+47.5%

January still kind of sucks but it's better than 2007.

Why has no one thought of this before?
(hat tip: Gizmodo)

Swallowing a McCain nomination

Right track, wrong track

A new poll out today shows 75% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track.

This right track, wrong track question has been a staple of pollsters for many years and eagerly reported in the news. But I think the analysis of the results is flawed.

For several years I was a regular participant in a national poll and that question was present in nearly every questionnaire. I can't recall ever answering it with "right track." And every time I would see pundits analyse the numbers they would use the "wrong track" result to bludgeon Bush. But that was never my interpretation of the question.

I viewed the question more broadly than just Presidential approval (which has its own question) or the economy (ditto). To me it was an evaluation of where America is headed in general. I considered the direction of our moral compass and culture, the deterioration of the level of education of our population, and the loss of individual liberty. When I considered politics I thought about the future, not the people in power today. Unfortunately, for the reasons stated above, I think today's politicians are the best I will see in my lifetime. One only need look at the current Presidential primaries for evidence of deterioration. The level of race-baiting and naked pandering is stunning.

January 31st 2008 - Today's Columns:

Emmett Tyrrell : Bill's Red Neck - Turns out the Clintons are worse than Tyrrell thought after their race-baiting in South Carolina.

Victor Davis Hanson : Democrats Want to Lose... But Republicans Don't Want To Win - VDH discusses which party most wants to lose.

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann : Out Of Florida: The Front-Runner - Morris offers more advice to his political enemies. Caveat emptor.

Steve Chapman : Bush's Catalogue of Failure - A one-sided hit piece on Bush. Not helpful.

Ann Coulter: GOP to Edwards: How Much For That Concession Speech? - Beating up on McCain some more.

"One of the reasons why I won in New Hampshire is because I went there and
told them the truth." That and the fact that Democrats were allowed to vote in
the Republican primary.

Mark Levin: Rally for Romney - Levin makes a good point in noting that Romney's ethics prohibit him from personally attacking McCain, something Hillary will have no compunction about. There has been an interesting conversation about whether or not this is a good thing over at Power Line and Steyn Online. The gist of it is that Romney is an amateur at the knee-to-the-groin style of big-league politics.

Brett Winterble: Who Hijacked the Primaries? - I can feel Brett's spittle hitting me in the face as I read this. And it scares me because I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Quote of the Day

From IMAO: "So, the advantages of McCain is we'll have a Republican president and a strong stance on Iraq. Disadvantage: We're going to be repeatedly sodomized."

January 30th 2008 - Today's Columns:

Thomas Sowell : A "Stimulus Package"? - "things that are bipartisan are often twice as bad as things that are partisan"

Walter E. Williams : Stimulus Package Nonsense - "There are three ways government can get the money for a stimulus package. It can tax, borrow or inflate the currency"

Jonah Goldberg : We Were Warned - Jonah compares the Bush Presidency to Clinton's in how it destroyed the party by using the rhetoric of the right while governing from the left.

Michelle Malkin : The Politics of Foreclosure - "The borrower-as-victim and lender-as-predator storylines are etched in stone."

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann : McCain May Win, Romney Can't - Call it wishful thinking but I believe Morris' understandable antipathy for Hillary is clouding his considerable campaign judgement. He is, after all, a liberal so his belief that McCain has wide appeal must be viewed in that light. But I don't want to live in a world where that Machiavellian boot-licking (probably literally) toad is right. I say that with the highest respect for Mr. Morris.

Dennis Prager : A Response to "What You Have To Believe To Be a Republican Today" - An adequate but not inspiring response to rather silly liberal beliefs about conservatives.

Christopher Chantrill: The Liberals' Mommy Fascism - There's something inherently disturbing about challenging "mommy fascism" with "mommy conservatism." American Thinker is coming dangerously close to falling off my list of daily reads.

Mark Steyn: Nice is Easy (via National Review) - "to govern is to choose. And to govern in tough times is to make tough choices. And thus to choose is to divide"

A good night...

For P.I.A.P.S. and POWs

Not so good for those of us who care about individual liberty.

Screw Florida

It's been dangling out there into the Atlantic for far too long. It's time to cut it loose...


















Lex Luthor style.

Florida goes for ???

One of these two headlines will be accurate:

When conservatives vote Romney wins!

