Michael Jackson Murdered?

I've resisted commenting on Michael Jackson's death because, well, aside from the tragedy of a 50-year-old man dying an extremely premature death, I'm not a big fan and I really don't care. Sure, I feel bad for those who loved him, as I do for the loved ones of anyone who dies, but the reaction of some reminds us that the word "fan" is shorthand for "fanatic."

Now, however, as more questions are being raised about his death, I have become convinced that his death was murder, and that the perpetrators can be found among the Obamorons in the Democrat Party.

After all, word of Jackson's death supplanted news of Friday's vote in the House of Representatives for the largest tax increase in American history, and the most invasive effort ever to control the American economy.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

The Real Consequence Of Mark Sanford's Infidelity

The most immediately meaningful impact of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's admission of marital infidelity is that it displaces the media's attention from President Barry's ineptitude in addressing events in Iran.

It's a good excuse not to cover Barry's abject failure to support democratic values, even though I am of the firm belief that the actual winner of the Iranian presidential election is of little consequence on most major policies.

Jobs Killed By President Barry

While it's nearly impossible to know whether Federal economic policies "save or create" any jobs, at least in the private sector, it's pretty easy to tell when they close a factory and kill jobs.

The people of Tampa thank you, President Barry and Congress, for your idiotic SCHIP taxes.

I guess these jobs will be tallied against those President Barry claims to have "created or saved."

Great Presidential Quotations In American Foreign Policy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Inaugural Address(1961):

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

At the Brandenburg Gate (1963):

Ich bin ein Berliner.

Ronald Wilson Reagan, at the Brandenburg Gate (1987):

Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., on the stolen Iranian presidential election:

Er, uh, ...c'mon, guys, you're making me look bad!

"Gone" Barack Obama

Barack Obama Countdown widget brought
to you by www.obamacountdownwidget.com

The Strategy

With news that President Barry's health care "reform" proposals are in deep political trouble, the true agenda of the far Left is made more and more apparent.

It is beyond reasonable or serious debate that the current state of American health care is the result of government intrusions on the free market. Medicare socialized half the system --- the elderly consume more than half of all health care, for obvious reasons --- with promises (from, among others, Hubert H. Humphrey) that it would never cost more than $10 billion per year. Wouldn't it be nice if it only cost twice that amount? Medicaid is part of the not-so-Great Society, the War on Poverty. When can we expect the "exit strategy" that Democrats demand for every other "war"? Federal mandates that hospital treat all who appear at emergency rooms --- even those who don't need emergency treatment --- has imposed incredible costs.

So, what does the far Left want now? Well, "single-payer" --- more properly called "socialized medicine" --- is currently a non-starter. So what will happen?

Depend upon President Barry and his minions to advance proposals which will further screw up medical care in America, attempting to provoke a clarion call for completely socializing American medical care.

These people are nothing if not Machiavellian.

What A Pity

As a gag, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a set of sculptured bull testicles to a Democrat state senator, who returned them with a terse note. The gift was in response to an earlier gag gift from the state senator to the Governator.

Apparently, the state senator has had his sense of humor surgically removed.

Along with --- like most Democrats --- the portion of the anatomy that the Governator's gift was intended to replace.

Making The Virtual The Actual

Today's headline on Drudge:

ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE

And this should surprise ... no one.

Coverage Of The Chrysler Proceedings

As usual, SCOTUSBlog is providing yeoman's service in covering today's filings in the United States Supreme Court regarding the Obama Administration's extra-legal and probably unconstitutional efforts to deny Chrysler bondholders their property rights in an effort to pay off Obama supporters (i.e., the UAW).

Whether the Supreme Court will actually take the cases is, of course, a mystery (only about one in a hundred petitions for a writ of certiorari are granted), but if the court does, SCOTUSBlog recognizes that it constitutes the potential for "the most significant Supreme Court ruling on the government’s power to deal with economic crisis since the Court struck down major parts of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. U.S. in 1935 and U.S. v. Butler in 1936."

Excellent!

As usual, Ann Coulter gets it exactly right.

An excerpt, applying Liberal "logic":

I wouldn't kill an abortionist myself, but I wouldn't want to impose my moral values on others. No one is for shooting abortionists. But how will criminalizing men making difficult, often tragic, decisions be an effective means of achieving the goal of reducing the shootings of abortionists?

Following the moral precepts of liberals, I believe the correct position is: If you don't believe in shooting abortionists, then don't shoot one.

Quite An Authority

Back in the day, those of us who hold the so-called "mainstream" media in contempt would refer to our local journal as the "Pot. News." Of course, a little while back, that journal merged with the Manassas Journal-Messenger and became the News & Messenger, and this little bon mot fell into disuse.

Today, a reminder why it still fits: the editorial discussing the upcoming Democrat primaries identifies one of the gubernatorial candidates as "Jim Moran."

Now, I have little use for any Moran brother, but even I know that the one running for the Democrat nomination for Governor is the (relatively) good one, former Delegate Brian Moran.

And this is an editorial board which would presume to recommend candidates with endorsements?

Kinda tells you why you should ignore the so-called "mainstream" media.

UPDATE: Well, now they've corrected it. Without credit, of course.

