Talking To The Animals And Other Useless Endeavors

One or two Palestinian terrorists entered a Jewish religious seminary and slaughtered at least 10 high school age students.

Immediately following the horrific events, the Hamas government issued a statement praising the slaughter and promised more of the same. In Gaza, the murder of the religious school students was marked by celebratory gunfire and praise from local religious figures.

Almost unnoticed today was the UN Human Right Commission’s castigation of Israel over her incursion into Gaza after prolonged rocket attacks against Israel. The resolution was passed by a vote of 33-1. The EU nations abstained from the vote and Canada was the only nation in opposition.

U.S. Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor said tensions in the region should not be exacerbated by unhelpful rhetoric.

“The human rights council’s unbalanced and excessive focus on Israel does not help advance the cause of peace,” Tichenor told the council before the vote.

The Geneva-based body, which lacks enforcement powers, has been accused of spending excessive amounts of time focusing on Israel since replacing the widely discredited and highly politicized Human Rights Commission in June 2006.

It should be noted that the UN Human Rights Commission has been castigated by 3 successive UN Secretaries- General for being openly partisan and one sided. It should also be noted that the UN Human Rights Commission has refused to deal with the genocide in Darfur or the ongoing slave trade in Mauritania, among other pressing issues.

In Calls To Genocide, we noted that

There is no such thing as a ‘disproportionate response’ to calls for genocide. All conflicts end with ‘disproportionate response.’

The Israelis are entitled to defend themselves from those who openly or not so openly call for their annihilation.

Peace among nations is arrived at when the cost of war becomes overwhelming.

Racism, bigotry and hate are overcome when the cost of racism, bigotry and hate becomes too great for society to bear.

As long as nations and peoples perceive the cost of war as acceptable, then we will have war.

When the cost of slaughtering Jews as ‘business as usual’ becomes to high for the Palestinians to bear, they will respond appropriately. As Abba Eban noted,

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.

The Palestinians believe that the price for the slaughter of innocents is affordable because they mistakenly believe that their barbarism and animal like behavior will be seen retaliatory and justifiable.

Of course, when Hamas uses civilians as human shields, their credibility as victims and identity as moral equivalents to civilized societies  is severely compromised. They are also forced to maintain yet another dance.

Day in and day out, for decades, the Israelis and Jews are bombarded with vicious and vile hate from the Arab world. Day in and day out, Israel is promised destruction, violations of the most heinous kind and ‘rivers of blood.’ We are told that thousands of volunteers are ready to answer a religious call and bring mayhem, violence and death to the Israelis.

Dr Sanity quotes Michael Young of the Lebanon Daily Star, in The Alliance:

…Hizbullah: The party, though it is religious, autocratic, and armed to the teeth, often elicits approval from secular, liberal Westerners who otherwise share nothing of its values. This reaction, in its more extreme forms, has been reflected in the way many on the far left have embraced Hizbullah’s militancy, but also that of other Islamist groups like Hamas or Islamic Jihad - thoroughly undermining their own ideological principles in the process.

The primary emotion driving together the far left and militant Islamists, but also frequently prompting secular liberals to applaud armed Islamic groups as well, is hostility toward the United States, toward Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians and much else, and, more broadly, toward what is seen as Western-dominated, capitalist-driven globalization….

A bizarre offshoot of this trend has been the left’s elevation of Islamist “resistance” to the level of a fetish. You know something has gone horribly wrong when the writer and academic Norman Finkelstein volunteers to interpret Hizbullah for you, before prefacing his comments with: “I don’t care about Hizbullah as a political organization. I don’t know much about their politics, and anyhow, it’s irrelevant. I don’t live in Lebanon.”

Dr Sanity notes

The only difference between the Islamists and the left is the level of self-delusion. The left really truly have convinced themselves that they stand for “peace”, “social justice”, “brotherhood” and the like–even as their behavior demonstrates quite the opposite. This delusion effectively disguises their lust for power over others.

