Thursday, June 03, 2010

Larwyn's Linx: The Long, Hot Summer of Corruption

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Nation

The Long, Hot Summer of Corruption: Malkin
Is the Obama Presidency Doomed?: Nice Deb
People Who Need People: Belmont

Why no one wants to be DNI under Obama: TEB
Another Dem offered a job to drop out of race: HA
Romanoff confirms: White House offered three jobs: WashExam

What is going on in Georgia's 4th?: RWN
Tony DeMasi and the Chicago Way: Provocateur
In defense of Linda McMahon: RWN

Economy

And Bob's Your Uncle: AmSpec
Reid's push to nationalize police, firefighter unions: RWN
Union-run pensions dying: guess who will bail them out?: IBD

Broken record: Obama wants tax increases, blames GOP: GWP
Another Obama record: Federal debt tops $13 trillion mark: Times
FBI Crime Stats: an Armed Public Is a Safer Public: PJM

Climate & Energy

Sinking 'Climate Change': Thomas
Obama's Hostage Crisis: Cashill
AGW Comedy Gold: UN Can’t Afford Climate Meetings: CBullitt

Blast from the Past: GWP
We can't afford not to drill in the Gulf: Times
Investigation reveals ties between Obama, oil spill cleanup: Exam

Media

Great Israeli Massacres (and the European Media That Love 'Em): Steyn
Question: Did Obama’s Urging Lead To Paintball Guns?: Kesler
As Reality Unfolds About Flotilla, World Media Continues with Fictional Narrative: PJM

Who in the media will stand up for Michael Yon?: BigJournalism
Obama Administration Seeks to "Reinvent Journalism": Patterico
Good grief. CBS Evening News says Al Gore split the fault of... Bush!: BlogProf

Profiles In Hypocrisy: Style Weekly
Spitzer Gives the Revolving Democrat-Media Door a Bad Name: WashExam
Obama's Islamic Poll Dance: Times

World

A lesson in 'courageous restraint': Pollak
The End of Turkey as an Ally: Marathon
Turkey’s Gaza Flotilla Sails Eastward toward Sharia: PJM

An Iranian Port in Gaza: LegalIns
Bawney Fwank: Israel Killed “Innocent” Activists: Weasel Zippers
My Neighbor, Joe Gaza: Hindenblog

SciTech

Van Helsing Moonbat Tech: Pedal-Powered Porsche: RWN
China Freaks Out The World: New Restrictions On Export Of Metals Crucial For National Defense: Insider
GoneGoogle.com: Google

Cornucopia

Small Flags: American Digest
Daniel in the Lion's Den: Moonbattery
Sir Paul and the Taxman: MOTUS

Image: Moonbattery.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Support Pollak for Congress: Jan Schakowsky Must Go
Thanks to: W. for many of the Linx.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

CBO Director: Hate to break this to you, but the Democrats lied about pretty much every single aspect of "health care reform"

From the "Now You Tell Us Department" comes word that the ObamaCare books were cooked. The surprising part: the Director of the Congressional Budget Office is calling the President and Congressional Democrats liars.

A common refrain from the President and his Budget Director was “health care reform is entitlement reform.” And through two budget cycles, when senior Administration officials were pressed on their plans for deficit reduction, they always returned to the argument that health care reform would substantially improve the federal budget outlook.

CBO Director Dr. Douglas Elmendorf has shown this argument to be incorrect.




This is the best and most direct presentation I have seen on the subject. I commend Dr. Elmendorf for his honesty, clarity and bluntness. I wish he had been this blunt and this clear in February and March before these bills became law.

Exquisite timing, Doug.

The country's headed into a complete financial meltdown and you run the exposé precisely 11 weeks too late.


Two news snippets sure to warm the cockles of your heart

Two news snippets, brought to our attention by Stratfor Research, help shine a spotlight on the impressive diplomatic achievements of SmartPower™.

A-bomb manufacturing equipment missing in Iran: Iran has officially denied the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) claim that critical nuclear enrichment equipment was discovered missing from a facility in Tehran. The "sensitive equipment... could be used to extract plutonium for an atomic bomb."

Radical Islamist group Muslim Brotherhood endorses former IAEA head Mohamed El Baradei: One of the most powerful groups of Islamist extremists in the world -- the Muslim Brotherhood -- says it will support Mohamed El Baradei's efforts to reform Egyptian politics.

