Obama's Women

This is interesting.

...on average, women in McCain's office are paid more than the men in McCain's office -- $1.04 for every dollar a man makes. Men in Obama's office make more than women do; female employees make 83 cents for every dollar made by male employees.

Only one of Obama's five best-paid Senate staffers is a woman. Of McCain's five best-paid Senate staffers, three are women.

Of Obama's top 20 salaried Senate staffers, seven are women. Of McCain's top 20 salaried Senate staffers, 13 are women.

In the great scheme of things it might not matter much but since the Democrats like to play these games when they think they can win, why not bring it up? I mean, Obama talks on the campaign trail about equality of pay for men or women while the women working for him earn less than the men do? You could say he's just paying lip-service to sexual equality.

Ed at Hot Air says it best- As with change, clean politics, and leadership, Obama talks the talk while McCain walks the walk.

Obama's camp argues that there are more women on his campaign staff. No word on how he stacks up there compared to McCain. What did strike me about the list Obama's spokesman delivered was that Michelle Obama is listed as "Senior Advisor".

If there aren't two Michelle Obama's then that would mean that it's entirely appropriate to hold up anything she says or does as being pertinent during this election- including her "proud" moment. She evidently isn't just his wife but a part of his campaign staff. Might explain why the former communications director for Teddy Kennedy and later the DNC itself is now Michelle's chief of staff.

Missing Person

As was noted elsewhere, Michelle Obama neglected to attend the 9/11 event the other day- leaving her husband with John and Cindy McCain. She was noticeable by her absence. Some wondered about it and the Obama camp explained that because it was the first week of the new school year, she had decided to remain home with her two daughters.

Perfectly understandable. However, it seems that there are other priorities- for her- more important than the 9/11 ceremony and her children.

Campaigning for her husband. In two different states.

Newsbusters has the details. Shame the MSM wasn't quite so interested in actually taking a look at her itinery and reporting it to the American voter.

Obama Takes The Low Road

Is this for real? Obama has mocked John McCain for not using email in his latest ad, without even bothering to wonder why- it's because of the severe beatings McCain suffered during his captivity in Vietnam:

McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan - Ted Williams is his hero - but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.

So much for Obama's new brand of politics (and wasn't that his sole selling point?). This has surely got to be one of the lowest blows taken during a Presidential campaign.

Only Ones - Alaska Edition

Jim Geraghty reports on one of the more unusual aspects of the Troopergate fuss- that a judge told Palin not to disparage the trooper who threatened to kill her father. One other point really jumped out at me though-

The first warning from the judge came in October 2005. By this point, according to the sister’s petition to the court, her husband had committed “extreme verbal abuse, violent threats, physical intimidation… driven drunk multiple times, threatened her father, and told her to 'put a leash on your sister and family or I'm going to bring them down.'” State police officials deemed her complaint serious enough to require Wooten to give up his department-issued guns, badge, credentials and vehicle during his off-duty time, while her simultaneous domestic violence protective order was in effect.

Let me see if I get this straight- the trooper was considered enough of a threat to his in-laws that he was not allowed to possess his issue weapons off-duty, but they thought it was fine for him to be armed on duty?

Remember

The Rule of Fairness?

A note to those who follow the "teach the Republicans a lesson" and the "no more lesser of two evils" school of thought about the upcoming US election.

While 82% of voters who support McCain believe the justices should rule on what is in the Constitution, just 29% of Barack Obama’s supporters agree. Just 11% of McCain supporters say judges should rule based on the judge’s sense of fairness, while nearly half (49%) of Obama supporters agree.

The accepted opinion seems to be that there might by as many as three seats opening on the Supreme Court during the next Presidency. The decisions made during those four years- which, yes, might teach the Republican Party a lesson for the following election- will impact life in America for decades to come. Seems to me that's a mighty big gamble to take on the Constitution- remember a staggering and mind-boggling 71% of Obama supporters, according to this poll, don't agree that the Supreme Court should base their decisions on the Constitution.

Obama keeps telling his supporters that this is an important election- he's not wrong.

Obama's Accomplishments

Mrs Ahab posts on Barack Obama's legislative record. It's quite an eye-opener.

Note that while he he has proposed quite a bit of legislation almost all of it is not yet out of committee. This list also does not his include the two items he mentions most- the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 and the Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006. These were bills he co-sponsored and both were passed unanimously. What Barack doesn't mention when he talks about the ethics reform bill is that John McCain was one of the co-sponsors.

The actual pieces which have been approved are as follows-

1. To congratulate the Chicago White Sox on winning the 2005 World Series Championship.
2. Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expressing the sense of the Senate that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and..
3. Designating July 13, 2006, as `National Summer Learning Day'.
4. Whereas Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson was born in 1939 to Bishop W.A. and Mrs. Mary Patterson, Sr., in Humboldt, Tennessee;
5. Designating July 12, 2007, as `National Summer Learning Day'.

That's rather a telling record for a would-be president, isn't it?

Pass it around- and make sure to thank Mrs Ahab for the initial work.

Black Ops

Barack Obama has repeatedly said that he wants to pull out of Iraq and focus on Afghanistan which is, he claims, the central front in the war on terrorism.

More than 3,500 insurgents have been "taken off the streets of Baghdad" by the elite British force in a series of audacious "Black Ops" over the past two years.

It is understood that while the majority of the terrorists were captured, several hundred, who were mainly members of the organisation known as "al-Qa'eda in Iraq" have been killed by the SAS.

Actually it's a joint SAS and Delta Force operation.

Using intelligence gleaned from spies and informers, Task Force Black has nearly broken the back of the terrorist network and reduced bombings in Baghdad from about 150 a month to just two.

When is Obama going to be asked how leaving Iraq- and the very real presence of terrorists there, including Al Qaeda- is going to help fighting terrorism?

The SAS-Delta Force operation was part of the surge strategy which has turned the conflict around-

Gen David Petraeus, the head of the US forces in Iraq, who is due to leave his post shortly, has praised the courage of the SAS.

He said: “They have helped immensely in Baghdad … they have done a phenomenal job.”

If Obama had his way those 3,500 terrorists (and this is just in Baghdad remember) would have been free to either wreak havoc on the local populace- or to turn their attention elsewhere.

Smearing Republicans

Darn those Republicans- they failed to fulfil one reporters racist stereotypes!

But actually I say the story here is the dog that didn't bark. One of several wrong predictions I made this week was that the GOP convention would be marred by an endless series of racially-tinged comments from delegates and/or marginal right-wing hangers-on. But that hasn't happened.

But wait, he did hear something-

Passing through a food court area today I did hear a loudmouthed guy noisily holding court on the subject of "Barack Hussein Obama," but that's the worst I've encountered.

Mentioning his real name is somehow racist- doesn't that say more about this guy than the one referring to Obama's given middle name? The whole "Barack redacted Obama" thing seems to me to be incredible nonsense- and when I hear claims that mentioning his actual name is racist or offensive, it just makes me think that the person complaining is the one sees it that way. What have you got against Obama's full name anyway?