The Islamists don’t even pretend to disguise that lust. Cleverly, they stroke the collective ego of the left and –at least when they speak English–they mouth the words the left wants to hear. They enjoy playing the victim even as they plot to victimize and kill. What they say in their own language, to their own people, about their intent is far different. What they are teaching their children is a good measure of their real intent with regard to Israel, America, and the West in general.

The Islamists are able to cynically manipulate the West, precisely because so many leftists are so wrapped up in their own politically correct postmodern fantasies–where they are “champions of the oppressed” and will transform the world into a socialist utopia that they will benevolently rule for the “good” of everyone else.

There is a lot of rhetoric that is heard in the Middle East, much of which sounds so plausible. Of course, Hitler made the trains run on time, too. That would be excuse enough for the leftists of today to eschew war with the Nazi leader.

Most recently, the Arab League expressed their outrage at Israel with threats to halt the peace process- this from an organization who has consistently backed violence against that nation.

The Arab League is deliberately misleading. That organization does not represent Arab interests at all- and never has. The Arab League has not sponsored a single educational, economic or real democratic reform and empowerment program in it’s entire existence. The Arab League is an organization dedicated to maintaining the status quo and preserving the leaders of some of the most repressive and dysfunctional regimes in the world. That is it’s entire raison d’etre.

It is this body that wants to address the western world and be heard as the unified voice of a morally equivalent Arab world- the Arab world for whom ‘We’ll finish what Hitler started’ is a clarion call, reinforced with Mein Kampf as the second best selling book in Arabic after the Quran.

We once noted that is the equivalent of a bunch of witch doctors trading in their beads, bones and grass skirts and visions, to don western clothes, attend a convention of neurosurgeons and then ask they be considered equivalent medical professionals.

The civilized world is measured by accomplishment and achievement. As we have noted many times, cultures, societies and religions are measured by what they build and not by what they destroy.

The Arab world has proved to be devoid of any meaningful achievements, save for hating Jews and America. In that endeavor, they excel. Manipulated by tyrannical and oppressive leaders, much of the Arab world has chosen to identify themselves by whom and how much they hate, rather than by anything they might accomplish. The Palestinians are a creation and extension of a very broken and dysfunctional culture. Their behavior is proof of that.

The Arab world has nothing offer the western, civilized world. That their efforts go into preserving and protecting that assembly of murderous, tyrannical and dysfunctional Arab world leaders is reason enough to disqualify anything they might have to say. That they can celebrate the Palestinians and the genocidal intent they share is proof positive that they cannot be spoken to or identified as we would speak with other civilized societies.

There are no excuses for attacking a religious school and there can be no justification for such an act.

If those who committed the barbarity were interested in killing Jews, first and foremost. They did not choose to attack soldiers or a military installation or other military target.

It was Jews they wanted and Jews they killed.

The Palestinians and the Arab world are the equivalent of the KKK and the suits and robes they wear are just updated white sheets. That same racist and bigoted rhetoric heard day in and day out, taught in schools, repeated in the media and preached from the pulpit can only be hidden for so long.

The Dramacrats, The Economy And The Mortage Crisis, Explained

From Dr Sanity’s Bleak House:

There is no doubt that both Clinton and Obama, for all their talk of “hope” are both heavily invested in misery and failure–both in their economic philosophy, as well as their desire for immediate (if not sooner) surrender in Iraq…

You would think that people with real “hope” would see the progress in Iraq and the turnabout that has occurred in the hearts and minds of the people there. You would think that people hyping “change” would come up with some ideas and programs that aren’t beholden to an ideology that has already failed in country after country, and which has made their economies circle the drain.

