The following is taken from Arutz Sheva, a somewhat strident and rightwing pro-settler and pro-religious Jewish news source in Israel.
Evenso, this data NEED NOT be taken with a grain of salt.
They are reporting, not ‘judging’.
QUOTE:
"The actual phrase I heard from one important player in Jewish Democratic circles was, "Sociopath is too nice a word to describe Obama." That was a Kiddush [festive synagogue event] conversation, so no names, of course. The difference is the magnitude and depth of the deception. In July 2008, the press was full of reports of Obama's anti-Israel connections, including the fact that his foreign policy advisor in his Senate office was the odious Samantha Power – who proposed international military intervention to end the 'Israeli occupation' – as well as Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was an official campaign spokesman, along with many others.
Obama gave assurances to the Jewish community which were so persuasive that Martin Peretz announced in his 'Spine' blog that Obama could be trusted. Brzezinski and Power were shown the door (Power after she made inappropriate remarks about Hillary Clinton) and the Jewish community was satisfied that Obama was as reliable as, say, Bill Clinton.
Obama has extraordinary gifts of persuasion, and has been profligate about employing them. He persuaded some very wealthy and sophisticated people that he was on their side, and then turned on them. "
[CUT]
"The fact that Democratic fundraising among Jews will be a tough sell contributes to the problem, but is not a decisive factor; there are enough other reasons for the Democrats to lose, starting with high unemployment and the fact that Obama has failed to create any middle ground with the Republicans and is perceived as too far too the left to suit the national mood. Obama almost certainly has resigned himself to a bad interim election; his best play is to spend the next two years running against a 'do-nothing' Republican Congress in the hope of winning a second term in 2012."
END QUOTE.
SOURCE: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137515
Speaking as a life-long Democrat, and despite my utter loathing for almost everything for which the Republican party now stands, I am no longer vested in the 44th presidency.
Barack Obama’s bumbling attempts to strong-arm Israel, combined with his almost obsequious pandering to the Arabs - who are not known for favouring America’s interests, NOR for any Democratic and liberal-humanist attitudes – have considerably lessened my support.
That his healthcare program was hauled back from the brink by Nancy Pelosi, after he spent months kneecapping himself, does not speak of either an able politician, or of any great strategic vision.
Bending over backwards for the banking industry – the folks that unabashedly brought us to the brink – has been a further dis-enamoring course of action; as political theatre it is the equivalent of ecdysiasm and pole-dancing.
Frankly, if he becomes a one-term lame-duck within the next year, that would suit me just fine.
I enjoy his gilded tongue; he has made glibness into an art form. Kudos, mr. President, kudos.
But I am less than impressed by any of his other qualities.
A bright smile and eloquent quacking can only go so far.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
GAUNTLET
Two comments made elsewhere in recent days have particularly caught my attention:
1.
"It's because of pseudo intellectual douche bags like Mr. Back of the Hill is why anna nichole smith's post mortem drama was on the news 24/7 where as an ex-president who died around the same time hardly got a mention. we'll get you a fresh new bottle to stick in your pie hole and change your diaper soon enough so quit your belly aching."
2.
"Dear ATBOTH, some of us know you're a raving hypocrite, as are the rest of SF Voice. Perhaps Dan was the only pure one in the end."
Yes, I know both of the people who made those comments.
Henceforth I will be sleeping late on Saturdays.
1.
"It's because of pseudo intellectual douche bags like Mr. Back of the Hill is why anna nichole smith's post mortem drama was on the news 24/7 where as an ex-president who died around the same time hardly got a mention. we'll get you a fresh new bottle to stick in your pie hole and change your diaper soon enough so quit your belly aching."
2.
"Dear ATBOTH, some of us know you're a raving hypocrite, as are the rest of SF Voice. Perhaps Dan was the only pure one in the end."
Yes, I know both of the people who made those comments.
Henceforth I will be sleeping late on Saturdays.
DECADENT MONEY LENDERS' PLAYTHING
On Stockton Street yesterday, Savage Kitten passed a Chinese man and his slut-temptress sex doll Taiwanese girlfriend. She did not immediately identify the female as Taiwanese, but when she recounted the experience, it was obvious to me that the person in question was such.
You see, only Taiwanese girls still play the pouty whiny spoiled money-lenders’ plaything role to perfection.
It’s a combination of high falsetto little girl voice, adhesive behaviour, and ego-stroking flattery. Sure, Shanghainese tramps also attempt the act – but without the pampered bitch attitude and that syrupy four-year-old sexbombe voice, it just isn’t the same. The Shanghainese practitioner of the art always has a note of sleazy desperation, but the Taiwanese wanna-be kept woman has so perfected the saccharine mewling that weak-willed men do not even realize that their brains just melted.
Cantonese girls won’t even bother. They know that at some point they’re going to completely spoil the effect by blessing him out. With some snarled “colloquial” expressions that will not bear translation. They prefer to keep their options open as far as expressing themselves, and many of them have far too much stubborn ego to pull the “oh you’re soooooo smart and handsoooooome” routine. At least not with any real conviction.
Even when they try the act on for size, they usually can’t keep a straight face.
Savage Kitten, attempting to sound EXACTLY like the Taiwanese babydoll, spoiled it by an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
“Wah, ni chen shir hnnnn chong-mingngngngngng…….”
[ "哇, 你真是很聰明!" ]
She nearly choked after lithping that sentence. Something loud; twixt evil cackle and chortled glee.
Completely the opposite of the ideal Mandarin hussy concubine.
That’s probably just as well.
Seeing as I am neither a gangland boss, nor some high-ranking Kuomintang thug’s conceited heir.
Can’t even imitate either of those.
On the other hand, I do an east Tsim Sha Tsui goomba on the prowl really well: “ahhhh syew-chee-eh-ah, ley hooooow lyeeeeeng-guh….., ley kyew meeeh meng ah?”
[ "啊小姐啊, 你好靚咯, 你叫乜名呀?" ]
The combination of ooze, faked sincerity, and cool-dude slime-drawl will seriously creep out any young lady.
It’s a gift.
You see, only Taiwanese girls still play the pouty whiny spoiled money-lenders’ plaything role to perfection.
It’s a combination of high falsetto little girl voice, adhesive behaviour, and ego-stroking flattery. Sure, Shanghainese tramps also attempt the act – but without the pampered bitch attitude and that syrupy four-year-old sexbombe voice, it just isn’t the same. The Shanghainese practitioner of the art always has a note of sleazy desperation, but the Taiwanese wanna-be kept woman has so perfected the saccharine mewling that weak-willed men do not even realize that their brains just melted.
Cantonese girls won’t even bother. They know that at some point they’re going to completely spoil the effect by blessing him out. With some snarled “colloquial” expressions that will not bear translation. They prefer to keep their options open as far as expressing themselves, and many of them have far too much stubborn ego to pull the “oh you’re soooooo smart and handsoooooome” routine. At least not with any real conviction.
Even when they try the act on for size, they usually can’t keep a straight face.
Savage Kitten, attempting to sound EXACTLY like the Taiwanese babydoll, spoiled it by an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
“Wah, ni chen shir hnnnn chong-mingngngngngng…….”
[ "哇, 你真是很聰明!" ]
She nearly choked after lithping that sentence. Something loud; twixt evil cackle and chortled glee.
Completely the opposite of the ideal Mandarin hussy concubine.
That’s probably just as well.
Seeing as I am neither a gangland boss, nor some high-ranking Kuomintang thug’s conceited heir.
Can’t even imitate either of those.
On the other hand, I do an east Tsim Sha Tsui goomba on the prowl really well: “ahhhh syew-chee-eh-ah, ley hooooow lyeeeeeng-guh….., ley kyew meeeh meng ah?”
[ "啊小姐啊, 你好靚咯, 你叫乜名呀?" ]
The combination of ooze, faked sincerity, and cool-dude slime-drawl will seriously creep out any young lady.
It’s a gift.
Monday, May 10, 2010
LITTLE LITTLE PERSON PERSON!!
Fellow-blogger e-kvetcher alerted me to a Youtube segment that features some nice gams. Very nice gams. Although there is reason to suspect that they do not belong to a nice young thing of the female gender. According to the comments underneath, they might be male.
Yet the gams, tasty and girlish though they seem, are NOT the point of the video, the dancing green haired moppet on top of Pooh is.
Lest you now think that the high nonsense quotient in the sentence above shows that I have taken leave of my senses, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv_lifNjNCc&feature=related
Nice gams, eh?
The singing, not so much.
The green haired moppet is 'Chibi Hatsune Miku (ちび初音ミク). The "normal" Hatsune Miku (初音ミク) doesn't look quite so """kawai""".
[Kawai (可愛い or 可愛) is a Japanese word that means 'cute', 'adorable'. The nearest English equivalent is 'nauseating' (腌臢).]
Chibi ((ちび or 禿び) means small or little. Not necessarily 'moe' (萌え), though there is considerable overlap.
There's also 'chibi-chibi', which is kind of precious, in a disturbing way.
The difference between normal, small, and small-small is best illustrated by this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8v7KNRRX7I
If you're Japanese, you probably think that's just 'kawaaiiiiiiiiii!!!!', and you danced along to it, didn't you? All four and half minutes.
Hatsune Miku performed the Levan Polka to great acclaim three years ago.
There were over a million hits for the various youtube segments.
This is probably the most "evocative" of the videos to that tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMp-Kgw5khw
Note the leek. It's her 'trademark'.
This video thoroughly illustrates the kawai quality that chibi creatures have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ875Mxx8sc
Please wipe the drool off your screen. She's not real.
But, for the true afficionadoes, this one is 'MOE meets CHIBI meets "come hither big boy"':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J29j0Liq0M&feature=related
Oooooo, kawaii desu!!!
[That's Japanese for 'icky poo' (真駭聽的).]
Please imagine the miniature brass pole yourself. I couldn't find a suitable video.
Now, if all of this has convinced you that the Japanese are a mighty sick bunch, you may be right. On the other hand, they don't understand why we're in love with that horrid round-eared rodent, or those nasty pantsless ducks. And they really cannot fathom any of our horrid candy-floss childrens' films. Those are too saccharine, and far too unrealistic. What on earth is wrong with us?
Yet the gams, tasty and girlish though they seem, are NOT the point of the video, the dancing green haired moppet on top of Pooh is.
Lest you now think that the high nonsense quotient in the sentence above shows that I have taken leave of my senses, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv_lifNjNCc&feature=related
Nice gams, eh?
The singing, not so much.
The green haired moppet is 'Chibi Hatsune Miku (ちび初音ミク). The "normal" Hatsune Miku (初音ミク) doesn't look quite so """kawai""".
[Kawai (可愛い or 可愛) is a Japanese word that means 'cute', 'adorable'. The nearest English equivalent is 'nauseating' (腌臢).]
Chibi ((ちび or 禿び) means small or little. Not necessarily 'moe' (萌え), though there is considerable overlap.
There's also 'chibi-chibi', which is kind of precious, in a disturbing way.
The difference between normal, small, and small-small is best illustrated by this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8v7KNRRX7I
If you're Japanese, you probably think that's just 'kawaaiiiiiiiiii!!!!', and you danced along to it, didn't you? All four and half minutes.
Hatsune Miku performed the Levan Polka to great acclaim three years ago.
There were over a million hits for the various youtube segments.
This is probably the most "evocative" of the videos to that tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMp-Kgw5khw
Note the leek. It's her 'trademark'.
This video thoroughly illustrates the kawai quality that chibi creatures have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ875Mxx8sc
Please wipe the drool off your screen. She's not real.
