Inside the mind of a Liberal journalist--Obama and his critics

Interesting and disturbing article about threats to Obama's security (here). I believe the idiots making these threats are practically harmless (though their stupidity/inability to execute their plans should not diminish their punishment), but I guess I'm not surprised that this behavior exists on such a scale.

That being said, it's doubly disturbing that the article twice links the threat to Obama with American Conservatism. Some of this might be explained by the fact that the writer is a Brit, but aw geez . . .

From the article:( Inside the world of Obama's secret-service bodyguards | World news | The Guardian):

The Southern Poverty Law Center began life in 1971 as a tiny law firm specialising in civil rights cases. It took on the might of the Ku Klux Klan, and was duly rewarded by having its offices razed and its senior lawyers targeted for assassination. But it kept on going and grew to be one of the most respected monitoring groups of rightwing extremism in America today.

What makes the KKK "right-wing"? Or perhaps the question should be, how can they use the term "right-wing" to apply to the KKK and to, say, the GOP?

In the 13 months that Barack Obama has been the occupant of the Oval Office he has been the subject of an extraordinary outpouring of emotion from the American electorate. At the start it was largely adulatory, though more recently the adoration has been drowned out by a cacophony of criticism from tea party activists, birthers, global-warming deniers and viewers of Fox News. At the same time, largely hidden from view, there has been a layer of antagonism towards Obama that lies well beyond the boundaries of reasonable political debate.

Dang, didn't you mean "tea baggers," Mr. Journalist?

I'm only surprised that we're going to have a reasonable debate

Interesting story ("Shelby County's infant-mortality rate 'inflated', new study says"--Commercial Appeal) about use (and abuse, I think) of medical statistics, in this case related to "infant mortality." Various local blogs are discussing the issue:
Post Politics and Tiny Cat Pants and seemingly expressing some surprise at the story. I'm only surprised that we may possibly have a reasonable debate on the relevant issues.

From the Commercial Appeal article:

“The problem is much more of extreme prematurity than infant mortality,” [Professor and study author Bryan L.] Williams said.

The distinction involves more than mere semantics. Fetal and infant mortality arise from much different causes and require entirely different solutions, he said.

Infant mortality often is the result of disease, sudden infant death syndrome, violence or inadequate health care. But fetal mortality typically stems from extreme prematurity.

Since extremely premature births occur in Shelby County at a rate four times the national average, Williams said local officials should focus on possible causes, which could include various stresses during pregnancy, drug abuse, obesity or hypertension.

You know what they say about statistics . . . and the truth is that statistics like these are powerful PR weapons in gaining funding, scoring political points, etc. whether generically trashing America or arguing “how much we need to socialize medicine” or need to “stop oppressing certain populations” or whatever.

I’m glad they did an in-depth study, but it’s a shame that the obvious distinction between “extreme prematurity” and “infant mortality” was previously overlooked.

Gosh, I wonder what this "reporter" thinks oughta happen?

UPDATE 1-US Democrats would kill healthcare over abortion | Reuters:

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - A dozen House of Representatives Democrats opposed to abortion are willing to kill President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plan unless it satisfies their demand for language barring the procedure, Representative Bart Stupak said on Thursday.

Jim Bunning's concerned about all those who AREN'T being paid not to work

Bird-flipping Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning blocking checks to 8,000 unemployed New Yorkers:

"As of yesterday, 8,000 New Yorkers are left without benefits," said Leo Rosales, a spokesman for the state Department of Labor. "You can imagine the worry they have right now."

Well, if he wasn't a Liberal Democrat . . .

This whole Governor Paterson story is intriguing . . . to see someone purportedly "strong on [Liberal] women's issues" . . . who followed the resignation de scandal of another "strong on women's issues" Democrat . . . who, as an incumbent, was on the outs with Democrat leaders and has been in the sights for awhile . . .Calls on Governor Paterson tjavascript:void(0)o resign get louder as 'Aide-gate' gets worse. Just do what feels right Governor!

what motivates a man like John Albert Gardner, III

I was privileged to meet James Dobson yesterday afternoon at the Opryland Resort, and upon reading this sobering story ("Man is arrested in San Diego teen's disappearance," Los Angeles Times), as I was contemplating what motivates someone to do this sort of thing, I was reminded of Dobson's groundbreaking interview (here) with serial murderer and rapist Ted Bundy, prior to Bundy's execution in Florida.

It is worth a listen.

Al Gore still saves

Ann Althouse has a fisky response to today's what-I-did-this-Winter essay from Al Gore(Althouse: "Al Gore would like you to lie back and accept what the government decides is good for you."):

[Gore writes:]

From the standpoint of governance, what is at stake is our ability to use the rule of law as an instrument of human redemption.

What?! I knew this was religion! We're supposed to believe. And please don't use 'rule of law' as a synonym for government regulation.

"We can't wish away climate change" . . . but can I wish away Al Gore?

Ironically, climate alarmists now leaning on understatement

This article from the NYTimes is funny in its understatement of the situation. Independent Board to Review Work of Top Climate Panel - NYTimes.com. I like how the Reuters reporter dismisses the persistent and embarrassing reports over the last few weeks as "sporadic":

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been under fire since it was pointed out that the 2007 report included a prediction that Himalayan glaciers would vanish by 2035, although there is no scientific consensus to that effect.

That brief citation — drawn from a magazine interview with a glaciologist who says he was misquoted — and sporadic criticism of the panel’s leader have fueled skepticism in some quarters about the science underlying climate change. The climate panel’s assessments are a crucial source of guidance for policy makers addressing global warming.

With their credibility in shambles, what exactly is the basis for the climate alarmism again?

Don't be surprised if you don't hear the term "nuclear option" for a while

Breitbart.tv » Obama & Dems in 2005: 51 Vote ‘Nuclear Option’ Is ‘Arrogant’ Power Grab Against the Founder’s Intent: Then-Sen. Joe Biden:

"I pray God when the Democrats take back control we don't make the kind of naked power grab you are doing."

And the ignorance displayed by people like Christopher Dodd--in relation to the system set up by America's founders, would be funny if it wasn't so consequential.

Haynes only likes him some Partisan Hedy

It's ironic that Joe Haynes, after bashing Republicans and Conservatives disinclined to rubber stamp a proclamation for TN ACLU's Hedy Weinberg, saw fit to distance himself from perhaps the only principled, non-reflexive Liberal stance Hedy has taken over 25 years:

"I haven't always agreed with Hedy... like when she was for the Ku Klux Klan marching (at an event in Pulaski years ago)," Haynes said when asked why he pushed a resolution praising Weinberg. "But I respect her. But she believes in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and has worked hard for 25 years for those principles."

On second thought, it complicates things when you consider the KKK's deep roots in the Southern Democratic Party.

"Family Guy" and the "baser" angels of our nature

The controversy over the Down's Syndrome episode of Family Guy is heating up with the woman who provided the voiceover for the Down's Syndrome character entering the story. (‘Family Guy’ Voice Actor Says Palin ‘Does Not Have a Sense of Humor’ - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com)

While I am uncomfortable with the PC-ish complaints from Sarah Palin, I can certainly sympathize with her concern about her political enemies attacking her through her children (e.g., David Letterman). For the record, I think this is more of a "what-might-a-bossy-Down's Syndrome-teenager-say-to-try-and-impress" joke than anything else.

I'm also amused (somewhat) at how Lefties think anything that mocks or irritates Sarah Palin is a hoot. And it seems in bad taste to use (especially after the fact) a mentally disabled woman as a political tool.

To the credit of the NYTimes, it left off the petty, less-flattering comment from Andrea Fay Friedman's email in making the point that there are differences of opinion among Down's advocates (and Lib commenters are laughably acting as if the NYTimes is conspiring in favor--or fear, of Sarah Palin, see below).

24.
The Other Armenian
Ann Arbor
February 18th, 2010
7:47 pm
I find it very interesting that the NYT neglected to print the last part of Ms. Friedman's letter. The right wing has accused the media of being unfair to Sarah the P. The NYT also seems to be frightened of appearing critical to Palin. Had the media done their job Ms. Palin would have been torn to shreds and left in the dust bin of history in September of 2008.

Speaking of neglect; has anyone else noticed that Bristol Palin appears to be Trig's primary caregiver.


25.
lastcallsally
new york
February 18th, 2010
7:47 pm
I'm sick of this equal opportunity offender defense. The mentally disabled lack the ability to stand up for themselves but if you want to use them for some anti-Palin rant go ahead you tool.

