novatownhall blog

Back to Germany and Poland?

Helen Thomas gives voice to what the media is thinking, the crazy aunt in the attic speaks what is on her ‘mind’

UPDATE:
One of our resident philosophers Wolverine has posed a most excellent question: Where is the ADL? If Thomas where a conservative pr a Republican the ADL, and other watchdogs, would be out in full force decrying this comment. If the president were Republican they would be demanding a statement of him as to whether he supports Helen’s comment. The ADL has become more of a liberal lapdog than a guard dog of Judaism. The Jewish community should take note of this.

Someone needs to explain that the German’s killed 6 Million Jews just 65 years back ‘home’ to Helen. Europe is no home to Israel, it is the land of their diaspora. The Kingdom of Israel covered the region from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River and beyond. Someone needs to explain this to Helen and the other anti-Semites in the liberal Media. The left has returned to its anti-Semitic roots. The world should take note of this.

UPDATE II: Helen Thomas Retires!!
Good riddance to bad rubbish I say.

If you go here, you will learn the Pledge of Alegiance and its meaning as well as the do’s, don’ts and etiquette of the U.S. flag.  You need to know this for a reason and I will relay to you why thru my Memorial Day experience.

Thousands of WWII veterans are dying each month.  A generation with first hand experiences is about to be lost forever, fading into history books, to be taught to others as people deem fit.  Korean War vets are close behind.  Then it will be the Vietnam era.  I, like many others, look forward to the 3 day weekend for cookouts, gatherings, even shopping and this is all okay.  We are a society that gets to enjoy our days as we deem fit…….as long as a tribute is paid for the occasion of the holiday-Memorial Day.

I took my ride in Rolling Thunder as I have for 23 years now (although I did take a break twice to watch live the CocaCola 600 NASCAR race in Charlotte).  I have been noticing as of late that the purposes to many just seems to be a “group” ride to the city.  Once there, people sit in the shade away from the ride to drink, talk and relax.  Many make new friends or meet up with old buddies they served with.  I watch the bikes for awhile (the procession takes about 6 hours these days) and although it was cruelly humid, the drenching was part of the price.  I happened to have my oldest daughter ride with me this year as well as my nephew.  It was a first for the both of them.  We walked the Wall, saw the nurses memorial and then went to the WWII memorial.  I noticed many foreigners that were marveling on their vacation the sights of the memorials.  Some with disrespect such as sticking their feet in the WWII memorial fountain or the loud talking and running past people at the Wall.  They showed no regard to the vets crying over their buddies or the families remembering Dad with gifts, memorabilia, pictures and poems.  This hit me hard.  Do people not have respect for our fallen heroes?

Depending on which side of Costitution Ave. you are on, if you haven’t returned to the side you need to before the parade starts at noon, you will be stuck for at least 4 hours.  We returned to our side, watched some of the parade and then left to visit my parents at the Lee estate.  We rode into the cemetary and parked at the curb next to the row where my parents headstone is placed.  I saw many people walking the paths going to “those special attractions” and even tourist trams for those that want the riding tour.  I marveled at this.  How do you get to understand the enormity and the individuals in Arlington Cemetary if you DON’T get off the path?  Every headstone has a name and every headstone has a story.  The story, albeit brief, gives a name, rank, war served, birth, death and, sometimes, award.  These are but a smattering of the heroes buried in this nation that served our country so that I could write and talk about this.  My daughter had noticed something and it got my attention in a very upsetting way.  It appears that all too many gravestones had numerous scratches and chips in them due to the people mowing the grass.  The headstones are always trimmed by other means so that this doesn’t happen.  This, in my mind, is another sign of disrespect and contempt.  And, as usual, every headstone and market had an American flag in front of it to show honoring.  This is a timely endeavor but is part of the price paid.  Do tourist really understand what it is about?

As with Sunday, I noticed as I went out Memorial Day to visit my wife’s Dad in Leesburg that there were no flags about.  I will be generous and say that for evryone 40 residences there was ONE flag.  It was no different in Leesburg either, although, on a couple of streets, they had hung flags on the light poles.  This is a day to give honor; a day to remember those who fought and died protecting our freedoms yet I guess everyone was too busy with their own needs.  A flag doesn’t cost much yet where were they?  I know I will see more during the 4th of July than I saw this weekend.

