Questions about Obama's advisor on Israel.
More importantly, Power provides a window into the thinking of Obama, who in 2004 reportedly told Ali Abunimah, founder of Electronic Intifada, “hey, I’m sorry I haven’t said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I’m hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.” Pro-Palestinian sympathies, but no courage of conviction. Who says Obama is a blank slate?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
AN OBAMA CULT?
Very interesting.
Describing various encounters with Obama supporters, she [Kathleen Geier] writes, "Excuse me, but this sounds more like a cult than a political campaign. The language used here is the language of evangelical Christianity – the Obama volunteers speak of 'coming to Obama' in the same way born-again Christians talk about 'coming to Jesus.'...So I say, we should all get a grip, stop all this unseemly mooning over Barack, see him and the political landscape he is a part of in a cooler, clearer, and more realistic light, and get to work."
Describing various encounters with Obama supporters, she [Kathleen Geier] writes, "Excuse me, but this sounds more like a cult than a political campaign. The language used here is the language of evangelical Christianity – the Obama volunteers speak of 'coming to Obama' in the same way born-again Christians talk about 'coming to Jesus.'...So I say, we should all get a grip, stop all this unseemly mooning over Barack, see him and the political landscape he is a part of in a cooler, clearer, and more realistic light, and get to work."
OBAMA AS VICE PRESIDENT
Althouse expresses my thinking on this issue.
It's clear that Obama should not subordinate himself to the Clintons. He doesn't need it to set up his next run for the presidency. Vice Presidents haven't been doing too well running for President these past few decades. Obama will have already distinguished himself as the frontrunner. It would be a comedown for him, and he'd be saddled with whatever goes wrong in the Clinton presidency — or her failed campaign for it. And Obama's distinctiveness is that he offers a clean break from the politics of the past. Why on earth would he want to connect himself to an icon of the politics of the past?
It's clear that Obama should not subordinate himself to the Clintons. He doesn't need it to set up his next run for the presidency. Vice Presidents haven't been doing too well running for President these past few decades. Obama will have already distinguished himself as the frontrunner. It would be a comedown for him, and he'd be saddled with whatever goes wrong in the Clinton presidency — or her failed campaign for it. And Obama's distinctiveness is that he offers a clean break from the politics of the past. Why on earth would he want to connect himself to an icon of the politics of the past?
Thursday, February 07, 2008
SHARIA LAW IN GREAT BRITAIN
The Archbishop of Canterbury says sharia law is coming to Great Britain. I wonder how the Brits will deal with the stoning of women for adultery?
He says that Muslims could choose to have marital disputes or financial matters dealt with in a Sharia court. He added Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".
A critic of the archbishop weighs in.
Dr Williams means well; a lot of such people do. But frankly, he gives lapsed Christians such as yours truly plenty of reason for wanting the Church to be shorn of its state privileges.
He says that Muslims could choose to have marital disputes or financial matters dealt with in a Sharia court. He added Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".
A critic of the archbishop weighs in.
Dr Williams means well; a lot of such people do. But frankly, he gives lapsed Christians such as yours truly plenty of reason for wanting the Church to be shorn of its state privileges.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
5 REASONS HILLARY SHOULD BE WORRIED
From Politico.
Hillary Clinton survived a Super Tuesday scare. But there are five big reasons the former first lady should be spooked by the current trajectory of the campaign.
Longtime Clinton friends say she recognizes the peril in careening between near-death primary night experiences and small-bore victories.
Publish Post
Hillary Clinton survived a Super Tuesday scare. But there are five big reasons the former first lady should be spooked by the current trajectory of the campaign.
Longtime Clinton friends say she recognizes the peril in careening between near-death primary night experiences and small-bore victories.
Publish Post
EXXONMOBIL TAX PAYMENTS
ExxonMobil paid $30 billion in taxes last year.
In other words, just one corporation (Exxon Mobil) pays as much in taxes ($27 billion) annually as the entire bottom 50% of individual taxpayers, which is 65,000,000 people! Further, the tax rate for the bottom 50% is only 3% of adjusted gross income ($27.4 billion / $922 billion), and the tax rate for Exxon was 41% in 2006 ($67.4 billion in taxable income, $27.9 billion in taxes).
In other words, just one corporation (Exxon Mobil) pays as much in taxes ($27 billion) annually as the entire bottom 50% of individual taxpayers, which is 65,000,000 people! Further, the tax rate for the bottom 50% is only 3% of adjusted gross income ($27.4 billion / $922 billion), and the tax rate for Exxon was 41% in 2006 ($67.4 billion in taxable income, $27.9 billion in taxes).
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
AMERICA'S MIDDLE CLASS
Drew Carey on the quality of middle class life inspite of what Lou Dobbs, Hillary, and other gloom-and-doomers are saying.
JEWS AND EVANGELICALS
Liberalism can't abide conservative evangelicals. "Why Don't Jews Like the Christians Who Like Them?
In the United States, the two groups that most ardently support Israel are Jews and evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. Jewish support is easy to explain, but why should certain Christians, most of them politically quite conservative, be so devoted to Israel? There is a second puzzle: despite their support for a Jewish state, evangelical and fundamentalist Christians are disliked by many Jews. And a third: a large fraction of African-Americans are hostile to Israel and critical of Jews, yet Jewish voters regard blacks as their natural allies.
In the United States, the two groups that most ardently support Israel are Jews and evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. Jewish support is easy to explain, but why should certain Christians, most of them politically quite conservative, be so devoted to Israel? There is a second puzzle: despite their support for a Jewish state, evangelical and fundamentalist Christians are disliked by many Jews. And a third: a large fraction of African-Americans are hostile to Israel and critical of Jews, yet Jewish voters regard blacks as their natural allies.
THE PREACHER'S SON
An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time for the boy to being giving some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young men, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he didn't seem to be concerned about it.
One day, while the boy was away to school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects-- a Bible, a silver dollar, a bottle of whisky, and a Playboy magazine.
"I"ll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself. "When he comes home from school this afternoon, I'll see which object he picks up. If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me and what a blessing that would be!
If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a businessman, and that would be okay, too.
But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunkard, and Lord, what a shame that would be.
And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing bum.
The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and headed for his room. The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.
Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while he admired this month's centerfold.
"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna run for Congress."
One day, while the boy was away to school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects-- a Bible, a silver dollar, a bottle of whisky, and a Playboy magazine.
"I"ll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself. "When he comes home from school this afternoon, I'll see which object he picks up. If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me and what a blessing that would be!
If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a businessman, and that would be okay, too.
But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunkard, and Lord, what a shame that would be.
And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing bum.
The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and headed for his room. The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.
Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while he admired this month's centerfold.
"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna run for Congress."
