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Helen Thomas, Lynne Stewart, a vat of anchovies and me ... indeed!
-Glenn Reynolds

Walter Cronkite: Moonbat Emeritus

There's an interesting sub-category of Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) knows as Rove Derangement Syndrome (RDS) where the afflicted believe that Karl Rove is an evil genius; the puppetmaster behind Bush and all of the world's evil.  The latest to be diagnosed with a raging case of RDS?  Walter Cronkite, who in discussing the Bin Laden tape on the Larry King Show last night, said he is "inclined to think that Karl Rove, the political manager at the White House, who is a very clever man, he probably set up bin Laden to this thing."

I can just see it.  Karl sees Bush struggling in the first debate because his com-link to the White House is not working in spite of the massive antenna they put in the lining of his suit.  Karl gets out the special "Osama phone" and makes the call to the luxurious Hollywood condo where Osama has been living for the last three years.  "Big-O," Rove says, "It's time to make that tape we discussed.  Condi will pick you up and take you to the Sinclair studios.  They have the script there waiting for you.  You just need to read it ... and, oh, can you throuw in a Fahrenheit 9-11 reference ... and something about how you love Barbra Streisand and ... oh, wait, she's Jewish ... OK, never mind ... but get that Michael Moore thing in there ... and can you type up a few more National Guard memos before you go?  We want to leave them for Alec Baldwin to find."  

Yeah, I'm sure that that's exactly how it happened.  Walter Cronkite ... once the most trusted man in America, now just another CBS embarrassment.

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 15:32 | link | comments (18) |
leftist idiocy, the election

BREAKING ON CNN - Arafat Diagnosed With Dementia and Probably Leukemia

About the dementia ... what, they just noticed? About the Leukemia ... I hope it hurts but I hope that his suffering doesn't last to long, if you get my meaning.

LINK:

.

Update: The Jerusalem Post reports that

Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the London-based Arabic daily al-Shark al-Awsat that doctors are also checking the possibility that Arafat may have been deliberately poisoned.

Because, you know, ya can't just go blaming the Jews without laying some groundwork.

Update: Whether or not the dementia diagnosis is true (and it may have been true for years), this is a clear sign that he is not coming back. The diagnosis paves the way for a permanent power transfer ... or at least the removal of Arafat's authority for "medical" reasons. Perhaps this is why the Palestinians, Jordanians, Egyptians, etc. were so eager to get him out of Ramallah ... I'm not sure that that diagnosis could have been announced there or that any doctor would have made such a diagnosis public (and lived). Now Arafat is isolated from his loyalists.

Update: Here's a link re: the leukemia from MSNBC.

While we're on the subject of the noxious, rotting mass murderer (Arafat, not OBL), here are some thoughts on him from BBC readers (selected by me ... click to see all of them):

Arafat is a sincere man and he has devoted most of his life to resolve the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict. I'd like to say a BIG thank you for all his efforts and I wish him a speedy recovery.
Amin, Birmingham, UK

I fear for the future if Chairman Arafat doesn't make it. I worry about the stability of the region if leadership is left to any one his potential successors.
Michael Brash, Glasgow, Scotland

It will be a blessing if he dies. He has ruined all our chances, encouraged violence; and has not had the wisdom to provide peace for the Palestinians.
Farid Al Atrache, Palestinian territories

If it were not for Mr Arafat, there would be no Palestinian resistance at all today. Stop blaming Arafat, just let the world enforce the UN resolutions and monitor and see who provokes the other. Israel and the US have enough military might to protect themselves. Palestinians don't and they are expected to protect the occupier. I am surprised today that the world is buying into this Israeli argument. It is Mr Arafat who has kept the struggle alive, so give him some credits for God's sake.
K. Al-Barwani, Oman

Once Arafat disappears from the scene will Israelis realise their mistakes and the opportunities they lost? Ironically, things might start improving for the Palestinians.
Oscar Lima, Brighton, UK

Like Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and George Washington, Yasser Arafat is a freedom fighter for his country.
Saeed, Muscat, Oman

Mr Arafat is the elected leader of the Palestinian people. He deserves respect from all peace loving people who desire peace in the Middle East. Unfortunately, Israel does not have a leader with a vision for peace with the Palestinians. Once an Israeli leader appears on the scene with the long term interest of the Israeli people, he will recognise that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and peaceful negotiations, and not by using F16s, Chinook helicopters and Abram tanks. Peace will be achieved once Israelis acknowledge a Palestinian state with the whole of the West Bank and Gaza and a unified Jerusalem with joint Israeli and Palestinian sovereignty and administration.
Ali Battashi, Muscat, Oman

Blaming Arafat for the continued violence is over simplistic and narrow minded. I guess if Sharon was captain of the Titanic he would blame the iceberg for the disaster.
Andonis K, Athens, Greece

