The U.S. was robbed at the World Cup worse than Armando Galarraga was by Jim Joyce.
Galarraga settled for a one hit shutout. The U.S. settled for a 2-2 tie against Slovenia.
And unlike Joyce, World Cup referee Koman Coulibaly isn't apologizing.
Gee, to think the world was supposed to like us more because Obama is in office.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Kagan: NRA=KKK?
Robert VerBruggen, an associate editor National Review, writes the magazine has obtained documents from Clinton Presidential Library suggesting that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan likened the National Rifle Association to the Ku Klux Klan while she was Associate White House Counsel during the Clinton Administration.
As the story goes, back in 1996, the Clinton Administration was trying to determine its position on the Volunteer Protection Act. It was a piece of legislation designed to protect volunteers at non-profits from legal liability. Apparently, there are notes which appear to be in Kagan's handwriting which ask if the law would apply to organizations like the NRA and the KKK.
Let's assume that she in fact wrote that note. Certainly it's disconcerting but frankly I would not be surprised if she held such a view. I don't think it's a stretch of the imagination to state there are a lot of urban liberals who would liken the NRA to the KKK. I mean how many urban liberals were transfixed by Bowling for Columbine?
The reason I say urban liberals is because if you live outside the city you tend to have a different views of guns and the NRA even if you are a liberal. When Howard Dean was seeking the Democratic Party nomination he made no bones about his support for the NRA while he was Governor of Vermont.
This urban/rural divide exists in Canada as well. When I interned for former NDP MP Nelson Riis back in 1994 I had the opportunity to sit in on a few NDP caucus meetings. At the time, the Liberal government of Jean Chretien was in the midst of instituting the National Gun Registry. You would think the NDP would have supported it. But no. At the time about two thirds of the NDP caucus was from Saskatchewan which is an overwhelmingly rural province and those members were more opposed to the registry than many conservative politicians. The only member of the NDP caucus who supported the National Gun Registry was Svend Robinson who represented an urban constituency in Vancouver.
This dynamic still exists within the NDP. Currently, there is a private members bill by a Conservative backbencher to abolish the National Gun Registry. Twelve members of the NDP Caucus voted in favor of scrapping the registry on the second reading of the bill. That's one third of their caucus. The final reading of the bill is expected in the fall.
But I digress.
Now I think this matter should certainly be brought up during Kagan's confirmation hearing. However, I think if Kagan is asked about it she will most likely reply that she does not recall writing the memo. Ultimately, I don't think it will damage Kagan anymore that the "wise Latina" remark damaged Sonia Sotomayor.
It was a given that President Obama was going to appoint a liberal to the bench. In the grand scheme of things, amongst all the bad options he had to choose from, she is the best of them.
As the story goes, back in 1996, the Clinton Administration was trying to determine its position on the Volunteer Protection Act. It was a piece of legislation designed to protect volunteers at non-profits from legal liability. Apparently, there are notes which appear to be in Kagan's handwriting which ask if the law would apply to organizations like the NRA and the KKK.
Let's assume that she in fact wrote that note. Certainly it's disconcerting but frankly I would not be surprised if she held such a view. I don't think it's a stretch of the imagination to state there are a lot of urban liberals who would liken the NRA to the KKK. I mean how many urban liberals were transfixed by Bowling for Columbine?
The reason I say urban liberals is because if you live outside the city you tend to have a different views of guns and the NRA even if you are a liberal. When Howard Dean was seeking the Democratic Party nomination he made no bones about his support for the NRA while he was Governor of Vermont.
This urban/rural divide exists in Canada as well. When I interned for former NDP MP Nelson Riis back in 1994 I had the opportunity to sit in on a few NDP caucus meetings. At the time, the Liberal government of Jean Chretien was in the midst of instituting the National Gun Registry. You would think the NDP would have supported it. But no. At the time about two thirds of the NDP caucus was from Saskatchewan which is an overwhelmingly rural province and those members were more opposed to the registry than many conservative politicians. The only member of the NDP caucus who supported the National Gun Registry was Svend Robinson who represented an urban constituency in Vancouver.
This dynamic still exists within the NDP. Currently, there is a private members bill by a Conservative backbencher to abolish the National Gun Registry. Twelve members of the NDP Caucus voted in favor of scrapping the registry on the second reading of the bill. That's one third of their caucus. The final reading of the bill is expected in the fall.
But I digress.
Now I think this matter should certainly be brought up during Kagan's confirmation hearing. However, I think if Kagan is asked about it she will most likely reply that she does not recall writing the memo. Ultimately, I don't think it will damage Kagan anymore that the "wise Latina" remark damaged Sonia Sotomayor.
It was a given that President Obama was going to appoint a liberal to the bench. In the grand scheme of things, amongst all the bad options he had to choose from, she is the best of them.
Let The Feds Sue Arizona Over Its Immigration Law
If what Hillary Clinton says is true and that in fact the Department of Justice will sue Arizona over SB 1070 then I say, "Let them."
Let them get into a battle they know they are going lose.
It is a battle they are going to lose both legally and politically.
Or is this Hillary's way of extricating herself out of the Obama Administration?
Let them get into a battle they know they are going lose.
It is a battle they are going to lose both legally and politically.
Or is this Hillary's way of extricating herself out of the Obama Administration?
Hentoff on Obama: One of the Most Dangerous Presidents We've Ever Had
I just read an interview with Nat Hentoff that appeared in The New York Times yesterday.
