Newt Gingrich on "Speaker" Pelosi

This post comes to you courtesy of Wi-Fi and the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Every city should make the investment.

True to form, though I am on the road, thousands of miles from home, your humble blogger knows no limits for delivering you the news (and no limits for ways to kill time).

This gem of a story was actually an AP wire report but it captured a spectacular comment. The article quotes former US Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on his thoughts about a potential Speaker Pelosi.

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Newt said:

The prospect of her bringing San Francisco values and a whole attitude on foreign policy that is, I think, an attitude of weakness and appeasement and surrender, I think, would be a disaster for the country.

Pithy. Completely true. For once, I can add nothing to the remarks above.

Bush Launches Iraq Defense

The media was aghast that President Bush would dare to defend his Iraq policy during a crucial period before the mid-term elections. In response, the Washington Post presented the issue as one of Bush framing his political opponents as defeatists. It went on to characterize the issue as one of political opportunism and misinterpretation.

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At the same time, the President gave a terse response to NBC offering a glimpse of the defense to come. The President remarked:

I readily concede our policies may not be beloved. But I'll tell you the policies that are: We feed the hungry. When the tsunamis hit, it was the United States of America who took the lead. On HIV/AIDS, we're spending $15 billion of taxpayers' money to help people suffering. And so this country is a country that is doing a lot of good. I think when it's all said and done that they'll look back and say: 'Thank goodness America took the lead in fighting this war on terror, too. Thank God they're helping to lay the foundation for peace.

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The Washington Post article is typical. Yet, it overlooks the very key point: most of Bush's political opponents actually are defeatists. Their policy for withdrawal amounts to a short-term, cut and run answer to a long-term problem. They simply fail to understand the nature of the threat. Leaving Iraq will be ruinous, as Vice-President Cheney pointed out [ Link], because Iraq has only two end games: victory or defeat.

The President's remarks to NBC address the issue of America's image both abroad and at home. Within the context of an unpopular war, they offer are a strong reminder to Americans that there are many good things we do for others in the World that do not necessarily make headlines. The implicit lesson to opponents of Iraq is to consider US withdrawal from any world arena and to look at their consequences.

Should America hold out on economic aid to developing Nations, should America hold out on re-development aid to countries ravaged by the tsunami of 2005, should America hold out on AIDS research funding, the world would be a much different place and worse off.

When America retreats from the international arena the world suffers its adverse effects. An American reluctance to intervene in WWI and WWII nearly enabled German victories in both wars. Had America disengaged during the Cold War the threat from Iran would pale in comparison to a threat from Russia. When America adopted a policy of disengagement during the Clinton years the consequences were suffered on September 11th, 2001.

The President is wise to dig in and make his case. Tough talk to the electorate is never popular but it is right. And so is the cause.

Overheard in the Office

This one was just too funny. I try to read the posts during the day from the "Overheard" blogs. For those not familiar, it's an interactive site so people all over the country submit the funny things they overhear people saying. The link to the original post is below.

[Link]

Here is the text:

Dad: Honey, where's your teddy bear?
3-year-old girl: Oh, the terrorist are hiding him.

Brilliant.

On Going Home

Most nights before a long trip find me awake in the early morning hours. I suspect I have a slight case of insomnia as this occurs more often than not of late but why not use the idle time to be productive in blogging?

Speaking of which, blogging will be slow over the Labor Day weekend. It is fair to say that this will be among my last productive attempts. I am finally taking a much needed break from the grind of work. Fortunately, the trip comes at an opportune time when my life needs grounding- a grounding only found on my beloved, windswept plains.

In all, I am greatly looking forward to returning to Walters. The agenda is pretty fluid but then again, it always is. An OU Sooners football game is on the docket for Saturday. And church on Sunday will be with the family. Other than that, not much planned.

What always amazes me about these sorts of trips is that the experience of change conjures up so many thoughts. I find that when I go back, I have changed only slightly in my mind, yet I see so many new and unexpected changes occur among the people there. This is not to say that they will have changed their temperament or that the changes will be dramatic. But it is really just the little things which become so pronounced. More gray hairs for my mother. Maybe a half-inch taller for my sisters. A new plant in a different location. The best analogy is that it is like a time capsule into which you could place individuals and locations, only to open it up some eight months later and see what has happened. Most of the differences will be subtle, yet screaming of newness only to me.

From an emotional perspective, a part of me misses home greatly for its bedrock nature. Life since graduation has been in a near constant state of flux. People have routinely come and gone from my life to the point that understanding such rapid change is an almost foolhardy prospect. My approach has been to shelve these thoughts for want of routine. Repeated action has a way of dulling anything irksome or painful with the smooth opiate of monotony. But for me, home and family are the real solution to the quandary. They have staying power. When the sod cliffs of fleeting interactions fall away, my family is the bedrock which stands undiminished. For better or worse, they are always there. Mostly for better.

If I had to summarize, I think what I am beginning to realize is that until I find my “the one” and begin my own family, Walters, OK and all of the people who are associated with it are my only constants. Transient are the people of my age group, and loathe are they to place any permanent attachment on anything- be it jobs, locations or people. Sometimes I forget this living in Boston among so many similar individuals. But the reality is that not everyone my age is like this. As a person who values constancy and a fixed course, this provides a great deal of comfort and Walters underscores the point all the more.

Of course, absent in this entire discussion is the role of the Lord and seeking His will. Ironically, it is for this reason that I left Walters in the first place. I have no doubt that it was the proper course back in the fall of 2001. I also have no doubt that I will return to Oklahoma to continue my pursuit of His call for my life. In the end, however, I find only His Faithfulness sustains. People will always disappoint. Even family will falter from time to time.

Yet the Lord alone remains. I can always return home with Him.

Controller Had Two Hours Sleep in KY Crash

The late news reported earlier that the air traffic controller in the fatal Kentucky plane crash had had only two hours of sleep between shifts.

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The more the story unfurls the more it appears that a sad conflux of factors combined to create the tragedy.

Completely unrelated, there was a rather ironic quote in the article from the FAA Spokesman Laura Brown.

After discussing FAA rules which require attendants avoid fatigue she said:

If they don't believe they're fit for duty, they're supposed to tell us that. You won't be penalized for not reporting for work.

Let's think about this.

Is that really supposed to make us feel any safer about flying? Are we really comforted to know that FAA air traffic controllers won't be penalized if they fail to show up for work?

Admittedly, I'm being a bit snarky. But seriously the FAA would have to be the only place of employment in America where workers are not penalized for failure to show up.

IAEA: Iran is Still Enriching Uranium

You know, the ideal job for a slacker would be to serve as a UN Official because they basically get paid to tell the world what everyone already knows.  Case in point, today anonymous sources from the UN 'revealed' to the media that Iran is continuing to enrich Uranium.

 

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Oh, really?  It's almost like the punchline of a bad joke- how many bureaucrats does it take to read the Iranian press releases? 

 

Let us all bow for a moment of prayer and hope that halting Iran's nuclear ambitions does not rest with the UN. 

