Noura Erakat Speaks Her Mind. Well, I just saw Bill O'Reilly interview Noura Erakat on tonight's No Spin Zone. She was pretty clever dodging his questions ... especially on the issue as to whether or not Israel has a right to exist. Here's a short portion of her address to the D.A.W.N. anti-Israel Rally 7/26/2006 in which she states that "Palestine has been occupied since 1948." That puts her squarely in the arms of those who want to see the entire state dismantled. The 1967 borders are the recognized starting point for negotiations (supposedly) by all parties willing to negotiate. "1948" translates roughly as "into the sea". Dodge this. And, yes, let's put it to rest and move on: she's quite a babe. A crazy lefty babe, but a babe nonetheless. Just to be clear.

D.A.W.N. at the Israeli Embassy

Yet another in a long and seemingly endless line of spectacularly inept leftist protests. And yet ... no puppets. I actually think I'm beginning to miss those guys ... **** UPDATE **** I thought I'd illustrate the insanity here for non-DC residents. The two blue circles are the start and end points for the march. We started at the blue circle to the right, which is the corner of Van Ness and Connecticut Avenue, NW. The blue circle to the left is where the Israeli Embassy is located. A direct line between the two is indicated by the yellow arrow ... about a quarter of a mile. And yet the pink arrows show our actual route of about 1.5 miles. Like I say in the video, that would sort of make sense if the route followed a heavily populated commercial district with lots of eye-balls. But, as you'll see if you watch the video ... this is just a quiet residential area of tony houses, trees-lined streets and barking dogs, typical for those who want a quiet, suburban-like setting away from the urban bustle. It was totally deserted. Who's the audience here? Do these people give any thought to their end product? Even the long northward march up Connecticut Ave. was just random apartment buildings, with a sprinkling of small shops. Go figure. Scroll down for more photos!

"Funeral Procession March" to Israeli Embassy. **** Looking for pictures of fat Cindy? Scroll down. **** OK, I'm tired and in a bad mood, so we'll start on a low note ... Believe it or not, this is the same sign ... front and back [see below]. What the heck is this guy saying? Love your enemies? Axis of Slaughter!? Choose a message folks ... it doesn't matter which one ... and stick with it at least for the duration of the protest. Interestingly, this is the side that the dude chose as his "front". At least he walked this side forward throughout the march. I'm assuming that, even in this dude's misguided world, that means front. Just a wild assumption. Here are the coffins. Nice. Lefties love this stuff.

Here we have an example of "nuance" from the left. No sense making broad, unsupported statements.

OK, let's talk racism ... Kofi = black = "houseboy" Condi = black = "housegirl" Yup.

Good start ... rotten finish. Do you sense a pattern? Anyway, shouldn't that be "Bush Only Has a Road Map to War"? Or am I being picky...? I'm not sure what to make of this, but at least it's original ... that's saying a lot with this crowd. Why is Israel spelled backwards? I hate small, unreadable signs. Who are you communicating with? Hobbits? I had to get pretty close to take a good picture of this, and with this crowd you never really know how they'll react. I hate that. I never did figure out what those were photos of. Bodies maybe ... lefties just love to show dead children. Dead non-Jewish children, that is. Takoma is DC's version of Berkeley. Once again ... unreadable past three yards. Decide who your audience is, folks, and focus. This is actually pretty good, lefty-sign-wise. Visible. To the point. OK use of color. No extraneous punctuation. OK use of irony, though without much humor. Which is, frankly one of the trademarks of lefty protests. Devoid of humor. Just devoid. Not terribly original, either, but we can't have everything. AIPAC sorta qualifies as a cheap-shot in this crowd. As a connoisseur, I need more, frankly. This was the lead "banner" displayed at the Embassy. How hard is this? Come on, folks ... if you're going to make a sign you want the world to read then MAKE A SIGN THE WORLD CAN READ. Sheesh. Oh, and finally ... just in case we forget what exactly is the "geography" of this entity they call "Palestine" ...

