You have probably all heard the hype. “Best Bond movie in years”, “Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Connery”. I am here to tell you it is largely true! “Casino Royal” rocks! The naysayers and haters owe Daniel Craig a huge apology. While at first glance his looks are not typical for Bond he is handsome enough with well a toned body and rugged face. He also brings a much-needed infusion of youth to the character.
Forget the plot. Craig’s Bond is a bad ass and is a man of few words. The term often used is a “blunt instrument” and it fits. He brings a hard edge and a bit of sadism to the role. While the movie is not devoid of the trademark Bond humor it is toned down. Gone are the glib quips. If I had to compare his portrayal I would say it is most reminiscent of that of Timothy Dalton.
Like all Bond flicks there is a good deal of violence. Unlike its counterparts the violence in “Casino Royal” is less comic book and more realistic and brutal; on several occasions Bond kills with his bare hands. Off hand I cannot recall another Bond killing in such a personal and brutal way.
No Bond movie would be complete without jaw dropping action. “Casino Royal” delivers on that promise. There are some remarkably exciting action set pieces. One of the best is a nearly fifteen minute long chase, early in the movie, through an African construction site. This movie is so well done it even makes Texas Hold ‘Em breathtakingly exciting.
If, and I do say if, I have any criticism of “Casino Royal” it is that it is about 20 minutes too long and the opening teaser which is usually hyper kinetic is quite tame.
Lastly, the closing moments are a love letter to Bond fans and definitive proof that Daniel Craig is now the man.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Notes and Asides........
With appropriate kudos and apologies to William F. Buckley Jr. I present these Notes and Asides on recent events.
The Election:
The GOP got its clock cleaned on Tuesday night. Say hello to Speaker Nancy "Stretch" Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid, or as Rush Limbaugh calls him "Dingy Harry". However, in the final analysis the GOP had it coming. The GOP Congress became soft and corrupt. They failed to use their majority to produce meaningful conservative legislation. Social Security remains a ponzi scheme, tax cuts were not made permanent and the border continues to leak like a sieve. What did they produce? Campaign finance reform, endless mountains of pork, insane increases in federal education spending and a general bloating of the federal government. Do I expect the new majority to be any better? Hell no. They will be infinitely worse but I hope the president with discover his VETO pen and frustrate all efforts.
It’s so funny I have to laugh. Liberals believe that rabid conservatives have occupied the White House and the Congress these past six years. To this I can only respond "If only"! Nothing could be further from the truth. Was that the case we would not be looking at a new liberal majority.
In the final analysis Tuesday’s results might be for the best. For one thing the incompetent leadership of Denny Hastert, Bill Frist and Tom DeLay are all history. A new more principled, truly conservative leadership will hopefully take their place. Secondly, very little meaningful legislation will pass with such a partisan divide and the less Washington does the less they can screw up. That is of course if the President cowboys up and frustrates the will of the new majority (more on that later). Third, the liberals will go insane (they cannot help themselves). They will attempt to impeach Bush, raise taxes, increase spending more that even the worst Republican and generally do everything in their power to increase the size and scope of the Federal government. Lastly, this defeat makes it more likely that the GOP will retain control of the White House in the 2008 election (which begins now, by the way). If the GOP learns it lesson from this defeat it will emerge stronger as a result.
Bye, Bye Rummy:
In an act of extreme cowardice and political stupidity President Bush responded to Tuesday’s election results by giving the lib’s a present; the scalp of Donald Rumsfeld. Why now, why not six months ago when it could have done some good? What was he thinking? Is this any indication of what the next two years will bring? "Stretch" Pelosi and the New York Times OpEd say "jump" and the President says "How high?" Is this some misguided effort at bi-partisanship? If so I have news for President Bush. The Democrats have zero interest in working with you and finding common ground. They are out to destroy you and your entire administration on the path to what they hope will be the election of a Democrat President in 2008.
If capitulation is what is in Bush’s heart then why not go all out. I say replace Rumsfeld with Wesley Clarke. While he is at it he should ask VP Cheney to step down and make Hillary the new VP so as to give her a leg up as she pursues her own megalomanical dreams of power. As a cherry on the top of the sundae announce that he himself is now a Democrat.
It is time for the President to grow a spine, stop trying to be nice and stand up to these people. He has turned the cheek too many times.
