The Times of London could not be saying it better.
Please follow the link below to a superb article, an article says it like it is.
The world does not need barack. Worse, the world might think it does need him.
The US is a complex society and it is apparent that much of the world does not understand what is going on over here.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article3455572.ece
Friday, February 29, 2008
IT HAD TO BE DONE
chemical ali, another henchman of saddam who was found guilty of killing thousands of people, is now facing execution.
This news item puts into focus the unusual circumstances which brought about the US invasion of Iraq, circumstances which, unfortunately, many folks are not aware of.
Rarely do geopolitical realities coincide in so favorable a way as they did prior to the US invasion.
I say favorable not because the whole story of the Iraq war has been a total success, but rather because it was a thing that needed to be done; was done; and, God willing, will be brought to a successful conclusion.
Think about it.
Item: Saddam was a butcher, a plague upon his people, his region, and ultimately upon the whole world.
Item: The US needs to be ‘on the ground’ in the Middle East. Not to be so deployed would be a national catastrophe. Removal of saddam was the way to ‘be on the ground’, big time.
Two mistakes were made:
1 The true reasons for the invasion were not made clear to the American people.
2 Strategy for the post war period was not properly thought out.
With the invasion, the US took down a real enemy and expanded a military presence in a region which is now and forever will be a national necessity for the security of the US and indeed for the whole world.
Wars have been undertaken for less commendable reasons.
So, when political candidates or friends argue that the war was a mistake, know and counter that the war was not a mistake, but rather the reasons given for it and the post war strategy were really the mistakes.
Talk to them about the realities of geopolitics. These realities do not predetermine what the great powers will do, but they do determine what the great powers should do.
Comments?? Questions??
Make them here and you will get a response.
Have a good day.
This news item puts into focus the unusual circumstances which brought about the US invasion of Iraq, circumstances which, unfortunately, many folks are not aware of.
Rarely do geopolitical realities coincide in so favorable a way as they did prior to the US invasion.
I say favorable not because the whole story of the Iraq war has been a total success, but rather because it was a thing that needed to be done; was done; and, God willing, will be brought to a successful conclusion.
Think about it.
Item: Saddam was a butcher, a plague upon his people, his region, and ultimately upon the whole world.
Item: The US needs to be ‘on the ground’ in the Middle East. Not to be so deployed would be a national catastrophe. Removal of saddam was the way to ‘be on the ground’, big time.
Two mistakes were made:
1 The true reasons for the invasion were not made clear to the American people.
2 Strategy for the post war period was not properly thought out.
With the invasion, the US took down a real enemy and expanded a military presence in a region which is now and forever will be a national necessity for the security of the US and indeed for the whole world.
Wars have been undertaken for less commendable reasons.
So, when political candidates or friends argue that the war was a mistake, know and counter that the war was not a mistake, but rather the reasons given for it and the post war strategy were really the mistakes.
Talk to them about the realities of geopolitics. These realities do not predetermine what the great powers will do, but they do determine what the great powers should do.
Comments?? Questions??
Make them here and you will get a response.
Have a good day.
THE PROFESSIONS WE MAKE
Perjury is a punishable offence, and yet we clergy who put the question “Do you turn to Christ?” could be accused of inciting it.
We make a lot of promises during a church service. How many of them do we really mean?
The link below explores the idea further.
http://www.kendallharmon.net/t19/index.php/t19/article/10473/
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A BRITISH ROYAL
So a British Royal is on active duty in Afghanistan.
Reports are still sketchy, but he is reported to be ‘in theatre’, near the front, and to be sharing in the dangers consequent on such deployment.
I may be wrong, but I believe I heard one of the reporters saying that Ghurkas were near him or with him.
Her Majesty is reported to be delighted that the young Royal is ‘doing his duty’.
I am sure that much more info will be forthcoming.
I am reminded of other British 'uppers' who have served their country and of the American 'royals' who have served in the US Armed Forces.
The lists of those on both 'sides of the Pond' who have done so are really quite inspiring.
left coast lefties...eat your hearts out!!!!!!!!
Reports are still sketchy, but he is reported to be ‘in theatre’, near the front, and to be sharing in the dangers consequent on such deployment.
I may be wrong, but I believe I heard one of the reporters saying that Ghurkas were near him or with him.
Her Majesty is reported to be delighted that the young Royal is ‘doing his duty’.
I am sure that much more info will be forthcoming.
I am reminded of other British 'uppers' who have served their country and of the American 'royals' who have served in the US Armed Forces.
The lists of those on both 'sides of the Pond' who have done so are really quite inspiring.
left coast lefties...eat your hearts out!!!!!!!!
THE ICONS ARE PASSING...ONE MORE COMMENTARY
I suppose it comes to all folks if they live long enough.
The icons of one's generation begin to pass away, to die off.
A few months ago it was the Headmaster of my prep school.
And now Mr. Buckley.
We are the better for their having been with us.
We are in some ways diminished when they leave us.
May they Rest In Peace.
Check out the link below.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022703181.html
The icons of one's generation begin to pass away, to die off.
