Amb. Marc Ginsberg: Time for Hamas' Leaders to Go

AP/Khalil Hamra

Amb. Marc Ginsberg: In order order to understand what this struggle is all about, one must understand Hamas' goals, largely derived from its ideological paternity to the Egyptian Muslim Brothehood. As a Sunni extremist offshoot of the Brotherhood, Hamas' raison d'etre is Israel's destruction -- nothing less will do. Despite my instinctive belief that one should try to negotiate a way out of this dilemma no matter the odds, I have concluded that the only way out of this mess is to separate Hamas' entire military and political leadership from the oppressed citizenry of Gaza (and yes, it is absolutely a mischaracterization of fact to assert that Hamas is the legitimate ruler of Gaza). Easier said than done you say. But as long as Hamas rules Gaza, no amount of cajoling is going to end the vicious cycle of terror that Hamas is inflicting first and foremost on its own beaten-down Palestinian victims as well as on Israel.what is Click here to read more.

Lionel Beehner: Did Israel Use Disproportionate Force?

The tide of public opinion seems to invariably side with the underdog, regardless of who's to blame. Hence, Israel now finds itself in the awkward yet familiar position of defending its actions.

You gotta' love The Onion News

Pre-Game Coin Toss Makes Jacksonville
Jaguars Realize Randomness Of Life

• 
• Report: Many U.S. Parents Outsourcing Child Care Overseas

Supreme Court Overturns Bush v. Gore

WASHINGTON—"Al Gore has prevailed—I hope he can see this nation through a catastrophic recession and an unending war in Iraq," said George W. Bush.

Having a ball

The history of Times Square's New Year's icon

December 30, 2008 Bush, Obama and the Gaza Blitz By Patrick J. Buchanan

Share Your Comments

Unwilling to control its fighters, who fired scores of missiles into Israel at the end of their six-month ceasefire, Hamas gave Israel the provocation it needed to deliver a savage blow to the Palestinian enclave in Gaza.

Saturday was the bloodiest day in the history of the Palestinian people since being driven from their homes in the War of 1948. One thousand were killed or wounded, as the Israeli Air Force conducted over a hundred strikes -- on graduation ceremonies for Hamas fighters, police stations and storage sites for rockets.

About Israel's right and duty to defend its border towns, there is no dispute. When Hamas permits Gaza to be used as a launch pad for rockets, it must expect retaliation. Nor can Hamas claim some right to dictate the limits of that retaliation.

Yet the wisdom of so savage a retribution for rockets that killed not one Israeli is open to question. And crass Israeli politics seems to be behind this premeditated and planned blitz...

Click here to continue reading Pat Buchanan's column

• Radical Southern Baptist Pastor Wiley Drake lashed out at Pastor Rick Warren this week, insisting that "God will punish" Warren for appearing at the Obama inauguration. Drake called Obama an "evil illegal alien" and warned Warren, "God will not wink at this. ... It's an abomination before God, and God's going to deal with that."

Patrick: Some of us prefer the label "Red Letter Christians" to distinguish ourselves from this radical fringe of evangelicalism represented by Pastor Wiley Drake. I wouldn't criticize Pastor Drake for arguing against some of Obama's policies. (I don't agree with all his policies myself.) But this kind of name calling ("evil illegal alien") and strong opposition to Rick Warren are symptoms of a deep paranoia that is impossible to harmonize with the message and spirit of Jesus.

Lack of Sleep Linked to Heart Problems

By Alice Park

A new study indicates that coronary calcium, the kind
that may cause heart attacks and strokes, increases
the fewer hours you sleep.

Shoes Thrown at Bush Revealed to Have Message on Bottoms

CIA Using Viagra to Bribe Afghan Warlords The CIA has developed a novel incentive to gain co- operation and support in Taliban-plagued Afghanistan - handing out libido-enhancing Viagra pills to targeted village patriarchs. Read the Full Story — Go Here Now Patrick's Comment: The neo-cons thought we could reshape the Middle East by our military might. Now it turns out that Viagra is the key to a new chapter in geo-politics. The most popular new bumper sticker on Taliban vehicles: Make Love Not War!

