Saturday, January 31, 2009

Congress Gives Itself a $93,000 Per Member Raise

Everyone is cutting back, politicians are telling corporations to trim back, the President is telling the Pentegon to cut 10% plus, and Congress ... is giving themselves a raise. How much, $93,000 worth. We are in the middle of a recession. With everyone from your grandmother to the military feeling the pinch, now probobly is not the best time for each member of Congress to get another $93,000 of spending money.

Video embedded below. (From http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/01/its-recession-congress-gives-lawmakers.html)

Pentagon Ordered to Cut Budget by 10%

Obama has asked the Pentagon to trim their budget by 55 billion dollars. That is a cut of a bit over 10%. Last years budget was 512 billion dollars. Despite two on going wars and a war on terrorism, there is likely some money that could be cut from the defense budget. It seems hard to believe though that the budget is 10% worthless products. Given the choice between a seemingly useless defense program and most of the pork stuffed in the bailout package (now though to cost over one trillion dollars), I would pick the defense project every time. Right now it seems they are looking at weapons programs to take the brunt of the cuts. Lets just hope that this does not come back to bite us.

More at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/30/defense-official-obama-calling-defense-budget-cuts and http://hotair.com/archives/2009/01/31/a-10-cut-at-the-pentagon.

Update (2/2/2009):
Budget not actually cut but increase (Berman Post: Pentagon Budget to Increase by 8%).

Michael Phelps Caught Smoking Cannabis?

Fourteen time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps may have just been caught smoking cannabis. The full size picture at the heart of this can be seen at http://extras.newsoftheworld.co.uk/downloads/phelps_big_0102.jpg. Assuming it is him (which does not seem to be in question), he appears to smoking a glass pipe. Those kind of pipes are generally used to smoke cannabis, but could be used for other things as well. Making things look even worse, a spokesman tired to make a deal to prevent the publishing of the picture. Obviously, it was all in vain.

As bad as things look, Phelps has passed over 1,500 drug tests thus far. Given that impressive track record, he should be given the benefit of the doubt. If this does prove to be true, it will be a dark day for sports when the arguably greatest athlete in modern Olympic history his caught doing drugs.


http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/150832/14-times-Olympic-gold-medal-winner-Michael-Phelps-caught-with-bong-cannabis-pipe.html

"... when a student offered him the glass bong engraved with red writing, he did not hesitate, says our source.

The 6ft 4ins athlete, in a white T-shirt and navy cap worn back to front, clasped the device in his huge hands and inhaled deeply.

Our source said: “You could tell Michael had smoked before. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and knew exactly what to do.

“He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits.
"

Friday, January 30, 2009

Brian Williams - "Obama is The First non 'Choice of Evils' For 'Generations'"

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams said that "...Our new chief executive after a line of what the ordinary voter would maybe describe as bad choices or choices of evils, for years, generations.". He said this on the Late Show, but it did not seem like he was kidding. Watch and decide for yourself.


Video embedded below. (From http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2009/01/28/brian-williams-obama-first-non-choice-evils-generations)

Erdogan Walks Off Stage After Peres Speaks

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, walks of stage after Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke at the World Economic Forum. The Forum took place in Davos, Switzerland.

David Ignatius of the Washington Post was the moderator of the discussion on Gaza. The video is of the entire discussion and it runs for well over an hour. Each features speaker got to speak once with Peres going last (his comments start just before minute 40). Peres gives an impassioned speech worth watching. After he was done Erdogan wanted another turn. He was given a few minutes, but it was not enough for him and when he was cut off he walked off the stage.

No permanent damage appears to have been done to the relations between Israel and Turkey. Both are downplaying the incident.

Video embedded below. (From http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/32599_Video-_Turkish_PM_Lashes_Out_at_Israeli_President_Shimon_Peres_Walks_Off_Stage.)

Michael Steele Voted Republican National Committee Chairman

It took six votes, but Michael Steele was voted Republican National Committee Chairman. The final vote was 91 for Steele and 77 for Dawson. He is the first African American RNC Chairman. Effectively, this means that we have a black man in charge of each major American political party (Obama for the Democrats and Steele for the Republicans). Is he the right man for the job. From what I know of him I think he is. His first test is going to be the bailout, and it is coming up fast. Let us see what he can do.

Watch his acceptance speech.

Video embedded below.




More at http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE50T6JU20090130?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true, http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/01/steele_elected_rnc_chair.html, and http://ace.mu.nu/archives/282039.php.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

"A Fish Barrier Sounds to me Like a Dam"

How would you defend charges of waist full spending in the bailout package? Answer, not like this ... (just watch the tape).

Video embedded below. (From http://ace.mu.nu/archives/282022.php)

Video - "Did You Know?"

My mother emailed my this video which I thought was interesting. Without having researched it, there do seem to be few errors; namely the number of words in the English language and how long until a computer reaches human level intelligence. Still, it is interesting enough to justify a post.

Video embedded below.

Obama - You Can Not Keep Your Homes Heated to 72 Degrees ... But I Can

Back in may Obama said, "We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen,". Obama was speaking over the concern of Global Warming and energy use. The idea is that everyone should turn down the thermostat to help the environment and reduce our fuel consumption. Everyone apparently, except Obama himself.

