American Thinker Blog
October 31, 2005
The alienated suicide bomber
Theodore Dalrymple today has the best analysis of the psychology of suicide bombers that we have seen. "Young Muslim men in Britain — as in France and elsewhere in the West — have a problem of personal, cultural, and national identity. They... More
October 31, 2005
Selling the rope to hang ourselves?
How will Western civilization survive... quote: UK to train 20 Iranians in nanotechnology ...when it continues to train those countries which espouse OUR destruction? quote: Nanotechnology: the potential for new WMD Eric Schwappach 10 31 05 ... More
October 31, 2005
Change comes to the Middle East slowly
Slowly, and with many a step backward, the Middle East may be moving forward towars reconciliation with the existence of Israel. Consider this: Jordan bans airing of anti—Semitic TV series Amman: Jordan has banned broadcast of a controversial mini—series criticised as... More
October 31, 2005
The Democrats' spokesman?
When did Senator Edward Kennedy become the first official voice of the Democratic party? It seems that every time the President makes an announcement Sen. Kennedy gets off his barstool and is the first in front of the reporters to... More
October 31, 2005
Intelligence mistakes leading to war
Tom Maguire brings to our attention the fact the a U.S. intelligence agency (NSA) made a mistake leading us into the Viet Nam war and since has covered up their historian's findings on this since 2001. Even better, he reminds us... More
October 31, 2005
The coming Muslim population crisis
Spengler,the acerbic anonymous pundit who writes for the Asia Times, has Part 1 of yet another provocative essay out today, entitled "The crisis of faith in the Muslim World." Spengler starts with the rapidly declining birth rate in much of... More
October 31, 2005
It's Alito!
Everything I have seen and heard so far would seem to indicate that Judge Alito is a spectacular nominee for the Associate Justice vacanacy created by the retirement of Justice O'Connor. He is said to combine the brilliance of Scalia... More
October 31, 2005
Chutzpah from Las Vegas
There is certainly no shortage of chutzpah — that Yiddish word for outrageous nerve, often described as a killer of both his parents asking for clemency on the grounds that he is an orphan — among members of Congress. But... More
October 31, 2005
China and Chile move toward free trade pact
While advocates of protectionist trade policy continue to make headlines in the United States, China and Chile are lowering trade and investment barriers. BusinessWeek reports that Chile and China have successfully ended a yearlong negotiation for a free trade accord.... More
October 30, 2005
We buried you
According to Karl Marx, religion was the opiate of the masses. And of course, he and others who followed him truly believed their communist religion would prevail over all. Indeed, over 40 years ago the USSR's Khruschev threatened the US... More
October 30, 2005
CENTCOM reports
The US Central Command Newsletter for the week of October 24 can be found here. This week's issue highlights continuing Coalition earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan, the increased role of Iraqi Army units during the recent election, and humanitarian assistance... More
October 30, 2005
Joe Wilson's 15 minuites
The Mediacrats are fearful that the Valerie Plame story may not have legs. Karl Rove has not been indicted, and may never be, and other than a few Washington insiders, nobody has ever heard of Lewis (Scooter) Libby before. The... More
October 30, 2005
How covert was Valerie Plame?
Just One Minute reviews the situation: Joe Wilson, aka "Mr. Incredible" will be whining appearing on 60 Minutes about threats to his wife. Uh huh. Maybe, since Joe admitted to doing consulting work for the CIA in his NY Times... More
October 30, 2005
Japan moves to revise "peace constitution"
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Liberal Democratic Party are taking steps to revise the Constitution to clarify the role of the country's military. There are powerful implications for American foreign policy in East Asia. Since the tragedy of... More
October 29, 2005
BBC code
The BBC posts an odd story, seemingly written in code. Two boys, it seems, ran away from police in a Paris suburb, climbed onto an electrical [power?] station, and died. So local residents rioted, attacked firfighters sent to rescue the boys,... More
October 29, 2005
Is Libby guilty of a cover-up?
Jack Risko, of Dinocrat.com, one of the smartest guys out there, is worried that Libby might have sacrificed himself in order to delay uncovering the mention of Plame's name. Jack is no wild—eyed lefty, so I take his worries seriously.... More
October 29, 2005
A plausible Libby scenario
Is Lewis Libby guilty of no more than being inarticulate? It is plausible. Clarice Feldman 10 29 05... More
October 29, 2005
A disaster for the British monarchy
Prince Charles is about to do great damage to the British monarchy by coming to the United States to lecture us that we have been too intolerant of Islam. The Prince of Wales will try to persuade George W Bush and... More
October 29, 2005
New Delhi Savaged
Our friends and allies in India have been attacked with a vicious terror bombing in a market in the capital city, New Delhi. At least 49 innocent lives have been lost, and countless people injured. No group has taken responsibility... More
October 29, 2005
Let's have a pity party for Joe
Where to start with this self—pitying parody written by Joe Wilson? He did not seem so put—upon on the cover of Vanity Fair with his blonde, beautiful wife and his Jaguar convertible. His high—profile fame has lead to innumerable speeches... More
October 29, 2005
Wankegate
Whenever I need a pick—me—up, I find Mark Steyn is there — with a spot on, well written and amusing view of the world. Today is no exception to that rule. Here's a sample.Sit back and let him make your... More
October 29, 2005
Not fit to print
Mediacrity has been doing wonderful work noting how the New York Times systematicaly removes news unfavorable to the Palestinian cause from its coverage of the Middle East. Mediacrity even caught the Times accidentally letting something through in an initial posting... More
October 28, 2005
UN "expert" found abusing mandate to US
UN Watch has released a study of Jean Ziegler, The United Nations official who is supposed to be fighting hunger. Instead, the report finds that he has been abusing his office to attack the United States. Over the four—year period... More
October 28, 2005
Justice Cox?
John Fund resurrects a longstanding desire of mine to see Chris Cox nominated to the Supreme Court. Unfortunatey, Chris has just settled into the SEC, where his talents are needed, and where I suspect he has a large agenda in... More
October 28, 2005
Isn't that special?
