All The President's Henchmen

It doesn't surprise me at all that the Obama administration is smearing Bob Woodward and calling him "senile" because he's not following the party line. I didn't realize that age 69 is now considered senile. Former Pope Benedict is 85 and has complete control of his faculties -- is he senile,  too?  Woodward has nothing to gain by lying. What is this, the White House or the politburo? I just wish the Republicans had someone like Joseph Welch who could come out and say, "Have you no decency?"

Lots 'o Links

You can always rely on Betsy's Page, Maggie's Farm, and Larwyn's Linx to bring you the important stories.

Van Cliburn

His talent was a form of glasnost before glasnost was cool.

Tragic Terror Anniversary

Michelle Malkin wondered if people had forgotten that yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the first World Trade Towers bombing. I had not forgotten, but I wasn't surprised to find nary a mention of it on the news last night.  I guess nobody wanted to offend the Muslims; instead, there was news about a teacher having her female students dress in burqas to learn about Islam. That idiot should have taught them about September 11 instead.

What Planet Do Obama & Biden Live On?

I voted in this poll last night: "VP Biden says Americans are 'no longer worried' about the economy – is he right?" As of right now, 96.67% of respondents are more concerned than ever.

Varvel Cartoon

The caption for this Gary Varvel cartoon is "Translator for the Politically Impaired."

Argus Hamilton Quips

In his latest column, the writer says, "George Washington's Birthday was celebrated Friday with a costume party at Mount Vernon. What a leader. George Washington remains popular today because he's the only president in U.S. history who didn't blame his problems on the previous administration."

The President Who Cried Wolf

The more I hear hysteria like this, the more I depise this administration. To use terrorism as a scare tactic is despicable:  "White House raises terror threat, warns illegals could flood borders after sequester cuts".  (a) I thought there was no such thing as terrorism, and (b) illegals have already flooded this country!

Getting Your Priorities Right

Why worry about the terrible economy, continuing unemployment, illegal aliens, high food prices, changes to the Constitution, and soaring gas prices? What Americans are really concerned about is plastic surgery! The headline reads, "Botox or your bills? Plastic surgery wins out."  Maybe if their benefit checks stopped coming, they'd see things differently.

How The Grinch Stole Our Money

Pass along this poem from the Heritage Foundation: "Obama and the Seuss-quester."

An Amazing Survivor

From the UK Guardian: "Helga Weiss was sent to four Nazi concentration camps, along with her mother. Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary. Only now has it been published."

!MIRUP YPPAH

I always enjoy the Daily Forward's Purim edition, the Backward.

Watcher's Council

The Council has spoken! Here are the latest Watcher's Council winners.

Purim Stuff

Check out these Purim e-cards courtesy of Tablet Magazine.

I think Republican Jews ought to start a new Purim tradition -- make noise with the grogger every time we hear Obama's name!

Let's Fight Back!

Here's the insult of the day: Obama says the only thing that binds the Republicans together is helping the rich.  The thing that should bind us together is stopping Obama, cutting his reckless spending, and standing up for the ethics and values we once had. Why aren't the Republicans fighting back? Where are the great orators? Let's stop caving in to this man and start speaking up. Let the sequester take place -- with any luck it will act as a wake-up call for Democrats and others who think the money supply is endless.  I don't know about other Republicans, but I live within my means and go to work every day, and I resent having my money stolen from me.

The Golden Age of Hollywood

These photos from the Telegraph show the great stars of the past. Contrast them with what passes for talent today.

"Economic Pain Machine"

This is by Gary Varvel. The hand that removes the wallet must belong to Obama.

Lots 'o Links

It's time for some interesting links courtesy of Maggie's Farm, Betsy's Page, and Larwyn's Linx.
Also, our friend Soccer Dad is back! David Gerstman is now a contributor at Legal Insurrection.

