Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Note on Waterboarding
Obama repeated the silly claim that it is a recruitment tool for Al-Qaeda. How? I'm trying to image the conversation. "Mustafa, you should join us, because if you get captured you'll get waterboarded."
Presidential Snooze Fest Review
I can't seem to understand why Obama is treated like such a brilliant orator. Sure, he can read a teleprompter like a champ, but he can't answer basic questions without rambling.
Last night's Obama press conference was a snooze fest. He'd get asked a question, never answer the question, and then ramble for 10 minutes. Let's Review
Q: With the flu outbreak spreading and worsening, can you talk about whether you think it's time to close the border with Mexico and whether — under what conditions you might consider quarantining, when that might be appropriate?
A: No to border closing. Never answered quaranting question, 583 word response.
Q: President. On the domestic auto industry, have you determined that bankruptcy is the only option to restructure Chrysler? And do you believe that the deep cuts in plant closings that were outlined this week by General Motors are sufficient?
A: Not sure yet on either issue. 499 words.
Q: You've said in the past that waterboarding, in your opinion, is torture. Torture is a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Do you believe that the previous administration sanctioned torture?
A: Waterboarding is bad. Didn't answer question. 413 words.
Q: Thank you, sir. Let me follow up, if I may, on Jake's question. Did you read the documents recently referred to by former Vice President Cheney and others saying that the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques not only protected the nation but saved lives?
And if part of the United States were under imminent threat, could you envision yourself ever authorizing the use of those enhanced interrogation techniques?
A: I'll get the info without waterboarding. 242 words.
Q: I want to move to Pakistan. Pakistan appears to be at war with the Taliban inside their own country. Can you reassure the American people that if necessary America could secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and keep it from getting into the Taliban's hands or, worst case scenario, even al-Qaida's hands?
A: We're confident nukes won't get in terrorist hands. 282 words.
Q: One of the biggest changes you've made in the first 100 days regarding foreign policy has had to do with Iraq. But do the large-scale — there's large-scale violence there right now. Does that affect the U.S. strategy at all for withdrawal? And could it affect the timetable that you've set out for troops?
A: Work to be done, blah, blah, blah. 290 words.
Q: On Senator Specter's switch to the Democratic Party, you said you were thrilled; I guess nobody should be surprised about that. But how big a deal is this, really? Some Republicans say it is huge. They believe it's a game-changer. They say that, if you get the 60 votes in the Senate, that you will be able to ride roughshod over any opposition, and that we're on the verge of, as one Republican put it, one-party rule. Do you see it that way? And, also, what do you think his switch says about the state of the Republican Party?
A: Blah, Blah, blah. A whopping 590 words
Q: Thank you, Mr. President. In a couple of weeks, you're going to be giving the commencement at Notre Dame. And, as you know, this has caused a lot of controversy among Catholics who are opposed to your position on abortion.
As a candidate, you vowed that one of the very things you wanted to do was sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which, as you know, would eliminate federal, state and local restrictions on abortion. And at one point in the campaign when asked about abortion and life, you said that it was above — quote, above my pay grade.
Now that you've been president for 100 days, obviously, your pay grade is a little higher than when you were a senator.
Do you still hope that Congress quickly sends you the Freedom of Choice Act so you can sign it?
A: I will continue to try to play both sides as much as possible. FOCA is not a high priority. 327 words
Q: During these first 100 days, what has surprised you the most about this office? Enchanted you the most from serving in this office? Humbled you the most? And troubled you the most? (This waste of time question, came from the NY Times).
A: Blah blah blah. 659 words.
Q: .... Going forward, my question is, what is your strategy to try to have immigration reform? And are you still on the same timetable to have it accomplished in the first year of your presidency?....
A: Probably. 567 words.
Q: The black unemployment rate, as you know, is in the double digits. And in New York City, for example, the black unemployment rate for men is near 50 percent. My question to you tonight is given this unique and desperate circumstance, what specific policies can you point to that will target these communities and what's the timetable for us to see tangible results?
A: My plan will work. 240 words.
Q: During the campaign, you criticized President Bush's use of the state secrets privilege, but U.S. attorneys have continued to argue the Bush position in three cases in court. How exactly does your view of state secrets differ from President Bush's? And do you believe presidents should be able to derail entire lawsuits about warrantless wiretapping or rendition if classified information is involved?
A: Sometimes. 195 words.
Q: You are currently the chief shareholder of a couple of very large mortgage giants. You're about to become the chief shareholder of a car company, probably two.
And I'm wondering, what kind of shareholder are you going to be? What is the government's role as the keeper of public — public trust and bonds in — in soon-to-be public companies again? Thank you.