The Return of Political Ambulance Chasing

Remember Columbine? Two dysfunctional punks kill a bunch of school mates, and the far Left demands gun control. Virginia Tech? A dysfunctional and probably mentally-deranged bozo kills dozens, and the far Left demands gun control? Matthew Shepard? A homosexual is killed, and the far Left demands so-called "hate" crimes legislation.

Now, we have the murder of a practitioner of the vilest form of abortion --- partial-birth abortion --- and before the identity of the suspect is even identified, the far Left is screaming that his motive must have arisen out of the fact that he is a Pro-Life extremist! The Virginia moonbatosphere is already all atwitter (not aTwitter) with the allegation. Newly-minted UVa grad Jamelle (a criminal justice major, perhaps?) already has two posts, here and here, and the Howling [Mad] Latina reveals her insight into the mind of a killer a thousand miles away here.

These guys must be mind-readers, because I've nowhere seen the motive of this guy identified. Now, while the police could hardly be blamed for looking into this motive, had they not already had a suspect (as yet, unidentified) suspect in custody, moonbat bloggers drawing this conclusion in the lack of any evidence are nakedly pursuing a political agenda, perhaps at the cost of the truth. Yet for all they know at this point, this abortionist was shot by the jealous paramour of his homosexual lover, but then I would be doing what they are: making allegations in the absence of any evidence whatsoever.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Pro-Life groups have uniformly condemned the murder.

Isn't interesting that the "blame America first" crowd jumps in to blame a respectable political movement for the violence of an as-yet unidentified suspect, for an as-yet unidentified motive, while disclaiming all responsibility for giving aid and comfort to terrorists who --- guess what? --- blame America for all the world's ills.

Identity of causes is not identity of tactics.

RPV Convention Thoughts

Attended the Republican Party of Virginia State Convention in Richmond last night and today. Didn't participate in "bloggers row," but you can find many fine reports from those who did.

Good time, and much better-run that last year's fiasco. Most of our candidates --- Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor; Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General --- won.

We got down a little later than expected (8:00), because we had to drop Jimmy off at someone's home so he could attend his Scout troop's spring creek cleanup today. Started out at the Jeffersoniad/New Media suite. Kinda odd: the beer and wine were free, but you had to pay for sodas. Then trooped over to the McDonnell/Bolling affair, stuck my head in the Brownlee suite and talked for a time with a few young Hampden-Sydney alums who were supporting his candidacy.

Best Hospitality Suite --- Americans for Prosperity's affair at the Hilton Garden.

Best Bar --- Fifth District Chairman Tucker Watkins' late-night gathering. First met Tucker last year, when someone dragged me to it, and we immediately hit it off. Tucker is a good ole' boy, and I've found that such a characteristic meshes well with my Pennsylvania Dutchman credentials. We picked up the conversation right where we left off. Helps that we have some mutual friends at the alma mater.

Least Likely Attendee --- "Not Larry Sabato" himself, Ben Tribbett. He was a good sport about it when having his tail twisted.

Best Line of the Convention --- John Brownlee: "We remember when acorn was just a nut, and not a collection of nuts."

CORRECTION: Ron Josephson on Facebook informs me that I am incorrect, and that this line was uttered by David Foster. My apologies to Mr. Foster.

One of our candidates lost, however. I voted for Bill Stanley for State Chairman. Not that I have anything against Pat Mullins. I've known him since he was Fairfax County Chairman. He was and is a good guy, and I believe he'll do a fine job as State Party Chairman.

However, holding in contempt the manner of his initial elevation to the post, with the despicable removal of Jeff Frederick, I could not validate that with my vote, even though he had the support of many whom I respect. Hence, I would have voted, and did vote, for any credible candidate in his stead.

With that having been said, I am completely happy with the GOP ticket, and anticipate a GOP sweep statewide in November's election. While we had left before the announcements were officially made, one finds in the blogosphere that the losing candidates all were gracious in defeat, pledging their support for the ticket.

We shall see.

Judicial Hypocrisy

As most have by now heard, California's Supreme Court reaffirmed the people's sovereignty by today rejecting a challenge to Proposition 8, an initiative on last November's ballot to reaffirm the definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

Informed readers will recall that same-sex "marriage" was imposed upon the people of California by a 4-3 vote earlier last year.

Nevertheless, demonstrating that the far Left is nothing if not shameless, the vote was only 6-1. The lone dissenter was Carlos Moreno, who had been under consideration as President Barry's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace Justice David Souter.

Ironically, Moreno --- who had been part of the majority imposing so-called same-sex "marriage" upon the people of California --- criticized today's ruling as representing a "drastic and far-reaching change."

Bold words from a man who just last year was redefining an institution which has never constituted what he imposed upon the people of California.

I'm not sure what's more shocking and dismaying in the age of President Barry: that this man was under apparently serious consideration for appointment to the United States Supreme Court, or that any judge on any court could make such an assertion with an apparently straight face.

Interestingly, just a few days ago, the New York Times ran a puff piece on Moreno describing him as in the "dead center" of the California Supreme Court, and demonstrating "surprising humility."

Yeah. It's certainly "humble" to attempt to redefine perhaps the oldest institution of human civilization. Then again, the Times called the California Supreme Court "a moderate to conservative court."

