To Ezra Klein: Partisans Play on the Political Field, not Reporters

[Don't forget to donate to the Terry Rathbun 41st Assembly District Race Moneybomb!]

 

Ezra Klein is an idiot.  I don't care what school he went to or how he supposedly understands policy writing for the Washington Post.  He doesn't understand a few rules of Political life.  

 

And he will probably end up in jail after 2013 because of his failures. One word: RICO. (But I did warn him here, here and here) 

 

Now, let me write this Ezra Klein in simple language because he continues to thread a needle that is long past fallen.  

 

Partisans are on the political field to convince voters to support their candidate or issue.  They can use whatever means possible, whether by use of Bloggers (not "Journalists"), speeches, or debates on or off the Hill. 

 

Partisans raise funds (see above and reference "Southland Fundraiser") and defend candidates.  Occasionally, they have a throwdown with a partisan of the other side and try to get him or her off the Political board.

 

Now what do reporters or journalists do on the Political field?

 

They report what people of both parties do.  Reporters listen to speeches and quote them.  They make the inaccessible, accessible to those who don't partake of the Political field annually. 

 

Reporters do not set "narratives," or put their weight on the scales during Election season.  Look at Rathergate to see when that happens. 

 

Now, I hear you yell, what about Andrew Breitbart?  Simple.  He is a partisan copying your role.  Ezra Klein opened the door with the Journolist, now Breitbart is the whirwind of that effect. 

 

If I was Ezra Klein, I would leave the political stage quickly.  We on the Right are ready to go after every Journolister come next January.  And again after 1/20/13.  Ezra Klein can write about food and cooking, jail time awaits him if he remains on the Political stage. 

 

Now, I am a partisan.  I am helping my people in Los Angeles, including candidates, activists and Bloggers.  It's my right.  Partisans set the tune, reporters just write down the notes.  When reporters jump to the other side of the field, people get hurt.  Like Shirley Sherrod.  (By the way, has Anderson Cooper tripped over himself defending a Conservative? NO)

 

My question: When will Ezra Klein go to jail? 

 

 

 

Multiple Blowbacks

[Don't forget to donate to the Terry Rathbun campaign for the 41st AD. The moneybomb continues towards Friday]

Yesterday was the type of  News day that caused a lot of Political bloggers (especially from the Left side of the blogosphere) to forget how the story started.

First, revelations in the Daily Caller about how the JournoListers tried to influence the news narrative about Revrend Wright.   (And even more this morning) As I said before (here and here), Ezra Klein better lawyer up soon. It is not the journalists job to create any "narrative,' during any election season, it is the partisans job.  All the journalist (and opinion ones as well) has to do is report the facts.  In a two party system, know people in both parties to confirm rumors or heresay.  I'm not talking technological singularity here, I'm talking social networking.


Even on my facebook, I have partisans on both sides to see and understand what they have to say.  If a lowly Blogger in Los Angeles can do it, why can't ivy educated reporters do it?      

Now let's talk about the BIG blowback news story: Shirley Sherrod, Andrew Breitbart and the NAACP.

If the NAACP or NOW had ever picked up the phone to support or understand the Tea partiers, Conservatives or Republicans, Shirley Sherrod  would not have lost her job and the Left would be looking for another head on the pike. 

Again, it's all about social networking. 

The NAACP started the fight by going against the Tea Partiers.  Then they gained a scalp. 

In return, Andrew Breitbart put the NAACP and the Obama adminsitration in an untenable position.  After both groups fired Brown, then the rest of tape came out, and both looked foolish.  Score one for Breitbart.

I repeat again: since July 3, 2009, we folks on the Right are playing by "Chicago Rules," the same stuff that was done to Bush, Cheney, McCain and Palin.  Our moderates have no power, the country club Republicans are standing aside, we are playing by the same rules the Left set up.

Turns out they don't like it. 

How to stop the Blowbacks?

Simple, I have yet to meat a partisan Democrat in office or on TV try to treat their oppenents like Americans who disagree.  We on the Right are from Hell itself according to MSNBC and the MSM.  All these Democrats have to do is play by the Golden Rule.  Is that hard?  Apparantly so.

