Archive For May 2010
The Oil Spill and the Republicans
on May 31, 2010 by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
The frustration and anxiety of Americans about the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico grows by the day. Those whose livelihood is tied to the Gulf — or who live in the wetlands of Louisiana, and communities along the coast — are justifiable demanding the deployment of war-time levels of personnel and equipment to stop the dark, deadly oil that is invading from the sea.
In times of national crisis, Americans look to the President to lead — and to deliver. That’s why President Obama was absolutely correct to make it crystal clear that he is personally responsible to deal with the oil spill crisis — and has told his Administration to spare no effort to stop the leak, oversee the cleanup, and assure that BP completely compensates the massive number of victims.
Facebook Meets the Flotilla
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
An old high school friend, who’s taken great exception to a couple of my most recent Jerusalem Post columns, has been telling me of late on my Facebook page how out of touch with American Jewry I am. He let loose again today. Here’s what he had to say:
Hey Danny….yet again a misguided Israeli political and military mission with regard to Gaza that American Jewry will be asked to stand by and support. All over the news Israel will be referred to as “the Jewish State” as worldwide condemnation will pour in. As a Jew I will be on the defensive despite the fact that I have no vote and no say in whatever the politicians in Israel decide. Again, you will no doubt ask for solidarity by Jewish folk worldwide and we will answer for Israeli decision-making. I love Israel as my religious base, but the policies do not reflect my peace loving values. I support Israel with bonds and donations and visits, but the thriving American Jewish experience is independent of it.
What Will Israel Not Do?
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
What were they thinking about?
Let’s get this straight. Israel is enforcing a blockade against Gaza that is in blatant defiance of international law.
Israeli Raid: ‘Bloody, Bungled Takeover’ Deepens Israel’s Isolation
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s bloody, bungled takeover of a Gaza-bound Turkish aid vessel is complicating U.S.-led Mideast peace efforts, deepening Israel’s international isolation and threatening to destroy the Jewish state’s ties with key regional ally Turkey.
And while Israel had hoped to defend its tight blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza with Monday’s high-seas raid, it instead appeared to be hastening the embargo’s demise, judging by initial international condemnation.
Maher Owes Obama an Apology for Racist and Demeaning BP Dig
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
On his Friday May 28 show, Real Time HBO host Bill Maher demanded that President Obama act like a black president and pack a gun when he meets with the BP CEOs. Now Maher should take his own advice and act like a responsible commentator and apologize for his own politically demeaning and racially offensive dig at Obama. Politically demeaning and racially offensive are probably not strong enough characterizations of Maher’s silly, inane, effort to get a laugh.
In one fell line, Maher demoted Obama from American president Obama to black president Obama, complete with gun tucked in waistband. This played to the vile stereotype that blacks are inherent gun-toting gang bangers, drive-by shooters and thugs, and that violence is a natural way of life in black communities. In another fell line, he played hard on the media and GOP line that Obama fell badly asleep at the wheel on the BP spill, has done little to contain it, and has botched every chance to be the strong, commanding president and rein in the oil giant and the oil industry.
Mourning, Not Politicizing, Gaza Flotilla’s Dead and Wounded
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
The news reports are coming in fast and furious. The alerts from various advocacy organizations on both sides of the Middle East conflict flood my In Box even faster. And what they all mainly share is spin over substance, and politics over mourning.
YouTube is already getting crowded with competing videos, which capture different moments during this morning’s boarding of the six-ship flotilla that attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Some of them show passengers being assaulted by naval commandos and others show people who call themselves peace activists stabbing those commandos.
Caddyshack: The Best Quotes (VIDEO)
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
Ahoy, polloi! How ’bout a Fresca?
With each year that passes since Caddyshack first hit theaters (the 30th anniversary of its release is this July 25th), its legend as perhaps the most quotable movie of all time only grows larger. If movies had deaths, Caddyshack would receive total consciousness on its deathbed. (So it’s got that going for it, which is nice.)
The 10 Best Things Tracy Jordan Said This Season On "30 Rock"
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
Aaron Cohen, friend of the site and the hilarious mind behind The Jersey Shore nickname generator, has collected everything Tracy Jordan said in season four of “30 Rock.” Here are our favorite lines…
Use My Domestic Approach In Neogotiating With The Taliban
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
“Is it possible to negotiate with the Taliban?” So asks Steve Coll in The New Yorker (May 24).
My answer is YES, providing one employs cutting edge negotiating techniques.
Memorial Day… In the Words Of Democratic Candidates Who Have Served The Country
on by Jude Emantsal in Other News, Comments (0)
Although most Americans have been either celebrating being off from work or school or remembering their fallen heroes, a storm has been gathering — one that will break this week– around Mark Kirk, a corporately-funded Republican from the Chicago suburbs who has made his career based on patently false claims about winning imaginary military awards. And as he twists and turns in the wind attempting to spin it all as a “typo”, just a few days after he voted against repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, evidence has begun to surface that he didn’t just lie about his awards; he also lied about his sexuality — yes, another homophobic Republican closet case is about to get outed for his grotesque hypocrisy!
Meanwhile, in honor of Memorial Day, we turned DownWithTyranny over to Democratic congressional candidates who have learned important and relevant lessons connected to military service. Already up are guest posts from Doug Tudor (D-FL), Tod Theise (D-NJ) and Justin Coussoule. (D-OH). At 3pm we’ll be posting Bill Hedrick (D-CA) and at 6pm we’ll close the day with Mitchell Howie (D-AL).