Gaza Update 4.5

Here is Jack's Gaza Update 4.5. If you have any links to posts he might be able to include in the next update (if he has the time), e-mail him at talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.

More Good Writing on Israel

Sultan Knish says that "the terrorists are always the victim". And the Belfast Telegraph's Lindy McDowell states:

"Israel — the only country in the world not permitted to defend its own civilian population against attack. Not without the usual, predictable international outcry anyway. If, for the last six months the south coast of England had been daily bombarded with rockets fired by a terrorist outfit in control of, say, Germany? if people in the region had been forced daily to flee to bomb shelters? if men, women and children were being killed on a regular basis ... you’d imagine it would have made widespread global headlines. That there would be considerable sympathy for the civilians involved. And if British forces were to retaliate against the terror group by launching air strikes against its bases — not primarily as a “revenge” operation but in a direct attempt to neuter those rocket attacks ... Would there be quite the same backlash in the British media against this as there has been this week against the Israeli response? What else were the Israelis expected to do in this situation? Sit back and take it? And hope that the plight of its civilians might galvanise the rest of the world into putting pressure on the terrorist Hamas? Some chance."

Gaza Update #4

Jack has Gaza Update 4 ready already, and I suspect there will be many more updates to come.

LSSU's List of Banished Words

Lake Superior State University has their annual list of banished words, but the link seems to work only sporadically on Internet Explorer and not at all on Firefox. The Detroit Free Press has this enjoyable article on this year's list. Among other things, the writer says:

"Among well-worn cliches, "at the end of the day" is getting to me, as is the synonymous "when all is said and done." These expressions are usually followed by a declaration of what we have to do. Just do it, by the end of tomorrow.
In recent years, people have said so often that they are going after the "low hanging fruit" that I can't believe there is any left anywhere. And we've had so many "stakeholders" on this or that issue that it's no wonder you can never find a vampire when you need one.
I have grown weary, too, of "perfect storm" being used to describe everything from our financial crisis to a political problem to a slew of sports injuries. Some weather person coined the term to describe a rare confluence of factors creating extreme conditions. Now it seems as if we have a "perfect storm" somewhere, some way, every day. It's supposed to be rare, remember? And too much today is described as "extreme" -- sports, diets, poverty, the right wing, the left wing, weather, illness. "I had this like, extreme, flu ..."
Can we stop talking about "meltdowns" in this industry or that business? The term describes what happens in the overheated core of a nuclear reactor, but it's a little hyperbolic for everything else to which it is applied, including emotional collapses. Financial houses fail, but their demise does not spread lethal radiation, just extreme misery.
I commiserate with a fellow scribe who hates hearing "it is what it is." Just tell us what it is and then we'll all know.
And beware of someone who starts addressing you by saying, "with all due respect ..." which is another way of saying you don't deserve any and I'm about to expose your idiocy."

Gaza Roundup

Jack's Gaza Roundup 3.5 is now up. He and Soccer Dad have done some invaluable blogging lately, so don't miss it.

Another "Truce"?

Little Green Footballs asks a question that perfectly describes the way many of us feel regarding the never-ending cycle of terror attacks and "ceasefires" in Israel:

"Ever feel like you’re on a surreal merry-go-round, watching the same events play out over and over as you circle endlessly past, to no discernible purpose or end?"

Grand Rounds 5.15

Grand Rounds 5.15 is available at Moneduloides, which is "the blog of an interested wonderer."

Gaza Roundup, Part 3

Here is Jack's Gaza Roundup, Part 3, including many well-written and totally infuriating posts. If only the mainstream media would report on stories such as this one and this!

My friend Edna's cousin Marion has been sending e-mail reports from Israel, and she writes,

"Zelda and Isaac were here this morning. Isaac's sister lives near the centre of Ashdod, where the 39 year old woman was killed by a rocket yesterday.Isaac has nephews living on a moshav in the south, where the rockets fall. One of them missed a rocket by one minute a few months ago. David, their son-in-law was called into the air force (he doesn't fly), and sent a message to say he wont be able to be in contact with his family. Their daughter, Ariella, is pregnant with 2 small children and works all hours as a doctor. Since the male doctors were called up, she'll have to work even more hours. So Z and I are having to fill in more to look after the kids. This is how one family living north of Tel Aviv has been affected."

Peters' Position

Ralph Peters is right on target when he says,

"Damned if they do, but Israel's dead if they don't. Dead Jews aren't news, but killing terrorists outrages global activists. On Saturday, Israel struck back powerfully against its tormentors. Now Israel's the villain. Again. How long will it be until the UN General Assembly passes a resolution creating an international Holocaust Appreciation Day?"

Read it all.

Facebook Supports the IDF

Facebook, which I joined only because my sister uses it, has started this group "to express support for the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces in their fight to counter terrorism against innocent civilians in Israel from Gaza." The Facebook group is located at this site.

Jack's Gaza Roundup, Part 2

Here is part 2 of Jack's Gaza roundup. Forward this link to your friends and relatives and have them pass it on in support of Israel. The blogosphere always comes through in times of crisis.

Haveil Havalim Time!

Check out Haveil Havalim #198 at Material Maidel.

Carnival of The Retaliatory Strikes

Jack has put together a roundup of blog posts about Israel's strikes against Hamas.
And Bill Levinson at Israpundit writes about the usual hypocrisy:

"The United Kingdom has called for an 'immediate halt' to violence in Gaza, while the Pope called upon 'all sides' to end the violence. We do not recall either Britain or the Vatican speaking up when Hamas was pouring rockets and mortar shells into Israel. We therefore do not see why Israel should even listen to anything that either entity has to say now that Hamas is reaping what it has sown."

Finally!

Finally Israel has retaliated against Hamas in what Haaretz describes as Israel's version of shock and awe. Blackfive is more blunt:

"They have never accepted the existence of Israel. They teach hateful, racist propaganda to school kids ensuring the next generation keeps up the slaughter. They have launched hundreds of rockets during a "cease fire" which now has lapsed. The Israelis kept weapons tight until the official "cease fire" ended. Now they are making piles of dead tangos and I say Bravo! The Palestinians are an artificial creation of the hard liners who decided they didn't want the Jooos in their neighborhood. There is no question both groups have historical claims to the area but when the UN made a compromise, the Israelis were attacked multiple times by their Arab neighbors. They kicked the crap out of these vaunted Arab armies. They have created a stable, liberal democracy and even allow Israeli Arabs to serve in Parliament. The Palestinians have murdered innocents wholesale and threatened to push all the Israelis into the sea and claim all the land. They have spent countless billions of other peoples dollars to train terrorists and let their own people starve. they are reprehensible and only marginally civilized. They can learn to live like decent human beings or they can die and be stacked like cord wood."