A: I don't want to own the companies. 694 words.
Last night's Obama press conference was a snooze fest. He'd get asked a question, never answer the question, and then ramble for 10 minutes. Let's Review
Q: With the flu outbreak spreading and worsening, can you talk about whether you think it's time to close the border with Mexico and whether — under what conditions you might consider quarantining, when that might be appropriate?
A: No to border closing. Never answered quaranting question, 583 word response.
Q: President. On the domestic auto industry, have you determined that bankruptcy is the only option to restructure Chrysler? And do you believe that the deep cuts in plant closings that were outlined this week by General Motors are sufficient?
A: Not sure yet on either issue. 499 words.
Q: You've said in the past that waterboarding, in your opinion, is torture. Torture is a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Do you believe that the previous administration sanctioned torture?
A: Waterboarding is bad. Didn't answer question. 413 words.
Q: Thank you, sir. Let me follow up, if I may, on Jake's question. Did you read the documents recently referred to by former Vice President Cheney and others saying that the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques not only protected the nation but saved lives?
And if part of the United States were under imminent threat, could you envision yourself ever authorizing the use of those enhanced interrogation techniques?
A: I'll get the info without waterboarding. 242 words.
Q: I want to move to Pakistan. Pakistan appears to be at war with the Taliban inside their own country. Can you reassure the American people that if necessary America could secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and keep it from getting into the Taliban's hands or, worst case scenario, even al-Qaida's hands?
A: We're confident nukes won't get in terrorist hands. 282 words.
Q: One of the biggest changes you've made in the first 100 days regarding foreign policy has had to do with Iraq. But do the large-scale — there's large-scale violence there right now. Does that affect the U.S. strategy at all for withdrawal? And could it affect the timetable that you've set out for troops?
A: Work to be done, blah, blah, blah. 290 words.
Q: On Senator Specter's switch to the Democratic Party, you said you were thrilled; I guess nobody should be surprised about that. But how big a deal is this, really? Some Republicans say it is huge. They believe it's a game-changer. They say that, if you get the 60 votes in the Senate, that you will be able to ride roughshod over any opposition, and that we're on the verge of, as one Republican put it, one-party rule. Do you see it that way? And, also, what do you think his switch says about the state of the Republican Party?
A: Blah, Blah, blah. A whopping 590 words
Q: Thank you, Mr. President. In a couple of weeks, you're going to be giving the commencement at Notre Dame. And, as you know, this has caused a lot of controversy among Catholics who are opposed to your position on abortion.
As a candidate, you vowed that one of the very things you wanted to do was sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which, as you know, would eliminate federal, state and local restrictions on abortion. And at one point in the campaign when asked about abortion and life, you said that it was above — quote, above my pay grade.
Now that you've been president for 100 days, obviously, your pay grade is a little higher than when you were a senator.
Do you still hope that Congress quickly sends you the Freedom of Choice Act so you can sign it?
A: I will continue to try to play both sides as much as possible. FOCA is not a high priority. 327 words
Q: During these first 100 days, what has surprised you the most about this office? Enchanted you the most from serving in this office? Humbled you the most? And troubled you the most? (This waste of time question, came from the NY Times).
A: Blah blah blah. 659 words.
Q: .... Going forward, my question is, what is your strategy to try to have immigration reform? And are you still on the same timetable to have it accomplished in the first year of your presidency?....
A: Probably. 567 words.
Q: The black unemployment rate, as you know, is in the double digits. And in New York City, for example, the black unemployment rate for men is near 50 percent. My question to you tonight is given this unique and desperate circumstance, what specific policies can you point to that will target these communities and what's the timetable for us to see tangible results?
A: My plan will work. 240 words.
Q: During the campaign, you criticized President Bush's use of the state secrets privilege, but U.S. attorneys have continued to argue the Bush position in three cases in court. How exactly does your view of state secrets differ from President Bush's? And do you believe presidents should be able to derail entire lawsuits about warrantless wiretapping or rendition if classified information is involved?
A: Sometimes. 195 words.
Q: You are currently the chief shareholder of a couple of very large mortgage giants. You're about to become the chief shareholder of a car company, probably two.
And I'm wondering, what kind of shareholder are you going to be? What is the government's role as the keeper of public — public trust and bonds in — in soon-to-be public companies again? Thank you.
A: I don't want to own the companies. 694 words.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Obama Can't Spin the Cardinal
KENNER, La. (CNS) -- President Barack Obama is a "very gracious and obviously a very smart man" but he is on the "wrong side of history" when it comes to his fervent support of abortion rights, Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George told the 2009 Louisiana Priests Convention April 21.
