Most recent blog entries

The Art of the Mortgage Meltdown

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:22:08 GMT

Steve Sailer explains what this is here. Context provided here.

Somaliology

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:42:51 GMT

Photo: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) on the hustings for Al Franken in October with Somali sharia court enthusiast Abdullahi Ugas Farah.

This week's column notes the strange prominence of Somalis in the news concerning piracy, immigration fraud and Minnesota politics. Hmmm.

One bit of research that didn't fit into the column concerns the entry of Somalis into Minnesota politics where, as a constituency, their political will is expresing itself in terms more Somalian than American--in the following case to Amy Klobuchar, who in 2006 was running for the US Senate seat she ultimately won. From the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder of November 15, 2006:

On October 21 this year, Klobuchar attended the Somali Action Alliance candidate forum where she was asked several yes-or-no questions:

• If elected, will you work with the community to find a permanent solution to the smooth operation of the Somali money service businesses, so that the Somali community can send money to their family members back home?

• If elected, will you support federal legislation to ensure adequate funding for ESL [English as a Second Language] programs, well-trained teachers, and the addition of native language proficiency goals?

• If elected, will you support comprehensive immigration reform that includes taking steps to reduce the backlog of families stuck in the family reunification system?

• If elected, are you willing to meet with the community within 90 days of taking office to follow up on the commitments you made today and the issues presented to you today?

The 46-year-old Hennepin county attorney (now our new U.S. senator) answered all questions “Haa,” meaning “yes” in the Somali language, which appealed to the audience of more than two hundred.

Klobuchar did not limit her campaign to this meeting only. The following Saturday, October 28, along with her daughter and campaign managing team, she visited Carmel Mall, the oldest Somali mall in Minnesota, where she met with Somali businessmen and businesswomen.

Speaking to the Spokesman-Recorder about her visit to the mall and the current obstacle to Somali money wire services, she said that her visit was “to know more about Somali businesses in Minnesota,” and “there has to be a way that the community can send money back home for support of their family members.”

Apparently, facilitaring money transfers to Somalia has become the work of a US Senator. But isn't that taking "constituent services" to a new level?

“I am very pleased to see Amy in the mall and meeting with the community,” says Busad Kheyre, a Somali social worker at African Community Services in the Twin Cities and a businesswoman at the mall. “This is an indication of having a positive working relationship with the community.”

Kheyre, a mother of four children who is anxious about the closing of Somali money wire transfers in Minnesota, says, “This is the only way we can support our family members back home, and Amy can address this issue to Washington politicians.”

Although there is no accurate census of the Somali community in Minnesota, many estimate that more than 100,000 Somalis live in Minnesota, and many more family members are expected to come in the years ahead. They are the largest East African community in Minnesota to become naturalized in recent years, and politics is definitely one of their interests.

American politics, or Somali politics?

What Obama Voters Don't Know (Anything)

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:18:29 GMT

John Zogby recently polled 500 Obama voters, 55% of whom have a college degree and 90% of whom have a high-school diploma. Zogby asked 12 multiple-choice questions. A measly 2.4% got at least 11 correct, and a practically invisible .5% aced the questionnaire. As for the rest, via Hot Air:

57.4 could NOT correctly say which party controls congress (50/50 shot just by guessing)
81.8 could NOT correctly say Joe Biden quit a previous campaign because of plagiarism (25% chance by guessing)
82.6 could NOT correctly say that Obama won his first election by getting opponents kicked off the ballot (25% chance by guessing)
88.4% could NOT correctly say that Obama said his policies would likely bankrupt the coal industry and make energy rates skyrocket (25% chance by guessing)
56.1 % could NOT correctly say Obama started his political career at the home of two former members of the Weather Underground (25% chance by guessing).And yet…..
Only 13.7% failed to identify Palin as the person their party spent $150,000 in clothes on
Only 6.2% failed to identify Palin as the one with a pregnant teenage daughter
And 86.9 % thought that Palin said that she could see Russia from her “house,” even though that was Tina Fey who said that!!

God Save the Republic.

The Political Destruction of Frank Vanhecke Continues

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:47:37 GMT

In what was a foregone formality, the European Parliament voted to lift MEP Frank Vanheck's parliamentary immunity today. The vote was 564 Eurocrats for and 61 goog guys against--with 42 really tough hombres abstaining. Now, Belgium can now proceed with its show trial against Vanhecke on "racism" charges in order to strip this popular Flemish politician of the Vlaams Belang party of his "political rights"-- a common if totalitarian Belgian remedy to crush political dissent. Baron Bodissey has the update.

What Would Mitt Say?

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:30:34 GMT

I've been wondering what turnaround pro Mitt Romney would say about the economic crisis. Here's a good answer: "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt." He writes:

I have several prescriptions for Detroit’s automakers.

First, their huge disadvantage in costs relative to foreign brands must be eliminated. That means new labor agreements to align pay and benefits to match those of workers at competitors like BMW, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Furthermore, retiree benefits must be reduced so that the total burden per auto for domestic makers is not higher than that of foreign producers.

