On Veterans Day, we honor the service of soldiers who have lost their lives in war. We honor our veterans who lost their lives protecting this country in WWI, WWII, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, The War in Afghanistan and The War in Iraq. What all of those veterans have in common is that they lost their lives on foreign soil.
The terrorist attack at Fort Hood gives Veterans Day in 2009 and beyond an added significance. For the first time we will also be honoring soldiers lost their lives on American soil. Their lives were lost at the hands of a fellow soldier who attacked them in solidarity with al Qaeda which has been officially at war with America now for more than 13 years.
Unfortunately, there are many in this country who do not see it this way. They see the events of Fort Hood as an indictment of our presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. At best, they see the events of Fort Hood at best as the act of a deranged nut. At worst, they see it as an opportunity place the blame on a psychological disorder that does not exist.
Only time will tell if this country will properly remember the 12 soldiers and one civilian killed at Fort Hood. But I cannot be encouraged if President Obama is unprepared to explicitly call this a terrorist act. I also cannot be encouraged if General Casey insists the U.S. military promotes diversity in such a way as to compromise the ability of our soldiers to protect themselves let alone to protect this country.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Night after Christmas: Perfect gift for a child
The Night After Christmas
by
WinePress Publishing
ISBN 13: 978-1-60615-008-5
ISBN 10: 1-60615-008-1
24 pages
$14.95
With the familiar cadence of its much-loved predecessor, The Night After Christmas at first draws the reader back to childhood, and to imagining the sound of reindeer on the roof. Very soon, however, this contemporary collection of poetic couplets scrutinizes post-holiday exhaustion, mounting credit card debt, unrealistic expectations, and the lack of devotion paid to the Child whose birthday the holiday should celebrate. The relevance of the message, the read aloud nature of the text, and the photo-like quality of the illustrations will make this light-hearted look at a serious topic a new Christmas tradition for stressed out families everywhere.
Freelance writer and editor for the past ten years, Marlene McCurley has also served in the field of Christian education for more than fifteen years.
ORDER THE BOOK FROM WINEPRESS HERE FOR $14.95
(If you live in Phoenix, contact Jim at jechapman22-at-cox.net to avoid shipping costs)
IC Editor's note: Jim Chapman is my very gifted Bible Study leader. He writes poems about the chapters of the Bible as he goes through and teaches them, that sum up all the key points of the books amazingly well. He eventually hopes to finish the entire Bible and compile them into a book.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hasan Made Presentation About Muslims in U.S. Military in '07
The Washington Post has revealed that Major Nidal Malik Hasan made a presentation concerning Muslims in the U.S. military in June 2007 while he was still at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Hasan, an army psychiatrist, was supposed to discuss a medical topic but instead presented a paper titled, "The Koranic World View As It Relates to Muslims in the U.S. Military." His report contained a single recommendation that Muslim soldiers have the option to be released as conscientious objectors "to increase troop morale and decrease adverse events." When he speaks of "adverse events" one wonders if he was contemplating murder back then.
Of course, this revelation begs several questions.
Did Hasan apply for conscientious objector status?
If he did and was denied on what grounds did the U.S. Army decline his application?
If Hasan's views are prevalent amongst Muslims in the U.S. military then why did they enlist in the first place?
Do Muslim soldiers object to all wars or only war that involve countries with a significant Muslim populace?
If Muslim soldiers object to fighting other Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq what do they have to say about Muslims killing other Muslims when the Taliban controlled Afghanistan and when Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq? Don't they wish to come to the aid of their fellow Muslims in their capacity as U.S. soldiers?
Is Hasan the only Muslim soldier to have expressed these sentiments? If not then what steps will the U.S. military take to prevent another "adverse event"?
At the very minimum, this is the latest in a long line of red flags in which one can draw no other conclusion than that Nidal Malik Hasan had no place in any branch of the U.S. military.
Hasan, an army psychiatrist, was supposed to discuss a medical topic but instead presented a paper titled, "The Koranic World View As It Relates to Muslims in the U.S. Military." His report contained a single recommendation that Muslim soldiers have the option to be released as conscientious objectors "to increase troop morale and decrease adverse events." When he speaks of "adverse events" one wonders if he was contemplating murder back then.
Of course, this revelation begs several questions.
Did Hasan apply for conscientious objector status?
If he did and was denied on what grounds did the U.S. Army decline his application?
If Hasan's views are prevalent amongst Muslims in the U.S. military then why did they enlist in the first place?
Do Muslim soldiers object to all wars or only war that involve countries with a significant Muslim populace?
If Muslim soldiers object to fighting other Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq what do they have to say about Muslims killing other Muslims when the Taliban controlled Afghanistan and when Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq? Don't they wish to come to the aid of their fellow Muslims in their capacity as U.S. soldiers?
Is Hasan the only Muslim soldier to have expressed these sentiments? If not then what steps will the U.S. military take to prevent another "adverse event"?
At the very minimum, this is the latest in a long line of red flags in which one can draw no other conclusion than that Nidal Malik Hasan had no place in any branch of the U.S. military.
Thoughts on Sesame Street @ 40
I know there are some whose noses are out of joint because Sesame Street poked fun at Fox News in a skit with Oscar the Grouch a couple of years ago. But I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to pay homage to Sesame Street which celebrates its 40th anniversary today with a guest appearance by First Lady Michelle Obama.
I've seen little of the show since the early days of the Reagan Administration. But it was a formative part of my childhood growing up in Canada in the 1970s. In fact, I watched both the American edition on PBS and the Canadian edition on CBC. The versions weren't all that different except there were a few segments done in French to promote bilingual education. In fact, because of Sesame Street, I learned to count to ten in French before I did in English.
What I take away most from Sesame Street is the quality of the music both in their own original material and through guest performances by numerous musical acts of the day.
Two of my favorite musical skits involve Kermit The Frog. He is best known for the song "It Ain't Easy Bein' Green." But the song that has always stayed with me is the Frank Sinatra inspired "This Frog." Co-written by the late Sam Pottle and David Axlerod (no, not that David Axelrod), the back up singers really make this song.
Kermit was also involved in an unusual skit with Bert (but not Ernie) and a cast of unknown muppets that paid homage to the New York City subway system in a song called "On The Subway." It is as representative of New York in the early 1970s as Serpico. The lyrics are pretty subsversive too. You could lose your purse or something worse on the subway, on the subway. The Childrens' Television Workshop would never do anything like that today. So I'm glad there was room for something like that in its day.
I also liked the skits between the construction workers Biff and Sully. Biff did all the talking but Sully was quite the piano player. There's one skit in which he plays a movement from a Beethoven sonata. I've not heard that piece in years and would love to see it again. Unfortunately, I can't find it on YouTube.
But Sesame Street has had a rich array of musical guests over the years. Some of them have sung their own songs while others have adapted their songs for educational purposes. Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder are good examples of the former. Havens and Wonder sang "Wonder Child" and "Superstition", respectively. Smokey Robinson and Canadian singer-songwriter Feist are good examples of the latter doing variations of "You Really Got a Hold On Me" (watch out for the letter U - it can get rather possessive) and "1,2,3,4", respectively.
