ONWARD JAMES

What is Palestine? Who are the Palestinians?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

I am having an exchange, on Political Forum.com about the invention of Palestine, with people who use pseudonyms and avatars that have become repartees rather than debate. I am equally to blame, since I am pro-Israel and pro-Zionism — and a satirist — but not Jewish. However, my ripostes are far better, more scholarly than the anti-Semites and/or limited morons. I posted the following link, because another one was closed off after 55 pages or something like that.

Arabs invented Palestine
http://www.politicalforum.com/middle-east/221235-islam-arabs-invented-palestinians.html

The next link on YouTube, sent to me by Mr. H. Bendor, is about 7 1/2 minutes and requires reading.

The History of "PALESTINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHgVMC38YLg&feature=youtu.be

The Arabs invented a special national entity in the 1960s (rather than a geographic delineation) called the Palestinians, specifically for political gain. They brand Israelis as invaders and claim the geographic area called Palestine belongs exclusively to the Arabs.

The word Palestine is not even Arabic. It is a word coined by the Romans around 135 CE from the name of a seagoing Aegean people who settled on the coast of Canaan in antiquity the Philistines. The name was chosen to replace Judea, as a sign that Jewish sovereignty had been eradicated following the Jewish Revolts against Rome.

The Palestinians are Part of the Old Arab Order
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=55204

~Prof. Hillel Frisch, Senior Research Associate at the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies - Arutz-7, January 8th, 2012

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because time and time again they have aligned themselves with the worst dictators of the Arab world. Their own governments in the West Bank and Gaza are cut from the same cloth as the regimes of the old Arab order; they are one-party police-states where the opposition and the media are suppressed. They demand the right to self-determination for themselves but deny it to others.

They are also part of the old Arab order of terrorism.

Many have wondered since the beginning of the Arab upheavals why the Palestinian Arabs have not taken part in the hoped-for 'Arab Spring.' The answer is that with the positions they hold today, the Palestinian Arabs are an integral part of the old Arab order, and therefore are unable to participate in a democratic, tolerant Arab renaissance.

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because time and time again they have extolled the Arab leaders who make up the old Arab order and aligned themselves with the worst dictators of the Arab world.

With overwhelming Palestinian public support, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, risked international isolation and condemnation for himself, his people and his movement in order to support Saddam Hussein’s occupation of Kuwait. Saddam was the most brutal leader of the old Arab order. (After their liberation from Saddam, the Kuwaitis expelled over 100,000 Palestinian Arabs in retaliation for eager Palestinian cooperation in suppressing Kuwaiti citizens.)

This is the same Arafat, the same PLO, and the same 'Palestinian People' who today rail against Israeli 'occupation.'

Take for example, Azmi Bishara, the former Israeli-Palestinian Member of Knesset who called himself as a democratic liberal. He defied Israeli law forbidding the visiting of an enemy state in order to eulogize Hafiz al-Assad, the strongman of Syria, after his death in 2001. Assad was one of the most murderous of Arab leaders.

His son Bashar is presently suppressing Syrian citizens with great brutality. (Bishara later fled Israel and resigned from the Knesset after being questioned by police on suspicion of aiding and passing military information to Hezbollah during wartime).

Another Palestinian-Israeli Arab Member of Knesset, Ahmad Tibi, led an entourage of Israeli Palestinians to pay homage to Muammar Qaddafi, the fallen Libyan dictator, just before the outbreak of the revolution that led to Qaddafi’s downfall. In neither case were these Palestinians forced to act as they did. They did it out of love – for the 'old' Arab dictators and their regimes.

Palestinian Arabs are also part of the 'old Arab order' for supporting Arab nationalism, which in retrospect, was clearly an ideological smokescreen for Sunni Arab domination over the minorities in the Middle East. As mentioned above, the Shiites of Iraq drove the Palestinians out of their midst for collaborating with the Ba‘thi regime in suppressing the Shiite majority and the Kurdish minority in Iraq – in the name of Arab nationalism.

More recently, no Palestinian Authortiy leader, faction, or ‘human-rights’ organization has had anything critical to say about the brutal suppression of Shiites in Bahrain, just as they were silent in years past about the wrongs and atrocities against minorities in the Arab-speaking world.

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because they demand the right to self-determination for themselves but deny it to others. The Palestinians supported Saddam’s regime against Kurdish self-determination; they support the Moroccan occupation and colonization of Western Sahara (which denies the indigenous peoples a right to a state of their own); and they support the Algerian regime in suppressing Berber/Amazight language and culture.

Both Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority and the Hamas government in Gaza are cut from the same cloth as the regimes of the old Arab order. They are one-party police-states whose main line of business is suppressing the opposition, incarcerating political prisoners, and denying media freedoms to the opposition. The rump parliaments in both the West Bank and Gaza have been moribund since the outbreak of Palestinian civil war in 2006.

The PLO itself is the ultimate example of the old Arab order. The dozen or more factions that constitute the PLO are over forty years old; yet in none of them has leadership change taken place except through the natural or unnatural death of the leader. The same can be said of the relatively younger Islamist Jihad al-Islami and Hamas movements. There is no internal democracy in these groups.

Remember: More than anything, the Arab upheavals of the past year are about instituting a change of leadership in the Arab world. The Palestinians are having none of that.

The Palestinian Arabs are also part of the old Arab order of terrorism. The Palestinians, who introduced wide-spread and indiscriminate terrorism to the world, served as an inspiration to Hizbullah and al-Qaeda terrorism, presumably the movements hurt most by the would-be Arab spring. The Palestinians continue to take part in this old Arab terrorist agenda through indiscriminate missile attacks and conventional acts of terrorism.

Does all this mean that the Palestinian Arabs are doomed, and barred from the promise of an Arab spring?

Not necessarily. Palestinian Arabs could begin a promising journey towards a democratic renaissance by acknowledging the rights they demand from Israel and the world to others. They could, for example, support the right to self-determination of the Kurdish, the Berber and the Jewish peoples, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Palestinian Arabs could and should take a stand against the oppression of Egypt’s Copts.

They could and should renounce Arab national movements that betray these principles. They could and should become a voice for civil rights if and when the new Islamist regimes in the Arab world begin to deny these rights to their minorities.

Without question, the journey to a Palestinian democratic spring is long and arduous.

Fortunately, the Palestinians have an example nearby of a democratic and prosperous state worthy of emulation – Israel.

