Breaking The Silence, an Israeli human rights group, has accused Israeli Defense Forces of shooting first and asking questions later as well as using Palestinians as human shields during its operation in Gaza last December and January in a new report.
The report is based on the testimony of 26 Israeli soldiers. The problem is that the testimony in anonymous and these claims cannot be verified. The IDF has described the report as "slanderous."
According to Breaking The Silence, one Israeli soldier said "there was not much said about the issue of innocent civilians." This rings false to me. It is inconsistent with Israel's ethos and practices.
But sadly a report like this gains traction especially when its Israelis leveling the charge at other Israelis. It feeds into an appetite by some people who want Israel to be at fault for human rights violations regardless of the facts on the ground. Just as people wanted to believe the IDF "massacred" 500 civilians in the Jenin Refugee Camp in 2002.
It makes one wonder why Palestinians want to kill Jews when Jews are often their best advocates. Yet its hard to find reason in places it doesn't exist.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kerry Replies to Palin - Twice
Massachusetts Senator and 2004 Democratic presidential standard bearer John Kerry has repliedto Sarah Palin's editorial in The Washington Post - twice.
He did so on The Huffington Post yesterday and today on The Daily Kos.
For someone who a couple of weeks ago wished she would disappear like South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford he's sending out some awfully mixed messages.
I was struck by a couple of passages in his piece on The Kos:
Palin’s column ignored the entire problem and didn’t even get right the things it did cover.
For example, she said, "Job losses are so certain under this new cap-and-tax plan that it includes a provision accommodating newly unemployed workers from the resulting dried-up energy sector, to the tune of $4.2 billion over eight years. So much for creating jobs."
This is wrong. The pieces of energy reform legislation are job-creation machines. A joint report by PERI Center for American Progress Report calculated that $150 billion in clean-energy investments would create upwards of 1.7 million jobs. These include construction and manufacturing employment for wind- industry turbine manufacture, building retro-fitting, high speed rail development and infrastructure build out and improvement. These are all domestic and community based local jobs. And a joint CAP/UMass study estimated that the legislation would bring down the national unemployment rate from 9.4% to 8.4%.
Kerry would have you believe the Center for American Progress is some kind of objective, empirical organization without a political agenda. It is a left-wing think tank which is part funded by George Soros. Many of its staff now have jobs in the Obama Administration. I guess Kerry just forgot to mention it.
Then there's this passage:
She also says, ""For example, the cost of farming will certainly increase, driving down farm incomes while driving up grocery prices."
This is wrong. Farmers are in position to benefit both from providing a broad variety of sustainable fuels to power generators and from land-use fee income associated with wind farms and other sources. The DOE estimates that if 5% of US energy is derived by 2020 from wind power, rural America could see $60 billion in capital investment. Rural landowners could also derive $1.2 billion in new income and see 80,000 jobs over the next two decades.
So rural America could see $60 billion in capital investment if 5% of U.S. energy is derived from wind power by 2020. That's an awfully big if. As big an if as $1.2 billion in new income and 80,000 new jobs for rural landowners.
But please by all means let John Kerry continue to respond to Sarah Palin's op-ed. This keeps her name in the news on matters of public policy. It can only help her in the long run.
He did so on The Huffington Post yesterday and today on The Daily Kos.
For someone who a couple of weeks ago wished she would disappear like South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford he's sending out some awfully mixed messages.
I was struck by a couple of passages in his piece on The Kos:
Palin’s column ignored the entire problem and didn’t even get right the things it did cover.
For example, she said, "Job losses are so certain under this new cap-and-tax plan that it includes a provision accommodating newly unemployed workers from the resulting dried-up energy sector, to the tune of $4.2 billion over eight years. So much for creating jobs."
This is wrong. The pieces of energy reform legislation are job-creation machines. A joint report by PERI Center for American Progress Report calculated that $150 billion in clean-energy investments would create upwards of 1.7 million jobs. These include construction and manufacturing employment for wind- industry turbine manufacture, building retro-fitting, high speed rail development and infrastructure build out and improvement. These are all domestic and community based local jobs. And a joint CAP/UMass study estimated that the legislation would bring down the national unemployment rate from 9.4% to 8.4%.
Kerry would have you believe the Center for American Progress is some kind of objective, empirical organization without a political agenda. It is a left-wing think tank which is part funded by George Soros. Many of its staff now have jobs in the Obama Administration. I guess Kerry just forgot to mention it.
Then there's this passage:
She also says, ""For example, the cost of farming will certainly increase, driving down farm incomes while driving up grocery prices."
This is wrong. Farmers are in position to benefit both from providing a broad variety of sustainable fuels to power generators and from land-use fee income associated with wind farms and other sources. The DOE estimates that if 5% of US energy is derived by 2020 from wind power, rural America could see $60 billion in capital investment. Rural landowners could also derive $1.2 billion in new income and see 80,000 jobs over the next two decades.
So rural America could see $60 billion in capital investment if 5% of U.S. energy is derived from wind power by 2020. That's an awfully big if. As big an if as $1.2 billion in new income and 80,000 new jobs for rural landowners.
But please by all means let John Kerry continue to respond to Sarah Palin's op-ed. This keeps her name in the news on matters of public policy. It can only help her in the long run.
Zelaya Calls For "Insurrection" in Honduras
Former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has called for an "insurrection" to take place on that country's streets so that he can return to power.
Hmmm, that sounds like a guy committed to the rule of law.
It's nice to see that Costa Rican President and Hillary appointed mediator Oscar Arias has Zelaya well under control.
Hmmm, that sounds like a guy committed to the rule of law.
It's nice to see that Costa Rican President and Hillary appointed mediator Oscar Arias has Zelaya well under control.
Dissension Between Obama & Hillary?
Here's an interesting item from CNN.
It asks if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being backbenched.
The article cites a statement from Jim Hoagland of The Washington Post who says Obama's top advisers David Axelrod and Rahm Emmanuel are crafting the Obama Administration's foreign policy message.
Tina Brown of The Daily Beast writes, "It's time for Barack Obama to let Hillary Clinton take off her burqa."
Of course, Hillary's staffers dismiss any notion of her being backbenched as "wholly false."
Well, what else are Hillary's people going to say? "Yeah, Obama is backbenching Hillary."
Assuming this story has only a kernel of truth to it President Obama had better be careful. He can ill afford to alienate Hillary. If he doesn't sufficiently accord her due respect then she will resign her office and challenge him for the party's nomination in 2012. If she does that his Presidency is as good as dead. Oh, Obama will survive Hillary's challenge. He just won't survive the general election. Just ask Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush.
The cracks in the Obama Administration have formed.
It asks if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being backbenched.
The article cites a statement from Jim Hoagland of The Washington Post who says Obama's top advisers David Axelrod and Rahm Emmanuel are crafting the Obama Administration's foreign policy message.
Tina Brown of The Daily Beast writes, "It's time for Barack Obama to let Hillary Clinton take off her burqa."
Of course, Hillary's staffers dismiss any notion of her being backbenched as "wholly false."
Well, what else are Hillary's people going to say? "Yeah, Obama is backbenching Hillary."
Assuming this story has only a kernel of truth to it President Obama had better be careful. He can ill afford to alienate Hillary. If he doesn't sufficiently accord her due respect then she will resign her office and challenge him for the party's nomination in 2012. If she does that his Presidency is as good as dead. Oh, Obama will survive Hillary's challenge. He just won't survive the general election. Just ask Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush.
The cracks in the Obama Administration have formed.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Phillies Add Pedro
Three time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The contract is worth $1 million and Martinez can earn up to $1.5 million in incentives.