Monday, February 04, 2008
LAW SCHOOLS WITH LOW BAR PASSAGE RATES
The ABA expects law schools to have 75% of graduates pass the bar. Several law schools seem to be having some problems.
BRITISH WELFARE SYSTEM SUPPORTS POLYGAMY
Britain bends the rules. . . Yes, even though bigamy is a crime in Britain, the decision by ministers means that polygamous marriages can now be recognised formally by the state, so long as the weddings took place in countries where the arrangement is legal.
On the other hand, I have seen news coverage of Mormon bigamist cults in Utah that also have all their wives and children on welfare.
On the other hand, I have seen news coverage of Mormon bigamist cults in Utah that also have all their wives and children on welfare.
Friday, February 01, 2008
MCCAIN, A CLOSET DEMOCRAT?
This certainly won't help McCain no matter how he spins it.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001, weeks before then-Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) famously announced his decision to become an Independent, according to former Democratic lawmakers who say they were involved in the discussions.
Daschle said that throughout April and May of 2001, he and McCain “had meetings and conversations on the floor and in his office, I think in mine as well, about how we would do it, what the conditions would be. We talked about committees and his seniority … [A lot of issues] were on the table.”
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001, weeks before then-Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) famously announced his decision to become an Independent, according to former Democratic lawmakers who say they were involved in the discussions.
Daschle said that throughout April and May of 2001, he and McCain “had meetings and conversations on the floor and in his office, I think in mine as well, about how we would do it, what the conditions would be. We talked about committees and his seniority … [A lot of issues] were on the table.”
Thursday, January 31, 2008
GRAND MUFTI WITH WAFFEN SS
Gates of Vienna has a picture of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem posing with Nazi SS soldiers in WW II.
US TECHNOLOGY SALES TO SYRIA
The US is selling Syria computers that could be used by Iran. Selling Syria computers in itself is a serious risk.
The export, disclosed by the U.S. television network Fox, was approved despite U.S. sanctions on Damascus of military and advanced dual-use systems. Syria, deemed a terrorist sponsor, has been in the same category as Iran and North Korea.
Officials said the State Department has provided a license for the sale of advanced computers for a Syrian border surveillance program, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the systems were being provided through a United Nations program that could significantly enhance Syria's military capabilities.
And here is a story of Syrian torture prisons.
The export, disclosed by the U.S. television network Fox, was approved despite U.S. sanctions on Damascus of military and advanced dual-use systems. Syria, deemed a terrorist sponsor, has been in the same category as Iran and North Korea.
Officials said the State Department has provided a license for the sale of advanced computers for a Syrian border surveillance program, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the systems were being provided through a United Nations program that could significantly enhance Syria's military capabilities.
And here is a story of Syrian torture prisons.
Monday, January 28, 2008
BILL CLINTON
Victor David Hanson asks an interesting question about Bill Clinton's aggressive support of Hillary in his stump speeches for her.
It would be cruel, but understandable to ask amid these long encomia on Hillary’s character, her talent, and her morality—prefaced by Bill’s commentary that he almost alone realized her singular gifts, why in the world, then, did he spend over thirty years trying to escape her in almost every way imaginable? Why if she walked on water, did he find company, carnality, conversation with Paula Jones or Gennifer Flowers, or feel the need to talk trash and more with Monica? In other words, he is asking the voter to take on a partnership, a political marriage if you will, that he, mutatis mutandis, never would or has. It reminds me of the last time I bought a Chevy S-10. The local Selma salesman went on at great length about its reliability, its power, and economy, its great price, and then I asked him whose small, like-sized Toyota Tacoma was parked nearby and was it for sale? No need to tell you to whom it belonged.
It would be cruel, but understandable to ask amid these long encomia on Hillary’s character, her talent, and her morality—prefaced by Bill’s commentary that he almost alone realized her singular gifts, why in the world, then, did he spend over thirty years trying to escape her in almost every way imaginable? Why if she walked on water, did he find company, carnality, conversation with Paula Jones or Gennifer Flowers, or feel the need to talk trash and more with Monica? In other words, he is asking the voter to take on a partnership, a political marriage if you will, that he, mutatis mutandis, never would or has. It reminds me of the last time I bought a Chevy S-10. The local Selma salesman went on at great length about its reliability, its power, and economy, its great price, and then I asked him whose small, like-sized Toyota Tacoma was parked nearby and was it for sale? No need to tell you to whom it belonged.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ISLAM
Bruce Thornton criticzes the Epistle to Islam which a number of Christian leaders signed.
The groveling self-abasement of this language, particularly its begging forgiveness of Allah, is matched only by its remarkable historical ignorance. “Outright hostility” has indeed existed between Muslims and Christians, for the simple reason that for 13 centuries Islam grew and spread by war, plunder, rapine, and enslavement throughout the Christian Middle East. Allah’s armies destroyed regions that were culturally Christian for centuries, variously slaughtering, enslaving, and converting their inhabitants, or allowing them to live as oppressed dhimmi, their lives and property dependent on a temporary “truce” that Muslim overlords could abrogate at any time.
The groveling self-abasement of this language, particularly its begging forgiveness of Allah, is matched only by its remarkable historical ignorance. “Outright hostility” has indeed existed between Muslims and Christians, for the simple reason that for 13 centuries Islam grew and spread by war, plunder, rapine, and enslavement throughout the Christian Middle East. Allah’s armies destroyed regions that were culturally Christian for centuries, variously slaughtering, enslaving, and converting their inhabitants, or allowing them to live as oppressed dhimmi, their lives and property dependent on a temporary “truce” that Muslim overlords could abrogate at any time.
Friday, January 25, 2008
NOONAN ON BUSH & CLINTON
Peggy Noonan comments on Bush and the Clintons:
But the Clintons are tearing the party apart. It will not be the same after this. It will not be the same after its most famous leader, and probable ultimate victor, treated a proud and accomplished black man who is a U.S. senator as if he were nothing, a mere impediment to their plans. And to do it in a way that signals, to his supporters, How dare you have the temerity, the ingratitude, after all we've done for you?
On the pundit civil wars, Rush Limbaugh declared on the radio this week, "I'm here to tell you, if either of these two guys [Mr. McCain or Mike Huckabee] get the nomination, it's going to destroy the Republican Party. It's going to change it forever, be the end of it!"
This is absurd. George W. Bush destroyed the Republican Party, by which I mean he sundered it, broke its constituent pieces apart and set them against each other. He did this on spending, the size of government, war, the ability to prosecute war, immigration and other issues.
But the Clintons are tearing the party apart. It will not be the same after this. It will not be the same after its most famous leader, and probable ultimate victor, treated a proud and accomplished black man who is a U.S. senator as if he were nothing, a mere impediment to their plans. And to do it in a way that signals, to his supporters, How dare you have the temerity, the ingratitude, after all we've done for you?
