Hillary gives McCain a freebie

Hillary's new ad is pretty much the perfect campaign ad... for John McCain. She does a pretty damn good job of striking fear into your heart, doesn't she?



I don't know about you, but I was definitely a-scared of who was going to answer the phone. Did this ad really make you want her to be the one who answers?

I don't think so...

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Medea Benjamin finds that the Marines can be useful

Code Pink has settled comfortably into Berkeley, able to protest our troops willing to fight and die to ensure that they can protest their very existence. Thankfully, not everyone in Berkeley agrees with the Code Pinkos, and someone in a white volvo came by to show his distaste -- by spitting on Code Pink (while I don't think spitting on people is all that great of an idea -- kind of disgusting, actually -- I'm glad to see that there are some Berkeley residents who are as disgusted with them are we are). An altercation ensued, and guess who Medea Benjamin wanted to come and help?

You guessed it:

“While we were at the protest in Berkeley from 12 to 4 PM a white volvo drove by and a man spat upon code pink. They chased him down the street and got into a verbal altercation. The police were NO WHERE in sight. That’s not the best part, ready for this? Medea Benjamin yelled and I quote “Marines!” she actually yelled for our help because this man had stepped out of his car. Lol. I even asked her if she was yelling Police and she told me “I said Marines” then put her arm around my friend Allen (the Marine vet) Ironic? Ok back to the emails!!

As Van Helsing at Moonbattery so astutely notes, this is only too typical of moonbats like Medea Benjamin. They scream in righteous indignation to protest our military, but the second we're threatened, who is it that will be the first in line to ask for their help? It's funny, ironic, and sickening, all rolled into one sorry bunch.

Hat Tips: Michelle Malkin and Moonbattery

Support our paratroopers fighting in Afghanistan

Matt Burden at Blackfive is asking for us to step it up and show some support to our soldiers -- paratroopers, to be specific -- fighting in Afghanistan. Here's why:

Even though spring hasn't officially arrived the snow line is beginning to move up the mountains in Kunar and surrounding provinces in Afghanistan. The Taliban have already begun attacking the KOP, Firebases and Observation Points where elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from Bamberg and Schweinfurt, Germanicenza, Ily, are deployed. Almost 4,000 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) and 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry were deployed to Kunar and surrounding provinces in Afghanistan in May 2007 for a 15 month rotation. This region of eastern Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountains bordering Pakistan has been designated the most dangerous place on earth for military personnel.

This winter has been particularly harsh. Many of the Soldiers are living in mud huts and tents with little or no heat, no running water, intermittent use of generators, supply drops via air to drop zones that require a hike of up to 40 minutes each way in order to retrieve the supplies, 30+ days out on missions at the firebases without showers or daily hot meals before rotating back to the KOP or Camp Blessing for hot showers, hot meals and the ability to communicate with their families and friends.

The Sky Soldiers have trudged through up to seven feet of snow on patrols day in and day out often at altitudes of 7,000 feet and higher. Each Soldier carries between 60 and 100 pounds of gear on these patrols. They Soldier-On each day despite the loss of many friends and comrades and substantially high numbers of wounded. Untold numbers of great Americans have provided amazing amounts of support to these Soldiers during this deployment. Public, private and civic organizations have provided direct support or indirect support.

A recent article by Elizabeth Rubin in the New York Times painted one Platoon of this Brigade in a less than favorable light. The article sensationalized the facts in a negative way, which served only to cause undue stress on the Soldiers and family members. The author failed to mention successes within the Brigade such as substantial humanitarian aid (tons of food and clothes) delivered to local villages, medical care for local children and adults, road projects, clean water projects, training of Afghan National Army personnel, distribution of school supplies, etc.

Historically, spring is a time of heavy fighting in this region as the terrorists and insurgents emerge from their caves after the harsh winter temperatures and snows. Let's show these Soldiers how much support they have from home to help them through the spring and the remainder of this long and dangerous deployment.

Our paratroopers are in the fight of their lives and they need to hear that America loves them.

Please send an email of support to skysoldiers173rd@gmail.com

Or you can mail cards to:

Leta Carruth
P O Box 100
Cordova, TN 38088

These e-mails and messages are to help boost the morale of these brave soldiers who are obviously doing some incredibly difficult work in Afghanistan, and on top of that, are risking their lives day in and day out. But each day they find the strength to keep going, to soldier on.

Let's show them that we have the strength to keep supporting them back home, no matter what our traitorous, terrorist-loving media may want them to think.

It will take you all of thirty seconds to send a quick e-mail to say thank you, and if you're reading this right now, you obviously have internet access. So what are you waiting for? There's so much we can do to support our troops fighting overseas, and sending an e-mail or a letter is one of the easiest ways. The last time Blackfive asked us to show our support -- to Marines in Iraq -- so many people responded that the e-mail address had to be shut down due to bandwitdh issues. It doesn't take much effort on our part; so let's crash that inbox again, and show them the overwhelming support that we Americans have for them!

How to be a better husband

MSN has an article today on How to be a better husband. These are always popular, as men seem completey incapable of figuring women out, and women seem completely incapable of figuring men out. I may not be so good at the figuring men out part, but I can usually offer some pretty good advice on how to figure us girls out. So if you're curious how to be a better boyfriend or husband, go read their article.

If you also want to learn what you can do beyond the obvious stuff listed in that article (and to me, it was all very obvious), then keep reading.

Don't try to solve her problems.
This is one thing men do not seem to understand. Here's an example.

Recently, Michael and I went out bowling with another couple. The guys were, of course, great while us girls just kind threw the ball down the lane and hoped for the best. After a few minutes, they started "coaching" us -- telling us how to hold the ball, how to spin it, etc., etc., etc. They would try to correct our form before every turn. (If you don't get where I'm going yet, then I'm sorry for you.) She and I both started getting frustrated and upset, because guess what? It. Drove. Us. Crazy. We were fine with the advice the first time, but before and after every single turn? We both were about ready to start plotting to kill them about halfway through the game until they wised up and just let us bowl.

Moral of the story? Don't try to solve her problems. Women don't need that, and especially not from the man they're looking to for support. If she's had a bad day and is venting to you, she doesn't want you to offer her advice or solutions (she's likely just to get pissed off the more you do that). If she's upset about something, be there to comfort her. Ask her if there's anything you can do to help, but she'll probably tell you no. This is where listening comes into lay. Tell her OK, but that if she needs you, you're there for here. Beyond that, leave it alone.

Be romantic for no reason.
When you first saw your significant other, and decided you wanted to pursue her, how did you act? Maybe you brought flowers for her to your dates. Maybe you went out of your way to take her to unique restaurants you knew she'd like. You dressed up for her, and you went above and beyond what she probably expected.

Fast forward a little. You've now won her heart, and how much of this do you still do? Giving her flowers and gifts on birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day don't count.

Here's my advice. Bring the romance back to the relationship. Send her flowers regularly -- say, once a month or so to her office. Everyone there will be jealous of her, and she will feel like the luckiest, most loved woman on the planet. Leave work an hour early to make her dinner (or pick it up on the way if you absolutely cannot cook, but arrange it all nicely on the table if you do) by candlelight. Let her sit down and relax while you serve dinner to her. Surprise her with little love notes in her car or under her pillow. Whatever you may choose to do (these are just examples), be romantic, and often. Treat her like you were still pursuing her -- don't get complacent because you've already won her heart.