Martinez had pitched for the New York Mets for four seasons before becoming a free agent at the end of 2008. There were no takers in the off season. He did pitch for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic last March but they were unceremoniously jettisoned by The Netherlands. Before joining the Mets, Pedro had pitched previously with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos and, of course, the Boston Red Sox.
One of my greatest memories at Fenway Park was watching him pitch a complete game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (as they were then known) on my 31st birthday. It is the only complete game I've seen in nearly a decade of watching games at Fenway. He was nearly taken out of the game in the ninth inning by manager Grady Little but he decided to stick with Pedro. This move would not serve Little so well a few short weeks later in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the New York Yankees. But hey Pedro did get his World Series ring with the Red Sox the following season. So it is, as they say, all good.
Although the defending World Series champions are in first place in the NL East their pitching has been atrocious. Starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton have been disappointing. Brett Myers got hurt and is gone for the season while 46-year-old Jamie Moyer is showing his age. Rookie J.A. Happ has been the bright spot of this hapless starting rotation with a 6-0 record. As good as Happ as been the Phillies need another credible starting pitcher.
Hopefully, the Phillies aren't looking to Pedro Martinez to become the ace of the Phillies staff at 37. He's past his prime but he could pitch some key games for the Phillies down the stretch. But if they are expecting the Pedro of ten years ago or even five years ago then they are asking for trouble.
Still, I'm sure Pedro would be motivated to pitch against the Mets.
Martinez had pitched for the New York Mets for four seasons before becoming a free agent at the end of 2008. There were no takers in the off season. He did pitch for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic last March but they were unceremoniously jettisoned by The Netherlands. Before joining the Mets, Pedro had pitched previously with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos and, of course, the Boston Red Sox.
One of my greatest memories at Fenway Park was watching him pitch a complete game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (as they were then known) on my 31st birthday. It is the only complete game I've seen in nearly a decade of watching games at Fenway. He was nearly taken out of the game in the ninth inning by manager Grady Little but he decided to stick with Pedro. This move would not serve Little so well a few short weeks later in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the New York Yankees. But hey Pedro did get his World Series ring with the Red Sox the following season. So it is, as they say, all good.
Although the defending World Series champions are in first place in the NL East their pitching has been atrocious. Starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton have been disappointing. Brett Myers got hurt and is gone for the season while 46-year-old Jamie Moyer is showing his age. Rookie J.A. Happ has been the bright spot of this hapless starting rotation with a 6-0 record. As good as Happ as been the Phillies need another credible starting pitcher.
Hopefully, the Phillies aren't looking to Pedro Martinez to become the ace of the Phillies staff at 37. He's past his prime but he could pitch some key games for the Phillies down the stretch. But if they are expecting the Pedro of ten years ago or even five years ago then they are asking for trouble.
Still, I'm sure Pedro would be motivated to pitch against the Mets.
Thoughts on Obama at The 2009 All Star Game
I arrived home in time to watch President Obama throw the first pitch before the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis.
President Obama was getting some jazz from the faithful in St. Louis. However, I think this had more to do with the fact he was wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket in Cardinals country than with his appointment of Sonia Sotomayor. That was rather gauche.
Speaking of which it turns out that President Obama is a lefty in both his pitching and his politics. I wanted to see his pitch but the camera crew on FOX only showed him delivering the ball from the mound. It didn't show where the ball ended up. Naturally, I wondered if Obama had uncorked a wild one and if FOX had something to hide.
However, my father saw the pitch and he said it was a strike. FOX called it a perfect strike. I later saw the pitch. It was a 55 foot curve ball. OK, I've seen worse first pitches. Can you say Mariah Carey? Well, she did throw a first pitch wearing high heels and booty shorts.
The FOX sports crew was fairly giddy about Obama even if he wasn't wearing high heels and booty shorts. Ken Rosenthal said that Seattle Mariners perennial All-Star Ichiro Suzuki was "like a 12-year-old" around Obama. I was thinking, "Oh come on." But if you click on the link to Obama's first pitch the video evidence seems to support Rosenthal's statement.
Obama joined FOX broadcasters Tim McCarver and Joe Buck for the bottom of the 2nd inning. AL starter Roy Halladay got two quick outs. I thought maybe this will be over and done with painlessly. However, the NL collected four straights hits and scored three runs. While the NL rallied, McCarver and Buck continued to suck up to Obama not wanting the moment to end. As it turned out it was the only runs the NL scored tonight.
Obama was still wearing the White Sox jacket in the booth. He made a point of saying that he was "not a Cubs hater." Rather he just doesn't root for them. I suppose that's how he feels about conservatives.
McCarver and Buck invited Obama to stay for another half inning but the President said he was being told to move on. I must say I agree with Obama on this one. I, too, would try not to be in the company of McCarver and Buck for any extended period of time.
President Obama was getting some jazz from the faithful in St. Louis. However, I think this had more to do with the fact he was wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket in Cardinals country than with his appointment of Sonia Sotomayor. That was rather gauche.
Speaking of which it turns out that President Obama is a lefty in both his pitching and his politics. I wanted to see his pitch but the camera crew on FOX only showed him delivering the ball from the mound. It didn't show where the ball ended up. Naturally, I wondered if Obama had uncorked a wild one and if FOX had something to hide.
However, my father saw the pitch and he said it was a strike. FOX called it a perfect strike. I later saw the pitch. It was a 55 foot curve ball. OK, I've seen worse first pitches. Can you say Mariah Carey? Well, she did throw a first pitch wearing high heels and booty shorts.
The FOX sports crew was fairly giddy about Obama even if he wasn't wearing high heels and booty shorts. Ken Rosenthal said that Seattle Mariners perennial All-Star Ichiro Suzuki was "like a 12-year-old" around Obama. I was thinking, "Oh come on." But if you click on the link to Obama's first pitch the video evidence seems to support Rosenthal's statement.
Obama joined FOX broadcasters Tim McCarver and Joe Buck for the bottom of the 2nd inning. AL starter Roy Halladay got two quick outs. I thought maybe this will be over and done with painlessly. However, the NL collected four straights hits and scored three runs. While the NL rallied, McCarver and Buck continued to suck up to Obama not wanting the moment to end. As it turned out it was the only runs the NL scored tonight.
Obama was still wearing the White Sox jacket in the booth. He made a point of saying that he was "not a Cubs hater." Rather he just doesn't root for them. I suppose that's how he feels about conservatives.
McCarver and Buck invited Obama to stay for another half inning but the President said he was being told to move on. I must say I agree with Obama on this one. I, too, would try not to be in the company of McCarver and Buck for any extended period of time.
AL Wins 2009 All-Star Game 4-3
The National League tried to win its first All Star Game since 1996. But again it came up short as the American League won the 80th All-Star Game in St. Louis tonight 4-3. For the fourth consecutive year, the NL lost the game by one run.
The AL scored two runs in the top of the first off NL starter Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants. The first run was scored by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on an error by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in front of the hometown fans. Another run scored when Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton hit into a fielder's choice scoring Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
However, the NL stormed back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 2nd. AL starter Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays retired the first two hitters but then gave up four consecutive hits. St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina drove in the first run with a single scoring New York Mets third baseman David Wright. A throwing error by Hamilton scored Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino to tie the game. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, who won last night's Home Run Derby, hit a pinch hit double scoring Molina to give the NL the lead.
Interestingly, the NL would score all their runs while President Obama was in the booth with Tim McCarver and Joe Buck. More on President Obama's presence in St. Louis in my next post.
