French 'Tolerance' Groups Take Twitter to Court Over 'Hate Speech'

Man, this one's over-the-top Orwellian.

At the Times of Israel, "Twitter heads to Paris court after flood of ‘Nazi’ posts":

Major tolerance groups join Jewish student organization in claiming social media giant is violating French laws banning hate speech.

Jewish students in France went to court Tuesday to demand that Twitter release the names of French users employing the social media network to spread anti-Semitism.

The hearing, scheduled in November, gained new urgency over the weekend following a flood of posts featuring the hashtag #SiJetaisNazi (#IfIWereANazi). The label ranked in the country’s top five trending topics Saturday.

“Because it does not take the necessary measures to identify where the tweets come from, Twitter is offering a platform to racism and anti-Semitism,“ said Jonathan Hayoun, the president of the Union of French Jewish Students (UEJF), in a statement Monday.

The legal battle has entered the national spotlight, with four influential anti-racism groups joining the Jewish student organization in claiming that the hashtags violate French laws against hate speech.

Along with UEJF,  I Accuse! International Action for Justice; SOS Racism; the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism; and the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Between People are calling on Twitter to identify users and set up a framework to warn customers of illegal content.

Twitter says it cannot divulge details about users without approval from a court in the US, where the company is based.

Differences between French and American laws on speech have produced “a huge void, a question mark,“ Twitter attorney Alexandra Neri told Agence France-Presse. The company is arguing that French judge Anne-Marie Sauteraud, who will issue a decision Jan. 24, does not have standing to rule on the matter.

Opponents disagree, with Hayoun urging government action in an op-ed published Sunday in the Liberation newspaper. “It is incumbent on the French justice system to act in accordance with the Republican principles that bind us together,“ he wrote, “and to restore the trust that we place in our justice system.“

Notice how all those "tolerance" groups are far-left, communist-backed organizations. Are these real Nazis on Twitter? Who knows? It doesn't matter to the leftists, since anything critical of the progressive agenda will be demonized as hate speech. That's the new totalitarianism. It'll be interesting to see how well Twitter holds firm against these bullies.

NY Daily News Slams Freedom Defense Initiative: 'Group's Ads Link Islam to Terrorism'

And Pamela responds: "We didn't link Islam to terrorism. The Quran does."

Brent Musburger Under Fire For Comments About Katherine Webb

Astute Bloggers reports, "PROOF THAT SOON IT WILL BE ILLEGAL FOR A STRAIGHT MAN TO COMPLIMENT THE APPEARANCE OF AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN."

Following the links takes us to the Old Gray Lady, where else?, "Musburger Criticized for Remarks About Star’s Girlfriend During Title Game."

And from Reliapundit's post:

UNDER FIRE FOR THIS!?!?!

IS THERE NOTHING A HETERONORMATIVE MALE CAN SAY TO OR ABOUT A WOMAN ANYMORE THAT WON'T BE ATTACKED BY LIBS'N LEFTIES!? ...

IT'S FASCISM, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

And ICYMI, at EBL, "Katherine Webb Rule 5."

PREVIOUSLY: "AJ McCarron's Girlfriend Katherine Webb."

Simon Wiesenthal Center Pegs Der Spiegel Columnist Jakob Augstein as Anti-Semitic

Since I don't read Augstein's columns I can't comment on the controversy, other than to say this is pretty interesting. See Der Spiegel's write up, "Top Ten Anti-Semites Controversy: Wiesenthal Center Refuses Debate with Accused Author":

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has triggered a major debate by listing a prominent German publisher and SPIEGEL ONLINE columnist among the world's top 10 anti-Semites. The evidence is debatable, but now the center refuses to speak to the publisher unless he apologizes first.

It seemed like a completely unexpected stab in the back -- a startling assault from someone who is generally considered to be harmless.

On December 27, the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center published its current "Top 10" list (PDF) of the world's worst anti-Semites, a list the center has published near the end of each year since 2010. The Jewish organization has a good reputation, certainly due in part to the fact that it was named after the legendary Nazi hunter when it was founded in 1977.

