American Thinker Blog
December 30, 2005
DoJ investigation of leaks
Macsmind is doing its usual superb job covering the news of the Department of Justice investigation into the leaking of information on the NSA surveillance system to the New York Times (which Mac called a day ahead of time), and... More
December 30, 2005
The limits of control
Beijing is running into some resistance from its press over censorship. About 100 reporters of the Beijing News walked out after this week's sacking of the daily's top editor, the latest victim of China's strict press controls, industry sources said... More
December 30, 2005
Protecting the Koran from scrutiny
Harvard and Georgetown offer courses and do research using the historical critical method on both the Old Testament and the New. Hundreds of other American and European universities and theological seminaries do the same. Harvard and Georgetown do not use... More
December 30, 2005
Crypto-conservatism redux
Bookworm's essay here on being a crypto—conservative has drawn a response from Neo—neocon. Be sure to read the comments, in which Bookworm offers her rejoinder.... More
December 30, 2005
World War ll and Cold War finished
In still yet another sign that World War ll and the Cold War have ended, thanks to American strength, determination and resoluteness: The U.S. Air Force on Friday handed over the keys to Rhein—Main Air Base to the operator of... More
December 29, 2005
Another victim of the honey trap
It's the oldest trick in the spy book, and it persists and flourishes because it works so often. Lure a diplomat (or military officer, or business competitor) into a compromising sexual relationship, and then threaten exposure unless valueable secrets are... More
December 29, 2005
Munich and the "Iraq Analogy"
ABC's Nightline segment last night (12/29/05) promoting Spielberg's Munich was carefully edited to include the use of film clips and location clips, which confirms that this segment was negotiated and orchestrated by Spielberg's publicity machine, from start to finish. Cynthia... More
December 29, 2005
Jizya may be returning to the West Bank
Chiesa, an Italian website, reports that the jizya — a special tax on non—Muslims — is threatening a return in the areas of the West Bank where Hamas has won control. Anyone who doubts that jihad is still the animating... More
December 29, 2005
Tough times for lefty blogger?
Mediacrity cries crocodile tears over far left—wing blogger Jim Romanesko, probably the highest—salaried blogger anywhere, though we don't know how much David Brock pulls down from George Soros moneybags funding Media Matters. Romanesko works for the Poynter Institute in Florida,... More
December 29, 2005
Communism
I know, I know... I'm not supposed to use that word. Everyone knows Communism is dead. The New York Times told us so. Sao Paolo Forum: the backbone of communism & terrorism spread in Latin America | www.vcrisis.com FSO: Global... More
December 29, 2005
Calling the hoaxers to account
Apparently, I'm not the only reader who thinks the explanations of the professors who spread the fake story of Homeland Security investigating a student for checking out Mao's "masterpiece" doesn't pass the laugh test. The head of policy studies at... More
December 29, 2005
More Russia-Iran nuclear disinformation
Let's face it, the only thing Russia is doing to control Iran's nuclear ambitions is to have a slick PR campaign that spouts disinformation about the entire sordid affair in the hope that no one notices its support of the... More
December 29, 2005
Islam as a political ideology vs Islam as a religion
Srdja Trifkovic makes a case for viewing Islam, or at least some forms of Islam advocating violent jihad, as a political ideology, not strictly a religious practice deserving conbstitutional protection and deference: We don't need any legislation to protect CAIR's... More
December 29, 2005
Iraq election aftermath
There is a summary of the current state of play in the Iraq elections results at Iraq the Model. Greg Richards 12 29 05... More
December 29, 2005
Malaysia claims Egypt's pyramid for Muslims?
This event, sanctioned by the Malaysian government, sounds like an attempt to appropriate history thousands of years prior to the establishment of Islam: A team of 35 Malaysians will try to drape Egypt's great pyramid at Giza with the flags of... More
December 28, 2005
Another German kidnapped by Arab terrorists
Freeing a convicted terrorist has bought Germany nothing. Davidsmedienkritik reports that a German official has been kidnapped in Yemen: A former German government minister, his wife and three children were kidnapped in Yemen on Wednesday, local officials said, and one... More
December 28, 2005
Spielberg's anguish
Rick Richman of Jewish Current Issues notes Steven Spielberg's reaction to critics of Munich, starting with a quotation from Spielberg's now—famous telephone call to Roger Ebert: [boldface in the original] 'Some of my critics are asking how Spielberg, this Hollywood... More
December 28, 2005
Simplistic thinking and environmentalists
Michael Crichton has written a must—read essay (really, an illustrated lecture mdae available to readers of his website). It begins with a focus on the way in which the exaggerations of the damage of Chernobyl have actually done more damage... More
December 28, 2005
Outrage at outrage
Omygosh! All the criticism directed at the New York Times must be having some effect! Look what they published ... in their op ed column: a defense of Bush spying coupled with strong, well reasoned criticism of the outraged Bush... More
December 28, 2005
Some truths about Katrina
In the midst of chaotic news events facts and truth, out of necessity, are distorted or unknown. Myths and lies take over, become established as facts, muddying the truth to the extent it is almost impossible for reality to emerge... More
December 28, 2005
Media amnesia
While the media yelps about Bush bypassing FISA and implies compliance with it is easy and provides no barrier to needed intelligence on terrorist activities, it conveniently ignores its own reportage which earlier indicated that the FISA court contributed ot... More
December 28, 2005
The Stakes in the Patriot Act filibuster
The Senate Democrats crossed a line when they filibustered renewal of the USA Patriot Act. Their unseriousness on national security will continue to brand them as a party not to be trusted with power in times of national peril. The... More
December 28, 2005
Iran says Muslim nations should unite
Confirming this article posted by The American Thinker back in August, Iran's Majlis (Parliament) has stated their goal of a unified Islamic world. 'We strongly support unity among Islamic nations', the Majlis Speaker said, adding that such unity was critical... More
December 27, 2005
Prove me right and the world wrong!