Hentoff, who spent half a century at The Village Voice, is one of the few left-wingers in America who is ardently pro-life.
In fact, Hentoff's pro-life views are so strong they are what kept him from supporting Barack Obama in 2008.
Suffice it to say, Hentoff is even less a fan of Obama than he was two years ago. When Hentoff (who has long written about jazz) was asked about Obama's taste in jazz he had this to say:
Somebody told me that he has Coltrane on his iPod. But that doesn’t mean that anybody who listens to John or listens to Louie Armstrong’s “West End Blues” is going to be then transformed. Shelby Steele, who’s a very astute writer, wrote a book about Obama just before he came into office. And he said Obama is a man of many masks. And it’s hard to find out who the decent Obama is. In terms of civil liberties, I don’t see anybody there. And it could be that he responds to Coltrane.
But my sense of Obama, and I certainly have followed him very closely, is that his main concern is himself and how he’s going to look and achieve the power and the prestige that he wants. I think in many ways, and it sounds very hyperbolic, he’s one of the most dangerous presidents we’ve ever had. So as you can tell, I am not an admirer of Barack Obama, even though he listens to John Coltrane.
I find Hentoff's observations about Obama particularly interesting because nearly five years ago Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, made the argument that if Dick Cheney had listened to Radiohead's O.K. Computer it would have changed his life. Ergo there would be no war in Iraq. I thought Martin's views on the transformative power of music were rather silly and challenged them.
I'm not suggesting music doesn't have transformative powers but I think Hentoff is right on the mark with regard to Obama and John Coltrane. Or put another way, I like the Beatles and President Obama likes the Beatles (and at least one Beatle likes him) but I certainly don't admire Obama.
Hentoff, who spent half a century at The Village Voice, is one of the few left-wingers in America who is ardently pro-life.
In fact, Hentoff's pro-life views are so strong they are what kept him from supporting Barack Obama in 2008.
Suffice it to say, Hentoff is even less a fan of Obama than he was two years ago. When Hentoff (who has long written about jazz) was asked about Obama's taste in jazz he had this to say:
Somebody told me that he has Coltrane on his iPod. But that doesn’t mean that anybody who listens to John or listens to Louie Armstrong’s “West End Blues” is going to be then transformed. Shelby Steele, who’s a very astute writer, wrote a book about Obama just before he came into office. And he said Obama is a man of many masks. And it’s hard to find out who the decent Obama is. In terms of civil liberties, I don’t see anybody there. And it could be that he responds to Coltrane.
But my sense of Obama, and I certainly have followed him very closely, is that his main concern is himself and how he’s going to look and achieve the power and the prestige that he wants. I think in many ways, and it sounds very hyperbolic, he’s one of the most dangerous presidents we’ve ever had. So as you can tell, I am not an admirer of Barack Obama, even though he listens to John Coltrane.
I find Hentoff's observations about Obama particularly interesting because nearly five years ago Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, made the argument that if Dick Cheney had listened to Radiohead's O.K. Computer it would have changed his life. Ergo there would be no war in Iraq. I thought Martin's views on the transformative power of music were rather silly and challenged them.
I'm not suggesting music doesn't have transformative powers but I think Hentoff is right on the mark with regard to Obama and John Coltrane. Or put another way, I like the Beatles and President Obama likes the Beatles (and at least one Beatle likes him) but I certainly don't admire Obama.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Lakers Beat Celtics....I Blame Obama
The Los Angeles Lakers have just defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of NBA Finals to win the NBA championship for a second consecutive season.
I am not surprised at this outcome. But I do not cast blame on the loss of Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace's foul trouble or the Celtics penchant for fourth quarter collapses.
No, I blame this revolting development on President Obama.
All of Boston's championships (three Super Bowls, two World Series and one NBA Title) came when President Bush was in office.
Thus no Boston team will taste championship as long as President Obama remains in office.
I am not surprised at this outcome. But I do not cast blame on the loss of Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace's foul trouble or the Celtics penchant for fourth quarter collapses.
No, I blame this revolting development on President Obama.
All of Boston's championships (three Super Bowls, two World Series and one NBA Title) came when President Bush was in office.
Thus no Boston team will taste championship as long as President Obama remains in office.
Daniel Nava Continues to Hit
My piece on Red Sox rookie Daniel Nava (and Stephen Strasburg, too) is up on the IC main page today.
Well, Nava continues to hit. Tonight, I was at the Sox-D'Backs game and Nava went 3 for 4 with an RBI double. In five games, Nava has gone 8 for 18 with a .444 average, one memorable homerun and six RBI.
Well, Nava continues to hit. Tonight, I was at the Sox-D'Backs game and Nava went 3 for 4 with an RBI double. In five games, Nava has gone 8 for 18 with a .444 average, one memorable homerun and six RBI.
My Act of Solidarity With Arizona
Tonight, I engaged in act of solidarity with Arizona.
I went to Fenway Park and saw the Red Sox take on the Diamondbacks.
However, I think most of Red Sox Nation is more concerned with beating L.A. than boycotting Arizona.
Go Celtics!!!
I went to Fenway Park and saw the Red Sox take on the Diamondbacks.
However, I think most of Red Sox Nation is more concerned with beating L.A. than boycotting Arizona.
Go Celtics!!!
Sebastian Horsley, 1962-2010. R.I.P.
