The Washington Post has an interesting article today by one Moises Naim on the growing proliferation of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that are actually funded by governments.
The author, who serves on the board of directors for a U.S.-based NGO points out the differences between such groups as the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (run by the wives of Burma's military junta) and the Bolivarian Circles (funded by Bolivia's repressive Stalinist dictator Hugo Chavez) and groups like his own National Endowment for Democracy, which although funded by the US government works "to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through non-governmental efforts." Though the NED, unlike the previously named organizations merely receives funds from the US government, it has been attacked by China, Russia and many other repressive governments. Of course, these same governments see no problem with planting their own sycophanitc fake NGOs in the US and other democratic countries to advance said repressive countries' agendas...
In any event, the article is an eye-opener as regards the unaccountability of NGOs in general and how some countries are trying to use them as proxies. Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Gore, Redux
Well, it seems Al Gore is still hankering to be the President, not just a pretty face at the Oscars. According to the London Telegraph, Gore has secretly begun assembling a campaign team to challlenge for the Democratic nomination for PResident in 2008. The Telegraph writes,
Well. Al Gore, like Hillary Clinton, is not exactly a warm and natural campaigner. Furthermore, his leftist global warming hype may have made him anathema to the centrists whoi are tired of being preached at by limousine liberals like Gore. But he does have the benefit of free press from his "documentary" and his forthcoming book, both of which give him a decided edge over many of his competitors. And unlike Hillary, he does not inspire feelings of hatred.
I agree with Ed Morrissey over at Captain's Quarters, who writes,
I agree. This will probably make the nomination a two-horse race, if Gore carries through and actually enters the race. But it does have the advantage for Republicans that neither Gore nor Hillary can really run as a centrist after their activites the past few years. this leaves an opening in the center for Republicans. IF they can nominate a viable candidate. Hat tip to Ed Morrissey.
Friends of Al Gore have secretly started assembling a campaign team in preparation for the former American vice-president to make a fresh bid for the White House. Al Gore is third favourite for the Democratic nomination
Two members of Mr Gore's staff from his unsuccessful attempt in 2000 say they have been approached to see if they would be available to work with him again.
Well. Al Gore, like Hillary Clinton, is not exactly a warm and natural campaigner. Furthermore, his leftist global warming hype may have made him anathema to the centrists whoi are tired of being preached at by limousine liberals like Gore. But he does have the benefit of free press from his "documentary" and his forthcoming book, both of which give him a decided edge over many of his competitors. And unlike Hillary, he does not inspire feelings of hatred.
I agree with Ed Morrissey over at Captain's Quarters, who writes,
A Gore entry will probably prove fatal to the ambitions of Barack Obama and John Edwards. Both have run on Gore's turf so far, and neither will outshine him with party donors desperate to find a credible alternative to Hillary Clinton. Gore has a great deal more substance than both candidates put together and will almost immediately be the chief challenger on Hillary's left, once he formally enters the race.
Given that Hillary's negatives keep going higher, Gore could easily convince the Democrats that he has more electability than his ex-boss' wife. If so, that gives the Republicans an opening among the center.
I agree. This will probably make the nomination a two-horse race, if Gore carries through and actually enters the race. But it does have the advantage for Republicans that neither Gore nor Hillary can really run as a centrist after their activites the past few years. this leaves an opening in the center for Republicans. IF they can nominate a viable candidate. Hat tip to Ed Morrissey.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Comments On Racism
The following was sent to me via email by a friend. I found it interesting, so I am reproducing it below:
There are some obvious problems with this email, in that there WERE all-white establishments in the past. There WAS a time when the majority treated the minority badly. For proof, ask the Asian immigrants- they faced barriers far greater than those faced by the ex-slaves. This past is why the Civil Rights movement was necessary. However, the basic point, which seems to me to ask why it is the minorities who are now eagerly embracing segregation, is a valid one to me.
On a related note, it is my belief, after living abroad, that if it was not the white Europeans who dominated the world for the past few centuries, we would still live in a medieval atmosphere of hate and ignorance. It wasn't the Africans, Asians, Hispanics or any other culture that came up with the Bill of Rights. It wasn't they who determined that slavery was evil and finally ended it. And it certainly wasn't any of these other cultures who made any efforts to make minorities in their home societies feel more welcome. How does Mexico treat illegal immigrants in their country today? Only the caucasian, Christian Europeans and Americans of European origin did these things.
Anyway, I welcome any other thoughts on this.....
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You Call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,'
'Whitey,' 'Caveman' .. And that's OK.
But when I call you, Nigger, Towel head, Sand-nigger,
Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink ... You call me a racist.
You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you,
So why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King
Day. You have Black History Month. You have Cesar Chavez Day. You
Have Yom Hashoah. You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi. You have the NAACP.