And Treppenwitz says:

"An open letter to...
... the Vatican which is now calling for an end to middle east violence...
... the U.N. Secretary General who is suddenly "deeply alarmed by the bloodshed..."
... the U.S. Secretary of State who is demanding an immediate cease fire...
... the European Union that is calling for "an immediate end to hostilities..."
... the Russians who are asking for all sides to return to the negotiating table.
I have just one question for all of you:
Where was your concern for human life when it was Israeli civilians being targeted all these year?!"

Let's see how long it takes for the U.N. to condemn Israel this time.

School Daze

I've read about this politically correct idiocy before, but obviously it's still going on, to the detriment of today's students: "Hundreds of schools have barred teachers from marking in red in case it upsets the children." Barking Moonbat comments:

"What the heck is happening to this place? They are stark raving mad. How did generation after generation manage the stress of red ink and still achieve what they did? This is BIZARRE beyond any way for me to describe it. This is what is happening right now, right here in this country on this date. Dec.26,2008. Where are the grown ups?"

Obamamedia-mania

After seeing more media-drooling about Obama's physique yesterday on TV, I wondered how I were going to last through 4 years of this nauseating adulation. Later, I came across two similar articles on the same subject, by Michelle Malkin and by Robert Stacy McCain. A reader at
Lucianne.com echoed my own sentiments: "Is it possible to throw up for 4 years? I might be a test case."

Bush-Bashing Bonanza

Wesley Pruden says there are only a few Bush-bashing days left: "With only 26 days left to harangue, mock and bash President Bush, some of our colleagues in the media aren't wasting a day. Bashing ex-presidents, except for the ex-presidents with shrill prominent wives, isn't nearly as much fun as bashing while he's still the real thing."

Grand Rounds 5.14

Visit Highlight Health for Grand Rounds 5.14 Holiday Edition.

Simply Soccer Dad

Between watching "Ben Hur" and "A Christmas Story", I am reading Soccer Dad, who is juggling carnivals and who is also reporting the lastest Watcher's Council entries.

MERRY HOCHMAS!

Mental Floss lists 9 other things that happened on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, this list does NOT include the birth of my grandfather, Louis Hoch, on December 25, 1900. (Via Interesting Pile)

A Politically Correct Christmas Message from the Religion of Peace

Little Green Footballs wonders: "Who better to deliver the 'alternative' Christmas message on Britain’s Channel 4 than a virulently antisemitic Islamic fanatic who wants to wipe out Israel? 'Iran’s Ahmadinejad to give alternative Christmas message.' Unbelievable. What the hell is wrong with Channel 4?"

Con Men Quips

Here are some comments on the news by Argus Hamilton, including these:

"Wall Street swindler Bernie Madoff was placed under house arrest Thursday. His crimes left a lot of people embarrassed. We have cameras at street corners, cameras at the banks, cameras at the ATMs and nobody saw a guy stealing fifty billion dollars."

"U.S. Congressman William Jefferson will be replaced by a Republican next month after he was arrested for having ninety thousand dollars in cash in his freezer. Today he looks like the smartest money manager in America. Just think of all the Jewish charities that would still be solvent today if they'd invested with William Jefferson."

Songs for Soldiers

Do something nice for our troops. If you go to this Billboard website and fill out a short form, two free music downloads will be sent to one of our soldiers.

An Assortment from The Anchoress

Here are some quick links from The Anchoress. I particularly enjoyed the line "Happy Hannukah! Or Oy, Come all ye Faithful!"

One Potato, Two Potato...

A co-worker sent me this latke-eating contest story.

Haveil Havalim Time!

Visit Jewlicious for Haveil Havalim #197: Bring in the light (and the doughnuts) Edition!

A Grave Matter

Here's a story about the latest idiotic fad: being buried with your cell phone. I couldn't believe what I was seeing on Fox News this morning when they showed a man's grave (complete with his cell phone number etched on the stone!), and they had their female guest, possibly his widow, dialing his number!

What the Meaning of "If" Is!

Betsy's Page links to a great spoof of the Rod Blagojevich version of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If".

HAPPY HANUKAH!

Story of a Con Man

I am currently reading this Vanity Fair article about a con man who pretended to be a Rockefeller. It's amazing how many people were taken in by him for so long.

That's No Baloney!

Fark links to this story about an edible menorah.

Notes and Quotes

Bailout news: Mark Steyn says, "We're in the fast lane to Bailoutistan." And John Hawkins writes that "'Mama Government' Treats Americans Like Small Children."
Regarding Caroline Kennedy's qualifications, Andrew Sullivan makes this comparison: "In fact, Sarah Palin was more qualified to be vice-president than Caroline Kennedy is to be a Senator. Both are celebrities, but Palin made her own way herself, winning election as mayor and governor without the kind of raw nepotism now on display in New York State."

Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds Vol. 5 No. 13: The Best of 2008 is up at A Chronic Dose: A Chronic Illness Blog.

On President Bush and the Jews

Ron Radosh has a nice article about Bush and the Jews. He ends by saying,

"A few years ago, I heard former Mayor Ed Koch of New York accept an award at a dinner honoring Jewish leaders in Washington, DC. President Bush was present, and Koch saluted him, telling his largely liberal audience that in his eyes- and Ed Koch is anything but a conservative- that George W. Bush was as a President the best friend that Israel ever had and the President most sympathetic to Jewish concerns. Perhaps, like Rabbi Yoffe, more Jews in America will come to understand that."

More Tom Lehrer

To end the week, here's a colorful presentation of Tom Lehrer's"The Elements".

"Hanukkah in Santa Monica"

I love Tom Lehrer, and this is one of my favorite tunes.

Watcher's Council

Soccer Dad showcases the latest Watcher's Council entries.

Let's Face It!

I like this item from Shoebox Blog: "A near-total face transplant has been completed at a hospital in Cleveland. They got the face from a politician, who had two."

Blogging Blagojevich

Here are some entries in Slate's Blagojevich scandal-naming contest. I like "Coiffuror".

Shoe-Throwing & The Three Stooges

As a fan of The Three Stooges, I really got a kick out of this graphic from Eye On The World.

100 Popular Blogs

Interesting Pile links to a list of the 100 most popular blogs.
(Above image from Shoebox Blog.)

Shake, Rattle & Whine

Barking Moonbat reports on a case of Christmas Derangement Syndrome from the U.K.: "After 130 years of fundraising, Salvation Army told to stop rattling collecting tins because it might ‘offend other religions’"

Happy Birthday, Dear Adolf

These are definitely winners in the
"incredibly moronic baby names" competition. The supermarket should be applauded.

"JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell, Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell and Adolf Hitler Campbell. Good names for a trio of toddlers? Heath and Deborah Campbell think so. The Holland Township couple has picked those names and the oldest child, Adolf Hitler Campbell, turns 3 today. This has given rise to a problem, because the ShopRite supermarket in Greenwich Township has refused to make a cake for young Adolf's birthday."

(hat tip, Diane)

Legally Stupid

Overlawyered links to the weirdest legal cases of 2008.

Shoe Business

We shouldn't be surprised that that so-called journalist threw his shoes at President Bush. The Iraqis' gratitude has been underwhelming. You can bet the mainstream media will be gleefully playing this clip over and over again to show their own contempt for this President. What amazed me was that the Secret Service didn't leap to protect Bush; what if, instead of shoes, bombs had been thrown?

Haveil Havalim Time!

Haveil Havalim #196, The My Kids Wish it Were Chanukah edition is up at Jack's Shack.

Good For The Jews

Some of the best-known Christmas songs have been written by Jews, (including the dreaded "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer".)

Senator J.Lo?

Here's Rep. Gary Ackerman on the thought of having Caroline Kennedy run for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat:

'I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are.' 'Except that she has name recognition, but so does J.Lo,' Ackerman continued on Steve Malzberg's radio show on WOR. 'I wouldn't make J.Lo the senator unless she proved she had great qualifications, but we haven't seen them yet.'"

Deck The Halls With Boughs of Bailouts

In an amusing "Wonder Land" column, Daniel Henninger says that the United States will bail out Christmas:

"Government officials are said to be concerned at the risk that the collapse of Santa Claus could pose to the nation's intricately related system of holiday happiness. Though a failure by Santa Claus poses the largest systemic risk, the government is also prepared to step in to bail out Christmas trees, caroling parties and mistletoe producers".

Jupiter

I never get tired of hearing Holst's "Jupiter". The whole piece is stunning, but the section from about 3:07 through 5:18 is particularly breathtaking.

He's Not The President Yet!

From the AP: "President-elect Barack Obama has asked if his family can move into Blair House near the White House a little early, but the Bush administration has said, 'Sorry.'" Abe Greenwald feels the way I do:

"We just endured an election in which every gesture was aggravated into a scandal and, going forward, we’re best off not reading too much into each iota of non-policy news. But this strikes me as remarkably obnoxious on Obama’s part. The Left-wing media has actually been throwing around the idea of an early start to Obama’s presidency for a few weeks now. But as bad as it is to hear Chris Matthews suggest Obama preempt George W. Bush, it’s easily dismissed as the ravings of an unseriousness sycophant. That the President-elect himself couldn’t quite bear to respect the process of the transition is bizarre."

Farbissener Antisemites!

Will we ever stop reading about antisemitic incidents like this one?

"The Church of England approved an anti-Israel carol that was sung as part of an 'alternative' event called ‘Bethlehem Now: Nine Alternative Lessons and Carols’ that took place at the end of November in the Wren church of St James’s in Central London, and was organized by anti-Israel campaigners, including one liberal Jewish group"

Remember: in America, a woman protested the lyrics of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". I wonder what she would think of the lyrics of this anti-Israel carol!

Quips on Blagojevich

Argus Hamilton comments on the news: "Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was taped trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat in exchange for a union job. Times are tough. Now that Wall Street jobs no longer pay bonuses, corrupt politicians are giving away Senate seats in exchange for free donuts"; and "Chicago's U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Tuesday Governor Blagojevich was on a crime spree. The spree had style. Last Valentine's Day every state contractor got a box of candy from Governor Blagojevich along with a card inscribed, Be My Crony."

The Murder of a Child

The body of murdered child Caylee Anthony has been found at last. Geraldo reports

"I can report exclusively after several conversations with lead defense attorney Jose Baez that his client Casey Anthony reacted 'very badly' to today’s news of the child’s body being discovered. 'She was crying and sobbing,' according to Baez. Furthermore, she had to be given a sedative to calm her.

Naturally! This monster was crying and sobbing because she has finally been caught!

Chicago Scandal

Oy-jevich!
Blogojevich!
That he's a Democrat
Is a joy-jevich!

Catching Up With Soccer Dad

I haven't been able to read my favorite blogs as often as I've liked to in the past couple of days and am just catching up. Take a look at Soccer Dad's Shiny happy dhimmi - #4, and check out the winners of the Watcher's Council.

Rudolph the Politically Incorrect Reindeer

Here we go again! How is it that one person can make such a mountain out of a molehill, and over a reindeer?

"There was a strange turn of events at a local school Friday, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is at the center of it.
Children at Murrayville Elementary were told they couldn't sing that song, but later in the day they received word they can.
Rudolph is a cheerful song, loved by many like some kids in Bladen County. Children at the elementary school had practiced the song for their holiday program next week.
Then, abruptly, Rudolph was dropped from the program because of the words, "Christmas Eve."
It all began with one parent who didn't want her child to sing any song with direct Christmas connotations.
The parent who wants to remain anonymous does not celebrate Christmas and told us, "there needs to be a comfortable environment for all students, not just some."
The words Christmas Eve and Santa make her uncomfortable, so the Murrayville's principal dropped the song."

My sister and I were the only Jewish kids in our entire elementary school. We sang all the Christmas songs but chose on our own not to sing the name "Jesus". (A few years ago I read that other bloggers had done the same thing!) But to try to ban a cheerful children's song just because of the inoffensive words "Christmas Eve" and "Santa" is ludicrous. What will the next anti-Christmas protest be, I wonder?

More Anti-Christmas Lunacy

I just saw this story on Bill O'Reilly's show. It's just unbelievable that people always feel the need to protest and ruin Christmas, the birth of Christ. If Christmas were solely a commercial holiday whose only reason was frenzied gift-giving and Wal-Mart stampedes, THEN I could understand protests like this!

An Impatient Patient

My mother came home from the hospital today. Thanks, everyone, for your love and support during this very trying week.

Haveil Havalim Time!

Haveil Havalim #194 is up at Shiloh Musings. It'll soon be time for HH #200!

The Real Killers and the Real Victims

I always associate Dominick Dunne with the O.J.Simpson and Claus Von Bulow trials, both of which I avidly followed. And now, in the last few days, that brutal murderer Simpson has finally been convicted of something; and the tragic, beautiful, comatose Sonny on Bulow has died. (I must say I was very happy for the Goldman family, and very angry that they were called "gold diggers" by delusional, protesting O.J. fans at the courthouse.)