Performance artist, painter and writer Sebastian Horsley has died of an apparent heroin overdose. He was 47.
His death comes only 48 hours after Dandy in the Underworld, a play adapted from his autobiography of the same name premiered at the Soho Theatre in London to much praise.
Horsley is perhaps best known for subjecting himself to a crucifixion in the Philippines nearly a decade ago.
His notoriety was sufficient to deny him entry into this country back in 2008 on the grounds of moral terpitude when he was promoting Dandy in the Underworld. In retrospect, it seems quite shortsighted. Horsley was a greater threat to himself than to others.
But when I think of Horsley I think of this piece he wrote in The Observer in 2004 about his sexual escapades with prostitutes. I suspect that many people would be put off by the subject matter and his approach to it. But his writing was just too superb. He also did not portray himself as a romantic figure. "Yes, yes, I know. Prostitution is obscene, debasing and disgraceful. The point is, so am I," Horsley concluded.
For a man who by all appearances was pretentious turned out to be anything but.
His death comes only 48 hours after Dandy in the Underworld, a play adapted from his autobiography of the same name premiered at the Soho Theatre in London to much praise.
Horsley is perhaps best known for subjecting himself to a crucifixion in the Philippines nearly a decade ago.
His notoriety was sufficient to deny him entry into this country back in 2008 on the grounds of moral terpitude when he was promoting Dandy in the Underworld. In retrospect, it seems quite shortsighted. Horsley was a greater threat to himself than to others.
But when I think of Horsley I think of this piece he wrote in The Observer in 2004 about his sexual escapades with prostitutes. I suspect that many people would be put off by the subject matter and his approach to it. But his writing was just too superb. He also did not portray himself as a romantic figure. "Yes, yes, I know. Prostitution is obscene, debasing and disgraceful. The point is, so am I," Horsley concluded.
For a man who by all appearances was pretentious turned out to be anything but.
Israel Will Ease Blockade of Gaza
The Israeli government has announced it will ease its blockade of Gaza.
I don't think it will do them a bit of good.
First, it won't mollify Israel's critics. For them the Jewish state is illegitimate and therefore any action it takes is illegitimate.
Second, this really isn't about the blockade. If it was similar international pressure would have been brought to bear against Egypt which is also blockading Gaza.
Third, that Israel was compelled to take this step rewards Turkey, the IHH, Hamas and all other state and non-state entities who wish to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth. If Israel is not allowed to defend itself it can only encourage more belligerence.
I don't think it will do them a bit of good.
First, it won't mollify Israel's critics. For them the Jewish state is illegitimate and therefore any action it takes is illegitimate.
Second, this really isn't about the blockade. If it was similar international pressure would have been brought to bear against Egypt which is also blockading Gaza.
Third, that Israel was compelled to take this step rewards Turkey, the IHH, Hamas and all other state and non-state entities who wish to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth. If Israel is not allowed to defend itself it can only encourage more belligerence.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Switzerland Stuns Spain 1-0 @ World Cup
I think the reaction of the Swiss to this development is anything but neutral.
Canadian Member of Parliament Pulls a Helen Thomas
Libby Davies, a Member of Parliament from Vancouver, is under the microscope for statements she made following an anti-Israel demonstration earlier this month.
When Davies, who is a member of the New Democratic Party (my old party), is asked if she believes Israel's "occupation" of Gaza and the West Bank began in 1948 or 1967 she replied, "'48. It's the longest occupation in the world."
It's a curious response given that Gaza and the West Bank were under the control of Egypt and Jordan between 1948 and 1967. But why let facts get in the way of irrational thought?
Davies also stated repeatedly that Gaza was under siege, called for all Israeli settlements to be dismantled and expressed support for the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against Israel.
Davies was denounced by both Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal MP Bob Rae. Harper likened Davies' remarks to those of former White House correspondent Helen Thomas and called upon Davies to resign as Deputy Leader of the NDP.
It is also worth noting that Rae was for most of his political career a member of the NDP. But he would have a falling out with the NDP in 2002 following it's increasingly anti-Israel sentiments.
For her part, Davies has released a self-serving statement which reflects the sentiments of someone who is not genuinely apologetic but rather the sentiments of someone who got caught.
Thomas Mulcair, the NDP's other Deputy Leader ripped Davies' comments. Mulcair, who is the only NDP MP from Quebec said, No member of our caucus, whatever other title they have, is allowed to invent their own policy.” Muclair also called upon Davies to apologize for her support of boycotting Israel.
NDP leader Jack Layton had to make assurances to Miriam Ziv, Israel's Ambassador to Canada, that Davies' views do not reflect those of the NDP. However, Layton has resisted calls from Harper and others to remove Davies as Deputy Leader. I wonder how this will sit with Mulcair. What if Mulcair resigns as Deputy Leader? Does Layton really want to lose his Quebec lieutenant?
Why Layton appointed Davies as Deputy Leader boggles the mind. Even when I was a member of the NDP I thought Davies was kind of flaky. Back in 1998, she tried to lead a Citizens' Weapons Inspection Team to inspect U.S. weapons of mass destruction in Washington state. Davies puts the loony in loony left.
When Davies, who is a member of the New Democratic Party (my old party), is asked if she believes Israel's "occupation" of Gaza and the West Bank began in 1948 or 1967 she replied, "'48. It's the longest occupation in the world."
