American Thinker Blog
September 30, 2005
Harry Reid: middleman between crooks
Senator Harry Reid has gotten himself into a difficult position. Of colurse, the national media is uninterested in publicizing Democrat lapses, so don't look for anything resembling the feeding frenzy surrounding the trumped—up inductment of Tom Delay, when it comes... More
September 30, 2005
The Democrats' abortion problem
Amy Sullivan, an editor of the liberal Washington Monthly, writes in the liberal Boston Globe about all the havoc the pro—abortion (euphemistically called "choice") extremists are creating for the Democrats. She cites the disastrous NARAL ad against Chief Justice Roberts,... More
September 30, 2005
The newest FDNY chaplain
The latest person appointed to be a chaplain of the New York Fire Department embraces the lunatic assertion that the collapse of the World Trade Center, which killed so many brave firemen, was an inside job, a conspiracy, in other... More
September 30, 2005
Template watch
Mediacrity has begun a new feature clled "template watch" cataloguing what does and doesn't make the pages of the New York Times, unaccountably still regarded as "the newspaper of record" among those who don't much attention to facts. It looks... More
September 30, 2005
Ed Lasky on the air
Ed Lasky, who plays a major behind—the—scenes role at AT, wrote a great two—part series on meritocracy in America. Today, Ed will be a guest on the Jerry Doyle show, which is syndicated to 220 radio stations throughout the United... More
September 30, 2005
Machisma
David Gelernter identifies and names a plague which has engulfed America over the last few decades: "machisma." The feminine counterpart of machismo is a mirror—image form of bullying, basically the requirement that someone share his or her feelings. Picking up... More
September 30, 2005
Fox News under threat?
Frank Gaffney picks up on a securities transaction that is raising alarm bells among conservatives, in Front Page Magazine. Saudi Prince Al—Waleed bin Talal has purchased a 5.46% share in the voting equity of the parent of Fox News, News... More
September 30, 2005
More controversy over Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine
One of America's strongest allies in the war on terror is the middle of a growing legal debate that has major implications for diplomatic relations across Asia. Two conflicting court decisions in Tokyo and Osaka have pushed Japan's Prime Minister... More
September 30, 2005
No looter guy in Texas
The image of a New Orleans looter carrying a tub of Heineken beer has become an icon of the lawless chaos in that community, and even inspired a website. For some reason or other, no such images have emerged from Texas.... More
September 30, 2005
Richard Baehr speech webcast now available
The speech Richard Baehr gave to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, whose transcript we published yesterday, is now available for viewing online. It is in two parts, and is accessible here, along with comments by Senator Lieberman, Mayor Giuliani,... More
September 30, 2005
Secret Republicans
Jay Homnick writes a fascinating essay today at The American Spectator on two topics he thinks are closely related: secret Republican voters and fiscal discipline. He identifies a vast segment of the Republican frequent voters, those people who do not publicly... More
September 29, 2005
The ancient jihad
Melanie Phillips recalls a bit of history the Islamofascists and their friends on the world left would rather forget: the kidnapping and enslavement of Western Christians in the name of jihad. Facts are stubborn things, though the airbrushers of the... More
September 29, 2005
Is there a reason why we have a Senate?
Chivalry is not dead. Isn't it comforting to know that the United States Senate is one of the few remaining bastions of chivalry? Where else could Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco go and receive kid glove treatment in the aftermath... More
September 29, 2005
More on higher education and the left
Another letter about Steven Warshawsky's article yesterday is worth sharing. Sir: My Faculty colleague, Arthur Pontynen, sent me a copy of Mr. Warshawsky's prescient commentary in American Thinker for September 28. I think he is right on track, and arguing... More
September 29, 2005
Beltway Bloodsport
Here is Tom DeLay's win—spin at the end of his interview with Brit Hume the evening of 28 September: HUME: Tell me about the caucus today where the decision was made that Roy Blunt would step up to assume most... More
September 29, 2005
Three-way marriages in the Netherlands
According to the Brussels Journal, polygamy has been legalized in the Netherlands and Belgium in all but name. Last Friday saw the first wedding of three people, a man and two women. However, the Netherlands recently confirmed its three—day waiting... More
September 29, 2005
Victor Davis Hanson errs
Victor Davis Hanson, the incomparable historian and commentator, makes a small error today in an article today. He says: 'Russia, India and China are Iran's new apologists.' India!? I agree with the rest of the piece, but this reference to... More
September 29, 2005
American higher education and the left
Bill Palmer, of Orange County, California, wrote us a thoughtful letter about Steven Warshawsky's article published here yesterday. It is worth sharing: Dear Editor, I enjoyed Mr. Warshowsky's article in the American Thinker. Three observations immediately come to mind. 1.... More
September 29, 2005
A favorite
Conservatives by definition respect tradition. Not all traditions are worth retaining, of course, but when they offer enduring values, they are to be treasured. The oldest restaurant in San Francisco, the Tadich Grill, is one such tradition. When I entertain... More
September 29, 2005
Osama's asylum request
The Times of London reports that in 1995 Osama Bin Laden sought asylum in Great Britain which was denied. HE CLAIMS to hate everything the West stands for. But yesterday it emerged that Osama bin Laden sought asylum in Britain... More
September 29, 2005
If you think your phone company is bad...
If you think of your phone company as a fat monopoly that has stood in the way of fast home internet connections for at least a decade, well, you're right. On the other hand, for a good laugh check out... More
September 29, 2005
China's declining competitiveness
In recent months the mainstream media has been overflowing with articles discussing the economic threat that China poses to the global economy in industries ranging from textiles to autos. But according to a report recently released by the World Economic... More
September 28, 2005
That's me: the nightmare
It sounds like a bad joke but sure enough, Bolivia's leftist dictator wannabe, Evo Morales, seeking to join the Cuba—Venezuela axis of Marxism, declared his rabidly anti—American campaign platform to his pals in the castroite press this morning. Cuba's state—owned... More
September 28, 2005
Iran's Second Front stymied
The Times of India reported today what is a major victory over Iran in the Global War on Terror. India voted with the US, the EU, Japan, and several other countries on an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to... More
September 28, 2005
Thank-you, Representative King
I owe Representative Steve King (R—Iowa) a personal thank—you. Congressman King rallied Republicans to defeat an effort to name the Berkeley Main Post Office for Maudelle Shirek, long an ultra—leftist member of the Berkeley City Council. The most left wing... More
September 28, 2005
The deterioration of the UK's MSM
Like many American conservatives, I tend to regard the UK newspaper industry as more diverse than our own. At least some of the major papers, the Telegraph and the Times, are overtly conservative, while the Independent and Guardian are reliably... More
September 28, 2005
Japan's "secret" defense plans
As the glow of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's stunning victory in recent parliamentary elections fades away, a newly uncovered report from the country's defense department is bound to fan the flames of anti—Japan sentiment across the rest of Asia. ... More
September 28, 2005
Washington Post's difficulty with basic economics
Don Surber takes apart the basic economic errors of a silly Washington Post editorial on taxing gasoline, while at the same time getting in a dig at Paul Krugman, Enron consultant and economics professor at Princeton, at least when he... More
September 28, 2005
NPR: "It's not my fault, man!"
Mike from Kennesaw, Georgia writes us about what he heard this morning on taxpayer—supported NPR: This morning, NPR aired a story ("Coroner: No Evidence of Evacuee Murders", ) that smells like an excuse for its false reporting of horrific crimes... More
September 28, 2005
New York Times corrections gone wild
The New York Times has been careening wildly in recent days with its corrections of false material it is caught publishing. Just the other day it created the concept of "figurative reference" (as opposed to "factual assertions") in its correction... More
September 28, 2005
Stand by your man's slurs
The Democratic National Committee is making an embarrassing slur of the President into something like official party doctrine. The New York Sun reports that the party declines to repudiate Charles Rangel's absurd comparison of President Bush to Bull Connor, the... More
September 28, 2005
The lies accumulate rapidly at the NYT
The blogosphere is having a red letter day today pointing our the embarrassing behavior of the men and women paid substantial wages to put together the New York Times. Mediacrity deconstructs its fact—chellanged editorial today on the violence in Gaza.... More
September 28, 2005
Another milestone for feminists
American feminists love to celebrate the "first woman" to smash all sorts of barriers. I await Patricia Ireland and Gloria Steinem commentary on this exploding of gender seterotypes. Hat tip: Lucianne.com Thomas Lifson 9 28 05... More
September 28, 2005
Madrid: "Cuba, si; Yanqui, no"
Barcepundit discovers that Spain's socialist government (courtesy of the 3—11 train bombers) finds Cuba and Venezuela more accepatble than America, when it comes to military parades: REMEMBER THAT last year US troops were disinvited for the October 12 parade in... More
September 27, 2005
Excellent point
Just One Minute asks a very interestign question, in light of all the criticism the President has endured over Iraq and katrina: Its hard to believe we will see a wholesale revision of the Katrina story, but (and we are... More
September 27, 2005
PC versus human nature
Some kind of milepost has been passed in the realm of political correctness, whereby one of the most powerful forces of nature — the natural human response to newborn babies — has been declared off—limits by a British hospital. That's... More
September 27, 2005
No Science, Please � We're British
The report that a hospital in West Yorkshire has banned visitors from cooing at new—born babies is, in fact, only the second dumbest thing the Brits have lately done. They've also removed science from the school curriculum. New regulations just announced... More
September 27, 2005
Democrats in delusion
E. J. Dionne sees the "Democrats in disarray" today, in his Washington Post column of the same title. And he actually gets it right on a couple of points. But he can't quite put together the bigger picture. Although an intelligent... More
September 27, 2005
A New York Times Exclusive?
Today's New York Times reports something no other media outlet seems to have mentioned in its coverage of the conviction of Pvt. Lynndie England on several counts of abuse of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison, in a story as related... More
September 27, 2005
IDF given green light for Gaza operations
The Jerusalem Post is reporting that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is 'under no restrictions' in conducting both air and ground operations to halt terrorist rocket attacks on Israeli territory. Residents of Sderot and the western Negev were placed on... More
September 26, 2005
Could federal prosecutors be after campaign funds?
Crain's Chicago Business reports on some interesting circumstances suggesting that federal prosecutors may be targeting the substantial campaign war chest of incumbent Illinois Governor Blagojevich. This would be a first, and raises some disturbing questions. It is all very speculative, but... More
September 26, 2005
The Pelican Project is for the Birds
With an obvious tin ear to the anger directed at the state's misuse of levee and Homeland Security funds and its pervasive corruption, the Louisiana congressional delegations has tagged on at least $10 billion in pure pork projects in its... More
September 26, 2005
Kerry campaign killer coming today
A Film on Kerry's presidential campaign to be released this week. This should kill his chances for 2008. Lloyd Grove of the New York Daily News reports: I hear that John Kerry loyalists are kicking themselves for cooperating last year... More
September 26, 2005
Awareness, not despair
Where Thomas Lifson sees despair I see dawning awareness. Isolated, the Katrina spending may be debatable as policy. But as a predictable pattern of spending it cannot be debated. The Administration's conservative approach is always theoretical, the currency spent is always hard... More
September 26, 2005
Ginsburg's offense
Jed Babbin makes the case that Justice Ginsburg's public comments require her to recuse herself from considering cases on abortion and opther issues. He cites the precedent of Justice Scalia. The problems in actually forcing such a recusal are enormous.... More
September 26, 2005
LA Times bias bites back
In a piece explaining why Arnold Schwarzenegger excluded the Los Angeles Times from a round of interviews granted last week, the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz reports that Mike Murphy told a Times reporter in an e—mail: "I'm sorry to say... More
September 26, 2005
Atta in Prague: the Spanish evidence
The strongest evidence of Iraqi complicity in 9/11 , the reports of the Czechs that Atta met in Prague with Iraqi intel prior to 9/11 were dismissed by the Commission on the basis of a jiggered timeline. Spain has a... More
September 26, 2005
A worried Democrat
Mark Shields, the Democrat CNN pundit/activist, is worried that the public has caught on to the fact that the Democrats are pawns of their interest groups. In explaining his opposition to Judge Roberts, Reid told the Senate he had been... More
September 26, 2005
Shape of things to come
Whether the rank and file in the Republican party are out of touch with the leadership, or, as seems more likely from the gist of this piece over at The American Spectator, the leadership is faced with an increasingly vocal... More
September 26, 2005
Media lies confirmed
The lies have been spread all over the world, defaming America and sullying its president who is blamed by the same media spreading the lies. The death toll in New Orleans was exaggerated to a degree of magnitude impossible to... More
September 25, 2005
O'Reilly vs. Donohue
Last week, Phil Donohue was on the O'Reilly Factor, locked in a debate about Cindy Sheehan and the anti—war movement that has been Donahue's passion his entire career. 'Do you really want to send more young men and women to die in... More
September 25, 2005
The left continues to crumble
It is hard to believe that the Washington Post would publish such an attack as this. Even in a piece of opinion journalism. The writer accuises her neighbors, basically, of supporting Bush because they are in a panic, stupid ,... More
September 25, 2005
Don't believe the media
Dr. Steven Lerner, a physician who dropped everything to fly to Louisiana in the wake of Katrina, writes in the Washington Post about his experience — which turned out to be a waste of time. Not because Bush failed at... More
September 25, 2005
Black victims of crime
Many in the media and the Democratic Party spotlight black suffering only as a way to score political points against George Bush and the Republican Party. The media, in particular, routinely ignores black victims of crime and focuses attention only... More
September 25, 2005
Reaction to Calame's rebuke
Common Sense Political Thought, a blog new to me, has a sensible and thoughtful reaction to the question I raised yesterday about the future job tenure of New York Times public editor Byron Calame, after his rebuke of the paper's... More
September 25, 2005
The real Hugo Chavez
In the past week, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez gave a number of interviews to journalists, including Ted Koppel of Nightline and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! Koppel did the best he could, and Goodman spent most of her time flattering... More
September 25, 2005
BBC spins for Bolivia's Marxists
BBC calling again, as usual, with a biased error betraying its true leftist agenda. This time, they were caught giving aid and succor to none other than Bolivia's Marxist Evo Morales' identified in Investor's Business Daily this week as Cuban... More
September 25, 2005
Even Steyn
It is a rare day when I take issue with the great Mark Steyn. But The Master has given in to despair on the subject of President Bush's response to Katrina in his Chicago Sun—Times column today. He laments to... More
September 24, 2005
The paradox of fuel efficiency
Jeff Jacoby's excellent new article illustrates an important point about human behavior and buyer psychology. His main contention is that our national fuel consumption would not decrease even if vehicle fuel efficiency markedly improved. This may very well be true.... More
September 24, 2005
Fantasies of racism
Terry Michael, former press secretary for the Democratic National Committee, takes to task media and politicians who rush to pronounce racism as the explanation for so much at Real Clear Politics. A half century ago, right—wing zealots could see a... More
September 24, 2005
Thanks are due
To George Soros and Teresa Heinz (the latter via the Tides Foundation) for funding today's "anti—war" rally. By all accounts running a tape of it will be all the advertising the Republicans will need to win the 2006 mid term... More
September 24, 2005
Mother Sheehan: Pay no attention to Rita! Look at me, me, me
Mother Sheehan has had with people paying too much attention to Hurricane Rita. Why, doesn't CNN realize that she sacrificed her only begotten son? She took to the Daily Kos site very quickly after addressing the "biggest rally in DC... More
September 24, 2005
Shame apparently works
Byron Calame, the New York Times' "public editor" has taken to the web and (apparently) print to upbraid Alessandra Stanley's lie about Geraldo Rivera, and opinion editor Gail Collins's failure to follow the Times policy on corrections. Calame has been... More
September 23, 2005
Of all places....
The Boston Globe's Scot Lehigh takes to task Massachusetts senators Kerry and Kennedy for their opposition to the nomination of John Roberts. HOW SHOULD Senate Democrats respond to the example Ted Kennedy and John Kerry set Wednesday in declaring their... More
September 23, 2005
Is the Senate the Land of Oz?
Democrat senators are more concerned with Roberts's heart than his head. What? Is Ameirca now the Land of Oz and is Roberts the Tin Man? Or does this just play to the Democrats who believe no Republicans have a heart?... More
September 23, 2005
Widening income gap in China
The Wall Street Journal ($link) highlights the extensive recent domestic Chinese press coverage of growing social and political tensions arising out of the sustained rapid economic growth China has experienced. If the hand—wringing about income inequality in China translates into... More
September 23, 2005
Muslim gagnsta rappers in France
Our frequent contirbutor Olivier Guitta has a startling article today on the Weekly Standard website about Muslim (and black) rappers in France, a nation with very strong anti—"hate speech" laws, usually used to suppress even mild criticism of Islam. Some... More
September 23, 2005
NRA files suit to stop NoLa firearms seizures
Last week it was reported in the New York Times that New Orleans law enforcement officials had ordered that all private citizens would have their personal firearms confiscated. ABC News also reported that the New Orleans deputy police chief said... More
September 23, 2005
China's disaster death tolls remain secret
As President Bush gets blamed for the death toll of Hurricane Katrina, China continues to keep its own disaster death tolls secret, despite the ap[earance of reform. The South China Morning Post reports (paid subscription only): Beijing will not revise... More
September 23, 2005
More Democrat hysteria
Charles Rangel, the Democrat Congressman from New York, continues the new party tradition of ludicrous comparisons of President Bush with historic symbols of evil: "Bush is our Bull Connor...." The New York Sun reports: Comparing President Bush to the Birmingham,... More
September 23, 2005
France steals our secrets
France's intelligence services target America, in order to steal our business and technology secrets, according to Colonel David Hunt, a retired senior officer in the CIA's Directorate of Operations. While perhaps unknown to the general public, this targeting of American... More
September 22, 2005
Never give Bush any credit
The New York Times editorializes on the Afghan situation, where a successful election was carried out for second time since the Taliban was ousted by America and its allies. But the Times does not credit America or, it seems. the Afghan people... More
September 22, 2005
One liberal who gets it
Mickey Kaus is one of the most honest and preceptive liberals in the public square. His latest posting at Slate takes on unions, and imagines liberalism without unions. If more liberals start thinking this way, there might be hope of... More
September 22, 2005
Hollywood management
Edward Jay Epstien wants to believe that Hollywood studios are run by rational intelligent executives. But then he takes a look at some of the evidence to the contrary. And he does not neglect to mention the ket three—letter word:... More
September 22, 2005
Hillary agrees to meet Mother Sheehan
The stranglehold of the left wing extremists on the Democratic Party is once again demonstrated int he decision of Hillary Clintoin to meet with moonbat Cindy Sheehan, coiner of the immortal phrase "occupied New Orleans." Front Page Magazine analyzes the situation.... More
September 22, 2005
Thinking outside the box (a series)
Michael Barone continues to demonstrate that he is one of the most insightful thinkers in America. To meet the costs of Katrina (and now Rita?) he passes along a proposal from a public servant in Louisiana: sell bonds backed by future royalties... More
September 22, 2005
Missing headlines (continued)
Household Net Worth Rises ($link) The net worth of American households climbed again in the second quarter, bolstering the ability of families to weather soaring energy prices. In its quarterly "flow of funds" report, the Federal Reserve said U.S. household... More
September 22, 2005
Missing headlines (continued)
Iraqi Forces Show Signs Of Progress In Offensive The Tall Afar offensive, which began Sept. 2, is the largest urban military operation in Iraq since November's siege of Fallujah. Unlike many previous joint offensives, however, it is the Iraqi army... More
September 22, 2005
Hideous, yet oddly appropriate
The New York Sun reports that Hamas is planning to convert a former Synagogue to a weapons museum, featuring weapons used to murder innocent civillians. From a house of God to a charnel house.: Emboldened by Israel's withdrawal from Gaza... More
September 22, 2005
Suppose they had a telethon...
Imagine a Jerry Lewis telethon to support children killing children. Would you send in your money? No, don't bother. I know your answer. But not the Saudis, apparently. The Saudi Government—sponsored Iqra TV had a charitable telethon a few weeks... More
September 22, 2005
Getting the news out
Jeff Jacoby celebrates one man who has made a difference: blogger Arthur Chrenkoff, whose posting of the considrerable good news from Iraq has bypassed the mainstream media filter, which seeks only bad news. Ed Lasky 9 22 05... More
September 21, 2005
Maryland Democrats' dirty tricks
Threatened by a black Republican, Maryland Dems engage in some black—bag type of operations to break the law and get a credit report on prospective Senate candidate Michael Steele. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Tuesday that two of its... More
September 21, 2005
Another left wing paper supports Roberts
The San Francisco Chronicle joins the Los Angeles Times in endorsing John Roberts as the nation's next Chief Justice. But is has the appearance of a tactical retreat, inspired by a desire to oppose whomever is nominated for the vacant... More
September 21, 2005
North Korean nuke deal
Austin Bay has an insightful analysis on Real Clear Politics of the recently—announced deal with North Korea to, well, continue to negoatiate to end its nuclear weapons program. A nuclear—armed, impoverished rogue in one of the planet's most economically productive... More
September 21, 2005
China-Japan conflict over oil heats up
While much of America's attention has been focused on hurricanes, the Supreme Court, the close German election and unpredictable North Korea, Japan and China have continued their fighting over natural resources beneath the East China Sea. Both of these economic... More
September 21, 2005
Do greenies have a sense of irony? How about shame?
Surely I'm not alone noticing that there is an Irony Meter somewhere, pegged out. For decades "environmentalists" fought to prevent New Orleans' levee projects on the basis of irreversible damage to Lake Pontchartrain's eco—system. How many decades it will take to... More
September 21, 2005
Jet Blue lands safely at LAX
What a joy to see Jet Blue #292 land safely at LAX with its front landing gear 90 degrees out of alingnment. Even though I have been a very frequent flyer for over 3 decades, I still experience a slight... More
September 21, 2005
The French are practicing eugenics
France shows signs of understanding that the trend toward educated and professional career women avoiding motherhood can be fatal to the life of a nation, a point our own Herb Meyer superbly made in his DVD, The Seige of Western... More
September 21, 2005
Bobby Jindal on rebuilding
Congressman Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, who was narrowly defeated in his run for governor by the hapless Governor Blanco, demonstrates again why he is one of the most promising figures for the future of the Republicans in an op—ed in... More
September 20, 2005
The Bush-Clinton Political Puzzle Solved
Many on the Right, conservative columnists and talk show hosts in particular, have been puzzled as to why the Bush administration would keep calling on William Jefferson Clinton to be part of the team. Like Hawaii 5—O's Jack Lord, they... More
September 20, 2005
Gaza chaos not surprising
The Gaza—Egyptian border breakdown that has resulted in increased arms smuggling, warfare between rival Palestinian factions and violent chaos in general, though 'worrisome to Jerusalem,' are not unexpected to Ariel Sharon and the IDF. The withdrawal of Israeli settlements from... More
September 20, 2005
Sam's right again
The great American folk philosopher Sam Goldwyn once said,"If people don't want to go to the picture, nobody can stop them." And he's proven right again, as the readers refuse to go along with the partisan reportage of America's newspapers. The... More
September 20, 2005
"For the greater good"
Am I the only person in the cable news television audience who finds the frequent ads from TIAA—CREF (the pension fund manager for teachers, professors and other groups*) downright creepy? I refer to the ones which end in the tagline... More
September 20, 2005
Thinking outside the box (a series)
If you are a parent or concerned citizen, you have probably bemoaned the schools' lack of attention given to teaching the basics of financial common sense*. While op—ed writers and pundits criticize the lack of personal savings by Americans, the foolhardy financial... More
September 20, 2005
Is North Korea having nuke problems?