Once again Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shows the world that he belongs in the same court as the "Mad Mullahs." Iran Focus reports why: Iran's hard—line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who recently called for the destruction of Israel and termed the Holocaust... More
December 27, 2005
A big old can of whup-ass
Bill Roggio has just posted his own version of the truth —— relating to the WaPo piece by Finer & Struck. It's a big old can of whup—ass. Sally Vee 12 27 05 ... More
December 27, 2005
They hate because they are taught to
Richard Baehr today explores the reasons why the Left Hates Israel. They turn out to be similar to the reasons why the Left Hates the US, why the feminist Left Hates Conservative Men, why the Black Left Hates Conservative... More
December 27, 2005
Coffee shortage in Caracas
A.M. Mora y Leon is back from Venezuela, and writing about the shortages which are developing in Hugo Chavez's socialist paradise. Despite abundant petrodollar wealth, the price controls and other statist interventions are producing shortages in a time of wealth.... More
December 27, 2005
An Icon of Evil
Che Guevara remains a celebrated figure in our culture, despite his bloodthirsty history and track record of failure. A recent Argentine movie, The Motorcycle Diaries, romantically celebrated his youth. Now, a photo exhibit at the International Center for Photography in... More
December 27, 2005
Everybody wants a screen credit
Reuters reports that the mastermind of the 1972 Munich Olympic Massacre wanted a job as a consultant on Steven Spielberg's new movie: The Palestinian mastermind of the Munich Olympics attack in which 11 Israeli athletes died, said on Tuesday he... More
December 27, 2005
English Cardinal politicized Xmas sermon to attack Israel
According to the Times of London, "THE Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy—O'Connor, used his Christmas sermon to attack the way that Bethlehem has been treated. ...He described it as a town "corralled" and "blocked in" by checkpoints, with the... More
December 27, 2005
More on the 2000 election
Michael Moore helped defeat Gore by deriding the Democratic Party. A few years ago, I was reading a review of Fahrenheit 911 in a Connecticutt free newspaper I got at a tourist rest stop. The liberal author clearly stated, with... More
December 27, 2005
The T-word
The New York Post uses the T—word ("Treason") in the headline (The Gray Lady Toys with Treason")of its lead editorial today, discussing the New York Times' publication of classified information likely to aid and comfort the enemy in Iraq: Has... More
December 27, 2005
More on the "engineering crisis"
As I noted here last week, a new study from Duke University suggests the so—called engineering gap between America and its Asian rivals China and India is a myth. Now BusinessWeek has uncovered some possible reasons behind this "propaganda" and... More
December 26, 2005
Frist calls for allied trade sanctions against Iran
Senator Bill Frist just called for international trade sanctions against Iran, with the exception of medicine and food. In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, Frist, who is expected to run for the GOP presidential nomination, writes: "IRAN'S... More
December 26, 2005
Iraqis warming to Israel?
Apparently, some are. More concerned with the threat from Iran, some Sunnis, at least, are privately talking about warming uip to Israel. Israpundit quotes a Knight—Ridder dispatch: Since results from Iraq's national assembly election trickled out this week showing that... More
December 26, 2005
Hypocrisy on the left (a continuing series)
Remember the grotestque mutliated Santa displayed in Manhattan, allegedly to protest the commercialization of Christmas? The high—minded lefty who put it on display now seeks to cash—in. Sweetness & Light captures the hypocrisy. Scroll down for another abused Santa Claus.... More
December 26, 2005
Spying in other democracies
Balancing national security for all with civil liberties for individuals is a tricky high wire act that all decent democratic countries try to maneuver. Democrats predictably criticize Bush and Company as crypto fascists, while gleefully wallowing in the National Security Agency's... More
December 26, 2005
Grim moonbats dine in the rain
The San Francisco Chronicle gives prominent photographic treatment to a group of 9 moonbats dining in the rain outside Senator Dianne Feinstein's home in Pacific Heights. According to the Chron, The meal of turkey and trimmings was organized to urge... More
December 26, 2005
France opens inquiry into complicity in Rawanda genocide
France is beginning to face its own role in allowing the genocide slaughter in Rwanda. The UK Times reports: ...a judge opened a formal inquiry into allegations that the French Army conspired in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The move, which... More
December 26, 2005
The Injustice Theory of terrorism
The New York Times today does itself credit by publishing a critique by Edward Rothestein of Steven Spielberg's film Munich, far less favorable than the Times' own review. Rothstein tellingly focuses on the underlying moral framework of moral equivalence, a... More
December 26, 2005
Hannukah in Venezuela
Alex Beech covers the dismaying descent of Venezuela under Hugo Chavez into the vortex of Jew—hatred so characteristic of brutal dictatorships in the Western World. Once again, the adage that Jews are aree like to coal miner's canary — the... More
December 25, 2005
MoveOn.org, a grass roots organization?
Sweetness & Light catches Ron Fournier of the Asscociated Press calling MoveOn.org, the Soros—funded outfit, a "grass roots" political group. Right. I remember when the AP took pride in its even—handedness. Thomas Lifson 12 25 05... More
December 25, 2005
CBS and NYT conflict of interest policy violations
Dinocrat.com reprints the Viacom and New York Times Company ethics policies, and demonstrates how both have violated their own policies by non—disclosure of conflicts of interest in major stories. It seems to us pretty clear that these non—disclosure are not... More
December 25, 2005
Secret Hold on Iran
There's no clue yet as to who induced the Dems to put the kibbosh on the portions of the Senate resolution supporting democracy in Iran. A Senate resolution condemning the president of Iran for anti—Semitic comments he made earlier this... More
December 25, 2005
Kidnapped "peace workers" blame Bush
There's an update on the purportedly kidnapped "peace workers" long after the deadline set by their captors has passed: (IsraelNN.com) Some of the members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams kidnapped in Iraq were previously stationed in Hevron, where members of the... More
December 25, 2005
No ecumenical spirit in Bethlehem on Christmas
As noted here a few days ago, for the past several years Muslim Arabs have terrorized Christian Arabs in Bethlehem to such an extent that most of the Christians have fled to save their lives. As a result, Bethlehem's once... More
December 25, 2005
GOP and the suburbs
Representative Mark Kirk, of suburban Chicago, is worried by the trend of inner suburbs ("inurbs") trending Democrat,m while the fast—growing exurbs are strongly GOP. Fred Barnes writes in the Weekly Standard about Kirk's plan to focus on issues which appeal... More
December 24, 2005
More on the hoax Kennedy repeated
From today's Boston Globe: ''I feel as if I was lied to, and I have no idea why," said Williams, an associate professor of Islamic history. He said the possibility the government was scrutinizing books borrowed by his students ''disturbed... More
December 24, 2005
leaks are good for Bush
Classified information in Washington is more or less currency, to be used by politicians. This phenomenon of selectively revealing secrets is of course is not limited to Washington. Anywhere people congregate and vie for power there will always be the... More
December 24, 2005
Rolls-Royce Socialism at the Bolshie Beeb.