The executive summary: the very man -- El Baradei -- who dissembled, deflected and delayed scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program is now in a position to help further destabilize Egypt. The former IAEA head is arguably the man most responsible for Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons; and El Baradei himself is endorsed by radical Islamists whose stated goal is to kill and/or convert the world's billions of infidels while it establishes a global Caliphate. Dee-lightful.

Those crazy, whacky nuts at the United Nations: they're worth every penny we spend on 'em.


President Obama: I will not rest in my relentless, partisan attacks no matter how obvious my incompetent handling of the Gulf spill becomes

In a departure from his nearly 12-hour stretch of post-partisanship, President Obama launched a blistering attack on Republicans while brushing over the environmental disaster unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico.

[Obama accused] Republicans of sucking up to corporations, hewing to a bankrupt economic ideology and peddling tried-and-failed tax breaks for the rich.

"[A] good deal of the other party’s opposition to our agenda has also been rooted in their sincere and fundamental belief about government," Obama said. "It’s a belief that government has little or no role to play in helping this nation meet our collective challenges. It’s an agenda that basically offers two answers to every problem we face: more tax breaks for the wealthy and fewer rules for corporations."

At this point in the speech, a loud snapping noise was heard near the stage as the needle on the Presidential Hypocrisy Meter shattered into thousands of pieces. The President later apologized for the gaffe, admitting he had been the recipient of the most campaign contributions from the bankrupt lynch-pin of the housing disaster: Fannie Mae.

The President's criticism of the free market reflected his deep experience as a Constitutional lecturer. His study of the founding document has discovered what others have not: a little-known mandate buried deep within the Constitution that broadly endorses collectivism and Marxism.

"As November approaches, leaders in the other party will campaign furiously on the same economic argument they’ve been making for decades. Fortunately, we don’t have to look back too many years to see how it turns out. … They gave tax cuts that weren’t paid for to millionaires who didn’t need them. They gutted regulations, and put industry insiders in charge of industry oversight. ...

And despite all their current moralizing about the need to curb spending, this is the same crowd who took the record $237 billion surplus that President Clinton left them and turned it into a record $1.3 trillion deficit."

The architects of the Clinton-era surplus -- the Republican House of Representatives that actually created the federal budget during the Clinton Presidency -- could not be reached for comment.

Obama went on to blame the Gulf oil spill, Al Gore's divorce from Tipper, the Jihad flotilla, and the Sestak affair on Emperor Chimpatine McBushlitlerburton.


Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!

Larwyn's Linx: President Obama finally found his deportee

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget.

Nation

President Obama finally found his deportee: RWN
A Sneak Preview of the Ground Zero Mega-Mosque: AT
Pelosi: We need partial-birth abortion for Jesus or something: HA

Robert Gibbs raises the Sestak stonewall: York
It's always the coverup that gets you in the end: RWN
Just Finish the Dang Fence: AT

Economy

Robert Reich calls for seizure of BP: RWN
Obama's 'Chicago Way' plunders the private sector: Barone
Change: Obama to meet with AZ governor after all: Hot Air

Climate & Energy

BP's Strange Democrat Bedfellow: Rahm Emanuel: Nice Deb
CEI’s NASA global warming lawsuit: WashExam
Team Obama's 'Real Time' Bureaucracy: AT

Media

Undercover Census Fraud Investigation: BigGovt
ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: A Profile in Media Courage: BigJournalism
New Website: Mr. President, Stop Playing Golf: RWN

Palin Slams Media for Gaza Flotilla Coverage and Calls Out Obama: GWP
Leonard Pitts Jr brings teh stupid: claims limited government proponents can't ask for federal assistance: BlogProf
Blagojevich corruption trial may touch Obama: Kyiv Post

World

Sympathy Deformed: City Journal
Dead Muslims? Only Wake the EU and UN if Jews Did It: PJM
Muslims killing Muslims in the name of Jihad: ATf

Shooting the Messenger: A Look at the Facts on the Turkish Aid Group IHH: CTB
Obama’s National Security Doctrine: Naive — Frighteningly So: BRubin
US seeks foreign help for oil spill equipment: AFP

SciTech

Computex 2010: Keeping up with gadgets: CNet
The M4 Rifle Works Fine; the Problem is the Round: PJM
Steve Jobs at D8: Post-PC era is nigh: CNet

Cornucopia

Seeing a fallen soldier home: Getz
Good Propaganda: Crittenden
Gulf Oil Spill Tells President: 'Plug Your Own Damn Hole': FeedYourADHD

Image: iOwnTheWorld.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: The Jawa Report


Tuesday, June 01, 2010

"The most frightening pleading that I have seen filed at the FCC"

So says a veteran Beltway attorney who just reviewed a request that the FCC monitor "hate speech" and "misinformation" online. Submitted by the "National Hispanic Media Coalition" and a bevy of radical Leftist groups, the pleading (PDF) represents an ominous harbinger for the the First Amendment under Democrat rule.

