Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Trouble with Elitist Theories

Victor Davis Hanson "There is an unfocused but growing anger in the country — and it should come as no surprise. Nobody likes to be lectured by those claiming superior wisdom but often lacking common sense about everything from out-of-control spending and predicting the weather to dealing with enemies who are trying to kill us all."

U.S. Terror Attack 'Ninety Days at Most'

Fox News "I predict, based primarily on information that is floating in Europe and the Middle East, that an event is imminent and around the corner here in the United States. It could happen as soon as tomorrow, or it could happen in the next few months. Ninety days at the most." Counterterrorism expert Juval Aviv

Mike Ramirez cartoon

BBB Alerts Consumers about U.S. Census Workers: Be Cooperative, But Cautious!

BBB “Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.” Hat tip to Jeff Hayden  And this: [An email] states information about the Census Bureau is not working with ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. We don't know where THAT came from…the BBB's never said anything about that one way or the other.





Is The GOP Ready To Govern Again?

Cook Political Report "I've been struck by the remarkable ad that Japan's embattled automaker, Toyota, is now running: "For over 50 years, providing you with safe, reliable, high-quality vehicles has been our first priority. In recent days, our company hasn't been living up to the standards that you've come to expect from us or that we expect from ourselves." When will either of America's political parties learn that the best way to start anew is by apologizing?"

Welcome to UC Islam

Prof. Mike Adams "To date, I’ve seen nothing about this in the main edition of the Los Angeles Times. But suppose the Syrian ambassador had been interrupted just once by the Jewish Student Association. Do you think they would have found that newsworthy? I’m just wondering." More here: UC Irvine: MSU Calls for Israel to Be Wiped Out Via Little Green Footballs "If you’re as appalled by what you see and hear in this video as I am, here’s a page where you can contact the president of the University of California system, Robert C. Dynes. Please be polite and respectful, to make your points heard: University of California - About UC."

In Mideast, Bet on a Strong Horse

Daniel Pipes via NRO "More broadly, when the U.S. government flinches, others (e.g., the Iranian leadership) have an opportunity to “force their own order on the region.” Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese leader, has half-seriously suggested that Washington “send car bombs to Damascus” to get its message across and signal its understanding of Arab ways. Smith’s simple and near-universal principle provides a tool to comprehend the Arabs’ cult of death, honor killings, terrorist attacks, despotism, warfare, and much else. He acknowledges that the strong-horse principle may strike Westerners as ineffably crude, but he correctly insists on its being a cold reality that outsiders must recognize, take into account, and respond to.

Selling Freedom Cheap

Thomas Sowell "Alarms ranging from “overpopulation” to “global warming” and crusades ranging from “affordable housing” to “universal health care” have been among the distractions of political magicians. But few distractions have had such a long and impressive political track record as getting people to resent and, if necessary, hate other people." Most originated by liberals (progressives), I might add.

The Doritos Ad Wasn’t Funny

Dennis Prager via NRO "Those who argue that the boy was just defending his mom may well be right. But that only further reinforces the point of what a dysfunctional scene the ad was portraying: A leering man, a mother dressed in a sexually provocative way, and a sexually aware child who essentially serves as man of the house at the age of five."

McCain and Hayworth: Tale of the Tape

Randall Hoven "This Arizona primary election can be put in simple terms. Do Republicans want more compromise with Democrats and "bipartisanship," or would they rather take the Ronald Reagan approach: We win, they lose?"

Mister Cool and Detached

American Thinker "Obama's admirers will point to his ambivalence as "cool and detached." "Deliberate and thoughtful" are like-minded badges describing a powerful intellect making an agonizing choice among equally unattractive alternatives. This has been Obama's style in dealing with Iran, terrorist captives, and economic recovery. Don't be fooled. For this president, "cool and detached" means "clueless and bewildered." " This column includes the word "bumfuzzled".

Bidenism (Two decades of 'em)

Victor Davis Hanson "Biden, like others, did not merely “evolve” on the war, but at each stage of his metamorphosis, emerged as a vehement, loud advocate of an entirely new position usually at odds with his prior assertions." And this: Scott Brown Schools Joey Plugs

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy and the ACLU

InfidelBloggers "The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota is suing Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA) for allegedly crossing the line between religion and public education...When will the ACLU turn its sights in the direction of public schools other than those of the charter type?"

Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban’s Top Commander

Sweetness&Light "Mullah Baradar has been in Pakistani custody for several days, with American and Pakistani intelligence officials both taking part in interrogations, according to the officials. It was unclear whether he was talking, but the officials said his capture had provided a window into the Taliban and could lead to other senior officials. Most immediately, they hope he will provide the whereabouts of Mullah Omar, the one-eyed cleric who is the group’s spiritual leader…" Let's see, where'd we stash that waterboard? Um, er, you have the right to remain silent...

Saudi warning that sanctions against Iran may not work

UK Telegraph "Saudi Arabia has warned that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon before stronger sanctions take effect as Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, sought its support for a new round of UN-backed penalties. "

RNC Wants Collective Bargaining with Tea Parties

Big Government "At the same time I warned of the impending disaster that would result in the creation of a third party. To use some of the language popular with the current administration this would be a Tea Party equivalent to the “Nuclear Option.” The result would be a split vote that would turn the keys over to liberals for yet another term." SFC Steve McQueen (Ret.)

MSNBC’s Maddow Regrets Misquoting Senator Inhofe But Then Misquotes Him Again...

CNS News " “We appreciate that Rachel is a proud liberal defending the massive government spending bills now flowing out of Washington, but hope she will consider making another correction,” reads the statement. " More MSNBC here: "Olbermann: Tea Partiers Are Racist, Scared Because Obama Is Black, Only Use 'Tax Cuts' As Code For Obama Is Black ...'Tea Klux Klan'"

Dumb and Dumber: Joe Biden Picks a Fight with New York

Commentary "We have come to expect flawed decision-making from the Obami. But it does seem as though the longer they stay in office, the dumber and more inept they become on the pure politics of it all. For people waging a perpetual campaign complete with rallies and Potemkin Village summits (the bipartisanship rather than the buildings is fake, in this case), they sure have lost their political touch."

It Is Not Going to Help

Commentary "...(hold more “carefully choreographed interactions with the press,” they declare) and more aggressive with opponents (”more direct, rapid response to criticism”). Sigh. Yes, this gang imagines that less transparency and more hyper-partisanship are the way to go. Sadly, there is no brave soul there to say, “Ah, Mr. President, I think we are already getting slammed for being too secretive and thin-skinned.” "

Nuclear power aids climate push - White House

ReutersAlert "The Obama administration will announce on Tuesday an $8.3 billion loan guarantee to help Southern Co. build two reactors, helping to invigorate the nuclear power industry after nearly three decades in which no new plants have been built." Let's support him on this; Mothers for Peace protests begin in 3...2...1...