I've even been checking out the buttons and shirts on sale by vendors, and they're all very appropriate--no racist Obama dolls, not even any nasty anti-Hillary shirts or buttons (that I've seen). There's a sanitized feeling that makes me think the convention planners were highly attuned to the possibility for trouble and took measures to prevent it.

Yeah, that's got to be it- those Rethuglicans are so inherently racist that the organisers must have used Rovian mind-control to stop them using racist epithets and selling racist Obama dolls. It's all a big right wing plot, see. I mean, what other explanation could there be?

This is what passes for modern journalism apparently.

The McCain Speech

When Palin delivered her convention speech she had the weight of conservatives across America on her shoulders- and she delivered. In one stroke she proved herself to be more than capable in front of the country, tough under pressure and she gave the campaign a big jolt of energy.

I wasn't sure what to expect of McCain's speech but, having just watched it, I've got to say that I liked it- as the campaign has gone on my respect for McCain the man has increased. There are still some big issues on which politically I disagree with him but I respect him.

Now he and Palin need to get out there and talk specifics. Obama promises the world to his supporters but declaring that he'll raise incomes and make college more affordable is nothing more than hooey. What the American voter should be asking is how exactly he hopes to accomplish this? Are more students going to be able to afford college because the cost of going there has fallen or because Obama is going to increase taxes and take that money from your pocket to give to those students? And how, exactly, as President is he going to increase people's incomes? What authority and power does he think he'll have to be able to accomplish that goal? Is he going to reduce the amount the government takes from your wages to do it? If not, how does he square his other lofty proposals with increasing incomes- or does he mean you'll earn more before he takes his cut of your wages?

Anyway, here are the- for me- stand out lines of McCain's speech.

I’m very proud to have introduced our next Vice President to the country. But I can’t wait until I introduce her to Washington. And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming.

Great reaction from this. I would have liked McCain to remind the American voter though that Democrats have been in control of Congress for the past few years- and they're the ones who have sat by while, for instance, gas prices have risen.

My fellow Americans, when I’m President, we’re going to embark on the most ambitious national project in decades. We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much.

Now there is a policy that I'm sure a lot of Americans would like to see. Out on the trail why not quote some of the terrorist threats from Palestinians- for example- against American interests and then ask, so why are we sending them millions of dollars?

I’ve been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I have been her servant first, last and always. And I’ve never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn’t thank God for the privilege.

Surprising to hear a politican admit that he is not perfect. McCain's humility is starkly at odds with Obama's arrogant attitude.

A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I’d been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I’d been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.

I was pretty shocked to hear him admit that- and it struck a cord with me. When I was in the Marines I took a bad fall. I lay on the ground for maybe a minute unable to move my arms or legs- I thought I was paralysed and it was a pretty scary time. Gradually though, the shock wore off and I was able to crawl and stumble off towards a pick up point. It was night, I was on my own and I was in the most all-encompassing pain I'd ever felt- my back was in a bad way and I'd given one arm and leg a bit of a bump too. At one point the pain got to be too much and, after one of many times when I fell over, I just stayed down in the mud. I gave up. I can't have stayed there for long but I felt like my will had snapped. Getting moving again wasn't easy but I managed to pull myself together. It in no way compares to the very real hell he went through- not in any way at all- but I can certainly empathise with him. And I admire the courage he possesses now for being able to admit that in front of millions and the courage he possessed then in being able to keep going. He's tough.

Palin's Speech

Not much time for blogging today but I just had to mention Palin's speech. She did a terrific job not only in introducing herself to America but in also showing her teeth. Sarah Barracuda indeed.

She really delivered. The campaign needs to keep pushing back at the smears coming her way- and to point out that some of them at least are coming from the Obama campaign itself. Is that the change Barack promised?



Hard to pick a favourite line from Palin's speech but it was great to hear the "community organizer" dig at Obama and also the "styrofoam column attack". I was also gladdened to hear her discuss some foreign policy issues in there too- also with the defence of her small town background. Nice too to hear her push her executive experience- the line veto stuff went down well. All in all, a job exceptionally well done.

Bridget and Nikki

I blogged some time ago about the incredible act of kindness performed by Cindy McCain when she rescued two small children from Bangladesh and brought them back to America for medical attention. She and John McCain adopted one of those girls, Bridget, and a friend of McCain's, Wes Gullet, adopted the other child, Nikki. It's a great story and one that Gullet told at the Republican Convention. I urge you all to watch-



This story really isn't about politics but I think it's worth noting that while Obama talks endlessly about requiring others to get involved, to do mandatory community service and so on, the McCains have performed one of the very acts Obama spoke of (lifting a child from poverty in Bangladesh). A Google News sarch for "Bridget McCain" turns up a paltry 475 results, a good deal of them merely mentioning her in passing as attending some event or other.

Do you imagine for a single second that if the Obama's had saved a poverty-stricken child from certain death that the media would have talked about it so little?

Obama's Smears

Wasn't Obama supposed to be above all this- the candidate of hope and change and a new kind of politics?

Yeah, right.

John McCain's campaign said Tuesday that rival Barack Obama's campaign was spreading "smears" about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's past political affiliations...

Obama advisers and surrogates have also linked Palin to conservative former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.

The Miami Herald this week quoted an e-mail from Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski that stated: "Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer."

The Obama campaign sure doesn't let a little thing like the truth get in the way of smearing their opponent. Not that we should be surprised. After all, they're the same people who attacked a journalist conducting a legitimate line of enquiry into Obama's past-

In the next few hours, we have a crucial opportunity to fight one of the most cynical and offensive smears ever launched against Barack.

Tonight, WGN radio is giving right-wing hatchet man Stanley Kurtz a forum to air his baseless, fear-mongering terrorist smears.

Kurtz was actually investigating the working relationship between Obama and terrorist William Ayers, a man Obama himself told the public was just a guy who lived in his neighbourhood. In actual fact, Obama lied about their relationship- Ayers' hosted the event at which Alice Palmer announced she was stepping down from her State Senate seat and then introduced Barack Obama as her successor.

It's interesting to note that on Obama's own Fight the Smears website, he's still misrepresenting their relationship to voters-

it [a TV ad] claims that Ayers somehow “launched” Barack Obama’s career -- an assertion so outlandish that not even Simmons’ fellow discredited Swift Boater Jerome Corsi included it in his smear book.

Technically Ayers himself may not have launched Obama's political career but that's obviously trying to lie to the public at large: Ayers held the event used to launch Obama's career among Chicago's liberal set-

In 1995, State Senator Alice Palmer introduced her chosen successor, Barack Obama, to a few of the district’s influential liberals at the home of two well known figures on the local left: William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

“I can remember being one of a small group of people who came to Bill Ayers’ house to learn that Alice Palmer was stepping down from the senate and running for Congress,” said Dr. Quentin Young, a prominent Chicago physician and advocate for single-payer health care, of the informal gathering at the home of Ayers and his wife, Dohrn. “[Palmer] identified [Obama] as her successor.”