RATS:
That sound of scurrying you hear is the sound of rats leaving a sinking ship. According to a Vanity Fair article linked on The Drudge Report many of the neoconservatives that sold President Bush on the idea of invading Iraq are now letting him twist in the wind. They are not saying that they were wrong but that the President did not properly execute the plan. I say again RATS. As the old saying goes "with friends like these who needs enemies". For years the president was warned not to be too trusting of the neocons. Old time conservatives like Pat Buchanan must be laughing their tails off at the betrayal.
Finally:
With more and more of President H.W. Bush’s associates finding their way into the administration of President W. Bush might this become the second term the first President Bush never had?
PS:
Anyone else notice how leftist, socialists, terrorists and American haters world wide were all celebrating Tuesdays election results??????
One final thought, what happened to the tradional liberal whining about voter supression and rigged voting machines? Notice how the GOP doesn't cry foul when it loses??
The Election:
The GOP got its clock cleaned on Tuesday night. Say hello to Speaker Nancy "Stretch" Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid, or as Rush Limbaugh calls him "Dingy Harry". However, in the final analysis the GOP had it coming. The GOP Congress became soft and corrupt. They failed to use their majority to produce meaningful conservative legislation. Social Security remains a ponzi scheme, tax cuts were not made permanent and the border continues to leak like a sieve. What did they produce? Campaign finance reform, endless mountains of pork, insane increases in federal education spending and a general bloating of the federal government. Do I expect the new majority to be any better? Hell no. They will be infinitely worse but I hope the president with discover his VETO pen and frustrate all efforts.
It’s so funny I have to laugh. Liberals believe that rabid conservatives have occupied the White House and the Congress these past six years. To this I can only respond "If only"! Nothing could be further from the truth. Was that the case we would not be looking at a new liberal majority.
In the final analysis Tuesday’s results might be for the best. For one thing the incompetent leadership of Denny Hastert, Bill Frist and Tom DeLay are all history. A new more principled, truly conservative leadership will hopefully take their place. Secondly, very little meaningful legislation will pass with such a partisan divide and the less Washington does the less they can screw up. That is of course if the President cowboys up and frustrates the will of the new majority (more on that later). Third, the liberals will go insane (they cannot help themselves). They will attempt to impeach Bush, raise taxes, increase spending more that even the worst Republican and generally do everything in their power to increase the size and scope of the Federal government. Lastly, this defeat makes it more likely that the GOP will retain control of the White House in the 2008 election (which begins now, by the way). If the GOP learns it lesson from this defeat it will emerge stronger as a result.
Bye, Bye Rummy:
In an act of extreme cowardice and political stupidity President Bush responded to Tuesday’s election results by giving the lib’s a present; the scalp of Donald Rumsfeld. Why now, why not six months ago when it could have done some good? What was he thinking? Is this any indication of what the next two years will bring? "Stretch" Pelosi and the New York Times OpEd say "jump" and the President says "How high?" Is this some misguided effort at bi-partisanship? If so I have news for President Bush. The Democrats have zero interest in working with you and finding common ground. They are out to destroy you and your entire administration on the path to what they hope will be the election of a Democrat President in 2008.
If capitulation is what is in Bush’s heart then why not go all out. I say replace Rumsfeld with Wesley Clarke. While he is at it he should ask VP Cheney to step down and make Hillary the new VP so as to give her a leg up as she pursues her own megalomanical dreams of power. As a cherry on the top of the sundae announce that he himself is now a Democrat.
It is time for the President to grow a spine, stop trying to be nice and stand up to these people. He has turned the cheek too many times.
RATS:
That sound of scurrying you hear is the sound of rats leaving a sinking ship. According to a Vanity Fair article linked on The Drudge Report many of the neoconservatives that sold President Bush on the idea of invading Iraq are now letting him twist in the wind. They are not saying that they were wrong but that the President did not properly execute the plan. I say again RATS. As the old saying goes "with friends like these who needs enemies". For years the president was warned not to be too trusting of the neocons. Old time conservatives like Pat Buchanan must be laughing their tails off at the betrayal.
Finally:
With more and more of President H.W. Bush’s associates finding their way into the administration of President W. Bush might this become the second term the first President Bush never had?
PS:
Anyone else notice how leftist, socialists, terrorists and American haters world wide were all celebrating Tuesdays election results??????