One cannot help but wonder about the color of the sky in their planet.

Obama Interview

More evidence that President Barry doesn't have a clue.

Does This Really Surprise Anyone?

It's pretty pathetic that the far Left in this country is so opposed to actually defending it that they have decided to declare a practice which results in no real permanent physical harm, but which achieves its desired result (the extraction of information), to be "torture."

On the other hand, it's hardly surprising that people who don't understand what the word "marriage" means would also have problems understanding "torture."

Making 'Em Look Like Pikers

Let's face the hard, cold facts of life: eight years of George W. Bush and six of a GOP-controlled Congress left the GOP reputation for fiscal responsibility in tatters.

After all, by 2008, the Federal deficit was running at an all-time high of nearly half a trillion dollars.

Well, President Barry is better than GWB, as virtually every one knows. So his first-year deficit? Four times President Bush's, coming in at nearly $1.8 trillion dollars.

So the next time some Democrat starts lecturing about GOP fiscal irresponsibility, it might be wise to have that little statistic handy.

More Swine Flu News

Has anybody else noticed that more schools (over 400) closed over swine flu fears than there were confirmed cases (under 200 in total) over the last week?

SWINE FLU NEWS!!!!

I just heard a report that 10,000 people got it, and 95 died of it, TODAY ALONE!!!

Oh, wait a minute. That was the regular flu.

So You Thought It Would Get Better?

To those who thought Democrat smears would diminish with Jeff Frederick's ouster, one moonbat blog offers this.

SOLD!

RINO No More!

It seems that Arlen Specter is switching to the Democrat Party.

While one can certainly speculate as to all that factored into this action, a number of things are certain:

1. Specter's bout with brain cancer did more damage than anyone suspected;

2. Democrats have no standards other than power;

3. Specter obviously lacks the integrity to resign his seat and run for its as a Democrat; and

4. The fraudulently-misnomered "Employee Free Choice Act" may now have life breathed into it, though Specter denies that he will vote for cloture.

What a scumbag.

Amy Frederick Bows Out

Given current idiocies, referenced in her letter, can't say I blame her:

Dear Friends:

Since first beginning to explore the possibility of campaigning to represent the people of the 52nd District in the House of Delegates, I have been humbled by the support and encouragement I received from across eastern Prince William county, and indeed, beyond. Having been honored to stand by Jeff's side for the past six years as he has served, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and get to know many of the people of this district. They have made this job a rewarding experience for both of us, and the lasting friendships will always remain.

Today, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my withdrawal from the race to succeed Jeff in the House of Delegates.

Unfortunately, some in the leadership of the Republican Party have demonstrated a greater interest in playing politics than in advancing our conservative principles and making life better for the families and the citizens of Virginia. I'm not interested in running for office to serve under broken leadership, where the Speaker compromises principle for what he perceives as immediate political gain. What so many entrusted with leadership in our party fail to recognize is that ignoring our core principles in pursuit of titles and power without purpose is exactly the behavior that severely reduced our ranks in the House, handed the Senate to the Democrats, and has resulted in one statewide loss after another.

Although my campaign ends today, it has been a pleasure to travel around the district and introduce myself as a potential candidate to so many wonderful people.

I want to first thank my friends and family for supporting me and encouraging me to run. I also want to thank Kris Morris and my supporters, who have spent hours volunteering on my behalf. To these people, I will remain forever grateful.

I'm excited about the future, and I will be working hard to make sure that people of principle who share Jeff's and my commitment to service are elected and re-elected this year. I'm confident that in years to come, our party will have new leadership and a new direction, which will bode well for fresh, new ideas -- and ultimately, handing our children a better Commonwealth than the one we inherited.

Most sincerely,

Amy Frederick

Personally, I always thought she was a better politician than Jeff. Too bad.

That Explains It

I awoke with a start at about 6:10 this morning. I didn't find out until later that it was this: GM Offers Plan for Nationalization.

As I noted below, my maternal grandfather was a GM dealer for over forty years.

Obviously, what woke me was the tremors caused by the fact that he was spinning like a top in his grave.

Utterly Unexpected

Anyone who's gone to college knows that you can virtually guarantee a good grade by kissing your professor's a**!

A Crying Shame

Apparently, GM's many troubles have caused it to send its Pontiac Motor Division to the gallows.

This is a crying shame. In my experience, there are Ford people, GM people, and (a few Chrysler) people.

I'm a GM person. I've never owned anything but GM products: three Pontiacs; two Buicks; and an inherited Cadillac sedan. The 1994 Pontiac Grand Am I bought new was one of the finest vehicles I've ever owned. Agile and practical, I put more than 215,000 on it before we gave it to my stepdaughter. My mechanic used to have his new technicians do the oil changes, and they would marvel over the fact that its high-mileage engine was cleaner than cars with half or a third as many miles on it. I never had to replace a seal on the engine during the entire time I owned it. We've owned two Pontiac Montanas, one of the finest mini-vans on the market, and my wife still drives one (the first was killed by a careless driver). Heck, the father of my first serious girlfriend was an Oldmobile salesman.