Arafat, despite all disagreements with him, is and will be a symbol of resistance which he continued to be even at time of illness and physical weakness. They say that he has been an obstacle on the way to peace. I would say, yes he has been an obstacle to the American and Israeli version of peace i.e. surrender.
Ahmed, Wirral, UK

Although I detest his tyrannical and corrupt ruling over the Palestinian people, I believe one should not forget that Arafat is the elected leader of the Palestinian people. It's certainly none of my business or your business or certainly messes Sharon's and Bush's business to tell Palestinians whom they should have or should elect as their leader. What makes Israel so immune to be able to deny the re-entry of people's leader to their own land?
Mohammad, Tehran, Iran

Arafat lost the peace track by rejecting Clinton's offer and then resorted to violence (Intifada). He should have retired long ago. The man is obsessed with power and violence would not relinquish power, like other fellow Arab dictators, until his final rest in grave. In the Middle East, peace should restart with new blood and personalities.
Temam Ahmed, Khartoum, Sudan

As a French citizen, I'm proud to learn that Mr Arafat has chosen France to get medical assistance, it shows we share strong links of appreciation and confidence with Palestine. The US and Israel accuse us of being pro-Palestinian but I believe we are just supporting a suffering people that need to know it does have support in the West. Whatever might happen within the next days, I want to express my own support to the whole Palestine on behalf of France.
Bertrand, Avignon, France

Arafat may not be as effective as he was years ago. One of the reasons for his recent failure may be that the Bush administration ignores him completely. I don't know if he is essential for peace or not, but I do know that this man is a warrior. He has fought for the Palestinian cause all his lifetime and it is people like him that inspire the masses. He should always be a symbol, an icon, and should be treated as one.
Viswanath, Denver, USA

From BBCArabic.com: What have we gained from Arafat? We get nothing but talk. He is always compliant and he has done nothing for the Palestinians. My dear Palestinian brothers, tell the truth and don't be sentimental and don't be afraid. It's about time that you step in and choose your leader yourself. Call for elections now! Demand it, and don't be scared of anyone. It's about time that the Palestinian issue is resolved for the best of both, Palestinians and Israelis.
Summer Al-Baghdadi, United States

From BBCArabic.com: I wish him a fast recovery. He has always been a great icon for all the Palestinian people and a great leader that have given all his life to fight for peace and for his country.
Rana, UK

From BBCArabic.com: I think Arafat is vital for the peace talks with Israel, his departure means that we will have to wait for long time to secure a peace deal with Israel.
Abo Al Shabab, Germany

From BBCArabic.com: I wish he will get better. In my opinion, the President should have an agreement with the central committee to appoint a vice president in case of an emergency, in order to avoid any conflict over the succession, and then conduct democratic elections.
Ali, Sweden

Arafat, though with many faults, is a symbol of the struggle of his people against attempts of extermination by an overwhelmingly stronger and cruel enemy.
Amir, Plymouth

Arafat is a credible leader and is fighting a just cause. I wish he would live long enough to see the fruits of his struggle, like Mandela is doing. Mandela, like Arafat was branded a terrorist, in his fight against racial oppression. Even Dick Cheney voted against his release from prison. Now Mandela is even more respected than Bush and Cheney and Sharon. I am certain that after he had achieved his objectives, Mr Arafat would show the true qualities of leadership he possesses.
Mlungisi, Johannesburg, South Africa

If Arafat dies tomorrow, US and Israel will still blame him for terrorist acts. I am worry that bloodshed will erupt after his death and Israel will take this opportunity to annex the Palestinian lands in their territory as it was the case back in 1947/48 when Palestine did not have a government.
Khalid, Morocco

A leader of an occupied land, confined in his compound by the occupier for years, and he has to ask for permission to get treatment. Anyone shocked by how cruel occupation is? What a great era we live in!!
Tolga Dervesoglu, Izmir, Turkey

It surprises me how much hatred a man who fights for his people's freedom can inspire. Even if he dies, his cause won't die with him.
Manan, Manila, Philippines

For years we were told that the Palestinian's refusal to recognise Israel was the only obstacle to peace. Arafat bravely grasped that particular nettle and has since been vilified by Israel's friends the world over. Here's wishing the brave and honourable Mr Arafat a speedy recovery.
Mike Cassidy, La Rochelle, France

Yasser Arafat's illness is a devastating blow to any prospect of peace in the Middle East not to mention worldwide. The man deserves the recognition as one of the most dedicated leaders of his time. If this is the end of his time with us I hope someone of equal charisma and stature can take his place and fill the inevitable vacuum. Sean Montgomery, Belfast

Yasser Arafat is the symbol of unity for the Palestinians, after him there will be unbalance in leadership. He could bring peace to the region. I hope he will be healthy again.
Jamshed Iqbal, Bonn, Germany

