisions based on costs - but it is interesting to note that it will cost $4,000 per month to extend Ms Harding's life and only a one time payment of $100 for the drugs to end her life.

Fortunately, this story has somewhat of a happy ending - Genetech - the pharmaceutical company that makes the prescribed drug, agreed to cover the cost of Ms. Harding's treatments.

The only "evil" I see here is not to be found in the pharmaceutical or private insurance industries - but in the government run health insurance agency.

More change I hope not to see.

Dime Yourself Out!

2009-08-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was just reading about things to do with the Whit House dime on your friend program over at My Pet Jawa and Scott Johnson's "Fishy Confesion" over at Powerline and came up with an idea on what to do with the White House's snitch email - ya know the one - the one you use to drop the dime on your friends for having "fishy" thoughts about Obamacare. Well, why don't we just all turn ourselves in?

No, really. If thousands and thousands of us would email the powers to be telling them that we all oppose Obamacare, then the dime dropper hotline becomes a means of regerstering our opposition to the government's takeover of our healthcare. From snitch line to opposition line - somehow I doubt the powers that be want this - which is all the more reason to do it!

The drop a dime email address is flag@whitehouse.gov.

Here's the email I sent:

fromMike mlach <h2av8tor@gmail.com>
mailto:toflag@whitehouse.gov
date Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM

subject: I am a fishy thinker

mailed-bygmail.com

Dear Director of the Government's Drop a Dime on Your Friend Program

In light of your big brother snitch on your friend program I thought it best that I turn myself in and confess that I am very strongly opposed to the government's takeover of our health care system. Contrary to your belief, I am more than capable of making my own choices as to the health insurance I want to purchase and which doctors I want to see. I know you may find this hard to believe, but I assure you that I am much more capable of managing my own healthcare choices than a government who has made a mess of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and of all things, a "cash-for-clunkers" program, while simultaneously driving this nation to the verge of bankruptcy.

I am of course open minded and will reconsider my views if and when there is adult supervision of the federal government. Until then I am afraid I will remain a fishy thinker.

Mike Mlachak

Hope you all join and enjoy!

What Our Military Endures For US

2009-08-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

If you want to know what our troops do for us, and you want to see a bunch of heroes - from the ground pounders - to airdales - to docs and others, then watch this. And next time you see a person in uniform or run into a vet just say two words "Thank You" - they've earned it.

H/T to Powerline for pointing this out on One Marine's View - Semper Fi

Infroming on Your Friends - Not The Change I Hoped For

2009-08-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Obama Administration has taken a page right out of the old Soviet play book - have the neighbors snitch on each other for saying things counter to the party line. No, not kidding and it should scare the hell out of you. Via Red State comes this scary request that appears on the White House website:

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Manly's Republic points out the the all encompassing depths of the Stalin inspired snitch program in the old Soviet Union:

At the height of Stalin’s dictatorship in the old Soviet Union, children were instructed in school to inform Communist Party officials if they saw or heard their parents or any other adults doing or saying anything of an “anti-communist” nature.

It is only a few short steps from asking one neighbor to snitch on another to implementing the type of all encompassing informant programs like the old Soviet Union had.

Before today I would have never believed that a President would at the very least condone and at worst approve of a program calling on Americans to inform on other Americans for engaging in lawful and constitutionally protected activities - such as free speech and peaceful protest.

We all should be scared.

Should We Make Superglue A Controlled Substance?

2009-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Scorned women have long been the downfall of many a would be Romeo, and so falls another. After four women found out that their lover was loving each of them they took their revenge as a group. Don't misunderstand me, I fully understand revenge, but WOW this hurts just thinking about it - from Fox:

Calumet County prosecutors say 48-year-old Therese A. Ziemann of Menasha lured the man to a Stockbridge motel last Thursday. Prosecutors say she was soon joined by 43-year-old Michelle Belliveau of Neenah; 43-year-old Wendy L. Sewell of Kaukauna; and the man's wife.

Authorities say Ziemann punched the man in the face and glued his penis to his stomach.

I don't think the makers of superglue had this in mind.

I Want One

2009-08-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

How Far To The Left Do You Have To Go Before You Become The Far Right?

2009-07-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

Compare:
A white cop arrests an African American Harvard Professor and he's accused of being a raciest, the President of the U.S. weighs in with no facts, it is front page news for a week, and then there is the beer barrel summit with the President and Vice President.

To:
Roseanne Barr - the washed up comedian - does a spread with "Heeb" magazine where she puts on a Hitler mustache, a Nazi swastika, and takes burnt "Jewish" gingerbread cookies out of an oven. And it is comedy? Somehow I fail to see the joke - just anti-Semitic behavior.

I guess if you are a "progressive" you can engage in blatant racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic behavior. Makes one wonder what's the difference between these "progressive" elites and the pinheads at the Aryan Nation.

Free Speech Dies - MSM Yawns

2009-07-31T08:36:00.001-07:00

Was surfing around the net this morning and hit on this BBC headline:

Venezuela mulls tough media law

That would be the same as using the headline "Slight Tremor In San Fransisco" to describe the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. What Hugo Chavez - the Castro mini-me dictator of Venezuela - is really doing is killing off what remains of his country's the free press. Under this "tough media law" as the BBC calls it, anyone who publishes, or it seems is involved in publishing, "information which attacks 'the peace, security and independence of the nation and the institutions of the state'" is subject to 6 months to 4 years in prison. According to the BBC, one of the 'incidents' that Chavez and gang points to in justifying this Stalinist like law is:

a recent advert in national newspapers by a right-wing think tank, Cedice, which shows a naked woman next to the slogan "The Social Property law will take all you've got, Say No to communist laws".

