Tear Out The Front Page

The NY Times comes home to reality:

Keeping Mideast Talks Going Has Become an End in Itself

Who knew?

The Times puts the players on the couch:

All three parties have vested interests in the engagement: negotiations often come with tangible take-homes for the Palestinians, ease international pressure on Israel and lend credibility to the Obama administration’s faltering foreign policy. But now all three parties are calculating the costs as well: how long can Mr. Kerry continue chasing an elusive peace while there is so much else to deal with in a tumultuous world, and how can Israeli and Palestinian leaders avoid looking weak to their skeptical constituents and fractured governments?

...

The peace process has been churning for more than 20 years now, taking on a life of its own and becoming something of an end in itself. Some analysts see the Kerry-fueled negotiations as inhibiting a reckoning with the fundamental gulfs between the Israeli and Palestinian positions. The parties have spent hundreds of hours in recent weeks debating the particulars of which prisoners might be freed when; any discussion of how to divide Jerusalem, where to draw a border or the rights of refugees is a distant memory.

There is a culture of codependency surrounding the talks, with Mr. Kerry — whose umpteen visits and phone calls have provided life support in the last months –— cast in the role of enabler. One Israeli columnist this week likened him to a nanny offering aspirin instead of a cure. Another column was headlined, “Mr. Kerry, Go Home.”

There is a Nobel Prize out there with John Kerry's name on it. He just knows it!

Any day now the Times will discover that the talks in Syria are all process and no result.

Comments

[peter]

first or dagnabbit

[Sue]

::grin::

[narciso]

It's always an awkward moment, when they ask Brahimi, how did his regime solve their insurgent moment;

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/04/former_guantanamo_de_2.php

[MarkO]

Everywhere it is peace in our time.

[Buckeye]

Lurch is Zero2

[Jim Eagle]

They say Brazil is the country of the future and always will be. Can we also say that peace is the future of Israel and always will be?

[Jim Eagle]

The Leland Yee story you won't see on the MSM from NRA News

What a skunk. But I have to agree that for the Dems in 2014 and 2016 he is a sacrifial lamb. The highest ranking Prog unable to defend himself. As they say effluent rises to the top.

[pagar e]

This ought to make the front page.

http://pamelageller.com/2014/04/sharia-law-nine-month-old-booked-murder-pakistan.htm

"LAHORE: In a bizarre incident, a nine-month- old Pakistani boy has been booked for attempted murder by attacking a police team here.

Musa was produced in court where Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali granted bail to the minor till April 12 and directed the police to “record his statement”.

[narciso]

Yes, are none, but you know they alway 'let the Wookie win'

http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/legitimate-concerns_786501.html#

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Well, at least the NYT called that thing 'News Analysis'. The NYT is a laugh riot, best parts? they don't realize they are now self-parody, and two, they don't realize they will be Carlos Slim's galley slaves sooner than later, with no health benefits, no pension, and no future.

[Jim Eagle]

Being and Naziness

Why is this a new revelation about Heidigger? In my student days it was an accepted fact that he was brillant but a Nazi just the same.

[Captain Hate]

The palis and Lurch deserve each other.

[narciso]

he was a philosopher, friends and then some with Hannah Arendt, but more importantly he's a fountain of deconstructionism, the tearing down of truth, like his Belgian counterpart
DeMan,

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Quick, someone pull up a fainting couch for NannyBloomie: http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/high-blood-pressure/cdc-salt-guidelines-too-low-for-good-health-study-suggests-1

[narciso]

Some of the wretched spew, directed at Leo Strauss, in the last decade was abominable,

there is the debris of that, in the hatred for Rumsfeld, exhibited in the reviews of Errol Morris' latest, to whom he showed up unarmed rhetorically.

[anonamom]

Per NPR, the Ft. Hood shooter had been "prescribed a number of drugs."

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Should I forward this to my wife? whadya think ladies: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2597242/I-stereotyped-Photographers-captivating-portraits-pole-dancers-home-extraordinary-feats-mundane-settings.html

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

Ivan Lopez on psych meds? paging Tom Maguire, paging Tom Maguire... Mr....Tom.... Maguire

[narciso]

Isn't this nearly always the case, they never do solve the problem, they just enbiggen it,

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

the psych meds or the at home pole dancers?

[narciso]

Well, the latter is a solution of a sort;

[NK(withnewsoftware)]

depends on orientation... wait....

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

That pole dancer story was kind of a snooze fest, no?
Not that I could find any pole dancer images that were less mundane.

[narciso]

that's why I went with Kelly Brook, there were some other pics there as well,

[Sue]

Enbigen? You're speaking Texan now?

[narciso]

It's a perfectly cromulent word, Sue,

this has been one of the more surreal weeks, in a while,

[Jim Eagle]

Ah, ha. Typhus outbreak. First since February for me.

