Wow – a Reporter!

After Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned North Korea that we will not stand for a nuclear North Korea, a television commentator from Hong Kong noted the obvious and asked….what now?

Mr. Gates’s sharp language was met with some skepticism by at least one participant in the conference, a Hong Kong television commentator, who in a question-and-answer session after the defense secretary’s formal remarks noted that although Mr. Gates had declared that the United States would not recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, it was already a “de facto nuclear weapons state.” The questioner asked about the next step for the United States and whether the long-running six-nation talks aimed at getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear program had failed.

Mr. Gates responded with the ultimate words:

that the United States would send a team to Asia to “reassess” how to go forward with the talks.

I like Robert Gates, (even though he also “apologized” for our past mistakes here too) and I don’t have a clue about what to do about North Korea but politispeak does need to be shown for what it is and Mr. Hong Kong television commentator should be recognized today!

Friday Calf Yoga

Quote of the Day

From Lt Col P at OPFOR

War is war; it’s not crime.

President Bush

From CNN (ht Hotair)
On EIT

“The first thing you do is ask, what’s legal?” he said. “What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, ‘I’ve done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.’ I can tell you that the information we got saved lives.”

On EITs now:

“Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor,” Bush said. “There are plenty of people who have weighed in. Trust me, having seen it firsthand. I didn’t like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor. I wish him all the best.”

On his legacy:

The former president earned a noisy standing ovation when asked what he wants his legacy to be.

“Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to compromise his soul for the sake of popularity,” he said.

I know that’s his legacy for me. I hope it is in reality.

China and North Korea

Dinocrat writes with succinctness on this.

China owns about a quarter of all US treasury securities held by the public. Total US government debt is about $11 trillion today. It seems probable that China could have told North Korea to knock it off if China wanted to. But China apparently calculates its self-interest and bides its time in acting. What influence will China exert when it is a buyer of last resort for the new $10 trillion in securities that the Obama administration intends to necessitate?

Let them bomb away to strengthen the dollar??

Chryler closings elevated up another rung

Instapundit links to a Washington Examiner story while one of his commenters notes:

A reader notes something about “car czar” Steven Rattner: “Rattner is married to Maureen White, the former National Finance Chair for the Democratic Party.” The comment: “So one of the guys advising SecTreas on this thing is married to someone who used to be one of the people in charge of fundraising for the Democratic Party. This explains so much it’s scary.” Well, it bears a close look.

hmmmmmm.

Chryler closings elevation

First I read it and said, “yeah, right”.

Then I read it with more numbers and said…”No way, can this be true, can it?”

Today I’m passing it on.
via Gateway Pundit:

** Earlier it was reported that the Obama Administration may have targeted GOP donors in deciding which Chrysler dealerships would have to close their doors.

** Last night it was discovered that a Big Dem Donor Group was allowed to keep all 6 Chrysler dealerships open…. And, their local competitors were eliminated by Obama’s task force!!

I still am not convinced, but I still like to think this kind of crap just plain wouldn’t happen. And lollypops grow on trees.

Sotomayor and Freedom

Obviously the Democrats can win this nomination if that’s what they really want. The big quote is going all over the net so I won’t add to it here, but I will talk a bit about Freedom.

JK linked to this story today about freedom and how while the right may not think in “free” terms regarding sex, they do in most other things and win the “free” game. It’s a bit of a silly exercise, but it’s linked to in more than 2 places, so go read it. (ps – and don’t miss JK’s take and the comments)

Now read this WSJ article about whether or not your home is a good investment. They’re not convinced. Obviously they’re talking cash without the underlying concept of home ownership. Freedom. Freedom to get that dog or paint that wall or knock this one out. Freedom on that day you burn your mortgage papers holding your house as make the last payment.

Sotomayor is known for having “empathy for the poor” and that’s why Obama was attracted.
Yet Sotomayor is more empathetic to the government than she is the poor. Willing to allow for government takings on a whim. More and twisted Kelos anyone?

It may well be a losing battle, but so what. Take a stand Michael Steele. This woman is not right in her head regarding freedom and that’s what the constitution is about upholding.

Read the Anchoress for her take – and her mention of six Catholics on the bench!! (would we ever allow 6 Mormons or Jews??)

Read Der Spiegel for another take on freedom as the Taliban threaten children so that little girls can’t learn anything in school.

If We Now Kill Schoolgirls, You Shouldn’t Be Surprised

Nice. You don’t have freedom if you aren’t allowed to even learn. (ps – here’s the ending where the article throws a positive bone out)

Still, the news isn’t all bad. At the girls’ school in Qosh Tappeh, likewise near Kunduz, the school director, a veteran of the mujahedeen, took things into his own hands. When the Taliban showed up to his school for the second time to present their threats, he found a uniquely Afghan solution to the problem. He told his visitors that, when it comes to fighting to the death, he is much more experienced than they. Should they like to find out for sure, he offered, he would be happy to accommodate them.

His threat seemed to have worked. The girls in Qosh Tappeh continue to attend school.

May they learn in peace.

Abbas Visit to the White House

Filed under “Meet the New Boss” lets link to the Jordan Times today where they are noting the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House today.

hoping the US president will turn his words of support for a Palestinian state into deeds.

The article is of course a bit pro Palestinian and emphasizes the requirement of a two state solution and of Israel stopping it’s expanding settlements.

It doesn’t mention or deal with the colliding paradigms of having “two states” when one is not recognized by the other.
Nor does it really mention the bombings (from Palestinians) that led to the December 2008 Gaza war.

We all have gotten to know Obama. He wants to be a hero. He needs to be different than Bush. Better than Bush. Can you imagine all the “hope” he has in bringing peace to the Middle East? Himself…independently with his brilliant oration.

Listen to this from Palestinian negotiator Saeb Ereka:

“We do not need new plans since all the existing ones have a common denominator which is a two-state solution. What is required from President Obama is to transform it from a vision to a realistic political track.”

In other words. Bush did a FINE job of negotiating peace. It just hasn’t worked out. And frankly, it quit working in December while Bush was occupied getting you into office Mr. President.
Is it ok to chuckle at this?

My Return

I’m baaaack – and rested.

So I come back and what happened??
Instead of the continued he said/she said of the Pelosi saga we get

North Korea….
And Obama suggesting

“By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community,” Obama said in a brief statement outside the White House. “North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation.”

What does a little “blatant defiance” get you these days?

“strong opposition” and “condemnation ”

There’s no where to go after condemnation except maybe “Grave concern”. We’ll see how far those North Koreans push it!!!

We also have Iranian ships out and about.

Netanyahu acting similar to health care leaders when it comes to Obama. (the meeting went well with lots of “change” and cooperation with our new President. But now that I’m home, not so much.)

The papers calling “early retirement” a way of dealing with unemployment. I’d call it “going John Galt”.

And finally – it’s gone national. Miniature cows!!

Whew – it’s a good thing I’m back!