The Afternoon Sky Will Darken

The West Coast of the United States (and a good part of the Pacific Ocean) should get ready for one of the wildest journeys they can experience.

This comes right off the Super Moon Event of earlier this month.  This spectacular event will out do even that Magnificent Spectacle.

From SpaceWeather:

On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing an annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth. The path of annularity, where the sun will appear to be a "ring of fire" stretches from China and Japan to the middle of North America:

SOLAR ECLIPSE THIS WEEKEND: On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing an annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth. The path of annularity, where the sun will appear to be a "ring of fire" stretches from China and Japan to the middle of North America

An animated eclipse map prepared by Larry Koehn of ShadowandSubstance.com shows the best times to look. In the United States, the eclipse begins at 5:30 pm PDT and last for two hours. Maximum coverage is around 6:30 pm PDT.

Because this is not a total eclipse, some portion of the sun will always be exposed. To prevent eye damage, use eclipse glasses, a safely-filtered telescope, or a solar projector to observe the eclipse. You can make a handy solar projector by criss-crossing your fingers waffle-style. Rays of light beaming through the gaps will have the same shape as the eclipsed sun. Or look on the ground beneath leafy trees for crescent-shaped sunbeams and rings of light

Full Story

Remember to never look directly into an eclipse.  Magnified sunlight can cause serious eye damage even during an eclipse.

And Enjoy The Show!!!!

UC Irvine Hate Week Irvine 11 Panel

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com


On Thursday evening ( May 10), the Muslim Student Union at UC Irvine mercifully ended their week long anti-Israel week of deceptions and propaganda with a panel involving four former MSU students who were part of the so-called “Irvine 11“, who took part in disrupting a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the US in 2010. They were:

Taher Herzallah, Osama Shabaik, Muhammad Qureashi, and Aslam Traina

The four took turns describing their recollections of the disgraceful event, their arrest and subsequent prosecution by the evil Orange County DA. Contrary to what their supporters have described over the past couple of years, these four young men have hardly been victims. They have continued with their studies at other institutions and seem to have enjoyed a sort of celebrity status (at least among their supporters, who have portrayed them as "martyrs"). Shabaik is now a law student at Harvard and implied that his record was a plus in his acceptance.

All four are intelligent and articulate. Yet, they spoke with a sense of self congratulation, in my view. None are remorseful for their actions and would do it again. They described their action as legitimate protest, perfectly acceptable on an American college campus and something that should not be criminalized. The audience of about 50 or so, mostly MSU members, applauded them as if they were heroes.

The former students also patted themselves on the back by describing the impact their action had everywhere-even in Israel. They described Michael Oren, the ambassador as a "war criminal" (he previously served in the Israeli Defense Forces), and bragged that he will remember that night for the rest of his life. (Oren pretty much knew he would be disrupted at UCI. It is a common experience for Israeli diplomats speaking on university campuses.) They mocked his expressed desire to return to UCI, and promised that if Oren returned, he would get the same treatment (applause). In addition, they criticized the head of the campus police ("excusing" the actual arresting officers), university officials, the specific official who conducted the investigation, Chancellor Drake, UC president Yudof-everyone but themselves. It was notable that they never mentioned retired vice chancellor, Manuel Gomez, who reduced the MSU suspension from one year to one quarter on his last day in office.

Naturally, the Q and A was orchestrated to limit any debate or discussion from dissenters. As in all, of the week's events, it was step to the microphone, ask your question, and return to your seat before the question would be answered. That effectively cuts off follow-up questions. By the time I got to the microphone, I knew that I would never be able to get all of my words out (since I didn’t intend to ask a question, rather I wanted to give them my opinion).

I told them that they were hardly victims since by their own descriptions, they are moving on quite well in life, and that they live in the greatest and freest country in the world. Yet, I questioned whether they really understood the concept of American freedom of speech since they only cared about their own right of free speech and not that of their opponents. By the time I told them that they and their organization had, over the years, given a black eye to the university, I was cut short by the moderator, who recognized that I wasn’t asking a question, rather making a statement, and I was politely asked to return to my seat. I then repeated the same question I had asked Shabaik in the afternoon.-why they could not extend the same courtesy to their opponents that they had enjoyed all week (not being disrupted).

One of the students replied that he had been disrupted (at other events) and that it was OK. If anyone in this audience wanted to disrupt and leave, go ahead. He implied that MSU events at UCI had been disrupted. (The only one I am aware of is in 2001 when the speaker was Amir Abdel Malik Ali.) Others referred back to the “fact” that Oren was a “war criminal” who should not be allowed to present his country’s propaganda (I am paraphrasing this.) The idea of a polite discourse with Oren was rejected.