[Jim Eagle]

Trying again:

Can someone tell me how Hillary Clinton wil make the politics in Washington "less partisan"?

Well I guess if ObamaCare is now 'settled law' then there is less to be partisan about, eh?

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

--Can someone tell me how Hillary Clinton wil make the politics in Washington "less partisan"?--

She'll reeducate and abolish the vast right wing conspiracy. Presto.

[Sue]

Cromulent? I think I'm going to have to look that up.

[Sue]

Less partisan means republicans core beliefs are ideology and democrats core beliefs are proven science. The media plays along and voila republicans need to shut up.

[Jim Eagle]

OT:

According to De Staandard in Belgium, the top ten resrtaurants in the world:

Dit is de top tien van de beste restaurants volgens Elite:

1. Alinea, Chicago, VS
2. DANIEL, New York, VS
3. Fat Duck, Bray, Groot-Brittannië
4. Eleven Madison, New York, VS
5. Le Bernardin, New York, VS
6. El Celler Can Roca, Spanje
7. Azurmendi, Spanje
8. La Pergola, Rome, Italië
9. The Ledbury, London, Groot-Brittannië
10. Osteria Francescana, Italië

We have eaten at 4 of them. And I have to ask if DANIEL is no. 2 what the hell has Alinea done to be No. 1 except it's in Chicago:)

[Sue]

Narciso,

I don't watch the Simpsons so I didn't get it until I looked it up. Well played!

[narciso]

It's from a Simpson's sketch, that's what it has come to, every crazy notion is now dogma, no matter how wrong,

[narciso]

I haven't in ages, but back when it was amusing,

[MarkO]

Hillary is suggesting that no one criticize her killing of the ambassador.

[narciso]

Or the reset, or the capitulation to Iran, or the latest Kim princeling,

[Beasts of England]

...or the at home pole dancers?

I didn't know that was an option.

[Beasts of England]

@JiB: I've eaten at two of them. Interesting to see the French Laundry drop to number 55. Are there really fifty-four better tables than Keller's flagship? I'd have to taste it to believe it; but I'd be willing to try. ;)

[Jim Eagle]

BoE,

Consider them the Visting Danglers:)

[Jim Eagle]

BoE,

French Laundry has always been a outlier to the Euros because it doesn't conform to their idea of classic culinary but rather relying too much on California produce. Call it penis envy but it is there. Plus Keller is not liked in Europe. Most of that listing is crap to begin with because Bocuse and Ducasse are not even considered. Much less Helene Derozze.

Pathetic ratings but I had to post for the gourmand that populate this joint.

[Beasts of England]

Thanks, JiB - had not heard that about Keller's reputation abroad. Last time I browsed the Guide Michelin I noticed that the French Laundry and Per Se were well reviewed. I like the guy's style and he's an interesting cat. I was standing with him and two others at an event and one rube asked him if he were called 'Tom' or 'Tommy'. He said 'Thomas' and walked away. Priceless.

[Jane]

Jib, Beasts, given your experience, what makes them top 10?

[Jim Eagle]

Well, remember there are more American's visiting Napa then Euro's. The measure has always been that it is too easy to grow wine in California where in Spain, France and Italy it is hard because of the ancient terroir.

MIchelin uses USA based foodies for their edition over here and vice a versa for Europe. The best restaurant I have ever eaten in was in Mrs. JIB's home town of Brasschaat named Bellefluer which had 3 stars but is no longer there. The chef/owner would come to your table (one of only 9) talk to you about what he had in the larder and kitchen and how he would like to prepare it for you. You had a choice his way or some variations you could suggest. He was open to all reasonalble changes and additives. Incredible cooking since it was actually custom made. 2nd has to be DANIEL which every foodie in the world should experience.

[Jim Eagle]

Jane,

Everything you don't get at your local best eatery. The ambiance, the welcome, the presentation of staff, the table setting, the location of each table to each other, the wait staff and their knowledge (none of those restaurant's staff write down your order, they remember it), the way you are constantly served without being interrupted, the courtesy, the length of receiving your order course by course without feeling you have been waiting or rushed, the quality of the food and presentation, the fact that the wine is served before your food arrives (VERY DAMN IMPORTANT), the amount of time you are allowed to enjoy your meal without someone asking if its OKAY, the understanding that you are there to enjoy your meal and not learn about how the waiter is going to school and hasn't decided if psychology or art history is the right choice for study, the way you end your meal course by course without having to wait and wait and wait for the next one, the way it ends with perfect appreciation for the fact you have spent an hour and half savoring a meal and not impatience, waiting or worry.

[Beasts of England]

Impressive, JiB.