Never let it be said that the BBC's concern for the poor and oppressed stops at home. No. Especially not at the Bolshie Beeb itself, which has doubled the number of executives paid over 100,000 pounds per year over the... More
December 24, 2005
Rethinking emigration to the United States
A fascinating editorial appeared in a Guayanan newspaper yesterday. It was entitled "Work ethic" and began as follows: "Some of those who have emigrated to what they thought were greener pastures, have been shocked to discover that in order merely... More
December 24, 2005
Fake but accurate. Again
Senator Ted Kennedy looks ridiculous today, in the wake of his foolish reliance on a bogus story of "repression" under the Bush administration's anti—terror efforts. As we noted last Thursday, the Senator took to the pages of the Boston Globe... More
December 23, 2005
Another suicidal national security leak
Media outlets are now racing each other to expose vital national security secrets to mass—murdering terrorists. US News & World Report just gave our enemies another tip: Don't store your dirty bomb materials in a mosque. The US has been... More
December 23, 2005
O Little Town of Muslim Bethlehem
According to Christian tradition Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small town just outside of Jerusalem that is now under Muslim Arab control. Until recently its population was up to 80% Christian Arab. But in the past few years, through numerous... More
December 23, 2005
Liberal Democrat expels the homeless
Govindini Murty of the Liberty Film Festival writes us: The Dome Village, a center for the homeless here in LA, is being forced out of its current location because the landlord, a Democrat, discovered that Ted Hayes, the leader of... More
December 23, 2005
A Stringer?
In a press release from the Multi—National Force Iraq dated December 23, we learn that two terrorists were captured recently by coalition forces during raids on suspected safe houses near Mosul. One of them, Muhammad 'Amir Husayn Mar'I al—Sufi, known... More
December 23, 2005
E.U. arrest warrant at work against terrorists
Well... not exactly. An Italian judge in Milan has issued an E.U. arrest warrant for twenty—two purported/alleged CIA operatives for having in 2003 kidnapped an Egyptian cleric and — hold onto your hats — sending him back to Egypt. And... More
December 23, 2005
NYT reviews Munich
The New York Times plays its scripted role well today, in lavishing praise on Steven Spielberg's movie Munich in its film review. It is all about "vengeance." The old "cycle of violence" theme, equating Israel's defense of its survival with... More
December 23, 2005
Deja-vu, all over again
We are tempted to seek comfort in the words of Yogi Berra in confronting the Boston Globe's reiteration of the apparent New York Times Company party line first published in the flagship rag to the south: the Iranian President's threat... More
December 23, 2005
Pod pinches Punch progeny Pinch
John Podhoretz writes a terrific column today making merry at the expense of the New York Times, using the Times' own Season of Sharing with the Neediest campaign as a weapon as a weapon. Pinch Sulzberger comes in for considrrably... More
December 23, 2005
The NSA leak investigation
Michael Ledeen forwards an interesting idea about the leaks. It has the virtue of speed and maximimum deterrence for such leaks: A smart friend writes in to support the call by Mark Levin and me for an investigation of the... More
December 23, 2005
The Big Lie
Why does Tom Daschle have to follow up Ted Kennedy with another Big Lie? Again, repeat after me, Presidents Clinton and Carter approved these sorts of investigations; Clinton's Assistant Attorney General wrote an op—ed in the Chicago Tribune showing their... More
December 23, 2005
Weblogistan
Ben MacIntyre has an outstanding column in the UK Times Online edition, on the astonishing growth of the free Iranian blogosphere. Persian—language blogs now number more than 100,000, neck and neck with French—language blogs as the second biggest language on... More
December 23, 2005
Christmas is a waste of paper?
Ah, what would we do this XXXX Season without the jolly elves of PC? Among the usual collection of religiophobic paranoid stories comes this gem from Merry Old XXX—land, soon to be known only as the Western Provinces of the... More
December 22, 2005
Is Andrea Mitchell losing her touch?
Propelling the Plame story to critical mass was a leak to Andrea Mitchell that the CIA had referred the matter to the Department of Justice for investigation. Was she asleep, out of the loop, or uninterested when several Democratic Senators... More
December 22, 2005
Why American Muslims stay silent.