Cardinal George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told 200 priests from the seven dioceses of Louisiana that, while he wants Obama to succeed in his efforts to right the economy, enhance world peace and help the poor, the president needs to understand that the Catholic Church will not allow the life issue to be abandoned.
In a question-and-answer session that followed his keynote speech to priests on offering compassionate ministry to people who are hurting, Cardinal George offered a candid assessment of his 30-minute meeting with the president at the White House March 18.
"I think on the life issue he's on the wrong side of history," the cardinal said. "I think he has his political debts to pay, and so he's paying them."
Cardinal George said his conversation with the president was polite but substantive.
"It's hard to disagree with him because he'll always tell you he agrees with you," he said. "Maybe that's political. I think he sincerely wants to agree with you. You have to say, again and again, 'No, Mr. President, we don't agree (on abortion).' But we can agree on a lot, and we do, and that's why there is so much hope. I think we have to pray for him every day."
Cardinal George said he told the president he was concerned about his decision to rescind the Mexico City policy, which resulted in providing taxpayer money to fund abortion overseas.
"He said we weren't exporting abortion," the cardinal said. "I said, 'Yes we are.' He would say, 'I know I have to do certain things here. ... But be patient and you'll see the pattern will change.' I said, 'Mr. President, you've given us nothing but the wrong signals on this issue.' So, we'll see, but I'm not as hopeful now as I was when he was first elected."
The church and the president find common ground on supporting social programs that lift up the poor, but Cardinal George said on the issue of abortion, "I think we're up against something a little bit like slavery."
"These are members of the human family, genetically individuated, (with) a human father and a human mother," he said. "What their legal status is, of course, you can debate, and we have. ... John Paul II says you cannot simply live comfortably with an immoral legal system, any more than you could live comfortably with slavery, and therefore you have to work to change the law.
"It's a society-dividing issue, and on this issue, we're with Abraham Lincoln and he's with Stephen Douglas, and he doesn't like to hear that, but that's where he is."
The cardinal was referring to the seven debates held in 1858 between Lincoln and his opponent for an Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate. Slavery was the main issue discussed in all of the debates.
If even the incremental restrictions on abortion -- such as the ban on partial-birth abortion or parental notification laws -- are rolled back, Cardinal George said pro-life advocates could feel desperate because they fear "abortion will be a human right, and of course, if it's a human right, it can't be qualified."
Cardinal George said Pope John Paul II, with the help of Muslim and Latin American countries, successfully fought the Clinton administration's efforts to declare abortion a fundamental "human right" at the 1994 U.N. population conference in Cairo, Egypt.
"Whether or not the present pope will be able to do this a generation later, I don't know, because we're going to be faced with it again," the cardinal said. "But you can't go on indefinitely. For 80 years we were a slave republic, and it took a terrible war to end that. And now for 40 years we're in an abortion regime, and I'm not sure how that's going to end."
Cardinal George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told 200 priests from the seven dioceses of Louisiana that, while he wants Obama to succeed in his efforts to right the economy, enhance world peace and help the poor, the president needs to understand that the Catholic Church will not allow the life issue to be abandoned.
In a question-and-answer session that followed his keynote speech to priests on offering compassionate ministry to people who are hurting, Cardinal George offered a candid assessment of his 30-minute meeting with the president at the White House March 18.
"I think on the life issue he's on the wrong side of history," the cardinal said. "I think he has his political debts to pay, and so he's paying them."
Cardinal George said his conversation with the president was polite but substantive.
"It's hard to disagree with him because he'll always tell you he agrees with you," he said. "Maybe that's political. I think he sincerely wants to agree with you. You have to say, again and again, 'No, Mr. President, we don't agree (on abortion).' But we can agree on a lot, and we do, and that's why there is so much hope. I think we have to pray for him every day."
Cardinal George said he told the president he was concerned about his decision to rescind the Mexico City policy, which resulted in providing taxpayer money to fund abortion overseas.
"He said we weren't exporting abortion," the cardinal said. "I said, 'Yes we are.' He would say, 'I know I have to do certain things here. ... But be patient and you'll see the pattern will change.' I said, 'Mr. President, you've given us nothing but the wrong signals on this issue.' So, we'll see, but I'm not as hopeful now as I was when he was first elected."
The church and the president find common ground on supporting social programs that lift up the poor, but Cardinal George said on the issue of abortion, "I think we're up against something a little bit like slavery."
"These are members of the human family, genetically individuated, (with) a human father and a human mother," he said. "What their legal status is, of course, you can debate, and we have. ... John Paul II says you cannot simply live comfortably with an immoral legal system, any more than you could live comfortably with slavery, and therefore you have to work to change the law.
