The Pacific Northwest's 2014 Year-in-Review

(Image from:  Scott Wood's photos of New Years Eve Fireworks in Seattle)

As 2014 draws to a close, take a look at The Seattle Time's 2014 Year-in-Review montage of headlines.

Obama: The One-Man Revolutionary

VDH explains how Our Dear Leader is a one-man revolution...

(Image from:  Hope and Change Cartoons)

...with a pen.

The Reinstated Release of "The Interview"

(Image by Eric Allie)

 

It seems like Sony Pictures got tired of being called chicken. 

 

A couple days ago, Sony announced "The Interview" will open to select theaters this Christmas Day.

 

Maybe Sony was emboldened by, not one, but two cyber attacks launched against North Korea.

 

The first started on Saturday (20 Dec 14) and collapsed North Korea's internet by Monday.

 

The country was back on line after nine hours, but then was hit with a second denial of service attack on Tuesday (23 Dec 14).  

So far, no one's claimed responsibility and some are wondering how might North Korea respond?



(Image by Nate Beeler)

 

If you're heading to the multiplex to see The Interview, or another movie, stay safe, enjoy the show and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

(Image from:  Instachallenges' O Christmas Tree)

Best wishes to you this Christmas Holiday Season and throughout the New Year. 

Don't Believe in Obamaclaus

(Image by Glenn McCoy)

Many of us like-minded folks never believed in Obamaclaus in the first place.

Especially since we knew what he'd be handing out, not just on Christmas, but the other 364 days of the year--each year...



(Image by Ken Catalino)

 

 

...and ultimately, who will be paying for it: 

 

(Image by Glenn McCoy)

 

Causation and Crazy Coincidences

(Image by Bramhall on the NY Post)

After weeks of siding with leftist protestors, the rift between the NYPD and Hizzoner, widened after the slaying of two officers over the weekend.  New York's finest even turned their collective backs to Hizzoner as he walked by.

As you sow, so shall you reap and all that.

Some are asking, Who's responsible? (Beyond the killer Ismaaiyl Brinsely, that is).

Hugh Hewitt's tempered discussion on cause and effect reminds us we've seen this sort of blame game before, coming from leftists.

And speaking of causes, the one that seems to be left out of the blame equation is--radical Islam.

Mark Steyn connects the dots of the "crazy coincidences" going on around the world with It's Not an Either/Or Question. 

The Cuban Cunundrum

(Image by Jerry Holbert)

Last week Obama dropped the bombshell about normalizing relations with Cuba.

Most of us are wondering how new-and-improved Cuban relations will affect those of us in the Good Ol' USA, but how will new-and-improved relations with America affect Cubans?

At this point, probably not all that much...

(Image by Steve Breen)

 

While there may be some, as yet to be seen, benefits from lifting the embargo against Cuba, The Diplmad asks:  Do you trust Obama? 

 

Especially since Our Dear Leader seems to think he can run the federal government solely by Imperial Decree.

 

(Image by Gary Varvel)



NYPD Officers Ambushed & Resulting Aftermath

(Image from the NY Post)

 

Sadly, the big news over the weekend was the killing of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.  Authorities said the cop killer, Ismaaiyl Brinsely, sought revenge for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. 

 

Who was the perp? 

 

Well, the man had a rap sheet, made threatening posts on social media, and fled Baltimore, MD, barely ahead of BPD. 

 

Meanwhile, after "...months of stoking anti-police sentiment across the country, far-left organizations, leaders and government officials are in damage control mode..."

 

Especially when followers of the likes of Al Sharpton have chanted:  What do we want!? Dead Cops! 

 

Former NYC Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, said it was shameful that politicians are using propaganda to seperate communities from police. 

 

Especially since cops are under attack by those who seek to evade responsibility.

 

The silver lining in all this is the NY Yankees will pay for the education of Rafael Ramos' son.

 

 

Now Showings of "Team America" Banned

(Image by Gary Varvel)

Hang on to your Team America: World Police DVDs!

