God And Country

It's said by a growing number of people that our Founding Fathers were not religious men. There have been articles written recently that claimed the Founding Father's were "enemies of Jesus Christ." Among the books of late on this idea is one called "The Godless Constitution" which makes a series of claims that many use as statements yet those claims come with no evidence or proof in this book by way of footnotes or a listing of source material.

There's a very simple reason why this is so. The facts of history dispute everything the anti-religion people claim about our Founding Fathers.

Did you know...

That out of the 56 men who signed the Declaration Of Independence, 29 had seminary degrees?

That the first Continental Congress insisted that the session open with a prayer session? That first prayer session lasted three hours.

That John Adams, Sam Adams, Roger Sherman, Charles Carroll and other signers of the Declaration Of Independence frequently wrote about religion and divine measures including the Holy Spirit?

That Dr. John Witherspoon, another signer, created and published what became recognized as America's first family Bible?

That Declaration Of Independence signer Charles Thomson edited and published the first Greek to English translation of the Bible which was a project that took him 27 years?

That Benjamin Rush, another signer, started the Sunday School movement in America?

That fellow signer Francis Hopkinson was also a church music director who published America's first book of hymns?

That the first English language Bible in America was printed and endorsed by Congress and also listed as it's stated purpose that it be used in schools?

Then there's the farewell address of George Washington who made it a specific point to state that "religion and morality are indispensable foundations."

All of what I've presented to you can be proven through the first hand writings of these men that have survived all these years and are available for study at the National Archives and through an organization called Wall Builders.

So, for those who still wish to insist that the Founding Fathers of the United States rejected any influence or guidance brought about by religion and faith, if you choose to stay with that idea you haven't got a prayer.

The Truth And Facts Exist In Our History

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Fred Travalena 1942 - 2009

Comic impressionist Fred Travalena passed away on Sunday at the age of 66 after a seven year fight with lymphoma and prostate cancer. After five years in remission, the lymphoma returned in 2008.

Fred had spent over 40 years entertaining audiences and working with every superstar you can think of. He was a regular on the Tonight Show, Merv Griffin and other talk shows. He was also always available with his talents when charities over the years needed help. He appeared many times on the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon along with other telethons through the years.

I had the honor of getting to know Fred. The man you watched and was entertained by on stage was the same man off stage. There was no ego. He had no pompous attitude. He had a love for life, his work and his family.

The first time I met Fred is the best way to share with you the type of man he was. As quickly as we were introduced Fred talked with me like we had known each other for fifteen years. He asked about what I did and sincerely wanted to learn more about my work. We spent hours that night talking about work, our industries, our friends and whatever the ways of the world were at that time. About half of that time I couldn't stop thinking in the back of my head, "Wow! I can't believe you still wanted to talk with me about anything after a minute. This is very cool!"

That was Fred Travalena. Very cool!

MDA Remembers Ed McMahon

There will be a big voice missing when that final tympani is called for this Labor Day.

Michael Jackson: Path To A Tragic End

Since he passed away on Thursday, there's been a ton of stuff written and spoken about Michael Jackson. There no doubt will be a lot more to come. Some of it will be fact by those who were close. Most will be hype by those who want that last dollar that can be drained from the Michael Jackson money machine.

There have been people who have said that it was the media that drove Jackson into his darkness and over the edge. While there have been those who hounded and haunted the pop superstar, there are a lot of people who need to be honest with themselves. If so many people didn't watch the Michael Jackson stories of the day, or more importantly, spend money on all the tabloids, magazines and books then the slime reporters would have moved on to some other target.

There are many people who are presenting themselves as critics who need to take a long hard look on the mirror rather than a TV camera.

Be that as it may, I came across what may be the most truthful and insightful report on what the world of Michael Jackson had been like for the past few years up to this past Thursday. After you read it, you will think differently about what you've been hearing and reading from others.

Daily Mail's Ian Halperin Writes About Michael Jackson

Obama Steps Up And Speaks Up

On Tuesday afternoon Barack Obama held his 73rd press conference to answer questions and hang out with his best friends...news reporters.