A few months ago it was the Headmaster of my prep school.
And now Mr. Buckley.
We are the better for their having been with us.
We are in some ways diminished when they leave us.
May they Rest In Peace.
Check out the link below.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022703181.html
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY R.I.P.
Another of the Great Ones has passed.
I didn't appreciate him enough in my younger years.
A real character.
A real contributor.
He made a difference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/media/27cnd-buckley.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
I didn't appreciate him enough in my younger years.
A real character.
A real contributor.
He made a difference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/media/27cnd-buckley.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
SMILE
North America is under the heaviest blanket of snow in years.
Consensus on the cause(s) of climate change is being challenged by a growing number of the scientific community.
What will the effect on the credibility of liberal greens and politicized scientists if climate change is largely cyclical and…largely unaffected by human activities?
algore will be exposed as a pseudo-scientific political hack. Or rather, reexposed.
What if, by the fall, benchmarks will have been achieved in Iraq?
Whatever will the g..d….d national dems do if the United States WINS in Iraq before the fall election?
What if McCain subjects his national dem opponent and the whole caboddle of of libs to a more severe reality check than President Bush has ever done?
Think about such things over cocktail hour in front of the fire and … smile.
Consensus on the cause(s) of climate change is being challenged by a growing number of the scientific community.
What will the effect on the credibility of liberal greens and politicized scientists if climate change is largely cyclical and…largely unaffected by human activities?
algore will be exposed as a pseudo-scientific political hack. Or rather, reexposed.
What if, by the fall, benchmarks will have been achieved in Iraq?
Whatever will the g..d….d national dems do if the United States WINS in Iraq before the fall election?
What if McCain subjects his national dem opponent and the whole caboddle of of libs to a more severe reality check than President Bush has ever done?
Think about such things over cocktail hour in front of the fire and … smile.
RE...I SEE BY THE PAPERS
I called the paper in question.
Kind folks referred me to a news editor who called me back in a few hours.
He said that I was not the first to call and that they were embarrassed.
He apologized for the errors and said that a retraction had been printed.
Of course I thanked him and said that we were long-time customers and had noticed changes in the paper.
He asked what kind.
For lack of a better word I replied that we felt that the paper was…shrinking.
He agreed, explaining that paid advertising was less than it had been, that they had fewer pages to fill, that cuts were being made.
Sad.
I expect that cuts are being made throughout msm. Lots of them are doubtless for economy.
And some cuts probably reflect less savory aspects of the business.
Sad.
I decided not to burden the retreat center with a call. They are probably mad enough as it is.
Kind folks referred me to a news editor who called me back in a few hours.
He said that I was not the first to call and that they were embarrassed.
He apologized for the errors and said that a retraction had been printed.
Of course I thanked him and said that we were long-time customers and had noticed changes in the paper.
He asked what kind.
For lack of a better word I replied that we felt that the paper was…shrinking.
He agreed, explaining that paid advertising was less than it had been, that they had fewer pages to fill, that cuts were being made.
Sad.
I expect that cuts are being made throughout msm. Lots of them are doubtless for economy.
And some cuts probably reflect less savory aspects of the business.
Sad.
I decided not to burden the retreat center with a call. They are probably mad enough as it is.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I SEE BY THE PAPERS
All things being equal, that is, all efforts being made to insure accuracy, it is generally true that print and broadcast news media tend to be less reliable than product produced weeks and months or even years after an event for the simple reason that the later news reporting has the advantages of time for research, fact checking, etc., etc.
The truth of this belief in the unreliability of print media was borne out for me this past weekend while I was reading an article in our newspaper about a local retreat center run by Jesuit priests.
I was interested because I had spent four years in a Jesuit University and have great respect for the ‘Black Robes’.
In the article, the special-assignment reporter informed her readers that the Jesuits were not Roman Catholic; that they had their own pope in Rome; and that you did not have to be of the ‘Jesuit Faith’ to attend functions at the center.
Of course, the Jesuits are very Roman Catholic. They do not have a pope in Rome. And they do not really have a Jesuit Faith in the sense the author evidently intends.
The author did no research and knows nothing of the Roman Catholic Church.
She is ignorant of the nature of the retreat center.
The newspaper in question must not have an editor who looks over the work of the reporters.
No fact checking.
You get the idea.
This was not an article which had to be rushed into print. It is not earthshaking.
There was time for…a little thought and a little looking into things, for the reporter and for the news department.
You have to wonder…
I will call the center tomorrow and ask what they think of the article. I will ask them when the Jesuits left the Roman Catholic Church.
I will enquire as to the name of ‘their pope’.
I might call the newspaper, but I fear that to go there is to go nowhere.
The truth of this belief in the unreliability of print media was borne out for me this past weekend while I was reading an article in our newspaper about a local retreat center run by Jesuit priests.
I was interested because I had spent four years in a Jesuit University and have great respect for the ‘Black Robes’.
In the article, the special-assignment reporter informed her readers that the Jesuits were not Roman Catholic; that they had their own pope in Rome; and that you did not have to be of the ‘Jesuit Faith’ to attend functions at the center.
