Maureen & the Subconscious Anti-Semite

I've gotten so used to the Left's anti-Jewish habits, that I mostly just shrug my shoulders as simply another episode of Scorpion & Frog.

Sometimes though - things get traction. Maureen Dowd is the latest,

"Neocons Slither Back"

This is a slow one down the middle. The Jew as snake has a very long history - recent past and present.

For over a decade, "neocon" has been argumentative shorthand used by the Left for "conservative Jew." Full stop.

"Slither" - well, anyone who even has a paper-thin reading of the history of anti-Jewish propaganda can understand that.

Left, right, and center - this is simply a fact of the new lexicon.

It isn't the fact that the home of anti-Jewish filth is on the Left - after all, after "National," there comes "Socialist" - that is so interesting about this; no, what I have found most interesting is the fact that smart people are trying to cover for Maureen by thinking the rest of us are so stupid.

Andy Rosenthal, the editorial page editor of the New York Times, is dismissing criticism that Maureen Dowd's column peddled anti-Semitic imagery.

"No fair-minded reading of Maureen Dowd's column supports the allegations you and others are making. She makes no reference, direct or implied, to anyone's religion,"

I'm sorry - that doesn't wash. Not even close.

Then again, the sign of a real bigot is when their bigoted words and concepts just flow out in daily conversation. When they get in trouble is when they forget what company they are in.

Maureen, you need to just admit you "chose your words poorly" and then new friends. Andy, it might be time for you to reflect how much of an echo chamber you live in. Get out some.

I'll trade you my Hawaiian for your guy from Toronto

Sigh. To have a guy who can fix thing like Harper has ...

Yet for all of Obama’s coolness he is hardly a man of substance and that is where Harper has the anointed one beat, hands down.

Where Obama talks about fixing the U.S. economy, Harper has actually taken steps to strengthen Canada’s. The Canadian employment rate is 7.3% right now compared to 8.1% in the U.S., although as Harper himself and several economists have noted, if the Americans measured unemployment the same way we do they would be in the double digits.

I still argue the Harper government spends too much and should balance the budget sooner, a point on which Harper disagreed with me. “Our first objective is not balancing the budget, our first objective is to make sure the Canadian economy keeps growing,” Harper said.

Fair enough, that’s a point we could debate. What can’t be debated is that for all of Canada’s economic problems, the U.S. is much worse off. The U.S. federal government debt is worth more than the entire U.S. economy and neither Obama nor his allies in the Senate, which the Democrats control, have passed a budget in three years.

That’s not serious stuff.

Harper is also outshining Obama when it comes to foreign policy.

The Obama administration’s first reaction to the attack on their embassy in Cairo was to apologize for any hurt feelings Muslims may have had to a made-in-California movie with a negative portrayal of Mohammed.

Even after the White House backed away from that, Obama gave the idea that the riots sweeping the region are driven by a YouTube video few had seen, and he did so as he read a statement on the death of Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya.

Obama has been effusive about the so-called Arab Spring from the get-go and thought his good wishes could sweep away dictators and bring about liberal democracies in a region that has never experienced that form of government.

“One should be very cautious about our expectations,” Harper said Thursday. “Mob rule is not democracy and just because there is a popular overthrow of a dictator does not mean the next regime will be based on democratic norms.”

Comparing the two men based on their actions and not their words can only lead to the conclusion that when Harper and Obama meet, Harper is the adult in the room.

Sunday Funnies

Hat tip PD.

USNA Class of 2002, on Midrats

In their formative years, most from 10-18 – they rose in a different world; the post-Cold War world. No 30-minutes from nuclear annihilation, no existential threat to their existence.

As they approached adulthood, they made the decision to join the military of the world’s only superpower; a superpower at peace, economically strong, culturally vibrant. They were admitted to the United States Naval Academy in 1998; the class of 2002.

Roughly nine months prior to graduation and commissioning, it all changed.

Our guest for the full hour this Sunday, September 16th from 5-6pm EST to discus the journey, acts, and experiences of the United States Naval Academy Class of 2002 will be Graham Plaster, a member of the class of 2002 and one of the editors of the book - In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War.

Join us live if you can, but if you miss the show you can always listen to the archive at blogtalkradio - the best way to get the show and download the archive to your audio player is to get a free account and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Listen to Midrats

Admiral Harvey's Parting Gift

Admiral Harvey retired today. Last week he sent out an email to the other SWO Flag Officers.

In many respects, it is positively Salamanderesque. For those who have been putting up the good fight on the front porch over the years, you owe it to yourself to read and ponder.

I've put my thoughts up over at USNIBlog. Stop on over and let me know your thoughts.

Fullbore Friday

Movie time for FbF. One of the Phibian Phavorites ... especially when pondering damage control.

That part of naval warfare has not changed. If you want to get to the meaty bits ... go right for Part 4 & 5.

BEHOLD THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE.

Well Played China; Well Played

When the world is looking left ...

The Japanese media reported that China dispatched four maritime ships toward the islands after the Japanese government purchased three of the disputed islands on September 11 for approximately $26 million from a private Japanese owner. China says it is an attempt to “steal its property” and they are ready to “assert” the country’s sovereignty over the islands.

“I don’t believe it will grow into a military confrontation,” said Koichiro Yoshida, vice president of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and ruling Democratic Party of Japan member. “But if it does and the Chinese vessels enter the territorial waters around the Islands, Japan should take aggressive measures. We must protect the rights of our citizens and our sovereignty over the islands.”

Just to add to it;

On Thursday, two ships from the Taiwanese coast guard departed for the surrounding waters of the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. As the rapidly escalating standoff between Japan and China continues, the Taiwanese coast guard has said it is sending the ships to the islands, called Tiaoyutai in Taiwan, in order to offer protection for the nation’s fishermen. It’s not really clear what would possess fishermen of any country to want to go near the diplomatic mess of a territory, but Taiwan’s ships will surely be encountering the two Chinese patrol ships that arrived earlier this week.

There you go. Something to watch for something stupid 100nm from Taiwan, 180nm from the PRC, and 225nm of Okinawa.