A group that claims soverignty for Hawaii has taken over an historic palace in Honolulu.
The Hawaiian Kingdom Government says it will conduct the business of Hawaii from the Iolani Palace. They've locked the gates to the palace. Police have stationed themselves outside, not letting anyone else enter the ground.
The occupation is mainly symbolic. Protest leaders said they were prepared to be arrested and would go peacefully but vowed to return.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Blaming The Victim
Can you imagine a judge blaming a woman who was raped for, say, wearing a mini-dress? Saying the woman was 68 percent responsible for the attack? That it wasn't a question of if but when she would be raped?
That's basically what an appeals court has done with regard to the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. In which a vehicle bomb was used to injure scores and kill six people.
Amazing, that the target of the crime, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, owner of the WTC, is being declared responsible.
That's basically what an appeals court has done with regard to the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. In which a vehicle bomb was used to injure scores and kill six people.
Amazing, that the target of the crime, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, owner of the WTC, is being declared responsible.
Push To Make Rutka's Notebook Part Of Curriculum
Rutka's Notebook, the recently discovered writings of Rutka Laskier, a Jewish girl in a Polish Ghetto who was taken by the Nazis and killed, should be required reading in all junior and high school classes around the world.
That's the goal of Zahava Scherz, Rutka's half sister, who appeared on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
"If we are not aware that anti-Semitism and racism still exists," says Laskier, another Holocaust can occur.
"Education is the way to remember what happened so that it never happens again."
A Polish Catholic friend of Rutka helped hide her notebook from the Nazis so that it could resurface all these years later.
There were other cases of Poles helping Jews. But they did so at great peril. They, says Scherz, were the exception rather than the rule.
The general demeanor of the Polish people during the Holocaust, she says, was to "ignore or even help the Nazis find the Jews."
Scherz says the world should follow the example of French Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy, who wants every student in his nation to learn the story of one child his or her age who was victimized by the Holocaust.
Schrez believes her sister hoped that her writings would help people understand the horrors of what the Nazis did.
"Rutka wanted the diary to be found," she says.
"We need to help her realize her will."
That's the goal of Zahava Scherz, Rutka's half sister, who appeared on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
"If we are not aware that anti-Semitism and racism still exists," says Laskier, another Holocaust can occur.
"Education is the way to remember what happened so that it never happens again."
A Polish Catholic friend of Rutka helped hide her notebook from the Nazis so that it could resurface all these years later.
There were other cases of Poles helping Jews. But they did so at great peril. They, says Scherz, were the exception rather than the rule.
The general demeanor of the Polish people during the Holocaust, she says, was to "ignore or even help the Nazis find the Jews."
Scherz says the world should follow the example of French Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy, who wants every student in his nation to learn the story of one child his or her age who was victimized by the Holocaust.
Schrez believes her sister hoped that her writings would help people understand the horrors of what the Nazis did.
"Rutka wanted the diary to be found," she says.
"We need to help her realize her will."
Democratic Registrations Up
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh would like to take credit for the increase in the number of people registering as Democrats this presidential election year.
Limbaugh is the self-described commander-in-chief of Operation Chaos. Designed to get Republicans to register as Democrats to skew presidential primary results.
But a new Pew Research poll suggests that it's less Limbaugh's influence. And more the result of young voters registering as Democrats.
It's an easy survey to analyze. Many first time voters, some perhaps motivated by the fear of a possible reinstatement of a wartime draft, oppose the war. And see the Democrats as anti-war. The Republicans as pro-war.
It's easy, as well, to see how they reach that conclusion. This war is under the direction of George Bush, a Republican. Republican presidential candidate John McCain says U.S. forces may remain in Iraq for as long as another century.
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are campaigning on a pledge to get the troops out of Iraq as soon as is feasible.
For voters in general, the overriding issue in this campaign may very well be the economy. But, with apologies to the first President Bush, it's pretty clear that to first time voters, it's the war, stupid.
Limbaugh is the self-described commander-in-chief of Operation Chaos. Designed to get Republicans to register as Democrats to skew presidential primary results.
But a new Pew Research poll suggests that it's less Limbaugh's influence. And more the result of young voters registering as Democrats.
It's an easy survey to analyze. Many first time voters, some perhaps motivated by the fear of a possible reinstatement of a wartime draft, oppose the war. And see the Democrats as anti-war. The Republicans as pro-war.
It's easy, as well, to see how they reach that conclusion. This war is under the direction of George Bush, a Republican. Republican presidential candidate John McCain says U.S. forces may remain in Iraq for as long as another century.
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are campaigning on a pledge to get the troops out of Iraq as soon as is feasible.
For voters in general, the overriding issue in this campaign may very well be the economy. But, with apologies to the first President Bush, it's pretty clear that to first time voters, it's the war, stupid.
Al Qaeda Gains Strength
Yesterday, former U.S. Sen. and former presidential candidate Gary Hart suggested on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com that the fight in Iraq should be shifted to Afghanistan to properly engage the enemy in the war on terror.
Now the Bush administration is, unwittingly, adding fuel to Hart's argument. By saying that al Qaeda has regained strength in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.
Of course, the White House still clings to the argument that al Qaeda has infested Iraq and if we weren't fighting them there we'd be fighting them on the streets of New York, Washington and London.
Now the Bush administration is, unwittingly, adding fuel to Hart's argument. By saying that al Qaeda has regained strength in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.
Of course, the White House still clings to the argument that al Qaeda has infested Iraq and if we weren't fighting them there we'd be fighting them on the streets of New York, Washington and London.
Obama 'Divorces' Wright
"It's about time!" exclaimed a Barack Obama supporter upon learning that the Democratic presidential candidate has distanced himself from his retired pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Obama angrily denounced Wright's comments as "appalling."
It was a necessary move on Obama's part. If not, Wright's apparently insatiable appetite for the public spotlight was going to, if not sink, seriously damage, Obama's campaign ship.
It's actually a shame that Wright put Obama in such an untenable position. But being a candidate for president of the United States means making tough decisions. Being president means making decisions that are even tougher.
Obama angrily denounced Wright's comments as "appalling."
It was a necessary move on Obama's part. If not, Wright's apparently insatiable appetite for the public spotlight was going to, if not sink, seriously damage, Obama's campaign ship.
It's actually a shame that Wright put Obama in such an untenable position. But being a candidate for president of the United States means making tough decisions. Being president means making decisions that are even tougher.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Former Senator Says New Thinking Needed In War On Terror
An unconventional war run by an unconventional enemy deserves an unconventional response.
That's the one sentence synopsis of former U.S. Sen. and former presidential candidate Gary Hart's view of how the next administration must address the war on terrorism.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Hart says the United States intelligence community must make a better effort to integrate its services with those of its allies and share more information. Armed with that information, military or law enforcement units can then move in and kick in the doors of terrorists to arrest or kill them.
"Traditional warfare," Hart declared, "doesn't work."
He does believe, however, that military efforts need to be beefed up in Afghanistan to cut off the source of orders and funding to terrorists worldwide.
That's the one sentence synopsis of former U.S. Sen. and former presidential candidate Gary Hart's view of how the next administration must address the war on terrorism.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Hart says the United States intelligence community must make a better effort to integrate its services with those of its allies and share more information. Armed with that information, military or law enforcement units can then move in and kick in the doors of terrorists to arrest or kill them.
"Traditional warfare," Hart declared, "doesn't work."
He does believe, however, that military efforts need to be beefed up in Afghanistan to cut off the source of orders and funding to terrorists worldwide.
Jonathan Cohn, Author Of Book On U.S. Health Care, Looks At Candidate's Health Care Plans On Paltalk
Cohn
Jonathan Cohn, who looks at the candidates -- and their health care plans -- in an updated version of his acclaimed book Sick: The Untold Story of America's Health Care Crisis---and the People Who Pay the Price, will be my guest Wednesday May 7 on News Talk Online on Paltalk.
It’s been one year since SICK introduced readers to eight average Americans struggling to find affordable medical care -- and told about the hardships they endured as a result. Their stories, Cohn said, were indicative of a national crisis. His solution? An idea that had spooked politicians for more than a decade: universal health care.
Now, finally, a debate over universal coverage is taking place, thanks to a rising chorus for change. Everybody from the CEO of Wal-Mart to the movie-star governor of California says all Americans should have health insurance. Both of the Democratic candidates for president have said the same thing -- and have put forth serious plans designed to do just that.
Cohn will tell us, not only where Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama stand on the issue. But also what John McCain's vision for health care for all Americans is.
To talk to Cohn, who is also senior editor at New Republic, at 5:30 PM Wednesday May 7 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
Bloomberg Targets Homeland Security Funding
Bloomberg
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues his complaints about the way homeland security funds are distributed in the United States.
Bloomberg, who had been toying with the idea of running for president, says if he was the president, he'd change the system.
The money would be doled based on the threat to various communities.
In other words, New York would get a bigger piece of the pie. Because New York has been, and continues to be, a potential terrorism target.
This is a simple common sense approach that has been also suggested by members of New York's congressional delegation. The folks in charge of all this in Washington should be listening to what they say.
Bush Points Fingers At Congress
Wants to increase domestic oil production
So who is really to blame for the current oil crisis?
The economy? The oil industry? The White House?
None of the above, according to President Bush.
That's right. Congress.
Not just Congress. But the Democratic controlled Congress.
According to the president, he has had plans to counter rising gasoline prices. But Congress has been less-than-receptive.
He says a solution would be to increase production in the United States. Then the U.S. would have enough fuel to keep up with demand. And would decrease its reliance on foreign oil.
He's right when he says he's suggested this before. And that Congress has balked.
But the political and economic landscape has changed. It could be that this time, the president's proposal won't fall on deaf ears again.
Obama's Loyalty To Wright Not Returned
Wright at the National Press Club
When the controversy over Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's now-retired pastor, Jerimiah Wright, first broke, Obama expressed loyalty to the reverend. Someone he acknowledged he's been close to for two decades.
While attempting to distance himself from Wright's comments, Obama, nevertheless, supported Wright and his afro-centric Chicago church. But Wright fails to return the favor.
He seemingly now can't get enough of the spotlight. And every time he appears on television, or is quoted in the newspapers, it just gets worse for Obama.
Obama had thought he had put Wright's style of preaching, which many Americans find uncomfortable to hear, behind him when he made his highly touted speech about race in Philadelphia. But Wright seems intent on rekindling the controversy. At an NAACP dinner in Detroit. At the National Press Club in Washington. On the Fox News Channel.
A minister is supposed to serve his or her flock. If Rev. Wright wants to truly serve the most famous member of his former congregation, he should shut up.
Whatever his motivations, he is hurting Obama politically. One must wonder why Wright, who showed horrific judgment by urging black Americans to damn the United States, continues to make choices that clearly damage a man he claims to be his friend.
Wright talked at the NAACP dinner about the differences between black and white Americans. Obama is trying to talk about the commonality. He needs to in order to stand the chance of election as the president of the United States. That means the entire nation. All of us. Not just the black Americans Wright attempts to represent.
One would think, given his narrow racial viewpoint, Wright would do everything in his power to help Obama become the first black president of the United States.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talkradionews/2449435915/
Clinton Sounding Like McCain
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says there should be a temporary summer-long suspension of the federal gasoline tax.
That's a proposal first floated by Republican candidate John McCain. One that's opposed by fellow Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.
While the proposal may have some populist appeal among those of us who feel pain every time we fill our tanks, there are those who would clearly be hurt by it.
Federal gasoline taxes pay for highway construction. Highway construction translates into jobs. Largely, depending on where one is geographically, seasonable jobs. Summer jobs.
The real problem is the rising cost of oil. It's increasing at such a rapid pace that, at this point, an elimination of the federal gasoline tax would seem fairly insignificant.
That's a proposal first floated by Republican candidate John McCain. One that's opposed by fellow Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.
While the proposal may have some populist appeal among those of us who feel pain every time we fill our tanks, there are those who would clearly be hurt by it.
Federal gasoline taxes pay for highway construction. Highway construction translates into jobs. Largely, depending on where one is geographically, seasonable jobs. Summer jobs.
The real problem is the rising cost of oil. It's increasing at such a rapid pace that, at this point, an elimination of the federal gasoline tax would seem fairly insignificant.
McCain More Trustworthy Than Dems
Voters trust McCain
DETROIT - A new poll concludes that voters find presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain more trustworthy than Democrats Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
But the poll also finds that voters trust Democrats more so than Republicans when it comes to dealing with key issues like the economy. With so many economic issues facing Americans, this could give the Democratic presidential nominee, whether it's Obama or Clinton, an edge over McCain.
Here in Detroit, one of the hardest-hit areas of the nation, the economy takes center stage over all other issues.
"I spent $50 for a tank of gas the other day," said our waiter at a popular suburban seafood restaurant where a friend and I met for lunch.
"I've never spent that much for gasoline before in my life."
The waiter says he now basically just drives to and from work. There's far less money spent in his household on entertainment. He's obviously not alone.
"This restaurant is still doing good," he observed. "But many of the other restaurants around here are really struggling. And, compared to other communities around Detroit, this is a particularly good area economically."
That point was illustrated for me later at dinner after the show. There were no other customers in the pizzeria when a friend and I walked in. There were no other customers when we ate. And no other customers had come in by the time we had left. None.
The waiter/bartender was so bored that he kept coming by our booth to make conservation.
"This is bad," he said.
"Even for a Monday night, which is generally slow, this is really bad."
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48352971@N00/2439085315/
Monday, April 28, 2008
Clinton Better Positioned To Beat McCain
Bests McCain in poll
A new AP poll indicates that Hillary Clinton is, today, better able to beat John McCain than would be Barack Obama in a general election.
The poll, obviously, is a snapshot of today's voter's attitudes. And it's still a long road to election day.
Still, it helps bolster Clinton's contention that she ought to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
It also may help mute those Democrats who say Clinton should drop out for the good of the party.
Perhaps Clinton should stay in the race for the party's good.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonrocks/2442784671/
Food Crisis Manageable
"There's more than enough food in the world to make everyone chubby."
So says Diet For A Small Planet author Francis Moore Lappe.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Lappe said the United States has enough food to feed the world. Yet right here, there are people in soup lines and going in larger numbers to food pantries for assistance.
Changes in policies might help.
For example, she says, one-third of the world's corn crop now goes to produce bio fuels.
The food shortage, she asserts, is really a crisis in democracy. She believes that, given the chance, ordinary citizens would find ways to make certain no one went hungry in the world. Instead, she laments, there are 100 million more starving people on the planet.
There's enough food, she says, to feed the entire planet. The problem is people don't have access to it.
"Why?" Lappe asks, before answering her own question: "Because they are too poor."
People can do something about this on local, national and global levels.
"In the third largest city in Brazil," she says, "people came together to find ways of making good healthy food available to everyone."
One of the solutions: making abandoned city land available to local organic farmers, who then sold the produce to local residents at reasonable prices.
The result? Infant deaths declined by 56 percent. At a cost of only 1 percent of the city's budget.
To learn more about what you can do to fight the global food crisis, go to Lappe's site, http://www.smallplanet.org/.
So says Diet For A Small Planet author Francis Moore Lappe.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Lappe said the United States has enough food to feed the world. Yet right here, there are people in soup lines and going in larger numbers to food pantries for assistance.
Changes in policies might help.
For example, she says, one-third of the world's corn crop now goes to produce bio fuels.
The food shortage, she asserts, is really a crisis in democracy. She believes that, given the chance, ordinary citizens would find ways to make certain no one went hungry in the world. Instead, she laments, there are 100 million more starving people on the planet.
There's enough food, she says, to feed the entire planet. The problem is people don't have access to it.
"Why?" Lappe asks, before answering her own question: "Because they are too poor."
People can do something about this on local, national and global levels.
"In the third largest city in Brazil," she says, "people came together to find ways of making good healthy food available to everyone."
One of the solutions: making abandoned city land available to local organic farmers, who then sold the produce to local residents at reasonable prices.
The result? Infant deaths declined by 56 percent. At a cost of only 1 percent of the city's budget.
To learn more about what you can do to fight the global food crisis, go to Lappe's site, http://www.smallplanet.org/.
Dean Fears Floor Fight
Dean - trying to stop the process
Note to Howard Dean: please don't ruin the fun of political junkies.
Also, don't be so afraid of the process.
Dean, the Democratic Party chairman, is saying today that Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama should drop out of the race for the presidential nomination in order to unify the party.
Unify my eye.
How about letting the party regulars, i.e. the Democratic voters, determine who will be the nominee?
The way to do this is to let the process play itself out. What's the worst that can happen? It can go to a floor fight at the Democratic convention in Denver.
Isn't that what the Democratic party rules call for if there's not a clear cut winner by then?
Stop trying to manipulate the process Mr. Dean. It's bad enough that the party aced out the Democratic voters in Michigan and Florida. Don't try to compound it by telling those who voted in the other Democratic primaries that their votes also didn't count!
Israeli Attack On Syrian Nuke Plant Should Serve As Warning To Iran
Olmert - more attacks possible
It's being reported today that after Israel's successful attack of a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor last year was recently made public, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suggested that other similar attacks could be undertaken in the future.
Read: attacks on Iran.
Israel doesn't have the luxury the rest of the world has of time. Time to debate what actions should be taken if Tehran continues its nuclear weapons development program.
Failure to act could mean the end of the state of Israel. So Israel takes whatever decisive action it deems necessary to protect its borders and its citizens. The public condemnation be damned. Israel can survive political fallout. But has less chance of surviving nuclear fallout.
Homeland Security Recruits Small Boat Owners In War On Terrorism
Asztalos aboard the Snow Bird
The Department of Homeland Security is expanding its maritime security efforts. Which 'til now have primarily focused on large commercial vessels, their cargoes and crews.
But as the USS Cole attack demonstrated, small vessels can be just as deadly.
So the DHS is asking small boat owners to keep wary eyes out for any suspicious activities.
"It's an excellent idea," says Richard Asztalos, the captain of the Snow Bird, a 48' Mapleleaf cutter-type sailboat whose home port is Poulsbo, WA.
"There are a lot of helicopters and Coast Guard vessels patrolling the waters near Seattle," he says. "They've profiled suspicious people on ferry boats in Seattle. Some in the Arabic community got upset. But aren't most of the al Qaeda terrorists Arabs?"
But Asztalos says the Coast Guard can't be everywhere. And local boaters, he says, have their ear to the ground - or water.
"In any marine environment, boaters know one another well," says Asztalos, who is a contributing writer for DIY Boat Owner magazine.
"They should keep an eye on who is in their marinas. Who is docking by them. Especially who is out at night."
