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Saturday, May 31, 2008

Some Beauty For A Change

With all the ugliness in the world I thought I would share this incredible photo of a North Pole Sunset. The sun is perched below a huge sliver of a moon, which is at its closest point. Wish I could say it was one of mine but, alas, 'tis not.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Barack Obama Speaks With Forked Tongue- Or The Art Of Political Pandering

Politicians will say virtually anything to get elected; contradict themselves or even blatantly lie, in hopes that a stupidly gullible voter will not bother to question the inconsistencies and contradictions and vote for him anyway. This is what Barack Hussein Obama hopes to do by pandering to the American voters. In an effort to ingratiate himself, at an invitation-only townhall meeting at a Boca Raton, Florida synagogue this past Thursday, he spent 20 minutes trying to convince the congregation that he loves the Jews, and has Israel in his best interests:

"One of the raps on me when I first ran for Congress in the African-American community was, 'He's too close to the Jewish community. ...All his friends are Jews" [snip] "The bottom line is this: Nobody can find any statement that I have ever made that is anything less than unequivocally pro-Israel."

Ah yes, the typical "my best friend's a ....... ", you fill in the blank. Umm, Barack I beg to differ. Though you mightn't have made any direct statements, the fact that you have consistently surrounded yourself with anti-Semitic, anti-Israel advisers and colleagues, speaks volumes.

General Merrill "Tony" McPeak, an Obama policy advisor and potential candidate for secretary of defense, no less, in an Obama White House, blamed the failure of the Middle East process on Miami and New York Jews. He has been

"a long-time critic of Israel's presence in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan Heights. In a 1976 article in Foreign Affairs magazine, he criticized Israel for refusing to withdraw from areas liberated in the 1967 Six Day War, even as he wrote poignantly about the vital security advantages Israel obtained by conquering those areas."

Obama was a board member of the charitable Woods Foundation (the same one William 'the terrorist' Ayers was a member of) which has funded the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel organization Arab American Action Network (AAAN).

In an interview in French Magazine Match, he claimed that once president, he would call for a summit of Muslim Nations (including Iran and Syria):

"I want to ask them to join our fight against terrorism. We must also listen to their concerns."

Concerns? Hello, Barack, their concerns are the very existence of Israel and the Jews. Do you really think you're going to change that decades-old mindset? How supremely naive.

Then we have Obama's ex-spiritual advisor-cum-preacher the Reverend Jeremiah Wright who is most definitely anti-American and anti-Israel. A 20 year affiliation folks.

Wright has called Israel a "racist country," said that "Israel" is a dirty word, and claimed US foreign policy was responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

But most telling, in my mind, are affiliations one hears nothing about in the mainstream media. His strong affiliation with Arab-American and anti-Israel activists, like Professor Edward Said, seated next to Barack and Michelle (in photo) at a 1998 Arab community function where Said was keynote speaker. Then we have Ali Abunimah, the co-founder of The Electronic Intifada who wrote a fascinating article about his relationship with Obama. Abunimah, claims

"The last time I spoke to Obama was in the winter of 2004 at a gathering in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. He was in the midst of a primary campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat he now occupies. But at that time polls showed him trailing. As he came in from the cold and took off his coat, I went up to greet him. He responded warmly, and volunteered, "Hey, I'm sorry I haven't said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I'm hoping when things calm down I can be more up front." He referred to my activism, including columns I was contributing to the The Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy, "Keep up the good work!"

Echoing the Reverend Wright's accusation that Obama was simply being politically expedient with respect to Obama's criticism of his sermons, Abunimah says of Barack:

"If disappointing, given his historically close relations to Palestinian-Americans, Obama's about-face is not surprising. He is merely doing what he thinks is necessary to get elected and he will continue doing it as long as it keeps him in power."

I'm not convinced, at all, that he will continue, once he is firmly in power.
And back at the Boca Synagogue
Things got heated once, when Michael Ackerman of Boca Raton asked Obama to name Jewish friends who were not elected officials and who had influenced his thinking on foreign policy. Several South Florida Jewish politicians, including U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, introduced Obama. Ackerman, who later said he was a lifelong Democrat who planned to vote for McCain, also asked whether Obama was a friend of Rashid Khalidi, a controversial Palestinian scholar at the University of Chicago. Ackerman took several minutes setting up the question and was eventually booed and hissed by the crowd when he asked Obama to provide names of people who could prove he was "anti-terrorist." Obama quieted the crowd and said his and Khalidi's children went to the same school. He said he had spoken with Khalidi but the professor was not on his team of advisers.