CODE PINK: "Camp Al-Maliki" Went down to the Iraqi Embassy to check out how "Camp Al-Maliki" was going. Apparently the idea is that they'll stay until they are granted a meeting with the Prime Minister. Chuh. Actually, folks, there's a certain amount of progress here ... at least they recognize al-Maliki as the actual Prime Minister. Last time we were here these same ladies were denouncing the whole Iraqi government as a group of stooges for Bushitler McChimpyburton. Take what you can get. I'd say six CP's ... seven tops. er ... wasn't Cindy Sheehan supposed to be on some sort of diet ... er ... fast? Nothing more to see here, folks ... just move along. **** UPDATE **** The person who disrupted al-Maliki's address to congress today looks suspiciously like Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink. Here's my photo of her from "Camp al-Maliki" yesterday. I guess the PM never came out for that photo-op. **** FURTHER UPDATE **** Why, indeed it was! I thought I recognized that raspy little voice and lifeless hair! Thanks Michelle!

A quick breather... A beautiful Sunday drive today ... Julia and I just took off in the convertible and headed west. We landed here, at a place called Edward's Ferry, on the Maryland side of the Potomac. It was where the GAR crossed the river heading north, following Lee's juggernaut Army of Northern Virginia, during what became the Gettysburg Campaign. Until that time, Lee's army had won almost every engagement with the Union army and Lincoln was in a desperate state, changing Union commanders after almost every battle ... every disaster. Public opinion was moving solidly against the war and against the Republican Party. The Europeans were energetically trying to find a way to recognize the Confederacy and mortally wound the United States government. Less than two months before crossing here, within the span of just two (2) days, May 2 - 3, 1863, the Union army suffered 17,287 casualties at the battle of Chancellorsville. The nation was staggered. Even the eventual, costly victory at Gettysburg did little to change that. And worse was yet to come. The Union soldiers that crossed over this very place were dispirited and beaten beyond imagining. You can almost still hear the creak of saddle leather and the shuffle of dragging feet. One of the benefits of living in the DC area is the enormous amount of history that surrounds the place. Living here is a constant reminder of the multitude lessons from American History. The C&O canal runs along the Potomac from Georgetown (DC) to Cumberland (MD), about 186 miles. This is the section just adjacent to Edward's Ferry. The Potomac river runs about 75 yards to the right of the photos. As you can see, most of the canal has decayed to almost nothing. Still, if you want, you can actually hike the length of the canal (a trail ... part of the original towpath ... runs along the lip of the canal) and camp. A really beautiful, quiet place. This coming week should be interesting ... I have two "events" I intend to document. Today was a real breath of fresh air. Just wanted to share. 

ANSWER strikes back. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water ... The fun of living in the Nation's Capital just knows no bounds. Another incompetent, ill-conceived, poorly run, walking menagerie of geriatric boomers, bullhorns, angry young losers, "Che" tote-bags and lefty beret-wearing "revolutionary" wannabes rears it's unkempt, bed-matted head. Maybe we'll even get a puppet or two. These folks have to do something between bong parties in mom's basement. You just know I'll be there ...

I just got back from the Israel Rally. Here are some quick photos for your viewing pleasure. I did get some interesting video ... especially of the Israeli Ambassador's speech. As an aside ... let me say it was nice to be among adults. Lefty rallies (vastly more common and much, much funnier) generally boil down (both physically and intellectually) to a grotesque, surreal and dour variety of high-school pep rally. This rally was smooth, professional and intelligent. Bravo lads. Plus ... no puppets. **** UPDATE **** Here's my video of Ambassador Daniel Ayalon's address to the Solidarity with Israel Rally, today, in Freedom Park. For a higher definition version of the video click here. There's a brief incident where the view is blocked by a sign. It soon passes. [I'm trying YouTube here ... not sure if I'll stick with it] Please check back ... I'll have to process the stuff and then post it. That usually takes a couple of hours. Most of the rally was pretty tame. I'd say there was a crowd of about 4,000 people there. There was a lot of pro-Bush feeling in the crowd. A lot. I managed to get an interview with this bloke. His sign says "True Muslims support Israel". Interesting. I'll post the video of my interview soon. Please check back for updates. **** UPDATE **** OK, I'm going to try YouTube on this one ... let's see how it works.

Iran's Hizbollah says ready to attack US, Israel

"They have been trained and they can become fully armed. We are ready to dispatch them to every corner of the world to jeopardise Israel and America's interests. We are only waiting for the Supreme Leader's green light to take action. If America wants to ignite World War Three ... we welcome it," he said.

Well, if Supreme Leader is anything like Fearless Leader ... I'd say it's time to call in the boys from McKeesport (Moose and Squirrel) and start this ball rollin'. See ya'll tomorrow at the rally!