Everyone should own a flag for display outside.  They are very affordable and it is our patriotic duty to fly said flags during special times.  I have many American flags of different materials, sizes and patterns.  They range from $10 to $100 and I USE them.  I do not own an American flag made anywhere but in America.  It just doesn’t seem honorable to fly my countries’ flag that was made in communist China.  I have given you flag etiquette…..read it.  Some people just put a flag out and leave it out.  Okay.  Some put there flag out on special days.  Okay.  Believe it or not, flying the American flag can be a chore at times because you must keep track of all conditions and how to do it.  Flying the symbol of my country will NEVER be a chore because it is my duty to not only do it but to know how to do it respectfully.  I like to fly my parents flag because that is what they flew on their house when they were living.  Regardless which American flag I fly I will always have pride and give honor to the people of my country.

Where is all this going?  Let me tell you how I feel and why I needed to write this before I just broke down and cried.  I have felt a rage and deep loathing for those politicos, teachers, parents and all others whose job it is as Americans to instill knowledge and duty into every citizen about our heritage, the sacrifices of our citizens for this country and what is so important about its symbol.  I feel pity for those Americans that are ignorant of the value of our flag.  Those that pursued that knowledge on their own and kept it I have great admiration.  I have disdain for those who come to this country, having no “skin in the game”, that give no honor or respect of their perspective new home or that use us with no regard to those who gave sacrifice of which they reap reward.  I am saddened and, at times, cry for those fallen or living that have a deep respect and understanding of duty, honor and valor, yet feel betrayed, lost or remorseful for their contributions.  We are losing America and I feel betrayed.

I would like to leave you with the folding of the flag and TAPS story.  Read the story and read the words.  My eyes do well-up by the understanding.  At this point I feel that I have done my duty to inform you.  I believe it is up to us all to inform others and keep our nations symbol in honor.  And although you might come across those people that feel their right to burn or mutilate that symbol; my knowledge and understanding of that symbol gives me the right to go to jail for pummeling said individuals.  That is another price that needs to be paid.  Freedom is not free and will always carry a price that every citizen must pay.

I wish to thank my Dad, my Mom and all those service men and women as well as civilians who have made my liberty possible.  GOD bless you all!

The statement Phyllis posted here last week has gotten 125 local signatories and was sent to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, according to the Loudoun Independent.

I understand the sentiment behind the statement and know Phyllis’ heart is in the right place, but as the comments to her original posting here suggest there are questions about its factual accuracy that, I believe, present serious challenges. The statement may reflect a skewed interpretation of history. It will be interesting to hear Governor McDonnell’s response.

Our good friend and esteemed Loudoun County moderate, Phyllis Randall, left a thoughtful comment to the Confederate History Month discussion which deserves highlighting – not the least because it got caught in our overactive spam filter for 24 hours.

She makes some points worth discussing.

I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to most of you that I don’t agree with the Gov. I am willing to not only speak piece on this site, one that proves to be quite conservative in nature, but to also sign my name. I know most of you won’t and don’t agree with me, but I hope we can have a civil conversation. My feelings are as follows:

Withdraw Confederate History Month Proclamation

I want to raise my voice in opposition to the Proclamation issued by Governor Robert Frances McDonnell on Friday, April 2nd 2010, declaring April Confederate History Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I obviously believe that all aspects of Virginia’s colorful and often painful history must be taught and recognized. However I assert that celebrating the Confederacy, and in fact proclaiming a whole month in its honor goes well beyond the bounds of recognition of historical facts.

I further assert this Proclamation, requested by the organization The Sons of Confederate Veterans, does not accurately reflect Virginia’s confederate past as it states the following:

“WHEREAS, all Virginians can appreciate the fact that when ultimately overwhelmed by the insurmountable numbers and resources of the Union Army, the surviving, imprisoned and injured Confederate soldiers gave their word and allegiance to the United States of America, and returned to their homes and families to rebuild their communities in peace.”

