Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Dick Morris - Obama's Opportunity

By DICK MORRIS
Published on TheHill.com on April 29, 2008.

At the start of his campaign, Obama ran in counterpoint to the previous candidacies of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Here was a black man running for president on issues that had nothing to do with race as he rose above the victimization rhetoric that characterizes so many speeches of African-American political figures.

Now, in attacking the Rev. Wright as he did Tuesday, Obama can further define himself in contrast to Wright, just as he did earlier vis-à-vis Jackson and Sharpton.

So if, as the Chinese ideogram suggests, crisis is a synthesis of danger and opportunity, the controversy surrounding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright presents plenty of both for Obama.

In his statement Tuesday, Obama moved decisively and well to seize the opportunity that the Rev. Wright’s wrongs pose.


The danger Wright presents is obvious enough. Wright has come to epitomize everything white Americans fear in an African-American public figure, secular or clerical. He is anti-white, anti-American, and avidly embraces and propagates all manner of bizarre conspiracy theories. If he is to be believed, which is a very bad idea, the United States caused the AIDS virus in order to destroy the African-American population. The reality is the opposite: America took the lead in developing treatments for the disease, with the result being that a diagnosis of AIDS is no longer tantamount to a death sentence. Wright says that we give drugs to our children. Again, he is 180 degrees wide of the mark. We do more than any other nation to battle drugs and risk the lives of tens of thousands of noble and able DEA agents to keep them away from our children.

But if Wright has come to be the poster child for what America fears in a black public figure, he gives Obama an opportunity to be the opposite. By playing off Wright, by attacking his views in depth and detail, Obama can define himself as the un-Wright, reassuring Americans and carving out his identity in opposition to the reverend’s rantings. Obama has always implicitly defined himself as the opposite of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. He runs not as a black man seeking the presidency, but as a post-racial political leader who happens to have a dark complexion. But that positioning is now obsolete in the face of the challenge Wright poses to his candidacy.

If Obama continued to base his defense on history, he will just wade into deeper trouble. The “I wasn’t there; I didn’t hear him” defense just invites journalists to interview thousands of members of the congregation to find one who sat next to Obama during one of Wright’s racist and anti-American sermons. Just as John Kerry let his candidacy be hostage to the memories of every GI who served alongside him in Vietnam, so Obama will tie his to the recollections of his co-parishioners.

Nor will Obama solve his Wright problem by subtly distancing himself from his pastor and condemning his views, in general, as “offensive” or “not representative of my campaign.”

Rather, he needs to seize the opportunity Wright presents and rebut the pastor’s views, point by point — as he began to do Tuesday — and, in the process, define himself and his candidacy. He needs to rebut all of the spurious points Wright raised in his now-famous “chickens coming home to roost” sermon and speak up for America, our record and our values. He needs to explain why we dropped the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki — to save millions of American and Japanese lives, which would have been lost in an invasion. He should defend our support of Israel and take issue with Wright’s characterization of our backing for its efforts to protect itself as “terrorism.” He needs to speak out about America’s moral role in the world and differ sharply and publicly with Wright’s worldview.

By playing off Wright, he can recapture his identity as the personification of white hopes for a color-blind politics rather than white fears of anti-American and anti-white public figures.

The key to surviving the Wright challenge does not lie in the history of Obama’s 20-year involvement with his church. That story is a quagmire from which he will have difficulty extricating himself. The answer is, rather, to speak out in the here and now against Wright’s weekend comments in Washington and, thereby, tell us who he is and in what he believes.

Go to DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!

McCain on Healthcare


My Friends,

Today, there are 47 million uninsured individuals in the U.S., and nearly a quarter of them are children. High costs and limited access are the underlying, fundamental problems in our healthcare system.

As you know, both Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are touting outrageously expensive and unrealistic universal health care plans - a government monopoly over health care.

Unlike my opponents, I do not believe that all of our nation's problems can be solved by turning control over to our government, with all the tax increases, new mandates and government regulation that come with that idea.

Today, our campaign began running a television ad focused on health care - that you can view by following this link - to ensure all Americans hear the truth about how I plan to tackle the challenges facing our nation's health care system. To ensure this important ad is aired in as many markets as possible, I'm asking for your immediate financial assistance.

I believe the key to real reform is to restore control over our health care system to the patients themselves. Americans need new choices beyond those offered in employment-based coverage. That's why, as president, I will seek to encourage and expand the benefits of Health Savings Accounts, tax-preferred accounts that are used to pay insurance premiums and other health costs. These accounts put the family in charge of what they pay for.

In addition, I will reform the tax code to provide every family the option of receiving a direct, refundable tax deposit - effectively $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 cash for families to offset the cost of insurance.

The reality is that both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama, in their haste to garner support for their so-called "solutions," are promising more than they can deliver. And, once again, they are simply out-of-touch with the real problems facing our health care system and how to solve them.

Here are the facts: Under the Democrats' plan, we will have all the problems, and more, of the current health care system - rigid rules, long waits and lack of choices - and we risk degrading the system's great strengths and advantages, including the innovation and life-saving technology that make American medicine the most advanced in the world.

My friends, this is not my definition of real reform. I hope you will join me in my fight to tackle the real problems facing our nation's health care system by making a contribution of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,300 to help fund this important ad.
I hope to hear from you soon.


Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. While my Democratic opponents continue to believe that our government can solve all of our problems, I am prepared to offer practical, common sense solutions to the problem of rapidly rising health care costs and access in America.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Global Warning Goons Close Ranks

Like a rogue government the goose-stepping Global Warming Goons are ridding their ranks of any dissent...

From Fox News --

Dr. William Gray, who once said that pro-global warming scientists are "brainwashing our children," claims that Colorado State University will no longer promote his yearly North Atlantic hurricane forecasts due to his controversial views.

Gray complained in a memo to the head of Colorado State’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences that "this is obviously a flimsy excuse and seems to me to be a cover for the Department's capitulation to the desires of some (in their own interest) who want to reign [sic] in my global warming and global warming-hurricane criticisms," the Chronicle reports.

The Chronicle noted that Gray's views on global warming had become increasingly personal, with characterizations of former colleagues and students who disagreed with him as "medicine men" and a "Gang of Five" conspiring to promote the idea of man-made climate change.

Gray contends it's all a hoax contrived by scientists hungry for research funding, media professionals thirsting for Pulitzer Prizes and foreign powers seeking to create a single world government. More...


A single world government... I posted on that before...

