American Thinker Blog
May 31, 2006
The nomination of Henry Paulson
The conservative base of the GOP is in a surly mood, angry at President Bush and assorted members of Congress over immigration and border issues, disappointed with runaway spending, and frustrated over the continuing carnage in Iraq. So it is... More
May 31, 2006
Everything is Israel's fault
The bankruptcy and absurdity of the UN is once again on display. Syrian's UN envoy, who once presided as President of the UN Security Council, now blames Israel of starting World War 1 and World War 2, ignoring the inconvenient fact... More
May 31, 2006
Opting for the failing and ineffective
The other day French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced 40 measures intended to lure back some of the French high—fliers who have left their country for better opportunities abroad. You are reading correctly — the number is forty. One... More
May 31, 2006
Gratitude, Abbas-style
Abbas appeals to Israel to send him arms and allow him to beef up his personal security. Their reward? He appoints a murderer to be in charge Comments, State Department? The Jerusalem Post reports: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas decided... More
May 30, 2006
Kod Kidz Kosmic Konvergence
The Kos Kidz are gathering in Las Vegas starting June 8th. They will be meeting at the Riviera Hotel, previously famed as one of the homes of the Rat Pack, which somehow seems appropriate. Check out the schedule of events... More
May 30, 2006
Defeated?
You've probably already read the Spiegel Online interview of Iran's Presidential figurehead Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, linked on Drudge. I was all set to filed it under "I've heard all this hogwash before, so what else ain't new?" but then, towards the... More
May 30, 2006
The smartest guys in the cellblock
Last week, Enron's Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling, President and CEO respectively, were found guilty of fraud and conspiracy in, arguably, the most heinous corporate scandal in history. Enron represents capitalism at its sleaziest; top corporate executives, lying to the... More
May 30, 2006
Sen. Reid and the culture of corruption
Senator Harry Reid, the dour Democrat who seems closest to happy when fulminating over alleged Republican sins, has got some 'splainin' to do. The AP reports: The Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid, accepted free ringside tickets from the Nevada Athletic... More
May 30, 2006
Violence returns to Paris
It's springtime in Paris, and a young man's ( at least certain young men) thoughts turn to rioting and burning cars. Bloomberg reports About 100 youths battled with the police last night on the outskirts of Paris, injuring nine law... More
May 30, 2006
Mexico's pathology
Georgie Anne Geyer is a liberal commentator, but not a fool. In her current story on El Presidente Fox's failures to bring promised change to Mexico, she tells it like it is ——— why the US is burdened with uncontrollable... More
May 30, 2006
The leftists can't get their story straight
Representative William Jefferson is obviously an embarrassment to the Democrats. Just when their "culture of corruption" complaint against the GOP was showing signs of promise, along comes videotape of him accepting $100k in bribes. So profound is the shock that... More
May 30, 2006
Vote for Stefania
Our contributor Stefania Lapenna is running for the city council in Cagliari, Italy. The election is to be held June 11—12. Stefania is a blogger and political activist, an enthusiastic suipporter of the United States, free markets, and secular democracy. We... More
May 29, 2006
Making excuses for a Democrat
The New York Times continues to astonish us with its relentless spin and condescension toward blacks and others it regards as victims. Today's example falls into the category "candidate for the world's smallest violin" created by James Taranto of the... More
May 29, 2006
The secret of happiness discovered
The quest for happiness has been man's obsession since time immemorial, but if anything it has proven a most elusive of goals. But now we finally have the secret. The landmark discovery was made by Lord Layard, a British Labour... More
May 29, 2006
First You Need an Army
One thing the situation in Iraq is demonstrating rather clearly. If you don't have an army, you don't have a country. Fortunately, the United States has always had an army, right from the start when George Washington first set siege... More
May 29, 2006
Ummah News Links
A new website called Ummah News Links is up and running, with links to news reports from the Muslim world. Based on today's sample, this appears to be a site to keep an eye on.... More
May 29, 2006
In Memorium: Ronald Reagan
Next week, June 6, will be the anniversary of Ronald Reagan's death in 2004, exactly sixty years after D—Day. A year before his death, President Reagan made a cameo appearance in one of my dreams. I seemed to be standing... More
May 29, 2006
Today – Memorial Day
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg, PA in response to an invitation to make a "few appropriate remarks" at the consecration of a cemetery for the Union war dead. Lincoln recognized it as an opportunity to... More
May 28, 2006
Sen. Feinstein rips up public garden
It must be tough keeping track of all the workmen doing your chores when you have as many multi—million dollar mansions as Senator Dianne Feinstein and her fabulously wealthy husband Richard Blum. The latest addition to the property collection is... More
May 28, 2006
Conservatives, Liberals, and Beanballs
Writing Friday on ESPN.com, baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian discusses a significant change that has occurred in major league baseball. Specifically, the adoption of a "zero tolerance" policy regarding acts of "retaliation" by pitchers, i.e., beaning batters for various perceived offenses. ... More
May 27, 2006
Forsaken Honor, Forgotten Shame
"False face must hide what the false heart doth know." Macbeth 1.7 The liberals found a new Macbeth To bait the media with claims of death, And atrocious acts by his own men, Opportunely vague 'bout where and... More
May 27, 2006
What's Wrong With This Story?