Give me a less cute actor, please

"Valkyrie"
Tom Cruise leads a cast of actors giving terrible performances in a big-budget Nazi thriller that's just following orders.
By Stephanie Zacharek

Patrick's comment: I confess, I haven't seen this film. When I saw a preview of it, with Tom Cruise in an eye-patch and a Nazi uniform, I thought, "How do you expect me to believe this character? A cute-boy actor playing a Nazi? Gimme a break."

Beyond the issue of wrong casting, I also confess that I absolutely hate most war movies, just like I hate most wars. Some few wars may have been necessary; but don't ask me to pay to be "entertained" by a war movie. That's not entertainment in my book.

Cheney’s Legacy of Deception

By Robert Scheer —

In the end, the shame of Vice President Dick Cheney was total: unmitigated by any notion of a graceful departure, let alone the slightest obligation of honest accounting.

Keeping St. Nick, the Man Not Myth, Alive
More and more churches are finding ways to practice the St. Nicholas story.

CHRISTIAN HISTORY'S BLOG
Top Eight Historically Incorrect Christmas Songs
How to be a loudmouth know-it-all at your carol sing.
By Ted Olsen

Soothing Song

Neil Young - Harvest Moon(official video)

English ain't easy

Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
! 4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How ! can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

December 19, 2008 Obama's War By Patrick J. Buchanan Share Your Comments

...last month, the war [in Afghanistan] against the Taliban entered its eighth year, the second longest war in our history, and America and NATO have never been nearer to strategic defeat... Afghanistan is going to be Obama's War. And upon its outcome will hang the fate of his presidency. Has he thought this through? ... Click here to continue reading Pat's column

William Pfaff on American Torture
"Torture Proponents Have No Serious Argument" -- George W. Bush’s war against terror has brought out of the darker places in America a lot of people who want to torture, or like the idea of it. We know it doesn’t work, so what drives Dick Cheney and his colleague to champion such moral depravity?

December 16, 2008 The Toyota Repuplicans By Patrick J. Buchanan

Share Your Comments

"GOP to Detroit: Drop Dead!"

...In today's world, America faces nationalistic trade rivals who manipulate currencies, employ nontariff barriers, subsidize their manufacturers, rebate value-added taxes on exports to us and impose value-added taxes on imports from us, all to capture our markets and kill our great companies. And we have a Republican Party blissfully ignorant that we live in a world of us or them. It doesn't even know who "us" is...
Click here to continue reading Pat Buchanan's column

Chris Matthews Eviscerates Neocon Frank Gaffney: "4,000 People Are Dead Because Of The Way You Feel" (VIDEO)

Patrick's comment: This neo-con can't see reality. His kind of thinking is what drove me away from the Republican Party.

David Latt Cheney Taunts Bush, Pardon Me or Else

With his ABC interview Vice President Dick Cheney put a smoking gun on the table. ...

Patrick's comment: I'm rooting for "or else."

Glenn Greenwald

• Senate report links Bush to detainee homicides; media yawns
• • Salon Radio: Retired Rear Adm. John Hutson on torture
  • More Glenn Greenwald Radio
  • 
    
  • Cheney Admits Central Role In Torture For First Time
• • 
    • | Dick Cheney»

  
  

Iraqi Throws Shoes At Bush During Press Conference (VIDEO)(SLIDESHOW)

Movie Recommendation

Slumdog Millionaire - Trailer -

New York Times Blogs

'Slumdog Millionaire' Tense And Witty Tale Of Human Tragedy - Dec 12, 2008 "Slumdog Millionaire" is an emotional roller coaster, a "ticking clock" thriller, a tragic-comic blend of the modern and the ancient. ... Patrick's comment: I liked this movie a lot. Very engaging plot, very likable lead characters, lots of suspense, danger, true love, and an underdog beating the odds. Set in India. Rated "R" (for violence) but should be PG13.

