Ka-boom! Endeavour Lands In California

Ka-boom! Plus a little shaking and rattling hit my placid residence today at around 1:20 PM.

I was taking an afternoon siesta when the space shuttle Endeavour came to California for a 1:25 PM landing at Edwards Air Force Base. I've experienced the sonic booms set off by returning shuttles before (sometimes twin sonic booms) as they glide in at supersonic speeds to land at Edwards.

When I heard that Endeavour was diverted to California for its return from space (due to poor weather conditions at Cape Canaveral), I figured that we may get the sonic booms today (it depends upon the glide path). I was right.

I've gone to Edwards Air Force Base for two shuttle landings (one by Columbia in July 1982 and one by Endeavour in 1992) and those are experiences that fans of the U.S. Space Program should experience. I highly recommend it!

California's Sunset

California is in trouble, politically and economically. This is not a recent development, but the problem has gotten worse since Gray Davis was recalled as governor.

Joel Kotkin takes a look at what caused the "Sundown For California." In it, he writes:

Davis’s apparent inability to gain control of the looming budget crisis opened the door to his 2003 recall and the election of a Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former bodybuilder and action hero promised to clean up “the mess” in California. He took aim at what he derided as the “girlie men” in the legislature, promising to get the state’s affairs in order. It was not to be. After a bruising defeat by liberal interest groups over a series of propositions, the onetime tough guy embraced what he called “bipartisanship.” The media, particularly on the national level, cooed, but in reality the governor simply ceded initiative to the very “girlie men”—the left-leaning state legislators—that he formerly promised to rein in.

Under Schwarzenegger, notes former GOP Assemblyman Keith Richman, the state budget actually grew even faster—10 percent annually as opposed to 7 percent—than under his spendthrift Democratic predecessor, Gray Davis.

Dan Walters, the dean of California political reporters, argues that Schwarzenegger never bothered to learn the basics of state governance. As a result, state spending, particularly on state employees and their pensions, continued with no notion that another budget crisis was looming.

During Brown’s watch, and even despite his occasional opposition, the Democratic Party came increasingly under the sway of public employees, trial lawyers, and narrow interest activist groups. Their ability to raise money and impose their political will often outweighed that of even the most powerful business interests.

The full bill for this transformation would eventually be paid not by Brown, but by his former chief of staff, Gray Davis. Becoming governor in 1998, Davis became the prisoner of the special interest groups with whom his predecessors, Deukmejian and Wilson, had struggled.

By then, California’s shift to the Democrats had become inexorable and, with the fading of a GOP counterweight, influence within the party flowed to its more radical factions further to the political left. As a result, the state moved decisively away from the economic growth focus of Pat Brown. It seemed determined to wage war against its own economy. As pet social programs, entitlements, and state employee pensions soared, infrastructure spending—the hallmark of the Pat Brown regime and once 20 percent of the state budget—shrank to less than 3 percent.

The educational system, closely aligned with the Democrats in the legislature, accelerated its secular decline. Once full of highly skilled workers, California has become increasingly less so. For example, California ranks second in the percentage of its 65-year-olds holding an associate degree or higher and fifth in those with a bachelor’s degree. But when you look at the 25-to-34 age group, those rankings fade to 30th and 24th.

Instead of reversing these trends, the state legislature decided to spend its money on public employees and impose ever more regulatory burdens on business. Davis, a clever and experienced public servant, understood this but could not fight the zealots in his own party. When the state’s revenues shrank after the high-tech bust in 2000, he appeared to be their complete captive. Perhaps the most telling example of the misplaced priorities of the state’s majority party took place amid the state budget crisis when legislators, facing an imminent fiscal disaster, took time to debate legislation about providing more protections for transgender Californians.

On the political side, things are looking up as Proposition 11 was passed by the voters this month that will remove the broken system of gerrymandered legislative districts. That is, unless some liberal court decides to undermine the will of the people again (which is not unusual, as the events that led to Prop. 8 showed). If allowed to stand as written, legislative (state assembly and state senate) districts could be competitive enough for Republicans to mount real challenges to the entrenched Democrats. Maybe we're seeing the beginning of the end of one-party rule in the state.

If you are a citizen of California, or are interested in what's going on in the Golden State, you should read the full article.

Batman To Be Killed By Father

Here we go again! Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, is killed by a man claiming to be his late father, Thomas Wayne.

Thomas Wayne, along with his wife Martha, were gunned down by a small-time hood named Joe Chill in the comic books, but here it seems that Wayne faked his own death.

According to an article in Fox News.com:

The world's most famous comic book hero has breathed his last Bat breath.

Bruce Wayne — who by night is Batman — gets murdered by a man claiming to be the father he thought was dead.

In a highly controversial new comic book storyline, Bruce, who first appeared in 1939, is killed by Simon Hurt — the leader of the shady Black Glove organization.

Simon claims he is really Dr Thomas Wayne, saying he faked his own passing when Bruce was a child.

The superhero dies when he tries to stop his foe escaping by helicopter in the new comic Batman R.I.P.

Back in 1993, Superman was killed off in an epic battle with Doomsday. Recently, Captain America was killed by an assassin. Batman (Bruce Wayne) had his back broken by Bane in the "Knightfall" story line in the 1990s. Now Batman is to be killed off. It seems that DC Comics doesn't have much respect for their cash cow. Or do they? The "Death of Superman" story line boosted sales of the Superman line of comics, so DC is hoping that killing Batman will do the same trick. I really doubt that DC would kill a character whose most recent movie, The Dark Knight, was a boxoffice hit.

In the comics, a death is rarely ever permanent. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

To read the full article, go here.

UPDATE (11/29/08): According to ScreenIndia.com, DC Comics is denying that Batman is to be killed off and that the news reports have the story line "blown out of proportion." See the link for details.

Ginza Crossing

by Armand Vaquer

Category: Travel

(Originally published in G-FAN #77.)


Above, an aerial view of Ginza circa 1950.

I've always been fascinated by photographs of movie locations and comparing how they looked at the time of filming and how they look in present day.

Although Ginza wasn't actually a movie location in Godzilla (1954), except as a detailed minature, the craftsmen at Toho faithfully recreated Ginza crossing well enough to give viewers an idea on how the district looked in 1954.

