Friday, November 16, 2012

Iran's Agenda in the Gaza Offensive

STRATFOR  "Summary: To begin to make sense of the escalating conflict in Gaza, we need to go back to the night of Oct. 23 in Khartoum. Around 11 p.m. that night, the Yarmouk weapons facility in the Sudanese capital was attacked, presumably by the Israeli air force. There were indications that Iran had been using this facility to stockpile and possibly assemble weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles, guided anti-tank missiles and long-range Fajr-5 rockets capable of reaching Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from Gaza."
....
" The result is an Israeli military campaign in Gaza that places Hamas' credibility in question and could create more space for a group like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has close ties to Iran. The conflict will also likely create tension in Hamas' relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Syria, since the Brotherhood, particularly in Egypt, is not prepared or willing to confront Israel beyond rhetoric and does not want to face the public backlash for not doing enough to defend the Palestinians from Israel Defense Forces. All in all, this may turn out to be a relatively low-cost, high payoff maneuver by Iran."
Jerusalem Post
DEBKAfile; Palestinian rockets strike Jerusalem, Tel Aviv. Reserves call-up expanded-
"Signs of an approaching full-scale war increased Friday afternoon, Nov. 16. The IDF obtained government approval to call up reserves in addition to the 30,000 already approved. Hospitals across the country were placed on emergency footing and patients not needing urgent treatment were sent home. The security cabinet meets urgently after 550 Palestinian rockets fired in three days. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were targeted Friday by Hamas which reported firing two “homemade M-75” missiles each at Israel’s capital and commercial hub. There were no casualties in either town."

So in the near future, the following discussion of the Iran-Obama relationship may become relevant:  Reactions In Iran To President Obama's Reelection
"Tehran's official position is that is has no preference for either Republicans or Democrats in the U.S., and that Washington must essentially change its positions vis-à-vis Iran.[1] Indeed, in its first reaction to the election outcome, the regime mouthpiece Kayhan, which is close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was dismissive, claiming that President Obama's reelection heralds no change in U.S. policy.
"At the same time, reformist circles not represented in the regime published articles both prior to and following the election indicating that they wanted Obama to win.
"Nonetheless, cautious initial reactions by senior Iranian regime officials indicate that Tehran is considering its steps vis-à-vis Obama's declared desire and intent to launch direct negotiations with Tehran.
"The following are excerpts from initial reactions in Iran to Obama's reelection. "...



A November 6, 2012 op-ed in the reformist daily Etemaad listed the advantages to Iran of an Obama reelection, noting that "Romney emits a scent of war, [while] from Obama there arises a melody of paying attention to the economic agenda." The op-ed went on to state: "The [re]election of Obama will be a nightmare for the right-wingers in Israel, particularly for Netanyahu... [because] Obama has had the worst relationship in recent years with the occupying regime." Praising Obama's policy vis-à-vis the Arab Spring, it noted: "It was the talent of the Democrats that they adapted to the changes in North Africa, particularly in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya," and added that "Had the Republicans been in the White House, their strategy regarding these changes in the Arab [world] would have been different." The op-ed also noted Obama's "wise strategy" in his two-pronged policy in managing the Syrian crisis – while he opposed the Syrian regime, it said, he did not act firmly against it, as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey demanded, due to his fear of a rise of Salafi circles.[

Academic Malpractice; Grover Furr, Ann Coulter and forbidden objects

Ron Radosh; PJ Media  "I was not going to write about Prof. Grover Furr of Montclair State University. I did not want to call more attention to him, which he obviously craves. But now that the video of his speech at a recent forum has gone viral on the internet, thanks to the Washington Examiner, and is being featured on other sites as well, I have decided it is time to speak out about this particularly imbecilic member of the Academy.
...."What has now created the storm that has made Furr visible are his statements at the recent forum at Montclair, where he called it a “big lie” that Stalin killed millions of people. “I have yet to find one crime — yet to find one crime — that Stalin committed,” Furr said. “I know they all say he killed 20, 30, 40 million people — it is bullshit. … [Nazi propagandist] Goebbels said that the Big Lie is successful and this is the Big Lie: that the Communists — that Stalin killed millions of people and that socialism is no good.” "