~or~

Elderly curmudgeons elect one of their own; take victory nap

January 29th 2008 - Today's Columns:

Thomas Sowell : "Billary" Versus Obama - On race in America, specifically in the Democratic primary campaign

David Limbaugh : The Clintons' Possible Political Demise -- a Bittersweet Pill - Limbaugh (no, the other one) argues that the Clintons will destroy themselves with their naked (snicker) strategy to capitalize on racial divides. He also recognizes that Obama will be a more difficult candidate for the Republicans to beat.

George Will : The Clintons Are Everywhere -

It's Official

There is no longer a serious political party in the United States:

Vote for me












Or I'll crush you with my giant hand!

January 28th 2008 - Today's Columns:

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann: Obama -- And Kennedy -- Raise The Stakes - Morris continues in his unpaid advisory role for the Obama campaign. He notes that Obama has turned Hillary's racial divisiveness against her.

Misheard Lyrics: CCR - Have you ever seen the rain

Thanks B to B-Lake

How delegates are chosen

I've been trying to get my head around how delegates are awarded in the primaries. I seem to find conflicting counts for the various contenders from different news organizations. I came across this from the SC Democratic Party. [Hat tip: Mary Katherine Ham]

After reading it I think I now know even less. And I feel dirty after reading this:

Our goal is to elect a delegation that is at least 50% African American, as well as at least 3 GLBT delegates and 5 who are under 30. The election of At-Large delegates may be used to reach this goal.

Left-Handed Compliment: Trader Joe's

My opinion of Trader Joe's has evolved quite a bit in the last year. I used to think it was nothing more than a store full of tofu and vegetarian sausage for dirty, stinking, hippies who remain, sadly, unpunched. But I've discovered after a few reconnaissance missions that they also sell real food. And, unlike Whole Foods, at good prices.

I've gotten hooked on a couple different wines there. The first is Il Valore Chianti. I like this wine as much as any bottle I've had, including those in Italy. It is dry, earthy, and bold. And it's only $8.99! The second is Villa Borghetti Luna Pino Grigio. It is very light, crisp, and dry. And only $8.49! At these prices I could afford to become a wino! Dare to dream.

Trader Joe's also has the best baguette in Columbus Ohio, hands down. It's not as good as the worst one I've ever had in Paris, but it's pretty darn good.

Today I found some little apple-cereal bars in the checkout lane for $1.69 for a box of 6. I haven't tried them yet but my experience so far has led me to believe they will be very tasty. And they are very low in calories and fat. When you are like me and have a body chiseled out of stone, you treat it as the temple it is.

All in all, I like Trader Joe's. It would be better without all the people (but what wouldn't be?). And I could certainly do without all the holier-than-thou emphasis on local/organic/green. So help me God, the next person who tells me organic food is "so much healthier" than chemical-pumped, genetically engineered, corporate farmed, air-freighted, pesticide-doused food that I love, is going to get stabbed in the eye. Eat what you want, I'll do the same, but don't pretend those chemicals and methods aren't used for good reasons.

And it is clearly a Communist front group. All one must do to find proof is look at the bumper stickers in the parking lot. Maybe someday I'll do a bumper sticker post...

Good News:

New Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll has McCain & Romney tied nationally at 27%

Also, Romney leading McCain in Florida by 6%.

Possible...

Cliff Thier on a McCain - Powell ticket

Hyuck, hyuck, hyuck

January 27th 2008 - Today's Columns:

George Will: What Really Matters in the Voting Booth? - I'm not sure how this title came to be associated with this article. The article is a very good one about ballot initiatives in five states that propose to amend their state constitutions to prohibit racial preferences by government in "public employment, public education or public contracting."

Mark Steyn: First, they came for Piglet - On Orwellian Newspeak

Killing thousands of people in Manhattan skyscrapers in the name of Islam does, among a certain narrow-minded type of person, give Islam a bad name, and thus could be said to be "anti-Islamic" – in the same way that the Luftwaffe raining down death and destruction on Londoners during the Blitz was an "anti-German activity."

But I don't recall even Neville Chamberlain explaining, as if to a 5-year-old, that there is nothing German about the wish to terrorize and invade, and that this is entirely at odds with the core German values of sitting around eating huge sausages in beer gardens while wearing lederhosen. ...

As Martin Niemoller famously said, first they came for Piglet, and I did not speak out because I was not a Disney character and, if I was, I'm more of an Eeyore. So then they came for the Three Little Pigs, and Babe, and by the time I realized my country had turned into a 24/7 Looney Tunes it was too late, because there was no Porky Pig to stammer "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" and bring the nightmare to an end.

Stephen F. Hayes: Enemies to the Right of Him - On John McCain. Hayes seems to think Mac's critics are being too harsh. I disagree.