Double Standards

This IBD editorial describes it perfectly. "As of Tuesday, U.S. gasoline prices had increased for 32 straight days. The media, however, aren't interested. They would be, though, if a Republican — particularly a Bush — were in the White House." The same can be said for food prices. But remember -- this is "the new normal", so it's OK.
(Via Larwyn's Linx, where you can find lots of infuriating Obama news on a daily basis. Read at your own risk.)

This Is Not A Joke

Every day you get irate over some story in the news having to do with Obama and his administration: his antipathy for the oil pipeline even as gas prices skyrocket; the disarming of citizens while crime increases; the daily media manipulation; the encouragement of dependence on government and the discouragement of values, morals, and the work ethic. It goes on and on. In the latest incident, I thought it was another early April Fool's joke, the way I did when I heard Obama was getting the Nobel Prize: Obama is going to receive a Presidential Medal of Distinction -- from Israel!  I think I need a tranquilizer.

The MSM: Par For The Course

This is from Human Events: "The media is far more upset by this  ("Golf-gate") than they were about Benghazi, 'you didn’t build that,' 'the private sector is doing fine,' the failure of the trillion-dollar stimulus bill, years of grinding unemployment, rising gas prices, Obama’s bottom-feeding re-election campaign, Solyndra, the shockingly poor confirmation performance of Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, the abuse of executive orders, or any other scandal from the past four years.  It’s almost comical to watch the same press that yawned its way past Operation Fast and Furious suddenly begin muttering about the lack of White House 'transparency' because Obama wouldn’t invite them on the links."

Polar Photography

I never get tired of seeing pictures from the great polar expeditions, like these Robert F. Scott photos.

Musical Theatre of War

You'll enjoy this takeoff of "Send in the Clowns" by Iowahawk.

Experiments in Evil

Anyone who continues to insist that the Holocaust never happened ought to read this story:  "How the seven dwarfs of Auschwitz fell under the spell of Dr Death: The hideous experiments carried out by Nazi Josef Mengele on seven trusting brothers and sisters."

 

Watcher's Council

Here are the latest Watcher's Council results.

Argus Hamilton Quips

I like this item from the latest column:  "President Obama's speechwriter resigned to pursue a career as a comedy screenwriter in Los Angeles. He helped to write the stimulus bill and the ObamaCare bill, and he coined the phrase shovel-ready projects. Once you get addicted to getting laughs it's hard to give it up."

Prescription for America

Gary Varvel offers yet another great remedy from Obama. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an antidote.

O.J. With Blades

I too immediately thought of O.J. Simpson as soon as I heard about Oscar Pistorius, except that he is using the more creative "mistaken identity" defense rather than "the real killer" defense. And being a sports star isn't an excuse for murder.

My, How Comforting!

Sometimes you see propaganda headlines and you can't believe your eyes. This one from Market Watch is one of those. “Workers are increasingly likely to leave their jobs because they’ve quit, as opposed to being laid off or fired, a trend that could mean good news for spending."  "After all, you’re not going to quit your job if you have no faith in your own economic status.” Isn't that reassuring? Don't you feel much better about the unemployment rate now?

Emanuel Labor

Last night I heard about Rahm Emanuel running for President and thought it had to be a joke. What qualifications does he have, other than being an Obama crony and being Mayor of the Murder Capital of the United States?

What Obama Stands For

Cartoon by Michael Ramirez.

Lots 'o Links

Here's more good reading from Maggie's Farm, from Betsy's Page, and from Larwyn's Linx. Our country is going crazy, so it's always reassuring to see that others feel the same way we do.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Even though it's politically incorrect in Massachusetts.  "School Bans Valentine’s Day Cards, Candy". What are they going to do if you bring in candy or cards, arrest you? Is this Soviet Russia or the United States? And why can't they let children be children?

What's Most Important

As seen at Free Republic.