The racial separatist groups behind the pleading -- including NHMC, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Nosotros, Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, et. al. -- appear to be operating as shadow arms of the Mexican government. They evangelize open borders and amnesty while repudiating American sovereignty.

How else to explain this document, the obvious intent of which is to prevent Americans from even discussing the invasion of America by millions of illegal aliens?

As NHMC has awaited Commission action, hate, extremism and misinformation have been on the rise, and even more so in the past week as the media has focused on Arizona’s passage of one of the harshest pieces of anti-Latino legislation in this country’s history, SB 1070.

Harsh in the sense that it simply enforces federal immigration law? Or harsh in that you don't like our southern border?

As traditional media have become less diverse and less competitive, they have also grown less responsible and less responsive to the communities that they are supposed to serve. In this same atmosphere hate speech thrives, as hate has developed as a profit-model for syndicated radio and cable television programs masquerading as "news".

Gee, I wonder who they're targeting? Are those red laser dots I see on the foreheads of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin?

The Internet gives the illusion that news sources have increased, but in fact there are fewer journalists employed now than before.

You mean pro journalists like Dan Rather and Jayson Blair? Kewl!

The lack of hard-hitting, fair news is felt deeply in communities of color. Traditional media have never been particularly diverse, and rapid deregulation over the last two decades has significantly reduced opportunities for people of color to own and control such media...

Maybe you could start with the lily-white "talent" at MSNBC? They need some diversity!

Hate speech against vulnerable groups is pervasive in our media—it is not limited to a few isolated instances or any one media platform... Indeed, many large mainstream media corporations regularly air hate speech, and it is prolific on the Internet. Hate speech takes various forms, from words advocating violence to those creating a climate of hate towards vulnerable groups. Cumulatively, hate speech creates an environment of hate and prejudice that legitimizes violence against its targets.

Put simply, the radical Left intends to suppress real news stories that highlight the toll of illegal immigration. Consider today's report of the murder and rape spree in the state of Washington conducted by illegals who have been deported on multiple occasions.

One woman is dead and two others were raped recently and police say each crime was committed by a different illegal immigrant. One of the sexual assaults happened just hours before the Seattle city council passed an ordinance boycotting Arizona over its new immigration law.

Gregorio Luna Luna had a history of beating up his live-in girlfriend Griselda Ocampo Meza. He was also in the U.S. illegally. On May 1, Luna Luna was deported to Mexico. Three weeks later Meza was murdered in her apartment in a violent knife attack.

Franklin County prosecutors say Luna Luna slipped past the border again and killed Meza in front of their five year old son. He's in the county jail awaiting trial.

A suspected rapist in Edmonds, Washington has been deported at least 4 times... [another] illegal immigrant just convicted of his possible 3rd strike in Whatcom county- a rape of a homeless woman- has been deported to Mexico five times...

...Washington State ranks 11th in the nation in the number of illegal immigrants with an estimated 150,000. They make up 2% of the state's population, but account for 4.5% of those in Washington prisons. In Franklin county, 14% of the jail bookings are illegal immigrants.

Currently, over half of the individuals on the Washington State Patrol's Most Wanted List are suspected illegal immigrants. 18 of the 26 on the list are Hispanic with no place of birth identified. Most are wanted for vehicular homicide and they have languished on the Most Wanted list for several years.

There are about 50,000 felony warrants currently issued in Washington State and according to a source in the U.S. Marshall's office between 30-40 percent are believed to be illegal immigrants.

The intent of the NHMC pleading is obvious. Crowd out the free market with government-dictated "community standards", which will help license speech. Reinstitute the modern equivalent of the "Fairness Doctrine". And create more government-run media outlets like NPR.

I guess I should shut up now. Even discussing this topic is hate speech.


Related: Illegal Immigration by the Numbers.

Photo Gallery: Top Ten Weapons of Peace Found on the Humanitarian Flotilla (aka The Love Jihad Boat)

Get a gander of the eclectic collection of deadly weapons discovered on the Flotilla o' Peace (aka the Love Jihad Boat). I may be new to this whole "Gaza" thing, but never figured that Molotov Cocktails, gas masks and sabers were considered humanitarian cargo.









