Heywood Jablowme's blog: "Politics"

Revealed: UK’s first official sharia courtsAbul Taher ISLAMIC law has been officially adopted in Britain, with sharia courts given powers to rule on Muslim civil cases. The government has quietly sanctioned the powers for sharia judges to rule on cases ranging from divorce and financial disputes to those involving domestic violence. Rulings issued by a network of five sharia courts are enforceable with the full power of the judicial system, through the county courts or High Court. Previously, the rulings of sharia courts in Britain could not be enforced, and depended on voluntary compliance among Muslims. It has now emerged that sharia courts with these powers have been set up in London, Birmingham, Bradford and Manchester with the network’s headquarters in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Two more courts are being planned for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Sheikh Faiz-ul-Aqtab Siddiqi, whose Muslim Arbitration Tribunal runs the courts, said he had taken advantage of a clause in the Arbitration Act 1996. Under the act, the sharia courts are classified as arbitration tribunals. The rulings of arbitration tribunals are binding in law, provided that both parties in the dispute agree to give it the power to rule on their case. Siddiqi said: “We realised that under the Arbitration Act we can make rulings which can be enforced by county and high courts. The act allows disputes to be resolved using alternatives like tribunals. This method is called alternative dispute resolution, which for Muslims is what the sharia courts are.” The disclosure that Muslim courts have legal powers in Britain comes seven months after Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was pilloried for suggesting that the establishment of sharia in the future “seems unavoidable” in Britain. In July, the head of the judiciary, the lord chief justice, Lord Phillips, further stoked controversy when he said that sharia could be used to settle marital and financial disputes. In fact, Muslim tribunal courts started passing sharia judgments in August 2007. They have dealt with more than 100 cases that range from Muslim divorce and inheritance to nuisance neighbours. It has also emerged that tribunal courts have settled six cases of domestic violence between married couples, working in tandem with the police investigations. Siddiqi said he expected the courts to handle a greater number of “smaller” criminal cases in coming years as more Muslim clients approach them. “All we are doing is regulating community affairs in these cases,” said Siddiqi, chairman of the governing council of the tribunal. Jewish Beth Din courts operate under the same provision in the Arbitration Act and resolve civil cases, ranging from divorce to business disputes. They have existed in Britain for more than 100 years, and previously operated under a precursor to the act. Politicians and church leaders expressed concerns that this could mark the beginnings of a “parallel legal system” based on sharia for some British Muslims. Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, said: “If it is true that these tribunals are passing binding decisions in the areas of family and criminal law, I would like to know which courts are enforcing them because I would consider such action unlawful. British law is absolute and must remain so.” Douglas Murray, the director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, said: “I think it’s appalling. I don’t think arbitration that is done by sharia should ever be endorsed or enforced by the British state.” There are concerns that women who agree to go to tribunal courts are getting worse deals because Islamic law favours men. Siddiqi said that in a recent inheritance dispute handled by the court in Nuneaton, the estate of a Midlands man was divided between three daughters and two sons. The judges on the panel gave the sons twice as much as the daughters, in accordance with sharia. Had the family gone to a normal British court, the daughters would have got equal amounts. In the six cases of domestic violence, Siddiqi said the judges ordered the husbands to take anger management classes and mentoring from community elders. There was no further punishment. In each case, the women subsequently withdrew the complaints they had lodged with the police and the police stopped their investigations. Siddiqi said that in the domestic violence cases, the advantage was that marriages were saved and couples given a second chance. Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “The MCB supports these tribunals. If the Jewish courts are allowed to flourish, so must the sharia ones.”

