The future of Iraq will hinge on its security forces after the Americans officially hand them control on September 1st. The forces are much better than they were a few years ago; buckling under pressure is no longer a certainty. Yet even their own generals say they are not really ready. The Iraqi army chief of staff wants American help until 2020. Privately, American officers agree their job is not done. Iraqi intelligence work is poor, extremist infiltrators are common, the air force is in its infancy, some commanders follow nakedly political agendas and initiative in the lower ranks is lacking, as is equipment. Prisoners are widely abused.
It is clear that Iraqis will for many years be plagued by corruption, insurgents, meddling neighbours, and their own stubborn politicians. Ending America’s “combat mission” is a gamble—and gambles can be lost.
Category: 9/11
Quote of the Day
The Democratic comptroller’s spokesman, Scott Sieber, said Liu supported the project. The center has sparked an intense debate over U.S. religious freedoms and the sanctity of the Trade Center site, where nearly 3,000 perished in the September 11, 2001 attack.
“If it turns out to be financially feasible and if they can demonstrate an ability to pay off the bonds and comply with the laws concerning tax-exempt financing, we’d certainly consider it,” Sieber told Reuters.
Spokesmen for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor David Paterson and the Islamic center and were not immediately available.
Just Words: Obama thanks the troops
Well, well, what a difference a few years makes.
Here’s Shrimpy McWaffle thanking our troops: (H/T HotAir)
Hmmm, Was it not a few years ago that Obama said this?:
The excellence of our military is unmatched. But as a result of this war, our forces are under pressure as never before. Our National Guard and reserves have half of the equipment they need to respond to emergencies at home and abroad. Retention among West Point graduates is down. Our powers of deterrence and influence around the world are down. That is a cost of this war.
America’s standing has suffered. Our diplomacy has been compromised by a refusal to talk to people we don’t like. Our alliances have been compromised by bluster. Our credibility has been compromised by a faulty case for war. Our moral leadership has been compromised by Abu Ghraib. That is a cost of this war.
Perhaps the saddest irony of the Administration’s cynical use of 9/11 is that the Iraq War has left us less safe than we were before 9/11. Osama bin Ladin and his top lieutenants have rebuilt a new base in Pakistan where they freely train recruits, plot new attacks, and disseminate propaganda. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan. Iran has emerged as the greatest strategic challenge to America in the Middle East in a generation. Violent extremism has increased. Terrorism has increased. All of that is a cost of this war.
John Boehner knows the score on Obama: (H/T again, to HotAir)
Ed Morrissey is hopeful:
Obama does deserve credit, as I wrote earlier, for not snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by implementing his oft-proposed accelerated pullout once in office. In fact, Bush handed Obama a turnkey plan for this drawdown, including the substantial force that still remains in Iraq of almost 50,000 “advisers.” Instead of having all American troops out in 16 months, Obama instead settled for the Bush plan of having American troops out of the cities and out of offensive operations, with a large troop presence to help Baghdad maintain order.
Perhaps Obama will have the grace to admit this when the occasion presents itself next week. If he does, it will reflect well on the current Commander in Chief. If not, Boehner’s video makes the truth obvious anyway.
I got news for you Ed; this guy is such a egomaniac, that he will never give Bush credit for jack crap. Instead, he and Democrats will blame Bush for everything under the sun, including the Economic meltdown; which was the fault of the Democrats. Further more, the Democrats and the far left will continue to bang the drums for Bush and his Administration to be prosecuted for “War Crimes.” Which has been the rallying cry of the far left for eons.
So, while it might be nice to dream that Obama might actually show some class in regards to Iraq. I believe that is about all it will ever be; a pipe dream.
Unbelievable: US Department of Justice halts prosecution of U.S.S. Cole Bomber
I do believe I might have been wrong about this President…..and terrorism. You know, I tried to give this President a break and not take the hardcore stance against him, when it came to this issue —- mainly because of the stupidity around the Birther issue. However, I am really starting to wonder, if that might have just been a tragic mistake. I mean, seriously? Shelve a trial of a sub-human farking animal that killed 17 of our brightest and best serviceman?
The Obama administration has shelved the planned prosecution of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the alleged coordinator of the Oct. 2000 suicide attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, according to a court filing.
The decision at least temporarily scuttles what was supposed to be the signature trial of a major al-Qaeda figure under a reformed system of military commissions. And it comes practically on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attack, which killed 17 sailors and wounded dozens when a boat packed with explosives ripped a hole in the side of the warship in the port of Aden.
In a filing this week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department said that “no charges are either pending or contemplated with respect to al-Nashiri in the near future.”
The statement, tucked into a motion to dismiss a petition by Nashiri’s attorneys, suggests that the prospect of further military trials for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has all but ground to a halt, much as the administration’s plan to try the accused plotters of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in federal court has stalled.
Only two cases are moving forward at Guantanamo Bay, and both were sworn and referred for trial by the time Obama took office. In January 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates directed the Convening Authority for Military Commissions to stop referring cases for trial, an order that 20 months later has not been rescinded.
Military officials said a team of prosecutors in the Nashiri case has been ready go to trial for some time. And several months ago, military officials seemed confident that Nashiri would be arraigned this summer.
It’s politics at this point,” said one military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss policy. He said he thinks the administration does not want to proceed against a high-value detainee without some prospect of civilian trials for other major figures at Guantanamo Bay.
A White House official disputed that.
“We are confident that the reformed military commissions are a lawful, fair and effective prosecutorial forum and that the Department of Defense will handle the referrals in an appropriate manner consistent with the interests of justice,” said the official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Defense Department issued a statement Thursday saying the case is not stalled. “Prosecutors in the Office of Military Commissions are actively investigating the case against Mr. al-Nashiri and are developing charges against him,” the statement said.
With the 10th anniversary of the Cole bombing approaching on Oct. 12, relatives of those killed in the attack expressed deep frustration with the delay.
“After 10 years, it seems like nobody really cares,” said Gloria Clodfelter, whose 21-year-old son, Kenneth, was killed on the Cole.
In case you have forgotten, these are the names of those killed on the U.S.S. Cole on Oct. 12, 2000: (H/T and thanks to Michelle Malkin)
Electronics Technician 1st Class Richard Costelow
Mess Management Specialist Lakina Francis
Information Systems Technician Tim Guana
Signalman Seaman Recruit Cherone Gunn
Seaman James McDaniels
Engineman 2nd Class Mark Nieto
Electronics Warfare Technician 3rd Class Ronald Owens
Seaman Recruit Lakiba Parker
Engineman Fireman Joshua Parlett
Fireman Apprentice Patrick Roy
Electronics Warfare Technician Kevin Rux
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ron Santiago
Operations Special 2nd Class Timothy Sanders
Fireman Gary Swenchonis Jr
Ensign Andrew Triplett
Seaman Apprentice Craig Wibberly
Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Kenneth Clodfelter.
All because of politics, because he was supposedly “Tortured”. How is it, that sub-human animals like this have more rights than say your average person on the street?