Just like at every party there's always those one or two trouble makers. Even when everyone else is having a good time, the trouble makers just see fit to pour some vinegar into the party punch. This happened when Fox News' Major Garrett asked why Obama took over a week to come out and condemn the violence that being committed against the opposition voters in Iran. Another party pooper, NBC's Chip Reid, followed Garrett and asked if Obama's condemnation of Iranian official's actions was brought about by a speech by Senator John McCain who said that Obama was too distant from this matter.

Obama stopped slow dancing with Helen Thomas long enough to make the claim that he's been at the front of the Iran issue the moment the election was over. He also denied that McCain's speech was a catalyst for the position on Iran that he's taken.

As further proof that Obama stays on top of the issues that matter and quickly condemns those which deserve it, the White House announced that later this week Barack Obama will condemn the following:

* The taking of hostages in Iran by student militants at the U.S. embassy in Tehran
* The JFK Assassination
* 9-11
* The Oklahoma City Bombing
* The 1907 San Francisco Earthquake

And of course...

* Jon and Kate Gosselin announcing that they're getting a divorce.

My Ed McMahon Stories

I always say that I'm one of the luckiest people for getting to do what I do. After all the years of my life I spent watching and admiring people on television and in movies, my radio show since it began has allowed me to actually meet and talk with so many that I've long admired.

Ed McMahon was at the top of that list of admiration.

Allow me to bring you backstage to what I do. When I try to book a guest to appear on my show, there are times when it just doesn't work out. I like to think that I'm very flexible. However, there have been some people who never made it on the air with me due to their preferences, requirements and even demands. They range from limiting the amount of time they could appear, when they could appear, changing times and days of their scheduled appearance at the last minute and demanding that the questions I would be asking them be submitted for review before their appearance.

Here's a bit of up to now secret information. I don't write questions. My goal is to have a conversation with every guest that will take us on paths neither one of us totally thought of yet enjoyed.

I had the honor of having Ed McMahon on my show several times over the years. All it took to book Ed was my asking. No demands. No attitude. No ego trip. He would be there when I needed him

What you listening and I received was a great gift of fun stories, a dedication to his craft and a passion for life every time Ed was on the show. Ed never had the same four or five stories either. Each time he would have a different arsenal of insider stories and memories to share. I often wondered who was having more fun. Was it me listening to everything Ed talked about or was Ed having more fun telling his stories?

A shining example of Ed's dedication to his craft came about just in the past couple of years (although there were many before that). Even with a broken neck, in a time when many so-called professional performers call out sick if they clip their fingernails too short, Ed answered the call for the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

I've been thinking of the contrast of the generations of entertainers. Ed did ten to eleven hours of live television with a broken neck. So many of today's "stars" think they've made a monumental contribution to mankind if they show up and spend thirty seconds stumbling through a read off of a teleprompter.

It was an extreme honor to be able to spend time with Ed McMahon. I learned from him as I laughed with him.

Semper fi and God bless, Ed.

Ed McMahon And MDA

LONGTIME MDA TELETHON ANCHOR ED McMAHON DIES

TUCSON, Ariz. June 23, 2009 -- Ed McMahon, one of America’s best known television personalities and longtime anchor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Jerry Lewis Telethon, died today at age 86 in Los Angeles.

Ed McMahon and Jerry Lewis

McMahon, of Beverly Hills, Calif., was an MDA corporate member from 1974 to 1988 and served as a volunteer MDA national vice president since 1992. He became a member of MDA’s board of directors in 2001.

McMahon perhaps was best known as the announcer on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," from 1962 to 1992. Subsequently he became host of the popular syndicated show, "Ed McMahon's Star Search," and co-host with Dick Clark on NBC's "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes." He also starred in the comedy series, “The Tom Show” with Tom Arnold, and appeared in several movies.

