Kid gloves for Barry.

See this in the NYT.

Just bizarre. Barry has this thing in a cakewalk. You can't joke about him. You can't question his past. You have no track record to judge him against. He is the true Teflon candidate.

Isn't it a form of racism to not joke about him? Aren't the white comedians and talk show hosts racist for excluding him from their jokes and monologues based on his race? Hmmm, may have to call the Civil Rights Commission.

Jimmy Kimmel gagged on this interview. Barry is "so polished" that there is no possibility for comedy. Seriously? What about the raw ambition that it takes to actually want to be the Prez? No fodder there. How about the former "spiritual advisor"? Well, that would just be mean. Everybody knows that being mean isn't funny. Comedy shouldn't have an edge.

The Letterman guy kacked too. "We can't manufacture perception"? What? Isn't that what great comedians do? Plus, it's really hard to manufacture comedy. If only there were writers and joke-maker guys around to help with this.....

What is going on around here? Sadly, there doesn't seem to be anybody willing to answer that question or take on Barry. Yep, it's a laydown for him. This thing is over. Sorry Johnny Mac.

Hollywood, life and the creative process.

What an interesting view of Hollywood from this article.

First, the keying of cars is not limited to Hollywood and SoCal. I have a colleague that had a Bush-Cheney sticker on his car keyed here at work. In the county garage. We had the same conversation. It would never occur to me to key a car with prominent Democratic stickers. Heck, my arm would get tired. But the fact is, that sticker is on a car that belongs to somebody else. If they want to advertise their idiocy, have at it, Hoss. Keep you mitts off the private property, got it?

Second, I wondered if a close and dear friend has resorted to shouting out "Vote Libertarian" to ensure the operatives from Hollywood that he is in fact on board. Per our recent discussion, we can change our treatment to make the Guantanamo detainees the heroes, really, we can.

Third, I think Breitbart nailed the withering of the creative process. So what are all the people in Hollywood in it for? The art? The money? The politics? The power? Here comes the cynic in me......

Can orations carry a guy to the White House?

The impetus for this post is an article by Mark Steyn.

I happened to be watching tv just before Ursala the Sea Witch exited the race. One of the networks played Obama and McCain speeches back to back. The Obama speech wasn't the one cited in Steyn's article, but was equally flowing and mellifluous. Obama does have a great grasp on public speaking. Much like a preacher. You almost want to believe what he says. Almost.
The Dems will try to tell us how terrible life is in the U.S. right now. High gas prices, horrible economy, oh and don't forget Bush's war. We need change, folks. I mean, we aren't Europe yet. We have work to do. Not that the current problems have anything to do with failed policies and ideas from Europe. Laissez-faire immigration coupled with Draconian environmental laws. Oh yeah, that can't miss. If Barry does win, I'm sure we'll look back at the time The United States of America tried to become the European Union and how much that hurt.

It's like a trainwreck. I can't look away.

Call it a morbid fascination. Reading this article about Slick Willie just reinforces some of the long held beliefs I've had about him and his wife. Is this a hit job by Vanity Fair, because I'd never vote for her, but this article can't help, can it?

Caution, the article is lengthy.

“We are fighting to eliminate you.”

The "religion of peace" has a long history of violence, especially against the West. In the early stages of this blog, a fine west coast mind put forward the "religion of peace" canard.

I like this article. It reminds me of Conan the Destroyer: "What is best in life?" Conan "Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentation of their women."

The article is also relevant. Oh but wait, we should dialogue with these guys. Right. How do you conduct negotiations with people that consider the fact the you are talking a sign of weakness? Better yet, why? Appeasement as a policy has a long and sorry history of being totally ineffective. The fact that the United States has done something about terrorism is significant. It's important that we are trying to change the status quo. Nobody likes war, but sometimes it's the best tool.

Look, you can also tie in Sharon Stone. See this quote:

Upon entering the city of Bukhara in 1220 he proclaimed: “If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”

She is just like Genghis Khan when she says that China is being punished by an earthquake for it's treatment of Tibet. Or at least has the same "...pagan, a shamanist" belief system. (Just as an aside, I don't know much about Tibetan Buddhism, but is that a tenet of the religion? A vengeful god/gods punish for our misdeeds?)

Hippocrite celebrities.

Or "Hippy-Crites." Those wacky British.

Still, another reason not to get info from any Hollywood source (I don't consider Squeeze a Hollywood source. He lives in Studio City).

Article.

I gotcha.

Why we can't leave Iraq.

This is a pretty good article.

The heart of the matter:

I was on the ground in Iraq for 16 months, and in that time I talked to hundreds of Iraqis. Some didn't like us; some wanted us to leave, but most did not. What they wanted was for America to live up to its word. They wanted us to rid the country of terrorists and militias so that they could live in peace.

They were willing to help us, but they are not a stupid people. They know that if they commit to the American side and the Americans abandon them as we did in 1991, it means death for them and their families. They know this, and it is real. It is not an abstract idea for them.

Most Iraqis don't support Al-Qaida and the militias, but when our commitment to stay in Iraq and finish the job is in doubt -- as it was when Sen. Harry Reid went on TV and said, "this war is lost" -- Iraqis are going to hedge their bets. They may not support the militias, but when they are betting their lives, most of them are not going to commit to America unless they are assured that America is committed to them.

Nice quote, Mr. Defendant.

So I'm reading this article, mildly interested, when I get to the last line......Wha? Huh?

Is this guy a moron or what? So let me get this straight, I'm getting accused of being involved in satanic rituals that include rape and torture and while I'm being interviewed by the local newspaper, I whip out that quip?