Of course, the Jesuits are very Roman Catholic. They do not have a pope in Rome. And they do not really have a Jesuit Faith in the sense the author evidently intends.
The author did no research and knows nothing of the Roman Catholic Church.
She is ignorant of the nature of the retreat center.
The newspaper in question must not have an editor who looks over the work of the reporters.
No fact checking.
You get the idea.
This was not an article which had to be rushed into print. It is not earthshaking.
There was time for…a little thought and a little looking into things, for the reporter and for the news department.
You have to wonder…
I will call the center tomorrow and ask what they think of the article. I will ask them when the Jesuits left the Roman Catholic Church.
I will enquire as to the name of ‘their pope’.
I might call the newspaper, but I fear that to go there is to go nowhere.
Friday, February 22, 2008
USN/USMC
A Marine Corps officer was a major spokesman for the Navy as it went about the business of taking down the errant US satellite.
As I watched him detail what was going on, I was reminded of an important Marine perspective on the carrying out of difficult tasks.
As I recall, it goes something like this:
The difficult we will do right away.
The impossible will take a little longer.
We can all be very proud of our United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
As I watched him detail what was going on, I was reminded of an important Marine perspective on the carrying out of difficult tasks.
As I recall, it goes something like this:
The difficult we will do right away.
The impossible will take a little longer.
We can all be very proud of our United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
SDI - 2008
There is the story about the new-fangled steamboat being dragged down to the Scottish lake.
The old fella standing by the shore said it wouldna’ ever start.
It started.
The old fella then said that it’ll neer get goin’.
It got goin’.
Finally he said ye’ll neer stop ‘er.
They stopped it.
The doubters said missile defense was fantasy.
But now the President has given an order and the US Navy has taken down a target with a missile- defense system.
This was not a test.
Rarely is military technology put to so public a test with so much riding on its success or failure.
Use the link below and read about it.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=288489783821496
We can be very proud.
Beware of those who are quick to say what can and cannot be done.
The old fella standing by the shore said it wouldna’ ever start.
It started.
The old fella then said that it’ll neer get goin’.
It got goin’.
Finally he said ye’ll neer stop ‘er.
They stopped it.
The doubters said missile defense was fantasy.
But now the President has given an order and the US Navy has taken down a target with a missile- defense system.
This was not a test.
Rarely is military technology put to so public a test with so much riding on its success or failure.
Use the link below and read about it.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=288489783821496
We can be very proud.
Beware of those who are quick to say what can and cannot be done.
SMU - PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
Southern Methodist University has been chosen as the site of the President Bush Presidential Library.
It has been a long selection process.
Quoting Reuters:
Last year, a group of Methodist ministers urged SMU to reject any plans to build the library, saying Bush's stance on issues such as preemptive war conflicted with those of the church.
What a pathetic group of human beings!!!!!
Methodists should be ashamed.
Despite that, the university's board continued its seven-year effort to lure the library to the campus.
What a splendid group of human beings!!!!
Methodists should be proud!!!!!!!!!
It has been a long selection process.
Quoting Reuters:
Last year, a group of Methodist ministers urged SMU to reject any plans to build the library, saying Bush's stance on issues such as preemptive war conflicted with those of the church.
What a pathetic group of human beings!!!!!
Methodists should be ashamed.
Despite that, the university's board continued its seven-year effort to lure the library to the campus.
What a splendid group of human beings!!!!
Methodists should be proud!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
MEADOW BROOK THEATRE -
We attended a performance at Meadow Brook Theatre last week.
Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues.
Biloxi was terrific. It was funny. It was sad. It was poignant. It spoke to us on many levels. It made you think about yourself and what you have made of your life.
The director favored the audience with a ‘talk back’ after the play. We could ask questions and hear his take on the story and the production.
The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre is a delight.
It is local.
It is professional.
It is superbly directed, sometimes with guest directors.
The sets are to die for.
The ticket prices are deliriously low.
And the audiences are depressingly small.
Over the last several decades, the numbers of theatergoers at Meadow Brook seem to have steadily declined.
The Theatre is now entirely self-supporting.
People of Oakland County pay big-ticket prices to travel to Detroit to see plays down there.
I fear that few of them even consider this excellent venue right in our own backyard.
Give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
Call up a couple of friends. Buy some reasonably priced tickets. Go out for a great meal in one of the many nearby eateries. Attend the play. Hit a quiet lounge for an afterglo.
Give the box office a call at 248-377-3300.
A couple of surprises this season are Nunsense with Cindy Williams in April and Lee Merriwether in Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree in May.
Take a break from the movies or the casinos or an evening in front of the TV.
Afterglos are especially fun.
Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues.
Biloxi was terrific. It was funny. It was sad. It was poignant. It spoke to us on many levels. It made you think about yourself and what you have made of your life.
The director favored the audience with a ‘talk back’ after the play. We could ask questions and hear his take on the story and the production.
The Theatre Ensemble at Meadow Brook Theatre is a delight.
It is local.
It is professional.
