Post-CPAC

CPAC was the first on-site TAM operation. Going in I didn't know what to expect. I actually did some preparation, but that was wasted in the first few hours. What I did expect was the unexpected.

Let's face it, there wasn't a whole lot of news breaking at CPAC. Both Karl Rove and Vice President Dick Cheney didn't say anything new in their addresses to their conservative supporters. The panels were informative for someone just getting acquainted with issues like new media, stem cell research, and social security reform. For a person like me who's knee-deep in current events and politics this wasn't new stuff. I could have sat in the auditorium (if there was enough room) and filed posts on who said what about whatever, but I would have been bored to tears.

The first rule of TAM is I write about whatever I find interesting. It's up to my readers to decide if I'm either entertaining or informative. It's just like good talk radio yappers. Some talk to lots of people getting scoops to broadcast on their shows. Others just open up the newspaper and comment on stories and op-ed pieces. Some do interviews and have guests while others go it alone. Some focus primarily on politics while others mix it up with sports, entertainment, or cultural issues. I write about political economy broadly defined, but I'll go off on the media, sports, books, and music. I find what I write about almost solely by commenting on MSM stories or other weblogger's posts. I don't report and have never claimed to be a reporter. Once in a blue moon I will do something that slightly resembles what a reporter does--my Dan Flynn interview for example--but I have to write posts about what I'm interested in. Doing straight reporting would wear me out. TAM would suffer if not die. The whole point of this hobby is to force me to write everyday. I mentioned that important word, "hobby." Since I write just to inform/entertain/amuse my readers I don't feel obligated to always offer something hard-hitting or insightful. If someone was paying me I would have taken my time a little more seriously. I would have been duty bound. Of course, if someone was paying me just to do what I do--what freedom--then I would have taken the nonchalant attitude I had.

CPAC was primarily a convention for conservatives. It was an opportunity for people across the country to meet each other, swap stories and ideas, and collaborate on how to improve the movement. The speakers and panels were there to inform, but the more interesting stuff was who was talking to whom about what. In those kind of settings confidences have to be maintained. There may be things I overheard or was told that I can't tell my readers. That would be a breach of trust and harmful to my credibility. In that way I'm similar to MSM reporters and pundits who know far more about stories and issues than they scribble for their readers.

I hope CPAC wasn't thinking they were bringing webloggers to replace the MSM in covering the event. If they really thought news about the conference was inaccurate they could have saved the money from setting up Bloggers Corner and put that into live streaming of speakers and panels over the internet. Anyone interested in what was going on onstage could watch in the comfort of their own home. TAM isn't C-SPAN. If that's what some readers thought they were going to read, they were dissappointed.

If CPAC organizers really wanted webloggers to cover the event they could have helped us snag interviews. A few people wandered by Bloggers Corner, but no big names. It's great CPAC thought enough to invite webloggers, but they should have helped us a little. Few of us had any experience as reporters. It was on day two that I learned there was a media room some speakers entered after giving a speech or doing a panel. When Bob Cox donned a reporter's cap he was razzed by Pat Buchanan for being a weblogger. Like anything, we learn. If I'm lucky enough to go again I might put together a better battleplan.

I think CPAC let the webloggers run loose was to have them connect with conservative activists who see weblogs as a powerful tool. In three days about half a dozen people came to Bloggers Corner and asked me what a weblog was. After I gave them a brief explanation and showed them TAM they could see this was more than a fad. PR people and savvy activists were buttering up the webloggers, handing out business cards, and talking to them about how each individual could best be approached. Weblogging is a new means for getting out conservative messages.

At the webloggers breakfast with the SwiftVets the room was packed with PR people. They were all sizing up the webloggers because they knew from experience with the SwiftVets campaign that weblogs move stories the MSM poo-poos. The next day in my mailbox I was getting stuff about an issue they were working on.

To sum it up, CPAC was more about building connections than the speakers onstage. Activists who only see each other once a year at the conference can meet and strategize, and now they can also meet with pioneers of a new media to advance their cause.

[Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

February 27, 2005

Who's Hotter?--Blogosphere Edition

At CPAC when Cam Edwards showed me the picture of his weblogging cohort I knew what I had to do. So I ask for your judgement. Who's hotter

Farrah

or...

Michele?

UPDATE: Brian J. had the best answer: "Yes."

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 11:22 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Ick

Some things are better left unmentioned. [via Galley Slaves]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 11:05 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Post-Oscar Recap

I'm shocked the Oscars ended by 11:00 CST. Here's what you need to know: some movie you didn't watch won for best picture; some actors won for performances you didn't see; and The Incredibles won.

As for Alien vs. Predator it wasn't pathetic bad. It wasn't great though. For a movie starring aliens and predators there were too many humans in it.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture at 11:01 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Countering Churchill's Hate

Bob Trapp offers this information on a counter-demonstration at Tuesday's Ward Churchill event:

RALLY TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF 9-11

Walworth GOP Chairman Tyler August forwarded this information to me.

The Whitewater College Republicans are holding a rally to support the victims of 9-11, as a more positive way of protesting the expected appearance of radical leftist professor Ward Churchill at the Whitewater campus next Tuesday, March 1st.

When? Tuesday March 1st.

Where? Rally participants are meeting at the south end of Wyman Mall (below the flag pole); University of Whitewater campus, Whitewater, WI, which is located next to Anderson Library, located directly on US Highway 12 in downtown Whitewater

Time? 6pm- Rally with State Reps. Steve Nass and Robin Vos and RPWC Chairman Tyler August

6:45 pm (approximate) Candlelight vigil-walk from Wyman Mall to Hamilton Center

Sponsors: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College Republicans

Sounds good. Being positive will be a refreshing change to Churchill's venomous bile. I hope to be there taking pictures and getting reaction.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 08:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Oscar, Schmoscar

There will be no liveblogging of the Oscars at TAM. That awards show takes the cake for being long and drawn out. I don't care who's wearing what dress by whatever designer. I don't care who thanks who after winning whatever award. I'll just be watching the wires to find out who won. Since I've seen none of the nominees for best picture I have no one to root for.

Just to be anti-Oscar, I'm going to rent Alien vs. Predator, and "waste" my time watching monsters kill each other.

For those who care about the Oscars Michele threatening to liveblog it while Ann Althouse is doing it. Ann spotted the first radical chic moment when Carlos Santana showed off his Che Guevera t-shirt. Better them than me. I think she should just stick to cooking. Michele, when are you going to invite me to dinner?

"Fun and Games With Oscar"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture at 06:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Obligatory Namrata Link

I have no reason for linking to this other than Namrata is so damn hot.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 03:46 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Syria Feeling the Pressure

Syria turns over Saddam's half-brother. Hmm... This news definitely gives ammunition to those who think Saddam's WMD were moved to Syria. More importantly this is a sign Syria is feeling the pressure. Those Baathists must think they're in President Bush's crosshairs. I wonder how ally Iran thinks about Syria caving so easily.

"Syria Hands Saddam's Half-Brother to Iraq"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in War at 03:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Anti-American Arrives Tuesday

Tuesday, Ward Churchill is coming to UW-Whitewater. I'm trying to get organized with my fellow BBA members and readers.

"Preparing for Churchill"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:25 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 26, 2005

I Don't Buy It

Fred Durst isn't hate hackers even though one of them stole a sex video from his home computer. He actually said this is "causing awareness for homeland security."

To me this just reeks of a publicity stunt. If that was Durst's plan it's working.