My question: Will the NAACP ever pick up the phone when the Repubklicans are the majority on Capitol Hill next year?  

The Terry Rathbun Moneybomb (re-boot). Take back the Santa Monica Pier!

If you live in Los Angeles, the term "People's Republic of Santa Monica," comes up a lot in conversation. Heck, one of my favorite films, Southland Tales has Justin Timberlake protecting the Santa Monica Pier (and doing a great version of The Killers "All the Things that I've done,").

As a political activist, I don't just think in theory, but in practicality: How do we win back the People's Republic of Santa Monica? Simple, raise money and support a great candidate for the 41st Assembly District of California (whose district includes Santa Monica and points North on the PCH into Ventura County).

How much do we need to raise today to take back the People's Republic of Santa Monica? $650,000 in this moneybomb lasting until Friday Noon Pacific Time. Donate here.

If we can take back Senator Kennedy's seat, we in the Right Blogosphere can take back the People's Republic of Santa Monica. Let me introduce to you Mr. Terry Rathbun, candidate for the 41st AD.

Here is his biography:

Terry was born and raised in Los Angeles County and currently lives in Encino. In 1990, Terry left to join the U.S. Navy and served on active duty until 1999. During his time in the military, he served in theater in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. In the year 2000, Terry returned home to Los Angeles where he attended college and currently owns and manages his own IT consulting business. Terry is actively involved in the Kiwanis Club of Northridge and coaches youth baseball.

And from Mr. Rathbun himself:
"I am currently involved in a project that brings robotics building to underprivileged youth at an elementary school in the San Fernando Valley"My conservative values are rooted in its 3 major principles:
1. Smaller government
2. Less taxes
3. Personal responsibility"
"As a former military man and a small business owner, I will bring principled and common sense leadership that is needed in Sacramento. It's time that the people of Santa Monica are represented to Sacramento instead of Sacramento and its special interests being represented to them."

I am honored to know Mr. Rathbun. He is everything we want in a candidate: veteran, small business owner, supporter of his community and willing to fight for Conservative values.


Let's raise $650,000 on this moneybomb to take back the People's Republic of Santa Monica. Angelenos and Californians will thank you in November. Again, donate here.The Valley endorses Mr. Rathbun for the 41st Assembly District. Please donate here for the Moneybomb.

Even RS McCain is helping!


[**Since this is a three day moneybomb, it will be in all the posts until Friday Noon PST. Again, donate here.]

And here's a video with Justin Timberlake in the 41st Assembly District, on the Santa Monica Pier:

Doctor Who -- Terror of the Zygons

Did you know it's hot in Los Angeles?  Very, very, hot.  Sweltering skin melting hot. 

Now that the Sun is going down, let's go back to Doctor Who Features in the Valley!

If you see me Blogging lightly this week, it is because I'm working on a pre-project for the Southland Fundraiser.  My phone and computer will be very busy. Once I get it done, the numbers crunched go all the way to the top.  Say a prayer if you got them

This is Terror of the Zygon's, the Brigadier's last episode until the Fifth Doctor, and Harry Sullivan also leaves the TARDIS.  Harry Sullivan (one of my favorite Old Who companions) leaves too. And if you were melting today, enjoy this episode that deals with a sea based race, and a famous being from Scotland.

Now Terror of the Zygons!

Does the United States still need the NAACP?

During the chaos of the move, I read about the attack on the Tea Party by the NAACP.  My only thought is: Whisky Tango Foxtrot?! There is still a lot of black on black crime, there is still high unemployment in the same neighborhoods with the black on black crime and all the NAACP can do is attack Fiscal Conservatives?

Racism sucks.  Let's be blunt: If you only choose friends, business partners or customers by the pigment of their skin, go away.  And that includes those African-Americans who only support African Americans.  The knife strikes both ways, to deny it would be to blind (not color blind). 

Now, let me repeat what the Tea Partiers stand for: Fiscal Conservatism.  I've been to three Tea parties here in Los Angeles, and what did I see? People of different hues coming together to stand against an encroaching Government taking away their financial freedom. 

Are there bad apples? Of course. 

But should the Tea Partiers be defined by them? Hell, no.  Not unless Liberals want to play "Guilt by Association," And since July 3, 2009, we on the Right are ready to play the same game.