The second studio domino fell yesterday when Paramount banned showings of "Team America."

Team Obama is now calling the hack attack on Sony to be a serious national security matter.  And we're now certain North Korea was behind the Sony Hack Attack.

In fact, Our Dear Leader warned their Supreme Leader that "we will respond."

In the meantime, the 1st Amendment debate is now brewing.  Hollywood assumed North Korea was a safe target to dump on--until the pix got nixed.  

Yeah, The Interview may be a schlocky movie, but denying it to audiences is caving into a dictator and a major infringement on our Constitutional rights--even the right not to go see the film.    

But--there are some, like CNN's Sharon Waxman, who think we have a "responsibility" not to upset the tender feelings of a dictator, like L'il Kim.

Other folks think that we can withdraw and let the rest of the world go to hell-and-a-handbasket.  The problem is:  We won't have the freedom to go to the multiplex and watch a movie, schlocky or otherwise, if we let the world slide into the abyss.

(Image from:  Some Ecards)

The Cromnibus Cronies of Capital Hill

(Image by Gary Varvel)

Remember how we were cautiously optimistic about the Mid Term Election's Red Tsunami?

Well, we've had a good reason to be cautious.

Last Saturday, Congress supposedly averted a dreaded shut down and passed the $1.1 trillion "Cromnibus" Spending Bill.  The WaPo has a nice graphic on how members of Congress voted.

The natives--on both sides of the political divide--are restless.  I didn't see any glowing comments about it on the FOX Twitter Feed.

Sarah Palin said it stinks to High Heaven, while Sean Hannity called Boehner cowardly for passing Cromnibus.  Even Fauxchahontas Elizabeth Warren doesn't like the Citigroup Bailout Provision crammed into it.

In case you're wondering what Cromnibus contains, here's the short answer to the longer-than-"War and Peace"-bill.

Here's another twitter feed on what Cromnibus funds and doesn't fund (yet).

It certainly looks like Republicans got their 30 pieces of silver for caving on Obamacare and Illegal Alien Amnesty.

These same Republicans will do well to remember that they can be swept away, electorally speaking, as easy as Democrats...

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

Not Playing at a Theater Near You

Score one major propaganda victory for North Korea and their allies/proxies.

Sony Pictures decided to cancel the Christmas Day release of the movie The Interview.

I wrote this last night and scheduled it to upload this evening.  But evens unfolded faster than I expected.

I wasn't planning on seeing the movie, because I suspected it would make the CIA to be almost as bad as the North Korean government.  But in light of all this, I just may go watch it--if it ever gets released.

Or maybe I'll just buy the DVD.

Yeah, that'll show'em.

Here's my original post, with links and this afternoon's update:

(Image by Gary Varvel)

Planning on seeing a movie this Holiday Season?

The Sony Hackers threaten 9/11-style attacks on the opening day of "The Interview."

I haven't paid attention to cyber attack against Sony Picture Studio, but here's a Business Insider timeline (June to 12 December 2014) for a convenient reference.

The movie isn't even playing yet to general audiences and there's already a Wikipedia entry. 

Maybe it's time to re-evaluate if a cyber attack constitutes an act of war. 

Update, 2 PM PST, 17 December 2014:

This afternoon, first AMC and Regal Cinemas backed out of showing the film, then Sony Pictures scrapped the Christmas Day release completely. 

Breaking News: Obama Plans to Normalize Relations w/Cuba

Earlier this morning, Obama announced he intends to normalize relations with Cuba.

Our Dear Leader considers this a new chapter in US-Cuba ties.

A "new chapter?"

Or is it merely re-reading the old "Let's Make Friends With Dictatorships" chapter?

Mark Rubio calls it a concession to tyranny.

Obamacare Alchemy Before Congress

(Image by Henry Payne)

 

With the media distracting the masses with the Hands Up Don't Shoot Big Lie and wringing their collective hands about depriving terrorists of their beauty sleep, another minion from Team Obama spun his lies before Congress. 

