More Mass Murders in Afghanistan

Frontline reporter Michael Yon continues to shed light on what's really happening in Afghanistan. Here a Marine reports that the Taliban have killed thirteen women and children. The reaction on the world stage? Crickets chirping. And it turns out Yon predicted not long ago that a U.S. soldier would soon crack under the pressure.

O'Keefe Video Exposes Voter Fraud-Friendly Policies in Vermont

This video is frighteningly familiar--we're not required to show an ID to vote here in California either--but it's also hilarious. James O'Keefe and Project Veritas colorfully demonstrate the absurdity of not requiring a government ID to vote when it is required for so many other reasons (to buy alcohol, book a hotel room, get married, etc.). And there's nothing "racist" about it.

The Failure of Higher Education in Greece

Drudge has linked to yet another article on the sorry decline of Greece, this time focusing on higher education. Here are a few gems that explain why it's all going to hell and why pursuit of the same policies in the U.S. will also lead to ruin:

'Professors at Greek universities are civil servants paid by the state and their wages aren’t tied to their productivity.'

'Greek students pay no tuition, a fact enshrined in the constitution, so there’s no incentive to leave college.'

'. . . Greek students have a significant role in the governance and administration of the universities, including a say in the hiring of the rectors in charge. . . . That power is often exploited by political parties, which have large and active youth branches, to fight reform.'

'Another legacy of the 1970s youth movement was a prohibition against police entering campus. Originally intended to protect student protesters from police brutality, it meant drug dealers and users could find asylum on campuses. . . . While that law was overturned last year, the deans must invite police on campus, and because the deans were elected by students, they are loath to do so.'

'Legislation that passed in August by a wide majority reduces the power of students, subjects professors to research audits and, for the first time, creates outside governance councils, all of which will help break up the calcified system. . . . Students are fighting the moves to limit their power, and physically blocked voters from casting ballots that would create the new councils . . . Rectors have no incentive to force the changes.'

Read it all.

Afghanistan Shootings No Mystery

According to ABC News, shrinks can't seem to fathom why a U.S. soldier went on a shooting spree in Afghanistan. Only one of them hits on the probable cause:

Lieberman said a buildup of resentment could have also led to the soldier's alleged unprovoked actions.

Gee, you think? It's too early to reach firm conclusions about this awful incident and there's certainly no excuse for this soldier's actions. But it stands to reason that after years of serving in Afghanistan and trying to help its intransigent population; countless killings of U.S. soldiers perpetrated by the Afghan soldiers and policeman we've trained; Karzai's anti-American pronouncements; the world turning a blind eye to the Taliban's brutality; and the recent rioting and killing over the accidental Koran burnings; this guy simply lost it.

We've reached a breaking point in Afghanistan and it's time to get out, now.

Revisiting "The Cotton Club"

Despite its flaws, I've always loved Francis Ford Coppola's 1984 film "The Cotton Club." As a gangster flick, a love story, and a musical--it works on all levels (although sometimes I wish the fabulous musical numbers had more screen time). And the soundtrack, which consists mostly of Duke Ellington recreations, is fantastic. I just wish it included Richard Gere playing a mean Cornet alongside Diane Lane singing "Am I Blue?" and Gregory Hines and his brother, Maurice Hines, singing "Crazy Rhythm."

After misplacing an old cassette tape version, I finally relented and bought the CD via Amazon (can't find it in downloadable format) and I'm in love all over again. While there are too many great songs to share here, this is one of my favorites, a gorgeous Lonette McKee singing "Ill Wind."

Pipes Makes the Case for Not Intervening in Syria, and I Agree

I agree with my Middle East Forum colleague Daniel Pipes on this: "Syria: Arguing for U.S. Inaction." Initially, I felt we should intervene in Syria--especially over Libya--for strategic reasons, the Assad regime having been an arch enemy of the U.S. and our ally Israel. But having seen the rise of Islamism and/or chaos in the region after these regimes are toppled, I no longer feel this would be in our interest. And we can't fix every humanitarian disaster in the world. Mostly though, the ingratitude and, at times, hostility of those we've helped achieve regime change has convinced me that we're damned if we do, damned if we don't. So let's don't.

Quoted in 'Genocidal Liberalism: The University's Jihad Against Israel & Jews'

I'm pleased to note that Campus Watch and its founder Daniel Pipes are cited several times, and one of my articles is quoted, in Richard Cravatts (president of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East)'s January 2012 book, "Genocidal Liberalism: The University's Jihad Against Israel & Jews." Those who are interested can find the citations via Amazon.com's "Search Inside This Book" feature or better yet, by buying the book. It's certainly a subject whose time has come.

Hummus-Making 101 at 'Israel Apartheid Week'

Perusing the "Israel Apartheid Week" (IAW) website, which, I hate to say, is quite user-friendly (the better to suck in new acolytes), several patterns emerge. One is the "pink-washing" meme; that is, anti-Israel activists trying desperately to explain away or distract the faithful from the fact that Israel--not "Palestine" or any Islamic country for that matter--is by far more amenable to the LGBT crowd (i.e. you won't be hanged, stoned, shot, or simply persecuted for being openly gay).

And the other theme is desperation. That's right, the anti-Israel crowd sounds rather sad and pitiful, probably because their campaign to falsely equate Israel with apartheid-era South Africa in order to undermine its very existence is not gaining steam in the U.S. Certainly, it holds sway on many college campuses and it's not be underestimated--particularly in the PR department at which it excels--but Americans, by and large, still aren't buying the lies.

Hence, inadvertently hilarious IAW events like this one (note that the ignorant are particularly encouraged) in New York City:

'Free Hummus, Free Palestine: A delicious, hands-on, anti-Apartheid cooking demo.' Come taste delicious homemade hummus while learning how to make it yourself— and support Palestinian liberation at the same time! Learn about the BDS movement, the boycott against Sabra and Tribe hummus, and culinary/ cultural appropriation. This workshop will be fun, hands-on, and accessible to those who have no prior knowledge about Palestine or Israel. Open to all!

UCLA 'Conflict Resolution' Program Features Anti-Israel Profs. on Both Sides

This just in from the UCLA Newsroom:

UCLA is launching a series of public lectures, academic courses and programs aimed at fostering civil discourse and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block will be among those teaching courses, along with experts on mediation and professors who have opposing viewpoints on politically charged issues.

'It is our obligation to equip students for success in a complicated and interconnected world,' Block said in an email announcing the effort to the campus community. 'From UCLA alumnus Ralph Bunche, who won the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts as a mediator in the Middle East, to the class of 2012, UCLA has sought to train the next generation of leaders who will help resolve conflict, here in California and around the world.'

And who has been chosen to initiate the first of these enlightened, peace-loving lectures on the Arab-Israeli conflict? None other than Saree Makdisi, a UCLA English professor, nephew of the infamous Edward Said, and a well-known anti-Israel ideologue. . . .

To read the rest of this post, go to the Campus Watch blog.