A Good Laugh

Aaron Goldstein has an amusing column titled My Favorite Marxists.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's a nostalgic look back at the 1950's. The author mentions Guy Lombardo, whose televised New Year's Eve parties I always considered the height of elegance.

Hail To The Redkins!

I hadn't heard the Redskins fight song sung with this much enthusiasm in ages! I was rooting for the Cowboys last night, but that RGIII is really something!

UK Mainstream Media

Pip pip, cheerio! It looks like the British Daily Mail has taken a lesson in Republican-bashing:  "Speaker Boehner spotted 'having a good time' downing margaritas and Mexican food hours after White House fiscal cliff meeting". 

Here's their more sympathetic -- but ungrammatical -- headline about Obama: "The Obama's head to Hawaii for a tropical Christmas...but looming fiscal cliff means the president has to return early to Washington next week".

Heaven Forbid!

When I heard about this, I was sure it was a publicity stunt: "CSPAN: Lib Caller Outraged With Republicans, Wants Constitution Amended To Allow Obama A Third Term."

Annoying Words and Phrases in 2012

Here's the list of banished words for 2012 from Lake Superior University. On this list, "baby bump", "ginormous" (especially when used by men) and "the new normal" (especially when used by Obama) are my most loathed. Too bad "moving forward" or "going forward" aren't included.

Some Good From Evil

Here's a very sweet story from The Times of Israel: "For young Holocaust refugees, early El Al trip proved love at first flight".

Don't Blame Me. I Voted Republican

Zero Hedge is a financial website I come across from time to time that has very good articles. Here are two:  16 Things About 2013 That Are Really Going To Stink, and 75 Economic Numbers From 2012 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe. It's scary stuff that the Obamamedia doesn't bother to discuss -- unless it's to blame Bush for it.

Reducing the Debt

You've got to be kidding! I saw this guy on TV --
"Infectiously Positive Man Implores Americans To Pay Down The Debt By Donating From Their Paychecks" -- and thought, “Is he nuts?"  I’ll donate from my paycheck when everyone else donates from their welfare checks!

Why Go To The Theatre In The First Place?

How ridiculous is this? From the Daily Mail: "OMG what a great soliloquy! The theatre offering 'Tweet seats' to patrons who just can't step away from their phone."  Why bother paying to see movies, plays, and concerts at all if you're not going to pay attention?

Fuming

I saw this story about banning candy cigarettes on "The Five" tonight. I still remember the delicious taste of the penny candy cigarette sticks I used to buy as a kid, when people were smart enough not to compare fake cigarettes with real ones.  But in today's moronic society, you can go buy "medical marijuana" on your way to getting an abortion, but you can't buy some candy cigarettes.

Showing Their Age

For those of us who grew up in the 60s, we still think of  the musicians as they looked back then. The Rolling Stones always looked old anyway (especially Charlie Watts), so it didn't come as much of a surprise to see them reach their 60s.   Paul McCartney still looks somewhat boyish and Beatle-ish at 70.  But Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have aged extremely badly!

"Low Information Voters"

Lloyd Marcus has written a very good column about "low information voters". He says, "It sticks in my craw that conservatives/Republicans are leaning toward, in essence, becoming immoral, stupid, and un-American to win low information voters.  Folks, I cannot do that." I had never heard that expression, but it sounds like those who vote for Democrats because they want something for nothing. Republicans should not be dumbing down in their desperation for votes.

Random Thoughts by Thomas Sowell

Here's Dr. Sowell's latest thoughts, including this one:

"If someone wrote a novel about a man who was raised from childhood to resent the successful and despise the basic values of America — and who then went on to become President of the United States — that novel would be considered too unbelievable, even for a work of fiction. Yet that is what has happened in real life."

The Year's Worst Reporting

Here are the winning quotes in the Media Research Center’s Best of Notable Quotables Annual Awards for the year’s worst reporting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I got a kick out of this list of things to do when you don't celebrate Christmas. The Chinese restaurant and the drugstores have always been on my list!

The American Spectator has a list of lessons from Scrooge. They are: live modestly; give generously; spend wisely. I'm all for that.

It's a relief that this frenzy of greed and rudeness is over for another year, and the rest of us can get back to normal. With the de-emphasis on religion, and all this ridiculous political correctness, who know what next year will bring.

Bah, Humbug!

So much for cutting spending! "Spending to Increase 55 Percent Under Obama's Plan".

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

On TV tonight, I'll be watching "A Christmas Story" and the always-comforting midnight mass from the Vatican. (I already overloaded on "Miracle on 34th Street" this week. Why did they have to make an inferior remake of it? The original cast was perfect, and Natalie Wood was a great child actress -- and not a brat, either!)

He Should Stick To Vacuums

THIS is our Ambassador?! Can you imagine our late Ambassador Christopher Stevens or Madeleine Albright sending out cards like this?

Blackmailer-in-Chief

This infuriating and depressing news comes from Power Line and makes you wonder how we can possibly get through the next four years with this President.

"Mr. Obama repeatedly lost patience with the speaker as negotiations faltered. In an Oval Office meeting last week, he told Mr. Boehner that if the sides didn’t reach agreement, he would use his inaugural address and his State of the Union speech to tell the country the Republicans were at fault.
At one point, according to notes taken by a participant, Mr. Boehner told the president, 'I put $800 billion [in tax revenue] on the table. What do I get for that?'
'You get nothing,' the president said. 'I get that for free.'"

  No spending cuts -- just continue to attack and blame.

Watcher's Council

Here are this week's Watcher's Council winners.

Apocalypse Not Now

Are people crazy, getting panic-stricken over nothing?  Now I truly know the meaning of the expression "tin-foiler" in reference to crackpots!

Best Books of 2012

The New York Times lists some top ten book lists, and I see that Michiko Kakutani has 2 that I've read:"The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson", which I've read twice so far; and the very amusingly-written  "Hello Goodbye Hello: A Circle of 101 Remarkable Meetings".

Disgraceful!

Elizabeth Scalia asks "What the hell is WRONG with these people?"  I couldn't believe what I was reading.  It seems that St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and its priests, who have been ministering to the people of  Newtown, CT, have been the targets of bomb threats and death threats! There is no excuse acceptable enough, and no punishment strong enough, for the depraved people responsible.

Lots 'o Links

For lots of good reading, visit Betsy's Page, Maggie's Farm, and Laryn's Linx. They find the best of the web for you so you don't have to spend even longer online!

Most Ridiculous Story of the Week

These people need their heads -- and eyes -- examined.  Check out the photo: '"Jesus lookalike' darts fan ejected for 'distracting players' at Butlins Minehead"

Space Photos

Wow! Look at the Best Astronomy Images of 2012. I like the rotating gas cloud, among others.

