Wrong Number

The Buffalo Beast doesn’t make its totally dignified opinions available in print anymore. But we can still get them on record online. For example, the internet daycare center made sort-of news after one of their staffers made a prank call that might have been too mature for junior high brats.

Pretending to be one of the Koch brothers on the phone doesn’t quite seem like an interesting hobby. But someone thinks it’s worthwhile. As a result, we know that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s biggest shortcoming is being courteous enough to accept a call from someone sympathetic to his cause and take a person at his word.

The unwitting Borat-style victim patiently nodded along while smiling. It’s Walker’s fault for trusting that someone was who he said he was, even if it’s someone he doesn’t know.

The bombshell from the conversation is that Walker says the same things in private that he does in public. All we needed to glean that information was a prank from a member of the Koch-obsessed left. They coincidentally overlap with Palin Derangement Syndrome sufferers and frothing W. haters. I bet they know lots of “Teabagger” jokes!

Attention should be focused on the dialer, not the recipient. The fraudulent call was perpetrated by someone responsible for churning out nuanced, reasonable, and compelling pieces such as the one named “(Bleep) the Troops,” only without using “Bleep.” It’s always fascinating to see what sort of class acts the left admires for allegedly speaking truth to power.

The only truth is that the perception of Walker hasn’t changed. Undercover conservatives reveal Planned Parenthood helps pimps get underage abortions. Undercover liberals reveal Walker is polite. We’ve discovered that Wisconsin’s governor has ideals to which he’s adhering.

The prank call was embarrassing, but not for Walker. Other than his slacker staffers who need to screen calls better, the real mortification should be felt by those who go to the trouble of misrepresenting themselves to learn nothing.

But they’ll feel nothing. The poor man’s Crank Yankers moment was a non-story, unless proper phone screening tops one’s issues list. That won’t stop easily-impressed knee-jerk Republican loathers from thinking that the call really stuck it to The Man.

Unfortunately for them, The Man in question refused to be goaded into saying anything exciting after oh so maliciously accepting a call from someone he believed to be a supporter.

He notably didn’t say anything obnoxiously insulting. Certainly, there was nothing that would belong in the pages of an online tabloid that was previously most famous for despising both the war and the warriors.

Honor Conviction

The most troubling thing about Bridges TV isn’t that Goldie Gardner hosts a cooking show on it. The legendarily irritating WNED telethon shill is sharing her culinary abilities on a Muslim channel for some reason, but that’s not their most egregious affront to broadcasting.

More importantly, they’re not living up to their mission of providing, according to their site,

…a broad range of lifestyle oriented programming that aims to foster a greater understanding between the West and MESA (Middle Eastern/South Asian) religions, its cultures, and diverse populations.

It’s not bad enough that I think they just made up the term “MESA.” Worse, there has been no special programming devoted to the conviction of prominent Muslim Muzzammil Hassan. It’s the equivalent of Oprah not appearing on OWN.

To recap, the honor killer’s strategy of blaming a “religion of patriarchy” failed to impress jurors, who convicted him of second-degree murder in less time than it takes for your baked potato to finish in the oven. They took an hour to return a verdict, although there’s no report of what kind of sandwiches they ate for 58 minutes after the two it took to vote “Guilty.”

Juries have gotten a bad rap ever since one-time Buffalo icon and present prison bitch O.J. Simpson was found not guilty by a dozen potted plants who thought racism killed his ex-wife and her friend. But a local collection of upstanding fellow citizens showed that justice is the more likely courtroom outcome.

And yet there is no round-the-clock coverage on Bridges. Yes, Hassan coincidentally founded the network. But personal relationships shouldn’t affect objective news judgments, especially considering the relevance of the religion in question to both his actions and astoundingly pitiful defense.

In fact, the direct connection means they should confront the issue directly and frequently. Bridges should presently be offering balanced coverage: 12 hours per day about what’s happening in Egypt and 12 about the recent court proceedings near their headquarters.