As Cliff Kincaide correctly notes, Lewis "Scooter" Libby is charged with lying about telling the press their reports(based on Wilson's fables) were wrong. The Washington Post's Pincus is still correcting his corrections of the Wilson fable published 2 1/2 years ago, The... More
October 28, 2005
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
"Economy expands vigorously: inflation fears ease" According to a Commerce Department report released on Friday, October 28, 2005: Economic activity expanded at an energetic 3.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, providing vivid evidence of the economy's stamina even... More
October 28, 2005
Behind Iran's open threat to Israel
Amir Taheri writes in the New York Post about what may lie behind Iran President Ahmadinejad's naked threat to obliterate Isarel: Ahmadinejad has gone several steps further — presenting the destruction of Israel as a major goal of his government.... More
October 28, 2005
Accountability for Arab regimes?
Michael Rubin writes in The Forward (via the Middle East Forum) that a trend toward Arab leaders being held accountable is developing in the Middle East: Long home to farfetched conspiracy theories and a political culture of victimization, the Arab... More
October 28, 2005
Students arise!
Students at American University, an institution chartered by Congress because of its location in our nation's capital, have appealed to Congress to replace the school's trustees in the wake of a 3.7 million buyout package of a president accused of... More
October 28, 2005
Churchill denies American Thinker quotations
Ward Churchill is denying to the Denver Post having made remarks at an address at DePaul University, which we reported on yesterday. Churchill, speaking Thursday night at a Denver forum on academic freedom, said he was misquoted in two articles... More
October 28, 2005
Lower education
The University of North Carolina descends to an infantile level of self—gratification, at the hands of the feminist pro—abortion left. It is hosting an "Orgasm Awareness Festival" — apparently on the assumption that some Tar Heels are unaware of orgasms.... More
October 28, 2005
Correction needs more correcting
The mainstream media seems to have an extremely difficult time telling the truth about Plamegate. Walter Pincus and Dana Milbank's correction on October 25 of Pincus' almost 2 1/2 year old story in which he credited Joseph Wilson IV's claims... More
October 27, 2005
What's next for the conservative punditry and the Senate?
If there is indeed relief on the part of conservatives on the Miers withdrawal, it probably won't last that long. If the President gives the conservative punditry a Janice Rogers Brown, or a Luttig, or one of many other qualified... More
October 27, 2005
Bush Should Play the Ozzie Card
Latin America is hot. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen talks about his native country, Venezuela, at every opportunity. The White Sox, baseball's new World Champions (there I said it), are one of baseball's most Hispanic teams. Hispanics are now the largest... More
October 27, 2005
Blaming the "extremist" GOP for Miers withdrawal
The talking points have gone out and Democrat Senators are blaming the "extreme" right wing of the GOP for Miers withdrawal. they have obviously consinged to the Memory Hole their own opposition to Miers. For example: Carl Levin (Michigan): 'Well,... More
October 27, 2005
House hearing on India-US nuclear cooperation
It is said an "expert is one who knows more and more of less and less." The proof of this saying was amply demonstrated on October 26, 2005 at the House International Relations Committee's second hearing on the US—India civilian... More
October 27, 2005
Miers reaction
There is indeed palpable relief at the withdrawal of Harriet Miers from consideration for the Supreme Court. Judging merely by her facial expressions and lack of certitude when answering questions of the Senators (according to reports), Ms. Miers gave a... More
October 27, 2005
Is Arlen Specter Crying?
Harriet Miers is gone, but for one member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she will not be forgotten. When he was responding in a television interview to the news of Ms. Mier's withdrawal, Arlen Specter teared up. The liberal Republican from... More
October 27, 2005
More Miers reaction
The initial reaction of relief notwithstanding, the White House will be making a huge mistake if they think that a Gonzales nomination will fly at this point. They should not make the fatal mistake of confusing the conservative anger with... More
October 27, 2005
Miers withdraws
In the face of sustained strenuous opposition from many conservative pundits, Harriet Miers has withdrawn herself from consideration for the Supreme Court seat to which her friend, the President of the United States, had nominated her. Let the fallout begin.... More
October 27, 2005
Genocide's birthday
Today is the 90th anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide, the mass killings and deportations by Ottoman Turks that led to the deaths of as many as 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. The very word "genocide"... More
October 27, 2005
Another view of Ward Churchill at DePaul
I returned a few hours ago from Ward Churchill event in DePaul University. I'm reeling still. The event was secured by several police cars parked near by the entrance of DePaul Student Center. A crowd of approximately 50 students and... More
October 26, 2005
Guardian apologizes
The Guardian once again apologizes for a wildly exaggerated report by a foreign correspondent with links to a terrorist operation (this time ELF) and oddly placed loyalties (he was a "human shield" in Iraq) I wonder where it is posting it's... More
October 26, 2005
Release them?
Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, called upon Israel to continue to release more "prisoners of freedom" as a goodwill gesture. These prisoners have been imprisoned for complicity in terror attacks. Today, one of those released prisoners became... More
October 26, 2005
Where and when?
Joseph A. Wilson consistently told reporters he'd seen the forged documents from Niger and noted that the names and dates on them were wrong and therefore he knew they were inauthentic. He testified in the same vein to the Senate... More
October 26, 2005
Unto the generations?
