Translate


Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Inspiring Others

Hat tip Atlas Shrugs


Future of Islam in America: Khalid Yasin CAIR-STL...Michael Adebowale
Khalid Yasin                                                              Michael Adebowale
 
"The more I learnt the more interested I became which led to me listening to a lecture by Sheikh Khalid Yaseen, you may have heard of him?"

          

Michael Adebowale is one of the two savages who murdered and nearly decapitated Lee Rigby, a British soldier, on a British street this year in full view of passers-by. In the below article from Daily Mail (UK), Adebowale explains his inspiration to become a Muslim. It largely came from another convert, an American named Khalid Yasin, a man who says homosexuals should be punished by death; a man who has spoken at events held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Muslim Student Association chapters in the US.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531120/I-learned-purpose-life-U-S-hate-preacher-Killer-Lee-Rigby-reveals-inspired-Islamic-hardliner-says-little-support-Muslims-murder.html

It is called connecting the dots. CAIR insists that it is a moderate and mainstream Muslim organization. In reality, it has connections to the Muslim Brotherhood and is listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation trial involving Islamic charity funds being funneled to overseas terrorist organizations.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/12/cair-tied-american-imam-inspired-devout-muslim-who-beheaded-a-british-soldier-on-a-public-street-in-.html

So if you happen to see Mr Yasim come to your campus to speak on behalf of the Muslim Student Association, be sure and ask him how he feels being the inspiration to Michael Adebowale. He will probably explain that Adebowale "misunderstood" him.



Lee Rigby

How to Save That Russian Ship in the Antarctic

Who needs ice-breakers?

Christmas in Ottawa

Hat tip Revoltes en Europe

Summary of French text: Shi'ite Muslims in Ottawa chose Christmas Day to hold a parade in honor of the man they consider the rightful successor to the Prophet Mohammad, his grandson Hussein, who was assassinated in 680 AD and buried under a mosque in Karbala, present-day Iraq. With the goal of marking out their territory of conquest, it is no accident they also chose a church from which to begin their procession through the streets of Ottawa.

http://revoltes-en-europe.over-blog.com/article-canada-ville-d-ottawa-des-musulmans-defilent-dans-la-rue-le-jour-de-noel-121800837.html

Don't try this during Ramadan if you are a Christian living in places like Iran or Saudi Arabia.

MSNBC Embarrassment (of the Week) Melissa Harris-Perry


It's happened again. Another MSNBC host has had to issue an apology for making an outrageous statement. This time, it's Melissa Harris Perry, who combines all the worst of a university professor and liberal talking head. In this instance, Harris-Perry joined a panel of similar thinking folks who decided it was funny to mock the Romney family for having a black adopted baby.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/31/no-joke-msnbc-mitt-romney-and-black-child/

Isn't it amazing how MSNBC is still fixated on bashing Mitt Romney-a year after the election? The world could explode tomorrow and MSNBC's programming would still be devoted to telling us all the wrongs of the Republican Party.

And what is this tendency to make public apologies via Twitter? If the offending words were issued on TV, then it seems to me that the same venue is appropriate for the apology.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Saturday Night in Nigeria

Hat tip Jihad Watch


Meanwhile, the slaughter of Christians living in the majority-Muslim north of Nigeria continues.

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/international/africa/2013/12/extremists_kill_12_in_nigerian_christian_villages

Somebody might want to send this news to US Christian churches like the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena (Pastor Ed Bacon) and the Universalist Unitarian Church in Riverside (Reverend Angela Henderson) . They may like to ask their inter-faith partners (MPAC head Salaam Mariyati and LA CAIR head Hussam Ayloush respectively) what it is all about.

More From Russia on the Suicide Bombers

Hat tip Atlas Shrugs, Daily Mail, and Voice of Russia

Body: A victim lies in front of the station entrance as officials survey the damage
"Mischief"


Warning: Graphic images

There is conflicting information on the identity of the suicide bomber involved in the explosion at the Volgograd train station in Russia Sunday.

Initial reports identified  26-year-old Oksana Aslanova, born in Turkmenistan, but who moved to Daghestan, as the bomber. Her severed head was reportedly recovered from the scene and photos of it are on the web. Another report identifies the bomber as a man, a Russian convert to Islam named Pavel Pechyonkin.

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_29/Photos-of-female-suicide-bomber-that-killed-dozens-in-Russias-south-now-public-1600/

The below Daily Mail article has several pictures and a video of the actual explosion in the train station (graphic).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531254/Was-Volograd-train-station-suicide-bomber-Russian-paramedic-converted-Islam-joined-terrorist-cell.html

That makes three terror bombings in four days for Russia. (The third took place in Pyatigorsk.)

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/30/22103858-rush-hour-blast-kills-14-on-trolley-bus-in-volgograd-russia-3rd-deadly-attack-in-four-days?lite

The LA Times may have no clue as to who did this, but the Russians know quite well. It was Islamic terrorists from the North Caucasus, the same region that gave us the Boston Marathon bombing. Volgograd lost over 30 people alone on Sunday and Monday. That could have been Boston. Keep in mind that our government allowed the Tsarnaev family to immigrate here from Daghestan (part of the N. Caucasus) because of claimed persecution. In return, they attacked our Boston Marathon. In Russia, they are trying to stop the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Meanwhile via PJ Media and Weasel Zippers, here is a typical response from our State Department.

 http://weaselzippers.us/?p=166078

“In terms of security for Sochi, U.S. citizens planning to attend should remain alert regarding their personal security at all times. I think our security experts have said that criminal activity in Sochi is similar to other cities of comparable size. Obviously, major events such as the Olympic games are an opportunity for thieves or for other folks who want to cause mischief,” 

-Marie Harf-State Department spokesperson

Here's hoping Vladimir Putin lives up to his strong reputation and cracks down hard.