Compliment her.
This one probably seems obvious, but men do not do it enough!

Think back to the last time you and your girlfriend or wife went out on a date. I'd be willing to bet that after she finished getting dressed and ready to go, she probably came out and asked you, "How do I look?" If you responded "Fine," then you failed the test. She's not asking you if she looks presentable; she's wanting to hear from you that you still find her wildly attractive!

Try this. Next time the two of you go out somewhere, rather than waiting for her to ask you how she looks, respond immediately. As soon as she makes her appearance, say something -- whether it's a "Wow!", or to tell her, "You look stunning." Beat her to the punch. She'll probably be glowing the rest of the night.

And don't just wait for date nights. In the morning before she leaves for work, when you're both walking out the door to drive off, add in a "You look gorgeous" to your goodbye kiss.

The bottom line here is to compliment her, and often, even if it's for no real reason. It'll make her feel like a million dollars.

Invite her out with the guys.
Your initial response to this one is probably an emphatic "No way!", or a "What?!". But hang in there.

Two friends of mine are married, and Colin was telling me one day about his policy when it comes to his guy nights. When his buddies suggest going out somewhere, the very first question he asks is, "Is my wife invited?" If the answer is no, he's automatically not interested. Now, Tara, his wife, does not always go with them -- 9 times out of 10, she stays home. But the point, as Colin explained, is that if Tara is not welcome, then he isn't interested.

Now imagine how much more valued and secure this makes his wife feel. The point here is not to bring her with you to all of your guys' night outs. The point is to make her feel welcome and not left out. For one thing, it will put her mind at ease -- she'll be much less likely to badger you about who you were with and what you were doing (a plus for you). For another, it will make her (again) feel incredibly special and important in your life.

Tell her you love her -- all the time.
Does this one also seem obvious? It may, but look beyond the surface.

How often do you tell her that you love her? If it's only, say, when you get off the phone, then you should be telling her much more often. Don't be afraid to just tell her how much you love her all the time. Don't overdo it, obviously, but it seems that much more genuine when it seems to come at random. Don't be shy of telling her how happy she makes you, or that you're so glad she's in your life. It's the easiest of all of these to do, and can make a huge difference.

These are just a few hints and tricks I would advise you to try out. Making your wife or girlfriend feel like she's the luckiest woman in the world is not difficult; it just takes a little effort. If you're willing to put in that extra effort, it will go a long, long way.

Photo of the Day

Obama takes a bite out of Hillary in a float for a parade in Germany:



Snort.

Hat Tip: Moonbattery

Southwest Airlines vs. Pretty Bimbos

There's been a lot of talk about this story: two girls kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight. Southwest says they were being disruptive, and the girls say that they were being discriminated against... for being pretty.

Prejudice against pretty?

That's the claim from a pair of 18-year-old best friends from Oldsmar who were escorted off a Southwest Airlines plane.

USF student Nisreen Swedberg and friend Sarah Williams claim the flight crew was rude to them from the moment they stepped onto the plane at Tampa International Airport on February 14.

Swedberg said she asked a flight attendant for a bottle of water and was told she could wait until the rest of the flight was served.

“And I patiently waited and then when they came around with water, they skipped me,” Swedberg said.

At one point, Williams had to use the plane's bathroom. She saw another passenger in it, and when he hadn't come out 15 minutes later, she knocked on the door.

When he came out, Williams says the man came over to her seat and yelled a profanity at her. Williams admits she yelled a profanity back at him but was puzzled when she says the flight crew only questioned her.

“I think they were just discriminating against because we were young decent-looking girls. I mean, nobody else on the plane looked like us except us,” she said. “[The flight attendants] were like older ladies. We were younger. Who knows, they could have been just jealous of us because we were younger.”

Southwest defends the incident, saying the women caused a disruption on the flight.

When the plane landed in Los Angeles, the women were escorted off by four uniformed police officers and later questioned by the FBI.

This is a picture of Swedberg and Williams:


Here is Swedberg talking about her flight experience:


Southwest isn't backing down, though, and a spokeswoman for Southwest fired back:

My personal opinion is that these girls are full of crap.

Gee, maybe you shouldn't expect special treatment on flights, and curse out other passengers. Maybe then you won't get kicked off your flight -- just a thought. I can't help but wonder about these girls, though. Do they honestly believe their own defense? I don't know the two of them (obviously), but they seem to me to be spoiled, snobby, stuck-up little princesses who are used to having everything their way. When Southwest didn't bend over backwards to get them their water right away, and the bathroom wasn't available for them exactly when they needed it, they threw a temper tantrum, swearing at other passengers and causing a scene. Afterwards, they whine to the press about being "discriminated against" for being pretty (and really, they weren't all that spectacular in my honest opinion), basically saying everyone else on the flight was ugly. And we're supposed to feel sorry for them now?

Snort.

In this round, Southwest Airlines is the clear winner.

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Hollywood sides with terrorists

What was the hot new fashion trend at the Oscars this weekend? Orange ribbons and bracelets -- to represent the glittering celebrities showing their solidarity with terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.

The hot fashion accessory [at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony] was apparently orange ribbons and bracelets in solidarity with terrorist suspects in Guantanamo:

Out on the red carpet, Paul Haggis (the director whose “Crash” won Best Picture in 2006) said he didn’t know what accounts for all these deeply dark, brooding, troubled films. But isn’t it obvious, he asked, flashing an orange ribbon on his lapel. Orange, why orange? “It’s Guantanamo,” his Max Azria-clad wife, Deborah, said, showing off her orange bracelet, which read: “Silence + torture = complicity.” Suddenly, we noticed — orange ribbons and bracelets everywhere.

You’d have to guess there weren’t too many “24″ fans in that gathering.

Strange, I somehow doubt that anyone there was wearing a flag pin, or maybe a yellow ribbon, to show their solidarity with our troops, or, I don't know, America. Why would they side with the United States when they can line up with freedom fighters terrorists?

After all, we're the Great Satan, the oppressive ones in their eyes. They're the ones shrieking about being censored -- into microphones beaming their messages into televisions with millions of people watching. They're the oppressed ones, who are "afraid" to speak out. So of course they side with terrorists, instead of the Evil Empire of the United States of America!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If that's how they feel, there's nothing keeping them here. They can all pull a Johnny Depp and live happily ever after in France. It's not like they've been giving us anything we'll miss.

Hat Tip: Liberty Film Festival

UPDATE: Atlas Shrugs has photographic evidence.

This is supposed to make us want to vote for him?

Wow.

Barack Obama's new campaign ad basically outlines all the ways he's going to screw us over as president. And this is supposed to make us want him in office? Snort.



Sad thing is, I believe him on every single one of those promises except for one. Mr. $850 billion in new spending is claiming he's going to cut wasteful spending? Yeah, right.

Hat Tip: Ace of Spades

Global warming alert!

