Neighborhood Bully

Israel's New Government - A Shift To Common Sense

It's official...Tzipi Livni and Kadima will not be part of Israel's new government.

Netanyahu apparently made a decent effort to include Livni and Kadima in a unity government, offering them a decent number of ministries and a chance to draft the new government's policies.Netanyahu also said that he would continue to negotiate with the Palestinians 'for peace' in the future.

Livni turned him down, saying that "Unity is not just sitting in a government together. It also means sharing a way {...}We discussed the issues. I didn't see any commitment on Bibi's part to these issues. The meeting ended without any understandings, and we cannot be part of Netanyahu's government."

Of course the real problem is personal issues of Livni's. She apparently thought that after years of failure being part of the worst government in Israel's history, the voters would just flock to her. Aside from a number of other concessions, she was insisting on rotating the prime ministership with Netanyahu even though the only party endorsing her for the job were her own flacks in Kadima.Even the leftist parties of Labor and Meretz didn't want her in charge.

She now comes across even to many of those that voted for her as basically a conceited, full of herself personality who's put her own ego ahead of her party and her country...which is an entirely accurate portrait of her as far as I'm concerned.

Netanyahu, on the other hand, comes across to Israelis as magnanimous,pragmatic and open minded. He appears looking like he sincerely wanted a national unity government, while Livni and Labor's Ehud Barak who are also likely going to remain in opposition are seen as entirely to blame for that not happening.

Even better, the odds of Kadima surviving out of government until the next election are extremely slim. It was always a cobbled together party with no real principles, and the component parts will gradually drift back to Labor and Likud, depending on their individual politics. Tzipi Livni has likely cut her nose off to spite her face as far as her future political career on any kind of national level is concerned. And as I predicted long ago, Kadima will likely end up like Tommy Lapid's Shinui Party a few years back...a bad joke people barely remember.

Netanyahu will likely form his coalition with Shas, Israel Beiteinu, Habayit Hayehudi, National Union,and possibly UTJ, although don't be surprised if Labor and Ehud Barak come aboard at the last minute. Barak hates Tzipi Livni on a personal level, likely enjoys the opportunity of making her look ridiculous and probably wants to stay as head of the defense ministry if he can convince Labor to go along. There will be some serious horse trading going on, standard for Israeli politics but the last thing anyone wants is to go to elections again.

Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu will likely end up as foreign minister, a job he's already said he wants.

The implications of all this?

First, the Golan, Jerusalem and likely most of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are off the table. Netanyahu's coalition partners won't even entertain the idea, and even if Labor becomes part of the new government, they don't have enough seats to bring the government down if they bolt. Israel Beiteinu's leader Avigdor Lieberman has gone on record as saying he would be willing to trade Israeli territory in the Galilee that is mostly populated by Arabs to the Palestinians as part of an agreement in exchange for land populated by Jews in Judea and Samaria ( AKA the West Bank), but the Palestinians are unlikely to accept this.

The new Israeli government has said in no uncertain terms it will not deal with Hamas as part of a Palestinian 'unity' government. This is only common sense as Abbas and Fatah have no power or legitimacy and a 'unity' government will soon end up as a Hamas state. And it's also legitimate in terms of the agreements signed between the Bush Administration and Israel.

However, it will probably lead to clashes between the pro-Arab Obama Administration and their enablers in the press and Israel.

The prospective new government is already being labeled 'extreme right' and 'hardline' by the usual suspects.

The Obama Administration has already appointed a number of top level advisers whom think that Israel is the problem, and are willing to try to appease the Arabs at Israel's expense. Their position is that if those stubborn Jews simply did what they were told and knuckled under to the Saudi 'peace' ultimatum, unicorns would roam the hills and the sounds of kumbayah would resonate in the entire Middle East.

Needless to say, this is a fantasy, but one with real life costs.

The Obama Administration has already committed to pledge almost a billion dollars of your tax money to help Hamas rebuild Gaza, plus another $20.3 million to help Hamas migrate to America, and they are quite obviously laying the groundwork for the US dealing openly with a genocidal terrorist entity.

Since Hamas is unlikely to change its agenda even as the US urges giving them even more cash, and the Israelis will not deal with a Palestinian government that has Hamas as part of it, the Obama Administration will likely square that particular circle by simply dealing openly with Hamas and rescinding the legal prohibitions on dealing with a terrorist entity...just as the US eventually did with Arafat and Fatah.

Remember, you heard it here first.

Watcher's Council Results, 2/27/09

The Council has spoken! A complete rundown of the voting tallies is here.

The winning entry in the Council category this week was Greg at Rhymes With Right for About The Chimp Cartoon , a fine examination of the fall out from that now famous cartoon featuring Travis the Chimp.

In second place we had a tie between two pieces that oddly enough tackled the same subject from different angles - Bookworm Room with Giving the people what they want, a look at government dependence and expectancy and The Razor for Octomom: A Symbol of Obama’s America - a post that sees in the Palestinian 'mother' Ms. Suleman a symbol for the same thing...and The Colossus of Rhodey's Reaction Eric Holder’s “cowards” comment , a bit of racist demogogery that also attracted my attention this week but got a much better treatment from Hube.

Also getting votes was Cheat-Seeking Missiles for NY Times Finally Covers Hassan Beheading .

In the Non-Council category, the winner was my nomination from The Nose On Your face, Islamic Rage Boy Addresses Muslim TV Exec’s Recent Wife-Beheading. It's a video that will explain much that is confusing about this tasty littel news item.

In second place, we had The Long War Journal with th eself explanoatory Analysis: Pakistan peace agreement cedes ground to the Taliban . Indeed it does.

As always, congratulations not only to the winners but to all the participants.

What's In A Name?

Yaakov at Dry Bones, of course!

Obama Gives Stevie Wonder Library Of Congress Award

There's an interesting connection here.