Benghazi Survivors: NY Times Report is "Complete Baloney"

Hat tip Breitbart





Talk about putting toothpaste back into the tube. Never mind what the people on the ground have said about the Benghazi attack. Never mind that the administration itself has owned up to the attack being carried out by terrorists after first trying to float the lie that it was the act of protesters upset over a video. The New York Times "knows better". Their report that reverts back to the video protest is being met with outrage from those who were actually present. Adam Housley of Fox News reports:

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2013/12/30/Benghazi-Witness-Outraged-By-NYT-Report




Update on Universities/Organizations Condemning ASA Resolution

Hat tip Miggie and AMCHA Initiative

Here is the AMCHA Initiative's update on responses to the resolution of the American Studies Assocaition calling for a boycott against Israeli academia.

http://www.amchainitiative.org/organizations-universities-condemned-american-studies-associations-academic-boycott-israel/

I note that no chapters of the Jewish Federation are on that list. I am not surprised.

In addition, if you are in the Santa Cruz area, my friend Tammi Benjamin of the AMCHA Initiative will be interviewed on the Ethan Bearman Show KSCO 1080 am at noon today. The topic will be campus anti-Semitism. I will try to pick it up online.

"You're a Friggin Jew! Er, Sorry-You're a Zionist!"

Hat tip Vlad Tepes

This video comes to us from London, via Vlad Tepes, where a demonstration was held outside St James Church. You will see an argument among 4 people, one of whom is pro-Israel and identifies himself as an Arab. (He apparently produced the video because in the captions, he is identified as "me".) He is engaging mostly with a grey-haired man labeled as "useful idiot". Early in the video, a woman identifies herself as Palestinian, asks him to turn his back, leave, and tells him she can tell by his features that he is Israeli, which the young man denies.  Most tellingly, at the 4:15 mark, another man (labeled as "barbarian"), who is pro-Palestinian, heatedly tells him that he is a "frigging Jew". He then catches himself and says, "Sorry. You are a Zionist."

This exchange is about 16 minutes long and is rather tedious after the above-mentioned portion.




To me, the comment by "barbarian" calling the man a "frigging Jew", is instructive. He then catches himself and changes it to "Zionist". That is the code word, but the man made a slip of the tongue.

You see, it is not so much about the land as it is about religion.

*Update: Hat tip Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers

Why St James Church in London? Here is some necessary background.

http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2013/12/crossing-line-in-london.html

France Dealing With a New Nazi Salute by its Anti-Semites

I learn something new everyday. In this case, I learn about a despicable, anti-Semitic  French comedian and his creation- the quenelle, a modified Nazi salute. I also learn something I didn't know about NBA basketball star, Tony Parker, a French citizen.

http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/12/29/wiesenthal-center-calls-on-nba-star-tony-parker-to-apologize-for-disgusting-and-dangerous-past-use-of-reverse-nazi-salute/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieudonn%C3%A9_M%27bala_M%27bala


I am heartened by the response coming from certain French leaders on this. As for Parker, I hope he will apologize for this and show us that he really doesn't share the feelings of this jerk, Dieudonne.
\
Update: Parker has apologized.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spurs-39-parker-apologizes-39-193401726--nba.html

The Volgograd Attacks

Tip of the hat to Vlad Tepes, Chris and the Siberian Times
No tip of the Hat to the LA Times

Note: Graphic images


Stalingrad then-Volgograd now: Note the iconic sculpture in front of the train station


Siberian woman alleged to be 'black widow' suicide bomber in terrorist strike in Volgograd 
-Siberian Times


The Russian city of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) has been hit by two suicide bombings in less than two days with over 30 dead. Ironically, it seems we get more details on the perpetrators from a Russian newspaper than we can from the LA Times.

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-volgograd-russia-suicide-bomb-attacks-20131230,0,6572881.story#axzz2oyJM6R6x

Here is the Russian report which identifies the train station bomber.

http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/siberian-woman-alleged-to-be-black-widow-suicide-bomber-in-terrorist-strike-in-volgograd/


Oksana Aslanova


What the LA Times seems reluctant to tell its readers is that the Volgograd attacks are Islamic. We are talking about the same region of Russia, the North Caucasus, that gave us the Brothers Tsarnaev, and which has just given Russia the Volgograd attacks.





From Vlad Tepes: Video images of the train station attack (graphic)




It is beyond shameful that Western media like the LA Times will not inform its readers about where the terror threat is coming from. If the public is not informed, how can they protect themselves? If we cannot identify the threat, how can we ever defeat it?

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Confronting Rising Anti-Semitism

Hat tip Americans for Peace and Tolerance.org




This is a welcome video coming out of  New Orleans. It is produced by the Boston-based Americans for Peace and Tolerance, an organization that for years has been sounding the warnings about radical Islam being spread out of the Islamic Society Cultural Center of Boston in Roxbury, linked to convicted terrorists Tarek Mehanna, Abdurrahman Alamoudi, Aafia Siddiqi, as well as Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al Qaradari, and its sister mosque in Cambridge, from which sprout the brothers Tsarnaev.

The video addresses the rising anti-Semitism and focuses on the efforts to boycott Israel. It is especially welcome because the focal point of the boycott drive and resultant anti-Semitism is on our university campuses. In this video, there are at least two shots of UC Irvine, where I teach part-time. That is no accident. Over the past decade, UCI has experienced some pretty ugly scenes and heard some vile rhetoric coming out of the mouths of many pro-Palestinian speakers.

It is time for a new breed of speakers to start appearing on university campuses, speakers like the young lady in the video to come and educate college students about the rising problem of anti-Semitism, which is mostly fostered by pro-Palestinain advocates.

Russia Hit by Suicide Bomber

The southern Russian city of Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, the site of a famous World War II battle was hit by a suicide bomber.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/12/29/at-least-10-dead-after-explosion-at-russian-railway-station/?intcmp=latestnews

Hopefully, this tragedy will bring Russia and the US closer together in the war on terror.