It's a curious response given that Gaza and the West Bank were under the control of Egypt and Jordan between 1948 and 1967. But why let facts get in the way of irrational thought?
Davies also stated repeatedly that Gaza was under siege, called for all Israeli settlements to be dismantled and expressed support for the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against Israel.
Davies was denounced by both Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal MP Bob Rae. Harper likened Davies' remarks to those of former White House correspondent Helen Thomas and called upon Davies to resign as Deputy Leader of the NDP.
It is also worth noting that Rae was for most of his political career a member of the NDP. But he would have a falling out with the NDP in 2002 following it's increasingly anti-Israel sentiments.
For her part, Davies has released a self-serving statement which reflects the sentiments of someone who is not genuinely apologetic but rather the sentiments of someone who got caught.
Thomas Mulcair, the NDP's other Deputy Leader ripped Davies' comments. Mulcair, who is the only NDP MP from Quebec said, No member of our caucus, whatever other title they have, is allowed to invent their own policy.” Muclair also called upon Davies to apologize for her support of boycotting Israel.
NDP leader Jack Layton had to make assurances to Miriam Ziv, Israel's Ambassador to Canada, that Davies' views do not reflect those of the NDP. However, Layton has resisted calls from Harper and others to remove Davies as Deputy Leader. I wonder how this will sit with Mulcair. What if Mulcair resigns as Deputy Leader? Does Layton really want to lose his Quebec lieutenant?
Why Layton appointed Davies as Deputy Leader boggles the mind. Even when I was a member of the NDP I thought Davies was kind of flaky. Back in 1998, she tried to lead a Citizens' Weapons Inspection Team to inspect U.S. weapons of mass destruction in Washington state. Davies puts the loony in loony left.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thoughts on Obama's Oval Office Address
I watched President Obama's first Oval Office address this evening.
I was underwhelmed.
It seemed to be as much of an address about cap and trade as it was about capping the oil spill in the Gulf.
Presidents are supposed to provide reassurance in troubled times. It's difficult to do that when it looks like you are reading your remarks as if you were reading a passage from Heart of Darkness aloud in a high school English class. It's also difficult to be reassuring if you're busy impersonating Jimmy Carter and lecturing Americans about our consumption of oil and other fossil fuels. A condescending lecture won't do anything to clean up the spill. If anything it just muddies already murky waters.
President Obama's remarks this evening simply did nothing to inspire my confidence.
I was underwhelmed.
It seemed to be as much of an address about cap and trade as it was about capping the oil spill in the Gulf.
Presidents are supposed to provide reassurance in troubled times. It's difficult to do that when it looks like you are reading your remarks as if you were reading a passage from Heart of Darkness aloud in a high school English class. It's also difficult to be reassuring if you're busy impersonating Jimmy Carter and lecturing Americans about our consumption of oil and other fossil fuels. A condescending lecture won't do anything to clean up the spill. If anything it just muddies already murky waters.
President Obama's remarks this evening simply did nothing to inspire my confidence.
Father & Son Plead Guilty to Honor Killing in Canada
In December 2007, 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez was murdered by her father and older brother in Mississauga, Ontario (just west of Toronto) for refusing to wear the hijab. It was an honor killing.
Today, Muhammad Parvez and his son Waqas pleaded guilty to her murder and will receive automatic life sentences. However, it is worth noting that a life sentence in Canada doesn't literally mean life. A life sentence in Canada is worth 25 years. Both father and son are eligible for parole in ten years.
Still, there is some measure of satisfaction that Canada is unwilling to tolerate such abhorrent Islamic customs.
Today, Muhammad Parvez and his son Waqas pleaded guilty to her murder and will receive automatic life sentences. However, it is worth noting that a life sentence in Canada doesn't literally mean life. A life sentence in Canada is worth 25 years. Both father and son are eligible for parole in ten years.
Still, there is some measure of satisfaction that Canada is unwilling to tolerate such abhorrent Islamic customs.
If Obama Believes The Gulf Oil Spill "Echoes 9/11".....
If President Obama believes the Gulf Coast Oil Spill "echoes 9/11" then why did he wait more than eight weeks to address the nation from the Oval Office?
For all the grief President Bush received for reading The Pet Goat in that Florida classroom immediately after hearing about the attacks on the World Trade Center it must be remembered that he did address the nation from the Oval Office that evening.
If the Gulf Coast Oil Spill truly echoes 9/11 wouldn't President Obama have addressed the nation on April 20, 2010 rather than on June 15, 2010?
If the Gulf Oil Spill echoes 9/11 wouldn't President Obama refer to it as 4/20?
For all the grief President Bush received for reading The Pet Goat in that Florida classroom immediately after hearing about the attacks on the World Trade Center it must be remembered that he did address the nation from the Oval Office that evening.
If the Gulf Coast Oil Spill truly echoes 9/11 wouldn't President Obama have addressed the nation on April 20, 2010 rather than on June 15, 2010?
If the Gulf Oil Spill echoes 9/11 wouldn't President Obama refer to it as 4/20?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Castro Compares Israel to the Nazis
Cuba's diplomatic mission has issued a statement from Fidel Castro who likens Israel to the Nazis:
The hatred felt by the state of Israel against the Palestinians is such that they would not hesitate to send the one and a half million men, women and children of that country to the crematoria where millions of Jews of all ages were exterminated by the Nazis. It would seem that the Fuehrer's swastika is today Israel's banner.