@Jane: Without getting too flowery in my assessment, there is, of course, the food. Not only fresh and perfectly prepared, but pleasing presentations and the interaction of the ingredients with the focus of the dish - something that challenges the diner, without being different for different's sake. Service is a huge factor to me: seamless, without being overbearing. Other tangibles include linens, silverware, crystal - ambiance of the room.

It's a nuance that is readily debatable. But, JiB and I certainly agree, Daniel should be on the bucket list for anyone who loves food. It's that simple.

[Jane]

Interesting. Mr Left's son is a chef at top restaurants in NYC and I am always fascinated by the criteria. I never feel like it is beyond me, but maybe it is.

[Miss Marple]

Hillary has a new hairdo. I think she looks like Phyllis Diller.

[peter]

just think, some hairdresser got paid around $500 for that

[Beasts of England]

I doubt that, Jane! Fine cuisine is such a pleasure and I'm always amazed at how they pull it together day in, day out; every cover, every time. Truly a gift...

[Danube on iPad]

This "peace process" charade has been going on since Nixon-Kissinger.

[peter]

I've eaten at both Blue Hill restaurants. I thought they were a little over the top. The one in the village was too cramped and the one in Pocantico Hills was too pretentious.

[narciso]

Yes, but no one really took them serious, until Camp David, which was really about Adham pushing Sadat out of the Soviet orbit,
which has now come full circle, as we've driven Egypt into the embrace of Sochi Bear,

what is the favorite dish at Daniel?

[Jim Eagle]

narciso,

DANIEL is constantly changing. Very innovative cuisine. Top on seafood. Not a caviar guy but they have an impressive menu for that. Whatever you get, you have never had it that way before and that is why I like the place. Its like going to one of those Iron Chef competitions except your meal is the winner everytime.

[narciso]

Her golfing skill, was not the point of the exercise, I reckon,

[Threadkiller]

I'd like to see her on the back nine...

[Jim Eagle]

Frederick and I inside the kitchen of DANIEL last August:

40 line cooks. There were 10 trainees watching. 3 majjor stations: Appetizers, Entree's and Deserts. Most impressive display of culinary arts I have ever seen.

BTW, our friend Lexi Thompson is tied for the lead at the Dinah Shore aka the Nabisco something or other. She is not 20 years old yet. Go Lexi!

[Beasts of England]

I typed 'offended', but I'm pretty sure I meant 'jealous'.

[Jim Eagle]

Think about that photo if you are inviting girls into golf: Terrible grip - right hand strong, left hand weak. The stance is too neutral for the iron she is playing. The ball is too far back. Her posture too upright etc. etc. Phony photo just for the boobs.

[Beasts of England]

Terrible grip, JiB. First thing I noticed...

[Danube on iPad]

Two mighty good-looking young men there, JiB.

As Michael Wilbon pointed out today. Golf is neither a PGA, LPGA or USGA magazine. It is a profit-making publication trying to sell magazines. Anybody who wants to put Nancy Lopez (only lady golfer I can name) on their cover is free to do so.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

I look for Dustin Johnson's game to plummet soon.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

No offense JiB, but if I never hear the term "foodie" again it'll still be a little too soon.

Next on my list any movie or TV show with this bit of dialogue; "Let's do this...."

[Jim Eagle]

DoT,

I agree. That is why Time and Newsweek always put a photo of HIllary looking like a 40 year old harlot on their cover because it sells to people like DuDa, BuBu, KaKa and Dana:)

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

Ms. Gretsky needs some leg development exercises. She looks to me to be somewhat anorexic with a bit of augmentation up top. Of course, her dad never appeared to be a particularly impressive physical specimen. The best hockey player I ever saw, though.

[Threadkiller]

Terrible grip, JiB. First thing I noticed...

Holding the wrong shaft?

[Sue]

How does Tampa Bay keep a major baseball team there? They have a good team but their seats are practically empty.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

She's going for the thigh gap, JimR. These days it's a must. :)

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

I wonder if JIB thinks those pins can be a sufficient base for good golf shots, Ig? Her arms look a bit underdeveloped as well. I am sure she is a lovely girl, though.

They

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

They......?

[peter]

A friend of mine used to be the executive chef at Daniel. He gave it up for a more family oriented lifestyle. In order to be one of those world class chefs, you're putting in 18 hour days, six days a week.

[narciso]

I think he was inspiration of sorts, for vince flynn's term limits;

http://babalublog.com/2014/04/04/leahy-the-leaker-was-his-nickname-helping-dictators-was-his-game/

[Jim Eagle]

Peter,

Absolutely right. Not a profession for a family man. It is a tortuous experience for a world class chef. Just the planning is enough to make you give it up.