That extra burden is estimated to be more than $2,000 per car. Think what that means: Ford, for example, needs to cut $2,000 worth of features and quality out of its Taurus to compete with Toyota’s Avalon. Of course the Avalon feels like a better product — it has $2,000 more put into it. Considering this disadvantage, Detroit has done a remarkable job of designing and engineering its cars. But if this cost penalty persists, any bailout will only delay the inevitable.

Second, management as is must go. ...

You can say that again.

The new management must work with labor leaders to see that the enmity between labor and management comes to an end. This division is a holdover from the early years of the last century, when unions brought workers job security and better wages and benefits. But as Walter Reuther, the former head of the United Automobile Workers, said to my father, “Getting more and more pay for less and less work is a dead-end street.” ...

It is not wrong to ask for government help, but the automakers should come up with a win-win proposition. I believe the federal government should invest substantially more in basic research — on new energy sources, fuel-economy technology, materials science and the like — that will ultimately benefit the automotive industry, along with many others. I believe Washington should raise energy research spending to $20 billion a year, from the $4 billion that is spent today. The research could be done at universities, at research labs and even through public-private collaboration. The federal government should also rectify the imbedded tax penalties that favor foreign carmakers.

But don’t ask Washington to give shareholders and bondholders a free pass — they bet on management and they lost.

As common-sensible as this sounds, right now, at least, it doesn't seem as if there remains an American ear for this mentality--in essence, that actions have consequences, that there isn't always a governmental parent-figure to make it all better for citizen-children (with multi-billion-tax-dollar hand-outs).

Death of the Grown-Up, anyone?

Postcards from Europe: Antwerp Photo Album

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:36:50 GMT

Photo: Young Islamic women pause in front of a little-used church in Antwerp, Belgium

Inspired by that Islamonline travelogue to Brussels' Molenbeek neighborhood today, I decided to post a few pics from my summertime trip on the road less travelled through Anwterp as well.

This is what the tourist sees, looking toward the old city crowned by the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady, begun in the 14th century.

The old town square.

But what the tourist lingering at a cafe doesn't see are the Islamic enclaves, more Al Mahgreb than Ye Olde Europe.

The signs point to a world beyond Europe.

Classes in local lore?

Here's a poster advertising the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Turkish flags are not uncommon.

Halal snacks are everywhere. (But no chocolate.)

Notice what barnyard animal is missing. (Hint: Oink, oink.)

The spanking new "Pakistani mosque" is the building with the green turrets.

Now, here's something you don't see every day--a hookah shop!

Of course, none of the scenes here--with the exception of the picture-postcard snaps up at the top--are what you see every day. But, off the medieval town square, behind the storied cathderal, and not far from the souvenir shop, these are the scenes of every day in ... Islamic Europe.

Postcards from Europe: What Does Molenbeek Look Like?

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:56:22 GMT

Islamonline, owned by Sheik Yusef Al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, this week visits the Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek, which is just a short drive from the European Union colossus, NATO and other hulking, glass-and-steel fixtures of the "capital of Europe." What a perfect moment to feature some of my snaps from my summertime excursion to Molenbeek, where, as Islamonline writes:

It is hardly possible to come across a blue-eyed or blonde haired person. Walking down Molenbeek streets, one cannot mistake the Islamic aura and spirit coloring the neighborhood. Young women in colorful hijab and young men sporting beards are the common face. Conversations and chatting flip between French and Arabic. The cafes of Molenbeek offer the famous Arabic tea instead of alcohol. The sound of recitation of the Noble Qur'an resonates from the shops dotting the neighborhood with signs bearing distinctive Arabic names....

And what does Molenbeek, a completely Islamic section in the heart of Europe--no blue eyes, no blonds, and sounds of the Koran resonating from Arabic-named shops--represent? In the words of a local mosque director quoted in the article, "Our neighborhood perfectly reflects the diversity and tolerance of the Belgian society."

Here, from personal snapshots of my summer trip to Molenbeek, is what "diversity and tolerance" in Belgium looks like. Hint: it doesn't look "diverse" or "tolerant"--unless "diverse" is a code word for "homogenously Islamic" and "tolerant" means sharia-compliant.

I've already posted my pics from the neighboring Brussels district known locally as "Garages" here. Up next, my photo album from beautiful Antwerp.

My Response

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:39:27 GMT

Here is what I wrote in response to this:

To the Editor:

I am responding to Editor Marc Charisse’s column about my work, a column I found striking for its mud-slinging crudity. In Charisse’s words, my work, the product of careful research and reporting, may be summed up thus: West “never met a Muslim she didn’t hate.” There is no more apt word than “grotesque” to describe such an irresponsible and flippant mischaracterization of my weekly column, which very often grapples with the terrible, largely unspoken reality that Western liberties—freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, equality before the law, including women’s rights and the rights of non-Muslims—are increasingly threatened by a growing deference to the laws of Islam. To underscore my point, I don’t write about “Muslims.” I write about Islam, the supremacist ideology constructed on laws (sharia) that justify censorship, repression, violence, inequality, and even maiming and murder of those whom the sharia leaves voiceless and powerless: dissenters, Muslim apostates, non-Muslims and women. I write about its agents—violent jihadists as well as soft jihadists, all of whom are working to extend the rule of this law across the non-Muslim world. And I write about politically correct non-Muslims who, as a public point of what is hailed as tolerance and inclusiveness have surrendered their common sense, their courage and, increasingly, their countries to the advance of this Islamic law.