Castro's statements come as little surprise given his long standing animosity towards Israel. Since severing diplomatic ties with Israel in 1973 shortly before the Yom Kippur War, Castro has supported infamous UN General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism, has facilitated training camps for Palestinian terrorists and has banned books by the likes of Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel.
It is also not the first time Castro has likened Israel to the Nazis. Consider what he said about Israel before the UN General Assembly on October 12, 1979 when he spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement:
The revolutionary movement has always affirmed its abhorrence of racial discrimination and pogroms of any kind, and deep in our hearts we repudiate with all our strength the unrelenting persecution and genocide that Nazism unleashed in its time against the Jewish people. But I cannot recall anything so similar in contemporary history than the eviction, persecution and genocide carried out today by imperialism and Zionism against the Palestinian people, stripped of their land, expelled from their own homeland, dispersed throughout the world, persecuted and murdered. The heroic Palestinians are an impressive example of abnegation and patriotism are a living symbol of the greatest crime of our age.
It should also come as no surprise that Castro was promptly applauded for these remarks.
Of course, Castro's Cuba has committed far greater crimes against their own people than Israel would ever entertain doing against the Palestinians. But when the worst abusers of human rights get a seat at the UN Human Rights Council get to sit in judgment of Israel it demonstrates that not much has changed at the UN in three decades. The same could be said for Fidel Castro.
The hatred felt by the state of Israel against the Palestinians is such that they would not hesitate to send the one and a half million men, women and children of that country to the crematoria where millions of Jews of all ages were exterminated by the Nazis. It would seem that the Fuehrer's swastika is today Israel's banner.
Castro's statements come as little surprise given his long standing animosity towards Israel. Since severing diplomatic ties with Israel in 1973 shortly before the Yom Kippur War, Castro has supported infamous UN General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism, has facilitated training camps for Palestinian terrorists and has banned books by the likes of Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel.
It is also not the first time Castro has likened Israel to the Nazis. Consider what he said about Israel before the UN General Assembly on October 12, 1979 when he spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement:
The revolutionary movement has always affirmed its abhorrence of racial discrimination and pogroms of any kind, and deep in our hearts we repudiate with all our strength the unrelenting persecution and genocide that Nazism unleashed in its time against the Jewish people. But I cannot recall anything so similar in contemporary history than the eviction, persecution and genocide carried out today by imperialism and Zionism against the Palestinian people, stripped of their land, expelled from their own homeland, dispersed throughout the world, persecuted and murdered. The heroic Palestinians are an impressive example of abnegation and patriotism are a living symbol of the greatest crime of our age.
It should also come as no surprise that Castro was promptly applauded for these remarks.
Of course, Castro's Cuba has committed far greater crimes against their own people than Israel would ever entertain doing against the Palestinians. But when the worst abusers of human rights get a seat at the UN Human Rights Council get to sit in judgment of Israel it demonstrates that not much has changed at the UN in three decades. The same could be said for Fidel Castro.
CBS Justifies Etheridge's Assault on Conservative Students
A video of North Carolina Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge roughing up a conservative student has gone viral.
Needless to say, the liberal media can't ignore it. But it doesn't mean they can't spin it.
CBS News headline reads:
Bob Etheridge Altercation With "Student" Caught on Tape, Goes Viral
"Student"?
Does CBS know for a fact the young man in the video isn't a student?
Isn't it possible for a young man to be both conservative and a student?
Why is CBS justifying Etheridge's behavior towards this young man?
Would CBS have put quotations marks around the word student had a Republican Congressman assaulted a liberal student with a camera?
If a GOP Congressman had treated a liberal student in that fashion CBS would be telling us about "right-wing violence" and lamenting the lack of civil discourse in this country.
Is it any wonder people are losing faith in CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, etc?
Needless to say, the liberal media can't ignore it. But it doesn't mean they can't spin it.
CBS News headline reads:
Bob Etheridge Altercation With "Student" Caught on Tape, Goes Viral
"Student"?
Does CBS know for a fact the young man in the video isn't a student?
Isn't it possible for a young man to be both conservative and a student?
Why is CBS justifying Etheridge's behavior towards this young man?
Would CBS have put quotations marks around the word student had a Republican Congressman assaulted a liberal student with a camera?
If a GOP Congressman had treated a liberal student in that fashion CBS would be telling us about "right-wing violence" and lamenting the lack of civil discourse in this country.
Is it any wonder people are losing faith in CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, etc?
Sophie B. Hawkins: Damn, I Wish Obama Wasn't President
When I think of Sophie B. Hawkins I think of a singer who had a couple of hits in the early 1990s.
When I think of Sophie B. Hawkins I think of all the things that go along with being a singer these days - environmentalism, veganism, lesbianism (or in her case bisexuality).
But until this morning I would not have thought of Sophie B. Hawkins as a critic of President Obama.
Hawkins has been critical of President Obama's handling of the Gulf oil spill. In fact, she has accused him of throwing America under the bus.
She just penned a song called "The Land, the Sea & the Sky." One hundred percent of the proceeds are being donated to the Waterkeeper Alliance which is heavily involved in the clean up efforts down in the Gulf. Hawkins recently performed the song on Fox & Friends.
It is worth noting that Hawkins was a supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primaries. She was never a fan of Obama stating, "I honestly couldn't believe so many people were into him." However, Hawkins also said she recently attended a Tea Party rally in Santa Monica.