AllahPundit is not impressed one bit:
If, however, the unnamed official quoted is right about the administration’s motives, it confirms what we’ve assumed all along about The One’s tribunal/civilian court protocol: Ain’t nothing but politics. For all his grandiose talk of due process, prosecuting the detainees has always been a game in which he balances the likelihood of conviction with the likelihood of civil-liberties political pageantry. If he can get a guilty verdict in a federal district court so that he can crow about the Constitution, he’ll do that; if he can’t, as is likely in the case of Nashiri, he’ll simply dump the guy in a tribunal so that at least he can crow about the conviction. See? He really is a pragmatist. And speaking of grandiose talk, go read Slublog’s recap of statements Obama made during the campaign — and directly to families of the Cole victims — about not dragging our feet in prosecutions. Just words?
Heck, even a liberal is not impressed; Blogger EmptyWheel over at FireDogLake Blog is not impressed:
Which of course means that our government (though the article suggests this is a distinction between the Bush and Obama Administrations, since Gates–though he spans both Administrations–has not ordered the Convening Authority to start referring cases) has decided it’s okay to try Omar Khadr, who was 15 and arguably acting in self-defense for his alleged crime, in a military commission. But not to try al-Nashiri, at least allegedly a genuine terrorist.
To be fair, the WaPo suggests the Administration is holding off until it can have civilian trials for other High Value Detainees (presumably, still the 9/11 conspirators). So it may well be a supportable goal. But it all seems to add to the Kangaroo stench around the military commissions.
You know, I am just going to say it; and if anyone wants to call me some sort of a right wing extremist, feel free. I just do not give a flying fark at this point. This Administration has got it’s damned head on backwards about terrorism. I mean, U.S.S. Cole? Seriously Guys? This was an obvious case of terrorism and they are going shelve a case; because some idiot got a little water up his nose? 17 people innocent people, who were doing their jobs for the United States Military were killed on a boat and we’re worried about some towel-head getting a fair trial? How damned tone-deaf and stupid can you be?
In Closing: Conservatives and yes even some Republicans have said that the Democratic Party is soft on terrorism; even sympathetic to the terrorist cause. Democrats have denounced this assertion repeatedly in the past. However, now that the Democrats are now in power; it seems that they are ready and even in come cases eager to prove the Republicans and Conservatives to be absolutely correct.
I believe I speak for the good majority of Americans when I say that November 2, 2010 cannot come fast enough. It is time for change. Real Change. American cannot wait much longer.
Others: Weekly Standard, Politics Daily, Michelle Malkin, National Review, Hot Air, For The Record, Wake up America, Firedoglake, Weasel Zippers, Gateway Pundit and Commentary
65 Years Ago: John Birch went to be with the Lord.
I am very sorry that I allowed this to slip by me.
On August 25, 1945, one the greatest men to ever walk the face of this earth died. I am of course, referring to Missionary John Birch.
Here is a short video detailing John Birch’s life:
Synopsis:
John Birch, missionary and American intelligence officer in China during WWII, spreads a message of hope while risking his life behind enemy lines.
During a chance meeting, he is led to Colonel James H. Doolittle and members of the World War II raiding party that had just completed the dramatic and legendary bombing raid on Tokyo, in April, 1942.
This accidental meeting behind enemy lines proved to be the rescue the airmen had hoped for. With his encyclopedic knowledge of the language, customs, and geography of China, Birch was able to convey Doolittle and the crews of many of the other American bombers to safety in free China.
Birch, an American Baptist missionary serving in China since 1940, then became an intelligence analyst as a second lieutenant with the China Air Task Force of the American Army—General Claire Chennault’s legendary “Flying Tigers.” He was the first American to live and work in the field with a Chinese army fighting against the Japanese. Performing high-risk intelligence-gathering missions on the ground, Birch earned the reputation as “the eyes of the 14th Air Force,” devising an early warning system that enabled U.S. air units to come to the aid of Chinese units under enemy attack. He also organized a rescue system for pilots who were shot down by the Japanese. Chennault credited Birch with the fact that 90 percent of his downed flyers were rescued.
The story of Birch is not as well-known as Doolittle’s raid, but plays an integral role in leading the downed airmen to safety. Without Birch, many more of the raid may not have survived to tell their story nor perhaps would victory come as quickly as it did in then free China. Ten days after the war, Birch was killed by Chinese Communists as he was on his way to rendezvous with small pockets of Japanese soldiers, who were to surrender to him.
Birch would never know the fact that details of his death were kept from the American people. Nor would he know of Robert Welch, who would found an organization bearing his name and who would continue Birch’s quest to spread the message of freedom. He also would not know that his parents would proudly accept life memberships into the organization.
Of course, I am sure most of you know, that the John Birch Society was named after the man. It was, in fact, started by Robert Welch.
What a life, what a man, if only we had men like this today. Sadly, most people today, take for granted our freedoms.
GUN OWNER ALERT!: EPA Considering Ban on Traditional Ammunition VICTORY! EPA BACKS DOWN!
This is a red alert to ALL GUN OWNERS!
The News via the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Blog:
All Gun Owners, Hunters and Shooters:
With the fall hunting season fast approaching, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Lisa Jackson, who was responsible for banning bear hunting in New Jersey, is now considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – a leading anti-hunting organization – to ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, a law in which Congress expressly exempted ammunition. If the EPA approves the petition, the result will be a total ban on all ammunition containing lead-core components, including hunting and target-shooting rounds. The EPA must decide to accept or reject this petition by November 1, 2010, the day before the midterm elections.
Today, the EPA has opened to public comment the CBD petition. The comment period ends on October 31, 2010.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry — urges you to submit comment to the EPA opposing any ban on traditional ammunition. Remember, your right to choose the ammunition you hunt and shoot with is at stake.
The EPA has published the petition and relevant supplemental information as Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0681. If you would like to read the original petition and see the contents of this docket folder, please click here. In order to go directly to the ‘submit a comment’ page for this docket number, please click here.
There are some who believe that this will never fly and that it will never pass. Well, I say let’s not take any chances whatsoever! Click the links and let your voice be heard NOW!
Do not let them take our GUNS; that is the last line of defense, if they get those, we are done for! Sound the alarm! Pass this message on to everyone you know!
If I sounds like I am overreacting; look at England/The British; they have no guns and no freedom. We must take a stand, NOW!
What to do:
Contact your local Senators and House Members, and send this letter to them: (Remember, no profanity and no threats!)
Dear Congressman / Senator:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering banning all traditional ammunition — ammunition containing lead-core components. This is something that would affect all hunters, target shooters and law enforcement.
A petition filed with the EPA by several agenda-driven groups including the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), erroneously claims that the use of traditional ammunition poses a danger to (1) wildlife, in particular raptors such as bald eagles, that may feed on entrails or unrecovered game left in the field and (2) that there is a human health risk from consuming game harvested using traditional ammunition. Also falsely alleged in the petition is that the use of traditional ammunition by hunters is inconsistent with the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, Congress expressly exempted ammunition from being regulated as a “toxic substance.”
