Afonso and the Demon

At some point, Afonso (right) picked up a small demon that now follows him everywhere.

–WKW

Sarah Palin went to Canada for health care? Much ado about Skagway

Liberal blogs are abuzz today about Sarah Palin’s admission that her family crossed the border from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse in Canada to receive health care for her brother:

“My first five years of life we spent in Skagway, Alaska, right there by Whitehorse. Believe it or not – this was in the ‘60s – we used to hustle on over the border for health care that we would receive in Whitehorse. I remember my brother, he burned his ankle in some little kid accident thing and my parents had to put him on a train and rush him over to Whitehorse and I think, isn’t that kind of ironic now. Zooming over the border, getting health care from Canada.”

Now, while it’s easy to spot the political stupidity of her bringing up this story, there does need to be a non-knee-jerk response to it. Mainly, the fact that her family was in Skagway. In the 1960s.

I actually spent a summer working as a reporter for the Skagway News. In the summer, with cruise ships pouring in, the population of the Southeastern town explodes to about 2,000. But the fact is, year-round, the population of Skagway is in the neighborhood of 800. It’s not exactly a great place to spend your winters. Or to get health care for serious issues.

Skagway is a town with limited access, in or out. It’s also not a place where it’s likely they can handle severe burns. Maybe in 2010 they can, but it’s almost a certainty that they couldn’t in the 1960s. I’d be willing to wager that any major medical problem would end up being taken care of Whitehorse, which is by far the closest big city around.

Add to that the fact that Canada’s Universal Health Care program wasn’t truly in full effect until 1966*; it was Palin’s parents that made the journey; and they most likely paid for it.

So while mocking Palin is rightfully a national sport at this point, and the timing and content of her remark was politically stupid, it’s really a non-starter. And poor political discourse.

Update: While the “Getting free health care in Canada” story is still a non-starter, the Anchorage Daily News, among others, has noted that Palin originally told The Skagway News that her brother had been taken via ferry to Juneau.

Head to the crossposted version of this story at Dagblog, where you’ll see comments from the editor of The Skagway News on this story.

* Some confusion on this. Here’s the link to a time line of Canada’s health care system.

–WKW

It’s your own damned fault if you get murdered

While murder is still considered a grave crime, today’s enlightened society tends to see it as something more than a black & white issue. Because more often than not, a murder victim has every opportunity to avoid being murdered.

Simply put, if you get murdered, it’s very likely your own damned fault. This is obvious to any who care to look at the issue.

Most murder victims could easily save their own lives if they followed a few simple rules:

• Don’t dress provocatively – you’re just asking to be murdered.
• Never drink to excess publicly – it will lower your inhibitions and make you an easier murder target.
• Don’t walk alone, anywhere – you’ll just attract murderers.
• Don’t flirt - you could be flirting with a murderer.
• Never go to anyone’s home – again, you’re just asking to be murdered.

But the fact is that most murder victims are too careless, too un-Godly and too unwilling to take the personal responsibility needed to avoid being murdered. This is why so many murder victims are far too ashamed to go to authorities following their murder – they know they played a part in it.

And the legal system is aware of this. This is why so few murderers get sentenced for their crimes. Defense lawyers will quickly pounce on the past history of the victim and come to one conclusion – the murdered didn’t do what’s necessary to not be murdered. Thus, many victims of murder will not go to the authorities.

Murder is epidemic in the United States. The statistics are staggering. But the fact is that murderers are helpless to stop themselves, and when people dress and act in certain ways, all they are doing is attracting those that will murder them.

It’s a hard truth, but the fact is that in 2010, we should be a more enlightened society. So dress conservatively, don’t go out, and don’t draw attention to yourself. And remember, once a murder starts, it’s too late to say no. You’ve asked for it, and it’s going to happen.

Because – as most people rightly believe – the blame for the crime of murder falls almost solely on the murder victim.

–WKW

“The Cove” wins Oscar – Louie Psihoyos doesn’t get to talk dolphins

Last month, I got to speak with director Louie Psihoyos about his Oscar-nominated documentary “The Cove.” When asked about the possibility of winning an Academy Award, here’s what Psihoyos had to say:

“A billion people will see the Academy Awards,” said Psihoyos in a telephone interview. “That’s why I’d like to win. Because for 45 seconds you can talk directly to all the key people who are involved in these policies.”

Unfortunately, Producer Fisher Stevens – missing the point and a huge opportunity – gave the acceptance speech and never actually said the word “Dolphin.”

If you’re interested in helping to stop the horrifying murder of dolphins in Japan, here are some helpful links:

• What can you do to help?
• “The Cove” Official Web Site
• The Oceanic Preservation Society
• Save Japan Dolphins

Update: Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, here is what Psihoyos had planned on saying:

The Long version of the world’s Shortest Oscar acceptance speech

By Louie Psihoyos, director of The Cove

- We made this film to give the oceans a voice.

