Somehow I missed that about Rev. Wright

In his Oprah appearance this week Obama asserted that,

"[Rev. Wright] . . . acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were (sic) inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the, the greatness of this country with all its flaws . . ."

I'm Barack Obama and I have four quarters

I just happened upon this funny political website (from the team who brought you Mystery Science Theatre 3000). Here's a funny one about Obama.



Here's a good one about Hillary. (Maybe these guys are for McCain--his aren't as funny).

Reforming culture of corruption

In this story about newly-elected La. Governor Bobby Jindal (R), the list of recent impressive ethics reforms was followed by this paragraph:

"Some pills, however, proved too bitter for legislators to swallow. A bill that would have stripped those convicted of public corruption of their state pensions went down to defeat."

Which reminded me of our little slice of the political world in Tennessee. I don't know if discussions of how to treat the pensions of Tennessee Waltz convicts ever went anywhere, but it is a shame to me that this issue doesn't get more traction. Granted, most people are unaware of the long-term perqs of public "service," in particular, the pensions. So that cuts against action or reform.

But coupled, with the white-collar-slap-on-the-wrist treatment of legislators convicted of abusing the public trust, and the ready-made defense of partisanship (and in the case of our Fords--charges of racism) I'd say there is insufficient disincentive to play fast and loose with "ethical guidelines," not to mention morals, for elected officials.

McCain and same-sex marriage

Uh, explain to me again why we don't need federal legislation/action on the homosexual marriage issue? From the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press, "Same-sex breakup perplexes courts":

"A lesbian married in Massachusetts has filed for an annulment from her partner in a Buchanan County (Mo.) court, creating a legal challenge in a state that overwhelming[ly] voted four years ago that marriage is only between a man and a woman."

If John McCain expects Conservatives (heck, non-Liberals given the success of Marriage Protection Amendments across the country) to back him in November, he had better make clear his intentions on this issue.

Let's windfall-tax the crap out of this group!

It appears there are some bright spots in the Bush economy:

A new annual report from Planned Parenthood shows the nation's largest abortion business has made over $1 billion in profit for the first time in its history. The non-profit pro-abortion group shows the historical gain in its new annual report covering 2006-2007.

While Planned Parenthood made $972 mil[l]ion in its 2005-2006 annual report, last fiscal year it brought in $1.017 billion.

(emphasis added) And speaking of corporate welfare . . .

Of concern to pro-life groups, Planned Parenthood acknowledges the receipt of over $336 million in government grants and contracts from both state and federal governments. . . .

And from the look of things, PPFA seems intent on preserving their "corporate welfare":

For Planned Parenthood, weighed down by new criminal charges and legal suits, the best defense seems to be a good offense. The organization is sinking $10 million into its PAC, hoping to load the Congress with abortion allies who would help protect–if not increase–its multi-million federal funding stream. The amount allocated for political races is triple what the organization has spent in past elections. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) is even wading into local politics, a scene it had previously ignored. NARAL Pro-Choice America and PPAF will spend a combined $20 million in the 2008 election cycle on contests for the House, Senate, and White House.

Yeah, what Hillary said.

The strategy of Obama supporters is now obvious . . . declare as off limits or divisive or whatever any further discussion of the beliefs/teachings of Obama's long-time pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Yeah. What Hillary said.

Update: For some reason, a significant part of Hillary's comments are being left out of most of the reports. Here's a boat load of info on the statements. She also said,

"You know, I spoke out against Don Imus (who was fired from his radio and television shows after making racially insensitive remarks), saying that hate speech was unacceptable in any setting, and I believe that," Clinton said. "I just think you have to speak out against that. You certainly have to do that, if not explicitly, then implicitly by getting up and moving."

(emphasis added)

For the record . . .