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 158, January 5, 2012

Mandate for Palestine - Eli E. Hertz
http://www.mythsandfacts.org/Conflict/mandate_for_palestine/MandateN2%20-%2010-29-07-English.pdf

“When it is asked what is meant by the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, it may be answered that it is not the imposition of a Jewish nationality upon the inhabitants of Palestine as a whole, but the further development of the existing Jewish community, with the assistance of Jews in other parts of the world, in order that it may become a centre in which the Jewish people as a whole may take, on grounds of religion and race, an interest and a pride. But in order that this community should have the best prospect of free development and provide a full opportunity for the Jewish people to display its capacities, it is essential that it should know that it is in Palestine as of right and not on sufferance. That is the reason why it is necessary that the existence of a Jewish National Home in Palestine should be internationally guaranteed and that it should be formally recognized to rest upon ancient historic connection.” Winston Churchill, British Secretary of State for the Colonies, June 1922

Myths and Facts
http://www.mythsandfacts.com/

http://www.mythsandfacts.com/article_view.asp?articleID=162&order_id=1

What unites Palestinians has been their opposition to Jewish nationalism and the desire to stamp it out, not aspirations for their own state. Local patriotic feelings are generated only when a non-Islamic entity takes charge – such as Israel did after the 1967 Six-Day War. It dissipates under Arab rule, no matter how distant or despotic.

China's hardline party leaders and President Hu Jintao are concerned about ruling...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Flag of the People's Republic of China

"Is China at war with the West? Hu Jintao, China’s leader, evidently thinks so, and to go by his recent words and actions, the greatest threats are blockbuster movies and reality TV. While the state has been increasing its restrictions on outside cultural products and keeping old barriers in place—limiting the number of foreign movies to 20 a year, for instance—Hu brought the scaremongering to a new level in a recent essay. “We must clearly see that international hostile forces are intensifying the strategic plot of Westernizing and dividing China, and ideological and cultural fields are the focal areas of their long-term infiltration,” he writes in Qiushi, the leading Communist Party magazine...

... What he misses is that the root of the problem isn’t foreign infiltration, but China’s own repressive government, which has forfeited its claim to soft power by acting increasingly repressive at home and belligerent abroad." Gordon G .Chang, Forbes.com.

There are so many internal issues in China (280,000 mass incidents in 2010) and, of course, Taiwan, which is setting a difficult example of democracy, hence Paramount Party Leader Hu Jintao goes after the West. To stand up for the Chinese communist culture.

Why, bash and ridicule the West, since China requires resources and countries such as America to export goods to.

Gordon G. Chang, author of "The Coming Collapse of China", who writes for Forbes and many other periodicals and Internet sites, and who I listen to on John Batchelor's American talk radio program (WABC AM770, New New York) in the evening, articulately concluded in his article:

"Hu Jintao’s off-key broadsides against foreign culture, then, are not an aberration, but a real reflection of a regime fearing for its “cultural security.” They are best viewed as a ruling group’s desperate salvo in a fight to regain the authority it correctly feels slipping from its grasp."

Gordon G. Chang
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gordon-G-Chang/108156309212185

"The coming collapse of China" - FoxNews (August 17, 2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh1ONCtAv5w

Chang on CNBC
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000061734

Gordon Chang appreciated the suggestion to read "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang". He thanked me for informing him.

CHINA is "rule of men" not "rule of law" — said Premier Zhao Ziyang.
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/01/china-is-rule-of-men-not-rule-of-law.html

Regardless...

I wish for all the decent Chinese people freedom, individualism, democracy, rather than Statism and Rule of Men, and a happy and successful "Year of the Dragon".

The New White House with President Mickey Barack Hussein Obama Mouse...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Disneyland is a preparation for the presidency of the United Nations New World Order? Actually, rather than Mickey Mouse, President Obama is more like a Rat able to squeeze through any hole, because the left allows him and the mainstream media praises him. The majority of uneducated black people, even the educated, as well as guilty educated whites, and academe, think he is omnisicent.

But where are the shovel-ready jobs?

Morning Bell: Obama’s Magic Kingdom of Joblessness
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/20/morning-bell-obamas-magic-kingdom-of-joblessness/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

Had the President approved Keystone, a 1,700-mile pipeline would have been extended from Alberta, Canada, to Texas refineries — lifting up the U.S. economy with private-sector investment, putting people to work, and helping increase the supply of energy to lower prices when fuel costs are through the roof. Despite a finding by the State Department that the pipeline would pose minimal environmental risk, environmentalists were still up in arms and lobbied the President to say no to the plan.

The President’s decision is so out of line with fact and reason that The Washington Post strongly condemned it in an op-ed yesterday, saying the “pipeline rejection is hard to accept” and “We almost hope this was a political call because, on the substance, there should be no question.” As the Post explained, even without the pipeline, Canada will still export its oil–but across the ocean to China, instead. Meanwhile, the United States will continue importing crude oil from the Middle East. In other words, the environmental lobby might have stanched the flow of oil from Canada, but it’s being diverted onto the seas, and fossil fuel consumption will necessarily continue.

"Obama’s Keystone pipeline rejection is hard to accept," said the Washington Post editor.

"Obama short-sighted on Keystone Pipeline," said Dewey Bartlett, Tulsa Mayor.

"A stunningly stupid thing to do,” declared Newt Gingrich.

"Obama Blames Congress," New York Times [Majority Republicans didn't give him enough time to evaluate.]

"Rejecting the Keystone pipeline is an act of insanity... All it tells us is that Obama is so obsessed with his reelection that, through some sort of political calculus, he believes that placating his environmental supporters will improve his chances," stated Robert Samuelson who writes a weekly economics column for the Washington Post. He was a columnist for Newsweek magazine from 1984 to 2011.

Act of Insanity
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rejecting-the-keystone-pipeline-is-an-act-of-insanity/2012/01/19/gIQAowG6AQ_story.html

This is a stunning (though not unexpected) decision. At a time when unemployment remains unacceptably high, Iran is threatening the Strait of Hormuz, and Canada is looking to take this oil elsewhere, it is difficult to understand how the president could say no to thousands of jobs and an increase in energy supply from our ally," wrote Nicolas Loris, National Review.

Obama’s ‘Forced’ Keystone Decision Rejects Jobs, Energy, and Logic
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/288490/obama-s-forced-keystone-decision-rejects-jobs-energy-and-logic-nicolas-loris

This two-faced arrogance might be one of the major issues that brings Obama down. Even many unions are flabbergasted. Evidently Democrat policymakers and senators have sent letters and voiced their opinions. Obama has czars to take care of all that, because he is doing more important things: he's too busy campaigning. Major decisions can wait, they can be put on the shelf until after the election in November 2012.

Of course, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver will explore other avenues.

And with those shovels that Obama has ready his czars and bureaucrat staff can remove the pile of manure they created.