From this morning's New York Times, front page, a "News Analysis" by Steven Erlanger: The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, often castigated as weak and reactive, has put the Islamic group Hamas [in] a neat political bind while associating himself with prisoners... More
May 27, 2006
UN runs away after terror attack
Meant to protect civilians, UN staff have run away from the capital of East Timor after an outbreak of violence. Australian forces stand firm, meanwhile. The BBC reports: The United Nations has ordered all its non—essential staff out of East... More
May 27, 2006
King Tut's descendants
Thanks to amazing finds by archaeologists over the years we've learned a few things about the daily life of ancient Egyptians, including their religious practices. And as the King Tut exhibit travels around the United States we're learning about some... More
May 27, 2006
Libby case impacted by Judge Walton's ruling
Judge Walton made some rulings yesterday on Scooter Libby's right to certain materials he subpoenaed from the media. The most significant part of his ruling is that he found some internal inconsistencies in Matt Cooper's drafts relating to his testimony... More
May 27, 2006
Go and find a soldier's grave
Ralph Bennett makes an excellent suggestion, one which I plan to follow on Monday. From TCS Daily: Make this Memorial Day really memorable. Go and find a soldier's grave. It shouldn't be too hard. If you're not near a military... More
May 27, 2006
Andrew Bostom on C-SPAN 2's Book TV
Our contributor Andrew Bostom will be appearing twice on C—SPAN 2's weekend series Book TV, to discuss his book The Legacy of Jihad The first appearance will be at 4:30 AM (EDT) Sunday morning, while the second appearance will be Tuesday... More
May 27, 2006
Destroying Israel step by step
Once again academic leftists are attempting to destroy Israel by bits and pieces: in this case though an academic boycott . Judith Apter Klinghofer has the details on the History News Network. Ironically, Israel practices academic freedom more than any... More
May 27, 2006
The terrorist pony express
Iraq the Model is reporting via a Baghdad newspaper that some terrorist groups in Iraq are urging members to cease using internet, cell and even land lines for communication purposes. Why? Because in the past few weeks coalition forces have... More
May 26, 2006
Fatah members seeks asylum (in Spain) from Hamas
One group of terror supporters is seeking asylum from other terror groups in a Western European nation. You gotta like that!! Luke Baker of Reuters reports: Staring idly across the hills of the northern West Bank, toward the plains of... More
May 26, 2006
Hamas and Hitler
The website Palestinian Media Watch brings us news that brings needed perspective on faction voted into office by the Palestinian people. The Hamas newspaper this week chronicled with pride the ways in which different foreign leaders singled out the Palestinians... More
May 26, 2006
Iranian Satirist: "Dear Mahmoud..."
For a very funny read, check out an Iranian satirist's letter to Ahmadinejad, in response to his letter to President Bush. (Translated by MEMRI): Ibrahim Nabavi is a "well—known expatriate Iranian satirist ," according to MEMRI. He sounds utterly sane... More
May 25, 2006
George Galloway: Murder of Tony Blair
Amazing and Orwellian member of The RESPECT Party and of the British Parliament, George Galloway says murder of Tony Blair would be "morally justified." George Galloway, deeply implicated in the oil—for—food scandal, insulter of US Senators, and star of a British reality TV show... More
May 25, 2006
More bad news for New York Times Company shareholders
Moody's has just announced a downgrade in the rating of New York Times Company debt, with Times' senior unsecured long—term debt rating cut by two notches from "A2" to "Baa1," the third—lowest investment grade ranking. It also cut the commercial paper... More
May 25, 2006
California's latest boondoggle
California voters are being asked to vote on establishing a new state program to provide daycare ("preschool") at state expense for young childfren. Bookworm has an insightful critique of this program, which has every prospect of turning into a major... More
May 25, 2006
Sometimes budget shortfalls aren't all bad
First the Chicago skyway (a tollway) was sold to a private group; now our free spending governor is contemplating selling the Illinois Lottery to raise funds. The only good side of wasteful goverment spending is that it eventually catches up... More
May 25, 2006
Healthcare and globalization
There is a new phenomenon emerging — medical tourism. Discouraged by the prohibitive costs at home, many people opt to travel to foreign lands for medical treatment. A number of developing countries seek to capitalize on this by offering first—rate... More
May 25, 2006
The kind of soldier the media likes to write about
Our contributor Rocco DiPippo pens an essay at The Autonolmist on the kind of American soldier the drive—by media likkes to write about. If you will be remembering a fallen hero this coming Memorial Day you may want to wait... More
May 25, 2006
Pomp and Circumstances
It's the time of year when long—suffering tuition—poor parents get primped up and drive countless miles to stew in summer's heat, sitting on excruciatingly uncomfortable folding wooden seats on damp fields, gnats biting at their ankles and ears. They do... More
May 25, 2006
How Hamas raises money for its budget
Cut off (for the moment at least) from American and other infidel subsidies, the Hamas rulers of of the Palestinian Authority are resorting to fundraisers of a peculiarly Palestinian sort. MEMRI reports and offers a TV link to the grotesque details:... More
May 24, 2006
Opposing British professors' boycott of Israel
After last year's defeat of a ferocious British campaign against two Israeli universities, the boycotters have come back again. On May 29 they intend to force through a NATFHE Union Board motion encouraging their "members to boycott Israeli educational institutions... More
May 24, 2006
Can Syrians laugh?
When people feel oppressed and unable to tell the truths that everybody knows, laughter comes as a great, cleansing experience. That is how satire was used in Soviet Russia, in Nazi—occupied Europe, and undoubtedly in all other oppressed nations. That... More
May 24, 2006
What did I tell you?