Only in a country run by a far left dictator can making a political statement opposing socialism be equated to attacking "the peace, security and independence of the nation and the institutions of the state."

Almost as disturbing as Chavez's destruction of the Venezuelan free press is the deafening silence of the western media. I simply do not understand how journalists in the west can ignore the systematic destruction of a free press in what was once a democracy. Guess they are too busy covering the Beer Summit.

Pay Pal aka Iguana Lipped Pay Pal Pinheads

2009-07-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

After 20 years in the military and 10 years as a lawyer I have learned to pretty much keep my temper even when people do the dumbest things. However, when you screw our troops for no better reason than you don't like the 2nd amendment, well that just sets me off!

From My Position donated a pistol to be raffled off to help the Solders' Angels fund raising. For those of you who don't know the Solders' Angels organization is, in my mind, the best non-profit helping our troops. They are truly heroes. So far so good, a pistol being legally raffled off to raise money to help our our troops - what could possibly go wrong? Why in 5 words:

Iguana Lipped Pay Pay Pinheads

Seems Pay Pal has a thing about not liking guns and the 2nd Amendment, so when they found out about the raffle they shut down the Solders' Angels account - not just the pistol raffle but the whole account. Since they had other fund raising events going on Solders' Angels had to agree to remove the pistol raffle from Pay Pal - even though there seems to be no breach of the terms of use - before Pay Pal was oh so friggen kind to allow them back on. Unbelievable.

I wish there was another service our there, I'd use them. Instead I am going to switch to credit cards and E checks for purchases - no more Pay Pal for me.

If ya want to let Pay Pal what you think of their support for a non-profit that does such great things for our troops you can call them at: (402) 935-2050 - I am sure they will be happy to hear from you.

Of more import, if you want to take help a great organization, call (626) 529-5114 during normal business hours (PST) and buy a raffle ticket or two - I am.

A few of he others posting on the Iguana Lipped Pay Pal Pinheads are:

The Smallest Minority
Castle Arghhhhhh
Black Five has two posts.

She Has To Be Blonde

2009-07-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Men may leave the toilet seat up, but least we know about rainbows...

Biased Press - Say It Aint So!

2009-07-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

For those of you who think the press is objective, just check this out.

Meet Leslie Boyd, reporter with the Asheville Citizen-Times. The Asheville Citizen-Times is owned by Gannett Company.

On June 20, Ms. Boyd was the keynote speaker at the WNC for Change Healthcare Reform Rally held at Pritchard Park in Asheville. She was also the Asheville Citizen-Times photographer for the event.

The Asheville Citizen-Times printed 4 articles about the WNC for Change Healthcare Reform rally - here, here, here, and here.

A "journalist" who is the key-note speaker for a political rally is bad enough - a "journalist" who covers her own speech is just unbelievable. Even Chavez and the Castro Bros aren't so bold.

The Wedding Dance!

2009-07-23T23:43:00.001-07:00

I have no idea who Jill & Kevin are, but have to hand it to them, they do not march to the traditional organ...

Good on 'em!

H/T to Ace of Spades

When There Is No Honor In Honor

2009-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Oh yea - more evidence that Islam is the religion of peace. Have to wonder about a person's concept of "honor" when it demands a cowardly attack with acid against a man for being friends with a woman.

First from the U.K. According to the Times On Line, two men have been arrested for attacking a male friend of a Muslim woman. Both of the attackers are reportedly related to the woman:

The Danish Asian man is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after an incident in Leytonstone, East London, three weeks ago. Sulphuric acid is said to have been thrown in his face and he was stabbed twice in the back.

The 24-year-old, being treated in a specialist unit in Essex, is now blind, his tongue has been destroyed and he suffered 90 per cent burns.

Honor through disfigurement by acid - have to admit the concept not only escapes me, but disgusts me.

From Canada comes this story of another suspected honor killing - of a woman and her three teenage daughters. The suspected killer? Why the husband and father of course.

There is a real problem with people who think they have the right to kill and/or disfigure others in order to regain their family "honor" - a practice found only among those who follow Islam. There is a bigger problem in a religion where the followers will not condemn this practice daily. It is far past time for the "moderate" Muslims to address this problem.

Fox Needs A Military Pundit Who Knows Of What He Speaks

2009-07-21T00:32:00.001-07:00

Ralph Peters, U.S. Army Lt. Colonel (retired) and now Fox News pundit has some harsh words for PFC Bergdhl - the American solder captured by the Taliban. When listening to LCol. Peters, you would think he is talking from the perspective of a career infantryman with a wealth of combat experience. Alas, he is not, at least if this biography is correct.

According to his biography, LCol. Peters (ret.) served one tour with an infantry unit - after enlisting in 1976 he was assigned to the 1st battalion, 46th inf. Regiment. 1st Armored Division in Germany. He earned his commission in 1980 and then spent the remainder of his career as an intel officer and Area Officer specializing in the Soviet before retiring in 1998. A carrier to be proud of, but he was not an infantryman or an "11 Bravo" as he refers to them - the MOS for Army Infantry, the Marines are 03xx's. With this career in mind, lets turn to the good LCol's comments:

he [Bergdhl] is collaborating with the enemy. Under duress or not, that’s really not relevant. He’s making accusations about the behavior of the military in Afghanistan that are unfounded, saying there are no rules.

