TAPPED takes Kathryn Jean Lopez of National Review Online to task for mentioning Sen. Robert Byrd's efforts to delay the confirmation vote of Condleeza Rice. They call it a variation on the "conservo-race card".
One semi-obvious point. If you can't tweak a former GRAND SWIZZLE-STICK OF THE KU KLUX KRUNKIN' KLAN over a point of racial politics, who CAN you?
There is much good to say about Robert Byrd, but sometimes, taking the cheap shot is a moral imperative. The other side rarely misses the chance to bytch-slap Trent Lott or Strom Thurmond. It's only fair.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Scenes from the Clinton Liebrary
The New York Daily News reports that Bill Clinton's new presidential library and grill attempts to spin his impeachment as a defense of the constitution. Clinton insists he never lied to the American people 'about my job', and defies anyone to find an instance 'where I ever let the American people down."
Hoo boy, where to begin.
On second thought, why even bother. Bill is sooooo September 10th. Let him have his library, his books, his gazillion dollar speaking tours. Whatever I think about the guy, many people still like him, and nothing I can say is likely to make a difference. And if you haven't formed an opinion of Bill Clinton yet, you're probably doing so out of a genuine desire to stay out of it. And if you can, good on ya.
I'll only say this. History will not be kind to the Clinton years.
Hoo boy, where to begin.
On second thought, why even bother. Bill is sooooo September 10th. Let him have his library, his books, his gazillion dollar speaking tours. Whatever I think about the guy, many people still like him, and nothing I can say is likely to make a difference. And if you haven't formed an opinion of Bill Clinton yet, you're probably doing so out of a genuine desire to stay out of it. And if you can, good on ya.
I'll only say this. History will not be kind to the Clinton years.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Why Kerry Lost
TNR's Martin Peretz has a piece in today's OpinionJournal.com that unsparingly reviews the 2004 election. As a partisan Republican it's no surprised I'm glad my guy won, but on a more objective level...the more I read about Kerry, the more convinced I am that we dodged a bullet by keeping him out of the big chair.
This has nothing to do with politics and ideology, and everything to do with character. I have many friends who have few kind words for President Bush, and others who don't want to be bothered with the rough and tumble of politics, but they pulled the lever for Bush this year because Kerry just made them shudder.
Not from anything they heard or read about him, but from watching him campaign, or debate. They couldn't explain the visceral loathing they felt for the guy.
As a political junkie, I suspect I could. But why bother?
This has nothing to do with politics and ideology, and everything to do with character. I have many friends who have few kind words for President Bush, and others who don't want to be bothered with the rough and tumble of politics, but they pulled the lever for Bush this year because Kerry just made them shudder.
Not from anything they heard or read about him, but from watching him campaign, or debate. They couldn't explain the visceral loathing they felt for the guy.
As a political junkie, I suspect I could. But why bother?
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Modest Proposals
Tony Blankley has a solid piece on the wistful dreams of some disaffected Dems for secession, including Lawrence O'Donnell, who in saner moments is a great writer on The West Wing...and who in not-so-sane moments sounds like the angry kid on the kickball field whose vocabulary is limited to variations on the word "liar."
I must confess, the idea of letting the Pacific Coast counties, the Great Lakes states and New England merge into Greater Canuckistan has some appeal. In exchange, I propose bringing Alberta and other willing Red State provinces into the new southern alliance. The urbanites would get their fill of health care, leftist politics, and all things French. In turn, Red Staters could officially join the rest of the world in despising the foreign influence of Hollywood and the obscenity -- excuse me, sophistication -- of New York.
Just think - the Bush Doctrine of "you're with us or you're with the terrorists" means that we can finally let the 82nd Airborne loose on those whiny celebrities. A little Guantanamo Therapy would do Sean Penn some good.
Hmmm...I never thought I'd find merit in a Lawrence O'Donnell argument.
Nah. We must all hang together, or surely we will all hang separately. As painful as the prospect sounds, we need to find whatever common ground remains and build on it.
I must confess, the idea of letting the Pacific Coast counties, the Great Lakes states and New England merge into Greater Canuckistan has some appeal. In exchange, I propose bringing Alberta and other willing Red State provinces into the new southern alliance. The urbanites would get their fill of health care, leftist politics, and all things French. In turn, Red Staters could officially join the rest of the world in despising the foreign influence of Hollywood and the obscenity -- excuse me, sophistication -- of New York.
Just think - the Bush Doctrine of "you're with us or you're with the terrorists" means that we can finally let the 82nd Airborne loose on those whiny celebrities. A little Guantanamo Therapy would do Sean Penn some good.
Hmmm...I never thought I'd find merit in a Lawrence O'Donnell argument.
Nah. We must all hang together, or surely we will all hang separately. As painful as the prospect sounds, we need to find whatever common ground remains and build on it.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Stones Cry Out
Stones Cry Out has a good collection of pro- and con- arguments about Senator Specter's bid to chair the Judiciary committee.
OpinionJournal - Featured Article
Arlen Specter argues in today's Wall Street Journal that he has "consistently opposed any litmus test." Specter's eagerness to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee is leading him to say many of the right things...and if those were the only words he's uttered on the matter, it might be sufficient.
It isn't. Specter may dodge the "litmus test" bullet, but he's branded too many of the wrong people as "extremists." And as the "Specter-Kerry" yard signs in the last election demonstrate, Specter's loyalty to the president and the president's agenda is - to quote Scottish law - "not proven."
Senator Specter may ultimately receive the chairmanship. But where the President spent political capital to save Specter's seat in the 2004 primaries, Specter's actions and inactions in the general election shows he is no friend to this administration.
If you agree, or disagree, contact the committee members.
It isn't. Specter may dodge the "litmus test" bullet, but he's branded too many of the wrong people as "extremists." And as the "Specter-Kerry" yard signs in the last election demonstrate, Specter's loyalty to the president and the president's agenda is - to quote Scottish law - "not proven."
Senator Specter may ultimately receive the chairmanship. But where the President spent political capital to save Specter's seat in the 2004 primaries, Specter's actions and inactions in the general election shows he is no friend to this administration.
If you agree, or disagree, contact the committee members.
Blowin' out candles and kickin' ass... - Jonah's military guys at Argghhh! wish their interservice rivals a happy one. 229 years and counting...
Godspeed to the Marines and to everyone serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. You are in our prayers.
Godspeed to the Marines and to everyone serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. You are in our prayers.
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