But, for the true afficionadoes, this one is 'MOE meets CHIBI meets "come hither big boy"':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J29j0Liq0M&feature=related
Oooooo, kawaii desu!!!
[That's Japanese for 'icky poo' (真駭聽的).]
Please imagine the miniature brass pole yourself. I couldn't find a suitable video.
Now, if all of this has convinced you that the Japanese are a mighty sick bunch, you may be right. On the other hand, they don't understand why we're in love with that horrid round-eared rodent, or those nasty pantsless ducks. And they really cannot fathom any of our horrid candy-floss childrens' films. Those are too saccharine, and far too unrealistic. What on earth is wrong with us?
Friday, May 07, 2010
JUST LET ME DO ALL THE TALKING
Recently one of my customer’s complimented me on my phone manners.
And also praised me for even answering the phone. He had, it seems, tried every extension in the company he knew, and I was the only person who answered. I was his last resort. After I helped him, I told him he could call my extension any time – I would be glad to be of assistance.
I was being perfectly honest.
Most of the time, when people call me, it is because they want to give me money. As I am a bill-collector, you will understand that that is a strong incentive.
I pick up the phone, you give me money, and we’re both happy. I didn’t even have to do anything for it. How perfect is that?
It’s far better than calling up stores and reducing teenage clerks to tears.
Much more ‘cost-effective’.
BIG ASS YAM!
It’s entirely different when people call me at home.
My number is unlisted, and I do not often answer the phone; my friends know that I am not a phone-social person. Consequently the people who call me are usually selling something.
Years ago, my significant other (Savage Kitten) hollered a phrase into the receiver when someone called: “Mah gurfren’s gotta big-ass yam!”.
[For the background on that surprising utterance, go here: TUBER!]
It had the desired effect. That caller hung up pdq.
Many possible approaches can be used – sometimes I ask the solicitor what he or she is wearing, and then speculate juicily about their hair-colour. That, too, cuts the sales call short.
If you don’t answer their questions in a logical fashion, it throws them for a loop.
Whereas telling them that the person they just asked for is deceased simply gets them to shift tracks, and try to sell that San Francisco Chronicle subscription to whomever with whom they are now speaking.
“So sorry to hear that Mister Boggwhump is dead…. Did he EVER tell you how much he appreciated the up-to-the-minute news, sports, and financial analysis of the SF Chronicle? If you subscribe now for three months at our low low introductory rate, we’ll even run a free obit..…”
Telling them that they just called a crime-scene doesn’t faze them either. They’re teenagers, they live in the Bay Area, they’re working a phone bank to pay for college - their entire life so far has been a crime-scene.
One has to be careful that one doesn’t reduce them to tears with one’s off-kilter responses, however. Teenagers are very fragile. Yelling “get offa mah phone you hairy brute” is just mean. They will weep and hiccough, making you feel rotten for having so scared them.
Far better to just confuse them, and leave them feeling creeped-out.
The perverted approach, when all is said and done, works best. On the phone as well as in real life.
I really wish more teenagers would call. I’m getting so lonely, here in my dank basement apartment.
Paranoia, claustrophobia, and mildew are taking their toll.
How I long to hear those dulcet young voices.
Call me.
And also praised me for even answering the phone. He had, it seems, tried every extension in the company he knew, and I was the only person who answered. I was his last resort. After I helped him, I told him he could call my extension any time – I would be glad to be of assistance.
I was being perfectly honest.
Most of the time, when people call me, it is because they want to give me money. As I am a bill-collector, you will understand that that is a strong incentive.
I pick up the phone, you give me money, and we’re both happy. I didn’t even have to do anything for it. How perfect is that?
It’s far better than calling up stores and reducing teenage clerks to tears.
Much more ‘cost-effective’.
BIG ASS YAM!
It’s entirely different when people call me at home.
My number is unlisted, and I do not often answer the phone; my friends know that I am not a phone-social person. Consequently the people who call me are usually selling something.
Years ago, my significant other (Savage Kitten) hollered a phrase into the receiver when someone called: “Mah gurfren’s gotta big-ass yam!”.
[For the background on that surprising utterance, go here: TUBER!]
It had the desired effect. That caller hung up pdq.
Many possible approaches can be used – sometimes I ask the solicitor what he or she is wearing, and then speculate juicily about their hair-colour. That, too, cuts the sales call short.
If you don’t answer their questions in a logical fashion, it throws them for a loop.
Whereas telling them that the person they just asked for is deceased simply gets them to shift tracks, and try to sell that San Francisco Chronicle subscription to whomever with whom they are now speaking.
“So sorry to hear that Mister Boggwhump is dead…. Did he EVER tell you how much he appreciated the up-to-the-minute news, sports, and financial analysis of the SF Chronicle? If you subscribe now for three months at our low low introductory rate, we’ll even run a free obit..…”
Telling them that they just called a crime-scene doesn’t faze them either. They’re teenagers, they live in the Bay Area, they’re working a phone bank to pay for college - their entire life so far has been a crime-scene.
One has to be careful that one doesn’t reduce them to tears with one’s off-kilter responses, however. Teenagers are very fragile. Yelling “get offa mah phone you hairy brute” is just mean. They will weep and hiccough, making you feel rotten for having so scared them.
Far better to just confuse them, and leave them feeling creeped-out.
The perverted approach, when all is said and done, works best. On the phone as well as in real life.
I really wish more teenagers would call. I’m getting so lonely, here in my dank basement apartment.
Paranoia, claustrophobia, and mildew are taking their toll.
How I long to hear those dulcet young voices.
Call me.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
TEMPTING YOUTH
Smile nicely. Sweet-talk them. Get them to take the bait. Lead them astray, and leave them with a smile on their face.
No, I'm not talking about seducing sweet little teenage girlies.
I'm talking about nice young men.
Over thirty five years ago, back when I was a nice young man - instead of the mean old fart I am now - I walked into a pipestore and bought my first briar. The arrogant snob behind the counter was so displeased at my spending money in his pristine establishment that it was several more months before I purchased any tobacco.
I cannot remember the name of that shop, and in any case I soon discovered a corner tobacconist run by a retired colonial military gentleman, where until I left Valkenswaard I would buy my weekly tin of Balkan Sobranie.
He knew more about cigars than about pipe-tobacco, but he was courteous and full of encouragement. That counts for a lot, as I'm sure you will understand.
Today, while I was smoking a bowlful at the local tobacconist, a young gentleman came in and shyly asked about pipes. Seeing as the owner had his hands full, I helped the virgin.
I showed him various examples (Savinelli, Peterson). We discussed relative qualities, smoking characteristics, keeping one's equipment clean, and packing the bowl. He bought his first pipe and his first pouch of tobacco, and I showed him how to pack it, light it, smoke it, and clean it.
He was positively beaming when I left.
Now, that's what your first pipe should be about: comforting words and a welcome to a new realm of experiences. You have the desire to engage in a delicious filthy habit. How splendid! Let us lure you in! We'll explain what fun awaits!
Those of us who are more experienced must guide you, gently, with encouraging tones.
We are keen to see how you develop; with the right prompting you will happily go through a variety of sultry Oriental mixtures or maidenly Virginias before settling on a particular mistress. Perhaps, like some of us, you will keep a few different blends on your desk, for those occasional lighthearted dalliances. And even, if you have the perverse tendencies that must be kept secret, an aromatic or two - for when you wish a little fragrant depravity.
For your information, this morning I was smoking Three Oaks, manufactured according to Tad Gage's recipe by McClelland Tobacco Company in Kansas City. It was delightful - smoky, resinous, variegated, with a delicate sweetness.
A vibrant mixture with a reek that reminded me of younger years.
I left the store with a smile on my face. Every morning should be so sunny.
TOBACCO INDEX
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
No, I'm not talking about seducing sweet little teenage girlies.
I'm talking about nice young men.
Over thirty five years ago, back when I was a nice young man - instead of the mean old fart I am now - I walked into a pipestore and bought my first briar. The arrogant snob behind the counter was so displeased at my spending money in his pristine establishment that it was several more months before I purchased any tobacco.
I cannot remember the name of that shop, and in any case I soon discovered a corner tobacconist run by a retired colonial military gentleman, where until I left Valkenswaard I would buy my weekly tin of Balkan Sobranie.
He knew more about cigars than about pipe-tobacco, but he was courteous and full of encouragement. That counts for a lot, as I'm sure you will understand.
Today, while I was smoking a bowlful at the local tobacconist, a young gentleman came in and shyly asked about pipes. Seeing as the owner had his hands full, I helped the virgin.
I showed him various examples (Savinelli, Peterson). We discussed relative qualities, smoking characteristics, keeping one's equipment clean, and packing the bowl. He bought his first pipe and his first pouch of tobacco, and I showed him how to pack it, light it, smoke it, and clean it.
He was positively beaming when I left.
Now, that's what your first pipe should be about: comforting words and a welcome to a new realm of experiences. You have the desire to engage in a delicious filthy habit. How splendid! Let us lure you in! We'll explain what fun awaits!
Those of us who are more experienced must guide you, gently, with encouraging tones.
We are keen to see how you develop; with the right prompting you will happily go through a variety of sultry Oriental mixtures or maidenly Virginias before settling on a particular mistress. Perhaps, like some of us, you will keep a few different blends on your desk, for those occasional lighthearted dalliances. And even, if you have the perverse tendencies that must be kept secret, an aromatic or two - for when you wish a little fragrant depravity.
For your information, this morning I was smoking Three Oaks, manufactured according to Tad Gage's recipe by McClelland Tobacco Company in Kansas City. It was delightful - smoky, resinous, variegated, with a delicate sweetness.
A vibrant mixture with a reek that reminded me of younger years.
I left the store with a smile on my face. Every morning should be so sunny.
TOBACCO INDEX
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
HORRID MOVIE
There are times when I really wonder what I did to deserve this.
I am in receipt of a message from someone who means well.
Let me quote just two sentences:
"As the message of the movie is an important one, we would like to give you the opportunity to take it home and view it with family and friends.
Please let me know if you are interested in borrowing the movie for a night or two."
That's very nice. Didn't you wonder why I missed seeing the movie in the first place? Despite several e-mails telling me that you were showing it, and that there would be tofu snax for attendees?
Didn't my rant about bean-eating puritans the other day clue you in that I am not the right demographic?
You know, if you force me to watch that nasty political film (yes yes, I know it's not 'political' in your world, just a 'common sense let us all save the planet and hug wheat germ virtuous message' which you strongly feel everyone should hear) I will probably go out and order some whale meat off the internet. I understand the Japanese are now shipping it world-wide, labeled 'Cetabix' or 'AustraRian WhaRe'.
And I will gladly shoot some money their way if it off-pisses people like you.
Not you personally, you understand - I have to associate with you regularly, there's just no getting around that - but people who resemble you, and have the same insufferable do-gooder tendencies. I'm just grateful that you aren't religious; you could've been a proselytizing Marxist or Presbyterian.
Still. How hopeful and tolerantly patient of us heathen must you be, to continually try to impress your belief system on us, Tinkerbelle?
Don't you EVER despair of us? You must have grasped by now that some of us are in league with the devil, we will not reform no matter what; we are beyond redemption.
It's a matter of choice. We made it, and we're not turning back. Sorry.
If you insist on lending me that movie, I will feed it to the dogs. Rabid feral hungry dogs.
Then I will return the noxious extrudite to you, nicely packaged.
With compliments.
My family and friends do not wish to see the movie either.
I can confidently say that. Please don't ask me again.
I am in receipt of a message from someone who means well.