Therapeutic Blogging

I don't know about anyone else, but I find blogging to be a good way of relieving stress.

Hiatus

My mother is in the hospital, so blogging will be sporadic. Please think good thoughts.

Not Wild About Harry

I wasn't at all surprised to hear these comments by that sour-faced Harry Reid, and I'm amused by the response.

A Giant Thug

Here's the scoop on the latest NFL criminal, Plaxico Burress. ("Plaxico" is definitely a contender in the category of weird names!) It's very depressing how common it's become for sports teams to be so tainted.

Mumbai and the Media

The New York Post has an article about Mumbai and the continuing aversion by the media to telling the truth about Islamic terrorism:

"The international media have already morphed the horrific slaughter in Mumbai into the murky realm of euphemism and apologetics."

Thankfully you can count on talk radio and the bloggers to tell the truth.

Busy Soccer Dad

Soccer Dad is juggling Carnivals and also showcasing the winning Watcher's Council entries.

Gun Control Works!

Bill Levinson at Israpundit says that "Gun Control Works–for Terrorists".

Tortured!

Atlas Shrugs is "sick in her soul" over the torture of the Mumbai victims and says,

"Dr. Bostom wrote me, 'The 'coverage' of the Mumbai massacre(s) has been an appalling spectacle of IGNORANCE, denial, and scapegoating--of the victims. If Hindus and Jews (and in the end, all potential non-Muslim victims of jihad) don't realize their shared predicament --targeting by jihad hatred-- after these events, then they never will, possibly hastening their separate destruction."

Haveil Havalim Time!

This is Not Your Father's Haveil Havalim (Issue #193) contains a lot of terrific reading and is hosted by What War Zone?

More on Mumbai

Here's another lovely tribute to the Holtzbergs. But predictably, according to Little Green Footballs,

"Some American Muslims are justifying the massacre and refusing to denounce it, and blaming it on either Israel or America. For example: The Ignored Puzzle Pieces of Knowledge » Mumbai Attacks. And then there’s this creep, 'Yousef al-Khattab,' aka Joseph Cohen."

Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg

Here's a tribute to Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg. Michael Savage referred to their rescued son as The Little Moses. All Jews are greatly affected by this tragic story.

TIME to Be Nauseous

When I saw this magazine cover on the newsstand today, my first impulse was to turn the magazine around to face the other direction! As a great admirer of FDR, I find the comparison extremely insulting.

More on the Senseless Stampede

Ed Morrissey puts it in perspective:

"I’ve seen people get into shoving matches and fistfights, and I’ve heard of injuries, but a death and a miscarriage? This didn’t happen because of a fire erupting or a terrorist/hostage situation, as we have seen in Mumbai. Hundreds of people trampled others to death so that they could get to cheap retail goods the fastest — presumably to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ."

Shop Till You Die

I just saw this story at Michelle Malkin's website and wondered again how Christmas shoppers can turn into such wild animals:

"Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede. A worker died after being trampled and a woman miscarried when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island Wal-Mart Friday morning, witnesses said. The unidentified worker, employed as an overnight stock clerk, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m."

I'm just waiting for one of these crazy, greedy people to sue Wal-Mart.

Chalk One Up for the Religion of Peace

The terrorism-deniers on the radio this morning were actually blaming the U.S. and U.K. for the massacre in Mumbai. I guess we haven't gone far enough in our kowtowing to Muslims. So let's now add Mumbai to the illustrious list of terrorist attacks that include the Achilles Lauro, the first World Trade Center bombing, the Khobar Towers, the USS Cole, the September 11 attacks, the Bali bombings, the July 7 London bombings, the 2005 Jordan "wedding bombings", and the continual attacks in Israel.

Good Reading

Need something good to read? Check out the medical carnival Grand Rounds 5.9 at Dr. Deb; and see the latest Watcher's Council submissions at Soccer Dad.

While Civilization Slept

Will this help to wake up the West at long last when even the September 11 attacks did not seem to do so? Andrew Bolt aptly describes the savage terrorist attacks in India as "Cruel barbarity against us all" :

"The slaughter in Mumbai was a barbaric attack not just on India, but on us. On the West. For the first time in India, Muslim terrorists have singled out Westerners and Jews, and the places they are most likely to visit. And that makes al-Qaida a prime suspect -- either as a partner with local terrorists or prime mover....This is the struggle Obama inherits, and it will not end until Islamists horrify enough fellow Muslims by their pointless slaughter - and until Bush's dream is fulfilled, and Muslim nations share our love for the freedom now under such savage attack in Mumbai."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here's an article about the great stuffing vs. dressing debate. As a Northerner, I had never heard that delectable necessity called anything but stuffing ... until I moved to the South. But either way, have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

"The 'Um' Season"

What a great description of Thanksgiving and Christmas this is!

"For us Jews, Thanksgiving is an uncomplicated treat as we enter the 'um' season. 'Got your tree yet?' 'Um...' 'Where are you going for Christmas?' 'Um...' 'Mommy, is Santa coming to our house?' 'Um...' Of course many people assume that everyone else is celebrating Christmas, and that's fine. I've never met anyone who minded being corrected in that assumption. The compensation for being odd-man-out at this time of year, and excuse me, my frazzled Christian friends, if I gloat a bit, is no stress. Thanksgiving is like a lower-stress Christmas. It's the 'joy' without the 'oy.'"

"The 'um season'" -- perfect! As the only Jew at work, I not only "um" but am virtually mute the entire month of December!

Turkey Time!

I love this Thanksgiving Waiver from the Center for Consumer Freedom.

Muslim Mayhem

Atlas Shrugs reports on the vicious terrorist attack in India:

"Muslims have attacked at least 7 hotels and restaurants. There are over 100 injured, possibly 80 dead and the battle is still going on. They are holding hostages.If you think you are safe in the west, stop drinking the bong water. Are we allowed to talk about it, or is this insulting to Islam and in violation of the UN resolution against 'defaming Islam'".

Let's hope for a strong response from the West and the quick release of American hostages.

Bailout Rage

This is simply outrageous: "Bailout costs more than Marshall Plan, Louisiana Purchase, moonshot, S&L bailout, Korean War, New Deal, Iraq war, Vietnam war, and NASA's lifetime budget -- *combined*!" (From Boing Boing via Free Republic)

The Hilarious Allan Sherman

The Anchoress offers some Allan Sherman songs, including the wonderful "Shake Hands With Your Uncle Max"! Boy, that brings back memories -- when I was a kid, we played his "My Son The Folk Singer" album all the time, and I still remember his
"Jump Down, Spin Around (Pick A Dress O'Cotton)".