“Pull the plug” on me if you like. But do not slander me or my work as a manifestation of hatred toward individuals. If anything, it is a manifestation of fear—fear that our liberties are not just under assault but have already been diminished, and are destined for still more restriction in that “sharp new subtext” Charisse says the recent presidential election has added “to the subject of Muslims.” Whatever that means.

I’ll take Charisse’s assessment of my work as “confrontational” as a compliment, even if he didn’t mean it that way. After all, what columnist worth his space, from Paul Krugman to Pat Buchanan, isn’t confrontational? But as for branding my ideas as “inappropriate” and “out of place”—well, isn’t that less the language of an American newsroom than an old Soviet politbureau?

Diana West

You may respond here (scroll to the bottom).

Vox Populi

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:38:57 GMT

Back in September, I thanked Sierra Vista (AZ) Herald readers whose overwhelming response in favor of my column persuaded the paper's editor to retain it following his unusual act, in effect, of putting his editorial decision to a vote. Now comes an out and out broadside against me and my work from the editor of the Hanover (PA) Evening Sun. In a column of his own, Editor Marc Charisse announced he's "getting ready to pull the plug on" yours truly. (You may click here to leave comments at the bottom of his column.) Charisse writes:

I am, however, getting ready to pull the plug on Diana West, whose column often appears on Saturdays in The Evening Sun.

In an October 2007 column written when we had to replace some of our other columnists, I said West "never met a Muslim she didn't hate."

"I'm no mullah-lover myself," I added, "but OK already, we get your point. Find something else to write about or we'll find another columnist."...
Incidentally, a doctor-friend of mine calls this a classic case of "projection": Conflicted by his own feelings about Muslims, Charisse punishes me! The editor continues:

This election, though, has added sharp new subtext to the subject of Muslims and a couple of readers--one caller and one letter writer--

Count 'em, two readers

-- have argued West's column is increasingly confrontational, inappropriate and out of place. I have to agree, and unless there's a chorus of reasoned argument on her behalf, she'll soon be replaced.

Hey, how about Donna Brazile? He continues:

In my youth, demands that something be banned were usually enough to convince me they had to stay in print. But over time, I've come to realize some things just aren't worth saying. Still, while we're on the subject of Muslims--

(There he goes again)

--the intolerance of some Islamic sects, their seeming affinity for censorship, continue to bother me more than the pronouncements of ... Diana West.

"There are regimes in the world where ideas 'offensive' to the majority (or at least those who control the majority) are suppressed. There, life proceeds at a monotonous pace," Justice William Douglas wrote in one of his many free-speech opinions. "Most of us would find that world offensive. One of the most offensive experiences in my life was a visit to a nation where bookstalls were filled only with books on mathematics and books on religion."

It's clear Douglas is referring to one of the more conservative Islamic lands, and I never wanted my own country to be like that.

???

I'd still like to think we're up to the responsibilities that should come with freedom of speech.

Marc Charisse is the editor of The Evening Sun. Email: mcharisse@eveningsun.com
Um, yeah. That's exactly how it ends (including the email address). As I mentioned at the top, if you click here, there is a place at the bottom of his column to add a comment if anyone is so inclined. My Letter to the Editor is here.

Leakology

rbuscher@haleymiranda.com — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:47:18 GMT

One of my early glossy mag assignments was for the late Clay Felker just as his Manhattan, Inc. was morphing into the relatively short-lived M Inc. The story studied the Washington power game of leaks--trial balloon leaks, manipulation leaks, vindictive leaks, strategic leaks, leak leaks. It came to mind today after many, many years on reading this story in Haaretz:

A senior adviser to Barack Obama on Sunday denied reports that the U.S. president-elect plans to throw his weight behind the 2002 Arab peace plan, which calls for Israel to withdraw from all territories captured during the 1967 Six-Day War in exchange for normalized ties with the Arab world.

This particular "senior adviser" is named and quoted as Dennis Ross, who is "denying reports" first published yesterday in the Times of London saying:

Barack Obama is to pursue an ambitious peace plan in the Middle East involving the recognition of Israel by the Arab world in exchange for its withdrawal to pre-1967 borders, according to sources close to America’s president-elect. ...

On a visit to the Middle East last July, the president-elect said privately it would be “crazy” for Israel to refuse a deal that could “give them peace with the Muslim world”, according to a senior Obama adviser.

So. We have "senior adviser" Ross at odds with "senior adviser" X over a signal Obama policy position. Does he or doesn't he? Is this early evidence of a lack of administration discipline, an internal power struggle, or both--or something else? Definitely keeping an eye on this.