On the pundit civil wars, Rush Limbaugh declared on the radio this week, "I'm here to tell you, if either of these two guys [Mr. McCain or Mike Huckabee] get the nomination, it's going to destroy the Republican Party. It's going to change it forever, be the end of it!"
This is absurd. George W. Bush destroyed the Republican Party, by which I mean he sundered it, broke its constituent pieces apart and set them against each other. He did this on spending, the size of government, war, the ability to prosecute war, immigration and other issues.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
HUCKABEE AS GOVERNOR
Not a very complimentary analysis of Huckabee's tenure as governor of Arkansas, particularly if you are a Republican.
For the 10 years he was governor of Arkansas, Mr. Huckabee was at war with much of his party.
Now that Mr. Huckabee is seeking the presidential nomination, many Arkansas Republicans warn that he could wage a bruising battle with the national party, too.
For the 10 years he was governor of Arkansas, Mr. Huckabee was at war with much of his party.
Now that Mr. Huckabee is seeking the presidential nomination, many Arkansas Republicans warn that he could wage a bruising battle with the national party, too.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
NEVADA HILLARY CAMPAIGN
A friend was returning from Las Vegas and found himself seated next to an ebullient Nevada Hillary Clinton campaign worker. Hillary had just finished defeating Obama in the caucuses and needless to say the campaign worker was on a "high." The impression was left that the Bellagio had given them a villa to use--I am not sure if the campaign paid for this or it was some sort of campaign donation by the Bellagio. In the victory party $8,000 in alcohol was consumed and each campaign worker received $500.00 to go to the gaming tables. Again, I don't know if the money came from campaign donations or some other source. But this is a rather interesting way of rewarding campaign workers.
Ironically the campaign staff of Rudy Giuliani is going without pay and Huckabee is scratching for every penny. I am not sure how Obama and Edwards campaign workers are being rewarded, but Hillarycertainly is well-heeled for this election.
Ironically the campaign staff of Rudy Giuliani is going without pay and Huckabee is scratching for every penny. I am not sure how Obama and Edwards campaign workers are being rewarded, but Hillarycertainly is well-heeled for this election.
REASONS TO VOTE FOR OBAMA
The editor at The State in South Carolina describes the reasoning of the editorial board in selecting Obama over Clinton and Edwards in the state Democrat primary.
It’s not just that he might be the first black president — Sen. Clinton would make history, too. It’s that he offers a fresh start for American politics. It is his ambition to be a president for all of us — black and white, male and female, Democrat and Republican. The nomination of Sen. Clinton would by contrast kick off another bitter round of the pointless partisanship that has plagued the nation under presidents named “Bush” and “Clinton.”
It’s not just that he might be the first black president — Sen. Clinton would make history, too. It’s that he offers a fresh start for American politics. It is his ambition to be a president for all of us — black and white, male and female, Democrat and Republican. The nomination of Sen. Clinton would by contrast kick off another bitter round of the pointless partisanship that has plagued the nation under presidents named “Bush” and “Clinton.”
ASSESSMENT OF FRED THOMPSON'S FAILURE
A staff member reflects on why the Thompson campaign failed.
Most of the leading candidates were working behind the scenes for years, making unofficial deals with the people in every state who know how to wield influence and mobilize the rank and file. Fred, on the other hand, honestly never lusted for the power of the presidency. He agreed, upon significant urging, to run because he believed it was the right thing to do for his children and the country. Politics, however, apparently requires more.
One was anti-Southern prejudice that I found particularly distressing. I’m not, y’all, actually Southern, having been raised in the linguistically neutral Northwest, but I was surprised by the sniping from our side at Fred based on his sincere and gentlemanly Southern manners. Several important conservative bloggers, including some here at Pajamas, made repeated jokes about his language and style as if they are affectations. They are not. The problem, though, is larger and there is a Northern prejudice that interprets the slower, deliberative Southern style as just dim.
Most of the leading candidates were working behind the scenes for years, making unofficial deals with the people in every state who know how to wield influence and mobilize the rank and file. Fred, on the other hand, honestly never lusted for the power of the presidency. He agreed, upon significant urging, to run because he believed it was the right thing to do for his children and the country. Politics, however, apparently requires more.
One was anti-Southern prejudice that I found particularly distressing. I’m not, y’all, actually Southern, having been raised in the linguistically neutral Northwest, but I was surprised by the sniping from our side at Fred based on his sincere and gentlemanly Southern manners. Several important conservative bloggers, including some here at Pajamas, made repeated jokes about his language and style as if they are affectations. They are not. The problem, though, is larger and there is a Northern prejudice that interprets the slower, deliberative Southern style as just dim.
EAST GERMAN SECRET POLICE
The activities of the East German secret police don't get much coverage. Wired has a good summary.
The pages amounted to a minute-by-minute account of Poppe's life, seen from an unimaginable array of angles. Video cameras were installed in the apartment across the street. Her friends' bedrooms were bugged and their conversations about her added to the file. Agents investigated the political leanings of her classmates from middle school and opened all of her mail. "They really tried to capture everything," she says. "Most of it was just junk."
There's no way to know what bombshells those files hide. For a country still trying to come to terms with its role in World War II and its life under a totalitarian regime, that half-destroyed paperwork is a tantalizing secret.
The machine-shredded stuff is confetti, largely unrecoverable. But in May 2007, a team of German computer scientists in Berlin announced that after four years of work, they had completed a system to digitally tape together the torn fragments. Engineers hope their software and scanners can do the job in less than five years — even taking into account the varying textures and durability of paper, the different sizes and shapes of the fragments, the assortment of printing (from handwriting to dot matrix) and the range of edges (from razor sharp to ragged and handmade.) "The numbers are tremendous. If you imagine putting together a jigsaw puzzle at home, you have maybe 1,000 pieces and a picture of what it should look like at the end," project manager Jan Schneider says. "We have many millions of pieces and no idea what they should look like when we're done."
The pages amounted to a minute-by-minute account of Poppe's life, seen from an unimaginable array of angles. Video cameras were installed in the apartment across the street. Her friends' bedrooms were bugged and their conversations about her added to the file. Agents investigated the political leanings of her classmates from middle school and opened all of her mail. "They really tried to capture everything," she says. "Most of it was just junk."
There's no way to know what bombshells those files hide. For a country still trying to come to terms with its role in World War II and its life under a totalitarian regime, that half-destroyed paperwork is a tantalizing secret.