We already have the left redefining our "right to free speech" as a "right to selective free speech" and now they are pushing their no-dissent version of selective science.

Why are these "save gas - fart in a jar" environazi's afraid of a little dissent? Maybe because the sky is not falling?!?!

The Democrat Party Great Divide Keeps Growing


While some Democrat party leaders and/or pundits claim it is good for their primary process to continue and others say Hillary should just stop now - almost all agree that once the Democrat candidate is selected, they will all rally behind that person.

Polls are saying otherwise...

From Yahoo.com --
In the AP-Yahoo poll — which has tracked the same 2,000 people since November — Barack Obama supporters with negative views of the New York senator have grown from 35 percent in November to 44 percent this month, including one-quarter with very unfavorable feelings.

Those Obama backers who don't like Hillary Rodham Clinton say they would vote for Republican candidate John McCain over her by a two-to-one margin, with many undecided.

As for Clinton supporters, those with unfavorable views of Obama have grown from 26 percent to 42 percent during this same period — including a doubling to 20 percent of those with very negative
opinions.


The Clinton backers with unfavorable views of Obama say they would vote for McCain over him by nearly three-to-one, though many haven't made up their minds. More...

Acitivist Judges Stopped in Cuyahoga County


Two Cuyahoga County judges felt they would champion their cause from the bench. This is what many conservatives call activist judges. Most of the time the "activist judge" tag can be placed on a Democrat judge - but not always.

Regardless of party - judges should not be legislating from the bench!

But here in Cuyahoga County - Home of the Cuyahoga County Bipartisan Party - we not only have an activist democrat judge but another judge masquerading as a conservative trying to push their activist agenda on the residents of Cuyahoga County under the guise of creative sentencing.

Judge Beth Zone, a democrat, and Judge Moan Synenberg, a RINO, have been told by the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Commission on Grievances and Discipline that their quest to help AIDS patients cannot be done from the bench.

The judges, both members of the AIDS Task Force, intended on issuing sentences where instead of fines the defendants would be forced to buy high-calorie nutrient drinks for AIDS patients.

From the PD --

AIDS patients are in great need of such drinks, like Boost and Ensure, and daily use can be costly.

But the plan, hatched last month by two task force board members - Beth Zone and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg - is kaput.

The Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Commission on Grievances and Discipline recommended against the idea, citing possible legal and ethical problems.

The commission did not issue a formal opinion, but its staff counsel Ruth Bope Dangel sent Judge Zone opinions from other state commissions that ruled against judges ordering charitable contributions.

Charitable contributions in lieu of fines take money away from government and court treasuries.


Excercising caution, Zone held up on any sentencing. Synenberg on the other hand could not wait to get started with her judicial activism and made several defendants buy this "gay super juice."
Based on the other states' conclusions, Judges Zone and Synenberg said this week they will not impose the donations. Synenberg had already imposed them in a few cases.

"I'm certainly not going to do it anymore," she said.

Not going to do it anymore?!?!? Yeah right - pretty much like she's not going to donate to democrat candidates anymore! Synenberg should be forced to repay the the court treasuries equal to the amount she imposed on the unsuspecting defendants.

It appears that not only do some of our party members support democrats - they also act like them!

That judicial activism is coming from a so-called conservative judge, especially this one, should come as no surprise. Synenberg is married to one of the more "Klassy" members of the Bipartisan Party of Cuyahoga County aka the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County.

If they want to continue their activism from the bench, I offer the following from the latest opinion of Supreme Court Justice Scalia (Pg. 57) regarding the WV death penalty in which he refutes the activist opinion of Justice Stevens --
This conclusion is insupportable as an interpretation of the Constitution, which generally leaves it to democratically elected legislatures rather than courts to decide what makes significant contribution to social or public purposes.
If these judges want a lesson in creative sentencing - they need to learn from Painesville Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Girlieman of the Week - Ohio State Rep. Matt Barrett

From Politically Incorrect Gazette --

Girlieman of the Week
Date Awarded: April 26, 2008

Girlieman: Ohio State Rep. Matt Barrett
Antics: Passing the buck to his own son

The rubber hit the road for this Buckeye State Elected Tormentor last October, while he was addressing a civics class at Norwalk High School. In theory, Meathead Matt was teaching the cess-school inmates how a bill becomes a law. To make his point crystal clear, he inserted a memory stick into the computer to bring up a pertinent image. That’s when his lecture hit a speed bump:

An image of a topless woman was projected to the class after Barrett, D-Amherst, inserted a data memory stick into his laptop while discussing how a bill becomes a law. Barrett said at the time he didn’t know how the image became part of his presentation.

He shut down the computer when he saw the image and finished his speech using paper handouts.

Barrett had asked for a police investigation after reviewing the memory card with school officials and finding a whole directory of inappropriate photos.

“I thought, ‘I have nothing to hide here. Bring everyone in and let’s figure it out,’ ” Barrett told reporters after the incident. (Chronicle Telegram)

Determined to bury the incident, Meathead Matt - a Demoncrat, by the way - told House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty a whopper, blaming the incident on Meathead Matt’s teenage son. In the fullness of time, that sealed Meathead Matt’s fate because House Minority Leader Beatty repeated the baseless accusation against the teenage Barrett lad to the media.

With that out of the way, Meathead Matt thought he had dodged potentially fatal, career ending, bullet by pointing the finger of blame at his son. I’m pleased to report that those pesky chickens came home to roost this week. Citing the lies Meathead Matt told her during the internal investigation, House Minority Leader, Beatty asked him to resign. Out of a job, and suitably disgraced, Meathead Matt might be the star attraction when he faces criminal charges stemming from this otherwise forgettable incident. What criminal charges? Did you pull a Meathead Matt and forget about that investigation that this blustering fool requested?

We don’t know what the cops found on Meathead Matt’s laptop or that infamous memory stick, but it was enough to torpedo his political career. All the relevant justice system officials are willing to say about their findings is that, it’s legal fodder, but does not rise to the level of a felony. Felony, schmelony. All that matters is that it terminated this gutless guttersnipe’s political career.

Meathead Matt is scum. He blamed his kid for something the kid didn’t do. He tried to save his political hide by throwing his son under the bus. We’re pleased as punch that it all blew up in Meathead Matt’s face. Determined to pile on, in our own humble way, the Politically Incorrect Gazette has named Meathead Matt Barrett Girlieman of the Week.

[PIG thanks PIGster King for giving us a heads-up on this weasel.]

