After smearing four star General David Petraeus in a deep-discounted full page ad in the New York Times (Management had apparently give them the family discount) George Soros funded MoveOn has threatened legal action against online T-Shirt vendor CafePress. Claiming that T-Shirts, mugs, notebooks and other paraphenalia parodying the group violate the its trademark MoveOn issued a "Ceast and Desist" letter to CafePress in an attempt to scare the vendor into compliance.
Unfortunately for MoveOn, trademark infringement laws cover instances where a merchant attempts to deceive customers into buying his products by copying his competitors logo, packaging and name. Trademark infringement laws DO NOT apply to parody and free speech. By taking this action MoveOn's legal thugs are trying to shut down the free speech rights of a T-Shirt vendor because they don't like his message and hope to bully him into submission. While MoveOn stuffs fat gluttonous mouthfulls of the right to free speech into its porcine maw, at times pushing it to the frontiers of libel and slander as in the case of its full page New York Times ad, portraying General Petraeus as General BetrayUS, yet MoveOn is so thin-skinned that it can't take the ribbing of a simple online T-Shirt vendor and threatens legal action when its image is deservedly besmirched.
The caption emblazoned on T-Shirts, Mugs, Notebooks and other assorted knick-knacks that MoveOn finds so objectionable that it calls out its legal dogs reads, "General Petraeus has done more for this country than MoveOn.org." can be viewed at Michelle Malkin's Blog which has done a very fine dust up of the raving moonbat org's latest rant here.
Blue Crab Boulevard has more on the story here called MoveOn.suppress while PajamasMedia provides some background titled, All The Propaganda That's Fit To Print.
The knick-knacks that provided the latest spark of contention are viewable here. Get some for your friends.
45 Goals of The Communist Party
This was read aloud on the Glenn Beck Program back on March 16th of 2007. Back in the 1950's and 60's the Communists knew they could never take America by force of arms. Instead, the Reds developed a long term plan to take over the United States with the goal of turning it into a Socialist Police State! Radio talker Chuck Morse posted these goals online for his listeners on Friday, May 9, 2003
Read the following and see if the stated goals of the Communists have been accomplished in the U.S.A. we see today. One of the most chilling goals of the Communists was number 15, Capture one or both of the political parties in the U.S. Based on the talking points of politicians and various "progressive" advocates you see on today's talking head programs I'd say they've successfully taken over the Democratic Party. They have also succeeded with point 20, Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
Time for big time wake up call on the part of the American public!
45 Goals of The Communist Party
On Jan. 10, 1963, Congressman Albert S. Herlong Jr. of Florida read a list of 45 Communist goals into the Congressional Record. The list was derived from researcher Cleon Skousen’s book “The Naked Communist.” These principles are well worth revisiting today in order to gain insights into the thinking and strategies of much of our so-called liberal elite.
1. U.S. should accept coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. should be willing to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. These encapsulate the Kennan Doctrine, which advocated for the "containment" of communism. Establishment figures supporting the amoral containment policy at least implicitly worked with the communists in scaring the wits out of the American people concerning atomic war. President Ronald Reagan undid the doctrine when he took an aggressive stand against the Evil Empire by backing freedom fighters from around the world that were struggling against the left-wing communist jackboot. As a result, the Soviet Union and its satellites imploded, a considerable and unexpected setback to the international communist edifice.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament by the U.S. would be a demonstration of "moral strength." The nuclear freeze advocates supported a freeze on American nuclear development only. Rarely were Soviet nukes or those of other nations mentioned in their self-righteous tirades. The same advocates now call for reducing American military might, claiming that there is something immoral about America preserving its military pre-eminence in the world.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. Today, there are calls to end the embargo on the slave island of Cuba, there were complaints about the embargo against Iraq, and the U.S., not Saddam Hussein, was blamed for the suffering of the Iraqi people. Would they have advocated for free trade with Hitler and his National Socialist regime?
5. Extend long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. Such aid and trade over decades contributed greatly to the left-wing communist liquidation of over 100 million people worldwide, according to the well-documented "Black Book of Communism." This aid and trade marks a shameful chapter in American history. Without the aid and trade, the left-wing international communist behemoth would have imploded on its own rot a lot sooner and umpteen millions would have been saved from poverty, misery, starvation and death.
7. Grant recognition of Red China and admission of Red China to the U.N. Not only did President Jimmy Carter fulfill this goal but he also betrayed America’s allies in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iran, Afghanistan, Angola and elsewhere.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the Germany question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the U.S. has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. There are still American intellectuals, and elected members of Congress, who dream of an eventual one world government and who view the U.N., founded by communists such as Alger Hiss, the first secretary-general, as the instrument to bring this about. World government was also the dream of Adolf Hitler and J.V. Stalin. World government was the dream of Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers.
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. While the idea of banning any political party runs contrary to notions of American freedom and liberty, notions that are the exact opposite of those held by the left-wing communists themselves, nevertheless these goals sought to undermine the constitutional obligation of Congress to investigate subversion. The weakening of our government’s ability to conduct such investigations led to the attack of 9/11. It is entirely proper and appropriate for our government to expect employees, paid by the American taxpayer, to take an oath of loyalty.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the U.S. In his book "Reagan’s War," Peter Schweizer demonstrates the astonishing degree to which communists and communist sympathizers have penetrated the Democratic Party. In his book, Schweizer writes about the presidential election of 1979.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions, by claiming their activities violate civil rights. This strategy goes back to the founding of the American Civil Liberties Union by Fabian Socialists Roger Baldwin and John Dewey and Communists William Z. Foster and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn among others.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for Socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations that are under Communist attack. The success of these goals, from a communist perspective, is obvious. Is there any doubt this is so?
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV & motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all form of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings," substituting shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. " Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24.Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural and healthy." This is the Gramscian agenda of the "long march through the institutions" spelled out explicitly: gradual takeover of the "means of communication" and then using those vehicles to debauch the culture and weaken the will of the individual to resist. Today those few who still have the courage to advocate public morality are denounced and viciously attacked. Most Americans are entirely unwitting regarding the motives behind this agenda.