World's shortest book, a new record for brevity! My Accomplishments in Congress by Barack OBama

For your info - according to Snopes.com. I checked this out and it IS a direct quote from Snopes.com. Don't know whether she's grown up any since this happened. Steve According to Snopes.com, Princeton was requested to put a 'restriction' on distributionof any copies of the thesis of Michelle Obama (a/k/a/ Michelle laVaughn Robinson) sayingit could not be made available until November 5, 2008 but when it was published on apolitical website they decided they would lift the restriction. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/thesis.asp Subj: Thesis - Michele Obama aka Michelle LaVaughn Robinson OBAMA'S MILITANT RACISM REVEALED In her senior thesis at Princeton, Michele Obama, the wife of Barack Obamastated that America was a nation founded on 'crime and hatred'. Moreover, she stated that whites in America were 'ineradicably racist'. The1985 thesis, titled 'Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community' waswritten under her maiden name, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson. Michelle Obamastated in her thesis that to 'Whites at Princeton , it often seems as if, to them,she will always be Black first...' However, it was reported by a fellow blackclassmate, 'If those 'Whites at Princeton ' really saw Michelle as one whoalways would 'be Black first,' it seems that she gave them that impression'. Most alarming is Michele Obama's use of the terms 'separationist' and'integrationist' when describing the views of black people. Mrs. Obama clearly identifies herself with a 'separationist' view of race. 'By actually working with the Black lower class or within their communities as aresult of their ideologies, a separationist may better understand thedesperation of their situation and feel more hopeless about a resolution as opposed to an integrationist who is ignorant to their plight.'Obama writes that the path she chose by attending Princeton would likelylead to her 'further integration and/or assimilation into a white culturaland social structure that will only allow me to remain on the peripheryof society; never becoming a full participant.' Michele Obama clearly has a chip on her shoulder. Not only does she seeseparate black and white societies in America , but she elevates black overwhite in her world. Here is another passage that is uncomfortable and ominous in meaning:'There was no doubt in my mind that as a member of the blackcommunity, I am obligated to this community and will utilizeall of my present and future resources to benefit the blackcommunity first and foremost.' What is Michelle Obama planning to do with her future resources if she's firstlady that will elevate black over white in America? The following passageappears to be a call to arms for affirmative action policies that could be thehallmark of an Obama administration. 'Predominately white universities likePrinceton are socially and academically designed to cater to the needs of thewhite students comprising the bulk of their enrollments.' The conclusion of her thesis is alarming. Michelle Obama's poll of black alumni concludes that other black studentsat Princeton do not share her obsession with blackness. But rather thancelebrate, she is horrified that black alumni identify with our commonAmerican culture more than they value the color of their skin. 'I hoped thatthese findings would help me conclude that despite the high degree ofidentification with whites as a result of the educational and occupationalpath that black Princeton alumni follow, the alumni would still maintain acertain level of identification with the black community. However, thesefindings do not support this possibility.'Is it no wonder that most black alumni ignored her racist questionnaire? Only 89 students responded out of 400 who were asked for input.Michelle Obama does not look into a crowd of Obama supporters and seeAmericans. She sees black people and white people eternally conflictedwith one another.The thesis provides a trove of Mrs. Obama's thoughts andworld view seen through a race-based prism. This is a verydivisive view for a potential first lady that would do untolddamage to race relations in this country in a Barack Obamaadministration. Michelle Obama's intellectually refined racism should give allAmericans pause for deep concern.Now maybe she's changed, and maybe not....but she sure sounds like someonewith an axe to grind with America. Will the press let Michelle get a free pass overher obviously racist comment about American whites? I am sure that it will. PS: We paid for her scholarship. Talk about racism !!! Now we can truly understand why Mr. Obama does NOT want his wife brought into the picture right now.. . .

Profile In Incompetence: The Worst President In American History By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Wednesday , September 10, 2008 4:20 PM PT Jimmy Carter became our 39th president at the young age of 52. He was a one-term governor from Plains, GA, where he managed the family peanut farm and taught Sunday school. He was also a graduate of the Naval Academy and served seven years in the Navy, leaving as a lieutenant. He came to power in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the resignation of President Nixon. The public wanted change and someone new, and Carter was an ambitious, hands-on politician who promised better days. As good as his intentions were, however, the things he tried were not successful. In fact, he created far more serious problems than he ever solved. The centerpiece of Carter's foreign policy was human rights, and he did achieve one noble success—a peace treaty between Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachem Begin. Unfortunately, that later led to Sadat's assassination at the hands of Muslim radicals. Many people felt Carter was a good man who worked hard and meant well. But he was naive and incompetent in handling the enormous burdens and complex challenges of being president. He wrongly believed Americans had an "inordinate fear of communism," so he lifted travel bans to Cuba, North Vietnam and Cambodia and pardoned draft evaders. He also stopped B-1 bomber