• Is Park51 Mosque Intentionally Provocative?
• Obama’s Iraq Speech
• Republicans lead in all ten top issues
• GOP Has Biggest Lead Ever
• Brewer Blows Up Over Report To U. N. Human Rights Commissioner
• Turkey Links With Iran and Syria: Uses Poison Gas Against Kurds.
• Battle over Booze Sales
• Rangel Ruffled By Obama’s Dignity Comment.
• Obama Sends Weapons To Lebanon Despite Congresses Cutoff
• Brazil Dumps Ban On Making Fun at Political Parties and Candidates.

Obama’s “comfy, modern” redecoration of the Oval office looks like a 70s tacky, tasteless garage sale in addition to being politically tone deaf.

Jihadists are excited about the inflammatory statement the proposed Park51 mosque and community center would make just two blocks from where the World Trade Center towers once stood, says terrorism expert Walid Phares.

The best-selling author and Newsmax contributor says the Park51 site holds much symbolic importance for Islamic extremists. 

“The jihadists, in general terms, they’re very excited about the issue because they understand it has a political ramification,” Phares says. “If you read their comments, they talk about the fact it has a name that was viewed in the past as the capital of the caliphate.

The operative word, of course, is Jihadists being the catch all for radical Muslim groups. 

Jihad (; جهاد ), is an Islamic term, meaning a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād is a noun meaning “struggle.” In another context, Jihad means holy war waged against infidels meaning everyone who does not subscribe to Islam.

A Rand study reports there were 46 publicly reported cases of domestic radicalization and recruitment to jihadist terrorism in the United States from Sept. 11, 2001, through the end of 2009, including the 13 occurring last year alone. An average of three people were accused in each case, and half of the cases involved just a single individual for a total of 125 people in 46 cases.

Parsing is important but does little to deflate the view that the placement of the Park51 mosque although a “right” is easily seen as irresponsible and if Phares is correct intentionally provocative.

“The budget  should be balanced,  the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced,  the  arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the  assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living  on  public assistance.” — -  Cicero   - 55  BC

Claiming no victory, Obama formally ended the U.S. combat role in Iraq after seven long years of bloodshed, declaring firmly Tuesday night: “It’s time to turn the page.” Now, he said, the nation’s most urgent priority is fixing its own sickly economy.

Obama has vociferously opposed the Iraq war voting against it when he ws a freshman Senator, and Tuesday’s 20-minute speech that was his sixth on Iraq.

Obama turned much of the emphasis in a major war address to the dire state of U.S. joblessness. He said the Iraq war had stripped America of money needed for its own prosperity, and he called for an economic commitment at home to rival the grit and purpose of a military campaign. He did not describe that his deficit spending in the past two years has far outstripped the total cost of the Iraq conflict.

Ironically in announcing the end of combat in Iraq Obama is escalating the conflict in Afghanistan. He said that winding down Iraq would allow the United States “to apply the resources necessary to go on offense” in Afghanistan, now the nation’s longest war since Vietnam. Violence has been increasing in Afghanistan resulted on many more American deaths and combat injuries.

The USMC Commandant has said Obama’s date certain withdrawal deadline gives the Taliban sustenance.

Ironically the Iraq “war” is “ending” in an advisory role like the Viet Nam conflict began. On June 8, 1956 - the first official American combat death in Viet-Nam was a U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant.

A toilet that belonged to late Beatle John Lennon fetched 9,500 pounds ($14,740) at auction last Saturday-Thomas Crapper would be proud.

Note: Crapper did not invent the flush toilet but improved it and his name was colloquially affixed to it. In fact it was Sir John Harrington,  in the 16^th century, who came up with the idea and installed an early working prototype in the palace of Queen Elizabeth I, his godmother undoubtedly endearing him to her forever.

Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on all 10 of the important issues headed by: the economy, ethics, taxes and national security

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) on Tuesday night conceded the Republican primary election to Joe Miller, the tea party backed challenger also a conservative.

Likely Voters in California give Democrat Boxer 44% support, while Republican Fiorina picks up 43% of the vote. Five percent (5%) like another candidate in the race, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. That’s a 5 point shift toward Fiorina.

In Florida’s U. S. Senate race among Marco Rubio (R): Charlie Crist (I) and Kendrick Meek (D) appears to be shifting toward Rubio at 40%, 30% and 21%.

In West Virginia’s U.S. Senate race, polling puts Democratic Governor Joe Manchin attracts 48% of the vote while Republican businessman John Raese earns 42%.

In the U.S. Senate race in Colorado between incumbent Democratic Senator Michael Bennet at 44% and Republican challenger Ken Buck netting 47% remains very competitive.

In Senate races in Arizona McCain (R) leads 52% to 31%; In Oklahoma Coburn (R) has a 67% to 24% lead; in Pennsylvania Toomey (R)  leads Sestak (D) 45% to 39%, and in Ohio Posrtman (R) leads Fisher (D) 44% to 39%.

