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Category Archives: MichaelW’s Page
Historical Revisionism
Did you ever wonder what it would be like if The Beatles had written Stairway to Heaven instead of Led Zeppelin? Yeah, me neither. But the Australian tribute band, the Beatnix, give us some insight anyway [via: Marginal Revolution, and … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, MichaelW's Page, Music
Tagged Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven, The Beatles, The Beatnix
3 Comments
The Sickening
A Cuban medical office with a sign reading “No prescriptions available.” Photo by: Dr. Darsi Ferrer [via The Real Cuba]. News of Fidel Castro’s retirement has elicited some interesting responses. Chris Bertram’s has to be one of the most arrogant … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Education, Foreign affairs, Health Care, MichaelW's Page
Tagged apologists, communism, Cuba, Education, Fidel Castro, Health Care, Michael Moore, retires, socialism, The Real Cuba
2 Comments
Smearing McCain
I am not a fan of John McCain, but the rumor-based smear leveled at him by the New York Times is more than a little unfair. Early in Senator John McCain’s first run for the White House eight years ago, … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page
Tagged FCC, former aides, John McCain, lobbyist, New York Times, rebuttal, scandal, Vicki Iseman
2 Comments
Fed Games
For a couple of years now, Porkbusters has been on the warpath against wasteful spending in Congress, and although it has had some notable successes (e.g. the “Bridge to Nowhere”), it’s mostly been treading water. The latest battle, dubbed a … Continue reading
Everything You Need To Know About Berkeley
If you are like me, and have trouble understanding the mindset of the Berkeley City Council, here’s an easy way to figure it out. In the City Council’s letter to the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center, why is the term “unwelcome … Continue reading
If The Beatles Had Been Irish
My first thought was something along the lines of that soliloquy from The Commitments where Jimmy Rabbitte encourages his erstwhile band to internalize the thought “I’m black, and I’m proud.” Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the … Continue reading
An Argument Against Public Education
Via Glenn Reynolds, Wired posts an article describing the fight to include evolution in the science curriculum for students in Florida and Texas: Charles Darwin was born 199 years ago Tuesday, but the debate he ignited about the origins of … Continue reading
“You grew up in freedom, and you can spit on freedom, because you don’t know what it is not to have it.”
For your viewing pleasure, watch Ayaan Hirsi Ali effortlessly dismantle the typical leftist tropes thrown at her in an interview with Avi Lewis (Naomi Klein’s husband). The quote serving as the title comes across as venomously pointed when read, but … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Philosophy, social science
Tagged America, Avi Lewis, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, democracy, Domestic Politics, freedom, islam, Netherlands, On The Map, Somalia
4 Comments
Blood For Oil
Joseph Kennedy II supports blood for oil. In recent months, my TV has been bombarded with ads from Joe Kennedy promoting his Citizens Energy program, such as the following: The heating oil distributed by Citizens Energy comes from Venezuela on … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, energy, Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Chavez, Citizens Energy, command economy, Economics, Exxon, food shortages, heating oil, heavy crude, Joseph Kennedy II, nationalization, oil, oil market, oil production, OPEC, PDVSA, price ceiling, price fixing, price floor, socialism, starvation, Venezuela
2 Comments
Berkeley Backs Off
Probably a wise decision when up against Marines, although, as is usual with politicians, this decision is driven mainly by government largess (or the lack thereof): As six Republican senators devised a plan to yank $2.3 million in federal funding … Continue reading
A Candidate Without A War
Is the Iraq War hurting John McCain’s candidacy? By “hurting” I’m referring to his struggle to be the true conservative candidate who unites the party. Despite his clear lead in the primary race, McCain has not been able to capture … Continue reading
McCain and Paul Voters Throw WV to Huckabee
According to some people on the ground, Mike Huckabee won West Virginia’s primary on the second ballot, but some of the 18 delegates (uncommitted “super delegates”) will switch to McCain and Paul at the Republican Convention: Paul has been knocked … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
2 Comments
Anti-FARC March in D.C.