Now, what is the role of the NAACP?

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's mission statement is thus:

"The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
"Vision Statement
"The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race."

Yet, when Michael Steele was attacked, where was the NAACP?
When Justice Thomas has been attacked, where was the NAACP?
How about Condi Rice or Colin Powell?
And most importantly, Kenneth Gladney?

The POTUS is part African American, thus the NAACP has broken through.  Does the NAACP  really need to exist anymore? 

If the NAACP is working hand in hand with the Democratic Party, they should lose their Tax exempt status. Period.  All a Republican majority House and Senate Oversight Committee has to do is look back during the 2008, 2004 and 2000 elections to see whether the NAACP deserves it's tax status.  Game, set, match.

The NAACP can still be smart, they can actually pick up the phone or email a Tea partier and ask what they stand for.  Or the NAACP can stand up for a Conservative African Americans. Or the NAACP can focus on ending black on black crime in high unemployment neighborhoods by opening the discussion to TWO political parties in those neighborhoods. 

Power is nor control over one party in America, it is the power to have your agenda addressed by BOTH parties. Why else do you think that banks and Israel are mentioned no matter whomever is in charge? People in both camps charging the discussion.

More ideas means more solutions to problems. Unless Chairman Jealous of the NAACP likes the status quo?

My question: Does the NAACP still need to exist? Why or why not? 

First Move WITHIN Los Angeles (thus First Post)

Sorry for dropping off there (I hope you hit my Tipjar when I was gone)

There is news on two fronts, the Southland Fundraiser and the next few posts (probably written tomorrow and thereafter).

First, I moved to the Miracle Mile (temporary jump) area of Los Angeles. 

During the 80's, I geeked out over a young Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham falling in love and trying to stay together before the End of the World (all due to a mislaid Pay phone call on Wilshire).  Here is the trailer:

Now, the Southland Fundraiser.  There is a trinity of young activists (including me) who are working on this.  I'm going to hold my cards close here, but I have an assignment to do before it gets sold upriver to the BOLD NAME figures [i.e. You have read their name in the Newspapers].

The project is simple, find out who are the LA and OC Right political Bloggers (calling on RS McCain's knowledge on this), and then crunching some numbers and posts for a specific week.  (The week will be determined in the AM, the computer just woke up tonight). Write a report on who's who and what their numbers were. 

The Southland Fundraiser is on the 1st and 10, 15 yards to the goal. Now would be a good time to say a prayer.

The next few posts upcoming are:

1) The "so-called" Russia Spy scandal;

2) The NAACP's ignorance of their fellow Americans; and

3) How the movie Southland Tales is coming true to life. 

That's it.  I'm catching up on multiple emails and other things tonight.  Let's end with a song by Dead can Dance.  This song always brings me onto the dance floor at Ruin:




Free for all in the comments!

The 600th Post

I have been Blogging (on and off) since March 14, 2006.  I have now reached my 600th Post.

If you want to help the Valley, please donate here. (You can donate $100, $200, $300, $400 or $500)

Or you can give monthly donations here. ($20, $40, $80, $100)

So, while everyone discusses the last post, enjoy a tune here.

Bloggers vs. Establishment GOP or Bloggers as Establishment GOP (CAGOP first!)

The guy whom I call the Elvis of the Right Blogosphere, Dan Riehl has been discussing on his Blog about the roles of Bloggers and the Role of the RNC with the Bloggers.  It starts with this post. 

And I quote:

A big part of my thinking in coming to DC was to try and help to create a synergy between the Right on-line and the establishment GOP. I had hoped to forestall anything like an insurgency from the Right by finding common ground. What I didn't realize is that today's GOP is interested in no such thing. It can't hear anyone outside the Beltway echo chamber and isn't interested in listening to them even if they could.

And I don't believe today's Beltway entrenched GOP is going to bring about the kind of change America needs. The leadership is weak, wasteful, misguided and out of sync with the people. The signs are all there, from Dede Scozzafava, to Charlie Crist - and worse

To which I reply, as someone who knows the Capitol Hill and worked in the basement of the Republican National Committee [RNC], the game is not played from National figure to national figure, but (something I should have known in 96 and 98), from locality to National.  Power in DC does not emanate from the Beltway, but from the towns and cities back home.
 
