Breaking News Baghdad.

Iraq The Model says there is a total curfew there until Sunday morning.

Small Dead Animals thinks that this might be the anticipated showdown between Muqtada Al-Sadr and the Iraqi government.

BBC has more.

h/t Dave

The shame of Mark Foley

Rep. Mark Foley resigns after sending provocative e-mails to a male page. The whole thing is sick. There was no way we would have allowed him to continue.

Good riddance.

What is it with seduction and power? Does it create stupidity?

Update: I just remembered something. I was a page in the Mississippi State legislature when I was 16. There were wildly inappropriate comments to me as I recall. A young legislator (I can't remember his age, but in his 20's) not only asked me out, but followed me home one day and drove by my house several times until my father put a stop to it. At the time I was too young to realize how really wrong many of the comments were. (not as sexual as they probably are today, but more the leering type comments like "you should wear shorter dresses with those legs" type of thing.

I hadn't thought of that for years. I guess some things never change.

My John McCain Crush Post #25

RCP interviews McCain. My favorite parts:

"By the way, I don't mean to stray from the subject but a really entertaining thing happened day before yesterday. The Democrats had this hearing with two generals and a colonel, and it was a Rumsfeld-as-pinata encounter. But the interesting thing is that at the very end they made a terrible, cardinal error: they asked the generals and the colonel what we should do and they answered "stay the course," "more troops," "can't afford to lose." Oops. Hearing over. I thought it was wonderful. I'm sure they weren't pleased to hear the generals say we need more troops and we have to stay the course and we can't afford to lose. I'm sure some staffer probably got reprimanded or fired for allowing such a question to be asked."

He get's what the American people are feeling about the war:

"But I want to mention this about the war. Americans are frustrated, they're saddened, and they want to get out. But they don't want to get out according to a calendar. They want to get out according to conditions on the ground. And still, significant majorities, although frustrated and may think that we shouldn't have gotten in there in the first place, still don't agree with this set a date with for withdrawal. Thank God."

On Immigration:

"Here's how I think the compromise comes out. We set up a framework that all of the necessary measures to secure our border - not seal, by the way, the Israelis found out you can't seal a border - to secure our borders have been taken. In other words, authorize increased number of border patrol, facilities that need to be built, a fence, and the money appropriated so that we can go to our constituents and say "look, here's what every expert says is necessary to secure our borders, and these are the measures we've taken. " And that's going to take us a couple of years - to build the fence, install the sensors, build the towers and hire the border patrol, etc- and now we're going to try to address a temporary worker program and somehow dispose of the 11 or 12 million people who are already here. Just, for example, the temporary worker program. Suppose tomorrow we said "ok, anybody who works here as a temporary worker is going to have to have a biometric tamper proof visa." It would take us a year and half or two years anyway to set up such a program, starting from scratch. So our proposal is: take the steps necessary to secure the border, have it in place, but also start trying to address these other two issues, because the great fear of our base, and it's understandable and legitimate, is that we do what we did in the 1980s: promise to secure the borders, give amnesty, and yet the flow continues."

More:

"So this is a bridgeable gap. But again, the fear of our Republican base, and it's legitimate, because of what happened in the 80's is we say: OK, now we're going to give these people a path to citizenship and we're going to have a temporary worker program, but we don't secure the border so 10 years from there are 12 million more who've come across the border. They want a commitment to make the border secure. I understand that."

He gets why we are angry about spending:

"But there's one other aspect of this that doesn't get discussed and should be. Every time I talk to the party faithful about spending, they get angry. They are angry. They don't get angry, they are angry. The part of our base that has to do with fiscal discipline is angry at us - and they should be. There's no reason why they shouldn't be. When I mention the Bridge to Nowhere, they know it. They know it. And so, one of my major concerns is that - they won't vote Democrat, that doesn't bother me - but they might stay home. That's a concern that I have in talking to all these Republican audiences."

This warms the heart in a cold region of our country...

4 villages shun gift of free oil

"Leaders from four Western Alaska villages have rejected an offer of free heating oil from a Venezuelan- owned company because that nation's president this month called President Bush "a devil" and made other inflammatory comments about the United States.

"Despite the critical need for fuel in our region, the Unangan (Aleut) people are Americans first, and we cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation," read a statement from Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association released late Thursday."

America first. How about that?

Awesome.

h/t Dave

Update: These fine Alaskan people aren't the only ones having 2nd thoughts about Chavez's "gift" of heating oil:

"Last winter, Crosson enrolled in a heating oil program backed by CITGO Petroleum, controlled by the Venezuelan government, to fill her 250-gallon heating oil tank. She saved $200 on the purchase.

Despite the savings, Crosson is having second thoughts about re-enrolling this year after reading about Chavez's speech last week at the U.N. General Assembly. Chavez called President Bush "the devil" and U.S. policies "genocidal."