Mark Levin on The Destruction of America

Read what Mark Levin had to say about the Obama Administration:

"What the hell does the Democrat party stand for today? The destruction of America? And what the hell does the Republican party stand for today? To sit there with their thumbs in their mouths while it’s going on?

Any politician with an ounce of common sense should be getting on any soap box imaginable and screaming from the top of their lungs that these policies are destroying America."

Jewish Penicillin

You can almost smell the wonderful aroma in this salute to chicken soup.

Don't You Feel Better Now?

This is from the editors at National Review:

"In reality, the state of our union is this: The United States is today $6 trillion deeper in debt than it was before Barack Obama was first sworn in as president. That represents an increase of 57 percent in just four years. Put another way: Out of every dollar the country owes in government debt, 36 cents was acquired under the Obama administration.

The state of our union is this: Today there are more than 4 million fewer Americans working than there were when Barack Obama was first sworn in as president — not including those who have retired. The work-force-participation rate is at a historic low. Never before have so many Americans simply abandoned the hope of a job.

The state of our union is this: Economic growth is weaker than it has been during any recovery in recent memory; in fact, the economy shrank in the last quarter. Those figures may be revised, but in any case growth is so weak that the difference between what President Obama calls a recovery and what economists fear is the beginning of a new recession is within the margin of measurement error."

This is from American Thinker:

"Wipe those Boehner-like scowls off your face!  The State of the Union is strong and we've cleared away the 'rubble of crisis.' Businesses created 6 million new jobs, the housing market is healing even though people can't get mortgages or refinance and Obama magically decreased the deficit by trillions (I guess he did that in Oz where Biden is looking for a brain).  And, he did so mostly by spending cuts (I guess the entire country missed that memo).  

Obama explained that health care costs are increasing and driving the debt (not the spending, stupid) and then he contradicted himself when he said that Obamacare is slowing health care costs.  Are they rising or abating?  If costs are decreasing, shouldn't the debt be going down?  Maybe that look on Biden's face isn't a smile but gastric distress trying to understand Obama's logic.  

And, let's not forget that 'nearly everyone's energy bills are lower'!  Really?  All of that wind and solar energy didn't do anything to lower my gas and electric bills.  And all of that oil Obama claims we've produced stateside (more oil than in the last 15 years) has not only created "tens of thousands of new jobs" (in Oz) but has me paying less at the pump (somewhere over the rainbow).

That rubble of crisis hasn't been cleared away.  It's been swept under the rug."

Haveil Havalim Time

Haveil Havalim #398 is up at Ima 2 Seven. 

Fighting to the Max

Here's a terrific article about the Baer-Schmeling fight in 1933. This bout meant as much to the Jews as the 1938 Louis-Schmeling fight did to the blacks -- and to all Americans.

Tonight's Forecast: Hot Air & Wind

If you want to know what's being said at tonight's State of the Union address without actually seeing or hearing Obama, just follow along as Stephen Green goes drunkblogging! In the meantime, read some of the reader comments at Lucianne.com as they discuss what the speech will contain.
(Cartoon by Gary Varvel)

The New Mumia

This California cop-killer, Dorner, seems to have become another liberal cause.  Greg Gutfeld came up with a Che-like T-shirt as a joke on The Five tonight --- but it looks like other people are taking the merchandising more seriously.

The State of Our Union

I won't be watching the State of the Union address, since I can't stand Obama's voice and I already know the sad state our union is in, thanks to him.  I do like the title of this column: "He Who No Longer Walks on Water." That sounds like something from "Dances With Wolves". Too bad he can't just resign like the Pope did.

Good Yontiff, Pontiff!

