my two sense/THE CJ POLITICAL REPORT

CRAP

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise polluted vat of bullshit that is the foreign service, American and otherwise. Oren, appointed by rightest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is doing his job, representing the interests of Israeli in the U.S.. Therefore, when Ambassador Oren refused an invitation to speak at the left of left lefty Jewish lobby J Street, the lefties went ballistic. An example: LINK

There is no doubt that there is a growing schism amongst American Jews as to how to proceed towards peace with the Arabs. The left seems to think that Israel should roll over and make all concessions because Israel is the provocateur, the bigot, the new owner of the name Apartheid State. Never mind history, never mind present-day intransigence by the Arab world in recognizing the right of the Jewish State to exist.

Netanyahu chose the right man to represent Israel in the U.S.. He is forthright, honest, and, provocative. Surely, he is a new sort of ambassador, long overdue.

There appears to be a certain irrationality in J Street and other new anti-Israel lobbies. They are anti-Israel, and maybe deserve the moniker: "Self-hating Jews."

I find it loathsome when married couples fight in public, not to mention embarrassing. I feel the same about the current fight between the American Jews. Oren was correct in turning down the invitation to speak at J Street and what would have been a circus event for the press.

He should stand by his original decision and not give in to the left of the blogosphere trying to force his hand.

LINK

UPDATE: Many others are pulling from the J Street event including Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and beleaguered Rep. Mike Ross. LINK

Posted: October 15, 2009 1:39 P.M.

INTERESTIN'

GQ's 50 Most Powerful People in Washington. See if you agree.

LINK

Posted: October 13, 2009 4:26 P.M.

THE SICK REPUBLICAN PARTY + Olympia Snowe

Health care made it out of the Baucus Committee with one lone Republican, Olympia Snowe, voting with the Dems. Sen. Snowe risked losing a shot at becoming the leading Republican on the powerful Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee when she voted with the Democrats. I like a lady who has eggs!

I don't like a party that lacks balls. The Republicans are nothing but a spineless bunch of schoolyard-like bullies...selfish thugs who, as we all know, have a limited vocabulary. They can only utter one word. In unison now, that word is NO! Apparently, they suffer from Taurette's Syndrome and need medical assistance. Sorry, don't mean to be disrespectful, but honestly, their collective knee-jerk utterances resemble the affliction known as Taurette's.

Thank goodness, they have the best health care program in the U.S., unlike the rest of us, though after today's vote, we're a little closer to the leveling of the playing field.

You go, girl, Sen. Snow!

LINK

Posted: October 13, 2009 4:11 P.M.

HILLARY

Hillary Clinton, always the subject of speculation, is front and center in the news again, thanks to her interview on Today in which she said she is looking forward to retirement, and won't run for the presidency. Politico is talking again about HRC's unexpected low profile.

Just the fact that everyone keeps going back to this shows that Hillary is doing just fine. Further, she is the 'Star' as Secretary of State, but if America's new foreign policy fails, the President with his front and center foreign policy approach will take the heat...not HRC. Very diplomatic, Madam Secretary.

Posted: October 13, 2009 11:32 A.M.

VILE

obama_confederate_flag

Posted: October 9, 2009 6:51 P.M.

THIS IS FUNNY

This is funny...not nice...but funny. OK, and true. LINK

Posted: October 9, 2009 6:29 P.M.

RE: THE NOBEL PRIZE

What the f**K? The once prestigious award is no more...just another Political group wanting to make a political statement...which, by the way, makes a joke of our president who all know doesn't deserve the once prestigious award. Equally, if one thinks further they will understand that the award was a slap in the face to George W. Bush. While most surely have no love for our recent past president, slamming him with an award to the new American president, who, if he accepts the award, and he will, will be saying that he is siding with the world against his own country.

As Obama is already being taunted by our right for selling out the U.S. with his apologetic agenda, this will only fuel their fire. And rightfully so. I am among those who think that while the record of George W. Bush's presidency is abysmal, it is George W. Bush's presidency that is in question...not the United States' record. They are NOT the same. Even if they were, it doesn't serve our country to slap it down to the world in order to expunge the past. There are better and more sophisticated ways to do that.

Little kids on school playgrounds do exactly what Obama is doing when trying to ingratiate themselves with their enemies. It's called triangulation. Inevitably, it comes back to bite you in the arse.

All of this is part of a great disempowering of the power of the U.S., from out and from within. It's the wrong course. IMO, of course.