While we're on the subject of academic malpractice, here is something from College Insurrection, companion site to Legal Insurrection:
Fordham welcomes infanticide advocate Peter Singer after attacking Ann Coulter invite
"Fordham University is in a bit of a bind.
"After loudly proclaiming his “disgust” with the “hate speech” of conservative pundit Ann Coulter in an email to all students, in the process slamming the Fordham College Republicans—his own students—as immature bigots who lack character, Fordham President Joseph McShane, S.J., is now faced with defending his administration’s invitation to philosopher and infanticide advocate Peter Singer to participate in a panel on “animal ethics.” "

ACLU Files Lawsuit To Force Utah Schools To Provide Kindergarten Students With Book About Kids Being Raised By Lesbian Moms…

Weasel Zippers   "According to the left’s ideology the government can do a better job raising your kids than you can."

Original article  "In the Davis School District in Utah, children as young as kindergarten age can check out a homosexual propaganda book called In My Mothers’ House, about three adopted kids and their lesbian “mothers,” if their parents sign a permission slip.

"The book was removed from shelves after another Windridge mother complained to school officials when her kindergartner brought it home. It is presently kept behind the counter.
"This minor obstacle motivated the ACLU to seeking to force the school district to put the book back on its library shelves, making it available to all children without restriction."....


Thursday, November 15, 2012

I need something to smile over

A man and his wife, moved back home to West Virginia from Ohio.. The  husband had a wooden leg, and to insure it back in Ohio cost them $2000 per year!  When they arrived in West Virginia, they went to an insurance agency to see how much it would cost to insure his wooden leg. The agent looked it up on the computer and said: $39.00.
The husband was shocked and asked why it was so cheap here in West Virginia to insure it because it cost him $2000 in Ohio!
The insurance agent turned his computer screen to the couple and said,  'Well, here it is on the screen, it says: Any wooden structure, with a  sprinkler system above it, is $39.00..
You just have to know how to describe it!


Hat tip to Richard E. Clyne, affectionately known to his working buddies as Reclyne

Don't feed the bears because...

The default setting of American society is ever more liberal and statist.

Mark Steyn  Quit telling me that America is a center-right nation; that conflicts with every decision I see this body politic make. 2010 notwithstanding.
...."So Washington cannot be saved from itself. For the moment, tend to your state, and county, town and school district, and demonstrate the virtues of responsible self-government at the local level. Americans as a whole have joined the rest of the Western world in voting themselves a lifestyle they are not willing to earn. The longer any course correction is postponed the more convulsive it will be. Alas, on Tuesday, the electorate opted to defer it for another four years. I doubt they’ll get that long."

Papa John’s and the Whiny Weasels of Socialism (Who Want to Boycott Them)

The National Patriot  "Be careful what you vote for…You may just get it and WHEN you get exactly that for which you voted…DON’T START WHINING ABOUT IT!!!
"9 days ago, socialists voted for the Emperor and now, they’re starting to realize the fruits of their labors."
....
"Socialists now want to boycott Papa John’s and Applebees because they are cutting work hours of their employees. They say such a move is…Un-American.
"Really?
"Socialists think something is Un-American???
"Let me explain this in a way that anyone with a working brain cell can understand it."....
...."After the expenses, ingredients, building and real estate costs, insurance, equipment, EMPLOYEES, taxes etc…The typical franchisee had…HAD a profit margin of around 10%.
"Now, because of increased regulations, hikes in the minimum wage, rising insurance costs and the clamping down on business loans, higher costs due to rising gas prices for delivery of goods and delivery of pizzas…Over the last 4 years…The average franchisee NOW has a profit margin of…2%.
"Along comes Obamacare."....

...."There are 21 new taxes in Obamacare and some of those hit companies like Papa John’s and their franchisees.

"NOW…You have the Emperor wanting to HIKE TAXES on those making $250,000.00 and up and THAT will hit Papa John’s small business owners.
"Penalizing success with higher taxes is…UN-American.
"Here’s where Papa John’s is standing tall."....