Last November I told you that Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), a group of anti—Administration lefties closely linked to Kerry and the Democrats, were spreading the Ambassador Munchausen fable with the assistance of a complicit media which disingenuously referred... More
May 24, 2006
Canada's measured move to conservatism
Our contributor Paul Jackson writes a wise column in the Calgary Sun with the message that his American conservative friends may be letting their expectations for Stephen Harper's ability to move Canada rightward get a bit ahead of the pace... More
May 24, 2006
A.C.L.U. Reveals True Colors
The ultimate liberal hypocrisy was revealed today by the announcement that the A.C.L.U., purported defender of free speech rights, construes them as applicable only to those in agreement with its own dogmatic liberal views —— much reminiscent of the speech—stifling... More
May 24, 2006
The Palestinian mode of governance
A distinctly Palestinian mode of governance has emerged, ever since that national identity was fabricated to create a victim class worthy of Western sympath and support. Palestinians rule Gaza with no Isareli interference. They have created their own politics for... More
May 24, 2006
Affirmative action spreads
India has just passed a law mandating affirmative action quotas for lower castes. The BBC reports: The Indian government has decided to implement a controversial affirmative action plan despite ongoing protests. Under the plan, half of state—funded professional college places... More
May 24, 2006
A curious omission
Yesterday's press accounts of the $400 million fine levied on Fannie Mae left me furious over the amazing lack of detail on the scandal itself and especially its perpetrators. From the WaPo: Fannie Mae engaged in "extensive financial fraud" over six... More
May 24, 2006
The Battle of New Orleans – Part II
Powerline has a link to a very important and fresh story about the rescue of Katrina survivors in New Orleans by Lou Dolinar on Real Clear Politics. The gravamen of the story is that a massive rescue operation occurred on... More
May 24, 2006
Europe's tale of woe
Martin Wolf of the Financial Times serves up a sobering assessment of the European Welfare State Model: This is a continent of high and persistent unemployment, declining productivity growth, rapid ageing and growing fiscal strains; it is also one whose... More
May 24, 2006
Bush Lied, The Nation Died
That's John O'Sullivan's best "MoveOn.org" impersonation regarding the "comprehensive immigration reform" currently winding its way through the Senate. Sullivan, a senior editor at National Review, summarizes the various amendments that have been considered by the Senate so far, and the... More
May 24, 2006
9/11 conspiracy theories support growing
Contributor Rick Moran notes at his site Rightwing Nuthouse that a new poll conducted by Zogby shows an alarming willingness to entertain conspiracy theories about 9/11. In the telephone survey of 1200 individuals, just 47% agreed that 'the 9/11 attacks... More
May 24, 2006
UK Telegraph: If the Church abandoned Socialism...
In an editorial titled "A Childish Church," the UK Telegraph writes: "Sadly, the Church of England's report on how to cure urban deprivation is a curate's egg ....the overall analysis is socialism tinged with piety. Attacking "market—driven capitalism", sententiously proposing... More
May 23, 2006
Quo Vadis?
On the cover of this week's Time magazine (May 29) are three hardbodies which, on closer inspection, turn out to be the Dixie Chicks. Apparently, the rationale for their appearance on a premier venue in American media is some alteration... More
May 23, 2006
Why regime change doesn't always work
Ever since the First Gulf War, the preferred strategy for dealing with madman dictators was and remains one of regime change. The theory goes that once the head of state is eliminated or removed from power, the rest of the populace... More
May 23, 2006
Minnesota goes purple
Katherine Kersten, recently added as a conservative columnist to the leftist Star—Tribune newspaper, points to a recent poll showing a very slight GOP majority among Minnesotans who express a political affiliation. Speaking as a born and bred Minnesotan now in... More
May 23, 2006
Three "no"s
James Lewis has a piece on AT about the World Council of Churches passing a resolution that Israel's actions toward the Palestinians 'cannot be justified....' This facile attitude seems so widespread that it would appear many people are unaware of... More
May 23, 2006
The missing grave marker
Memorial Day approaches and our minds naturally return to thoughts of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Thomas Lipscomb, a Vietnam vet himself, writes an elegy in the Philadelphia Inquirer for one particular casualty of the Iraq conflict,... More
May 23, 2006
Guantánamo's outrage
The recent mutiny at the terrorist lockup at Guantánamo Bay is cited by some as another proof of the allegedly unbearable conditions that the detainees are forced to endure. But a careful look at the circumstances reveal just the opposite.... More
May 23, 2006
The real culture of corruption in DC
A Washington, DC teachers union official was sentenced to serious jail time (11 years) for massive embezzlement. And the case is by no means unique, even within that one union local. Eric M. Weiss of the Washington Post reports: Former... More
May 23, 2006
American Idol Finale – The winner will not be 'Soulful'
Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee are the finalists in the current season of American Idol. Last year's show had a Carrie Underwood v. Bo Bice final, with Country Carrie prevailing over the long—haired rocker Bo. Hicks and McPhee are white. ... More
May 22, 2006
Churches: Israel is Evil AND Stupid
You might have thought that the World Council of Churches thinks of Israel as simply Evil ——— a kind of mean, sadistic nation of smartypants J—people. But apparently not. No, Israel is Evil and also Stupid. According to George Conger... More
May 22, 2006
A question for Tim Russert
Tom Maguire notes that Tim Russert is about to launch his book tour and offers up a question you may want to ask him if he shows up at your neighborhood bookstore: Tim, last summer and fall you were criticized... More
May 22, 2006
Don't Listen To Dick Morris
In today's New York Post, Dick Morris reads the most recent polling tea leaves, and recommends that the way for President Bush to regain his popularity in the face of $3.00 per gallon gasoline is to "declare the equivalent of... More
May 22, 2006
Pinch, unhinged
New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr, known to friend and foe alike as Pinch, seems to have experienced a bit of a meltdown on the podium at graduation ceremonies for the State University of New York, New Palz.... More
May 22, 2006
Faster than the speed of sound
I believe that the internet is the fastest way to expose fraud and false reporting and today we have two great examples: An anti—war video is proven false in hours. And yet another Walter Pincus fantasia on the Libby case is shredded... More
May 22, 2006
Kos going NIMBY?
Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, the entrepreneur, blogger and author who publishes the Daily Kos website, is now a homeowner in Berkeley, where the median price for homes is over half a million dollars. On behalf of the propertied class of Berkeley,... More
May 22, 2006
Oliver Stone and Hugo Chavez team up?
It sounds like a bad movie all by itself. Hugo Chavez, on his weekly national television show, announced that Oliver Stone would be making a movie about his 2002 coup attempt, something he brought on himself by making life intolerable... More
May 22, 2006
Inside baseball, Chicago-style
Readers who enjoyed Richard Baehr's view of Chicago baseball rivalry are advised to visit our contributor Rick Moran's excellent website Rightwing Nuthouse for a view of the crosstown showdown from an unabashed Sox fan.... More
May 22, 2006
A new independent member of Congress?
