Blog Smith is inspired by the myth of Hephaestus in the creation of blacksmith-like, forged materials: ideas. This blog analyzes topics that interest me: IT, politics, technology, history, education, music, and the history of religions.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Image Detective
Image Detective is an interactive site that teachers can use as a writing prompt for students. This site displays historical images and is excellent for those brainstorming questions such as: who, what, why, when, etc.
Obama Appointee Advocates Russian Interests
Obama took advantage of a Senate recess Wednesday to appoint Philip Coyle as associate director for National Security and International Affairs. The recess appointment allowed the President to bypass the normal Senate confirmation process.
Coyle advocates Russian interests and he is widely known for his opposition to President Bush's proposal to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.
During an interview with a Russian news channel in 2008, Coyle was asked by the host what actions should be expected from Russia to prevent the U.S. from deploying a missile defense system in Europe. Speaking plainly, Coyle responded by advising the Russians to put pressure on the U.S. not to deploy the defense shield.
"I think it's important for Russia to keep the pressure on the United States about these matters," Coyle said. "I think it's important for Russia to continue to stress that it's not acceptable to have these missile defenses deployed so close to its border, because if they work against Iran, they also work against Russia. If Russia just lets it go, then people in the United States say 'well, Russia doesn't care anymore, so we can go ahead and deploy these systems'."
The host was apparently quite happy with Coyle's reply and he continued to goad him on: "When you say it's important that Russia keeps up the pressure, does it mean... building more missiles [that Russia should build more missiles], or do you just mean words? Because Russian reaction can be different. There may be a reaction from the side of the diplomat, from the side of the military, from the side of the engineers and the best minds in Russia, who as you said should be worried by the possibility that the system will work. What kind of countermeasures would you expect from Moscow?"
Another panelist interjected himself into the conversation before Coyle had a chance to answer the question. But clearly the host - and probably the Russian government - appreciated Coyle's heartfelt advice.
Which leads me to believe that Obama deliberately circumvented the Senate confirmation hearing for Coyle so that no embarrassing questions about his loyalty or allegiance to the U.S. could be raised.
U.S. Deploys More Missiles Near China
In what may be viewed as a major shift from a Cold War defense to a countering of a looming 21st threat the U.S. has quietly re-deployed major forces nearer to China.
The U.S. Military in the Pacific
The 10 Most Expensive Military Planes
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Major advances in understanding emotions conveyed by voice
After 15 years of breakthrough neuronal research, eXaudios developed capabilities to understand people’s emotions through their voice in real time as they speak. Launching at DEMO, this revolutionary new product is designed for call centers and can mitigate escalations, identify fraudulent situations, outperform sales and customer satisfaction, provide “how-to” recommendations, and monitor performance by management.
No Racism Here
Attorney General Eric Holder suddenly reversed course and had the DoJ dismiss the voter-intimidation case against two New Black Panther Party activists stemming from an incident in 2008 in Philadelphia, many questioned why the DoJ would quit a case it had already won. Here is the leader of the group advocating killing white babies and attacking "crackers."
Obama's Med Czar: Anti-Free Enterprise, Promotes Redistribution
Obama named Donald Berwick his recess appointment to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In 2008 while speaking on the British health care system in the UK, Berwick said wealthy individuals must redistribute their wealth to those less fortunate for health care funding. Also during this speech, he told those in attendance that he opposes free markets.
“Any health care funding plan that is just equitable civilized and humane must, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate. Excellent health care is by definition redistributional.”
Berwick added in his assault on free enterprise:
“Please don’t put your faith in market forces. It is a popular idea that Adam Smith’s invisible hand will do a better job at designing care than leaders with plans can do. I do not agree. I find little evidence anywhere that market forces bluntly used that is just consumer choice among a ray of products with competitors fighting it out, leads to the health care system you want and need”, said Berwick.
Rod Stewart - Rhythm of my heart [HQ] , Dedicated to the Troops
Rod Stewart Live at Royal Albert Hall (2004), Rod's girlfriend plays a mean bagpipe.
Turning Points in Warfare: Keegan
Combat warfare over time is re-invented and the '90s were a critical time that can be easily overlooked in the history of warfare since the period is relatively undistinguished as opposed to earlier crucial periods of world history. As expressed by the preeminent military historian, John Keegan, "There are certain dates in the history of warfare that mark real turning points. November 20, 1917, is one, when at Cambrai the tank showed that the traditional dominance of infantry, cavalry, and artillery on the battlefield had been overthrown. November 11, 1940, is another, when the sinking of the Italian fleet at Taranta demonstrated that the aircraft carrier and its aircraft had abolished the age-old supremacy of the battleship. Now there is a new turning point to fix on the calender, June 3, 1999, when the capitulation of President Milosevic proved that a war can be won by air power alone" (Keegan as quoted in War, Halberstam, p. 478).