The Top Of The World

Here's Mount Everest as you've never seen it before, plus the story behind the photo.

How Do You Spell Humiliating? J-E-T-S

Last night's Jets' game was so embarrassingly bad  it was hard to believe your own eyes. TV critic David Zurawik talks about the only highlight of the game, the analysis by Trent Dilfer & Steve Young that was "was so informed, passionate, fearless and honest that I literally wanted to get up out of my chair at 11:30 p.m. and cheer."

Rodgers Report

Here are two comments on the news from Lee Rodgers' column today.  He's like Argus Hamilton, but not quite so funny.

"If Republican House Speaker John Boehner gives in and allows Obama tax increases with no cuts in government wasteful spending, there is one word that describes him. Whore."
- - - - -
"Of course I believe Hillary fell and got a concussion (even though she didn't even go to a hospital) and is thus unable to testify about her role in the Beghazi, Libya, murders of Americans.    Now, excuse me while I make up my list for Santa …"

Ready For Some Football!

I'm so glad I've become a football fan just in time to see that exciting Patriots-49ers game last night! The 49ers won, but whoever could have imagined the Pats coming back from a 31-3 deficit?  Also, I think Trent Dilfer is an excellent analyst, especially when he's teamed with Steve Young, and I love to hear him talk.

Argus Hamilton Quips

Read his latest take on the news, including this item:  "The White House allowed Susan Rice to withdraw her name from consideration for Secretary of State. No one doubts her ability. Susan Rice lied to the American people on all five Sunday talk shows, breaking Hillary Clinton's one-day record by two interviews." It's funny how I wasn't the only one whose first reaction to Hillary's fainting and concussion was "How convenient!"

Please Stop Already

I have kept the cable news channels off because of this, so I agree with Matt K. Lewis:  "The media should be ashamed of its Connecticut coverage. What journalistic rationale could compel a reporter to interview young children at a mass-murder scene?" I don't need to see or hear about any terrible crime 24 hours a day (the only exception for me being September 11, which was completely different). 
I don't agree that violent movies cause violence, since the majority of us have seen such movies for years and have never gone on a murder spree.  This is a convenient excuse, and another politically correct way to avoid blaming the killer or judging anyone, lest it offend and cause hurt feelings -- and we can't have that.
But every time there is a copy-cat mass murder, and there will be, with an assortment of weapons, the part of this article about the ghoulish media should be reprinted, because this is definitely not considered entertainment.  

"And when it comes time for moralizing, the media predictably assumes the availability of guns is the problem, without considering how journalists themselves might be contributing to the coarsening of our already-violent society.

The entertainment-media complex promotes and glamorizes violence — for profit — in film and on TV. Meanwhile, the news media ensures that killers get the attention and fame they so desperately crave.

To be sure, a transparent society demands reporting newsworthy incidents — and this definitely qualifies. But it should be done responsibly. And that is not what we have witnessed. We have instead a feeding frenzy that is all about beating the competition — not disseminating information.

It's about being first, beating other media outlets, and making a name for themselves. It's a ghoulish mentality that stokes controversy and violence — for business purposes. It's a sort of  'if it bleeds it leads' mentality that causes cable networks to create logos and theme music for such tragic events (all the while, they feign maudlin concern and outrage.)"

What Is This, Nazi Germany?

Unbelievable. In Denmark, "Jews advised to keep faith symbols hidden"

Perfect Images

Varvel, doing a take-off of that great scene in "A Christmas Story".

Ramirez showing the bumper stickers on a union worker's car.

I also liked this video, Deck The Halls With Macro Follies, with the commonsense message that saving is better than spending money you don't have.

Watcher's Council

Here are this week's Watcher's Council winners!

The End of The Work Ethic

From Moonbattery, here's the result of political correctness, the entitlement mentality, and sheer stupidity:  "Unemployment Benefits for Illegal Aliens in Nearly Bankrupt California". 

"They say illegal aliens do the work Americans won’t do. Why won’t Americans do the work, with the unemployment rate hanging in the stratosphere thanks to Obama’s unremitting war on employers? Because it’s far easier to let the government pay you to do nothing. However, this is also true for illegal aliens."

How The Holocaust Destroys

This sad, sad story by David Goldstein reminded me of the stories in Daniel Mendelsohn's "The Lost" and shows the shared experiences of so many Jews.   It's called "Portrait of Papa as a Young Man. In my grandfather’s village, I found the man he’d been before memories of the Holocaust destroyed him"

What The Republicans Stand For

At Forbes, Louis Woodhill writes,  “The Republican Party is either the party of economic growth or it is nothing. The first step in reclaiming the Republicans’ brand as the party of economic growth must be to let President Obama take America over the fiscal cliff.”  I agree.  Better to stand on our principles than cave in to Obama – you might just as well have only one party, the Democratic Party,  if that’s the case!  We have two major parties for a reason. So if we have to lose, better to do so while standing firm rather than turning into Democrats.

Obama's Demonization of the Wealthy

Here's a great column by Deroy Murdock: 

"Publicly and vocally, 1 percenters should stand up and shout:
“Mr. President, my company hired X number of people last year. I obeyed the law and legally paid Y thousands (or millions) in taxes, which financed plenty of the social spending, ‘investments,’ and other stimuli that you love to spread around to other people. I gave Z thousands in charitable donations, and volunteered so many hours to help groups that are making people’s lives better.
“So, Mr. President, please kindly remove your boots from the necks of me and my fellow 1 percenters. If you stop manhandling us, we will do what we do best: produce goods, services, and more wealth for ourselves — yes — but also for our customers, our employees, our shareholders, and even our U.S. Treasury.
“We are not part of the problem, Mr. President. We are part of the solution. And we demand to be treated that way.”

Well, Here We Go Again!

Just my two cents worth, but this was a terrorist act. And if this murderer hadn't gotten a gun, he would have used another method, like the maniac with the knife in China.  Every time I hear about mass killings in public places like malls and schools, I can't help but think of the warning years ago of how terrorists would kill in public places on American soil. It's not the guns, it's the murderers! What we need are armed guards or policemen in our schools, our malls, and other places so that these rampages can be stopped sooner. End of discussion...for now.

Describing Obama

In an article about the slickness of Obama, Ben Stein says,  “He can tell the most whopping lies, see them exposed as lies, and then blithely go forward to make the nation believe that he didn't do anything wrong and that it's all someone else's fault.”  And the idiots who voted for him are willing to believe everything he says!

They Had Faces -- And Talent -- Then

For some wonderful photographs from Hollywood's Golden Age, visit the Telegraph and look at these faces.

