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--Erick Erickson
"Bush campaign should hire The American Mind for the oppo research team."
--Punchthebag
Sean Hackbarth's The American Mind is a good weblog." --Glenn Reynolds
"It’s good enough that I can forgive Sean’s Packers fandom. Almost."
--Steve Silver
E-Mail:
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URL: http://www.theamericanmind.com
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Browse by Category
Favorite Political Websites
Sad Truths
Growing Economy Needs More Not Less Energy
Fatigue
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Leading for a Change
Let Off Easy
ChiComs Have Gone Too Far
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Drezner's Tongue in Cheek
Giving Up the Tickets
Protect All Legitimate DVD Users
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April 30, 2005
Most Overrated Album
According to Michele's readers it's Elephant by The White Stripes. I can't say much about it. I can only hum "Seven Nation Army" and don't know any other songs. I never got into the whole garage band scene. Thanks to all of you who voted for Nirvana's Nevermind. You tried.
"Overrated Albums: Poll Winner"
Favorite Political Websites
John Hawkins asks and I answer. If I could only read 20 political websites here's what they would be (in no particular order):
- Instapundit
- Captain's Quarters
- Drudge Report
- National Review Online
- Charlie Sykes
- Boots & Sabers
- Hugh Hewitt
- Redstate
- Dean's World
- Lakeshore Laments
- Michelle Malkin
- Outside the Beltway
- Professor Bainbridge
- Wizbang
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- The Weekly Standard
- Fox News
- WisPolitics.com
- Washington Post
- Washington Times
UPDATE: How could I forget Patrick's My View of the World? Well, it's on here now.
Sad Truths
Jimmie at The Sundries Shack is not pleased with President Bush's remarks about Social Security:
So instead of an egalitarian system where you get back what you contribute plus some interest on your “contribution", we’re going to have a system where the rich again subsidize the poor? Instead of the regular old Ponzi Scheme, we’re going to get a Ponzi Scheme that redistributes wealth, too?Ho-ookay. That sounds great, doesn’t it?
Further, from what I can see, folks in my age bracket are still hosed because the money we’ve been contributing all our lives still won’t be there when we hit retirement age. Even if it is, it’ll give me a return that’s less than if I stuck it in the average bank CD.
Did I mention that personal savings accounts look like they’re completely and utterly dead?
Man, how could I not be in favor of a plan that takes the same amount of money from me it always has, promises me no better return than the most rudimentary investment plan if I actually see any of my money at all, and guarantees to penalize me more the better I do financially in life.
Sign me up right away?
Look, I am not an accountant. I’m just an average American who sees 12 percent of his paycheck Hoovered away and used to finance the rest of the government (and I’m already losing a good hunk of change to finance that). My President has campaigned twice on the promise that he will reform the system and make it better. He’s promised to work hard to give me some control over some small pittance of the money the government already takes from me because, let’s face it, the government sucks as an investment banker.
So far he’s gone back on both of those promises. And I’m pissed.
The sad truth is the government needs Jimmies' and my, and other American's Social Security "contributions" to pay for current retirees. That's what's meant by Pay As You Go (PAYGO). It's the reason Bush only talked about allowing younger workers the option (never mandatory, only voluntary) of putting a portion of one's SS contribution into a personal account. Money would still be needed to pay current and future retirees.
Younger workers like Jimmie and myself are stuck with a system that claims to be a retirement plan* but is really an intergenerational welfare program. That's what it was set up to do, and that's what it is still today.
Jimmie goes on ranting:
You know something? I don’t want any more of my money going to prop up a lifetime of someone else’s stupid financial decisions. I don’t expect any of you to do that for me. I’m sick and tired of hearing how people need Social Security because that check is all they have. I need that money, too. I have rent, car insurance, and utility bills I need to pay and I have some small hope of building my own little nest egg so I’m not one of the people who my children are going to have to support in 40 years. If other people have frittered away a lifetime of savings, tough on ‘em.
I feel his pain. Years ago, I participated in a SS discussion session put on by the Pew Charitable Trust. It was full of ordinary people like myself to discuss how to make SS better. I volunteered to give up all my SS "contributions" and any future claim on them in exchange for a personal account. No one in my group would let me. They thought that someday if I failed to properly fund my retirement I'd come crawling to the government for help. They had no faith that I would take responsiblity for my success or failure. They assumed I'd demand government (i.e. taxpayers') help because that's what everyone does. These people weren't policy wonks. They were just ordinary, concerned citizens. Such cynicism towards a fellow American yearning to be free might be the biggest obstacle facing President Bush. And I don't think he even realizes it.
"So It’s Now a Wealth-Redistributing Ponzi Scheme?"
*James Buchanan wrote (paragraph 40) that SS is accepted because the public is led to believe individual contributions fund one's own retirement instead of current retirees. He dubs this "an illusion of the Puviani sort."
April 29, 2005
Growing Economy Needs More Not Less Energy
In his primetime news conference President Bush said energy prices could go down by helping "growing energy-consumers overseas, like China and India, apply new technologies to use energy more efficiently and reduce global demand of fossil fuels." Efficency only goes so far, but it should certainly help developing economies like China and India. What will encourage efficency even more are rising energy costs. Rising prices tells energy users that they need to economize. The process won't be quick, and it may be painful. Feel the pain of someone who bought a gaz-guzzling SUV just before gas prices shot up.
But the UPI headline is misleading. Bush never called for reducing global energy demand. Saying something like that would be foolish. Man has insatiable desires. Economies organize resources to satisfy those desires. Economies grow when more and more desires are met. Energy is one resource that is needed for growing economies. Effectively using wasted energy is useful, but there comes a point (whether one runs into the laws of physics or diminishing marginal returns) where energy conservation isn't useful and more energy has to be produced. In a free market rising energy prices are a signal that there is a profit opportunity for new energy producers.
Why aren't more energy producers getting into the act? Well, stringent environmental zealots, Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) protesters, and untold numbers of twisted governmental subsidies, regulations, and disincentives block entrepreneurs' attempts to build more nuclear plants, coal-burning plants, and even alternative energy producers.
It's sad to say, but I think it will take $5/gallon gas and/or multiple regional blackouts like the one that hit the eastern part of the U.S. a few years ago before some people really get serious about increasing U.S. energy production.