 

(Image by Lisa Benson)

Despite evidence to the contrary, Jonathan Gruber swore under oath that he didn't write a single word of the Obamacare Bill.

 

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

 

Maybe some soon-to-be-ex-congressmen believe this spin...

 

(Image by Gary Varvel)



Ignoring the Banner of Jihad

(Image from:  The Times of Israel)

 

Following-up yesterday's Big Question about the Lindt Café terrorist, today's question is: 

 

Why was this guy on bail if he was suspected of being an accomplice in his wife's (ex-wife's?) murder?

 

But some folks Down Under appear to be more concerned about "Islamophobia" than the innocent people who were killed--and the loved ones they left behind. 

 

(Image from: Global News)

Even when the gunman forced hostages to unfurl his jihadi banner, media outlets ignored the obvious and continued to ask: What could be this man's motive?

 

(Image from:  Voice of America)

Mark Steyn, a Commonwealther himself, rolled-in on this with his wish for the Jihadi Bird to fly away. 

 

While The Diplomad peeled off some layers of the multicultural onion to discuss the Sydney siege, Muslim immigrants and "male privilege."

 

Senate Dems' Selective 9/11 Amnesia

(Image by Chip Bok)

Feinstein & Friends seem to have forgotten they were informed of the use of enhanced interrogation techniques (EIT).

Under the guise of cleansing their collective (and politically motivated) conscience, Feinstein & Friends have offered aid & comfort to the enemy, while stabbing heroes and allies in the back. 

(Image by Lisa Benson)

 

Despite their claims that Americans "deserve to know," about 70% of the public don't care if terrorists are smacked around and deprived of their beauty sleep. 

 

While the public-at-large is being tortured with the gory details of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques and we're reminded "...this is not who we are..." then as Greg Gutfeld asked:  Who the Hell are we?

 

I'm sure as long as an American president has a "(D)" at the end of his/her name, drone strikes will continue to be deemed a "stain free" method of dealing with our enemies outside the Ramparts of Civilization.

 

(Image by Dana Summers)

 

Breaking News: Taliban Attack School in Pakistan

Half-a-world away from Australia, a Pakistani Taliban attack on a school leaves 145 dead.

Breaking News: Hostage Situation in Sydney Australia Ended

While I was going about my day off the internet, a terrorist in Sydney held people hostage in a cafe.

The first e-mail was breaking news from Hot Air

After a 17-hour standoff, Australian authorities stormed the cafe.

We questioned the logic of the Australian PM's politically correct statement:

So, if I say I am taking hostages for a political-Islamic reason, it remains unclear if my motives are political-Islamic? 

Like a lot of Western governments, they’ll do anything to avoid facing the reality of Islamic terrorism—in Oz in particular, they’ve been pursuing immigration policies almost as destructive as our own in that regard. 

Robert Spencer called it right:  Jihad in an Australian coffee shop.

Here's Townhall's running news update.

And finally, speaking of the destructive immigration polices mentioned above, the big questions are:  How did this man with a criminal record get in to Australia, and why wasn't he deported after his first inside offense?

Whites Being Set On Fire By Blacks

Okay, there's no quirky political cartoon for this batch of horrific stories.

Yesterday, I stumbled across the story of a funeral in Mississippi for a 19 year old woman burned alive.

What struck me about this story--beyond the brutal nature of Jessica Chambers' death--was the lack of details about how she was set on/caught fire, and who could have done such a thing.

Then I stumbled across "another dot." This time from Townhall, with the backwards headline:  Massive spike in whites setting blacks on fire.  The author leads the reader on for a few paragraphs before "correcting" the headline to read:  Massive spike in blacks setting fire to whites. 

He does this to effectively prove his point about the PC-complaint media.  We've heard ad nauseam from the Ministry of Truth about the Hands Up Don't Shoot Big Lie.

