Is North Korea Dissolving?

Michael Sheridan of Times On Line, has an interesting report from Rajin, North Korea. The article is long, about five pages, but has very interesting information. Mr. Sheridan, discusses how Christians are involved in helping North Koreans escape, about assassination attempts, how the Bush re-election dealt a blow to Kim, Jong-il, and other things. I would suggest reading this article if simply for the information it provides. Some highlights:

“It’s just like the Berlin Wall,” Pastor Douglas Shin, a Christian activist, said by telephone from Seoul. “The slow-motion exodus is the beginning of the end.”

In interviews for this article over many months, western policymakers, Chinese experts, North Korean exiles and human rights activists built up a picture of a tightly knit clan leadership in Pyongyang that is on the verge of collapse.
[...]
The Japanese intelligence agency, in an unclassified report issued on December 24, referred to “signs of instability” inside the political establishment and predicted a feud among the elite as they strive to seize power from Kim.
[...]
Yet North Koreans confirmed that they knew that escapers to China should look for buildings displaying a Christian cross and should ask among Korean speakers for people who knew the word of Jesus.

“The information blockade is like a dam and when it bursts there will be a great wave,” said Shin, the crusading pastor.
[...]
Bush’s re-election dealt a blow to Kim, 62, who had gambled on a win by John Kerry, the Democratic candidate. Kim used a strategy of divide and delay to drag out nuclear talks with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea through 2004.

Kim lost his bet and now faces four more years of Bush, who says that he “loathes” the North Korean leader and has vowed to strip him of atomic weapons.
[...]
Paranoia and brainwashing remain the regime’s most effective tools. Yet even as it tries to fight off God it has made its peace with Mammon.

You can read the entire article here.

And for the Insurgents Today

(Hat tip: InstaPundit)

Woman "V" for Freedom

How can anyone say this is not big? This is big for the Iraqi people, big for the country of Iraq, big for the region, big for our military, and yes big our the United States too! However, we have already heard John Kerry say "No one in the United States should try to overhype this election". Give me a break! Play it down Mr. Kerry but freedom will ring loud and clear! Tell the woman below she is "overhyping" her ability to vote.

The new or on going media attack is that this is "forced democracy" - come on, what idiot would believe that? These people, Iraqi people, free people, when of their own free will and cast their vote while facing the real threat of loss of life, forced, forced, you have to be kidding!

Picture of Freedom

For those who of you who maybe living in a vacuum; each person that votes, in Iraq, must dip their finger in ink… Could you imagine what the turn out in America would if possible death came with your right to vote? Now as the numbers come in, I have heard 60% voter turnout, I want to see how the naysayers will spin this into bad news, and I am sure they will!


(Hat tip: GOP Bloggers)

Black & White

This Story just hit me the wrong way - Social Security Racial Equity Debate.

Does Social Security (news - web sites) cheat black Americans? Yes, President Bush (news - web sites) insisted last week. But some Social Security experts say the answer is clearly "no."

No wonder racism is and issue everywhere you turn and will continue to be an issue - if it isn't Denny's or Wal-Mart, it is Social Security. The bad thing, there are things that are actually more important for the President and these economist to be doing then worrying about when the average black male dies or who has the "lower" average income therefore dictating who gets a larger return on their FICA; give me a break. Does anyone else believe, as I do, that this junk perpetuates racism?

There can't be a tragedy without the News telling us how many blacks or whites are involved in the death toll. Apply for a job online and your asked to voluntarily answer questions, one question is race; now why would that be? Although it is suppose to be illegal, some companies that need to keep their government contracts, have to hire based on race or sex - isn't that a hoot - require companies to break your own law all in the name of "fair". I understand there are some true racist of all colors in the world - they are simply ignorant and in most cases cannot be helped, but should we feed their hate with junk like this?

By the way; who, besides communist and maybe far left liberals, actually believes life is fair or will ever be fair? Fair is a relative term and what constitutes fair is defined by the user of the word "fair". If we devise a plan to make sure everything is "fair", "fair" will be defined by a select few not you or me, would that be "fair"? Hence, the world is not and will not be fair, believe it, know it, love it, and get on with life. This country was based on equality, which is vastly different then fair - we all are allowed equal opportunity to seek, not guaranteed, the American dream.

Read the Social Security's Racial Equity Debated here.

Working Together

Mark Goldblatt attempts to find examples of Congressional Democrats willingness to "work together" - as you might imagine "you can look but you want find"... I have provided some examples of Democrats unwillingness to unite the country here and here, but I did hope Mr. Galdblatt could prove me wrong - but unfortunately, he could not! Some highlights:

Now let me see if I've got this straight. Congressional Democrats insist they're ready to work with President Bush as long as he meets them half way. "I hope that in this term, President Bush will fulfill his promise to be a uniter not a divider," House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi says. "A new term is, indeed, a new opportunity to bring America together."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid concurs: "There are bipartisan opportunities for us; I speak on behalf of 45 Democrats. We are here with our arms open to work with the administration … to accomplish things for this country."