As your constituent, I am urging you to do whatever you can to stop the EPA, which has no jurisdiction over such matters, from banning our ammunition. Please consider the following points:
- There is no scientific evidence that the use of traditional ammunition is having an adverse impact on wildlife populations.
- Wildlife management is the proper jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the 50 state wildlife agencies.
- A 2008 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on blood lead levels of North Dakota hunters confirmed that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition does not pose a human health risk.
- A ban on traditional ammunition would have a negative impact on wildlife conservation. The federal excise tax that manufacturers pay on the sale of the ammunition (11 percent) is a primary source of wildlife conservation funding. The bald eagle’s recovery, considered to be a great conservation success story, was made possible and funded by hunters using traditional ammunition – the very ammunition organizations like the CBD are now demonizing.
- Recent statistics from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service show that from 1981 to 2006 the number of breeding pairs of bald eagles in the United States increased 724 percent. And much like the bald eagle, raptor populations throughout the United States are soaring.
Thank you for your time. I will be watching your actions on this matter closely.
Above all, the most important thing to remember is, STOCK UP! If were all gun owners; I would be stocking up on ALL Ammo at the point, because there is NO TELLING what the EPA might also do here. I hate to sound like I am promoting fear, but when it comes to the second and first amendment, you could say that I am bit of extremist. 😀
Here is a Gun Dealer, in which I have an affiliate relationship with, I just never used them, because I never moved any product at all. I ask you to give them your business:
UPDATE! The EPA has REJECTED the petition!
An Open Message to Japan Democrat Party Leader Ichiro Ozawa
Update: (H/T HotAir’s resident Alpha Male, who is too busy looking at his I-Phone, and dreaming it’s Kristen Powers and checking his, um, grip, to fish my trackback out of the spam folder.)
This is an open message to the Japan Democrat Party leader Ichiro Ozawa. To View this page translated into the Japanese Language via Google Translate, please, click here.
Dear Sir,
I happen to have read your comments here in this news story:
TOKYO – A key figure in Japan’s ruling party dubbed Americans “simple-minded” in a speech to fellow lawmakers Wednesday.
It was not clear what prompted the remarks by Democratic Party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa at a political seminar, in which he otherwise paid tribute to Americans’ commitment to democracy, saying it was something Japan should learn from.
“I like Americans, but they are somewhat monocellular,” the former Democratic Party leader said. “When I talk with Americans, I often wonder why they are so simple-minded.”
Ozawa didn’t elaborate on what aspect of Americans made him compare them monocellular organisms, a term also used to mean shortsighted or dumb.
There is growing speculation that the 68-year-old former party leader — renowned as a backroom dealer and election strategist but unpopular among the wider public — may run against rival Prime Minister Naoto Kan in a Sept. 14 election for the party leadership.
Ozawa steered clear of that topic in his speech at the seminar to about 50 lawmakers from the party and dozens of other invitees. But later Wednesday he hinted he would, telling supporters his decision on whether to run would hopefully “respond to your expectations.” He said he needed more time to make that decision.
Ozawa was forced to resign as party secretary-general in early June over a funding scandal, though he has denied any wrongdoing.
Despite the Democratic Party-led government’s month slong tussle with Washington over the planned relocation of a major U.S. military base in Okinawa — which has weakened public support for the government — Tokyo and Washington remain close allies, and Ozawa’s comments on Americans did not appear geared at currying support within the party.
Ozawa, who advocates a U.S.-style two-party political system for Japan — which currently has a coalition government — praised Americans for electing President Barack Obama.
“I don’t think Americans are very smart, but I give extremely high credit for democracy and choices by its people,” he said. “They chose a black president for the first time in U.S. history,” adding that he thought once that would never be possible
Sir, please, allow me to share some photos with you:
These pictures sir were taken when your ever so brilliant Government decided to attack our interests in the Republican of Hawaii in 1941. This was previous to Hawaii becoming the 50’th state in our Union. We were injured, battered and, for a time, beaten. But the United States of American and it’s righteous might sprung back from this horrific attack and defeated YOUR COUNTRY and the Axis powers, which included one of your partners in crime at the time — Germany. Germany had the common sense to know when it was beaten and surrendered to the United States of America on April 30, 1945. In fact, here is a radio report of the surrender. But, yet, your idiotic Country could not or would not dare surrender to the United States, you chose to fight — to the death. So, to save our Military the loss of additional men — we brought on the best weapon known to man kind. The Atomic Bomb. Here are some WONDEFUL pictures of that dropping of that bomb. Of which you were supposed to get 12 — you ended up getting two. Consider yourself lucky sir.
The first:
and the Second:
We caught hell for doing that; in fact, there are liberals to this day that believe that we were wrong from dropping those bombs. The truth is, that your Country’s military leaders were SO insane, that they really did not want to stop fighting, even after these two bombs were dropped. But your imperial commander at the time, decided that losing the Japanese race was not worth the fight. Perhaps it is because he realized that attacking America was big mistake. Some here in America say that we got attacked, because we cut your fuel shipments off. That is because you were inflicting death on other Countries.
So, to the Government of Japan, to the Democratic Party of Japan, and to Ichiro Ozawa. I give a hearty FUCK YOU!
Signed,
-Pat
A United States Citizen
…..and you know what? We did.
UPDATED: The Obligatory Cab Driver Stabbed because he is a Muslim Posting New York Post shows its stupidity
I really did not want to touch this, until ALL of the facts are out. There are many on the right, who are distorting this story badly. Further more, there are some on the left who are as well.
Here is the truth. A Cab Driver picks up a man; the cab driver is a Muslim. The man asks driver if he is a Muslim, the driver says yes, and the man proceeds to stab him rather badly. The Cab Driver locks his car and calls 911.
The man who did it, worked for a production company as a volunteer and went to Pakistan. He also did work for the Park51 group as well, as did the company he worked for.
The problem with these stories is this; both sides, left and right, rush to make it one of their own —- instead of waiting for the facts to come out.
The facts are, my friends, that a Muslim man was stabbed and is in the hospital; and there is a lone nut in a jail cell somewhere. I think that both sides of this debate need to take a step back and relax a little. Because this is going to keep on, until someone ends up dead; and that my friends, is the last thing we need right now.
I believe that both sides, left and right, both need to cool it. Before the unthinkable happens.
Update: The New York Post shows it’s damned inane stupidity, their headline:
Driver claims his throat was slashed after telling passenger he was Muslim
Claims? CLAIMS??!?!? Wow. 😯
Pardon my sarcasm here, but, “Yeah we put claims, because you cannot ever trust those stupid sand nigger towel heads, they never tell truth….”
Oh.My.God I cannot believe Murdock would stoop that low. 🙁
I am ashamed of being even a moderate-minded Conservative at this moment. 😡
Update: Fixer Grammar error in title of posting. Thanks to commenter Blog Responder. 😀
Unreal: Mosque Supporter says Holocaust Survivor “Didn’t learn his lesson”
You know, I have expressed my dismay at those on the far right, that are using that Mosque in New York as a political issue; and are fanning the flames of extremism — not to mention are just grandstanding this issue to death.