As someone active in the LA Goth scene (and LA GOP Political scene), there are comparisons to be made.  The club I frequent nowadays is RUIN (on Saturday nights), dropping Bar Sinister from the places I go.  I discussed the difference between the two here.  I dropped Bar Sin because it lost some of their original crew, and they catered more to the tourists (to the scene and those to Los Angeles), then RUIN or Malediction.  Another club on Fridays also caters to the 18 and over crowd on Pico called Das Bunker, but only Goths show up, again no tourists. 
 
What does that mean for Bloggers and Establishment GOP? 
 
We Bloggers are those who can say to the public what is good and bad about our candidates, the issues and how to win.  Which club is better and why is the general tone of what we do.
 
On July 4th, my ex, Toni, and I went to a major shindig with Los Angeles County.  The host did not really get the new media, but major figures within LA County do (and see the potential of the Southland Fundraiser/Great Right Wing Hollywood Blogger Meet Up). Since last year, I have been dealing (along with Robert Stacy McCain and Gary Aminoff, first VP of LAGOP) with the California Republican party about putting on the event. 
 
Every person, at every level I have interviewed with, likes the concept of putting Bloggers (as credentialed reporters) with candidates and activists (or Sun Tzu's Ordinary forces + extraordinary forces).  I am planning to meet Chairman Nehring before this month is out.  I am dealing with Mr. Ryan Panzerello, deputy Political director to help glide me down that path. 
 
How does a simple Blogger with a plan end up meeting and influencing the Establishment GOP (within California)?
 
Before we answer that question, let's see what Dan wrote later:
 
Herein lies the dirty little secret of why the GOP is slow to actually empower the grassroots and conservative movement. It's also why, in some measure, we can no longer rely on the so called Beltway conservative establishment. Just like Republicans, they've come to rely on corporate money, allowing them to drive a large part of their agenda.


Republicans On Energy: More Pro-Business Than Pro-Market.

The grassroots and conservative movement are genuine free marketers and capitalists. The beltway establishment, GOP and otherwise, is corporatist. This is also one reason why you have so called Reagan Democrats. There are other factors, too. But as long as Republicans so often side with corporations over the working man and small businesses to some extent, Right-leaning more people-powered movements will distrust them. And it is all about the money for the GOP in the end.

Relying on the Beltway folks to change their spots is like waiting for Woodward and Bernsteins to show up in major papers during Democratic administrations. Hint: They won't, unless pushed from outside.  It is why the Tea Party movement is changing the debate on the Hill and in campaigns, they are everywhere. 

Now, back to the question.

My late father was a salesman, and he always believed in two things:

1) Always start where you stand; and
2) Bring something to the table. 

Party structures (and candidates) are always looking for funds and publicity  Without the first, they cannot focus on the second. The Southland Fundraiser brings both funds and publicity together.  But because Establishment is always wary of trying new things (remember, I've been pushing this since last November), the Tea Partiers and Bloggers remain on the outside looking in. 

The concept of Not Invented Here is not just a corporate term, but can been seen in the Political Sphere too. Because I came from an established club (The San Fernando Valley Republican Club) and had a mentor/sponsor of the idea (Politics still works Old School), I managed to break through. 

I started where I stood.  The San Fernando Valley is my home, so is Los Angeles.  After I wrote the California Encyclicals, Gary Aminoff found me. 

What every Blogger should do, is get to know their local GOP clubs and Central Committees, and if time and distance permits, their County clubs too.  Don't just figure in publicity, but figure out other ways to expand your club (or committee's) reach.  Funds matter.  Knowing your County history and voting numbers also matter. 

We Bloggers (and tea Partiers) have not broken into establishment yet.  Once I get hired by Chairman Nehring, I will be the first Blogger and Tea Partier to represent.  It takes New Media to understand New media. It is the difference between being a Bar Sinister where no Goths go anymore to being Ruin, where the crowds grow bigger. 

To make the RNC understand Bloggers and Tea Partiers, we have to crack County and State levels first. By the time of Election 2012 and 2014, we will become the establishment. 

My question:  If you are a Blogger or Tea Partier, what are you doing to break into your Establishment GOP? 

