Reflections at the main entrance

By Ilya Galak

Q. What is the difference between Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama?
A. Jimmy is the worst President in the 20th Century.

Q. Why is Obama claiming that we're not in a Depression?
A. He isn't depressed.

 

Obama has a new plan to save American jobs. He and Michelle are going to personally keep the vacation planners busy.

Under ObamaCare pizzas will get to your house faster than an ambulances.

 

It’s a ‘recession’ when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a ‘depression’ when you lose yours; and it’s a ‘recovery’ when Barack Obama loses his.

 

Part one. A little bit of history

Russia, beginning of 20^th century

 

 

Russia's position internationally had been complicated, confusing. Weakened by the war with Japan and the revolution of 1905-1907, the country was economically dependent and in debt to European banks.

 In 1914, midyear, Russia entered into a war with Germany.

Corruption of all branches of the government. The country is governed not by the government, not Tsar Nicholas II, but a drunkard Gregory Rasputin.

The interests of people are completely disregarded. The country’s completely robbed and its wealth depleted.

In the summer of 1915 a widespread political crisis ensued. The cause: the military failures, famine, rising cost of living, speculation, declining purchasing power of the ruble. The national debt had tripled due to the war. It 1916, foreign investments reached of fixed capital in the Russian industry reached 50%.

In the destitute state of the nation, theinfluence and strength of the Bolshevik Party (the radical camp), grew. The Bolshevik’s strategic and tactical plan included a socialist revolution, confiscation of private land, the merging of all the banks into a single entity, as well as the introduction of workers' control. As a result of great organization and propagation efforts in the factories, in the barrack, in the trenches, in the villages, their slogans were widely well received crowds of people, which enabled the Bolsheviks to significantly increase the number of its deputies to the Soviets from 10 to 50%.

So, thanks to the short-sightedness of the Government, scary corruption, a disastrous war, the Bolsheviks easily gained power over the country. Next – nationalization of industry, agriculture and medicine. Special paramilitary teams are created – hundreds of thousands of newly hired agents of disciplinary units provoke fear and terror in ordinary people. In the future, these organizations will merge into one powerful structure – KGB

Then – the civil war, executions, famine, Gulag (forced labor camps), millions of prisoners... Again executions. All this was done under the motto of national happiness, under the slogan – «All for the individual».

Is a development possible in America?

In part – yes. Corruption at all levels of legislative and executive authorities. For many years already, lobbyists and unions have been, and still are, ruling the country. Two wars are underway. Our president and his team engage in propaganda that the Bolsheviks never dreamed of. That is – the story seems to be repeating.

When we shared these appalling notions with our friend, a professor of history from one of the colleges in the neighboring state, a man who seemed so far to the left, he has practically hit the wall, his words, simply dodged us.

«No, it won’t come down to Civil War in America. After all, we are very experienced in democracy. Russia didn’t have such experience».

There. A liberal, left, to the bone. The fact that this analogy is inapt in principle, he did not give even one suspicion...

 

Part Two. Was there capitalism in America?

 

In Germany, 47% of the economy is under the control of the state, in France – 49%. In the United States, before the arrival of Barack Obama, government lead a third of the economy – 33%. After the President‘s allocations of the reform stimulus package – 40%.Through the activities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, 56% of real estate is under the ownership of the government. Further, another 16% of the economy passed into the hands of the government after the enactment of social healthcare. What happens if the law on emissions of gases passed Cup & Trade? Which part of the economy will end up in Obama’s hands of Obama in that case? Can I call the U.S. a capitalist country with a self-adaptive market?

Thank you, dear George Bush and Dick Cheney! After all, people were not voting for Obama. They just voted against you!!!

 

 

Part Three.Americais almost Communist...

 

Photo from partizane.com

 

America is practically communist...

Yes, you heard right. Communist. But not everywhere.

Karl Marx said, that communism is, from each according to his abilities, but to each according to his needs.

As for abilities – not sure, but about the needs, all is clear.