UPDATE: Of course, you can't blame President Obama for this. He's the mere recipient of the award. And it has now been pointed out that there is some precedence for awarding the prize for hope (i.e. there's still no peace in the Middle East). I liked Obama's acceptance. I HOPE he measures up to the prize.

Posted: October 9, 2009 10:33 A.M.

YA GOTTA LAUGH

Republicans are having a cow as they learn that according to the CBO the Baucus health care plan will actually cut the Federal deficit by $81 billion over a decade and would cover 94% of eligible people. On Capitol Hill there are reports of the GOP caving on the bill. But the hard-line Republicans on the street are spitting mad at what they see as the Democrats socialism and their own party's lack of backbone. Well shut-up Republicans. You have no right to squawk when all you've contributed to the bill is NOTHING,NOTHING, NOTHING.

I hate to get on a soapbox, but I will. Our health care system as it stands today will break our country if it is not addressed. As to the current proposed legislation: We are where we are because of a lack of bi-partisanship. There is not a Republican in Congress who doesn’t understand the need for reform, if not for moral reasons, certainly for fiscal ones. But when we don’t reach consensus on this issue or any other what we get is…well…what we have. This country is collapsing, and both sides are to blame. Stop obstructing and start participating…in compromise. Everyone!

This is not a perfect bill. I think unless there is a Public Option passed, Obama will have failed. Personally, I think the mandate clause will come back to bite the Dems in the arse come election time.

Still, we're a long way from the end of this debate. The good news is we're further along than anyone would have thought a month ago.

It remains to see what the final bill looks like and if it goes far enough. But some form of health care reform legislation will be passed. And something is better than nothing. Ugh!

Posted: October 7, 2009 6:27 P.M.

HOW HEALTH CARE REFORM WON

LINK

SSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: October 6, 2009 4:08 P.M.

MUST WATCH:

Betsy McCaughey, the woman who started the Scare Seniors into Opposing Health Care Reform Movement continues to try and scare seniors on MSNBC this morning. She also shows a complete lack of understanding of the Health Care Crisis in America. She gets walloped in this contentious debate.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

LINK + LINK By the way, Ms. McCaughey (pronounced McCoy) is the woman some say brought down HillaryCare.

Posted: October 6, 2009 3:57 P.M.

HEARD ON THE HILL

"Obama's dilemmas on foreign policy are throwing a spotlight on the apparent inability of Secretary of State Clinton to bring her influence to bear. In private conversation she has indicated that she may be interested in running for the governorship of New York in 2010." - Unsourced

Posted: October 5, 2009 5:00 P.M.

HA HA OF THE DAY

shit

Posted: October 5, 2009 4:26 P.M.

LEVI JOHNSTON SHOWS HIS NUTS IN FIRST COMMERCIAL

Posted: October 5, 2009 3:26 P.M.

GET RID OF ELBARADEI

IAEA's Egyptian Director Mohammad ElBaradei, who prefers the Latin spelling of his name rather than the hyphenated El-Baradei, which tells you a lot about the guy, yesterday said "A Nuclear Israelis the number one threat to the Mideast," which also tells you about his political persuasion. At the end of the day, it will be El-Baredei who will be credited for allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon (the jury is still out as to whether Barack Obama will be complicit in this matter as well).

People have been calling for his removal for ages, but he remains in his position. I say, it's long past time for him to go. LINK + LINK

Posted: October 5, 2009 1:21 A.M.

COCKAMAMIE DIPLOMACY + THE CHINESE

This ought to do the trick...bring the Chinese to their knees so that they'll be our good friends and not call in our gargantuan debt to them. Why didn't anyone think of this before? Obama, you're a genius! LINK

Posted: October 5, 2009 12:21 A.M.

THIS WEEK'S PLAYBOOK

O the games the parties' play tra la la. This weeks talking points: From the Progressives of the Dem Party and the Republicans: Obama's done nothing playbook. From the Dems: The Republicans are anti-America. From me, knock yourselves out! Have at it, "you billowing bag of bovine fodder!"

Posted: October 5, 2009 11:49 A.M.

FORMER SEC'Y OF STATE LARRY EAGLEBURGER ON OBAMA

Posted: October 4, 2009 5:52 P.M.

IS THIS NECESSARY?

A new Facebook Group Join the Fight to Stop Dishonoring the President has this gem of a line in its treatise.

