Wow…. Looks like someone’s pulling the wool over Sarah Palin’s eyes. (shocka!)
Year: 2010
Google Says to China, ‘If you keep hacking our servers, We will leave China’
I cannot blame them one bit.
We launched Google.cn in January 2006 in the belief that the benefits of increased access to information for people in China and a more open Internet outweighed our discomfort in agreeing to censor some results. At the time we made clear that “we will carefully monitor conditions in China, including new laws and other restrictions on our services. If we determine that we are unable to achieve the objectives outlined we will not hesitate to reconsider our approach to China.”
These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered–combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web–have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
The decision to review our business operations in China has been incredibly hard, and we know that it will have potentially far-reaching consequences. We want to make clear that this move was driven by our executives in the United States, without the knowledge or involvement of our employees in China who have worked incredibly hard to make Google.cn the success it is today. We are committed to working responsibly to resolve the very difficult issues raised.
Which totally destroys the Conservative Meme that Google is some sort of evil socialist company. In actuality, Google strikes me as being more of a civil libertarian type of a group. Because Google is very big on privacy and has fought in court against privacy invasion; they also support many organizations that fight for privacy. The reason why Google is hammered by the right, is because they refuse to show deference to the American Christian Holidays. The reason they do this is to be fair to all of the faiths and because Google is not solely an American Company, but an international company with people from many faiths and backgrounds. Personally, I would like to see good be a bit more friendlier towards America, it’s Holidays and Customs, but, I do understand their position on the matter.
I personally commend Google’s stance on privacy and I am extremely happy to see Google stand up for the privacy of the people of China, especially those who are fighting against that Communist Government in China.
This is not going to help Coakley’s cause
Once again, the Democrats employ thug tactics:
After Coakley finished her answer, she began walking away from the restaurant, and I walked behind her asking why health care industry lobbyists were supporting her at the fundraiser. She didn’t reply.
As I walked down the street, a man who appeared to be associated with the Coakley campaign pushed me into a freestanding metal railing. I ended up on the sidewalk. I was fine. He helped me up from the ground, but kept pushing up against me, blocking my path toward Coakley down the street.
He asked if I was with the media, and I told him I work for THE WEEKLY STANDARD. When I asked him who he worked for he replied, “I work for me.” He demanded to see my credentials, and even though it was a public street, I showed them to him.
I eventually got around him and met up with the attorney general halfway down the block.
“Attorney General, could I ask you a question please?” I said. “We’re done, thanks,” Coakley replied. She walked back toward the restaurant, apparently searching for her car. She remained silent as I (politely) repeated my question.
Coakley staffers told me they didn’t know who the man was who pushed me, though by every indication he was somehow connected to the campaign.
There are reports that it is a Democratic Party operative that was working for the campaign. Just more of that plantation politics at work folks. That is what happens when Democrats feel threatened, they lash out and hurt people, been that way for years. How do you think JFK and RFK, MLK ended up dead? The Democratic establishment felt threatened, and when they did, they got rid of them. Been that way for years and will be that way for a long time to come.
Stick a fork in her, I believe Coakley’s campaign is over.
Memeorandum has the roundup.
Updated – Latest News on Haiti Earthquake – As many as 100,000 feared dead
As I reported last night, a 7.0 Earthquake hit Haiti.
Now the death toll and damage tolls are being shown. Reader GWSSDelta told me about a video, that comes via CBS News:
CNN, MSNBC and Fox News all have in depth coverage. Memeorandum has an excellent Blog roundup on the political front.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper is in Haiti now:
No word on death tolls yet; but this does sound very bad. I will have more in a bit.
Update: Here is how you can help with the relief effort, via DIPNote:
For those interested in helping immediately, simply text “HAITI” to “90999” and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts.
The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747. We’ll provide more details and opportunities to help as we learn more. To stay up-to-date, follow us on state.gov.