CNN's Objectivity Called Into Question

After yesterday's bathroom fiasco, some are beginning to question more than just CNN's technical ability.

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Washington Times columnist Douglas MacKinnon wrote a blistering op-ed questioning the wisdom of major networks in allowing reporters with strongly held political views to cover stories which involve policies that bring out their personal opinions.

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The article mainly treads through the Israeli conflict with Hezbollah, but it makes a lot of good points about the media in general. The biggest take home point is that the media is never quite as diligent about searching for the truth as it should be. There is always room for bias and bias is often manifested in subtle ways.

For most bloggers, this is common sense but it's nice to have a print columnist reminding readers to be skeptical of what they see in the papers and watch on TV.

When You Come Back Down

Nickel Creek's haunting strains in When You Come Back Down bring to mind the wistful falling of leaves in autumn. The song makes it easy to imagine walking through vibrant hues of orange, red and yellow while thinking about memories past.

The lyrics themselves, however, signal the inevitable course of change while seeking to capture the inherent struggle of individuals to resist it. This tension with time becomes for the song that which most defines life. Listeners will battle through the songs lucid refrain to both hold on to a past, while embracing the inescapable lesson of learning to let go.

Ironically, the song's bedrock is the willingness of the singer to ground the possibilities of the future with steadfast support in the present. He never really lets go of the past completely, yet he does not remain fixed in despair. Far from being an existential crisis, the singer deals with life in a reality of acceptance.

My random thoughts aside, it really is a great listen if you are so inclined. I will try to find a link so you can hear.

Update: When I wrote this post, soon to be, two years ago, the video I promised to post never materialized. It seems this particular post has grown popular so I am glad to provide the update below featuring the official music video. Of course, lyrics follow after the jump.

When You Come Back Down

You gotta leave me now
You gotta go along
You gotta chase a dream
One that's all your own
Before it slips away

When you're flying high
Take my heart along
I'll be the harmony
To every lonely song
But you'll learn to play

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I keep looking up
Waiting your return
My greatest fear will be
That you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire

I'll be the other hand
That always holds a line
Connecting in between
Your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end
To hear you when you call
Angel you were born to fly
And if you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
Catch you when you fall

The memories, the sunshine
Every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel let me help you with your wings

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down

Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

*Photo courtesy of Canonical.org.

The Guns of August, Redux

In 1962 Barbara Tuchman, penned her WWI classic The Guns of August, outlining a brief history leading up to the First World War.

While, the opening line for our present narrative would read a bit differently, the ever provocative Washington Times forces Americans to entertain the notion that America has already entered WWIII.

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Although it is not as widely circulated as the Washington Post, the Times is in many ways the Post's better looking sister. The difference is seen in the article's quality- written by Washington Times' Editor Arnaud de Borchgrave. Titled Gathering Nuclear Storm, the piece discusses the specter of a nuclear Iran absent U.S. or Israeli intervention. In many ways, it is a similar argument to that put forward by Secretary Rumsfeld earlier today; likening those who would pacify the Islamists to those who would pacify Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

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What I appreciated about the article is that places the present struggle within the greater context of history. It calls to attention the ramifications of retreat and the personal failure time would note should America lose its resolve and allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Given that history is much more than a 30-second Democrat attack ad and that the President has a very broad view of this moment in history, the article postulates that Bush will inevitably order large-scale airstrikes on strategic targets within Iran to eliminate the threat.

Borchgrave argues that Bush's disdain for popular opinion alone makes the potential conflict more likely. Absent the constraints of poll numbers and re-election, Bush would have little incentive to hold back on so serious an issue. Borchgrave concludes that if the U.S does not act, then the Israelis will citing Israel's new "Iran Command" unit as evidence. The leader of the Israel's Iran Command is also its top Air Force General. No coincidence there.

It could be that Borchgrave is making a mountain out of a molehill.

There have certainly been many other nuclear conflicts which have come and gone from the international stage. The conflict between India and Pakistan being a chief example. Or he could be dead on. I'm inclined to believe the latter given that the mental state of Islamist leadership is anything but rational. According to the Islamists there is no incentive for restraint when the objective is to bow other Nations into submission to Allah. To die in a nuclear war is to usher in the coming victory of the 12th Imam. Suffice it to say, the consequences of a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic for the entire region and for the Nation of Israel in particular.

The guns of August may not be rolling into battle yet. But I think its safe to say that the winds of war have certainly graced their cannons.

Nearly Two Years Later, Kerry Claims Election Stolen

For two years, John Kerry has been a sore-loser in denial. Today, following a long tradition of liberal self-acceptance, he embraced the sore-loser within and came clean.

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Despite the fact that the 2004 election ended some 666 days ago (coincidence, I think not) or 1 year, 9 months, 28 days ago to be exact, John Kerry is still smarting over the election he nearly won- but for a lopsided victory.

While the situation is comical (Kerry comes across as the arrogant know-it-all everyone remembers from third grade), the allegations made make it less so. Kerry is arguing that gubernatorial candidate and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell,

Used the power of his state office to try to intimidate Ohioans and suppress the Democratic vote.

In other words, "I didn't win so something must have happened!"

Three words of advice for Senator Kerry:

Get over it.

Congressional Quarterly on NH's 2nd District

I had hoped my eyes deceived me when I read the headline of the Congressional Quarterly article last Friday:

GOP's Bass No Easy Catch for New Hampshire Democrats

Unfortunately, they did not.

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Bad fishing allegories aside, the article had a lot of good things to say about the Congressman from NH's 2nd District, though Dartmouth govy Prof. Joe Bafumi was less than complimentary.

Bafumi remarked:

In a year that looks good for Democrats, especially with problems the Bush Administration is having, the Democrats could probably pick up the seat. The last couple of races have proved [Bass] to be pretty effective though.

Bafumi's remarks notwithstanding, the article goes on to discuss Bass's popularity within the state, which is driven in no small part by his left leaning views. The article notes that Bass ranks among the top fifth of Republicans who are least loyal to Bush- which explains why a Congressman of his seniority does not chair a committee within the Republican leadership. It's obvious failings aside, Bass's Rockefeller-Republican views mesh well with the voters of NH who are routinely becoming more liberal as residents of Massachusetts flock to the state for its low tax rates.

Another key point of Bass's strength is that he represents the interests of his constituents. In turn, he has received notable campaign contributions from a wide array of sources within the state. NH interest groups ranging from companies like BAE Systems to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center have all added to the Bass coffers.

Bass maintains, however, that his appeal results from the fact that people understand he is an independent.

He said:

People know me and they know I am not in lock step with anyone in Washington. I am a Republican and proud of it and I support President Bush when I think he is right on the issues, and I don't when I think he isn't.

The philosophy is simple enough but in a state as liberal as NH independence for Bass isn't a hallmark of his character but one of necessity and expediency.

To his credit, the tactic has paid off.

According to a recent poll by the University of New Hampshire, Bass leads perennial Democratic challenger Paul Hodes 53% to 25% with 22% undecided.

A slippery catch indeed.

More Proof That Jimmy Carter Is Going Senile

We've been calling it for a few months now here at Pax Plena.