. . . I am pleased to have Hillary and Obama fight it out all the way to the DNC Convention, and I think voters certainly have the right to cast a tactical vote for whomever they want (e.g., crossing over to vote in the other party's primary); however, I heard today that a Rush Limbaugh listener from Texas had "caucused" in the Democratic primary, run as a Hillary delegate (or perhaps allowed himself to be elected delegate) and was elected. I think that's wrong, and I think Rush's rationalizations on the matter are intellectually insulting.

PLEASE don't stop talking

Did McCain hire Rove? Keep up the trash talk, Chavez. Per Reuters, "Chavez says U.S. relations could worsen with McCain".

If only kings didn't have to be elected . . .

Former GOP presidential aspirant Mike Huckabee is talking more about his failed campaign. In this Washington Times article Huckabee describes how Evangelical leaders' desires to play kingmaker had fractured the Religious Right voting bloc. From the article:

"Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson backed Rudolph W. Giuliani; American Value President and former presidential hopeful Gary Bauer endorsed Sen. John McCain; and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins remained neutral, even as Mr. Huckabee was wowing their supporters and winning the values voter straw polls they organized.

. . . .

Mr. Bauer says Mr. Huckabee 'ran an honorable campaign, but in spite of his successes I saw no evidence that he could bring together the three main parts of the Reagan electoral constituency — defense, economic and social conservatives."

Although I wouldn't agree that Huckabee was the no-brainer choice for Evangelicals, I do think that tentative pragmatism on the part of some Evangelical leaders produced a candidate that fails to inspire Evangelicals. I won't despise Gary Bauer for his early endorsement of John McCain, but it is almost humorous to hear him say that he was most concerned about his candidate's ability to unite the Reagan coalition.

Accused murderer commits suicide

Here's an interesting story from Knoxville ("Sheriff releases info on suicide of Johnia Berry's accused killer"--Knoxville News Sentinel). Interesting because I know Greg Isaacs (the defense attorney), because of the defense's theory that is likely to cloud the issue/story, because I don't feel much remorse that someone involved in a capital murder has done himself in.

From the story:

(The victim), 21, was stabbed to death in her West Knox County Apartment in December 2004. The case went unsolved for nearly three years before a DNA test linked blood found in Berry's apartment to Olson (the guy who just committed suicide), who has a record for theft.

But the defense had someone ("Augustine Joseph Leon") who claimed someone other than Olson had confessed to the murder:

"According to Leon's statement, Olson broke into what he thought was an unoccupied apartment when Berry, who heard an intruder and armed herself with a knife and wounded Olson.

Cox then ran to Olson's aid and killed Berry as Olson, bleeding, ran from the apartment, according to Leon's account."

To be sure, I want to make sure we get the actual killer in this case, but I noone will shed any tears over Taylor Olson's death. Apparently Olson had "apologized" in the past for what he called an "accident." It's sad to say, but Olson likely saved us all a lot of trouble by taking his own life. He was plainly guilty of capital murder (even assuming the promised defense witness' account is true). And I seriously doubt this young woman (the victim) was the aggressor with Olson (or anyone) before she was killed.

Enclave Mike kicking butt and taking names

Wow. "S-town Mike" at the Enclave Blog is having none of the Tennessean's non-judgmental story about businessmen . . . purporting to be followers of Jesus . . . who go to a religious event at a church located in ritzy Brentwood . . . and who--Mike presumes, hypocritically ignore certain Biblical principles. According to Mike's interpretation of a Bible verse he cites, wealthy people can't get into heaven. Mike calls the group (CEO, for Christian Executive Officer) "the Brentwood Baptist CEO Rationalization Fellowship."

Mike, I don't know you, but I do know that simply by virtue of living in America you are "wealthy" compared to something like 90% of the world's population. Rationalize that.

And Happy day after Easter, btw.

Iraq and 9/11

I'd say you need to be vigilant in defending political truth when your ideological opponents control Academia, the dominant Media Complex and both houses of Congress. So here is a bit of vigilance for this week.

