Paul McCartney, one of the greatest songwriters ever and a key founding member of the Beatles, was in town Wednesday from the Library of Congress and made the following comments:
It's a fantastic honor (for) the Gershwin family to give me this incredible award and for me to be awarded it by the Library of Congress. And in fact, after the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is.I have been a long-time McCartney fan (even in this blog), but McCartney's comments were uncivil and inexcusable. It shouldn't even be necessary to point out, unlike McCartney, who failed to earn a college degree, the former President earned two Ivy League degrees. Of course, if McCartney had read newspapers at the time, he would have known about Bush's famous book reading contest with Karl Rove where he read better than a book a week from 2006 through 2008 (in addition to the annual practice of reading the Bible from cover to cover); Rove said in the 35 years he has known George Bush, Bush always had near him a book he was reading. Not to mention, of course, the former First Lady, Laura, was a former teacher and librarian and made literacy a key priority in her service to the nation.
To a certain extent, it was not unexpected; I think Paul was failing in yet another pathetic attempt to appear hip. Barack Obama has been Bush-bashing at least the last 6 years at the federal level, even trying to shift some of the blame for the BP oil spill on him. There were last year's unconscionable overseas apology tours. But just because the perpetually whiny current President scapegoats his predecessor for all his challenges instead of accepting responsibility like a real man doesn't excuse McCartney's unprovoked bad manners. After all, McCartney is 20 years older; he should know better.
Israel and the Gaza Flotilla
I've mostly watched the incident and news reactions to date without comment. I have a somewhat nuanced point of view:
- I believe with a neighboring terrorist-sponsoring territory/state posing an existential threat to the state of Israel, Israel is fully entitled to operate and enforce a military-goods blockade; however, I believe that some of the economic import/export restrictions (e.g., on certain food items) are questionable and counterproductive
- Israeli commando use of non-lethal weapons consisted mostly of paintball guns (vs. use of other weapons, like tear gas and smoke grenades); they seemed unprepared to meet the nature of violent resistance they encountered. Firearms were their only other means of effectively defending themselves under the circumstances and hence morally justified. However, I think the fact that the commandos had to be lowered on board (versus over the side) suggested that boarding would be difficult, and it would have been prudent to make a more sophisticated approach using more effective and commensurate use of non-lethal weapons before resorting to lethal force.
- Israel needs to consider a more flexible approach (i.e., learn to pick one's battles more carefully); this was more of a win-win situation for the morally bankrupt Hamas government. If they break the blockade, they win a public relations battle; if they provoke the Israelis into a disproportionate response, they win a public relations battle. It was not in Israel's strategic interests to respond in such a way is to bolster the Turkey Muslim government (versus the secular opposition) or support from the Palestinian opposition (e.g., Abbas' Fatah party)
"Journalist" Helen Thomas: Making News?
The video of Helen Thomas at the May 27 White House Jewish Heritage Celebration, explicitly saying that all Jews in Israel should leave and return to the prior homelands of their ancestors, is morally indefensible and pathetic; she has become little more than a shill for Palestinian radicalism and antisemitism. Let me make my position clear: We will never allow a second Holocaust. Never again. Israel's existence as a Jewish state is nonnegotiable. Helen Thomas, as an American citizen, has free speech rights to espouse her point of view, but as far as I am concerned, she has permanently undermined her journalistic credibility and integrity. Her so-called "apology" is little more than a repackaged pro-Palestinian point of view; it falls far short of the moral requirement for an unconditional apology to the people of Israel.
Political Cartoon
Bob Gorrell notes that Obama has failed to cap the wasted dollars gushing out of the federal pipeline, funded out of the pockets of future American citizens... Cutting the federal budget requires political courage, accountability, budgetary discipline, intelligence and leadership--qualities lacking in the current President.
Quote of the Day
The only gift is a portion of thyself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Musical Interlude: The AFI Music Top 100 (continued)
#81. "I'm Easy"
#82. "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead"
#83. "The Rose"
#84. "Put the Blame om Mame"