...."If socialists are going to boycott Papa John’s, they must also boycott all NBC outlets as well."


...."Well…One of those hits HARD at companies that manufacture MEDICAL EQUIPMENT and another, the one that imposes penalties against ANY company employing more than 50 full-timers ALSO comes into effect.

"Stryker is laying off 1,700 employees because they simply can’t afford to do business as usual any longer.
"Are socialists also going to boycott anything made by Stryker?
"If they’re going to boycott papa John’s they should ALSO find a way to do without hospital beds, medical cameras, artificial joints and medical software REGARDLESS of their afflictions or the health afflictions of their loved ones."....

...."Here is just a PARTIAL list of companies for socialists to boycott because THESE companies are laying off workers due to Obamacare, Obama taxes and Obama’s reelection:" The list is here.
....
"The Following is a PARTIAL list of companies that socialists CAN’T boycott because…
THEY ARE CLOSING COMPLETELY due to the reelection of the Emperor:
...."Socialists say this is all in revenge for the Emperor’s reelection.
"REVENGE???
"This isn’t REVENGE…
"This is the RESULT of the SOCIALIST VOTE!!!"
By Craig Andresen, Via Conservative Bloggers on Facebook

The principle here: Support Papa John's!

Life with the Obama boot on our necks

Denny's to charge 5% 'Obamacare surcharge' and cut employee hours to deal with cost of legislation Other restaurants are considering similar actions. Meanwhile Obama meets with unions and progressive leaders to make economic plans
"The program mandates that only employees working more than 30 hours a week are covered under their employers health insurance plan, chains like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are already considering reduced worker hours.
" 'Obviously, I'd love to cover all our employees under that insurance,' said Metz.
" 'But to pay $5,000 per employee would cost us $175,000 per restaurant and unfortunately, most of our restaurants don't make $175,000 a year. I can't afford it.' "

Romney: Obama’s ‘gifts’ to key demographics helped him win
“In each case they were very generous in what they gave to those groups,” Mr. Romney said.

“With regards to the young people, for instance, a forgiveness of college loan interest, was a big gift,” he said. “Free contraceptives were very big with young college-aged women. ....They turned out in large numbers, a larger share in this election even than in 2008.”
Political Cartoons by Glenn Foden
Obama's Presser Affirms His Obsession With Raising Taxes  "In his news conference yesterday, Obama lived up to expectations as a class warfare zealot. He once again demonstrated his pathological obsession with raising taxes on “folks who don’t need it” the evil rich. Of course to Obama “the rich” is any family earning over $250,000 a year.
"What is it with this guy?" And his next question is what If Obama Gets His Tax Increases;
"Let’s just assume for a moment that Barack Obama and the Democrats get their way. They get their tax increases on the filthy, evil, disgusting 2% of taxpayers who “don’t need” that money.

"The question becomes … then what?" Neal Boortz 
Then Boortz makes these guesses: -
A wealth tax. We’ve taxed their income, now let’s tax the tar out of their assets. After all, “they don’t need” those “private jets” or those second homes or those yachts. Oh and those big, fat retirement accounts … we are going to need to get our hands on those as well.
- More increases on higher income earners. We’ve raised them already, what’s a little bit more going to hurt?
- Cap-and-trade taxes. Taxing greenhouse gas emissions will be a great source of income and will punish those evil capitalists who are making their money in industries that we liberals don’t support, like coal and oil!
Do you see anything in Obama's attitude that he will not enact these things with the usual help from the Obamedia ?
Political Cartoons by Jerry Holbert

Obama's Smug America  "America is not going forward but backwards -- back to the "abortion, amnesty, and acid" of George McGovern's 1970s. Not much has changed since then, except that the radicals who espoused free contraceptives, free love, and drugs now wear expensive suits."  America has become a ship of fools.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The President and Benghazi discussed

