Blog @ MoreWhat.com

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Conservative Thoughts

Woo Hoo!! It’s inauguration day in the United States. While Barack Obama scored big in the electoral vote over John McCain by about 2 to 1, the popular vote was 52% to 48%. That may be significant in election results but maybe not as a voter mandate. Both percentages are close enough to 50% to say that about half the country supported each candidate. Those who supported Barack Obama for President are understandably exuberant or euphoric. Those who opposed him are not so happy. Some of Obama’s opposition suggest we should hope he is successful as it would be in all our best interests. It may be insufficient to express that sentiment without knowing the definition of ’successful’ in this case. If he succeeds in accomplishing his own objectives that may not meet with approval even from the entire 52% who voted for him. Most Americans may hold a similar opinion as those in other countries on hopes for a new President. If his agenda is good for them personally they will approve, otherwise not. It is after all a somewhat selfish world.

The current situation in the Middle East may indicate how a new American President may influence world events before officially becoming President. In all the back and forth violence in the Middle East do you remember any time in the past when Arab countries were at odds with each other over how to proceed or what stance to take in view of the international press? In December 2008, ‘Anti-Israel protests erupted throughout the Middle East again on Monday, as Israeli forces continued air strikes against Hamas targets on the Gaza Strip. More than 300 people, including many civilians, have been killed in the assault, which Israel launched in response to a series of rocket attacks launched from Gaza.’ As this quote indicates Israel launched an offensive in response to attacks from Gaza. The United States and other Western nations have blamed Hamas for triggering the outbreak of violence. That was the beginning with expected protest from supporters of Hamas and the US and other Western nations holding Hamas responsible for the ‘outbreak’. ‘In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman, Thomas Steg, said the chancellor believes Hamas is exclusively and clearly responsible for the violence.

That is where typical ended. An Egyptian peace plan, crafted to put an end to the Gaza conflict, appears to be at the center of the diplomatic row between pro-Western Arab states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and more hardline states, including Syria, Sudan and Iran. It is no surprise that Syria, Sudan and Iran are listed here as hardline states. Similarly referring to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as pro-Western is not far off the mark although sometimes it is hard to tell why they are referred to this way. Two rival Arab gatherings have been taking place in Kuwait and Qatar, reflecting the deep divide among Arab leaders over how to react to the three-week-old conflict in Gaza. The bitter division is taking Arab leaders into uncharted territory. The unchartered territory is the part hinted at earlier suggesting this has never happened before or at least was not this noticeable. Could it be that the first crowning of a new king in the US is responsible for these events?

A look at other opinions expressed around the world may help. But it may require reading between the lines as is often the case in public affairs, politics or other endeavors featuring public statements. World financial markets operated with the US markets on holiday in honor of MLKjr. The other world markets posted modest gains and have a different take than the public at large over Obama’s election. Will a huge stimulus and more bailouts be forthcoming? Britain appears to be following lock step with handouts to banks and other businesses like their US counterparts. The markets appear to be hesitant in much the same way as foreign governments seem to be.

India’s impression and expectations for the new American President may differ widely from other countries simply because of their form of government in addition to selfish interests which for them include Pakistan and US sentiment toward them. The incoming Obama White House is going to be watched closely from the world’s largest democracy. India has enjoyed a warming relationship with the United States under the past two presidential administrations following decades when American policy in the region clearly tilted in favor of Pakistan - India’s primary rival. Other selfish motives are nuclear weapons treaties and test bans not to mention outsourcing of American jobs.

In contrast, Syria claims to be ready to cooperate with the US. On the one hand they say they want to work with the US on the Iran nukes problem and on the other hand they want to be friendly to Iran. Ya, that’ll work. But who knows after Pelosi and friends assumed the role of President and went to Syria and other countries to show off. As mentioned earlier Arab countries seem to be having difficulty crafting a coherent strategy on foreign affairs.

North Korea may have figured the Bush efforts would not be successful with other world leaders providing ineffective leadership as well in the matter of nukes there. One expert says NK has weaponized plutonium and no one seems to be making much of it. With nothing concluded on this topic during the Bush years North Korea may be right in expecting more of the same with Obama.