"Fred Durst Says: My Cellphone was Not Hacked"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 01:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Beyond "Compassionate Conservatism"

If Myron Magnet is correct "compassionate conservatism" is only a different method of statism. In no way is it a reduction in the role of government. He writes,

Implicit in compassionate conservatism was the epochal paradigm shift that is now all but explicit. Taken together, compassionate conservatism's elements added up to a sweeping rejection of liberal orthodoxy about how to help the poor, which a half century's worth of experience had discredited. If you want to help the poor, compassionate conservatives argued, liberate them from dependency through welfare reform; free their communities from criminal anarchy through activist policing; give them the education they need to succeed in a modern economy by holding their schools accountable; and let them enjoy the rewards of work by taxing their modest wages lightly--or not at all.

For the worst-off--those hampered by addiction or alcohol or faulty socialization--let the government pay private organizations, especially religious ones, to help. Such people need a change of heart to solve their problems, the president himself deeply believed; and while a clergyman or a therapist might help them, a bureaucrat couldn't.

The question of if it's even the federal government's role to meddle in welfare, local policing, education, and addiction is not asked by compassionate conservatives. To an extent the debate is over. The public has demonstrated a desire for the welfare state just more effective. Ten years ago the public was turned off when the Gingrich revolution threatened to shut down the Department of Education. Political beatings like that showed Republicans that the public has little desire to really cut federal spending.

Magnet writes that President Bush's Social Security plan is consistent with compassionate conservatism. What he proposes is a forced savings plan. The hand of government isn't lessened by lowering payroll taxes. No, the government just will allow you a choice of how you want your Social Security "contribution" invested. Granted, individuals have more opportunity, but they don't gain any more freedom.

Politicians' role is to get legislation passed and to get re-elected. Hence, they have to go with the flow of public opinion as much as lead. Classical liberals and small government conservatives like myself can hem and haw all we want about weak-kneed pols and RINOs. But should we be surprised that after feeling the public's pulse well enough to get elected they switch gears to oppose public feeling?

The Right has created a marvelous set of institutions to advance the cause in government. But it's only done part of the job. Instead of the relentless analysis of legislation in Washington, D.C. and state capitols we need an campaign to teach the public a love for liberty and limited government. We need to instill into our fellow men and women that private property is the key to economic dynamism; that government programs my help some the taxes used to fund them lessen individual's ability to solve their own problems; that a bureaucrat in Washington had neither the knowledge nor the information to educate a child a thousand miles away.

Let me state that because of present political realities I support much of what the President is advancing. His ideas take the nation closer to the state our Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote the constitution. Compassionate conservatism is not the end; it's only one step toward the much smaller state I hope to see the U.S. return to.

"The War on the War on Poverty"

[Added to Wizbang's Automated Linkfest.]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 12:22 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

February 25, 2005

I Did It All for the Publicity

How convenient. A washed up rock star has a porno tape put on the internet. Even better it gets tied into Paris Hilton's hacked Sidekick. Call me cynical, but I think Fred Durst did this for a little more than nookie.

"He Did It All for the Nookie"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 10:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Tasteless

Combining sweets with death is sick. But when it's "just a clump of cells" it's an event.

"Death by Chocolate"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture of Death at 07:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Cruelty

Why someone like Hunter S. Thompson gives into his demons now after fending them off for decades is a mystery. What we do know is his last moment was very cruel to his wife.

"Thompson Shot Himself While on Phone with Wife"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 07:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Inevitable

Terri Schiavo's Long March continues with a judge ruling her feeding tube can be removed 03.18. That gives Terri's family three weeks to put together one last legal defense.

I haven't posted anything until now on this permutation of the story. With the Florida legislature not being able to stop Terri's husband from starving her to death my hope disappeared. In a way it's good that still in America a loud group, maybe even a majority, can't infringe on a family. However, Terri's case is an awful demonstration of that sanctity.

If Terri's feeding tube is removed in three weeks that's not the end. She begins a long, agonzing path toward death. It'd be better for her suffering if her husband would just put a bullet in her--not that I'd support that either. A dying puppy would suffer less. If we did to an animal what Michael Schiavo wants to do to her wife PETA and (unfortunately) more of the public would cry out.