"Bush Wants Lowered Global Energy Demand"
Fatigue
Rick at Stones Cry Out writes about "blog fatigue" and how he solved his:
I'll admit that the current SCO format is largely the result of blog fatigue. I appreciate many things about the new SCO and my partners, but most of all, I appreciate the fact that blogging is more enjoyable without all the pressure to perform daily. We're all very busy guys, and although there is still a bit of pressure to keep insightful content on the page for our readers, for me, the pressure is nothing in comparison to what it was a few months ago. I can focus on family, work, and school, and still blog. That's fantastic!Rather than asking yourself if blogging is something you really want to be doing, perhaps ask yourself if blogging the way you are currently blogging is really something you want to be doing. I like the group blog model and although it's not for everyone, perhaps it is a happy medium between stressing out and giving up. It worked for me.
Like any weblogger frustration has hit me. It used to really hit me a few years ago when new weblogs were popping onto the scene and immediately getting oodles of visitors. Instant success came to them while struggled. It hurt more knowing I was into this weblogging thing long before some hot writers ever heard of the medium. Increased attention to TAM pushed that frustration away. I think TAM is almost at a point of critical mass. (So go tell your friends to read TAM and put it on your blogrolls just to make sure.) Being on the cusp invigorates me and give me no reason to stop now.
The whole purpose of TAM is to force me to make me write daily. I have succeeded. Since I like to write it makes sense to allow myself to be read. In an ideal world someone would pay me to write articles, books, weblog posts, etc. Until then, TAM is the center of my writing enterprise. No fatigue seen on the horizon.
"Blog Fatigue"
April 28, 2005
Numbers Game
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is accused of puffing up their circulation numbers for nine years in a lawsuit filed today. Shorewest Realtors is seeking class action status and says they have evidence of fraud from current and former newspaper employees. What also has to be pointed out that the paper has recently fired managers in the circulation and marketing areas. Where there's smoke there might be fire.
"Realty Company Sues Journal Sentinel" [via My View of the World]
Leading for a Change
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is actually doing something productive for the conservative cause:
Frist, the Senate majority leader, said he would "guarantee" up to 100 hours to debate any nominee to the appeals courts or U.S. Supreme Court. But Frist also said he would require that they all get a confirmation vote, meaning filibusters against these candidates would be banned."It may not be a perfect proposal for either side, but it's the right proposal for America," said Frist as he stood in the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, called the proposal a "big wet kiss to the far right," which has pushed to ban judicial filibusters and get more conservatives on the bench.
Yet Reid promised to study the multifaceted offer as Democrats and Republicans seek to find common ground and avoid what could be a nasty fight.
Hopefully Frist has told Reid this is the best deal he's going to get. If Democrats don't go along Senate rules will simply be changed. 100 hours of debate is a long time. With the slow pace of the Senate that could be weeks or months. That's plenty of time for an opposition to make its case to the American people. Heck, there hasn't been any debate on the John Bolton nomination and it was close to going down.
Who are more important than Reid are the squishy Republicans Frist hasn't been able to keep in line. The Democrats won't go for any deal if they know a few Republicans are around to trash it.
"Republican Leader Offers Compromise on Judges"
Let Off Easy
The Appleton Post-Crescent has a little more on Sharon Rosenfeld giving up her Packers tickets instead of going to jail. Her choice is part of a sentence that includes two years probation. Not bad for using her union for short-term loans. If I were the judge I would have made her give up the tickets and spend 90 days in jail.
"Woman Gives up Packers Tickets to Forgo Jail Time"
ChiComs Have Gone Too Far
It's one thing to take control of Hong Kong, one of the most free places on earth. But messing with the city's most popular cuisine may have pushed residents over the edge:
A report by the Hong Kong government suggesting that eating many kinds of dim sum regularly may be bad for your health is threatening to overshadow whatever else might be worrying the people of this city.Practically every Chinese-language newspaper here has run a banner headline about it across its front page. Scrolling electronic displays in subway cars have flashed the news, and the report has become a topic of breakfast, lunch and dinner conversations at Chinese restaurants across the city.
Longtime dim sum lovers are indignant.
"The government is putting its thumb on every part of citizens' lives, and it shouldn't be telling anyone how dim sum should be served," said Wong Yuen, a retired mechanic and truck driver who says he has eaten dim sum every morning for the last two decades. "People can make their own decisions. If it's unhealthy, they can eat less. They don't need the government to tell them."
Some things are universal. A hatred for the nanny state is one of them.
Now, where can a guy get steamed dumplings around here at 2 am?
"Dim Sum Under Assault, and Devotees Say 'Hands Off'"
April 27, 2005
Paglia in Madison
I was tempted to trek over to Madtown to see Camille Paglia promoting her latest book Break, Blow, Burn, but I then I wouldn't have written all this good stuff tonight. ;-)* Ann Althouse was there. She has some pictures with "Text to follow!"
UPDATE: Ann Althouse reports Paglia was her usual hyper self. Contradictory between word and action, but thought provoking. She's not a fan of weblogs. "I’m worried about blogging," she told her audience. But she admits if she were a beginning writer today she'd have a weblog too.
*No, I didn't go because she was at the enemy's store. I just wasn't in the mood to drive three hours more than I had to tonight.
iPod Radio
In the past week I've been listening to Adam Curry's (yes, of MTV fame) podcast Daily Source Code. While I don't envision a TAM podcast anytime soon (it feels too complicated and time consuming) I'm interested in where it will go. Curry is the one to listen to to find out. DSC is pretty geeky. Curry talks about the hardware and software he uses to make his podcast. So DSC could be thought of as a tech podcast. But Curry also plays lots of promos for other podcasts. He's a very giving gent. In that respect I think of him as the Instapundit of podcasters.
The reason I brought up podcasting is Infinity is changing the format of one of their radio stations from talk to podcasts. People will be able to submit their casts, and the station will pick some to play on-air. Curry probably had a wet dream with this news. It partially validates all the work he's put into this new medium. Highly idosyncratic, highly individualized media may be the wave of the future.
"Infinity Tries All-Podcasting Radio Format"
Vote More
What's wrong with you people? Nevermind isn't winning. Quit reading this and vote!