Uh-oh... the Goracle better start changing his tune. Maybe he can use global cooling as his new tool for implementing his screw-the-United-States-into-the-economic-Dark-Ages agenda, because it looks like his global warming theory is slowly, slowly falling apart.

Just a few days ago, we saw that the polar ice supposedly melted by global warming is back.

And now, this:

Snow cover over North America and much of Siberia, Mongolia and China is greater than at any time since 1966.

The U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) reported that many American cities and towns suffered record cold temperatures in January and early February. According to the NCDC, the average temperature in January "was -0.3 F cooler than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average."

China is surviving its most brutal winter in a century. Temperatures in the normally balmy south were so low for so long that some middle-sized cities went days and even weeks without electricity because once power lines had toppled it was too cold or too icy to repair them.

There have been so many snow and ice storms in Ontario and Quebec in the past two months that the real estate market has felt the pinch as home buyers have stayed home rather than venturing out looking for new houses.

In just the first two weeks of February, Toronto received 70 cm of snow, smashing the record of 66.6 cm for the entire month set back in the pre-SUV, pre-Kyoto, pre-carbon footprint days of 1950.

And remember the Arctic Sea ice? The ice we were told so hysterically last fall had melted to its "lowest levels on record? Never mind that those records only date back as far as 1972 and that there is anthropological and geological evidence of much greater melts in the past.

The ice is back.

Gilles Langis, a senior forecaster with the Canadian Ice Service in Ottawa, says the Arctic winter has been so severe the ice has not only recovered, it is actually 10 to 20 cm thicker in many places than at this time last year.

Professor Oleg Sorokhtin, of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, is recommending that everyone stocks up on their fur coats -- solar activity is apparently entering an inactive phase.

Gee, there's a thought: perhaps the warming and cooling going on in our solar system (unless we are also somehow responsible for the overall warming going on in virtually every other planet) is caused by the sun.

Maybe, just maybe, it's time to quit with the hysteria and just start being sensible. You can care about the environment without having to buy into the global warming scam. But then, if we were to do that, the Goracle and the U.N. bureauweenies wouldn't be able to keep driving forward their agenda! Sniffle.

Oh, and here's one more fun quote from that article:

The last time the sun was this inactive, Earth suffered the Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries and ended in 1850. Crops failed through killer frosts and drought. Famine, plague and war were widespread. Harbours froze, so did rivers, and trade ceased.

It's way too early to claim the same is about to happen again, but then it's way too early for the hysteria of the global warmers, too.

Hat Tip: The Jawa Report

Video of the Day

From Rachel Lucas comes the Video of the Day. This is a little flashback. We're going to take you back to 2004, when Barack Obama had just won the Illinois senate seat, and was asked about why he was not interested in running for President.



Snortworthiest line:

You know, I am a believer in knowing what you're doing when you apply for a job.

Is he now?

10 cautionary tales to remember before we settle for Obama

A lot of people seem content to just resign themselves to an Obama presidency. Well, newsflash folks, Obama's presidency is not inevitable, and it isn't likely to be just another "Carter presidency". It isn't likely to give us another Reagan, either -- great leaders like don't come around every four years. I'm not going to lecture anyone right now about supporting McCain, but I do want to remind people of just what we'll be getting into by settling for Obama. Here's a refresher on the problems we have with Barack Hussein Obama, the most liberal senator in the United States Senate:

The man Obama calls his mentor is a known communist. A President with Communist leanings: exactly what this country needs!

Obama refused to hold his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. The Flag code states that all should put their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem when the flag is also displayed, except those in uniform. But don't question his patriotism or anything.

Obama also seems to have a problem with wearing a flag pin because to him it's "unpatriotic". But, you know, he LOVES his country and all.

Obama wants us to pay 845 billion dollars to help the U.N. "relieve global poverty". We, the taxpayers, will of course be the ones to pick up the tab.

Obama associated with violent anti-war radicals in the 1960s, including some whose acts escalated to terrorism.

Obama supporters can't even name a single thing he has accomplished.

Obama is a Che Guevara fan -- you know, the Cuban murderer that liberals like to celebrate.

Who can forget Texas State Senator Kirk Watson, an Obama supporter who couldn't name a single legislative accomplishment during Obama's short time in the Senate?

As President, Obama is promising us 850 billion dollars in new spending, 850 billion of which will likely be wasted.

8 things you should know about the relationship between Obama and Tony Rezko.

Feel free to reproduce these links -- apparently we need to be reminded of just what it is we'll be getting with an Obama presidency.

Breaking News: Psychiatrist finds that liberals are crazy!

A psychiatrist who has treated over 1,500 patients has come to the unshocking conclusion that liberalism is indeed a mental disorder.

Just when liberals thought it was safe to start identifying themselves as such, an acclaimed, veteran psychiatrist is making the case that the ideology motivating them is actually a mental disorder.

"Based on strikingly irrational beliefs and emotions, modern liberals relentlessly undermine the most important principles on which our freedoms were founded," says Dr. Lyle Rossiter, author of the new book, "The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness." "Like spoiled, angry children, they rebel against the normal responsibilities of adulthood and demand that a parental government meet their needs from cradle to grave."

...

Rossiter says the kind of liberalism being displayed by the two major candidates for the Democratic Party presidential nomination can only be understood as a psychological disorder.

"A social scientist who understands human nature will not dismiss the vital roles of free choice, voluntary cooperation and moral integrity – as liberals do," he says. "A political leader who understands human nature will not ignore individual differences in talent, drive, personal appeal and work ethic, and then try to impose economic and social equality on the population – as liberals do. And a legislator who understands human nature will not create an environment of rules which over-regulates and over-taxes the nation's citizens, corrupts their character and reduces them to wards of the state – as liberals do."

Dr. Rossiter says the liberal agenda preys on weakness and feelings of inferiority in the population by:

creating and reinforcing perceptions of victimization;

satisfying infantile claims to entitlement, indulgence and compensation;

augmenting primitive feelings of envy;

rejecting the sovereignty of the individual, subordinating him to the will of the government.

"The roots of liberalism – and its associated madness – can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind," he says. "When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious."

So, Dr. Rossiter has concluded what conservatives have been saying for a long, long time -- that liberalism is nothing more than politics practiced by someone with a mindset of a five-year-old, immature and emotional.

Does this mean that with some mental help, liberalism can disappear? Interesting, indeed...

Hat Tip: Evaluation

Hollywood pays tribute to the military the only way they know how

Well, last night was the Oscars. I didn't watch -- I don't find it particularly entertaining to watch already-smug actors, directors, producers, and the rest of the Hollywood establishment rub shoulders and celebrate their profound awesomeness, which is all the Oscars (and every other award show) really is about.

I did see today, however, that the Academy decided to pay tribute to our troops by letting some of our soldiers in Baghdad introduce the award for Best Documentary.

There was the good:


And the bad:


The winner, Taxi to the Dark Side by Alex Gibney and Eva Orner is about the military committing acts of torture around the world.