I recently discovered a website for the 39th Bomb Group (VH) (http://39th.org/39th/history/damagephotos/ginza.htm) that contained photographs of the World War II bombing damage to the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan and a website devoted to Old Tokyo (http://www.oldtokyo.com/) Old Tokyo also contains vintage photos of the Ginza district, before and after World War II.

You will note (in the website) that one of the accompanying photographs of Ginza Crossing shows extensive damage to the district from the Allied firebombing, but the Wako Building survived (only to be demolished by Godzilla in 1954). The original building, the Hattori Building, stood at the Ginza Crossing location until it was destroyed by the 1923 Kanto earthquake. The Hattori was noted for its prominent clock tower. The new Wako Building also included a clock tower as a bow to the old building. It was completed in 1932.


Above, the Wako Dept. Store in 2001.

Across the street from the Wako Building, stood (and stands today) the Mitsukoshi department store. The Mitsukoshi was one of the first Western-style department stores in Japan. It sustained heavy bomb damage in World War II, but has been rebuilt and is still a thriving department store.


Above, Ginza Crossing during the occupation in 1945. The Mitsukoshi Dept. store on the right already had repairs started.

Two department stores, the Wako and Matsuya, were requisitioned for use by Allied forces during the course of the occupation (1945-1952).

Today, Ginza is a thriving and upscale district with many high-end department stores. According to the Old Tokyo website, "Ginza Crossing is still considered to be Tokyo's prime real estate, with prices fetching into the tens of thousands of dollars per square meter!" This was also mentioned by our tour guides during 2004's G-TOUR as we were bused through the district.


Above, Ginza Crossing in 2006.

Besides the Wako and Mitsukoshi Department stores, Ginza also has the Takashimaya, Seibu, Daimaru, Matsuzakaya, Tobu, Odakyu , Tokyu and Printemps Department stores. Apple Computers also has a big store in Ginza.

Hopefully, you enjoyed this look at one of the focal points in world and kaiju history.

Godzilla's Lawyers Fight Back

An interesting article on the "army of lawyers" that Toho Co., Ltd. dispatches to protect their rights to the Godzilla character has been posted.

The article reads in part:

It's been 54 years since an atomic blast awakened the slumbering reptilian monster Godzilla, and the fire-breathing, fin-tailed beast has been terrorizing downtown Tokyo ever since — in more than two dozen movies, on television and in comics and cartoons.

But Godzilla is a pussycat compared to the coterie of lawyers and investigators in Los Angeles and Japan who aggressively protect the radioactive behemoth from anyone who dares to appropriate his lizardly image for profit.

Hurling hundreds of lawsuits and takedown notices like so many fireballs, Godzilla's owner — Toho Co. Ltd — has roasted Hollywood studios, automakers, toy manufacturers, rock bands, book publishers, national food chains, record labels, bloggers, wineries and just about anybody seen as capitalizing on the monster's unique features, name or theme music. When it comes to policing trademarks and enforcing copyrights in the United States, intellectual property attorneys say Tokyo-based Toho is easily a match for Walt Disney, Fox and Lucasfilm in terms of courthouse zeal.

To read the full article, go here.

G-FAN magazine, which I am a contributing writer for, is permitted to use Godzilla's image under the fair use law.

The fair use law is as follows:

TITLE 17 - UNITED STATES CODE - SECTION 107:

"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:

1 the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2 the nature of the copyrighted work;
3 the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4 the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors."

Additionally, G-FAN (i.e., Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd.) and Toho has an informal, unofficial relationship in which each side cooperates with the other. I have conducted G-FAN and G-FEST business with Toho although Toho's official policy is not to recognize fan organizations, activities or publications. This has been the case for the past several years. Recently, I arranged to have a letter of congratulations from Toho Pictures, Inc. president Shogo Tomiyama to be sent to Haruo Nakajima for his receiving the Mangled Skyscraper Award. G-FEST rents films from Toho annually for screenings at the convention.

Media Bias For Obama Admitted

Above, my favorite political cartoon on 2008 media bias.

Not that it comes to any surprise to those who closely followed the 2008 presidential campaign, but Time Magazine's Mark Halperin admits that the media's coverage of Barack Obama was clearly biased in Obama's favor.

Cover-ups of Obama's radical and corrupt associations, hit pieces against Cindy McCain and puff pieces for Michelle Obama are just the tip of the iceberg of media bias.

Newsmax.com reports:

The mainstream media's support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign was so biased that even major insiders are now admitting they were shocked by its depth and depravity.

Last week, Time magazine's Mark Halperin called the media's performance during the campaign simply "disgusting."

Halperin told a panel of media analysts at the Politico/USC conference on the 2008 election, "It's the most disgusting failure of people in our business since the Iraq war."

He added, "It was extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage."

Small wonder Obama won the election. Besides reneging on his pledge to take public financing, Obama outspent John McCain by 2 to 1. That, plus the media's biased reporting, the only way Obama would have lost the election was if he made a major gaffe.

In an earlier blog, I noted that 2008 would be known as the death of journalism. Now we are getting confirmation of this. The media will never be trusted again by Republicans and conservatives.

To read the full article, go here.

Panic In The Sky: Meteor Lights Up Canada

The Associated Press is reporting that a large meteor lit up the Canadian sky last Friday night:

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (AP) - Scientists say they're searching for remnants of a meteor that brilliantly lit up the sky before seemingly falling to earth in western Canada.

University of Calgary planetary scientist Alan Hildebrand called it one of the largest meteors visible in the country in the last decade.

Widely broadcast video images showed what appeared to be a speeding fireball Thursday night over Saskatoon that became larger and brighter before disappearing as it neared the ground.

Hildebrand said Friday that he received about 300 email reports from witnesses.

"It would be something like a billion-watt light bulb," said Hildebrand, who also co-ordinates meteor sightings with the Canadian Space Agency.

Tammy Evans was wakened by her 10-year-old daughter who ran into the bedroom.

"She said there was a flash of light, the house shook twice and it sounded like dinosaurs were walking," Evans said.

Hildebrand suspects it broke up into pieces and he plans to investigate around Macklin, Saskatchewan near the Alberta border.

These photos were taken by a police car's dash camera:







My, that's a big one!

Tax Crazy Gov. Schwarzenegger

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected in an election when Gray Davis was recalled from office for budget and tax problems.