North Korea seems to be following the same playbook as their brethren in Iran. That is, agree in principle to a deal that would allow development of a nuclear commercial power reactor in exchange for giving up on its weapons... More
September 20, 2005
Breakdown of Gaza border
Within days after Israel withdrew from Gaza, Palestinian mobs have burned down twenty—five Jewish synagogues. Warfare has broken out between Palestinian factions, including the murder of Yasser Arafat's cousin Moussa Arafat and his son. The Palestinian Authority has not been... More
September 20, 2005
North Korea is playing games
The idea that North Korea has been playing games with the world received new support today when the New York Times reported that the last Stalinist regime has demanded billions of dollars to build nuclear reactors in exchange for... More
September 20, 2005
Maybe Bush isn't a racist, but...
Richard Cohen of the Washington Post, no fan of the president, admits that George W. Bush is no racist. But Cohen still attacks him indirectly by saying he is supported by Republicans who are racists. The GOP, after all, became a... More
September 20, 2005
Kerry cashes in
John F. Kerry is using email and a speech to attack President Bush on Katrina and to raise money. Not for the victims, but for himself. The man is never without an ulterior motive. Ed Lasky 9 20 05... More
September 19, 2005
Church of England in disgrace
Our friend in Britain Peter Glover is taking his gloves off in addressing the Church of England House of Bishops, who want to apologize to "the world" for Britain's part in the war in Iraq as the government "is not... More
September 19, 2005
Good comic strip today
The comic strip Gaggle has a particularly cutting number today, relevant to coverage of the katrina disaster followup by ABC.... More
September 19, 2005
No British Jews murdered in the Holocaust? Sacre bleu!
Haaretz investigates a report of an amazing gaffe by the French Foreign Minister, and finds it true: The French satirical magazine Le Canard Enchaine reported in its September 14th issue that during the visit of French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste—Blazy to the new... More
September 19, 2005
NYT punts on serious correction of Krugman's lies
Mediacrity takes New York Times public editor Barney Calame to task for burying the correction of Paul Krugman's blatant misrepresentation of the facts (A.K.A. "lies") in his columns, a topic we addressed here. Krugman made his goof in his print... More
September 19, 2005
Howard Dean's standing
Howard Dean appearance on ABC television's The View followed Danny Bonaduce and a guy who has lived in a college frat for 15 years. Enough said about his esteem (self or otherwise). Ed Lasky 9 19 05... More
September 19, 2005
Salvador Allende, KGB agent
Salvador Allende Gossens of Chile was an icon of the American left, the first Marxist to assume office via the ballot box. The CIA has been blamed for his overthrow and death, further enhancing his cult standing in Cambridge, Berkeley,... More
September 19, 2005
FEMA's entitlement program
This is my shortest blog ever: if you've been reading AT for the past year, this is not earth—shattering news. Doug Hanson 9 19 05 ... More
September 19, 2005
Wal-Mart triumphs in Oakland
Wal—Mart, the company liberals love to hate, has pulled off a triumph in the nation's most politically left wing big city, Oakland, California. It has opened a very large store there, and it is a hit, even among locals who... More
September 19, 2005
Shine a light into the heart of the night
Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, was blown away by the reality that befalls a city armed with a category three defense in the face of a category four hurricane. Whereas Noah heard from God and followed His instructions to survive... More
September 19, 2005
No Surprise
It is fairly comical to see the uproar among some conservatives reacting to the President's New Orleans speech. Have they been asleep for five years? From day one of his Administration George W. Bush has been nothing if not consistent... More
September 19, 2005
Clear thinking from the New York Times
Every other Monday, The New York Times makes space for what it calls "a critic's perspective on arts and ideas." Today, we are treated to a bit of sanity from Edward Rothstein on the subject of hate crimes. Although tailored... More
September 18, 2005
Not much news here: pay no attention
Mediacrity is spot on with its criticism of the New York Times for downplaying the orgy of violence and the systematic violations of agreements in the handover of Gaza to Palestinian control. One of the most prolific yet easy to... More
September 18, 2005
CENTCOM Reports
This week's CENTCOM Report highlights combat operations around Iraq. Action in Tall Afar is important in stopping Syrian support of terrorists in the fledgling democracy. As many AT readers know, the Horn of Africa is critical to prevent further expansion... More
September 18, 2005
The Kremlin's Nightmare Scenario
Allow me to flesh out Thomas Lifson's very perceptive point about the de—population of Siberia, and Russia's growing concerns about hanging onto its oil: Russia covers one—sixth of the earth's land surface, and its birth rate is so low that by... More
September 18, 2005
Bill Maher exposed for who and what he is
Fatuous, hypocritical, self—obsessed, a parody of himself? It is all here in the New York Times Magazine Q and A with the comic who despises religion, hates George Bush, and has a very sour mood about America—while he lives it up... More
September 18, 2005
Chavez's Curacao ambitions
In New York this week, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez blustered continuously about a U.S. naval ship port call to Curacao last February, arguing against our own American Thinker scoop that said a minor contingent of U.S. troops who visited the island... More
September 18, 2005
What Clash of Civilizations?
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, reassures the United Nations Assembly in this report from the BBC: Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said there is no fundamental difference between the Islamic world and the West. He told the United Nations Assembly,... More
September 18, 2005
Taking back Islam
David Ignatius writes in the Washington Post of the internal battle within the Dar al Islam over the future of that faith of over a billion people. The Salafists, or radical Islamists, are a cult, Ignatius avers, and it is up... More
September 18, 2005
Send the elderly abroad?
Walter Russell Mead of the Council on Foreign Relations, a genuine establishment thinker, writes in the Los Angeles Times of the virtues (for America) of "sending" our elderly to retirement in low wage countries like Mexico and Costa Rica, where over a million... More
September 18, 2005
The Sheik in the Kremlin
That's Jim Hoagland's term for Vladimir Putin, because Russia is now such a big oil exporter, and benefitting mightily from high oil prices on its 6 million barrels a day sent abroad. All very true, though I think oil is... More
September 18, 2005
Just what the professor ordered
Yale Law School Professor Ian Ayres is to be commended for his New York Times op—ed on the problem of textbook prices in college. He identifies a key problem: IN time for the new school year, the Government Accountability Office... More
September 17, 2005
Engagement and the CIA
Rowan Scarborough of the Washington Times writes an excellent summary of the institutional conflict between the Pentagon and the CIA. Since Porter Goss began to clean—up the troubled agency this past week, more and more Americans have are become aware... More
September 17, 2005
Violence
Isn't it amazing that Muslims' first reaction is so often violence? Ed Lasky 11 17 04... More
September 17, 2005
Why Arafat died
Oh those French. Oh those Arabs. Trying to get the truth from either of them is difficult——when they work together it is impossible. Because France does not list cause of death on the death certificate (to save embarrassment; is that... More
September 17, 2005
Kim Jong-il appears on TV - date uncertain
North Korean dictator Kim Jong—il is shown (obviously alive) on North Korean last night, (Korean time), on 17 November 2004, recently inspecting (date unclear) the North Korean Peoples Army "Unit 754". However, as South Korean TV reporters from YTN—TV in... More
September 17, 2005
Howard Dean criticizes the media
In an age when a candidate's every word and action are so rigidly programmed, I thought Howard Dean's infamous wildly exhuberant scream rallying his troops and even himself was terrific——seemingly spontaneous and fun. So when he was roundly mocked I... More
September 17, 2005
Kerry's stash
Married to a billionaire, but left $15 million on the table that he could have shared with other Democratic candidates. Quite a guy, here. Ed Lasky 11 18 04... More
September 17, 2005
If soldiers did not sacrifice
If soldiers did not sacrificeThe blood within their veinsIf true loves were not left at homeTo never see againIf armies were not marshaledTo meet an evil foeThen right would lose and wrong would winOur freedom then would go.If men and... More
September 17, 2005
Hands off my TiVo
The GOP—controlled Congress is considering legislation to prevent consumers from fast—forwarding thorugh television commercials when viewing it on TiVo and other digital hard drive—based systems. If they give in to the commercial television broadcasters who are pushing this idiotic intrustion,... More
September 17, 2005
More celebrity nonsense
Not that more reasons are needed to be grateful that Kerry and many of his fellow Democrats lost, but they just come pouring in. Since the election Bush opponents have shown their true colors, indicating that many of them have... More
September 17, 2005
Left wing photo shopping
We all have viewed public political events which have clickety—clack sound effects of an endless run of picture—taking. Then the media chooses one or two pictures, among the hundreds taken, to feature in their reports. Well, should we be surprised that... More
September 17, 2005
No tears
Steven Bainbridge, polymath blogger, is not crying any tears for New Yorkers, suffering from what he aptly calls "heat withdrawal": They were used to being the red—hot center of American news and opinion. Suddenly they're flyover country, relics from a... More
September 17, 2005
Thanks
My thanks to David Limbaugh for his very kind words this monring, on today's article, Misdiagnosis. David is the genuine article: a serious Christian who practices what he preaches, and who lives his faith in a way that stands in... More
September 17, 2005
International man of mystery
Something is going on in North Korea, but nobody knows exactly what. Portraits of Kim Jong—il have been taken down from some (but not all) public places. The official Nork news agency denies that any have been taken down, though... More
September 17, 2005
A reason for not having a comment box
Our friend, Aleksander Boyd, the brave blogger opposing the Castroite thug President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, shows readers some of the alarming threats and hatred his courageous website Vcrisis generates. This is no joke. We send our best wishes and our... More
September 17, 2005
Watch Venezuela
The Washington Post joins us in our deep concern over Venezuela today, in an editoral. However, the WaPo swallows whole the line that Chavez's electoral victories in his recall referendum and various local elections are a "triumph" rather than an outrageeous... More
September 17, 2005
North Korea selling plutonium?
One of the more immediate dangers of North Korea is its ability to sell plutonium to international terrorists, financed with petrobucks, Oil—for—Food bucks, or heroin trade bucks. No less than the top U.S. military commander in South Korea, Gen. Leon... More
September 17, 2005
Pushing God to the margins
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of the most powerful men in the Vatican, has given an interview to the leftist Italian newspaper, La Republica, denouncing the rise of a "worrying and aggressive" militant secularism, which threatens to drive out Christianity. Pointing... More
September 17, 2005
The Catholic Church fights back
Speculation on Cardinal Ratzinger, and his possible ascension to the Papal Throne, so far as I can tell, is farfetched. (Even though I think it is a good idea.) But the Pope seems to be looking elsewhere for a successor, and... More
September 17, 2005
Now he tells us...
Implicated in the biggest rip—off in history, rejected with a no confidence vote by his labor union, all of a sudden Kofi Annan is getting religion. Now he finally denounces one of the many instances of UN "peacekeepers" indulging in... More
September 17, 2005
A turning point?
Perhaps we have finally reached a turning point in which the Gordian Knot tying African Americans to the Democratic Party may finally be severed. The spectacle of white male leftists demeaning Condoleeza Rice as an Aunt Jemima, a black mammy... More
September 17, 2005
Condoleeza Rice (continued)
My esteemed editor is absolutely correct: the poison tossed on Condoleezza Rice and previously Clarence Thomas is disgusting——the tossers should be exposed as the bigots they really are. But not all the opposition to Rice comes from white liberals and not... More
September 17, 2005
I confess
I confess to be being fascinated by a tawdry murder case, more than half a century old. One worse than the Scott Peterson trial I so recently derided as an object of obsessive press attention. Perhaps this makes me a terrible... More
September 17, 2005
National Treasure
As long as I am confessing less than elevated interests today, I might as well admit that I really enjoyed the new film National Treasure. This is probably the first Jerry Bruckheimer—produced movie I have ever praised, unless you count... More
September 17, 2005
Hate 101
Columbia University in New York was one of the first universities in the country to openly institute a quota system against bright Jews. They justified this by labeling it geogrphical diversity because so many Jews lived in New York and... More
September 17, 2005
An ethical source for almost-embryonic stem cells
This article from the Boston Globe describes a promising possibility in the area of stem—cell research, dealing with primitive cells that seem to be from clumps of cells that are not really embryos. The writer gets into the nitty—gritty of what is an... More
September 17, 2005
Can ostracism be far behind?
When a liberal is laughed at by other uber liberals, can ostracism be far behind? Of course the Rev Jackson will probably complain that this was a racist incident. Page Six reports (link has disappeared) THE Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose sense of... More
September 17, 2005
Saudi money for Clinton library
Note how media jumped all over George Bush for supposed Saudi ties. But look who the Saudis are giving money to—the Clintons. Some have speculated this is to curry favor with Hillary Clinton who may run for President in 2008.... More
September 17, 2005
Columbia University update
Some students at Columbia University, dismayed at the narrow mindedness and racism expressed by some faculty, (mentioned here yesterday) are demanding changes at their university. Reinforcing them are monitoring groups from across the country. Will Columbia University respond to these demands... More
September 17, 2005
Welfare and social disorganization
Theodore Dalrymple, a doctor who has worked with the British underclass for years, writes in City Journal of the relationship of the welfare state to social disorganization, the unhappiness of the poor, and the elite's refusal to acknowledge its role... More
September 17, 2005
Michael Scheuer (of "Anonymous" fame) changes story
Stephen Hayes in The Weekly Standard has the story. Ed Lasky 11 22 04... More
September 17, 2005
North Korea
The Japanese NGO (non government humanitarian) group in support of freedom in North Korea and safety for North Korean refugees, R.E.N.K., has released secret, internal North Korean Workers (Communist) Party documents which indicated substantial concern by the regime's authorities about... More
September 17, 2005
Condoleeza Rice (continued)
Yesterday you read here nationally syndicated black columnist Clarence Page expressing amazement that over 10% of African—Americans had wandered off the plantation of liberal thinking by voting for Bush. Today a female African—American columnist lamely tries to explain her lack... More
September 17, 2005
Black student SAT scores, a national disgrace
For years, people like Thomas Sowell have argued that affirmative action regularly places Black students into schools for which they are not educationally qualified, that in so doing it dooms them to less challenging courses and failure. In debates about... More
September 17, 2005
Wisconsin talk show racism
This is not an apology, this is covering your rear. And how about being fair and balanced——why didn't Sylvester receive the same punishment as Bellings? Probably because not so deep down, station management agrees with Sylvester. But I think Ms.... More
September 17, 2005
What an Iraqi woman wants
In the realm of material goods, it is a sewing machine. Our friend Sissy Willis, of the wonderful and visually beautiful Sisu blog, reminds us of the important Spirit of America fundraising drive to support Iraqi bloggers, a worthy cause itself. One... More
September 17, 2005
New humor blog
Simply Swagger is a new humor blog, the product of BobLee Swagger, a humorist —what the arts types might call a "performance artist" (forgive me, BobLee!). For example: At 6:30 AM on Nov 2 I awoke as "a greedy country... More
September 17, 2005
Saintly institutions
Roger Kimball has a wonderful, highly—rewarding essay in the New Criterion (which he edits), hereby recommended to all. Nothing can do justice to his prose style, but he basically skewers the prejudices of the smart crowd, with certain institutions and iondividuals... More
September 17, 2005
Rather steps down
Dan Rather announced Tuesday that he will step down as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News in March, 24 years after his first broadcast in that position. Rather will continue to work full—time at CBS News as... More
September 17, 2005
Anti Israel ad and Columbia University professor
The New York Times is becoming quite the billboard for well—funded groups touting their agendas. Today there was a full—page ad that on the surface was a call for "peace in the Middle East." As a slogan..who could argue with... More
September 17, 2005
Ukraine (1)
Here is a blog report from Ukraine, from ex—Congressman Schaefer, an election observer: Right now in the freezing cold, almost 100 000 Ukranians are protesting against the stolen election in central Kiev, and a huge demonstration has also started in... More
September 17, 2005
Spiritual free market
According to some sociologists, the free market system and separation of religion and state in the United States make people more religious. Because religious institutions in America are not regulated by governments, they have to vigorously compete, to go out... More
September 17, 2005
Despair at al Reuters
The worldwide left is in a funk. The smashing re—election victory of George W. Bush is driving them further into a dementia in which America becomes the global source of evil, not the terrorists. Abject failure at the polls is... More
September 17, 2005
Blasphemy and tolerance
The practice of Muslims executing those, like Dutch film maker Theo van Gough, whom they believe blaspheme their religion, is not likely to go away, at least in Europe. Spengler, the acerbic columnist for the Asia Times, puts it thusly:... More
September 17, 2005
Ukraine (2)
Dick Morris, who consulted for the good guys in the stolen Ukraine elections does not mince words about what is going on. We have a serious crisis on our hands. Thomas Lifson 11 24 04... More
September 17, 2005
Anyone but France
France, the leading critic of American intervention saving Iraq from the murderous Batthist regime of Saddam Hussein, has been behaving very badly in the Ivory Coast. It sent its troops there with nary a nod to the United Nations, much... More
September 17, 2005
Scandal investigation in California
California politics may once again be making national news. Don Perata, who represents my district in the State Senate, is under intense investigation by the FBI on the suspicion of receiving bribes from various sources. Nothing is proven, of course.... More
September 17, 2005
Rejecting "free" New York Times distribution
The New York Times gains an unknown percentage of its national circulation from university and even high school students who are required to purchase it, or whose student fees are used to pay for "free" copies distributed on campus. My... More
September 17, 2005
Hilarious
Iowahawk is one of the funniest satirists alive. I have been his fan since before either of us was a blogger. We have even broken bread together. Thus I am chagrinned to have missed until now his laugh—out—loud hilarious piece... More
September 17, 2005
Official farewell to Bosnia � sort of
A formal ceremony at Eagle Base, near Tuzla, Bosnia marked the official departure of the US contingent to the multi—national Stabilization Force (SFOR) in the Balkans. Reuters reports that Brigadier General Timothy Wright, the commander of the outgoing US force, emphasized... More
September 17, 2005
1m Christians sign EU religion plea
Christianity is not yet dead, politically, in the EU. Secualrism has triumphed among the Europeans, but perhaps the specter of militant Islam is helping the Christian remnants organize and fight back. The proposed EU constitution omits any mention of the... More
September 17, 2005
Branding the Democrats
The blog Hubris has risen to the challenge offered by another blog, to create graphics helping to establish the Democrats' brand image. The results are pretty funny. Hat tip: Instapundit Thomas Lifson 11 25 04... More
September 17, 2005
Proud thanks
Our Poet Laureate Russ Vaughn has a special poem of thanks to our military. Appropriately, it is posted on the military site Mudville Gazette, where it has a graphic background. A plain text version, which is easier to read, is... More
September 17, 2005
Correction
In an August 10th article, WMDs in Iraq — the real story begins to emerge, the paragraph following a quotation from Professor Norman Dombey of the University of Sussex was inadvertently italicized, indicating to readers it was a quotation from... More
September 17, 2005
Liberals unwilling to talk seriously
Jaithirth Rao of the Indian Express has an excellent column today, discussing his experiences in New York, on his current trip to the UInited States. He finds himself disconcerted at the unwillingness of the social liberals he meets to seriously... More
September 17, 2005
Castro-lovers' booby prize
To hear Fidel Castro tell it, Americans would flock to Cuba's communist culture were it not for the evil yanqui trade embargo holding Cuba down. Well, not quite. A group of wealthy radical chicsters, dismissing the embargo as something for... More
September 17, 2005
Our unlikeliest trade partner
One has to go digging into the jobbers' trade press for the stunning statistics about the extent of Vietnam's trade growth with the U.S. About $1.8 billion in apparel exports will be sold by the Vietnamese to the U.S. in 2004,... More
September 17, 2005
MoDo's bro
For once, Maureen Dowd has a column worth reading. That is because almost all of it is a letter written by her brother, explaining why he thinks differently than his sister, and is happy about Bush's victory. After reading the... More
September 17, 2005
Italy and Israel
The mostly—reliable DEBKA.com site, reports that the United States is fostering defense technology collaboration between Italy and Israel, as part of a broad geo—political realignment. On November 18, Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz met Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and... More
September 17, 2005
Something I thought I'd never see...
Further proof that Europe is really beginning to wake up to the threat of radical Islam——a prominent European Catholic religious authority praises the Reformation and the French Revolution by suggesting Moslems learn the same lessons from these events as did... More
September 17, 2005
Good news for the developing world
David Brooks celebrates the almost completely ignored (in the MSM) good news that economic growth in the devceloping countries is very vigorous, indeed. The gap between the world's rich and poor countries is actually narrowing. The engine, of course, is... More
September 17, 2005
Leftist anti-Semitism - breaking news
Aleksander Boyd, the crusading and brave anti—Chavez blogger, reports (and the Venezuelan press [Spanish language] confirms the story) a very worrisome development in Caracas: Sources report that this morning at around 6.30AM, 25 police officers raided in Caracas the Jewish school... More
September 17, 2005
French admission
France is now admitting that its troops were unilaterally dispathced to the Ivory Coast with no UN consultation, much less sanction, fired into crowds of youth in Abidjan, the capital city. France claims that the mob was armed with automatic weapons,... More
September 17, 2005
Condoleeza Rice purportedly betrays black women - again
Last week you read the disparaging reaction of a black female Chicago Tribune columnist to the nomination of a black female as Secretary of State. Echoing the rather universal liberal condemnation of Ms Rice as a betrayer of her gender and... More
September 17, 2005
Condoleeza Rice purportedly betrays white women, too
Well, well, well, the racial barriers are down at last. Liberal females of all colors are against Condoleezza Rice as a traitor to her gender. Noted singer and political analyst Barbra Streisand has decreeed that Ms. Rice is failing upwards for... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela skimps, America gets polluted
Awhile back, we reported on the Venezuelan state oil company's efforts to foist a toxic waste site on the state of New Jersey, a move that would force the state not only to clean it up at its own expense... More
September 17, 2005
Losing the media war
The inherent liberal bias of the legacy media covering the war in Iraq has been well—documented on the pages of AT and elsewhere. Even more frustrating has been the lack of major press coverage of the fights against Baathist loyalists... More
September 17, 2005
What's a lefty eco-activist to do?