We are already completely communist, at the top and the bottom. The little island of capitalism so far exists only in the middle. And due to this, the country is still holding on. If this island collapses – that’s it, communism will cease to exist as well. All that will be is one socialism for all, when, as taught by Karl Marx, from each according to his ability, to each according to his work. But how much – this decision will be up to the GOVERNMENT. BIG GOVERNMENT

Let’s explain our idea. If someone does not want to work – no worries. They will be provided with an excellent government apartment, medical insurance, and the money to lead a comfortable life will be supplied as well. At whose expense? A rhetorical question...

Those who are unable to work, I mean due to a disability or old age, that is another conversation. To help these people – it's sacred!

In addition, we also have communism for large corporations: pay the workers as much you want, allocate the trade unions as they require, take bonuses as much you can carry ... The State will look out for you.. Protect from smaller competitors by an infinite number of regulatory laws. Simply take a certain number senators and congressmen at the right time. This is called lobbying.

Finally, if you were pinched and all is gone without a trace – the state will help. Throw some money your way. Swim to the island of capitalism in the middle of the country and take how much is necessary. For now, there is something left to take... For now. It is called bailout. GM, Wall street ..

As for public service, we can’t even go there for now. They have such benefits, we’ve never even heard of them. A pity. It would be interesting to look into the castle’s well...

 

Part Four. Big Government – For big corporations

 

 Please take a look at the site of the famous tobacco company Philip Morris.

 www.pmusa.com

 

The home page clearly states that the company is compliant with government’s regulations of the tobacco industry.
«Phillip Morris USA Supports Federal Regulation of Tobacco».

 

Why?

The answer is simple. It is in order to avert smaller and more efficient companies from the market.

You and I want to start a company – excellent. Roll out hundreds of millions on tests, most of which probably have no real meaning. Philip Morris already has all the permissions, and you – nope. Fine – laid out the money, got all the papers. Next – moving forward, ring all the bells to bring attention to yourself on, the radio, television, in newspapers. But even here there is a knot – since the advertising of tobacco products is prohibited. Phillip Morris everyone knows anyway, but you, really ... Please forgive me.

So a «Big Government» is beneficial to congressmen and senators. The same goes for Republicans and Democrats. Otherwise, how would they spend entire days with the lobbyists, representing certain groups and corporations? It is much more advantageous financially to be a congressman from wealthy corporations than the congressman from some area or another. Everyone spins as best they can. Personal interests are above all else.

By the way, it is the same story with healthcare companies. The Republicans are now screaming – hands off our medicine, which is based on free market principles. What, what...? What market? Free? Have you tried to open your own insurance company, which will compete with Empire Blue and Aetna? I am sure it is not any easier than a tobacco company.

This is just about the scheme, in our rudimentary understanding, on which work in Washington’s is based on.

As such they lived, at the expense of the middle class. The status quo. Understood – not to kill the cow you milked, after all, tomorrow you would still want to smear some caviar on your bread, and after tomorrow, and the children’s bread would need to be smeared as well. Such is a semi-communism, a semi-capitalism. First course to the poor, the very rich, the public labor unions and government officials, second– for everyone else.

But in the midst of this, large corporations prospered, creating new technologies, providing work to millions of people and thousands of small businesses.

«I don’t take American freedom and democracy for granted. Coming from “the Evil Empire,» as the Soviet Union was once called, I fear that modern socialism intends to keep people in their place. Even in Europe, the mentality is feed ‘em, cure ‘em, entertain ‘em but keep them away from real power. How many start-up companies from those European socialist countries got world-wide recognition and became international business superstars in the last 40 years? Except for Virgin Records in Great Britain, there is no other. In contrast, a host of American start-ups—Yahoo, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple--became multibillion dollar companies».

Boris Borovoy

But the main thing is that politicians from both parties, could not think about the social sector – healthcare. That is, the questions, it seems, were arising, but the party squabbles and interested lobbyists always brought it down to a “no».

But then, into power, came radical from the left and, using beautiful slogans about caring about people, infringed on the holy of holies of the current system – large corporations. CHANGE!