Stephen Schwartz today has a very interesting take on why US Muslims stay silent on the War on Islamic Terrorism. He argues that in the United States, the Saudi radical interpretation of Islam, Wahhabism, is so powerful and pervasive that... More
December 22, 2005
Dear Harry and Nancy
When the Plame warriors were in full tilt, the Democratic Party and the media demanded the cooperation of the Administration, and the President fully complied, ordering his appointees to cooperate completely and to sign waivers of the confidentiality pledges they'd... More
December 22, 2005
Larry David's Festivus Miracle
Faithful readers know that I consider Larry David a comic genius, regrettably in thrall to his wife Laurie's dogmatic enviro—leftism. Mrs. David is an activist, and has been a fundraiser for the hypocritical Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Mrs. David herself... More
December 22, 2005
Demography is destiny (a continuing series)
The AP reports: Southern and Western states are growing so much faster than the rest of the country that several are expected to grab House seats from the Northeast and Midwest when Congress is reapportioned in 2010. Demographers and political... More
December 22, 2005
Bill Clinton's Guantanamo problem
You never heard about it? That's not surprising, because Clinton got it taken off the record, eliminating a legal decision from the books. The victims weren't illegal combatants, but poor, black Haitians. Slate reports: Guantanamo under Clinton produced its own... More
December 22, 2005
The news the NYT won't report
Political correctness or apathy regarding the fate of Jews facing another Holocaust or something prevents the New York Times from reporting on Iranian Shiite genocidal extremism. Yet they have not shown similar sensisitivity regarding Christians and Jews, whose doctrines are routinely... More
December 22, 2005
Union out of touch
The New York Transit Workers Union (TWU) seems to think it is fighting a revolution oin behalf of the working man, and that the oppressed masses will support them. They may be slowly discovering that they are seriously deluded. Ryan... More
December 22, 2005
Ted Kennedy attacks Bush
Ted Kennedy alleges in a Boston Globe op—ed that Bush is not listening to the Constitution with regard to the NSA surveillance. These sorts of wiretaps were signed into law by Jimmy Carter, President Clinton's Assistant Attorney General wrote an... More
December 22, 2005
Kofi Annan lashes out
Does the UN Secretary—General lash out at brutal dictator Saddam Hussein? Or the ongoing genocide in Dafur? How about the UN's own peacekeepers in Africa who have bought child prostitutes with food? No. He reserves his wrath for a free... More
December 22, 2005
Round up the obvious suspects
Liberal fantasies of Karl Rove being frog—marched in handcuffs for leaking classified information may turn into a nightmare of prominent liberals being prosecuted for damaging the fight against al Qaeda via leaks of classified data. There are no names on the public... More
December 21, 2005
Anti-war dissidents
Matt May recounts General U. S. Grant's response to a confederate sympathizer in St. Louis in 1861, after the man said "Where I come from if a man dares to say a word in favor of the Union we hang... More
December 21, 2005
Whipping up blood lust in Iran
MEMRI translates the chilling propaganda being fed to Iranians over television, repeating the familiar blood libel against the Jews of Europe. If one were planning to wipe out Israel with a nuclear weapon, this would be the sort of thing... More
December 21, 2005
"Read an American newspaper"
Sweetness & Light, which often delights and surprises with its extraordinary research, has dug up an interesting slogan showing that history sometimes does repeat itself. During World War I, the advertising slogan of the arch—rival of the New York Times,... More
December 21, 2005
Assimilation
Ralph Diamond writes us from Annapolis, MD about assimilation in Australia — and here, too, we suppose. His parents, Eddy and Samira, who have lived in Australia since 1972, said their five children would be allowed to go to the... More
December 21, 2005
Jihad is a "Muslim obligation"
We have published numerous articles by a number of authors on the foundational nature of Jihad in Islam. The claim that violent war on unbelievers, as currently waged by al Qaeda and other Islamofascists, is somehow aberrent is not justified by... More
December 21, 2005
Mexico: "Su casa es mi casa"
"Your house is my house," Mexico is telling the US. In a story in the left—wing UK Guardian, "The Mexican government, angered by a U.S. proposal to extend a wall along the border to keep out migrants, pledged Tuesday to... More
December 21, 2005
The other Times doesn't minimize Iran's threat
Unlike the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times has discovered cause for alarm in Iran's threat to Israel. A nation led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad needs to be kept as far from nuclear weapons as possible.... The Iranian leader has... More
December 21, 2005
Islamists using nerve gas?
A sudden unexplained mass illness in a region beset by Islamicist terror is worth noting. The Scotsman brings us this worrysome news: AT LEAST 45 people, most of them children, have been hospitalised in the Russian region of Chechnya with... More
December 21, 2005
NYT: What me worry?
Much of the civilized world has condemned Iran for expressing its intention to destroy Israel. Charles Krauthammer of the and others have pointed out that the Iranian leader is a believer in a coming apocalypse, and that Shiite Islam has its... More
December 21, 2005
China opens court for temporary foreign scrutiny
In an interesting move, a local court in Shanghai will grant journalists from The New York Times unrestricted access for four days later this month to study China's legal procedures. On December 21, The Korea Herald reported: They will be... More
December 20, 2005
Neocon as anti-Semitic code
I earlier wrote that many attacks on the neocons are thinly veiled anti—Semitic slanders. NRO's Jay Nordlinger finds an example from the U.K.: I also found this in The Spectator, in a review of a book called Santa: A Life.... More
December 20, 2005
By a thread
Joseph J. Rochefort is a name famous in intelligence circles but not as well—known to the general public as he should be. Rochefort headed the cryptanalysis section of the Pacific Fleet — Station Hypo — in the early days of... More
December 20, 2005
The real meaning of Hanukah
A theme that courses through all of Jewish history is the theme of liberation. The story of the Israelites escape from Egyptian slavery and its return to its homeland under the leadership of Moses resonates with many oppressed minorities. That... More
December 20, 2005
The Klocek case and DePaul University
I am not thrilled with the Chicago Tribune article (registration required) today on the Thomas Klocek case, an article in which I am quoted. I suspect, as do others involved in his case, that DePaul's administration and prominent board members played a... More
December 20, 2005
No blood on their hands?
The Washington Times reveals today that the Coalition effort to push the peace process with Iraq's so—called Sunni nationalists has also included a prisoner release deal. Yesterday, the US freed eight high—value detainees from Saddam's former regime. Publicly, the Coalition... More
December 20, 2005
Whose Side Is The Times On?
New York State's Taylor Law prohibits strikes by public employees and imposes extremely severe penalties on those who break it — for very sound reasons. The Transit Workers Union strike illegally called at 3 o'clock this morning provides a case... More
December 20, 2005
Germany releases Hezbollah
Despite some encouraging signs, the situation in Germany is troubling in other regards. Reuters reports Germany has secretly released a Hezbollah member serving a life sentence in prison for killing a U.S. Navy diver. He was returned to Lebanon despite... More
December 20, 2005
The "engineering gap"
The Christian Science Monitor takes on the liberal myth that too few American students are graduating from university with engineering degrees. Mr. Mark Clayton poses the question: If China graduates more than eight times the number of engineers that the... More
December 20, 2005
Carter crushed our civil liberies, and nobody noticed
Sweetness & Light has discovered that Jimmy Carter used the same spy powers as President Bush. Strangely enough, we don't recall any controversy over it.... More
December 20, 2005
Mother's Milk
To all of those of liberal ilk, The New York Times yields mother's milk A mammary fount where socialist sheep Can nurse their troubled minds to sleep Safely snuggled in Big Momma's hands, Dreaming of defeat in eastern lands; Or... More
December 20, 2005
"Without a court order..."