It is superbly directed, sometimes with guest directors.
The sets are to die for.
The ticket prices are deliriously low.
And the audiences are depressingly small.
Over the last several decades, the numbers of theatergoers at Meadow Brook seem to have steadily declined.
The Theatre is now entirely self-supporting.
People of Oakland County pay big-ticket prices to travel to Detroit to see plays down there.
I fear that few of them even consider this excellent venue right in our own backyard.
Give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
Call up a couple of friends. Buy some reasonably priced tickets. Go out for a great meal in one of the many nearby eateries. Attend the play. Hit a quiet lounge for an afterglo.
Give the box office a call at 248-377-3300.
A couple of surprises this season are Nunsense with Cindy Williams in April and Lee Merriwether in Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree in May.
Take a break from the movies or the casinos or an evening in front of the TV.
Afterglos are especially fun.
IS HE STILL THERE?
An observant blog that I read today asks the question: “Is Bush still in Africa?”
Think about it.
How much media coverage has there been of the generally excellent reception our President has received in Africa?
Castro resigns! That is covered, heavily.
Charges are alleged against barack. Clever responses are discussed.
Charges are alleged against hillary. She returns them with interest.
Some bimbo actress does this or that.
And the Bush tour goes on, very successfully, very invisibly.
And so it goes.
We see what the msm want us to see, unless we know what we are looking for.
Lots of us don’t know what to look for.
Think about it.
How much media coverage has there been of the generally excellent reception our President has received in Africa?
Castro resigns! That is covered, heavily.
Charges are alleged against barack. Clever responses are discussed.
Charges are alleged against hillary. She returns them with interest.
Some bimbo actress does this or that.
And the Bush tour goes on, very successfully, very invisibly.
And so it goes.
We see what the msm want us to see, unless we know what we are looking for.
Lots of us don’t know what to look for.
THE SOUNDS AND THE SIGHTS
Iran demands that the Government of the Netherlands suppress a movie critical of Islam, “…before it is too late.”
China demands that the US not do this or that with a US satellite.
In diplomacy/speak, the word demand is a strong item indeed.
pelosi suppresses the FISA reform act.
Now, Pelosi is not in the same team as the other two. But she is definitely not being helpful.
Thank God for the Sounds and Sights of Freedom!!!!*
*The most powerful military
that ever was
China demands that the US not do this or that with a US satellite.
In diplomacy/speak, the word demand is a strong item indeed.
pelosi suppresses the FISA reform act.
Now, Pelosi is not in the same team as the other two. But she is definitely not being helpful.
Thank God for the Sounds and Sights of Freedom!!!!*
*The most powerful military
that ever was
McCAIN...SHADES OF TR...
The link below suggests some similarities.
TR was a great, indeed, one of the greatest Presidents.
I will have to think about it.
The 'torture' thing of McCain is troubling. But the national dems are far more troubling.
The cabinent theories are fascinating, especially the one regarding Rudy.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-18-mccain-roosevelt_N.htm
TR was a great, indeed, one of the greatest Presidents.
I will have to think about it.
The 'torture' thing of McCain is troubling. But the national dems are far more troubling.
The cabinent theories are fascinating, especially the one regarding Rudy.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-18-mccain-roosevelt_N.htm
Monday, February 18, 2008
'DEMOCRATS SHOULD READ KIPLING'
To govern is to choose, a Democrat of an earlier generation, John F. Kennedy, famously remarked. Is this generation of Democrats capable of governing?
The nyt has retained the services of an excellent journalist.
The above quote is from his article in that paper which relates George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, the Republicans, and the national democrats.
Check out the whole thing at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18kristol.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
The nyt has retained the services of an excellent journalist.
The above quote is from his article in that paper which relates George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, the Republicans, and the national democrats.
Check out the whole thing at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/opinion/18kristol.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
msm AND national dems WIN ONE
President Bush gets scarcely more credit for his efforts and accomplishments in Africa than for his efforts and accomplishments in vanquishing terrorists and the governments that harbor and support them. His military successes are denigrated and his humanitarian successes are ignored.
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...You know the rest. The msm and the national dems and folks like them have achieved the propaganda victory described above.
Read the entire article in Power Line which is linked to below.
How pathetic!!
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/02/019810.php
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...You know the rest. The msm and the national dems and folks like them have achieved the propaganda victory described above.
Read the entire article in Power Line which is linked to below.
How pathetic!!
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/02/019810.php
Saturday, February 16, 2008
GOD BLESS THE CARDINAL
God bless Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.
He has said the obvious, an obvious that is long, long overdue.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was, perhaps, the straw that broke the back of silence.
Check out the link:
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/news_1.html
the last paragraph is especially poignant:
“Privately people have had doubts for years but now there has been a change in the climate and public figures are prepared to admit that multiculturalism doesn’t work. “For a long time people felt they had to be in favour of it – to be against it was like being a Holocaust denier.”
Perhaps a little common sense is returning to public discourse.
He has said the obvious, an obvious that is long, long overdue.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was, perhaps, the straw that broke the back of silence.