Lots 'o Links

For the usual good reading, check out Maggie's Farm; go to Betsy's Page (Betsy’s question about the fat cats makes me wonder what would happen to America if the "evil rich" were to leave the hostile environment here for more pro-business countries?);  and visit Larwyn's Linx.

Anti-Christmas Lunacy, Summed Up in One Line

It's been getting more politically incorrect all the time, but this is the best yet, and I give up: 

“I don’t like the religion part,” said Nancy Snyderman, the network’s chief medical editor. “I think religion is what mucks the whole thing up.” The 'religion' she was referring to is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  The outburst came during a panel discussion with Matt Lauer, Star Jones and Donny Deutsch. Her response came after Jones said she focuses on the religious meaning of Christmas."

Excuse me, is it just my imagination, or didn't "the religion part" used to be the whole reason for Christmas in the first place?

Why Work? (Continued)

When you work hard and pay taxes, and then you read things like this every day, it makes you angrier and angrier. First there's this, which comes as no surprise whatsoever: "President Obama’s deleterious effect on America’s work ethic".

And from England, "Unemployed single mother on benefits who spends £2,000 on Christmas with 20 presents for each of her children". She says,  regarding upcoming benefit cuts, ‘I’m not against the cuts, but only if the Government helps me find a job. In the meantime, I’ll stay on benefits and get as much as I can out of it.’

As Rick Santelli says, our government isn't trying to fix the economy, they're coming to take our money! 

Why work?

How To Light A Menorah

Amazing!

Argus Hamilton Quips

Enjoy his take on the news, including this item:

"Detroit's city council demanded that President Obama grant them a bailout in return for all their votes for him last month. At least they're honest. People in Detroit don't care if the cashier says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to them, either way this is a robbery."

Grammar Pet Peeves

I haven't mentioned this amusing blog lately. It's called The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks,  perfect for those of you who do proofreading work!

Santa Obama

I found this cartoon at Lucianne.com today.

Oh, Boys!

Just when you think it can't get worse: "Two boys, aged 7 and 11, 'hold woman at gunpoint demanding car and cell phone'". It's scary what our society has come to.

The Festival of Lights...In More Ways Than One!

Wow indeed! I've always seen homes with Christmas light displays, but this is the first time I've ever seen a home with a Hanukah lights display. Great job!

Let's Hok a Tchynik!

I normally don't care for the UK Guardian, but how can you resist a headline like this: "Hanukah or Chanukah? Have the chutzpah to embrace Yiddish. A vocabulary bereft of schmooze, schlep, shtick, klutz, spiel, maven or glitch would be much the poorer". That's for sure!

It's Bo Time!

This "30 for 30" documentary on Bo Jackson brought back some good memories for me. I followed his career and was inspired by the way he came back from his hip replacement surgery. He was a decent man, a family man, and a role model -- and during the documentary, someone remarked that we were lucky he came on the scene before the steroids era, because nobody would ever have believed he had such God-given talent. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Gee, What An Unexpected Surprise!

Per PJ Media: "Now They Tell Us: The economy never really got better, and now it's getting worse."

In My Life, I've Loved Them All

Here's a colorful infographic about The Beatles, including some of their music you can click on.  It's amazing that Beatlemania is still alive and well after all these years.

December 7, 1941

Here are some photos and videos memorializing the dastardly attack on Pearl Harbor 71 years ago today. Believe it or not, this eyewitness account was deemed too upsetting to publish at the time.

Watcher's Council

Here are the latest Watcher's Council winners, as they keep an eye on the weasels of the world.

Hopefully Just A Horrendous Hoax

More proof that our world has gone insane. Let's hope that this so-called "artist" is just a lying mentalcase and not a depraved thief!  "Outrageous! Swedish artist causes uproar by using ashes of Holocaust victims to make painting."

The Shameless State of Our Nation

I saw this on the news: "Detroit councilwoman to Obama: We voted for you, now bail us out".  This councilwoman had the nerve to say, "After the election of Jimmy Carter, the honorable Coleman Alexander Young, he went to Washington, D.C. He came home with some bacon. That's what you do." Talk about sheer gall -- the entitlement mentality has taken over our country!

Lots 'o Links

It's Thursday, so that means lots of good reading at Betsy's Page, at Larwyn's Linx, and at Maggie's Farm.

Argus Hamilton Quips

Here are two zingers from the latest Argus Hamilton column:

"Bob Costas on the air Sunday blamed the Kansas City Chiefs' murder-suicide tragedy on handgun rights. It's not his first time misplacing blame for a tragedy. When he was covering for O.J. Simpson he called for a ban on waiters returning sunglasses in Los Angeles."

"U.S. Open tennis ref Lois Goodman was cleared of murdering her husband with a coffee mug in a Los Angeles court on Friday. It turns out he fell down the stairs. NBC's Bob Costas took back his call for a ban on coffee mugs and he declared that home elevators are a civil right."

Best Conservative Columnists of 2012

John Hawkins has compiled his list of The 50 Best Conservative Columnists Of 2012. You can always find some new blogs this way.

Righteous Reunion

I love stories about Holocaust survivors meeting their rescuers after many decades. That they have lived this long is the best revenge against the Nazis.

Cooking Latkes, Thug-Style

The language is atrocious, but when these two speak Yiddish, you can plotz from it. I want that "Kiss My Tuchus" apron!

Enough Already

Two stories I am already sick and tired of hearing about are the Jovan Belcher murder/suicide; and the pregnancy of Kate Middleton.
If Belcher wanted or needed help, he could have sought it anywhere. He also could have behaved like a rational adult and simply walked away after fighting with his girlfriend.  It wasn't the gun that was the problem, it was him.
As for the Royal Pregnancy, must we hear every detail for the next nine months?
(Here's Obama's tribute, via Doug Ross @ Journal)
(Above image also from Doug Ross @ Journal. I love that website!)

Politically Correct Denial

From Atlas Shrugs: "You have to hand it to Reuters. They do an entire article on 'the number of terrorist attacks quadrupling in the decade since September 11, 2001,' and they never mention jihad, Islam or anything that points to motive, the reason, for these acts of war in the cause of Islam. It is utterly amazing."

Obama's Obsession

By Gary Varvel.

Haveil Havalim Time

Haveil Havalim #388 is up at Ima 2 Seven.

You Said It!

For anyone who has watched the destruction of our country, the first paragraph of this Frank Kacer column can be greatly appreciated. Titled "Our looming national suicide dwarfs any fiscal cliff", he writes: 

"To the stunned surprise of much of the nation, voters awarded Obama four years to continue his 'transformation' of America. No matter what future historical research will claim, this election was driven more by personal self-interest than by any understanding of national imperatives. In one fell swoop, the world’s greatest experiment in limited government, personal liberty and self-rule took a dramatic turn towards self-extinction. When exit polling says: Obama phones; 'free' Obamacare; reproductive services; entitlements; food stamps; unemployment benefits; raiding the rich; and even Hurricane Sandy decided a person’s vote, it shows self-interest outweighs the national common good and the wellbeing of future generations."