Since then, Schwarzenegger has converted from an anti-tax crusader and now is a full-fledged tax & spender.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

State lawmakers began moving toward a deal this week to close California's deficit with the help of steeper car fees that would cost many drivers hundreds of dollars annually, according to people involved in budget talks.

Under the plan, GOP lawmakers -- most of whom have signed anti-tax pledges -- would vote to triple the vehicle license fee that owners pay when they register their cars every year in exchange for a ballot measure that would impose rigid limits on future state spending. Motorists' annual license fees would rise from 0.65% of the value of their vehicles to 2%. For a car or truck valued at $25,000, the increase would be $336.

The higher fees would generate $6 billion annually, helping to fill a budget gap that is projected to reach nearly $28 billion over the next year and a half.

The proposal is being championed by incoming state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento). Democrats and advocates for the poor have opposed strict state spending limits, saying they would cripple government services.

Steinberg may be gambling that voters would reject the limits, as they have in the past.

"We don't comment on the specifics of negotiations," said Steinberg spokesman Jim Evans, "but this much is clear: The state is $28 billion in the red and we need new revenue."

The plan would create a political quandary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has already proposed a flat $12 increase in annual car fees.

The last governor to triple the license fee was his predecessor, Gray Davis. Voter anger soared, and the increase played a large role in Davis' removal from office. Schwarzenegger crusaded against the hike throughout the recall campaign, and in his first act in office he cut the fee -- the "car tax," as he and some others call it -- back to its current rate.

But the governor has been adamant that the state needs new revenue. Earlier this month, he proposed closing the deficit with billions of dollars in new taxes, including a 1.5-cent sales tax increase.

Another tax scheme is to tack on a 9% "pet tax" to veterinary bills.

According to the Los Angeles Pet Examiner website:

Potentially just days from now, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be moving to tax veterinary services for your pets.

According to the Governor’s website, his new budget proposal would mean “[e]ffective February 1, 2009, the sales and use tax rate will be applied to appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair, golf, and veterinarian services. Effective March 1, 2009, the sales and use tax rate will be applied to amusement parks and sporting events.”

While many would agree that you could fairly classify golf, amusement parks, and even sporting events as, if not luxury items, at least optional ones, how can one possibly be so callous as to suggest that veterinary services belong in the same category as golf?

Frankly, Governor Schwarzenegger is incentivizing animal neglect.

I agree. With the country in a recession, now is not the time to be taxing people to death when they are struggling to make ends meet. Concerned Californians should contact the Governor's office, their state senator and assembly member to demand spending cuts, not more taxes.

Osaka Castle

by Armand Vaquer

Category: Travel

(Originally Published in G-FAN #79)

In 1955, the first kaiju battle took place in Godzilla Raids Again (a.k.a. Gigantis the Fire Monster and Gojira No Gyakushu (Godzilla's Counterattack)) between Godzilla and Angilas (Anguirus). To capitalize on the success of Godzilla (1954), this sequel was rushed out to the theaters on April 24.

The main battle between Godzilla and Angilas took place in the city of Osaka that concluded with a fatal bite to Angilas's throat atop the ruins of the just-destroyed Osaka Castle. Angilas is finished off by Godzilla's radioactive breath after falling into the Okawa River.

The Toho miniature craftsmen faithfully recreated the Castle in miniature. Although that miniature was destroyed during the battle, the real Osaka Castle still stands today as a tourist attraction. On the 8th floor observation level of the Castle, one can get excellent panoramic views of the the city of Osaka, including Osaka Business Park which includes the Twin 21 towers attacked by Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Biollante.

Construction on Osaka Castle (Osakajo) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years previously. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule.

However, several years after Hideyoshi's death in 1615, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage. Osaka Castle was then rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s. However, the main tower was fated to be struck by lightning and burnt down in 1665.

In 1931, the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle was built. Bombing raids in 1945 caused extensive damage to the Castle. The Castle was given an extensive renovation in 1995-1997, giving it new lustre.

Above, Osaka Castle under construction in 1931.

The Castle now houses a museum that documents Toyotomi Hideyoshi's life and the history of the castle. It contains many interactive exhibits for visitors. G-TOUR visited Osaka in the summer of 2004. On the Castle grounds is a time capsule from Expo '70.

Recession Hits Japan

During normal times, I would make an annual trek to Japan for vacationing, visiting friends and researching material for future G-FAN daikaiju eiga articles.

Unfortunately, these aren't normal times.

Last November, I was laid off due to the mortgage meltdown. I am working, but it is at half the salary I normally make. At least I am keeping my head above water until things finally turn around.

As I said, I normally would be headed to Japan for fun and frolic. But even if I were in a normal financial position, I doubt that I would be going to Japan at this time.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting:

Japan has slipped into recession for the first time since 2001, joining Europe in a global economic downturn, as Japanese companies cut spending amid weak exports and consumer demand failed to lift the world's second-largest economy.

Japan's gross domestic product contracted 0.1% in the July-September period compared with the previous quarter, or 0.4% on an annualized basis, according to preliminary data released Monday. That followed a revised 0.9% contraction in GDP, or an annualized 3.7% in the second quarter.

And Reuters reports:

TOKYO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Japan's economy logged a second straight quarterly contraction in the third quarter as sky-high commodity prices hurt the corporate sector, which had supported the longest recovery of the world's second-largest economy.

The third quarter reading sent Japan into recession for the first time in seven years, under the most commonly used definition of a recession as two consecutive quarters of contraction.

That's bad enough, but the main factor to consider before making a trip now to Japan is the current rate of exchange. Last year, I was able to get around 116 yen per dollar. Right now, the dollar is very weak against the yen and the current exchange rate is 1 USD = 96.7900 JPY. This means that your dollar would not have the purchasing power that it had a year ago. (This is from the XE Exchange website.)

This also means that Japanese vacationers would get more dollars per yen if they should come visit the United States.

So, unless you have the means and just have to make a trip to Japan, it is probably best to wait out this economic downturn until the exchange rate and the U.S. and Japan's economies are on the upswing again.

Hendrix Drummer Mitch Mitchell Dies

Mitch Mitchell, the drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead in his Portland, Oregon hotel room FoxNews.com is reporting:

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience of the 1960s and the group's last surviving member, was found dead in his hotel room early Wednesday. He was 61.