Sidebar: Check out Hayes' book "Cheney." It is a truly interesting insight into the mind and career of Dick Cheney.

Bill Kristol: Can He Close Strong in 2008? - Kristol offers some advice to the Bush administration on how to revamp its image. I don't believe this is possible. Only the passage of time and the hindsight of history will vindicate the Bush Presidency.

Byron York: Has Rudy Blown It? - York offers a pre-mortem on the demise of the Giuliani campaign. Only 2 days 'till we know if he's a genius or an idiot.

Mmm...

I've discovered a new product that is truly enjoyable and may just catch on with the public. I really think people would enjoy it if only they were to get a chance to sample it themselves. Unfortunately the fat-cat suits in corporate America are always acting all corporationy and can't spend a dime of their precious money to help out the little guy with the great new product. But their tainted dollars derived from greedy exploitation of the working class would only tarnish the simple beauty of this wondrous new product anyway. No. What this product needs is the kind of viral marketing that only teh internets can provide. So please, try it today and spread the word. Together we can help get this product off the ground. Together we can change the world. A change you can believe in!

Goodbye Kitty

To know me is to know of my love for all things explosive. To know me well is to know of my love for Hello Kitty:


So when I saw the Hello Kitty Assault Rifle, you can imagine my glee:

Since assault weapon bans seem to focus exclusively on how creepy and dangerous a gun looks, this may be the perfect antidote.

Update: This from Skippy...

The infamous whisper

Is Mitt Romney a puppet?

After you've seen and heard the video above, read this transcript and determine for yourself if you think Mitt Romney needs to be fed information.

Burns Night 2008

I’ve come to dread this time of year
For surely Burns night will be near
I try hard to write
A verse for the night
But rhyming verse is just so queer

But I plod on with spirit of fighters
The burden to write getting no lighter
The deadline grows near
I’m consumed by fear
‘tis so much simpler for pillow-biters

I’ve tried so long my hairs’ grown shaggy
Starved to the point my pants are baggy
I stumble for prose
I just can’t compose
Why must I do something so faggy?

I can no longer stand to suffer
The pressure is making this tougher
I’ll just write something down
And recite with a frown
If only I were a dude-stuffer

I’ve tried to craft a verse for today
Found it hard as I’ve nothing to say
After much sweat and much toil
My attempt has been foiled
For I’ve found that poetry’s just gay

Great quote...

"(Bill) Maher, who used to claim to be a libertarian until it was explained that Democrats who like to smoke weed are not libertarians" - Ronald Wieck - Irony of Ironies

Immigration solution?

Originally posted May 20th 2007 at American Thinker:

Is the following a start of the solution to the illegal alien problem? Is it a way for Republicans to be proactive on the issue and win based on priciple and also win over new immigrants?

What we need are market-based incentives and disincentives. We can encourage the vast majority of border crossers to do it legally if we simply allow them to do so and issue them visas. Immigration quotas are drawn up arbitrarily based on our perceived needs. Clearly those perceptions are wrong because millions have come here illegally and found jobs while our unemployment rates are at historic lows. So simply change the quotas to allow low-skilled workers in from Latin America. This will eliminate the need to sneak across the border and allow a much more humane living to those who come here to work.

Next, employers need a disincentive from hiring illegal aliens. This can be done through the Social Security office which already has 9 million mismatched social security numbers in its database. They should notify employers that they have an employee with an inaccurate account number and force the employer to either correct a mistake, or if it is found that the number is fake, terminate the employee or face stiff fines. As an employer I know that most of us do not want to hire illegal aliens. We just want to hire people who will work hard. Those few who are looking to hire illegals to save money will face fines and eventual imprisonment.

The big question is how to deal with the 12-20 million illegals that are here now. Again, incentives and disincentives. We can’t deport them. It’s simply not feasible. But I’ve known a lot of illegal aliens from working in restaurants and owning one now. The vast majority of them go back to their home countries every year or two to visit with friends and family. If it’s easier for them to go home and then come back to the U.S. legally, they will. And if it’s harder for them to find employment as an illegal they are further incentivized to do it legally.

Then there’s the other big question, citizenship. No illegal alien should be granted citizenship, period. In order to become a citizen an immigrant must come here legally, learn to speak and write English fluently, pass a test on American civics and history, and show a pattern of gainful employment. The caveat to this is that those who are here illegally now will be forgiven their illegal crossing once they leave and come back legally. This further incentivizes them to leave and return through the proper channels.