Latest Bombing in Egypt at Military Intelligence Building

I wonder who the Muslim Brotherhood will blame this on.


http://news.yahoo.com/blast-near-northern-egypt-intel-building-39-wounds-105330684.html

University Statements Against ASA Resolution

Hat tip Legal Insurrection and JJ Surbeck (T.E.A.M. San Diego)


As the avalanche of condemnations of the American Studies Association resolution calling for an academic boycott of Israel pours in, Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson of Legal Insurrection has done a great job of compiling all the universities as well as their official statements. In addition, my friend and colleague, JJ Surbeck, head of T>E>A>M> (Training and Education About the Middle East) chapter in San Diego has made up excerpts with  a grade assigned as to the strength or weaknesses of the statement. Of particular note are the comments of UC San Diego home of the president of ASA, Professor Curtis Marez, and those of UC Irvine (where I teach part-time), which includes a salute to the Olive Tree Initiative, which Surbeck describes, accurately in my view, as a front for pushing the Palestinian narrative.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The American Studies Association idiotic vote to boycott Israeli academia has triggered an unprecedented and probably unexpected nationwide backlash. Statements condemning their vote (and the ASA itself, deservedly so) are pouring in. Keeping track of the flood of protests is no easy task. 

Professor William A. Jacobson from Cornell Law School is doing a fantastic job of listing all the colleges rejecting one way or another the ASA anti-Israel boycott snafu. His blog is worth visiting (legalinsurrection.com). There he lists the official declarations from all the colleges that have declared so far their rejection of the ASA boycott resolution (the full list is here: http://tinyurl.com/nytvj85). The original text of each rejection can be found here:http://tinyurl.com/mf3fl53 (and keep in mind that more are added every day). In a related post (http://tinyurl.com/muxh7y7), Prof. Jacobson also lists all the colleges that still have a membership in the ASA (83 universities), so there is still room for plenty more denunciations. 

But not all statements are equal. Some are strong and leave no room for ambiguity, while others are so weak one can’t help question the sincerity of their authors. What is interesting here for us in San Diego is that UCSD is the only campus of the UC family with a membership in the ASA, which the dean has so far not bothered to denounce by name, let alone move away from. Overall, the UCSD statement compares very poorly when examined side by side with most of the others. 

Given how tedious it can be to read through all these official statements, I have extracted the key sentences in each, making it easier to go through. The key elements to look for in each statement is a clear identification of the ASA and of Israel by name, preferably with a mention of the fact that the college concerned opposes or rejects the ASA resolution. My comments are in parentheses after each one, starting with the Californians. All the others listed (so far) are in alphabetical order below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

University of California System (from UC President Janet Napolitano): "An academic boycott goes against the spirit of the University of California, which has long championed open dialogue and collaboration with international scholars.”
(Strength of the statement: very weak. Neither the ASA nor Israel are identified and named. This type of mealymouthed general statement sends the wrong message.)

University of Caifornia Berkeley“A recent decision by the American Studies Association, ASA, to impose an academic boycott on Israel is a regrettable step that subverts academic freedom…  UC Berkeley fully supports the position taken by the Association of American Universities, AAU, against this academic boycott.”
(Strength of the statement: good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned, although referring to the ASA resolution as merely regrettable is indeed very regrettable.)

University of California San Diego"We affirm the right of the faculty to advance their scholarship and research through open dialogue with academic colleagues in all countries. UC San Diego faculty collaborations draw on richly diverse ideas and views around the globe, including in the Middle East. Excluding scholars limits discussion and conflicts with the University of California’s highest aspirations."
(Strength of the statement: embarrassingly weak. Neither the ASA nor Israel are identified by name. Like Janet Napolitano’s statement for the UC System, it is wishy-washy and shows an shameful lack of spine. A new version, inspired from some of the stronger ones listed below, would be welcome to restore UCSD’s credibility).

University of California Irvine“… Members of the American Studies Association recently approved a resolution calling for a boycott of Israeli higher-education institutions. …  we believe the ASA resolution interferes with academic freedom. We stand behind the position recently announced by the Association of American Universities (http://www.aau.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=14859)… UC Irvine has … established bonds with students in Israel and Palestine through the Olive Tree Initiative."
(Strength of the statement: weak and ambiguous. To merely say that the ASA resolution “interferes with academic freedom” is stating the obvious, not rejecting it. Then referring to another group’s statement rather than stating their own is suspicious at best (why not say it directly, even if it is a mere repetition?). And finally to mention the Olive Tree Initiative as proof of their bona fide shows either their bad faith or their cluelessness since said group is a known front pushing the Palestinian narrative.)

University of Southern California“… Recently, USC was erroneously identified as an institutional member of the American Studies Association, an organization that calls for academic boycott of Israel. We confirmed with that organization that we are not currently a member and have requested they immediately remove any reference to the University of Southern California as an institutional member of that association…. USC supports the statement of the Association of American Universities that strongly opposes a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.”
(Strength of the statement: good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned, although it could have been stated more simply and directly.)



American University (D.C.)"American University joins other universities and colleges opposing the American Studies Association (ASA) resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions."
(Strength of the statement: very good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

Boston University“… disappointed and concerned that the American Studies Association, invoking the principle of academic freedom, would vote to boycott Israeli academic institutions. … It is ill-advised to make academic institutions the instrument with which to promote a political agenda by attempting to isolate students and scholars. Boston University cannot support this boycott.”
(Strength of the statement: goodBoth the ASA and Israeli academic institutions are clearly mentioned, but to merely say that BU “cannot support this boycott” is odd: are there any other boycotts that whey would support, thus contradicting the very statement they made regarding this one?)

Bowdoin College: "Bowdoin College does not maintain an institutional membership with the American Studies Association, but I disagree with and reject the organization’s recently announced boycott of Israeli academic institutions.”
(Strength of the statement: very goodBoth the ASA and Israeli academic institutions are clearly mentioned and the boycott “rejected".)

Brown University“Brown University does not support academic boycotts against Israel or any other country.”
(Strength of the statement: not great. The ASA is not mentioned, only that BU does not support “boycott against Israel”.)

Cornell University: "From the university’s inception nearly 150 years ago… Cornell and members of its faculty have had many working relationships and formal agreements with academic institutions around the world."  
(Strength of the statement: very weak. This generic bla-bla neither identifies the ASA as the offender nor Israel as the unfairly targeted victim. Shame on Cornell.)

