Obama Concedes Pennsylvania to Clinton

Obama's image of Pennsylvanians


"Hey Lem, did'ja hear what Obama said about us?"

"Yeh Clem, I did, and I'm votin' fer Hillary. Hey, it's 8 am. Time to knock off and go have a few beers. Hey, Slim, Jim-youins comin' with us?"

Hey, I'll have pint of bitter."

......."Who said that?"


Sometimes, I think the best thing John McCain could do for his candidacy would be to go on a long vacation, get a lot of rest and come back in November. By then, he might find that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have completely disappeared. The Democratic Primary looks like two punchdrunk fighters trying to hand the bout to the other.

For example, just when it looked like the Hillary-Bosnia flap was starting to blow over, here comes Bill appearing before the usual crowd of curious onlookers ("Hey Bob, didn't that guy used to be a president?") explaining how Hillary screwed up the Bosnia story. According to Bill, she made the claim at 11 at night when she was tired from lack of sleep. Big deal, said Bill. Problem was, Hillary said it multiple times-and not at some late hour as Bill claimed. Then Bill stuck it in even farther, asking his listeners to understand how it is to be sixty years old and tired. You know, plays tricks on your memory don't it? Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not interested in having someone as commander-in-chief who is starting to lose her memory due to old age. Not that I believe that; on the contrary, Hillary's selective memory is astounding. As for Bill, he is starting to remind me of Pete Rose at an autograph show.

Anyway, I have a question for those Clinton-admirers out there: Are you starting to realize that the Clintons-both of them-are nothing more than a couple of BS artists?

Meanwhile, just as our "bringer togetherer" presidential candidate, Barack Obama, was starting to put the Wright deal behind him-at least in the minds of the Democratic voters-he stepped in it himself. This time, it was not the words of his wife, Michelle, nor the words of his pastor, but his own words. In San Francisco, speaking before an audience of well, "San Franciscoers" (inside joke), Obama described the backwoods, gun-totin', bible-thumpin', minority hatin', immigrant-bashin' hicks that populate Pennsylvania. You know, people right out of the cast of "The Deer Hunter", people who are not too receptive to a "46-year-old- black guy" like him.

What is it about those people in Pennsylvania? First, their own Governor, Ed Rendell implies that they are racists and not willing to vote for a black candidate. Now Obama delights an elite San Francisco audience with his own description of a Dickensian Pennsylvania inhabited by steel workers and coal minors.

As a personal comment, I lived in Pittsburgh from 1987-1990, and I happen to have a high opinion of the folks there. (Pittsburgh, unlike Philadelphia, which is a classical Eastern city, would be classified more as a Midwestern city culturally.)

But I digress. Obama's remark was ridiculous. After first defending himself defiantly in Terre Haute from criticism by Hillary and the McCain campaign, Obama admitted that he chose the wrong words. Indeed.

I am having serious doubts about Obama-specifically on his honesty (in speaking about Wright) and his judgement. As for his experience, he is obviously lacking. I seriously suspect that there is a side to the Obamas that they are hiding. It would be great if the mainstream media started asking him more pointed questions-which they don't. The msm was forced to discuss the Wright issue. Hopefully, they will be forced to examine the relationship between Obama and former (unrepentent)Weather Underground bomber, William Ayers (now Professor William Ayers). That is yet another story out there that relates directly to Obama's fitness for president.

Meanwhile, the Great Sausage Race stumbles toward the finish line.

MSNBC's "A Conversation on Race"

Last night I tuned in to MSNBC's "A Conversation on Race", a forum held at Howard University and moderated by Brian Williams. Along with Williams was a rotating panel of guests, including Professor Michael Eric Dyson of Georgetown University, journalist Mike Barnacle, the wife of comedian Chris Rock, the chief of police of Washington and others. I had anticipated that this might be an true example of the "Dialogue on Race" that many people are calling for between whites and blacks, which would be a worthy idea.