Let me quote just two sentences:
"As the message of the movie is an important one, we would like to give you the opportunity to take it home and view it with family and friends.
Please let me know if you are interested in borrowing the movie for a night or two."
That's very nice. Didn't you wonder why I missed seeing the movie in the first place? Despite several e-mails telling me that you were showing it, and that there would be tofu snax for attendees?
Didn't my rant about bean-eating puritans the other day clue you in that I am not the right demographic?
You know, if you force me to watch that nasty political film (yes yes, I know it's not 'political' in your world, just a 'common sense let us all save the planet and hug wheat germ virtuous message' which you strongly feel everyone should hear) I will probably go out and order some whale meat off the internet. I understand the Japanese are now shipping it world-wide, labeled 'Cetabix' or 'AustraRian WhaRe'.
And I will gladly shoot some money their way if it off-pisses people like you.
Not you personally, you understand - I have to associate with you regularly, there's just no getting around that - but people who resemble you, and have the same insufferable do-gooder tendencies. I'm just grateful that you aren't religious; you could've been a proselytizing Marxist or Presbyterian.
Still. How hopeful and tolerantly patient of us heathen must you be, to continually try to impress your belief system on us, Tinkerbelle?
Don't you EVER despair of us? You must have grasped by now that some of us are in league with the devil, we will not reform no matter what; we are beyond redemption.
It's a matter of choice. We made it, and we're not turning back. Sorry.
If you insist on lending me that movie, I will feed it to the dogs. Rabid feral hungry dogs.
Then I will return the noxious extrudite to you, nicely packaged.
With compliments.
My family and friends do not wish to see the movie either.
I can confidently say that. Please don't ask me again.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
AH, THE FLOWERS!
Please make no mistake: I am as prurient as the next guy. By which I mean that like many normal people, I thoroughly appreciate such things as visible panty lines, the delicate sheen of a high-quality bra through the fabric of a blouse that isn't quite as opaque as you think it is, the texture of lace under silk, or even that you have buttery crumbs on your ... décolletage.
Yes. Indeed.
However, if you are going to wear a lovely summer frock, please make sure it fits. Specifically, that it fits over the chest area.
Last night I was on the cablecar heading home.
As is my custom when on a cablecar that contains ladies and old people, I stood.
I did not know where to put my eyes.
One young lady was just a bit too tight. One young lady had major wide short-sleeve issues. The third young lady, seated right in front of me, was Chinese.
Her lovely summer frock was NOT designed for Chinese people.
I'm not sure if you realize it, but when the front area is looser than your praise-worthy errrrrrrms can fill, your dress will bag out a bit.
You have a lovely bra.
Yes, I tried looking straight ahead - the glass behind your seat was reflective.
I tried looking off to the side - and yes, there's more glass there.
Moving to a different location in the cablecar was not an option - it was far too crowded to do so...... and did I already mention the tight dress and the sleeve issues on the other two young ladies?
Not that I'm complaining, you understand. And it wasn't your fault, you were impeccably dressed. The effect was both modest, and stylish. The accidental frontal looseness was also very becoming. But I try to be a gentleman about these things; not only because I feel that even in public one should be aware of other people's "privacy", also because one should not stare.
If it had not been so crowded, and if there had not been so many reflective surfaces, I would still have been keenly aware of the front gap - peripheral vision is the elderly lecher's diplomatic friend. Perhaps I wouldn't have known of the lovely bra - that was a vantage point issue that you were probably not aware of. But yes. Very nice.
I spent ten minutes trying to be as unaware as possible of your fine qualities.
It was incredibly difficult.
Had I been a much younger man, I probably would've asked your name and phone number.
You have lovely skin.
I really hope that the weather stays this beautiful.
Yes. Indeed.
However, if you are going to wear a lovely summer frock, please make sure it fits. Specifically, that it fits over the chest area.
Last night I was on the cablecar heading home.
As is my custom when on a cablecar that contains ladies and old people, I stood.
I did not know where to put my eyes.
One young lady was just a bit too tight. One young lady had major wide short-sleeve issues. The third young lady, seated right in front of me, was Chinese.
Her lovely summer frock was NOT designed for Chinese people.
I'm not sure if you realize it, but when the front area is looser than your praise-worthy errrrrrrms can fill, your dress will bag out a bit.
You have a lovely bra.
Yes, I tried looking straight ahead - the glass behind your seat was reflective.
I tried looking off to the side - and yes, there's more glass there.
Moving to a different location in the cablecar was not an option - it was far too crowded to do so...... and did I already mention the tight dress and the sleeve issues on the other two young ladies?
Not that I'm complaining, you understand. And it wasn't your fault, you were impeccably dressed. The effect was both modest, and stylish. The accidental frontal looseness was also very becoming. But I try to be a gentleman about these things; not only because I feel that even in public one should be aware of other people's "privacy", also because one should not stare.
If it had not been so crowded, and if there had not been so many reflective surfaces, I would still have been keenly aware of the front gap - peripheral vision is the elderly lecher's diplomatic friend. Perhaps I wouldn't have known of the lovely bra - that was a vantage point issue that you were probably not aware of. But yes. Very nice.
I spent ten minutes trying to be as unaware as possible of your fine qualities.
It was incredibly difficult.
Had I been a much younger man, I probably would've asked your name and phone number.
You have lovely skin.
I really hope that the weather stays this beautiful.
Monday, May 03, 2010
BOOKBURNING IS A JEWISH THING
Yes, you read that correctly. But let me explain.
In the year 1242 the Franciscan monks burned several cartloads of books in a square in Paris.
In 1933, German university students burned more than twenty five thousand volumes at mass rallies.
At Lag B'Omer bonfires in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Har Meron, copies of Dovbear on the Parsha were cast into the flames.
This act was described here:
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2010/05/lag-baomer-targetting-obama-and-dovbear.html
Referenced in passing here:
http://dovbear.blogspot.com/2010/05/do-i-accept-rambams-8th.html
And discussed here.
http://hamekubal.blogspot.com/2010/05/dovbear-burning.html
PLEASE NOTE: NONE OF THE BLOGS CITED ABOVE APPROVED OF THE ACT IN ANY WAY!
Now, what do the book burning in 1242, the book burning in 1933, and the book burning in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Har Meron in 2010 all have in common?
Stuff written by Jews.
Book burning, clearly, is a Jewish thing. Leastways, it more often than not seems to involve Jewish authors. It's traditional.
"The era of extreme Jewish intellectualism is now at an end."[ɡɜrbəlz]
Frankly, I think that the people who cast books into the flames in 1242, 1933, and 2010 are morons, not deserving of any consideration. Ambulating garbage, and hardly sentient.
I may be judging them harshly.
But, to show that you have taken their sincere opinions about the books they so disliked into account, even that you understand precisely why they objected to those books, please go here:
https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyProduct=3383612
Buy at least TWO copies - one for yourself, one for a friend.
Maybe even three - your public library also needs a copy.
APPROPRIATE MUSIC
Oh, and you might also want to listen to something upbeat while you reread the posts by Dovbear, Jameel, and Mekubal to which I have linked. Here are two renditions of a tune that is particularly appropriate: Version ONE, and TWO.
I find this composition inspiring, educational even. The best version is probably the one in Last Crusade, but I haven't been able to find that on youtube in several years - it may have been removed because of copyright infringement. It is perhaps the best known visual associated with the tune - very lagbomerish indeed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This reminds me that I seriously need to order several more copies to give to friends.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the year 1242 the Franciscan monks burned several cartloads of books in a square in Paris.
In 1933, German university students burned more than twenty five thousand volumes at mass rallies.
At Lag B'Omer bonfires in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Har Meron, copies of Dovbear on the Parsha were cast into the flames.
This act was described here:
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2010/05/lag-baomer-targetting-obama-and-dovbear.html
Referenced in passing here:
http://dovbear.blogspot.com/2010/05/do-i-accept-rambams-8th.html
And discussed here.
http://hamekubal.blogspot.com/2010/05/dovbear-burning.html
PLEASE NOTE: NONE OF THE BLOGS CITED ABOVE APPROVED OF THE ACT IN ANY WAY!
Now, what do the book burning in 1242, the book burning in 1933, and the book burning in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Har Meron in 2010 all have in common?
Stuff written by Jews.
Book burning, clearly, is a Jewish thing. Leastways, it more often than not seems to involve Jewish authors. It's traditional.
"The era of extreme Jewish intellectualism is now at an end."[ɡɜrbəlz]
Frankly, I think that the people who cast books into the flames in 1242, 1933, and 2010 are morons, not deserving of any consideration. Ambulating garbage, and hardly sentient.
I may be judging them harshly.
But, to show that you have taken their sincere opinions about the books they so disliked into account, even that you understand precisely why they objected to those books, please go here:
https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyProduct=3383612
Buy at least TWO copies - one for yourself, one for a friend.
Maybe even three - your public library also needs a copy.
APPROPRIATE MUSIC
Oh, and you might also want to listen to something upbeat while you reread the posts by Dovbear, Jameel, and Mekubal to which I have linked. Here are two renditions of a tune that is particularly appropriate: Version ONE, and TWO.
I find this composition inspiring, educational even. The best version is probably the one in Last Crusade, but I haven't been able to find that on youtube in several years - it may have been removed because of copyright infringement. It is perhaps the best known visual associated with the tune - very lagbomerish indeed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This reminds me that I seriously need to order several more copies to give to friends.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 02, 2010
GEERT WILDERS RANT
Geert Wilders - good or bad for Israel?
Geert Wilders sides with Israel for many of the same reasons that the neo-nazi Flemish nationalists smile upon the Jews of Antwerp: they hate Arabs. The perception of a common enemy, even if opportunistic and assumed, masks significant differences.
That Wilders and the pro-Israel camp may seem on the same page does not mean that there is anything more than a concomitancy of convenience, certainly not a fundamental concord.
BEYOND A FRINGE
Geert Wilders' intemperate remarks, especially in Dutch, attract more extremists than are good for any side.
When there are race-riots in Holland, it will be because of his statements. And the excesses that will be committed will also tar Israel - because it will be Israel's supporters and fellow travelers who will have committed them. That, in any case, will be the perception.
You are judged by your friends and especially your ideological associates.
What he says drives more people in the Netherlands away from the American and Israeli side than it attracts, and a huge percentage of the people who are attracted are not a blessing.
They are not quite as bad as “White Stormfront Netherlands”, but a large number are definitely in the vicinity of that ballpark.
Think of many of his supporters in Europe as being Fascist-Lite ('now with fewer calories, also fewer brain cells').
THE DUTCH WOMB
Unless you read Dutch (I do), speak Dutch (I do), and write Dutch (I do), and know Dutch history (I do), particularly the political history of the post-Napoleonic development of Dutch parliamentary democracy (I do), the political developments in the Netherlands since WWII (I do), and most especially have familiarized yourself thoroughly with Dutch politics and society in the post cold-war period (I did), and more to the point: lived there (I did, nearly two decades), use Dutch on a Daily basis (I do), and know the peculiarities of Dutch society (I do); unless all of that, whatever you say about Geert Wilders and Dutch society is more than likely wrong.
People who do not speak, read, and write Dutch have no way of understanding the social and political context of Geert Wilders' remarks and statements in Dutch. Like Yasser Arafat, he speaks differently in his own language to his own people than he does when he's playing to the English-speaking peanut gallery. His demographic in the Netherlands is absolutely not the same is his audience in the English-speaking world.
Add to that the fact that the Dutch legal, social, and political frameworks are also quite different, and the chance of being staggeringly, inanely off-kilter in one's worship of the sainted Wilders go through the roof.