Dickinson College"…. Dickinson continues to strongly oppose all academic boycotts, and we remain committed to working with Israeli institutions of higher education, including our partner programs at Hebrew University and Ben-Gurion University. The ASA boycott silences the global dialogue in which Dickinson so actively engages." 
(Strength of the statement: very goodBoth the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned and there is no room for ambiguity.)

Florida International University“… The resolution of the ASA would impose restrictions on the academic freedom of Israeli scholars and of scholars from FIU and elsewhere who interact with them. Such restrictions are antithetical to the freedom of inquiry identified by our Board as essential to an engaged university seeking solutions to global problems….. We support research and scholarly dialogue among all scholars including full participation of Palestinian as well as Israeli academics."
(Strength of the statement: just OK. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned, but there is no clear rejection of the ASA boycott.)

George Washington University: …. The university has multiple academic, research and programmatic relationships with Israeli institutions and plans to continue these relationships as well as explore new ones. 
(Strength of the statement: not great. The ASA is not mentioned, only “Israeli institutions” are, and there is no rejection of the boycott.)

Hamilton College"Hamilton College is not a member of the ASA and we do not support the boycott.”
(Strength of the statement: OK. Brief and to the point, but it would have helped to mention Israel).

Harvard University"The recent resolution of the ASA proposing to boycott Israeli universities represents a direct threat to these ideals, ideals which universities and scholarly associations should be dedicated to defend."
(Strength of the statement: OK. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned. A clear rejection of the boycott is missing, though.)

Haverford College"Although Haverford College is not an institutional member of the American Studies Association, we write to express our opposition to their proposed boycott of Israeli academic institutions...”
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned and the boycott rejected.)

Indiana University: “Indiana University joins other leading research universities in condemning in the strongest possible terms the boycott of institutions of higher education in Israel as proposed by the American Studies Association and other organizations…. Indiana University will contact the ASA immediately to withdraw as an institutional member. We urge the leadership of the ASA and other associations supporting the boycott to rescind this dangerous and ill-conceived action as a matter of urgency.”
(Strength of the statement: perfect. All the elements of the ideal statement are here. Kudos to IU.)

Johns Hopkins: "The American Studies Association voted recently to boycott Israeli academic institutions. Two other organizations of scholars have announced similar boycotts. …  We, therefore, reject the ASA’s efforts to impose a boycott on institutions of higher education in Israel or any other nation.”
(Strength of the statement: very good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned, twice. And rejection of the boycott is clearly spelled out.)

Kenyon College: “… I reject the notion of a boycott of academic institutions as a geopolitical tool. I concur with the decision of our American Studies program to withdraw as an institutional member of the ASA.”
(Strength of the statement: not great. Only the ASA is mentioned. Israel is not.)

Lehigh University: "Lehigh University strongly opposes the American Studies Association’s (ASA) boycott of Israeli academic institutions… 
(Strength of the statement: very good. Clear and to the point, although the full text is much more verbose.)

Middlebury College: "Last week the American Studies Association (ASA) announced that a majority of its members voted in favor of a resolution calling for an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions. Middlebury College unequivocally opposes that resolution. ... In addition, the singling out of Israel for this action is astounding given the rationale for the resolution.”
(Strength of the statement: excellent, possibly the best. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

New York UniversityTo the Executive Committee of the American Studies Association: We write on behalf of New York University to express our disappointment, disagreement, and opposition to the boycott advocated by your organization of Israeli academics and academic institutions. 
(Strength of the statement: very good. Couldn’t be more clear. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned.)

Northwestern University: "... the American Studies Association approved a resolution calling for a boycott of Israeli higher education institutions. …. Northwestern University disagrees strongly with the boycott vote of the ASA. Northwestern for years has had highly successful and valued joint degree programs and extensive partnerships with Israeli institutions and scholars."
(Strength of the statement: very good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned.)

Ohio State University:  "We join with the Association of American Universities and others in strongly opposing any boycott of Israeli higher education.”
(Strength of the statement: good, but weakened by the fact that the ASA is not mentioned at all.)

Purdue University: "Purdue University President ... issued a statement … about the proposed boycott of Israeli institutions of higher education:… This is as clear a violation of academic freedom as one can imagine… We (Purdue) do not appear to have any institutional relationship with the American Studies Association, but are checking to see whether any of our departments do.
(Strength of the statement: weak. The ASA is mentioned as an aside and Israel is not at all. Convoluted and confusing.)

Rutgers University: "Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, joins peer institutions — including fellow members of the Association of American Universities (AAU) — in rejecting the American Studies Association’s boycott of Israeli institutions of higher education.
(Strength of the statement: very good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned and the boycott clearly rejected.)

Smith College“…. The college rejects the American Studies Association’s proposed boycott of Israeli universities and will continue to support our students and faculty in pursuing opportunities in Israel and with their Israeli counterparts.”
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned, and so is SC’s rejection of the boycott.)

Stanford University: "Stanford University does not support an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions. Stanford agrees with the position taken by the Association of American Universities on Dec. 20…“
(Strength of the statement: good, but the ASA is not even mentioned.)

Trinity College (CT)"Our Dean ... wish to go on record renouncing the boycott of Israel on the part of the ASA. … In this strange case, why the ASA would propose an academic boycott of Israel and not, for example, of Syria, the Sudan, North Korea, China, Iran, Iraq, or Russia escapes rational thought."
(Strength of the statement: good, with the added welcome mention of other countries deserving boycotts far more than Israel, but the use of the word “renounce” in reference to the ASA’s boycott is a little odd.)

Tufts University"Tufts University strongly opposes the resolution of the American Studies Association (ASA) to boycott Israeli academic institutions.”
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

University of Alabama System and Birmingham Southern College“… The American Studies Association’s decision to endorse a boycott of Israeli academic institutions is very disappointing.”
(Strength of the statement: weak. While the ASA and Israel are mentioned, to call its decision merely disappointing and failing to clearly condemn or reject it is itself very disappointing.)

University of Chicago:  “... we oppose boycotts of academic institutions or scholars in any region of the world, and oppose recent actions by academic societies to boycott Israeli institutions.”
(Strength of the statement: weak. The ASA is not mentioned, only "Israeli institutions” are.)