Unlike Terri's parents I don't think she'll ever get better. Still, that doesn't mean she has to die. It doesn't mean she can't still give and receive love.

"Man Cleared to Remove Wife's Feeding Tube"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture of Death at 05:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

February 24, 2005

"Picture of Chaos"

After listening to the BBA's favorite Journal Sentinel reporter Greg Borowski (go buy his book) on Charlie Sykes' show this morning we're at an impasse in the voter fraud story. the fed-city joint investigation is preventing reporters and weblogger from looking at voting records. Also the Elections Commission ran the election so badly it will be very hard to disern fraud from poor record keeping. Borowski told Charlie that a "picture of chaos emerged in the final days" at City Hall. Absentee ballot requests weren't filled and a bunch of union workers, staff from Gov. Doyle, and even Mayor Tom Barrett's family had to pitch in to get process thousands of voter registration cards.

Rep. Jeff Stone is exactly right when he told Charlie, "We have a system designed to allow for fraud to occur and for tremendous error." We see the error, we just don't know how much fraud occured.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:25 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

WTF

James Joyner and some weblog called The Bones of Contention link to a weblog so foul I won't even give you its name. The premise seems to be to toss as many f-bombs as possible while ripping on public figures.

To use Kevin's term WTF.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 01:05 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Apple and TiVo Sitting in a Tree

Apple buying TiVo? I wouldn't complain. I love, I mean LOVE, my TiVo. I love, I mean LOVE, my iPod. I don't want to go all Mac computing-wise--I would love to play with one of these little puppies--but I'll back anything that keeps my revolutionary tv device running.

"Why Would Apple Even Want TiVo?" [via Gizmodo]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Tech at 12:15 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

TABOR Debate

I'm listening to the TABOR debate on Charlie Sykes' "Insight 2005." This is great, informative talk on what TABOR is, why it's needed, and how we got in

State Assembly Speaker John Gard is a passionate, very smart speaker. I'm glad he's fighting for TABOR and not distracted by running for governor. By comparing Wisconsin's tax burden to that of growing countries like China and Ireland puts the issue in a global economic context.

Opponents of TABOR have been defending their side very well. State Rep. John Richards offered the rebuttal that controling government spending is the role of legislators and government officals. If voters have a problem with spending they should vote new people into office. This is a simple, seemingly common sense comeback. However, it doesn't explain why why Wisconsin government spending has been increasing for decades, nor does it include any public choice thinking involving the power of special interests.

For someone like me who doesn't have an in-depth knowledge of TABOR (that's why I've written little on it) this is a bonanza to learn more about the idea and arguments against it.

Bravo, Charlie for putting together a great event.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 10:55 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Must Listen

Charlie Sykes has a great line up for his "Insight 2005" show this morning. I do see something missing: where are the webloggers? One member of the BBA--I'd nominate Owen--could have yapped with Rep. Jeff Stone and Greg Borowski about voter fraud. Still, this is must listen radio.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 02:17 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Good Riddance

Randy Moss is off to Oakland. Good. Get that trash out of the NFC Central. It's good even though it looks like the Vikings are improving their defense which is bad for my Packers. I don't care. I don't need to be insulted by him anymore.

"Agent: Vikings to Deal Moss to Raiders" [via SportsBlog]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Sports at 02:06 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

February 23, 2005

Still Working on It

Ugh! How can I call myself an economist (amatuer that is) when I still can grasp this stuff about Social Security transition costs. Want to embarass me more ask me about foreign exchange rates.

"There's No Free Lunch"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 01:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

When a Cut Isn't a Cut

Awesome post by Owen showing the "evil" state Republicans aren't really gutting public education like Gov. Doyle is claiming.

"Doing the Math"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Lileks: Radio God

When living in the Twin Cities (I called it "The Cities" like any Minnesotan) I found James Lileks on KSTP. I don't remember if he was only on Saturday nights or if he also did weeknights. That's not important. What is important is I knew quickly I was listening to the funniest man I ever heard on radio. He had such deadpan, and Lilkes made funny yet obvious points. Hooray for me and for everyone on the net. Lileks has reopened the diner.

