Powerline = Powerfail

John Hinderacker at the popular Powerline blog is no Jonah Goldberg when it comes to his ability to disconnect from reality.   But he can come close.  This one he hits out of the park:

It is hard to imagine how Poland's treatment by Obama could have been worse. It was a week of shock and grief for the Poles - a close NATO ally that has sent large forces to fight alongside America in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama used the Iceland eruption as an excuse to cancel his trip to the funeral of Poland's president and top leaders killed in the air crash. But those of us who live in Eastern Europe know that Cracow Airport was open and Obama could have flown in there. A president who respected true friends and sacrifices in blood would have made a serious gesture. Not Obama - he took off to play golf and did not bother to take a few minutes to sign the consolation book at the Polish Embassy on the way to the course.

 To be clear, Hinderacker is quoting here.    But hold the phone!   Didn't John hear about the Icelandic volcano's ash cloud that stranded travelers worldwide?  The one that closed airports from Norway to Italy?   You know, the one that dominated headlines for a week?   Well, apparently not.  I have to say, if you hear that airports all over Europe are closed, but then someone says the Kracow airport is open I would at least check on such a claim before using it as a source.   But apparently,   John doesn't know how to use Google either.  Instead he chooses to believe astounding claims unquestioningly.  

Since I do know how to use Google, here's some background.   From the Guardian on April 16:

Poland shut most of its airspace, excepting southern airports like Krakow this morning, but even Krakow airport has now closed.

 Okay, so the airport is closed on Friday, and the funeral was the following Sunday.  How was Obama supposed to get there?  Swim?    And by the way, the ash cloud prevented lots of other world leaders from attending too:

President Obama’s Sunday visit to Poland was canceled at the last minute due to the volcanic ash cloud that has paralyzed Europe’s air traffic. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and other guests have announced their absence at the ceremony for the same reason.

Apparently, the ash cloud also interfered with Hinteracker's Internet connection, cable TV, and newspaper delivery.