The Democratic party has become a bleak house that only knows how to pander to the pessimism and envy of Americans. Since 2000 when Bush was elected, they have been whining constantly and pointing to doom and gloom omens whenever they could about the economy. Their goal? To create a perception of disaster–even as the economy chugged along like the little engine that could. No group is happier or more excited over the possibility of a real recession than the Democratic elite, who are practically salivating over the word. Never mind that unemployment remains at historic lows…

Home ownership in the United States is at records levels- more Americans own homes than at any other time in history. That also means that there will be more mortgage defaults.

We are by no means minimizing the current mortgage crisis (one that originated with the banks and not the federal government), but rather let’s put things in perspective.

Almost 95% of all mortgage holders are meeting their obligations. That does not mean that the current mortgage ‘crisis’ is responsible for a full 5% increase in defaults- there are always a percentage of mortgages that go into default. With record numbers of new homeowners, the number own loan defaults increases accordingly.

Let’s look at the economic issues surrounding the mortgage crisis. Once we really understand those issues, how to deal with them becomes clear.

Suppose your brother in law demanded a $100 handout, a gift on demand. Chances are you would probably say no. Of course, if he asked you for a $100 loan, you might be more inclined to agree.

A year later your brother in law is unable to pay you back. More than likely, you would consider that $100 lost forever. You thought you were making a loan but in the end that money was a handout. Your brother in law has gotten away with defaulting on his loan with no consequences.

If your brother in law can borrow money without paying it back,where exactly is the incentive to work, save and invest money? It’s a whole lot easier to borrow money, spend it and never have to worry about paying it back!

Now, let’s revisit the mortgage issue. Like most people, he did his homework before he went shopping for a loan and thought he could handle a $250,000 loan without a problem. Your brother in law goes into BanKumbaya and walks out with a $400,000 to buy a spanking brand new house that is a whole lot bigger than he thought he could afford.

How did your brother in law get so lucky? Well, his banker played with a few numbers and told him that the bank would structure a loan with lower payments for a few years and after that, one of two things would happen.

1. He could refinance at the same or lower rates, or,
2. He could sell his house at a profit.

At that moment, your brother in law’s banker became a prophet with his very own crystal ball.

Anyone who cannot distinguish between their banker’s or mortgage lender’s greed and their own stupidity has no business buying a house. No one can predict the future. No one.

Now, people who do save and who are responsible with money are being asked to subsidize banks and government programs for those who do not save and those who are not responsible with money. Why should a guy who does the right thing have to pay for the guy who does not? Why should he be responsible for someone who is not?

This is no small matter. Your brother in law may get to keep making his reduced payments because of government bail out programs for the banks. It is you and not he, that is paying for the bailout. And all the while, in addition to the added burden you are now asked to shoulder, you are still paying taxes on your savings and earnings. Kind of takes the joy out of saving.

Now that you are sufficiently aware of reality, let’s all get on the same page, remember the potential mortgage defaults to date only represent about 5% of markets.

Moving on.

Let’s talk a bit more about the economy. By all accounts, there are between 12 and 20 million illegal aliens in this country (many of whom have bought homes and are meeting their mortgage obligations!). Despite the pressure that places on the economy, we are still at record low unemployment rates and our economic growth is still trending upwards. Let’s put some real numbers on that-  In 2007 the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 2% even as the Dollar tumbled on the forex markets!

So, how come the Dramacrats have assumed the role of chicken little?

Because make believe drama is all they’ve got.

Saving money and being responsible with money is antithetical to leftist values. It is only by keeping people in debt and flush with handouts, loans that do not have to be repaid and entitlement programs that leftists are able to camouflage the bondage in which their supporters are kept. Only persons who are kept blind cannot see or understand the damage and havoc that come about as the result of fiscal irresponsibility.

It is no wonder that schools under the umbrella of leftist ideologies have not educated our children. An educated child is a morally and fiscally responsible citizen, a state of affairs that liberal ideologues fear most.

Dr Sanity:

In fact, if you actually look at the behavior of the Democratic candidates and their leftist political base, you begin to see that “hope” and “change” are the last things in the world they stand for–or champion. More like hype and shortchange.

