Macho doesn't work as a foreign policy

By Creature

Trying to leave aside every tit for tat, every historical complication, every raw nerve of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and just look at what Israel is doing today (bombing the fuck out of Gaza), it's hard not to see their actions as anything but just plain dumb. If I'm willing to criticize the hawks here in the U.S. for inflaming anger and creating another generation of terrorists, I'll do the same to Israel (a country I have visited, have relatives in, and love, BTW). If the dumbfucks who are leading Israel, Hamas (and America, for that matter) cannot see that bombing people is counterproductive to the ultimate goal of living peaceably, side by side, then I have to assume I am wrong about the ultimate goal and really this is all about continuing the cycle of violence.

(Cross-posted at State of the Day.)

Top Ten Cloves: Reasons leading to Newt Gingrich deciding not to run for president

By J. Thomas Duffy

News Item: No Newt

10. There was a special, pre-nuptial clause in Gingrich's Contract for America that prevents him for running for President.

9. Told an aid, that with Hillary in the Senate, "You can bet-your-ass she'll try to impeach me".

8. Doesn't have any spiffy nicknames for himself, like The Decider/Commander/Shakespeare Guy President Bush.

7. Claims he said only if the New York Mets made the playoffs would he run for President.

6. Doesn't feel like dealing with -- if she gets the Democratic Nomination -- Hillary Clinton and her laugh.

5. Doesn't want to chance having Ann Coulter call him a "Fag".

4. Tough campaigning, since he already adopted his own policy of restricting Free Speech.

3. Deathly afraid Rush Limbaugh will start calling him a "Phony Politician".

2. His own group, American Solutions, issued a white paper indicating how bad a Gingrich presidency would be for the country.

1. Might have to go to dinner at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem with Al Sharpton and doesn't want to show-up Bill O'Reilly by not coming out with racist comments.

Bonus Newt Riffs

Michael Scherer - Newt: I'm shocked, shocked by Abramoff scandal! - From his lofty perch on the sidelines, the ethically challenged former speaker denounces corruption in politics.

David Sirota: Newt's New Con

Crooks and Liars: Newt Blames The Victims of Katrina



















(Cross-posted at The Garlic.)