Mitchell was a powerful force on the Hendrix band's 1967 debut album "Are You Experienced?" as well as the trio's albums "Electric Ladyland" and "Axis: Bold As Love." He had an explosive drumming style that can be heard in hard-charging songs such as "Fire" and "Manic Depression."

The Englishman had been drumming for the Experience Hendrix Tour, which performed Friday in Portland. It was the last stop on the West Coast part of the tour.

Hendrix died in 1970. Bass player Noel Redding died in 2003.

An employee at Portland's Benson Hotel called police after discovering Mitchell's body.

Erin Patrick, a deputy medical examiner, said Mitchell apparently died of natural causes. An autopsy was planned.

"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend," said Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi Hendrix' stepsister. "His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated."

Bob Merlis, a spokesman for the tour, said Mitchell had stayed in Portland for a four-day vacation and planned to leave Wednesday.

"It was a devastating surprise," Merlis said. "Nobody drummed like he did."

He said he saw Mitchell perform two weeks ago in Los Angeles, and the drummer appeared to be healthy and upbeat.

Merlis said the tour was designed to bring together veteran musicians who had known Hendrix — like Mitchell — and younger artists, such as Grammy-nominated winner Jonny Lang, who have been influenced by him.

The article is in error on one fact, bassist Billy Cox replaced Noel Redding in 1969 in the Experience, so that makes him the sole surviving Experience member. Buddy Miles, who drummed in Hendrix's Band of Gypsies, passed away last year in Texas. Mitchell was the last surviving original member of the Experience.

Above, Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell of
 the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the height of their popularity.

Mitchell was one hell of a drummer and he will be missed.

UPDATE (11/15/08): The Press Association reports that Mitchell died of natural causes in his sleep.

Gamera The Brave Box Art

The box art for Gamera The Brave (2006) has been revealed. The two-disc DVD will be available on December 30. It is being relased by Media Blasters.

For ordering information, go to CD Universe.

Obama Campaign May Escape Fundraising Audit

President-elect Barack Obama may escape scrutiny over his campaign's questionable fundraising practices. It has been reported that an embarrassing audit of the campaign's books and records is "unlikely."

If you feel that the Federal Elections Commission should investigate and audit the Obama campaign's fundraising operations, you can contact the FEC at:

Federal Election Commission
999 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20463

(800) 424-9530
In Washington: (202) 694-1000

GOP Congressman Warns of Obama Dictatorship

A Republican congressman warns of a possible Obama Marxist dictatorship.

FoxNews.com reported:

WASHINGTON -- A Republican congressman from Georgia said Monday he fears that President-elect Obama will establish a Gestapo-like security force to impose a Marxist or fascist dictatorship.

"It may sound a bit crazy and off base, but the thing is, he's the one who proposed this national security force," Rep. Paul Broun said of Obama in an interview Monday with The Associated Press. "I'm just trying to bring attention to the fact that we may -- may not, I hope not -- but we may have a problem with that type of philosophy of radical socialism or Marxism."

Broun cited a July speech by Obama that has circulated on the Internet in which the then-Democratic presidential candidate called for a civilian force to take some of the national security burden off the military.

"That's exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it's exactly what the Soviet Union did," Broun said. "When he's proposing to have a national security force that's answering to him, that is as strong as the U.S. military, he's showing me signs of being Marxist."

Obama's comments about a national security force came during a speech in Colorado about building a new civil service corps. Among other things, he called for expanding the nation's foreign service and doubling the size of the Peace Corps "to renew our diplomacy."

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set," Obama said in July. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."

Broun said he also believes Obama likely will move to ban gun ownership if he does build a national police force.

Obama has said he respects the Second Amendment right to bear arms and favors "common sense" gun laws. Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he'll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault weapons and concealed weapons. As an Illinois state lawmaker, Obama supported a ban on semiautomatic weapons and tighter restrictions on firearms generally.

"We can't be lulled into complacency," Broun said. "You have to remember that Adolf Hitler was elected in a democratic Germany. I'm not comparing him to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is there is the potential."

Obama's transition office did not respond immediately to Broun's remarks.

One has to note Obama's past associations with radicals, Marxists, New Party (socialist) and that communistic graphics have been used for Obama's campaign posters and a communist flag was waved in a crowd of Obama election night celebrants at the White House.

Other examples of Marxists who were elected and turned dictator include Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Argentina's Salvador Allende of the 1970s. An uprising led by the military in Argentina led to the downfall and death of Allende.

Perhaps this is why gun sales have increased in recent weeks?

All Hail King Barack!

Obama transition team co-chair Valerie Jarrett appeared on Meet The Press over the weekend and used a term that is alien to Americans.

Jarret told moderator Tom Brokaw that "given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that President-elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one."

Rule?! What do they think Obama was elected as? Emperor? King? Lord?

Newt Gingrich For RNC Chairman

Newsmax.com is reporting that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is "ready, willing and able to serve as chairman of the Republican National Committee."

“If a majority of the RNC thought he was needed, he would accept that appointment,” Randy Evans, Gingrich’s close friend, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He fully appreciates the urgency of the moment. The RNC has to do some soul-searching and decide what level of change is necessary. If that answer is bold, energetic change led by someone who has done it before, then Newt would be a good choice.”

But Evans warned the Journal-Constitution that if the GOP is eying a shift toward the middle, “that isn’t Newt.”

Well, we just completed a wobbly "middle" campaign and look at what it got the Republican Party.

Gingrich masterminded the 1994 GOP landslide victory with the "Contract With America" that put the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years.

He would make a great choice as RNC Chairman as he is a great speaker, clear on the issues and has tremendous organizing abilities. He would bring a clear, conservative message to the GOP.

UPDATE (11/11/08): Drudge Report now is reporting that Gingrich is "not interested" in running for RNC Chairman.

Obama Bought The Election

Barack Obama bought the presidency. He outspent John McCain by a 3-to-1 margin. After stating his support for public financing of campaigns and telling the world that he would discuss campaign finance with McCain, he broke his word and opted out of the campaign finance system without discussing it with McCain as promised. He is the first presidential candidate to do so since the system began with the campaign of 1976 between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.

KCCI.com reports:

Obama, a first-term Illinois senator, attracted a flood of donations. He raised more than $600 million during his 18-month bid, shattering the previous record of $357 million that President George W. Bush raised in 2004. In September alone, the Obama campaign took in more than $150 million.