We clearly know that after the Civil War ended many Confederate Soldiers did not give their allegiance to the United State, nor did they honor and fly the flag of the United States, but instead continued to display and fly the flag of the Confederacy. In addition many Confederate Soldiers did not “rebuild their communities in peace” but instead took part in horrific crimes against humanity too numerous to mention, but never to be forgotten.

If Governor McDonnell wanted to recognize the Civil War years, he could have proclaimed Civil War History Month, thus telling the whole story of Virginia history. He could have requested historians and varying organizations offer input on the Proclamation and he could have written a Proclamation that all Virginians could have benefited from and been proud of. We find it unfortunate that Governor McDonnell chose instead chose to pander to a fairly slim base.

In the end this Proclamation is neither historically correct nor honorable and it should be withdrawn.

Respectfully Submitted
Phyllis Randall

Changing internet services and I’m glad you all waited for me to do this post which really tickles my fancy.  After straying from the conservative Col. West going for congress but ending in another discussion on racism, I can only imagine where this one goes (not hard to figure out, though.)

People are saying Gov. McDonnell had a “macaca” moment when he showed enough guts not to be politically correct and make April Confederate History month.  Many heroes and kin to those radical revolutionaries that started this country fought on both sides-mainly on the correct side (the South for you boneheads) because Virginia seemed to be the garden that sprouted the esteemed gentleman of old.  Virginia has a rich heritage of doing the right thing, which they did for the Civil War-fight to preserve state’s rights.  You might recall that it took many years for some states to ratify the Bill Of Rights because the states didn’t trust a central government and wanted conditions that were binding on that central government.  The government would do only what was agreed upon on and the states had control of the rest.  Lincoln didn’t see it that way when he decided to use the military to invade member states to keep them from “rebelling”.  Doesn’t the Constitution give the states and citizens that right?  The Virginia flag has it as a motto; “Thus always to Tyrants”.  Seems that that has been forgotten also.

Don’t want to hear about slavery.  Gov. McDonnell should never have had to apologize or add statement to slavery.  That’s Yankee history.  Most southerners never owned slaves and too many never even SAW slaves.  A Southerner only knew that he was fighting for state’s rights.  Northern generals fought NOT for the slaves but to preserve the Union.  Lincoln used the slave issue as a tool but only freed slaves in the South, of which he had no control.  Those states that stayed in the Union or were bribed to do so got to keep their slaves.  Yankees wanted freed slaves but if freed, had laws inacted to preclude said freed slaves from coming to their states.  Yankees didn’t like the rich plantations and wanted some type of control.  Us Southerners have a saying- “I don’t care how you did it up north”.  Meddlesum bunch they are.

There are too many Confederate ancestors that have been constantly demeaned to feel ashamed of their past.  Political correctness have kept many from honoring those brave souls that tried to stop a tyrannical government as their fore-fathers had done.  I have and always will fly the flag and honor the dead of the Confederacy as they deserve no less.  They were Americans also.  As I honor all Americans that have died in war for just cause.  We need to bring back Confederate history so that the truth can once again be told.  We are losing our history when special interest groups have it suppressed for foolish reasons.  IT IS HISTORY and that cannot be changed or ignored.  All I can say is that I am American by birth but Southern by the grace of GOD!  Amen.

Steny, just recently you have demanded that the Republican party come out with a statement publicly denouncing any violence towards you and other members of Congress.  I am assuming that you mean the Dem radical members of Congress since you never have condemned acts perpetrated on GOP members of Congress.  I want to tell you a story that carries its own warning.

There was this very friendly dog that the owner had leash-stacked in his yard for the owner had no fence.  The dog enjoyed his day in the yard not bothering anyone and just wanting to be left alone.  One day a bunch of kids came up to that dog and the dog came to greet them.  When the dog had reached tethered length, those kids starting yelling all sorts of derogatory explatives at the dog which shied away timidly from the abuse.  Days on end this happened with the same result.

The kids decided to ramp it up and started poking a stick at the dog and the dog became very fearful.  The owner of the dog noticed what was going on and came outside to talk to the kids.  He asked them nicely not to taunt the dog.  The kids went away but soon came back and decided to ramp it up another notch by throwing rocks at the dog.  The owner came out again and scolded the kids and told them that he couldn’t be held resposible for what the dog may do in the future.  The kids spewed verbal slanders at the homeowner and he went inside.