The game proceeded rather quickly. The AL tied the game in the top of the 5th on a double by Mauer scoring Jeter off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley.
The NL nearly took back the lead. When Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 7th his first pitch to Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe nearly went over the fence but Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford robbed Hawpe of a home run.
This gave the AL the opening they needed. In the top of the 8th with one out, Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson hit a triple off San Diego Padres reliever Heath Bell. The way the ball bounced off the left field wall I thought Granderson had a chance at an inside the park home run but Phillies center fielder Jayson Werth cut off the ball. Granderson would later score on a sacrifice fly by Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his record fourth save at an All-Star Game. The AL won 4-3 and for the seventh straight season they get home field advantage in the World Series. It is, however, worth noting that NL teams have won three of the past six World Series.
Carl Crawford was named the 2009 All-Star Game MVP for his spectacular catch.
The 2010 MLB All Star Game will be hosted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The AL scored two runs in the top of the first off NL starter Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants. The first run was scored by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter on an error by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols in front of the hometown fans. Another run scored when Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton hit into a fielder's choice scoring Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
However, the NL stormed back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 2nd. AL starter Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays retired the first two hitters but then gave up four consecutive hits. St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina drove in the first run with a single scoring New York Mets third baseman David Wright. A throwing error by Hamilton scored Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino to tie the game. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, who won last night's Home Run Derby, hit a pinch hit double scoring Molina to give the NL the lead.
Interestingly, the NL would score all their runs while President Obama was in the booth with Tim McCarver and Joe Buck. More on President Obama's presence in St. Louis in my next post.
The game proceeded rather quickly. The AL tied the game in the top of the 5th on a double by Mauer scoring Jeter off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley.
The NL nearly took back the lead. When Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 7th his first pitch to Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe nearly went over the fence but Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford robbed Hawpe of a home run.
This gave the AL the opening they needed. In the top of the 8th with one out, Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson hit a triple off San Diego Padres reliever Heath Bell. The way the ball bounced off the left field wall I thought Granderson had a chance at an inside the park home run but Phillies center fielder Jayson Werth cut off the ball. Granderson would later score on a sacrifice fly by Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his record fourth save at an All-Star Game. The AL won 4-3 and for the seventh straight season they get home field advantage in the World Series. It is, however, worth noting that NL teams have won three of the past six World Series.
Carl Crawford was named the 2009 All-Star Game MVP for his spectacular catch.
The 2010 MLB All Star Game will be hosted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Andrew Sullivan Can't Have a Civil Disagreement With Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin and Andrew Sullivan have a disagreement.
Palin wrote an editorial in The Washington Post today critical of the Obama's Administration's cap and trade legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting approval by the Senate. She believes cap and trade will inflict permanent damage to our economy arguing that it will increase unemployment and raise the cost of living for people least in the position to afford it.
However, Andrew Sullivan sees cap and trade differently. While acknowledging cap and trade will impose some costs he believes cap and trade will not destroy America's economy but make it "several times more prosperous than it is now." Sullivan cites a study from the Congressional Budget Office stating those with lower and modest incomes are better off under cap and trade. It is worth noting The Wall Street Journal begged to differ last March. In fact, I am sure the editorial board of the WSJ would be inclined to agree with Palin.
But hey. Palin says potato. Sullivan says potato. That's America for you.
Yet Sullivan's headline reads, "Sarah Palin Does Not Understand Cap and Trade."
In other words, Sullivan is telling his readers that Sarah Palin is stupid. His headline suggests she doesn't understand cap and trade in the same way she supposedly didn't know Africa is a continent. This is the objective of Sullivan's post. I'm sure this won't be the last sort of headline we see from Sullivan where it concerns Palin. This after all is the guy who wondered aloud if Sarah Palin was really pregnant with her youngest son Trig.
Sarah Palin isn't above criticism. One can reasonably disagree with her editorial. But one can do so without trying to insinuate she's stupid. Andrew Sullivan seems unwilling to demonstrate even a modicum of decorum when it comes to Sarah Palin.
Palin wrote an editorial in The Washington Post today critical of the Obama's Administration's cap and trade legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting approval by the Senate. She believes cap and trade will inflict permanent damage to our economy arguing that it will increase unemployment and raise the cost of living for people least in the position to afford it.
However, Andrew Sullivan sees cap and trade differently. While acknowledging cap and trade will impose some costs he believes cap and trade will not destroy America's economy but make it "several times more prosperous than it is now." Sullivan cites a study from the Congressional Budget Office stating those with lower and modest incomes are better off under cap and trade. It is worth noting The Wall Street Journal begged to differ last March. In fact, I am sure the editorial board of the WSJ would be inclined to agree with Palin.
But hey. Palin says potato. Sullivan says potato. That's America for you.
Yet Sullivan's headline reads, "Sarah Palin Does Not Understand Cap and Trade."
In other words, Sullivan is telling his readers that Sarah Palin is stupid. His headline suggests she doesn't understand cap and trade in the same way she supposedly didn't know Africa is a continent. This is the objective of Sullivan's post. I'm sure this won't be the last sort of headline we see from Sullivan where it concerns Palin. This after all is the guy who wondered aloud if Sarah Palin was really pregnant with her youngest son Trig.
Sarah Palin isn't above criticism. One can reasonably disagree with her editorial. But one can do so without trying to insinuate she's stupid. Andrew Sullivan seems unwilling to demonstrate even a modicum of decorum when it comes to Sarah Palin.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Obama Will Throw Out First Pitch at MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis
President Obama will be throwing out the first pitch at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game tomorrow night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and reigning NL MVP Albert Pujols will catch Obama's pitch.
I am naturally curious about a) how Obama will be received and b) if he throws a wild pitch.
If you will recall Missouri actually went with McCain last November. Although there will be many Cardinals fans in attendance there will be fans from all over the country and around the world. I am inclined to think Obama will hear more cheers than booes.
That could change though if Obama pitches as well as he bowls. He could uncork a wild one as bad as Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory did at the Great American Ballpark on Opening Day in 2007.
But even if Obama's aim is thirty feet off home plate and plunks Stan Musial in the process I'm sure Keith Olbermann (who at one time hosted the pre-game show for Fox Saturday Baseball) and his acolytes at MSNBC will declare Obama threw the ball 100 miles per hour.
The pitching is probably best left to reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants and Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays (for now) who have been named as the All-Star Game starters in the NL and AL, respectively.
On the other hand if Obama does throw a 100 MPH fastball for a strike I would rather he pitch for the Washington Nationals than run the country into the ground.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and reigning NL MVP Albert Pujols will catch Obama's pitch.
I am naturally curious about a) how Obama will be received and b) if he throws a wild pitch.
If you will recall Missouri actually went with McCain last November. Although there will be many Cardinals fans in attendance there will be fans from all over the country and around the world. I am inclined to think Obama will hear more cheers than booes.
That could change though if Obama pitches as well as he bowls. He could uncork a wild one as bad as Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory did at the Great American Ballpark on Opening Day in 2007.
But even if Obama's aim is thirty feet off home plate and plunks Stan Musial in the process I'm sure Keith Olbermann (who at one time hosted the pre-game show for Fox Saturday Baseball) and his acolytes at MSNBC will declare Obama threw the ball 100 miles per hour.
The pitching is probably best left to reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants and Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays (for now) who have been named as the All-Star Game starters in the NL and AL, respectively.
On the other hand if Obama does throw a 100 MPH fastball for a strike I would rather he pitch for the Washington Nationals than run the country into the ground.
Nationals Fire Manny Acta
Last month, I wondered who would face the axe first - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown or Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta.