He is a hero no matter what he fought for or what mistakes he made.
Rod Paget, Canada

It has become so trendy lately for people to keep saying that Arafat is the problem in the Middle East. He's made some mistakes along the way, as have all leaders, but compared to those around him (other Arab and Israeli leaders at least), he's done a good job.
Amal, Ramallah

Get well quickly Mr Arafat, the wider world and the majority of the peace loving Palestinian people need you.
Iain, Glasgow, UK

I only came back from Palestine last month and visited Arafat for about an hour. He gave us a very determined and heartfelt speech where he made clear there was 'Not One Voice' referring to Israeli aggression against his people. There is a chance of collapse within the Palestinian Authority if God takes his life away. But he is the democratically elected leader of Palestine and that is the bottom line!
Ismail, Preston, UK

The demise of Yasser Arafat would be the end of an era. He is one of the last towering figures in politics that survived so far from the middle of 20th century. In his own way he is a great man, who shaped the world and Middle East into what it is now. It may be good, it may be bad, but whoever he is - a terrorist or a protector of his land and people he ii a great figure on the world stage. I think that just like all great leaders Arafat will continue till his death, be it right or wrong.
Anonymous, Sweden

Yasser Arafat has done more for the Palestinian cause than any other individual. The critics may try hard to present him up as a terrorist leader. This is a naive oversimplification. Many current leaders were previously 'terrorists'. In the eyes of many Palestinian people he is a hero.
Nicos Souleles, Carlisle, UK

Although not a perfect leader and not without erroneous decisions, Arafat has generally been a positive influence in the Israel/Palestine conflict. I'm concerned about who would replace him and fear that his death may lead to in-fighting and turmoil within Palestine.
Pete, Worcester

All my thoughts and hopes are with Arafat. The rightful Nobel Peace Price winner is and has always been such an inspiration for freedom and peace. Exactly like Mandela in his time, he has always attempted to find a way towards peace despite repeated efforts by Israel to dwarf his importance. Only one Israeli leader had the vision and courage to go hand in hand with him towards peace. Iztak Rabin.
Anthony, London, UK

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 06:35 | link | comments (1) |

Do You Suppose The Kerry Folks Are Wound a Tad Tight Right Now?

Neil Cavuto of Fox, while discussing the bin Laden video with Alan Colmes, said that he thought Osama bin Laden was trying to influence the election for Kerry and made a joke about thinking that he saw Osama wearing a Kerry button. John Sasso, the senior advisor on Kerry's campaign plane lost it, screaming and demanding that the Fox rep be thrown off the plane. It's unclear what the altitude was at the time (joking, Kerry people ... please don't send Sasso after me).

Yeah, that's a loose, confident group.

Update:  ABC News has changed the content of the above link.  Here is the original text of the story:

KERRY CAMPAIGN BLOWS UP AT FOX, THREATENS TO THROW FOX OFF THE PLANE, BACKS OFF

KERRY CAMP OBJECTS TO 4:00pm FOX NEWS SEGMENT:

ALAN COLMES: "It's not like he (Osama bin Laden) had a Kerry-Edward bumper sticker in his cave."

NEIL CAVUTO: "But he's all but doing that, isn't he? I thought I saw a button."

KERRY CAMP ASKS FOR RETRACTION, DOES NOT GET ONE… JOHN SASSO BLOWS UP AT FOX PRODUCER ON PLANE: "Is that the one? Is that her? I want her off the plane tomorrow. I'm not kidding."

COMM. DIR. STEPHANIE CUTTER BACKTRACKS: "He (Sasso) was wrong to say that. We jumped all over him for it."

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 05:15 | link | comments (2) |
humor, the election

Labor Department Staff Believe Bush Will Win Big

They analyzed polls, economic reports, betting lines and a bunch of other factors and the verdict from some Labor Department staff members?  Bush in a probable landslide.  I don't know if I agree.  I do know that I hope that they are right.

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 04:55 | link | comments |
the election

Friday Night/Saturday Morning Poetry - The Farmer

I was actually looking for "Amaryllis" by Ellen Bryant Voigt.  In college it was one of my favorite poems and I knew it by heart.  Today, with the book ("Lotus Flowers") sitting in a box in my parents' garage and no longer able type it from memory, I searched online.  No dice.  Oh well, life is full of little disappointments and, speaking of little disappointments, here is a poem by Ellen Bryant Voigt on precisely that subject.  It's also an old favorite:

The Farmer
In the still-blistering late afternoon,
like currying a horse the rake
circled the meadow, the cut grass ridging
behind it. This summer, if the weather held,
he'd risk a second harvest after years
of reinvesting, leaving fallow.
These fields were why he farmed—
he walked the fenceline like a man in love.
The animals were merely what he needed: cattle
and pigs; chickens for a while; a drayhorse,
saddle horses he was paid to pasture—
an endless stupid round
of animals, one of them always hungry, sick, lost,
calving or farrowing, or waiting slaughter.