While economic concerns top the agenda, people here will be watching closely to see how the incoming president deals with the Middle East, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and climate change. A hefty workload for America’s next leader, but a leader who will have a lot of supporters in Europe who will be wishing him every success. One never knows with the EU. That could go for the rest of the world when it comes to opinion on the US. While the US takes a lot of heat from many sources around the world it is interesting how they all await the next move as if their own existence depends on it. Maybe it does. Could it be that in the EU they may oppose the US at times for the same reason those in our own country do? (selfish reasons masquerading as genuine concern)

Beijing says it is ready to work with the Obama administration, but it is also waiting to see how China is treated. The Chinese government has already indicated it considers the Taiwan issue a priority. See, it is no different anywhere. Everyone appraises the US with the same standard…..what have you done for me lately?

Many ordinary Russians have been impressed by Mr. Obama. A journalism student in Moscow named Nastia told VOA that Mr. Obama strikes her as a great speaker. She says his inauguration holds promise for improved U.S.-Russian relations following what she says was a period of neglect under President George Bush. Same problems with the bear as with everyone else when it comes to analyzing the US and forming opinions. What have you done for me lately? There was a period of (Russian) neglect under President George Bush? It is not like Putin and company were cozying up to anyone at the time. One must remember it was not that long ago these two nations ran the planet. And it may have been in Putin’s interest to appear tough on America for his own political purposes at home.

Dear almost former President Bush:
Thanks for keeping us safe. (proof is we haven’t been attacked since 9/11) Like all Presidents some of your work was successful and some was not. Take a well deserved vacation and solace in the fact that as some say once you’ve been away for a while and things calm down your ‘legacy’ will be more favorably reviewed down the road. There will be no review here and now. Well except for that shamnesty thing. there won’t be any. Damn, what were you thinking?

Dear almost President Obama:
You’ve got some ’splainin’ to do. This blog will treat you in a fashion described regularly by your friend Sean Hannity. When you do something or are responsible for something that finds agreement here you will be applauded and supported. The reverse is also true. You do not have much time to get things right. Even your far left fringe supporters are unsure where you are going and are not happy. The rest of us are sure where you are going and not happy. There may not be a honeymoon.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

$1.2 Trillion Slush Fund: Congressman Alan Grayson Grills Fed Vice Chair Donald Kohn

For a little background, according to Wikipedia Alan Grayson received a law degree and a master’s degree in government from Harvard. He went to work for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. He worked with Ginsburg, Scalia and Bork. Returning to practice law he called contractor fraud in Iraq ‘the crime of the century’ and has filed suits against them. He unseated Republican Ric Keller in Florida’s 8th District in 2008.

Fox News, Bloomberg and others have sought disclosure from the Fed on money distributed from the bailout programs to no avail on last inspection. This video should be of interest to those hearing others like Pelosi talking ‘transparency’. Who knows how this will develop but it’s a nice start. Hat tip to Grayson for this episode but he could also ‘grill’ the committee chairman in the video…..Barney Frank.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
Trackposted to third world county, Walls of the City, and DragonLady’s World, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

from MoreWhat.com:
Just a simple tribute to another American who sacrificed everything for what he believed in and made a lasting contribution to the world.

Stanford Matthews

Welcome to Blog @ MoreWhat.com’s Open Trackback

Secure the Borders Linkfest

This is an open trackback linkfest. It happens on Tuesday and Saturday or… Each linkfest is open until the next one starts. Trackbacks will no longer be on the frontpage in a post called MoreWhat Matters. The Secure the Borders theme is intended as a reminder to all for obvious reasons. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, questions or just feel the need to communicate, trackback or post it in the comments. If you want to be added to the Blogroll, register and/or inquire to make arrangements. The Honor Roll is reserved for blogs viewed as special by this blog’s owner.

JIHAD stands for Jesus I Have A Deathwish.

This linkfest is dedicated to the guest worker who never left.There are plenty of illegal immigration posts on this blog.

If you’re here legally and behavin’ yo self, welcome aboard.
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We suggest using the Linkfest Haven Deluxe Trackback pinger for ease of use and time savings to catch all the festive linking activities today. Or, if you have done this less than we have, the permalink for this Open Trackback is the title link and the trackback is located near the bottom of the permalink page for this post. Just poke around, you’ll find it.

links in the sidebar

NOTE: It may be worthwhile to comply with the unofficial standard of submitting your blog’s best work for open trackbacks whether here or at multiple sites. The practice may have been inspired by a desire for increased quality versus quantity as well as providing greater impact from the power of the blogosphere.