Well, Gordon Brown is still working out of 10 Downing Street.
Last night, the Nationals fired Acta. Going into the All-Star Break, the Nats had the worst record in MLB with a mark of 26-61, 22½ games behind the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
It appeared Acta was out the door a month ago but he got a reprieve when the Nats unexpectedly won three out of four games against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The euphoria was shortlived however. The Nats have lost 15 of their last 20 games and while they might not be as bad as the 1962 New York Mets they are not nearly as interesting.
Nationals bench coach Jim Riggleman will manage the team for the rest of the 2009 season. Riggleman found himself in a similar role a year ago after he took over the reins of the Seattle Mariners in June after the firing of John McLaren. Riggleman has also managed the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs. He led the Cubs to the NL Wild Card in 1998.
Riggleman has the annoying habit of employing a five man infield. It's a move that almost never works.
In any event, methinks Riggleman will be a caretaker manager with someone else calling the shots in 2010. When it appeared Acta was done last month there was talk about former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine shaking things up. Valentine currently manages in Japan for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Valentine is many things. Boring is not one of them. He has also has a habit of turning losing teams into contenders.
The only way I see Riggleman remaining as the Nats skipper beyond 2009 is if he somehow keeps the team from losing 100 games this season. Now that would be an accomplishment.
Well, Gordon Brown is still working out of 10 Downing Street.
Last night, the Nationals fired Acta. Going into the All-Star Break, the Nats had the worst record in MLB with a mark of 26-61, 22½ games behind the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
It appeared Acta was out the door a month ago but he got a reprieve when the Nats unexpectedly won three out of four games against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The euphoria was shortlived however. The Nats have lost 15 of their last 20 games and while they might not be as bad as the 1962 New York Mets they are not nearly as interesting.
Nationals bench coach Jim Riggleman will manage the team for the rest of the 2009 season. Riggleman found himself in a similar role a year ago after he took over the reins of the Seattle Mariners in June after the firing of John McLaren. Riggleman has also managed the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs. He led the Cubs to the NL Wild Card in 1998.
Riggleman has the annoying habit of employing a five man infield. It's a move that almost never works.
In any event, methinks Riggleman will be a caretaker manager with someone else calling the shots in 2010. When it appeared Acta was done last month there was talk about former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine shaking things up. Valentine currently manages in Japan for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Valentine is many things. Boring is not one of them. He has also has a habit of turning losing teams into contenders.
The only way I see Riggleman remaining as the Nats skipper beyond 2009 is if he somehow keeps the team from losing 100 games this season. Now that would be an accomplishment.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Setting The Record Straight on Frank Ricci
A reader made this comment concerning my post yesterday about New Haven firefighter Frank Ricci who is scheduled to testify at Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill this week:
Ricci was hired by the dept based on a special accomodation (sic) for his learning disability. I hope he doesn't need extra time to fight the fire at my house.
Cute. Make fun of a person with disabilities. How progressive and enlightened. Well, that's liberal tolerance for you.
The reader is referring to a lawsuit filed by Ricci in 1995 against the City of New Haven. Ricci alleged he was denied employment with the New Haven Fire Department because he disclosed his learning disability during a job interview. He would eventually be hired in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
Brian Beutler writes on the liberal blog Talking Points Memo:
If you were Frank Ricci, you might say something like, "Frank Ricci got a job and somebody who wasn't dyslexic didn't." Remember, this is the same Frank Ricci who took his reverse discrimination suit all the way to the Supreme Court, where lower court rulings against him--including one by Sotomayor's Second Circuit--were overturned.
Ricci will testify against Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week--this despite the fact that his views on jurisprudence seem to begin and end with the proposition that legal protections against discrimination are great when they work in his favor, and unconscionable when they don't.
Beutler misses the point. Ricci is being remarkably consistent in that he is arguing that discrimination is discrimination. The term reverse discrimination seems to imply that some groups are supposed to be discriminated against namely white males. So is Beutler suggesting that Mr. Ricci be prohibited from filing more than one discrimination lawsuit in his lifetime? Isn't it possible both lawsuits had merit? If a person genuinely believes they have been discriminated against on more than occasion why should they prohibited from seeking a legal remedy? Somehow I don't think Beutler would object to an African-American filing multiple discrimination lawsuits. Unless, of course, that African-American were a conservative.
The fact is that in preparing for these promtional tests, Ricci paid a friend $1,000 to read textbooks onto audio tapes as well as made flash cards, took practice tests, participated in mock interviews and in a study group. Liberals might choose to see Frank Ricci as a malingerer and a malcontent. I and other conservatives choose to see Frank Ricci as a person who worked diligently for his dream, earned it only to have it unjustly taken from him.
Frank Ricci isn't testifying on Capitol Hill as a legal or constitutional expert. President Obama appointed Sotomayor to the Supreme Court because of her "empathy." So where was Sotomayor's empathy where it concerned Frank Ricci and the other firefighters in New Haven? If empathy is now a qualification to be a Supreme Court Justice it would certainly be fair to ask Sotomayor why it was absent in this matter.
Ricci was hired by the dept based on a special accomodation (sic) for his learning disability. I hope he doesn't need extra time to fight the fire at my house.
Cute. Make fun of a person with disabilities. How progressive and enlightened. Well, that's liberal tolerance for you.
The reader is referring to a lawsuit filed by Ricci in 1995 against the City of New Haven. Ricci alleged he was denied employment with the New Haven Fire Department because he disclosed his learning disability during a job interview. He would eventually be hired in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.
Brian Beutler writes on the liberal blog Talking Points Memo:
If you were Frank Ricci, you might say something like, "Frank Ricci got a job and somebody who wasn't dyslexic didn't." Remember, this is the same Frank Ricci who took his reverse discrimination suit all the way to the Supreme Court, where lower court rulings against him--including one by Sotomayor's Second Circuit--were overturned.
Ricci will testify against Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week--this despite the fact that his views on jurisprudence seem to begin and end with the proposition that legal protections against discrimination are great when they work in his favor, and unconscionable when they don't.
Beutler misses the point. Ricci is being remarkably consistent in that he is arguing that discrimination is discrimination. The term reverse discrimination seems to imply that some groups are supposed to be discriminated against namely white males. So is Beutler suggesting that Mr. Ricci be prohibited from filing more than one discrimination lawsuit in his lifetime? Isn't it possible both lawsuits had merit? If a person genuinely believes they have been discriminated against on more than occasion why should they prohibited from seeking a legal remedy? Somehow I don't think Beutler would object to an African-American filing multiple discrimination lawsuits. Unless, of course, that African-American were a conservative.
The fact is that in preparing for these promtional tests, Ricci paid a friend $1,000 to read textbooks onto audio tapes as well as made flash cards, took practice tests, participated in mock interviews and in a study group. Liberals might choose to see Frank Ricci as a malingerer and a malcontent. I and other conservatives choose to see Frank Ricci as a person who worked diligently for his dream, earned it only to have it unjustly taken from him.
Frank Ricci isn't testifying on Capitol Hill as a legal or constitutional expert. President Obama appointed Sotomayor to the Supreme Court because of her "empathy." So where was Sotomayor's empathy where it concerned Frank Ricci and the other firefighters in New Haven? If empathy is now a qualification to be a Supreme Court Justice it would certainly be fair to ask Sotomayor why it was absent in this matter.
Red Sox-Giants World Series Still a Possibility at The All Star Break
Back in March, I picked the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants to face off in the 2009 World Series.
Well, we are now at the All-Star Break. The Boston Red Sox have a three game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees. Yay.
