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."

Read This

Cindy Adams has a good read on the subject of those annoying medical ads. And Argus Hamilton comments on the news, including this: "Paris Hilton told Harper's Bazaar Friday that Sarah Palin should wear low-cut blouses and tight skirts. Consider the source. Last week a woman in Beverly Hills told her plastic surgeon to make her just like Paris Hilton, so he gave her a lobotomy."

Vote No to Socialism

Today, Neal Boortz wrote this:

"As soon as the Move-On Democrat Party gets their Democrat president-elect they'll be off to the races ... first up, a new wealth redistribution bill, sometimes called a stimulus bill. It's a very simple plan. They take money away from people who don't support them and give it to people who do."

I would change the last sentence to say "they take money from people who work and pay taxes, and give it to people who don't." That's socialism, and that's what McCain should stress at the next debate.

Sheep

Does this make sense? Why would you waste gas just to get gas? This is the sheep mentality.

"LAKE WORTH -- Two Lake Worth gas station owners agree they caused a ruckus Friday afternoon with $1.85 gas, they just don't agree on how their prices got there. The prices drew quite a crowd, with about 100 cars lined up and several Lake Worth police officers and city employees out directing traffic. Amber Peters of Lake Worth said she waited almost an hour, but the 18-year-old, like many others, said it was well worth it."

Haveil Havalim Time!

Jack announces that Haveil Havallim #186: The First Sin of the Year Edition is up at The Israel Situation, where you'll find lots of interesting Jewish and Israeli links.

Wonton Soup for the Iraqi Soul

From Grow-a-Brain, a story about the only Chinese restaurant in Baghdad .

Nice Guys

If I hear John McCain praise Barack Obama one more time, I will scream. It's as if he determined to prove the theory that nice guys finish last, and if he keeps this up, his self-fulfilling prophecy will come true on November 4. (In a similar vein, I had to laugh at this reader's comment regarding John Lewis comparing McCain/Palin to George Wallace: "I am surprised that McCain didn’t agree with him, and call Lewis an honorable man.")

The Charms of Socialism

Here's a story about Britain's socialized housing: "... society's ability to pay out housing jackpots to parasites is limited — as Americans have already learned thanks to the subprime crisis that is crippling our economy."

Neither Rain, Nor Snow, Nor Cryptogram...

I liked this story about one woman's test of the efficiency of England's Royal Mail Service. (They passed that test.)

Wall Street Woes

Walter Williams gives us some "lessons from the bailout."

70's Nostalgia

If the Internet had been around in 1973, this is what the New York Daily News home page would have shown.

The Second Debate

Betsy's Page has some reviews of last night's debates. I do wish McCain's supporters would stop talking about William Ayres and focus instead on what America would represent with Obama as President: socialism and appeasement.

Dumb Blonde

A frivolous lawsuit and a smart judge:

"A Connecticut judge has given the brush-off to a blonde woman's lawsuit claiming L'Oreal Inc. ruined her social life when she accidentally dyed her hair brunette with one of its products. Charlotte Feeney of Stratford says she can never return to her natural blonde hue, a shock that left her so traumatized she needed anti-depressants."

Irresponsible 'Parents'

Neal Boortz writes about this attempt to instill personal responsibility in today's students: "A government middle school imposes a 5 step plan for students to take more responsibility for their behavior ... parents immediately complain about the 'emotional impact' on their children." This reminds me of the story of the "stressful" spelling homework in England.

What the Election's Really All About

Read this Anne Bayefsky column in which she calls this a "life-or-death election" and says it ".. is about whether there will be a nuclear holocaust."

Juggling of the Carnivals

Soccer Dad is skillfully juggling Carnivals today.

Simply Varvelous!

Jewish World Review features some of the best editorial cartoonists. Check out Gary Varvel (see above), and Michael Ramirez, among others.

Haveil Havalim Time!

Enjoy the latest writings from the best Jewish blogs at Haveil Havalim #185, nicely presented by Writes Like She Talks.

UN-surprising

Antisemitism and double standards continue at the United Nations, as Smooth Stone reports: "The UN: Closed on Muslim Eid Holiday, Open on Yom Kippur".