"The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.

“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”
"

Hot enough to grow orchids sounds warmer than 72 degrees to me. It is not the actions I have a problem with, it is the hypocrisy. People should live what they preach. It is a little funny when you think about it, Bush was better for the environment and our energy independence as far as the Oval Office is conserned then Obama is.

More info at and source is http://hotair.com/archives/2009/01/29/the-age-of-obama-heat-for-me-but-not-for-thee.


Update (1/31/2009): Video added from http://amyproctor.squarespace.com/blog/2009/1/30/obama-on-environment-do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do.html.

Video embedded below.

Blagojevich Was Removed From Office

The State Senate unanimously voted to remove governor Blagojevich from office today. The vote was 59-0. Blagojevich spoke first for about 45 minutes professing his innocents, but it was all in vain. The outcome was never really in doubt, but the vote count itself was unknown. They also voted that Blagojevich will never hold public office in the state of Illinois.

More at http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/01/blagojevich-to-give-impeachment-speech-in-a-few-hours.html, http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090129/D9613M9O0.html, and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28894427.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

John Ridley - "Just by Virtue his Being, Obama is America. The First True American to Lead Our Nation."

Apparently, Obama "Quite simply, quite plainly, just by virtue his being, Obama is America. The first true American to lead our nation." (http://kcet.org/socal/2009/01/commentary-10.html).

Video embedded below.

Flare Up in Gaza

That did not take long. Not that many people were holding their breath.

Terrorist from Gaza detonated a road side bomb on Israel's side of the Gaza boarder and are launching rockets into Israel. At least one IDF soldier has died from the attack. In response, Israel launched an air strike aimed at destroying a smuggling tunnel (between Gaza and Egypt). The IDF also appeared to have launched a minor incursion into Gaza to get the people responsible.

More at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1059457.html, http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96048R80&show_article=1, and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123312439825923565.html.

On a related note, IDF soldiers and officials are being warned not to travel to certain countries for fear of arrest and prosecution. What other country has to deal with this; a Western Democracy no less? I wonder what would happen if a senior Hamas leader when to visit those countries; probobly nothing.

More at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4323980/Israel-warns-soldiers-of-prosecution-abroad-for-Gaza-war-crimes.html.

Stimulus (Bailout) Passes The House

The bailout has passed in the House. The vote was 244 for and 188 against (roll call at http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2009&rollnumber=46). Not a single Republican voted in favor of the bill. Eleven Democrats joined the Republicans, but the Democratic numeric superiority in the House was sufficient to pass it by a margin of almost 60 regardless. If the bailout passes the Senate as well, the Republicans are going to turn this into an albatross and hang it around the Democrat's necks. If the bill passes the Senate in the same fashion, the Democrats truly do own this. No amount of media spin can turn "no Republican votes" into "bipartisan effort". If the bill falls flat and the economy does not turn around, the Democrats could take a sizable hit in the midterm elections.

For a nice rundown of some of the ridicules spending; projects that seem like such a waste of money that they seem to beg a name change for the bill from stimulus or bailout to pork, head over to http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/28/stimulus-stupidity-alert-460000coast-guard-job-15-bil-carbon-capturing-contest-more and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310466514522309.html.

The NRSC had already put out an ad called Trillion to go after Harry Reid as well as the bailout.

Video embedded below.




Here is Pelosi celebrating the bill being past.

Video embedded below.




More at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012800196.html?hpid=topnews, http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/28/gop-holds-the-line-244-188-this-crap-sandwich-is-all-yours-dems, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us/politics/29obama.html?ref=us, and http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/01/pelosi-dems-start-celebrating-trillion.html.

Obama Tries to Enter The Oval Office Through a Window

President Obama tried to enter the Oval office today, through a window. He apparently got confused as to the location of the door, located a few feet to the right, and thought the window was the door.

Now, I do not really think much of this. People make mistakes, especially when they are getting used to a new location. What will be interesting here is how this makes the rounds on the networks; or if it does not.

Do you remember what they did to Bush when he tried to leave through a door that was locked? If I remember correctly, that was the first time Bush had ever been their and at least it was a door. Obama has been in the White House for more than a week and he went for a window. Still, the good money would be on the media making a bigger deal out of the Bush mistake then they will for Obama's.

More at http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/28/2009-01-28_hey_bam_thats_not_the_door.html.

WhatTheFOCA.com

WhatTheFOCA.com? This may become the rallying cry of Pro-Life groups fighting against the Freedom of Choice Act. It was started by the Students for Life of Illinois. The Freedom of Choice Act would essentially eliminate all state restrictions on abortion. Obama promised to sign the bill should it reach his desk during his campaign.

Obama has already repealed the Mexico City Policy (Berman Post: Obama Repeals Mexico City Policy) and has not given any indications that he has changed his mind about FOCA since he made his initial pledge. If Congress try to pass FOCA, expect a massive cultural war backlash led by groups like these. Not violent mind you, but protests, marches, and rallies galore.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Obamicon.me (ObamiconMe.PasteMagazine.com)

Obamicon.me (redirects to ObamiconMe.PasteMagazine.com) is a website which lets you turn one of your photos into a picture resembling Shepard Fairey's iconic poster of Obama. Along with the color changes, you can add a message across the bottom. At the site you can look at images other people have created along with commenting and rating them. You can also order custom merchandise with the pictures.