[via VodkaPundit]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture at 01:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

High Praise

Tom Wolfe has declared Hunter S. Thompson "the [20th] century's greatest comic writer in the English language."

"As Gonzo in Life as in His Work"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 12:45 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Voter ID Politics

The voter ID bill is almost one-third of the way to becoming law. The State Assembly will vote on the bill Thursday after Democrats got the vote delayed. The bill will then go to a State Senate committee which will hold public hearings across the state. The toughest part is trying to convince Gov. Doyle not to veto the bill. Republicans will have to decide what political maneuvers to use to get this bill signed. The GOP could hold up something important to Doyle. It could be part of the budget/tax freeze negotiations. At worst, Doyle vetoes the bill and gives Scott Walker and/or Mark Green another popular issue to use against the Democratic incumbant.

"Late-Night Move Stalls Voter ID Measure"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Libertarian Girl, Redux?

Abigail's Magic Garden appears to be just a brand-new Lefty weblog. However, this has Libertarian Girl written all over it. Most obviously, "Abigail's" picture looks a little too professional. It screams "Russian mail-order bride." Second, she lists her interests as "politics, working out, museums, helping the less fortunate." Not one mention of pop culture. No one wanting to write a weblog is that lame. Third, why would a liberal weblogger put TAM on her blogroll along with Matt Yglesias, Kos, and Kevin Drum?

But what's convinced me is the Gender Genie. I put this post into the contraption, and it popped out a female score of 454 but a male score of 807. I then put in a series of posts (avoiding quotes from other websites). I got a female score of 1482 but a male score of 2195. So, Gender Genie thinks Abigail is really Gaylord.

I wonder if the person or persons behind "Abigail" are also behind Sigmund, Carl, and Alfred. Either they're in cahoots, or they're easily fooled. As for the comments on the S,C,&A post, they're either ironically playing along or oblivious to the obvious.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 12:02 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

February 22, 2005

Fizzy Thinking

Milwaukee might have an official soda. You could say it already does: barley pop. The city council is considering taking offers from soda companies. San Diego got $6.6 million from Pepsi. This could be a good idea for taxpayers. The new soda money could replace taxdollars, but that would require the government to not spend more. Also, Milwaukee already has a fine soda company, Sprecher. The fizzy stuff they make is so much better than Coke, Pepsi, even R.C.

"Milwaukee Will Consider Adopting Official Soft Drink"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 10:09 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Yeah!

Helen Reynolds, the "Instawife," is home. No thanks to paper work. Nothing but best wishes from TAM.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 08:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

S.S. Myth

Some economists including Nobel Prize winner Edward Prescott consider any transition costs for Social Security reform to be a myth. I'm in a hurry to get out the door so I can't decide if they're right or wrong. I'll leave it up to my readers to discuss.

"Social Security 'Transition Costs' a Myth, Say Economists"

[Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 06:20 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Clash of the Titans

Oliver Willis vs. Patrick Ruffini in a no-holds barred edition of C-SPAN's Washington Journal.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 12:09 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 21, 2005

Hospital Safety and Comfort

Glenn Reynolds' wife is doing well in the hospital. That's good news. She's also antsy which is good news too.

Glenn wondered why more thought hasn't been put into making hospitals more comfortable. For a long time people accepted thousands of deaths a year due to "preventable medical errors." A hospital being built near me is trying to fix that by designing each patient room with the exact same layout. That way doctors and nurses know where everything is in each room. That sounds good and may save lives. But hopefully doctors and designers will really look at making hospitals more soothing and relaxing for patients and their families. Let's start sending hospital administrators copies of Virginia Postrel's The Substance of Style.