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch." This has been largely accomplished through the communist infiltration of the National Council of Churches, Conservative and Reform Judaism, and the Catholic seminaries.
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the grounds that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state" Replacing belief in the creator with belief in the earthly man-controlled State.
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. And replace our nation of "laws, not men" with royal decree emanating from appointed judges and executive orders. Replace elected officials with bureaucrats.
30. Discredit the American founding fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of "the big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. Obliterating the American past, with its antecedents in principles of freedom, liberty and private ownership is a major goal of the communists then and now.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture – education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. Public ownership of the means of production, the core principle of totalitarianism.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. Turn America into a socialist police state.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand or treat. The Soviets used to send "social misfits" and those deemed "politically incorrect" to massive mental institutions called gulags. The Red Chinese call them lao gai. Hitler called them concentration camps.
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose communist goals. Psychiatry remains a bulwark of the communist agenda of fostering self-criticism and docility.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. Done! The sovereign family is the single most powerful obstacle to authoritarian control.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. Outcome-based education, values clarification or whatever they’re calling it this year. (Hillary's book - "It Takes a Village")
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special interest groups should rise up and make a "united force" to solve economic, political or social problems. This describes the dialectical fostering of group consciousness and conflict, which furthers the interests of authoritarianism.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. The results of this successful campaign are increasingly obvious in the world today.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally Reservation so the U.S. cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
A link for more information about the threats posed by Communism and Socialism to American Freedom and Liberty can be found here.
A link to Chuck Morse's web site can be found here.
Read the following and see if the stated goals of the Communists have been accomplished in the U.S.A. we see today. One of the most chilling goals of the Communists was number 15, Capture one or both of the political parties in the U.S. Based on the talking points of politicians and various "progressive" advocates you see on today's talking head programs I'd say they've successfully taken over the Democratic Party. They have also succeeded with point 20, Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
Time for big time wake up call on the part of the American public!
45 Goals of The Communist Party
On Jan. 10, 1963, Congressman Albert S. Herlong Jr. of Florida read a list of 45 Communist goals into the Congressional Record. The list was derived from researcher Cleon Skousen’s book “The Naked Communist.” These principles are well worth revisiting today in order to gain insights into the thinking and strategies of much of our so-called liberal elite.
1. U.S. should accept coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. should be willing to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. These encapsulate the Kennan Doctrine, which advocated for the "containment" of communism. Establishment figures supporting the amoral containment policy at least implicitly worked with the communists in scaring the wits out of the American people concerning atomic war. President Ronald Reagan undid the doctrine when he took an aggressive stand against the Evil Empire by backing freedom fighters from around the world that were struggling against the left-wing communist jackboot. As a result, the Soviet Union and its satellites imploded, a considerable and unexpected setback to the international communist edifice.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament by the U.S. would be a demonstration of "moral strength." The nuclear freeze advocates supported a freeze on American nuclear development only. Rarely were Soviet nukes or those of other nations mentioned in their self-righteous tirades. The same advocates now call for reducing American military might, claiming that there is something immoral about America preserving its military pre-eminence in the world.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. Today, there are calls to end the embargo on the slave island of Cuba, there were complaints about the embargo against Iraq, and the U.S., not Saddam Hussein, was blamed for the suffering of the Iraqi people. Would they have advocated for free trade with Hitler and his National Socialist regime?
5. Extend long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. Such aid and trade over decades contributed greatly to the left-wing communist liquidation of over 100 million people worldwide, according to the well-documented "Black Book of Communism." This aid and trade marks a shameful chapter in American history. Without the aid and trade, the left-wing international communist behemoth would have imploded on its own rot a lot sooner and umpteen millions would have been saved from poverty, misery, starvation and death.
7. Grant recognition of Red China and admission of Red China to the U.N. Not only did President Jimmy Carter fulfill this goal but he also betrayed America’s allies in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iran, Afghanistan, Angola and elsewhere.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the Germany question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the U.S. has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. There are still American intellectuals, and elected members of Congress, who dream of an eventual one world government and who view the U.N., founded by communists such as Alger Hiss, the first secretary-general, as the instrument to bring this about. World government was also the dream of Adolf Hitler and J.V. Stalin. World government was the dream of Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers.
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. While the idea of banning any political party runs contrary to notions of American freedom and liberty, notions that are the exact opposite of those held by the left-wing communists themselves, nevertheless these goals sought to undermine the constitutional obligation of Congress to investigate subversion. The weakening of our government’s ability to conduct such investigations led to the attack of 9/11. It is entirely proper and appropriate for our government to expect employees, paid by the American taxpayer, to take an oath of loyalty.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the U.S. In his book "Reagan’s War," Peter Schweizer demonstrates the astonishing degree to which communists and communist sympathizers have penetrated the Democratic Party. In his book, Schweizer writes about the presidential election of 1979.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions, by claiming their activities violate civil rights. This strategy goes back to the founding of the American Civil Liberties Union by Fabian Socialists Roger Baldwin and John Dewey and Communists William Z. Foster and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn among others.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for Socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations that are under Communist attack. The success of these goals, from a communist perspective, is obvious. Is there any doubt this is so?
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV & motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all form of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings," substituting shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. " Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24.Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural and healthy." This is the Gramscian agenda of the "long march through the institutions" spelled out explicitly: gradual takeover of the "means of communication" and then using those vehicles to debauch the culture and weaken the will of the individual to resist. Today those few who still have the courage to advocate public morality are denounced and viciously attacked. Most Americans are entirely unwitting regarding the motives behind this agenda.
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch." This has been largely accomplished through the communist infiltration of the National Council of Churches, Conservative and Reform Judaism, and the Catholic seminaries.
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the grounds that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state" Replacing belief in the creator with belief in the earthly man-controlled State.
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. And replace our nation of "laws, not men" with royal decree emanating from appointed judges and executive orders. Replace elected officials with bureaucrats.