So, why is there no attention being paid to the landmark conviction from programs such as Bridges Evening News, Democracy Now!, and Viewpoints with John Zogby? As for the BEN, it supposedly

…is dedicated to bringing you a balanced coverage on local and international news you care about. Join Tooba Khilji and David Prinzbach for a closer look at the news you can trust.

But they apparently can’t be trusted to devote extensive time to reporting about a the aftermath of a Religion of Peace member’s trial. We presumably also shouldn’t expect documentaries on the subject similar to the one they air objectively titled Broken Promises that asks:

When American agents in Sweden deport 2 Egyptian men, the question of how far is too far when fighting terrorism is raised.

I bet their answer is “too far,” although I admittedly didn’t see the program. Still, I’m wagering that not even episodes of Soccer Academy will deal with the conviction’s fallout.

It’s such a shame. They should be airing a barrage of shows that ask why a man who founded a 21st-century enterprise is living in a three-digit year.

After all, treating one’s wife like a 43rd-class citizen before cutting through her neck seems to be an act committed more frequently by members of this particular faith than, say, Orthodox Jews. Why not add programming about why it happens and what can be done to stop it? They should confront the issue head on instead of dodging it.

But they apparently won’t examine such issues on Hassan’s baby about why this case fails to be an exception. That’s okay, as we’ve ascertained the connection even without locating the network buried in the channel lineup next to whichever one just hired Keith Olbermann.

We don’t need Bridges to have learned something about what provoked Hassan. Actions speak louder than programming.

Pointless Sabre Rattling

Someone actually wants to buy a Western New York business, and The Buffalo News won’t stand for it. Terry Pegula has a lot of nerve for purchasing the Buffalo Sabres. As a result, those who write the words on the pages that wrap the coupon circulars did what they could to make him feel unwelcome in the City of Good Neighbors:

In the course of making his fortune, the Florida billionaire negotiating to buy the Buffalo Sabres contributed heavily to politicians in a position to advance his business interests and established a less-than-stellar track record in the environmentally dicey business of drilling for natural gas, The Buffalo News has found.

A News review of compliance records found East Resources, the company Terrence M. Pegula sold last summer for $4.7 billion, had a middling record of complying with environmental regulations in Pennsylvania, his base of operations. The company last year paid the largest regulatory fine in its history and was involved in a spill of toxic wastewater that resulted in the first quarantine of cattle in the history of natural gas drilling in the state.

A fine? See you in Hell, East Resources. Also, are the cattle okay? I’m worried about steak. Not only did he deal with regulations while make money running a business: he also gave some of it to those who seek to represent us:

Pegula has made more than $630,000 in campaign contributions to Republican politicians and committees who support what one observer termed his “very, very conservative” positions on global warming and taxes and regulations related to the natural gas industry.

The News thinks it’s news that everyone has the right to donate to candidates. People often do so in an attempt to curry favor, as Goldman Sachs bigwigs did with Barack Obama.  Another good example would be the owner of a certain local newspaper giving money to politicians as a hobby.

The key is to see if such gifts lead to favors from politicians. We can then hold them accountable by either voting out the recipients or not patronizing businesses belonging to the contributors.

Sadly, it’s trickier to punish lousy journalists. The article relies egregiously heavily on quotes from members of liberal advocacy group Common Cause. There is also ample space devoted to a, surprise, partisan environmental group called PennFuture. The article demonstrates the results of networking done among #p2 Twitter hashtag users.

By contrast, an article of over 2,200 words devotes three measly paragraphs to quotes from a single Pegula defender. Earle Robbins, “who acts as a liaison between energy companies and landowners as they negotiate drilling leases,” should feel honored to be selected as the closest thing to a token conservative.

The reporter seemingly missed that day of journalism school where students learn about the necessity of balance, as he included no quotes from people who appreciate having power or jobs thanks to Pegula. Once again, the rag’s staffers decided to be confrontational rather than merely critical.