Friday, April 25, 2008

Iran's New Sentence for Speeding - Flogging

I just love the way these guys dispense justice! But remember Islam is a religion of peace and understanding....

Drivers in Iran found guilty of dangerous behaviour on the roads could be sentenced to 74 lashes or several months in jail, Iran's traffic police chief was quoted as saying Tuesday.

"Drivers who commit dangerous acts will be referred to court for harming public order and the court can sentence violators to three months to a year in jail or 74 lashes," Mohammad Rouyanian said, cited by the Kayhan newspaper.

War Protester Attacks Wheelchair Bound Teenager

Laura & Jenna Bush were out promoting their children's book - "Read All About It," when a scumbag war protester began making an a** out of himself by screaming & swearing at them about Iraq & Iran.

Bringing his cerebral palsy inflicted daughter to see her hero Laura Bush, John Lovetro, asked the man to be quiet as this was an event for the children. That's when this 'nadless nutbag began hitting Lovetro's wheelchair bound daughter.

From the New York Post --

I told the guy, 'What are you doing? Shut up. This is about a child and books,' " said John Lovetro. "He was unperturbed. I said, 'Get out of here! You're being a moron!' "

The next thing he knew, Talis was allegedly punching Maureen - a fan of the first lady since meeting her in 2004.

"I heard my daughter hysterical yelling, 'He's hitting me!' " said Wendy Lovetro.

"He punched her on the shoulder blades, but that wasn't enough," she said.

"My husband pushed the wheelchair away from him and he reached beyond my husband and began pounding my daughter in the thigh." More...


Lovetro pummeled the moron until police arrived to arrest him.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

State Rep. Matt Barrett (D-Amherst) quits over Porn he blamed on his Son

What a loser! This guy should be stoned publicly!

First term Democrat State Rep. Matt Barrett was giving a presentation to a group of high school students when a nude picture flashed on the screen.

Red faced and embarrassed Barrett immediately claimed "stupidity" as to how the naked pictures were on a state issued flash drive.

Then with the support of fellow democrats and House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, Barrett admitted his teenage son must have downloaded the pictures.

By late Wednesday, Barrett -- a lawyer and Amherst Democrat -- was calling the incident "an internal family matter" and asked for "respect for our privacy as we deal with this situation."

And by Thursday afternoon, House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty made a very public statement praising Barrett and stating: "This situation is a matter between him, his teenaged son and his family." (PD - October 04, 2007)

Now the truth comes out about this scumbag who threw his kid under the bus....
A House member said Thursday he was told there were nude photos of two women from Barrett's district on a flash drive used during the presentation. Neither was Barrett's wife, the member said.

Barrett quit "after he admitted he was not truthful about the photos displayed ... during a classroom presentation," according to a news release issued by Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty.

"It became clear the Rep. Barrett had not been forthright with me and his colleagues," Beatty said in the news release.

Beatty said she demanded Barrett's resignation. More...
What a piece of SH**! Someone needs to grab this guy and give him the beating of his life! I would think a well placed ball bat to the knees caps would be in order.

WARNING FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

I received this in my email from a highly respected source....
This morning, from a cave somewhere in Pakistan...

Taliban Minister of Migration, Mohammed Omar, warned the United States that if military action against Iraq continues, Taliban authorities will cut off America's supply of convenience store managers.

And if this action does not yield sufficient results, cab drivers will be next, followed by Dell and AOL customer service reps, and then Motel 6 managers.

It's getting ugly.

This warning was followed with an addendum -
And don't forget about the pizza delivery people. You may never get a pizza delivered to your door again.

Not only is this getting ugly but it may get worse - I fret the Islamakaze's may eventually include cutting off supply of doctors & engineers.

Cleveland Rag Dealer run by Bigots

I do not agree with all of the things that Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora does. Though I do find it pretty funny how Dimora routinely has his way with RPCC Chairman Little Robbie Frost.

I would say tossing the scribblers for the local fishwrap - The Rag Dealer (PD) - out of a meeting was not one of the smarter things he did. But does that give the local liberal propaganda rag the right to attack Dimora's nationality?

From the Rag Dealer --

When he tells you, "Get out!" in a loud, angry shout, That's Dimora.

When he summons his goon to make sure you leave soon, That's Dimora.

He won't talk, says he's being stalked, questions make him balk On the subject of hiring.

See him twitch, saying he's no snitch and we're hunting witch. Wow, he's really perspiring.

When the county takes in one whose resume's thin, That's a story.

When you put in her hand more than 48 grand, We ask why.

So we hope you will see we have reasons for asking, Signore.

Scuzza me, but you see, in the land of the free, That's a story.

(Instrumental break)

By protesting too much, you have opened the box of Pandora. Scuzza us for the fuss; we've got things to discuss With Dimora.

That's Dimora.


I am usually not offended by idiots making off color remarks about fellow Italians. I even found humor in Rev. Wright's garlic nosed Italians remarks.

But I must ask - would the bigoted editors at the high & mighty propaganda rag make this same play on words if Dimora was a jew, black, or gay? Seems like the stiff-necked bigots have have no problem insulting Italians.

As for the employee in question - who cares where she used to work, as long as she does good at the job she has now?

Hillary would Nuke Iran

According to the democrat standards, these below remarks would now classify Hillary as a "warmonger."

From WND --

"I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president we will attack Iran," Clinton said. "In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."

...Clinton offered a new defense doctrine during the Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia last week that would have the U.S. defend Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates with nuclear weapons. (emphasis added)

Here's what Clinton said: "We should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that goes much further than just Israel. Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States. But I would do the same with other countries in the region ... . You can't go to the Saudis or the Kuwaitis or UAE and others who have a legitimate concern about Iran and say, well, don't acquire these weapons to defend yourself unless you're also willing to say we will provide a deterrent backup." More...

Old Hillagoat sounds so ridiculous when she talks tough!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Buckeye State Barf College Boy leaves to become Ambulance Chaser

The Naugster appropriately takes a parting shot at Buckeye State Barf college boy - Jerid...

From Naugblog --
Jerid Kurtz, the obnoxious chucklehead blogger from Dayton, has left Buckeye State Blog to pursue his future career as a slip-and-fall lawyer.

In his supposedly final post, he thanks a bloated Federal government for being his 3rd parent as a child while his biological parents went through a difficult economic
situation.


Jerid also admits that he fights for Democrat canddiates because they �take care of folks like me.� At least this means Jerid is an honest democrat. Most Democrat activists won�t admit that they are tired of that �personal responsibility� nonsense, and would rather be tied to statist politicians through a social umbilical cord where new programs will be exchanged for votes.