University of Cincinnati: “I oppose the American Studies Association boycott of universities and research institutions in Israel."
  (Strength of the statement: good. Short and sweet: both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott rejected.)

University of Connecticut"The recent votes of two scholarly societies — the American Studies Association and Association for Asian American Studies — to endorse the Palestinian boycott of Israeli academic institutions is contrary to both academic freedom and the international exchange of ideas. The University of Connecticut joins the American Association of University Professors in firmly opposing all such boycotts.”
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

University of Delaware: "The University of Delaware rejects the decision of the American Studies Association to endorse an academic boycott of Israel."
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned and their position is as simply and strongly stated as is possible.)

University of Maryland"We firmly oppose the call by some academic associations—American Studies Association; Asian-American Studies Association—to boycott Israeli academic institutions. Any such boycott is a breach of the principle of academic freedom that undergirds the University of Maryland and, indeed, all of American higher education." 
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

University of Maryland – Baltimore County"A recent vote by members of the American Studies Association (ASA) endorsed a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. We oppose academic boycotts because they are inconsistent with the tenets of academic freedom and open scholarly inquiry."  
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly identified and the boycott strongly rejected.)

University of Miami"We join with other higher education institutions in rejecting the actions of the American Studies Association as misguided, inappropriate, and hostile to the larger purposes of learning, academic freedom, and intellectual exchange— which are fundamental missions of American higher education."
(Strength of the statement: OK. The ASA is clearly mentioned and its action rejected, but Israel is not mentioned.)

University of Michigan"The University of Michigan strongly opposes the boycott of academic institutions in Israel that was recently endorsed by several academic associations. …”
(Strength of the statement: OK. The ASA is clearly mentioned and its action rejected, but Israel is not mentioned.)

University of Texas – Austin"The Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities strongly opposes a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. Three U.S. scholarly organizations have now expressed support for such a boycott. ... The boycott of Israeli academic institutions therefore clearly violates the academic freedom not only of Israeli scholars but also of American scholars who might be pressured to comply with it.”
(Strength of the statement: weakEven though Israeli academic institutions are identified as the victim of the boycott, the ASA is not mentioned, and neither is the actual position of the UoT at Austin.)

Washington University in St. Louis: "Washington University is deeply troubled and dismayed that the American Studies Association (ASA) , among others, has engaged in a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. …. This boycott clearly violates the academic freedom not only of Israeli scholars but also of American scholars who might be pressured to comply with it."
(Strength of the statement: good. Both the ASA and Israel are clearly mentioned. Rejection of the boycott is not mentioned but implied strongly enough.)

Wesleyan University"… the [ASA] boycott is a repugnant attack on academic freedom, declaring academic institutions off-limits because of their national affiliation. The ASA has not gone on record against the universities in any other country in the world: not against those that enforce laws against homosexuality, not against those that have rejected freedom of speech, not against those that systematically restrict access to higher education by race, religion or gender. No, the ASA listens to civil society only when it speaks against Israel. As its scholarly president declared, “One has to start somewhere.” Not in North Korea, not in Russia or Zimbabwe or China — one has to start with Israel. Really?”
(Strength of the statement: excellent. Expressed on a more polemical tone than any of the others, WU’s statement goes nevertheless to the heart of the problem presented by the ASA’s absurd double standard.)

Willamette University“… I have never received any request from any faculty member here (or at my previous institutions) asking me to support a boycott of Israel, nor would I be receptive to such a request.”
(Strength of the statement: OK. , but the ASA is not mentioned.)

Yale University“…I stand with the Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities in my strong opposition to a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. …”
(Strength of the statement: OK. , but the ASA is not mentioned.)

Yeshiva University I have always rejected academic boycotts of any kind & of course YU, as it has & always will, stands w/ Israel.
(Strength of the statement: OK. , but the ASA is not mentioned here either.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-- 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Sister Hatune Dogan Speaks at an Austrian Cathedral

Hat tip Vlad Tepes


I am cross-posting this video from Vlad Tepes. In the video, recorded December 10 in the St Stephans Cathedral in Vienna,  Sister Hatune Dogan,  a native of Turkey who had to leave the country because of her Christian beliefs, describes her recent visit to the Middle East to aid Syrian refugees. She tells of the persecution on-going against the Syrian Christian community. It is in German with English sub-titles.



Needless to say, this is a speech that should be given in every church in the world. Instead we get Western Christian (and Jewish) clerics who will not mutter a word because they don't want to offend their Muslim partners in interfaith activities-activities which do not include asking their Muslim counterparts why Christians are being persecuted all over the Muslim world. I vividly remember attending the annual conference of the Muslim Public Affairs Council held in December 2012 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, which is ministered by a progressive pastor named Ed Bacon. On that day, Bacon told his audience that the history of Christianity was littered with evil and included something called "Evangelical Zionism" as one of the examples.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2012/12/mpac-convention-at-all-saints-church-in.html

It would be refreshing if just one of these Christian pastors in the West protested to their Muslim counterparts about the treatment of Christians in the Muslim world. Make it an issue. Let them know that we are paying attention to what is happening. Tell them that until the persecution stops we will not accept their blandishments about all being part of the Abrahamaic faith and peace and love, etc.

Instead we get lectures about "Evangelical Zionism".


New York Times Trying to Fog up Benghazi



Rep. Peter King is blasting the New York Times over a report they have published that tries to muddy the waters over the Benghazi attack, basically trying to take us back to the claim that there was no terrorist involvement, and it really was over a video tape produced in the US that mocked the Prophet Muhammad.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/28/gop-congressman-blasts-ny-times-benghazi-claims-as-misleading/

Just one problem, NY Times: The administration has admitted that it was a terrorist attack after their claims of a videotape were proven to be false.

So why is the Times trying to rehabilitate the administration now, specifically President Obama and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

I think I answered my own question.

It seems to me that the Times is trying to prepare the way for an inevitable Clinton presidential campaign in which the issue of her poor performance before, during, and her lies after Benghazi will be not be a big campaign. issue.