20 November 1917 Battle of Cambrai, 2:06
The Battle of Cambrai (20 November - 3 December 1917) was a British campaign of World War I. Noted for the first successful use of tanks in a combined arms operation, the British attack demonstrated that the Hindenburg Line could be penetrated, while the German counter attack showed the value of new infantry tactics that would later be part of the Kaiserschlacht. Liddell Hart called the battle "one of the landmarks in the history of warfare, the dawn of a new epoch."[1]
Cambrai is a French town in the Nord département (Nord-Pas-de-Calais). In 1917 it was a key supply point for the German Siegfried Stellung (part of the Hindenburg Line) and the nearby Bourlon Ridge would be an excellent gain from which to threaten the German rear to the north.
NATO maintains extensive documentation on its activities.
3 June 1999, :07
A bird's eye view depicting attacks on mortar and artillery in the field.
One of the most difficult bombings was thought to be nearly impossible because of its location in a busy urban area ("Novi Sad Bridge in downtown Belgrade," p. 459, Halberstam), :07. Doubts existed about one of the ten most expensive military planes and newer technology, such as the B-2 (Stealth) Bomber, until it was actually successfully deployed in warfare (Cf. Encyclopedia of Modern US Military Weapons by Timothy M. Laur, p. 23ff.
Novi Sad Highway Bridge bombed
Cf. Maps and Aerial Views of post- and pre-strikes used during the Press Conference by General Wesley K. Clark, 16 Sept. 1999, Source: NATO photos.
Against the Cyber Bill?
Scroll down to the "Reader Comments" and note a comment posted by yours truly, the Blog Smith.
U.S. 2 vs. Russia 11
Moscow 'offers former Russian colonel and nuclear expert to U.S. in Cold War-style spy swap to bring Anna Chapman home.' I am going to go out on a limb here and state that at first glance this does not look like a good deal. I am not saying that it won't happen, since when has Obama outsmarted anyone in the world? I am just stating that we appear to be losing in this deal as well. Obama has already squandered significant advantages in nuclear weaponry and retreated in the placement of nuclear missiles in Europe against the Russians so I am not optimistic that he will come out ahead on this deal either if it happens.
TSA Reverses "Controversial Opinion" Web Policy
Since the TSA has reversed its "Controversial Opinion" Web Policy maybe this was floated to see if anyone objected to the Obama's regime rejection of 1st Amendment principles.
Halberstam's Insight About Obama's General and American National Security
One of the most revealing passages in David Halberstam's, War in a Time of Peace, is a discussion of General Jack Sheehan of the Marines (pp. 412-413) and his possible nomination as Joint Chiefs of Staff. For an administration lacking military commitment and support, such as Clinton's, Sheehan proved to be problematic.
"Sheehan, it was judged, would be the hardest of the senior men to control, and in a dispute over strategy, the most likely to resign in protest. That was the nightmare. This formidable, exceptionally impressive marine, who agreed with the Clinton administration's theory of what we should be doing in foreign policy, might go public if it was unwilling to make the necessary commitment. Sheehan would not get the chairman's job" (p. 413).
This is a startling passage in light of the Stanley McChrystal resignation (cf. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/28/stanley-mcchrystal-retiri_n_628463.html). This resignation is most often compared to Truman's sacking of MacArthur for insubordination.
Cf. pp. 320, War In Peace (The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated Encyclopedia of Postwar Conflict, Volume 2 Ashley Brown, 1985); Manchester, William Raymond, American Caesar, Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964.
Perhaps not. This resignation is more akin to an uncontrollable Sheehan who can not be managed or spun, yet, he was eminently qualified for the position, and who moreover is telegraphing grave concerns about Obama's regime. If Clinton lacked support for the military, and he was rightly perceived as such, the internationalist, pro-Islamic, and quixotic Obama is something beyond a Clinton.