TUMULT AND DISCORD
Frankly, all those Pamela Geller types who rant Geert Wilders' praises, while demonstrating that he is the only contemporary Dutchman of whom they have even heard, and that his party is virtually the only exposure they've had to Dutch politics, should shut the F up.
I really mean that.
Americans pontificating about Geert Wilders are irritating fools.
Period.
I can recommend several books about the Netherlands for the interested.
For those who prefer Wikipedia, it would do you no harm to start reading at Egmont, Johan De Witt, Batavian Republic, Baron Van Lynden van Sandenburg, Thorbecke ........ just a few names for you to start.
Let me know when you hit Biesheuvel, Den Uyl, Van Agt, Lubbers, and maybe we can talk.
Please note: While I disagree with much that Geert has to say, I thoroughly despise many of the same people and organizations that he opposes.
Particularly the PvdA and the SP.
And also, do please note that Geert Wilders is one of those Europeans in favour of bailing out of Afhganistan and leaving the USA to clean up the mess. Which was made particularly clear at the time that the Balkenende Cabinet collapsed back in February.
In this regard, he is on exactly the same page as the Dutch socialists, whether labour (PvdA) or rebranded Stalinist (SP).
Quote:
"Voor de PVV is het helder: weg uit Uruzgan, weg uit Afghanistan. Natuurlijk moet de Taliban worden bestreden, maar niet meer, voor zover we dat al deden, door Nederland. Ons land heeft meer dan genoeg gedaan. Het is mooi geweest. "
End quote.
[Translation: 'For the PVV it is clear; get out of Uruzgan, get out of Afghanistan. Of course the Taliban must be fought, but no longer, insofar as we actually did fight them, by the Netherlands. Our nation has done more than enough. It's been fine.']
On a completely irrelevant side-note, the next time some dumbass twenty-something fool starts fondly reminiscing about hashish, the red light district, tolerance, and tulips, I very well may commit manslaughter.
Lastly, I do not apologize for the arrogant tone of this post.
Feel free to disagree with whatever I have said - any comments you choose to leave here will probably amuse me - but do not expect me to take your opinions seriously; it is quite likely that I will not.
Geert Wilders sides with Israel for many of the same reasons that the neo-nazi Flemish nationalists smile upon the Jews of Antwerp: they hate Arabs. The perception of a common enemy, even if opportunistic and assumed, masks significant differences.
That Wilders and the pro-Israel camp may seem on the same page does not mean that there is anything more than a concomitancy of convenience, certainly not a fundamental concord.
BEYOND A FRINGE
Geert Wilders' intemperate remarks, especially in Dutch, attract more extremists than are good for any side.
When there are race-riots in Holland, it will be because of his statements. And the excesses that will be committed will also tar Israel - because it will be Israel's supporters and fellow travelers who will have committed them. That, in any case, will be the perception.
You are judged by your friends and especially your ideological associates.
What he says drives more people in the Netherlands away from the American and Israeli side than it attracts, and a huge percentage of the people who are attracted are not a blessing.
They are not quite as bad as “White Stormfront Netherlands”, but a large number are definitely in the vicinity of that ballpark.
Think of many of his supporters in Europe as being Fascist-Lite ('now with fewer calories, also fewer brain cells').
THE DUTCH WOMB
Unless you read Dutch (I do), speak Dutch (I do), and write Dutch (I do), and know Dutch history (I do), particularly the political history of the post-Napoleonic development of Dutch parliamentary democracy (I do), the political developments in the Netherlands since WWII (I do), and most especially have familiarized yourself thoroughly with Dutch politics and society in the post cold-war period (I did), and more to the point: lived there (I did, nearly two decades), use Dutch on a Daily basis (I do), and know the peculiarities of Dutch society (I do); unless all of that, whatever you say about Geert Wilders and Dutch society is more than likely wrong.
People who do not speak, read, and write Dutch have no way of understanding the social and political context of Geert Wilders' remarks and statements in Dutch. Like Yasser Arafat, he speaks differently in his own language to his own people than he does when he's playing to the English-speaking peanut gallery. His demographic in the Netherlands is absolutely not the same is his audience in the English-speaking world.
Add to that the fact that the Dutch legal, social, and political frameworks are also quite different, and the chance of being staggeringly, inanely off-kilter in one's worship of the sainted Wilders go through the roof.
TUMULT AND DISCORD
Frankly, all those Pamela Geller types who rant Geert Wilders' praises, while demonstrating that he is the only contemporary Dutchman of whom they have even heard, and that his party is virtually the only exposure they've had to Dutch politics, should shut the F up.
I really mean that.
Americans pontificating about Geert Wilders are irritating fools.
Period.
I can recommend several books about the Netherlands for the interested.
For those who prefer Wikipedia, it would do you no harm to start reading at Egmont, Johan De Witt, Batavian Republic, Baron Van Lynden van Sandenburg, Thorbecke ........ just a few names for you to start.
Let me know when you hit Biesheuvel, Den Uyl, Van Agt, Lubbers, and maybe we can talk.
Please note: While I disagree with much that Geert has to say, I thoroughly despise many of the same people and organizations that he opposes.
Particularly the PvdA and the SP.
And also, do please note that Geert Wilders is one of those Europeans in favour of bailing out of Afhganistan and leaving the USA to clean up the mess. Which was made particularly clear at the time that the Balkenende Cabinet collapsed back in February.
In this regard, he is on exactly the same page as the Dutch socialists, whether labour (PvdA) or rebranded Stalinist (SP).
Quote:
"Voor de PVV is het helder: weg uit Uruzgan, weg uit Afghanistan. Natuurlijk moet de Taliban worden bestreden, maar niet meer, voor zover we dat al deden, door Nederland. Ons land heeft meer dan genoeg gedaan. Het is mooi geweest. "
End quote.
[Translation: 'For the PVV it is clear; get out of Uruzgan, get out of Afghanistan. Of course the Taliban must be fought, but no longer, insofar as we actually did fight them, by the Netherlands. Our nation has done more than enough. It's been fine.']
On a completely irrelevant side-note, the next time some dumbass twenty-something fool starts fondly reminiscing about hashish, the red light district, tolerance, and tulips, I very well may commit manslaughter.
Lastly, I do not apologize for the arrogant tone of this post.
Feel free to disagree with whatever I have said - any comments you choose to leave here will probably amuse me - but do not expect me to take your opinions seriously; it is quite likely that I will not.
Friday, April 30, 2010
NETANYAHU'S STRIDENT GADFLY GLICK
A friend drew my attention to a column by Caroline Glick, hack for the Jerusalem Post, in this week's Jewish World Review.
It is, alas, as typical a pile of Glick as you can get.
Caroline Glick has joined the chorus yelling that the Democrats in Washington are all a bunch of hatefilled anti-Semitic pussies.
" In the midst of the Obama administration's assault on Israel..."
Quote:
Last month's letter to Clinton was much more circumscribed. It focused solely on ending the Obama administration's very public assault on Israel and ignored the nature of that assault. At the insistence of the Democrats, the administration was not criticized for its bigoted demand that Jews not be allowed to construct new homes in Jewish neighborhoods in Israel's capital city.
This week Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat visited Washington. Congressmen Eric Cantor and Peter Roskam — the Republican co-chairmen of the House's Israel caucus — held a public event with Barkat where they voiced strong support for Israel's right to build in Jerusalem without restrictions.
In contrast, their Democratic counterparts refused to meet publicly with Barkat.End quote.
[SOURCE: http://jewishworldreview.com/0410/glick043010.php3 ]
Not content with being snippy about perceived slights, she then continues her tirade by accusing American Jews of partisan blindness.
Quote:To date, both the Israeli government and AIPAC have denied the existence of a partisan divide. This has been due in part to their unwillingness to contend with the new situation. One of Israel's greatest assets in the US has been the fact that support for the Jewish state has always been bipartisan. It is hard to accept that the Democrats are jumping ship.
AIPAC also has institutional reasons for papering over the erosion in Democratic support for Israel. First, most of its members are Democrats. Indeed, AIPAC's new President Lee Rosenberg was one of Obama's biggest fundraisers.
End quote.
For decades, Israelis have happily slandered American Jews, while regularly coming over here to fress with the American Jewish machers.
Maybe Caroline Glick should think twice before attempting so transparent a smear on someone who is the most important macher at this time.
[The anti-Semites and Euries have also made a big deal of Lee Rosenberg's connection to Obama. According to them, it is absolute proof that the Jews control the White House. Amazing how it means different unpleasant things to different kinds of Obama-haters.]
BIBI
What is remarkable is that even people who loathe Netanyahu have stilled their sniping at him out of a passionate hatred of Obama.
If Israelis really want our support, perhaps they should stop calling us and our leaders names and making us out for a bunch of patsies to be bled regularly for money by their questionable charities.
It would also do no harm if they showed some rectitude, rather than being constantly embroiled in corruption scandals, official malfeasance, as well as a notorious rape case - which, by the way, illustrates abundantly the sexism of many Israelis; a common middle-eastern defect.
Frankly, I find Caroline Glick’s attack on AIPAC distasteful.
Her strident hysteria of several years (the sky is falling, the sky is falling) is a matter of tiresome record.
Nor should she cut Netanyahu so much slack. Netanyahu is probably the worst thing to have happened for Israeli-U.S. relations in several years, besides being in many ways a slick conman but a lousy diplomat.
[Her support for Netanyahu against Obama is, in fact, understandable - she worked for Bibi when he was prime minister in the nineties. In the Israeli political world, that connection counts for more than blood ties.]
Caroline Glick's narrowness of vision is as evident as her biases; she needs to get her head out of the gutter of Yerushalmi politics and her mental crotch out of Tea-party laps.
=================================================
AFTERWORD
My support for Israel is based on certain concomitancies of purpose, ideals, and culture, many key affinities, and a sense of justice. It is NOT based on my greatly liking Israel or other nations, nor was it lessened when that dunce from Texas and his good ole boy party were in power. I do not hold it against Israel that many of her supporters in the United States are inbred Jed; that situation is unfortunate, and a grave potential liability.
It would be better if both Americans and Israelis could be more bipartisan, but that, evidently, is too much to hope for.
And, for the record, if I were Israeli I would vote for Likud. Even with Netanyahu.
It is, alas, as typical a pile of Glick as you can get.
Caroline Glick has joined the chorus yelling that the Democrats in Washington are all a bunch of hatefilled anti-Semitic pussies.
" In the midst of the Obama administration's assault on Israel..."
Quote:
Last month's letter to Clinton was much more circumscribed. It focused solely on ending the Obama administration's very public assault on Israel and ignored the nature of that assault. At the insistence of the Democrats, the administration was not criticized for its bigoted demand that Jews not be allowed to construct new homes in Jewish neighborhoods in Israel's capital city.
This week Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat visited Washington. Congressmen Eric Cantor and Peter Roskam — the Republican co-chairmen of the House's Israel caucus — held a public event with Barkat where they voiced strong support for Israel's right to build in Jerusalem without restrictions.
In contrast, their Democratic counterparts refused to meet publicly with Barkat.End quote.
[SOURCE: http://jewishworldreview.com/0410/glick043010.php3 ]
Not content with being snippy about perceived slights, she then continues her tirade by accusing American Jews of partisan blindness.
Quote:To date, both the Israeli government and AIPAC have denied the existence of a partisan divide. This has been due in part to their unwillingness to contend with the new situation. One of Israel's greatest assets in the US has been the fact that support for the Jewish state has always been bipartisan. It is hard to accept that the Democrats are jumping ship.