America's left wing, anti—corporate, socialist, eco—activists have a terrible dilemma today. Castro—wannabe Hugo Chavez has nationalized Venezuela's oil industry, and his American PR representativces spin fuzzy warm tales of the formerly oppressed masses now enjoying socialist nirvana. One of the messages... More
September 17, 2005
Anti-white hate crime?
Our friend La Shawn Barber has some trenchant comments on the case of Chai Vang, the Hmong deer hunter who slaughtered six white hunters. She cuts to the chase and posits that he is probably guilty of a "hate crime"... More
September 17, 2005
More North Korea speculation
The Marmot's Hole, a blog covering North and South Korea, adds another hypothesis to explain what might be going on in North Korea: psy—ops at the hand of the United States. According to this scenario, the very tightness of control... More
September 17, 2005
Chirac meeting with our enemy again
According to Al Hayat, French president Chirac is going to host Walid Jumblatt at the Elysee Palace on Friday. Time and time again, Chirac sides with our enemies and treats them as royalty; Arafat was the most recent example. But... More
September 17, 2005
A credit to his family
Patrick Daley, the only son of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, has enlisted in the United States Army, and will be reporting for duty in the Airborne Infantry between Christmas and the New Year's holiday. Following completing of his training, he... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuelan pollution worse than thought
The oil tanker spill in the Delaware River, caused by a Venezuelan—chartered single hull (cheap and old) tanker is worse than previously thought. First reported (in gallons — to make it seem bigger) at just over 700 barrels of oil,... More
September 17, 2005
Did Jennings lose on purpose?
74 games and $2,520,700 later, the incredible Jeopardy! winning streak of Ken Jennings is over. It began on June 2 and ended November 30 when Nancy Zerg came up with the correct Final Jeopardy! answer. Ken didn't. More on this... More
September 17, 2005
Bret Schundler running for NJ governor
The former mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, Bret Schundler, has tossed his hat into the ring, and is running for governor, to succeed Jim McGreevy, who defeated him for governor in 2001. As mayor, Schundler pulled off a political... More
September 17, 2005
Legacy media whines while ignoring Najaf success story
Mark Mazzetti of the Los Angeles Times complains that the US military disseminates 'misleading information' in order to gain a tactical advantage over the terrorists in Iraq. Not to beat a dead horse for the umpteenth time, but Mark and his... More
September 17, 2005
Blogosphere coverage of Bush in Ottawa
My pal Alex has collected some photojournalism from the blogosphere, covering the anti—Bush demonstrators. If harsh language bothers you, don't read some of the signs carried by the mob. There is some helpful (and funny) commentary, too. http://www.idfisrael.com/bushinottawa.htm http://www.idfisrael.com/bushinottawa2.htm http://www.amalgamatedlampblack.com/protpage2.html http://www.amalgamatedlampblack.com/protpage3.html http://www.amalgamatedlampblack.com/protpage4.html Thomas Lifson 12... More
September 17, 2005
The phony last minute attack on Bush
In the waning hours of the presidential campaign Kerry and the legacy media, particularly the New York Times, alleged that the Administration had failed to guard the sealed IAEA weapons caches, allowing the insurgents to steal the very dangerous stocks... More
September 17, 2005
French massacre
Charles at Little Green Footballs has a link to startling footage from Swiss TV, showing French helicopters firing on demonstrators in the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan. The silence you hear is the United Nations not denouncing this unilateral military invasion... More
September 17, 2005
A non-toxic alternative?
As the reports of widespread corruption within the UN increase, there are calls for alternatives. And one of these calls is coming from Israel, a nation repeatedly victimized by the UN. At a recently—ended summit held there, attended by representatives... More
September 17, 2005
Sharon is Palestinians' best chance for peace
So says none other than Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt. according to Haaretz in Israel. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday described Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as the Palestinians' best chance for peace, and said that Marwan Barghouti's decision to... More
September 17, 2005
Death of the left
Michael Ledeen writes an epitaph for the left, on NRO. While I agree with his analysis, and would even add more to it, principally the impact of the internet and other technologies which are fragmenting and democratizing the media, formerly... More
September 17, 2005
Rich and Annan
The Bad Hair Blog has further information and speculation on the possible involvement of Marc Rich, famously pardoned at the very last minute by Bill Clinton, in the UN Oil for Food scandal. I cannot say that I am in... More
September 17, 2005
MoDo's latest rant
Maureen Dowd is a liberal columnist at the liberal New York Times. Nothing wrong with that; after all this is a free country where individuals and newspapers can publicly hold whatever opinions they wish without fear of retaliation. She is... More
September 17, 2005
Meet Europe's theocons
As we wrote earlier this month, a backlash is building against European Union bureaucrats over their growing litany of intolerance for anything except intolerance. Christians, Jews (and let's be fair), even decent Muslims are demanding the right to affirm their faith... More
September 17, 2005
The Church v. the Academy?
William J. Stuntz is a professor at Harvard Law School, and he has written a superb piece on the intersection of liberal and hard—left academics, the Christian church—goer, the Christian Republican, the non—religious Republican, the liberal democratic non—church—goer, and the... More
September 17, 2005
Half of Britons have never heard of Auschwitz
Haaretz reports the stunning survey finding. No wonder they don't have any sympathy for the Israelis and their predicament and how sensitive they might be to the prospect of another Holocaust. Ed Lasky 12 3 04... More
September 17, 2005
Canada's policy now less anti-Isarel
Canada is shifting to a less anti—Israel approach at the UN. Is this change the consequence of the Bush victory or the recent Bush visit? Maybe it has something to do with the end of bribery. Chretien, the former leader... More
September 17, 2005
The French are excellent at giving lessons
Because the French demand the approval of the UN for any military intervention, especially an American one. it is surprising that they forgot about asking Kofi Annan if they could "intervene" in the Ivory Coast. It looks like that France,... More
September 17, 2005
Blogging along
As technological innovations rapidly increase the applicable law lags further behind leaving gaps and questions. Case in point: blogs, like the one you're reading. Are they fish or fowl? Are they another form of journalism? If they are, do the laws... More
September 17, 2005
White Muslim
The L.A. Weekly has a lengthy story on an American Caucasian convert to Islam, one of roughly 80,000 white and Hispanic converts. (A much larger number of African—Americans are also believed to have conversted.) What makes the story especially compelling... More
September 17, 2005
Chicago and Iraq
Bruce Thompson, whose work here is familiar to regular readers, makes some interesting comparisons between Chicago and Iraq, as far as casualties and fighting violence are concerned, on his own blog site Machias Privateer. The number of American casualties in... More
September 17, 2005
"Let them move to Mozambique"
The United Nations wants to build and renovate in New York City, but it needs to take over land from a city park, and it needs about $600 million. It had hoped to get the State of New York to... More
September 17, 2005
Deconstructing a New York Times editorial
The New York Sun, which has become an invaluable new player in the world of New York journalism, deconstructs a fatuous New York Times editorial on education spending and taxes. May the Sun propser, and gain circulation at the expense... More
September 17, 2005
Appeasment watch
Commentary carries an excellent article by David Pryce—Jones on the appeasment of radical Islam gripping Europe (it is certianly not confined there, of course). An excerpt: One form of Islamist fellow—traveling masquerades as a call for 'tolerance,' or 'diversity,' and... More
September 17, 2005
Ask a silly question
Jay Tolson of U.S. News & World Report asks if Tariq Ramadan should be allowed into the USA. The answer is obviously no. And Nortre Dame should not be hiring him either. Ethel C. Fenig 12 4 04... More
September 17, 2005
Pests
You've read here previously and in other places about PESTS, people suffering from "Post Election Selection Trauma." Not to be too unkind but the afflicted were so upset by the loss of John F. Kerry to George W. Bush that... More
September 17, 2005
Coming to a hospital near you?
Some medical doctors among the free—spirited Dutch, who have been living in a half—century reaction against their Calvinist past, have now instituted the Groningen Protocol, which permits an independent committee to euthanize the terminally ill who do not have "free... More
September 17, 2005
A helpful suggestion
Reader David Boyles has a suggestion for moving the UN out of New York City: I read your article regarding the UN's desire to have New York's tax payers pay for the UN's renovation and expansion.I have an alternative suggestion:... More
September 17, 2005
Told you so
John Hinderaker of the wonderful Power Line site is raising suspicions about the fall of oil prices since the re—election of George W. Bush. Was the price pushed higher by those (The Saudis? Soros?) who would have preferred President Kerry?... More
September 17, 2005
"Socially racist" and "terorist" blog
Aleksander Boyd, who publishes the blog Vcrisis from London, has proven to us to be a relaible source of news on the Castroite Chavez regime of Venezuela. Most recently, he scooped the world press in reporting on a nonsensical raid on... More
September 17, 2005
Get over it
Memo to Kerry supporters, Bush haters: The election is over. Bush won! Kerry lost! Get over it! If purists are really concerned about honest elections and eliminating vote fraud where were they in say, 1960, when Chicago Mayor Richard Daley... More
September 17, 2005
Blame America first
A must read — the New York Times finally editorializes on the oil for food scandal today and blames, get ready, ...the United States for it. Richard Baehr 12 5 04 Thomas Lifson adds: Note the emotive language employed to... More
September 17, 2005
Corroding Canada
Nora Jacobson, a sociologist and self—described bluestocking blue—stater, who pursued a career opportunity in Canada, has rueful column in today's Houston Chronicle. She describes how the anti—Americanism she encouters in Toronto has turned her off as far as regarding Canadians... More
September 17, 2005
You didn't see this in the MSM, did you?
Earl McRae of the Ottawa Sun reports on a heart—warming encounter between President Bush and a Canadian Member of Parliament, during his visit last week to Ottawa. With all the focus on Canadian politicians and Canadian media critical of the... More
September 17, 2005
Move the UN?
Suggestions are pouring in for a new, more appropriate location for the United Nations. Jack Kemp reminds us of Dennis Prager's article two years ago, with the following thought: In fact, why wait for an attack? Move the United Nations... More
September 17, 2005
UN Awards diss Wall Street Journal editorial page
The United Nationas had its award dinner for corresponsents covering it. Benny Avi of the New York Sun noted some interesting aspects: The black—tie affair, which at times had an eerie Titanic feel to it, celebrated "serious" journalism, which describes... More
September 17, 2005
MSM propaganda
Dennis Byrne of the Chicago Tribune has a terrific column exposing the utter propagandistic approach taken by the MSM in reporting on stem cells. A remarkable advance has taken place with a pateint named Hwang in Korea, with stem cells.... More
September 17, 2005
Caracas raid on Jewish school
The Simon Wiesthenthal Center has condemned the recent raid on a Caracas Jewish school, reported here via the Aleksander Boyd of the Vcrisis.com blog. The Simon Wiesenthal Center condemned the government authorities break in at the Jewish school and the... More
September 17, 2005
More good news
Fox News has clearly become a powerful force in American society and politics. Now Fox has become available to Canadian viewers. In the meantime, this bit of news is favorable. News Corp.'s Fox News has reached an agreement to... More
September 17, 2005
I know what he means
Ben Stein has a great essay on the American Spectator site, describing the reality of having to whisper and hide one's political beliefs in a hostile blue state environment. As a Berkeley resident and sociologist, I could probably trump his... More
September 17, 2005
Usurpers of Palestine
Steven Plaut has a terrific short article on the subject of legitimacy and soverignty in the land of Israel or Palestine, if you will. Read it and save it. Richard Baehr 12 6 04... More
September 17, 2005
Chanukah celebrations
The Jewish holiday of Chanukah which tonight, commemorates several politically incorrect themes: miracles, successful resistance to assimilation by practicing Judaism which had been banned and the ultimate——a military victory by the outnumbered Jews against the oppressive Greco—Syrians. Jews light candles... More
September 17, 2005
Necrophilia? No problem morally
Many secularists assume that religious conservatives, especially the Christian variety, are like Mr. Potter in the movie It's a Wonderful Life: narrow—minded, mean—spirited, shriveled—soul money—grubbers and bigots (and I have met a few like that, sadly). However, topics like the... More
September 17, 2005
Farewell, old friend
A glorious era in television broadcasting came to a quiet end just before 9:00 eastern time on Sunday evening when, without fanfare or mention of this particular edition's significance, C—SPAN's Brian Lamb held a book that had been under discussion... More
September 17, 2005
Europe, thy name is cowardice
From Davids Medienkritic, a terrific site which provides translations from the German (mostly) press, we have a translation of an attack by Matthias D�pfner, Chief Executive of the huge German publisher Axel Springer AG, against the cowardice of Europe in... More
September 17, 2005
BBC transformation
The British Broadcasting Corporation is cutting 3000 jobs, and moving about 1800 employees from London to Manchester. While these are positive developments, meaningful reform of the broadcaster would consist of full privatization and an end to the amndatory "fee" (a... More
September 17, 2005
Kofi's cover
Reader Mark Eichelaub writes us about the cover story in Time Magazine on Kofi Annan: As we all know, the mainstream media's and liberal extremes have a passion for protecting each at whatever sneaky cost and this time article is... More
September 17, 2005
Beyond Arafat
A reader has drawn our attention to an op—ed in the Washington Times by Yoram Ettinger making the case that any successor to Arafat under the current Palestinian Authority regime is unlikely to be much of an improvement. It is... More
September 17, 2005
Saint Brian
Reader R.L.A. Schaefer of Dubuque, Iowa has some further thoughts on Brian Lamb: Matt May's fine article on Brian Lamb called up these thoughts: Lawrence Cunningham's book, The Catholic Heritage, pinpointed dominant models of holiness in historical eras. I concluded... More
September 17, 2005
The toffs
Reader Burt Keimach in the United Kingdom send us this thought: Richard Baehr's piece "Why Europe Went Wrong on Israel" mentioned the "Elites" without explaining the unique anti—Semitism steered and managed by the toffs (upper class) in Britain.These people run... More
September 17, 2005
Travel Europe as a fake Canadian?
I have no desire to disguise my American identity because I have no desire to travel to Europe. Luckily my parents left the place. Those who need such a disguise deserve it; they deserve anything the Europeans will dish out... More
September 17, 2005
The coming war on Social Security
Bob Weir, a former New York City police detective, now a newspaperman, has a better understanding of economics as it relates to Social Security than Paul Krugman, Princeton UJniversity economist and former adviser to Enron. Yesterday, Weir wrote here about George... More
September 17, 2005
Tax penalties and crushing dissent
Bloomberg is reporting that once again Russia's leader Putin is crushing private a publicly—listed company with onerous tax claims. This current new claim is remiscent of Putin's attack on oil company Yukos, whose controlling shareholder was leading advocate of further... More
September 17, 2005
Suspicious and alarming death
Athletic 29 year old males do not usually die in their sleep. When the young male doing the dying happens to be an anti—terror researcher working for Steve Emerson's Investigative Project, the frequent subject of death threats, there is every... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuelan columnist: We are all Jews
The raid on Caracas's Jewish school by the thugs of the Chavez government has sparked at least one critic in the Venezuelan press to say what needs to be said. Michael Rowan, of El Universal, wrote a particularly notable column:... More
September 17, 2005
Savan's laundry
Benon Savan, according to the New York Post, may have been using an elaborate money—laundering scheme involving relatives in Cyprus to make his bribes from Saddam appear to be inherited wealth. Ed Lasky 12 8 04... More
September 17, 2005
Jewish support for Bush 36%?
I do not know how much credibility Zogby has these days, but his latest poll indicated that George W. Bush received 36% of the Jewish vote this time, a sixteen percent increase over the vote in 2000. UPDATE: Zogby is... More
September 17, 2005
Buyers' remorse
The San Francisco Chronicle finally read the fine print on Proposition 71, the stem cell research initiative, which voters approved last month. It discovers that the voters have bought into a commitment to spend billions of dollars of borrrowed money... More
September 17, 2005
Anti-Americanism agitprop
Reader Bob Silver writes us about reports that Americans are being sold tee shirts proclaiming themselves Canadian, for travel in Europe, due to America's unpopularity. The hype about traveling to Europe disguised as a Canadian is just so much agit—prop. I... More
September 17, 2005
Sharpton paid for aiding Kerry
Race baiter, bigot, con man, and oh yes, Democratic presidential candidate, the Rev. Al Sharpton received a tidy sum from the John F. Kerry campaign for "political consulting." This "political consulting" consisted of Sharpton leading the cheers for Kerry to mainly... More
September 17, 2005
The bad old days reappearing in Russia
A Putin ally is apparently manipulating Russian laws to weaken a competitor cell company which just happens to be run by a Jewish businessman. Russia is reverting to form. This is sickingly reminscent of the Nazis' practice of using German laws... More
September 17, 2005
CBS courting left wing bloggers
Ratherbiased.com, the website in Dan Rather's nightmares, is tracking a CBS News outreach to the blogosphere — to the left wing blogs only, of course. Specifically, CBS was promoting a 60 Minutes (Wednesday version — the same show which brought... More
September 17, 2005
Air America raises $13 million
Diversity, pluralism and multi culturalism——in addition to pretentiousness, lack of humor and hot air——are guaranteed on the radio for two more years now that Air America has obtained additional funding. That means Al Franken and Randi Rhodes might be coming... More
September 17, 2005
Pre-WW II trickery
The WaPo this morning reports that U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that an Arkansas National Guardsman must return to his unit in Iraq, denying the soldier's claim that the Army 'tricked him' by involuntarily extending his term of... More
September 17, 2005
Selling black lawyers a bill of goods
Arguing from the facts——that black students admitted to law schools under affirmative action programs which place them in more competitive schools than they would otherwise be admitted to drop out more frequently, do less well than their classmates, fail the... More
September 17, 2005
More information on Caracas raid
There is an update from the JTA news sevice on the raid on the Jewish school in Caracas, Venezuela, an incident we have been following. Ethel C. Fenig 12 9 04... More
September 17, 2005
Campus intimdation
Columbia University has finally begun an investigation into charges that several faculty members intimidate pro Israel students and use their classroom authority to preach anti Israel activism. It's about time. Ethel C. Fenig 12 10 04 ... More
September 17, 2005
No peace in sight in the Middle East
Greg Richards writes us about Olivier Guitta's latest article: A good column as far as it goes. But I am bemused that the "search for peace" seems to be seen as an intellectual exercise like the search for the neutron,... More
September 17, 2005
Anti-Israel ringers
The New York Sun delves into the composition of the committee appointed by Columbia University president Lee Bollinger to investigate charges of anti—Semitism and harrassment. The results are very, very discouraging: Mr. Bollinger has, at the most important crisis of... More
September 17, 2005
"We own it"
A note to Move On: "Now it's our Party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back." Not so fast. You claim you bought it——was it listed publicly for sale? Did Eliot Spitzer approve of the sale... More
September 17, 2005
Berlusconi acquitted
Silvio Berlusconi, the tax—cutting forthright ally of the United States and defender of Western Civilization, has been found not guilty in his trial on corruption charge which had been allege against him. This is a victory for us all. Thomas... More
September 17, 2005
Extra! Extra! Miracle in Afghanistan!
The MSM have mostly ignored the miracle in Afghanistan, and this is wrong. We see more coverage on car bombs in Iraq than on the miracle. In the end, the MSM will be proven wrong about Iraq, too, even though... More
September 17, 2005
Armed jews Week
Dave Kopel has a terrific article on Slate about Chanukah as "Armed Jews Week." It is a must—read. Via Instapundit Thomas Lifson 12 11 04... More
September 17, 2005
All about me...