- We told the story of The Cove because we witnessed a crime. Not just a
crime against nature, but a crime against humanity.

- We made this movie because through plundering, pollution and acidification from burning fossil fuels, ALL ocean life is in peril, from the great whales to plankton which, incidentally, is responsible for half the oxygen in this theater.

- Thank you, Black OPS Team for risking your lives in Japan — and thank you Academy for shining the brightest lights in the world on THE COVE……

- Japan, please see this movie! Domo Aragato!

–WKW

Monday Morning Mothra

One of the interesting things about living in Brazil is the fact that you’re surrounded by critters you’d never see in the U.S. This morning I woke up to see this moth outside. It’s wingspan was close to six inches.

–WKW

“Lazy-Ass Americans like being unemployed” talking point a winner for GOP

If you can say one thing about the GOP, it’s that they stick to the script when it comes to talking points. The latest GOP talking point – that Americans are lazy and like being unemployed – could very well be a winner for the Republicans come election time.

Ex-Speaker of the House Tom Delay was the latest conservative to make the claim, as he told CNN’s Candy Crowley that unemployment insurance was the root of all evil:

Crowley: People are unemployed because they want to be?

Delay: well, it is the truth. and people in the real world know it. And they have friends and they know it. Sure, we ought to be helping people that are unemployed find a job, but we also have budget considerations that are incredibly important, especially now that Obama is spending monies that we don’t have.

Earlier in the week, Republican Senator Jon Kyl jumped on that talking point, as well.

“[Unemployment] doesn’t create new jobs. In fact, if anything, continuing to pay people unemployment compensation is a disincentive for them to seek new work.”

If there’s one thing that will guarantee a landslide November victory for the GOP, it’s Republicans telling the millions of jobless Americans that they’re lazy and just want to sit on their ass all day collecting a couple hundred bucks a week in unemployment. For the GOP, it’s a winning talking point.

--WKW

From the sports desk

From an occasional sportswriter …

• Less than 100 days until the World Cup and other national teams beware – Brazil is not only looking extremely strong and deep, but also quite harmonious.
• Shane Mosley has a better chance of beating Floyd Mayweather than Manny Pacquiao did.
• Boxing referee Mills Lane is to receive the James J. Farley Award by the Boxing Writers Association of America. The award goes those who exemplify “honesty and integrity” in boxing. They could go a step further and just call it the “Mills Lane Award.”
• The Pittsburgh Steelers future depends on Ben Roethlisberger not being accused of sexual misconduct any more. The latest accusation was in Geogia, and ESPN isn’t trying to sweep this one under the carpet, as they did the previous one.
• With the addition of Julius Peppers, the Chicago Bears have one pretty impressive defense on paper.
• An influx of bigger names – James Toney, Herschel Walker, Ricardo Mayorga – entering MMA will not give the sport the star power it truly needs to make it to the next level.
• Hasn’t it been pleasant going through a week without talking about hockey?
• Led by Louisville’s win over top-ranked Syracuse, March is starting the madness early for college basketball.
• Recent struggles or not, with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and incredible depth, I can’t envision any NBA team beating the Lakers in a seven-game series.

–WKW

You are evil, thus I am good

That I am inherently good is obvious. The presence of evil is all the evidence needed to prove this. That I define this evil is of no matter – common sense dictates that my definitions of good and evil are truth.

Seeing this evil is as easy as opening my eyes. The lessons taught to me throughout my life – whether theological or sociological – have opened my eyes and allow me to see clearly.

I see those that are war-hungry and despise peace. The whole of the planet is blanketed with violence, with civilian lives treated with disinterest and even disdain. Death surrounds us and the mindless taking of lives is clearly evil.

But I am not violent, and I do not take human lives for any reason. I am good.

I see adulterers and sodomizers. I see those that thrive on carnal pleasures and deviant sexuality. Their lack of restraint and unbridled sexuality harms us all. It is unchecked evil.

But I am not a deviant nor an adulterer. I am good.

I see the greed of men. I see my neighbors lying, cheating and stealing to enrich themselves – often for no other purpose than to brag of their riches. The evilness of greed is well documented throughout history.

But I earn a meager living. I am good.

I see the poor wallowing in their situation. I see desperate faces stuck in poverty pretending there is no way out while being unwilling to work to improve their station. With hands reached out, their evilness comes off them like so many flies.

But I am not poor and I work hard. I am good.

I see people enslaved to ideologies and watch with disdain as the Right veers toward fascism and the Left crashes into socialism. The evilness of both sides has been chronicled throughout history.

But I am moderate. I am good.

I am not proud.

I am not ill-informed.

I do no harm.

I don’t eat shrimp or pork.

I do not hate.

I do not judge.