30. Discredit the American founding fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of "the big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. Obliterating the American past, with its antecedents in principles of freedom, liberty and private ownership is a major goal of the communists then and now.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture – education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. Public ownership of the means of production, the core principle of totalitarianism.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. Turn America into a socialist police state.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand or treat. The Soviets used to send "social misfits" and those deemed "politically incorrect" to massive mental institutions called gulags. The Red Chinese call them lao gai. Hitler called them concentration camps.
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose communist goals. Psychiatry remains a bulwark of the communist agenda of fostering self-criticism and docility.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. Done! The sovereign family is the single most powerful obstacle to authoritarian control.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. Outcome-based education, values clarification or whatever they’re calling it this year. (Hillary's book - "It Takes a Village")
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special interest groups should rise up and make a "united force" to solve economic, political or social problems. This describes the dialectical fostering of group consciousness and conflict, which furthers the interests of authoritarianism.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. The results of this successful campaign are increasingly obvious in the world today.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally Reservation so the U.S. cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
A link for more information about the threats posed by Communism and Socialism to American Freedom and Liberty can be found here.
A link to Chuck Morse's web site can be found here.
2005 Verget BOURGOGNE "Terroirs de Cote d'Or" (White Burgundy)
A very subtle, balanced, unoaked Chardonnay with Verget's typically minerality in check.
Very light, bright brassy gold color. Beautiful, subtle nose of buttered minerals, caramel, and pear. Soft, medium-light bodied flavors of apples, lemons, chalky minerals, with an unbelievably soft mouthfeel. Medium-long finish, with very nice balance. Would be great with light-flavored fish such as flounder, sole, or red snapper. 87. Was $14.29 at Spec's on Westheimer.
Very light, bright brassy gold color. Beautiful, subtle nose of buttered minerals, caramel, and pear. Soft, medium-light bodied flavors of apples, lemons, chalky minerals, with an unbelievably soft mouthfeel. Medium-long finish, with very nice balance. Would be great with light-flavored fish such as flounder, sole, or red snapper. 87. Was $14.29 at Spec's on Westheimer.
2004 Brigaldara VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO (Veneto, Italy)
Not very Valpolicella-like and disappointing. I haven't been impressed with a regular Valpo from this producer since the outstanding 2001.
Mostly crystalline black with ruby highlights. Pungent nose of tar, scorched earth, burnt gingerbread, prunes, and blackberries. Dark, mostly bass-note flavors of prunes, old oak, and scorched earth, with a fairly long, although somewhat hot, minerally finish. 83. Too big-boned for its own good. Was $16 and change at Spec's on Smith.
Mostly crystalline black with ruby highlights. Pungent nose of tar, scorched earth, burnt gingerbread, prunes, and blackberries. Dark, mostly bass-note flavors of prunes, old oak, and scorched earth, with a fairly long, although somewhat hot, minerally finish. 83. Too big-boned for its own good. Was $16 and change at Spec's on Smith.
Columbia rolled out red carpet for Hitler ambassador in 1933
Yesterday is today with Columbia University Dean John Coatsworth's defense of the red carpet rollout for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This week's events are not new in the anals of Columbia University says David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies director Dr. Rafael Medoff. In 1933 the University located in the city of New York invited Nazi Germany’s ambassador to the United States, Hans Luther, to speak on campus. The University also hosted a reception for the ambassador of Nazi Germany by invitation of then Columbia president Nicholas Murray Butler.
Dr. Medoff indicates that the administration of Columbia and other like-minded American centers for higher learning were quite taken by the government of "the new Germany" under Adolf Hitler. Medoff writes that the Nazi ambassador, "represented 'the government of a friendly people,'......He was 'entitled to be received ... with the greatest courtesy and respect.' Ambassador Luther's speech focused on what he characterized as Hitler's peaceful intentions. Students who criticized the Luther invitation were derided as 'ill-mannered children' by the director of Columbia’s Institute of Arts and Sciences."
An outspoken student leader who dared question the presence of the Nazi ambassador on campus was promptly dispatched by the jack boot of politically motivated expulsion from the University.
Medoff relates the following narrative complete with the familiar memes we hear today from Univeristy liberals;
"Academic relationships have no political implications," President Butler claimed. Many Columbia students and faculty members disagreed. More than one thousand of them, including Nobel Laureate Harold Urey and world-renowned anthropologist Franz Boas, signed a petition opposing the decision to participate in Heidelberg. The student newspaper, The Spectator, also opposed it. Students held a "Mock Heidelberg Festival" on campus, complete with a bonfire and mock book burning. "Butler Diddles While the Books Burn," their signs proclaimed.
That was followed by a student rally in front of Butler's mansion. Butler was furious that a leader of the rally, Robert Burke, "delivered a speech in which he referred to the President [Butler] disrespectfully." As punishment, Burke was expelled from Columbia. He was never readmitted, even though he had excellent grades and had been elected president of his class, and even though Columbia’s own attorney later acknowledged that “the evidence that Burke himself used bad language is slight.”
This is how liberal academia deals with viewpoints that deviate from their own foolish presuppositions. The air of respecting divergent points-of-view so they may be scrupulously examined quickly dissipates once the criticism is leveled at their own folly.
While eventually repudiating his enthusiasm to publically speak out against the Nazis in the late 1930's (Probably around the time Hitler was invading Poland) Butler was unable to undo the damage he had done by legitimizing Hitler's new Germany by feting its ambassador on campus years earlier.
Dr. Medoff's article appears here.
It is said those who refuse to learn the lessons of history are destined to repeat its mistakes. I wonder if they teach that at Columbia?
Dr. Medoff indicates that the administration of Columbia and other like-minded American centers for higher learning were quite taken by the government of "the new Germany" under Adolf Hitler. Medoff writes that the Nazi ambassador, "represented 'the government of a friendly people,'......He was 'entitled to be received ... with the greatest courtesy and respect.' Ambassador Luther's speech focused on what he characterized as Hitler's peaceful intentions. Students who criticized the Luther invitation were derided as 'ill-mannered children' by the director of Columbia’s Institute of Arts and Sciences."