You have BET.
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) .. We'd be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day .. You would call us racists.
If we had White History Month We'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives
We'd be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of
Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce.
! Wonder who pays for that?
If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships
... You know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed
Black Colleges in the US , yet if there were 'White colleges'
THAT would be a racist college.
In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching
For your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights,
You would call us racists.
You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're
Not afraid to announce it. But when we ann ounce our white pride
You call us racists.
You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer
Shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running
From the law and posing a threat to society .. You call him a racist.
I am proud.
But, you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?
There are some obvious problems with this email, in that there WERE all-white establishments in the past. There WAS a time when the majority treated the minority badly. For proof, ask the Asian immigrants- they faced barriers far greater than those faced by the ex-slaves. This past is why the Civil Rights movement was necessary. However, the basic point, which seems to me to ask why it is the minorities who are now eagerly embracing segregation, is a valid one to me.
On a related note, it is my belief, after living abroad, that if it was not the white Europeans who dominated the world for the past few centuries, we would still live in a medieval atmosphere of hate and ignorance. It wasn't the Africans, Asians, Hispanics or any other culture that came up with the Bill of Rights. It wasn't they who determined that slavery was evil and finally ended it. And it certainly wasn't any of these other cultures who made any efforts to make minorities in their home societies feel more welcome. How does Mexico treat illegal immigrants in their country today? Only the caucasian, Christian Europeans and Americans of European origin did these things.
Anyway, I welcome any other thoughts on this.....
Bomb Iran!
Senator John McCain set a wonderful example of how to respond to knee-jerk political correctness police when he responded to questions on his "Bomb, Bomb Iran" joke yesterday. McCain was asked by a inane reporter (yes, I know that coupling "inane" and "reporter" is redundant) if he was concerned about the joke being insensitive. He responded "Insensitive to what? The Iranians?".
Good for Senator McCain! The media and their friends in the political correctness arena have made it very difficult for people to actually engage in free speech- unless of course they are the favored disciples of said media (like CAIR, Jesse Jackson, etc). It is refreshing to see a public figure stand up to the self-appointed PC police for a change.
On a more serious note, Senator McCain was absolutely correct in his take on the entire Iranian sittuation. he advocates leaving military force as an option on the table in order to prevent Iran from actually gaining nuclear weapons capability. This SHOULD be only common sense- you do not, after all, deliberately weaken yourself when faced with a threat, do you? It is a pity that more of our elected officials do not share McCain's understanding that in the end, the only thing thugs respect is force, and diplomacy, when not backed by a credible threat, will never succeed.
Good for Senator McCain! The media and their friends in the political correctness arena have made it very difficult for people to actually engage in free speech- unless of course they are the favored disciples of said media (like CAIR, Jesse Jackson, etc). It is refreshing to see a public figure stand up to the self-appointed PC police for a change.
On a more serious note, Senator McCain was absolutely correct in his take on the entire Iranian sittuation. he advocates leaving military force as an option on the table in order to prevent Iran from actually gaining nuclear weapons capability. This SHOULD be only common sense- you do not, after all, deliberately weaken yourself when faced with a threat, do you? It is a pity that more of our elected officials do not share McCain's understanding that in the end, the only thing thugs respect is force, and diplomacy, when not backed by a credible threat, will never succeed.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Light Posting Today
Since I have no interest in weiging in on the tragedy at Virginia Tech (The Power Line team has the best commentary- "It's too early to make any conclusions"), and the other issues in the news today are either too ridiculous (John Edwards' $400 dollar haircut). The Supreme Court's rejection of partial-birth abortion is a step, but until Roe vs. Wade is shot down for the completely unConsitutional judicial power grab that it was, we will have a highly charged debate over abortion.
In the meantime, I do have a report on an interesting debate on Islam that took place at UCLA between Daniel Pipes, Wafa Sultan and Yaron Brook. Although the Muslims staged a walkout, those who actually stayed heard a lively discussion on the nature of Islam and its various attempts to terrorize or conquer other cultures into becoming Muslim.
The report by Aaron Hanscomb concludes by saying,
Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Power Line.
In the meantime, I do have a report on an interesting debate on Islam that took place at UCLA between Daniel Pipes, Wafa Sultan and Yaron Brook. Although the Muslims staged a walkout, those who actually stayed heard a lively discussion on the nature of Islam and its various attempts to terrorize or conquer other cultures into becoming Muslim.
The report by Aaron Hanscomb concludes by saying,
The most chilling warning of the night came when Sultan said that the Council on Islamic-American Relations wants to replace the United State Constitution with Sharia law. A member of CAIR once told her that she is “crossing the red line.” Translation: Very soon you will be beheaded.