The indispensable New York Sun in its lead editorial yesterday had a powerful analysis about the gathering of intelligence: '...But contrary to what you may read in some other newspapers, that law [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978] does not... More
December 19, 2005
Manufacturing news
Shane Briscoe, of the Ayes Right blog has personal experience with reporters helping to manufacture the news. Turns out those were the good old days. Who knew at the time? His reflections on our current media are worth reading.... More
December 19, 2005
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
"American Brands Selling Well Overseas" The Economist presents the findings of an academic study by Peter Katzenstein of Cornell and Robert Keohane of Princeton, indicating that firms strongly identified with the United States are performing strongly in overseas markets, despite... More
December 19, 2005
Pinch Sulzberger where it hurts
Fedora, a diligent researcher at Free Republic, documents the New York Times history of revealing state military secrets. In his press conference today, the President indicated he believed an investigation has been launched into the latest, most serious of these leaks——the... More
December 19, 2005
More Balkan – Middle East terror connections
The Clinton Administration's two—faced policies justifying US intervention in the Balkans is the gift that keeps on giving — for Islamic terrorists, that is. The US Army News Service reports that US forces in Kosovo captured escaped fugitive Ramadan Shiti... More
December 19, 2005
Germany's Angela Merkel plans to visit Israel
Newly elected Chancellor Angela Merkel is planning to visit Israel next month "on a trip meant in part to signal solidarity following recent anti—Israel remarks by the president of Iran, the German government said Sunday." It is a good sign.... More
December 19, 2005
Off the deep end
Washington Post television critic Tom Shales goes off the deep end today, reviewing the President's Oval Office address last night. Shales allows his hatred of the President to color his interpretation, even to the point of saying that under Bush's Patriot Act... More
December 19, 2005
The mistake of the Reform Judaism Movement
Rabbi Marc Gellman, a prominent Reform rabbi, adds his voice to those who are decrying the left wing politicization of the Reform Judaism movement, specifically the recent call to oppose the War in Iraq. The movement of which I am... More
December 19, 2005
Muslim attitudes toward US improving
Opinionjournal.com reports that a recent opinion poll in Pakistan reveals a startling improvement in attitudes toward the United States in this key battleground Muslim nation: Long a stronghold for Islamic extremists and the world's second—most populous Muslim nation, Pakistanis now... More
December 19, 2005
NYT intelligence leak
Tom Maguire thinks the NSA surveillance leak was supposed to be an October surprise and that Richard Clarke and Rand Beers are likely suspects: ...following the possibility that the story was politically motivated, let's ask about sources, described here as:... More
December 19, 2005
What's wrong with this picture?
Last week, it was announced that Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal contributed $20 million each to Harvard and Georgetown to endow programs in Islamic Studies. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Rumsfeld v FAIR, the... More
December 19, 2005
Chinese local officials defend Dongzhou Village massacre
After firing on a crowd of peaceful demonstrators, unsuccessfully covering it up, then admitting but minimizing the slaughter, and repressing local witnesses, officials in China are now justifying the Dongzhou Village massacre. The subscription—only South China Morning Post reports that... More
December 18, 2005
This week in Iraq
Read about Iraq embracing democracy, how 324 schools in Iraq will be refurbished or rebuilt, men from 1st Battalion, 5th Marines readying the Iraqi police in Ramadi, view a map depicting all coalition operations leading up to Iraq's elections, read... More
December 18, 2005
Time to Investigate the Times
Clandestine secret spying against our enemies by agencies of the Executive Branch is hardly new. One of the most famous examples, of course, is the U—2 spy plane program authorized by President Eisenhower in the 50s. As Eisenhower explained at... More
December 18, 2005
House Dems vote in support of Hamas
The historic and blind allegiance of many Jews in America to the Democratic Party continues to baffle many of us. On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to support Israel by passing a Resolution urging that the Palestinians deny Hamas... More
December 18, 2005
CENTCOM Reports 18 December 2005
The CENTCOM Newsletter for the week of 12 December 2005 can be found here. Among the stories covered this week: Iraq — This is an exciting period in the history of Iraq. With the end of more than three decades... More
December 18, 2005
The New York Times Intelligence Scandal
The New York Times and the Democrat Left (the overlap is considerable) have gone into water that may be deeper than they suspect, with the printing of a year—old story based on intelligence leaks, on the very day the Senate... More
December 18, 2005
Al Qaeda split?
If you want a better understanding of Al Qaeda strategy, read Thomas Donnelly's thought—provoking analysis of the letter from Bin Laden's sidekick Zawahiri to the murderous Zarqawi, who heads "Al Qaeda in Iraq." The letter, dated July 9, was intercepted... More
December 18, 2005
The left reconsiders Iraq?