For a laugh

Faith-Based TV-Repair Shop Severely Backed Up 90802 http://www.theonion.com/content/files/radionews/05-205_Faith_Based_TV_Repair_Sun.mp3 Sun, Dec 07 2008 faith_based_tv_repair_shop

White House Séance Fails To Contact Spirit Of Ronald Reagan Sat, Dec 06 2008

White House Séance Fails To Contact Spirit Of Ronald Reagan 90801 http://www.theonion.com/content/files/radionews/05-203_White_House_Seance_sat.mp3 Sat, Dec 06 2008 white_house_seance_fails_to

Pro & Con re: the auto makers bailout idea

A conservative website (www.campaignforliberty.com) posted this:

After the House of Representatives rubberstamped a $15 billion bailout package for Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler in a 237-170 mostly party line vote, bailout proceedings croaked in the Senate last night.

See Ron Paul tear the bailout’s mask off during a speech on the House floor on Wednesday and expose it for what it really is. (See video at the top of the page)


A more liberal website posted a different perspective:
Joe Conason on the Auto Crisis
"Dangerous Bias Against Detroit" -- Nearly every current poll shows that most Americans oppose federal assistance to the auto industry, but legislators should also consider how voters would feel if the nation suffered the full consequences of a cratering auto industry—and if those voters then found out that the facts were not quite what they seemed to be.

• 12 fun facts about 'A Christmas Story'

Public Policy

A Majority of Evangelicals and Catholics Are “Completely Pro-Life”
by Ron Sider

A recent national poll shows that a majority of both white evangelicals and Catholics support the kind of pro-life and pro-poor, pro-family and pro-peace and creation care that ESA has been promoting for decades. Read more.

Before Signing Freedom of Choice
by Angela Kays-Burden

During his campaign, President-Elect Obama declared that “no one is pro-abortion.” He spoke about the necessity to reduce the number of abortions in our country. It is a contradiction of these values for President-Elect Obama to carry through on his commitment to sign the Freedom of Choice Bill as his first presidential act. The bill will strip states of their authority to exercise any limits on abortion law and will over-ride any federal, state, or local law that interferes with abortion as an absolute right. The legislation is projected to result in an additional 125,000 abortions each year. By continuing to focus the debate on abortion access, Freedom of Choice takes federal authority too far and provides only an illusion of victory. Read more.

Gov. Blagojevich Plea Bargain

Pro-Life — And In Favor Of Keeping Abortion Legal

Frank Schaeffer's parents were best-selling authors who were instrumental in linking the evangelical community with the anti-abortion movement. But after helping to organize religious fundamentalists politically, Schaeffer had a crisis of faith and a change of heart.

Patrick's comment: I liked this National Public Radio interview very much. I'm currently reading his book "Crazy for God." I used to be a big fan of his father's books and films (which Frank, then known as Franky, produced). But, like Frank, I have grown disillusioned with the Religious Right. It's not that I've become "pro-abortion" or turned away from God or Jesus. It's because the spirit of the movement seemed to evolve into something more political and mean-spirited than what Jesus called his followers to be.

The born conspiracy

Sanity was nowhere to be found at the press conference held by the alarmists who believe Obama is not a U.S. citizen

By Mike Madden

Rod Blagojevich Indictment: The Damage He Could Do

AP/M. Spencer Green

Huffington Post's Sam Stein: The arrest this morning of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has sparked intense discussion in the political universe over how great a taint his ethical follies will have both on the next Illinois Senator and Barack Obama. The governor, accused of seeking cash for the political appointment of Obama's Senate replacement, is not a close associate of the President-elect. Indeed, in the affidavit, Blagojevich called Obama a "m**********er" for wanting him to appoint an official that the governor either did not like or wouldn't receive money from. Local news reports, meanwhile, suggest that it was Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel who blew the whistle on the governor. But the fact that Blagojevich put, in essence, a for-sale sign on Obama's Senate seat -- and some of the lengths he went to in order to extract financial benefit from the process -- could create for long-term damage for the Democratic Party and, by extension the President-elect. Click here to read more.

Muslims Speak Out

Raheel Raza Hasan Mahmud Tarek Fatah Linda Ahmed Edip Yuksel Thomas Haidon Khalim Massoud

Santa not welcome in Daytona Beach

Naughty or Nice?