The machine-shredded stuff is confetti, largely unrecoverable. But in May 2007, a team of German computer scientists in Berlin announced that after four years of work, they had completed a system to digitally tape together the torn fragments. Engineers hope their software and scanners can do the job in less than five years — even taking into account the varying textures and durability of paper, the different sizes and shapes of the fragments, the assortment of printing (from handwriting to dot matrix) and the range of edges (from razor sharp to ragged and handmade.) "The numbers are tremendous. If you imagine putting together a jigsaw puzzle at home, you have maybe 1,000 pieces and a picture of what it should look like at the end," project manager Jan Schneider says. "We have many millions of pieces and no idea what they should look like when we're done."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
EVANGELICALS & US FOREIGN POLICY
James Carroll in the Boston Globe attacks the evangelical influence on US foreign policy:
The present climate is my subject. In recent years, the public realm has been invaded by a certain kind of narrow Christian enthusiasm, made up partly of triumphalistic self-aggrandizement (exclusive salvation), and partly of the impulse to denigrate other religions, especially Islam. This phenomenon has been centered in, but not limited to, evangelical fundamentalism. The United States cannot have a constructive foreign policy in religiously enflamed regions like the Middle East, northern Africa or South Asia if the American presence in such conflicts is itself religiously enflaming.
Also see this reaction.
Is rampant Christian fundamentalism really the reason the Israeli-Palestinian issue has been an intractable problem bedeviling every American president for the last four decades? Somehow I'm unconvinced by Carroll's argument that if the American public was less religious - or at least our leaders were more secular, or, by extending his logic, perhaps even atheist - we'd be much better off.
The present climate is my subject. In recent years, the public realm has been invaded by a certain kind of narrow Christian enthusiasm, made up partly of triumphalistic self-aggrandizement (exclusive salvation), and partly of the impulse to denigrate other religions, especially Islam. This phenomenon has been centered in, but not limited to, evangelical fundamentalism. The United States cannot have a constructive foreign policy in religiously enflamed regions like the Middle East, northern Africa or South Asia if the American presence in such conflicts is itself religiously enflaming.
Also see this reaction.
Is rampant Christian fundamentalism really the reason the Israeli-Palestinian issue has been an intractable problem bedeviling every American president for the last four decades? Somehow I'm unconvinced by Carroll's argument that if the American public was less religious - or at least our leaders were more secular, or, by extending his logic, perhaps even atheist - we'd be much better off.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
MICHIGAN PRIMARY ANALYSIS, III
Michigan evangelicals favored Romney over Huckabee.
Why Michigan's evangelicals abandoned Huck is the inetersting question. The most likely explanation is that the reality of Huck's policies caught up with his funny, winsome style. Bill Clinton was funny and winsome as well, and even though Huck is a good man and right on the life issue and marriage, most Republicans wouldn't vote for a pro-life Democrat over a pro-life Republican, and Huck is in essence, a pro-life Democrat. Huck's got five days to get his narrow but deep base back into the game, and yesterday's fiasco about the Constitution and God's word won't help.
Why Michigan's evangelicals abandoned Huck is the inetersting question. The most likely explanation is that the reality of Huck's policies caught up with his funny, winsome style. Bill Clinton was funny and winsome as well, and even though Huck is a good man and right on the life issue and marriage, most Republicans wouldn't vote for a pro-life Democrat over a pro-life Republican, and Huck is in essence, a pro-life Democrat. Huck's got five days to get his narrow but deep base back into the game, and yesterday's fiasco about the Constitution and God's word won't help.
MICHIGAN PRIMARY ANALYSIS, II
Interesting analysis at Tigerhawk -- I enjoyed the following quote: Judging from Frank Luntz's focus group tonight, the typical Nevadan is not nearly as articulate as the typical Iowan. Just sayin'. !!!!!
MICHIGAN PRIMARY ANALYSIS
From RealClearPolitics--the voter breakdown for the Democrats is especially interesting given all this discussion of race politics.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
ROMNEY LINKED TO HEZBOLLAH
This is posted by Debbie Schlussel, but there are pictures. I don't follow Michigan politics, but assome say, "just follow the money."
Does Romney have problems with the fact that Knollenberg and his state legislator son, Marty Knollenberg, both took thousands in campaign contributions from Hezbollah's American agents, Nijad Fares and Abdullah Bouhabib, as I've repeatedly noted? Apparently Not. Does Romney have a problem with the fact that, to pay these egregious contributors back, Joe Knollenberg single-handedly (with Sen. Spencer Abraham on the Senate side) doled out at least $86 million of our tax money to Hezbollah in 2000, allowing Hezbollah to rebuild its strongholds in Southern Lebanon and expand? Apparently not.
Does Romney have problems with the fact that Knollenberg and his state legislator son, Marty Knollenberg, both took thousands in campaign contributions from Hezbollah's American agents, Nijad Fares and Abdullah Bouhabib, as I've repeatedly noted? Apparently Not. Does Romney have a problem with the fact that, to pay these egregious contributors back, Joe Knollenberg single-handedly (with Sen. Spencer Abraham on the Senate side) doled out at least $86 million of our tax money to Hezbollah in 2000, allowing Hezbollah to rebuild its strongholds in Southern Lebanon and expand? Apparently not.
OBAMA'S KENYAN COUSIN
Obama's cousin in Kenya is a member of the opposition and wants to introduce sharia law in Kenya.
According to documents obtained by Kenyan officials, Obama's cousin Odinga promised Shariah law in Kenya if elected.That probably won't play too well with the Obama campaign on "Change" here at home.
According to documents obtained by Kenyan officials, Obama's cousin Odinga promised Shariah law in Kenya if elected.That probably won't play too well with the Obama campaign on "Change" here at home.
RECOUNT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY!
Recount! Is it Hillary or Diebold electronic voting machines? We shall see. Maybe the conspiracists will be proved right, but I am not holding my breath.
CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS ON HILLARY
He doesn't like her! Dysfunctional!!!
What do you have to forget or overlook in order to desire that this dysfunctional clan once more occupies the White House and is again in a position to rent the Lincoln Bedroom to campaign donors and to employ the Oval Office as a massage parlor?
It's often said, by people trying to show how grown-up and unshocked they are, that all Clinton did to get himself impeached was lie about sex. That's not really true. What he actually lied about, in the perjury that also got him disbarred, was the women. And what this involved was a steady campaign of defamation, backed up by private dicks (you should excuse the expression) and salaried government employees, against women who I believe were telling the truth. In my opinion, Gennifer Flowers was telling the truth; so was Monica Lewinsky, and so was Kathleen Willey, and so, lest we forget, was Juanita Broaddrick, the woman who says she was raped by Bill Clinton. (For the full background on this, see the chapter "Is There a Rapist in the Oval Office?" in the paperback version of my book No One Left To Lie To. This essay, I may modestly say, has never been challenged by anybody in the fabled Clinton "rapid response" team.) Yet one constantly reads that both Clintons, including the female who helped intensify the slanders against her mistreated sisters, are excellent on women's "issues."