The boys returned another day and started their abuse of the dog with stones.  The dog, having nowhere to get away from the kids finally had enough.  He growled and then charged at the kids all the while barking, snapping and frothing at the mouth.  The kids became scared and ran home to tell their parents about the mean dog trying to get them.  One parent went to the door of the dog owner to demand the owner lock that vicious dog up in the house where it wouldn’t be a nuisance.  The owner just refused to answer the door.

Now I am sure that you probably are too ignorant to understand this story.  And you would probably blame the tempermant of the dog on George Bush or some other right winger.  When you and your buddies lie, snub, scoff, ignore, go secretive, abuse, and inhibit the freedoms and livelyhood of the citizens, this is the end result.  Some people are more stronger willed, some abhor violence and others just wait and hope for the best.  There are people out there commiting suicide before losing their homes; commiting crimes because they are desperate; killing co-workers because they got let go from their jobs.  This is all taking place because of what YOU and your ilk are doing to us citizens.  So before you come whinning like a little bitch for momma because of some perceived threats, reflect on what you may have done to summon such action.  Everyone has a breaking point and if you choose to poke that dog with a stick-which would be to snub the American people and enslave them to government-either confront it like a man or hide under a rock.  You reap what you sow, pal

It’s really not so bad from indoors. Here are the views from the back door and front door respectively.

Feb 10, 2010 blizzard, back door view

Feb 10, 2010 blizzard, front door view

I hope everyone stays safe and warm.

And while we’re enjoying this moment of shared challenges and best wishes from one to another, it is well that we bear in mind these words, written last year by yet another genius from the Kennedy clan:

In Virginia, the weather also has changed dramatically. Recently arrived residents in the northern suburbs, accustomed to today’s anemic winters, might find it astonishing to learn that there were once ski runs on Ballantrae Hill in McLean, with a rope tow and local ski club. Snow is so scarce today that most Virginia children probably don’t own a sled. But neighbors came to our home at Hickory Hill nearly every winter weekend to ride saucers and Flexible Flyers…

Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil and its carbon cronies continue to pour money into think tanks whose purpose is to deceive the American public into believing that global warming is a fantasy.

RFK Jr. would be astonished to know that many kids still own sleds here in Virginia, if RFK Jr. was anything more than a salesman. Which he is not.

UPDATE: Let’s listen to what the Democrat leaders have to say. (Highly recommended viewing).

When Rome was a Republic, selfless public service was considered a a virtue, if not a requirement.  “For the good of the nation!”, men of talent stepped forward and built Rome into a powerful nation from a motley set of villages atop seven hills.   Everyone served in the military, many served in public works, some served in the Senate and its supporting bureaucracy.  Cinncinatus, while human, was an example by which many of the founders of our country lived:

His [Cinncinatus] immediate resignation of his absolute authority with the end of the crisis has often been cited as an example of outstanding leadership, service to the greater good, civic virtue, and modesty.

Washington followed this creed, as did the members of the continental army who followed Washington.  Our country was blessed by Washington’s stepping away from the presidency after two terms.  This was a tradition that was not broken until the progressive FDR — masquerading as a Democrat — selfishly felt the country needed him for four terms.   Unfortunately, selflessness in public service today is not a virtue followed by many, if any at all.  Congress follows Roosevelt’s not Washington’s model.  We are poorer for it.

I believe that the military (Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force) should remain all volunteer. What we could do, as a nation, is enforce a 2 year period of service. This could include firefighting, nursing, BORDER patrol, coast guard, prison guard, EMT, CUSTOMS inspection etc, etc. Unlike the draft earlier in mid-twentieth century, all would serve.  No exceptions.  No waivers for those in college, nor for a medical condition.  No exceptions.  For example, a paraplegic could answer phones in an emergency call center.

The Military would require 4 years of service, two is not enough for a modern force.  Military service would still be voluntary.  A battery of aptitude tests, both academic and athletic,  would put the incoming eighteen year old’s on scale.  Those with the highest scores would get first pick.  The Military could very well itself get an inductee class that is better than ever.

As the choice of assignment is based on merit, the better assignments would go to the more adept.  Military, EMT, nursing, and other choice positions would go to those who scored well.  Guarding the Alaska-Yukon border would go to those at the bottom of the barrel.

