Monday Iran Update

Things were somewhat calmer over the weekend but threaten to flair up again. Here's today's news:

-Obama says that those feel good invitations he extended to Iranian diplomats still stand and yes, he would be delighted to celebrate the birthday of the worlds greatest democracy with those who are actively oppressing the onset of one.

-26-year old Neda Agha-Soltan is remembered by her family in what has to be the most tragic event of the uprising. She was a bystander essentially and will now go down as the face of the revolution. Senator McCain eulogizes her in a way she greatly deserved. Her picture is at right.

-Christopher Hitchens puts the wood to Obama over his utter failure on Iran. Note to self; never piss off Hitch.

-Obama and Hugo Chavez are of one mind on Iran. Nice company he keeps.

-Rumors have been flying that the Republican Guard is disobeying orders and will not attack protesters, which means it will be hardline thugs doing the dirty work. People are fighting back. Note, all links are to Gateway Pundit who has done fantastic work on this issue.

Obama's First 100-Days: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

President Obama has been working in the Oval Office for 100 days now--well, he's been on the road for a great many of them but I digress. Let's grade him on his abilities thus far.

First, the good:

-He decided to keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates on to ensure that we have someone with a military background, intelligence and maturity running the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan. I guess he could have made Leon Panetta the SecDef since he knows as much about defense as he does about the CIA--not a damn thing on both counts.

-He released the "torture" memos. This would count as bad or even ugly since it will set back our intel-gathering efforts decades but it did light a fire under Cheney and has forced Obama to make a decision on whether he would release the rest that show that water boarding worked and saved hundreds of lives. Cheney requested them released, now the ball is in Obamas court.

-He hasn't closed Gitmo, we still have enough of a presence in Iraq to sustain our gains and he has beefed up the operations in Afghanistan where the current battle against al-Qaeda is taking place after forcing them out of Iraq.

-He has continued to decapitate the leadership of al-Qaeda in Pakistan using Predator drones. It's an effective strategy developed under Bush and has kept us safe.

The Bad:

-The TARP fiasco. It's a jumbled mess whereby we threw money out, have no idea how it's being spent, it hasn't helped and now the government won't take it back because they like the idea of nationalizing industry.

-The porkulus bill. It was nothing but a sop to Democratic senators and congressmen who could rain down money on their constituencies and hold on in the next election. It was written by Pelosi in concert with the most corrupt congress we've seen in decades. It was woefully short on actually providing any stimulus and is ripe for corruption on a scale that was unfathomable just a half-year ago.

-Cabinet selection madness. He vowed to not have lobbyists working for him and has more than Bush ever dreamed of. He nominated a tax cheat to head Treasury and has had numerous others bail because they had tax problems. If this isn't the epitome of amateurism, i don't know what is.

The Ugly:

-Bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The press went nuts when Bush held his hand but Bush never showed subservience that would signal to the Arab world that we are truly weakened. Obama did just that.

-The Gordon Brown gift kerfuffle. How pathetic that our greatest ally gives us a pen carved from a anti-slaving ship and Obama gives him DVD's that don't even work in Britain? For crying out loud, he gave the Queen a friggin' I-Pod. Plus, he tossed a bust of the greatest and most-pro-American statesman to ever live out the Oval Office door the day he arrived.

-Glad-handing with despots and thugs. Obama went to a summit featuring such America haters as Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega and sat through diatribes about the evil of America without saying anything. He accepted a book from Chavez that blames the US for all of South America's ills and blamed America for guns in Mexico. Next he'll blame us for AIDS and excessive gas from eating broccoli.

-His European America Suck tour. He wowed the leftist populations and pissed off the leaders. Effective strategy indeed. He made us more of a pariah than Bush ever did.

So all in all, it's been a nightmare 100-days. The honeymoon has been waning and now people will not be so apt to give him the benefit of the doubt. The media has been compliant but we are seeing some break out and point out that the emperor has no clothes on occasion. Let's hope the nation is still standing a hundred days from now.

Israel/Gaza Update

I was out of the loop for a day or so but here's an update:

CNN posts Hamas propaganda and then sends it down the memory hole.

Israel and Hamas give the UN the finger on a ceasefire. So much for the authority of that august body of diplomatic thugs.

Hugo Chavez whips up some anti-Semitic fury in a way that makes one think of the Nazi's (see photo at right). It's an easy way to make people focus on domestic issues and forget about toppling the Castro wannabe.

Jewish hawks Vs. Jewish doves. The hawks have the better case.