UPDATE 7/6/10 3:50PM: Hello Instapundit readers! Welcome to the Valley!  Stick around this week, we are doing Moneybombs to help a local Los Angeles candidate.  If you like what you see, subscribe or subscribe!

July 4th, 2010

Every July 4th, I re-read Patriots by A.J. Langutth.  He descibes the whole of the Revolutionary War, from Otis to victory at Yorktown, and everything in between.  But this year, I added Decision in Philadelphia by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier about the Constitutional Convention of 1787. 

Great men wrote our founding papers.  As Americans, let us all be proud. 

First, Patriots:

"When members of the [Continental] Congress came to Jefferson's stirring conclusion, a majority thought it should include one last appeal to the power even greater then George III....They did not meddle with Jefferson's last oath, more solemn than anything they might devise:

"'And for support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortune and our sacred honor'

"On July 4, 1776, independence was declared in language worthy of it."

-- Patriots, AJ Langguth, pg.362

Now, Decision in Philadelphia:

"To celebrate the Fouth, Washington and some of the others [delegates] went to a Presbyterian church to hear  a law student named James Campbell give a patriotic oration. The thrust of the students speech was that the country, and indeed the world, was looking to the men of the Convention to produce a nation singularly happy and free....'Is the science of Government so difficult that we have not men among us capable of unfolding its mysteries and binding our States together by mutual interests and obligations? Methinks, I already see the stately fabric of a free and vigorous Government rising out of the wisdom of the Federal Convention.'"

-- Decision in Philidelphia, Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier, pg 174.

Here is the Declaration of Independence. Read and learn:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.


He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.


He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.


He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.


He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.


He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.


He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.


He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.


He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.


He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.


He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.


He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.


He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:


For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:


For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:


For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:


For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:


For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
 For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
 For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:


For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:


For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.


He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.


He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.  


He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.


He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.


He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Thank you for reading the Valley.  May you and your loved ones enjoy a happy and healthy Fourth of July!

And now, enjoy some fireworks!

Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen and The Eleventh Hour

It's July 4th weekend! I'm going to do a post tomorrow celebrating the holiday.

Tonight, if you are reading the Valley, here is something to enjoy:

TWO (yes, 2) Doctor Who episodes.  One episode will conclude the first season of the Fourth Doctor; The other is this seasons opening with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor.  Seriousness and humor in two episodes.

In other news, the Southland Fundraiser is being dealt with by Ryan Panzerello at the CAGOP (with an eye on him by Chairman Nehring) and Mr. Darius Ameri of Meg Whitman's Los Angeles team.  Add in Robert Stacy McCain and Gary Aminoff and there is a lot of serious people making sure it gets off the ground.

I'm ready to start, I just await the news.

And next week, the first Los Angeles Internet moneybomb for a candidate.  Stay tuned.

Enjoy your Saturday night double feature, first with Doctor Who: Revenge of the Cybermen.  Old foes back in Station Nerva.  And what are Cybermen?  Human-machine hybrids that are verrry dangerous.

And then, see Matt Smith take the role of the Doctor into a new place.  Look for the "Who da' man?" scene.  Stephen Moffett has the right idea in "The Eleventh Hour," Laugh riot.  (This one is for my Mom and Sis who heard me do a Matt Smith imitation.)

Enjoy the double feature!

First, Revenge of the Cybermen:

Now, kick back and enjoy "The Eleventh Hour,"

This Thing of Ours: Ezra Klein as Uncle Junior

Let's get into the mood to discuss Dave Weigal, Ezra Klein Dan Riehl, R.S McCain and the "JournoList," (discussed here previously):



Last week, it was discovered  that Dave Weigal, a Blogger for the Washington Post who wrote about Conservatives, also attacked Conservatives on the JournoList.  He was fired immediately and it hit  Memorandum quickly. The private face was different from his public face, thus he got fired. 

During that time, Robert McCain (The Hunter S. Thompson of the Right Blogosphere) defended Weigal, and Dan Riehl (The Elvis of the Right Blogosphere) called him on it (a few times). Even the great Blogress, Ann Althouse (the Gothy Law Professor) had some dealings with the Journolisters.  Before we discuss the role of the Right Blogosphere with both the GOP establishment and those who are elected officials (i.e. The Southland Fundraiser post will be written tomorrow night), let's look at sins of Ezra Klein.