"I'm not a Bush person, believe me," said the trim, 75-year-old widow, "but I really resented that."

That's fine sweetie, don't be a "Bush person," Be an "American person." You get it.

Heck, even some Democrats get it:

"Still, the U.N. speech has cost Chavez support. Rep. Bill Delahunt, the Democrat who represents Quincy and a backer of the heating oil program, co-wrote a letter with Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., condemning the "gratuitous personal attack" on Bush as "a direct insult to the people of the United States."

John Baldacci, the Democratic governor of Maine, which received 8 million gallons of discounted heating oil last winter, said that "based on current events," he won't renew his agreement with CITGO."

Ed Koch..unplugged.

Years ago if you had told me that I would agree with everything in a speech that Democrat Ed Koch gave, I would have laughed. But former Mayor Koch spoke on first day of Rosh Hashanah at his Synagogue and his remarks were profound and full of wisdom. Here are some snippets:

"During the service this morning an elderly man came over to me and said, "Tell the Jews how foolish they are not to appreciate how good and supportive the President has been to the Jewish community. When I look back on the Nazis and remember what they did, I know how important it is for the President to stand up for Jews and others who are being terrorized throughout the world."

I replied, "I have and I will."

More:

"President Bush needs continued strength and courage to protect our country from the Islamic terrorists who want to kill us. Their goal, as clearly stated in the words of Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, the head of al-Qaeda in Iraq before he was killed by an American bomb, is "Killing the infidels is our religion, slaughtering them is our religion, until they convert to Islam or pay us tribute." The infidels alluded to are you and I as well as other Jews, Christians (called Crusaders), Hindus and dissenting Muslims who disagree with them on religious or political issues.

I admire the strength and intelligence of Pope Benedict XVI. He understands the Muslim threats of violence against people unwilling to convert to Islam. He has called for a dialogue with the Muslim world."

Referring to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addressing the General Assembly of the UN as he vilified President Bush, referring to him as "the devil:"

"What offended me even more than Chavez's ludicrous remarks were the responses of the U.N. delegates. No one stood up and told Chavez that he was out of order and demanded that he stop or sit down. They should have told him he was a disgrace to the U.N. Instead they are reported to have applauded this monster and laughed with him, instead of at him. The Times reported:

"So while there was official outrage over Mr. Chavez calling Mr. Bush 'the devil,' there was also a lot of applause and giggling, from dignitaries including the president of the General Assembly herself, Haya Rashed al-Khalifa of Bahrain, who was caught chuckling from her seat on the dais behind Mr. Chavez."

And finally:

".... do you remember the Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl who was taken hostage by the terrorists in Pakistan? They paraded him on television and forced him to say, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." Then they slit his throat and decapitated him with the world watching the video of the murder.

The Rabbi told us this morning that we recite very important prayers today, and we should be conscious of their special significance. I hope that some day soon we will add Daniel Pearl's words to a special prayer to be said today, as I say it now, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." And I am proud."

Whenever we wonder about this fight we fight, we need to remember Daniel Pearl. He wasn't a soldier. He had no political agenda. The terrorists hated him for the same reason Hitler hated so many before...because he was Jewish.

Today Pres. Bush said that we do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism. That idea, being promoted by Democrats, that somehow not fighting terrorists will make them hate us less, is simply disproven by the past.

It was our ambivalence that allowed 9-11.

When we are tempted to give up this fight, let us remember Daniel Pearl. We stand with our Jewish friends and they stand with us. Never again will we allow others to kill innocent humans for simply who they are. Never again.


h/t Errol Phillips

Don't let the door hit you on the way out....

September 29, 2006 -- Billionaire liberal financier George Soros, who spent millions of his fortune trying to oust President Bush in 2004, yesterday said he hopes to stay out of politics from now on.

via LGF

Uh-oh!

More "put up or shut up" from House Republicans.

God it is so funny watching them make Pelosi and her team look like ninnies on defense.

Retorted Pelosi: "I think the speaker is a desperate man for him to say that. Would you think that anyone in our country wants to coddle terrorists?"

heh heh heh

UPDATE: Senate passes bill which permits the creation of military tribunals to prosecute terror suspects. There is little doubt the House will follow suit tomorrow. And the icing on the cake, Senate rejects stupid amendment from Specter which would have allowed terror suspects to file petitions for habeus corpus in court.

Bush seems to be implementing his agenda quite successfully. Several Democrats broke ranks on the tribunal bill.

I can't wait to hear more hyperventilating from the left about "fear". Apparently some Democrats in Congress think the voters are serious about this terrorism thingy.

UPDATE 2: 12 Democratic Senators voted yes on tribunals. Including Joe.