Which explains why House Democrats three weeks ago contested the Ohio electoral vote count -- even though, as they themselves conceded, they had no chance whatsoever to affect the outcome of the election.

Which explains why Senate Democrats two weeks ago forced a delay in the confirmation vote of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General -- even though, as they themselves conceded, Gonzales was certain to be confirmed.

Read more here. (Hat tip: Betsy's Page)

Embassy Hit in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A rocket or mortar hit the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad late Saturday on the eve of Iraq's landmark elections, killing two people and wounding four, a U.S. Embassy official said.

UPDATE: Reuters

Censure Kennedy

I have had my say, Teddy Removes all Doubt , but GOPbloggers has more on this subject, and there is great information.. Some highlights:

I'd like to point out the immense dishonesty and hypocrisy of Senator Kennedy - traits he shares with all of the opponents of the liberation of Iraq. Back in 2002, while he did still urge caution in launching a military campaign against Saddam's regime, he was on the same page as the President as regarded the Saddamite danger:
"There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed. - Senator Kennedy, September 27, 2002"

Read the entire post here

To Bad Mickey!

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Two days after being snubbed when the Oscar nominations were announced, Michael Moore was left off the list Thursday when the Writers Guild of America unveiled nominees for its first documentary writing award for a feature film.

Hey Mickey, since the international community obviously likes you more then "your friends in Hollywood" and you hate America so much, maybe you should take the hint and move!

Teddy Removes all Doubt

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt" - Ted Kennedy's handlers should share these words of wisdom with their boss...

Ted Kennedy calls for "US withdrawal from Iraq" along with many other ridiculous claims he compares Iraq with Vietnam. This is inaccurate on so many levels the least of which is the fact that unlike the communist we fought in Vietnam the Iraqi Insurgents have no military, no political goals, and not ideology, just to name a few differences. We could compare casualty percentages from both sides of the wars and demonstrate further differences. Further, we can point to the fact that there will be elections held this week in Iraq, free elections, this alone should demonstrate how ludicrous such comparisons are, but within the ranks of the "old liberal" wing of the democratic party statements like these are gospel - and this should prove to anyone these Democrats will not change!

Kennedy went on to say "the US Military presence has become part of the problem" - how must parents of those injured or killed must fell to hear this. The impact this statement may have on military moral makes it borderline treasonous. To be against the war is one thing, but to say that our military has accomplished nothing or is "part of the problem" diminishes their sacrifice and is an attempt to undermine moral in an effort to gain political advantage. Americans both for and against the war should be sickened by what this "leader?" of one of our political parties has said.

Kennedy's statements further demonstrate leftwing loonies' unwillingness to work together to unite the country and in fact shows their determinations to divide the country. These comments demonstrate how the "leftwing loonies" want Iraq to be like Vietnam, ushering more division so they can gain political power while totally disregarding the negative impact this will have on our country, our military, and our people in general. I am repulsed!

You can read about some of Kennedy's comments here and here!

John Kerry Still Campaigning

Does John Kerry know he lost or is he campaigning for 2008? MSNBC has a story about "Kerry blast Bush's healthcare.....". Some highlights:

The plan, Kerry said, fulfills one of his campaign commitments because "it's a promise we not only can afford to keep, but one we cannot afford to break."

Mr. Kerry you lost - meaning most of the Americans did not support your ideas or that your commitments did not address their primary concerns.

The speech is the latest in a series of moves Kerry has made against the White House. Last week, Kerry issued a public call for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's ouster, and he was one of two senators on the Foreign Relations Committee to vote against the nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state.

How many of us remember this statement, "and the need — the desperate need — for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together. Today, I hope that we can begin the healing" - from his concession speech. "Moves..against the White House" is this how Kerry defines words like unity, find common ground, coming together, and the all important healing - Right!

15,000 Insurgents Killed or Captured

I have had this story from Reuters for two days and must have missed the coverage on all the other media outlets... This, in my opinion, is significant! Over the past year we have stopped 15,000 or more insurgents - compare this with our casualties over the same year, it shows our military superiority. Since we all want victory, don't we, this should give us a since of pride in our military...I am in no way diminishing any man or women that has died or been hurt for their country only stating these numbers demonstrates how well these men and women of our military do their jobs! Some snippets:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces have killed or captured 15,000 people over the past year in their fight against an insurgency ravaging Iraq, the commander of U.S. forces in the country said Wednesday.
In the past month alone, they had seized around 60 leaders of the various Islamist and Baathist groups trying to drive the Americans from the war-torn country, General George Casey said.
[...]
"If you look back over the last year we estimate we have killed or captured about 15,000 people as part of this counter-insurgency," Casey, the only four-star American general in Iraq, told reporters.
"Just in this month we have picked up around 60 key members of the Zarqawi network and key members of the former regime," he said, referring to the group led by al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
"The level of violence in 14 of the 18 provinces in Iraq is four incidents or arrests a day," said Casey, who commands 150,000 U.S. troops. "It is primarily confined to four provinces. It has not spread to 80 percent of the population."
He said the level of violence had subsided since its peak in November last year -- the deadliest month for U.S. troops since the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein began.