This statement is nothing more than the droppings of a male bovine. I had to attend SERE School - Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape - which is a bit more than a week of hell ending in a few days in a "POW" camp, that at the time was run by Americans who were former Vietnam POWs. One of the many things the instructors stressed was that you did everything you could not to help the enemy's propaganda machine - short of getting killed. The theory being, you were to survive being a POW - not seek some misguided glorious death. So yes, giving televised statements is not a good thing, but when being tortured - or "under duress" as Peters calls it - it is allowed if necessary to survive.

Hell, even Senator McCain, who I consider a hero, appeared on T.V. as a POW and made false statements about the U.S. - torture will do that to a person. Do I hold it against Senator McCain? Not in the least - the torture he endured was amazing and something I doubt I could have handled, let alone handled with the dignity Senator McCain did.

Is PFC Bergdhl another McCain? I doubt it. Further, I do not know what type of torture - if any - Bergdhl was subjected to - and neither does Peters. That's the point - Peters should not be condemning Bergdhl on national television until he knows what went on - or to put it bluntly - Peters should shut his pie hole until he has some facts to support his beliefs. Alas, it seems Peters is one of those self centered jackasses who believes he can determine the motives of those captured by the Taliban from the comfort and safety of his easy chair in the States. Disgusting.

Next the good LCol Peters pulls out his crystal ball and states:

He’s lying about how he was captured, saying he lagged behind a patrol.

Julie, I’ll tell you, any 11 Bravo infantryman will tell you, that’s not how it works. In a war zone, any soldier is aware of where all his buddies are. If it’s a night patrol, you’re sure of where the guy in front of you and behind you is. So we know this private is a liar. We’re not sure if he’s a deserter.

Given LCol Peter's military career, just how the hell does he know how anything works in a war zone? Do I question the solder's account - yes, especially given the conflicting statements regarding his actions leading up to his capture. However, to state categorically that he did not get separated from his patrol because it never happens is a display of ignorance that boggles the mind - it happens. Don't believe me? Google it - but probably the most famous instance is that of Bravo Two Zero, an 8 man British SAS patrol. While conducting surveillance ops in Iraq I in 1991, 3 men of the eight man patrol became separated. One of the three in the separated group became separated from that group and died. The two remaining men became separated - one escaped and the other was captured. If it can happen to a SAS unit, then it certainly can happen to regular units, and has.

Is peters' right that Bergdhl is lying about how he was captured? Maybe, maybe not. Point is - Peters should keep is self righteous pronouncements about whether others are lying and selling out their country to himself until he has something more to back those assertions up then a career as an intel officer and speculation grounded firmly in the shifting sands of his mind.

Don't get me wrong, if it turns out that Bergdhl deserted or that he gave that taped interview of his own free will, then I will be the first to scream for a courts martial. However, I refuse to condemn Bergdhl based on nothing more speculation - Peters would be well advised to do the same and Fox would be well advised to find a military analyst who knows of what he speaks.

A Memorial Service: you're invited.

2009-07-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

I just started blogging again after a long layoff - and so this is late, but I think it is something that is important enough to post even after D-Day, like at any time.

A friend sent me the following about an encounter with one of a group of people we owe so much and yet give so little:

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506 th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel,you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so,and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heartskipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumpsat Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say. I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an oldman very happy." His yes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quietway. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."(Roberto Clemente)

Seven jumps, one war and millions of people who owe him and his thier liberty - remembering Shifty and the others who served is not to much to ask.

Hat Tip to SOH- thanks for the email.

Michelle Obama - An Evil Health Care Exec?

2009-07-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Found this interesting tidbit via Ace of Spades. Seems that Obama is getting a bit testy about people having the nerve to challenge his over the top let's drive the country bankrupt while rationing health care plane. Of course the President did make one legitimate point - that "health insurance companies and their executives have reaped windfall profits from a broken system." So the next logical question is - when will he demand that his wife return the windfall salary she made as a health care executive?

True, to the best of my knbowledge, Michelle never worked for a health care insurance company, but she was an executive at the University Of Chicago Hospital where her salary seemed to be directly tied to the position her husband held in government. As Joshua Pundit points out:

After Barack Obama became an Illinois state legislator, his wife moved up as well, scoring a job as 'vice president of community relations' at the University Of Chicago Hospital for a very generous salary of $121,910. When Obama became a senator in 2005, her 'salary' leapfrogged to $$316,962 for the same job...and one of Senator Obama's first acts in office was to see to it that the hospital received over a million dollars of your tax dollars as an earmark.

Well, Michelle has moved on,and guess what...that vital job of hers,worth a salary of over $300 K has been quietly eliminated.

What is that saying, something about the goose and gander?

I "Hope" There Is No More "Change"

2009-07-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Why does Obama think he can negotiate with the Iranian regime? This is a regime who backs Hezbollah - a terrorist organization bent on destroying Israel, calls for the destruction of Israel on a routine basis, engages in the mass-murder of its citizen, and now it comes to light arranges for the rape of young women who are sentenced to death.

The Jerusalem Post has an interview with a member of the Basiji - the regime's street gang disguised as the "people's militia," who fell out of favor with his superiors because he released to teen age protesters. For those who have not been following events in Iran, the Basiji's job is to enforce the dictates of the Supreme Leader, also known as the crazy cleric, and have been at the forefront of the atrocities being committed.

The interview with the Basiji is wide ranging, gut wrenching - and a must read. However, the most damning part of the interview is:

The Basiji member...spoke soon after his release by the Iranian authorities from detention. He had been held for the "crime" of having set free two Iranian teenagers - a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl - who had been arrested during the disturbances that have followed the disputed June presidential elections.