When the field began dissolving in the dusk,
he carried feed down to the knoll,
its clump of pines, gate, trough, lick, shute
and two gray hives; leaned into the Jersey's side
as the galvanized bucket filled with milk;
released the cow and turned to the bees.
He'd taken honey before without protection.
This time, they could smell something
in his sweat—fatigue? impatience,
although he was a stubborn, patient man?
Suddenly, like flame, they were swarming over him.
He rolled in the dirt, manure and stiff hoof-prints,
started back up the path, rolled in the fresh hay—
refused to run, which would have pumped
the venom through him faster—passed the oaks
at the yard's edge, rolled in the yard, reached
the kitchen, and when he tore off his clothes
crushed bees dropped from him like scabs.

For a week he lay in the darkened bedroom.
The doctor stopped by twice a day—
the hundred stings "enough to kill an ox,
enough to kill a younger man." What saved him
were the years of smaller doses—
like minor disappointments,
instructive poison, something he could use.

Ellen Bryant Voigt

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 03:30 | link | comments |
poetry

Additions to the Blogroll

I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking "as the election approaches, there just aren't enough blogs for me to read to figure out what's going on.  Well, I've got your back.  Here are a couple of blogs that you should definitely check out leading up to the election and beyond.  The first is Peppermint Patty, which is easily one of the best pinkish blogs in all the land.  Seriously, check it out.  Patty covers some interesting subjects.  As for the second addition, did you ever think to yourself "all of these bloggers are just too darned pedantic?"  Have I got a blog for you!!  Run, don't walk, to Anti-Pedanti.  Ben will break it all down for you.

Posted by: Jheka at October 30, 2004 00:41 | link | comments |
mensches

Final Election Results

Well, the easy part is done.  We have settled the East Coast and most of the midwest but the race remains undecided with several swing states in the balance.  As of the last update, President Bush led Senator Kerry in electoral votes 175 to 144.  Now let's take a look at the rest of the country.

First, let's look at the states that have gone for Bush by a wide margin.  These include Utah(5), North Dakota(3), South Dakota(3), Texas(34), Wyoming(3), Alaska(3), Kansas(6), Nebraska(5), Idaho(4), Oklahoma(7) and Montana(3).  These sure things raise the Bush electoral vote total to 251.  In other words, he is 18 votes away from victory (remember that a 269-269 tie is good enough for Bush (though, obviously, not politically ideal ... and Cheney may need that extra vote to remain VP)).

Now let's look at the remaining Kerry sure things.  It's not a long list:  California(55).  Yeah, it's not a long list, but it's the biggest prize on the board and gives Kerry 199 electoral votes.

Here are the remaining states, each and every one of which can go either way:  Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii (and you know Hawaii is in play when the Bush campaign sends Dick Cheney there and Kerry spends last minute money on ads in Hawaii), Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan and, of course, Ohio.

To no one's great surprise, Senator Kerry has taken both Washington(11) and Oregon (7).  President Bush, on the other hand has taken Colorado (9) (which also defeated their vote-splitting ballot initiative) and Arizona (10).  Those of you playing along at home with a calculator know that there are five states (Michigan, New Mexico,Ohio, Nevada and Hawaii) with 52 votes still out there and that, at this point, those states do not matter.  President Bush has hit the magic 270 number with John Kerry still idling at 217.  Amazing, no?  For all of the talk of Ohio and even Michigan being pivotal, it turns out that President Bush does not need those votes.  Nevertheless, let's clean up the map.  In what is probably the surprise of the election, Hawaii(4) reverses a long history of voting for Democrats (every single election except for Reagan in '84 and Nixon in '72) and votes for Bush.  I guess the Democrats should have taken the election of Governor Lingle (R) as a clue but they responded too late.  On the other hand, Senator Kerry takes Ohio(20), making President Bush the first Republican in history to win the White House while losing Ohio.  President Bush, in a reversal of 2000, takes New Mexico (5) which was, once again, very tight and also pulls out Nevada(5) and, finally, in another result that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago, takes Michigan(17) by a margin thin enough to require a recount, had the final tally been closer and depended on Michigan's 17 votes.  However, with President Bush coasting to a relatively comfortable 301 to 237 victory and with Florida not being as close as 2000, there will be no recounts.  Just the occasional riot, which might not be as bad.

Posted by: Jheka at October 29, 2004 17:51 | link | comments (1) |
humor, the election

Remembering Cleo A. Noel, Jr.

Click on Arafat's tombstone for more information.