One final thought, what happened to the tradional liberal whining about voter supression and rigged voting machines? Notice how the GOP doesn't cry foul when it loses??
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Venezuela Oil Pimp Can Have the U.N.
Following Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's bizarre speach before the UN General Assemby, The New York Daily News ran the best editorial I have ever read. I share it here for you to enjoy.
"May your prayers be answered, Señor Chavez. May the United Nations leave New York for residence in Venezuela, so very far from the diplos' lush and cushy berth on the East Side. The sorry organization isn't worth the gridlock.
You're more than welcome, please, to take the atrophied, self-abasing remains of a global ideal 2,100 miles to Caracas, where you can play the messianic oil baron game to your heart's content with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, fresh in from Tehran, perhaps with a dirty bomb in his suitcase.
You can take the UN, and you can shove it - there.
And you can shove the gasoline you sell to Americans through Citgo, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company through which you are bribing your way into international power.
It is, frankly, un-American for U.S. citizens to pour money into any bank account that bears the Hugo Chavez name, you being despicable enough to suggest that "the U.S. empire planned and conducted" the 9/11 terror attacks "against its own people" as an excuse to go to war.
And you can shove the fuel oil you are offering at a discount to some poor Americans, including folks here in New York with the aid and comfort of the moronically misguided Rep. Jose Serrano. This is nothing but a public-relations stunt by a populist poseur on the order of, well, Fidel Castro.
As for your address to the General Assembly yesterday, it troubles us not that you referred to President Bush as a Devil of rank sulfurous odor - although it is of more than passing interest that back at home, a Chavez critic who dared voice such colorful language about El Presidente would risk prison or, worse, a bullet.
Far more pertinent is that oil-bought Chavez cronyism is pervasive enough among UN member states to put Venezuela in serious contention for a spot on the Security Council, the body the world is forced to rely on to stem Ahmadinejad's atomic aspirations. Once there, Venezuela would work to help Iran become the world's most dangerous country - one dedicated to the destruction of Israel.
Saddam Hussein had his way with the UN by corrupting the oil-for-food program to buy his way out of having to comply with weapons inspections. Today's trade is oil for nukes, and the UN is again reclining into a supine position.
The parliament of mankind? Naw. A cheap bordello."
You're more than welcome, please, to take the atrophied, self-abasing remains of a global ideal 2,100 miles to Caracas, where you can play the messianic oil baron game to your heart's content with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, fresh in from Tehran, perhaps with a dirty bomb in his suitcase.
You can take the UN, and you can shove it - there.
And you can shove the gasoline you sell to Americans through Citgo, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company through which you are bribing your way into international power.
It is, frankly, un-American for U.S. citizens to pour money into any bank account that bears the Hugo Chavez name, you being despicable enough to suggest that "the U.S. empire planned and conducted" the 9/11 terror attacks "against its own people" as an excuse to go to war.
And you can shove the fuel oil you are offering at a discount to some poor Americans, including folks here in New York with the aid and comfort of the moronically misguided Rep. Jose Serrano. This is nothing but a public-relations stunt by a populist poseur on the order of, well, Fidel Castro.
As for your address to the General Assembly yesterday, it troubles us not that you referred to President Bush as a Devil of rank sulfurous odor - although it is of more than passing interest that back at home, a Chavez critic who dared voice such colorful language about El Presidente would risk prison or, worse, a bullet.
Far more pertinent is that oil-bought Chavez cronyism is pervasive enough among UN member states to put Venezuela in serious contention for a spot on the Security Council, the body the world is forced to rely on to stem Ahmadinejad's atomic aspirations. Once there, Venezuela would work to help Iran become the world's most dangerous country - one dedicated to the destruction of Israel.
Saddam Hussein had his way with the UN by corrupting the oil-for-food program to buy his way out of having to comply with weapons inspections. Today's trade is oil for nukes, and the UN is again reclining into a supine position.
The parliament of mankind? Naw. A cheap bordello."
Monday, September 11, 2006
9/11 Remembered.......