production and gave away our strategically located Panama Canal. His most damaging miscalculation was the withdrawal of U.S. support for the Shah of Iran, a strong and longtime military ally. Carter objected to the Shah's alleged mistreatment of imprisoned Soviet spies who were working to overthrow Iran's government. He thought the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, being a religious man, would make a fairer leader. Having lost U.S. support, the Shah was overthrown, the Ayatollah returned, Iran was declared an Islamic nation and Palestinian hit men were hired to eliminate opposition. The Ayatollah then introduced the idea of suicide bombers to the Palestine Liberation Organization, paying $35,000 to PLO families whose young people were brainwashed to kill as many Israelis as possible by blowing themselves up in crowded shopping areas. Next, the Ayatollah used Iran's oil wealth to create, train and finance a new terrorist organization, Hezbollah, which later would attack Israel in 2006. In November 1979, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranians stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Not until six months into the ordeal did Carter attempt a rescue. But the mission, using just six Navy helicopters, was poorly executed. Three of the copters were disabled or lost in sandstorms. (Pilots weren't allowed to meet with weather forecasters because someone in authority worried about security.) Five airmen and three Marines lost their lives. So, due to overconfidence, inexperience and poor judgment, Carter undermined and lost a strong ally, Iran, that today aggressively threatens the U.S., Israel and the rest of the world with nuclear weap ons. But that's not all. After Carter met for the first time with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the USSR promptly invaded Afghanistan. Carter, ever the naive appeaser, was shocked. "I can't believe the Russians lied to me," he said. The invasion attracted a 23-year-old Saudi named Osama bin Laden to Afghanistan to recruit Muslim fighters and raise money for an anti-Soviet jihad. Part of that group eventually became al-Qaida, a terrorist organization that would declare war on America several times between 1996 and 1998 before attacking us on 9/11, killing more Americans than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On Carter's watch, the Soviet Union went on an unrestrained rampage in which it took over not only Afghanistan, but also Ethiopia, South Yemen, Angola, Cambodia, Mo zambique, Grenada and Nicaragua. In spite of this, Carter's last defense budget proposed spending 45% below pre-Vietnam levels for fighter aircraft, 75% for ships, 83% for attack submarines and 90% for helicopters. Years later, as a civilian, Carter negotiated a peace agreement with North Korea to keep that communist country from developing nuclear weapons. He also convinced President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to go along with it. But the signed piece of paper proved worthless. The North Koreans deceived Carter and instead used our money, incentives and technical equipment to build nuclear weapons and pose the threat we face today. Thus did Carter unwittingly become our Neville Chamberlain, creating with his well-intended but inept, unrealistic and gullible actions the very condi tions that led to the three most dangerous security threats we face today: Iran, al-Qaida and North Korea. On the domestic side, Carter gave us inflation of 15%, the highest in 34 years; interest rates of 21%, the highest in 115 years; and a severe energy crisis with lines around the block at gas stations nationwide. In 1977, Carter, along with a Democrat Congress, created a worthy project with noble intentions—the Community Reinvestment Act. Over strong industry objections, it mandated that all banks meet the credit needs of their entire communities. In 1995, President Clinton imposed even stronger regulations and performance tests that coerced banks to substantially increase loans to low-income, poverty-area borrowers or face fines or possible restrictions on expansion. These revisions allowed for securitization of CRA loans containing subprime mortgages. By 1997, good loans were bundled with poor ones and sold as prime packages to institutions here and abroad. That shifted risk from the loan originators, freeing banks to begin pyramiding and make more of these profitable subprime products. Under two young, well-intended presidents, therefore, big-government plans and mandates played a significant role in the current subprime mortgage mess and its catastrophic consequences for the U.S. and international economies. Hardest-hit by the mortgage foreclosures have been the citizens that Democrats always claim to help most—inner-city residents who fell victim to low or no down payment schemes, unexpected adjustable rates, deceptive loan applications and commission-hungry salespeople. =0 A Now we're having to bail out at huge cost Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the very agencies that were supposed to stabilize the system. In time, this should improve the situation. But the party of Carter and Clinton that midwifed our mortgage mess now wants to be trusted to take over and have the government run our entire system of health care!

"Before anyone dismisses the fact that Sarah Palin is Commander of the Alaska National Guard consider this. Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. It’s on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units. As governor of Alaska , Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counter-terrorism. Her exposure to classified material may rival even Biden's and certainly by far exceeds Obama's. She's also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security's counter-terrorism plans. Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country's defense. Given Alaska 's proximity to Russia , she may have security clearances we don't even know about. According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain in February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used to keeping secrets. She can be entrusted with our national security, because she already is."