Assassinations of Nuclear Scientists…

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:09:00 +0000

Mullahs of Iran and their President must be discombobulated because of explosions at their nuclear facilities, computer viruses, and the assassinations of the scientists.

Is Israel, which some consider a rogue state, on their own or are the CIA and American military, such as the NAVY SEALs, covertly involved?

Who Assassinated an Iranian Nuclear Scientist? Israel Isn't Telling
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104372,00.html

Wednesday's attack followed the pattern of previous operations planned by Mossad and carried out over the past two years by Iranians trained and paid by Israel's spy agency, according to intelligence sources. The targets were chosen from the ranks of scientists seen as crucial to Iran's nuclear effort — the country's top physicist, Majid Shahriari, was killed by a magnetized bomb in October 2010 — then shadowed for weeks to determine their routines and points of vulnerability.

'CIA, MI6 behind Iranian nuclear scientist's death'
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=253578

Iran Supreme Leader: CIA and Mossad Behind Scientist’s Assassination
http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/01/13/iran-supreme-leader-cia-and-mossad-behind-scientists-assassination/

“This cowardly act of terror, whose perpetrators and plotters will never dare to confess to their dirty and hideous crime or accept responsibility for it, has been carried out with the planning or support of the CIA and Mossad intelligence services, like all other crimes of the network of international state terrorism.”

The Ayatollah added that the assassination attempt verifies that “the global arrogance, spearheaded by the U.S. and Zionism, has reached a deadlock in the confrontation with the determined, devout, and progressive nation of Islamic Iran.”

Iran threatens U.S. and U.K.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-16/iran-threatens-u-s-u-k-israel-after-assassination-of-nuclear-scientist.html

The regime in Tehran threatens ships in the Straits of Hormuz in the gulf and major retaliation, which reminds me of Baghdad Bob.

Of course, there are those who believe that Iran isn’t building nuclear weapons and the actions have been outrageous.

However, when Ahmadinejad continued with his verbose comments about Israel at the United Nations, more than once, the Iranian regime is learning the lessons: if one is going to be deceitful, then keep the mouth shut or stop threatening and reform thyself.

Since Osama bin Laden was assassinated in Pakistan, near a major military base, the ayatollah has to be somewhat discomposed since that could happen in Iran – preferably the wild president with loose lips. But President Obama is relying on sanctions and a revolution of the people. The attacks must be the Israelis’ Mossad with Iranian revolutionaries’ assistance or paid spies and mercenaries.

Undoubtedly, the combination of assassinations, destruction at locations including computer interference, and serious sanctions are unnerving, unless it comes closer to war which will incite the brotherhoods and other Muslim nations, regardless if they are Shi’a or Sunni or derivatives. Zealots desire martyrdom and paradise; therefore annihilation. But with no nuclear weapons they might have to go chemical.

Before that happens they will topple within by their people and some outside assistance. It's happening at this moment, bit by bit.

As Foreign Policy and Iran expert Michael Ledeen, who believed Iran should have been a top priority in the war on terror, would say, "Faster, please!"

But he doesn't mean all out bombing until necessary. There are many ways to defeat the Shi'a Islamists as stated above.

Iran in Convulsion (the death spiral continues) - Michael Ledeen, January 2, 2012
http://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2012/01/02/iran-in-convulsion-the-death-spiral-continues/

Big news today from Iran, confirming once again that the hapless regime in Tehran proceeds down its death spiral. The first is the spectacular collapse of the national currency, which has lost 35% of its value since September. The second headline, in an extraordinary press conference by the effective commander of the revolutionary guards, is the admission that the incarcerated leaders of the green movement have so much powerful support that the regime dares not prosecute them...

...There are stories from Tehran about people desperately trying to buy commodities, from gold to steel, about people selling cars and motorcycles to get cash they can convert to hard currency, and, inevitably, about people offering their kidneys for sale (a story we’ve heard about desperate people everywhere from Africa to China. Is it true?).

So the regime is failing to meet the basic needs of the Iranian people (nothing really new there; strikers at the Shiraz Telecommunications Factory haven’t been paid for 26 months), and the people don’t like it.

Happy 70th Birthday Muhammad Ali formerly Cassius Clay...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Spider Jones, once a Golden Gloves Champion, now a mentor for youth, called to inform me that it was Ali's 70th birthday on January 17th. Because of Spider, I met The Greatest, and wrote him a haiku-style poem.

Check the following link for more detail.

Muhammad Ali
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2010/03/muhammad-ali-george-chuvalo-spider.html

Land For Peace?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Caroline Glick concluded in her article that land-for-peace, Sinai to Egyptians, Gaza and other areas to Palestinians, is a con and Israel is the dupe.

Hamas won the last Palestinian elections in 2006.

And Hamas's leaders - like their counterparts in the Muslim Brotherhood - make no bones about their intention to destroy Israel. Two weeks ago at a speech in Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh proclaimed, "We say today explicitly so it cannot be explained otherwise, that the armed resistance and the armed struggle are the path and the strategic choice for liberating the Palestinian land, from the [Mediterranean] sea to the [Jordan] river, and for the expulsion of the invaders and usurpers [Israel]... We won't relinquish one inch of the land of Palestine."

The land-for-peace hoax
http://www.carolineglick.com/e/2012/01/the-land-for-peace-hoax.php

The issues are complicated, but could be made easier — victory first then peace — with force if there was a strong Republican President such as Ronald Reagan rather than Obama, who seems to be more pro-Muslim nations than pro-Israel.

Candidly, if I were in such power I would give the forked-tongue, deceitful Muslims options. Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and Sinai have one option to move to other nations, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, or Saudi Arabia. If they decide to stay the lands would be ruled by Israel with American military bases. Of course, they would be Israeli citizens if they behaved as civil citizens.

Why so harsh?

The Middle East will never be Utopia, or close to it. Israel, however — a democratic ally, as well as a Zionist nation, rightly so, considering — has tried it’s best to live decently in a good place, which they developed, surrounded by zealots and Saladin dreamers of the Golden Years of the Caliphate. The Israelis have tried to be reasonable.

Yet, many nations and citizens think that Israel is the rogue state. And, they are doing everything possible to weaken the Jewish country.

Hence, I would assist in strengthening Israel instead of making it weaker, which is what the United Nations seems to desire.

As I stated, first victory then peace: it worked in Germany and Japan. Now, they are democratic countries, and allies, to a point.

For you interest read the content of this link, brilliant irony about Israel at a Cambridge debate.

Israel is a Rogue State — debated proposer Gabriel Latner at Cambridge University
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2010/11/israel-is-rogue-state-debated-gabriel.html

Hachikō - such a Loyal Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

At my local library I picked up the movie “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” based on the true story of Hachikō in Japan, directed by Lasse Hallström who is a master of subtlety and beauty. Though Richard Gere and Joan Allen were listed as the stars, the real stars are the dogs and trainers.