All of these supplies are used to feed the poor, hungry people. That's what Hollywood, Code Pink, the Democrats and Bill Ayers tell us!

By the way, the ship is called the S.S. Mavi Marmara, with emphasis on the S.S.


Related:
&null; Arrested Gaza Flotilla 'Peace Activists' Are Al-Qaeda & Muslim Brotherhood Members
Gaza 'Humanitarian' Flotilla: a Ruse for a 'Martyrdom Operation'
IDF: Flotilla refused security inspection; film shows humanitarians knifing Israeli soldier; other Israelis were shot by terror-linked IHH members

Hat tip: The Anchoress.

Hell Hole

Horrible storms in Central America have caused rampant devastation -- and opened up one of the world's largest sinkholes in Guatemala City.

Reportedly, this hole opened up and swallowed an entire school building, which was (very fortunately) unoccupied.

A sinkhole caused caused by tropical storm Agatha at dowtown of Guatemala City on Sunday, May 30, 2010. Torrential rains brought by the first tropical storm of the 2010 season pounded Central America and southern Mexico, triggering deadly landslides.(AP Photo/STR)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those touched by this disaster.


Related: The Eight Most Terrifying Holes on Earth!

Donald Berwick: the $1 trillion health care disaster in waiting

A very dangerous man named Donald Berwick was recently nominated by President Obama to serve as the the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

If confirmed, Berwick would become one of the most powerful individuals in government. He would control nearly $1 trillion in redistributed wealth that flows from taxpayers to recipients of government-run health care. And his power would grow even further under the auspices of ObamaCare.

Why is Berwick so dangerous? Because he believes the British National Health Care Service (NHS) is superior to the U.S. health care system. Yet even a cursory examination would demonstrate that this isn't true. In fact, it's a malicious lie.

Berwick has written lovingly of Britain's bankrupt NHS: "I am romantic about the National Health Service; I love it... All I need to do to rediscover the romance is to look at healthcare in my own country [which is governed by] the darkness of private enterprise."

Berwick has repeatedly claimed that the NHS delivers superior care when compared to the U.S. He is a liar. And he is dangerous.

Not only does Britain rely upon America's pharmaceutical innovations, not only does it rely upon America's medical devices, and not only does it piggy-back upon our cutting-edge procedures and treatments -- but it does so far less effectively and with far more waste than nearly any modern health care system.

Consider the quantitative facts:

British cancer outcomes don't just trail U.S. results; they rival those of Eastern European nations." A 2008 study showed that cancer survival rates in the U.K. trail far behind those of the United States. American men, for example, "have an 80 percent better chance of surviving prostate cancer than do their English counterparts... [and there are] similar disparities in comparative survival rates for victims of breast, colon and rectal cancers."

• Breast cancer mortality is 52 percent higher in Germany than in the United States and 88 percent higher in the United Kingdom.

• Some "56 percent of Americans who could benefit from statin drugs, which reduce cholesterol and protect against heart disease, are taking them. By comparison, of those patients who could benefit from these drugs, only 36 percent of the Dutch, 29 percent of the Swiss, 26 percent of Germans, 23 percent of Britons, and 17 percent of Italians receive them."

• "British cancer patients are substantially more likely to die of the disease than those in other western European countries because of poor access to the latest drugs, according to an authoritative report to be published today." (Cancer survival rates worst in western Europe: Telegraph (UK) 2007)

And no one's cherry-picking the data:

Consider a small sample of some recent headlines from the U.K. and its "National Health Service" or NHS, which were collected in little over a month in 2009 (click here for a more complete list). This is the type of system that the Statist Berwick prefers to ours. Feel better yet?

NHS 'failings' over elderly falls: 3/25/2009 [BBC]
Learning disabled 'failed by NHS': 3/24/2009 [BBC]
Cancer survivor confronts the health secretary on 62-day wait: 3/21/2009 [The Scotsman]

Culture of targets prevents nurses from tending to patients: Patients Association, 3/21/2009 [Telegraph UK]
Children being failed by health system, says head of watchdog: Sarah Boseley, 3/21/2009 [Guardian Unlimited]
Our cancer shame: Survival rates still lag behind EU despite spending billions: 3/20/2009 [Daily Mail(UK)]

Failing hospital 'caused deaths': 3/17/2009 [BBC]
Health gap drive 'wasted money': 3/14/2009 [BBC]
Longer GP opening hours branded wasteful 'PR exercise' by doctors: 3/13/2009 [The Scotsman]