It's probably genetic, as my maternal grandfather was a GM dealer for over forty years in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Pontiac was the first brand he carried, beginning in 1946. Over the years, he picked up Cadillac, GMC Trucks (later dropped), Buick (my father persuaded him to take it on, as Buick District Manager in Philadelphia, and also married my mother, so I'm here because of a Buick), and Opel (later dropped). I remember his annual trips to Michigan (the town of Pontiac, of course) to see the new models.

It's traumatic.

Pontiac Motor Division. RIP.

Diminishing The Nation He Was Elected To Lead

As President Barry continues his magical mystery tour around the world, it's no mystery as to what his goal is: diminishing the nation he purports to "lead."

Never mind that his behavior makes Jimmy Carter look like he has a spine by comparison. Never mind the radicals who have influenced him at every point in his life.

Sometimes, you just can't believe the pablum emanating from this third-rate fool. Speaking after listening to a diatribe from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, he responded with this:

“I’m grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old.”

Of course, it's not about blame, Barry. It's about the fact that you're President of the United States, and you represent this nation as both Head of State and Head of Government. And in that capacity, you stand for everything --- for good or ill, as informed by your own ridiculous philosophy --- done by this nation.

Spare us your narcissism, and man up a little bit.

Better yet, grow a pair.

Could Someone Explain ...

... why the vilest women of the far-Left --- Rachel Maddow and Janeane Garafolo --- are among those most adamantly belittling participants in the tea party protests by comparing them to a sex act? Especially when no self-respecting man would engage in that act with either of them?

Stupid Quotation Of The Day

And the award goes to ... Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norten, champion of unconstitutional legislation to give the District of Columbia a vote in the United States House of Representatives!

She was on C-SPAN this morning with the incredibly beautiful Greta Brawner, complaining that the unconstitutional legislation is being held up by those who would preserve the constitutional rights of D.C. residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights, and came up with this little gem (near the beginning of the interview):

Whoever heard of your gun or your vote?

Unfortunately, it is Delegate Norten herself who is taking that position, failing to understand that it is guns in the hands of private citizens which guarantee the vote.

Just as they guarantee that persons of her hue are not still treated as property.

EASTER REDEMPTION!

Captain Richard Phillips is FINALLY freed after a four-day stand-off.

Sadly, one of the four pirates survived, to be subjected to the research of the United States Department of Justice.

Kudos to three Navy SEALS with good aim!

The Illegitimate Senator?

With the news that the Department of Justice is asking a Federal trial court in Washington to void the convictions of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, a Reagan-era quotation comes to mind:

"Which office do I go to to get my reputation back."

--- Former Labor Secretary Ray Donovan, upon his acquittal on corruption charges.

Now, this decision by Attorney General Eric Holder isn't the same as an acquittal, which still only means that the government's case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But it certainly calls into question the results of the senatorial election conducted last year in Alaska, in which former Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich defeated Stevens in a close race (less than 4000 votes). The vote was held just days after Stevens' convictions.

Was this the thing that made the difference? Ask any Alaskan (I know quite a few) and the answer is, "Almost certainly."

Of course, one has to wonder, in this extraordinary situation, whether Mark Begich would have the dignity and decency to resign his seat, and allow a special election, re-running his race against Stevens, without the cloud which heretofore surrounded Stevens?

Naaaah! He's a Democrat! Power at all costs.

Even if that cost is your dignity and your soul.

Nevertheless, if Begich had any decency, that is the course that he would follow. And you can bet that, were the roles reversed, far Lefties would be demanding that course.

UPDATE: Apparently, some Alaska political leaders agree. Not surprisingly, they are Republicans. It seems that all involved --- former Senator Stevens; Alaska's voters; the courts charged with administering justice; the American public which is supposed to be served by the Department of Justice --- deserved better.

Whatever happens now, Democrat Senator Mark Begich has to be at the top of any list of "Most-Endangered" Democrats when his term is up.

President Barry Announces New Legislative Initiatives

In light of the deepening economic crisis, President Barry took the occasion of the G-20 Summit in London to announce a series of reforms to kickstart the American economy:

1. Immediate closure of the Departments of Housing & Urban Development (which has failed miserably and provided neither housing nor much urban development), Health & Human Services (ditto), Education (double ditto), and Commerce;

2. The firing of Ron Gettelfinger, James P. Hoffa, Gerald McEntee, and Rich Trumka from their posts as heads of the UAW, Teamsters, AFSCME, and the UMW, respectively. Since the President now has the power to fire corporate executives in companies propped up by the government for a few months, there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to fire bosses of unions propped up by the government for decades;

3. An executive order barring the payment of so-called "prevailing" wages on government contracts, and a demand that Congress immediately repeal the racist-motivated Davis-Bacon Act requiring ascertainment and payment of such inflated prices:

4. Called for immediate passage of the National Right to Work Act, and the Freedom from Union Violence Act;

5. Issued a veto threat against the fraudulently-misnomered "Employee Free Choice Act," and the push-button strike bill for first responders;

6. Suspension of Medicare and Medicaid payments and reimbursements, pending full repeal of these programs for socialized medicine;

7. Immediate authorization for off-shore drilling for oil and natural gas in all promising areas; and

8. Making permanent the Bush tax cuts.

My understanding is that, upon hearing this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's head exploded.

