"Western values are sin" -- Boko Harum

by Eric Dondero

In northeast Nigeria, the Islamists appear to have won a major victory over those promoting Western values. 25 Sports enthusiasts gathered at a local bar were killed last week.

From ModernGhana.com "Hunt for Nigeria beer garden attackers as 25 die" June 27:

"The attackers, believed to be Boko Haram members, threw bombs and fired indiscriminate gun shots on a packed tavern at Dala Kabompi neighbourhood, killing at least 25 people and seriously injuring around 30 others," a police superintendent said.

Emmanuel Okon, who sells charcoal-grilled beef on the fringes of the tavern, said: "I just heard a loud bang followed by sporadic shootings and plumes of black smoke filled the area with people screaming and running in all directions.

"The wounded and the dead lay on the ground and the place was littered with broken bottles and glasses and... shoes," he said.

And now this from BusinessDay:

The Federal Government has imposed earlier closing times on nightclubs, beer gardens and cinemas in Abuja and banned parking on two of the city’s major roads after a bomb attack at police headquarters two weeks ago.

Parks and gardens that admit children must close by 6 pm (1700 GMT), while cinemas, nightclubs, beer parlours and public pool areas must shut by 10 pm, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said.

“These measures are necessary to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory as a result of the prevailing security concerns,” an e-mail from the FCTA spokesman said.

Beer gardens are the primary socialising areas in the evenings for many Nigerians, but they have become a target of bomb attacks claimed by Boko Haram, a radical Islamic sect from Maiduguri.

Further:

[The] Borno State is one of 12 that have Sharia law already in place, lax enforcement allows communal beer parlours to operate...

Witnesses and others said at least 25 people died in the beer parlor attacks...

“About 10 gunmen riding seven motorcycles surrounded and took strategic positions at the beer sheds and shops and started firing at the people with their Kalashnikov rifles, before setting ablaze the entire makeshift shacks,” he said.

While no arrests have been made over the beer parlor attacks, he said police arrested two men carrying explosives at a church in the city. He said they had pretended they wanted to convert from Islam.

Cowardice and surrender only serves to encourage the Islamists. Only firm resolve like the Israelis have shown for the past 60 years surrounded by overwhelming violent Arab opposition, will save their country from the Islamic hoarde.

Hoefully, the Nigerians will learn this lesson sooner rather than later.

Photo credit - Jaguda.com Global Post

From Eric Dondero:

There's an election for Mayor of Phoenix in August. And one candidate is making it known where she stands, despite the officially non-partisan nature of the race.

From the Arizona Republic "Party politics shows in races":

Jennifer Wright has been touting herself as the "conservative choice" for mayor, plastering the phrase on campaign signs.

She said she labeled herself a conservative to distinguish herself from Republican candidates.

Wright, who has done policy work for Libertarian organizations such as the Goldwater Institute and the Institute for Justice, said it's important to broadcast her views on limited government.

"Knowing what someone's philosophy is lets you know how they're going to govern," said Wright, backed by several tea-party groups. "But I don't believe in partisanship for the sake of partisanship and just voting along party lines. You need to make decisions based on what is best for the city."

She is an attorney, and economist. She is most well-known for having investigated a major voter fraud case in Yuma. Her campaign website.

Interestingly, a McCain-oriented website blasts Wright as "Not a Conservative," but rather a trouble-making former Hayworth for Senate staffer, and leader of the Recall Jan Brewer campaign.

Weds former staffer, Biden in attendance

From Eric Dondero:

Long forgotten.

From FireAndreaMitchell.com, 2009:

Melodee Hanes was nominated by Max Baucus to be U.S. attorney in Montana. Though Hanes ended her employment with Baucus in the spring of this year, this just goes to show how one advances in politics these days...

A year before Baucus divorced his wife Wanda Baucus, Max began his affair with Melodee Hanes. Baucus spokesman Tyler Matsdorf tried to spin the affair, saying the relationship was not the cause of Baucus’ divorce and that Baucus did not arrange for her current position.

And now this from the AP:

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus has married the former state director he once recommended for Montana's top attorney job.

Spokeswoman Kate Downen says the wedding Saturday at the Sieben Ranch was casual with close friends and family, but did not release a guest list. Several Montana media outlets reported Air Force Two carrying Vice President Joe Biden landed in Helena earlier in the day.

The 69-year-old senator recommended Melodee Hanes for Montana's U.S. attorney post in 2009, a move that came under scrutiny due to their relationship. She withdrew her name from consideration and took a job with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C

Editor's comment - It's interesting that when Lefties defend Anthony Weiner, they always point to Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter; yet Bacucus-gate which involved conflict of interest gets swepped under the rug.

by Wayne Allyn Root

If income redistribution works...if tax and spend is a model for America...why is Greece a bankrupt basket case threatening to bring down the entire European Union?

A much more important question: Why is Greece, with a 45% income tax rate, a 23% VAT tax (national sales tax) plus a host of other taxes, still hopelessly bankrupt? Greeks pay up to 70% to 80% of their income to the government. Yet Greece is insolvent. With all those heavy taxes, it took $160 billion to bail them out only one year ago. Now they need at least another $50 to 100 billion. Why would Obama want higher taxes for America, when Greece proves the model doesn't work?

All those Greek voters elected socialist politicians because they promised fat pensions, free health care, and lavish early retirement. Now they face unimaginable poverty for years to come. So the lesson is that when politicians promise chocolate cake with no calories, they should be put in prison for fraud.

Perhaps Obama should go to Greek's socialist rulers and ask for advice before we wind up with our own Big Fat Greek Bankruptcy.

Photo credit - Deutsche Welle

From Eric Dondero:

Pro-Defense libertarian Ayaan Hirsi Ali from her column in the Christian Science Monitor, "Obama’s Afghanistan withdrawal: another sign of America's decline?" June 27

Many in the US and around the world wonder if Obama’s speech – and the broad bipartisan support for it – is yet another sign of America’s decline. American power and weakness is often a matter of perception.

From the Taliban’s perspective, the withdrawal is a sign of US weakness and their impending victory. Not only the Taliban will see it this way: Iran and Syria’s regimes and the malignant units in the Pakistani military and secret service see a weak America that roars but retreats when the going gets tough. The short-term benefits of abandoning counterinsurgency may be politically appealing. The long-term costs may be greater than Obama anticipates.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Foundation for Human Rights - AHA