January 19, 2009

Bush Commutes Sentences of Ramos and Campean

As one of his last acts of clemency, President Bush has commuted the sentences of Ramos and Campean. From FOX News:

On his last full day in office, President Bush commuted the sentences of two former Border Patrol agents convicted of shooting a Mexican drug runner in 2005.

The imprisonment of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean had sparked outcry from critics who said the two were just doing their jobs. They had been sentenced to 11- and 12-year sentences, respectively.

Their prison sentences will now expire on March 20 of this year.

Full story here.

A commutation is good; a full pardon would have been even better. I suppose we need to take what we can get. I'm sure their families are thankful they'll be coming home soon.

Show Comments »

The Immaculate Perception

On FSM today:

The inauguration is upon us. Washington D.C. is festooned with porta potties, doughnut chains are offering patriotic pastries, consumers can purchase Obama thongs, and the financial crisis has taken a holiday as inauguration expenses are expected to reach $150 million – part of that comprised of emergency spending authorized by the White House.

Barack Obama’s face can be seen beaming out at us on nearly every magazine cover (special edition!) at the supermarket checkout. He graced the cover of TIME magazine 14 times in one year. News programs are jockeying to provide the most syrup-laden coverage of this Historic Event. Hollywood and the rest of the left have finally rediscovered their long-lost (well, eight years anyway) patriotism. Cynical journalists removed the neutral blinders from their eyes just long enough to give The One™ a rousing round of applause and cheering.

And last but certainly not least, Europeans love us again. Finally, I can get a full night’s sleep.

Welcome to what I call the “immaculate perception.”

It's all here.

Show Comments »

January 16, 2009

Robert Spencer on ‘Stealth Jihad’

Wednesday, I attended a luncheon in NYC where Robert Spencer was speaking about stealth Jihad, the subject of his latest book. I wrote about it for FSM:

Those of us who get the bulk of our news from the Internet are probably aware of pro-Hamas rallies that have taken place across the nation over the last couple of weeks. To name just a couple: in Los Angeles, the Islamists chanted “Heil Hitler,” “death to the Jews,” “death to Israel” and “down, down, USA!” In Fort Lauderdale, Jews were exhorted to “go back to the ovens.” As Spencer noted, “Never before in American history have we seen people openly, on American soil, and in full light of video cameras, saying that they want to see a renewal of a genocidal ambition, and they want to see a whole people exterminated.”

So where was the mainstream media? Aside from a story on the Fort Lauderdale event on FOX News, they were nowhere to be seen. I understand the thrill of covering Michelle Obama’s plans for redecorating the White House and the Obama children’s first day at their new school, but one would think rallies that advocate genocide might garner a little interest from the free press that prides itself on bringing us all the news we need to know. As a result of their negligence, many Americans remain in the dark. “This ought to be the largest story of the last 20 years,” said Spencer. So why isn’t it?

Read it all here.

Show Comments »

Change You Can Cash In On

Pepsi's new "Hope" campaign is modeled after the Obama campaign. Dunkin' Donuts is offering "Stars and Stripes" doughnuts all next week. Krispy Kreme is celebrating with Freedom of Choice doughnuts.

And these are just a few of the stomach-turning forms of adulation to which we are being treated. I wrote more about this topic for PJM earlier this week.

Is it change you can believe in? Or change you can cash in on? Perhaps a little of both.

The whole current spectacle is disgusting. We are inaugurating a president, not anointing a savior on high! I have really had it with the fawning coverage and slobbering that passes for news. My mother told me that some years ago, when Bush 41 was inaugurated, the school she worked at wouldn't allow her to show her students the ceremony because it was "bringing politics" into the classroom. Of course, the school she is at now is showing The One's ascension in two locations in the school so that there is room for all!

My, how times have changed. Someone get me a barf bag.

(Graphic courtesy of Renee)

Show Comments »

January 13, 2009

FSM's 2009 'Hope and Change' Awards

Over at FSM today, the 2009 Hope and Change Awards are up! From the press release:

New York, New York - As we enter this new era of hope and change, FamilySecurityMatters.org offers the 2009 Hope and Change Awards, celebrating the best from politicians and other public figures whose dedication to their version of hope and change in 2008 went above and beyond the call of duty – and sometimes taste.

Awards season has arrived and Americans are being treated to the likes of the People's Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards and many more, celebrating the best that 2008 had to offer the American public in the world of entertainment. In keeping with this fine tradition, the Hope and Change Awards will distinguish their recipients’ best efforts. All that’s missing is the red carpet and Joan Rivers – but who knows what next year will bring?

