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Nepotism we can believe in: Caroline Kennedy

It started when Robert Kennedy, Jr., the son of the carpet-bagging Robert Kennedy, spoke to accidental governor David Paterson, the son of another politician, Basil Paterson, and his mother was a secretary for Marcus Garvey. But I digress.

The are enough skeletons in the closet of Robert Kennedy Jr for him to be an unpopular appointment, although he did publicly speculate about seeking the appointment in 2007 should carpet-bagging Hilary Clinton vacate the office.

Robert said to David that Caroline might be interested in running. A few leaks to the press later, and she was the top of the news cycle, and really has been there ever since.

I like the idea of people who are really wealthy sharing their time, talent, and treasure with the public school system. I like the idea the Caroline, until now, has not played the Kennedy card too often. None of these approach anything remotely distinguishing her as a candidate for the United States Senate. Let no one say that I don't like her.

People point out the obvious, as I do now -- the Article I qualifications are: citizen, over 30, and a inhabitant of the state of New York. Paterson has millions of people to pick from, why Caroline? Why not one of the many politicians who have demonstrated leadership, competence and accomplishment in other appointed and elective offices.

The United States Senate is not a place for beginners.

Her "run" may be imploding as she is not doing well the the dinosaur media. Let me quickly run through the negatives:

Inexperience. No political experience.

Hypocrisy. As an advocate of public schools, she sent her own kids to private schools and denies real school choice to parents who cannot afford private schools.

Entitlement. She has evaded the question of whether she has earned this appointment or if she feels entitled to it. Paterson turns the burden of proof around and demands reasons why not appoint her.

Aristocracy. Whenever she or one her backers mentions "family" -- it is not in the same sense that Ronald Reagan or even George Bush meant by the word. "Family" is a code for aristocracy -- the putative American royal family -- the Kennedy's. There's a real irony here, her mother, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, strove to keep her and her brother isolated from the high risk, booze and drug culture of the Kennedy's that killed cousins David and Michael.

Isolation. Part of the protective bubble that her mother and later her husband put about her has kept her from contact with ordinary New Yorkers and the problems that ordinary New Yorkers. I don't have a dislike of trust fund kids who grow up, don't screw up, and marry into money. I just don't think they can represent New York in the Senate. Not only doesn't she have political experience, but has never run a small business or seen the face of government other than the friendly faces of her family and her admirers in government. I can't imagine her as seeing government as anything but a benign force.

Absence of any life test. We know that McCain was tested by his time in the Hanoi Hilton, George Bush by his recovery from alcoholism, Hillary Clinton by her husband adulteries, and even Barack Obama by the absence of his parents as he was growing up. Caroline was 6 when her father was killed, but beyond that where has she been challenged by life? Would the Senate be the first real challenge she has had to face since 1963.

No engagement in politics. If she got interested in politics after 9/11, where was she in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 before she joined Team Obama?
She failed to vote in several elections and she never sought to increase public awareness on an issue she felt strongly about.

No mandate. What is she running for? It seems all about keeping a Kennedy in the Senate or about Paterson's attempt to graft on some Kennedy magic for his own career.

Not articulate. She lacks not only ideas but a good voice, practiced in teaching, persuading, arguing, etc. Without the Kennedy name and a media shield, she would be considered absurd as a candidate. YouTube has the "Kennedy Obama UmYouKnow Remix" and "The More You Know: Caroline Kennedy." The latter counts — with a buzzer — 30 "you knows" in 147 seconds of excerpts from an interview with The Associated Press. Via Hot Air To answer some critics who have said this is inconsequential, I ask in return, whenever you hear a speaker with so many "you knows", does it add to or undermine the authority and credibility of the speaker? It always undermines it.

No disclosure. The odd way that Senator's get appointed after a vacancy allows her to escape the financial and conflict of interest disclosures that elected officials undergo. A sign of her sincerity in the elective process would be to make in 2009 which she would have to do in 2010 anyway for the November 2010 special election when she would be running with 22 months of incumbancy.

As a Catholic, I am a realist. There is no one with a chance of being appointed by Paterson or being elected in 2010 who will have public policy views that are aligned with the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church even if there are nominally Catholic as Mrs. Edwin Arthur Schlossberg is. So I am sticking up for meritocracy over aristocracy and old fashioned club house Tammany-style politics over nepotism. The ordinary stepping stone to the Senate is typically state-wide office and or distinguished career in the House of Representatives like Maloney, Velazquez, and Gillibrand.

A recent development was the appointment of a caretaker who would pledge not to run in 2010 (AP) like Mario Cuomo or Bill Clinton. The advantage of a caretaker would be a big monkey off of Paterson's back and it would allow a clear field for the Democrats to sort out who should hold that seat and it would expose Caroline to real politics if she deigns to do so.

Run, Caroline, run in 2010. But the appointment? A.B.C.: Anyone but Caroline.

In one of those odd things that happen on the New York Times web site this text can no longer be found

In Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday, “I implore an end to the violence ..."

Sunday refers to December 28, 2008. The Boston Globe owned by the New York Times has the remarks in its religion column.

"The Holy Land, which occupies the thoughts and sentiments of faithful around the world during these days of Christmas has again seen itself struck by an outbreak of unprecedented violence.