Stevie Wonder received the Library of Congress Gershwin Award from President Obama today:

President Barack Obama says he won Michelle Obama over with their shared love of the music of Stevie Wonder. During Wednesday's White House presentation to Wonder of the Gershwin Prize — an honor bestowed by the Library of Congress — the president said, "I think it's fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me, we might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship."

Stevie Wonder's appeal for President Obama likely rests on more than just music. They have some history in common.

Back in 1995, the two shared another event - attendence at Louis Farrahkhan's Million Man March, an anti-Semitic orgy sponsored by Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam that took place right in Washington DC, just a short distance from where President Obama gave Wonder his award today.

I remember watching the unsanitized coverage on CSPAN, and seeing Stevie Wonder sitting on the stage, nodding at the bile coming off the stage..and he was by no means the only one. Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, radical poet Maya Angelou, congressman John Conyers all were in attendence and addressed the crowd, as did Wonder.

Barack Hussein Obama was part of that crowd.


Funny how things come around.

JoshuaPundit's Headlines, 2/26/09

All the links you need and nothing you don't... make sure to check back for updates:



$750 Billion More for Bank Aid...to be proposed by Fearless Leader, AKA Obama - Un-freaking believable. He had to know this was coming, yet he pushed through that ridiculous 'stimulus'....amateur hour, people.

Hope 'n Change..New Obama Budget proposes nearly $1 TRILLION IN NEW TAXES

$634billion for Obama's `health-Care Fund'...ouch!

A Radical Presidency - Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal

Obama's Straw Men - Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal

Obama plans to raise revenue via carbon caps - Translation? He's going to bankrupt the coal industry...and we already know how th eadministration feels about domestic oil drilling.

President Takes Aim at Foreign Profits He wants to dramatically increase the taxes on the foreign profits of US multinationals. And yes, it will affect you and your job in a bad way.

Israel's Netanyahu plans to figh trecession by cutting taxes and wasteful spending - I guess he's seen what works, having done it before...

Obama seeks assault weapons ban, further gun controls..- you had to know this was coming...

Slo-Joe Biden gets caught in another whopper This time, in a response to Governor Jindal's speech, where Biden claimed that Louisiana was losing 400 jobs a day. Turns out Slo-Joe was just a mite mistaken...

Plot Thickens: Rod Blagojevich Hired Roland Burris' Son - Hey, it's the Chicago way...and now it's nationwide.

Syrian ambassador to meet top US diplomat in Washington- Yes, things are warming up between Assad and Obama..

Bibi against talks with a Hamas-PA government Looks like the future leader of Israel is going to have some serious disagreements with the current occupant of the White House when it comes to dealing with genocidal terrorists. I hope Netanyahu sticks to his guns on this one.

Pakistani Army Colonel 'Was Involved' in Mumbai Terror Attacks - hey, what a surprise, hmm?

Iran disapproves US special adviser on the Persian Gulf - Originally, that was supposed to be Dennis Ross, but seeing as he's a stinkin' Jooo, the Mullahs said no. So Ross will take southwest Asia ( Pakistan, India, etc.) instead.

Israel launches campaign against UN nuke watchdog chief - Now, this is interesting. Apparently Israel is tired of laying down for Inspector Clouseau ( AKA Mohaammaed El Baradi, head of the UN's IAEC and his lame coverups fro Iran and Syria...meanwhile, Iranian Envoy: IAEA's Repetitious Reports Should Be Stopped .

Misstating the Constitution - Steve Chapman at the Chicago Tribune weighs in on the DC 'voting rights' nonsense.

The Iran-Israel Nuclear End Game Nears - Edwin Black at the Jerusalem Post looks at the way the chess pieces are positioned....

Israel's New Killer Drone Designed To Take Out Iran's Missile Defense

The Israeli air force has a new toy...a killer unmanned drome, the Harop, capable of flying missions of over 600 miles ( 1000 kilometers) into enemy territory, loitering over an area for hours,spotting targets as they become exposed before activation and attacking them before they have a chance to respond:

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a loitering killer drone that has the capability to hunt illusive ground targets, such as anti-aircraft systems and mobile or concealed ballistic missile launchers. This expendable unmanned aerial vehicles, known as Harop, can be launched over a suspected area without specifically acquiring a specific target. Designed to reach targets at distances over 1,000km away, the UAV loiter over a suspected area for hours, spot target as they are exposed before activation and attack them immediately. IAI is already negotiating potential export sales of the weapon with India and Turkey. The company exposed the system for the first time in India, before the Aero-India 2009 airshow. ( JP note- Israel is one of India's main arms suppliers)

Harop resembles an earlier IAI's 'suicide drone' known as Harpy. The main differences are the outer wing extensions, the longer nose and canard foreplane. Like Harpy, Harrop is launched from a vehicle-mounted container. Harop augments the Harpy's RF seeker with an electro-optical sensor, allowing it to acquire and pursue non emitting targets and moving targets, as well as 'quit' targets such as shut-down radars. As a loitering weapon, Harop can also be used against suspected ballistic missile sites, where it can target missile silos and shelters as they are opened before they can fire.

Among other targets, the Harop is capable of targeting and taking out the Russian radar-equipped S-300 anti-air missiles Iran has purchased from Russia to safeguard its nuclear sites before the s-300 is able to attack it....thus taking out little obstructions like surface-to-air batteries and radar installations and opening up Iranian nuke sites to aerial and missile attacks.

I have a feeling that weapons like the Harop in the hands of the Israelis are going to do a lot more to stop the Iran's nukes than Obama's 'negotiations.'

Iran Completes Bushehr Nukes Plant..And Says No Slowdown In Nuclear Program

The mullahs have apparently made a clear answer to President Obama's public abasement on al-Arabiya.

Today, the Russians announced that the Bushehr Nuclear plant has been completed and that only calibrating and testing the components remains.