To make matters worse, the MSU not only carried out their protest, but reportedly lied to the university about it. University officials were reportedly told by the MSU that they were not planning any disruption. After the arrests, the defense was made by the organization that the outbursts were not planned but were a result of a spontaneous, individual reaction to Oren's words. (I was there. It was clearly choreographed.)

It is pretty clear that the speakers and the MSU have learned little by the Oren event. They care nothing for the fact that UCI has suffered from the effects of their antics over the years in terms of its national and international reputation. Their attitude is one of self-righteousness, arrogance and self-congratulation.

Would You Consider This A Prank?

Imagine going to a Subway's for a sandwich or two.  And a couple of teenagers enter with hands in their pockets ordering everybody to the floor.  Would you not believe that this is a robbery and the robbers have handguns in their pockets?  That is what happened in a Wichita Subway.

Wichita police are investigating an aggravated attempted robbery at a northeast Wichita restaurant that may have been a prank.

It happened at the Subway restaurant, 3200 N. Rock, around 11 a.m. Monday. Police said two teenagers, 15 and 16-year-old boys, walked into the building with their hands in their pockets, ordering everyone on the floor.

One of the suspects started counting people on the floor, while two other teenagers ran out of the restaurant, police said. The third teenager ran away a short time later. No one was hurt.

Authorities identified one of the suspects as a Heights High School student. Officers contacted the student and questioned him. The boy was not arrested and released to his parents.

Investigators said it appears the teenagers were not trying to commit a robbery, but instead play a prank or a game.

"We do not want to have anybody else think this is in any way, shape or form acceptable,” said Lt. Doug Nolte, Wichita police.

Nolte said the suspects could have been confronted, creating a harmful environment.

The case will be turned over the District Attorney’s office for review.

Source

A Prank?  These 2 idiots are very lucky that nobody was carrying a concealed gun.  There are a few states that permit it.  Kansas is one of them.

Here is an idea.  How about these idiot get a prank done back to them.  A trial with real charges, a verdict of guilty and 5 years in prison for armed robbery.  (Or attempted armed robbery.)  That would be a really funny prank on them!

Do You Remember?

These events are actually historical.

1. In 1968, Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by a Muslim male.

2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by Muslim males.

3. In 1972 a Pan Am 747 was hijacked and eventually diverted to an Arab country where a fuse was lit on final approach and it was blown up shortly after landing by Muslim males.

4. In 1973 a Pan Am 707 was destroyed in Rome, with 33 people killed, when it was attacked with grenades by Muslim males.

5. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by Muslim males.

6. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by Muslim males.

Leon Klinghoffer

7. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by Muslim males.

8. In 1985, the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by Muslim males.

9. In 1985, TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by Muslim males. 10. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by Muslim males.

11. In 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by Muslim males.

12. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by Muslim males.

13. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take down the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by Muslim males.

14. In 2002, the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against Muslim males.

15. In 2002, reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and beheaded by--you guessed it Muslim males

No, I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile certain people.Absolutely No Profiling!

They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males alone lest they be guilty of profiling.

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG HERE OR AM I JUST NOT GETTING WHO HAS ATTACKED AMERICA??

He Who Controls The Present Controls The Past

Is one of the slogans of the Party in the novel 1984 by George Orwell.  In the novel the Party changes the facts of history to suit their purposes.  And it seems that the White House under Big Brother Barack Hussein Obama is doing the same.

The Obama White House is drawing ridicule for appending the official online biographies of nearly every president over the last century in order to link President Obama's accomplishments to the former commanders in chief.

The Obama team went into the pages of U.S. presidents dating back to Calvin Coolidge to add friendly looking "Did you know?" fact boxes to the end of their bios. Those additions were used to plug a host of Obama administration initiatives, ranging from the health care overhaul to the so-called "Buffett Rule" to his green-energy policies.

For instance, the following line was added to the official bio of the late President Ronald Reagan:

"In a June 28, 1985, speech, Reagan called for a fairer tax code, one where a multimillionaire did not have a lower tax rate than his secretary. Today, President Obama is calling for the same with the Buffett Rule."

Thus stating that President Obama is just like Ronald Reagan.

The White House is coming under heavy criticism from conservatives for the changes, and not just to Reagan's page.

Late Tuesday, the White House defended itself, claiming the staff was merely adding links to other pages.