The war chest enabled Obama to advertise aggressively and create extensive campaign operations across the nation, even in states where Democrats have fared poorly for decades. Obama, whose general election spending was expected to top $300 million, capped his ad blitz a week before the election with a more than $3 million, 30-minute infomercial on major television networks.

Arizona Sen. John McCain chose to accept public financing for the general election, limiting his spending to $84 million.

Obama, who during the primary season promised to accept the public financing spending limit, later chose to opt out. He was the first major presidential candidate to forgo public money during the general election since 1976.

McCain and other critics said Obama's record spending shows that the campaign finance system is broken. The system, created in 1974 as part of post-Watergate government reform, was to level the playing field and limit the influence of rich, well-connected donors in presidential elections.

Obama and his supporters have countered that his fundraising has been a healthy expression of democracy. The campaign points out donations came from millions of Americans, who often gave small sums. In September, for example, the average donor gave $86, the campaign reported.

The Obama campaign took in money wherever they could get it. It has been reported that illegal foreign money was taken in. The safeguards of Obama's donation section of his website was disabled, thereby allowing questionable donors to pump in cash. People were finding unauthorized charges for the Obama campaign on their credit cards. The Obama campaign's fundraising could make Watergate pale in comparison for abuses, only I doubt that the Democrat-controlled Congress would bother to investigate their Messiah.

If the public campaign finance system is to work, it has to be made mandatory with no opting out. If this is not done, then the GOP has no choice but to permanently opt out. The GOP should not allow its candidate to be so outspent in the future. It is obscene to allow one candidate to outspend another by a 3-to-1 ratio.

Gun Sales Are Up

According to AOL News, gun sales have risen when it became almost a foregone conclusion that Barack Obama would be elected and Democrats will increase their numbers in Congress.

They report:

Like Smith, gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws.

"I think they're going to really try to crack down on guns and make it harder for people to try to purchase them," said Smith, 32, who taught all five of her children — ages 4 to 10 — to shoot because the family relies on game for food.
Last month, as an Obama win looked increasingly inevitable, there were more than 108,000 more background checks for gun purchases than in October 2007, a 15 percent increase. And they were up about 8 percent for the year as of Oct. 26, according to the FBI.

No data was available for gun purchases this week, but gun shops from suburban Virginia to the Rockies report record sales since Tuesday's election.

Maybe it would be a good idea to buy guns and ammo now, while you still have the chance.

Where Are You Senator McCain?

Gov. Sarah Palin denounced the "unnamed McCain campaign sources" as being "unfair" and "cowardly" over the attacks published after the campaign ended in defeat.

From the Associated Press:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is striking back at critics of the high-priced wardrobe she wore as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

As she returned to the governor's office in Anchorage on Friday, Palin said all she ever asked for was "a Diet Dr. Pepper once in a while."

Palin says the expensive outfits were purchased by the Republican National Committee and they belong to the committee.

She called her critics cowardly for speaking to reporters about her anonymously.

Republican Party lawyers are still trying to determine exactly what clothing was purchased for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, what was returned and what has become of the rest.

This matter has festered since Wednesday and John McCain has yet to make a statement denouncing these attacks. I Googled around and there was nothing indicating that McCain has spoken out about these attacks. Where are you, Senator?

UPDATE (11/12/08):

John McCain appeared last night on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Newsmax reports:

LOS ANGELES — John McCain said Tuesday that Sarah Palin did not damage his presidential bid, and he dismissed as typical campaign sniping anonymous criticism aimed at her following their crushing defeat.


"I'm so proud of her and I'm very grateful she agreed to run with me. She inspired people, she still does," McCain told Jay Leno during an "Tonight Show" interview taped for broadcast Tuesday night. "I couldn't be happier with Sarah Palin."


Asked by Leno about griping about Palin from unidentified McCain operatives in the days following the election, the Arizona senator said, "These things happen in campaigns.


"I think I have at least a thousand, quote, top advisers," he scoffed. "A top adviser said? I've never even heard of ... a top adviser or high-ranking Republican official."

Rahm Emanuel In Freddie Mac During Scandal

Chief of Staff desigate Rahm Emanuel was on the Board of Directors of Freddie Mac when the firm was hit by a scandal, it has been revealed.

According to ABCNews.com:

President-elect Barack Obama's newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot "red flags," according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.com.

President-elect Barack Obama's newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot "red flags," according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.com. According to a complaint later filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Freddie Mac, known formally as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, misreported profits by billions of dollars in order to deceive investors between the years 2000 and 2002.

Emanuel was not named in the SEC complaint but the entire board was later accused by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) of having "failed in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention."

In a statement to ABCNews.com, a spokesperson said Emanuel served on the board for "13 months-a relatively short period of time."

Emanuel was appointed to the Board by Bill Clinton and served there until he resigned in May 2001 to run for Congress.

The Associated Press notes:

Clinton appointed Emanuel to mortgage giant Freddie Mac's board, a post that paid him at least $292,774 in director's fees, according to a financial disclosure report Emanuel filed in 2002 when he ran for Congress. Emanuel served on the board when Freddie Mac misstated its earnings by $5 billion for 2000-2002. When the problem was uncovered in 2003, three top Freddie Mac executives were forced out.

And the Wall Street Journal writes:

Mr. Obama's choice of Mr. Emanuel to lead his White House staff through the economic crisis symbolizes the awkward balancing act that Democrats will face as they reshape the financial industry that they have also cultivated for political support.

Mr. Emanuel earned $16.2 million in a two-year stint working in Chicago for investment-banking firm Wasserstein Perella & Co. He also served on the board of Freddie Mac, the mortgage giant that was nationalized this year in the financial crisis.

It is interesting that Barack Obama seems to surround himself with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae alumns. While Emanuel has not been charged with any wrongdoing, it certainly stinks that people associated (i.e., Jim Johnson, Jaime Gorelick, Frainklin Raines) with the failed two mortgage firms were a part of his campaign or now being selected to be a part of his administration.

It also underscores that the financial meltdown can be laid at the feet of the Democrats.

More Obama Hubris

At Barack Obama's press conference yesterday, he stood behind a podium with the above sign. My initial thought was that I don't remember a past president-elect with such signage. Then it struck me that the graphics are similar to the jettisoned "possum" "Great Seal of Obama" he briefly had back in the campaign.