For the first time ever, FamilySecurityMatters.org will offer a number of award categories falling under the ‘Hope and Change’ umbrella, much as the Academy Awards do. The awards were created to recognize the recipients’ tireless efforts to make our country a better place for Americans, and to provide inspirational role models for our youth.

In announcing the winners, FamilySecurityMatters.org President, Carol Taber, said, “Because America has become a culture driven by unexceptional mass media and a pernicious popular culture – rather than by the brilliance of the founding principles enshrined in our Constitution – it is more important than ever that the personalities who dominate the media are recognized for their profound influence on the next generation of Americans, heaven spare them.”

FamilySecurityMatters.org Editor, Pam Meister, said, "2009 is supposed to herald a new era of 'hope and change' much ballyhooed by the media. Yet theoretically, every election cycle represents change and the American people simply receive more of the same. The Hope and Change Awards serve to highlight – in a tongue-in-cheek manner – the mediocrity that often accompanies public service and the national discourse. Until the American people actively begin demanding more from those who purport to serve them, we anticipate that the Hope and Change Awards will enjoy a long and prosperous existence."

There are a number of prestigious awards, including those listed below (click here to find out why each winner prevailed!):

1. GRUBBIEST FINGERS AWARD – Rep Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich)

2. SYCOPHANTIC FOREIGN ACTOR AWARD - Simon Baker, star of television’s “The Mentalist.”

3. LEAST AMOUNT OF MORAL AUTHORITY AWARD – Sen Chris Dodd (D-Conn)

4. BIGGEST BACKSTABBER AWARD – Sen John McCain (R-Ariz)

5. MIDDLE FINGER AWARD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill)

6. THE UH, RIGHT AWARD – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.)

7. "JUST LIKE YOU" AWARD – Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Host, media magnate

8. “SHADES OF EVITA” AWARD – Caroline Kennedy, American Princess

The awards are bestowed by FamilySecurityMatters.org, a website that focuses on issues affecting the safety and security of America’s families.

Show Comments »

Prince Harry's 'Racist Remarks' - Is Media Outrage Justified?

My latest at FSM today:

Obviously, I don’t know if Prince Harry is a bigot or racist as I have, and never will, meet him. It’s possible to explain away his public faux pas – perhaps the latent anti-Semitism in Europe led him to believe wearing a Nazi costume was acceptable; perhaps the Paki and raghead comments were merely his indulging in the tough talk that soldiers may use when they are amongst themselves. (Or maybe he’s rebelling against his father – who has been rumored to be a closet convert to Islam.)

Then again, Harry may well be a closet racist/bigot. If he is, bad cess to him.

But the bigger question is this: Why is it that Prince Harry’s remarks are met with such horror by the press, while they barely bat an eyelash at pro-Hamas protests like this one in Fort Lauderdale, where participants told Jews to “go back to the oven”?

Show Comments »

January 07, 2009

All Living Presidents to Gather at White House

For the first time since 1981, all living presidents are meeting at the White House - including the President-elect. Doug Powers has a partial transcript of the goings-on:

W. Bush: Welcome back to the White House fellas.

Bush 41: Thanks, son. I know you’re busy in these last few days so thanks for having us.

Clinton: I’m the one who arranged all this!

Bush 41: My son arranged this!

Carter: Have a seat guys… we can work this out. Let’s just say that Bill organized half, and W. organized half…

Bush 41: Because they didn’t each organize half!

W. Bush: Yeah, stop being so negotiatory, Jimmy. Save it for Hamas.

Read the whole thing here.

Show Comments »

January 06, 2009

15 Seconds in Sderot

h/t: Char

Show Comments »

Hi, I’m Senator Al Franken – and if You Don’t Like Me, You’re a $%&! Jerk

Over at FSM today:

Anyhoo, I'm just about to sign the contract for my next big gig: Senator from the great state of Minnesota! Getting rid of – I mean, defeating Norm Coleman wasn't easy. First, I had to actually campaign. It was really tough answering questions at events where only one person showed up. Boy, I feel sorry for that guy – just imagine the pressure he was under! And some people may tell you I'm a bully and have a foul mouth, but I'm here to say that's simply not true. I just don't like (bleep) conservatives – especially those who come to my events and who work for talk radio hosts who are more successful and better looking than me.

Read it all here.

Show Comments »