An outspoken student leader who dared question the presence of the Nazi ambassador on campus was promptly dispatched by the jack boot of politically motivated expulsion from the University.
Medoff relates the following narrative complete with the familiar memes we hear today from Univeristy liberals;
"Academic relationships have no political implications," President Butler claimed. Many Columbia students and faculty members disagreed. More than one thousand of them, including Nobel Laureate Harold Urey and world-renowned anthropologist Franz Boas, signed a petition opposing the decision to participate in Heidelberg. The student newspaper, The Spectator, also opposed it. Students held a "Mock Heidelberg Festival" on campus, complete with a bonfire and mock book burning. "Butler Diddles While the Books Burn," their signs proclaimed.
That was followed by a student rally in front of Butler's mansion. Butler was furious that a leader of the rally, Robert Burke, "delivered a speech in which he referred to the President [Butler] disrespectfully." As punishment, Burke was expelled from Columbia. He was never readmitted, even though he had excellent grades and had been elected president of his class, and even though Columbia’s own attorney later acknowledged that “the evidence that Burke himself used bad language is slight.”
This is how liberal academia deals with viewpoints that deviate from their own foolish presuppositions. The air of respecting divergent points-of-view so they may be scrupulously examined quickly dissipates once the criticism is leveled at their own folly.
While eventually repudiating his enthusiasm to publically speak out against the Nazis in the late 1930's (Probably around the time Hitler was invading Poland) Butler was unable to undo the damage he had done by legitimizing Hitler's new Germany by feting its ambassador on campus years earlier.
Dr. Medoff's article appears here.
It is said those who refuse to learn the lessons of history are destined to repeat its mistakes. I wonder if they teach that at Columbia?
Columbia University Dean would invite Hitler to speak.
Columbia University's Dean John Coatsworth says that if Hitler were around he'd certainly invite him to Columbia University for some "vigorous debate and questioning" by University students and faculty. Oh, I'll bet that will change the murderous ambitions of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad! As if subjecting him to the tedious bloviations of academic gasbagery would accomplish anything! The fundamental flaw of liberalism is that it refuses to acknowledge the existence of evil. In their view Hitler or his current successor the President of Iran can simply be "reasoned with" and debated to the point where the tyrant will see the error of his ways through a combination of the liberal's enlightment and superior intellect. Their overinflated egos won't allow them to see that they are being played for fools by heinous fiends like Ahmadinejad. By hosting such a villan in this manner, they actually bestow upon Ahmadinejad a thin mantle of legitimacy on the world stage. A better generation knew that the way to defeat Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese militarists was by roundly defeating them not by pandering to their need for acclaim.
REMIX: Can't Tase This!
Remix of UF student Andrew Meyer's "don't tase me bro'" rant. Can't touch this!
2005 Viu Manent CARMENERE Reserve (Colchagua Valley, Chile)
This was a deep, rich, complex red at a fair price.
Dark blood/mulberry color. Rich, earthy nose with lots of deep blackberry fruit and an earthy, almost composty, wet tobacco leafy component, as well as a strong graphite edge. Rich, earthy, chocolately flavors, again with the tobacco leaf thing going on. Long fruity finish, with substantial but very soft and well-integrated tannin. Got better with significant air time, indicating to me that it will improve with a year or two of bottle age. 88+. Was $14.99 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
Dark blood/mulberry color. Rich, earthy nose with lots of deep blackberry fruit and an earthy, almost composty, wet tobacco leafy component, as well as a strong graphite edge. Rich, earthy, chocolately flavors, again with the tobacco leaf thing going on. Long fruity finish, with substantial but very soft and well-integrated tannin. Got better with significant air time, indicating to me that it will improve with a year or two of bottle age. 88+. Was $14.99 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
2005 Paul Zinck RIESLING (Alsace, France)
A very flavorful dry Riesling.
Light, bright greenish gold color. Exuberant nose of lemons, citrus oil, candied chalk dust, sweet flowers, and pungent minerals. Loads of soft, mouthwatering, crisp-apply fruit, with a bright mineral/herbal component taking over in the finish. Very refreshing. Lots of depth, if not complexity, with a long, clean finish. 88. Was about $16 at Spec's on Smith.
Light, bright greenish gold color. Exuberant nose of lemons, citrus oil, candied chalk dust, sweet flowers, and pungent minerals. Loads of soft, mouthwatering, crisp-apply fruit, with a bright mineral/herbal component taking over in the finish. Very refreshing. Lots of depth, if not complexity, with a long, clean finish. 88. Was about $16 at Spec's on Smith.
2005 Pascal Granger JULIENAS (Beaujolais, France)
This was a terrific, traditionally styled Beaujolais.
Medium dark crystal black ruby. Deeply minerally nose (powdered granite) with hard cherry/plum candy scents. Soft, but forceful flavors paralleling the nose. Beautiful balance, medium body, and a lengthy, stone-filled finish. Superb, old-style Beaujolais, emphasizing texture, crisp fruit, and minerality rather than the now ubiquitous ripe grape/banana candy stuff. 88. Was $16.80 at Spec's on Smith.
Medium dark crystal black ruby. Deeply minerally nose (powdered granite) with hard cherry/plum candy scents. Soft, but forceful flavors paralleling the nose. Beautiful balance, medium body, and a lengthy, stone-filled finish. Superb, old-style Beaujolais, emphasizing texture, crisp fruit, and minerality rather than the now ubiquitous ripe grape/banana candy stuff. 88. Was $16.80 at Spec's on Smith.
Joke Of The Day
Have you heard that Iranian madman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants to visit Ground Zero? The initial thoughts that went through my head cannot be printed here.He may not (or may) have been directly involved in the 9/11 plot but he is nothing more than a terrorist with political clout. It is very likely that he WAS directly involved in the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis and for him to even ask to visit Ground Zero to lay a wreath there is utter mockery. I can't believe we're even letting this maniac on our soil.