The discussion was interesting and civil. The audience was polite. Yet something was missing. Basically, it was the same conversation we have been having for the last 40 years. It centered around slavery, discrimination and white racism. Most of the participants, particularly Dyson, felt that America has avoided discussing this part of our history.

I respectfully disagree. In my view, our country has, indeed, acknowledged the past. Yes, the residue of slavery is still present today. Yet, I would have liked to see more discussion on the present-day problems that plague black America that cannot be laid off so simply on white racism. It was touched on briefly by Barnacle, who brought up the subject of absentee fathers-something I feel is the single biggest problem today. Dyson responded, but seemed to me to talk around the problem.

My point in bringing this up is that black illigitimacy stood at around 25% 50 years ago in the dark days of Jim Crow. Today, it is around 70%. It is an inescapoable fact that many black fathers are skirting their responsibility. From that, so many other problems arise in the children - drugs, gangs, misogynistic feelings toward women, etc.

Any true dialogue on race has to include the concerns of both sides. Acknowledge the past of course, but concerns must also be expressed about black crime and the constant accusations of racism hurled at whites who dare to criticize. It should have been stated last night that whites are getting weary of the R word being applied constantly by racial hucksters who make a living off the whole Race Industry. Someone should have been on that panel who would have dared to speak out against folks like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jeremiah Wright and others. Someone should have been there to name the names of true haters like the New Black Panther Party and its leader, Malik Zulu Shabazz. Perhaps, there should have been a mention of Rev Eric Lee, who recently handed out a humanitarian award to a Jewish lady for her work in the inner city, then drove her off the stage in tears with an anti-Semitic diatribe. Yet, many blacks (and whites) argue that only whites can be racists because they have historically occupied the position of power vis-a-vis minorities. I understand the reasoning, but I respectfully disagree.

At any rate, there were some worthy points brought out. One thing, for example, that was brought out was the historical feelings of inferiority that have plagued the thinking of black people themselves, even being conscious of degrees of darkness in their own skin color. The doll demonstration, where black toddlers chose white dolls over black dolls, was poignant and sad.

Nevertheless, I was disappointed. A true conversation on race is in all our interests in trying to bring about reconciliation and an equal society. Yet, if it is not frank-on both sides-then it will only contribute to more "burnout" on the part of whites, who will just give up and walk away. Maybe Mr Dyson has a point. Though the nation as a whole has acknowledged its past, individual whites are, indeed, reluctant to engage in this conversation with blacks. They know that if they speak openly about their true feelings on the subject of race and the state of black America, if they say the wrong word or leave the wrong impression, they will only cause anger and be called implicitly or explicitly a racist. Everone knows that label can ruin a person's career and/or life. If we are ever to have that true dialogue, then that label must be removed from the table.

Why Jimmy Carter Should Not Go to Syria

Two fools- Neville Chamberlain-Jimmy Carter


As we all now know, Jimmy Carter, America's freelance ambassador is now about to go to Syria to meet with the leader of the terrorist group Hamas. The Administration and State Department have asked him not to go. Israel is upset-with good reason. However, Mr Carter is a stubborn man who always knows best-never mind the mess he made of things when he was president. Since leaving office, Carter hasn't cared much if a sitting president wanted him to go somewhere and conduct diplomacy. Whether it was Haiti, North Korea or now Syria, Mr Carter knows best. He doesn't like George Bush's foreign policy, so he just decides he will conduct his own.

But here is something that Carter perhaps has not considered. Hamas is a terrorist organization that is actively engaged in terrorist acts against Israel. Not only that, the organization has no interest in a peaceful solution. They have no interest in negotiation with Israel. They are not interested in a two-state solution. What they want is the total destruction of Israel.

So what is there to discuss?

Mr Carter, like most Democrats, does not understand that you cannot negotiate with evil, nor can you negotiate with fanatics. That was proven conclusively in 1938, when British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tried to negotiate with Hitler-selling out Czechoslovakia in the process. The lesson still applies.

