Monthly Archives: May 2007

Stop and Smell the Roses

Or the clean mountain air… God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Martin Luther Sometimes you just have to remind yourself that there’s more to life then the daily … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Hillary joke of the day

“Last night, Senator Hillary Clinton hosted her  first party in her new home in Washington.  People said it was a lot like  the parties she used to host at the White House.  In fact, even the furniture was the same.” … Continue reading

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News Brief, Still At War With Oceania Edition

Cross-posted at The Conjecturer. Defense An entire security detail was abducted in Baghdad, in a secure area, leading to questions about the extent to which local security forces are collaborating with the insurgents, whether private companies are appropriate agents, and … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Technology | Leave a comment

Fred Thompson Reportedly Will Has Enter[ed] The Race (UPDATED)

[See below for UPDATES] The Politico is reporting that insiders to the Fred Thompson organization are letting the cat out of the bag: Fred Dalton Thompson is planning to enter the presidential race over the Fourth of July holiday, announcing … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page | 6 Comments

The Earmark Parade

CNN does an amusing piece on our new leaders in Congress and their devotion to ending the scandalous use of earmarks. Watch the whole thing. Highlights: The corporate airport for executives put in by that man of the people, (D) … Continue reading

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Hillary Joke of the day

“Hillary Clinton, our junior senator from New York, announced that she has no intentions of ever, ever running for office of the President of the United States. Her husband, Bill Clinton, is bitterly disappointed. He is crushed. There go his … Continue reading

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The Green Party and National Security: An Interview with Alan Augustson

A few weeks back I posted a facile little rebuke aimed at the national security implications of Green Party presidential candidate Alan Augustson‘s political platform. Alan responded to this in such a way that I realized I had little idea … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Interviews, Lee's Page | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Curse of the Monica

Is it possible that for the second straight time a presidential administration is permanently hobbled by someone named Monica? For whatever reason, frequent commenter “glasnost” decided to take me to task because I was not sufficiently incensed enough about the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

News Brief, Earth Invaders Edition

Cross-posted at The Conjecturer. Defense What do you do when you’re losing a war? Revise victory, redefine success. Even the guys on the ground, who can usually be relied upon to offer “oo-rah” statements about the war, seem to be … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

Hillary joke of the day

“In the book, she says when Bill told her he was having an affair, she said “I could hardly breathe, I was gulping for air. No, I’m sorry, that’s what Monica said.” – David Letterman

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Hillary joke of the day

In Hillary Clinton’s new book ‘Living History,’ Hillary details what it was like meeting Bill Clinton, falling in love with him, getting married, and living a passionate, wonderful life as husband and wife. Then on page two, the trouble starts.” … Continue reading

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Hillary joke of the day

Hillary Clinton’s 506-page memoirs have come out. So much of her personality shines through, that in the end, you, too, will want to sleep with an intern.” — Craig Kilborn

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Extra Geeky Goodness

Since it is a long weekend, I’ll happily provide some extra geeky goodness for your enjoyment. First, take a look at what really happened after the first Death Star was blown up. Then, see Vader having a real heart to … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page | 6 Comments

Good news for BBC America fans

Recently, BBC America has announced its plan to air the entire first season (first series to you Euro-types) of Torchwood during its summer restructuring. Despite a fair degree of success in attraction US viewership, the execs at BBCA felt that … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page | 5 Comments

News Brief, Groove: Heart Edition

Defense An excellent look at so-called blast-resistent vehicles (or “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicles, or MRAP), though it doesn’t explore the specificities of the newly deployed American MRAP. Still, the idea of a heavily armored truck on stilts is weirdly … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Religion and theology | Leave a comment

Congress Declares Itself Illegal!