Check out the link:
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/news_1.html
the last paragraph is especially poignant:
“Privately people have had doubts for years but now there has been a change in the climate and public figures are prepared to admit that multiculturalism doesn’t work. “For a long time people felt they had to be in favour of it – to be against it was like being a Holocaust denier.”
Perhaps a little common sense is returning to public discourse.
PLASTICS
Joel at The Mole Hole has linked to a splendid petroleum-reality article in The Big Bear Grizzly, a left-coast paper. But this article is a winner.
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/02/14/news/plasticland.prt
green folks get all exercised about going to war or doing this or that for possession/control of oil.
The operative phrase frequently seen is only for oil. Only for oil indeed.
Oil is the black gold of the US; of the industrial world; of the free world.
It is the material underpinning of a way of life.
Liberals, especially the greens, haven’t a clue.
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2008/02/14/news/plasticland.prt
green folks get all exercised about going to war or doing this or that for possession/control of oil.
The operative phrase frequently seen is only for oil. Only for oil indeed.
Oil is the black gold of the US; of the industrial world; of the free world.
It is the material underpinning of a way of life.
Liberals, especially the greens, haven’t a clue.
Friday, February 15, 2008
'LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES'
Less than five minutes.That’s the total amount of time the United States has waterboarded terrorist detainees. How many detainees? Three. Who were these detainees?
Five minutes! Waterboarding!!
Jonah Goldberg writes about the reality of the waterboarding 'issue' that mostly the national dems have raised.
Check his article out via the link below.
The national dems are a real piece of work.
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=MjM2ZDRlOWY4OTdjMWFiNjZlYWUwZmNiYjRjNGQwZDM=
Five minutes! Waterboarding!!
Jonah Goldberg writes about the reality of the waterboarding 'issue' that mostly the national dems have raised.
Check his article out via the link below.
The national dems are a real piece of work.
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=MjM2ZDRlOWY4OTdjMWFiNjZlYWUwZmNiYjRjNGQwZDM=
Thursday, February 14, 2008
INTERCEPT
The US is going to attempt an intercept of a satellite with an Aegis missile.
May this effort be successful.
And two more things:
1 The Star Wars – Missile Defense System lives
2 liberals, eat your hearts out
May this effort be successful.
And two more things:
1 The Star Wars – Missile Defense System lives
2 liberals, eat your hearts out
QUOTE(S) OF INTEREST
Daniel Patrick Moynihan on pelosi and reid:
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE
Some members of the US Congress are determined to publicize and to outlaw unpleasant treatment of terrorist suspects while they are in detention.
It is alleged that terrorist groups determine their own level of barbarism based on what the CIA did years ago to three detainees in CIA custody.
The ACLU is preparing to frustrate the attempt of law enforcement authorities to expand the use of DNA testing in the apprehension and prosecution of criminal suspects.
It is alleged that innocent citizens would be somehow threatened by the testing of criminal suspects.
Some members of the US Congress are concerned that law-abiding citizens are threatened by any extension of the about-to-expire national security act.
Truth really is stranger than fiction.
It is alleged that terrorist groups determine their own level of barbarism based on what the CIA did years ago to three detainees in CIA custody.
The ACLU is preparing to frustrate the attempt of law enforcement authorities to expand the use of DNA testing in the apprehension and prosecution of criminal suspects.
It is alleged that innocent citizens would be somehow threatened by the testing of criminal suspects.
Some members of the US Congress are concerned that law-abiding citizens are threatened by any extension of the about-to-expire national security act.
Truth really is stranger than fiction.
UP THE STREAM W/O A PADDLE
I love it when an expert says the same thing I do. At least sometimes I do.
Yesterday, in The Study, I wrote
Conclusion: our democracy is at once well-intentioned and largely literate but also quite w/o the slightest clue as to what is really going on in today’s key areas of concern, culturally, nationally, internationally, etc.
Today, a New York Times book review reports that Susan Jacoby, in her book The Age of American Unreason, declares that
Yesterday, in The Study, I wrote
Conclusion: our democracy is at once well-intentioned and largely literate but also quite w/o the slightest clue as to what is really going on in today’s key areas of concern, culturally, nationally, internationally, etc.
Today, a New York Times book review reports that Susan Jacoby, in her book The Age of American Unreason, declares that
Not only are citizens ignorant about essential scientific, civic and cultural knowledge, she said, but they also don’t think it matters.
Check out the review via the link below. It is a stunner.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/books/14dumb.html?pagewanted=print
The pity of it is that so many of us think we know so much and are ever so much more intelligent than our forebears.
I am reminded of the cellphone commercial wherein the caller assumes that having a new cellphone will make his calls more successful.
Nope. Not so.
We are adrift in a sea of data. Without a compass.
Or, as the old saying goes, we are up the stream w/o a paddle. The stuff is flowing by and too many of us do not know what to do with it.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
RAMBLINGS AFTER A BUSY DAY OF SHOVELLING SNOW
Dr. James Dobson has lost it, politically at least.