But these stories?

Nadda.

Here's the results of my Google search for blacks setting whites on fire.

It will be 15 December 2014 by the time this is posted.

I wonder when how long it will take for a national news network, even FOX NEWS, to pick up on this story--if they ever do.

Who Keeps America Going

(Image found on FlickrHiveMind)

Since this is Sunday, and with 11 days left before Christmas, I thought I'd start the week off with something uplifting.

"VDH" enlightens us on The Other America, comprised of the productive, law-abiding citizens that are keeping this country from sinking into the abyss.

Empathizing With Enemies

(Image by Glenn Foden)

Just over a week ago Hillary Clinton made headlines (again). This time, she declared we need to show respect for, and even empathize with our enemies.

I wonder if this includes Conservatives?

Anyway, from a military point of view, I can see the validity of understanding our enemies. 

Like Ralph Peters said--so we can kill them more efficiently and effectively.

The Unravelling of Rape Reports

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

 

I've never considered Rolling Stone Magazine (RS) a credible source of news.  So I didn't pay any attention to the headlines relaying RS's feature article (19 Nov 2014) about a gang rape that occurred at a UVA frat house back in 2012.

 

I'm glad I didn't waste my time.  The story started unravelling two weeks later. 

 

Since their story got shot full of holes, RS staff has been ducking questions. 

 

(Image by Dana Summers)

 

Nor are RS staffers the only ones under fire.  Lena Dunham's claim in her "memoir" that she was raped by her alma mater's token Republican also fell apart under scrutiny.

 

Dunham's publisher, Random House, issued a statement claiming "Barry" wasn't Barry after all.

 

Maybe Ms. Dunham and RS can collaborate on future pieces of fiction to raise the water level in the Sea of Lies, which I included in my previous post...

 

 

These faux facts led to some interesting insights about the bigger picture within the Ramparts of Civilization:

 

The Left is performing amazing feats of contortion over these stories of UVA and Lena Dunham.  I guess when the facts don't fit what you need, make up new facts!...I'm increasingly feeling that the Left is throwing a huge hissy fit over being soundly rejected during the last election.  They're not happy that the country is starting to see through the MSM cloud and now want some adult leadership in charge (sadly, they had to settle for the GOP).  They're in-fighting and sniping one another.  It really is fun to watch.

 

But the media is going all out to support the left’s narrative.  Just look at their sudden interest in stories about police shootings where there is race involved (real or imagined)...

 

That's what I find so fun -- the MSM is spinning things madly but people are just not believing them like they used to.  People -- only some people, of course, but enough -- are waking up and getting tired of the BS.  Politically, the country is on a knife's edge, so even turning a small group of people is making a difference.  I don't hold my breath that the country is going to shrug loose Leftism, but it is going to at least put a damper on it for a while.   If the GOP would just pull their collective head out, they might make some progress in getting the country back on an even keel.

 

Speaking of "...spinning things madly..."

 

(Image by Bob Gorrell)

 

A detailed article in Slate, gets into that, yes, rape is a serious crime, but over correcting (to say the least) seriously infringes on the rights of the accused.  Especially, as the article gets into, no one is addressing the problems of binge drinking and the Hookup Culture.

Breaking News: Thousands Without Power in Western WA After Windstorm

It's lights our for thousands after storm hit Puget Sound

Leftist Torture Report Hit Piece

(Image by Dana Summers)

 

Well after days of being warned by the media, Congressional Democrats released their one-sided, self-serving report on enhanced interrogations a couple days ago. 

 

As with Obamacare, not a single Republican signed-off on this.

 

Former Senator--and Democrat--Bob Kerry pointed out that the report contains no recommendations.

 

CIA officials, past and present, are fighting back.

 

Good for them.

 

Ralph Peters reminded us that we're faced with an enemy that will do anything to destroy us. 