Obama won't come clean about his undeniable link to a terrorist who feels that he didn't bomb America enough and who still won't say that he would never bomb again. Instead he thinks he can talk around the specifics. And why not? The media's patently not interested in harming their candidate of choice.

But he note that he does feel comfortable enough to lie to his own supporters about the true facts of the case.

Straight Talking

A great video of Newt Gingrich from NewsBusters where he is asked about Palin and a resume that is "not something we're familiar seeing with presidential candidates".

To his great credit, Gingrich doesn't let that stand-



Here's the transcript-

It's stronger than Barack Obama's. I don't know why you guys walk around saying this baloney. She has a stronger resume than Obama. She's been a real mayor, he hasn't. She has been a real governor, he hasn't. She's been in charge of the Alaskan National Guard, he hasn't. She was a whistleblower who defeated an incumbent mayor. He has never once shown that kind of courage. She's a whistleblower who turned in the chairman of her own party and got him fined $12,000. I've never seen Obama do one thing like that. She took on the incumbent governor of her own party and beat him, and then she beat a former Democratic governor in the general election. I don't know of a single thing Obama's done except talk and write.

Especially telling is when he confronts the reporter to name one thing Obama's done. Unsurprisingly, he declines.

Given the constant, scurrilous attacks on Palin from the in-the-tank press, Republicans need to get this message on Palin out there as much as possible. As far as I can see the only response Democrats have is that Obama was in Washington for 143 days before he decided he was qualified enough to be President. What, exactly, did he learn or do in those days which trump Palin's resume? What foreign policy experience did he have then which beats her executive experience?

Anyone?

Plumbing The Depths

The press has not demanded Barack Obama's medical records. They haven't demanded his college records. They haven't demanded his Illinois Senate records. They haven't demanded records about his low mortgage rate. They haven't demanded records on his links to corrupt financier Tony Rezko. They haven't demanded transcripts of sermons Rev Wright gave while Obama was in the pews. They haven't demanded a list of his legal clients. They haven't demanded records of his work and links to terrorist Bill Ayers.

Anything I missed?

So many questions about a candidate with one of the most unknown track records in US history.

And yet the McCain campaign is being inundated with demands for DNA samples to prove if Sarah Palin's son Trig is really hers.

In an extraordinary and emotional interview, [McCain campaign manager] Steve Schmidt said his campaign feels "under siege" by wave after wave of news inquiries that have questioned whether Palin is really the mother of a 4-month-old baby, whether her amniotic fluid had been tested and whether she would submit to a DNA test to establish the child's parentage.

Since the announcement on Friday the MSM has been engaged in nothing short of a smear campaign to assassinate the character of Sarah Palin. I would hope that the McCain campaign makes a big deal of these preposterous partisan demands- because I'm sure that the average American voter will be disgusted by it.

Blessing Not A Punishment

One of the things that most disgusts me about Barack Obama- a father of two young girls- is his stance on infanticide. How can someone who has two kids support leaving babies born alive during an abortion to die? I just can't understand it at all.

I was also pretty shocked by his comment that he didn't want his daughters punished by having a baby for making a mistake. How can he look at his children and say something like that? A baby might be totally unexpected, something of a hardship and make your life take a different path- but please, a punishment?

Bristol Palin must be feeling terrible at the way the media is shamelessly exploiting her situation for their own political gain but I believe she deserves credit for taking responsibility for her actions. This image sums up the startling difference between the two campaigns-

Media Bias

Sheer anti-Republican, foaming at the mouth bias or a sign that Palin has them scared?

The Kossified MSM has completely lost its marbles.

The Washington Post rushes out with a story that GOP Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin “slashed” funding for teen moms.

Can you guess the "slight" problem with this hit piece?

“Covenant House’s IRS Form 990 (link) shows the funds that Paul Kane describes as “slashed” was over a threefold increase from the government funds they received from all sources in 2006 (FY2006 ending 12/31/06).”

I thought the US media was bad during the Bush-Kerry election cycle but this is outrageous.

Titch

A few weeks ago one of my cats gave birth to a litter of four kittens. After about a week she seemed to just give up on them and since then I've been hand rearing them. Three of the kittens have grown well and are sturdy balls of fluff now. The last one though was always the smallest. Hence, he became known as Titch. He had a few close calls- I came home once and found him sleeping on the tiled floor a distance from bed, nearly dead from hypothermia. He spent an afternoon and evening in front of the fire and then that night wrapped up well in a box beside my bed. I had to lie with one hand hanging over the edge of the bed into the box to get him to sleep.

The past week I noticed that he was almost half the size of the other kittens in the litter. They were coming on in leaps and bounds and he just didn't seem to be getting any bigger at all. I had a real soft spot for him and he was usually bottle fed first and then I'd spent a little time with him making sure that he gave himself a bit of a lick to clean up. An adorable black and white cat, he had a kind of exaggerated Siamese look to his face, partly I suppose because of his low weight. I used to set him up on the bench and then I'd stick my tongue out and lick. He'd watch for a moment or two and then begin to lick himself clean.

Last night as I fed the litter, the other three having just begun to eat solids and lap their milk from a dish, Titch refused his feed. He tried to each some of the cat food but he wouldn't take any milk. Same story this morning- he just wouldn't accept anything. And he didn't even get up out of bed when I came into the room.

As the day went on Titch went down-hill fast. I tried to feed him but he wouldn't take it- not even accepting water. I held him close for about an hour to make sure he was warm but his body temperature seemed to be fine- he managed a few weak purs and that was it. His eyes looked a little unfocused and he just wanted to sleep. Come the afternoon, he tried to stand and his back legs just gave way.

I brought him into the living room and set him up near the fire to keep him warm. I lay down on the floor next to him and he struggled over to rest his head on my hand as he went to sleep. A while later I tried again to feed him. He looked to be in a pretty bad way- not just sleeping but sprawled on the floor. He took a few drops of milk, swallowing okay, and then suddenly it was all over. He just seemed to stop breathing. I lifted him up to listen for a heartbeat and he gave a faint little chirruping sound and then passed away. He was only four and a half weeks old.

I'm going to miss him.

Obama And Gun Control

I've noticed a number of hits from my Site Meter on the topic of Obama and his stance on gun control. As if there's any real doubt where one of the most liberal Senators in Congress, and a Chicago pol to boot, stands. Having said that, the hits are still coming so it would seem that some votrers at least are unsure of what Obama's real views on this issue are.

In brief, if you're a gun owner- even a hunter- Barack Obama is not your friend. And he's most certainly not the person you want in the White House, particularly with a Democrat majority in Congress.

Yet, despite all the Democratic claims to the contrary, Mr. Obama is undoubtedly the most anti-gun candidate ever nominated by a major party for president.

Mr. Obama has a long history of supporting city gun bans. The Associated Press described his 2004 vote on a gun control bill: "He also opposed letting people use a self-defense argument if charged with violating local handgun bans by using weapons in their homes. The bill was a reaction to a Chicago-area man who, after shooting an intruder, was charged with a handgun violation."