I wonder how it went when the Academy decided to let them introduce a category.
- "Hey guys, let's do something to pay tribute to the troops."
- "Yeah, that's a good idea. What category should they introduce?"
- "How about the one where the winner is a film about how sick and twisted our military is?"
- "The one where it shows the troops committing all kinds of torture?"
- "Yeah, that one."
- "Sweet, let's do it! It'll be perfect."
- "Yeah, they're just killing babies and raping goats over in Baghdad anyways."
- "They're probably too stupid to get it."

I guess we shouldn't really be too surprised, though. This if, after all, the only way Hollywood knows how to show support to our troops. They can't do so without finding some way to sully that tribute. But, well, high five for trying!

Well... maybe a low five.

Hat Tips: Hot Air and Michelle Malkin

Romney may return?

Well, color me surprised.

Mitt Romney was not my first choice for a presidential candidate, but he came third after Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson. He's far more conservative than McCain, and while there was a question of flip-flopping on some issues, he seemed far more trustworthy than McCain and, God forbid, Clinton or Obama. My support ran to Mitt after the two most conservative candidates left the race, and I was genuinely saddened when he dropped out, especially when he said this:

Now, I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, and finding and executing Osama bin Laden. And I agree with him on eliminating Al Qaida and terror worldwide.

Now, if I fight on, in my campaign, all the way to the convention...

I want you to know, I've given this a lot of thought -- I'd forestall the launch of a national campaign and, frankly, I'd make it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win.

Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

This isn't an easy decision. I hate to lose.

My family, my friends, you, my supporters across the country, you've given a great deal to get me to where I have a shot to becoming president. If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been only about me. I entered this race -- I entered this race because I love America. And because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country.

I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I'll fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of the things we believe in is that we cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face of evil extremism.

And so, Romney bowed out gracefully, something that Mike Huckabee cannot seem to get the hang of. And I was supremely disappointed that he dropped out, because he was the closest we had left to a conservative, even though some thought Mitt Romney would be unelectable in the general election (I disagree).

Well, there may yet be some hope -- he may be returning to the race.

Josh Romney, one of former Gov. Mitt Romney’s five sons, says it’s “possible” his father may rejoin the race for the White House, either as a vice presidential candidate or seek to become the Republican Party’s standard bearer if the campaign of Sen. John McCain falters.

He’s asked about speculation that given the McCain troubles his father might re-enter the Republican race either as a candidate for the top spot or as the party nominee’s vice presidential partner and Romney replies it’s “possible.” Then, he adds, “unlikely, but possible.”

It was the first sign from the Romney camp or family that the former Massachusetts governor’s political plans for 2008 were anything but over.

Such a move could provide a possible rallying point for conservatives, who awaited a perfect conservative candidate and held back from supporting Romney all during 2007 while the campaigns of other conservatives including Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Fred Thompson collapsed.

I would love to see Mitt reenter the race, as a vice presidential candidate or, even better, as a presidential candidate once again. He would be a vast improvement over McCain and Huckabee.

I still think that if McCain ends up our nominee we need to be united behind him. But I think we all would be able to do that much more willingly with Mitt Romney as our candidate. It's a long shot, but it's hope, and isn't that one of the keywords of this election season anyways?

Fred Phelps & Co. strike again

Who hear is familiar with the Westboro Baptist Church and its "leader", the P.O.S. excuse for a human being named Fred Phelps? For those not in the know, let's get you acquainted.

Fred Phelps is the pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. Phelps & Co. are well-known for picketing any event supportive of the gay community -- gay pride weeks, parades, etc. They also condemn Catholics, Muslims, Jews, and anyone who may support the groups they hate -- including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Mexico, etc. One of their websites is called God Hates America and "praises God for the NIU massacre". They call themselves Baptist, but are not affiliated with any known Baptist conventions or associations, nor does any Baptist institution recognize the church as a Bible-believing fellowship. They believe that almost every tragedy in the world is caused by homosexuality, and that homosexuality should be considered a capital crime.

Disgusted yet? It gets worse.

The WBC is more a cult than a church. Members are not allowed to marry anyone outside the church. They picket daily, and travel nationwide to picket the funerals of murdered homosexuals or those who have died of AIDS -- including the funeral of Matthew Shepard. They also protest at live theatre, concerts, and Kansas City Chiefs football games, claiming that these are "havens for homosexuality".

They've now shifted their attention from focusing on protesting homosexuality to protesting funerals of fallen soldiers killed in the Iraq war. On their website's FAQ section (yes, that really is the web address for those who are shocked), they claim that (please be cautioned for language):

These turkeys are not heroes. They are lazy, incompetent idiots looking for jobs because they're not qualified for honest work.

They were raised on a steady diet of fag propaganda in the home, on TV, in church, in school, in mass media - everywhere - the two-pronged lie: 1) It's OK to be gay; and, 2) Anyone saying otherwise, like WBC, is a hatemonger who must be vilified, demonized, marginalized into silence.

Therefore, with full knowledge of what they were doing, they voluntarily joined a fag-infested army to fight for a fag-run country now utterly and finally forsaken by God who Himself is fighting against that country.

Like me, I'm sure that you're thoroughly disgusted by reading all of that. These asshats are the primary reason that we need the Patriot Guard Riders, a noble group of bikers who travel across the country to shield the families of fallen soldiers from the protesters.

Recently successfully sued by the father of a fallen soldier, Fred Phelps and the WBC are undeterred. Unsatisfied now with attacking the families of fallen soldiers while they mourn at their loved ones' funerals, or protesting the gay community nationwide, the Phelps' and WBC is planning to protest at a memorial service for Brianna Denison. Who is Brianna?

She was a young girl who attended Santa Barbara College, and who was raped and strangled to death in Reno, NV. She was visiting a friend in Nevada over Christmas break, and was abducted in January.

According to their website, here is why they are protesting:

Reno-Sparks Convention Center 4590 S. Virginia St. This is for the memorial service for Brianna Denison. She was the "victim" of a serial rapist's strangulation. We call it the Wrath of God being poured out on a nation of rebels without a cause. You brought this Wrath on your own head, Reno, NV because you (1st) raised your chidren to be dashed to pieces as rebellious, arrogant soldiers of a Doomed nation of perverts and (2nd) when we warned you to not go to Hell like the dead soldiers and OBEY YOUR MAKER, you lawless brutes did not obey your own laws; instead, you allowed criminal, disorderly conduct to take place betwixt our humble, peaceful preachers and your arrogant, filthy-mouthed and violent counter-demonstraters. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QufIrF9-b9E for an excellent view of Doomed Americans breaking their own laws. You taught your daughters to be whores ? God sent the pervert to rape and murder your daughters. You taught your people to be lawless ? when your police do NOT obey the law and the oath they took ? you teach rebellion to the people. When you call God a liar and say his standards are on the table to dispose of, you teach the pervert that HE is entitled to disobey the law!! America is Doomed, and Reno, Nevada is Doomed. Amen.

This is Brianna Denison:

She was someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's friend. What happened to her is a horrible tragedy -- abducted and killed by a serial rapist who authorities believe will become a serial killer, if he isn't already. The memorial service is being called a celebration of life, to remember and cherish the person that she was. These scumbags are going to show up and cause her family and friends more pain and suffering than they already are because of their sick, twisted, self-righteous "dogma".