"No biographies have been altered," a White House official told Fox News. "We simply added links at the bottom of each page to related whitehouse.gov content, which is a commonly used best practice to encourage people to browse more pages on a site."

The additions do include links, but they're more than that. Each one finds a way to tout an Obama administration policy or practice in the process.

There's this at the bottom of the Franklin D. Roosevelt biography, for instance:

"On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Today the Obama administration continues to protect seniors and ensure Social Security will be there for future generations."

And this, at the end of President Lyndon Johnson's, drawing a link between his signing of Medicare and Obama's signing of the health care overhaul:

"President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law in 1965 -- providing millions of elderly health care stability. President Obama's historic health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, strengthens Medicare, offers eligible seniors a range of preventive services with no cost-sharing, and provides discounts on drugs when in the coverage gap known as the 'donut hole.'"

The changes also link Harry Truman's call for civil rights to the Obama administration's push to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." And they link Jimmy Carter's creation of the Department of Energy to Obama's push for an "all of the above" energy approach today.

The Obama accomplishments cited range from the significant to the mundane. On the bio of John F. Kennedy, the Obama staff cited the current president's decision to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps with a "presidential proclamation," as a way to link the current administration to Kennedy's -- which launched the Peace Corps.

The only post-Coolidge president whose page is so far untouched is that of Gerald Ford.

Conservative blogs and publications ripped the White House Tuesday for the move, even starting a Twitter hashtag #ObamaInHistory to mock him. The Republican National Committee launched a tumble page called: "Obama in History -- World Changing Events You Didn't Know Obama Played A Part In."

The page goes on to show pictures of Obama standing with historical figures ranging from Einstein to Elvis to The Beatles. It also shows Obama at the Berlin Wall and Stonehenge.

Source

I guess that when you don't have a record you are proud of to run on you have to associate yourself with Presidents past.  And when you are the President you can control what is written about you and your predecessors on the White House website.

Angry Bird Invades Turkey

In this case the Angry Bird is an European Bee-Eater and the nation in question is Turkey.

Turkish authorities believe that they have found a bird used for espionage purposes by Israel, the country's media reported.

According to a Tuesday report in Yedioth Ahronoth, an investigation to that effect was launched in Ankara several days ago, after a farmer discovered a dead Merops Apiaster, commonly known as the European Bee-Eater, in his field. The bird had a ring reading "Israel" on one of its legs.

Screen Shot

Bird-banding is a common practice in ornithology, meant to help scientists track bird migration routes.

The band, however, was not the most damning piece of evidence against the bee-eater: Its nostrils were.

The bird-beak in question reportedly sported "unusually large nostrils," which – combined with the identification ring – raised suspicions that the bird was "implanted with a surveillance device" and that it arrived in Turkey as part of an espionage mission.

The bird's remains were originally handed over to the Turkish Agriculture Ministry, which then turned in over to Ankara's security services.

News of the "spy bird" spread quickly within Turkey's ornithological community, and Israeli ornithologists soon got word of it as well.

The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel was alerted and was able to confirm that the bird was banded about four years ago, as a matter of routine.

Yoav Pearlman, of the Israeli Birdwatching Center, explained that Israel's north is home to a large bee-eater population, and that many more use Israel as a stop in their migration route, which includes Turkey, southern Europe and Russia.

"The Turkish authorities can rest easy – it's not a spy," Pearlman said.

Israeli wildlife officials said that this was not the first time that Israeli birds landing in Arab countries as part of their migration were "detained" for alleged espionage. Such birds, they added, usually disappear.

In January of 2011, Saudi Arabia announced that it "detained" a vulture carrying an Israeli band.

The griffon vulture was carrying a GPS transmitter bearing the name of Tel Aviv University and was condemned for being a part of a "Zionist espionage plot."

This is not the first time that animals were mistaken for Mossad agents.  There were the 14 squirrels that Iran arrested and executed for being spies for Israel.  Or again the Iranians insisted that pigeons were spying for Israel.  They too were executed.  Then Vinnie the Vulture was caught spying against Saudi Arabia. And who can forget Sammy the Shark.  First he terrorized the Sinai, then Gaza.  There have been reports that Mossad operates out of the Cairo Zoo.  There George the Giraffe and the boss Hymie the Hippo keep tabs on Egypt.  Now we have seen the death of Agent Bernie the Bee-Eater.  I suppose these idiots will now keep tabs on the flies.  After all Mossad can fit them with electronics.