I am an American.

I am good.

I am by no means perfect. But I cannot view my sins as being as drastic as yours. Thus, your evil defines me. I am good.

St. Thomas Aquinas famously wrote that “The blessed in heaven will often walk to the battlements and look down and delight in the justice of God being properly carried out in hell.”

It is clear to me that I am the blessed. And I alone shall delight in the justice the rest of you so deservedly will receive.

–WKW

Barack Obama decides to shoot Khalid Sheik Mohammed in head just to be on safe side

WASHINGTON – Faced with waves of Republican pressure over the handling of the Khalid Sheik Mohammed trial, U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that he will personally shoot the terrorist mastermind in the head.

“Khalid Sheik Mohammed is evil incarnate, and he must be dealt with in a way that will protect our citizens,”said Obama. “Therefore, I will bi-partisanly blow his brains out myself.”

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the President thought long and hard about his decision.

“Being that Khalid Sheik Mohammed is not a human, shooting him in the head is not against the law,” said Gibbs.

The shooting will take place on April 1, and will be televised on the new C-Span Pay-per-view channel. The shooting will be followed by a mixed-martial arts battle between UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir.

“If you order 24 hours a head of time, you get $5 off,” said Gibbs.

The White House has yet to say which type of gun they will use on Mohammed, though former presidential candidate John McCain advised using a “big-ass shotgun.” McCain added that he had been confident that Obama would back down on civil liberty issues like the KSM trial, as it’s been something he has done in the past.

“Finally, we’re treating foreign criminals the way they should be treated,” said former Vietnam hostage John McCain. “Soon, he’ll back down on things like health care, as well.”

–WKW

Breaking: Atheist politician arrested after leaving Church

BAKERSFIELD – An Atheist California state senator was placed under arrest for Driving under the Influence of God after leaving a Church. His wife was in the vehicle along with the lawmaker but was not arrested.

State Sen. Tim Johnson was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol at about 2:00 p.m. last Sunday when his state-issued vehicle was observed being driven blissfully. The driver, identified as Johnson, was taken in and charged for driving under the influence of God. Unidentified sources said the senator had been at St. Mary’s, a popular Catholic Church, prior to his arrest.

In a March 4 article, the online news site Talking Points Memo characterized Johnson, who is married and has four children, as “a fierce Atheist” who had never allowed religion to influence his voting record.

Johnson issued a contrite apology, stating, “I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did.”

It is uncertain how the arrest — or his reported presence at a Church — will affect Johnson’s prospects for re-election. Atheist lawmakers who are alleged to engage in Church activities have attracted significant media attention in recent years.

–WKW

One-Liner: Anti-Gay Republicans

If anti-murder Republicans were actually murderers as often as anti-gay Republicans were actually gay, it would be a bloodbath out there.

–WKW

Explosive New ACORN Video: Blacks get whatever they want!

A new video posted by an independent filmmaker posing as a samba dancer has surfaced depicting an ACORN staffer assisting a Black (known in this video as “Max”) making unreasonable — and possibly child prostitution-related — requests.

The 1-minute 11-second video clearly shows a small Black making unreasonable demands at an ACORN office in Los Angeles, California. The Black demands an important benefit from ACORN.

As one can see in the video, a Brown ACORN worker sits idly by as the filmmaker – dressed in ridiculous Samba garb – gives the small and angry Black the benefit he wanted with little struggle. All of this occurred while the Brown ACORN worker sits by and makes no effort to stop the proceedings.

The video – made by noted blogger/activist/American Hero William K. Wolfrum – has circulated throughout the Internet. Wolfrum said he was paid a “fair salary” by right-wing media tycoon Andrew Breitbart for the video. Breitbart said the video confirmed White America’s deepest fears - that an organization existed to help Blacks.

“Snidely Snerble Snab,” said Breitbart. “At the very least, Wolfrum deserves a Pulitzer Prize for their expose of deep corruption and unspeakable immorality at ACORN.”

After the video became public, the Senate voted 83-7 to block the Housing and Urban Development Department from giving grants to ACORN, meaning the organization would not be able to win HUD grants for programs such as counseling low-income people on how to get mortgages and for fair housing education and outreach.

While the evidence on the video proves ACORN is a criminal organization, some far-left writers have said that it was doctored and that Wolfrum was – in fact – never actually dressed as a Samba dancer, and that the video – in fact – was just Wolfrum playing with his dogs in his home.

“Why does it matter!!??,” said Breitbart. “It means nothing! He’s a Samba Dancer!”

Reached for comment, Clark Hoyt, Public Editor of the New York Times – which ran a story on the video – said that his paper would stick with its original reporting, regardless of what new facts emerged.

“Those on the right say that it’s a Samba Dancer helping a small Black to whatever he wants. Those on the Left say it’s a guy playing with his dogs,” said Hoyt in an e-mail. “This has become far too partisan for us, so we’re sticking with what we wrote.”