In the DC Metro Area: The Jewish Community Relations Council is holding a rally of Solidarity with Israel this Wednesday, July 19, at noon at Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets in North West). I'll be there, of course.

Another ANSWER Fiasco. This is getting to be a habit. I feel so conflicted ... **** UPDATE **** VIDEO is finally up ... scroll to bottom of post. ***** What the heck is wrong with the left today? Ok, I know ... but really ... I mean it. What the heck is wrong with these people? Heck, in my day Nixon just needed to sneeze and we'd've had 20,000 on the streets. Angry. No problem. What a bunch of incompetent lefty jerks. Or is that redundant? Given the events of the past few days, I attended this rally with the fully formed expectation that people would "take to the streets" and finally .. finally ... we'd get something interesting. OK. Here's the street. Where are the people? Don't get me wrong, of course ... I'm not lamenting the lack of attendance at these events. In the long run, the fewer the better. But really, my job (such as it is) would be much easier if these people were more interesting. As it is, this is all they can come up with. I'm beginning to feel un-needed. Most of the speeches were bland beyond imagination. I did manage to get ONE (1) good video of a dude just dripping with anti-semitism. I'll be posting that later. On another note: there's something deeply ironic about this photo [above] ... I can't really pin it down. It has something to do with the orange sign in the background I think. If anyone has a clue, please let me in. I did manage to get one sorta interesting photo. Here's an old Code Pinko holding a sign with ... well ... someone of a different faith. Strange bedfellows. OK, here's the video. This guy just drips with anti-Semitism. Please note ... the "poem" he leads of with is ... his own. I'll let him speak for himself. Regarding Darfur, please check here and here and here for Elie Weisel et al. I'll let you judge for yourselves.

FAST or FAST ONE? It's easy for the public to be unaware of the fact that behind each of these "events" is an agenda ... well supported by a generally invisible media stationed out of range and a office full of public relations reps, satellite feeds, and politicians. Part of my purpose here is to expose that connection. We each of us need a set of decoder rings in this Orwellian world, and a constant awareness of just where the lie begins and ends. Sometimes the liars themselves give us a clue. Here's a quote from Cindy's blog at Political Affairs: Marxist Thought Online:

I find traveling out of the country very challenging being on a fast. When I was on a layover in Madrid on my way to Venice, Italy yesterday, the closest thing I could find to a smoothie to get a little protein was a coffee with vanilla ice cream in it.

Sounds tough. And remember, this is only what she admits to in public. Please also note the tag-line for the blog site that hosts Cindy's "thoughts":

Marxist Thought Online

Remember that when others try to feed you the Orwellian lie that these are "well-meaning" folks, or that they are simply expressing "their disenchantment with the US" or that they aren't aware of what they are doing and saying, or that there isn't any connection between anti-war protests and Communism. Let's remember, too, that this publicity pack-hound is going to fast until the troops come home:

The Troops Home Fast is a moral response to an immoral act. We can, and must be, morally strong so we can feast on the day that the last troop is brought home from the war crime in Iraq.

We'll see.  **** UPDATE **** Michelle Malkin at Hot Air tries on Cindy's Fast

Photo Flotsam from ANSWER: July 6, 2006 I didn't take many photos at this rally. There weren't that many people ... and those that were there tended to be, frankly, rather colorless. Plus, most of the signage was pre-printed. I think they're starting to catch on. However, leave it to the "intelligentsia" when going it alone. They rarely disappoint. Here's a dual-purpose Code Pink/ANSWER number [above]. Too bad permanent markers don't have spell-checkers. But you'd think that these folks would make at least one quick scan of their work before displaying it to the world. Especially on subjects which, given the context, the author is implying at least some knowledge and familiarity. Here's the masthead on this old standard-bearer. Sadly predictable. My guess is that these three buttons serve the wearer in an interchangeable way for any given lefty protest rally ... a quick shift of emphasis serving three major themes. Today, it's the Palestine theme. On Monday, I'd wager that the Code Pink peace symbol graced the forward position (the lack of text on the button makes it useful against any US incursion, so this was a nice investment). If the gathering is just basic general lefty Bush bashing then the Secede button takes a prominent role. Kinda admirable in a creepy sorta way. Here's an interesting variation to the type of slapdash design nightmares we've come to expect from leftist placard research-and-development. This one is actually laminated ... and it ain't small. Money was spent ... some pride in workmanship displayed. Plus a bit of foresight. It's been rainy lately. That type of planning is a bit unusual in this crowd. That's all, folks. Until next time ...