"Hero"? Try "loser" ; Update: another destructive "hero"

Texas Suicide Pilot Joe Stack's Daughter, Samantha Bell, Calls Dad a Hero, Texas IRS Plane Attack 'Inappropriate' - ABC News

As far as I'm concerned, the left-handed condolences of Joe Stack's daughter aren't welcome, and I hope her 15 minutes of attention are over.

But the evolving storyline on Stack et al bothers me. This guy's acts of anti-gov't/anti-tax protest were insane and abominable.  I almost hate to soften the criticism by hinting at insanity, and I'm not sure "abominable" is a strong enough word.

People need to realize that protest is not enough.  We need constructive activism, which does not include blanket-mailing form letter diatribes to Congressmen (ref. Stack's "suicide" note) and flying planes into occupied office buildings.


Update:
Here's another "hero" in Ohio, this time with a bulldozer. Of course, the bank is evil in all this. Dude expects the bank to accept $80k as a payoff of $160k mortgage.

The culture war in the air

"Rapper in flap with Michigan native Mitt Romney" | freep.com | Detroit Free Press. The way these two men have responded after the fact says a lot about this situation.

Is this a joke? . . . Tiger Woods' Mistress Wants Apology - ABC News

Gloria Allred says her client, "this former porn star," demands an apology, by name and an in-person meeting . . . watch the video.

Tiger Woods' Mistress Wants Apology - ABC News

Tiger's near perfect pitch shot

Although the transcript of Tiger Woods' apology today is better than his stilted and near-robotic performance, I have to say that his sentiments were right on.TigerWoods.com: Transcript: Tiger's public statementThat being said, I couldn't help but notice the seeming importance of defending against assertions that there had ever been domestic violence in their home (defending Elin's honor was right, but in relation to himself, Tiger almost seems to be splitting hairs given the extent of his infidelity).

And I'm not sure that (extraneous) rumors about performance enhancing drugs needed to be brought up in this particular forum. Maybe he wanted to be able to include that subject whenever asserting the "old news/zone of privacy" diversion hereafter.

Quote of the day

Regarding the break-up of the three-year-old "U.S. Climate Action Partnership"BP, ConocoPhillips and Caterpillar Pull Out of Climate Partnership - WSJ.com:

"The saying in Washington is that if you're not at the table, you're on the menu," said Whitney Stanco, an energy policy analyst for Concept Capital, a Washington research firm.

Honorable mention goes to Mitt Romney in his opening remarks to CPAC:

I spent the weekend in Vancouver. As always, the Olympic Games were inspiring. But in case you didn’t hear the late-breaking news, the gold medal in the downhill was taken away from American Lindsey Vonn. It was determined that President Obama is going downhill faster than she is.

This just in from the greatest generation . . .

Heartwarming Charles Kuralt-ish video report about an octogenarian and her car.

Tax cuts haven't increased our budget deficit

In the midst of a CBS radio(?) report about Obama's announcement of a "deficit panel" the reporter described all the (external-to-Obama-and-Democrats) factors that have contributed to the current RECORD deficit. The last one mentioned was "tax cuts" . . . well, that's not true. It's the spending, stupid. Hillsdale College - Imprimis Issue:

The real undeniable test of tax policy is not short-term shifts in revenue but long-term shifts in spending that are most clearly manifested by increases in the federal budget. Between 1981 and 2004, current government spending in terms of dollars increased fivefold while the total hovered a little above 20 percent of GDP.

In the mid-1980s, World Bank economist Keith Marsden showed how this is possible: Low tax countries increase their spending three times faster than comparable high tax countries. This is because the low tax economies grow six times faster. For most of the period since World War II, the fastest growing economy in the world, with the fastest growth in government spending, was Hong Kong, with a top rate of 16 percent. A study by Jude Wanniski at Polyconomics extended the analysis through the Reagan era, with the same results. In recent years, Ireland, New Zealand and Russia massively increased spending after drastically reducing tax rates. Russia has increased outlays by some 60 percent after enacting a 13 percent flat tax.

Obama starts looking toward next election

Speaking of audacity . . . President Obama is now decrying deficit spending: UPDATE 1-Obama names deficit panel, gives it wide leeway | Reuters.

Misreading Bayh's departure

John Fund describes how the MSM (not to mention the Left) is misreading Evan Bayh's departure ("Why Evan Bayh Is Quitting the Senate" - WSJ.com). From the article:

At age 54, Mr. Bayh is leaving Congress but declines to rule out another run for office. Should Democrats ever be open to a Tony Blair message, no doubt Mr. Bayh could be persuaded to return to the arena. He's won five times in a red state while compiling a voting record significantly more liberal than Arlen Specter's or Olympia Snowe's. Yet today he's viewed by many Democrats with disdain as a conservative collaborator.

Nothing better sums up the Democrats' self-inflicted problem.

A couple things about the Amy Bishop case

Wow. The emerging details about UAH murderer Amy Bishop are fascinating. Survivor: Ala. prof in slayings shot methodically - BostonHerald.com.

1. Though hindsight is 20/20, the facts surrounding Bishop's killing of her brother in 1986 are pretty troubling. It'll be interesting to see how this evolving story will affect the political fortunes of Democratic Congressman William Delahunt:

He said there were no ballistics tests included, and he also thought it odd that there was an 11-day gap between the death and interviews with family members, apparently because they were too distraught to talk sooner.

The Norfolk County district attorney at the time was William Delahunt, now a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts. He was traveling in Israel and could not immediately be reached for comment on the case.

2. Though it is almost impossible to predict how you would react if you had been among the faculty members in that UAH Biology Department meeting, I was stunned to read these details of how they handled the situation:

[UAH Associate Professor] Joseph Ng told the AP the shooting stopped almost as soon as it started. He said the gun seemed to jam and he and others rushed Bishop out of the room and then barricaded the door shut with a table.

Ng said the charge was led by Debra Moriarity, a professor of biochemistry, after Bishop aimed the gun at her and attempted to fire. When the gun didn’t shoot, Moriarity pushed her way to Bishop, urged her to stop, and then helped force her out the door.

'Moriarity was probably the one that saved our lives. She was the one that initiated the rush,' he told the AP. 'It took a lot of guts to just go up to her.'

Ng said the survivors worried she would shoot her way through the door, and frantically worked up a backup plan in case she burst through. But she never did.

(emphasis added). Yes, Bishop could have shot her way back in . . . or started shooting students or others elsewhere in the building.

3. Though I sympathize with the family members and loved ones of the UAH victims, I do not see how a typical hiring process would have alerted UAH to Amy Bishop's past "issues."

Damned if we're post racial, damned if we're not . . .

This article is intriguing in light of Harold Ford, Jr.'s yankee-patronizing comments about how Tennesseans would frown on his inter-racial marriage. The Woman Behind Harold Ford - The Daily Beast:

There were a number of reasons for wanting to keep [Ford, Jr.'s relationship with his then caucasian and now wife] quiet. For one, it was relatively new. For another, a month before his defeat, the RNC put out a now-infamous commercial featuring an actress who claimed to have met Ford at a party at the Playboy Mansion. “Call me,” she mouths at the end. The ad smacked of racism—implying that he was somehow unfit for office because he was a womanizer who liked white girls. (In point of fact, the ad was also deceptive; Ford is said to have been fairly indifferent to race where the women in his life are concerned. He was formerly engaged to a black woman.) Even though the ad was vilified, it did its damage.

The point was that he was a playboy (playa?), not that he dated white women.*

BTW, here's the humorous (and effective) ad:








*Incidentally, there's some interesting dirt in the article about Ford, Jr.'s level of playboy-ness:

About five years ago, [Ford's wife] met Ford at a wedding in New Orleans. At the time, he was known in political circles as something of a player. Says one woman who dated him briefly: “He pursued women vigorously and passionately, there’d be a week or 10 days of him being totally obsessive and then it was over. With me he just didn’t show up for a date.

Wow.


Hat tip, The Agenda.

The "reality-based community's" president.

Rich Lowry highlight's "The president's reality problem.":

Obama came to office under fundamental misapprehensions that hamper him still. It's not true that all that was keeping the Israelis and Palestinians apart was the lack of US engagement, or that the Iranians were amenable to getting talked out of their nuclear program, or that Guantanamo Bay was a pointless contrivance.

Nor is it true that government is a sustainable source of economic growth, or a more efficient allocator of capital than the market. This is why Obama's stimulus program -- inevitably, a dog's breakfast of politically driven priorities -- is such a shambles that his aides never utter the word "stimulus" anymore. It is on to the next program, a nearly $100 billion "jobs" bill that reflects the touching belief that to work as intended a program only has to be named appropriately.