Not all the messages Sultan receives however are negative. She talked of many Arabs who support her work behind the scenes and look to the United States for help in guaranteeing their human rights. Since Muslims in the West don’t live under the same oppression, they can’t understand such desperation.
UCLA’s Muslim students might have come closer to gaining this knowledge if they hadn’t stormed out of the event in protest.
Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Power Line.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Is Hillary Sinking?
Maybe. According to a new Gallup poll released today, Hillary Clinton is viewed negatively by 52 percent of Americans and her lead over Senator Obama, her closest challenger among the Democratic candidates, has shrunk to a mere 31 percent to 26 percent.
While I tend to take all polls at this early stage witha large grain of salt, it is interesting that Hillary has not been able to take advantage of her huge advantages in name recognition and fund-raising. I have long wondered if Hillary's high negatives, and the fact that she is a hard-left ideologue, not a skilled politician, might eventually doom her. If this poll is true, it appears that even Democrats are tiring of the Clinton circus.
I hope that this poll holds true, as I think a Hillary presidency would be disastrous for the United States. However, we don't know if this was a poll of likely voters or it was the general public, many of whom do not vote. In any event, we shall see what happens as the campaign actually gets serious. After all, it is still early days, and the Drive-By Media has not yet decided which Democrat (they will never support a Republican candidate) they are going to back.
Hat tip to Matt Drudge.
While I tend to take all polls at this early stage witha large grain of salt, it is interesting that Hillary has not been able to take advantage of her huge advantages in name recognition and fund-raising. I have long wondered if Hillary's high negatives, and the fact that she is a hard-left ideologue, not a skilled politician, might eventually doom her. If this poll is true, it appears that even Democrats are tiring of the Clinton circus.
I hope that this poll holds true, as I think a Hillary presidency would be disastrous for the United States. However, we don't know if this was a poll of likely voters or it was the general public, many of whom do not vote. In any event, we shall see what happens as the campaign actually gets serious. After all, it is still early days, and the Drive-By Media has not yet decided which Democrat (they will never support a Republican candidate) they are going to back.
Hat tip to Matt Drudge.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tax the Rich?
Our tax code is a disgrace. Ever since I began to pay taxes, and especially after living in Japan, which is a country with a much cleaner tax code, I have been an advocate of a fairer, simpler, less burdensome tax system. The flat tax comes to mind rather quickly.
Over on TownHall.com today, David Strom has published an excellent analysis of our current tax system, especially why it is so unfair and why it does exactly the opposite of what the tax-increasers (that would be the Democrats) like to claim it does.
Strom writes,
Read the whole thing and see what you think. I think it makes eminent sense. Now if only Congress would actually reform the tax code....
Over on TownHall.com today, David Strom has published an excellent analysis of our current tax system, especially why it is so unfair and why it does exactly the opposite of what the tax-increasers (that would be the Democrats) like to claim it does.
Strom writes,
How? It's pretty simple really. While liberals say income taxes are aimed at the "rich," that is simply wrong.
Income taxes are levies on income, not wealth. Rich people are already rich. If they are earning an income as well, then more power to them. But if you are really "rich," you don't need to work. So an income tax, far from being a tax on "the rich," is really a tax on people who work for a living.
Read the whole thing and see what you think. I think it makes eminent sense. Now if only Congress would actually reform the tax code....
On Monsters
After the horrific events at Virginia Tech this week, Citizen Phil asks the question on his blog today, what made the Viriginia Tech murderer act as he did?
My answer is simple: No matter what the circumstances, some people are born to be monsters and most people are not. Furthermore, I believe that one's environment has little to do with it. Many of the greatest talents in history rose from humble and/or squalid beginnings, while some of the greatest monsters in history had well-to-do backgrounds. Despite the clamor from the counseling industry about how we can work with these folks, there are some people who are simply born that way, and no amount of counseling or emotional wallowing will change them.
Who can explain a mass-murderer like Josef Stalin? Or Adolf Hitler, Robert Mugabe, Saddam Hussein, Mao Tse-tung, and Charles Manson? Who can understand the Zodiac Killer or the Son of Sam? One cannot, save to say, "This person is evil." I believe that is all we can say about this monster as well. Maybe he was pushed over the edge by his failed romantic relationship, but being dumped by a woman, or even finding her with another man should not so destroy one that they start shooting at innocent people. If it does, then that person was not a normal, adjusted individual to begin with.
All we can offer our sympathy and pray for his victims. As Citizen Phil so aptly puts it in regard to the victims of this deranged murderer, "There but for the grace of God go I." Hat tip to TownHall.com.