AIPAC also has institutional reasons for papering over the erosion in Democratic support for Israel. First, most of its members are Democrats. Indeed, AIPAC's new President Lee Rosenberg was one of Obama's biggest fundraisers.
End quote.
For decades, Israelis have happily slandered American Jews, while regularly coming over here to fress with the American Jewish machers.
Maybe Caroline Glick should think twice before attempting so transparent a smear on someone who is the most important macher at this time.
[The anti-Semites and Euries have also made a big deal of Lee Rosenberg's connection to Obama. According to them, it is absolute proof that the Jews control the White House. Amazing how it means different unpleasant things to different kinds of Obama-haters.]
BIBI
What is remarkable is that even people who loathe Netanyahu have stilled their sniping at him out of a passionate hatred of Obama.
If Israelis really want our support, perhaps they should stop calling us and our leaders names and making us out for a bunch of patsies to be bled regularly for money by their questionable charities.
It would also do no harm if they showed some rectitude, rather than being constantly embroiled in corruption scandals, official malfeasance, as well as a notorious rape case - which, by the way, illustrates abundantly the sexism of many Israelis; a common middle-eastern defect.
Frankly, I find Caroline Glick’s attack on AIPAC distasteful.
Her strident hysteria of several years (the sky is falling, the sky is falling) is a matter of tiresome record.
Nor should she cut Netanyahu so much slack. Netanyahu is probably the worst thing to have happened for Israeli-U.S. relations in several years, besides being in many ways a slick conman but a lousy diplomat.
[Her support for Netanyahu against Obama is, in fact, understandable - she worked for Bibi when he was prime minister in the nineties. In the Israeli political world, that connection counts for more than blood ties.]
Caroline Glick's narrowness of vision is as evident as her biases; she needs to get her head out of the gutter of Yerushalmi politics and her mental crotch out of Tea-party laps.
=================================================
AFTERWORD
My support for Israel is based on certain concomitancies of purpose, ideals, and culture, many key affinities, and a sense of justice. It is NOT based on my greatly liking Israel or other nations, nor was it lessened when that dunce from Texas and his good ole boy party were in power. I do not hold it against Israel that many of her supporters in the United States are inbred Jed; that situation is unfortunate, and a grave potential liability.
It would be better if both Americans and Israelis could be more bipartisan, but that, evidently, is too much to hope for.
And, for the record, if I were Israeli I would vote for Likud. Even with Netanyahu.
LETTER TO AN ISRAELI
You are a moron. My dislike of white Christians is intramural – my family is sodden with white Christians, representing primarily thirteen generations of Dutch Calvinists in America (white Christians par excellence, nota bene), and there isn’t a Jew in the bunch. And I have NO problem with that. Furthermore, whatever conflict I have with their religious points of view is doctrinal - again intramural (do you even know what Dutch Reformed means?), and my intense dislike (not bigotry, dislike - please grasp that there is a difference) of many other Christians is well founded on their deviance from doctrinal clarity, and often, civilized norms.
[And let's leave Jesus out of this - that man has never been fundamental to my scriptural point of view.]
And as for the Europeans - on the whole, they are supercilious sneeringly superior pigs. They excel at bloodshed, but still think that bathing every day is an American affectation. Like the Arabs and much of the third world they despise Americans, so screw them all.
You will probably get along famously with them.
What you clearly FAIL to understand, perhaps because you are a mannerless swine, is that offensive jokes of any kind are a discourtesy of staggering proportions. Again, I care not one whit what is normal in Israel or anywhere else. It's about derech eretz.
Something in which some Israelis need brushing up, evidently.
If you had been here a while, and knew anything about me and other commenters, you would neither have committed the insulting error of posting that nasty joke, nor have so glibly and quickly have rushed to defend it and the proste attitudes underlying it.
Gey un' lern, paskudniyok.
======================================================
NAWOORD
The 'letter' above was a continuation of the conversation below.
[And let's leave Jesus out of this - that man has never been fundamental to my scriptural point of view.]
And as for the Europeans - on the whole, they are supercilious sneeringly superior pigs. They excel at bloodshed, but still think that bathing every day is an American affectation. Like the Arabs and much of the third world they despise Americans, so screw them all.
You will probably get along famously with them.
What you clearly FAIL to understand, perhaps because you are a mannerless swine, is that offensive jokes of any kind are a discourtesy of staggering proportions. Again, I care not one whit what is normal in Israel or anywhere else. It's about derech eretz.
Something in which some Israelis need brushing up, evidently.
If you had been here a while, and knew anything about me and other commenters, you would neither have committed the insulting error of posting that nasty joke, nor have so glibly and quickly have rushed to defend it and the proste attitudes underlying it.
Gey un' lern, paskudniyok.
======================================================
NAWOORD
The 'letter' above was a continuation of the conversation below.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
EXCEPT IF YOU'RE BELGIAN
Posting a conversation here that took place on someone else's blog.
I am the commenter identified as 'Bad Penguin'.
General Jones
How do you know Chinese people move into your neighborhood ?
The Mexicans start to buy car insurance
Yesterday, 5:03:07 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
QUOTE: How do you know Chinese people move into your neighborhood ?
The Mexicans start to buy car insurance END QUOTE.
That is probably the most fricking bigoted racist thing I have seen in these comments! Tell me, General Jones, do you have ANY friends? Or are you so tightly sequestered in your own vile pit that no one, not even your bastard children and your inbred kin stick their long lizard-like necks out to contact you?
Yesterday, 6:19:11 PM
Guest 2
Oh geez. whats with this ethnic hypersensitivity? Its a joke. Why is it amongst Israelis, they tell jokes right and left about different ethnicities (crude ones too) and everyone laughs, and here people call each other bigots? Its a joke, nothing more.
Today, 12:05:06 AM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
Guest 2 - Are you dense? Stereotypic jokes are not just jokes, they reflect attitudes. When a Goy tells a joke of which a Jew is both the butt and the point, using tropes about stingy hooknosed Jews, what does that say? How about rape jokes? Do you really think that your female kin appreciate those?
What Israelis do is mir gonz sheiss egal - it is immaterial. Cultural relativism is a load of horsepucky - we do not pardon the Yemenites their ideas about child-brides, we do not absolve the Saudis their reprehensible attitudes towards Jews and Christians, and we do not say Bravo when a Turk, Pakistani, or Palestinian kills his sister. Yes, that's what they DO there. And yes, it is part of their way of life. It nevertheless remains absolutely barbaric, and those people are uncivilized.
Again, do you like Jew jokes that aren't laughing WITH you, but AT you?
And if you do, have you sought therapy?
Today, 9:49:36 AM
Guest 2
I love Jewish jokes and I don't mind them. Just like I enjoy telling Persian jokes when persians are not around, Morrocan jokes when Morrocan Jews are not around, Chinese Jokes when Chinese jokes are not around and black jokes when blacks are not allowed. We laugh, that is it. You make it more of an issue than it really is. I think people need to stop being hypersensitive about them. Every stereotype has some truth to it and its not a problem to laugh at them.
Rape jokes???? seriously? so its a black and white issue? a joke on Jewish stereotype now is the same as me saying its funny to see a girl get raped?
Today, 10:06:10 AM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
The crucial difference is whether the joke is laughing WITH the subject, or AT the subject.
Telling a joke which shows a sly appreciation of a positive quality is a priori far less offensive, and less likely to offend.
But a joke that makes fun of someone, especially if it uses a negative, unjust, or racist stereotype, is funny only in a bigoted sense, and only to a bigot. Even more so if it highlights how different 'those' people are - and by implication how superior the teller of the anecdote is.
The joke cited above is clearly one of the latter. The negative stereotype about the Chinese is that they can't drive, the negative stereotype about the Mexicans that they are irresponsible, carefree, and by implication too damn lazy and stupid to get insurance unless it's clear even to them that it has become desperately necessary to do so. The implication is that Chinese and Mexicans are not the same as nice normal white folks - they're horrible drivers, irresponsible, shiftless, and bad for the neighborhood.
And yes, rape jokes also exist.
QUOTE: "...and black jokes when blacks are not allowed"
Errrrrrm, what?!?!?! Are you hanging around the country club again?
-------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, there are as yet no jokes about shiftless 'entitled' white twenty-somethings urinating in residential doorways near nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights. That, personally, is a group that I would love to have jokes about. Damned trustfund hippies! San Francisco just hasn't been the same since that bunch started moving out here.
Today, 12:32:34 PM
Guest 2
I meant when blacks are not around.
Hey, call me a bigot. You are around Israelis, we laugh at everyone and each ethnicities. You want to tell me that its bigoted to make fun of Persians being cheap in business when a Persian is not around? Stereotypes are there for a reason and we all just need to a laugh a bit. You are the one making a bigger issue of this and being hyper sensitive. Its time to be less thin-skinned.
The Chinese jokes in question is old. People tell it over and over again and I have heard if from Chinese. So your response would be, "well, its different when you are laughing WITH them" But that is ridiculous. Something totally offensive and crude and of bad taste is just that no matter if you laugh with them or at them.
Today, 2:06:06 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
"Something totally offensive and crude and of bad taste is just that no matter if you laugh with them or at them. " EXACTLY!
That is, in a very large part, precisely the point!
If the stereotype is positive, OR something the group in question themselves laugh at ('the Dutch are notorious tightwads, but clever and savvy merchants') then there is far far less chance that it will be (quite as) offensive.
If the stereotype is negative ('all Belgians are near-moronic, stupid beyond compare, dense and dullwitted'), it is by definition offensive, even if the group in question can laugh at the joke ('Belgians are a remarkably cheerful lot'), hideously offensive if they do not appreciate it. In such a case, even if there is an element of truth ('Belgians are a cheerful lot'), or even entirely true ('all Belgians are near-moronic, stupid beyond compare, dense and dullwitted'), it is beyond the pale.
People will often laugh in order not to be perceived as a buzzkill or sh*tdisturber, and self-depreciation is often a form of adapting to one's social environment. That doesn't mean that the joke isn't offensive.
If, like Mexicans and Chinese in the US, there is a history of discrimination and violence towards the 'not-like-us' group by the societal majority, any 'ethnic' jokes can be thinly iced. That joke about Chinese and Mexicans is absolutely sufficient reason for an ass-whupping.
Though perhaps not in Texas. Or Israel.
...
Jokes about the Dutch? Those are quite alright - after all, even though we're notorious tightwads, we're also clever and savvy merchants.
Jokes about Chinese accents (or driving habits) and Black people's hair? Well, do you really want to talk about YOUR honky attitude and the guilt you share for four five centuries of exploitative imperialism, lynchings, beatings, slavery, indentured servitude, the opium wars, and cherry blossom sex tourism? Do you? Do you really?
Okay, okay, okay - we 'get' that as a Jew you've also been on the other side, and that, personally, YOU had nothing to do with any of those things. And you were born in the seventies, long after the bad old days had ended. You, personally, are blameless. And we do like the modern world, everyone's 'equal' now. Cool.
How about the old joke about the difference between a Jew and a Pizza?
And yes, I can find a Chinese person married to a Mexican to tell it to you.
...
So these two Martians happen to bump into each other on a street in Manhattan.......
Today, 3:08:49 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
PLEASE NOTE: The comment above reflects social verities in California. We have no idea what the rest of the country is like on this issue, let alone the rest of the world. And frankly, we don't actually care.
Like slavery, Yemenite child marriages, Eastern European Gypsy abuse, or Sudanese ethnocide, it doesn't really matter that it is a treasured part of the local culture somewhere else, and quite the done thing - it still ain't civilized. So stop. Stop it. If you can't be like us, there's something wrong with you. Seriously.
