Shabbat Shalom 4 Shvat 5768 (Update)

Instrument for "change" or just a tool?
Obama knee deep in old school politics

There was once a time when Barack Obama may have been a candidate for "change." In 2000 he challenged then four-term representative Bobby Rush for his congressional seat. Todays pride and joy of the mainstream media found himself being called "Uncle Tom" by African American civil rights and political leaders. He would go on to loose badly to Rush in the primary. At the time Obama, a State Senator three years in office, was a voice that undoubtedly offered change compared to Rush. However even back then he was getting his feet wet in the cesspool of Democratic politics of Cook County.

Just a few years later he would find himself in bed with the new guard of the Democratic machine. His political mates would include then congressman and now governor Rod Blagojevich and the most powerful woman in Illinois today and the power behind his senate primary victory in 2004, Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Suddenly the instrument of change had become another tool for the political machine of Cook County.

Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass has a historical and modern perspective of Obama that you won't hear about from the national press. I strongly urge you to read Obama fairy tale has Chicago-size hole. The sad reality is that there is no such thing as a voice of change when you are rooted in the Democratic politics of Cook County.

Update: It appears certain elements of the mainstream press are finally picking up on Obama's past. Check out the latest Brian Ross story from ABC News.


Is Bush falling into the Clinton trap?
Common sense appears lost in recent Mideast trip

When Bill Clinton saw the end of his Presidency in site, he didn't want his legacy to be determined by cigar and stained dress jokes. He began putting pressure on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to jump start peace talks. The rhetoric of land for peace began and would eventually lead to Israel making Yasser Arafat an offer that was too good to be true. To show his gratitude, the father of modern terrorism, who only believed in an Israel with no Jews, did what Jews like your brilliant blogger had predicted. He would leave the peace talks and pursue violent tactics, starting the second Intifada. The end result of those talks was more dead Arabs and Israelis.

Today President Bush is in Israel meeting with Israeli and Palestinian officials once again looking to press forward with peace talks. He like his predecessor can see the end of his Presidency and wants a two-state solution to be the crowning achievement of his eight years in office. Unfortunately the President who has always approached the Israel/Arab conflict with common sense, has apparently replaced clear thinking with tunnel vision that is focused on the ultimate prize, while forgetting the biggest obstacle to peace. Israel still doesn't have a partner.

Once again an American President is working hard to bring peace and stability to a violent region. Once again Israel is being asked to make concessions."Now is the time to make difficult choices. An agreement will require "painful concessions" by both sides, Bush said. "There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967. The agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people."

The President for the first time used the word "occupation." Anytime the term is used to coincide with a statement about 1967, it means Israel must give up East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Golan Heights. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president was talking just about the West Bank.

What boggles the mind is when the Palestinians are asked to make concessions. That is a nice way for mediators to ask them to stop murdering Jews and recognize they have a right to exist. When a negotiation table has two sides with one party being asked to give up more land then they already have and the other party is asked to stop killing human beings, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what the obstacles to peace are.

Unfortunately I fear that President Bush and Stephen Hadley are viewing the situation with rose colored glasses borrowed from Bill Clinton and Dennis Ross. Today these glasses show false hope that feature a Palestine living peacefully next to Israel, thwarting terrorism and providing prosperity for the Palestinian people. When the spectacles are removed the real picture is revealed. The Israeli people are desperate for peace and will give up land for it. Unfortunately the Jewish State doesn't have a partner with any authority to make peace with. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sits at a negotiating table with no power to make a deal and is powerless to combat terrorists that attack Israel from the Palestinian territories. Abbas has also never demonstrated a real desire to live in peace with Israel.

So once again the cycle of peace negotiations has come full circle. Israel is asked to make concessions, which they have done time and time again. The Palestinians are asked to stop the violence toward the Jewish State and live peacefully next to Israel, which they have never done. Israel is being asked to give up more land, including East Jerusalem. Every time Israel gives up land the Palestinians use it as a base to launch missiles, rockets and suicide bombings against the Jewish people.

George Bush has undoubtedly been the best friend Israel and the Jewish people have ever had. Unfortunately his judgement appears clouded by wanting to establish a legacy that features peace in the middle east. Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert is incompetent when it comes to Israel security and President Abbas still hasn't shown he isn't a terrorist at heart. The overall picture is dangerous for the Jewish State.

For now I can only hope that Israel's friends back in the United States are willing to wake-up President Bush from what may be a pleasant dream for him, but in reality is a nightmare for Jews. Time to set the alarm clock of reality.

Quick Election Notes:

Thursday nights Fox News debate from South Carolina saw the awakening of Fred Thompson. Somebody must of slipped a Viagra in his Scotch and water. The former Senator from Tennessee was lively, funny and great on the issues. To bad for him it's to little too late.

Ron Paul deserves kudos for his explanation of the current economic issues facing this country. The congressman who permits hate to be published in his name (I didn't inhale) explained perfectly the problems the Federal Reserve causes with rate reduction and it's effect on the dollar and inflation.

Go Rudy Go! America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani has unveiled the largest tax-cut in our nations history. As mayor of New York you cannot argue with his success stimulating the economy of Americas largest city with tax-cuts and spending cuts. Combine that with his understanding of the looming threat of Islamic-extremism is why your brilliant blogger is in the Rudy camp.

Kerry endorses Obama, sticking it to his former campaign sidekick and Bill's wife. A new tradition is emerging in the Democratic Party. Former Presidential candidates dissing their VP choice when they run for President. Al Gore did it to Joe Lieberman in 2004, supporting Howard Dean and this time around John Kerry is flipping John Edwards the bird and is backing Barack Obama. Can you feel the love?

Roseanne rips Obama! Who really cares what actress/comedian Roseanne (no last name anymore) has to say with the exception of hardcore Progressives and self-hating Jews. However when a Hollywood far left elitist takes on Oprah and Obama, the medicinal benefits from the humor are a must for all to read.

She writes:
Barack Obama is an empty suit selling "hope" in lieu of Truth. Oprah Winfrey helped to elect Arnold Swartzenegger. I have no doubt that she voted her purse by doing this, as she is a large land owner in California, and that ilk fears Dems because they do not want to pay their "fair share" of Cali tax.Oprah has given us Swartzenegger and Dr. Phil. If that was not offensive enough to decent thinking people, now she brings us Obama. He has no ideas, no plan and nothing to add other than the cynical pacification of the masses with bedtime stories about hope, while calling Unions "special interest groups" that need to be done away with. Obama votes with Bush constantly funding this terrible endless war. Oprah, you play the race card and the gender card too. You are a closeted republican and chose Barak Obama because you do not like other women who actually stand for something to working American Women besides glamour, angels, hollywood and dieting! When Americans find out that Obama backs right wing corporate racist anti worker bullshit, they will not vote for him, and the victory will go to the most racist right wing republican ever.... Mccain, who is a fascist!

So much entertainment from the mind of a moron.

Paulie