Professor Parker finds a puppy at a train station. So he keeps it until somebody claims it. His wife didn’t want a dog. But, they all fell in love with Hachi, evidently the name meant Good Fortune.

The Asian dog reminded me of our new family dog, Sunshine, which we call Sunny. He’s the same colour as Hachi, but part Collie and Shepherd.

Rather than discuss the content, I strongly suggest you watch the superb film. I was touched so much that tears welled up in my eyes. Afterwards, I brought some treats to old, black and white Lucky Maduro, part Border Collie part something else, and Sunny. I rubbed them and they licked my face.

Such loyal creatures. Loving.

Our previous dogs were part Collie and Shepherd and similar colours as Sunny and Hachi. Fergie used to walk with my father along the dock to keep him from falling in when he had a few drinks. Caesar was his puppy and followed me everywhere he could. His tail wagged with joy whenever he saw me. In his old age, he developed cancer, but I didn’t want to put him to sleep.

For his last night, I bought a sirloin steak and fried it just right. However, he wasn’t in the mood. Probably in pain. So I left the steak in his bowl.

The next morning the steak was gone and so was he. He disappeared. Caesar ate his last meal and walked off into the forest to die as a natural animal. He must have found his spot because we never found him.

We were so fortunate to have Fergie and Caesar. Lucky was a pup when Caesar was healthy and was trained by the older dog. The same thing continues with Sunny and Lucky.

Indeed, good fortune.

Hachikō
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/

SUNSHINE
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/10/some-say-i-am-was-loser-anti-social.html

LUCKY MADURO
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2008/03/death-interrupts-all-that-is-mortal.html

Artist & Activist Ai Weiwei of China — Runner-Up of the Year — Time Magazine...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:05:00 +0000

In 1981 you left China with no plans to return, but you came back. Why?

Before, I had seen my father and other people criticized or struggled against, but I was not directly involved. Then you see your generation being crushed. You see that this power has no intention of telling the truth. On the one hand it is ruthless, but on the other hand it is so weak.

When you are 20-something years old, you realize the only way to protect your dignity is to leave rather than to be damaged by this big machine. You see in your generation people who are destroyed. So I decided I had to leave.

After 12 years in New York, I was 36. I heard a lot about how China was different. My father was ill. I wanted to go back to China and pay my last respects.

Ai Weiwei: The Dissident
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102133_2102331,00.html

Ai Weiwei — incarcerated artist in China
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/05/ai-weiwei-incarcerated-artist-in-china.html

Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei has written an essay about Beijing, China — basically the Chicoms...
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/09/chinese-artist-has-wriiten-essay-about.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper accepted an invitation from the Government of China led by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jibao to visit China in February. These visits require fine "statesmanship" because there are touchy situations, such as human rights and more transparency.

But, evidently, China is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner. Nonetheless, I believe that Right Honourable Stephen Harper will not kowtow to the Chicom elders of the Old Guard.

Doubtful, that our Prime Minister will bring up Ai Weiwei, because there are so many other serious problems in China... follow the money.

Indeed, A Wonderul World says Attenborough and sings Satchmo...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:11:00 +0000

David Attenborough - Wonderful World - BBC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8WHKRzkCOY&feature=share

Mr. Attenborough speak-sings "A Wonderful World" in his raspy, elderly British voice. When I watch and listen it uplifts me and makes me think it is all worthwhle.

Thank you, trumpet player Marty, my musical cigar friend, for e-mailing me the reminder.

The Life Series
http://www.davidattenborough.co.uk/

The Blue Planet
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/blue-planet/blue-planet.html

Louis Armstrong-What A Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJrzlapymI8&feature=related

The great Satchmo sings and plays his trumpet, and it's still the best.

New Hampshire Republican Debate on Meet The Press

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

New Hampshire debate with Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Perry moderated by David Gregory.

I enjoy radio, often more than TV, even live TV debates, because I listen carefully to the content and tones. Right from the start David Gregory of Meet The Press (MSNBC) started with an attack question to Newt Gingrich about Mitt Romney... is he basically electable. However, Romney did well, sounded presidential.

Frankly, all the candidates, except for Ron Paul, are strong potentials to run America, regardless of the criticisms mainly from the mainstream media who state that there are no serious candidates with possibilities. They all sounded effective and prepared, able to answer questions with impromptu answers. There was humour mainly from Perry and Romney.

Watch and listen to the debate on the following link to judge for yourself...

New Hampshire Debate - Meet The Press - NBC
http://www.facebook.com/MeetThePress?sk=app_201387976576727

Obama and his regime ought to be worried that he will be the next one-term Democratic President. But the rest of America should be relieved — even more so if the GOP wins the two houses, as well.

Republicans in NH: Breaking the rules
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/general-factotum/2012/jan/8/republicans-nh-breaking-rules/

Wild Bill for America makes sense about Islam (Islamists) and the Jihadis

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

http://wildbillforamerica.com/index.html

Bill grew up in the Colorado Rockies and had a successful career in law enforcement, serving as both a Deputy Sheriff and a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He is a graduate of the Colorado Law enforcement Academy, the Federal Law Enforcement Academy and the U.S. Marshal’s Academy. Prior to law enforcement Bill served with the U.S. Marines as a Corpsman

Jihad American Style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc4luAiDoyA&feature=related

Islam's Greatest Invention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XpVJAX0Yp0&feature=related

A Real Mid-East Peace Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=AGSlAt3x7Gw

Wild Bill makes sense about several things, particularly about the Midde East and Palestine... the Palestinians, from what I have learned, are Trans-Jordanians, now called Jordan. But the Arabs continue to use this ridiculousness as a scapegoat, reason to blame Israel and allies.

"ALEXANDRIA'S SHELL" - Novel by Edmund Onward James

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Years ago an old rowing teammate and friend suggested I should write something about rowing in high school for a movie, since I attempted screenplays at the time.

I went to the Argonaut Rowing Club in Toronto (www.argonautrowingclub.com) to see if there was a possibility. I watched a girls' rowing team and thought that might work better, because there have been movies about male rowers.

After I completed the script "Alexandria's Shell" I decided this might be my first novel, instead. Second novel was "Barbarians" a Mongol love and war story.

http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2009/05/barbarians-novel-for-literary-agents.html

Third novel attempt is "Aeron Rowan Teague: Art Crime Detective". Teague is a homicide cop assigned as head of the small Art Crime Unit, because he's also a bona fide artist. His works sell in major galleries. Sometimes he goes undercover globally, requested by Interpol.