Remember watching the early "good" (Seasons 1-3) seasons of The Sopranos?  Before they gave Tony Soprano a conscience and Middle Class airs?  Tony used to talk about "This thing of ours," that the regular folk did not understand the rules to. 

Uncle Junior had power by default because he waited his turn (and then Tony took over and Junior became leader in name only).  Ezra Klein is like Uncle Junior. Andrew Breitbart is offering $100,000 for the Listserv, and as a commenter on Althouse put it:

Just occurred to me: the more innocuous the contents, the faster someone will grab the offer.
As of 10PM PST, no one has stepped forward to collect. But Jonathan Chait of The New Republic and Matthew Yglasias of Center for American Progress say "Nothing happened," Who are you going to believe?  

Ezra Klein has youth whereas Uncle Junior was fading.  But youthful arrogance can be a dangerous thing (I speak from experience).  When you are in the business of disseminating information about the Government and its players [i.e Reporters], and then have everyone speak in with the same theme (again, Rush Limbaugh does it continually on his show), questions will arise. 

If there is collusion (especially during election year 08), then there damn well better be (when the Republicans take the over Congress in 11) a Congressional inquiry about who had their hands on the scale of getting out information on both candidates.  If Klein is smart, he will lawyer up tomorrow and quit the Washington Post before his employers get subpoenas (and when I am up on the Hill, they will). 


To stop all the questions about Journolist, all Klein has to do is release all the info written there to Wikileaks.   If leaking against the Bush administration is good for the New York Times, it is even better when it is done by our so-called "watchers,"   Choose quickly Ezra or you may find yourself in Chickentown.   

 And Dan Riehl and Robert McCain? Hey, I defended the Hevesi's and Chartier's (major Dem figures in NYC) because they are my friends, Robert gets the same slack. However, Riehl is right that the GOP have no clue (on a national level) how to work with Bloggers.  But I have an answer. Meanwhile, I hope you both (Dan and Robert) talk this over a beer at Armands Pizza. Stay tuned. 

My question: If the 400 reporters on Journolist affected the outcome of Election 08, should Ezra Klein go to jail?

The Community Organizer and The General

[Sorry this is late, but Life intervened.]

How big is the General McChrystal story? (Click the link at memeorandum to see) It was so big, that I came out of hiding (thanks to an email) to write about it.

I have never been a Soldier or a Spy (nor Tinker or Tailor), but those who fight on the far reaches away from Civilization have some of the hardest jobs. Those who work in Executive branch must know the factors (historical and current) and the players, before any decision is made.

General McChrystal supported Senator Obama in 08, he was sold on the rhetoric of Obama doing better then Bush too. Allow me to quote Lex Luthor one more time: WRONG!

What was Obama's experience? He was a community Organizer who became a State Senator who lucked into a US Senate seat. His only competition in 08 came from Hillary! not from McCain (which is why he deserves to lose his primary in AZ).

What does a Community Organizer do?
"Community organizing is a long-term approach where the people affected by an issue are supported in identifying problems and taking action to achieve solutions. The organizer challenges those he or she works with to change the way things are—it is a means of achieving social change through collective action by changing the balance of power. The tactics and strategies employed by the organizer are similar to the processes of leadership including timing the issue, deliberate planning, getting the attention of the populace, framing the issue in terms of the desired solution, and shaping the terms of the decision-making process,"
(h/t Marin Instititute)


In other words, someone who builds a short coalition to get something for a poor neighborhood, then leaves the neighborhood as is.And here are "qualities," of a good community Organizer:

Community organizers think strategically about their work while always keeping the final goal in mind and continually making contributions to the goal. This is especially important in community organizing campaigns to enact or change policies. Qualities include:
• Imagination • Sense of Humor
• Blurred vision of a better world• An organized personality
• Strong ego/sense of oneself• A free, open mind, and political relativity
• Ability to create the new out of the old ( Saul Alinsky, 1971)


Nothing there about putting together long term goals or helping people to help themselves. Time to focus on General McChrystal does in Afghanistan. (according to the Rolling Stone article)First, Afghanistan. Throughout the Bush years, the Democrats yelled that Afghanistan was the "Good war," now that Democrats run everything, the Truth will out: They Lied.

