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0 Views
21:02:02 02/03/12
Aaron Rodgers Rant - BR's Matt King - BR5+
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 21:02:02 02/03/12
Aaron Rodgers Rant - BR's Matt King - BR5+
Remember to Subscribe! - goo.gl Aaron Rodgers was apparently disappointed by his teammates' efforts in the Pro Bowl and felt that they embarrassed themselves, saying that when they were playing, they didn't put any effort into it. To which I reply: No. Shit. It's the Pro Bowl, Aaron. Okay? The Pro Bowl. Even the WNBA thinks the game is an embarrassment. How can you be disappointed in something that had no expectations to begin with? Nobody came away from watching the Pro Bowl wishing they'd seen more hustle. That's like bitching about the acting after watching Fast Five. And don't think we can't see what you're trying to do here. You should have been in the Super Bowl, but you blew it so you're trying to make up for it by being super intense about the Pro Bowl. You're like that one kid who reminds the teacher to give out homework to suck up. So your team didn't give enough effort and they lost. As if the AFC players tried SO hard the whole time. And what did it all matter in the end? You got a free trip to Hawaii, you earned $25k for an exhibition game and, oh yeah, you came out of it healthy enough to play next year in games that actually mean something. You'd be singing a different tune if James Harrison had been trying and bent you 90 degrees in the wrong direction. I know we're all supposed to shower Rodgers with nothing but praise and discount double check dances, but I'm calling BS on this one. Hey Aaron, you know what was ACTUALLY disappointing? Your 78.5 QB rating ... From: BleacherReport Views: 1175 20 ratings Time: 01:26 More in Sports
0 Views
21:02:02 02/03/12
Aaron Rodgers Rant - BR's Matt King - BR5+
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 21:02:02 02/03/12
Aaron Rodgers Rant - BR's Matt King - BR5+
Remember to Subscribe! - goo.gl Aaron Rodgers was apparently disappointed by his teammates' efforts in the Pro Bowl and felt that they embarrassed themselves, saying that when they were playing, they didn't put any effort into it. To which I reply: No. Shit. It's the Pro Bowl, Aaron. Okay? The Pro Bowl. Even the WNBA thinks the game is an embarrassment. How can you be disappointed in something that had no expectations to begin with? Nobody came away from watching the Pro Bowl wishing they'd seen more hustle. That's like bitching about the acting after watching Fast Five. And don't think we can't see what you're trying to do here. You should have been in the Super Bowl, but you blew it so you're trying to make up for it by being super intense about the Pro Bowl. You're like that one kid who reminds the teacher to give out homework to suck up. So your team didn't give enough effort and they lost. As if the AFC players tried SO hard the whole time. And what did it all matter in the end? You got a free trip to Hawaii, you earned $25k for an exhibition game and, oh yeah, you came out of it healthy enough to play next year in games that actually mean something. You'd be singing a different tune if James Harrison had been trying and bent you 90 degrees in the wrong direction. I know we're all supposed to shower Rodgers with nothing but praise and discount double check dances, but I'm calling BS on this one. Hey Aaron, you know what was ACTUALLY disappointing? Your 78.5 QB rating ... From: BleacherReport Views: 1175 20 ratings Time: 01:26 More in Sports
2 Views
22:00:19 06/17/11
![David Stockman On Tarp The Fed Ron Paul And Reagan [Short]](http://static2.channels.com/thumbnails/assets/reason-tv/feeds/191-2239/392044/episodes/15554978_Reason-Tv-David-Stockman-On-Tarp--The-Fed--Ron-Paul-And-Reagan--Short---jpg)
David Stockman On Tarp The Fed Ron Paul And Reagan [Short]
![David Stockman On Tarp The Fed Ron Paul And Reagan [Short]](http://a.images.blip.tv/Reasontv-DavidStockmanOnTARPTheFedRonPaulAndReaganSHORT766-694.jpg)
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 22:00:19 06/17/11