Jimmy Carter's son is to run for the Senate from Nevada. Dishcarged from the Navy for drug use; a man whose grain elevator business failed, and who then engaged in commodity specualtion from Bermuda (a place Democrats hate because of... More
October 26, 2005
Geo-political maneuvers continue
The Washington Times reported that the US SecDef visited Mongolia to thank them for their Army's service in Iraq and Afghanistan. A visit from the SecDef is very significant, especially when he pronounces the United States and Mongolia share a... More
October 26, 2005
Secrets of terror
I encourage readers to read the FrontPage Magazine interview with Ryan Mauro, who is the youngest hired geopolitical analyst in the country. He is also a volunteer analyst for Tactical Defense Concepts and Northeast Intelligence Network, and is the owner... More
October 26, 2005
One of our favorites
The Chicago Tribune profiles one of our favorite members of Congress, Rep. Mike Pence (R—Indiana), who is mentioned in today's article by Richard Baehr. If you are not already familiar with him from his apperances on talk radio and cable... More
October 26, 2005
A gigantic waste of aid money
The Palestinian Authority, huge recipients of aid, are to build a huge mausoleum for you—know—who. The largest per capita recipients of foreign aid, the people who constantly claim poverty while spending fortunes to launch terror attacks, who keep their own... More
October 26, 2005
Backgrounder on Plamegate
When Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald unseals his indictments regarding Plamegate, assuming there are any, we'll learn one thing for sure: whether the two—year investigation was a clever poker move insidiously initiated by President Bush to expose and discredit his enemies... More
October 26, 2005
Stereotype busters
A new research study indicates that church—going increases economic well—being — by almost exactly the amount necessary to support tithing! Attending religious services may enrich the soul, but it also fattens the wallet, according to research released on Tuesday. "Doubling the... More
October 25, 2005
Britain not so great
The United Kingdom seems on a slippery slope downward. Jeremy Last writes: A poem which praises the murder of Jews by the Nazis has been included in a book of children's poetry to be distributed amongst schools in the UK.... More
October 25, 2005
Niger document forger in pay of France
Russo Martino, the man behind the forged documents indicating Saddam had purchased uranium from Niger, which Joseph A. Wilson falsely claimed he had seen and warned the Administration about, has come forward and admitted that he did this in the... More
October 25, 2005
Earth to Scowcroft
Brent Scowcroft says there has been 50 years of peace from the Middle East? He calls himself a "realist"? How about all the terrorism issuing from that part of the world; Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and our response—the Gulf War... More
October 25, 2005
Matt May in the news
Matt May, our frequent contributor, wrote for us about drafting Condi Rice for president almost a year ago. The Detroit Free Press today covers his efforts on behalf of the movement to draft the Secretary of State. Dick Morris, you were scooped.... More
October 25, 2005
Anti-Semitic literature OK in Germany, if from Iran
Davidsmedienkritik, the invaluable site from Germany, notices that even though Germany bans anti—Semitic literature, it makes an exception when it comes to Iranian publishers at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Can you spell petro—dollars?... More
October 25, 2005
Advance notice of the Baghdad bombs?
John Connly Walsh reports from Baghdad today that the Associated Press was notified ahead of time of the car and truck bombins near press—occupied hotels yesterday. "The AP and others were notified ahead of time so that they could focus... More
October 25, 2005
Powell suck-up watch
Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff, writes an op—ed about the White House "Cabal" Ed Lasky 10 25 05 Douglas Hanson adds: Wilkerson repeats this easily debunked myth about troop strength: 'We have a secretary of Defense presiding... More
October 25, 2005
Oily George was paid off
In a cast of characters that includes Saddam Hussein and Jacques Chirac it's hard to pick out the most despicable character in the Iraq Oil for Food scam. But for our money, George Galloway, the oily fellow who represents the "Respect... More
October 25, 2005
WaPo columnist attacks Condi on civil rights
Instead of choosing to look at Condi Rice as a role model for minorities trying to overcome prejudice, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson accuses her of willful blindness and ignorance regarding racial prejudice in America. Ideological and racial conformity is being... More
October 25, 2005
The US-India relationship
The vital security relationship with India is becoming more complex, in the wake of the vast destruction Pakistan experienced in the recent earthquake. The enormous physical damage to the Pakistani military—government complex is matched by the massive moral damage —— a military... More
October 25, 2005
Libby's head fake?
Today's New York Times breathlesssly reports that notes from Libby indicate he may have learned about Wilson's wife's role in his Mission from Cheney who heard it from Tenet. The Times notes, "It would not be illegal for either Mr. Cheney... More
October 25, 2005
A tardy and incomplete correction
It took almost two and a half years, but the Washington Post's Walter Pincus finally concedes many things he reported on June 12, 2003 attributed to the then anonymously sourced Joseph A . Wilson IV are lies. Pincus and Dana... More
October 24, 2005
Ramadan is not Christmas
When it's Christmas in America, radio and TV are filled with commercialized versions of peace on earth, good will to men. People watch The Grinch that Stole Christmas or Miracle on 42nd Street. Americans constantly argue whether Christmas is too... More
October 24, 2005
Russia losing the Caucasus
The Los Angeles Times runs a sobering report on the spread of Islamic rebellion in the Caucasus region. Ham—handed tactics in suppressing Chechnya are blamed by writer Kim Murphy. Moscow's disorganized and violent attempts to suppress Caucasian Muslim insurgents have... More
October 24, 2005
Japan's PM and Yasukuni Shrine
Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi has always claimed his visits to Yasukuni Shrine are private, but these comments by his Foreign Minister tend to contradict his position. The visits are against Article 20 of the Japanese Constitution, say his opponents. Japan should be... More
October 24, 2005
Missing headlines (continued)
"Price of gas dropping" You can resume driving your SUV now——gas prices are declining. NEW YORK (Reuters) — The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States plunged more than 25 cents in the past two... More
October 24, 2005
Memory Lane
As the clock runs out on the Plame grand jury, my thoughts were on the indictment of Casper Weinberger by independent prosecutor Lawrence Walsh. As you'll recall, then President Bush lost the election but pardoned Weinberger before he left office. In... More
October 24, 2005
Dishonest
I wrote my review of North Country as soon as I got home from the theater, concentrating on the film's amusing bits of political correctness run amok. Upon reflection, I realize I overlooked the biggest dishonesty in the film. The... More
October 24, 2005
Democracy in Iraq
The Middle East Forum translates from Italian a valuable new article on Iraq and the democratization of the Middle East. It is very much worth reading. Ed Lasky 10 24 05... More
October 24, 2005
Bush Derangement Syndrome hits baseball
Our frequent contributor Matt May chronicles an outbreak of Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) on the sports pages. Always tragic, this flare—up is also pathetic.... More
October 23, 2005
Don't indict on Judy's evidence
Some are suggesting that Miller's testimony puts Libby in jeopardy on an obstruction or perjury charge. Really? Here's why no such charge should ever be brought on a he said/she said conflict in which Miller is the she said even if... More
October 23, 2005
Miered in Punditland
Word on the Hill is that the latest internal polls show that that inside the Beltway conservative pundits seem to speak only for and to themselves. After a barrage of opposition against Miers from them, the polls show only 7... More
October 23, 2005
France re-writes history
Historians are upset as France re—writes history to add glory to its colonial history. This is the nation that accuses the US of fabrications? The French colonial machinations and mistreatment of locals indisputably played a huge role in the South... More
October 23, 2005
Secret mission to Beijing
Something very unusual is happening in Sino—Japanese relations. The Japan Times reports that a top level delegation from Keidanren, the extremely powerful federation of big business organizations, paid a secret visit to China, to meet with top Chinese leaders, including... More
October 22, 2005
The next leader of Japan?