More evidence of weather alarmist science-denying

FOXNews.com - The Next Climate-gate?:

But probably the most damaging report has come from Joseph D’Aleo, the first Director of Meteorology and co-founder of the Weather Channel, and Anthony Watts, a meteorologist and founder of SurfaceStations.org.

In a January 29 report, they find that starting in 1990, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began systematically eliminating climate measuring stations in cooler locations around the world. Yes, that's right. They began eliminating stations that tended to record cooler temperatures and drove up the average measured temperature. The eliminated stations had been in higher latitudes and altitudes, inland areas away from the sea, as well as more rural locations. The drop in the number of weather stations was dramatic, declining from more than 6,000 stations to fewer than 1,500.

D’Aleo and Watts show that the jumps in measured global temperature occur just when the number of weather stations is cut. But there is another bias that this change to more urban stations also exacerbates. Recorded temperatures in more urban areas rise over time simply because more densely populated areas produce more heat. Combining the greater share of weather stations in more urban areas over time with this urban heat effect also tends to increase the rate that recorded temperatures tend to rise over time.

Their report provides examples of how the systematic elimination of stations and unexplained adjustments in temperature data caused measured temperatures to rise for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. Many adjustments change what would have been a drop in temperatures into an increase. Take New Zealand, where D’Aleo and Watts note: “About half the adjustments actually created a warming trend where none existed; the other half greatly exaggerated existing warming.”

And Mona Charen opines on the Left's anti-scientific methodism:sums it up nicely:

The entire superstructure of climate alarmism rests on data that are doubtful and possibly fraudulent. The Science and Public Policy Institute has evaluated surface-temperature records and found, among other things, that 1) instrumental data from the pre-satellite era are virtually useless; 2) fewer than 25 percent of the 6,000 temperature stations that once existed are still operative; 3) comprehensive ocean data have been available only since 2003 and have shown no warming; and 4) higher altitude, higher latitude, and rural stations were the most likely to be lost, leading to a further serious overstatement of warming.

As John Hinderaker of the Power Line blog has reported, the U.N. IPCC report itself does not even accurately represent the views of the scientists who signed it. Key sections expressing caveats and acknowledging countervailing evidence were altered after the purported authors had put their names to it.

It isn’t the snow outside that has discredited global warming. It’s the chill the warmists have imposed on scientific inquiry. They are acting as enforcers of orthodoxy, not seekers of truth.

Krugman's semANTICS

I had to comment on Paul Krugman's multiple references (in this NYTimes op/ed Op-Ed Columnist - Republicans and Medicare - NYTimes.com) to "Republican cuts to Medicare" as opposed to "Democratic cost savings" within the same sentence.

That being said, I will admit that I am not comfortable when I see Republicans sugar-coating policies to appeal to older voters--Newt Gingrich is the king of this, by lauding FDR's "Progressive"/Socialist policies/programs like Medicare.

Adjustments to the Leviathan

. . . adjustments like the ones people get from a chiropractor.

Folks are reporting that Sen. Bob Corker is working with Democrats to tweak government regulation of the finance industry. It pains me to hear such a disingenuous boob as Chris Dodd saying positive things about Corker, and I think Dodd is untrustworthy, and I don't think the Democrats' proffered solutions (which, as is often the case, are built upon flawed premises) won't help matters, but maybe Corker can wrest some positive changes from the majority party. After all, officials in the image-over-substance party are DESPERATE to pass something. From the article: Republican Breaks Ranks on Finance Bill - WSJ.com:

WASHINGTON—Republican Sen. Bob Corker bucked his party Thursday and began negotiations with Democrats on overhauling financial regulation.

Winning the first-term Tennessee senator's support is perhaps the White House's best chance of passing a financial-overhaul bill this year. Democrats need one Republican to reach the 60 votes required to pass legislation in the Senate. Democrats hope Mr. Corker's support also could bring along other centrist Republicans.

Mr. Corker's involvement means the Federal Reserve could play a bigger role in any overhaul, because the senator has been less critical of the central bank than other leading Republicans. He also opposes creating a stand-alone consumer-protection agency, an idea already on life support, but might agree to propose other policies governing products such as mortgages.

Here are some ideas as Corker endeavors to manipulate the nation's financial spine.

Maybe Stephanopoulos and wife should go late night on ABC

I don't ever watch GMA, but this birthday greeting from George Stephanopoulos' wife, Ali Wentworth, isn't appropriate . . . for the kids potentially watching GMA at home, much less for the kids right there in the studio. (watch all the way to the end).

Uh, what does Chief Justice Holder know about running for office?

Gender Campaign | The Fly-By | Memphis Flyer:

Last week, the [Memphis Area Women's Council] held its first Run Women Run event with Tennessee representative Karen Camper, Germantown mayor Sharon Goldsworthy, Tennessee Supreme Court chief justice Janice Holder, and attorney Ruby Wharton.

According to Deborah Clubb, executive director of the local women's council, Run Women Run was held to 'empower women with enough knowledge to know it's not impossible' to be elected to political office.

. . . .

During the non-partisan event, attendees heard advice on running for and serving in a political office. They discussed campaign strategies, financial tips, and the importance of honor and integrity in politics.

Beware Daddy Dearest Baldwin's VM on this one

Alec Baldwin Treated And Released From Hospital - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News:

Actor Alec Baldwin was treated and released from a New York hospital after a young woman believed to be his daughter, Ireland, called emergency assistance claiming her father was unresponsive, according to NBC News. When paramedics arrived at Baldwin's New York City home, he reportedly was responsive and agreed to seek treatment at the hospital.

The "30 Rock" star was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital and was released after about an hour. His condition was undisclosed. The actor's spokesperson, Matthew Hiltzik, issued a statement saying, "This was a misunderstanding on one person's part. Alec was quickly released from the hospital, he's completely fine and will be at work today."

"Misunderstanding on one person's part"? Uh oh. You don't cross Daddy Alec.

Wordsmithing of the Day: Gorewellian

"Gorewellian" by Jonah Goldberg in reference to the Audi Super Bowl Ad. Audi’s Gorewellian Super Bowl Ad - Jonah Goldberg - National Review Online

Best ad? E-trade

I have to state for the record, that it is kind of difficult to watch (hear) the commercials during a Super Bowl party, which is lost on some fellow viewers/ party-goers who will laugh at anything with a crotch shot or underwear or talking animals. 

That being said, I have been able to review some of the ads today, and here's my choice.

I thought the Tebow ad was excellent, and the pro-abortion Left will probably learn something from their overwrought PR effort on this one.

What was Audi thinking?

Doritos wasted a lot of money (not on production though).

But right now, for best ad, I'm leaning toward the E-trade milkaholic ad.

Watch them all here.

Whew, maybe now Liberals can stop pretending to be something they're not

Gallup: Majority of Dems View Socialism Positively - Real Clear Politics – TIME.com:

The Gallup Poll reports that a majority of Democrats, 53%, have a “positive” image of socialism, which includes independents who lean toward the blue party.

Only 17 percent of Republican and GOP-leaners hold socialism in a positive light. In total, more than one-third of Americans, 36%, have a positive image of socialism.

Which reminds me of Jon Stewart's excellent interview with Bill O'Reilly. Stewart gamely made the reductio ad absurdum argument that "we're all 'socialists'" if we don't rail against every gov't funded entitlement program.

Aside, I have trouble comprehending what people "see" in O'Reilly; though Stewart's wit and charm are obvious.

Those anti-democratic Democrats

("Dem. lieutenant governor candidate exits Ill. race" - chicagotribune.com):

CHICAGO - Now that the Democrats' nominee for lieutenant governor has dropped out of the race, the next step is up to the Illinois Democratic Party.

This is too common of an occurrence for Democrats. Torricelli. Kurita. Who needs primaries?

But, as we all know, the end justifies the means . . . right?


Update: Paterson in Democrats' sights . . .

Tim Tebow the square hipster

It was cute to hear my daughter standing up for nerdiness in the middle of "I Spy--the board game" this afternoon (yes, a little daddy time in anticipation of their being Super Bowl persona non grata this eve). This reminded me of Sally Jenkins' somewhat left-handed attaboy for Tim Tebow and a story on abstinence education I just came across.

Commenting on Tim Tebow's chastity, Jenkins writes ("Tebow's Super Bowl isn't intolerant; its critics are":

"Are you saving yourself for marriage?" Tebow was asked last summer during an SEC media day.

"Yes, I am," he replied.

The room fell into a hush, followed by tittering: The best college football player in the country had just announced he was a virgin. As Tebow gauged the reaction from the reporters in the room, he burst out laughing. They were a lot more embarrassed than he was.