December 2, 2008

Daytona Beach, Florida, has banned Santa Claus. City officials say they will fine shop owner Sheila LaBosco if she allows a man dressed as Santa to hand out candy canes on the sidewalk outside her store, since he would violate city laws against "animated signs."

Breaking: Obama unveils 21st Century New Deal
Politico.com: Politics '08 – Sat Dec 6, 6:30 am EDT

Prohibition and the Drug War

• The Lessons of Prohibition
  Repeal Day drives home the folly of the Drug War Radley Balko

Justice may be catching up with O.J.

Simpson Sentenced To 15 Years... Developing...

Patrick's comment: This video of O.J. apologizing in court should be used by defense attorneys to train their guilty clients how to appear contrite.

But, I confess, after watching his trial for a double murder years ago, I couldn't help but believe that he was guilty. So, pardon me for feeling some satisfaction in this sentence for a more recent crime.

Ron Goldman's Dad: It’s great knowing that [he's] going to jail...

Eugene Robinson on Bush's Mistakes
"Bush the Infallible" -- Remember that long-ago news conference when George W. Bush couldn’t think of any mistakes he had made? Unbelievably, he still can’t.

Patrick's comment: A psychology prof at a University I attended used to say, "Man is not rational, he is rationalizing." Hey, Dr Sickles! Here's exhibit A!

Could somebody please have Mr. Almost Ex-President give me a call? I can help him with the answer to that question.

Sean Hannity: tough talk, no wisdom

Andrew Sullivan posted the following:

Rick Warren Backs Assassination Of Foreign Leaders

He gives a religious blessing to murder:

Last night, on Fox News, Sean Hannity insisted that United States needs to "take out" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Warren said he agreed. Hannity asked, "Am I advocating something dark, evil or something righteous?" Warren responded, "Well, actually, the Bible says that evil cannot be negotiated with. It has to just be stopped.... In fact, that is the legitimate role of government. The Bible says that God puts government on earth to punish evildoers. Not good-doers. Evildoers."

Comment from Patrick:
Rick should have told Sean that it's time he took a vow of silence so he might rethink his Bushite philosophy of world affairs.

Proverbs 10:14
Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

If all evildoers should be assassinated, I'd say a couple of our own had better duck.

I don't think Sean Hannity or Rick Warren understand the real situation in Iran. Ahmadinejad is not in control of the country or the military in Iran. The top position belongs to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The fact that Ahmadinejad has said inflammatory things about Israel and the Holocaust is not a good reason to assassinate him. I've read that his popularity is fading in Iran, and that more moderate voices may prevail. Killing Ahmadinejad would only insure that moderates in Iran will lose influence and that the extremists will be more powerful. We should negotiate with Iranian leaders, using "carrot and a stick" diplomacy. If they will promise to be nice, we should reward them with trade deals, etc. We don't need another war.

WalMart deserves to be sued

How trampling death may change Black Friday

From Amnesty International

Even before they’re charged with a crime, Bush has the power to prevent any criminal investigation into the activities of Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Gonzales and others whose behavior raises serious questions.

Send a message to President Bush telling him you oppose preemptive pardons for torture.

We must make it clear that preemptive pardons aimed at letting high-ranking officials escape accountability for undermining the Constitution and violating the law go against American values of justice and due process.

America's renewal depends on a recommitment to human rights. That recommitment must come during the first 100 days, or we risk losing this opportunity. That's why we need you to register TODAY to participate in our 100 days events and our inaugural day of action.

Here are our ambitious goals for the first 100 days:
1. A timeline for closure of Guantanamo
2. An executive order banning torture
3. An independent inquiry into abuses committed in the “war on terror”

Our strategy to make this happen hinges upon volunteers like you. We know grassroots organizing works.

From Religion & Ethics News Weekly

Religious Tensions in India
Islamist militants are claiming responsibility for the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which killed nearly 200 people and wounded 300. In the aftermath of the violence, many analysts are predicting a backlash against India's minority Muslims by radical Hindu groups, increasing long-standing religious tensions....

Kim Lawton is joined by Timothy Shah...for a studio discussion about the central role religion played in the Mumbai attacks and the potential political-religious consequences.