And it was surely coincidental that the paper’s target was a Republican fossil fuel man. The worst thing about such discreditable journalism is that they don’t even get Robert Edgar-signed checks in exchange for their advocacy.

The process of acquiring natural gas is as difficult as it is necessary. The alternative is to sit in dark caves while being smug about one’s carbon footprint until hypothermia kicks in.

Some people want the benefits of civilization without any tradeoffs. There is risk involved as long as there are heated buildings.

Fining companies for honest errors made during their pursuit of an indispensable energy source is far superior to buying energy from international thugs or hoping solar energy can power all our light bulbs. Without domestic production, we’re at the mercy of the whims of despots and/or clouds.

Pegula’s ownership will do more for Buffalo than every Rod Watson and Jeff Simon column ever published. Maybe that’s the problem. The city’s hockey franchise is infinitely more beloved than its newspaper, which irritates workers at the latter to no end.

That’s why the hacks focused upon the occasional errors of a new Buffalo figure’s former company rather than its overwhelmingly numerous benefits. They also forgot to focus upon his unbelievable philanthropic work. On top of that, they didn’t question whether the regulatory burden his company faced was excessive. The paper speaks truth to power unless it involves challenging government regulations on business.

How hospitable! Pegula should know that very few members of the community his franchise calls home are as truculently unfriendly as its print journalists. The Buffalo News is nothing like Buffalo.

Burning Bridges

Mo Hassan just can’t stop enhancing Islam’s image. In addition to founding Bridges TV to present us with pro-Muslim programming, he’s also proving that members of one of the great faiths can serve as attorneys despite a complete lack of legal training. His positive contributions almost counter how he’s on trial for disconnecting his wife’s head from her neck:

On Day four in the Mo Hassan, the Judge has decided that the defendant can act as his own attorney.  This revelation came after lawyers on both sides met with the Judge behind closed doors.

You know you’re a difficult homicide defendant if even a lawyer won’t defend you anymore:

Judge Thomas Franczyk says the “bottom line is he does have the right to steer his own ship, even if he is steering it into an iceberg.” Reluctantly, I am going to grant Mr. Hassan’s wish to represent himself.”

[snip]

Judge Franczyk acknowledged fundamental strategic differences between the defendant and his attorney.  Over the weekend, the Judge says he had a chance to review the requests made last week. ”Case studies do say that the defendant has the right to counsel of his choice, even if that counsel is himself,” said the Judge.  He added that the court has to be aware of the “wily defendant” who may be trying to delay and manipulate the process.

Does anyone know a counselor with even fewer qualms about morality than usual? Unless Jackie Chiles is available, Hassan is flying solo.

His faith in himself might not be the example of secluded meditation that the religion of peace is attempting to portray. That said, it is thrifty to not pay a counselor, which is a good example to follow no matter where one worships.

But Hassan’s baffling exercise in self-reliance is only the latest miserable detail to emanate from Western New York’s most sordid trial in recent memory. The patriotic Muslims in Lackawanna who blew in the cowards who warped their beliefs and trained to attack from within must be seething.

Hassan keeps counteracting worthwhile efforts. He prominently attempted to counter the portrayal of his religion as one infested with medieval-minded primitive honor stalkers. But he, mildly, self-contradicted his intent.

And he keeps going. To wit, he is acting like a lunatic during the trial to determine if he is the one who murdered his wife using the most savage method imaginable. And you thought attempting to portray himself as the victim served as his rock bottom moment.

As for the representation of his faith, Islamist apologists constantly attempt to assure us that a widespread terror movement isn’t widespread, terrorizing, or a movement.

Perhaps it’s coincidental that more than a handful lone nuts who have murdered or attempted to murder as many innocent people as possible pray in the same direction five times per day. Also, random chance could explain how 19 lone nuts just happened to board the same four flights on September 11, 2001.

But erstwhile community leader and spouse decapitator Hassan isn’t quite helping dispel perceptions that a small percentage of Muslims are still fighting battles with figurative or literal scimitars. We’re left wondering what it is about this particular faith that inspires frightening sliver of adherents to attack huge crowds and/or nuclear family members.