Read the article here.

Good News - Zarqawi Associates Arrested

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Authorities in Iraq have arrested two close associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, including the chief of the terror mastermind's Baghdad operation, the government said Friday, two days ahead of historic elections that extremists have vowed to subvert.

The media is reporting this - but, maybe it is just me, they don't seem as enthusiastic as I believe they should. I mean we all want success in Iraq, so our men and women can come home, and if that is the case this is great news.

Safe Online?

USA Today has a story reporting, "most ID theft takes place offline". The story interested me because several family members and friends express concerns about making online transactions... Seems you maybe safer online then one might be lead to believe, of course, you must use common sense.

The survey found:
• Computer crimes accounted for 11.6% of identity theft in 2004, vs. 68% from paper sources
• The average loss for online identity theft was $551, vs. $4,543 from paper.
• Family members, friends and neighbors make up half of all known identity thieves.

"Computer theft is way down the list," says James Van Dyke of Javelin Strategy in Pleasanton, Calif. Doing financial transactions via computer worries Americans, he says, because "It's the great unknown. But it's not where your primary risk from fraud is."

Boxer Defended

Margaret Carlson defends Barbara Boxer, and does not use the "race card" no she uses the "gender card" - I know it is shocking isn't it.

Women don't have a lot of leeway in how they comport themselves. Could any woman behave on TV like Bob Novak or Bill O'Reilly and get her own show? Female pundits are rarely called "sharp and incisive," only "shrill and strident." Women in politics have less margin for error. During his 30 years as a columnist, I can remember William Safire calling only one person a "congenital liar," and it just happened to be Hillary (D-Whitewater).

Carlson claims, "In her grilling of Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice, Boxer finally named the elephant in the hearing room, which is more than the war itself. It's the lies that got us there". I believe I have heard the "lies" accusation for over a year - and in my opinion, those whose raise make the accusation are lying themselves... I am amazed every time the "they lied" claim is brought up; actually lying without any doubt was not an issue only a few years ago. Liberals did not even attempt to deny the lying was real - it just was not a problem. Now all you must do is make the accusation that there are lies and not only does it become fact, as far as liberals are concerned, it is a major issue, amazing.

I have other issues about Carlson's remarks and assertions, but David Limbuah is much more eloquent in pointing out Carlson's inaccuracies. Read his comments here.

Guess I Won't be Reading NYT

If this story becomes reality and the New York Times does begins charging for web access I miss my daily liberal rhetoric. Since "not going to pay" seems to be the theme across cyberspace, maybe this is not such a bad idea.

Trouble in Paradise

Donald Lambro reports that Howard Dean is the "front runner" to head the DNC; however, it is reported that one of the Democratic "idols", Bill Clinton, is actively working to "keep Mr. Dean from being elected". Sounds like trouble in paradise.

Howard Dean is emerging as the front-runner to head the Democratic National Committee, but the former Vermont governor and failed presidential candidate has some DNC members saying he is too liberal to broaden the party's base.
[...]
It is no secret within party circles that former President Bill Clinton and his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, do not want Mr. Dean to be party chairman, and that they saw his presidential candidacy as an effort to pull the party away from the more centrist policies of Mr. Clinton's presidency.
Mrs. Clinton, who may be considering a 2008 presidential run of her own, has stayed out of the DNC fight, but her husband is said to be working behind the scenes to keep Mr. Dean from being elected. (Read the article here)

The Spin Never Stops

After blogging this I see Power Line has more information about the spin coming from the Washington Post. Amazingly they are claiming those opposed to Condi's confirmation are centrist, you heard me correctly, centrist!

Some of the Democrats who opposed Rice were centrists from states in which President Bush won or ran strongly in November, including Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), Mark Dayton (D-Minn.), Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

Power Line has more details and several updates, read it here.

Good Idea!

Evangelical Underground has a great idea - Evangelical Blog Awards! Go here and vote for your favorites.

Can you Believe This

Michelle Malkin has details on a Siberian immigrant being mailed a letter from the Department of Homeland Security deeming him a lawful permanent resident. Great news, right? Wrong, Mr. Eugueni Kniazev was one of the 9/11 murder victims! Michelle also details the story in her column in the New York Post. Appalling!