So, Everyone ready for "change?"

Did the American people really want to do this? I expect a whole lot of buyers' remorse around, oh say, April. The mask is going to come down, and people aren't going to like what's behind it.

Obama is NOT African American. He has no African American blood relatives, no deep standing ties to the black community. He is an American of mixed race, as quite a lot of us are. Big deal. He has no direct family or cultural ties to the African American experience. Which isn't to say he hasn't benefited from being seen as 'black' in America. To the contrary, his skin color has gotten him where he is today. Or so I see it, because the public has NOTHING else to judge his academic, professional, or political careers. Nothing. No transcripts. No law review articles. No clerkship. No authored legislation. No real voting record. No colleagues speaking about him. Little in the way of private legal practice. Two 'memoirs' of adolescent ruminating over skin color doesn't cut it.

Nothing.

However, the press is not known for its loyalty. Now that the election is over, and 'teh one' is scheduled to take up the POTUS position, I'm betting its back to business as usual for the MSM. They love the bad stuff-- its going to help them sell papers/advertising and perhaps let them stay in business. And there's a whole lot for them to now 'discover.'

Once the press opens up and begins treating Obama like every other government figure, I truly think we're in for some public meltdowns. He has shown during this campaign that he can't take the hard questions. He can't take inquiry or POVs different from his own. He's going to need a much bigger bus. His behavior towards his opponents has been less than adult or professional, something to seriously think about as he steps onto the international stage.

So don't count on standard press conferences-- Obama can't take that format, and Biden's handlers probably aren't going to let their guy out alone for the next four years. Look for a lot more of the speeches, in code and/or full of platitudes.

Presidental appointee confirmations should be a good show as well. Obama's campaign couldn't seem to vet people tagged for important positions; and I don't see that track record improving. Once again, the MSM's love for the dirt should outweigh their infatuation. After all, in a tanking industry, they need the little circulation/advertising they have. So they need to sell papers or attract viewers. Chris Matthews will be in need of something else to make his leg tingle.

Oh, the stories they'll have. Not only the ones they've ignored for the past two years, but also the ones which will come spilling out of the cracks from people who get tossed under the bus.

You see, what Obama may not understand is that jilted followers will start talking-- and payoffs won't solve this problem. You can't send everyone to Barbados or Bermuda. From his actions during this campaign and what we know of his political career, he has always been able to secure new mentors, new supporters. "and then unto the ladder he turns his back, scorning the base means by which he did ascend" (Shakespeare)

Obama seems to believe his own PR-- and that is extremely dangerous. What happens when this image is questioned? Will he simply issue press releases after all the journalists have their press passes revoked for daring to write articles questioning or putting the administration in a less-than-flattering light? Will we begin seeing rallies of the faithful to make him feel better? The totalitarian slippery slope has never been closer to us in the United States than it is in this moment.

Seriously. Totalitarianism is threatening our democratic republic. The Patriot Act is nothing compared to the manipulations against our freedoms that are coming. Have you paid attention to the posters? Have you paid attention to the O-adulation? Have you paid attention to the targeting of children by this campaign?

And this is even before we get to policy formation/implementation by the new administration. Congressional sessions will become a real bruising match. There is still no 'filibuster' proof majority. Districts heavily reliant on industries targeted for 'bankrupting' will start to make noise, especially because there is no plan for alternative economic growth. The only growth I've found in his plans are for the government.

There. That's it for the reasonable analysis. On to some emoting.

What kind of electorate bring one of the oldest, most corrupt political machines into national power?? DC has enough problems with corruption, thank you, and bringing Chicago's problems here aren't going to make things better. Change, when undefined, usually means for the worse, and its coming into the federal structure. Look at how this man's followers behave. Is this rational? Is this intelligent, considered political discourse? Doesn't this remind you of something darker, other group hysterics??

