Shabbat Shalom 24 Elul 5767 Afternoon Update

Democrats can't handle success in Iraq
Petraeus report dismissed before release

The Democratic spin machine has spent the better part of four years portraying those that criticize their anti-war stance as being against free speech. They often like to claim their critics are calling them unpatriotic because they object to the war.

I don't know anyone who believes that if you are against the war your not a patriot or hate America. However, the behavior many Democrats are displaying a few days before General David Petraeus gives his Iraq War report can easily be construed as being against the United States winning the war in Iraq.

This past July when signs of the surge being successful became apparent, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said, "a strongly positive report on progress on Iraq by Army Gen. David Petraeus likely would split Democrats in the House and impede his party's efforts to press for a timetable to end the war." Clyburn was not thinking about praising the troops and their success or the diminishing suicide attacks in the war-torn areas. He was focused on the political ramifications not the human element.

As the report by the general draws closer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California are already discounting the findings and referring to the report as the "Bush report."

The fact of the matter is that a good report will cause the 47 members of the Blue Dog caucus in the House, who are a moderate to conservative group of Democrats, to not vote with the majority of Democrats who want a withdrawl timetable.

The Blue Dog members represent districts that tend to support Conservatives. Understanding that their political future may be at stake if they are seen in the same light as liberals such as speaker Pelosi, these representatives will stand behind the troops and the General and not with the Reid, Pelosi and Durbin's of their Party.

It is troubling that political power is more important to some than what is in the best interest of the United States. I stated over a decade ago that political opportunists such as the Clinton's would rationalize their politics of personal destruction as serving a greater good. Simply put, they believe their being in power was in the best interest of everyone.

Today we have a disease within the Democratic Party called Secular Progressives. These people are not patriots and have great disdain for many aspects of our country. The United States military is who they despise the most with capitalism and religion a very close second. I firmly believe they will always undermine our national security and military efforts.

The typical American who is against the war in Iraq, loves America as much as you and I. They still want to see the United States win in Iraq and support our troops. Sadly, a large powerful faction within the Democratic Party does not share these patriotic views. They want an America that permits the United Nations to dictate foreign policy, believes the U.S. and Israel are the greatest evils on the planet and dream of a Socialist economy.

If you don't believe me, look at their reaction to the Petraeus report, which hasn't even been presented. The very thought of success in Iraq is unacceptable to a politician who is more concerned with their own power than progress toward peace.

GOP Debate Winner...Fox News
Most watched debate this year, topples Clinton on Larry King

Over 3.1 million viewers tuned into Fox News this past Wednesday evening for the GOP debate from New Hampshire. What turned out to be the most viewed debate of the current election season blew away CNN's Bill Clinton appearance on Larry King which gathered 1.4 million viewers.

Clinton was promoting his new book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World. As far as your brilliant blogger is concerned, the only thing Bill Clinton ever gave was below his waist to any female willing. His tax increases during his Presidency would call for his book to be titled, Takeaway: giving your hard earned money to government.

I need to step back and stop ripping our 42ND President. The truth is my head is hurting from the endless jokes running through my head. Let's face it, placing the name Clinton and the word Giving in the same sentence can only result in a diatribe of humorous references. Maybe his book should have been called, Receiving... OK, OK I will stop now.

What is noteworthy is the ratings victory the GOP debate had over Clinton on King. The Fox News debate beat the Clinton interview better than 2 to 1. Granted, Larry King hasn't had respectable ratings since he was on his 5Th marriage.

So who won the debate Wednesday night? Besides Fox News, John McCain may have breathed some new life into his campaign and the no-show, Fred Thompson, who ran a thirty second commercial before the start of the debate, received plenty of free publicity.

As far as any great revelations coming from the evening festivities...No. The fact is that eight candidates on a stage can barely get a word in during a 90 minute forum. However, I will say that Congressman Ron Paul sure takes every opportunity he can to blame the Neocons for the ills of the current administration. It would be refreshing if a moderator would have the testicles to ask the Texas congressman, "when you say Neocon, do you mean Jew?

With the first Caucus and Primary being less than five months away, it's time for the debate sponsors to develop minimum requirements to attend a debate. Require attendees to be polling with at least 5% in a recognized national poll. That will limit the debate field to 3 or 4 candidates in each Party, which will permit voters to gain a better understanding of each Presidential hopeful. Until than, these debates are useless.

At least Bill Clinton writing a book with the title "Giving," offers comic relief.

Afternoon Update: Must Read

Unfair charge vs. Israeli lobby
By Steve Huntley

Chicago Sun Times writer, Steve Huntley, points out the facts regarding the academics who harshly criticize pro-Israel lobby groups. Check out his article in today's Chicago Sun Times.

Paulie