Falling Over The Fiscal Cliff

The Christian Science Monitor has a helpful guide  to understanding the fiscal cliff talk. I couldn't stand listening to Tim Geithner on Fox News Sunday -- he's already blaming the Republicans for all this.

Plane Amazing

Take a look at this video at American Digest.

Student Debt Payoff

Here's Glenn Reynolds on yet another Obama proposal to pay off someone else's debt:  "Create a problem, then pay it off with other people’s money. Buy votes. Lovely."

The Entitlement Mentality

Lee Rodgers writes, "With the ongoing growth of middle-class entitlements, even as life becomes more difficult for the shrinking number of actual workers supporting those programs, the next looming tipping point is when a majority of working people decide they're suckers when they can have a standard of living as good -- or better -- by switching to the freeloader side.  That point is coming. Fast."

Terrorists: Keep Out!

Lindsay Graham is right, but whether they are crazy bastards or not, we simply don't want these terrorists here!

Palestinian Quiz

From Dry Bones.

"Moonbats' Remorse"

Howie Carr has written a column titled "Moonbats’ remorse:  For shafted Obama voters, repenting comes early".  I seem to remember this same sentiment by Obama voters in 2009, and there was even an official website. I guess some people never learn. As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I have no sympathy at all for them, just sympathy for those of us who didn't vote for Obama either time but are forced to suffer the consequences.

Dial I for Irresponsible

The latest blame game: "Newest family budget killer? It's the $300 cellphone bill, readers say".

"Herring’s $240 monthly bill for four phones was lower than many others with the same number of phones, but it is still a bitter pill to swallow. She moved to Wisconsin from Flagstaff, Ariz., earlier this year, so her husband, who recently completed 10 years of military service, could attend law school. The couple and their three kids live in a suburb, and he needs broadband wireless Internet access so he can study on the bus.  'There's a very specific reason we have the phones we have,' she said. Two smartphones with data plans can't be had for much less than $200. Throw in a couple of 'dumb' phones, even at discount prices, and the cost climbs to near $250 for the Herrings."

It's not the phones that are dumb -- it's these people who pay for expensive phones and plans they don't need and can't afford! Personal responsibility doesn't cost a thing.

Current Affairs

Here's Mark Steyn: "Having consolidated his grip in Egypt, Morsi is now looking beyond. His 'peace deal' legitimizes the Muslim Brotherhood's affiliate in Gaza, and increases the likelihood of the Brothers advancing to power in Syria and elsewhere. As on that night in Benghazi, when the most lavishly funded military/intelligence operation on the planet watched for eight hours as a mob devoured America's emissaries, America in a broader sense is a spectator in its own fate. As for Afghanistan, it seems a fitting comment on America's longest unwon war that the last two U.S. commanders exit in a Benny Hill finale, trousers round their ankles, pursued to speeded-up chase music by bunny-boiling mistresses, stalker socialites, identical twins and Bubba the Love Sponge."

Larry Hagman

I always liked Larry Hagman -- in "I Dream of Jeannie"; as the translator in the great film "Fail-Safe"; for his devotion to his wife Maj; and as the only reason to watch the original "Dallas". According to the UK Telegraph,  "In 1991, a Bedouin tribe delayed its annual migration across the Sahara because its elders were not prepared to miss the last episode of Dallas."

Let's Do The Time Warp Again!

**Sigh** It's always a day of rage for terrorists and those who hate Jews!

The Christmas Spirit in Action

You can't tell me this sort of thing is normal. They ought to spray tear gas at these lunatics! This is precisely why I stay away from the stores after after Christmas!

The Reason for the Season

(Cartoon by Glenn McCoy)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Eat and relax today! You already had 10 months you could have gone shopping.
(Cartoon by Gary Varvel)

11/22/63

The small chapter in "The Passage of Power" titled "The Cubicle", about the Kennedy assassination from LBJ's perspective, is one of the finest pieces of writing in the entire volume.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of his murder.

Just When You've Thought You've Heard It All

This is unbelievable: "United Airlines cannot be held responsible for the hijacking of an American Airlines flight and the collapse of a third World Trade Center building after the twin towers fell in the Sept. 11 attacks, a federal judge ruled Wednesday." After 11 years, they finally realized that?

"Peace" Agreement

By "ceasefire", Hamas means that Israel should cease firing.
(Cartoon by Chuck Asay.)

Tough Times to be A Jew

Well, I should hope so! “Ministers rule out unilateral halt to airstrikes on Gaza; 4 soldiers injured in rocket attack”. Now why on earth would anyone suppose that Israel would agree to commit suicide this way? 

Judge Judy on Government Spending

Here's America's entitlement mentality in a nutshell. Too bad Judge Judy isn't in charge of deciding who gets benefits -- she'd save taxpayers millions of dollars, and force deadbeats back to work again!

Sad State of Affairs

Read Ralph Peters' list of the things Obama wants you to believe about what happened in Benghazi. One of those things is as follows: "That four Americans dead as a result of a planned act of terror on another Sept. 11, just isn’t that big a deal and we need to move on."  That the White House thinks this way is extremely disturbing. That the media and the American people also feel this way is outrageous.

Who's Ruining Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Jennifer Waters writes, "Why are retailers ruining Thanksgiving?" Don't blame the retailers! It’s greedy shoppers who are ruining not only Thanksgiving, but also  the whole meaning of Christmas! Put the blame squarely where it belongs – on these shop-till-you-drop, spend-even-if-you-can't-afford-it IDIOTS! The retailers don't force morons to camp out for weeks, or stand in long lines overnight, or stampede through stores, cause traffic jams, and act like the world will end if they don't get their bratty children the latest expensive gadget!

(Speaking of shopping:  to those of you who think Wal-Mart is yet another evil corporation -- just shut up already.   Like Obama, you loathe successful businesses and businessmen, but most of us admire them. To those of you about to go on strike, if you hate working at Wal-Mart so much, quit! I'm sure there are plenty of Americans willing to take your jobs. Besides, your president certainly doesn't mind adding more people to the unemployment, welfare, disability, and food stamp rolls.)

Argus Hamilton Quips

Here are just two of Hamilton's witty takes on the news:

"President Obama issued a proclamation declaring Thursday to be America Recycles Day, urging Americans to recycle paper, cans, and bottles. In honor of America Recycles Day he blamed Hurricane Sandy, the Benghazi raid, and military adultery on President Bush."