A liberal dem should not be elected to the Presidency, if for no other reason than to prevent him or her from appointing Supreme Court Justices.
Why wouldn’t Rudy be a good VP for McCain?
Why not??
Why is Huckabee still in the race?
He has a right to fight on.
But he has a duty to support the inevitable winner.
He would not be the best choice for VP.
Iran is entering or is about to enter the space satellite business.
Iran is in possession of or is about to be in possession of whatever a super centrifuge is.
Iran thusly has or is about to have an ICBM capability.
Heavy!!
Iran is a self-declared enemy of the US and Israel.
If the US should decide to overlook the obvious, Israel will not so decide.
The Mayor of Detroit is still in office.
The Mayor’s other significant other is history.
When will the Mayor be history??
He should be history.
It appears that the ever-so-deep and wise authorities of Detroit want to be ever so correct and clever.
There are so many things to consider.
Yeah!
Right!
Detroit will get what it deserves. Sure, Detroit is on the way back.
Yeah!
Right!
Most of us are not experts in very many areas. Some of us know we are not experts.
Many of us think we know a lot more than we really do.
Folks of yesteryear [now, that’s a nice word] weren’t experts in a lot of areas either. But they often knew that they weren’t all-knowing.
They didn’t have ipods and pcs and laptops and ipcs or whatever.
They generally knew something of their limits and they deferred to the perceived wisdom of others. At least they sometimes did defer.
Nowadays, many of us are self-proclaimed experts on lots of stuff. A few examples: global warming; running a school; religion’s role in whatever; sexual orientation; international affairs; national security; and on and on.
And we credit our great wisdom to our consumption of sound-byte MSM print or broadcast.
Laton McCartney, author of a recent book on Teapot Dome, stated this week that the MSM of the 1920’s and thereabouts used to publish non-sound byte reports on the issues of the day. Many, many of them. And those were the days sans internet.
And he said that lots of folks read those non-sound byte reports.
And we think we know so much about so many things. It is probably most accurate to say that we have lots of data and little comprehension of meaning.
The MSM does not offer us non-sound bytes. If it did, many of us would not read or listen anyway.
We know that this or that is happening but not why or how or what the likely results are to be.
Conclusion: our democracy is at once well-intentioned and largely literate but also quite w/o the slightest clue as to what is really going on in today’s key areas of concern, culturally, nationally, internationally, etc.
We need to elect good leaders. Our leadership needs an intelligent public. The two constituencies support each other.
Being an adult has never been an easy job.
A liberal dem should not be elected to the Presidency, if for no other reason than to prevent him or her from appointing Supreme Court Justices.
Why wouldn’t Rudy be a good VP for McCain?
Why not??
Why is Huckabee still in the race?
He has a right to fight on.
But he has a duty to support the inevitable winner.
He would not be the best choice for VP.
Iran is entering or is about to enter the space satellite business.
Iran is in possession of or is about to be in possession of whatever a super centrifuge is.
Iran thusly has or is about to have an ICBM capability.
Heavy!!
Iran is a self-declared enemy of the US and Israel.
If the US should decide to overlook the obvious, Israel will not so decide.
The Mayor of Detroit is still in office.
The Mayor’s other significant other is history.
When will the Mayor be history??
He should be history.
It appears that the ever-so-deep and wise authorities of Detroit want to be ever so correct and clever.
There are so many things to consider.
Yeah!
Right!
Detroit will get what it deserves. Sure, Detroit is on the way back.
Yeah!
Right!
Most of us are not experts in very many areas. Some of us know we are not experts.
Many of us think we know a lot more than we really do.
Folks of yesteryear [now, that’s a nice word] weren’t experts in a lot of areas either. But they often knew that they weren’t all-knowing.
They didn’t have ipods and pcs and laptops and ipcs or whatever.
They generally knew something of their limits and they deferred to the perceived wisdom of others. At least they sometimes did defer.
Nowadays, many of us are self-proclaimed experts on lots of stuff. A few examples: global warming; running a school; religion’s role in whatever; sexual orientation; international affairs; national security; and on and on.
And we credit our great wisdom to our consumption of sound-byte MSM print or broadcast.
Laton McCartney, author of a recent book on Teapot Dome, stated this week that the MSM of the 1920’s and thereabouts used to publish non-sound byte reports on the issues of the day. Many, many of them. And those were the days sans internet.
And he said that lots of folks read those non-sound byte reports.
And we think we know so much about so many things. It is probably most accurate to say that we have lots of data and little comprehension of meaning.
The MSM does not offer us non-sound bytes. If it did, many of us would not read or listen anyway.
We know that this or that is happening but not why or how or what the likely results are to be.
Conclusion: our democracy is at once well-intentioned and largely literate but also quite w/o the slightest clue as to what is really going on in today’s key areas of concern, culturally, nationally, internationally, etc.
We need to elect good leaders. Our leadership needs an intelligent public. The two constituencies support each other.
Being an adult has never been an easy job.
Monday, February 11, 2008
CAL THOMAS ON THE CLINTONS
The endorsement of Barack Obama's presidential campaign by three Kennedys from different generations was a political trifecta for the young upstart from Illinois.