However, there are those who disagree with that pronouncement

According to a professor at the University of Chicago who said he has known Obama for 12 years, the Democratic presidential hopeful befriended Khalidi when the two worked together at the university. The professor spoke on condition of anonymity. Khalidi lectured at the University of Chicago until 2003 while Obama taught law there from 1993 until his election to the Senate in 2004. Sources at the university told WND that Khalidi and Obama lived in nearby faculty residential zones and that the two families dined together a number of times. The sources said the Obamas even babysat the Khalidi children.

Khalidi in 2000 held what was described as a successful fundraiser for Obama's failed bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a fact not denied by Khalidi, who spoke to WND in February.

Khalidi's wife, Mona, just so happens to run the AAAN, that same organization the Woods Foundation funded with 2 separate grants.

The Boca congregation listened as Obama spent much of his 20-minute speech pledging his support to Israel, denouncing terrorism and distancing himself from the meetings former President Jimmy Carter held with Hamas.

How can he live with himself, blatantly lying to the American people? Then again, he's just a politician, and that's what they do.

If you can bear to watch 20 minutes of duplicitous, barely tolerable pandering, have at it. It sickened me.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Hillary and Obama in Judicial Watch's Top 10 Most Corrupt Politicians of 2007!

So, according to Judicial Watch, a conservative, non-partisan, non-profit educational foundation, the Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians in the U.S. for 2007 were:

1. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
2. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID)
3. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
4. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
5. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
6. I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby
7. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
8. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)


AND both of the current Presidential candidates for the Democratic Party:

9. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY): In addition to her long and sordid ethics record, Senator Hillary Clinton took a lot of heat in 2007 – and rightly so – for blocking the release her official White House records. Many suspect these records contain a treasure trove of information related to her role in a number of serious Clinton-era scandals. Moreover, in March 2007, Judicial Watch filed an ethics complaint against Senator Clinton for filing false financial disclosure forms with the U.S. Senate (again). And Hillary’s top campaign contributor, Norman Hsu, was exposed as a felon and a fugitive from justice in 2007. Hsu pleaded guilt to one count of grand theft for defrauding investors as part of a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.

10. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL):
A “Dishonorable Mention” last year, Senator Obama moves onto the “ten most wanted” list in 2007. In 2006, it was discovered that Obama was involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko. In 2007, more reports surfaced of deeper and suspicious business and political connections It was reported that just two months after he joined the Senate, Obama purchased $50,000 worth of stock in speculative companies whose major investors were his biggest campaign contributors. One of the companies was a biotech concern that benefited from legislation Obama pushed just two weeks after the senator purchased $5,000 of the company’s shares. Obama was also nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law.


And there is a 50/50 chance (once the Democrats finally choose their nominee) that either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will be the next President of the U.S.A.

How embarrassing is that?

Monday, May 26, 2008

The True American Spirit

Thought I would share this. Not sure if any of these anecdotal stories are true or not, but they certainly could be, and are representative of the true spirit of America and Americans. God Bless this country and those who fight to keep us free.


When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'

It became very quiet in the room.

Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 5,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?'

Once again, dead silence.

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE:

A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any damn Frenchmen to show it to."

Memorial Day, Monday May 26, 2008!

Please take time today to pray for our fallen heroes- those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we are so blessed with in this great country of ours. And please take a moment to also honor those of our brave allies.

God Bless them all!!








You can also memorialize and honour our dead:

-by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
-by visiting memorials.
-by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
-by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. [I send donations to freedomalliance.org . They help families of fallen war heroes]

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Difference Between McCain, Obama and Clinton

This is a variation of "the difference between Republicans and the Democrats", but considering we are in a crucial election year, I thought it was very important to publish.


John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were walking down a
Washington DC street when they came upon a homeless man.
John McCain, gave the man his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20.00 out of his pocket and gave it to the man.

Hillary was very impressed, so when they came upon another homeless
man, she decided to help. She walked over to him and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into John McCain's pocket and got out $20.00. She kept $15.00 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless man $5.00


When they came upon yet another homeless person, Barack told him to
"have hope, change is coming..." and gave him nothing.


Now do you understand the difference?