Questions about Obama's past and lack of documentation have troubled military personnel more than anyone else. Witness the numerous challenges to Obama's documentation that question his commitment to American national security. The military has questioned Obama's tenacity (Cf. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/opinion/30brooks.html?_r=3), Major General Carroll D. Childers agreed to be a plaintiff against Obama on the grounds that he was ineligible to qualify for the Office of the Presidency, and thus occupies the office illegally. 1st LT. Scott Easterling, Al Rowley, CDR, USN, (Retired), Charles E. Jones, Brigadier General US Air Force, Retired, Colonel Harry Riley Former Division Chief National Security Agency, Major James L. Cannon, SSGT. Brian A. Keith, Sgt. Mathew Michael Edwards, Lt Col. Chuck Miller, among others, have all brought public and legal actions against the regime. The military may be indicating with these actions that they have grave reservations about Obama.
During the Obama regime we are involved in two foreign wars and yet the public seems barely aware or conscious of the ongoing costs and security concerns as expressed, in the only ways available to them, by the American military.
David Halberstam, Global Economy, and Middle Class Existence: "The new definition of national security is... 'How good is your high school graduate?'
Halberstam talks about how young people today are going to compete with people from around the world for jobs that their parents were almost guaranteed. "The new definition of national security is... 'How good is your high school graduate?' The easy affluence has gone; other nations have caught up... Americans are now competing with people their age from Osaka, Beijing, Singapore, Jakarta etc."
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Arizona Gold
At least one company is actively mining for gold in Arizona.
http://www.entreegold.com/properties/united_states/
Arizona gold publications are now online for anyone to mine.
http://arizonageology.blogspot.com/2009/01/arizona-gold-publications-now-online.html
China is the world's top gold producer according the the USGS.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gold/mis-200902-gold.pdf
http://www.entreegold.com/properties/united_states/
Arizona gold publications are now online for anyone to mine.
http://arizonageology.blogspot.com/2009/01/arizona-gold-publications-now-online.html
China is the world's top gold producer according the the USGS.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gold/mis-200902-gold.pdf
Bernard Lewis on Muslim Scientific Decline, Renaissance, Brahe
In What Went Wrong?, Bernard Lewis writes of the key role of the Middle East in the rise of science in the Middle Ages, before things went wrong:
And then, approximately from the end of the Middle Ages, there was a dramatic change. In Europe, the scientific movement advanced enormously in the era of the Renaissance, the Discoveries, the technological revolution, and the vast changes, both intellectual and material, that preceded, accompanied, and followed them. In the Muslim world, independent inquiry virtually came to an end, and science was for the most part reduced to the veneration of a corpus of approved knowledge. There were some practical innovations — thus, for example, incubators were invented in Egypt, vaccination against smallpox in Turkey. These were, however, not seen as belonging to the realm of science, but as practical devices, and we know of them primarily from Western travelers.
[. . .]
Another example of the widening gap may be seen in the fate of the great observatory built in Galata, in Istanbul, in 1577. This was due to the initiative of Taqi al-Din (ca. 1526-1585), a major figure in Muslim scientific history and the author of several books on astronomy, optics, and mechanical clocks. Born in Syria or Egypt (the sources differ), he studied in Cairo, and after a career as jurist and theologian he went to Istanbul, where in 1571 he was appointed munejjim-bash, astronomer (and astrologer) in chief to the Sultan Selim II. A few years later her persuaded the Sultan Murad III to allow him to build an observatory, comparable in its technical equipment and its specialist personnel with that of his celebrated contemporary, the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. But there the comparison ends. Tycho Brahe's observatory and the work accomplished in it opened the way to a vast new development of astronomical science. Taqi al-Din's observatory was razed to the ground by a squad of Janissaries, by order of the sultan, on the recommendation of Chief Mufti. This observatory had many predecessors in the lands of Islam; it had no successors until the age of modernization.
The relationship between Christendom and Islam in the sciences was now reversed. Those who had been disciples now became teachers; those who had been masters became pupils, often reluctant and resentful pupils. They were willing enough to accept the products of infidel science in warfare and medicine, where they could make the difference between victory and defeat, between life and death. But the underlying philosophy and the sociopolitical context of these scientific achievements proved more difficult to accept or even recognize.
Bis Sis Bans TSA from Duties: Allows Porn
The Big Sis Napolitano directed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to block certain sites from the federal agency's computers, most alarmingly, denying access by staffers to any Internet pages that contain a "controversial opinion," according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.
The email states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed "inappropriate for government access."
The categories include:
• Chat/Messaging
• Controversial opinion
• Criminal activity
• Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content
• Gaming
The email does not specify how the TSA will determine if a website expresses a "controversial opinion." I wonder if anyone asked Kagan during her confirmation hearings what the government considers a controversial idea.