 

Comrade Karla chimed in with this:

 

I get McCain’s reaction.  It’s emotional based on what happened to him.  But he’s wrong.  But these guy’s are not POWs.  Shep Smith?  Really?  Probably a nice guy, but I don’t really care what he thinks.

 

The scumbags we’ve been capturing (and Obama has been releasing) are not subject to being treated as POWs by any historical (or even legal) precedent I’m aware of.  I frankly don’t care if Achmed the Dead Terrorist was forced to wear a diaper and stand in “a stress position.”   In WW2 we would have shot them by now.   The USSC rulings from a few years ago were wrong and basically took a vacation from both the law and history.  But I’ve come to expect that these days.

 

Indeed.

 

What can you expect from a cabal of politicians who think the opposition party will put Civilization as we know it in jeopardy?

 

(Image by Lisa Benson)

 

Especially since leftists of nearly every stripe have been doing such a bang-up job of submerging Civilization in a Sea of Lies. 

 

Book Review: Rise of ISIS--A Threat We Can't Ignore

Wow.  I haven't done a book review on this blog in over two years. 

 

Normally, the only book-length material I read nowadays is fiction.  I watch the news on a near-daily basis, which is depressing enough, without delving into the depths of how bad things really are.

My wife likes Jay Sekulow's articles and commentaries.  So after she read his latest book, Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can't Ignore, she passed it on to me before mailing it off to one of her family members.

First of all, the title is a misnomer.  The book is about equally devoted to Hamas as it is to the Islamic State (aka "ISIS," "ISIL").  The authors justify this by comparing Hamas' actions against Israel with ISIS's actions against, well, just about everyone else. 

The book itself is derived from a study Mr. Sekulow and his team conducted for the University of Oxford.  As a result, the book's first several pages retain an "academese" style of writing. That is, books written for academics, by academics, often have a lengthy, explanatory preamble:  "This is a study on the (insert topic), and it's effect on (whoever/whatever).  First we will discuss (this), then we will examine (that), and we'll conclude with (another thing)."

Fortunately--and unlike most academics-for-academics books--once you get past the introduction, Rise of ISIS, is a quick and easy read.  I finished it in two days--and I'm a slow reader.

If you've been watching the news since James Foley was beheaded, there's little in this book you haven't seen, heard, or read before. Especially since ISIS likes to stay in the limelight by conducting mass executions and/or beheading on a regular basis then posting the gory results on social media sites. 

Oh, there are some graphic narratives, based on after-action reviews, official reports, and survivor testimonies we hadn't heard of because they didn't make into nightly newscasts.  But to many of us who're aware of ISIS's modus operandi already know it's part of the mosaic of brutality they've painted across Syria and Iraq.  

 

In each anecdote of atrocity, the authors illustrate ISIS's (and Hamas's) use of protected sites, like schools and hospitals, for military purposes; along with using civilians as human shields.  So when inevitable civilian casualties are inflicted, America (and Israel) are blamed.  Once again, this isn't new to any of us who're keeping tabs on our jihadist enemies.

 

In short:  Rise of ISIS is a good beginners guide for anyone willing to learn about two of the world's most notorious terrorist organizations. 

This willingness to learn is crucial if you're going to give Rise of ISIS to a novice on middle eastern affairs.  About 20% of the reviews currently on Amazon.com are 3-stars, or less range:  25 x 3-stars, 25 x 2-stars and 40 x 1-stars. 

However, the other 80% of readers did praise the book:  408 x 5-stars and 46 x 4-star reviews.

I haven't read a book--in either fiction or non-fiction--that has so many 5 & 1-star reviews piled on it. 

 

I suspect a considerable number these are partisan-based.  So you might want to verify someone's political/social leanings before handing Rise of ISIS off to someone.

The authors' conclusion drew the ire of some of the 1 & 2 star raters:  That the minions of ISIS (and Hamas) are fanatical jihadists that cannot be appeased and can only be dealt with by force.

I'm one of the readers who liked the book and agree with the authors' conclusion. 