Thursday, May 22, 2008

"Stupid Is As Stupid Does" Or Why Smart People Do Stupid Things

I've always wondered what makes some people think that the blatantly idiotic things they do in life won't, some day, come back to bite them in their butts. Acts of stupidity, as we are well aware of, are not always the exclusive realm of those with fewer brain cells; seemingly intelligent people are as apt to err in judgment as their lesser-brained brethren. These are the folk that have me puzzled, particularly those in positions of power.

You have the politicians and religious personalities who think their sexual dalliances will conveniently remain in the shadows forever; take Bill Clinton, Sen. Larry Craig, Pastor Ted Haggard, and a host of other public figures, who have been caught, figuratively and literally, with their pants down. Then you have people like Barack Obama who thinks a 20 year affiliation with an anti-American, racist Church will somehow remain unexposed along with his questionable affiliations with Antoin Rezko and William Ayers. Add corrupt politicians like Rep. William Jennings Jefferson (who was indicted on 16 charges of corruption), who obviously thought he could get away with taking bribes without any political or personal repercussions. And then you have people like Todd Davis, CEO of Lifelock, an ID prevention company, and idiot extraordinaire, who challenged criminals to steal his identity for 2 years, as proof that the service was worth the $10.00 per month fee. He even made it easy for them by publishing his social security number in a number of commercial TV ads, and guess what? They took him up on his offer. At least 87 times, and one happened to succeed:

Attorney David Paris said he found records of other people applying for or receiving driver's licenses at least 20 times using Davis' Social Security number, though some of the applications may have been rejected because data in them didn't match what the Social Security Administration had on file.


So now people are suing him, and rightfully so.

So you have a group of smart individuals, from politicians to CEOs, doing truly stupid things in varying degrees of significance, and you have to wonder why? What possessed them to do what they did? Perhaps they aren't as bright as one would imagine, after all, or they are arrogant enough to believe that because they happen to be in positions of power they are somehow more blessed and therefore infallible or, worse yet, entitled to their questionable acts of idiocy? Or do they believe the American people are so stupid or morally vacuous (and, sadly, too many are) to think that immoral or downright stupid behaviour is forgivable or matters not?

If so, they deserve what they get.




Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Cuba Solidarity Day, May 21st

Although it might seem that there is change brewing in Cuba, since Fidel's brother Raul Castro has taken over the mantle of chief honcho, don't be deceived.

Like China, Raul is trying to liberalize the economy, but the oppressive political system remains the same. The political prisoners remain incarcerated, the internet still remains out of the purview of the common man, people still are not allowed to travel freely outside the country.

People still earn wages ranging from $6.00 per month for unskilled workers to $20.00 for university-trained professionals, including lawyers and doctors. So, in spite of the fact Cuba has lifted a ban on cell phones, the new leniency is totally bogus, when the cost of a cell phone ($280 for a basic phone) is more than someone makes in a year.

Cuba has no intentions of embracing democracy, and economic reform rings hollow when a citizen's basic human rights continue to be violated.

If you'd like an inside glimpse of Cuba, I posted a while back about a trip I made there in the Early 80s. I'm sure not much has changed since then.

Others blogging for Cuba Solidarity Day:

Hos Report
A Colombo-Americana's Perspective
Babalu
Plains Feeder

e the people
Brandon's Puppy
This Ain't Hell
Fausta's Blog

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Joke Of the Day: Bill Clinton's Letter To John Hinckley

Enjoy!


For those of you who may not be completely aware of John Hinckley, who he is, what he did, and why, here's a little history. John Hinckley was a seriously deranged young man who shot President Reagan many years back. John was absolutely obsessed with movie star Jodie Foster, and extremely jealous as well, and in his twisted mind, loved Jodie Foster to the point that to make himself known to her, attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

With that in mind...the staff at the mental facility treating John Hinckley reports intercepting the following letter from Bill Clinton:

To: John Hinckley

From: Bill Clinton

Dear John,

Hillary and I wanted to drop you a short note to tell you how pleased we are with the great strides you are making in your recovery. In our country's new spirit of understanding and forgiveness, we want you to know there is a bilateral consensus of compassion and forgiveness abroad throughout the land.

Hillary and I want you to know that no grudge is borne against you for shooting President Reagan. We, above all, are aware of how the mental stress and pain could have driven you to such an act of desperation. Hillary and I are confident that you will soon make a complete recovery and return to your family to join the world again as a healthy and productive young man.

Best wishes,

Bill & Hillary Clinton

PS: Barack Obama is screwing Jodie Foster.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Hugo Chavez , His Corrupt Family and FARC: Or, What A Hypocrite Am I!