GOOD SHIT!!!!! If Bill Clinton Could Juggle Five Chicks, Sarah Palin Can Manage Five Kids by Doug Giles Y’know, there’s nothing worse than having a woman hand you your own testicles in a fight. And that’s exactly what Palin did to the Jobama ticket Wednesday night at the RNC. She verbally dismembered their party’s petty personal smears about her family, her “lack” of experience, and the flaming liberal’s vapid platform—and she did it in stilettos with a big grin on her face. It was like watching a leopard bat around a gazelle just before eating it. Now, before I go any further, let me go on record and say as the president of the Alpha Male Heterosexual Testosterone Fog Club that Sarah Palin is hotter than Georgia asphalt (and my wife doesn’t mind me saying that ‘cuz she too is muy caliente). Yep, Palin not only appeals to my conservative roots but she’s not a butt ugly eyesore like the goggle-eyed, nerve grating, unfunny, chunky Marxist chicks the lunatic left jams in our faces. Yes, I am that shallow. But Jesus loves me anyway. Let’s see, what else did I dig about Wednesday at the RNC? Oh yeah, the GOP has finally decided they’re not going to take the dem’s smack any longer and came out seriously swinging via Rudy and Palin at Jobama’s oh-so-lame record of achievement (cough). Obama had better walk away from the experience digs on sweet Sarah because as a governor she trumps his Peter Pan record. Period. End of discussion. Biden, Dodd and Hillary agree with Palin when she said Obama20ain’t got the moxie to be the Man. Wasn’t it entertaining watching Rudy have too much fun at Jobama’s “experience” expense, his indecisive “present” senate voting record, and Obama’s only “gravitas” being his role as a community organizer? (which I believe is a code name for the chief of a socialist gulag.) Yeah, it was sa-weet watching Palin refuse to play the “Oh, Beauregard, I do declare, I’m a damsel in distress” role. I feel very confident that Palin will be able to hold her own with Biden in the upcoming debates. Matter of fact, he’d better wear a cup and hope to God she doesn’t mention how obvious his micro mini-grafts are. So, why do I like Palin besides her looks and Bulldog Attitude? • She’s from a small town. I am pig sick of hearing the smarmy latte sippers dissing folks who don’t live in San Francisco. Viva la Smallville, where sanity is still alive and well! I say we all go out and buy a gun and a new Bible to celebrate! • She’s a mama who can juggle work and family. Look, goofy libtard, if Bill Clinton could juggle five chicks and a mean wife, I believe Sarah Palin can manage five kids and a loving husband.She’s pro-life. And this is not just a political position but a very personal point for her: She put her down syndrome baby where he r mouth is. Today it has become en vogue in our designer family milieu to off a special needs child if detected in the womb because that little bugger could ruin our family photos. Not Palin. • She’s pro-gun. No double speak Barack blather coming out of Palin’s mouth about the 2nd amendment and the great sport of hunting. She’s a lifetime member of the NRA, a Ted Nugent Kill and Grill it girl. I get from her that if you don’t like her right to keep and bear arms or hunt, then you can kiss her moose. • She’s pro-drilling. The only thing the libs will drill is your wallet. • She’s pro-tax cuts. I like my money. • She’s a true blue Washington outsider and not a polluted Chicago politician. • She's an equal opportunity offender. She has gone toe to toe with idiots on both sides of the aisle. To Palin, crap is crap no matter how you frame it. Lastly, I thought you feminists dug accomplished women. Why the hatred, ladies? Do you like only the girls who are nasty, man hating, anti-American, pro-abortion lesbians who loathe this nation and that for which it stands? It sure seems that way. McCain . . . you’re a genius, brother.

http://www.horsesass.org/?p=6439

OBAMA'S 'NOT EXACTLY'S' 1.) Selma Got Me Born - NOT EXACTLY, your parents felt safe enough to have you in 1961 - Selma had no effect on your birth, as Selma was in 1965. (Google /www.google.com/> ' Obama Selma ' for his full March 4, 2007 speech and articles about its various untruths.) 2.) Father Was A Goat Herder - NOT EXACTLY, he was a privileged, well educated youth, who went on to work with the Kenyan Government. 3.) Father Was A Proud Freedom Fighter - NOT EXACTLY, he was part of one of the most corrupt and violent governments Kenya has ever had. 4.) My Family Has Strong Ties To African Freedom - NOT EXACTLY; your cousin Raila Odinga has created mass violence in attempting to overturn a legitimate election in 2007, in Kenya. It is the first widespread violence in decades. The current government is p ro-American but Odinga wants to overthrow it and establish Muslim Sharia law. Your half-brother, Abongo O b ama, is Odinga's follower. You interrupted your New Hampshire campaigning to speak to Odinga on the phone. Obama's cousin Odinga in Kenya ran for president and tried to get Sharia muslim law in place there. When Odinga lost the elections, his followers have burned Christians' homes and then burned men, women and children alive in a Christian church where they took shelter.. Obama SUPPORTED his cousin before the election process here started. Google Obama and Odinga and see what you get. No one wants to know the truth. 