Update #2: The Anchoress Reports a list of Relief Organizations helping: (H/T Malkin)
Catholic Relief Services
United Methodist Committee on Relief
The Red Cross
Salvation Army
Providence in Haiti
American Jewish World Service
Lutheran World Relief
Cross International
World Vision
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Ya’ll know what to do. 😀
Update #3: As Always, our awesome Military is “on it!” Military Times is reporting:
The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson was rerouted Wednesday to support humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, according to U.S. Southern Command. The carrier is expected to arrive off the coast of Haiti Thursday.
The command confirmed additional Navy ships are underway to Haiti, but did not specify what vessels would be going.
The command, based in Miami, also deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to work with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, U.N. and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow-on U.S. military support, according to the press release. The team includes military engineers, operational planners, a command and control group and communication specialists. They will arrive in Haiti today on two C-130 Hercules aircraft.
Elements of the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing were deploying to the international airport at Port-au-Prince to provide air traffic control capability and airfield operations. They are expected to arrive in Haiti on Wednesday afternoon.
Early Wednesday morning, Coast Guard helicopters evacuated four critically injured U.S. Embassy staff to hospital at Naval Station Guantanamo, Cuba, for further treatment.
A U.S. P-3 Orion from the Forward Operating Location at Comalapa, El Salvador, also conducted aerial reconnaissance of the affected area.
SouthCom has supported 14 major relief missions in the region since 2005, including assistance to Haiti in September 2008. During that mission, forces from the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge and other units airlifted 3.3 million pounds of aid to communities that were devastated by a succession of major storms.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people and all those affected by this devastating earthquake,” said Army Col. James Marshall, SouthCom spokesman.
Vinson and its crew of approximately 3,200 sailors left Norfolk on Tuesday en route to their new homeport in San Diego. The carrier, which is commanded by Capt. Bruce Lindsey, was joined by Carrier Air Wing 17 and the cruisers Lake Champlain and Bunker Hill. As flagship of the newly established Carrier Strike Group 1, Vinson was to provide maritime security as it circumnavigates South America and provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief, if required.
The call came fewer than 24 hours later.
Major Kudos on our Armed Forces for being ready for the call; wherever it might be from. Good Job men!
Update #4: The Daily Caller is linking to a story in the Daily Mail in the U.K. that as many as 100,000 are feared dead.
It is times like these, when I do wish that my Ham Radio Station was Operational… 🙁
Fox News also gives the background as to why this happened. Simply put, the earth is just old.
Update #5: The Anchoress links in. Thank you! 😀
Update #6: ….and of course, the Stupidity of the Christian Right Starts.
Update #7: Man, 2 two days and about 5K viewers later and I realize, I have the Country misspelled in the headline! D’oh! 🙄
BREAKING NEWS – 7.0 quake hits Haiti
Uh, Oh… This is not good.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — A huge quake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti Tuesday toppling buildings and causing widespread damage and panic, officials and AFP witnesses said.
A tsunami alert was immediately issued for the Caribbean region after the earthquake struck at 2153 GMT.
An AFP correspondent said the ground shook for more than a minute. Just minutes later two aftershocks measuring both 5.9 and 5.5 on the moment magnitude scale hit, US officials said.
“I think it's really a catastrophe of major proportions,” the country's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Alcide Joseph, told CNN television.
The US Geological Survey said the powerful quake was initially measured at 7.3 on the scale and struck 16 kilometers (ten miles) from the capital Port-Au-Prince, and 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Petionville.
An AFP correspondent in Petionville said one three-story building, housing two offices, was toppled, and a tractor was already at the scene trying to dig out victims as people fled onto the streets in panic.
The up-scale area is home to many foreign diplomats and members of a major United Nations mission to the country.
via AFP: Fears of major catastrophe as 7.0 quake rocks Haiti.
Oy… California Yesterday, Hati today…
Thoughts and Prayers for the people down there. Stay tuned for updates, if any.
Michelle Malkin gets it wrong
I hate to be the one to do this; but, seeing she’s not answering my e-mail.
Michelle Malkin royally screws one up.