Can we encourage the United Nations to unite somewhere else? With them being in NYC it attracts too many vermin like Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Darth Cheney vs The White Witch
This evening at a fundraiser in New York, Sen. Hillary Clinton called Dick Cheney "Darth Vader." I think she is implying that when Vice President Cheney visits the Capitol, he uses a Jedi mind trick on weak-minded Republicans who then fall in line with the Emperor's wishes. Uh, I mean the President.If Dick Cheney is the Washington's equivalent of Star Wars' Darth Vader, then Hillary Clinton is Washington's equivalent of The Chronicles of Narnia's heartless White Witch. She speaks kindly to lure the unsuspecting into her web of deceit, promising them "Turkish Delight," only to use them in an attempt to take over all of Narnia.
If anyone is under the influence of any "mind tricks", it is the Democratic faithful who are blindly following the White Witch.
On a site note, Hillary has dredged up universal health care. All I can say is "Yes!" Ammunition to use in her defeat. Some people are so arrogant that not only can they not learn from their mistakes, they can't even admit when they've made one.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Meyer's farcical political theater reminds me of another "activist" that was around during King Arthur's time. -- "Now we see the violence inherent in the system! -- Help! Help, I'm being repressed! -- Did you see him repressing me?"
UF Student tells Police "You didn't do anything wrong"
OCALA.com has a post up from the Gainsville Sun citing an incident report given by Police detailing events surrounding the Tasering of Andrew Meyer, the University of Florida journalism student. Meyer who disrupted Senator John Kerry's campus forum on Monday told University Police, "You didn't do anything wrong" according to the report.
Police say that Meyer remained quiet as he was escorted downstairs from the auditorium by officers but began screaming and yelling whenever he saw cameras present. The report is written from the perspective of eight different officers who were present on Monday afternoon when Meyer was arrested for disrupting a campus forum with the junior Senator from Massachussetts and for struggling with Police.
Arresting officer Nicole Mallo wrote that Meyer would resist Police only when cameras were present. Officer Malo who rode in the Police cruiser with Meyer on the way to his booking reported that Meyer said, "I am not mad at you guys, you didn't do anything wrong, you were just trying to do your job". In her report Mallo writes that at one point Meyer asked if cameras would be present at the jail.
One more opportunity for Meyer to appear on YouTube I suppose.
The article along with accompanying video appear here.
Police say that Meyer remained quiet as he was escorted downstairs from the auditorium by officers but began screaming and yelling whenever he saw cameras present. The report is written from the perspective of eight different officers who were present on Monday afternoon when Meyer was arrested for disrupting a campus forum with the junior Senator from Massachussetts and for struggling with Police.
Arresting officer Nicole Mallo wrote that Meyer would resist Police only when cameras were present. Officer Malo who rode in the Police cruiser with Meyer on the way to his booking reported that Meyer said, "I am not mad at you guys, you didn't do anything wrong, you were just trying to do your job". In her report Mallo writes that at one point Meyer asked if cameras would be present at the jail.
One more opportunity for Meyer to appear on YouTube I suppose.
The article along with accompanying video appear here.
University of Florida Student Tazed and Confused
The student who disrupted Senator John Kerry's forum at the University of Florida and made a show of being "oppressed by the system" turns out to be Andrew Meyer, described as a University of Florida columnist. "What! Are you going to taser me? Are you going to arrest me?!” screams Meyer as he taunts Police officers into trying to do something to stop his self-serving, ranting political theater. Meyer is barely able to contain a smile as he is able to grab the attention of the horrified crowd and Police who are called in to subdue him.
Before yesterday’s kerfuffle, being disruptive at public events was apparently nothing new to Meyer. He says in “The New Forum” that he finds himself angry enough to rain "fire and brimstone on an unsuspecting politician or celebrity." From the video it looks like he’s snared an unsuspecting politician from Massachussetts named John Kerry in his latest bit of schtick.
Meyer appears to be in full form at this event where he successfully disrupts the forum held on his campus before cameras yesterday in a video that is circulating around the globe. Relating an event from his past in, "A True Story by Andrew Meyer" he brags about how he, "pissed off Ken Griffey, Jr." in a baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds. He writes, "you have to know this about me: I am huge Marlins fan, and a born heckler. My purpose in life is to badger, jeer, and cajole professional athletes. I have angered two other All-Star baseball players, Bobby Abreu and Odalis Perez, on separate occasions. I have booed singers that mess up the national anthem. Heck, I’ll even heckle other hecklers if I don’t care for their stuff.” He goes on to describe in detail how his antics annoyed not only Reds star batter Ken Griffey Jr. but other patrons sitting in the seats around him. Unfortunately for him and other Marlin fans, his antics had the effect of driving the Reds to a 9-7 win over the Marlins in that game.
I’d say that even today he’s able to “dis” a former athlete and celebrity by pushing O.J. off of the front page of most media this week.
You can send your admiring email to funnyman Andrew Meyer at FamousWriterMan@aol.com
Before yesterday’s kerfuffle, being disruptive at public events was apparently nothing new to Meyer. He says in “The New Forum” that he finds himself angry enough to rain "fire and brimstone on an unsuspecting politician or celebrity." From the video it looks like he’s snared an unsuspecting politician from Massachussetts named John Kerry in his latest bit of schtick.
Meyer appears to be in full form at this event where he successfully disrupts the forum held on his campus before cameras yesterday in a video that is circulating around the globe. Relating an event from his past in, "A True Story by Andrew Meyer" he brags about how he, "pissed off Ken Griffey, Jr." in a baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds. He writes, "you have to know this about me: I am huge Marlins fan, and a born heckler. My purpose in life is to badger, jeer, and cajole professional athletes. I have angered two other All-Star baseball players, Bobby Abreu and Odalis Perez, on separate occasions. I have booed singers that mess up the national anthem. Heck, I’ll even heckle other hecklers if I don’t care for their stuff.” He goes on to describe in detail how his antics annoyed not only Reds star batter Ken Griffey Jr. but other patrons sitting in the seats around him. Unfortunately for him and other Marlin fans, his antics had the effect of driving the Reds to a 9-7 win over the Marlins in that game.