5.) My Grandmother Has Always Been A Christian - NOT EXACTLY, she does her daily Salat prayers at 5am according to her own interviews. Not to mention, Christianity wouldn't allow her to have been one of 14 wives to 1 man. 6.) My Name is African Swahili - NOT EXACTLY, your name is Arabic and 'Baraka' (from which Barack came) means 'blessed' in tha t language. Hussein is also Arabic and so is Obama. Barack Hussein Obama is not half black. If elected, he would be the first Arab-American President, not the first black President. Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side. While Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya, his father's family was mainly Arabs.. Barack Hussein Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5% Arab (his father's birth certificate even states he's Arab, not African Negro). From....and for more....go to..... http://www.arcadeathome.com/n ewsboy.phtml?Barack_Hussein_Obama_-_Arab-American,_only_6.25%25_African 7.) I Never Practiced Islam - NOT EXACTLY, you practiced it daily at school, where you were registered as a Muslim and kept that faith for 31 years, until your wife made you change, so you could run for office. 4-3-08 Article 'Obama was 'quite religious in islam'' http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=60559 8.) My School In Indonesia was Christian - NOT EXACTLY, you were registered as Muslim there and got in trouble in Koranic Studies for making faces (check your own book). February 28, 2008. Kristoff from the New York Times a year ago: Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, re citing them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it'll give Alabama voters heart attacks); Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as 'one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.' This is just one example of what Pamela is talking about when she says 'Obama's narrative is being altered, enhanced and manipulated to whitewash troubling facts.' 9.) I Was Fluent In Indonesian - NOT EXACTLY, not one teacher says you could speak the language. 10.) Because I Lived In Indonesia, I Ha ve More Foreign Experience - NOT EXACTLY, you were there from the ages of 6 to 10, and couldn't even speak the language. What did you learn, how to study the Koran and watch cartoons. 11.) I Am Stronger On Foreign Affairs - NOT EXACTLY, except for Africa (surprise) and the Middle East (bigger surprise); you have never been anywhere else on the planet and thus have NO experience with our closest allies. 12.) I Blame My Early Drug Use On Ethnic Confusion - NOT EXACTLY, you were quite content in high school to be Barry Obama, no mention of Kenya and no mention of struggle to identify - your classmates said you were just fine. 13.) An Ebony Article Moved Me To Run For Office - NOT EXACTLY, Ebony has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, exist. 14.) A Life Magazine Article Changed My outlook on Life - NOT EXACTLY, Life has yet to find the article you mention in your book. It doesn't, and never did, e xist. 15.) I Won't Run On A National Ticket In '08 - NOT EXACTLY, here you are, despite saying, live on TV, that you would not have enough experience by then, and you are all about having experience first. 16.) Voting 'Present' is Common In Illinois Senate - NOT EXACTLY, they are common for YOU, but not many others have 130 NO VOTES. 17.) Oops, I Misvot ed - NOT EXACTLY, only when caught by church groups and Democrats, did you beg to change your misvote. 18.) I Was A Professor Of Law - NOT EXACTLY, you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE. 19.) I Was A Constitutional Lawyer - NOT EXACTLY, you were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE. 20.) Without Me, There Would Be No Ethics Bill - NOT EXACTLY, you didn't write it, introduce it, change it, or create it. 21.) The Ethics Bill Was Hard To Pass - NOT EXACTLY, it took just 14 days from start to finish. 22.) I Wrote A Tough Nuclear Bill - NOT EXACTLY, your bill wa s reje cted by your own party for its pandering and lack of all regulation - mainly because of your Nuclear donor, Exelon, from which David Axelrod came. 23.) I Have Released My State Records - NOT EXACTLY, as of March, 2008, state bills you sponsored or voted for have yet to be released, exposing all the special interests pork hidden within. 24.) I Took On The Asbestos Altgeld Gardens Mess - NOT EXACTLY, you were part of a large group of people who remedied Altgeld Gardens. You failed to mention anyone else but yourself, in your books. 25.) My Economics Bill Will Help America - NOT EXACTLY, your 111 economic policies were just combined into a proposal which lost 99-0, and even YOU voted against your own bill. 26.) I Have Been A Bold Leader In Illinois - NOT EXACTLY, even your own supporters claim to have not seen BOLD action on your part. 27.) I Passed 26 Of My Own Bills In One Year - NOT EXACTLY, they were not YOUR bills, but rather hand ed to y ou, after their creation by a fellow Senator, to assist you in a future bid for higher office. 28.) No One on my campaign contacted Canada about NAFTA - NOT EXACTLY, the Canadian Government issued th e names and a memo of the conversation your campaign had with them. 29.) I Am Tough On Terrorism - NOT EXACTLY, you missed the Iran Resolution vote on terrorism and your good friend Ali Abunimah supports the destruction of Israel . 30.) I Want All Votes To Count - NOT EXACTLY; you said let the delegates decide. 