Our staunch democratic ally in the Middle East is about to go down. This isn't hysteria, not an OTT statement. Obama will stand and watch as the ME's only democracy is torn apart and scattered by the jackels. I can't see that refugees will be welcomed here. Without Israel, where will Jews go? We will again lose control of our Holy and homeland. Disaster in the next Israeli election will only hasten this. As American Jews, we will bear responsibility for this. I suggest everyone get ready to sponsor a family NOW. There will be little opportunity to rejoin the diaspora. I pray for the strength and existence of Israel in the face of enemies within and without-- they are circling for the kill now.

OTOH, I hope the IAF will now get down to business and get rid of the Iranian nuclear threat. Do it now. America may not be behind you for long.


Now is the time to develop the loyal opposition. We need to define ourselves in keeping with American values and constructs. We need to ensure we do not censure ourselves because it is the easy thing to do. No. Now is the time to define and re-invigorate our commitment and dedication to Western Civilization, its enlightened values, our U.S. Constitution and its guarantees of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We do NOT have a guarantee of happiness. But we ARE guaranteed the right to pursue it and make our lives full and rich (not talking money here) through our OWN EFFORTS. I do not want the feds deciding for me what will make me happy, or what to do with the money I've earned. Centralized planning never works. Ever. And others dictating what should be done with individuals' lives or money is also not a good idea.

The nanny state has intruded enough in the lives of American citizens. We are not the EU. There are too many people afraid in the United States. To live free, you must live with courage. Ignore the PC pressure. Think for yourself. Future generations depend on this.

Interesting times

It seems the old Chinese curse is true. "Interesting times" can be a bit much. Investment accounts tanking, rapidly rising food costs, daycare costs rising, private education costs, etc. And then there's the willful blindness of people, or at least, a predeliction for having selectively closed eyes.

Take, for instance, oh, say POLITICS. Now, I'm not saying either side is a perfect, 100% YES vote. But I'm not following the MSM viewpoint that "teh One" can do no wrong while the older warrior is down for the count. Or that the Palin 'scandals' overshadow or are more significant than Obama's truly significant problems.

I think the problem the MSM and indeed, most people identifying as 'liberal' have with Sarah Palin is that 1) she is a poster-woman for the liberated, go-for-it/do-it-all women of the present; and 2) (gasp!) she's definitely center-right. Oh, so now unless you're identifying as 'liberal' or 'progressive,' you can't be a feminist.

Ok, actually, according to most in the 'feminist' camp-- No. Just ask Phyllis Chesler, who has seen friends of decades turn on her once she began pointing out the dangers of islam to the West in general and women in particular. You'd think the McCain campaign would be taking a lot more heat from rank & file Repub. men about this decision. (Personally, I think some of the Repub guys are imagining going moose hunting with such a woman-- ok, I know this might be totally un-pc, but its my opinion & doesn't hurt or change a thing.)

So. On the one hand, we have a relative newbie on the political scene, someone who has made some questionable moves, but has also fought her own party over ethics violations and tightening the standards of ethics. She's started local and moved up as she's gained experience. All while having and raising five children with the same man.

On the other hand, there's a man who has lied about his academic career, doesn't know a LOT about stuff he should, as a DC insider, has taken credit for writing not his own, etc. And keeps spreading falsehoods about the man involved in the crash that killed family members.

Hmmm.

I'm not even going to compare the other two candidates-- in my mind, there just isn't the point. Right now, you're in the tank who you're in the tank for, and in discussions with friends and family, nothing I could point out here would make the slightest bit of difference.

With Palin, however, the rub seems to be that the active, bright, liberated woman has chosen to be (oh, the horror) a Republican. So much for freedom of thought-- I guess you're not supposed to do that.

I saw a quote of Winston Churchill's some time ago that I'm really liking, as it seems to have some amount of accuracy: "If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative by 40, you have no brain."

Maybe not all the time, but I certainly am not going to buy into the whole victim-culture thing. Bad things happen in life, sometimes through our own choices, sometimes through events and other things we cannot control. But that doesn't mean that anyone 'owes' me or you anything.