"General David Petraeus's biography by Paula Broadwell soared on the bestseller lists Friday. Their affair cast suspicions on all biographers and their subjects. Doris Kearns Goodwin went on five talk shows Friday to deny that she's been sleeping with Abe Lincoln."

Israel: Always The Villain

There's talk of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and spin that Hillary Clinton will somehow make peace. But how can any rational person trust anything Hamas says and does, when their goal is clear? Here are two items from many excellent editorials:

From Melanie Phillips: “So with Israel having faced existential attack from the Arab and Muslim world for the six decades of its existence, and having been under intensive rocket, missile and human bomb attack from them for more than a decade, the BBC Any Questions production team selected as the audience question to launch its discussion of the Gaza war whether Israel actually deserved to exist at all. Vile.”

From Richard Cohen: “Hamas sent rockets into Israel, not caring if they hit a chicken coop or a group of toddlers jumping in and out of a sprinkler. You want balance? Here’s balance. Hamas didn’t care if its own people died either.”

Haveil Havalim Time

Haveil Havalim #386: The Rockets Edition is up at Esser Agaroth.

Supporting Israel

Fortunately, most Americans support Israeli retaliation. But Israel, lik Obama, is another topic you simply cannot discuss with liberals.  They keep talking about peace, and they ignore the fact that the goal of Hamas and other terrorist groups is to obliterate Israel from the map, and the Jews with it. Obviously they don't remember the Nazis.

Apologists, Appeasers, and Liars

"Morsi says Israel’s Gaza attacks are ‘unacceptable’ He's a real comedian, isn't he?

Obama suggests that it's preferable to avoid a ground invasion of Gaza. Preferable to whom? To Hamas?  Israel can't afford to wait and should go after these unrepentent, extremist murderers before they fulfill their goal to kill more Jews. Who cares what Obama thinks?

The Spectator's Douglas Murray has an excellent column titled Some questions for the apologists of Hamas.(Via

Irate over I.R.A.!

What gall! I have heard this threat before from this administration, but it sounds even worse now:

"A representative of the liberal Pension Rights Center, Rebecca Davis, testified that the government needs to get involved because 401k plans and IRAs are unfair to poor people. She demanded the Obama administration set up a 'government-sponsored program administered by the PBGC (the governments’ Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation).' She proclaimed that even “private annuities are problematic.”

Excuse me, but we actually work and contribute to our IRAs and 401(k) plans. You want a 401(k)? Go get a job!  The day such a radical change happens, I will take my money out entirely and suffer the penalty rather than let the government steal it and redistribute it!  (Via Larwyn's Linx)

Good vs. Evil in The War on Terror

This Dry Bones cartoon explains all.

And, predictably, the antisemite moonbats are out in force: "Activists around the world hold rallies denouncing Israel’s campaign in Gaza." 

"Activists carrying the Palestinian flag and donning keffiyehs in Washington D.C. stood outside the White House Friday and chanted 'Zionism is racism,' and 'Free Gaza, free Palestine.' One activist said: 'I don’t know if [US President Barack] Obama’s in there, but if he is, I hope he hears us.

Just shut up, you ignorant fools!

If you barbarians hit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, be prepared to pay the price!  As President Bush stated, "We will not tire, we will not falter, we will not fail"

A Musical Interlude

And now, since music soothes the soul, we interrupt our regular broadcasting to bring you "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You", by Tommy Dorsey. They don't make 'em like that any more.

Lots 'o Links

The usual terrific reading material can be found at Betsy's Page, at Maggie's Farm, and at  Larwyn's Linx.

And don't forget to check out the latest Watcher's Council winners!

Israel Vs. The World

Here's a 3-minute explanation of Israel's right to protect herself from extermination.
Atlas Shrugs shares some of the usual nonsense from the pro-Palestinian mainstream media.
Meanwhile, Israel Hayom suggests that it's time for Europe's Jews to wake up to ever more blatant anti-semitism. And it's time for American Jews to do the same.

"European Jews today do not merely confront a hostile anti-Jewish media. They face increasing violence and even murder. Instead of serving as a wake-up call, the massacre at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France, generated greater violence against Jews and led to the exposure of terrorist cells preparing to murder Jews. There are ongoing anti-Israeli demonstrations in which signs and chants of 'gas the Jews,' 'Hitler was right' or 'slit the throats of Jews' are everyday events, and anti-Semitism is escalating not only in France but in the U.K., Sweden, Hungary, Germany and throughout most of Europe."

American in Obamaland

In this column "A Country Unhinged", Victor Davis Hanson writes that "In the last week, it is almost as if the entire American moral landscape has been turned upside down in eerie fashion."  And Michael Goodwin discusses "‘Obama Part 2’ a lousy sequel". The original stank as well.

It's All Israel's Fault

Steve Emerson asks, "Rockets? What Hamas Rockets?" to describe the anti-Israel response to Operation Pillar of Cloud (Pillar of Defense);  American Thinker shows the latest biased coverage in which the Muslims are portrayed as the victims. It's like watching a rerun with the same script.

Bravo!

Rex Reed has written a rapturous review of Christopher Plummer's performance as John Barrymore.

At the other extreme, if you want to read a most scathing restaurant review -- of  Guy Fieri, no less -- see this NY Times column . (via TV Tattle)

Operation Pillar of Defense

Good! This kind of response is the only thing that terrorists, cowards, barbarians and antisemites understand.  "Payback. Top Hamas war criminal, kidnapper of Gilad Shalit, murderer of hundreds killed in Israeli air strike"

The Land of the Free

 This is yet another excellent Ramirez cartoon, seen today at Lucianne.com.  People ought to realize that the Statue of Liberty is holding a torch, not holding her hand out.

A Special Veterans Day Thank You

Just look at that photograph: "Holocaust survivor unites with family of benefactor.Enduring gratitude for a soldier’s compassion". (As seen at Larwyn's Linx.)

Doubly Disgraceful

Here's another great post by Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress:

"What we’re seeing with the Petraeus sexcapades is a classic magician’s misdirection. Two months past the attack on Benghazi, which resulted in the death of an American Ambassador and three others — an attack we are told the White House watched while ordering no response; an attack the mainstream media helpfully blacked-out, at first, then allowed to be spun — we are now being served The Prestige, where all of reality is being turned on its head, and the audience isn’t even sure what it’s seeing, so it simply becomes giddy, and content to be led.

If the nation is content to forget the image of Ambassador Chris Stevens’ naked body being hauled away by a crowd 'taking him to the hospital where he later died'; if the nation is completely fine with a truly heinous story of government malfeasance, depraved indifference to human life, political calculation and incompetence being turned into bread and circuses for the mobs, well, then shame on the nation, for choosing to be entertained, once again, by the people who know that all the mob really wants is a show, and is quite pleased to give it to them."