I also predicted the San Francisco Giants would win the NL West. OK, the Giants are seven games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, at 49-39 they are currently leading the Colorado Rockies by two games in the NL Wild Card standings.
Now there's two and a half months left in the regular season and much can happen between now and October. Yet a Red Sox-Giants World Series is certainly not out of the question. It is certainly more viable than my Toronto Blue Jays-Washington Nationals Fall Classic prediction in 2008. Not to mention that Texas Rangers-Houston Astros showdown I conjured up in 2007.
We'll see how the Red Sox and Giants hold up. The Red Sox are 8-0 against the Yankees this season. However, the Sox and Yankees will face off ten more times in 2009. Seven of those games will be at the new Yankee Stadium. I would be very surprised if the Sox managed to go 18-0 against the Yankees. The two teams have been evenly matched for too long. If that is the case then look for the Yankees to start evening things out. So much for my last place prediction for the Bronx Bombers and Joe Girardi being kicked to the curb.
As for the Giants, I wonder if Matt Cain has any long term damage done to his elbow after he got hit with a line drive yesterday against the Padres. Cain is unable to attend the All Star Game on Tuesday and has been replaced on the NL roster by Zach Duke of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
If Cain is damaged goods methinks the Giants should join the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi let it be known this past week that the team is ready to trade their ace starter. Imagine Halladay the best starting rotation in baseball. On the other hand, the Giants might be better served by getting an extra bat in the lineup like Matt Holliday or Grady Sizemore.
We'll see.
Well, we are now at the All-Star Break. The Boston Red Sox have a three game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees. Yay.
I also predicted the San Francisco Giants would win the NL West. OK, the Giants are seven games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, at 49-39 they are currently leading the Colorado Rockies by two games in the NL Wild Card standings.
Now there's two and a half months left in the regular season and much can happen between now and October. Yet a Red Sox-Giants World Series is certainly not out of the question. It is certainly more viable than my Toronto Blue Jays-Washington Nationals Fall Classic prediction in 2008. Not to mention that Texas Rangers-Houston Astros showdown I conjured up in 2007.
We'll see how the Red Sox and Giants hold up. The Red Sox are 8-0 against the Yankees this season. However, the Sox and Yankees will face off ten more times in 2009. Seven of those games will be at the new Yankee Stadium. I would be very surprised if the Sox managed to go 18-0 against the Yankees. The two teams have been evenly matched for too long. If that is the case then look for the Yankees to start evening things out. So much for my last place prediction for the Bronx Bombers and Joe Girardi being kicked to the curb.
As for the Giants, I wonder if Matt Cain has any long term damage done to his elbow after he got hit with a line drive yesterday against the Padres. Cain is unable to attend the All Star Game on Tuesday and has been replaced on the NL roster by Zach Duke of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
If Cain is damaged goods methinks the Giants should join the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi let it be known this past week that the team is ready to trade their ace starter. Imagine Halladay the best starting rotation in baseball. On the other hand, the Giants might be better served by getting an extra bat in the lineup like Matt Holliday or Grady Sizemore.
We'll see.
A Really Brave Artist From China
During the "dark days" of the Bush Administration artists like The Dixie Chicks were considered brave because they spoke "truth to power."
Whatever that means.
Sure they got hate mail and death threats. Certainly not cool. But they were still able to earn a living. There was no possibility of them seeing the inside of a jail cell.
Occasionally, when I read conservative poetry at the Cantab Lounge people will approach me and tell me how brave I am.
Bravery is a label I reject out of hand. The worst that can happen to me is that I will never be invited as a featured poet anywhere. I can live with it. I get to go home at the end of the night.
However the same cannot be said for Chinese artists like Ai Weiwei. He has known trouble from the day he was born. His father was Ai Qing, a Chinese poet who was branded as a "rightist" by Mao and spent a better part of two decades in a labor camp. Ai Weiwei spent some time there as a child.
He spent a dozen years in the U.S. where he honed his craft in architectural design but would return in 1993 to tend to his ailing father who died in 1996. It was back in China that his reputation as an artist grew by leaps and bounds.
Although never a friend of the Chinese Communists he was asked to participate in the design of Beijing National Stadium (a.k.a. Bird's Nest) for the 2008 Olympics. Ai did so but would later distance himself from the project and declined to attending the opening ceremonies.
Ai's ire was raised in May 2008 after the earthquake in Sichuan Province which is estimated to have claimed the lives of 68,000 people. Many of those killed were schoolchildren in what have been described as "tofu-dreg schoolhouses."
Ai began his own investigation of the earthquake and collected the names of more than 5,000 schoolchildren who perished. He has asserted the deaths of these children were a direct consequence of corruption on the part of local Communist Party officials who were pocketing monies intended for the construction of schools.
Now China has shut down his blog and Twitter account. The police are a constant presence in his life and that of his elderly mother.
Could prison be in Ai Weiwei's future? Could he face the same fate as his father?
Needless to say, no Hollywood liberal was ever subjected to this sort of treatment by the Bush Administration.
Whatever that means.
Sure they got hate mail and death threats. Certainly not cool. But they were still able to earn a living. There was no possibility of them seeing the inside of a jail cell.
Occasionally, when I read conservative poetry at the Cantab Lounge people will approach me and tell me how brave I am.
Bravery is a label I reject out of hand. The worst that can happen to me is that I will never be invited as a featured poet anywhere. I can live with it. I get to go home at the end of the night.
However the same cannot be said for Chinese artists like Ai Weiwei. He has known trouble from the day he was born. His father was Ai Qing, a Chinese poet who was branded as a "rightist" by Mao and spent a better part of two decades in a labor camp. Ai Weiwei spent some time there as a child.
He spent a dozen years in the U.S. where he honed his craft in architectural design but would return in 1993 to tend to his ailing father who died in 1996. It was back in China that his reputation as an artist grew by leaps and bounds.
Although never a friend of the Chinese Communists he was asked to participate in the design of Beijing National Stadium (a.k.a. Bird's Nest) for the 2008 Olympics. Ai did so but would later distance himself from the project and declined to attending the opening ceremonies.
Ai's ire was raised in May 2008 after the earthquake in Sichuan Province which is estimated to have claimed the lives of 68,000 people. Many of those killed were schoolchildren in what have been described as "tofu-dreg schoolhouses."
Ai began his own investigation of the earthquake and collected the names of more than 5,000 schoolchildren who perished. He has asserted the deaths of these children were a direct consequence of corruption on the part of local Communist Party officials who were pocketing monies intended for the construction of schools.
Now China has shut down his blog and Twitter account. The police are a constant presence in his life and that of his elderly mother.
Could prison be in Ai Weiwei's future? Could he face the same fate as his father?
Needless to say, no Hollywood liberal was ever subjected to this sort of treatment by the Bush Administration.
Obama Needs To Rein In Holder
Attorney General Eric Holder is considering appointing a criminal prosecutor to investigate interrogation techniques practiced during the Bush Administration.
Of course, President Obama had said previously he desired no such investigations. However, last April he did say that decision was ultimately up to Holder. I guess this decision is above his pay grade.
President Obama would be wise to rein in Holder. This is not a fight he wants on his hands.
President Obama is going to have to decide what is most important - the security of this country or the heads of Bush Administration officials on a stick.
A decision is expected within the next few weeks.
Of course, President Obama had said previously he desired no such investigations. However, last April he did say that decision was ultimately up to Holder. I guess this decision is above his pay grade.
President Obama would be wise to rein in Holder. This is not a fight he wants on his hands.
President Obama is going to have to decide what is most important - the security of this country or the heads of Bush Administration officials on a stick.