There is also no explanation as to why controversial opinions are being blocked, although the email stated that some of the restricted websites violate the Employee Responsibilities and Conduct policy.
The TSA did not return calls seeking comment by publication time.
If the TSA had responded perhaps they could have answered how the TSA is supposed to investigate actors of ill intent. Muslim terrorists are known to frequent chat rooms for jihad and are engaged in criminal and violent actions. The Net is filled with areas for those who have ill intent for travelers. On the other hand, frivolous, non-work related sites such as porn are not restricted.
The most troublesome area of the memo is the controversial opinion restriction. I wonder if this memo is one that Obama would like to extend to the Net in general to cut off problematic actions of his regime.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Schoolbook hunky-dory with Islam, but skunks Jesus?
Parent: 'Class presents version of history that never occurred'
Likewise, a study titled, "Textual Supremacy in World History: Patterns of Interaction, A Case Study in Islamic Apologetics in American Public Education" was written by Terri K. Wonder who holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on Middle East studies and the influence of Islamic movements in education from the University of South Florida.
Analyst: Obama has U.S. economy in 'death spiral'
Jim MacDougald, president and CEO of The Free Enterprise Nation, recently appeared on the Fox News Channel to talk about a new campaign called "I own you."
"The consequence of this employment shift is that a smaller number of private-sector employers and workers are saddled with the tax burden of financially supporting a growing government workforce," said MacDougald.
"Since public-sector workers are paid more on average in compensation and benefits than private-sector workers, it is financially unsustainable for the government to continue to grow while the private-sector workforce shrinks," he said.
He explained to WND that while the problem is massive, there is the potential for a solution.
"There are 89,000 taxpayer-supported entities that make up the 'public sector,' and no one is in charge of their collective efforts. About one-half of the 22 million public-sector workers are in public education. (And only about one-half of the people employed in public education are teachers!)" he said.
"It is possible that the federal government thinks it can solve the unemployment problem by hiring more people, but, if so, it would be another indication of just how far removed from reality the federal government's economic policies are," he said.
"Our population grew by 25 million from 2000 to 2010. We needed to create at least 20 million new jobs. Instead, we lost 3 million in the private sector. The 'shortfall' of 23 million jobs could not possibly be made up by government hiring, as they would have to double in size in order to do so," he said.
The real problem is not necessarily with the number of government jobs but the cost of their "huge pensions, early retirement and health-insurance benefits."
"That is where the real 'cost of government' is," he continued. "As numbers of workers in the private sector decrease, and public-sector hiring increases, it places an impossible burden on those individuals and businesses left who actually pay taxes.
"Unfortunately, the current approach is to charge more taxes to those who actually pay federal income taxes (one-half of tax filers), and businesses. Businesses (employers) have no choice but to reduce overhead, which means fewer domestic workers. A death spiral," he warned.
The solution would be a hard pill to swallow for many, he warned.
Among the moves that would help would be to terminate all government pension plans, "vesting everyone 100 percent in benefits accrued to date." Pensions could be replaced with a type of 401(k) retirement plan that is funded by employer contributions.
Then there would be need for a hard look at what government actually does.
"Do we NEED government to do that for us? If not, stop doing it," he said.
Next would be to ignore – or better yet banish – public-sector unions.
A "zero-based" staffing and budget plan would require officials to review what work is required and how many workers are needed to do it.
"Public policy-makers must ask: How many people do we NEED to do what we are hired to do? Do we really NEED one administrative/management employee for every teacher? Once those questions have been asked and answered, we must rebuild each public-sector entity from scratch," he said.
"We have to 'reinvent' the public sector, based on a fundamental requirement that it serves the taxpayer, not the other way around. It is a huge job to do, and it will take years. There is no silver bullet. But it can be done," he said.
Shy, Retiring, New Yorker Makes a Few Remarks About the Ground Zero Mosque
I wonder what he really thinks?
Generation Zero - Official Trailer
A Citizens United Productions feature length documentary.
The current economic crisis is not a failure of capitalism, but a failure of culture. Generation Zero explores the cultural roots of the global financial meltdown - beginning with the narcissism of the 1960's, spreading like a virus through the self-indulgent 90's, and exploding across the world in the present economic cataclysm.
Generation Zero goes beneath the shallow media headlines and talking head sound bites to get to the source of today's economic nightmare. With a cutting edge style and haunting imagery, this must see documentary will change everything you thought you knew about Wall Street and Washington.