Today is September 11. It was a sparklingly clear late summer morning when the unthinkable occurred. At 8:46 AM American Airlines Flight 11 carrying 92 passengers was crashed in to the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Seventeen minutes later at 9:03 United Airlines Flight 175 carrying 65 passengers was crashed in to the South Tower of the World Trade Center. At 9:37 AM American Airlines Flight 77 carrying 64 passengers was crashed in to the Pentagon. At 10:03 AM United Airlines Flight 93 carrying 45 passenger was prevented from reaching its intended target when the passenger attempted to retake the jet from the terrorist filth. The effort resulted in the plane crashing into a field in Shanksville, PA. At 10:05 AM the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. At 10:29 AM the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. In the end 2,986 lives were lost than day making it the single worst attack on the United States of America. Five years later many things are still not the same but all too many things have gone back to the way they were on September 10, 2001. Since 9/11/01 we have undertaken military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Saddam Hussein sits behind bars but Osama Bin Laden, presumably, remains at large, assuming he is not already dead.
For posterity I would like to transcribe the journal entry I made on the morning of 9/11/01 from my desk at Convent Station.
September 11, 2001 - 10:41 AM My Desk at Convent Station ->
To paraphrase….September 11, 2001 a date which will live in infamy. As I write this the Twin Towers are no more! Washington, DC is being evacuated! A coordinated terrorist attack is in progress against the United States of America! Words fail me right now! I’ve never seen anything like this in 32 years. I must admit to being freaked out myself. The military is patrolling the skies of DC. Reportedly a hijacked plane was just shot down outside Pittsburgh. Another is approaching DC. 11:15 AM this plan may have been shot down. There is a great deal of rumor and false info. Everything is happening very fast! 11:20 AM the plane is still heading for DC. 11:35 AM not surprising a pro-Palestinian group is claiming “credit” for this attack!September 12, 2001 - 1:27 AMAfter all of today’s events I admit to being afraid to go to sleep! I cannot put in to words right now exactly what I am thinking and feeling. This much I know, I cannot bear to watch anymore video recaps of today’s event. I’ve seen the Towers collapse time and again on video and I can’t stand to see it anymore. Another sight I can no longer bare are images of the second plane crashing into the Tower.Someone has to pay for this outrage and pay dearly!
There you have it. Five years later we are still at war with Islamo-fascism and I imagine we will be so for some time. We should not rest until everyone responsible for this outrage has suffered a horrible death. May God bless the victims and their families, may God bless the United States of America and may God DAMN all those responsible and all who celebrated it!
For posterity I would like to transcribe the journal entry I made on the morning of 9/11/01 from my desk at Convent Station.
September 11, 2001 - 10:41 AM My Desk at Convent Station ->
To paraphrase….September 11, 2001 a date which will live in infamy. As I write this the Twin Towers are no more! Washington, DC is being evacuated! A coordinated terrorist attack is in progress against the United States of America! Words fail me right now! I’ve never seen anything like this in 32 years. I must admit to being freaked out myself. The military is patrolling the skies of DC. Reportedly a hijacked plane was just shot down outside Pittsburgh. Another is approaching DC. 11:15 AM this plan may have been shot down. There is a great deal of rumor and false info. Everything is happening very fast! 11:20 AM the plane is still heading for DC. 11:35 AM not surprising a pro-Palestinian group is claiming “credit” for this attack!September 12, 2001 - 1:27 AMAfter all of today’s events I admit to being afraid to go to sleep! I cannot put in to words right now exactly what I am thinking and feeling. This much I know, I cannot bear to watch anymore video recaps of today’s event. I’ve seen the Towers collapse time and again on video and I can’t stand to see it anymore. Another sight I can no longer bare are images of the second plane crashing into the Tower.Someone has to pay for this outrage and pay dearly!
There you have it. Five years later we are still at war with Islamo-fascism and I imagine we will be so for some time. We should not rest until everyone responsible for this outrage has suffered a horrible death. May God bless the victims and their families, may God bless the United States of America and may God DAMN all those responsible and all who celebrated it!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Sports: "World Cup 2006 - Day1"......
Day 1 of the 2006 World Cup is history. Playing in Munich before a crowd of 66,000 the German National Team defeated Costa Rica 4-2. The Germans got two goals from 2002 World Cup hero Miroslav Klose and one each from Phillipp Lahm and Torsten Frings. Frings goal in the 87th minute was an amazing 40 yard cannon blast that found the top corner of the goal.
All in all, Germany played rather well despite the fact that they were without their captain and best player Michael Ballack. The bad new was the plat of their new starting goalie Jens Lehman. Facing little challenge in the game he looked very bad on the two goals that were more than likely not even his fault.