Asked about his own role in the brutal crackdowns on the protesters, whether he had beaten demonstrators and whether he regretted his actions, he answered evasively...

"I did not attack any of the rioters - and even if I had, it is my duty to follow orders," he began. "I don't have any regrets," he went on, "except for when I worked as a prison guard during my adolescence..."

He said...that, at 18, "I was given the 'honor' to temporarily marry young girls before they were sentenced to death."

In the Islamic Republic it is illegal to execute a young woman, regardless of her crime, if she is a virgin, he explained. Therefore a "wedding" ceremony is conducted the night before the execution: The young girl is forced to have sexual intercourse with a prison guard - essentially raped by her "husband."

"I regret that, even though the marriages were legal," he said.
Why the regret, if the marriages were "legal?"

"Because," he went on, "I could tell that the girls were more afraid of their 'wedding' night than of the execution that awaited them in the morning. And they would always fight back, so we would have to put sleeping pills in their food. By morning the girls would have an empty expression; it seemed like they were ready or wanted to die.

"I remember hearing them cry and scream after [the rape] was over," he said. "I will never forget how this one girl clawed at her own face and neck with her finger nails afterwards. She had deep scratches all over her.

In six short months Obama has aligned the U.S. with dictators like Chavez, Castro, and Noriega against the congress and supreme court of Honduras. He has sat by watching North Korea continue developing not only their nuclear weapons, but also their delivery systems. He, caused a rift in U.S.-Israeli and U.S.-U.K. relations. And he insists on wanting to "negotiate" with the Iranian regime - a regime that not only engages in the mass murder of its citizens, but also organizes the rape of women so they can be executed.

Good going President Obama and gang, thanks to you, the U.S. has morphed from exporting democracy to "negotiating" with murders and rapists while supporting dictators. Please explain to me how being on the wrong side of history improves our standing in the world?

I "hope" I don't see anymore "change."

H/T to Atlas Shrugs

Connecticut Village To Dodd - Please Come Home, We Need Our Idiot

2009-07-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Senator Dodd (D. Conn) has been receiving a lot of heat over his cozy relationship with lobbyist - so cozy that he was given "VIP" treatment by Countrywide - one of the financial institutes that was a major player in the collapse of the mortgage loan market. Exactly what benefits were included in the "VIP" treatment Dodd received is imposable to tell - he refuses to release the records that would tell us. At the very least the interest on his mortgage is below the market rate. Additionally, he is having a wee bit of trouble explaining how he came to own a cottage in Ireland valued somewhere between $600,000 and well over a $1,000,000 for a fraction of the cost. The confusion over the value of the cottage is due to the good Senator refusing to release all the records and agree to an appraisal of the property.

So what does a politician who is outed as a lobbyist tool do? Why, reinvent himself as a person lobbyists hate. So in a fit of what I suppose Dodd thought was genius he sent a fund raising email touting his anti-lobbyist credentials - with this link - to a short video supposedly showing how lobbyists are all strung out because he wont meet with them.

You would think Dodd, an accomplished politician (and I mean that in the worst possible way), would have known that when one talks out of both sides of their mouth, they need to be careful who hears the words from which side. But apparently not - he sent the email not only to his constitutes - who must be laughing - but also to the lobbyists on his fund raising list. One lobbyist summed it up quiet well:

“Can you believe this idiot is sending this to lobbyists?”

The tragedy in having Dodd serve as a senator, is that it deprives a village in Connecticut of an idiot.

Lies & Politicians....Sort of Like White & Rice

2009-07-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Politicians who use the blood and bravery of others to get elected are without a doubt members of the species known as Kerry Erectus Sapiens, or as they are more commonly known - "lizard lipped, lying, scum sucking, pinheads."

From True North comes news of one of these lovely lizard lipped individuals. Seems Congressman Tim Walz (D. MN1)has a tad of a problem with accurately portraying his military service. There is no doubt that he served honorably with the national Guard for 24 years and no doubt that he obtained the rank of Command Sargent Major - both significant accomplishments that we all owe him thanks for. However, his website states that "Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom." Operation Enduring Freedom is the name of the Afghanistan operation, those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom served in a combat zone - i.e. they are combat vets.

The problem with the Congressman's statement is the last sentence - "in support of Operation Enduring Freedom." The term "in support of" is a vague term used in a lot of different ways in the military. However, at a minimum it usually means that the person was a part of the operation in some way, or was directly supporting the operation in some manner, and could be read, as it has been by many, to mean that the Congressman served in Afghanistan - which he did not.

Turns out that Congressman Waltz's idea of serving "in support of Operation Enduring Freedom" is being in charge of security at a base in Italy. Under that standard everyone in the military could lay claim to be serving "in support of Operation Enduring Freedom" - with the possible exception of those serving time at Leavenworth. If this was the only claim the Congressman made, then I would chalk it up to poor word choice - ambiguous at worst - and move on. But, it is not.

True North cites 3 media stories (two print and one radio) in which Walz was described as being a part of Operation Enduring Freedom - Walz never corrected those stories. Next Walz was called on his misleading statement by Tom Hagen in a letter to the editor of Winnona Daily News. Walz responded to this letter, but instead of clarifying that he did not serve in Afghanistan, he demanded an apology from Hagen - who I understand is serving his second tour in Iraq. Pretty bad, but again not a smoking gun. However, this 2004 photo is.