Featuring experts, authors, and pundits from across the political spectrum, Generation Zero exposes the little told story of how the mindset of the baby boomers sowed the seeds of economic disaster that will be reaped by coming generations.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Photographer detained by police, BP employee near refinery
Over the course of time, it will become increasingly difficult to obtain news and reporters and news agencies will not collect information. This is the slippery slope that our Founders warned us about, a free press is essential for a Republic to exist. An informed citizenry can make decisions about its future. An isolated and ill-informed public can not make responsible public policy and political decisions. If the idea of safety and security was relevant the Federal government would have already sealed the Southern border but obviously they have not.
China, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, has been dipping into $2.4 trillion of foreign currency reserves to buy stakes in oil and natural-gas fields and has spent at least $21 billion on overseas resources in the past year.
China Jails U.S. Geologist for Eight Years for Selling State Oil Secrets. As the U.S. flails in the Gulf, China is on the move all over the world is staking its claim to as many oil resources as possible. Perhaps Lieberman would like to imitate China here as well and restrict information, although that task to censor books may fall to Kagan once she is confirmed.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Separation of Religion and State: Unless its Islam of Course as NASA Promotes Muslims Feeling Good
Impeach Obama has posted a short version of the Al Jazeera interview, 1:18.
“Bolden: I am here in the region – its sort of the first anniversary of President Barack Obama’s visit to Cairo – and his speech there when he gave what has now become known as Obama’s “Cairo Initiative” where he announced that he wanted this to become a new beginning of the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world. When I became the NASA Administrator – before I became the NASA Administrator - he charged me with three things: One was that he wanted me to re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, that he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with predominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering.”
NASA has been turned over to Islam as a tool of international diplomacy.
One of the few but strongest condemnations of Bolden's comments came from syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer on the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier.
"This is a new height in fatuousness. NASA was established to get America into space and to keep us there," Krauthammer argued. "This idea to feel good about their past [and] trying to make achievements is the worst combination of group therapy, psychobabble, imperial condescension, and adolescent diplomacy."
He further suggested that the NASA administrator should have been fired for deviating from the intended purpose of NASA.
Retired Lt. Commander Fitzpatrick Demonstrates Evidence of Tennesse Corruption: Demanded Long Form Birth Certificate
Retired USN Lt. Commander Walter Francis Fitzpatrick, a whistle-blower, pursued a criminal complaint accusing Obama of Treason over his refusal to provide his original long form birth certificate. He is now facing a court hearing in two weeks over allegations of disorderly conduct and "rioting" for confronting a grand-jury meeting in Tennessee.
Following his futile efforts to serve these charges of Treason with the Monroe County Grand Jury in late 2009, Fitzpatrick learned in January 2010 that the Grand Jury Foreman, Gary Pettway, had held that position since January 1990, over 20 years in a row, in violation of the law that require at least 24 months between terms of service as a juror and also requires that selection of the foreman be by random means.
When Fitzpatrick’s efforts to bring charges against Pettway and the latest judge who appointed him in violation of the law, and others for obstruction of justice, were completely ignored and not acted upon, Fitzpatrick filed papers to make a certified and legal Citizen’s Arrest of Pettway while he was illegally serving as the Grand Jury Foreman, on April 1, 2010. Fitzpatrick had asked the police to send a law enforcement officer to whom Pettway could be remanded once arrested and had notified four or five friends so that they could witness and videotape the event.
Instead of being able to turn over the legally-arrested Pettway (Tennessee has detailed and strong Citizen’s Arrest laws which were followed to the letter of the law) to law enforcement, Fitzpatrick was himself arrested, taken to jail, and held incommunicado for five days.
Fitzpatrick was charged with:
1. Disturbing a meeting by interrupting a Grand Jury while in session in order to arrest the jury Foreman, Gary Pettway
2. Inciting a riot by gathering a reported five supporters to videotape the citizen’s arrest attempt
3. Resisting arrest
4. Disorderly Conduct.
On June 28, 2010, Lt. Cmdr. Fitzpatrick and Desert Storm Navy veteran Darren Huff, Oath-Keeper and Chaplain for the Georgia Militia, who was one of the videographers (seen at 1:50 videotaping over the left shoulder of the arresting detective, Travis Jones, in the Citizen’s Arrest video) were summoned to the Monroe County Courthouse in Madisonville, TN (160 miles from Darren Huff’s home in GA) for their arraignment on the various charges (three for Huff, and six for Fitzpatrick).