Transcript of President Obama’s News Conference  Before you begin, you may want to get a red pen. Then as you read, circle every "I", "I've", "my" or any other first person pronoun. Now begin:
When pressed on McCain and Graham going after Susan Rice's testimony in five Sunday talk shows, Obama's reply included these words: ...."But let me say specifically about Susan Rice, she has done exemplary work. She has represented the United States and our interests in the United Nations with skill and professionalism and toughness and grace. As I’ve said before, she made an appearance at the request of the White House in which she gave her best understanding of the intelligence that had been provided to her. If Senator McCain and Senator Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me. And I’m happy to have that discussion with them. But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador, who had nothing to do with Benghazi and was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received and to besmirch her reputation is outrageous. "

Graham to Obama: I hold you responsible for Benghazi   "The war of words over Benghazi escalated Wednesday when President Obama told his critics to "go after me" rather than Ambassador Susan Rice. Those critics then said they would do exactly that.
" "Mr. President, don't think for one minute I don't hold you ultimately responsible for Benghazi. I think you failed as Commander in Chief before, during, and after the attack," said Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican."

Libya timeline suggests cover-up in attack  "This article includes a timeline of the events for you to refer to."
Political Cartoons by Chip Bok
Victor Davis Hanson; A Country Unhinged  "When this is all over we are going to see several resignations, even more discredit to what is left of what is now largely a state-run media, and a vivid human face to all the declinist statistical talk of America in material and moral crisis. The state is set for reform like we have never seen it, from those who are not invested in Big Washington, Big Military, Big Intelligence, Big Banks, Big Wall Street, big anything that seems to have developed a toxic careerism in the revolving-door, New York-Washington corridor."

Tuesday's Schedule for Dear Ruler

Neal Boortz   A tweeter "visited the WhiteHouse.gov website and took a look the SCOAMF’s schedule for yesterday. Here .. you can look at this for yourself. You will note that Dear Ruler and Boy Blunder first attended their Presidential Daily Briefing at 10:45. Then, 45 minutes later, this is what showed up on the schedule:"
11:30 AM
The President and the Vice President attend a meeting with members of the labor community and other progressive leaders to discuss the actions we need to take to keep our economy growing and find a balanced approach to reduce our deficit.
The Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
"Now do you see anything odd about this? Does anything just leap off the page at you? The purpose of the meeting was to discuss some ways to keep our economy growing and to find a “balanced” approach to reduce our deficit, right?

"Okay … first point. Where were the business leaders? Isn’t a big component of economic growth encouraging the expansion of the business sector? Wouldn’t it be nice if business owners would invest more in growth and expansion and perhaps hire more workers in the process? You’re right, I’m no economist --- but it seems to me that any meeting – especially at this level – would include business owners.
"Next point: What about people from the financial sector?...."
...."But just who DID Dear Ruler meet with? Labor unions and liberals. That’s it. No businessmen. No business finance experts. Nobody representing the free market. Just labor unions and liberals." (Emphasis added)

Read more....
Maybe this is the revenge Obama is seeking:

Thomas Sowell asks: Is Demography Destiny? Ann Coulter answers, yes, it is

Hat tip to TEA Party Facebook
Human Events 
"Most Americans don’t realize that, decades ago, the Democrats instituted a long-term plan to gradually turn the United States into a Third World nation. The country would become poorer and less free, but Democrats would have an unbeatable majority!"
....
"Thirty-nine percent of native households receive some form of government assistance. By contrast, 57 percent of immigrant households — legal immigrants — get government assistance. We can’t do anything about the native population, but why on Earth is America taking in immigrants who require taxpayer support?
"If you come to America and immediately go on welfare, by definition, you are not a desirable immigrant. Except as a voter for the Democratic Party."....

Thomas Sowell; Is Demography Destiny?  ...."Very few people know, for example, that the gap between black and white incomes narrowed during the Reagan administration and widened during the Obama administration. This was not because of Republican policies designed specifically for blacks, but because free market policies create an economy in which all people can improve their economic situation.

"Conversely, few policies have had such a devastating effect on the job opportunities of minority youths as minimum wage laws, which are usually pushed by Democrats and opposed by Republicans. But these facts do not "speak for themselves." Somebody has to cite the facts and take the trouble to show why unemployment among minority youths skyrocketed when minimum wage increases priced them out of jobs."....

Choices made by the American people