Jerry Lewis, MDA national chairman, said, "Ed was a dear, dear friend. We were always making jokes, cracking each other up. He cared deeply about people with muscle diseases. On the Telethon, he was my right-hand man – it’s hard to imagine doing the show without him.

"Ed also performed many services for MDA behind the scenes," Lewis continued. "Of the thousands of celebrities who’ve helped ‘my kids’ during the last 50-plus years, none has given more, and given more gladly, than Ed McMahon."

His last appearance on the Telethon in 2008 was McMahon’s 41st, second only to Lewis’ number of appearances.

McMahon, president of McMahon Communications Inc., appeared on an MDA Telethon as early as 1967, and became its anchor in 1973, a position he held until his death.

In his 1998 memoir, “For Laughing Out Loud,” McMahon remembers that his first appearance on the Telethon was as a celebrity guest asking viewers for donations. But while he was making his pitch, Lewis temporarily left the stage, leaving McMahon standing there alone when his speech was done. So, “being a professional, I introduced the next performer at the proper time. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, here they are, let’s give a big round of applause…’ As I finished I looked into the wings and saw Jerry standing there, arms folded, watching me. ‘Go ahead,’ he told me. ‘You’re doing a great job.’” It was the first step in a decades-long Telethon partnership.

Watch the Ed McMahon tribute video: 56k | 256k | 512k Download RealPlayer for free

McMahon received both the MDA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and its National Humanitarian Award for his years of devoted service in behalf of people with muscular dystrophy and related diseases. He also was recipient of the Harry Zimmerman Memorial Award from Service Merchandise for his service to MDA, and in 1997, was presented with an MDA Paragon Award for his voluntary efforts.

McMahon served as chairperson of the MDA Senior Citizens Crusade and made many personal and news media appearances in behalf of the Association. He frequently worked with and encouraged the support of MDA’s national sponsors, as well.

In 1994, McMahon arranged for MDA to receive proceeds from call-ins to his "Star Search" annual finals. He also helped double 1994 Shamrocks Against Dystrophy proceeds in Arizona by challenging people to match his own $50,000 donation.

In a 1991 interview about the MDA Telethon, he said, "Over the years, it's become a tradition with people. Like you have turkey at Thanksgiving, come Labor Day, you have the Telethon."

McMahon began a lifelong fascination with broadcasting as a 6-year-old, hearing a distant radio station through headphones of a crystal set. At 15, he was working as a professional announcer at a carnival. He served as a fighter pilot instructor and tester in the Marine Corps during World War II and flew combat missions in the Korean war, earning the rank of full colonel.

His first television job was in Philadelphia in 1949 where he became host, writer and producer of 13 different shows simultaneously. In 1958, he became announcer for Johnny Carson’s "Who Do You Trust?" quiz show, then moved with Carson to "The Tonight Show," where his "Heeeere’s Johnny" show opening became a trademark.

McMahon was much sought after to host game shows, parades and special TV events. He was also one of the country's best known commercial spokesmen, appearing for corporations including Anheuser-Busch, Colonial Penn Insurance and American Family Publishers. In 2006, he was named “greatest sidekick of all time” by Entertainment Weekly.

McMahon is survived by his wife, Pam; five children, Claudia, Linda, Jeffrey, Katherine Mary and Alexis; and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Michael, who died of cancer in 1995.

MDA is a voluntary health agency supporting programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, advocacy and professional and public health education for muscular dystrophy and related diseases. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Ed McMahon 1923 - 2009

He was a gentleman. He was class. He'll be missed.

Jon & Kate Plus Who Cares

Can someone please explain to me why any media outlet that uses the term "news" in their name, label or mission statement spends any time on anything to do with Jon and Kate Gosselin? Even one second wasted on these two "reality stars" is a second taken away from an event or issue that really matters in the grand scheme of things.

That did not stop newscasts and news channels from spending time on the tragic and sad story of Jon and Kate announcing that they were getting a divorce. By the way, don't think that this was just a one day special. During the coming days there's going to be so many talking and writing about these two that you'll think Oprah and Dr. Phil pooled their money and bought all the news outlets in the country.