How many illegal aliens violated the law?

Stanford Matthew
MoreWhat.com

First item to nauseate the reasonable among us in this week’s events is the mob mentality responsible for disrespecting the flag of the United States on behalf of Barack Obama. One can exhibit understanding for the actions of others overcome by euphoria or a drunken stupor on celebration of an historic event but as with everything there are limits. The limits of those redesigning the American flag to express their support of a newly elected President are non-existent. The limits of those observing this blatant misuse of Old Glory have been tested. The view from this American blogger holds this practice to be disgraceful at the least and criminal at the worst. And unfortunately it is another indicator of what we can expect from an Obama Administration. The One’s silence on this matter will be tantamount to Presidential approval.

Other indications that PEBO will have a deleterious effect on this nation include but are not limited to Iran, Syria and Russia expressing expectations of or willingness to participate in discussions with the new President. Iran will continue their nuclear weapons program. Syria will maintain their ties with Iran. Russia will continue to expand its sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere while Obama and the rest of the liberals/socialists appease our foes and direct this nation to socialism.

The Community Reinvestment Act from decades ago set in motion the groundwork for the subprime mortgage fiasco. Senators Chris Dodd and Barney Frank as well as others like Rahm Emanuel were fully vested in Wall Street, the GSE’s and coercing financial institutions to lend to those not qualified for financing. Economic conditions caused Wall Street to once again get creative and invent more derivatives to package loser loans. The global economic crisis is the result of allowing international greed to create the real estate monster sitting on top of a house of cards. The winds of the new millennium blew the house down.

The GOP lost their collective minds with respect to fiscal responsibility and spending limits which played right into the unfortunate timing of the 2008 election and gave liberals the unique opportunity to blame everything on the right only to assume another majority in Congress and take back the White House believing they have a mandate to continue the insanity.

What was defined quantitatively by billions in the recent past is now measured in trillions. An increase one thousand times larger. The national debt exceeded one trillion dollars in the eighties. Spending and deficits were still measured in billions. Now we talk talk of trillion dollar spending programs and deficits. This has to stop.

There is a collection of records on bailout voting being assembled in this site’s forum. It will probably go through several incarnations before it is complete. Thus far it is not a surprise that bailout voting is not a function of party politics. But some interesting facts and trends are becoming obvious. It is not clear whether there has been a collective malfeasance in Washington of this magnitude before now. Perhaps we should do something about it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

It is no surprise with all the hype that continues about PEBO and the arrival of inaugural activities many so-called experts have an abundance of advice equalled only be their desire to be heard and given media attention. Nothing like using a national event to promote your own self-interest. The least impressive video account below belongs to the person with the easiest name to abuse while criticizing. Guess who it is? (hint: it could make you hurl)

J Scott Carpenter is one of Bremer’s Boyz from the days of the Iraq Provisional saga and has ties to Duncan Hunter and Rich Santorum. There are other details you can find for yourself with a simple search or visit to Wiki or Source Watch, etc. Michelle Dunne from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace may have some similar history with foundations, institutes, academia or other org’s as Carpenter. The value of the opinions of these two is probably up to the reader. This blog lumps them into the category of those who have connections in the public sector and likely special interest motivations influencing their positions.

Go figure, Heather Hurlburt is a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton and Madeleine Albright. Has been described as a ‘Michigan-based consultant and writer’. That explains a lot. Hisham Melham is a Lebanese journalist and bureau chief for As-Safir Daily, a Beirut, Lebanon, newspaper. That wraps up the brief descriptions of those offering their advice to Obama on the Middle East. Will his administration or any others in Washington offer better? Only time will tell. But there are a couple of points made in one or more of these videos that may in fact be valid.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Video: What Should Obama Say to the Middle East?

By Mohamed Elshinnawi
Washington
17 January 2009

So what should President Barack Obama say to the Middle East? That was the question before a panel of Middle East experts convened recently by two Washington-based nonprofit groups - the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Project for Middle East Democracy.

Click the videos below to view excerpts of the panelists’ addresses.

J. Scott Carpenter

Carpenter says the Obama administration must recognize the Bush administration’s mission to promote freedom in the Middle East failed. He says the U.S. must narrowly define its interests in the region.