John Lott has all the details if you need further proof. If you are a gun owner or simply an advocate of the Constitution, it would seem that the time to enlighten your fellow Americans about where Obama really stands is now.

The Mayor Flip

Obama's pretty keen to dismiss Sarah Palin's experience as mayor but NRO's Media Blog points out that he was for mayors, before he was against them.

You see, back in those days, we weren't just focused on changing federal policies in Washington. And we weren't just focused on changing state policies in Springfield. No, we were focused on the place we knew could actually do the most, the fastest, to make a difference in our community — and that was the Mayor's Office.

It was the Mayor's Office we turned to when we wanted to open a job training center to put people back to work. It was the Mayor's Office we turned to when we wanted to make sure city housing was safe to live in. And it's the Mayors Office that Americans across this country rely on every day.

Now there's a sound-bite for a McCain campaign ad!

Obama used to think that mayors are important to the nation. But that was before he found himself facing off against a former mayor.

Funny how Obama and his followers suddenly seem to think that experience is so important- they do remember that he's running against John McCain, don't they?

Losing Argument

I guess this is what passes for Obama's enlightened era of "new politics"- Anderson Cooper asks Barack a simple question:

AC: Some Republican critics say, you don’t have the experience to handle a situation like this [Hurricane Gustav]. They’ve in fact said that Governor Palin has more executive experience as mayor of a small town and as governor of a big state like Alaska. What’s your response?

BO: Well, you know, my understanding is that, uh, Governor Palin’s town of Wasilly [sic] has, uh, 50 employees, uh, uh, we’ve got 2500, uh, in this campaign. I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year. Uh, uh, we have a budget of about three times that just for the month. Uh, so I think that, uh, our ability to manage large systems, uh, and to, uh, execute, uh, I think has been made clear over the last couple of years. Uh, and certainly, in terms of, uh, the legislation that I’ve passed just dealing with this issue post-Katrina, uh, of how we handle emergency management. The fact that, uh, many of my recommendations were adopted and are being put in place, uh, as we speak indicates to extent to which we can provide the kinds of support and good service that the American people expect.

Funny how painful it is to read Obama's eloquent speech, isn't it?

Anyway, note how Obama equates running a campaign with executive experience- a political campaign is just like the most powerful nation on Earth. Right? Wonder how his campaign manager- the man actually in charge of those staff and that budget- feels about Obama stealing co-opting his experience?

In short, by Obama's own terms Palin is significantly more experienced than he is. Read the link for more. If you can stand the uhs then watch the exchange here-

Attacking Democracy

Gateway Pundit has the details on leftist attacks on the Republican Convention.

Protesters harassed two state delegations in St. Paul to attend the Republican National Convention Monday. Someone threw a rock through the window as delegates from Alabama rode their bus to the Xcel Energy Center, where RNC events took place. And masked protesters confronted and harassed the Connecticut delegation — several of them were spat upon, roughed up and doused with a mixture of water and bleach.

Violent intimidation of their political opponents.

As the Connecticut delegation was getting off a bus near the Xcel Center, a group of protesters broke free from authorities and attacked the delegates.

Connecticut delegate Rob Simmons told FOX 9 that a group of protesters came toward his delegation and tried to rip the credentials off their necks and sprayed them with a toxic substance.

An 80 year old delegate was hospitalised. There's more-

Washington State's delegation was also attacked today when Leftists threw cement bags and sandbags from the overpass onto the busses traveling down the interstate.

So much for their supposed love of the democratic way and freedom of speech. Gateway Pundit has more coverage- make sure to check it out.

Touchy Subject?

I'm fast becoming addicted to The Corner and The Campaign Spot.

Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, was arrested for DUI back in back in 1986.

It occurred about seven years after Obama's last use of cocaine, to the best of our knowledge, and five years after his last use of marijuana.

I believe the correct term is, touché!

Can you imagine such a comment being made on the "fair and impartial" national TV services? Or how about this one-

For perspective, back in 1986, Barack Obama’s 22-year relationship with Jeremiah Wright was just beginning.

Potted History

Something of a companion piece to go with my last post. In response to a claim that Obama had been put through the wringer by the press for the past four years-

Really? Did I miss the 60 Minutes report on Obama's relationship with unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers? The New York Times investigation into the deals Obama made with convicted felon Tony Rezko? The Dateline look at ACORN and what "community organizers" really do?

Dick Cheney has been put through the journalistic wringer. For Barack Obama it's been more like a journalistic shampoo, facial and massage.

The current argument that Palin is too inexperienced to be Vice President seems to be that everything she's ever done cannot possibly compare to the brilliance of Barack Obama's relentless pursuit of power campaign for President.

I must have missed the memo explaining that taking part in a popularity contest based on nebulous goals and outlandish promises of success, with nothing to indicate any capability of delivering on any of them, while aided and abetted by a willing media equated the ability to run the most powerful nation on Earth.

But there you go- winning the Democrat Primary is apparently better training for the White House than governing a whole State.

In A Nutshell

From a comment at Hot Air about Sarah Palin and her vetting process-

The fact that the Left has already slammed their bus into the Palin wall means no matter what turns up, she’s a major net positive unless it turn out she was mentored by a radical racist communist who was forced to leave the mainland, attended a racist church for 20 years or launched her career in the home of an unrepentant terrorist who’s group killed police officers, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

Isn't it astonishing that the Democrats are hyping a man who did all these things as their candidate for President? All that and no executive experience and darned little experience accomplishing anything as Senator.

Seriously- what's that all about?

One past point- it's been a few days since Palin was announced and the media is in a frenzy trying to dig up some dirt on her.

Did they do anything like that with Obama?

Attacking Palin

So the Obama camp attacks on Palin have begun-

“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies — that’s not the change we need, it’s just more of the same.”

I see that they neglect to mention her executive experience as governor of Alaska. And Obama's foreign policy experience is? Anyone?

Barack Obama has virtually nil to show for his brief time in Congress- where's the work of the "change candidate" in Washington? What exactly has he to show for all his lofty talk- what change has he personally been responsible for?

Unlike Obama or his VP pick- in Washington since the early '70s- Sarah Palin actually has something of a record of change-

“At a time when many Republicans are still clinging to pork-barrel politics, Governor Palin has quickly become a leader on this issue,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “She is a principled reformer who understands how badly wasteful spending has marred the Republican brand.”

Governor Palin has proven herself to be a reformer unafraid to take on the establishment, which she did early on when she took on the incumbent Republican governor of Alaska in 2006. Only nine months in office, Governor Palin instructed the state to abandon the notorious pork project secured by Alaska’s politicians, the $223 million “Bridge to Nowhere.”

Can Obama claim to have done anything similar?

Palin For VP

Wow. Discussing McCain's selection of Sarah Palin for VP, CNN criticises her- wait for it- experience.

And one of the prerequisites, we'd like to believe are prerequisites, for picking a vice presidential running mate are a person who can step into the office at a moment's notice and not miss a beat, a person who is prepared to be President of the United States. Now, she is a manager. She is the governor of a state. She does have limited experience, though. She's also been the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. And for a time she was the ethics chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

And the punchline of the joke-

But that does not add up to broad experience, particularly the type of broad experience that you think should launch you to the national level.