ALEXANDRIA'S SHELL is a novel about Alexandria Shaftesbury, a conflicted high-school teacher of history and literature, who some think is armoured with a better-than-thou attitude. In a shell. However, “shell” is also a rowing boat with a thin casing.

Sometimes she likes to be called Alexa, her second husband called her Alex, even Lex. Alexa is considered to be too aloof, too in love with the written word rather than students. She has some money and can afford lawyers; hence they transfer her to the ethnic school in the heart of the city: Jarvis Collegiate High School. Perhaps her last stand, and then maybe she’d finally quit.

At the entrance of the school there's a crest on the wall with the Latin phrase, "Nil decet invita Minerva." Translated to: "Do not refuse the invitation of Minerva." The Roman Goddess of wisdom was once mythically in charge of overseeing the arts and crafts, as well as being the thunderbolt, if she lost her temper.

Because Alexa is divorced twice, turning forty, childless, and ends up at Jarvis, she concludes life's opportunities have bypassed her. When she notices the Minerva plaque she thinks maybe she’s actually cursed.

Her divorced mother, who introduced her to the great books as well as her second ex-husband, wants her to retire and join the renovation business. Her remarried doctor/father, who introduced rowing to her, has Alzheimer's and is basically out of touch.

During a contemplative walk Alexa spots young women rowing in a racing shell. Later, she wonders about starting a girls' rowing team to challenge the private school that didn’t hire her. A daunting task. The sport is expensive and time consuming, but she envisions the bonding of the Jarvis girls to challenge the prestigious Branksome Hall, the Canadian Secondary School Association Girl’s Eight Champions, in an exhibition race.

During her small odyssey she meets attractive and successful Kareem O'Shea and slowly falls in love once more; but when things look bright tragedy happens...

Regardless, Alexa finishes the year with a race at the high school regatta in St. Catharines. Then she leaves for a trip to the east coast, and then Sedona, Arizona to visit her grandmother, to consider joining her mother’s business, or move on to a university, or even return to Minerva's school.

Iranian Islamists threatening, again...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the Iranian warning “reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness” and suggested Tehran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than one-third of the world’s oil flows, is merely bluster aimed at creating a diversion.

Iranians play their game of sabre rattling — and it works — sometimes.

On John Oakley's 640AM Toronto radio program, John R. Bolton, former UN Ambassador, said (I paraphrase) they wouldn't dare fire at the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS John C. Stennis in the Persian Gulf, or any American ship. However, their threats benefit them by raising oil prices. They will laugh all the way to the bank. Maybe. Sanctions with waivers are not effective enough since countries such as Turkey, North Korea, China etc. can still do business with the mullahs. But they are having serious probems with their currency.

Iran’s threats over Strait of Hormuz a symptom of ‘weakness,’ U.S. says - Peter Goodspeed, National Post
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/03/iran-u-s-tensions-reach-20-year-high-over-strait-of-hormuz-warning/

“The Islamic Republic’s goal may be more financial than military,” said Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute. “Iran’s economy is teetering. Unemployment and inflation are both in the double digits. To keep afloat, Iran needs high oil prices. Should the price of oil fall below $80 per barrel, even the brutal Revolutionary Guards may not be able to maintain domestic stability for long. They know that by simply threatening tanker traffic, they can drive up the price of oil, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to their coffers.”

Iran in Convulsion (the death spiral continues) - Michael Ledeen
http://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/

"The crash of the rial him has been linked to the latest round of sanctions, the ones aimed against the Iranian central bank. These are, at least for the moment, unilateral American sanctions, but their import is global, since they are aimed at anyone doing business in Iran’s oil sector. Those transactions invariably go through the central bank, and the American sanctions confront would-be purchasers of Iranian crude oil with an unpleasant choice: either do business with America or do business with Iran.

The ayatollahs, in their usual blustery way, have pooh-poohed the effect of the sanctions, insisting that Iran is so strong that even such harsh measures will have little effect. But nobody in Iran believes that. There are long lines at the money changers, and one leading government supporter puts the matter in chilling perspective: Iranian industry “cannot continue to exist” with the rial at today’s level."

The West should hand Iran's leadership a chalice of poison - Michael Rubin
http://www.michaelrubin.org/10982/iran-poison-chalice

"Iran's current provocations may have more to do with its own desperation than any real grievance. After the US Congress imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran last month, Iran's currency lost nearly half its value. Unemployment and inflation are both in double digits.

To keep afloat, Iran needs high oil prices. Simply threatening tanker traffic drives up the price of oil, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to Iran's coffers. The irony of such a psychological strategy, however, is that the spike in oil prices mitigates any increase that would result from military strikes."

Obama and his crew, either have little knowledge of the Middle East, or don't care enough about the endgame. He's too busy campaigning regarding his "change" of America, the redistribution of wealth.

Which nation, or nations combined, will put the medieval Iranians in place? Israel? America? NATO. Or will the reasonably modern students and covert actions remove the present regime? Maybe they will just implode.

Iran is biggest threat to peace: PM - Jason Fekete, National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/Iran+biggest+threat+peace/5954907/story.html

"Iran is a very serious threat to international peace and security. In my judgment, it is the world's most serious threat to international peace and security," Mr. Harper said in an interview Thursday with Calgary radio station CHQR...

..."The wider international community - even including the Chinese and Russians - that community I think does appreciate that this is a serious threat. I think the problem is there's not a consensus on what to do about it precisely," he added.

ONE WEEK - Canadian Film 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:48:00 +0000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Week_(2008_film)

The past few days I have been reading, working on my third novel attempt, and escaping, or at least imaginary travel, through words and movies. It is rare to find a good road film. But I enjoyed "One Week" written and directed by Michael McGowan.

It wasn't the greatest plot, however, but the acting was believable with many interesting characters. In addition, I felt as if I was on a trip.

I had eleven films from the library, including the final episode of Harry Potter, which basically reminded me of "Lord of the Rings", dark and foreboding. It was okay... but for me, enough already. Joanne Rowling did all right in the scheme of things. I envy her.

"Sahara" based on Clive Cussler's book starring Matthew McConaughey was fun, with an Indiana Jones type hero. Frankly, I am somewhat envious of Cussler, also, regarding all the books he has had published and his interesting life. Evidently, there was a lawsuit about this film and he lost. Even for him things do not always flow swimmingly.

A road film that would be engaging is "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" written by Robert Pirsig. But the author has prevented Hollywood for several reasons, control mainly, I gather. Years ago I got in touch with him... for more details check the following link:

The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2009/03/moq-zen-and-art-of-motorcycle.html

Military Wives sing in Gareth Malone's Choir Program

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:38:00 +0000

I love Gareth Malone's program "The Choir".