Let me help those with a life catch up on who Jon and Kate Gosselin are and why some people seem to care.

The now ex-husband and wife had two kids. Then Kate gave birth to sextuplets. The TLC cable network gave them a "reality" TV show called Jon & Kate Plus 8 and people watched.

You're now caught up.

Wait. Let me check.

Nope. That's about it.

Of course if you looked at all the attention these two are getting, you would think that the the potential of peace in the Middle East relied on the survival of Jon and Kate's marriage or their emotional well being. While the ratings of their show were peaking with 8 and 9 shares of the audience (pretty big for cable standards) they've since settled back to a 2.5 to 3 share range.

But fear not Jon and Kate fans. Your two idols will be taking turns living in the house with the kids so the show will go on! So will the tabloid stories, magazine covers, marketing, and the forcing of all of this down the throats of those who don't care under the guise of it being newsworthy.

Here are the only times I want to see, hear or read anything about Jon and/or Kate Gosselin.

- One (or even better, both) are involved in a slow speed police chase on a Pennsylvania highway.

- The eight kids legally disown Jon and Kate then sue them for all the money they made off of them.

- Jon and Kate are indicted for child abuse for the way they've whored out their children for their own ego feeding.

One can always dream.

Scenes From Inside Iran

Iranian officials are trying to turn around a bad situation by claiming that these are actually Iranian basketball fans celebrating the Lakers winning the NBA championship.

Obama's Iran Post-Election Policy

Barack Obama stated this week that he will not get personally involved in the growing turmoil that's taking place in Iran following their elections. That's really not breaking news. How much time does one man have since Obama's already personally involved in...

- the auto industry

- the banking industry

- the financial markets

- the tobacco industry

- the healthcare industry

Did I miss anything? I don't want to sell him short....if that's still legal to do considering his desire to revamp the laws that govern trading.

Letterman Takes A Shot At It

David Letterman on his Monday night show put into practice the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." He made a second apology about a joke he made at the expense of Sarah Palin's younger daughter Willow.

Here's a transcript of what Letterman said.

"All right, here — I've been thinking about this situation with Governor Palin and her family now for about a week — it was a week ago tonight, and maybe you know about it, maybe you don't know about it. But there was a joke that I told, and I thought I was telling it about the older daughter being at Yankee Stadium. And it was kind of a coarse joke. There's no getting around it, but I never thought it was anybody other than the older daughter, and before the show, I checked to make sure in fact that she is of legal age, 18. Yeah. But the joke really, in and of itself, can't be defended. The next day, people are outraged. They're angry at me because they said, 'How could you make a lousy joke like that about the 14-year-old girl who was at the ball game?' And I had, honestly, no idea that the 14-year-old girl, I had no idea that anybody was at the ball game except the Governor and I was told at the time she was there with Rudy Giuliani...And I really should have made the joke about Rudy..." (audience applauds)


"But I didn't, and now people are getting angry and they're saying, 'Well, how can you say something like that about a 14-year-old girl, and does that make you feel good to make those horrible jokes about a kid who's completely innocent, minding her own business,' and, turns out, she was at the ball game. I had no idea she was there. So she's now at the ball game and people think that I made the joke about her. And, but still, I'm wondering, 'Well, what can I do to help people understand that I would never make a joke like this?' I've never made jokes like this as long as we've been on the air, 30 long years, and you can't really be doing jokes like that. And I understand, of course, why people are upset. I would be upset myself.


"And then I was watching the Jim Lehrer Newshour — this commentator, the columnist Mark Shields, was talking about how I had made this indefensible joke about the 14-year-old girl, and I thought, 'Oh, boy, now I'm beginning to understand what the problem is here. It's the perception rather than the intent.' It doesn't make any difference what my intent was, it's the perception. And, as they say about jokes, if you have to explain the joke, it's not a very good joke. And I'm certainly — " (Audience applause.) "— thank you. Well, my responsibility — I take full blame for that. I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception. And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke. It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault. That it was misunderstood." (Audience applauds.) "Thank you. So I would like to apologize, especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the Governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke. I'm sorry about it and I'll try to do better in the future. Thank you very much."