What do you have to forget or overlook in order to desire that this dysfunctional clan once more occupies the White House and is again in a position to rent the Lincoln Bedroom to campaign donors and to employ the Oval Office as a massage parlor?
It's often said, by people trying to show how grown-up and unshocked they are, that all Clinton did to get himself impeached was lie about sex. That's not really true. What he actually lied about, in the perjury that also got him disbarred, was the women. And what this involved was a steady campaign of defamation, backed up by private dicks (you should excuse the expression) and salaried government employees, against women who I believe were telling the truth. In my opinion, Gennifer Flowers was telling the truth; so was Monica Lewinsky, and so was Kathleen Willey, and so, lest we forget, was Juanita Broaddrick, the woman who says she was raped by Bill Clinton. (For the full background on this, see the chapter "Is There a Rapist in the Oval Office?" in the paperback version of my book No One Left To Lie To. This essay, I may modestly say, has never been challenged by anybody in the fabled Clinton "rapid response" team.) Yet one constantly reads that both Clintons, including the female who helped intensify the slanders against her mistreated sisters, are excellent on women's "issues."
COLUMBUS & SYPHILIS
The spread of disease has always interested me. I don't think this new research will resolve the debate, but it does appear that sailors introduced syphilis from the New World to Europe.
The research, they say, supports the hypothesis that returning explorers introduced organisms leading, in probably modified forms, to the first recorded syphilis epidemic, beginning in Europe in 1493.
The so-called Columbus hypothesis had previously rested on circumstantial evidence, mainly the timing of the epidemic. It was further noted that earlier traces of syphilis or related diseases had been few and inconclusive in Europe. Yet nonvenereal forms of the diseases were widespread in the American tropics.
The research, they say, supports the hypothesis that returning explorers introduced organisms leading, in probably modified forms, to the first recorded syphilis epidemic, beginning in Europe in 1493.
The so-called Columbus hypothesis had previously rested on circumstantial evidence, mainly the timing of the epidemic. It was further noted that earlier traces of syphilis or related diseases had been few and inconclusive in Europe. Yet nonvenereal forms of the diseases were widespread in the American tropics.
Monday, January 14, 2008
H.L. Mencken
Of all the classes of men, I dislike the most those who make their livings by talking - actors, clergymen, politicians, pedagogues, and so on. .... It is almost impossible to imagine a talker who sticks to the facts. Carried away by the sound of his own voice and the applause from the groundlings, he makes inevitably the jump from logic to mere rhetoric. - H.L. Mencken, "Sententiae"
Friday, January 11, 2008
RACIAL BACKLASH AGAINST HILLARY
From Politico: The comments, which ranged from the New York senator appearing to diminish the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement — an aide later said she misspoke — to Bill Clinton dismissing Sen. Barack Obama’s image in the media as a “fairy tale” — generated outrage on black radio, black blogs and cable television. And now they've drawn the attention of prominent African-American politicians.
MS. MAGAZINE: ANTI-SEMITIC
MS. magazine refuses to publish and ad which promotes the impact of Jewish women in Israel.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY
Some are proposing that Hillary's forces manipulated electronic voting machines in the New Hampshire primary.
CLINTON COLLAPSE
Even Bill Richardson is lashing out at the Clintons! I saw him as one of the more loyal water carriers. I would love to sit in a Clinton campaign meeting after New Hampshire.
Monday, January 07, 2008
VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY
It strikes me as ironic that Hillary has been concerned about the vast right-wing conspiracy that was out to do her in. . . .and it is a fellow Democrat, Obama, who keeps putting nails in her coffin. We will see what New Hampshire brings. I like the comments of David Brooks on the differences.
STUDENT WRITING
Daniel Drezner has collected a number of examples of interesting student statements on essays! I have to truthfully say, I have never read things as bad as some of these in my years.
Friday, January 04, 2008
GLOBAL COOLING COMING
I can't figure out whether to increase my air conditioning capacity to protect myself from global warming or buy a wood burning stove to keep me warm when global cooling strikes.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
HILLARY'S PAST
Hillary's camp is supposedly throwing out some negative items about Barack Obama, but I am not sure this is a wise thing to do. It raises issues of her and Bill's own past ethical problems. See "Hillary's Glass House" for a succinct summary of Hillary's questionable activites. I believe Stuart Taylor is a Democrat as far as I can tell.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
BILL VS. OPRAH
Kathleen Parker has an interesting column on who has stronger voter appeal, Bill Clinton or Oprah Winfrey. It looks like Bill adds value to Hillary's campaign whereas Oprah's added value may be minimal for Obama.
DECLINE OF THE WEST
This blogger captures a paradox in American presidential campaigns -- there is a general "dumbing" down on how issues are dealt with (and I blame the media for some of this) and also we have this celebrity focus (and Obama is not the only one to blame for this).
Monday, December 10, 2007
HUCKABEE
Posted on the Drudge Report under the title "Take This Nation Back for Christ." I think Huckabee handles himself very well in most debates I have seen, but I am wondering if he would be a strong candidate outside of the South or some of the Midwest states. Secularists might be more comfortable with Romney, a Mormon, than a fundamentalist.
MILITARY RETIREES SURVEY
This is an interesting survey of the opinions of retired military officers. A significant percentage feel waterboarding is torture.
Friday, December 07, 2007
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES
I have not been impressed with US intelligence services for a number of years (probably decades). The 2007 national intelligence estimate has come out and the media is saying it corrects the misinformation in the 2005 estimate regarding Iran. It has been some time since I read the 2005 estimate and I have only had time to read the media reports on the 2007 estimates. Ambassador Bolton has come out with his criticism of the 2007 estimate. He obviously has a stake in this debate as do those critical of the 2005 report. I wonder, however, if either of the reports has got it right?
MAX BOOT ANALYSIS OF MIDDLE EAST
Author Max Boot comments on Saudis, the NIE estimates, and war in Iraq.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
OBAMA'S CHRISTIAN FAITH
The November Atlantic Monthly has a succinct statement by Obama on his conversion to Christianity in which he sounds amazingly evangelical. I can't find it online, but I found this interview. And here is the same testimony I saw quoted in Atlantic Monthly. The media seem to be ignoring his religious beliefs.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
ANTHRAX AND AL QAEDA
Saddam, anthrax, and terrorism linked? In my opinion still not the shooting gun, but the 2001 anthrax attack still has not been explained sufficiently in my opinion.