The king of the lefty bloggers, Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos, has an interesting take on the Iraqi elections. While getting in the obligatory shots at the President for his mishandling of everything, and while unconvinced that things are now going... More
December 18, 2005
Sanitizing Hamas
The New York Times, alone among major news outlets, does not mention the minor fact that Hamas is a terror organization, one using bombs against innocent civilians, in reporting the victory of Hamas in West Bank local elections. Mediacrity is... More
December 17, 2005
Go tell it on the mountain
I never watch the notoriously sibilatious Chris Matthews, finding him generally both poorly informed and overly histrionic. But a responsible website reports amazing news about him. The full quote, from Chris Matthews: "If he [Bush] gambled on creating a democracy in the Arab... More
December 17, 2005
RFK, Jr. Tilts at Windmills
The Boston Herald picks up today where AT took its readers yesterday, savoring the hypocrisy Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., prominent advocate of wind power except when it spoils the view from property owned by his family and enjoyed by him. Environmental... More
December 17, 2005
China Covers Up the Dongzhou Massacre
The Chinese government is doing everything possible to prevent the outside world from learning of the massacre of protestors in the village of Dongzhou, in the Pearl River Delta just north of Hong Kong. Howard Stevenson reports for the New... More
December 17, 2005
Fanatics with nukes
The debate over what to do about Iran's pending acquisition of nuclear weapons is one of the most important issues of the moment. On the one hand, James Lewis has argued that inasnity among leaders of great nations is not... More
December 16, 2005
Contradiction
By voting against extension of the Patriot Act — from which no violation of civil liberties was ever documented — while at the same time working tooth and nail to block the Barrett report — which certainly does document the Clintons'... More
December 16, 2005
The Free Europe Institute
It is much too soon to write—off Europe as Eurabia, however much we are frustrated by the appeasement of of certain European elites. The Free Europe Institute (FEI) is fighting the good fight. The Institute is the brainchild of, among others, Yves Roucaute,... More
December 16, 2005
Whitewashing the Clinton presidency
Hillary Clinton joins Brent Scowcroft in mischaracterizing the 1990s as a decade of "peace and prosperity" — ignoring the terror attacks on America in Somalia, the USS Cole and the first attempt to destroy the World Trade Center. In Hillary's... More
December 16, 2005
Sharpton shills for loan sharks that Democrats condemn
Democrats (and some Republicans) condemn pay—day loan outfits and other lenders that charge exorbitant interest rates to those who can least afford them (the poor, especially minorities). Now it appears that erstwhile defender of the little guy and ex—Democratic Presidential... More
December 16, 2005
The most hypocritical Kennedy of all?
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. burnishes his reputation for hypocrisy today in the New York Times. The man who on television derided soccer moms for driving SUVs full of kids and equipment to soccer practice (let them eat mass transit?) before... More
December 16, 2005
Thinking outside the box: African B-schools
Guy Pfeffermann, writing in Business Week, urges charitable donations to business schools in Africa. It actually makes a lot of sense: Sadly, most of Africa's health organizations and local NGOs —— many of which receive millions in aid —— suffer... More
December 16, 2005
LA Times cheers Phillip Morris verdict
Stung by a major circulation decline following boycotts over its coverage of Israel and the Gray Davis recall, the Los Angeles Times is moving away from its ultra—liberalism, and enduring the loss of Barbra Streisands subscription. Philip Morris' victory in... More
December 16, 2005
War on Wal-Mart's shaky foundations
A union—led war on Wal—Mart is underway. The company which has brought low prices and improved the lives of low income Americans is derided by supposed guardians of the common man and woman. The company which has revolutionized the distribution... More
December 16, 2005
The Saudi Dialogue with the "Other"
An Arab News article reports the conclusion of a Daudi Arabian forum to produce a "unified national vision related to how citizens should approach bridging the cultural gaps with outsiders." Highlights of the forum "Us and Others" follow: Dealing ethically... More
December 16, 2005
Iraq's WMD moved to Syria
Further evidence that Saddam's WMD were moved to Syria just before the US invasion has come from a well—connected Isareli source. The New York Sun reports: Israeli officer, Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon, asserted that Saddam spirited his chemical weapons out... More
December 16, 2005
Dem sugar daddy's union-busting
Billionaire California businessman Ron Burkle (Ralph's supermarket chain) has long funded everyone from the Clintons to Jesse Jackson (he provided the funds for him to settle with his mistress) and the CalPERS (California Public Employees'Pension Funds) is heavily invested in... More
December 15, 2005
China's exports in perspective
In the past few days many stories in the mainstream media have noted a new study released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that shows China has surpassed the U.S. as the world's top exporter of high—tech communications... More
December 15, 2005
More guns, less crime
Now that Florida has a concealed weapon law, there is further proof of the adage "More guns, less crime." Angellow Ortiz, 37, was walking to his car Tuesday afternoon at the Marriott Fairfield Inn on Vineland Road near Universal. Suddenly, two... More
December 15, 2005
Cut and Run: a Nightmare Stillborn Today
Pelosi, Kennedy, Kerry and Dean, That's a quartet to set the scene For American troops to cut and run Before peace in Iraq has barely begun. Show them democracy Then snatch it away Who cares how many Iraqis Will... More
December 15, 2005
Sydney Riots
The last time I visited a beach in Sydney, Australia was a decade and a half ago, so I am not exactly up to speed with the recent riots there. My immediate reaction was that the press accounts were unduly eager to... More
December 15, 2005
Testimony from Able Danger officials
An important step is being taken that will hasten the a long—overdue accounting for the real history the much—ballyhooed 9/11 Commission Report overlooked. The Hill reports: Rep. Curt Weldon's (R—Pa.) months—long crusade is starting to pay off. The Pentagon, after... More
December 15, 2005
Finding democracy in the Islamic tradition
Reza Aslan, writing in the Los Angeles Times, strives to find a democratic tradition in Islam. The purpose is a noble one: to refute those who denounce the elections in Iraq as "satanic." Because Muhammad did not officially choose a... More
December 15, 2005
Friendly fire hits Hillary
Richard Cohen, liberal Washington Post columnist attacks Hillary. She is becoming "reactionary" as seen from the fever swamp Cohen inhabits. Why is he surprised? The Clintons always react to poll numbers in their political strategies.Ed Lasky 12 15 05... More
December 15, 2005
Katrina not a racist
Whoops! Another hysterical Hurricane Katrina myth has been busted. As most eloquently expressed by Kanye West, a black rapper, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." While undoubtedly a great fund—raising line for the hurricane relief telethon, alas for him... More
December 14, 2005
Congressional Omerta Update
The penultimate paragraph of the original "Congressional Omerta" article in AT made this prognostication concerning the Barrett Report: The American public will hear of the published—but—restricted contents of Section V via anonymous leak and innuendo, and the redacted portions will be... More
December 14, 2005
Environmental reportage: eyeing the sparrow
I'm always amazed at the selective reportage of environmental issues. Yesterday, the AP reported: An Associated Press analysis of a little—known government research project shows that black Americans are 79 percent more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods where... More
December 14, 2005
Louis Farrakhan, friend of Reform Jews?