Billion Dollar Baby

To see what $700 billion dollars of bailout money can actually buy, visit this slideshow. (via Interesting Pile)

Wanted: Personal Responsibility

Read this very good article by Linda Chavez, who says we have only ourselves to blame for the current economic crisis:

"No one wants to talk about who is most to blame for the financial crisis that now threatens the U.S. economy, though there is plenty of blame to go around. It is far easier to blame other people — greedy Wall Street executives, predatory lenders, President Bush, federal regulators, members of Congress —than it is to look at ourselves.....We have become a nation of debtors, and our only solution seems to be to turn to the government to bail us out. And it's not just Wall Street firms looking to be rescued. Politicians are fearful of passing a financial package that does not include some relief for borrowers as well. Certainly it is worth doing something to prevent lenders from making bad loans to individuals without the credit or down payment to ensure likely repayment. But automatically bailing out borrowers who weren't credit worthy in the first place is no solution. Ultimately, all of us have got to rid ourselves of the addiction to spending money we don't have. Instead of pointing fingers, we'd better start looking in the mirror if we want to understand who's really to blame."

Guilty!

This is the headline we should have seen back in 1995: "Jury finds O.J. Simpson guilty on all charges."

Jumping Jack Flash...

This is poetic justice, especially to those of us in the gas-starved Southeast: "Police said a man was arrested after he used a cigarette lighter while trying to siphon gasoline from a van. The man, who was visiting friends, went to drive home early Saturday but realized that he didn't have enough gas in his SUV."

Skool Daze

Here is further evidence that political correctness and that touchy-feely attitude has ruined our culture:

"A British primary school has axed spelling homework because students find it 'distressing' to learn lists. Children at the Whitminster Church of England Primary, in Gloucestershire, will no longer be given a short list of words to learn each week because staff believe it can leave them feeling like failures, the Mail Online reports."

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, had the same reaction I did: "Youngsters will feel a sense of failure more strongly when they go into the world of work and can't produce a letter or a report for their employers," he said.

Silly Skepticism

Soccer Dad refers to this article by Baseball Crank and this one by the Washington Post, and writes,

"Now if the MSM actually sent reporters to Alaska to prepare a political history of Sarah Palin, they might have come up with what Baseball Crank put together. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ. But here we are with the election a month away and people know more about Gov. Palin's inability to answer Katie Couric convincingly than what she actually accomplished as Governor. And the false rape kit story has been mentioned how many times? Instead of doing due dilligence to explain who the candidates are and what their qualifications are, the media have decided to focus on silliness abdicating their duty to keep the citizenry informed. When the Post writes about the growing skepticism about Gov. Palin, it's effectively congratulating itself on a job well done, isn't it??"

Super Sarah!

Despite all the vicious attacks and the vile smears, she did a great job. Her attackers won't be ashamed of themselves, but they should be, and she deserves a medal for sheer character. My ultra-liberal co-workers were on the warpath today, even mocking her appearance, and I wanted to hand them copies of Michelle Malkin's review and Howie Carr's. And as Peggy Noonan wrote: "She killed. She had him at "Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?" She was the star. He was the second male lead, the good-natured best friend of the leading man. She was not petrified but peppy."

You Slay Me!

THIS is art?? The article says, "Shocking and bloodthirsty images of famous children's cartoon characters being brutally killed form part of a controversial new Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck art exhibition." The art gallery's owner says, "It's amazing work, and from the reactions we've had to it so far, children have loved it."

Credit Where Credit Isn't Due

This is a perfect example of why we are faced with a bailout: "Oprah Winfrey’s irresponsible mom countersues store for giving her credit."

What Sarah Should Say

Here's what Gov. Palin should say at tomorrow night's debate:

"By the time John McCain and I take office in January, rest assured I will be up to speed on geopolitics. I will be altogether qualified to be a heartbeat from the presidency. And I’ll surround myself with altogether qualified advisers and staff, not yes-men and yes-women. Because I know from experience — the very experience my opponent, Sen. Biden, lacks — what it is like to make an executive decision. I know what it is like, after the legislative wrangling is done, after the wheeling and dealing by party hacks who are determined to maintain political cover and plausible deniability, to have the buck stop at my desk, to enact a law by my signature, to put my name on the bottom line."

Read it all.

Our Friends the Iranians

Read Smooth Stone here and here. And yet, with all this continual, blatant antisemitism, that Iranian Hitler Ahmadinejad was welcomed here with open arms! It makes me sick.