"A Blueprint for Patient Safety"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 11:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

"4 More Years"

4 More Years ain't no JibJab. Hell, it ain't even funny. But Bush basher Dean Friedman got a link.

You're welcome Dean. Now, go sing to those Kossacks.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture at 10:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

A High Price to Pay

Strangely, I've read few comments on the NY Times' purchase of About.com. Here's a negative post by John Ellis:

In fact, the deal is an embarrassment of overpayment and reveals a kind of strategic ennui. The "metro" strategy of marketing the newspaper has failed. The television strategy has failed. The great Internet opportunity of 2000-2001 has long since passed (the NYT company could have acquired Yahoo! for a relative song in 2001). Having failed to even comprehend the turbo-dynamics of Blogger, the NYT Company now throws $410 million at 500 weblogs.

If the Times is still in the mood I'll begin negotiations at a paltry $500,000.

"500 Weblogs" [via Instapundit]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 06:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

CBGB's Priced Out of Market

The legendary New York City club/hole in the wall may close to due rising rent. CBGB's might be the victim of its own success. By being the birthplace of American punk music its hipness made it a desirable location. Thus rents rose. Now, the owner is paying $40,000 a month in rent. Unfortunately that's economic dynamism in action. Sometime in the future we'll find out about another club in a dank, dark part of some city that will makes its mark on music. Then we'll watch this dynamic happen again.

"Heebie-Jeebies"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 06:26 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 20, 2005

Fund-Quiddick: It's Over

Kevin McCullough has posted some corespondents with John Fund. Fund apologized so I'm done with it. He happened to be the target of a slow news day at CPAC.

Let me state that John Fund's work has been great for conservatives. He's been as out front as any member of the MSM on voter fraud. He made a mistake then fessed up. All is well in this corner of the blogosphere.

"24 Hours Later - Fund Responds...(as do I)"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 10:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Hunter S. Thompton, R.I.P.

Just from reading interviews and some of his writings I knew there was plenty of "fear and loathing" in Hunter S. Thompson. I'm sad but not surprised he killed himself. He was probably surprised he lived as long as he did.

Godspeed, Hunter.

"Author Hunter S. Thompson Kills Himself"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 10:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Questioning the War

Matt Margolis interviewed Dan Flynn author of Intellectual Morons. He spoke for a while about his criticisms of the Iraq War.

Also check out my interview with him.

"CPAC 2005: Dan Flynn Interview"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 09:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Soda and Candy

Here's two quick reviews on 7Up Plus and Reese's cookies:

• 7Up Plus is Cherry 7Up with a new label. Somewhere in a wherehouse hidden in some red state are millions of bottles of unsold Cherry 7Up. The company thought it would be a good idea to slap on a new label and try selling it again. It's pink and tastes like the old soda. A light, not-too-sweet, slightly tart flavor tickles your tongue. The supposed nutrional benefits from the added fruit juice, calcium, and vitamin C mean zilch to me.

• The Reese's cookies looked like the Thin Mints you can buy from the local Girl Scout troop. It tasted like how I'd expect: crunchy chocolate wafer, smooth peanut butter, and smothered in chocolate. They're nice change of pace when getting my peanut butter/chocolate fix.
  

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in New Stuff at 11:24 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Conservative Splits but Still Has Big Mo

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Craig Gilbert wandered around CPAC and wrote about the rifts in the conservative movement that may play a significant role in who the GOP nominates in 2008. An example is Karl Rove's view of Bushism that has set the stage for a generation of GOP dominance versus Pat Buchanan's America-as-empire. He's right to an extent. Many streams flow into conservatism's bay. In the 60s Frank Meyer's "fusionism" glued traditionalists, libertarians, and anti-communists together. Ronald Reagan continued to bind the groups together with his tough stance opposing the Soviets and cutting taxes. Today, President Bush holds the movement together by fighting the Islamist War and publiclly displaying his morality.