I've read that there will be plenty of people there, bikers (probably the Patriot Guard, but who knows?), to counter-protest them. Let's hope so. If you live in the Reno area, I strongly encourage you to counter-protest them yourself. The service is tonight from 6:00 - 7:00 pm at the Reno Sparks Convention Center. If we can keep the asshats away from her grieving family and friends it would be wonderful. The loss these people have suffered is enormous, and they don't need the memory of their daughter and friend, and their time of grieving, tarnished by pitiful, pathetic assclowns like the WBC idiots. If you can't attend, then please keep Brianna's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Hat Tip: The Jawa Report

Video of the Day

From Evaluation comes a video for the weekend. For all you Beatles fans, here's a new cover of "Hey Jude" by a diaper-wearing infant with a guitar bigger than he is. And I have to agree with Gags over at Evaluation: this kid is better than half of the signed recording artists out there today. Maybe better than three-quarters, even.

Enjoy:


And to show that this tot is, indeed, better than what the music industry gives us today, I'm giving you another video. This one also comes from Evaluation, and is a cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" sung by Charlotte Church and Amy Winehouse. Charlotte Church is lovely, but Amy Winehouse is a mess. In all likelihood, she was one God knows what kind of drugs during this performance, and at one point (around 2:00 in), you can even see Charlotte putting an arm around her to keep her steady. This performance is like a train wreck -- completely horrible and apalling, but you just can't look away. Even Charlotte's face is entertaining, because it's quite obvious that she's as apalled by Amy's performance as we are.

Did I mention that Amy Winehouse just won 5 Grammys? She won awards for Record of the Year, Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Best Vocal Album and Best Pop Vocal Performance. That's right, folks. Watch this video and see if you can tell me why.

Time to trust McCain

John Hawkins has done another one of his always-popular blogger polls, and the topic was John McCain. 59 blogs responded, and the poll showed that John McCain, unsurprisingly, has not yet been able to completely gain the trust of conservatives. Here are some of the results (visit Right Wing News to view them all):

Do you intend to vote for John McCain in November?

A) Yes: 40 -- 75%
B) No: 13 -- 25%

Do you consider John McCain to be a conservative?

A) Yes: 19 -- 34%
B) No: 37 -- 66%

Do you trust John McCain to appoint Supreme Court Justices like Roberts and Alito?

A) Yes: 32 -- 55%
B) No: 26 -- 45%

How enthusiastic would you be about actually having John McCain as President on a 10 scale? Think of a score of 10 as being extremely enthusiastic and excited and 1 as being about very upset and unenthusiastic.

Average score: 4.7

The answers to this poll were troubling to me, and not because I distrust John McCain. I do distrust McCain on several issues, but I am ready to put that aside for now, and other conservatives need to do the same.

All throughout the primaries, most of us in the blogosphere have been steadfastly against John McCain -- myself included. But it's time to get over the feelings that most of us have of distrust, fear, and anger about McCain being our nominee. Like it or not, he is the nominee, and we can't keep focusing on the negatives. What truly saddens me concerning John McCain is that so many of us seem only able to focus on where he stands politically. We've all overlooked the fact that the man is a genuine war hero, who has done some incredible things, and despite the mistakes he may have made with various policies and legislations, loves his country -- no one can doubt that. He's a fiscal conservative, will be great for the military, and is also someone we can trust with foreiqn policy, national security, and the War on Terror.

John McCain is not the conservative dream candidate -- he's broken the collective heart of conservativism multiple times. But we need to start remembering who the alternatives are -- Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Who, of these three, would do more harm to the country? Is it even a question?

So many are saying that they refuse to vote for McCain out or "principle", that they won't choose the lesser of two evils. But we all need to get over that attitude. We need to understand that things will not always go our way; we may never get another Ronald Reagan. No candidate, not even Reagan himself, will ever be able to measure up the the impossibly high standards conservatives are holding candidates to. Yes, we should support the most conservative candidate we can, but Americans have voted in John McCain as our candidate for 2008, and therefore, we have got to get past the animosity towards McCain.

Let's leave the whiny emotionalism for the liberals, hmm?

If we can't unite ourselves this election season, then how can we possibly win? It won't help the conservative movement one bit to give the country President Barack Obama, or even worse, President Hillary Clinton. Is that what any of us conservatives want? You may be furious because McCain has failed us on some issues, but if we don't get him into office, then we'll have a President who fails us on all the issues.

He may not be the candidate that any of us wanted, but we need to get behind him. We need to support John McCain, for the good of the United States.

The Obamamessiah wants YOU to go to work!

Just as God issued his Ten Commandments, the new savior of our souls, the Obamamessiah, has issued his first commandment through his wife, Michelle.
From Hot Air:

Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

And we on the Right are the fascists?! Puh-lease.

But hey, it looks like the Obamamessiah and his wife have found exactly what it is that will save our souls!

He is going to force all of us to work -- and give 80% of our hard-earned money from all of that working to the government, of course. He is going to force all of us to become de-isolated -- and finally embrace the superior wisdom of the globalists in Europe and at the UN, of course. We must shed our cynicism -- there's too many of us who aren't buying into his empty speeches filled with empty promises, and it's our fault because we're just too gosh darn cynical! With the Obamamessiah as President, our lives will change forever all right, whether we like it or not, and it'll be the changes that he thinks we need to make.

OK, sarcasm off now.

At what point is the Obama campaign going to realize that they need to shut this woman up. It's just gaffe after gaffe after gaffe. And the comments she's been making show her to be quite an ugly mix of Teresa Heinz Kerry (downright stupidity), John Edwards (promising everything in the world to get elected), and some sort of weird cross of Lenin and Hitler (see quote above). So honestly, at what point does Obama realize that he needs to get his wife to keep her damn mouth shut? And at what point do people start actually listening to what is coming out of her mouth and start thinking about exactly what kind of President and First Lady these two would be?

Hat Tip: Right Wing News

Duke lacrosse players sue university

This could possibly be the least surprising story of the day, but the lacrosse team deserves justice. 38 players are suing Duke University, its president Richard Brodhead, the Duke Medical Center, and the city of Durham, North Carolina. Good for them -- these young men were slandered before the entire nation while the university stood idly by doing nothing, when they allegedly had evidence proving their innocence.

Duke University will be sued by 38 members of the 2006 men's lacrosse team who claim they suffered emotional distress when school officials failed to support them during a rape investigation, a spokesman for the players said.

The lawsuit, to be filed today in U.S. District Court in North Carolina, also will name Duke President Richard Brodhead, Duke's medical center, and the city of Durham, North Carolina, according to a statement posted on a Web site run by players' spokesman Bob Bork. University officials remained silent during the rape probe, even though they had evidence that the players were innocent, according to the statement.

``These young men want acknowledgment that they were wronged by institutions and individuals that they trusted to treat them honestly,'' attorney Chuck Cooper said in the statement. ``They were victimized by a corrupt investigation that ignored or suppressed evidence that would have cleared them. And, all for a crime that never took place.''

You can follow the suit at www.dukelawsuit.com.

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

"We've served this nation to protect the likes of ingrates like you."