"I think y'all are stunned right now!" he said. "You can't even ask a question!"

That's how far we've come from any kind of sane viewpoint about star athletes and sex. Promiscuity is so the norm that if a stud isn't shagging everything in sight, we feel faintly ashamed for him.

And this sentiment was reinforced in an op-ed/report from Mona Charen about abstinence education ("Another Undead Conservative Idea" - Mona Charen - National Review Online) From the article:

Now we learn from a study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine that another prematurely buried conservative idea, abstinence education, works very well indeed.

The Obama administration had disdained and defunded abstinence education in favor of “evidence-based” programs to prevent teen pregnancy. (Note the assumption that liberal ideas are founded on evidence whereas conservative ideas spring from prejudice, ignorance, or downright orneriness.) No single study settles things, but this one, conducted by an African-American professor at the University of Pennsylvania, will be hard to ignore."

. . . .
Elayne Bennett, founder of the Best Friends program, is delighted that the Jemmott research reinforces her experience with, mostly, African-American adolescent girls. Offering a mixed program of mentoring, dance, music, and role-playing, Best Friends and its new spin-off for boys, Best Men, has had two decades of success in helping kids abstain from sex, drugs, and alcohol until they graduate from high school. She has found that the kids desperately want someone to tell them it’s okay to postpone sex. It’s a commentary on our times, but there it is — we need special programs to give kids permission to say no.

(emphasis added) Yep.

Sally Jenkins and various alternative acronyms for NOW

Sally Jenkins - "Tebow's Super Bowl ad isn't intolerant; its critics are" - washingtonpost.com:

I'll spit this out quick, before the armies of feminism try to gag me and strap electrodes to my forehead: Tim Tebow is one of the better things to happen to young women in some time. I realize this stance won't endear me to the 'Dwindling Organizations of Ladies in Lockstep,' otherwise known as DOLL, but I'll try to pick up the shards of my shattered feminist credentials and go on.

BTW: I think Jenkins incorrectly says that Tebow advertised Heb. 12:12 on his eye-black . . . it was Hebrews 12:1,2:

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Kudos to Tebow for seeming to live out that verse pretty well.

Me and the Nation of Tea Party

As you probably have heard, Nashville's Opryland Resort is the site for this weekend's Tea Party Nation Convention (here). For the record, I'm skeptical of the "Tea Party Movement." I have hesitated to write on the subject, for various reasons, but one is because I am glad to see more people taking an interest in public policy, and these people are "taking an interest" in a a good sense: that is, for the purpose of smaller government and increased liberties. I and the fam attended a local rally, and I can't say that I don't sympathize with any of "the movement's" stated ideals, but some of the passion or excitement is going to the head of many participants . . . and clouding their thinking on the potential for any lasting or substantive effect on our political system.

That being said, Charles Krauthammer - The great peasant revolt of 2010 - washingtonpost.com; here's an excerpt:

That brings us to Part 2 of the liberal conceit: Liberals act in the public interest, while conservatives think only of power, elections, self-aggrandizement and self-interest.

It is an old liberal theme that conservative ideas, being red in tooth and claw, cannot possibly emerge from any notion of the public good. A 2002 New York Times obituary for philosopher Robert Nozick explained that the strongly libertarian implications of Nozick's masterwork, 'Anarchy, State, and Utopia,' 'proved comforting to the right, which was grateful for what it embraced as philosophical justification.' The right, you see, is grateful when a bright intellectual can graft some philosophical rationalization onto its thoroughly base and self-regarding politics.

This belief in the moral hollowness of conservatism animates the current liberal mantra that Republican opposition to Obama's social democratic agenda -- which couldn't get through even a Democratic Congress and powered major Democratic losses in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts -- is nothing but blind and cynical obstructionism.

By contrast, Democratic opposition to George W. Bush -- from Iraq to Social Security reform -- constituted dissent. And dissent, we were told at the time, including by candidate Obama, is 'one of the truest expressions of patriotism.'

No more. Today, dissent from the governing orthodoxy is nihilistic malice. 'They made a decision,' explained David Axelrod, 'they were going to sit it out and hope that we failed, that the country failed' -- a perfect expression of liberals' conviction that their aspirations are necessarily the country's, that their idea of the public good is the public's, that their failure is therefore the nation's.

I'm not a "Bush follower" but . . .

Terrorism - Salon.com:

. . . Seriously: if you were a Bush follower, wouldn't you feel as though you were owed a major apology for all the accusations and the fuss that came from Democrats and media figures, accusing you of supporting radical and Constitution-shredding policies when, it turns out, they actually crave those policies in order to feel safe? Doesn't all of this bolster the Republican claim that those attacks on the Bush administration for civil liberties abuses were not due to genuine conviction, but rather for partisan gain (in the case of Democratic officials) and cheap, preening, wet-finger-in-the-air moralizing (in the case of media stars)?

Of David Niewart and occupying "political spaces"

As I've begun to observe the impressive wagon-circling of the Left related to Liberal Fascism, I came across this repetitive, verbose post from David Niewart in which he claims that Jonah Goldberg has refused to respond to his argument all along(!!!) that Fascism occupied the political space opposite of the Left.  ("Jonah Goldberg is a very sad case who thinks that ignoring an argument makes you smarter" | Crooks and Liars).

But nestled in a hefty box quote from Paxton was this jewel:

Prime Minister Giolitti, a true practitioner of laissez-faire liberalism, declined to use national forces to break strikes. The big farmers felt abandoned by the Italian liberal state.

Wait a minute; there was a classical liberal prime minister in Italy at the time that Mussolini won the struggle with other socialists for power?

But it is interesting that even in laying out his unrebutted(!!!) thesis, Niewart acknowledges that Italian (and German) Fascist movements were rooted in socialist/communist ideals though they feigned capitalist or other sympathies to achieve their purposes. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, that strategy is rather similar to policy initiatives like current first steps of incrementalist reform (here) on health insurance.

Me and my boyz at ACLU (on Citizens United)

I just realized this evening that the ACLU filed an amicus brief consistent with the SCOTUS ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. (here).

Very cool. Very principled.

Pretty smart design

Study on evolution of running finds going barefoot good for the sole, better for the heels - latimes.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Harvard biologist and runner Daniel Lieberman had a simple question: "How did people run without shoes?"

The answer he got is: Much better.

At least running barefoot seems better for the feet, producing far less impact stress compared to feet shod in fancy, expensive running shoes, according to a study by Lieberman in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature. The study concludes that people seem to be born to run — barefoot.
. . . .
Tonino said cushioned running shoes work against evolution which developed the foot properly for endurance running.

(emphasis added) Hmmmm, maybe such shoes work against the foot's design, at best they work against the foot's structure.

Yep, because the end justifies the means . . .

Climate chief was told of false glacier claims before Copenhagen:

The chairman of the leading climate change watchdog was informed that claims about melting Himalayan glaciers were false before the Copenhagen summit, The Times has learnt.

Rajendra Pachauri was told that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment that the glaciers would disappear by 2035 was wrong, but he waited two months to correct it. He failed to act despite learning that the claim had been refuted by several leading glaciologists.

Schumey plays the expectation game . . . badly

Senate Democrats Declare War on the Supreme Court - ABC News:

In the wake of [the Citizens United] decision, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, "The Supreme Court just predetermined the winners of next November's elections."

The lottery "curse"

This is a sad story of a lottery winner--Abraham Shakespeare, who appears to have been murdered for his money. (Tampa Bay Online: "Autopsy planned on remains found at dig site")

It seems that the case is coming to a just conclusion--the search of this property follows evidence that the lottery winner's ex-girlfriend had transferred more than $1 million from Shakespeare's accounts and had gone to great lengths to cover up his disappearance.

It's wrong that it is practically a "curse" to simply have something that others want.

Whew, Bin Laden believes in AGW

After seeing just the headline, I was relieved to read that Osama is a fan of Gore's work ("Bin Laden Rebukes U.S. on Climate Change" - NYTimes.com):

Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, blamed the United States and developed countries for not halting climate change and said that the global economy should immediately abandon its reliance on the American dollar, according to an audiotape released Friday by the broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Not much of a former Constitutional law professor--Update

In all due deference to President, regarding his either stupid or disingenuous assertions about the Citizens United ruling during the SOTU :

Tonight the president engaged in dem[a]goguery of the worst kind, when he claimed that last week's Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, "open[ed] the floodgates for special interests — including foreign corporations — to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities."

The president's statement is false.

And here's why.