The Person on the right holding the "Enduring Freedom Veteran" sign is Walz before he was elected to congress. The sign - with no ambiguity - states that he is an Enduring Freedom Vet, which means he served in Afghanistan and is a combat vet. However, there is no dispute that the Congressman never set foot in Afghanistan, at least according to those who work for him.

So why is the good congressman claiming to be a combat vet when he is not? And why has he not clarified what he means by "serving in support of?" And why has he never corrected the news reports claiming he served in Operation Enduring Freedom? Perhaps it is easier to get elected if people think you are a combat vet?

We owe the Congressman thanks for his 24 years of military service. The fact that the Congressman achieved the rank of Command Sargent Major is a significant accomplishment in which he should take great pride. However, to claim that he is a combat veteran when he is not is inexcusable and tarnishes his significant accomplishments. Of more import, at least in my mind, is that he is using the blood and bravery of others to obtain an elected office - shame.

Joe Biden - Dan Quayle's Brother By Another Mother

2009-07-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

We are lucky to have Joe Biden - an expert in so many areas - as the Vice President.

Joe on Math:
"Look, John's last-minute economic plan does nothing to tackle the number-one job facing the middle class, and it happens to be, as Barack says, a three-letter word: jobs. J-O-B-S, jobs." [use your fingers Joe]

Joe on Transportation Policy:
Joe on the NJ Transit tunnel - “Look, this is designed, this totally new tunnel, is designed to provide for automobile traffic,” Biden said. “It’s something, as you know, up your way, that’s been in the works and people have been clamoring for for a long time.” Slight problem Joe - it is a tunnel for trains.

Joe on Foreign Policy:
When we kicked -- along with France, we kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon, I said and Barack said, "Move NATO forces in there. Fill the vacuum, because if you don't know -- if you don't, Hezbollah will control it." [uh, Joe - Hezbollah came to Lebanon in he 80s and has been their since - check this out].

“Israel can determine for itself – it’s a sovereign nation – what’s in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else.” July 5, 2009, Biden green lights Israel to attack Iranian nuclear plants - July 9, 2009 Obama un-green lights Israel - seems Biden is a tad confused about Obama's foreign policy.

Joe the Constitutional Scholar:
Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history. The idea he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that's the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.[psssst, Article II, Joe, Articles II - Article I is the legislative branch - how long where you a senator?]

Joe Channelling Yogi:
“If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there’s still a 30 percent chance we’re going to get it wrong." [All I can say is 'wow'].

Joe Wanting to Sleep On The Couch:
My wife, Jill, who you’ll meet soon, who’s drop-dead gorgeous. My wife, Jill, she also has a doctorate degree, which is a problem.

Joe And His Close Friends:
Joe on Obama "A man I'm proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next President of the United States — Barack America!"

Biden on Obama - “Axelrod really wanted me to do this on teleprompter — but I told him I’m much better when I wing it. … I know these evenings run long, so I’m going to be brief. Talk about the audacity of hope. … President Obama does send his greetings, though. He can’t be here tonight — because he’s busy getting ready for Easter. (Whisper) He thinks it’s about him. …"

Joe On History:
"When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed..." [FDR wasn't president when the stock market crashed in 1929].

Joe Being Honest:
"Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America. Quite frankly, it might have been a better pick than me." [can't argue with that].

Sensitive Joe:
"Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see ya." Remark to Missouri state Sen. Chuck Graham - who happens to be in a wheelchair. Columbia, Missouri, Sept. 12, 2008.

Joe on Race Relations
"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Joe the Palin Expert:
Biden on Palin..."I have no idea what her policies [are]. ..“She is diametrically opposed to everything Hillary stands for.” [if you don't what her polices are, how can you know what she is opposed to?]

Joe On Patriot
Biden on taxing the wealthy "“it’s time to be patriotic … time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut.” If giving is a sign of being patriotic, the Joe is, hmmm how to say this - not very - "Despite income ranging from $210,432 - $321,379 over the ten-year period, the Bidens have given only $120 - $995 per year to charity, which amounts to 0.06% - 0.31% of their income." Go Joe!

Joe On Not Causing Panic.
Biden calming Americans on swine flue "I would tell members of my family, and I have, I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places right now. It’s not that it’s going to Mexico. It’s you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. I would not be, at this point, if they had another way of transportation, suggesting they ride the subway.”

Goldman Sachs - 12.9 Billion Of Our Money And No Class

2009-07-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Lets see, we bail out a large financial institution - literally keep them alive - they make a grunch of money because of taxpayer subsidies, pay off the loans, and now want to shortchange the taxpayers on the return we are entitled so they can pay record, or near record, bonuses to their employees. Way to go Goldman Sachs - reinforce that greedy, the U.S. can go to hell, self centered image many have of Wall Street firms.

I am not saying we should drag Goldman across the coals, and I am not saying that the government should tax them or set a limit on the compensation people can earn - I am in fact against those "remedies." However, we (the taxpayers) do deserve a fair return on the over 22.9 billion dollars that Goldman received directly and indirectly in TARP funds. Alas, it does not seem Goldman agrees - perhaps next time they are teetering on the edge of the abyss we should just grab a beer, bag of popcorn and watch them fail- or maybe help them along a tad.

Thumbs Down to Judge Sotomayor

2009-07-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

The importance of appointing a person to the Supreme Court cannot be overstated - it's an unelected life time appointment to a government office that can overturn laws enacted by Congress, policies implemented by the President, and of more import, at least in my mind, "interprets" the constitution. Further, whether you like it or not, judges in general and Supreme Court Justices in particular make law. Therefore, the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is exceptionally important and should rise above partisan politics. Alas it does not.