Until today, I would have never imagined Sophie B. Hawkins attending a Tea Party rally.
And if the Sophie B. Hawkins of the world are attending Tea Parties then President Obama had better watch out.
When I think of Sophie B. Hawkins I think of all the things that go along with being a singer these days - environmentalism, veganism, lesbianism (or in her case bisexuality).
But until this morning I would not have thought of Sophie B. Hawkins as a critic of President Obama.
Hawkins has been critical of President Obama's handling of the Gulf oil spill. In fact, she has accused him of throwing America under the bus.
She just penned a song called "The Land, the Sea & the Sky." One hundred percent of the proceeds are being donated to the Waterkeeper Alliance which is heavily involved in the clean up efforts down in the Gulf. Hawkins recently performed the song on Fox & Friends.
It is worth noting that Hawkins was a supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primaries. She was never a fan of Obama stating, "I honestly couldn't believe so many people were into him." However, Hawkins also said she recently attended a Tea Party rally in Santa Monica.
Until today, I would have never imagined Sophie B. Hawkins attending a Tea Party rally.
And if the Sophie B. Hawkins of the world are attending Tea Parties then President Obama had better watch out.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Lilly Loses No-Hitter in the Ninth
Tonight, I saw Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs take a no-hitter into the 9th inning against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
I had a bad feeling when Juan Pierre was sent up as a pinch hitter to lead off the 9th. He likes to slap the ball around and is very fast. Sure enough Pierre hit a single up the middle. Cubs manager Lou Piniella promptly took out Lilly and brought in Carlos Marmol. A walk, a balk and then the bases were loaded but Marmol managed to preserve the 1-0 victory. It was only Lilly's second victory of the 2010 season.
White Sox starter Gavin Floyd pitched an outstanding game as well. He didn't surrender his first hit until the 7th inning when Alfonso Soriano hit a double down the left field line. Chad Tracy drove in Soriano with a single. It's a shame someone had to lose.
I've always had a soft spot for the soft throwing lefty. I saw Lilly pitch in Ottawa when he was part of the Montreal Expos organization. I also saw him throw a complete game, three hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre when he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays back in August 2004. He beat Pedro Martinez in that game and struck out a career high 13 batters. By contrast, Lilly had only three strikeouts tonight. Still, until tonight, it was the best game he had pitched in his 12 year big league career.
I had a bad feeling when Juan Pierre was sent up as a pinch hitter to lead off the 9th. He likes to slap the ball around and is very fast. Sure enough Pierre hit a single up the middle. Cubs manager Lou Piniella promptly took out Lilly and brought in Carlos Marmol. A walk, a balk and then the bases were loaded but Marmol managed to preserve the 1-0 victory. It was only Lilly's second victory of the 2010 season.
White Sox starter Gavin Floyd pitched an outstanding game as well. He didn't surrender his first hit until the 7th inning when Alfonso Soriano hit a double down the left field line. Chad Tracy drove in Soriano with a single. It's a shame someone had to lose.
I've always had a soft spot for the soft throwing lefty. I saw Lilly pitch in Ottawa when he was part of the Montreal Expos organization. I also saw him throw a complete game, three hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre when he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays back in August 2004. He beat Pedro Martinez in that game and struck out a career high 13 batters. By contrast, Lilly had only three strikeouts tonight. Still, until tonight, it was the best game he had pitched in his 12 year big league career.
Jimmy Dean, 1928-2010. R.I.P.
Country music singer and entrepreneur Jimmy Dean died today of natural causes. He was 81.
Dean made his mark in both country music and rock n' roll with his 1961 hit "Big Bad John."
It's a song that has endured for decades. In fact, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn used it during his successful re-election bid in 2008.
Earlier this year, Dean was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He also occasionally took acting roles most notably in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery.
But he is perhaps best known for being the man behind Jimmy Dean Sausage.
Dean made his mark in both country music and rock n' roll with his 1961 hit "Big Bad John."
It's a song that has endured for decades. In fact, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn used it during his successful re-election bid in 2008.
Earlier this year, Dean was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He also occasionally took acting roles most notably in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery.
But he is perhaps best known for being the man behind Jimmy Dean Sausage.
Strasburg Wins Second Start Despite Five Walks
Stephen Strasburg is now 2-0 in the big leagues.
Strasburg was not as spectacular as his MLB debut against the Pirates on Tuesday. However, the Washington Nationals defeated the Cleveland Indians 9-4 to give Strasburg his second big league victory.
In his debut against the Bucs, Strasburg struck out 14 without walking a single batter in seven innings pitched. While Strasburg did strike out eight batters he also walked five batters over five and one thirds innings pitched.
The big problem was the mound in Progressive Field. As the game wore on Strasburg kept slipping on the landing spot on the mound. It might not sound like much but if the surface of the mound is slippery you can injure your heel, ankle or knee. A pitcher uses his legs to generate power and to control where the ball is going. If you have an uneven and unsteady surface it can be trouble.
At Strasburg's request, the umpires asked the grounds crew to fix the mound on two occasions during the game. Nationals manager Jim Rigglemann took Strasburg out of the game in the sixth inning after he loaded the bases. Strasburg surrendered a single to rookie catcher Carlos Santana and then issued back to back walks to Travis Hafner and Austin Kearns. However, Nats reliever Drew Storen retired the next two hitters to get Strasburg out of the inning unscathed.