Think of the benefits outside the military arena.  Currently we cannot inspect every ship, and every container coming into the country.  With a manpower pool in the 7M range, this issue would to go away.  Considering the repercussions of a nuclear weapon coming into port and detonating, such a force is warranted.  Considering the fallout of finally being able to really stop the flow of drugs coming into the country, such service would also be highly beneficial.

Service to the country is a republican ideal, not a Republican ideal.  This country is a Republic,  we would be well served to remember that.

Forget cursing or mud slinging. It doesn’t do anyone any good.

What can do some good is working to undo much of what was done. I would suspect there are plenty of laws that need to be removed from the books … instead of wasting time on beating a dead horse, work to get the course of the country back on track.

National health-care is just about dead, but it needs to be put to sleep.

No Child Gets Ahead needs to be repealed.

Real immigration reform (closing the boarders) needs to be passed.

Those three ought to be enough to get people moving. It would help to push a national prohibition on restriction of firearms as well. There are a number of things that might be possible to push. Don’t waste breath on what changes nothing. Get motivated. Start working to push appropriate legislation through.

Limit the power of the central government to what the constitution says.

To mark the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy I was going to rekey some portions of the chapter on Chappaquiddick from Donkey Cons, because reading it a couple years ago had a strong effect on me, not having known the details – and I assume many others are ignorant as well. However … not in this lifetime. I am just too busy lately.

But almost as effective is DK co-author Stacy McCain’s recent post, so go check it out here .

UPDATE: Via Ace is this important read.

UPDATE II: And to get a measure of the man: “One of his favorite topics of humor was Chappaquiddick.”

The events of the past week have marked the end of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.  Does this mean the regime of the Mullahs will end tomorrow?  No.  However this is the utter end of Iran’s regime being seen by its own people, let alone the rest of the world, as a force or blueprint for expanding Islamic rule.

It appears the neocons where correct after all in this regard – all people want freedom.  To be able to choose ones leadership is a right that is universally sought after, despite protestation of the anti-neocons to the contrary.   In the eastern bloc, millions took to the streets to make this ideal a reality as did thousands in China, India, and elsewhere in the world.

A Spent Ideology
In Iran, the desire for the right to choose ones leadership was made apparent when hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest what was obviously a rigged election.  The people who did this, did so in the face of a brutal, thuggish Islamo-Fascist regime.  These people ’spoke to power’ when it mattered.  They put their lives on the line, unlike the fools who do so here and claim heroism, the actions of the Iranians has been truly heroic.

Like Marxist-Leninism in the eastern bloc in the 80’s, the Iranian revolution in the 21st Century is truly spent.  Thirty years of sharia law has only made western culture all the more alluring.  The imposed cultural wasteland that is Islam has not created a new generation of Islamic zealots.  Instead it has created a generation of secular Persians.  This younger generation is not enamored of the Mullahs; it despises them for they are corrupt, brutal and narrow.  The younger generation is not seeking to export the Islamic revolution, it seeks to be able to import designer jeans.  Much like the youth in the eastern bloc did back in the 70’s and 80’s.

Crossroads
So which path?  Will the Iranians go the way of China or Romania?  In China the communist party made some key reforms in the 70’s that have to this point allowed them to keep power even in the face of the Tianamin Square massacre.  Market reforms have brought wealth to the country. This wealth has allowed the government to stay in power, despite its fundamentally totalitarian nature.

With the market reforms wealth came to China.  The young have their designer jeans, can go out to night clubs and enjoy many other creature comforts we take for granted here in the West.  One of the big drivers in Iran is the economic failings of the central government.  In China the workers are able to get their crust of bread; that is not a small thing.

Iran is one of the largest oil exporters in the world, but they need nuclear power?  Iran, under the Shah, had educated its population, this has carried over into the Republic.  Despite an educated populous, the standard of living in Iran has declined under the Mullahs.  In China the standard of living has improved the past 30 years.  In Romania the standard of living plummeted under its totalitarian socialist regime. The Romanian regime did not survive its bout of unrest at the end of the cold war.