Posted by: Jheka at October 29, 2004 16:08 | link | comments |

Milwaukee Gets It Right

Do you remember the shameless exploitation of Milwaukee schoolchildren by a pro-Kerry group that I told you about yesterday?  Well, it turns out that I wasn't the only one appalled at the idea of using public school children for partisan politics and now the Milwaukee school superintendent William Andrekopoulos has put an end to that bit of stupidity.  Good for you, Superintendent Andrekopoulos

Posted by: Jheka at October 29, 2004 02:11 | link | comments |
what s going right, the election

Wow, Do I Know My Politics or What?

This morning I wrote:

"I would LOVE to see Schilling stumping with Bush in, say, New Hampshire and Maine. Seriously, this has to happen, both for the votes and for the comedy."

This afternoon, the story breaks: Sox Pitcher To Appear With Bush In New Hampshire

Posted by: Jheka at October 28, 2004 14:04 | link | comments (4) |
what s going right, the election

Curt Schilling Comes Out For George W. Bush

Curt Schilling, the Boston Red Sox pitcher who is, at this moment, undoubtedly the most popular man in New England, has come out in favor of the re-election of President Bush. You know, that's pretty funny ... and pretty ballsy, given where he plays and who's running. I would LOVE to see Schilling stumping with Bush in, say, New Hampshire and Maine. Seriously, this has to happen, both for the votes and for the comedy.

Edit: Changed "Rhode Island" to "New Hampshire" because, obviously, I meant New Hampshire (RI isn't a swing state).

Posted by: Jheka at October 28, 2004 10:20 | link | comments (1) |
mensches, the election

Tomorrow's Picture Today: Yasser Arafat, BIH

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 22:01 | link | comments (3) |

Edward Shook - Complete Schmuck

Smile, Mr. Shook - you're on idiot camera.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 21:34 | link | comments |
schmucks, leftist idiocy, the election

George Herman 'Babe' Ruth, RIP

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 21:18 | link | comments |
miscellaneous musings

Election Returns Keep Rolling In

Here's something to read as we await good news from Ramallah.  Our crack election staff has just returned from next Tuesday and we have more results.  (See earlier election results here, here and here). 

As of our last update, President Bush was leading Senator Kerry in electoral votes 130 to113.  Today, we move towards the heartland as results continue to roll in.  First, Arkansas (6), which had been up in the air as of our second update, can now be placed in President Bush's column.  President Bush has also picked up Missouri (11), Indiana (11) and, in a reversal of 2000, Iowa (7).  To no one's surprise, Senator Kerry has picked up Illinois (21) and, also to no one's surprise, it doesn't look like Alan Keyes will get even 30% of the vote in what has to be one of the most lopsided political beatdowns in an election for an open Senate seat in history.  Time to pack up those carpetbags and see if MSNBC might have a timeslot available.  Maybe Keyes can co-host with McEnroe on CNBC.  It's not as if any fewer people can possibly watch.  The crew has to be there.

In the most closely watched race of the day, Ohio remains too close to call with 40% of the vote counted.  In a dangerous turn of events for the challenger, Michigan, which had once been considered to be safely in the Democratic column and was won by Vice President Gore by a solid 5.2% in 2000, remains too close to call at this time.  We can, however, now call Wisconsin (10) for President Bush, as it appears that he will reverse a narrow 2000 loss in the Badger state.  Lambeau, Senator Kerry.  LamBEAU.  However, in spite of a spirited effort, the Kerry campaign has managed to keep Minnesota (10) blue.

Thus, with 30 states and the District of Columbia counted the electoral votes stand as follows:  President Bush 175, Senator Kerry 144.  It's still anybody's election but if Senator Kerry doesn't take BOTH Ohio and Michigan, well, he's in serious trouble (if Kerry loses Michigan, he'll need a sweep of the western swing states, including Arizona, to get 270 electoral votes.  If he loses Ohio, he loses).  Stay tuned.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 19:32 | link | comments |
humor, the election

Kerry Supporters in Milwaukee Exploit Children to Get Out The Pro-Kerry Vote

That's right.  Wisconsin Citizen Action, a pro-Kerry group, is having Milwaukee public school children go door to door in minority neighborhoods on school time (and at taxpayers' expense) to encourage people to vote.  People who are statistically far, far more likely to be Kerry supporters than Bush supporters.  This exploitation is beyond disgraceful.  Question:  Do the children get a few packs of cigarettes each to hand out to reluctant voters like Democratic operatives did in 2000?  Just curious.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 13:35 | link | comments (1) |
schmucks, leftist idiocy, the election

If I Only Knew That All I Had To Do Was Ask

I would have done so long ago. Regardless, thanks for trying to make my whole year, Yasser. Now, finish the job so that Jimmy Carter will have somewhere to go this weekend.

