Iran, Gaza, Pissing Off the Dalai Lama...

Maureen Dowd
Kathleen Parker
Dana Milbank
Meir Javedanfar

"What Fox did is not just create a venue for alternative opinion. It created an alternate reality." - Charles Krauthammer

""I think Maureen Dowd is a bitter, twisted, deranged columnist" - Karl Rove

"We want our money to be for us, not for Hezbollah in Lebanon.” - Iranian voter



My hard drive just went south, and on a disability retired pension, it will take awhile before I can afford to have it replaced. In the meantime I'm using an old laptop I bought several years ago as a backup system. The operating system is older and I can't access all of the features of the post editor in blogger, so parts will look different than before. It wil take a fewdays to rebuild my bookmark database of international news websites that I use to get different viewpoints on events, so I may be more dependent on CNN and the BBC for right now...

It seems that I'm always reading stories in the news on what I wrote about the day before, case in point, this story from the NY Times on the Iranian elections: " In the West, Iran’s coming presidential election is viewed largely through the lens of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s crackdown on social freedoms and his combative approach to Israel, the United States, and Iran’s nuclear program.

But here, as in so many other elections, another issue is seen as more important: the economy. Iran’s crippling inflation rate, unemployment, and the question of how its oil revenue is being spent are at the top of the agenda for most voters, analysts say.

The two main camps here see the issue in starkly opposed terms, with Mr. Ahmadinejad’s supporters saying his policies have improved things for average people, while all three of his challengers in the election on Friday insist that the economy is in serious trouble. Even when it comes to basic economic indicators, the two sides often present starkly opposed statistics and projections, leaving many voters confused about what to believe." For an interesting history of why Iranian politics has migrated from clerics seeking power to more ordinary citizens, click on Meir Javedanfar's article above. The election is on Friday, thousands have been passionately demonstrating every night for their candidate; it's the closest to national party-time that most of the population has ever known, with 2/3 under the age of 27 and clerical rule has been for the last 30 years.

Attitudes seem to be shifting in Gaza. According to the Christian Science Monitor: "For Hamas, the intervention of US special envoy George Mitchell may have come just in time. Nearly six months after Israel launched a blistering offensive to undermine the militant group, destroying thousands of homes and lives, Gazans are growing increasingly restless under Hamas rule.Many privately complain that Hamas's hard-line approach with both Israel and the rival Palestinian party, Fatah, has intensified their suffering. Israel has blockaded the coastal strip, making it virtually impossible for Gazans to rebuild their lives.

Under pressure from the visiting Mr. Mitchell, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet met in Jerusalem Monday to discuss easing the two-year blockade.Hamas also responded to the Obama administration's recent overtures. Top leader Khaled Meshaal, in Cairo for Egyptian-led talks on forming a unity government with Fatah, said Hamas would not obstruct any effort to establish a Palestinian state along Israel's 1967 border – a position that contradicts its charter, which claims all of historical Palestine for Palestinians." So, if the Palestinians create a coalition government in Gaza, they can join with the West Bank, and if Israel can give up the West Bank encroachments, then we may see a peace plan within our lifetime...

We are hoping that China will come through in negotiations with North Korea to free the two journalists that recently have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. But there's no guarantee that China will do more than lip service. According to the Christian Science Monitor, China may be too preoccupied with villifying the Dalai Lama while he currently tours Europe. And a man who is famous for preaching compassion for his enemies and fellow mankind is getting a bit pissed off: " "'I am getting old, and the Chinese are especially preoccupied with that! They are awaiting my death.... I have little hope of reaching a negotiated solution with the Chinese government. My trust in that government is very thin, because the whole communist political system is based on lies and hypocrisy. The local authorities lie to the regional leaders, who lie to Beijing, who then broadcasts those lies to the rest of the world!"

late night jokes:

"What an honor it is for you to have me here, and what a thrill it is to bring my show to the men and women in the U.S. military in Iraq. That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Iraq. The country so nice, we invaded it twice." --Stephen Colbert

"You know, folks, a lesser man would try to pander to you. But I'm not going to do that. Besides, you would never fall for it, because you are the sharpest, coolest, sexiest fighting force in the history of mankind." --Stephen Colbert

"You know, it's my first trip to Iraq. I don't know why I haven't made it here before, but it's hard to explain to the people back home just how hot it is here. Let me put it this way: When Saddam Hussein got to hell, I'm guessing he asked for a blanket." --Stephen Colbert

"We're actually broadcasting tonight from one of Saddam Hussein's old palaces, the al-Fah, which is also known as the water palace, because that's the only damn drink you can get around here. Come on! I mean, really. No alcohol? If anyone deserves a beer, it's you people." --Stephen Colbert

"Besides, if you get one, hook me up. I've had a look around the palace. Saddam had fantastic taste. There's so much marble and gold paint, I thought I was watching 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey.'" --Stephen Colbert

"But you know, it must be nice here in Iraq, because I understand some of you keep coming back again, and again, and again. ... The good news is, you've earned enough frequent flier miles for a free ticket to Afghanistan." --Stephen Colbert

"Now, personally, I blame the Pentagon. If they really wanted news coverage, they'd change the name from Operation Iraqi Freedom to 'John And Kate Plus 130,000.'" --Stephen Colbert

"But folks, this newsman is here. Why? Well, for a lot of reasons. First, medical. My doctor said I wasn't getting enough dust. Second, personal. I've always wanted to be able to cook a microwave burrito in my pants." --Stephen Colbert

"By the power vested in me by basic cable, I officially declare we have won the Iraq war!" --Stephen Colbert

"This morning, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor fell and broke her ankle at LaGuardia airport. Yeah, if she's confirmed, the first case she'll hear is Sotomayor v. LaGuardia airport." --Conan O'Brien

"The newest nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, broke her ankle at LaGuardia Airport. Broke it in three places. And listen to this, at least two of those breaks have to be approved by the Senate." --David Letterman

"She broke it right out there at LaGuardia Airport, stumbled on a thing and busted her leg, very painful. But fortunately, Rush Limbaugh's maid was right there at the gate with a little. 'Here, try a little…'" --David Letterman

"And then, Rush said he hopes her ankle doesn't heal." --David Letterman

"Big news in Saudi Arabia. For the first time in 30 years, Saudis are allowed to go to the movies this weekend. It's really good. Yeah. Give it up. There's a few movies to choose from. You can see 'Turban Cowboy,' 'The Taking of Hostages 1,2,3,' 'He's Just Not That Into You Driving,' or Tyler Perry's 'Madea Goes To Jail For Showing Her Ankles.'" --Jimmy Fallon


David Letterman's Top Ten Highlights of Sarah Palin's Trip to New York

10. Visited New York landmarks she normally only sees from Alaska.
9. Laughed at all the crazy-looking foreigners entering the U.N.
8. Made moose jerky on Rachael Ray.
7. Keyed Tina Fey's car.
6. After a wink and a nod, ended up with a kilo of crack.
5. Made coat out of New York City rat pelts.
4. Sat in for Kelly Ripa. Regis couldn't tell the difference.
3. Finally met one of those Jewish people Mel Gibson's always talking about.
2. Bought makeup from Bloomingdale's to update her "slutty flight attendant" look.
1. Especially enjoyed not appearing on Letterman