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But today provided the final piece of evidence needed to officially dub former President Jimmy Carter senile.

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In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Carter said:

I think that more than any other person in the world, the prime minister could have had a moderating influence on Washington - and he has not. I really thought that Tony Blair ... would be a constraint on President Bush's policy toward Iraq.

Gaps in logic aside, just wait. It gets better.

Carter added:

It's a shameful and pitiful state of affairs, and I hold your British prime minister to be substantially responsible for being so compliant and subservient.

A few points of order.

Carter hasn't been a major figure on the world stage for some twenty+ years. Yet he seems to feel uniquely positioned to criticize the British Prime Minister for supporting the removal of Saddam Hussein from office- a tyrant who was created in part by Carter’s policies.

But to his credit, Carter has been consistent in assuming the Iraq war wasn't worth the fight. He has also been consistent, like many on the fringe of his party including Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean, in calling for a cut and run strategy in Iraq rather than pursuing a bold vision for change. Then again, Carter was never known for courage on any issue. Just look at his performance in the Iran Hostage crisis in 1981.

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But the most insulting part of his critique is that it assumes that Jimmy Carter is smarter than the British people who clearly are incapable of properly selecting their head of state. To say it's a shameful, and pitiful state of affairs is tantamount to saying the Brits are a shameful and pitiful people for electing Blair to another term in office. To say Blair is subservient to Bush, is to say Britain is subservient to America. Whether you agree with the war in Iraq or not, their steadfast support in both Afghanistan and Iraq has more than demonstrated Britain's independence and valor.

Suffice it to say, Jimmy Carter has now become America’s embarrassing, senile uncle. You know, the relative at the family reunion everyone tries to avoid because you never know what they will say?

Under different circumstances, I would wait for the howls from the left bemoaning Carter's American-imperialist attitude toward the citizens of another country. But given that Carter is clearly a mentally unstable old man, I will let it slide.

Besides, the left only cares about American imperialism when it comes from those who are not of their own.

NBC Nailed for Insensitivity with Plane Crash Skit

The blogs are out in full force on the intro of tonight's Emmys. Unfortunately, even more than who actually won any awards, the buzz has been about the opening skit which features a plane crash starring Conan O'Brien.

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The criticism mounts after a real plane crash in Lexington, KY left some 49 people dead. The crash occured at 6AM local time. The Emmys went on the air some 12 hours later leaving plenty of time for NBC officials to re-write the opening intro.

Tim Gilbert, President and GM of NBC's local affiliate WLEX said it best:

They could have killed the opening and it wouldn't have hurt the show at all. We wish somebody had thought this through. It’s somewhere between ignorance and incompetence.

The video of the tasteless skit can be found over at Hot Air by clicking the link below.

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Pelosi Speaks

For any Republican still apathetic about the party and the pending midterm elections, here is reason to care in two words: Nancy Pelosi.

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Pelosi, left-wing minority leader and Speaker heir apparent should the Dems win this fall, had this to say of her leadership style:

"Anybody knows not to mess with me."

Too true. And the best way to avoid messing with Pelosi is to vote Republican in November.

Cowboys Look Sharp in NFL Preseason

The Dallas Cowboys pulled out a 17-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers Saturday night in Texas Stadium.

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The 'Boys victory gives them a solid 3-0 preseason record with one final game against the Vikings before the start of the regular season.

The most amusing part of the SI account by far is the final paragraph:

The Cowboys also were without left tackle Flozell Adams because of a bruised calf and safety Keith Davis, who had surgery Friday to remove a bullet from his right thigh. Davis was shot on a local highway in July.

I know they're cowboys but this is ridiculous. Only in Dallas...

Hezbollah Launches New Boy Band

There were bound to be unforeseen repercussions resulting from Israel's war with Hezbollah militants. But no one counted on the launch of a new boy band as one of them. If only we had known...

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The group, "El Haija Brothers," got their big break by singing the praises of Hezbollah guerilla Hassan Nasrallah in the midst of the war. Their now global hit is titled The Hawk of Lebanon.

The rough translation of the song's lyrics are below:

I hail thee, hawk of Lebanon
I welcome thee, Hassan Nasrallah
Here are your men, Hezbollah
Victory, victory with the help of God.
Nasrallah, this brave person
He responded to the calls to take vengeance
The Arab blood became hotter and hotter
The boldness and the courage that characterizes this battle is an Islamic courage
You can launch as many rockets as you want
But our people will never surrender
History will write your story
And God will always bless you
Your rockets in Israel all generations will talk about
And your Katyushas have scared the Zionists
Nasrallah, raise your voice
Our people are used to welcoming death
We do not want money or treasures or wealth
All we want is to live a free life
Blood only brings blood
And I hope we can destroy your life and make you worry
Zionism and Zionists are the biggest poison in Arab land

As you can see, it's a real pick me up. Should you be inclined to hear The Hawk of Lebanon you can find their selection here.

Rumor has it that Lance Bass is set to sing back up vocals for the group.

National Review on Dems v. Walmart

The National Review finally picked up on the story you heard here at Pax Plena last week.

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In the article, Rich Lowry excoriates the Democrats for doing the work of the unions in picking on Wal-mart but mainly, he calls them snobs.

Lowry writes:

Something deeper is at work, as well. In Democratic politicians' contempt for Wal-Mart, there is an element of snobbery. They have a distaste for such a down-market, lumpen-bourgeois operation where few of their voters shop (one poll found that 76 percent of weekly Wal-Mart shoppers are Bush voters), let alone anyone they socialize with.

Normally, I would write off the remarks as sheer hyperbole, but when you've spent enough time here in Cambridge, MA it makes you wonder. People here are not as concerned about wages and workers laws are they are about appearance. The idea is that somehow shopping at a local book store rather than Barnes & Noble makes you a better person for not supporting the "evil corporations." It enables you to "stick it to the man." Which is fine, in a hippie, nonsensical kind of way.

But really, there is no reason to complain about a company that tries to pass along the lowest price for its goods. If the goal is to help the poor then a company like Wal-mart has a great role in offering the lowest price. In turn, consumers routinely patronize the retail giant because it gives them the best value for their dollar. Sure, it's probably not organic- although that too is coming- but it's cheap and people can afford to shop there. It's the epitome of mainstream America- so, of course the Democrats don't like it.

Big companies provide jobs to thousands of people who would not otherwise have them. For example, when I initially moved to Boston, my first job was working at mega book outlet Barnes & Noble. It was not glamorous work by any means, but it enabled me to earn enough money to find a better paying job in due course.

This highlights the logic gap of the Democrats point. Most people do not aspire to work at Wal-mart (or B&N) for very long. These jobs are mainly transitionary before people move on to other things. By fighting a company that provides this type of employment opportunity, the Democrats are inadvertently harming the people they want to help. Increasing wages and benefits for workers in the long run will cut the amount of such jobs available and reduce employment opportunities for people in a fix.

Rather than trying to dictate where people should shop, the Democrats would be better served in coming up with solutions to real problems.