Drezner's Tongue in Cheek
Daniel Drezner's reaction to Vladimir Putin's state-of-the-nation speech was a negative as mine.
What the hell is Khakamada talking about?--ed. Well, if you read Jeremy Page's account of the speech in the London Times, "Putin tried to make peace with Russia’s increasingly critical clique of influential businessmen yesterday by ordering his tax police to stop 'terrorising' companies." So Putin wasn't only scaring the bejeesus out of the near abroad, Eastern and Central Europe, and the West. Well, I certainly want to invest all of danieldrezner.com's financial resources into Russia right now!!--ed. And that's about all I'm expecting Putin to reap from this speech.
"I Definitely Feel Better about Investing in
Giving Up the Tickets
Sharon Rosenthal seriously considered it, but she gave up her Green Bay Packers season tickets instead of going to jail. I heard the news on WISN radio and will post a link when the story hits the web.
UPDATE: We now have WBAY in Green Bay confirming the story.
"Woman Chooses Packers Tickets Over Jail"
Protect All Legitimate DVD Users
It's not a bad idea to protect DVD filtering technology to allow parents to edit movies for their children. The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act empowers parents who feel they're barely treading water in the media ocean.
However, other DVD users besides parents protecting their children from excessive sex and violence could use some empowering. Right now, it's illegal to rip a DVD to play it on another device. Even though you own, say The Star Wars Trilogy, you cannot legally rip the movie to play it on a notebook computer without a DVD player, any other device, or to make a back up. Such use isn't piracy. It's just making media more flexible to better fit people's lives. In 2004, the entertainment industry gave up the fight over DeCss. But who's to say a new attack won't come in the future?
"Bush Signs Bill to Let Parents Filter DVDs"
UPDATE: John Cole sees the bill as Bush placating a certain set of companies. He seems to think Hollywood should have let the DVD filtering companies go ahead. Cole misses the point. Hollywood was the roadblock. Hollywood was being so strict with their copyright enforcement that the filtering companies were threatened. This law allows technology to be developed that allows parents to edit a DVD. It's federal government intervention but Cole has to explain how it's "unreasonable, big government."
April 26, 2005
Stuff the Ballot
Vote for Nirvana's Nevermind as the "Most Overrated Album."
What a Choice
There's a story involving to what extent Packers loyalty goes. I have to comment.
Sharon Rosenthal stole $3000 from her union to pay for personal expenses. Financial hardship was her excuse, but somehow her family could afford three-game Packers season tickets. (For hard core Packers nuts that's the Gold package--A.K.A. the Milwaukee games.) The judge gave Rosenthal two choices. She could spend 90 days in the slammer or give up next season's tickets.
For me, 90 days in jail is a long time. I'd give up the tickets and put up with watching the games on the small screen for a season. TV is often the better way to watch a game anyway. So that's not much of a loss. If it were only a week in jail, I'd be tempted to grin and bear.
Now, local sports radio yapper Steve "The Homer" True offered this choice: 90 days in jail or permanently giving up Packers season tickets. That's a choice no true Packers fan should ever have to face. There are tens of thousands of people who have been on the waiting list for decades hoping for a chance at season tickets before they die. To be in possession of such precious items would be really, really hard to give up.
If Rosenthal decides for jail she better do it soon. Training camp isn't that far away.
"Go to Jail or Give up Packers Tickets? Judge’s Sentence Lets Woman Choose" [via Wizbang]
Ahman Green Arrested
Probably more important to the Packers' offense is the rushing prowess of pro bowler Ahman Green. Getting arrested for domestic violence could be a problem.
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green was arrested Tuesday after a domestic violence incident.The Brown County sheriff's department said deputies went to his residence after a 911 call ended with a hang-up. The Pro Bowler was arrested at about 10:10 p.m. Monday after officers believed a domestic violence incident happened.
Green was taken to the Brown County jail, but he posted bond and was released.
"Pro Bowler Ahman Green Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Violence"
TAM Got Torched
Boxing Alcibiades hosts this week's Bonfire of the Vanities.
527s: Out; C4s: In
527s may have been cool last year, but if the "527 Reform Act of 2005," a Sen. John McCain product, gets passed we'll all be talking about plastic explosives. Byron York sees C4s as the next stage in the never ending cat-and-mouse game between political campaign contributors and the free speech squelchers who think money is evil. I see them as having double the explosive power of Coke's C2.
"New Campaign-Finance-Reform Follies" [via EconoPundit]
American Catholics Back Benedict
If I read any more stories about how liberal Catholics are ticked that conservative Pope Benedict XVI was elected I'll hurl. Over 80% of American Catholics polled were supportive of Benedict's election. Even a majority of the "modernizers" i.e. liberals backed him.
"Most U.S. Catholics Support Choice of Pope" [via Patrick Ruffini]
A Very Short History of the Filibuster
Does Sen. Harry Reid even read the constitution? Because he sure doesn't know the filibuster isn't in it. But why bother when using the words "constitutional checks and balances" are good talking points?
There is widespread concern about throwing away 200 years of constitutional checks and balances in order to get seven judges on the bench who previously could not achieve bipartisan consensus.There is a way to avoid the nuclear shutdown, and I'm working with my colleagues to put that plan into place. The bottom line for the Democratic caucus is to protect constitutional checks and balances As part of any resolution, the nuclear option must be off the table.
Reid needs to read the Commissar's post where is actually does some research.
With all this talk of "nuclear" and "constitutional" options, I googled the question of filibustering judicial nominees and noted here a few factual and historical details.First (or perhaps, "Frist"), the filibuster is a Senate procedural rule, first codified in 1806, little used before World War One, and mostly used by Southern Democrats to oppose civil rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s.
Republicans aren't off the hook either. A Supreme Court justice was filibustered in 1968.
The Commissar writes:
To sum up, the delaying of judicial nominees seems to be just one more aspect of increasing polarization over the past few decades. Perhaps unfortunate, but real. While the environment may be more partisan, there's nothing to suggest that this change in Senate rules is a constitutional matter, one way or the other.
