In Memoriam



Today marks the 30th anniversary of the enslavement of a free people brought to you by the usual suspects and their flying monkeys in the mainstream media. Powerline has a retrospective. I'll bet that pompous ass, Walter Cronkite, is breaking out the bubbly.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 10:01 AM -

 
Pants on fire, eh Toots?



US satellite recorded checkpoint shooting, shows speed of Italian car:

A US satellite reportedly recorded a checkpoint shooting in Iraq last month, enabling investigators to reconstruct how fast a car carrying a top Italian intelligence official and a freed hostage was traveling when US troops opened fire.

The report, which aired Thursday on CBS News, said US investigators concluded from the recording that the car was traveling at a speed of more than 60 miles (96 km) per hour.

Giuliana Sgrena has said the car was traveling at a normal speed of about 30 miles an hour when the soldiers opened fired, wounding her and killing Nicola Calipari, the Italian agent who had just secured her release from a month's captivity.

"Month's captivity"? More like a paid vacation with her terrorist pals. Good ole Giuliana, if her mouth is open, she's lying. (Hat Tip: Betsy's Page)

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 9:41 AM -

 
"They like me! They really like me!"



How come nobody invited me to the Moonbat Ball?

Al Gore saved this country once already from attacks on the judiciary, and he'll do it again. That's what he told a fervent MoveOn crowd yesterday afternoon at a Capitol Hill hotel ballroom.

Think of it! A whole auditorium filled with folks wearing tin foil beanies!

The relaunched 2005 Al Gore is much like what the late Michael Kelly observed during the 2002 media blitz: "Gore, the thinker of big thoughts; Gore, the visionary; Gore, the radical; Gore, the bold man of the left." This time around he is also Gore, the Southern statesman, wise from his years in the Senate and back with a selective Tennessee twang. He is Gore, "one of the most consequential leaders of our time," as a MoveOn supporter introduced him. Gore the philosopher-poseur may not may not be running for president in 2008. Yet more than a few "Gore 2008" buttons (with the old 2000 campaign graphics) could be spotted among the faithful (and only one "Clark '08" pin).

But some things never change:

Revamped or not, some old habits die hard. His speech had familiar features: annoyed and overbearing looks, speaking over a cheering audience, begging the question, and righteous defensiveness ("How dare they!). Gore is still a one-man debate squad, arguing every point and working himself into a sweat by the end of his 52-minute harangue.

Did we dodge a bullet with this loon or what?

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:27 AM -

 
Good news and bad news

The good news is that the Massachusetts House stripped tuition breaks for illegal aliens from the state budget. The bad news is that:

Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, called the vote "a step in the process," but said he was confident that the tuition breaks had the support of a majority in the House.

"In our view, the most important thing that can happen is that 400 immigrant students go to college in September of this year. That is our goal. To reach that goal, the budget is just one of many vehicles to do that," he said.

Ali really meant 400 illegal alien students, but apparently he's easily confused. You also have to wonder why, if he wants to raise money to support citizens of foreign lands, he doesn't just call Sally Struthers?

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:22 AM -

 
Whores of Babylon

MSN columnist Michael Brush has stock tips on companies that will profit off Illegal immigration. I guess the markets in supporting other types of crime have cooled off.

And while I'm on the subject - A mortgage plan tailored for illegals: Banks eager to dip into $44 billion housing market:

Banks across the United States are writing loans based on individual taxpayer identification number, or ITIN. They are easy to get, even if you are ineligible for a Social Security card.
...
In addition to accepting ITINs, banks are being flexible when they look at credit reports, since many immigrants don't have a traditional credit history. For instance, say lending sources, the bank may consider rent and utility bill payments, or a history of sending money to family overseas as evidence that a customer is a good risk.

I wonder if sending money to Al Qaeda counts?

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is helping a group of Midwest banks to develop ITIN programs.

Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., is studying whether to buy the mortgages from banks, spokesman Douglas Robinson said.

Without the participation of a major institution like Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, the Federal National Mortgage Association -- which together hold 37 percent of U.S. residential mortgage debt -- the spread of ITIN mortgages will be limited, Paulson said. Right now, most banks making the loans must hold onto them, rather than selling them for cash that could be used for additional mortgages.

"This is a bottleneck in this market," she said.

Ya think? There's more in Banks Find Mortgage Clientele in Undocumented Immigrants which adds some of those heart warming "welcome the new neighbors" stories we all know and love. Funny, none of the stories ever seem to involve the "new neighbors" that we wouldn't want to have.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 8:34 AM -

 
Who knew?

The problem of airbrained actresses pooping indiscriminately must be bigger than I thought if they're making signs for it.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:29 PM -

 
Zsa Zsa Blog Revealed!