I’d say that even today he’s able to “dis” a former athlete and celebrity by pushing O.J. off of the front page of most media this week.
You can send your admiring email to funnyman Andrew Meyer at FamousWriterMan@aol.com
University of Florida student Tasered at Kerry forum
A moonbat student disrupts Senator John Kerry's forum held at the University of Florida. The student makes quite a show of "the oppression inherent in the system" by his unrestrained antics. "What! Are you going to taser me? Are you going to arrest me?!” screams the student as he goads Police who attempt to move him away from a microphone. In a bit of political theater he makes a big show of being "oppressed by the man" while the cameras are rolling. You can see a smile come across his face as he realizes how his actions grab the spotlight away from the forum and onto him.
Clueless In Little Rock
When are our politicians going to get it? The American people want to get control of illegal immigration. It's not that we don't want others to be able to come here for a better life. That's how America started and we should never stop it.However, because we have allowed our governments over the past 75 years has become more and more socialist, we have to control how many people come to this country to be added to our welfare rolls. Those who come to America to work, be productive, pay taxes, and make a positive contribution to our economy should be welcomed. It is the parasites and the habitual criminals who need to be kept out. I know, I know. It isn't politically correct to call them parasites. But the truth is rarely politically correct.
Many state and local governments are beginning to pass tougher laws on illegal immigration. What this is causing is an exodus of illegal immigrants from those areas to other areas. It has been estimated since Oklahoma passed strong laws against hiring illegal immigrants and state police being able to go after illegal immigrants, that 30% of the illegal immigrant population in Oklahoma has left the state with most going to Kansas and Arkansas, my home state.
What is Arkansas' Democrat Governor Mike Beebe doing about illegal immigration? Nothing. He wants us to "study" what other states are doing. In the meantime, we are experiencing a huge influx of illegal immigrants. According to the census, from 1990 to 2003 there was a 437 percent increase of Hispanics in Arkansas. It is likely that the actual number is two or three times that according to the State Data Center.
Let me restate, I have no problem with people from other countries to make a better life for themselves and their family, as long as it is done legally and as long as they will make a positive contribution to our economy. The federal and state governments are not charities established on the backs of hardworking, taxpaying Americans. Get a green card, get a job, and get busy, or get deported!
The Gauntlet
Denizens of the multi-streamed Moronic convergences known as ANSWER, MoveOn, CodePink, and other losers run the gauntlet of the Gathering of Eagles in D.C. yesterday. It looks like there were a whole lot more Eagles than Chickens as noted by the media. Mainstream-media estimates were 100,000 Chickens and only 1,000 Eagles. People at the scene estimate the Poultry count at under 10,000. The Eagles number quite a bit more than 1,000 as evidenced in this video taken yesterday. I like one guy's chant directed at the hygenically-challenged neuvo hippies; "Commies out of D.C. end the occupation!"
Freedom's Watch - Move On
"The enemy within" is the most glowing term that can be used to describe MoveOn. Good news for America is BAD NEWS for MoveOn and other assorted dregs of society.
Anti-americanism in Danish television
Would you like a little anti-americanism to go with that morning danish? Danish TV host Jens Blauenfeldt remarked in recents comments about September 11th observed that his initial reaction to the carnage displayed on TV of the September 11th attacks was, "Hey? That's the Americans! They are getting whacked. That serves them right!" -- Excuse me but can you recall a time when anyone in our media no matter how twisted reacted with such smug self-satisfaction when viewing attacks carried out by crazed Islamic extremists on the hapless citizens of any country? -- Didn't think so.
2004 Kilikanoon SHIRAZ "Killerman's Run" (South Australia)
This was outstanding.
Saturated black ruby color, with purple at the rim. Rich, complex nose of blackberries, cassis, graphite, lemons, and smoky spices. Rich, deep flavors of salted cassis extract coated in smoky minerals. Some soft tannin in the long, dark finish. 91. Drink over the next year. Was $16 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
UPDATE (9/19): Whole Foods has jacked the price on this to $22 and change.
UPDATE (12/8): Price back down to $16.99!
Saturated black ruby color, with purple at the rim. Rich, complex nose of blackberries, cassis, graphite, lemons, and smoky spices. Rich, deep flavors of salted cassis extract coated in smoky minerals. Some soft tannin in the long, dark finish. 91. Drink over the next year. Was $16 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.UPDATE (9/19): Whole Foods has jacked the price on this to $22 and change.
UPDATE (12/8): Price back down to $16.99!
2005 La Posta MALBEC "Pizzella Family Vineyard" (Mendoza, Argentina)
Avoid this one. Earthy, sour, old leather nose. Tart, overly earthy and leathery flavors. Very austere. 70.
2004 Zenato VALPOLICELLA RIPASSA (Veneto, Italy)
My brother told me this was good, and he was right. This was big, soft, ripe, and rich.
Deep, rich black ruby color. Really fruity nose -- overripe raspberries, sweet cream, lemon juice, and smoky earth. Extraordinarily soft-textured and full in the mouth. Lush with ripe fruit, and minerals dancing quietly in the background. Long, full finish. 89. Was about $25 at Spec's on Smith.2005 Pierre Riffault SANCERRE "Domaine du Carroir Perrin" (Loire, France)
This was a classic grassy, minerally Sancerre.
2004 Curtis "HERITAGE CUVEE" (50% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 13% Cinsault (Santa Barbara County, Cal.)
I knew nothing about this winery, but it looked interesting, so I tried a bottle. What a nice surprise!
Compare this to a big, ripe Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Medium dark ruby color with magenta highlights. Big, galumphy nose of spicy raspberries, black olives, and smoky balsa wood. Intense, earthy "garrigue" and black raspberry flavors, with lots of body and a soft, rich texture. Long, dark fruit and iodine-laced finish. Not elegant, but lots of character. 88. Was about $14 at Spec's on Smith.