I am profoundly saddened by the deaths, the wounded, the material damage, the suffering, and the tears of the peoples victim to this tragic recurrence of attacks and reprisals.

The earthly homeland of Jesus cannot continue being witness to such bloodshed that is repeated without end! I implore an end to the violence, which is to be condemned in all its forms, and the re-establishment of the truce in the Gaza Strip. I ask for a show of humanity and wisdom in all those who have some responsibility in this situation. I ask the international community to do everything possible to help the Israelis and Palestinians out of this dark alley and not to resign themselves - as I said a few days ago in the 'Urbi et Orbi' message - to the twisted logic of confrontation and violence, but to give precedence to the path of dialogue and negotiation.

We entrust to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, our fervent prayer for these intentions, and to Him, Mary, and Joseph we say: 'Oh family of Nazareth, expert in suffering, grant peace to the world'. Grant it today, above all, to the Holy Land!"

I don't recall the call for an end to the launch of Qassam rockets from Gaza into Israel when Israel was not responding in kind. When it is Israelis who are being killed, were there statements imploring an end to that violence?

I understand that the Pope's concern is not accuracy in naming Hamas as the cause of the violence but in making sure that Christians in areas under the control of Hamas are not killed for being Christian. I join the Pope in praying for peace. I see the best hope of peace to follow the extirpation of terrorists from Gaza.

Back in time for 2009 Anno Domini: Crucifixion

Caroline Glick at the Jerusalem Post reported on Dec 25, 2008:

On [December 23, 2008], Hamas legislators marked the Christmas season by passing a Shari'a criminal code for the Palestinian Authority. Among other things, it legalizes crucifixion.

Via Little Green Footballs

This is not an encouraging sign that Hammas can be engaged in negotiations to bring about peace.

The article didn't provide details for what crimes would merit crucifixion. This is a Roman and non-Islamic penalty. The appearance of crucifixion in the Koran is only in the context of the alleged crucifixion of the prophet Isa by the Romans and never suggested as penalty to be imposed by Sharia.

Manchester United wins FIFA Club World Cup

Manchester United wins FIFA Club World Cup

Wayne Rooney scored lately in the second half to lead ten man Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Ecuador's Liga de Quito in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.Manchester United was the better side throughout a good deal of the match and Rooney's goal even arrived twenty-four minutes after Nemanja Vidic was sent off for elbowing LDU Quito striker Claudio Bieler in the face.
Cristiano Ronaldo, was a constant threat for LDU Quito's and send a perfect pass to Wayne Rooney for the winning goal.
Manchester United became the first club from England to winn the Club World Cup after Liverpool's failure in 2005 when Brazil's Sao Paulo beat them 1-0.

The saga continues:Ronaldo-Real

The saga continues:Ronaldo-Real

Spanish media strikes again: Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Manchester United for the end of this season,but in the background of the secret agreement is that Cristiano will moved to Real Madrid next summer.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that it came to the statement of one of the people who are very close to the President of Real Ramon Calderon.Bernabeu director Pedro Trapote stated after the game with Barcelona that Ronaldo’s move into the royal club is only a matter of time."If you ask me, what do we do now, in times of crisis, I would tell you that we have already signed the best player in the world," said Trapote, but his words were followed by a question he might think the Portuguese at Old Trafford. Trapote replied: "The best of the best! It is Cristiano, there is no other"“It is best to not say anything because there are some clauses that prevent us from announcing it now. For us it would be a good time, but we should not do that. But it is not bad, eh?”Manchester United already responded and strongly denied an arrangement with Real Madrid to sell Cristiano at the end of the season, BBC informed.

Paracelsus

Paracelsus (Wikipedia and Catholic Encyclopedia) is an interesting footnote figure from history. He was born in what would become Switzerland in 1493 at the boundary between the Middle Ages and the Modern Period.

He was an experimentalist which made him in the language of that day, an alchemist. His field was medicine and he rejected what was in the texts of Galen and Avicenna which did not conform to his own observation. Back then it was believed that all disease was attributable to an imbalance of "the four humors of the body". Why have not we heard more about him?

He was arrogant and did not play well with others. Could he have adjusted his demeanor and achieve acceptance? Or was he doomed by the environment he lived in? It might have advanced science 100 or 200 years to have followed his methods. In any case, he is one of the people I plan to seek out when I get to heaven by the grace of God.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or

A Dream Come True
Cristiano Ronaldo won another award, this time Ballon d'Or award, which is given by the magazine France Football.Cristiano was called as Kaka's successor on Tuesday morning and is the first Portuguese after Luis Figo(2000) to win the desirable Ballon d'Or award.
On Sunday Cristiano was introduced with the Ballon d'Or award(golden ball) on a TV ceremonial in Paris and admitted it embodied a dream come true.

“''It's a dream I've had since I was younger, I've always dreamed about winning it one day.”he stated for the magazine.

First time I have seen Muslim prayer beads

newsbusters.org which did a vidcap from CNBC

The prince is discussing his ownership of Citigroup which is reported at 3.6%. The Saudi royal family is the single largest shareholder of Citigroup.

For readers who might be aware of the teaching of the Koran on usury, it does seem contradictory to seek ownership of the Western bank which practices banking in contravention of the Koran.

The beads held by the prince might have been the basis from the Rosary which began to emerge as a popular devotion in the decades following the First Crusade.