 

However, while Rise of ISIS appears to be well researched, it's only enough for me to give it a 3-star rating.  If the stories of ISIS's (and Hamas's) violence and brutality were new to me, I'd give it a 4-star rating.  And if the authors focused on ISIS, instead of diverting readers' attention to Hamas, then the book would certainly deserve an additional 5th star.

Non-Roaring Start for Republicans

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

With Cassidy's win in LA, the Mid Term Elections of 2014 are officially over.  The "Red Tsunami" Republicans swept away nearly every opposition.

But the Big Question is:  Will they be able to effectively govern?

In regards to standing up to Our Dear Leader's Illegal Alien Amnesty Overreach, the GOP Herd is off to bad start.

Apparently, GOP leaders tricked 216 House Republicans into supporting Obama's Executive Order Amnesty.

Oh-kay. 

We've condemned the Democrats for not reading the 1k-2k page Obamacare Bill and telling us "we have to pass the bill to see what's in it."

But it doesn't inspire confidence among Red Tsunami Voters when none of the 216 Republican congressmen reviewed a 1.5 page bill, in case there were any last minute changes, before voting on it.  Not to mention there's no excuse for GOP leaders inserting a clause, and not alerting the rank and file of the changes.

Instead, it's as if they're already acting like circus elephants...

(Image by Lisa Benson)

Louisianans Say 'Later to Landrieu

(Image from:  Disrupting the Narrative)

 

The final scene in this year's midterm elections was shot in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy handily unseated Mary Landrieu in Saturday's run-off election.

 

A New Orleans radio show host cited the reason for the, now ex-senator's, loss was due to running contrary to the will of Louisiana voters.

 

(Image by Eric Allie, found on Obama Cartoons)

 

Chinese Economy Edges Forward of US

(Image by Lisa Benson)

Four days ago, I posted about our government crossing the Deficit $18 Trillion Rubicon.

The following day another, real redline was crossed, and barely anyone noticed:  The Chinese economy edged past America's.

The signs--both figurative and literal--of America's inertia can be seen just about everywhere.

As both Mark Steyn and Brett Arends points out:  When a nation's economy declines, so does it's military power.

I pray we can recover from this financial flat spin we're in.

War Clouds Gather Outside the Ramparts

(Image by Nate Beeler)

 

While civil unrest and scandals abound here at home, the "...world is changing and becoming even more dangerous--in a way we've seen before." 

 

For instance:

 

The Chinese Navy's fleet is projected to outnumber the USN by 2020.

 

While Turkey is no friend of the west and Iraq is so corrupt, it's army consists of 50,000 "ghost soldiers."

Another Grand Jury Decision, Another Protest

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

 

A wave of protests swamped the Big Apple on Wednesday after another grand jury declined to prosecute a police officer. 

 

And of course, the Justice Department plans on conducting its own investigation, despite the grand jury's findings. 

 

But unlike the Michael Brown case, the choke hold death of Eric Garner has alarmed conservatives like:  Charles Krauthammer and The Diplomad. 

Waiting for the Ball to Drop

(Image by Bob Gorrell)

Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the New Year's Eve Ball.

I'm talking about the Obamacare Wrecking Ball. 

A recent report predicts "dark days ahead" for Obamacare. 

Well "dark days" have been predicted by every opponent of the "Unaffordable Healthcare Act" since it was first conceived.

But of course, people like ex-Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sibelius, are still talking the Big Obamacare Lie: 

That the fault in Obamacare's on-going failings is due to the American people's low "financial literacy."

Redline Deficit on Black Friday

(Image by Lisa Benson)

 

On Black Friday, the federal government slipped past another red line:  The national debt hit $18,000,000,000,000. 

Past presidents certainly share the blame in allowing our deficit to spiral out of control.

So this isn't entirely Obama's fault--just 70% of it.

Good Question

(Image by Ken Catalino)

 

I thought I'd start December off with a dose of humor.

It's still a very good question though.