Compare this to a big, ripe Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Medium dark ruby color with magenta highlights. Big, galumphy nose of spicy raspberries, black olives, and smoky balsa wood. Intense, earthy "garrigue" and black raspberry flavors, with lots of body and a soft, rich texture. Long, dark fruit and iodine-laced finish. Not elegant, but lots of character. 88. Was about $14 at Spec's on Smith.
2004 Avignonesi VINO NOBILE DE MONTEPULCIANO (Tuscany)
This was a bit disappointing.
Medium ruby color. Big, earthy nose -- barnyard, gingerbready, old leather, sour cherries. Medium-bodied, with modest cherry/strawberry fruit, along with dried underbrush and minerals. Lean but reasonably long finish. Not bad, but I expected more ripeness and density. 84. Available at Spec's ($19) and Central Market ($21).
Medium ruby color. Big, earthy nose -- barnyard, gingerbready, old leather, sour cherries. Medium-bodied, with modest cherry/strawberry fruit, along with dried underbrush and minerals. Lean but reasonably long finish. Not bad, but I expected more ripeness and density. 84. Available at Spec's ($19) and Central Market ($21).
If The Hsu Fits...
Democrat fundraiser Norman Hsu (pronounced 'shoe') has been illegally collecting and funneling money to people like Hillary Clinton. The Clinton campaign is giving back $850,000. Where is the mainstream media on this story?I can promise you this. If the recipients of these illegal campaign contributions were Republicans, you wouldn't be hearing about anything else. And they say there is no bias in the media.
There was a story going around that Norman Hsu tried to commit suicide on the Amtrak train where he was captured and that is why he was sick and delirious, running around with no shirt or shoes. If that is the case, the whole thing is very Clinton-esque. People who become a liability to the Clintons or stand in their way tend to commit suicide. That always seemed very strange to me.
Being from Arkansas, I know political enemies and liabilities sometimes just disappear in the woods, a pond, or a river. Or they are mysteriously gunned down at a remote intersection of two highways. I'm surprised Dick Morris is still alive. He seems like a good suicide candidate to me. Someone made the comment that these people had been "suicided", indicating that their suicide was not self-induced, i.e., Vince Foster.
When you look at the Clinton's history and see the number of people who have suddenly and mysteriously died, you have to wonder why. Norman Hsu is in a bad position. He knows too much and he might commit "suicide" any day.
Defeatist Mentality
Does anyone wonder why the approval rating of Congress is 18%? I don't think I've ever seen such whiny, defeatist, gloom, despair, and agony on me bunch of leaders in my lifetime. What's worse, it seems they WANT us to lose the War On Terror, the battle against illegal immigration, etc.They have such a disdain for George W. Bush that they prefer defeat to victory just so they can go to the American people and say, "See, we told you so! He's a incompetent buffoon who waged an illegal and unwinnable war!" So much for patriotism. I know, I know. I'm not supposed to question their patriotism. So what should we do when someone isn't patriotic?
The Democrats began their assault on General Petraeus weeks ago in an attempt to discredit the positive report he began presenting to Congress today. Even today Congress called people to testify prior to Petraeus who said he was wrong, even before he said anything.
After today's testimony by Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker the defeatists marched lock-step in an attempt to discredit the report. One common theme was that U.S. troops are caught in a "civil war with no end in sight."
These defeatists cost us victory in Vietnam 35 years ago. It cost millions of Vietnamese their lives.
If we let the defeatists force us to tuck our tails and run out of Iraq, the cost will be much higher this time. Al Qaeda will take residence in Iraq and rebuild to become stronger than ever. Then, it will be Americans who will lose their lives.
It's Official: Fred Thompson Is In!!
Today there was a huge earthquake in the 2008 presidential race. Both GOP and Democrat contenders felt a cold chill run down their spine as Fred Thompson announced that he too would be running for president.
Since my previous post covers the reasons Fred Thompson should be the next GOP presidential nominee, I won't cover it again.
Yes, he will be vilified. He will have skeletons dragged out of his closet. He will be the devil. And those are just things the Republicans will do.
My favorite statement from tonight's announcement:
Fred, we wish you the best in your campaign and we are behind you 100% until the very end. If you tire, we will hold you up. If you stumble, we will pick you up. If you lose heart, we will encourage you. If you draw your sword, we will draw our swords. For better or for worse, we are here for you.
Since my previous post covers the reasons Fred Thompson should be the next GOP presidential nominee, I won't cover it again.
Yes, he will be vilified. He will have skeletons dragged out of his closet. He will be the devil. And those are just things the Republicans will do.
My favorite statement from tonight's announcement:
A government that's big enough to do everything for us is powerful enough to do anything to us.
Fred, we wish you the best in your campaign and we are behind you 100% until the very end. If you tire, we will hold you up. If you stumble, we will pick you up. If you lose heart, we will encourage you. If you draw your sword, we will draw our swords. For better or for worse, we are here for you.
Fred's in the Race
Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee and Film Actor Fred Thompson announced his candidacy for President of the United States to thunderous applause on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno last night. Addressing questions that he had waited too long to announce his candidacy Thompson said, "People treat politicians sort of like the dentist -- they don't have anything to do with them till they have to," replied the candidate.
An official announcement video by the former Senator is available at www.Fred08.com. Known for his folksy Southern manner Thompson will kick-off his campaign in Iowa and follow-up with visits to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
An official announcement video by the former Senator is available at www.Fred08.com. Known for his folksy Southern manner Thompson will kick-off his campaign in Iowa and follow-up with visits to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
2004 MontGras "Quatro" Reserva (35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 15% Carmenere) (Colchagua Valley, Chile)
For the second vintage in a row -- the 2003 was excellent -- this wine is tremendous.
Impenetrable black ruby color. Ridiculously rich nose of liquid dark chocolate, earth, toast, cassis and blackberries. Dense and deep, featuring rich flavors of chocolate, toasty oak, and ripe cassis. Long and quite full-bodied, with lots of soft, ripe tannins in the finish. 90. In addition to being excellent, it's an excellent value at $12.99 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
Impenetrable black ruby color. Ridiculously rich nose of liquid dark chocolate, earth, toast, cassis and blackberries. Dense and deep, featuring rich flavors of chocolate, toasty oak, and ripe cassis. Long and quite full-bodied, with lots of soft, ripe tannins in the finish. 90. In addition to being excellent, it's an excellent value at $12.99 at Whole Foods on Bellaire.