No posting, but for good reasons

I've been away for the last 3+ months, enjoying my new son. Baruch HaShem, he is healthy and growing fast. However, there is little time to devote to outside writing/blogging.

With so much going on the the world, its been wonderful to watch his first social smiles, hear his first giggles, watch him discover more and more of his world. There are the fussy times too, but its hard being a baby sometimes. I discovered things one *doesn't* want to hear from one's mohel (again, Baruch HaShem, everything is fine); that babies can have extrodinary powers of wakefulness and appetite; and that my son will nap for his babysitter, but prefers to be awake when he's with me.

Too funny!

That said, politics has in some ways become both more and less important to our lives. My position on the presumed Democratic nominee has, if anything, solidified. His supporters are now turning to censorship and other dirty tactics which have no place in democracy. This blog, as time goes on, could be targeted for shutdown. Go ahead. I'll find another outlet.

Read, read, read. Don't buy what the msm is trying to sell you.

Racist hate knows no colour boundaries

Racism is racism. Period. It is not acceptable when white people engage in it. It is not acceptable when brown people engage in it. It is not acceptable when black people engage in it. It is not acceptable when *any* human being denigrates a whole race or community.

Unacceptable.

This is an especially troubling aspect of Sen. Obama and his candiacy, however, it is not the most alarming one. I've known about this particular nasty for many months now. Anyone paying attention and looking into presidential candidates can tell you this is just a beginning of the troublesome aspects of Obama the man and politician. People who have been paying attention have now saved the true faces of various websites that are even now being scrubbed before too much light can shine on them.

In viewing various tapes and listening to audios of the Rev. Wright, the hate comes through loud and clear. The hate and the rejection of personal responsibility to make one's life a good and healthy place plays into the 'eternal victim' mentality-- never a good thing. How can a person, indeed, a community advance if it is continually told they are *never* responsible for their own condition? How does one engage in positive, proactive ideas and plans for personal and communal living if they are told no matter what, someone is always keeping them down, out to get them?

And the language used. If I ever attended a service with such profanity, I would be leaving immediately. What does it say about people who sit through these 'sermons' week after week, and expose their children to such diatribes? Seems to explain the language I hear during my commutes. It breaks down basic human decency and respect, coarsens and limits people's ability to use language to effectively communicate. Not only for people 'outside' a preceived community, but within the community as well. It is NOT healthy. It is NOT a way to improve the individual, and certainly not a way to build a healthy community.

So why would two well-educated, well-off people attend a worship community like this? Perhaps Mrs. Obama was raised in a similar worship atmosphere. Sen. Obama, however, I fear has other, deeper issues focused on his mixed blood heritage. Does he feel he needs this community to verify his African heritage? Because it is African, NOT African American-- his heritage surrounding African American history is linked to his American European heritage. Would a more inclusive community not also celebrate his diverse background? Because, let's be very clear, Sen. Obama is a mixed blood. Lots of people in the U.S. are. I am. So the 'racial' aspect is not of real import. So he's a little darker, she's a little lighter, blah blah blah. Didn't we get over this yet?? Who cares? The Rev. M.L. King had it right when he spoke of the CONTENT OF CHARACTER being more important than the color of your skin.

I'm not sanguine about Sen. Obama's character, looking at the people he surrounds himself with and associates with. He has unsavory and distinctly anti-democratic connections in Kenya-- R. Odinga being at the top of the list. Odinga has orchestrated civil war in Kenya and is attempting to get his own way by killing and terror. The newest update to this story is here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/17/AR2008031700479.html

This Kenyan election was monitored by international groups, none of whom had a problem with the way the elections were conducted, and none reported widespread or significant corruption or fraud. Odinga decided to solve his problems the way many dictators enjoy-- whip up your supporters and go terrorize the general population. This is a man Sen. Obama considers a personal friend, and he took time out of campaigning in Iowa to be speaking with Odinga.