Asztalos says boaters are, generally, a friendly bunch. People who don't know one another strike up casual conversations easily.
"If someone is reticent to talk," he says, "you may want to give them a second glance."
Gasoline Prices Could More Than Double In U.S.
Oakland, CA
The price of gasoline is already at $4-a-gallon at some New York and California stations (diesel fuel for truckers is even higher). There are those who have been predicting it will reach $5-a-gallon before too long.
But now, two analysts are saying, don't be surprised if the cost of gasoline reaches $7 to $10-a-gallon in the United States.
This is not the kind of news that the economy, which is limping along, needs.
There is a point of no return for drivers. What figure triggers decisions to park cars, or stop spending elsewhere to compensate for high gasoline prices, varies with each person. But if people stop shopping, stop eating out, in short, stop spending, because of the cost of gasoline, the effect on the economy will be devastating.
Meanwhile, oil companies continue to make unbelievable profits.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/newbirth/2437666005/
Hamas Blocks Fuel Shipments To Gaza
Following the visit of former Pres. Jimmy Carter with several of its leaders in Syria, Hamas indicated a willingness to suspend military actions against Israel. So it's now turning its attention to its "other" enemy. Fellow Palestinians.
Hamas militiamen have fired upon and turned back trucks taking fuel from Israel to the United Nations relief agencies in the Gaza. The fuel was to be used to enable the distribution of food and other humanitarian supplies to half-a-million Palestinians.
News reports indicate that the fuel was diverted to Hamas security installations. In other words, the Hamas militiamen thought they needed the fuel more so than did the Palestinian people.
Remember this the next time you hear someone complain about how Israel has put a stranglehold on the Palestinians. The real source of the Palestinian isolationism is their so-called leadership.
If there had not been suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israel there would be no need for the highly criticized barrier between Israel and the Gaza. There would be greater freedom of movement between the Palestinian territories and Israel. More Palestinians would be working in well paying jobs in Israel. Commerce would flow across the border.
The bottom line is, when the various Palestinian leaderships really show a desire to live in peace alongside Israel, then the condition of the Palestinian people will vastly improve.
Perhaps, though, it is easier and more expedient for those leaderships to take what seems to the rest of us to be counter-productive steps. To encourage the substandard living conditions of the Palestinian people. To foster discontent and hate for Israel.
Hamas militiamen have fired upon and turned back trucks taking fuel from Israel to the United Nations relief agencies in the Gaza. The fuel was to be used to enable the distribution of food and other humanitarian supplies to half-a-million Palestinians.
News reports indicate that the fuel was diverted to Hamas security installations. In other words, the Hamas militiamen thought they needed the fuel more so than did the Palestinian people.
Remember this the next time you hear someone complain about how Israel has put a stranglehold on the Palestinians. The real source of the Palestinian isolationism is their so-called leadership.
If there had not been suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israel there would be no need for the highly criticized barrier between Israel and the Gaza. There would be greater freedom of movement between the Palestinian territories and Israel. More Palestinians would be working in well paying jobs in Israel. Commerce would flow across the border.
The bottom line is, when the various Palestinian leaderships really show a desire to live in peace alongside Israel, then the condition of the Palestinian people will vastly improve.
Perhaps, though, it is easier and more expedient for those leaderships to take what seems to the rest of us to be counter-productive steps. To encourage the substandard living conditions of the Palestinian people. To foster discontent and hate for Israel.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Oliver North Accuses Media Of Distorted Coverage Of Iraq War
North
LIVONIA MI - Lt. Col Oliver North (Ret), host of the Fox News Channel's War Stories, charges that his news media colleagues ignore positive stories in their reporting about the war in Iraq.
North's comments came in a keynote address to the annual Fallen and Wounded Soldier's Fund dinner at the Laurel Manor here. The FWSF is a non-partisan non-profit organization that raises money to help wounded soldiers and the relatives of those who have died in combat.
North argues that the American public has been "lied to by so many of my colleagues."
He charged that Newsweek magazine "totally fabricated the story of a Koran being flushed down the toilet at Abu Ghraib."
And he blasted a New York Times article which he says claimed that the bulk of those fighting in Iraq are from Mississippi, Texas and Alabama. The inference, he says, is that those who enlist are drawn to the military because there's nothing else for them to do.
He had this message for his colleagues: "You are dead wrong about those who serve our country today."
North says the United States armed forces are, "the best educated, best equipped and best trained military in history," capable, he said, of operating and maintaining the most sophisticated equipment ever used by the military anytime in history.
"This military," he asserted, "can do almost anything that's asked of them so long as they have sufficient support from home."
The true untold story, North maintains, is that the United States military has become the protectors of women in the Muslim world. And is giving people in Iraq a chance to develop a representative government.
He says that more people are going to to school, there's more electricity and better medical facilities in Iraq than ever before. There are more newspapers, police stations and fire stations. "You don't," he says, "hear this in the mainstream media."
And he says the re-enlistment rate in the military is 117 percent of what's authorized.
"Nobody," he argues, "re-enlists for a losing cause."
North also lauded the 900 people attending the annual dinner.
"What you are doing," he told the gathering, "is of crucial importance."
But he asked them to do more. By hiring returning veterans.
According to North, the unemployment rate among the general population in the United States is more than 5 percent. But among returning veterans it's about 20 percent. Something he terms "a scandal that ought not happen."
North argues that the American public has been "lied to by so many of my colleagues."
He charged that Newsweek magazine "totally fabricated the story of a Koran being flushed down the toilet at Abu Ghraib."
And he blasted a New York Times article which he says claimed that the bulk of those fighting in Iraq are from Mississippi, Texas and Alabama. The inference, he says, is that those who enlist are drawn to the military because there's nothing else for them to do.
He had this message for his colleagues: "You are dead wrong about those who serve our country today."
North says the United States armed forces are, "the best educated, best equipped and best trained military in history," capable, he said, of operating and maintaining the most sophisticated equipment ever used by the military anytime in history.
"This military," he asserted, "can do almost anything that's asked of them so long as they have sufficient support from home."
The true untold story, North maintains, is that the United States military has become the protectors of women in the Muslim world. And is giving people in Iraq a chance to develop a representative government.
He says that more people are going to to school, there's more electricity and better medical facilities in Iraq than ever before. There are more newspapers, police stations and fire stations. "You don't," he says, "hear this in the mainstream media."
And he says the re-enlistment rate in the military is 117 percent of what's authorized.
"Nobody," he argues, "re-enlists for a losing cause."
North also lauded the 900 people attending the annual dinner.
"What you are doing," he told the gathering, "is of crucial importance."
But he asked them to do more. By hiring returning veterans.
According to North, the unemployment rate among the general population in the United States is more than 5 percent. But among returning veterans it's about 20 percent. Something he terms "a scandal that ought not happen."
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Photo credit: Gary Baumgarten
Report From The Motor City
Kilpatrick
DETROIT - Back in Detroit (yes so soon) on family business prompting a few random thoughts to share.
I spoke with Pat O'Hara, the local Democratic leader I interviewed last time through. And I told him that, since I happen to be here I'll try to get over to the Fallen and Wounded Soldier's Fund annual dinner in suburban Livonia and try to catch Oliver North's speech there today.
"You know who else is in town this weekend?" O'Hara asked.
"Jeremiah Wright. He's speaking before the NAACP. I wish he'd just keep his mouth shut."
O'Hara doesn't like Wright speaking out because O'Hara favors Barack Obama. And every time Wright speaks, he renews the debate about Obama's relationship with him.
The real question is why does the NAACP choose Wright as its keynote speaker? Do they see him as a role model? A source of pride? Someone who damns the United States of America?
Speaking of O'Hara, he won't know whether the Michigan delegation will even be seated at the national convention in Denver until the National Democratic Party Rules and Bylaws Committee meets on May 31st. That's when the Michigan and Florida parties will petition to be seated. Petition to the very committee which has already precluded them from participating in what may become a floor battle to determine the party's presidential nominee.
Meanwhile, news reports today say that while home foreclosures are on the rise because of a declining economy spurred by a downturn in the automotive industry, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner's compensation grew last year by more than 40 percent to 14.4 million dollars.
And the legal and political fight over Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is charged with criminal perjury, continues.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Target: Iran?
Editor's note: The following was written by Alan Jasie
Today, as reported in the Washington Post, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen ,spoke of the Pentagon’s planning for "potential military courses of action" against Iran. Citing what he says as Iran’s continued "increasingly lethal and malign influence" in Iraq.
Admiral Mullen said, "It would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability” noting that the U.S .has plenty in reserve with the Navy and Air Force.
The Admiral did say it would "extremely stressing" but not impossible for a military action. With the nomination of current Iraqi commander, Gen. David Petreaus, to head all the armed forces in the region, could the U.S. really be contemplating a third front in the region?
For several months now, the saber rattling aimed at Iran has been continuous. Last year, the U.S. branded Iran’s Quds Force, a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard ,as a terrorist arm of the Iranian government. The accusations state that they are training and equipping the insurgents in Iraq with weaponry and lethal improvised explosive devices. The IED’s have been the cause of most of the casualties that coalition forces have sustained since the collapse of the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein.
Iran has for many years has also armed the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon since the early 1980’s in their fight to control this once peaceful nation. Hezbollah has also been engaged in hostilities with Israel since that time, firing thousands of Iranian made missiles into Israel. In 2006, the two sides fought for 34 days resulting in more than 1,300 casualties.
Israel is a frequent target in speeches made by Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who calls for Israel to be wiped of the map. Iran has also ignored calls from governments around the world and the United Nations to be more open about their nuclear intentions.
While the Iranians still claim it is strictly for use as a source of energy, most Western governments, particularly the United States, are not buying the Iranian's claims that they are not working on nuclear weapons. With oil prices approaching $120 a barrel is the world ready for another conflict in the region that could further drive up the price of this increasingly precious commodity?
Today, as reported in the Washington Post, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen ,spoke of the Pentagon’s planning for "potential military courses of action" against Iran. Citing what he says as Iran’s continued "increasingly lethal and malign influence" in Iraq.
Admiral Mullen said, "It would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability” noting that the U.S .has plenty in reserve with the Navy and Air Force.
The Admiral did say it would "extremely stressing" but not impossible for a military action. With the nomination of current Iraqi commander, Gen. David Petreaus, to head all the armed forces in the region, could the U.S. really be contemplating a third front in the region?
For several months now, the saber rattling aimed at Iran has been continuous. Last year, the U.S. branded Iran’s Quds Force, a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard ,as a terrorist arm of the Iranian government. The accusations state that they are training and equipping the insurgents in Iraq with weaponry and lethal improvised explosive devices. The IED’s have been the cause of most of the casualties that coalition forces have sustained since the collapse of the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein.
Iran has for many years has also armed the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon since the early 1980’s in their fight to control this once peaceful nation. Hezbollah has also been engaged in hostilities with Israel since that time, firing thousands of Iranian made missiles into Israel. In 2006, the two sides fought for 34 days resulting in more than 1,300 casualties.
Israel is a frequent target in speeches made by Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who calls for Israel to be wiped of the map. Iran has also ignored calls from governments around the world and the United Nations to be more open about their nuclear intentions.
While the Iranians still claim it is strictly for use as a source of energy, most Western governments, particularly the United States, are not buying the Iranian's claims that they are not working on nuclear weapons. With oil prices approaching $120 a barrel is the world ready for another conflict in the region that could further drive up the price of this increasingly precious commodity?
Hamas Truce Offer
Is it possible Jimmy Carter actually accomplished something meeting with Hamas leaders in Syria?
Hamas is offering what they are calling a "period of quiet" in the Gaza for six months. If successful, it would be extended to the West Bank as well.
The Israelis will look at this overture with a degree of skepticism. In the past, so-called truces with Israel's enemies actually translated into a re-arming period.
No matter.
Any opportunity for peace should be embraced. Time will tell whether the Hamas offer is genuine or not.
But even if it is genuine, don't look for the Israelis to thank Carter. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations is calling the former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner a "bigot."
Hamas is offering what they are calling a "period of quiet" in the Gaza for six months. If successful, it would be extended to the West Bank as well.
The Israelis will look at this overture with a degree of skepticism. In the past, so-called truces with Israel's enemies actually translated into a re-arming period.
No matter.
Any opportunity for peace should be embraced. Time will tell whether the Hamas offer is genuine or not.
But even if it is genuine, don't look for the Israelis to thank Carter. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations is calling the former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner a "bigot."
Iraqi Troops Years Away From Being Ready
British troops in Iraq - no immediate reduction
The Bush administration has said repeatedly that the Iraqis must be trained and be willing, ready and able to take over control of their nation so before U.S. troops can be withdrawn.
But a new government report suggests that that day is a long way off. That Iraqi troops are far from even being close to be ready to take the lead.
This is the reality that the new administration will face when it takes office in January.
Republican John McCain has already reached the unpopular conclusion that the United States is stuck in Iraq, not just for years, but possibly for decades.
Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton want a date-certain exit strategy. But, this report indicates, that to do so, they will have to abandon the Bush condition that the Iraqis are ready for a U.S. withdrawal.
The British government says no more of its troops will be withdrawn until security improves in Iraq.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/libdems/2241332259/
Child Brides In Yemen
The tradition of adult men claiming children as their brides dates back to the stories of the Koran.
In the west, the practice is shunned. Note the taking of the children from a polygamist compound in Texas for their protection.
But in Yemen, it continues.
A human rights lawyer, representing an 8-year-old girl, managed to get her marriage terminated by a court. The attorney is now trying to stop such marriages in general in that nation.
Attorney Shatha Nasser wants the minimum marriage age in Yemen to be raised to 18.
Her efforts should not fall on deaf ears. But should be supported, vocally, by human right organizations worldwide.
In the west, the practice is shunned. Note the taking of the children from a polygamist compound in Texas for their protection.
But in Yemen, it continues.
A human rights lawyer, representing an 8-year-old girl, managed to get her marriage terminated by a court. The attorney is now trying to stop such marriages in general in that nation.
Attorney Shatha Nasser wants the minimum marriage age in Yemen to be raised to 18.
Her efforts should not fall on deaf ears. But should be supported, vocally, by human right organizations worldwide.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Do Teens Really Hate America Or Are They Just Being, Well, Teens?
Editor's note: The following synopsis was written by Alan Jasie who hosted News Talk Online today.
Pam Meister, editor of Familysecuritymatters.org, was challenged by a number of our callers today on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, who disputed several things she had to say about today’s teens and the schools in which they attend.
Meister, who views herself as a recovering liberal, feels that more should be done throughout the American school system to put forth more apolitical thinking, so as to encourage balanced discussions in the classroom.
In her article “Teens Who Hate America,” published at Pajamas Media, Meister decried the fact that her daughter came home from school one day complaining that many of her classmates were saying that they “hate America.” What appeared to upset her daughter the most was that one of her daughter’s teachers, during a Spanish lesson, asked the class to use the names of George Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a sentence. The teacher did not include the name of John McCain, the Republican nominee. This omission, she felt lacked fairness and also a missed opportunity to teach the students a civics lesson.
One student, when asked to address the class, said, “I wish George Bush was dead,” which prompted classroom laughter, and even chuckles from the teacher.
While Meister was upset by this situation, enough to write this article, she did not contact the teacher, the principal or the school board to vent her frustrations. This point was not lost on the callers. Why didn't she speak up, they asked. While she pointed out there were some time constraints involved, she did realize that she probably should have voiced her concerns.
She was also upset that last year, her same daughter had to watch on several occasions, former Vice President Al Gore’s documentary about global warming, “An Inconvenient Truth” while not discussing opposing opinions. Why could they not show as well the British documentary, aired on England’s Channel Four, “The Great Global Warming Swindle” to be fair?
When she told her daughter to approach her science teacher about showing this second feature, much to her surprise, he did and to all his classes. Her daughter also told her that a number of her classmates changed their opinion after seeing the other side.
Meister stands behind her article, stating it was an op-ed and not a scientific study which some of the callers seemed to think it was. She is pleased by the fact that it got people talking, which is always a good first step. To read her article in it’s entirety, go to: http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/teens-who-hate-america/
Pam Meister, editor of Familysecuritymatters.org, was challenged by a number of our callers today on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, who disputed several things she had to say about today’s teens and the schools in which they attend.
Meister, who views herself as a recovering liberal, feels that more should be done throughout the American school system to put forth more apolitical thinking, so as to encourage balanced discussions in the classroom.
In her article “Teens Who Hate America,” published at Pajamas Media, Meister decried the fact that her daughter came home from school one day complaining that many of her classmates were saying that they “hate America.” What appeared to upset her daughter the most was that one of her daughter’s teachers, during a Spanish lesson, asked the class to use the names of George Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a sentence. The teacher did not include the name of John McCain, the Republican nominee. This omission, she felt lacked fairness and also a missed opportunity to teach the students a civics lesson.
One student, when asked to address the class, said, “I wish George Bush was dead,” which prompted classroom laughter, and even chuckles from the teacher.
While Meister was upset by this situation, enough to write this article, she did not contact the teacher, the principal or the school board to vent her frustrations. This point was not lost on the callers. Why didn't she speak up, they asked. While she pointed out there were some time constraints involved, she did realize that she probably should have voiced her concerns.
She was also upset that last year, her same daughter had to watch on several occasions, former Vice President Al Gore’s documentary about global warming, “An Inconvenient Truth” while not discussing opposing opinions. Why could they not show as well the British documentary, aired on England’s Channel Four, “The Great Global Warming Swindle” to be fair?
When she told her daughter to approach her science teacher about showing this second feature, much to her surprise, he did and to all his classes. Her daughter also told her that a number of her classmates changed their opinion after seeing the other side.
Meister stands behind her article, stating it was an op-ed and not a scientific study which some of the callers seemed to think it was. She is pleased by the fact that it got people talking, which is always a good first step. To read her article in it’s entirety, go to: http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/teens-who-hate-america/
Religious Tensions Erupt In Nigerian Rioting
The smoldering tensions between Christians and Muslims in the Nigerian city of Kano have erupted once again. With Muslims attacking Christians. After graffiti that the Muslims say is blasphemous to the prophet Muhammad was scrawled on a shop wall.
Reports from the northern city suggest that whoever wrote the script is as yet unknown. But the rioters targeted all Christians in their path.
Police eventually moved in but many Christians in fear for their lives have reportedly taken refuge in police stations and army barracks.
Religiously defamatory statements are, of course, bad, and should be discouraged. But perpetuating violence against those responsible, or worse, as in this case, against entire populations of people based on their religious beliefs, is worse.