The Growth of Chabad
...Chabad Houses serve as a home-away-from-home for many Jews. Usually run by young couples — more than 4,000 worldwide — these centers offer a welcoming place for Jewish visitors where they can celebrate Hanukkah, Passover or weekly Shabbat dinners. Now, with the recent death of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka who were killed last week during massive terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Hasidism rooted in 1700 Eastern Europe, is garnering renewed attention...

In this report updated from its original broadcast in 2002, Kim Lawton talks with emissaries of this movement...about their mission to bring Jews back to their sacred traditions. “We should usher in this age when godliness will be revealed to all, and the struggle between good and evil will cease,” explains Rabbi Harlig. “So we look at our goal of bringing Jews closer so that they should fulfill the mission as one of the ways we could hasten . . . the coming of the Messiah.”

Comment from Patrick:
As a Christian, I believe in the coming of the Messiah too. But I believe his future coming will be the return of Jesus. I look forward to that day when there will be no more killing in the name of religion, and no more wars between nations. We live in a violence-weary world; but I'm afraid we haven't seen the end of it yet.

The short, disgusting life of the Hummer
As General Motors tells Congress it is weighing the fate of the gas guzzler, Salon.com compiles a scrapbook. Enjoy these proud moments in Hummer history.
By Katharine Mieszkowski

Related Stories

Detroit revs up its bailout begging

On bended knee, and with promises to retool their operations, the Big Three ask Congress for billions to save the auto industry. They might get it this time.

By Mike Madden

Detroit isn't dead yet

As Washington clashes over a Big Three bailout, it's ignoring the best cure to the automakers' ills: Universal healthcare.

By Edward McClelland

Is Detroit worth saving?

The U.S. is gung-ho on rescuing the automakers. But the bailout better have major strings attached.

By Joseph Romm

From Amnesty International

	Soon after thousands of caring people wrote letters on Sami al-Hajj's behalf during last year's Global Write-a-Thon, he was released from Guantanamo Bay prison. Below is a message from Sami to you.

		Dear Friends, I was detained for more than six years by the U.S. government, primarily in the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. In late 2001, I was a journalist with the news agency al-Jazeera, assigned to cover the war in Afghanistan. While on that assignment, I was detained at the border of Pakistan- Afghanistan, and transferred to U.S. custody. I found that I had entered into a nightmare that would claim six years of my life and place great hardship on my family. Fortunately, Amnesty International and other organizations called attention to my case and campaigned on my behalf. In December last year, my case was featured in Amnesty’s Global Write-a-thon. A few months later, I was released from Guantanamo in May 2008 without any charges. I received more than 20,000 letters from members and supporters of Amnesty International. I received letters from all over the world. These letters really encouraged me during my very difficult time. They made me feel as though I was not alone and not to give up. Some people sent me songs, others poetry. I felt as though people had not forgotten me through these letters and I felt something change in my life for the better from these letters.	Sami al-Hajj, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee was released soon after being featured in the 2007 Global Write-a-thon.
		Also, I could notice that the administration of Guantanamo Bay began treating me better, as they knew I had people who cared about me. The guards said to me that they could see I was someone who mattered and must be important because of all the letters – this made them respect me more. These letters led me to think about human rights: Why would all of these people write to me, a stranger, and want to help and encourage me? Why would these people who are from a different country, religion, race – everything – want to work on my behalf, wish good things for me and ask that I be released? This made me decide to work for human rights and to help people upon my release. I hope, God willing, to continue this work for all of my life. I ask you to join Amnesty’s Global Write-a-thon and help make a difference in the lives of people who are facing great adversity. Prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders risk their own freedom to fight for the rights of all. They deserve our support. Join our Global Write-a-thon. Your actions can make a difference. Believe me, I know. Thank you again to Amnesty International and to all of those who wrote and encouraged me during my hard time. Sincerely, Sami al Hajj 2007 Write-a-thon case Former Guantanamo Bay detainee P.S. The full contents of Sami al-Hajj's letter can be found on our website. This version was modified for the purposes of this email.