"The Rape of Europa"

Last night on PBS, I saw the documentary "The Rape of Europa", about how the Nazis stole and plundered priceless art works and family heirlooms across Europe. At one point, someone commented that it was impossible to reconcile their love of art with their evil inhumanity. Towards the end, the film showed a Christian man who was reuniting Torah crowns and other artifacts with families of their original owners. He was emotional when he said that he rang the bells on the Torah crown to the owner over the phone. The film was extremely powerful, moving, and infuriating, and I signed up for the book at the library today.

Carnival-Juggling Time!

Soccer Dad is juggling Carnivals, including a new one of his own colorfully called Shiny Happy Dhimmi . ("Dhimmitude", from what I have always understood, means the appeasement of radical Muslims. Melanie Phillips published an excellent description of dhimmis and dhimmitude here)

Our Flag Is Still There

After some repairs and restoration, our wonderfully historic American flag, the original Star Spangled Banner, is back on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. I got to see it there many years ago, and it's truly a sight to behold.

How's This for Obamamaniacal Gall?

Blogs for Victory says that the New York Times thinks President Bush should resign now so Obama can take over. The Democrats are even crazier than I thought!

Watcher's Council

Soccer Dad has published the latest winning Watcher's Council posts. Soccer Dad himself tied for 4th place with this entry!

Haveil Havalim Time!

According to Jack, you can find Haveil Havalim #192: The Thanks and Giving Edition at Ima on (and off) the Bima. Stop by for some tasty morsels!

OK To Be An American...Now

This article, from Lucianne.com, leaped out at me and made me do a double take. The title of it is "It's OK to be an American now". Now?! It has ALWAYS been okay to be an American! I'm sure a lot of readers will also feel the same way.

November 22: A Tragic Day

On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was tragically assassinated. I was 8 years old and vaguely remember watching the funeral on television.

Funny Christmas Carols

Lenore Skenazy offers some "Funny Updated Christmas Carols". I particularly like this one:

Ring my Cell Rock
(to "Jingle Bell Rock")

Ring my cell, ring my cell, ring my cell rock.
You're in the car and bored, so you talk.
Call me 'bout nothing 'cause minutes are free.
"Now I'm turnin' left," you tell me.

Ring my cell, ring my cell, ring my cell rock.
Ring all the time, I'm losing my mind.
Blather and chatter because you're my spouse,
Though you just left the house!

What a nightmare, it sits right there
To pass the time away.
Turn your phone on and you drone on:
"I had a cheese Danish today, yay!"

Nonstop yap, there's my cell ringin' again,
Clackin' around the clock.
I hear the ringle and wish I were single.
That's the ring my cell,
Jingle ringle hell,
That's the ring my cell rock.

Sign of the Times

Above is a sign I wish I could see in American restaurants when kids are running around screaming & crying while their parents sit there oblivious! This is from the Telegraph's "Sign Language" section.

Criminals and Good Samaritans

It's nice to read about a community's outrage and generosity, but I sure hope these animals are caught and given the maximum sentence for this senseless cruelty: "West Tennessee citizens, outraged after thieves stole and dismantled a 5-year-old girl's wheelchair, are responding with offers to help little Annabelle Hulgan of Memphis."

Fun With Words

The Telegraph reports that "A fascinating list of the correct word for unusual items and phenomena has been compiled for a fascinating new book that might help stop the use of 'thingummy', 'whatdoyoumecallit', and 'whatsit'." I love stuff like this!

Par for the Course

Honesty must be extremely rare these days when this story about golfer J.P. Hayes makes headlines.

Terrorists of the Sea

On his radio show last night, while discussing the increasing incidents of Somali piracy, Michael Savage was talking about how emasculated our Navy has become. So it was encouraging to read that another Navy, the Indian Navy, has won a victory against those terrorists.

Bailout Blahs (continued)

I totally agree with these great points on the auto bailout talk from Betsy's Page:

"Whatever the decision of whether to fund the car companies mismanagement, we will see an ever-growing line of supplicants begging for the federal taxpayers to save them from their own profligacy and poor budgetary management....How many irresponsible people and companies are we going to continue to bail out? Have we gotten to the point that we believe that the federal taxpayers can fund the total negation of consequences for bad decisions?"

Annoying Cliches

Lifehacker links to this amusing BBC article on the 20 most hated cliches. I noticed that the extremely annoying "at the end of the day" made a previous list.

Morning Joe

Argus Hamilton jokes: "NBC News put Joe Scarborough on a seven-second delay Wednesday for swearing on his morning talk show. He's had problems with the network before. Last month NBC News took him off the air for a week when he mentioned Barack Obama's name without crossing himself."

Presidents and Pooches

Stanley Siegelman has written a poem about Presidential dogs. I loved the last stanza.

Read Jewish World Review!

As always, there's a lot of terrific reading over at Jewish World Review, including Mark Steyn on why Americans should feel grateful on Thanksgiving; and this funny Dave Barry lesson on "driving while stupid":

"Of course, more and more, drivers do not have time for steering, as they are busy making phone calls, eating, reading, changing CDs, putting on makeup, brushing their teeth, etc. I recently received mail from an alert reader named Kate Chadwick who reports that she drove behind a man who was SHAVING HIS HEAD, with his 'visor mirror positioned just so, windows wide open for hair disposal, and for a significant portion of the ride, no hands on the wheel.'"

Throw The Switch!

There's been a despicably heinous crime committed against a baby
in Britain, and Eye On The World asks the same question I always ask: "Why do the liberal left spend more time and effort in defending the rights of murderers, terrorists and thugs than they do their victims?"

A Quiz You Can't Refuse

If you love "The Godfather" movies as much as I do (and they are on AMC again this weekend), you might enjoy this quiz. I scored 100%.

Haveil Havalim Time

It's time for Haveil Havalim, The “Mama Rachel” Edition at West Bank Mama.

If...You Must!

Soccer Dad's much-missed series If...You Must is back!

101 Ways to Save Money

Here's a list of money-saving ideas. Many of these consist of simple good old-fashioned common sense, which too many people today lack. Those of us who were brought up by Depression-era babies have no problem with cutting back and making do.

Nervy Criminal of the Week

How is this for gall? (via Obscure Store)

"A miffed bank robber vowed to file a complaint after finding the cash drawers empty at a Springettsbury Township bank that had just opened Thursday morning."

This reminds me of the episode of "Cops" where a woman called police to report that the cocaine she had just bought wasn't the real thing!

Grand Rounds

You can find the latest edition of the medical Carnival Grand Rounds at Musings of a Distractible Mind. A list of upcoming hosts is published here.