"Top Senate Democrat Has Plan to Stop Filibuster Ban"
Third Party Exposure
Indirectly TAM made Google News. I cross-posted my Putin post to Redstate.org, and Google's computers picked it up and put it on the front page:
April 25, 2005
Reid Showing His Hand
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is looking down the proverbial tunnel and sees a good chance of the end to the judicial filibuster. He knows there are at least 50 votes (plus VP Cheney's tiebreaker) to change Senate rules--not constitutional checks and balances like Lefty activists want you to believe. Thus he wants to negotiate a deal.
At the same time he offers to clear two nominees to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for approval, officials said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wants a third appointee to be replaced by an alternative who is preferred by Michigan's two Democratic senators.
This deal is just talk, part of on going negotiations. Before I rip on Sen. Frist anymore than I have I want to know if the Senate Majority Leader is actually contemplating letting Senators choose federal judicial appointments. Such a change would be a far more radical change than the ending of judicial filibusters. As Captain Ed writes,
Frist may agree to let two Democrats from Michigan pick judges from their own provincial preferences, eliminating a presidential prerogative and fundamentally changing the balance of power even more significantly than the obstructionist filibusters ever did.
Should Frist cave to Reid by accepting this deal as-is Captain Ed and I won't be the only ones strongly calling for Frist's ouster. This is make-or-break time for the Tennessee Senator.
"Frist, Reid Work on Compromise on Judge Approvals"
Cha-Ching!
That noise means a new Carnival of the Capitalists hosted by Peaktalk.
La La Lalala
On what how the Packers have to respond to the Lions drafting Mike Williams, Slide writes, "Quick, Bates, stuff several hundred Jobe's Plant Spikes into smurf Ahmad Carroll's....power drink."
"Detroit is Stacked"
BBC Picking Sides
OxBlog's Josh Chafetz pointed out something I missed about the BBC aiding hecklers at a Conservative Party function (emphasis mine):
Last night, the BBC claimed that the exercise was part of a "completely legitimate programme about the history and art of political heckling" and said that other parties' meetings were being "observed". However, The Telegraph has established that none of Tony Blair's meetings was infiltrated or disrupted in similar fashion.
The Tories have to fight the taxpayer-funded news service along with Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Talk about stacking the deck.
Soviet Collapse: "Catastrophe"
The collapse of Soviet Union was "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." That's what Vladimir Putin told Russian officials.
Funny, I see the rise of the Communist Superpower as a much greater "geopolitical catastrophe." Does Putin imply that he longs for the return of the Soviet empire? Does he long for the days where billions of people worried about the thermonuclear destruction of human civilization? Does Putin want the return of the Soviet's grasp on Eastern Europe? I'm sure I could find a few million people who don't want to be trapped behind the totalitarian Iron Curtin.
What many missed when Russia underwent it's political economic convulsions was the importants of national pride. There are many Russians who long for the days of Stalin because back then the world (especially the U.S.) feared the Russian bear. Today, Russia isn't a threat. It isn't even a powerful world player. Putin couldn't stop President Bush from invading Iraq. Putin can't even squelch the 10+ uprising in Chechnya.
The Russian economy is on a growth track, but will that continue with Putin continuing to re-centralize Russian government and media. In the same speech Putin offers an excuse for why he might decide to reconstitute the former Soviet Union:
As for the Russian people, it became a genuine tragedy. Tens of millions of our fellow citizens and countrymen found themselves beyond the fringes of Russian territory. The epidemic of collapse has spilled over to Russia itself.
The Russian sphere must be extended to protect Mother Russia. Letting an ex-KGB agent extend his reach doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
"Russia's Putin: Soviet Collapse a Tragedy"
Ambassador Boschwitz
Steve Silver mentioned to me a "fawning" piece in The Weekly Standard on the "most spaced out pols I've ever met." Rudy must have a knack at picking good staff. Because from my limited experience with Boschwitz he needed them to make sure he walked into the right resturant to meet campaign supporters.
Oh, by the way: Earth Day sucks.
"The Ambassador Nobody Knows"
April 24, 2005
Benedict Now Just "Austere"
Reuters must have gotten bored with ripping on Pope Benedict. One of their stories calls him merely an "austere conservative." Plus, they put it near the end of the piece.
"New Pope Sets Store by Lost Traditions"
Extremely Hair-Brained
In the mind of Washington Post staff writer (definitely not acting like much of a journalist) Robin Givhan John Bolton's hair problem isn't with what's on his face. It's what's on his head.
John Bolton, President Bush's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, desperately needs a haircut. It does not have to be a $600 Sally Hershberger cut. Bolton simply needs the basics. Tidy the curling, unruly locks at the nape of his neck, tame the volume at the crown, reel in the wings flapping above his ears, and broker a compromise between his sand-colored mop and his snow-colored mustache.He needs to do this, not because he should be minding the recommendations of men's fashion magazines or grooming experts but because when he settled in before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week to answer questions about his record, his philosophy and his intentions at the U.N., he looked as though he did not even have enough respect for the proceedings to bother combing his hair -- or, for that matter, straightening his tie, or wearing a shirt that did not put his neck in a chokehold. Bolton was one wrinkled suit away from being an insolent mess.
Only in D.C. could someone write something so inconsequential and have it published in a major newspaper.
"Bolton's Hair: No Brush With Greatness" [via Confirm Bolton]
No Faith in Volker Commission
With the resignations of investigators Robert Parton and Miranda Duncan so goes the Volker Commission's credibility in investigating the Oil-for-Food scandal. Paul Volker has a very good reputation. Thus there was much hope a proper investigation of the U.N. would take place. Is Volker one of those types who feels the U.N. is so important that a proper investigation would turn it into damage goods? That gives me even less faith in that world body--not that I had much to begin with. If the U.N. is such a diseased institution then a tough guy like John Bolton is absolutely necessary.
Rod Grams Not Running for Senate
Rod Grams isn't going to run for Mark Dayton's Minnesota Senate seat. That's a bummer. As a College Republican in 1994, I worked hard in Duluth, MN to get him elected. Having him actually pushing for the dismantling of a federal department (energy) was beautiful for a small-goverment guy like me. It was too bad personal family problems led to him only serving one term.