Obama Chooses Al-Arabiya For First TV Interview

For his first formal television interview since taking office, Obama chose the TV network Al-Arabiya. It may take a few days to fully digest the conversation and its impact. In the mean time, you can read the interview.

For the full transcript head over to http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/01/27/65087.html#004. Do not bother looking for a transcript at WhiteHouse.gov because apparently they are purposely omitting press briefing transcripts (http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/01/new_transparent_whitehousegov.asp).

SarahPAC.com

Sarah Palin has just launched SarahPAC.com. It is "Dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation.".

What does this really show, that Sarah Palin is not going away. Despite being on the loosing side of the Presidential ticket (as the VP candidate), she is determined to try and guide American policy to ensure prosperity and safety.

How much influence can the Republican Governor of Alaska have on the majority Democrat government? Looks like we are about to find out.

Egyptian Cleric Wishes For a Second Holocaust by Muslim Hands

An Egyptian Cleric went on TV to wish for a second Holocaust, "Allah Willing, At the Hand of The Muslims". The source of the video has a good breakdown of it, but I will give you the quick rundown.

First four and a half minutes - Vile revisionist history condemning the Jews and blaming them for all the ills of humanity pre-WWII.

Next three minutes - shows pictures of the destruction of Germany cause by the Allies and Soviets, while blaming the destruction on the Jews. This leads into the Germans taking their revenge on the Jews.

The next four minutes - shows pictures of the Holocaust taking particular glee in the humiliation of the Jews while explaining how it was justified.

The last minute and a half - explaining a life lesson for people to know about Jews, namely that they are born sneaky and untrustworthy.

Video embedded below. (From http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/01/muslim-council-of-britain-boycotts-holocaust-memorial-day-again-.html)
Warning - Extremely Graphic Content

Birth Control Cut From Bailout, ACORN Funds Still There

Yesterday we reported on and criticized Family Planning Services being included in the bailout bill (Berman Post: Pelosi - "Family Planning Services Reduce Cost"). Today there are reports that the Family Planning Services have been removed from the bill.

Money which could go to fund ACORN is still there. Republicans see this as a pay of to liberal constituents. What this does not seem like is any sort of stimulus.

More at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/26/house-leaders-axe-family-planning-funds-stimulus and http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/27/republican-leaders-raise-concerns-acorn-stimulus-dollars.

Biden Apologized to Roberts For His Remark

Last week, Biden poked fun at Robers over the oath snafu (Berman Post: Biden Pokes Fun at Roberts, Obama Not Amused). Obama was visibly not amused. Now, Biden has apologized. This is according to a spokesman for Biden, Supreme Court official did not comment.

More at http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/27/1763209.aspx.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Video - "I Pledge" And a Parody

Just like anti-war groups that seem to change their tune based on the party in office, I have little respect for Hollywood actors that do the same. That is why I did not bother to post the original until I saw the parody.

Real video first then parody.

Videos embedded below. (Real from http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/breitbart/2009/01/19/where-were-you-celebrities-after-911 and fake from http://buzzkillcomedy.com/index.php/2009/01/26/the-pledge-for-obama-and-america-part-2.)

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge





Update (1/28/2009): Another video parody of sorts, this one by Alfonzo Rachel.

Video embedded below. (From http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/arachel/2009/01/28/the-pledge)




Update (1/29/2009):
Pledge broken already?
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/breitbart/2009/01/29/have-ashton-kutcher-and-demi-moore-already-broken-the-celebrity-pledge-of-servitude-to-president-obama

Operation Cast Lead (Aftermath)

I promised a final thoughts post on Operation Cast Lead, and here it is.

What did we see from Operation Cast Lead? To start, there is only so much Israel will take. Constant rocket and mortar attacks for eight years and Israel might just respond with overwhelming force. Well, more like if you fire 300 plus rockets at Israel in a week then you will provoke a response. So far, not a good start. The problem here is that if you are perceived to sit idly by for years and the munitions fall on your cities and neighborhoods, when you finally do respond people will ask why now. This really is not a fair question, but hopefully Israel will use it as some encouragement to respond in a more timely manner.

Moving past the response time, let us delve into the response itself. In what I believe is a military first; Israel text messaged, and left voice mail messages, for the people who would be within blast range of their air strikes. That is on top of the leaflets they drop. What other country has ever sent a message essentially saying; we know that there are either terrorists or munitions in your home so you have ten minutes to leave before we blow it up. The point is to reduce civilian casualties, but the effect is also to give terrorists and their supporters ten minutes to evacuate themselves and whatever munitions they can carry. Israel was also very careful to use as little a bomb as possible as well as adjusting the angle of approach to cut down on collateral damage. Does Israel get any credit for the amazing amount of work they put in to this effort to reduce unintended casualties? Nope, they are instead accused of trying to commit genocide. You would think that this would teach them a lesson. That there is no reason to put in all this effort to save civilians forcing you to put your own forces in danger. But it will not. That is because Israel does not do all of that for public opinion, they do it because they genuinely do not want innocent people to die.