The first thing I thought about when I heard that this apology was headed down the highway was that if you have to make a second try at apologizing, your first attempt fell flat. Then I wondered about what makes an attempt to apologize fall short. That only happens when you don't want to apologize or don't believe you have anything to apologize for.

Both of those ideas can be taken from Letterman's first try at an "apology" last week. Even if he didn't want or feel he had to apologize for making a joke about a 14 year old girl being sexually abused, it can also be taken that Monday night's apology was one that he was told to make. There have been growing protests through phone calls and emails to CBS. Advocates and politicians have been calling for Letterman to be fired. As Letterman pointed out, this was even a segment topic on PBS.

There are some Letterman defenders who have tried to lower the heat by claiming what Letterman said wasn't as bad as the Imus incident when Don Imus made a racial remark about the Rutgers women's basketball team. In fact, Letterman's actions were worse.

Imus said what he said during an improvised stream of conversation live on the air. Letterman had to have this "joke" written, placed in the teleprompter and performed during the recording of his show. That means there were several points when Letterman or anyone else could have said, "You know, this might not be where we want to go. Let's scratch that one out."

They didn't.

Letterman defenders are also claiming that this is what Dave, Jay Leno, Conan, Bill Maher and others do. They make fun of public figures.

Two points to counter that claim. First, Leno, Conan and even Maher take shots at people in both political parties. When was the last time you heard Letterman take a shot at Obama, Nancy Pelosi or Al Gore?

Second, when did insinuating a sexual attack on an underage girl become a fair shot, even if that underage girl was part of a public advocacy effort? (Which in this case wasn't the deal)

It's sad to see Letterman drift down this path as he gets older. His shows used to be fun. His humor used to be quality. David Letterman has become the baby-boomers' Pat Cooper and George Carlin. He's gone from being angry and funny to being angry and old.

If you want to express your anger at what David Letterman has done you can contact Les Moonves who heads CBS. Here's the info you need to do the deed.

CBS
524 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-975-4321
lmoonves@cbs.com

A Fast Route To Some Needed Reality

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:12-16

A Netanyahu Move

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that he would support a Palestinian state.

This has caused the news media to cheer and celebrate...Barack Obama.

Huh?

That's right. It was Obama who got Netanyahu into the Oval Office to enlighten him on the proper path to take. It was Obama who shined before the world in that eloquent and inspiring speech in Cairo. It's Obama who has embraced the mantra "Yes we can." and has inspired the world to do likewise.

Not so fast.

Netanyahu, while saying he would support a Palestinian state, also stated that there would be conditions that need to be met. These include the Palestinians demilitarizing, recognizing Israel as a Jewish nation and Netanyahu also said that Jerusalem would not be divided or shared.

Palestinian leaders quickly rejected every one of Netanyahu's conditions. It what could be a revealing statement Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, “This speech fell far short of every single one of the benchmarks required of Israel in line with international law and existing agreements, including the ‘Road Map.' Palestinians will not be alone in their disappointment over Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to show himself to be a genuine partner for peace.”

Who else does Erekat hint at being disappointed? Perhaps the Obama Administration?

The official line from the White House was that Netanyahu's speech was "an important step forward."

Translation...not enough but we'll give you a second chance to do what we demand of you.

There had been criticism in recent weeks that the Obama Administration had been consulting with Arab countries about the Middle East and merely dictating to Israel what they were supposed to do regarding a variety of topics including settlement construction. Instead of Netanyahu folding or conceding as some are making his Sunday speech out to be, perhaps this was a step Netanyahu took in order to have the Palestinians reveal their true positions. Instead of the oppressed people whose life experiences rival those of Jews in the Nazi concentration camps (as Obama stated in his Cairo speech) Netanyahu compelled the Palestinians to once again remind the world that they don't recognize Israel and in fact their mission statement is to absorb the land (including all of Jerusalem) into the Arab world which is demonstrated by their constant repeated claim that one fifth of Israel's population is Arab.