John Lilyea has the goods: So I decided to add my voice to the millions worldwide from here in DC. I was really surprised that an ad hoc organization put together such a large demonstration in such a short period … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Colombia, D.C., drug trafficking, FARC, John Lilyea, march, socialism, Terrorism, Venezuela
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The Left and John McCain
In a post at QandO, Billy Hollis explains why John McCain will not be getting his vote. Essentially, McCain-Feingold and Johnny’s continued contempt for the Bill of Rights leaves Billy cold: This [McCain-Feingold] is THE main reason I cannot vote … Continue reading
Ain’t No Sunshine
And now for an unscheduled musical interlude: Bill Withers wrote and recorded that song while he had a job installing toilet seats on 747′s. Apparently, he had intended to write more lyrics to replace the 26 consecutive “I know’s” but … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, MichaelW's Page, Music
Tagged 1972, Ain't No Sunshine, BBC, Bill Withers
3 Comments
Republican VP Candidates
Despite Keith’s wise admonition, many Republican leaning (or formerly R-leaning) voters have resigned themselves to the fact that Sen. John McCain will be the Republican nominee for Election 2008. That does not sit well with more than a few. Personally, … Continue reading
Mukasey on Waterboarding (UPDATED)
Attorney General Michael Mukasey sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the interrogation technique known as waterboarding. Mukasey remarked that it is not an authorized interrogation technique, and that it “is not, and may not be, used in … Continue reading
“We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.”
That’s part of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ response to the SOTU last night. Jim Hoft’s reaction: “Huh?” and drawing the obvious comparison to another famous redistributionist. My first thought was: “Ask? Well I’d be much happier if they’d ‘ask’; that … Continue reading
Look Who Pays For Mitt-Care
As governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney oversaw the implementation of state-wide universal health care, something that he touts as a major accomplishment on his campaign website. In fact, after signing the legislation into law, Romney penned a an Op-Ed for … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Health Care, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Economics, Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, taxation, universal health care, Wisconsin
4 Comments
Fred’s Finished
Alas, poor Frederick, we hardly knew ye: Fred Thompson dropped his presidential bid Tuesday, after the former Tennessee senator and actor finished third in the South Carolina primary and was unable to score a victory in any of the early … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
Tagged bows out, Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Republican primary
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Dumb Criminals: Got Cohones?
As yet further proof that guns don’t shoot people, criminals do, watch the video starring Derrick Kosch as both the criminal and the people getting shot: KOKOMO, Ind. — Police said a Kokomo man accidentally shot himself in the genitals … Continue reading
Parade of Fools
Behold the band of idiots. JENA, La. (Jan. 21) – The residents of this central Louisiana town, who watched their community turn into a battleground over the “Jena Six,” will watch out-of-towners doing most of the marching on the birthday … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Media, MichaelW's Page, Race, Society
Tagged Jena 6, media bias, media narrative, MLK day, myths
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Election 2008 Gut-Check
From the Anchoress. Do you know who you’re voting for? Be sure to check out the comments as well. For my part, I’m in the tank for Fred, and I honestly do not have a clue whom I’ll vote for … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Anchoress, choose a candidate, Election 2008, gut check
4 Comments
Bloomberg Busted
From the “Holier Than Thou” department comes this interesting photo taken by Larry Fink for Wired Magazine. (link to larger photo) What’s that he’s reaching for with his right hand? Why, it’s a Cheez-ItTM! After gaining national media attention for … Continue reading
Capitalism Primer
Courtesy of Bookwork Room comes this 1948 classic “Fun and Facts about American Business.” It’s a cartoon short that portrays the birth of an entrepreneur, and how bringing his idea to fruition through hard work pays off not just for … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, History, MichaelW's Page
Tagged capitalism, Economics, entrepreneur, job creation, Searcy College, wealth
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The Smell Of Socialism
What does socialism smell like? At first blush I can’t be much more specific than “pungent and bad.” Luckily the enterprising Catalan Socialist Party has brewed up a concoction as a campaign stunt that promises to answer this confounding quandary: … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Humor, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Catalan Socialist Party, communism, elections, perfume, propaganda, socialism, Spain
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“Apparently, in France, demand curves do not slope downwards”
Megan McArdle comments on a piece in The Economist regarding the appalling state of economics education in France and Germany: When the 35 hour work week was proposed, I was talking to someone in the French consulate who did economics … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Education, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, social science
Tagged Economics, Education, France, Germany
4 Comments
Turmoil in Kenya
“It’s like everyone is drunk over something you can’t understand.” While our own seemingly endless election season grinds on (and on), Kenya’s recently ended, sparking massive instability, rioting and protests: Kenya’s main opposition party said Friday it plans three days … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page