President Obama is called by the chattering class as a "Political genius," but he got played by McCrystal. The quotes in the Rolling Stone article did not get there by accident:

"One soldier shows me the list of new regulations the platoon was given. "Patrol only in areas that you are reasonably certain that you will not have to defend yourselves with lethal force," the laminated card reads. For a soldier who has traveled halfway around the world to fight, that's like telling a cop he should only patrol in areas where he knows he won't have to make arrests. "Does that make any fucking sense?" asks Pfc. Jared Pautsch. "We should just drop a fucking bomb on this place. You sit and ask yourself: What are we doing here?"

"The rules handed out here are not what McChrystal intended – they've been distorted as they passed through the chain of command – but knowing that does nothing to lessen the anger of troops on the ground. "Fuck, when I came over here and heard that McChrystal was in charge, I thought we would get our fucking gun on," says Hicks, who has served three tours of combat. "I get COIN. I get all that. McChrystal comes here, explains it, it makes sense. But then he goes away on his bird, and by the time his directives get passed down to us through Big Army, they're all fucked up – either because somebody is trying to cover their ass, or because they just don't understand it themselves. But we're fucking losing this thing."

This comes back to the idea that half-term Senators with no Executive experience should ever be President. Afghanistan is a place where chaos has ruled for over 25 years. And President Obama with his Ivy education thinks he can tame the ground?

Community Organizers make small areas better; Generals work on larger grounds. I speak as one who knows, Sun Tzu beats Alinsky every time.

When President Obama handed the reigns of Afghanistan to General Petreaus, President Bush's Iraq strategy (Wilsonianism defeats Terrorism) willed out. And I now send a question to my Liberal readers, What is President Obama's long term strategy for Afghanistan?

President Obama cannot even fix an Oil spill, how does he think he can negotiate with tribes?

My question: What would be your Long Term strategy for Afghanistan? Timelines until November 2012.

Back to Blogging

Personal issues intervened, writing later.

Enjoy the Video:

I'm Alright

How many times do you get an email that ends in CIA.gov that asks for you to come back to writing? That happened to me today. I've been dealing with health and other issues, but I'm back!

It seems I have a few readers who do "work in the shadows," So first, thank you. I was alerted to the big news of today, since I'm on Pacific Time, I usually hear about it after. That's the next post.

Now, while I am a partisan of the Right, a guy who understands Policy, and a Jewish Goth (grooving instead of working in the dark), let me say if you need anything leaked or the public to understand something that the DC Intelligence Community cannot do, let the Valley be that safe haven.

If CNN or Time gets a story wrong, let me know. I will listen and help.

And just to show you I'm back, a tune:

Holding Patterns

The Primary was last Tuesday, yet some votes are still being counted here in the LA basin.

I interviewed last Thursday Morning with Ryan Panzarello at the California Republican Party Magnolia Office, I am waiting on a phone call this week.

So, before I break down the wins and losses in Los Angeles, there is still some work to be done. The work is tomorrow, the breakdown is later. I have to bite my tongue a bit on some of the winners (Only ONE), but once the work is done, then I talk.

As far as the Southland Fundraiser/Great Right Wing Hollywood Blogger Meet Up is concerned, I am tanned, rested and ready to start. "Put me in coach [Chairman Nehring], I am ready to play, today."

While we are all waiting to begin, a tune:

Doctor Who -- Genesis of the Daleks

The Fourth Doctor is taken off course in this video and deals with Philosophical questions of how to stop evil before it begins. Welcome to the classic "Genesis of the Daleks,"

This is one of the few Doctor Who videos I hope my Political readers watch -- The Daleks are an evil race, it is in this episode of Doctor Who that we understand how they were created.

And when you hear Davros' speech after the Doctor's interrogation in part Five, how close does he sound to an enviormentalist? Or a Liberal ready to change your world, but not theirs?

Davros is the epitome of Liberal thinking. Watch it and tell me I am wrong. I dare you.