Friday, November 16, 2007
DEMOCRAT DEBATE
I finally listened to an entire (well almost) entire debate. I really liked Biden's remarks and intelligence, but obviously he is going nowhere. Don't have time to say more, but I enjoyed Vodkapundit's reactions to the debate.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
INCOME INEQUALITY HOKUM
The WSJ publishes a study by the Treasury Department which states that "the rich are not getting richer."
If you've been listening to Mike Huckabee or John Edwards on the Presidential trail, you may have heard that the U.S. is becoming a nation of rising inequality and shrinking opportunity. We'd refer those campaigns to a new study of income mobility by the Treasury Department that exposes those claims as so much populist hokum.
OK, "hokum" is our word. The study, to be released today, is a careful, detailed piece of research by professional economists that avoids political judgments. But what it does do is show beyond doubt that the U.S. remains a dynamic society marked by rapid and mostly upward income mobility. Much as they always have, Americans on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder continue to climb into the middle and sometimes upper classes in remarkably short periods of time.
If you've been listening to Mike Huckabee or John Edwards on the Presidential trail, you may have heard that the U.S. is becoming a nation of rising inequality and shrinking opportunity. We'd refer those campaigns to a new study of income mobility by the Treasury Department that exposes those claims as so much populist hokum.
OK, "hokum" is our word. The study, to be released today, is a careful, detailed piece of research by professional economists that avoids political judgments. But what it does do is show beyond doubt that the U.S. remains a dynamic society marked by rapid and mostly upward income mobility. Much as they always have, Americans on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder continue to climb into the middle and sometimes upper classes in remarkably short periods of time.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
"TALK TO YOU LATER BUCKWHEAT"
A Louisiana Democrat! And I still having a hard time about how Louisiana Democrats used the race card on Bobby Jindhal.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
ENVIRONMENT
We've outgrown the planet and need radical action to avert unspeakable consequences. This - by a huge margin - has become humanity's greatest challenge.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
DEMOCRAT DEFENSE PORK
A very interesting map. It looks to me like most defense pork is going to Democrat areas. If the defense budget is ever cut back, would all of these Democrats choose cuts or jobs?
Monday, November 05, 2007
CURVEBALL
Update on 60 Minutes program about curveball from the National Security Archive.
THE RECORD ON CURVEBALL
Declassified Documents and Key Participants Show the Importance of Phony Intelligence in the Origins of the Iraq War
For more information contact: http://www.nsarchive.org
Washington D.C., November 5, 2007 - CBS News' 60 Minutes exposure last night of the Iraqi agent known as CURVEBALL has put a major aspect of the Bush administration's case for war against Iraq back under the spotlight.
Rafid Ahmed Alwan's charges that Iraq possessed stockpiles of biological weapons and the mobile plants to produce them formed a critical part of the U.S. justification for the invasion in Spring 2003. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell's celebrated and globally televised briefing to the United Nations Security Council on February 5, 2003, relied on CURVEBALL as the main source of intelligence on the biological issue.
Today the National Security Archive posts the available public record on CURVEBALL's information derived from declassified sources and former officials' accounts.
While most of the documentary record on the issue remains classified, the materials published today underscore the precarious nature of the intelligence gathering and analytical process, and point to the existence of doubts about CURVEBALL's authenticity before his charges were featured in the Bush administration's public claims about Iraq.
THE RECORD ON CURVEBALL
Declassified Documents and Key Participants Show the Importance of Phony Intelligence in the Origins of the Iraq War
For more information contact: http://www.nsarchive.org
Washington D.C., November 5, 2007 - CBS News' 60 Minutes exposure last night of the Iraqi agent known as CURVEBALL has put a major aspect of the Bush administration's case for war against Iraq back under the spotlight.
Rafid Ahmed Alwan's charges that Iraq possessed stockpiles of biological weapons and the mobile plants to produce them formed a critical part of the U.S. justification for the invasion in Spring 2003. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell's celebrated and globally televised briefing to the United Nations Security Council on February 5, 2003, relied on CURVEBALL as the main source of intelligence on the biological issue.
Today the National Security Archive posts the available public record on CURVEBALL's information derived from declassified sources and former officials' accounts.
While most of the documentary record on the issue remains classified, the materials published today underscore the precarious nature of the intelligence gathering and analytical process, and point to the existence of doubts about CURVEBALL's authenticity before his charges were featured in the Bush administration's public claims about Iraq.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
HILLARY vs. RON PAUL
Hillary cannot get over 48% of the vote in a run against Ron Paul according to a poll! The focus was not so much on how strong a candidate Ron Paul is, but the fact that Hillary cannot get over the 48% hump. However, I am not sure this means that she cannot win. A candidate can get 48% of the vote and win by a substantial electoral margin. The Democrats will certainly carry some of the large electoral states like California and New York. If Hillary can take these states, the rust belt, and maybe Florida she can win.
CHURCH TIRED OF POLITICAL ACTIVISIM
A conservative Baptist preacher is released from his church for too much stress on social and political issues.
OBAMA, A NON-PATRIOT
I have been getting hit with a number of emails regarding Obama's treatment of the playing of the national anthem.
Monday, October 29, 2007
INSIDE THE DALLAS HOLY LAND FOUNDATION TRIAL
The jury was "hung," but it looks like there were problems in the jury. What the Dallas Morning News published is not describing the real views of at least one juror.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
EVANGELICAL LEADER FOR ROMNEY
I thought Dr. Wayne Grudem presented a carefully thought-out rationale for why is supporting Romney, a Mormon, for president. It will be interesting to see how other leaders on the Christian Right react to his decision.
HILLARY FUNDRAISING
Thursday, October 18, 2007
SHORT PEOPLE
People who are short have poorer physical and mental health!
Short men and women apparently complain of poorer mental and physical health than those of an average height.
Researchers examined more than 14,000 responses to the 2003 Health Survey for England.
Short men and women apparently complain of poorer mental and physical health than those of an average height.
Researchers examined more than 14,000 responses to the 2003 Health Survey for England.
HITLER'S LEGACY
Very interesting (and controversial) lecture by a German scholar on Hitler's impact on contemporary Middle Eastern thinking with regard to Jews.
Today I will be laying special emphasis on the antisemitism of the ancestor of all forms of Islamism, the Muslim Brotherhood. Why? Because it seems to me that this organization has a particularly strong presence in Britain. Because – as far as I can tell - only in Britain has it succeeded in forging an alliance with certain sections of the left – the Socialist Workers Party and Ken Livingstone spring to mind here. This alliance might also partly explain why one hears proposals being voiced in Britain that leave us in Germany, mindful of what happened in 1933, simply stunned. I am referring here to proposals for a boycott of Israel and I appreciate the British government’s response to the “Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism” which states that “such selective boycotts … are anti-Jewish in practice” and are “an assult on academic freedom and intellectual exchange.”