Now to Judge Sotomayor. She is undoubtedly further left than I am on many issues, but a person's political beliefs in-and-of-themselves should not be a disqualifying factor. I also had some concerns about her "wise Latina" statements that at best were intemperate and her role in deciding Ricci, but wanted to hear her reasoning before deciding whether I would support her appointment. Let's be honest, we all make mistakes and we all say things that don't convey the message we intended. However, her testimony before congress yesterday is deeply troubling for the simple reason that she was either telling an untruth or she has no idea of what judges do. Given that she has been a judge for 17 years the latter is simply not possible, and therefore, the only logical conclusion is that Judge Sotomayor is lying in order to be appointed to the Supreme Court. I think Louis Michael Seidman, a law professor at Georgetown University, said it best in an online debate yesterday:

I was completely disgusted by Judge Sotomayor's testimony today. If she was not perjuring herself, she is intellectually unqualified to be on the Supreme Court. If she was perjuring herself, she is morally unqualified. How could someone who has been on the bench for seventeen years possibly believe that judging in hard cases involves no more than applying the law to the facts?...many areas of the law are open textured and indeterminate—that the legal material frequently (actually, I would say always) must be supplemented by contestable presuppositions, empirical assumptions, and moral judgments. To claim otherwise—to claim that fidelity to uncontested legal principles dictates results—is to claim that whenever Justices disagree among themselves, someone is either a fool or acting in bad faith...

Perhaps Justice Sotomayor should be excused because our official ideology about judging is so degraded that she would sacrifice a position on the Supreme Court if she told the truth. Legal academics who defend what she did today have no such excuse. They should be ashamed of themselves

The only part of Professor Seidman's analysis I disagree with is that Judge Sotomayor should be excused for telling an untruth, or in his words, "perjuring herself" in order to be appointed to the Supreme Court. I think that is what is fundamentally wrong with our government today - that the "elites" will lie in order to get what they want.

So I believe the question now becomes - "do we want to entrust the interpretation of our constitution to a person who is either intellectually or morally unqualified to sit on the Supreme Court?" The answer to me is simple - No.

And You Thought Taxing Internet Sales Was A Bad Idea...

2009-07-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

According to the BBC, the UK is now going to tax rain in what has become known as the "Rain Tax" - no really. Not clear on all the details, but the amount a person will be taxed for rain is dependant at least in part on how big a roof they have - the bigger the roof the more the run off, or so I am told, and the bigger the rain tax on that person - or organization.

Not to worry, it's doubtful that our politicians will ever learn that rain can be taxed. I mean they don't read the bills they vote on, like the Cap & Trade bill. , so why would they read the news?

Taliban On the Run In Pakistan?

2009-07-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

If the reports are not overly optimistic, then it looks like the Taliban wore out it's welcome in Pakistan's Swat Valley. The BBC is carrying an interview with a resident there indicating that the army's offensive has not only been highly effective, but that the army has the people's support. Guess that fundamentalist Islamic stuff is not for everyone.

From the BBC report, the army rocked the Taliban's world by using the old carrot and stick approach.

The carrot:

The army issued an invitation through loud speakers to residents to go to houses known to belong to militants and help themselves to anything useful they could find there. So people went and took all kinds of things - washing machines and other household items. In the end, the army destroyed those houses.

The Stick:

someone was arrested in Mingora, accused of being a militant. The army took him to his village and asked three local people to confirm whether he is indeed a militant. Three people confirmed. They shot him on the spot. People were very happy.

It is good to see the Pakistani government finally taking action against the Taliban. However, the most promising part of this story is that the locals are waking up to the fact that the Taliban are not there friends and are taking action themselves:

In one year's time, many militants will be killed - not by the army, but by the people of Swat. The Taliban are defeated. They are not going to come back.

I think to claim that the Taliban is defeated in the Sweat Valley may be a bit premature, but they have made a good start.

Bride's Bouquet Brings Down Plane

2009-07-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

One reason not to get married, or at least not to throw the bride's bouquet from a small plane.

There Is Cool...and There Is Kick Ass Cool

2009-07-13T21:11:00.001-07:00

From the Mail Online. A Navy F-18 in a flyby...or on his way to a hot date...kick ass cool in either event.

Hat tip to Hot Air

Train Travel By Moon Light.

2009-07-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

They say if you travel by train you will see that not all moons are made equal and CNN has the proof. Go ahead, click the link, but maybe not work place safe.

Tell Me It Ain't So Mav - A Disconnect?

2009-07-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

There's a disconnect between the voters and the political class - one that could, maybe, hopefully lead to a viable third party.

The disconnect between the American people and the political elites can be seen in everything from taxes to immigration policy.

Lets start with immigration first, it's an issue that's been around for awhile with enough polling data to allow us to easily quantify the disconnect.

A June 26, 2009 Politico story - that seems to have been largely overlooked - states that Pres. Obama has rallied what appears to be the same group who tried to ram the last "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" bill through Congress in the dark of night. Seems there plan is to draft a new "bi-partisan" bill with McCain among those at the forefront:

President Obama vowed on Thursday to immediately begin negotiations to craft comprehensive immigration reform, with the goal of passing legislation in Congress later this year or early next year.

In a meeting with Democratic and Republican lawmakers, Obama said all parties at the table were far from reaching consensus on an immigration overhaul, but he said they were in agreement that the current system is “broken and needs fixing."...