At the very start of the "Reagan revolution," David Stockman exposed the myth that Ronald Reagan and the modern Republican Party are dedicated to small government. In 1981, the 35-year-old Stockman gave up his Michigan seat in Congress to become Reagan's budget director. A vocal critic of what he continues to call the "welfare-warfare state," Stockman had signed on because he believed in the limited government rhetoric that Reagan espoused. Once inside the White House, Stockman quickly became disenchanted, and gave an interview to journalist William Greider that became the basis for an explosive Atlantic Monthly article in which Stockman admitted that Reagan's proposed spending cuts had been a "Trojan horse" used to justify tax cuts. In his 1985 memoir, The Triumph of Politics, Stockman chronicled Reagan's reluctance to fulfill his campaign promise of shrinking the size and scope of government and balancing the budget. The result? The gross federal debt tripled while Reagan was in office. Last fall, Stockman was the GOP-defector du jour once more, arguing against extending George W. Bush's tax rates in the New York Times, on 60 Minutes, the Colbert Report, Parker-Spitzer, ABC, NPR, and MSNBC. Stockman's argument - that it's irresponsible to cut taxes when cumulative U.S. debt is steadily mounting as a percentage of GDP - is based on the simple principle that balanced budgets come only when revenues actually meet expenditures. If we're not willing to actually shrink government spending, he says, then we should pay full freight now, rather than forcing our children and grandchildren to foot the bill down the line. Here's what didn't come across in Stockman's media blitz: Since writing The Triumph of Politics he says he has "completed his homework" by reading libertarian economists such as Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and Murray Rothbard. He thinks TARP was a big-government boondoggle and the bailouts of GM and Chrysler unconscionable. Stimulus spending is a hoax. He sees the abandonment of the gold standard in favor of floating exchange rates as the root cause of both the country's fiscal problems and the 2008 financial crisis. He says that Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is the only politician today "who gets it" and he's hopeful that Paul's growing power may begin to shed light on "the scholastic arrogance" of the Federal Reserve. He's still against the welfare-warfare state and he thinks government should be cut down to size. . Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie sat down with Stockman for a wide-ranging discussion that touched on tax cuts, monetary policy, TARP, Ronald Reagan, his tenure as a Michigan Congressman, and the gold standard. Approximately 7.30 minutes. To view the complete 42-minute version of the interview with David Stockman, click here: http://bit.ly/hVpHGj Camera by Jim Epstein and Hawk Jensen. Edited by Epstein and Joshua Swain. Go to Reason.tv for downloadable version of this and all our videos and subscribe to Reason.tv's YouTube channel to receive automatic notification when new material goes live.
7 Views
00:25:39 07/18/10
Inception, The Grease Sing-a-long and Ramona and Beezus (Version-2)
[LESS INFO] 7 VIEWS | ADDED 00:25:39 07/18/10
This weeks Contenders.... Check out more cool stuff at www.icplaces.com
Inception
In Theatres and IMAX® Friday, July 16
Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in "Inception," an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-- inception . Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.
But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a film by Christopher Nolan, "Inception."
The film stars three-time Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("Blood Diamond," "The Aviator"), Academy Award® nominee Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai"), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("500 Days of Summer"), Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), Academy Award® nominee Ellen Page ("Juno"), Tom Hardy ("RocknRolla," "Bronson"), Cillian Murphy ("Batman Begins"), Academy Award® nominee Tom Berenger ("Platoon"), Dileep Rao ("Avatar"), and two-time Oscar® winner Michael Caine ("Hannah and Her Sisters," "The Cider House Rules").
"Inception" was written and directed by Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "The Dark Knight"), who also produced the film with Emma Thomas. Chris Brigham and Thomas Tull served as executive producers, with Jordan Goldberg co-producing.
Nolan's behind-the-scenes collaborators included three-time Oscar®-nominated director of photography Wally Pfister ("The Dark Knight," "The Prestige," "Batman Begins"), production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"), two-time Oscar®-nominated editor Lee Smith ("The Dark Knight," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"), Oscar®-nominated costume designer Jeffrey Kurland ("Bullets Over Broadway," "Collateral"), and Oscar®-nominated special effects supervisor Chris Corbould ("The Dark Knight"). The music is by Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer ("The Dark Knight," "The Lion King").
