"By the way, if Bush referred to something as a "miracle that blossomed" it would be that day's Bushism."

Yes it would be since W calls Rove "turd blossom."

So he says nice things about Israel and doesn't presume to call himself President yet - what is his offense, exactly? Since when is being humble a crime? It obviously was him just speaking without having a speech prepared, where's the faux pas?

The problem, Steff, is that he leads Jordan to believe he's going to be a "different" kind of US leader (ie: one not totally pro-Israel) and then goes out of his way to show the Israelis he'll be exactly as previous leaders. I think he's a fake who has no clear political philosophy or positions. His voice does sound mighty nice, though.

And it is unusual for a candidate to not talk as if they presume they will win. The Russian superstitious side of me always had a problem with that.

"And it is unusual for a candidate to not talk as if they presume they will win. The Russian superstitious side of me always had a problem with that."

Maybe in Russia but that modest pretense ("and if elected") is a long standing tradition of our political heritage.

Von Bek,

Your idiotic comments implying I'm not American don't make sense with your constant complaint that immigrants don't care about adapting to the culture in what you clearly consider "your" country. You're an immigrant too, we all are. Grow up.

And if you don't know what I'm talking about in terms of American politicians constantly using "when I'm elected president" and never referring to the possibility that they won't be, perhaps you should pay more attention to American politics and less to the perceived slights of Israel.

I am not an immigrant.

I'm making no such claim and am baffled that you think I am. I did say "our political heritage" and not "my political heritage." Anyone who likes Ronald Reagan, the Cowboys and the Dukes of Hazard as much as you do can not have their loyalty to America questioned. Based on your angry response, I take it you were a bit affected by this. You shouldn't. You're one of the most patriotic people I know, even if you're stuck between the Hudson and the East.

But I do concede your point that I do feel a certain proprietary interest in "my country." I cheerfully admit it. You know darn well I am obsessive in studying our past and, yes, I feel a bit of ownership about it. My point is that this tradition has been going on in America for a long time in our political history and, with all due respect Karol, I think I know a lot more about American history, including political history, then you do. So yes, politicians use both "and if I am elected" as well as "when I am elected." But the "if I am elected" strand of American politics, false modesty or not, has been going on a darn long time.

This combined with your comment in the last post that I would EVER refer to Soviets as "my people" pissed me off.

Modern American politics rarely has the candidate implying they might not win.

Sorry, that was insensitive on my part. I know how evil you think the Soviet Union was and the great crimes that I inflicted on your family.

Having said that, while I agree with you that the Soviet Union was evil, I do think the Russians are a good hearted people and, yes, a great one despite all the tragedy. I should have been more careful about my words. The Russians-and the Americans0 are your people, not the Soviets. My bad.

I am not an immigrant.

Yeah, but you also think you're Welsh.

Von Bek, Interesting way to make ammends by offending every American that lives in Manhattan.

Noone is slandering your wood shoes or prostitutes... So why would you pick on K and other VERY patriotic NY'ers ??

BTW I kinda like the Canibus policies your country has but it's a little unclear re the enforecement.. And bro, the street names in Amsterdam...Insane..Keepsumfromfloppinstreeten

Oh well either way welcome to my country Von Dutchy...

I actually took the name from my favorite fantasy action hero when I was a kid! The Von Beks waged war against the French Revolution, the Nazis, the Thirty Years war, the British redcoats in the American Revolution and countless other forces. And best of all they had cool swords which sucked men's souls out of them!

Alas, I lived on the isle of Manhattan for a number of years. The rest of my life has been spent in the South, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Nevada.

And I have not worn wooden shoes since I was in a clogging contest. I lost. Badly.

Well how else do you explain the cufflinks!??!?!?!