"It's a society-dividing issue, and on this issue, we're with Abraham Lincoln and he's with Stephen Douglas, and he doesn't like to hear that, but that's where he is."
The cardinal was referring to the seven debates held in 1858 between Lincoln and his opponent for an Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate. Slavery was the main issue discussed in all of the debates.
If even the incremental restrictions on abortion -- such as the ban on partial-birth abortion or parental notification laws -- are rolled back, Cardinal George said pro-life advocates could feel desperate because they fear "abortion will be a human right, and of course, if it's a human right, it can't be qualified."
Cardinal George said Pope John Paul II, with the help of Muslim and Latin American countries, successfully fought the Clinton administration's efforts to declare abortion a fundamental "human right" at the 1994 U.N. population conference in Cairo, Egypt.
"Whether or not the present pope will be able to do this a generation later, I don't know, because we're going to be faced with it again," the cardinal said. "But you can't go on indefinitely. For 80 years we were a slave republic, and it took a terrible war to end that. And now for 40 years we're in an abortion regime, and I'm not sure how that's going to end."
Arlen Specter Comes Out of Closet
So Arlen Specter switched to the Democratic Party. On any major issue, he was always with the Democrats anyway, so it is really irrelevant. The downside is that he will vote with the Democrats immediately, and not without minor hesitation. The upside can be helping the Republicans better define their platform. A platform that evaporated during the Bush years.
Back in 2004, when Specter faced a strong grassroots primary challenge from a conservative Congressman, Pat Toomey. However, Bush and the Republican establishment campaigned for and supported Specter. They believed it was most important to have an "R" next to your name, no matter how they actually voted or what they stood for. This lack of leadership, created a Republican party without direction. Hence, this is why they lost in 2006 and 2008.
So what did Karl Rove & Company get for the support of Specter? A principle-less Republican Party and 4 years of votes with Democrats on important issues
The Republicans seem to be in another cycle:
Back in 2004, when Specter faced a strong grassroots primary challenge from a conservative Congressman, Pat Toomey. However, Bush and the Republican establishment campaigned for and supported Specter. They believed it was most important to have an "R" next to your name, no matter how they actually voted or what they stood for. This lack of leadership, created a Republican party without direction. Hence, this is why they lost in 2006 and 2008.
So what did Karl Rove & Company get for the support of Specter? A principle-less Republican Party and 4 years of votes with Democrats on important issues
The Republicans seem to be in another cycle:
- Democrats raise taxes and spending. Republicans purport to be the party of low taxes and limited spending
- Republicans elected.
- Republicans think they can grow the party by moving left. They support increased spending, increased government regulation, and perhaps some minor tax increases.
- Republicans lose elections.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sailor Sues Maersk Over Safety
Good for him. When companies provide little security for civilians working in dangerous areas, it says that "we'd rather you get killed than you kill someone else."
With safety, companies love to overdo "cheap" safety, but are out to lunch on safety than may be expensive or involve some political risk. They'll give you hardhats, safety glasses, make you sit in meetings, and put up tons of signs. That's cheap and easy. Providing armed security or arming crewmembers is much more difficult.
With safety, companies love to overdo "cheap" safety, but are out to lunch on safety than may be expensive or involve some political risk. They'll give you hardhats, safety glasses, make you sit in meetings, and put up tons of signs. That's cheap and easy. Providing armed security or arming crewmembers is much more difficult.
HOUSTON (AP) — A member of the crew on the U.S.-flagged ship hijacked by
African pirates sued the owner and another company Monday, accusing them of knowingly putting sailors in danger. Richard E. Hicks alleges in the suit that owner Maersk Line Limited and Waterman Steamship Corp., which provided the crew, ignored requests to improve safety measures for vessels sailing along the Somali coast.
Hicks was chief cook on the Maersk Alabama. Pirates held the ship's captain hostage for five days until the U.S. Navy rescued him. Hicks' lawsuit seeks at least $75,000 in damages and improved safety.
Officials for Norfolk, Va.-based Maersk Line and Mobile, Ala.-based Waterman said their companies don't comment on pending litigation.
Hicks asked that the two companies improve safety for ships by providing armed security or allowing crew members to carry weapons, sending ships through safer routes, and placing such safety measures on ships as barbed wire that would prevent pirates from being able to board vessels.
"We've had safety meetings every month for the last three years and made suggestions of what should be done and they have been ignored," Hicks said. "I'm just trying to make sure this is a lot better for other seamen."