Germany goes on to play Poland on Wednesday. Poland lost to Ecuador 2-0 in embarrassing fashion and will certainly be playing with a great deal of desperation when they face Germany.
The United States opens its campaign against the Czech Republic on Monday. In my opinion, the the US is an overrated squad. Though they possess a decent defense and above average goal tending they are pathetically anemic on offense. But time will tell.
All in all, Germany played rather well despite the fact that they were without their captain and best player Michael Ballack. The bad new was the plat of their new starting goalie Jens Lehman. Facing little challenge in the game he looked very bad on the two goals that were more than likely not even his fault.
Germany goes on to play Poland on Wednesday. Poland lost to Ecuador 2-0 in embarrassing fashion and will certainly be playing with a great deal of desperation when they face Germany.
The United States opens its campaign against the Czech Republic on Monday. In my opinion, the the US is an overrated squad. Though they possess a decent defense and above average goal tending they are pathetically anemic on offense. But time will tell.
Monday, June 05, 2006
3 People.......
If you had an opportunity to have dinner with any three people alive or dead who would they be?
I will start:
My grandfather: he died seven years before I was born. Because like me he was a staunch Republican, a Met fan and loved cigars.
Thomas Jefferson: author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the great geniuses of all time. The span of his knowledge and expertise in so many areas was staggering.
Leonardo DaVinci: long before Dan Brown I was fascinated by a man who was perhaps histories greatest genius and like Jefferson his genius was near all encompassing would you pick?
I will start:
My grandfather: he died seven years before I was born. Because like me he was a staunch Republican, a Met fan and loved cigars.
Thomas Jefferson: author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the great geniuses of all time. The span of his knowledge and expertise in so many areas was staggering.
Leonardo DaVinci: long before Dan Brown I was fascinated by a man who was perhaps histories greatest genius and like Jefferson his genius was near all encompassing would you pick?
Monday, May 15, 2006
Great Story......
I work at my local Starbucks and the nephew of one of my co-workers is a helicopter pilot currently serving in Afghanistan. For the past several months we have been sending him coffee which has been donated by other Starbucks partners.
The other day his aunt brought in a great surprise. He sent us an American flag which flew from his helicopter, a certificate of appreciation (signed by all the members of his flight crew with whom he shared the coffee), a picture of himself while in the cockpit on a mission and thank you note. My manager is getting it framed and we will hopefully be able to display it in our shop.
I just wanted to share this really great story!
The other day his aunt brought in a great surprise. He sent us an American flag which flew from his helicopter, a certificate of appreciation (signed by all the members of his flight crew with whom he shared the coffee), a picture of himself while in the cockpit on a mission and thank you note. My manager is getting it framed and we will hopefully be able to display it in our shop.
I just wanted to share this really great story!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Sports: "Leave the Jets Alone!"
The NFL draft is over, now comes the inevitable aftermath. Near unrelenting media criticism of the way the Jets handled the draft. Possessing the 4th and 29th picks in the first round the Jets did not trade up to pick USC running back Reggie Bush and left potential "franchise" QB’s on the board and instead choose Left Tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson with their first pick.
The reaction by the press was all too predictable. They howled at the Jets for their lack of guts in not making more of an effort to trade up and laughed at their lack of vision in passing up a marquee player.
From my vantage point I think the Jets did just fine in the draft and the new regime should ignore their critics.
First, let’s discuss the case of Reggie Bush. In order to trade up to number 2 the Jets would have had to all but mortgage their future by surrendering draft picks in this and future drafts. A team with as many weaknesses as the Jets cannot afford such a draft strategy. Second, I question Bush’s commitment to his craft. I read a quote from him where he said he would have like to play in New York for the "marketing possibilities"! "Marketing possibilities" are you kidding me? Are you here to play football or sell Diet Coke? Give me a break!
Let me now turn my attention to Matt Leinart. He might turn out to be a great QB. However, his arm strength is questionable (the Jets already have a QB with questionable arm strength) and I again question his commitment to his craft with all of his extracurricular distractions. Additionally, having slipped down to 10th overall means that eight other teams besides the Jets had similar reservations.
As today’s Star Ledger quite accurately points out even had they drafted either Bush or a "can’t miss", "franchise" QB who would block for them? The Jets offensive line is a shambles.