Islamic antisemitism is a taboo subject even in some parts of academia: a story of intellectual betrayal and the corrupting influence of political commitment. Professor Pieter von der Horst from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands found this out when he proposed to give a lecture on the topic of the anti-Jewish blood libel. The head of the university asked him to excise the section of his lecture dealing with Islamic antisemitism. When he refused to do so, he was invited to appear before a panel of four professors who insisted he remove these passages. A lecture on Islamic antisemitism, so the argument went, might lead to violent reactions from well-organized Muslim student groups.
Today I will be laying special emphasis on the antisemitism of the ancestor of all forms of Islamism, the Muslim Brotherhood. Why? Because it seems to me that this organization has a particularly strong presence in Britain. Because – as far as I can tell - only in Britain has it succeeded in forging an alliance with certain sections of the left – the Socialist Workers Party and Ken Livingstone spring to mind here. This alliance might also partly explain why one hears proposals being voiced in Britain that leave us in Germany, mindful of what happened in 1933, simply stunned. I am referring here to proposals for a boycott of Israel and I appreciate the British government’s response to the “Report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism” which states that “such selective boycotts … are anti-Jewish in practice” and are “an assult on academic freedom and intellectual exchange.”
Islamic antisemitism is a taboo subject even in some parts of academia: a story of intellectual betrayal and the corrupting influence of political commitment. Professor Pieter von der Horst from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands found this out when he proposed to give a lecture on the topic of the anti-Jewish blood libel. The head of the university asked him to excise the section of his lecture dealing with Islamic antisemitism. When he refused to do so, he was invited to appear before a panel of four professors who insisted he remove these passages. A lecture on Islamic antisemitism, so the argument went, might lead to violent reactions from well-organized Muslim student groups.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
CHE!
The Economist had a good article on Che Guevara, who has become somewhat of an icon for the radical left.
The wider the cult spreads, the further it strays from the man. Rather than a Christian romantic, Guevara was a ruthless and dogmatic Marxist, who stood not for liberation but for a new tyranny. In the Sierra Maestra, he shot those suspected of treachery; in victory, Mr Castro placed him in charge of the firing squads that executed “counter-revolutionaries”; as minister of industries, Guevara advocated expropriation down to the last farm and shop. His exhortation to guerrilla warfare, irrespective of political circumstance, lured thousands of idealistic Latin Americans to their deaths, helped to create brutal dictatorships and delayed the achievement of democracy.
The wider the cult spreads, the further it strays from the man. Rather than a Christian romantic, Guevara was a ruthless and dogmatic Marxist, who stood not for liberation but for a new tyranny. In the Sierra Maestra, he shot those suspected of treachery; in victory, Mr Castro placed him in charge of the firing squads that executed “counter-revolutionaries”; as minister of industries, Guevara advocated expropriation down to the last farm and shop. His exhortation to guerrilla warfare, irrespective of political circumstance, lured thousands of idealistic Latin Americans to their deaths, helped to create brutal dictatorships and delayed the achievement of democracy.
HILLARY ADVISER MARK PENN
Dick Morris analyzes Hillary's chief adviser's lobbying background.
“Running a presidential campaign is good for business.” Mark Penn, Hillary’s chief campaign strategist and CEO of mega public relations/lobbying firm Burson Marsteller, wrote those telling words in an internal corporate blog.
Penn has good reason to believe it. His business is booming from hefty fees it's collecting from a "Who's Who" of corporate, foreign governments and special interests — many of whom oppose Hillary Clinton and many Democrats on key policy issues.
Given the breadth of his company’s special interest clients, Penn appears to be collecting from parties that are lining up early to influence the next administration, betting, as they are, that Hillary Clinton will be our next president.
“Running a presidential campaign is good for business.” Mark Penn, Hillary’s chief campaign strategist and CEO of mega public relations/lobbying firm Burson Marsteller, wrote those telling words in an internal corporate blog.
Penn has good reason to believe it. His business is booming from hefty fees it's collecting from a "Who's Who" of corporate, foreign governments and special interests — many of whom oppose Hillary Clinton and many Democrats on key policy issues.
Given the breadth of his company’s special interest clients, Penn appears to be collecting from parties that are lining up early to influence the next administration, betting, as they are, that Hillary Clinton will be our next president.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
DEMOCRAT FATCATS
It is hard to believe the amount of money raised by Democrat candidates compared to the years before the 2004 election. Who is giving all this money??? It is also hard to believe the Democrats are representing the "little" people.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
BUSH INTELLIGENCE FAILURE
A disturbing account of how someone prematurely leaked an al-Qaeda video and destroyed a valuable intelligence source. Also see this news item.
A small private intelligence company that monitors Islamic terrorist groups obtained a new Osama bin Laden video ahead of its official release last month, and around 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, it notified the Bush administration of its secret acquisition. It gave two senior officials access on the condition that the officials not reveal they had it until the al-Qaeda release.
Within 20 minutes, a range of intelligence agencies had begun downloading it from the company's Web site. By midafternoon that day, the video and a transcript of its audio track had been leaked from within the Bush administration to cable television news and broadcast worldwide.
The founder of the company, the SITE Intelligence Group, says this premature disclosure tipped al-Qaeda to a security breach and destroyed a years-long surveillance operation that the company has used to intercept and pass along secret messages, videos and advance warnings of suicide bombings from the terrorist group's communications network.
A small private intelligence company that monitors Islamic terrorist groups obtained a new Osama bin Laden video ahead of its official release last month, and around 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, it notified the Bush administration of its secret acquisition. It gave two senior officials access on the condition that the officials not reveal they had it until the al-Qaeda release.
Within 20 minutes, a range of intelligence agencies had begun downloading it from the company's Web site. By midafternoon that day, the video and a transcript of its audio track had been leaked from within the Bush administration to cable television news and broadcast worldwide.
The founder of the company, the SITE Intelligence Group, says this premature disclosure tipped al-Qaeda to a security breach and destroyed a years-long surveillance operation that the company has used to intercept and pass along secret messages, videos and advance warnings of suicide bombings from the terrorist group's communications network.
Monday, October 08, 2007
ANOTHER US INTELLIGENCE FAILURE?
Condi Rice supposedly delayed a recent Israeli attack on Syrian nuclear installations, because the Bush administration wanted more proof. The Israelis came back with more proof and Washington gave the go-ahead to attack. What caught my eye was the following comment:
The official defined the information as "jaw dropping," and said it raised serious questions as to why U.S. intelligence had not uncovered the facility.
If true, this is not encouraging news about US intelligence and reinforces the image, especially since 9/11 that the CIA has no idea what is happening in the Middle East.