Concurrently with the film's nationwide theatrical release, "Inception: The IMAX Experience" will be released in select IMAX® theatres. "Inception" will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience.
"Inception" has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of violence and action throughout.
The Grease Sing-a-Long
“GREASE” SING-A-LONG SELLS OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Sold Out Shows Reported in Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego and San Francisco –
Ocala, FL Sells Out Entire Weekend
“GREASE” fans everywhere have spoken. Sellouts have been reported in Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Ocala, FL, San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA for the upcoming exclusive engagements of “GREASE” Sing-A-Long. On the heels of promotional, standing room only outdoor screenings across the country, people have flocked to buy tickets for the limited engagements of the hit musical.
John Travolta’s hometown, Ocala, FL, has reported all showings of the limited engagement are sold out.
“GREASE” Sing-A-Long will begin playing TONIGHT in its first run of exclusive showings in 12 markets across the country. The first cities to show the film include: New York, NY (AMC Village); Los Angeles, CA (AMC Century City); Chicago, IL (AMC River East); San Francisco, CA (AMC Metreon); Boston, MA (AMC Boston Commons); Dallas, TX (AMC Northpark); Atlanta, GA (Regal Atlantic Station); Seattle, WA (AMC Pacific Place); Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, FL (Sunrise Gateway); San Diego, CA (AMC Fashion Valley); Austin, TX (Alamo Lamar); and Ocala, FL (Regal Hollywood).
Paramount Pictures will expand the film to the following five additional cities on Thursday, July 15th: Houston, TX (Cinemark Woodlands 17); Orlando, FL (AMC Pleasure Island); Phoenix, AZ (AMC Esplanade); San Antonio, TX (STKS Palladium); and Detroit, MI (MJR Partridge Creek). These additional five cities were selected based on the results of an online poll, with fans across the country “demanding” the musical open in their city. The film is being distributed by Paramount Pictures under the newly created Insurge Pictures label.
Ramona and Beezus
The adventures of young Ramona Quimby (newcomer Joey King) and her big sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) come to life in this all new film based on the best-selling books (over 30 million…and counting) by Beverly Cleary. Ramona’s vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family’s home.
John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Bridget Moynahan (I, Robot) also star as Ramona and Beezus’ parents, Robert and Dorothy Quimby, while Ginnifer Goodwin (He’s Just Not That Into You) portrays the girls’ Aunt Bea, opposite Josh Duhamel (Transformers) as Bea’s former flame, Hobart. Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) plays Ramona’s third grade teacher, Mrs. Meacham.
Elizabeth Allen (Aquamarine) directs from a screenplay by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay. Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan produce for Fox 2000 Pictures and Walden Media. The cinematographer is John Bailey, ASC; Brent Thomas is the production designer; and Jane Moran is the editor. Co-producer is Brad Van Arragon. Music is by Mark Mothersbaugh, and the music supervisor is Julia Michels.
First published over 50 years ago, Beverly Cleary’s books have entertained several generations of readers. The cast and filmmakers of the first major motion picture based on Cleary’s series – RAMONA AND BEEZUS – typifies the books’ cross-generational appeal. The film’s Ramona, Joey King, began reading the book series before she was cast in the role. Selena Gomez, the on-screen Beezus, had read the books in elementary school. “I love how Beverly writes the characters,” says the popular singer-actress. “We wanted to do justice to Beverly and her work, and to make her proud. We all did our homework and worked really hard to be true to the characters. I think this movie is going to be a fun family experience.”
“I grew up on the Ramona books, as did my mother who passed them down to me,” says Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Ramona and Beezus’ Aunt Bea. “I think the way the books are passed down from parent to child is what’s magical about the whole series. The thing that really struck me when I reread the books was how Beverly Cleary captured the childhood experience.”
For the filmmakers, the process of turning the books into a major motion picture brought up strong feelings of nostalgia. “It’s a unique privilege to be able to make a movie that’s based on something so integral to one’s childhood,” says producer Alison Greenspan, who worked tirelessly to secure the motion picture rights to the beloved books.