No. The Jets made a wise decision. By getting help on the line with Ferguson and a Center in Nick Mangold they are establishing a core for the future. In addition, this will not be an overnight rebuilding process. The 2006 Jets do not promise to be very good and another good draft choice will likely be theirs this time next year.
Just as an aside, are sports writers some of the dumbest people on the planet or is it just me? Two things stand out. First is a prediction that Reggie Bush will make it into the Hall of Fame. HUH? Can we at least wait until he plays his first set of downs in the NFL before reserving room in Canton? Second, is another member of Mensa asking whether Bill Belichek is running the Jets draft room by remote? Well if Tannenbaum and Mangini are influenced by Belichek I would consider a GOOD THING! Like him or not (and I don’t) he is only the best coach in football and winner of three of the last four Super Bowls! Who SHOULD be their influence? Jim Mora? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Sports: "The Glass is More Than Half Filled"......
In the end it was almost as much a battle between two dates as between two teams. It was March 26 versus April 8. The New Jersey Devils came into the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs having not lost a game since March 26; eleven straight wins. By contrast, the New York Rangers came into the playoffs having not won a game since April 8; five straight loses. One team was playing its best hockey of the season and one team its worst of the season. In the end March 26 prevailed. Yesterday afternoon the Devils swept the Rangers out of the playoffs. The Devils winning streak now stands at fifteen games and the Rangers losing streak at nine.
As depressing as the Rangers collapse has been I am taking an uncharacteristic "glass half full" view of things. Back in September when I looked at a New York Ranger team hit the ice with players named Betts, Strudwick, Moore, Prucha, Malik, Rozsival and Ward I said to myself "Who the hell are these guys?!?!?!". Worse yet I was convinced that this team was going to be as bad as everyone thought. Then something happened, these guys were actually pretty good. They were young, hungry and never stopped working. Furthermore, they were winning games. Then a few other things happened. First, Jaromir Jagr found the fountain of youth and once again became the best player on the planet. He finished the season holding every Ranger single season scoring record with 54 goals and 123 total points. He was simply magnificent and unstoppable most nights. Second, a 23-year old Swedish goalie by the name of Henrik Lundqvist made his mark at MSG and staked his claim as the rightful heir to Mike Richter. Not only did he win 30 games but also he was amongst the league leaders in many goaltending categories. Oh, and he backstopped Sweden to an Olympic Gold Medal at the Turin games. Then another 23- year old established a name for himself. A Czech sniper named Petr Prucha scored 30 goals and gave even more reason to hope. The Rangers now appear to have what they have lacked for many years; a core of young talent to build around. In the end the Rangers may have lost their last nine games but they won 44 and became only one of the few in New York Ranger history to collect 100 points in season. Not too bad for a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes.
In the final analysis the Rangers appearance in this years playoffs was gravy on top of what was a great season of hockey. While I am depressed at being swept by the hated Devils I am not nearly as depressed as I will be next year at this time if they do not find a way to build on what they have accomplished this season. Next year will be the test. Was this year a rebirth or merely a last gasp???
Until the fall I leave you with one last LET’S GO RANGERS!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Notes and Asides........
Issue #1 -
It turns out I did not need to turn to the New York Times for my daily dose of liberal lunacy. In New Jersey’s own Star Ledger there is a loony leftist who would feel right at home on the New York Times OpEd page. I speak of Bob Braun who writes an opinion piece for the Ledger.
Consider:
A February 13th piece where he compares President Bush to, wait for it, Mao! I have to admit I admire his originality. Most liberals have compared President Bush to Hitler. Quite frankly it’s getting old and displays a distinct lack of originality. So I guess I have to give him some credit. Although the comparison is of course ridiculous.
Yesterday he talks about a new book written by a professor at Rutgers University that calls for restoring voting rights to ex-felons. It is an absurd idea to be sure. What’s more the only reason it is even being suggested is that liberals see criminals as a vast untapped vein of new Democrat voters. Want proof? He goes back to the 2000 election (will liberals ever get over it???) and restates President Bush’s slim margin of victory. The implication? Obviously that if ex-felons were not denied the franchise Al Gore would now be president and the world would be a better place. This is politics pure and simple.
Issue #2 –
As everyone now knows a company from the United Arab Emirates has purchased a British firm that is responsible for the operations of several East Coast ports. The White House supports this and has no issue with turning over control of ports to an Arab country.