As for court proceedings involving one of the naughtiest attackers in question, there may be no surprise witnesses, shocking plot twists during questioning, or putting the system on trial. What’s important is that, if Hassan does not successfully defend himself, he won’t be able to behead any more wives; that would prevent further damage to his religion in the realm of public relations. Now, if Hassan possesses any sense, he’ll plead insanity on his client’s behalf.

Slaughter Slanders

Louise Slaughter needs to cool down. One of the most embarrassingly partisan House members could start a new career as an expert on how to check a nasty political environment via making unforgivably obnoxious remarks. But she would have to repent first.

Until then, the remorseless sectarian’s response to the Arizona shooting mysteriously included a wholly irrelevant call to not be passionate about politics or use innocuous comparisons. Ignore that the diabolical lie that Sarah Palin is connected to the massacre is as credible as a September 11 truther website:

“Frankly what I’d like to see—is–if we could all get together on both sides of the aisle and really talk about what we can do to cool down this country. Part of that has to be what we hear over the air waves,”…Slaughter said.

I partially agree: all citizens ought to back Slaughter in her efforts to stop saying stupid stuff. By contrast, she’s presently setting a helpful bad example. Her Royal Slaughterness could make this nation better if she only monitored what she says and does. All Slaughter has to do to improve is be less like herself.

For one, the eternal congresswoman got her name known nationally thanks to a manipulatively disgusting sob story about a constituent using her dead sister’s dentures. A woman who makes (not earns) a congressional salary failed to explain why she didn’t help the less fortunate woman with a personal charitable contribution.

Failing that, Slaughter could have directed the alleged fake teeth swapper to a dentist who offered to help, namely her 2010 opponent. It was sad to miss an opportunity for bipartisanship.

Still, the Polident anecdote was trivial compared to her most notorious Constitution-flaunting moment. Specifically, Slaughter’s attempt to avoid a difficult House vote for a widely-despised health care bill through “deem and pass” did more to contribute to a toxic political environment than every Glenn Beck episode ever broadcast.

Despite her thoroughly dubious record, every day is a chance to start anew. On a related note, perhaps Slaughter could improve the present rhetorical tone by not shamelessly using colleague Gabrielle Giffords’s shooting to push her own leftist firearm-related agenda:

A vocal proponent of gun control, Slaughter discussed her concerns about the suspect, Jared Lee Loughner, being able to purchase a gun in Arizona. “This is such a glaring case of someone that everybody who knew (the suspect) knew he was not well, and yet he was able to simply go to the store and buy a gun,” she said.

Perhaps it would have been better if a deranged murderer with no regard for the law had driven a car into the crowd. But Slaughter isn’t just under the delusion that limiting access to guns will improve our safety: she wants to reduce your radio programming access, too.

To be precise, her call to limit free speech delivered through radio microphones by calling for the Fairness Doctrine’s revival is as irrelevantly ominous as it is inappropriate. To be fair, Slaughter doing whatever she feels it takes to extend federal control will surprise no one who’s followed her career.

Of course, we could actually cool down this country’s political atmosphere by, say, not blaming an author and television news pundit who doesn’t hold an elected office for the actions of a homicidal madman. O.J. will find the real killer before Palin’s enemies uncover evidence that she was linked in any way to the massacre.

But a dearth of facts won’t discourage the obliviously frothing hypocrites who call for more lukewarm discourse as they simultaneously hurl untrue accusations at their opponents.

Regardless, this isn’t a call for Slaughter to tone down her political language even with her deplorable history of utterances in mind. In fact, she should increase the temperature and say whatever crass and logically indefensible ideas pop in her demented mind.

Don’t moderate yourself, Louise: let us know what you really think, as such delusional bluntness makes it that much easier to shred your positions. Those horrified by the things you say will promise to remain similarly unrestrained, with the difference being that their criticisms will actually have a point.

