Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is reaching out to the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip and may visit Gaza before the week is out.
Would the Obama Administration care to explain how Israel building settlements is "an obstacle to peace" while Abbas meeting with Hamas, an organization that opposes any peace process with Israel, isn't an obstacle to peace?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Where is The Liberal Outrage Over Itamar?
Shortly after I learned about the murder of a Jewish family in the West Bank settlement of Itamar by Palestinians I was compelled to write my thoughts.
At the time, I did not know their names. Well, now I know they were all members of the Fogel family. Killed in cold blood were Udi & Ruth Fogel along with three of their children Yoav, aged 11; Elad, aged 4 and Hadas, one month old. Their bodies were found by their 12-year-old daughter who was not home at the time of the attack.
Now understandably much of the world's attention has been focussed upon Japan where 10,000 are believed to have died as a result of last Thursday's 9.0 earthquake. But I want to take this moment to thank Dennis Prager, Bret Stephens, Jeff Jacoby and Glenn Beck for not allowing us to forget what happened at Itamar. Because what happened at Itamar was pure evil.
But, of course, those who commit evil acts seldom take responsibility for their actions. Indeed, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is telling his Fatah supporters the Israeli government is unfairly accusing Palestinians of responsibility for this act. Moreover, the state run Palestinian Authority is suggesting the murders were committed by a mysterious "foreign worker" as well as raising the possibility that this was an "inside job." In other words, they are blaming the Jews. Well, not that's it stopping Palestinians from celebrating the deaths of the Fogel family by handing out candy.
All of which brings me to these questions. Where is the liberal outrage over Itamar? Who amongst their ranks have written or spoken about what happened to the Fogel family and the Palestinian response? But then again can one be surprised at their muted response when CNN put the words terror attack in quotation marks?
Now to be fair, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney did describe the events as "a terrorist attack" but the effect of that condemnation was neutralized when after the attack the Obama Administration continued to call Israeli settlements "illegitimate." If the Obama Administration continues to be believe that the settlements aren't legitimate then why would they view the settlers themselves as legitimate? When you couple the Obama Administration's insistence that Jewish settlements are illegitimate with the Palestinian Authority's relentless incitement against Jews and Israelis I fear it will only spur Palestinians to murder more Jewish children in their sleep.
At the time, I did not know their names. Well, now I know they were all members of the Fogel family. Killed in cold blood were Udi & Ruth Fogel along with three of their children Yoav, aged 11; Elad, aged 4 and Hadas, one month old. Their bodies were found by their 12-year-old daughter who was not home at the time of the attack.
Now understandably much of the world's attention has been focussed upon Japan where 10,000 are believed to have died as a result of last Thursday's 9.0 earthquake. But I want to take this moment to thank Dennis Prager, Bret Stephens, Jeff Jacoby and Glenn Beck for not allowing us to forget what happened at Itamar. Because what happened at Itamar was pure evil.
But, of course, those who commit evil acts seldom take responsibility for their actions. Indeed, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is telling his Fatah supporters the Israeli government is unfairly accusing Palestinians of responsibility for this act. Moreover, the state run Palestinian Authority is suggesting the murders were committed by a mysterious "foreign worker" as well as raising the possibility that this was an "inside job." In other words, they are blaming the Jews. Well, not that's it stopping Palestinians from celebrating the deaths of the Fogel family by handing out candy.
All of which brings me to these questions. Where is the liberal outrage over Itamar? Who amongst their ranks have written or spoken about what happened to the Fogel family and the Palestinian response? But then again can one be surprised at their muted response when CNN put the words terror attack in quotation marks?
Now to be fair, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney did describe the events as "a terrorist attack" but the effect of that condemnation was neutralized when after the attack the Obama Administration continued to call Israeli settlements "illegitimate." If the Obama Administration continues to be believe that the settlements aren't legitimate then why would they view the settlers themselves as legitimate? When you couple the Obama Administration's insistence that Jewish settlements are illegitimate with the Palestinian Authority's relentless incitement against Jews and Israelis I fear it will only spur Palestinians to murder more Jewish children in their sleep.
Bachmann, Palin & My Stomach
Yesterday, I mildly criticized Michele Bachmann over the AmSpec Blog for reminding people she had placed Lexington and Concord in New Hampshire rather than Massachusetts.
Needless to say I am not surprised that many who have taken the time to comment believe she is above criticism even if it is of the constructive variety. Case in point:
I'll tell you why Goldstein is sweating the small stuff: Because he is just like the elite "conservatives" who cannot stomach the thought of Sarah Palin leading the party. Obviously, the courageous, brave, honest and very bright Michelle Bachmann simply doesn't pass muster.
He doesn't like the cut of Michelle's jib, don't you know, and so he's trying to undermine her - under the guise of offering friendly advice.
But if I cannot stomach the thought of Sarah Palin leading the party then why would I go to the trouble of defending her at every possible turn? Anyone who is disinclined to give me the benefit of the doubt on that score can check for yourself here, here, here, here and here. I'll go further than that. If Sarah Palin decides to run for President she has my unconditional support. I hope this clarifies matters.
As for Bachmann, if I didn't like the cut of her jib I would say so. Despite not having a formal leadership position within the House GOP caucus, Bachmann is arguably the most well known member of the House of Representatives in the entire country. That takes some doing and she wouldn't have done it without having the ability to resonate with her constituency and beyond. If Bachmann can take that resonance and attain higher office then more power to her. But criticism comes with the territory and she should expect those slings and arrows which will only intensify if she actually seeks higher office. Most of the criticism, of course, will be unfair and undeserved. Yet even in the face of a such a barrage one does have to choose one's battles carefully.