This is so outrageous I do not know where to begin! It is akin to the United States turning over control of Pearl Harbor to the Japanese during World War II. The ports are improperly secured to begin with.
I do not care if the deal makes economic sense or that we might insult the Muslims by disallowing this deal. It is a political nightmare for the President because it forces conservatives, myself included, to agree with, God help me, Hillary Clinton, who has vowed to block the deal. It is also a potentially massive security risk.
Today, the President stated that he would veto any legislation aimed at blocking the deal. It should be noted that in his time as President he has NEVER vetoed a piece of legislation. He did not use his veto pen to keep spending in check or for other purposes. He will use it to make sure an Arab nation can oversee our ports! My discontent for this President continues to grow by the day!
Any doubts I had about whether this was a good deal where erased when I found out the one for few people supporting the President in this matter was none other than the pathetically failed president Jimmy Carter! Carter has never been right about anything in his life.
Lastly, if this deal goes through and God forbid something tragic happens as a result then President Bush should be impeached and perhaps even prosecuted. This deal is nothing but one thing BAD. It must not be allowed to go through.
It turns out I did not need to turn to the New York Times for my daily dose of liberal lunacy. In New Jersey’s own Star Ledger there is a loony leftist who would feel right at home on the New York Times OpEd page. I speak of Bob Braun who writes an opinion piece for the Ledger.
Consider:
A February 13th piece where he compares President Bush to, wait for it, Mao! I have to admit I admire his originality. Most liberals have compared President Bush to Hitler. Quite frankly it’s getting old and displays a distinct lack of originality. So I guess I have to give him some credit. Although the comparison is of course ridiculous.
Yesterday he talks about a new book written by a professor at Rutgers University that calls for restoring voting rights to ex-felons. It is an absurd idea to be sure. What’s more the only reason it is even being suggested is that liberals see criminals as a vast untapped vein of new Democrat voters. Want proof? He goes back to the 2000 election (will liberals ever get over it???) and restates President Bush’s slim margin of victory. The implication? Obviously that if ex-felons were not denied the franchise Al Gore would now be president and the world would be a better place. This is politics pure and simple.
Issue #2 –
As everyone now knows a company from the United Arab Emirates has purchased a British firm that is responsible for the operations of several East Coast ports. The White House supports this and has no issue with turning over control of ports to an Arab country.
This is so outrageous I do not know where to begin! It is akin to the United States turning over control of Pearl Harbor to the Japanese during World War II. The ports are improperly secured to begin with.
I do not care if the deal makes economic sense or that we might insult the Muslims by disallowing this deal. It is a political nightmare for the President because it forces conservatives, myself included, to agree with, God help me, Hillary Clinton, who has vowed to block the deal. It is also a potentially massive security risk.
Today, the President stated that he would veto any legislation aimed at blocking the deal. It should be noted that in his time as President he has NEVER vetoed a piece of legislation. He did not use his veto pen to keep spending in check or for other purposes. He will use it to make sure an Arab nation can oversee our ports! My discontent for this President continues to grow by the day!
Any doubts I had about whether this was a good deal where erased when I found out the one for few people supporting the President in this matter was none other than the pathetically failed president Jimmy Carter! Carter has never been right about anything in his life.
Lastly, if this deal goes through and God forbid something tragic happens as a result then President Bush should be impeached and perhaps even prosecuted. This deal is nothing but one thing BAD. It must not be allowed to go through.
Friday, February 17, 2006
RIP: Andreas Katsulas 1946-2006.....
Veteran character actor Andreas Katsulas died earlier this week from lung cancer; he was 59 years old.
To genre fans Katsulas is best known as the character G'Kar for five seasons on the classic sci-fi series Babylon 5.
He also created another memorable character on Star Trek: The Next Generation as the Romulan Tomalak.
Katsulas possessed a grand dramatic voice and was a fine actor. He will be missed.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Blizzard of 2006......
Here are a selection of images from the Blizzard of 2006. Fifteen inches of snow in less than 25 hours. Central Park received 27.3 inches of snow; a new record.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
"Classless Liberals"..........
"Classless Liberals", sounds redundant, doesn't it? But the left continues to sink lower and lower. The latest example of liberal classlessness is todays funeral of Coretta Scott King.