My answer is simple: No matter what the circumstances, some people are born to be monsters and most people are not. Furthermore, I believe that one's environment has little to do with it. Many of the greatest talents in history rose from humble and/or squalid beginnings, while some of the greatest monsters in history had well-to-do backgrounds. Despite the clamor from the counseling industry about how we can work with these folks, there are some people who are simply born that way, and no amount of counseling or emotional wallowing will change them.
Who can explain a mass-murderer like Josef Stalin? Or Adolf Hitler, Robert Mugabe, Saddam Hussein, Mao Tse-tung, and Charles Manson? Who can understand the Zodiac Killer or the Son of Sam? One cannot, save to say, "This person is evil." I believe that is all we can say about this monster as well. Maybe he was pushed over the edge by his failed romantic relationship, but being dumped by a woman, or even finding her with another man should not so destroy one that they start shooting at innocent people. If it does, then that person was not a normal, adjusted individual to begin with.
All we can offer our sympathy and pray for his victims. As Citizen Phil so aptly puts it in regard to the victims of this deranged murderer, "There but for the grace of God go I." Hat tip to TownHall.com.
Virgina Tech
All our sympathy to the victims of yesterday's Virigina Tech massacre. As unlike the New York Times, I am not in favor of using tragedies to make political statements, I merely wish to say that it does appear that the Virginia Tech adminstration needs to be asked some hard questions about their actions to protect their students.
In the meantime, the anti-American moonbats in the European press have decided to blame Charlton Heston for the massacre. Since Virginia Tech is a no-gun zone, and the Legislature just refused to pass a bill allowing VT students to carry if they held a Virigina permit, the question these useless hot air specialists should be asking, is why VT didn't either make more of an effort to make sure that the students were protected or allow them to carry in their own self-defense, which might have saved a few lives. The surest way to create massacres is to disarm the populace. Have the Europeans forgotten the Communist and Nazi plans for mass murder?
In the meantime, courtsey of wanusmaximus, a grad student at Virginia Tech, here is our fluff for the day. He was initially thought by some in the Drive-By Media to be the shooter, but it turns out he is merely a well-armed grad student who wished to make a comment on the Second Amendment rights the liberals are in such a hurry to eradicate. He looked though a site called Hot or Not and found what he characterizes as,
For the confused, FOB=fresh off boat. They are pretty easy to spot- look for the inappropriate/incomprehensible English on their T-shirts! Enjoy...
In the meantime, the anti-American moonbats in the European press have decided to blame Charlton Heston for the massacre. Since Virginia Tech is a no-gun zone, and the Legislature just refused to pass a bill allowing VT students to carry if they held a Virigina permit, the question these useless hot air specialists should be asking, is why VT didn't either make more of an effort to make sure that the students were protected or allow them to carry in their own self-defense, which might have saved a few lives. The surest way to create massacres is to disarm the populace. Have the Europeans forgotten the Communist and Nazi plans for mass murder?
In the meantime, courtsey of wanusmaximus, a grad student at Virginia Tech, here is our fluff for the day. He was initially thought by some in the Drive-By Media to be the shooter, but it turns out he is merely a well-armed grad student who wished to make a comment on the Second Amendment rights the liberals are in such a hurry to eradicate. He looked though a site called Hot or Not and found what he characterizes as,
roflmfao.
this is kinda wrong but whatever. ok, so i decided to randomly browse through hot or not and i think i nearly died from laughing so hard.... here are the worst of the fob profiles:
For the confused, FOB=fresh off boat. They are pretty easy to spot- look for the inappropriate/incomprehensible English on their T-shirts! Enjoy...
How About The 1950s
I believe that the decade of the 1950s has been unfairly categorized for a long time as repressed and too straight-arrow. Since I am something of a throwback, I have always had a fondness for earlier times. However, I found Roger Kimball's New Criterion piece today on Then and now, or 8 (more) reasons the 1950s are unfairly maligned to be completely hilarious. And unfortunately a bit too true.
One thing to remember- not only did the 1950s bring us Eisenhower and Nixon, it also brought us the Firehouse Five Plus Two and the rebirth of Dixieland jazz. So it couldn't be entirely bad!
Read the whole thing and see what you think. Hat tip to Power Line.
One thing to remember- not only did the 1950s bring us Eisenhower and Nixon, it also brought us the Firehouse Five Plus Two and the rebirth of Dixieland jazz. So it couldn't be entirely bad!
Read the whole thing and see what you think. Hat tip to Power Line.
Defending American Troops
Show trials like the one Giuliani Sgrena is bringing against a US soldier in an Italian court are the reason why the United States should never sign onto the International Criminal Court. This is also a textbook case of courts straying into areas where they have neither expertise nor jurisdiction. The Italians should be ashamed of this judge for his publicity hunting.