They don't belong here; they shouldn't have come here; and they should leave.
- Berkeley mayor Tom Bates

Move America Forward is fed up with Berkeley, like many of us disgusted with their treatment of the military there.



The Army veteran in the ad, John Bringuel, is no stranger to the military hatred festering in Berkeley. In 1965, he spoke up against the anti-military bias there, and forty-three years later he's standing up for the military again. Hot Air
has an excerpt of his 1965 letter concerning the Berkeley ingrates:



Why the animosity towards Berkeley instead of the Code Pink traitorous moonbats? Because Berkeley isn't just looking the other way, they're active participants, encouraging the moonbats and publicly declaring that they want the Marines -- who they call "uninvited unwelcome intruders" and "barbaric" gone. The Berkeley City Council passed a resolution claiming that the recruiting office "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders." They've also given the moonbats their own designated parking spot in front of the office as well as a sound permit, so they can be as loud and disruptive as they wish.

Jim DeMint, as I mentioned yesterday, is moving to block all earmarks to Berkeley until they stop this atrocity.



Visit Move America Forward's website and sign the petition there. This situation has gotten disturbingly little attention in the mainstream media, but that doesn't mean you can't make your voice heard. Maybe it's time for the Berkeley City Council to start stocking up on white feathers:

Berkeley City Council
2180 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Mayor Tom Bates
2180 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us

She's just not that into you... or is she?

Women are weird creatures. We are strange, we are complex, and near impossible to understand. I admit this freely because you know what, it's the truth. Women can argue that it isn't true, but we make things unnecessarily difficult for ourselves in a lot of relationship-type situations. Why? Because it's how we're wired. Because it makes sense to us, and damn it, you as the boyfriend or husband should just understand.

But what if you aren't the boyfriend yet? What if you're trying to feel her out on the first date? An article on MSN claims to tell you how you can tell if she likes you or not. Unfortunately, most of this stuff just does not hold water. Here is how you can supposedly tell if she likes you:

1. She tilts her head (in any direction).

2. She takes a sip when you take a sip.

3. She twirls her hair.

4. She gets a glow.

5. Her pupils dilate.

Sometimes I really wonder where these dating columnists come up with this stuff, because I can't imagine that it's the real world of dating.

If your date "tilts her head", she might just be trying to find the waiter -- or the ladies room, where she can escape and call a friend to send her the obligatory "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" text message because the date is so horrible. There are so many reasons anyone, male or female, might tilt their head -- in any direction, no less -- that saying that any kind of head tilt is an indicator of romantic interest is ridiculous.

Sipping when you sip? Probably more coincidence than anything, and if she's purposely mirroring the timing of you drinking and/or eating, isn't that a little weird? I've certainly never timed my drinking patterns after my date. If I'm thirsty, I take a sip. End of story.

I think twirling her hair might possibly be the worst indicator of the five of these. Women. Twirl. Hair. Not all women, but a lot of them do, and they twirl their hair without even realizing they're doing it. I do it when I'm zoning out -- when I'm starting to think about something else, and am drifting towards La-La Land. If that would be considered a win for you, then fantastic. But these dating "experts" are reading too much into a small gesture.

The last two seem a little strange. Blushing and the dilating of pupils is supposed to be a failsafe way of knowing your date digs you? Don't think so. If her face gets all red and rosy, it does not necessarily mean "attraction". She could be hot. She could be blushing because you just said something that embarassed the heck out of her. Dilating of pupils might come about from being attracted to a man, as their expert claims, but I don't buy it. Pupils dilate out of fear, too. So what if her pupils are dilating?

There are also five signs she isn't feeling you:

1. She crosses her arms.

2. She places her bag between you two.

3. She speaks faster than an auctioneer.

4. She offers you a chin-up smile.

5. She strokes her neck.

Unlike the first five "yes, she is into you" signs, these are hit-and-miss. For instance, the crossing of the arms alone is not necessarily a red flag. If you're standing in the lobby of the restaurant waiting to be seated, and she's got her arms crossed while she chats amiably to you, I think you can relax. However, if she's leaning back in her seat, arms crossed, and glaring stonily at a point somewhere over your head, mumbling, "Mm-hm. Yeah. Right. Yup.", to everything you say, then you can safely assume that this chick isn't feeling it.

Placing her bag between you may just another case of reading too much into a simple situation, especially if it's a blind date, a first date, or any case where this girl does not know you prior to this date. Yes, as the expert says, it's a sign of the woman wanting to keep a bit of distance between you. No, it is not always a bad sign, unless this expert is expecting every single date to end with the girl leaping into your arms, kissing you all over while moaning, "Take me now!!" Women are going to want a respectful distance kept between them at first. Believe it or not, that's ok. It does not indicate a failure on your part.

Speaking quickly is a horrible indicator of like or dislike. Some people naturally speak unusually quickly, like my friend Sherry. She talks at an extremely fast pace, because that's just how she is. She's bubbly, and outgoing, and upbeat, and energetic, and her speech reflects that. A lot of people, myself included, tend to also speak hyper-fast when they're excited -- which is a good thing. Feel out her personality. If a girl's not feeling you, she's much more likely to not talk to you at all, and give you only one-word answers all night, than she is to suddenly start talking on fast forward.

Chin-up smiles? Like I just said, read her personality. Observe her (subtly -- not in that creepy stalker way). I know that you men are not a bunch of bumbling idiots with no power for perception. The bigger question when it comes to a smile is not chin placement (who comes up with this??), but whether it's genuine or not. If it's a fake, patronizing, condescending smile, you're likely to notice. Unlike these "experts", I know men are capable of being observant and perceptive -- so be observant and perspective!

Their last negative is if she starts stroking her neck. Sorry to burst this "expert's" bubble, but if a woman you are on a date with starts stroking pretty much any part of her body, I'd chalk that up to the win column.

So what do you take from all of this?

If you haven't figured it out yet, the recurring theme here is to open your eyes. It isn't that difficult to read people, and most women don't look at men like idiots who can't figure them out. If she is responding to the conversation, that's a good sign. If she's touching herself pretty much in any way, that's probably a good sign too. If she doesn't take your eyes off of you (except to glance down a little before glancing back up at you), that's probably also a good sign. If she's not smiling and staring at the wall over your head, or looking around so much you think she's going to get whiplash, it's probably not going well. If she's barely responding to anything you say, using as few words as possible, then it's probably not going well.

Again, the key here is to simply try to read her. No two girls are going to respond the same way to the same date. Yes, that means you have to think, but unlike a lot of contemporary dating "experts", I know that men are more intelligent than you are given credit for. So use that intelligence and you'll find it suits you well.

Global warming strikes again!

Global warming has struck yet again! The Goracle has proved that he truly is able to predict what the weather will be like 10+ years from now, and if we simply bow down to him and put ourselves into the Economic Dark Ages, he will be able to save all of our lives.

Who needs the Obamamessiah when you've got the Goracle?

In case you're wondering what it is that has cemented the reality of global warming, here it is.

All that arctic ice that the Goracle's acolytes were hyperventilating over, that caused the crying over polar bears that were drowning and dying, and the whining that we would soon see 50 foot tidal waves putting the coasts of the United States underwater, the arctic ice that had supposedly melted and gone away for good?