The rioters, no doubt, feel justified in their actions. Which they believe to be in accordance with religious teachings.
Imagine, if you will, if every time, for example, an anti-Semitic comment was made, Jews rioted and attacked non-Jews. A. There sure would be a LOT of rioting around the globe (anti-Semitism is on the rise) and, B. There would be (understandably) widespread condemnation of such actions.
Muslims are correct in that they should not be singled out for discrimination. But, likewise, they should not feel that they can act differently than the rest of society when it comes to adhering to the laws of the land.
Sadly, those Muslims who react to such perceived or real offenses violently only serve to feed the Islamophobia that motivates religiously defamatory rhetoric.
Reports from the northern city suggest that whoever wrote the script is as yet unknown. But the rioters targeted all Christians in their path.
Police eventually moved in but many Christians in fear for their lives have reportedly taken refuge in police stations and army barracks.
Religiously defamatory statements are, of course, bad, and should be discouraged. But perpetuating violence against those responsible, or worse, as in this case, against entire populations of people based on their religious beliefs, is worse.
The rioters, no doubt, feel justified in their actions. Which they believe to be in accordance with religious teachings.
Imagine, if you will, if every time, for example, an anti-Semitic comment was made, Jews rioted and attacked non-Jews. A. There sure would be a LOT of rioting around the globe (anti-Semitism is on the rise) and, B. There would be (understandably) widespread condemnation of such actions.
Muslims are correct in that they should not be singled out for discrimination. But, likewise, they should not feel that they can act differently than the rest of society when it comes to adhering to the laws of the land.
Sadly, those Muslims who react to such perceived or real offenses violently only serve to feed the Islamophobia that motivates religiously defamatory rhetoric.
Counter Terrorism Cops On New York Subways
Common sight
Beginning today, cops decked out in heavy flack vests carrying rifles and sub machine guns and accompanied by bomb sniffing dogs are patrolling the subways of New York City.
This is a first, not only for New York, but for any subway system in the world.
The military-looking officers are often seen in front of sensitive potential targets in the city. Like Penn Station and on Wall Street.
Just part of the changing landscape of a post 9/11 New York City. Just part of the times.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pantulis/61433392/
Worldwide Food Crisis Topic Of Show On Paltalk
Food riots around the world. Rationing of rice in the United States. But at the same time, farmers are paid to not grow crops. And some crops are diverted for use in creating bio-fuel.
Billions of dollars that could be spent on feeding the world's hungry are instead being spent on an unpopular war in Iraq.
What can be done?
That question will be explored on News Talk Online on Paltalk Monday April 28.
Joining us to help understand the food crisis will be Frances Moore Lappe, author of 16 books beginning with the 1971 3 million-copy bestseller, Diet for a Small Planet, which awakened a whole generation to the human-made causes of hunger and the significance of our everyday choices.
To talk to Moore Lappe at 5 PM New York time Monday April 28 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
Pennsylvania Victory Translates Into Cash For Clinton
Alan Jasie, our political correspondent, said it Tuesday night as we watched the returns come in in Harrisburg, PA.
"Money, money money," he said. "It's all about money for Hillary."
How right he was.
The Clinton campaign, which was outspent 3-to-1 in Pennsylvania by Obama's, reported an immediate infusion of $3 million after winning Pennsylvania.
This is important for Clinton as she eyes Indiana, which, the polls indicates, is a state that's up for grabs.
It's also interesting that, despite spending so much more money on the campaign in Pennsylvania, Obama did little, in the end, to close the gap in that state with Clinton.
A 10 point gap is a psychological victory for Clinton. But it's more than that. The fact that she received so much money after winning Pennsylvania is an indication that many who donated were sitting on the fence until the election. And that they now see her as a viable candidate.
This race for the Democratic presidential nomination is far from over!
"Money, money money," he said. "It's all about money for Hillary."
How right he was.
The Clinton campaign, which was outspent 3-to-1 in Pennsylvania by Obama's, reported an immediate infusion of $3 million after winning Pennsylvania.
This is important for Clinton as she eyes Indiana, which, the polls indicates, is a state that's up for grabs.
It's also interesting that, despite spending so much more money on the campaign in Pennsylvania, Obama did little, in the end, to close the gap in that state with Clinton.
A 10 point gap is a psychological victory for Clinton. But it's more than that. The fact that she received so much money after winning Pennsylvania is an indication that many who donated were sitting on the fence until the election. And that they now see her as a viable candidate.
This race for the Democratic presidential nomination is far from over!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Americans Stockpiling Food
There hasn't been anything like this since near the end of 1999. When some Americans feared commerce would come to a screeching halt with the advent of the new millennium. And stockpiled foodstuffs.
More and more people are hoarding food in the United States. Mindful of the food riots going on elsewhere in the world.
Costco, the discount membership based chain, has limited the amount of rice that people can buy. Because of a run on rice - much of it by Filipinos who are shipping the staple to relatives back home where there's a shortage. Sam's Club has done likewise.
Meanwhile, the government is actually paying farmers to not produce food. And food that could go into the mouths of the hungry is being diverted to produce bio-fuel.
Lives are destroyed in Iraq because of a war that few Americans want. Billions of dollars are being spent to fuel the effort. And food riots are taking place around the world.
Something, clearly, isn't right with this picture.
More and more people are hoarding food in the United States. Mindful of the food riots going on elsewhere in the world.
Costco, the discount membership based chain, has limited the amount of rice that people can buy. Because of a run on rice - much of it by Filipinos who are shipping the staple to relatives back home where there's a shortage. Sam's Club has done likewise.
Meanwhile, the government is actually paying farmers to not produce food. And food that could go into the mouths of the hungry is being diverted to produce bio-fuel.
Lives are destroyed in Iraq because of a war that few Americans want. Billions of dollars are being spent to fuel the effort. And food riots are taking place around the world.
Something, clearly, isn't right with this picture.
Oliver North Doesn't See A Draft Coming
Former White House counter-terrorism adviser and host of the Fox News Channel documentary series War Stories Oliver North says he does not see a draft in the future of the U.S. military.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, North, whose latest book, American Hero just came out, said, although the military is spread thin, the work done by the members of the armed forces of the United States is so specialized that a draft would actually be counter productive.
North came on the show to talk about his impending speech before the Fallen and Wounded Soldier's Fund in Livonia, Michigan this weekend. The FWSF raises money to help the families of the members of the service who have died and to help those returning from the theater of combat who have been wounded both physically and emotionally.
The FWSF is non-profit and non-partisan. Its members include those who are for and those opposed to the war in Iraq.
To make a donation to the FWSF CLICK HERE.
American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam (War Stories) is based on North's extensive coverage of U.S. troops engaged in battle in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, North, whose latest book, American Hero just came out, said, although the military is spread thin, the work done by the members of the armed forces of the United States is so specialized that a draft would actually be counter productive.
North came on the show to talk about his impending speech before the Fallen and Wounded Soldier's Fund in Livonia, Michigan this weekend. The FWSF raises money to help the families of the members of the service who have died and to help those returning from the theater of combat who have been wounded both physically and emotionally.
The FWSF is non-profit and non-partisan. Its members include those who are for and those opposed to the war in Iraq.
To make a donation to the FWSF CLICK HERE.
American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam (War Stories) is based on North's extensive coverage of U.S. troops engaged in battle in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Is Bin Laden Off The Hook For 9/11?
I thought Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were responsible for 9/11. Conspiracy theorists would have us believe otherwise. But I've been sticking with conventional wisdom.
But now we see that the airlines whose planes were hijacked, and the security companies that were supposed to have screened the passengers, are being named as responsible. By, of all entities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The Port Authority owns the World Trade Center site. They need someone to sue. They certainly would have a hard time serving court papers on bin Laden, hiding as he is in a cave in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
So they turn to someone who they can presumably collect from.
Because, of course, in our litigious society, someone has to pay.
Stop and think about this for a minute. Hasn't the airline industry as a whole paid since September 11th?
Haven't the passengers, unconvinced by more stringent security procedures, paid?
The answer, of course, is yes.
I've heard it argued that the Port Authority was some how responsible for the attacks. Or at least for the number of casualties as a result of the attacks. How would the same Port Authority attorneys, arguing the airlines were to blame, like to defend against a similar suit? Probably wouldn't.
People died in the Twin Towers. But so did people on the planes that were hijacked. In face, everyone on those planes died.
Maybe the airlines should counter sue and claim that the towers got in the way of their hijacked planes. It makes about as much sense as the Port Authority's claims.
If you want to sue someone with deep pockets, why not follow the money trail? Chances are it leads to Saudi Arabia. To some people who have more than a little discretionary disposable income.
But now we see that the airlines whose planes were hijacked, and the security companies that were supposed to have screened the passengers, are being named as responsible. By, of all entities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The Port Authority owns the World Trade Center site. They need someone to sue. They certainly would have a hard time serving court papers on bin Laden, hiding as he is in a cave in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
So they turn to someone who they can presumably collect from.
Because, of course, in our litigious society, someone has to pay.
Stop and think about this for a minute. Hasn't the airline industry as a whole paid since September 11th?
Haven't the passengers, unconvinced by more stringent security procedures, paid?
The answer, of course, is yes.
I've heard it argued that the Port Authority was some how responsible for the attacks. Or at least for the number of casualties as a result of the attacks. How would the same Port Authority attorneys, arguing the airlines were to blame, like to defend against a similar suit? Probably wouldn't.
People died in the Twin Towers. But so did people on the planes that were hijacked. In face, everyone on those planes died.
Maybe the airlines should counter sue and claim that the towers got in the way of their hijacked planes. It makes about as much sense as the Port Authority's claims.
If you want to sue someone with deep pockets, why not follow the money trail? Chances are it leads to Saudi Arabia. To some people who have more than a little discretionary disposable income.
UK Terror Plots Thwarted
15 terror attacks stopped
We keep hearing that it's not a question of if there will be another terrorist plot but when. The cynics among us say that's political rhetoric designed to scare the populous into giving up more of its rights in the name of homeland security.
While I count myself among those concerned about the loss of freedoms (it's odd that we would give up freedoms in order to protect us from those who would have us ... well ... give up freedoms) there is mounting evidence that those warning us aren't just blowing smoke.
London's top cop says that, since the year 2000, more than a dozen terrorist attacks have been thwarted in the UK.
One doesn't get the sense that Sir Ian Blair is an alarmist. He's just matter-of-factly reporting the reality of the situation.
We've heard, occasionally, about terrorist plots that have been broken up here in the United States as well. Likely there are others that, for reasons of security, haven't been made public.
This is not to say we should be fearful about going about our lives. Again, why react the way the terrorists would want us to?
But it is to say that none of us should hesitate to report suspicious activities. It's better to chase a well intentioned but false lead than to miss the opportunity to catch terrorists.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/remcohendrickx/24449694/
More Forced To Stay In Army, More Ex-Cons Recruited
A message for ex-cons
The headline for the lead story in yesterday's USA Today was not about the Pennsylvania Democratic primary.
It read, "More Forced To Stay In Army."
Forced to stay to keep troop levels up, the paper reported. In spite of Defense Secretary Robert Gates' order, last year to minimize mandatory troop extensions.
But that's not the entire story.
The BBC is reporting that the Army and the Marines are recruiting more ex-cons in order to meet the demand.
This may actually be a good deal for the cons who may, understandably, be having trouble getting legitimate work because of their records. But one must wonder if this it's particularly good for the military.
It also underscores how difficult it is to maintain an all volunteer armed forces during a protracted and unpopular war.
And with more and more politicians talking about yet another potential conflict with Iran, it raises, again, the specter of a draft.
If you're still not convinced of the parallels between this war and the Vietnam War, just wait and see how the nation reacts if they start conscripting our young again.
Hillary's Close Call In Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG PA - Tuesday morning, election day, and MSNBC's Chris Matthews was on WOR radio in New York City, predicting that he'd be predicting a winner in Pennsylvania at 8:01 PM - right after the polls closed.
But the exit polling proved too inconclusive. Too close, they told us, to call. And Camp Clinton became a bit worried.
The official line, articulated by a Clinton campaign spokeswoman on News Talk Online on Paltalk, was that a win is a win no matter the margin.
As it turns out, Clinton won by enough of a margin that she can march on to North Carolina and Indiana. And perhaps attract some more dollars (Barack Obama reportedly outspent her here in Pennsylvania 3-to-1).
The Republicans claim they love watching the Democrats duke it out. The head of the local Young Republicans, also appearing on the show, declared that Obama and Clinton are showing they don't know how to run a campaign, Much less run a nation.
The Democratic leaders I spoke to off air say the focus will shift from the differences in the party to the differences between the Democratic candidate and Republican John McCain once a Democratic candidate is selected. But any hope they had of determining who he or she will be in Pennsylvania has eluded them. So the campaign for a Democratic presidential candidate continues.
But the exit polling proved too inconclusive. Too close, they told us, to call. And Camp Clinton became a bit worried.
The official line, articulated by a Clinton campaign spokeswoman on News Talk Online on Paltalk, was that a win is a win no matter the margin.
As it turns out, Clinton won by enough of a margin that she can march on to North Carolina and Indiana. And perhaps attract some more dollars (Barack Obama reportedly outspent her here in Pennsylvania 3-to-1).
The Republicans claim they love watching the Democrats duke it out. The head of the local Young Republicans, also appearing on the show, declared that Obama and Clinton are showing they don't know how to run a campaign, Much less run a nation.
The Democratic leaders I spoke to off air say the focus will shift from the differences in the party to the differences between the Democratic candidate and Republican John McCain once a Democratic candidate is selected. But any hope they had of determining who he or she will be in Pennsylvania has eluded them. So the campaign for a Democratic presidential candidate continues.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Oliver North On Paltalk
North
Best selling author, syndicated columnist and host of War Stories on the Fox News Channel Oliver North will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk tomorrow April 23.
North served 22 years as a U.S. Marine. His awards for service in combat include the silver star, the bronze star for valor and two purple hearts for wounds in combat.
Assigned to the National Security Council Staff in the Reagan administration, Lieutenant Colonel North was the United States government’s counter-terrorism coordinator from 1983-1986 where he was best known for his involvement in the controversial Iran-Contra affair. He was involved in planning the rescue of 804 medical students on Grenada and played a major role in the daring capture of the hijackers of the cruise ship Achille Lauro.
After helping plan the U.S. raid on Muammar Qaddafi’s terrorist bases in Libya, North was targeted for assassination by Abu Nidal, the infamous terrorist found dead in Baghdad in August, 2002. President Ronald Reagan described him as “an American hero.”
Since 2001, North has been the host of War Stories — the award-winning military documentary series on Fox News Channel. He has also authored 11 books — all of them New York Times bestsellers. His latest book, American Heroes, is based on his extensive coverage of U.S. military units engaged in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines.
To talk to Oliver North at 5 PM New York time Wednesday April 23 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to 12 million additional households.
Good Turnout In Important Presidential Primary
Cortez Jackson - campaigning for Obama
HARRISBURG PA - Some people said they got up at 5 AM to be at the polls when they opened at 7. And found people already in line ahead of them.
Here in Pennsylvania, people take election day very seriously. Especially this election. With the eyes of the nation on the Keystone state.
Democratic Pennsylvania voters know they hold the future of Hillary Clinton in their hands. If she doesn't fair well here, her campaign could be on life support. Or worse.
In small towns across this state, older women were at the voting places along with the poll workers. Selling sandwiches and soup.
"I went to vote and ate the tastiest poke bar-b-que sandwich I've ever had," said one man
"They also had three types of soup and cookies and salad for sale."
Yes, for many in Pennsylvania, election day is quite the event.
Cortez Jackson, first deacon at the Zion Baptist Church in Middletown, PA was an early voter. Early because his next stop was Harrisburg to help get out the vote for his candidate, Barack Obama.
"We'll be making history this November." Jackson says. "We'll either be electing a black man or a woman."
Or, I suggest, a senior citizen.
"No, there's no chance McCain will be elected," Jackson predicted.
"Voters know they are dealing with a declining economy, rising gas prices and an unjust war. There's no way they'll elect McCain. The next president," he says, "is going to be a Democrat."
We'll have extensive coverage of the Pennsylvania primary at 5 PM New York time on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com. And again at 8 PM. Live from Harrisburg. To join in the conversation CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
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Photo credit: Gary Baumgarten
Author On 60s Says We Forget The Transgressions Of The Generation
It was not all peace, love and rock and roll in the 60s.
That's Gerard DeGroot's point in his 500+ pages book The Sixties Unplugged. And it was his point on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
The United States, he writes, and tells us, was involved in many nefarious operations in the 60s. The nation's stature suffered from this then. And continues, he argues, to suffer now.
But there good things resulted from that generation. The music of the 60s was innovative and offered messages that are enduring today. That's why those who grew up in the 60s, and ensuing generations, continue to listen to it now.
That's Gerard DeGroot's point in his 500+ pages book The Sixties Unplugged. And it was his point on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
The United States, he writes, and tells us, was involved in many nefarious operations in the 60s. The nation's stature suffered from this then. And continues, he argues, to suffer now.
But there good things resulted from that generation. The music of the 60s was innovative and offered messages that are enduring today. That's why those who grew up in the 60s, and ensuing generations, continue to listen to it now.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Zahava Scherz, Half-Sister Of Rutka Laskier, Author Of Rutka's Notebook, On Paltalk
Scherz
Zahava Scherz, whose half-sister, Rutka Laskier wrote what is now known as Rutka's Notebook, about her hiding from the Nazis in World War II, will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk Wednesday April 30.
Laskier was a Jewish teenager from Poland who, for four months, chronicled her life during the Holocaust in her notebook. The book, discovered long after the Nazis took her away, never to return, was discovered hidden in floor boards of her house. It was released to the public in 2005.
Laskier was 14-years-old when the Nazis took her. She is believed to have died in a gas chamber at the Auschwitz concentration camp along with her mother and brother.
Its discovery and contents have caused many to compare Laskier to Anne Frank.
It wasn't until after the notebook was discovered that Scherz even knew of her half-sister's existence. Scherz says after she read the diary she felt a closeness to her sister, of whom their father, now deceased, never spoke.
Laskier described the atrocities she witnessed committed by the Nazis, and describes daily life in the ghetto as well as innocent teenage love interests. In it, we see she know what horrors awaited her when the Nazis arrested her and her family. Because she writes about the gas chambers at the concentration camps based on news that had filtered back to the Jewish Ghetto.
Laskier described the atrocities she witnessed committed by the Nazis, and describes daily life in the ghetto as well as innocent teenage love interests. In it, we see she know what horrors awaited her when the Nazis arrested her and her family. Because she writes about the gas chambers at the concentration camps based on news that had filtered back to the Jewish Ghetto.