This is Cal Thomas at his best, a 'must read' for anyone trying to understand the menace posed to our system by the likes of the clintons.
His insight into the 'myth' of the kennedys and how it affects political reality now is an eyeopener.
Check it out.
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/thomas013108.php3
ROGER'S RULES
Lo and behold!
Another link [see FAVORITE SITES] to a well-established site.
I have been reading this site for just a few days.
It looks promising and I offer it for your perusal.
Let me know comments.
Another link [see FAVORITE SITES] to a well-established site.
I have been reading this site for just a few days.
It looks promising and I offer it for your perusal.
Let me know comments.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
THE ANCHORESS
A new link is on board – The Anchoress.
I have just begun following it. It seems very good.
Comments invited and welcome.
Check it out under FAVORITE SITES.
I have just begun following it. It seems very good.
Comments invited and welcome.
Check it out under FAVORITE SITES.
Friday, February 8, 2008
THE ARCHBISHOP, THE BRITISH CHARACTER, AND GENERAL SIR CHARLES NAPIER
The link below will take you to an article which is refreshingly politically incorrect.
The sentiments are delectable.
It used to be said that a civilization, if it is to fall, will fall from within.
If this is still true, the British had better be on guard.
We all should be on guard.
http://pajamasmedia.com/xpress/rogerkimball/2008/02/07/who_will_rid_us_of_this_troubl.php
The sentiments are delectable.
It used to be said that a civilization, if it is to fall, will fall from within.
If this is still true, the British had better be on guard.
We all should be on guard.
http://pajamasmedia.com/xpress/rogerkimball/2008/02/07/who_will_rid_us_of_this_troubl.php
Thursday, February 7, 2008
A DAY OF EXTRAORDINARY HEADLINES
- Archbishop of Canterbury says Sharia Law is Unavoidable
You just gotta be kidding!!!!!!
- Romney has dropped out of Presidential Race
Please get ready to consider the pros and cons of maybe an ideal ticket.
- New Orleans a Dodge City
This is an insult to Dodge City.
- Dubai buys a Piece of London
And a good thing it probably is.
- US Intelligence Wrong on Iranian Nukes
Something may be very wrong with US Intelligence.
With headlines like these, who needs to worry about a TV writers’ strike?
Light a fire.
Mix some drinks and pop some corn.
Invite some friends over or fire up the computer and let the games begin.
How sweet it is!!
You just gotta be kidding!!!!!!
- Romney has dropped out of Presidential Race
Please get ready to consider the pros and cons of maybe an ideal ticket.
- New Orleans a Dodge City
This is an insult to Dodge City.
- Dubai buys a Piece of London
And a good thing it probably is.
- US Intelligence Wrong on Iranian Nukes
Something may be very wrong with US Intelligence.
With headlines like these, who needs to worry about a TV writers’ strike?
Light a fire.
Mix some drinks and pop some corn.
Invite some friends over or fire up the computer and let the games begin.
How sweet it is!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
QUOTE(S) OF INTEREST
Oscar Wilde on the state of modern journalism aka, the MSM:
There is much to be said in favor of modern journalism. By giving us the opinions of the uneducated it keeps us in touch with ignorance of the community.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
THE PLOT SICKENS
“Al-Qa’ida is improving the last key aspect of its ability to attack the U.S.: the identification, training, and positioning of operatives for an attack in the homeland...
As you follow the primaries/caucuses/debates, keep the above quote in mind.
Check out the whole article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/washington/05cnd-threat.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
We are at war.
national dems believe that we can end this war unilaterally by simply withdrawing from the battlefields.
They are wrong.
We are engaged with the enemy. We can attempt to disengage. They are the weaker but they will not disengage.
They are willing to suffer catastrophic casualties. Thanks to modern tech, they can inflict such casualties.
Beware the candidate for US President who promises an early withdrawl from the battlefields of the East.
As you follow the primaries/caucuses/debates, keep the above quote in mind.
Check out the whole article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/washington/05cnd-threat.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
We are at war.
national dems believe that we can end this war unilaterally by simply withdrawing from the battlefields.
They are wrong.
We are engaged with the enemy. We can attempt to disengage. They are the weaker but they will not disengage.
They are willing to suffer catastrophic casualties. Thanks to modern tech, they can inflict such casualties.
Beware the candidate for US President who promises an early withdrawl from the battlefields of the East.
TONY BLAIR AND THE EU
Joel over at The Mole Hole opines that Tony B. would be a good choice for the EU Presidency.
I am sure he would be a good person for the job.
But I am not sure that the UK should seek such intimacy with an entity which really does not offer much in the way of support for US/UK interests.
I have always liked the headline:
ENGLISH CHANNEL FOGBOUND – CONTINENT ISOLATED!
France and Germany are the powers on the ground east of the Channel.
They seek a counterweight to US global hegemony.
Britain still tries to follow the Churchillian maxim: “Stick closely with the Americans.”
Britain has far more in common with the US than with the EU.