Media Mayhem

Take a peek at these notable quotables from the Media Research Center.
Breitbart has a helpful guide to understanding the media for the next four years. We already have had a lesson in this subject the last four years, and unfortunately, nothing is going to change.
I agree with Charles Krauthammer's comment on the sudden media interest in Benghazi. And I wonder what the families of our murdered men think of the attention being given instead to these bimbos and disgraceful generals.

Benghazigate-gate

This whole sordid thing keeps getting more Watergate-ish by the day. I hope the Washington Post will investigate this scandal with the same zeal as it once had in the 70s.

Here We Go Again!

"Israel threatens to hit Gaza hard after rocket barrage." Don't just threaten -- do it (after asking for permission from Obama first, of course).

Poppies for Remembrance on Veterans Day

Remember: "The 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month".

Watcher's Council

Here are the latest Watcher's Council winners.

Sad But True

Yet another perfect depiction of our country, by Michael Ramirez.

Today's Nauseating Obama Stories

It's not only this Newsweek cover that's sickening, but look at the headline above it. No wonder they are stopping their print edition!

The fawning over this photo is unbelievable, esp. the Philip Kennicott description. You'd think people had never seen a married couple hugging before!

Thank A Vet

A very good column: "Every Day Should Be Veterans Day".

Oh Well!

Funny how they always cut Social Security, but cutting welfare is a non-no!

"As you know, on October 16, 2012, the Social Security Administration announced that beneficiaries would receive only a 1.7% increase in 2013, the sixth-lowest increase since automatic cost of living adjustments (COLAs) began over 35 years ago. If Congress had already adopted CCPI, the 2013 COLA would be even less, at only 1.4%. However, adopting a chained consumer price index to calculate Social Security COLAs is not a small benefit change - it will compound benefit reductions dramatically over time, resulting in an annual benefit that is roughly $1,000 (2012 dollars) lower by the time a beneficiary reaches age 85. As a result, according to AARP Public Policy Institute's new report Proposed Changes to Social Security's Cost-of-Living Adjustment: What Would They Mean for Beneficiaries?, 'the CCPI will produce the largest benefit cuts during the time when older Americans need more resources to pay for increasing out-of-pocket medical costs, are most dependent on Social Security benefits, and are at the greatest risk of poverty.'"

General Petraeus DID Betray Us!

Or at least he betrayed his wife.  What a stupid fool. Obama offered his thoughts and prayers; Dianne Feinstein called his resignation "tragic".  Wouldn't you think there was a death in his family rather than a case of self-inflicted, career-ending adultery?  (I wonder if blackmail was involved somehow). Anyway, for a few days this scandal will drive Benghazi off the front pages of whatever papers were covering it, and maybe the good general will end up as a guest on the sympathetic Oprah or "The View".

Lots 'o Links

Here's your Thursday reading, including stuff from Betsy's Page; a political Maggie's Farm, and the usual interesting articles at Larwyn's Linx.

The British View

Melanie  Phillips: America Goes Into The Darkness.
Peter Hitchens: The night we waved goodbye to America... our last best hope on Earth.
See? There are more people than we think who feel the same way we do about the next four horrible years.

You Must Forget This

Read this amusing article about the proposed Casablanca "sequel": "If Casablanca 2 turns out to be a success, belated and ill-advised sequels to untouchable golden age movies might just be the next big thing. Maybe next they could make a sequel to Citizen Kane, where Charles Foster Kane could magically come back to life and start a new career as a rapper. Or The Eighth Seal, where Max von Sydow challenges Death to a game of Just Dance 4 on the Nintendo Wii. Or maybe a sequel to Sunset Boulevard, where someone at Warner Bros in the present day finds Norma Desmond's long-forgotten screenplay in a pile and mistakenly believes that it'd be a good idea to turn it into a movie, one that possibly stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt." How about simply not making any more sequels to classic films?

More Post-Election Thrills

No kidding! Some May Suffer From Post-Election Depression. I’ve been suffering from it since Obama first got elected on 11/6/2008!
Here is an excerpt of a column by Doug Gamble. I feel exactly the same way.

"Well, it was great while it lasted.  But with the reelection of Barack Obama as president, the America we have known all our lives is gone.
Those of us who believe in the virtues that made this country great, self-reliance, hard work, entrepreneurship, individual liberty, responsibility, etc., are now strangers in our own country.  We will now live each day knowing that a majority of our fellow Americans have rejected these long-held beliefs in favor of massive government control over our lives.  Given four more years, the Entitlement Society Obama is building will be complete.  Robbed of the incentive to achieve or even work, increasing numbers of Americans will turn to the government teat.
And it’s possible that we may never again see a Republican president.  Almost half of all Americans now rely on the federal government for support of one kind or another, and there will be so many in this category by 2016 and beyond, election campaigns will be dominated by warnings that to vote against the Democrats is to risk losing benefits.  Most Americans, dependent on the government for survival in the wake of  the economic collapse Obama’s policies will cause, won’t dare take the chance of voting Republican."

I knew iI wasn't alone in feeling this way when I was struck by this phrase by the very rational Daniel Greenfield at Sultan Knish: "The lights have gone out in America now. They may come back. They may not. It's up to us. No one is going to come help us do it. Other countries have America. We have ourselves."

From Instapundit: "Hey, look on the bright side: it will be fun to continue seeing all bad economic news reported as “unexpectedly” in the MSM for another four years."

Taking Stock of Obama

Well, it looks like Wall Street is making its opinion of Obama well known right now; the Dow is down over 300 points: “Street gets slammed; Dow's below 13K as fiscal-cliff fear spikes; oil's off 4%; Where to put your money now that Obama has won the election; Poll: After Obama's re-election: Are stocks or bonds better off?; What Obama means for investors | How it will affect stocks, bonds, gold.” Michelle Malkin writes that conservatives must stand tall in the face of Obama's re-election. We're trying, but it's very hard to accept the fact that so many people in this country could still be so stupid.

National Suicide

Looks like they made the wrong choice. This is the most devastating outcome of any Presidential election in my lifetime.  Four more years of the dismantling of my country and the encouragement of total dependency on big government.  Mitt Romney has nothing to be ashamed of. He ran a marvelous, upbeat race, and gave us the hope we sorely needed, but the liberal Democratic mentality was just too strong. I think I'm going to throw up now.

Galling News

How's this for nerve? From Overlawyered: “Costa Concordia captain sues for wrongful termination”.
There he goes again! More gutter politics from the Obama campaign.  The Black Panthers are back with their intimidation tactics, and Republican inspectors have been ejected from some polls. Somehow, I doubt the U.N. monitors will care.