In addition, the Iranians anounced that they plan to install 50,000centrifuges to enrich uranium over the next five years. The linked article doesn't mention it, but these will be the advanced variety:

"America should face reality and accept living with a nuclear Iran. This acceptance will allow America better access to Iran's (nuclear) market," Aghazadeh said, adding that a fresh nuclear achievement would be announced on April 9.

He did not give details.

Aghazadeh was speaking in Bushehr, in southwest Iran, where Iran is building its first nuclear power plant. Iran said on Wednesday it had carried out successful tests at the Russian- built plant, taking it a step closer to its launch.

"Currently we have 6,000 running centrifuges in Natanz and we will increase our activities to install more by the end of next (Iranian) year (to March 2010)," Aghazadeh said.

It's important to keep in mind that these are just the facilities we know about.

But then, the regular members of Joshua's Army are already aware of that little matter and my feelings on it.

Meanwhile, the current occupant of the White House is choosing to concentrate on doing what he knows best..talking.

That, and obtaining tax dollars for various political allies near and dear to his heart.

The Market Votes On Obama's Speech...

...down over 150 points. It seems like very time the One opens his mouth, the market takes a beating and more of our 401K's and investments evaporate.

I see a real opportunity to make a little coin here. I'll just short everytime Obama is scheduled to make a speech or announce some new economic policy..

Watcher's Council Nominations, 2/25/09

The Watcher's Council is a group of some of the most incisive blogs in the`sphere. Every week, the members nominate two posts each, one of their own and one from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council.

So, let's see what we have this week....and do check out the Watcher's commentary on Obama's little soiree last night...


COUNCIL

Joshuapundit - Holder: US A Nation Of Cowards On Race - 'Post racial environment' anyone? Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder had a few remarks to make about the America that has rewarded his efforts so richly, accusing the country of being 'cowards on race' and citing the need to have a serious conversation on the subject. While I disagree that a national conversation on race is necessary, I'm nothing if not agreeable..provided we can discuss a few items that never seem to make it on to the agenda.

Rhymes With Right - About The Chimp Cartoon - Greg writes this week about the flap caused by that New York Post cartoon linking the shooting of Travis the chimp to the outrageous 'stimulus' bill, which was perceived by some quarters to be racist and directed at Barack Obama.

As he points out, not only was that ridiculous piece of legislation not written by Obama, but the same voices screaming about this were conspicuously silent when another black American came under cartoon attack that was blatantly racist.

And, as I pointed out in a previous piece ( with an assist from Jim Treacher) there are plenty of reasons Obama is nothing at all like Travis.

The Glittering Eye - How Not to Draw a Conclusion - Leave it to our own Dave Schuler to cut through the hyperbole and get to the meat. This week, Dave writes on economist Nouriel Roubini's printed screed that the current downturn proves the failure of laissez-faire capitalism.

As Dave points out, we've never had a laissez-faire system anyway, but a hybrid. And in closing, he raises the question - what specific piece of legislation that wasn't enacted can anyone point to that could have prevented the economic meltdown?

The Razor - Octomom: A Symbol of Obama’s America - Scott muses on the case of the Suleman in vitro octuplets ( I dislike referring to her as a mother in any sense) and sees them as symbolic of a number of trends.

Right Truth - Our Supreme Leader, Barack Obama - Debbie Hamilton capsulizes the current occupant of the White House's record over his first month in office.

Cheat-Seeking Missiles - NY Times Finally Covers Hassan Beheading - Laer notes that the self-proclaimed Paper of Record finally deigned to cover an honor killing just upstate from New York City - and then declined to actually address the facts of the case.

As a refreshing change of pace, I recommend the video commentary in my non-council nominee this week. I was confused about this..now it all makes sense to me.

Bookworm Room - Giving the people what they want - An interesting piece by Ms. Bookworm..how does a government founded on the ideas of individual liberty and responsibility cope with the modern trend of increased demands for gimmees from its citizens?

The Provocateur - The Coming Mortgage Class War III - Mike writes the third in a series on the outrage people who acted responsibly, kept their credit up and bought what they could afford are likely to feel upon being taxed to support those who did not. I think he's on to something.

Soccer Dad - Try a little tenderness - in foreign policy - Soccer Dad takes a look at President Obama's kinder, gentler foreign policy and how it's working....

The Colossus of Rhodey - Reaction Eric Holder’s “cowards” comment - Hube likewise comments on Attorney General Holder's remarks, and cites a few personal examples of how this stuff works in the world of education.



NON-COUNCIL


Submitted By: Rhymes With Right - Right on the Left Coast - California Budget and Debt Is All Republicans’ Fault

Submitted By: Joshuapundit - The Nose On Your face - Islamic Rage Boy Addresses Muslim TV Exec’s Recent Wife-Beheading

Submitted By: The Glittering Eye - The Long War Journal - Analysis: Pakistan peace agreement cedes ground to the Taliban

Submitted By: The Razor - The Anchoress - Yep, I Miss Bush

Submitted By: Right Truth - Chesler Chronicles at Pajamas Media - A Dutch Hero Comes to Warn Us, Seek Our Support. The Incomparable Geert Wilders, MP, in New York City.

Submitted By: Cheat-Seeking Missiles - Michelle Malkin - The Chinagate/Buddhist temple cash skeletons in Gary Locke’s closet

Submitted By: Bookworm Room - Threats Watch - Mexican President: Gov’t Does Not Control Areas on US Border

Submitted By: The Provocateur - Ottawa Citizen - Back to Carter

Submitted By: Soccer Dad - JudeoPundit - Iran adopts Starfleet insignia

Submitted By: The Colossus of Rhodey - The Weekly Standard - No Speech, Please

Obama...Wading In It Hip Deep

I just got through listening to President Obama's speech to Congress - essentially a State Of The Union speech way before it was due.Nancy Pelosi obviously got freshly botoxed for the evening and looks like she just took a xanax or two, while Biden looks surprised and gratified to be up on the dais with the power players for once.