She links to this story here, about a container of PETN getting punctured with the comment of:
Okay, how does this just happen?
However, if you actually click to the website and look, you will see this:
Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones says a forklift operator accidentally punctured at least one container filled with PETN, forcing the port to shut down.
Has Malkin corrected the damn story? No. 🙄
Do not misunderstand me here, I am all for the reporting and exposing of Islamic Jihad. But, I am not for the stoking of irrational fear and that is what Malkin is doing here; she’s feeding a damned talking point.
My feeling is, either report factual information and responsible enough to post updated info, or don’t bother posting at all.
Michelle is better than this; but yet, she does it anyway. It is quite disgusting. Color me unimpressed.
Countdown to Malkin-bots calling me a racist, sexist, and whatever else in 5….4….3…2…
Ted Kennedy Seat-Gate
Can be followed here, if you care about such things.
The Daily Caller goes live
Something I kinda overlooked, but here it is.
Tucker Carlson’s “The Daily Caller” went live yesterday.
It looks Huffington Post’ish. However, I think it might work. It is using WordPress and that is a very good thing.
Good luck to Mr. Carlson on his new project.
Stick a fork in ’em, The Clinton dynasty is over
I saw this yesterday, But I really did not feel like writing about it:
A new book is out with a highly critical but unsourced portrait of Hillary Clinton. This familiar occurrence — it’s happened too many times to count over the years — has usually been greeted with an equally familiar response: A fast and furious counterattack from the Clinton inner circle.
What’s notable about the highly publicized release of “Game Change,” however, is the virtual silence from the Clinton camp. The lack of public outrage seems to mark the sputtering end of what was once known as the Clinton political machine and underlines a fact that onetime Clinton loyalists acknowledge: The book’s primary sources about the former candidate and current secretary of state are her own former staffers and intimates.
As a result, there is no campaign of veteran Clintonites spinning the press corps and trying to pre-emptively discredit the book’s scathing depiction of Hillary Clinton as a rudderless candidate and a cheerleader for vicious tactics against eventual winner Barack Obama. There is no team of Clinton proxies going on cable television to denounce authors Mark Halperin and John Heilemann as scurrilous and unworthy of belief.
This time, Bill and Hillary Clinton are virtually alone.
via Game over: The Clintons stand alone – Ben Smith – POLITICO.com.
If the things in this book are even remotely true; then you can kiss the Clinton dynasty goodbye. Much of what was said in this book has been already said; by the people that made “Hillary, The Movie.” Which the Clinton machine worked like hell to keep from being promoted, during the 2008 election. Although there are some very new juicy tidbits that have been brought up. Like Ben says in this piece, the Clinton’s and their inner circle have not tried to come out and defend Hillary or Bill. So, it does look like they are either guilty as charged or just do not feel like dealing with it.
Bottom Line: Hillary Clinton made a huge mistake in trying to run for President, her ego and elitism got the best of her. In the long run, she did more harm than good, to her and her husband’s reputation by running. This book also justifies Newt Gingridge and his Movie about Hillary.
Harry Reid-Gate Continues
As much as I hate to write about a subject, that I have already written about once, I will again. Because I need to make my personal position clear.
Regarding the media stampede over Harry Reid’s comments; Now this is where I am going to break from the normal Conservative Blog and media talking points. This blog has never been about talking points, ever. Nor will it ever be. I am a clear and free thinker and I am not afraid to go against what I feel to be blatant stupidity.
First off, regarding Trent Lott‘s comments: Those comments were highly racist in nature, they were given at a Birthday Party for a very well known former segregationist. Hell, Even Michelle Malkin was none too pleased with what he said, at the time; although her position on it was a bit different, than what I felt at the time. Second of all, it is being reported that Trent Lott was kicked out of the Senate for his remarks. This totally bogus lie and needs to be corrected. Trent Lott’s leadership position in the Senate was removed for his comments. Trent Lott left the Senate because of changes in the rules for lobbyists in the Congress.