Kids Letters to God

On this rainy Boston Friday, I thought the link below was an appropriate rumination.  It takes you to the UK's Daily Mail which features a selection of kids letters to God. 

 

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The gallery displays some 15 letters contained in a new book due for release at the end of September. 

 

My favorite is number 8 by Frank:

 

"Dear God-

 

I am doing the best I can.

 

Frank"

 

New Layout

As Pax Plena regulars will recall, I have had a bit of trouble in selecting a permanent layout for the site. My previous host decided to crash back in May so I have been forced to seek new alternatives ever since.

Thinking outside the box, as I am want to do (ha!), I opted for a tri-column layout instead of the classic bi-column spread of yore.

Now that I have made the switch, I doubt I shall ever go back.

Take a look around, get familiar with the different features. It should remain so for a while to come. Most if not all of the content is the same.

As always, feel free to pass along your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks again to all of you who submitted feed back the last time.

Manatee Spotted on MA Cape

The Boston Globe headlined an amazing story this morning about a manatee spotted along Cape Cod.

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Update: False alarm. It was just Ted Kennedy out for a swim.

(via GOP Views)

Media Doesn't Care about Fox News Journalists

A provocative editorial came out of the Boston Herald this morning on the dearth of media coverage surrounding the capture of Fox News journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig.

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After refuting most media justifications for lack of coverage (that media outlets would justify an absence of coverage is telling in itself), Jules Crittenden asks the million dollar question:

How many others in the news business, and out of it, don’t give a damn about the fate of these two men?

Fallin Wins OK-5 GOP Primary

It's not really headline worthy but I feel I owe an update on yesterday's GOP primary.

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Lt. Governor Mary Fallin came through with an easy 63 - 37 % win over Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

Fallin is all but assured the open seat in Oklahoma's fifth district which includes most of Oklahoma City.

Snakes in a Theater

I knew something like this would happen.

In a crowded Phoenix theater, pranksters released two live, venomous diamondback rattle snakes during a showing of Snakes on a Plane.

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Needless to say, it created quite the panic although no one was injured. Rangers were called to round up the serpents and cart them away.

Given the movie, the stunt seems like another obviously dumb thing to do.

12th Imam Waits Another Year

As you are all by now well aware, today is not doomsday. While I was correct on the former, my prediction about Ahmadinejad’s ubiquitous speech on Israel proved to be off the mark. Iran opted instead for a swipe at the United States calling the Americans liars who are committed to a policy of unilateralism.

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All things considered, however, Iran did respond to the package of western incentives aimed at curbing their nuclear program. The nature of their response is still being evaluated.

Given the absence of fanfare (not even one fiery speech) and the relative calm surrounding their response (no missile attacks on Israel). It seems that Iran’s response wasn’t so much a RESPONSE as it was a reply.

I expected more from the coming of the 12th Imam.

OK Primary Races Set for Today

I didn't realize this because MA elections aren't for several weeks, but today is election day back in Oklahoma.

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The big race is the battle for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District. The top contenders are Lt. Governor Mary Fallin and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. The Lt. Governor has secured key Republican endorsements and leads the mayor nearly 60%-40%.

It is rumored that Cornett's un-doing was the fact that he sought higher office only two months after being re-elected as Mayor of Oklahoma City.

Doomsday?

At the time of this post, it is 10:58PM in Tehran. The deadline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave the world for its response to a UN nuclear incentives deal will soon come to pass. No word has been offered as to Iran’s response, though nuclear inspectors were denied access to Iranian enrichment facilities earlier today.

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Adding to the concern, are internet reports that the possible date for the London terror plot was set for 8/22 and the fact that some Shiite Islam sects believe the date indicates the end of the world.

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Whether Doomsday actually comes within the next 24 hours or not, the threat posed by Ahmadinejad to the Western World can not be under emphasized. The fact that rational people must seriously consider whether Iran could launch a military strike is reason enough for strong resolve in struggle between the West and Islamic fascists.

For the record, my money is on it NOT being doomsday. More then likely, Ahmadinejad will trot out another “wipe-Israel-off-the-face-of-the-map” speech and announce what the rest of the world already knows: Iran will continue to develop its nuclear weapons program. The question for America is whether we have the wherewithal to stop him.

Dilbert: Yay Life!

Every now and then my favorite comic strip, Dilbert, far surpasses my expectations.

Today's cartoon in my inbox this morning did just that. Hilarious.


Update: I tried to post the picture but it was hard to see. Click below to see the cartoon.

[Link]

Thought for the Day

I feel nothing. When I'm honest with myself, I know that the only emotion I've felt for years is being tired. Not physically tired. Just tired. It's as if...as if there were nobody there to feel any more.

-Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead, p.362.

Byron York: Can Giuliani Win the Southern GOP?

His short answer…

No.

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Bereft of Ideas, Democrats Take on Wal-Mart

The GOP unveiled plans this week to roll out a $40 Million Dollar ad campaign to drum up support for Republican candidates before the fall elections.

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In response, the Democrats announced that they were going to take on Wal-mart.

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So, who's out of touch with America?

Seriously, the entire notion would be silly except that that's really the Democrats' plan. From Joe Biden of Delaware to Hillary Clinton of NY (who actually served on Wal-Mart's board of advisors), Democrats are lining up to take aim at America's most popular store.

Fortunately, the retail giant is fighting to set the record straight. Wal-Mart has offered a voter education guide to its Iowa employees rebutting most of the Democrats' foolishness.

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But let's get this straight.

We're fighting a war on terror. We have a fragile peace holding in the Middle East. We have a looming confrontation with Iran- potentially one with North Korea. We have a host of serious issues to contend with in areas ranging from the economy to education.

Yet, the best the Democrats can come up with is to take on Wal-Mart?

Maybe they’re opposed to the Wal-Mart smiley? But Democrats never smile anyway. Maybe they just dislike the idea that the average American can afford to shop there? After all, the elitist stores in Hollywood and on Nantucket aren’t exactly retail.

Lessons from Lieberman

The political buzz yesterday was all about the latest poll out of the Constitution State on the Senate race between Sen. Joe Lieberman & Ned Lamont (Alan Schlesinger never really mattered anyway).

[Link]

Quinnipiac University down in Hamden, CT surveyed 1,300 voters and found that Sen. Joe Lieberman has a comfortable 49 -38% lead over Democrat nominee Ned Lamont. The Republican challenger Alan Schlesinger makes a meager showing at 4%.

Another interesting point was the favorability rating of the two candidates. Lieberman had a 43% favorability rating and a 28% unfavorable rating compared to Lamont's 23% favorability and 28% unfavorable rating.

Several thoughts come to mind:

Given the numbers, the most glaring thing we learn about Democrats is that they're out of touch with mainstream Americans. It was the hardcore, anti-war, hippie, far-left which gave the Democratic nomination to Ned Lamont. Mainstream Connecticut solidly backs Joe Lieberman.

As a result, the Democrats have put themselves in quite the predicament.

On the one hand, Lieberman served in the Senate some 16 years. He was the party's nominee for VP in 2000. But for the war, he was hardly even close to being a Republican. The Democrats clearly owe much to Lieberman as an individual even if he is running for re-election as an independent.