The usual suspects can be found in the top spots of the 2012 list of "anti-Semitic/anti-Israel slurs": Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is in first place, followed by the Iranian regime, which aims to destroy the state of Israel. Not the kind of list one wants to be a part of.

But prominent German journalist Jakob Augstein, publisher of the weekly newspaper Der Freitag and author of a regular column on SPIEGEL ONLINE (which is occasionally translated into English for publication), appears in 9th place on the list.

It's a scandal. SPIEGEL immediately sought to find out what had happened and why Augstein had appeared on the list -- but failed. It is a failure that speaks volumes about the methods and position of the Wiesenthal Center. At issue are absurd demands and emails that seem to stem from a different world.

After the list was published, a passionate debate erupted in German newspapers over what constitutes justifiable criticism of Israeli policies and what exactly defines anti-Semitism. Most journalists felt that the accusation against Augstein was absurd, with the exception of Henryk Broder, a former SPIEGEL writer and well-known polemicist. Broder, in an effort to illustrate Augstein's lack of self reflection, even went so far as to liken him to a pedophile who views himself as a friend of children.

Salomon Korn, vice president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, seemed to put an end to the debate when he said that he had never had the impression that Augstein's writings were anti-Semitic, and suggested that the Americans hadn't done their homework. Korn said on the radio station Deutschlandradio Kultur, that the Americans were "pretty far removed, in a manner of speaking, from German reality."

Continue reading.

Also, "What Makes an Anti-Semite? Wiesenthal List Induces Hand-Wringing in Germany." If this Augstein dude holds Israel to a separate standard than the Arab regimes, that'd be anti-Semitic. Here's the key column. Fawningly quoting Günter Grass would be anti-Semitic, no doubt, but again, I'm holding off judgment until I get up to speed.

Here's the Wiesenthal Center's list of "2012 Top Ten Anti-Israel/Anti-Semitic Slurs." And Deutsche Welle has more, "German journalist condemned as anti-Semite."

BCS Playoff Can't Get Here Fast Enough

From Mark Schlabach, at ESPN, "Irish-Tide why we need a playoff":

I really can't remember as unmatched a top-level college football game, and this is the #BCS championship? @rsmccain
— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) January 8, 2013

MIAMI -- Write your U.S. congressman.

Call your conference commissioner, university president and athletic director. Heck, email Dr. Lou, Mark May, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler and David Pollack. I'd even give you their email addresses if it wouldn't get me fired.

College football's forthcoming four-team playoff, which goes into effect during the 2014 season, can't get here soon enough.

Can't we please have a playoff this coming season? Do we really have to wait another year?

Once again, the Bowl Championship Series robbed college football fans of a fitting end to a season on Monday night. No. 2 Alabama blasted No. 1 Notre Dame 42-14 in the Discover BCS National Championship at Sun Life Stadium, and the score wasn't even that close. If the Crimson Tide and Fighting Irish played every day between now and St. Patrick's Day, the Fighting Irish would never win.

You thought last year's BCS title game was boring? At least No. 1 LSU put up a fight in the first couple of quarters before falling to No. 2 Alabama 21-0 in New Orleans, in what was a rematch of a regular-season slugfest between the SEC West rivals.

This game was over after Alabama took the opening kickoff and marched 82 yards in five plays for a touchdown. It was like Mike Tyson knocking out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds, with the Crimson Tide delivering their knockout punch on tailback Eddie Lacy's 20-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the game.

More at the link.

And Bill Plaschke's eating crow after that big prediction about how Notre Dame was going to pull one out for the Gipper. See: "'This one's going to hurt for awhile' for Notre Dame."

Fabulous Emma Stone Photos From 'Gangster Squad' Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

She looks wonderful.

At London's Daily Mail, "His two leading ladies! Emma Stone looks ravishing in red at Gangster Squad premiere as Ryan Gosling takes mother as his date."