"I ask, you, those who spew only hateful words, lies and rhetoric, if this President did not have a particular amount of melanin in his skin what your words and actions would be? On what could you base your false accusations?"

I am willing to bet that the President would not like the above. In my opinion it debases the president.

There is no doubt these are trying times. The right is going too far in its desire to bring down Obama, its tactics coming dangerously close to actually causing the de-legitimizing of the American Presidency. Every time someone comes down on Obama, however, the left plays the race card.

What is fair in our democracy is for all people to express their opinions. There will be those who agree with their president and those who disagree. But in debating the issues it would serve all to "Stick to the facts, M'am. Melanin has nothing to do with the facts.

Posted: October 4, 2009 3:18 P.M.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE DESTROYS OBAMA

Posted: October 4, 2009 2:14 P.M.

CHICAGO OUT OF OLYMPICS

As you might have heard, Chicago was defeated for a chance to host the next summer Olympics in the first round! Everyone is stunned. After all, the President and First Lady personally went and pitched for their hometown city. And, of course, Oprah Winfrey was there. Reporters are saying the buzz in Copenhagen was very positive for Chicago, although Rio, which would be the first So. American country to host the Olympics, also had the buzz. The head of the Olympic Committee, by the way, is a So. American.

However, that Chicago was eliminated on the first round says a lot about the true power of this new president who prides himself on being a Hari Krishna if you will, of the world. Is it possible that all the love for Obama outside, is not how Europeans are feeling on the inside? Is the bloom off the rose?

The new spin coming out of Copenhagen is that Rio was playing political games and encouraging people to think that Tokyo was the competition. Tokyo was eliminated in the second round.

Surely, it was politics that hurt Chicago's chance. Not just IOC politics, but Obama politics...a stinging irony.

UPDATE: Rio got the Olympics and Obama got the finger!

UPDATE: And the winner is!!!!!!

Posted: October 2, 2009 12:11 P.M.

SARAH PALIN

Oh, Godly...check out the "Inspirational" cover of Sarah Palin's new book.

sarah_palin_book_cover

Posted: October 2, 2009 11:24 A.M.

READ THE FINE PRINT

Republicans are building a viable argument against the health care reform legislation. Hidden inside the bill appears to be what amounts to tax increases. Remember that it was Obama who promised during the election not to raise taxes for families earning less than $250,000.

"The package the Finance Committee is considering would require people, beginning in 2013, to purchase insurance or face an excise tax ranging up to $1,900 a year. It also would make it harder for taxpayers younger than 65 to deduct catastrophic medical expenses from their income taxes. Both provisions would fall heavily on the very taxpayers whom Obama has vowed to protect, according to nonpartisan congressional analysts."

There's more. But just the above gives the Republicans the ammunition with which to fight. Watch the talk shows. It is going to get ugly.LINK

Posted: October 2, 2009 10:42 A.M.

INTERESTING...

Floating around the corridors of the Capitol tonight are people talking about a workable compromise on the issue of the public option. The amendment to the current bill was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell(D-WA). I haven't read it all, but what I have read sounds intriguing. Here is the amendment in PDF form for those of you inclined to read it: LINK Here's a quick synopsis: LINK

What Sen. Cantwell is proposing is a far cry from the public option most of us are hoping for, but it is clearly a step in the right direction.

By the way, I feel compelled to say thank you to Sen. Minority leader Mich McConnell whose outburst yesterday apparently did the trick. Finally, the Democrats get it. Whatever health care legislation is passed, will be passed without Republican support. So have at it, Dems. You'll take the blame from the Republicans with or without the public option. You might as well go all the way. Bring on the public option.

Posted: October 1, 2009 8:06 P.M.

FILE UNDER GIMME A BREAK

Bestseller list: Beck, Palin and "How 2 Survive the End of the World as We Know It." Yep, that's about RIGHT!

Posted: October 1, 2009 4:29 P.M.

PATTERNS

Whatever happens in the area of diplomacy these days, you won't read or hear that Hillary Clinton, the secretary of State had anything to do with it. Only men like George Mitchell, or VP Biden and now John Kerry? are the reason for any diplomatic breakthroughs. Is this the press' take on this? The Obama Administrations feeding of the manna to the press. According to all news reports since Mrs. Clinton joined Obama's cabinet, she is a good soldier, a wonk, happy to stay in the background, will run for president or won't, but, never ever do we read that she had a hand in anything having to do with diplomacy. Methinks there's a pattern here, folks. LINK

Posted: October 21, 2009 7:30 P.M. COMMENT

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Finally, the WH has done the right thing. Will wonders never cease? The creeps who took the TARP money will have to slash the compensation for their highest paid executives. Of course, this should have happened long ago. It only happened now because the president was shamed into doing it.