Scherz's appearance on News Talk Online on Paltalk coincides with Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day - which begins at sunset. Scherz will speak about her sister's notebook on May 1st at New York's Jewish Heritage Museum at 7 PM local time.
To talk to Zahava Scherz at 5 PM New York time Wednesday April 30 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to 12 million households in the United States.
'Islamic Terrorism' Offensive To Some
Public relations problem for Muslims
The term "Islamic terrorism" - used by Republican presidential candidate John McCain - is offensive to some Muslim groups.
They've told the Washington Times that they're attempting to pressure McCain to stop using it.
Their sensitivities are understandable. Whenever someone blows himself up or flies a plane into a building in the name of the Islamic religion, he or she, unfortunately, taints all Muslims.
But the people carrying out these heinous attacks themselves say they are doing them in the name of religion. So it is quite natural, and accurate, to describe them as Islamic terrorists.
Perhaps the pressure should not be put on McCain to stop using the term. But on those committing the act to stop using the religion.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakerae/99609816/
Why Clinton Must Do Well In Pennsylvania
The polls show Hillary Clinton still in the lead in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary for president of the United States. But they show Barack Obama closing in.
Clinton will likely win tomorrow's contest in PA. But, the question is, by how much. If it's not by a significant margin, she may be pressured by her own supporters to bow out of the race.
The reason comes down to finances. The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Clinton campaign is in the red.
Clinton wants to remain in the race 'til the end. Maybe even to the Democratic convention.
Party bosses want to avoid that. But non partisans, like myself, would love to see an old fashioned floor fight in Denver.
Still, pragmatically, Clinton must win, and significantly, in Pennsylvania tomorrow. If not, like money, her campaign will start running out of steam.
Clinton will likely win tomorrow's contest in PA. But, the question is, by how much. If it's not by a significant margin, she may be pressured by her own supporters to bow out of the race.
The reason comes down to finances. The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Clinton campaign is in the red.
Clinton wants to remain in the race 'til the end. Maybe even to the Democratic convention.
Party bosses want to avoid that. But non partisans, like myself, would love to see an old fashioned floor fight in Denver.
Still, pragmatically, Clinton must win, and significantly, in Pennsylvania tomorrow. If not, like money, her campaign will start running out of steam.
McCain To Seek Public Finaincing
McCain
Politico.com is reporting today that John McCain is switching strategies and will now accept public financing for his campaign for president.
This is an indication that he can't catch up to Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in raising money on his own.
It's also an indication that many Republicans are already conceding the election to the Democratic candidate.
That would be a mistake.
The election process is still young. Young because the Democrats haven't yet selected a candidate. Young because, it won't reach full speed until there's a clearly defined race between the Democrats and Republicans.
There are those who believe that McCain is too old to be elected president. But the baby boomers are coming of age. They are sheepishly admitting to one another that they carry AARP cards. If for no other reason than to get discounted rates at motels. Many of them can identify with McCain. Whether they openly admit it or not.
If Obama is nominated, age could work against him. His age and his relative lack of experience.
McCain was counted out early in the Republican nomination process. Those who wrote him off then never expected he'd be the presumptive GOP nominee.
They shouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Carter Brings Good Tidings From Hamas
Former Pres. Jimmy Carter says Hamas leaders have told him they're willing to live as a neighbor alongside Israel.
I once had a girlfriend who told me everything she thought I wanted to hear. But that meant nothing. She was just trying to appease me.
Unless and until Hamas shows it's willing to operate in a peaceful manner, Carter would better serve us all by not opening his mouth and raise expectations.
Carter, of course, goes beyond raising expectations. He blames the United States and Israel for what he calls a regression in peace talks. He says Hamas needs to be at the bargaining table. And he slaps the face of Israeli officials for building more settlements and putting an even tighter squeeze on Gaza.
When the rocket attacks on Israel stop. When Hamas stops encouraging hatred toward Israelis and Jews. When Hamas changes its stated policy to eliminate the state of Israel. Only then should anyone listen to what they've told Carter.
Until then, their comments to the former president should be taken with the same grain of salt as my ex-girlfriend's comments to me.
I once had a girlfriend who told me everything she thought I wanted to hear. But that meant nothing. She was just trying to appease me.
Unless and until Hamas shows it's willing to operate in a peaceful manner, Carter would better serve us all by not opening his mouth and raise expectations.
Carter, of course, goes beyond raising expectations. He blames the United States and Israel for what he calls a regression in peace talks. He says Hamas needs to be at the bargaining table. And he slaps the face of Israeli officials for building more settlements and putting an even tighter squeeze on Gaza.
When the rocket attacks on Israel stop. When Hamas stops encouraging hatred toward Israelis and Jews. When Hamas changes its stated policy to eliminate the state of Israel. Only then should anyone listen to what they've told Carter.
Until then, their comments to the former president should be taken with the same grain of salt as my ex-girlfriend's comments to me.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
William Shatner On Paltalk
Shatner
Legendary actor William Shatner joins Mike Horn for a look at his spectacular career and a preview of his Celebrity Horse Show benefiting Ahead with Horses on The PM Show in the CRN Digital Talk Radio room in the Radio/TV Section of Paltalk.com Monday April 21st.
Shatner is a double Emmy-Gold Glob and Saturn Award winning actor who gained fame for playing Capt. James Kirk on Star Trek from 1966 to 1969 and in seven of the subsequent movies.
He has written a series of books chronicling his experiences playing Kirk and being a part of Star Trek. He also played the title role as veteran police sergeant T.J. Hooker from 1982 to 1986. He has since worked as a musician, bestselling author, producer, director and celebrity pitchman
He currently co-stars as attorney Denny Crane on the television drama Boston Legal for which he has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award.
To join in the conversation with Shatner at 7 PM New York time Monday April 21 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is syndicated to millions more households coast-to-coast across the United States.
Open War Threatened In Iraq
For many of us living in the United States, the threat of open war in Iraq is kind of odd.
From where we sit, it appears that open war is already underway in Iraq. And has been for the past five years.
The declaration by militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr is, instead, more like a threat of an escalation of the conflict. This at a time when the United States is claiming gains in suppressing the insurgency.
Al-Sadr's threat comes on the heels of the deaths of 20 of his fighters at the hands of U.S. troops. It also coincides with an unannounced one-day visit to Iraq by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
From where we sit, it appears that open war is already underway in Iraq. And has been for the past five years.
The declaration by militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr is, instead, more like a threat of an escalation of the conflict. This at a time when the United States is claiming gains in suppressing the insurgency.
Al-Sadr's threat comes on the heels of the deaths of 20 of his fighters at the hands of U.S. troops. It also coincides with an unannounced one-day visit to Iraq by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
9/11 Family Members 'Appalled' At Security Issues At Ground Zero
A future view
The Skyscraper Safety Campaign says it is appalled and outraged, but not surprised, at the revelations of critically lax security at the World Trade Center site.
Blue prints of the plans for the new World Trade Center were found in a street corner trash can in New York City this week. Something the SSC calls "another example of why the non-accountable" Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The SSC is in agreement with city officials. That the NYPD should be, instead, put in charge of security at Ground Zero. But unlike the city, which wants the New York cops to take over when the Freedom Tower is completed, the campaign is calling for the Port Authority to turn over security to the NYPD now.
The SSC is also calling for exemptions from fire and building codes enjoyed by the Port Authority to be removed.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Former President Meets With A Terrorist Leader
His reception in Israel was lukewarm at best.
The Israelis don't particularly like former Pres. Jimmy Carter. Not since Carter compared Israel with South Africa under apartheid. Not since Carter announced plans to meet with a Hamas leader in Syria.
But Carter was all smiles today as he fulfilled that pledge. His sit down session with exiled Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal in Damascus probably made him feel like he's accomplishing something.
Carter has suggested that he is opening a back channel with Hamas. But who is he back channeling to?
Certainly not the Israelis. And certainly not the White House.
See, the White House, and the Israelis, believe Hamas to be a terrorist organization. Something Carter, conveniently, ignores.
A former president should never conduct his own foreign policy initiatives in contradiction to a sitting administration. Carter wouldn't have appreciated it if it had occurred while he was president. He should be affording the same courtesy he expected as president to President Bush.
The Israelis don't particularly like former Pres. Jimmy Carter. Not since Carter compared Israel with South Africa under apartheid. Not since Carter announced plans to meet with a Hamas leader in Syria.
But Carter was all smiles today as he fulfilled that pledge. His sit down session with exiled Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal in Damascus probably made him feel like he's accomplishing something.
Carter has suggested that he is opening a back channel with Hamas. But who is he back channeling to?
Certainly not the Israelis. And certainly not the White House.
See, the White House, and the Israelis, believe Hamas to be a terrorist organization. Something Carter, conveniently, ignores.
A former president should never conduct his own foreign policy initiatives in contradiction to a sitting administration. Carter wouldn't have appreciated it if it had occurred while he was president. He should be affording the same courtesy he expected as president to President Bush.
Famed TV Producer Gary Goldberg Doesn't Watch Much Television
He lives in Vermont.
He doesn't even own a computer. He writes long hand on paper (who does that these days)? And he doesn't watch much TV at all.
He's friends with Larry David, but has never seen his show.
He's never seen a so-called reality TV show. But he's responsible for so many great television productions.
Gary David Goldberg says he was blessed with working with some of the greatest writers in the business. And some of the greatest actors. Tops among them, Michael J. Fox.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Goldberg said it takes time for television shows to grow an audience. The networks, he says, are impatient these days. Not willing to give shows time to develop.
They also are afraid to take chances. And that's why the caliber of programming, he says, has diminished.
He doesn't even own a computer. He writes long hand on paper (who does that these days)? And he doesn't watch much TV at all.
He's friends with Larry David, but has never seen his show.
He's never seen a so-called reality TV show. But he's responsible for so many great television productions.
Gary David Goldberg says he was blessed with working with some of the greatest writers in the business. And some of the greatest actors. Tops among them, Michael J. Fox.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Goldberg said it takes time for television shows to grow an audience. The networks, he says, are impatient these days. Not willing to give shows time to develop.
They also are afraid to take chances. And that's why the caliber of programming, he says, has diminished.
The Fires In Argentina - Another View
The sun attempts to break through the smoke over Buenos Aires
Editor's note: The following commentary about the fires and the shroud of smoke over Buenos Aires was written by Martin Suarez.
BUENOS AIRES - The fires on the grassland in the Argentine Delta were not set by farmers for political reasons as suggested by the government.
Each year at this time, farmers set fires to impede the growth of dangerous vegetation. Unfortunately, the fires this year are causing serious health and environmental problems, in large part due to climatic conditions which have impeded the dissipation of the smoke.
The resulting damage is obvious. Smoke is spreading over metropolitan Buenos Aires. Virtually all access to and from the nation’s capital has been cut off. Air travel is impossible. Highways are unsafe to negotiate because of the blanket of smoke.
The weather forecast calls for a shift in winds, but not for another several days. In the meantime, we in Buenos Aires suffer from increased levels of carbon monoxide. Although we’ve been advised that the smoke that is invading our homes is not toxic, it is, to many of us who are non-smokers, like suffering from the second hand smoke of those puffing cigarettes.
Hospitals are on alert for children, people with allergies, asthmatics and those with heart problems, who, medical experts say are the most vulnerable among us.
Many of the fires are now out but the smoke continues to migrate over an even larger area creating a huge curtain literally cutting us out from the rest of the world.
This practice of deforestation obviously must be now reviewed. But the government’s allegations that the fires were intentionally set to create this kind of emergency lacks veracity.
But for now, we in Buenos Aires await a change of wind direction to the west to take the smoke over the Rio de la Plata and away from our homes and lungs.
Each year at this time, farmers set fires to impede the growth of dangerous vegetation. Unfortunately, the fires this year are causing serious health and environmental problems, in large part due to climatic conditions which have impeded the dissipation of the smoke.
The resulting damage is obvious. Smoke is spreading over metropolitan Buenos Aires. Virtually all access to and from the nation’s capital has been cut off. Air travel is impossible. Highways are unsafe to negotiate because of the blanket of smoke.
The weather forecast calls for a shift in winds, but not for another several days. In the meantime, we in Buenos Aires suffer from increased levels of carbon monoxide. Although we’ve been advised that the smoke that is invading our homes is not toxic, it is, to many of us who are non-smokers, like suffering from the second hand smoke of those puffing cigarettes.
Hospitals are on alert for children, people with allergies, asthmatics and those with heart problems, who, medical experts say are the most vulnerable among us.
Many of the fires are now out but the smoke continues to migrate over an even larger area creating a huge curtain literally cutting us out from the rest of the world.
This practice of deforestation obviously must be now reviewed. But the government’s allegations that the fires were intentionally set to create this kind of emergency lacks veracity.
But for now, we in Buenos Aires await a change of wind direction to the west to take the smoke over the Rio de la Plata and away from our homes and lungs.
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The Fight For Jewish Hearts And Votes
Lieberman and McCain campaigning in New Hampshire
Jewish Americans are, with good reason, watching carefully the presidential campaign. Wondering which of the candidates will be "good" for Israel.
A friend of mine, a Republican, who is a member of the oft maligned "Jewish lobby" - a guy who travels to DC to talk to members on both sides of the aisle about issues related to Israel, is less concerned than most.
"The truth of the matter is it doesn't really matter to Israel who is elected," he offers.
"Republicans and Democrats alike are generally very receptive to and supportive of Israel."
The Israelis, likewise, take a neutral stand. Ask any Israeli bureaucrat or politician. He or she will invariably tell you that Israel appreciates the support of the United States, no matter which party holds the White House or controls the Congress. They'll say that the U.S. elections are an internal matter that they decline to influence.
But that doesn't stop many Jews from fretting.
Images sometimes are everything. So let's examine some snapshots that could affect the Jewish vote.
Hillary Clinton suffers from her husband's warm embracing of Yasser Arafat. And the no infamous photo of her kissing Arafat's wife in greeting.
Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies Deborah Lipstadt writes for the Jewish news service the JTA that during her years as a U.S. senator, Clinton has, "amassed a solid pro-Israel record."
Obama suffers from rumors (untrue) that he is Muslim. But Cameron Kerry, vice-chair of the National Jewish Democratic Council and a former senior advisor to his brother John Kerry's presidential campaign has no such fears. Kerry, also writing for the JTA, notes that on a trip to Ramallah, Obama told students at Bir Zeit University that the United States will always stand by its commitment to Israel's survival.
Republican John McCain, on the other hand, enjoys the support of Sen. Joe Lieberman, now an independent, who was Kerry's running mate. Photos of McCain and Lieberman, a modern orthodox Jew, especially during a recent trip to the Middle East, couldn't have hurt McCain with Jewish voters.
Still, many Jews are liberal leaning and may, domestically, feel more comfortable with one of the Democratic candidates. Whether their perceptions of the emerging Democratic candidate's stance on Israel may convince them to vote for McCain remains to be seen.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sskennel/2329818888/sizes/o/
A friend of mine, a Republican, who is a member of the oft maligned "Jewish lobby" - a guy who travels to DC to talk to members on both sides of the aisle about issues related to Israel, is less concerned than most.
"The truth of the matter is it doesn't really matter to Israel who is elected," he offers.
"Republicans and Democrats alike are generally very receptive to and supportive of Israel."
The Israelis, likewise, take a neutral stand. Ask any Israeli bureaucrat or politician. He or she will invariably tell you that Israel appreciates the support of the United States, no matter which party holds the White House or controls the Congress. They'll say that the U.S. elections are an internal matter that they decline to influence.
But that doesn't stop many Jews from fretting.
Images sometimes are everything. So let's examine some snapshots that could affect the Jewish vote.
Hillary Clinton suffers from her husband's warm embracing of Yasser Arafat. And the no infamous photo of her kissing Arafat's wife in greeting.
Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies Deborah Lipstadt writes for the Jewish news service the JTA that during her years as a U.S. senator, Clinton has, "amassed a solid pro-Israel record."
Obama suffers from rumors (untrue) that he is Muslim. But Cameron Kerry, vice-chair of the National Jewish Democratic Council and a former senior advisor to his brother John Kerry's presidential campaign has no such fears. Kerry, also writing for the JTA, notes that on a trip to Ramallah, Obama told students at Bir Zeit University that the United States will always stand by its commitment to Israel's survival.
Republican John McCain, on the other hand, enjoys the support of Sen. Joe Lieberman, now an independent, who was Kerry's running mate. Photos of McCain and Lieberman, a modern orthodox Jew, especially during a recent trip to the Middle East, couldn't have hurt McCain with Jewish voters.
Still, many Jews are liberal leaning and may, domestically, feel more comfortable with one of the Democratic candidates. Whether their perceptions of the emerging Democratic candidate's stance on Israel may convince them to vote for McCain remains to be seen.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sskennel/2329818888/sizes/o/
McCain Enjoys Good Press
Enjoying good press
It's all, I suppose, a game of perceptions.
Some of my Republican friends bemoan the fact that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are getting all the coverage since John McCain is the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
Some of my Democratic friends feel all the coverage of Clinton and Obama verbally duking it out only helps McCain. It seems the Democrats are correct.
A Pew Research Study finds that, while McCain has received less coverage than candidates Clinton and Obama, most Americans perceive the news they have received about McCain is generally positive in nature.
It also finds that many find that news about Clinton has been negative in nature. Most Americans believe the news they've heard about Obama has been a mix of positive and negative.
While there are more negative things being said about Clinton by Obama, and about Obama by Clinton, another possible explanation is the concerted effort McCain has made to woo reporters. Making himself available for one-on-one and off-the-cuff interviews. Interviews where he has strived to answer questions in greater detail than he can during press conferences.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/2415464331/
Farmland Burns In Argentina As Food Prices Rise Worldwide
Smoke in the city
Rising food prices have resulted in violent demonstrations and an international alert to a crop shortage raised by the International Monetary Fund and others. Yet in Argentina's fertile Parana River Delta, farmers have set fires to clear land. Fires that have gotten out of control and have resulted in fatalities.
The private farmers have come under attack by Argentine's government. The nation's president, Cristina Fernandez, says the burning of 300 square miles of farmland is not a natural disaster but man made. By farmers who have no regard for human life.
The private farmers have come under attack by Argentine's government. The nation's president, Cristina Fernandez, says the burning of 300 square miles of farmland is not a natural disaster but man made. By farmers who have no regard for human life.
Farmers have, for years, cleared land by setting fires during this the harvest season in Argentina. But a cold front trapped smoke this year, leading to disastrous results.