The arraignments of Huff and Fitzpatrick were based on indictments handed down by one of the current Grand Juries. Monroe County has two which alternate from month to month. Since Pettway is still the illegally-appointed Grand Jury Foreman of one of them for another consecutive year, the judges apparently felt they should use one of the two of which Pettway was not Foreman: this is blatant jury-rigging.
The Jury foreperson for these indictments, appointed by Judge Amy Reedy, was a Ms. Angela Davis, an illegal member of the Grand Jury, since she had served on a petit jury less than a year before, which court payment records prove. A person cannot serve on a jury, petit or grand, within two years of prior service, according to Tennessee law. This, of course, would make it an illegal Grand Jury, and all indictments by them would therefore be null and void.
Huff appeared first, and Judge Ross read the charges:
1. Participating in a riot (violation of T.C.A. 39-17-302, against the peace and dignity of the State of Tennessee)
2. Disrupting a lawful meeting
3. Did harm, or threatened to harm a juror.
At the arraignment, the transcript notes:
Judge Ross: “The Grand Jury has indicted you.”
Huff: “Who is my accuser?” (NOTE: Everyone has a Constitutional right to face or know his accuser).
Judge Ross refused to name one, as there apparently is none, as far as can be determined, but said: “You will have to ask your attorney.”
Judge Ross: “I will be recusing myself from your trial, which you will be notified of in the near future.”
Summary:
* There is no named accuser
* There is no police record of a criminal act
* The charges are by an illegal Grand Jury; therefore, all are null and void
* The judge cannot deny anyone his or her Constitutional right to bring charges of Treason against anyone, anywhere, when there is reasonable evidence that such Treason has been committed
Constitutional TEA Party Candidate Files Against Ellison in Minnesota
Barb Davis White, usually a Republican, is a pro-life constitutionalist candidate for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District who has filed as a Democrat against the first of two Muslims in the U.S. Congress, Keith Ellison (D).
Barb Davis White speaking at St. Paul Tea Party April 2009:
"Fleeting association?" Clinton/Obama On KKK's Byrd
In a key note speech at Byrd’s funeral, Bill Clinton defended deceased Senator Byrd’s connection to the Klan.
“He once had a fleeting association with the Ku Klux Klan, what does that mean? I’ll tell you what it means. He was a country boy from the hills and hollows from West Virginia. He was trying to get elected,” Clinton said.
“And maybe he did something he shouldn’t have done come and he spent the rest of his life making it up. And that’s what a good person does. There are no perfect people. There are certainly no perfect politicians,” he added.
Clinton would certainly know about imperfections, as a person, and as a husband.
The late Senator joined the Klan in 1942, becoming head of the local chapter before claiming to lose interest in the organization a year later. However, in 1946 Byrd stated that the KKK was “needed today as never before”, he also defended the Klan during his Senate run in 1958, voted against Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and he filibustered against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
So much for Clinton’s description of a “fleeting” association with the KKK.
Obama described Byrd as a “statesman”, adding that his ties to the Klan could be forgiven following his long career as a Senator.
“We know there are things he said and things he did that he came to regret,” Obama said.
In reference to a conversation Obama said he once had with Byrd the president noted: “He said, ‘There are things I regretted in my youth. You may know that.’ I said, ‘None of us are absent some regrets, senator. That’s why we enjoy and seek the grace of God.’”
“And as I reflect on the full sweep of his 92 years, it seems to me that his life bent toward justice,” Obama added. “Like the Constitution he tucked in his pocket, like the nation itself, Robert Byrd possessed that quintessential American quality, and that is the capacity to change, a capacity to learn, a capacity to listen, a capacity to be made more perfect.”
It is said that we should not speak ill of the dead but stretching the truth beyond recognition is inappropriate, even at a funeral.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Obama Ayers Meeks Pfleger
Video of Obama saying the job Ayers gave him is one of his major qualifications for political office. In this video he also calls radicals Rev. Meeks and Father Pfleger his friends. The video documents the argument that Ayers gave an unqualified Obama the jobs that allowed Soetory to buy his way into public office.
Dr. Wafa Sultan Supports Geert Wilders
Former Muslims United co-founder, Dr. Wafa Sultan was in Amsterdam this week to provide expert testimony in the Amsterdam Court ’show trial’ of Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV (Freedom Party) and critic of Islam. Wilders had taken stands critical of the Koran, in favor of controls over Muslim immigration to the Netherlands, and even a tax on Sharia head coverings for Muslim women. He has in the view of many fellow Dutch and supporters in the West of being falsely accused of engaging in hate speech and racism. Wilders nearly trebled the tallies of the PVV in the June 9th general election winning more than 24 seats in the new Hague Parliament. Wilders has rejected offers to join a Conservative coalition in the wrangling to form a new ruling group.