And Obama has more experience than her in what way?

Stanley Kurtz

Doing investigative journalism into the background of a Presidential candidate, Stanley Kurtz is looking into the link` between Obama and terrorist William Ayers. A link Obama himself brushed off by saying that Ayers was just someone who lived in his neighbourhood. As has been demonstrated, that is a lie.

LGF has audio of Kurtz's appearance on radio- a show the Obama campaign urged its supporters to contact because Kurtz was smearing Obama. Worth listening to- because the Obama callers buy into the "smear" tag wholeheartedly and never once question any of the facts that Kurtz has uncovered. Either that or they complain that it isn't fair that the Obama camp isn't on the show- even though they were invited. And have their campaign HQ just down the street. More than once we hear that Kurtz shouldn't be allowed to talk because the Dems are having their convention and, you know, no one could possibly leave HQ, walk down the street and come on the show for a few minutes. Nope, they're too busy to do that.

Not one seems to think it might be because they couldn't challenge any of the facts.

Interesting Point

Campaign Spot posts this-

If Barack Obama serves a full term as president, it will be the longest time he has served in a full-time job.

He's 47 years old and he's never held down a single job for more than four years in a row? Little wonder his record of accomplishment is so thin.

Obama's Record

I've got to admit that the only one of these I caught at the time was Biden's claim about Obama and Walter Reed.

Doing the work that the MSM refuses to regarding their favoured candidate, here's the Weekly Standard on Biden's list of Barack's "accomplishments".

Mr. Biden also praised Mr. Obama for three specific legislative accomplishments.

Okay? Here we go-

One of them was an ethics bill, called by Mr. Biden in his acceptance speech "the most sweeping in a generation." However, many critics--including Hillary Clinton--criticized it as weak. For example, under Mr. Obama's bill, lobbyists may buy politicians meals if they are eating standing up but not if they're sitting down. Mr. Obama's bill didn't ban privately funded travel for congressmen or authorize an independent investigation office.

Fair enough, Obama did do something. And the other two?

Mr. Biden asserted Mr. Obama "made his mark literally from day one, reaching across the aisle to pass legislation to secure the world's deadliest weapons," a claim similar to one Mr. Obama made earlier in the campaign.

Wow. Important stuff this.

In reality, the Lugar-Obama Bill was passed on a voice vote on December 11, 2006. It was so routine, there was no recorded vote. The media didn't consider it important or controversial. Neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post reported its Senate passage...It was not the subject of a story on the CBS, ABC or NBC evening news--not when it passed, not when it was signed, not ever. No story about it appeared in Roll Call or The Hill, the daily newspapers that cover the minutiae of Congress.

That's some mark you made, Barry.

And the last?

Saturday, Biden proclaimed: "But I was proudest, I was proudest, when I watched him spontaneously focus the attention of the nation on the shameful neglect of America's wounded warriors at Walter Reed Army Hospital." The problem for Mr. Biden (and the object of his praise, Mr. Obama) is the problems at Walter Reed were revealed in articles in the Washington Post, starting February 18, 2007. Unless Mr. Obama writes for the Washington Post under the nom de media of Anne Hull or Dana Priest, he didn't "spontaneously focus the attention of the nation." The two reporters did. The legislation to correct the shortcomings emerged from a Senate committee Mr. Obama doesn't serve on and he played no significant role in drafting or pushing it through the legislative.

But this is all common knowledge- the national media has, of course, covered these embellishments in detail. On prime-time TV. I mean, the watchdog press wouldn't let a VP candidate get away with trying to pull the wool over the American voters' eyes would they?

Right?

Almost forgot this part- Biden's not the only one talking up Obama's negligible record, his wife does it too.

Monday night, Mrs. Obama talked about "what he's done in the United States Senate, fighting to ensure that the men and women who serve this country are welcomed home not just with medals and parades, but with good jobs and benefits and health care--including mental health care."

That would be this-

an apparent reference to the Dignity For Wounded Warriors Act, a bill Mr. Obama introduced that never made it out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, despite its Democratic majority.

Even with a Dem majority he can't get anything done? I'm shocked.

Ayers On Bombing

Obama claimed that because William Ayers committed his terrorist acts when Obama was only 8 years old that it's somehow okay for Obama to befriend him. Does that make it okay for Obama to lie to the American public about the extent of their relationship too?

Anyway, we all know that Ayers is unrepentant about his crimes and that only a "work accident" prevented him and his ilk from murdering US servicemen. His Sept 11th 2001 (published) interview is already reasonably well known (although not as widely as it should be- thanks to the MSM's singularly uninterested view of a major issue). After all, Obama touts his judgement as proof of his ability to lead America in place of executive experience. Never mind that his judgement was wrong on the Surge- what about his judgement in befriending a terrorist? In launching his political career at the home of a terrorist and using that terrorist's contacts to advance himself? What does that say about Barack Obama's judgement?

Have you ever been a friend or business associate of a terrorist? Not someone who, to your shock and horror, turned out secretly to have bombed government buildings. No, the question is whether you’ve ever befriended an unreconstructed radical whose past was well known to you when you entered his orbit and walked through doors he opened for you. Have you been chummy with an unapologetic terrorist who, years after you’d known and worked closely with him, was still telling the New York Times he regretted only failing to carry out more attacks — and that America still “makes me want to puke”?

Is that what American voters look for in a Presidential candidate these days?

What might not be quite so well known is this comment from Ayers, in his book-

I can't quite imagine putting a bomb in a building today--all of that seems so distinctly a part of then. But I can't imagine entirely dismissing the possibility, either.

This comes from a review at Slate from 2001-not a time when Barack Obama was 8 years old. Note at the link too, the crimes Ayers committed while on the run from the law.

Throughout Fugitive Days, Ayers reminds his readers that he's had to omit or change many facts throughout his narrative because they describe actions on his part that are, well, illegal.

No leadership experience, no record of accomplishment, close ties to a corrupt financier (Rezko), and close ties to a terrorist who carried out bombings on US soil.

How did Obama get to where he is today with a CV like that?

The Bi-Partisan Candidate

A certain political campaign is touting itself as being post-partisan. It will heal divisions and bring Democrats and Republicans together to get things done. Blah blah blah.

Facts have a nasty little habit of getting in the way of the words that come out of Obama's mouth, don' they?

Over at Ace's place, they note that Obama, allegedly the post-partisan healer of divisions, voted with the Democrats 96 percent of the time.

Biden votes with his party 96.6 percent of the time. Kerry's 95.6 percent.

McCain votes with his party 88.3 percent.

Want to vote for a post-partisan candidate? You might want to rethink your choice.

Groupthink

Seems like the Obama campaign doesn't just want to clamp down on criticism from without but also to control entirely the message from within- can't let those pesky voters know what Democrats plan after the election, eh?

Rep. Jose Serrano wanted to mention immigration in his speech at the DNC this week but the Obama campaign censored removed the reference.