Is there something about this report that make sit seem like a self adulating trip back to the old days for this reporter? Or is it just me? The focus seems to be on herself as much as the movie/subject... More
September 17, 2005
Dark days for Venezuela
As bad as Venezuela's vile media law is, dictator Hugo Chavez's rubber—stamp parliament has passed an even worse law along with it, known as 'the Penal Law.' This MercoPress item cuts right to the chase. This law would make it a... More
September 17, 2005
For Castro, the ashcan is ready
A couple things stand out about the U.S.'s assessment of Cuba these days. Number one, the U.S. diplomats in Havana have started openly stating that Castro is on his last legs. We don't usually see this kind of bluntness from these... More
September 17, 2005
Sructural issues
Our pal Jack Risko, of Dinocrat.com, has a terrific analysis of the structural problems facing the Democrats, including geographic analysis of voting and fundraising patterns, as well as demographic trends. While overconfidence is never wise, the Democrats show no signs... More
September 17, 2005
Okay, so boycott Israel
Hey you, members of the Presbyterian and Episcopalian church denominations boycotting or thinking of boycotting Israel! And you university types. And especially all you anti—Israel lefties. All of you who want to boycott Israel. Well, go ahead and do it. ... More
September 17, 2005
Fake news (continued)
Los Angeles Times corrections: Joel Stein — Stein's Dec. 5 column said a photo showed President Bush holding a fake Thanksgiving turkey during his 2003 visit to U.S. troops in Iraq. The turkey he was holding was real. Also, the... More
September 17, 2005
More praise for "The Siege"
When I first viewed The Siege of Western Civilization, the 42 minute DVD television documentary produced and hosted by Herb Meyer, I was thunderstruck by its importance to Americans, especially those whose understanding of the stakes we face in our... More
September 17, 2005
Explaining the vote
Fertility and marriage taken together explain voting patterns (Bush v. Kerry) to an almopst astonishing degree. Steve Sailer's analysis makes for great reading. Hat tip: Polipundit Richard Baehr 12 14 04... More
September 17, 2005
Tade gap widens
As genrally happens with a sharp currency devaluation, the size of the trade deficit initially grows rather than shrinks. The devaluation change is a bigger percentage change than the growth in the volume of raw exports compared to imports, affected... More
September 17, 2005
Exposing Global Exchange
As television and radio reel from new censorship laws in Venezuela, there are also signs of intimidation appearing against Venezuela's bloggers. We've recently reported that "media" like VHeadline* aligned with Venezuela's dictatorship have targeted the fearless Aleks Boyd, whose blog... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela
National Review Online today has a good article by Aaron Mannes about the raid on Caracas's Jewish school, the Colegio Hebraica, and the bad situation in Venezuela under Chavez. These are topics about which we have posted many times, and which... More
September 17, 2005
More trouble for the BBC
The UK's Independent is reporting that the BBC's share of the British television audience has fallen to an all time low. This is of particular importance because the BBC's 10 year charter comes to an end in 2006, and renewal... More
September 17, 2005
U.S. government Christmas light display - in Havana
We reported earlier this week that we've got one gutsy U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba under President Bush. It seems the bully on the block in Havana has taken note — and like an enraged mobster losing a turf war, has... More
September 17, 2005
Havana Christmas lights
The wonderful Babalublog has a picture of the Havana Christmas light display, as well as further information on the looming "crisis" with threats emanating from Cuba's dictator. The MSM remains clueless on the story. A.M. Mora y Leon 12 15... More
September 17, 2005
Sick of the garbage
A friend — let's call him Bucky — went to a preview showing in an upscale neighborhood of a coming movie called Back in the Day, evidently targeted at a black audience. The free tickets were handed out as a promotion at another movie. ... More
September 17, 2005
More Combia University nonsense
Columbia University has been the subject of a scandal regarding biased professors who inflict their anti—Semitic and anti—Israel views on students and who abuse them if they object to this treatment. The New York Sun has been a leader in... More
September 17, 2005
Even the New Yorker
"The air of corruption that clouds the United Nations these days cannot simply be fanned away by forcing the resignation of Kofi Annan as Secretary—General." Philip Gourevitch. The New Yorker While the legacy media ignored Rossett's brilliant reporting in the Wall... More
September 17, 2005
Blaming PEST
While I'm saddened by this man's pain over his son's illness and subsequent suicide, despondency over Bush's re—election should not be a factor in suicide. What kind of people hate Bush so much that they'd take their own life? The... More
September 17, 2005
MSM recognizes US Christmas decorations in Cuba
Slowly, the story of the Christmas decorations in Havana, highlighting the 75 dissidents jailed by Cuba, is spreading from the internet (ahem....) to prominent MSM outlets. See the Wall Street Journal and BBC coverage. AP has also finally picked up the story... More
September 17, 2005
The academic vandals
BobLee Swagger, the Southern humorist and blogger, has a post up today on academia, making fun of the "academic mill town" of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. But, as a recovering academic myself, I was struck by the popignancy of this... More
September 17, 2005
People power
Grassroots people power in the form of blogs, the internet and interested groups reshaped the last election and will continue to do so in future elections according to former Clinton advisor Dick Morris. Simultaneously money power, organized political campaigns and... More
September 17, 2005
Arabs want democracy
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) has collected opinion commentary from Middle Eastern press outlets demonstrating the vision of President Bush in boldly committing to the democratization of the Middle East. In their words: Snooty Europeans have been... More
September 17, 2005
The healing continues
Once again proving the rule that the people who whine and scream the most about how politically divided the nation seems to be these days are the people who do most to keep it that way, the Washington Post details... More
September 17, 2005
NYT pushes claim that Abraham Lincoln was homosexual
Is there an agenda at the New York Times cultural page? A forthcoming book, its premises and the methodology behind it, has been widely criticized yet the Times gives it some rare space on its cultural page. For instance, Larry Kramer—an often... More
September 17, 2005
MSM wakes up to Venezuelan reality
The Miami Herald publishes an excellent editorial today about Venezuela. Finally, the MSM is beginning to wake up about the nature of the dictatorship being installed on the northern coast of South America. Some excerpts: Beware what you wish for:... More
September 17, 2005
Jimmy Carter
He gave Yasser Arafat a seal of approval despite seriously flawed and manipulated election results years ago—thereby playing a part in the years of terror and the thousands of deaths and injuries to follow. He gave Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez... More
September 17, 2005
Lori, meet Heidi, your new cellmate
Peru is one of the world's economic bright spots, a poor nation lifting itself out of the mud that can report 37 straight months of economic growth, and an end to one of the worst guerrilla wars ever to plague... More
September 17, 2005
The price of freedom paid every generation
They are old now; their numbers are dwindling rapidly. But 60 years ago American soldiers were involved in the largest battle US troops have ever fought——The Battle of the Bulge. It was bloody (an average of 500 US soldiers died... More
September 17, 2005
Secularists and integrationists
Nathan Diament, writing in Haaretz, addresses the tendency of American Jews to shun the open hand offered to them by President Bush. He notes that the President has institutionalized a Hanukkah party on the White House schedule, one attended by over... More
September 17, 2005
Feds proble Saudi "peace plan" pushed by Friedman
The de facto Arab Foreign Minister, New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, who has long courted the Arab world and counts among his hosts Arab dictators across the region, now may be tinged by an unfolding scandal involving Saudi Arabia.... More
September 17, 2005
Target vs Wal-Mart
Hugh Hewitt deserves major credit for breaking the story of Target Stores eviucting the Salvation Army kettles and bell—ringers from the front of its stores. At first alone, he has forced this story into the national news. Now, there is... More
September 17, 2005
The errant left
Victor Davis Hanson has yet another must—read essay on National Review Online today. I do not know how the man manages to be both so prolific and so profound. A sample: What is preached in the madrassas on the West... More
September 17, 2005
New digs for big boss of News Corp.
Rupert Murdoch is reportedly paying $44 million for one of the best apartments in New York, a triplex penthouse across from the entrance to the Central Park Zoo, with 8000 square feet of living space, and 4000 square feet of... More
September 17, 2005
The sacred and the profane
Charles Johnson, of Little Green Footballs, is essential daily reading. Today, he has a number of startling items well worth reading (as usual). But he has outdone himself in pairing together a story of utterly inspirational valor with one of... More
September 17, 2005
Krauthammer nails it
God bless Charles Krauthammer. His Washington Post column today says everything which needs to be said about the attempt to separate Christmas from Christ. He even quotes Washington's letter to the Touro Synagogue inNewport, one of my very favorite documents... More
September 17, 2005
French Jewish doctor treated Arafat, conspiracy alleged
As I hinted in one of my comments back in October, Arafat was indeed treated by a French Jewish doctor at the Clamart hospital. It was revealed in Maariv on December 15 that this Jewish doctor was part of the... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela: the noose tightens
Not a day goes by without another aspect of personal freedom being revoked in Venezuela. The twisted rope around lady liberty's neck today targets freedom of movement. Venezuela's communist authorities have arbitrarily shut down the main private airport near Caracas, known... More
September 17, 2005
Castro's friend
We've discussed Jimmy Carter's legacy of friendship and warm support for the world's dictators many times already, notably on Venezuela, but a return to Carter's Cuba legacy may be an even worse experience, because of an unmistakable whiff of treason. Where... More
September 17, 2005
Making us better
Talk show host, columnist, radio host Dennis Prager clears up confusion again in his latest column. He says that the Left plays down public displays of patriotism and Christmas, yet compares this to not giving your wife a present or... More
September 17, 2005
Little Fidel in Caracas
On Venezuela, the Los Angeles Times has written a superb editorial, correctly realizing that dictator Hugo Chavez is emerging as Little Fidel in Caracas and preparing to assume the full world mantle of his dying tyrannical hero. For Americans, it's more... More
September 17, 2005
One million dollars
The family of California Democrat House member Maxine Waters have earned over one million dollars from comhe Representative has helped out in her role in Congress. The Los Angeles Times, which has been recently been publishing some good journalism for... More
September 17, 2005
Congratulations to A.M. Mora y Leon
A.M. Mora y Leon, whose writing often graces this website, has a new distinctions. A website which tracks the emergence of new words in the English Language, Double Tounged Word Wrestler, has cited her distinctive contribution to the language of... More
September 17, 2005
Grateful....and astonished
Israel and American Jewish groups are again sending aid to the beseiged Sudanese in Darfur. The Jerusalem Post reports on the response: Muhammad Yahya, a native of Darfur and founder of a group called Representatives of the Massaleit Community in... More
September 17, 2005
Chevy Chase's education
We have received the following letter from a Mr. Katz, a graduate of Bard College, Class of 1971: Matt May, in his recent article, erroneously states that Cornelius "Chevy"Chase, is a graduate of Bard College. This error may be due... More
September 17, 2005
NYT: America guilty in Rwanda genocide, not Annan or UN
Many commentators and historians have heavily blamed the United Nations, and specifically Kofi Annan, for a level of apathy regarding the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia which was tantamount to complicity in the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. This... More
September 17, 2005
Don't diss Instanpundit, Time
Our pal Jack Risko, of Dinocrat.com, makes a great point about the Time Magazine naming of Powerline as the blog of the year: We're second to none in our admiration of Powerline, and heartily endorse its Blog of the Year... More
September 17, 2005
La Shawn in NRO today
More great news for the blogosphere today. La Shawn Barber, the wonderful blogger, whose writing has also appeared on this site, has a piece in National Review Online today, drawing attention to the role that smaller blogs played in the... More
September 17, 2005
Essential reading
Steve Sailer, who writes for the Website Vdare, and also for The American Conservative Magazine, has done some brilliant statistical analysis of the factors which correlate with Bush's percentage of the vote in the various states. He has discovered that... More
September 17, 2005
Apology
An astute reader of The American Thinker (sorry for the redundancy) points out that my piece detailing Chevy Chase's offensive tirade directed at the President of the United States last week incorrectly credited the unfunnyman as being an alumnus of Bard... More
September 17, 2005
Jews helping Muslims
Further background here on the efforts of the international Jewish community to help the Sudanese who are of Moslem/Arab religion and ethnicity that was featured earlier on this site. This shining response of course raises questions: —If the Jews and Israel... More
September 17, 2005
You read it here first
Fareed Zakaria, in this op—ed in the Washington Post, takes note of the trends in the Arab world toward reform. He focuses on the potential for smaller nations, particularly around the Gulf, to serve as laboratories and role models for... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuelan covert op against LA Times
If the U.S. embassy in Caracas began a campaign to flood a local Venezuelan newspaper critical of the USA with negative mail — openly using Venezuelans themselves as their agents — we'd never hear the end of it as a CIA... More
September 17, 2005
Boo hoo
Tariq Ramadan, whose attempts to gain a visa to teach at Notre Dame University have been chronicled by AT here, here, here, and here, bemoans the final denial of his attempt to gain semi—permanent entry to The Great Satan a Los... More
September 17, 2005
NYT double standard on Muslim and Basque terrorists
When American government represeatives stated that the uptick in attacks by terrorists was a sign of their lack of popular support and a sign of their desperation, the New York Times ridiculed this analysis and spun it as a sign... More
September 17, 2005
The auto-pen issue
R.M. Zobenica, Capt USMC (Ret), writes us with a valuable historical comparison: The "Rummy auto—pen" flap needs a dose of perspective. In WW II, the government used Morse Code to transmit messages to Western Union offices throughout the country. All... More
September 17, 2005
Arafat, wealthy investor: bar mitzvahs and kosher catering
A small portion of the vast fortune stolen by Yasser Arafat is coming to light. Bloomberg Markets magazine reports the following: Arafat used a holding company to buy stakes that ranged from $285 million in Egyptian mobile—phone company Orascom TelecomHolding... More
September 17, 2005
Media bias documented
"Just the facts, ma'm, just the facts," Sgt. Joe Friday famously told his informers over 50 years ago on his television show. This is advice that journalists at all levels should use when just reporting. But they often don't as... More
September 17, 2005
Iranian nukes
Dr. Zin has been following Iran's nuclear program closely, and warns that Iran may be a nuclear power in a matter of weeks. read the alarming report here.... More
September 17, 2005
Rumsfeld
Greg P. Richards writes with some perceptive comments on the "get Rummy" campaign: Somewhere along the line the press has come to conceive of itself as inhabiting some type of hyperspace suspended above the quotidian world of us mere mortals. ... More
September 17, 2005
What's next? An NPR program for Muslims?
NPR continues its goal to split us apart into different ethnic and religious groups — all at taxpayer's expense. NPR Gears Program to African—Americans National Public Radio is starting a public—affairs program that focuses on news and issues of importance to... More
September 17, 2005
A question can also be a lie
The Media Research Center cites Brit Hume's exposure of the famous question posed to SecDef Rumsfeld in Kuwait, about armored Humvees, as a misrepresentation. ...two weeks ago National Guardsman "Thomas Wilson said to Rumsfeld, quote, 'our vehicles are not armored,... More
September 17, 2005
The hemisphere's other popular president
Poor President Bush, so hated by "the world" and yet so incredibly popular at home. We all know why he's popular — he's a man of his word, he doesn't bend with political winds, he's willing to take the hard... More
September 17, 2005
The Democrats' Enron
Fannie Mae is a huge, little—known, legally—favored organization which has long been in the hands of Democrat apparatchiks. The Wall Street Journal has long investigated and raised questions about its accounting practices. yesterday, its president, Franklin Raines, whom even the... More
September 17, 2005
The UN and Annan's "annus horribulus"
Two of our very favorite bloggers make superb points about the United Nations. Yesterday, Kofi Annan gave a speech in which he called 2004 his "annus horribulus" ("bad year" — a phrase first used by Queen Elizabeth II). Betsy Newmark... More
September 17, 2005
They are closer than you think
The item in AT earlier this morning about Dr. Zin's assessment of the Iranian nuke program is very disconcerting. However, it may actually be worse than we think. Dr. Zin focuses on the ability of the Iranians to make Special... More
September 17, 2005
Our friends in Italy
Frida Ghitis, writing in the Miami Herald, reports on the widespread good will toward the United States she has found in Italy. In my experience, Italians do indeed appreciate the United States far more than most other Western Europeans (however,... More
September 17, 2005
To do big things
Karen Pittman has written an elegant and moving essay on the current historical moment, in which the press and the intellectual establishment are unwilling to concede the great triumphs of liberty being accomplished by President Bush and the United States... More
September 17, 2005
Tariq Ramadan and terror
As Olivier Guitta noted here earlier, Tariq Ramadan is not a victim. But he has certainly created many. For some reason Ramadan didn't quite mention this in all his complaining about the US refusal to grant him entry to this country. ... More
September 17, 2005
Castro retaliates for Christmas decorations
In the ongoing war of Christmas displays in Havana, documented here previously, Cuba has fired another shot——an American eagle was painted on the road for whatever Cuban cars are available to drive over. Castro's Hollywood coterie of admirers must be... More
September 17, 2005
UN's Iqbal Riza's resignation
UN Watch is a Geneva—based organization keeping tabs on the world body. Its subscription—only 'Wednesday Watch' weekly bulletin can be a valuable source of information. (Subscribe here.) This week's edition contains valuable insight on the resignation yesterday of Kofi Annan's deputy... More
September 17, 2005
Happy (?) Festivus
Larry David, the "co—creator" of Seinfeld, is a comic genius who unfortunately married a left—wing woman late in life, and has subsequently been spouting (and funding) looney—left causes. Laurie David has been known to harrangue SUV drivers, while riding on private... More
September 17, 2005
You read it here first (continued)
"The irony about those Jews who worry most about Christmas is that they are often the ones who are the least involved with their own Jewish identity. Jews who are grounded in their faith and knowledge, and proud of... More
September 17, 2005
More on Rumsefeld
It is unsurprising that the great Victor Davis Hanson has a wonderful essay on Donald Rumsfeld's second tenure as Secretary of Defense. His unmatched ability to apply historical perspective lucidly merits reading it in full. Thomas Lifson 12 23 04... More
September 17, 2005
It's almost sad
The standards of CBS News, once the employer of Edward R. Murrow, have fallen to the point where I almost feel compassion for them in their self—disgracing antics. I almost want to look away, the way I would avoid staring... More
September 17, 2005
New lyrics
John Derbyshire, a writer whom I admire greatly, has rewritten the lyrics for some familiar holiday songs. He is very good at it. Thomas Lifson 12 23 04... More
September 17, 2005
A MoveOn.org Christmas
Fresh from swallowing the Democratic Party whole (remember their last e mail "we bought it, we own it and we're going to take it back"?) the MoveOn—Dems have belatedly, on December 23, digested some of the responsibilities. Like realizing a... More
September 17, 2005
Sideways
I am delighted to read Charles Krauthammer's latest column on movies, and especially to see his praise for the movie Sideways, one which I enjoyed tremendously. I am planning to take my wife and older son to see it over... More
September 17, 2005
A tale of two bridges
It's another Festivus miracle! The San Francisco Chronicle has published an article pointing out that private industry can achieve superior performance at lower cost, compared to public agencies. In this case, the Chron compares France's dramatic Millau bridge, the world's... More
September 17, 2005
Bridge and tunnel messes
Last week editor Thomas Lifson celebrated the season with an article comparing the success of France's privately built, critically acclaimed bridge, widely considered to be an engineering marvel, to San Francisco's boondoggle publicly—constructed bridge in process. Interestingly both San Francisco... More
September 17, 2005
American Library Association outdone by the French
How reassuring to learn that at least some French understand the cause of freedom. Regrettably, the highly—politicized left wing American Library Association does not. Ethel C. Fenig 12 27 04 ... More
September 17, 2005
Bush/Blair and FDR/Churchill
Distinguished British historian Sir Martin Gilbert writes in the U.K. Observer (the Sunday edition of the left wing Guardian) comparing the pairing Bush and Blair with that of Roosevelt in Churchill in WW II. It is almost shocking that a... More
September 17, 2005
A give-back makes it okay?
Mickey Kaus thinks Franklin Raines, the disgraced former head of Fannie Mae, under whom massive ($9 billion!) accounting fraud occurred, can redeem his political future (formerly rumored to be a possible Democrat Treasury Secretary — the first black so appointed)... More
September 17, 2005
Good news
Sure you've read the highly publicized reports about dissenting soldiers in Iraq (most prominently lack of armored Humvees) but man bites dog, soldier biting commander to ask for protection, is always news, even in freedom—of speech—for—all—including—our—troops America. But here is another report... More
September 17, 2005
The reactionary left
Michael Barone joins Roger L. Simon in noticing that the American left has become prodfoundly reactionary. Whereas once the left stood for activist government boldly moving to fill needs, today it fights a rear—guard action against change. Roger L. Simon has... More
September 17, 2005
When will they ever learn?
City planners in Los Angeles are shocked to discover that people moving into downtown apartments are unwilling to give up their cars and live the way many Manhattanites and San Franciscans do — using the expensive subway, bus system, and taxi... More
September 17, 2005
Important story ignored by MSM
Russia and China are to hold their first—ever joint military exercises. This is deeply problematic for the United States, not to mention for the Central Asian republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgystan and Turkmenistan), volatile North Korea, and democratic Mongolia. Stay... More
September 17, 2005
No insurgency
In an excellent article in National Review Online, Michael Ledeen writes about one aspect of the so—called 'insurgency' in Iraq that readers of AT have known for some time: that the enemy consists of forces trained, led, and financed by... More
September 17, 2005
They were warned
The New York Sun is reporting that both the Clinton Administration and UN officials were warned early on of problems with the UN Oil for Food Program: The Clinton administration and the United Nations were warned of a crucial problem... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela's unions speaks out
As we reported last week, Venezuela's vengeful dictator, Hugo Chavez, continues to target eight helpless fired oil workers for long prison terms. Their "crime" was leading a strike. Former Venezuelan oil company executive Gustavo Coronel points out that they are,... More
September 17, 2005
NYT okays blogs
I guess the New York Times finds bloggers are acceptable for snapping pictures but not for political/economic or social analysis. Ed Lasky 12 28 04... More
September 17, 2005
Aid recipient thumbs its nose at us
Egypt agreed to normalize relations with Israel as part of its peace treaty with Israel which gave them the Sinai. The agreement and follow up US aid (billions) was conditioned upon this normalization.This included the exchange of Ambassadors. Egypt withdrew... More
September 17, 2005
UN official slams US as stingy
Another UN official gave a gratuitous slap to America yesterday when he claimed America was being stingy in its aid to people and nations hurt by the tsunami. Norwegian UN—Undersecretary—General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggests that Christmastime should remind... More
September 17, 2005
Bush re-elected and consumer confidence soars
The Conference Board reports that consumer confidence has soared in the wake of the elections: The board's consumer confidence index jumped to 102.3 in December from a revised 92.6 in November, far ahead of the 93.9 expected by Wall Street... More
September 17, 2005
The "settler problem"
Boruch Brodersen, of the (new to me) blog Reb Boruch, has some valuable comments on the "divisive locution" of "settler" as a way of referring to Jewish inhabitants of disputed land. Well worth a look.... More
September 17, 2005
Unjust condemnation
The Vatican newspaper has denounced a decision by the Israeli army to deny emergency help to disaster victims in Sri Lanka. Actually the government of Sri Lanka had declined an Israeli offer of help, because the relief team would have... More
September 17, 2005
Silver lining
Some see the tragedy of the tsunami unifying people. A "silver lining" od sorts. Far too optimistic, I think. An internet poster named "Confederate Yankee" notes that two of the worst hit areas — Sumatra and the east coast of... More
September 17, 2005
Sanitizing and demonizing
Michelle Malkin provides two examples of the way in which the legacy media twist the news — this time with obituaries. Reggie White, the former Green Bay Packers lineman and preacher, was demonized following his death, while the vile Susan... More
September 17, 2005
Contribute carefully
Considering that Sri Lanka which has reported at least 20,000 dead as of this writing has rejected a generous offer by Israel for aid, and that the official newspaper of the Vatican has condemned Israel for refusing to help tsunami victims), readers... More
September 17, 2005
More Arab Christians and Muslims serving in Israeli military
Haaretz reports, "New figures made available by the Israel Defense Forces show the number of Muslim and Christian Arab Israeli volunteers in the army is growing.The deaths of five soldiers from the IDF's Desert Reconnaissance Unit (the so—called Bedouin unit)... More
September 17, 2005
Sri Lankan refusal of Israeli military mission
As I suspected, the reported refusal of an Israeli aid mission to Sri Lanka, one which incorporated a military unit, is more complicated than was reported earlier. Joshua Mitnick reports in the Washington Times: A 150—member Israeli military delegation had... More
September 17, 2005
Year of the blogger
Our friend, La Shawn Barber, is constructing a history of the events in 2004 which changed the blogosphere. If you have any thoughts, read her piece and contact her. It is a worthwhile project, and one which needs to take... More
September 17, 2005
It's about time
After 22 months of successful major combat operations and racking up a series of victories over terrorists and irregular fighters in Iraqi cities, the US has apparently grown tired of taking it on the chin when it comes to the... More
September 17, 2005
More UN outrageous behavior
Betsy's Page draws our attention to the outrageous insults to Israel of one of Kofi Annan's top aides. The New York Sun continues its superb coverage of UN follies: Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, yesterday urged that Secretary—General... More
September 17, 2005
Colemangate: day two
It gets better! Scott Johnson called up Nick Coleman's editor at the Star—Tribune and learned some disconcerting things about editorial standards there, not to mention Coleman's astounding willingness to go into print with his "assumptions" that contradict facts published in... More
September 17, 2005
Watching the watchers
Non partisan and unbiased, objective and independent, dedicated only to promoting human rights around the world; that's the image the human rights organizations seek to maintain. But sadly, reality is at odds with the image——many of these organizations have deteriorated... More
September 17, 2005
Liberal hate speech
Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe catalogues some of the liberal hate speech we have heard this year. His conclusion: But the "joke" of left—wing hate speech stopped being funny a long time ago. There is room in the marketplace... More
September 17, 2005
Damned if you do...