The defense of Wilders by Dr. Sultan in this Dutch pv1 video is from an interview courtesy of FaithFreedom.org.
Al Jazeera debate:
Following that debate, Dr. Sultan gave the following interview on Israel National Radio:
Part 1:
Part 2
Sultan is a Syrian-American psychiatrist (from an Alawi family). She resides in Los Angeles, California. She emigrated to the US in 1989, and is now a naturalized citizen. Sultan has become notable since the September 11, 2001 attacks for her participation in Middle East political debates, with Arabic essays that circulated widely and some television appearances on Al-Jazeera and CNN.
On February 21, 2006, she took part in Al Jazeera’s weekly 90-minute discussion program The Opposite Direction. She spoke from Los Angeles, arguing with host Faisal al-Qassem and with Dr. Ibrahim Al-Khouli about Samuel P. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations theory. A six minute composite video of her remarks was subtitled and widely circulated by http://www.MEMRI.org on weblogs and through e-mail. In this video she is scolding Muslims for treating non-Muslims differently and for not recognizing the accomplishments of non-Muslim society, while using its wealth and technology.
The New York Times estimated that the video of her appearance was viewed at least one million times as it spread via weblogs and email.
Sultan revealed to the Times that she is working on a book to be called The Escaped Prisoner: When God Is a Monster.
Recently, she sat in on a free-speech discussion at the University of California at Los Angeles, organized by the Ayn Rand Institute with Yaron Brook and Daniel Pipes as speakers.
Sultan describes her thesis as witnessing “a battle between modernity and barbarism which Islam will lose”, has brought her telephone threats, but also praise from reformers. Her comments, especially a pointed criticism that “no Jew has blown himself up in a German restaurant”, brought her an invitation to Tel Aviv, Israel by the American Jewish Congress.
Sultan believes that “The trouble with Islam is deeply rooted in its teachings. Islam is not only a religion. Islam (is) also a political ideology that preaches violence and applies its agenda by force.”
Sultan said she was shocked into secularism by the 1979 atrocities committed by Islamic extremists of the Muslim Brotherhood against innocent Syrian people, including the machine-gun assassination of her professor, Dr. Yusef al Yusef, an ophthalmologist renowned beyond Syria, in her classroom in front of her eyes at the University of Aleppo where she was a medical student.
“They shot hundreds of bullets into him, shouting, ‘Allah is great!’ ” she said. “At that point, I lost my trust in their god and began to question all our teachings. It was the turning point of my life, and it has led me to this present point. I had to leave. I had to look for another god.”
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Jewish Goods Stolen and Destroyed
Another incident where activists stole and destroyed good occurred at a TESCO in Wales this weekend. The activists claim to be targeting 'West Bank' goods that are produced in 'illegal settlements' which goods they claim it is 'illegal' to sell. They are wrong. The Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria are not illegal. Nor is it illegal to sell goods produced in them in the United Kingdom. What does exist is a labeling law that requires that such goods be labeled as coming from the 'West Bank' and not from Israel. The label makes the goods an easy target in stores.
Sestak, the CAIR Candidate
Organizations oppose Islamism.
CAIR'S CONGRESSMAN (Sestak) CAUGHT LYING
Audio of CAIR Chair, Iftekhar Hussain stating:
“I was doing a fundraiser for him in my house, got a bunch of Muslims sitting, and I gave him the opportunity with that question to come out and say ‘NO’ and he said, “I would hope not” he was trying to be intellectual. And I’m okay with that but… these guys are about to give you checks and need the right thing, in the meantime, two seconds more of that…”
The Chair donated to Sestak: Hussain, Iftekhar, 10/28/2006, $500.00,
Malvern, PA 19355, IMS Health/Software Consultant -[Contribution], Transaction itemized by: SESTAK FOR CONGRESS.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ian Hunter Joins Alejandro Escovedo at the City Winery, NYC
The first of a three-night stand, 6/29/2010: Ian Hunter joins Escovedo for the encore: "I Wish I Was Your Mother."
Down in the Bowery (with the longer intro):
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sen. Coburn pressed Kagan today on the limits of the government's power under the commerce clause.
Why does the obvious answer to this question flummox Kagan?
CA Teacher: Scott Brown a Nazi
6th grader Sam Besserman reports: when Scott Brown Won My Teacher Said the Nazi’s Are Taking Over.
