“I think it would be unwise to dismiss her because she is foolish and misinformed. People say there’s no way she will hold any significant office, in Congress, or as president. Don’t be so sure. I notice she’s starting to sound relatively eloquent in that superficial way she has: ‘We gotta cut taxes and we can’t keep penalizing small business’—that same old litany. She’s not saying anything significant but she’s stringing the words together and she’s not just saying, ‘Aw shucks, I just killed a moose in Alaska.’ She’s stringing the words together as well as George W. Bush did in the beginning…George W. Bush got the knack of sounding a certain way. They realized they couldn’t make him sound like somebody who actually read books and cared about how he sounded—even though he had the benefits of the best possible education. It just wasn’t interesting to him to sound like he made sense and to speak English anywhere near well. But what they did, very cleverly, is say, OK, he’s just like us. He makes mistakes when he says stuff; he’s a regular guy. And I can see the same thing happening with Palin. So do not underestimate her ability. She’s not going away.”

- Actor and political analyst/behavioral psychologist Viggo Mortensen

I preferred him when he was helping hobbits.

Previously on Israellycool: Lord of the Idiots

“I’m still in a stupor of stunned ecstasy that Obama won. And I approve of most everything he’s done, from apologizing to the Iranians for America overthrowing their democratically elected president in 1953 to appointing Kumar (actor Kal Penn of the “Harold and Kumar” movies) to a White House position. He is doing the best he can with the mess he inherited, and I and millions of others are counting on him never to forget that he came from the working class and that his people need him now more than ever.”

- Michael Moore

“I wasn’t fond of the whole image back in the day, the baggy pants, the shaved eyebrow and the hairdo, but I’ve had therapy since.”

- Rob Van Winkle aka Vanilla Ice

Easy for him to say. I’m still in therapy over the fact I own one of his albums.

“‘Sprouts can cause bouts of flatulence in animals and humans. But I don’t think any of us were prepared for a smell that strong.”

- Michael Riozzi of Chessington Zoo in Surrey, after the zoo apologized to visitors for the stench coming from a gorilla enclosure after feeding the animals sprouts.

“There is absolutely no failure of logic in the piece. Their is a failure of humanity in those who fault it.”

- the ever modest Richard Silverstein, responding to a commenter who pointed out his latest Guardian piece was almost universally panned (http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/12/05/the-jewish-jihadis/#comment-104538)

“Marty the Zebra loves Israel.”

- Actor Chris Rock, in Israel promoting Madagascar – Escape 2 Africa.

Incidentally, the screenwriter of Madagascar is a guy by the name of Etan Cohen whose credits also include Tropic Thunder, King of the Hill and Beavis and Butthead. Etan was born in Israel, and is an observant Jew who proudly wears his yamulke. He’s also a really nice guy with whom I attended yeshiva (Jewish seminary) in Israel over 15 years ago.

Mazal tov on your success, Etan.

“…When I won the seat of Morley, I knew that the people did not know me and the vote was primarily against the previous government….they did not know where I came from, what I was like, what I believe, and probably hoped that, at least, I stood for Liberal Party policies, which I do.

What are my principles, ethics and personal beliefs? My parents, the Reverend Bill and Beryl Britza, were missionaries for just on 20 years in Malawi, Africa….

…I also share with the house my unashamed support and love for the nation of Israel. I have visited this nation, and my heart is tender towards its people. History has shown time and again that whoever supports and honours this nation truly becomes prosperous, flourishes and increases in influence. Therefore, I publicly declare my support for and loyalty to this nation.

…I have a natural love, admiration and deep respect and honour for the United States of America. I am well aware of this nation’s real and perceived failures, but it stands on its own in the world as a nation whose people stand for what is right and have a deep-seated heart for and belief in democracy, freedom and justice. Whether or not we support the United States of America, it is a sobering thought to consider that no-one thinks to invade us because of our excellent alliance with this nation, whose own armed forces have also given their lives for our nation’s freedom….

In the light of the fact that I have been a minister of the church for nearly 30 years, I understand how many people would immediately, without much thought, put me into a particular religious box. … I am not ashamed of the foundational spiritual principles that were given to me by my parents. They not only gave me sound spiritual guidance for my future welfare and personal benefit; they also instilled in me a sense of right…

… It is quite simple really. Every civilisation that has lost its compass where morals are concerned has simply slipped into history and its people have always played an extremely high price for it. Just because we live in the twenty-first century does not mean that the consequences of the past will not come to us.

Morality is an interesting thing… Just because something is legal does not make it right, and just because a bill is presented and is passed by a majority does not mean that it is right. Just because abortion is legal does not make it right. When a woman who is pro-choice wants a child she calls it a baby, and when she does not want it she calls it a foetus. It may be legal but it is not right.

This brings me to my final point. While obviously holding on to sound biblical, Judaeo-Christian beliefs and principles, I simply ask whether the decision before me is right. Situational ethics is a dangerous path to walk when there are no absolutes to guide oneself in making decisions that affect hundreds and thousands of people. When listening to bills being presented in this chamber, I will be constantly asking myself whether they are right or wrong. I will make decisions based on moral absolutes, because they are not persuaded by how we personally think or feel about a matter. Two plus two will always be four. Even if we do not like it or are angry and frustrated by it, the answer will always be four, and moral judgements are the same. People can say whatever they like, believe whatever they want to believe, and act however they want to act, but moral absolutes simply remain the same.

I conclude with a statement that will be my guiding rule in my term as member for Morley and in this house: it is easy to do justice, but very difficult to do right, therefore let right be done. I thank members of this house for the friendship and goodwill extended to me and I humbly express the honour I feel to be a part of this chamber and to serve the people of Western Australia, the people of Morley, the Premier, his ministers and the members of this chamber.”

- Ian Britza, a politician from my hometown of Perth, from his maiden speech after winning a seat in the WA Legislative Assembly.

Dave at Israellycool wrote a song all about Obama to the tune of the theme to Transformers (robotrickim in Hebrew). It’s horrible and he should be punished.

- Harry over at Israelity

It’s true. I’m a bad, bad boy.

“I told the president that (Obama) has everything needed in order to reach deals with him: he’s young, handsome and even tanned.”

- Italy’s politically incorrect Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

“You can’t make up anything anymore. The world itself is a satire. All you’re doing is recording it.”

- Art Buchwald, 1925-2007