The Naugster points out a very disturbing piece of Jerids farewell post -

As the economic pressure slowly crippled my parents marriage - like my dad�s legs - to the point of domestic violence, Social Security kept my Scooby Doo lunchbox full. More...

Most upsetting to me is that Jerid would use economic hardships to justify spousal abuse. My parents also went through a divorce and our family came upon financial hardships at times. Never did my father turn into a wife beater! In fact - my father never even raised his hands or threatened my mother with harm before, during or after their divorce.

I am sorry - but there is NO justifiable excuse for a man ever hitting a woman, let alone the mother of his children. For people that are less than a man - excuses for hitting a women abound. I was always taught any man raising his hands to a woman is a sign that he is a chicken shit. Maybe this explains why Jerid would allow a female friend (don't worry guys) to walk alone to her car from his apartment - because he is a chicken shit and less than a man.

So all you wife beaters out there - you have another liberal ambulance chaser coming to rescue you.

I wonder if this means we will hear more from fellow BSB perv Russo?

Good Job Matt!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Dick Morris - HILLARY'S TERRORIST TIES


By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

Published on FOXNews.com on April 18, 2008.

In this week’s debate, Hillary Clinton said all of her “baggage” has been “rummaged through” for years. But important features of her close relationship with known terrorist sympathizers and Hamas supporters are still opaque to the public view.

Her relationship with terrorists began in the mid-1980s when she served on the Board of the New World Foundation, which gave funds to the Palestine Liberation Organization, at a time when the PLO was officially recognized by the US government as a terrorist organization.

In 1996, the First Lady initiated an outreach program to bring Muslim leaders to the White House. But, as terrorism expert Steve Emerson noted in the Wall Street Journal “Curiously, nearly all of the leaders with whom Mrs. Clinton elected to meet came from Islamic fundamentalist organizations. A review of the statements, publications, and conferences of the groups Mrs. Clinton embraced shows unambiguously that they have long advocated or justified violence. By meeting with these groups, the first lady lent them legitimacy as ‘mainstream’ and ‘moderate.’”

Among these radical groups was the American Muslim Alliance (AMA) and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, both groups that support Hamas, who attended a White House reception hosted by Hillary in February, 1996. Emerson says that its leaders “have sanctioned terrorism, published anti-Semitic statements, and repeatedly hosted conferences that were forums for denunciations of Jews and exhortations to wage jihad.”

The American Muslim Alliance was headed in the 90s by Abdulrahman Alamoudi who met with Clinton and Gore in 1995. Emerson notes that “Mrs. Clinton [allowed] the American Muslim Alliance to draw up the Muslim guest list for the first lady’s…White House reception.”

Alamoudi, Emerson says was “the primary defender of Musa Abu Marzug, the Hamas political bureau chief responsible for creating the group’s death squads.” Marzug took “credit” when Hamas brigades sprayed machine gun fire into a crowded Jerusalem mall. But less than three days after Marzug was arrested by the FBI in July of 1995, Alamoudi said that Marzug “had never been involved in terrorism” and called his arrest “an insult to the Muslim community. Emerson reports that he “elicited contributions fro Marzug’s defense fund” and called him a “political prisoner.”

Then, Hillary ran for Senate on her own and suddenly it was payback time. On June 13, 2000, the American Muslim Alliance’s Massachusetts Chapter held a very successful fundraiser for her candidacy. Tahir Ali, the chairman of the chapter, said “we must support all who have [Muslim] interests at heart.”

Perhaps conscious of how controversial the contribution would be, Hillary or someone on her staff, tried to pull a fast one, recording the donation on federal filing forms as being from the “American Museum Alliance.” But alert observers weren’t fooled and Senate candidate Clinton was forced to acknowledge who the real donor was and, four months after getting the money, she returned it.

But by then, a few weeks before the election, she had abjured the use of soft money in her Senate campaign, so the donation was, in practical terms, useless, since it was well over the limits for hard money contributions.

The Palestinian terrorists know that Hillary hears their point of view. WorldNetDaily.com reported on October 7, 2007 that leading terrorists have publicly called for her election. Aaron Klein, WorldNet Daily’s Jerusalem correspondent, wrote, in his wonderful book Schmoozing with Terrorists, Ala Senakreh, West Bank chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terrorist group said “I hope Hillary is elected in order to have the occasion to carry out all the promises she is giving regarding Iraq.”

Senakreh has high hopes for a Hillary presidency. He told Klein “I hope also that she will maintain her husband’s policies regarding Palestine and even develop that policy.

Abu Hamed, leader of the Al Aqsa Brigades in Gaza, noting that “the Iraqi resistance is succeeding,” said that “Hillary and the Democrats call for withdrawal.” Then he added, helpfully, &ldqu o;Her popularity shows that the resistance is winning and that the occupation is losing. We just hope that she will go until the end and change American policy.” He explained that “President Clinton wanted to give the Palestinians 98 percent of the West Bank territories. I hope Hillary will move a step forward and give the Palestinians all their rights.”

Clearly Barack Obama should not have stayed in Rev Wright’s church and his campaign should not maintain a “friendly” relationship with William Ayers. But what about Hillary’s service on a board that gave money to a terrorist organization? And her hosting of a terror supporting group in the White House? And her acceptance of a $50,000 contribution from that group? And the statements of terrorists that they are hoping for her to win.

These are far more serious connections than have been established for Obama and either Wright or Ayers.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Korrectnik's Abroad

I would say it is only a matter of time before an activist judge & one of the liberal created victimhood groups will try some korrectnik crap like this here...

From Reuters --

An Italian man was given a suspended jail sentence for staring too intensely at a woman sitting in front of him on a train.

A judge sentenced the man in his 30s, whose name was not revealed, to 10 days in prison and a 40 euro ($63) fine after a 55-year old woman filed a complaint for sexual harassment.

His lawyer said on Friday he would appeal the sentence. The court will explain its verdict later. The two met on two separate occasions in 2005 on a commuter train going from Lecco, a town in northern Italy, to Milan.

The first time, the man sat next to the woman but she felt he had moved too close for comfort. The next day, the man sat in front of the same woman and according to her complaint, stared at her for the whole journey.

Arrested for staring! How ridiculous is that!

There is also another case taking place in which Ms. Hotness, Brigitte Bardot, is on trial again for inciting racial hatred.

Bardot is an outspoken critic of the Islamakaze's slowly taking over France.