Today, 3:14:51 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
Except if you're Belgian. Then we realize that life is hard enough for you already, and you need all the understanding that we are capable of. You poor thing, you just can't help yourself! There there.
Today, 3:16:39 PM
----------------------------------------------------
AFTERWORD
No Belgians were harmed in the making of this post. We tried - lord knows we tried - but they're slippery little bastards, kind of like eels, and somehow, well, you know how it is.
In the end, they all got away.
Better luck next time.
I am the commenter identified as 'Bad Penguin'.
General Jones
How do you know Chinese people move into your neighborhood ?
The Mexicans start to buy car insurance
Yesterday, 5:03:07 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
QUOTE: How do you know Chinese people move into your neighborhood ?
The Mexicans start to buy car insurance END QUOTE.
That is probably the most fricking bigoted racist thing I have seen in these comments! Tell me, General Jones, do you have ANY friends? Or are you so tightly sequestered in your own vile pit that no one, not even your bastard children and your inbred kin stick their long lizard-like necks out to contact you?
Yesterday, 6:19:11 PM
Guest 2
Oh geez. whats with this ethnic hypersensitivity? Its a joke. Why is it amongst Israelis, they tell jokes right and left about different ethnicities (crude ones too) and everyone laughs, and here people call each other bigots? Its a joke, nothing more.
Today, 12:05:06 AM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
Guest 2 - Are you dense? Stereotypic jokes are not just jokes, they reflect attitudes. When a Goy tells a joke of which a Jew is both the butt and the point, using tropes about stingy hooknosed Jews, what does that say? How about rape jokes? Do you really think that your female kin appreciate those?
What Israelis do is mir gonz sheiss egal - it is immaterial. Cultural relativism is a load of horsepucky - we do not pardon the Yemenites their ideas about child-brides, we do not absolve the Saudis their reprehensible attitudes towards Jews and Christians, and we do not say Bravo when a Turk, Pakistani, or Palestinian kills his sister. Yes, that's what they DO there. And yes, it is part of their way of life. It nevertheless remains absolutely barbaric, and those people are uncivilized.
Again, do you like Jew jokes that aren't laughing WITH you, but AT you?
And if you do, have you sought therapy?
Today, 9:49:36 AM
Guest 2
I love Jewish jokes and I don't mind them. Just like I enjoy telling Persian jokes when persians are not around, Morrocan jokes when Morrocan Jews are not around, Chinese Jokes when Chinese jokes are not around and black jokes when blacks are not allowed. We laugh, that is it. You make it more of an issue than it really is. I think people need to stop being hypersensitive about them. Every stereotype has some truth to it and its not a problem to laugh at them.
Rape jokes???? seriously? so its a black and white issue? a joke on Jewish stereotype now is the same as me saying its funny to see a girl get raped?
Today, 10:06:10 AM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
The crucial difference is whether the joke is laughing WITH the subject, or AT the subject.
Telling a joke which shows a sly appreciation of a positive quality is a priori far less offensive, and less likely to offend.
But a joke that makes fun of someone, especially if it uses a negative, unjust, or racist stereotype, is funny only in a bigoted sense, and only to a bigot. Even more so if it highlights how different 'those' people are - and by implication how superior the teller of the anecdote is.
The joke cited above is clearly one of the latter. The negative stereotype about the Chinese is that they can't drive, the negative stereotype about the Mexicans that they are irresponsible, carefree, and by implication too damn lazy and stupid to get insurance unless it's clear even to them that it has become desperately necessary to do so. The implication is that Chinese and Mexicans are not the same as nice normal white folks - they're horrible drivers, irresponsible, shiftless, and bad for the neighborhood.
And yes, rape jokes also exist.
QUOTE: "...and black jokes when blacks are not allowed"
Errrrrrm, what?!?!?! Are you hanging around the country club again?
-------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, there are as yet no jokes about shiftless 'entitled' white twenty-somethings urinating in residential doorways near nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights. That, personally, is a group that I would love to have jokes about. Damned trustfund hippies! San Francisco just hasn't been the same since that bunch started moving out here.
Today, 12:32:34 PM
Guest 2
I meant when blacks are not around.
Hey, call me a bigot. You are around Israelis, we laugh at everyone and each ethnicities. You want to tell me that its bigoted to make fun of Persians being cheap in business when a Persian is not around? Stereotypes are there for a reason and we all just need to a laugh a bit. You are the one making a bigger issue of this and being hyper sensitive. Its time to be less thin-skinned.
The Chinese jokes in question is old. People tell it over and over again and I have heard if from Chinese. So your response would be, "well, its different when you are laughing WITH them" But that is ridiculous. Something totally offensive and crude and of bad taste is just that no matter if you laugh with them or at them.
Today, 2:06:06 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
"Something totally offensive and crude and of bad taste is just that no matter if you laugh with them or at them. " EXACTLY!
That is, in a very large part, precisely the point!
If the stereotype is positive, OR something the group in question themselves laugh at ('the Dutch are notorious tightwads, but clever and savvy merchants') then there is far far less chance that it will be (quite as) offensive.
If the stereotype is negative ('all Belgians are near-moronic, stupid beyond compare, dense and dullwitted'), it is by definition offensive, even if the group in question can laugh at the joke ('Belgians are a remarkably cheerful lot'), hideously offensive if they do not appreciate it. In such a case, even if there is an element of truth ('Belgians are a cheerful lot'), or even entirely true ('all Belgians are near-moronic, stupid beyond compare, dense and dullwitted'), it is beyond the pale.
People will often laugh in order not to be perceived as a buzzkill or sh*tdisturber, and self-depreciation is often a form of adapting to one's social environment. That doesn't mean that the joke isn't offensive.
If, like Mexicans and Chinese in the US, there is a history of discrimination and violence towards the 'not-like-us' group by the societal majority, any 'ethnic' jokes can be thinly iced. That joke about Chinese and Mexicans is absolutely sufficient reason for an ass-whupping.
Though perhaps not in Texas. Or Israel.
...
Jokes about the Dutch? Those are quite alright - after all, even though we're notorious tightwads, we're also clever and savvy merchants.
Jokes about Chinese accents (or driving habits) and Black people's hair? Well, do you really want to talk about YOUR honky attitude and the guilt you share for four five centuries of exploitative imperialism, lynchings, beatings, slavery, indentured servitude, the opium wars, and cherry blossom sex tourism? Do you? Do you really?
Okay, okay, okay - we 'get' that as a Jew you've also been on the other side, and that, personally, YOU had nothing to do with any of those things. And you were born in the seventies, long after the bad old days had ended. You, personally, are blameless. And we do like the modern world, everyone's 'equal' now. Cool.
How about the old joke about the difference between a Jew and a Pizza?
And yes, I can find a Chinese person married to a Mexican to tell it to you.
...
So these two Martians happen to bump into each other on a street in Manhattan.......
Today, 3:08:49 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
PLEASE NOTE: The comment above reflects social verities in California. We have no idea what the rest of the country is like on this issue, let alone the rest of the world. And frankly, we don't actually care.
Like slavery, Yemenite child marriages, Eastern European Gypsy abuse, or Sudanese ethnocide, it doesn't really matter that it is a treasured part of the local culture somewhere else, and quite the done thing - it still ain't civilized. So stop. Stop it. If you can't be like us, there's something wrong with you. Seriously.
Today, 3:14:51 PM
Bad Penguin! Bad Penguin!
Except if you're Belgian. Then we realize that life is hard enough for you already, and you need all the understanding that we are capable of. You poor thing, you just can't help yourself! There there.
Today, 3:16:39 PM
----------------------------------------------------
AFTERWORD
No Belgians were harmed in the making of this post. We tried - lord knows we tried - but they're slippery little bastards, kind of like eels, and somehow, well, you know how it is.
In the end, they all got away.
Better luck next time.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
SWEET TEEN SNAKE
This morning, as I was getting dressed, a small Cantonese woman patted my rump on her way to the bathroom.
When I yelped in protest, she sneered that someday I would remember it fondly.
"Hah! When I’m gone, you’ll miss my patting your butt. No one else would do it -- “Aiyah, don’t wanna touch those flabby ancient spongies!” "
And with that, the bathroom door closed.
She’s probably at least partially right. At fifty years of age, I am not exactly in the running for Don Juan, as Savage Kitten realizes. But then I never was.
More likely somebody’s crazy old male relative. Something avuncular.
Which brings me to a conversation on facebook, reproduced below.
It is between a dignified gentleman, and a smart-aleck young lady.
[Names have been changed to protect the innocent.]
Middle-aged Coot: I wish to formally affirm that I am NOT, repeat, NOT, trying to get into her panties. Although I am sure they are quite fine, as such things go.
Middle-aged Coot: They're probably too tight anyhow.
Middle-aged Coot: I merely wish to persuade her to take up smoking. That is the furthest I wish to go.
Middle-aged Coot: Young ladies with fine briars - it's a lovely combination.
Sweetyoungthing: Yes. Far too tight.
Sweetyoungthing: Not until I go to college.
Sweetyoungthing: Probably like swimsuit blondes and Ferraris.
Rabbitmom: SYT, ignore the creepy old men. Leave them to the creepy old women.
Sweetyoungthing: How can I ignore the creepy old men? They're all around us!
Sweetyoungthing: Besides, he's too much into tobacco and whiskey to do anything. It saps the male vitality.
Sweetyoungthing: The words "dried-up old Dutchman" come to mind. Nabokovian, yes, but hardly Humbert Humbert.
Middle-aged Coot: Young lady, I'll have you know I am still very moist! At least fifty-five to fifty-seven percent by bodyweight water! That is sufficient!
-------------------------------------------------------
My sympathies, of course, are with Middle-aged Coot. How could it be otherwise? He and I probably have much in common, and he is clearly the aggrieved party.
I've been there, I know how that feels.
Whereas his attacker, miss Sweetyoungthing, obviously, is a snarky fourteen year old who lacks a proper attitude towards her elders.
In actual fact, none of us wish to get into her panties. We are cognizant of the law. And that society disapproves of such things. If we were even ever so inclined.
Which we aren't.
We are the pure of heart. Think of us each as 'Tobacco Uncle'.
Instead, we fervently and passionately wish to introduce her to pressed blonde Virginia flakes (demure and maidenly), or light Balkan blends (zesty and full of life), English mixtures (perky, audacious, even quite full of figure), and, should she prove receptive, the full Balkan blend in all its glory (seductive, mysterious, and tantalizing).
We might even expose her to a dark stoved flake (earthy, but with an alluring sweetness), Perique concoctions (oooh, so naughty!), and if there is absolutely NO other choice, mild aromatics (out dancing with the boys, but still home by ten).
Trust me, my dear, these things are far far better than chocolate. You will soon be convinced.
TOBACCO INDEX
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
When I yelped in protest, she sneered that someday I would remember it fondly.
"Hah! When I’m gone, you’ll miss my patting your butt. No one else would do it -- “Aiyah, don’t wanna touch those flabby ancient spongies!” "
And with that, the bathroom door closed.
She’s probably at least partially right. At fifty years of age, I am not exactly in the running for Don Juan, as Savage Kitten realizes. But then I never was.
More likely somebody’s crazy old male relative. Something avuncular.
Which brings me to a conversation on facebook, reproduced below.
It is between a dignified gentleman, and a smart-aleck young lady.
[Names have been changed to protect the innocent.]
Middle-aged Coot: I wish to formally affirm that I am NOT, repeat, NOT, trying to get into her panties. Although I am sure they are quite fine, as such things go.
Middle-aged Coot: They're probably too tight anyhow.