Michele Dunne

Michele Dunne cautions the Obama administration against developing a rigid list of policy priorities for the Middle East and encourages officials instead to develop a framework for dealing with unexpected challenges that are likely to arise.

Heather Hurlburt

Heather Hurlburt encourages Obama’s administration to listen to leaders in the Middle East and promote cultural exchanges between Americans and Arabs.

Hisham Melhem

Hisham Melhem says Obama’s tone will be very important when he addresses the Middle East.

Read the articles, hell no. The titles provide enough entertainment all by themselves without any need to be disappointed by the content of main stream media sources and the dribble provided in an attempt to keep their jobs and their lame employers afloat. There are exceptions to every rule and the fact that some decent journalists still remain is as alive and well as those writers. The best way to tell who they are is the process of elimination. They won’t be in this post.

Go ahead, guess where the list that served as this post’s fodder exists. So, without further delay here is the first headline, shameless author and revenue starved publishing source.

From Anna Quindlen at Newsweek comes an article title ‘Why Obama’s Oratory is Vital.’ Oh please, spare me the act of trying to make Obama and his Chicago political machine connections seem relevant and some sort of national resource. Where is the list of stories from the MSM about all PEBO’s associates, allies and accomplices who have been given a pass just like PEBO?

And it just gets better with Christopher Hitchens from Slate with ‘The Hilllary Clinton Conundrum.’ Who cares? Okay, libs might. But they didn’t care enough to elect her. No, they opted for Obama. The liberal elite anointed John Kerry last time out and fell flat. This time they did the same with Obama and have won an election. While that may give credence to the phrase if you throw enough of it at the wall some will stick but the fall flat part may come post election this time.

Michael Mandel of Business Week states by his article title ‘Why Big Tax Cuts Are Essential’ that he is on one side of the revenue/spending debate. Is he sure the tax cuts must be BIG? We have all heard both sides of this argument and the larger debate on whether government spending or private investment through tax cuts will lift the US out of recession ad nauseum. While it may help sell print media or generate ad revenue for broadcast/cable outlets, etc., it has yet to be demonstrated by anyone what will work. Whether one of the two strategies just mentioned or something else. Listen to the talking heads, politicians and others who mostly say something has to be done and/or doing nothing or not doing something fast is not an option. That means they don’t have a clue.

Finally a reasonable piece in some of today’s offerings. ‘Obama is Causing a Liberal Freakout’ by James Pethokoukis from US News and World Report. The only problem is everyone already know this and it has been going on for some time now. And go figure, James, people from your line of work caused it.

Memo to Obama: Think Bigger’ is just what we don’t need from Robert Kuttner at HuffPo. BTW, how do they get on a list like this? They’re not even mainstream. And that explains Kuttner’s plea to Obama to, you know, think bigger. Does he want him to leap to the far left? Wouldn’t that cause the President-elect to fall off the end of the earth? Ooh. There’s an idea. Or does he want to be bailed out too. HuffPo, Kuttner, what a joke.

‘There is a Better Stimulus Plan Out There’ comes from Neil Boortz at Townhall. Go figure. The first title, author and media source I would recommend test driving. Have been listening to this guy on the radio of late. Due to the holidays most of it was rerun material but it didn’t matter because the philosophy and arguments presented were the important part. If there was one story to read thus far, this is it. It may be useful. It may be a waste of time but the chances are better it has some value.

‘The World is Wrong to Condemn Israel’ from Susan Estrich at Creator’s indicates Susan is not paying attention. What world or planet are you on lady? The only world condemning Israel is the Islamic or Muslim world.

Then there is ‘Facing Reality in the Middle East’ and ‘Who is Jim Jones’ which end this post as the remainder of offerings are of no more value than all but one presented here thus far. And that is how you save time staying current on the news and views. Don’t waste time reading crap otherwise known as filler. Have any of these ‘authors’ stopped to consider that a title is part of what gets a potential reader to continue with a story or article? Either they have nothing worthwhile to say and are honest with their titles or they just have nothing worthwhile to say, save Neil Boortz in this list. His title suggests an alternative. That might get you to read it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Nothing like a little egg on your face for helping terrorist-friendly clients access the US financial system. You could ask when people will begin to understand that giving terrorists or their enablers access to the world’s financial systems supports terrorism. But it is likely the truth is they know who they are dealing with and do not care. Here the terrorists use the infidels’ weakness for greed and corruption against them. Another sad fact is that even when such crimes are committed there is only another exchange of money. No one seems to be held personally responsible for their actions.