As for Sgrena, has she forgotten that it is only due to US troops that she ever saw Italy again? Probably. She is a confirmed anti-American, hard-left Stalinist apologizer and if she isn't ashamed of herself for this naked money grab, then perhaps her government should be.
As for Sgrena, has she forgotten that it is only due to US troops that she ever saw Italy again? Probably. She is a confirmed anti-American, hard-left Stalinist apologizer and if she isn't ashamed of herself for this naked money grab, then perhaps her government should be.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Democrat Priorities
It appears that the new Democratic majority has decided that the government is not bloated enough, it needs an additional Cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Based on the bill (H.R. 808) to establish said department, it appears that the new Department of Peace and Nonviolence would be able to interfere in any and all area of other departments domestically and internationally. To quote Tigerhawk's excellent analysis:
Michelle Malkin is slightly more direct. She calls the proposed department the Department of Appeasement and Surrender. Read the whole bill, and decide for yourselves. My immediate reaction- don't we have far more pressing problems (like lots of crazed Muslims trying to kill us or make us into dhimmis)? Hat tip to Tigerhawk via the awesome Michelle Malkin.
For those looking for a distillation, imagine a governmental agency responsible for advising on non-confrontational foreign policy options, establishing and enforcing new gun control measures, designing school curriculum, establishing and enforcing new legislation governing "hate crimes" and violence against animals, and my favorite, establishing a "Peace Academy," a four-year institution of higher learning modeled on our service academies. (Wait, doesn't the Ivy League already have like six of those?)
Michelle Malkin is slightly more direct. She calls the proposed department the Department of Appeasement and Surrender. Read the whole bill, and decide for yourselves. My immediate reaction- don't we have far more pressing problems (like lots of crazed Muslims trying to kill us or make us into dhimmis)? Hat tip to Tigerhawk via the awesome Michelle Malkin.
Democrats and Frugality
Outside of John McCain's planned speech, there is little that I am interested enough to blog on today. I could care less about the romantic affairs of England's Prince William, which most of the big newspapaers are breathless over. However, ther is one other little item that did catch my eye.
It appears that after their successful recapture of Conghress, taxpayer-paid junkets by the new Democratic majority are picking up steam. According to the Washington Examiner,
So, Speaker Pelosi, after you have the gall to possibly break the law and attempt to strip the President of his authority under the Constitution to make policy for the United States, you also are OK with your party junketing all over the world despite your claims that only Republicans are the party of corruption. Let's recall- Democrats had over forty years in the majority, and they certainly did not distinguish themselves. It appears that despite the wilderness years, Democcrats have learned nothing about how taxpayers view the waste of their hard-earned money.
It appears that after their successful recapture of Conghress, taxpayer-paid junkets by the new Democratic majority are picking up steam. According to the Washington Examiner,
All told, the military flew at least 13 congressional delegations to various destinations during the Easter recess -- at an estimated rate of $10,000 or more per flying hour.
The congressional delegation trips, known as CODELs, are paid for by taxpayers. They are supposed to be directly related to members’ official duties, and House guidelines also stipulate that delegations include members of both parties to qualify for military planes -- a requirement that Speaker Nancy Pelosi waived for Engel’s group and two other delegations.
So, Speaker Pelosi, after you have the gall to possibly break the law and attempt to strip the President of his authority under the Constitution to make policy for the United States, you also are OK with your party junketing all over the world despite your claims that only Republicans are the party of corruption. Let's recall- Democrats had over forty years in the majority, and they certainly did not distinguish themselves. It appears that despite the wilderness years, Democcrats have learned nothing about how taxpayers view the waste of their hard-earned money.
Attacking the Tax Code
John McCain has aroused my ire on a number of occasions over the past few years. The infamous McCain-Feingold attack on the First Amendment, the Gang of Fourteen agreement and his off and on flirtation with the Democrats to the detriment of his own party have all contributed to my distrust of him as a reliable conservative. However, McCain does have the intestinal fortitude to also stand up and be counted in the war and he does have some conservative mojo.
This mojo was proved today, as he takes on the antiquated and overblown US tax code. McCain plans to call the tax code "Byzantine" and "incomprehensible", both of which are demonstrably true. In his comments, McCain will say,
If McCain is serious, this could get interesting. He also plans to support, according to the New York Sun, a line item veto for the President, entitlement reform and balancing the budget. All of these are worthy items, but the tax code is probably the biggest issue facing us outside of the social security and Medicare behemoths. If we can actually reform it so that we don't nheed the legions of tax specialists, that would be a huge step in the right direction. Personally, I would like to see a flat tax, but I am not sure if that has enough support to pass. In any event, good for John McCain. I have only one question- why did he wait this long? There was a Republican Congress and a Republican President for most of the past eight years. Why wait until there is a Democratic Congress to push for reforms that Democrats traditionally are not in favor of?