Tagged elections, Kenya, Kibaki, Kikuyu, Luos, Odinga, political unrest, rigged
2 Comments
Milton Friedman vs. Naomi Klein
Happy New Year! To start off the year right, let’s have a look at a mock-up of a debate between Naomi Klein, reporter-activist extraordinaire, and Milton Friedman, king of economic liberty (via Instapundit). This video was put together by Devil’s … Continue reading
Fred Thompson’s New Iowa Ad
I’ve received a few emails alerting me to the fact that the blogburst for Fred Thompson was a success (congratulations to Rick Moran for spearheading that), and as a result, the following commercial “Substance” will be airing in Iowa: If … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
Tagged campaign ad, contribute, Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Iowa caucuses, Substance
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Somebody’s Gearing Up For A HUGE Party
Someone in Georgia is apparently planning on hosting a kegger for a small division [HT: my wife]. Thieves took tractor-trailers loaded with beer and swiped the suds twice within the past week, authorities said. Dougherty County authorities are investigating a … Continue reading
McQ On The Depletion Of The Officer Corp
Over at QandO, McQ offers his take on a thoughtful article by Andrew Tilghman entitled “The Army’s Other Crisis: Why the Best and Brightest Young Officers are Leaving.” Here are the nut graphs from McQ: So we should certainly be … Continue reading
Top Al Qaeda Operative Nabbed In Iraq, and Other Good News
Bill Roggio has the scoop at Long War Journal: The Iraqi Army claimed to have captured the minister of defense of the Islamic State of Iraq, al Qaeda’s political front organization. Ahmed Turki Abbas was captured after being wounded in … Continue reading
Fred Thompson Picks Up Another Endorsement
Freddy-come-lately is gaining some steam in Iowa, picking up an endorsement from the Ottumwa Courier this week: Thompson is unapologetic on his views and is a straight-shooter. “These are clearly challenging times. I don’t think we’ve fully come to terms … Continue reading
You Say You Want a Revolution
These are the events that can kick off revolutions, civil wars, and even God forbid world wars… Let’s hope and pray this will be a more bloodless revolution. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318510,00.html Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in a homicide … Continue reading
“XMas” Origins
Jon Henke posts an interesting history lesson concerning the origins of the well-known abbreviation for Christmas: Growing up, I sometimes heard – in church and from various religious scolds – that XMas was a secular attempt to “take Christ out … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, History, MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology, Society
Tagged Bible, Book of Kells, Chi Rho, Christmas, Xmas
6 Comments
Fred’s Interview With The Waverly Democrat
Although the Silly Hat story seems to have died on the vine (thanks to bloggers jumping on it quickly, I might add), the reporting of Roger Simon (sans-L) is still under scrutiny. Bob Owens examined some of the discrepancies between … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page
Tagged Election 2008, Fred Thompson, interview, Iowa, Roger Simon, Waverly, Waverly Democrat
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Senate Committee Issues Climate-Consensus Busting Report
According to the press release (my emphasis): Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called “consensus” on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and … Continue reading
The Trouble With Being Roger Simon
In all the kerfuffle yesterday over just what transpired in Silly-Hat-Gate, I somehow neglected to mention that the author of the Politico post, Roger Simon, is not the same as the PJM Editor, Roger L. Simon, who has this to … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page
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We’re All Teen Girls Now
“Teen pregnancy can happen to everybody.” Bill Albert, Deputy Director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, commenting on the recent revelation that 16 y.o. Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. I’m guessing that I don’t need to … Continue reading
Posted in Media, MichaelW's Page, Society
3 Comments
Fred Thompson’s “Silly Hat Rule” (UPDATED)
Via Allahpundit at Hot Air, it seems that Politico is a little down on Fred’s campaign visit to Waverly, Iowa: Thompson rode four blocks to the local fire station. Local fire stations always have captive audiences (unless there is a … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
13 Comments
Romney Calls For New Government Program
One big problem with that. It already exists: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney suggested there was no way a landscaping company that worked for him could have known its employees were illegal aliens even though the federal government has an … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page
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Libertarian Timeline
As told by Mother Jones … so yeah, it’s a little, umm, “slanted.” My favorite distortion: 1977: The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, is founded in San Francisco with funding from oil baron Charles G. Koch. The name comes … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Philosophy
1 Comment
Pining Away For Jihad Johnny
The aptly named Unqualified Offerings has had its share of troubles lately, and I’m not usually one to pile on, but this is simply beyond the pale (emphasis added): Have We Given Justice to Lindh? By Mona American citizen John … Continue reading
Hugo Chavez: Gravedigger
Apparently Hugo Chavez takes the resurrection of historical idols quite seriously. And much too literally [HT: Dave In Texas]: President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela should open the coffin of independence hero Simon Bolivar to examine the bones, saying … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page
3 Comments