So it's the music that I remember best about Sesame Street.
From what little I've seen of Sesame Street these days it's quite different from when I grew up. But if I should ever have the good fortune to become a father one of these days I will probably start watching it again. I can only hope.
I've seen little of the show since the early days of the Reagan Administration. But it was a formative part of my childhood growing up in Canada in the 1970s. In fact, I watched both the American edition on PBS and the Canadian edition on CBC. The versions weren't all that different except there were a few segments done in French to promote bilingual education. In fact, because of Sesame Street, I learned to count to ten in French before I did in English.
What I take away most from Sesame Street is the quality of the music both in their own original material and through guest performances by numerous musical acts of the day.
Two of my favorite musical skits involve Kermit The Frog. He is best known for the song "It Ain't Easy Bein' Green." But the song that has always stayed with me is the Frank Sinatra inspired "This Frog." Co-written by the late Sam Pottle and David Axlerod (no, not that David Axelrod), the back up singers really make this song.
Kermit was also involved in an unusual skit with Bert (but not Ernie) and a cast of unknown muppets that paid homage to the New York City subway system in a song called "On The Subway." It is as representative of New York in the early 1970s as Serpico. The lyrics are pretty subsversive too. You could lose your purse or something worse on the subway, on the subway. The Childrens' Television Workshop would never do anything like that today. So I'm glad there was room for something like that in its day.
I also liked the skits between the construction workers Biff and Sully. Biff did all the talking but Sully was quite the piano player. There's one skit in which he plays a movement from a Beethoven sonata. I've not heard that piece in years and would love to see it again. Unfortunately, I can't find it on YouTube.
But Sesame Street has had a rich array of musical guests over the years. Some of them have sung their own songs while others have adapted their songs for educational purposes. Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder are good examples of the former. Havens and Wonder sang "Wonder Child" and "Superstition", respectively. Smokey Robinson and Canadian singer-songwriter Feist are good examples of the latter doing variations of "You Really Got a Hold On Me" (watch out for the letter U - it can get rather possessive) and "1,2,3,4", respectively.
So it's the music that I remember best about Sesame Street.
From what little I've seen of Sesame Street these days it's quite different from when I grew up. But if I should ever have the good fortune to become a father one of these days I will probably start watching it again. I can only hope.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Difference Between War & Terrorism
Here's part of a comment I received concerning my post on Palestinians tearing down a portion of the Israeli security fence today:
Israel can argue the wall is security against terrorism, but the terrorism is only a result of an oppressive situation they created. They fight terrorism with terrorism (e.g., the Gaze (sic) invasion).
This statement begs so many questions.
Is this reader telling me that the Palestinians were practitioners of Gandhian non-violence prior to the erection of the security fence?
Is the reader unaware of the rampant suicide bombings caused as result of people entering Israel from Gaza and the West Bank?
Is the reader unaware how Palestinian educational, religious, political and media institutions encouraged this behavior?
How would the reader have suggested Israel address this problem if building a security fence is a bad idea?
With regard to Israel's defensive military operations in Gaza, is the reader unaware of the rocket attacks being launched into Israel from Gaza despite the fact all the settlements had long ago been evacuated?
Is the reader unaware these attacks are eminating from a place whose government's primary objective is the destruction of the State of Israel?
Does the reader believe Israel does not have the right to protect itself from these wanton attacks?
Finally, is the reader unable to understand the difference between war and terrorism?
Israel can argue the wall is security against terrorism, but the terrorism is only a result of an oppressive situation they created. They fight terrorism with terrorism (e.g., the Gaze (sic) invasion).
This statement begs so many questions.
Is this reader telling me that the Palestinians were practitioners of Gandhian non-violence prior to the erection of the security fence?
Is the reader unaware of the rampant suicide bombings caused as result of people entering Israel from Gaza and the West Bank?
Is the reader unaware how Palestinian educational, religious, political and media institutions encouraged this behavior?
How would the reader have suggested Israel address this problem if building a security fence is a bad idea?
With regard to Israel's defensive military operations in Gaza, is the reader unaware of the rocket attacks being launched into Israel from Gaza despite the fact all the settlements had long ago been evacuated?
Is the reader unaware these attacks are eminating from a place whose government's primary objective is the destruction of the State of Israel?
Does the reader believe Israel does not have the right to protect itself from these wanton attacks?
Finally, is the reader unable to understand the difference between war and terrorism?
Palestinians Mock the Meaning of The Berlin Wall
A group of Palestinians broke apart a section of Israel's separation fence along the West Bank today in commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Abdullah Abu Rahma, the chief organizer of this act of hooliganism, states:
This is the beginning of the activities, which we do, to express our hold on our land, and our refusal to this wall - the wall of torture, the wall of humiliation.
The tendency towards self pity and a lack of personal responsibility in Palestinians never ceases to amaze me. So let's get things straight.
The Berlin Wall kept East Germans in. Israel's separation fence keeps Palestinian terrorists out.
It's funny how the Palestinians never speak of going into Israel and blowing themselves up on buses and then setting off another suicide bomb when the EMTs come to help the wounded.
The Palestinians who think they are comemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall are only mocking it and those who died trying to escape totalitarianism in East Germany. There is no common ground between them.
Abdullah Abu Rahma, the chief organizer of this act of hooliganism, states:
This is the beginning of the activities, which we do, to express our hold on our land, and our refusal to this wall - the wall of torture, the wall of humiliation.
The tendency towards self pity and a lack of personal responsibility in Palestinians never ceases to amaze me. So let's get things straight.
The Berlin Wall kept East Germans in. Israel's separation fence keeps Palestinian terrorists out.
It's funny how the Palestinians never speak of going into Israel and blowing themselves up on buses and then setting off another suicide bomb when the EMTs come to help the wounded.
The Palestinians who think they are comemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall are only mocking it and those who died trying to escape totalitarianism in East Germany. There is no common ground between them.
Iran Charges Three Americans with Espionage
Iran is openly mocking us.
Today, they have charged three Americans with espionage. Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were detained by Iranian authorities after they unintentionally crossed into Iranian territory while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan.
This is Roxana Saberi all over again.
They'll try the Americans, convict them, sentence them to a dozen years of hard labor and then after the Obama Administration gives them a major concession on the nuclear program or just simply gives them money then they will be released.
There is no way Iran would touch any Americans if they believed there were dire consequences in store for them. When the Ayatollah Khamenei openly mocks President Obama it means they don't take us seriously.
Unless we change course we should be worried. Very worried.
Today, they have charged three Americans with espionage. Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were detained by Iranian authorities after they unintentionally crossed into Iranian territory while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan.
This is Roxana Saberi all over again.