Reader Dave Runyan kindly shared his email sent to NPR this morning. You might find it interesting. I heard much information about Congressman William Jefferson on NPR Monday morning. I heard about his alleged crime and the bags of money... More
May 22, 2006
EU paid ransom, enriched terrorists
Daniel McGrory of the Times of London reports that three EU countries have sent $45 million in rtansom to terrorists. FRANCE, Italy and Germany sanctioned the payment of $45 million in deals to free nine hostages abducted in Iraq, according to... More
May 22, 2006
Historians riled by book award on the A-bombing decision
We have been covering the continuing fight among historians over President Truman's decision to use atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II. More
May 22, 2006
The truth will set you free
There's the rub, as far as China's rulers are concerned. Robert Marquand of the Christian Science Monitor writes about the central founding myth of the Communist Revolution, The Long March, and the way the government suppresses publication of historical revision... More
May 21, 2006
Jerry Brown Story
Jerry Brown, outgoing mayor of Oakland, former governor (nicknamed "Governor Moonbeam" by Johnny Carson), and candidate for California attorney general, doesn;t know how to quit running for office. If he loses his run for the AG, I imagine the Oakland... More
May 21, 2006
The New Exodus?
Alex Beech does us a service by focusing on the plight of Venezuela's Jewish community, living in fear, and already diminished by emigration. Hugo Chavez has shown where his sympathies lie, in his alliance with Iran's mullahs, with his support... More
May 21, 2006
Sticking with Bush
Our contributor Paul Jackson writes an outstanding column for the Calgary Sun today, titled "I'm sticking with Bush." President George W. Bush strides across the world stage as much as the U.S. dominates the world's stage. This is very good... More
May 21, 2006
A picture is worth a thousand editorials
Will this take "Abramoff" and "culture of corruption" out of the Dems' vocabulary? The Andrew Barakat of the AP reports: A congressman under investigation for bribery was caught on videotape accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant whose conversations... More
May 21, 2006
Self-Defeating Conservative Intellectuals
In the Washington Post today, novelist and essayist Mark Helprin discusses what he calls the "unvarnished immigration debate." Helprin rightly points out that not only can the nation's borders be secured, but doing so is a necessary precondition of sovereignty. ... More
May 21, 2006
Identifying Hostages In Advance
Last week, it was reported (and disputed) that Iran is considering adopting an "Islamic" dress code for Muslims and non—Muslims alike. Muslims will be prohibted from wearing "gay, wild, provocative" colors, like red, yellow, and light blue, which are considered... More
May 21, 2006
This just in: the French are the rudest people on earth
Sometimes polls provide valuable data. Sometimes polls are skewed for political reasons. And sometimes polls confirm the obvious. AFP, the French news service is running the following poll results: The French have been voted the world's most unfriendly nation by... More
May 21, 2006
Bush losing Hispanics?
So claims the Washington Post. The GOP is on the verge of a major electoral disaster. Each week more House seats once considered safe (60—65% for Bush in 04) are now on the endangered list for incumbent GOP congressmen. The... More
May 21, 2006
Notes from the left (a continuing series)
Senator John McCain was heckled as he delivered the commencement speech at the New School in New York, as noted here by Richard Baehr. Senator McCain's fellow commencement speaker and lead heckler, Sara Jean Rohe, has been catapulted into the big... More
May 21, 2006
Al Qaida ally finances terror by kidnapping Christian boys
Civilized standards don't apply to Islamic fascists. The Sunday Times (UK) reports that "A SENIOR member of an Islamic organisation linked to Al—Qaeda is funding his activities through the kidnapping of Christian children who are sold into slavery in Pakistan.... More
May 20, 2006
Religious Liberals gain New Visibility
Religious Liberals gain New Visibility, or so proclaims the Washington Post. Where is the NYT editorial about the division between state and religion? Ed Lasky 5 20 06... More
May 20, 2006
Fitzgerald Distorting the Evidence to Smear Cheney
I've argued that the Special Counsel has criminalized a political dispute and increasingly seems to be using his position, not to advance his case, but to smear the defendant and the Administration. Either that, or he seems to have a very... More
May 20, 2006
McCain heckled at the New School
This all helps McCain, who is running a very skillful campagin. Going to Liberty University looks to leftists like pandering, but is probably seen by Christians as making peace. Being abused by disrespectul left wing students in New York helps him... More
May 19, 2006
Nazi comparison understates the case
Iran's announced intention to force non—Muslims to wear an identifying badge is causing many to make the comparison to Hitler and the Nazis, who forced Jews to wear badges in the shape of the Star of David. But our contributor... More
May 19, 2006
Hirsi Ali to the US (continued)
Bruce Bawer provides an excellent counterpoint to the views of Frederik H Coppes in an AT article today. Bawer is a former Bay Area media figure whose work I admired when he lived here, despite some differences in outlook. Bawer... More
May 19, 2006
General Hayden: man on a mission
With his opening statement yesterday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gen. Michael V. Hayden left no doubt that he was a man on a mission to make the CIA the best it can be, a man with a vision for... More
May 19, 2006
The Torch is back in the news
Former Senator Robert Toricelli is facing some unpleasantness. The Financial Times reports: The US Senate is looking into allegations that a former US senator urged Baghdad to give a US company lucrative contracts under the much—criticised United Nations oil—for—food programme.... More
May 19, 2006
Tyranny tips its hand
China, the disequilibrating great nation on the rise in geo—politics, wants to be regarded as a normal nation. Not a brutal dictatorship riven by corruption and kept in power by force. Hosting the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 is regarded as... More
May 19, 2006
Our opponent's mentality
Aussiegirl writes insightfully at Ultima Thule on the hugely important matter of our collective understanding the mentality of Islamo—fascists. The literate and intriguing analysis focuses on the concept of honor as a social control mechanism (my label, not hers). She... More
May 18, 2006
Trouble ahead in Ecuador
Something hideous happened in Ecuador earlier this week. Like a feudal fiefdom, the fragmented, incoherent government of Ecuador declared it would confiscate $1 billion in assets from Occidental Petroleum, a U.S. company that is the country's leading foreign investor. Oxy... More
May 18, 2006
Speaking truth to pettiness
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard does not join the chorus of anti—Americanism common to West European elites, disappointed at their eclipse in power and wealth. He has lead Australia into close alliance with the United States because he believes what... More
May 18, 2006
Canada stands firm in Afghanistan
Prime Minister Stephen Harper pulled—off another victory in Canada, with Parliamentary approval of a two year extension of Canada's military presence in Afghanistan. Canadian forces have been concentrated in the South, where they see danger. A female soldier was killed recently.... More
May 18, 2006
The engine of the left
Steven Malanga writes an in—depth analysis in City Journal of the real source of money and organization power on the left: the public employees and their unions and allies. The article is long, colorful, and insightful. Here is a fair use excerpt... More
May 18, 2006
Kissinger speaks
Like him or not, Henry Kissinger is still one of the sharpest knives in the US foreign policy drawers. Today's article in the Washington Post shows he has not lost his edge. Called "A Nuclear Test for Diplomacy," in it... More
May 18, 2006
Immigration bill to conference committee
Now that it's clear that both houses of Congress want a wall on the border, the focus has to shift to the Conference Committee because whatever "softer" provisions the Senate passes, the conference committee will have to make a resolution... More
May 17, 2006
Did the poker player president win the pot?