Under the internet title “No One’s Messiah” Wednesday’s Washington Post printed this snotty paragraph: “Saturday’s Beckapalooza was yet another step in Beck’s own personal journey of recovery. He may as well have greeted the crowd of his fellow disaffected with: “Hi. My name is Glenn, and I’m Messed Up.”

What and why the newspaper thinks likening last weekend’s event to a 12-step affair like the Alcoholics Anonymous program is impossible to imagine except for venomous purpose.

A new Gallup poll shows Republicans with a record 10-point edge over Democrats on the “generic ballot” test - the question of whether voters prefer a Democratic or Republican congressional candidate. It’s the largest GOP polling edge at this stage in the 68 years of the generic ballot poll,

The 51-41 percent edge Republicans have now represents the largest Republican edge heading into a midterm election since the poll was first conducted in the 1942 election cycle, giving them greater reason for optimism than in the weeks leading up to their 1952 and 1994 House takeovers. It also represents a stunning reversal from the 6-point lead Democrats posted in the poll in mid-July.

Republican Marty Lamb is running for Congress in Massachusetts 3^rd District, west of Boston around Acton and Concord handing our barf bags with his question “Are you sick of Congress?” The novel idea got him mentioned on Neil Cavuto’s Show on Monday.

 Governor Brewer hit the roof upon learning of the Obama administration report to the United Nations citing the DOJ lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law as evidence of its efforts in favor of human rights. The report at least infers the law violates human rights.

The Obama administration has told the United Nations that America’s human rights record is less than perfect while stressing that the U.S. political system has built-in safeguards that promote improvements.

In its first-ever report to the U.N. Human Rights Council on conditions in the United States, the State Department said some minorities are still victims of discrimination. Despite progress in reforming past unfair policies and practices, the report said “work remains to meet our goal of ensuring equality before the law for all.”

Council members are required to review their rights records.

The U.S. had shunned the council until last year over its criticism of Israel and a membership that itself includes repressive regimes.

In a scathing letter to Clinton Brewer wrote, “The idea of our own American government submitting the duly enacted laws of a state of the United States to ‘review’ by the United Nations is internationalism run amok and unconstitutional,” Brewer wrote.

Now France, Japan and Cameron will decide on actions against the U. S.

Californians “love” Obama and that could be decisive for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) who faces a tough reelection fight against former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina (R), a recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California showed Obama’s approval exceeding his disapproval by 18 points in the state. That reverses Obama’s national poll numbers. Boxer gets 45% and Fiorina 44% in a August  25 Rasmussen poll — a month ago Boxer was 5 points ahead.

Iran and Turkey are coordinating to bolster Hizbullah’s military.

The Turkish government has quietly agreed to an Iranian proposal to help Hizbullah. Turkey has agreed not to block Iranian weapons shipments to Lebanon and Syria destined for Hizbullah.

“The idea is that Turkey would allow Iran to send weapons overland to Hizbullah,” a European source said. “The most likely route is through the Kurdish areas of southeastern Turkey, which is under weak government control anyway.”

Of course if Iran takes control of Iraq such arms shipment will become even easier.

Over the last five years, the sources said, Turkey’s military, alerted by U.S. intelligence, has intercepted several Iranian cargo aircraft that contained weapons for Hizbullah. They said the interceptions angered the Teheran regime and hampered efforts to develop strategic relations between Iran and Turkey.

Sources say Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will beginsmuggling of advanced rockets and other weapons through Turkey. Turkey would then enable the Iranian convoys to reach the Syrian border.

IRGC will facilitate the transition, ensure safety, watch loads on the routes, and provide support to the border.

The Turkish route could also be used by Iran to supply other clients such as Hamas and Sudan.

Turkey is playing coy so as to not take such a chance that could seriously jeopardize its position in NATO.

The EU has become increasingly concerned over Turkey’s alliance with Iran and Syria, particularly in the campaign against Kurdish rebels. The EU has been investigating reports that Turkish security forces have been using chemical weapons against Kurds in the southeast near the border with Iraq and Iran.

“The latest evidence is startling and the Turks must quickly explain this,” Claudia Roth, a senior member of Germany’s Green Party, said.

Some easily confuse a rich man’s foolishness for wisdom.

The overtones of faith at Glenn Beck’s rally last weekend has the far left huffing and puffing and doing much more than idle banter and popping off. A letter has surfaced initiated by Obama associate Jim Wallis of the Sojourners group, funded by George Soros. Soros’ involvement in the Obama faith flap is all the more ironic since he said in a 60 Minutes profile of Dec. 20, 1998 said that he did not believe in God has surfaced.