Six Minutes Of Brilliance

Guys like this must scare the heads of the Democrat Party to death:

He's Baaaack!

John S. Gray, of Lake Ridge, that is.

It seems that Mr. Gray, whose candidacy to represent Prince William County at the State GOP Convention set for late May in Richmond was rejected by the County GOP Convention nearly two weeks back, is entirely bitter about it. Of course, he was rejected because he's one of the most undependable political chameleons in the County, having run for public office as Republican, Democrat, and Independent over the last ten years or so.

In fact, the only party under whose banner he has not run is the one to which he most appropriately can be categorized: the Flake Party.

In any case, here's the text of his letter:

On March 14, the local Republican Committee held its annual convention.

As the Republican super majority on the Board of County Supervisors now emphatically requires that all senior citizens, the disabled and small business owners (amongst others) affirm their legal
presence in Prince William County, I was wondering if the Republican delegates to that convention were themselves required to affirm their own legal presence in PWC to use facilities paid for by county
taxpayers?

I know for a fact they were not, so I guess what is good for the goose isn’t good for the gander. Gee, how sad. I wonder what we call that?

JOHN S. GRAY

Lake Ridge

And since hard truths are little-valued by the editors of the News and Messenger, here's the comment that I posted, but don't expect to see for too long on the website.

Well, Mr. Gray, I don't know what we call "that," but I know what we call people who knowingly make false statements: liars.

In fact, all participants as delegates to the County GOP Convention were required to "affirm their legal presence in Prince William County," because all participants in the County GOP Convention were required to be "legal and qualified voters in Prince William County," i.e., registered voters, which requires legal presence. This requirement was plainly stated on the application to be a delegate to the Convention. So your charge is false. It's also knowingly false, since --- if you are the same "John S. Gray" who applied to be a delegate to the Convention (or perhaps just the State GOP Convention; it is is one or the other, or both) --- you signed this very affirmation as a condition for consideration.

Now, if this is the same "John S. Gray" who applied and was rejected to be a delegate to the State GOP Convention, I suppose his bitterness --- if not his dishonesty --- is understandable. Then again, if this is that "John S. Gray," he's unsuccessfully run for elective office as a "Republican," a "Democrat," an "Independent," and perhaps every other political party except the brazenly "Flake" party.

Since I Know It Won't Be Approved...

There's an old saying, something to the effect that "You can't teach a pig to dance. You won't succeed, and you'll annoy the pig."

Isn't it amazing how partisans for the radical homosexual agenda, who demand special privileges while putting on a great pretense about only wanting "equality," then engage in behavior which causes others to deny them even the simple courtesies?

I thought I'd make my comment here, rather than at "Special Privileges Loudoun":

Whiny? You know, it just doesn't pay to try to have a respectful, civilized conversation with a fag. In the end, you'll almost always be belittled, demonized, or a combination of both.

Guess Who's NOT Coming To Dinner?

I suspect that George F. Will will not be receiving any more invitations to dine with the Obamessiah.

A Banana Republic?

I haven't commented here on the Jeff Frederick imbroglio, but a post by my friend Leslie Carbone provokes the desire to agree publicly: Jeff Frederick should stay.

And agree I do, with virtually every point Leslie makes. Jeff is my Delegate, and a friend. I voted for him to be RPV Chairman. I did so having gone to Richmond intending to vote for John Hager, whom I have known (and liked) far longer than I have known and supported Jeff. Indeed, I had some serious reservations about some of the criticisms raised by Jeff's campaign. But the Convention run by John Hager's staff changed my mind.

And, like Leslie, I am deeply concerned about the bitterness of this fight, which has caused deep divisions among good friends. Fortunately, at least among the Jeffersoniad, I don't see the personal animosities arising out of differences of opinions that I see elsewhere. Those who think that Jeff should step aside, or be removed, seem to believe that this is the best course for entirely practical reasons, and I would be a fool to suggest that such an argument lacks merit. The very fact that it is made by serious people without a particular axe to grind makes it worthy of respect. That is, of course, as opposed to the reflexive rantings of fatuous dilletantes who hide behind pseudonyms and whose nihilistic actions make them unworthy of serious consideration.

And it is difficult indeed to take some of the latter seriously. They have joined in the far Left's efforts to demonize Frederick. And since they frequently suggest that the best way for the GOP to succeed is to be more like Democrats, I have to reject them ab initio. As Ronald Reagan demonstrated (see also 2006 and 2008 election results; Bush 43 Administration), "slower socialism" as a politically-motivating concept is both the road to serfdom and a recipe for electoral disaster.

But I am stubborn enough to believe that more harm would be done by Frederick's departure for bad reasons than would be done by his retention of his position even given his flaws.

Has Virginia's GOP really fallen upon such hard times that we're going to allow Virginia's far-Left moonbatosphere and its spineless cousins among so-called "moderate" Republican bloggers to not only dictate who is an "acceptable" Republican, but also to overturn the results of a lawful vote?

'Fact is, it has been some time since an RPV State Chairman has completed a term to which he or she has been elected. The last one may well have been Pat McSweeney (1992-96). And then-Governor George Allen tried to orchestrate his removal, as well. Like now, I opposed that removal effort, which seems to have been as contrived as this one.