Chuck Hagel's Political Courage (Not)

A devastating commentary, from Bret Stephens, at the Wall Street Journal, "Chuck Hagel's Courage":

In 2006, when the war in Iraq had become overwhelmingly unpopular, Mr. Hagel was on the right side of conventional wisdom. "The United States must begin planning for a phased troop withdrawal from Iraq," he wrote in the Washington Post that November. Still swimming with the tide the following year, he called the surge "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam."

The surge turned out to be George W. Bush's finest hour—a genuine instance of political courage as opposed to Mr. Hagel's phony ones. It rescued the U.S. from humiliating defeat. It gave Iraq a decent opportunity to stand on its feet. It allowed the U.S. to conduct an orderly withdrawal of its forces. And it might have led to a long-term security relationship with Baghdad had the Obama administration not fumbled the endgame. Again there is no public record of Mr. Hagel acknowledging any of this.

Hagel's craven Iraq waffling is disqualifying enough, but Stephens is right: the guy's always sought the safe side of conventional wisdom.

RTWT. (Via Memeorandum.)

Hitler's Decaying Bunkers

At London's Daily Mail, "The ghosts of Hitler's European fortress: Photographer captures images of decaying World War Two bunkers in Holland, France and Belgium."

David Bowie Releases New Single, 'Where Are We Now?'

At Telegraph UK, "David Bowie releases first single in decade."

Bowie's press handlers deny the singer's had health problems. Bowie's not played live since 2006. I saw Bowie most recently, with Moby, Busta Rhymes and Blue Man Group, (way) back in 2002, at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. Seems so long ago now.

Gabby Giffords' Gun-Grabbing Gambit

She's supposed to be a blue dog, but this is right out of the radical left's rad flag playbook. At Twitchy, "Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly launch gun-grabbing campaign to counter ‘ideological fringe’."

Also at USA Today, "Giffords and Kelly: Fighting gun violence" (via Memeorandum).

Cult of Hugo Chávez Comes Crashing Down, Ignominiously

Cuba's state media tightly controls information on the health of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, but time is running out, for both his life and his cult of personality.

IBD has a must-read report on the foolish political choice Chavez made to seek cancer treatment in Cuba rather than Brazil, which boasts world-class medicine in oncology. See: "Hugo Chavez Hit By Cuba's Surgical Strike."

And on the personality cult, see the New York Times, "With Chávez Ill and State in Flux, Videos Offer an Image of Stability":

CARACAS, Venezuela — They run around the clock on state television, highly polished videos of President Hugo Chávez hugging children, kissing grandmothers, playing baseball and reciting poetry. As supporters around the world hold up hand-lettered signs that say, “I Am Chávez,” the president’s voice is heard in one of them shouting, “I demand absolute loyalty because I am not me, I am not an individual, I am a people!”

In reality, officials say, Mr. Chávez lies in a Cuban hospital bed, struggling through complications from cancer surgery while his country heads toward a constitutional showdown over his absence.

Mr. Chávez’s fragile health has thrown Venezuela into political uncertainty. After being re-elected in October, he is supposed to be sworn in for the start of his new term on Thursday, but the charismatic leader who has dominated every aspect of government here for 14 years may be too ill to return in time, much less continue in office for the next six years. Top government officials insist that the swearing-in is just a formality. The opposition, meanwhile, says the Constitution requires that Mr. Chávez be present or, in his absence, that a process begin that could lead to new elections.

The government’s television barrage seems intent on reassuring loyalists — and anyone who might raise questions — that Mr. Chávez is still very much the head of the nation. By keeping his image front and center, analysts say, the government can bolster its position as the caretaker of his legacy, mobilize its supporters for the battle over interpreting the Constitution and build momentum for itself in elections should Mr. Chávez die or prove too sick to govern.

“They have combined the mechanisms of left-wing struggle with the best marketing team there is,” said J. J. Rendón, a political consultant who opposes the government.

He compared the saga over Mr. Chávez’s illness to a telenovela, one of the popular Latin American soap operas, with its unexpected plot twists that keep viewers on edge. “They are always prepared for different scenarios,” he said of the government.