Now for Reid’s comments; Sorry to my fellow Conservatives, but, I do not believe that Harry Reid’s comments are to be considered the moral equivalence of what Trent Lott said. That is because Harry Reid’s comments were factually correct; however, his choice of words were, quite bluntly, stupid. However, because I believe in a equal standard in the Senate and House, I believe the Senator Reid ought to resign his leadership position, because it is the right thing to do. If you going to have a standard, of when leadership within both houses of Congress make stupid mistakes and resign leadership posts, it should be equal for both sides. Partisanship ought not to be a deciding factor in this situation, sadly, I believe that it is a big part of what is happening in this situation.
The Bottom Line: While what Reid said was incredibly stupid. I do not believe that it should be compared to Trent Lott’s statement at all.
The Republican Party’s Resident Shrieking Harpy gets a Fox Contract
Oh Wonderful, wonder what she’ll do, show Russia from her house?
Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska has signed on as a contributor to the Fox News Channel.
The network confirmed that Ms. Palin would appear on the network’s programming on a regular basis as part of a multiyear deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Ms. Palin will not have her own regular program, one person with knowledge of the deal said, though she will host a series that will run on the network from time to time. This person would not elaborate, but the network does have a precedent for such a series. Oliver L. North is the host of an occasionally running documentary series on the military called “War Stories.
via Sarah Palin to Contribute to Fox News – Media Decoder Blog
Hmmmm, what’s it going to be called; “How to keep the media from finding out if your daughter is knocked up”? God knows that’s what she’s good at. The good thing about this is, that she most likely will not be running for President, which is a good thing for the Republican Party as a whole. We need someone that can articulate fiscal Conservative ideas, not stupid muddled populism. Besides all that, we need someone who was actually raised here in the continental 48 and not some psycho shrieking harpy; who was raised on some obscure piece of land, that was not even a state in the union until 1959. We need restrained, disciplined leadership. Not some idiot moose hunting soccer mom, who thinks she on some sort of mission from God and would push the nuke button at a drop of a hat.
Bottom Line: Sarah Palin is the perfect embodiment of female entitlement and the highly hypocritical Evangelical Christian right. That is the LAST thing we need in the White House. I love Jesus and believe the Bible to be literally true; However, I do not want my Country being run as the Christian equivalent of Sharia law. Keep Christianity where it belongs, in the home and in the Church; and out of the Federal Government.
Okay, Who peed in modo’s evian bottle?
My goodness what a difference 8 months makes.
Quotes from Modo’s Latest:
We are under attack.
There is evil in the world.
Yemen is a dangerous place that breeds people who want to kill us.
Al Qaeda is determined to attack inside the United States.
Al Qaeda is casting a wide recruiting net for vulnerable young men.
Aspirational terrorists eventually become operational terrorists.
Our airports are not safe.
Metal detectors can’t detect nonmetal explosives sewn into underwear.
Our incomplete no-fly lists are more like “Welcome aboard” lists.
We still can’t connect the dots, even when the dots are flying at us like 3-D asteroids.
The sun rises in the east.
Two plus two equals four.
Heh. Sounds like the lyrics to a heavy metal song. All it would need is that riff from the Marilyn Manson Song; you know, “The Beautiful People“?
and she goes on:
Unlike the Republicans, who have yet to take responsibility for a single disastrous thing they did, President Obama said “ultimately the buck stops with me.”
But when he failed to immediately step up to the microphones in Hawaii after the Christmas terror and thank the passengers for bravely foiling the plot that his intelligence community had failed to see, President Cool reached the limits of cool.
No Drama Obama is reticent about displays of emotion. The Spock in him needs to exert mental and emotional control. That is why he stubbornly insists on staying aloof and setting his own deliberate pace for responding — whether it’s in a debate or after a debacle. But it’s not O.K. to be cool about national security when Americans are scared.
Our professorial president is no feckless W., biking through Katrina. He is no doubt on top of the crisis in terms of studying it top to bottom. But his inner certainty creates an outer disconnect.