31.) I Want Americans To Decide - NOT EXACTLY, you prefer caucuses that limit the vote, confuse the voters, force a public vote, and only operate during small windows of time. 32.) I passed 900 Bills in the State Senate - NOT EXACTLY, you passed 26, most of which you didn't write yourself. 33.) I Believe In Fairness, Not Tactics - NOT EXACTLY, you used tactics to eliminate Alice Palmer from running against you. 34.) I Don' t Take P AC Money - NOT EXACTLY, you take loads of it. 35.) I don't Have Lobbyists - NOT EXACTLY, you have over 47 lobbyists, and counting. 36.) My Ca mpaign Had Nothing To Do With The 1984 Ad - NOT EXACTLY, your own campaign worker made the ad on his Apple /www.apple.com/> in one afternoon. 37.) I Have Always Been Against Iraq - NOT EXACTLY, you were n't in office to vote against it AND you have voted to fund it every single time. 38.) I Have Always Supported Universal Health Care - NOT EXACTLY, your plan leaves us all to pay for the 15,000,000 who don't have to buy it GOD HELP US IF WE JUST SIT IDLY BY AND LET THIS PERSON BECOME OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. IT WOULD BE SUICIDAL FOR US TO DO NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE ONES YOU VALUE, JUST AS I AM DOING. IT'S TIME THE 'SILENT MAJORITY' TAKES A STAND! GET OUT AND VOTE! P L E A S E !

A Shameful Week for the Press [Yuval Levin] I have always tended to think that conservative complaints about the media are a little exaggerated. There are occasionally obvious instances of bias and clear examples of a double standard, but most reporters don't want to fall into those and some conservatives are surely too sensitive to them. But this week has changed my view. I have never seen, and I admit that I could never have imagined, such shameful, out-of-control, frenzied, angry, condescending, and pathetic journalistic malpractice. The ignorant assault on Palin's accomplishments and experience, the breathless careless airing of deranged rumors about her private life, the staggeringly indecent mistreatment of her teenage daughter in a difficult time, the ill-informed piling on about the vetting process, the self-intensifying circle of tisking nodding heads utterly detached from a straightforward political event, have been amazing and eye-opening. The reigning emotion of it all has been anger—anger at being surprised, anger at being denied the spectacle of a Republican circular firing squad, anger that a conservative pro-life Republican could also be a woman and might represent the aspirations of other women, anger at being handed a person they did not know and who did not know them, anger that this upstart thinks she can ruin their coronation party. And the anger was fed by, and was indicative of, a profound elitism—a sense that we were dealing with some redneck moron from a state with no decent restaurants. The Republican candidate for president chose as his running mate a young, charismatic, female Republican governor—probably the most popular governor in the country—whose attitude and resume ring precisely of McCain's kind of politics, and who has been on most people's short-list since he won the nomination, and the press treats it as a symptom of some terrible and reckless madness. Part of the fault was surely with the McCain campaign's own press strategy. They kept the secret a little too well to begin with (in part surely because the idea that it might leak out in advance was declared to be disrespectful of the Democrats' convention), so reporters were thoroughly surprised. And after revealing the pick, they chose not to have Palin do a round of press interviews right away, making some reporters so angry and hungry they began to eat the furniture. As Palin could no-doubt inform McCain's press team, you should never surprise or anger a wild beast. But inadequate animal husbandry cannot finally be blamed for the shocking stampede we have been witness to this week. The spectacle reveals a deep rot at the heart of the political press, and has been among the most shameful chapters in the history of modern American journalism. Not everyone has joined in, of course, but essentially all of the important institutions of our political press have played their part in one way or another. We can only hope those involved have begun to come to their senses, and that they recognize the magnitude of their failure this week. That doesn't mean they should go easy on Palin: it makes sense to look into her past (as it would make sense to look into Obama's past at some point before November too), and she certainly needs to prove herself tonight and beyond, as any vice presidential candidate has to. But the treatment she has received is not what just any VP candidate would get, and the attitude and assumptions underlying this week's amazing assault raise very troubling questions about the cream of the crop of political reporters. They have shown themselves to be too insulated and too solipsistic to help the public better understand our politics, and too self-important to report on events as they happen. This is far more than media bias. Let us hope it is a passing episode. 