If true, this is another example of how far the Times has sunk under Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. (who we were just writing about a couple of days ago).

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-new-york-times-then-and-now.html

Religous Cleansing and the World's Lack of a Response

Hat tip Jihad Watch, Coptic Solidarity and Frontpage Magazine


Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch has written this piece which has appeared in Frontpage Magazine and cross-posted by Coptic Solidarity. In this piece, Spencer describes the persecution of Christians in Islamic lands and decries the lack of a response in the West, both from our political and religious leaders, the latter of whom are too deeply engaged in interfaith activities with so-called moderate American Muslims. Note that this piece was authored shortly before Christmas and Spencer foresaw another Christmas attack in the Muslim world on that day.

http://www.copticsolidarity.org/media-news-events/opinion/2268-the-jihadist-cleansing-of-christianity-from-the-holy-land

"Thus the one thing we can be certain of at Christmas 2013 and into the new year is that Islamic jihadists will kill more Christians. And there is one other certainty as well: no one will care."

Spencer was right: It happened in Iraq and 37 people died.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/12/25/bomb-attacks-on-christians-in-baghdad-kill-37/


CNN's Brian Stelter: The Media Overreacted to the Boston Bombing

Hat tip Real Clear Politics and Jihad Watch


This is one that makes you want to shoot your TV set. CNN reporter Brian Stelter being interviewed by CNN host Carol Costello  says that the media over-reacted to the Boston Marathon Bombing

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/12/27/cnns_brian_stelter_media_overreacted_to_boston_marathon_bombings.html

Where to begin? This is exactly a large part of the problem when it comes to Islamic terrorism. Our leaders won't tell us what the problem is, and neither will our media. For years, the mainstream media has been downplaying the threat of Islamic terrorism and it continues today with types like Stelter.

So here we have an act carried out by two so-called refugees from the Russian Caucasus, who repaid our generosity by setting off two bombs on a  crowded sidewalk at a large public event. It is a miracle that more were not killed and maimed.

And this boob thinks the media overreacted???

At least he answered Costello's query as to why the media is held in such low esteem.

John Kerry Heading Back to Middle East (Yawn)

Hat tip Gatestone Insitute and JJ




"Peace ahoy!"


John Heinz Kerry is on his way back to the Middle East in search of that elusive peace between Israel and the folks who are determined to wipe her off the map.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/28/kerry-returns-to-israel-to-talk-with-leaders-about-peace-negotiations-amid-new/

What's more, even the Palestinians are fed up with John-John. Mahmoud Abbas, backed up by the Arab League, is taking a hard stance (as usual). See the below article by Khaled Abu Toameh in the Gatestone Institute.

 http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4109/arab-league-palestinians-john-kerry

  • No to a demilitarized Palestinian state;
  • No to recognizing Israel as a Jewish state;
  • No to a solution that does not include all of east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state;
  • No to another interim agreement with Israel and, of course,
  • No to the presence of any Israeli soldiers in the Jordan Valley.
Have a nice trip, Mr. Kerry. Don't forget to try the hummus.

Richard Falk (Continued)

Hat tip Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers





I am cross-posting an article running today on Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers on UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Richard Falk, a discredited American academic, who aligns himself with the Palestinian forces trying to destroy Israel-forces that know nothing about human rights, I might add. This is a supplement to a post I did on Falk a few days ago.

http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2013/12/sabeel-hosts-911-truther-richard-falk.html

This guy Falk has a rare ability to make statements and identify himself with fringe characters and organizations like Kevin Barrett, 9-11 truthers and SABEEL. I mean this is a guy who thinks George W Bush carried out 9-11 and the Boston bombing was a result of our relationship with Israel. I also note to my embarrassment that in recent years, Falk has been some sort of researcher at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Probably researching the Palestinian contribution to building the Santa Barbara mission.

Where do we find such scholarship?

University Backlash Against ASA Resolution

Hat tip Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers and CAMERA


As any reader of this site knows, I don't hesitate to criticize academia. To its credit, however, the list of universities continues to grow of those who are speaking out against the anti-Israel academic boycott resolution of the American Studies Association. The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) has an excellent collection of statements issued by universities and other academic associations including the much larger Association of American University professors, hardly a conservative-led group. As opposed to the 5,000 members of ASA, AAUP consists of some 48,000 members.

http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=118&x_article=2610

The message here should be loud and clear: These ASA folks would be the first to scream academic freedom when they don't get their way. Yet they would deny that same academic freedom to academics and universities in Israel. In addition, we don't see them passing resolutions to boycott universities and academics in places like Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, China, or dozens of other countries where human rights don't exist. Only Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, the only nation that protects religious minority rights. Why is that?

"We have to start someplace," is the answer of ASA President Professor Curtis Marez of UC San Diego. How disingenuous. No, it is because the entire boycott effort against the Jewish state is well-orchestrated by Palestinian activists and their operatives on university campuses all over North America (including Canada). Why do you think that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the number one issue of contention on campuses everywhere? The various Muslim Student Associations and their sister group, Students for Justice in Palestine, work very hard to ensure that, much to the annoyance of the vast majority of students on campus, most of whom won't speak out lest they be accused of being "Islamophobic Zionists" or some such rot.

So kudos to the universities who are standing up and telling the ASA that they can pass all the resolutions they want. It's not going to change a thing. It's just a lot of noise, much like the cheering of the Wrigley Field bleacher bums.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Kathleen Sebelius-2013 Fousesquawk Jerk of the Year

Hat tip John Speedie for audio




Few government apparatchiks have done as much damage to so many Americans as Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

As the prime implementer of Obamacare, she gave new meaning to the oft-heard complaint of "death panels" this year when she refused to use her authority to grant a transplant waiver for a dying 12-year-old girl. Only the intercession of a judge enabled the girl to get a life-saving transplant. Sebelius, in explaining her rationale, was quoted as saying, "Some people live and some people die."

http://www.ijreview.com/2013/06/57023-sebelius-hides-behind-rules-refuses-to-help-dying-child/

But when the Obamacare roll out proved to be such a disaster, Sebelius took center stage across the nation. She looked for people to blame other than herself and the president. She blamed the Republicans. (Apologies to Tommy Lasorda and the late Al Campanis.)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/26/sebelius-suggests-republicans-to-blame-for-obamacare-website-woes/?intcmp=HPBucket

At all costs, Sebelius protected President Obama. He, of course, was never told there were any problems with the roll out web site.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/sibelius-falls-on-her-sword-sort-of.html

In addition, she misled Congress about the web site.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/more-lies-surrounding-obamacare.html

And she blamed the web site contractors.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/sibelius-calls-for-investigation-of.html

Incredibly, this woman, in spite of her arrogance, incompetence and her lying, remains in office. I can only attribute that to the belief that she is protecting Obama and his own incompetence and dishonesty with the American people about this health care train wreck.

But the web site is the least of the problems. Already, over 5 million people have lost their insurance. The whole situation today is in chaos as Obama grants deadline delays and  waivers that are driving the insurance companies and state agencies involved in the sign ups nuts. In 2014, the effects of Obamacare will play themselves out with even more disastrous results for tens of millions of Americans. For 2013, Kathleen Sibelius richly deserves her Golden Penguin as the Fousesquawk Jerk of the Year.

DOJ Charges "Knockout" Hate Crime

It was so predictable. After a wave of "knockout" incidents in East Coast cities by blacks  targeting whites and Jews, the Eric Holder Justice Department has charged a 27-year-old white thug for carrying out a similar crime against a 79 year-old-black man.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/27/doj-charges-knockout-game-suspect-with-hate-crime-why-now/

Let me be clear: I have no sympathy whatsoever for Conrad Barrett, the man charged with carrying out the crime. Depending on his previous record, I hope he gets a long term in prison to think about his deed.

Yet the obvious question must be asked: Why now? Why hasn't the Justice Department stepped in in all these previous cases which involved black on white "knockout" assaults? Aside from whites in general, Jews have been specifically targeted. Where was the Justice Department?

The conclusion that must be drawn is that this Justice Department does not consider black on white assaults to be hate crimes no matter how clear it is they were racially motivated. Thus, only certain "victim groups" are protected. That apparently does not include whites or Jews (the largest victim group among religiously-motivated hate crimes according to the last several years of FBI statistics). Can we add Asians to that mix? In recent years, there have been many complaints of Asian students being assaulted in Philadelphia schools by black students.

It is undeniably true that blacks were routinely victimized by violence at the hands of whites up until a few decades ago in the South. It was wrong then, and it is just as wrong now when blacks target whites for assault. Furthermore, as we become an increasingly diverse population, and whites are transitioning from being the majority to only a plurality among several groups of "people of color" (a fashionable term that is used to divide us), the rationale for only recognizing particular ethnic groups as perpetrators or victims becomes less justifiable. Hate is wrong and acting out on that hate is wrong.

If we are going to have hate crimes on the books, then they must be applied equally across the board, both as to victims and perpetrators. The moment you apply double standards to whom the victims and perpetrators can be, the law by its very nature becomes unconstitutional.  That has apparently escaped Eric Holder and his gang of lawyers at the Department of Justice.


More Headaches for Obamacare. CGI Federal Under Fire in Massachusetts and Vermont

Hat tip Miggie




Yesterday, we reported the problems Hawaii has had with CGI Federal, the Canadian-based company that screwed up the Affordable Care Act roll out website. Now we can add Massachusetts and Vermont. They also contracted with CGI and are none to happy about the results.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/27/states-retaliate-against-obamacare-website-developers/

Better order another supply of lipstick for this pig.




-Freaking news.com


"It's working great in Kentucky."

* Late-breaking update:

"Good news, mein Fuehrer. Siarlys has his government health insurance."

Who Are the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America?

Hat tip Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project

The short answer to the above question is that the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America is a group of Islamic scholars who interpret Islamic law and issue fatwas on a wide variety of issues. In the below piece, Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project writes about this group, which is based in California. He also documents some controversial positions they have taken on topics such as female circumcision, spousal abuse and spousal rape.

http://www.clarionproject.org/American-Muslim-Women-Not%20Immune-Islamist-Abuse

The opinions of the group go farther. Below, Andrew Bostom in the Counter Jihad Report has more to say about their opinions as to apostasy, blasphemy, and the question of Muslims obtaining citizenship in a non-Muslim land.

http://counterjihadreport.com/tag/salah-al-sawy/

To be accurate, both of the above sites are counter jihad sites. On the other hand, Al Arabiya is a major Arab news outlet. Here Al Arabiya quotes the position of AMJA on the question of providing aid to American troops.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/06/29/112607.html

Given their interpretation of Muslims obtaining US citizenship, one wonder whether their secretary general, Salah al Sawy and the other listed jurists of AMJA are American citizens.

The Soaring Oratory of Barack Obama

2008 Berlin




"People of the world. This is the moment we have been waiting for. We are what we have been waiting for. The sun shall rise, and the sea shall set, blah blah blah, woof woof woof, quack quack quack."


2013 Washington



"If you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance, blah blah blah, woof woof woof, quack quack quack".

Yusuf al Qaradawi on Dogs


Hat tip Examiner





"43% of people in Iceland have tapeworms from dogs"


I preface this piece by saying that we have Muslim neighbors who have a pet dog. I point that out because the intent of this piece is not to poke fun at the fact that many Muslims have a negative perception of dogs as being "unclean", rather to poke fun at Yusuf al Qaradawi, a leading Muslim scholar in the Middle East who happens to the the top spiritual adviser to the Muslim Brotherhood and a person whom I consider to be a hate-filled quack. This is a guy who has called the Holocaust "God's punishment for Jews" and expressed his desire to die fighting in battle against the Infidels. He is an Egyptian who was forced into exile in Qatar prior to the coming to power of Mohammed Morsi. Presumably, he is back in Qatar.

In this article, Qaradawi gives advice to a questioner asking about if science supports sharia in that people should not keep dogs as pets. Qaradawi quotes the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradawi (himself), and says among other things that as many as 43% of people in Iceland have tapeworms contracted from dogs. He apparently quotes some scientist from 1898 who was actually referring to 1/3 of  sheep in Iceland. He also quotes some German scientist who apparently does not exist.

http://www.examiner.com/article/islamic-report-sharia-science-proves-dogs-can-t-be-kept-as-pets

See what I mean? This guy is a nut job. A very dangerous nut job.

Richard Falk Rushes to the Defense of the ASA

Hat tip JJ

This is a good indicator of just how ethically bankrupt the American Studies Association is. As the backlash against their hypocritical resolution calling for an academic boycott of Israel intensifies, they bring in none other than UN Rapporteur (or is it racconteur) Richard Falk to defend them.

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/157379/american-studies-association-members-defend-israel-boycott-by-citing-anti-semitic-911-truther

Falk is so bad that even the hapless UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon rejected his comments when he blamed the Boston bombing on US policies and our support for Israel.

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/ban-ki-moon-caves-in-rejects-falks-boston-terror-israel-link/2013/04/28/0/?print

Great move, ASA.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The New York Times-Then and Now

Hat tip Miggie


The below presentation by a young lady named Anna Blech lasts 12+ minutes. It is based on an award-winning research project she did and is well worth the time to view it. In this presentation, Blech critically describes the reporting of the New York Times during the on-going murders of Jews during World War II. Contrary to some beliefs that the world was completely unaware of the killings until the death camps were liberated, Blech shows New York Times articles describing reports of mass killings of Jews during the early 1940s. The problem was the stories were buried on back pages in tiny spaces. Due to reporting like this, many in the US public did not know what was happening overseas in regards to the Jews.

According to Blech, this was due to the influence of the Times' owner and publisher, Arthur Hays Sulzberger, a Classical Reform Jew himself, who did not identify with European Jews and did not consider Jews as a race. According to Blech, Sulzberger also wanted to downplay the perception that the Times was a Jewish paper.





The elder Sulzberger became publisher of  the Times ownership by way of being married to the daughter of the owner, Adolph Ochs, who also wanted to lower the paper's perceived Jewish profile due to his interest in Jews becoming assimilated into American society. Sulzberger was publisher from 1935-1961. He was succeeded by a son-in-law and two years later by his son, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, nicknamed "Punch", who held that position until 1992, when he turned it over to his son, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. the present publisher and chairman.

While Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Sr. had served in World War II as a Marine and in Korea as a Marine reserve, the younger Sulzberger was of a different generation and mindset. According to a profile by Michael Widlanski in his 2012 book, "Battle for our minds", the younger Sulzberger was a hippy-type Vietnam war protester, who was reportedly twice arrested at anti-war protests. After his father bailed him out of jail, he reportedly asked his son what he would want to happen if an American soldier came upon a North Vietnamese soldier. Whom would he want to see get shot? The younger son reportedly told his father he would prefer to see  the American shot because he was in the other's country. While the elder Sulzberger ("Punch") was liked by the Times' staff, the son was derisively nicknamed "Pinch" (p 121).

He has hardly lost his liberalism since then. He has been a fierce opponent of George W Bush and his "War on Terror". Reporting, not surprisingly, has tilted pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel, and has downplayed the idea of Islamic terrorism as a worldwide threat. Today, the younger Sulzberger presides over a once-great newspaper that has become little more than a propaganda arm of liberal Democratic politics. He has accumulated a collection of left-wing columnists like Maureen Dowd, Frank Rich, Paul Krugman, and others who have zero objectivity-only their personal political agendas.

The road from America's flagship newspaper to propaganda rag has been long and hard.


Russians Say No Evidence Arafat Was Poisoned

Another defeat for the conspiracy theorists. Russian experts who took samples from the corpse of Yasser Arafat say there is insufficient evidence that the dead terrorist died from polonium poisoning.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/08/us-palestinians-arafat-russians-idUSBRE9A70EK20131108

Of course, this will not deter the Palestinian flat-earthers who will continue to propagate the theory that their hero was poisoned by-or on the orders of- the Israelis.

As if anyone should care.

Thus far, Arafat's rich widow has a cautious opinion from the Swiss vs two negative opinions from the French and Russians. I'll go with the Russians. After all, they know a thing or two about corpses.


"That's right. Hey! Can somebody loosen this tie?"


Oh yeah. There's some professor up at UC Berkeley that is sure it was poisoning and the Israelis were behind it.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/hatem-bazian-professorial-conspiracy.html




While Obama's in Hawaii, He Might Want to.....

Fix the Hawaii roll out apparatus for Obamacare.


                                                                        (Oregon Duck)


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/27/state-run-health-care-exchanges-still-struggling-to-see-uptick-in-sign-ups/

Yes, Folks. Hawaii is having its problems with its own state roll out operation. It's so bad the head of the state's branch for implementing Obamacare, the curiously named Hawaii Health Connector, has resigned -or been forced to resign. Here's more on that:

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/hawaii-health-connector-director-steps-down-amidst-controversy-over-troubled-exchange/123

"Hawaii Health Connector received $200 million in federal funding to set up the website and network of more than 30 providers where individuals and small businesses can sign up for health care through local insurers and find out about tax credits and federal subsidies.
The website, developed by CGI Group, cost $53 million, but failed on its launch Oct. 1."

As noted above, to make things worse, the same company that set up Hawaii's roll out plan was guess who--CGI Federal, the same Canada-based company that made such a mess of things nationwide.

http://www.cgi.com/en/Hawaii-Health-Connector-CGI-online-marketplace-state-based-health-insurance-exchange

Meanwhile, in Oregon, guess how many have successfully enrolled for Obamacare state-wide. Here's a hint:



And this is just the roll out. Massive amounts of money spent for this!!?? In fact, the roll out is the least of the problems. Over 5 million have LOST their insurance, and this number will rise dramatically. The entire plan-the entire concept- is flawed and is already showing its destructive effects.

And yet, this president and his incompetent, ideologically-driven secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius and aided in the Senate and House by Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi respectively, continue to push full speed ahead with this train wreck. Thanks a lot, Mr President!


"We thank our Fuehrer"

                                                                       (Our Fuehrer)