All that Governor Allen achieved, given the super-majority requirements of the State Party Plan, was to weaken McSweeney and RPV for the remainer of McSweeney's term. And one wonders whether that effort didn't come around to bite Allen on the posterior, whether a strong RPV could have made the difference in Allen's unsuccessful run for a second term to the United States Senate in 2006.

I actually attended the State Central Committee at which McSweeney's removal was considered. Among other things, Tenth Congressional District Chairman (then, and sadly, now) Jim Rich earned my everlasting emnity for his role in that contrived controversy. My impression at the time --- and confirmed at subsequent meetings, where I frequently carried proxies for others --- was that the SCC was largely not so much the voice of the various units from which its members were elected as it was a "gold watch" for good and faithful service. I vividly remember one member standing up at the meeting during a subsequent convention to complain about the fact that the Party was providing child care for young children, so that their parents could attend and vote at the convention. I remember thinking --- and may have said in response at the time --- that this older gentlemen probably didn't have to suffer exposure to the little urchins at the country club, but that the Party's future was in young parents, and their children, and that his complaint was both silly and counterproductive.

Sadly, it seems that certain elements of the SCC have gotten no more serious in the interim. As Leslie notes, the charges against Jeff are by and large "silly," even among those that are not maddeningly vague (Charge 3 is that Jeff made "Unauthorized expenditures of RPV funds for unbudgeted activities without either State Central Committee or Executive Committee consent," and fails to specify even a single such "Unauthorized expenditure"; how does one respond to that?), and/or contrived, and/or false (Charge 2: failure to comply with a directive to disclose vendor contracts; Charge 10: failure to notify the Executive Committee of a non-existent security breach).

Indeed, some have the stench of bitter irony. Charges 4, 5, and 6 essentially complain about Frederick's conduct of SCC meetings. I'd bet a dollar that 10th Congressional District Chairman Jim Rich has signed up for this lynch mob, which makes these bold words from a man who has disregarded the "minimal rights" of those opposing him in similar circumstances.

Jeff has responded more than adequately. Not that his response will matter much to those sizing up Jeff's neck for a noose.

I have no illusions that the merits will make much difference to many among those on the SCC who never supported Jeff. In the memorable phrase of a friend regarding a particularly odious honor proceeding of which we were both aware in my law school days, it may well be that the "kangaroos [will be] a-hoppin'" at the 4 April SCC meeting.

But nevertheless, Jeff Frederick should stay.

Despicable Change

Apparently, President Barry has a plan to charge wounded veterans for the costs of treatment for their injuries sustained in battle.

There are plenty of questions about our veterans' health care system. But I've never heard anyone seriously question our national moral obligation to treat those who have given so much for their country.

This is unspeakably vile. More evidence --- as if more were needed --- that the far Left just doesn't get it.

H/T to Drudge.

Ron Silver, RIP

Tony Award-winning actor Ron Silver has died. Didn't know that he was formerly the President of Actors Equity, a union that I've filed NLRB charges against on behalf of a client.

As a former Democrat who became an independent based upon the far Left's coopting of the Democrat Party on terrorism and national defense policy, he was proof that Hollywood isn't quite hopeless, aside from his considerable thespian abilities.

RIP

Not News: The Truth Hurts, So Moonbats Lie

The latest meme of the moonbat blogosphere is that opponents of the fraudulently-misnomered "Employee Free Choice Act" --- including former Democrat presidential nominee Senator George McGovern --- are "lying" about it, because they say it "means the end of the secret ballot."

But --- like the legislation's title --- the accusation itself is a carefully-crafted misrepresentation.

Here's what moonbat Josh Chernilla, quoting MSNBC's vile lesbian commentator, had to say over at "Blue Commonwealth":

Corporate interests are bent on lying about the Employee Free Choice Act - they'd have you believe that the bill means the end of the secret ballot - but nothing could be further from the truth. The Employee Free Choice Act simply gives employees the choice to join unions - not the employers. Right now, workers can join unions through majority sign-up or a secret ballot election, and they can do so under the Employee Free Choice Act, too. The only difference is it will be the employees' choice, not the employers.

Now, never mind that George McGovern has never been known as a champion of "corporate interests," even among the most pathetic of the moonbat Left. But EFCA proponents are advancing their cause by lying about the argument of their opponents.

No one says that "the bill means the end of the secret ballot" as a general proposition. Of course, secret-ballot elections can still be sought and conducted for decertification and deauthorization (prohibiting unions and employers from imposing or enforcing a forced-unionism agreement). And, of course, a union could still seek a secret-ballot election to organizing a bargaining unit, though why one would do so when it could conduct its campaign behind closed doors and pressure employees without allowing employers to conduct a campaign is a mystery.

But of course, "the bill means the end of the secret ballot" to put a union to its proofs when it presents a petition for union representation signed by a majority of employees. And therefore, also of course, it "means the end of the secret ballot" in the circumstances to which it applies.

The lie itself also demonstrates a singular ignorance of existing labor law, one which one might not expect from someone with Maddow's academic credentials, were it not for her political credentials.

But, as recent presidential history has demonstrated, no lie is too outrageous in pursuit of more power for the far Left.