Just got back from the ANSWER "Justice for Palestine" rally at the Israeli embassy in DC. Got some good photos and some great video. I'll be processing it and posting as available. Check back. Included will be a confrontation (me and him, mano a mano) with this bloke, Brian Becker, National Coordinator for the ANSWER Coalition and ... wait for it ... FOUNDING MEMBER of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. He's a dick. Videos are up. Please scroll down. **** UPDATE **** Requires Windows Media Player OK, here's the first video. There's much more to come. I'm just titling this one "First Bloke" or "A Little Bit of Honesty". Please enjoy and check back. This is not the confrontation promised above. What's the "little bit of honesty"? Why, a frank admission by one of the protest's organizers (ANSWER) that, in their pathetic anti-Semitic universe, the entire land of Israel is "occupied". Which is too bad ... I sorta thought the guy doing the talking was generally OK. **** SECOND VIDEO **** Requires Windows Media Player Here's the second video. THERE'S MORE TO COME. I'm titling this "What's Jazz?" "What's Jazz" is a reference to one of my favorite quotes: Louie Armstrong (the great late jazz musician) is asked by a reporter; "What's Jazz?" To which Louie replied ... "Brother, if you have to ask, you'll never know." The speaker in this video (above) asks a "fundamental question" to which the answer would be about the same. Please enjoy (it's very short) and check back. I have yet to get to you-know-who. **** THIRD VIDEO **** Requires Windows Media Player OK, this video is presented mostly de rigueur. It is the complete speech by our ANSWER head-honcho commie (mentioned above) Brian Becker. Never let it be said I didn't let the little anti-semitic pinko have his say. Frankly, it speaks for itself ... volumes. And, yes, it is a bit long. After the speech I had a few follow-up questions to certain points he brought up. The next video will be his reaction to my questions. Check back. **** FOURTH VIDEO **** Requires Windows Media Player OK, here's me and Brian Becker mano a mano as promised. Background: the rally was breaking up and a number of the protesters had spilled out on to Van Ness with their placards. I ran down to the street to get a photo (it was something different in an otherwise blindingly boring and orchestrated protest). Brian Becker showed up next to me while I was taking the photos. I had my video camera ... off ... in my other hand. I asked Brian if he would answer a few questions ... he immediately began asking me about who I was and what I was doing there, somewhat belligerently. I finally got a brain and turned on my camera. Here is the list of questions I had made notes on during his speech: 1. You say an Israeli soldier has been "taken prisoner". What do you mean by that? 2. You mention the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Under what circumstances do you believe they were imprisoned? 3. You claim that these prisoners are "routinely tortured". What evidence to you have for that? 4. You imply that Israel needs to fall back to its 1948 borders. Who else is calling for that? 5. You want every Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails to be released ... even those demonstrably terrorists and murderers? 6. Do you really believe that US aid to Israel isn't a campaign issue in US elections? 7. You say that "some of the worst anti-Semites are in the Government". Who? 8. How is Israel functioning as a Colonial entity to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, UAE? 9. The Iraqi occupation has killed 200,000? Where do you get your figures? 10. Who, in your experience, accuses the ENTIRE Arab people of terrorism? 11. You say "Palestine will be free". What, in your opinion, is "Palestine"? He answered none of the above. Pointedly. What a putz.

A CODE PINK 4th of July, Washington DC. Scroll down for video and more photos (many more)! Ya gotta love it ... This isn't Kansas anymore, Toto: these people live in a world where these things are worn proudly. **** UPDATE **** I just got back from delivering my raw footage for the video below and the Code Pink march as a whole, etc. to Fox News here in DC for possible inclusion in a segment of Hannity & Colmes. **** UPDATE **** They did end up using the stuff with Cindy Sheehan. I was really surprised ... the video quality was great (they used of course the raw file off the DV) ... **** UPDATE **** The video is up at Fox. You can view the entire segment at Expose the Left.