Update:  Arafat in critical condition.  May his doctors' hands shake uncontrolably.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 13:08 | link | comments |
miscellaneous musings

Democrat Takes Political Expression to the Next Level

Florida moonbat and registered Democrat Barry Seltzer said that he was exercising "political expression" when he drove his car up onto a sidewalk and drove it at Congresswoman Katherine Harris and supporters that she was campaigning with before swerving at the last second to miss them. After the string of incidents including assaults, burglaries, shootings into Bush-Cheney offices, vandalism, threats, etc., is anyone really surprised by this? This is the next logical step. Any thoughts on what the step that follows this is? The Guardian has an idea.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 11:34 | link | comments |
schmucks, leftist idiocy

Bush Makes the Final Push

And he does it with style, bringing the campaign full circle. To paraphrase Carville, it's about protecting America, stupid. Check out the latest ad from the Bush campaign. Whatever it Takes.

Now consider the fact that the threat is still out there.

Update: In a bit of positive news for the Bush Campaign, TDB has learned that Teresa Heinz-Kerry is campaigning in Pennsylvania. Go Teresa!!

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 10:47 | link | comments |
the election

Today's Foreign Visitors

Another eclectic group today as we are visited by Canada , The Philippines , Spain , Israel , France and The Netherlands .

Welcome!!

Update: and Mexico and Switzerland

Busy day today. Welcome to The United Kingdom , Norway , Australia and New Zealand

And now another surprising visitor, this time from Beirut, Lebanon

Say what you want about Lebanon, it does have an interesting flag.

Hello Japan , hello Germany

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 09:08 | link | comments (1) |
miscellaneous musings

Die, Already

 









That is all.

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 02:03 | link | comments (2) |
schmucks, miscellaneous musings

9/10 vs. 9/12, on 11/2

The wonderful (and thus, much despised) Dr. Daniel Pipes succinctly defines the choice that faces America on November 2, 2004:  Do we want a 9/12 President or do we want a man with a 9/10 mentality to lead us?

Posted by: Jheka at October 27, 2004 01:52 | link | comments |
the election

Jews and the Democrats Who Hate Them

Anybody who has bothered to pay any attention over the past few years has seen irrefutable proof that the party of Tom Lantos and Joe Lieberman and Chuck Schumer and Gary Ackerman has transformed into the party of Al Sharpton and Cynthia McKinney and Jimmy Carter and Michael Moore.  Jews have always voted for Democrate but now, now that the most virulent anti-Semitism that this country has seen in two generaations, if not more, has found a comforatble, welcoming home in the Democratic Party, why will seventy to eighty percent of voting American Jews pull the lever for John Kerry next Tuesday?  Why are a smart people so self destructively dense when it comes time to vote?  Good question.  The Weekly Standard's Joel Engel asks it very eloquently:

FOR NEARLY SIXTY YEARS, since the birth of Israel, American Jews have faced accusations that they care more about the well-being of their ancient homeland than of their home. Well, barring some unforeseen circumstance, the canard of dual loyalty should be retired forever on November 2, 2004. On that Tuesday, Election Day, up to 80 percent of American Jews will pull the lever for John Kerry, thereby proving that they not only do not care about Israel's well-being, but that they don't mind making common cause with people who wish them ill. Or worse.

The evidence is overwhelming that acceptable anti-Semitism has moved from right to left on the political continuum, and that its philosophical home now resides in the Democratic party, which has become less the party of liberals than of leftists. Even before Al Sharpton stood as a presidential candidate last year, Democratic politicians genuflecting for black votes--Al Gore, Bill Bradley, and Hillary Clinton, for example--often trekked up to Harlem to kiss his ring. And yet, this was a man who in previous years had either led or instigated two anti-Jewish demonstrations, one in Crown Heights and one in Harlem, which together resulted in the deaths of eight people. Does that matter to Democrats and John Kerry? Apparently not. Sharpton was rewarded with a choice slot at the Democratic National Convention, something that is impossible to imagine being given to the likes of former Republican David Duke, whose incitements have frankly born far less blood than Sharpton's.

Put aside his disgraceful role in the Tawana Brawley hoax. The fact that Democratic candidate Sharpton never had to answer questions during primary season from either the press or the other contenders about his anti-Semitic statements (to wit: "diamond merchants" whose hands bear "the blood of innocent babies") should tell Jewish Democrats something important about their party. It should tell them that anti-Semites have found safety in numbers.

Partial proof of that was on display in a VIP box at the Democratic national convention, where two other prominent guests were seated shoulder to shoulder: Jimmy Carter and Michael Moore. Considering their on-the-record statements, it's not terribly difficult to imagine them leaning close during breaks to compare notes on Jewish conspiracies and the world's locus of evil, Israel.