Well, this is a surprise: Pope Benedict is retiring this month. It's hard to believe he's been Pope for 8 years.  I love the ceremony and tradition in choosing a new Pope and can't wait to see what happens next.  The liberals must be going crazy, and I agree with The Anchoress, who says this:

"One more thought before I put this post to rest — I’m kind of appalled at how some members of the press are reacting to this. The announcement wasn’t two hours old when the cable news gasbags started in with their 'wish list' and expressing hopes that the next pope 'gets it right' on the 'important issues. A few sound like they’re all but crossing a line through this pontificate with zero understanding or appreciation of what it has actually been. And some of the comments in the Facebook threads are just so…awful. People are so busy thinking about their personal 'agenda' for the church — be it 'progressive' or 'Conservative' — that they’re not even taking a breath to consider that the man and his pontificate will be more than a footnote to John Paul’s; they have no idea what a force for Christian unity he has been in the midst of so much division."

Verdi Must Be Rolling

The Met's new version of Rigoletto is being compared to the The Rat Pack. What's wrong with the original version? Must everything be made "hip" in order to attract a younger crowd?

Haveil Havalim Time

Haveil Havalim #397 is up at A Letter From Israel.

Watcher's Council

Here are the latest Watcher's Council winners. They are keeping an eye on the weasels of the world.

This and That

Here's Greg Crosby's latest column, and one of the topics he discusses is the Andrews Sisters. I like when he gets nostalgic.

Standing Up To Political Correctness

I remember when Dr. Ben Carson became famous by separating conjoined twins, and I've admired him ever since. Now I admire him even more after having taken on Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast and taking on the scourge of political correctness. The headline for the story at the Wall Street Journal is "Ben Carson for President."  Let's hope the Obama media doesn't rake him over the coals for this.

Lots 'o Links

Check out the usual good reading material over
at Betsy's Page, at Maggie's Farm, and at Larwyn's Linx.

Argus Hamilton Quips

Click here to read the latest column, which includes this item: "The White House announced President Obama will visit Israel, Jordan and the West Bank next month. The two opposing sides hate each other. Henry Kissinger may have to come out of retirement to negotiate a peace deal between the Israelis and President Obama."

Obama in Israel

I get a kick out of some of the headlines at World Jewish Daily, including this one: "Iran to Obama: Buzz Off". I wish Netanyahu could say the same thing when Obama finally deigns to visit Israel in March.

Sex Change 101

Do you realize that kids growing up today think that this sort of thing is normal? From the Washington Times: "Looking for a free sex change operation? Enroll at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Come August, the school will offer coverage in its student health care plan for the procedure, according to The Daily Caller."
I wonder if you can add this to your resume?

Proud to be Jewish

Michael Goodwin has written a nice column about Ed Koch and his regard for Daniel Pearl: "Among several inscriptions on his tombstone is a sequence that is meant first to stir the heart, and then to provoke the faint of heart. It begins, 'My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.'"

Today's News

Cynical me -- I knew this story was fishy right away and suspected drug smuggling.  Why would you leave your family behind to go take pictures in Turkey, when you have plenty of photo opportunities right here at home?  It reminded me of the American "hikers" who went to Iran.

On TV tonight I heard about these teen thugs terrorizing New York. Continuing to call these "flash mobs" minimizes the extent of the problem. They should bring back the word "wilding", which is what it really is.

Obviously, too many women have way too much time on their hands, if they are offended by this logo.  Enterprise Florida, Inc. should not change it.  I am fed up with endless political correctness, watching everything you say, hurt feelings, people being offended by anything and everything -- and those who cave in to these whiners!

What, Obama Worry?

Here's more great news: "CBO Forecast: 1.4% GDP, 8% Unemployment, 7 Million to Lose
Health Insurance." On The Five, Greg Gutfeld compared the Obama economy to the Carter economy & malaise, only this time it's acceptable for some unknown reason. Remember: keep voting Democrat!
 

Political Correctness in Washington

Here’s a new one, courtesy of John Conyers: "I hope no one uses the term illegal immigrants here today. Our citizens are not — the people in this country are not illegal. They are out of status.” Out of status? This is like the ridiculous euphemism “man caused disaster” to mean terrorism.  Changing the words isn’t going to make us like it any more.