To listen to Congress, our supposed leaders bray like jackasses at what ensued out of the presidential teleprompter (only one quick shot of an angle that showed that) was enough to make you glad you weren't in the same room with them without a pair of thigh high boots on and some breathing apparatus to prevent being overcome by the stench.

Should you care to listen to almost an hour of excruciating BS, you're quite welcome to do so here. But I just did so you don't have to, and here's pretty much what's in it:

President Obama delivered a few happy talk applause lines, because his people obviously let him know that his grim dour pronouncements about the sky falling were scaring the country and the market to death, and the campaign's over - for now.

The current occupant of the White House let us know this is all Bush's fault, but he's going to fix it. He gave congress a high five for passing that huge, pork laden $3.27 trillion spending bill, repeating the horse manure about the supposed jobs it created "jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit."

Of course, he didn't mention that the time needed to engineer, plan and permit those projects means that any 'jobs' that result will come years from now and not 'stimulate' the present economy.Meanwhile, the money changes hands NOW, to the administration's favored players.

In other words, Chicago on a national level.

Biggest laugh line of the night? "I'm proud that we passed the recovery plan free of earmarks, and I want to pass a budget next year that ensures that each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities."

A rail line from Disneyland to Harry Reid's pals in Las Vegas, bail outs for California, $4.2 billion for ACORN and $300 million for new cars for Congress to name just a few items - national priorities, not earmarks right?

To make sure that everybody gets what coming to them, the current occupant of the White House reaffirmed that Slo-Joe Biden, who's never run anything in his entire life will be in charge of making sure the goodies get doled out to the deserving Democrat political allies - and actually turned toward Biden, saying "because nobody messes with Joe, right?"

After which Biden wet himself, right on stage, grinning all the while.

Obama next discussed the so-called credit crisis, on the one hand sounding the old class warfare charge against greedy lenders for loaning money to people without the ability to repay and on the other hand bashing them for actually exercising more prudence now. Then, he announced Federally subsidized lowered lending underwriting standards to make sure that the problem continues...while keeping housing prices artificially high so that the shortage of reasonably priced housing continues. You can't make this stuff up.

President Obama is going to send a brand new budget to Congress, special for this 'crisis'. He's going to spend a lot more of your money.

Beneficiaries will include but are not limited to the public employee and teacher's unions, 'people who give to their communities' (that would be ACORN), Universities with inflated tuition costs, anyone involved with wind, solar or ethanol,and the new bureaucracy Obama plans to create to take over your health care.

Speaking of health care, I especially liked Obama's line about health care costs causing a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds. That comes out to about 1,051,200 a year...which is interesting as the total bankruptcy filings from all causes were 1,042,993, including personal bankruptcies, business bankruptcies, and Chapter 13 debt restructuring.

Just another one of those little white lies - pardon the expression- to gin up the peasants, hmmm?

Losers will be the oil and coal industry ( he plans to carbon tax coal out of existence), farmers,( look for high food prices to continue) national defense and the military. Oh, and of course, the 'rich' now officially defined as anyone grossing more than $250,000 per year. Of course, since Obama has so many better things to do with your money than you do, rest assured that the threshold of who's 'rich' is going to fall sharply. And, as my accountant informs me, that $13 dollar a week 'tax cut' for the deserving is no tax cut at all, but simply a tax credit. And since the tax tables are not being changed for next year, that $13 a week is income, and you'll simply be taxed on it next year! Ho ho, funny eh? Oh, and get ready for sharply increased energy prices.Global warming, y'know...and increased Federal and State tax money from higher prices at the pump.

At the same time, he claims he's magically going to halve the deficit he just vastly increased by the end of his first term! How that's going to happen when he keeps increasing spending by leaps and bounds and running the printing presses to make more money without generating massive inflation is a mystery as yet unknown to science, but I think it has something to do with a leprechaun and a pot o' gold somewhere over the rainbow.

Obama's going to pull us out of Iraq with all possible speed. And likely Afghanistan too because his party will demand it in the not too distant future, although he didn't say so. He's going to scrap missile defense and probably most of the military's new weapons systems.

And as an aside, I don't mind confessing that hearing the president praise our military and what they've accomplished in Iraq when he and the gang he was addressing did their very best to sabotage their mission, cut off funding and insult their commanding general made me want to hurl. Remember 'Petraeus - Betray us?' I do.

The fact that Obama is able to pull them out with success and honor is due to what our warriors accomplished in spite of Obama and his party's best attempts to sandbag them.

It was a speech designed to con the natives in style, offering them a few trinkets and beads while looting them of the more valuable stuff.And in this modern version of that famous story, the trinkets and beads get taxed at the end anyway.

I'm not sure what bothers me most - the absolute contempt the president appears to have for most of his fellow citizens or the fact that far too many of them continue not to realize it.

A Billion Dollars For Hamas

That's apparently about the amount of your tax dollars Obama wants to pledge to help Hamas rebuild Gaza.

Hey, what recession? It's only somebody else's money, right?

The United States plans to pledge more than $900 million to help rebuild Gaza after Israel's offensive against Hamas and strengthen the Palestinian Authority, a U.S. official said on Monday. The money will be channeled through UN and other bodies and will not be distributed via the militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to make the announcement next week at a Gaza donors conference in Egypt.

Make no mistake about it - UNRWA is in bed with Hamas, hires terrorists and facillitates the attacks on Israel. Any money given to UNRWA will end up in Hamas' hands.As a matter of fact, it already does. Things will be even more cut and dried as soon as the unity government Obama is pushing for between Hamas and Fatah takes hold.

This jizya from the Obama administration will enable these scum to use all their money and facilities to purchase weaponry, rebuild their tunnels and bunkers and pursue the War against the Jews. It will be used to kill Israeli civilians.

The only good thing about this madness is that it still needs to go through Congress.Some sanity may prevail, although I'm not betting on it.