The entire notion that "it will be the employees' choice" is false, since these advocates for more union-boss power --- like most labor statutes --- virtually ignore those employees who do not support union representation. Of course, what Maddow fails to recognize is that the notion that it is "the employers'" choice is true, but only to the extent that existing labor law doesn't recognize the right of even a substantial minority of employees --- say, 30% of a bargaining unit, the percentage necessary to seek a certification, decertification, or deauthorization election under existing law --- to demand a secret-ballot election when a union and employer agree to card-check recognition. Of course, what currently requires agreement of an employer --- recognition upon a showing of majority support with signed authorization cards --- would become mandated under EFCA, with no mechanism for either an employer or bargaining unit employees to demand an election.

Hence, the term "card check" is absolutely accurate. Union representation would be imposed upon all employees, even those who don't want it, upon a showing that a mere and perhaps ephemeral majority had, in full view of union organizers, signed authorization cards.

It is understandable that the far Left would want to cast EFCA opponents as liars, since the change they propose would permit imposition of monopoly bargaining upon employees based upon the unexaminable promises, misrepresentations, and --- yes --- lies of union organizers in collecting authorization cards. It would also then impose mandatory "arbitration" of first contracts upon a failure to reach agreement, but that's a pernicious element of EFCA which gets less attention than the more fundamental flaw in its extinguishing of the right to a secret-ballot election to prove union support.

Maddow and Chernilla: Liars for the far Left.

Too Funny

As Barbie turns 50, the newest advertisement:

The Ignorance Of Creigh Deeds

Got this fascinating little e-mail from Creigh Deeds today:

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, I was so proud to have a Democratic President.

As you may have heard, President Obama signed an executive order to lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. Once again, America will take the lead in conducting research that has the potential to improve the quality of life of countless Americans. I'd be grateful if you could take a moment to join me in support of President Obama.

Show your support for President Obama on stem cell research.

While we should celebrate this historic day, the fight for stem cell research is far from over. Here in Virginia back in 2005, I exposed Bob McDonnell’s radical stance on this issue. I fought tooth and nail against him. And let there be no doubt that if elected Governor, Bob McDonnell would do everything he could to close Virginia's doors to the cures and hopes of stem cell research. We as Democrats simply can’t afford to lose in 2009.

I believe that yesterday was a beginning, not an end. I want Virginia to lead in the development of stem cell research. I believe our research institutions should lead in this fight, which not only would create 21st century jobs here in Virginia, but also help find the way to cures. Let’s show President Obama how important a step yesterday was.

Thank President Obama for supporting the promise of stem cell research.

Thank you for joining me in support of President Obama. Together, we can continue to move this Commonwealth forward.

Sincerely,

Creigh Deeds

Now, aside from the fact that I'm no friend of Creigh Deeds --- don't even know how I got on his e-mail list --- this missive is rife with revelations about the guy who apparently wants to sell himself as a "conservative" Democrat.

First, there's the implication that America can't "take the lead in conducting research that has the potential to improve the quality of life of countless Americans" unless government funds it. Remember, of course, that the so-called "ban" on embryonic stem-cell research was only a ban on government funding of it (which, to his credit, Deeds apparently recognizes); the private sector was completely free to use embryonic stem cells --- importantly, for foes, from aborted fetuses and discarded embryos from fertility clinics --- to their heart's content.

Does Creigh Deeds really believe this? Wow.

Moreover, while I don't pretend to understand the science of it --- my degree is in law, not genetics or biology --- the issue here isn't whether embryonic stem-cell research would occur. It clearly could occur, even under the eeeeeeevil! Bush Administration. Whether it did occur, I don't know. But to the extent that it did, it occurred with private or state funding, not federal funding.

But that raises this important little question: if it didn't occur, or if you're worried that it didn't occur, doesn't that raise a question as to whether it might not have occurred because its potential is not what the abortion lobby wants you to believe it to be? My layman's understanding is that the most practical applications of stem-cell research has not involved embryonic stem cells. With that being the case, might it be that private entities chose not to fund it based upon a disciplined cost-benefit analysis of its potential?

And if private entities subject to the discipline of the market have made that determination, how is it that government --- subject to no apparent discipline, at least in the age of the Obamorons --- can make a rational contrary determination?

Aside from the profound moral questions at issue, it is utterly clear that the decision to fund federally embryonic stem-cell research is the result of the damnable confluence of a pro-abortion lobby that would impose no limitations on the unbridled "choice" over the life and death of the most innocent, and a Big Government lobby which arrogates unto itself the authority to interpose itself into all manner of individual decisionmaking other than a mother's decision to kill her unborn child.

How either attitude is consistent with the scheme of "ordered liberty" created under our Constitution by great Virginians like Madison, Jefferson, and Washington remains a mystery.

Why Doesn't This Surprise?

Apparently, one of the moonbats formerly known as one of the Ranting Kids is in high dudgeon over the decision of President Barry's Secretary of the Interior to delist wolves from the endangered species list under the Endangered Species Act.

Now, if you begin from the premise that an objective standard exists by which we can determine that certain species are "endangered" or not --- never mind that, having spent the last hundred years canonizing Darwin, the ESA is little more than an effort to overcome application of his theory --- it would seem to follow that circumstances exist for both putting species on the list, and for removing them.