Think about this. When Israel conquered Gaza from Egypt, the population was around 300,000. Now the population is around 1.4 million. This is against the backdrop of a very small geographic area (Gaza) and one of the strongest military forces on the plant (Israel). A 400%+ increase in population in 40 years is either the most ineffective attempt at a genocide in the history of man, or proof that Israel really does not want all the residents of Gaza to die. You can make up your own mind.

Israel has shown an impressive ability to kill terrorists without killing all of the human shields they surround themselves with. Again, you would think public opinion regarding those deaths would be different then it actually is. In my view, if someone uses a human shield then they are responsible if that person dies. Not here, that dead civilian is just more proof that Israel is trying to commit genocide. For those that actually believe that, I refer you back to the above paragraph.

On the down side, Israel is also starting to show an unwillingness to complete the mission. Where is the captured IDF soldier that was taken two years ago? Why not break the back of Hamas when you have them on the ropes? Why not obliterate all of the tunnels? There are of course, no real good answers. Israel estimated that it destroyed 80% of the tunnels. The translation and unfortunate reality is that 20% of the tunnels Hamas started the war with are up and running smuggling weapons into Gaza.

I have seen conflicting reports about rockets and mortars fired from Gaza into Israel. It seems safe to say that the trickle of rockets into Israel has, or at least soon will, continue. I doubt Hamas will fire the same numbers at Israel they did before Operation Cast Lead, if only because they do not have enough rockets. Once they do rearm, and have no doubt that they will. They have recent memory to act as a deterrent. The problem is that structural damage is really not that much of a deterrent to a group of people who want to die for their g-d while taking as many Jews with them as possible. You can not deter a group of people who have intertwined their religion with your destruction. Did Israel present enough of a deterrent to the people of Gaza to have them deal with Hamas? That is what Israel has to hope. Unfortunately, my money is on another massive flair up at some point in the not so distant future. In this sense Israel has bought themselves some time, but they have not ensured lasting security from Gaza.

Israel was justified in the actions it took, but they failed to go far enough. Hamas will relax their onslaught for a time, but they will rearm and try again. This was just another sad chapter in a sad story of a people under constant persecution who seem unable to go a generation without facing an enemy bent on their annihilation (the Jews), in a region that has seen almost unending war throughout history (the Middle East). It will not be the final chapter, nor will it be a turning point for either.

The operation is over, but public opinion onslaught against Israel remains. Here is a collection of recent videos to prove the point.

Videos embedded below.

From http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/23/60minutes/main4749723.shtml?source=mostpop_story.




From http://tedekeroth.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/arabist-attacker-peaceful-pro-israeli-demonstration.






From http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/01/germany-jews-out-germans-out-allahu-akbar-fk-off-jewskick-the-jews-out-burn-the-jew.html. Translations available at the aforementioned site (Jews out, Germans out, allahu akbar, f***k off Jews, kick the Jews out, burn the Jew).






Head to http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/32564_Video-_Carter_Says_Trust_Hamas for another video with Carter.


Past Post on Operation Cast Lead (from first to last):
Berman Post: Israel Bombs Hamas
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Two)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Three)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Four)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Five)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Six)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Seven)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Eight)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Nine)
Berman Post: Protest Against Israel in Union Square (NYC)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Ten)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Eleven)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twelve)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Thirteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Fourteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Fifteen)
Berman Post: Anti-Israel Protest inTime Square NYC
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Sixteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Seventeen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Eighteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Nineteen)
Berman Post: Iron Dome (IronDomeGame.com)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-One)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Two)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Three)
Berman Post: Anti-Israel Protest in Union Square (NYC)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Four)

BermanPost.com Blocked Because of ... Illegal Drugs?!?

A cousin emailed me to say that he had tried to access the Berman Post website and was blocked by the school software.

This was the message he got:
"Blocked Website
Your access to the website http://www.bermanpost.com/ was blocked for
the following reason:
Blocked Content Analysis: Illegal Drugs
"

I am guessing it has something to do with the post on the Obama brand heroin (http://www.bermanpost.com/2009/01/obama-heroin-brand.html). Whatever the reason, it is rather bizarre that my cousin's school software thinks that this some sort of a drug trafficking website.

Pelosi - "Family Planning Services Reduce Cost"

Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House, Democrat) said on ABC News that family planning services reduce cost. That was her defense of to the questioning if hundreds of millions of dollars toward those services included in the bailout package were justified. Besides the philosophical notion of considering a person a net drain on the economy (which I believe as a general notion to be a fallacy), there is also the matter of immediacy. The bailout (or stimulus as they would like to call it) is supposed to have near immediate effect; the first few months. Even if you believe children to be a net loss, the failure of contraceptive will not result in that economy draining child for nine months. Even then, how much of a drain can a tiny child be? It seems pretty clear that the money, if they are so intent on spending it, can be spent in a better way. Obama has backed away from Pelosi's comments saying that it was not his idea.

Video embedded below. (From http://www.wjno.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=244038&article=4898130.)




More at http://drudgereport.com/flashpbc.htm and http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=42546.