It is not stupid for Americans to believe that there were links between Iraq, Saddam Hussein and those who attacked us on September 11th.

Andy McCarthy has opined about the issue on National Review Online.

From the article:

But they (democratization, etc.) are not the primary goal of this war, which is to destroy the network of Islamic militants who declared war against the United States when they bombed the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993, and finally jarred us into an appropriate response when they demolished that complex, struck the Pentagon, and killed 3000 of us on September 11, 2001.

That is why we are in Iraq.

. . .

Saddam Hussein’s regime was a crucial part of that response because it was a safety net for al Qaeda. A place where terror attacks against the United States and the West were planned. A place where Saddam’s intelligence service aided and abetted al Qaeda terrorists planning operations. A place where terrorists could hide safely between attacks. A place where terrorists could lick their wounds. A place where committed terrorists could receive vital training in weapons construction and paramilitary tactics. In short, a platform of precisely the type without which an international terror network cannot succeed.

What is the big deal with Reverend Wright?

Many folks (mainly Democrats supporting Barack Obama for president) are eager to see the Rev. Wright story in the rear-view mirror. I, on the other hand, don't care about guarding Obama's political image, so I think it is worthwhile to answer the question, What is the big deal with Reverend Wright?

First, it certainly matters what is being taught at the church that a candidate attends. Especially if the candidate has been attending the church for 20 years, and especially if the candidate has emphasized the impact that said church has had on his/her life.

Second, Wright was certainly the heart, soul and voice of the church he pastored. And I think it is pretty clear that Wright (as well as Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago) adheres to Black Liberation Theology. So it is worthwhile--heck, it is essential in considering this matter, to ascertain what BLT is.

Here is what seems to be a good article about Black Liberation Theology. To non-Christians a consideration of BLT may seem like inside baseball. To secularists taking any person's religious views too seriously--unless that person is a Religious Conservative, of course ;)--might seem like a waste of time. Oh well. I kind of believe that a person's worldview is very important--especially if a person claims to have carefully chosen his worldview.

Speaking of guilt by association

I just saw on the CBS Evening News (note: I am accidentally watching it because it is on during a break in the NCAA tourney) that the Obama campaign provided a photo to the NYTimes proving . . . PROVING . . . that Bill Clinton and Rev. Wright were in the same room in 1998.

And the Obama campaign has also attempted an acquittal-by-association today, staging a rally in which it announced that Gov. Bill Richardson was endorsing Sen. Obama.

Huckabee on Rev. Wright: “Cut Him Some Slack”

This was an interesting, and not surprising, report about statements from Mike Huckabee on Rev. Wright. (Huckabee on Rev. Wright: “Cut Him Some Slack”)From the story:

"“I grew up in a very conservative south, and I think that you have to cut some slack, and I think I’m probably the only conservative in America who is going to say something like this, but I’m just telling you, we’ve got to cut some slack to people who grew up being called names, being told you have to sit in the balcony when you go to the movie you have to go in the backdoor when you go the restaurant,” he continued.

“Sometimes people do have a chip on their shoulder and have resentment, and you just have to say, I probably would too.”"

I completely agree in one sense, but I think it is a form of "soft bigotry" to leave such expressions or movements or systems of belief unexamined or uncritiqued. And there's an ugly point at which resentment is fostered, nursed, exploited. But Huckabee demonstrates again his exceptional empathy.

Here's some more context on the statement.

"Guilt by association" hooey

One of the assertions from Obama supporters (and Right haters, generally) in the midst of this story about Rev. Wright is that folks who are bringing it up are guilty of the "guilt by association" fallacy. That's just stupid.

There are contexts in which trying to impugn a person's ideas/character/beliefs by pointing to ideas/character/beliefs of someone with whom they merely associate is wrong. It is not a fallacy to consider a person's church--and the beliefs of that church, when trying to assess that person's qualifications for leadership.

On that subject, here's something to whet your appetite about Black Liberation Theology.