Of course the story includes the tainted bank expressing its concern and that it ‘is committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity’, etc.,etc. What a load of manure that is. You were stripping customer information from transactions so they would not be flagged by filtering software at destination banks. How is that a matter of ‘enhancing compliance programs’? It is a matter of a conscious decision to defraud. Something that should not allow those involved to continue in the banking business……EVER AGAIN!!

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Lloyds TSB Bank has agreed to pay a $350 million penalty to U.S. authorities for falsifying records to allow clients from Iran, Sudan and Libya illegal access to the U.S. financial system.

The London-based bank admitted responsibility for violating U.S. sanction laws under deferred prosecution agreements filed Friday by the U.S. Justice Department and the New York County District Attorney’s Office.

Their joint investigation accuses Lloyds of deliberately removing customer information - a process known as “stripping” - so that wire transfers would pass undetected through filters at U.S. financial institutions.

The process made it appear the transactions originated at Lloyds rather than the sanctioned banks.

In a statement announcing the deals struck with investigators, the bank said it is committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and has taken significant steps to enhance its compliance programs.

Under terms of the agreements, Lloyds must turn over all the data it still has that was removed from past money transfers to U.S. authorities. The bank is required to cooperate fully with U.S. authorities for the next two years.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said the case against Lloyds grew out of an investigation into suspicious money transfers by alleged Iranian front companies and charities in New York.

In the New York agreement, Lloyds admitted that from 2002 to 2004 it allowed Iranian banks and their customers to illegally move more than $300 million. Most of the money was sent into the United States, but it is not clear if any of the funds ended up in terrorist hands.

Money transfers from sanctioned countries violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the U.S. president to block commerce with countries deemed a threat to the United States.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

Just this blog’s latest two cents on the forming Obama Administration and specifically the nomination of Geithner for Secretary of the Treasury. As you may be able to glean from the titles below the problem with Mr Geithner as the Obama nominee is more than not paying taxes or hiring an illegal alien nanny. As a little side note take for example that the man who is lauded as a financial genius tried to take overnight caretaking of his children as a deduction for dependent care. Daycare is allowed but overnight care is not according to reports in the media. The view here, hey, if you think you can get a deduction go for it. If it is not allowed the IRS will flag it and tell you it’s not allowed. But when we’re talking about the Obama Administration nominee for Secretary of the Treasury that sort of choice should be troubling.

Maybe the choices made by Mr Geithner that are in the news due to his nomination tell us more about him and his fitness for a cabinet post than his employment history and education. Does a guy who earns a healthy six figures annually somehow feel above the rest or entitled to special treatment? Maybe those of us who can be denied a job for things that have nothing to do with our ability to perform the occupational duties should use a litmus test for public officials that hold them to a higher standard than appears to be the reaction from some on Capitol Hill.

This blog says Geithner should take a walk and not be nominated.

Geithner nomination and his failure to pay taxes

4 reference: Obama Economic Team Announcement

Emptying the Treasury, pushing reality to future generations

Wow, Obama Announces Socialist Agenda (in bold type)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Just another example of whining from the Muslim population when another one of their attacks on Israel fails. Is it possible they really expect to eliminate or defeat Israel by lobbing primitive rockets in their country? No. They know the rocket attacks will not cause much more than an annoyance. That is not why they do it. They simply try to see what they can get away with and wait for Israel to lose patients from getting no cooperation in solving the problem. Then once Israel exercises its right to defend itself by defeating those responsible the remainder of the Muslim world whines that Israel is being unfair and mistreating the offenders.

It shows how ridiculous international politics are as this sort of thing has continued for years and the rest of world is content to let it continue. With the number of those involved expressing a desire to eliminate Israel the chance of a peace arrangement has never been realistic. Why other nations including the US even engage in the theatre of appearing to believe it will ever happen is as ridiculous as witnessing just one more violent episode like another old rerun on TV.

What was just expressed is the main reason this blog has only recently published any commentary on the topic. The endless loop that is the history of the Middle East with regard to Israel and its neighbors is so repetitive as to be pathetic nonsense. Those opposed to Israel in the region and elsewhere have no interest in peace. That is why it is time to republish another Muslim cartoon to demonstrate the silly notion of the religion of peace. One annoying display deserves another.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Worldwide Protests Against Gaza Operation

Tens of thousands of Muslims took to the streets Friday from Amman to Jakarta to protest the Israeli action in Gaza.