"Political meddling" threatens general practice, warns GP leader: 3/13/2009 [Management in Practice (UK)]
Children at risk through lack of training for doctors and nurses, report warns: 3/13/2009 [Telegraph UK]
Chocolate should be taxed to control obesity epidemic, doctors are told: 3/13/2009 [Telegraph UK]

1,000 wait for a dentist after just one NHS practice opens: 3/10/2009 [Daily Mail(UK)]
Study proves the folly of NHS Alzheimer's drug ban: 3/7/2009 [Daily Mail(UK)]
NHS charges to rise in England: 3/5/2009 [BBC]

Disabled children wait up to two years for wheelchairs: 3/4/2009 [Guardian Unlimited]
NHS under fire over waiting times: 2/25/2009 [The Scotsman]
Specialist nurses 'vastly overworked': 2/20/2009 [Harwich & Manningtree Standard]

Hundreds of operations cancelled at Lothian hospitals: 2/19/2009 [The Scotsman]
Stop asking for antibiotics to cure coughs and colds: Government: 2/17/2009 [Daily Mail(UK)]
Stroke services are 'UK's worst' : 2/17/2009 [BBC]

Why would Berwick -- against all evidence -- prefer Britain's NHS over America's system?

Because for Berwick, care is secondary to wealth redistribution. His well-publicized statement, "Any healthcare funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized and humane, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate."

Berwick prefers the misery, desperation and death endemic to the bankrupt NHS. The Marxist underpinnings, for him, are all that count. Wealth redistribution is paramount and health care is secondary.

Berwick is a liar, a menace and a disgrace. He must not be confirmed.


Related: An Incurable Romantic (The American Spectator) and How Donald Berwick Will Run Your Health Care (Big Government).

Larwyn's Linx: The Reconquista Photo Album

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget.

Nation

The Reconquista Photo Album: Malkin
Can GOP stir up public to dig into Sestak affair?: York
The Smallest President: AT

Immigrants, Socialists March in Phoenix: AmPower
Obama Resets At Andrews AFB: Ace
Obama 'Open' to Puerto Rican Statehood?: Portnoy

Economy

Looting a Small Brooklyn Business with Albany's Help: Langbert
Steve Wynn Takes on Washington, Vegas & EBITDA: CNBC
The secret ingredient in the Obama formula for success: Kimball

Illegal Immigrants, Socialists Rally Against AZ: GWP
Five ways to keep American from turning into Greece: RWN
Amtrak 'misled' Congress on finances: Times

Climate & Energy

The Last Piece of Ice Remaining in the Arctic: WUWT
Truth-telling on offshore oil development: AT
Using Wave Power for Desalination: CNet

Media

Obama and Media Minions Inspire Violence: Marcus
Fact Checking the Palin Fence: Con4Palin
Joe Klein: BP Spill is Bush's Second Katrina: Mediaite

Frank Rich Stole My Headline: BlogProf
Joe Biden’s Brussels Spout: NRO
Jihad TV coming soon to a neighborhood near you: Terror-free Somalia

NBC12 in Phoenix Broadcasts Anti-SB 1070 Attacks on Republicans as Nazis: RWN
Figures. Obama Pals Bill Ayers, Top Bundler Jodie Evans Behind Gaza Flotilla Group: GWP

World

Where the Old Flotilla Lie: Belmont Club
'Angels of the Antiworld': Camp of the Saints
Richard Landes from Jerusalem on Gaza Flotilla Violence: Instapundit

P.S. – Iran Now Has Fuel for 2 Nuclear Weapons: Rosett
The Importance of Reporting Israel's Side of the Flotilla Incident: NewsBusters
Memo to Tom Friedman: Chinese hiding three million babies a year: Telegraph

Venezuela's Chavez backing leftist guerrillas in Mexico: WashExam
Dueling Caliphates: GoV
Gaza border: 2 terrorists killed: JPost

SciTech

Google Suspends Internal Use of Windows: CNet
Justice Department Probe Into Apple No Longer Just About iTunes: Geekosystem
Rival tablets ready to bite into iPad lead: FT

Cornucopia

The Morton Salt Presidency: When He Reigns, We’re Poor: MOTUS
Venus Williams' Tennis Outfit, French Open in Paris: A Hot Mess!: Zimbio (SFW?)
Most Appropriate Picture Ever: Buzzfeed

Image: Getty Images (DayLife).
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: BlogProf

QOTD: "Honestly, I don't find the Palestinian people to be the least bit sympathetic. They're backwards, genocidal, hyper-violent, sad sack, Nazi wannabes led by terrorists who would happily murder every Jew on the planet if they could get away with it.