In China, some freedoms where granted in order to keep the pot from boiling over.  Western pop cultural was allowed to enter.  People were allowed to travel.  People were allowed to conduct business, and manage their own affairs.  Though there are still many problems in China, the ambitious, the energetic have been given an outlet.  An unfortunate side effect of all this activity is that the Chinese regime is now swimming in money.  Money it uses to expand its military and to maintain control over the country.

In Romania the Ceaucescu regime reacted to the worsening economic conditions by tightening controls on economic activity and personal freedom.  The end result there was the death of the regime and its leadership.

Hole Cards
The Mullahs have two hole cards. Their regime still has its Basij Militia, and its Revolutionary Guard.  These are the Brown Shirts and SS of the Iranian regime.  The reason they are the hole cards is that unlike the security forces in the socialist regimes of the 20th century, these thugs are still inspired by their beliefs in an Islamic world government.  The socialist credos of the 20th century did not wear well.  If one looked in the eastern bloc and in China one would be hard pressed to find a revolutionary zealot, wild eyed and ready to preach Marxism to the masses.  To find such a nut, must travel to Chicago or some university campus in the West.

So long as the Mullahs have this base they can hold on to power.  If these two groups begin to question the Islamic oligarchy, then the edifice will certainly crumble.  One wild card is the reaction of the Army to the thuggish behavior of the militias.  It appears for now the Mullahs have kept the army in check. For a totalitarian regime to continue, there needs to be a corps ready to inflict violence on the restive masses; the Mullahs for now still have their power base.

Going Forward
China has managed this feat by keeping the masses less restive as noted above, and injecting a new rational into its cause: Chinese Nationalism.  The Chinese secret police and other security organs are believers in an ascendant China. For now the regime there has managed to align itself with the vision of an economically and militarily expansionist China. Which is why they are growing their military to the tune of 10-15% a year and are making exclusive economic deals with anyone willing to sell them raw materials.

The Mullahs do not have that avenue for two reasons. The first is that Persian nationalism is distinctly non-Islamic in nature. The second is that unlike China, Iran is an economic basket case. The future is not certain for Islamic Republic. The question going forward for the Mullahs is will the government reform or will it try to wield its soon to be gained nuclear power. The first choice, may take the Mullahs down a path were they may survive. The second is akin to that of an angry three year old with a loaded pistol; akin to the disaster in North Korea.  The question for the West is weather it will allow another pistol to become loaded.

Rick Sincere has the video of the best speech of the Convention and probably the best speech a number of the attendees had ever seen.

As is typical of handheld camcorders, the audio is passable – Rick is off to the side and there is a wicked echo. The RPV must have something high quality tied directly into the PA system and let’s hope they can manage to get it posted soon.

But Rick has done us all a great service by getting this uploaded.

From the way the ambient sound dies after the first few minutes you get a real sense of how this kid transfixed the crowd once they realized what was taking place. Bravo, Rick Sincere.

I  was outside for over half of it, and when I got to my seat my wife said “If they change the rules about birthplace he is going to be elected president.” The fact that it occurred while the votes were being tallied, and the general perception was the RPV was just killing time, meant expectations were EXTREMELY low when Adnan took the stage. Many delegates were in their seats only because it was hot and humid outside.

You can just imagine the change in mood that swept the Coliseum.

UPDATE: Hey here’s an idea. Considering the similarities in their backgrounds and the fact neither is legally eligible to hold the office of U.S. president, would it not be great to have a debate on what it means to be American, with Adnan Barqawi facing off against the dipshit in the White House? I’d pay real money to see that take place.

Just thought that you might enjoy hearing what prominent members of the military, Congress and his own administration think about the president. 

Secretary of the Treasury characterized his leader as “greatly wanting in will and decision, in comprehensiveness, in self-reliance, and clear, well-defined purpose”

Governor of Massachusetts said “I am sadly but firmly trying to help organize some movement, if possible to save the President from the infamy of ruining his country.”

Like it so far?  Here is the giveaway:

Aide to the Massachusettes Governnor , Henry Lee, while waiting long hours for an audience with the President said “I grew more and more cross to think that this Western mummy of a rail splitter should sit in Washington’s chair.”