And then there are the Illinois political connections. There are bombshells dropping from the Tony Rezko trial almost daily now, it seems. Huge amounts of money were funneled from Rezko's connections into Obama campaign coffers. Rezko is NOT a minor player in Chicago. I have a suspicion that the Obamas' house deal will be the least of bad news to come to the campaign from this angle. This guy Rezko has fingers in a lot of pies, locally and internationally, with again, connections with suspected and proven anti-democratic and actual terror operations. Doesn't seem to bother Sen. Obama, as he has no problem meeting socially and/or politically with domestic terrorists in his ward (the Weathermen couple, proud and unapologetic domestic terrorists).

Add all these factors onto a campaign that has no substance, no clear policy agenda, and a political couple who do not seem to understand how well they have done in their lives and how U.S. laws and policies have helped them to do so; and this is a candidate I cannot support. Skin color has nothing to do with this. It is his own connections and statements that make him unsupportable. "Change" in and of itself is a double-edged sword, and I for one would like more substantive information about what this change is and how it will be good for everyone before I cast my vote.

The morass of Illinois political life, or, Obama finally gets some scrutiny

Very, very interesting investigative journalism from the Chicago SunTimes.

And given the swamp that is Illinois party politics, in all likelyhood the tip of the iceberg. No, no candidates are clean, but if you're going to *claim* you're different, don't have situations like this in your financial dossier.

"During his 12 years in politics, Sen. Barack Obama has received nearly three times more campaign cash from indicted businessman Tony Rezko and his associates than he has publicly acknowledged, the Chicago Sun-Times has found.
Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle. Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s."

Too many questions. Too many unconvincing denials. Too much whining now from Obama, now that he's being subjected to real scrutiny-- c'mon, who thinks 8 questions amounts to *anything* approaching a press conference??? Too many un-democratic connections (small "d" here).

A time of sorrow, trying to pound knowledge into the willfully ignorant

As if the continuous missles fired daily into Sderot weren't enough. As if the continuous attacks on civilians going about their daily business in their own country weren't enough.

What other country in the entire world would allow such things to happen without a response? What other country in the entire world would be critized when it did response as using "disproportionate" force-- especially as the 'government' of the areas from which these attacks originate are supposed to be "peace partners?" (derisive snort)

Imagine if say, these rockets were falling on... oh, Albany NY, having been launched from Canada. Then imagine if not only the Canadian gov't were to do nothing to stop these attacks, but indeed, praise and throw money and sweets at the terrorists carrying out these attacks.

How long would it be before the U.S. swung into military action to protect its citizens? My bet is that count would be hours.

It has been MONTHS, YEARS for Sderot now. And at a frownie look from Ms. Condi Rice, Israel draws back again from protecting its citizens.


And March 6/7, also Rosh Chodesh Adar (II, this year). The beginning of a month containing one of the happiest yom tov in the Jewish calendar-- Purim.

What could possess a human being-- ANY human being to go and slaughter fellow humans like this?

Sadly, I can answer this. An Arab of Judea/Samaria. The arabs of these areas have been raised in an even more frighteningly hostile, evil environment than is usual in the Middle East. They are raised to believe that death is their highest calling, and to take people of a different community with them will allow them to collect the highest reward their community can think of. They are taught hate, disrespect for human life, and love of blood and murder. Their 'government' promotes this and also staging faked 'crises' and news stories to keep their population simmering against an invented 'enemy' and directed away from the amazing corruption and abuse perpetrated by said 'government.' Such as ordering bakeries to shut down when plenty of flour is on hand. Such as staging candlelight legislative sessions in the middle of the day. Such as blaming *everything* wrong and their OWN actions on others.

And people who should know better want SO MUCH to buy into someone's 'victimhood' they go along. Because, and let's face it, its easier to sympathize with a 'victim' than say-- Go look at what you are doing and change it pdq to better your own situation. Than to say-- perhaps you shouldn't be teaching death as the highest goal of life, perhaps you should concentrate on bettering your community and economy rather than focussing on killing people, and then celebrating the misery you've caused.