And, Christina Blizzard of the Toronto Sun is so right, this might be the most touching espisode, which will be on TVO. But if you wish to hear beautiful music now by military wives for their husbands, many of them still deployed, click onto to the following YouTube link.

Wherever You Are (Military Wives with Gareth Malone) Official Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hR6O7VxKaQ

British TV series The Choir hits all the right notes - Christina Blizzard
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/28/british-tv-series-the-choir-hits-all-the-right-notes

Military Wives Choir Sing Bob Dylan's To Make You Feel My Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImjoCxEUJAI&feature=related

Military Wives Choir - Wherever You Are BBC (once more)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h39vBsiR68

I am a HARPERITE…

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:03:00 +0000

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/pm.asp

Right Honourable Stephen Harper has more than impressed me with his “Statecraft” ability; he has made me aware, and quite proud, of his moral courage and reasonable conservative values.

Years ago, during a large political rally I was able to meet him and ask questions about our jurisprudence system, crime, and youth offenders.

There were many anxious people trying to grasp his attention, but he focused on my eyes, rather than swivel his head to see if there were more important people with big donations, and he answered precisely by starting off with that he was also concerned and that would be one of his priorities. With a majority Conservative government, I paraphrase, things would improve.

I prefer the word improve, make better, instead of change, since things could change for the worse such as “Statism” has demonstrated. Of course, management and staff are required, but not large budgets to construct bureaucratic fiefdoms for ridiculous initiatives. And what has Dalton McGuinty, the green energy Premier, done with transfer funds for Ontario? Those who voted for the Liberals want more form the federal government to continue the entitlements, and foolish hand-outs which the taxpayers are stretched to contribute to.

Prime Minister Harper is highly regarded around the world, along with capable ministers, and the members of parliament. Canada is no longer easy pickings, especially for extending visitors and illegal immigrants, egregious climate change UN and linked organizations, as well as resource mongers. There’s more… however, I am sure you get the point.

Two more majority terms, even longer, would be just fine for the CP.

Happy New Year Prime Minister Harper, and the entire Conservative Party, as well as all members and voters.

CHRISTMAS THOUGHT…

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:11:00 +0000

The grandness of the universe and the minute structures, matter and antimatter – the macrocosm and microcosm – are astonishing.

When I look around at the construct and beauty of nature and the graciousness of humans, I occasionally forget about all the terrible things, and imagine who or what created all this.

Albert Einstein, who believed science and religion coincide, thought that GOD created the spectacular wonder.

My Ojibway Elder friend, well-educated, a Shaman, is spiritual, and he once said so was I in my own way, even if I do not follow any organized faith. The fact that I am astounded and question the pros and cons of existence, ontology, the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being, science of reality, the interest of the soul or spirit rather than being concerned about the material, makes me somewhat of a spiritual soul, he intimated.

However, I am concerned about basic material things, such as food, roof over my head, books, music, fine cigars, of course transportation and so forth. I don’t drink alcohol, quit long ago, but I appreciate that others appreciate quality spirits, socially. My dear 85 year-old mother Broom Hilda, enjoys her breakfast brandy, at times. And as far as Einstein’s conclusion, I still need more scientific proof, not necessarily miracles. Yet, I respect and value the Judeo-Christian moral ethics and traditions, such as Hunnukha and Christmas.

One of my favourite human beings, Winston Churchill, once said, “I am a man of simple tastes, easily satisfied with the best.”

Since I am generally impecunious, subsequently the best to me these days is the best we can do, regardless, and the best thoughts we can spread.

Our Ontology Is A Rhapsody

Of epic proportions
Of love and loss
Of sadness and solace
Of want and invention
Of brave deeds and everyday problems
Of laughter and dance
Of progeny and cycles
Of insight and wonder
Of the human journey...

edmund onward james

The vagaries of fortune...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:34:00 +0000

There are outlandish notions, eccentric acts, yet some do exceptionally well; such as in the arts or even with creative, entrepreneurial efforts.

However, fortune can be pure luck. For example: purchasing a winning lottery ticket.

The other day, one person or a group won over $800,000 on the NFL Pool of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). www.olg.ca

Some might say it was a lucky pick, picking 14 out of 14 games. Or was it? I believe it took some skill to pick so many winners with some major and minor upsets. It couldn't have just been eeny meany miney mo.

For $5 one can play, but then there are the splits (two teams) that start at $10 up to $16o maximum per ticket for 5 choices, including the other games.

The bettor(s) who won was quite bright, because they picked Kansas City Chiefs over the undefeated Green Bay packers and the hapless Indianapolis Colts yet to win a game. The Chiefs and Colts won, as well as one or two other minor upsets.

Perhaps the winner was a group that spent several hundred dollars on many tickets. And maybe one person will collect the tax-free cheque. Well it is a government lottery, and there are no taxes on such winnings, at least in Ontario, that I know.

Once, I cam close with 15 out of 16 picks. But there were many winners for the entire 16 choices. The picks were reasonably easy for football aficionados. The prize was a bit over $15,000, which my football guru buddy and his nephew also won.

The guru had suggested I split one game. But I didn't. I bet only $5 rather than spend another $5 for a split. My team should have won, but there was either a fumble or interception form what I vaguely remember. I try to forget about the misfortune. The other team won by a field-goal or something like that.

Oh... the vagaries of fortune for others!

Alas, I remain impecunious. Maybe my novels will get published and become best-sellers. In America and UK not just Canada, if the muses are kind to old Sagebrush. My Ojibway/Elder/Shaman friend named me that, a sage with a rolling mind.

Nevertheless — MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR — whoever you are.

http://proline.olg.ca/propicksCards.do

Update:

Seems as if one fellow won $874, 857, the largest single Ontario Sports Lottery ticket. In the pamphlet picture, it looks as if he is missing two front teeth. Santa can write that gift off for Christmas. However, that changes my mind about skill, and it might have been dumb luck.

Hashshāsh, Hashīnī, Hashishan — Assassins

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:28:00 +0000

What a decade! The past ten years of battle: starting with the horror by Arabs and Muslims, which actually it has been going on for centuries and will continue.

Then in 2011 the pestilence named Osama bin Laden was finally assassinated by the American Military Special Forces ordered by Barack Hussein Obama. Some have called Obama an “Assassin”.

An interesting word.

The assassins were a radical sect of Islam, mostly Shi’ite, who followed the “old Man in the Mountain”. That’s what they called the Master of Assassins.

In 1175 CE a race of Saracens, called the Heyssessini lived in the mountains in an impregnable Castle, well-fortified. They could spot a fly from strategic points.