Fatal accidents have occurred on smoke choked highways - many of which have been closed now by the police. And the smoke has now shifted, descending like an ominous cloud, on the capital city of Buenos Aries.
"You cannot see the sun," a Buenos Aires resident told The Gary Baumgarten Report.
"My daughter suffers from allergies and she just called and said she's having trouble breathing."
People with respiratory problems and young children are particularly affected. The government has declared a state of emergency.
The burning of the farmland follows a strike earlier this month by farmers opposed to increased export taxes.
The smoke from the fires is being termed a major ecological disaster. Flights have been canceled.
Buenos Aires residents are praying for a shift in winds to drive the smoke away from the metroplitan area, home to some 13 million people.
People with respiratory problems and young children are particularly affected. The government has declared a state of emergency.
The burning of the farmland follows a strike earlier this month by farmers opposed to increased export taxes.
The smoke from the fires is being termed a major ecological disaster. Flights have been canceled.
Buenos Aires residents are praying for a shift in winds to drive the smoke away from the metroplitan area, home to some 13 million people.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-small-print/2419785439/
Obama Favors Gun Control
Barack Obama is considered a friend to gun control advocates.
News reports scrutinizing his stance as an Illinois state senator indicate he supported control of guns but not an all out ban on handguns.
His position on gun ownership became an issue in the campaign when he told a group behind closed doors in San Fransisco that small town Pennsylvania residents, "bitter" over the economy, have turned to guns and religion.
The clerk at an Elizabethtown, PA gun store told us earlier this week that the only thing causing people in his state to purchase more guns is the fear that a Democratic president might push through gun control legislation.
News reports scrutinizing his stance as an Illinois state senator indicate he supported control of guns but not an all out ban on handguns.
His position on gun ownership became an issue in the campaign when he told a group behind closed doors in San Fransisco that small town Pennsylvania residents, "bitter" over the economy, have turned to guns and religion.
The clerk at an Elizabethtown, PA gun store told us earlier this week that the only thing causing people in his state to purchase more guns is the fear that a Democratic president might push through gun control legislation.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/2422304508/
Even Clinton Supporters Are Beginning To Abandon Her
Gaining Democratic support
Democratic voters are beginning to look at Barack Obama in a new way. They're beginning to believe that he stands a better chance of winning back the White House than does Hillary Clinton.
A new Associated Press-Yahoo! News poll suggests that Democrats now believe Obama is better positioned to win in November than Clinton.
It shows that even some women who would really like Clinton to become the first woman president believe Obama makes the better candidate.
The overriding issue, they say, is winning the election. So some Clintonites are now shifting their support to Obama.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23596378@N06/2422882434/
Iraqi Troops Flee Battle (Again)
This is becoming almost as common a story as the suicide bombings in Iraq.
For the third time since the issue of Iraqi troops not doing their part to fight for freedom in their country was raised on News Talk Online on Paltalk, they've abandoned their posts in the heat of battle.
This latest dereliction of duty took place in Sadr City when the troops came under attack by Shiite militiamen.
This is becoming a disturbing trend. And it deserves greater attention.
If the Iraqis cannot fight for their nation why should coalition troops?
It's a thought that many Americans are pondering. The latest Washington Post-ABC poll finds that 56 percent of Americans want out of Iraq.
Meanwhile, some on Capitol Hill are attempting to revive a proposal that the Iraqis pay their own way for prosecution of the war.
For the third time since the issue of Iraqi troops not doing their part to fight for freedom in their country was raised on News Talk Online on Paltalk, they've abandoned their posts in the heat of battle.
This latest dereliction of duty took place in Sadr City when the troops came under attack by Shiite militiamen.
This is becoming a disturbing trend. And it deserves greater attention.
If the Iraqis cannot fight for their nation why should coalition troops?
It's a thought that many Americans are pondering. The latest Washington Post-ABC poll finds that 56 percent of Americans want out of Iraq.
Meanwhile, some on Capitol Hill are attempting to revive a proposal that the Iraqis pay their own way for prosecution of the war.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Extensive Pennsylvania Primary Coverage On Paltalk
Landes
News Talk Online is going on the road to Pennsylvania Tuesday April 22nd for extensive coverage of the all important Democratic primary election.
Joining me to bring results of the race will be political correspondent Alan Jasie and Lynn Landes, publisher of The Landes Report and a freelance journalist who writes about politics, health, and the environment.
Landes is one of the nation's leading researchers and analysts on voting integrity issues. She is featured in the books: Pollution: Opposing Viewpoints, Softly On This Earth, Hacked and Black Box Voting, and appears in several documentaries including Got Democracy, The Right To Count, Stealing America, and Voting 101 and The Fix Is In.
Landes has been a news reporter for DUTV, hosted her own radio talk show on WDVR in New Jersey, and was a weekly commentator for BBC radio.
A Barack Obama and a Hillary Clinton supporter will also participate in the coverage.
To talk to Jasie and Landes at 5 PM New York time, and then again at 8 PM New York time when the polls close CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to 12 million additional households.
News Talk Online is going on the road to Pennsylvania Tuesday April 22nd for extensive coverage of the all important Democratic primary election.
Joining me to bring results of the race will be political correspondent Alan Jasie and Lynn Landes, publisher of The Landes Report and a freelance journalist who writes about politics, health, and the environment.
Landes is one of the nation's leading researchers and analysts on voting integrity issues. She is featured in the books: Pollution: Opposing Viewpoints, Softly On This Earth, Hacked and Black Box Voting, and appears in several documentaries including Got Democracy, The Right To Count, Stealing America, and Voting 101 and The Fix Is In.
Landes has been a news reporter for DUTV, hosted her own radio talk show on WDVR in New Jersey, and was a weekly commentator for BBC radio.
A Barack Obama and a Hillary Clinton supporter will also participate in the coverage.
To talk to Jasie and Landes at 5 PM New York time, and then again at 8 PM New York time when the polls close CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio to 12 million additional households.
Bloomberg Wants Feds To Cover 9/11 Health Costs
Bloomberg
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is calling on the federal government to pay for the health care costs for people who are ill as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center site.
Bloomberg wants the feds to set aside $150 million a year to pay the costs of health care.
Money in a $1 billion fund that was set aside to cover health costs has been largely tied up in litigation.
No Counter Terrorism Plan In The United States
The Government Accounting Office has issued a scathing report about terrorism in the United States.
The report says that another al Qaeda attack is likely in the United States. And that the government lacks a comprehensive plan to counter it.
It singles out a failing by the government to deal with al Qaeda bases in the north of Pakistan as well.
Perhaps this can be the catalyst needed to redirect the nation's military effort from Iraq to deal directly with the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11. And who, according to the GAO, plan to attack again.
The report says that another al Qaeda attack is likely in the United States. And that the government lacks a comprehensive plan to counter it.
It singles out a failing by the government to deal with al Qaeda bases in the north of Pakistan as well.
Perhaps this can be the catalyst needed to redirect the nation's military effort from Iraq to deal directly with the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11. And who, according to the GAO, plan to attack again.
Muzzling Public Officials In The UK
Smith
British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, a member of the Labour party, is coming under fire from the opposition Tories for announcing that 300 cops will be reassigned to counter-terrorism duties in the UK.
There's a rule in Britain that precludes ministers from making major announcements within three weeks of elections. And local elections are scheduled for May 1.
Obviously, the announcement has potential of helping Labour. But shouldn't the public be aware of what their government is doing to counter terrorism in the UK?
The merits of the decision to transfer the officers is overshadowed by the political crying by the Tories.
It's a stupid law. The government should be held accountable for its actions and plans. Especially at election time.
Many experts believe the UK to be particularly vulnerable to terrorist attack. The public is well served to know what the government is, or isn't doing, about that threat.
Making A Joke Out Of Politics
Russell L. Peterson is a stand up comic-turned college professor. Who has written a book about how late night TV show hosts poke fun at the political process.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Peterson suggested that making too much of a mockery out of the politicking during an election year devalues the process. Though he acknowledged that it provides to express one's self in a manner which take the edge off the commentary.
Peterson showed that he hasn't lost his stand up touch completely. He closed with a political joke of his own:
Q: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain are in a rowboat. The rowboat overturns. Who gets saved?
A: The country.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Peterson suggested that making too much of a mockery out of the politicking during an election year devalues the process. Though he acknowledged that it provides to express one's self in a manner which take the edge off the commentary.
Peterson showed that he hasn't lost his stand up touch completely. He closed with a political joke of his own:
Q: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain are in a rowboat. The rowboat overturns. Who gets saved?
A: The country.
Former Presidential Candidate Gary Hart On Paltalk
Hart
Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Hart and one-time candidate for president of the United States Gary Hart will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com Tuesday April 29.
Hart raised warnings about the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the United States prior to September 11, 2001. In 1999, as a member of the U.S. Commission on National Security, Hart warned that the United States was a prime potential terrorist target. The commission presented suggestions to the Clinton administration, many of which were not implemented until after the 9/11 attacks.
He has remained a vocal advocate of promoting an understanding of the continuing threat. His new book, Under The Eagle's Wing, looks at the developing policies and strategies of the United States in response to the fear of terrorism. And offers new preventative suggestions. In it Hart suggests a cooperative global approach to fighting terrorism.
To talk to Hart at 5 PM New York time Tuesday April 29 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated coast-to-coast across the United States by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
A Brave New World Awaits
The federal government is about to start collecting DNA samples from every person arrested by a federal law enforcement agent.
Not those charged. Not those convicted. Those arrested.
To say that this raises civil liberties concerns is to put it mildly.
All this hype about sexual predators and terrorists in our midst makes it easier for the government to infringe upon the most personal parts of our lives.
While DNA is an effective tool in convicting (and exonerating) suspects, it's not necessary for the government to keep such a wide ranging data base on so many people.
The government has the authority to retain DNA samples of those convicted of crimes. Those not convicted are not criminals. The government has no business taking and keeping their DNA samples.
Not those charged. Not those convicted. Those arrested.
To say that this raises civil liberties concerns is to put it mildly.
All this hype about sexual predators and terrorists in our midst makes it easier for the government to infringe upon the most personal parts of our lives.
While DNA is an effective tool in convicting (and exonerating) suspects, it's not necessary for the government to keep such a wide ranging data base on so many people.
The government has the authority to retain DNA samples of those convicted of crimes. Those not convicted are not criminals. The government has no business taking and keeping their DNA samples.
Would Bush Plan Save The Environment?
President Bush is calling for a national goal of halting the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The president believes this is possible by cutting power plant pollution."
Of course, any program to cut pollution is worth careful consideration. But there are those who say it doesn't go far enough.
Cato Institute senior fellow Patrick Michaels says the president's target falls "well short" of what most leading scientists believe is necessary to "avoid dangerous climate change."
That view is echoed by Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists. Michaels believes it to be politically unpalatable. The plan, he says, "will likely meet stiff resistance in the Senate, where pending legislation calls for sharp cuts in greenhouse gases, rather than a mere stabilization of emissions."
Of course, the goal would only affect greenhouse emissions in the United States. But even if it were adopted worldwide, Michaels says, it would have little effect on global warming after 2025.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/akeg/376488289/
In New York, A Housing Plan For Veterans
Leroy, a homeless Vietnam vet in New York
I've discussed this before, both on the show and here on the blog. The shameful way the United States turns its back on veterans. Especially those who are physically or psychologically wounded as a result of their service.
Sadly, many of the invisible people sleeping and begging on the streets of our cities are the same people who proudly marched in uniform and, in many cases, fought on behalf of the country.
In New York City, a program designed to provide permanent housing for 1,000 homeless veterans is about to launch.
It's a good first step. And one that should be emulated by cities across the nation.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/waynewhuang/2357356800/
McCain Gains Strength
A newly released poll suggests that John McCain is gaining in the race for the presidency. Picking up support in three key areas. And giving the Republican confidence that he can beat either Democratic candidate for president.
The Associated Press-Yahoo News poll shows gains for McCain among disgruntled Republicans who are moving back into the fold, independents and even among some Democrats.
The AP attributes this to a number of factors. Including an increase in Hillary Clinton's negatives.
Barack Obama's approval rating has improved, but not as significantly as McCain's.
Of course, Obama and Clinton are busy fighting for the Democratic nomination so they are continually zinging one another leaving McCain somewhat unscathed. This dynamic, obviously, will change once the Democrats select a candidate. So today's poll is not necessarily a harbinger of what November will offer.
Still, it shows McCain is utilizing the time granted him to his advantage.
The Associated Press-Yahoo News poll shows gains for McCain among disgruntled Republicans who are moving back into the fold, independents and even among some Democrats.
The AP attributes this to a number of factors. Including an increase in Hillary Clinton's negatives.
Barack Obama's approval rating has improved, but not as significantly as McCain's.
Of course, Obama and Clinton are busy fighting for the Democratic nomination so they are continually zinging one another leaving McCain somewhat unscathed. This dynamic, obviously, will change once the Democrats select a candidate. So today's poll is not necessarily a harbinger of what November will offer.
Still, it shows McCain is utilizing the time granted him to his advantage.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Getting Out The Latino Vote
Maria Teresa Petersen, one the co-founders of Voto Latino says the Hispanic vote is not monolithic. But, she believes, if Latinos can be convinced to vote in large numbers, they could have a significant impact on this year's presidential election.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Petersen says it's a perplexing question with no known answer. Why America's eligible Latino voting base doesn't turn out like other groups to vote in significant numbers.
Voto Latino is co-sponsoring a contest with SiTV to find a young Latino to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions for the network. It's an attempt, she says, to encourage younger Latino voters to engage in the political process.
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, Petersen says it's a perplexing question with no known answer. Why America's eligible Latino voting base doesn't turn out like other groups to vote in significant numbers.
Voto Latino is co-sponsoring a contest with SiTV to find a young Latino to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions for the network. It's an attempt, she says, to encourage younger Latino voters to engage in the political process.
Honesty An Issue In Clinton Campaign
An American idol, but can she be trusted?
Hillary Clinton's honesty is a factor among voters deciding who they would like to be the next president of the United States.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that people are losing trust in Clinton. Perhaps as a result of her being loose with the facts over her trip, as first lady, to Bosnia. Clinton said she had to scurry to avoid sniper fire at the airport. But news video of the trip shows her meeting and greeting people on the tarmac, a smile on her face and no gunfire in the area.
The poll finds that only 39 percent of Americans find her to be "honest and trustworthy." Not a good starting point for someone who wishes to be president of the United States.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/litandmore/2408261607/
More Iraqi Troops Cut And Run
U.S. soldiers on duty in Sadr City
Despite the pleas of Americans to stay and engage in the battle, more Iraqi troops reportedly have run at the sound of gunfire.
This time in a battle with Shiite militiamen in Sadr City.
The Iraqis abandoned the fight, leaving the Americans holding the bag.
For whatever the real reason for the invasion of Iraq, the people of that nation did not deserve the brutal dictator Saddam Hussein. His demise was a good thing.
But the Iraqis need to take control of their own country. Freedom's not just another word for nuthin left to lose. It's something worth fighting for. Or not worth anything at all.
Iraq is fast becoming a U.S. welfare state. In spite of the fact that it is sitting on precious and valuable oil reserves.
If Iraqis can't fight for their own homeland, how can Americans be expected to put their lives on the line for them?
Either Iraqi soldiers and police officers step up to the plate and contribute, or the president of the United States - the commander-in-chief of every American troop - should order every single U.S. military personnel out of harm's way.
Enough is enough!
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ABC Tries To Keep The News For Itself
Gibson
ABC has told other networks they may use only 30 seconds of tonight's Obama-Clinton debate on their airwaves.
The debate, hosted by Charles Gibson on ABC, is being taped delayed for the West Coast. So ABC is trying to ensure that large parts of the encounter aren't aired elsewhere before people there get the chance to see the event in its entirety later.
Here's a thought. In the future, why not put the debates back into the hands of an independent non-partisan organization, like the League of Women Voters? Make them news events, so they aren't tape delayed and aired at another time for the West Coast as if they were an episode of Desperate Housewives. And make them part of the public domain, so that anyone can excerpt portions or all of the debate to see.
The process is supposed to be about helping the voters select the next president of the United States. It's not supposed to be about boosting the ratings of ABC.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
By Me You're A Christian, By Your Mama You're A Christian But By A Christian, You're No Christian
Robert McElvaine, author of Grand Theft Jesus, a book about the "hijacking" of Christianity put forth an interesting case about how many people claim to be Christians in order to advance their own political or personal agendas. But during his interview on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com he aruged they really aren't following the true teachings of Jesus.
It reminds me of the old Yiddish theater bit. The son buys a yacht and invites his parents on board.
"So Papa," he says to his father. "Look at me. A regular captain."
To which the father replies, "Son. To me you're a captain. To you you're a captain. And to your mother, you're a captain. But to a captain, you're no captain!"
The discussion during the show indicates that many people have their own view of Christianity.
Maybe we should leave it at this. Whatever a person's personal faith belief is just that. Personal. And nobody else's business.
To McElvaine's larger point: if you really want to follow the teachings of Christ, (or any other religious leader for that matter), study what he had to say first. You may find that your perceptions don't necessarily always match the reality.
It reminds me of the old Yiddish theater bit. The son buys a yacht and invites his parents on board.
"So Papa," he says to his father. "Look at me. A regular captain."
To which the father replies, "Son. To me you're a captain. To you you're a captain. And to your mother, you're a captain. But to a captain, you're no captain!"
The discussion during the show indicates that many people have their own view of Christianity.
Maybe we should leave it at this. Whatever a person's personal faith belief is just that. Personal. And nobody else's business.
To McElvaine's larger point: if you really want to follow the teachings of Christ, (or any other religious leader for that matter), study what he had to say first. You may find that your perceptions don't necessarily always match the reality.
Gerald DeGroot, Author Of Book On The Sixties, On Paltalk
DeGroot
“If you remember the Sixties,” quipped Robin Williams, “you weren’t there.”
That was, of course, an oblique reference to the mind-bending drugs that clouded perception — yet time has proven an equally effective hallucinogen. Gerald DeGroot's new book, The Sixties Unplugged A Kaleidoscopic History of a Disorderly Decade, revisits the 60s we forgot or somehow failed to witness. DeGroot will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk Monday April 21st.
In a kaleidoscopic global tour of the decade, DeGroot reminds us that the Ballad of the Green Beret outsold Give Peace a Chance, that the Students for a Democratic Society were outnumbered by Young Americans for Freedom, that revolution was always a pipe dream, and that the Sixties belong to Reagan and de Gaulle more than to Kennedy and Dubcek.