So there you have it. Immigrants are happy. Employers are happy. And the public at large is happy that they aren’t being overrun with illegal aliens.

January 26th 2008 - Today's Columns:

Michael Barone : South Carolina Has Set the Stage for General Election - Barone argues that SC removed Thompson and Huckabee from the race but did not determine the winner. On the Dem side Obama will win easily and Hillary will be seen as having disrespected blacks, possibly leading to lower turnout in the general. Hillary is so incredibly divisive it seems her nomination and general campaign could yield numerous opportunities for the Republicans to pick up the pieces of those left in her aftermath.

WSJ Supreme Opportunity - Urging SCOTUS to take up the 9th Circuit case of AT&T v. linkline. The 9th Circuit ruled that the anti-trust case can go forward on the grounds that AT&T is squeezing linkLine out of the market. This would require AT&T to raise prices to the consumer. Is that what anti-trust legislation is supposed to do?

Robert D. Novak : Attorney General Edwards?

• Obama surrogates are floating the idea of Edwards as AG in an Obama administration
• Private polling showed McCain picking up Thompson supporters after Fred's withdrawal [RCP still shows a dead heat between Mitt & McCain]
• Senate GOP retreat - Mitch McConnell shut down negative talk about earmarks - Ted Stevens shockingly gave a lecture in support of earmarks
• Bush has given up on pushing FHA bill in favor of stimulating us
• McCain fled Florida in a desperate attempt to raise funds in NY

Alan Roebuck: How to Respond to a Supercilious Atheist - This article is far too lengthy and boring to read the whole thing. I am an atheist but I certainly do not consider myself supercilious. If anything I'm envious of those with religious faith. But arguments like these are childish and insulting when passed for intellectual discourse.

Lee Cary: Can the GOP Re-frame the Illegal Immigration Issue? - Cary argues that Hispanic voters are not a bloc and can be persuaded by appealing to their desire for a better life for their children, as opposed to the appeal to fear they will hear from the Democrats. He uses the example of blacks becoming a Democrat voting bloc after Republicans failed to fight the mischaracterization of the Civil Rights debate of the 60's. I wonder if it would be more effective to couple the appeal to hope with fear though. Offer the hopeful vision for the future but also warn of the effects of throwing support to the Democrats. Just look at what they've done for the black communities they hold so dear. (This reminds me to post my letter to the editor published on American Thinker during the immigration debate last year.)

Richard Baehr: Immigration: A Modest Proposal - Another proposed solution to the immigration problem. It's better than anything that's come out of Washington but I still think it should focus more on incentives and disincentives than laws and enforcement. It is easier to achieve your goals if you don't try to contravene human nature in the process.

Mark Steyn: It's all delicious fantasy for us. But in some places, they're actually living the apocalypse. Where else are you going to read about iconic destruction, General Butt Naked, multicultural sensitivities, and eating genitals all in one article?

If only...

A lovely lady...must've been something before electricity

John McCain's mother Roberta is 95 years young and, amazingly, less cranky than her famous son. In an ill-advised interview with C-SPAN she said the Republican base has shown no support for him. When asked if she thinks he can get the nomination she said "I think holding their nose they're going to have to take him." She then went on to say "the country will be lucky if [we] get him."

Apparently the arrogant apple doesn't fall far from the arrogant tree.

This reminds me of another time in my political life. I live in Ohio. Until 2006 we had the worst governor of all time, Bob Taft (at one point he had a 6.5% approval rating [I'm not kidding]). In 2002 Taft ran against Tim Hagan who, worse than Taft the incompetent, was a Democrat. So I went into the voting booth and literally held my nose when I pushed the button to vote for Bob Taft.

Ever since I've wondered if I did the right thing. Was it right to cast a vote for a candidate I deplore in order to avoid the election of another candidate I find even more deplorable? With the benefit of hindsight I now know that four more years of Taft assured my poor state of a Democrat victory after he eventually left office. And it wasn't even close (60% to 37%).

But would it have been better if Taft lost in 2002? Sure we would have suffered through four years of Democrat rule, but we're stuck with that now. And we could be over it by now. And I would contend that Ken Blackwell would have had a much better shot at the governorship against an incumbent Hagan than he did after Taft effectively decimated the state GOP.

It is truly unfortunate that Blackwell, a rising star in the Republican party, was forced to hitch his wagon to the sinking ship of Bob Taft (if I may be permitted to haphazardly mix metaphors). I hope he can rise again.

But back to aging John McCain...

This is a primary for Christ's sake! No one holds his nose to vote in a primary!