An estimated 50,000 people rallied in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria after Friday prayers. The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and shouted slogans against Israel, and in support of Hamas.

In Amman, Jordan, police fired teargas on a crowd of some two-thousand people to prevent them from marching to the Israeli embassy.

In Israel’s occupied West Bank, police in Ramallah and Hebron also used teargas to disperse Palestinian protesters.

Other demonstrations were reported in Turkey, Algeria, Kenya, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Some of the demonstrators expressed anger at Arab leaders for failing to ease the plight of people in Gaza. Egypt has kept its border with Gaza largely closed.

The European Jewish Congress said earlier this week it was planning pro-Israel rallies in London, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, and other locations.

There will be no attempt to influence your opinion on the following. You should be able to draw the proper conclusion on your own.

Is it the duty of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to only investigate members of the ‘other’ party? For how long has Henry Waxman been given some sort of scary persona as the oversight guy in Washington? And what exactly has he done, if anything, to earn any cred as some kind of watchdog? Take the case of Cold Cash Jefferson, please, no one else will.

Doing a simple search to refresh one’s memory about the LA corruptocrat finds he was caught with the 90 grand of cold cash in his freezer in 2006. According to a search hit from Patterico he was indicted in 2007 and had not gone to trial yet. There is another hit about some ‘truck trip’ of his related to Katrina. Yet another story is in the results that Pelosi tried to get him on the Homeland Security Committee sometime in 2007. So the LA election in 2008 through out Jefferson and denied him at tenth term according to a post at Right Voices. One can only imagine what other corrupt business the so-called Congressman was responsible for in the nine terms served. Which is probably what he should have gotten in prison, nine terms.

But the Oversight Committee and Mr Waxman get a lot of press over investigating the GOP. Armed with subpoena power and an expansive mandate — “The committee has oversight over anything, anything that government does or might do,” says Waxman — the soft-spoken congressman from California has made himself into the most feared Democrat on Capitol Hill. So why is this story from Rolling Stone in April 2008 only concerned about Waxman investigating the GOP? It might be that is what liberals expect from the Democratic party yet they seem real short on interest in investigating their own.

The Democratic congressman who will investigate the Bush administration’s running of the government says there are so many areas of possible wrongdoing, his biggest problem will be deciding which ones to pursue. How about investigating Democrats too? A story seen lately deals with Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Queen of Cringe, being a champion for the interests of those who have donated to her husband’s foundation. Let’s see, there is no possibility of corruption in that is there? The list of things to investigate about Rahm Emanuel has to be substantial given his involvement with the GSE’s of the subprime mortgage meltdown along with fellow Democrats Chris Dodd and Barney Frank but hell, there is no reason for Waxman to investigate them is there?

So if there is no reason for Waxman to investigate the fine liberals mentioned in this post so far there couldn’t possibly be a reason to look at the anointed one’s connections with corrupt Chicago politics from the likes of Blogojevich, Daley, Jarrett, Rezko and others. That’s right. PEBO is also one of those in the Democratic party getting a pass from Waxman’s oversight but there will be no shortage of investigative targets in the GOP ranks. That is the kind of situation that makes one want to take a Washington Democrat out to dinner. And leave them miles out in the desert where nature can dispense some long overdue justice.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Report: Gaza/West Bank Reaction Download (WM)
Report: Gaza/West Bank Reaction Watch (WM)

Israel’s offensive in Gaza is drawing fire from Palestinians in the West Bank. Many are expressing support for Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza. They accuse the West Bank government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of not doing enough to defend the Palestinians of Gaza. VOA’s Luis Ramirez reports from Ramallah.

from MoreWhat.com:

Stating Israel is drawing ‘fire’ from the West Bank in the brief text report above is a curious choice of words. While some rockets have been fired recently from Lebanon in support of Hamas in Gaza the West Bank reference probably means the kind of fire from verbal opposition. The video report linked to above reminds viewers that the latest round of violence in the Middle East was initiated by Hamas launching rockets into Israel. Where was the Palestinian outrage over that unprovoked attack then? That sentiment has been expressed on this blog recently and repeated here now to emphasize the fact such statements or any reaction at all to the Middle East and problems between Israelis and Palestinians and others in the region has been withheld. But this latest round of violence is a stunning example of bias against Israel and a reminder of how others in the region view Israel. Many including Hamas, probably Hezbollah and certainly Iran express their desire to eliminate Israel. The silence by Israel’s neighbors after the Hamas rocket attacks began and their deafening volume after Israel began defending itself is another stark reminder and example of the bitter hatred toward Israel from their Arab neighbors most of whom subscribe to the religion of peace known as Islam.