A decision is expected within the next few weeks.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
People For The American Way Targetting Ricci
Two days ago, Senate Republicans announced that New Haven firefighter Frank Ricci would testify at Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearing next week.
I wrote that Senate Democrats would be gunning for him.
Well, it looks like People For The American Way are doing Senate Democrats dirty work for them.
PFAW has been circulating an e-mail concerning Ricci's "troubled and litigious work history."
In the mid-1990s, Ricci was fired by the fire department in Middletown, Connecticut. Ricci contended he was fired for raising safety concerns. The Middletown Fire Department was subsequently fined for safety violations.
If Ricci were an obstacle for a Supreme Court nominee picked by George W. Bush and Republicans were putting the heat on Ricci you can be certain what Democrats and liberal activists would do. They would lambaste their treatment of Ricci as the machinations of the Republican attack machine and accuse them being out of touch with working class Americans as well as being insensitive to persons with disabilities. Democrats and liberal activists would hail Ricci's service as firefighter and his courage as a whistleblower.
But since Ricci is a thorn in the side of the "wise Latina" and by extension President Obama, Democrats and liberal activists instead focus on Ricci as a troubled, litigious malcontent not as a patriotic, courageous whistleblower.
Again, Senate Republicans had better prepare Frank Ricci to the nines because Democrats and organizations like People For The American Way are going to turn his life upside down.
I wrote that Senate Democrats would be gunning for him.
Well, it looks like People For The American Way are doing Senate Democrats dirty work for them.
PFAW has been circulating an e-mail concerning Ricci's "troubled and litigious work history."
In the mid-1990s, Ricci was fired by the fire department in Middletown, Connecticut. Ricci contended he was fired for raising safety concerns. The Middletown Fire Department was subsequently fined for safety violations.
If Ricci were an obstacle for a Supreme Court nominee picked by George W. Bush and Republicans were putting the heat on Ricci you can be certain what Democrats and liberal activists would do. They would lambaste their treatment of Ricci as the machinations of the Republican attack machine and accuse them being out of touch with working class Americans as well as being insensitive to persons with disabilities. Democrats and liberal activists would hail Ricci's service as firefighter and his courage as a whistleblower.
But since Ricci is a thorn in the side of the "wise Latina" and by extension President Obama, Democrats and liberal activists instead focus on Ricci as a troubled, litigious malcontent not as a patriotic, courageous whistleblower.
Again, Senate Republicans had better prepare Frank Ricci to the nines because Democrats and organizations like People For The American Way are going to turn his life upside down.
Obama Rules Out Second Stimulus - For Now
There had been talk this week of a second stimulus package to be put forward by the Obama Administration.
However, President Obama rejected the idea during his weekly radio/internet address this morning.
At least for now.
Obama said the stimulus needed more time to work.
Merriam-Webster defines stimulus in part "as something that rouses or incites to activity: as a: incentive."
By that standard the stimulus bill has failed. But Obama is making the right political move by not endorsing a second stimulus bill at this time. There will be less political ammunition directed his way if he does nothing.
This helped Obama tremendously during the Presidential campaign last September when John McCain abruptly suspended his campaign while Obama did, well, nothing. Since McCain's suspension didn't yield any proposals from him it was an empty gesture. Meanwhile,, Obama appeared calm, cool and collected. This more than anything else cost McCain the election.
However, I was struck by one thing Obama said today. He said the stimulus "was not designed to work in four months. It was designed to work over two years."
The key phrase is "over two years." By that Obama means not exactly two years but over the course of two years. What this tells me is that we can expect to see a second stimulus package or at least the promise of one in the Fall of 2010. Just in time for mid-term elections.
However, President Obama rejected the idea during his weekly radio/internet address this morning.
At least for now.
Obama said the stimulus needed more time to work.
Merriam-Webster defines stimulus in part "as something that rouses or incites to activity: as a: incentive."
By that standard the stimulus bill has failed. But Obama is making the right political move by not endorsing a second stimulus bill at this time. There will be less political ammunition directed his way if he does nothing.
This helped Obama tremendously during the Presidential campaign last September when John McCain abruptly suspended his campaign while Obama did, well, nothing. Since McCain's suspension didn't yield any proposals from him it was an empty gesture. Meanwhile,, Obama appeared calm, cool and collected. This more than anything else cost McCain the election.
However, I was struck by one thing Obama said today. He said the stimulus "was not designed to work in four months. It was designed to work over two years."
The key phrase is "over two years." By that Obama means not exactly two years but over the course of two years. What this tells me is that we can expect to see a second stimulus package or at least the promise of one in the Fall of 2010. Just in time for mid-term elections.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Jonathan Sanchez Tosses No-Hitter
San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez has struggled during the 2009 season. Going into tonight, Sanchez had a record of 2-8 with an ERA of 5.30. He had been demoted to the bullpen last month to work out his struggles. But tonight the 26-year-old southpaw was getting another chance to earn a spot in the starting rotation. It's a starting rotation that consists of reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain who have both been selected to the NL All Star Team. Let's also not forget 300 game winner Randy Johnson and Barry Zito who are also Cy Young winners.
Tonight Sanchez earned his spot in the starting rotation.
He threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. The Giants won the game 8-0.
In fact, Sanchez had a perfect game into the 8th inning. However, third baseman Juan Uribe made an error on a ball hit by Chase Headley. However, rookie catcher Eli Whiteside deftly went to the mound to put Sanchez at ease. Headley would be the only base runner for the Padres in the game.
The toughest at bat for Sanchez was that of Edgar Gonzalez in the top of the 9th with one out. Gonzalez hit the ball deep into straight away center field. But Aaron Rowand never met a wall he didn't like and he made an amazing catch to preserve the no-no.
That left Everth Cabrera as the only thing standing between Sanchez and baseball immortality. Sanchez struck out Cabrera looking on a 2-2 slider. It was one of 11 strikeouts Sanchez recorded tonight. Jonathan Sanchez has etched his place in baseball history.
Sanchez's no-hitter also happened to be both his first major league complete game and shutout. He becomes the first Giants pitcher to toss a no-hitter since "The Count" John Montefusco did so in September 1976 against the Atlanta Braves. It is also the first no-hitter in MLB in 2009.
But perhaps most impressive of all was that he accomplished this in the presence of his father. Sanchez flew in his father from Puerto Rico to watch him pitch in the majors for the first time.
Needless to say neither Jonathan Sanchez nor his father will ever forget this day.
Tonight Sanchez earned his spot in the starting rotation.
He threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. The Giants won the game 8-0.
In fact, Sanchez had a perfect game into the 8th inning. However, third baseman Juan Uribe made an error on a ball hit by Chase Headley. However, rookie catcher Eli Whiteside deftly went to the mound to put Sanchez at ease. Headley would be the only base runner for the Padres in the game.
The toughest at bat for Sanchez was that of Edgar Gonzalez in the top of the 9th with one out. Gonzalez hit the ball deep into straight away center field. But Aaron Rowand never met a wall he didn't like and he made an amazing catch to preserve the no-no.
That left Everth Cabrera as the only thing standing between Sanchez and baseball immortality. Sanchez struck out Cabrera looking on a 2-2 slider. It was one of 11 strikeouts Sanchez recorded tonight. Jonathan Sanchez has etched his place in baseball history.
Sanchez's no-hitter also happened to be both his first major league complete game and shutout. He becomes the first Giants pitcher to toss a no-hitter since "The Count" John Montefusco did so in September 1976 against the Atlanta Braves. It is also the first no-hitter in MLB in 2009.