The Sixties Unplugged shows how opportunity was squandered, and why nostalgia for the decade has obscured sordidness and futility. DeGroot returns us to a time in which idealism, tolerance, and creativity gave way to cynicism, chauvinism, and materialism. He presents the Sixties as a drama acted out on stages around the world, a theater of the absurd in which China’s Cultural Revolution proved to be the worst atrocity of the 20th century, the Six-Day War a disaster for every nation in the Middle East, and a million slaughtered Indonesians martyrs to greed.
DeGroot's book restores to an era the prevalent disorder and inconvenient truths that longing, wistfulness, and distance have obscured. In an impressionistic journey through a tumultuous decade, DeGroot offers an object lesson in the distortions nostalgia can create as it strives to impose order on memory and value on mayhem.
To talk to DeGroot at 5 PM New York time Monday April 21 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to 12 million additional households.
NYPD Agrees To Let Crowds Disperse Before Calling In The Cavalry
A lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberities Union accusing the NYPD of heavy handed tactics toward demonstrators has been settled with the police department agreeing to give demonstrators opportunity to leave an area before calling mounted police officers in. The police also agree to assure that protesters have the information needed to get into demonstration areas.
“This is a long overdue recognition by the police department that changes need to be made in the policing of large demonstrations here in New York City,” said NYCLU Associate Legal Director Christopher Dunn, who is lead counsel on the case and negotiated the settlement.
Under the settlement, the NYPD has adopted written policies and agreed to take concrete steps to assure that protesters can gain access to protest areas, must assure that any pens (enclosed areas constructed of interlocking metal barricades) have sufficient openings so that protesters can readily leave and re-enter protest areas, and must assure that the Mounted Unit is not deployed to disperse crowds without adequate advance warnings and an opportunity for people to disperse.
The NYCLU filed three cases following demonstrations in 2003 protesting the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Thousands of demonstrators were blocked from attending one protest outside the United Nations by police officers who barricaded the streets leading to the UN.
Mounted police then charged into crowds confused about where they were supposed to go to get access to the protests.
Others who made it to First Avenue near the UN found themselves trapped inside barricaded pens set up by the police with no way to leave.
Under the agreement, the police are required to make public any street or sidewalk closings they make as a result of a protest. Officers will use loud speakers and bullhorns to redirect crowds who congregate in restricted areas.
The police will also, according to the terms of the agreement, permit people to leave pens set up for demonstrators at any time.
If the mounted police are called in, the crowds being moved by the horses must also have a means of egress so as not to be trapped and trampled.
The cases that led to this settlement were brought on behalf of three individuals and the NYCLU itself.
One of the three plaintiffs represented by the NYCLU was Annie Stauber, a wheelchair-bound woman who was trapped in a pen with thousands of other protesters. When she attempted to leave the pen to go home for medical reasons, a police officer refused to allow her to exit and broke her wheelchair when she tried to do so. The Civilian Complaint Review Board found that the officer had engaged in misconduct.
Tax Reformer McCain?
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is unveiling a tax reform package he hopes to implement if elected.
The plan includes gas tax free summers (which he'd like to see take place now, before the election), a doubling of tax exemptions for dependents, and creating a simpler income tax code that is straight forward and easy to understand.
McCain says suspending the federal gasoline tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day would "spread relief across the American economy."
McCain's plan comes on this, income tax filing deadline day in the United States.
The plan includes gas tax free summers (which he'd like to see take place now, before the election), a doubling of tax exemptions for dependents, and creating a simpler income tax code that is straight forward and easy to understand.
McCain says suspending the federal gasoline tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day would "spread relief across the American economy."
McCain's plan comes on this, income tax filing deadline day in the United States.
McCain Opposes GI Bill Expansion
Says "no" to GI Bill
Here's a surprising development.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, a veteran and war hero who has a son on active duty, opposes expansion of the GI Bill.
The reason: he fears people will opt out of their military careers to take advantage of what the bill has to offer.
This speaks to the larger issue of whether the United States can continue to sustain a standing military capable of the multitude of current and potential threats without reconstituting the draft.
I've raised this issue before. Not because I favor conscription. I don't. But because the military is spread thin.
I don't claim to be a military strategist. I've never served. So I'm far from an expert. But I do see, as do others, that tours of duty in theater have been extended. And inactive personnel have been reactivated in order to meet the demands.
And now, an American war hero running for president opposes the GI Bill on the grounds that it would be an incentive to leave the military.
Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate our military commitments around the world and decide where our limited resources ought to be deployed.
Here's an idea. The current president could land a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier, declare mission accomplished and withdraw the troops from Iraq.
Wait, wasn't that already done? Well, not exactly. But as the song goes, "two out of three ain't bad."
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/2414670555/
Obama Dodges A Political Bullet
No dip in polls
The latest poll suggests that Barack Obama has lost none of his momentum in Pennsylvania as a result of his misguided remark about people in small town PA being bitter over the economy and turning to guns and religion.
The Quinnipiac University poll shows Obama trailing Clinton 50-44 in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. That's the same margin by which Clinton led at the beginning of the month.
This despite Obama's outspending Clinton in Pennsylvania.
In all likelihood, Obama's misstep was resented more by Republicans than Democrats. Which might account for the unchanged poll numbers.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/2414642079/
Carter, Who Believes In Diplomacy, Forgets How To Be Diplomatic
Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president who believes that diplomacy at all costs is the solution to the Middle East peace process, forgets that, to be diplomatic, you must respect all sides in a conflict.
His decision to meet with Hamas officials without the approval of the Israelis was the first example of his unwillingness to listen to everyone involved in the strife. His decision to place a wreath on Yasser Arafat's grave goes even further.
This is a slap in the face of the Israelis. Who do not believe that Arafat, like Carter, deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. They viewed him in life, and remember him in death, as a terrorist leader.
They do not forget that Arafat's own party was involved in the Intifada against Israel. They do not forget that Arafat refused to sign on the dotted line when given the opportunity to create an autonomous state for the Palestinians.
They will not forget nor forgive Carter for this open display of foolishness. Carter's days as a Middle East peace broker, sadly, are over.
His decision to meet with Hamas officials without the approval of the Israelis was the first example of his unwillingness to listen to everyone involved in the strife. His decision to place a wreath on Yasser Arafat's grave goes even further.
This is a slap in the face of the Israelis. Who do not believe that Arafat, like Carter, deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. They viewed him in life, and remember him in death, as a terrorist leader.
They do not forget that Arafat's own party was involved in the Intifada against Israel. They do not forget that Arafat refused to sign on the dotted line when given the opportunity to create an autonomous state for the Palestinians.
They will not forget nor forgive Carter for this open display of foolishness. Carter's days as a Middle East peace broker, sadly, are over.
As Olympics Approach, China Is Rapped For Executions
Amnesty International says China remains the nation with the most executions.
Although the number is down from the previous year, AI says last year, there were at least 470 executions in China. But that's far fewer than the 1,010 people put to death the year before.
The country with the second highest number of executions was Iran, with 377. Among those put to death in Iran, a man, who was stoned to death for committing adultery.
Those of us in the United States need not feel terribly sanctimonious over these figures. Amnesty International says there were 42 executions in the U.S. last year. That places the United States fifth on the list. But that's the lowest number of people put to death in the United States in 15 years.
Although the number is down from the previous year, AI says last year, there were at least 470 executions in China. But that's far fewer than the 1,010 people put to death the year before.
The country with the second highest number of executions was Iran, with 377. Among those put to death in Iran, a man, who was stoned to death for committing adultery.
Those of us in the United States need not feel terribly sanctimonious over these figures. Amnesty International says there were 42 executions in the U.S. last year. That places the United States fifth on the list. But that's the lowest number of people put to death in the United States in 15 years.
Monday, April 14, 2008
White Congressman Tosses Racial Slur At Obama
Davis
Republican Kentucky Congressman Geoff Davis used what he is calling "a poor choice of words" when he referred to black Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as a "boy."
For the blissfully uninitiated, calling a black man a boy is considered a racial slur. Especially coming from a white man.
The fact that the person making the comment is from south of the Mason-Dixon line opens up old wounds and feelings about southern white people.
Davis has since apologized for the comments. But it shows that racial animosity, sadly, still exists in the United States.
There are those who have argued that there are many who wouldn't vote for Obama because of his race, but those who feel that way would never publicly acknowledge it. They suggest that people who oppose Obama because of the color of his skin would find other ways to attack him. Like, maybe, claiming he's a one-person Muslim sleeper cell who was groomed to run for president so there'd be an Islamic terrorist in charge in the White House. Or some similar idiotic assertion.
Davis apologized to Obama. That's great. But he should really apologize to the rest of the black population in the United States. And the rest of us as well. Those of us who are not black, but who still find his choice of words blatantly offensive.
More Reaction To Obama's Gaff
Lois Herr and Gary
ELIZABETHTOWN, PA - Josh Drobnyk is a pretty diplomatic kind of guy. That's probably why he's the Washington correspondent for the Allentown headquartered Morning Call newspaper.
So, it may not come as a huge surprise that he gives Barack Obama a bit of a break as he assesses the Democratic presidential candidate's comments about small town Pennsylvania.
"People are bitter," Drobnyk says, "about broken promises."
But partisans, like Pennsylvania Clinton delegate Lois Herr, are less accommodating to Obama. She says his comments that people in small towns in the Keystone state are turning to religion and guns because of the economy, "shows Obama doesn't know Pennsylvania."
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com from her Elizabethtown home, Herr says Lancaster County was founded by people who had deep religious principles, which continue to this day. And many are sportsmen and women. So having guns is a way of life.
They are not, she says, rushing to church nor buying guns because they are, as Obama pronounced, bitter about the economy.
So, it may not come as a huge surprise that he gives Barack Obama a bit of a break as he assesses the Democratic presidential candidate's comments about small town Pennsylvania.
"People are bitter," Drobnyk says, "about broken promises."
But partisans, like Pennsylvania Clinton delegate Lois Herr, are less accommodating to Obama. She says his comments that people in small towns in the Keystone state are turning to religion and guns because of the economy, "shows Obama doesn't know Pennsylvania."
Speaking on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com from her Elizabethtown home, Herr says Lancaster County was founded by people who had deep religious principles, which continue to this day. And many are sportsmen and women. So having guns is a way of life.
They are not, she says, rushing to church nor buying guns because they are, as Obama pronounced, bitter about the economy.
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Photo credit: Paul B. Hentz
Obama's Comments Strike Discord In Small Town Pennsylvania
Steve Miller selling guns in small town Pennsylvania
ELIZABETHTOWN, PA -- Elizabethtown (population 12,000) is one of those small Pennsylvania towns Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama referred to when he talked about people bitter over the economy turning to religion and guns. And as one might expect, those comments aren't regarded in much favor here.
Steve Miller works at the Trop gun shop in Elizabethtown. He says he, like a lot of people from around these parts, resents and is offended by Obama's remarks.
"Basically he compared the good honest people of this area with thugs and drug dealers," says Miller.
Miller, who is known around here as Spanky, says this is not an area of unemployed lawlessness.
"People have jobs," he says. "There are farmers working the land."
But what about Obama's point about people buying more guns because of the economy? Miller says there is an upsurge in gun sales. But not for the reason Obama suggested.
"Every election year means people buying more guns," he says. "Especially if there's a chance a Democrat will become president."
That's because, he says, people are afraid the Democrats will push through gun control laws.
Miller says, for that reason, Obama didn't really hurt himself politically here. Because this area, he says, is decidedly Republican. But it does put Miller in a quandary.
"I switched parties just so I could vote against Hillary," he says.
"Now after what Obama said, I'm wondering if I did the right thing."
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Photo credit: Gary Baumgarten
Hamas Leaders Put Faith In Carter
Carter
I've written before about how former President Jimmy Carter's trip to the Middle East is ill advised, because, a former president should never countermand the foreign policy initiatives of a sitting president.
But there are some indications that, unlike the current president, the ex-president may have some success with Hamas.
The administration refuses to acknowledge Hamas, which it recognizes as a terrorist organization, as the representative of the Palestinian people. Wishing instead to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority. Even though the PA's Fatah party is only in degrees more "moderate" than Hamas.
No matter. That is the policy of the current administration. And that policy is likely to remain unchanged until at least January when a new president is sworn into office.
But now comes word from World Net Daily's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Aaron Klein that Hamas is indicating a desire to talk to Carter.
Klein, who has been a guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, reports today that Ahmed Yousuf, Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip, told him in an exclusive interview that Carter is a "noble person." He is hopeful that Carter will help remove Hamas from the background and become a player on the political field.
This is not necessarily good news for the Bush administration, which, along with Israel, has been trying to push Hamas out of the diplomatic picture. But, it may cause for some lines of communication to open between Hamas and the U.S. - especially if a Democrat is elected to the White House.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Dancing With The Stars Champ And Country Singer Julianne Hough On Paltalk
Hough
Two-time Dancing with the Stars champ, Julianne Hough offers a sneak peak of her brand new country music CD, plus backstage gossip from DWTS Friday April 18 on The What's Cookin' Show in the CRN Digital Talk Radio room on Paltalk.
A triple threat as a singer, actress and dancer, Hough is known to millions of fans as the two-time professional dance champion on ABC-TV’s top-rated Dancing with the Stars.
Though Julianne has been winning world dance titles since her early teens, Hough's ultimate goal has always been a career in country music. Her newly signed deal with Universal Music Group Nashville is providing her the vehicle to realize that dream.
“I’ve always wanted to sing country music,” says the 19 year-old blond.
“I’ve grown up with country music. I love how real everybody is, not just the artists, but the fans.”
To join in the conversation with Hough at 11 AM New York time Friday April 18 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is in millions of homes coast-to-coast across the United States.
Actress, Author And Fitness Expert Marilu Henner On Paltalk
Henner
Actress and celebrity apprentice Marilu Henner joins Mike Horn and Paul Stern for an insider's look at her career, her upcoming projects and secrets on about "The Don" on The What's Cookin' Show Thursday April 17 in the CRN Digital Talk Radio room on Paltalk.
While a student at the University of Chicago, Henner originated the role of Marty in the pre-Broadway Kingston Mines production of Grease. She also played the role in the national touring company alongside John Travolta, who played Doody.
Additional Broadway credits include Over Here! with Travolta, Chicago and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife.
Henner's first film appearance was in the 1977 sleeper hit Between The Lines co-starring then-unknowns Jeff Goldblum, John Heard and Jill Eikenberry.
Henner came to national prominence with the role of Elaine Nardo in the TV series Taxi and was the leading lady in the 1984 film Johnny Dangerously playing the love interest to Michael Keaton.
From 1990 through 1994 she appeared opposite Burt Reynolds in the TV show Evening Shade which also starred Ossie Davis and Hal Holbrook. In 1994, she also hosted her own short-lived daytime talk show, Marilu.
Henner has authored eight books on diet and health, the most prominent being Total Health Makeover, in which she explains the virtues of a non-dairy diet.
Henner was a contestant on the NBC show The Celebrity Apprentice. She was fired by Donald Trump in the 8th episode but was brought back to help fellow contestant Trace Adkins in the final task of the show.
Her eighth book Wear Your Life Well just arrived in stores.
To join in the conversation with Henner at 11 AM New York time Thursday April 17 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is heard in millions of households coast-to-coast across the United States.
Travel Guru Matt Daimler on Paltalk
Daimler
Matt Daimler, founder of the award-winning travel website SeatGuru.com will be on The AM Show in the CRN Digital Talk Radio room on Wednesday April 16.
Daimler started the site as a hobby in 2001 but incorporated SeatGuru in 2003 after having immediate success with Google’s just-launched AdSense service. After years of significant traffic and revenue growth, SeatGuru was purchased by industry leader Expedia in early 2007. At the time of the sale, the site averaged 1 million unique users and 5 million page views each month.
Daimler has a BS in computer engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship and management from Johns Hopkins University. He can answer all your travel questions, like "where is the best place to sit on an airplane."
To join in the conversation at 10 AM New York time Wednesday April 16 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is heard in millions of homes coast-to-coast across the United States.
Iraqi Cops, Soldiers Who Refused To Fight Fired
Some 13-hundred Iraqi cops and soldiers who fled from the battlefield in Basra have lost their jobs.
Among those canned, senior officials, including those holding the rank of brigadier-general.
While the disciplinary action is laudable (for obvious reason those in uniform have to answer the call to duty) this underscores the problem with Iraq.
Most people in the United States would like to see a withdrawal of their troops. But at what cost? Obviously the Iraqis aren't willing to step up to the plate and restore order on their own.
Sadly, the USA is now trapped in a costly war. If this continues, and with other possible military conflicts on the horizon (i.e. sabre rattling toward Iran) can a military draft be far away?
Among those canned, senior officials, including those holding the rank of brigadier-general.
While the disciplinary action is laudable (for obvious reason those in uniform have to answer the call to duty) this underscores the problem with Iraq.
Most people in the United States would like to see a withdrawal of their troops. But at what cost? Obviously the Iraqis aren't willing to step up to the plate and restore order on their own.
Sadly, the USA is now trapped in a costly war. If this continues, and with other possible military conflicts on the horizon (i.e. sabre rattling toward Iran) can a military draft be far away?
Brits Track 30 Terror Plots
When there are so many terror plots pending against a country, one must ask, what is the goal of the terrorists?
The answer is, they want to impose their way of life on another. It's as simple as that.
The British face a loss of their religious and Anglo-Saxon values at the edge of a sword. As the United Kingdom's home secretary announces no fewer than 30 "active plots" against that nation.
In all, says Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the government is monitoring 22-thousand people believed to be involved in 200 terror networks.
This is a figure that is absolutely astounding. Unlike the enemies of the past, recognizable governments, armies in uniform, this is a far more insidious enemy.
These are, potentially, one's neighbors, co-workers and school chums. The people we pass and nod to as we stroll down the street. The person waiting in line at the store, or the clerk serving us. The friendly taxi cab driver.
Worse, it casts suspicion upon others who are not part of any known terrorist plot.
And these are the known suspected terrorists. God only knows how many others are not on the government's radar.
Sad and perilous times indeed.
The answer is, they want to impose their way of life on another. It's as simple as that.
The British face a loss of their religious and Anglo-Saxon values at the edge of a sword. As the United Kingdom's home secretary announces no fewer than 30 "active plots" against that nation.
In all, says Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the government is monitoring 22-thousand people believed to be involved in 200 terror networks.
This is a figure that is absolutely astounding. Unlike the enemies of the past, recognizable governments, armies in uniform, this is a far more insidious enemy.