Well, I regret to report, that it is happening on the left or at least among the Mosque supporters too:
The Video via JammieWearingFool: (CONTENT WARNING – LANGUAGE)
Obviously a Michael Bloomberg and Barack Obama supporter. Classy guy. He calls the old man an unpatriotic, treasonous piece of garbage. A shame how the lamestream media ignored this.
The left loves to call anyone who disagree with them bigots and haters. Just get a look at the vein-popping rage of this man and tell me he’s not consumed with hatred.
While Mr. JWF’s opinion may be slightly over the top; telling or saying that Holocaust survivor “Didn’t learn his lesson,” is just beyond the pale. I may support this Mosque’s LEGAL right to build this building, (Moral right is another story…) I do not support that sort of hatred.
My message to the Mosque supporters; if you think that spewing this sort of garbage and allowing yourself to be taped is going to help your cause, you are very highly mistaken. Bashing anyone, especially Jews; that are opposed to this Mosque only hurts your cause. I will not rush to judgment and call this man a leftist, because I do not know this, neither does JWF; but I digress. Therefore, I will just file this under general stupidity.
The Republican Party, The Tea Party, Bloggers, and YOU
Well, we lost another one!
Looks like Dan Amato, better known as Digger has called it quits with the Republican Party:
To all of you ignorant Tea Party people out there who are continuing to think that you can somehow co-opt the GOP and turn it in the right direction, John McCain is your answer from the Republican National Committee and the top echelons of this corrupt and unfixable party. Their continued support of candidates like John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins is an abomination.
As for the Tea Party movement, it has been wholly co-opted by the likes of Dick Armey, a fiercely pro-amnesty for illegal aliens proponent who will never change his ways. And the Tea Partiers stand at the sidelines as he speaks for them. They are the equivalent of the “moderate Muslims” who stand by and do nothing while the extremists take over their “religion”. Let Armey lead you down into the doldrums of the continued bottomless cesspool that is our political system – for it will never right itself. You sheep out there who are supporting the parties and the Armey backed Tea Party – being steered by FreedomWorks – should be disgusted with yourselves. You should have denounced Armey from day one, yet you did nothing as those of us who see what he truly is have been shouting it for more than a year. I see no action from any of you as he gallivants around the country talking for you. Silence is acceptance.
At one point I thought I would go independent for years and maybe the Republicans would turn themselves around and see the light, but that is not happening and it is not going to happen. There is no going back and I will never support the Republicans or the GOP again. The shortest straw has been pulled and placed on the camel’s back that is our country. I urge you to permanently declare your separation from the GOP – for life.
[….]
I will now actively work against the GOP in any manner that I can. I will actively work against the Democrats in any way that I can. As a matter of fact at this point I am seriously thinking of supporting Democrats. I will scream from the mountaintops the pure disgust that both parties have become and convince anyone I can to turn against them. I am of the mind that we need more Democrats in power, more progressives, more John McCains to leave our borders wide open and to allow our citizens to continue to be abused. For what else will wake them up but mass raping, pillaging and murderous attacks?
He is referring, of course, to the reelection of John McCain. Even AllahPundit was not happy about it:
I can’t believe, in this year of all years, we couldn’t find a better challenger for McCain than this guy. It’s 60/29 as I write this. What a travesty.
I can really understand the feelings of both of these guys; I really can. I have to confess something here —- I was, from day one, extremely skeptical of the Tea Party Movement. At first, it sounded like an awesome idea and at first, it was. The problem is this, it was co-oped by movers and shakers within the Republican establishment; people like Dick Army and yes, Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin might be a good motivator; but like it or not, but she is one of the Party faithful within the Republican Party. Like it or not; but the Tea Party was never a “Republican” or even a “Conservative” movement. It was simply a movement of people who were disgusted by what was happening in the Government. The tragic thing that happened was that it was co-oped by special interest groups with the Republican establishment and more tragically, within the beltway. The Tea Party movement was also feasted upon, by people wanting to make a quick buck on the emotions of the American people.
Some would say, “Did you not do this?” To this, I say, No. I did not. I simply wrote about the movement and gave my feelings on it. I also reported the true account of one of the biggest Tea Party protests in Washington D.C. —- for that I did receive a donation from many readers. Of which I was very shocked that I received them. However, I was very grateful for it. Hopefully, those people are still reading here.
The main question in many minds of many people is:
Where do we go from here?
The answer to that question is this; we keep electing candidates that represent Tea Party values: Low Taxes, Responsible Government and so forth.
I think one of tragedies of the Tea Party was that there was some assumption within the ranks of the Tea Party Movement itself, that this group of unaffiliated activists were going to coalesce into this organized Third Party that was going to unseat the Republican Party as the Party of Conservatism or at least, be this alternative to the Democratic Party in the United States of America. I am afraid that this just was not a feasible goal. The Republican Party is controlled by very well financed and well heeled contributors. Not to mention the fact that there are legions of special interest groups and political action committees, that are loyal to the Republican cause. Basically, without over simplifying it; the Tea Party Movement was outgunned by the one thing, that these activists were protesting against the misuse of in Washington D.C. ——– Money.
Let me be clear, (Thank you Mr. President, for making the best statement of clarity, into a punchline! You Bastard! 😉 ) this should not be considered my “Tea Party – Rest in Peace” posting, as it is not. I believe that the Tea Party did and still is accomplishing what it set out to do. The Tea Party, along with social media, has changed the game for politics; especially Conservative politics. I believe that the Tea Party, along with the election of Barack Obama and also the huge economic crash of 2008; has for the most part, united the Conservative movement — at least on fiscal issues —- now, foreign policy, and social issues, that is another story! —- The Party was sorely divided under President George W. Bush. This became very apparent in 2006, when the Iraq War got very ugly. Oh, there are some who continue to hold out, and point at everyone who disagrees with them, as “Neo-Cons.” (Yes, I know I used the term in a previous entry!) But this group is a very small minority within the Conservative movement. I would dwell on that subject more, but I just do not see wasting any space on them. They call themselves “Alternative Right”, I have a name for them; it is called Neo-Nazi. Hate, not matter how intellectualized or nuanced —- is still hate. This is why I broke away from the Paleo-Conservative camp. The hardcore Paleo-Conservative camp is simply reactionary politics distilled down to it’s simplest forms. Contrary to what they might like to publish, Paleo-Conservatives disdain for Identity Politics on the Left and Right is NOT about the disliking of the Identity Politics itself; but rather for the sole purpose of hating anyone, who is of a different color, race or creed than the majority of Paleo-Conservatives, who are, in fact, mostly older White, well-educated, Americans. There is a word for it, it is called Nativism.