Saturday Afternoon News and Notes

Just sitting around watching unranked Temple beat #8 Tennessee. here's what happenin around the Net:


Frank J is Senate Candidate #5.

Expect Hugo Chavez to have some serious internal problems real soon.

Bush was no "unilateralist".

More problems for Big Labor. It hasn't been a good week for unions.

Chris Matthews is a joke as is most of MSNBC.

News and Notes For a Cold Friday Night

Blogging's been light because of the thousand and one other things going on.

Here's some snippets from todays news:

Jonah Goldberg:

For starters, the folks at the Chicago Tribune are Christmas Pony Happy because Blago tried to strong-arm the Trib’s owners to fire members of the editorial board. Instead, Trib editors will get to have a big tailgate party outside Blago’s cell window.

The automaker bailout plan is crashing without an airbag. The GOP is playing hardball. It's quite simple: make a car people like and we'll buy it, make junk that costs too much and we won't.

New Jersey is pissed that all the corruption focus is on Chicago. Of course we can't let those Midwest whiners take all the ink. Hey, Lautenberg got in illegally but this may be the one to finally tarnish him.

Blagojevich is a Democrat? Who knew?

Hugo Chavez is in a bad predicament. Oil is plummeting, his country is in disarray and he's starting to become even more despotic. It sure seems like a nice time for a coup sponsored by by Colombia who owe him one.

Bad Bush.

How to Keep Hugo Chavez in Check

One of the best editorial pages around is at Investors Business Daily. Today they have this on Venezuela.

Communist dictator Hugo Chavez has been living large these last few years thanks to US oil dollars. He's managed to persuade a good-sized portion of South and Central America to follow his communist ideology through payoffs and support of opposition groups. It seems our only true ally is Colombia led by Pres. Uribe and who knows how long he'll remain one the way the Dems have treated him.

That said, Chavez lifeblood is oil and oil profits. Take away his massive oil profits and he'll be Paraguay with a coastline. Fortunately, we're seeing that start to happen. Oil prices have been declining steadily as markets work to correct themselves as they always have (I paid $3.07 for regular unleaded this morning) and the steady down pressure has affected Chavez' bottom line.

Here's where we can hit him hard. Chavez exports over 60% of his oil to the US as we are among the few nations that can easily refine their oil because of the high sulfur content. Let's cut him off. Venezuelan oil accounts for only 11% of US imported oil, a minimal number that is probably even lower at present. We boost production within our borders and on the continental shelf and watch his socialist paradise crumble into the Caribbean.

We don't have to fight a war by proxy like we did in the 1980's, all we have to do is hit him in the wallet and the violently oppressed (and murdered) insurgency will spring to life. Chavez' rule is a house of cards supported by high oil prices. He lacks the clout to keep prices high and market forces--capitalist forces--will work to steadily reduce the price per barrel.

It's well passed time to deal with this murderous, communist pig and drilling more domestically will be the easiest way to finish him off once and for all.

Monday News and Notes

Links from around the 'Net on this beautiful, late summer Monday:

Domestic natural gas production is booming, driving down the price at a crucial time. More of this please and add oil into the mix.

A very interesting view of how we see ourselves politically.

An Israeli company believes that oil lies below the Judean Desert, environmentalist's don't want him to be proven right.

Every simple-minded person like socialism...at least until they have to live under it or next to it.

PA Governor Ed Rendell spouts off about Obama, Hillary and the media. Biden is just like Rendell without the brain.

FARCing up Hugo Chavez

In what can only be described as a brilliantly executed plan, the Colombian military rescued fifteen hostages held by the leftist terrorist group FARC:

Colombia's military yesterday rescued the most prominent of several hundred hostages held by Marxist rebels, a group of 15 that included the French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three American Defense Department contractors who had been imprisoned in remote jungle camps since 2003.

...Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos told reporters earlier in the day that the rescue mission had been made possible by "a special intelligence" operation that had penetrated the highest reaches of the FARC, including the group's seven-man directorate and one of the rings of specialized rebel units entrusted with guarding hostages. Santos said that ring, commanded by a rebel known by the alias Cesar, was tricked into believing that the FARC's leader had called for the hostages to be brought to him.

And ironies of ironies, the military outfitted their people in Che shirts to fit in. As Allahpundit noted: "awesome."

The big loser in this is Hugo Chavez who has been using his oil money to prop up the terror group since he took office. By funneling money to the FARC, he had allowed them to keep holding Betancourt and the Americans for as long as they have. His recent spats with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Chavez' concerted effort to spread socialism throughout South America have had the effect of destabilizing the region. This action will seriously curtail those aims.