 

Part Five. “Progressivism» in my personal understanding

 

Progressivism – is the ideology of the changes and reforms, in economic policy, geared at the state regulation of economy, in social policy – at the personal choice. Progressivism is often seen as the opposite of conservatism.

 Sociologists point out that are some differences in progressivism of different countries, though there are traces in common: progressives assume the management of the economy, market regulation, redistribution of income, and the lack of economic freedoms of the population is balanced out by the cultural freedoms – freedom to gamble, freedom of sexual relations, prostitution, abortion, alcohol, drugs, etc…

 

 

Starting with year 1776, the history of American politics depicts a struggle between progressives and conservatives over that path, which should be taken by the country free of British control.At the time of adoption of the Constitution the Conservatives prevailed. The founders of the constitutional state brought to the residents of America's freedom, including the freedom of a self-adjustment that is the capitalist market.

The struggle for freedom is mainly by the «fathers» of America, at the constitutional level. The problem is that any hierarchical system offers «transparency» from the top and «opacity» from the bottom. Therefore, for the most part, people mostly do not know the history, they only see the leaders slogans, does not even suspect, that a perpetual war is taking place, not for life, but to the death.

The struggle is between conservatives and liberals of the Democratic and Republican parties. That is, when the power is assumed by, not just representatives of the Democrats, but rather by the wing, which loves to call themselves supporters of Progressivism, the biggest flaws in the binding of the ship that is American democracy, become apparent.

Unfortunately, with time, American’s freedoms are melting away – the struggle for power is becoming tougher, and «regulators» of various kinds, slowly but surely squeeze in their hands, this most «capitalist» market.In the proceeding process of America’s movement on the path to regulation three sharp revolutionary leaps stand out. Two – toward dictatorship, during the reign of Democrat Franklin Roosevelt and that of Republican Lyndon Johnson, both of whom brought the country to economic absurdity. And one – the return to democratic freedoms, under the leadership of Ronald Reagan. His reforms have impacted on the United States about two decades, and then... The country went in a second circle.

 

Part sixth. A little more about the insurance business.

 

Based on the articles by Igor Efimov, published in the Russian Media

Automotive industry, airlines, trade and passenger fleet forced to compete with foreign firms – and it puts a curb on the appetite of unions. However, in the American economy there are industries, limited by law from international competition.These are, first of all, medicine, pharmacology, legal services, and to a large extent-banking. And it is precisely in these sectors where there is astronomical rise in prices.

 The hospital may submit an account of a patient’s stay for 15 thousand dollars for three days in a hospital room for two – and this does account for the surgeon and anesthesiologist who performed the surgery, they require more than five thousand. The cost of many drugs reached the level of unaffordable to an average person without medical insurance.And for the most part, they cannot be obtained without a prescription, which is subject to obligatory and costly visit to a specialist. A bill from the lawyers can bring to the brink of ruin even the American president – consider the Clintons, spouses who announced they’re fundraising in order to raise funds to pay for their numerous lawsuits.

 

 

 The banks are so confident in their hold on the working American (he is, first of all, obliged to pay almost all the interest on the loans used to purchase homes and cars, and only then can begin paying the principal debt), that they do not even bother to open their doors at the time when he gets out of work – almost all close at 3 pm.

 And yet, the predatory advances of these four monopolies pale in comparison to those, which were accomplished by the INSURANCE BUSINESS.

 A free market, by definition, is a place where a free merchant meets a free consumer. Each of them is free to buy or not buy, sell or not to sell goods or services for a stipulated price. The competitive mind diligently watches that this freedom is conserved and protests loudly at the slightest pinch. If something interferes with a person’s or a company’s free trade of the product of their labor, America unanimously condemns this. Well, what would happen if we banned a man’s ability not to purchase?

 – How is this possible? – A puzzled American would ask. – How is it possible to «forbid me not to buy? This never happens. When buying, I always retain my freedom.