In the hour-long meeting at the White House, Obama praised John McCain (R-Ariz.), his opponent in the 2008 presidential election who often bucked the GOP by calling for immigration reform, saying he “has already paid a significant political cost for doing the right thing. I stand with him."

Yes McCain did get beat up bad in the last fiasco, but that's because he disregarded the fact that the voters do not want another amnesty program - they want secure boarders. Alas, recent events strongly indicate that our political "elites" are still still hellbent on telling the citizens what is best for them - you know because we're just a bunch of rubes who don't understand national policy.

A series of Rasmussen polls shows a frightening disconnect between the American people and our political class over immigration:

66% of likely voters say it is very important for the government to improve boarder enforcement and reduce illegal immigration. Only 32% of the political class agree.

74% of voters say that the government is not doing enough to secure our boarders

73% of likely voters agree that police officers should automatically check to see if a person is in the country legally when the person is pulled over for a traffic stop. 67% agree that local cops should raid known hangouts for illegal immigrants looking for work.

Now before those "speak before you read" people start with the "Dear Bigot" emails - 61% polled are concerned that efforts to deport illegal immigrants will end up violating the civil rights of citizens. Also, surprise, surprise, surprise:

Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters say U.S. immigration policy should welcome all except those who are criminal or national security threats. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, and 17% are not sure.

Democrats are less agreeable to this than Republicans. While 65% of GOP voters say the United States should welcome all immigrants but those who pose a criminal or national security threat, just 52% of Democrats and 44% of unaffiliated voters agree.

Also, while nearly a third of Americans are angry about the immigration issue, they are not angry at the immigrants. They are angry at the federal government.

On Cap & Trade, Health Care Reform, and taxes one need only look to the Tea Party movement - a grass roots movement by people,the vast majority of whom have never protested before, expressing their concerns about the political class now in power. Contrary to the blind wishes of the political elites and many in the MSM (Main Stream Media) this is not a movement funded by any political party or advocacy group nor is it small. Instead it seems to be a widespread large scale movement being organized by those very "rubes" the elites likes to dismiss - except for a few weeks during the election cycle. for those of you who have not been following the Tea party Movement, then I would suggest starting at Instapundit - who has a great roundup. A few other random places to checkout for starters are here, here, here, here, and here.

Can't tell you where this disconnect and voter anger at the federal government will lead, but it does strongly indicate that the American people are feed up with the two party system as it is today. So at the very least, it would be a smart thing for those now in power take note - or they may end up voted out of office or being the catalyst for the formation of a third party. Riehl World View puts into words what I've been thinking for awhile now.

More Tolerance From Our Friends The Saudis

2009-07-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Via the SCSU Scholar comes this story about that wonderful Saudi government and the oh so tolerant and loving religion of Islam:

Seems a Saudi women's rights lady was planning a holiday on the coast in Bahrain with her friends. Slight problem - the border guard would not let her leave Saudi Arabia - why? She had her passport but NO male "guardian" to escort
her.

I am not sure why people still find the Saudis practice of denying women their rights surprising. As Hotair points out, the Saudis live under Shara law, and the way the Saudis interpret it, a woman cannot do anything without the consent of a male guardian - not even drive, let alone cross an international boarder. Of course, the Saudis are equal opportunity human rights abusers who have elevated human rights abuse in the name of religion to an art form.

In addition to denying women most (all?) rights, the Saudis also deny gays their rights - to the extent that gays, at least gay men, are arrested and flogged, and even reportedly executed for the "crime" of being gay. The fact that the Saudis trail the Iranian regime in their homophobic killing and torture of gays is no comfort.

Of course, it would behoove you not to be a christian in Saudi Arabia, and certainly not a convert to Christianity from Islam. In Saudi Arabia the public practice of any religion other than Islam is outlawed - which may explain why there are like a total of zero churches and synagogues in the country. Of course, the Saudi government does allow the "private practice" of different faiths - if carried out in your private home and no one knows about it, and the police don't find out about it - otherwise you may find yourself a guest of this loving government. However, for those who convert from Islam - well death is on the table and jail is assured.

Yes, the Saudis have elevated human rights abuse to the point where the U.S. Department of State posts this "information" on their website:

Standards of Conduct and Religious Police: Islam is the official
religion of the country and pervades all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. Public display of non-Islamic religious articles such as crosses and Bibles is not permitted. Travel to Makkah (Mecca) and Medina, the cities where the two holiest mosques of Islam are located, is forbidden to non-Muslims.

The norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative, and religious police, known as Mutawwa, are charged with enforcing these standards. Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police; however, in some cases they have detained persons even without police presence. To ensure that conservative standards of conduct are observed, the Saudi religious police have accosted or arrested foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for improper dress or other alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcohol or association by a female with a male to whom she is not related. While most incidents have resulted only in inconvenience or embarrassment, the potential exists for an individual to be physically harmed or deported. U.S. citizens who are involved in an incident with the Mutawwa should report the incident to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the U.S. Consulates General in Jeddah or Dhahran.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington advises women traveling to Saudi Arabia to dress in a conservative fashion in public, wearing ankle-length dresses with long sleeves and not pants. In many areas of Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, Mutawwa pressure women to wear a full-length black covering known as an Abaya, and to cover their heads. Most women in these areas therefore wear an Abaya and carry a headscarf to avoid being accosted. Women who appear to be of Arab or Asian origin, especially those presumed to be Muslims, face a greater risk of being confronted.

