Ezzie's Blog Roundup, 7/10/2006: Woah, Blogosphere

[some posts via Instapundit]

Those of you who are more closely involved with the J-blogosphere than the regular blogosphere may have noticed that the J-blogosphere has been relatively "quiet" lately. [The discussion on Kollel, however, is still going on on these two posts.] Meanwhile, the more mainstream sections of the blogoshere have been a bit wild the past couple of days, though most of that is due to the despicable actions of Deb Frisch. I debated as to whether or not to blog about her, but thankfully Kesher Talk and Tel-Chai Nation covered it perfectly so I don't need to. Suffice it to say that it is disappointing that only TalkLeft seems to have publicly denounced Frisch (from the left), while many more have come to her defense [at least somewhat]. Frisch, meanwhile, is comparing herself to a "Palestinian in Israel."

But as other bloggers have noted, to get hung up on this story is just ridiculous. There are more important subjects than one crazy woman's tirades on another blog.

The New York Times and others discussed a letter yesterday to President Bush from the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee from a few months ago that was once classified. The letter notes that on at least one occasion, the HIC felt they were not properly informed by the administration regarding certain intelligence actions. But as JustOneMinute notes, there is a lot more to that letter than people realize:

In fact, I have long been convinced that a strong and well-positioned group within the Agency intentionally undermined the Administration and its policies. This argument is supported by the Ambassador Wilson/Valerie Plame events, as well as by the string of unauthorized disclosures from an organization that prides itself with being able to keep secrets.

Is the Times kidding? The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee is "convinced" that a CIA faction is intent on discrediting the Administration and that the Plame story is part of their scheming, and the Times can barely mention it?

That's pretty incredible. JOM adds:

For another view of the politicization of the Plame leak, Walter Pincus, Plame leak recipient, belongs in the mix:

Pincus believes that the Bush administration acted obnoxiously when it leaked Valerie Plame’s identity, but he has never been convinced by the argument that the leaks violated the law. “I don’t think it was a crime,” he says. “I think it got turned into a crime by the press, by Joe” — Wilson — “by the Democrats. The New York Times kept running editorials saying that it’s got to be investigated — never thinking that it was going to turn around and bite them.”

Meanwhile, Riehl World View notes that the left-wing of the blogosphere may be digging their own hole; Democracy Project thinks that the left, along with the media, may cost the Democrats the fall elections. I have a lot more to say on this (much of it having to do with this post which I wrote last month - a post I'm thinking is better and better as time passes), but I think I'll put that in a separate post.

Other posts I enjoyed today:

The Valve is doing better after his heart surgery.

The FiringLine thinks Wasal Taha could use one. He also has an old clip of Jameel!

JoeSettler thinks that in light of the success of Nefesh B'Nefesh, a new organization should be created. Check out Nefesh L'Nefesh. He also notes some good settlement news.

Jameel's kids have left the Muqata and invaded the US. Beware the yellow smileys.

Serach would love this post on purple by everyone's favorite Mom.

Daled Amos reverts to addiction. Good.

Shtender on judging favorably.

PsychoToddler keeps putting up the video from their performance at Summerfest. Sweet.

Romach on frum criminals. I've generally preferred to look at it that way as well.

Enjoy!