 And using this naiveté, hiding behind the word «buy», egalitarian principle has managed to seep into the American economy through the back door. Aware that the word «socialism» in the United States is extremely unpopular, the Liberal Democrats everywhere held their reform under the mask of the “market».And for this, they have found a magnificent tool, a Trojan horse: the insurance business. The egalitarian socialism penetrated the free market and for many years has been devouring the American economy from within.

 Year 1965. Medicaid and Medicare are born. This is when the government takes on a somewhat important social function, taking it off the market, this measure is considered a step towards socialism.U.S.lawmakers know that socialism is dangerous, inefficient and unpopular in America. To smooth out the unpleasant trace of socialism in the new law, it was decided to combine it with an efficient market. No, we will not create a government network of hospitals and clinics for the poor and the elderly.We will create a giant insurance company, which will be paid for by taxation and it will pay the hospitals and physicians who provide treatment for the poor.

 The laws being implemented did not seem dangerous at first, even to the supporters of the opposing principle. After all, the market will retain many insurance companies, they will compete among themselves, and this will keep prices at a normal level.In the 1960s, the cost of health insurance was relatively low, so a national tax on the purchase of this kind of service does not seem so scary.

 But, as should be expected, this free market-socialist hybrid started to turn into a voracious dragon from the first days of its existence. For five years (1966-1971) prices for health services increased by 40%, and for a hospital stay – 70.Until 1965, the Federal Government spent 4.8% of the budget on healthcare or 5.2 billion dollars, and in 1969 – already twice as much. In just a quarter of a century (from 1950 to 1977) government’s expenditure on health services increased from $12 billion to $ 160.

 However, the establishment of government programs for medical care was only the beginning. It still required the introduction of an additional tax, which naturally calls for resistance and resentment.The fox, the sneaky socialist mind continued to seek new opportunities in the henhouse, the affluent market. Here, for instance: how to treat people under the age of 65 more years, continuing to work, but do not have money for expensive treatment? Again introduce additional tax?But the voters may rebel. And why not oblige employers to buy health insurance for their employees in the free market? No one will feel bad for employers. And the fact, that because of this, they will be forced to raise the prices on their products...

 Further, even more. Thousands of people get into car accidents each year and they are brought to hospitals with various injuries and wounds. And among these patients there will certainly be those who have no health insurance.Who is going to pay for their treatment? The government? The state? New taxes again? But for what? Let’s issue a bill that will require each driver to buy insurance for the treatment of those unfortunate individuals who may one day get hit by the driver’s car.

 And as for the doctors, we will force them into buying insurance against malpractice. And will require the owners of small businesses to have insurance against accidents that may happen to their customers.An old lady slips in a supermarket, breaks a hip – insurance pay up! Another poured a hot coffee on her in a restaurant, sued the corporation and the nice jury awarded her as much as a million to be paid by the corporation – this too then, now requires insurance to be bought against.

 Over the past decade, thousands of small businesses were forced to close, for they had no ability to pay uncontrollably rising insurance premiums. And where small businesses close, competition weakens and large corporations are more able to faster to raise their prices.

 Competition works everywhere, but not in the realm of insurance business. From foreign competition it is protected by laws that prohibit foreign insurance companies to operate in America.From domestic competition, insurance companies are protected by law, which prohibits other financial institutions to sell any types of insurance.

The insurance business in America has long been the major acquisition of the socialist enterprise: full freedom from free market demands. While maintaining the main feature of market enterprise: the drive for maximum profit. That's why it turned into a dangerous tumor, sucking the healthy juice from the body of the country’s market.

 

Part Seven. The Teacher.

 

    

 

Author – Saul Alinsky put together such a clear, well-balanced program of the “left» coming into power of the prosperous America. Of this, no average mind could ever come up with. This was a genius. An evil genius.

He published «Reveille for Radicals» 1946, 1969 and «Rules for Radicals», a Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals.1971. He was explaining how to be an agitator.

«The agitator's job, according to Alinsky, is first to bring folks to the «realization» that they are indeed miserable, that their misery is the fault of unresponsive governments or greedy corporations, then help them to bond together to demand what they deserve, and to make such an almighty stink that the dastardly governments and corporations will see imminent «self-interest» in granting whatever it is that will cause the harassment to cease.»