Obesity Virus

New research suggests that airborne germ (adenovirus) could be causing obesity in people. It furthers that up to a third of the current obese people living in England could have become that way as a result of this virus. The virus is known as AD-36. What does this mean? If you are sitting on a plane next to an over weight gentleman with a cough, you may end up contracting this disease. It does not mean you are going to gain a significant amount of weight, but it does make you more susceptible to gain it.

More at http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/81810.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Obama Heroin Brand

Obama's name and/or image has appeared on a tremendous amount of products. Now, that list of products includes Heroin. This is probably not something that you would put on your shelf to pass down as a family heirloom. It looks like even the drug dealers are getting swept up in the Hope and Change.

More at http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0123091obama1.html.

Chesley Sullenberger Speaks

In his first public comments since saving the lives of over 150 people, Chesley Sullenberger was brief. He spoke for less than 30 seconds and was as humble as one could possibly be. In the video his wife speaks first. This man truly is a hero.

Video embedded below. (From http://hotair.com/archives/2009/01/24/video-most-popular-man-in-america-finally-speaks)




Related past posts:
Berman Post: Airbus Crash Lands in The Hudson River
Berman Post: Videos of The Airbus Crash Landing in to The Hudson River

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Harry Reid - Tax System Is Voluntary

Here is an interesting interview in which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat) says that the United States tax system is voluntary. As I understand it, the video is not one taken recently, but seems relevant even now.

Video embedded below. (From http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/01/harry_reid_tax_system_is_volun.php.)

Liberal Groups Condemn Obama's Air Strike ... Just Kidding

In the wake of Obama's first ordered air strike into Pakistan (Berman Post: Obama’s First Airstrike?), liberal groups have been out in force condemning the unnecessary use of violence, the disproportional force applied, the provocative action, and the killing of innocent civilians. Just kidding, they have been totally silent on the matter. If I was a cynical person I might point out how their definition's seem to change based on the party that is in office. Surly though, they must just be working on a very harshly worded statement to present to Obama.

EnvironmentalRepublican.blogspot.com has a nice rundown on the total lack of action from the left at http://environmentalrepublican.blogspot.com/2009/01/predator-strikes-under-obama-much-like.html. More satire over at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2170950/posts?page=6#6.

Geert Wilders to be Prosecuted

Geert Wilders, who is leader of the Freedom Party (Netherlands), will be prosecuted for inciting discrimination and hate speech. Wilders considers himself as a sort of Paul Revere, trying to wake up the Dutch to the mass infiltration and danger to their society from radical Islam. Among his warning cries is a movie called Fitna which you can watch at the bottom of this post.

More at http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024547.php.

Video embedded below. (From http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/01/support-geert-wilders.html.)

Content Warning - Extremely Graphic

BlackBerry One

Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry. He has been upset at the thought that he would have to part with his trusty devise because of security concerns. Not to worry, Obama's BlackBerry got a special encryption package to keep everything secure.

More at http://crackberry.com/president-obama-still-using-his-blackberry-now.

One Billion Internet Users Now

There are now more then One-Billion internet users according to comScore.com (http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2696). China has the most users with almost 180 million. The United States is second with a little over 163 million users. Japan comes up third with 60 million.

Not everyone agrees with their assessment. Last June, Internet World Stats said there were just under 1.5 billion users.

More at http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=851.

Friday, January 23, 2009

War On Terror Over?

Did Obama end the war on terror? Not really, but he has/is fundamentally altering the way in which it is being fought on our side. It is way to early to figure out if the changes will be beneficial, but it is hard to argue against a track record of 100% success rate since 9/11 by the Bush administration. One thing is certain, in making these alteration, Obama is assuming responsibility if the United States is hit under his watch. There will be no arguing, "no one could have stopped this, or this would have happened regardless of who was in office" because Obama is changing the policies in place now. Let me rephrase that; if we are hit again Obama supporters will say those things, but the truth will be inescapable. The truth being that we were kept safe with the Bush policies and are not safe with the new ones. Of course I hope that Obama's methods are just as effective as Bush's were, but if they are not the blame will rest squarely with the Obama administration.

More on the policy changes on http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/22/AR2009012203929.html?hpid=topnews.

Obama’s First Airstrike?

A missile fired into Pakistan, likely from a UAV, killed more then a dozen people. This is belied to be the first strike into Pakistan ordered by Obama. The real significance of the strike is that it is of the same vein as Bush. This is not the "change we can believe in", but you will not find me complaining. That is an area that should not be changed. If we know where the terrorists are, and can hit them (without serious repercussions), we should; very simple concept.

More at http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090123/D95T436O0.html, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5575883.ece, and http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/23/a-few-questions-about-president-obamas-first-airstrike.

Obama Repeals Mexico City Policy

Obama signed an executive order today repealing the so called Mexico City Policy. The policy, first implemented by Regan, removed by Clinton, and then reinstated by G. W. Bush, bans foreign aid groups from promoting abortion if they receive support from the American government.

Pro-Life supporters are understandably going nuts. Essentially, this means that United States tax dollars will go to pay for abortions in foreign countries. All morality issues aside, with hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of dollars going to bail out our economy (or so they say), do we really wanted to be spending more money on foreign abortions right now? I would say no, but no one should be surprised by the move. Obama was very open and honest about what he was going to do if he got elected; for the most part at least. There were a few comments about "above my pay grade", but he was over all consistent that he would repeal this and further sign new legislation to make abortions in the United States easier by removing state restrictions.

