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Here's a must read from Sunday's New York Times Magazine: The Jihadist Next Door

It is a fascinating look at Abu Mansoor al-Amriki (nee Omar Hammami) who was born in Daphne, Alabama and grew up to become a key leader of the al-Qaeda affiliated Somalian terrorist group al-Shabaab.

Key quote from al-Amriki: “They can’t blame it on poverty or any of that stuff,” he told NY Times Magazine through a conduit. “They will have to realize that it’s an ideology and it’s a way of life that makes people change."

Like all State of the Union addresses, President Obama’s Wednesday night was a snooze fest, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano demonstrated. The smartest person in political life was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who someone secured a get-out-of-class pass from the president.

For those who stayed up to watch what seemed like a never-ending speech, you probably had some trouble understanding the president. That was because he was speaking politicalese. Fortunately, I am a world-class translator, a veritable Rosetta stone between English and politicalese.

So here you go America. The SOTU decoded.

...

"When I came into office a year ago, I promised change. I promised to create a new atmosphere of inclusiveness in Washington. I promised to change the old ways business was done. I am keenly aware that few see that this kind of change has occurred."

"Tonight, however, I offer some actual change in the form of a little honest self-reflection. My fellow Americans, I readily admit I have made some great mistakes my first year. But the greatest mistake of all would be if I was too obstinate to admit my wrongs and refused to change course."

"This is an error I will not make."

"Instead, tonight, let me assure the American people that I get the message. I understand the unrest in the country. Tonight, we change course for the better."

For more, check out my North Star article

...to replace Simon Cowell on American Idol.

Why? Because it would just be awesome.

And because I can't resist, here is Chris Hitchens destroying George Galloway (British MP and great friend of dictators everywhere)