From Reuters --
She has been fined four times for inciting racial hatred since 1997, at first 1,500 euros and most recently 5,000.

Prosecutor Anne de Fontette told the court she was seeking a tougher sentence than usual, adding: "I am a little tired of prosecuting Mrs Bardot."

French anti-racist groups complained last year about comments Bardot made about the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha in a letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy that was later published by her foundation.

"I am fed up with being under the thumb of this population which is destroying us, destroying our country and imposing its acts," the star of 'And God created woman' and 'Contempt' said.

Bardot has previously said France is being invaded by sheep-slaughtering Muslims and published a book attacking gays, immigrants and the unemployed, in which she also lamented the "Islamisation of France".

In my book, even though she is old enough to fart dust, Bardot could say whatever the hell she wants!

Obama secretly supports McCain

The more O'Dumbo speaks, the more he proves he is NOT the second coming of a tan JFK. As time goes on the dysfunctional O'Dumbocrats will see their hero expose himself for what he really is... nothing more than a "typical politician."

Campaigning in PA and trying to fool the bitter, gun toting, Bible thumping, rednecks into voting for him - the "minister of empty hope" steps in his own pile of O'Dumbocrap.

From Yahoo News --
"You have a real choice in this election. Either Democrat would be better than John McCain. And all three of us would be better than George Bush," Obama said.

"We cannot afford a third George Bush term and that's what John McCain is offering — a third Bush term," Obama said.

"We are going to bring an end to the George Bush era," Obama declared. "His name won't be on the ballot" but "one name that will be on the ballot is John McCain!"

The audience booed, and Obama said: "The problem is that he's running for George Bush's third term."

It looks like John Kerry has been promoted as O'Dumbo's speech writer!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sadr Threatens War

Until recently Muqtada al-Sadr & his al-Mahdi Army have been fairly quiet and the renewal of his 6 month cease fire has greatly contributed to the decline in violence - until now.

In response to an Iraqi crack down on his militia in Basra & Sadr City, Sadr has issued Iraq & the United States an ultimatum - stop arresting his followers or he will declare war.

From Al-Jazeera --
.... al-Sadr said in a statement on Saturday that he was giving a final warning to the Shia-led Iraqi government "to take the path of peace and stop violence against its own people".

"If it does not stop the militias that have infiltrated the government, then we will declare a war until liberation," he said.


Sheikh Salah al-Obaidi, a spokesman for al-Sadr, told Al Jazeera that this is the last opportunity of the Iraqi government to make an effort to co-operate with the group.

He said: "We [the Sadrist movement] have tried and tried to improve the political situation in the country. "But our calls were never heeded. This is the government's last chance to correct the current situation."
More...

Making matters worse is the month long campaign, "Attack of Righteousness," planned by Sunni-led Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Celebrating the death of 4000 American soldiers in Iraq, the group will "offer the head of an American" as a gift to George Bush.

Steaming Load Award - Time Magazine

From Politically Incorrect Gazette --

Steaming Load #1: Time Magazine takes a crap on the brave men who died defending our liberty.

The image of five United States Marines and one American sailor ( Sgt. Michael Strank, USMC; Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC; PFC. Franklin Sousley, USMC; PFC. Rene Gagnon, USMC; PFC. Ira Hayes, USMC; and PhM. 2/c John Bradley, USN) raising the American Flag on Mount Suribachi is etched in the minds of everyone who has seen it. It is one of those images that signifies, memorializes, the high price our warriors paid to defeat a determined enemy in a world war where our survival hung in the balance. The Joe Rosenthal photo of the second flag raising on Mt. Suribachi is such a powerful image it was used to create the United States Marine Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery. Its message of courage, teamwork and sacrifice is a powerful one, an essential one.

This week, 'Time Magazine' perpetrated a blatant insult on the men who made that ultimate sacrifice for their country on Iwo Jima, and countless other forgotten places around the world. The magazine’s editors dropped their drawers and took a crap on this inspiring moment in a titanic battle by spewing the steaming butt bullet shown in this cover image from Time’s April 28th issue. It’s insulting and enraging on so many levels, I am hard pressed to name them all. First, and foremost, the bloody battle to defend our liberty against two powerful enemies hell bent on world domination is terribly real. Equating that with Messiah Al’s delusions about man-perpetrated Global Warming, is giving the finger to the 6,821 Americans who died during the 35 day battle for that hunk of volcanic rock in the Pacific Ocean. This cover image is an insult to all the United States Marines who have died in battle since the Corps inception in 1775.

Two men who were part of that hellish battle, didn’t pull their punches when they were interviewed by the Business and Media Institute:


“It’s an absolute disgrace. Whoever did it is going to hell. That’s a mortal sin. God forbid he runs into a Marine that was an Iwo Jima survivor. The second world war we knew was there. There’s a big discussion. Some say there is global warming, some say there isn’t. And to stick a tree in place of a flag on the Iwo Jima picture is just sacrilegious.” (Donald Mates, who served in the 3rd Marine Division and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, landing on Feb. 24, 1945).

“That global warming is the biggest joke I’ve ever known. [W]e’ll stick a dadgum tree up somebody’s rear if they want that and think that’s going to cure something.” (Lt. John Keith Wells, leader of the platoon that raised the flags on Mt. Suribachi, co-author of "Give Me Fifty Marines Not Afraid to Die: Iwo Jima").

The Free State of PIG has a notorious soft spot for all our fighting men and women, especially the members of the United States Marines. We don’t buy any of the self serving bullshit being pooped out by Time Magazine’s managing editor, Richard Stengel. When Lt. John Keith Wells and his fellow Marines hunt down this Steaming Stengel Load and stick that tree where the sun don’t shine, we’ll add that to the long list of heroic moments in Marine Corps history.

Time Magazine and this Stengel butt bullet have been circling the bowl long enough. It’s time to flush both of them out of our misery.



Saturday, April 19, 2008

Support the CARTER Act


Former President Peanut may finally get his slack-jaw wired shut. Against the wishes of the U.S., Israel and many other countries, Carter met with top Hamas officials on his 2008 Terrorist Tour through the Mid-East.

On this Terrorist Tour Carter visited the grave site of PLO founder Yasser Arafat. Calling him a close friend, Carter described Arafat as a "peace fighter". Setting the international stage his Terrorist Tour created for the jihadikazes - Carter called Israel a bunch of criminals.

Having heard Jihadikaze Jimmy drawl enough insults about our allies and sing never ending praise about known terrorists - U.S. Rep Joe Knollenberg has had enough...