On the other hand, the angry, radical base of the party propelled Lamont to victory in the primary and it demands full support for Lamont. Given the predilections of the DNC Chairman and some of the more radical members in the Senate, the Democrats find themselves in a bit of an identity crisis. The far-left led by Howard Dean and Co., back Lamont while more moderate factions, like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, either remain silent on or support Lieberman.

If the Dems back Lamont with guns blazing, then they communicate to the majority of voters who will back Lieberman that their party is governed by its extreme far-left-wing and not more sensible elements. Yet, if they fail to back Lamont then the party looks foolish for dumping their veteran Senator for want of a passing fad.

In the end, make no mistake, Ned Lamont will be a passing fad relegated to a footnote in the political annals for 2006. Joe Lieberman will remain the Junior Senator from CT. The lessons of Lieberman are two-fold: 1) don’t get sucked into passing fads because you’ll regret it; and 2) parties that govern from the far-left don’t win.

Democrats Insult Hispanics

I understand that goofs happen. Everyone has had their foot firmly placed in their mouth a time or two. But the latest faux pas by the Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee left me a little stunned.

[Link]

The DSCC ran an ad recently aimed at boosting their ailing credibility on National Security demonstrating to voters that they are anything but soft.

Naturally, the best way to mitigate this image is to frighten people into voting for them. In turn, the DSCC’s ad featured 35 seconds worth of Osama Bin Laden, Kim Jong Il with interspersed video of illegal immigrants scaling the US-Mexican border.

Talk about, oops.

The Democrats were immediately bombarded with angry Hispanic organizations complaining that they were racially insensitive for comparing illegal immigrants from Mexico to Osama Bin Laden and Kim Jong Il.

According to the AP, some activists maintained that the ad vilified Hispanics seeking refuge and employment in the US, while others argued that the Democrats took the Hispanic community for granted by comparing them to bazooka wielding terrorists.

There was consensus in the uproar. For once, all Democrats were agreed- credit for the ingenuous political strategy of upsetting members of an allied political coalition goes to Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton.

MSNBC: Jimmy Carter's Son Wins Primary

I normally wouldn't comment on a random Democratic Senate primary. But the title of the article below struck a funny chord with me.

[Link]

Think about it. Here you have poor Jack Carter. He's out there campaigning hard. Just trying to make a name for himself. Fresh off the peanut farm if you will.

But he triumphs! He wins the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate. Jack Carter has come into his own. And how does this tremendous victory get reported?

Blazoned across the headline- Jimmy Carter's Son Wins Primary.

Nothing about Jack Carter. Nothing about Jack Carter’s grand plans for the state or his legislative agenda for the Senate.

Rats! Daddy still has more name recognition.

Adding insult to injury, the story following the headline is full of awkward, periphrastic descriptions.

For example:

Former President Carter's son easily advanced to the November general election, drawing 78 percent of the vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Poor guy. He's an Oedipus complex waiting to happen.

Coffee's Vindication

I have LONG maintained that coffee is the ultimate health beverage. Why wouldn’t it be? It smells good. It’s warm. It cures headaches. It provides a needed boost around 3pm. In turn, I'm faithful to have my cup every day. Multiple times a day.

Some naysayers, however, have disputed my sage wisdom. So after a much anticipated study, according to the NYT and the American Medical Association, I’m pleased to announce that I am right.

[Link]

The NYT reports:

Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink. Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.

What's even more impressive is that when controlling for factors such as age, smoking and alcohol consumption, people who drank one to five cups a day reduced their risk of death from all causes by 15 to 19 percent.

The moral of the story is that if you want to live long, then drink lots of coffee. At least five cups to be exact.

Mission accomplished.

Going Home!

I typically try to keep the life updates to a minimum. My high standards here at Pax Plena typically fall outside the mundane of my day to day life. There's nothing quite so boring as me so why write about myself? But I'm so excited about this update that I can't help but make a post.

It's official. I'm going home!

My ticket is booked- courtesy of Expedia.com and I'll be spending Labor Day weekend with all my family and friends back on the rolling plains of Oklahoma.

The mini-vacation couldn't have come at a better time. Don't get me wrong. Boston has been swell. Well, I'll qualify it to say that aspects of it have been swell- but it's going to be so nice to be among people who really care and who are always there no matter what.

The photo at right captures a lot of my feelings about the state I love with its wide open spaces and clear blue skies. I'm looking forward to coffee and breakfast with Papa, seeing an OU football game, and of course a friendly place I haven't visited in quite some time.

Can't wait!

Boston Globe: Shoe Fashion Disasters

The Globe had an interesting photo exhibit on its lifestyles page today. Apparently, the fashionistas of Boston have declared jihad on the pointy shoe.

I find the post amusing mainly because so many women downtown wear them, so they’re obviously trendy. But what's hilarious is the fervor with which they are attacked. Apparently, there is no moderate position on the pointy shoe. You’re either for them or against them. Dead or alive.

The caption next to the picture tells it all:

I HATE pointy shoes. They make women look like witches. Some of my friends claim that they create a "clean line" - that's crap. They make you look ridiculous.

It's true I've heard them called witchy shoes before, but apparently the opinion is shared by many.

Does GOP Back Lieberman?

Yes if you believe the folks over at MSNBC.

[Link]

I would offer that the GOP's refusal to endorse it's candidate is not so much a function of Liberman as it is the Republican candidate in question. For all intents, Alan Schlesinger's campaign never really took off. Schlesinger had trouble from the start over questions surrounding his gambling at CT casinos. He reportedly lost so much money that he was given the nickname "Alan Gold."

[Link]

Point being that Schlesinger isn't exactly the CT posterchild for family values to the state GOP operation. It's no wonder many Republicans are inclined to support Lieberman. The GOp candidate is a crook. Lieberman's a moderate alternative to Lamont. Moreover, Lieberman's record has left him squarely in the President's favor for his unyielding support of the war on terror.

But here is the point to remember- Lieberman votes with the Democrats some 90% of the time so calling him a Republican is a misnomer. He is clearly a Democrat. The problem of course is that the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left- alienating most moderates. It's a strategy which may work well for their primaries but it is also one which has never worked in the general election.

George Allen Tanks Presidential Bid

Normally, my sensibilities are not heckled by the politically incorrect. I feel that a lot of the hyper-sensitivity in today's culture is over-bearing and stifling. But when remarks go beyond the realm of the politically incorrect into the malicious I draw a very firm line in the sand.

Sen. George Allen of VA recently crossed that line. Allen is embroiled in a tremendous controversy amid his battle for re-election regarding his off the cuff remarks about a volunteer of his political opponent who covers the Senator like a journalist.

[Link]

During the Q&A following Allen’s remarks at a recent campaign stop, the Senator said:

Let's give a welcome to Macaca here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia!

The volunteer who is of Indian descent is actually named Sidarth and hails from Fairfax County, VA and is Allen's constituent.

Adding fuel to the controversy is the fact that Allen’s remarks were made after Sidarth had introduced himself to Allen earlier in the week meaning of course that Allen knew the volunteer’s name.