They'll try the Americans, convict them, sentence them to a dozen years of hard labor and then after the Obama Administration gives them a major concession on the nuclear program or just simply gives them money then they will be released.
There is no way Iran would touch any Americans if they believed there were dire consequences in store for them. When the Ayatollah Khamenei openly mocks President Obama it means they don't take us seriously.
Unless we change course we should be worried. Very worried.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall Began on June 12, 1987
Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
But the wall's foundations first shook more than two years earlier when President Reagan spoke at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987 when he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
A whole generation of people have been born into this world since President Reagan uttered those words. A whole generation of people have been born into this world knowing the Berlin Wall as only a historical artifact.
Why is it that Barack Obama saw fit to travel to Berlin to give a speech during the 2008 presidential campaign? Why is it that he does not see fit to travel to Berlin to commemorate this truly historical event that symbolizes the triumph of liberty over totalitarianism?
The White House calls it a scheduling conflict. Is the Obama Administration telling us it didn't know today was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall? Then again what can one expect of a President who thinks the U.S. liberated Auschwitz?
But it might be also that President Obama doesn't really get the historical significance of the Berlin Wall:
Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more – not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.
That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.
The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down.
The Berlin Wall wasn't erected because of a mutual dislike for one another. It was erected by East German Communists to keep their people cloistered from freedom and under the thumb of totalitarianism. Those who tried to flee often paid with a bullet to the skull. The West did not seek Checkpoint Charlie.
Besides when Reagan demanded Gorbachev tear down the wall the State Department was aghast while the liberal media was dismissive.
It short it took old fashioned guts for Reagan to tell Mr. Gorbachev to tear down the wall. That, Mr. Obama, is called leadership. If Ronald Reagan had not spoken his peace then chances are we wouldn't be observing this day. The Berlin Wall might still be standing.
But the wall's foundations first shook more than two years earlier when President Reagan spoke at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987 when he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
A whole generation of people have been born into this world since President Reagan uttered those words. A whole generation of people have been born into this world knowing the Berlin Wall as only a historical artifact.
Why is it that Barack Obama saw fit to travel to Berlin to give a speech during the 2008 presidential campaign? Why is it that he does not see fit to travel to Berlin to commemorate this truly historical event that symbolizes the triumph of liberty over totalitarianism?
The White House calls it a scheduling conflict. Is the Obama Administration telling us it didn't know today was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall? Then again what can one expect of a President who thinks the U.S. liberated Auschwitz?
But it might be also that President Obama doesn't really get the historical significance of the Berlin Wall:
Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more – not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.
That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.
The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down.
The Berlin Wall wasn't erected because of a mutual dislike for one another. It was erected by East German Communists to keep their people cloistered from freedom and under the thumb of totalitarianism. Those who tried to flee often paid with a bullet to the skull. The West did not seek Checkpoint Charlie.
Besides when Reagan demanded Gorbachev tear down the wall the State Department was aghast while the liberal media was dismissive.
It short it took old fashioned guts for Reagan to tell Mr. Gorbachev to tear down the wall. That, Mr. Obama, is called leadership. If Ronald Reagan had not spoken his peace then chances are we wouldn't be observing this day. The Berlin Wall might still be standing.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Pawlenty Has Plenty of Work to do for 2012
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is often mentioned as a possible standard bearer for the GOP in 2012.
I just finished watching the speech he delivered last night at an Iowa Republican fundraising event on C-SPAN. It wasn't very good. Pawlenty was trying to be something he isn't - a fiery orator. Taking a cue from President Obama, he frequently asked his audience, "Are you fired up?" They weren't. By all appearances they appeared to be annoyed or on the verge of falling asleep. His anecdotes had little resonance and his jokes fell flat. The audience appeared uncomfortable when he referred to Mary Pawlenty as his "smokin' hot wife." She is quite attractive but it seemed to strike the wrong chord. Only when Pawlenty talked about God towards the end of his speech did I ever sense he connected with the audience.
Pawlenty is a smart guy. He was twice elected as a Republican Governor in a very liberal state. He has more experiencing governing than both Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. But if he wants to reach a national audience he needs to sharpen his communication skills. Pawlenty does have time to refine his delivery. But he's going to have an uphill battle against Palin and Romney who are more confident in their speaking style and have a bigger fan base.
I also found Pawlenty's choice of entrance music to be odd - "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's a good song but it's an anti-Vietnam War anthem. Apparently I'm not the only one. If Pawlenty is keen on CCR I would pick a song like "Up Around The Bend." It's much more upbeat. Consider these lyrics that open the song:
There's a place up ahead and I'm goin' just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away if you're goin', leave the sinkin' ship behind
I mean the song is basically saying there's a place to go, come away with me and let's get off this sinking ship. Then again John Fogerty is an Obama supporter. It wouldn't surprise me if he asks Pawlenty to cease and desist if his campaign were to catch on. But that's big if and a maybe. If he's going to mount a serious campaign for the GOP nomination, Tim Pawlenty has plenty of work to do for 2012.
I just finished watching the speech he delivered last night at an Iowa Republican fundraising event on C-SPAN. It wasn't very good. Pawlenty was trying to be something he isn't - a fiery orator. Taking a cue from President Obama, he frequently asked his audience, "Are you fired up?" They weren't. By all appearances they appeared to be annoyed or on the verge of falling asleep. His anecdotes had little resonance and his jokes fell flat. The audience appeared uncomfortable when he referred to Mary Pawlenty as his "smokin' hot wife." She is quite attractive but it seemed to strike the wrong chord. Only when Pawlenty talked about God towards the end of his speech did I ever sense he connected with the audience.
Pawlenty is a smart guy. He was twice elected as a Republican Governor in a very liberal state. He has more experiencing governing than both Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. But if he wants to reach a national audience he needs to sharpen his communication skills. Pawlenty does have time to refine his delivery. But he's going to have an uphill battle against Palin and Romney who are more confident in their speaking style and have a bigger fan base.
I also found Pawlenty's choice of entrance music to be odd - "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's a good song but it's an anti-Vietnam War anthem. Apparently I'm not the only one. If Pawlenty is keen on CCR I would pick a song like "Up Around The Bend." It's much more upbeat. Consider these lyrics that open the song:
There's a place up ahead and I'm goin' just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away if you're goin', leave the sinkin' ship behind
I mean the song is basically saying there's a place to go, come away with me and let's get off this sinking ship. Then again John Fogerty is an Obama supporter. It wouldn't surprise me if he asks Pawlenty to cease and desist if his campaign were to catch on. But that's big if and a maybe. If he's going to mount a serious campaign for the GOP nomination, Tim Pawlenty has plenty of work to do for 2012.
Brother Blue, 1921-2009. R.I.P.
Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill, better known as Brother Blue, died on Tuesday after a short illness. He was 88.
Brother Blue was a storyteller who was a fixture in Cambridge between Central and Harvard Square where he regaled generations of people who came and went. As you can deduce by his name he always dressed in blue.
