Democracy Project Triumph: Islamists Surge Ahead in Egyptian Elections http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/284577/democracy-project-triumph-islamists-surge-ahead-egyptian-elections-andrew-c-mccarthy By Andrew C. McCarthy It would be hard to overstate what a catastrophe the Egyptian elections are shaping into. Reports about stage one of the long process show not only that the Muslim Brotherhood may be getting over 50 percent of the vote; an even more […]
Are Left and Right Meaningless Political Labels?Ambidextrous Statism
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10939/pub_detail.asp
The standard Left-Right yardstick of political identity places President Barack Obama on the Far Left, which means Communism and the total state. On the Far Right? Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachmann, Glenn Beck and others, according to the received wisdom. The Far Right is synonymous with fascism, racism, anti-Semitism, and autocracy, with some religion mixed in.
But anotherinterpretation of his political agenda would place Obama on the Far Right. Indeed, countless political cartoons using Nazi and Communist propaganda posters from the past have depicted Obama in either regime’s attire and waving the appropriate swastika or hammer-and-sickle banner. The phenomena leave readers either amused, confused, or in agreement.
The standard, ubiquitous yardstick begins on the left side with Communism and ends on the Far Right with fascism. But is this yardstick of any value? Is it a valid measure of political systems? Is it a trustworthy indicator of an individual’s or organization’s political beliefs? For decades it has served only the Left when the Left wishes to characterize a politician or political agenda in deprecatory terms as being on the Far Right.
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10937/pub_detail.asp
Recent candidate debates have been partisan, led by sound-bite rather than important policy issues. Irrespective of party, the following questions are essential for all candidates to address.
A debate should be a formal discussion in which arguments are put forward and each participant presents his reasons for or against a proposition or policy. It can be the basis for judging and evaluating candidates.
However, the recent televised debates among the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the Presidential elections of 2012 fell short in arguments, substance and style.
A one minute response to a serious question is impossible, but in any case many questions were ridiculous. For example, candidates were asked what they would bring to the White House if elected. I would have pledged the max to the person who answered “my cocker spaniel.” Furthermore, instead of encouraging the candidates to present cogent arguments moderators fostered a circular firing squad by pitting candidates against each other.
Beside carping at the media, Newt Gingrich did bring a refreshing gravity to the fray. However, almost all his answers on tax policy, energy, social security, foreign aid and immigration were originally promoted by Texas Governor Rick Perry who, alas, was unable to articulate them in debates.
There are many questions that impact America’s national security that should be asked of all candidates for the Presidency––or Congress––regardless of political party. Here are a few:
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10936,css.print/pub_detail.asp
Western leaders seek the kudos of brokering “Middle East Peace” but their reliance upon Arab oil precludes an ability to be unbiased. U.S. initiatives are leaving Israel increasingly vulnerable.
It’s a siren song no US President can resist: Peace in the Middle East. It’s the Holy Grail, the Golden Fleece, the Excalibur for an American leader seeking an undying legacy. The phantasm of Middle East peace is more illusory than the quests of heroes like Heracles, Jason and Odysseus. It’s a fool’s quest with an incalculable cost in squandered money, national prestige and blood, yet the illusion of this messianic dream continues to draw American Presidents like Homer’s Sirens drew ancient mariners to their destruction.
Leave aside for a moment the delusion that leads us to arrogate unto ourselves the responsibility for the “peace process.” The Middle East is only one of a host of intractable situations in the world that go back into ancient history. Ireland. India-Pakistan-Kashmir. China-Korea-Japan. Africa. China-Tibet. China-Taiwan. Turkey-Greece. Russia-former satellites. Russia-Japan. Russia-anybody in her way. Sunni-Shi’ite. Flemish-Walloon. Cyprus. Argentina-Britain.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/30/source-cuccinelli-set-announce-gubernatorial-run/
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II is likely to announce next week that he will run for governor in 2013, a highly placed Republican official said Wednesday night.
Mr. Cuccinelli, who has won national attention and conservative plaudits for his lawsuit against President Obama’s health care overhaul and his battle with the Environmental Protection Agency, among others, has hinted for some time that he was considering a run. He had also floated the possibility of running in 2014 against Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.
Should Mr. Cuccinelli enter the race, it would set up a potential GOP primary with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.
Mr. Bolling, who has taken on a heightened role in Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration as chief jobs-creation officer, opted to run for re-election in 2009 to clear the way for Mr. McDonnell to run for governor.
http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/
Once upon a time a mad Caliph demanded of an old servant of his that he teach a donkey to talk for his amusement. If he refused, he would be put to death. If he failed he would be put to death as well. The old servant shrugged and asked for a year’s time in which to complete the task. When other servants asked him why he had accepted, he answered. “A year is a long time. Either the Caliph will die, the donkey will die, or the donkey will learn to speak.”