My problem with the Gretsky girl is that as America;s most up and coming female golfer, Lexi Thompson, takes the lead in the ladies first major, we have a lady who knows zip about golf and probably couldn't break 100 on a real tournament course gets this kind of billing becauwe of what? Her father was a hockey player.

At least Jessica Korda doesn't depend on her father Petr to get her exempt on the tour. She earns it.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

Best chef I ever knew, and he could have turned an old pair of my logging boots into a feast, was a wild man. Couldn't keep a sous chef cause pots and pans were constantly flying in the kitchen.
Total maniac, but a bit of a genius.

[Danube on iPad]

"Let's do this...."

Home Depot. Guy needs to be shot.

[Danube on iPad]

"...gets this kind of billing becauwe of what?"

Because the publisher figures it's a good way to move magazines.

[sbwaters]

Cromulent? A well-worn word around here.

An active part of my lexicon.

[Jim Eagle]

Off to the ktichen in the dreams of foodies {that one was for you, iggy]

Slaap lekker, tots morgen, goede nacht.

[narciso]

Untergang, and whatever eleventy is in German;

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2014/dgreenfield/secretary-of-defense-hagel-still-doesnt-understand-why-putin-annexed-crimea/

[Clarice Feldman]

Inn at Little Washington should be on that list.

[Threadkiller]

What was she thinking?

"Let's do this..."

[Threadkiller]

The Trivago torso-man is to me as William Devane is to Danube.

[DrJ]

The Trivago torso-man

I had no idea that gorillas (mostly) could shave.

[Beasts of England]

I agree, Clarice - it's wonderful! Blackberry Farm, as well.

[Beasts of England]

@Ig: I've never heard of a case where a top-flight chef was not a maniacal pot tosser. From my experience, some of it is ego (all ginormous), some of it is a creative bent (demanding perfection) and some is to keep the kitchen staff in line.

[DrJ]

BoE, you've not met any of the top-flight Japanese chefs. A friend of my ex's family, Shizuo Tsuji, had a very successful cooking school in Japan. He placed his chefs at the best places around the world (Paul Bocuse included). We were privileged to stayed in one of his Honolulu flats when we visited.

He traveled with a retinue of chefs -- about a dozen of them. None of them threw pots or pans. And they were magnificent.

One of the joys of my life was relishing an eleven-course Chinese meal he and his chefs served my then-mother-in-law for her birthday in spite of the fact that she was Japanese. The food was magnificent, the waiting was unobtrusive but attentive, and we spent about three hours in wonderful conversation with great food, good company and superb vino.

Jane, do try it some time.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

Ok, who is the Trivago* torso man and how does William Devane differ from DoT?

*DocJ will appreciate my spellcheck suggested "trivalent" instead.

[Threadkiller]

I hate this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRmLcUIqCHI

Danube hates this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCJCcnhbmr0

[Beasts of England]

Very true, DrJ. Those I know are here in the US. I've heard that the French can let loose, too, but I have no direct knowledge.

I would love to try some of the high-end places in the Pacific Rim. Having lived in Okinawa for a few years, I did enjoy some of their cuisine, although I doubt we ever tried anything terribly exclusive - other than a few Kobe beef places.

[Threadkiller]

"Hate" is a strong word that I don't normally use and I have misapplied it here.

I should have said he bothers me.

I also should not have spoken for Danube, other that I know he dislikes Devane's commercials.

[Threadkiller]

An interesting tidbit: Devane's dad was Roosevelt's chauffeur. Roosevelt signed the EO to halt private holding of gold. Devane is pimping gold.

[Danube on iPad]

I had never been exposed to the torso person.

I hate no one. My heart is filled with love for all people. If it is necessary that I shoot some of them to death from ambush for the benefit of mankind, my motive will be precisely that all-encompassing love.

For what is love? Love is the morning and the evening star, the eternal, glorious music-maker.

KA-POW!

[Beasts of England]

Interesting circumnavigation on gold, TK.

Looking around the webz, it's cute to see the leftists embracing the right of large corporations to fire employees at will. Wonder how long that'll last? Something about chickens and roosting...

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

The Youtube comments definitely come down on the side of annoyance for torso guy.

I liked Devane in a Psych with Carl Weathers a year or two ago. Otherwise he can be a bit irritating.
I always get him mixed up with William Daniels. I think Daniels' best performance was getting shot by Lee Marvin in Point Blank. :)

[Danube on iPad]

Not the carnal, but the divine love.

Nytol.

[Bori]

Terrible grip - right hand strong, left hand weak.

Looks like a perfect grip to me.

[Happy, happy, joy, joy Ignatz]

I'm a turnin in myself.

[Threadkiller]

Me three.

[Captain Hate]

Who am I to argue with that?

[gus]

the Trivago guy is creepy, what with the hair, the beard and the elongated torso. HE should be banned.