At least, one could read it that way (my emphasis)(HT: McQ): Defying White House opposition, the House passed legislation Wednesday that would make gas price gouging a federal crime in times of an energy emergency. In a 284-141 vote, only … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Humor, Law, MichaelW's Page | 1 Comment

Hillary Joke of the day

“Hillary Clinton said today that she wants legislation to allow all ex-felons to vote.  See, this way all the Clinton’s former business partners can vote for her in 2008.” –Jay Leno

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Art Imitates Life

Fish updates the famous Aesop Fable of the “Ant and the Grasshopper” to conform with modern times. Excerpt: Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm … Continue reading

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Calling Their Bluff

One of the aspects of blogging and commenting on political topics that I find quite overwhelming sometimes is tackling the vast amounts of disinformation and false premises that form the basis of a good number of arguments. It gets tiring … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, History, Media, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war | 8 Comments

Life Imitates Art

Snakes on a Plane! Samuel L. Jackson was unavailable for comment.

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Support the Troops II

Jed Nitzberg has left a comment on a post I made back in March which I feel deserves added attention. So, if you’re already buying something from Best Buy, go ahead and kick in some extra money for Fisher House. … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Military Matters | 2 Comments

Are Hedge Funds Worth It?

Dave Leonhardt asks the question in the New York Times: Last year, the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index jumped 14 percent, while the average hedge fund returned less than 13 percent, after investment fees, according to Hedge Fund Research in … Continue reading

Posted in Investing, Lance's Page | Leave a comment

Hillary joke of the day

A student from the University of Washington has sold his soul on eBay  for $400.  He’s a law student, so he probably  doesn’t need it, but still,  that’s not very much.  Today, Hillary Clinton said, ‘Hey, at least I got … Continue reading

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Edwards Plan???

So this is Edwards plan(???)… “What we need is not more slogans but a comprehensive strategy to deal with the complex challenge of both delivering justice and being just.” “We will need imagination and courage to imagine great possibilities, to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | Leave a comment

Matthew Yglesias on Music

I have to second Matt’s endorsement of local Baton Rouge band, “The Eames Era.” Though I don’t find the name irritating at all.

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Matthew Yglesias’ undeserved moral and intellectual smugness-Updated

Matt Yglesias, one of the progressive lefts sharper knives, just can’t help himself in throwing every problem in the world at the Bush administrations feet, as if the world run right would be some vastly different place. The fact is, … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 3 Comments

Iran Teetering???

Put these to articles together, and I see, or still see, a regime on the brink of collapse. With their pursuit of weapons grade nuclear technology, and their support of terrorism throughout the Middle East, I have to agree with … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page | 1 Comment

Goodling Testimony – Much Ado About Nothing?

The much anticipated congressional testimony of Monica Goodling, former DOJ liason to the White House, regarding the firing of 7 U.S. Attorneys appears to be more of whimper than a bang: The Justice Department’s former White House liaison denied Wednesday … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page | 6 Comments

Trust Us, We’re From the Govt

These are the sorts of people we’re supposed to outsource the security of places like Darfur, Iraq, and a whole host of unstable nations/regions to… http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6681457.stm Pakistani UN peacekeeping troops have traded in gold and sold weapons to Congolese militia … Continue reading

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An interesting metaphor for the Iraq war…

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Hillary joke of the day

“Former President Bill Clinton said that if his wife, Hillary, is elected president, he will do whatever she wants. You know Bill Clinton — when he makes a vow to Hillary, you can take that to the bank.” –Jay Leno

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News Briefs, Ghost in You Edition

Cross-posted at The Conjecturer. I am not posting the rest of the week, as I will be traveling. Defense I really like thinking the best of our guys in uniform. But the demon spawn of our rightwing radio hosts seem … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, social science | 1 Comment

Debate Extended on Immigration Bill

[UPDATE: Whoops! I see great minds think alike, and that Keith posted on this as well, so read that too.] After much procedural wrangling, Sen. Harry Reid opted to put off a vote on the much-maligned immigration bill (which can … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page | 1 Comment

Immigration Reform – Another Step Forward??