The letter has been signed by more than 70 self-secribed Christian leaders and denominational heads saying that questions about Obama’s religion should be ignored and even suppressed by the major media.

The Eleison Group is handling the media and public campaign  to mobilize “more traditional progressive ‘base’ faith voters who are often overlooked in Democratic and progressive outreach.”

Eleison group is headed by an adviser to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and regional Communications Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Pelosi, a liberal Catholic, invoked St. Joseph, revered for being the foster father of Jesus and the husband of the Virgin Mary, in the successful push for passage of Obama’s socialized medicine plan.

The “airtime” alluded to in the letter has mostly been devoted to the controversy over opinion polls finding that significant numbers of people are confused about Obama’s religious identity and that some believe he is a Muslim.

A chip on the shoulder indicates wood higher up — Yiddish proverb

In what is something like a latterday version of the 200 year ago whiskey rebellion Virginia is expected to unveil a detailed proposal Sept. 8 for breaking up the state’s 76-year monopoly on the wholesale and retail distribution of distilled spirits. The Republican Governor says closing the government run stores will reap a $300 to $800 million in onetime windfall. Of course the state and federal government will still reap profits from various taxes and fees levied on booze that trigg ered the original whiskey rebellion.

Pennsylvania examined 36 years of data from 48 states with varying degrees of alcohol control. It found that private states have lower per-capita alcohol consumption and lower drunken-driving fatalities than states where government controls segments of the industry. Those finding comport with findings in the18 states that retain some control over the sale of alcohol and the other 32 states and the District, which do not.

Regardless of how you feel about booze a stark issue is how government can’t make money selling the stuff. Of course you have to remember that when the federal government seized a well known Nevada brothel for unpaid taxes it failed to run it profitably either.

It boggles the mind to imagine how govern,ent can’t make money on booze and prostitution - but, apparently it finds a way.

A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.

Rep. Charles Rangel has fired back at President Obama for saying the embattled New York City Democrat should “end his career with dignity,” declaring: “Frankly, he has not been around long enough to determine what my dignity is.”

Speaking at a candidates’ forum in Harlem on Monday night, the 20-term Democrat also said: “For the next two years, I will be more likely to protect his dignity.”

On July 29, a House ethics panel leveled 13 charges against Rangel, including hoarding below-market apartments and improper fundraising.

Obama said in an interview the next day: “He’s somebody who’s at the end of his career. I’m sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity. And my hope is that it happens.”

But on Aug. 10, a defiant Rangel said on the House floor: “I am not going away. I am here . . .

“If I can’t get my dignity back here, then fire your best shot in getting rid of me through expulsion.”

And at the candidates’ forum on Monday, he told the crowd: “If it’s OK with my doctor, I am going to serve the next two years.”

Then in an interview after the forum, Rangel again referred to Obama’s comment, saying: “My dignity is 80 years old. How can somebody so much younger tell me how to leave with dignity?”

Just as the Feds were missing a few billion salmonella infected eggs comes news that they may have been too busy branding vending machines with calorie counts for contents including  Braille translations.

Despite a congressional cutoff, Obama insists that the United States will continue military asupplies, including weapons, to Lebanon.

Officials said the administration intended to continue U.S. aid to the Lebanese military in wake of an Aug. 2 Lebanese attack on Israeli forces along the border marked an isolated incident that was not expected to be repeated.

“We continue to believe that supporting the Lebanese government and the Lebanese army or military is in our national interest,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. “It contributes to stability in the region.” Others far and near argue that Lebanon is becoming a agent for Iran and we become more so as the Obama withdraws from Iraq and Iran steps forward arming Hizbullah as its surrogate. That’s especially dangerous since there are clear indicators that the terror group has or will soon dominate the Lebanese Army.

In June 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the administration would provide Lebanon with 24 120mm mortars (with range of 4.5 miles), 24 M2 .50 caliber machine guns, one million rounds of ammunition, and 24 Humvees and trailers over the next 18 months. Israel fears the weapons will be coopted by Hizzbullah and used against it-others agree.

A new book by Scott Rasmussen and Doug Schoen addresses the broad discontent roiling the political landscape this year. MAD AS HELL: How the Tea Party Movement Is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two-Party System , published by Harper-Collins, will be released September 14. It can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble,Borders, and other outlets.

Brazil’s Supreme Court, suspended a rule banning poking fun at candidates in the country’s October 3 elections.

In 2009 Brazilian election officials amended the country’s electoral law that prevents “any use of audio or video that in any way degrades or ridicules candidates (or) political parties.”

The amendment, which took effect in July, calls for fines of up to 100,000 reais ($57,000) for violations and as much as double that for repeat offenders.

At  least for the next month electioneering in Brazil should be more fun.

Lots of folks call politicians boobs but, a Venezuelan candidate has taken it another step offering breast implants as a prize in a raffle to raise funds for his September 24 parliamentary election campaign.