6 Views
17:46:59 07/16/10
Inception, The Grease Sing-a-long and Ramona and Beezus
[LESS INFO] 6 VIEWS | ADDED 17:46:59 07/16/10
This weeks Contenders.... Check out more cool stuff at www.icplaces.com
Inception
In Theatres and IMAX® Friday, July 16
Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in "Inception," an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-- inception . Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.
But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a film by Christopher Nolan, "Inception."
The film stars three-time Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("Blood Diamond," "The Aviator"), Academy Award® nominee Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai"), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("500 Days of Summer"), Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), Academy Award® nominee Ellen Page ("Juno"), Tom Hardy ("RocknRolla," "Bronson"), Cillian Murphy ("Batman Begins"), Academy Award® nominee Tom Berenger ("Platoon"), Dileep Rao ("Avatar"), and two-time Oscar® winner Michael Caine ("Hannah and Her Sisters," "The Cider House Rules").
"Inception" was written and directed by Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "The Dark Knight"), who also produced the film with Emma Thomas. Chris Brigham and Thomas Tull served as executive producers, with Jordan Goldberg co-producing.
Nolan's behind-the-scenes collaborators included three-time Oscar®-nominated director of photography Wally Pfister ("The Dark Knight," "The Prestige," "Batman Begins"), production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"), two-time Oscar®-nominated editor Lee Smith ("The Dark Knight," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"), Oscar®-nominated costume designer Jeffrey Kurland ("Bullets Over Broadway," "Collateral"), and Oscar®-nominated special effects supervisor Chris Corbould ("The Dark Knight"). The music is by Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer ("The Dark Knight," "The Lion King").
Concurrently with the film's nationwide theatrical release, "Inception: The IMAX Experience" will be released in select IMAX® theatres. "Inception" will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world's most immersive movie experience.
"Inception" has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of violence and action throughout.
The Grease Sing-a-Long
“GREASE” SING-A-LONG SELLS OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Sold Out Shows Reported in Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego and San Francisco –
Ocala, FL Sells Out Entire Weekend
“GREASE” fans everywhere have spoken. Sellouts have been reported in Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Ocala, FL, San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA for the upcoming exclusive engagements of “GREASE” Sing-A-Long. On the heels of promotional, standing room only outdoor screenings across the country, people have flocked to buy tickets for the limited engagements of the hit musical.
John Travolta’s hometown, Ocala, FL, has reported all showings of the limited engagement are sold out.
“GREASE” Sing-A-Long will begin playing TONIGHT in its first run of exclusive showings in 12 markets across the country. The first cities to show the film include: New York, NY (AMC Village); Los Angeles, CA (AMC Century City); Chicago, IL (AMC River East); San Francisco, CA (AMC Metreon); Boston, MA (AMC Boston Commons); Dallas, TX (AMC Northpark); Atlanta, GA (Regal Atlantic Station); Seattle, WA (AMC Pacific Place); Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, FL (Sunrise Gateway); San Diego, CA (AMC Fashion Valley); Austin, TX (Alamo Lamar); and Ocala, FL (Regal Hollywood).
Paramount Pictures will expand the film to the following five additional cities on Thursday, July 15th: Houston, TX (Cinemark Woodlands 17); Orlando, FL (AMC Pleasure Island); Phoenix, AZ (AMC Esplanade); San Antonio, TX (STKS Palladium); and Detroit, MI (MJR Partridge Creek). These additional five cities were selected based on the results of an online poll, with fans across the country “demanding” the musical open in their city. The film is being distributed by Paramount Pictures under the newly created Insurge Pictures label.
Ramona and Beezus
The adventures of young Ramona Quimby (newcomer Joey King) and her big sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) come to life in this all new film based on the best-selling books (over 30 million…and counting) by Beverly Cleary. Ramona’s vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family’s home.
John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Bridget Moynahan (I, Robot) also star as Ramona and Beezus’ parents, Robert and Dorothy Quimby, while Ginnifer Goodwin (He’s Just Not That Into You) portrays the girls’ Aunt Bea, opposite Josh Duhamel (Transformers) as Bea’s former flame, Hobart. Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) plays Ramona’s third grade teacher, Mrs. Meacham.