Rep. Mark Kennedy is running for the seat so I'm not worried a RINO will win. I'd freak if Rep. Jim Ramstead was the leading GOP candidate. It would have been hard for Grams to win the seat. Minnesota voters might have looked on him as a political retread. In 1996, Rudy Boschwitz, one of the more spaced out pols I've ever met, tried to snatch his Senate seat from Paul Wellstone, and that didn't work out.
"For Minnesota, No Senator Grams II"
"Squishy Republican"
Michelle Malkin asks, "What do you call a squishy Republican?"
My answer: Sen. Bill Frist.
Quinton on Facial Hair
Jeff Quinton looks at South Carolina politicians and facial hair. Based on this if you want to run for office shave off the 'tasche.
"Facial Hair and Political Viability"
Aiding and Abetting Hecklers
The role of the press is to report on the news not make it. Guess the BBC has changed the rules. In the process of making a show called The History of Heckling BBC producers gave audio equipment to hecklers at a Conservative Party event. The hecklers did their thing while the BBC got good footage.
The BBC responded to the accusation:
This is a completely legitimate programme about the history and art of political heckling. The programme observes hecklers at other parties' campaign meetings and not just the Conservatives. The hecklers were not under the direction of the BBC and their activities did not disrupt the meeting in any way. The incident at the Michael Howard meeting only plays a small part in the overall programme. However, we will be investigating the complaint very fully and will be replying in due course.
If the hecklers "did not disrupt the meeting" then they were doing a pretty poor job. The BBC better find themselves some better hecklers.
"Tory Fury as BBC Sends Hecklers to Bait Howard" [via Drudge]
I Don't Feel Dumber
Guess I better cut back on my internet use:
According to a recent university study conducted at King's College London, constant e-mailing and text-messaging reduces your intelligence by 10 IQ points - an effect more damaging than smoking marijuana.The study of 1,100 adults found their intelligence declined as tasks were interrupted by incoming e-mails and text messages. The average reduction of 10 IQ points, though temporary, is more than double the four-point loss associated with smoking cannabis. A 10-point drop is also similar to the impact of missing a night of sleep, a report from Bloomberg News said.
There might be some truth to net use being like marijuana smoking. Late at night, I get the munchies.
"Does More IM = a Lower IQ?"
Is There a Draft in Here?
I'm still holding firm that Aaron Rodgers wasn't a good first round pick for the Packers. When I think of Rodgers Kyle Boller always pops into my head--must be they're both California QBs. There were still defensive linemen available with the 24th pick. Picking a QB in the first round and hoping he pans out is more of a crap shoot than a sure thing. I didn't like any of the QBs taken in the first round. Utah's Alex Smith was great in college, but how much of it was Urban Meyer's offensive scheme? If the Pack wanted a QB, Charlie Frye and David Greene went in the third round.
To an extent we really can't grade this draft until a few years from now. Most of these players won't start for the teams that pick them. Ted Thompson appears to be drafting on potential. That's all well and good, but his other off-season actions haven't filled in his team's current needs. Two starting offensive guards are gone and I'm not confident Thompson has found anyone to replace them. The defensive line couldn't stop the run last year or mount any pass rush. Where's the help there? Thompson decided to match the Minnesota Vikings' offer for Aaron Kampman by giving him a bunch of money. A similar player could have been had for a lot less by drafting. The defensive backfield has Al Harris and a bunch of youngins. If it's possible I see a decrease in quality there.
I'm assuming this is Brett Favre's last year. It would be unwise to gamble on this year being the Super Bowl year by spending oodles on free agent veterans. That strain on the salary cap would prevent the team from properly rebuilding. I just would like to see something from Ted Thompson to make me think he wants to win it all this year. His drafting sure hasn't shown that.
Hayek vs. Hayek
When a bunch of Salma Hayek posts are discovered I always check out the Salma Hayek vs. Friedrich Hayek Scorecard. Playing Frieda Kahlo did get Salma an Oscar nomination, an award which she probably needs to have a shot at overtaking dead man Friedrich. I may be a huge Friedrich fan, but I know who I'd want to see walking along the beach at sunset.
[via Glenn Reynolds]
Mean isn't Bad
Ann Althouse adds meaness to the facial hair theme that might stop John Bolton from being U.N. ambassador.
Meanness is a trait in great American leaders. Our nation has benefited from it. If Americans didn't want mean we wouldn't have had Generals Patton and MacArthur leading troops to victory in WWII. The populism of Andrew Jackson would have been snuffed out immediately in American political life. Abraham Lincoln's passionate defense of the union had to have some element of spite toward the confederacy.
This worrying about how nice Bolton is feels a lot like the squimishness Marquette University officials had toward the College Republicans' Adopt-a-Sniper table a few months ago. They like the benefits from warriors and not-so-nice officials, but they don't want to admit to themselves the unclean process the benefits come from.
"Should We Screen Out Mean?"
April 23, 2005
NFL Draft 2005
Can they make the draft any slower? It's been three hours and they're still not half-way through the first round. This may be a draft analyst's dream it's not great television.
Anyway, I won't know who my Packers pick until I come home from work tonight. I hope they don't do anything to go after quarterback Aaron Rogers. They need to find Brett Favre's replacement but the first round hasn't been the best place to find future starters (Brett was a second round pick). I have three words for Ted Thompson: defense, defense, defense. Minnesota has been signing free agents (including former Packers safety Darren Sharper) to help their defense. The Pack needs to get quality defenders. It doesn't matter if it's a lineman, linebacker, or defensive back. They need player, good players. My choice would be one of the linemen that falls to the 24th pick. I'd love it if it was Wisconsin's Erasmus James, but that might be taking him too high. If defensive value isn't at 24 then eye a good offensive lineman. By loving Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera they need to rebuild one of the best lines in football.
Junk the Jesuits
Maybe because it's late but Erick Erickson, a Prebyterian, calling for Pope Benedict to "cut off" the Jesuits is hysterical. Who'd have thought the election of an orthodox Catholic would do more to earn the respect of some Protestants than the Counter-Reformation?
"Benedict the Bad Ass Part II"
Hair-Brained Theory
John Bolton's facial hair may be the reason he doesn't become U.N. ambassador. Joe Gandelman has the details.
"Is Bolton Nomination Doomed By The 'Weird Facial Hair Curse'?"