Update . . . insight from a former SOTU speech fact checker:

I don’t see why it’s inappropriate for the president to express disagreement with a Supreme Court opinion, even if the members of the Court are in the room. Presidents giving State of the Union addresses express disagreement with how Congress does its job all the time, and the Court is not somehow beyond criticism in ways the other branches aren’t. It would be nice if he had tried to make some argument explaining why he thought the Court’s reading of the relevant constitutional provision was incorrect — since it is after all the Court’s job to interpret the constitution and the law, not to seek particular policy outcomes. But even so, Obama’s criticism didn’t strike me as an offense against protocol.

It was, however, an offense against the truth, which makes it even more troubling and peculiar. It was just plain wrong on the facts, in a very straightforward and unmistakable way. A presidential speech, especially a State of the Union address, generally goes through layer after layer of fact-checking. I still have the scars from a couple of years of this in the Bush White House, proving the case for every fact, figure, noun, verb, and adjective in the speech that had anything to do with the issues I was working on. Some errors creep in sometimes of course, but they tend to be on tiny side-issues. And there are also sometimes claims that are open to dispute or interpretation (on intelligence or national security for instance, where not everything that’s known can be said, or on economic analysis.) But this seems like a direct claim by the president that simply misstates the content of a Supreme Court opinion. Is there even an issue of interpretation here? Is there anyone who actually claims with any specific reference to the opinion that the opinion could allow foreign corporations to contribute to American campaigns? Or that it overturns a century of legal precedent?

I suppose it could be chalked up to demagoguery, but you’d think the internal White House process would keep even demagoguery within some factually supportable boundaries — so there was at least a plausible argument for every claim allowed into the president’s speeches. This seems like an abject failure of the staffing process — a process intended, among other things, to protect the president from embarrassment.

And a final word on the subject An Appalling Breach of Decorum | Cato @ Liberty:

For the president to have singled the justices out for criticism, while others around them stood and applauded as they sat there still, is simply demagoguery at its worst. I would not be surprised if the justices declined next year’s invitation. And Obama wanted to change the tone in Washington? He sure has.

Hey ACORN, who you callin' a scofflaw?!

Four charged in phone scheme at Sen. Landrieu's office - USATODAY.com:O'Keefe's arrest "is further evidence of his disregard for the law in pursuit of his extremist agenda," ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis said in a statement. The organization's Twitter feed commented on the news: "Couldn't have happened to a more deserving soul."

Oh no you di'int--Obama thinks he can avert another 1994

I'm interested to hear what Bill and Hillary think about the quotes emanating from Marion Berry's decision not to run for re-election. Berry: Obama said "big difference" between '10 and '94 is "me" - Glenn Thrush - POLITICO.com:

Rep. Marion Berry's parting shot, published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette [no link, subscription only] offers a warning to moderate Democrats and border state moderates — warning of a midterm bloodbath comparable to the 54-seat D-to-R swing in 1994.

But the jaw-dropper is Berry's claim that President Obama personally dismissed any comparison between Democrats now and under Bill Clinton 16 years ago — by saying his personal popularity would bail everybody out.

It depends on which corporations are doing the donatin'

The Corner - National Review Online:

"Now, stung by the Massachusetts rebuke, Obama apparently has begun his makeover with a rhetorical assault against the Court's campaign-donation decision, as if he were a sort of 'Fighting Bob' Lafollette in hot pursuit of 'fat cat' bankers.

Sorry, this is transparently manufactured. Let me repeat: No presidential candidate did more to destroy the idea of public campaign financing than Barack Obama, who set a record in private donations from Wall Street, ended a three-decade-long bipartisan tradition of curbing presidential campaign expenditures, and, once elected, proceeded to nominate a number of Wall Street insiders."

Not to mention, this and other stories over the years demonstrate that the Dems rely on big donors more than does the GOP.

He's the tax man . . .

Hat tip, The Corner.

BeauBiden has higher priorities; yeah, right

Beau Biden, VP's son, won't seek US Senate seat - washingtonpost.com:

Biden vowed while campaigning for attorney general in 2006 that he would crack down on child predators, and he made the creation of a separate child predator unit within the state Justice Department his top priority after winning office. Had he turned his attention from the Bradley prosecution to running for Senate, he likely would have faced criticism from some voters.

. . . read: not a good time to be running as the heir to Joe Biden's throne.

In other news, another Congressional Democrat announces he won't seek reelection.

Insight on Kurt Warner and playing in the NFL

Rick Reilly has on occasion bashed traditionalism (in my perception), but this is an insightful article about Kurt Warner--in particular, and playing in the NFL--in general. ESPN The Magazine - Rick Reilly: It's seemingly the end for Kurt Warner, and it makes a good deal of sense now - ESPN

From the article:

"This is the sorest I've ever been," says Warner, 38.

And you wonder why he's thinking of retiring?

Still, if Warner does quit in the next couple of weeks -- talk to him, you'll be convinced he will -- it won't be because of his seven kids landing 720 McTwists on him, or 300-pound linemen crushing him from the blind side. It'll be because it's become nine parts job and one part fun.

Jonah Goldberg on Rocky Top

Goldberg, the National Review columnist and author of Liberal Fascism will be speaking 7:30pm, Feb. 2nd at UT's UC. Very cool.

Sowell on winning support from more black voters

How Republicans Can Win the Black Vote by Thomas Sowell on National Review Online:

The teachers’ unions are going to be against the Republicans, whether Republicans hammer them or keep timidly quiet. Why not talk straight with black voters about the dire consequences of the public-school monopoly that the teachers’ unions and the Democrats protect at all costs, even though many private and public-charter schools — notably the KIPP schools in various states — have achieved remarkable success with low-income and minority youngsters?

Air America was still on the air?

FOXNews.com - Air America Goes Off the Air

And, of course, Air America's people are blaming their failure on the bad economy . . . has the economy been bad for more than 3 years?

Hyperbolic, yet predictable attacks on filibustering

Filibusters are strangling the Senate | Steven Guess | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk:

In truth, the filibuster is a relic of a different age in American politics, an anachronism the nation can no longer afford as it faces unprecedented threats and challenges that demand action.

Cheat? Yes, we know you would

After reading the histrionic, hand-wringing press release about "steal[ing] elections" from Tennessee Democrats (TNDP) over the weekend, this quote from Liberal mouthpiece Ed Schultz reminded me of the rub in cooperating with moral relativists. First, from the TNDP TN Democratic Party News » Blog Archive » Tennessee Senate Republicans Trample Over Voter Rights:

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester called yesterday’s action by the Senate to delay the Tennessee Voters Confidence Act a partisan move by Republican leadership to deny the state’s voters fair and accurate elections.

And here's the recording of Schultz candidly admitting he'd cheat to win in Massachusetts.
Yes, we know you would, Ed. And don't be so sure that your cronies in deep blue MA wouldn't accommodate your wishes.

Video of how Kiffin won his last contest at Rocky Top

This video via Joe Silence's No Silence Here blog shows how Lane Kiffin was able to come out on top in his last battle at UT. Rare video: media tension before Kiffin's presser | No Silence Here | knoxnews.com.



I agree with the boring looking guy from Channel 10. It seems to me that Kiffin was the one who needed to be able to say he had "appeared" or "faced his critics" before bolting from Knoxville. People (future recruits, etc.) can't really know that the soundbite is canned or controlled as they watch a report on ESPN. And by going along with the ultimatum of the paper-pounding boob in the argyle sweater (who heart-warmingly referred to Kiffin as "coach" just before the cameras started rolling . . . awwww) the "media" allowed Kiffin to deliver his scripted, 30-second statement without answering any questions. Regrettably, the "media" folded like a house o' cards.

Best joke I've heard from O'Brien

Some of Conan O'Brien's jabs against NBC are lame, like the 98-lb. fellow flailing away while being stiff-armed by the longer-armed bully, but I really like this joke Brandchannel | Will NBC's Brand Survive Conan O'Brien?:

"O'Brien isn't content just devaluing the NBC brand though, he's also going after Jay Leno, the host NBC is moving back in to replace him: "Hosting the 'Tonight Show' has been a fulfillment of a lifelong dream to me. I just want to say to the kids out there, 'You can do anything you want in life... unless Jay Leno wants to do it too.'"

Give that writer a raise.

My friend the (climate) witch doctor, he told me what to do . . .

Latest climate alarmism sham revelation: World misled over Himalayan glacier meltdown - Times Online

From the article:

Rajendra Pachauri, the IPCC chairman, has previously dismissed criticism of the Himalayas claim as "voodoo science".

Oo ee, oo ah ah, ting tang, walla walla bing bang . . .

Pause, reflect and dream today . . .