While millions of Asians continue to express their outrage over Japanese Prime Minister Junichro Koizumi's repeated visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Brian Bremner at BusinessWeek suggests a more confrontational figure could be waiting in wings to claim... More
October 22, 2005
Now he tells us
John Dean is a big Joseph Wilson IV supporter. The former Watergate figure appeared in the MoveOn.org (Soros) sponsored Bush Lied film co—starring with Wilson and Rand Beers, John Kerry's National security advisor. Dean has written a number of articles available on... More
October 22, 2005
A Yankee in Gooberville
In the Southern United States the word "goober" is understood to be the regional term for a peanut. The term is also used by non—Southerners to describe the residents of the South. Most Southerners are not offended by this title,... More
October 22, 2005
North Country review
I have not seen this film. I am only responding to one statement by the author, but that statement was at the heart of her review: "My objection was more practical. Could it be possible she told no one at... More
October 22, 2005
Families flee city of St. Francis
San Francisco already has the lowest ratio of people under 18 to total population of any city in the United States. A new survey indicates that half of the families with preschool children plan to move out. This is hardly... More
October 22, 2005
The Smoking Gun
Little Green Footballs brings us news of incrdible bungling in covering up Kofi Annan's efforts to protect the guilty parties in Syria: Someone at the United Nations apparently doctored the report on the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik... More
October 22, 2005
Sickness in higher education
The higher education industry, one of the biggest businesses in America, is in the process of destroying its credibility with the public, which lavishly subsidizes it with gifts and taxpayer monies, and which has ponied up tuition rising at a... More
October 22, 2005
Rumor mills running full blast
First it was supposed leaks from the Special prosecutor's office and grand jury. Now it is supposed to be the heretofore leakproof White House that is spreading stories in the press. The Washington Times reports: The White House has begun... More
October 22, 2005
The second leak in the Plame case
Attention has been focused on the purported leak of Plame's name and status, and not on the leak to Andrea Mitchell of the CIA referral of the matter to the Department of Justice. Stephen Hayes asks who leaked this and... More
October 22, 2005
How probing is Bill Keller?
New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller attacks Judith Miller in an e—mail to the staff and suggests he should have been more probing of her role in the Plame case. While he's reviewing what he might have done better, perhaps he... More
October 21, 2005
Who said these?
1. We're the party that wants to see an America in which people can still get rich... 2. [It is] best for all to leave each man free to acquire property as fast as he can. Some will get wealthy.... More
October 21, 2005
Recommending The Legacy of Jihad
Our contributor Andrew Bostom's new book, The Legacy of Jihad, is a landmark study of the history of this foundational institution Islam. My high opinion is shared by the Washington Times, whose editorial today recommends that President Bush read it:... More
October 21, 2005
Fitzgerald website
The Special Prosecutor investigating the leaking of Valerie Plame's name, Peter Fitzgerald, has a website, of which I had no previous knowledge. If it is new, perhaps it forecasts the posting of interesting information soon. Hat tip: Clarice Feldman 10... More
October 21, 2005
Wilson Plame Game
Bob Somerby details the Aesop's Fables nature of the press reporting of Wilson's claims and how they cling to his tale even though he hoodwinked them into believing his report contradicted rather than supported the President's claims. And the inimitable Tom... More
October 21, 2005
Not naming names in the UN report
Michael Young at Reason has an interesting explanation as to why the names of several Syrians — including Assad's brother in law — implicating them in the plot were left out of the final version of the report, as I... More
October 21, 2005
UK out of EU
Tom Utley writes a very clever piece in the Telegraph advocating the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, by comparing the changes the EU requires with Napeolean's agenda, had he won the Battle of Trafalgar. It is well... More
October 21, 2005
Reducing teen auto fatalities
Lawrence Henry, of The American Spectator, addresses the issue of teenagers and automobile accidents, a subject also touched upon by our own Ed Lasky. Unlike Ed, Larry doesn't want to raise the driver's age, but rather favors increased legal vigilence... More
October 21, 2005
The space technology transfer to China
I have noted on a number of conservative blogs various laments regarding the transfer of space technology to the Chinese that occurred during the 90's under the Clinton administration. The theme generally runs along these lines "Clinton enabled the Chinese... More
October 21, 2005
Too Many Raindrops Falling on His Head
"Who are these people that keep telling us lies and how did these people get control of our lives and who'll stop the violence 'cause it's out of control? Make 'em stop." These are the words of Burt Bacharach. Yes,... More
October 21, 2005
Rep. DeLay's new head shot
Over at The Smoking Gun you can check out Tom DeLay's arrest warrant and suitable—for—framing mug shot. (Double entendre intended.) Dennis Sevakis 10 21 05 ... More
October 21, 2005
If a tree falls in the forest...