Some Mutawwa try to enforce the rule that men and women who are beyond childhood years may not mingle in public unless they are family or close relatives. Mutawwa may ask to see proof that a couple is married or related. Women who are arrested for socializing with a man who is not a relative may be charged with prostitution. Some restaurants, particularly fast-food outlets, have refused to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative. In addition, many restaurants no longer have a "family section" in which women are permitted to eat. These restrict ions are not always posted, and in some cases women violating this policy have been arrested. This is more common in Riyadh and the more conservative central Nejd region.

In public, dancing, playing music, and showing movies are forbidden

Yep, a lovely place - and we wonder why there are so many fanatics.

Faster Please

2009-07-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

I have a rule - never wish ill on another, no matter how much you disagree with them. However, there is the "pure evil" exception and this falls into that exception:

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has
life-threatening pancreatic cancer, a news report said Monday, days after new images of him looking gaunt spurred speculation that his health might be worsening following a reported stroke last year.

Here's hoping Kim Jong burns in hell sooner rather than later.

Admin Stuff

2009-07-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

jd2bqgx568

Good Things Do Happen

2009-07-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

I know we all get asked for money more often then we should, but every now and again I stumble across a cause that I find is just too good not to give too - today I found one.

Via Russ who writes at Ace of Spades comes a story of the 10 year old nephew of Kathy over at the Cake Eater who has diabetes, and has offered us the opportunity of not only helping to find a cure for this disease, but also having this young man's design painted on a funny car - and for him to spend a weekend running around with the the crew and drivers of the top go fasters around. I mean that is just kick ass cool - specially for a 10 year old.

Here's how it works - you just click on this link and it takes you to James' Juvenal Diabetes Research Foundation International page which has all of the info you need to donate . The kid with the most donations gets his/her design painted on the go faster and spends a weekend with a bunch of sort of crazy people who love kids. So go - like now please - and give a little (or a lot) to help find a cure and as an added benefit help send a kid to a fun place for a weekend. I did. Stop hesitating, at most it means you have to give up a six pack this weekend - now go!

Now for the disclaimers - I do not know Russ at Ace, but read him often and never heard of this Kathy the Cake Eater person before (she does have a cute cartoon figure on her blog). So no, I get no benefit from this post except maybe helping to find a cure for diabetes and hopefully helping to send a kid off for a kick ass cool weekend. Come to think of it, those are two damn big benefits!

UPDATE: For those who may want to make sure this is for real - here is Ford's news release on the program.

U.S. MSM's Keen Reporting

2009-07-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Just an afterthought to my post on the House Of Representatives vote to impose "limited sanctions" on Iran - why do I have to read a foreign newspaper to find out what our congress is doing?

Just wondering.

Like Legislating Sea Levels - But Less Effective

2009-07-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

The EU's latest plan to solve the Israeli/Palestinian problem looks to be almost as effective as legislating that sea levels are not allowed to rise above a specific height. Javier Solana, the EU's head honcho of foreign policy, gave a speech in which he stated that if the Israelis and Palestinians don't agree to a solution, then the UN should just impose one. According to the Jerusalem Post, Solona proposed that:

After a fixed deadline, a UN Security Council resolution should proclaim the adoption of the two-state solution," Solana was quoted as saying, adding that such a move should include resolutions regarding borders, the refugee problem, the issue of Jerusalem and security arrangements.

"It would accept the Palestinian state as a full member of the UN, and set a calendar for implementation. It would mandate the resolution of other remaining territorial disputes and legitimize the end of claims."

"If the parties are not able to stick to [the timetable], then a solution backed by the international community should be put on the table."

The irony here is an organization with no credible military is asking a corrupt organization with no military to impose boarders on Israel - who has a credible military - and the Palestinians, many of whom seem to prefer to blow themselves up instead of say, oh accepting the Camp David Accords. Which raises the question of what if Israel and the Palestinians reject this "security counsel" imposed solution? Some how I do not see the EU sending troops to enforce it, which of course means this is one threat Israel does not need to worry about.

Strangest Headline I've Seen:

2009-07-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

"Two Mexican Midget Wrestlers Killed by Fake Prostitutes."

The story is sad, but the headline is just strange. By the way, how does the reporter know they were fake prostitutes?

Crazy Clerics and Insane Congressmen

2009-07-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is foolishness at its best. From the Jerusalem Post comes this gem on why the U.S. House only voted for "limited" sanctions against Iran:

A political decision - really a diplomatic decision - has been made not to move forward with the Berman bill, but that doesn't mean Congress feels the activities that are targeted by the Berman bill are okay," explained a House aide, who noted that Berman and other key legislators agree with the White House's perspective that harsh sanctions could jeopardize the possibility of engagement with Tehran because they would send a strongly adversarial signal. The idea with Berman's bill is that the Iranian leadership should have an idea of what awaits them should engagement fail, at which point it would be advanced in Congress. [emphasis added].

Unbelievable - we've tried to negotiate with Iran since at least the Clinton years - it hasn't worked. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating invading Iran and I fully understand that our options to force Iran to the negotiating table are at best limited. However, lets stop kidding ourselves - the only "engagement" that will lead to Iran giving up its nuclear weapons program will be engaging it from the air -we need to either green light Israel to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities or we need to do it ourselves. Any other option will lead to a nuclear armed Iran run by people every bit as crazy as those who are running the nuclear armed Peoples Republic of Korea.

Somehow this does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Oh what are the "limited" sanctions passed by the House? Why to "cut off US export credits to foreign companies that help to provide gasoline to the Islamic Republic." The harsher sanctions in the Berman Bill? Language that "would broadly sanction foreign companies that support Iran's petroleum industry."

Alas, I still fail to feel all warm and fuzzy.