And now, Genesis of the Daleks:

Fires in the Blogosphere

I will get to my take on Los Angeles candidates on Monday or Tuesday, other news is occurring as well. Be ready.

First up, my friend, the lovely and talented Pamela Geller is having trouble with her PayPal (see the sidebar for the Valley's). here is what she wrote in her post:

"The little money that Atlas generates (I have no large donors) is about to be cut off. Apparently the jihad is hard at work trying to kill free speech (and the bus ads and the 9111 no mosque movement) from making its way to those in pursuit of truth. Paypal contributions helps pays for bus ads, rallies, live coverage (everything) and I so much as said so when asked repeatedly by the press who paid for the bus ads. Readers do and did.

"Paypal is calling Atlas a "hate" site and will close my account if I do not remove the paypal option from my website. Accurate reporting and news is hate.

"Truth is the new hate speech:

"Please email or call paypal and let them know Atlas Shrugs is a news site and political blog. I am not responsible for the bad news in the world. I just report."

And secondly, the video making fun of the flotilla got thrown off of YouTube.

"As Israel went offline for the Jewish sabbath, YouTube removed most versions of Latma's hit parody song We Con the World. If you try to access the song on YouTube you receive the notification:

"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Warner/ Chappell Music, Inc. .

"Copyright experts we advised with before posting the song told us in no uncertain terms that we were within our rights to use the song because we did so in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine. The Fair Use Doctrine, copied and pasted below from the US Copyright Office stipulates that it is legal and permissible to use copyrighted material under the fair use doctrine for purposes of parody.

"Copyright attorneys also warned us that given our clearly lawful use of the song We are the World, if anyone wished to silence our voices, they wouldn't target us. Instead they would target YouTube. It is YouTube's standard practice to remove any material that they receive even the flimsiest threat for because the company wishes to avoid all litigation.

"At the same time, this is not YouTube's first move to silence Israeli voices. During Operation Cast Lead, the IDF Spokesman's Unit established a YouTube channel and began posting combat footage on its channel to bypass the anti-Israel media and go directly to news consumers.
Shortly after the IDF channel began making waves, YouTube - which is owned by Google - removed IDF videos from the website. After the move evoked a storm of protest, YouTube restored them but flagged the videos in the same manner it flags pornography. People trying to access the videos received a screen saying, "This video or group may contain content that is inappropriate for some users, as flagged by YouTube's user community. To view this video or group please verify that you are 18 or older by singing in and signing up."
...
"If YouTube didn't already have a track record for censoring pro-Israel material, I would say that despite the obviously frivolous and unsubstantiated nature of the copyright claim against We Con the World, the company was simply erring on the side of caution. "

The fact that more than 3 million people have already seen the video and that it has been written up in major newspapers and featured on major television networks around the world since we first posted it last Thursday night however causes me to fear that something else is going on here."

Here is the video:



The Right Blogopshere is not just people posting views, but a tight network of friends who help each other and call out shenanigans when the left (Or their allies) do something that 60 minutes or Newsweek won't notice. Robert Stacy McCain of The Other McCain has all our backs and we have his, do you really want to mess with us?

I have already asked Google and Wikipedia to stay in touch with the California Republican Party and it's Chairman -- I ask them again. This election will be turning the current tide of Power, does PayPal and Google want to be called up to Capitol Hill on how they treated the Right Blogosphere?

I am involved with a few Los Angeles campaigns from the Waters to the Valleys, should we win (and we will), does Silicon Valley want to be in trouble in the next Congress? Remember who has their ear.

I propose alliance, what does Google propose?

Final Take on the Los Angeles Primary Tomorrow

I got back late from the Ari David For Congress Party at Barney's Beanery (and before that, I picked up My Sister and her boyfriend flying back into LAX -- Think of Seinfeld's Airport pickup to understand my thinking. ;} )

The interview at the Magnolia office about the Southland Fundraiser/Great Right Wing Hollywood Blogger Meet Up is tomorrow. Please, say a prayer or two that I start work there on Monday. I will be speaking to Mr. Ryan Panzarello, Deputy Political Director, in the AM.

And while I am catching up on sleep and news from around the country, enjoy a song from an OG, an original Goth -- The Man in Black, Johnny Cash: