American Thinker Blog

November 30, 2006
Judges Running Amok (Again)
Earlier this week, a federal district judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that the Treasury Department is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws because blind persons cannot distinguish the different denominations of U.S. currency (e.g., all bills, $5, $10, $20, etc., are the same size and feel the same). The judge has ordered the agency to start working within ten days on ways to make the various bills capable of being identified by the blind. More

November 30, 2006
Guess whose side the Dems are on?
Watching the Democrats adopt one policy after another that undermines American security, a lot of Americans are starting -- belatedly -- to ask, "Whose side are these guys on?" Now we have the answer. More

November 30, 2006
Self reliance vs. government programs
I've often mused that socialism, big government programs and liberal ideology, in general, takes the individual out of society, enabling him/her to cease emulating the hard work that made our country the great nation it stands as today. Thus, self reliance is of utmost importance to the American Ideal, and federal programs, on the whole, are antithetical to our history. More

November 30, 2006
Tom Carew's new blog
Our occasional contributor and friend Tom Carew, of Dublin, Ireland, has a new blog containing many video links that should be of great interest. The blog's name is no surrender-ne pasaran. More

November 30, 2006
Kramer (a poem)
It's the Racial Divide made me say what I said. I'm not responsible. Don't rain on MY head. Iraq made me do it. Katrina cried through it. I was just healing wounds. I was sadly misread. More

November 30, 2006
Democrat Ahmadinejad
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - the man who has repeatedly vowed our destruction and who routinely refers to our country as the 'Great Satan' - has just sent a letter to the American people. Astonishingly, his missive reads like a statement from the Democratic National Committee. More

November 30, 2006
Our true friends and allies
"...when duty and honor call, the Canadian soldier has always stepped forward, front and center, to be counted as a true friend and ally of the United States." So writes Rick Moran today on Rightwing Nuthouse, in an article covering the major role played by Canadian troops in Afghanistan. More

November 30, 2006
Fanning the flames
Our contributor Sharon Tosi Moore is an officer in the United States Army Reserves, currently serving in Iraq. Today, she writes about the disputed report of Sunnis burned alive by Shiites. More

November 30, 2006
Our undiplomatic Department of State (updated)
Once again, a high State Department official utters, publicly and in undiplomatic language, views which are harmful to our national interest. It's long past time for Secretary Rice to take action that shows that this is not acceptable behavior by firing Kendall Myers. More

November 30, 2006
Baker panel changes mission
The Baker Commission was supposedly convened to deal with Iraq. Yet Steven Erlanger of the New York Times writes today that the "bulk of the report by the Baker-Hamilton group focused on a recommendation that the United States devise a far more aggressive diplomatic initiative in the Middle East than Mr. Bush has been willing to try so far...." More

November 30, 2006
Freedom of speech and mob rule on campus
Cinnamon Stillwell, an AT contributor, describes the serous problems with freedom of speech on college campuses in a San Francisco Chronicle column. "....it's the students who have become the bullies as of late...." More

November 30, 2006
Patient's 265-day wait caps litany of NHS failure
Latest news from the the So-you-really-want-Hillarycare-do-you? Department (from The Scotsman) Hundreds of Scottish cancer patients are still being forced to wait months for treatment, and ministers admitted yesterday that they had no idea when the problem would be solved. More

November 29, 2006
MEMRI: Lebanon on the brink of civil war
The reliable Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has now issued its fourth consecutive warning that Lebanon is on the brink of a civil war, with Hezb'allah, backed by Syria and Iran, aiming to overthrow Prime Minister Siniora and his cabinet. What will the the UN peace keepers do? Nothing. More

November 29, 2006
Karpinski's delusions
The vultures continue to circle now that SecDef Rumsfeld will soon turn over the reins of DoD to the presumptive nominee, Bill Gates. The latest departing shot comes from former Brigadier General Janis Karpinski courtesy of Reuters. Karpinski was the 800th Military Police (MP) Brigade Commander who had direct leadership responsibilities over the units running Abu Ghraib prison in 2003-2004 More

November 29, 2006
The debate on Jewish GOP voters continues
Shmuel Rosner, Chief US Correspondent for Haaretz, has weighed in again in the continuing debate on what polls revealed about Jewish voting preferences in the recent election. Mr. Rosner's article is worth reading carefully. More

November 29, 2006
Target bans Salvation Army again
Once again this year, Target Stores has banned the Salvation Army bell-ringers from their stores. Instead the company is donating one million dollars to the charity, and other changes on offer by the company promise to make up much of the none million dollars the charity used to raise each year in front of its stores, according to Salvation Army spokeswoman Melissa Temme. More

November 29, 2006
Winston Churchill and the PM of Iraq
Today the American president is meeting with the prime minister of a beleagured ally, beset by a vicious foe that is grounded in pure evil. What if someone like Winston Churchill were Prime Minister of Iraq? Very likely we would be hearing something like this.... More

November 29, 2006
Libby case delay possible
Monday, the Special Prosecutor filed an interlocutory appeal in the Libby case under the special provisions of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) respecting the trial court's ruling on what the appropriate test is for providing Libby with classified material for his defense. As a result, a very substantial delay in resolving the case is possible. More

November 28, 2006
Citigroup cuts NYT to "sell" rating
Citigroup has downgraded the New York Times Company to a "sell" rating from "hold", according to Marketwatch. "Even though two secular forces should be helping the industry -- older demographics and slowing broadband adoption -- the actual circulation trends are getting worse," Citigroup said. More

November 28, 2006
Europe ignores market, pays the price
While American wine dealers, restaurants and wine bars advertise the recent arrival of Beaujolais nouveau, the young, raw-tasting wine that the French have persuaded some Americans and many Japanese to celebrate, back in France 8 million liters of Beaujolais wine is to be distilled into alcohol for commercial and industrial use. More

November 28, 2006
Separation of powers and war
I felt obligated to comment on a statement written by John Redding in his article "Our Divided American House" of November 26. More

November 28, 2006
New York Times loses
The New York Times has lost another major case regarding journalists' right to protect the confidentiality of its sources.WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled against The New York Times on Monday, refusing to block the government from reviewing the phone records... More

November 28, 2006
More propaganda on stem cells
The debate over funding for stem cell research has been marked by deliberate obfuscation and overblown promises. There is a huge difference between embryonic stem cell research and the other two types of stem cell research. Today, the left wing Los Angeles Times publishes an op-ed by Sigrid Fry-Revere of the Cato Institute which conforms to this pattern of propaganda. More

November 28, 2006
Business secrecy and the war on terror
Business and state governments appear to be working to enhance financial secrecy for those operating across international boundaries, no matter the consequences for the War on Terror. More

November 27, 2006
NYC Mayor Bloomberg Stabs NYPD In Back
For those who have not heard, there was a controversial shooting by New York City police officers early Saturday morning. Five undercover police officers opened fire on three black suspects in a car outside a strip club in Queens. The police fired 50 shots in all. More

November 27, 2006
Sex and the Suicide Bomber?
Pierre Rehov's new movie, Suicide Killers: Paradise is Hell features in-depth interviews with young would-be suicide bombers. Rehov is a French Jew who grew up in Algeria and knows Muslim culture in depth. His film sums up the "terrifying serenity" of the teenage suiciders, who have found their personal solution to "sexual frustration plus a constant sense of shame and humiliation." More

November 27, 2006
France, the Arabs and the Jews
David Pryce-Jones, senior editor at National Review has just published a new book, Betrayal: France, the Arabs, and the Jews. The Wall Street Journal reviews it favorably today. More

November 27, 2006
Knocking the military. Again
Hoof in mouth disease seems to be spreading this season. Celebrities diss minorities. Politicians mock others. And now John Kerry seems to have infected Rep Charles Rangel (D-NY) over the intellectual and career attainments of our military personnel. More

November 27, 2006
Pope insulted by attempted assasin of JP II
Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who attempted to kill Pope John Paul the Great, only to be forgiven by his target, has apparently not had his heart permanently affected. Via Ummah News Links, we see a dispatch from the Zee News revealing that would-be assassin is now calling the pope a "Nazi remnant." More

November 27, 2006
Europe's Ineradicable Viciousness?
Yesterday in the New York Post, Ralph Peters wrote a strongly-worded piece challenging the "pop prophets" who argue that, as a result of demographic and cultural forces, Europe is rapidly turning into a Muslim-dominated continent -- what Bat Ye'or has termed "Eurabia." Presumably Peters is thinking of fellow commentator Mark Steyn, whose best-selling book, America Alone, is based on this exact thesis. More

November 27, 2006
"In God we trust" and new coin (updated)
Can this report possibly be true? And if so, why am I reading about it first from an Isareli website, Arutz Sheva? (IsraelNN.com) The American mint has removed the official "In God We Trust" motto from the face of it dollar coin and has relegated it to the gold-colored coin's thin edge. Mint officials said the reason for the change is to leave more room for portraits of former presidents and the Statue of Liberty. More

November 27, 2006
Is the war on Wal-Mart escalating?
Two Maine teen-agers are under arrest for detonating 2 acid bombs inside a shopper-filled local Wal-Mart, according to the Associated Press. Fortunately, no shoppers were seriously injured by the explosives, which were reportedly made from household items More

November 27, 2006
Comment on "Playing chicken with China"
As a retired CO of two US Navy nuclear submarines and a former Deputy Commander of ASW Forces, Pacific, you are wrong. Chinese submarines have every right to go wherever they wish in international waters. If they decide to operate in the vicinity of US Navy forces, we have the right to track them - very aggressively - if we can. More

November 27, 2006
Voting Republican while Jewish
The Jewish newspaper, The Forward has carried an article claiming that far fewer Jews voted for the GOP than claimed in a survey sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition More

November 26, 2006
Who's minding the store?
Our friend John Rosenthal of Transatlantic Intelligencer has noticed that the Department of Homeland Security has just issued a waiver to permit Khaled Al-Masri to obtain a visa and enter the United States. The State Department had previosuly denied him a visa based on the basis of "terrorist activities." More

November 26, 2006
Remember Them (a poem)
So many hearts break at this time of year, The season of joy and warmth, families near. Stockings are hung by the chimney with care. 'Happy Hanukah' rings through the wintry air More

November 26, 2006
Defending the troop strength deception
Ever the staunch protectors of the beltway military establishment, the Washington Times' Gertz and Scarborough, reinforce the belief that now-retired General Eric Shinseki had told the powers that be in 2003 that a much larger invasion force would be needed to secure and occupy Iraq. More

November 26, 2006
The role of victory
A surprising thing seems to have happened in the recent two military engagements of our side against the Islamic radicals - the Israel/Hezb'allah War and the Iraq War. Neither Israel nor ourselves defined our objective in our respective wars as "victory." Rather than victory we both seem to have opted for attempting to secure the good opinion of our enemies. More

November 26, 2006
New Russian missiles may seal off Iran nuke plants
Expert sources claim that the new Tor-M1 antimissile systems Vladimir Putin is selling to Iran are the most advanced in the world. The Russian system may be able to protect Tehran's nuclear sites from any US or Israeli attack, thereby... More

November 26, 2006
The downside of family gatherings
At our Thanksgiving table, we had a discussion among friends and family of our own memories of Thanksgivings past. Inevitably, the topic turned to family arguments that went bad. People storming out of the celebration and driving away in a cloud of dust seems to be phenomenon that seems to occur with some frequency in more than one family. More

November 25, 2006
Q&A on global warming
This is the best-ever overview of the issue. It's from AEI's new magazine, The American, and the first issue is terrific. More

November 25, 2006
Stunning pictures
From Britain's Channel Four come compelling pictures of animals in utero. Hi technology 4D ultrasound enables us to appreciate the development of mammals in the womb. These are not to be missed. More

November 25, 2006
Chirac shafts Sarko, his own party candidate
Imagine if George W. Bush slyly promoted Hillary in 2008 because he personally disliked the GOP candidate. It's not in character for President Bush, but it is exactly how Jacques Chirac has acted more than once. According to the London Times, Chirac is now trying to destroy his party's pro-American candidate Nicolas Sarkozy. More

November 25, 2006
Deconstructing diversity
A group that advocates diversity excludes a potential member because of its uh, diverse thinking. Another pathetic sketch from Saturday Night Live? Nope, this is every day really live. More

November 25, 2006
A moderate Muslim voice
If you give Dr. El-Affendi the benefit of the doubt (considering his audience, he can't sound too pro-western without the risk of being completely ignored or worse), about half of what he says sounds like something you'd read on AT! We heartily welcome such sensible viewpopints. More

November 25, 2006
Playing Chicken with China
A few weeks ago a Chinese diesel submarine surfaced about five miles from a US carrier battle group. Even in peacetime conditions such a provocation entitles a defender to open fire and sink the intruder, but the commander of the US carrier group chose not to. Whether or not his decision was the right one is almost beside the point now. More

November 22, 2006
The untold story of Iraq reconstruction
What should be driven home in "lessons learned" concerning the Iraq Campaign is that first and foremost, the enemy must be utterly defeated before starting any massive humanitarian projects. Yet, in spite of the skewed views of some of our leadership in this regard, the story of Iraq reconstruction is nothing short of remarkable More

November 22, 2006
YouTube, MySpace and jihad
Via our frequent contributor Noel Sheppard writing on Newsbusters, we learn that YouTube and MySpace are being used to recruit and train jihadis. More

November 22, 2006
Mark Steyn comes up short
I greatly admire Mark Steyn. He is one of the most insightful and witty commentators writing today.... However, in his latest column, Steyn offers a defense of the Bush Doctrine that just falls flat. More

November 22, 2006
The latest Katrina scam
For those who have been paying attention (instead of relying on the impressions generated by MSM coverage of the supposed rapes and killings in the Superdome), Hurricane Katrina's aftermath has offered quite an education in humanity: the good, the bad, and the ugly. More

November 22, 2006
Strange bedfellows
What's going on with certain religious leaders and the Democrats? Am I overly suspicious? More

November 22, 2006
Hackers attack Texas Rainmaker
Our friends at Texas Rainmaker were hacked yesterday. Suddenly Arabic script appeared on the site while other content was unavailable More

November 21, 2006
An update for Bush-haters
As a service to our readers who might have felt too distracted by the evil Bushitler gang to pay much attention to anything else in last few years, here's what's happened in the news. 1. The North Koreans exploded a... More

November 21, 2006
The Worst Crime In America
Is not rape.  Is not murder.  It's a white man using a racial slur in public. Last week, comedian Michael Richards —— famous for his role as Kramer on the hit TV show Seinfeld —— went on a "racial epithet—laced... More

November 21, 2006
Racist scholarships attacked
The Boston University College Republicans are aiming to create a backlash against racially—targeted scholarships by creating one of their own — for whites only. Looking to draw attention to what they call the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today,"... More

November 21, 2006
Brits probe Saudi Royal arms kickbacks
Via Ummah News Links, we learn of a British investigation into possible kickbacks on an arms deal with the Saudis by British Aerospace. The interesting direction of the probe is that it may be targeting members of the Saudi Royal... More

November 21, 2006
US Communists Declare Election Victory
Well, well, well. If Political Affairs ("Marxist thought online") is to be believed, the Communist Party, USA is declaring victory in the Democrats' sweep of both houses of Congress. "The right—wing stranglehold on Congress has been broken," declared Joelle Fishman,... More

November 21, 2006
Assassination in Lebanon
The sniper killing of Lebanon's Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel threatens all members of the democratic regime there. Nobody is safe. Rick Moran, whose coverage of Lebanon is excellent, thinks that Syria is likely to be behind the killing, bot Hezb'allah's Nasrallah.... More

November 21, 2006
The Ukrainian famines: Holodomor
The 20th century was a time of great crimes of mass slaughter. The Holocaust, a systematic attempt to commit genocide against an ancient and persecuted people, is often—remembered, though some, like Iran's president, try mightily to erase the memory. But the Holocaust... More

November 21, 2006
A sincere form of flattery
Doug Ross has created an abridged, illustrated version of Michael J. O'Shea's article, "What Do We Do with the Remains?" Check it out. And thanks, Doug! Thomas Lifson  11 21 06... More

November 20, 2006
Tunisian Philosopher: Islamists defame Koran
Tunisian philosopher Mezri Haddad has written a passionate and courageous denunciation of Islamist ideology in his blog: "Arab Public Opinion... Has Found, in Antisemitism, the Perfect Catalyst For All Its Narcissistic Wounds and Social, Economic, and Political Frustrations" (Memri) Haddad... More

November 20, 2006
Ramadi fights back
Something has been happening in Ramadi, a city described by the UK Times as fighting against becoming al Qaeda's capital. Perhaps you missed this in your reading of the American media:  While the world's attention has been focused on Baghdad's... More

November 20, 2006
Cluelessness in higher education
It seems that the higher educators are surprised that government tax credits often lead to universities raising tuition by the amount of the tax credit. Welcome to the real world of business and filthy lucre, professors! A guy selling towels... More

November 20, 2006
The NYT soft spot for communist dictatorships
Bruce Kesler of Democracy Project catches the New York Times once again either ignorant of or covering up the nature of communist repression. This time it isn't covering up something major like Stalin's liquidation—by—famine of millions of Ukrainians (the paper... More

November 20, 2006
Bush: I would understand if Israel chose to attack Iran
That's the headline in Haaretz. The text of the article is just a bit more complicated: U.S. President George W. Bush and President Jacques Chirac of France met several weeks ago. Bush told his French counterpart that the possibility that... More

November 20, 2006
Missing headlines (a continuing series)
Quote: From the most recent report from the Congressional Budget Office: 1. Corporate income tax revenues almost doubled over the last two years, from $189 billion in 2004 to $354 billion in FY 2006. 2. Corporate income tax receipts rose... More

November 20, 2006
Blunt talking Bolton
John Bolton, the US's ambassador extrordinaire to the UN is an interim appointment because many Senators, led by the soon to be ex—Senator John Chafee (R—RI) opposed him.  Known for his bluntness, Bolton definitely lived up to his reputation last... More

November 20, 2006
Who is inhumane?
Palestinians in Gaza are now using so—called "human shield" tactics in response to Israel's policy of notifying targets that they are to be bombed from the air, so as to avoid human casualties. From the UK Times: The warplanes were... More

November 19, 2006
The Strait of Hormuz Revisited
As a possible military confrontation with Iran looms, no spot on earth is more sensitive than the Strait of Hormuz, a possible choke point for Persian Gulf oil shipments. The military installations there could have major implications. A few weeks... More

November 19, 2006
Daniel Schorr should apologize
Reader David R. (he prefers anonymity) shared with us a letter he sent to NPR over the on—air behavior of Daniel Schorr. Since NPR receives tax money, it has an obligation to be both fair and accurate. Here is the letter:... More

November 19, 2006
Flying the hammer and sickle way
Aeroflot survives as Russia's largest international airline, a remnant of the old Soviet aviation monopoly. In an industry roiled by low fare carriers, it has somehow managed to adapt and survive, albeit sometimes encountering problems with state intrusion. I have... More

November 19, 2006
Aboriton protestors help nab accused rapist
Via the blog Alabama Liberation Front, I learned that ...a child molester was apprehended after he was photographed at an abortion clinic —— where he took the victim, to get rid of the evidence —— by a couple of pro—life... More

November 19, 2006
Elections have consequences
As conservatives nurse their wounds from America's latest election, Canada demonstrates that not all is lost. Ever since the Liberals lost the last election, Prime Minister Harper has been working hard to restore Canada's honor. And this incident at the... More

November 19, 2006
ABC News and the freedom to mislead
Steve Gilbert of Sweetness & Light eviscerates ABC News for misleading the public about a case supposedly about protecting "press freedoms." In 2005 a violent protest by anarchists resulted in a police officer being brutally attacked, and a police car... More

November 19, 2006
Evangelicals in France
Evangelical Christianity is booming — in France of all places. On second thought, it is not so surprising, given the spiritual vacuum created by thorough secularization in that country. The Washington Times yesterday carried a brief but noteworthy treatment of... More

November 18, 2006
"Realists" and Iraq's crisis of leadership
The so—called "realist" school of Middle East policy bears considerable responsibility for gotting us into the crisis of democracy Iraq now faces. The exact causal chain eludes many observers. On Friday the Washington Post featured one Charles Krauthammer's typically fine... More

November 18, 2006
Euromangling British defenses
EUreferendum has an excellent (but appalling) list of taxpayer money wasted by the British Ministry of Defense on joint European weapons projects. It is a reprise of the many Airbus stumbles, which is itself a repeat of the great Concorde... More

November 18, 2006
Rumsfeld, the Pentagon, and the Generals
Last Sunday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press published a piece  by former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith relaying his thoughts on the outgoing SecDef Donald Rumsfeld.  He exposes the antique media's and the retired flag officer cabal's blatant disinformation campaign... More

November 17, 2006
Lebanon political situation worsens
Rick Moran, following up on his article for AT Tuesday, describes the worsening of the situation in Lebanon at Rightwing Nuthouse. Despite the frantic efforts of Middle East diplomats, it appears almost certain that the March 14th Forces and the... More

November 17, 2006
A quiet gain for religious freedom
In this increasingly 24/7 world there is a small minority that is firmly 24/6——in other words they won't work one day of the week, will minimize their contact with the commercial world.  They are the Sabbath observers.  Mainly religious Jews... More

November 17, 2006
The press has a new Muslim
Google currently lists 334 news stories about Mostafa Tabatabainejad. The events which inspired this? The AP/CNN report says, A UCLA police officer shocked a student with a stun gun at a campus library after he refused repeated requests to show student... More

November 17, 2006
Diary of her final days
After winning big in New York state Hillary Rodham Clinton promised/warned "Health care is coming back,"  adding, "It may be a bad dream for some." As Americans write ever larger checks for health insurance premiums while paying more for non... More

November 17, 2006
Canadian Muslims' right to not be offended
Shari'a steadily extends its penetration of North American society, carried on the back of poltiically correct sensibilities. Ummah News Links calls our attention to a story from the Canadian Press news agency, where the rights of Canadian men have been... More

November 16, 2006
In loco parentis - The Duke LaCrosse case
Professor KJC Johnson whose blog, Durham—in—Wonderland has been covering the Duke Lacrosse case, is interviewed by FrontpageMag and offers the most complete and accurate account of the matter. Read it all and be revolted by the unethical behavior of the... More

November 16, 2006
The inaudible indiscretion
A New York Times article on Murtha, and his Hardball outburst about ethics charges as "crap", whitewashes him. Here is the extent of the reporting on Murtha's comments on the MSNBC show: As for the ethics package promoted by Ms. Pelosi, Mr.... More

November 16, 2006
Boston imams arrested
The Boston Globe reports that 3 local imams have been arrested on charges of involvement in a scheme to obtain "religious worker" visas fraudulently. In an era when Muslim religious figures have become propagandists leading their followers to extremism and have... More

November 16, 2006
David Ignatius hails James Baker
In this column in yesterday's Washington Post, David Ignatius hails the return of James Baker to the corridors of power in Washington and calls for him to be appointed special Middle East emissary . He lays on the praise and... More

November 16, 2006
The right to drug addiction?
The UK courts seem to be in a race against the Nonth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to find the looniest decisions imposing made—up "rights" in accord with left wing values. From the London Evening Standard, via the... More

November 15, 2006
Ortega's back
It's hard to say what to make of the return of Daniel Ortega to Nicaragua. He says he's business friendly. He says he's found Jesus. But most signs in his election point to the reemergence of the old Marxist Sandinista... More

November 15, 2006
Mitt Romney - a Newt conservative with sex appeal
Suppose the GOP candidate in '08 were a conservative who communicates better than George W., has excellent  executive experience, knows how to appeal to a wide range of voters, and runs on constructive conservative ideas?  Of all the current candidates,... More

November 15, 2006
Another PC self-contradiction
A reader writes us: I heard a mind boggling news story on KHAY in Ventura, CA this morning. [Ed.: see here]   Toys for Tots refused the donation of Jesus dolls that quote Bible verses because they may offend someone.... More

November 15, 2006
Prince Charles foiled again
The Prince of Wales apparently was looking forward to coronation as King with the help of a multi—faith clergy. The Evening Standard reports (via Ummah News Links) Charles has long made clear his yearning for a ceremony in which Muslim,... More

November 15, 2006
Nancy Pelosi and the Treasure Island treasure chest
Dan Riehl of the Riehl World View has run two very interesting posts building on published material about Nancy Pelosi's family fortune(s), and the possible role of (gasp!) political influence in securing lucre for relatives. The issue immediately at hand... More

November 15, 2006
New blogger of note
Jules Crittenden, city editor and columnist for the Boston Herald, has started a personal blog to eat up all those spare hours left over after doing two jobs. Freed from the constraints of bureaucracy and newsprint, he is taking advantage... More

November 14, 2006
Is Ahmadinejad aiming for December 15?
December 15 is the target date for the "election" of a new Supreme Guide for the mullah regime. Ahmadinejad's guru, Ayatollah Yazdi, is thought to be a candidate. It's like the SS taking over from the SA stormtroopers in 1933.... More

November 14, 2006
Abramoff and Dem senators
It's from Brian Ross, so take it with a grain of salt. He says: Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff is scheduled to report to federal prison tomorrow, over the objections of federal prosecutors who say they still need his help to... More

November 14, 2006
Acorns & Truffles
Some interesting reading from an unlikely source.  Robert Gates, now the new Secretary of Defense. Writing in the New York Times on August 16th, 1998, in a vain effort to block the mindless bombing four days later of the Al Shifa... More

November 14, 2006
Brit Intelligence: Iran trying to take over Al Qaeda
British Intelligence often leaks its public statements through The Telegraph of London. In recent days the current head of MI5, Dame Eliza Manningham—Bullington, has been issuing dire warnings about some 1600 domestic Islamists her agency has been following. These characters... More

November 14, 2006
Same old, same old
Ah, in these shifting, rapidly changing times how reassuring to learn that some basics are forever. Just two days after retaking the House and promising to end the "culture of corruption," Rep. Charles Rangel and a dozen other congressmen rubbed elbows... More

November 14, 2006
Libby case update
AP reported last night that the Judge in the Scooter Libby case has ordered that the special prosecutor has been too restrictive in his reading of which material he must and will provide the defense: U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said... More

November 14, 2006
Matters coming to a head in the Middle East?
The Iranians say their program is near completion. Netanyahu says Iran will attempt to destroy Israel, and if nobody else will try, Israel will have to stop it. The re—supply of Hezbollah, the arming and training of Hamas, and Syria's new belligerent... More

November 14, 2006
Now they tell us
Fresh off the AP wire: Inflation at the wholesale level plunged at a record pace in October, led by big declines in the price of gasoline and new cars. Wholesale prices fell 1.6 percent last month, tying the record decline... More

November 14, 2006
The quitter generals
I was looking at the Veterans Day celebrations Saturday. We remember the valiant actions of the past, but only half—heartedly. Why? Because, while nostalgia can be a good thing, what is now, and what we face in the near future, is far more... More

November 14, 2006
No need to despair
Yesterday Rush Limbaugh voiced his deep disappointment over the fact that the tactics of anger, lies, slander and deception seem to have worked in last week's elections. It seems, he said, that even after all these years the American public... More

November 14, 2006
Senator Webb may surprise Democrats
Andrew Ferguson of Bloomberg points out some of the reasons that Democrats may not quite know what to do with Senator—elect James Webb. Let those other pundits and reporters obsess over the new Democratic leadership as it brings its own... More

November 14, 2006
Oddly calm
I am glad to be neither Democrat nor Republican. To be a Democrat is to be afflicted with the insanities of a barren life solely seen through a  political glass, where every aspect of  living has a political remedy that... More

November 14, 2006
When the dogs don't bark
Sherlock Holmes, that most observant of detectives, once solved a crime by noticing what did not happen that normally should have; in his case a dog didn't bark.  And now, several weeks after Iran announced that a Moroccan won its demented... More

November 14, 2006
How Far We Have Fallen
Our Declaration of Independence asserts, 'We hold these truths to be self—evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' ... More

November 14, 2006
Pakistan's new "Taleban Law"
The BBC reports that Pakistan's Northwest Province (next to Afghanistan) has a new law that is ...setting up a Taleban—style department under a cleric to enforce Islamic morality. It gives the new department the power to use the police and... More

November 13, 2006
Daily Kos on the progressive paradise that is Iran
Pat Santy, who publishes the wonderful Dr. Sanity website, has done us all a favor by discovering and commenting on what can only be understood as a deranged article on Daily Kos, portraying Iran as... progressive. Lest anyone have any... More

November 13, 2006
Tony tries to square the circle in Iraq
In what is billed as "major foreign policy speech," Tony Blair suggests an overall Middle East settlement that would bring in either Syria or Iran, or both, on the assumption that they will adopt a peace policy. ...a major part... More

November 13, 2006
James Baker and the Saudis
M. Simon of the blog Power and Control highlights an intriguing connection which came to light in a Newsweek article. Newsweek has an interesting story about Baker Botts [the law firm of James Baker]. April 16 — After months of... More

November 13, 2006
Will Joe Lieberman switch parties?
Odds are that he won't. He would have more leverage within the Democrats than if he switched. He has been a lifelong Democrat with many friendships and other ties. But he wisely refuses to rule it out, preserving his leverage.... More

November 13, 2006
Murtha: a man with past
Pelosi supports Murtha as Maj. Leader because of his national security/war on terror credentials. Has she forgotten he was willing to be bribed by Arabs? From The Hill. Speaker—in—waiting Nancy Pelosi (D—Calif.) threw her support behind Rep. John Murtha (D—Pa.)... More

November 13, 2006
Off to the races
Nancy Pelosi has thrown her support to cut and runner, slanderer of our troops, Abscam figure and pork barreler Murtha as Majority Leader. Waxman has announced he's going to investigate everything. (Including the war which, despite today's New York Times article, to... More

November 13, 2006
Now, can we call them
Conservatives are suicidally polite. We feel bound to act nice, and so we go along with whatever euphemism the Left chooses for itself. On their side, Democrats loudly argue for truth in advertising for baldness cures ——— but not in... More

November 12, 2006
Underdog v. underdog
Bookworm Room wonders what happens when you have the left's favorite oppressed groups at each others' throats. The Left likes underdogs.  Gays are underdogs.  Palestinians are underdogs.  Muslims are underdogs.  What happens when you throw all three into the mix? ... More

November 12, 2006
Fannie Mae turns on the PR machine after the election
Fannie Mae is revving up their PR machine again. Target: the new Congress. This Sunday the Fannie Mae PR arm is sponsoring  the 2006 Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Walkathon on the national mall  in Washington. To promote her current... More

November 12, 2006
Headline of the day:
"Nurses in training get dummies for patients" from the San Francisco Chronicle The price might be right, but consider the benefits of experience.... More

November 12, 2006
The new Palestinian propaganda weapon against Isarel
Ali Abunimah, a disciple of Rashid Khalidi, is out with a new book calling for an end to the Israeli—Palestinian conflict. He has constructred a clever argument that sounds reasonable to many. But the inevitable consequence of what he argues,... More

November 12, 2006
Veterans Day Reflections
While participating in my community's Veterans Day observance over the weekend, I was reminded of the sacrifices countless numbers of Americans have made to defend this country and to preserve the liberties enjoyed by all of us. I am saddened... More

November 12, 2006
On Steyn and Warshawsky
One of my favorite correspondents had some interesting observations about Steven Warshawsky's article on Mark Steyn's new book, and has given me permission to share them. He suggests  that there is more room for long term optimism than Steyn allows.... More

November 12, 2006
Pass the nuclear agreement with India
Don Surber calls on the lame duck Congress to pass the recent agreement with India over nuclear cooperation. I agree with Don that it should be an urgent priority, especially since the next Congress may not be as favorable. Essentially, the... More

November 11, 2006
Baker: A face-saving disaster?
The Baker commission seems to be doing a lot more than just re—thinking Iraq. It appears to be copiously leaking a Vietnam—type cut—and—run plan that will leave the Gulf far more dangerous than it is now. The Vietnam model looks... More

November 11, 2006
Anti-Isalmist protest in Turkey
Don't expect the MSM to pay any attention, but an anti—Islamist protest happened in Turkey's capital city Ankara. Via Ummah News Links: The funeral of former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit turned into a protest against the Islamic—rooted government on Saturday.... More

November 11, 2006
VIPs attack Gates
And here we go, right on schedule: Melvin A. Goodman, a former Soviet analyst for the agency, said on Thursday that during the 1980s, Mr. Gates acted as a 'filter' for intelligence, trimming findings on the Soviet threat to match... More

November 11, 2006
John Bolton
Forcing John Bolton out of the United Nations ambassadorship, as defeated Sen. Chafee still promises to do, would be a victory for terror—supporting regimes (particularly if Bush is forced to replace him with someone that would be more appealing to... More

November 11, 2006
Black Republicans and the NYT
Normally, one might expect the New York Times would celebrate the financial success of a black American.  But not when that would lead them to praise a Republican at the same time. So J.C. Watts, football star and former Congressman, finds... More

November 11, 2006
Conyers and reparations
One of the consolations of defeat is watching your opponent cope with the difficulties of victory. The Democrat majority on the House promises to be a somewhat uneasy one, with Speaker Pelosi determined to keep a lid on the leftist... More

November 10, 2006
The John Conyers Democrats
Investors Business Daily reports that John Conyers is "fighting bigotry." The likely new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he's just fighting bigotry in leading a Democrat jihad to deny law enforcement key terror—fighting tools. But he is in... More

November 10, 2006
Possible death penalty for tech leaks to China
Peter Boylan of the Honolulu Advertiser covers the case of a scientist who is accused of leaking sensitive defense technology to China, and who could end up facing a death penalty. Noshir S. Gowadia, a 62—year—old resident of Ha'iku, Maui,... More

November 10, 2006
NYT brags it selectively leaked NIE to help Dems
Tom Maguire of Just One Minute notes the New York Times bragging it leaked portions of the National Intelligence Estrimate at a critical time to help the Dems.  Although he notes that the leak was disingenuous: Unsurprisingly, the Times report was... More

November 10, 2006
Two Views On Immigration
One of the issues that is being debated following this week's Democratic victory in the 2006 midterm elections is whether Republican candidates were hurt by the perception that they are too "anti—immigrant."  This is the argument being made by Linda... More

November 10, 2006
Like a former high-performer
The GOP leadership is like the upper management guy who's been around a long time.  He did great things in the past —— broke sales records, came up with great ideas for the company's growth, etc.  He rose to a... More

November 10, 2006
The art of losing
Tuesday reminded me, grimly, of Vince Lombardi's  remark that, "You don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing"  And also of Elisabeth Bishop's poem "One Art."... More

November 10, 2006
The unconscious mind, the election, and paranoia
Dr. Bob Godwin of One Cosmos writes one of his trademark essays, moving back and forth among the psychoanalytic, the political, and the spiritual/cosmological levels of analysis. Because some of his terminology and his way of arguing are so unfamiliar... More

November 09, 2006
The VIPs hate Robert Gates
The oddly named Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), which played such a noxious role in the Plame matter, hate Robert Gates. My friend Fedora emails: Gates is one of VIPS' favorite targets. I expect to see Ray McGovern and/or... More

November 09, 2006
The most corrupt Congress ever
Odd how the media's flaying of overblown scandals has helped create a Congress that has real crooks and their associates in powerful positions. It is "most corrupt Congress ever" in Don Surber's words. Oh well, the Washington Post can now drop... More

November 09, 2006
The REAL Bob Casey
I know he is being called "Senator Nothing," but the Bob Casey that beat Rick Santorum was Something in Pennsylvania. I heard Rush Limbaugh say that the aging population in PA was one of the main reasons. I won't go... More

November 09, 2006
We're shocked, shocked
Two days after the mid—terms, the New York Times discovers that Democrats can be corrupt, too. Who knew? Ed Lasky   11 9 06 ... More

November 09, 2006
UN "celebrating" Dem victory?
The New York Sun's blog It Shines for All notices a certain item in the UN's Morning Headlines publication, in which the Democrats' victory is (to its eye) almost celebrated. Why is the U.N. commenting on member state elections?... More

November 09, 2006
Dead man winning
The voters of Union County in North Carolina, in their infinite wisdom, have elected a corpse. Okay, the position on the soil conservation board was not a headline—grabbing race. But, ahem, shouldn't the board of elections have, umm, noticed? From the... More

November 09, 2006
UK lawyer insists on wearing veil in court
The Telegraph reports on the case of  Shabnam Mughal, lawyer who appeared in immigration court dressed completely in black with a full—face covering leaving only her eyes visible. The judge, George Glossop, asked Miss Mughal on Monday if she would... More

November 09, 2006
Barone's assessment
Michael Barone's blog on US News& World Report's site is well worth reading. He notes that This election was conducted in something like an idea—free zone. Barone also list the very real accomplishments of the Republican Congress from 1994 to 2006 and notes that  ... More

November 09, 2006
The UN and Islam
Islam is a demanding religion, both for its adherents and for those who share the planet with them. It is quick to anger when non—believers in predominantly non—Muslim countries do something which offends Islamic sensitibilities. The imperative to struggle, violently... More

November 08, 2006
Takeover bid for Tribune Company?
Two Los Angeles billionaires are said to have made a bid to purchase the Tribune Company, publisher of many newspapers including the LA Times. Eli Broad, a philanthropist, and Ron Burkle, head of the investment firm Yucaipa Companies, submitted a "competitive... More

November 08, 2006
Rummy, a man
Donald Rumsfeld is taking the hit for the GOP losses in the midterms. The Bush White House is thereby retreating from a confrontation with the Pentagon bureaucracy, just as it retreated from a confrontation with the intelligence behemoth. My reading... More

November 08, 2006
The return of the moderate white Democrat - for now
Moderate white Democrat congressman almost became extinct after 1990, when Congressional districts were redrawn to maximize Black and Hispanic seats.  This year the Democrats wisely decided they could not win in suburban and rural districts with openly liberal candidates, and... More

November 08, 2006
In the name of embryonic stem cell research
Nic Fleming of the Telegraph reports that part—human, part—anumal creatures are heaed our way from a lab somewhere, and no science fiction writer is involved. All in the name of embryonic stem cell research. British scientists have applied for permission... More

November 08, 2006
The media party won by a hair
Can you imagine this election with an evenhanded media? The GOP would still be in control of Congress. Our foreign policy would still be robust, rather than maidenly. Our enemies abroad, like Ahmadinejad and Chirac, would not be having a... More

November 08, 2006
State level victories by Dems are important
The pain of defeat extends to the state level in too many states. I wonder how the Democratic wins at the state level will play out in terms of redistricting? An even more painful dynamic awaitrs us going forward. Recall... More

November 08, 2006
Election Day black op?
Remember reports of "widespread" voter complaints in Virginia, including the story that potential voters were threatened with arrest? Our contributor Noel Sheppard investigated the way the story broke, and Newsbusters today has his investigation. the media have been all over... More

November 08, 2006
Calling it in July: Santorum's Fate
Delusion must run deep in those surprised by yesterday's results. Back in July it was clear to me that calling the Democrats names while governing as liberals was not going to work this time around. The conservative base was, and... More

November 08, 2006
How bad is it?
Rick Moran writes a deeply pessimistic analysis at Rightwing Nuthouse: If there is one thing exit polls are good for, it is breaking down the vote by age, income, religion, ideology, and other important indices. Here's the bad news from... More

November 08, 2006
Liberal press discusses violence agains Palestinian women
They must not have gotten the memo. How did this article ever get published by the Associated Press and in printed in the Seattle Post—Intelligencer, no less? Stories of women being abused and raped in the Palestinian territories. And a woman Western... More

November 07, 2006
Arresting bombers might upset Muslims
Reuters has gone 'way beyond parody today with its headline, Danish Muslims say arrests hurt integration hopes. Try to keep a straight face: Just as Danes were breathing sighs of relief that the wounds caused by cartoons of the Prophet... More

November 07, 2006
FedEx absolutely, positively cancels Airbus A380
Federal Express, whose former slogan was the famous "When it absolutely, positively has to be there on time", has run out of patience with Airbus. The wait for delivery of its order for 10 A380s is over. Fedex cancelled, and just ordered... More

November 07, 2006
Rick Moran's House picks
Rick Moran analyzes the battle for the House and predicts a Democratic pickup of 18—23 seats at Rightwing Nuthouse. There is some interesting analysis, including a look at 13 seats written off to the Dems where he sees a GOP... More

November 07, 2006
Another Kerry Purple Heart? (a poem)
A question lurking in my brain Since last week's Turkey shoot; Do we honor Big John's bitter pain; From that big hole in his foot? After all he has a history Of injuries self—inflicted; And by now it's not a... More

November 07, 2006
Red Ken's cancelled caper
Aleksander Boyd of Vcrisis lives in London and is a leading critic of the regime of Hugo Chavez. London Mayor Ken Livingston has pursued a special relationship with Chavez, hosting him in London, and was planning a return visit to... More

November 07, 2006
The test of Australia's Muslims
Andrew Bolt of the Herald—Sun put it very well. Australia's Muslims were given a test. And they failed. Via Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch: It's the code of the tribe: the worst of us is better than the best of you.... More

November 07, 2006
Vegas unions new Dem primary season powerhouse
The Democrats are adjusting their schedule of primaries and caucuses in the season leading up to the 2008 presidential nominations. The Los Angeles Times reports, The Democratic National Committee, looking for more diverse voices in choosing the party's next presidential... More

November 07, 2006
Celebrating Saddam's death sentence in Iraq
Our contributor Rocco DiPippo is currently in Iraq. Writing at the The Autonomist, where he blogs, he posts pictures and a brief description of an impropmptu celebration he encountered, following the announcement of the verdict. Loft pronouncements about the death... More

November 07, 2006
Falsifying official records
A very serious line is about to be crossed, in which public records are to be falsified as a matter of policy. Of course, like most terrible ideas proposed as policy, this one is cloaked in the garb of compassion.... More

November 06, 2006
NYT writedown on Boston Globe?
Bloomberg reports that the New York Times Company says it is studying taking a writedown on its purchase of New England media properties, most prominently, the Boston Globe. One advantage of such a writedown is to get the bad news... More

November 06, 2006
Missing headlines: historic low unemployment
On the eve of a national election gloomers and doomers seem to have overlooked this wonderful historic news. It is not often that the nation's unemployment rate sinks to 4.4 percent. It did in 2001, when dotcom entrepreneurs were still writing... More

November 06, 2006
The Most Crucial Election in 50 Years?
  Midterm elections aren't often as important as this one. On Tuesday we are not electing a president, but we are  making an historic choice—  possibly a life—and—death choice. It is comparable to the election of Abraham Lincoln before the... More

November 06, 2006
More "stolen election" groundwork
The Boston Globe writes, " First, unless there are levels of theft and fraud that would truly mean the end of American democracy, a Democratic House seems as close to a sure thing as we ever get in American politics... More

November 06, 2006
Airbus update
As I predicted in earlier coverage of the management troubles at Airbus, the decision on producing a brand new model, the A350 XWB intended to compete with Boeing's 787, is proving difficult.  Engineering and financial resources are already pinched by... More

November 06, 2006
More media macaca exposed
It's hard to keep up with the media reported conventional wisdom that turns out to have been wrong. Remember the "Brutal Afghan Winter" Am I the only one who remembers consistent warnings of widespread violence that was sure to follow a... More

November 06, 2006
The Battle for the New York Times
Both the New York Times and its sister paper, the floundering Boston Globe, covered the emergence of a serious and powerful Wall Street foe girding for battle with the company over its two tier shareholding system, attempting to mobilize pressure... More

November 05, 2006
A voter name Abortion Alternative registered in Missouri
"Abortion Alternative" is one of the  hundreds if not thousands, of phony names registered in Curt Weldon's district, garnered by the union—sponsored ACORN operation and under investigation by the  District Attorney's Office. According to its Web site, ACORN is "the... More

November 05, 2006
A little gratitude would be nice
Jules Crittenden, city editor of the Boston Herald, speaks for many in Massachusetts when he writes of his taking "taking one for the team" when it comes to helping out the Republican Party. He means being represented by John Kerry... More

November 05, 2006
A premature election orgasm
As a scientist with thirty years of experience working with data just like election polls, I think the Left is having its victory orgasm way too soon. The pollsters are using the same assumptions since the famous Truman upset election... More

November 05, 2006
Polls changing
Something is going on, and a few races are closing fast.  Mason Dixon has Chafee ahead today by one point. This would be his first lead in months. Everybody has written this race off. I would hate to hold the... More

November 05, 2006
A perfect illustration
Don Surber captures a warrior culture versus caring culture moment. Eleanor Dachtler of Las Vegas lost a son in Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas H. Anderson two years ago. He was 18. Jimmy Carter's kid is running for the U.S.... More

November 04, 2006
Millions march against Chavez in Venezuela
Cindy Sheehan's and Code Pink's  favorite dictator is having a hrad time at home. A.M. Mora y Leon reports on Publius Pundit: This story might speak for itself through its photos — what looks like millions of people — have... More

November 04, 2006
Michael Ledeen responds to Vanity Fair piece
The Latest Disinformation from Vanity Fair [Michael Ledeen] My experience with Vanity Fair is even more extensive than David Frum's, having been the subject of a 30,000 word screed that ends with the author's bland confession "there is no evidence... More

November 04, 2006
Perle: Vanity (un)Fair
Vanity Fair has come out with its usual election eve hit job. This time it selectively quotes leading neocons on their views respecting the war, editing their lengthy remarks to suggest dissatisfaction with the Administration and the war. Michael Rubin... More

November 04, 2006
Getting serious about Iran
Arthur Herman, who wrote (among other books) the superb To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World has written an article "Getting Serious About Iran" for Commentary magazine that contemplates the potential of military action against... More

November 04, 2006
Now all the Arabs want nukes
The UK Times writes that Iran is setting off a nuclear arms race among Sunni Arab countries in the Middle East. If this is true, proliferation will soon explode across the Islamic world. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and smaller... More

November 04, 2006
How the Left is killing Britain
Eureferendum is an important website for vigorous critics of the poor equipment the British armed forces have been given in Iraq and Afghanistan. They make a good case that the mission there is being undermined, either by incompetence or on... More

November 04, 2006
Bill Clinton didn't botch this joke
Now Bill Clinton is joking about War on Terror. John Kerry is not the only Democrat joking about the war on terror these days.  News director Jon Gibson, KKNT—AM in Phoenix, played the audio tape of Bill Clinton speaking these words... More

November 04, 2006
Innocent victim maybe not so innocent
Jonathan Strong, of The Strong Conservative, is on the case of Maher Arar, who portrayed himself  an innocent victim of an over—zealous intelligence investigation by the FBI, CIA, CSIS, and RCMP, a charge eagerly trumpeted by the Canadian and American media. Arar... More

November 03, 2006
NYT minimal correction
The New York Times responds to Kate Zernicke's outright fabrication of what John Kerry actually said at Pasadena City College. A Political Memo article yesterday about the fallout for Senator John Kerry over what he called a 'botched joke' referred... More

November 03, 2006
Amir Taheri on regimechange in Iran
Amir Taheri, a noted expert on Iranian affairs, has written a superb article for Commentary magazine regarding the possibilities of regime change in Iran. He is skeptical toward those who have called for engagement with the regime. Historically, when diplomatic... More

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