End their handouts. Expect them to behave like adults instead of toddlers throwing temper tantrums. Don't reward it. Demand CIVILIZED, RATIONAL behavior.

Words still fail me for the events at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. May the families of the murdered be comforted along with all who mourn in Zion.

No substance, no definition of "change"-- What the heck you think you'll get?

I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the US press to start doin' its job. Seems the UK journalists have beaten them to this point. Maybe they can give the NYT staff some pointers on actual investigative journalism.

Why the free pass to this candidate? Everyone else gets the microscope up the jacksie-- where is the scrutiny when it comes to this johnny-come-lately?

There are simply too many questions surrounding Mr. Obama-- personally and politically. Big, scary, unacceptable questions. The content of his campaign is non-existant, which A) doesn't impress; and B) again with the scary. Undefined change as it is presented in this campaign-- come on, it could be ANYTHING. And from a candidate with a Marxist scholastic bent, race-based church affiliation, murky advisors and murkier ties to unsavory (more than the usual) political/money guys-- I can't see the change coming for the better.

From the article, for example:

"It is unclear how Mrs Rezko could have afforded the downpayment of $125,000 and a $500,000 mortgage for the original $625,000 purchase of the garden plot at 5050 South Greenwood Ave.
In a sworn statement a year later, Mrs Rezko said she got by on a salary of $37,000 and had $35,000 assets. Mr Rezko told a court he had "no income, negative cash flow, no liquid assets, no unencumbered assets [and] is significantly in arrears on many of his obligations." "

Really. Read this. Think about the next four years.

Warm fuzzy from a war zone

So, there are a few bright points that come out of horrid situations. This is one-- not the more frequent child-in-need-sent-by-troops-to-US-for-medical-care, but something just a little more different.

And NOT about people blowing up, torturing (actual torture, mind), or otherwise killing and making other human beings miserable. Or about spoiled children in grown bodies setting fires, rioting, or otherwise being infantile over words or images. SO tired of it, and even more tired of those who have authority excusing such actions when they should know better and enforce society standards and laws.

Anyway. Here's a lucky, lucky puppy who made it out of a zone of multiple wars (human against human, dog against dog, human against dog). Amazing that this pup still has a good disposition after all he's been through!

Calling a spade a spade

Ok, an optimist I may be, but I'm not suicidal. I'm going to confront evil where it begins to creep in, and stand up for my freedoms, civil liberties, and right to exist as a full human being.

Read this. Take it seriously. No submission, no surrender.

Excerpt:

"Replaying the events that previously caused so much trouble may be viewed as unnecessary — and many American editors apparently see it that way. With only a few exceptions, most U.S. newspapers elected not to run the cartoons, sending readers to the Web for more information and, it would seem, self-defeat.
But if you were Westergaard, now under indefinite police protection — or author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who needs protection wherever she travels — you might think that the debate over free expression needs to be relentlessly aired no matter what the immediate fallout.
Hirsi Ali, author of "Infidel" — an autobiographical critique of Islam and the religion's oppression of women — has been on the run since her co-filmmaker, Theo van Gogh, was murdered on the streets in Holland. Stabbed to his chest was a note for Hirsi Ali promising that she was next.
In the wake of van Gogh's killing — and threats against Hirsi Ali and the cartoonist — one could easily make the safer decision to self-censor. Death for doodling seems hardly worth it. But giving in to intimidation inevitably leads to greater demands for special accommodation down the road.
Which leads where?
Follow the yellow brick to Canterbury, where the archbishop recently made a case for redefining the relationship between religious conscience and law to allow people to opt out of laws that contradict their teachings. Under that redefinition, sharia laws that permit gender inequality could be given a place within existing British code.
The archbishop has been word-bombed with criticism, deservedly, though he characterized the response as an overreaction.
No, an overreaction is a man who kills his wife — or a brother kills his sister — for dishonoring the family under sharia law. Overreaction is murdering a filmmaker for exploring the abuse of human rights that can be justified under strict interpretations of sharia law. Overreaction is plotting to assassinate a cartoonist for Allah's sake because you don't get it."