The implication is that the term Macaca was simply an Indian sounding name Allen used to demean Sidarth and his presence at the event. The term Macaca is also closely associated with a species of monkeys.

Let me say from the outset that I don’t give Allen credit for being smart enough to know that Macaca is associated with a species of monkeys. But from my view, it’s clear that the remarks racially motivated. They demonstrate the ignorance of a person who dislikes another simply on the basis of ethnic background.

When coupled with Allen’s staunch support for public displays of the confederate flag, a symbol which has long outlived its usefulness, Allen’s entire potential candidacy reeks of the clubby, old boys networks which permeated the south during the civil rights period of the 1960s.

George Allen’s words represent the very worst of an otherwise friendly Southern culture. It demonstrates the closed-minded, redneck image that the Northeast elite love to castigate.

But in this instance the comments are indefensible. Demeaning another individual along racial lines has no place in the American political system. It has no place in the Christian conservative values Allen claims to embrace. It is not worthy of the presidency of the United States.

As Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia wrote:

This is a comment that will be regurgitated a thousand times…It was a clumsy, stupid gaffe, and it's this kind of thing that destroys presidential candidacies.

In this instance, let’s hope that Sabato is right.

Update: The Washington Post has the video. It can be found here.

[Link]

New Proof Syria Armed Hezbollah

The UK's Telegraph ran an interesting story below today. The article speaks to fairly concrete proof that Syria, at least, had an active role in arming the Hezbollah militia during its month long conflict with Israel.

[Link]

The news is unsurprising. But it underscores the danger both Syria and Iran pose to the region's fragile stability. President Bush made a useful observation in light of the findings.

He said:

We can only imagine how much more dangerous this conflict would be if Iran had the nuclear weapon it seeks.

It is an ominous thought. Had it the technology, given Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's stated objectives, the Iranian state would not hesitate to replace mortar fire over Haifa with a mushroom cloud.

[Link]

Hillary Clinton: We Stopped a Terrorist Attack- It's Bush's Fault

I wouldn't have believed my snide headline either, but for the fact that she really did say this.

[Link]

In a quote from the AP, The Hill said:

We've done some things right...but as we've learned over the last week not in every way that matters. We still have not done what we need to do to protect our ports, our borders, our bridges, our transit systems, our rail lines, it's a long list.

Typical Democrat drivel.

But here's the money quote:

I don't think our long-term strategy for homeland security is yet what it needs to be.

Several thoughts.

First, when will our Homeland Security strategy ever be what it needs to be? Even if we had President Hill and VP Bill, Homeland Security would still be weak. Why? Because America and her allies will remain vulnerable until we win the war on terror. This is what the President gets and what Democrats repeatedly fail to understand. Her statement is a complete non sequitur. It has no supporting logic and it states the obvious. It is disingenuous at best.

Second, port security is a completely different issue than the strides made by the American intelligence community. To be clear, the success we had in London rests squarely on the ability of the intelligence community to cooperate in the war on terror. In the aftermath of its darkest hour on 9/11, the coordination, and sharing of information among US and international intelligence officials was abysmal- due in part to many years of deterioration under Hillary’s husband.

But the results of the London terror plot have demonstrated that we are doing many things right. Not just some. We’ve preserved the lives of approximately 2,000 citizens who could have been killed had the plots been successful. Characterizing the bust as doing “some things right” does not speak to a very high regard for life. Surveillance by the US has improved dramatically and the world is better for it.

In the end, even Hillary cannot avoid the most glaring point: we foiled the plot of 24 would-be terrorists because the policies put in place by the President have helped to keep America safe.

Bush Nets 750k at GOP Fundraiser

The mainstream media tends to present a dour view of President Bush's popularity among Conservatives. But Friday's fundraiser in Crawford, TX demonstrates a markedly different perspective.

[Link]

The President attended a fundraiser for major GOP donors on Friday raising a cool $750,000 for Republican coffers this fall. White House aides predict that the President's 'unpopular' presence will figure strongly in raising money and campaigning in GOP battle grounds across the U.S.

Not bad...

State Department: Castro has Serious Health Problems

This weekend's headline from Fox News proclaimed:

U.S. State Department Officials Believe Castro Has 'Serious' Health Problems

[Link]

Gee, what was their first clue? It didn't exactly take the CIA to figure that one out.

The rumor on the State Department wires is that Ned Lamont won the CT primary...

Lamont's Primary Fall-out

The CT Democratic primary came and went this past week. The water cooler game in the Beltway now is to figure out which party benefits most by Ned Lamont having won.

For most this comes as no surprise, except to primary winner Ned Lamont.

[Link]

Apparently shocked by the partisan nature of politics Lamont said:

My God, here we have a terrorist threat against hearth and home, and the very first thing that comes out of their mind is how can we turn this to partisan advantage. I find that offensive.

But not too offensive.

On the eve of the primary Lamont described the Lieberman stronghold of Waterbury, CT as a place "where the forces of slime meet the forces of evil."

[Link]

And this is vitriol against the state he wants to lead; imagine what Lamont would say of Republicans if he were to win...

Yet more proof that the Democrats have no room for moderates in their ranks.

Tennessee Titans: New Secret Weapon

Been slow blogging of late. Too much time to think and not enough time to write.

The story below caught my eye this weekend as the NFL pre-season gets under way (the Cowboys of course won 13-3 against Seattle).

[Link]

Apparently, the mascot for the Tennessee Titans was riding in a golf cart and throwing items into the stands at half-time. Somehow the cart hit the Saints' second year QB, Adrian McPherson knocking him unconscious.

It's a bit embarassing. But the silver-lining for Tennessee fans is that even if the Titans are poised for a tough year, at least their mascot plays tough.

Tribal Politics and Economic Development

I have to admit that I was a little more than surprised to see the following article on Fox News this morning.

[Link]

One of the feature stories under Fox's "Politics" section was on the Navajo Nation's tribal Presidential election. The Navajo Indian tribe of Arizona has routinely been among the top tribes in the country in terms of cultural preservation and raising education awareness among its members.

This year's election, however, will focus primarily on the issues of economic development and finding long-term solutions to issues of poverty and unemployment within the reservation. The incumbent President, Joe Shirley Jr. secured 28 percent of the vote while upstart challenger Lynda Lovejoy came in with 22 percent.

The article was interesting because it notes a growing interest in the press of Native American tribal governance. With tribes becoming major players within their states, particularly here in the Northeast in the State of Connecuticut and in New Mexico, it's important for the American public to be aware of whom is elected and of the potential impacts these elections can have on regional economies.

Good job to Fox News for giving the story its due despite a busy news day.

Death of the Moderate Democrat: Lieberman Loses Senate Primary

It was billed as a watershed event for the Democrats. Yesterday, proved how right they were.

Three-term, Connecticut Senator, Joe Lieberman lost a narrow primary challenge to political novice and Greenwich selectman, Ned Lamont.

[Link]

The AP account said:

Voters in Connecticut turned him down, rejecting three-term Sen. Joe Lieberman for a political newcomer in the nation's first major test of the depth of anger over the
Iraq war.