The international left has a new complaint: that the United States is immorally cooperating with Australia, Japan, and India to coordinate tsunami relief efforts, thereby "undermining" the United Nations. 'I think this initiative from America to set up four countries... More
September 17, 2005
What kind of God would do this?
As most of the world admirably rushes to the aid of the tsunami victims an angst has overcome many. "What kind of God would do this?" taunts us, haunts us depending on the perspective. Here is one answer. There may... More
September 17, 2005
How not to help with tsunami relief
It took MoveOn.org five days to realize they could exploit the tsunami tragedy to once again condemn George Bush. Donate to relief agencies, they commendably urge. Tell Congress and the President to give US aid, they suggest, cleverly directing... More
September 17, 2005
A must-read
Today's Investor's Business Daily features a superb editorial contrasting the media treatment of Barrack Obama and Bobby Jindal, two about—to—be freshman members of Congress. Some highlights: Two minority candidates in 2004 rose from modest circumstances to election to Congress. But... More
September 17, 2005
Tyrant
The master of the picayune strikes again. Ex—KKK member, all around filibusterer and obstructionist Robert Byrd is long past due for retirement. Ed Lasky 12 310 04 ... More
September 17, 2005
Berkeley leans to the right
"Berkeley voters lean to the right in 2004" reads the banner headline on the December 31st edition of the Berkeley Voice newspaper (no link available) which thumped on my driveway this morning. Of course, all things are relative, but still... More
September 17, 2005
Honorees
The Daily Herald is a Chicago—area newspaper serving primarily the city's northwest suburbs, with a long record of anti—Israel editorials and news coverage. On the final day of 2004, the Daily Herald distinguished itself by glorifying a collection of Arab... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuelans seeking U.S. asylum soar 400%
My friend X, a Venezuelan who has always had family in Miami, every year comes to the U.S. to celebrate Christmas. It's an old family tradition, because much of his family is of Cuban origin and live in Miami if... More
September 17, 2005
Germany's loss
Germans are fleeing re—united Deutschland, with its high taxes and resulting stagnant economy, for more promising environs overseas, most prominently in the United States and Canada, according to Deutsch Welle. I sympathize, and offer them a hearty "Wilkommen!" I only... More
September 17, 2005
Columbia, we have a problem
As documented here previously, students at Columbia University in New York have accused several professors of bigotry and intimidation over the professors' refusal to allow dissident voices about the Israeli—Arab conflict in the classroom. Arab and/or Muslim and/or left wing... More
September 17, 2005
The Toyota Taliban
A look at the high—on—the—hog life style of the NGO officers and employees, accountable to no one. The article details what the press never reports and offers this sound suggestion: Perhaps this should not be surprising with respect to the U.N.,... More
September 17, 2005
The Middle East without Israel
The January/February issue of Foreign Policy magazine has an insightful article by Josef Joffe, the publisher and editor of Die Zeit and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution titled " A World Without Israel." While advocates for Israel often point... More
September 17, 2005
Every thesis has its antithesis
I learn, via a Los Angeles Times article, of a recently—established magazine calling itself Modern Drunkard, dedicated to heavy drinkers and heavy drinking. My initial response was a chuckle and the assumption it was some kind of satirical parody. But... More
September 17, 2005
First baby of 2005
The annual question on the stroke of midnight announcing the new year is who will be the first baby symbolizing that year? In Chicago, the first baby of 2005 certainly embodies the realities and problems of contemporary urban life. You... More
September 17, 2005
But who would watch?
The New York Post gossip pages report that ex—General, ex—candidate Wesley Clark is writing a television sitcom: It's about a retired general who is reintegrating to civilian life after many years in the army. "It's going to be about what... More
September 17, 2005
How low can they go?
Drudge is reporting that Senate Democrats are considering harrassing Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales during confirmation hearings by screening videos of alleged torture of prisoners in Iraq. Gonzales, when he worked in the White House, helped draft guidelines on the... More
September 17, 2005
Hamas: "no better or worse" than Israeli settlers
The suburban Chicago Daily Herald continues to outrageously whitewash Palestinian terrorists. Today, in a column by Ray Hanania, we are instructed that a vicious terrorist group like Hamas, which deliberately murders innocents, is "no better or worse" than israeli settlers who... More
September 17, 2005
Hostile action
Mexico's Foreign Ministry is publishing a comic book instructing Mexicans on how to illegally enter the United States. This guide is intended to give you some practical advice that could be of use if you have made the difficult decision... More
September 17, 2005
Best coverage
The new—to—me—this—weekend (thanks to A.M. Mora y Leon) blog Diplomad is running the best coverage of the UN's characteristically inept and self—serving efforts in dealing with the tsunami victims: In this part of the tsunami—wrecked Far Abroad, the UN is still... More
September 17, 2005
Iraqi enthusiasm for elections
The latest poll from Iraq (via Powerline) indicates that enthusiasm for the election is strong despite the violence and threats of it and that Iraqis want strong measures taken against those who are trying to keep them from voting. We've... More
September 17, 2005
Unease among journalists
Alan Greenblatt of the St. Petersburg Times reflects on his personal disomfort with the tone of a prestigious conference for journalists he attended at Harvard University's Nieman Foundation last August. Norman Mailer and other speakers who svagely attacked President Bush and... More
September 17, 2005
Puh-leeze
The Council on Islamic—American Relations (CAIR) is protesting because the popular television series 24, which is about a fictional agency called the "Counter Terrorism Unit" is finally getting around to dealing with Arab terrorists, after its first few seasons dealt... More
September 17, 2005
Palestinian word games
Daniel Pipes has a valuable and insightful essay today in the New York Sun, on the importance of language as a political weapon in the ongoing struggle for Israel's right to exist. In an era when the battle for public... More
September 17, 2005
Abbas, supposed moderate
The great Palestinian hope falls short again. He will defend terrorists, won't crack down on them, says all refugees (and their descendants unto the generations) will return to Israel, is held a loft on the shoulders of a murderer of... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela and Colombia's terrorists falling out?
One of the most odious alliances ever is the apparent hook—up between Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and the FARC Marxist narcotrafficante guerrillas of Colombia For many years now, Venezuela has provided these murderers with a safe haven for rest and recreation,... More
September 17, 2005
Smart analysis
Walter Shapiro, one of the more sensible mainstream media commentators, has an excellent piece in yesterday's Los Angeles Times on the plight of the Democrats. It is smart and funny, too. The title, "Democrats Won't Win by Whining," tells you... More
September 17, 2005
Disarming gun foes
From Berkeley. Went to Harvard and Stanford. Gun ownership began in middle age. Sounds like me, but it isn't. It is Sandra Froman of Tucson, Arizona, who will become the next presdient of the National Rifle Association. I can hardly... More
September 17, 2005
Play the race card
It is well past time for Respublicans to play the race card against Democrats on Social Security reform. Rich Lowry today brings—up the well—established fact that Social Security is a particularly terrible deal for black males, whose average life span... More
September 17, 2005
The fence
Cliff May has a brilliant post on NRO: The new fences will be chain—link and six feet tall, topped with small spikes to 'deter' those who might consider scaling them. Well, we'll see what the International Court of Justice in... More
September 17, 2005
The friends of Richard Gere
Little Green Footballs alerts us that Hollywood actor (and incarnate Tibetan Buddhist lama, according to him) Richard Gere is urging Palestinians to vote ("Vote or Die"?) in the fortcoming election. The problem is that he is willing to share the stage with... More
September 17, 2005
Iowahawk
The web satirist Iowahawk (whom I owe a dinner) hilariously reviews the events of the year—to—come, as only he can. A couple of highlights: (February) 6 — Pittsburgh edges Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXIX; Steelers' big win overshadowed by... More
September 17, 2005
Arabs blame US, Israel for tusnami
Last week I rashly predicted that some would blame the U.S and Israel for causing the earthquake and the resulting tsunami. Some thought that I was being excessively sarcastic, or even bigoted. Oh that it were so! But I am... More
September 17, 2005
MoveOn moves on to protect terrorists
The November 2nd election is over, the results are in and the country moves forward. The new Congress was sworn in yesterday. The liberals are panicking. On Thursday the Senate will begin to consider President Bush's nomination of Alberto Gonzalez... More
September 17, 2005
Lower learning
The horrifying facts of a conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement held at Duke University, and its predictable aftermath, are detailed today in Opinionjournal.com. Once again we can only conclude that many institutions of higher learning (in this case, Duke) have... More
September 17, 2005
False equivalence
One of the major tools of Jew—haters in today's world is false assertions of moral equivalence between horrific monsters and alleged deficiencies of Israel or Jews. The latest example comes from Switzerland, where a government report on "extremist" groups has... More
September 17, 2005
More Euro-treachery
Are there any tyrants the Europeans won't appease? CUBA: DIPLOMATIC DEADLOCK WITH EUROPEANS OVER A thaw in the frosty relations between Europe and Cuba gathered speed after Cuba reopened official contacts with the embassies of eight European nations on Monday,... More
September 17, 2005
CBS fence-mending
As already reported, CBS made a supplicatory visit to the White House prior to the still—pending release of their internal investigation regarding Rathergate and the failure of honchos at CBS news to prevent the forgery from being widely reported as fact.... More
September 17, 2005
Curious Castro ally
Today's news brings an extremely odd statement from the president of the Mexican Council on Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology, Valentin Diez Morodo. Agencia EFE reports that in a speech, Diez Morodo advocates investment in Fidel Castro's Cuba, alluding to its... More
September 17, 2005
Does the Right remember? Does the Left?
Does the Right remember the Abu Graib? asks the Washington Post. Only someone who chooses to read very small portions of the news would ask such a question. One example would be Anne Applebaum of the Washington Post in her article... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela's Zimbabwe Road
The government of Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez will expropriate its first farm, taking Venezuela straight down Zimbabwe road. The grab was announced this morning and will happen Saturday. The chavistas' first target is a British—owned cattle ranch. The move... More
September 17, 2005
Maybe this is where the missing Kim Jong il portraits went?
Today's AP wire reports that North Korea is preparing its citizens for a protracted war with the U.S., detailing the contents of a "top secret" memo . The story's lede is risible: SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has ordered... More
September 17, 2005
Escalation
The fight between Powerline, and the Minneapolis Star—Tribune, over its hapless columnist Nick Coleman, appears to be escalating. Scott Johnson excerpts his correspondence with the reader representative of the paper, an ombudsman—like functionary, and the rather unsatisfactory response so far. I am... More
September 17, 2005
"Right" = "bad"?
An editorial in the Chicago Tribune today, concerning the Palestinian election and Mahmoud Abbas, reveals more about the mindset of�the editors than it does on the ostensible subject matter. Consider this sentence: Facing a challenge from the militants, many of... More
September 17, 2005
CNN's lame excuses for canceling Carlson
The New York Times reports today that CNN will cancel conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson's Crossfire talk show. This is disputed by Carlson who says he quit to start a program on MSNBC, CNN's rival. Perhaps CNN just did not... More
September 17, 2005
Credibility problem
In an editorial decision surely linked to today's Gonzales confirmation hearing, the Washington Post front page has the look of a torture tabloid, drawing together every story with the word in it. One of these stories involves a man named Habib,... More
September 17, 2005
The Herald apologizes
The suburban Chicago Daily Herald, the 75th largest newpaper in the United States, with a circulation of between 150,000 and 200,000 copies per weekday, has apologized for its New Year's Day front page feature which praised Abu Abbas and Sheik... More
September 17, 2005
Twisted leftists
Berkeley, my city of residence, is the ideal place to view twisted leftists at their worst. Next week, Bus 19, the mangled wreckage of an Israeli bus full of ordinary people that was blown up by Palestinian death cultists, is to... More
September 17, 2005
More Washington state vote irregularities
The Washington state gubernatorial election looks dirtier and dirtier: ...state Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance said yesterday that hundreds of unverified provisional ballots may have been wrongly counted in King County in the Nov. 2 election. Vance called it a... More
September 17, 2005
If it isn't close they can't melt down
Lorie Byrd at Polipundit�is glad that that Bush didn't win a 49 state reagan—style blowout majority. She has a good point. Now I am so glad that it was close enough that Democrats would think this current craziness an option.... More
September 17, 2005
Revisionist military history
Winston Smith's boss at the Ministry of Truth would have been proud of the legacy media's continuing effort to whitewash the previous administration's role in current military equipment deficiencies. Unfortunately, one of our own esteemed war correspondents has jumped on... More
September 17, 2005
South America To Endorse Arab Terror?
The respected columnist Andres Oppenheimer of the Miami Herald has gotten hold of a pretty seamy secret document showing an emerging alliance between South America and the Arab League. The 28—page draft document for a May 10—11 summit in Brazil will... More
September 17, 2005
More propaganda
The Daily Herald strikes again! January 5th's Page Two contains the following highly biased news summary, continuing the Herald's tradition of bashing Israel: Abbas: Israel "Zionist enemy" BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip — Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas denounced Israel as the... More
September 17, 2005
No good deed goes unpunished
Comedian Jackie Mason's specialty is analyzing the commonplace with an amusing twist; fearlessly stating the unstatable while getting laughs telling the truth. But he has a serious side also. Using his comedy pattern —— boldly saying what polite people think but never publicly utter... More
September 17, 2005
Liberals love America like O.J. loved Nicole - a poem
As Ann Coulter said, bless her scathing sharp soul,Liberals love America like O.J. loved Nicole.Sad words those may be, but with ire they must fill us,If the Left can't control us, they'd just as soon kill us. It's a madness you... More
September 17, 2005
Michael Moore's Senator
So now a Democratic Senator can be influenced by a discredited Hollywood filmmaker? Sen. Barbara Boxer says Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11" had nothing to do with her challenge of Ohio's 20 electoral votes, but she nevertheless regrets not... More
September 17, 2005
Maxine Waters admits the truth
During the absolute sham that happened on the floor of the United States House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon, Rep. Maxine Waters of California finally admitted for the official record what many of us have known for a long time... More
September 17, 2005
The death of irony
In two rather large pieces in today's Washington Post on the Gonzales hearings somehow this was overlooked: KENNEDY: Now, the Post article states you chaired several meetings at which various interrogation techniques were discussed. These techniques included the threat of live burial... More
September 17, 2005
NYT as a business
Business Week Magazine has a cover story on the future of The New York Times. Coverage of the business strategy and economic prospects (not terribly encouraging) is pretty good. BW is rather sympathetic and admiring of Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., the... More
September 17, 2005
Hollywood, Michael Moore and the Democrats
Bill Whittle, who edits Sunday Morning Shootout, a movie industry talks show on AMC, has a fascinating, wide ranging post on his site Eject! Eject! Eject!, which hits many of my political—entertainment industry buttons. The man knows whereof he speaks, and has... More
September 17, 2005
Castro kitsch
Val Prieto, at Babalublog, has some fun at the expense of a restaurant in Minneapolis which serves "revolutionary Cuban cuisine" amidst portraits of Che and Fidel. Val writes what getting a real meal is like in Havana, and he asks... More
September 17, 2005
We have been warned
A.M. Mora y Leon of The American Thinker is among a group of bloggers who appear to be targeted by the Castroite Chavez regime running the government of Venezuela. So warns the blog Burton Terrace: Venezuelan opposition bloggers, independently financed... More
September 17, 2005
NYT: guilt by association
The Armstrong Williams case, wherein the commentator accepted federal funds for promoting the "No child left behind" program certain bears close scrutiny, including examination of other instances of the federal government funding others for similar work. But the New York... More
September 17, 2005
A must-read
Heather McDonald, always worth reading, has the best article I have yet seen on the subject of torture. Clarice Feldman 1 8 04... More
September 17, 2005
Fetus kidnapping?
The AP is running a very strange headline: "Bail Denied In Fetus Kidnapping Case." The subject is Lisa Montgomery, accused of cutting a baby out of the mother's womb in Missouri and takingn the baby to Kansas. But, once born,... More
September 17, 2005
If you liked Jimmy Carter...
John Kerry is showing us that he would have been a Jimmy Carter—like President, had he been elected. Playing kissy—face with Batthist dictator Bashir Assad in Damascus, Kerry said: "I think we found a great deal of areas of mutual... More
September 17, 2005
First ranch seized in Venezuela
The Marxist government of Venezuela expropriated its first cattle ranch this morning, a productive 32,000—hectare estate owned by a British company. This is to be the first in a series of seizures to end in collectivization. The move echoes the seizures... More
September 17, 2005
A muscular majority in the House
Mike Allen, writing in the Washington Post, presents a somewhat propagandistic analysis of an important matter: the rules changes enacted by the GOP majority in the United States House of Representatives. At last, the GOP is acting like a self—confident majority,... More
September 17, 2005
AP spreads propaganda of land-grabbing Chavez regime
Exposing the Venezuelan government's private land grab along with other blogs, A.M. Mora y Leon suggested that the MSM is taking a nap on this major story. Now they seem to have awakened, but are sleep walking through this incident,... More
September 17, 2005
The Jimmy Carter traveling circus
Ah, the democracy circus is alive and well with Jimmy Carter and his fellow clowns. After bungling the election in Venezuela, certifying the farce there as democratic, while ignoring the cry for democracy in Ukraine, Carter takes his traveling show... More
September 17, 2005
What standards?
The New York Times allocates front page space in its national edition to an unverified story, quite possibly the work of an anti—American nut. What happened to the skepticism which prevented them from publishing a single word about the charges... More
September 17, 2005
No hurray for Hollywood
One person, one vote is enshrined in our democratic hearts and minds. But not in the heart of Hollywood apparently. Oh entertainment types may gnash their teeth at the thought of the denizens of flyover country Ohio deprived of the... More
September 17, 2005
A blog discovery
Boy have the Dutch really gotten into the spirit of blogging! This guy called "Dutch Expat" is so over the top he's hilarious. He makes us look like sweet, furry, little fuzzballs in comparison. A.M. Mora y Leon 1 09... More
September 17, 2005
Another soft-focus photo ad for foreign investment
Countries the world over jockey hard to attract foreign investment. They care about it enough to make it a national priority, to send spies against their competitors, to build infrastructure, and to change laws to make their investment climate attractive.... More
September 17, 2005
Labour turns to anti-Semitism
Two very prominent and high—ranking members of the U.K.'s Labour Party have turned to peddling anti—Semitism to the 4 million Muslim voters in Britain. According to the U.K. Telegraph, Mike O'Brien, Energy Minister in Tony Blair's cabinet, attacked the Jewish... More
September 17, 2005
The Democrats's ten year temper tantrum
Jack Risko, of Dinocrat.com, has posted another one of his trademark analyses using business strategy thinking to explain the Democrats' ten year—long electoral slump in Congress. He takes the injudicious words ("temper tantrum") chosen by Peter Jennings to explain the 1994 rout... More
September 17, 2005
First reaction to CBS report
I do not fault the panel for failing to say outright the documents are fraudulent. They are acting as finders of fact in a limited capacity——i.e., no subpoena power. And some critical outside—CBS witnesses have refused to appear before them.... More
September 17, 2005
Police raid executives' homes in Venezuela
The usually well—informed Vcrisis website is reporting that the homes of two former executives of Venezuela's state—owned oil company PDVSA have been raided by police today, and a third raid on another executive's residence is said to be planned. One... More
September 17, 2005
What the CBS Report actually admits
I, who never watch CBS News, spent the afternoon, reading the lengthy Thornburgh/Boccardi Report. Within its considerable limitations, it is a fine, well—detailed view of the CBS TANG memo scandal. While it could have asked other questions, and utilized other... More
September 17, 2005
Che lives!
The land—grabbing ranch expropriators in Venezuela are doing their stealing of lands in Che Guevara tee shirts! Che's not just a nostalgic relic of the past, he is the live image of the recrudescence of communism in action. The... More
September 17, 2005
Check out Michelle's coverage of CBS
Michelle Malkin is blogging up a storm on the CBS Rathergate Report. She is one of the smartest and quickest commentators we have the privilege of reading. Her coverage of the report seems to be leading the field. Michelle also... More
September 17, 2005
A South Park Republican defends the show
I am grateful to Andrew Sullivan for calling to my attention a blog entry in defense of South Park, from a site titled "Sorry Baby, But Nobody Rules The Tom Monster." Blogger Tom Meyer rebuts Brent Bozzell (whom I generally... More
September 17, 2005
Saving Jewish children
Nearly 60 years after the horrors of World War II, many scars haven't healed, the bitterness lingers, mysteries remain and questions, oh so many questions, remain unanswered. Recently discovered documents from the post war era are sure to open many unhealed... More
September 17, 2005
The Gray Lady knows everything
The New York Times editors continue to instruct the world what steps should be taken in all areas of endeavor. This time it is the Middle East Peace Process. The lead editorial today tries to do an end run around the Road... More
September 17, 2005
Deconstructing the CBS Report
John Podhoretz does a great job unpacking and re—assembling the information in the CBS Report, to show that: Mapes was not "focused on any particular event or topic." In other words, she had nothing to go on. And yet... More
September 17, 2005
The story CBS COULD have had
Lorie Byrd at Polipundit links to an an excellent point made by The Right Curmudgeon: if CBS had truly been driven by journalistic animal spirits, they could have had a blockbuster story when the TANG documents surfaced: The second way is... More
September 17, 2005
Where are the trumpets?