Carter's antipathy toward the Jewish state is well-documented, as is his affection for Arab dictators, especially Yasser Arafat. This is a man who endorsed the results of the sham 1996 "election" that transformed Arafat from self-appointed "chairman" to "president" of the Palestinian Authority, while he continues to suggest that President Bush stole Florida and therefore the 2000 election. (Remember, too, that Carter recently ratified anti-American Hugo Chavez's election in Venezuela under dubious circumstances.) Last year's Nobel Peace laureate once confided to historian/biographer Douglas Brinkley how eager he'd been to meet Arafat (another laureate!) for the first time--and why he felt such an affinity for the terrorist leader. He believes that Arafat truly wants peace and that Ariel Sharon truly does not. He considers it self-evident that the whole of the West Bank and Gaza belong to the Palestinians, a bias evinced by his insertion of "the" before the word "territories" in his written discussion of United Nations Resolution 242, though "the" had been specifically and deliberately excluded from the resolution's wording in order to demonstrate that all permanent borders are to be negotiated in good faith. No wonder his Carter Center receives substantial funding from Saudi Arabia.

Please read the whole thing. and pass it along to your friends and family.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 23:56 | link | comments |
the election

A Look Into The Minds of Today's Media

Slate decided to poll their editors, writers, contributors, interns, etc.(52 people in all) to see who they will be voting for next Tuesday.  The results? completely unsurprising.  Forty ffive votes for Kerry, four votes for Bush (including one by a courageous intern), one vote each for Badnarek (Libertarian) and Cobb (Green) and one non-voting Canuck who supports Kerry (or, more accurately, opposes Bush).  Slate is the Mainstream Media and it's amazing that Bush got four votes.  That's less than 8% of the vote.  Now consider the fact that roughly 50% of the voting public in this country will be casting a vote for President Bush.  I wonder if the MSM ever stops to consider how completely out of touch with America they really are.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 18:56 | link | comments |
the election

Early Election Returns, the Sequel

When we last left you, the President had pulled out to an early 66-60 lead in the electoral college.  Now, with more of the vote counted, let's take a look at some of the states that had been too close to call.  With 35% of the vote in we can now call Maine (4) for Senator Kerry and no splitting of the electoral vote.  Additionally, in spite of Republican hopes, New Jersey (15) has gone for Kerry by a slim margin.  In a mild upset, New Hampshire (4) has once again sided with President Bush.  In spite of Senator Edwards' best efforts, North Carolina (15) is now comfotably in President Bush's column, as is Virginia (13), the Old Dominion.  Delaware (3), which was closer than expected, has nevertheless gone to the Kerry column but traditionally Democratic West Virginia (5) has gone to Bush in spite of its dismal econimic situation.  Now, as for the east coast's big prizes, President Bush has ridden Mel Martinez's coattails and a stronger than anticipated pro-Republican Jewish vote to a surprisingly comfortable Florida (27) victory.  There will be no need for a recount in Florida this time around and the only hanging Chad is an acrobat with Barnum and Bailey.  However, all is not rosie for the Bush campaign as it appears that Senator Kerry will managed to eek out a narrow victories innoth Maryland (10) and  Pennsylvania (21).  TDB is going to apply the Florida rule to that last one folks and ask your forgiveness in advance if we have to reconsider that projected outcome as more votes are counted.

With all of those results in, the current Electoral Vote totals stand at Senator Kerry 113, President Bush 130.  Stay tuned and remember, we're at least as reliable as CBS.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 18:14 | link | comments |
humor, the election

More Anti-Bush Thuggery

This time in Hollister, California.  If Bush wins, November 3, 2004 will be an ugly day.  Actually, maybe a nice, long recount is just what the country needs to let tensions dissipate a bit. 

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 15:48 | link | comments |
schmucks, leftist idiocy, the election

The Kerry-CBS Connection

Do you remember when, during memogate, the Kerry campaign did everything that it could to scurry away from the Dan Rather debacle ( leaving numerous unanswered questions about contacts between Kerry operative Joe Lockhart, liar Bill Burkett and CBS producer Mary Mapes)?  Well, one of the interesting questions at that time revolved around the speed with which the Kerry campaign was able to incorporate the forged memos story into a political ad (which it did pretty much immediately after the story broke).  Well, with bombgate upon us, the question has to be asked:  What did John Kerry know and when did he know it?  Consider this Kerry answer from John Kerry during the October 8, 2004 (second) Presidential debate:

The president did not do what was necessary. Didn't bring in enough nation. Didn't deliver the help. Didn't close off the borders. Didn't even guard the ammo dumps. And now our kids are being killed with ammos right out of that dump.

"Out of that dump."  Senator Kerry was clearly thinking of a specific ammo dump.  Coincidence? I don't think so.  During the first debate, John Kerry twice talked about the military's failure to guard "nuclear facilities."  At the time, a lot of people on both sides of the political aisle wondered what "nuclear facilities" Kerry was talking about.  Now we know. 