True.

But of course this is only half true. What actually happened is that Democrats in CT turned him down. Republicans and unregistered independents were ineligible to vote in the Constitution State's primary, groups which have traditionally supported Lieberman as a moderate Democrat. In essence, this primary race demonstrates only that Democrats in CT are more liberal and more vehemently anti-war, than Democrats elsewhere.

If you've been to New Haven lately, this isn't exactly news.

But the press has been looking for a story like this for a while. Pax Plena regulars will recall that in the CA-50 election, which was projected to be close, with potential gains made by Democrats, the press had billed that election as a gauge of public opinion on the war too. The seat was won by a Conservative Republican.

[Link]

In the end, it was Lieberman himself who said it best by way of explaining why he would seek election as an Independent.

I'm fed up about the partisanship in Washington that stops us from getting things done.

Well put. Let's hope the rest of CT is more sensible than its liberal faction.

ABC News: Bush is Fat

The ABC News story above is unbelievable.

President Bush is 60 years old, mountain bikes regularly, jogged until recently and yet ABC News seems to think he's fat.

[Link]

Sounds like a retribution piece to me. Just last week Bush called their veteran anchor a "has been."

[Link]

Juvenile. I'd expect nothing less from ABC.

Billy Graham's Lessons for Life and Change

I have of late been afforded a new period to think a great deal about my life. For those of you who know me, this isn’t exactly something I relish. But some of the reflection has been good. Some bad. All of it efficacious. Yet, perhaps the most unsettling point I chanced upon in my broodings is the sheer helplessness I have come to conclude of our reality. Nothing we can do will alter the past. It’s true that we have some control over our future in the present but the fact is that we can never really know with any certainty what lies beyond the horizon. Summer draws to a close in a few weeks and autumn will arrive to mark a new season and the passage of time. The end of summer, then, is more than an appropriate time for thought.

Newsweek ran a piece by author Jon Meacham this week featuring America’s preeminent Evangelist, Billy Graham. Meacham’s agenda is to drive home the point to Americans that Graham’s Gospel is an Ecumenical Gospel- a case very similar to that which he makes in his recent book American Gospel.

[Link]

But what I found more interesting than Meacham’s analysis was the excerpts from what Graham actually said in interview about his beliefs. Here is an example dealing with the question of who would ‘get in’ to heaven when the season of life on Earth is complete:

"Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won't ... I don't want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have."

Another gem was found in Graham’s remarks on death:

"I think about heaven a great deal, I think about the failures in my life in the past, but know that they have been covered by the blood of Christ, and that gives me a great sense of confidence…I have a certainty about eternity that is a wonderful thing, and I thank God for giving me that certainty. I do not fear death. I may fear a little bit about the process, but not death itself, because I think the moment that my spirit leaves this body, I will be in the presence of the Lord."

[Link]

Related, at church Sunday, three people spoke on the discipline of God and its function in stretching the lives of individuals spiritually. Their point in essence was that God uses discipline in the form of life’s hardships to challenge the faith of Believers.

[Link]

Taken together, I think the interesting conversation these points have is that life is as much about mystery as it is about endurance. For all of the Theologies ever constructed, all of them have logical problems. Some sects of Christianity would vehemently disagree with Billy Graham’s assessment of the scope of Christ’s sacrifice. Others would take issue with his treatment of whom is permitted into Heaven at life’s end. But the major point made is not that Billy Graham thinks an ecumenical Gospel is more appropriate, or that Christ died for all, it’s that there are many mysteries of the Divine that mortal man cannot understand in totality. The point made in church Sunday supports this notion. When hardships come to pass as they invariably will, faith becomes a sustaining refuge and reason for hope.

In the end, Faith provides life with context. Far from being an opiate for the masses as Marx said with renown, for the Believer faith is the framework by which we process our lives. It is the sacred center from which all of life emanates. I believe that I am correct in my assessment of our precarious situation in life. But rather than driving individuals toward a fatalistic perspective, Faith offers solutions as Billy Graham astutely notes. Rather than lament past mistakes, faith offers us the ability to have confidence that nothing we can do will alter the past because there’s no need for its alteration. Christ died for us and wiped our transgressions clean. While, it’s true that we have only limited control over our future, we draw confidence from the fact that our eternity is secured through Christ.

And though our present may be rife with pain, we take comfort in the knowledge that seasons change and that Christ resolves all for our good end. This is the subtext that Meacham misses. But it is among the deepest insights gleaned as Billy Graham enjoys the twilight of life.

Lieberman Closes Gap

Been slow blogging lately. Lots going on. However, I did want to pass along this interesting article from the AP dated yesterday.

Apparently, Senator Joe Lieberman has been closing the gap in his CT Senate primary race against challenger Ned Lamont. Lamont led Lieberman by only 6 percentage points, compared to his 13 point lead just last week.

The race has made headlines because Lamont is the darling of the ultra left-wing of the Democrat Party. Joe Liberman has long been called a moderate Democrat despite voting with the Dems 90% of the time.

Of course, the real litmus test in the matter is the Iraq war and the internal struggle amongst Democrats to become the party of pacifists in the US. Given the stakes, the election tomorrow (today) will mark a turning point for the DNC- for better or worse is increasingly hard to tell.

Happy 08/07/06!

I had a stroke of brilliance earlier. Today is 8/7/06!

Thought for the Day

I take the only desire one can really permit oneself. Freedom...to ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.

Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead

The Case for McCain

Kathyrn Jean Lopez of the National Review makes an interesting, albeit obvious, argument for the nomination of John McCain in the 2008 Republican primary.

[Link]

Lopez writes:

But who has the real foreign-policy cred? Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Senator (and former Virginia governor) George Allen can certainly make the case for themselves, but neither has former Vietnam POW McCain’s obvious advantage. As one pro-McCain politico recently told me, foreign policy is McCain’s “key asset”: “His national-security credentials ... are accepted across the political spectrum. Given the state of the world, I don’t think anyone is going to be elected president in ‘08 who isn’t ready to be commander in chief from day one. In truth there are few people in either party who can satisfy that requirement.”

It’s a good point. But in a nutshell, her actual argument is that Republicans should make McCain their nominee because he is electable. The logic is very clear, and very calculated- few Democrats can lay claim to McCain’s preparation to be Commander in Chief, therefore he’s our strongest candidate.

Although the nature of the biz is of course to win elections, McCain’s asset could be his undoing in the primary. Primary going Republicans tend to seek the candidate the most identifies with their values which historically has not been a more socially liberal McCain. This is the reason that McCain is not a clear front-runner to begin with. Although few people can quibble with McCain’s preparation to be Commander in Chief, the fact that there are so many in the primary who aren’t could have the inverse effect of diluting the importance of his credentials by re-focusing the discussion on who has a fresh perspective on foreign policy. In this instance, McCain is not the winner because of his ties to the Administration on Iraq.

As Lopez astutely notes, the biggest question for McCain is not his electability. The big question is whether he can even make it out of the GOP primary.