09/03 02:30 PM To Palinize... [Victor Davis Hanson] Palinize: to slander and caricature a working-class female public figure for the noble advancement of liberalism. Sarah Palin—self-made woman, and governor of Alaska—is being reducing by the left to a hickish, white trash mom of five, analogous to the manner that esteemed jurists like Kenneth ("cigarette lawyer") Starr and Robert Bork were slandered by the media as incompetent right right-wing fanatics, and Clarence Thomas was pilloried as an affirmative action sex-maniac. Why does the left and liberal media, in McCarthyite fashion, now seek to destroy rather than just oppose these public servants? First, there is the annoited's notion that the noble ends justify the slimy means, that whether the issue is abortion or affirmative action or any other hot-button social gospel, the supposed interests of the many override the common decency that should be afforded the few. We are supposed to think that given one's cosmic sense of fairness and caring, the white knight always is afforded a little human leeway in slaying dragons in the here and now. To save the utopian vision of "two nations" John Edwards, presidential candidate, hundreds in the media passed on verifiable stories of his adultery, the financial support of his mistress, and his blatantly untrue assertions in public press conferences; by the same token to stop "one nation" Palin, the private life of a 17-year old girl must not only be aired, but distorted and in some cases invented. Second, as in the case of a Palin or Thomas, there is the notion that the slandered deserve it as interloppers—unauthentic women or minorities due to their conservative views, who piggyback on the hard work of feminists and those in the race/identity politics movement. They purportedly do not show enough appreciation and deference to the pioneers who suffered so much to give us abortion on demand, quotas in hiring, etc. and as ingrates thus get what they deserve. For talking-head feminists that a Sally Quin, Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton—unlike Sarah Palin—had a well-connected, influential male around to energize her career is of no concern—except perhaps to make the animus against the outsider upstart even greater. So class plays a lot too. The liberal left buys into the Gore notion of offsets—that by backing ever more entitlements, and public assistance, the caring liberal is allowed to feel a little tsk, tsk about Alaska moose-hunters, teenage white girls getting pregnant, and small-town mayorships, without incurring the charge of elitism. Writing a story about a struggling family or an illegal alien wrongly deported, introducing a bill to help working moms, announcing that an Obama speech is the equivalent of the Gettysburg Address, all that lets you unload on the Palin's teenage daughter or Palin herself in ways that any unbiased observer would consider sexist, snobbish, and condescendingly cruel. Being a mother of a Down syndrome child, raising five children, rising, without money or family influence, to the governorship on an anti-corruption and commonsense platform, in addition to trying to run the largest-sized state in the union, critical to both the energy and defense security of the nation, all that should have made liberals and feminists, if reluctantly, nevertheless appreciative of her success in a mostly male political world. Not this week, perhaps—but soon there will be a backlash against all this creepiness. Just watch...

A. Sarah Palin B. Barack Obama Office being sought A. Vice President B. President of the United States and Leader of the Free World Full name A. Sarah Louise Heath Palin B. Barack Hussein Obama II Nickname A. Sarah Barracuda B. Barry Obama; 'The One' Public opinion A. Smoking hot B. Media Messiah Age . 44 B. 48 Children A. 5: two sons, three daughters B. 2: two daughters Religion/Church attendance A. Evangelical Christian; attends Juneau Christian Center when in Juneau and grew up attending Wasilla Assembly of God B. Attended Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years, a 'black liberation theology' church formerly led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright a known avowed racist. Current Job A. Governor of Alaska B. Junior Senator from Illinois Previous Public Jobs A. Mayor of Wasilla, AK (1996-2002); President of Alaska Conference of Mayors; City Council member (1992-1996) B. State Senator (1997- 2004); 143 days and then started Presidential campaign. Community Organizer Executive Experience A. Governor for 2 years; Mayor for 10 years Has the highest job approval rating (over 82%) then any other governor in the country. B. None. Job approval rating not measurable. He hasn't authored any meaningful legislation since taking office. He rubber stamped a bunch and put his name on a bunch. But nothing originating from him. Foreign Relations experience A. Governor of state that borders two foreign countries (Canada and Russia) B. Chaired Senate subcommittee on Iraq but never called it into session; Visit Iraq once. once gave a speech to 200,000 screaming Germans given during a free concert organized in order to guarantee a crowd. Military Affairs experience A. Commander in Chief of Alaska National Guard; Son is enlisted Infantryman in U.S. Army B. None Private Sector Experience A. Sports reporter; Salmon fisherman B. Associate at civil rights law firm Speaking ability A. Beautifully executed initial stump speech in Dayton, OH hockey arena without a teleprompter B. Uhh...uhhh. Uhhh... Did you say without a teleprompter?? Spouse's name A. Todd Mitchell Palin B. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama Spouse's occupation A. Salmon fisherman; Former North Slope production supervisor for BP Oil B. Vice President for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals; former Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago; former Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies; former Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago; former associate at Sidley Austin law firm Reaction to spouse's political success A. Quit 17-year BP oil job when BP became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with wife's administration B. Promoted and given 160% pay raise by UofC hospitals within months of husband's election to U.S. Senate; Employer received $1,000,000.00 federal earmark, requested by husband, after her promotion Coolest thing about Spouse A. Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmobile race champion (longest snowmobile race in the world); In 2008, while defending his championship, was injured when he was thrown 70 feet from his machine. He was sent to the hospital but still finished in fourth place B. Sister of Oregon State University head basketball coach Craig Robinson Most Courageous Moment in Public Service A. Resigned in protest from position of Ethics Commissioner of Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders, including the former state Attorney General and the State GOP Chairman (who was also an Oil & Gas Commissioner), who was doing work for the party on public time and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. B. Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators in Hyde Park in 2002 In Current Office Because... A. Upset sitting Governor in GOP primary due to public support for her efforts to clean up corrupt government establishment Republican opponent, who was leading in the polls, was forced to leave race after unsealing of divorce records exposed a sex scandal. B. Obama ran unopposed for his seat. Theme: A. Change and Clean Government Hope and Change; B. 'Bringing Change from Outside Washington' What they've done to live that theme: A. Replaced entire Board of Agriculture and Conservation because of conflict of interest; Resigned from position of Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose corruption among members of own party B. Selected 36-year DC insider incumbent Senator as running mate Family Affairs A. May have removed State Public Safety Commissioner as part of effort to protect sister in messy divorce and child custody battle B. Often says, 'I am my brother's keeper'; (Brother lives in a hut in Nairobi on $12 per year.) Union affiliation A. Union member, married to Union member B. Endorsed by a union Iraq and Troop Support A. Formerly (pre-surge) critical of apparent lack of long-term strategy for Iraq; Visited wounded U.S. soldiers in Germany; visited AK National Guard soldiers deployed to Kuwait; Son deploying to Iraq on 9/11/08 as Army infantryman B. Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators; Almost visited wounded troops in Germany, but decided to work-out and play basketball in Berlin instead. Bipartisan/'maverick' credentials A. Married to a non- Republican; Exposed corruption within own party; Campaigned for Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell against corrupt GOP congressman Don Young; Called out Sen Ted Stevens (R-AK) to 'come clean' about financial dealings that are under fed investigation B. Talks about bipartisanship Legislative Record A. Passed a landmark ethics reform bill; Used veto to cut budgetary spending;Prevented 'bridge to nowhere' that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars. B. Voted 'present' over 100 times as IL state senator How they dealt with corrupt individuals in home city/state A. Exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders;Campaigned against corrupt GOP Representative; Ran against and defeated corrupt incumbent governor in GOP primary B. Launched political career in home of unrepentant domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (and still refers to him as a part of 'mainstream Democratic Chicago'; Purchased home with help of (recently)convicted felon Tony Rezko Guns A. Lifetime member of NRA and avid hunter; video can be found on YouTube of Palin firing an M4 at a military firing range B. Worked to pass legislation in Illinois that would prevent all law-abiding citizens from owning firearms Earmarks A. Opposed 'Bridge to Nowhere' project; Said Alaska should avoid relying on federal money for projects; Campaigned against porker Don Young (R-AK) in 2008 primary B. Secured federal earmarks for wife's employer and for campaign bundlers Abortion A. Pro life; Gave birth to 5th child knowing that he would have Down's syndrome. B. Pro-choice. Only IL state sen. to speak against the Born Alive Infant's Protection Act, which required medical care to be given to live infants who survived abortions Energy A. Believes energy independence is a matter of national security; FOR drilling in ANWR, which is in her state B. Says Americans should 'get tune-ups' and 'check tire pressure'; Says 'we can't expect the world to be okay with' our use of heating and air conditioning Environment A. Chair of Alaska Conservation Commission (2003- 4); Announced plans to create sub-cabinet group of advisors to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in AK B. Talks about the environment a lot Athletic prowess A. Runs marathons. B. Played basketball and earned the name 'Sarah Barracuda' Known to have worked-out in Berlin. Shot baskets in Iraq Green Zone Gym.