Thursday, January 25, 2007

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

No one thing really stands out as the preeminent story of the moment, so I will do what is customary and comment on a variety of topics that are currently in the news.

More Violence In Lebanon

Opposition to Lebanon's western-friendly government is escalating again. This could be the beginning of a serious push to topple the current regime and replace it with a radical, Islamist-friendly one. Not that Lebanon is the best friend to Israel, as it stands now. But this certainly spells even more trouble for the often despised nation. As for Lebanon, say goodbye to the last best chance for the Middle East having a somewhat reasonable government, to deal with.


Portugal And Spain trying To End Stalemate Over EU Constitution

Yawn.


Obama An Alumni Of Indonesian Madrassa?

First of all, I think it's a fair question to ask. If we can delve into the past of other candidates, why can't we look into the past of the Left's new designated rock star, Barack Obama?

I am not saying that it's true or that I believe it, but then again, I can't say that I don't. I just do not know and if I don't know, there's nothing wrong with asking the question. But that's not necessarily the issue here.

Many believe that this is a blatant attempt to "swiftboat" Mr. Obama. With that in mind, the next question becomes, who outed him? Many will claim the "evil" Republicans are behind it. But me, I'm not so sure. If the GOP had this information, it would make better sense to sit on it for awhile, that is, until it was apparent that Obama would be the nominee, or even after. In some strategic way, I think the GOP would have preferred Obama be the nominee. He would be easier to beat than Hillary, and this information down the road would have been icing on the cake.

That leaves Hillary. Hillary got into the race earlier than she had anticipated, due to Obama's early scene stealing. Hillary has a machine built and part of any well-oiled political machine, is a part Ross Perot called a "dirty tricks committee". She certainly has hers and there is a good chance that more things about Obama will surface, before the primary process begins.

Why?

Because Hillary must stop Obama from outraising her in the campaign funds department. Hollywood elitists that were once close to Hillary are reportedly giving to Obama, in large numbers. She is certainly smart enough to know, the best way to kill something is to not give it a chance to live. And some carefully planted information that could turn rank and file Dems against Obama, would stop the tide from overflowing in his direction.


Mike Nifong DA In Duke Case Faces Disbarment

Don't say I didn't tell you so. I said it here.

For those that didn't read this one, here is the part that bears repeating at this particular point in time:

Now that he has been re-elected, what does he need this case for? Besides, he may be spending his next few months assisting in his defense against ethics charges and may be fighting to keep his law license. His mismanagement of this case was the worst kind of power trip.

I hope it all was worth it to him.


Although, he says he'd do it again, I still think that in the back of his mind, this is one instance he wishes he had a do-over.

12 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

LASunsett

I'm surprised you are so far behind on the news with this smear of Obama. Is this on purpose or are you unaware that this story has been debunked and everyone else (besides Fox News and you) have moved on!

Here is the entire article from CNN who did a huge story on this last week.

http://tinyurl.com/245z3g

There is video of the school in a video contained in this article.

Here is a small exerpt:

"But reporting by CNN in Jakarta, Indonesia and Washington, D.C., shows the allegations that Obama attended a madrassa to be false. CNN dispatched Senior International Correspondent John Vause to Jakarta to investigate.

He visited the Basuki school, which Obama attended from 1969 to 1971.

"This is a public school. We don't focus on religion," Hardi Priyono, deputy headmaster of the Basuki school, told Vause. "In our daily lives, we try to respect religion, but we don't give preferential treatment."

Vause reported he saw boys and girls dressed in neat school uniforms playing outside the school, while teachers were dressed in Western-style clothes.

"I came here to Barack Obama's elementary school in Jakarta looking for what some are calling an Islamic madrassa ... like the ones that teach hate and violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan," Vause said on the "Situation Room" Monday. "I've been to those madrassas in Pakistan ... this school is nothing like that."

Now, as far as the Clinton camp who they say started this hit job, wront again. The original story was written by a so-called journalist who used "unnamed sources" from the "Clinton camp". C'mon,LA! Is that the only way you guys can win an election is to send out false stories and unnamed sources to cover the lies?

B.Obama never hid the fact that he spent 2 years at this school as a young child. He also spent 2 years in a Catholic school. These events were both covered in his books. CNN showed pictures of a very young (I think he was 8years old) in school, where everyone was wearing Western style clothing and there were students of many religious affiliations attending that school.

Really, LA, I'm shocked that you are even putting this on your blog. There is plenty of information out there that debunks this, yet you say you don't know if you believe it? There are pictures, films, interviews by the school adminstration...nothing to hide. Delving into a candidates past? If Fox thinks they dug up something secret, then they are bigger asses than I thought, like I said, Obama wrote about it in his books!! It doesn't look like he was hiding anything.

In fact, when Obama was asked if Hillary Clinton was a part of this smear, he said, "No, that's ridiculous!"

The Republican party is running scared. Their biggest fear has been realized, the Democrats have Hillary and a black candidate...a squeeky clean, black candidate. Who do they have? A dried up flip-flopping John McCain.

If you actually take the time to read that article and view the tapes, and you still aren't convinced, then I would have a very hard time believing you are a true Independent.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the Clintons would never ever ever play a dirty trick and plant a phoney story to take down an opponent. They are not nearly that sophisticated politically, and they are WAY too honest. He he he.