Mr. Serrano’s experience is one that many convention speakers have had this week, and some are grumbling about it. While all presidential nominees try to put their own stamp on the convention, Democrats say Mr. Obama’s vetting team has been especially aggressive.

“They kept saying it was for space,” Mr. Serrano said. “They never said it was for content. They said they wanted it to be 280 words. But when you read it, they took out the meat of the message.”

Shutting Down Criticism

Aren't liberals supposed to be dedicated supporters of free speech? Oh wait, that's right- only where their speech is concerned. If you happen to hold an opposing position however...well then...the view seems to be shut up.

After trying to use the Justice Department to silence a group which aired a factually correct TV ad, the Obama camp is now hounding a journalist.

They are shamelessly attacking National Review investigative journalist Stanley Kurtz — one of conservatism’s most thoughtful and penetrating writers on academic and educational affairs. Kurtz has been at the forefront probing Obama’s relationships with left-wing ideologues. It was his public information request and public call for help that led to the University of Illinois - Chicago finally releasing tons of files that shed light on the Obama/Ayers working relationship. The Obama camp is condemning Kurtz in harsher terms than it ever condemned the terrorist Ayers. Kurtz has been attacked now as a “right-wing hatchet man” and “slimy character assassin.”

Anyone else think of Obama branding those questioning his stance on infanticide "liars"? You know, the people who had their facts right all along.

Obama's Pork

Another explanation for why Obama chose Biden as his running mate?

Sen. Barack Obama sought more than $3.4 million in congressional earmarks for clients of the lobbyist son of his Democratic running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, records show. Obama succeeded in getting $192,000 for one of the clients, St. Xavier University in suburban Chicago.

Hope! Change!

Obama And Ayers Again

Another quickie post: this time on Obama's supposedly mainstream buddy, William Ayers. Barack would like voters to believe that because he was a child when Ayers was plotting to murder US soldiers (a point that the MSM often seems to think not worthy of mention) and was carrying out other attacks, that his current associations with him- which he has lied to voters about- are nothing more than a distraction.

Only Ayers is not remorseful about his actions- he's in no way disavowed his terrorism or apologised for it. He is not a reformed character despite his current job. Nor, for that matter, is his despicable wife who once gloated about the murder of Sharon Tate.

Remember- Obama first of all claimed that Ayers was nothing more than someone who lived in his neighbourhood. His home, in actual fact, was where Obama launched his political career. Ayers and Dohrn hosted that event.

As with other incidents- Obama lied about the truth of the matter and then, when the real facts were exposed, he's tried to brush it aside.

As an outsider looking in, I honestly can't see how Obama- a man who befriended a terrorist couple who once plotted to commit mass-murder of US troops- is in the position he's currently in.

Seriously, Democrats- you want to make the friend of a terrorist Commander-in-Chief?

Chicago Style

Lots I've wanted to blog about lately but time and pain keep getting in the way.

This warrants mention though- a link between Obama, Rezko and - wait for it- Biden.

Biden has described himself as a 30-year friend of a key figure in the Rezko trial who’s pleaded guilty to a federal extortion charge in Chicago and is awaiting sentencing.

When the Delaware senator began contemplating his own 2008 presidential run, he initially was helped by Chicago lawyer Joseph Cari Jr., who also served as Biden’s Midwest field director in his failed 1988 bid for president.

In 2005, Cari admitted to taking part in an $850,000 kickback scheme that prosecutors say was part of a larger political fund-raising operation for Gov. Blagojevich overseen by Rezko, who was convicted in June of wide-ranging corruption involving state deals.

Thoroughly old-school Chicago politics now spread wide on the national stage. And the hope-and-changers still seem to think they're voting for a new breed of politician?

Chilling Free Speech

Liberal politician and so-called Constitutional law expert Barack Obama doesn't seem to be too enamoured of the First Amendment. Upset that a group called American Issues Project has produced a factually correct ad pointing out his relationship with an unrepentant terrorist, the Obama camp has not only tried to pressure TV stations into pulling the ad but they are even calling on the DoJ to investigate. So here it is- why not spread it around?

Quote of the Day

This made made me laugh.

Michelle Obama sniffs when talking about "bringing her baby home from the hospital." A year ago, pre-parenthood, I would have rolled my eyes. But the "firm embrace of a father's love" lines appeal to my sappy new dad side.

"Someday you're going to be telling your children about what we did together in this election." Indeed. "Son, I gave the Obama campaign headaches 24-7."

Heh. This is a close second-

Michelle Obama, discussing her husband's values. "Your word is your bond, and you have to do what you say you'll do." Two seats down from me, David Freddoso's head exploded. He literally wrote the book on this.

She really said that? Quick get it in a campaign ad.

Biden

So Biden is Obama's running mate- who would have guessed that Barack would pick a guy who exaggerates and lies about his accomplishments? Note too that the agent of change, the man who was supported by Teddy Kennedy- the supposed old guard he railed against- picked one of the longest serving Senators in Washington to be his running mate. Care to lay odds that there'll be much change going on once he gets elected?

Are you disappointed Obama primary voters- has there been a big issue so far where he hasn't let down those those who propelled him to his current position?

Teleprompter Addiction

The most eloquent man in politics needs a teleprompter even during his townhall events?

According to several Democrat political consultants presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama spent part of his Hawaiian vacation working on weaning himself from a heavy dependence on teleprompters. Even in what are staged as "town hall" events for Obama, remarks are scripted or formatted into bullet points that scroll on teleprompter screens. Obama has had several embarrassing events where the teleprompter either malfunctioned or the screens were not fully visible.

Look for suspicious wires or bulges under his suit jacket during the debates!

Obama's Failing

Obama is asked about his own failings and he claims that he- and Americans- are selfish.

Americans gave nearly $300 billion to charitable causes last year, setting a record and besting the 2005 total that had been boosted by a surge in aid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the Asian tsunami.

It's true that Obama's own charitable donations are not anything to brag about but he slanders the USA when he brings them into the discussion.

Gaudiani said Americans give twice as much as the next most charitable country, according to a November 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. In philanthropic giving as a percentage of gross domestic product, the U.S. ranked first at 1.7%. No. 2 Britain gave 0.73%, while France, with a 0.14% rate, trailed such countries as South Africa, Singapore, Turkey and Germany.

He then went on to accuse Clarence Thomas of not being experienced enough to sit on the Supreme Court. Thomas has been criticised for serving only a year in the DC Court of Appeals. As opposed to Barack Obama's 143 days of experience before he thought he was experienced enough to be in the White House.

An American Carol

Spoofs like this aren't usually my cup of tea but the jokes in films like Airplane and Hot Shots tend to come so thick and fast that they can be watchable. And some of the visual gags are pretty clever. I'm really rooting for An American Carol to be good- the start of some conservative-friendly flicks coming out of Hollywood? There's a lot riding on it.

Lawgiver

This may take a little time to read through but a quick skim makes it seem quite compelling- a discussion about various science fiction weapons from a real world point of view. The whole website covers a remarkable variety of topics but the "sidearms" section is one that I'm most interested in.