Congressman from Missouri urged that the primary obligation of every Unionist was “to stop fighting Jeff Davis and turn in on our own Government and make something of it”  All Confederate leaders taken together had not harmed the nation half as much as “the cowardice, ignorance, and stupidity of Lincoln’s administration.”

Yup.  These are quotes about Lincoln.  Now tell the truth.  At the beginning you thought I was talking about Barack, didn’t you?  And the boy king who aspires to be just like Lincoln, well, what could be more fitting.  Lincoln, as a President goes, was mediocre at best  as well as conniving, two-faced, crooked (breaking the law) and bloodthirsty.    Lincoln was a war President that helped to destroy this country by saving the Union.  FDR was a President that destroyed this country till he went to war which ended up saving it.  Let Obama be Lincoln.  The more they have in common, the better for the people of this country.

“Free Blagojevich!”

I guess we might need a category or tag for “info for old guys” whereby we all research and marvel at facts everyone under 35 in this society knows but about which we have not a clue.

Anyways, I and the wife – who could easily pass for 23 but just is not up on this stuff – were watching the “America’s War on Drugs” documentary on Showtime this evening. It started off well but devolved into an Oliver Stone-”JFK”-like blizzard-of-conspiracies screed. The guy captured tons of excellent video interviews and intermittently maintained a thin narrative logic of argument about the war on drugs, but he wasted it because, in my view, he was stoned when he made the film.

During the course of the documentary there was a reference to “420″ being a significant number or pop culture symbol for marijuana use. Neither of us had any idea what they were talking about.

But here is the answer from the mother of all wikis:

The teens would meet after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at the Louis Pasteur statue.[1] The term became part of their group’s salute, “420 Louis!”,[2] and became popularized in the late 1980s by fans of the Grateful Dead.[3]By extension April 20 (“4/20″ in U.S. date notation) has evolved into a counterculture holiday, where people gather to celebrate and consume cannabis.[4]

Obviously, I have a dog in the fight.

With all of the empty accusations being directed at Sarah Palin, for the benefit of younger visitors to the site, I thought I would provide some historical context to introduce you to some things that Joe Biden would much prefer you did not know.

Some will remember that Joe Biden ended his first campaign for the White House in September of 1987, after accusations of plagiarism surfaced :

What might be called the Glib Crib Crisis began when the New York Times revealed that Biden had been guilty of rhetorical shoplifting.

Once could be easily explained as a minor oversight, but twice :

To make matters worse, Biden repeated the offense in a tape he made three days later for the National Education Association.

Soon afterwards, a review of earlier speeches given by Senator Biden began to establish a pattern of serial behaviour :

Once textual fidelity became an issue, reporters found earlier cases in which Biden had failed to give proper citation to Humphrey and Robert Kennedy.

During his first months at Syracuse University Law School, in 1965, Biden failed a course because he wrote a paper that used five pages from a published law-review article without quotation marks or a proper footnote.

Each of the infractions, taken individually, could be “much ado about nothing” as Biden describes them, but a series of events predicated upon very poor judgement, is much more than what Biden describes. This is Joe Biden, Obama’s choice for Vice President of the United States. Given how poorly he performed in his home state, during the recent primaries, the Democratic voters of Delaware may very well view him as he was described in 1987 :

A Pre-Existing Subtext. “The basic rap against Biden,” explains Democratic Pollster Geoff Garin, “is that he’s a candidate of style, not substance.”

An Awkward Revelation. The Kinnock kleptomania was particularly damaging to Biden since it underscored the prior concerns that he was a shallow vessel for other people’s ideas.

A Maladroit Response. Top Aide Tom Donilon claimed that Biden failed to credit Kinnock because “he didn’t know what he was saying. He was on autopilot.”

Imagine, a Vice President who “didn’t know what he was saying. He was on autopilot”. This man wants to represent us in dealings with foreign leaders ? Potentially dangerous stuff. These incidents would indicate a pattern of questionable judgement out on his own, away from the shelter of the U.S Senate.

Even worse, is Obama’s decision to put him into the West Wing. This is the kind of decision making that we do not need, not even as a community organizer. Given the description “he’s a candidate of style, not substance”, it could be as simple as birds of a feather..

Biden’s Familiar Quotations-TIME