These are, potentially, one's neighbors, co-workers and school chums. The people we pass and nod to as we stroll down the street. The person waiting in line at the store, or the clerk serving us. The friendly taxi cab driver.
Worse, it casts suspicion upon others who are not part of any known terrorist plot.
And these are the known suspected terrorists. God only knows how many others are not on the government's radar.
Sad and perilous times indeed.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Are Pennsylvania Voters Bitter About The Economy? On Paltalk
Barack Obama has come under criticism from Hillary Clinton and John McCain for suggesting that Pennsylvania voters are bitter about the economy in their state.
He's defended those remarks. But is he on target?
We'll find out Monday as we take News Talk Online on Paltalk on the road to Pennsylvania to talk to the voters themselves as the April 22nd presidential primary looms ever closer.
To join in the conversation at 5 PM Monday April 14 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
He's defended those remarks. But is he on target?
We'll find out Monday as we take News Talk Online on Paltalk on the road to Pennsylvania to talk to the voters themselves as the April 22nd presidential primary looms ever closer.
To join in the conversation at 5 PM Monday April 14 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
Clinton Gags Clinton
Muzzled
Hillary Clinton has ordered Bill Clinton to keep his trap shut.
But the motor mouth ex-president just can't comply with her wishes without opening his mouth just one more time. To announce that she told him to shut up.
This all started with Hillary Clinton sticking her foot into her mouth by recollecting a trip that she and then first daughter Chelsea took to Bosnia. Claiming that she remembered scrambling to avoid sniper fire.
News video of the arrival showed a smiling Hillary slowly walking down the tarmac meeting and greeting people. Not only was she not ducking sniper fire. But the audio revealed no gunfire in the area at the time.
Riding to the rescue, attempting to explain this obvious faux pas by his wife, comes Bill Clinton. But Hillary believes his explanations only keep the embarrassing misstatement in the public's eye. So she directed him to change his tune.
But Bill, being Bill, couldn't comply without announcing he'd agreed. Which, of course, serves to amplify the original misstep once again.
Hillary has reason to be concerned. Her polling numbers dipped when the story of her poor recollection of events broke. They've now rebounded, but continued attention to her misrepresentation of events can only serve to harm her campaign.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brentdanley/2171309896/
Friday, April 11, 2008
Russell Peterson Who Tracks Comedy Shows Influence On Politics On Paltalk
Peterson
Presidential candidates have been making it a point to add the late-night comedy circuit to the campaign trail in recent years. In 2004, when John Kerry decided it was time to do his first national television interview, he did not choose CBS's 60 Minutes, ABC's Nightline, or NBC Nightly News. Kerry picked Comedy Central's The Daily Show. When George W. Bush was lagging in the polls, his appearance on the David Letterman Show gave him a measurable boost. Candidates for the 2008 presidential election began their late-night bookings almost as soon as they launched their campaigns.
Polls indicate that a significant number of Americans - and an even larger proportion of those under the age of 30 - get at least some of their "news" about politics and national affairs from comedy shows.
Russell Peterson, author of Strange Bedfellows: How Late-Night Comedy Turns Democracy Into a Joke will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk Thursday April 17 to discuss this phenomenon.
Strange Bedfellows shows how each comedian's unique brand of satire plays off a different level of Americans' frustrations with politics.
To talk to Peterson at 5 PM New York time Thursday April 17 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
Hawaii 'Kingdom' Proponent Makes Case For An Independent Hawaii
David Keanu Sai, who claims he is the acting interior minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii (currently occupied by the United States) says there is, lawfully, no state of Hawaii in the USA.
Sai, a guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, says he is not advocating that Hawaii secede from the union. Because, he argues, it's not part of the United States.
Sai says the Kingdom of Hawaii was occupied by the United States for strategic military reasons. He's taken his case to the Hague and to the UN Security Council, where he hopes to still gain some ground for recognition of Hawaii as an independent nation.
Sai, a guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com, says he is not advocating that Hawaii secede from the union. Because, he argues, it's not part of the United States.
Sai says the Kingdom of Hawaii was occupied by the United States for strategic military reasons. He's taken his case to the Hague and to the UN Security Council, where he hopes to still gain some ground for recognition of Hawaii as an independent nation.
UN Secretary-General Sitting Out Olympics Opening Ceremony
Ban ki-Moon
Add the United Nations secretary-general to the list of dignitaries who are boycotting the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics.
As with the others, including several heads of state, Ban ki-Moon is making a statement about the treatment of the Tibetan people by the Chinese.
President Bush has been urged to skip the opening ceremony but has not yet decided. He should follow Ban's lead. Missing the ceremony allows the athletics to participate while still making an important statement about human rights.
McCain's Biggest Hurdle
Bush with Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Crocker
It's tough being the Republican candidate for president of the United States. Tough when the sitting president, a fellow Republican, has an approval rating that's so low that he's on political life support.
The president's approval rating is at 28 percent. That's the lowest point of his administration. And one of the lowest ratings ever recorded by our friends at the Gallup poll.
It's the exact same rating that Jimmy Carter got near the end of his administration, punctuated by his botched attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran. And only slightly higher than Richard Nixon, who was forced to resign, and Harry Truman at the end of their administrations.
Like Bush, Truman faced an unpopular war, in Korea, at the time of his low approval rating.
This, of course, now becomes McCain's problem. While the Democratic candidates have been talking about withdrawal, McCain is supportive of the president's Iraq war efforts.
Ironically, George W. Bush can look back at the highest recorded approval rating for a president, 90 percent after the 9/11 attacks.
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Photo credit: Eric Draper/White House
Palestinians Plot To Poison Israelis
Two Palestinians from Nablus have been busted for allegedly plotting to put poison in the food at the Israeli restaurant where they worked.
The pair was allegedly recruited by a Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade cell. The Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade is a terrorist arm of Fatah, the party of the more "moderate" Palestinian Authority. That's the side in the Palestinian conflict that the United States and Israel recognizes and with whom they are attempting to negotiate a peace.
The terror cell reportedly was financed by Hezbollah, a Lebanese based terrorist organization that's controlled by the Iranian government.
Diplomacy in pursuit of peace is a good thing and the Bush administration's hands off policy until near the end of this president's term was reprehensible. But incidents like this one serve as a reminder that no one should be deluded into thinking that the Palestinian Authority wants a two-state solution anymore than does Hamas. If it did, the PA wouldn't have walked away from past opportunities to sign an accord.
The pair was allegedly recruited by a Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade cell. The Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade is a terrorist arm of Fatah, the party of the more "moderate" Palestinian Authority. That's the side in the Palestinian conflict that the United States and Israel recognizes and with whom they are attempting to negotiate a peace.
The terror cell reportedly was financed by Hezbollah, a Lebanese based terrorist organization that's controlled by the Iranian government.
Diplomacy in pursuit of peace is a good thing and the Bush administration's hands off policy until near the end of this president's term was reprehensible. But incidents like this one serve as a reminder that no one should be deluded into thinking that the Palestinian Authority wants a two-state solution anymore than does Hamas. If it did, the PA wouldn't have walked away from past opportunities to sign an accord.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Robert McElvaine, Author Of Book About The Hijacking Of Christianity, On Paltalk
McElvaine
It's not uncommon to hear people say that Islam has been "hijacked" by terrorists who use that religion as an excuse to commit their heinous crimes on humanity.
Now a new book claims that Christianity has been likewise misrepresented by people advancing their their political agenda. Robert McElvaine, who wrote the book Grand Theft Jesus: The Highjacking of Religion In America, will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com Tuesday April 15.
Grand Theft Jesus exposes the televangelists and the leaders of mega churches as the people Jesus warned us about – the wolves in sheep’s clothing of our day.
McElvaine calls their version of religion ChristianityLite because, he argues, it resembles schemes that promise “lose weight without diet or exercise!”
McElvaine argues that a crew of politicians, mega church preachers, televangelists, hypocrites, and snake-oil salesmen has hijacked true Christianity and distorted it into something Jesus wouldn’t recognize. Its leaders, he says, have taken the generous and loving ideals of Christ and twisted them into a religion that advocates war and intolerance, values money above charity, preaches hatred instead of brotherhood, and promises “true” believers the keys to the gates of the kingdom of God. Jesus’ radical message of love and peace, he says, has been drowned out by the bluster, the hate, and the selfishness that often passes for Christianity in America.
McElvaine names names in his list of “leading lites.” Include are those he cites as hypocritical (Ted Haggard), disgraceful (Pat Robertson) and shocking (Ann Coulter).
Grand Theft Jesus blends outrage and humor in an attempt to resurrect the real Jesus.
To talk to McElvaine at 5 PM New York time Tuesday April 15 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated coast-to-coast across the United States by CRN Digital Talk Radio into an additional 12 million households.
Gregory Levey, Israeli Government Insider, On Paltalk
Gregory Levey, author of the new memoir, Shut Up, I'm Talking: And Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli Government will be my guest on News Talk Online on News Talk Online Friday April 25.
Levey, a contributing writer for Salon.com, has also written for The New Republic, The New York Post, The Globe and Mail, and other publications. He served as a speechwriter and delegate for the Israeli government at the United Nations and as senior foreign communications coordinator for Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. He is on faculty at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Shut Up I'm Talking is a startling account of Levey's journey into the nerve center of Middle Eastern politics at one of the most turbulent times in Israeli history.
During his three years in the Israeli government, the second Intifada continued on in fits and starts, Yasser Arafat died, Hamas came to power, and Ariel Sharon fell into a coma.
Levey was repeatedly thrust into highly improbable situations -- from being the sole "Israeli" delegate (even though he's Canadian) at the U.N. General Assembly, with no idea how "his" country wanted to vote; to nearly inciting an international incident with his high school French translation of an Arab diplomat's anti-Israel remarks; to communicating with Israeli intelligence about the suspected perpetrators of suicide bombings; to being offered leftover salami from Ariel Sharon's lunch.
As Levey got better acquainted with the personalities in the government's inner sanctum, he witnessed firsthand the improvisational and ridiculously casual nature of the country's behind-the-scenes leadership -- and realized that he wasn't the only one faking his way through politics.
To talk to Levey at 5 PM New York time Friday April 25 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by coast-to-coast across the United States by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
Award Winning Salon.com Reporter Says No Answers In Iraq
Mark Benjamin, Salon.com investigative reporter, who covered General David Petraeus' testimony on Capitol Hill, says there are no easy solutions to the problem of Iraq.
Benjamin made his comments on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
He believes, however, that the United States would not still be engaged today in Iraq if it were not for the oil reserves.
As for the reason for the invasion; Benjamin says, yes, we know the stated reason for going in. But, as we all know, the dreaded weapons of mass destruction were never found.
His concern now is that the botched invasion of Iraq had severely damaged the foreign policy capabilities of the United States.
Benjamin made his comments on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
He believes, however, that the United States would not still be engaged today in Iraq if it were not for the oil reserves.
As for the reason for the invasion; Benjamin says, yes, we know the stated reason for going in. But, as we all know, the dreaded weapons of mass destruction were never found.
His concern now is that the botched invasion of Iraq had severely damaged the foreign policy capabilities of the United States.
Pam Meister Who Writes About Disenchanted American Teens On Paltalk
Meister
America.
The land of the free. The home of the brave.
Affluence. Entertainment. Big screen TVs. Football. Apple pie. Everything any teen would want or need.
And the producer of a generation of unhappy teens.
Joining me on News Talk Online to talk about America's disenchanted teens on Thursday April 24 will be Pam Meister.
Meister believes a constant diet of negative commentary in the media about the United States, much of it surrounding the war in Iraq, is affecting teens who now say they "hate America."
Meister's current interest in politics and world events stems from the events of 9/11, when she made a conscious decision to contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding America's sovereignty and foreign policy. Samples of her writing can be seen at American Thinker and Pajamas Media.
She is a former radio broadcaster, and has worked in both the publishing and health care industries. She currently serves as the editor for FamilySecurityMatters.org.
To talk to Meister at 5 PM New York time Thursday April 24 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated coast-to-coast across the United States by CRN Digital Talk Radio to an additional 12 million households.
Add A UN Official To The List Of 9/11 Conspiracy Theorists
Richard Falk, the UN official who is supposed to be monitoring Israel, and who previously compared the Israelis to the Nazis, is at it again.
Falk now wants a commission established to investigate the role of the neoconservatives in the 9/11 attacks.
Excuse me?
Falk suggests in a radio interview that the neocons may have made "something happen" on 9/11.
If I were Osama bin Laden I'd sue Falk for defamation of character. Bin Laden hates the neocons. And I'm sure he wouldn't want them taking credit for his handiwork.
Falk now wants a commission established to investigate the role of the neoconservatives in the 9/11 attacks.
Excuse me?
Falk suggests in a radio interview that the neocons may have made "something happen" on 9/11.
If I were Osama bin Laden I'd sue Falk for defamation of character. Bin Laden hates the neocons. And I'm sure he wouldn't want them taking credit for his handiwork.
TV Producer Gary Goldberg On Paltalk
Goldberg
TV producer Gary David Goldberg will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com Friday April 18.
Goldberg was born in Brooklyn. He grew up in a noisy apartment building full of extended family, which was ruled by his grandmother Jenny. She had the family’s only telephone, television, and car, thus consolidating her absolute power and controlling all access to the outside world. A prolonged and checkered collegiate career, which began at Brandeis University in 1962, ended at San Diego State University in 1975 (with many other schools in between), when Professor Nate Monaster said, “You’re a writer, Gary.”
In 1969, while working as a waiter at the famed Village Gate in Greenwich Village, Goldberg met the love of his life, Diana Meehan. The two hitchhiked around the world together with their Labrador retriever, Ubu; founded a day-care center in Berkeley in the 1970s (motto: “Rain or Shine, We Take Your Child on a Trip Every Day”); and eventually moved to Southern California. The dog is honored at the end of each of his TV shows ("sit Ubu, sit").
In 1976 Goldberg landed his first “real” job at MTM Studios as a writer for The Bob Newhart Show. Remaining at MTM, he became story editor and eventually a producer of The Tony Randall Show, and then in 1978 a producer on Lou Grant. In 1980 he created and executive-produced The Last Resort, also for MTM.
Then, in 1981, he formed his own company, UBU Productions. Under this banner, nine television series were created, including the enormously successful Family Ties, which ran on NBC from 1982 to 1989. His critically acclaimed Brooklyn Bridge, which aired on CBS from 1991 to 1993, was based heavily on his own experiences growing up, including a character based on his grandmother. Then in her 90s but still razor sharp, Jenny observed, “You know those two boys on the show? You weren’t that good.” Later, in 1996, in association with DreamWorks, UBU also produced Spin City, which ran for six seasons on ABC.
Goldberg has been the recipient of numerous honors during his career, including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe as co-producer of Lou Grant and an Emmy Award as writer of Family Ties; five additional Emmy nominations for Lou Grant and Family Ties; a Peabody for Lou Grant; two Writers Guild Awards, for M*A*S*H* and Family Ties; five Writers Guild nominations for Lou Grant; five Humanitas Awards for Lou Grant and Family Ties; as well as five additional Humanitas nominations; the Producers Guild Award as Producer of the Year in 1991; and the Valentine Davies Award from the Writers Guild in 1998 for his contributions to the entertainment industry and the community-at-large.
In 2002 he won the Award of Excellence at Banff’s World Television Festival. And in 2003 he was honored with the Outstanding Television Writer Award at the Austin Film Festival. Goldberg is a member of the Broadcasting Magazine Hall of Fame.
During its run Brooklyn Bridge received several honors: a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Series, one Humanitas Prize and an additional Humanitas nomination for enriching television, a Christopher Award, two Viewers for Quality Television Awards for Best Comedy, and eight Emmy nominations.
In 1989, Goldberg made his feature film debut when he produced and directed Universal Pictures’ Dad, starring Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson and Olympia Dukakis. He also wrote the screenplay, which was adapted from the novel of the same name by William Wharton. In 1995, Goldberg co-wrote and co-produced Bye Bye Love, his second feature film, which starred Paul Reiser, Matthew Modine, and Randy Quaid.
In August of 2005, Goldberg wrote, co-produced, and directed Must Love Dogs for Warner Brothers. The film starred Diane Lane and John Cusack, and was an adaptation of the Claire Cook novel by the same name.
To talk to Goldberg on Friday April 18 CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Carter To Meet With Hamas Chief
Carter
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch declared on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com today that he didn't like Jimmy Carter when he was president and he doesn't like him now - for his anti-Israeli stance.
Carter came under fire when he declared in a book he penned that Israel was an apartheid state.
He apologized for those comments under pressure. But now, he is, according to a media report, preparing to meet with a Hamas political chief in Syria.
Although it's disappointing that a former president would act in a manner that contradicts the foreign policy of a sitting administration, this should come as no surprise to anyone.
It reminds one of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria where she also made comments contrary to the policy of the Bush administration.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrandomf/2371503434/
Former New York Mayor Backs Clinton
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch says he is supporting Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.
Koch's comments came during an interview on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
Koch says he believes the nomination will go to a floor fight at the Democratic convention.
Koch also had unkind words for another former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who he described as "mean." That's the reason, Koch says, that Giuliani was not the GOP's presidential nominee.
Koch's comments came during an interview on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
Koch says he believes the nomination will go to a floor fight at the Democratic convention.
Koch also had unkind words for another former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who he described as "mean." That's the reason, Koch says, that Giuliani was not the GOP's presidential nominee.
Shopping And Politics In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania home of a Ron Paul supporter
TANNERSVILLE, PA -- As mentioned previously on this blog, there sure are a lot of Ron Paul signs in Pennsylvania.
Funny, isn't it? Given that John McCain has been named the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. Meaning that the GOP primary on April 22nd holds little significance. Only the Democratic primary in the Keystone State matters. Right?
Well, not to Angela, who sells sunglasses at The Crossing Outlet Mall here in Tannersville.
"I'm voting for Ron Paul," Angela declares.
"I'm for upholding the Constitution. And that's what Ron Paul is all about."
Angela does not believe a vote for Paul is a wasted vote.
"You're supposed to vote for the candidate you want, aren't you?" she asks.
Angela is young. As are many Paul supporters. Many of them people who are opposed to the war in Iraq. Of all the candidates running for president, Paul, resonates most with them.
Now a quick word about stereotyping.
Many of the political talking heads on TV have been posturing that, in the Democratic primary, the black vote goes to Barack Obama. The female vote to Hillary Clinton.
My encounter with Royland, a clerk at a clothing store at The Crossing, is anecdotal, of course. But interesting.
Royland is a black guy. And he says he's voting for Clinton on the 22nd.