Then there are the Israelis. They're a tiny Western Democracy surrounded by backwards savages who want to murder them down to the last child because they're Jews. Moreover, despite all the claims to the contrary, they're the most restrained people on earth. If you don't believe that, consider the fact that they could simply drive the Palestinians off their land and take it at any point, but instead, they've chosen to permanently live beside of millions of people who make the Manson family look sane. If the Israelis were somehow replaced by Americans, we'd drive the Palestinians off their land at gunpoint in six months tops -- and we'd be perfectly justified in doing so." -- John Hawkins


Monday, May 31, 2010

Oozing Competence: Obama's SmartPower™ Doctrine Makes the World a More Exciting Place Every Day

Syria conducted nuclear experiments: IAEA document


'Syria has told the UN atomic watchdog about past nuclear experiments, but is still refusing to cooperate over allegations that it was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korea's help, a new report revealed Monday.'

Israel recoils as US backs nuclear move


'Washington's unprecedented backing for a UN resolution for a nuclear-free Middle East that singles out Israel has both angered and deeply worried the Jewish state... The resolution adopted by the United Nations on Friday calls on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urges it to open its facilities to inspection...

...the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "furious with the Obama administration for having failed to prevent the resolution from passing... and for choosing to support it... The American support for the resolution, after decades in which it supported Israel on this issue, came as a complete surprise," the paper said.
'

Soaring costs force Canada to reassess health model


'Pressured by an aging population and the need to rein in budget deficits, Canada's provinces are taking tough measures to curb healthcare costs, a trend that could erode the principles of the popular state-funded system... Quebec has a new flat health tax and a proposal for payments on each medical visit -- an idea that critics say is an illegal user fee... And a few provinces are also experimenting with private funding for procedures such as hip, knee and cataract surgery.'

Seoul Weighs Shift in U.S. Military Ties


'South Korea is reviewing its defense policy following North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean naval vessel, a process that could significantly change Seoul's military alliance with Washington, according to officials engaged in the process.'

And, no summary of the Obama Doctrine would be complete without a caustic critique from the Left: in this case from Dilip Hiro at The Puffington Roast.

Obama's Rudderless Foreign Policy Underscores America's Waning Power


'Obama’s propensity to retreat at the first sign of resistance shows that he lacks both guts and the strong convictions that are essential elements distinguishing statesmen from politicians. By pursuing a rudderless course in his foreign policy, by flip-flopping in his approach to other leaders, he is also inadvertently furnishing hard evidence to those who argue that American power is on the decline -- and that the downward slide of the globe’s former “sole superpower” is irreversible.'

And to top it all off, heavily armed 'humanitarians' are trying to destabilize the Middle East by supplying Hamas with advanced weaponry with the help of the usual cadre of useful idiots (Democrats, Leftists and old media, but I repeat myself).


Gaza 'Humanitarian' Flotilla: a Ruse for a 'Martyrdom Operation'

No summer cruise off the coast of Gaza is complete without killing or kidnapping a few Jews, don'tcha know?

The Gaza 'humanitarian' flotilla was a ruse. Haaretz has the inside story and MEMRI has the video proof, taken before the violence went down. Put simply, some of the hard-core extremists were seeking martyrdom and hoping to kill a few Jews on their way to the afterlife.

Gaza-Based Yemeni Professor Abd Al-Fatah Nu'man: As Much As the Heroes on the Flotilla Want to Reach Gaza, the Option of Martyrdom Is More Desirable to Them – Al-Aqsa TV, May 28, 2010


Yesterday, I was following the news agencies, and they reported the threats of the Zionists to detain the convoy and to prevent it from reaching Gaza. On the other side, there are people armed with faith and resolve, who chant – even while hearing the threats: 'Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad will return.' A woman stood on the deck, and said: "We await one of two good things – to achieve martyrdom or to reach the shore of Gaza."

"This scent is a message to the Islamic nation worldwide: Islam is coming, and Gaza is the spearhead that sets the nation in motion."

"Yesterday, the commander of the fleet said: 'We will not allow the Zionists to come near us, and we will wage resistance against them.' With what will they wage resistance? With their fingernails. These are people who wish to be martyred for the sake of Allah. As much as they want to reach Gaza, the other option is more desirable to them.

"We pray to Allah that they be awarded both good things: That they reach the shore of Gaza safe and sound, and that they be granted martyrdom, along with us, on the walls of the Al-Aqsa Mosque – as conquerors."