From WND --

The CARTER Act, by U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, of Farmington Hills, Mich., would prevent federal dollars from being used to finance discussions and negotiations with terrorist groups, he said.

The Coordinated American Response To Extreme Radicals Act estimates taxpayers already have given the Carter's think-tank foundation some $19 million. But Knollenberg is suggesting no more.

"America must speak with one voice against our terrorist enemies," he said in a statement at the time the proposal was readied for Congress. "It sends a fundamentally troubling message when an American dignitary is engaged in dialogue with terrorists. My legislation will make sure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to support discussions or negotiations with terrorist groups." More...

It is about time somebody did something, other than talk, about stopping this American embarASSment. I believe it is bad enough we are paying for secret service protection on his Terrorist Tour - but it is amazing we would give money to his think-tank!

His actions show he is a moron, but would Carter & think-tank be an oxymoron?

Click here for more on Knollenberg's CARTER Act. Click here for the letter he sent Jihadikaze Jimmy when he first learned of his planned Terrorist Tour.

Al-Zawahiri releases new tape

The #2 man of Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has issued a new audiotape again predicting U.S. failure in Iraq. This is the same towel headed Islamikaze that predicted the U.S. troop "surge" would fail.

From Al-Jazeera --

Al-Zawahri, considered to be the network's chief strategist, said that building Iraq as a "fortress of Islam" is the "most important duty" for Muslims.

Marking the fifth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, al-Zawahiri said that the administration of George Bush, the US president, is passing on a "problem" to the president's successor by guaranteeing that a heavy foreign military presence stays in
Iraq for the rest of Bush's term.

"The truth is that if Bush keeps all his forces in Iraq until doomsday and until they enter hell, they will only see crisis and defeat by the will of God", al-Zawahiri said.

In Thursday's tape, al-Zawahiri also said a fight to liberate Jerusalem would be launched from Iraq, reiterating earlier statements attributed to Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. More...

Like the Iranians when Reagan was elected, I predict many of the Al-Qaeda Islamikazes and their jihadikazes will change their tune when McCain is elected.

Should Hillahag or O'Dumbo get elected... al-Zawahiri's predictions will probably be somewhat accurate.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Support the McCain Gas Tax Holiday

My Friends,

This week, I laid out an economic plan aimed at providing immediate and long-term relief for all American families. One of the key components of this plan is a suspension of the federal gas tax on gasoline from Memorial Day to Labor Day of this year.

The effect of this "gas tax holiday" will be an immediate economic stimulus - taking a few dollars off the price of a tank of gas every time you fill up. And because the cost of gas affects the price of food, packaging and just about everything else, this immediate step will spread economic relief to every family in America.

My friends, this election will be shaped by the big issues we face as a nation, not the small ones...

I am running for president to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our nation today, and our economy is certainly one of our top challenges. The voters of our country will have a clear choice in November between my vision and policies for our country - rooted in our shared conservative principles - and the tax and spend policies of my Democratic opponents.

Whether it's the economy, the struggle against radical Islamic extremism or national security issues, I stand ready to offer bold solutions to our nation's challenges. The gas-tax holiday is just one example, and as I have always done, I will make my case to every American who will listen.

I will not confine myself to the comfort of speaking only to those who agree with me. I will make my case to all the people. I will listen to those who disagree. I will try to persuade them. I will debate. I will learn from them. And I will fight every moment of every day for what I believe is right for this country, and I will not yield.

Thank you,

John McCain

P.S. In November, Americans will have a clear choice between my policies for addressing the big issues and the policies of my opponents. I stand ready to offer bold new solutions to the challenges we face as a nation, and I ask that you join me today calling for a gas tax holiday to provide immediate economic relief for many Americans.

HB 270 - A Skool Funding Challenge for Strickland

Yesterday I posted about Rev. Ted's dream of one day fulfulling his campaign promise for education reform in Ohio. So far the only thing we know about this phantom reform is that Rev. Ted wants to strip the elected positions of State Skool Bored of any power. These positions would serve in an advisory role to his newly appointed Education Czar.

The other part of his wet dream includes fixing skool funding. But as we know all to well - this is just lip service. This would mean challenging the brown shirts running the teachers union - and that will never happen.

If Rev. Ted is sincere about about any reform of skool funding, his first step would be stopping the double dipping of so-called retired teachers and skool administrators.

Harry E. Klide, a retired Stark County Common Pleas judge, writes about HB 270 that would be the first step in any skool funding reform...

From the Canton Repository --

A few elected officials in Columbus are attempting to close the loophole that allows double dipping. It is about time. The Dispatch noted that House Bill 270, introduced by Rep. Michelle Schneider, R-Madeira, "would suspend the pensions of elected officials and public employees who return to the same or similar jobs within six months."

HB 240, introduced by Rep. Bruce Goodwin, R-Defiance, provides that those who want to double dip would have their salary capped at about 60 percent of their former salary.

The time has come for taxpayers to protest and compel their state legislators to focus on the practice of double dipping. Regardless of how I feel about it, I cannot find fault with someone who is double dipping because he or she is only doing what is allowable by law. I find fault with those who make this right under our legal system.

Failure to correct this problem undermines trust and confidence in government because it encourages the notion that public officials are talking advantage of the offices to which they were elected to enrich themselves at the taxpayers' expense.

Many states outlaw or restrict double dipping. Isn't it time our state legislators take bold action to resolve this important issue? More...


If Rev. Ted is truly concerned about "watching" our tax dollars he will fully support this bill. Now let's see if Rev. Ted and his dysfunctional democrats in Columbus really want to fix skool funding!