Squirrels Arrested in Iran for Spying!

Wednesday's Hero: William David Halyburton, Jr.

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

 




PhM2 William David Halyburton, Jr.20 years old from Wilimington, North Carolina2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine DivisionAugust 2, 1924 - May 10, 1945

  Pharmacist's Mate Second Class William Halyburton lost his life in Okinawa, Japan when his unit was under heavy fire and he ran, without thought of his own safety, to help a fallen Marine. As he was shielding the Marines body with his own, while administering aid, PhM2 Halyburton was mortally wounded. For his actions on that day he was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Pharmacist's Mate Second Class William David Halyburton, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Marine Rifle Company in the SECOND Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, on 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded Marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless Marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

He was also honored by with a guided missile frigate, the USS Halyburton being named after him.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

The Real Reason For The Conflict Between The West And Islam Is...

...Bugs Bunny

Hat tip to Patriot's Corner

Yes dear truth seeker, the real cause of the violence between the West and Islam is all because of Bugs Bunny.  To be correct Marine Master Sergeant Bugs Bunny (Pacific Theater of Operations, WW 2).  This according to Palestinian-American Lawyer Lamis Deek.  Just watch this video courtesy of MEMRI.


US Activist Lamis Deek: DoD Finances Films That Vilify Arabs






MSgt Bunny is originally from Brooklyn and it is rumored that he is of the Jewish faith.  It is true though, MSgt Bunny is a Patriot.  Just watch this:

Buy Bonds!!!

This Says It All!

Have A Good Week!

Happy Mother's Day!

Give your Mom a big hug, for once she is gone you won't have the chance to.

Newsbusted: Obama May Win Over Our Dead Bodies-LITERALLY

That old saying "over my dead body" may have a different meaning in the 2012 election. According to Newsbusted anchor Jodi Miller nearly two million dead Americans are still registered to vote.  With the Democrat's skill at voter fraud as evidenced by ACORN and those funky absentee ballots that kept turning up in the Minnesota Senate race, who knows if President Barack Hussein Obama wins re-election (God-forbid!) it might literally be over our dead bodies.

Plus those wacky Chicago Voters Dead Voters, Jews, The Helen Thomas Excellence in Teaching Award, and the G-Spot makes this issue of Newsbusted a very interesting (and R-rated) one.

TO E:  THIS IS SATIRE!!!!

This Weeks Latma

 Latma's Tribal Update brings you Shaul Mofaz's stand-up routine, Oxford Don Yusuf al-Mahali shows tolerance and explains why winter nights are long, and Peace Now CEO and great Zionist Yariv Googleheimer defends Israel

And a closing of Barack Hussein Obama's favorite food and you have a rip roaring weekly update.

Mofaz's stand up routine and Peace Now's Zionism

Day 4 UCI Hate Week (Victims)

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com

On May 10, the Muslim Student Union at UC Irvine held their noon event and featured Osama Shabaik, a former UCI student, member of the Muslim Student Union and one of the so-called “Irvine 11”, arrested  for disrupting Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren during his 2010 speech at UCI.  Shabaik spoke about his own personal experiences in the Holy Land region prior to the Oren incident. Then he told the audience of about 50 students and others how he and his fellow MSU members planned the disruption. (Keep in mind that one of the original defenses the defendants claimed after the event was that it was a spontaneous reaction by individuals and not part of an MSU planned event.) Of course, in his view, the prosecutions were not justified and he spoke of the right to speak out in protest.

Their right to speak.

Shabaik was followed by a graduate student and member of the Students for Justice in Palestine (I am withholding his name because he is a student.) He told the crowd that when he was a student at the University of Minnesota, he and his friends completely and continuously disrupted a speech by Bill Richardson.  He added that the university took absolutely no action against them. This was to draw a comparison between his experience and the prosecution and disciplinary measures by UCI against the Irvine 11.

Comment: Shame on the University of Minnesota.

That was followed by a female MSU member who talked about protesting and read an impassioned poem referring to Palestinian victimhood. (Again, I am withholding her name.)

Then a former Palestinian student named Mustafa (I didn’t get his name) came up and spoke about the situation in Gaza.  More suffering and victimhood, if you will.  He talked about all the children in Gaza who suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of Operation Cast Lead.  Of course, nobody mentioned that there are no Jews, no Israelis, and no Israeli forces in Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas. During the Q and A, a questioner asked Mustafa about the post-traumatic stress syndrome suffered by Israeli children in Sderot, southern Israel as a result of the thousands of rockets launched by Hamas. He was also asked if he condemned Hamas for doing that.