2005 Almira "Los Dos" GRENACHE/SYRAH (Campo de Borja)
This was an outrageous value.
Dark soft ruby color. Massively fruity nose erupts from the glass, with ripe fresh raspberries and crushed, smoky stones. Soft, dense, and ripe in the mouth, with lots of concentration, soft, spicy raspberry fruit, transitioning to minerals in the long finish. Great balance too. A knock-out value at $5.99 at World Marketplace on Richmond (where it was tucked away in a corner of the wine section). 89. Drink in the next few months for the soft, rich fruit.2005 XYZin California ZINFANDEL "10 Year Old Vines"
This was a fruity, straightforward Zinfandel.
Deep black garnet color. Deeply fruity nose -- blackberries, loamy earth, and sweet malty scents. (This nose would indicate lots of Lodi fruit, to me.) Good concentration and flesh, if not a lot of definition or complexity. Lots of "oomph." It was a gift, so I don't know where it came from, but a quick Internet search shows that many stores sell this at arounf $15. 87.
2006 Cono Sur PINOT NOIR (Central Valley, Chile)
A great value in Pinot Noir. Not very complex, but true Pinot flavors and texture for under $10 -- unheard of.
Very bright ruby. Intensely fruity nose: grapes, plum, strawberry, rhubarb, with some steely minerals and spearmint leaves waaay in the background. Bright flavors of cherry, root beer, and high-toned woody notes. Not burgundian at all, but lots of flavor and character. Was about $8 at Spec's on Smith. 87.2002 Domaine Billaud-Simon CHABLIS PREMIER CRU MONT DE MILIEU "Vieilles Vignes" (Burgundy, France)
(Unscored notes from memory). This was a primo example of the 2002 vintage in Chablis: bright, focused, minerally, stony, lemony flavors, with a weightless texture and tremendous length. Tremendous. Got this one from Flickinger Wines in Chicago.
Judge blocks Government crackdown on illegals
U.S. District Court Judge Maxine Chesney issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Social Security Adminstration from issuing "no match" letters to employers whose employees names do not match numbers entered into the agency's database. The ruling came two days after a coalition of labor and immigrant rights groups sued the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security claiming the policy would harm legal U.S. residents and law-abiding businesses according to reports.
The plaintiffs allege that of the 17.8 million datbase discrepancies found in a 2006 report by the Social Security Administration's office of the Inspector General, more than 70% involved native-born U.S. citizens. The plaintiffs argued that the SSA's database is fraught with clerical errors complicated by name changes and different naming conventions such as the use of multiple surnames as are common in both Asain and Hispanic families.
Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security were disappointed by the Judge's ruling but remain hopeful. Spokeswoman for DHS Laura Keehner told the AP, "We are disappointed by the delay and expect to prevail once the court has the benefit of full briefings and arguments." In a related development, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security are scheduled to appear before District Judge Charles Breyer on October 1st to argue against a request for a permanent injunction that would prohibit the implemention of the "no-match" program. According to the AP "no-match" notices were to have been sent out as early as Tuesday to 140,000 employers with at least 10 workers whose names and Social Security numbers do not match entries in the administration's database.
While Judge Chesney did not rule out the merits of the case she wrote that arguments raised by the plaintiffs, "raised serious questions as to whether the new Department of Homeland Security rule is inconsistent with statute." She added, "The balance of harms tips sharply in favor of a stay based on plaintiffs' showing that they and their members would suffer irreparable harm if the rule is implemented"
If the objections raised by the plaintiffs in this case turn out to be true it only means that the SSA and DHS need to refine their methodolgy not scuttle the entire program as the open borders crowd would like.
It will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming weeks. Both Judge Chesney and Breyer were appointed to their posts by former President William Jefferson Clinton. Given the sort of predictable, knee-jerk reaction liberal rulings that other Clinton appointees have rendered in the past, we may be in for a tour of the appelate court system before this entire matter is adequately resolved.
The AP posts their article here and the L.A. Times here on the ruling.
The plaintiffs allege that of the 17.8 million datbase discrepancies found in a 2006 report by the Social Security Administration's office of the Inspector General, more than 70% involved native-born U.S. citizens. The plaintiffs argued that the SSA's database is fraught with clerical errors complicated by name changes and different naming conventions such as the use of multiple surnames as are common in both Asain and Hispanic families.
Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security were disappointed by the Judge's ruling but remain hopeful. Spokeswoman for DHS Laura Keehner told the AP, "We are disappointed by the delay and expect to prevail once the court has the benefit of full briefings and arguments." In a related development, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security are scheduled to appear before District Judge Charles Breyer on October 1st to argue against a request for a permanent injunction that would prohibit the implemention of the "no-match" program. According to the AP "no-match" notices were to have been sent out as early as Tuesday to 140,000 employers with at least 10 workers whose names and Social Security numbers do not match entries in the administration's database.
While Judge Chesney did not rule out the merits of the case she wrote that arguments raised by the plaintiffs, "raised serious questions as to whether the new Department of Homeland Security rule is inconsistent with statute." She added, "The balance of harms tips sharply in favor of a stay based on plaintiffs' showing that they and their members would suffer irreparable harm if the rule is implemented"
If the objections raised by the plaintiffs in this case turn out to be true it only means that the SSA and DHS need to refine their methodolgy not scuttle the entire program as the open borders crowd would like.
It will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming weeks. Both Judge Chesney and Breyer were appointed to their posts by former President William Jefferson Clinton. Given the sort of predictable, knee-jerk reaction liberal rulings that other Clinton appointees have rendered in the past, we may be in for a tour of the appelate court system before this entire matter is adequately resolved.
The AP posts their article here and the L.A. Times here on the ruling.
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