For those of us who fancy comedy, Arianna Huffington's group blog project is fraught with potential which even Andrew Breitbart's presence will not ameliorate. But it turns out we don't have to wait until the big launch on May 9, because they have "preloaded" the initial posts and you can see them right here:

Welcome!!!!! posted by "Huff" on Mon May 9 2005 at 09:00 PDT
Hi everybody! Allow me to introduce my innovative new publishing venture, a groundbreaking "group blog", where over 250 creative minds from every corner of my Rolodex weigh in on topics ranging from the political to the personal, and anything in between! Well, that's enough from me - let's blog!

comments 0 :: trackbacks 0 :: post a comment

Great New Experiment in Democracy, posted by "Huff" on Mon May 9 at 09:02 PDT
The "blogosphere" is the biggest leap forward in journalism since the days of Tom Paine, a unique opportunity to tap directly into the cultural bloodstream. But I'm not here to put words in anyone's mouth, I'm just providing the megaphone!

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A New Kind of Communication, posted by "Huff" on Mon May 9 at 09:07 PDT
Instant, interactive, intelligent, informed; reaching out across the political spectrum. What? Did everybody forget their passwords already?

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I can't think of anything to say, posted by G Paltrow on Mon May 9 at 09:21 PDT
Arianna: its rlly uncool whn my cell rings during pilates. i said id post whn & if i had something to say. rt now im just too busy. stop bugging me.

Gwynniex

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Another Cutting Edge Contribution, posted by "Huff" on Mon May 9 at 09:23 PDT
Cantankerous, unafraid and always outspoken, that's Gwyneth (Paltrow) to a tee! You can expect to be hearing a lot more from her on Huffingtonpost.com, on a whole variety of subjects!

comments 0 :: trackbacks 0 :: post a comment
...
OH MY GOD ARIANNA Posted by G Paltrow on Mon May 9 2005 at 12:22 PDT
Did you just like take that text I sent you and post it on your stupid frigging blog? That was private! How dare you! Don't post this email either!

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Sheesh, even the lefties are making fun of it.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:05 AM -

 
Today's Hoot!

What pictures were found on Zarqawi's laptop?





This might be as good as Paris Hilton's cell phone!

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 12:01 PM -

 
Nothing to see here - move along

Bruce Bartlett at Real Clear Politics offers a guide to Understanding the Long-Term Finances of Today's Entitlement Programs. Here's a hint (from the poster on FR where I found it): We're Screwed.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:53 AM -

 
What's taking them so long?

Dick Morris says what I have been saying for a while - A better option on judges: Bring on a real filibuster:

The better way to proceed is to make the filibuster radioactive politically by letting the Democrats talk themselves to death. Give them enough rope and they will hang themselves by their vocal cords.

Frist just needs to end the “virtual” filibuster and make the Democrats stage a real one, replete with quorum calls, 24/7 sessions and truly endless debate covered word for word by C-SPAN for all the nation to see — and ridicule.

C'mon, I can hardly wait!

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:47 AM -

 
Different strokes for different folks

Hollywood eco-Moonbats Praise Third World Hardship:

Moonbat cum laude Cameron Diaz has teamed up with fellow Hollywood moonbat Drew Barrymore in a new MTV eco-tourism series called "Trippin'."

The program, which premiered on March 28th, features movie stars Diaz and Barrymore jet-setting and SUV-ing to Third World backwaters in Honduras, Tanzania, Nepal and Chile, while praising primitive tribal lifestyles and bashing the developed world's way of life.

During an episode of the program in which the opulent duo visited a remote village in Chile that had no running water, sanitary facilities or electricity, Diaz scolded Americans, saying, "It's kinda gotten out of hand how much convenience we think we need, " while Barrymore gushed how wonderful it was not to have had access to a toilet, "I took a poo in the woods hunched over like an animal. It was awesome," she said. Diaz, clearly looking forward to having the same quasi-religious experience, said,"I am so jealous right now, I am going -- I am going to the woods tomorrow."

I hope the girls had a truly authentic experience!



UPDATE: Head over to Rand Simberg's for more hillarity.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:03 AM -

 
The little people are like mushrooms....

Just keep 'em in the dark and feed 'em manure:

In other words: Canadians aren't mature enough to handle the truth, so the nation can only be preserved if they STFU and let their betters in the NaturalGoverningParty do what they want. That's the closest thing the Liberal Party of Canada has to a governing ideology - and it's kind of unnerving to realize that, for a decade, this country was run by Liberals who believe Paul Martin is being too honest.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 10:55 AM -

 
Bureaucrats Gone Wild!

England Expects regularly keeps us up to date with the hijinks as the rampaging European Union bureaucrats leave no stone unturned in the their quest for proper regulation of every conceivable activity in the realm. Of course, some efforts are more worthy than others. How about some regulations for the bureaucrats themselves?

Some days the documents that drip from the swollen body institutionate that is the European Commission make me laugh out loud.
...
“Rules for use of saunas in Berlaymont”

That's the HQ building in Brussels.

Now we’re talking. And yes I do have a copy of the rules here in front of me.

“The Berlaymont is equipped (beside the library of the legal services) of 2 suanas, waiting room, cloakroom showers and of an entry hall with modern and functional equipment.”

That explains why they told Michel Petite, he would have freaked if he went down to check some obscure ECJ judgement only to be startled by a vision of Margot in her altogether.