The US military had much more to do with this operation than they are letting on but Bush took the smart road of allowing Uribe the credit and thus allowing him to increase his standing not only with his own populace but the region as a whole. Maybe American Democrats will now understand just how important Uribe is to our interests in the region. That was a joke of course as Democrat leadership tends to snub Uribe as often as possible thus giving support to Chavez.

Chavez Inciting War Throughout South America

He's a supporter of Ahmadinejad, is constantly kissing up to former Cuban dictator Fidel and now is threatening war against Colombia. Yeah, I'd say the arogant little bastard has worked his way up to the level of real threat from irritating menace:

The reaction of presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Rafael Correa of Ecuador to the killing of FARC commander Raul Reyes is now threatening to plunge South America into a disastrous conflict.

"This could be the start of a war in South America," Chavez said. He warned Colombian president Alvaro Uribe: "If it occurs to you to do this in Venezuela, President Uribe, I'll send some Sukhois" _ Russian warplanes recently bought by Venezuela.

This is no small threat. In the past several years Chavez has spent , according to the Defense Intelligence Agency, $4.3 billion in weapons in 2005-2006, more even than China. This includes a Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-47) factory licensed from Russia. For a nation not at war, this is hardly an auspicious sign.

This is the alliance many of us have warned of for some time. Chavez, Correa, Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Evo Morales in Bolivia have been trying for some time now to form an anti-American bloc in Latin America but have no coherent ideology to counter the changes in the world.

Chavez was openly supporting the terrorist group FARC and his words cannot be brushed aside. That said, the Russian planes are not of the quality of American planes and I would suspect that Venezuelan pilots are not of the highest caliber either.

A few questions: how much backing does the US give to Colombia? Will it be covert or overt? Will this foment a complete conflagration on a continent in our hemisphere?

This bears watching.

News From Around The Web

Alright all, I'm in eastern Long Island and the world outside is brutally cold.

Here's a few links to read:

Divorce can now added to the list of things that contribute to global warming. The global warming lobby continues to collect on their grants.

Is CAIR crying wolf? Well, yeah.

Please forgive me for writing these words: Clinton doesn't want a one night stand. Hillary I mean...Ewww!

One more reason to love you wife. Mine tolerates me--for sixteen years--thank God and I love her for it.

Just a flesh wound. Shut up you little commie prick, you lost.

Venezuelans Shoot Down Totalitarianism

I guess freedom (to what extent they currently have it) is a better option.

I'm sure the Chavezista's stuffed every box in order to defeat the Fidel wannabe. No let's see if Chavez makes good on his promise to cut his own throat be embargoing America from his oil.

It's a good day. GP is dancing after a tense day.

The left is dissembling as expected. Their hero went down and it may well soell the end of socialism in South America. At least a right thinking person would hope so.

Hugo Chavez Ratchets Up The Rhetoric

Today's the day for Venezuelans to go to the polls and decide if they want to grant dictatorial powers to leader Hugo Chavez. Chavez has pulled out all the rhetorical stops and has essentially said that a no vote to the constitutional changes would be traitorous.

One can only hope that the people of Venezuela pay heed to what this man is saying. He's aligned himself with Castro's Cuba, a nation that is in a constant economic funk and has not advanced in forty years and Iran, a nation that is alienating itself more from other Gulf nations on a daily basis and is led by a theocratic group of mullahs whose policies can be called unpredictable at best. He's attacked a neighbor and is backing an insurgent group against the government in another.

You know that Chavez ideas for reform are really off the wall when the NY Times prints an Op/Ed against the referendum by the former leader of the Venezuelan military and a comrade of Chavez.

Captain Ed has much more on this day of decision for Venezuela (including Chavez threat to cut oil to the US)--will the choose no and stop the march of this egotistical madman or will they vote yes and allow Chavez to lead their nation right over the cliff?

Hugo Chavez's Bad Week

It couldn't happen to a better person. Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez has seen his country's students rioting openly, his security people have fired on those students, he's facing defeat on a referendum to make him president for life and now CNN is trying "instigate his murder":

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday CNN may have been instigating his murder when the U.S. TV network showed a photograph of him with a label underneath that read "Who killed him?"

The caption appeared to be a production mistake -- confusing a Chavez news item with one on the death of a football star. The anchor said "take the image down" when he realized.