Oh, and in related news, Al-Jazeera helpfully explains that the convoys should be used to bring weapons to the Hamas terrorists infesting Gaza.

The siege that Israel is imposing... It is necessary to provide Gaza not only with food, water, and building supplies, but also with weapons. Weapons must be provided, because these are weapons of revolutionaries, and aid must be provided to the Gaza Strip...

...These aid campaigns should not be restricted to food and water. The [ships] could also include returning refugees and weapons for the Palestinian revolutionaries.

I, for one, am glad they clarified the real mission of the 'humanitarian' flotilla.


Update: 'Gaza jihad flotilla participants chanted Islamic battle cry invoking Muhammad's massacre of Jews'

Update II: 'Useful idiots condemn Israel'

Danish News: Jews being hunted down in Copenhagen in retaliation for Gaza flotilla violence

TAB points us to a chilling news report from Denmark's Ekstra Bladet. The translation may be imperfect, but you'll grok the genocidal picture.

Jews hunted game in Copenhagen


Jews should not go outside wearing a skullcap in the Muslim neighborhood of Nørrebro... such is the recommendation of several Jewish organizations. Due to the violence related to relief ships, which were on their way to Gaza, could trigger confrontations between Jews and Arabs in Copenhagen.

16 people were reported killed this morning when the Israeli military attacked six emergency vessels up bound for Gaza. This could add fuel to the fire and trigger direct, violent conflicts between Jews and Arabs in Copenhagen. The situation in the capital is now so tense that one should avoid wearing a student- or skullcap if you are a Jew and travel through Nørrebro in Copenhagen.

The risk of being attacked is simply so great that the chairman of Mosaic Church, Finn Schwarz, advises its members to remove religious headgear when they travel in Nørrebro, writes news agency Newspaq... He is sorry to see that Danish Jews will have to take precautions because there is a group of Danes with different ethnic backgrounds who have a hateful view of Jews.

Copenhagen else for decades had a reputation for being one of the most safe and tolerant places for the large and highly respected Jewish minority. But it has now become necessary to have a large security force guard the synagogue on Crystal Gade.

'F***ing Jews' on Facebook

Danish Jews must, of course, be able to walk the streets without being attacked or harassed, like any other citizen is entitled. Danes do not attack people because of their ethnic or religious background. For a small group who do not understand what is right or wrong... On the Facebook group called 'F***ing Jews', 160 people have indicated that they 'like'.

Countdown to an international outcry over this Nazi-like behavior against innocent in: 3... 2... never.


IDF: Flotilla refused security inspection; film shows humanitarians knifing Israeli soldier; other Israelis were shot by terror-linked IHH members

Latest updates:
• 2010-05-31 15:36 EST Gaza 'Humanitarian' Flotilla: a Ruse for a 'Martyrdom Operation'
• 2010-05-31 14:16 EST Danish News: Jews being hunted down in Copenhagen

After several attempts to turn back the 'humanitarian flotilla' destined for Gaza, Israeli Defense Forces boarded the vessels and a deadly firefight broke out on one of the ships. Depending upon the source, it was reported that between 15 and 20 members of IHH, an Islamic aid organization linked to terrorist groups, were killed.

It would appear that had the Gaza-bound flotilla simply permitted an inspection -- to ensure that its cargo did not include weapons for the murderous terrorist group Hamas -- none of the bloodshed would have occurred.

The Israel Navy intercepted the flotilla after the protesters on board ignored Israeli warnings. IDF forces met with severe pre-planned violence from the demonstrators, including use of live fire and light weaponry.

Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces intercepted six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the event. The Israeli Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over to the Gaza Strip after undergoing security inspections.

During the boarding of the ships, demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs.

Additionally, one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.

As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces first employed riot dispersal means, followed by live fire.

According to initial reports, these events resulted in over ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injuries. In addition, five naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers were seriously wounded and the remainder sustained moderate injuries. All of the injured parties, Israelis and foreigners, are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.

Reports from IDF forces at the scene indicate that some of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces...

In the coming hours, the ships will be directed to the Ashdod port, while IDF naval forces perform security checks in order to identify the people on the ships and the cargo brought on board. The IDF Spokesman emphasizes that this event is currently unfolding and further details will be provided as soon as possible.

This IDF naval operation was carried out under orders from the political leadership to prevent the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip and breaching the maritime closure.

The boarding of ships in the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod Sea Port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided upon to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.

IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack them, as well as having their weapons stolen by protesters and used against them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.