Anyway, we'll never know who planted the story, and who cares?

I disagree the Repubs are running scared on this one. I think they are overjoyed that the Dems are going to probably nominate another un-electable candidate (Hillary). Big mistake. They'd be better off with Dodd.

Or maybe Kerry will decide to run. I know he said yesterday he wouldn't, but he has kind of a history of flip flopping. lol

Mary Ellen said...

Greg

The flip flopper in this race is McCain.

As far as Hillary going after Obama, that's crap. In fact, if she wins the primary, she will most likely pick Obama as her running mate. That's a ticket that won't lose.

It is way too early for Clinton or any other candidate to smear any one else on the trail. That's the way the Republicans work. Hillary isn't taking government funds for running and she already has a ton of money in her coffers. This was already stated on CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News. Like I said, even Obama thought that crap about Hillary starting the smear was a big joke. He also said it was nothing more than a right wing smear that was trying to kill two birds with one stone. Nice try.....

I'm sure you guys would love to see someone like Dodd win the primary...you're scared to death of Hillary. Funny!

Hell, I just looked at a right wing site this morning that is be-moaning their list of candidates that are running. Even the Republicans think their choices suck. I'm loving this. :-D

Mary Ellen said...

Here ya go, Greg. This is from RedState blog

// They all suck. Let’s just admit it. Every one of the thus far announced Republican candidates for President sucks. From the lecherous adulterer to the egomaniacal nut job to the flip-flopping opportunist with the perfect hair to the guy who hates brown people to the guy we’ve never heard of to the guy who has a better chance of getting hit by a meteor while being consumed by a blue whale being struck by lightening.

They all suck. (Well, okay, Brownback doesn’t suck at all, but I perceive no viability for his candidacy.)//

LA Sunset said...

ME

//I'm surprised you are so far behind on the news with this smear of Obama.//

I often get behind, because of my relentless schedule. But the issues I am trying to raise in this are, who planted the story and is it a fair question, to begin with? Saying I do not know what to believe doesn't mean I believe it, anymore than I don't.

LA Sunset said...

Greg,

//I think they are overjoyed that the Dems are going to probably nominate another un-electable candidate (Hillary).//

I also believe that they are overjoyed at the prospect that Hillary and Obama may split the party. The Hollywood and Kos crowds are starting to show an affinity for Obama. I know Hillary is worried more than she lets on, as evidenced by her throwing her hat into the ring a little earlier than she had wanted.

LA Sunset said...

ME

//As far as Hillary going after Obama, that's crap. In fact, if she wins the primary, she will most likely pick Obama as her running mate. That's a ticket that won't lose.//

Not so fast. If there is one thing I do know about Hillary Clinton is she is a masterful and skilled politician. She knows that Evan Bayh can help win red states, something that her and Obama will face an uphill battle on.

And as for the candidates that are looking at the race, both sides suck right now. That's the usual scenario though. The best people for the job, don't want the job. The power-hungry are the ones that openly seek the position, not the ones that could actually do the country some good.

Anonymous said...

If Hillary gets the nomination, I will state right now that John McCain is your next president.

Mary Ellen said...

Greg

Again, you guys are sure that Hillary and Obama are going to destroy each other. They are both smart politicians and that isn't going to happen.

John McCain is never going to be president. When I'm reading stuff on right wing blogs that THEY think he's a loser, his only source of votes are going to be those 35% of the hardline Bush supporters. He won't get the Independent vote, he won't get the black vote, and he won't get the womens votes. I feel sorry for you guys if you end up with McCain.

I think Hagel is your only bet to sway those of the Dems who don't like Hillary to vote Republican. The problem with that is, the GOP doesn't like Hagel because he's not supporting Bush in the Iraq war.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//you guys are sure that Hillary and Obama are going to destroy each other. They are both smart politicians and that isn't going to happen.//

Can I borrow your crystal ball? I am still waiting on some lottery numbers, which you have yet to deliver. Maybe I can get them there. ;)

I agree that they are both smart, but that doesn't mean that one won't actively compete against one another. But that's not the rift I speak of. The supporters of both candidates can do just as much damage, as the candidates, themselves. The Cindy Sheehan wing has already said they will not support Hillary. This is a blog posting by Sheehan on Michael Moore's site, some time ago. More recently, she and her peers worked hard to unseat her in the senate. Here she claims she will cripple Hillary

These are the ones that are pushing Obama, now. They are not going to lie down very easily. Here is a link that debunks the conventional wisdom of unwavering support for Hillary among the Kos Kids.

I think there's a long way to go before we know how any of this is going to shape up. That's the only real sure bet in this upcoming race. It's not a slam dunk for anyone, yet.

Mary Ellen said...

LASunsett

Actually, I'm thinking of throwing my hat into the ring. What do ya think? I'll come up with a catchy slogan and I love to debate and I think I'd love to have a good looking guy under me..er, for my V.P.

LA Sunset said...

ME,

//Actually, I'm thinking of throwing my hat into the ring.//

Go for it. I'd do it, but when the media would find out about that weekend in Tijuana, it would do me in.

;)