It’s been quite a few years and the donkey is on its last legs. Obama has done to half a dozen countries what Carter did to Iran. The Islamists are in ascendance and the Caliphate genie has been let out of the bottle. Down the road they may well implode, but for the moment they are a rising political force in the region. The handful of Muslim countries that could have been accused of having moderate governments are gone now.
The Political Persecution of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff
URL to article: http://frontpagemag.com/2011/12/01/the-political-persecution-of-elisabeth-sabaditsch-wolff-2/
Editor’s note: The following is the second installment of a series of articles following activist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff’s battle against her own government, as they proceed to prosecute her for disseminating the truth about Islam. To read Part I, click here.
Just before Christmas, an article about Elisabeth appeared in Wienerin, a glossy Austrian magazine similar to Vanity Fair. Some translated excerpts:
She is said to have incited hate against Muslims, and is before the court on a charge of incitement. But even a conviction will not silence Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff. S. M. Steinitz accompanied the new figurehead of the Islam critics to Copenhagen. And witnessed how Sabaditsch-Wolff made her trial a manifesto — and gained in political influence.
The prosecutor apparently did not consider it necessary to prepare for the trial. No, he said, he had no questions for the defendant. The tape recording of her comments, the basis for the charge against Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, 39, he had only heard “in excerpts.” On this tape, covertly recorded by a reporter in the fall of 2009, can be heard how Sabaditsch-Wolff — during her seminar “The Fundamentals of Islam” — says to a participant, among other things, “Cardinals rape in spite of their religion. Muslims rape because of their religion.” Sponsor of the seminar: the Freedom Education Institute. A charge was laid after a report appeared in the weekly magazine, NEWS.
Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids Promotes Global Islamic State Posted By Ryan Mauro
URL to article: http://frontpagemag.com/2011/12/01/islamic-center-of-cedar-rapids-promotes-global-islamic-state/
If you need proof that radical Islam is spread across the country, look no further than Iowa’s Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids, whose extremism is plain for all to see online. One of its most notable attendees is Bill Aossey, a Muslim Youth Camps of America (MYCA) official and president of Midamar Corporation, a leading supplier of Halal foods that was given a loan guarantee of $1.75 million as part of the stimulus package. On August 13, 2010, Aossey sat at President Obama’s table in the White House to enjoy an Iftar meal.
http://daphneanson.blogspot.com/
“It is still unclear whether they are inspired by the promise of building a new state, or the goal of destroying an existing one”: Ron Prosor To The United Nations
Ron Prosor, the personable and popular (with Israel’s friends, at least) diplomat who this year left the post of Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St James to become his country’s envoy to the United Nations, has proved his mettle yet again as an outstanding representative of the beleaguered Jewish State. His speech yesterday at the UN General Assembly on the occasion of the so-called International Day of Solidarity With The Palestinian People inaugurated by that Arab/pro-Arab-hijacked international body in 1977, bears witness to that.
Declared Mr Prosor:
‘A great Jewish sage once wrote, “The truth can hurt like a thorn, at first; but in the end it blossoms like a rose.”
His words came to my mind today. His insight could really benefit many in this hall.
It takes a well of truth to water the seeds of peace. Yet, we continue to witness a drought of candour in this body’s discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. On this historic day, real facts in the General Assembly remain few and far between.
For any who have been here on November 29th before, today is déjà vu. Some of you may have noticed that some minor changes have been taking place in the Middle East lately, but any changes in this body’s resolutions condemning Israel are very, very rare.
Indeed, it didn’t take a creative writer to craft the language in these resolutions. The exact same text is copied and pasted, year after year – much of it dating back five decades.
The account we heard today is one-sided. It is unilateral. It is unjust. And it is unhelpful. It presents a distorted and impartial version of history. It transforms the cause of Palestinian self-determination into a deliberate attempt to denigrate, defame, and delegitimize the State of Israel.
http://www.thecommentator.com/article/681/member_of_parliament_entrance_exam
Prospective representative of the people? We insist you try this simple test to find out if you are of sound and proper character for the post
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: ENTRANCE EXAMTime allocated: 3 hours.
Answer all questions and follow the rubric where directed.
Show your workings.
1) DEMOCRATIC AWARENESS
a) What is 78% of 28%? (2 marks)
b) If 76% of a democratic body doesn’t represent a quorum then what the hell does? (2 marks)
c) What do you understand by the term sovereignty? Is it a good thing? Is it relevant today? What makes you think you have any right whatsoever to tinker with it on our behalf? (4 marks)
d) “A Minister is travelling on a train. On finding First Class full he gets his staff to move an elderly couple who have paid for first class travel, to second class, so he can have their seats” Critically examine this situation from both the moral and democratic perspective. (9 marks –bonus mark if you can name the MP)
