Archive for: February 27, 2006

It’s funny sometimes how such simple situations turn into full blow political battles. Americans stood up and took notice when it became news that a company (Dubai Ports World) owned directly by the government of the United Arab Emirates was poised to take over day to day operations at 6 major ports. The first gut reaction was “Woah! Back up the cart on this one!” by people all across the political spectrum.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to join the continuing questions about Hurricane Katrina and ensuing events. Why were so many caught unawares? Who’s to blame for the failures? The federal government? City and state leaders? Maybe. But…

All the Iraqis fighting and killing each other over the bombing of the 1,200-year-old Askariya shrine in Samarra, Iraq, should all settle down and stop pushing Iraq to the brink of civil war. After all, it was the Jews that blew up the shrine, not radical religious elements within Iraq eager to continue the 1,400-year tradition of Sunni and Shiite Muslims slaughtering each other. At least that is what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini say.

In the middle of February, Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish Frenchman, was lured into the hands of kidnappers by a pretty female decoy. Assuming that he was rich because he was Jewish, Ilan was held for an initial ransom of over $500,000 — an amount later lowered to $6,000 when it became clear to the kidnappers that Ilan’s family was not as well off as their racist assumptions imagined. (See story at Killing in France Seen as ‘Wake-Up Call’ Washington Post)

One of the first columns I composed as a writer, was an analysis of the motives behind the criticism of Rush Limbaugh specifically, and public figures who proclaim a set of moral values in general. The editorial coincided with Limbaugh’s release from a drug rehabilitation center. I was unprepared for the barrage of hateful and vulgar responses I received from readers, who accused me of unconditionally defending Limbaugh. That was certainly not the case, but today I am clapping for the “Rushbo.”