The New York Times, Sows' Ears, and Silk Purses

The New York Times, Sows' Ears, and Silk Purses

No matter what they say, I don’t think it’s possible to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. The New York Times does, though.

The former “paper of record,” “the Old Gray Lady,” currently on life support with a DNR notice above its sick bed, does not literally believe in the possibility of the conversion of a dirty pig’s ear into a pricey handbag but it does seem to think it can convert Sen. Harry Reid into a winner.

The Times made a final desperate shot last Friday toward that end in its front page article, “In Nevada, It’s Hold Nose and Cast Vote,” the chief premise of which is that both Reid and his Republican conservative opponent, Sharron Angle, stink, at least in the noses of most Nevadans and possibly in the opinion of the article writers, Dan Barry and Michael Cooper.

The underlying message in the piece is that, since both Reid and Angle are rotten candidates, why not go with the most powerful one?

The Times reporters interviewed a number of Democrats and Republicans for “In Nevada, It’s Hold Nose and Cast Vote,” which would seem to suggest equitable reporting. However, as CNSNews.com points out, without quoting a single Republican who fears the thought of Harry losing, the Times article went on to say that, “Some Republicans fear losing such a powerful ally [that would be Harry] in Washington.” . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=2451)

A Timely Reminder from Barack: Don't Forget that White Guilt!

A Timely Reminder from Barack: Don't Forget that White Guilt!

No one will ever be able to conclusively prove the extent to which white guilt played a role in Barack Hussein Obama’s election to the presidency in 2008. What is definitely known is that 43 of every 100 whites cast their ballots for Obama in that election and that he garnered 96% of the black vote.

White guilt could be defined as that bizarre, much-denied, conscious or subconscious, feeling experienced by an untold number of white Americans that it was time to give the black man a shot at the Oval Office.

After all, white guilters somehow believed, African-Americans had been enslaved for centuries in America and the least whites could do to make amends for that societal evil would be to vote for a black man to clearly demonstrate, first, that they were free of prejudice and, second, to recompense today’s blacks for the sins of our forefathers.

It’s bizarre thinking for any white American today unless he or she were at least 147 years old and former slaveholders and the recipients of that compensation were at least the same age and former slaves since Lincoln, technically, freed the slaves in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Our president seems well aware of the white guilt phenomenon, so much so that he’s cashing in his racial chits a month ahead of the mid-term elections on November 2nd. . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=2058)

2008--THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY

2008–THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

As a tumultuous 2008 draws to a lurching close and a turbulent 2009 waits in the wings for the Times Square ball to drop tomorrow night, it’s an apt time to look back on the past year.

However, since every broadcast and cable network is already presenting its 2008 Year in Review, it would be redundant to do so here. Instead, I humbly offer my picks for the best, the worst, and the ugliest ”things” of 2008.

All of those categories feature multiple, worthy contestants although there are far fewer candidates vying for the peak of the good heap than there are for the bad and ugly top spots.

Far and away the best thing to happen to America over the past year would also have to be the choice for the past seven years as well, namely a non-event, the fact that the nation has not suffered another terrorist attack in almost 88 months.

That fact has led to a distinctly blase’ attitude among many Americans who have pushed memories of 9/11/2001 to back burners or have pushed it off the stove entirely, which is extremely unfortunate since those who forget the past historically ended up reliving it in the future.

Despite one’s view of President George W. Bush, he has to be accorded his due. Our national security programs and systems are deeply flawed, as has been pointed out in this space, but they have evidently been sufficiently effective, so far.

What the future holds, what 2009 and ensuing years have in store for us, is speculative at best but, as of now, we are relatively secure as a nation so the best thing not to happen to America in 2008 is easily the absence of another assault. For that, Americans should be deeply thankful and should be praying the situation continues. GWB deserves tip of the hat.

I struggled to choose the worst thing about 2008 because of the more subjective nature of such a choice....
(Read the rest of this article at http://genelalor.com/.)

TAPS ON MEMORIAL DAY

MEMORIAL DAY 2008: LEST WE FORGET!

As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day 2008, a “day” that has now become synonymous with nothing more than the launching of summer, let’s try to remember what it’s all about.
Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday goes back to 1868 and is intended to remind us all of those who gave their all in service to this great nation. So, before we dig into the potato salad, and gobble down burgers and hot dogs and steaks, why not give a few minutes to reflect on the meaning of it all. That meaning has been all but forgotten of late but what better time to revive it than during wartime? Our honored dead deserve at least that much.
Please see http://www.usmemorialday.org/ for an excellent summary of the history, meaning, and traditions of Memorial Day. And don’t forget to buy and wear a poppy and display the Flag!
For those who truly want to understand this day, I know of no better way than to listen to the mournful notes of Taps. Have a listen: http://www.usmemorialday.org/audio/taps.mid
May God bless and save America!

OSAMA/OBAMA

OBAMA XXXV: THIS PIC SAYS IT ALL–WELL, ALMOST ALL

Please see my website, http://genelalor.com/ for 34 other original posts/articles on Osama/Obama.