The sly poker playin' Texan wins yet another bluff. The Senate votes to build 370—mile triple—layered border fence (HT: Drudge). Now if he said that's what he wanted to do, the wussies in the Senate would never have done that. And... More
May 17, 2006
NYT advertising revenues down
From Yahoo Finance Today. 8:34AM New York Times reports April revenues (NYT) 25.06 : NYT announced today that in April 2006 advertising revenues for the co's business units decreased 1.6% and total co revenues increased 0.1% compared with April 2005.... More
May 17, 2006
Moderate Islam
Jeff Jacoby writes about a leading light of moderate Islam, a graduate of and former professor at Al Azhar University in Cairo, who had the temerity to question Wahhabi orthodoxy via his Koranic studies. [Ahmed Mansour] learned the hard way that... More
May 17, 2006
Britain to teach traditional values
Truly amazing things are happening in Britain. The British public schools will actually attempt to teach 'traditional British values' under a plan being put forth by the Blair government. Said the UK's higher education minister: I very strongly believe that we... More
May 17, 2006
The border fence
Our contributor J. James Estrada appears once again in the Arizona Republic op—ed ranks. He advocates a fence as the cheaper alternative, and points to some interesting history: Building a fence is not a new idea. In fact, it was... More
May 17, 2006
The focus of Amnesty International
Research on Amnesty International highlights a disproportionate focus on America and Israel. From NGO Monitor: The Capital Research Center (CRC), based in Washington, issued a report in May on Amnesty International (AI) charging that the group has adopted "double standards... More
May 17, 2006
Inside Guantanamo Bay
An op—ed by commander of Joint Task force Guantanamo runs in the Chicago Tribune. Think this would ever show up in the New York Times?Ed Lasky 5 17 06... More
May 17, 2006
WW II - the saga continues
With Japan's current Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi widely expected to step down in September, two of the leading candidates hoping to replace him both have family connections that have outraged key allies in the region. Last October I noted the... More
May 17, 2006
Daimler-Chrysler trashes America: Smart?
If Lee Iacocca were dead, he'd be spinning in his grave. Fortunately, he is still with us, so I wonder what he thinks of the billboards which sneer at America in advertising the teeny—tiny "Smart" minicars that are losing so... More
May 17, 2006
Don't forget the lawyers...
Reader Doug Faison writes in with an important thought about the recent court decision affirming the right of self—preservation and allowing certain terminal patients to take experimental drugs One point that may have been missed in the recent AT article... More
May 17, 2006
A Bush policy success affirmed by Libby case figure
For all the marching and speeches about non—proliferation, the President seems to have hit at last on something that worked:The war on Iraq. Judith Miller has the beginning of a two part series on how the war induced Libya to... More
May 17, 2006
Editor of Brussels Journal under attack
Dr. Paul Belien, the Editor—in—Chief of the excellent Brussels Journal blog, is under legal and media attack in Belgium for supposedly inspiring a skinhead murder spree. Dr. Belien is a journalist and founder of the Center for the New Europe,... More
May 16, 2006
Can we tolerate terror talk?
This week, the Muslim Student Union of the University of California at Irvine is sponsoring an anti—Israel, pro—terror conference titled "Holocaust in the Holy Land." (hat tip: David Horowitz) The conference includes presentations on such topics as "Hamas: The People's... More
May 16, 2006
PC textbooks full of skewed history
Diane Ravitch, through her columns and books such as The Language Police:How Pressure Groups Reestrict What Students Learn, has been a true leader in trying to ensure our children receive a quality education. She has been in the forefront of exposing... More
May 16, 2006
The promised land
An article on the website of the American Heart Association opens with this: Once considered primarily a problem of the poor, obesity is growing fastest in among those making more than $60,000 a year, according to a study presented at... More
May 16, 2006
A headline we'd rather not see
The Fars news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran is running a headline on an article today that makes me downright queasy: "American Thinkers Write to White House in Support of Iran" The text of the article reveals that... More
May 16, 2006
Noam Chomsky and his friends
For those who still think that Noam Chomsky is a "great thinker," welcome to reality. Chomsky was a militant anarchist metaphorical bomb—thrower long before he (accidentally) became a famous linguist. Chomsky was "discovered" long before he completed his long and unreadable... More
May 16, 2006
Bolshie Beeb to invade US market
Accuracy in Media reports that the Bolshie Beeb, as the BBC is unaffectionately known by furious Conservatives in the UK, is now set to invade the American market. BBC evening news is already available on some PBS stations and on... More
May 15, 2006
Hirsi Ali to the US
Aayan Hirsi Ali, the brave Dutch legislator who worked with the slain film director Van Gogh ,is leaving Holland and coming to the US to work with AEI. Holland's loss is America's gain: She is a brilliant, beautiful opponent of... More
May 15, 2006
Comey's office at center of probes
I believe that the NSA leak investigation might well nab some present and former Department of Justice attorneys, and that is why the NSA refused to give security clearances to Department lawyers in the Office of Professional Responsibility. An online... More
May 15, 2006
Bad poll news in Ohio
Mike DeWine's polls are collapsing, according to Rasmussen. Could be disaster for GOP in Ohio. Sherrod Brown is very liberal, not the kind of candiate who should win statewide for the Democrats in moderately conservative Ohio. Richard Baehr 5 15 06... More
May 15, 2006
Outsourcing tutoring
It was invetable. The Washington Post reports that students in the United States are employing tutors overseas (in India, mostly), to help them with math and other difficult subjects, connected by internet telephony. In an hour—long session that cost just... More
May 15, 2006
Hugo Chavez in London
Hugo Chavez is visiting London, and met with London Mayor Red Ken Livingstone. Our friend Aleskander Boyd of Vcrisis is all over the British media, meanwhile. He writes, "Three and half years of hard work came to a head today."... More
May 15, 2006
Cheney donated $6.87 million
The fact that Dick Cheney made last year a charitable donation of $6.87 million — the largest ever by a public servant — has gone virtually unnoticed in the mainstream media. Given that they are so eager to report all... More
May 15, 2006
Mr. Kuttner: Is Hillary Hitler or Stalin?