So when Bachmann gets accused of complicity in the Arizona shootings then, of course, she should vigorously defend herself and dress down the liberal media. Nothing she said or did caused Jared Loughner to commit mass murder. But when Bachmann is criticized for her an error of her own making she needs to walk a finer line. Instead of saying that the media is only interested in criticizing conservatives when they err she ought to have said something along the lines of, "You got me. I messed up my geography. My fault. My apologies to the good people of Massachusetts. Next time I'll do better. I only hope the media will scrutinize President Obama with the same diligence and vigor the next time he tells us there are 57 states in the Union."
Now one might argue that this is nitpicking. But there is a time to hit back hard and there is a time to hit back with finesse. Or let me put it this way. If President Obama had said the first shots of the American Revolution were fired in New Hampshire rather than in Massachusetts I and other conservatives would have excoriated him for it and rightly so. If we are unwilling hold our fellow conservatives to the same standards then what does that say about us?
Needless to say I am not surprised that many who have taken the time to comment believe she is above criticism even if it is of the constructive variety. Case in point:
I'll tell you why Goldstein is sweating the small stuff: Because he is just like the elite "conservatives" who cannot stomach the thought of Sarah Palin leading the party. Obviously, the courageous, brave, honest and very bright Michelle Bachmann simply doesn't pass muster.
He doesn't like the cut of Michelle's jib, don't you know, and so he's trying to undermine her - under the guise of offering friendly advice.
But if I cannot stomach the thought of Sarah Palin leading the party then why would I go to the trouble of defending her at every possible turn? Anyone who is disinclined to give me the benefit of the doubt on that score can check for yourself here, here, here, here and here. I'll go further than that. If Sarah Palin decides to run for President she has my unconditional support. I hope this clarifies matters.
As for Bachmann, if I didn't like the cut of her jib I would say so. Despite not having a formal leadership position within the House GOP caucus, Bachmann is arguably the most well known member of the House of Representatives in the entire country. That takes some doing and she wouldn't have done it without having the ability to resonate with her constituency and beyond. If Bachmann can take that resonance and attain higher office then more power to her. But criticism comes with the territory and she should expect those slings and arrows which will only intensify if she actually seeks higher office. Most of the criticism, of course, will be unfair and undeserved. Yet even in the face of a such a barrage one does have to choose one's battles carefully.
So when Bachmann gets accused of complicity in the Arizona shootings then, of course, she should vigorously defend herself and dress down the liberal media. Nothing she said or did caused Jared Loughner to commit mass murder. But when Bachmann is criticized for her an error of her own making she needs to walk a finer line. Instead of saying that the media is only interested in criticizing conservatives when they err she ought to have said something along the lines of, "You got me. I messed up my geography. My fault. My apologies to the good people of Massachusetts. Next time I'll do better. I only hope the media will scrutinize President Obama with the same diligence and vigor the next time he tells us there are 57 states in the Union."
Now one might argue that this is nitpicking. But there is a time to hit back hard and there is a time to hit back with finesse. Or let me put it this way. If President Obama had said the first shots of the American Revolution were fired in New Hampshire rather than in Massachusetts I and other conservatives would have excoriated him for it and rightly so. If we are unwilling hold our fellow conservatives to the same standards then what does that say about us?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Bachmann Misfires
In an interview with Laura Ingraham's show (with Raymond Arroyo guest hosting), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann blasted the liberal media for their coverage of her gaffe over where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. (H/T Katrina Trinko of National Review Online)
Last weekend, Bachmann gave a speech in New Hampshire in which she said, "You're the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord." Except the state in question in Massachusetts. Today, Bachmann told Arroyo, "We all know there's a double standard in the media ... as we know all 3,400 members of the mainstream media are part of the Obama press contingent...Only if a conservative makes a misstep is it considered interesting." She also pointed out what little scrutiny Barack Obama received when he said during the 2008 presidential race that he had campaigned across the 57 states.
While we're at it let us also not forget when Joe Biden told Katie Couric that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had gone on TV after the 1929 stock market crash despite the fact neither a FDR presidency nor television was yet in existence. But imagine if Sarah Palin didn't know who FDR's Treasury Secretary was (that would be Henry Morgenthau) the liberal media would fall all over themselves. So Bachmann is absolutely right in her assessment as is amply demonstrated in this editorial by The Boston Globe. She confirms what us conservatives already know all too well.
Yet I don't think Bachmann is doing herself any favors by making this assertion. Whatever the shortcomings of the liberal media, she can't change the fact that this was her mistake and a big one at that. The Tea Party movement rightly takes pride in its celebration of early American history. Bachmann hurts both her credibility and that of the Tea Party movement when she makes such an egregious error. If Bachmann makes her voice heard in the public square then she has an obligation to exercise due diligence and make sure she has her i's dotted, her t's crossed and her u's curved. Yes, the liberal media holds Bachmann to a higher standard than it does Obama. Is that fair? Absolutely not. But life is unfair and it's all the more reason for Bachmann to avoid factual errors in her public presentation.
Bachmann also draws unnecessary attention to herself by reminding people she made this mistake. While Bachmann can't change the past she does herself no good by dwelling on it. Bachmann admitted her mistake. The best she can do is to pick herself up, dust herself off and move ahead.