If Al Franken and friends are still broadcasting on Air America but no one is listening, are there any sounds? Apparently not. Air America, the liberal talk network carried on WWRC—AM (1260), (Washington DC) went from bad to nonexistent. After... More
October 21, 2005
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
Still wondering about those pathetic unemployed caused by the devastating hurricanes and Bush's indifference to the poor? Worry no more——they don't exist. "Jobless claims plunge" Oct 20, 2005 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The number of unemployed U.S. workers asking for... More
October 20, 2005
NYT's big bucks from lefty advocacy groups
The New York Times hosts many ads from advocacy groups, seeking to bring their causes to the attention of the high income readership the Times still enjoys. The vast majority are left wing in politics. As reported in the Wall... More
October 20, 2005
Food and Ideology (continued)
Stephen Moore today reports on his visit to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream headquarters in Vermont and the various contradictions in the posturing of both founders and company. It seems that food and self—righteous hypocrisy go together like peanut butter... More
October 20, 2005
Long, long arm of Spanish law - part deux
The "international arrest warrant", or the "arrest anyone, anywhere, anytime, for anything because I say so" warrant, is on the march. This time being issued for the arrest of three U.S. soldiers, a tank crew, for having fired on the... More
October 20, 2005
Be careful what you wish for
Eli Lake of the New York Sun lectures the American left about its obsession with prosecuting presumed leaks of Valerie Plame's name by Karl Rove and Lewis Libby: This prosecution has the potential to criminalize the very kind of journalism that... More
October 20, 2005
Mosque-state separation?
Christian families in California have sued to halt public schools having students don Islamic dress, recite phrases from the Koran, and mimic the fasting associated with the Muslim observance of Ramadan. The New York Sun reports: Two Christian families from... More
October 20, 2005
Fakes news can be serious business
Sometimes media mistakes can develop into major international misuderstandings. The Japan Times has discovered a fake news story that could do further damage to the country's complex relationship with China. In a bilateral relationship plagued by historical mistrust and a fight... More
October 20, 2005
Speaking of food...
There are ways to preserve food traditions without patronizing poor people or attacking capitalism. The San Francisco Chronicle yesterday ran a nice article (with a clever double entendre headline) on raclette cheese and the rituals associated with its consumption, as... More
October 19, 2005
Rush to judgment
Today, the editors of the Washington Post at last inform their readers that the Fitzgerald investigation may well lead to no indictments: [S]o far, in the accounts given by reporters about their conversations with administration officials, no such crime has... More
October 19, 2005
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
"New York Times Company stock hits new 52 week low, on back of poor earnings"... More
October 19, 2005
Red Cross gets a taste of its own medicine
The International Red Cross has long denied the Israeli medical service membership in the international organization. This is clearly due to Arab and Third—world pressure, as well as the usual anti—Israel suspects in Europe and elsewhere. The Red Cross... More
October 19, 2005
Volcker invokes the funding weapon on UN reform
Paul Volcker, charged with investigating the oil—for—food scandal at the UN, is now urging the US to link future funding of the UN to reforms. He must be really disgusted by what he has found. Mr. Insider is beginning to... More
October 19, 2005
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
Kathleen Parker of the Orlando Sentinel notices all the missing headlines (a continuing fascination of ours) about the success of the Iraqi constitutional referendum. Here are the headlines you may have missed: "Iraqi democracy takes bow to standing ovation, global... More
October 19, 2005
The oracles at Delphi
Thomas Bray, columnist for the Detroit News, chooses the New York Sun to express his concern that Delphi and the rest of the automobile industry will ulitmately seek taxpayer money to pay off their pension and medical benefit commitments. We... More
October 19, 2005
Tariq Ramadan in Britain
Tariq Ramadan, a figure about whom we have published several articles, and who was denied entry to the United States, has found a new place of honor in Britain, despite Tony Blair's proclamation that after the July 7 bombings "The... More
October 19, 2005
The sorry state of Arab book publishing
From the Gulf News of Bahrain comes a report on the woes besetting publishers of Arabic books, especially novels. As elsewhere, the rise of DVDs, video games, and other electronic entertainments has lured some former recreational readers away to other... More
October 19, 2005
Eye on China
Frederick W Stakelbeck Jr. has written for us on national security issues, particularly on China. He has a pair of recent articles well worth reading. The first, in the Asia Times, examines the serious need in China for a credit—reporting agency. The... More
October 19, 2005
NYT pundits lament pay-only Times Select
Editor & Publisher interviewed some of the New York Times columnists whose work is no longer accessible on the web without charge. They are not happy about the reduced readership, and note that in many overseas locations the $50 charge... More
October 18, 2005
Out of thin air
Wednesday's New York Times reports WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 — The special counsel in the C.I.A. leak case has told associates he has no plans to issue a final report about the results of the investigation, heightening the expectation that he intends... More
October 18, 2005
Richard Cohen, Arianna, and Chris Matthews
The Daily Howler takes on Arianna Huffington, Richard Cohen and Chris Mathews as he took on Joseph A. Wilson. His skewering of Chris Mathews is particularly worth reading, for what he says about Mathews could be said about almost all... More
October 18, 2005
The North Korean underground
The UK Guardian, via the Sydney Morning Herald, cites as evidence of an underground resistance movement in North Korea, the shooting of forbidden video tapes of public executions, an offense almost certainly punishable by death. The man behind the videos... More
October 18, 2005
Syria in the crosshairs
Stern Magazine of Germany is reportedly breaking the news that UN investigators are about to name the brother—in—law of Syrian President Bashar al—Assad as a suspect in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al—Hariri. Moreover, Secretary of State... More
October 18, 2005
CIA spooked about indictments?