Benjamin Netanyahu did not concede to the Palestinians on Sunday. He personally delivered the Sunday newspaper to Barack Obama with the headline that read, "Here is the truth about the Palestinians with whom you've become a supporter of and excuse creator for."

They Ran In Iran

This week saw elections take place in Iran. There was an 80% turnout by Iranian voters who cast their votes in the race for President of Iran between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his reformist opponent Mir Hossein Mousavi. Ahmadinejad had the support of the rural residents while Mousavi had the city voters along with the younger voters going into this election.

The results are....well, it depends on who you listen to.

Ahmadinejad declared victory even before the polls closed. Mousavi is saying that he is the actual winner based on what he called the indications his campaign was receiving from all over Iran. The fact is that it's irrelevant who actually wins since it's the Mullahs who rule and make decisions for Iran. If whoever is Iran's President takes actions counter to what the Mullah's want, he'll disappear faster than someone who borrows money from the Mob and says he doesn't feel he has to pay it back.

Be that as it may, the aftermath of the election has been one of the world's main spectator sports this week. Police and riot officers are making their presence know in the major cities. Claims of voter irregularities are being made. Some are saying that some of the polls were shut down while people were still waiting to vote. Supporters of Mousavi are protesting the lies of the decision makers.

While all this was going on, friends of Al Gore were briefly concerned about him. He felt light headed and became disoriented. Turns out it was just a case of deja vu that he got after watching a MSNBC report on the Iran election.

A GOP Coup In The New York State Senate

Here's some friendly advice for the New York State politicians and New York Governor David Patterson. If your actions and reactions make New Jersey politics look sane and stabile then you really need to sit down and take a long hard look at yourself.



And here are all the fun and games as they took place.

New Jersey: The Garden State With A New Crop

In their continuing effort to keep up with and surpass California as the lead liberal state, New Jersey politicians are hitting the gas pedal on legalizing marijuana for medical use.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act would not permit people to grow their own marijuana, instead creating licensed "alternative-treatment centers" to produce the drug. It also has tougher restrictions on who would be allowed to legally acquire marijuana. The Senate bill would have made people eligible based on symptoms, such as chronic pain and muscle spasms. The bill also restricts eligibility to people with specific diseases including cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, seizure disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and (here's the future open door for this policy) "any other medical condition" approved by the state health department.

By the way, given the financial state of New Jersey, there's been no significant mention about how much this program would cost. Given the claim is there would be significant control and oversight of all of this, one can imagine it won't be cheap. But when has that ever stopped New Jersey Democrats? In fact, if this program becomes law it'll knock out the big boasting point about all the money New Jersey's spending to make sure drug addicts have clean needles that Jon Corzine bragged about in his most recent State Of The State speech.

The goal of this bill, as stated by sponsors including Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), is to allow people who are suffering to relieve themselves of pain they're experiencing. If that's the true intent of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, then may I suggest some other people who should be eligible to roll 'em and smoke 'em?

- Anyone who pays income taxes in New Jersey

- Anyone who pays property taxes in New Jersey

- Anyone who pays business taxes in New Jersey

- Anyone who wants to build a home in New Jersey

- Anyone who drives on a New Jersey highway

- Anyone who has a student in a non-urban school district

Hey, if the intent of making marijuana legal in New Jersey is to relieve people of their pain, there's a bunch of people in a lot of pain in those groups I just listed.

The Evil Eye Of Michelle Obama

There have been many who have asked what France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy could have done to bring out the evil eye of Michelle Obama.


The answer's an easy one. Sarkozy with her class and style took over the spotlight Michelle so strongly believes she's entitled to.

International Gift Giving 101

When a leader of a country visits your country, it makes a much more lasting positive impression when you present them with a gift that has more thought behind it than...oh, I don't know...maybe a stack of DVD's!