But perhaps most impressive of all was that he accomplished this in the presence of his father. Sanchez flew in his father from Puerto Rico to watch him pitch in the majors for the first time.
Needless to say neither Jonathan Sanchez nor his father will ever forget this day.
Peggy Noonan's Parting Shot at Palin
Peggy Noonan has disliked Sarah Palin from the word go.
Let's remember it was Noonan who described her selection as "political bulls#*t" into an open mike on MSNBC upon learning of her selection.
Last October, Noonan wrote of Palin, "She was a dope and unqualified from the start."
But Ms. Noonan considers you a dope if you cannot come up with the equivalent of the Marshall Plan in seven weeks. I guess she thinks President Obama can bring peace in the Middle East without breaking a sweat.
A week after Palin announced her resignation as Governor of Alaska, Noonan cannot resist a parting shot:
"The elites hate her." The elites made her. It was the elites of the party, the McCain campaign and the conservative media that picked her and pushed her. The base barely knew who she was. It was the elites, from party operatives to public intellectuals, who advanced her and attacked those who said she lacked heft. She is a complete elite confection. She might as well have been a bonbon.
"She makes the Republican Party look inclusive." She makes the party look stupid, a party of the easily manipulated.
The elites made her? The elites, be they in the Republican Party or not, didn't make Sarah Palin anymore than they made Tim Pawlenty who was also strongly considered to be McCain's number two. Aside from Bill Kristol and some polite mentions in National Review, I don't think there was any serious push from conservatives to get McCain to put her on the ticket.
McCain's selection of Palin was as surprising to conservatives as her sudden resignation.
She might as well have been a bonbon? Well, I suppose it's a step up from being a dope.
Or perhaps not?
She made the party look stupid? So the ten of thousands of people that went to hear her speak at rallies throughout the country are stupid? What of the estimated 20,000 people who came to Auburn, New York to hear her speak? Does Noonan consider them the gum base to Palin's elite confection?
Sarah Palin didn't make the Republican Party look stupid. Sarah Palin did however make The Left and a cadre of condescending conservatives appear to be motivated by a hatred steeped in irrationality.
Peggy Noonan's disposition towards Sarah Palin is both guttural and visceral.
Put simply Peggy Noonan hates Sarah Palin.
I pity Peggy Noonan.
Let's remember it was Noonan who described her selection as "political bulls#*t" into an open mike on MSNBC upon learning of her selection.
Last October, Noonan wrote of Palin, "She was a dope and unqualified from the start."
But Ms. Noonan considers you a dope if you cannot come up with the equivalent of the Marshall Plan in seven weeks. I guess she thinks President Obama can bring peace in the Middle East without breaking a sweat.
A week after Palin announced her resignation as Governor of Alaska, Noonan cannot resist a parting shot:
"The elites hate her." The elites made her. It was the elites of the party, the McCain campaign and the conservative media that picked her and pushed her. The base barely knew who she was. It was the elites, from party operatives to public intellectuals, who advanced her and attacked those who said she lacked heft. She is a complete elite confection. She might as well have been a bonbon.
"She makes the Republican Party look inclusive." She makes the party look stupid, a party of the easily manipulated.
The elites made her? The elites, be they in the Republican Party or not, didn't make Sarah Palin anymore than they made Tim Pawlenty who was also strongly considered to be McCain's number two. Aside from Bill Kristol and some polite mentions in National Review, I don't think there was any serious push from conservatives to get McCain to put her on the ticket.
McCain's selection of Palin was as surprising to conservatives as her sudden resignation.
She might as well have been a bonbon? Well, I suppose it's a step up from being a dope.
Or perhaps not?
She made the party look stupid? So the ten of thousands of people that went to hear her speak at rallies throughout the country are stupid? What of the estimated 20,000 people who came to Auburn, New York to hear her speak? Does Noonan consider them the gum base to Palin's elite confection?
Sarah Palin didn't make the Republican Party look stupid. Sarah Palin did however make The Left and a cadre of condescending conservatives appear to be motivated by a hatred steeped in irrationality.
Peggy Noonan's disposition towards Sarah Palin is both guttural and visceral.
Put simply Peggy Noonan hates Sarah Palin.
I pity Peggy Noonan.
Why I Think People Would Line Up To Slap Joe Jackson Around
I don't want to dwell on Michael Jackson's death any more than I already have.
But his father Joe Jackson is being so abnoxious that it warrants comment.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Jackson said his grandchildren should go into the family business.
The elder Jackson said, "I don't know -- I keep watching Paris (MJ's daughter). She … wants to do something. And as far as I can see, well, they say Blanket (MJ's son), he can really dance."
Ah yes, now that his son his dead he is looking to his grandchildren as cash cows.
And who should raise Michael Jackson's children? Why Joe Jackson of course.
We see what wonders Joe Jackson's parenting did for Michael. Joe Jackson made Ike Turner look like a pacifist.
If that wasn't enough Jackson believes his son's death was as a result of "foul play."
A vulture and a conspiracy theorist all rolled into one.
Time for some fresh air.
But his father Joe Jackson is being so abnoxious that it warrants comment.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Jackson said his grandchildren should go into the family business.
The elder Jackson said, "I don't know -- I keep watching Paris (MJ's daughter). She … wants to do something. And as far as I can see, well, they say Blanket (MJ's son), he can really dance."
Ah yes, now that his son his dead he is looking to his grandchildren as cash cows.
And who should raise Michael Jackson's children? Why Joe Jackson of course.
We see what wonders Joe Jackson's parenting did for Michael. Joe Jackson made Ike Turner look like a pacifist.
If that wasn't enough Jackson believes his son's death was as a result of "foul play."
A vulture and a conspiracy theorist all rolled into one.
Time for some fresh air.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Will Senate Democrats Bork Frank Ricci?
Frank Ricci, the New Haven firefighter who sued the city for discrimination by refusing to promote him and several other white firefighters and one Hispanic firefighter, will be testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee during Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings which begin on Monday.
Sotomayor, of course, was part of a three judge panel with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected Ricci's claims. However, Sotomayor's decision was overturned by the Supreme Court late last month.
Look for Senate Democrats to villify Ricci. Look for Senate Democrats to accuse him of racial insensitivity if not racism straight up. Look for Senate Democrats to dredge up any indiscretions from his past. Look for Senate Democrats to make fun of his learning disability. Look for Senate Democrats to call him Frank the Firefighter. With Al Franken now a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee don't put anything past them. Anyone who stands in the way of Sotomayor and by extension President Obama will be made an example of.
So I hope Senate Republicans prep Ricci to the nines. Ditto for Ben Vargas, the Hispanic firefighter in the Ricci suit, who will also appear on Capitol Hill.
Sotomayor, of course, was part of a three judge panel with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected Ricci's claims. However, Sotomayor's decision was overturned by the Supreme Court late last month.
Look for Senate Democrats to villify Ricci. Look for Senate Democrats to accuse him of racial insensitivity if not racism straight up. Look for Senate Democrats to dredge up any indiscretions from his past. Look for Senate Democrats to make fun of his learning disability. Look for Senate Democrats to call him Frank the Firefighter. With Al Franken now a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee don't put anything past them. Anyone who stands in the way of Sotomayor and by extension President Obama will be made an example of.
So I hope Senate Republicans prep Ricci to the nines. Ditto for Ben Vargas, the Hispanic firefighter in the Ricci suit, who will also appear on Capitol Hill.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What a Difference a Year Made for Andruw Jones
Tonight, Andruw Jones of the Texas Rangers hit three home runs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to put the Rangers in first place in the AL West.
Jones hit three home runs all of last season while he was in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. Jones hit a career low .158 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI.