But Obama needs to do more...much more. Like Wall Street needs regulation. Now! Obama doesn't want to go there....after all, it is his friends on Wall Street that got him elected. He has to worry about his re-election bank account (Campaign finance, anyone?) Surely it is a tightrope walk for the president. But if he wants to keep his Mahatma Gandhi Obama status, this president better start doing the right thing, not because he's shamed into it, but because he is doing the right thing.

By the way, it wouldn't hurt if he'd tackle the BIG one, like it's time to break up the big guys. But don't hold your breath waiting. This president hasn't the balls to stand up to the big guys, sorry to say.

LINK

Posted: October 21, 2009 4:18 A.M. COMMENT

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

Politico's Ben Smith reports this a.m.:

"Obama's allies in Israel have been arguing for months that he should be making more of an effort to address the Israeli public directly, as his deep unpopularity in the country naturally pushes its leaders away from him.

Tonight, he's doing a little of that, with a video sent to a conference in Jerusalem titled "Facing Tomorrow," which Susan Rice is attending, in which Obama assures Israelis that the nations'bond is "much more than a strategic alliance."

Notably, though, he lavished praise on a "great statesman," Israeli President Shimon Peres, praised the recent Israeli Nobel Chemistry laureate, and barely mentioned Netanyahu.

The body of his talk is a hopeful vision for Middle East piece, with no clearer sense on how to get there.

"The dark moments cannot conceal a path to progress," he said.

With all due respect, President Obama is full of sh*t, and Israeli's will never buy into his lackluster attempts to smooth the now tarnished relationship between the misguided president and the country/ally he is selling down river for his personal agenda.

Something to note: There aren't many who have stood up to Mahatma Obama. Netanyahu has. There's a lesson in this. Obama doesn't take well to men who get in his way. Now he's sweet talkin' Shimon Peres, whose demeanor is less threatening. That's the Obama way. However, Peres is well-aware of the poll numbers that have only 4% of Israeli's thinking Obama is on their side. This bit of theater by Obama and Co. is too little, too late.

By the way, the president broke protocol by putting Peres before PM Netanyahu in his speech.

LINK

Posted: October 21, 2009 9:48 A.M. COMMENT

THE PUBLIC OPTION, TOM SAWYER & FENCES

A funny thing happened on the way to health care. The public decided they want a public option. (LINK) Now an administration, at first more interested in bringing in the Republicans on reform legislation -- more to cover their asses than any real attempt at bipartisanship -- and a president who as recently as Sunday had his front men saying that the president wouldn't insist upon a public option (Has their evah been a president more interested in hedging his bets aka CAUTIOUS?) now finds himself in an unusual position: The public is leading health care reform legislation, not the president, who appears to be a man less a leader than a follower and certainly an appeaser.

So now what?

Apparently, upon reading the polls, the president telephoned Max Baucus and said, "Sen. Baucus, Oh my goodness, I know you worked like a Blue-dog to come up with a plan that didn't include a public option, but wow, check this out...the people want the public option. So, back to the table, and quick, before the public changes its mind.

OK, these words are my imagination, not the president's.

So, this morning with or without that conversation having taken place, Max Baucus is back "looking at" modified versions of a public option, more caution. (LINK)

What a convoluted mess this health care reform legislative process has been. I'm in an imagining mode today; I wonder just how strong a reform package we might have had and might still have if this president gets off the fence with his Tom Sawyer white washing ways and starts actually standing strong for something.

Has there has never been a president who so underestimates the intelligence of the American people?

I will leave you to your own answers.

Posted: October 20, 2009 10:13 A.M.

WH DECISION MAKING SANS ADVISORS

Don't they call that a dictatorship in other countries? Just askin'.

LINK

Posted: October 20, 2009 9:50 A.M.