There are two very odd stories in the news today. The Associated Press and Reuters are both reporting that all their previous stories on Scooter Libby and Karl Rove could be wrong.Reuters just wrote that three separate CIA accusers are suddenly backing... More
October 18, 2005
Andrew Bostom interview
Our contributor Andrew Bostom, whose landmark book, The Legacy of Jihad, has just been published, is interviewed at Redstate.org. It is a long and highly worthwhile read. President Bush comes in for thougthful criticism for ignoring the real nature of... More
October 18, 2005
The I-word at last
Hillel Halkin of the New York Sun congratulates President Bush for finally identifyting Islamofascism as our enemy. But he goes on to wish that the President would be a little bit less politically correct: The president is of course right... More
October 18, 2005
It isn't easy busting pork
Our contributor Rick Moran has posted a heretical essay on his own site, RightWing Nuthouse. He takes on the conservative blogosphere establishment, the heavy—hitters like Michelle Malkin and Glenn Reynolds, who have been promoting a "Porkbusters" effort to identify and target... More
October 18, 2005
NYT edits out reference to Palestinian responsibilities
The eagle—eyed Mediacrity blog has caught the New York Times editing out a reference to Palestinian failures to live up to responsibilities in the "road map" that was part of the Oslo Agreement: In an item yesterday, I described how... More
October 18, 2005
Matt May on David Frum
Matt May, a frequent contributor to these pages, casts a jaundiced eye on David Frum's online petition to withdraw the nomination of Harriet Miers. Along the way, he also zings Frum's citing of Arlen Spector: As of 12:03 a.m. Tuesday... More
October 18, 2005
China's secrecy on bird flu
China is not comfortable with the concept of the free flow of information. Criticism of the regime is anathema, indicating a realization that its hold on power is not to be taken for granted. But information freedom is an important... More
October 18, 2005
The truth shall make ye fret
MEMRI is an Israeli outfit that tranlates the Arab language media into English. Period. Like all other human beings, the people at MEMRI have their biases. But that's not why people read MEMRI. They just translate both extremist and moderate... More
October 18, 2005
Pakistan quake's political aftermath
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is being blamed for incompetence in responding to the earthquake in the politically—sensitive northwest region of his country. The death toll has already reached 50,000, and spreading disease threatens to kill many more. The powerful quake hit... More
October 17, 2005
Al-Zawahri's letter not authentic?
According to Eli Lake of the New York Sun, the letter from Al—Qaeda's number two man to terrorist field commander in Iraq, Abu—Musab Zarqawi, may be a fake. Some analysts have even counted the words that terrorists are likely to... More
October 17, 2005
Enforcing ideological purity in schools of education
John Leo describes an outrageous practice in many of America's teaching training schools. Under the mild—sounding title of "dispositions theory" schools of education are even expelling or threatening to expel teachers—in—training for objecting to affirmative action or even for a... More
October 17, 2005
Discipline
Time Magazine has a fascinating piece in its latest issue about the intra—conservative controversy caused by Harriet Miers. After describing in painful detail how the White House is trying to re—start the nomination, Time offers this ominous quotation: Bush's friends contend... More
October 17, 2005
Anti-Semitic film in Grmany?
DavidsMedienkritik posts an alarming collection of information about a German film, Paradise Now, which appears to resurrecting tradiitons last practiced under the supervision of Geobbels. Of course, I haven't seen the film, so no final judgment is possible, but the... More
October 17, 2005
Race and ridiculousness in sports
New York Times sports columnist William Rhoden considers the 1968 anti—American Olympic protest the most courageous act of sports demonstration in his lifetime, or maybe in history. The whole paper just cannot get over the late 1960s.The Times sports columnist... More
October 17, 2005
Japan PM Koizumi visits Yasukuni
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, invigorated by his smashing electoral victory suuporting his economic and political reform agenda, extended his advances to the diplomatic sphere. For the fifth time he visited Yasukuni Shrine today, a religious site which honors the war... More
October 17, 2005
China's space program and national power
In the next decade, China has ambitious long—term goals for its Shenzhou space program. Already a great source of national pride, Beijing plans to put men on the moon by 2010 and build a space station similar to the Russian Mir... More
October 16, 2005
Damning with praise
The Washington Post publishes an article today by Business Week correspondent Lorraine Woellert that seems to praise Harriet Miers, but which also coincidentally throws out some red meat for her conservative critics. Woellert notes, as we have previously, that Miers... More
October 16, 2005
The mind of David Frum
A couple of passages from the book A Matter of Character: Inside the White House of George W. Bush regarding David Frum may shed some light. First, from pages 137—138, a bit about Frum: "In his book 'The Right Man,' former White House speechwriter... More
October 16, 2005
Jackson and Glover go carpetbagging in Venezuela
Gustavo Coronel has a superb essay on the utter strangeness of the likes of Jesse Jackson and Danny Glover taking their race—grievance show on the road to Venezuela. Neither showed any interest in this country earlier in their careers, but... More
October 16, 2005
Congratulations, Iraqis!
Warm congratulations to the people of Iraq. Yesterday's election turnout was a heroic action. Millions of people voted, in a turnout dwarfing our own, against a ferocious terror campaign. We haven't seen anything quite like this since Solidarity in Poland and... More
October 16, 2005
What made David Frum change his mind?
A poster (#15 on this thread) at Lucianne.com named "Mama D" brought to my attention a startling statement by David Frum on his NRO blog in July. Sure enough, I checked, and there it was: ... in the Supreme Court... More
October 15, 2005
CENTCOM Reports
The CENTCOM Newsletter for the week of October 10 can be found here. The world's attention is naturally focused on what appears to be a very large voter turnout for ratification of Iraq's new constitution. On other fronts, military training... More
October 15, 2005
Heartening Belarus's democrats
Belarus, run by a jurassic communist dictator, is the most horrible tyranny in Europe. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has specially noted the vileness of this brutal Marxist dictatorship, where human rights are utterly absent, and encouraged the opposition. ... More
October 15, 2005
Miers nomination skeptics in verse
Responding to the following statement by Ryan Sager at TCS: "No one serious (and perhaps no one at all) is making the case that Miers is "qualified," in any conventional sense of the word, to serve on the Supreme Court" ... More
October 15, 2005
Teen drivers: some reader somments
Ed Lasky's article urging a minimum driving age of 21 has elicited many comments from readers. Some examples: Bob Svoboda of Willis, TX writes Thought—provoking article by Ed Lasky on teen drivers. While I hadn't been thinking in terms quite... More
October 15, 2005
BusinessWeek's Asian 50
BusinessWeek has published its first annual ranking of Asia's best—performing publicly listed companies. With soaring oil prices, the top four slots —— and 11 of the BW 50 —— were captured by regional energy giants such as PetroChina, India's Oil... More
October 14, 2005
Baehr on Miers
James Taranto's article on Harriet Miers is fairly devastating . He suggests that she would not be subject to liberal salon DC conversion over time — but has already been there, done that. She has a history of being very comfortable... More
October 14, 2005
Newspaper death throes
As lifelong readers of newspapers, we take no pleasure in the difficulties experienced by this industry. But technology has made the distribution of news (and more importantly, the dissemination of advertising messages) on dead trees comparatively slow and expensive. Shares in... More
October 14, 2005
Where is Schroeder's Navy?