But Chavez called for a probe in an interview on state television, where he repeatedly reviewed a tape of the broadcast, questioning why the unconnected photograph and wording were left on screen for several seconds.

"I want the state prosecutor to look into bringing a suit against CNN for instigating murder in Venezuela," he said. "... undoubtedly it is part of the psychological warfare."

I'm sure there are many people who want the Castro-wannabe dead (starting with his ex-wife presumably), but I would say that CNN is not one of them. CNN is the very same network that looked the other way while Saddam's men raped and murdered the civilian populace. CNN is more akin to Chavez politics than George Bush's as well.

I'm also positive that shooting at students and invading one neighbor while supporting an insurgency in the other is not exactly going to help his cause.

Commie Dictator About To Lose

The problem with oppressive authoritarians is that they think they know what's best for the people as opposed to the people knowing what's best for themselves--kind of like the Democrats.

Hugo Chavez truly believes that the Venezuelan citizens want him in power for life. His huge ego never imagined it would turn out any other way. Welcome to reality you arrogant little bastard:

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has lost his lead eight days before a referendum on ending his term limit, an independent pollster said on Saturday, in a swing in voter sentiment against the Cuba ally.

Forty-nine percent of likely voters oppose Chavez's proposed raft of constitutional changes to expand his powers, compared with 39 percent in favor, a survey by respected pollster Datanalisis showed.

Just weeks ago, Chavez had a 10-point lead for his proposed changes in the OPEC nation that must be approved in a referendum, the polling company said.

Despite the swing, company head Luis Vicente Leon said he did not rule out a comeback by the popular president.

Chavez even made a veiled threat to the opposition by saying they would be "traitors" if they didn't support him in this bid to gain ultimate control. Don't for a second think that the vote will not be rigged somehow. Maybe if Jimmy Carter was there monitoring I'd feel better...or not.

A few exit questions: Will the little Fidel Castro lackey ignore the vote results and keep power by force like his mentor? Second, if he loses this bid to cement his powers, what does that mean for South American communism?

Time To Cozy Up To Brazil

How do you say "I love you" in Portuguese?

The Brazilians hit paydirt with their recent discovery of light oil off their coast:

Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company, says it believes the offshore Tupi field has between 5bn and 8bn barrels of recoverable light oil.

A senior minister said Brazilian oil production had the potential to match that of Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.

That's a very significant discovery and one that could help keep some of our supply in the western hemisphere. With Chavez going the Castro route and volatility in the Mideast, a new source that can be exploited quickly is good news for Brazil--a country that has major poverty issues. Let's hope they can use the profits for good.

Useful Idiots Help Hugo Chavez Cement Control

Hugo Chavez is the new darling of the political left in America. Now that Castro is on his last legs, they've embraced Senor Chavez as they have no other dictator since Daniel Ortega. Despite (or maybe because of) Chavez' well-known affiliation with Iranian puppet Ahmedinejad, the left has grown ever closer to Venezuelan despot.

The left has become morally bankrupt by allowing themselves to be co-opted into this coalition of oppressors--Ahmedinejad's declaration that their are "no homosexuals" in Iran while speaking at Harvard was by far the most chilling statement uttered this year. This is the guy who the new Castro is cozying up to.

Human rights in Venezuela have been on a precipitous downward slide since Chavez was elected including quashing the freedom of speech, protest and alternative political ideas. In essence, he has created the new Soviet-style state except he has exploited his natural resources to the full extent including fattening his coffers with oil money. Something that--thankfully--the Soviets were never able to accomplish due to the fatal flaw inherent in socialism/communism--freedom to create products and services for profit.

While Hollywood elites such as Danny Glover, Kevin Spacey and Sean Penn kiss Chavez' ring, a woman who knows the oppression of socialism has taken a gutsy and contrarian stand--Maria Conchita Alonso. The actress has been quite outspoken about the curtailing of basic human rights in the South American nation and will face the inevitable backlash by the Hollywood establishment because she has done so. I would go so far as to label it a brave stand as anyone who puts their career and future earnings potential on the line and speaks their mind knowing that repercussions will be swift and painful deserves that label.

Ms. Alonso has been at the front of this warning that the country in which she represented as a beauty queen in her younger years has regressed into a country in which opposition to leadership is brutally suppressed. Perhaps American leftists would refer living there as opposed to the false complaints of oppression they claim are occurring here.

Update: The New York Times is nearly orgasmic about this "charing, folksy and flirtatious" leader regardless of the the fact that he is currently cracking down hard on his own population.