Good Point

John Podhoretz writes: "Bill Ayers claims Republicans 'demonized' him. This makes no sense. You can’t 'demonize' someone who is already a demon."

2008 Weblog Awards

You can find a lot of your favorite bloggers nominated for the 2008 Weblog Awards.

The Hole Truth

Read Joan Nathan's short history of the bagel.

President Bush: Friend of Israel

Jason Maoz writes: "Whatever else can be said about George W. Bush and his legacy on this day that his successor is being chosen, it is a near certainty that we shall not see a president quite as instinctively pro-Israel as he for a very long time to come – a president who entered office determined to pursue a policy that unambiguously favored Israel over its enemies."

Majesty

Last night, our local PBS station had a wonderful documentary called Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work. How Queen Elizabeth, at age 80, has the stamina to make so many visits and do so much meeting and greeting is just amazing. In a related note, Prince Charles is 60 years old!

Bailout Blarney

Regarding the original bailout, former Mayor Ed Koch exclaims, "We were had!" He writes,

"I find it incredible that this is happening and no one is calling foul. Where are all the hotshots who supported Paulson in his psyching us all out by conveying that if we did not follow his plan, we would find ourselves in another Great Depression? Why aren't they at the very least denouncing what is now happening? We are keeping alive, in addition to banks, other institutions that have done a terrible job and were greedy. Those companies should be permitted to declare bankruptcy so that someone in the private sector can buy them at a discount, if they are worth purchasing. Everyone is lining up to get their federal handout."

Also, shouldn't the people at AIG be arrested, for going on not one but two obscenely expensive post-bailout spa junkets? If anyone deserves a perp walk, it's them!

Happy Thanksgivoween!

Here's a good article about how Thanksgiving and Christmas are starting up earlier and earlier each year. I am literally driven out of stores by the continual Christmas carols that are annoyingly played. MUST we hear "White Christmas" already?

Europe's Oldest Vet

Read about the oldest survivor of World War One, who, at age 112, says, "That's why I go on," he said. "The children must not be left and not know what so many good men have done for them, on their behalf, on my behalf, on your behalf."

Graciousness, and Lack Thereof

While reading an article about President Bush's graciousness towards Obama, I couldn't help noticing this dig at the end:

"Ending a tumultuous second term on a positive note certainly can't hurt his standing as he returns to private life. But it won't be enough to alter Bush's legacy, said Hess, who worked in the Eisenhower and Nixon administrations and advised presidents Ford and Carter. 'The encyclopedia is still going to read: `George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, who created a war in Iraq' or `who let the country be flooded by Katrina,' Hess said. "It's not going to be, `George W. Bush, who left the office gracefully.'"

Yes, President Bush somehow deliberately steered Hurricane Katrina toward "the whole country" to intentionally flood it. What a guy!

VETERANS DAY 2008

Remembering and appreciating our armed forces today and every day!

Two Moronic Stories

It's amazing the ridiculous news items you come across while on the Internet. I spotted these two stories today: (1) If the Deep South wants to look stupid and act like it's the 50's and 60's all over again, they are certainly going about it the right way, as can be seen in this story from Mississippi: "Schools not allowing students to mention Obama." (2) And here's the latest bribe to get people to take responsibility for themselves, from England: "Pay the obese to take a walk: New £30m health drive sees fat people paid to walk their children to school."

How To Win Friends and Influence Wyoming Jews

I don't listen to NPR, but a co-worker told me that she heard this story and thought I would like it: "Wyoming Rabbi Reaches Out, One Challah At A Time."

Haveil Havalim Time!

Jack says it's time for Haveil Havalim #190 - Post Election Panic! over at Jewlicious.

Kristallnacht

Here's the November 11, 1938 New York Times report on Kristallnacht. This was the start of the Holocaust.

For Those Who Love History

The UK Telegraph is printing 70 year old articles about WW2, as well as readers' memories. And for some great photographs, see the 20th century in Britain, in pictures.

Blacks and Jews

I came across this lovely tribute last night, probably via Jrants, and even though I'm a Republican and I didn't vote for Obama, there's no way I can deny the truth of what this says:

"As Commentary’s John Podhoretz wrote on Tuesday night: 'America, it appears, is on the verge of electing a black man as its president…. the immensity of this single cultural moment dwarfs almost any other in my lifetime. Its positive social impact is incalculable; it was only eight years ago that Al Gore traveled to Harlem to kiss Al Sharpton’s ring…. Sharpton was, at that point, by default the most important black politician in America. Obama’s ascension to the White House, if it does nothing else, may at last bring down the curtain on race hucksters like Sharpton, whose power has always been rooted in the political alienation of inner-city blacks.'
And as The Atlantic’s Ross Douthat noted, '…Obama has just been elected president of a nation in which he could have been bought and sold as a slave just generations ago. I don’t think there are any words adequate to the occasion of America electing its first black president, so I’ll just say this: This may be a bleak day for the Republican party and for conservatism, but come what may in the years ahead, it's great for our country. Barack Obama deserves congratulations tonight, but so does the nation he’s about to govern. We’ve come a long, long way.'
Oh, and those who have their bags packed and their passports ready in anticipation of the coming deluge might consider this: the election of a black man as president should make Jews feel more secure in America rather than less.
African Americans have endured infinitely greater prejudice, hardship and discrimination – slavery, lynching, Jim Crow, etc. -- than have Jewish Americans, and yet earlier this week the nation entrusted its highest office to a black man. Not only did Obama win tens of millions of white votes, he carried states where not so long ago blacks were prevented by law from using the same public facilities as whites and actually took their lives into their hands simply for attempting to exercise, as American citizens, their right to vote.
America has arrived at the point where a black man will sit in the Oval Office while his black wife will do whatever it is First Ladies do and their black children will roam the White House and play in the Rose Garden. If the country has come this far in its comfort level with and acceptance of blacks, how much more so is that the case with Jews, who already for decades now have been the nation's most successful and influential ethnic subgroup?"

Tattoo U.

I agree with this Daily Mail article about women who wear tattoos, "the most tasteless, tacky, tawdry, terrible plague to infect our nation since mad cow disease."

Annoying Phrases

These are the top ten most annoying phrases (via Interesting Pile):

1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

Read the comments section, too.

Read The Anchoress

Read the usual very good posts at The Anchoress, including links celebrating "I Love George W. Bush Day.

Watcher's Council Entries of the Week

Here are some of this week's Watcher's Council submissions from Soccer Dad.