“The sauna No.1 will be reserved for the Commissioners, Heads of Cabinet, Directors-General and their guests.”

Meanwhile Sauna No. 2 is for all other officials and its use is restricted, Men only Tuesday and Thursday. Women only Monday and Wednesday, and for all your viewing pleasure Friday is a free for all.

Woohoo! What better way to kick off the weekend?

However that is not all, oh no -

“It is appropriate to comply with the rules of conduct”.
“Leave your clothes in the dressing room…Nakedness is natural. Sweating makes swimsuits uncomfortable”.
“After warming up you can use the whisk if you please”.

Yes there is a taxpayer funded whisk.

“You can also lie down and even close your eyes for a while if you feel like it.” Ahh, bless.

And this one just send me into fits of giggles,

“have a refreshing drink and a salty snack to your personal taste”.

Are you thinking what they’re drinking?

There are certainly a lot of possibilities, but I'd rather not speculate. Especially since I'm feeling guilty because the current EU President says that a "No" vote on the EU Constitution plays into the hands of those dastardly Anglo Saxons. No word on the British response.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 8:00 AM -

 
No appreciation for irony alert!



Spotted via PoliPundit - check out this "hunger striker" protesting those evil Minutemen.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 2:12 PM -

 
Today's Hoot!

(Via BrothersJudd) CLARIFICATION: Sinners unhappy with new pope

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 11:22 AM -

 
Tying up some loose ends

Jay Tea provides the definitive short history of Ted Kennedy in Ted Kennedy's Female Troubles. I always figured that the Reggie marriage was arranged as a political family alliance like the ones among royalty in days of yore. The Kennedys got someone to take care of the souse and keep him out of trouble; and the Reggies got access to the political big time that they wouldn't have achieved on their own. Like most political marriages, things didn't work out quite as planned. Best line:

Kennedy's womanizing ways are a Washington legend. When a supermarket tabloid published pictures of Kennedy getting "amorous" with a woman on his sailboat, one of his colleagues (Senator Howell Heflin) remarked that it appeared that Kennedy "had done changed his position on offshore drilling."

It also reminded of one of the details of one of my favorite Teddy events, the waitress sandwich:

In 1985, he and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd allegedly made a "waitress sandwich" at a DC restaurant while their dates were in the rest room.

I'll bet that put a damper on the evening!

Meanwhile over at Small Dead Animals, Kate explains the Canadian media spin on the Liberal Party implosion in Santa In Liberal Party Colours:

I've yet to hear much on radio this morning about this (on Rawlco or on CBC). Instead, they've been pimping the "Canadians don't want an election right now" meme, an assist for Paul Martin's "wait for Gomery" lifeline grab.
...
So, elaborate, please. This alleged dread of elections is conspicuously silent on specifics. What precisely is the source for this Great National Reluctance we are supposed to be gripped with? An aversion to unprotected pencil sharing? The time required to study up on the letter 'X'?
...
"Canadians don't want an election now".

They must think we're idiots.

That appears to be the operative plan. And not just in Canada.

And remember actor James Woods' tale of an odd pre-9/11 plane flight with some folks of a Middle Eastern persuasion? Well, REPORT: MOHAMMED ATTA WAS ON FLIGHT WITH ACTOR JAMES WOODS.

I saw the odd news story about a "slap fight" between Senators John Kerry and Mark Dayton, but thought it was a traveler's tale from Bizarro World. John Hinderaker 'splains it in Kerry Wants A Mulligan. Best lines:

The most striking thing about this story to me was that Kerry and Dayton were simultaneously present on the Senate floor. Rumor has it that Kerry is so determined to run again in three years that he has resolved, after twenty years in the Senate, to begin actually performing his duties there.

Who was that tall stiff stranger standing next to the guy with the tinfoil beanie?

Kerry won't be the Dems' nominee in '08. If last fall's election proved anything, it was that Kerry isn't a very good Presidential candidate. The Dems weren't in love with Kerry last year, but turned to him in a panic when Howard Dean imploded. Kerry is finished as a Presidential contender, I think, but he could perform one last valuable service. If he is really so determined to run again that he is angry about losing the endorsement of Mark Dayton, who is retiring next year and by 2008 won't be in a position to influence any voters outside his immediate family, Kerry might be fired up enough to go after Clinton hard during the primaries. That would make his candidacy worthwhile.

Sorry, but Hillary will knock him off before he lays a glove on her.

I haven't been commenting much on the Bolton nomination in order to spare my blood pressure, but check out Betsy's Page:

Bill Kristol is so right. If having a temper and disagreeing with career bureaucrats is a disqualifier for holding high public office than most senators should be kicked out.

and Kevin Aylward:

The New York Times splashes "confidential e-mails" none of which were sent by Bolton, where some whinny career bureaucrats snivel about the health effects of having their opinions questioned.

Is that what we've become, an nation of sniveling cowards? God help us if that level of pussification, even by inside the Beltway standards, is what's considered normal.

Wee timorous beasties.

posted by Cracker Barrel Philosopher at 10:14 AM -