Shabbat Shalom 29 Tevet 5767

Definition of Hypocrisy

Last month then-incoming Intelligence Chairman Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) stated in an interview with Newsweek magazine, he wants to see an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 U.S. troops as part of a stepped up effort to dismantle the militias. "We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize Iraq," Reyes said. "I would say 20,000 to 30,000."

You would think that the Texas Democrat would be the first one to support President Bush recent decision to send 21,000 additional troops to Iraq, especially since their request for troop build-up are virtually identical. Sadly no. The same evening the President announced his proposal, Mr. Reyes told the El Paso Times that such a troop buildup was unthinkable.

So what changed during the month that Representative Reyes recommended 20,000-30,000 additional troops and George Bush proposed an additional 21,000 troops? Nothing, except the request was coming from the Republican President and we can't have Democrats agreeing with the President...can we?

Reyes double-talk hasn't gone unnoticed. House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), says such blatant "hypocrisy" undermines both national security and the war on terrorism. Wilson couldn't be more correct.

What kind of a message are we sending our troops and the insurgents when we place political partisanship ahead of national security and the very lives of our men and woman overseas? We are sending a message that political power is more important than your safety. We are also telling those who want to kill us that we are not united in defeating them. We can have honest debate about the war in Iraq, but when the chairman of the intelligence committee changes his position simply because it coincides with a directive coming from the commander and chief, who happens to be on the other side of the aisle, we are telling the world that personal and political power is more important that the lives of our soldiers and citizens. Attack us, we are not unified in defeating you.

Consumer Reports Recalls Themselves

It is undoubtedly the most trusted publication when it comes to consumer goods. However, Consumer Reports magazine may have recently lost the trust of the most powerful buyer of goods in America...mom. The publication on Thursday withdrew a recent report that claimed that 10 out of 12 infant car seats failed side impact collision tests. This retraction came after federal safety regulators questioned the validity of the tests. CBS news is reporting that tests that supposedly where conducted at 38 miles per hour, actually occurred at over 70 mph, which would cause the results reported. Federal officials questioned the results for weeks and eventually conducted their own tests in which all 12 seats passed.

CR admits that they had privately contracted out many of tests and are currently investigating the results. It is important to note that CR has not withdrawn their recommendation that the Evenflo Discovery seat be immediately recalled as well as an Eddie Bauer model.

As a father who relied heavily on the findings of CR when purchasing car seats over the past 4 years, I am deeply disturbed by this development. Infant car seats are unarguably the most important test the publication conducts. Simply put, you can't fuck this one up. They did.

Why their most important test is privately contracted out is a mystery to me. The fact they made recommendations involving the safety infants that they themselves didn't conduct. infuriates me. A spokesman for the company made a statement claiming that the study is privately conducted due to the physics involved. That's fine and dandy, but don't you think your supposed experts should still be present supervising every second of the tests?

It's true that everyone makes mistakes, but that notion is only applicable in this case if every precaution was taken. That was not the case in this situation and the safety of our children was put in jeopardy. That is not forgivable.

Jimmy Carter Advocate for a Nazi

Just when you thought former President Jimmy Carter couldn't behave more anti-Israel or anti-Semitic, a startling revelation comes to light. The Israeli publication Arutz Sheva has published a story that former U.S. Justice Department official Neal Sher received a letter from Carter in 1987 asking him to grant “special consideration” before deporting a man proven to have murdered Jews in the Mauthausen death camp in Austria.

It is no secret that I despise Carter. My disdain for the man began long before it became obvious that he is an enemy of the Jewish people. However, when I read the story, even I couldn't believe it. Carter signed a letter asking that a mass murderer not be be deported due to special consideration for his family for humanitarian reasons.

I strongly urge everyone to click on one of the above hyperlinks and learn more about America's greatest shame, Jimmy Carter.

Global Warming fact or fiction?

I am not a scientist, climatologist, meteorologist or anything that has "ist" at the end of the title. I do know two things when it comes to the issue of global warming. Don't listen to Al Gore and if our planet is being destroyed by man, it's being done so by China and India who have no environmental regulations. Meanwhile the United States has implemented regulation after regulation attempting to clean up the environment. Regarding the question is Global Warming is actually man made? I simply don't know.

Meteorologist James Spann of the ABC affiliate in Alabama recently wrote a great op-ed piece that attempts to explain the reality of the Global Warming question. If you are interested in why California is freezing, New York and Chicago are unseasonably warm and Denver has more snow than Al Pacino in Scareface. Read his opinion.

NFL Conference Championship

It's put up or shut up time in the NFL. My Chicago Bears with the inconsistent play of Rex Grossman and their Defense hosting the New Orleans Saints better known as America's new favorite team. The Indianapolis Colts and their non-existing offense and superb defense during the playoffs will entertain the post-season experience of QB Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Both Home teams (Chi/Indy) are 3 point favorites. However, when it comes to the conference finals it simply comes down to who will bring their A+ game. Last week the Bears and Saints played well, but neither team brought their best. If Bears QB Rex Grossman plays like he did last week and the Bears defense plays as well as they did in the 4th quarter and overtime, Bears win! Nothing the Saints can do about it. However, anything less by the Bears. I believe the Saints will win. Either case a field goal will win it one way or the other. So Take New Orleans and the points. I do believe the Bears will win, but I don't know if that is my heart or mind speaking.

The horseshoe that should be on a Colts foot has been up the teams ass providing wins in unlikely scenarios. Lackluster offense and great defense has put Indy in this position. The Patriots have relied on great coaching and luck as well. Like I have previously stated in the past, never bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs...until now. Peyton Manning will show up and play well at home. Tom Brady will as well. When it comes down to it, home field advantage and the Colts receiving core will finally give Manning his Superbowl opportunity. Take Indy to cover.

Bears vs. Colts in the Superbowl? We shall see!

Paulie