The hubris of this man seems to have no limits! I guess he can't wait to have the real presidential seal to stand behind. All hail His Majesty King Barack The Spreader!

UPDATE (11/11/08):

Newsmax posts:

Barack Obama has created a stir by proclaiming that he heads “The Office of President-Elect” — an office that does not officially exist.

At his first news conference on Nov. 7, Obama stood at a podium bearing a sign that read: “Office of the President-Elect. Also, his Web site, Change.gov, bears the words “Office of the President-Elect” at the top of its home page.

Writer Larry Anderson referred to the “made-up little title” on the American Thinker Web site, and declared: “I nearly busted a gut ...

“Once again, [Obama] can’t wait to invest himself with the trappings of office.”

Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin wondered: “What other make-believe offices are they going to invent between now and Inauguration Day? I can’t ever recall in my lifetime any mention of such an office.”

Obama Takes Shot At Nancy Reagan At Press Conference

In his first press conference since his election, President-elect Barack Obama made a snarky remark at the expense of former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Obama was asked if he had spoken with all living former presidents — Carter, Bush, Clinton, along with President Bush and made the remark at Mrs. Reagan's expense.

"I have spoken to all of them who are living," he says. "I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about doing any séances," he said.

Former President Ronald Reagan died in June 2004 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

The remark by Obama was unnecessary, tactless, classless and totally uncalled for. He owes Mrs. Reagan an apology. Also, it was off the mark as Mrs. Reagan consulted with an astrologer following the assassination attempt on President Reagan in March 1981. Sen. Hillary Clinton admitted to trying to contact Eleanor Roosevelt in a seance.

Perhaps Obama should leave the jokes to the professionals.

UPDATE: Obama has since called Nancy Reagan and apologized.

Biden's Prediction Correct, Timing A Little Off

A few weeks ago in the campaign trail, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden warned that ("mark my words") within six months Barack Obama "would be tested" by an international crisis.

Well, not even six days passed since Obama's election and those challenges have already surfaced.

From the Daily Mail (U.K.):

The first of the challenges thrown at the President-elect, who received his first national security intelligence briefing yesterday, came from the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

He threatened to base warheads along the Polish border if Obama goes ahead with a Bush administration plan to create a missile shield in Eastern Europe.

Then Israel warned Obama last night that his claim that he was ready to open talks with Iran could be seen in the Middle East as a sign of weakness.

Furthermore, Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai demanded that Obama 'put an end to civilian casualties' by changing U.S. military tactics to avoid airstrikes in the war on the Taliban. He spoke out after seven wedding party guests were accidentally killed by an American airstrike.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was the first to lay down a challenge to America's new leader - by increasing tension in a stand-off reminiscent of the Cold War.
In a provocative speech from the Kremlin, he threatened to base warheads along the Polish border if Mr Obama goes forward with a Bush administration plan to create a missile shield in Eastern Europe.

Then Israel warned last night that the new U.S. Commander-in-Chief's campaign claim that he was ready to open talks with Iran could be seen in the Middle East as a sign of weakness.

After eight years of staunch support from President Bush, the Israelis are now watching Mr Obama closely - even though he does not take power until January - looking for indicators as to how he will handle the nuclear threat from Tehran.
'We live in a neighbourhood in which dialogue - in a situation where you have brought sanctions and you then shift to dialogue - is liable to be interpreted as weakness,' said Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni.

Asked if she supported any U.S. talks with Iran, she quickly said: 'The answer is no.'

Meanwhile, Obama was meeting with his advisors at his Chicago home on cabinet selections. Some pundits are already calling these meetings as "What do we do now?" meetings.

It appears that Biden was correct on Obama being challenged, but the timing was a little off.

Palin Attacks By McCain Hacks

As frequently happens after a losing campaign, blame finger-pointing by campaign staff has begun by McCain campaign aides. The target of their ire is Gov. Sarah Palin.

The Guardian (U.K.) posted this article:

Sarah Palin has returned to Alaska following her whirlwind 68-day exposure to the national political scene, but the controversy over her vice-presidential candidacy shows no sign of abating.

As the governor of Alaska stepped off a plane onto icy tarmac in Anchorage on Wednesday night, she faced fresh allegations over her behaviour on the campaign trail and renewed attacks about her lack of readiness for the White House. Much of the attacks were clearly emerging from disgruntled aides within the campaign of the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain.

The most piercing allegations concerned Palin's ignorance of foreign affairs, which were depicted to be even more extreme than already thought; and her spend-thrift actions in kitting herself and her family out with a wardrobe fit to appear before television cameras.

Fox News, a broadcast channel that until election day had been generally flattering in its coverage of the "Palin phenomenon", reported that aides were astonished when they learned she was unaware that Africa was not a country but a whole continent. She was also said to be unable to name the three states that belong to the North American Free Trade Agreement: the US, Mexico and Canada.

Unnamed McCain advisers, their ire no longer constrained by campaign discipline, complained that the Alaskan governor had been unco-operative. The New York Times reported the McCain circle was angry about her independent decision to talk directly to the French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, which then turned out to be a prank from a Canadian radio station.

She was also said to have resisted offers of help preparing for interviews with Katie Couric, which also proved to be highly damaging.

The most colourful new information concerned Palin's spending spree on the campaign trail. Newsweek reported that she ended up splurging far more than the $150,000 that was already known about; with up to $40,000 being lavished on her husband Todd.

A wealthy donor who had offered to foot the bill was shocked when he got the bill from such top-notch addresses as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, according to Newsweek. In a phrase that is likely to go down in US electoral folklore, one McCain aide characterized the episode to the magazine as: "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast."

Palin refused to address the bombardment of accusations directed at her. She said: "If they're an unnamed source, that says it all. I won't comment on anyone's gossip based on anonymous sources. That's kind of a small of a bitter type of person who anonymously would charge that I didn't know an answer to a question. So until I know who's talking about it, I won't have a comment on a false allegation."

She now faces a difficult few months rebuilding relations in Alaska, and fending off investigations against her over the so-called Troopergate affair in which she has been found guilty of breaching ethics guidelines in a dispute over the employment by the state of her former brother-in-law.

The Guardian apparently hasn't heard that Gov. Palin was already cleared days ago of any wrongdoing involving "Tasergate" (that they refer to as "Troopergate").