Go Dems! Talkin' down to voters

According to this article ("After Obama Rally, Dems Pin Blame On Bush" - Hotline On Call), it appears that Dems can't conceive that voters might disagree with Dem policies:

As audience members streamed out of Pres. Obama's rally on behalf of AG Martha Coakley (D) here tonight, the consensus was that the fault for Coakley's now-floundering MA SEN bid lies with one person -- George W. Bush.
. . . .
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), speaking with a gaggle of reporters after the event, said that while state Sen. Scott Brown (R) offers voters a quick fix, in reality, the problems created by "George Bush and his cronies" are not so easily solved.

"If you think there's magic out there and things can be turned around overnight, then you would vote for someone who could promise you that, like Scott Brown," Kennedy said. "If you don't, if you know that it takes eight years for George Bush and his cronies to put our country into this hole ... then you know we have a lot of digging to do, but some work needs to be done and this president's in the process of doing it and we need to get Marcia Coakley to help him to do that."

This is rich . . . TN Dems touting Democrats' thrift

Beneath the headline: "Undercutting Republican arguments about Democratic spending habits in Washington," the Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP)--in its Friday email alert, is claiming that Democrats in Washington would make Dave Ramsey proud:

An analysis by the conservative Washington Times newspaper found that the current White House was successful in getting Congress to cut 24 spending programs and reduce nine other programs. White House administration officials note that Congress accepted at least $6.9 billion of the $11.3 billion in discretionary spending cuts President Obama proposed. The current administration's spending habits are in stark contrast with the previous administration, which cut trillions of dollars in taxes and added trillions of dollars to Medicare spending without paying for either.

Re. Kiffin, this is getting embarrassing

Student: Good riddance, Lane Kiffin - Page 2 - ESPN

Regrettably, too many UT fans and UT students are demonstrating that they have about as much class as, well, Lane Kiffin. Let's head off the inevitable trailer park frenzy comparisons asap. Let's move on. Hopefully the next hire (and the next contract for said hire) will be better for UT.

Say what? Re. Reid

I guess one racial stereotype deserves another!?! In this great report about Reid's recent regrettable racist remarks: ("Is Obama Playing Favorites in Harry Reid Case?" - ABC News) was this startling quote about "most black men":

"I think that the president of the United States has to stop having a lack of courage when it comes to the issue of race," said Michael Eric Dyson, professor of sociology at Georgetown University. "He is loathe to address the issue of race. Barack Obama runs from race like most black men run from the cops."

Elizabeth Edwards "has issues"? Go figure . . .

The three misspelled names (even the president's, amazingly) provide some context, but I thought this was an almost surreal juxtaposition of observations about Elizabeth Edwards in a book review of Game Change: How to read "Game Change" / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com:

– Some particularly ugly revelations about life within the Jon [sic] Edwards campaign, including reports that some of his staffers strongly suspected that he was having an affair well before it was reported in the media and a devastating portrayal of his wife Elizabeth as "abusive, intrusive, paranoid."

Dang, what's Elizabeth Edwards' problem?

Former Dem Gov. Blago shows his colors alright

Blago: I'm blacker than Obama - 1/11/10 - Chicago News - abc7chicago.com: Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is back in the news for something he said.

This time he is talking about President Barack Obama and making some controversial comments in a magazine interview out this week.

The comments appear in the February Esquire magazine issue that has yet to hit newsstands. It is online Monday morning and causing quite a buzz. In that article, the former Illinois governor talks about how he makes his money and also some of his old political foes but also has something to say about the president of the United States.

In the Esquire set to hit newsstands this week, Blagojevich goes on a profanity-laced tirade targeting his Illinois rivals and the president of the United States.

"I'm blacker than Barack Obama. I shine shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in the black community not far from were we lived. I saw it all growing up," Blagojevich told the magazine. "It is such a cynical business. I am real. This guy, President Obama, he was catapulted in on hope and change, what we hope the guy is."

Republican[] for Choice living large in a big tent

The Center for Public Integrity - The Curious Spending of Republicans for Choice:

Since the PAC’s formation in 1990, documents show that Republicans for Choice has raised and spent more than $5.5 million. But a Center for Public Integrity analysis of the PAC’s more recent filings — along with data from CQ MoneyLine, which tracks political giving — reveals that over the past decade less than five percent of the committee’s spending has gone to political candidates, other political committees, or independent expenditures. Since 2005, just about one-half of one percent of the PAC’s nearly $1 million in spending has gone to federal or state campaigns, according to a review of records. By comparison, Federal Election Commission data show the average federal PAC in the recent 2007-2008 cycle dedicated about 35 percent of spending to contributions aiding federal candidates. A comparison to other PACs on both sides of the abortion debate shows that similar groups spend a much greater portion of their funds on candidates and campaigns.

Where did RFC’s money go? Much of the group’s spending has been for consulting companies owned by the PAC’s chairwoman, Ann E. W. Stone. Those firms — along with payments to reimburse Stone’s expenses for travel, entertainment, and automobile repairs — comprise more than two-thirds of RFC PAC’s expenditures since 2006. And hundreds of dollars more went to pay for Stone’s parking tickets.

The Luckiest People

Columnist Nicholas Kristof has a disappointing op/ed up this week; disappointing at its intellectually vacuity. Apparently fresh off a limousine liberal lollygag to Central America, Kristof writes about Costa Ricans as "the happiest people." ("The Happiest People" - NYTimes.com). No offense intended to Costa Ricans or Costa Rica, but "the luckiest people" would be more accurate. From the article:

In truth, the people of Costa Rica: "Cross-country comparisons of happiness are controversial and uncertain. But what does seem quite clear is that Costa Rica’s national decision to invest in education rather than arms has paid rich dividends. Maybe the lesson for the United States is that we should devote fewer resources to shoring up foreign armies and more to bolstering schools both at home and abroad.

I guess it's not relevant to Kristof's thesis if a country has an abundance of beautiful weather and beaches to boost her economy (I think that is referred to as a "natural monopoly")? Not to mention a freedom-loving, sovereignty-backing military super power slightly to your north?

Education is certainly crucial to a civilization, and kudos to Costa Rica for what its got going on, and I'm glad that Kristof enjoyed his Christmas holidays, but this op/ed is either stupid or disingenuous.

Who says Democrats aren't providing jobs?

With news that Democrats' economic policies aren't helping with unemployment, I think some Democrats deserve recognition for creating job opportunities:

"It is a challenging time," said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. "When you've got as many people unemployed in the country as you do, it's understandable that folks will be looking to their leaders to do everything possible to create jobs. As Democrats, there's a burden of proof here."

Uh, sure I "discriminate" against certain behavior

N.J. Senate Defeats Gay-Marriage Bill - WSJ.com:

TRENTON, N.J. -- The New Jersey Senate defeated a bill Thursday to legalize gay marriage, making it unlikely the state will have a gay marriage law in the very near future.

The bill needed 21 votes to pass; only 14 senators approved the measure. The vote was 20-14.
. . . .

"We should not be telling one couple you can be married and another couple you can be civil unionized," said Sen. Bill Baroni, the only Republican senator who has supported gay marriage.

"We are better than that. History is watching us now. She is asking us whether we'll side with equality and right -- or for discrimination," he added.

An apple for Big Brother!

("Homeschooled kids: Did they fall through the cracks?" - Local News - WRGB CBS 6 Albany). The headline on this story has evolved a little to simply, "homeschooling parents arrested," but the original headline is intriguing because its premise is that these children were "forgotten" and "fell through the cracks" because their parents didn't file paperwork with the government. And you gotta love that some earnest citizen felt compelled to report the Cressy family to authorities . . . because, you know, these children are de facto endangered by not being "socialized" in public schools, right?

It'll be interesting to see how this case plays out.

Every infidel for himself . . .

From a report about "an assassination attempt on the artist whose cartoon of the prophet Muhammad as a suicide bomber had an explosive impact four years ago on the Muslim world" ("Panic room saved artist Kurt Westergaard from Islamist assassin" - Times Online):

An axe-wielding Somali extremist broke into the home of Kurt Westergaard on Friday night as the 75-year-old cartoonist was looking after Stephanie, his five-year-old granddaughter.

Westergaard, whose little ink drawing of Muhammad with a bomb in his turban sparked riots throughout the Middle East in 2006, has received numerous death threats. He pressed an alarm button to summon police when the attacker entered the house in Aarhus, Denmark’s second city, by breaking a window.

He did not have time to collect the child from the living room before locking himself into a “panic room”, a specially fortified bathroom. He said the assailant had shouted “swear words, really crude words” and shrieked about “blood” and “revenge”, as he smashed the axe in vain against the bathroom door.