‘Care About People? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ People’

Continued from yesterday’s conversation, Money See, Monkey Do: More Leftist Intellectual Pursuits.

Vienna has a lot more to offer than coffee, pastry and dancing horses.

The apes are doing well, thank you very much.

In some ways, Hiasl is like any other Viennese: He indulges a weakness for pastry, likes to paint and enjoys chilling out watching TV. But he doesn’t care for coffee, and he isn’t actually a person—at least not yet.

In a case that could set a global legal precedent for granting basic rights to apes, animal rights advocates are seeking to get the 26- year-old male chimpanzee legally declared a “person.”

Hiasl’s supporters argue he needs that status to become a legal entity that can receive donations and get a guardian to look out for his interests.

“Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has basic legal rights,” said Eberhart Theuer, a lawyer leading the challenge on behalf of the Association Against Animal Factories, a Vienna animal rights group.

“We mean the right to life, the right to not be tortured, the right to freedom under certain conditions,” Theuer said.

“We’re not talking about the right to vote here.”

It should come as no surprise that spillover from the Great Ape Project, the effort to endow apes with the same rights as human beings, is picking up steam.
Equating lessers with greaters is a political statement. That has become a political necessity. How else could one explain the MSM- and the left’s- obsession with presenting the current Middle East crisis as if it were an argument of equals? How on earth could a rational, sane and fair-minded individual equate Israel with the Arab world? How could any rational person declare Mahmoud Ahmahdenijad the President of a civilized nation? Unless the stoning of women and gays and the execution of children are now acceptable, how could the leaders of Iran be considered anything but repugnant?

The elevation of apes can only serve to elevate the degenerates of the Middle East- and that has long been a priority of many.

Arab diplomats are flooding the airwaves as if they were representing nations that were morally equal to Israel, America and every other civilized nation- diplomats representing Arab regimes that have more blood on their hands than the Israelis, Americans or any other civilized nation ever will. Those Arab diplomats, in Savoy Street tailored suits, that appear so reasonable and rational on our TV screens, represent some of the most repressive and vile regimes in the world. These diplomats and and the regimes they represent have for decades used deceit, fraud and brinkmanship- and didn’t care if the whole world knew it.

As it turns out, even apes have more forthright relationships. With an ape, you know where you stand.

These diplomats are rewarded by the very regimes that have impoverished their respective nations through deception, corruption and unabashed greed. Nevertheless, the MSM sees fit to give Arab diplomats a platform that serves only to promote and legitimize a tyrannical regime and self serving agendas.

In that sense, it true that apes and Arab regimes share similar objectives.

While the MSM and the left relentless in their pursuit and undermining of George Bush’s administration, they cannot be bothered to examine, confront and take to task the leaders of the most oppressive regimes in the world.

The left and MSM expend nowhere near the energy (or column inches), in exposing and demanding answers about repression, imprisonment of dissidents, ‘honor killings,’ the subjugation of women in the Arab world and a host of other societal and cultural failures. We are quite sure the NYT, et al, have devoted more column inches in the attempt to legitimize critics of Mr Bush’s Air National Guard service, than they have in covering and reporting on the decades of some of the most vile hate and bigotry that has come out of Arab state controlled media. This isn’t as difficult as it might sound: The NYT, et al, have bureaus and corespondents in virtually every Arab capital.

Those promoting ‘humanhood’ for apes and other simians, neglect to describe the violent and bestial nature of ape societies.

Of course, we know why that is the case. CNN’s Eason Jordan admitted that his news organization ‘covered up Saddam’s repression with propaganda,’ so that they might maintain their Baghdad office and access to the Iraqi regime. An Italian journalist wrote a letter of apology (and a promise to never again report negatively on the Palestinians) to Yasser Arafat because his media organization filmed and broadcast graphic footage of the lynching of two Israelis.

Will the proponents of the Great Ape Project be equally hysterical if ape attacks are reported?