Better Late Than Never

I've noticed a spate of pro-George Bush articles lately, including this one, in which the author states

"The treatment President Bush has received from this country is nothing less than a disgrace. The attacks launched against him have been cruel and slanderous, proving to the world what little character and resolve we have. The president is not to blame for all these problems. He never lost faith in America or her people, and has tried his hardest to continue leading our nation during a very difficult time. Our failure to stand by the one person who continued to stand by us has not gone unnoticed by our enemies. It has shown to the world how disloyal we can be when our president needed loyalty -- a shameful display of arrogance and weakness that will haunt this nation long after Mr. Bush has left the White House."

Analysis By Boortz

Here's Neal Boortz on the election, and it's exactly the way I feel:

"This has been a 'what's in it for me' vote. Are you going to give me health care? Are you going to make sure my job is guaranteed? Are you going to cover my child care costs? You aren't going to make me pay taxes, are you? How about all those evil rich people? Aren't you going to take some of their money away from them and give it to me? After all ... I work for my money, they cheated and stole for theirs. Make them pay their fair share of taxes. Me? I'm tired of paying any share. The big question for me today is whether or not freedom, economic liberty and self-sufficiency can make a comeback in America. Right now it seems that a dismaying number of Americans think that they are owed a living; that it is the government's job to guarantee their economic security. Can we ever turn that around and return to a time when people accept the responsibility for their own lives and eschew the idea of using government as a tool of legalized plunder?"

A Brief Postmortem

Congratulations to Barack Obama, Kay Hagan, John Murtha, and maybe even Al Franken -- and heaven help the rest of us.

Michelle Malkin offers us some advice:

"What do we do now? We do what we’ve always done.
We stand up for our principles, as we always have — through Democrat administrations and Republican administrations, in bear markets or bull markets, in peacetime and wartime.
We stay positive and focused.
We keep the faith.
We do not apologize for our beliefs. We do not re-brand them, re-form them, or relinquish them. We defend them.
We pay respect to the office of the presidency. We count our blessings and recommit ourselves to our constitutional republic.
We gird our loins, to borrow a phrase from our Vice President-elect.
We lock and load our ideological ammunition.
We fight."

Thank You, President Bush

Hashmonean and Breitbart pay tribute to our President. As the latter says simply, "I still like George W. Bush. A lot."

Liberal Lunacy

Here are some Notable Quotables from the Media Research Center. They represent "the latest outrageous, sometimes humorous, quotes in the liberal media."

It's The Most Politically Correct Time of the Year!

Here's the first of what will undoubtedly be a host of "banning Christmas" stories this year.

Carnival-Juggling at Soccer Dad

The very versatile Soccer Dad is juggling four Carnivals for your entertainment pleasure.

VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN!

Without hesitation, I endorse Senator John McCain for President. If you're a conservative Republican who believes in fiscal and personal responsibility, less government, and a firm response to terrorism, please cast your vote for this proven leader. He's good for Israel, and good for America.

Today's New York Post editorial says: "...Early on, The Post endorsed Sen. John McCain's presidential candidacy, citing his lifelong record of service, his courage and his clear grasp of the problems and threats facing this country. Since then, the subprime-mortgage crisis and Wall Street's woes have supplanted national security as the campaign's principal issue. All the more reason, frankly, to cast a vote for John McCain."

Watcher's Council Winners

I'm suffering from electionitis (nausea, queasiness, and an allergic reaction to 24-hour cable news) but found an antidote in Soccer Dad's report on the latest winning entries from the Watcher's Council.

Jpix!

This is something I had not seen before. Sharon from Little Frumhouse on the Prairie announces the 20th edition of Jpix, the carnival of photographs by Jewish bloggers. What a nice discovery, and what great pictures!

Haveil Havalim Time!

Haveil Havalim #189 - The Elections Edition is up at Esser Agaroth, where you can read posts on both Israeli and American elections.

The Great Reverse Shlep!

Israpundit kvells about Pamela Geller and the The Great Reverse Shlep. (This is the antidote to Obama's nervy Great Shlep, in which grandchildren were told to visit their grandparents in Florida and convince them to vote for The Messiah.) Pamela writes:

"These folks ........ Russian Jews, flew in from New York for the schlep. They lived under Obama's proposed socialist poltical system and they want to do anything they can to keep America free.There were a number of folks there who fled socialist countries -- and they were desperate to help get the message out."

The Right Kind of Cartoons

Barking Moonbat Early Warning System links to some very well-drawn political cartoons at Red Planet Cartoons. Their slogan is "Political comics on the right side of history". Take a look!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

More Reasons to Vote for McCain

Mona Charen gives 10 reasons to vote for McCain/Palin.

Obamerchandise

Here's some Obama merchandise you just can't live without (especially image #18, the attractive footwear).

Steyn on Obama & McCain

This morning, Bill Bennett read this witty Mark Steyn piece on his radio show, and made me laugh:

"...McCain has only $80 million to spend, while Obama's burning through $600 mil as fast as he can, and he doesn't really need to spend a dime given the wall-to-wall media adoration. And tonight Chris Matthews' doctors announced that his leg tingle has metastasized leaving his entire body like a vibrating cellphone whose ringtone is locked on "I'm In Love, I'm In Love, I'm In Love, I'm In Love, I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy." And yet an old cranky broke loser is within two or three points of the King of the World. Strange."

Reasons to Love America

Read why Gail at Rubicon3 loves America, then share her wonderful post with others who also love this country.

Take Me Out To The (Suspended) Ball Game

A laugh from Andy Borowitz: "In an unprecedented move, Major League Baseball cancelled the 2008 World Series today, citing 'overwhelming lack of interest.'"

Never Discuss Politics and Religion...

A fellow conservative Republican in my office is being treated shabbily by her pro-Obama colleagues, even to the point of not talking to her at all. How childish! I sent her this article about handling the "collision of stress and politics".

401(k) News

I recently read an outrageous article about Obama's plan for our 401k's. Also, I saw this "perfectly fitting last name" in an article about lawsuits over diminished 401(k) accounts: "Mark Risk, who advises employees, offered these thoughts".

Obama: Babysitter to America

The above cartoon is at Lucianne.com today.

This and That

For a military perspective on the news, check out Blackfive. Information on one of my favorite explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton, can be found at Metafilter. Rubicon3 has had many well-written posts lately. Go here for the latest installment of Grand Rounds, the medical Carnival. And Smooth Stone reports on Kristallnacht artifacts found in a Berlin dump.

Soccer Dad: Carnival-Juggler

Soccer Dad is juggling Carnivals today.

Andrea Peyser in "Kabbalah-La Land"

Andrea Peyser has finally stopped writing about cats and has this column called "My Kabbalah-la Land Adventure."

Notice!