Have you seen the Guinness commercials with the pilgrim? You've got brass, son.

Racism, Obama and stuff.

I see I've fallen in a NRO rut lately. So I ventured over to WeeklyStandard and found this article to be compelling.

I don't see how Obama can separate himself from this Wright guy (preacher seems too dignified). Why am I constantly astounded by these issues of race? It must say something about my own naivete, which I find lamentable. My own serious lack of introspection? A limited intellect? Bull-headed?

On the other hand, it's only March. There's a long way to go to the Presidential election.

Marines. Thank God.

I meant to post something on this earlier. Also the brilliant mayor of Toledo.

Check this video at this link.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if there WAS a force to protect your freedom of speech?”

What a doofus.

Did you see this article?

The golfer actually hit balls at the bird? C'mon guys, what were you thinking?

God forbid we have to do another take. Not to get too granola-y here, but did it occur to anyone that you may have been too close to a nest? Fer cripes sake, take video of the hawk and try to sell it to National Geographic. Could you wait the bird out? Was anybody on the film crew smarter than a bird? I understand that making that instructional clip is very important, but to kill a bird? Really? What if it had been a dog barking? Tee up your driver for that, huh?

Didn't check the laws, but they take that migratory bird stuff pretty seriously in Florida. Seems like cruelty to animals is enough. I'm not travelling down the spotted owl road, and I think you can make logical distinctions between that issue and this one, but for crying out loud, actually hitting golf balls at the bird?

What an idiot.

Geldof and W.

***HAT TIP*** Pat in Covedale

Fascinating article here.

Continuation from post on Febuary 20, 2008.

It's very interesting to read Geldof's take on President Bush. I'm a little shocked by Geldof's flippant comments to the President. Even in an informal conversation, don't you still adhere to some formality? A little respect? A slight nod not only to the man, but to the office? I guess Geldof attended Blackrock University, but don't know if he graduated, but he seems to think he can pass intellectual judgment on President Bush. Thanks, drive by media.

It does seem that Geldof bears some respect for President Bush as a person. Even more important, Geldof is right that President Bush won't get the credit he deserves for his Africa policies. I'd like to see a comparison of aid to Africa between the Clinton administration and the Bush administration.

Interesting take from our neighbor to the north.

See article here.

What an interesting commentary. I'm not willing to give Obama this kind of power yet. I will admit that I know next to nothing about him. I have doubts that America is ready to elect a black man president. I wonder how the enthusiasm on the left compares to the Mondale - Ferraro ticket? I remember at that time that people thought they would get elected just because she was a woman. Wouldn't that be ironic if McCain chose, oh I don't know, Condi Rice? I doubt that is possible, but it's fun to ponder.

By the way, I thought calling him "Hussein" to be kinda funny. Officially, I have no comment.

USS Lake Erie, nice shot.

See this article.

I think this is awesome. I remember an article within the last 6 months about the Chinese capability to shoot down satellites. Good to see we aren't too far behind. Any complaining from China is self-serving drivel. I hope we are working on the technology to have a missle ship shoot down satellites, we need it. Oh and also, Take that, Ruskies!

Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you...

I love this article.

I didn't do any research, but don't know what Bob Geldof said about Slick Willie, "Mr. Don't Stop Dreamin' About Tomorrow."

I'm sure the NYT and 60 Minutes are putting the final touches on their reports.

Angry White Man Voters

See Article here.

I have no guns. At least none that I'm willing to tell the government about.

I'm not really angry either. Beaten into a near senseless state of catatonia. Constantly amazed or dazed.

My hope is that the feud between Hillary and Obama tears at the Democratic party and eventually moves people to the right. Exposing the far left of the party can be a good thing. Who better to pull the curtain aside than a Clinton? Perfect.

I still like the VP.

I will take shots for this and have taken them for this position before.

I found this quote from Jay Nordlinger of NRO.com pretty funny:

And I’m thinking: Cheney knew more when he was playing football and chasing chicks in Wyoming than these two bozos ever will.

Link to full article.

Daywalker in serious trouble.

***UPDATE***
Snipes acquitted. Link here. Wow, was I wrong on this one. Of course, it's always hard to convict famous and well-liked celebrities.


Blade about to be struck down. IRS stronger than silver, garlic and sunlight combined. Blade dull when failing to pay taxes. Tax code sharpest Blade of all. Excuse my indulgence, I'm actually not auditioning for the New York Post.

Wesley Snipes is in big trouble. Article here.

I've always liked his movies. What causes somebody to fall for this stuff? Yes, paying taxes stinks. Something good to remember during this campaign season. Wanna pay more? Think about it before you vote. He's probably going to see jail time. The former IRS commissioner in the article says this kind of case has to send a message. Not that the tax wackos out there will listen, but maybe it will stop somebody from getting sucked into this junk.

I especially like this quote:

Kahn now refuses to leave his jail cell because he believes the court has no jurisdiction to prosecute him.

If they don't have jurisdiction, why are you in a cell? Comedy. Believing you are invisible and actually being invisible are two different things.

MLB and Congressional hearings.

As I listen to espn hammer Congress over the handling of the steroid/hgh hearings, and as much as I hate espn, they are right. What a joke. These people can't pronounce the names? "Mr. Palmeiri's 300 hits?" 300? Mr. Palmeiri? Then the guy has the temerity to snark at the guy, "are you familiar with this case?"

It is fightening. If you're going to hold Congressional Hearings, wouldn't you do a little prep first?

Jeeze, I shoulda dropped out of high school, got a factory job and then run for Congress. This is worse than the old saw, "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy." I can't believe we're being governed by these guys.

Know. The. Freakin. Names.