More at http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aG675DKCb1zM&refer=us.

Mission1Accomplished.com

The most important job of the President is to keep the American people safe. Mission1Accomplished.com is a site that was set up to let people thank President G. W. Bush for accomplishing mission one, keeping Americans safe since 9/11. It is very simple. Head to the site, click the "Thank you, Mr. President" button, then you can chose to leave a note if you want to. The messages and logs will reportedly be presented to President Bush at the opening of his library a few years from now.

Inauguration Piece by John Williams Was Prerecorded

The musical piece composed by John Williams for Obama's inauguration ceremony and played by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill, was prerecorded. What people heard at home or who were watching on the mall was a tape recorded two days earlier.

The inauguration organizing committee said it was necessary because of weather conditions. NBC was told that this was likely, but apparently not told that it was actually done until after. The Marine Band and choruses were not prerecorded.

I have less of a problem with the prerecording then not telling people. Any musicians out there can weight in, but if some of the best people on their instruments are afraid the weather will change the sound or risk a catastrophic malfunction, I am inclined to believe them.

It also changes the perspective on what happened. Instead of watching Obama be sworn in at the correct time (meaning noon), we were listening to a tape. At least it was a nice tune.

More at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html?_r=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises

Obama made a lot of promises on the campaign trail. PolitiFact.com has been keeping track and set up "The Obameter". "The Obameter" takes all his promises and breaks them down into categories depending on in Obama has taken any action with regards to them.

The site appears to be continuously updates. To see how Obama is doing on his promises at any time, visit http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises.

Obama - "The United States Will Not Torture"

Obama said today that "the United States will not torture" and promised to shut down Guantanamo Bay. No word as to were all the people currently held there are going to be put, but he has some time to figure that out. John Murtha has offered his minimum security prison in Pennsylvania, because he does not think they are dangerous.

I would say if Obama is intent on bringing the terrorist into the United States then he should stick them on Alcatraz. Then again, putting them in the middle of San Francisco would mean Obama would have to break his promise of not torturing.

Video embedded below. (First video from http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-us-will-not-torture-video.html and the second video is from http://amyproctor.squarespace.com/blog/2009/1/22/murtha-ill-take-gitmo-detainees-in-my-districts-minimum-secu.html)



Video - "This Toddler is Sad to See Bush Go Bye Bye"

Am I the only one that is disgusted by the use of children for political attacks like this?

Video embedded below.

Biden Pokes Fun at Roberts, Obama Not Amused

Biden Poked fun at Chief Justice Roberts while he was getting ready to administer an oath to some of the new senior staff for the Obama administration. Check the video. The video shown is not the best quality. Head over to http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/01/vp-biden-pokes.html for a clearer video.

Video embedded below. (From http://kydem.blogspot.com/2009/01/biden-pokes-fun-at-john-roberts.html)

Bank Market Values Then and Now

The numbers surrounding the economic collapse are so large that they are hard to grasp. TigerHawk.blogspot.com has a post over at http://tigerhawk.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-mighty-have-fallen.html with a picture that really lets you see how the values of the worlds largest banks have declined. Head over for the best visual representation I have seen so far.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

President Obama's First Call Was to Abbas

Obama's first call as President of the United States to a foreign leader was to Abbas. Mahmoud Abbas is the President of the Palestinian National Authority (in control of the West Bank). What does it mean? It is to early to tell, but I imagine that Israel is not happy about it.

More at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5563280.ece.

Obama Retakes The Oath of Office

Obama has retaken the Oath of office. Reports say that there were not video cameras present, but that a photograph was taken. No hiccups or missteps from either Obama or Roberts this time around.

There is an interesting philosophical question present here. The 20th Amendment of the US Constitution says that the President and Vice President's terms end at noon. At the same time the President and Vice President elect's terms are supposed to begin. The same amendment says however, if the President elect shall have failed to qualify the the Vice President shall act as president. Biden was sworn in before noon. Obama was not sworn in until a few minutes after. Does that mean that Biden was acting president for a few minutes; maybe. Also, did the botch oath mean that Obama did not qualify until he redid the oath today; probably not.

More at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5562727.ece.


Update (1/22/2009): Obama took his second oath without using a Bible. This is being reported as a first (as in no president has taken the oath without a Bible before). More at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012103685_pf.html.

There was no video, but the audio has been released.

Video embedded below.

Front Pages On January 21, 2009

If you want to see what front pages from around the world looked like the day after Obamas Inauguration, head over to http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?p_size=721. They have 763 front pages from 73 countries.

More on the huge level of news coverage at http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50K6E320090121.

Obama Skips The "Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball"

Obama is the first President to not attend the "Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball" since it began in 1953. That is 14 inaugurations. The Ball honors Medal of Honor recipients. More over at http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=7224.


Update (1/22/2009):
A commenter has suggested that the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball was not held this year. All evidence that I can find points to the contrary. Not only did the ball take place, but 48 Medal of Honor recipients were there. That number represents most of the recipients who were physically able to attend. As another commenter points out, Biden did show up so there had to have been the event. More at http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/01/the-one-blows-o.html.