We bring few excerpts to you. The retelling is voluntary. The book itself is much more frightening,

– To get into power openly during elections in America is impossible. Even if we collect all the discontented, the well-fed middle class will turn out to outnumber and be stronger.

– Therefore, we should infiltrate this class, to lead it from the inside into make the necessary choice to make.

– Minorities – are the supporting troops. With their assistance, it is possible to influence public opinion. To do this, the community organizer, which is how Sol refers to as leftist agitators, must be able play to their emotions by reopening their wounds.

The ability to manipulate people when you're treating their fears and hopes as steps to achieve your personal goals is called «political technologists. This is different from the «pillage the spoils!» of the first the Communists, this is more delicate.Alinsky’s book requests, for the “organizers» to address audiences using comprehensible language, to avoid harsh words, be aware of local issues, etc… It is said that buddy Sol invited his students to a final meeting. After testing their knowledge, he asked: «What is our purpose for doing all this?»There was only one right answer: «For supremacy.»

Most liberal politicians of our time did not catch Saul Alinsky in this world, but they know all of the master’s recipes by heart.

They manipulate the public, those who are well off. Alinsky’s tactics work well in this environment as well. People similarly respond to the word «change», similarly believe the “knight on a white horse», who takes the task of solving all their problems upon himself. Beautiful smiles and a sporty look go far in this game.

Barricading is outdated, you need to creep into these well-fed snakes, under their skin and influence them from the inside, pushing them in the right direction. But the goal? What is the goal of these «awakened radicals» after all? There are several answers, which may possibly complement each other.

The first was given to us by the coach of the radicals: «power, power for power's sake.» In Russia, Trotsky could build an army of delinquents and the punctual Latvians shot every tenth person.

Secondly: a virus has no real purpose. It parasitically lives on normal organisms, getting into its compromised parts, as if inside a niche. Some will pray for the destruction of America for a long time, until others agree to provide them with money. A virus can also take up residence in a government and legislature; nothing stands in its way…

The third answer is again found in the work of our buddy Saul. With rare candor, he summons to learn from the «first radical, anti-establishment insurgent» (understand, against G-d) and earned the title «prince of lies.» In other words, Alinsky recognizes that the source of his inspiration – is in the cellars of the universe, amid the slimy biofilm.

“Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history... the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.»

Now, in a world of truth, Solomon Alinsky is either laughing or crying over the products of his own hands.

 

Saul D. Alinsky, the Chicago community organizer whose ideas intrigued and influenced many our politicians as they began their careers

 

For more details... Buy Alinsky’s books at Barnes & Noble or at www.amazon.com, search in the Internet, make your own conclusions.

 

Notice the flow chart indicating the flow of money and power out of productive businesses (“CORP») and into the political class (“MAYOR»): The heading at the top reads “POWER ANALYSIS». The sub-heading reads “RELATIONSHIPS BUILD ON SELF INTEREST». The symbol on the arrow between “CORP» and “MAYOR» is the “$» sign.

 

Part Eight. The dream comes true ... or my personal understanding of the health care reform

 

“You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we’ll pole vault in. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in. But we’re going to get health care reform passed for the American people.»

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

 

1.   The law, which the Liberal Democrats dreamed of for so long, finally passed!

2.   Now, every working person is obliged to buy health insurance (independently or through the employer). And not just any insurance, but insurance that meets the requirements of the government.

3.   In order to ensure compliance with these requirements – supervision is required. For this very purpose, tens of thousands Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents will be recruited. IRS is the organization which has been entrusted with overseeing the implementation of government regulations of health care reform.That is, as we understand it, reform – this is that door, through which the government, in the form of a huge number of newly-fledged IRS agents, will enter every house, every business. Will small businesses withstand this pressure – doubt it. The army of the unemployed will expand with great speed.

