The JB Random Report 6/24/09

NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS

If there is one thing I hate to do, it’s agree with Republicans, but they are right about President Obama’s timid response to the situation in Iran. The United States is the leader of the free world, not a follower, and when freedom is threatened anywhere in the world, it is our duty to respond. Corny as that might sound, like it or not this is the mantle we have given ourselves, and it’s time to step up to the plate. Should we call for an overthrow of the Iranian government? Certainly not, but lets show the Iranian protesters more support. When the British expel 2 Iranian diplomats, when France, a nation of cheese loving wimps who would be speaking German twice if not for us, take a stronger position of support for the protesters by denouncing the election as a “fraud,” we need a man-up check!
Last week that maniac Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that we were “meddling” in the internal affairs of Iran, when we had said or done nothing at all. Obama was waiting to see how this situation was going to resolve itself. It hasn’t. So now is the time to say something. A strong statement by the president condemning the crackdowns and a meeting with Iranian community leaders here in the States would go a long way in moral support for these people who are risking, and in some cases, giving their lives for their right to freely elect their leaders.
I’m sure by now you have heard one of the many rallying cries of this movement: “Neda.” Neda Agha Soltan was an Iranian girl shot dead in the middle of the street while protesting, her last breath captured on a cell phone video posted all over the world on the same internet that the Iranian government is trying to block.
Yesterday The President held a news conference where he did address the issue, but maybe it’s time for another one. This time, take a stand on it. It’s easy to say that you are appalled by violence and that the US can’t be blamed for your problems. How about saying something like (and please forgive me) Ronald Reagan said in the 80’s “I’m a Contra, too.” Let them know they have your support, not just your sympathy.

SPORTS

If there is one thing I hate to do, it’s worry about the Yankees in June.

ASSHOLE OF THE WEEK

Last week there was a hearing in the Senate over the levees in New Orleans. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chairwoman, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), exchanged words with testifying Army Corps of Engineers division leader, Brigadier General Michael Walsh. While badgering the general over why the levees have yet to be repaired four years after hurricane Katrina, instead of annoying those who actually control the money (you know, assholes like her) she decides to give the General a hard time, and while he was trying to respond to her questions she gives us this little gem:

"Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I'd appreciate it."

The general's response? "Yes, Senator." That’s nice. See this is why I knew I would never get above 0-3 in the Army. My response would have gotten me immediate roars of approval from my peers, and a court martial from my superiors. I tried to forget about it, but I found myself constantly fantasizing about being him just for a minute and saying something like this in response: ”I believe that ‘thing’ you are referring to is massive insecurity based on the fact that your father really wanted a boy.”
Then I would remind the “Senator” that military protocol allows military personnel to address civilians, government officials and even the President, as “sir” or “ma’am” and that maybe someone should remind her that the President is a bit higher than she is on the food chain. I probably would have ended with “We have all worked hard to get our ‘titles’ ma’am, but you see this RANGER tab on my shoulder? When you get shot at getting one of these then maybe I will consider breaking protocol just so you can feel better about yourself.” Then I would have patiently waited for my court martial and retired at 3/4th pension on a vineyard in Napa somewhere, but it would have been worth it to see me do it all over CNN.

THIS WEEK’S REASON WHY TERRORISTS WANNA KILL US

There are many right wing yahoo groups calling for English to be the official language of the United States, and they might have an argument. I mean, we wouldn’t be the only nation with an official language. But the argument would have greater significance if they were actually able to spell the language correctly. At a conference hosted by radio right wing nut job and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, the featured speakers delivered their remarks, mostly ridiculing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor for her supposed lack of English proficiency while at Princeton University, and warning that the Obama administration is "going to gradually institute institutional bilingualism in the country." You know I’m beginning to think these are the same idiots who even today believe that we were visited by aliens and that the Commies still wanna take over the United States with that negro Elvis Presley music.

That being said, I’m sure that they were so overcome in their fervor for the language they love so much, that they forgot to spell “Conference” correctly on the banner in which all of these advocates spoke under. Advocates that included Peter Brimelow, Editor of the "White nationalist." Maybe they should call Sonia Sotomayor for some spelling lessons. I’m sure she can spell conference.