The vitriolic, anti—American, former Chancellor of Germany is exiting stage left with a major military failure on his hands. It appears that Gerhard Schroeder (Social Democratic Party [SPD]) succumbed to the inevitable economic pressures of failed socialist policies and withdrew... More
October 14, 2005
A set-up?
Two years ago Seymour Hersh ,in a usual anti—Bush article, offered up this interesting nugget about the "forged documents" which I think are the true target of the Wilson/Plame investigation. I give his report no particular credence but thought it... More
October 14, 2005
The Ramadan shopping season
The New York Times notes that Ramadan has become a big occasion for shopping in Muslim countries. Ramadan becomes a shopping holiday—this is a good thing for a holiday some have coined "Bombadan" because of the frequency of bombings during... More
October 14, 2005
French ambassadors admit taking bribes
The Oil—for—Food scandal has caught two French (so far) taking bribes, and the French government apparently has not lost all capacity for embarrassment. The Times of London reports: TWO former French ambassadors have admitted earning hundreds of thousands of dollars... More
October 14, 2005
Cyber free speech
Dems are attacking the cyber free speech — of other Dems. Ryan Sager of the New York Post explains. Jack Kemp (not the politician) 10 14 05... More
October 14, 2005
Pinter admits politics may have influenced Nobel award
The New York Post publishes an excellent editorial on the Nobel Prizes, quoting Harold Pinter, the latest literature prize—winner: "I've been writing plays for about 50 years," he said. "But I am also very politically engaged and I am not... More
October 14, 2005
Standing up to evil in Colombia
Terrorism is an unmitigated and absolute evil. It's also perfectly definable. At the Ibero—American Summit in Salamanca, Spain this morning, mysteriously missed by Fidel Castro (see why here), President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia, stood up to a shady underhanded effort... More
October 14, 2005
NYT and the Palestinians
Mediacrity catches Steve Erlanger of the New York Times minimizing (as in ignoring) Palestinian failure to live up to their obligations under the Oslo "road map." Not there is anything surprising about it. The Times has a pattern and practice... More
October 14, 2005
Government-endorsed religious beliefs?
Militant secularists tend to get exercised by any public display using taxpayer money, however indirectly, to "endorse" or even "recognize" traditional religious beliefes. Unless, of course, the religious beliefes are their own or serve their agenda. The Pacific Justice Institute,... More
October 13, 2005
The MSM gets nervous
Left wing pundit Richard Cohen, columnist for the Washington Post, all of sudden has second thoughts about the desirability of the Plame grand jury issuing indictments. Why now? After all the leftist hysterics about exposing the identity af a CIA desk... More
October 13, 2005
The anti-Bush Nobel Prizes
Another outspoken anti—American and Bush critic wins the Nobel Prize. Harold Pinter, the latest lierature laureate, called President Bush a "mass murderer" and America "a vast Gulag" intent on reducing the world's kids to street beggars. He joins hoaxster Rigoberta Menchu... More
October 13, 2005
No sclerosis on the right
J.R. Dunn in his October 11th article posits that the conservative reaction to Harriet Miers' nomination is an indicator that the movement is showing signs of ideological sclerosis that has besotted the Left. While fine points are found in this... More
October 13, 2005
Oh no!
Wines Central, a specialized storage facility for wine, seemed like a good idea — the time. Converted from a torpedo storage facility at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, it featured thick concrete walls and floors, steel doors... More
October 13, 2005
Include me out
E. Emmett Tyrrell, founder of the American Spectator, uses the famous Goldwynism to describe his attitude toward the conservative critics of the Harriet Miers nomination. He cites pragmatic political reasons. Read his important thoughts, and then compare them to Peggy... More
October 13, 2005
Politicized honors
Michael Fumento looks into the high honor the Harvard School of Public Health awarded to Erin Brockovitch, made famous by the movie of the same name. What he presents isn't pretty. He attributes the award to a lack of reearch,... More
October 12, 2005
The Murrow myth
Andrew Ferguson deftly skwers the narcisism, pretentiousness, and incompetence of George Clooney's new movie about Edward R. Murrow, while exposing the same flaws in its subject matter. The review actually makes me slightly interested in seeing the movie, which sounds... More
October 12, 2005
Qatar donates money to Israeli-Arab stadium
Israel's withdrawal from Gaza seems to have provided impetus for a thawing of relations with some Arab states. Qatar has announced a donation of $6 million fo a stadium to be used by a mixed Jewish—Arab soccer team. The gift... More
October 12, 2005
North Korea, the IRA and counterfeiting
The United Strates government has officially accused North korea of manufacturing high quality $100 bills, and using the IRA to help distribute the bogus notes. The Washington Times reports: "Quantities of the supernote were manufactured in, and under auspices of... More
October 12, 2005
Corzine loses lead
Can this be accurate? Maybe so. Corzine beat Forrester by 3 points in 1000, and New Jersey voted for Kerry by 6% in 2004. New Jersey's governor's race, once considered a Democratic lock, is now in a dead heat with... More
October 12, 2005
Wealth management for mullahs, Saddam, and Castro?