“I feared for my grandchild,” he told Jyllands-Posten, the newspaper that had commissioned the cartoon. “But she did great. I knew that he wouldn’t do anything to her.” He went on: “It was close, really close. But we did it.” (emphasis added)

Way to go grandpa!?!

Chad Johnson to takeover MSNBC's "Countdown" . . . I wish

In a Bob Costas interview aired during "Football Night in America," Chad Ochocinco stated he would change his name back to "Chad Johnson" if he was "shut down" by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis in the 1/3/09 game. Following the interview, blowhard Keith Olbermann told an incredulous Costas that he would do the same--change his name to "Chad Johnson," if Darrelle Revis shut down Ochocinco.

Well the Bengals had Zero, count 'em ZERO, passing yards in tonight's game. Well Keith?

Say what? Never let the jihadists see you sweat

Foreign policy is a tough nut, but in light of reports that the Obama Administration is shuttering the U.S. Embassy in Yemen in response to purported Al Qaeda threats, this story is interesting, wherein Democrats claim that Obama's reaction to the Gentleman Jihadist attack was intended to deny a propaganda victory to our enemies ("Democrats' worst nightmare: Terrorism on their watch" - POLITICO.com):

"Imagine if the president had freaked out," the White House ally said, suggesting a dramatic Obama reaction could have provoked chaos in the air travel system.

But that was the moment when some Democrats began to grow concerned about the White House’s strategy.

The muted response, allies said, was aimed at denying al Qaeda a propaganda victory, and at demonstrating how little the terrorists can now disrupt Americans’ lives. “The president and his team have done a good job at handling the situation given the competing interests at play. He’s been forceful without the bellicose chest bumping of the last administration,” said Jim Manley, the chief spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “One thing he’s got going for him is Republicans have no credibility on this issue when their sending out former Vice President Cheney you know they’ve hit the bottom of the barrel.”

Yeah, imagine.

States that begin with "n," end with "a" and rhyme with Flebraska

This story about threats by AGs to challenge special treatment of Nebraska in the Democrats' healthcare bill reminds me of the pitiful (Tennessee) legislative trick of circumventing constitutional requirements (Art XI, Sec. 8) by narrowly defining a city to receive the special treatment (e.g., "a city with a population between 80,000 and 83,000 in the 2000 census). I don't think our AG is interested in getting in front of this "historic" locomotive, regardless of the consequences to TN.

From the article: ("TN [AG] says 13 states' challenge to health bill is premature," The Tennessean):

A Republican effort to force changes to the health-care reform bill appears to be gathering steam, but Tennessee's attorney general said Wednesday that his office will sit out for now.

Attorneys general in 13 states said in a letter to Congressional leaders sent Wednesday evening that they will sue unless lawmakers remove a deal that gives Nebraska a break on Medicaid payments in exchange for that state's Democratic senator's vote for health-care reform. The law violates the Constitution because it amounts to a tax break for citizens of one state, the group says.

Happy New Year!

And let's make the most of it . . .

I call "foul"

Okay, the inflammatory headline irked me to start with, but the following accusation is over the top in Time Magazine's article about the waning fortunes of Republican-they-can-live-with Charlie Crist ("Can Charlie Crist Survive Florida's Right-Wing Uprising?" - TIME):

Conservatives are still apoplectic about his appointment of an African-American Democrat to the Florida Supreme Court this year; but he's expected to remind them about the two dyed-in-the-wool conservatives he appointed before that.

That's right, just like I oppose socialized medicine because one of the people pushing for it is black . . .

Getting the nose under the tent...the foot in the door...insert own metaphor

Yesterday, N.S.Allen commented at length about how laudable are Democrats' efforts to "comprehensive[ly] reform healthcare" here. I responded half-heartedly about the inherent Liberal/statist creep of government, but Mark Steyn articulates the point splendidly in this op/ed over at NRO.com.

Cross the River, Burn the Bridge by Mark Steyn on National Review Online:

These details are obnoxious not merely in and of themselves but because they tell us the truth about where we’re headed: Think of the way almost every Big Government project bursts its bodice and winds up bigger and more bloated than its creators allegedly foresaw. In this instance, the stays come pre-loosened, and studded with loopholes. Because the Democrat operators — the Nancy Pelosis and Barney Franks — know that what matters is to get something, anything across the river, and then burn the bridge behind you.

My Republican friends often seem to miss the point in this debate: The so-called “public option” is not Page 3,079, Section (f), Clause VII. The entire bill is a public option — because that’s where it leads, remorselessly. The so-called “death panel” is not Page 2,721, Paragraph 19, Sub-section (d), but again the entire bill — because it inserts the power of the state between you and your doctor, and in effect assumes jurisdiction over your body. As the savvier Dems have always known, once you’ve crossed the Rubicon, you can endlessly re-reform your health reform until the end of time, and all the stuff you didn’t get this go-round will fall into place, and very quickly.

As I’ve been saying for over a year now, “health care” is the fast-track to a permanent left-of-center political culture. The unlovely Democrats on public display in the week before Christmas may seem like just a bunch of jelly-spined opportunists, grubby wardheelers and rapacious kleptocrats, but the smarter ones are showing great strategic clarity. Alas for the rest of us, Euro-style government on a Harry Reid/Chris Dodd/Ben Nelson scale will lead to ruin.

I also liked this excerpt from the op/ed:

Looking at the millions of Americans it leaves uninsured, and the millions it leaves with worse treatment and reduced access, and the millions it makes pay significantly more for their current health care, one can only marvel at Harry Reid’s genius: government health care turns out to be all government and no health care. Adding up the zillions of new taxes and bureaucracies and regulations it imposes on the citizenry, one might almost think that was the only point of the exercise.

Nicely said.

Mr. Baucus, please debate responsibly

I don't know whether Sen. Max Baucus was drunk in this floor speech (he may always struggle with being lucid and articulate), but it is interesting to hear him and other Democrats assert that Republicans weren't interested in bi-partisan healthcare reform.

It's interesting to me that Dems are so concerned about being solely credited/blamed with passing this healthcare legislation if said legislation is such a great idea. You guys have got the numbers, you don't need any assistance in passing this stupid bill. Why not go for it? That's the beauty of an overwhelming majority and the ability to deny politicians cover for all their duplicitous, dodgy blame-shifting.

In any event, here's a great synopsis of Conservative priorities for so-called healthcare reform. ("John Mackey: The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare" - WSJ.com)

Re. the Gentleman Jihadist: We dodged a bullet

Because of the Christmas holiday, I haven't read a whole lot about The Gentleman Jihadist story, but it is interesting to watch the reaction of politicians related to the whole matter.*

To be clear, I believe it would have been amazing for "authorities" to have been able to avert this act by the Gentleman Jihadist, so I am restrained about casting blame for what might have happened. (I'm also henceforth restrained from whining about not being able to take my 3.5 oz tube of toothpaste in my carry-on). That being said, those dismissive of the dangers we face and shrilly opposed to almost any preemptive security measures need to own certain aspects of this threat.

For example, in a NYTimes report we read:("Security System Failed, Napolitano Acknowledges" - NYTimes.com):

Privacy advocates, for example, have tried to stop or at least slow the introduction of advanced checkpoint screening devices that use so-called millimeter waves to create an image of a passenger’s body, so officers can see under clothing to determine if a weapon or explosive has been hidden. Security officers, in a private area, review the images, which are not stored. Legislation is pending in the House that would prohibit the use of this equipment for routine passenger screening.

To date, only 40 of these machines have been installed at 19 airports across the United States — meaning only a tiny fraction of passengers pass through them. Amsterdam’s airport has 15 of these machines — more than just about any airport in the world — but an official there said Sunday that they were prohibited from using them on passengers bound for the United States, for a reason she did not explain. (emphasis added)

And I guess this is the rub in wanting to treat Jihadism as a criminal matter. Innocent until proven guilty falls short in a war context. But it surely fits the squishy, soft-headed mindset of today's Left. Not to mention it's an awfully easy pose to strike for the party who is not sitting in the Oval Office. But let's be clear that we dodged a bullet in this instance.






*President Obama--who is on vacation, hasn't said much, and that's okay from my perspective; though I don't recall a parenthetical statement such as "the White House Press office traveling with the President" in reports about Bush. Correct me if I'm wrong. Gosh, does this guy ever stop working on behalf of the American people?

Hope and Change for Jihadists!

I thought this was a peculiar quote in an article about the failed Detroit bomber:("Wealthy, quiet, unassuming: the Christmas Day bomb suspect" - The Independent):

Another significant factor is the report that the bomber was an engineering student at University College London. Dr Leivesley said that al-Qa'ida was recruiting people with engineering qualifications as well as highly placed scientists, particularly in the nuclear field.