For some reason, this got very little ink: U.S. Dec budget posted surplus — Congress analysts 1/7/05 12:01 PM ET WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) — The U.S. government ran a $1 billion budget surplus in December, helped by a rise... More
September 17, 2005
The tooth fairy ball
The small town (Chicago) artist went to the big, bad city of New York to protest during the Republican convention. Not accustomed to city ways, especially and era of during Republican dominance, said artist went to a Chinese restaurant where... More
September 17, 2005
Reciting the obvious
John Hendren, a Los Angeles Times Staff Writer who has done a very good job covering the Iraq War, has published an interview with US military commanders in the region including CENTCOM Commanding General John Abizaid. Gen. Abizaid said, ...much of... More
September 17, 2005
An honest leftist on Iraq
All too rarely, honest leftists are speaking out to their fellow leftists about the nature of the "resistance" or "insurgency" that is battling Coalition troops and the interim Iraqi government. One such honest lefty, Jonathan Hari, actually published an op—ed in... More
September 17, 2005
"Gimme money"
Stingy Jan Egeland, that prototypical U.N. bureaucrat, opens his mouth and out come words that prove, again and again, the uselessness of the U.N. to Americans. Immediately after the impact of the tsunami became apparent, Stingy castigated Americans for their stinginess... More
September 17, 2005
Air America update
New York must be more like the rest of America than previously thought. Despite being a solid deep blue city, residents are tuning out Air America. Just like the rest of the country, apparently. According to Drudge: 'AIR AMERICA'... More
September 17, 2005
Tony Blankley nails it
Tony Blankley has cracked the code of the CBS News "Independent" Report: the peculiar combination of honesty and evasion in the Thornburgh/Boccardi Report finally makes sense. We are all in his debt. It all comes down to the potentially conflicting... More
September 17, 2005
I love it
Iowahawk has once again outdone himself. His parody of detective fiction starring Dan Rather ("My name is Rather. And I'm a dick.") is a hoot. Farewell, My Producer had me laughing out loud. Hat tip: Roger L Simon Thomas Lifson 1 12 05... More
September 17, 2005
Catering to mental afflictions
There is a restaurant in Berlin which caters to anorexics called Sehnsucht —— German for "longing." The owner touts the eatery as a great way to meet others who share similar eating disorders —— and word has it the food's... More
September 17, 2005
Talk radio ratings
Drudge has a brief item on radio talk show ratings in New York City. As Ethel Fenig reported here yesterday, Air America's star Al Franken is a falling star, whose ratings in liberal NYC are now below those of Bill O'Reilly,... More
September 17, 2005
The Media and Medievalism
Robert Kaplan has an insightful essay — The Media and Medievalism — on the role that journalists play when they recklessly and irresponsibly exercise their power in such a way to weaken the authority of our leaders. Kaplan, himself an... More
September 17, 2005
BBC harm is worldwide
Aleksander Boyd, the courageous anti—Chavez Venezuelan blogger, operates his site Vcrisis from London. He writes to us in response to James Lewis's article today, Is BBC News a figment of the imagination? Please allow me to rephrase that; BBC News... More
September 17, 2005
Gaza newspaper tests Abbas
A Gaza newspaper is testing the pledge to end corruption of newly—elected Abbas: Buoyed by newly—elected Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's pledge to stamp out corruption, a Palestinian newspaper in Gaza City on Wednesday published a story about a civil... More
September 17, 2005
Don't know nothin' 'bout history
Hmmmm. Maybe the problems with schools is not that they're bad but that the students are like, you know, uhm...young. Like their brains haven't fully developed you know. And like, you know their sense of humor, especially males of the... More
September 17, 2005
Michael Chertoff's secret
Well the secret is out — the one that will doom Michael Chertoff's nomination as head of Homeland Security: he's the son of a rabbi who sent his children to private Jewish religious schools. Yes, he's obviously part... More
September 17, 2005
Trouble brewing in Syria
Well beneath the MSM radar screen, Syria has become a de facto major problem for the United States, and for peace in the Middle East. It is quite likely that the Baathist remnant conducting the terror campaign in Iraq is... More
September 17, 2005
Appalling propaganda from the WaPo
Has Mary Mapes found a job at the Washington Post? It almost appears so, given the evidence Michelle Malkin has uncovered. Covering the Abu Ghraib trial, The Post headlines "Graner Ordered to Beat Prisoners." Michelle compares the WaPo story with... More
September 17, 2005
More on the BBC
The House of Political Incorrectness, a British blog, is also on the case of the BBC: The Beeb has effectively become a tabloid. One only has to listen to the world service or see their programmes to feel nauseated. It's... More
September 17, 2005
A harbinger, we hope
Val over at Babalublog is reporting that anti—Castro graffiti has suddenly started appearing in Havana. 'Abajo Fidel.' Cuban cops are frantically trying to scrape it off. Something's made the Cubans bolder, they must recognize something going on, the regime is... More
September 17, 2005
The Washington state election
Tim Goddard make a convincing case that if the judges of the Washington Supreme Court are open—minded, as opposed to wildly partisan (say, like the King County vote counters), there is plenty of law and evidence to support throwing out... More
September 17, 2005
Democracy now!
Now here is Democracy: Iraq allowing Israelis of Iraq origin to vote. Ed Lasky 1 13 05... More
September 17, 2005
Death throes
The Philadelphia Inquirer is hemorrhaging circulation, to the degree that the Circulation Department has gotten members of the editorial staff to start harassing...umm calling former subscribers, asking them to pretty please start reading the rag again. "If the people I... More
September 17, 2005
Heritable electoral office?
When Congressmen die their survivors often become their successors—either by appointment (Carnahan in Missouri) or by running in the next election (sometimes a special election called due to the death of a Congressman). Does anyone have a problem with this... More
September 17, 2005
French poodle in his cups
Barcepundit In English, the authoritative source on just how far to the bottom Prime Minister Jos� Luis Rodr�guez Zapatero is taking Spain, says French colonization of Spain continues at a brisk pace. Zapatero's big—mouth foreign minister, who sounds like he's had... More
September 17, 2005
Other tragedies in the world
In addition to the tsunami disaster unfortunately there are other tragedies wracking the world. Although they don't have the sudden, unexpected impact of a large wave or moving ground, illness and death plague many. For instance, malaria is still common... More
September 17, 2005
At last!
Hallelujah! An MSM outlet has finally noticed that Venezuela is rapidly slipping down the Communist tyranny skids. Congratulations to the Washington Post for its editorial today, which gets it competely right. We even learned something we had noticed already: The... More
September 17, 2005
To laugh at
Kim Jong il, as seen by the unfortunate North Koreans who must endure starvation, repression, and lunatic denial of reality in their official media (there are no other kind), in this snippet from North Korean television. It is subtitled in... More
September 17, 2005
CBS smarty pants
CBS News mocks the failure to discover WMD stockpiles in Iraq, and bashes Bush on their website: Just as some hardcore inconvincibles believe that hundreds of thousands of stolen Democratic votes are hidden somewhere in Ohio, some will forever be... More
September 17, 2005
The end of the line
A glorious chapter in the history of commercial aviation was closed today, when Boeing announced the end of 717 airliner production at its Long Beach, California facility. The 717 is the successor model to the DC—9 series, later rechristened the MD—80... More
September 17, 2005
MSM bias
Hugh Hewitt does an admirable job fisking Howard Kurtz's recent coverage of the Rathergate scandal. It is well worth reading.... More
September 17, 2005
Hyperlocal web sites challenge suburban papers
Blogs have been one of the powerful forces affecting and diminishing the power of the mainstream media. This has led to a flourishing culture of people who exchange or broadcast ideas regarding national issues. Pundits talk about the fragmentation of ... More
September 17, 2005
Netwar on the frontlines
This is an outstanding letter from a commander in Iraq about the shortcomings of media coverage on the war and how it has lent itself to the terrorists' aims. Clarice Feldman 1 15 05 Douglas Hanson adds: The blog Blackfive... More
September 17, 2005
If there is a disaster, the UN is surely around
Iowahawk is on a roll. Among his recent pieces I found this hilarious send—up of the Scandinavian UN—crats and their self—serving response to disasters: Today, less than three weeks after global warming triggered the fearsome ocean waves that devastated the... More
September 17, 2005
The blues sisters
Isn't America wonderful? Some Americans who are still obsessing over Bush's decisive victory and forthcoming inauguration might now make a tidy profit publicly showcasing their displeasure by selling anti—Bush blue bracelets. And unlike many societies they probably idolize, imprisonment isn't in... More
September 17, 2005
Prince Harry
I think Quentin Letts, writing on Opinionjounral.com got the Prince Harry/Nazi uniform situation right. What he surely did not intend to do was to portray himself as an acolyte of the evil master plans of Hitler, Himmler and Goebbels. Yet... More
September 17, 2005
Mr. Perefect
In an otherwise decent article, Tom Friedman, as always, needs to include a throwaway line trashing the President's performance in Iraq as "pathetic." Friedman's arrogance is astounding. Since he has probably never managed anything more than his keyboard, maybe he... More
September 17, 2005
SNL skit lampooning Dan Rather
Courtesy of Ratherbiased.com, here are two links to view last night's Saturday Night Live skit having fun at the expense of Dan Rather. The segment down plays any political bias, in favor of sheer absurdity, but Darrell Hammond does his usual fine job... More
September 17, 2005
Innaugural prayer
Reader Michael Easton writes to us with some thoughts on Michael Newdow's attempt to end the custom of prayer at presidential innaugurals: I am so thankful this fool's latest lawsuit has been thrown out. Finally, a judge has said just what... More
September 17, 2005
Murder rate: Chicago versus Iraq
Our frequent contributor Bruce Thompson has posted an interesting comparison of the murder rate in Chicago versus that in Iraq on his blog site Machias Privateer. While Iraw would need a population of 32 million, instead of its actual population... More
September 17, 2005
Color me red, white, and blue
Reader Evelyn Palmeri of Flagler Beach FL has a wonderful idea: Someone should start selling bracelets saying: Color Me Red, White & Blue. Might be the next hula hoop. There are a lot of people in the so—called blue states... More
September 17, 2005
More attention to Venezuela
The Washington Post has another article on the looming resurgence of Marxism and dictatorship in Latin America. It is pretty good, although it does in the end start blaming Bush. I am becoming convinced that the MSM will take up... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuela and Colombia relations sour
Relations between Venezuela and its neighbor Colombia are extremely strained, with a suspension of certain bilateral trade and other accords. and the withdrawal of Venezuela's ambassador to Bogota. According to the Financial Times: Alleged Venezuelan support for leftwing Colombian guerrillas... More
September 17, 2005
German legislators secretly on private payrolls
This New York Times article brings to a light the long—time practice of German legislators being permitted to accept salaries from private companies while serving in office. While the law permits the practice, it also requires a disclosure, a requirement which seems... More
September 17, 2005
NYT notices Columbia University crisis
Today's article on Columbia University in the New YorkTimes was extensive, if very late. That's progress. Here is a telling excerpt: Pro—Israel professors on campus, who have been conspicuously quiet, say they feel cowed and nervously out of fashion. "Many Jewish... More
September 17, 2005
Press exposed
The Belmont Club has a report today that highlights the critical role that hostile press organizations and journalists play in helping our adversaries in the war on terror. The article specifically cites a piece in the Jerusalem Post that deftly debunks... More
September 17, 2005
The entrepreneur gap
It has always struck me as ironic that the word we Americans use for creative business visionaries, the men and women who go out and start a new business, thereby generating wealth, jobs, tax revenue, economic growth, and many other... More
September 17, 2005
All I got was this lousy T-shirt...
It is inevitable perhaps that there are those who will profit from the tsunami tragedy in a rather tasteless manner, giving the self righteous another arrow to hurtle at capitalism. Oh, I'm not referring to the corruption and rip offs... More
September 17, 2005
In Europe, war criminals become best-selling authors
Truly the Euros and Americans inhabit two universes. We capture and bring to justice war criminals; they celebrate them and make them best—selling authors. No wonder they supported Hussein, Arafat, etc. Ed Lasky 1 18 05... More
September 17, 2005
Valuable resource
Alex Beech is a Venezuelan former television journalist, living in New York. She and some other Venezuelans have started a new website, The Sixth Republic, to cover the ongoing crisi brought on by the dictatorial Hugo Chavez. Here is the... More
September 17, 2005
Remember!
"Remember!" Jews are commanded. "Remember Amalek and what he did to you," the Biblical commandment continues, referring to the demon leader who attacked the rear column of fleeing Jews; slaughtering the most vulnerable, the women and children, the aged and... More
September 17, 2005
No violation?
Reader Phil Gallagher writes us with a most interesting question on Rathergate: After several requests by email and finally a call to the justice department without a response I see a UPI story that the Department of Justice had looked... More
September 17, 2005
Threatening left wing cultural dominance
The creative class championed by Democrats may lose their clout and their left wing ideology, as more mainstream and popular entertainments are supported by suburbanites. Disaggregation of the city is underway, as more people telecommute, work part time, engage in independendt... More
September 17, 2005
Lawrence Summers
The firestorm over the remarks by Harvard President (and former Clinton Treasury Secretary) Lawrence Summers continues to demonstrate the intellectual McCarthyism of the feminist left and major media, such as the New York Times. Certain hypotheses must not be entertained.... More
September 17, 2005
Hugo Chavez: shielder Of terrorists
Alek Boyd of VCrisis has a fascinating bit of breaking news up about President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia handing over to the Venezuelan government a list of FARC Marxist narcoterrorists. To those of us from afar, it might not look like... More
September 17, 2005
Genocide enabler denounces Holocaust
Cynically, Kofi Annan states : The evil that destroyed 6 million Jews, and others, in those camps is one that still threatens all of us today," Anna told a news conference. "It is not something we can consign to the distant... More
September 17, 2005
Bloggers expose ABC News
MSM, in this case ABC News, has joined CBS News in desperately disgracing itself through an obvious attempt to neutralize the joy of innauguration day. ABC News was going to honor George Bush's inauguration with special coverage of funerals from soldiers... More
September 17, 2005
The other comeback kid
What do the CIA, the New York Times, and the government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan all have in common? Why, the attempt to torpedo the political career of Ahmad Chalabi, as the New York Sun makes clear today... More
September 17, 2005
Euros rationalize their self-interest again
The Counterterrorism Blog has discovered that the so—called reformist regime in Iran has just reaffirmed the death fatwa against author Salman Rushdie. Moreoverm the Euros, who are interested in maintaining their lucrative trade with Iran, and who pressure the US to... More
September 17, 2005
The In-box
Like you, probably, I get a lot of email asking me to reveal my bank account information, to help some poor person just waiting for millions to pour in, and not able to find anyone esle with a bank account who can... More
September 17, 2005
You want an exit strategy?
The American Digest offers an exit strategy from Iraq, in response to Senator Boxer. Doug Hanson 1 20 05... More
September 17, 2005
What they are teaching
It is bad on campus, as we know. However, when it happens to your kid, it seems worse. Yesterday was the first day of an American History course for the child of one of us (blogger and child will remain... More
September 17, 2005
Ethically irresponsible
Practioners of what is labeled social justice and its sibling, social responsibility, claim the high moral ground on a wide range of economic, political and yes, social issues. Their premise generally consists of claiming the U.S. is usually wrong, but... More
September 17, 2005
The terror shadow from Venezuela
As we noted yesterday, Colombia has produced conclusive evidence that Venezuela's Marxist dictator Hugo Chavez is harboring savage terrorists in Caracas — the brutal leftist kind who have plagued Colombia with necklace bombs, schoolyard landmines, kidnappings, village massacres, disco attacks, voter... More
September 17, 2005
Fisking the NYT Inauguration article
Mr. Bush, 58, whose career in elective politics began only a decade ago as the governor of Texas, took the oath of office —gratuitous disparaging (i.e., he is a rookie—how did we end up with this guy as President?) did not... More
September 17, 2005
Just hype
The much hyped flu vaccine crisis turns out to be not much of a crisis, as the electoral season fades into memory. Don't expect Kerry, who exploited the topic, or the MSM, which eagerly jumped on board, to have anything... More
September 17, 2005
Disaster in Guyana
There have been huge disastrous floods in Guyana this week and the nation is now openly appealing for help from the American military. This may seem like an old story, but it's not. I hope we help Guyana. There are... More
September 17, 2005
Signs of hope
Yourish.com notices a huge change in the UN's stance toward Palestinian terrorists and Israel. I can't help but believe that the Bush Administration deserves credit, because of the energetic pursuit of the UN Oild for Food Program scandal. The supporting... More
September 17, 2005
Response to Disengagement
A reader writes: Rachel Neuwirth does not seem to understand the notion of a two state solution. Most Israelis, (unlike her, people who actually live there), want to give peace a chance. They are not prepared to let a few... More
September 17, 2005
Who cares?
You read here recently about the sad situation in Guyana as heavy rains and floods devastate the country. Ms. Mora y Leon hoped that once again the U.S. would help. But of course. Without fanfare, without prodding, George Bush, in the... More
September 17, 2005
More evidence on Chavez
The plot continues to thicken, implicating Venezuela's Hugo Chavez with the narco—terrorist FARC movement attempting to undermine democratic Colombia. Aleksander Boyd provides some new information on these links. Meanwhile, The Washington Times Insider (free subscription required) provides very valuable background... More
September 17, 2005
Free speech for me, but not for thee
Liberals believe they have a right to do anything when they want, how they want. If informed they can't or must abide by certain restrictions they yelp and whine. But the reverse is not true. Take the holy matter of... More
September 17, 2005
Essential viewing
The invaluable Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has compiled a series of political television commercials from Iraq, for the upcoming January 30th elections. Theare profoundly encouraging. First and foremost, the Iraqi television viewing public is being asked for its... More
September 17, 2005
Venezuelan dictator hurls new insults at Condi
Unbelievable. Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, a sitting head of state, described a United States Secretary of State designate in the crudest sexual terms yesterday on his national television show. Like some toilet—mouth lowlife sitting in a bottom—of—the—barrel bar, he told the Venezuelan nation Sunday that he'd like to marry... More
September 17, 2005
More thoughts on Disengagement
Many thanks to Rachel Neuwirth for so clearly not only explaining the important stakes to America in her article Disengagement: a euphemism for ethnic cleansing, but also explaining why Israel's proposed plan to expel Jews Gaza is so dangerously wrong... More
September 17, 2005
Zero causalty day in Iraq
Our frequent contributor Bruce Thompson has noticed in his blog Machias Privateer that Iraq recently had a zero—casualty day. No car bombs, no snipers, no political deaths. Bruce has previously compared the death rate in Iraq with the murder rate... More
September 17, 2005
Never forget
When acknowledging true evil, a positive and a negative commandment are imposed upon Jews: remember; don't forget. At first glance these commandments are synonymous, one the flip side of the other. And basically that is correct; it is the comprehensiveness... More
September 17, 2005
The Supremes rule
Our friend Gary Larson (the pundit, not the cartoonist) has not forgotten about a scandal that once made national headlines, caused the appointment of a Special Counsel, and implicated a Clinton Cabinet member. The Supreme Court handed a ruling recently,... More
September 17, 2005
Kissinger on Iraq
Kissinger, of the realist school that nurtured Scowcroft et al, departs from that ideology. Ed Lasky 1 25 05 ... More
September 17, 2005
Annan does the right thing
Bush, Coleman, and Rupert Murdoch push Annan to make amends (for now). Benny Avni reports in the New York Sun: Secretary—General Annan worked hard to guarantee that yesterday's special session of the United Nations General Assembly concentrated on Holocaust—related themes,... More
September 17, 2005
Ted drops the H-bomb on FNC
Jane Finda's ex—husband has invoked Adolph Hitler in explaining Fox News Channel's dominance of his creation CNN. According to Drudge, speakiong at the NATPE Convention in Las Vegas (the National Association of Television Programming Executives annual meeting is the pre—eminent... More
September 17, 2005
Turner loves Nazi analogies
Apparently Ted Turner feels anyone who disagrees with him is a Nazi. Fox News is much more popular with viewers than CNN so it must use tactics similar to Nazi propaganda according to his warped thinking. But this isn't the... More
September 17, 2005
PBS blames America
PBS was founded to provide high quality programming that is non—biased and objective. PBS was envisioned as providing a forum for a diverse variety of views. The Frontline program which aired Tuesday night, January 25th was called "Al Qaeda's New Front."... More
September 17, 2005
Oil for food scandal spreads
As the oil—for food investigation widens its scope, it now appears that a previous UN Secretary General, the Egyptian Boutros—Boutros Ghali, may also be implicated in the bribery scandal. Apparently, Ghali's nephew had set up an "oil company" in Panama,... More
September 17, 2005
Chavez is costing us big
Alek Boyd at VCrisis has an interesting new article out about what London's oil traders say about Venezuela's Marxist president, Hugo Chavez who controls one sixth of our oil. Boyd points out that not only does Chavez raise oil prices... More
September 17, 2005
CBS News heading to court?