Middle-aged Coot: I merely wish to persuade her to take up smoking. That is the furthest I wish to go.
Middle-aged Coot: Young ladies with fine briars - it's a lovely combination.
Sweetyoungthing: Yes. Far too tight.
Sweetyoungthing: Not until I go to college.
Sweetyoungthing: Probably like swimsuit blondes and Ferraris.
Rabbitmom: SYT, ignore the creepy old men. Leave them to the creepy old women.
Sweetyoungthing: How can I ignore the creepy old men? They're all around us!
Sweetyoungthing: Besides, he's too much into tobacco and whiskey to do anything. It saps the male vitality.
Sweetyoungthing: The words "dried-up old Dutchman" come to mind. Nabokovian, yes, but hardly Humbert Humbert.
Middle-aged Coot: Young lady, I'll have you know I am still very moist! At least fifty-five to fifty-seven percent by bodyweight water! That is sufficient!
-------------------------------------------------------
My sympathies, of course, are with Middle-aged Coot. How could it be otherwise? He and I probably have much in common, and he is clearly the aggrieved party.
I've been there, I know how that feels.
Whereas his attacker, miss Sweetyoungthing, obviously, is a snarky fourteen year old who lacks a proper attitude towards her elders.
In actual fact, none of us wish to get into her panties. We are cognizant of the law. And that society disapproves of such things. If we were even ever so inclined.
Which we aren't.
We are the pure of heart. Think of us each as 'Tobacco Uncle'.
Instead, we fervently and passionately wish to introduce her to pressed blonde Virginia flakes (demure and maidenly), or light Balkan blends (zesty and full of life), English mixtures (perky, audacious, even quite full of figure), and, should she prove receptive, the full Balkan blend in all its glory (seductive, mysterious, and tantalizing).
We might even expose her to a dark stoved flake (earthy, but with an alluring sweetness), Perique concoctions (oooh, so naughty!), and if there is absolutely NO other choice, mild aromatics (out dancing with the boys, but still home by ten).
Trust me, my dear, these things are far far better than chocolate. You will soon be convinced.
TOBACCO INDEX
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
UC SAN DIEGO DIVESTMENT - OR, BLUSTER FROM THE TROLLS
The campaign to daemonize and delegitimize Israel on US campii is in full swing.
One of the latest universities subject to raw politicization and the pro-Palestinian smear campaign is UCSD (university of California at San Diego).
I am in receipt of a statement from Utsav Gupta, president of the ASUCSD.
QUOTE:
Last year, when a resolution was proposed concerning the conflict in Gaza, two student groups came to several ASUCSD Council meetings, passionately defending and advocating for their world point-of-view, their perspective on an issue that even our best international leaders have yet to successfully resolve. Some of these students believed they were compelled to come to this meeting to defend a country they hold dear. Others came to the meeting advocating for peace and human rights, hoping to lead the Association towards what they argued was progress.
END QUOTE.
[source: http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2010/04/uc-san-diego-asuc-presidents-statement.html ]
Please note the possible suggestion that one side had divided loyalties and the other had higher ideals. In the phrasing above, being concerned for Israel can be taken to mean that one is NOT in favour of peace and human rights.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It is precisely because one is in favour of peace and human rights that one must support Israel - the alternative is support for the dictatorships and tyrannies that litter the Middle-East, from Khartoum to Riyadh and Damascus.
Nevertheless and evenso, Utsav Gupta argues against divestment.
He also writes:
"Passage of this legislation will create a divide that violates the goals and purposes of our Association. To this end, I will be voting against the passage of this resolution. I urge my colleagues to do the same."
The other side, however, is not handicapped by any similar sense of ethics.
From an e-mail circulated by Leena Barakat (One Democratic State Group):
"We call on you, as members of ASUCSD, to join us in declaring a stance of peace and neutrality by upholding the Resolution to Divest from U.S. Corporations Profiting from Occupation. This resolution is part and parcel of the historic movement for peace and human rights advocacy, particularly in the Occupied Territories of the West Bank, besieged Gaza, and annexed East Jerusalem."
Leena Barakat specifically targets only one country - Israel. Just one. No other.
None of the loathsome inhuman regimes that oppose Israel is mentioned, nor any of the failed states in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Just.
One.
Country.
No other country is so villified and excoriated, no other country is held to such high standards, no other country need answer to university students in San Diego.
Either you are FOR peace and human rights - in which case you support Israel - or you oppose peace and human rights - and find yourself on the same side as all the ghastly gangster regimes that for the past generation have sought common cause in supporting each other.
Such countries as Afghanistan, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rhodesia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, and Venezuela. None of these have been subject to boycott and divestment calls, none of these have good or even bearable human rights records, all of which are governed by gangsters and profiteers.
And all of which are held in high esteem internationally, paragons among the united nations.
As are two I did not mention: Iran and North Korea. Paragons.
One of the latest universities subject to raw politicization and the pro-Palestinian smear campaign is UCSD (university of California at San Diego).
I am in receipt of a statement from Utsav Gupta, president of the ASUCSD.
QUOTE:
Last year, when a resolution was proposed concerning the conflict in Gaza, two student groups came to several ASUCSD Council meetings, passionately defending and advocating for their world point-of-view, their perspective on an issue that even our best international leaders have yet to successfully resolve. Some of these students believed they were compelled to come to this meeting to defend a country they hold dear. Others came to the meeting advocating for peace and human rights, hoping to lead the Association towards what they argued was progress.
END QUOTE.
[source: http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2010/04/uc-san-diego-asuc-presidents-statement.html ]
Please note the possible suggestion that one side had divided loyalties and the other had higher ideals. In the phrasing above, being concerned for Israel can be taken to mean that one is NOT in favour of peace and human rights.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It is precisely because one is in favour of peace and human rights that one must support Israel - the alternative is support for the dictatorships and tyrannies that litter the Middle-East, from Khartoum to Riyadh and Damascus.
Nevertheless and evenso, Utsav Gupta argues against divestment.
He also writes:
"Passage of this legislation will create a divide that violates the goals and purposes of our Association. To this end, I will be voting against the passage of this resolution. I urge my colleagues to do the same."
The other side, however, is not handicapped by any similar sense of ethics.
From an e-mail circulated by Leena Barakat (One Democratic State Group):
"We call on you, as members of ASUCSD, to join us in declaring a stance of peace and neutrality by upholding the Resolution to Divest from U.S. Corporations Profiting from Occupation. This resolution is part and parcel of the historic movement for peace and human rights advocacy, particularly in the Occupied Territories of the West Bank, besieged Gaza, and annexed East Jerusalem."
Leena Barakat specifically targets only one country - Israel. Just one. No other.
None of the loathsome inhuman regimes that oppose Israel is mentioned, nor any of the failed states in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Just.
One.
Country.
No other country is so villified and excoriated, no other country is held to such high standards, no other country need answer to university students in San Diego.
Either you are FOR peace and human rights - in which case you support Israel - or you oppose peace and human rights - and find yourself on the same side as all the ghastly gangster regimes that for the past generation have sought common cause in supporting each other.
Such countries as Afghanistan, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rhodesia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, and Venezuela. None of these have been subject to boycott and divestment calls, none of these have good or even bearable human rights records, all of which are governed by gangsters and profiteers.
And all of which are held in high esteem internationally, paragons among the united nations.
As are two I did not mention: Iran and North Korea. Paragons.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
SMELL MY FINGERS!
For the past three hours I have been sniffing my digits. It's all because of the Jews.
While I was hanging around the tobacco shop this morning a young couple came in. The husband asked whether there was any Commonwealth Mixture by Samuel Gawith to be had. "No", said Thomas, "we've been having a hard time getting that; we don't know why". The young man fessed that it was difficult to find in Israel (Jerusalem) also. He bought some Westminster (GLP) and Balkan Flake (SG) instead.
While Thomas was ringing up the purchase I remarked to the young man that he certainly knew his tobacco.
Certain pipe-tobaccos are almost like a signature perfume.
Years ago someone remarked that the smell of a particular Latakia-rich mixture which I was smoking at the time reminded her of her dad - she loved to bury her nose in his sweaters and just inhale deeply. He had smoked something very similar until her mom persuaded him to quit. The smell was just so very evocative to her. Her face looked softer as she indulged the memory.
I don't think she liked her mom very much.
You must have noticed by now that I associate tobacco smells with certain fond memories (and also with several nice young ladies) from the past; smell is a very potent mental stimulant.
That pattern quite likely also holds for the young couple at the store.
My guess is that while the young gentleman's eyshes chayil may have, consciously, been not entirely approving of her husband's habit, her subconscious self is deeply, even passionately, appreciative of his signature odours. The reek of rich smoky Latakia mixtures probably prompts, without her even being aware of it, fond feelings towards the man she married - no one else has quite that same whiff.
In the dark of night when the merest whisp of Syrian perfume drifts in to the bedroom, her dreams turn warm and gentle. The faint and resinous nose-echo is comforting, reassuring.
SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN
My shipment from C&D recently arrived, so last night I made new batches of two of my own blends.
I shall wait a week to smoke the more complex mixture, which, because it contains cigar leaf (Besuki), I am letting sit for several days to meld.
The simpler blend, which needs less time to 'marry', I smoked this morning.
My fingers still smell of the tobacco with which I filled my pipe. Mmmmmmm.
Cornell & Diehl provide some fine very blending tobaccos. Kudos for their sourcing.
My fingertips bear evidence of the high quality.
Matured flue-cured tobacco, Red Virginia, Smyrna, Latakia.
You sweet young thing, you smell divine! Snifffffffffff!
TOBACCO INDEX
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
While I was hanging around the tobacco shop this morning a young couple came in. The husband asked whether there was any Commonwealth Mixture by Samuel Gawith to be had. "No", said Thomas, "we've been having a hard time getting that; we don't know why". The young man fessed that it was difficult to find in Israel (Jerusalem) also. He bought some Westminster (GLP) and Balkan Flake (SG) instead.
While Thomas was ringing up the purchase I remarked to the young man that he certainly knew his tobacco.
Certain pipe-tobaccos are almost like a signature perfume.
Years ago someone remarked that the smell of a particular Latakia-rich mixture which I was smoking at the time reminded her of her dad - she loved to bury her nose in his sweaters and just inhale deeply. He had smoked something very similar until her mom persuaded him to quit. The smell was just so very evocative to her. Her face looked softer as she indulged the memory.
I don't think she liked her mom very much.
You must have noticed by now that I associate tobacco smells with certain fond memories (and also with several nice young ladies) from the past; smell is a very potent mental stimulant.
That pattern quite likely also holds for the young couple at the store.
My guess is that while the young gentleman's eyshes chayil may have, consciously, been not entirely approving of her husband's habit, her subconscious self is deeply, even passionately, appreciative of his signature odours. The reek of rich smoky Latakia mixtures probably prompts, without her even being aware of it, fond feelings towards the man she married - no one else has quite that same whiff.
In the dark of night when the merest whisp of Syrian perfume drifts in to the bedroom, her dreams turn warm and gentle. The faint and resinous nose-echo is comforting, reassuring.
SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN
My shipment from C&D recently arrived, so last night I made new batches of two of my own blends.
I shall wait a week to smoke the more complex mixture, which, because it contains cigar leaf (Besuki), I am letting sit for several days to meld.
The simpler blend, which needs less time to 'marry', I smoked this morning.
My fingers still smell of the tobacco with which I filled my pipe. Mmmmmmm.
Cornell & Diehl provide some fine very blending tobaccos. Kudos for their sourcing.
My fingertips bear evidence of the high quality.
Matured flue-cured tobacco, Red Virginia, Smyrna, Latakia.