Senator Reid has agreed that this bill will not be ram-rodded through the Senate this week. Senate leaders agreed Monday that they would wait until June to take final action on a bipartisan plan to give millions of unlawful immigrants … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page | Leave a comment

Hillary joke of the day

“In a fiery speech this weekend, Hillary Clinton wondered why President Bush can’t find the tallest man in Afghanistan. Probably for the same reason she couldn’t find the fattest intern under the desk.” –Jay Leno

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News Brief, Sweet Jane Edition

Cross-posted on The Conjecturer. Defense The VA is facing a mounting wave of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients… Vietnam. It is ballooning costs and straining resources already, and David Axe asks the very relevant question: what happens when all the OIF … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

Maybe, finally a real funding bill for Iraq

After the move to actually defund the war failed miserably, the Democrats may finally come up with a bill without the massive pork spending, without timelines or other qualifiers which undermine the effort. In grudging concessions to President Bush , … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

Immigration Reform – A Step Forward?

Michael Barone has the editorial the probably matches my current take on the issue. I haven’t read much about the current compromise, and haven’t read the actual bill. It does seem to have riled up all “The Usual Suspects.” I … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page, Law | 2 Comments

Hillary joke of the day

“Top Democrats have mixed feelings about Sen.  Hillary Clinton running for president.  Apparently, some Democrats don’t like the idea, while others hate it.” –Conan O’Brien

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Hillary joke of the day

“Well, the big story — Hillary Clinton will be running for president in 2008.  You know why I think she’s running?  I think she finally wants to see what it’s like to sleep in the president’s bed.” –Jay Leno

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Republican credibility?

Lost so very badly. I pretty much feel the same way as Glenn Reynolds does on the immigration bill: SAXBY CHAMBLISS was booed at a GOP convention over the immigration bill. The big problem for the GOP leadership is that … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

Our Emperors Have No Clothes, Sometimes Thankfully

This lovely angel is Tania Derveaux, the NEE party candidate for the Belgian Senate. Nee is the Belgian equivalent of “None of the Above.” Tania has a problem with the dishonest and unrealistic promises most politicians make while running for … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Foreign affairs, Humor, Libertarianism, Media, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Justice as a balancing act

I haven’t been following closely the CHANNON CHRISTIAN / CHRISTOPHER NEWSOME story. Generally I don’t follow the crime of the day, nor have I found that the crime of the day in our media deserves to be the crime amongst … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Media | 6 Comments

Thought MLB had it bad?

Apparently Democrat Congressman from California, Tom Lantos, has decided that Congress’ recent attacks on Major League Baseball and its various teams and athletes just weren’t enough. Now, it seems, the NFL is in for it. Citing the recent investigation into … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Sports, The Poet Omar's Page | 1 Comment

Hillary joke of the day

Hillary Clinton said that her childhood dream was to be an Olympic athlete. But she was not athletic enough. She said she wanted to be an astronaut, but at the time they didn’t take women.  She said she wanted to … Continue reading

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Fred Thompson vs. Michael Moore

Now I know this has been everywhere, but the fact is it should be. So I am putting it up as well. Fred Thompson’s response to Michael Moore’s request to debate health care policy:

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News Brief, Worry Wort Edition

Cross-posted at The Conjecturer Defense Part 2 of Danger Room’s interview with John Robb. I bought his book last night, and I’ll be posting a review of it here when I’m done. John Robb has some damned interesting ideas, and … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 6 Comments

The Sin of Profligacy Redux

Going back over some territory I analyzed in depth last fall, it has now been demonstrated quite quickly how right I was. Any thought that the Democrats couldn’t be worse than the Republicans on spending is now officially buried: Majority … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

News Brief, My Sundown Edition

Cross-posted on The Conjecturer Defense Are we losing the info war? I think we are, and attacks on al-Hurra for not being propagandistic enough when the channel already faces criticism for exactly that certainly don’t help. We could maybe start … Continue reading

Posted in Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war, social science | 4 Comments

Delong and Galbraith defend “Reality Based” trade policy

Mostly right, but unfortunately the left won’t listen to their own economists as we can see in the comments.

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