Last weekend, Bachmann gave a speech in New Hampshire in which she said, "You're the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord." Except the state in question in Massachusetts. Today, Bachmann told Arroyo, "We all know there's a double standard in the media ... as we know all 3,400 members of the mainstream media are part of the Obama press contingent...Only if a conservative makes a misstep is it considered interesting." She also pointed out what little scrutiny Barack Obama received when he said during the 2008 presidential race that he had campaigned across the 57 states.
While we're at it let us also not forget when Joe Biden told Katie Couric that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had gone on TV after the 1929 stock market crash despite the fact neither a FDR presidency nor television was yet in existence. But imagine if Sarah Palin didn't know who FDR's Treasury Secretary was (that would be Henry Morgenthau) the liberal media would fall all over themselves. So Bachmann is absolutely right in her assessment as is amply demonstrated in this editorial by The Boston Globe. She confirms what us conservatives already know all too well.
Yet I don't think Bachmann is doing herself any favors by making this assertion. Whatever the shortcomings of the liberal media, she can't change the fact that this was her mistake and a big one at that. The Tea Party movement rightly takes pride in its celebration of early American history. Bachmann hurts both her credibility and that of the Tea Party movement when she makes such an egregious error. If Bachmann makes her voice heard in the public square then she has an obligation to exercise due diligence and make sure she has her i's dotted, her t's crossed and her u's curved. Yes, the liberal media holds Bachmann to a higher standard than it does Obama. Is that fair? Absolutely not. But life is unfair and it's all the more reason for Bachmann to avoid factual errors in her public presentation.
Bachmann also draws unnecessary attention to herself by reminding people she made this mistake. While Bachmann can't change the past she does herself no good by dwelling on it. Bachmann admitted her mistake. The best she can do is to pick herself up, dust herself off and move ahead.
IDF Seizes Missiles on Ship Headed for Gaza
Today, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) seized missiles and other weaponry aboard a ship which was headed for Gaza.
The weapons are believed to have come from Iran via Syria. It was noted that the missiles had an instruction manual written in Farsi.
Had the weapons reached Gaza they could have been used against both Israeli military and civilian ships.
The weapons are believed to have come from Iran via Syria. It was noted that the missiles had an instruction manual written in Farsi.
Had the weapons reached Gaza they could have been used against both Israeli military and civilian ships.
The No-Fly Zone Won't Fly
During a meeting of G-8 Foreign Ministers in Paris, both Russia and Germany voiced their opposition to the proposed no-fly zone over Libya.
When you couple this with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comment last week that the UN rather than the US should take the lead on the no-fly zone I think it's fairly safe to conclude that the no-fly zone won't fly.
When you couple this with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comment last week that the UN rather than the US should take the lead on the no-fly zone I think it's fairly safe to conclude that the no-fly zone won't fly.
Ronnie Hammond, 1950-2011. R.I.P.
Ronnie Hammond, the former lead singer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, passed away yesterday due to heart failure. He was 60.
While Hammond was not a household name if you listened to the radio in the late 1970s you would have most certainly heard his distinctive voice over the airwaves. The Atlanta Rhythm Section's blues inspired Southern rock was an antidote to the disco music dominating the charts. Take a listen to Hammond's sweet vocals on their biggest hit "So Into You."
While Hammond was not a household name if you listened to the radio in the late 1970s you would have most certainly heard his distinctive voice over the airwaves. The Atlanta Rhythm Section's blues inspired Southern rock was an antidote to the disco music dominating the charts. Take a listen to Hammond's sweet vocals on their biggest hit "So Into You."
Mitchell Page, 1951-2011. R.I.P.
Former major league player turned coach Mitchell Page passed away on Saturday at the age of 59. The cause of death is unknown but Page had long battled alcoholism.
Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973, Page was acquired by the Oakland A's prior to the 1977 season. When Page arrived in Oakland, the A's were no longer the team that had won three consecutive World Series with a cast of Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. A's owner Charlie Finley just didn't care anymore and his ballclub was now emerging as one of the worst teams in baseball. Notwithstanding these circumstances, Page had a sensational rookie season hitting .307 with 21 homeruns, 75 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. He would finish runner up in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting to Baltimore Orioles slugger Eddie Murray.
Unlike Murray however, Page did not go on to have a Hall of Fame career. His offensive production steadily declined and the A's eventually finally gave up on him after the 1983 season. Page returned to the Pirates for a handful of games in 1984. In later years, Page turned to coaching and served as a hitting instructor on both the major league and minor league level. From 2001 to 2004, Page was the hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals and was with the team when they won the National League pennant in 2004 only to be swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox. He also served in that capacity with the Washington Nationals in 2006 and the early part of the 2007 season. Unfortunately, Page was unable to continue in these roles due to his alcoholism. The Cardinals did give Page another chance last season with their Class A affiliate in Quad Cities but departed only a month into the season.
Mitchell Page was Ben Mankiewicz's favorite baseball player during his childhood and has written a touching tribute to Page.
Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973, Page was acquired by the Oakland A's prior to the 1977 season. When Page arrived in Oakland, the A's were no longer the team that had won three consecutive World Series with a cast of Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. A's owner Charlie Finley just didn't care anymore and his ballclub was now emerging as one of the worst teams in baseball. Notwithstanding these circumstances, Page had a sensational rookie season hitting .307 with 21 homeruns, 75 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. He would finish runner up in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting to Baltimore Orioles slugger Eddie Murray.