So much for the "humanitarian" mission. Anyone willing to bet that inspections will show that the cargo included plenty of ordnance for Hamas?

Update: Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that only one of the six ships carried extremists bent on violence:

...Mavi Marmara, the only ship on which violence took place, was different than the other five ships of the flotilla. He said that five ships carried humanitarians and peace activists but the Mavi Marmara was sponsored by the extremist organization the IHH and those aboard acted in "extreme violence"... "Their intent was violent, their methods were violent and their results were unfortunately violent."

Update II: Yes, the poor, innocent humanitarians, after resisting numerous radio warnings to turn back for a security inspection, opened fire on the Israeli Defense Forces.

Five [Israeli] Navy commandos were also wounded, some of them from gunfire. At least two soldiers were seriously wounded.

...Upon boarding the ships, the soldiers encountered fierce resistance from the passengers who were armed with knives, bats and metal pipes. The soldiers used non-lethal measures to disperse the crowd. The activists, according to an IDF report, succeeded in stealing two handguns from soldiers and opened fire, leading to an escalation in violence.

Al Jazeera on Monday broadcasted footage from the Gaza flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showing Israeli Navy commandos boarding the ship. Helicopters could also be seen flying overhead.

"It was like a well-planned lynch,” one IDF officer said. “These people were anything but peace activists.”

...The IDF said that the ships would be taken to the Ashdod Port where, despite the violence, the cargo they hold will be inspected and then transferred to the Gaza Strip via land crossings.

Update III: On 28 May, Avi Trengo presciently stated that "Israel is falling into a trap":

Anyone who is yet to understand how Hamas controls Israel will have another opportunity to get it via the Gaza-bound flotilla organized by ISM provocateurs (who this time chose to call themselves "Free Gaza.") The move aims to illustrate to the world how brutal and stupid Israel's occupation is.

The problem is that because of the defense minister's childish conduct, the ISM will again defeat the IDF: Navy commandoes will raid the ships and the whole world will see an "upside down Exodus" – the activists will play the role of refugees, while we shall play the role of British thugs. Yet another photo to add to Israel's album of folly...

Update IV: The international gang of useful idiots reacts as expected.

• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "shocked";
• Turkey recalled its ambassador and warned of "irreparable consequences";
• The EU demanded Israel conduct a "full inquiry";
• Spain, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Greece summoned Israel's ambassadors;
• French President Sarkozy called the conflict a "disproportionate use of force."
• The British Foreign Secretary called on Israel to "act with restraint", but also stated that London had warned the flotilla organizers against the landing;
• President Obama accused the Israelis of rash violence, stating that they'd "acted stupidly";

Got you on that last one. I made it up, though give it a few hours and it may become reality.

Update V: "A race to contain the damage":

It is the IDF Spokesman’s firm contention that Israeli troops were premeditatedly attacked as they attempted to intercept the flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip overnight. “It was a lynch,” said spokesman Avi Benayahu. “An ambush.”

Benayahu said soldiers, who had been dispatched to block the flotilla because of fears that it was carrying weaponry and other highly dangerous cargo into the Hamas-controlled Strip, were attacked with knives and bars and sharpened metal implements.

Benayahu said two pistols that had been fired were subsequently found aboard the one ship, the Marmara, on which the violence erupted. And, most dramatically, he said that one IDF soldier had his weapon snatched away by one of the “peace activists” on board, that this weapon was then turned against the IDF soldiers, who came under fire, and that they had no choice but to shoot back in self-defense...


...the IDF takeover of five of the flotilla vessels was met without violence. But on the Marmara - which was in the control of the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (the IHH), described by Barak as “a violent, extremist organization that supports terrorism” - things were very different...

...Ashkenazi said the soldiers were attacked with metal bars, knives and live fire, and noted that some of the wounded soldiers suffered gunshot wounds... video footage screened on Israel’s Channel 2 appeared to show one of those aboard the Marmara stabbing an IDF soldier.

It would appear that the terrorists aboard the Marmara committed war crimes by using civilians as human shields. Try and contain your shock.

Update VI: A higher-quality video from Sky News offers a better glimpse into humanitarians violently attacking Israeli forces.







Update VII: John Hawkins has the must-read summary of reactions from left and right.

Latest updates:
• 2010-05-31 15:36 EST Gaza 'Humanitarian' Flotilla: a Ruse for a 'Martyrdom Operation'
• 2010-05-31 14:16 EST Danish News: Jews being hunted down in Copenhagen

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