UBS, the giant Swiss bank that advertises itself as the "world's largest wealth managament firm", is under Congressional investigation to see if it has laundered money for, and abetted an anti—American axis of Baghdad, Tehran, and Havana. The investigative trail started... More
October 12, 2005
The homeland security money game continues
In a piece that supposedly criticizes the major media for deliberately spreading falsehoods in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, USA Today actually adds to the glut of misinformation about disaster and homeland security preparedness. Staff Writer Mark Memmott (with the... More
October 12, 2005
A healthy controversy
As displayed in the writings of conservative punditry and, most interestingly, among American Thinker contributors, by far the most fascinating thing about the Miers nomination is the resulting turmoil within the conservative movement. Some thoughts... The consuming void... More
October 12, 2005
The legal credentials of the Judiciary Committee
While some lambast Harriet Miers for a supposed lack of qualifications to serve on the nation's highest court, one wonders exactly what the qualifications are for those members of the Judiciary Committee who are set to judge her. — Senator Feinstein:... More
October 12, 2005
Syrian Interior Minster was suicided today
Interior Minister Brigadier General Ghazi Kenaan "committed suicide" today. He was the Syrian intelligence chief in Lebanon from 1982 to 2003, presiding over Syrian control of that nation. He had been a suspect in the assasination of Lebanese Prime Minister... More
October 12, 2005
The blogger conference call with Ken Mehlman
I was part of a conference call today, organized by Patrick Ruffini, with Ken Mehlman, the Chairman of the RNC addressing and then taking questions from a group of bloggers. Pressing business prevented me from writing up my notes of the... More
October 12, 2005
Al Qaeda's logic
The office of the U. S. Director of National Intelligence has posted on its website the contents of a letter from al Qaeda's top deputy, Ayman Zawahiri, to the leader of the insurgency in Iraq, Abu Musab al—Zarqawi. In the... More
October 12, 2005
The strangest coalition in history
It would seem to include Bill Kristol, Pat Buchannan, David Frum, Laura Ingraham, Charles Krauthammer, Michael Savage and ...Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. All seem to oppose the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. El Universal of Caracas reports: Appointments... More
October 12, 2005
Even a lefty blogger knows Wilson's been lying
The grand jury hearing testimony from Rove, Judith Miller, and others may not be investigating what the press thinks. The Washington Post's Walter Pincus and the New York Times' Nicholas Kristof have failed to respond to Joseph Wilson's backtracking from... More
October 12, 2005
CENTCOM comments on al-Zawahiri letter
The remarkable letter from Al—Qaida's second in command Ayman al—Zawahiri to Abu Musab al—Zarqawi, the leader of Al—Qaida in Iraq, will probably get far too little attention and analysis from the MSM. It portrays a movement which realizes it is... More
October 11, 2005
Ken Mehlman zings Howard Dean
ABC's The Note reports: In remarks to the NAACP in Waterbury, CT this morning, RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman was expected to respond to recent criticism from DNC Chairman Howard Dean. In remarks prepared for delivery, Mehlman is expected to say,... More
October 11, 2005
A brave man
John Tierney writes a brave New York Times column today on the topic of left wing cronyism, as revealed by journalism school professorships and his own experience in 6 different newspapers. Unless you pay for the "Times Select" access to... More
October 11, 2005
Confronting Islamofascists
John O'Sullivan writes about the need for confronting terrorism with strength, not appeasement, and has some observations on what peaceful Muslims, Europeans, and Americans need to do differently. Well worth reading. Ed Lasky 10 11 05... More
October 11, 2005
Al Qaida's election promises in Iraq
The US media may not be telling us much about it, but on Saturday the people of Iraq will vote on their draft Constitution. It is their greatest opportunity ever to escape a history filled with bloody horrors. It could... More
October 11, 2005
The superiority of French culture
The are so much more sophistiacted than us. A big Parisian fashion—show which is being compared to a carnival "freak show" by Robin Givhan of the Washington Post: The Saturday night show was set against a backdrop that called to... More
October 11, 2005
French cuffed
A high level French official (one of 11 charged with participation in the Oil for Food scandal) was detained for questioning today. PARIS (Reuters) — Police have detained a former French ambassador to the U.N. Security Council for questioning in... More
October 11, 2005
CENTCOM Reports: US relief efforts in Pakistan
CENTCOM Public Affairs has provided us the latest news releases concerning US earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan. US and Coalition forces responded quickly by delivering the first relief supplies within 48 hours. Helicopter support from Afghanistan was also due to arrive... More
October 10, 2005
Chinese reform activist beaten
The BBC, Washington Times, and the Guardian are all reporting that Lu Banglie, a Chinese activist seeking the ouster of an allegedly corrupt mayor in Guangdong Province (just north of Hong Kong, in the rich Pearl River Delta), was dragged... More
October 10, 2005
Germany gets a new PM
DavidsMedienkritik is posting the news that Gerhard Schroeder is officially out, and will be replaced by Angela Merkel, who will lead a "grand coalition." Unfortunately, such coalitions have a tendency toward paralysis. Time will tell, of course, but Merkel has... More
October 10, 2005
PC kills
Politically correct science enforced by the EU is killing people in Africa. Do the Europeans care? Ed Lasky 10 10 05... More
October 10, 2005
Joe Wilson's speech
A month before Robert Novak wrote his column supposedly outing Valerie Plame, Joseph Wilson gave a speech in which he talks in the third person about a person who is obviously himself, allows Valerie Plame to be identified as his... More
October 10, 2005
Teresa's by-line
Teresa Heinz (with no Kerry added) writes op—ed in the Boston Globe. One can accept using a maiden name. But using the name of your deceased husband while married to another man? Is this the guy who could have stood... More
October 10, 2005
More Miers
I have heard a lot of talk form conservatives about the Miers nomination and I disagree with the negative takes. How much damage to President Bush and the Republican Party would be done if the President nominated a succession of proven... More
October 10, 2005
Labor shortages in China
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