Unlike Murray however, Page did not go on to have a Hall of Fame career. His offensive production steadily declined and the A's eventually finally gave up on him after the 1983 season. Page returned to the Pirates for a handful of games in 1984. In later years, Page turned to coaching and served as a hitting instructor on both the major league and minor league level. From 2001 to 2004, Page was the hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals and was with the team when they won the National League pennant in 2004 only to be swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox. He also served in that capacity with the Washington Nationals in 2006 and the early part of the 2007 season. Unfortunately, Page was unable to continue in these roles due to his alcoholism. The Cardinals did give Page another chance last season with their Class A affiliate in Quad Cities but departed only a month into the season.
Mitchell Page was Ben Mankiewicz's favorite baseball player during his childhood and has written a touching tribute to Page.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Last Temptation of James Frey
Shawn Macomber's take on James Frey's supposedly cutting edge Messianic novel is pretty darn amusing.
Who knew the Second Coming would take place in the South Bronx?
Yet the plotline seems awfully deriative of The Last Temptation of Christ. Nonetheless, Frey will be lauded in The New York Review of Books, be forgiven by Oprah and be the toast of the town. I mean it's not like Frey has to worry about a fatwa.
Who knew the Second Coming would take place in the South Bronx?
Yet the plotline seems awfully deriative of The Last Temptation of Christ. Nonetheless, Frey will be lauded in The New York Review of Books, be forgiven by Oprah and be the toast of the town. I mean it's not like Frey has to worry about a fatwa.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Palestinians Slaughter Israeli Family in West Bank
Following the Sabbath, a family of five including three children aged 11, 3 and one month were stabbed to death inside their home in Itamar, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
Although the Palestinian Authority has arrested three Hamas members in connection with the attack the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. They are affiliated with the Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. For his part, Abbas has publicly condemned the attack as has P.A. Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn't letting Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority off so easily. Netanyahu said, "A society that allows wild incitement like this, leads to the murder of children."
Uzi Landau, Israel's Minister of National Infrastructure, went a step further and held Abbas responsible for the attack. Landau said, "Behind the murderer of the family in Itamar stands Abu Mazen (Abbas), the "peace partner," who founded the official educational system in the Palestinian Authority, which teaches hatred of Jews and presents child killers as role models."
Back in October, Jonathan Chait of The New Republic described Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank as "blessedly moderate." Here is what I wrote in response to Chait:
There is nothing either blessed or moderate about Mahmoud Abbas or Salam Fayyad.
If Abbas and Fayyad were "blessedly moderate" then they would not permit garbage like this to go over the airwaves of Palestinian Authority state run television suggesting "all mothers should sacrifice their child for Palestine."
There's something deeply wrong with Palestinian civil society when a mother's highest ambition for her child is that he become a martyr or a shahed instead of being a doctor or a lawyer.
Well, we have this blessed moderation to thank for the deaths of this Israeli family who were sleeping peacefully inside their homes. The day I believe that Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority want to live peaceably with Israel is the day they take they remove all anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli imagery from their televisions, their schools and their mosques and replace them with messages of acceptance and respect of Jews and Israelis. Until that day, I strongly maintain that the Fatah run Palestinian Authority wants to destroy Israel every bit as much as Hamas does.
Although the Palestinian Authority has arrested three Hamas members in connection with the attack the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. They are affiliated with the Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. For his part, Abbas has publicly condemned the attack as has P.A. Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn't letting Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority off so easily. Netanyahu said, "A society that allows wild incitement like this, leads to the murder of children."
Uzi Landau, Israel's Minister of National Infrastructure, went a step further and held Abbas responsible for the attack. Landau said, "Behind the murderer of the family in Itamar stands Abu Mazen (Abbas), the "peace partner," who founded the official educational system in the Palestinian Authority, which teaches hatred of Jews and presents child killers as role models."
Back in October, Jonathan Chait of The New Republic described Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank as "blessedly moderate." Here is what I wrote in response to Chait:
There is nothing either blessed or moderate about Mahmoud Abbas or Salam Fayyad.
If Abbas and Fayyad were "blessedly moderate" then they would not permit garbage like this to go over the airwaves of Palestinian Authority state run television suggesting "all mothers should sacrifice their child for Palestine."
There's something deeply wrong with Palestinian civil society when a mother's highest ambition for her child is that he become a martyr or a shahed instead of being a doctor or a lawyer.
Well, we have this blessed moderation to thank for the deaths of this Israeli family who were sleeping peacefully inside their homes. The day I believe that Abbas, Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority want to live peaceably with Israel is the day they take they remove all anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli imagery from their televisions, their schools and their mosques and replace them with messages of acceptance and respect of Jews and Israelis. Until that day, I strongly maintain that the Fatah run Palestinian Authority wants to destroy Israel every bit as much as Hamas does.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Cry Me a Jihad
When I saw Minnesota Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison's over the top waterworks during his testimony before Peter King's committee on Thursday my instant reaction was that he was shedding crocodile tears.
Suffice it to say I am not the only one who was left with this impression. Here are Pamela Geller's thoughts about Ellison's performance.
Suffice it to say I am not the only one who was left with this impression. Here are Pamela Geller's thoughts about Ellison's performance.
Erik Rush at WND: Why media ignore black conservatives
Check out this great analysis from Erik Rush over at WorldNetDaily. The lamestream media virtually ignores black conservatives as if they don't exist. An excerpt -
"The answer to why the nascent black conservative movement is being disregarded by the establishment press lies in the lack – or complete absence – of coverage they have given other highly newsworthy issues of late: Black conservatism threatens the pre-eminence and perceptual validity of their ideology."