This mojo was proved today, as he takes on the antiquated and overblown US tax code. McCain plans to call the tax code "Byzantine" and "incomprehensible", both of which are demonstrably true. In his comments, McCain will say,
"It won't be easy to fix a Byzantine code that has been decades in the making. But I don't want the office for the sake of the nice house, the big plane, and the car and driver," Mr. McCain plans to say, according to an excerpt of his remarks provided to The New York Sun. "I want to fix the hardest problems, and I'll fight to make the tax code simpler, fairer, flatter, more pro-growth and pro-jobs."
If McCain is serious, this could get interesting. He also plans to support, according to the New York Sun, a line item veto for the President, entitlement reform and balancing the budget. All of these are worthy items, but the tax code is probably the biggest issue facing us outside of the social security and Medicare behemoths. If we can actually reform it so that we don't nheed the legions of tax specialists, that would be a huge step in the right direction. Personally, I would like to see a flat tax, but I am not sure if that has enough support to pass. In any event, good for John McCain. I have only one question- why did he wait this long? There was a Republican Congress and a Republican President for most of the past eight years. Why wait until there is a Democratic Congress to push for reforms that Democrats traditionally are not in favor of?
Friday, April 13, 2007
Iraq-al Quaeda Connections
The current talking points from the Democrats and their shills in the national media is that there was no connection between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and al Quaeda. The Washington Post continued this spin last week with an editorial claiming that the CIA did not think there were any ties between Huseein's Iraq and al-Quaeda.
Unfortunately for the Post, there is significant evidence that Iraq and al-Quaeda were cooperating at a farily high level. Thomas Joscelyn today points out these connections in his article for the Weekly Standard.
Among other things, Joscelyn says,
Now if only the Post and the other Democratic shills in the media would actually direct some attention to the many captured documents from Iraq that prove saddam's interest in cooperating with al-Quaeda, his pursuit and former possession of the weapons that the liberals like to dismiss and his many attempts to harm the United States. But that would require that the Post and its fellow media organs actually do objective reporting- something they long ago abandoned where President George W. Bush is concerned.
Hat tip to Power Line.
Unfortunately for the Post, there is significant evidence that Iraq and al-Quaeda were cooperating at a farily high level. Thomas Joscelyn today points out these connections in his article for the Weekly Standard.
Among other things, Joscelyn says,
The bottom line is that members of the CIA, including the Agency's director, certainly believed in 2002 that there was a relationship between the Iraqi regime and al Qaeda. And no matter what he says now, Senator Levin knows that. In a June 16, 2003 appearance on NewsHour, Senator Levin explained:
"We were told by the intelligence community that there was a very strong link between al-Qaida and Iraq, and there were real questions raised. And there are real questions raised about whether or not that link was such that the description by the intelligence community was accurate or whether or not they [note: "they" here refers to the intelligence community, not the Bush administration] stretched it."
The idea that Feith's analysts cooked up the connection, while the CIA shunned the very notion, is pure fantasy--a fantasy dreamed up by Senator Levin and some former CIA members who have repeatedly made clear their disdain for the Bush administration.
Now if only the Post and the other Democratic shills in the media would actually direct some attention to the many captured documents from Iraq that prove saddam's interest in cooperating with al-Quaeda, his pursuit and former possession of the weapons that the liberals like to dismiss and his many attempts to harm the United States. But that would require that the Post and its fellow media organs actually do objective reporting- something they long ago abandoned where President George W. Bush is concerned.
Hat tip to Power Line.
On Trains
I have been fascinated by trains almost since the beginning. I will go out of my way to ride scale trains, such as those found at the Redwood Valley Railway in Tilden Park near Berkeley, California. However, one of my friends just sent me a link to a supply house for G and other scale trains. This piqued my interest in the smaller-scale trains.
My own ambition is to build a live steam scale train, possibly in G scale, but maybe in a larger scale, depending on whether I can find the right place. Living in the postage-stamp lots that are common in the Bay Area is not conducive to garden railroading, regrettably.
Some links to scale trains and live steam-related sites are as follows:
I am sure I have left out some useful sources, but this is a place to start. Your local hobby shop is also usually a good resource. And if you are lucky enough to live in a town with a non-chain, monster toy store, that is also a good place to begin. Have fun!
My own ambition is to build a live steam scale train, possibly in G scale, but maybe in a larger scale, depending on whether I can find the right place. Living in the postage-stamp lots that are common in the Bay Area is not conducive to garden railroading, regrettably.