In 46 games played this season, Jones is hitting .250 with 14 home runs and 34 RBI.
Jones is a strong candidate for AL Comeback Player of the Year.
Jones hit three home runs all of last season while he was in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. Jones hit a career low .158 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI.
In 46 games played this season, Jones is hitting .250 with 14 home runs and 34 RBI.
Jones is a strong candidate for AL Comeback Player of the Year.
Baker Joins Mihos in Seeking GOP Nomination for Massachusetts Governor in 2010
Charlie Baker today announced his resignation as the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim effective later this month to seek the Republican nomination for the gubernatorial race here in Massachusetts next year.
Baker joins businessman Christy Mihos in the Republican effort to unseat Democratic Governor Deval Patrick. Mihos ran as an independent in 2006 garnering just under 7% of the vote.
However, complicating matters is Massachusetts State Treasurer Tim Cahill. He is expected to launch his own bid for Governor as an independent. Cahill is considered a moderate to conservative Democrat and his candidacy could siphon votes away from the GOP nominee be it Baker, Mihos or any other Republican who jumps into the ring.
Governor Patrick has been a disappointment given his lofty rhetoric. If it sounds familiar it should. Both Patrick's and President Obama's election campaigns were run by David Axelrod. Unlike Obama though Patrick's poll numbers aren't good even amongst liberal Democrats.
However, Patrick has time on his side as the election is 16 months away. Keep in mind the odds favor Patrick in a three horse race even if he is gimpy.
Baker joins businessman Christy Mihos in the Republican effort to unseat Democratic Governor Deval Patrick. Mihos ran as an independent in 2006 garnering just under 7% of the vote.
However, complicating matters is Massachusetts State Treasurer Tim Cahill. He is expected to launch his own bid for Governor as an independent. Cahill is considered a moderate to conservative Democrat and his candidacy could siphon votes away from the GOP nominee be it Baker, Mihos or any other Republican who jumps into the ring.
Governor Patrick has been a disappointment given his lofty rhetoric. If it sounds familiar it should. Both Patrick's and President Obama's election campaigns were run by David Axelrod. Unlike Obama though Patrick's poll numbers aren't good even amongst liberal Democrats.
However, Patrick has time on his side as the election is 16 months away. Keep in mind the odds favor Patrick in a three horse race even if he is gimpy.
NY Times Bewildered at Absence of "Swooning" for Obama in Russia
The New York Times is baffled that Russians weren't "swooning" before President Obama during his visit.
The caption read, "No one was swooning as President Obama gave the graduation speech at the New Economic School in Moscow on Tuesday." Above the caption was a picture of seemingly indifferent Russians in the audience. I particularly liked the expression of the stoic blond gentlemen who had his arms folded.
The Gray Lady is equally puzzled as to why Obama's speech to graduates at the New Economic School in Moscow wasn't covered on Russian TV:
The Kremlin tightly controls Russian television, and it was not clear why officials chose to disregard the speech.
They may have believed that there would be little public interest, or they may not have wanted to provide Mr. Obama with unfettered access to the country, which might have allowed him to overshadow Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin or President Dmitri A. Medvedev.
Or it could be that Putin and Medvedev think Obama is a lightweight and not worth being taken seriously.
The caption read, "No one was swooning as President Obama gave the graduation speech at the New Economic School in Moscow on Tuesday." Above the caption was a picture of seemingly indifferent Russians in the audience. I particularly liked the expression of the stoic blond gentlemen who had his arms folded.
The Gray Lady is equally puzzled as to why Obama's speech to graduates at the New Economic School in Moscow wasn't covered on Russian TV:
The Kremlin tightly controls Russian television, and it was not clear why officials chose to disregard the speech.
They may have believed that there would be little public interest, or they may not have wanted to provide Mr. Obama with unfettered access to the country, which might have allowed him to overshadow Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin or President Dmitri A. Medvedev.
Or it could be that Putin and Medvedev think Obama is a lightweight and not worth being taken seriously.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sotomayor vs. Estrada: So Now American Bar Association Ratings Are Good Enough For Democrats
The American Bar Association has given Sonia Sotomayor its highest rating of "well qualifed."
The Los Angeles Times notes:
The ABA traditionally has played a role in the vetting of Supreme Court nominees. Most have received the "well-qualified" rating by a unanimous vote, but in 1991, then-nominee Clarence Thomas was given a simple "qualified" tag. Supporters of failed nominee Robert Bork were outraged in 1987 when he received several "unqualified" votes from an ABA panel.
Curiously, the article makes no mention of Miguel Estrada. He was nominated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bush in May 2001. Despite having a rating of "well qualified" from the ABA, the Senate did not give Estrada an up and down vote. Estrada withdrew his name from consideration in September 2003.
Here's the text of a letter that Alberto Gonzales, then White House Counsel, wrote to California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in February 2003. Gonzales concluded his letter by writing, "This is an historic nomination, as Miguel Estrada would be the first Hispanic to serve on the D.C. Circuit. We urge you to vote to confirm him."
But I guess Feinstein and Senate Democrats didn't think Estrada had enough rich experiences.
The Los Angeles Times notes:
The ABA traditionally has played a role in the vetting of Supreme Court nominees. Most have received the "well-qualified" rating by a unanimous vote, but in 1991, then-nominee Clarence Thomas was given a simple "qualified" tag. Supporters of failed nominee Robert Bork were outraged in 1987 when he received several "unqualified" votes from an ABA panel.
Curiously, the article makes no mention of Miguel Estrada. He was nominated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bush in May 2001. Despite having a rating of "well qualified" from the ABA, the Senate did not give Estrada an up and down vote. Estrada withdrew his name from consideration in September 2003.
Here's the text of a letter that Alberto Gonzales, then White House Counsel, wrote to California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in February 2003. Gonzales concluded his letter by writing, "This is an historic nomination, as Miguel Estrada would be the first Hispanic to serve on the D.C. Circuit. We urge you to vote to confirm him."
But I guess Feinstein and Senate Democrats didn't think Estrada had enough rich experiences.
Hillary Appoints Arias To Be Honduran Mediator
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asked Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to mediate the current political crisis in Honduras.
Apparently, interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti is agreeable to this arrangement.
I've mixed feelings about Arias involvement.
On one hand, Arias did win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for similar work he did in Guatemala.
On the other hand, Arias himself might have a conflict of interest. Costa Rica's constitution also prevented Presidents from serving more than one term. Arias challenged this provision in the Costa Rican constitutional courts. He lost.
But Arias saw to it that the composition of the court was changed and when he petitioned them again in 2003 - presto - he was allowed to run for President again and he was elected to that office in March 2006 after a recount.
Surely, Micheletti has to be aware of how Arias managed to get back into office. And surely so does President Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Would Obama and Hillary have appointed Arias if they didn't think this would result in Manuel Zelaya's return to the Presidency in Honduras?
Apparently, interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti is agreeable to this arrangement.
I've mixed feelings about Arias involvement.
On one hand, Arias did win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for similar work he did in Guatemala.
On the other hand, Arias himself might have a conflict of interest. Costa Rica's constitution also prevented Presidents from serving more than one term. Arias challenged this provision in the Costa Rican constitutional courts. He lost.
But Arias saw to it that the composition of the court was changed and when he petitioned them again in 2003 - presto - he was allowed to run for President again and he was elected to that office in March 2006 after a recount.
Surely, Micheletti has to be aware of how Arias managed to get back into office. And surely so does President Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Would Obama and Hillary have appointed Arias if they didn't think this would result in Manuel Zelaya's return to the Presidency in Honduras?
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