“No.”

In his explanation, Mustafa basically blew it off as a response to Israel’s aggression (my word-I am paraphrasing.)

 Mustafa was also put off balance by an Iranian student who asked him what he thought about the support Hamas receives from Iran. In responding, he said that he was not so much into politics and then went on a winding answer.

As is typical, I had to struggle to get my question in. You see, the first speaker, Shabaik was back seated in the audience and he was the specific one I wanted address my question to. The moderator said that if anyone had a question for Shabaik, they should come that evening for the later event. I was interrupted when I said I specifically wanted to address Shabaik then said I would address it to all the speakers (including Mustafa, who was standing at the podium-I could have cared less about him.)  So I asked that since all 4 speakers were able to give their presentations without any disruption, why could  they not extend that courtesy and that right to those with whom they disagree. Apparently, some thought the question was not clear enough so I had to return to the microphone and repeat it. (I thought it was simple.) Eventually, Shabaik returned to the podium and gave me his answer. It was predictable.  He said that he had (in the past) been disrupted, but that it was not criminal to be disruptive. He described Oren as a war criminal. He conceded that they were rude, but that he was proud of being rude, and that there was nothing shameful about being rude to injustice.

 The point that is emerging here is that these young people have a skewed perception of the American right of free speech. They will insist on their own right of free speech (which they clearly have), but insist that they have the right to shut down speech they don’t like. By that twisted standard, it would have been fine for others to shout down the hate-filled words of Tuesday’s  speaker, Amir Abdel Malik Ali (which was not done.)

They just don’t get it.

Boy With Palsy Greets His Soldier Father by Walking to Him for the First Time

I Dare You To Watch This Upcoming Video Without Crying.

If you could see me write this story, you would find me with tears in my eyes — and that’s after reading the video description one more time. Watching the video is even tougher.
That‘s because you’re about to watch a 6-year-old with palsy walk to his dad — a returning U.S. soldier — for the first time. I‘ll let the boy’s mother explain (via the Welcome Home blog):

When my husband left on his deployment, our 6-year-old son could not walk on his own. He has cerebral palsy. Doctors originally said that he would never walk or do much of anything. While daddy was away, he learned to walk. For his homecoming, we set it up for Michael to walk to his daddy for the first time ever! We kept the fact that he could walk a secret the whole time his dad was gone!

When Fox’s Gretchen Carlson saw the video this morning, she broke down and couldn’t even finish the segment. You‘ll see why that’s not an overreaction in a second:



What a wonderful way to Welcome Home your Father!

Day Three at UC Irvine-Hedy Epstein

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com

On Wednesday,  Hedy Epstein appeared at UC Irvine during the Muslim Student Union’s anti-Israel week of events. (Epstein was born in Germany and was part of the so-called Kinder Transport whereby thousands of Jewish children were sent to England during the late 1930s. Her family remained in Germany and died in the Holocaust.)

As in previous years, Epstein told her story about surviving the Holocaust and later in life becoming involved in the Israel/Palestinian conflict after the Shaba and Shatila massacres in Lebanon during the 1980s. She told of her first trip to Israel with Palestinian activists and having to endure Israeli checks –including a strip search at the airport in Israel. Epstein, of course, an ardent critic of Israel and says that she and her family have opposed Zionism since she first heard about it as a child.

Epstein began her talk by mentioning a petition that is being circulated demanding UC president Mark Yudof’s resignation in response to a letter he recently issued deploring racist and anti-Semitic incidents on UC campuses. (He didn’t mention anything about Islamophobia.) After her presentation, she signed the petition.

Epstein also brought us up to date on her recent activities including her participation in a flotilla boatlift to Gaza a couple of years ago, in which the boat she was on was stopped by the Greeks just after leaving harbor.

During the Q and A, a gentleman identified himself as the child of Holocaust survivors and politely told her that she was sharing a platform (other sponsored speakers, specifically Amir Abdel Malik Ali from the previous day) who supported Hamas and Hezbollah and thus, supported people who wanted to destroy Jews-I am paraphrasing.) In her response, Epstein said that she condemns all violence, but that the violence carried out by Palestinians pales in comparison to that carried out by Israel and the IDF (Israeli Defense Force). She also reminded the questioner that Hamas was elected by the people of Gaza.

Afterward, as Epstein was leaving, I greeted her, and we spoke for a few minutes in German (about Germany). We had spoken a couple of years previously about Germany after her talk. I did not try to engage her in debate out of respect for her advanced age. I thanked her for her presentation and visit to UCI and wished her a good day.