Mitt Romney: Come Walk With Him

Victor Davis Hanson refers to Romney in his column as An Admirable Candidate and Man. And one who will restore this country and the Presidency to the prestige and honor they once had. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach explains why he voted for Romney: "The Republican’s vision—based on choice and dignity, not dependence—is why Jews should support him." Not only that: "A vote for Mitt Romney is a vote for a United States that recognizes Israel as its foremost ally and friend."
The thought of another four years of Obama makes me physically ill, so let's keep our fingers crossed tonight.
(Excellent cartoon by  Ramirez!)

Last Chance for America

Election Day is Tuesday. If you are still too stupid, or too enamored with Obama, to vote for an optimistic Mitt Romney and vote for better times for our country and our people, then you only have yourself to blame if you re-elect Obama. And after reading Stella Paul's article that says that "Our Long Obama Nightmare is Almost Over", why would you re-elect him at all, unless you like being downtrodden and beholden? I want to see the end of defeatism, the end of dependency on government, the resurgence of jobs and the work ethic, and a President you feel safe with. I also hope Nov. 6 signals the end of the media flackery that has worked with Obama these past 4 years. It's time for them to start acting like journalists again.

Desperation Time in the USA

Obama and his Hollywood shills have been sounding increasingly vulgar and desperate, including Bill Maher: "If you're thinking about voting for Mitt Romney, I would like to make this one plea: black people know who you are and they will come after you". Good -- let them come. How about them doing something instructive instead of behaving like parasites and looting vulnerable hurricane victims! Charles Moore in the UK Telegraph can see the clear differences between Obama and Romney, and maybe the smarter American voters can by now, too.

Watcher's Council

Here are the latest Watcher's Council winners.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Here's a blunt message to moronic Obama voters from Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler.

Lugansky Plays Rachmaninoff

Nikolai Lugansky plays Rach 3 in this BSO concert dated 10-20-12.  The Rachmaninoff portion begins about 65 minutes in.

Lots 'o Links

Catch up with the latest news by stopping at Maggie's Farm, at Betsy's Page, and at Larwyn's Linx.

Political Tidbits

Jay Nordlinger tells why he's voting for Romney and against Obama.

I was just amazed at the fawning by Chris Christie and the press over the fact that Obama was doing exactly what every president does after a hurricane or tornado. The editorial by Investors Business Digest says, "Leadership: After the president rushed back to the White House to watch the Weather Channel, pundits said he acted 'presidential' — as if he'd be judged by the last four days and not the last four years." I'm sure the Dems are hoping the voters forget the past 4 years!

Halloween, Obama-Style

From American Thinker, here are the Top 10 Ways to have an Obama Halloween.

So Much For Not Politicizing Sandy!

I saw this NY Times headline while checking on the latest hurricane damage: “A Big Storm Requires Big Government”.  Not surprisingly, it’s full of attacks on the Republicans.  Sorry, but all I wanted was information, not an ideological lecture in support of Obama.

Jewish Hurricane Kit

From Tablet Magazine. I never would have thought of the Yahrzeit candles!

Disasters in Weather and Politics

Already they are attacking Romney for "politicizing the hurricane"!  I guess only Democrats can discuss devastating weather without "politicizing" it.
All I can say is, Obama may think he is as powerful as a hurricane, but in fact he can be as destructive. We can all recover from hurricanes, but the damage caused by this president will last another 4 long years if he is somehow re-elected despite everything.

Watergate vs Benghazi-gate

I saw "All The President's Men" on TCM the other night and wondered if anyone will ever bother to make such a movie about Obama and his disgraceful Presidency. The title could be "All The President's Apologists". (Bob Gorrell cartoon via Lucianne.com)

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy feels like a science fiction movie. When you hear phrases used such as "life-threatening" and "catastrophic", you know it's not exaggeration this time (although in the past, we have seen many "storms of the century" mercifully fizzle out). I like the way Gov. Chris Christie, in his no-nonsense manner, has been handling the crisis in NJ. The cost of this storm will be staggering, as well as the damage. Let's just hope other countries will come to our assistance as quickly as we always go to theirs.

Lincoln in Color

I usually dislike Photoshopping history, but I had to admire this.

Our Friends, the Muslims

I'm glad the headline of this story from Indonesia mentions the word "terrorist". Obviously this wasn't provoked by the video!

The Real Obama

Peggy Noonan has written an article about the first debate; it's called "When Americans Saw The Real Obama". We also just saw the real Obama in that awful Lena Dunham commercial.

The Jig Is Up!

Forget about Gangnam style -- I like this teacher's style better, about a minute into the video.  But I'm amazed that these wild students didn't all get expelled.

Utter Gall of the Day

How's this for nerve? "Hamas says it'll complain to UN about Israeli 'aggression'", despite this: "Over 80 Hamas Missiles and Mortars Hit Southern Israel in 48 Hours."  Obviously it's time for the UN to condemn Israel again!

E-Mail Proof

Well, it's good to see that even the mainstream media is covering the news about the Benghazi e-mails. People are asking what the motive could possibly be for the cover-up and insistence that this was not a terrorist attack. I've always thought the motive is clear: protecting Obama's reputation at all costs, and making him appear blameless, so he wins re-election.  After all, he single-handedly killed Osama Bin Laden, so how could an Al Qaeda terrorist attack possibly have happened on his watch?
(I hope Trump keeps his mouth shut and doesn't make whatever "bombshell announcement" about Obama that he supposedly has. This will only end up sabotaging Romney and making the Republicans look bad, and we can't afford any missteps right now.)

Watcher's Council

Get ready for the latest Watcher's Council winners!

President Romney?

Last night, Michael Graham wrote: "Will there be a single line that resonates as much as Mitt’s 'attacking me is not an agenda'? The specifics of policy can be debated all night, but will anything be quoted as often — or be as telling — as that comment? It highlights Obama’s lack of vision and the current desperation of his campaign — in one sentence." I loved it. Someone said that Romney looked presidential and Obama looked like the desperate challenger. Let's hope he will be returning to his old community organizing job very soon.

A Long Life is the Best Revenge

The oldest Auschwitz survivor, "a teacher who gave lessons in defiance of his native Poland's Nazi occupiers - has died at the age of 108. Antoni Dobrowolski died on Sunday in the Polish town of Debno."

The Benghazi Quagmire Continues

Today I heard that the New York Times' Thomas Friedman actually referred to the 9/11 terrorist attack in Benghazi as "an utterly contrived" story!  Tell that to the families of the four victims. Well, that's about par for the course in today's media. I suppose they consider this story utterly contrived, too: "An al-Qaeda inspired gang of British Muslims planned to carry out 'another 9/11' in the UK with up to eight suicide bombers, a court heard today."