Some links to scale trains and live steam-related sites are as follows:
- Only Trains
- Lionel Trains
- Golden Gate Live Steamers
- Rose City Garden Railroad Society
- Grand Scales Quarterly
- 7+ Railroader
- Garden Railways Magazine
I am sure I have left out some useful sources, but this is a place to start. Your local hobby shop is also usually a good resource. And if you are lucky enough to live in a town with a non-chain, monster toy store, that is also a good place to begin. Have fun!
Music & Consumers
As a musician myself, I have no sympathy for the file-sharers and illegal downloaders who dislike paying for anything. I also have little love for the pirate distributers, such as the Pirate Bay and others who exist on the creativity of others, and who contribute nothing of value. I am not in favor of a musician or other artist's hard work resulting in profil only for the thief who illegally disseminates it.
That being said, the music industry itself has a large responsibility to bear as well. And that is the point of an interesting article today by writer Eric Bangeman in ars technica. Bangeman writes that DRM, lock-ins, and piracy: all red herrings for a music industry in trouble. In his aritcle, he covers the analysis by a British compnay of the picture for the music industry, and concludes it is not a pretty one.
It is an interesting analysis and I think Mr. Bangeman has a valid point that the record industry is largely responsible for their troubles. However, there is one point that he missed. The content being released by many record companies is simply abysmal. I have zero interst in listening to glorified disc jockeys rap about "bitches and hos" or how "pimped-out" their ride may be. And the complete lack of musical talent and originality does nothing to engage my interest. Perhaps if the record companies looked harder for talent, they might oncfe agsain engage the many music-lovers who have largely abandoned them.
In any event, read the whole thing. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.
That being said, the music industry itself has a large responsibility to bear as well. And that is the point of an interesting article today by writer Eric Bangeman in ars technica. Bangeman writes that DRM, lock-ins, and piracy: all red herrings for a music industry in trouble. In his aritcle, he covers the analysis by a British compnay of the picture for the music industry, and concludes it is not a pretty one.
It is an interesting analysis and I think Mr. Bangeman has a valid point that the record industry is largely responsible for their troubles. However, there is one point that he missed. The content being released by many record companies is simply abysmal. I have zero interst in listening to glorified disc jockeys rap about "bitches and hos" or how "pimped-out" their ride may be. And the complete lack of musical talent and originality does nothing to engage my interest. Perhaps if the record companies looked harder for talent, they might oncfe agsain engage the many music-lovers who have largely abandoned them.
In any event, read the whole thing. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.
Defending Capitalism
University of Maryland professor Benjamin Barber is a very intelligent man. I read his book Jihad vs. McWorld back in graduate school, and though I disagree with him, I can understand and appreciate his arguments. Professor Barber wrote an essay for the Los Angeles Times on April 4 entitled Overselling Capitalism. In the editorial, Professor Barber essentially blames capitalism for the world's woes.
Today, in the online TCS Daily magazine, John Tamny responds with his column Underselling Capitalism. In rebutting Professor Barber, Mr. Tamny writes,
It is rare in these times to read a strong defense of capitalism, and Mr. Tamny does it well. Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.
Today, in the online TCS Daily magazine, John Tamny responds with his column Underselling Capitalism. In rebutting Professor Barber, Mr. Tamny writes,
Capitalism is the villain in Barber's piece, yet capitalism has proven time and again to be the singular cure for the poor health threatening the Third World. According to the 2005 Economic Freedom of the World report produced by the Cato Institute, the nations in the top quintile of average per-capita GDP also have the highest average life expectancy; 77.7 years versus 52.5 years for citizens of countries in the bottom quintile.
Barber concludes by saying to "sustain itself, capitalism will once again have to respond to real needs instead of trying to fabricate synthetic ones." He gets it backwards. That capitalism gives people what they want means that it alone will have the wherewithal to provide the jobs, aid and medicine to those not lucky enough to live in cultures blessed by the most compassionate economic concept ever known.
It is rare in these times to read a strong defense of capitalism, and Mr. Tamny does it well. Read the whole thing. Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Nifong Apologizes
...about a year too late. According to Breitbart News, disgraced Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong apologized to the innocent former Duke students whose lives he tried so hard to ruin.
This comes, in my opinion, about a year too late. As shown by such knowledgable commentators as Professor KC Johnson, John in Carolina and Friends of Duke University, there were huge problems with Nifong's case from the very start. Reade Seligmann's alibi, the wildly differing stories told by false accuser Crystal Mangum, and above all, the fact that there was no DNA from any Duke player, though there was DNA from several other men, should have told the DA that he had no case. but he pressed on anyway, and managed to nearly ruin three innocent young men's lives for a lie.