Well, um, it's, uh, back.

Satellite data shows that concerns over the levels of sea ice may have been premature.

It was feared that the polar caps were vanishing because of the effects of global warming.

But figures from the respected US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that almost all the “lost” ice has come back.

Ice levels which had shrunk from 13million sq km in January 2007 to just four million in October, are almost back to their original levels.

Figures show that there is nearly a third more ice in Antarctica than is usual for the time of year.

The data flies in the face of many current thinkers and will be seized on by climate change sceptics who deny that the world is undergoing global warming.

...

Vast swathes of the world have suffered chaos because of some of the heaviest snowfalls in decades.

Central and southern China, the USA and Canada were hit hard by snowstorms.

Even the Middle East saw snow, with Jerusalem, Damascus, Amman and northern Saudi Arabia reporting the heaviest falls in years and below-zero temperatures. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan snow and freezing weather killed 120 people.

In Britain the barmy February weather came to an abrupt halt at the weekend as temperatures plunged to -10C in central England.

Experts believe that this month could end up as one of the coldest Februaries in Britain in the past 10 years.

The freezing night-time conditions look set to stay around -8C until at least the middle of the week.

Maybe that consensus isn't as ironclad as the Goreacle has led us to believe (but who actually believed that it was?).

But then again, this is probably due to global warming, too. According to the Goracle's global warming fanatical followers, everything is caused by global warming! Extreme heat? Global warming. Extreme cold? Global warming. Polar ice caps melt? Global warming. Polar ice caps swell? Global warming. Too many hurricanes? Global warming. Not enough hurricanes? Global warming. An ant is killed by some kid with a magnifying glass? Global warming!

So fear not, ye followers of the Church of Climate Change. I'm sure the apocalypse caused by global warming will still come in ten or so years time if we continue to refuse to bow to the will of the Almighty Goracle.

Hat Tips: Right Wing News, Ace of Spades and The Q and O Blog.

Even his supporters can't come up with anything substantial

Chris Matthews interviewed an Obama supporter on national television, Texas state Senator Kirk Watson, asking him to name Barack Obama's accomplishments. It was interesting to watch him come up with... nothing.



Senator Watson flat out admitted he couldn't name any legislative accomplishments from Barack Obama, but did point out that Obama is able to inspire -- only after trying to side step the question several times. This is, of course, not a problem because remember -- Barack Obama can inspire! What else matters?

Hat Tip: DrewM at Ace of Spades

Berkeley moonbats are attacking the police now, too.

UPDATE:
From Blackfive, a video of Debbie Lee standing up for our troops in Berkeley. Ms. Lee is the mother of Mark Allen Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq, as well as the mother of a Marine, Christopher. She stood before the Berkeley City Council and admonished them for their despicable handling of this situation. She was passionate, brave, moving, and determined. She spares no venom for the Berkeley City Council, and bravo to her. (With all the bad publicity, and Jim DeMint trying to block their federal funding, I'm shocked that Berkeley isn't running for cover yet!)

Here's the video.



Bored with attacking and intimidating a USMC recruitment office in Berkeley, hysterical moonbats laid seige to a police office after one of their own was arrested for fighting. Zombie, one of the best photojournalists in the biz, was there and captured the entire incident. As the teenager was walked to the police station, the moonbats (many sporting kaffiyehs, coincidentally, I'm sure) started hyperventilating over the [non-existent] "police brutality". So what did they feel was the best course of action?

Why, to start screaming at them about their police brutality. Another argument then apparently broke out, leading to another fight, and another teenage moonbat was arrested, which was just simply too much for the Code Pinkos and World Can't Wait moonbats to bear. These police obviously didn't know that these people are simply innocent victims, and as these moonbats are the moral authority in our country, are above having the follow the law.

The police marched the two boys to the police station, and the crowd of moonbats followed, backing the police right up to the doors of the station. A Marine supporter told them to calm down, causing the crowd to only get more upset. Medea Benjamin, that wise leader of the Code Pink crazies, told them to participate in a "sit-down protest". Because, you know, when the policemen and women of our country enforce our laws, surely it's time to protest! How dare they make these pioneers and leaders follow the law?!

As the mob grew larger and larger, and more and more unruly, the police were forced to call reinforcements to literally defend the perimeter of the police station. Thankfully (for the moonbats, anyway) the mob saw that the police weren't backing down, and dispersed as the day went on.

Here are just a few of Zombie's pictures from the event (visit Zombie's website to view the whole sorry affair):
















How pathetic are these people? Protesting, rioting, and attacking the two groups who are sworn to protect them, who put their lives on the line to ensure their safety, despite these idiots' animosity towards them and absolute lack of any modicum of gratitude -- the military and the police.

How do these people not get it? They are attacking the very people who give them the right to protest, the right to wear kaffiyehs and act like moonbattery-filled, kool-aid drinking fools who slander them left and right -- our military. Our soldiers are the ones who fight and die to ensure the very rights that these asshats so giddily take advantage of, protesting our military and yet somehow never seeing that the ones they are protesting are the ones that ensure that they will forever have the right to protest. It's sickening.

And on top of that, they put the Berkeley Police Department in a near-impossible situation; always ready to scream police brutality, constantly trying to provoke them into making any small mistake, so that they can then try to crucify the police as well. Had the Berkeley Police Department been anything besides absolute professionals, I have no doubt that Medea Benjamin would be on CNN right now, screeching about their victimhood, and claiming that the police deliberately targeted them. Yet again, they seem to miss that the people they attacked are people who are sworn to do whatever needed to keep these idiots safe.

I simply cannot understand how it is that these people feel they need to go after our military and our police, who need and deserve our support. I will never understand it.

Hat Tip: Moonbattery

We hate Obama because he's inspirational!

Over at the Huffington Post, some whining is taking place. Nothing too out of the ordinary, of course, but this particular whining stuck out to me. Blogger Robert Creamer is crying that Obama is being vilified for being -- sob! -- inspirational!

It's one thing for supporters of Hillary Clinton to make the case that her experience in Washington politics would make her a better president than Barack Obama. But it's quite another to actually vilify Obama's ability to inspire as a "cult of the personality" or "nothing but words."

It is particularly disturbing when serious progressive writers who should know better repeat this attack on Obama's inspirational abilities. It demonstrates a failure to grasp the principal lesson of the last thirty years of American politics.

In fact, it is precisely the absence of inspiration in progressive politics that has kept Progressives on the political defensive for decades.

That's because to inspire people, Progressives have to appeal to something much more important than endless lists of policies and programs. To inspire people, Progressives have to appeal to our values and to our vision for the future.

This guy obviously hit the nail right on the head. The entire political establishment is vilifying Obama because he's just so gosh darn inspirational!

Let's stop playing in Fairy Tale Land and enter reality now.

Sadly enough for Mr. Creamer, no one is vilifying Obama's ability to "inspire". He's vilified because he's a junior politician with next to no experience and nothing substantial to say except pretty words to make people feel all warm and mushy inside. It's nice to feel inspired and important, but the ability to do that does not a good President make. At least with Shrillary, we have an idea of what she stands for, what she would do as President (even though we hate what she stands for with a passion). Barack Obama is proving himself to be nothing but an empty suit. Sure, he's eloquent. He seems like an intelligent guy. He can speak well and make people feel nice. But what is he really saying?

