The Informationist, a blog written by Bruce Abramson

Where Do The U.S., EU, And UN Encourage Restrictive Housing Covenants?

Cross-posted at breitbart.com's BigPeace

Quick.  Look at a map of the world and put an “X” through all the places that should be off-limits to Black residents.  Great.  Now put an “X” through all the places from which we should ban Muslims.  Then, just for good measure, “X” out all the places from which we should prohibit Chinese, Latinos, and gays.  Now look up.

Got any “Xs” on your map?  I hope not, because the exercise is hugely offensive.  Only a hard-core racist or homophobe would base housing restrictions on ethnic origin, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation.  The elimination of racial restrictions in housing was among the first, and most important, victories of the civil rights movement in the U.S., and few today would defend apartheid.  In fact, we have come so far from the days that racial covenants were standard clauses in real estate contracts that the mere suggestion of such an exercise should generate widespread revulsion.

But, let’s try one more, just for laughs.  Look back down at your map and put an “X” through all the places that should be off-limits to Jewish residents.  Got any “Xs” on your map now?

Obama Is Losing Turkey

Cross-posted at breitbart.com's BigPeace

Battle lines are being drawn across the Middle East.

On one side sit the forces of stability, with Saudi Arabia at the helm. On the other sit the forces of revolution, with Iran prominent in leadership. The alliances they lead are well known: the Gulf Sheikhdoms and Jordan align with the Saudis; Syria, Hamas, and Hizbollah with Iran. While both sides are equally capable of espousing Islamism and of violating the most basic human rights, the difference between them is very real. The Saudi-led bloc is quite content with the existing global order and the petrodollars that it bestows. The Iranian-led bloc is committed to toppling that order.