April 22, 2005
What to Do About a Out-of-Control Judiciary?
So far, I have no answer to confronting a judiciary that ignores the constitution other than call for Sen. Frist to be replaced. While today's "loose" interpretation of the constitution by the courts may be unprecedented in U.S. history Congress imposing its will on the judiciary would also be unprecedented. Two prominent conservatives are telling the GOP-led Congress to watch it. Like I said I have few answers to relieve my frustration.
"Conservative Backlash on Judicial Fight"
Next Majority Leader
Don't think I was blowing smoke when I called for Sen. Bill Frist's ouster. At Redstate I have a poll (along the left side) asking who you think should be the next Senate Majority Leader. Ugh! John McCain is tied for the lead.
What a Combo
A Reid-Colburn double team. No, it's not a sign of the Apochalyspe. It's just two Senators trying to protect webloggers. Mike Krempasky has the details.
"Online Freedom of Speech Act Update"
Amazing Consistency
All night at around 23 minutes past the hour my Charter net connection goes out. It's spooky in its consistency.
[I'm doing this to shame Charter into getting its act together. Since I don't have any choice in my high speed providers (DSL not available) I have to attempt a little public shame. I'm sorry if you can't stand me complaining.]
April 21, 2005
Jeopardy! Tryout
Read about Kevin's Jeopardy! journey. Then read my attempt to get into the college tournament. Then help me with this clue:
Another (last answer on the test): The first name of this 19th Century Poet was the most popular girl's name in America in the 1990s.
UPDATE: In the comments, Fred tells me it was indeed Emily Dickenson. I read Kevin's post wrong.
A More Conservative Christianity
Mark Hasty is not a instant pundit (as opposed to an instapundit) but his take on Pope Benedict XVI is important:
In fact, I think John Paul II’s papacy gave tremendous credibility to the notion that Christianity itself is growing more conservative as the distance from both Vatican II and the tremendous societal upheaval of the 1960s increases. JPII’s papacy wasn’t the end of an era, but rather the beginning of one–one in which the Roman church would care less and less about the world’s approval. This change made strange bedfellows of the Roman church and conservative American protestants, as the two groups found they had more in common with each other than either group had with the great mushy middle of American Protestantism and the last twitching remnants of European Christianity. Consequently, it’s fair to say that the social-justice-based ecumenical movement, which has been with us for about fifty years, got completely overshadowed by an ad hoc coalition of disparate religious factions. The Catholics and evangelicals have created more true church unity than the World Council of Churches could ever dream of–this despite the fact that the Catholic/evangelical alliance hasn’t produced any formalized agreements like we mainline Protestants are fond of.Benedict XVI may, by his own admission, be a transitional pope, a placeholder who keeps the throne of the fisherman warm while the next pope passes through the refiner’s fire. But we need only look to his election, and John Paul II’s papacy, as signs that modernism and postmodernism are both dead within the church. Global Christianity is not behind the times, but rather ahead of them. What is needed now in church leadership is theological clarity, but not merely that; as we are increasingly able to accept that the ages have not been wrong about everything, the quality of continuity becomes more useful. It will not do to question authority just for the purpose of questioning authority. Today’s world has demonstrated that the only people who still say “don’t follow leaders” are the ones who want to lead you themselves.
"Receive the Benediction"
Denial
Muskego high school principle Dennis Bussen denies solely approving $57,000 in plasma screen TVs and sound system. Bussen said, "I never saw any of the costs. I wasn't handling the financing." He said assistant superintendent Bob Rammer and superindentdent Richard Drury were together in a meeting about the TVs.
All three of us, in looking at the recommendation (from the audio-video company), concurred it was the best recommendation. . . . It would be the most appropriate for the space. The last I knew, the company was going to come back with some costing.
Then magically the tvs were installed. Someone had to sign off. No TV installer would do that much work and not be sure it was approved. Someone signed off on it. Who? Time to dig up the paperwork.
If passing the buck ever becomes an official high school sport watch out, Muskego will be one of the best.
"Principal Says TVs were Joint Decision"
April 20, 2005
Connection Acting Up Again
My cable modem has been working much better than last week. But all is not well. Around 23 minutes past the hour it stops. After a few minutes (it's varied from two to ten tonight) things are back to normal. That isn't normal, and Charter hasn't made me happy yet.
A Possible DeLay Explanation
K. J. Lopez received an e-mail that might explain what Rep. Tom DeLay was getting at about judges using the internet for research. That can't be what DeLay meant. His Wikipedia bio doesn't mention any law education so I'm guessing he has an educated laymen's knowledge of the law.
UPDATE: Stephen Bainbridge tries to figure out what DeLay meant:
In any event, where Delay really goes off the rails is in criticizing Kennedy for doing research on the Internet. Why not criticize him for using Lexis and Westlaw while he was at it? To be sure, appellate judges generally should not do an independent investigation of the facts of the case. But judges properly take judicial notice of relevant facts they discover through independent inquiry, cases and other legal authorities they find on their own, and so on. Unless DeLay can show that Kennedy is using the Internet to do an improper investigation of the facts of specific cases before him, this comment transcends mere asininity and achieves true imbecility.
He then calls for DeLay to be thrown "to the wolves." I'd consider it, but I want to know who'd replace him. The House GOP doesn't need to get stuck with their own version of Bill Frist.
The Chicago Report is No More
There's a funky weblog called Kapitalisimo in its place.
We Asked For It
When Sen. Trent Lott made his stupid Strom Thurmond remarks that cost him his leadership post I heard nothing about how the lack of experience in his replacement, Sen. Bill Frist, would affect the GOP. I admit I thought it was good for Lott to move aside. However, I wouldn't have backed Frist knowing then how ineffective the Tennessee Senator would be. Frist demonstrates his lack of political savy with his inability to get President Bush's judicial nominations passed and John Bolton through the Foreign Relations Committee. Even more surprising is that the bogged down judicial nominations cost Tom Daschle his Senate seat, and a Republican stopped the Bolton nomination. I'll state it bluntly: the GOP made a mistake in elevating Frist to majority leader. He doesn't have the hardball political skills needed to beat the Democrats. Frist's ineptitude has pushed some to withhold their political contributions to GOP Senators. In order to salvage anything of his legislative agenda the President needs to tell Frist he had his chance. Replacing management is what Bush did when he was running the Texas Rangers, and items like Social Security reform and conservative judicial nominations are way more important.