"Al-Qa'ida is finding it difficult to recruit young people," she said. "And, interestingly, the election of Barack Obama is a factor in that, because, whatever you think of him as a president, the fact of him shows young people that there is an alternative to killing yourself. Al-Qa'ida is, however, targeting more highly skilled people." (emphasis added)

Whuh?

Yep. More money; less health care

Less Health Care for More Money - HUMAN EVENTS:

Liberals cite medical horror stories from the very states they once cheered for enacting universal health care in order to argue for a national health care plan that will wreck the entire nation's medical care the same way liberal states already wrecked their own medical care.

Only Democrats could propose fixing one Bernie Madoff-style scam with an even bigger Bernie Madoff-style scam.

Please defend the "estate tax"

I'm interested to hear a defense of the "estate tax" from someone who supports it. ("No agreement yet on extending estate tax: Hoyer" | Reuters). In my opinion there is probably no better example of socialist tax policy that exists. Now that the question is so clearly loaded, any takers?

Hug a tree . . . and hose (seriously hose) your wife and family!!

From a Bloomberg op/ed on corporate values and Tiger Woods: (Tiger Woods and the Coming Decline of Celebrity Endorsements):

Green-values-oriented Nike is sticking with Woods for the moment, appearing to be rehabilitation-minded and comeback-oriented in other instances too. This fall, Apple, Excelon, and other companies dropped their memberships in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in disagreement with what they saw as the Chamber's foot-dragging on climate change policy. Nike kept its membership while resigning from the Chamber board in order to work for change from within, executives said. But the Chamber incident, too, is evidence that companies increasingly see that their values must be reflected consistently in every decision they make, every marketing campaign they run, and every partnership they form.

Dennis Miller on Climategate

The inimitable Dennis Miller's comments on Climategate:

Some of them are no doubt vaguely cognizant of the fact that they might have way overbet this hand and that there's now something much more important in play than the plight of the planet. And that of course would be their reputations and standing in the herd of man.

. . . .

In lieu of having the facts (i.e., the thermometer!) bear out their hypothesis, they are now going to have to get creative. They are going to have to press the bet now and steer into the delusional skid, and that sort of desperation makes for a really unsavory individual no matter how much good they are ostensibly doing for their fellow man.

Deniers will be disparaged, data will be fudged and theories will be advanced that are, if possible, even more wing-nuttier than some of the claptrap currently out there. If heretofore depictions of Manhattan under water in the year 2057 were shown to sixth-graders, they're going to have to drop it down to preschoolers in deference to the Gullibility Expansion Joint.

Way to go President Obama!!

These faux "quotes from the future" are hilarious . . . Obama already has stopped catastrophic climate change . . . in its tracks! Way to go President Obama!


World Leaders Send Apologies for Climate Change ... from the Future

UK's Blair says Saddam ouster right, without WMDs

Yep.

Blair articulately defends his decision on Iraq. And it drives people on the Left crazy that one of their few elected leaders won't yield to their intimidation.

Re. Obama's Nobel acceptance speech . . .

Conservative praise for Nobel speech - - POLITICO.com:

Added Walter Russell Mead, Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations: “If Bush had said these things the world would be filled with violent denunciations,” said “When Obama says them, people purr. That is fine by me.”

On climate: flawed premises produce flawed conclusions

Can we all agree that flawed premises lead to flawed conclusions? Okay, can we at least agree that flawed premises produce suspect conclusions? I guess not.

This article ("Sarah Palin, Dem greens' grinch" - - POLITICO.com) nicely illustrates the Left's efforts to distract from the damning--absolutely damning, revelations that leading global warming "scientists" were relying on deception and intimidation to promote their environmental agenda. Like the article implies, Sarah Palin (and other "Denialists") are attempting to steal the joy of what should be the HOLYday season for the Left. From the article:

[Democratic Congressperson] Ed Markey said he would welcome the Republicans in Copenhagen because they would be “exposed to the consensus the world has reached…They are in a very, very, very small minority on the planet.”"

Hey Ed, this purported "consensus" is built on the purportedly learned, unbiased, scientific conclusions of purportedly unbiased, honest scientists . . . premises all of which are severely in doubt based on the Climategate disclosures. What's there to "hide," Ed? What's there to "trick"erize? Since when does a scientist bury/destroy/misplace(!) data from which he's drawing conclusions?

Last night the family and I watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas, so pardon me while I run (the opposite direction) with Glenn Thrush's weak metaphor.

Climate alarmists like Al Gore are hoping they can shoo all us AGW skeptics back to our blissful slumber like little Cindy Loo-Who . . . who busts the Grinch stealing her Christmas tree.* In all candor, I think Ed Markey's brain is two sizes too small, and I pretty much believe that this whole climate alarmism scam will turn out alright in the end.



*Classic lines from imdb:
Narrator: As the Grinch took the tree, as he started to shove, he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove. He turned around fast and he saw a small Who. Little Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than two. She stared at the Grinch and said...
Cindy Lou Who: Santie Claus, why? Why are you taking our Christmas tree? Why?
Narrator: But do you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick, that he thought up a lie and he thought it up quick.
Grinch: Why my sweet little tot...
Narrator: The fake Santie Claus lied...
Grinch: ...there's a light on this tree that won't light on one side. So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear. I'll fix it up there, then I'll bring it back here.
Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head, he got her a drink and he sent her to bed. And when Cindy Lou Who was in bed with her cup, he crupt to the chimney and stuffed the tree up. Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar, and the last thing he took was the log for their fire. On their walls he left nothing but hooks and some wire. And the one speck of food that he left in the house was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

The World's Oldest [form of recruiting]?

This story ("N.C.A.A. Is Said to Inquire Widely of Tennessee’s Recruiting" - NYTimes.com) about an NCAA investigation of UT's football program was poignant after hearing Phillip Fulmer on 104.5 yesterday and thinking about how different he seems to be from Lane Kiffin. From the article:

The N.C.A.A. is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the University of Tennessee’s football recruiting practices, according to interviews with several prospects, their family members and high school administrators. A significant part of the investigation is focused on the use of recruiting hostesses who have become folk heroes on Tennessee Internet message boards for their ability to help lure top recruits.

Ever since watching Hoop Dreams way back when, I have been intrigued by the recruiting process, and Tennessee's program seems rather innovative . . . and less carnal than is implied in several recent reports I've seen.




Tip 'o the hat to The City Paper.

On a lighter note . . .

It is amazing to me that a man the size of Shaq is able to dance like this:



As a friend has told me in the past, it is very difficult to fully appreciate the agility of NBA players without watching a game in person.

Yeah, Congress'll figure out the best way . . .

Kind of like the incredibly pointed question asked of Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips after the Giants loss, why in the world would we entrust design of a sports championship to Congress? House panel takes step to force college football playoff - USATODAY.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion, over the objections of some lawmakers who said Congress had more pressing matters.

The bill, which faces long odds of becoming law, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff.

Circling the global warming wagons

This report linked at National Review's The Corner blog--about Global Warming wagon circling, is hilarious: "The Perils of Groupthink, Cont'd" - Jonah Goldberg.

An Inconvenient Peer Review, cont'd

Findings - Fracas Over Hacked Climate E-Mail Shows Peril of Spinning Science - NYTimes.com:

"In fact, one skeptic raised [a concern about drawing conclusions from two sets of data grafted together] in a comment posted in 2004 on RealClimate, the blog operated by climate scientists. The comment, which questioned the propriety of “grafting the thermometer record onto a proxy temperature record,” immediately drew a sharp retort on the blog from Michael Mann, an expert at Penn State University:

“No researchers in this field have ever, to our knowledge, ‘grafted the thermometer record onto’ any reconstruction. It is somewhat disappointing to find this specious claim (which we usually find originating from industry-funded climate disinformation Web sites) appearing in this forum.”

Dr. Mann now tells me that he was unaware, when he wrote the response, that such grafting had in fact been done in the earlier cover chart, and I take him at his word. But I don’t see why the question was dismissed so readily, with the implication that only a tool of the fossil-fuel industry would raise it.

Contempt for critics is evident over and over again in the hacked e-mail messages, as if the scientists were a priesthood protecting the temple from barbarians. Yes, some of the skeptics have political agendas, but so do some of the scientists. Sure, the skeptics can be cranks and pests, but they have identified genuine problems in the historical reconstructions of climate, as in the debate they inspired about the “hockey stick” graph of temperatures over the past millennium."

I love how Mann writes "to our knowledge." Sounds like a press secretary's resort to plausible deniability.