Latest Favorite Country Song

Haven't posted a good song lyric in a while. Below is my latest favorite country song. The artist is Carrie Underwood and the title is "I Ain't in Checotah Anymore."

I like it because it reminds me a lot of home. Especially the line, I'm in a world so wide, It makes me feel small sometimes, I miss the big blue skies, the Oklahoma kind.

I can relate.

It makes me miss Oklahoma's blue skies. It makes me miss Walters.

[Link]

I Ain't In Checotah Anymore

Where 69 meets 40,
There's a single stop light town,
And back when I was really young,
A part of that burned down,
On any given Friday night,
We'd drive a hundred miles,
Between the Sonic and the Grocery Store,
Laughing all the while,
With as many friends as I could pack,
In my daddy's Ford,
But I ain't in Checotah anymore.

My hotel in Manhattan,
Holds more people than our town,
And what I just paid for dinner,
Would be a down payment on a house,
I'd rather be tipping cows in Tulsa,
Than hailing cabs here in New York,
But I ain't in Checotah anymore.

I'm in a world so wide,
It makes me feel small sometimes,
I miss the big blue skies,
the Oklahoma kind.

In a world of long red carpets,
The bright lights of Hollywood,
All the paparazzi flashing,
Could make a girl feel pretty good,
You can get anything you want here,
Except a Wal-Mart store,
But I ain't in Checotah anymore.

I'm in a world so wide,
It makes me feel small sometimes,
I miss the big blue skies,
the Oklahoma kind.

Where the Wildcats beat the Ironheads,
Old Settler's day and the Okrafest,
After prom, down at the bowling lanes,
Catching crappie fish in Eufaula lake,
I ain't in Checotah anymore.

I'm in a world so wide,
It makes me feel small sometimes,
I miss the big blue skies,
the Oklahoma kind,
But I ain't in Checotah,
No I ain't in Checotah,
Oh, there's nothing like Oklahoma.

Where 69 meets 40,
There's a single stoplight town.

Layout

I'm not sure if this will be the permanent set up for Pax Plena, but it looks to be much more stable than the previous options. The issues with viewing came not so much in Internet Explorer as most of you have but from the Mozilla Firefox browser.

I like to think nothing has changed except for adding more vibrant colors and a hint of yellow to mix it up. I've also kept the search function at the top. It's possible that I may adjust the margins but I'll leave them be for now.

Feel free to pass along your thoughts or suggestions.

Bomar Dropped by OU

Shockwaves across the Sooner Nation.

[Link]

OU will be without starting QB Rhett Bomar this season after a team investigation discovered numerous, willfull NCAA violations on the part of the sophomore. Bomar set an OU freshman record passing for 2,018 yards last season.

Head Coach Bob Stoops said of the incident:

I firmly believe that our program is stronger than any individual player and that a championship program cannot compromise its values," Stoops said in the statement.

Developing...

Charlie Rangel: If We Lose, I Quit

The ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee announced today that if the Democrats fail to reclaim the House this fall, then he will retire from Congress.

[Link]

On behalf of the American people, let me be the first to wish Mr. Rangel a very happy retirement.

The nature of his remarks remind me a lot of South Park’s Eric Cartman: Screw you guys, I’m going home.

[Link]

Democrats on the Brink: Pelosi Undermines Dean

With the mid-term elections all but weeks away, one would expect the opposition party to be united on their political strategy. Unfortunately for the Democrats, ‘it ain’t necessarily so.’ The Washington Post reports today that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly had heated confrontations with DNC Chairman Howard Dean over his handling of party fundraising and spending (viz., Dean is inept).

[Link]

The fallout is the result of Dean’s efforts to provide cash to Democrat party organizations in each of the fifty states- no matter how viable the specific Democratic candidates are seeking office. Pelosi and other ranking Democrats would prefer the party sink their cash into states and races where Democrats have a chance at winning.

In the end, the fracture amounts to two very different approaches to politics with the mid-term elections hanging in the balance and the Dems with no clear direction.

One thing is clear: Pelosi has already begun to move against Dean. In light of the disagreement, Pelosi, along with Senate fundraising Chair Chuck Schumer, launched her own initiative to raise cash. The operation is aimed at mobilizing voters on election day instead of paying for TV and radio ads. Apparently the idea is that it is better for people go vote, than it is for them to know the Democrat running. Rumor has it they're all the same anyway.

Here is the rub: No matter which approach wins the day both have problems. Dean is right that in the long-term for Democrats to be viable nationally they have to compete locally. Pelosi is right that in the short-term the Dems need to run the races that they can win.

Neither approach, however, is a good enough substitute for what the Democrats really lack: a set of values.

*Photo Courtesy of http://files.myopera.com/overlord/blog/1Howard_Dean.jpg

Blair’s New War

British Prime Minister Tony Blair took an interesting departure from President Bush yesterday during remarks given to the World Affairs Council.

[Link]

Of the War on Terror, Blair said:

We are fighting a war, but not just against terrorism but about how the world should govern itself in the early 21st Century, about global values.

Given Bush’s penchant for brevity, it appears that Blair prefers a more European finesse found in the language of the “War on Terrorism and about How the World Should Govern Itself in the Early 21st Century about Global Values.”

Come on Tony. It is what it is. Let’s just keep it simple. War on Terror.

New layout...

It has come to my attention that the Pax Plena layout doesn't show up quite as well as it should. Sometimes the trouble is with Firefox some time it is with Internet Explorer.

I'll look to either fix the code error or change to a new layout in the coming days.

Thanks for your patience.

Overheard in New York

I discovered this blog yesterday that posts random comments heard in and around New York City.

Many of them aren't as funny, but this one was hilarious.

Here is the post in its entirety:

The Buddha Was a Tough Kid to Raise

Mother: Don't you ever do that again! [slaps child hard]
Child, calmly: Well, are you happy with yourself?

--Union Square

Overheard by: Miranda

[Link]

Is Castro Resting in Peace?

I have to applaud the propaganda machines of leftist governments in Central and South America for deflecting interest in the story of Fidel Castro’s failing health.

[Link]

But is this really the best way to inspire confidence in an ailing leader?

Quote:

It was unknown when or where the surgery took place or where Castro was recovering. But the Venezuelan government, Cuba's closest ally, said Cuban officials reported Castro was "advancing positively." Leftist Argentine lawmaker Miguel Bonasso said Castro aides told him the leader was resting peacefully.

For once, both communists and capitalists agree: we all hope Castro rests in peace.

Jon Alter: What Democrats Need to Take on the GOP

Jon Alter of Newsweek acclaim wrote a piece in the latest Newsweek edition with the above title.

[Link]

Unfortunately for the Democrats, Alter does not go on to include a set of core values in his list of requisites but more to the point is that Alter's rather benign work infuriated many bloggers on the left.

A Technorati search demonstrates the shrill anger Alter incited by his piece. The essay itself says little more than the Dems need to focus on the House and stop castigating poor Joe Lieberman in his Senate re-election bid.

[Link]

In all, it's a fairly reasonable piece. But then again left has never been too keen on linear thought.