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
WaPo's Marcus Defends King Hearings
You can find my thoughts on the IC mainpage with regard to Representative Peter King's hearings on the radicalization of Muslims in the United States which are scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Well, King's hearings have an unlikely defender in Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post. While Marcus does criticize the New York Republican's language and temperament ("His manner is blustering verging on crude.") she does defend the legitimacy and necessity of the hearings.
Marcus begins the article by taking us back to when Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the House Judiciary Committee last May. During the hearing, Texas Republican Lamar Smith pressed Holder about the role radical Islam played in the Fort Hood massacre, the attempted Christmas underwear bombing aboard Northwest Flight 253 and, of course, the attempted car bombing of Times Square. Holder held out as best he could before grudgingly acknowledging "it's possible that people who espouse a radical version of Islam have had an ability to have an impact" on the Nidal Malik Hasans, the Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabs and the Faisal Shahzads of the world:
The roots of Holder's reticence are admirable: He wanted to avoid tarring an entire faith with the sins of a few extreme adherents. But the unavoidable fact is that, however much violent terror reflects a distortion of the tenets of Islam, it is not only practiced by adherents of the religion but practiced in its name.
To ignore the religious nature of the terrorist threat is to succumb to politically correct delusion. To ignore the homegrown religious nature of the terrorist threat is to succumb even further.
Well, I don't think I would characterize Holder's reticence as particularly admirable. Holder and the Obama Administration do our country a disservice by pretending radical Islam doesn't drive these terrorist attacks or attempted terrorist attacks. But otherwise Marcus' observations are spot on. The Obama Administration would thus be wise not to dismiss King's hearings out of hand.
Well, King's hearings have an unlikely defender in Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post. While Marcus does criticize the New York Republican's language and temperament ("His manner is blustering verging on crude.") she does defend the legitimacy and necessity of the hearings.
Marcus begins the article by taking us back to when Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the House Judiciary Committee last May. During the hearing, Texas Republican Lamar Smith pressed Holder about the role radical Islam played in the Fort Hood massacre, the attempted Christmas underwear bombing aboard Northwest Flight 253 and, of course, the attempted car bombing of Times Square. Holder held out as best he could before grudgingly acknowledging "it's possible that people who espouse a radical version of Islam have had an ability to have an impact" on the Nidal Malik Hasans, the Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabs and the Faisal Shahzads of the world:
The roots of Holder's reticence are admirable: He wanted to avoid tarring an entire faith with the sins of a few extreme adherents. But the unavoidable fact is that, however much violent terror reflects a distortion of the tenets of Islam, it is not only practiced by adherents of the religion but practiced in its name.
To ignore the religious nature of the terrorist threat is to succumb to politically correct delusion. To ignore the homegrown religious nature of the terrorist threat is to succumb even further.
Well, I don't think I would characterize Holder's reticence as particularly admirable. Holder and the Obama Administration do our country a disservice by pretending radical Islam doesn't drive these terrorist attacks or attempted terrorist attacks. But otherwise Marcus' observations are spot on. The Obama Administration would thus be wise not to dismiss King's hearings out of hand.
Hillary: UN not US Must Take Lead on Libya No-Fly Zone
In an interview with Britain's Sky News, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States must not lead an effort to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. (H/T to Mark Hemingway of The Weekly Standard).
Clinton said, "I think it's very important that this not be a US-led effort, because this comes from the people of Libya themselves." She went on to say, "We think it's important the United Nations makes this decision, not the United States and so far the United Nations has not done that."
And therein lies the problem. If the first Bush Administration had waited back in 1992 for the UN to make a decision then there would have been any no-fly zones in Iraq. The no-fly zones, of course, were organized and administered by the United States, Britain and France (until it withdrew in 1998).
John Yoo is right to argue that we don't need the UN's permission to save lives in Libya.
Clinton said, "I think it's very important that this not be a US-led effort, because this comes from the people of Libya themselves." She went on to say, "We think it's important the United Nations makes this decision, not the United States and so far the United Nations has not done that."
And therein lies the problem. If the first Bush Administration had waited back in 1992 for the UN to make a decision then there would have been any no-fly zones in Iraq. The no-fly zones, of course, were organized and administered by the United States, Britain and France (until it withdrew in 1998).
John Yoo is right to argue that we don't need the UN's permission to save lives in Libya.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Why is NPR Really Appalled?
In response to the hidden camera video shot by James O'Keefe of former NPR Executive Ron Schiller calling members of the Tea Party amongst other things "seriously racist" and "xenophobic", Dana Davis Rehm, NPR's Senior Vice-President of Marketing, Communications and External Relations issued a statement indicating that NPR is "appalled by the comments made by Ron Schiller in the video, which are contrary to what NPR stands for."
Yet I suspect that what Ms. Rehm and company at NPR are really "appalled" by is Schiller's additional commentary that NPR "would be in the long run better off without federal funding."
Frankly, I would be shocked if an NPR Executive didn't believe the Tea Party was seriously racist and xenophobic.
The time has come for NPR to compete in the marketplace just like every other radio network in the country.
Yet I suspect that what Ms. Rehm and company at NPR are really "appalled" by is Schiller's additional commentary that NPR "would be in the long run better off without federal funding."