Girlieman of the Week - Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

Girlieman of the Week
Date Awarded: April 18, 2008

Girlieman: Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon
Antics: Went caterwauling to Uncle Sam

Lost somewhere in the long shadow cast by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Apraio, is Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. Mayor Phil is not amused by Sheriff Joe, Sheriff Joe’s notoriety, or anything else about PIG’s favorite lawman. In fact, Mayor Phil is determined to paint a justice system bull’s-eye on Sheriff Joe because Joe Arpaio is, systematically, cleaning out those known havens where border jumping scumbags lurk:
In the past month, sheriff's deputies and trained volunteers have gone into neighborhoods with large Hispanic populations, stopping people for routine traffic violations and asking some of them about their immigration status. Dozens of illegal immigrants have been detained. ICE officials say Arpaio is not violating the formal agreement he has with their office that allows sheriff's deputies to enforce immigration laws. (Yahoo News)
Sheriff Joe’s raids must be working, because he’s pissing off all those notorious Colonista coddling groups. At the same time, he’s getting covering fire from the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials who, coincidentally, were on hand when Sheriff Joe’s deputies arrested residents and immigrants in the town of Guadalupe. Their approval stands in stark contrast to Mayor Phil’s whine to the U. S. Department of Justice:
In an April 4 letter to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Mayor Phil Gordon asked the agency and the Justice Department's civil rights division to examine what he called discriminatory harassment and improper stops, searches, and arrests by sheriff's deputies in Maricopa County, which encompasses the metropolitan area. "Over the past few weeks, Sheriff Arpaio's actions have infringed on the civil rights of our residents," Gordon wrote. "They have put our residents' well-being, and the well-being of law enforcement officers, at risk." (Yahoo News)
Sheriff Joe is almost as unimpressed with this spineless political hack guttersnipe as we are, here in the Free State of PIG:
"I think the mayor is disconnected from the people he represents and he doesn't get the point," Arpaio said Saturday. "Now he's going to Washington to confuse the issue and try to get the public against me." The mayor "is degrading my office and my deputies by insinuating that they're violating all these civil laws. We don't profile," the sheriff said.
If Mayor Phil thinks Sheriff Joe is exceeding his authority, why doesn’t he attack him directly? Why doesn’t he use the local justice system to hang this stinker on Sheriff Joe? Why? Because Mayor Phil Gordon is a craven coward who hasn’t got the guts to fight his own battles. For lacking the BALLS to be a MAN about his battle with Sheriff Joe, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is the Politically Incorrect Gazette’s Girlieman of the Week.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Illegal Immigration Smuggling Ring broken up in Mentor

When confronted about illegal immigrants taking jobs from U.S. citizens, the left counters with - they only take jobs "we" don't want.

Anybody who ever worked in a restaurant - please raise your hand.

From the PD --
Owners and managers of a popular Mexican restaurant in Mentor smuggled workers north from Mexico, charged them high fees for the crossing and demanded they work long hours to pay off the debt, according to federal authorities.

Immigration agents and federal prosecutors say they broke up a smuggling ring that exploited illegal immigrants when they descended on Jalapeno Loco and six other Mexican restaurants in five states Wednesday morning.

Agents arrested two managers of Jalapeno Loco, which commands a prominent corner of East Points shopping plaza on Mentor Avenue and bills itself an "Authentic Mexican Restaurant." They also took into custody eight restaurant workers - six men and two women - believed to be in the country illegally. More...

Long Lost Campaign Promise - Rev. Ted's Education Reform

Uh-Oh! Rev. Ted is AGAIN promising education reform and this time he means business! He doesn't know how is going to do it, but when he does - nobody better stand in his way!

From the PD --

Strickland pledged again Thursday to propose revamped public school funding and other reforms next year. He didn't give details in a speech at the Ohio Federation of Teachers state convention but seemed to anticipate a need to bull through or go around the General Assembly.

"It will be a Herculean effort," he told nearly 300 delegates beginning a three-day session at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Hotel. "I will ask, really beg you, to help with this effort."

Strickland is soliciting ideas for reform and said he won't firm up his plan until listening to people across the state. Proposals he has heard so far include setting a local minimum for school taxes, dumping the Ohio Graduation Test for other measures of achievement and establishing a statewide pay scale for teachers.

"It is important we develop public support for whatever the final effort is," Strickland later told reporters. "I don't want to just put forth an effort that will fail."
More...
What did he just say - Does not want to put forth an effort that would would fail? Excuse me Rev. - did you forget about your budget? Sorry, that passed - only it IS a failure!

Hillary better watch out - it sounds like Rev. Ted is getting some help from O'Dumbo on giving empty speeches of hope.


For a better understanding of education in the United States, click here to read this eye opening assessment.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

More Iranian meddling in Iraq

From Hurriyet --

The shelling in Quandil mountain targeted the PEJAK, a breakaway faction of the outlawed separatist PKK, PUK media reported.

Iranian artillery began shelling the villages in Sengeser sub-county and Pishder District of Sulaimani Province in Northern Iraq on Monday, a news service associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani reported.

The Iranian military often shells Iraqi border villages in an attempt to flush out the outlawed Kurdish separatists, sending residents fleeing from their homes.

The PEJAK based in northern Iraq threatened on Sunday to launch bomb attacks inside Iran if Tehran fails to halt anti-Kurdish policies in the Islamic country, AFP reported. PEJAK warned it has the ability to "carry out bombings against Iranian forces" inside Iran. More...


PEJAK is supported by the United States, and the PKK is listed as a terrorist group.

PEJAK & the PKK have are Kurdish separatist groups and a pain in the a** for Iran & Turkey.

North Royalton Nazi's Ban Outside SMoking

This city should also lose any money they get directly or indirectly from any tobacco taxes!

From the PD --

A year after Ohio told smokers to step outside, North Royalton has decreed the outside out of bounds at city parks and recreation areas.

The Cleveland suburb is the first community in Ohio to ban outdoor smoking on public lands, health officials said. The restrictions cover soccer fields, parks and ball fields. And no, you can't grab a smoke in your car in the parking lot.

Mayor Robert Stefanik said he introduced legislation after hearing from baseball boosters who were tired of people lighting up in the stands. Cigarette butt litter has also been a problem, he said.

These tormented liberal korrectnik's should have SS patches on their shirts! As for the Mayors so-called supporters of these goose-stepping tactics - must be athletic supporters.

I am a baseball coach on my son's t-ball team - I never smoked in front of the children. I would rather kids see somebody smoking - than watch pro ball players shoot steroids!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Another Obama Endorsement

And the Jihadakaze's pick... O'Dumbo!

From WND --

"We like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the elections," Ahmed Yousuf, Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip, said in an exclusive interview with WND and with the John Batchelor Show on WABC Radio in New York.

"I hope Mr. Obama and the Democrats will change the political discourse. ... I do believe [Obama] is like John Kennedy, a great man with a great principal. And he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community, but not with humiliation and arrogance," Yousuf said, speaking from Gaza.
More...
I bet they don't like gun slinging, Bible thumping, hilljack's either!

What scares me about O'Dimwit is not that his middle name is Hussein, that he is black, an elitist snob, or that he is so liberal he makes Kookcinich look conservative. What scares me is that the man does not have a clue when it comes to the importance and national security issues we face with the power struggles all throughout the Middle East and the Islamakaze's running wild.