In view of this and what else is going on, it's obvious that the Obama Administration is no longer a reliable ally of Israel. I hope the American Jews who voted for him fully understand this.

Certainly they can't say they weren't warned.

Obama As Dr. Feelgood

ShrinkWrapped brought to my attention an unusual bit of nonsense by Jonathan Alter in Newsweak, in which Alter touts President Obama as 'America's new shrink" :

Chin up, everyone. This president is well poised to bring us back from the brink.

{...}
Inside the White House, the central tension so far is between speed and thought. Rahm Emanuel coauthored a book in 2006 that divided Washington into hacks and wonks. The hacks want speed—get something done ASAP. They figure any problems can be fixed later. The wonks (who recently showed up to a White House meeting wearing beanies after Obama dubbed them "propeller heads") want policy implications carefully weighed from the outset.

Confidence depends on the right balance between the two camps. If the wonks keep the hacks from moving quickly, political victories (and renewed confidence) will be delayed. But if hasty action leads to sloppy, half-baked solutions (as in the initial Geithner bank-bailout plan), confidence will erode.

Witness the speed with which the recovery package was pushed through by Obama aides who had just found out where the bathrooms were located. This raises the odds that some of the money will be spent poorly. We'll know soon if the White House's special auditor teams and new crowd sourced accountability system (run through Recovery.gov) can really work, and if Obama will be praised for identifying waste in his program, or crucified for it.

As Shrinks points out, this is akin to the quickie pop psychology of Dr. Phil or Oprah:

Talk (thought) and action are decoupled. We need to trust him as he tells us how to behave without offering us any chance to look within the details of the package we are supposed to embrace. Many people who are in trouble are eager to surrender their autonomy and be bailed out. For them, Obama may well be an adequate therapist. However, for the most productive members of society, people who did not succeed in life by surrendering their autonomy to others, such "therapy" is more than a little insulting.

Of course, its not 'therapy' so much as it is working the machine and appealing to the lowest common denominator.

In another part of his article, Alter compares Obama to Professor Howard Hill in "The Music Man". Actually,the fictional evangelist Elmer Gantry (as portrayed in Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name, not the movie) is a much more apt comparison. Howard Hill, after all, gave the rubes something tangible for their money, however overhyped and overpriced.

Gantry simply used people's faith to manipulate them for his own aggrandizement and profit.

It's Carnival Time again........(*sigh*)

This time of year, I always start daydreaming....ahh, Rio...
















And then of course, there's Trinidad...

Wine de boom boom!







Ok. las lap..back to work. But I'll have the sambas,the Mighty Sparrow and the pan bands on the stereo all day!

Amnesty International Calls For Arms Embargo On Israel

Hardly unexpected, but uniquely cowardly and supine:

The human rights group Amnesty International called on the United States to stop weapons sales to Israel and on all countries to impose an arms embargo on both Israel and the Palestinians.


IDF soldiers discover a weapons cache containing an RPG launcher and several anti-tank missiles (not pictured) in a school in Sajaiya, in the Gaza Strip during Operation Cast Lead.
Photo: IDF [file]

Slideshow: Pictures of the week "As the major supplier of weapons to Israel, the USA has a particular obligation to stop any supply that contributes to gross violations of the laws of war and of human rights. The Obama administration should immediately suspend US military aid to Israel," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty's Middle East director.

He also called on the "UN Security Council to impose an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups."

As if Iran is going to stop supplying missiles to Hamas and Hezbollah!

What Amnesty International is actually calling for is for the West to participate in a second Holocaust by simply looking the other way...and what happens, happens.Not only that, but with all their supposed concern for the Palestinians, they fail to realize that this time the Jews can defend themselves and are not going to go quietly. And that if there's a shortage n conventional weaponry and Israel is attacked by its genocidal enemies, she might just resort to more drastic means to take care of the problem and defend the country.

How ironic that this clown's last name is 'Smart'...

Milkin' It

I personally had better things to do than to watch a bunch of mediocre Hollywood hacks engage in self-aggrandizement and mutual masturbation, but those who's business it is to watch these things, like Nicky Finke, the people at Big Hollywood and my pal Robert at Seraphic Secrets pronounced it a pretty boring evening.

Sean Penn won Best Actor for "Milk", a biopic based on the late gay activist's life n' times, and the above snippet is the lead in and his acceptance speech.

I'd advise you to skip ahead to about 6:00, where Penn starts being 'funny.'

After the usual thank-yous, he says those who voted against gay marriage should contemplate their "great shame." Then he praises America, but only because it elected " an elegant man" as president and because it produces "courageous artists" like himself who aren't afraid to take the shots because of what they produce.

Considering how Penn and most of his cohorts in Hollywood ignore and even deprecate our warriors who actually face real bullets to defend them and allow them their luxurious narcissistic lifestyles, I found that to be - well, just a bit much.

Oh, and by the way...someone should break it to Sean Penn that the 'elegant man' he was praising is on record as solidly against gay marriage and that Harvey Milk was a conservative Republican...

I don't know about Penn's talents as an actor, but he's always provided a lot more amusement for me offstage.

Watcher's Council Results, 2/20/09

Sorry this is late, but ...the Council has spoken! A complete rundown of the voting tallies is here.

The winning entry in the Council category this week was Obama’s Model - And No, It’s Not FDR at Joshuapundit, my take on where Obama is actually heading. Thanks gang!


In second place we had a tie between Soccer Dad with What could be worse than Hamas? an excellent expose of media bias and The Provocateur for A Battle For Small Government in Cheboygan County, Mi. a unique tale about a man running for local office in order to abolish it.

Also getting votes was Cheat-Seeking Missiles for MSM Yawns As NY Muslim Beheads Wife

In the Non-Council category, I was particularly glad to see that Vanderleun over at American Digest won for A House Divided A Century and a Half Later: What Lincoln Would Say Were He Speaking Today . Absolutely a must read, and it got my vote.