–WKW

Good bye, Jon Swift

Blogger Jon Swift died on Feb. 27. His mother left this comment on his blog:

I don’t know how else to tell you all who love this blog. I am Jon Swift’s Mom and I guess I’m going to OUT him. He was Al Weisel, my beloved son. Al was on his way to his father’s funeral in VA when he suffered 2 aortic aneurysms, a leaky aortic valve and an aortic artery dissection from his heart to his pelvis. He had 3 major surgeries within 24 hours and sometime during those surgeries also suffered a severe stroke. We, his 2 sisters, his brother, his partner and his best friend since he was 9 years old were with him as he took his last breath. We have all lost a shining start who warmed our hearts, tormented us and made us laugh as he giggled at our pulling something over on us. He passed away on February 27, 2010. My beloved child will live on in so many hearts. I miss him more than I can say. If you are on Facebook, go to organizations and join “Friends of Al Weisel, Unite!” It will give you just a taste of how special he was. Farewell, Jon (Al)

Jon/Al was the best political satirist on the Internet, bar none. His wit and intelligence made his blog a must-read for so many of us. I was fortunate enough to at least share several e-mails with him, and he was always nothing but friendly, kind and supportive. If I needed a favor from him, he came through. If I needed advice, he came through. That’s what he did. He came through. For me and many, many others, both in life and on the blogosphere.

I’m at a loss. And so is everyone who took in his brilliance. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and loved ones. We all grieve with you. We all lost someone incredibly special.

Thank you, Jon Swift.

Thank you, Al Weisel.

–WKW

Sarah Palin’s stand-up comedy more honest than her RNC speech

In the second biggest performance of her career, Sarah Palin stunned Jay Leno and Tonight Show viewers with her wit and delivery, but more importantly, her honesty. In fact-checking her stand-up routine on the Tonight Show last night, The Chronicles have found her routine was mostly truthful.

Some selected facts we checked:

• “I will know these jokes like the front of my Hand” – True. Sarah Palin knows the front of her hand
• “Back home it was freezing.” – True. It’s cold in Alaska.
• As soon as I saw the big Moose, I realized I hadn’t cooked my kids’ dinner.” – True. Sarah Palin did not cook her kid’s dinner last night.

The performance was perhaps Palin’s most honest. For instance, her famed speech at the Republican National Convention was made up primarily of lies:

• “I told the Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere – False.
• “We began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.” – False
• “I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.” – False
• “As Governor, I have a record of being a strong fiscal conservative.” – False.

Final verdict: As a politician, Sarah Palin is one hell of a comedian.

–WKW

Senate Republicans filibuster family’s dinner

AKRON — Edward Crone and his family had just finished saying grace and were prepared to begin eating dinner when Senate Republicans – led by the retiring Jim Bunning – burst through the door and threatened to filibuster the meal.

“We see no way that the Crone family can possibly pay for this meal,” said Bunning. “If the Crone family can’t offset the price of a meal, what will they offset.”

Caught off guard, Senate Democrats said they had no choice but to cancel the Crone’s dinner, as the mere threat of the filibuster was an unbeatable weapon against them.

“Our hands are tied. Tied, I say,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “The Crone Family will just have to wait this out until we make the deals necessary to end this filibuster threat.”

The Crone Family’s response was one of surprise and outrage.

“But I’m hungry,” cried Annie Crone, 6.

The meal, which consisted of meatloaf, whipped potatoes and peas, was left to sit on the dinner table as the Crone’s were ordered out of the dining room. Later in the day, the Crone’s landlord, Timothy Johnson, came in and devoured the meal by himself.

The decision to filibuster the meal fell on Bunning, who – after examining the finances of the Crones – stated that it was time for the family to be responsible for their own meals.

“Mr. Crone has been out of work for 23 weeks now and I’m pleased to say his unemployment benefits are through,” said Bunning. “He got a hand out from his father to buy the meal, which is against everything this nation stands for.”

For his part, Edward Crone said he would abide by the GOP’s decision.

“I’ve looked everywhere for a job to support my family, but there’s just nothing out there,” said Crone, a construction worker. “It’s all my fault.”

The filibuster also triggered a 21 percent cut in Medicare fees to doctors effective immediately. The American Medical Association said the cut off risks a “meltdown” for seniors. Still, Bunning was unapologetic, flipping off little Annie Crone as he escaped the house.

“If Crone can’t find $10 to pay for it, then they’re not going to pay for anything. The debt that they have arrived at is unsustainable,” said Bunning, who later compared the filibuster to “chin music” necessary to get Edward Crone off his butt and get back to work.

“This is America. Crone had his chance and failed, let them go hungry,” added Bunning.

–WKW

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