He’s so sure of himself and his actions that he fails to see that he misses the moment to be president — to be the strong father who protects the home from invaders, who reassures and instructs the public at traumatic moments.
He’s more like the aloof father who’s turned the Situation Room into a Seminar Room.
Hmmmm, Where the hell was she at around election time? Oh, that’s right, she was swimming the tank! My Bad. Nothing like an Al-Qaeda attack to wake up a Crypto-Leftist out of the Hope and Change stupor.
Barack Obama’s 2012 Campaign Song??
Seeing they can get away with it; so should I, right?
Plus, there’s this:
[A]s Hillary bungled Caroline, Bill’s handling of Ted was even worse. The day after Iowa, he phoned Kennedy and pressed for an endorsement, making the case for his wife. But Bill then went on, belittling Obama in a manner that deeply offended Kennedy. Recounting the conversation later to a friend, Teddy fumed that Clinton had said, A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.
Heh…. Quite true though, or shining their shoes or something else. 😮
Updated: Harry Reid said What?!?!?
Oh…My….goodness. 😯
Can you even begin to imagine if a Republican had said something like that??? Yikes! 😮 🙄
That is all.
Back to my Movie.
Update #1: and Of course, Sharpton Backs Reid:
I have learned of certain unfortunate comments made by Senator Reid regarding President Barack Obama and have spoken with Senator Reid about those comments. While there is no question that Senator Reid did not select the best word choice in this instance, these comments should not distract America from its continued focus on securing healthcare or creating jobs for its people. Nor should they detract from the unquestionable leadership role Senator Reid has played on these issues or in the area of civil rights. Senator Reid’s door has always been open on hearing from the civil rights community on these issues and I look forward to continue to work with Senator Reid wherever possible to improve the lives of Americans everywhere.
As does Barry:
Reid folks in overdrive to shut story down. Obama puts out statement on Reid’s apology: ” I accepted Harry’s apology without question.”
Hmmm, The One was not so forgiving when Don Imus made his little so-called “Mistake”
Not to mention; Trent Lott Anyone?:
“It seems to be that we can forgive a 100-year-old senator for some of the indiscretion of his youth, but, what is more difficult to forgive is the current president of the U.S. Senate (Lott) suggesting we had been better off if we had followed a segregationist path in this country after all of the battles and fights for civil rights and all the work that we still have to do,” said Obama.
He said: “The Republican Party itself has to drive out Trent Lott. If they have to stand for something, they have to stand up and say this is not the person we want representing our party.”
Hypocrisy, Thy name is Democrats. 🙄
This is from the same party that fought to keep Slavery legal. Remember that.
Update #2:
Michael Steele wants Reid out, can’t blame him:
The Vice President’s Mom, Jean Biden Dead at 92
Some awfully sad news to report today….
Video via ABC:
The Story via The New York Times:
Jean Biden with her Son, Joe
Her death was announced by Mr. Biden. She had become seriously ill in the last few days, and the vice president had left Washington on Thursday to be with her.
[…]
Mrs. Biden was in the audience when he accepted the vice-presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Aug. 27, 2008.
In his speech, Mr. Biden said she had helped and encouraged him in overcoming his stuttering as a youth, telling him that he stuttered “because I was so bright, I couldn’t get the thoughts out quickly enough.”
After his wife and daughter were killed in an auto accident in December 1972, Mr. Biden said, “She told me, ‘Joey, God sends no cross you cannot bear.’ And when I triumphed, she was quick to remind me it was because of others.”
He added: “My mother’s creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. You are everyone’s equal, and everyone is equal to you.”
There are some Bloggers who would use a time like this to snipe at the Vice President and his Politics. I am not one of those kind of bloggers. Further more, if anyone leaves a stupid comment, I will not approve it and I will add the IP address to the idiot filter.
There is politics and there is real life. This is a real life and a very real family. I, on the behalf of my family; would like to send our most heartfelt condolences to the Biden family on this very sad day. I could not even begin to imagine what it is like, or what it will be like to lose my Mother. I know that Joe’s faith will carry him and I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be with him during his time of loss. Joe Biden has been through much, and I am sure that he will make it. However, I know loss like this, can hurt like bloody hell. God be with the Vice President and with his family.