In the Boston Globe this weekend, liberal commentator Robert Kuttner chastised Hillary Clinton for her upcoming fundraiser to be hosted by Rupert Murdoch, the "right—wing publishing mogul" who owns Fox Television, the New York Post, and the Weekly Standard. Kuttner's... More
May 14, 2006
The cultral history of lowriders
For a guy, I don't know very much about cars. Certainly, I am not a buff in any sense of the term. Yet Iowahawk's amazing essay on the contribution of Mexian—Americans to American car culture had me riveted to the... More
May 14, 2006
More on Michael Hayden
Context is always an important issue when analyzing contentious issues such as those now swirling around NSA and CIA director—designate Gen. Michael V. Hayden. It tends to get lost amidst all the sound and fury, as does the central fact that the... More
May 14, 2006
Monkey Business
In October of 2001 Muqtedar Khan, then director of international studies at Adrian College in Michigan, wrote ($) in the Wall Street Journal a piece titled 'Some Muslims Give Islam a Bad Name': Another imam, Fawaz Damra of the Cleveland... More
May 13, 2006
Scandal may break up Chirac party
The UK Independent reported yesterday that France faces an acute political crisis this weekend as further evidence accumulates that the President, Jacques Chirac, and his Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, were linked to an intricate attempt to smear their colleague... More
May 13, 2006
Spain plans human rights for great apes
The Brussels Journal reports that the Spanish Socialist Party is now pushing through legislation to grant "moral and legal" rights to the great apes. This is following the Great Apes Project manifesto, which proclaims: We demand the extension of the... More
May 13, 2006
Democrat candidate channels Ahmadinejad
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told us that the Holocaust a myth. Now Ahmadinejad has an American acolyte, a Democrat cadidate for Attorney General in the Great State of Aalabama. The AP reports: Democratic Party leaders are wondering what to do about a... More
May 12, 2006
Libby hearing transcript posted
For those keeping up with the case, Tom Maguire has posted the transcript of the little—reported May 5, 2003 hearing in the Libby case, along with some highlights from it. One of those highlights is that Marc Grossman (Under Secretary for Political... More
May 12, 2006
Palestinians SEEK jail time in Israel
Palestinians seek jail time in Israel to avail themselves of educational benefits and inmate stipends available in Israeli prisons. JTA reports: Israeli officials have reported an increasing number of young Palestinians trying to get themselves imprisoned in Israel. A Reuters story... More
May 12, 2006
The tax cut bill solves a trade dispute
The new tax bill eliminates some corporate tax relief, and thereby avoids a contentious tax dispute with the EU. The BBC reports: In a long—running spat, the US and EU had clashed over tax breaks for US exporters, which the... More
May 11, 2006
The lack of faith in modern culture
At Ultima Thule, Aussiegirl grapples with the ultimate questions of contemporary Western culture, those deriving from the loss of faith. This is not easy reading, but Aussiegirl covers a lot of important ground. Hat tip: Tim Birdnow... More
May 11, 2006
What some pro-choicers really think
NRO reveals an eye—opening letter found in the Clinton correspondence respecting abortion drug RU—486: SPEAKING OF RU 486 [Ramesh Ponnuru] Judicial Watch's report on the topic has a lot of eye—opening information, but the letter from Ron Weddington, the co—counsel... More
May 11, 2006
AOL editorializes with images
Sweetness & Light presents the evidence that AOL doesn't like President Bush very much. Check out the collection of images chosen by AOL. Like the New York Times and other major papers, and all the TV news outlets except FNC,... More
May 11, 2006
Gen. Hayden explains the NSA telephone program
On Jan 23, 2006, Gen. Hayden explained the mission, the responsibilities, of the NSA in an address to the National Press Club. He explained how the terrorist surveillance program was NOT domestic spying vis—a—vis hostile, misleading headlines & stories in... More
May 11, 2006
AARP goes after the young-'uns
Fortune brings us the news that the AARP has loosened its requirement that one be 50 years old to join. He's Jim Aley, he's 40, and, yes, he just joined AARP. Turns out that this organization of more than 36... More
May 11, 2006
Hooey about the NSA
Just in time for the Hayden confirmation hearings USA Today recycles the NSA survveillance story with hints of nefarious purposes behind the data mining of telephone traffic patterns. I would remind you that this is what happens every day when traffic... More
May 11, 2006
More on the Ahmadinejad letter
Let me put the Persian nutjob's remarks in Rick Moran's excellent article today in a different light. Ahmadinejad said: September eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services — or... More
May 11, 2006
Neither great nor wise
Following the election of Giorgio Napolitano — a communist — as Italian president, there is great rejoicing in the European media who have been eagerly painting a picture of a great, wise and reasonable statesman. This is what the UK... More
May 11, 2006
Mr. Bush, Tear Down That Cross (a poem)
On a hill in San Diego Stands a monument to our losses; A tribute to our wartime dead Like many other crosses. Against a tranquil azure sky, This cross has borne the years, It's spreading shadow falling Upon graves that... More
May 11, 2006
Buying the world in Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai invites wealthy, wealthy people to invest in a proposed luxurious resort to be known as The World, "a collection of 300 private islands in the shape of continents located off... More
May 11, 2006
Malpractice at the ABA?
