Remedial Diplomacy

Weekly Standard "Seeking to become the global arbitrator makes even less sense if U.S. power declines, since the critical element in international mediation is the ability to enforce one’s will." Seth Cropsey

Reflections on the Revolution in America

Victor Davis Hanson "...the present attempt to remake America is the effort of the liberal well-to-do — highly educated at mostly private universities, nursed on three decades of postmodern education, either with inherited wealth or earning top salaries, lifestyles of privilege indistinguishable from those they decry as selfish, and immune from the dictates they impose on others."...."I’m sorry — I don’t take seriously much of anything from this wannabe revolutionary bunch."

Disgrace: House approves Slaughter strategy, 222-203

Hot Air "But look. If you think this thing is headed for passage, which seems increasingly likely, your last best hope to kill it is through a court challenge. The filthier the process, the better the odds that SCOTUS will torpedo it down the line." Background here. The vote approved the "deem & pass" process, not the healthcare bill itself. That comes later.

The Biden Incident

Charles Krauthammer "Under Obama, Netanyahu agreed to commit his center-right coalition to acceptance of a Palestinian state; took down dozens of anti-terror roadblocks and checkpoints to ease life for the Palestinians; ...and agreed to the West Bank construction moratorium, a concession that Secretary Clinton herself called “unprecedented.” What reciprocal gesture, let alone concession, has Abbas made during the Obama presidency? Not one." Emphasis added.

Romancing the CBO/ How to get a better score for your bill.

Slate "Here are some of the most common tricks to make your bill look good and how the health care bill does or doesn't use them: "...

“If you don’t tie our hands, we will keep stealing”

Hot Air "What this guy’s actually copping to is nothing less than the collapse of representative government. They could take up entitlement reform, but preserving the long-term economic viability of the United States simply isn’t enough incentive. Nothing short of a public initiative demanding that they behave in a responsible manner will get them to act responsibly." I think this story could be big.

What the Senate Bill Would Do To America

Heritage "The reconciliation bill being drafted is nothing more than thin political cover for House Democrats who believe the Senate bill is terrible public policy but want to please their leadership and the President by voting for it anyway. As we detailed yesterday, there is no bill but the Senate bill. Once the House passes the Senate bill, the President will sign it. Game over. It has been almost three months since the Senate passed their bill in the dead of night on Christmas Eve. A review of just how terrible it really is, is in order:"

America in Retreat

Commentary "Obama intended to address “our standing in the world”. Little did we imagine where this was heading — a more innocuous and less reliable America, which is fast becoming an easier mark for despotic regimes."

A Middle East Without American Influence?

Slate "In the Middle East, however, there is nothing that reeks so much of weakness as beating up on an ally in public. Moreover, this tongue-lashing comes shortly after the White House swallowed the open taunts of its adversaries." Gonna be a long three years. Seven if we don't stop getting our voting recommendations from celebrities.

The Gunny speaks

Military Times "Military Times recently interviewed R. Lee Ermey, combat veteran of Vietnam and Drill Instructor extraordinaire, on important subjects such as Don't Ask Don't Tell, rules of engagement, tattoos, and stationary (sic)." Via Blackfive

Capturing Bin Laden

From Grim at Blackfive "It happens that these don't. Islamic law has its own ideas about what is just and righteous in war, and it happens that al Qaeda is in violation of those standards too. These are not criminals; they're the enemies of civilization. Not "the enemies of our civilization," but of all civilizations. We can apply the laws and justice of war to them without violating any standard to which they have a right to appeal." Oh, yeah, by the way: Lawfare - ACLU sues over drones "And since when was it the job of the ACLU to determine the "wisdom" of using drones, much less the "legality"? Does it also claim the right to determine the "wisdom" and "legality" of artillery strikes? Air strikes? "

Republicans cast Nancy Pelosi as health care villain

Politico "Health care reform might be President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy, but not if you ask Republicans running for the House this year. According to them, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the driving force behind the enterprise, assisted by an army of subservient lieutenants."