And now, even as another CBS/NY Times hit piece is unravelling, John Kerry has put out an ad featuring the New York Times article.  This ad was released within 24 hours of the publication of the article.  It was obviously filmed either the very same day or in advance of the New York Times' publication of the article.  Coincidence?  Do you even have to ask? 

John Kerry, the New York Times and CBS News ... working hand in hand to corrupt the democratic process.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 14:59 | link | comments |
schmucks, leftist idiocy, the election

The Media Declares Total War on Bush

Rarely am I actually enraged by a news story but folks, this is one of those times.  CBS "News" and the New York Times have completely abandoned any pretense of integrity, impartiality or journalistic ethics in their reporting of the "missing explosives" story.  Forget, for a moment, that the story appears to be falling apart at the seams just as memogate (CBS's most recent attempt to sabotage the Bush presidency and the electoral process... you know ... the one that CBS is  "investigating" very, very slowly "so as not to interfere with the presidential race") did. Forget, for a moment that CBS and the New York Times, once again, reported as fact a damaging story that got giant holes blown in it within hours of its release.  Forget that and consider the fact that CBS sat on a year and a half year old story in order to repackage it as an anti-Bush hit piece on the very eve of the election. 

This is the media version of total war. CBS, The New York Times and their fellow travellers no longer care about objectivity or ethics or maintaining their reputations.  They have risked everything, and will do anything to defeat President Bush.  If they were merely donating money or encouraging people to vote for Kerry or publicly broadcasting their allegiance, they'd be opponents of the Bush administration and those that support it.  However, by repeatedly using their positions of trust to lie and sabotage the American election, they have become enemies of America.  Pre-election bombers without the body count. The objective is the same; to swing the vote in a certain way by any means necessary.

You won't find too many stronger advocates of free press and free expressions than yours truly.  However, what certain people at CBS and the Times and some other media outlets have done and are doing goes well beyond "free press."  In fact, their actions are a desecration and a mockery of the ideals of a free and open press that the First Amendment is meant to protect and they need to be exposed and publicly vilified and it needs to happen right now, because you better believe they have more journalistic terrorism in mind, whether or not the stories that they will broadcast days and hours before the election ever actually happened.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 13:21 | link | comments |
schmucks, leftist idiocy, the election

What's Are Palestinian Children Watching

I have maintained for some time that there cannot be a Palestinian state for at least a generation because the generation of Palestinian children who are being raised in the territories right now has irredeemably poisoned by state sponsored, culturally ingrained hatred and will have neither the ability nor the inclination to live in peace with either their Israeli neighbors or, for that matter, with non-Islamist states in general.  A Palestinian state today would be a more radicalized Syria without the strong central government or community infrastructure and with the added burden of nearly universal poverty and a seething, unresolved loathing for its wealthier, more successful neighbor.  This point is driven home by the work of Palestinian Media Watch, which exposes the hatred preached on official Palestinian media outlets (which your tax dollars are paying for, no matter what country you're from).  Much of this hatred is preached directly to Palestinian children, who are encouraged to murder and die for Allah.  I'm sorry folks, a society that puts adorable puppets on state sponsored TV to encourage little children to commit mass murder is not a society that can be trusted with a state, an army or a seat at the international community table.  Before there can be any talk of a Palestinian state, there must be an aggressive and thorough de-programming campaign in the territories.  That means no more music videos depicting Jews as monsters, no more sermons on PA controlled television calling for the destruction of Israel, the United States or other nations, no more schoolbooks encouraging children to participate in jihad, etc.  There can be no Palestinian state until the airwaves, the printing presses and even the Mosques are wrested from the control of Islamists, anti-Semites and other assorted hatemongers.  Once that happens, the Palestinians really can begin to dream of a nation of their own ... one generation later.

Posted by: Jheka at October 26, 2004 02:58 | link | comments (1) |
miscellaneous musings

Early Election Returns, Part Deux

When we left you, yesterday, John Kerry was leading in the electoral college vote 60 to 23.  Today, we take another foray into the future and head into Dixie where things even up a bit.  As always, these results are guaranteed correct or your money back. 

With 25% of the vote counted, the South is an electoral vote wasteland for Senator Kerry and, as expected, a bonanza for the President as he takes Kentucky (8), Tennessee (11), Alabama (9), Mississippi(6) and Louisiana(9).  The only Old South state that remains too close to call is Arkansas.  Ot turns out that all those who had been saying that Tennessee and Loisiana would be close could not have been more wrong. 

As of this update, the race has tightened up but President Bush now takes a narrow electoral college lead, 66 to 60.  Stay tuned as we venture into the brutally competitive midwest, the west and, well before the votes are cast on November 2, 2004, we'll call each and every swing state ... and we'll be right ... or your money back!!

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