Like the O'Dumbocrats, the terrorists are also mesmerized by his empty speeches of hope. Something like the new chick in school - all the boys go ga-ga over her, then realize she is nothing special.

The O'Dumbocrats and the terrorists will both be disappointed when they realize O'Dumbo is NOT the hero they think he is. A pissed off O'Dumbocrat just whimpers and whines. A pissed off Jihadakaze blows things up!

A Health Care story Hillary won't tell!

A young girl was born with a liver disorder. Over the years this young girl received three liver transplants - twice in 1989 and a third in 1998. Unable to afford health care these operations were paid for by the state.

The young lady, now 21 with no insurance, is again in need of another liver transplant or she will die. But she is ineligible for state-funded health care due to age limits. Learning of a little known law she is again receiving free health care and is back on the waiting list for her 4th liver transplant.

So this could be considered a "happy" story about healthcare and one case where it works - right? Sure only if your living in Mexifornia and are an illegal immigrant...

From the LA Times --
Late last month Puente learned of another, little-known option for patients with certain healthcare needs. If she notified U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that she was in the country illegally, state health officials might grant her full Medi-Cal coverage. Puente did so, her benefits were restored and she is now awaiting a fourth transplant at UCLA.

That break can be life-threatening for people like Puente. "It doesn't matter if I'm undocumented," she said. "They should take care of me at UCLA for the rest of my life because I've been there since I was a baby."

If you are a U.S. citizen - you get treated like a U.S. citizen. Sir, you are a legal U.S. citizen... end of the line please --
Larry Gonzalez, a U.S. citizen who has hepatitis C, has known for a decade that he needs a new liver but was just placed on the transplant waiting list last week.

"Why do we have to get in line behind immigrants, foreigners, when we have enough people here to fill the hospitals?" asked Gonzalez, 54, who lives in Ventura. "It just seems obvious to me that we shouldn't be taking a back seat."

Government health care - what a peach!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

A letter from a Klassy RPCC Officer

This is a letter sent by Rino Snakenberg to a fellow member of the RPCC. The statements Snakenberg is speaking about is a proposed bylaw change that would stop him and the other democrat supporting Republicans from giving to democrats.

Dear Mr. Emmert,

I am confused by your statements in your email, which was never sent directly to me. I am almost certain you have never called me at my home or my office although both are listed. Had you called, I would have returned you call as I return all my calls. Did I somehow miss your calls? If so, I apologize. If you did not have the courtesy to call me, then you can go f**k yourself.


Roger M. Synenberg
Synenberg & Associates LLC
55 Public Square, Suite 1200
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Telephone: (216)622-2727
Fax: (216) 622-2707
Pager: (216)549-2913

Saturday, April 12, 2008

True Measures of Success in Iraq


This article by David Brooks is a must read for the dunderheads that do not think we are having success in Iraq. This would pretty much be Hillary & Obama supporters.

From NYT --

The Bush administration has been pushing the Iraqis to make this sort of grand compromise for years — to little effect. The Democrats happily declare that there has been no political progress in Iraq because this grand compromise is the only kind of political progress they can conceive of.

The grand compromise model would be appropriate if Iraq were a Western country living in the shadow of the Magna Carta. But Iraq is not that kind of country.

As Philip Carl Salzman argues in “Culture and Conflict in the Middle East” (brilliantly reviewed by Stanley Kurtz in The Weekly Standard), many Middle Eastern societies are tribal. The most salient structure is the local lineage group. National leaders do not make giant sacrifices on behalf of the nation because their higher loyalty is to the sect or clan. Order is achieved not by the top-down imposition of abstract law. Instead, order is achieved through fluid balance of power agreements between local groups.

In a society like this, political progress takes different forms. It’s not top down. It’s bottom up. And this is exactly the sort of progress we are seeing in Iraq. While the Green Zone politicians have taken advantage of the surge by trying to entrench their own power, things are happening at the grass-roots.

Iraqis are growing more optimistic. Fifty-five percent of Iraqis say their lives are going well, up from 39 percent last August, according to a poll conducted by ABC News and other global television networks. Forty-nine percent now say the U.S. was right to invade Iraq, the highest figure recorded since this poll began in 2004.

More generally, the Iraqi people are sick of war and are punishing those leaders and forces that perpetrate it. “A vital factor in the security improvement is public backlash against the chaos and extremism of the past five years,” declared Yahia Said of the Revenue Watch Institute in written testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

And, as one would expect, the local clans have taken control. Iraqi politics have become hyperlocalized, Colin Kahl, a Georgetown professor and Obama adviser, has observed. The most prestigious groups in Iraqi society are tribes and Awakening Councils. Many of these councils earned legitimacy by fighting during the height of the violence and have now come out in the open as local authorities.

These groups have created a fluid network of fragile truces. They squabble over money, power, ideology and sectarian issues. But they have incentives to keep the peace. Sunni leaders have come to realize that they can’t win a civil war against the Shiites. Shiite militia leaders recognize their own prestige and power drops the more they fight.

As Stephen Biddle of the Council on Foreign Relations observed in his Senate testimony last week: “This does not mean sectarian harmony or brotherly affection in Iraq. But it does mean that cold, hard strategic reality increasingly makes acting on hatred too costly for Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias.”

The surge didn’t create the network of truces, but the truces couldn’t have happened without the surge. More than 70,000 local council members are paid by the Americans. They rely on the U.S. military to enforce bargains and deter truce-breaking. Thanks to these arrangements, ethno-sectarian violence dropped by 90 percent between June 2007 and March 2008. That’s the result of political progress, not just counterinsurgency techniques.

It has become common to belittle these truces. After all, they are not written by legislators on parchment. And indeed there’s a significant chance that they will indeed collapse and the country will devolve into anarchy.

But in certain societies, this is the way order is established, through what Salzman calls “balanced opposition.” As long as the network of truces holds, then the next president (Democrat or Republican) will have an overwhelming incentive to nurture the fragile peace.

That will mean drawing down U.S. troops at a slow pace, continuing the local reconstruction efforts, supporting local elections and reaching an informal agreement with Iran and the Saudis to reduce outside interference. Iraq will look like a lot of places in the world: a series of cold and fragile understandings, with occasional flare-ups (like in Basra), but no genocide and no terror state.

At this week’s hearings on Capitol Hill, Democrats will declare that the surge has not produced political progress and therefore the whole thing is for naught. That’s wrong. There has been political progress. It just doesn’t look the way we expected it to.