These hacks making the attacks (hey, that rhymes!) are nothing more than some moderates who are out trying to save their own skins so they can get future campaign work. The talk shows will dig further into this and if their names are found out, they will be outed. Once outed, their efforts in future campaign work will be more difficult. Nobody wants to hire liars and turncoats.

John McCain needs to speak out and denounce these attacks. Thus far, he hasn't.

UPDATE:

From Fox News:

Palin spokesperson Meghan Stapleton released a written statement Friday calling the charges "unfortunate and, quite honestly, sickening."

"The accusations we are hearing and reading are not true and since we deny all these anonymous allegations, there is nothing specific to which we will respond," she wrote. "We have the highest regards for Senator John McCain. Governor Palin was honored to be chosen as McCain's running mate."

Newsweek also reported that Palin may have spent "tens of thousands" of dollars more on wardrobe expenses than the $150,000 that was reported in the days before Election Day. The money allegedly went toward clothes for her and her family from high-end stores, even though she was originally told to buy just three suits and hire a stylist for the Republican National Convention.

One aide called the spree "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast," according to the magazine. Palin also reportedly asked to speak at McCain's concession speech Tuesday, and was denied.

McCain adviser Nicole Wallace defended Palin on NBC's "Today Show" Friday morning, saying the Alaska governor "did nothing wrong."

"She is, perhaps, the most un-diva politician I've ever seen," she said. "The only thing I've ever seen her ask for is a diet soda."

Palin said right after the election that she's sorry if she cost McCain even "one vote."

But some are tired of what they say looks like scapegoating.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum told FOX News that McCain himself needs to come out and put a stop to the Palin criticism.

"She's the one that energized the base, she's the one that got the crowds out. ... She's the one that comes out of this without any scars and now they're trying to give her some," Santorum said. "John McCain should come out and say, 'This is ridiculous,' and set the record straight."

As of this writing, John McCain has not come out to refute the allegations.

Obama Rally At White House Displays Communist Flag

Stuckon-stupid.com posted this photo and caption:

An adoring crowd raises and wave a Communist Flag during a Obama victory rally in front of the White House on election day, Nov. 4, 2008.

Obama Choses Thug Emanuel As Chief of Staff

President-elect Barack Obama selected Chicago Thug/Congressman Rahm Emanuel to be his White House Chief of Staff. The COS is in charge of the overall operation of the White House and sets the tone for the administration's legislative and political operations.

Obama said during his victory speech that he will listen to and work with opponents, but Emanuel has a reputation as a political gut fighter who takes no prisoners. When asked about dealing with the GOP, Emanuel said, "F*ck the Republicans!"

House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio called Emanuel "an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center."

From CNN:

Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Congressman who will be President-elect Barack Obama's White House chief of staff, is "dangerous, absolutely relentless when he's got a political kill in sight," according to an admiring Republican colleague, Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole. Emanuel is also, President Clinton once told Fortune, "one of the top political minds in Washington," a former ballet dancer who "favors the counterattack over the attack."

From his years at Clinton's side, Emanuel knows his way around the West Wing - and was a critical figure behind the passage of NAFTA. From his years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he knows his way around Capitol Hill - and was the chief architect of the Democrats' 2006 recapture of Congress.

Some "change." It does make sense to. Emanuel will be the "Darth Vader" enforcer to Obama's role as "Sith Lord."

To Governor Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin was the one big shining spot in John McCain's campaign. She galvanized the Republican base and garnered great enthusiasm for the GOP ticket.

If she wants a future in national politics, I would make the following suggestions:

1. Continue to be an excellent governor of Alaska. Build up your record of accomplishment and reform.

2. Travel. When possible, keep connected to the Republicans around the country. Visit foreign countries and meet with foreign leaders. Build up your foreign policy credentials.

3. Follow the Reagan Model: Start a political action commmittee similar to Reagan's Citizens For The Republic to express your views and as a platform for supporting mid-term candidates. Start a weekly radio commentary program. Raise funds.

It is too early to say what 2012 holds or what condition the country will be in. Obama could be a successful president who governs from the center. He could also be a disaster. But if Gov. Palin wants a future in national politics, the time to lay the groundwork for that future is now.

Memo To "Conservative" Pundits

Matt Lewis posted an excellent memo to "conservative" pundits:

Nov. 5, 2008

FROM: Matt Lewis, Toownhall.com

TO: Kathleen Parker, Peggy Noonan, David Brooks, David Frum, and Christopher Buckley

CC: Gov. Sarah Palin

Re: We Miss You

_____________________________________________________

Dear Colleagues (Okay, you're waaay more important than me)...,

I wanted to congratulate you on your contributions to the recent presidential election. Without your help, this might have been a closer race.

You gave the media an excuse to assert that “conservatives” hated Sarah Palin so much that they were jumping off the McCain campaign like rats off a sinking ship. Despite the fact that Palin was reinvigorating the conservative movement and drew huge crowds, you felt the irrational need to ignore the evidence and insist that Sarah was a walking blonde joke.

Great job!

Of course, you probably lost you any credibility you had with real conservatives…you know, the rank-and-file voters. But, hey, I’m sure it was more than worth it considering that you became overnight sensations on the Georgetown cocktail circuit (where people wouldn't’t have given you the time of day had you actually stuck by your beliefs).

Even if you didn’t get into those parties, you at least got your 15 minutes of fame. It must be wonderful to suddenly be catapulted from “syndicated columnist” to “leading conservative” (that would be you, Ms. Parker), or to finally emerge from your father’s shadow (Mr. Buckley), or to finally be able to cast yourself as an “outsider” (Mr. Frum).

I suppose that I can’t really begrudge you for trying to hitch your wagon to Barack Obama’s star. Everybody loves him, it seemed like a foregone conclusion (it was), and you saw your opening.

You’d never met Gov. Palin, you had no personal connection to her, so why not throw her under the bus? A little intellectual dishonesty never hurt anyone, and being good pseudo-conservative intellectual, you understood the benefit of behaving as a self-interested individual. Ayn Rand would be so proud of you.

Unfortunately, you goofed up on just one little issue. You forgot about the long-term impacts of your decisions; you turned a blind eye to the out-and-out ideology of Barack Obama.