Editor & Publisher is reporting that Marcel Matley, the documnet expert cited by CBS News to bolster claims of authenticity for the fraudulent Texas Air National Guard memo, is claiming professional defamation, and demanding corrections both from CBS News and... More
September 17, 2005
Cuba exports its specialty to Venezuela
The headline in the New York Sun reads like a bad joke but makes perfect sense: "Venezuela Outsources Intelligence Activities To Cuba." In a global society, where what economists call 'comparative advantage' rules, each country does the most of its... More
September 17, 2005
Your life in the gossip columns
Poor Ted Turner, reduced to being another bold faced name in the New York Post's gossip column alongside such air head as Paris Hilton. And now comes word from another NYPost gossip columnist that ex wife Jane Fonda is writing... More
September 17, 2005
My mother and the Holocaust denier
This is the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. My mother and her three sisters survived that place. My grandfather did not. His wife, my grandmother, was transported from there to Bergen—Belsen in Germany where she died two days... More
September 17, 2005
Cuba on UN "Human Rights" panel
Acting in accordance with its evident aim of making itself the laughingstock of those who cherish freedom and liberty, the United Nations has added Cuba to their action panel on human rights. Yes, you read that correctly, Cuba is the... More
September 17, 2005
Why California can't control spending
Noel Sheppard, whose appears work appears here with some regularity, has written an excellent column in the Orange County Register on one of the most fundamental problems in balancing California's out—of—control budget. More of Gray Davis's handiwork.... More
September 17, 2005
Imagine
No, not the dopey John Lennon song, imagine what it is like to be an Iraqi today, with the start of democratic elections coming in four days. The blog Right WingNutHouse has an interesting essay on the subject. Be sure... More
September 17, 2005
Voting against Condi
Reader Allen O'Donnell from Wayne, Nebraska has compiled and analyzed the list of Senators voting against the confirmation of Dr. Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State. It is well worth reading: Senators who voted against confirmation of Dr. Rice for... More
September 17, 2005
Human shields
Where are the human shields? You remember the Westerners who flocked to to Iraq to "protect" it from America. Now that democracy itself is under attack, why aren't they pouring into Iraq to protect the polling places? Two possible answers:... More
September 17, 2005
Thank you Clinton, Holbrooke, Albirght, Clark
Simon Tisdall of The Guardian (UK) reports that the situation in Kosovo is deteriorating rapidly, and goes so far as to say, Kosovo is fast becoming "the black hole of Europe" and could descend into renewed violence within weeks unless the EU... More
September 17, 2005
Freedom's messiah
Just a little historical perspective on a big idea, freedom & liberty.� In 1788, the United States became the world's first large�Democracy.� By 1945, there were approximately 40 Democracies.� At the end of the past year, the world was approaching... More
September 17, 2005
U.N. official criticizes democracy
Why would a UN official care about democracy? The chief of the U.N. Electoral Assistance Division, Carina Perelli, was asked in a press conference about reports that American troops helped Iraqi officials distribute information on the electoral process to Iraqi... More
September 17, 2005
Freedom's messiah (2)
More response from readers: From Andrew Sumereau's column:"As individuals Almighty God calls us to transform the world. President Bush has confused his sense of personal mission with a national one. We as a nation are not called to transform the... More
September 17, 2005
Dreamers
Ah, the left with its romantic naive dream of helping those who needed help, of increasing prosperity and equality�through forced government intervention, all for a greater good of creating a�new type of person living and thriving in a new... More
September 17, 2005
Volcker's conflict of interest
Koffi Annan and the UN have been mired in the oil—for—food scandal for the past year. To deflect criticism, they appointed Paul Volcker to engage in one of those internal investigations which are usually a prelude to absolution of those... More
September 17, 2005
Condi and the NAACP
I am mystified by the treatment Dr. Rice has recieved both over this piggish Chavez incident as well as her rise to Secretary of State. One might think the NAACP would rise to both exult in her achievement as well... More
September 17, 2005
Secretary Rice's swearing-in ceremony
Watching the ceremonial swearing—in of Secretary of State Rice, I was moved by the occasion, especially by the President's remarks. Faithful readers know that I regard Dr. Rice as an inspirational figure for all Americans, albeit one of special significance for... More
September 17, 2005
Bill Clinton's blog
Reader David Broadus of Houston, clues us in on something we should have known about: Have you people seen Clinton's Blog? Why has no one mentioned it or linked to it before. (If you have, I missed it. I just... More
September 17, 2005
Reporter's house raided
Alek boyd on vcrisis reports that the first reporter's house has been raided by security services in Venezuela. This is bad stuff — the bloggers have always told me that so long as the mouthy reporters weren't being touched, they... More
September 17, 2005
US acts unilaterally again
Once again, the United States acted unilaterally in the international sphere as it sent Vice President Dick Cheney to attend commemorative services at the site of the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. Although England's Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister did attend a... More
September 17, 2005
Irish president's Nazi comparison
Joining Prince Harry in just plain stupidity, the president of the Irish Republic, who should really know better, compares the Irish Protestant and Irish Catholic dispute to Nazism. This in the week commemorating the 60th year of the liberation of... More
September 17, 2005
The reporters have no clothes
Mistaking the ceremonies commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with the Academy Awards, reporters devoted several hundred words to Vice President Dick Cheney's outfit, a sensible parka with boots. Using the same snide tone devoted to a... More
September 17, 2005
The other CBS News scandal
Accuracy in Media is all over the other CBS News scandal, the one you haven't heard about yet. While the media were abuzz over the release of the independent review panel report on CBS's "memogate" scandal, another CBS scandal was... More
September 17, 2005
Douglas Hanson interview
Our military affairs correspondent Douglas Hanson is interviewed by the website worldthreats.com. Doug's insights are always worth reading. Link here. Thomas Lifson 1 28 05... More
September 17, 2005
Olivier Guitta article on Jersey City murders
The Weekly Standard's website has posted an article by our frequent contributor Olivier Guitta, on the Jersey City Jihad. Read it here.... More
September 17, 2005
Leftist lies about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The European Jewish leftists used Stalinist propaganda methods wherever they could to discredit capitalist/conservative Jews. In the face of the Nazis' destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto, the leftist Jews refused to cooperate with the rightist Jews i the Uprising. I've... More
September 17, 2005
Reader response
Lee Kwiatek writes: Ethel C. Fenig has no shame I have stood beneath the "Arbeit macht frei" gate at Auschwitz. I have walked past the barracks and the camp fencing. I have been to that house of death. Perhaps Ethel... More
September 17, 2005
The fashion police are on the case
The satire continues, in the wake of the sartorial criticism Vice President Cheney endured for his wearing of a parka to one ceremnoy comemorating the liberation of Auschwitz. A reader writes: You may not have seen this comment by a... More
September 17, 2005
Questionable ties
Dana Rohrbacher (Rep—Ca.) has just been appointed by Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman of the International Relations Committee, as chair of a new Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee that will focus on the United Nations. The UN has long been dominated by... More
September 17, 2005
The Ruthless Party
Fred Barnes has written an important article on the Democrats' embrace of outright obstructionism, and near—treason on Iraq. He links their suicidal impulses to a misreading of the strategies used by Newt Ginrich to wrest control of the House from... More
September 17, 2005
Democrats and religion
The Economist's columnist Lexington has a good essay on the attempt of Hillary Clinton to lead the Democrats to a reconciliation with religious American voters. Two good grafs: The biggest problem for the Democrats is that many of their hard—core... More
September 17, 2005
Contempt for their own sex
Alicia Colon of the New York Sun has become one of my favorite columnists. Her column today on the row over Larry Summers, and its larger meaning, is excellent. Hat tip: Lucianne.com Thomas Lifson 1 29 05... More
September 17, 2005
Dodd undermines Venezuela's democrats
It doesn't get worse than when some ignoramus from U.S. Congress steps in to defend an indefensible government, undermining its oppressed people. In an letter addressed to the Washington Post, Senator Chris Dodd blithely defends Chavez's regime on the premise that... More
September 17, 2005
Teddy Kennedy's right wing advisor
Jack Risko is the eagle—eyed proprietor of Dinocrat.com, a very rewarding site to visit. One of the things Jack does very well is look a little deeper into the foolish utterances of public figures. When the senior Senator from Massachusetts,... More
September 17, 2005
NY Times version of Venezuelan land confiscation
Idle land being taken from rich foreigners, who kill landless peasants, to defend their colonial vestiges. Chavez — a "populist." How about Chavez — a dictator? Ed Lasky... More
September 17, 2005
A harbinger?
This story about an Israeli whose father had been driven from Iraq and who voted in the election from Aman, is a harbinger I hope of a better, freer, more inclusive Iraqi society to come. Clarice Feldman 1 30 05... More
September 17, 2005
Which finger?
Which finger dipped in the ink? The always—witty Barcepundit, who gives us the lowdown from Barcelona, Spain, has some hilarious advice for Iraqi election authorities on which finger Iraq's voters should dip in the ink to display for Europe's euroweasel television... More
September 17, 2005
A 19 vote lead
Election officials have counted about 2.8 million votes so far in the Washington State governor's race. And the Republican candidate, Dino Rossi, has jumped back into a 19 vote lead. You read that right — a 19 vote lead over Democrat... More
September 17, 2005
W versus the entrenched bureaucrats
Tony Blankley has a great column today, "Blood in the Potomac," about the challenges taken on by President Bush in actually carrying out his mandate, and in so doing, taking on the entrenched bureaucracies in DC, a task Tony cleverly likens... More
September 17, 2005
French falisify Arafat's death certificate
French officials have cooperated with Palestinian propagandists, falsifying Yasser Arafat's death certificate by listing his birthplace as Jersusalem, rather than Cairo. This is vitally important because the false claim will eventually be used to demand that his remains be buried... More
September 17, 2005
Scandalous scandal investigation
The United Nations investigation into the Oil for Food Program isn't even bothering to follow—up on its own leads. The biggest financial/political scandal in the history of the world is about to be overshadowed by the cover—up of the biggest... More
September 17, 2005
R.I.P. Reed Irvine
Reed Irvine, the founder of Accuracy in Media (A.I.M.), has passed from this earth. He will be mourned and missed. I met Mr. Irvine in the late 1980s, just after President Reagan had turned me from a fuzzy—headed liberal into... More
September 17, 2005
Iran again
Kenneth Pollack wrote a great book, The Persian Puzzle, to give us an insight into Iranian political culture, even though some may disagree with proposed solutions. Today he has a worthy op—ed in the Los Angeles Times explaining that America is... More
September 17, 2005
Not so fast
Michael Kinsley, editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times, serves up another pretty decent op—ed today, this one by Jacob Heilbrunn deflating the pompous know—it—alls who predicted that a second Bush term would see the "neo—cons" sent packing. He... More
September 17, 2005
Euros go soft
If this is what passes for European diplomacy — taking away the threat of force to remove WMD, we — no they — have a lot of learning to do. To the dismay of Bush administration officials, British U.N. Foreign Secretary... More
September 17, 2005
Blue state Kiwis
Help is on the way for PEST (post election stress trauma) "victims" and all those Hollywood stars threatening/promising to leave the country since Bush was re—elected. Instead of rushing off to Florida to see a shrink, follow the lead of... More
September 17, 2005
North Korea removing Lil' Kim's picture from public places
Something is happening in North Korea. Maybe something very big, indeed. It is too early to tell, but we will stay posted. Russia's state—run communication agency ITAR—TASS reported from Beijing quoting a diplomat in North Korea yesterday that pictures of... More
September 17, 2005
No more spa prison for Peruvian terrorists
Prison, in a place like Peru, isn't exactly a European spa prison, but unlike the U.S., has its comforts. Prisoners buy and sell things, can eat anything relatives bring them, hold beauty contests, play soccer matches, and even marry... More
September 17, 2005
Condi gets it
News that Condoleezza Rice will be the next U.S. Secretary of State is bringing considerable comfort to people with their backs against the wall in our own hemisphere. For Latin Americans who've already looked closely, she's the genuine article. In... More
September 17, 2005
Condoleeza
Michael Geer writes us with his views on the pending appointment of Condoleeza Rice, which are consistent with today's article: Even the barest cursory examination of Ms. Rice's curriculum vitae illumines that her primary National Security focus has always been... More
September 17, 2005
Incitement to genocide
Professor Steven Plaut of the University of Haifa penetrates the euphemistic fog surrounding the anti Israel, pro Arab rhetoric and clearly labels it what it is: incitement to genocide. He is absolutely correct——and all the self righteous puffery, moral indignation... More
September 17, 2005
Communists true to form
In the bad old Soviet days, a famous saying among the oppressed was: 'We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us.' Under communism everything was a charade. Looks like the Communist Party USA hasn't changed any. In a truly... More
September 17, 2005
James Baker, would-be envoy
Let's not forget James Baker was one of the two people Kerry wanted to appoint as special Middle East envoy (the other was Jimmy Carter, friend of dictators, etc.): James Baker has called on Israel to release Marwoun Barghouti, who is... More
September 17, 2005
The Feast of Dubya's Election Day
This day is call'd the Feast of Dubya's ElectionWe who outlived this day and came safe homeWill stand a tip—toe when this day is namedAnd rouse him at the name of DubyaHe that lived this day and shall see old... More
September 17, 2005
Mosul calm; Stryker unit returns from Fallujah
A CENTCOM press release states that the situation in Mosul has quickly stabilized after terrorists launched a series of attacks on Iraqi police stations in the city. The report says that since yesterday there have been only isolated attacks, and because... More
September 17, 2005
Once a Marine
Reader Michael Murray (formerly Wpns Plt Sgt C Co 1st Bn 5th Mar) writes to us with his reactions to watching his brother Marines on television. We think they are worth sharing: During the run to Bagdad I was glued... More
September 17, 2005
We had to
One of the bloggers responsible for publishing the misleading early exit poll numbers now blithely admits she wasn't concerned about their accuracy. "We had to publish exit polls in order to kill them," is Wonkette's Ana Marie Cox's post election... More
September 17, 2005
Kosovo a model for Iraq?
John Phillips of the Washington Times waxes poetic in today's edition about our continuing presence in Kosovo. Phillips maintains that Kosovo was once thought of as the model for a future Iraq, yet neglects to mention even one US policy—maker... More
September 17, 2005
Grow up already!
Today Jon Loose analyzed those weak souls indulging in post election therapy. Herewith a glimpse into the sad mind of one such sufferer. As Joan Rivers would say "Grow up!" and while you're at it, learn to tie your own... More
September 17, 2005
Honoring the Swifties
John Fund has written a fine article on the very stirring awards dinner at the Restoration Weekend in Florida this past Saturday night. At the dinner honoring John Warner, Carlton Sherwood and John O'Neill, I sat next to Norm Hapke, a... More
September 17, 2005
Mass defection of Cuban troupe
Forty—four members of a Cuban "night club review" — singers, dancers, and musicians — are seeking asylum in the United States while they are performing a three month engagement at the Stardust Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Congratulations and... More
September 17, 2005
Death of a musician
Perhaps the generational conflict in music is inevitable——there are some theories that young peoples' hearing hasn't quite developed while aging increases sensitivity to higher decibels. And of course the kids just love the noise that drives their parents crazy. And... More
September 17, 2005
Bad - a Bing
Steve Bing, Hollywood—based heir to a real estate fortune and big Kerry donor, now has his failures pointed out to him in the pages of today's Wall Street Journal (subscription required). Bing was one of the biggest donors to Democratic... More
September 17, 2005
Two-faced terrorist
One of our favorite columnists, Licia Corbella, editor of the Calgary Sun, writes an excellent commentary today on Yasser Arafat's passing. Complete with a hyperlink, she reviews a video of Yasser telling Palestinian children of the glories of blowing up... More
September 17, 2005
The Meathead mandate
Actor Rob Reiner, whose fictional character on All in the Family was nicknamed "Meathead" by Archie Bunker, spearheaded the passage of a voter initiative in California imposing a 50 cent per pack tax on cigarettes, supposedly to fund universal pre—school... More
September 17, 2005
Porter Goss shakes things up
Ed Lasky's blog today alerts readers to David Brook's courageous column in the NYT on certain CIA operatives who leaked material to the media to oppose the President's policies on Iraq (Sy Hersh, where are you?). Dovetailing on this issue, Dana... More
September 17, 2005
Rue(ing) Arafat
Several French municipalities with governed by communist and left—wing majorities are considering naming a street or a square after Yasser Arafat. The French police intelligence service, Renseignements Generaux, reportedly warned the Ministry of Interior that such initiatives might trigger heated... More
September 17, 2005
US forces in Fallujah need to watch their six
In an AP report via The Washington Times we learn of a possible terrorist counter—attack in Mosul, and the death throes of the last terrorist cells in Fallujah. As US and Iraqi forces make their final push to defeat the remaining... More
September 17, 2005
More disgrace at the New York Times
The New York Times editorializes: "Unfortunately, Bush officials are tap—dancing, spouting the same tired excuses that America can't do anything to restart the road map to peace until Palestinian extremists end their violence against Israel, and until Palestine has a... More
September 17, 2005
Brave Brooks
New York Times Columnist David Brooks picks up on our earlier short blog questioning the appropriateness of CIA officials using the media to express their anger towards George Bush. This trend violates all previous codes, customs and laws regarding the national... More
September 17, 2005
Arafat apathy
Society molds cultures just as cultures mold society. There is always a two—way process which occurs between these two organizing principles of a people. The Israeli Arabs have grown up in a democratic culture with a free press, honest bureaucracies, a... More
September 17, 2005
Tribute to the Swift Vets
Reader Mark Sass sent us a link to a site that is a tribute to John O'Neill and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. If you scroll down the page while you listen to the music, you can mentally add... More
September 17, 2005
In death as in life
The lying and bloodletting that characterized Arafat's life continue with his death. Arafat's funeral degenerated into a chaotic bloody event with many injuries. And the French——who else?——contributed to the lies embedded in his life by erroneously listing Arafat's birthplace as... More
September 17, 2005
Melanie Phillips
Melanie Phillips is a British columnist whom we admire a lot. He latest online diary entry on "The moral sickness of the world" in its reaction to Arafat's death is absolutely spot on correct in identifying the phonies, from Chriac... More
September 17, 2005
Deep Thoughts
Brent Scowcroft has taken the opportunity of Arafat's death to unburden himself of certain Deep Thoughts. The paragraph which stands out: The president should add substance to his commitment to an independent Palestinian state. It must include steps to provide security... More
September 17, 2005
Poem for Arafat
Yasser Yasser three bags full A terrorist you were with no real pull You spent your last days in ruins you wrought And all your killing no nation brought Ever poor suffering people you leave behind Yet agreement... More
September 17, 2005
Jews rethinking
Still in shock over the election outcome, liberals are muttering about an alleged conspiracy by right wing Christian fundamentalists to take control of this country. Liberal Jews and many of their organizations are muttering particularly loudly because of their deep... More
September 17, 2005
Further thoughts
Carlos Garcia of Dayton, Ohio ("A Grateful and Proud Citizen since 1980") is a regular letter writer to us, one we have come to know and enjoy. We'd like to share his thoughts on the election with you: Is there... More
September 17, 2005
The secrets of the ancient Egyptians
Can we do what the ancient Egyptians did and simply chisel away all record of this, the sorriest excuse of a leader in modern American history? Then let's do it——for his consistent paens and aid to the world's worst thugs.... More
September 17, 2005
Arafat's lgeacy
Frontpagemag.com has a link to HonestReporting.com's one minute film entitled Arafat's Legacy, accompanied by an interview with its creator. Because pictures and a soundtrack have power that the printed word lacks, it is powerful. Go see it as an antidote... More
September 17, 2005
BBC bloodbath
The British Broadcasting Corporation, which lives off of mandatory "license fees" (in truth, a tax on anyone with a television) well north of $200 per year per television, is facing a review of its charter in 2006. If it fails... More
September 17, 2005
The UN's competence
As a colonial master, the UN's performance is somewhere below France's track record. At least the French, while living high on the hog in their colonial capital cities, built plantations and mines exporting useful products. Wherever the UN peacekeepers are in... More
September 17, 2005
Focus on the UN
John Kerry was clear in expressing his intention that should he become President a spirit of comity and amity would be created between the United Nations and his Administration. Now that he has been defeated, one of the beneficial consequences... More
September 17, 2005
Unions in turmoil
More indications that the decisive re—election of George Bush indicates a realignment in American society: union leaders are fighting over their AFL—CIO structure and policies. Semi—open warfare is breaking out between the IAM (Machinests) and AFSCME (public employees), with each threatening to... More
September 17, 2005
Happy birthday!
Reader Mike Murray kindly reminds us of a very important birthday today: The United States Marine Corps. He writes: Since 10 Nov 1775 the Marines have paid the price of freedom. I want to wish all my brothers past and... More
September 17, 2005
Right on schedule
So Arafat has finally died, right on schedule, at the end of Ramadan. Alas he did not die as he lived, for unlike his hundreds of thousands of victims he died in a hospital with the best medical care France... More
September 17, 2005
Straight talk from homosexual activists
The San Francisco Chronicle carries a story today about a meeting held by leaders of the principal homosexual political interest groups, to evaluate their strategies and tactics int he face of the passage of 11 state referenda aimed at protecting... More
September 17, 2005
Blame it on Rio
Castroite election fraudster Hugo Chavez is visiting Brazil, bringing chaos and destruction in his wake. He even provoked the leftist (but sensible) President of Brazil to speak out: When the former coup leader began railing against George W. Bush's re—election... More
September 17, 2005
The mob speaks
Here is a charming picture of a mob of about 100 people DEMANDING that UC Berkeley increase enrollment of minorities, never mind test scores, grades, qualifications, or any other complications. Many of them are school age children. I wonder if... More
September 17, 2005
Rumsfeld's travels
Donald Rumsfeld paying a visit to Nicaragua? The Secretary of Defense has a lot on his plate right now, and rarely travels unless it's awfully important. For him to go to such a small, impoverished country is a red flag marking something very... More
September 17, 2005
Censoring mention of Islamist Christian-hatred
The New York Times has been criticized for minimizing the threat that militant Islam poses to the world. Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City has noted this Orwellian erasing of facts involving Muslims fighting Christians by the Times... More
September 17, 2005
Human slaughterhouses
A US CENTCOM news release reports that Iraqi forces, working in conjunction with US Marine and Army units, have retaken numerous government buildings and mosques in the town of Fallujah. As part of Operation Al Fajr (Arabic for 'dawn'), the Iraqis... More
September 17, 2005
Kristallnacht observance in Oslo
Andrew Sullivan, recovered from election madness, carries a shocking email from his friend Bruce Bawer in Oslo: This evening in Oslo there was a march commemorating Kristallnacht. According to TV2 News, no Norwegian Jews were present. The authorities, saying that... More
September 17, 2005
Rice for president?
To the editor: Matt May's article ("Dream woman") promoting Condoleeza Rice as the Republican Party candidate for president in 2008 is very thorough, articulate, and replete with historical analogies. An impressive piece. But, ultimately, it doesn't reflect the reality of... More
September 17, 2005
The Guardian blames the internet
Oh, so now it is the fault of the new media that Bush won? Well good. This sour grapes, envious report from England nicely analyzes another element of Bush's successful campaign while highlighting the importance of the new media in... More
September 17, 2005
At French request Israel halts arms sales to Ivory Coast
Meanwhile France has been the major supplier of arms to Arab dictators including nuclear technology to Iraq and Iran—which threatens to annihilate Israel. Hey, Chirac, how about some reciprocity?Ed Lasky 11 9 04... More
September 17, 2005
A night to remember
On the 66th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Night of the Broken Glass, the historian Dr Rafael Medoff reminds us that no one, no one did much about it but talk. No action: not from the Europeans, not from the Jewish icon... More
September 17, 2005
Iraqi Minister of Defense 'gets it'
Coalition and Iraqi forces are now in the process of storming the terrorist and Baathist stronghold of Fallujah. Just prior to the offensive, a US CENTCOM press release described the Iraqi forces order of battle, and the visit of Iraq's Minister... More
September 17, 2005
French see Arafat as a hero
By a margin of 43% to 27%, the French see Yasser Arafat as a "hero of national resistance" rather than as a terrorist, according to a new poll. Ed Lasky 11 9 04... More
September 17, 2005
OK to bash Bush, not CIA
Michael Scheuer, who has written a book critical of the war on terror, is featured in a Washington Post article today by Dana Priest. Buried in the last paragraph is the following revelation: Scheuer said he believes that the agency... More
September 17, 2005
The film that cost Theo Van Gough his life
This is the film that cost Theo van Gogh his life Click here, and then click on the red lettering "Genoeg Nu" Rachel Neuwirth 11 9 04... More
September 17, 2005
Chief Justice Thomas?