Despite the five walks, none of them came around to score. Strasburg gave up only one run on two hits. The only run charged to Strasburg was a solo homerun to Hafner who hit a good pitch low and in on a line. The bottom line is that he got the win.
Strasburg's next start is scheduled for next Friday in Washington against the Chicago White Sox.
I am torn between watching that or watching Manny Ramirez's return to Fenway Park when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town.
Strasburg was not as spectacular as his MLB debut against the Pirates on Tuesday. However, the Washington Nationals defeated the Cleveland Indians 9-4 to give Strasburg his second big league victory.
In his debut against the Bucs, Strasburg struck out 14 without walking a single batter in seven innings pitched. While Strasburg did strike out eight batters he also walked five batters over five and one thirds innings pitched.
The big problem was the mound in Progressive Field. As the game wore on Strasburg kept slipping on the landing spot on the mound. It might not sound like much but if the surface of the mound is slippery you can injure your heel, ankle or knee. A pitcher uses his legs to generate power and to control where the ball is going. If you have an uneven and unsteady surface it can be trouble.
At Strasburg's request, the umpires asked the grounds crew to fix the mound on two occasions during the game. Nationals manager Jim Rigglemann took Strasburg out of the game in the sixth inning after he loaded the bases. Strasburg surrendered a single to rookie catcher Carlos Santana and then issued back to back walks to Travis Hafner and Austin Kearns. However, Nats reliever Drew Storen retired the next two hitters to get Strasburg out of the inning unscathed.
Despite the five walks, none of them came around to score. Strasburg gave up only one run on two hits. The only run charged to Strasburg was a solo homerun to Hafner who hit a good pitch low and in on a line. The bottom line is that he got the win.
Strasburg's next start is scheduled for next Friday in Washington against the Chicago White Sox.
I am torn between watching that or watching Manny Ramirez's return to Fenway Park when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town.
Re: We Con the World
Ron,
I've just seen the video at YouTube.
I think it is an effective response. The struggle between good and evil isn't confined to combat. At it's core, this struggle involves ideas. Humor is a very powerful way to convey these ideas. Besides, the decline in Israel's military success cannot be laid at the feet of satirists.
I also think the Israelis know the state they are in and have always been in. Under those conditions how can you survive without a sense of humor?
I've just seen the video at YouTube.
I think it is an effective response. The struggle between good and evil isn't confined to combat. At it's core, this struggle involves ideas. Humor is a very powerful way to convey these ideas. Besides, the decline in Israel's military success cannot be laid at the feet of satirists.
I also think the Israelis know the state they are in and have always been in. Under those conditions how can you survive without a sense of humor?
We Con the World
These days, when a story is hot, its grab for the public's attention is usually signaled by a video going viral on YouTube. An example of the phenomenon is the current, heavily-viewed video "We Con the World". The main version, produced by LatmaTV, was pulled by YouTube a day or so ago for spurious reqasons, but the video is still available – just search on "We Con the World" in YouTube. The video is a very clever satire on the classic, but melodramatic video "We Are the World" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne7fPpxAnuM), which featured famous pop stars preening for Aid to Africa. The hot story dealt with in the new video is the ill-fated Israeli interception of the "Humanitarian Flotilla" that Turkish-based terrorists engineered in order to break the naval blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza. The production uses the same tune, but altered lyrics from the original video. It is deeply sarcastic, even sardonic, but like the original, quite entertaining. It blows a huge hole in the ridiculous claim that the people of Gaza are suffering under a barbaric quarantine by the Israelis.
But the video raises a serious question for me: does its release, which, in some fashion, has constituted Israel's main response to the event, say something positive or negative about how Israel is dealing with its increasing isolation and vilification in the world arena?
I will offer two reasons for each answer.
First, it is an effective response because:
1. It shows that Israel has retained its sense of humor, upbeat attitude and self-confidence despite the vile lies, slander and physical threats to which she is subjected daily.
2. It shows that the Israelis are more seriously and effectively engaged in the PR battle that accompanies their struggle for survival. In the past, Israelis assumed the world would see the obvious justice of their cause and so they concentrated all their firepower on military preparation and response, neglecting the propaganda field of battle.
No, it is an ineffective response because:
1. It is a weak retort to a grave military and political provocation. Moreover, it is consistent with the following assessment: Following heroically successful efforts to defend their freedom in the 20th century (War of Independence, Suez War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, Entebbe, 1st Lebanon War), Israeli performance in the past decade has weakened considerably (2nd intifada, 2nd Lebanon War, retreats from South Lebanon and Gaza). This video represents a silly response to Iran's deadly attempt to establish a beachhead on the Mediterranean within easy reach of Israel. It does not augur well.
2. The video suggests that the Israeli public might not sufficiently appreciate the dire circumstances in which the country finds itself – politically isolated, surrounded by hostile and implacable foes, with weakened support from its main benefactor and even desertion, to some extent, by coreligionists in America and Europe.
So which is it? I'm not sure; you tell me!
But the video raises a serious question for me: does its release, which, in some fashion, has constituted Israel's main response to the event, say something positive or negative about how Israel is dealing with its increasing isolation and vilification in the world arena?
I will offer two reasons for each answer.