It was a rerun of the the 2002 Paul Wellstone Memorial/Leftist Pep Rally. With President and Mrs. Bush in attendance several of the speakers choose to turn a funeral into an exercise in Bush bashing. In particular, Rev. Joseph Lowery and pathetic failed president Jimmy Carter choose to use their time to rip the current president.
This comes on the heals of a speach given by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond in which he all but equated the Republican Party with the Nazi Party.
These fools can say whatever they please but it is classless.
It was a rerun of the the 2002 Paul Wellstone Memorial/Leftist Pep Rally. With President and Mrs. Bush in attendance several of the speakers choose to turn a funeral into an exercise in Bush bashing. In particular, Rev. Joseph Lowery and pathetic failed president Jimmy Carter choose to use their time to rip the current president.
This comes on the heals of a speach given by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond in which he all but equated the Republican Party with the Nazi Party.
These fools can say whatever they please but it is classless.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Opinion: "RUN, CINDY, RUN!!!!".....
Quisling, left-wing wacko and all around moron Cindy Sheehan returned from her meeting with South American thug Hugo Chavez to annouce that she is considering challenging Diane Feinstein for her seat in the US Senate.
Mother Sheehan described Feinstein as a "Republican in a Democrats clothing."
All I can say is RUN, CINDY, RUN!! The true face of the Democratic Party in 2006 should put her money where her mouth is and throw her hat into the ring.
It is the perfect win/win, even if it would not result in the election of a Republican from California it would give us a traitorous schmuck that would ammount to the gift that keeps on giving.
Again I say.....RUN, CINDY, RUN!!!!!
Monday, January 09, 2006
TV Review: "Battlestar Galactica - 'Resurrection Ship'"........
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!
Season 2.5 of Battlestar Galactica kicked off last Friday night with the episode "Resurrection Ship". The episode opens with the Battlestar’s Galactica and Pegasus on the brink. The situation is temporarily resolved and both commanders meet on neutral ground to discuss fighting the Cylons instead of each other.
I am a huge fan of the original Battlestar Galactica and by and large of have enjoyed this new incarnation. I have not as yet been critical as many others have. That is about to change. Elements of this episode just made NO SENSE.
First, even in the world of BSG the military answers to the civilian authority. That being the case why does President Roslyn not just demote the troublesome Admiral Cain and promote Adama? Instead she behaves as if the military is beyond her control. Later in the episode it is learned that not only has Admiral Cain not only executed civilians but also left a number of civilians ship to the mercy of the Cylons. At this point why is Cain not thrown into the brig to rot? Instead Roslyn further demonstrates her impotence by recommending that Adama kill Cain before Cain can kill him. This makes for interesting viewing to be sure but given that the producers of the show are on record as wanting the show to be more realistic than the original this plotting is simply baffling.
Second, why would Cain promote Starbuck to captain and make her the CAG of the Pegasus? After all, Starbuck is an officer Cain hardly knows (and what she does know is not good from reading Adama’s logs) and by doing so she is promoting one of the people closest to Adama. Now perhaps this is a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer but there is no indication of that.
Lastly, the closing moments of the episodes where each commander is seen plotting the demise of the other is ridiculous in the extreme.
Does this mean that the episode was a failure? No. It was a quite compelling episodes but it strayed too far from reality. Given the fact that this show is hailed for its realism it is not difficult to find fault.
By the way.....the Resurrection Ship itself looked suspiciously Borg-like to me.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Opinion: "Pat Robertson is a Schmuck"........
Any reader of this blog knows that I am a conservative. As a conservative I say that Pat Robertson is a schmuck. Regrettably he is often associated with the right and that is a damn shame.
His latest thought is that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for talking peace with the Palestinians. This is so stupid I do not even know where to begin. On this point I do not see what separates Robertson from the Islamo-fascist president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who hope Sharon dies.
Go away Robertson just go away. You are a fool and an embarrassment.
His latest thought is that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for talking peace with the Palestinians. This is so stupid I do not even know where to begin. On this point I do not see what separates Robertson from the Islamo-fascist president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who hope Sharon dies.
Go away Robertson just go away. You are a fool and an embarrassment.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Question: "Did President Bush Lie About WMD's????".....
Google the following for yourself:
Clinton Iraq 1998
Go ahead....try it.....
I'll even give you a head start...
www.google.com
Clinton Iraq 1998
Go ahead....try it.....
I'll even give you a head start...
www.google.com
Sunday, January 01, 2006
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