In Response to the Undiebomber...

Our border security arrested independent war correspondent Michael Yon in Seattle. Why? For the heinous offense of refusing to disclose his income. Yon has since been released. To clarify: Your father can report you to a US Embassy as a terrorist threat, you can match up with every terrorist profile out there, and MI5 and the CIA can have you on their threat list...but don't you dare not tell the Border Guards your adjusted gross income!

Glad to know we're taking terrorism seriously.

Say it with me: Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

Because It Worked So Well Last Time

If you'll remember, a group of Brits decided in 2004 to send thousands upon thousands of letters to Clark County, Ohio, in hopes of flipping the state from Red to Blue.

In that vein, today comes the news that the world wants Obama to win. This from a BBC poll.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/09/2360240.htm?section=world

Also, British Prime Minister and Sitting Duck Gordon Brown basically endorses Barry Messiah. Truly, he makes the British Lion lay down with the American Lamb.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2713430/Gordon-Brown-triggers-row-with-John-McCain-by-backing-Barack-Obama.html

Now far be it from me to tell you what to do, folks...but I beg of you, please, please, pretty please...keep doing stuff like this. It makes caricaturing the One sooooo much easier.

დღეს, მე საქართველო

Today, I am Georgian.

I Seem to Remember

Last year, Jere Nash chided Andy Taggart for bringing up the "Russian Boogeyman" in a blog post, because the only way Republicans win is by scaring people.

My question for Jere today is: Are the Russians scaring you yet? Because the people in Georgia are absolutely terrified.

You Always Knew His Middle Name Stared With 'H'

But I bet you didn't know it was "humility:"

http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/13021.htm

It's Official

Nothing surprises me anymore.

But according to a statement from Ma'ariv yesterday, the Obama campaign actually leaked the note to reporters before Obama even placed it in the wall. Yediot Aharonot, Israel's most popular daily, apparently also received a copy of the note in advance but decided not to print it. As a Ma'ariv spokesman told the Jerusalem Post:
Barack Obama's note was approved for publication in the international media even before he put in the Kotel [Western Wall], a short time after he wrote it at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

Read the whole thing at Free Republic:

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/07/28/is-anything-sacred.aspx

Priorities

Give speech to enthusiastic German crowd, in hopes of winning their votes? Sure, greenlight it (I'm assuming that he does know that Germans can't vote in November. Does he?).

Visit troops stationed in Germany, including those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan? Sorry, got to get to my Nautilus machine.

Think I'm kidding? Oh, I wish I was.

1:42 p.m.: SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that Obama has cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday. “Barack Obama will not be coming to us,” a spokesperson for the US military hospital in Landstuhl announced. “I don’t know why.” Shortly before the same spokeswoman had announced a planned visit by Obama.

From Der Speigel, the German magazine.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,567821,00.html

I Love Crowds of Chanting, Spellbound, Cheering Germans

Don't you?

I Was Wrong, Senator Cochran

Clearly, you were preparing the way for us to grasp the fear that Latin American thugs have for John Sydney McCain III. How else can you explain the FARC operation just hours after he touched down in Columbia? The mere presence of John Sydney McCain III (isn't it nice to be able to use a candidate's middle name without people accusing you of being racist or xenophobic?) in their country gave the Columbians enough gumption to pull off their rescue operation. The guerilla drug lords know better than to mess with John Sydney McCain III.

Top that, Barry.

Call Me Nuts

But aren't fact-finding trips supposed to, I don't know, find out facts?

Here's something that might be of interest to Rep. Whiplash as he goes to Iraq (he's meeting with General Petreus, by the way. Make sure you let him know Senator Messiah says hi, by the way). Since the surge began in early '07, violence in Iraq has gone down. I know, inconvenient for your position, but facts are stubborn things, right?

Another thing they'll tell you (of course, you won't put it in your press releases, and even if you did, I doubt your admiring press would print it) is the Awakening Movement, and the formation of the Sons of Iraq. These are Iraqis who are 'doing more for their country' as you put it. You should perhaps ask a couple of the Sheiks in Anbar Province about it-or their next of kin, since by standing up for themselves against Al-qaeda they've been targets.

Recently, the Iraqi Army and Security Forces took the offensive to Al-qaeda in Basra. Combat units in the Iraqi army are capable of pulling off that; the main thing that they lack is logistical capability. Even as you were there, the Iraqis were taking bids on opening up oil fields.

See, they've been doing that for a while, and I think they'd resent how you're portraying them, as essentially a bunch of welfare cases suckling off of the American teet. You just have to read deeper into things than you obviously do. I realize you're playing to the isolationist streak in rural Northeast Mississippi, and I note that you want the troops home "safely and honorably." I do too.

Here's the difference between you and me. I understand the consequence of leaving too soon means that Iran-who I'm sure you've been briefed is the major backer of terrorism in Iraq-gets stronger and al-Qaeda has a large base of operations. But I'm just one of those flyover country peons, certainly not as smart as the San Francisco crew that you've been provided by the DNC. I'm not so sure they-or you-adequately grasp the existential struggle we're in.

But enjoy the rest of the trip. Remember, FACT finding, FACT finding.

On this date in 1948, in Tel Aviv

David Ben-Gurion read the Israeli Declaration of Independence in public, inaugurating the State of Israel. In doing so, the best ally of the US and the first functioning democracy in the Middle East was created.

So on this Day of Independence, I say to all our friends in Israel: Mazel Tov and L'chaim! I shall drink to your continued existence this very evening.