Did we negotiate with the former Soviet Union? Yes, we did, but there was a difference. The Soviet Union, whatever its faults, was not run by fanatics, at least after Stalin died. They knew that if they went to war with the US, everybody would be destroyed, so they remained rational. We can, in fact, meet and negotiate with adversaries, but not if they are fanatics like Hamas who have no interest in negotiation or compromise. Rationality is not a quality that applies to people like Hamas, Hezbollah and Al-Qaida. They don't care if they die.

For a known fool like Jimmy Carter to go to Syria and meet with Hamas only gives legitimacy to a terrorist organization. It goes against the wishes of the State Department, which is the agency responsible for our foreign relations. Carter of course, is no supporter of Israel. He is a foolish renegade who can only exacerbate an already bad situation. Beware of any "breakthrough" that he may announce. Of course, he has no authority to act in Bush's name, but he could come back and apply public pressure on the administration.

It would be nice if leading Democrats would intervene and tell Carter to stay at home. Barack Obama, when asked what he thought of Carter's trip, refused to criticize the former president-possibly since he was on the verge of getting Carter's endorsement. For Democrats to back the administration's prerogatives would be the responsible thing to do. That's why they won't rein Mr Carter in.

To sum up this fiasco in progress, the policy of not negotiating with terrorists is the proper one, and not just on moral grounds. In the end, it is a fool's errand.

Which is precisely why Carter is going.

Jamiel's Law- Resolution by LA City Council Member Dennis Zine

Today, LA City Council Member Dennis Zine has introduced a resolution to amend Special Rule 40 to allow LAPD officers to take action if they encounter a known illegal alien who is also a known gang member. The resolution is being seconded by Greig Smith, who sits with Zine on the Public Safety Committee. It will be submitted to committee chairman Jack Weiss, who is in charge of the paper-shuffling and can schedule it for debate or send it directly to the council. Weiss, who aspires to run for City Attorney, has been quoted in the past that issue should "be handled in the jails".

In response, committee member Tony Cardenas announced his opposition stating that "LAPD officers should not be Immigration agents". This character is definitely on the side of the gangs.

As I understand it, the Public Safety Committee has 5 members, Zine, Smith, Parks, Ed Reyes,and Weiss. Three yes votes are needed to forward the resolution on to the full council. Whether the 3 votes are there is not known. The 3 question marks are Weiss, Reyes and Parks. (Actually, Reyes is on the other side.)

Meanwhile, while this invading army of tens of thousands terrorizes the citizens of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who gives immigration rally speeches supporting illegals, has taken a break from being Hillary Clinton's national campaign co-chair to write a letter to Michael Cherthoff of Homeland Security complaining about workplace raids. His position is, not surprisingly, seconded by the LA Times.

Another curious factor in this mess is the silence of the black activist community. LA, not surprisingly, has a whole stable of so-called Civil Rights leaders who will come out of the woodwork immediately if a cop or a white person victimizes a black person. Yet, in this matter, they are completely silent. People like Eddie Jones, Tony Mohammed, and Najee Ali are AWOL. Nationally, it is the same thing. Where is Al Sharpton? Where is Jesse Jackson? Where is the NAACP? Where is the Congressional Black Caucus? Where is Maxine Waters, representative from LA?

Where is the outrage?

Why were they not standing with Mr and Mrs Shaw this week when they stood before the City Council crying and pleading while the council members basically sat there impassively "clipping their fingernails" in the words of supporter and talk show host Doug McIntyre.

This shows these people for what they are. According to their agenda, they only take note and get involved when it is a white perpetrator and a black victim-or a white cop and black suspect. Illegal alien gang member kills an innocent black teenager? Not interested.

This is not just a LA problem. This situation is spreading all over the country while elected officials refuse to take action either out of sympathy for illegal aliens, Latino solidarity or fear of being sued by the ACLU.