Some scholars think the word assassin derived from the use of hashish; hence hashshāsh, hashīniī, hashishan — asshisan — translated to Assassin.

The Old Man evidently used a potion in a drink for the youth to fall asleep. Then they were carried to his private gardens. So when they awoke they thought they were in paradise. Subsequently they followed the Old Man.

Powerful Mongols virtually removed the organized assassins, who dissipated back to reality.

Now, in order to end up in paradise, the Muslim fanatics entice suicide bombers, even women and young children. The threats remain because of the medieval ideology of Islam and the interpretations of the Qur’an. Of course by radicals. In addition the sects and warlords desire to bring back the Golden years when a Caliph ruled. Who will reign the Caliphate? Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps, or other zealous Islamists.

Nonetheless, the American Military Special Forces and those who assisted deserve to be honoured and thanked by everybody, including peaceful Muslims.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Assassins/Bernard-Lewis/e/9780465004980

Passports to paradise
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2001/sep/22/historybooks.highereducation

Kevin Rushby finds that The Assassins, Bernard Lewis' reissued history of the first cult of killers, though essential reading for us, is no comfort to anyone.

A forum member of www.polticalforum.com tried to correct the above, with the word "asasiyun", which might be after the fact. I asked where was the word "assassin" derived from, originally? She is a Christian American who seems to favour the Muslim worlds (and Islam) more than Israel and Judaism, and fancies herself to be a Middle East scholar. She trashes Bernarld Lewis, Daniel Pipes, Melanie Phillips, Carolne Glick, Fouad Ajami, Salim Mansur, Tarek Fatah and a few others.

The word assassin was NOT in any way related to Hashish.

The word was Asasiyun.. meaning defender of the faith.

And she posted the following link...

The Asasiyun
http://dkarndezolus.deviantart.com/art/The-Asasiyun-213310910

Assassins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassins

"Dear America" by Lorrie Goldstein, Toronto Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Dear America,

You used to be such a nice, smart country, but these days, and we say this as your friends up here in Canada, you seem to be having an emotional breakdown.

We first noticed it after you lost your mojo following the global economic crash of 2008.

Remember? That was the result of your politicians in the White House and on both sides of the aisle in Congress unleashing a financial tsunami on the world by gutting the regulation of your financial-services sector, dating to the Great Depression, at the behest of Wall Street.

That would be the same Wall Street money houses that lavished billions of dollars on those politicians in campaign donations and lobbying efforts going back decades, in order to get them to do their bidding by getting rid of those necessary financial safeguards.

Wall Street then drove a truck through the rules your politicians had removed at its behest, aided and abetted by your credit-rating agencies, which graded junk subprime mortgage securities as Triple A safe, which helped to spread the contagion of these toxic assets worldwide.

Credit agencies which were in a huge conflict of interest, since they were being paid by Wall Street for their ratings and the higher the ratings they gave, the more money they made and the more market share they won.

We’ve always thought of you as a no-nonsense, law-and-order country. But the fact not one politician or senior Wall Street executive has gone to jail for what happened in 2008 really makes us wonder about how tough on crime you really are.

Maybe your Republican politicians should stop ranting so much about Canada’s “socialized” health-care system and start explaining to the American people how Wall Street was allowed to privatize its profits while socializing its losses — which is what happened when U.S. taxpayers had to pick up the tab for Wall Street’s insane financial recklessness that led to the subprime mortgage securities crisis and global credit freeze.

As for you Democrats, including you, President Obama, have you gone collectively insane with regard to your energy policies?

You don’t seem to want our oilsands oil from Alberta, or Mideast oil, or offshore oil, or to drill for oil.

Where then, do you plan on getting your oil, which you’re going to need for decades to come until someone can figure out how to make wind turbine and solar power work on an industrial scale?

Do you seriously prefer tankers carrying oil from dictatorial regimes like Venezuela (isn’t Obama pretty ticked off with Hugo Chavez right now?) leaking into the Gulf of Mexico, as opposed to oilsands oil delivered with far less risk by pipeline from a reliable ally like Canada?

If you’re worried about climate change, stop ranting about the oilsands, which account for one-10th of 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and start worrying that you generate almost half your electricity from coal, which has an impact on the planet up to 70 times greater than the oilsands.

(In Canada, by the way, we get almost 75% of our electricity from non-emitting sources, mainly hydro power, at 59%).

Anyway, just wanted you to know your friends up here in the Great White North are worried about you.

Seriously. Get some help.

Sincerely, Canada

Dear America: Get help — Your friends in Canada are worried about you
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/21/dear-america-get-help--your-friends-in-canada-are-worried-about-you

Lorrie Goldstein makes sense, and I agree with him. However, President Obama will likely not read the letter. Goldstein might even be red flagged and prevented from visiting Washington D.C. until the anointed-one loses the election, which I believe he will. Once the two houses and president are conservative, Americans will continue to suffer from the O'bummer's lefitist, Marxist-Leninist, socialist influence.

I wonder if Chiquita bananas was included in the fruit basket gift sent to O'bummer by Hugo Chavez?

Buy Dole bananas
http://www.dole.com/bananas/

"It's the Senate, stupid", then elect a Republican for President...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:16:00 +0000

I am not an American, but as a Canadian Conservative I stand for the Grand Old Party. President Obama and this Democrat regime have done enough to ruin the country and cause difficulty in Canada.

A Republican President would have had his shovel ready for the Keystone Pipeline.

Hence, I have emailed the following to my Republican American friend who will spread the following piece and request. Furthermore, my small weblog is read by a few Americans and perhaps I have done my share.

Fellow Conservatives:

You may remember the slogan "It's the economy, stupid" used by Bill Clinton during the 1992 presidential campaign to make the point that George H. W. Bush had not adequately addressed the poor economy.

Clinton's political strategist, James Carville, posted the phrase inside campaign headquarters as a way to keep the team focused and on message. The phrase later became the de facto slogan for the Clinton election campaign.

The slogan could make a comeback in 2012 as Republicans highlight Barack Obama's dismal economic record, but if you consider yourself a freedom-loving American, then I have a different slogan for you.

"It's the Senate, stupid."

That's right. It's the Senate, stupid.

Most Americans are focused on the presidential race right now, especially as the GOP nomination process is about to shift into high gear. But winning the White House — as critical as it is — won't be enough to save the country we love without a strong, conservative majority in the United States Senate.

Without a conservative Senate, we won't repeal Obamacare.

Without a conservative Senate, we won't balance the budget.

Without a conservative Senate, we won't secure our borders.

Without a conservative Senate, we won't stop the bailouts.