World Champion Baltimore Ravens!

 Congratulations on an exciting victory by the Ravens, and on a great post-season for Joe Flacco!Here are some other people who are thrilled:

"Gardiners told customers all furniture bought between Jan. 31 and 3 p.m. on game day would be free if Baltimore returned a kick for a touchdown. And then Jacoby Jones returned a 108-yarder, forcing the store to give away $600,000 in furnishings."

The Obama Hoax

This article at American Thinker compares Obama to Manti Te'o in that the public was bamboozled by both of them.  Scott Mayer writes,

"When will the American people wake up to the incredible hoax that is currently being perpetrated upon them? Much like Te'o, Americans are involved in an emotional relationship with an individual despite most having never met him face to face. That individual is President Obama. But unlike Te'o's relatively harmless "girlfriend" hoax, President Obama's hoax, thanks to the help of the MSM, is a threat to every American and threatens the survival of the republic as we know it.
Fortunately, the new media is willing to step up and do the job the ideologically driven MSM refuses to do.
So just to be clear on a few of the crazy things we've been told:
Ambassador Stevens was not murdered because of a dim-witted amateur video. Food stamps are not economic stimulus. This current economic mess is not George Bush's fault. Obama's mother was not denied health insurance coverage as claimed. America is not safer under Obama. Raising tax rates does not create jobs. Disagreeing with President Obama does not make one a racist. The cost of health care will not be lowered under ObamaCare. President Obama is not suddenly a Second Amendment advocate."

There's more, and you will nod in agreement.

Fundamental Transformation of...Football?

I heard a good comment on the radio that said that although Obama thinks football is too violent for a son of his, but military combat is perfect fine for a daughter of his. Nobody is forced to play in the NFL (or to compete in the X Games like Caleb Moore). There is a risk of injury in most sports.  If you as parents don't want your boys getting hurt playing sports, have them play chess or bridge!

And on that note: GO RAVENS!

Watcher's Council

Check out the latest Watcher's Council winners.

But It's Just Not Fair!

I agree with the Telegraph's Charles Moore on the obsession with the concept of equality. Enough already! 

"If you stand back to look at how Equality works, you notice three things. 

"One is that it undermines freedom. It specialises in attacking ways of living which people have developed for themselves, often using the law and even the police to do so.

"The second is that it undermines institutions. The bulwarks of a free society are not atomised individuals, but businesses, families, schools, clubs, churches, charities, sports teams – the Big Society we seem recently to have stopped hearing about. Equality is the government’s instrument for nationalising them.

"The third is that Equality makes everyone (except lawyers and other activists) very unhappy. No one knows where she or he (you see!) stands, what law he might inadvertently be breaking, what 'inappropriate' remark he might have made. And those who invoke Equality to advance their collective cause, far from being pleased by what they have won, are in a semi-permanent state of rage about any remaining imperfection. They are trained to identify grievance, so naturally they are aggrieved."

This is like the obsession with fairness and political correctness here, where people are afraid to say or do anything that might somehow offend someone else or hurt their feelings. Grow up already and stop behaving like victims!

How Encouraging!

Here is some unexpected news from the Drudge Report. The only thing he left out was "Food prices continue to soar".  I wonder if the Associated Press is mostly encouraged about that, as well.  It's amazing how Obama continues to get away with this.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BACK UP TO 7.9%...
ASSOCIATED PRESS: 'mostly encouraging'...
8,500,000 Americans Left Labor Force In Obama's First Term...
POOF: Another 170,000 disappeared in January...
Retail Workweek Hits 3-Year Low...
Massive revisions to earlier numbers...
Gas prices to top $4 again...

Ed Koch, RIP

I loved Ed Hoch. He was a breath of fresh air after Abe Beame, and he was a larger than life character who was unashamedly Jewish and pro-Israel.  Here's a short article that captures his essence.