Wrangling Rangel

Fool NY-15′s voters 20 times: shame on you. Fool them 21 times… Censured Charlie Rangel capped of a humiliatingly busy week by demonstrating his oft-unacknowledged sense of humor when he claimed there was “no evidence of corruption” after he was found to have committed massive corruption.

His amusing take on his own misdeeds apparently explains why he feels entitled to keep acting roguishly. But the taxing and spending specialist has inflicted far more harm in true New York Democratic style during his tenure’s non-crooked portion.

At least he remains obliviously entertaining. For one, his Michael Jackson Defense is so shameless that it would have made the late King of Pop blush through his pale cheeks:

“History would show that a different standard has been used in this case where I did not curse out the Speaker, I did not try to have sex with minors,” he said, referring to past censure cases.

It’s heartwarming to know a bad guy wasn’t doing something worse. But I’m a typical conservative who focuses upon how the congressional mainstay is a corrupt scumbag instead of his history of not sexing up high schoolers. Rangel’s misappropriation is merely the culmination: he promoted bad policy even when he wasn’t enriching himself.

Regardless, the myth persists that Rangel helped his constituents when he wasn’t helping himself to rent-controlled apartments. It’s irrelevant whether his constituents believe it or not: governmental funds didn’t suddenly create a relatively meager oasis in Manhattan’s most famous desert.

Still, some won’t accept who he is. As an example, his Wikipedia entry includes the remarkable claim that Rangel deserves credit for Harlem’s semi-rebirth, at least the parts of the neighborhood people don’t avoid. Such hilariously partisan blather is egregious even by the proletariat web encyclopedia’s standards:

He played a significant role in the creation of the 1995 Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation and the national Empowerment Zone Act, which helped change the economic face of Harlem and other inner-city areas.

They would have better off without his alleged help. Gentrification due to rich private citizens rediscovering brownstones along with entrepreneurs tapping into a neglected market combined to fix the area. On the other hand, federal intervention helped Harlem as much as the stimulus helped the rest of America.

In fact, the money taken from the economy and thrown in Harlem’s direction dramatically slowed the process of private cash injection. At best, some of the federal cash thrown above Central Park stuck to a few blocks; in that case, it only took a few decades to see a few signs of life.

Fellow Empire Stater Chuck Schumer subscribes to the latter theory, although he still failed in his effort to sock it to millionaires on New Year’s Day. No higher levies for rich folks? I guess they’ll have to take their money and create jobs without Joe Biden’s help.

Aside from his personal investment in the slick suit and pomade industries, Rangel is the ideal combination of personal and political corruption. If one is going to redistribute income, why not do some of it to oneself?

In his disregard for laws and decency, Rangel also serves as his party’s tattered mascot. Yes, even Sean Hannity would admit there are corrupt and/or shameless Republicans off-camera after Greta’s show began. But this state’s Democrats are better manufacturing humiliation, which makes them much worse.

Many of those in power here are semi-unique: criminal or not, they’re sleazy in their own individual ways. Notably, Western New York’s most famous representatives during the Barack Obama have been amateur wrestler Eric Massa and shameless denture anecdote spinner Louise Slaughter. Our reps reside in the damp basement apartment of the People’s House.

The executive branch’s seat-fillers are similarly sterling. Shameless Wall Street bullier and hooker buyer Eliot Spitzer set the standard for Yankee fan David Paterson, who is in turn being replaced by former HUD scoundrel Andrew Cuomo. Worst, they all advocate a command economy even when they manage to behave.

They think they can spend your earning better than you can. On a related note, the shifty lefties all share tremendous antipathy for corporations, aside from the bailed-out failures and those politically connected enough to cut out favors. Their goals are appalling whether they enact them legally or not.

Rangel is merely the worst at present. The Ways and Means meanie is a greasily arrogant embodiment of a politician who thinks he shouldn’t have to obey the same rules as us peasants. But he hurts the nation even when he’s not thieving.