Elizabeth Allen (Aquamarine) directs from a screenplay by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay. Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan produce for Fox 2000 Pictures and Walden Media. The cinematographer is John Bailey, ASC; Brent Thomas is the production designer; and Jane Moran is the editor. Co-producer is Brad Van Arragon. Music is by Mark Mothersbaugh, and the music supervisor is Julia Michels.
First published over 50 years ago, Beverly Cleary’s books have entertained several generations of readers. The cast and filmmakers of the first major motion picture based on Cleary’s series – RAMONA AND BEEZUS – typifies the books’ cross-generational appeal. The film’s Ramona, Joey King, began reading the book series before she was cast in the role. Selena Gomez, the on-screen Beezus, had read the books in elementary school. “I love how Beverly writes the characters,” says the popular singer-actress. “We wanted to do justice to Beverly and her work, and to make her proud. We all did our homework and worked really hard to be true to the characters. I think this movie is going to be a fun family experience.”
“I grew up on the Ramona books, as did my mother who passed them down to me,” says Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Ramona and Beezus’ Aunt Bea. “I think the way the books are passed down from parent to child is what’s magical about the whole series. The thing that really struck me when I reread the books was how Beverly Cleary captured the childhood experience.”
For the filmmakers, the process of turning the books into a major motion picture brought up strong feelings of nostalgia. “It’s a unique privilege to be able to make a movie that’s based on something so integral to one’s childhood,” says producer Alison Greenspan, who worked tirelessly to secure the motion picture rights to the beloved books.
1 Views
13:51:00 06/05/09
THE NEWEST PHARAOH REACHES OUT
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 13:51:00 06/05/09
An Egyptian vendor displays a copper plaque in Cairo's Khan el-Khalili market a few days before the newest pharaoh's arrival yesterday. The inscription reads, "OBAMA, New Tutankhamen of the World".
Photo: AFP / Khaled Desouki N
o, I'm not making an incendiary wingnuttist joke, as can be seen by the photo here. Cairo souvenir vendors have been selling a range of 'New Tut' paraphernalia (the t-shirts are big sellers) in anticipation of the American Messiah's arrival in the Land of the Pharaohs yesterday. If his hosts are receiving him with this attitude, who am I to judge? Just go with the meme, I say. The President evidently felt the same way during a visit to Giza after his big speech at al-Azhar, pointing out a depiction of his own likeness on one of the pyramids.
His earlier arrival in Riyadh went without a gaffe — unlike his previous meeting with King Abdullah at Buckingham. It was interesting watching the raw video feed here, with several cameras offering close-ups as he appeared at the door of AF-1, and as he descended the stairway. But at the moment he approached the king, and as I watched intently to see how much of a bow would be performed this time , the view switched to a long distance shot from behind the monarch. Not a hint of a bow could be detected though, not even a slight dip. Just the customary Arab/French double kiss.
I could practically hear Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (who makes even Bush's Scott McClellan seem like a competent straight-talker by comparison) heave a sigh of relief. He won't have to come up with any more creative excuses . After the deep royal bow at Buckingham, Gibbs said it was absolutely necessary in order to shake hands, because the King is so very much shorter than The One. Yet this time, the handshake and the kisses could be accomplished without it. > "Greetings, Your Majesty. My, how much you have grown since our last meeting!" A better message could have been delivered if this had been Indonesia's S.B. Yudhoyono instead of Egypt's President-for-Life Mubarak.
Photo: AFP / Khaled Desouki After a few hours of meetings and sight-seeing (and receiving some heavy-duty gold bling from the king), it was a short hop to Cairo and the long awaited and over-hyped "outreach to the Muslim world" speech.
Excuse me for saying so, but this was the wrong venue for him to be proclaiming the hope and change message to the world's Muslims who hunger for democracy and freedom. Not all of them do, of course, but for those who are hungry for those things, a much better example of the possibilities could have been selected. And some Egyptians with those very aspirations agree with me on this .> "It is a disaster," said Wael Abbas a renowned journalist and blogger. "He shouldn't be coming to Egypt. It's not a free Muslim country.