ON IRAN

Today,a newly-released Washington Post/ABC Poll says that eight in 10 Americans support direct diplomatic talks to try to resolve the situation with Iran. I don't buy it. I think the poll, like all polls today, are taking the measure of the psychosis left in the American culture because of debacle of the Viet Nam war. Since our gutless leaders these days act on polls rather than smarts, it is no wonder Obama won on his call to talk rather than act. But didn't Obama or anyone ever hear that old adage, "Talk is cheap"? Already, just as the talks begin, doubts loom over nuclear agreement. LINK

Posted: October 19, 2009 7:32 P.M.

ON SWINE FLU VACCINE

Question: Has the president been vaccinated against H1N1? According to my pharmacy, my state, is not going to receive the vaccine until mid-November. There is already a massive outbreak of the pig-flu here. Further, vaccinations for the regular flu are no longer available, as doctors in my area (outside of DC) have run out of the vaccine. Nice going, Mr. Obama. Hope you and your staff stay healthy while the rest of us plebe's play Russian roulette with our health.

Posted: October 19, 2009 4:27 P.M.

PRESIDENT PUTS HIS PRESIDENCY BEFORE THE PEOPLE

He knows that in order to level the playing field in health care, a public option that would encourage true competition with the insurance companies is imperative. Yet, today on his behalf, Valerie Jarrett announced that the president would not demand a government run option.

Wall Street gets bailed out by the people and the president at the time says that he will protect the people. This week we learned that nothing has been done to reign in the disgusting whores on Wall Street or in the nations leading banks who are being rewarded for their raping of the American people with ever-increasing bonuses. Again, there has been no movement from this White House to reign in these looters. This, by the way, while unemployment reaches new highs, foreclosures also reach new highs and for the first time in years there will be no cost of living increase for retirees.

Why?

Because the only change this president has brought to the White House thus far is the name of the man who holds the highest office in the land. Clearly, Obama is more concerned with presidency than with the needs of all the people he serves.

But finally, the pundits who once saw him as a god are starting to take serious swipes at Obama. Better late than never. In today's papers the pundits chide Obama for his indecisiveness, his cozy relationship to Wall Street and the Harvard boys who got us in this financial mess, his shortsightedness in foreign policy. (I've posted some of these columns on the news page)

Still, the president will do nothing to rectify his approach to governing until there is a cacophony of negative voices. Why should he? He'll coast through his presidency achieving small wins, setting us up as he's done in the health care debate...look, says the president, anything we get passed will be better than nothing.

A symbol for a presidency that operates from the position that Americans' should be happy to settle for less while the big boys continue to get more.

Scary!

Posted: October 18, 2009 11:24 A.M.

LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR PRESIDENT

Some months ago (see: archives) I wrote that it was becoming apparent that Lindsey Graham was going to step into John McCain's shoes and become the Republican Party's next best hope. The Hill apparently agrees with me. LINK Thus, in the beginning...

Posted: October 16, 2009 5:14 P.M.

A SILENCED FORMER FIRST LADY?

Was former First Lady Hillary Clinton put in her place by the Obama Administration or did she take her place as a member of President Obama's cabinet? Or, was she silenced?

When asked, today, by CNN about the future of health care reform, the Secretary of State said she is "very optimistic" a decent reform package would be enacted, but refused to comment further.

"I have a different role now" than she did when she took the lead in attempting to craft a health care plan during her husband President Clinton's administration, she told CNN. "I'm going to cheer from the sidelines."

Scribes have wondered whether Obama would use Mrs. Clinton in the fight for health care reform. Here's the answer.

Posted: October 16, 2009 5:02 P.M.

UPDATE: J STREET ON DEFENSE

Is the ultra-leftist lunatic organization J Street, hell-bent on bringing down Israel, on the defensive since so many politicos have dropped out of their group conference? They should be, and they are.

J Streets tactics are foolish and short-sighted. Is there anyone of right mind who doesn't want peace in the Middle East? Of course, not.

Still, the road to peace is fraught with landmines. J Street, a new Jewish lobby organization, has added one huge one: In adopting the tactic that Israel must stop all settlements, and insisting Israel do so, J Street, perhaps unwittingly, has given the world the license to attack Israel (with President Obama's help) and as most of the world is want to do, blame Israel for the lack of peace, which factually, is untrue. It's been a longtime since Israel's reputation has been so unfairly sullied.

J Street had a free ride for awhile. But with the failure of President Obama's and J Streets new approach to the debacle in the Middle East failed to bring results, those who were quiet during the new approach, realize the folly of the new way.