A Letter From Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani

For those of you who do not know who Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is, he is an Iranian who converted to Christianity from Islam at age 19.  Prior to his arrest, he was the pastor of a network of Christian house churches. He is a member of the Protestant evangelical Church of Iran, which also encourages people to convert to Christianity. He is married to Fatemeh Pasandideh, and they have two sons, ages 9 and 7.

For many years he has not been allowed contact with the outside world.  His attorney, Mr. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah was recently arrested and has been sentenced to 9 years in prison.

Yet a letter, written by Pastor Nadarkhani, has been allowed out of the prison by the Mullahs of Iran.

Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has written an open letter to “all those who are concerned” with his plight thanking them and asking for prayer. The letter written earlier this week is the first time in nearly a year that Pastor Youcef has been able to speak out publicly about his illegal imprisonment in Iran.

He encourages the members of his congregation and supporters all over the world that he is in “perfect health” and urges them to continue having faith in God. He specifically thanks everyone who has “asked for my release, or campaigns and human rights activities which are going on against the charges which are applied to me,” and he urges everyone to “pray for me.”

Below is the entire letter from Pastor Youcef obtained and translated into English by Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries, who the ACLJ has been working with on Pastor Youcef’s case from the beginning.

May 7, 2012

Greetings from your servant and younger brother in Christ, Youcef Nadarkhani.

To: All those who are concerned and worried about my current situation.

First, I would like to inform all of my beloved brothers and sisters that I am in perfect health in the flesh and spirit. And I try to have a little different approach from others to these days, and consider it as the day of exam and trial of my faith. And in these days which are hard in order to prove your loyalty and sincerity to God, I am trying to do the best in my power to stay right with what I have learned from God's commandments.

I need to remind my beloveds, though my trial due has been so long, and as in the flesh I wish these days to end, yet I have surrendered myself to God's will.

I am neither a political person nor do I know about political complicity, but I know that while there are many things in common between different cultures, there are also differences between these cultures around the world which can result in criticism, which most of the times response to this criticisms will be harsh and as a result will lengthen our problems.

From time to time I am informed about the news which is spreading in the media about my current situation, for instance being supported by various churches and famous politicians who have asked for my release, or campaigns and human rights activities which are going on against the charges which are applied to me. I do believe that these kind of activities can be very helpful in order to reach freedom, and respecting the human rights in a right way can bring forth great results in this.

I want to appreciate all those are trying to reach to this goal. But at the other hand, I'd like to announce my disgust at insulting words or activities which make stress and trouble, which unfortunately are done with the justification (excuse) of defending human rights and freedom, for the final result is so clear and obvious for me. Insulting the belief of other nations or people, whether they be a majority or minority, is not accepted and is an unworthy deed, specifically for those who have this teaching to love and respect others more than themselves and treat them the same as you want to be treated.

Then, burning and insulting is not a reverent behavior for a Christian, but it's worthy to be in obedience to the word of God and humble ourselves to glorify God.

I try to be humble and obedient to those who are in power, obedience to those in authority which God has granted to the officials of my country, and pray for them to rule the country according to the will of God and be successful in doing this. For I know this in this way I have obeyed God's word. I try to obey along with those whom I see in a common situation with me. They never had any complaint, but just let the power of God be manifested in their lives, and though sometimes we read that they have used this right to defend themselves, for they had this right, I am not an exception as well and have used all possibilities and so forth and am waiting for the final result.

So I ask all the beloved ones to pray for me as the holy word has said. At the end I hope this be prepared as soon as possible, as the authorities of my country will do with free will according to their law and commandments which are answerable to.

May God's Grace and Mercy be upon you now and forever. Amen.

Youcef Nadarkhani

The original letter in Farsi is posted here.

It is very encouraging that Pastor Youcef is not only able to communicate with the outside world, but that he is aware of the international outcry on his behalf. News of his story is reaching all the way around the world back into the heart of Iran.

It is critical that we keep this intense pressure on Iran for his release. Please continue to pray, Tweet for Youcef, and urge the U.S. Senate to quickly and unanimously pass a resolution demanding his release.

For what reason has the Mullahs allowed this letter to be released?  Is this a play to reduce the sanctions on the country?  I am glad that as of 7 May he is still alive, but for how long and at what price will his release cost the world.

The world must cry out now to the Iran Government that preaching a religion not your own is not a crime.  That persecuting a man for his beliefs is not a crime.  It is now time to release Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani NOW!