LA talk jocks, John and Ken of KFI have given out the office phone numbers of Weiss, Reyes and Parks asking that they be called and urged to support Jamiel's Law. I have called the offices of Weiss and Parks. Reyes I consider a lost cause, but I did send him this email last night:

"Mr Reyes,

I am shocked and disgusted at your blase attitude toward the Shaw family and the murder of their son. It is incredible that you place the city's economy above the lives of innocent victims of illegal alien gang members.

You, the mayor, the police chief and the other City Council members have blood on your hands because of this insane sanctuary city policy.

You sir, are a disgrace."

Gary Fouse

Jamiel's Law Update

In the on-going controversy over the murder of a Los Angeles teenager by an illegal alien-who had been released from jail the day before, LAPD Chief William Bratton was interviewed today by local news station KTLA. His responses and his overall attitude are a shocking disgrace.

When asked if Jamiel Shaw might be alive today if the suspect, Pedro Espinoza, had been turned over to federal authorities for deportation, the chief responded that Shaw might be alive today if he had arrived at the shooting location 10 seconds earlier-or the killer had arrived 10 seconds later. He also went on to explain that illegal alien gang members have to commit a crime before the LAPD will pick them up. That means that if one of his officers happens to see a person whom he knows is an illegal alien and a gang member, no action will be taken.

Chief Bratton also pointed out that the suspect, Espinoza, had been arrested in neighboring Culver City leading to his incarceration prior to the killing. The old "didn't happen on my watch excuse." (Espinosa was incarcerated in LA County Jail. The shooting occurred the day after Espinosa was released.)

That is what LA Special Rule 40 is all about folks. It is a part of the LAPD handbook. LA is a sanctuary city, and if people don't like it, they can, in the words of Chief Bratton, "leave the city".

Now here is what one LA City Council member, Ed Reyes, had to say yesterday as Mr and Mrs Shaw were addressing the City Council and pleading with them to at least adjust Rule 40 as it pertains to known illegal alien gang members.

According to Council member Reyes, revoking Rule 40 would;

cause division
hurt the economy
destroy the sense of community

That is Ed Reyes' answer to the grieving parents. To crack down on illegal alien gang members would cause division, hurt the economy and destroy their "sense of community".

Some community.

Apparently, the city's economy counts for more than the lives of innocent murder victims who are killed by people who should not even be in this country.

From Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to Chief Bratton to the LA City Council, the leadership of Los Angeles has blood on its hands because of their support for illegal aliens. (Villaraigosa, incidentally, is national co-chair of Hillary Clinton's campaign.) Bratton, who was previously NYPD Chief, shows the abrasive New York manner to anyone who disagrees with him. He actually told a radio caller who complained about the sanctuary policy that if the caller didn't like it, he could leave.

Chief Bratton should leave and go back to New York.

Elton John Insults Americans at Hillary Fundraiser

Elton John- If it looks like a duck.....


Last night at Radio City Music Hall in New York, British singer Elton John performed for a Hillary Clinton fundraiser. This is what he told the crowd (Hillary was also present.)

"I've always been a Hillary supporter. There is no one more qualified to lead America."

Then he struck out at Americans with this:

"I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country. And I say to hell with them."

As yet, I have not heard anything about Mrs Clinton rebuking those remarks like John McCain reacted when Bill Cunningham used a McCain rally to say bad things about Barack Obama.

Here is my reaction:

How dare you, Mr John, come to our country and speak about our people (even some of them) in that manner. It's one thing for you to inject yourself into our electoral process. It is quite another to come here and bad-mouth us. The fact that many Americans (of both genders) have an intense dislike of Mrs Clinton is not because we are misogynists. It is because she is dishonest, arrogant, ruthless and not qualified to be a presidential contender. That's why.

Furthermore, I would never dream of going to your country and telling them who should be prime minister and insulting those who disagree with me. When I visit another country, I conduct myself like a guest.

And to Mrs Clinton: When are you going to apologize for John's comments? You are responsible for bringing in a supporter (from another country) who insults Americans who may not agree with him.

As for Elton John- go home.

The Old Gas Station In Georgia

Back around the early 1970s, an unknown and troubled gas station owner in Plains, Georgia named Billy Carter had a brainstorm.

Breathlessly, he ran up to his mother, named Miss Lil, and broke the news.

"Mama, I just decided what I'm gonna to do with my life!", he exclaimed.

Miss Lil broke out in a big smile and said, "Finally, Billy. What is it?"

"I'm gonna become President of the United States!!", Billy replied.

Slowly, the smile vanished from Miss Lil's face. She thought for a long moment, then said:

"I don't think that's gonna work, Billy."

"Why not, Mama, why not? " Billy asked in an agitated voice.

"Cause if you become President of the United States", replied Miss Lil, "who's gonna run the gas station. You know Jimmy can't."

(No, that's not my joke. I heard it when Carter was president.)

Let's Play "Name That Traveler"

This week, it has been reported that which famous figure will travel to Syria this month to meet with the leadership of Hamas?

a Jane Fonda
b Sean Penn
c Neville Chamberlain
d Jimmy Carter

(I'll give you a hint.)

Jamiel's Law

Recently, I wrote on the murder of Jamiel Shaw Jr last month in Los Angeles by an illegal alien gang member who was never deported after being released from LA County Jail. The suspect had served 4 months on a weapons charge. Apparently, when arrested, he told the cops that he was born in LA, and his word was accepted. One day after his release, he shot and killed Jamiel Shaw, a 17-year-old star high school football player and son of a servicewoman serving in Iraq. Had normal procedures been followed, an immigration hold would have been placed on this person, and he would have been deported upon his release. But because Los Angeles is a "sanctuary city", immigration authorities were never notified. Now, we have a dead youth senselessly murdered.

In response to this outrage, mayoral candidate Walter Moore, with the support of Jamiel Shaw Sr, is asking the LA City Council to revoke the city regulation (Rule 40)that prohibits LAPD officers from even detaining known illegal alien gang members. Yesterday, the two appeared before the City Council to state that "Enough is enough" and plead for their support.

So far, they have met with zero results. In fact, they were treated with arrogance and disinterest.

For example, City Councilmember Ed Reyes, while expressing sympathy for Mr Shaw, stated that to revoke the rule would bring "unintended consequences". Such as, Mr Reyes? Saving innocent lives, perhaps?

City Councilmember Jan Perry, for her part, expressed concern at the angry tone of the hearings.

What a bunch of garbage that is the leadership of the City of Los Angeles. From Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the leading voice of Sanctuary, to his political hack police chief, William Bratton, to the City Council, this has to be one of the worst-run cities in America-and there is a lot of competition.

Of course, to call the City Council a "do-nothing" city council would not be accurate. Why just recently, they have approved a big rate hike on behalf of the Dept of Water and Power, which says it needs the revenue-in spite of the fact that they kicked back 175 million dollars to the city's general fund this past year and despite the fact that they are able to offer lactation classes to their employees and dependents. The council is also currently involved in passing laws to protect local celebrities from paparazzi. Laws to protect their citizens from illegal alien gang members? Well, that would have "unintended consequences" in the words of Ed Reyes.

Another point that must be stated: Where are all the so-called black civil rights leaders in LA? People like Najee Ali, Eddie Jones, and the others have all been strangely silent. When a black criminal is shot or roughed up by the cops, they are out there marching on City Hall. Yet, when a young black kid with no criminal ties gets murdered by an illegal alien gangbanger, it's "Ho hum". I for one just don't get it.

LA radio talk show host, Doug McIntyre has gotten involved in the effort to bring attention to the city's disgrace. His web site has a pre-printed form letter to each of the LA City Council members urging them to pass "Jamiel's Law", which would exempt LAPD officers from this ridiculous Rule 40-at least when it concerns illegal alien gang members.

The address for the LA City Council for anyone who would like to weigh in is:

City Hall
200 N Spring St
LA, Ca 90012

There are 15 council members, which are listed below along with room numbers and telephone numbers:

Ed Reyes- room 410, tel (213) 473-7001
Wendy Greuel- room 475, tel (213)473-7002
Dennis Zine-room 450, tel (213) 473-7003
Tom LaBonge-room 480, tel (213)473-7004
Jack Weiss-room 440, tel (213) 473-7005
Tony Cardenas-room 455, tel (213) 473-7006
Richard Alarcon-room 425, tel (213) 473-7007
Bernard Parks-room 460, tel (213)473-7008
Jan Perry-room 420, tel (213) 473-7009
Herb Wesson-room 430, tel (213)473-7010
Bill Rosendahl-room 415, tel (213)473-7011
Greig Smith-room 405, tel (213) 473-7012
Eric Garcetti-room 470, tel (213) 473-7013
Jose Huizar-room 465, tel (213) 473-7014
Janice Hahn-room 435, tel (213) 473-7015

This episode points out the insanity of this whole sanctuary city philosophy, which, unfortunately, is spreading across the country. It is vital that pressure be applied to get "Jamiel's Law" passed. In addition, this should not just be limited to LA; it should become a nation-wide movement.

Let's Play, "Name That Hypocrite"

Question number 1-

Which of the below persons has made disparaging remarks about George Bush's military service in the National Guard, using terms such as, "deserter","draft-dodger" and "AWOL"?

a Terry McCauliffe
b Howard Dean
c Michael Moore
d Bill Maher
e all of the above

Question number 2-

Which of the below persons has ever served in the military?

a Terry McAuliffe
b Howard Dean
c Michael Moore
d Bill Maher
e none of the above

The answers:

1 e
2 e

La Gloire!!!!

News items:

France gives up on mission to rescue Ingrid Betancourt (Colombian-French hostage held by Colombian FARC guerillas).

France "tracks" French vessel and hostages taken by Somali pirates.

Follow-up:

The French did, in fact, rescue the hostages after this post was written. That merits half a retraction.

The Indiana Primary and "Operation Chaos"

Indiana polling place

"Republican, eh? Take off your clothes and report to secondary."
"Er,...can I report to secondary first?"


With the Indiana Primary approaching, many of the state's Democratic leaders are up in arms over Rush Limbaugh's so-called "Operation Chaos", by which he encourages listeners to vote for Hillary Clinton in order to keep the Democratic Primary process going. Well, to me, it seems that Limbaugh's movement is kind of silly and overblown, but the response of the Dems in Indiana is really off the wall.

According to Dan Parker, the state party chairman, this is a grave threat that must be dealt with. He is talking about having party operatives present at the polling places to challenge registered Republican voters who ask for Democratic ballots.

Others are even quoting Indiana State voting law to threaten voters with criminal prosecution if they "cross over" with the "intent" of disrupting the Democratic Party primary. The Ft. Wayne Politics Blog stated this:

"It's against state law to vote in a primary if you don't plan on voting for a majority of that party's candidates in the upcoming general (or in the last general)election. Is that enforceable? Of course not, but technically, you are violating state law."

Well, I would certainly agree that such a law is not enforceable, especially when you have the verb "plan" in the law. It leads me to wonder who the genius was that drew up that law. Maybe he/she knows how to read minds. Yet, it is surprising from the party that preaches, "Let every vote be counted."

Anyway, here is my suggestion for the Indiana Democratic Party. Why not do what the Republican Party in California has done. In our state, only regfistered Republicans can vote a Republican ballot in a primary. In contrast, the Democrats have an open system in California, by which any registered voter can request and use a Democratic ballot. In fact, that is what I did in the California primary. Though I wanted to vote a Republican ballot, as an independent, I could not. Yet, I was able to request a Democratic ballot, which I did in order to cast a vote for Barack Obama-actually a vote against Hillary Clinton. Was I trying to wreak chaos in the Democratic Party primary? Hardly. The only thing I wanted to do was cast a vote against Hillary Clinton.

So, the power is in your hands, Mr Parker. All you have to do is change your state party rules. While you are at it, you might want to take measures to keep illegal aliens, dead people and convicted felons from voting as well.