What's missing from Gilbert's analysis is electoral momentum. That's on the Right's side. Since 1994, on the national stage the Democrats have only won (1996 Presidential election and 1998 Congressional races) when Bill Clinton was the national question. With every Presidential and Congressional loss the loud, screaming Kos-like/Deaniac voices become more dominant. That anger and frustration at the winning Republicans turns into anger toward the country that keeps on handing them power. Electing Howard Dean, M.D. as DNC chairman proves to me they're still seething. It's still public catharsis instead of serious introspection. If Virginia Postrel is right that "the party that hates America loses" expect continued Democratic defeats.

"Battles Likely as GOP Plots Its Post-Bush Course"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 12:34 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

February 19, 2005

Salon's CPAC Spew

In Michelle Goldberg's mind CPAC attendees are brainless fascist zombies:

Like comrades celebrating the success of Mao's Great Leap Forward, attendees at CPAC, the oldest and largest right-wing conference in the country, invest their leaders with the power to defy mere reality through force of insistent rhetoric. The triumphant recent election is all the proof they need that everything George W. Bush says is true. Sure, there's skepticism of the president's wonder-working power among some of the old movement hands -- including the leaders of the American Conservative Union, which puts CPAC on. For much of the rank and file, though, the thousands of blue-blazered students and local activists who come to CPAC each year to celebrate the völkisch virtues of nationalism, capitalism and heterosexuality, Bush is truth. They don rhinestone W brooches and buy mouse pads, posters and T-shirts showing the president as a kind of beefcake Uncle Sam, with flowing white hair and bulging muscles threatening to rend his red, white and blue garments.

"Among the Believers"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 10:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Congressional "No Customer Service"

Mary Eileen is having trouble with Rep. Sensenbrenner's office on getting details about a bill that just passed the House. A staffer in the office told her not to post about the issue until she got a letter from the Congressman two weeks from now. I know little about the bill so I'm hoping TAM readers can help.

"Concerns about "Real ID" Bill"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 09:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

What the "C" in CPAC Really Stands For

If Wonkette did any posting on the weekend she might love Erick's trip to a drugstore.

"Sex at CPAC"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 09:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Takin' It Easy

It's 9:00 EST, and I'm tucked away in my hotel room. Instead of going out for the third night in a row (haven't done that in a long time) I got some food and am being a hermit. I've gotten only a few hours of sleep the past few nights--webloggers could yap until they dropped from exhaustion--and my plane leaves tomorrow morning. So I got some food from a store a block away and am lazily watching college basketball (UWM is beating Hawaii) and posting.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 08:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Fund-Quiddick Gets Technical

Kevin McCullough goes off on John Fund for having little respect for other's property. Kevin sees it as a skirmish in the weblogger/MSM war. Like Radley Balko, I see it as the actions of a rude, arrogant man. A political activist like Grover Norquist could have done what Fund did. [Note: Norquist stopped by Bloggers Corner and wasn't rude at all. Heck, Radley asked him some questions.] Or Fund could have did what he did to a college kid who came to CPAC armed with a computer. [Which makes me wonder if maybe he did jump on someone else's computer. Obviously Fund didn't have one with him today. If anyone saw Fund on a computer not on Internet Row or Bloggers Corner e-mail me or leave a comment. Photos would be really great.]

Not only is John Fund obnoxious he's sloppy too. Kevin points out Fund carelessly left Bob Cox's computer connected to the Wall Street Journal's servers. We could have browsed through his e-mail or done who-knows-what to the servers themselves. Leaving your company's computers open like that is very irresponsible. I hope the IT head of the WSJ kindly tells Fund to be much more careful.

"Bloggers Abused Twice - FUND STRIKES AGAIN..."

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in CPAC 2005 at 07:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Fund-quiddick II

I'm pretty sure John Fund hasn't read any of the posts ripping on him because he's at it again. He just sat down at Robert Cox's computer when he was away and started typing.

UPDATE: John Fund should just stick to getting people to talk. He teased Ace by telling him "Newt Gingrich is running for President in 2008." Fund's good for something.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Media at 03:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Past Her Prime

Poor Tamar Jacoby. On the immi