Frankly, I would be shocked if an NPR Executive didn't believe the Tea Party was seriously racist and xenophobic.
The time has come for NPR to compete in the marketplace just like every other radio network in the country.
Social media for lawyers -- do lawyers need to be afraid?
More and more articles are popping up on whether lawyers should delve into social media, or whether they should be wary of it. I'm a lawyer, and a fulltime social media consultant who teaches social media to lawyers. I believe lawyers should delve into social media IF they are prepared. Take my 2-hour social media course for lawyers (which should qualify for 2 hours of CLE, including ethics CLE, in many states) and learn what you need to know in order to safely jump into social media. Check around, you will see we are the best-priced and the best-value for social media training for lawyers. Most other courses charge hundreds of dollars. Click here to register and watch the video online now!
Give Cowboy Poetry a Chance (Though Not a Government Grant)
I agree with Philip Klein that Harry Reid probably isn't doing cowboy poets any favors. But let's not hold that against the cowboy poets.
Take it from someone who has attended hundreds of poetry readings over the past decade. I have heard far too many poems which use the phrase f*#k Bush, f*#k Palin or f*#k Jesus (possibly all three simultaneously.) And lest I forget all those zombie poems. So hearing about poetry inspired in part by rural landscape and life on the ranch sounds both literally and figuratively refreshing. Given that cowboy poetry originated during the Civil War I think it's worth giving it a second look.
Needless to say, there aren't exactly a lot of cowboy poetry readings in New England or New York. In fact, I would be hard pressed to say if there are any at all. So if I found myself in Elko, Nevada next January I would be inclined to attend The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Perhaps cowboy poetry will have to do without a government grant. Who knows? With all the attention perhaps it will spread across the country like "Wildfire". (Hey, it's not like the opportunity readily presents itself for me to make a reference to Michael Martin Murphey.)
Take it from someone who has attended hundreds of poetry readings over the past decade. I have heard far too many poems which use the phrase f*#k Bush, f*#k Palin or f*#k Jesus (possibly all three simultaneously.) And lest I forget all those zombie poems. So hearing about poetry inspired in part by rural landscape and life on the ranch sounds both literally and figuratively refreshing. Given that cowboy poetry originated during the Civil War I think it's worth giving it a second look.
Needless to say, there aren't exactly a lot of cowboy poetry readings in New England or New York. In fact, I would be hard pressed to say if there are any at all. So if I found myself in Elko, Nevada next January I would be inclined to attend The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Perhaps cowboy poetry will have to do without a government grant. Who knows? With all the attention perhaps it will spread across the country like "Wildfire". (Hey, it's not like the opportunity readily presents itself for me to make a reference to Michael Martin Murphey.)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Romney's Survival
Philip Klein's assessment of Mitt Romney's prospects is spot on.
I particularly like Klein's point about the immigration albatross that hung around John McCain's neck until the McCain-Kennedy bill died. McCain not only benefited when the debate turned to Iraq but because he backed the surge not only when the Harry Reids of the world had declared the war lost but other GOP candidates were downright skittish on the matter.
Now as Klein also points out that unlike the immigration bill, Obamacare passed. Romney cannot escape the fact that he established a statewide health care program with an individual mandate. The only way Romney wins the GOP nomination is if someone or something changes the subject very dramatically. Klein suggests that another downturn in the economy which would be well suited to Romney's business acumen. But who knows? Herman Cain has an impressive record in the private sector and could be a sleeper candidate. And if Donald Trump enters the race then all bets are off.
What Romney has to do is embrace a policy a) popular amongst conservatives and b) the other GOP candidates are, for whatever reason, hesitant to support. At the moment, it is difficult to see what that policy could be. But that's essentially what Romney needs to do to win the nomination.
I particularly like Klein's point about the immigration albatross that hung around John McCain's neck until the McCain-Kennedy bill died. McCain not only benefited when the debate turned to Iraq but because he backed the surge not only when the Harry Reids of the world had declared the war lost but other GOP candidates were downright skittish on the matter.
Now as Klein also points out that unlike the immigration bill, Obamacare passed. Romney cannot escape the fact that he established a statewide health care program with an individual mandate. The only way Romney wins the GOP nomination is if someone or something changes the subject very dramatically. Klein suggests that another downturn in the economy which would be well suited to Romney's business acumen. But who knows? Herman Cain has an impressive record in the private sector and could be a sleeper candidate. And if Donald Trump enters the race then all bets are off.
What Romney has to do is embrace a policy a) popular amongst conservatives and b) the other GOP candidates are, for whatever reason, hesitant to support. At the moment, it is difficult to see what that policy could be. But that's essentially what Romney needs to do to win the nomination.
Things Aren't What They Sheen
While I am pleased that Robert Stacy McCain has seen fit to keep us up to speed on the trials and tribulations of Charlie Sheen I cannot help but wonder if all this drama is leading up to an elaborate April Fool's Day joke.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Huckabee's Baby Talk
Mike Huckabee is not having a good week.
First, he asserts that President Obama was raised in Kenya (he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia). Then he goes after a pregnant woman.
To be precise, Huckabee criticized actress Natalie Portman while appearing on Michael Medved's radio show earlier this week. Portman, of course, received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Black Swan on Sunday.
Huckabee stated, "One of the things that's troubling is that people see a Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlit who boasts "Look, we're having children. We're not married, but we're having these children and they're doing just fine."
Except that Portman never actually made any such statement. And if that weren't enough Portman is actually engaged to be married. Oops!!!