4.   Big companies. The government won’t spare them either. Colossal taxes, there simply won’t be anyone to buy their products – people will not have any money. And then ... BAILOUT! Like General Motors. Done! Small companies are practically extinct, large companies belong to the government. Duly noted.

5.   Next – if you have not lived in the former Soviet Union – ask those who have. They have a story to tell...

Is such a scenario possible? I hope not. 2010 Elections show that people «woke up». And in November 2012 they will have their say. Or maybe even sooner? After all, the word “impeachment» has not been removed from the English language.

 

 

Part nine. From the letters of our readers.

 

 

Why I want to change our Government in 2012?

1.  I do not believe that this government knows what we need better than we do.

2.  Because all Obama’s reform are supported by unions. With all the benefits for their members – it’s still a malignant tumor of our economy. That, which is good for unions, by definition cannot be good for ordinary people. Since their unrealistically high wages and benefits are paid with money out of our pockets

3.  Government could never calculate accurately. Not one government! Never! They say that 30 million uninsured will have access to medicine, and it will cost a certain amount of money. What about the increasing number of people who are losing their jobs daily and accordingly, their health insurance? Did You consider them in your calculations?

4.  When there is no money in a household, spending is reduced, not increased. Even if you have a credit card, still, eventually, in the near future, you will have to pay it off.

5.  Remember how Obama. Reid, Pelosi and Co pushed «reform»? An attempt to shut the mouth of Fox News. The decision to judge the terrorists in New York in civil court. The Nobel Prize. Is it possible then, to assume that any law enacted by this government, can lead to anything good?

 

Part Ten. Hope and Change

 

The changes, promised to us by our president, have transpired. He kept his word. Not quite what we expected, but... politics are politics.

Now, with regard to hope. It exists! Seriously! The President and his team gave us hope that more or less sensible politicians will finally, at least for a while, forget about the lobbyists, contain their appetites, and realize that they have to fight for people. Recognize that they have to do something for the people.For instance, medicine, although best in the world, is still far from perfect!

Finally, the Republicans began to recall the history of their party and return to its origins.

Finally, many Democrats began to understand what has become of their party.

But it’s more difficult with Democrats – unions finance their campaigns. In turn, they acquire direct access to the feeder, and don’t understand that it is a feast during the plague. But after the devastation of the country and the nationalization of all the companies, the leaders will no longer need them.

There is hope, if after all, we do crawl out of this ditch, politicians will finally start to realistically represent the true interests of their voters.

And most important is that in the future, people go into politics, not for the sake of power and profit ... but this is already this sounds like fiction. Let them, G-d bless them. Let them satisfy their ambitions for money and power. But others should be able to as well!!!

Dear politicians! Reagan’s Library is still working. You still have the opportunity to look inside there ... Before it is too late.

And problems with medicine should have been dealt with a long time ago. And without any IRS agents!

 

 

Afterword 1. Big Labor

 

May 6, 2011

By Matthew Boyle - The Daily Caller, dailycaller.com

 

 

Several Republican senators penned an open letter to President Barack Obama on Thursday calling on him to immediately rescind National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) nominations for Lafe Solomon and former Service Employees International Union (SEIU) general counsel Craig Becker. Their request comes as the NLRB is leading a charge against Boeing for planning to open a non-union factory in South Carolina.

Republican South Carolina Sens. Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham, along with the other Republican senators who signed the letter, believe Becker and Solomon seek to support labor union bosses at the expense of workers. “The NLRB, at the behest of Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon, has taken unprecedented legal action against The Boeing Company to prevent it from expanding productions into South Carolina, a state that assures workers the freedom not to join a union as a condition of employment,” the letter reads. “We consider this an attack on millions of workers in 22 right-to-work states, as well as a government-led act of intimidation against American companies that should have the freedom to choose to build plants in right-to-work states. If the NLRB prevails, it will only encourage companies to make their investments in foreign nations, moving jobs and economic growth overseas.”

Becker and Solomon were both recess-appointed to the NLRB and, in Becker’s case, all 41 Republican senators wrote Obama to urge him not to make Becker’s recess appointment after the Senate rejected his nomination the first time around. Solomon has not yet appeared before the Senate for confirmation.