In second place was my nominee, Bat Yeor in the NRO for Geert Wilders and the Fight for Europe which got my vote for second.

As always, congratulations not only to the winners but to the participants.

The Obama Administration Legitimizes Hamas

The Obama administration has obviously decided that their grand vision of Middle East peace in our time involves recognizing and boosting the genocidal Islamists in Hamas, as well as what amounts to a major distancing in the US relationship with Israel.

This is part of a policy of Obama's to 'engage' with Syria, Iran and their proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. Or in other words, appeasement on the grand scale.

Obama has already made it clear that he totally support the Saudi 'peace' ultimatum, having genuflected to it during his 'unclenched fist' speech to the Muslim world.

That plan, none of which is negotiable according to the Arabs involves the Israelis giving up all of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), including land legally purchased from the Arabs via the Jewish National Fund, thus making Israel's major population centers an easy target from what Abba Eban aptly referred to as 'the Auschwitz lines.' within easy reach . That would include the Israelis giving up half of Jerusalem, which means that Jews will be denied access to their holiest sites and will have to watch their religious shrines desecrated by the triumphant Arabs, just as they were prior to 1967.

Then, after making thousands of their own citizens homeless refugees and having retreated to indefensible borders, Israel would allow itself to be flooded by thousands of genocidal Arab `refugees' and their descendants.

In exchange for committing what amounts to national suicide, all the Jews of Israel get is a guarantee of `recognition' and undefined 'normal relations' from the Arabs...for at least as long as Israel manages to survive.

That's the deal the Obama Administration plans to pressure Israel to accept 'as a sacrifice for peace'.

A part of the Obama Administration's plans involves legitimizing and strengthening Hamas as part of a Palestinian unity government. Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, Arab-American ex-Senator George Mitchell made it plain that the Administration supported the idea of a Palestinian unity government consisting of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Reportedly, the Obama administration has already given Fatah a 'green light' to engage with Hamas and get that ball rolling.And they had the Egyptians, who have thus far refused to deal with Hamas because of their ties with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood take on the onus of midwifing this deal.

Mahmoud Abbas says so, and while Arafat II is not exactly the most truthful person in the world by a long shot, I belive him on this one:

The Obama administration has given the Palestinian Authority a "green light" to talk to Hamas about forming a Palestinian unity government, a PA official in Ramallah said over the weekend.

"The new administration has a different policy than that of [former US president] George W. Bush," the official told The Jerusalem Post. "The administration of President Barack Obama believes that a Hamas-Fatah government is good for stability."

Cairo has issued invitations to representatives of Hamas, Fatah and several other Palestinian groups to attend reconciliation talks that are due to begin in Cairo on Wednesday.

Fatah and Hamas officials confirmed that the Egyptians had invited them to the talks. {...}

Meanwhile, Hamas leaders said over the weekend that Democratic Sen. John Kerry's visit to the Gaza Strip last Thursday signaled a change in US policy toward their movement.

"The visit is a move in the right direction," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. "We consider the visit as an indirect step aimed at ending the boycott of Hamas by the Americans and the international community."

Mitchell mentioned the usual bolshoi about how Hamas would still need to end the attacks on Israel, accept previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements and recognize Israel, but Hamas has never done anything of the kind, nor will they in the real world. They are committed not only to Israel's destruction but that of the world's Jews according to their charter, and that's not going to change no matter what they say to gullible ferenghi like Mitchell and Obama. For that matter, it's a little known fact that while the Palestinian Authority has changed the part of its charter that calls for the annihilation of Israel, Fatah, the Palestinian faction that controls the PA has not.

In other words the two factions agree on the ultimate destination, but merely disagree on the best road to get there and who's in charge.

According to Mitchell, the gang war between Fatah and Hamas is the chief obstacle to peace between Israel and the Arabs, rather than the Palestinian's genocidal intentions towards Israel.

In any event, the idea of a 'unity government' is a farce. Abbas, who's term as president ended January 9th has no legal standing as a Palestinian leader. Nor does he have any real power other than as a conduit for the West to continue to throw money at the Palestinians to please people like the Saudis.

The Palestinians themselves voted for Hamas and its agenda by a vast majority, and we've already seen how easy it was for Hamas to toss Fatah out of Gaza. A unity government will end up as a Hamas government, while people like Mitchell and Obama grin at the cameras and say "Who knew? But 'engagement' with the legitimate Palestinian government is vital for peace, right?"

The US , the UN and the EU funneled money to Fatah and Abbas and made a pretense of boycotting Hamas to maintain the fiction that they were funding the peace process while avoiding funding Islamist terrorism. Apparently the pretense isn't even necessary any longer as far as Obama's concerned.

Hamas scored another coup when Senator John Kerry, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ended up acting as a courier between Hamas and Obama during his recent trip to Syria, where Hamas' political leadership is headquartered. Officially of course, any contact between Hamas and the US government is prohibited.

Yet UNRWA gave Kerry a letter from a Hamas spokesperson emphasizing their willingness to enagage with the US and improve relations, and Kerry claims not to have found out about it until it was incoveniently leaked to the media. The letter was turned over to the US Consulate in Jerusalem 'for review', which means that it will be delivered to its intended recipient, President Obama.

Even if we give Kerry the benefit of the doubt, the fact is that Hamas did indeed get its message to the White House. I also don't buy the factoid in the linked story that the Hamas spokesperson was 'probably acting on his own.' People in Hamas don't do things like that because the penalty for stepping out of line is almost always severe to the point of being terminal. And it's notable that Kerry and the State Department commented on the letter after the media found out and leaked the story.

Hamas has every reason to expect a sympathetic hearing at the White House. After all, Obama just tossed $20.3 million in extra aid at them above and beyond what they're already getting courtesy of UNRWA, the EU and the US funneled to them via Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.