Obama on race

I just read Sen. Barack Obama's speech in its entirety (here), and I have to say I'm impressed. He is good, and I predict that this speech is perfect for what Obama is focused on right now--winning the DNC nomination.

Various things crossed my mind as I read the speech, but I have two particular observations that I feel I need to share. Aren't you lucky? I have two major misgivings about what he said.

First, related to this statement:

But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.

The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked through - a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.

I agree. I'm thankful that this issue has come up, and that, as a result, Americans may more openly expose our ideas on race to the light. That being said, I regret that Rev. Wright (Obama's "former pastor") has not heard this message until today. And I regret that Sen. Obama voted with his feet all those years--more than two decades.

Second, related to this statement:

In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination - and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past - are real and must be addressed. Not just with words, but with deeds - by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations. It requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.

Sen. Obama mustn't conflate Liberalism with "seeking a more perfect union." While such rhetoric will likely rouse Democratic superdelegates and, for example, hardcore, white Education unionists, it is offensive to Americans who may need to hear a difficult word about race but are sensitive to the Democratic Party's race-exploiting rhetoric.

D'oh! Obama's church believes THAT?!

I have just realized that Francis Schaeffer's son (whom I always knew as "Franky") has found a new marketing niche. For some time--it appears, he has been on a Left-wing penitence media tour; which (using the word "penitence") kind of assumes that he really believes what he is now saying. Who knows.

So Franky burst back into my e-consciousness today with his timely and earnest defense of Barack Obama's church's beliefs (here). Schaeffer no doubt gets ALL the attention he can stand these days, though he was selling something else back in the day. (Schaeffer is in good company with Arianna Huffington who carries her own foot locker full of embarrassing about faces.) However, his full-throated defense make more sense in light of pro-Obama stuff he's been hanging out there in recent months--stuff like this (Frank Schaeffer: "Why I'm Pro-life and Pro-Obama"):

"The real solution to abortion is to change the heart of America, not the law. We need to stop seeing ourselves as consumers. We need to stop seeing ourselves as me and begin to think of we. Our country needs someone to show us a better way, a president who is what he seems, someone with actual moral authority that our diverse population can believe in who has the qualities that make us want to follow him. Obama is that person."

Well, we're now seeing that perhaps Obama is less about unifying and seeing above divisions than he is about appearing to see above divisions.

I hope to write more later about the difference between the statements of Francis Schaeffer being used by Franky to diminish the seriousness of Wright's jeremiads, but just so I'm clear on this, am I hearing from all you Lefties that it is now okay to say "God damn America"?

Old School Social Engineering

This is good news. State Rep. Mike Turner has a bill that will do away with forced busing in Nashville* ("Committee to discuss neighborhood schools bill March 19"). But I am amazed at the audacity of the Social Engineers who oppose such an idea . . . they've had nearly half a century to put up, now they need to shut up:

"Opponents of neighborhood schools cite the importance of racial and economic diversity in schools, as well as academic research showing that isolation of students in communities of poverty can be harmful."

"Neighborhoods" can be drawn so as to include racial and socioeconomic diverse populations.

I'm not sure there is a better example of social engineering than forced busing. I know it's hard to admit you were wrong, but folks, busing . . . is . . . a failure. Mr. Turner, good luck facing off with the "educators" who seem more committed to their models than to the realities.







*For the record, I think it is plainly unconstitutional to limit a bill's application to a single county, but . . .

Leading to . . . preconceived notions

I just watched the ostensibly anti-war movie Leading to War (here) and it is very well done. Unfortunately for its producers, however, they fail to make a convincing argument against the war. Ah sure, it gives bushaters multiple opportunities point to Bush's use of the term "nukular" as evidence of his incompetence or stupidity. And if you think that Rumsfeld was too big for his britches, there's plenty of footage to support that perception. But the producers fail to establish anything that impugns the Bush Administration.