Teenagers. What are you gonna do?

I don't know. Maybe arrest them. Then let them go so the passengers can beat the crap out of them?

Jesse Ventura campaigns for Kinky Friedman in Texas.

Maybe not such a good idea?



What? Is Jesse going for the Battlefield Earth look here? Heh.

I love it...

7-Eleven is dumping Chavez' Citgo gasoline:

DALLAS - 7-Eleven Inc. dropped Venezuela-owned Citgo as its gasoline supplier after more than 20 years as part of a previously announced plan by the convenience store operator to launch its own brand of fuel.
7-Eleven officials said Wednesday that the decision was partly motivated by politics.
Citgo Petroleum Corp. is a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-run oil company and 7-Eleven is worried that anti-American comments made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez might prompt motorists to fill-up elsewhere.

Awesome. Go buy a Big Gulp or something today to show your appreciation.

via Blogs for Bush

(no, I'm not officially back. I just can't help myself)

OMG! This is so funny...

Iowahawk gives us some "commentary" by Keith Olbermann regarding Pres. Clinton during the Chris Wallace interview. Here is a snippet:

"He told the great truth untold about this administration’s negligence, perhaps criminal negligence, about bin Laden.
He was brave.
He was truthful.
His jugular swelled and pulsed with righteousness, causing his entire virile being became visually enveloped in a golden aura, as a choir of angels sweetly sang of his wrathful trying, beckoning the rapt listener forward into the warm, healing light of his all-cleansing presidentiality."

You have got to read the whole thing.

via Hugh Hewitt

Question for left-leaning commenters

What do you think Sandy Berger was doing in the National Archives?

Why did he hide documents in his pants and take them out?

What do you think he lost?

What do you think he put back?

Why did he do that?

The wit and wisdom of Zed

Don't be calling people names. That privilege is reserved for leftard trolls.

Maybe you should try looking in a mirror - uninformed bed-wetters.

How's traffic over at your place? Gettin' lots

But what I've seen in response to the thoughtful posts, and to what appear to be honest attempts to generate discussion, on the part of the folks we've mentioned, has been anything ranging from ignoring or belittling their comments with a couple of words (Big Dog's famous *rolls eyes,* for example) to flat out name-calling and the kind of name-calling and piling on usually associated with schoolyard bullies.

You're sick and twisted with no evident humanity

You are willing fools. You are to be pitied.

Anyone who needs any of the above to be clarified, is either really stupid, doesn't care, or is looking for an out.

You're too thick, or just being disingenuous.

You’re a traitor to the principles of this country.

WH declassifies the rest of the story

The parts NOT leaked by some traitor to the NYT.

The Iraq conflict has become the .cause celebre. for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for
the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.“

emphasis mine very own.

By the way, did anybody notice Bush mentioned this NIE was completed in April? And wondered aloud in Q&A why certain phrases would be leaked now?

BONUS: Information declassified just as Barbera Boxer dramatically called for a closed session of Congress to review this startling NEW information!

Bad day for Babs.

note: link times out... busy gummint site today. check again later.

European Union Official says Pope Deserved More Support

Political Gateway

BERLIN, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The president of the European Commission says he is disappointed the leaders of Europe didn't defend Pope Benedict XVI's remarks about Islam.

In Sunday's edition of the German newspaper Weltam Sonntag, Jose Manuel Barroso said Islamic extremists are a threat, but people cannot confuse tolerance with political correctness by putting others' values above their own, Deutsche Welle reported.

Barroso also said the problem does not not lie with the pope's comments, but with the violent reaction of extremists.

In a September address in his native Germany, the pope quoted the words of a 15th century Byzantine emperor that characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed -- particular the urging of Muslims to spread the faith through conquest -- as evil.

The comment was followed by demonstrations across the Muslim world demanding an apology.

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union.

From Christian Today

"I was disappointed there were not more European leaders who said 'naturally the Pope has the right to express his views'," Barroso was quoted as saying to the German Die Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

~snip~

Barroso said the caution on the part of European leaders was probably due to "worries about a possible confrontation" as well as a "certain form of political correctness".

"We have to defend our values," he said. "We should also encourage the moderate leaders in the Muslim world - and they're the majority - to distance themselves from this extremism."

Can it be the Europeans developing a backbone? Are they finally having enough of the muslims bullying them around and imposing their values on everyone else in Europe?

I hope so.

There'll probably be a fatwa issued for Barroso by tomorrow.

crossposted at Blue Star Chronicles

Cat Stevens Criticizes the Pope

Oh for CRYING OUT LOUD!!!

Now comes the once pop music star Cat Stevens AKA Yusuf Islam to criticize the Pope. Will the hypocrisy NEVER end?