"He should speak in a Muslim country where they respect the rule of law." The most populous Muslim majority country on earth, Indonesia, would have been a much smarter choice. It would have sent a far more powerful message to "the Muslim world" had Obama been seen embracing the democratically elected President S. B. Yudhoyono rather than the Egyptian 28-year-long autocracy of Mubarak who jails, and yes, tortures his critics. Prior to his arrival Obama hailed his Egyptian counterpart as a "stalwart ally" — not exactly the change many are hoping for.
All that said, the major focus of the world's interest was the speech itself. As I watched it yesterday (conveniently timed at 5 pm here), I marvelled at his ability to appeal to everyone . Human rights defenders had parts to cheer, and the anti-Israel folks had other parts to cheer. People who believe America is a force for good could cheer at some points, and those who blame America for everything that's wrong in the world could cheer at others. It was striking to see this back-and-forth, "on the one hand... but on the other hand..." construction play out with the audience — cheering the "one hand" but sitting absolutely silent on the "other hand" in most cases. If you're wondering how to write your own Obama speech, see here . There's a definite pattern.
He seemed to be showing off his knowledge of Islam quite a bit, recalling the azan (call to prayer) he heard blaring from mosques during his youth in Indonesia, "at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk" (leaving off the mid-day one, the afternoon one, the night-time one, and the extra ones during Ramadan). He spoke of the zakat , and the hijab (but not the burqa). That last was troubling for me, and only one of the numerous instances of false moral equivalence that are easily spotted in the speech . There was implicit criticism of those who would deny women the right to wear hijab in his country, yet nothing to criticize those who would force women to wear it (or the burqa) in others. As the courageous author of "Infidel", Ayaan Hirsi Ali once said , "The veil is to show that women are responsible for the sexual self-control of men."
And, by the way, he actually said "hajib" in the speech rather than "hijab". I'll bet you won't find that in any transcript, but that's what he said.
There were many clever lines, well delivered (I especially liked, "Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons..."), but I was left with an uneasy feeling I couldn't put my finger on. It felt too much like pandering, to everybody at once. And if he could get away from those darn teleprompters and just speak with his heart from bullet-point notes, he could avoid the dizzying ping-pong head effect. And somebody needs to tell him to avoid that constant looking down his nose, jutting out the chin pose after applause lines. Way too much like Mussolini.
The moral relativism was just too thickly planted in those 55 minutes, and new policy or initiatives were absent. I had expected at least one solid new announcement among the platitudes, but I can't find any. There were far more apologies than there were policies. The esteemed Dr. Charles Krauthammer puts this very well, far better than I will ever do ( wai AllahPundit for the clip).
It would be great if at least a few of the establishment media personalities could manage to climb out of the Messiah's tank, or even poke their noses out, long enough to exercise their journalism degrees. What follows, if you have twelve minutes to spare, is a delightful instance of a very smart, well-spoken woman (Liz Cheney) figuratively pulling one of these personalities (Andrea Mitchell) up for a moment of air. Andrea was down pretty deep, and after a breath or two fights to get back down into the depths of that tank. Toward the end she pleads for time to "do my homework", so determined not to accept the truth is she. One doesn't skate around Liz Cheney that easily, as you will see.
The hardest truth here is that Liz knows her stuff, and Andrea unfortunately doesn't. They discuss yesterday's speech, then a couple of other very important subjects which most Americans still don't seem to have a clue about.
Truth Teaser: Liz' father never linked Saddam Hussein with the attacks of September 11, 2001. Strangely, most Americans apparently recollect exactly the opposite. Saddam's contacts with al Qaeda went back at least 10 years, and strangely, most Americans apparently recollect exactly the opposite. The intel services have never recanted this established fact (Liz misspeaks "recounted" rather than "recanted" I believe here). Saddam paid for terrorist attacks against Israel. I'm sure most Americans still don't get that either. Saddam could have easily given his known WMD technology to other terrorist-supporting regimes or terrorist groups.
But Barack says the overthrow of Saddam was an unnecessary "war of choice" after September 11, 2001. He really did. (Oh, but also that the Iraqis are far better off now without Saddam, so at least there's that.)
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy
Again, wai AP at Hot Air for the clip.
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