However, this is not to say that the Wilsonian sect of the Republican Party is not a real thing; oh it is, and it is very real and very powerful and quite well financed. They even have their own magazine. However, the influence of the Wilsonian sect, within the Republican Party is waning. The Republican Party has had a “Come to Jesus” moment on Foreign Policy and even War. The notable exception is this idiotic Park 51 situation. Like it or not; but there are some Wilsonian Conservatives who are milking that little issue for every political bit that it is worth. Further more, they are using tactics right out of Adolf Hitler’s handbook. Propaganda is evil, I do not give a damn who is doing it or why. It is wrong and it needs to stop.
In closing, let me say this to whomever Conservative or Republican happens to read this Blog entry. We as Conservatives and yes, as Republicans —- can do two things. We can take the path of extremism and we can die is a political party. Which would be the absolute delight of the Neo-Liberal left — or we can take the sensible path. We can ignore the Wilsonians and we can take a path of moderation, understanding, and measurement. We can also take a path of integrity —- and we can live and exist as a Party, as a people and as a movement.
We must make this choice.
We must choose Righteousness and not foolishness.
We must make that choice very quickly.
Because darkness is upon us and a time will come — when no man can work.
Video: I Fought For You
This is great, have your hankie’s ready.
Fixed typo… more coffee…. 😛
Video: Words of the so-called “moderate Muslim” Imam of Ground Zero Mosque
As AllahPundit would say, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf: “We tend to forget, in the West, that the United States has more Muslim blood on its hands than al Qaida has on its hands of innocent non Muslims. You may remember that the US-led sanctions against Iraq led to the death of over half a million Iraqi children. This has been documented by the United Nations. And when Madeleine Albright, who has become a friend of mine over the last couple of years, when she was Secretary of State and was asked whether this was worth it, said it was worth it.
Pamela Geller has more, and I highly recommend that you read this one. Even I, as a Moderate Conservative, find this most interesting.
Quite bluntly, this guy has ZERO business being at, near or whatever, Ground Zero, New York or anywhere else in the United States.
But, as we know, the liberal media, will not touch this, because it really does not fit the narrative. Nor do I expect President Obama to intervene here either. Because we all know that Muslims don’t cut one another. (I mean, after all, he did have a Muslim daddy AND step-daddy…)
Update: Memeornadum Thread.
Iraq gets first unmanned bomber
Any other time, I would not give two flips about something like this; but seeing the news that I saw last night. Um, I am a bit inclined to be a bit worried.
Last Night the New York Times reported the following:
TEHRAN — Thirty-six years after construction began under the shah, Iran finally opened its first nuclear power plant at a ceremony on Saturday.
Attended by senior officials from Iran and Russia, which helped build the plant, the ceremony marked the beginning of the transfer of low-enriched uranium fuel rods from a storage site into the plant. Officials of both countries said that Saturday’s events signified the opening, not the startup, of the plant near Bushehr, in southern Iran.
The plant itself is not controversial, because the Russians plan to provide fuel for it and to remove spent fuel that could be used to make weapons. But the opening was sure to upset United States diplomats, who had encouraged Russia to delay it as a way to add to economic sanctions imposed on Iran because of its refusal to cease enrichment of uranium at its other nuclear facilities. Although Iran denies that it is using its civilian nuclear program to mask a plan to build a bomb, many Western countries are dubious.
Which is not exactly true. If this news source can be trusted; Haartz is reporting the following:
Iran will continue to enrich its own uranium, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the country’s semi-official Fars news agency on Saturday, hours after Russian nuclear fuel began to be inserted into Iran’s first nuclear reactor.
Iranian and Russian engineers began the weeklong operation to load uranium fuel into the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a major milestone as Tehran forges ahead with its atomic program despite U.N. sanctions.
Last week, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters the United States felt that the fact that the Bushehr reactor would operate solely on Russian fuel proved that “underscores that Iran does not need its own enrichment capability if its intentions, as it states, are for a peaceful nuclear program.”
Gibbs added that the Bushehr plant proved “to the world that, if the Iranians are sincere in a peaceful program, their needs can be met without undertaking its own enrichment program, which call into question its motives.
Having made that point; I want to direct your attention to this little gem, which popped into my RSS this morning.
This comes via AP, which comes to me via the Daily Caller:
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday inaugurated the country’s first domestically-built, long-range, unmanned bomber aircraft, calling it an “ambassador of death” to Iran’s enemies.
Speaking to a group of officials Ahmadinejad said, “The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship.”
The goal of the aircraft is to “keep the enemy paralyzed in its bases,” he said, adding that the jet is for deterrence and defensive purposes.
The president championed the country’s military self-sufficiency program, and said it will continue “until the enemies of humanity lose hope of ever attacking the Iranian nation.”
The 4-meter-long unmanned plane, dubbed the Karrar or striker in Farsi, was inaugurated on the national day for the country’s defense industry in a ceremony aired live on state TV.
No details were provided on the craft’s capabilities.
Iran has been producing its own light, unmanned surveillance aircraft since the late 1980s.
The ceremony came a day after Iran began to fuel its first nuclear power reactor, with the help of Russia, amid international concerns over the possibility of a military dimension to its nuclear program.
Iran insists it is only interested in generating electricity.
Call me overly paranoid, But I don’t quite believe that Iran is just using that plant for generating electricity. I mean, a plant opens one day; and nobody is quite sure what fuel that they will be using. The next very next day, Iran debuts a unmanned drone, which can drop a bomb? Sorry, but I find that just a bit unnerving. Hopefully, someone at the State Department will see the story and go, “um, Barry?” and let the President know about this. However, I do not expect that the President will be inclined to do anything about it. I mean, after all, we did just get out of Iraq; and we are still very busy with Afghanistan as well.
It could very well be, that this drone is to basically taunt and a feeble attempt to put fear into Israel. However, I am inclined to believe that it will have just the opposite effect. Either way, this should be an interesting story to follow.
I just hope that the President, his Administration and our State Department are taking this as seriously, as they should be.
Further more, I do not expect the liberal media to get into any sort of huff about this either; as they do not see the threat of Iran, like those of us, who know what idiot leader of that Country is capable of; plainly, the man is crazy and is a Jew hater and there is no telling what he might use that drone for. If I were Israel, I would be preparing for war. Because it is quite obvious that this is what Iran wants.
Update: Now a Memeorandum Thread.
The Classless Left: Exhibit M for Military Disrespect
This here, is one of the biggest reasons why I never, ever, vote for a Democrat, ever again.
The Story via Big Peace:
I still clearly remember the day that I was summoned home by my oldest son Kristofer to find the Navy officers and chaplain waiting inside my home to tell me the most painful and agonizing words I would ever hear, “We are sorry to inform you that your son Marc Alan Lee was killed in action.”
Marc Alan Lee
I have always been a patriot and understood that our men and women serving have paid for my freedoms but since the day Marc willingly sacrificed his life, I understand in a much deeper way the cost and sacrifice that our brave warriors and their families make. “Freedom isn’t free” is a reality not just a patriotic slogan.
[….]