Others covering: MyDD, HillBuzz, ABCNEWS, Politics Daily, The Huffington Post
Breaking News: London Police Board Plane due to passanger making threats
Man, decide to take the weekend off and all hell breaks loose… Oy!
The Video, Via Sky News:
The Story, via Sky News:
Armed police have boarded a plane at Heathrow airport and are believed to have arrested two men after a “verbal threat”.
Passenger Cameron McLean said: “Police just swarmed the guy and rushed him out.
“I think he was a white male. There was another one but I didn’t see him.”
He said the man was taken out in handcuffs then sniffer dogs were brought on board.
An airport spokesman said: “I can confirm there has been an incident on the EK004 flight to Dubai.
“Police are attending. It’s not affecting the rest of the airport which remains opens.”
Sky’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: “A verbal threat of some description was made. It was overheard. It was reported to members of the crew.
“They were understandably very concerned.
“They stopped the plane. The plane was taken back to some part of Heathrow, at which point anti-terror police boarded the plane.
“I think, at the moment, this was just a verbal threat but, of course, an investigation ensues until police are satisfied.
“It’s an indication of how jumpy airlines and anti-terror police are.”
Fox News is now reporting that it was group of drunken passengers. But it does show how jittery the authorities are here in America and in England.
Folks, if you’re flying, do not, I repeat, DO NOT make a stupid remark while flying. You will go to jail. It is being reported that these guys were trying to be funny. How stupid. They should be jailed for making false terror threats.
It is being reported that the Heathrow Airport is back to normal.
Update: Fox News is now reporting that three men have been arrested in London.
Taking the weekend off
I need a break. I have stuff that I haven’t done in a while. A 6 DVD set, that has not been watched yet. So, unless someone stuffs a wad of greenbacks in the Tip Jar or some major story breaks; I am going to be M.I.A till Monday.
I just need a break.
See you Monday, if not before.
Never thought I would ever agree with David Frum
But, I do… :
Chairman Steele needs to have a long talk with Pundit Steele; the RNC chairman needs to spend more time raising money and supporting the party — both its conservative and centrist wings — and less time running his mouth and alienating entire GOP blocs.
via David Frum: Steele Can’t Have it Both Ways.
I hate to say it, but Frum is right here. Steele does spend way too much time running his mouth and tweaking off the Republican establishment. That is not good, especially when those people happen to be paying you.
So, Yes, Frum is spot on here. My Paleo-Conservative friends are so going to hate me for this post. I can hear it now, “You Neo-Con!” Which is impossible, seeing I am not Jewish, but I digress. 😛
Car Photo of the day
1948 Frazer Manhattan
(Source)
Quote of the day
Sorry, No PB pub tonight. Couldn’t quite find anything I liked, suggestions are always welcome….
A woman named Nancy Spagnolo who lives in Bethany, Connecticut e-mailed me shortly after I interviewed Hume. “Religion is such a deeply personal issue and it is wrong to discuss what another person should believe. Mr. Hume should have contacted Tiger Woods privately instead of taking it public.”
That’s not a bad point. I’m sure Brit Hume had noble intentions when he addressed the golfer publicly, but it was a deeply personal assessment of Woods’ predicament. We are all sinners. How many of us want to be told how to achieve forgiveness in a public forum?
That being said, Brit Hume has a perfect right to espouse what he believes is a healing tonic. The forgiveness Christianity offers has helped millions of human beings throughout history. The world would be a better place if every person on earth understood the basic philosophy of Jesus. Mr. Hume was simply exercising his free speech rights and the fact he is paid well to do that speaks to his intellect and insight.
Anti-religious sentiment is currently chic in America. You can see it displayed in the media almost everyday. Brit Hume sent some advice to Tiger Woods. He did so meaning well. Mr. Woods is free to take it or leave it. There was no harm in this.