J Street is busting a gasket over their recent bad press. Here it is: LINK My advice to J Street: Go with the flow as the Obama Administration is. If at first you don't succeed, try a new tactic. Israel is not the enemy. Stop treating it as such.

Posted: October 16, 2009 1:02 P.M.

POTUS GETS THE COLD SHOULDER

LOL!!!!

Posted: October 16, 2009 10:19 A.M.

OBAMA BACKED INTO LONELY CORNER

Iran's lack of "cooperation" on the nuclear deal leaves our president in a bit of a lonely bind. He can't let Iran get away with turning the deal down and not lose credibility. But he doesn't have support from our 'allies' in initiating further sanctions. So, once again, America will go it alone...despite the president's bowing to our 'allies/enemies.'

obama_bows_to_saudi_prince
Obama bows to Saudi Prince

Posted: October 31, 2009 11:42 A.M. COMMENT

MISLEADING NY TIMES HEADLINE

Goodness. And the NY Times wonders why it isn't selling newspapers. In a piece today on the ULTRA-left new anti-Israel lobby, J Street, the headline reads: "J Street: A Moderate Voice, Stirs Up America's Jewish Lobby." Gimme a break! If they are so moderate, why are so many Jewish leaders distancing themselves from the group? Shame on the Times. As to the writer's, keep your opinions out of your stories, unless you're writing opinion pieces, which you're not.

Posted: October 31, 2009 11:16 A.M. COMMENT

NETANYAHU'S OFFICIAL LINE

It's easy to be magnanimous when you know you're right, and that is what PM Netanyahu was to Envoy George Mitchell on Iran. "UN (not US) Iran initiatives are a positive first step," Bibi reportedly told Mitchell. But on the news that Iran has turned down the offer made by the "UN," you can bet the public line was not the private dialogue between Bibi & Georgie. It ought to get more interesting when Hillary gets to town Saturday night after she talks with Palestinian Authority President Abbas in Abu Dhabi first.

Posted: October 30, 2009 9:41 A.M. COMMENT

HOUSE HEALTH CARE BILL DISSES WOMEN

Normally, I would check this out before I post it as truth. I'm not doing this today, because I think it is too important to wait for the press people to get back to me. Also, I trust that Jane Hamsher knows what she's talking about.

This is a story about women, pharmaceuticals and drugs to fight breast cancer...and deals made with the pharmaceutical companies that don't help the people.

This doesn't only effect women. It effects everyone. The cost of drugs is prohibitive. Yes, that is true of research costs. Therefore, shouldn't any health care reform legislation also include incentives, be they financial or tax loopholes, available for research, and drugs so that pharmaceuticals are made affordable for all?

You need to call your legislators and be heard on this before the vote. And spread the word through Twitter and Facebook or whichever social networking structure you use.

I am personally aware of too many people who have had to trade their life for the roof over their and their family's heads. This is unacceptable.

Whichever plan is ultimately passed has to resolve this travesty...not make matters worse.

Posted: October 30, 2009 9:09 A.M. COMMENT

WILL OBAMA GET IT, FINALLY?

Despite Ahmadinejad's bluster about cooperation this morning, tonight the New York Times is reporting no deal with Iran. on nuclear weapons. Cooperation in the West means coming to terms. Apparently, in Iran, it means NO!

So much for Chatterbox Diplomacy, Obama-style. So far, it's been an abysmal failure. There is no agreement between the Israeli's and Palestinians for even simple talk. The Russians have laughed in Obama's face. China is uncooperative as well. And, of course, Korea's crazy Kim Jong-il has managed to put many American presidents at bay while he built their nuclear bomb.

Bibi Netanyahu must be laughing himself silly tonight, he the only realist of today's world leaders. I imagine him calling Obama tomorrow morning and saying gleefully, I told you so.

Still, there remains the problem of what next. Not to worry...or to worry. Rest assured that the 'you talk too much you worry me to death' neophyte president, whose best sales job was to the American people, who did cooperate with him, will be settling with Iran on some kind of deal...Obama's proverbial middle-ground. That is unless his secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton, convinces her boss that at some point, to prove he has backbone, he has to take a stand on something...anything...please!!! Sanctions come to mind.

Can't wait for the spin tomorrow.

Posted: October 29, 2009 8:48 P.M. COMMENT

THIS VIDEO ON HEALTH CARE REFORM IS A MUST-SEE

LINK

Posted: October 29, 2009 1:14 P.M. COMMENT

BEHIND OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN

Here's a first look at David Plouffe's upcoming book, The Audaciity to Win. That, along with A YEAR IN MY PAJAMAS WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA, The Politics of Strange Bedfellows, the must reads of the season.