RTWT.

Ontario Gun Show Packs 'Em In

At the Los Angeles Times, "Customers pack Ontario gun show, fearing possible new laws."

Petition to Deport Piers Morgan

Videos from CNN last night: "CNN's Piers Morgan debates man who wants him deported"; "Piers Morgan debates Alex Jones"; and "Piers Morgan debates Alex Jones."

And a cartoon from A.F. Branco, at Legal Insurrection, "Don’t Let the Door Hit You…"

Lucy Pinder's Floating Breasts

Glenn Reynolds with some Rule 5: "NSFW: Asking The Important Questions: Do Lucy Pinder’s Boobs Float?"

AJ McCarron's Girlfriend Katherine Webb

She's on Twitter.

And check Bleacher Report, "AJ McCarron Girlfriend: Katherine Webb Steals the Show in BCS Championship Game."

Also, "AJ McCarron's Girlfriend Katherine Webb Prepares for Epic BCS Championship Game."

And my earlier report, "Alabama Hammers Notre Dame, 42-14, to Win #BCS Title Game."

Added: At London's Daily Mail, "'Wow! What a beautiful woman!' Meet the Miss Alabama girlfriend of star quarterback who sent broadcasters drooling during game against Notre Dame."

And at Evil Blogger Lady, "Katherine Webb Rule 5."

Alabama Hammers Notre Dame, 42-14, to Win #BCS Title Game

The New York Times live blog is here. I'll add the full report when it's up in a few minutes.

Also at the Los Angeles Times, "Tide crushes Irish in BCS title game."

And The Other McCain, "Alabama Wins Second Consecutive BCS Title, Humiliates Notre Dame 42-14."

Added: Photo credit from three years ago: "Freelance Blogging the BCS Freeway-Flyer's Extravaganza!"

My New International Relations Journals Are Here!

In the old days, back in graduate school and before all the academic and policy journals were available online, today would be a heavenly day. The mailman delivered to my door both the new Foreign Affairs and new International Security --- my two favorite journals in political science. So, thinking back to about, say, 1995, I'd be hanging out watching football and reading the latest articles, with no doubt some of them important to my comprehensive exams or dissertation research. On a Monday, I'd also probably get The Economist and Newsweek in the mail as well, so I'd be running around more excited that Steve Martin in "The Jerk." I'm such a geek. (It's interesting though the speed with which these journals are disseminated with the current web technology --- I debunked Fareed Zakaria's cover story a couple of weeks back.)

'Liberal Democrats' Least Likely to Support Israel Over Palestinians

Ari Fleischer, on CNN a few minutes ago, cited this Pew report from December discussing the Chuck Hagel nomination for DefSec: "Public Says U.S. Does Not Have Responsibility to Act in Syria: Israel Support Unchanged in Wake of Gaza Conflict."

Conservative Republicans are more than twice as likely to sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians.

I touched on this the other day in my essay debunking "sweeping generalizations." More at the Washington Free Beacon, "Poll Shows Dem Support for Israel Fading."

Ben Shapiro's New Book 'Bullies' Out Tuesday

This looks great: Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans.

Tomorrow, #Bullies is available in stores. Left about to get punched in the mouth. amazon.com/Bullies-Cultur…
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 7, 2013

Leftists deserve a punch in the mouth. Hit back twice as hard.

Bill Plaschke: Notre Dame to 'Win One for the Gipper' in BCS Title Game

Robert Stacy McCain's gotta see this. He's naturally going all out for an Alabama win in tonight's BCS title match and he's even got a special hashtag which needs no explanation: "RMFT."

But Bill Plaschke at the Los Angeles Times is having none of the "roll tide" fanaticism:

Prediction: Notre Dame wins BCS title, and it'll echo through ages lat.ms/UybzyF
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) January 7, 2013

And here's the column, from today's sports page, "The oddsmakers favor Alabama in Monday's BCS title game, but many signs point to a Notre Dame victory, and they go all the way back to Rockne and the Gipper."

Check back for updates. This ought to be fun.