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Nobody in this country realizes that cap-and-trade is a tax - and it's a great big one" Rep John Dingell (D-Michigan)
I have. The only want to reduce CO2 is to get people to stop using energy. The government needs to artificially raise the price of energy in order to push down demand. Call it a tax or something that acts like a tax but doesn't sound like a tax. It's still a tax.
I have. The only want to reduce CO2 is to get people to stop using energy. The government needs to artificially raise the price of energy in order to push down demand. Call it a tax or something that acts like a tax but doesn't sound like a tax. It's still a tax.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Velvet Mafia: Dissent is not Allowed
Somehow, the outlandishly gay celebrity blogger Perez Hilton happened to be a judge for the Miss USA pageant. He asked Miss California, Carrie Prejean, if she supports gay marriage. She gave a very polite answer but said no.
"The way miss California answered her question lost her the crown, without a doubt!" Perez told Access Hollywood after the pageant. "Never before that I'm aware of has a contestant been booed at Miss USA." (comment: any sane person watching the youtube clip will realize that there were 4 times as many cheers.) He also called her a dumb b*tch on an youtube post.
"Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um, we live in a land that you can choose same sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and in, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," Carrie said to a mix of boos and applause. "No offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman."She lost the crown, and now the childish Hilton says it's because of her answer. First of all, it was a question that had no business being asked. Secondly
"The way miss California answered her question lost her the crown, without a doubt!" Perez told Access Hollywood after the pageant. "Never before that I'm aware of has a contestant been booed at Miss USA." (comment: any sane person watching the youtube clip will realize that there were 4 times as many cheers.) He also called her a dumb b*tch on an youtube post.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
American Ship Hijacked!
While Somali pirates have run amuck for the past several years, they hadn't hijacked an American ship. One of the main reasons is that there aren't many anymore. Many are Jones Act ships: ships that go from US port to US port must be American flagged. The larger international ships are few but tend to be part of the Maritime Security Program.
Flying an American flag is costly to companies these days. You have to have a more expensive crew and you have added regulation. The benefit of flying is the protection of the US Navy. While previous ships may have been owned by European companies, they flew Panamanian or Liberian flag, two of the most popular "flags of convenience."
Obama has to react strongly to this invasion. Seizing an American ship in international waters is a like seizing an embassy. What's the point of the most powerful Navy in the world if you are unwilling to use it.
Meanwhile, I'm saying prayers for the crew and their families.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Somali pirates on Wednesday hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo
ship with 21 crew members aboard, a diplomat and a U.S. Navy spokesman said.
The Kenya-based diplomat identified the vessel as the 17,000-ton Maersk
Alabama and said all the crew members are American. The diplomat spoke on
condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that a U.S. flagged ship with 21 members of crew was
hijacked early Wednesday off the eastern coast of Somalia.
Flying an American flag is costly to companies these days. You have to have a more expensive crew and you have added regulation. The benefit of flying is the protection of the US Navy. While previous ships may have been owned by European companies, they flew Panamanian or Liberian flag, two of the most popular "flags of convenience."
Obama has to react strongly to this invasion. Seizing an American ship in international waters is a like seizing an embassy. What's the point of the most powerful Navy in the world if you are unwilling to use it.
Meanwhile, I'm saying prayers for the crew and their families.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Obama Bows to the Saudi king
On his trip to the G20 summit, Obama bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia. (This is the only leader he bowed to). Obama now says that he didn't bow but was shaking the hand of someone shorter than he. The Queen of England is much shorter and he didn't bow.
I can look at a picture. I've shaken hands with people shorter than me. When I've shaken hands with people shorter than me. I may have leaned forward, but by head is always well above theirs. Here, Obama's head is below the shoulder of the Saudi king.
I can look at a picture. I've shaken hands with people shorter than me. When I've shaken hands with people shorter than me. I may have leaned forward, but by head is always well above theirs. Here, Obama's head is below the shoulder of the Saudi king.
The Washington Times has a good editorial on the subject:
Press outlets have been conspicuously silent on Mr. Obama's bow. Compare this to
the New York Times' reaction when former President Bill Clinton inclined a bit
too far when meeting Japanese Emperor Akihito in 1994. According to the Gray
Lady, "The image on the South Lawn was indelible: an obsequent president, and
the Emperor of Japan." Former President George W. Bush received thorough press
attention after being photographed holding hands with then-Crown Prince Abdullah
in 2005. "It clearly strikes a nerve," CBS News reported, while David Letterman
satirized Mr. Bush as "officially the gayest president since Lincoln." These two
cases were tame compared to Mr. Obama's full-out genuflection, which makes us
wonder why it is not worthy of comment.
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