I didn't know him well but he was a friendly sort. Most of the my encounters with him were at the Out of the Blue Gallery where I have often read my poems. The last time I saw him was in May when my roommate Christopher and I went to see Eric Bogosian read from his novel Perforated Heart at Porter Square Books. Blue got up to speak and he gushed in praise of Bogosian who I don't think was sure what to make of him. Alas, neither Christopher or I had the chance to speak with him. Something both of us regret.
Here's Brother Blue telling a story in Central Square last year. The woman you see in the video is Ruth Edmonds Hill. They were married nearly 60 years. If that doesn't tell you a little something then I'm not sure what will.
Brother Blue was a storyteller who was a fixture in Cambridge between Central and Harvard Square where he regaled generations of people who came and went. As you can deduce by his name he always dressed in blue.
I didn't know him well but he was a friendly sort. Most of the my encounters with him were at the Out of the Blue Gallery where I have often read my poems. The last time I saw him was in May when my roommate Christopher and I went to see Eric Bogosian read from his novel Perforated Heart at Porter Square Books. Blue got up to speak and he gushed in praise of Bogosian who I don't think was sure what to make of him. Alas, neither Christopher or I had the chance to speak with him. Something both of us regret.
Here's Brother Blue telling a story in Central Square last year. The woman you see in the video is Ruth Edmonds Hill. They were married nearly 60 years. If that doesn't tell you a little something then I'm not sure what will.
UN Kicks Out Pro-Israel Advocate
A pro-Israel advocate was escorted off the premises of the UN after she spoke out against the UN General Assembly's decision to endorse The Goldstone Report on Thursday.
Speaking to the press outside the General Assembly, Anne Bayefsky criticized the General Assembly for not including Hamas in its resolution much to the chagrin of the Palestinian delegation. Indeed, the Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour asked, "Did we capture them?"
A spokesman for UN General Assembly President Ali Treki of Libya states Bayefsky was removed from UN premises because representatives of NGOs are not authorized to speak at microphone outside the General Assembly. Bayefsky is the Director of the Touro College Institute on Human Rights and The Holocaust. But Bayefsky notes that other NGOs such as Human Rights Watch have spoken at the same microphone without incident. She went on to state, "I am quite sure that if I had congratulated the United Nations, no one would have said anything." Truers words were never spoken.
In 2004, Bayefsky launched a website called Eye on the UN which monitors its daily shenanigans. Several of my articles critical of the UN can be found on the site.
Speaking to the press outside the General Assembly, Anne Bayefsky criticized the General Assembly for not including Hamas in its resolution much to the chagrin of the Palestinian delegation. Indeed, the Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour asked, "Did we capture them?"
A spokesman for UN General Assembly President Ali Treki of Libya states Bayefsky was removed from UN premises because representatives of NGOs are not authorized to speak at microphone outside the General Assembly. Bayefsky is the Director of the Touro College Institute on Human Rights and The Holocaust. But Bayefsky notes that other NGOs such as Human Rights Watch have spoken at the same microphone without incident. She went on to state, "I am quite sure that if I had congratulated the United Nations, no one would have said anything." Truers words were never spoken.
In 2004, Bayefsky launched a website called Eye on the UN which monitors its daily shenanigans. Several of my articles critical of the UN can be found on the site.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Gross Miscarriage of Justice in Canada
When I spoke with my mother this afternoon she told me about a gross miscarriage of justice in Toronto involving a store owner and a shoplifter.
Last spring, a man named Anthony Bennett stole $60 worth of plants from David Chen's store on Dundas Street West in Toronto's Chinatown. Bennett has a long history of shoplifting and is a crack addict to boot. In short, he is a menace.
When Bennett returned to the store an hour later, Chen had enough. He and two of his employees chased him, caught him, confined him with twine, threw him into a van and then called the police.
So how were Mr. Chen and his employees awarded? They were arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful confinement and a weapons charge (Chen had a boxcutter in his possession but it was never used.)
Needless to say, the good people of Toronto were outraged at this nonsense and have rallied to Chen's defense. The Crown prosecutor (the Canadian equivalent of the District Attorney) has since dropped the kidnapping and weapons charges but Chen and his employees still face those assault and confinement charges. If convicted, they could face up to two years in jail.
As for Mr. Bennett, he was charged with petty theft and had his sentenced reduced to 30 days because he has agreed to testify against Chen and his co-defendants at their trial.
I can just imagine what Bennett's testimony might sound like:
I was high on crack and decided to steal some plants. I realize I didn't have enough so I went back for some more and the store owner got mad at me and chased me for no reason. He violated my rights.
The Montreal Gazette has an excellent editorial on the Chen case:
Public opinion cannot justify any crime, and we do need protection against vigilante justice. But what crime did Chen intend to commit? This prosecution is so utterly perverse that it has already earned the justice system considerable contempt.
Unless the Crown drops all charges, Chen and his employees are set to go on trial in June 2010.
Last spring, a man named Anthony Bennett stole $60 worth of plants from David Chen's store on Dundas Street West in Toronto's Chinatown. Bennett has a long history of shoplifting and is a crack addict to boot. In short, he is a menace.
When Bennett returned to the store an hour later, Chen had enough. He and two of his employees chased him, caught him, confined him with twine, threw him into a van and then called the police.
So how were Mr. Chen and his employees awarded? They were arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful confinement and a weapons charge (Chen had a boxcutter in his possession but it was never used.)
Needless to say, the good people of Toronto were outraged at this nonsense and have rallied to Chen's defense. The Crown prosecutor (the Canadian equivalent of the District Attorney) has since dropped the kidnapping and weapons charges but Chen and his employees still face those assault and confinement charges. If convicted, they could face up to two years in jail.
As for Mr. Bennett, he was charged with petty theft and had his sentenced reduced to 30 days because he has agreed to testify against Chen and his co-defendants at their trial.
I can just imagine what Bennett's testimony might sound like:
I was high on crack and decided to steal some plants. I realize I didn't have enough so I went back for some more and the store owner got mad at me and chased me for no reason. He violated my rights.
The Montreal Gazette has an excellent editorial on the Chen case:
Public opinion cannot justify any crime, and we do need protection against vigilante justice. But what crime did Chen intend to commit? This prosecution is so utterly perverse that it has already earned the justice system considerable contempt.
Unless the Crown drops all charges, Chen and his employees are set to go on trial in June 2010.
Obama: "We Can't Fully Know What Leads A Man To Do Such A Thing."
In his weekly address to the nation, President Obama spoke about the shooting at Fort Hood which claimed the lives of thirteen people, twelve of them soldiers.
He described the actions of Major Nidal Malik Hasan (who he did not mention by name) as a "terrible crime" rather than an act of terrorism.
Well, at least he didn't call it a domestic contingency operation.
I was struck though by this sentence:
We can't fully know what leads a man to do such a thing.
Perhaps. But when a man shouts "Allahu Akbar" and then starts shooting everyone in sight I think we have a pretty good idea of what happened.