Now for his part, Huckabee has walked back his statement - sort of. Huckabee insists he did not "slam" or "attack" Portman. Of course he did. Huckabee attributed statements to Portman she never made and misrepresented her marital intentions. If Huckabee is a gentleman he will apologize to Portman.
Besides if Huckabee so virulently objects to out-of-wedlock children then why didn't he admonish Bristol Palin? I'll tell you why. Because The Mama Grizzly would have torn Huckabee to shreds. And if there was anything left of him I would have added my two cents.
I also think Huckabee miscalculated. Remember Huckabee made reference to "Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlit." Except that Natalie Portman isn't Britney Spears. Portman's public behavior has been exemplary and it makes Huckabee's remarks that much more cheap.
But let's assume for a moment that Huckabee was being 100% sincere in his comments. Assuming Huckabee is going to make another bid for the White House does he intend to turn his personal views into public policy? Do we really want the federal government telling pregnant women they have to be married?
First, he asserts that President Obama was raised in Kenya (he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia). Then he goes after a pregnant woman.
To be precise, Huckabee criticized actress Natalie Portman while appearing on Michael Medved's radio show earlier this week. Portman, of course, received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Black Swan on Sunday.
Huckabee stated, "One of the things that's troubling is that people see a Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlit who boasts "Look, we're having children. We're not married, but we're having these children and they're doing just fine."
Except that Portman never actually made any such statement. And if that weren't enough Portman is actually engaged to be married. Oops!!!
Now for his part, Huckabee has walked back his statement - sort of. Huckabee insists he did not "slam" or "attack" Portman. Of course he did. Huckabee attributed statements to Portman she never made and misrepresented her marital intentions. If Huckabee is a gentleman he will apologize to Portman.
Besides if Huckabee so virulently objects to out-of-wedlock children then why didn't he admonish Bristol Palin? I'll tell you why. Because The Mama Grizzly would have torn Huckabee to shreds. And if there was anything left of him I would have added my two cents.
I also think Huckabee miscalculated. Remember Huckabee made reference to "Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlit." Except that Natalie Portman isn't Britney Spears. Portman's public behavior has been exemplary and it makes Huckabee's remarks that much more cheap.
But let's assume for a moment that Huckabee was being 100% sincere in his comments. Assuming Huckabee is going to make another bid for the White House does he intend to turn his personal views into public policy? Do we really want the federal government telling pregnant women they have to be married?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Two U.S Airmen Gunned Down in Germany
Earlier today, two American Air Force personnel were shot and killed outside Frankfurt International Airport.
German authorities have the suspect in custody and he has been identified as Arif Uka, a citizen of Kosovo.
According to The New York Times, witnesses report Uka shouting "Allahu Akbar!!!" (H/T National Review Online)
UPDATE: Here is the headline over at The Christian Science Monitor:
Motive unclear in killing of two U.S. airmen at Frankfurt airport
Already the denial is setting in.
German authorities have the suspect in custody and he has been identified as Arif Uka, a citizen of Kosovo.
According to The New York Times, witnesses report Uka shouting "Allahu Akbar!!!" (H/T National Review Online)
UPDATE: Here is the headline over at The Christian Science Monitor:
Motive unclear in killing of two U.S. airmen at Frankfurt airport
Already the denial is setting in.
But It's The Only Thing
I am glad Jim Antle has drawn our attention to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's comments to Rich Lowry about his immediate political future. The long and short of which are Christie knows he could beat President Obama in 2012 but doesn't think he's ready for the job.
Now one could praise Christie for the kind of candor for which he has become so well known. Yet I think Christie unnecessarily backs himself into a corner. If in three months time, Christie decides to seek the GOP nomination then it will beg the question how in ninety days did he suddenly become ready for the highest office in the land. Now I'm sure if anyone could come up with a sound explanation for such an about face it would be Christie. Yet any Republican who wants to be President in 2012 would be daft not to pounce on Christie.
But let's assume for a moment that Christie wins the Republican nomination despite this criticism. He might not be so fortunate in the general election. Instead of President Obama's competence and performance being at issue the spotlight will shine brightest on Christie's admitted lack of readiness. President Obama might be in over his head but he would never, ever under any circumstances admit to not being ready to be President of the United States. In fact, one could easily see Obama saying, "I was born ready."
What troubles me most about Christie's comments is that not only is he telling us he isn't ready to be President of the United States but that he isn't ready to stop Barack Obama from fundamentally transforming our country beyond recognition. If in his heart of hearts Christie knows he can defeat Obama in 2012 then it is his duty to do so. With the stakes being so high winning isn't everything but it's the only thing. But if Christie is in fact genuinely not ready for the Oval Office then he would have been wise to have kept that to himself.
Now one could praise Christie for the kind of candor for which he has become so well known. Yet I think Christie unnecessarily backs himself into a corner. If in three months time, Christie decides to seek the GOP nomination then it will beg the question how in ninety days did he suddenly become ready for the highest office in the land. Now I'm sure if anyone could come up with a sound explanation for such an about face it would be Christie. Yet any Republican who wants to be President in 2012 would be daft not to pounce on Christie.
But let's assume for a moment that Christie wins the Republican nomination despite this criticism. He might not be so fortunate in the general election. Instead of President Obama's competence and performance being at issue the spotlight will shine brightest on Christie's admitted lack of readiness. President Obama might be in over his head but he would never, ever under any circumstances admit to not being ready to be President of the United States. In fact, one could easily see Obama saying, "I was born ready."