Good Luck to Richard Spencer
Who is leaving or has left Taki’s Magazine.
From the beginning, I thought of my role at Takimag as that of an impresario, my task being to surround myself with as many people who are smarter than I am as possible. (Whenever I’d mention this to my buddies, one would usually chime in with, “Well, Richard, that’s not too hard!” Hardy har har…)
Takimag was churning out great stuff before I arrived (with Paul Gottfried, Justin Raimondo, and John Zmirak leading the way), but I’m particularly grateful to those new contributors who helped me appear like an intelligent and well connected editor.
[…]
And what else will I be up to? Well, I’m currently hard at work creating a new web project. Many of the themes that predominated at Takimag over the past two years will be taken up again at the new site, but I also hope to cut some new paths, particularly in the discussion of Human Biological Diversity and also in terms of the format and look of a right-wing webzine.
In order to fuel more speculation around the blogosphere, I won’t say anymore… But expect a launch by early February. And if you’re interested in supporting this project, then I encourage you to shoot me an email, as I’d love to discuss the details with you.
Crises are opportunities, and I hope that 2010 will be the year when the Alternative Right comes into its own.
In closing, I’ve had a great time at Takimag over the past two years, and its been an honor to work with such intelligent contributors and readers.
Best of luck to Mr. Spencer. I have always enjoyed Robert writings, even if I disagreed with some of what he has to say. I have always enjoyed Taki’s Magazine. It is a bit of the high brow, but always enjoyable.
Steven Crowder on the Crotch Bomber
(H/T Minority Report)
Crowder does that Southern Accent waaaaaaay too good. It’s spooky. 😯 He’s a freakin’ Canadian for goodness sakes!
Memo to C-Span, your video embeds do not work
I do not know who runs this part of C-Span, but their video embeds are not working. I tried, I embedded and it did not display.
If anyone that reads here, happens to know someone who works there, might want to pass this on.
When MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN’s video clips actually work, and the Government funded ones don’t; that’s pretty flippin’ sad, if you ask me. 🙄
Updated Obama Says, ‘Ultimately, the buck stops with me’ Briefing Video Added
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
It was a good speech, but lacking any specifics. There is a security briefing going, I will get video of it, as soon as it is available.
Via Politico:
President Barack Obama on Thursday accepted responsibility for intelligence shortcomings that led to a failed Christmas Day bombing plot on a Detroit-bound airliner, saying, “Ultimately, the buck stops with me.
“As president, I have a solemn responsibility to protect our nation and our people, and when the system fails, it is my responsibility,” Obama said.
Obama said an intelligence review found that the U.S. government had the information needed to thwart the plot but failed to do so because of a series of compounding shortcomings, including that intelligence analysts didn’t focus heavily enough on information warning that al-Qaeda in Yemen wanted to strike the United States.
“The U.S. government had the information scattered through the system to potentially uncover this plot and disrupt the attack. Rather than a failure to collect and share this intelligence, this was a failure to connect and understand the intelligence we already had,” Obama said at the White House.
Obama’s buck-stops-here message marks a change in tone from earlier statements in which Obama and other officials repeatedly noted that the watch-listing system that failed to flag the suspect, Umar AbdulMatallab, was put in place under the Bush administration.
I am glad to see that the President is taking the hit for it and not passing the buck. I look forward to seeing what the Government does. Speeches are nice, but let’s see what the action is.
Update: As promised, here it is:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Update #2: Ace is not impressed, at all:
I’m not, and was talking about it with cobloggers (similarly unimpressed) and figured why talk about it in email.
He dodged responsibility for a week. He minimized it and claimed it was just an independent actor, unconnected to anything bigger, even when it was pretty firmly established it was Al Qaeda.
I don’t think he made this statement because he believes it, or because he wanted to. I think he made this statement because polling and focus-groups told him that if he didn’t make it, he was risking an even bigger loss in his poll numbers than anything he’d seen before.
So it’s a case — I am 99% confident — of “doing the right thing when there are no other options left.”
Good point.