The nature of the coverage of the Middle East crisis today makes it clear that the cozy arrangements between western MSM and Arab regime tyrannies are still the order of the day. There is nothing else might explain the concerted attempt by western media to present the Middle East situation as if it were a conflict between moral equals.

A similar pattern emerges- by neglecting to educate the public about violent and base societies, we might be lulled into believing that apes are human.

It is just as clear that the MSM, tyrannical regimes and proponents of granting ‘person hood’ to apes, share more than a few of the same values. Like the leadership of these tyrannical regimes and ‘love the ape,’ whack jobs, the MSM doesn’t give a damn about the vast populations that are made to suffer and lives of hopelessness. If the MSM cared, they would be up in arms about the lives lost. Notwithstanding being caught ‘red handed,’ the NYT refused to return a Pulitzer Prize won by Walter Duranty. Mr Duranty it seems, neglected to report on Stalin’s forced famine on the Ukraine. Why? Because Mr Duranty and his editors at the august New York Times didn’t want to give Stalin any bad press. The only truth and reality the NYT wants to you to see is their own. Where are the NYT columnists and editorial writers, demanding the ill gotten Pulitzer be returned? Was there not one single editor or reporter willing to make that stand? Want ti bet the NYT will embrace ‘person hood’ for apes, misrepresenting the truth all along the way?

You’ve got it made in the shade if the MSM powers that be can find a reason (or excuse) to share to share or promote an agenda fronted by failed and deceitful ideologues.

Now, see if you can can connect all the the dots. There’s a reason the MSM is attempting ‘even handedness’ when they cover this latest Middle East crisis. They are on the Great Ape Program, the attempt to make equal those that clearly are not equal.

In defense of the apes, it must be said that they are apes- their behavior is an extension of their nature. Those Arab despots and tyrannies manifest behavior that is calculated to deceive and oppress even their own people.

While the media piously proclaim they tenaciously seeking the truth in this time of war,when it comes to reporting on the administration, it is clear that they are putting as much distance between themselves and the truth when it comes to reporting on the Middle East crisis.

Like the proponents of the GAP, the vast majority of the MSM are proving to be nothing more than magnificent monuments to self absorption. They demand the world see their deliberately flawed and deceitful agenda as gospel. In deliberately ignoring and camouflaging reality, the majority of the MSM has earned the contempt it so richly deserves.

For more reality, see Charles Krauthammer- and ask yourself why only he seems to state the facts.

…that before Israel came into possession of the West Bank and Gaza in the Six-Day War, every Arab state had rejected Israel’s right to exist and declared Israel’s pre-1967 borders — now deemed sacred — to be nothing more than the armistice lines suspending, and not ending, the 1948-49 war to exterminate Israel.

…occupation was a mere excuse to persuade gullible and historically ignorant Westerners to support the Arab cause against Israel. The issue is, and has always been, Israel’s existence. That is what is at stake.

Don’t look for the MSM to even acknowledge those truths, or that apes are just apes.

We have a few more question for the proponents of the Great Ape Project.

If apes are to be endowed with person hood, why not grant human embryos the same status?

Will we condone apes killing the offspring of rival males, as mere manifestation of multicultural expression?

Will we insist on an ape United Nations, determined to stamp out tribal rivalries?

Will the legal system be the forum to adjudicate ape polygamy?

If an ape (walking down the streets in Vienna) attacks a human, will he be charged with a crime? Will he be incarcerated with humans?

Will ape human marriages be acceptable? Will we accord the same privileges to Orangutans?

Will the rights to health care be equal for apes and humans? Will apes be insured?

If we bestow apes with person hood, why not do the same for man’s best friends, dogs? How about cats?

In a world where two legged animals walk around plotting to kill us and others who share the vision and idea of a civilized society, perhaps our time would better spent assigning animal status to some humans, rather than concern ourselves with elevating animals to person hood.

Portions of this post have been previously published.