I laughed when I spotted this on Neal Boortz's website today:

"OFFICIAL NOTICE: This Internet page contains thoughts and ideas that are not consistent with or in keeping with the policies and ideas expressed by Barack Obama and/or the Democrat party. Accordingly, you are hereby notified that that the thoughts, ideas and facts presented on this web page constitute hate speech and you are warned that, as such, they may cause discomfort or offense to Democrats, liberals, those educated by the government, non-achievers, those suffering from wealth-envy and followers of The Chosen One. Govern yourself accordingly."

Haveil Havalim Time!

Haveil Havalim #188 is up at first-time host What War Zone???.

Encouraging News for the Disheartened

Steven M. Warshawsky of American Thinker discusses "Signs Pointing To A McCain Victory". From Warshawsky's lips to God's ears!

Amazing Fact About the Jewish Star

I received this interesting graphic from my aunt this morning: "All of the 24 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet are present in the Star Of David. There is no such thing in any other language."

A Stupid Lie

Regarding the "mutilated" McCain volunteer, here is the perfect analogy from Lucianne.com: "Police: Campaign Worker Admits Making Up Story. Staff told you 'Tawana Brawley' when this was first posted."

"Hit a Jew Day"

It's always so comforting to see what children are doing in school: "Several sixth-graders from suburban St. Louis are being disciplined for creating "Hit a Jew Day" and then hitting Jewish classmates."

Praise for President Bush

Read what Sir Bob Geldof has to say.

Top 10 Most Influential Jews In History

Here's a nice list, which I saw at Interesting Pile.

Preconditions and No Preconditions

Here's the response to Obama's offer: "The Iranians have set pre-conditions to talks with an Obama Administration that include US withdrawal of forces in the region and non-recognition of stalwart ally, Israel."

McCain: True Hero

More facts of John McCain's heroism: "There are plenty of reasons to criticize McCain. But unless you think that inspiring your fellow prisoners to resist and cope with unbelievable acts of torture isn't heroic, then 'hero,' at least, is one description McCain deserves."

Let Us Pray

Get a load of Obama as The Messiah (via Boortz.com)

Library-Blogging!

My friend Wendy has started her own blog! It's called Marsden Lodge, about life in a small-town library. Check it out.

It Pays to Be Ignorant

As reported by Joanne Jacobs, the dumbing down of our society continues, with students actually being paid to study:

"Interesting, isn’t it, that while students in other countries are paying $1,500 a year for the chance to learn more, many American students will be paid that same amount just to do what they ought to be doing in their own self-interest? Does the future belong to those who struggle to better themselves, make sacrifices to do so and work hard? Or to those who must be cajoled and bribed to learn anything at all?"

Whatever Happened to Personal Responsibility?

These are three valuable lessons from the financial crisis:

1. If you don't understand it, don't invest in it; 2. Manage your asset allocations; 3. Live within your means.

And here's an article about our personal responsibility deficit.

Frivolous Lawsuit of the Day

From the Department of Ridiculous Lawsuits comes this one: "Obama Supporter Sues McCain for 'Hate Speech'... The lawsuit claims that Green 'suffers terror of the heart, anxiety and grave fear for the life of Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Barack Obama' because of the McCain campaign's efforts to invoke hatred against Obama."

Haveil Havalim Time!

A very enjoyable Haveil Havalim #187: The Sukkot 5769 Edition is up at Ill call Baila.

For "Star Trek" Fans Only: "I'm a Doctor, Not a ______ !"

My favorite was always "I'm a doctor, not an escalator!"

That's Right!

La Shawn Barber reports on that rarity, conservatives in Hollywood.

Best Stimulus Package

Rubicon3 writes that on CNBC, "Larry Kudlow says the dropping of gas prices is the best stimulus package of all." I'll take it! After last month's gas shortage, it's been quite a relief not only to have a good supply again, but to also have prices fall below $3.00.

Joe the Plumber

Boy, talk about an overnight success! I've never heard so much news about plumbers in my life! Maybe next, Joe the Plumber can do commercials for Comet Cleanser like his predecessor, Josephine the Plumber. Or he can appear on Dancing With The Stars; be given his own reality show or DIY show; or participate in a World's Best Plumber contest. Any other suggestions?

A Song With Heart

On American Bandstand, one of the criteria for a hit record was being able to dance to the beat. Well, not only can you dance to it, but it seems that the Bee Gees disco hit "Stayin'Alive" is the perfect song for performing CPR compressions to! (Via Metafilter)

Good Reading at Soccer Dad

Soccer Dad offers some interesting posts, including the latest Watchers Council entries from Watcher of Weasels. I loved Joshuapundit's perfect new phrase to refer to Jews who vote for Democrats:The Jewish Stockholm Syndrome.

Describing Obama

Slip of the tongue or not, John McCain couldn't have come up with a better title for Obama than"Senator Government". And Melanie Phillips sums up the way I feel:

"You have to pinch yourself: a Marxisant radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshipped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it's considered impolite to say so."

Award for Sheer Gall & Stupidity

This guy should definitely be a Darwin Award finalist:

"Man goes beserk over the rising cost of crack cocaine. The 46-year-old man smashed up part of grocery store and was 'challenging people to fight.' He explained to police that he was upset that the price of crack cocaine had gone up to twenty dollars from ten dollars." (via Obscure Store)

Oh Baby!

I can't stand attention seekers:

"A father secretly registered his new baby as Sarah McCain Palin - ignoring another name he and his wife had picked together."

That poor child! But she's actually lucky, because

"'I was actually going to name the baby John McCain, even as a girl, but I thought that was maybe too overboard,' he said."

Well, at least he didn't name her Barack Obama!

My Thoughts Exactly!

Michelle Malkin asks, "Hey, chumps: Why are you still paying your mortgages?"

"I said back in January that the stigma of default was gone. Flashback: 'The stigma of default is gone. Political rhetoric absolving borrowers of their responsibilities — and encouraging them to spend, spend, spend even more — has made it possible. And so has federal legislation intended to 'help.' ... Thrift is dead. Fiscal conservatism is dead. Just walk away."

Why Meredith Vieira Stubbed Her Toe

It's Bush's fault!

Zionists in Control

If Sarah Palin and John McCain are the new George Wallace, does that mean Barack Obama is the new Hitler?

"Prepare for a new America: That's the message that the Rev. Jesse Jackson conveyed to participants in the first World Policy Forum, held at this French lakeside resort last week. He promised 'fundamental changes' in US foreign policy - saying America must 'heal wounds' it has caused to other nations, revive its alliances and apologize for the 'arrogance of the Bush administration.' The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where 'decades of putting Israel's interests first' would end. Jackson believes that, although 'Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades' remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House."