The official defined the information as "jaw dropping," and said it raised serious questions as to why U.S. intelligence had not uncovered the facility.
If true, this is not encouraging news about US intelligence and reinforces the image, especially since 9/11 that the CIA has no idea what is happening in the Middle East.
GLOBAL WARMING: THE MIDDLE GROUND?
I sort of like this fellow. I am not sure he qualifies as an expert or not, but he seems to deal with global warming in a less hysterical way than Al Gore.
Curiously, something that's rarely mentioned is that temperatures in Greenland were higher in 1941 than they are today. Or that melt rates around Ilulissat were faster in the early part of the past century, according to a new study. And while the delegations first fly into Kangerlussuaq, about 100 miles to the south, they all change planes to go straight to Ilulissat -- perhaps because the Kangerlussuaq glacier is inconveniently growing.
I point this out not to challenge the reality of global warming or the fact that it's caused in large part by humans, but because the discussion about climate change has turned into a nasty dustup, with one side arguing that we're headed for catastrophe and the other maintaining that it's all a hoax. I say that neither is right. It's wrong to deny the obvious: The Earth is warming, and we're causing it. But that's not the whole story, and predictions of impending disaster just don't stack up.
Curiously, something that's rarely mentioned is that temperatures in Greenland were higher in 1941 than they are today. Or that melt rates around Ilulissat were faster in the early part of the past century, according to a new study. And while the delegations first fly into Kangerlussuaq, about 100 miles to the south, they all change planes to go straight to Ilulissat -- perhaps because the Kangerlussuaq glacier is inconveniently growing.
I point this out not to challenge the reality of global warming or the fact that it's caused in large part by humans, but because the discussion about climate change has turned into a nasty dustup, with one side arguing that we're headed for catastrophe and the other maintaining that it's all a hoax. I say that neither is right. It's wrong to deny the obvious: The Earth is warming, and we're causing it. But that's not the whole story, and predictions of impending disaster just don't stack up.
Friday, October 05, 2007
CANDIDATE CALCULATOR
Answer a number of questions and see which presidential candidate or candidates you identify with -- I was surprised. I am not sure I even like him, but I guess I am a Romneyite. Bill Richardson was my top Democrat pick -- no surprise.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
SPUTNIK IN SONG
I happened to hear part of an NPR report on "Sputnik in Space and Song." You have to listen to the "Sputnik Dance" by the Equadors! Or maybe "Beep, Beep" by Louis Prima!
Monday, October 01, 2007
REPUBLICANS IN DEEP TROUBLE
It should be no surprise, but the Republicans are going to face tough times in 2008. On top of this the Christian Right is considering a third party.
Friday, September 28, 2007
CRITICISM OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Not only the CIA, but the State Department needs to rethink what it is doing. I like this proposal that a new type of diplomat is needed. American diplomats need to get off cushy sofas in Washington and hit the streets in countries that are not seen as great posts. Also the time has come to rethink our national security and diplomatic paradigm. Whether Giuliani is the president to do this remains to be seen.
Even the State Department's chardonnay and brie brigade suspects we have entered a new era of grimy, street-level foreign policy. It's an era where effective diplomacy starts with long days in bad neighborhoods, as culturally-savvy diplomats identify the hopes, fears and trends that seed future crises, and -- preferably -- create American-influenced opportunities to positively shape events.
Even the State Department's chardonnay and brie brigade suspects we have entered a new era of grimy, street-level foreign policy. It's an era where effective diplomacy starts with long days in bad neighborhoods, as culturally-savvy diplomats identify the hopes, fears and trends that seed future crises, and -- preferably -- create American-influenced opportunities to positively shape events.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
CRITICISM OF THE CIA
A number of good points are made about the failure of the CIA from this blogger. The bold face is my note.
Last night, Hugh had longtime CIA employee and George Tenet advisor Mark Lowenthal on as a guest. At the end of the interview, Lowenthal provided an unintentionally hilarious (albeit chilling) summation of the CIA’s pathos. While discussing Iran’s path to nuclear weapons, Lowenthal posited that the Mullahs remain seven years from “mission accomplished”. Hugh asked if we could afford to take the chance that the CIA’s “guess” on this matter was correct. Lowenthal bristled, reminding Hugh that at “the CIA we don’t guess. We estimate.”
I feel so much better! Because there’s such an enormous difference between guessing and estimating. And, let’s face it, the CIA’s track record on recent estimations is rock solid. Oh sure, they severely underestimated Saddam’s proximity to nuclear weaponry in the early 1990’s. And the Agency over-estimated Iraq’s WMD capabilities in the run-up to the Iraq War. And regarding Al Qaeda’s plans and abilities, the Agency was effectively clueless. But I’m sure the Agency has made some estimates in the past few decades that haven’t completely stunk.
Last night, Hugh had longtime CIA employee and George Tenet advisor Mark Lowenthal on as a guest. At the end of the interview, Lowenthal provided an unintentionally hilarious (albeit chilling) summation of the CIA’s pathos. While discussing Iran’s path to nuclear weapons, Lowenthal posited that the Mullahs remain seven years from “mission accomplished”. Hugh asked if we could afford to take the chance that the CIA’s “guess” on this matter was correct. Lowenthal bristled, reminding Hugh that at “the CIA we don’t guess. We estimate.”
I feel so much better! Because there’s such an enormous difference between guessing and estimating. And, let’s face it, the CIA’s track record on recent estimations is rock solid. Oh sure, they severely underestimated Saddam’s proximity to nuclear weaponry in the early 1990’s. And the Agency over-estimated Iraq’s WMD capabilities in the run-up to the Iraq War. And regarding Al Qaeda’s plans and abilities, the Agency was effectively clueless. But I’m sure the Agency has made some estimates in the past few decades that haven’t completely stunk.
THE SAUDIS
They may not be the allies we think they are in the war on terror.
There's new evidence the Saudis aren't cooperating in our battle to eradicate terrorists or those who bankroll them. Their negligence is shocking even to cynics.
According to the Treasury Department's top anti-terror official, the kingdom has not prosecuted a single person named by the U.S. or the United Nations as a terror financier. Asked by ABC News how many Saudis have been charged with funding terror since 9/11, Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey said, "There have not been any." Not one? "No," he asserted.
There's new evidence the Saudis aren't cooperating in our battle to eradicate terrorists or those who bankroll them. Their negligence is shocking even to cynics.
According to the Treasury Department's top anti-terror official, the kingdom has not prosecuted a single person named by the U.S. or the United Nations as a terror financier. Asked by ABC News how many Saudis have been charged with funding terror since 9/11, Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey said, "There have not been any." Not one? "No," he asserted.
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