The Obama Administration has signalled the way things are going with another recent move - the decision to have the US participate in ‘Durban II’. This conference is the sequel to the 2001 Durban 'human rights' conference, which turned into an anti-Semitic orgy so foul that even the EU couldn't stomache it and walked out. This years fascist extravaganza against Israel and the Jews is scheduled to be held in Geneva Switzerland this April by the so-called UN Human Rights Council, chaired by that paragon of human rights Libya and with Iran and Cuba occupying the vice-chairs.

As you can imagine, the set up for Durban II is even more geared toward Jew hatred and Israel bashing than Durban I, to the point where Israel, the Netherlands and Canada have already announced they're planning to boycott it. Several EU nations were leaning that way as well - until the Obama Administration announced that participate in the conference, thus legitimizing it. (And oh, for the record, President Hope n' Change had his advisers assure the gullible Jews last November that his administration was going to boycott Durban II. Just words... )

So, what's in Durban II?

Its draft declaration singles out Israel , accusing it of committing ‘apartheid’, a ‘crime against humanity’ and ‘a form of genocide’. It names the Palestinians as the victims of Israel's human rights violations, trots out the old lie that Zionism itself is racism, calls for the end of Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and for the ‘right of return’ for Palestinians.

There is no mention of any Arab or Muslim human rights offenses, nothing about Darfur, nothing about Iran, nothing about Hamas firing rockets at Israeli civilians.

And the declaration wants to label any discussion of Islamic terrorism or counter-terrorism measures as ‘racism’ or ‘Islamophobia’.

That's Durban II, an agenda essentially dictated by the Arab league and the Orginization of Islamic Conference.

The Obama Administration originally rationalized participating in this obscenity by claiming it was trying to change the direction of the conference by participating.

Actually, as Anne Baefsky of UN Watch points out, the American delegation did no such thing.

When the EU proposed a provision for the final document denouncing the Holocaust, Iran and Syria objected, based on the 'fact' that there wasn't enough known about the Holocaust and the actual number of Jews killed to warrant a denunciation. The Americans did not raise an objection.

The Americans also sat on theior hands and kept their mouths shut when the Palestinian delegation proposed that the declaration should call for UN implementation of the advisory opinion of the ICJ [International Court of Justice] on Israel's security fence and "the international protection of Palestinian people throughout the occupied Palestinian territory."

If you remember, the ICJ's advisory opinion on Israel's security fence essentially claimed that Israel had no right to erect a security barrier as self-defense against the Palestinian's war against Israel's civilians.

As Caroline Glick points out, originally both Israel and the US rejected the ICJ's authority to rule on this matter. By not objecting to this Palestinian proposal for the final draft, the US has essentially accepted the ICJ's authority in this matter - and left Israel alone by itself in claiming that it had the right to take steps to keep Jews from being murdered.

Then, to add insult to injury, the American delegation simply lied about what occurred, hoping nobody would notice.

American Jews voted en masse for Barack Hussein Obama, assuring us that he was pro-Israel and would be good for US foreign policy. They called those of us who pointed out the nature and politics of a number of Obama's associates and advisers and read between the lines on some of his questionable statements on Israel and the Middle East a bunch of paranoid fear mongers.

In one month, virtually every appointment Obama has made, every foreign policy position the administration has taken has proven we were right.

Socialism...The Level Playing Field

Chris Muir at Day By Day, of course! ( Click on image to make it larger)

Netanyahu To Form Center Right Israeli Coalition

Israeli president Shimon Peres has formally given Likud Leader Bibi Netanyahu the task at forming anew Israeli government.

Peres had suggested that Netanyahu form a 'unity government' that would include Kadima, And Netanyahu had voiced his approval for the idea. However Tzipi Livni, the leader of Kadima has once again said she would not even consider it unless Netanyahu agreed to 'rotate' with her as Prime Minister:

Netanyahu, who was the first to meet Peres, told the president that he understood the need for a unity government. "Immediately after you task me with forming the coalition, I will invite Kadima for negotiations," said the Likud leader.

"I'm willing to go far in order to establish such a government," he stated.

Shortly after their meeting concluded, Livni arrived at the president's residence in Jerusalem. After the meeting she said: "Whoever is willing to forsake all his values in order to sit in the coalition is unworthy to sit in that spot. There is a coalition here based on a lack of political vision, a coalition that will not allow me to exercise the way of Kadima.

"A broad coalition has no value if it does not lead the way. I cannot be a cover for a lack of way," added Livni.

Livni's associates stressed that unless Netanyahu agrees to rotation, "there's nothing to talk about."

Actually, this works out well for Netanyahu and for Israel. The Leftist parties, Labor and Meretz declined to endorse Livni or Netanyahu, while Netanyahu got the endoirsement of 65 MKs who will be part of a center/right coalition.

Livni only got the endorsement of her own party, Kadima with 28 seats. By placing herself outside the government nad slapping his hand away , she makes Netanyahu look magnanimous an dherself look even more self-centered and ridiculous - if that's possible for Livni. Kadima will likely disintegrate outside of government, with most of its Leftists migrating back to Labor and most of its ex-Likud members rejoining Likud.

And considering how the country has fared under the Kadima/Labor government, Israel is much better off with them marginalized and out of power. Especially given the challenges that lie ahead.

Oh, and I almost forgot...Hamas made this official by referring to Netanyahu as Israel's 'most dangerous politician.'

As far as I'm concerned, that's an endorsement in Bibi's favor...

JoshuaPundit's Headlines, 2/20/09

All the links you need and nothing you don't... make sure to check back for updates.:

UN: IRAN HAS ENOUGH URANIUM FOR NUKE BOMB... Mark my words - Iran will test a nuclear weapon in 2009. Of course, it's long been my opinion that they actually have them by now, and are just lagging behind on th eability to deliver them. If you think about it, that explains a great deal.