Old law review articles obtained by The Daily Caller that were authored by Becker further inflame the already heated debate. “The right to engage in concerted activity that is enshrined in the Wagner Act – even when construed in strictly contractual terms – implicitly entails legal restraint of the freedom of capital,” he wrote in the January 1987 edition of the Harvard Law Review. “What threatens to eviscerate labor’s collective legal rights, therefore, is less the common law principle of individual liberty than the mobility of capital, which courts have held immune from popular control.”

“If you cut through all the academic speak here, in effect, what he’s saying is collective bargaining and the Wagner Act doesn’t set up a system of collective bargaining. It sets up a guaranteed outcome,” explained Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson. “What he’s saying here is labor unions can’t possibly succeed unless you guarantee their success. In his reading of the law, any notion of workers who choose to collectively bargain sitting down with their employer and working out a deal is gone.”

 

Afterword 2. Beginning of the second Holocaust?

 

NYPD busts new terror plot against a synagogue

May 12, 2011 by Ed Morrissey, hotair.com

 Not too much is known yet about this story, except that the bust appears to come from city and state officials, and not the feds.  Two Americans of North African descent have been arrested, apparently on charges that they plotted a terrorist attack on at least one New York City synagogue:

Two Americans have been arrested by New York City police for allegedly plotting to attack a synagogue in the New York area, Fox News has learned.

One source described the case as the latest example of “homegrown” radicalization. The two men were identified as Mohammad Mamdouh, of Moroccan descent, and Ahmed Serhani, of Algerian descent.

Serhani allegedly made a general statement about wanting to attack a synagogue –- though no specific synagogue was mentioned, according to initial information obtained by Fox News. With a history of drug dealing, Serhani was hoping to make enough money to purchase weapons and possibly explosives for the attack, one source said.

This is the curious part:

Serhani and Mamdouh are now being charged under a New York State terrorism law. Federal authorities usually prosecute terrorism-related offenses, but they declined to do so in this case.

Andy McCarthy also found this odd, but not necessarily unprecedented:

Oddly, it is said that the feds were not interested in the case, which was apparently pursued by the Manhattan district attorney’s office after the FBI declined to get involved. I say this is odd because the FBI and the NYPD work together in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and most cases are taken federal. But the NYPD also has an intel/anti-terrorism capacity that is very robust, and the City acts independently of the feds from time-to-time, much to the dismay of the feds.

Some people don’t know that the NYPD actually has its own intelligence agency that works globally (and in conjunction with federal authorities).  In fact. this appears to have caused some friction between and within those levels, as the New York Post reports today on an unrelated issue:

A top NYPD terror expert has been booted from his post after refusing an order to take federal files on Osama bin Laden from the FBI’s New York headquarters, The Post has learned. … Last week, after bin Laden was killed, [Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence] Cohen told Nicholson to bring him the FBI’s latest dossier on him. But Nicholson refused his superior’s order, citing the federal agency’s policy of not allowing such documents to leave its office.

Nicholson has extensive experience in naval intelligence, which will now be wasted as Nicholson gets shifted to normal police investigations.

The Manhattan District Attorney will release more information on these charges later today.  We’ll keep an eye out for updates.

According to investigators, Fehrani told an undercover FBI informant: "We will blow up a synagogue in Manhattan and take out the entire building." The same day, Mamdouh allegedly said "I hate Jews," and Fehrani reportedly replied: "I want to kill them." They also reportedly discussed growing beards and pais to disguise themselves as Hasidic Jews. They did not specify which synagogue they allegedly intended to bomb.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

Photo from the blog of Daniel Greenfield, sultanknish.blogspot.com

 

Afterword 3. Vote or you loose

 

 

"I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
What I can do, I should do.
And what I should do, by the grace of God,
I will do."
- Edward Everett Hale

 

"They Nazi came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me - and by that time no one was left to speak up"
- Pastor Martin Niemöller