I get it. Others do as well, and there are forces desperately trying to shut down their voices. Use your freedom, and your brain while there's still the chance.

My own tiny Westminster dog show-related brag...

My 'puppy', Yasha Benny

No, didn't get to see the show this year (living clean, without the evil Comcast or satellite service). I was happy to see a beagle take the show-- always happy when the non-'Persian' dogs get a fair shake! (The dog and cat worlds are similiar in that certain breeds can always be expected to win more often than other breeds: for cats, its Persians, Exotic Shorthairs (or Persians with short coats), and Himilyans (or Persians with points); for dogs, its Poodles and Pekes.)

However! My dog Yasha's litter brother, CH Rodel's Miway or the Highway received a Merit Award in the Shiba Inu breed!!! Go, Mac!!! I love to say that a couple months back, Mac also beat out the poodle that took the Non-Sporting Group this week for a BEST IN SHOW! Go go Shibas, and CONGRATULATIONS to Tom and Sandie on this award!

Danish Press reclaims its freedom

How refreshing! Taking a break from creeping dhimmitude, the Danish press is standing up for one of its own.

My point is that this should have been happening since 2005-- part of living in the West is that yes, you WILL see and encounter things that offend you. The true greatness of the Western ideals of freedom of expression is that in the public sphere, a person is also free to choose what he/she looks at, takes away with him/her, and is free to allow to influence or not. This also means tolerating views and expressions objectionable to individuals. Tolerance is NOT the same as acceptance-- it simply means behaving in a civil manner, ignoring or engaging in rational discourse, if it is important enough.

Burning cars, rioting, damaging other humans or property because of a silly *cartoon* puts you in the category of oh, 4-year olds. Grow up. Get over it. Especially if these freedoms of expression are the LAW in the country you live in. Don't like that? I don't remember seeing anything preventing true objectors to Western freedoms from leaving to more restrictive climes. That too is part of Western freedom. What is foreign to Western liberties are violent, childish attempts to restrict speech, expression, and thought. Not acceptable.

That said, I'm not a fan of the actual art of Kurt Westergaard. It doesn't grab me, or really speak to me. But there is nothing forcing me to look at his stuff, and usually I don't. However, if there is an audience for him, and he functions in his chosen niche, what is the harm? In Western open societies, none. Allowing such backward behavior as these riots, violence, threats of violence and disruptions to the public marketplace of ideas to shut down valid thought and expression can only lead to very dark and dangerous places.

However, if you look at the comments to the linked story, you will see the seething already beginning. Look for more Friday afternoon...

Everything we do comes back to us

This seems like a good way to kick out a first post on a blog of a self-described optimist-- especially as I've not found so much to be optimistic about lately.

Suprisingly, the Board of Directors of the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz have shown some signs of sanity, and fired David Landau as editor-in-chief. This is the same paper that allows Amira Haas a platform for her self- and community-hatred and incomprehensible hero-worship of terrorists.

For a clear shot analysis, take a look at Caroline Glick's JPost column on the subject: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517289582&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

So there is a slight sign of dignity left at that paper-- very slight, as this decision was not actually publicized. Not that I'll be visiting the website anytime in the near future... I removed my bookmarks quite some time ago anyway.

Since this is my first posting, let me be very clear where I stand on Western civilization and principles. I will support and defend them, period. While no human system, culture, school of thought, etc. is perfect; looking at the alternatives make me realize just how Western societies have come through our periods of enlightenment and struggle for equal access under law. To squander these long and hard-fought for liberties betrays our forebears, and places our children and grandchildren in peril of having to live through a new Dark Age.

No submission, no surrender.