Not that there are no other examples in the world of unfair treatment of one group of people by another and plenty of bloodshed that accompanied such events. But this too is another example of one group being mistreated. And that group is not Palestinians it is Israelis. As a counter argument in the video report listed above and other accounts presented by Palestinians in Gaza and like-minded Arabs elsewhere ‘innocent’ and ‘defenseless’ victims are offered as testimony to Israels’ response to the Hamas attacks. Yet these same people make no mention of human shields and other terrorist tactics used by Hamas and similar groups. That is the leading cause of civilian deaths in the current ‘crisis’. If civilian, non-terrorist people exist in Gaza and do nothing to eliminate terrorist groups from thier midst they can continue to expect casualties like they are witnessing now. And who is to say all the casualties or even any of them are innocent? In terrorist and guerilla warfare it is very difficult to determine who is or is not involved in the warring factions. Wearing no uniform does not automatically make you innocent as terrorists wear the same clothes and are known to use women and children as weapons like suicide bombers.

So in this particular and current edition of war in the Middle East, Israel is right and the rest of you are wrong. It is that simple.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Two and a half million jobs, no wait, three million jobs, no, no, that’s not quite right, four million jobs will be delivered by The One as long as he is allowed to empty what little may be left in the US Treasury. It may be going out on a limb but the view here is most elected officials are lawyers. If you think about trial lawyers of the ambulance chasing variety numbers have no real meaning to them. The amounts of money won for clients bears little resemblance to reality or reason. Putting a value on someone’s loss over a lifetime or similar lawyer’s equation may exaggerate the value of whatever they are trying to determine.

So it is no wonder the bailout frenzy has created more lawyer’s playing with numbers. It may be a good idea to require elected officials who will have any control over large sums of money to take at least a few classes in mathematics, economics and finance. Barack Obama and many others in Washington are ‘poised’ to raid the Treasury even more than the current Administration and Congress. Not only will the money you have already paid the government in taxes be used but money you , your children and grandchildren ever hope to earn may be at risk. The criticism that overspending in government places the bulk of the burden on future generations is not new. And the ever increasing length of time in which those in Washington have overspent and will continue to overspend finds no one asking one simple question.

How much money can the government spend in a given amount of time before we exceed our ability to ever pay it back and have any expectation of living whatever is defined as a normal, reasonable or typical existence? At what point do we reach a level of borrowing on the future in which the Chinas or Japans of the world no longer offer financing or the terms rise above our capacity to pay? Granted their are differences between what is available in personal, commercial or government finance but the common thread is the math. There have to be limits. We need to know what they are. And we do not need to exceed them or even reach them or get close.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama says his economic recovery plan is projected to save or create between three and four million jobs by the end of 2010.

In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Obama says more than 90 percent of those jobs are likely to be in the private sector. The remainder are expected to be public sector jobs that will be spared from state and local budget cuts.

Earlier this month, Mr. Obama said his economic stimulus plan would create or preserve up to three millions jobs.

The president-elect says the new figures come from an analysis on the job impact of his recovery plan. Mr. Obama says he ordered his economic team to conduct the study so that Americans can see what his plan will do for them and the faltering economy.

In the report, Mr. Obama’s economic advisors warn the estimates are subject to significant margins of error because they are based on a hypothetical economic package.

The report says Mr. Obama’s plan will put more than half a million people to work on clean energy initiatives and another 400,000 on repairing the country’s roads, bridges and schools.

The president-elect says Friday’s announcement that the country lost half a million jobs in December alone is a “stark reminder” of how quickly Washington must act to revive the economy and create jobs.

Mr. Obama’s proposed stimulus package also includes an extension of unemployment insurance, health coverage and tax cuts for most Americans.

Aides to the president-elect say the plan could cost $775 billion.