Read this entire post by The Anchoress : 

"But the question keeps coming, and it’s a fair one, too: WHY?
    – Why are these people dead?
    – Why did we not even attempt to rescue them?
    – Why were Ambassador Stevens’ requests for security unmet?
    – Why was it essential to have Marines guarding the consulate in Barbados on 9/11, but not Benghazi?.
    – Why did it take three weeks for America to secure the area, after the attack?
    – Why did the administration blame a video no-one had ever heard of for a “spontaneous” uprising, and stick to that story so resolutely that President Obama was still mentioning it as late as September 25, in an address to the UN? And is the filmmaker they blamed and took into custody still in jail?
    – Why is General David Petraeus, who now heads up the CIA, saying nothing at all? Why does he want more drones, when the information available from them seems irrelevant to our response options?
Why, why, why? Please don’t tell me it’s all about politics."

And please, it's a month too late for Obama to give a speech to the nation attempting to set the record straight. If Romney is elected President, Obama can just give his speech before the Issa Committee instead.

A Cure is Found!

My, isn't it reassuring to know that scientists have worked so hard to come up with vital cures like this: "Scientists Discover Cure for Pizza Mouth Burns".

Liberal Females on the March

The wonderful Mark Steyn discusses "the defining issue of our time" -- binders!

Explaining Benghazi

Another great Ramirez cartoon, courtesy of American Digest, whose Gerard Van der Leun says is "Useful for forwarding to mentally colonized Obamdroids you may still know."

The Continuing Trauma of September 11

The people who say we should stop talking so much about September 11, 2001, and we should move on?  Well, thanks to the terrorists who attacked our country, obliterated thousands of lives, and impacted families,  it's not that simple.  Thanks to them, the remains of another woman has only just been identified, and over 1,000 souls still haven't been - even after 11 years!
Earl Cos says "Political correctness regarding Islam is America’s biggest mistake".  Yes, and re-electing Obama will be America's next biggest mistake.
And speaking of PC & Islam, this is really too much:  "Fort Hood ‘workplace violence’ survivors plea for terrorism designation in YouTube video". If Obama were president on 9/11/01, would he consider that to be a terrorist attack? 

A Few of Many Outrages

This perfectly describes the blase liberal reaction to Benghazi . After a whole month, why haven't heads already rolled in our government over this?
Instead of raising taxes or cutting defense spending, how about making cuts to welfare?
How much you want to bet that scandal-plagued Jesse Jackson Jr. will be re-elected anyway? He can hide and he can run!
Here are more examples of clueless voters.

Romney's Speech at Al Smith Dinner

Very well done! Once again, when he speaks, he makes me realize how much I've loathed Obama's shouting and hectoring voice over the years.

Lots 'o Links

Good reading can be yours right now at Betsy's Page, over at  Larwyn's Linx, and don't forget about Maggie's Farm.

Things in the News

Here's a good article about idiot Jews and Obama.   Unexpectedly, jobless claims have risen -- thanks to a "seasonal quirk".  "Quirk" is the Democratic euphemism for "lie".   Among other things, Kofi Annan blames the U.S. for siding with Israel. He and Jimmy Carter ought to go on tour together.  Did you know that liberals consider bathtubs and dogs scarier than Al Qaeda?  That's reassuring.  Andrea Peyser writes about 14 year old Malala Yousafzai,  shot in the head by terrorists. I guess it was just another man-caused disaster, like the thwarted Fed Bank bomber.  Bob Beckel shrugged off the latter as just a harmless youth. On a nice note, here's a story about the FDR Memorial on Roosevelt Island.

Cheating Your Way To Fame

This article about the fall of Lance Armstrong is excellent. Rick Morrissey writes,

In other words, the whole thing was a load of nothing, a shell game. Maybe he’ll come clean someday and tell us what compelled him to use performance-enhancing drugs, though I think we know the answer. Ego and competitive drive pushed him, all the way to seven Tour de France titles, which have since been yanked from him. The bigger question: What sort of person not only wants to beat the system but goes to outlandish lengths to show he’s a wonderful human being? There’s something deeply pathological in that. Armstrong used his charity work as a shield, and if you dared question his integrity, that shield would raise a knot on your head.

With all the cheating and steroid scandals over the years, wouldn't you think these people would have learned something?

Bring Back Jim Lehrer!

Romney did a great job overall last night, but I agree with Ben Stein that he lost his big opportunity on Libya last night. Then again, Obama had lots of help from Candy Crowley. Since the media is blatantly for Obama, maybe next time they should have as moderator someone like the IBM Watson computer!

Paging Dr. Sowell!

I always enjoy these Random Thoughts from Thomas Sowell.

Obama: Behind The Curtain

What a great editorial from William McGurn of the Wall Street Journal!  He describes the manufactured Obama image as just a political version of the Wizard of Oz: "The president didn't just lose a debate. He lost an entire image of genius and control."

Protecting Obama

Sean Hannity had a good response to Hillary Clinton, who is falling on her sword for Obama and taking credit for the "spontaneous protests" in Benghazi.  When she said "The buck stops here", he said, "I didn't know she was the President." I wonder what the quid pro quo was in this deal.

Haveil Havalim Time

Haveil Havalim #381 is up at Ima 2 Seven.

Brooklyn: You're The Top!

At her Brooklyn concert, Barbara Streisand sang these clever lyrics to Cole Porter's "You're The Top": 

"You’re the art, in an old museum,
You’re the taste of a cold egg cream.
You’re a Brooklyn Net on a private, jet nonstop!
‘Cause, baby, there’s no maybe, you’re the top.

You’re the town that begat Judge Judy
— and of course, yours truly.
You are Danny Kaye and Houdini and Mae West
You are crackerjack like the great Koufax,
Baby, you’re the best!
You are the shine on Liz Taylor’s rings,
You’re the crown on the Loew’s Kings
You’re a Brooklyn Height and an all-night coffee shop,
Listen, baby, there’s no maybe, you’re the top!

You’re the top, you’re the Brooklyn trolley,
You’re the top — oh my favorite! — you are a hot bialy,
You talk Brooklynese, saying “dese” and “dems” and “dose”
You’re a Rolls-Royce dealer, you’re the Wonder Wheel, you’re vintage clothes!
You are the top,
Brighton Beach Boardwalker,
You’re the top,
You are a real straight-talker
And you know it’s true, it’s an accent you can’t drop!

Yeah, Brooklyn, you’re good lookin’
I smell Chinese food a-cookin’
I’m so glad I took this booking!
‘Cause, you’re the top!"