The Union for Reform Judaism and its President Eric Yoffie yesterday faxed the White House with demands for and instructions on how to end the war in Iraq. Yoffie and his Reform movement counterpart Rabbi David Saperstein, are proving each... More
December 14, 2005
Churchill on defeatists
We received a letter from an erudite reader we are proud to number among our audience. With his permission, we are publishing it, with the proviso that his views are his alone and do not reflect the views of the... More
December 14, 2005
A Radical Proposal for Dems
A radical proposal for Democrats making some headway: Dems should oppose Roe vs. Wade. The Economist magazine runs some numbers, ponders the complexity of American politics and comes up with a "heretical" proposal that might bolster Democrats: they should stop taking baby... More
December 14, 2005
The Religious Roots of the War on Terror
Paul Sperry, writing in Front Page Magazine, brings us encouraging news that Now for the first time, a key Pentagon intelligence agency involved in homeland security is delving into Islam's holy texts to answer whether Islam is being radicalized by... More
December 14, 2005
Some pablum for Ms. Streisand's breakfast table
The Los Angeles Times allows Jane Fonda's second ex—husband (the one just before Ted Turner) the space in which to make an utter fool of himself venting various platitudes somehow brought to mind by the departure of Tookie Williams. You've... More
December 14, 2005
AG opens himself for questions
United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales authors an op—ed for the Washington Post, supporting reauthorization of the Patriot Act. Remarkably, he opens himself up for questions from the people via the internet. Sounds like a man who thinks he has a very strong... More
December 14, 2005
Merry Christmas - and don't forget to hate America
Peter Glover, who covers the lamentable state of the BBC among many other concerns in the UK, discovers that the once—respected BBC is using a Christmas Day broadcast to a science fiction series to bash America: The Christmas Day episode... More
December 14, 2005
Global Warming - Chicago Cooling
Apparently the prophecy of global warming hasn't reached the ears of the weather gods in Chicago. It's been five years since Chicago's early season snowfall tally has been any higher at the city's Midway Airport observation site than the 15.8" currently... More
December 14, 2005
America, the Green Giant
Although the United States is the favorite punching pag of the greenies worldwide, reality is beginning to be recognized: that our market—driven system not only makes us wealthier than the envious Euro—Canadian carpers, we are actually doing better than they... More
December 13, 2005
Village slaughter "not like" Tienanmen massacre
Unsurprisingly, the Beijing government is denying any similarity between the slaughter of protesting villagers in Dongzhou Village and the slaughter of protestors in Tienanmen Square. The subscription—only South China Morning Post reports: In a regular briefing in Beijing yesterday, Foreign... More
December 13, 2005
Changing the regime in Iran
Arutz Sheva today reports on comments by former U.S. Justice Department prosecutor and intelligence expert John Loftus concerning options to deal with Iran. Loftus essentially summarizes three key points about dealing with the mullahs that have been discussed previously in... More
December 13, 2005
Obscene profits for obscene people
Marxists, socialists, anti Americans, the uninformed, the easily duped, the useful idiots and others in that vast herd of independent minds are quickly deployed to violently protest whenever a World Trade Organization meets to discuss erasing trade barriers and spreading... More
December 13, 2005
Amazon Rainforest Too Old
A study shows that the trees in the Amazon rainforest are much much older than we assumed and play a far smaller role than estimated in reducing global warming: Because their trees are old and slow—growing, the Amazon forests, which... More
December 13, 2005
Another ad in the NYT
We came across this full—page ad in the New York Times (click on Download PDF flier, at bottom of page). The ad was taken out by an anti—Bush group styling itself as "The World Can't Wait" coalition and calls for... More
December 13, 2005
The Rise and Fall of Schroeder and Chirac
Let's see: two "leaders of the EU" who were and are savagely anti—Bush and who have opposed American efforts to expand free trade and bring Democracy to the Middle East are now among the most discredited politicians in the world.... More
December 13, 2005
Two Media Guys: Fair and Balanced?
First Guy: I want to become a reporter To write the news of the day. I want to tell our stories In a fair and balanced way. I see an America strong and safe. I see Americans free. I... More
December 13, 2005
Countering the Religious Left
As Richard Baehr pointed out to AT readers here, the Union for Reform Judaism, the national organization for Reform Jewish synagogues, has chosen to enter the political fray on the left, opposing President Bush and the War in Iraq. Today, the... More
December 13, 2005
Clinton and Kyoto: Too Much Hot Air
Bill Clinton faults America for not abiding by Kyoto Accords. As he did with Iraq, he said one thing as President and did another as an anti—Bush, pro—Hillary partisan. If he supported Kyoto, why didn't he submit it for ratification in... More
December 13, 2005
The Legacy of Jihad reviewed at NRO
Andrew Bostom, our frequent contributor, is also the author of THE definitive English Language history of jihad, The Legacy of Jihad. Today, James Robbins of National Review Online offers another glowing review of a work that is an essential reference... More
December 13, 2005
The Jews did it!
The Boston Globe, owned by the New York Times, peddles a Jewish conspiracy theory in an op—ed by H.D. S. Greenway, and article so ill—informed it gets wrong the name of supposed arch—conspirator Richard Perle. But then again, conspiracy theorists are... More
December 13, 2005
Saudi justice update
OK, ok, we're sure there are some sweet and wonderful people in Saudi Arabia. It's just that we're worried about all the others. And we keep hearing about them: Item One "TWO teachers in Saudi Arabia who were sentenced to... More
December 12, 2005
Righteous Gentiles in America
Today, the Boston Globe ran a story about an American couple who, at great personal risks to themselves, went to Europe to help rescue Jews and others from the horror of the impending Holocaust. They are being honored in Israel as... More
December 12, 2005
Persecution of Rush Limbaugh suffers a blow
When the political history of this era is written by observers detached from current passions, there is no doubt that Rush Limbaugh will accorded a prominent place in explaining the rise of conservatism. He is without question the single most... More
December 12, 2005
Buying influence on campus
Saudis continue their buying of American universities. The very same same kleptocrat who blamed 9/11 on US support for Israel (made famous by Mayor Giuliani's contemptuous return of his $10,00,000 check) is now funding Islamic studies at Harvard and Georgetown.... More
December 12, 2005
More media merde made clear
Remember all that blather from France and elsewhere that the riots weren't organized and Muslim? More disinformation. The BBC reports: Police investigating suspected plans for attacks in France have arrested at least 20 people during raids in and around Paris.... More
December 12, 2005
Hollywood helps Bush
Spengler, the acerbic columnist for the Asia Times, has a worthy commentary up today on the spate of politically correct movies tanking at the box office. because he has a way with words, I recommend the entire column, despite his... More
December 12, 2005
Those other refugees from Muslim lands
Amidst all the crocodile tears shed for the so called Palestinian Arab refugees who supposedly were expelled upon the creation of Israel in 1948, little attention has been paid to those Jews who really were expelled or forced to flee... More
December 12, 2005
Replacing corks with screw tops?