And without a conservative Senate, we won't enact the pro-growth policies needed to get America back to work.

If you're reading this letter, chances are, you follow current events more than most and you probably understand the point I'm making — winning the Senate is the key to restoring America's greatness.

Not only do the Democrats currently control the Senate but the rules of the Senate make it extremely powerful. If conservatives control the Senate, we not only can pass the reforms needed to undo Obama's mess, but we can also stop even more bad policies from being adopted.

The simple fact of the matter is this: a good president without a conservative Senate is a waste of a good president.

A president can campaign on great policies, but he doesn't write the bills. As long as liberals are in charge of writing legislation, it will be difficult for a Republican president to sign the right bills into law. Does anyone think Harry Reid will ever send a bill to the President's desk to repeal ObamaCare? The answer is no and that's why I am entirely focused on packing the Senate with strong conservatives who will one day make that a reality.

There are 23 Democrat Senate seats up this cycle, and Republicans stand a strong chance of taking the Senate back. But it's not enough to just have a majority. We must have new senators who deeply believe in the principles of freedom and are willing to fight for them each day.

As we head into the most important election year in our lifetimes, my challenge is to you is to keep your focus on winning a conservative majority in the U.S. Senate. These races and the candidates running in them aren't getting the same media attention as the presidential candidate, but they're no less important.

That is why I founded and chair the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee that helps elect rock-solid conservative leaders to the U.S. Senate.

We have endorsed the following four standout leaders for the 2012 elections: Josh Mandel in Ohio, Ted Cruz in Texas, Don Stenberg in Nebraska, and Mark Neumann in Wisconsin.

These candidates share a strong belief in the principles of freedom that make America great and they understand the critical role the U.S. Constitution plays in preserving those principles.

These leaders also have records that prove they not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. And each of them has shown the courage to stand up to their own party's leaders when it was necessary to support and defend our principles and values.

So if you agree that winning a conservative majority in the U.S. Senate is vital to our nation's future and if you're willing to engage in these races even at a time when the media ignores them, then please do three things today.

First, visit www.SenateConservatives.com and sign up for our email updates so you're informed.

Second, make a contribution either to SCF or directly to one or more of our candidates. Without financial support, these candidates won't be able to get their message out and win.

Third, forward this email to your family and friends. As politely as you can, tell them "It's the Senate, stupid" and encourage them to join our effort to take America back.

Thank you for your commitment to principles of freedom. We live the greatest country in the world and if we work together in smart and effective ways, I'm confident we can preserve it for generations to come.

Respectfully,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator
Chairman, Senate Conservatives Fund

Jim DeMint
http://jimdemint.com/

The Death of Common Sense — by Lori Borgman — still appropriate...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0000

The following is the original obituary, written in 1998, which has been copied and floated in cyberspace ever since. Lori Borgman's piece applies today... in many ways.

Three yards of black fabric enshroud my computer terminal. I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.

His obituary reads as follows:

Common Sense, aka C.S., lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was, his birth records were long ago entangled in miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape.

Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping and hollering. Rules and regulations and petty, frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S.

A most reliable sage, he was credited with cultivating the ability to know when to come in out of the rain, the discovery that the early bird gets the worm and how to take the bitter with the sweet. C.S. also developed sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adult is in charge, not the kid) and prudent dietary plans (offset eggs and bacon with a little fiber and orange juice).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Technological Revolution and the Smoking Crusades, C.S. survived sundry cultural and educational trends including disco, the men's movement, body piercing, whole language and new math.

C.S.'s health began declining in the late 1960s when he became infected with the If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code. C.S. was sapped of strength and the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, criminals received better treatment than victims and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf. His deterioration accelerated as schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of Scope mouthwash after lunch, girls suspended for possessing Midol and an honor student expelled for having a table knife in her school lunch were more than his heart could endure.

As the end neared, doctors say C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations on low-flow toilets and mandatory air bags. Finally, upon hearing about a government plan to ban inhalers from 14 million asthmatics due to a trace of a pollutant that may be harmful to the environment, C.S. breathed his last. Services will be at Whispering Pines Cemetery. C.S. was preceded in death by his wife, Discretion; one daughter, Responsibility; and one son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers, Half-Wit and Dim-Wit.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Institute for Rational Thought.

Farewell, Common Sense. May you rest in peace.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from Lori Borgman: This piece was first published March 15, 1998 in the Indianapolis Star. It has been "modified" and "edited" by others and circulated on the Internet, even sent to me several times. Imagine my surprise to see it attributed to some guy named Anonymous. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I take having my work circulated on the web as a compliment.

Lori Borgman, author, columnist, speaker
http://www.loriborgman.com/

Some Hockey History

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Iced Lightning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEfVzv71_UQ

Hockey Memorabilia
http://www.hockeylegend.com/hockey_memorabilia.shtml

Hockey Hall of Fame
http://www.hhof.com/

Art Crime Stories...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:57:00 +0000

The Concert (c. 1664) by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, in March 1990 and remains missing to this day. Worth estimated at over $200,000,000.

My third novel attempt is "Aeron Rowan Teague: Art Crime Detective". The story is about an art cop, previously in homicide, who also happens to be an artist whose works sell at premier galleries. Occasionally, he goes undercover for Interpol.

Following are some of the books I have read for research and entertainment.

NON-FICTION:

Art Cop — Laurie Adams

The Irish Game — Matthew Hart

The Rescue Artist — Edward Dolnick

Sotheby's : Bidding For Class — Robert Lacey

The 12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics Of Contemporary Art — Don Thompson

FICTION:

The Rembrandt Affair — Daniel Silva

The Portrait — Iain Pears

The Art Thief — Noah Charney

Missing art isn't just about paintings. There are documents, coins, jewels, photographs, fine furniture, sculptures, and, of course, antiquities. However, stolen paintings are of popular interest. Novels are written. Films made such as The Thomas Crown Affair.

Some novels are as informative as non-fiction books — The Art Thief — for example. Lots of detail.

As far as art, frankly, my interest regarding paintings stops at the Impressionist period. I'm not fond of modern, abstract, and contemporary art per se. There are a few artworks that intrigue me and that I enjoy, but I think many of them are way overpriced.

Hype works.

"Abstract Art? A product of the untalented, sold by the unprincipled, to the utterly bewildered." Al Capp, cartoonist & humorist.

CHRISTMAS JOY

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:07:00 +0000

I was in a bummer mood, from all the reading about what is going on and listening to talk radio. Sometimes I need to listen to music to escape and chill out.

A timely gift from my good friends Neil & Suz in Florida. They e-mailed this uplifting video.

http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/holiday11/

MERRY CHRISTMAS