I think President Obama has a pretty good idea of what happened but cannot and will not bring himself to admit it in public. To do so would cause him to lose face with his most fervent supporters.
After all, it was President Obama who declared last April, "We are not at war with Islam."
The President can make these declarations all he wants. It doesn't mean that Islam is not at war with us.
He described the actions of Major Nidal Malik Hasan (who he did not mention by name) as a "terrible crime" rather than an act of terrorism.
Well, at least he didn't call it a domestic contingency operation.
I was struck though by this sentence:
We can't fully know what leads a man to do such a thing.
Perhaps. But when a man shouts "Allahu Akbar" and then starts shooting everyone in sight I think we have a pretty good idea of what happened.
I think President Obama has a pretty good idea of what happened but cannot and will not bring himself to admit it in public. To do so would cause him to lose face with his most fervent supporters.
After all, it was President Obama who declared last April, "We are not at war with Islam."
The President can make these declarations all he wants. It doesn't mean that Islam is not at war with us.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Shooting at Office Building in Orlando
It is being reported that two people have been killed and six people have been injured after a gunman opened fire at a high rise in Orlando, Florida today.
It is also being reported that the gunman was a former employee with one of the companies in the building and is still at large.
I realize with all the confusion that reigned yesterday it is difficult to ascertain the accuracy of these things.
But in light of what occurred at Fort Hood yesterday it is too much to bear.
It is also being reported that the gunman was a former employee with one of the companies in the building and is still at large.
I realize with all the confusion that reigned yesterday it is difficult to ascertain the accuracy of these things.
But in light of what occurred at Fort Hood yesterday it is too much to bear.
A Flurry of Off Season Moves in MLB
Less than 48 hours after the Yankees won the World Series there has been a flurry of player movement already.
Seattle Mariners claim pitcher Yusmeiro Petit off of waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks
This is an intriguing move. Petit had a lousy season with the D'Backs in 2009 with a 3-10 record and a 5.82 ERA. But the Mariners ace is fellow Venezuelan Felix Hernandez. If Hernandez can show a thing or two to his countryman then watch out.
Kansas City Royals trade outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for third baseman Josh Fields and second baseman Chris Getz; White Sox buy out the contract of Jermaine Dye
Teahen is on the cusp of greatness and being traded to a contending ballclub might be the spark that he needs. Teahen is also younger and speedier in the outfield. It thus rendered Jermaine Dye expendable. But Dye can still make a contribution somewhere. He could be useful on a club like the San Francisco Giants or the Cincinnati Reds.
The addition of Fields and Getz to the Royals infield is interesting. Are the Royals growing impatient with Alex Gordon's lack of progress at third? Will the presence of Getz move Alberto Callaspo to short and leave Yuniesky Betancourt on the bench?
Florida Marlins trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida to the Boston Red Sox for minor league pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez
Hermida was the Marlins number one draft pick in 2002 but has never lived up to his potential. It is unclear for the moment what is role will be on the Sox. Is he going to be a fourth or fifth outfielder? Or will he replace Jason Bay in left field if they can't re-sign him or sign Matt Holliday? If it is the latter then Hermida has some very big shoes to fill in front of the Green Monster.
The Marlins, meanwhile, get two southpaws. Jones appeared in 11 games out of the bullpen with the Sox in 2009 with an ERA of over 9.00. If one of the two works out well for the Marlins then it is a good deal.
Milwaukee Brewers trade shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez
The Brewers and Twins traded a pair of .229 hitters. Hardy has pop in his bat. He hit 26 and 24 homeruns for the Brew Crew in 2007 and 2008 but fell to 11 dingers in 2009. In fact, Hardy was demoted to Triple-A Nashville briefly in July. If Hardy can regain his form the Twins will have a potent heart of the order with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. However, it also probably means that Orlando Cabrera will play elsewhere in 2010.
As for Gomez lost playing time to Denard Span in 2009. He's not a very good outfielder, doesn't have great baseball instincts and I don't see him lodging Mike Cameron from centerfield. On the other hand, the Brewers do need some speed at the top of the order and he did steal 33 bases in 2008. Ryan Braun and Corey Hart were the only Brewers who were in double digits in steals last season and they aren't paid to steal bases. Yet I think the Twins probably got the better of this deal.
Seattle Mariners claim pitcher Yusmeiro Petit off of waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks
This is an intriguing move. Petit had a lousy season with the D'Backs in 2009 with a 3-10 record and a 5.82 ERA. But the Mariners ace is fellow Venezuelan Felix Hernandez. If Hernandez can show a thing or two to his countryman then watch out.
Kansas City Royals trade outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for third baseman Josh Fields and second baseman Chris Getz; White Sox buy out the contract of Jermaine Dye
Teahen is on the cusp of greatness and being traded to a contending ballclub might be the spark that he needs. Teahen is also younger and speedier in the outfield. It thus rendered Jermaine Dye expendable. But Dye can still make a contribution somewhere. He could be useful on a club like the San Francisco Giants or the Cincinnati Reds.
The addition of Fields and Getz to the Royals infield is interesting. Are the Royals growing impatient with Alex Gordon's lack of progress at third? Will the presence of Getz move Alberto Callaspo to short and leave Yuniesky Betancourt on the bench?
Florida Marlins trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida to the Boston Red Sox for minor league pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez
Hermida was the Marlins number one draft pick in 2002 but has never lived up to his potential. It is unclear for the moment what is role will be on the Sox. Is he going to be a fourth or fifth outfielder? Or will he replace Jason Bay in left field if they can't re-sign him or sign Matt Holliday? If it is the latter then Hermida has some very big shoes to fill in front of the Green Monster.
The Marlins, meanwhile, get two southpaws. Jones appeared in 11 games out of the bullpen with the Sox in 2009 with an ERA of over 9.00. If one of the two works out well for the Marlins then it is a good deal.
Milwaukee Brewers trade shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez
The Brewers and Twins traded a pair of .229 hitters. Hardy has pop in his bat. He hit 26 and 24 homeruns for the Brew Crew in 2007 and 2008 but fell to 11 dingers in 2009. In fact, Hardy was demoted to Triple-A Nashville briefly in July. If Hardy can regain his form the Twins will have a potent heart of the order with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. However, it also probably means that Orlando Cabrera will play elsewhere in 2010.
As for Gomez lost playing time to Denard Span in 2009. He's not a very good outfielder, doesn't have great baseball instincts and I don't see him lodging Mike Cameron from centerfield. On the other hand, the Brewers do need some speed at the top of the order and he did steal 33 bases in 2008. Ryan Braun and Corey Hart were the only Brewers who were in double digits in steals last season and they aren't paid to steal bases. Yet I think the Twins probably got the better of this deal.
Hasan Shouted, "Allahu Akbar"
According to witnesses, as Nidal Malik Hasan was in the act of committing mass murder at Fort Hood yesterday he shouted, "Allahu Akbar."