Netanyahu will form next Israeli government... It's official. And so far, Tzipi Livni and Kadima are out of the picture.


Hamas: Israel picked 'most dangerous' politician to lead it - Hmm...Hamas considers Netanyahu the most dangerous...and that's bad why?

LIMBAUGH: Mr. President, Keep the Airwaves Free... Viva El Rushbo! A must read in the Wall Street Journal.

Illinois Governor Calls On Senator Burris To Resign - Heh!

AP Interview: Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he wants to consider taxing us based on how many miles we drive rather than by the gas we purchase. In th efirst place, does that mean that th eFeds are going to place gps devices in our cars so they can track where we drive? And in the second place, I guarantee you that any gasoline taxes the Feds replace will be grabbed by the states, so count on a tax increase if this happens.

Update: Obama nixes plan to tax motorists on mileage... "Shut your damn mouth LaHood or I'm sending your a** back to Michigan in a box!"

Obama Promotes Bad-Mortgage Behavior - Larry Kudlow, National Review

Michelle Malkin: “This is our house now:” ACORN mob begins breaking into homes — ACORN is getting a jump already on Obama's proposed mortgage entitlement program.

A 'Frank' Conversation About Race - Heather Mac Donald in the City Journal takes exception to AG Holder's remarks in fine fashion.

Obama's Supine Diplomacy — Another hit by Charles Krauthammer....

NATO reinforces commitment to Ukraine - If I were the Ukranians, I'd look at how certain members of NATO 'handled' their committment in Afghanistan and I wouldn't exactly be reassured...


US Stocks Tumble, Sending Dow Below Lowest Close in 11 Years - Gotta love that 'stimulus'!


Another tricky year for the Oscars - Just in case you care..


Guantánamo Meets Geneva Rules , Study Finds - And this is in the NY Times, no less! I wonder - is Obama planning on using it himself, in spite of all the noise to the contrary? Just another lil' shift for the Chosen One..


Hamas tells Israel it will not surrender captured soldier - SO I guess Gilad Shalit stays a hostage.

Racism????

A number of eternally sensitive souls like Al Sharpton are quite upset at this NY Post cartoon, a take off on the 'stimulus' and the shooting of Travis the Chimp.

This is unfortunate. As Jim Treacher points out, President Obama is nothing at all like Travis the Chimp:

Top 10 Reasons President Barack H. Obama Is Nothing Like Travis the Chimp

10. Travis understood TurboTax

9. Obama somewhat less likely to attack Biden

8. Travis never lied

7. Obama's smile not quite as genuine

6. Travis could get through entire day without teleprompter

5. Obama takes more long-term approach to destroying people's lives

4. Might actually be possible to get copies of Travis's medical records

3. Obama much better at taking orders from trainer, David Axelrod

2. Travis really didn't befriend William Ayers

1. Obama only talks your ear off



Although they do have one thing in common - they both enjoy a good smoke!




I'm glad we were able to clear this up.

Islamic Rage Boy On NY Beheading

I had wondered about the honor killing by beheading of Aasiya Zubeir Hassan in a TV studio in Buffalo, New York by her husband, Bridges TV founder and Islamist shill Muzzammil Hassan. Now it all makes sense, thanks to this video by Islamic rage boy and The Nose on Your Face ..

It's Netanyahu

Avigdor Lieberman and Israel Beiteinu endorsed Likud leader Benyamin Netanyahu for prime minister today, which essentially means that it's a done deal.

While Lieberman said he favors a unity government that includes Kadima, Netanyahu has no obligation to do so. And Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has pretty much destroyed that possibility, saying that Kadima will not sit in a government led by Bibi Netayahu: -

"Today, the foundations of a right-wing extremist government under Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu were set," Livni wrote in a cellular phone text message sent to Kadima members after she had met with party MKs. "Such a government is not our path and we have nothing to look for there."

"They didn't vote for us in order to provide authorization for a right-wing government and we need to provide an alternative of hope from the opposition," Livni continued. "Kadima will continue to fight for its beliefs and its path - an agenda based on two states for two peoples, and one that also includes dealing with vital civilian issues."

Now, Livni could be just be holding out to try and up the price for Kadima joining the Israeli government. But she may have very well ended up pricing herself out of the market.

She has personal issues with Netanyahu and would likely only consent to join a Netayahu-led government if she received a top slot like the foreign ministry - which is a natural spot to put Avigdor Lieberman, who says he's only interested in the defense or foreign ministry portfolios, and Bibi is unlikely to make the mistake Olmert did of putting someone with no command military experience in charge of defense.

There's also the simple fact that Netanyahu and Likud don't need Kadima or Livni to get to the 61 seats needed to form a governing coalition. With Shas, Israel Beiteinu, National Union and the religious parties on board, Likud has more than enough seats to govern. Anything can happen, but I expect that Israel is looking at a center/right coalition.

One good thing about this is that Kadima is unlikely to survive for long out side government, and I wouldn't be surprised to see ex-Likudniks like Shaul Mofaz vote with the new government and gradually return to the fold.

This particular government will likely mark a major change in the way Israel handles its affairs. Both Netanyahu and Lieberman are outspoken on the need to destroy Hamas, and I wouldn't be surprised to see an increasingly hardline attitude towards attacks from Gaza. And while Lieberman and Netanyahu favor some territorial compromise with the Palestinian Authority, it's unlikely to accommodate Abbas' all or nothing position - especially on Jerusalem.

Barring something unusual happening, these are positions that will probably bring the new government into direct conflict with the Obama administration in a year or so after Obama figures out what he's doing with Pakistan and Afghanistan, begins pulling out troops from Iraq and gets a fair amount of his domestic agenda in place.

Obama has a number of Israel haters among his advisers and within the administration, and those voices will increasingly be heard on how Israel is 'obstructing the peace process'. The usual suspects in the media have already begun demonizing the Likud-led government as 'hardline', 'far right' and 'extreme'.