CatholicVote.com Invokes Obama in Pro-Life Video

CatholicVote.com invokes Obama in a Pro-Life video. Check it out.

Video embedded below.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Honeymoon Over for Obama?

That did not take long. Obama's honeymoon lasted all of a few hours. Now some are pointing out his errors, and there were a couple on his first day in office. http://townhall.com over at http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/01/20/fact_check_obama_goofs_right_off_the_bat points out that "In the third sentence of his inaugural speech Tuesday, the newly sworn-in president said, "Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath."

While there have been 44 presidential administrations, there have been only 43 presidents; Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms in the late 1800s.
"

There is also the swearing in ceremony. I do not know if that counts because I am not sure exactly when Obama became president (if high noon then it would count, if after searing in then probobly not). He stepped on CJ Roberts line, then they both flubbed their way to the end. Kind of comical considering that they are both well educated legal minds who probobly know the oath by heart. Well, when you are standing in in the freezing cold in front of an estimated two-million people with untold numbers watching on TV (no to mention a moment that will likely be replayed forever), who knows how you would react.

Video embedded below.

Inauguration Tech

Wired.com has an interesting article over at http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/01/dayintech_0120 which measures advances in communication by Inaugural Addresses. They start with George Washington and how the only people that could hear the address had to be in earshot and how the message traveled no faster then it did in Roman times. They end with Obama's address being Twittered.

President Obama's Inaugural Address

Here is a video and then the text of President Obama's Inaugural Address. The video starts with Obama's Presidential Oath of Office.

Video embedded below.




http://www.drudgereport.com
http://www.drudgereport.com/flashosi.htm

"REMARKS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Inaugural Address
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Washington, D.C.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
"

Hail to The Chief - Barack Obama

It is now official. Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, and the first African American President. Now it is time for his Inaugural Address. By most accounts, it should be a good one. To paraphrase his daughter; first African American one, it better be good.

There is something really incredible about the peaceful transfer of power. One president willingly hands over the reigns of power to the next president in an unbroken chain stretching back well over two centuries. How many other countries can claim the same; none of the size and scope of the United States of America. It is truly a marvel to behold.

My brother thought that I should mark this occasion with a bunch of other historic firsts for African Americans. More can be found at the sited link below, but these categories seemed enough for this post.

Here is hoping that one day these lists will be disregarded as race is no longer an issue at all. Electing the first black president should go a long way in achieving that goal.

Congratulations President Barack Obama.


http://www.infoplease.com
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html

"

African-American Firsts: Government



  • Local elected official: John Mercer Langston, 1855, town clerk of Brownhelm Township, Ohio.


  • State elected official: Alexander Lucius Twilight, 1836, the Vermont legislature.

  • Mayor of major city: Carl Stokes, Cleveland, Ohio, 1967–1971. The first black woman to serve as a mayor of a major U.S. city was Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly, Washington, DC, 1991–1995.

  • Governor (appointed): P.B.S. Pinchback served as governor of Louisiana from Dec. 9, 1872–Jan. 13, 1873, during impeachment proceedings against the elected governor.

  • Governor (elected): L. Douglas Wilder, Virginia, 1990–1994. The only other elected black governor has been Deval Patrick, Massachusetts, 2007–

  • U.S. Representative: Joseph Rainey became a Congressman from South Carolina in 1870 and was reelected four more times. The first black female U.S. Representative was Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman from New York, 1969–1983.


  • U.S. Senator: Hiram Revels became Senator from Mississippi from Feb. 25, 1870, to March 4, 1871, during Reconstruction. Edward Brooke became the first African-American Senator since Reconstruction, 1966–1979. Carol Mosely Braun became the first black woman Senator serving from 1992–1998 for the state of Illinois. (There have only been a total of five black senators in U.S. history: the remaining two are Blanche K. Bruce [1875–1881] and Barack Obama (2005– ).


  • U.S. cabinet member: Robert C. Weaver, 1966–1968, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Lyndon Johnson; the first black female cabinet minister was Patricia Harris, 1977, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Jimmy Carter.

  • U.S. Secretary of State: Gen. Colin Powell, 2001–2004. The first black female Secretary of State was Condoleezza Rice, 2005–.

  • Major Party Nominee for President: Sen. Barack Obama, 2008. The Democratic Party selected him as its presidential nominee.


  • U.S. President: Sen. Barack Obama, 2008. Obama defeated Sen. John McCain in the general election on Nov. 4, 2008.


African-American Firsts: Law




African-American Firsts: Diplomacy




African-American Firsts: Military





  • Combat pilot: Georgia-born Eugene Jacques Bullard, 1917, denied entry into the U.S. Army Air Corps because of his race, served throughout World War I in the French Flying Corps. He received the Legion of Honor, France's highest honor, among many other decorations.



  • First Congressional Medal of Honor winner: Sgt. William H. Carney for bravery during the Civil War. He received his Congressional Medal of Honor in 1900.


  • General: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., 1940–1948.

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Colin Powell, 1989–1993.
  • "

Monday, January 19, 2009

AlQaeda Dying From Bubonic Plague?