For those who don't know this means, "God is Great," in English. It is the calling card of Muslim terrorists.
Military officials are also trying to ascertain if Hasan was the author of a blog post that equated suicide bombers with a soldier who jumps on a live grenade to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Suicide bombers try to take as many people with them as possible. They are not trying to save anyone. Hasan certainly wasn't on any rescue mission yesterday. If this was his mindset then that should have a raised a red flag. He should have been subject to some sort of disciplinary action.
In fact, I think Hasan should have been discharged from the military and it appears he made efforts towards that end. If a soldier publicly expresses solidarity and sympathy with our enemies and any other individuals who would harm his fellow soldiers then there is no place for him or her in the U.S. military.
Of course, this isn't to say that would have solved the problem entirely. Hasan could have received a military discharge and then proceeded to attack civilians. Yet our military can hardly fulfill its obligations to protect us if our soldiers are in danger from amongst those within their own ranks.
For those who don't know this means, "God is Great," in English. It is the calling card of Muslim terrorists.
Military officials are also trying to ascertain if Hasan was the author of a blog post that equated suicide bombers with a soldier who jumps on a live grenade to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Suicide bombers try to take as many people with them as possible. They are not trying to save anyone. Hasan certainly wasn't on any rescue mission yesterday. If this was his mindset then that should have a raised a red flag. He should have been subject to some sort of disciplinary action.
In fact, I think Hasan should have been discharged from the military and it appears he made efforts towards that end. If a soldier publicly expresses solidarity and sympathy with our enemies and any other individuals who would harm his fellow soldiers then there is no place for him or her in the U.S. military.
Of course, this isn't to say that would have solved the problem entirely. Hasan could have received a military discharge and then proceeded to attack civilians. Yet our military can hardly fulfill its obligations to protect us if our soldiers are in danger from amongst those within their own ranks.
Unemployment Hits 10.2%
The national unemployment rate hit double digits in October.
To be precise, it stands at 10.2%. It marks the highest unemployment rate in this country's history since April 1983 when unemployment also stood at 10.2%. So a whole generation of Americans never knew what double digit unemployment meant. Until now.
Of course, some states such as Michigan have experienced double digit unemployment for some time now. As of September, their unemployment rate was 15.3%.
Obviously, there's a psychological impact when unemployment hits double digits particularly amongst those who have just found themselves unemployed and for those who have been struggling to find any kind of work for months.
Yet it must be remembered that double digit unemployment prevailed during an extended period of Ronald Reagan's first term in office. Between September 1982 and June 1983, the national unemployment rate was over 10%. The unemployment rate hit its peak of 10.8% in November and December 1982. But two years later, the unemployment rate had fallen nearly 3.5% and Reagan won 49 out of 50 states. President Obama has another three years before he goes to the polls. The point here is that time is on his side. But will he make wise use of it?
To be precise, it stands at 10.2%. It marks the highest unemployment rate in this country's history since April 1983 when unemployment also stood at 10.2%. So a whole generation of Americans never knew what double digit unemployment meant. Until now.
Of course, some states such as Michigan have experienced double digit unemployment for some time now. As of September, their unemployment rate was 15.3%.
Obviously, there's a psychological impact when unemployment hits double digits particularly amongst those who have just found themselves unemployed and for those who have been struggling to find any kind of work for months.
Yet it must be remembered that double digit unemployment prevailed during an extended period of Ronald Reagan's first term in office. Between September 1982 and June 1983, the national unemployment rate was over 10%. The unemployment rate hit its peak of 10.8% in November and December 1982. But two years later, the unemployment rate had fallen nearly 3.5% and Reagan won 49 out of 50 states. President Obama has another three years before he goes to the polls. The point here is that time is on his side. But will he make wise use of it?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Hasan Acted Alone & Is Alive
I saw the press conference by Lt. General Robert Cone where he revealed that Major Nidal Malik Hasan was the only perpetrator and is in fact alive although wounded. It was reported he had been killed.
It also turns out Hasan was a psychiatrist whose job it was to help soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Prior to coming to Fort Hood, Hasan had worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC.
One of Hasan's former colleagues was interviewed by both Shephard Smith and Sean Hannity. Terry Lee, a retired colonel, noted a change in attitude from Hasan. Lee stated that Hasan objected to the U.S. presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq, was impatient with President Obama not winding these wars down sooner and did not believe Muslims should be fighting one another. Perhaps most disturbing of all, Lee said that Hasan praised the murder of Private William Long, a military recruiter in Little Rock, Arkansas, who was gunned down by a Muslim named Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad last June.
Now it is also alleged that Hasan had been subject to harassment due to his Middle Eastern background (he is of Jordanian descent.) But given the military's efforts to recruit people with the ability to speak Arabic this is surprising and given Hasan's mental state and subsequent actions one wonders about the accuracy of these claims.
But Hasan's statements do raise red flags especially regarding the murder of Private Long. One must wonder what steps, if any, the military took to address these concerns. As it stands, whatever action they took, it wasn't enough.
It also turns out Hasan was a psychiatrist whose job it was to help soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Prior to coming to Fort Hood, Hasan had worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC.
One of Hasan's former colleagues was interviewed by both Shephard Smith and Sean Hannity. Terry Lee, a retired colonel, noted a change in attitude from Hasan. Lee stated that Hasan objected to the U.S. presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq, was impatient with President Obama not winding these wars down sooner and did not believe Muslims should be fighting one another. Perhaps most disturbing of all, Lee said that Hasan praised the murder of Private William Long, a military recruiter in Little Rock, Arkansas, who was gunned down by a Muslim named Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad last June.
Now it is also alleged that Hasan had been subject to harassment due to his Middle Eastern background (he is of Jordanian descent.) But given the military's efforts to recruit people with the ability to speak Arabic this is surprising and given Hasan's mental state and subsequent actions one wonders about the accuracy of these claims.
But Hasan's statements do raise red flags especially regarding the murder of Private Long. One must wonder what steps, if any, the military took to address these concerns. As it stands, whatever action they took, it wasn't enough.
Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan ID'ed as One of Fort Hood Shooters
One of the shooters in the massacre at the Fort Hood Army Post was an Army Major and a Muslim.
His name was Malik Nadal Hasan and he was about to be deployed to Iraq according to Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Hasan has been killed and two other suspects who have yet to be identified have also been apprehended.
As of this writing, twelve soldiers are dead and 31 people have been wounded in what must now definitely considered a terrorist attack.
His name was Malik Nadal Hasan and he was about to be deployed to Iraq according to Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Hasan has been killed and two other suspects who have yet to be identified have also been apprehended.
As of this writing, twelve soldiers are dead and 31 people have been wounded in what must now definitely considered a terrorist attack.