UPDATE: In the words of one Beltway Buzz reader: "What impotence."
April 19, 2005
The Stress is Getting to Him
Justice Kennedy made me wince when he used international law as the basis for some of his opinions. However, Majority Leader Tom DeLay looks like a total goofball when he complained Kennedy did research on the internet. Egads! The horror! Using a computer to gather information? Heaven forbid! I have no idea why DeLay finds that so "outrageous." Why would doing research using the computerized Lexis-Nexis would be okay, but using the internet not? Unless DeLay's goofy enough to think Supreme Court justices should have to open law books. Me thinks he's losing it. This feels a lot like the time when former Speaker Newt Gingrich complained about having to fly in the back of Air Force One to Israel in 1995. Newt losing his cool was a sign President Clinton was winning the political battle over the budget. DeLay may soon see defeat.
"DeLay Slams Supreme Court Justice"
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Schism
Why don't liberal American Catholics start their own church?
"Go Your Separate Ways"
Is "Arch-Conservative" and Improvement?
Now, Reuters calls Pope Benedict an "arch-conservative." In their world view there are only arch-conservatives and reforming moderates. No liberals in modern Catholicism, I guess.
"Arch-Conservative German Ratzinger Elected Pope"
Reaction to Pope Benedict
Andrew Sullivan isn't happy which probably means Benedict's election is a good thing. He immediately mocks Benedict with the moniker the "Grand Inquisitor."
Professor Bainbridge points out Sullivan is just obsessed with sex.
Michelle Malkin has oodles of links.
Captain Ed: "Benedict XVI's elevation pleases me."
UPDATE: Jonathan Last is collecting Lefty variations on a theme: that Benedict is a radically conservative Pope.
Mark Klimer: "I am not a Catholic, but I feel Christianity strengthened by the refusal of the Catholics to bend and succumb to the whimsy of the secular press."
UPDATE II: Bryan Preston: "One of the things Ratzinger's been called is "God's Rottweiler." Actually that's not too bad. I guess if he had a blog masthead it might actually look a lot like ours at JYB."
Patrick at My View of the World:
Someone please remind the American Media that American Catholics only make up about 7% of the Church and the “problems” they keep focusing on is (married priests, women priests, abortion etc.) are only differences held by a portion of the American Catholics, so it is a tiny percentage of Catholics world wide.
Ace is in total "mock Andrew Sullivan" mode.
Erick Erickson wants to give Pope Benedict a not-so-holy moniker. Much better than Sullivan's "Grand Inquisitor."
UPDATE III: More Patrick from My View of the World:
I think it is terrible that the American media is already criticizing the new Pope in their sly, backhanded way. The only way the American media would have been happy is if they would have selected a religiously weak man. One willing to cave on the things that they, the media, deem important. These “important items” include, but are not limited to birth control / abortion, the role of women in the church, stance on homosexuality & gay marriage, euthanasia, moral relativism etc.
Lakeshore Laments: "It seems to me at least, that the MSM seems to want a Protestant running the Catholic Church."
Hours from the white smoke and tolling bells, the debate rages about just what kind of Pope Benedict XVI will be. On one side is mainstream media, with its one-sided, kneejerk portrayal of the "ultraconservative", "doctrinaire" Ratzinger. The tawdry spectacle tonight on CNN and MSNBC reminds me of a political campaign where the task is to define the opponent before he defines himself, and I know a thing or two about what that looks like. We can be sure that had the ideological mirror image of Benedict been elected, gone would be the words "divisive" and "controversial," replaced by fawning labels like "open", "moderate" and "breath of fresh air." We know that the press views itself as an ipso-facto Opposition. If so, is the Holy Father now the enemy?
A Tale of Two News Services
No horse in this race for me so I'll just comment on some media coverage.
Reuters calls the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger "controversial" but no mention of his Hitler Youth experience.
The AP doesn't call the newly named Pope Benedict XVI controversial. Instead, he's a "hard-liner" and notes his Hitler Youth membership.
Neither news service ingratiated itself with orthodox Catholics.
"Controversial German Cardinal Elected Pope"
"Germany's Cardinal Ratzinger Elected Pope"
No to "Add-On"
House conservatives oppose a Social Security "add-on." It's personal savings accounts within SS or nothing at all.
"Conservatives Oppose Social Security 'Add-Ons'"
April 18, 2005
Close But No Cigar
Phil Mitchell a Colorado University professor is claiming to be pushed out of his job because of his ideology. No need to get into the whole business of why Mitchell is leaving CU. What's done is done. I'm more interested in one of his suggestions to inject conservatism into university culture. Mitchell told a Colorado state legislative committee that affirmative action for conservatives is needed. I'm no fan of affirmative action based on race so I'm not keen on ideological AA. An institution is seriously ill when it resorts to giving advantages in hiring and admissions based on sex, race, or ideology. As a conservative I believe in the primacy of the individual. Individuals should be judged as such regardless of sex, race, or ideology.
A much better idea was Mitchell's suggestion that students receives vouchers to use at any place of higher education. Let market forces decide the best way for colleges to pick their students and instructors.
"Instructor has Parting Words for CU"
MNF to ESPN
Monday Night Football moves to ESPN starting in 2006. Since cable and satellite are virtually ubiquitous I have no complaints. People with only network television will trade Sunday night football on NBC for Monday Night Football on ESPN. If Desparate Housewives survives into 2006 it may not remain the Sunday night ratings anchor for ABC.
It just proves media in general is getting more and more disperse. More outlets means more opportunity for more people to watch what they want. Eventually you'll be able to watch whatever game you want with your plasma screen tv hooked up to the internet. It will be a pay-per-view world.
"Monday Night Football Moving to ESPN" [via OTB]
Hunting Down Heritage
On the posible misdeeds by the Heritage Foundation Erick Erickson puts together as plausible a theory as Time or the Washington Post. But guess which one the tv talking heads will use to bash Republicans?
"Let’s Get DeLay, And Heritage, And Feulner, And, And, And . . ."