Khaleej Times

LONDON, England - Yusuf Islam, the British singer known as Cat Stevens before his conversion to Islam, on Sunday added to the criticism of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent remarks about the religion.

Islam, known for his 1970s hits including “Father And Son” and ”Wild World”, said that the pope quoting from a medieval text, which attacks some of the Prophet Mohammed’s teachings as “evil and inhuman” showed the pontiff was not infallible.

Apparently, Cat was raised Catholic and converted to islam in 1977 following a near-death experience.

Toronto Daily

Raised Catholic and prominent convert to Islam, Cat Stevens, who now uses the name Yusuf Islam, said in an interview with BBC that the pope's words proved he was not "infallible."

"At one point, I used to believe that the pope was infallible," Islam said.

Cat Stevens, whose real name is Steven Demetre Georgiou, sold over 60 million albums, mostly in the 1970s. His most notable songs include "Morning Has Broken", "Peace Train", and "Moonshadow".

I had a crush on Cat Stevens when I was a kid. I was one of the 60 million that bought his albums. That irritates me now.

I'm thinking WHERE Cat, WHERE was your outrage when muslims cut off the heads of American Soldier's in Iraq?? Where was your outrage when muslims fire bombed churches because they didn't like what the Pope said? Where was your outrage when they slit Theo Van Gough's throat because they didn't like a movie he made?? Where was your outrage when they shot a nun in the back because they didn't like what the Pope said. Where was your outrage when YOUR chosen religion of peace beheads, hangs, buries alive anyone who does not behave in the manner they deem worthy?

Does any of that bother you? All you seem to be able to say is that you shouldn't be judged by how another muslim behaves. I have yet to hear you speak diapproval about girls being murdered for their families 'honor' after being raped. I have yet to hear you speak against the destructive riots or the bombings muslims have perpetrated in your own country.

Shut up CAT STEVENS. You got rich in the 1970s singing songs. That does not make you an expert on world events or religion. You have nothing worth while to offer.

Cat Stevens then and now.

crossposted at Blue Star Chronicles.

UN Condemns Swiss for New Asylum-Seekers Laws

Swiss Info

Swiss voters have approved tougher regulations on asylum and have limited immigration for citizens from outside the European Union.

~snip~

On asylum voters were evidently convinced by the government's arguments that harsher measures against asylum abuses were necessary to avoid social tensions and provide protection for those fleeing persecution.

~snip~

Justice Minister Christoph Blocher of the rightwing Swiss People's Party – who is at the forefront of the reform – warned of an increasing number of asylum requests and high costs for the country's welfare system.

~snip~

The amended law on foreigners in principle limits immigration for citizens outside the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (Efta) to highly skilled labour.

It also aims to encourage integration, in particular by language courses, while cracking down on human trafficking and marriages of convenience.

The cabinet, as well as three of the four main parties, are in favour, but opponents criticised the restrictions for family members of immigrants and harsh jail terms for illegal immigrants who refuse to leave the country.

The law passed by 80%. EIGHTY PERCENT. I think that means a large majority of Swiss want to have stricter laws on immigration.

Predictably, the U.N. is condemning Switzerland for passing these new laws.

William Spindler, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said he regretted the outcome of the referendum. "It will now be necessary to ensure that the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees remain protected and that the new laws meet international standards," he said.

If only the U.N. would be as concerned about the laws meeting 'international standards' in the nations these people are fleeing. If those nations met 'international standards' than there would be much less a need for the nations that DO meet those standards to make EVEN MORE room for 'asylum-seekers'. Or you might call them 'illegal immigrants' or whatever you want to call people who come to these countries to try to better their lots in life or to take advantage of generous welfare systems paid for by the hard working tax payers of those nations.

It looks to me like the people of Switzerland are attempt to keep the country from being crushed under the weight of those seeking to take advantage of it's once generous welfare system. That's what happens when a system is abused.

Not to worry! Switzerland can always ignore the U.N. like everybody else does.

Crossposted at Blue Star Chronicles

Bin Laden joke.

I'm just popping in because with all this talk of Bin Laden's death (and I do hope it is true. Death by diarrhea, how appropriate, right?) I remembered a joke I posted in 2004. Enjoy.

Little Melissa comes home from first grade and tells her father that they learned about the history of Valentine's Day."
"Since Valentine's Day is for a Christian saint and we're Jewish," she asks, "will God get mad at me for giving someone a valentine?"
Melissa's father thinks a bit, then says "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a valentine to?"
"Osama Bin Laden," she says. "Why Osama Bin Laden," her father asks in shock."Well," she says, I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give Osama a valentine, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent valentines to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then he'd start going all over the place to tell everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore.
"Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with newfound pride. "Melissa, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."
"I know," Melissa says, "and once that gets him out in the open, the Marines could blow the @#*@ out of him."