TheSun.co.uk (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2146286.ece)is reporting that at least 40 AlQaeda members have dies from the Bubonic Plague. The disease is treatable, but not with the supplies at AlQaeda camps. This has some senior members worrying that not only could this spread around their members, but could cause some to turn themselves in for treatment.

What has me worried is that they are not blaming this on the Zionists (AlQaeda code word for Jews) or the United States. The fear is that this is a work related accident more commonly associated with when their explosives detonate prematurely. Was/is AlQaeda playing around with the plague to try and use it as a bio weapon? Another thought is that this is a trick by western intelligence sources to get AlQaeda members to surrender for treatment when they really did not need it. If it is for real, this could present a serious problem and start an epidemic across parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

More thoughts over at http://hotair.com/archives/2009/01/19/too-good-to-check-jihadis-dying-of-the-black-plague.

Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Four)

By most indications, there has been an end to major combat operations. Given that, this will likely be the last "Operation Cast Lead (Day _____)" post. There will be a final thoughts post regarding Operation Cast Lead at some point soon.

Hamas has vowed to rearm in direct defiance to Israeli and international efforts to the contrary. Anyone else have a sickening feeling of Déjà vu? (More at http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3658534,00.html.)

Israel has promised that it will launch another offensive if Hamas renews the rocket and mortar attacks. (More at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056778.html.)

Both sides declared victory; no surprise there. Hamas is trying to play around with the numbers claiming to have lost significantly less then is generally accepted and claiming to kill many more IDF personnel then have been reported. Iran congratulated Hamas on the victory. (More at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95Q5V780, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3658364,00.html, and http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292901985&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.)

Fatah's armed wing (the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades) announced that they were fighting in Gaza against Israel They claim reproducibility for firing 102 rockets and 35 mortars, as well as wounding three IDF soldiers with snipers fire and detonating six explosive devices. Are they telling the truth (perhaps with some exaggeration) or is this some sort of face saving measure? It seems unlikely that we will ever know for sure, but what is probobly more important is that the moderate Fatah was fighting side by side with Hamas presumably with the same goals. Would that make Hamas moderate or reveal that Fatah is not? Rational observers would lean towards the second explanation. (More at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292907174&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.)

Despite the reported help fighting Israel, Hamas has been rounding up hundreds of Fatah members for interrogation, torture, maiming, and murder. They are being accused of collaborating with the Israelis. In one particularly gruesome episode, a few members of Fatah had their eyes put out by Hamas interrogators. Reports indicate that Hospitals and Schools have been converted into torture chambers. The Hamas efforts against Fatah have increased since the cease-fire. (More at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292907998&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.)

Israel plans to withdraw from Gaza before Obama is sworn in as President as a gesture of sorts. As long as the cease-fire holds up they should be able to withdraw in time. (More at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians.)

Please note that unlike the news stories above, not all the videos are from today. That does not mean that they are not worth watching, which indeed they are. They are also not present anywhere else in this serious of posts, meaning no repeats.

Where can you get with 15 seconds of warning? Imagine living your life knowing that at any moment you could here a siren or announcement giving you 15 seconds to get your family to safety. That is every day, every hour, every minute, and every second of your life. Imagine watching your spouse leave to go grocery shopping, or seeing your child leave to go play with a friend, knowing at any moment the alarm could sound. How long could you live like that before you demanded action; eight Years? SderotMedia.com put together a video to let you see what the people of Sderot have been dealing with on a continuous basis for nearly a decade now. It is less then two minutes and well worth watching. (http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/01/proisrael-in-toronto.html)

Video embedded below.


This video shows how Hamas uses civilians as human shields. It is on the long side, but worth a watch if you have the time.

Video embedded below.

Anti-Israel Protest in Union Square (NYC)

Despite the snow, and the cessation of hostilities, there was an anti-Israel protest in Union Square (NYC) today. I did not have any issues with the cops this time around, but almost got clubbed by a flag waver who was not paying attention (you can see this in the videos). All of the photos I took that came out (and were not duplicates) can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/BermanPost.com/1192009AntiIsraelProtest# (80 pictures). Below are a few of my favorites. There are some signs in Arabic which could use translation if you can read the language. Just link to the picture in the comment section and type the translation. Some of the videos need translating too. As you can see in the last video, the protesters adopt the same strategy as Hamas; women and children first.

Pictures first, videos below them, and links to past posts on the subject at the bottom.

Pictures embedded below.
From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest


From 1-19-2009 Anti-Israel Protest



Videos embedded below.
















Past Post on the current Israel-Hamas conflict (from first to last):
Berman Post: Israel Bombs Hamas
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Two)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Three)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Four)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Five)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Six)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Seven)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Eight)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Nine)
Berman Post: Protest Against Israel in Union Square (NYC)
Berman Post: Israel vs Hamas (Day Ten)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Eleven)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twelve)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Thirteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Fourteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Fifteen)
Berman Post: Anti-Israel Protest inTime Square NYC
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Sixteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Seventeen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Eighteen)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Nineteen)
Berman Post: Iron Dome (IronDomeGame.com)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-One)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Two)
Berman Post: Operation Cast Lead (Day Twenty-Three)
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