Two Videos: OK, first we have one of the Code Pink speakers and anti-war activists, Father Louis Vitali, who spoke with Harry Reid (D-NV) in Las Vegas and then again in DC. Harry Reid doesn't like this war ... not one bit. Harry Reid wants people to "take to the streets" regarding Iraq. Literally. Otherwise ... or so he says ... they (viz.: Senate Democrats) will have no "spine" on the issue. They need a "spine". Harry Reid apparently loves Code Pink. **** UPDATE **** I just found out that our friend the priest here is quite the active chap. Here's a photo from Zombie of the same bloke with the caption: "Father Louie Vitale, a Catholic priest, exiting the stage area after giving a speech in which he made pronouncements "in the name of Allah." Cripes ... now why doesn't that surprise me? This is great. A group of kids comes to DC for a July 4th visit. Probably something they and they're parents have saved up for for some time. An important moment. What do they find while visiting the White House? Why, Code Pink of course. But not just Code Pink ... an angry and taunting and puerile Code Pink that chooses to taunt these children with a bastardized version of God Bless America. Taunt and point. Nyahh Nyahh. What happens then? As Bulwinkle would say ... "Just listen!" **** UPDATE, July 7 **** I got contacted once again by the producers of Hannity & Colmes on Fox. Apparently they are going to use portions of my video (above) of the kids singing in response to Code Pink's taunting on their show tonight. **** UPDATE, post H&C **** Well, they obviously changed the direction of the segment. However, they did use my footage, taken earlier at the Gandhi statue. Same song, different place, different situation. I generally take 1 to 2 hours of footage at these events. I only end up using less than 15 minutes. Scroll down for more Code Pink!

CODE PINK ... again. I and my intrepid colleague Julia Flyte just got back from today's Code Pink "Troops Home Fast" ... fast. As in "not eating". On the 4th of July. If that isn't treason I don't know what is. Most of the usual suspects were involved. Cindy, of course ... (we're on 'nodding' terms now, G-d love her) ... with some geriatric additions! Let's start with: Daniel Ellsberg! Can you believe it!? I mean ... Daniel Ellsberg!! In the flesh! This guy was an old lefty traitorous commie faux-patriot flake when I was but a nipper in High School. And there he is still! Daniel Ellsberg!! (I know you're jealous). G-d life is weird. I couldn't believe this guy was still sucking breath. Sad, though. I figure his life is sorta the perfect paradigm for lefty 60's types who just won't let go. Heck, I should know ... I'm an old lefty 60's type myself ... but then I had a family and started a business and actually grew up as opposed to sitting in my patchouli smelling apartment dreaming of those acid trips with Sandy on the beach and re-reading old Tom Hayden manifestos. Those were nice ... no doubt ... and Tom was one heck of a writer, but time moveth on, dude. And just look who you're walking around with now! Sandy? I think not. Not even in her heyday. Then we have: Dick Gregory!! You young whippersnappers may not know this, but this guy used to be fat and funny. Really. By the way, that "Free DC" chapeau is typical of a peculiar species of DC moonbattery. Just for you collectors. Speaking of collectors, you all who read this blog on occasion know that one of my passions is protest signage ... so let's get that over with right now. Here we have a classic example of left-wing humor. They don't seem to be able to help themselves. I suppose that it's all that "free love" stuff. Believe me ... you get what you pay for. Note the use of the colon ... that may or may not have been Freudian. Probably was. Interestingly, this seems to have been "finger painted". I'm not sure what to make of that, but I do find it "interesting". In a Freudian kinda way. This being Code Pink, the sign randomness was kept to a minimum. Here we have a small, barely readable sign even from a few paces. What are these people thinking? I keep the fingers to give you, my dear readers, a sense of the scale. Tiny. It had a reverse side ... even less readable if that's possible. We're going to be marching down Connecticut Avenue, dude, and then camping out on Lafayette Park. This thing would be invisible and off-putting at a yard sale. Jesus would have bombed the crap out of Rome. He told me. The inevitable Rachel Corrie reference ... I think we'll be seeing a lot of this in the next few months. This guy claimed to be an Iraq vet. I don't know ... maybe he is. Is that an official issue kaffeyeh? This was great and the subject of a VIDEO I'll put up after I process it. At the end of the march, at Lafayette Park, as Code Pink was milling and getting photo ops this group of young band musicians from Michigan (I think) came by for their White House visit. The Code Pinkers started to sing a bastardized version of God Bless America. These little heros started singing and completely drowned them out. It was priceless. Check back for the video. Video is up!