First, it is an effective response because:
1. It shows that Israel has retained its sense of humor, upbeat attitude and self-confidence despite the vile lies, slander and physical threats to which she is subjected daily.
2. It shows that the Israelis are more seriously and effectively engaged in the PR battle that accompanies their struggle for survival. In the past, Israelis assumed the world would see the obvious justice of their cause and so they concentrated all their firepower on military preparation and response, neglecting the propaganda field of battle.
No, it is an ineffective response because:
1. It is a weak retort to a grave military and political provocation. Moreover, it is consistent with the following assessment: Following heroically successful efforts to defend their freedom in the 20th century (War of Independence, Suez War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, Entebbe, 1st Lebanon War), Israeli performance in the past decade has weakened considerably (2nd intifada, 2nd Lebanon War, retreats from South Lebanon and Gaza). This video represents a silly response to Iran's deadly attempt to establish a beachhead on the Mediterranean within easy reach of Israel. It does not augur well.
2. The video suggests that the Israeli public might not sufficiently appreciate the dire circumstances in which the country finds itself – politically isolated, surrounded by hostile and implacable foes, with weakened support from its main benefactor and even desertion, to some extent, by coreligionists in America and Europe.
So which is it? I'm not sure; you tell me!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Moment to Nava Forget
Daniel Nava will never forget this day for as long as he lives.
On the very first pitch he saw in the major leagues, Nava hit a grand slam homerun.
He then got a curtain call in Fenway Park.
Nava's homerun gave the Red Sox a 5-2 lead in the 2nd inning en route to a 10-2 walloping of the Philadelphia Phillies.
He becomes only the fourth player in major league history to hit a grand slam in his first plate appearance. Only he and Kevin Kouzmanoff (then of the Cleveland Indians) did it on the first pitch. Ironically, Nava was called up after outfielder Jeremy Hermida was placed on the DL. Hermida also hit a grand slam in his MLB debut with the Florida Marlins in 2005.
Not bad for a kid who only found before midnight he was being called up to the major leagues.
Also not bad for someone who was cut from his college team, not drafted and released in the independent leagues. Unlike Stephen Strasburg, there was no great anticipation of his major league debut maybe except from his parents who flew in from California to see his first game.
Yet he and Stephen Strasburg are in the baseball history books just the same.
As Ronald Reagan might say, "Not bad. Not bad at all."
On the very first pitch he saw in the major leagues, Nava hit a grand slam homerun.
He then got a curtain call in Fenway Park.
Nava's homerun gave the Red Sox a 5-2 lead in the 2nd inning en route to a 10-2 walloping of the Philadelphia Phillies.
He becomes only the fourth player in major league history to hit a grand slam in his first plate appearance. Only he and Kevin Kouzmanoff (then of the Cleveland Indians) did it on the first pitch. Ironically, Nava was called up after outfielder Jeremy Hermida was placed on the DL. Hermida also hit a grand slam in his MLB debut with the Florida Marlins in 2005.
Not bad for a kid who only found before midnight he was being called up to the major leagues.
Also not bad for someone who was cut from his college team, not drafted and released in the independent leagues. Unlike Stephen Strasburg, there was no great anticipation of his major league debut maybe except from his parents who flew in from California to see his first game.
Yet he and Stephen Strasburg are in the baseball history books just the same.
As Ronald Reagan might say, "Not bad. Not bad at all."
U.S. & U.K. 1-1 Draw @ World Cup
The United States held the United Kingdom to a 1-1 draw in their opening match at the World Cup.
I have the same problem with soccer that I do with hockey. I don't like games that end in a tie. There's no resolution. No wonder there's so much violence with those two sports.
Be that as it may the fact the U.S. was able to tie the U.K. could almost be looked upon as a victory. Almost. I mean their goal was kind of fluky.
The U.S. team's next match is against Slovenia on June 18th followed by a match against Algeria on June 23rd.
I have the same problem with soccer that I do with hockey. I don't like games that end in a tie. There's no resolution. No wonder there's so much violence with those two sports.
Be that as it may the fact the U.S. was able to tie the U.K. could almost be looked upon as a victory. Almost. I mean their goal was kind of fluky.
The U.S. team's next match is against Slovenia on June 18th followed by a match against Algeria on June 23rd.
Friday, June 11, 2010
I Get a Kick Out of This Soccer Commercial
I'm not a big fan of soccer. But with the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa beginning today we are going to be saturated with it over the next month.
But one of my favorite commercials was an Adidas ad promoting the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. It consisted of two young boys in a village picking soccer teams using their favorite players with the actual players coming out into the village including David Beckham.
My favorite part of the commercial was when one of the boys picked German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer. The other boy laughed until he saw Beckenbauer come out looking about thirty years younger. The other players looked at him with a mixture of awe and fearl. A baseball equivalent would be if two boys picked a group of today's All Stars and then one of them picked Willie Mays in his prime.
So yes I do get a kick out of this commercial.
But one of my favorite commercials was an Adidas ad promoting the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. It consisted of two young boys in a village picking soccer teams using their favorite players with the actual players coming out into the village including David Beckham.
My favorite part of the commercial was when one of the boys picked German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer. The other boy laughed until he saw Beckenbauer come out looking about thirty years younger. The other players looked at him with a mixture of awe and fearl. A baseball equivalent would be if two boys picked a group of today's All Stars and then one of them picked Willie Mays in his prime.
So yes I do get a kick out of this commercial.
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