Found it when I was reminiscing about reading 2000AD as a kid and I did a quick search for Dredd's Lawgiver. They seem to have updated the design in the comic with a Mk II. Loses the aesthetic appeal of the original as far as I'm concerned.

Gaza Building Better Rockets

Terrorists in Gaza showed off a training area and rocket-building facilities to a group of journalists. CNN was the only Western organisation to take part in the terrorist propaganda exercise.

The militants terrorists showed off what they said was a new rocket, called the Nasser-4, which can travel 25 km (16 miles) -- double the range of the existing Nasser-3. If true, larger Israeli cities like Ashkelon and Ashdod would be under threat of attack.

The careful preparations showed just why explosions sometimes occur in Gaza-

Inside the "factory" -- a tiny room with rockets lining the walls -- masked men tried to light a fire from a gas canister in order to heat the explosives to liquefy them so that they could be poured into the shells. But despite the apparent painstaking planning that went into the display, the rocketmakers sometimes fell short.

First, the lighter didn't work. Then, a leak in a canister filled the room with suffocating gas. Explosions, euphemistically called "workplace accidents," occur in Gaza from time to time, but the men building the rockets handled deadly ingredients and warheads in a visibly relaxed manner.

The PR stunt is a win-win for the terrorists- if Israel takes no action over the provocation they can crow about another "victory" to their supporters. If Israel does take action to protect its citizens from terrorist attack, the terrorists can claim that Israel broke the ceasefire and that they are entitled to "retaliate".

The wheel keeps turning. It seems to me that the only thing which could break the cycle of violence is if Western nations stop funding these terrorists and actually make the so-called refugees stand on their own two feet- they might be too busy actually trying to make a living instead of using aid to finance their genocidal plans.

Would it be so hard to say, yes, you can have millions of dollars in aid but first you have to stop the terrorism?

The Obama Way

A trio of Obama stories today. First this-

“You are required to volunteer.” That would normally be a splendid example of an oxymoron, but it also describes the process for those who want to see Barack Obama speak at Invesco Field as he accepts his nomination.

Apparently the free tickets require the recipients to perform some compulsory volunteer work for the campaign with one ticket being worth two three-hour shifts. Then there's this-

Since 1884, the Democrats have conducted a roll-call vote to nominate their candidate for the presidency, and most expected to have that same opportunity in Denver. However, the Barack Obama campaign — fearful of a floor revolt by Hillary Clinton die-hards — has tried to strike that tradition in order to have Obama nominated by acclamation.

Compulsory volunteer work and then dismantling a decades old democratic system- anyone see a pattern emerge? See if this one helps-

[Sacha] Millstone acknowledged she was frustrated over how the Obama campaign was treating delegates who supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and told a fellow delegate, in what she believed was a private e-mail exchange, that she was not sure she could vote for Obama at the Democratic National Convention later this month.

The other delegate apparently filed a complaint with the state Democratic Party suggesting Millstone lose her status as a delegate.

Rather than dismiss the complaint - free speech and all that- the Democratic Party issued this statement-

“You are directed to come in to the Party Headquarters and explain your comments and why you should remain a national delegate…”

So much for freedom, democracy and dissent, eh? These all seem to be excess to requirements in the world of Obama and his supporters.

The Tyre Theory

Obama keeps touting this tyre-inflating theory and how many millions of barrels of oil it will save the US. There's just one thing that I have to ask- where are the hard figures which categorically prove that millions of cars in the US are currently driving around with under-inflated tyres?

How many cars out of the total vehicles on the road are under-inflated? By how much are they under-inflated? Are the savings for each kind of vehicle on the road the same? Because it seems to me that without solid evidence like that it doesn't matter how many people calculate the end savings of doing this simple task. Does Obama know these things? Where's the solid definitive proof for his claimed savings- rather than guestimates.

Notice too how the post-partisan candidate is anything but- saying that Republicans take "pride in being ignorant" because they're mocking his energy policy.

Rich coming from Obama who wants to concurrently reduce electricity consumption but also add a million electric-powered hybrids to America's roads. Not to mention the many other factual mistakes he's made during the campaign.

MoveOn Attacks Obama's Plan

MoveOn is apparently upset that Republicans are doing something about high oil prices rather than wailing about saving the planet.

“Speaker Pelosi blocked their plan because it won't help lower gas prices—but it will line the pockets of Big Oil executives, the same people donating millions of dollars to Republicans,” the e-mail said.

“We’ve invited the media, and having a good crowd is critical to show them that voters don’t want oil industry gimmicks—they want real solutions like alternative energy to solve our energy crisis,” the e-mail said.

MoveOn acknowledged that “Republicans have been dominating the debate around gas prices for weeks with their sham drilling plan,” adding that the House protest is “getting a lot of press coverage.”

What's strangely missing from their missive is any mention of Barack Obama who flip-flopped on the issue in Florida- he too now says that he will support Big Oil drilling.

So, MoveOn is campaigning against one of Obama's new platforms? I hope they don't forget to mention him when their protest begins.

Obama's ego

It seems that the pretend Presidential Seal of the Obama campaign and the need for reporters to remind his staff that he isn't in the actual Oval Office yet aren't isolated incidents but are symptomatic of a culture of "we're already there".

For instance, here's Obama's seat on his campaign plane-

Forget audacity, the gall of this man is unbelievable.

Half-Blood Prince Trailer

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince is certainly the darkest of the books that has been filmed so far. The Death Eaters are at large- affecting the Muggle world as well as the magical one- and danger stalks the corridors of Hogwarts. If you're a fan of the films but haven't yet read the books you'll definitely want to avoid hearing what happens in this one before you go to see it- avoid all talk and spoilers as best you can.

It's the penultimate book in the series although the last book, The Deathly Hallows, is apparently to be broken into two parts for its appearance on the big screen.

I didn't take to the Potter tales when they first came out, and I ignored the films for some time too. In a way I'm glad that I did- I was able to read them all basically one after the other. They really are nicely written, the world is well developed and Harry, Ron, Hermione are great characters- along with a brilliant supporting cast. I've got to say that I'm pleased with the film adaptations too- and I'm very much looking forward to seeing this one on the big screen. So, after all that, here's the first trailer for Half-Blood Prince.

Obama's Words And Deeds

Barack Obama calls the presence of US troops in Iraq an occupation. He refuses to go visit the wounded while on a self-promotion tour.

The Iraqi Interior Minister, on the other hand, made the time to go visit wounded servicemen at Walter Reed where he had this to say-

Jawad al-Bulani told reporters that he wanted to convey his country’s “gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by these great warrior-soldiers, in the freeing of the Iraqi people and in helping us in Iraq to recover from tyranny and dictatorship.”

Bulani also praised U.S. servicemembers’ families, noting their sacrifices are equally important and appreciated by his nation.

So the Iraqi minister refers to freeing the Iraqi people while visiting wounded US servicemen- but the man who wants to be President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief blows off the troops and slanders their sacrifice and their honour by calling them occupiers rather than liberators.