At least, I hope she still does.
I have faith.
I am sure he would be a good person for the job.
But I am not sure that the UK should seek such intimacy with an entity which really does not offer much in the way of support for US/UK interests.
I have always liked the headline:
ENGLISH CHANNEL FOGBOUND – CONTINENT ISOLATED!
France and Germany are the powers on the ground east of the Channel.
They seek a counterweight to US global hegemony.
Britain still tries to follow the Churchillian maxim: “Stick closely with the Americans.”
Britain has far more in common with the US than with the EU.
At least, I hope she still does.
I have faith.
CRYIN' 'N COUGHIN'
She cries. Now she coughs.
Far be it from me to take illness lightly or to wish it upon anyone.
But hillary seems to suffer just before the big events.
You gotta wonder. I do, anyway.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02052008/news/nationalnews/for__cryin_out_loud__757905.htm
Far be it from me to take illness lightly or to wish it upon anyone.
But hillary seems to suffer just before the big events.
You gotta wonder. I do, anyway.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02052008/news/nationalnews/for__cryin_out_loud__757905.htm
IMPERIAL US
Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth, sees similarities between British Imperial experience in the Middle East and the current US undertakings there.
My take is that the US is indeed forming an empire, similar to but also different from that of Imperial Britain.
But the similarities are such that lessons from the British experience can be invaluable to that of the Americans.
Disagree?
Let me know. I can offer evidence.
Check out the link:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/04/america/andrew.php
My take is that the US is indeed forming an empire, similar to but also different from that of Imperial Britain.
But the similarities are such that lessons from the British experience can be invaluable to that of the Americans.
Disagree?
Let me know. I can offer evidence.
Check out the link:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/04/america/andrew.php
Monday, February 4, 2008
THOUGHTS ASSEMBLED DURING A DISTRACTING WEEK
From somewhere on the web: the candidate who becomes President in the upcoming election will not change Washington. Washington will change him/her.
In other words, do not trust a candidate who shouts that he/she will change the nation’s capital.
It ain’t gonna happen.
obama’s resume and promises deserve close attention. Or is the word scrutiny? Look for specifics. If he speaks in generalities, which he does, check to see if they are justified. Sometimes they are.
But sometimes they are just empty mouthings.
With hillary, the nation will get bill. Imagine bill in the hallowed calls again. God help us all.
Beware the candidate who claims that the US is w/o allies. We have tons of allies, but said allies need a catalyst to become more significant than they are. Talk about vagueness.
As good as he is, President Bush is now carrying a lot of baggage in the eyes of the outside world. His style is authentic. Lots of the world does not understand authentic. Need I say more? Later.
I fear a terrorist attack if a tough Republican is not elected to the Presidency. I talk to fellow Americans who think that Bush and Cheney are dangerous. I am sorry they feel that way.
On the other hand, I hope that the barbarians are afraid of them. I have a theory that something bad will happen if a dem is elected to office. As I said in an earlier post, it is better to be feared by the bad guys than to be loved by them. Amen.
As a good book says, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” Second-strike capability is not good enough anymore.
In other words, do not trust a candidate who shouts that he/she will change the nation’s capital.
It ain’t gonna happen.
obama’s resume and promises deserve close attention. Or is the word scrutiny? Look for specifics. If he speaks in generalities, which he does, check to see if they are justified. Sometimes they are.
But sometimes they are just empty mouthings.
With hillary, the nation will get bill. Imagine bill in the hallowed calls again. God help us all.
Beware the candidate who claims that the US is w/o allies. We have tons of allies, but said allies need a catalyst to become more significant than they are. Talk about vagueness.
As good as he is, President Bush is now carrying a lot of baggage in the eyes of the outside world. His style is authentic. Lots of the world does not understand authentic. Need I say more? Later.
I fear a terrorist attack if a tough Republican is not elected to the Presidency. I talk to fellow Americans who think that Bush and Cheney are dangerous. I am sorry they feel that way.
On the other hand, I hope that the barbarians are afraid of them. I have a theory that something bad will happen if a dem is elected to office. As I said in an earlier post, it is better to be feared by the bad guys than to be loved by them. Amen.
As a good book says, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” Second-strike capability is not good enough anymore.
LEST WE FORGET...DORCHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD
Check out the link below, an account of sublime bravery/sacrifice and the efforts to keep the memory alive.
The Bible puts it very clearly:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08034/854040-85.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX#
Kipling wrote of similar bravery/sacrifice when he gave voice to what came to be called the 'Birkenhead Drill', the 'drill' which coined the phrase "women and children first."
Please see the story in:
http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/WomenandChildrenFirst.htm
Heroism is a word that is applied to a lot of things. It really belongs in these two situations.
The Bible puts it very clearly:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08034/854040-85.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX#
Kipling wrote of similar bravery/sacrifice when he gave voice to what came to be called the 'Birkenhead Drill', the 'drill' which coined the phrase "women and children first."
Please see the story in:
http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/WomenandChildrenFirst.htm
Heroism is a word that is applied to a lot of things. It really belongs in these two situations.
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