Harvest the Cats
Instead of shooting feral cats, an east coast cabbie thinks they should be harvested as a delicacy. That would really help ease Wisconsin's current laughingstock image.
"One Cab Driver's Solution to Wisconsin's Cat Problem"
[Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam: Vacation Edition.]
April 17, 2005
"Kinda Gay"
Reat Matt's take on a "new" phenomenon "discovered" by the NY Times.
"So Apparently I'm...Kinda Gay?"
Drudge vs. Weblogs
Drudge is complaining about weblogs. They're too "loud, ugly and boring." We know The Drudge Report isn't boring, but it certainly can be loud and ugly--find something new than that 1996 flashing alert light.
Matt has an ego. He's a pioneer who thinks other "citizen journalists" are just following in his footsteps. Weblogs are "competition." Someday, there will be a big time weblogger who loses perspective and complains publically about too many lesser weblogs clogging up new media's pipes.
Drudge jumped the shark a long time ago with his book the Drudge Manifesto. It wasn't so much a book as a collection of beat poet journalism for the 21st Century. It was incoherent and unreadable. It sold copies, but there hasn't been a hint of a follow up. Matt just sticks to his web site and radio show. That's what he's good at. Drudge will continue to make waves and be a big fish in a ever-growing online media ocean.
"Drudge Retort"
"Matt Drudge is an Ass"
"'The World is his Laptop' ... and His Laptop is His Muse"
Brewers Swept
Signing Ben Sheets gives the Brewers hope, but they're a long way from being serious contenders as the three-game sweep by the St. Louis Cardinals shows. Brady Clark is swinging the bad, but his fielding cost his team the lead. This series was a replay of the second half of last season. The pitching was fine but little offense.
"St. Louis 3, Milwaukee 2"
April 16, 2005
There is Hope!
The days of Milwaukee Brewers futility are numbered now that they have their ace pitcher Ben Sheets under contract for four years. Sheets is happy even if he's surprised he's getting so much money for a kid's game.
Can you believe these crazy people? They want me here for another couple of years. Wow!
That self-deprecation and his desire to be a winner in Milwaukee could make him the Brett Favre of the Brewers.
New owner Mark Attanasio has opened the wallet and now has two quality starters in Sheets and Doug Davis. More quality bats are in order. I'm worried about the non-production from Geoff Jenkins. Trading one of the Brewers' hot prospects might not be a bad idea.
"Sheets Signs 4-Year, $38.5 Million Deal"
Sokal Redux
The infection of post-modern gibberish has spread beyond the humanities and the social sciences. Some MIT students put their research paper-generating computer program to work and got a fake paper accepted to a computer science conference. Alan Sokal pulled a similar stunt. He threw a figurative pie on the face of the "academic" journal Social Text in 1996 with his fake paper "Transgressing the Boundaries: Toward a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity." (You're in good shape if you toss "hermeneutics" around liberally.) When Sokal told the world his paper was a hoax he wrote:
What concerns me is the proliferation, not just of nonsense and sloppy thinking per se, but of a particular kind of nonsense and sloppy thinking: one that denies the existence of objective realities, or (when challenged) admits their existence but downplays their practical relevance.
A computer-generated paper like that by Jeremy Stribling et al show that at least one computer science conference either has incredibly lax standards or the subject has gotten so convoluted at the academic level its research is useless.
"MIT Students Pull Prank on Conference" [via Wizbang]
April 15, 2005
Mitch Likes Springsteen
Mitch Berg likes Bruce Springsteen.
But, it took 2,300 words for him to say so.
As I commented there, I'm no fan of Warren Zevon. Maybe I just don't get the joke, or perhaps it's because it's used as the theme for a radio show from 9a-12p on am1500, KSTP in Good Old St. Paul/Big Time Minneapolis, that I am forbidden from mentioning. The mere sounds of Zevon sends my hand to the radio dial and screams to fill the air to prevent my ears from hearing the hosts come on the air.
Tax Day 2005
If you haven't filed your taxes yet you have less than 12 hours. If you haven't thought about getting them done and expect to just drop into an accountant's office or H&R Block, go get an extension and don't bother them. Leave the accountant's alone.
After getting all your stuff into the mail or filed online check out how much spending increased in your (Wisconsin) school district. Then read Charlie Sykes' latest newspaper column. And if you're still in need of material get a copy of Amity Shlaes' The Greedy Hand. Any other anti-tax books you recommend?
UPDATE: One more read is the Journal Sentinel editorial board actually opposed to a tax increase. Don't raise the gas tax, they say, but raise beer and cigarette taxes. You what they say: even a broken clock is right twice a day.
"Where's Gas Tax Outrage?"
Hell Just Froze Over
Mike Krempasky has a post a DailyKos.
Seriously, I'm glad Kos and Krempasky are making this bipartisan just like the bill in Congress. I pretty much ignore Kos' daily screeds but I don't want the FEC shutting him up. We webloggers are just little fish in a huge, ever-growing media ocean. We shouldn't be silenced just like Time, the Washington Post, or Fox News shouldn't be silenced. Call your Congressman and Senator and tell them to support Rep. Jeb Hensarling's Online Freedom of Speech Act and Sen. Harry Reid's S.678.
"Online Freedom of Speech Act introduced in House"
April 14, 2005
What are the Vikings Thinking?
Sure, the Minnesota Vikings need to upgrade their 28th ranked defense, but they're taking players from a team that didn't get into the playoffs because of their D. First, the Vikings nabbed Darren Sharper (good pick) and now signed Aaron Kampman. It's looking like the NFC North will be the NFL's version of arena football where the scores will be astronomical. Hint to fantasy football GMs: get lots of Vikings and Packers.
"Kampman Takes Vikings' Offer"
To Wisconsin Webloggers and Weblog Readers
Plans are in the works for an invasion of Miller Park in June. GBfan has sketched out some details.
"The Blogosphere Get Together It Begins :)"
Strikeouts For Troops
Make no bones about it, I'm a true blue fan of The Minnesota Twins. And, of all the other American League teams, I really only can't stand the AL Team in Chicago, and The Athletics of Oakland.
However, pitcher Barry Zito has me re-thinking my feelings about that team. He has started StrikeoutsForTroops.com , a project benefiting th