You sweet young thing, you smell divine! Snifffffffffff!
TOBACCO INDEX
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Monday, April 26, 2010
PLEASE STAY AWAY
Readers of Holland's most important newspaper, De Telegraaf (no, not the NRC Handelsblad or the Volkskrant – those are only read by self-important bureaucrats and middle-aged hippies respectively) have reacted with shock, horror, cynicism, and outrage at the news item that a New York homeless man bled to death after helping a woman fend off an attack.
Her assailant stabbed him several times, he died without anyone aiding him, and many Dutch newspaper readers are convinced that this is utterly typical of America.
This is the article:http://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/6607739/__Voorbijgangers_laten_held_sterven__.html?p=16,2
It's in Dutch. I've only placed the link for reference purposes.
[Quote: Voorbijgangers laten dakloze sterven
NEW YORK - In de VS is met afgrijzen gereageerd op de dood van een illegale immigrant in New York. Nadat de dakloze man een vrouw te hulp schoot die werd belaagd, lieten omstanders hem op straat doodbloeden. Toen de 31-jarige Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax uit Guatemala een onbekende vrouw in Queens - die werd aangevallen op straat - probeerde te helpen, werd hij meerdere keren gestoken door de belager van de vrouw. End quote.]
Henk in Zuid-Holland opines more or less that Americans such as those New Yorkers are the worst kind of coward. Given that nine out of ten of the comments he has placed under newspaper articles prove him an anti-American bigot of monumental proportions, one can safely disregard what he says - except that he is not alone in his anti-American crusade. There are many souls in the Dutch cesspool who have a pathological hatred towards everything 'Yank'.
[Henk: "De VS zien zichzelf graag als het beloofde land. Maar dit is de keiharde realiteit, grotere lafbekken dan deze voorbijgangers in de straten van New York zijn er niet te vinden".]
Jan in Den Haag, Darwin in Geleen, and Micheal (stet) N in Los Angeles, to name but a few, placed equally blinkered and bitchy comments.
[Jan: "Lang leve Amerika, ieder voor zich en god voor ons allen." Darwin: "Dat is daar normaal. Als je daar bloedend en zelfs spoed eisend een ziekenhuis in gaat is de eerste vraag opf je verzekerd bent , ben je dat niet pech gehad ! De Amerikaanse nachtmerrie. Darwinisme in een schaaps vel." Micheal: "Het leven in de V.S is goed als je een hond of een kat bent. Los Angeles, CA: 150,000 daklozen. Niemand schijnt zich hierom te bekommeren. En geloof zeker niet dat Obama dit gaat veranderen."]
Micheal (stet) N in Los Angeles represents a very particular kind of modern Dutchman - the type that comes over here for a few years, sneeringly despises everything about America and Americans (often including the women he beds - he's more than likely predatory in his approach to the local females), and just cannot resist spewing bile from a position of allegedly superior knowledge, what with living here and having to speak "Amerikaansch" every day.....
Of course not everyone left a slimy anti-Yank footprint underneath that article. There were in fact several who gave evidence of education and broad perspectives, even a grim realism about their own society.
It's not the latter group that concerns me, though.
It's the poxxy bastards like Henk, Jan, and Darwin. Every day they become more and more convinced of the frightfulness of the United States, versus the near-divine sanctity and blessedness of their own country. What they say and hear on a regular basis only strengthens their biases; their social environment reflects the blinkered jaundice with which they view us.
They are spiteful and odious - which is not unusual in post-war Europe.
It's a chip on the shoulder thing.
The good thing is that they are not likely to visit the United States. And their friends and relatives also are unlikely to land on these shores - Micheal N in Los Angeles is an exception (and let us just hope he isn't spreading venereal diseases to his teenage victims).
Every time the America-haters voice their distaste, they decrease the chances of their fellow bigots heading over here.
Which, you will surely agree, is a good thing.
Consequently I do not mind them, nor the articles that agitate their minds.
They serve a great good - they prevent a mass visitation by Eurotrash.
==================================================
AFTERWORD
No, dear readers (‘geachte lezers’), I do not take EVERY opportunity to “spew my gall” (idiomatic: gall spuwen = spleen venting) in the direction of the Dutch and their wonderful country. Were I to do so, there would not be enough hours in the day, and this blog would be awash.
And please note: it has been several weeks since my last excursus into Dutch peculiarity.
Besides, I actually kind of like the bastards.
Her assailant stabbed him several times, he died without anyone aiding him, and many Dutch newspaper readers are convinced that this is utterly typical of America.
This is the article:http://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/6607739/__Voorbijgangers_laten_held_sterven__.html?p=16,2
It's in Dutch. I've only placed the link for reference purposes.
[Quote: Voorbijgangers laten dakloze sterven
NEW YORK - In de VS is met afgrijzen gereageerd op de dood van een illegale immigrant in New York. Nadat de dakloze man een vrouw te hulp schoot die werd belaagd, lieten omstanders hem op straat doodbloeden. Toen de 31-jarige Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax uit Guatemala een onbekende vrouw in Queens - die werd aangevallen op straat - probeerde te helpen, werd hij meerdere keren gestoken door de belager van de vrouw. End quote.]
Henk in Zuid-Holland opines more or less that Americans such as those New Yorkers are the worst kind of coward. Given that nine out of ten of the comments he has placed under newspaper articles prove him an anti-American bigot of monumental proportions, one can safely disregard what he says - except that he is not alone in his anti-American crusade. There are many souls in the Dutch cesspool who have a pathological hatred towards everything 'Yank'.
[Henk: "De VS zien zichzelf graag als het beloofde land. Maar dit is de keiharde realiteit, grotere lafbekken dan deze voorbijgangers in de straten van New York zijn er niet te vinden".]
Jan in Den Haag, Darwin in Geleen, and Micheal (stet) N in Los Angeles, to name but a few, placed equally blinkered and bitchy comments.
[Jan: "Lang leve Amerika, ieder voor zich en god voor ons allen." Darwin: "Dat is daar normaal. Als je daar bloedend en zelfs spoed eisend een ziekenhuis in gaat is de eerste vraag opf je verzekerd bent , ben je dat niet pech gehad ! De Amerikaanse nachtmerrie. Darwinisme in een schaaps vel." Micheal: "Het leven in de V.S is goed als je een hond of een kat bent. Los Angeles, CA: 150,000 daklozen. Niemand schijnt zich hierom te bekommeren. En geloof zeker niet dat Obama dit gaat veranderen."]
Micheal (stet) N in Los Angeles represents a very particular kind of modern Dutchman - the type that comes over here for a few years, sneeringly despises everything about America and Americans (often including the women he beds - he's more than likely predatory in his approach to the local females), and just cannot resist spewing bile from a position of allegedly superior knowledge, what with living here and having to speak "Amerikaansch" every day.....
Of course not everyone left a slimy anti-Yank footprint underneath that article. There were in fact several who gave evidence of education and broad perspectives, even a grim realism about their own society.
It's not the latter group that concerns me, though.
It's the poxxy bastards like Henk, Jan, and Darwin. Every day they become more and more convinced of the frightfulness of the United States, versus the near-divine sanctity and blessedness of their own country. What they say and hear on a regular basis only strengthens their biases; their social environment reflects the blinkered jaundice with which they view us.
They are spiteful and odious - which is not unusual in post-war Europe.
It's a chip on the shoulder thing.
The good thing is that they are not likely to visit the United States. And their friends and relatives also are unlikely to land on these shores - Micheal N in Los Angeles is an exception (and let us just hope he isn't spreading venereal diseases to his teenage victims).
Every time the America-haters voice their distaste, they decrease the chances of their fellow bigots heading over here.
Which, you will surely agree, is a good thing.
Consequently I do not mind them, nor the articles that agitate their minds.
They serve a great good - they prevent a mass visitation by Eurotrash.
==================================================
AFTERWORD
No, dear readers (‘geachte lezers’), I do not take EVERY opportunity to “spew my gall” (idiomatic: gall spuwen = spleen venting) in the direction of the Dutch and their wonderful country. Were I to do so, there would not be enough hours in the day, and this blog would be awash.
And please note: it has been several weeks since my last excursus into Dutch peculiarity.
Besides, I actually kind of like the bastards.
DEPENDS ON WHO TELLS IT
Here's a version of a joke you may have heard recently........
A Belgian is wandering around the desert, quite lost – Belgians are not very bright and don’t read maps, so getting lost happens fairly often to them.
He’s parched, nearly dying of thirst, getting desperate.
But what does he see? Huzza, a merchant with a pushcart! Surely the merchant will have water!
The Dutchman (for that is what the wandering merchant turns out to be) offers that 'no, he doesn’t have any water, but he’s selling ties, wonderful silken ties, for which apparently there is an enormous demand – consequently (and he apologizes for this), they’re a little expensive ………'.
The Belgian scoffs – “these ties are vodden (shmatte), good heavens, I wouldn’t even wear any of these if you paid me!” He sniffs disdainfully (painful, what with dried out mucous membranes), then renews his queries about water.
The prospect of a sale being negligible, the Dutchman grudgingly offers that there’s a restaurant about two hours away, over that hill there. The Belgian takes off in the direction of the hill.
Four hours later the Belgian is back.
“So did you find the restaurant?”
“you’re a**hole brother won’t let anyone in without a tie!!!”
-------------------------------------------------
There are unfavourable opinions about that joke.
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2010/04/obamas-national-security-advisors-joke.html
Understandable, because depending on who is telling it, and what ethno-cultural details are highlighted, it can be horribly offensive.
Even in the version above, a humourless Dutchman (Mijnheer Batavus Droogstoppel, for instance) might find something objectionable - though we would automatically elide over his indigation.
As you can understand, given the rivalry between the Dutch (savvy merchants) and the Belgians (good-natured fools), back when I was a youth we thought this joke hilarious.
Our Flemish friends never appreciated it.
Inexplicable.
But then, they're Belgian.
And that's a huge handicap.
A Belgian is wandering around the desert, quite lost – Belgians are not very bright and don’t read maps, so getting lost happens fairly often to them.
He’s parched, nearly dying of thirst, getting desperate.
But what does he see? Huzza, a merchant with a pushcart! Surely the merchant will have water!
The Dutchman (for that is what the wandering merchant turns out to be) offers that 'no, he doesn’t have any water, but he’s selling ties, wonderful silken ties, for which apparently there is an enormous demand – consequently (and he apologizes for this), they’re a little expensive ………'.
The Belgian scoffs – “these ties are vodden (shmatte), good heavens, I wouldn’t even wear any of these if you paid me!” He sniffs disdainfully (painful, what with dried out mucous membranes), then renews his queries about water.
The prospect of a sale being negligible, the Dutchman grudgingly offers that there’s a restaurant about two hours away, over that hill there. The Belgian takes off in the direction of the hill.
Four hours later the Belgian is back.
“So did you find the restaurant?”
“you’re a**hole brother won’t let anyone in without a tie!!!”
-------------------------------------------------
There are unfavourable opinions about that joke.
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2010/04/obamas-national-security-advisors-joke.html
Understandable, because depending on who is telling it, and what ethno-cultural details are highlighted, it can be horribly offensive.
Even in the version above, a humourless Dutchman (Mijnheer Batavus Droogstoppel, for instance) might find something objectionable - though we would automatically elide over his indigation.
As you can understand, given the rivalry between the Dutch (savvy merchants) and the Belgians (good-natured fools), back when I was a youth we thought this joke hilarious.
Our Flemish friends never appreciated it.
Inexplicable.
But then, they're Belgian.
And that's a huge handicap.
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