Numerous times over the past four years I have confronted the antics of Jodie Evans and her anti-war Code Pink cronies. We’ve all seen the nightly news with them being arrested time and time again throwing their leftist temper tantrums with their pink boa feathers wrapped around their necks as they kick and scream like a two-year-old throwing a tantrum to get attention. They have sent over $600,000.00 to the terrorists in Fallujah, or as they called them, “freedom fighting” heroes. You would think treasonous acts like this would have them locked in jail. Over and over they have attacked our military recruiting offices causing thousands of dollars of damage to the offices and threatening the recruiters.
In 2008 they barricaded the recruiting office in Berkeley with the blessing of the Berkeley City Council. We at Move America Forward had all we could stomach when we heard them tell the Marines they were unwelcome, unwanted intruders, not in Iraq or Afghanistan but on American soil in Berkeley, California. Americans from across the nation joined us in Berkeley to counter-protest these anti-war hippies. Numerous times they told me they support the troops but not the war, yet over and over when I asked if they had sent care packages, phone cards, written letters, or helped the families left behind in anyway, they conveniently couldn’t remember anything they had done. Yet they had a successful fundraiser to send $600,000.00 to our enemies in Iraq? Yet Jodie Evans and her Code Pink degenerates taunted me and made light of my son’s sacrifice telling me, “Your son deserved to die in Iraq if he was stupid enough to go over there.” It took every ounce of reserve in my body to not level these idiots to the ground. These same people who call terrorists “freedom fighters” says that my son, who gave up his life for their freedoms, deserved death.
Go read the rest of that. What a disgrace! ….and yet the Democrats claim to be the part “of the people.” More like the party of the degenerate bastards.
Disgusting. 😡
Others: Power Line, Weasel Zippers, BLACKFIVE, Sister Toldjah, American Power, Gateway Pundit, Big Hollywood and National Review
BREAKING NEWS: Looks like the guy behind the Park 51 project is not so ‘Moderate’ after all
This comes via Ace, who has the flaming skull out on this one. (H/T The Other McCain and via Weasel Zippers)
To set this up, Ace says:
Remember: You — Obama and the MFM — went out a limb to vouch for this guy, putting the whole of your credibility and judgment behind the proposition that he is a well-meaning, peaceful moderate and you’d have to be crazy to think otherwise.
[….]
We know the first, second, and last defense that will be screamed by the left: B-b-but Bush said he was moderate….!
Yeah? And? Bush didn’t stake his political future on the man’s purported “moderation,” either.
Thanks to LauraW., who was out looking for actual news while I was jagging off in the comments.
Let Me Repeat: Obama and the MFM staked the entirety of their credibility and judgment on the assertion that this was a moderate man interested only in peace, and of course in no way a supporter of terrorism, and anyone who suspected otherwise was an ignorant bigot with a heart full of hatred.
So let’s see. Let’s see.
Let’s see whose judgment was sound and whose judgment was really full of ignorance and hatred — hatred for the concerns of their fellow Americans.
Headline Credit: Dr. Varno proposed “Unmosqued” and I agree.
The news comes via Pamela Geller, whom I admire for he relentless pursuit of radical Jihad and Radical Islam:
Steve Emerson has unearthed 13 hours of audio tape of Imam Rauf. Emerson and his team of investigators has spent the past four weeks going through the newly found material. Rauf is a “radical extremist cleric who cloaks himself in sheep’s clothing.”
Among the shocking revelations Emerson’s team will reveal next week — they found Rauf:
Defending wahhabism – a puritanical version of Islam that governs Saudi Arabia
Calling for the elimination of Israel by claiming a one-nation state, meaning no more Jewish State.
Defending Bin Laden’s violence
Demonstrating that there is a lot more to this man than merely a cleric.
Here is the audio link to the show: Click Here
Steve Emerson’s website is here.
I am going to be perfectly honest with you. I have been trying to keep an open mind on this subject and trying not demagogue this issue; but try to present all sides, as I am a more moderate classic liberal/Conservative person. But if these allegations are true, then my position will change. Because I do not want a Mosque or whatever the hell this thing is; being ran by someone like this, at all.
I, like many others I’m sure, await to hear these recordings. I cannot wait for them to come out. I should point out, that there is video of this man saying that American basically created Osama Bin Laden. I have seen that; but this is entirely different. Again, I await these recordings.
Update: Now a thread at Memeornadum
Video: “So Many”
This powerful video comes via No Sheeples Here: (H/T POWIP via RSM)
If these people, if you want to call them that, cared about dialog, they would move this site.
The Classless Left: Exhibit AG for Alan Grayson
This video comes via HotAir.com:
Ah, Yes, let’s blame the same guy, who we want to weigh in on an issue such as that, “Whatever you want to call it” that is two blocks away from ground zero.
I hate to be the one to bring this up….But… I will; for years and years and years, White Nationalists and Paleo-Conservative types have been arguing that Jewish people are morally and intellectually inferior people. I have never bought into that sort of hate, but in this idiot’s case —- I think that they might actually have a point.
I’m not sure who is running against Allan Greyson; but I sure hope like hell that he wins!
Video: “Welcome Home”
If you loved the iconic photo….. you will love this video: (H/T HotAir)
The Extremely Sadly Obligatory “People think President Obama is a Muslim more and more everyday” Posting
Sigh….
Why must I write about insanely stupid things such as this?
I mean, is being a moderate Conservative automatically a mandate to sign on with the stupid now? If it is, I must have not have gotten the memo on this at all. Because this bunch of blatant stupidity, I find to be most distressing — almost to the point of shutting my blog and disappearing from Politics altogether.
What I am griping about, is this incredibly stupid poll out, which says that more and more people believe that President Obama is a Muslim. I mean the man’s Father gives to his kid an Arab middle name, because the man was a Muslim at one time, and everyone freaks and says, “He’s a Muslim!” or in some quarters, “He’s a nigger Muslim!” —- Depending on where you are, north or south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Yes, I went there, you are very welcome. Figure if Dr. Laura can go there, so can I.
Seriously, folks, I am honestly beginning to wonder if some members of the Anglo-Saxon race are not inflicted with some sort of incurable disorder. I like to call it “Negro-Phobia,” White people are honestly frightened by anyone that looks, talks, acts, and even sounds different than they do. This is 2010, I thought we were over such nonsense; after all, we did elect the Nation’s first black President. Nevertheless, this nonsense is still being polled about, talked about and blogged about.
My question to my fellow Conservative is this; do you people honestly believe that this sort of idiotic nonsense is going to get the Republicans elected back into office in November? I mean, seriously!
What is fueling this sort of nonsense? Fear —– You know damned well the Republicans are playing that little card for all it is worth.
Look, I know the President is a socialist I get that. However, to accuse a man of lying about what his Religious leanings are, is just plain underhanded tripe. I mean, has all of the damned intellectualism disappeared out of the Conservative side of the Political fence for God’s sake? Have all of the men of wisdom within the ranks of Conservationism been replaced with Hillbilly Mouth breathing idiots, who have no concept of any sort intellectual thought?