"I just heard Clinton on TV and she wants to create 5 million more jobs and bring oil prices down," says Royland, who is more concerned about how much money a candidate puts into his wallet than race or gender.
Royland fears Obama would raise gas prices. And says Obama's pledge to increase the federal minimum wage is an empty promise. "What good is an increase in income," he asks, "to people who have no jobs?"
For the record, Clinton also supports raising the minimum wage. And Obama is on the record supporting creating "transitional jobs" to "put the jobless back to work."
U.N. 'Expert' Compares Israel To Nazis
Richard Falk who is to investigate Israel for the UN Human Rights Council has compared what he calls Israel's collective punishment of the Gaza population to the Nazi's collective atrocities.
The comparison is repugnant on its face. Even more so when one considers it is directed at Israel, a state that, was basically, re-established to provide a safe haven for Jews following the Holocaust.
Israel is not rounding up the entire Palestinian population and shipping them off to concentration camps to be worked to death or exterminated in gas chambers.
Yes, Israel's military response to asymmetric terrorist attacks from the Gaza does punish non combatants as well as others who, dressed as civilians, launch their attacks from within population centers. But that is not even minimally comparable to what the Nazis did.
Remember, the alternative would be to re-occupy Gaza to thwart out those responsible for the rocket attacks on Israel. And that would earn Israel condemnation as well.
Falk refuses to apologize for his remarks. He should reconsider. If he doesn't it will make it nearly impossible for him to carry out his mandate.
The comparison is repugnant on its face. Even more so when one considers it is directed at Israel, a state that, was basically, re-established to provide a safe haven for Jews following the Holocaust.
Israel is not rounding up the entire Palestinian population and shipping them off to concentration camps to be worked to death or exterminated in gas chambers.
Yes, Israel's military response to asymmetric terrorist attacks from the Gaza does punish non combatants as well as others who, dressed as civilians, launch their attacks from within population centers. But that is not even minimally comparable to what the Nazis did.
Remember, the alternative would be to re-occupy Gaza to thwart out those responsible for the rocket attacks on Israel. And that would earn Israel condemnation as well.
Falk refuses to apologize for his remarks. He should reconsider. If he doesn't it will make it nearly impossible for him to carry out his mandate.
Obama Closing In On Clinton In Pennsylvania
Speaking in DC, closing in in Pennsylvania
CLARION, PA - Newly released polls show Barack Obama narrowing the gap with Hillary Clinton here in Pennsylvania where the Democratic presidential primary will be held on April 22nd.
Clinton needs to take Pennsylvania to remain in the race. And she's spending money here to make sure that happens.
Anyone watching local television would be hard pressed to ignore the Democratic campaign. Scanning the dial, one sees plenty of commercials supporting Clinton.
Obama is also blanketing Pennsylvania TV with spots.
On the Republican side of the aisle, it is presumed that John McCain is the presidential nominee. But apparently Ron Paul didn't get the message. Or if he did, his supporters here in the Keystone State missed the news. Because Ron Paul for president signs are popping on the early spring grass like dandelions.
To McCain, those political dandelions probably look like weeds. But to the enthusiastic Paul supporters, they are nothing short of flowers.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talkradionews/2399480526/
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
General Petraeus' Future Boss Listens To His Evaluation Of Iraq
General David Petraeus' testimony to Congress about the U.S.-led coalition's surge offered some cautious optimism. Suggesting that there still is progress being made. But that progress is fragile and reversible.
All three candidates for president listened to his assessment, which was the topic of today's News Talk Online on Paltalk.
Many in the News Talk audience believe that it's time to withdraw. Yet others agree with Petraeus, that it's too soon to withdraw. They argued that a withdrawal will turn Iraq over to al Qaeda, which would then declare victory over the United States.
All three candidates for president listened to his assessment, which was the topic of today's News Talk Online on Paltalk.
Many in the News Talk audience believe that it's time to withdraw. Yet others agree with Petraeus, that it's too soon to withdraw. They argued that a withdrawal will turn Iraq over to al Qaeda, which would then declare victory over the United States.
McCain Believes A True Leader Will Stay In Iraq
While much of the rest of the nation he is campaigning to lead is, along with his Democratic rivals, for a withdrawal from Iraq, Republican presidential candidate John McCain takes a different view.
Distancing himself from their position, and creating a clear cut choice in November over the war, McCain has drawn battle lines by saying that bringing the troops back home would constitute a "failure of leadership."
The war in Iraq may not be the single defining moment in the presidential campaign. But it clearly helps voters distinguish the candidates. Both Democratic presidential nominee hopefuls, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, want to start the process of ending the U.S. involvement in the conflict.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paisleypitbull/2390247805/
Monday, April 7, 2008
Terrorism Expert Michael Ledeen Says Iran Is A Terrorist State
Iran, terrorism expert Michael Ledeen asserts, has been involved in destabilizing Iraq. Controlling the south of Lebanon. And was responsible for two terrorist attacks in Argentina. But the Iranian government, he says, lacks the support of the people.
Ledeen, an author and former consultant to the NSC and to the U.S. State and Defense Departments believes the United States should encourage and assist a peaceful overthrow of the Iranian government. Before that nation's nuclear weapons aspirations become reality.
But he says, despite what his detractors say about him, he does not support a military strike on Iran.
Ledeen made his comments on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
Ledeen, an author and former consultant to the NSC and to the U.S. State and Defense Departments believes the United States should encourage and assist a peaceful overthrow of the Iranian government. Before that nation's nuclear weapons aspirations become reality.
But he says, despite what his detractors say about him, he does not support a military strike on Iran.
Ledeen made his comments on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
David Keanu Sai Who Believes Hawaii Should Be An Independent Kingdom On Paltalk
Sai
There's actually a movement which argues that Hawaii is not, lawfully, one of the 50 states of the United States. A leader of that movement, David Keanu Sai, will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk Friday April 11th.
Sai is the "acting interior minister" of the Hawaiian Kingdom government, which he says is operating "within the occupied state of the Hawaiian Islands."
Sai argues that since the Spanish-American War, his "nation" has been under prolonged occupation by the United States of America. He says the Hawaiian Islands "reluctantly" serves as the headquarters of the U.S, Pacific Command, largest of the nine unified military commands of the United States armed forces.
In 2001, the Hawaiian Kingdom Government filed a complaint against the United States with the United Nations Security Council over what it calls the U.S. occupation of the Hawaiian Islands.
To talk to Sai at 5 PM New York time Friday April 11th CLICK HERE. There is no charge.
Paltalk is the largest multimedia interactive program on the Internet with more than 4 million unique users.
News Talk Online is also syndicated by CRN Digital Talk Radio coast-to-coast across the United States to an additional 12 million households.
Remembering Rosa Parks
DETROIT - Rosa Parks is an American heroine held in high respect in death as she was in life everywhere in the United States. But no more so than here, her adopted home, where she died.
There's a Rosa Parks Blvd. in Detroit, of course. But no monument here attesting to how she, the mother of the civil rights movement, changed history by refusing to move to the back of the bus in Birmingham. But that's about to change.
Detroit businessman Charles Costa has spearheaded a drive to create a monument in Detroit, one block from Rosa Parks Blvd.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rosa Parks some years ago in Costa's Detroit office. There was clearly an affinity between them.
"I knew Rosa Parks when she lived in a house by herself," says Costa.
"I was always concerned about her safety, and, sure enough, the same day that I raised concerns about her living alone, someone broke into her house and assaulted her."
A businessman friend of Costa's helped get Parks into a secure building on the Detroit River.
"It was about that time that I started the campaign to develop a permanent monument in her honor."
At first the city was going to donate space on Belle Isle, an island park in the Detroit River. But when that fell through, Costa turned to the Teamster's Union, which sold him, at a discount, the land where the monument will be built.
It's estimated that it will take more than $12 million to build the Rosa Parks Commemorative Garden. To help defray the costs, Costa is raffling off a vintage 1959 pink Cadillac. Tax deductible tickets are only $10 each. To purchase tickets CLICK HERE.
"My only regret,' says Costa, "is that we didn't complete the garden before she died."
A Ticked Off Michigan Democrat
O'Hara mixing breakfast and politics
DETROIT - At breakfast with Pat O'Hara, a longtime Michigan Democratic political activist and precinct delegate. And O'Hara, who never swears, came as close to uttering a profanity as he is capable.
"I'm ticked off at the state Democratic party bosses," said O'Hara over eggs and sausages at Detroit's Brooklyn Street Grill on Michigan Ave. in the shadow of the old Tiger Stadium.
"They knew that by holding an early primary that they it would be against the rules of the national Democratic Party and the votes wouldn't count. So none of the candidates came in here and campaigned. And Obama took his name off the ballot."
O'Hara will attend his congressional district's party convention on April 19th. Where it is likely he, who recently re-gained the public's attention last month as the grand marshal of Detroit's St. Patrick's Day parade, will be chosen as a delegate to the state Democratic convention.
That's where the delegates to the national convention will be chosen. But as it stands now, Michigan's delegates, like Florida's, won't be seated until after a presidential candidate is declared.
The bigger issue for O'Hara was that this political fumbling hurt Michigan.
"The candidates didn't come here. The national media didn't come here," he says.
"And we need the nation's attention focused on Michigan's economic problems."
Michigan's unemployment rate has skyrocketed. The housing market is in free fall. Housing prices are tumbling while taxes are going up.
"We need the next president of the United States, no matter who he or she may be, to be aware of the problems of Michigan and committed to helping correct them," O'Hara says.
"Now, because we held the Democratic primary too early, that may never happen."
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Photo credit: Gary Baumgarten
Condi Rice For Veep?
There are reports that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is actively seeking a spot on the GOP ticket as the vice presidential candidate.
I've met Rice, and have found her to be a smart and engaging woman. However, the negative perception toward the United States from many quarters around the world is a result of the diplomatic failings of the Bush administration. And, to borrow from Harry Truman, the diplomatic buck stops on Rice's desk.
No matter how qualified she may otherwise be, selecting Rice as the vice presidential candidate, and then electing John McCain as president, would be sending the wrong message to other nations of the world. That U.S. foreign policy, in desperate need of overhaul, is heading in the same old direction.
Let's hope, then, that McCain selects someone else as his running mate.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Scuffles As Olympic Torch Visits London
The Olympic torch procession was temporarily stopped due to protests in London.
One person tried to put out the Olympic flame with a fire extinguisher.
Another attempted to wrestle the torch away from the athletic carrying it.
Police arrested three people in what has become the focal point of the Free Tibet movement. Protesting seemingly wherever the torch passes.
Counter Chinese demonstrators were out in force as well, cheering the torch along.
The strategy of taking advantage of coverage of the torch, destined for the summer games in Beijing, makes sense. This is, after all, the moment in the world's eye for Tibetans struggling to be free of Chinese oppression.
But disrupting the carrying of the torch, a symbol of global competition and sportsmanship, is a bad and counterproductive tactic.
One person tried to put out the Olympic flame with a fire extinguisher.
Another attempted to wrestle the torch away from the athletic carrying it.
Police arrested three people in what has become the focal point of the Free Tibet movement. Protesting seemingly wherever the torch passes.
Counter Chinese demonstrators were out in force as well, cheering the torch along.
The strategy of taking advantage of coverage of the torch, destined for the summer games in Beijing, makes sense. This is, after all, the moment in the world's eye for Tibetans struggling to be free of Chinese oppression.
But disrupting the carrying of the torch, a symbol of global competition and sportsmanship, is a bad and counterproductive tactic.
World Trade Center Security Plan Extensive
The New York Daily News reports that the security plan for the World Trade Center is so extensive that they've dubbed the re-emerging complex Fort WTC.
The NYPD says nothing about security has been finalized. But the plans reviewed by the Daily News suggest that accessing the site, especially by motor vehicle, will be deliberately difficult.
The paper says the plan is modeled over the street patterns in London's financial district, which are designed to choke off and control traffic.
An interesting concept at a time when New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing for a congestion pricing plan designed to discourage driving in the city in order to reduce traffic jams.
The NYPD says nothing about security has been finalized. But the plans reviewed by the Daily News suggest that accessing the site, especially by motor vehicle, will be deliberately difficult.
The paper says the plan is modeled over the street patterns in London's financial district, which are designed to choke off and control traffic.
An interesting concept at a time when New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing for a congestion pricing plan designed to discourage driving in the city in order to reduce traffic jams.
Excitement Over The Election
NPR was up on the radio on the way to the airport and Obiajulu the cab driver was listening intently, chuckling and commenting under his breath about the election coverage.
"This is a most interesting election," he offered.
"You have a black man, a white woman and a senior citizen running for president. And there's no way to guess who's going to be elected."
Like me, Obiajulu is a political junkie. And like me, he hopes the Democratic campaign makes it to a floor fight at the convention.
He agrees that the convention this year might, if we are lucky, not just be an infomercial for the Democratic Party.
Of course, that's the last thing the party bosses want to hear. They are hoping for some kind of healing between the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns before Republican John McCain has opportunity to take advantage of the rift.
But for non partisan political junkies like Obiajulu and me, the continuing fight is nothing short of nirvana.
"This is a most interesting election," he offered.
"You have a black man, a white woman and a senior citizen running for president. And there's no way to guess who's going to be elected."
Like me, Obiajulu is a political junkie. And like me, he hopes the Democratic campaign makes it to a floor fight at the convention.
He agrees that the convention this year might, if we are lucky, not just be an infomercial for the Democratic Party.
Of course, that's the last thing the party bosses want to hear. They are hoping for some kind of healing between the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns before Republican John McCain has opportunity to take advantage of the rift.
But for non partisan political junkies like Obiajulu and me, the continuing fight is nothing short of nirvana.
Another View Of Rev. Wright
Barack Obama's controversial retired pastor, Jeremiah Wright, has been under scrutiny of late for the bombastic comments he's made from the pulpit about race and the nation. And his most famous parishioner's presidential campaign has suffered.
But there are other impressions of Rev. Wright. Including those of William A. Von Hoene Jr., a white parishioner of the church Wright, until recently, headed.
Von Hoene, in a guest editorial in the Detroit News, writes passionately about how Wright is actually a racial healer, not a divider. He speaks from personal experience. Wright convinced Von Hoene's now-wife, who is black, to not break off their engagement based on the issue of race.
He also touts Wright's good works on Chicago's South Side. His comments are well worth a read. If, for nothing else, to strike some balance in the coverage of Rev. Wright.
But there are other impressions of Rev. Wright. Including those of William A. Von Hoene Jr., a white parishioner of the church Wright, until recently, headed.
Von Hoene, in a guest editorial in the Detroit News, writes passionately about how Wright is actually a racial healer, not a divider. He speaks from personal experience. Wright convinced Von Hoene's now-wife, who is black, to not break off their engagement based on the issue of race.
He also touts Wright's good works on Chicago's South Side. His comments are well worth a read. If, for nothing else, to strike some balance in the coverage of Rev. Wright.
U.S. Plans To Cut Troop Tours Of Duty
The Associated Press is reporting that the Bush administration is preparing to announce that the tours of duty for troops sent to Afghanistan and Iraq will be cut from 12 to 15 months.
This will come as welcomed news to the military personnel shipped out. But the government needs to go one step further. And find a way to honor its commitment to honorably discharge with the nation's thanks those troops who have served. And not just give them a year off before reactivating and sending them back for additional tours of duty.
They fulfilled their obligation to their country. The country should fulfill its to them.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports the Army is concerned about the mental health risks to soldiers sent into multiple tours in combat.
This will come as welcomed news to the military personnel shipped out. But the government needs to go one step further. And find a way to honor its commitment to honorably discharge with the nation's thanks those troops who have served. And not just give them a year off before reactivating and sending them back for additional tours of duty.
They fulfilled their obligation to their country. The country should fulfill its to them.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports the Army is concerned about the mental health risks to soldiers sent into multiple tours in combat.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Imprisoned Islamic 'Militants' Allegedly Beaten - But Not At Abu Ghraib
The world is aghast at the waterboarding and sleep deprivation of Islamic terrorist suspects at the hands of the United States. Hopefully those who condemn such actions will worry about their brethren, who were imprisoned in the West Bank by Palestinian authorities.
A dozen prisoners of the Nablus detention facility have escaped. Complaining of beatings they received within.
The governor of Nablus is urging them to return and all will be forgotten.
In the meantime, we should all be horrified that these men, bent on carrying out terrorist attacks, were so ill-treated. And roundly condemn the Palestinian Authority for it.
After all, if we're going to get upset about Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, we surely must be concerned about this as well!
A dozen prisoners of the Nablus detention facility have escaped. Complaining of beatings they received within.
The governor of Nablus is urging them to return and all will be forgotten.
In the meantime, we should all be horrified that these men, bent on carrying out terrorist attacks, were so ill-treated. And roundly condemn the Palestinian Authority for it.
After all, if we're going to get upset about Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, we surely must be concerned about this as well!
Christian Priest Killed In Baghdad
A priest has been killed in Baghdad in the latest attack on Iraq's Christian minority.
The priest was pastor of the St. Peter and Paul Assyrian Orthodox church. Recently a Chaldean archbishop was killed in Iraq.
The killing underscores the difficulty in protecting religious minorities in Iraq.
The priest was pastor of the St. Peter and Paul Assyrian Orthodox church. Recently a Chaldean archbishop was killed in Iraq.
The killing underscores the difficulty in protecting religious minorities in Iraq.
John McCain Sees The Light
Now that he's the presumptive Republican candidate for president of the United States, John McCain suddenly realizes he was wrong when he voted against making Martin Luther King Junior Day a holiday.
He made his apology outside the motel where King was gunned down 40 years ago. To a mixed reaction from an audience standing in the rain.
It's good that McCain recognizes he was wrong. What's disturbing is that his motivation surrounds support he needs to be elected president.
Let's hope that, in the event that he is elected, McCain will make the right decisions for the right reasons. Not simply to appease a segment of the voting public.
He made his apology outside the motel where King was gunned down 40 years ago. To a mixed reaction from an audience standing in the rain.
It's good that McCain recognizes he was wrong. What's disturbing is that his motivation surrounds support he needs to be elected president.
Let's hope that, in the event that he is elected, McCain will make the right decisions for the right reasons. Not simply to appease a segment of the voting public.
Michael Ledeen, U.S. Foreign Policy Expert, On Paltalk
Ledeen
Michael Ledeen is an expert on U.S. foreign policy. He will be my guest Monday April 7 on News Talk Online on Paltalk.
A former consultant to the NSC and to the U.S. State and Defense Departments, he has also written on leadership and the use of power.
His latest book is entitled