What troubles me most about Christie's comments is that not only is he telling us he isn't ready to be President of the United States but that he isn't ready to stop Barack Obama from fundamentally transforming our country beyond recognition. If in his heart of hearts Christie knows he can defeat Obama in 2012 then it is his duty to do so. With the stakes being so high winning isn't everything but it's the only thing. But if Christie is in fact genuinely not ready for the Oval Office then he would have been wise to have kept that to himself.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Palin Still in The Crosshairs
I have read Jeff Lord's post about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker supplanting Sarah Palin as "the most hated conservative in America" with both great interest and amusement.
Now I realize there was a lot of tongue-in-cheek in play but I would have to agree with Lord that Walker has become public enemy number one amongst conservative haters - for now.
It is worth noting that Palin has kept a lower profile since her statement on the Tucson massacre in January and other events most notably in Egypt, Libya and Wisconsin have kept her out of the spotlight. But if Palin announces a White House bid then the liberal media (along with some condescending conservatives) will be on her 24/7. It will make the 2008 campaign look like a leisurely stroll. And if it looks like Palin has a chance to win the nomination then it's going to be a very bumpy ride.
So even though Walker is now in the spotlight look for his detractors to increasingly link him to Palin as evidenced by recent statements from Wisconsin Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore and other left-wing blogs.
Make no mistake. Sarah Palin is still in the crosshairs.
Now I realize there was a lot of tongue-in-cheek in play but I would have to agree with Lord that Walker has become public enemy number one amongst conservative haters - for now.
It is worth noting that Palin has kept a lower profile since her statement on the Tucson massacre in January and other events most notably in Egypt, Libya and Wisconsin have kept her out of the spotlight. But if Palin announces a White House bid then the liberal media (along with some condescending conservatives) will be on her 24/7. It will make the 2008 campaign look like a leisurely stroll. And if it looks like Palin has a chance to win the nomination then it's going to be a very bumpy ride.
So even though Walker is now in the spotlight look for his detractors to increasingly link him to Palin as evidenced by recent statements from Wisconsin Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore and other left-wing blogs.
Make no mistake. Sarah Palin is still in the crosshairs.
Jane Russell, 1921-2011. R.I.P.
Hollywood legend Jane Russell passed away yesterday at the age of 89 due to respiratory failure.
Russell quite literally burst upon the scene in Howard Hughes' 1943 classic The Outlaw and soon became a pin-up girl for WWII servicemen. The buxom brunette was perhaps best known for co-starring with Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes a decade later.
I remember Russell as the spokeswoman for the Playtex "cross your heart" bras in the early 1980s.
Despite her image as a sex symbol, Russell was a devout Christian. She was also an unabashed conservative. In a 2002 interview, Russell said, "I want to save America. I do not want a one-world order, a one-world government, at all. I think that our Founding Fathers had exactly the right idea, and we've got a great country, and let's go back to God."
Amen to that.
Russell quite literally burst upon the scene in Howard Hughes' 1943 classic The Outlaw and soon became a pin-up girl for WWII servicemen. The buxom brunette was perhaps best known for co-starring with Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes a decade later.
I remember Russell as the spokeswoman for the Playtex "cross your heart" bras in the early 1980s.
Despite her image as a sex symbol, Russell was a devout Christian. She was also an unabashed conservative. In a 2002 interview, Russell said, "I want to save America. I do not want a one-world order, a one-world government, at all. I think that our Founding Fathers had exactly the right idea, and we've got a great country, and let's go back to God."
Amen to that.
Frank Buckles, 1901-2011. R.I.P.
Frank Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of WWI, died on Sunday at the age of 110.
Buckles, who served as an ambulance driver and medic in France, also spent 3½ years as a civilian P.O.W. in the Phillipines during WWII.
With Buckles' passing this leaves only two surviving WWI veterans in the entire world both of whom are British. Florence Green, who served with the Women's Royal Air Force, turned 110 last month while Claude Choules, who saw combat in both WWI and WWII, turns 110 on March 3rd.
Soon there will be no one tell us what happened in the war to end all wars. Yes, we have movies, books, photographs and even their letters. While they give us some insight into what happened it is no substitute for a living, breathing human being who experienced it all firsthand to tell the story to someone who has never heard it before.
While we honor Buckles' service to this country we should also be mindful of the fact that a vital part of our country's history is forever gone. So as the veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq pass on we must not only keep their memories alive but we must remind ourselves and inform succeeding generations why they fought for the United States of America. It is a matter too important to cede to the agenda of others.
Buckles, who served as an ambulance driver and medic in France, also spent 3½ years as a civilian P.O.W. in the Phillipines during WWII.
With Buckles' passing this leaves only two surviving WWI veterans in the entire world both of whom are British. Florence Green, who served with the Women's Royal Air Force, turned 110 last month while Claude Choules, who saw combat in both WWI and WWII, turns 110 on March 3rd.
Soon there will be no one tell us what happened in the war to end all wars. Yes, we have movies, books, photographs and even their letters. While they give us some insight into what happened it is no substitute for a living, breathing human being who experienced it all firsthand to tell the story to someone who has never heard it before.
While we honor Buckles' service to this country we should also be mindful of the fact that a vital part of our country's history is forever gone. So as the veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq pass on we must not only keep their memories alive but we must remind ourselves and inform succeeding generations why they fought for the United States of America. It is a matter too important to cede to the agenda of others.
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