I will not try to mislead my readers — at this point, I am seriously beginning to believe that Conservatives have officially jumped the damned shark on this little subject. I am not ready to official change to another political stripe or anything; because I have learned too much about the left, and much of it, I cannot stand. Nevertheless, this nonsense of accusing the first black President of the United States about lying to America, as to what God his subscribes to, is just very ridiculous.
Is this what the Republican Party has become? The President of the United States, who happens to be black and have Arab middle name has a dinner with a group of Muslims. The President tells a group of Arabs that are visiting the White House, that this Park 51 site — has the legal, not the moral, but the legal right to build in New York City and that the United States Government will not interfere with this process — and alone, that makes him a Muslim?
Another example: The economy is not recovering as fast or a well as the Democrats had hoped and that somehow means that President Obama is some sort cryptic-Muslim socialist that wants to overthrow the capitalistic system in America, and introduce us to Sharia law and Communism.
Do not laugh; I have heard such stuff out of the mouth of Glenn Beck himself and from other well-known Conservative Bloggers.
If this all somehow sounds familiar to some of my older readers, it should, the same very thing was said about President John F. Kennedy. There were actually Conservatives and yes, some Democrats who were going around shrieking that Kennedy would be taking orders from Rome. You see, Kennedy was Catholic and back in those days, a Catholic had never served as President of the United States. In fact, the issue got so bad, that Kennedy had to address the Southern Baptist Convention in 1960 to convince them and the rest of America that he would not be taking orders from Rome.
Fortunately, back then, it worked.
What you did not have in 1960 were Conservative Bloggers who were “hell bent” on destroying a President, for the simple fact that he is a Black Democrat. However, today, you do have them and there are many of them.
Look, I am going to make an admission to you all. I did not create this blog to attempt to destroy President Obama. I started this blog to criticize the President of the United States on his policies, when I thought that they were wrong, dumb, and misguided, and I will continue to do so. However, what I will not partake in is the silly idiotic partisan rumormongering that is not based on facts.
Having said all of that let me give an open message to the Conservative and Republican Blogging community:
I will not partake in this stupidity and if this is, what is required to be in with the “Cool Kids” in Conservative blogger, then by all means, count me is an outsider — Because I want nothing to do with this sort of stupidity.
Operation Iraqi Freedom has ended
The Videos via NBC Nightly News:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
50,000 advisers remain. But, the worse….. Hopefully, is over.
If you served; thank you. 😀 I could never, ever express that in any fashion that is remotely worth a darn. At least not without sounding like some sort of an idiot.
What happens now? This, via NYT:
To protect the civilians in a country that is still home to insurgents with Al Qaeda and Iranian-backed militias, the State Department is planning to more than double its private security guards, up to about 7,000, according to administration officials who disclosed new details of the plan. Defending five fortified compounds across the country, the security contractors would operate radars to warn of enemy rocket attacks, search for roadside bombs, fly reconnaissance drones and even staff quick reaction forces to come to the aid of civilians in distress, the officials said…
The department’s plans to rely on 6,000 to 7,000 security contractors, who are also expected to form “quick reaction forces” to rescue civilians in trouble, is a sensitive issue, given Iraqi fury about shootings of civilians by American private guards in recent years. Administration officials said that security contractors would have no special immunity and would be required to register with the Iraqi government. In addition, one of the State Department’s regional security officers, agents who oversee security at diplomatic outposts, will be required to approve and accompany every civilian convoy, providing additional oversight.
MSNBC and WaPo both have some seriously excellent articles on soldiers reflections on coming out.
Keith Olbermann obviously, is overjoyed:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Blackfive which is a very excellent Milblogger has much to say about this. I will be honest; I am very disappointed that more of the Conservative Bloggers are not covering this. It seems that they are more interested in the Mosque story. Which is highly disappointing. My high kudos to AllahPundit over at HotAir, for at least giving the Military the dignity that they deserve.
And now, for a special comment from me, your humble host, about the ending of this long seven year war.
I think I can speak for the great majority of America — I am just damned glad it is finally done, over, finished. For seven long years, our Nation sat, rent asunder, divided over what could possibly be called the biggest blunder that a Presidential Administration, not to mention a Nation, a Congress, and Country could ever have pulled off — A decision to go to war with a Country based upon now what is now known as horrifically flawed intelligence. Without over simplifying it and at the risk of sounding like a far-leftist Liberal —- Oops, we blew it and blew it bad —– Because of this very idiotic blunder, 4415 of our Nation’s finest young men and woman, ended up going to a damned meat grinder and losing their lives. For a war, that had absolutely nothing, zero, nada to do with the attacks on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and on Flight 93 that the Government claims was on the way to the White House on September 11, 2001. In short and quite bluntly, we screwed the pooch on that one, and whole bunch of Military people were killed.
I say the word “Claims,” because the United States Government has not exactly been very forthcoming about all of the evidence that they have, which supports the claims made by the Government about what really happened on 9/11. Now, before anyone begins to think it; no, I am not a 9/11 “truther.” No more, than I am a far leftist or even a damned Republican. However, I will say to you that I do not trust my Government. Because to blindly trust the Government is to never question what they say to you; and to never question or challenge is to be a slave or a servant; and the last time I checked, I am not, nor have I ever been, a slave to anyone or a servant of anyone, save the Lord Jesus Christ. That even that I readily admit to being quite lousy at doing, at times.
Having said all that let me say this:
We won.
No thanks, of course, to the Democratic Party, The libertarian leftists, The Ron Paul people, The Pat Buchanan types, The Paleo-Conservatives in General, the far-leftists, and the liberal, owned, controlled, and financed media in this God-forsaken Country of ours.
However, all praise, honor and any sort of decree is to be given to the United States Armed Forces. They simply kicked Al-Qaeda’s ass in Iraq. The US Military smoked them damned towel heads from one end of Iraq to the other. Most of their dead bodies are in Iraqi Cemeteries; which is a good place for them, if you ask me.
Personally, I am glad this conflict is over. I am also glad, that we actually won. There was no Vietnam-like ending, we left victorious.
We won.
In the future, we should be much more careful.
We also should remember those who did not make it out alive.
However, today, we dance, we rejoice.
Because tomorrow, we go back to work and we finish the damned job on the war on terror.
Video: “We Remember”
Constitutional issues aside, this mosque is just morally wrong. Considering the fact that this developers of Park 51 have refused to meet with Governor Patterson, they just do not care about morals at all. Hell, even Howard Dean is saying move the darn thing! Howard Dean people! Is that not any indication to the Democrats that this just might not be a good idea?!?!?!
Anyhow, Watch this and tell me you support that damn towel-head mall; which is what it really is.
The Round-Up: Gateway Pundit, TPMDC, Weasel Zippers, Moonbattery, Townhall.com, Sweetness & Light, The Mahablog and Nice Deb
Mosque supporters cry “HALP! BOOOSH!”
You know that you are living in bizarro world, when people who, at one point, hated Bush with a passion are now wanting his help.
Via the Washington Examiner:
There’s a new argument emerging among supporters of the Ground Zero mosque. Distressed by President Obama’s waffling on the issue, they’re calling on former President George W. Bush to announce his support for the project, because in this case Bush understands better than Obama the connection between the war on terror and the larger question of America’s relationship with Islam. It’s an extraordinary change of position for commentators who long argued that Bush had done grievous harm to America’s image in the Muslim world and that Obama represented a fresh start for the United States. Nevertheless, they are now seeing a different side of the former president.
“It’s time for W. to weigh in,” writes the New York Times’ Maureen Dowd. Bush, Dowd explains, understands that “you can’t have an effective war against the terrorists if it is a war on Islam.” Dowd finds it “odd” that Obama seems less sure on that matter. But to set things back on the right course, she says, “W. needs to get his bullhorn back out” — a reference to Bush’s famous “the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!” speech at Ground Zero on September 14, 2001.
I have in front of me, the official George W. Bush response to this situation and here it is:
You assholes did not want me in office the whole entire time that I was there; and now you want me to come bail you out, because your wonderful "Magic Negro" President cannot articulate a damn simple thought correctly? You morons are out of your damned minds!
Actually, President Bush’s office had no comment on the matter. But YOU KNOW darned well that is what President Bush is thinking right about now.
Others: live.washingtonpost.com, Michelle Malkin, TPMDC, Big Journalism, Weasel Zippers, IMAO, protein wisdom, The Daily Caller, Hot Air, iOwnTheWorld.com, Tim Blair, Sister Toldjah, Gateway Pundit and NewsBusters.org
Has Pelosi lost her marbles?
It appears so….
Audio:
Via the Washington Times:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, called for an investigation of those who are protesting the building of the Ground Zero Mosque on Tuesday. She told San Francisco’s KCBS radio
[….]
“There is no question there is a concerted effort to make this a political issue by some. And I join those who have called for looking into how is this opposition to the mosque being funded,” she said. “How is this being ginned up that here we are talking about Treasure Island, something we’ve been working on for decades, something of great interest to our community as we go forward to an election about the future of our country and two of the first three questions are about a zoning issue in New York City.” (h/t Kristinn)
Calls to investigate the funding for those proposing the $100 million “Cordoba House” have fallen on deaf ears, though, as New York’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg has described such an investigation as “un-American.”
Ms. Pelosi called the Ground Zero mosque an “urban development decision” for New Yorkers to work through. Her remarks happened on the heels of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, parting ways with President Barack Obama on the issue. Mr. Reid suggested the mosque should be built somewhere else.
Heck, even the liberals do not like this idea! For all of their faults; and I know this personally, because I was a left of center voting Democrat at one point — the Liberals do believe in the first amendment. So, I will give them credit there. Anyhow, I think Nancy Pelosi ought to be checked, because I really do not think she is speaking with a clear mind or something. Because she just is not make any sense here. Investigate people for using their right to free speech? It just does not make any damned sense at all.
Others: Michelle Malkin, The Other McCain, Ace of Spades HQ, Big Peace, Townhall.com, Questions and Observations, Hugh Hewitt’s TownHall Blog, Daily Kos, GayPatriot, Fausta’s Blog, National Review, Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, Red Dog Report, Nice Deb, Erick’s blog, Freedom’s Lighthouse, The Powers That Be, Outside the Beltway, Associated Press, The Daily Caller, Daily Pundit, Sweetness & Light, Weasel Zippers, Pirate’s Cove, Right Pundits, theblogprof, Big Hollywood, Patterico’s Pontifications, Coalition to Honor Ground Zero, Creative Minority Report, The Camp Of The Saints, Cold Fury, Wizbang, Commentary, Confederate Yankee, Gates of Vienna, NewsBusters.org, Say Anything, The Politico and Pajamas Media and more via Memeorandum
Possibly the best thing ever written about the Park51 mess
Rick Moran over at Right Wing Nuthouse Writes:
If you know a little history about Catholics in America, you will recognize that they were saying much the same thing 160 years ago with the first great influx of Irish immigrants. The myth that America is tolerant of other religions is belied by the historical treatment of Catholics and Jews in this country. While lip service is paid to constitutional protections, as late as 50 years ago, there were serious conversations carried out by serious people about whether electing a Catholic president would doom us to rule from Rome.
I’d advise you to go read the rest of that. Rick is one of the more saner voices on the right — well, outside of me, of course. 😉 His point is VERY valid. There was a time, when the right wing hated on Catholics, Jews and anyone else, who wasn’t Christian White American. In fact, there are places on the web, where stuff like that can be seen now. Like HERE for instance.
Jews, Propaganda and Park 51
Here is the main reason I will not use Haaretz for reporting news stories:
After weeks of heated debate over plans for an Islamic community center near Ground Zero – the site of the 9/11 attacks on New York – it seems Muslim leaders will soon back down, agreeing to move to a new site.
The decision follows a high-profile campaign against the project that included advertisements on New York buses showing images of the burning Twin Towers, an iconic landmark razed when al-Qaida terrorists flew packed passenger planes into them in 2001. The New York Republican party is also said to be planning a hostile television campaign.
This story, of course, is bogus, false, and further proves that Haaretz is nothing more than a Zionist propoganda outlet. Even the Jerusalem Post has a bit more integrity than these guys; but not much more. There have been bogus stories float out of that paper as well.
However, Harry Reid is now being quoted as saying that he wished that these Park51 folks would move the Mosque elsewhere. Of course, his statement is being met with anger from some of the left. I believe that this Mosque could become a thorn in the side of the Democrats come November.
Speaking of political issues; this whole Mosque situation has me a bit ticked off. Here’s why; if any of you all believe that the Republican Party or any of the rest of these people that are raising a fuss about this damned building actually give a flying frito about that building being built —- I have land to sell you in Texas for cheap. The truth is, these people, and if you’ll pardon my frank speech — these people do not give two shits about that Building being built two blocks away from where the twin towers fell. You want to know what this is all about? Making President Obama and the Democrats look bad; so that the Republicans, whom most of these bloggers, Conservatives and other people support — can possibly win in November. Further more, this man-made controversy is also an effort by said bloggers, who I will not mention, for fear of litigation; to feed this silly Meme that President Obama is not really an American citizen, but rather a crypto Muslim and a supporter of Islamic Terrorism in America and abroad.
The problem with that idea is this; the American people, specifically independent voters are just a little bit smarter than these morons give them credit for. They know when some deranged Zionist Blogger, who also said that Obama was the love child of Malcom X, is trying to feed them a line of bullshit; and they are going to vote appropriately, as they should. That is what steams me about this whole thing. These idiots, and that is what they are, idiots; do not care about the area, they only give a crap about thier personal and political and Zionistic agendas — which is to smear ALL MUSLIMS AND ARABS as terrorists.
It is, I am afraid, what happens, when Religion and Politics become entangled.