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:48 P.M. COMMENT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILLARY

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turns 62 today. Here's to ya...

young_hillary_clinton

Posted: October 28, 2009 10:33 A.M. COMMENT

GOLDSTONE REPORT, J STREET VS. THE TRUTH

The following remarks spoken by Rabbi Eric Yoffie at the J Street Convention were greeted by boos by the crowd at the J Street Convention. Yoffie is the President of the Union for Reform Judaism considered by most to be the leader of the left-wing of Judaism. So there Rabbi Yoffie was in front of a "Jewish" organization who says it represents the goal of peace in the Middle East for all Jews, not just the right as represented by AIPAC.

When a left wing lobbying group boos a "left-wing" Rabbi for stating the truth, you get a true notion of what this J Street lobbying group is really all about.

There is much talk that J Street is funded by Arab money and many assert that those behind the Arab money have a far different agenda than most Jews in their goal for peace in the Middle East. If, in fact, J Street is taking money from the Arabs, it would stand to reason that they have a say in J Street's Agenda.

Frankly, after the debacle of the last week, when many of our politicos pulled out from J Street's convention...and now this -- booing a renowned "left-wing" Rabbi -- you get the truth of what J Street is truly all about.

In my opinion, J Street no longer warrants anyone's attention. To further reference them is only to give them legitimacy, which they don't deserve. J Street represents nothing but the lunatic fringe.

LINK & LINK

Posted: October 27, 2009 12:52 P.M. COMMENT

HARRY REID SURPRISES ALL

Where did his sudden chutzpah come from? Senate Majority Leader Harry "Do Nothing" Reid defied his president, Barack Obama, who not only lacks chutzpah but plain American balls, when Reid announced that he has decided to include a government-run health insurance option in a final health reform bill to be considered next month on the hill. Imagine; just amazing! Finally, a leader. Obama has been hemming and hawing about pushing the public option ad nauseous. But, I guess POTUS has no choice now, but to follow a true leader on health care reform.

Posted: October 26, 2009 5:03 P.M. COMMENT

THE PRINCE OR THE PEA-WEE?

Gawker is reporting that hunk Levi Johnston, father of Gov. Sarah Palin's only grandchild, is about to reveal it all in the Nov. issue of Playgirl. Can't wait to have a pea-k! Can you? LINK

Posted: October 26, 2009 4:38 P.M. COMMENT

HA! HA! OF THE DAY

obama_transparency

Posted: October 26, 2009 2:13 P.M. COMMENT

APOPLEXY

Everyone is wringing their hands. What will Obama do about Afghanistan? Will he increase the troop strength or won't he? Will he listen to his general's, or his VP? Hillary or McCain?

It's ludicrous. Rest assured, Mr. I'm cautious to a fault, and I never saw a compromise I didn't like will vote 'present' on Afghanistan. He'll take the middle ground...as always, the leaderless position.

Posted: October 26, 2009 12:40 P.M. COMMENT

MICHELLE O FINALLY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE

This is all I ask...except that she lose the pearls. She's lookin' like June Cleaver.

Posted: October 23, 2009 4:16 P.M. COMMENT

POLLS

Obama's polls take a nosedive; so do the GOP's. In other words, no one likes anyone anymore. That's a fine how do you do.

Posted: October 23, 2009 4:10 P.M. COMMENT

WORTH WATCHING...

Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has been front and center in support of incorporating a public option into health care reform. The guy has a smart and sharp tongue, and always makes sense. I like his comments that were reported today. He noted that there are 55 Republicans who oppose the public option who receive Medicare. And rightly, he suggested, that they give-up their government funded health care if they won't support a similar plan for everyone else. LINK By the way, three of those Republicans are Chuck Grassely, Mike Enzli, and let's not forget John McCain. Read Weiner's press release. LINK

This guy has a big future! You heard it here first.

Posted: October 23, 2009 11:3 A.M. COMMENT

THE OFFICIAL OBAMA FAMILY PORTRAIT

Famed photog Annie Leibovitz sets her eye on the first family. I thought it interesting that it is a study in black and white. The first lady is known for her love of color. Message here?

obama_family_portrait

Posted: October 23, 2009 10:35 A.M. COMMENT