Which one sounds like he respects the US Armed Forces more?

Perhaps someone needs to remind Obama that words do matter- and that he will be judged on his deeds.

Obama's Secret Meeting?

Gateway Pundit posts a statement from Ahmadinejad claiming that, while he was in New York last year, he met with one of the Presidential candidates.

When I was in New York last year, one of the American ‎presidential candidates told me, ‘I wish to advance in this country the very statements ‎that you make there.’ And when I asked him why, he said that people here like these ‎words. Your words resonate here and people embrace them. Today the heart of the whole ‎world is with us.

Now, as he points out,we shouldn't accept everything that this guy says- but one has to wonder why he would mention it?

Anyway, I Googled his NY visit and, lo and behold, Obama was in New York City at the same time.

Coincidence? Would Obama really have met with Ahmadinejad- really? I have my doubts but it seems strange that Ahmadinejad would come out with this now- months after his visit.

Extremist Students

Another indication that the minority of Muslims who are "extremists" is not quite so tiny as the media and government would have us believe.

Nearly one third of Muslim students believe it can be acceptable to kill in the name of religion, according to a survey published yesterday.

It also found that 40 per cent want to see the introduction of Islamic sharia law in Britain, 40 per cent think it wrong for Muslim men and women to mix freely together, and 33 per cent want to see a worldwide Islamic government based on sharia law.

While 32 per cent justified killing in the name of religion if the religion was under attack, 60 per cent of students active in Islamic societies did so. Four per cent thought killing to promote religion was permissible.

Next time you hear some politician talk about poverty or ignorance as a cause of extremism, bear these results in mind.

UK Gun Control

Unlike the US, Britain didn't have a huge number of gun owners or guns in private hands when the government exacted the last round of gun control legislation, banning handguns and all semi-auto rifles. Machine guns have been banned for considerably longer than that.

Despite this, and that it's a small island, gun crime in the UK isn't going away.

A man shot dead outside a nightclub as he talked to friends was the target of a gangster-style 'execution'.

The 35-year-old was hit at least three times in the head and neck at close range by a man who calmly produced a machine gun from the boot of his car outside Club Red in Limehouse.

Apparently it needs to be repeated- gun control laws aren't obeyed by criminals.

Dereliction of Duty

The professionalism of the British police knows no bounds.

Salman Rushdie was once locked in a cupboard for two hours by fed-up police guards who then disappeared to the pub, an ex-special branch detective has claimed.

Former Metropolitan police officer Ron Evans revealed they only released Rushdie from under the safehouse stairs when they returned from a local pub ‘suitably refreshed’.

These were armed police, a supposed elite within the British police force. Luckily for Rushdie he was not being observed by would-be assassins when the police left him alone, abandoning their post in favour of going drinking.

Recounting one particular night spent in the safehouse with two colleagues, he said: ‘One evening, after we had polished off a couple of bottles of red wine, we went looking for more.

Evidently, they didn't see a problem being drunk and armed- with the responsibility of protecting Salman Rushdie from an assassination attempt.

Obama's Dream World

This goes to show either that Obama has an incredibly simplified view of the world- or what an exaggerated opinion he has of himself.

According to Obama, if the US can "solve" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "then that will make it easier for Arab states and the Gulf States to support us when it comes to issues like Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It will also weaken Iran, which has been using Hamas and Hizbullah as a way to stir up mischief in the region," he said, "if we've gotten an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, maybe at the same time peeling Syria out of the Iranian orbit, that makes it easier to isolate Iran so that they have a tougher time developing a nuclear weapon."

So, given that Iran is possibly a year or so away from a nuclear weapon (maybe a few more if Barack's working from the NIE), Obama seems to think he can convince the so-called Palestinians to accept a peace deal, end decades long terrorist aggression against Israel, convince Hamas to abandon their quest to destroy Israel entirely, similarly convince Hezbollah to turn to peace (even though they aren't motivated by the Palestinian issue), miraculously end Syrian-Iranian ties, gain Arab/Islamic acceptance for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and, to cap it all off, stop that pesky nuclear program in Iran.

All of that before Iran develops a nuke?

I'm hoping this is more of his "inartful" and "over-heated" rhetoric because it would be really scary if he actually believed he was capable of doing all of this.

The Dead Zone

My internet connection went dark yesterday evening and this morning when I woke the darned thing was still refusing to cooperate. Stuck in the Dead Zone with no access to news, blogs or anything. Like being in prehistoric times I suspect. I tried a few things myself to see if it was a problem on my end but everything checked out. So, I called my ISP's technical support. They were less than helpful.

After explaining the problem- my router was picking up the ADSL line but could not connect, and when I switched over to modem it dialled the line but there was no answer on the other end- the trained monkey suggested I turn the router off and on again, is it connected to the socket, what lights are on? Blah, blah, blah. I explained two or three times that I knew what I was doing and, yes, it was turned on and plugged in. He then proceeded to tell me that it was a line problem, the ADSL wasn't working- nothing he could do, call back tomorrow. I explained- again- that it wasn't. My router, for example, has a indicator light to tell you if its picking up ADSL and another for when its connected to the internet. He argued that, no, the ADSL light was to show whether I was connected and so it must be a line fault. Call back tomorrow, no help here. I gave up on him and phoned back later. Before I did though, I went so far as to check my router manual just to make sure I wasn't imagining things- and I was right about that light. That infuriated me even more.

Normally, I'm quite a reserved character- but technical support people like this flick a switch somewhere deep in my brain. Especially when they are conditioned to treat everyone they speak to as complete idiots who can't be trusted to find the "on" button and don't listen to what you tell them. Three or four times I explained to the next tech support that, no, I was picking up the line- my modem was dialling but not getting a response. I even have a little utility on one of my machines which monitors the line- when there's no ADSL, it shows a little red light- and won't dial and wait for an answer. Would this one listen? Not a chance.

What's worse than the not hearing anything you tell them is the "have you tried unplugging it?". No matter how you answer (i.e. I've tried two different PCs, one with modem, one with router- same problem, my system's are working fine) they still tell you to unplug it again. A while back I had issues with a router- it stopped functioning completely. Wouldn't even turn on. No power light, nothing. It was an ex-router. The idiot monkey told me to turn it off and then on again- I told him I'd checked it out already, made sure everything was plugged in, etc, etc but he kept saying it. Over and over. I refused on the grounds that it was a pointless exercise- "It won't turn on at all. There's no power light at all. It's not working in any way, shape or form." Response- "Turn it off and then turn it on again. What lights are coming on?" He refused to do anything until I obeyed his instructions. First time I've ever had tech support cry out and hang up on me. To my ISP's credit, when I complained about that incident they sent me new hardware immediately.

Anyway, back to today- late in the evening I tried again and it dialled up and connected. But no pages were displayed. Information was going out and coming in, but no joy. I tried to ping an address and the result came back positive. After a few attempts at disconnecting and reconnecting, everything suddenly started working again.

Thank goodness- the world is at my fingertips once again and I don't have to shout at some poor, unsuspecting tech support drone tomorrow.