Sunday, December 28, 2008

Turks protest Israeli assault in Gaza

From the YouTuber hobarell:

"Protests were held throughout Turkey on Sunday against the Israeli weekend attack on Hamas in Gaza. Following Saturday's massive rally against Israel in Istanbul, irate pro-Palestinian supporters held rallies in the Turkish provinces of Van and Konya as well as a major rally after the noon prayers in Istanbul. Also, the Turkish Red Crescent Society dispatched ten truckloads of humanitarian relief to Gaza on Sunday.

(ANKARA) Trucks carrying humanitarian aid, interview with director of Turkish Red Crescent Society's Ankara branch (in Turkish), trucks departing

(VAN) Protesters carrying banners and pictures of the slain Palestinians, protesters chanting slogans, "Salute to Hamas, Keep Resistance"

(KONYA) Demonstrators burning Israeli flag, calling for "retaliation" against Israel

(KONYA) Demonstrators carrying pictures of Hamas leaders, demonstrators chanting slogans "Down with Israel," a young boy shouting slogans and crying,

(ISTANBUL) Shots of the large crowd at Beyazit Square, the crowd carrying Palestinian flags shouting anti-Israeli slogans, details"

-- Just an example of the immediate and load displeasure expressed around the World and especially in the Arab community.

MEET THE PRESS FULL VIDEO: David Gregory, Dave Axelrod, The Economy



Ok, I've gotten over my dismay at NBC's decision to select long-time White House Correspondent David Gregory over the newcomer Rachel Maddow, and have thus ended my self-emposed embargo on posting of the Meet The Press Videos.


Today, we have Obama Special Advisor Dave Axelrod being interviewed by Dave Gregory, and by all accounts he did well. But I disagree with the notion that the tax cut will be enough. I thinkk giving each taxpayer below $100,000 a $3,500 check would dramatically boost this economy and buy time for the other more long term programs to take effect.

Linda Fiorentino and Mark Rossini: LAST SEDUCTION OF THE G-MAN - New York Post

More at the New York Post: “
The film was "The Last Seduction," but those who know Linda Fiorentino say the character that made her famous isn't far from the actress' own life. And in the real-life story, the "she done him wrong" role is played by her FBI-agent boyfriend, Mark Rossini.

The former G-man, 47, turned in his badge several weeks ago for accessing agency files on the case of private investigator Anthony Pellicano without authorization and pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts.

So far, the only connection between Rossini - who faces jail time but may only receive probation under a plea deal - and Pellicano is Fiorentino, who had an obsession with the Pellicano case, the former agent's friends say.”

-- Art imitates life? I wonder to what degree Fiorentino's roles impacted her real life in this case?

Blagojevich Investigators Won't Subpoena Obama Aides - FOXNews.com

More at FOXNews.com Transition Tracker: “CHICAGO -- The Illinois House committee investigating a possible impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich won't subpoena two incoming White House advisers, the committee chairwoman said Saturday, shutting down a request from the governor's attorney.

In a letter received by the committee Friday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald asked the special investigative committee specifically to not subpoena President-elect Barack Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Nils Larsen, a Tribune Co. executive vice president.

Fitzgerald said any such subpoenas "would interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation into the activities of Governor Rod Blagojevich and others."”

-- To me this is evidence that it was a member or members of the Obama camp that "outted" Blago to begin with. They're being protected and rightly so. Blago should not have disrespected the President-Elect with his behavior.

Planes landing at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport 香港 啟德機場 Compilation 1

This is a disaster waiting to happen. I can't believe how low these planes fly over this hyper-urban Hong Kong or that nothing -- no crash -- has ever happened. But what about near misses?

How To Get More Women to Be Video Bloggers


There's an idea out there that there are more male than female video-bloggers and an anecdotal scan would seem to confirm that. My video explains how we can change that by encouraging women to vlog, and protecting them from harm and harrasment online to the extent that's possible. Here's the iReport version .

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Republican candidate Chip Saltsman Distributes Racist Obama song

More at TheHill.com: “RNC candidate Chip Saltsman’s Christmas greeting to committee members includes a music CD with lyrics from a song called “Barack the Magic Negro,” first played on Rush Limbaugh’s popular radio show.

Saltsman, a personal friend of conservative satirist Paul Shanklin, sent a 41-track CD along with a note to national committee members. ”

-- And the Republicans wonder why they lost the election?

Israel expels UN rights envoy Richard Falk - Dec 17 08

From AlJazeera English:

"The United Nation's top human rights official has condemned Israel's expulsion of Richard Falk, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territories, from the country, calling it "unprecedented" and "deeply regrettable. Al Jazeera's Ghida Fakhry spoke to Falk about his expulsion and the potential repercussions."

Another example of Perez hard-line war-like stance. Not a good pattern of behavior here.

Raw Video: Israel Strikes Hamas

This attack reported by the AP here:

"Israeli aircraft have struck Hamas security compounds across Gaza in an unprecedented series of simultaneous strikes. Hamas reports dozens of people were killed. The first strikes came just after noon. (Dec. 27)"

was unexpected, and tests American support of Israel. There are 225 dead and it comes as Israel had said it would not carry out such an operation.

Israeli President Shimon Peres lied because he said Israel had no plans to do such a thing, but have stepped forward and done it. With no advanced warning.

Obama's saying nothing at this point, but he's right to do so: Bush is the president -- he could, of course, step down. But we still have the old Congress to deal with still.

Regardless, Perez must be held in check. If I were Obama, I would wait, then use my friends to cause him to fall in line once I were President, then back their actions.

12/24/08 President-elect Barack Obama's Weekly Address

President-Elect Obama gave a great presentation on Christmas Eve, and I've noticed that he's adjusted his suit since I pointed out the problem the first time! At any rate, Obama asked us to think about those who we pay our tax dollars to who are fighting for America, whether we like the war or not. He also turns attention to the economic problems at home, which call for trillions to solve.

Gov Blago's lawyer asks panel to subpoena Obama staff

More at SFGate.com : “In a move intended to force public testimony from President-elect Barack Obama's inner circle, a lawyer for Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked the legislative panel considering impeachment of the governor to subpoena more than a dozen witnesses, including Obama's incoming chief of staff.”

-- Blago knows where the bodies are buried, but not with Obama's people. Things will get interesting when -- and if -- Blago turns to the Illinois legislature in the other issues surrounding the ethics charges.

Caroline Kennedy, in Senate Bid, Asked About Finances

More at SFGate.com: “(12-25) 16:30 PST New York (AP) -- At this time last year, Caroline Kennedy was promoting "A Family Christmas," her collection of essays that featured the memory of her father letting her use the White House switchboard to call Santa.

This year, after warily stepping into the political free-for-all for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's job, Kennedy's activities during the holiday season included fending off requests to disclose financial information.

The calls for Kennedy to release her financial information, required of many public officials including her uncle Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, come after a lifetime of carefully cultivated privacy.

By all accounts a very wealthy woman who could be worth as much as $400 million, Kennedy has said she will not release details of her finances unless Democratic Gov. David Paterson picks her for the Senate seat that will open up if Clinton is confirmed as secretary of state.”

--- If she has to do so, then so do the other candidates. That's only fair. I think there are opponents who are way too zealous in trying to find "something" on Caroline Kennedy.