Kavanaugh's ABA rating was downgraded upon the word of Marna Tucker, a D.C. lawyer with longstanding ties to Hillary Clinton who had long had a hold on his confirmation for the reason he served under Ken Starr on the Whitewater... More
May 10, 2006
Scrubbing the record
There's a lot of scrubbing of the online record going on. The other day Sweetness & Light noted the May 2, 2003 Senate Democratic Policy Committee program was removed. Yesterday a sharp reader notes that the note in Wilson's June... More
May 10, 2006
The middle class bails on the Democrats
Martin Frost, a former member of House of Representatives Democrat leadership, writes on Fox News that The Democrats have lost the middle class: In 2004, John Kerry lost middle class white voters by 22 points and Congressional Democrats lost middle... More
May 10, 2006
Instant Pharaonic Fatwa
Here's an update to the ongoing series tracking the eastern—hemispheric, multi—culti effort to erase all vestiges of humanity's ancient past. From BBC News, Cairo, we learn that 'Egyptians look to Islam for answers.' And just what was the question? A... More
May 10, 2006
UN initiative against business
The pot is calling the kettle black over at Turtle Bay on Manhattan's East Side. The United Nations rewards serial abusers of human rights by membership on the Human Rights Council , "Screaming Mary" who tormented American hostages during the Iran hostage crisis... More
May 10, 2006
Video link for Legacy of Jihad speech
Our contributor Andrew Bostom, author of the book The Legacy of Jihad, spoke yesterday at the Heritage Foundation on that subject. A video link is now available via the Heritage website.... More
May 10, 2006
NYT: Mommies kill
Apparently unwilling to rely on its distorted news coverage alone to sour its readers' day, the New York Times brings its depressing touch to this feature about Mother's Day: ...as much as we may like to believe that mother animals are... More
May 10, 2006
The CIA in context
Amidst all the sound and fury surrounding the appointment of Gen. Michael V. Hayden to be the next Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) one seeks in vain for pertinent information. A lot of people don't know what the DCI's job is. Since... More
May 10, 2006
A unique opportunity
Many republicans are already frightened that the Democrats will use the occasion of General Hayden's confirmation hearings to bring up the subjects of the National Security Agency and Guantánamo. Rather than feeling apprehensive the Republicans should rejoice, since this represents... More
May 10, 2006
Helsinki jiu-jitsu?
The 1975 Helsinki Accords on human rights, thought at the time to be a toothless agreement, turned out in restrospect to give dissidents in the European communist countries, particularly the Soviet Union, a place to stand since they could pretend... More
May 10, 2006
Egyptian Imam: 82% of all corruption comes from the Jews
In today's News from the Dark Ages comes a report from an "Egyptian Cleric and Former Islamic Lecturer in the US" who has discovered from official UN documents that "Jews produce more than 82% of the video clips in the... More
May 10, 2006
China's Gitmo conflict
On the same day that China was given a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, AP reports: China on Tuesday blasted a U.S. decision to release five Chinese Muslims from the Guantanamo Bay detention center to seek asylum... More
May 09, 2006
American Bar Association shenanigans
The ABA is treading on dangerous ground by allowing its rating of judicial nominees become openly politicized. Charles Hurt writes in the Washington Times A 14—member ABA committee changed Brett M. Kavanaugh's rating last month in part because six members... More
May 09, 2006
China's bad debt mountain
China Challenges directs us to an article in The Australian about the alarming amount of non—performing loans being carried on the books of Chinese financial firms. The amount is thought to exceed one trillion dollars, or a staggering 40% of... More
May 09, 2006
Libby meets the press
Yesterday the media moved to quash Libby's subpoenas. Cboldt posted the pleadings in html form here. Tom Maguire deftly critiques them, noting some verbal tap dancing and weaknesses. Clarice Feldman 5 09 06... More
May 09, 2006
Armor designed by Mom
Undoubtedly in response to constant bleatings that we need yet better and better armor, the military has designed new gear which looks like someone's over—protective mother designed it. The military hate it, saying it makes them look "goofy" The critics of... More
May 09, 2006
A harmonic convergence of the left
Our friend Aleksander Boyd, of the excellent Vcrisis website writes today in the Times of London of the meeting between leftist emerging dictator Hugo Chavez and leftist Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. WHICH INTERNATIONAL leader publicly threatens to blow up... More
May 09, 2006
Where does the NYT get its story ideas?