Beverly Vista School District, CA, had no comment.
Yale Prof: `Obama The Most Radical President Ever'
Yale professor, Richard L Rubenstien, states: "He [Obama] is looking to correct the mistake that is the creation of the state of Israel."
Target Tehran? Israel, US ‘prepare to attack Iran’
Reports are circulating that the U.S is amassing a greater military presence in the Middle East. The alleged build up is also rumoured to involve the Israeli use of Saudi Arabian air space. It’s thought by some to be in preparation for an attack on Iran.
SANTELLI TO GOVERNMENT: STOP SPENDING! STOP SPENDING! STOP SPENDING! 6-28-2010
Rick Santelli states "Go read some Austrian economist instead of the funny pages." Santelli tells Liesman, to which the response is "I am ready to talk about Fred Hayek, John Hayek, and Selma Hayek." Followed promptly by the Santelli coup du jour: "Go back to Russia where you understand the state and the citizen."
Monday, June 28, 2010
August 13, 2007 from WXPN, Ian Hunter: Ageless and Energized, Interview and In-Studio Performance
Set List
* "Shrunken Heads"
* "World Was Round"
* "All the Young Dudes"
* "Memphis"
Ian Hunter, June 22, 2007 from WXPN
Set List
* "Once Bitten Twice Shy"
* "Twisted Steel"
* "Big Mouth"
* "Dead Man Walking"
* "Soul of America"
* "Shrunken Heads"
* "When the World Was Round"
* "All The Way From Memphis"
Ian Hunter on Alejandro Escovedo's, Street Songs of Love, Down In The Bowery
Ian Hunter sings on "Down in the Bowery." The Ian Hunter collaboration made sense for many reasons: "I've known Ian for quite awhile now. I've gotten to work with him somewhat, opening up shows, playing on the same bill. He played on the tribute album for me which helped me get through my health situation that I was in when I was sick," Escovedo explains. (Escovedo had an extremely serious bout with Hepatitis-C several years ago and a number of musicians united to help defray his mounting medical costs since he, like many musicians and artists, had no medical insurance.)
"He's become a really cool mentor and a friend to me...I've always loved his music. It's interesting that he would sing on this song which is a song that I wrote for my son, who is 18 years old and - you know - angry young man, loves punk rock and graffiti art and is a singer in a band and kind of like an outcast in a way. And the song basically says that I love him and that I will support basically anything he becomes, because I love him just the way he is, so it encourages him to pursue his dream. No one ever told me those kind of things when I was a kid, except for the songs I listened to on the radio and on records. Ian Hunter's songs were a large part of that for me."
Cf. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holly-cara-price/alejandro-escovedo-talks_b_627165.html
"There's One Birth Certificate We Haven't Seen"
I wonder who he means?
Representative King's (IA-5, R) comments on the floor of the House is "progressive" generational theft but he makes an offhand comment about not seeing one particular long form birth certificate.
Reporters Mock Palin After Speech: Not Really Objective, Eh?
Several people were caught on an open mike mocking Sarah Palin for delivering a "roller coaster"-type speech after she addressed California State University, Stanislaus on Friday.
As the former Alaska governor stepped off stage at the sold-out dinner fundraiser and the sound of applause faded away, voices identified as reporters in a viral video could be heard one after another cracking jokes about the speech.
"Oh my God, I feel like I just got off a roller coaster, going round and round, and up and down. Sh-t flying out … everywhere," one said, as someone else made whooshing sounds.
Another one chimed in, comparing the address to the work of a sloppy college student.
"When you’ve got to write a report as a college student and you just try to jam as many quotes in as possible … That’s what I got," he said.
Someone else added: "She didn’t finish a statement."
Then another voice could be heard cutting through, saying: "Did she make a statement, because I didn’t catch that either."
Obama Dealt Crony to Blago for Senate Seat
This audio excerpt from a Blagojevich wiretap dated November 7, 2008 implicates Obama and Blagojevich in a quid pro quo to sell Obama’s old Senate seat. It reveals that Obama used SEIU major players Andy Stern and Tom Balanoff to negotiate with Blagojevich. It also reveals that Obama wants Valerie Jarrett to obtain the Senate seat.
Iran Warship Update
The Pentagon has confirmed that a fleet of 12 warships has passed the Suez Canal, and is now likely awaiting orders to support the escalation in the Persian Gulf. The attached image from Stratfor shows the latest positioning of US aircraft carrier groups as of June 23: the USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) is now right next to USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), both of which are waiting just off Iran's coast.
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