Drudge is reporting that President Bush has launched a review of the pros and cons of nominating Justice Clarence Thomas for the position of Chief Justice, should Chief Justice Rehnquist retire or be unable to continue his service. While wishing... More
September 17, 2005
More Palast
Aleksander Boyd, editor of Vcrisis.com, a brave and good man covering the activities of the Venezuelan Communist tyrant Hugo Chavez, wrote to us about Greg Palast, the journalist whose wacky ideas about Kerry actually winning the election we gfeatured yesterday:... More
September 17, 2005
From bad to worse in Venezuela
The great unreported story of the past week was Venezuelan Castrophile President Hugo Chavez's nearly total consolidation of power. Last weekend, in miserable elections that were mostly ignored by dispirited voters, Chavez "won" 21 out of 23 governors' seats. Venezuela's... More
September 17, 2005
Suddenly, al Qaeda ties are everywhere
Note how the New York Times plays up a possible Al—Qaeda tie in the murderer of Theo Van Gogh. I expect to see a never—ending (at least for four years) of this type of allegation from the MSM. They could... More
September 17, 2005
Kerry's "outlandish" outsourcing offer
From the post—election edition of Newsweek we learn that Kerry was willing to outsource the role of Commander in Chief to John McCain if the latter agreed to run on the ticket as the vice—presidential candidate: The "Outlandish" McCain Offer. ... More
September 17, 2005
Greg Palast
Reader Lee Young, of Brevard, NC, writes about Greg Palast: Palast's basic premise is that everyone who wants to vote, should have their vote counted ... whether or not they are at the right polling place, in the right state,... More
September 17, 2005
No return
Alex Beam, of the Boston Globe, has a wryly funny article directed at American liberals thinking of departing for Canada. But he doesn't go for the jugular, the way I would. All of the defects he cites are excesses of... More
September 17, 2005
Daley response
I'd advise Roz Smith to be a bit bolder. Remember that the most lasting event in Richie Daley's father's reign was the chaos of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. There is no love lost between the Daleys and angry anti—war protestors. Also... More
September 17, 2005
A study in contrasts
Wall Street Journal: As Arafat had already told an Arab audience in Stockholm in 1996, "We plan to eliminate the State of Israel and establish a purely Palestinian state. We will make life unbearable for Jews by psychological warfare and... More
September 17, 2005
Daley dissent
Reader Roz Smith, a former Chicagoan now living in North Carolina, begs to differ with Bruce Thompson's take on Mayor Daley of Chicago: Little Richie may well be part of the Democrats problem. His father maintained a modest brick bungalow in... More
September 17, 2005
Rep. Bobby Jindal
Thrilling news from Louisiana: Bobby Jindal has been elected to Congress. If you don't know him, click on the above link to Powerline and read about a man destined for leadership. I have no doubt that Bobby Jindal will make a... More
September 17, 2005
The real jobs figure for October
Our reader and faithful correspondent Allen Heidt, of Houston, Texas writes us: A few days ago, Bloomberg released the new October jobs report the day before the election. Bloomberg reported the addition of 175,000 new jobs. They were the initial... More
September 17, 2005
The way of the dinosaur
Our buddy Jack Risko, whose Dinocrat.com site is always worthwhile, has updated his earlier posts on the long term decline of the Democrats. This is never reported in the Mainstream Media, which are the megaphone for the powerful money/media axis... More
September 17, 2005
A poetic moment
Our Poet Laureate, Russ Vaughn, has updated an old favorite in light of yesterday's events: Their Veterans' Day Some said let you apologize But that wouldn't do it in our eyes. A man astride of each position Could we believe... More
September 17, 2005
Bitterly divided?
Along with other things that should go in the trash today, is the notion that we are "a bitterly divided nation", something all the bien pensants picked up from the cocktail napkins at the conventional wisdom bar and grill: Quote:... More
September 17, 2005
Our track record on election predictions
Hold the applause for now, but review my election prediction article on Monday on The American Thinker. I got 49 of 50 states right, missing only on Minnesota , which was my upset flyer (51—48 for Kerry). And I got 33... More
September 17, 2005
Promises, promises
Porn entrepreneur Larry Flynt has spent a good part of the the last four years trying to uncover some dirt about George W. Bush. (Please don't snicker.) Why? He believed Bush would try to uhm, gag the porn industry. Larry... More
September 17, 2005
Thanks, Swiftees
All of America should say "Thank You" to the Swiftvets today! There has been a further update on the USNI article previously linked. This is a terrific site that has plenty of photos to illustrate the action seen by the... More
September 17, 2005
Canada's loss, our gain
Under the democratic principles of this country, the winners of the election govern according to their vision while respecting the rights of the opposition. Losing candidates and their supporters are not jailed, they just pick up the pieces of their... More
September 17, 2005
GOP takes Guam
Alas, Guam has no electoral votes. But better to win than to lose. Ethel C. Fenig 11 2 04... More
September 17, 2005
Chicago vote fraud
The political maxim "Vote early and vote often" originated in Chicago and is still enforced today. Qualify that with "only if you're a Democrat, others don't count." Remember, John F. Kennedy became president because the Cook County (Illinois)Democratic Organization stole... More
September 17, 2005
Excess baggage
In a totally unrelated and otherwise bipartisan election day editorial, the New York Times managed a gratuitous shot at the Bush administration's success in Afghanistan and the leadership of our new ally. In urging everyone to "Vote, No Matter What",... More
September 17, 2005
Self-parody
The Corrections column in the New York Times is frequently an unintentional humor column. Today's is a prime example: Because of an editing error, a front—page article yesterday about the final Sunday of campaigning before the presidential election misstated the... More
September 17, 2005
Democrat pollster predicts Bush victory
Quoted in NRO's The Corner today: 'We simply do not defeat an incumbent president in wartime.' The quote above is from Mark Mellman. Mark is a Democratic pollster. And he's very partisan. And he's been working for Kerry this year.... More
September 17, 2005
A new low for the LA Times
In case anyone is wondering why the Los Angeles Times lost 6% (or more) of its circulation in the last half year, Robert Scheer provides a clear explanation today. His article, "The U.N. Deserves an Apology," manages to bash America... More
September 17, 2005
Evil eye
The news today contains a report of the murder of a Dutch film maker who had the audacity to create a film critical of Islam's treatment of women. In San Francisco yesterday, Palestinian students physically assaulted Republican students. But Tom... More
September 17, 2005
Site improvements: round one
In response to many helpful suggestions from readers, we are finally able to implement our first round of software enhancements, making our site easier to use. It is now possible to generate a print—formatted version of articles by clicking on... More
September 17, 2005
Thuggery rising
Front Page Magazine today carries a shocking account of political violence yesterday on the campus of San Francisco State University. While campus police looked on doing nothing, Palestinian students (a highly organized and powerful campus presence) physically assaulted Republican students... More
September 17, 2005
Top ten reasons I'm voting for Bush today
Sure, I'm voting for Bush for the usual reasons: That he puts more weight on defeating global terrorism than on passing the "global test." That he is a man of conviction not calculation. That he doesn't speak a word... More
September 17, 2005
More 60 Minutes dirt
Sunday night, its last show before the election, 60 Minutes ran a story indicating the troops had been ill—supplied for task to which they had assigned. Again, the evidence that they had been seeking to influence the election and that... More
September 17, 2005
Former Gitmo detainee claims responsibility for blast
I suppose the ACLU and Human Rights Watch will piously deplore the fact that a former Gitmo detainee didn't keep his promise and and outright lied about his forced pledge to renounce violence. But then they will probably continue to... More
September 17, 2005
An enemy sizes up George Bush and John Kerry
Like his mentor, Fidel Castro, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hates everything about the U.S. His generalized opprobrium is such a known quantity that only the quality of his enmity for different Americans is worth watching. There is a big difference... More
September 17, 2005
Dorgan, too
Reader Bruce Opheim of Fargo, North Dakota wrote us a request we'd like to share: To The American Thinker, Thank you for printing your excellent article, "Dear Senator Daschle".. Unfortunately, Senator Daschle doesn't take criticism kindly, and I'm certain he... More
September 17, 2005
Showing ID
Reader Smith Kinney, of Golden Valley, Minnesota writes us with some thoughts worth sharing: On the doorstep of the election I have a question: When did having to prove your identity with a photo ID become discrimination or racial intimidation.... More
September 17, 2005
Good news from CBS/NYT
Polipundit explores the internals of a CBS/New York Times poll, which provide some comfort to supporters of President Bush. Highlights: John Kerry has a 41% favorable, 47% unfavorable rating. This is his worst rating ever. President Bush has a 48%... More
September 17, 2005
Good news from Iraq
Bloomberg is reporting that for the second straight month, Iraq's oil exports have been uninterrupted by terror attacks. As a result, oil exports hit 1.84 million barrels per day. The improvement in security is an obvious testament to the effectiveness... More
September 17, 2005
BBC unhinged
If there is any better indication of how some journalists become emotionally committed to terrorists and permit their bias to overrule any sort of ethics, check out this BBC report. The reporter cries at Arafat's departure, while others express incredulity... More
September 17, 2005
The un-surveyed voters
With apologies to Richard Baehr, herewith is my totally unscientific election prediction. The ever—shifting poll results and the refusal to acknowledge the pollsters' bias in these surveys causes pundits to focus on the minutiae of sample size, confidence levels, etc. Although... More
September 17, 2005
Muslims trying to pick the president
Muslims are trying to control the US Government. Has it struck anyone that the age—old canard about Jews trying to control governments has not only been totally refuted but that the theory is more applicable when it comes to Muslims... More
September 17, 2005
60 Minutes takes news standards even lower
Is CBS's 60 Minutes trying to capture the title for lowest standards in the news industry? We already know about their questionable coverage driven by political considerations — the supposedly stolen tons of Iraq weapons, Abu Ghraib, and, at CBS... More
September 17, 2005
The Peace Process, Bush and Kerry
Rick Richman of Jpundit has a terrific review of a review of Dennis Ross's new book (you probably have seen Ross on Fox News Channel, where he is a Middle East analyst) The Missing Peace. You should read it in its... More
September 17, 2005
Teacher kicks student
Is this just another instance of elitist Democratic college professors demonstrating their belief in diversity, pluralism and multi culturalism? If the victim were not a college student would she still have apologized? And does the college sanction violence on the... More
September 17, 2005
Nice company to keep
Congratulations to our own Ed Lasky! This morning, the Sunday New York Post cites Ed as one of three pundits to have convincingly warned of the danger Kerry as president would pose for Isarel. The other two? Charles Krauthammer and William... More
September 17, 2005
What Bush understands
Although raised in the Midwest of the United States, Caroline Glick has lived in Israel for many years. She understands the US. She definitely understands the impact of terror and how to deal with it. And she realizes that Bush understands... More
September 17, 2005
Al Jazeera's edits of bin Laden tape
Polipundit alerts us to critical editing ("doctoring" as Clinton's folks used to call it when incriminating tapes of his conversations with Gennifer Flowers turned up) of the recent bin Laden tapes as shown on al Jazeera. They left out all... More
September 17, 2005
The left wing mentality
The strange ways of thinking of the Democrats' left wing often baffle me. Perhhaps it is simply the embrace of anger, which causes them to say absurd things and behave in ...well, bizarre ways. The latest evidence comes in an... More
September 17, 2005
Like mother, like son
The New York Post (hat tip: Polipundit) cites Chris Heinz, as quoted in Philadelphia Magazine: "Heinz accused Kerry's opponents — 'our enemies' — of making the race dirty. 'We didn't start out with negative ads calling George Bush a cokehead,'... More
September 17, 2005
Bush offers vision, not vacillation
Richard Baehr has written an article for The Chicago Jewish News, which is too good not to share with our readers. It is reprinted below, but the original can be found here. In years past, a Jewish Republican might have... More
September 17, 2005
A woman scorned
Suha Arafat, wife of ailing murderer and terrorist Yasser Arafat, is coming under criticism from Palestinians, for living a billionaire's lifestyle in Paris, while her husband has spent the last three years in the wreckage of the Mukata compound in... More
September 17, 2005
Did Elizabeth Edwards destroy unused embryos?
This is a touchy subject: I am surprised Slate addresses this topic. Compare this invasion of the personal sphere with Kerry and Edwards making Mary Cheney's sexuality a political attack (though they deny hostile intent) to energize their base (or depress... More
September 17, 2005
Mad Albright
Given the fact that the Pew Global Attitudes Project (which operates under Madeleine Albright's reign) has loudly broadcast the decline of America's image under President Bush, can we assume this poll is really bias—free? We are all aware that there are lies,... More
September 17, 2005
The internal war revealed
Regular American Thinker readers have understood that the Administration and our military forces have not only had to contend with a determined enemy on the field of battle, but have also had to deal with adversaries within their own organizations. ... More
September 17, 2005
Crisis in the newspaper business
The Tribune Company announces steep circulation declines in their Chicago and Los Angeles papers, while also reporting equally equally deep drops in profits. Its largest rag, The Los Angeles Times, discredited itself with last—minute allegations against Arnold Schwartzenegger just prior to... More
September 17, 2005
A little perspective, please
Whether or not you agree that these are the worst of the media distortions, how nice to have them available, with counterpoints, in one convenient package.The Ten Worst Media Distortions of Campaign 2004 Placing the distortions and the mudslinging and even... More
September 17, 2005
France offers to save Arafat
After Jordan and Egypt refused to host and possibly cure Palestinian Authority Chairman, France— who else?— has offered to treat the long time terror master.This should come as no surprise to our readers, knowing the long love affair between France... More
September 17, 2005
Looting of explosives was nearly impossible
Further reinforcing the notion that a few looters couldn't make off with huge amounts of banned nuclear material, conventional explosives, or entire 'research facilities,' a Multi—National Force — Iraq (MNF—I) press release publishes an interview with the commander of the... More
September 17, 2005
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson, the eminent British historian, has written many invaluable works, my favorite being The Intellectuals. He turns his formidable judgment to the American election, and unsurprisingly asserts that George W, Busgh must be re—elected. Hat tip: Carlos Garcia Thomas... More
September 17, 2005
Arafat ailing
The two candidates should be asked whether as president they would send a high ranking individual to an Arafat funeral. It would be very interesting to see how Kerry handles that one. Mike Nadler 10 28 04... More
September 17, 2005
The French write off Kerry
The French have announced they are seeking renewed good relations with the U.S., calling it a "a new alliance" with the U.S., no matter who wins Tuesday's election, according to The Telegraph of London. For fun, I called up my favorite... More
September 17, 2005
The embargo is working
This week, Fidel Castro announced that come Nov. 8, the U.S. dollar will no longer be legal tender in Cuba. Anyone in Havana who has a bank account in U.S. dollars will now have to accept newly stamped out "convertible"... More
September 17, 2005
Kerry's charity
Talk is cheap.� Oh how easy to utter pious, feel good, warm fuzzies so listeners feel good and warm and fuzzy also.�Only meanies will disagree.� � Ah but what good is talk unless there is action?� Volunteer regularly.� No time?�... More
September 17, 2005
Dictator's dilemma
With Fidel Castro and his hated regime rapidly heading toward the ash heap of history, one wonder what it must be like to be in Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez's shoes, watching his hero wither away? In writing that splendidly resembles... More
September 17, 2005
Wave of violence continues
There they go again. Political vandalism continues. While of course minor illegal incidents occur against both candidates, they appear to be occurring more frequently and more seriously against the Bush—Cheney ticket. Is this a sign of desperation by the Democrats? ... More
September 17, 2005
The explosives story
Last night the National Review Online wrote: NBC BLOWS A HOLE IN THE KERRY ATTACK ABOUT THE EXPLOSIVES Jim Miklaszewski of NBC News pretty much dismantled the New York Times attack on behalf of Kerry today. NBC News: Miklaszewski: 'April... More
September 17, 2005
Truman
R.L.A. Schaefer of Dubuque, Iowa begs to differ on the comparison between Harry Truman and George Bush: Unfortunately, Truman 1) was not informed about all of the Communist infiltration of the U.S. government, and 2) overdid loyalty so that he... More
September 17, 2005
New York and Madrid
Jack Risko looks at Mohammed El Baradei and the phony New York Times story on the "missing" explosives at Dinocrat.com. It is well worth reading.... More
September 17, 2005
Interesting comparison
William Stuntz, writing on TechCentralStation, makes a fascinating comparison between the 1948 Dewey—Truman race and the current presidential election. In both elections, a haughty Northeaterner battled a somewhat inarticulate uncumbent president who was an object of scorn by the elitists.... More
September 17, 2005
Newspaper scandals continue to appear
I have been writing about the scandals roiling the newspaper business for some months now. Circulation fraud, which means that advertisers have been charged for readers not seeing their advertisements, is rampant. This is theft. Today's New York Post carries... More
September 17, 2005
Muslims in Europe and America
Ralph Peters makes some outstanding points in his comparison of how Muslims in Europe and Muslims in America differ in their approach towards Western society. He points out that Europe faces a much greater threat from terror because of a... More
September 17, 2005
Blame Karl Rove
Now that NBC News has exposed as a fraud the combined efforts of the UN, The New York Times and the Kerry campaign to criticize President Bush over the "missing" explosives in Iraq, it can only be a matter of... More
September 17, 2005
Kerry the plagiarist?
Josh Gerstein of the New York Sun has uncovered another embarrassment for John F. Kerry: apparent plagiarism. ...11 passages in Senator Kerry's published writings that appear to have been taken from other works without attribution, though experts disagree about whether... More
September 17, 2005
The curse of Josh Marshall
Lefty blogger Josh Marshall (who some say is the sock puppet of Clintonista Sid ("Vicious") Blumenthal seems to be operating under some weird curse this election cycle. Earlier this election season I showed how he was the first to leak the... More
September 17, 2005
Good questions
Reader Glenn Dundas asks some good questions regarding the "looted" missing explosives in Iraq: How do looters carry—off 380 tons of weapons materials? In backpacks? It would take more than a few truckloads. Isn't it more likely that it was... More
September 17, 2005
The future is now
Barron's has an amusing piece on the world's most fully digitalized building, a hotel in Lublijana, Slovenia. It sounds almost painful to stay there, so hip and so fully up—to—date with the latest flat panel, wireless, digital gadgets everywhere. I'm... More
September 17, 2005
Lying liars
John Kerry is having embarrassing problems with the truth. The Washington Times appears to have caught him in an outright lie in a presidnential debate about having met with all members of the UN Security Council. But this is no... More
September 17, 2005
Dirty tricks
Powerline has exposed a truly dirty trick. The Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) ballot looks to be deliberately misleading. While voters desiring to vote Kerry/Edwards merely punch the chad next to where the arrow by their name points, voters for Bush/Cheney who... More
September 17, 2005
Political hatred and abuse in America
Richard Rushfield conducted an interesting experiment: he wore a Bush—Cheney T—shirt in several "blue state" neighborhoods, and a Kerry—Edwards T—shirt in several "red state" neighborhoods. I was not in the least surprised at the results. He encountered hostility and epithets... More
September 17, 2005
No enthusiasm
For two nights in a row the dimming stars can't rally their troops! That is assuming there are any troops to rally. Once again very few people showed up to disco for Kerry, even with Rosie O'Donnell ("there's only like,... More
September 17, 2005
Big news in Ohio
A federal appeals court ruled Saturday that provisional ballots Ohio voters cast outside their own precincts should not be counted, throwing out a lower—court decision that said such ballots are valid as long as they are cast in the correct... More
September 17, 2005
Don't miss this one
Ralph Peters has a superb column in the New York Post, demonstrating the illusion under which Euroweenies live — that Islamofascist terrorism can be "managed" int he same way they have lived with the terrorism of Basque separatists, for example.... More
September 17, 2005
New Sheriff enters Dodge City, continued
As you may recall last week, we interpreted sudden moves by Indonesia's bureaucrats to arrest terrorists plaguing Indonesia, after a long period of neglect, as a sign of a very different new president about to take power. Dodge City, to... More
September 17, 2005
Lip synching live
Sh—h—h—h, now the secret is out. Again. Celebrities often lip synch their songs in so—called live performances. But they fake it. And sometimes the fakery is exposed like this minor incident. Now if they'd only quit faking political and social... More
September 17, 2005
Studied disinterest
Haiti's interim leader castigated the international community Saturday, saying it has sent too few peacekeepers to prevent violence that has left some 55 people dead in two weeks. —AP dispatch from Haiti Where is the UN and Kofi Anan——not to mention... More
September 17, 2005
Cher bombs
You have one vote. Even in vote—early—vote—often—Chicago I will onlyhave one vote. Promise. And Cher, no matter how often she changes her face through plastic surgery, has one vote. Just like the rest of us. And not too many people... More
September 17, 2005
Google billionaires
Only in America? Under 35; living in America only a few years, they made it on their own. The multi—billionaires Sergey Brin and Larry Page created something of enormous value to others. Ethel C. Fenig 10 24 04 Thomas Lifson adds: Not... More
September 17, 2005
Not free to speak
The Des Moines Register this morning covers a widespread phenomenon as it exists in Iowa: the fear of speaking out honestly about their political views which grips many conservative students. The article is "balanced" in the sense of noting that... More
September 17, 2005
Karl Rove: America's Mullah
So reads the headline on an op—ed by film historian/leftwing press critic Neil Gabler in today's Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, Tom Friedman, writing in The New York Times, likens the Israeli far right to Hezbullah, as if they engaged in... More
September 17, 2005
Kerry strays over the border again
Dabiel Aronstein, of The Astute Blogger, notes that John Kerry strayed over another border, and this time isn't bragging about it. Accompanied by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson on a campaign swing, he found himself in Texas. The AP's Nedra... More
September 17, 2005
"Concern" for Arafat
The Jerusalem Post joins Debka in reporting that Yasser Arafat may be sriously ill. Tunisian doctors have been given permission by Israel to enter Arafat's terrotry and treat him for the "flu" which is said to ail him. Let's see:... More
September 17, 2005
Don't bother
Mona Charen, one of the most sensible of commentators, echoes thoughts I expressed earlier this year, about voting. The welfare of the Republic is not enhanced by people voting, if they have not bothered to inform themselves, or if their... More
September 17, 2005
O'Donnell's breakdown
The blogs are abuzz with comment on Lawrence O'Donnell's on—air breakdown last night on MSNBC. Michelle Malkin does agreat job, and no doubt will continue to update. see also Polipundit. But best of all, see it for yourself, courtesy of the... More
September 17, 2005
Insanity spreads overseas
Conceding the likelihood of a Bush win despite their ill—conceived and counter—productive drive to get Euroweenies to change the minds of heartland voters, the Guardian hopes he'll be assassinated: On November 2, the entire civilised world will be praying, praying Bush... More
September 17, 2005
Ilegal alien terrorist suspect registered to vote
We learned, via Powerline and Digital Brown Pajamas, that Nuradin Abdi, a native of Somalia charged with plotting to blow up a Columbus, OH mall, has been registered to vote. Local election officials had no way of catching this fact,... More
September 17, 2005
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