The Memphis Flyer highlights a curious, if not disturbing piece of evidence on the journalistic standards to the New York Times. About a year ago, Little Rock writer Leslie Peacock wrote a story about the discovery of the ivory—billed woodpecker... More
May 09, 2006
Mothers against molestors
Yesterday saw the ACLU bastion of Marin County turn downright hostile toward a group normally favored by liberals: prisoners, specifically paroled sex offenders. The California Department of Corrections, on Thursday, shipped twelve paroled high risk sex offenders to San Quentin prison,... More
May 09, 2006
Petty and vindictive
The conservative Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's longest serving post—war Prime Minister and business tycoon, has long been a thorn in the side of his country's Left. Hating him with a passion every bit as virulent as that of American liberals for... More
May 09, 2006
Rx for Canada's foreign policy
As we have noted with great pleasure, Canada is pursuing new directions under Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Despite claims by the American Left that we Americans are "isolated" and unpopular because of our foreign policies, voters in important democracies have... More
May 09, 2006
The Shame of the British Universities
Once again British university lecturers are being asked to boycott Israeli trachers at Israeli educational institutions and those who teach there. This time the boycott call is broader and the shame for such unconscionable behavior greater: The largest university and... More
May 09, 2006
Joe Wilson's shift with the winds
Sweetness & Light reviews Joseph Wilson's statements in the months before and after May of 2003 and finds, as I have, that there was a substantial shift in Ambassador Munchausen's tale. Why did his story change so substantially? One clue is the... More
May 08, 2006
The "domestic spying" case returns
Since the Democrats will, predictably, resurrect the canard of "domestic spying" to attack CIA director nominee Gen. Michael V. Hayden during upcoming hearings, it might be useful to take another look at the legal bases for the NSA's terrorist surveillance... More
May 08, 2006
Historians riled by book award on the A-bombing decision
A literary prize ignited a firestorm. More
May 08, 2006
CIA Run Amok
The editors of NRO point out how critical it is to continue the work of routing out the Fifth Column in the CIA. In addition to some things we've already noted about the considerable perfidy at the agency (such as... More
May 08, 2006
More money for leftist causes
Herb and Marion Sandler are legends in the worlds of both finance and politics. Now in their 70s, the couple have run Golden West Savings for decades, having built it from a small S&L into a highly profitable giant. Friends... More
May 08, 2006
Britain to outlaw ice cream vans
According to the Times of London, Health lobbyists have decided that ice—creams are too much of a danger to children's health. MPs and health officials are planning a series of measures across the country that are already forcing Mr Whippy... More
May 08, 2006
General Hayden for the CIA
General Michael V. Hayden comes to the post of CIA director with impressive credentials. Besides having had practical overseas experience and his tour as National Security Agency director, and therefore knowledgeable about the intel community bureaucracy, his having worked with... More
May 08, 2006
Muslims seeking refuge
Muslims are moving into so—called Jewish settlements to escape depredations from fellow Palestinians, according to the Washington Times. An unanticipated consequence of Israel's West Bank security barrier has been an influx of Israeli Arabs into Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem... More
May 08, 2006
The friends of Hillary
It turns out that a major contributor to Hillary Clinton is John Burgess owner of International Profit Associates is—— a convicted thief and john of an underage prostitute —— he and his company have emerged as one of Hillary's most... More
May 08, 2006
Jimmy Carter: Disgrace to the Human Race
In his acceptance speech for the 1976 Democratic nomination, Jimmy Carter said a memorable phrase: The income tax system, he said, "is a disgrace to the human race." It is certainly the best rhyme of Carter's presidency, and it is... More
May 08, 2006
Just class and dignity
Yesterday I watched the British Classical Music Awards whose format and lavish production closely echoed the Oscars. But there was one big difference — the participants. Unlike at the Oscars, there were no people who are neither very smart nor very... More
May 08, 2006
Rumsfeld heckler thought Saddam had WMDs
Sweetness & Light has the goods on Ray McGovern, who heckled Donald Rumsfeld and received near—adulation in some media outlets for doing so. McGovern has been everywhere crowing over his chastisement of Rumsfeld, such as he did here to Paula... More
May 07, 2006
Response to Islamic terror
Jack Risko conducts a little quiz at Dinocrat.com: Guess who wrote this report to Congress on the foundations for attacking America, given by an Islamic ambassador: ... that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was... More
May 07, 2006
Another suggestion: who "outed" Plame
Though the investigation into who "outed" Plame was premised on the notion that (a) her identity was not publicly known before Robert Novak's article in July 2003 and (b) the disclosure came from the Administration——particularly persons in the White House to... More
May 07, 2006
Are dolphins really that smart?
By their wit and wisdom Many libs are smitten But have many books Have those dolphins written? Vasko Kohlmayer 5 07 06... More
May 07, 2006
Defeating terrorists in Iraq
During his weekly press briefing in Baghdad, Multi—National Force Iraq spokesman Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch detailed the ongoing progress being made against Al Qaeda and Zarqawi — "the most prolific threat to he people of Iraq" — stating that Zarqawi has... More
May 07, 2006
NYT writer on two class shareholdings
We have written extensively about the dual class shareholding structure that allows the Sulzberger family to keep its incompetent scion Pinch in charge of the New York Times Company's destiny. How surprising, then, to find Times economics writer Gretchen Morgenson... More
May 07, 2006
Ted Kennedy's double hypocrisy
Jeff Jacoby nails Senator Edward Kennedy in the Boston Globe for double hypocrisy in his opposition to the wind farm proposed for offshore waters near his property on Cape Cod: Hypocrisy #1: ''The vast majority of Americans share our commitment... More
May 07, 2006
When in France do as the Spanish
Last week we were treated to the story of how Spain thought so little of the Roman antiquities that lay beneath the surface of its sunny soil that they went ahead and paved over one of the most significant archeological... More
May 07, 2006
NYT minimizes Zarqawi's video embarrassment
Our terror—master enemy looks stupid in captured vidoetape outtakes, fumbling with an automatic weapon. The tape is circulated worldwide to harm the standing and image of our enemy, for whoim image is a vital recruitment tool. The New York Times,... More
May 07, 2006
Venezuela to get a "president for life"?
Hugo Chavez seems to be saying he will ignore the constitutional term of office and rule indefinitely, unless the opposition agrees not to mention electoral fraud to international bodies or boycott the coming elections. The tyrant shows his colors. Hat... More
May 07, 2006
The scandal roiling France
Our contributor Olivier Guitta explains the Clearstream scandal which is engulfing France in a dirty tricks scandal often compared to Watergate. Here is his summary of the messy case: A prime minister [Dominique de Villepin] known for skullduggery asked, allegedly... More
May 06, 2006
Courageous or Outrageous? (a poem)
'Courageous' and 'brave' are the words they use, As the Liberal media try to disabuse Us common folk of another Kennedy caper. You can read each gushing line in your morning paper. The story was this, and then it... More
May 06, 2006
Blood-feast in Berkeley update
Over a year ago, we reported on a horrific crime in Berkeley, California, in which an elderly woman walking by park in my neighborhood was attacked from behind with a knife, her throat slit to the bone, and left to... More
May 06, 2006
Terrorist strategy for Baghdad
The MNF—Iraq site has a revealing captured document — the terrorists' strategy for Baghdad. Here is an excerpt: B) Drive away the Shi'ahs and expel their businesse | 