Stephen Bainbridge, a man whose legal and political writing I admire (and whom I personally like a lot), and whose knowledge and judgment on wine is equally formidable, has come out foursquare in favor of wineries conveting to screwtop closures... More
December 12, 2005
More on a possible Israel move against Iran's nukes
We featured a discussion over the weekend of the possibility of an Israeli first strike against Iran's nuclear weapons production facilities. Such an attack would be difficult and risky. But if such an attack were to take place, it would... More
December 12, 2005
Christmas: Sing Alleluiah!
Christmastime. It's the most wonderful time of the year. Can you smell the chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Do you hear the jingle bells ring? Are you begging the weatherman to let in snow? On your Christmas wish list... More
December 12, 2005
Iraq election underway
Iraq the Model is providing coverage of the Iraq election taking place right now. The coverage features pictures. Check for updates throughout the day. Hat tip: John B. Dwyer... More
December 12, 2005
UN betrays Iraqis on eve of election
Benny Avni of the New York Sun has yet another scoop on yet another scandal at the United Nations, an organization whose leader Kofi Annan can only be construed as a political foe of President Bush. Iraqis will go to... More
December 12, 2005
The LAT slams France, endorses markets!
It looks like the Los Angeles Times really is turning over a new leaf, with all the recent staff changes. Good—bye, Robert Scheer, hello Jonah Goldberg. Today, it scathingly criticizes France for blocking further trade liberalization for agricultural products in... More
December 12, 2005
MSM hiding great news from Iraq
Our frequent contributor Noel Sheppard has noted at Newsbusters that ABC News and Time Magazine conducted a poll in Iraq which yielded startlingly positive news for the Bush adsministration's policies: 71 percent of the Iraqis saying their lives are "going... More
December 12, 2005
Bangladesh and Indonesia: Ripples from Iraq
There can be no doubt that we are making progress against Muslim extremism when you read something like this: "Moderate Muslim clerics in about half a million mosques across Bangladesh on Friday preached that suicide bombers are the enemy of... More
December 11, 2005
The people speak
Heartening box office returns this weekend. The Chronicles of Narnia (Part I of many, I trust) does excellent business, despite a major snowstorm in the East on Friday. Meanwhile, the moonbat leftist conspiracy theory—spouting, critically beloved Syriana tanks in its... More
December 11, 2005
French turn on their own government
According to a survey taken by French publication Le Journal du Dimanche Jacques Chirac must be envious of the comparatively stratospheric popularity of George W. Bush. AFP reports: Only 1 per cent of French people want President Jacques Chirac to stand... More
December 11, 2005
Officer who gave order to shoot taken into custody
According to the subscription—only South China Morning Post, The commanding officer who gave the order for police to open fire on demonstrators in a Guangdong village last week, killing at least three people, has been taken into custody, official media... More
December 11, 2005
The strategic vision of Condoleezza Rice.
In the most eloquent statement about the post 9/11 world we have read so far, Condoleezza Rice shows why she is the most consequential US Secretary of State since Henry Kissinger, and rapidly rising among the ranks of the luminaries who... More
December 11, 2005
Wal-Mart Opening Clinics
This will bring down the cost of healthcare in America. Are the liberals who attack Wal—Mart going to attack it for making medical care more affordable, particularly for lower—income people? Wal—Mart, by dint of its efficiency, has make many goods... More
December 11, 2005
The Religious Left
Dennis Praeger writes a superb column in the Los Angeles Times on the double standard for the religious left and the religious right: As far as the news media are concerned, there is no religious left, only the religious right... More
December 11, 2005
Giving in to the Jew-haters
The Jerusalem Post shares our disgust with the adoption of a supposedly neutral "Red Crystal" symbol for the Isareli counterpart of the Red Cross, when operating internationally. The point is to avoid inflicting extreme pain on the delciate sensibilities of Muslims which... More
December 11, 2005
Admit mistakes?
One of the most common demands of President Bush's critics on the war in Iraq is that he "admit mistakes" that he has made. Leave aside the question of the impact on Soldiers of a war leader going before all... More
December 11, 2005
Israel preparing strike on Iran?
The Times of London reports tenatatively yes: ISRAEL'S armed forces have been ordered by Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, to be ready by the end of March for possible strikes on secret uranium enrichment sites in Iran, military sources have... More
December 10, 2005
Slaughter of villagers 'by mistake
China has finally acknowledged the slaughter of villagers protesting seizure of their land in Dongzhou village, near Hong Kong. According to the Sunday edition of the subscription—only South China Morning Post: Three Guangdong villagers were killed by mistake and eight... More
December 10, 2005
Schroeder goes to work for the Russians
After pushing their massive pipeline project as leader of German, Gerhard Schroeder goes ont he payroll of a state—controlled Russian company. Captains Quarters, picking up from Davidsmedienkritik, has the story. Gee, I see a pattern. Chirac has had close associates on... More
December 10, 2005
CENTCOM Reports December 10, 2005
The CENTCOM Newsletter for the week of 5 December 2005 can be found here. Among the stories covered this week: Baghdad, Iraq — Greatte residents in the northern Baghdad district of Adhamiyah will soon be the recipients of more reliable electricity,... | 