Girardi a Champ On & Off the Field
Only hours after Yankees manager Joe Girardi held up the World Series trophy he was holding up his hands trying to alert authorities after coming to the aid of a young woman whose car had crashed into a wall on the Cross County Parkway in Westchester County. The woman, Marie Henry of Stratford, Connecticut, walked away from the crash declining medical attention.
Needless to say, Joe Girardi is a champion both on and off the field.
Needless to say, Joe Girardi is a champion both on and off the field.
Shooting at Fort Hood Kills Seven; Wounds Twenty
There has been a shooting at the Fort Hood U.S. Army Post in Kileen, Texas. Thus far it has claimed the lives of seven people while twenty others have been wounded. It is believed the shootings were committed by at least two individuals one of whom is still on the loose. The shooting took place during a graduation ceremony.
It is unknown if the victims were civilians or soldiers. The assailants are believed to be wearing military uniforms but it is not known if they are military personnel.
I have a creepy feeling in my skin this could be an act of terrorism. I say this because there are multiple assailants involved. There have been altercations between soldiers at Fort Hood that have resulted in fatalities but those incidents involved one soldier against another not the work of multiple assailants.
If there is more than one shooter it could be the work of soldiers who failed to graduate and are seeking revenge. Or perhaps it could be the work of anti-war activists who decided to protest by not so peaceful means. It could also be the work of soldiers who fell under the influence of anti-war protesters, found they were going to be deployed to Afghanistan and then decided they weren't going. One must also consider an Islamic component although no evidence of that has been presented to this point. Or it could have absolutely nothing to do with what I have described above.
Whatever the reason the only that is clear right now is that seven people are dead.
It is unknown if the victims were civilians or soldiers. The assailants are believed to be wearing military uniforms but it is not known if they are military personnel.
I have a creepy feeling in my skin this could be an act of terrorism. I say this because there are multiple assailants involved. There have been altercations between soldiers at Fort Hood that have resulted in fatalities but those incidents involved one soldier against another not the work of multiple assailants.
If there is more than one shooter it could be the work of soldiers who failed to graduate and are seeking revenge. Or perhaps it could be the work of anti-war activists who decided to protest by not so peaceful means. It could also be the work of soldiers who fell under the influence of anti-war protesters, found they were going to be deployed to Afghanistan and then decided they weren't going. One must also consider an Islamic component although no evidence of that has been presented to this point. Or it could have absolutely nothing to do with what I have described above.
Whatever the reason the only that is clear right now is that seven people are dead.
Riggins Criticizes Goodell Over His Treatment of Rush
John Riggins, the Washington Redskins legendary running back during the late 1970s and early 1980s, doesn't like the way the Redskins are going right now.
With a 2-5 record this season who would be?
Riggins places the blame squarely on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder whom he called "a bad guy" on Showtime's Inside the NFL last night. Now, there's bad blood between Riggins and Snyder so one can take Riggins' comments as one may wish.
But what I found interesting was Riggins' criticism of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
This is a bad guy that owns this team. I'll just tell you that upfront. Bad guy. And if the commissioner is worried about potential new owners and saying some of these guys shouldn't apply, he might want to police his own inside guys.
Riggins didn't mention Rush Limbaugh by name but it is clear who he was speaking about. Goodell had criticized Limbaugh for his "divisive comments" about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2003.
Yes, I have been equally critical of Rush's comments on McNabb. But as I have also noted Rush should have been allowed to make his case and then Goodell could confront him directly with his concerns.
With a 2-5 record this season who would be?
Riggins places the blame squarely on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder whom he called "a bad guy" on Showtime's Inside the NFL last night. Now, there's bad blood between Riggins and Snyder so one can take Riggins' comments as one may wish.
But what I found interesting was Riggins' criticism of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
This is a bad guy that owns this team. I'll just tell you that upfront. Bad guy. And if the commissioner is worried about potential new owners and saying some of these guys shouldn't apply, he might want to police his own inside guys.
Riggins didn't mention Rush Limbaugh by name but it is clear who he was speaking about. Goodell had criticized Limbaugh for his "divisive comments" about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2003.
Yes, I have been equally critical of Rush's comments on McNabb. But as I have also noted Rush should have been allowed to make his case and then Goodell could confront him directly with his concerns.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Daniel Hannan vs. David Cameron
Daniel Hannan, a Conservative Member of the European Parliament, who became a YouTube sensation after he delivered a short speech in which he lambasted the economic policies of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now set his sights on Conservative Party leader David Cameron.
Hannan has resigned as the Conservative Party's Legal Affairs spokesman in the European Parliament. He did so after Cameron announced he would not hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty for at least four to five years after a Conservative government was elected in Britain.
While Hannan was quick to say that Cameron would be "a million times better" as Prime Minister than Brown this should give pause to those hoping for a Tory victory in Britain. To employ an oversued cliché this isn't your father's Conservative Party. One must wonder if there would be any discernible difference between a Labour and a Tory government especially in a Britain that is subservient to Europe. Granted British subservience to Europe has been happening for some time now. But given there's a significant segment of the population in Britain that does not wish to live in a federalized Europe their ought to be a direct vote on the matter.
If Cameron does not reconsider his decision he might very well have a full scale revolt on his hands. This is precisely what he doesn't want in lieu of the fact the Tories have a 17 point lead on Labour in a recent poll. So why snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
Anyone who thinks there is a civil war amongst Republicans has nothing on Britain's Conservatives.
Hannan has resigned as the Conservative Party's Legal Affairs spokesman in the European Parliament. He did so after Cameron announced he would not hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty for at least four to five years after a Conservative government was elected in Britain.
While Hannan was quick to say that Cameron would be "a million times better" as Prime Minister than Brown this should give pause to those hoping for a Tory victory in Britain. To employ an oversued cliché this isn't your father's Conservative Party. One must wonder if there would be any discernible difference between a Labour and a Tory government especially in a Britain that is subservient to Europe. Granted British subservience to Europe has been happening for some time now. But given there's a significant segment of the population in Britain that does not wish to live in a federalized Europe their ought to be a direct vote on the matter.
If Cameron does not reconsider his decision he might very well have a full scale revolt on his hands. This is precisely what he doesn't want in lieu of the fact the Tories have a 17 point lead on Labour in a recent poll. So why snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
Anyone who thinks there is a civil war amongst Republicans has nothing on Britain's Conservatives.
Uggghhh!!!! Yankees Win World Series
The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 to win the 2009 World Series. It marks the first time the Yankees have won the Fall Classic since 2000. In all, it is their 27th World Series title.
Hideki Matsui went 3 for 4 with a home run and drove in six runs. Matsui was also named World Series MVP. He went 8 for 13 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. Matsui is a free agent. At 35 and limited to DH duty, the Yankees might not offer him a contract for 2010. If this was Matsui's last game as a Yankee then he went out in a blaze of glory.
Yes, I am the guy who picked the Yankeees to finish last this season. My subsequent articles lauding Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera might not be enough to dissuade the inevitable onslaught of e-mail from Yankees fans with nothing better to do. Suffice it to say, manager Joe Girardi has bought himself a measure of job security.