Big Sunspot Crackling With Flares And Radio Bursts

Heads Up People.  The Sun, our Star is acting up again.

From SpaceWeather:

Huge sunspot AR1476 is crackling with M-class solar flares and appears to be on the verge of producing something even stronger. The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind. Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth.

Earlier today, amateur astronomer Thomas Ashcraft of New Mexico detected strong shortwave radio bursts coming from the sunspot. Click to hear the "solar static" that roared out of his loudspeaker.

"The strongest burst so far occured around 1631 UT on May 9th," reports Ashcraft. "I am observing at 28 MHz and 21.1 MHz. As I send this note I am hearing more bursting, indicating powerful magnetic dynamism within active region 1476."

Solar radio bursts are caused by plasma instabilities that ripple through the sun's atmosphere in the aftermath of powerful flares. With AR1476 poised for more eruptions, this 'radio activity' is likely to continue for days.

Expect atmospherics to act up for a while, the Northern Lights should be spectacular for those who can view them.  But be warned that radio signals will be experiencing problems for the next few days.

Day Two at UC Irvine Hate Week-Amir Abdel Malik Ali

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com


On Tuesday, May 8, Amir Abdel Malik Ali once again was brought back to the UC Irvine campus by the Muslim Student Association to spew his message of hate and radicalism. On his previous visit in 2010, he acknowledged that he was a supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. He then closed by telling the Jewish audience members, “You Jews. Y’all the new Nazis!”
This day, Ali gave his typical rambling speech filled with invective.  One must understand that while Ali is a dynamic and fiery speaker, he has no introduction, body or conclusion. He also buys into countless conspiracies. Today, he tried to cover every ill of the world in one 40 minute speech. Early in the speech he referred to Mark Yudof (University of California president) as a “Zionist Jew”, as he railed against Yudof for a recent letter he sent out on a series of racially-religiously tainted incidents on UC campuses. Yudof’’s sin was that he didn’t mention any Islamophobic incidents. (Here’s a  secret; there weren’t any.)

Of course, Ali railed against Israel and all the “oppression” committed against the Palestinians. (Oppression is one of Ali’s favorite words.) He also railed against his own country, the US, with mocking references to Uncle Sam. In one of his many newly-discovered conspiracies, Ali talked about how the next military battlefield is going to be Africa. He mentioned Libya, Sudan and Uganda then made this incredible statement: According to Ali, President Obama is already “in” as far as re-election is concerned. Why? Because there is no way America would start bombing Africa with a white man as president.

The fix is in, folks.

Of course, there were fleeting references to other issues of the day like Trayvon Martin (it’s all connected, you see) and the always obligatory Irvine 11, who “did the right thing” (by disrupting the speech of the Israeli ambassador to the US at UCI in 2010. And there was this:

Latinos are native Americans too and California is Mexico del Norte.

The US ended Prohibition because the government wanted Americans drunk so they would not rise up during the Depression.

Somewhere after the halfway point, Ali indicated he was into his conclusion. I learned years ago that means nothing. Ali then proceeded to wander into other new information until the moderator brought him the “hook” note that he was running out of time.

In my question to Ali (Q and A), I noted how ironic it was that the MSU always began their events with preamble in which they disclaim any racial or religious bias-specifically against members of the Jewish faith-then they bring in a speaker like Ali who has a long history of inflammatory statements on the UCI campus. I noted that in previous years, he had referred to Rahm “Israel” Emanuel, David Axelrod and Rupert Murdoch as “Zionist Jews” “Rupert Murdoch-straight up Zionist Jew” (His words, I noted.)  Now he calls Mark Yudof a “Zionist Jew”. I told Ali that he had done nothing to bring Christians, Jews and Muslims together nor blacks and whites. I told him that he was an anti-Semite who hated his own country. Directing my words to the MSU in the audience I told them that they “owned” Ali when they sponsored him as a speaker. “He is your speaker” and asked (when pressed to ask a question) how they can disclaim anti-Semitism when they bring Ali to campus. (I am paraphrasing from memory, but I will be able to post a complete video of this event in the next few days.)

Ali’s response was predictable. He always made a distinction between Jews and Zionist Jews. “Not all Jews are Zionists and not all Zionists are Jews”.  (he obviously forgot his closing comment at the 2010 event);

"You Jews. Y'all the new Nazis!"

So much for the moderation of the UCI-MSU, and so much for the hollow assurances of the misguided Olive Tree Initiative crowd that the OTI has made the campus situation better.