What Mr. Creamer, and many liberals, seem to be saying is that they desire style over substance -- it's change, and hope, and inspiration, over having real values, of having goals and a plan. It's easy to say that you want to vote for a "future", and for "hope", but what does it mean??

Nothing. It means absolutely nothing. Saying you believe in "hope" is a ridiculously empty statement. This is why Obama is vilified so often; this is why he's constantly being attacked. Everyone likes feeling inspired and hopeful, but those are not the qualifications needed for President for most Americans. Maybe he could head up the Departments of Hope and Change, which can be in a new federal building shaped like a heart, where he can sit around and think of ways to inspire people with empty, meaningless rhetoric. His entire role in the government can be finding new ways of feeding our emotions.

After all, emotion is 80% of liberalism, isn't it?

To be the President of the United States, you need to be able to do something more than just inspire people and talk about abstract ideas using pretty words. When Obama grows up, and can be a big-boy politician, we'll stop vilifying him for being an empty suit, and vilify him for his policies instead.

Michelle Obama ashamed of America her entire adult life

Looks like Barack Obama's wife may be turning into this election's Teresa Heinz Kerry -- it's Teresa Heinz Obama! Barack may need to sit Michelle Obama down and tell her to keep her damn mouth shut. Every now and then, the Dems make the mistake of saying what they really think, which is exactly what Michelle Obama just did:

Obama
by krs601

Note the applause after her statement -- not shocked silence or gasps. Applause.

Here's the statement:

What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud.

Michelle Obama was born on January 17, 1964, making her 44 years old. She's legally been an adult for 26 years, and in 26 years there hasn't been one single event to make her feel proud to be an American? There hasn't been anything to make her proud of the strongest, freest, most generous and democratic country in the entire world? Not one single thing? We've made mistakes, to be sure, but the United States is a country to be proud of -- a country that most Americans love and cherish, are proud to call home, and see as worth fighting for. And of course, Dems like Teresa Heinz Michelle Obama don't see any of that. Without their magnificent selves to lead us, this country is nothing but a jungle full of backwards, stupid hicks desperate for someone to take care of us and tell us what to do, what is right or wrong.

One of the things that stood out most to me was the overwhelming egotism of that statement. Her husband is finally doing well, and now she's finally proud of her country. God forbid Barack Obama never launched a political career, because obviously had he not she would've spent her entire life hating America! But then again, she'd feel right at home in the Democratic party.

But remember, we're never, ever supposed to question their patriotism.

Quote of the Day

From Susan Sarandon:

Well, I'm going to back Obama. But I hope -- I think that he, as a symbol, has really excited people, and he's definitely confusing to everyone who really hates America for hating Muslims because a name like Obama and a black man, they're probably going to go "Oh, wait a minute -- What?" It's kind of like when you're out on the line for freedom to have an abortion and you're incredibly pregnant. They just can't quite figure it out.

So I think he definitely has convinced people that he stands for change and for hope, and I can't wait to see what he stands for.

The rest of the American people agree, Susan. We can't wait to find out just what exactly it is that Obama does stand for besides pretty, empty words like change and hope. I'd love to hear something substantial from him, but why should he bother? He stands for change and hope!

Hat Tip: Newsbusters

I'm back!

Hello everyone, I have returned!! I am finally back, and ready to get blogging again (new posts are below)!!

Here are some photos for you all from Niagara Falls and Colorado.


The mountains in Colorado where we were staying.









The *Niagara Falls* skyline.



Prospect Point at Niagara Falls.






At Horseshoe Falls.









Posing in the shark cage at the Niagara Falls Aquarium.













I hope y'all are as happy to have me back as I am to be back!! :)

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman find a new way to promote movies

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman have a new movie coming out in a few weeks called The Other Boleyn Girl, a movie I absolutely cannot wait to see. It's been knocked by critics, but what do critics really know anyways?

In the meantime, Scarlett and Natalie have found a pretty failsafe way to make sure that their movie opens well on February 29th. They were kissing at the Berlinale Film Festival.



From the Daily Mail:

The Other Boleyn Girl may have been panned by critics, but it seems co-stars Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson have discovered other ways of pulling in audiences.

The stunning duo, attending the Berlin premiere of the film, shared more than just a giggle - as they took a moment to exchange a steamy kiss - while posing for pictures on the red carpet.

The Hollywood sirens have obviously cultivated a close friendship since playing sisters on screen and were not afraid to show it as Natalie, 26, leaned in to lock lips with the blonde bombshell.

Scarlett, 23, looked more than happy to be the object of Natalie's affections, showing off her cleavage in a 50's inspired fuscia-coloured dress, while the brunette opted for an equally sexy black lace number.

Perhaps Natalie's bold move came as an attempt to change the public's perception after recently proclaiming herself as "boring".

I don't think any of Natalie's fans find her boring, and especially not after that picture!

In any case, make sure you go see The Other Boleyn Girl, starring these two lovely ladies along with Eric Bana opening February 29th (I won't be missing it!).

Obama plagiarizes speech?

Did Barack Obama plagiarize a speech made by Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick? A YouTube video points out some "similarities". Coincidence? Decide for yourself:

Kosovo secedes from Serbia; gains U.S. approval

Kosovo has officially seceded from Serbia, gaining not only independence but the support of the United States and other European nations:

President Bush on Monday hailed Kosovo's bold and historic bid for statehood, saying "The Kosovars are now independent."

Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leadership announced its independence from Serbia over the weekend, and suspense gripped the province on Monday as its citizens awaited key backing from the United States and key European powers.

"It's something that I've advocated along with my government," Bush said in an interview on NBC's "Today."

By appealing directly to the U.S. and other nations for recognition, Kosovo's independence set up a showdown with Serbia — outraged at the imminent loss of its territory — and Russia.

In an EU meeting, Paris was the first to acknowledge Kosovo's independence. France was quickly followed by Britain, Germany, Italy, and Finland. Unfortunately for Kosovo, there is no shortage of nations unwilling to recognize their independence, and Serbia isn't going to let Kosovo go without a fight.

Finland also said it would be among those recognizing too -- despite the anger of Serbia and its main backer, Russia. Turkey also recognized the territory it once ruled in Ottoman times.

Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania have indicated they too are not keen to recognize Kosovo, which confidently expects recognition from up to 100 states.

Serbia has vowed peaceful retaliatory steps and could make life even more difficult for the territory than it already is, with its 50 percent unemployment and a weak economy.

There was no shortage of protest by Serbs against the unilateral secession of the southern province, run by the United Nations and NATO for the past nine years.

Serbs protested against Kosovo's secession for a second day in Belgrade, in their Kosovo stronghold of Mitrovica, and in isolated Serb enclaves in central Kosovo. Several thousand turned out for the rallies, which remained mainly peaceful.

Serbs in the Bosnian Serb capital Banja Luka also demonstrated, shouting "Kill the Albanians! and stoning police guarding the U.S. consulate.

Hat Tip: Ace of Spades