The Phillies got stellar performances from Cliff Lee, who won Games 1 and 5, and from Chase Utley, who tied a World Series record with five home runs. Reggie Jackson hit five home runs in the 1977 World Series for - who else? - the New York Yankees.
Ryan Howard, on the other hand, had a World Series he'd rather forget. Although Howard did hit a two run home run tonight he also set a World Series record by striking out 13 times. The record had been held by Willie Wilson who struck out 12 times in the 1980 World Series for the Kansas City Royals against - who else? - the Phillies. In fact, Wilson's final strikeout came at the hands of the late Tug McGraw and it resulted in the Phillies clinching their first World Series title. As for Howard, he had been swinging a hot bat and was the NLCS MVP against the Dodgers. But the one week layoff messed up his timing at the plate and he wasn't much of a factor.
So are the Yankees going to party like it's 1996? When the Yankees beat the Braves in the '96 Series they defeated a team that had won the World Series the previous year. The Yankees would then win three more World Series in the next four years. It sure felt like 1996 with the likes of Andy Pettitte (who started tonight's game), Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi, who was a catcher on that team. On the other hand, the Yankees also have the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. So yes they went out and bought a World Series. But they spent their money well.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tendency of the Yankees to win World Series during Democratic administrations. Not winning a World Series in nine years meant they didn't win one during the Bush Administration (although they did play in the 2001 and 2003 World Series.) The last time the Yankees won a World Series during a Republican administration was in 1958 when Dwight Eisenhower was in office. The Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in seven games. Of the 27 World Series titles won by the Yankees, twenty of them occurred when Democratic Presidents were in office. If this isn't reason enough not to elect a Democratic President then I don't know what is.
If there is one good thing that comes of it is that my Dad is in New York. He could hear the reverie outside his Upper West Side apartment so he went to check things out. I'm sure he'll enjoy the World Series Parade. I've been to two of them here in Boston. They are a lot of fun.
And with that another baseball season has come to a close. But there's still the MLB Network. That is unless they rerun Yankees World Series triumphs all winter.
Hideki Matsui went 3 for 4 with a home run and drove in six runs. Matsui was also named World Series MVP. He went 8 for 13 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. Matsui is a free agent. At 35 and limited to DH duty, the Yankees might not offer him a contract for 2010. If this was Matsui's last game as a Yankee then he went out in a blaze of glory.
Yes, I am the guy who picked the Yankeees to finish last this season. My subsequent articles lauding Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera might not be enough to dissuade the inevitable onslaught of e-mail from Yankees fans with nothing better to do. Suffice it to say, manager Joe Girardi has bought himself a measure of job security.
The Phillies got stellar performances from Cliff Lee, who won Games 1 and 5, and from Chase Utley, who tied a World Series record with five home runs. Reggie Jackson hit five home runs in the 1977 World Series for - who else? - the New York Yankees.
Ryan Howard, on the other hand, had a World Series he'd rather forget. Although Howard did hit a two run home run tonight he also set a World Series record by striking out 13 times. The record had been held by Willie Wilson who struck out 12 times in the 1980 World Series for the Kansas City Royals against - who else? - the Phillies. In fact, Wilson's final strikeout came at the hands of the late Tug McGraw and it resulted in the Phillies clinching their first World Series title. As for Howard, he had been swinging a hot bat and was the NLCS MVP against the Dodgers. But the one week layoff messed up his timing at the plate and he wasn't much of a factor.
So are the Yankees going to party like it's 1996? When the Yankees beat the Braves in the '96 Series they defeated a team that had won the World Series the previous year. The Yankees would then win three more World Series in the next four years. It sure felt like 1996 with the likes of Andy Pettitte (who started tonight's game), Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi, who was a catcher on that team. On the other hand, the Yankees also have the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. So yes they went out and bought a World Series. But they spent their money well.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tendency of the Yankees to win World Series during Democratic administrations. Not winning a World Series in nine years meant they didn't win one during the Bush Administration (although they did play in the 2001 and 2003 World Series.) The last time the Yankees won a World Series during a Republican administration was in 1958 when Dwight Eisenhower was in office. The Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in seven games. Of the 27 World Series titles won by the Yankees, twenty of them occurred when Democratic Presidents were in office. If this isn't reason enough not to elect a Democratic President then I don't know what is.
If there is one good thing that comes of it is that my Dad is in New York. He could hear the reverie outside his Upper West Side apartment so he went to check things out. I'm sure he'll enjoy the World Series Parade. I've been to two of them here in Boston. They are a lot of fun.
And with that another baseball season has come to a close. But there's still the MLB Network. That is unless they rerun Yankees World Series triumphs all winter.
Poor Vicente Padilla
Pitcher Vicente Padilla has had a rough couple of months.
Back in July, Padilla was diagnosed with the H1N1 flu.
Yesterday, Padilla accidentally shot himself in the leg while hunting in his native Nicaragua.
In between all this, Padilla was released by the Texas Rangers due to his unpopularity in the clubhouse. However, the 32-year old righthander was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers and he pitched well for them. He went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA down the stretch en route to a NL West Divisional Championship.
Padilla then pitched seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals earning the win that would advance the Dodgers to the NLCS against the Phillies. He also pitched well in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Phillies. Although he was not credited with the win it was the only game the Dodgers would win against the Phillies. Alas, he could not repeat those performances in Game 5 of the NLCS where he gave up six runs in three innings and was tagged with the loss in the deciding game that ultimately sent the Phillies to the World Series.
A string of bad luck tends to come in threes. Padilla is undoubtedly treading very lightly.
UPDATE: As it turns out, Padilla didn't shoot himself in the leg. Rather he was practicing target shooting and his instructor accidentally shot him when Padilla handed him the gun. This can't amuse Joe Torre much. Perhaps Padilla should have been a more artful Dodger.
Back in July, Padilla was diagnosed with the H1N1 flu.
Yesterday, Padilla accidentally shot himself in the leg while hunting in his native Nicaragua.
In between all this, Padilla was released by the Texas Rangers due to his unpopularity in the clubhouse. However, the 32-year old righthander was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers and he pitched well for them. He went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA down the stretch en route to a NL West Divisional Championship.
Padilla then pitched seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals earning the win that would advance the Dodgers to the NLCS against the Phillies. He also pitched well in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Phillies. Although he was not credited with the win it was the only game the Dodgers would win against the Phillies. Alas, he could not repeat those performances in Game 5 of the NLCS where he gave up six runs in three innings and was tagged with the loss in the deciding game that ultimately sent the Phillies to the World Series.
A string of bad luck tends to come in threes. Padilla is undoubtedly treading very lightly.
UPDATE: As it turns out, Padilla didn't shoot himself in the leg. Rather he was practicing target shooting and his instructor accidentally shot him when Padilla handed him the gun. This can't amuse Joe Torre much. Perhaps Padilla should have been a more artful Dodger.
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