In his apology today, Nifong said "It is my sincere desire that the actions of Attorney General Cooper will serve to remedy any remaining injury that has resulted from these cases." This sounds suspiciously like a plea for the students not to sue him. He has to know that his law license is hanging by a thread, that his career is over and that he may even face prison. Yet he wants the young men he so relentlessly pursued to forgive him????
if I were the young men in question, I would want Nifong and Mangum in prison, and the other potbangers and enablers (including the slanderous police spokesman Corporal David Addison, the 88 Duke professors who used the affair to push their own radical agenda, the cowardly Duke Administration, who was more sympathetic to Mangum than to their own students, the race-baiting idiots like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the Black Panthers who took the accuser's side due to her color, and the ignorant, agenda-driven reporters like Selena Roberts and Duff Wilson who fanned the flames long after there was clear evidence that the Duke students were innocent) to pay as much as the law will allow.
Thanks for the apology, Mr. Nifong. But it's too little too late. Are the rest of the pot-bangers listening?
This comes, in my opinion, about a year too late. As shown by such knowledgable commentators as Professor KC Johnson, John in Carolina and Friends of Duke University, there were huge problems with Nifong's case from the very start. Reade Seligmann's alibi, the wildly differing stories told by false accuser Crystal Mangum, and above all, the fact that there was no DNA from any Duke player, though there was DNA from several other men, should have told the DA that he had no case. but he pressed on anyway, and managed to nearly ruin three innocent young men's lives for a lie.
In his apology today, Nifong said "It is my sincere desire that the actions of Attorney General Cooper will serve to remedy any remaining injury that has resulted from these cases." This sounds suspiciously like a plea for the students not to sue him. He has to know that his law license is hanging by a thread, that his career is over and that he may even face prison. Yet he wants the young men he so relentlessly pursued to forgive him????
if I were the young men in question, I would want Nifong and Mangum in prison, and the other potbangers and enablers (including the slanderous police spokesman Corporal David Addison, the 88 Duke professors who used the affair to push their own radical agenda, the cowardly Duke Administration, who was more sympathetic to Mangum than to their own students, the race-baiting idiots like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the Black Panthers who took the accuser's side due to her color, and the ignorant, agenda-driven reporters like Selena Roberts and Duff Wilson who fanned the flames long after there was clear evidence that the Duke students were innocent) to pay as much as the law will allow.
Thanks for the apology, Mr. Nifong. But it's too little too late. Are the rest of the pot-bangers listening?
Duke Thoughts
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has declared the three falsely accused Duke lacrosse players innocent. By inference, he also declared their accuser Crystal Gayle Mangum a liar, though he declined to file criminal charges against her for perjury, which would seem to be warranted. However, he made one very interesting comment in the course of his statement. "I think a lot of people owe a lot of apologies to a lot of people," Cooper said. "I think those people ought to consider doing that." He also said the charges resulted from a "tragic rush to accuse and a failure to verify serious allegations."
I agree. The 88 Duke professsors who published their libelous and false advertisement, the Durham Police Department and Corporal Addison who published the libelous and dangerous "Wanted" poster, the as-yet-unnamed persons responsible for the infamous vigilante poster with 43 of the 46 lacrosse players' pictures, the Duke administration who so badly failed the young men entrusted to them and the national and local media who failed so signally in discharging their duty to be fair and responsible. All of these should be held liable to the full extent the law allows. I am not normally in favor of lawsuits, but this is a classic case where they would seem to be necessary for these young men to reclaim a measure of the justice that until Roy Cooper spoke had seluded them.
And what of the other enablers for the liar who accused them? Don Imus asked a question on his show this morning "When will Alk Sharpton apologize to the Duke players?" Imus is himself a sad excuse for a human being (see his disgusting comments on the Rutgers women's basketball team), but for once he did ask the right question. So what about it, Sharpton? When will we see an apology from you and Jesse Jackson and the other race-baiters who inflamed this case so badly and with such tragic results?
I agree. The 88 Duke professsors who published their libelous and false advertisement, the Durham Police Department and Corporal Addison who published the libelous and dangerous "Wanted" poster, the as-yet-unnamed persons responsible for the infamous vigilante poster with 43 of the 46 lacrosse players' pictures, the Duke administration who so badly failed the young men entrusted to them and the national and local media who failed so signally in discharging their duty to be fair and responsible. All of these should be held liable to the full extent the law allows. I am not normally in favor of lawsuits, but this is a classic case where they would seem to be necessary for these young men to reclaim a measure of the justice that until Roy Cooper spoke had seluded them.
And what of the other enablers for the liar who accused them? Don Imus asked a question on his show this morning "When will Alk Sharpton apologize to the Duke players?" Imus is himself a sad excuse for a human being (see his disgusting comments on the Rutgers women's basketball team), but for once he did ask the right question. So what about it, Sharpton? When will we see an apology from you and Jesse Jackson and the other race-baiters who inflamed this case so badly and with such tragic results?
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