Here is the YouTube video (hat tip to Joe).

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kxl299EPVaQ

Homemade Chili And Home Depot

WARNING : ONLY Read This When You Are Able To LAUGH OUT LOUD.

I went to Home Depot recently while not being altogether sure that course of action was a wise one.

You see, the previous evening I had prepared and consumed a massive quantity of my patented 'you're definitely going to shit yourself' road-kill chili. Tasty stuff, although hot to the point of being painful, which comes with a written guarantee from me that if you eat it, the next day both of your butt cheeks WILL fall off . . .

Here's the thing. I had awakened that morning, and even after two cups of coffee (and all of you know what I mean) nothing happened. No 'Watson's Movement . . . Despite the chillies swimming their way through my intestinal tract, I was unable to create the usual morning symphony referred to by my dear wife as 'thunder and lightning'.


Knowing that a time of reckoning HAD to come, yet not sure of just when, I bravely set off for Home Depot, my quest being paint and supplies to refinish the deck. Upon entering the store at first all seemed normal. I selected a cart and began pushing it about dropping items in for purchase. It wasn't until I was at the opposite end of the store from the toilets that the pain hit me.


Oh, don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm referring to that 'Uh, Oh, Shit, gotta go' pain that always seems to hit us at the wrong time. The thing is, this pain was different. The chillies from the night before were staging a revolt. In a mad rush for freedom they bullied their way through the small intestines, forcing their way into the large intestines, and before I could take one step in the direction of the toilets which would bring sweet relief, it happened. The chillies fired a warning shot.


There I stood, alone in the paint and stain section, suddenly enveloped in a toxic cloud the likes of which has never before been recorded. I was afraid to move for fear that more of this vile odor might escape me. Slowly, oh so slowly, the pressure seemed to leave the lower part of my body, and I began to move up the aisle and out of it, just as a red aproned clerk turned the corner and asked if I needed any help.


I don't know what made me do it, but I stopped to see what his reaction would be to the toxic non-visible fog that refused to dissipate. Have you ever been TORN IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS EMOTIONALLY? 

Here's what I mean, and I'm sure some of you at least will be able to relate. I could've warned that poor clerk, but didn't. I simply watched as he walked into an invisible, and apparently indestructible, wall of odor so terrible that all he could do before gathering his senses and running, was to stand there blinking and waving his arms about his head as though trying to ward off angry bees. This, of course, made me feel terrible, but then made me laugh . . . . . . . . BIG mistake!!!!!

Here's the thing. When you laugh, it's hard to keep things 'clamped down', if you know what I mean. With each new guffaw an explosive issue burst forth from my nether region. Some were so loud and echoing that I was later told a few folks in other aisles had ducked, fearing that someone was robbing the store and firing off a shotgun. Suddenly things were no longer funny . 'It' was coming, and I raced off through the store towards the toilet, laying down a cloud the whole way, praying that I'd make it before the grand explosion took place.

Luck was on my side. Just in the nick of time I got to the john, began the inevitable 'Oh my God', floating above the toilet seat because my ass is burning SO BAD, purging. One poor fellow walked in while I was in the middle of what is the true meaning of 'Shock and Awe'. He made a gagging sound, and disgustedly said, "SON-OF-A-BITCH! DID IT SMELL THAT BAD WHEN YOU ATE IT?" then quickly left.

Once finished and I left the restroom, reacquired my partially filled cart intending to carry on with my shopping when a store employee approached me and said, 'Sir, you might want to step outside for a few minutes. It appears some prankster set off a stink bomb in the store. The manager is going to run the vent fans on high for a minute or two which ought to take care of the problem.'

My smirking of course set me off again, causing residual gases to escape me. The employee took one sniff, jumped back pulling his shirt up to cover his nose and, pointing at me in an accusing manner shouted, "IT'S YOU!"

then ran off returning moments later with the manager. I was unceremoniously escorted from the premises and asked none too kindly not to return.

Home again without my supplies, I realized that there was nothing to eat but leftover chili, so I consumed two more bowls. The next day I went to shop at Lowes.

I can't say anymore about that because we are in court over the whole matter. Bastards claim they're going to have to repaint the store.

Wednesday's Hero: Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project is a great nonprofit organization that was started in 2002 to help returning Vets who have been injured in the line of duty with physical, mental and financial aid. Please, head over to their site and make a donation, if you're able to. They also have WWP items you can purchase to help.

You Can Visit their site above or visit their Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.  

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.