Hypocrites abound, in the global political arena, but there is nothing more despisable than a righteous hypocrite. Yeah, those leaders who, in highly colourful and confrontational language, criticize the U.S. for its imperialistic, capitalistic, jingoistic tendencies, when all the while they exhibit those exact same characteristics. Hugo "the Red" Chavez, champion of the poor, (yeah, right!), is as corrupt as they get, and it seems to run in the family.

Let's take a look at that family. Talk about nepotism. We have:

1. Papa Chavez, or Hugo de los Reyes Chavez aka "El Maestro", who has been governor of the State of Barinas (where the Chavez family hails from) for 10 years.

2. Brother, Argenis Chavez is the secretary of state of Barinas. Some speculate he is the one who actually runs Barinas ever since Papa Chavez was debilitated by a stroke.

3. Brother, Anibal Chavez happens to be the mayor of Sabaneta, the small town in Barinas where Hugo and his brothers were born.

4. Brother, Adelis Chavez works for Banco Sofitasa. A bank? So what, you might say, but this bank conveniently handles all the state government's needs.

5. Brother, Narciso Chavez is apparently also involved in the Barinas political scene, but not in any public capacity. I'm sure that will eventually change.

6. Brother, Adan Chavez is Hugo's minister of education.

Now, because of Papa Chavez's condition since his stroke, he obviously has to be replaced. Trouble is, the one brother they figured would succeed "El Maestro" as governor, is embroiled in allegations of corruption, as are some of the other brothers, save Adan, who everyone predicts will be the most likely to win the coveted prize during the upcoming November elections. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

However, It seems the natives are finally getting restless over there, with respect to how the Chavez brothers are handling things:

Barinas residents have become fed up with what they see as the heavy-handed and arrogant ways of the Chavez family, analysts and average citizens alike say. One example that rankles widely: The governor and his wife travel in a caravan of SUVs with a police escort that halts all traffic to let them pass .

Governor Chavez spent millions of dollars to build a sugar refinery that has yet to open, and millions more for a new soccer stadium that remains unfinished, a year after it was inaugurated for the America's Cup tournament, analysts said. Gehard Cartay, who was Barinas' governor 1993-96, said the state government spends its money in secret and no longer seeks public bids for big infrastructure projects. Even Governor Chávez's salary is hidden, he added. 'They are not the same poor family as before,'' Cartay said. ``It's hard to hide wealth in a small state like Barinas.''

Ah yes, now isn't that typical of leftist leaders. Gain power, and the allure of money becomes all too captivating.

A Congressman from Barinas, Wilmer Azuaje, who broke with Chavez's political party, has said,

"The president says that revolutionaries have to tell the truth. If you don't denounce corruption, you are an accomplice.''

"...he has launched his campaign for governor by accusing the elder Chavez and two of the president's brothers of using public funds to buy ranches in Barinas and using straw men to hide the purchases.

He has accused the governor and Argenis and Narciso Chavez of secretly buying up to 17 ranches in Barinas. He notes that records on one of the ranches, La Malagueña, list the longtime watchman at La Chavera as having paid $400,000 to buy it.

Hugo's Mama, Elena Frias de Chavez, noted for her bling and reputed love affair with a little nip and tuck, had this to say about the accusations,

''It's all about envy. [snip]These people are uneducated. They want to pull us down to their level. They are pitiful lowlifes. They're not used to a single family holding such power.''

Well, that doesn't sound very socialist to me.

Hugo's ex-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez, who divorced the man in 2003, also claims government corruption:

"There has been much injustice, much corruption going on in the government. They encourage you to report corruption, but if you do, they cut your head off."
She should know:

Rodriguez, who has a daughter with the Socialist leader, said she is so opposed to Chavez's reforms and the pervasive corruption in Venezuela that she is seriously considering running for office. As a result, she said its government has leveled death threats at her. "There have absolutely been death threats against me, ordering me to keep quiet, to behave," she said.


Then we have the latest with the Chavez/FARC connection. Considered by most nations in the world to be a terrorist organization, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC, is a communist revolutionary guerrilla group that has held Colombia hostage to its filthy tactics since the 60s. 20 to 30% of its guerilleros happen to be children under the age of 18! FARC garners its financial resources through kidnapping ransoms (some have been in captivity for up to 10 years), extortion and drug trafficking. And now, it turns out, Chavez and his buddy Rafael Correa (President of Ecuador) , oh staunch denouncers of U.S. imperialism, have been aiding and abetting FARC. Though Venezuela and Ecuador have categorically denied any such activity, it appears they have. Surprise, surprise! Documents found on FARC rebel computers, according to Interpol (the international police,) are absolutely authentic and not doctored, in any way, by the Colombian government, as Chavez and Correa have insisted.

Chavez called President George W. Bush "the Devil" back in 2006, at a UN General Assembly, and went on to denounce U.S. imperialism; I guess that makes him a devil too!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Cactus Cuties Singing The Star Spangled Banner

The Cactus Cuties- Andi, Baylee, Blaire, Madeline and Tatum, ranging from 8 to 13 years of age, sing a goose-bump inducing, rousing version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Thought I would share this, in light of the recent anti-American activities we've witnessed in the Reverend Wright sermons, William Ayers' trampling on the American flag, Barack Obama's refusal to wear an American flag pin (although he has bee seen sporting one, recently), and his refusal to place his hand on his heart during the National Anthem.




Thursday, May 15, 2008

Bloggers Unite For Human Rights: The Junta and The Dying People of Burma

What is happening in Burma is unconscionable! Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2, carving a path of destruction throughout the country, and yet here we are 13 days later, and little has been done. The Burmese people are starving, disease is now setting in, the world is trying desperately to help, and yet a corrupt government, that failed to warn its people of the impending disaster, is refusing most help. With tens of thousands dead, as many missing, and over a million displaced persons (which could result in even more deaths), the perverse Myanmar regime, continues to thwart the global community's efforts to bring desperately needed aid to the people. Why? Politics, greed and paranoia.

Horror stories abound. The little aid that is being allowed into the country is being confiscated by the military, more than likely for their own use. The food that is being distributed is usually rotten, and most are not receiving anything at all. People are being forced to leave the monasteries, where they have sought refuge and received help, even though they have no place to go. Foreign aid food, rather than being given to the people free of charge, is being sold at commercial prices, as are zinc sheets for roofing. Supplies are being given in return for "yes" votes in the national referendum. Child traffickers are targeting children in the refugee camps.

The useless U.N. keeps begging, but getting no results, because countries like China refuse to meddle in what they believe to be internal domestic affairs.

This week, Beijing blocked a proposal to have the U.N. humanitarian chief brief the Security Council on Myanmar, saying governments should not politicize the issue.


I wouldn't expect any other response from China. They don't want other countries meddling in their affairs, considering their blemished record on human rights, so why would they deign to interfere with Burma?

So, we sit in the comfort of our living rooms, watching a group of people die before our very eyes; the result of a sick government's gross negligence. A people whose rights were violated prior to the tropical cyclone, and whose lives are being threatened now. We sit silent and mute, doing nothing, perhaps reaching for our checkbooks knowing full well that what we donate will probably wind up filling the coffers of the military generals rather than aiding those in need.

And there are many who feel the same way as the Chinese government. But I ask you this:

If your neighbour was abusing his wife and children, would you call the police or allow the abuse to continue because you refuse to meddle in their domestic affairs?

Failure to act, on a global level, has led to much unnecessary death in the past few centuries. WWII, Darfur, Rwanda. And the sad and pathetic thing about Burma is that much of the death was and is avoidable. What harm is there in allowing the world to help your country? Any reasonable nation would have welcomed the help, and Burma would be well on its way to recovery. But, government officials are far too preoccupied with profiting from this disaster than helping their citizens. In fact, there is another storm on its way, and the populace has not been warned, yet. More devastation and more inaction.

We are all brothers and sisters. We are each other's caretakers.

Why don't we act as if!


Burmese Bloggers with out Borders.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Bloggers Unite For Human Rights!





When I witness the many horrors perpetrated against innocents in far off lands, I am filled with a tragic sense of impotence, knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do, as an individual, to prevent such injustices.

However, there are things we can do to help. We can donate to charities, we can educate others, we can continue pressuring groups like the U.N. to make a difference, and as bloggers we can make our collective voices heard above the lazy, politically correct, apathetic fray, by bringing those injustices to light, by blogging about them.

Tomorrow, May 15th, blogcatalog is sponsoring Bloggers Unite For Human Rights. Take a moment to write something. Anything.

And May 21st is Cuba Solidarity Day.

Let us speak out for those less fortunate, who have no choice!

Blessed Be,
Democracy!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Obama's 57 States Update

So this is interesting; although not sure we can read anything into it, it does make one ponder.

Coincidence or honest flub?

There are 57 member states in the Organization of The Islamic Conference most of which are Muslim. They have a permanent delegation at the U.N. Their goal:
"to promote solidarity among all Islamic member states."


Monday, May 12, 2008

Barack Obama and the 57 States

Guess what? At a campaign event in Beaverton, Oregon, Barack Obama claimed he had visited all 57 states in 15 months, with one left to go! Ha!

And they love to criticize the Republicans who have made similar gaffes. Anyone heard mention of this?




HatTip: SnoopyTheGoon

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Politics Before People- Another Burmese Disaster

As if the poor Burmese people hadn't already suffered enough under a brutally oppressive, communist regime, they suffered further loss and damage at a catastrophic level due, in part, to the ineptitude of a government that seems to place more importance on politics over people. That seems more intent on maintaining the socialist status quo, than saving people.

Granted, the Myanmar Junta had no control over the fact that Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit landfall in Burma, but it did have control over adequately warning the Burmese citizens of the impending dangers of the storm. It did not. There were few warnings and no evacuations. As a result, 80,000 people have been reported dead in one village alone, 44,000 plus are missing, it is estimated that the deaths will exceed well over 100,000, and at least one million people have been left homeless. Many of them children.

And, it has failed miserably in the aftermath. The government, supposed caretaker and protector of its people, is doing virtually nothing. The military out in force last year, so readily available and willing to shoot innocent monks during their peaceful demonstrations, have been of little or no help. It's been 5 days since the storm, the people are starving, there is very little clean water, bodies are rotting in huge piles, and there are fears many more will die from starvation or disease, creating an even greater humanitarian disaster that could well rival that of the Tsunami of 2004. Unbelievably, the military is thought to be profiting from the catastrophe by grossly inflating the prices of water and food, and "trying to sell things like roofing on the black market."


Relief agencies and aid groups are poised and waiting to enter the country, but the Junta is dragging its feet by insisting on reviewing each and every visa. People are dying, and they are reviewing visas??!!

The junta has insisted that foreign aid workers must "negotiate" their entry to the country. The United Nations said the regime has finally appointed a minister to review visa applications by aid workers, but that no permits have yet been issued.

Many countries have pledged monetary and physical assistance, including the U.S. which has pledged 3 million, but help is being thwarted on every level by a bunch of paranoid generals who somehow feel threatened by allowing an influx of foreigners into a country they've had complete control over for decades. Obviously, they would rather see their people die, than relinquish some control. The Burmese deserve better, and hopefully will finally do something about a group of leaders who have systematically dragged what was once a thriving, prosperous country into darkness and despair.

In the meantime, The Centre for Cross Cultural Research at the Australian National University (ANU) has said that, in spite of the fact that the Junta will more than likely hoard much of the humanitarian aid, this should not stop the world from coming to Burma's aid. The only people who have stepped into action, ironically, are the Buddhist monks. The Junta, threatened by that, has been waging a propaganda war. According to Monique Skidmore , of the ANU,
"There's a bit of a propaganda battle being waged between the military, they're trying to stop pictures of monks helping the population from getting out into the public domain."

The monks have been providing shelter and food at their monasteries for the displaced and suffering people. For those who would rather see their donations go directly to the Burmese people, rather than the military Junta, Avaaz.org is soliciting for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, they

will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.In many of
the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.
For more information, please go to FreeBurma.org

Monday, May 05, 2008

Obama, Ayers, Wright- Cut From The Same Leftist, U.S. Hating Cloth

Want to guess who this disrespectful , bespectacled, middle-aged man trampling on the American flag is?!




Yes, none other than Barack Obama's buddy William 'the terrorist' Ayers. Yes, folks, this is the land of the free where anyone can do pretty much anything without fear of governmental reprisal. Ayers blew up buildings as part of the radical, leftist Weathermen group, and served no jail time for his actions. In an article in Chicago Magazine, published in 2001, Ayers claimed the guiding principles of the Weathermen were to

"Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, kill your parents—that's where it's really at,"

although he claims that was more fiery rhetoric than truth. Similar to Reverend Wright's claims that all his anti-U.S. rhetoric is taken out of context, Ayers too claims certain quotes of his were taken out of context, like:

"Guilty as hell, free as a bird—America is a great country!"

Yes, yes and yes. Ayers gets that right!

And Ayers has no regrets, whatsoever. Although he claims, in a blog post, that he is often misquoted and misunderstood, this statement speaks for itself:

1. Regrets. I’m often quoted saying that I have “no regrets.” This is not true. For anyone paying attention—and I try to stay wide-awake to the world around me all/ways—life brings misgivings, doubts, uncertainty, loss, regret. I’m sometimes asked if I regret anything I did to oppose the war in Viet Nam, and I say “no, I don’t regret anything I did to try to stop the slaughter of millions of human beings by my own government.” Sometimes I add, “I don’t think I did enough.” This is then elided: he has no regrets for setting bombs and thinks there should be more bombings.

The illegal, murderous, imperial war against Viet Nam was a catastrophe for the Vietnamese, a disaster for Americans, and a world tragedy. Many of us understood this, and many tried to stop the war. Those of us who tried recognize that our efforts were inadequate: the war dragged on for a decade, thousands were slaughtered every week, and we couldn’t stop it. In the end the U.S. military was defeated and the war ended, but we surely didn’t do enough.


I'm not sure what part of "I don't think I did enough" is misinterpretable.

Another blog post entitled "I'M SORRY!!!!! i think..." is a long convoluted diatribe with ne'er an apology.

Bottom line: Ayers thinks he was right. He believes the violence was justified.

He also predicted, in the 2001 Chicago magazine article, that

"... there will be another mass political movement... [snip] because I believe that the kind of injustice that is built into our world will not go quietly into the night."

Participant in the 1968 Democratic Convention riots, his prediction might prove to be true. There is a group that has formed, called recreate68, intent on recreating the chaos. He'll probably be center-stage, or perhaps as part of the establishment now- a tenured Professor, anti-globalist hypocrite who loves Starbucks, he'll watch from the sidelines.

And guess what, he also happens to be a Chavez lover.

Viva Mission Sucre!
Viva Presidente Chavez!
Viva La Revolucion Bolivariana!
Hasta La Victoria Siempre!

His views:

Totalitarianism demands obedience and conformity, hierarchy, command and control. Royalty requires allegiance. Capitalism promotes racism and militarism – turning people into consumers, not citizens. Participatory democracy, by contrast, requires free people coming together voluntarily as equals who are capable of both self-realization and, at the same time, full participation in a shared political and economic life.

Typical elite leftist mentality.

So, now we know why Obama refuses to wear an American Flag Pin, or place his hand on his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. He's cut from the same leftist, anti-U.S cloth as Ayers and Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Do we want that for our country? I know I don't!

Others blogging: Marathon Pundit
RadioPatriot
Backyard Conservative

Saturday, May 03, 2008

"Impeach Bush/Cheney" And Other Liberal Idiocies

I've always believed that liberals, for the most part, happen to be idiots. With the exception of a few, the great majority lack the ability to think for themselves, frequently parroting the slogans and absurdities that spew forth from the mouths of those few who do happen to have some modicum of intelligence. Problem is, those "few" are usually liars, like the Clintons, Obama and the bulk of the Democratic Congress, which makes them idiots, too, if they think they can hoodwink those of us savvy enough to not buy into their lies and foolishness. But most of your rank and file libs have absolutely no clue, and like proverbial lemmings tow the party "lies".

Friday confirmed it, all over again.

I was driving to the theatre late Friday afternoon, and lo, by the side of a major drag, was a rag tag group of people, young and old, with scribbled "Impeach Bush/Cheney" signs (and other idiocies), stupidly grinning and waving at the passing cars. I happened to hit a red light and there, to my right, were 2 of the protesters, an older man and woman, smiling joyously. I thought to myself, how pathetic, rolled my eyes and shook my head in disgust. The man noticed my gesture of disdain, and started mouthing the words, "Did - you - vote - for -Bush?" I nodded "yes", fully cognizant of the fact that this would annoy the heck out of him. I know, I'm bad, but I just couldn't resist rattling a liberal.

So, I sat there, stewing, for a few seconds more (an hour's commute sorely tests one's patience), then finally rolled down the passenger window, leaned over and asked: "Don't you have anything better to do?!" There was a moment of horrified silence, after which the woman, in an accusatory manner, blurted out "You voted for Bush!!??" I gleefully nodded yes, and with great vehemence she shouted back, "Well now you're paying for it!!" What?? Paying for it?? Wondering what brilliant response she would have, I asked, in what way, and the woman, with a look of incredulity, screeched "Gas prices!! Food prices!! All those deaths!!" Yep, there are people out there who actually believe that George W. Bush is personally responsible for all those things. The same people who believe he was responsible for Hurricane Katrina; including those loons who actually believe the US government sabotaged the levies. And those who believe that Bush and the U.S. government were complicit in 9/11, and God knows what else. They might as well blame him for all the world's woes, and their own, for that matter. How about tacking on global warming, weather disasters, the world's food problems, their E.D., their divorces, crime, whatever bad is happening in the world, blame it on Bush. And the pathetic thing is, they probably do. Thankfully the light turned green, and I had to drive on, because Incognito was in a fighting mood, and I know who would have won. It wouldn't have been pretty.

Then, on my way home, I forced myself to listen to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's 1 hour invective-filled rant, as physically painful as that was. This was the self-same sermon the good Reverend claims those infamous "G-D Damn America" snippets, we've all heard, were taken out of context from. I do not suffer fools lightly, and I thoroughly resent being taken for one, which is what Wright and Obama are trying to do with the American people. Wright claims he is not political? Ha! This particular Sunday sermon was nothing but. Wright, another liberal, wacko, loon, pretty much damns the U.S. and the U.S. government throughout. More a leftist, black-power, political diatribe than a religious sermon, Wright, too, blames the U.S. government for everything, including creating the AIDs virus to kill black folk. Let's blame that on Bush too, why don't we. If you have the stomach for it, it's well worth a listen. It suddenly makes sense why Michelle Obama would claim that this was the first time she has ever been proud of being an American, and proves, without a doubt, that Obama was very aware of what was going on in Wright's sermons, all these years. Which just makes him a big 'ol liar, another typical politician, like all the rest of them; not the saviour of the U.S., as he purports to be. And yet, people will still vote for him in these last few primaries.

After an hour of poisonous, hate-filled preaching, I arrived home feeling nauseous, and it wasn't my driving.

There are people out there who are willing to believe anything, because it's easier to believe lies than to think for themselves. It's easier to believe lies than to give up their hatred- of Bush, the Republicans, and anything conservative.

God forgive their stupidity.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

National Day of Prayer- May 1st

Today was National Day of Prayer:


The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It
was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Our Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose it is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

I'm actually surprised the whole idea hasn't been assailed by the likes of the ACLU, but I'm sure some day that will happen.

And, although there has been some criticism, and rightfully so, that the day has been hijacked by evangelical Christians, I would invite those of all religions to take some time to pray for this great country, our leaders, our troops, and that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton do NOT become our next President!

Holocaust Denial Hamas Style

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In spite of undeniable proof that an estimated 11 to 12 million people (approximately 6 million of them European Jews) were systematically exterminated in Nazi concentration camps, during World War II, there are still those who believe it never happened. Or that the numbers were grossly exaggerated. Or in some cases that it was some nefarious plot by the Jews themselves to dispossess themselves of the handicapped and disabled Jews of Europe. This ludicrous, outrageous notion is what the Palestinians are being indoctrinated with, today, via educational videos produced by Hamas. The following video was aired on Al-Aqsa TV, April 18, 2008:

Click to watch video here.


The video claims
"The Satanic Jews thought up an evil plot [the Holocaust] to be rid of the burden of the disabled and handicapped, in twisted criminal ways. While they accuse the Nazis or others so the Jews would seem persecuted, and try to benefit from international sympathy. They were the first to invent the methods of evil and oppression."
In the video Amin Dabur, head of the Palestinian Center for Strategic Research states:
"About the Israeli Holocaust, the whole thing was a joke and part of the perfect show that Ben Gurion put on, who focused on strong and energetic youth [for Israel], while the rest- the disabled, the handicapped, and people with special needs, they were sent to [to die]- if it can be proven historically. They were sent [to die] so there would be a holocaust, so Israel could "play" it for world sympathy."
Of course, this revisionist theory doesn't account for why so many others were murdered as well: Roma Gypsies Christian Poles and other Slavic peoples Political Dissidents, Communists and Dissenting Clergy Disabled or handicapped People Jehovah's Witnesses Homosexuals Others deemed unfit to live Then it resorts to the usual minimizing the actual amount of Jews that were killed:
"The alleged numbers of Jews [killed in the Holocaust] were merely for propaganda."
As long as the Palestinians continue to demonize the Jews, there will never be hope for peace. But is there anyone who truly believes there is? HatTip: PMW