... High taxes, the fairness doctrine, universal healthcare, more regulation in all aspects of your life….that’s all going to be at least partially your fault. And frankly, I lied about Ayn Rand being proud of you -- she’d probably smack you in the face for allowing such a dramatic erosion of your personal freedoms.

That said, all is not necessarily lost. After four years of Obama, I’m sure that you will have realized the error in your ways (or at least that you weren’t actually behaving in your own self-interest). Hence, would like to take this opportunity to extend an olive branch.

... As far as I'm concerned, you are welcome back in the conservative movement at any time you wish. We really do miss your contributions, and to be honest, we’re a little worried about you being out in the world all alone.

We are waiting with open arms, and we can only hope that you find your way home before we elect President Palin in 2012. After that, we can’t really guarantee that we’ll be able to rehabilitate you.

Again, we miss you terribly and hope that you will come home soon.

Love,

Matt Lewis

The Disgraceful Treatment of George W. Bush

The Wall Street Journal has an excellent article on the "The Treatment of Bush Has Been A Disgrace."

Part of it reads:

The treatment President Bush has received from this country is nothing less than a disgrace. The attacks launched against him have been cruel and slanderous, proving to the world what little character and resolve we have. The president is not to blame for all these problems. He never lost faith in America or her people, and has tried his hardest to continue leading our nation during a very difficult time.

Our failure to stand by the one person who continued to stand by us has not gone unnoticed by our enemies. It has shown to the world how disloyal we can be when our president needed loyalty -- a shameful display of arrogance and weakness that will haunt this nation long after Mr. Bush has left the White House.

I don't agree with everything Bush has done, but he did keep this country safe as we've had no attacks since 9/11/01.

To read the article, go here.

Black Panther Thuggery For Obama

A poll observer in Philadelphia notified the police after witnessing what appeared to be voter intimidation by two members of the Black Panthers.

The two Black Panthers stood in the doorway of a polling location where the observer attempted to enter. One Panther was brandishing a nightstick, Fox News reported.

One of the panthers said “the black man was going to win the White House no matter what.”

The Black Panther with the nightstick apparently was taken into custody by the police. The other one argued with a reporter from Fox News.

More Obama thuggery you can believe in!

Election Day...Finally!

Win or lose, today marks the end of the longest presidential campaign in history. Regardless of the outcome, it will be a relief to see it end.

There are reports that police departments in different cities are "girding their loins" (thanks, Sen. Biden) for possible voter unrest. This could mean that sore losers or jubilant winners may take things to extremes. It could also mean an uprising over voter fraud. It could mean all the above.

No matter who wins, both sides need to keep cool heads. There will be plenty of time to digest the outcome.

I just hope the voters choose wisely.

Obama Gives McCain The Bird

There he goes again! Brack Obama gave his opponent the bird, this time to John McCain.

Back in the primaries, Obama was caught giving Hillary Clinton the bird or, as we used to say, "The Rockefeller Salute."

Obama's Communistic Posters

Zomblog strikes again! They've found some curious Obama posters that are copies or near copies of communist posters of years past.

Here is an example. This “Bark for Barack” poster is based on a famous graphic design by Soviet artist Alexander Rodchenko, who “used photo montage to enhance his images to create more powerful images that would be used for propaganda for the USSR.”



And here's Rodchenko's USSR poster:



Do you wonder why people fear Obama?

Obama Tells SF Chronicle He'd Bankrupt Coal Industry

Barack Obama told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was willing to see the coal industry go bankrupt in a January 17, 2008 interview. An audio tape of Obama's comments was found by Newsbusters.org. This is the transcript of Obama's statement about bankrupting the coal industry:

Let me sort of describe my overall policy.

What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.

I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.

Let's see, the race in Ohio is still neck-and-neck. The coal industry is big there. I wonder how this is going to play there? Hmmmm?

UPDATE: Gov. Sarah Palin hits Obama hard on coal production.

Sith Lord Obama

It might do us well to re-watch Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith before voting Tuesday to see how democracy is lost to an evil empire.

For some reason, Barack Obama is reminding me of the Sith Emperor.



Will the capitalists have to go into exile as did the Jedi Knights?

May The Force be with us on Tuesday!

New Bond Shatters Box Office Records

The newest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, broke opening day box office records in the United Kingdom.

Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily reports:

MGM/Sony's Quantum Of Solace, the 22nd James Bond motion picture, made box office history on its opening day in the UK, taking a staggering £4.94 million and making it the biggest Friday opening of all time. This shatters the previous record held by Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, which took £4.025m. The latest 007 installment from the longest running franchise in film history also beat the opening day figure of £2.9m for Casino Royale, the first to star Daniel Craig. Quantum Of Solace opened in 542 cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday and will release in the U.S. on November 14th.

However, some fans are disappointed that Miss Moneypenny, Q and "Bond, James Bond" trademarks are not in this movie. (Did they bring back the gunbarrel opening?)

Quantum of Solace opens in the U.S. November 14.

Obama and Osawatomie, the Weather Underground Newspaper

Zomblog managed to obtain a copy of the very first issue of Osawatomie newspaper that was published by the Weather Underground Organization of Bill Ayres and Bernardine Dohrn in 1975. This is the cover of the paper:



There's a lot of striking catchwords and rhetoric that the WUO used then and what Barack Obama uses now.

From Zomblog:

Zomblog has obtained an extremely rare copy of the first issue of Osawatomie, a newspaper published by the Weather Underground in 1975. Noteworthy passages are reproduced below, along with exact transcriptions. The full pages, with each passage in context in high resolution, are found at the bottom of this post.

Much of Osawatomie, which was written at a time when the Dohrn-Ayers wing of the Weather Underground was transitioning from terrorism to “working from the inside” for revolution, concerns itself with the need to encourage “organizers” who will work in “communities” and use “audacity” to bring about “socialism” in America.

Sound familiar?

It is thought that the Obama logo is similar to the logo of the Weather Underground logo. Here's a side-by-side comparison:



Several pages of Osawatomie have been posted at the Zomblog page.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan Expo In Los Angeles

Above, a performer at 2007 Japan Expo.

Japan Expo will be held in Los Angeles on December 13 and 14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

URL : http://www.lacclink.com

The Japan Expo has Japanese antiques, arts, crafts, gifts, anime, manga, food, entertainment, clothing, cookware, eating ware and toys.

Also, in the past, the Expo has had travel companies and airlines.

For more information, go to Japan Expo.