New From Konklusive Scotch! (A Parody)

Konklusive Scotch: Confederate Born, Confederate Bred, and When We Die, We'll Be Confederate Dead

Konklusive Scotch: General Lee Might Have Surrendered, But We Didn't!

Konklusive Scotch: Save Your Confederate Dollars Boys, The South Will Rise Again!

So you see, boys and girls, the Reconquista ad might not be the worst in recorded history, but it's up there. The shock that the Swedes had that people in the US might be offended by the suggestion that, what, a third, half of the country should be carved off was almost funny in a sad way. Imagine an ad campaign that suggested that maybe those of us who live in these parts might 'prefer the border' to look a certain way. Then imagine the panties that would get in a wad, the milk that would shoot through people's noses, the coronaries that would occur, the ink that would flow, the outrage, the threats and hyperbole and incoherent rants-and that's just in David Hampton's office. Contrast that to the politically correct silence coming from it now.

Further proof that you should think before you drink...or advertise.

The above image was taken from http://thewashingtongrays.homestead.com/ , a website dedicated to Company K, 10th North Carolina State Troops, Artillery.

The Official Vodka of the Great Red Spot

Since Absolut Vodka has decided to endorse the Reconquista of the southwestern United States by Mexico, we here at the Spot are endorsing an American-made Vodka proud to be American, SKYY.

As the SKYY people put it:

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.

“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”

In the ad, an “Absolut World” is depicted where the map of North America is re-drawn with Mexico claiming much of the Western United States, negating the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as well as the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and the independence of Texas (1836).

“Don’t get me started on the Gadsden Purchase,” continues Karraker. “I think the folks in Tucson and Yuma would be rubbed the wrong way if they hear this landmark deal was somehow nullified as suggested by Absolut, a Swedish-owned brand.”

SKYY Vodka was founded in San Francisco in 1992 and continues to be produced in the United States. Premium SKYY Vodka is made from American grain carefully selected from the Midwest and 100% pure filtered water. SKYY’s proprietary four-column
distillation and three-step filtration process consistently ensures exceptional quality. SKYY Vodka products include luxury SKYY90® and new SKYY Infusions™, a unique, all-natural infused experience made with premium SKYY Vodka and succulent real fruit.

Now that's how you earn your money, advertising agency. We at the Spot will be toasting to your patriotism and good sense this very evening.

Chavez Blames the Jews

Seems things aren't so rosy down in Venezuela, where John Edwards, I mean, Hugo Chavez (read a transcript of their speeches and tell me you can see any difference), has begun going where most failed governments of the last century have gone when things have gone bad-they've started to kick the Jews.

The cultural ministry has published articles talking about "the Jewish Question" using a yellow Star of David crossed with a swastika. The authorities are raiding Jewish centers looking for weapons (perhaps they fear 'the Jewish street' rising up against them?). A recent article has suggested expelling the Jews from Venezuela (welcome to the 12th century, Hugo!)

People wonder why we here at the GRS are fervently opposed to economic crackpots and left wing looneys? Hugo's a prime example. Totalitiarian, paranoid, take-no-prisoners, blame the rich nuts have a place, but it ain't in power. The media in Venezuela is run by the state, the economy is run entirely by the state, and the state is run basically by Hugo Chavez' fiat. Despite billions in oil revenue from Citgo-a wholly owned subsidiary of the Venezuelan government-the government is spending more than it's taking in. It's as a warning to the rest of us in the civilized, western world that pie in the sky socialism leads to a loss of our freedom and dignity, and, for some people, their safety.

Read the Miami Herald article for more. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/venezuela/story/372170.html

The Snub of All Snubs

I am shocked at the callousness of Governor Barbour. Seriously, the man has some nerve. Doesn't he know that honest horticulturalist and small biznessman Jamie Franks Jr. was instrumental in bringing Toyota to Mississippi? It's amazing how people forget that he personally flew to Japan and negotiated with Toyota executives on behalf of the hard-working people of Mississippi? Then why wasn't honest horticulturalist and small biznessman Jamie Franks Jr. invited to today's announcement of a Toyota parts supplier locating in Baldwyn? Didn't he get the  memos? Didn't Bobby Harrison or Lloyd Gray or David Hampton inform him that Jamie Franks had twisted Toyota's arms into locating in Mississippi in the first place? It's amazing what Governor Barbour will do to stop the Franks machine. I mean, he'll even stoop to taking credit for bringing a major auto manufacturer to the state. What other evil, terrible things is Haley Barbour willing to do to stay in power?

A Question for Nash

Um, seeing as how General Petreus' job is to secure Iraq, isn't that kind of a silly question to ask him? Seriously, if I were to ask you, "Do you think Jamie Franks has a bad haircut," would you have seriously put thought into that? After all, your job is to comment on politics, not haircuts.

A Question for Jere Nash

Did you miss the polonium murders last year, or the probably Russian-backed attempted assassination of Viktor Yuschenko, or the increasing trend in Russia toward autocracy (Putin recieved 71.3% of the vote in 2004), its military exercises with the Chinese, its sales of nuclear equipment to Iran, or are you just sandbagging? Seriously? Wake up and take a look outside of Daily Kos, man.

Just because they aren't saluting Lennin's statue (a tragedy to most liberals, to be sure) doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. Ask Kaiser Wilhelm, the Turks or the Crimeans.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/22/npoison422.xml

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec04/ukraine_12-15.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100800919.html