Of course, if you begin from the premise that government must always grow and seize more control over our lives, then removing them becomes anathema, no matter how well they are doing as a species.

Guess which premise informs the moonbat formerly known as one of the Ranting Kids?

Hasn't He Been Paying Attention?

You've got to love the Drudge headline:

"Chavez Calls On Obama To Follow Path of Socialism."

Apparently, Mr. Chavez hasn't been paying attention. After all, it would be entirely redundant.

Paul Harvey, RIP

It was reported minutes ago that broadcast pioneer Paul Harvey has joined his beloved wife, who passed away less than a year ago. Like my maternal grandparents, they were together an amazing nearly seven decades.

I vividly remember, as a small child in Logansport, Indiana, riding in my paternal grandparents' car, and hearing his resonant voice delivering the news. even before I paid much attention to what the news was.

He will be missed.

RIP.

H/T to Drudge.

Time To Take Up Arms?

Let's see if I've got this right: you overpay your taxes, timely file for a refund of the overpayment, and the State tells you that you can't have your money back?!?!?

Well, that seems to be what's happening in Kansas.

Somebody please explain to me how this doesn't justify taking up arms against tyrannical government.

More "Change We Can Believe In"?

It seems that President Barry's Justice Department is defending Bush Administration secrets:

Despite President Barack Obama's vow to open government more than ever, the Justice Department is defending Bush administration decisions to keep secret many documents about domestic wiretapping, data collection on travelers and U.S. citizens, and interrogation of suspected terrorists.

I suspect that President Barry got quite a splash of cold water in his face when he went from carping Democrat nominee to "President-elect" and, as a result, will adopt and pursue many of the same anti-terrorism policies of his predecessor.

And I'm delighted that even the sanctimonious boobs elevated to positions of responsibility by the mediocrity who is President Barry have recognized the effectiveness and importance of the strategies pursued by the former President.

But "change we can believe in"? Change in which I would believe would be if President Barry issued an apology to former President Bush for his sanctimonious and ill-informed attacks.

Of course, the nice thing about having a cult of personality is not having to tolerate demands for such honorable behavior.

A Little Too Close To Truth

On Inauguration Day, the line that ran through my head was a variation of the line from the Beatle's tune, "Eleanor Rigby": "Oh, look at all the pathetic sheeple...."

Now, there's a YouTube that captures that pathos of the Obamorons, a parody of this video:



Wish I'd thought of it, and had the talent to pull it off. Alas, I must simply settle for linking to it.

H/T to Doug Mataconis.

The Wrong Title

"Blue Commonwealth" is flacking for what newly-minted Fifth District Democrat Congressman Tom Perriello is calling his "Road to Recovery" campaign... er, "constituent meeting" tour.

With the policies that he's endorsing, of course, it's more appropriately categorized as the "Road to Serfdom" tour.

The Far Left Meme On Gregg's Withdrawal

Apparently, President Barry's Administration is quite embarrassed by Senator Judd Gregg's (R-NH) withdrawal from consideration for Secretary of Commerce. Apparently, Senator Gregg determined upon further reflection that he could not serve in an Administration with which he has serious and fundamental disagreements.

Now, I thought it a mistake for Gregg to agree to serve in this capacity. From what I know of Gregg, he is a fairly Conservative Senator, and service in a manifestly far-Left Administration would create inevitable conflicts.

But of course, some on the far Left is in high dudgeon over Gregg's decision. They dismiss it as mere "political games." I wonder what they were saying about those partisan, obstructionist Democrats who opposed the President's policies in 2001? Well, I don't really wonder.

So this is apparently the treatment of fundamental policy differences in this childishly-conceived "post-partisan" era: dismiss them as "obstructionist" (damn those obstructionist parties in the 1934 Reichstag!); belittle them; and declare anyone in disagreement with the new Administration somehow "unAmerican."

Sieg Heil!

Local Judge Set For Elevation

According to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Prince William County/Manassas/Manassas Park Circuit Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr., is in the mix for appointment to the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Commonwealth's intermediate appellate court.

If elected, Judge Alston --- the Circuit's President Judge --- would be the second Prince William jurist elevated to Court in recent years. Virginia Supreme Court Justice LeRoy F. Millette, Jr., was elevated to the Virginia Court of Appeals before being tapped for the Virginia Supreme Court.

Judge Alston grew up in Dale City, and is highly regarded for his abilities on the softball field.

Delegate Jackson Miller, Republican from Manassas, has apparently been championing Judge Alston's appointment.

UPDATE: Demonstrating uncharacteristic wisdom, the legislature has, in fact, selected Judge Alston for elevation.

Virginia Democrats Promote Perversion Rather Than Doing What's Right

With unemployment numbers hitting an unexpected high and much of the country's attention focused on the negotiations surrounding the economic recovery package, you would think that our state legislators would want to promote job growth and economic development. Nonetheless, it appears as though the Democrats in the House of Delegates have decided to place more importance on their extreme left-wing agenda rather than promoting the interests of Virginia residents.

House Democrats in a General Laws subcommittee voted Wednesday to promote perversion by supporting Del. Adam Ebbin’s HB2385, which would require public employers to provide special protections to sexual deviants. A majority of the House Democratic Caucus co-patroned the bill.

H/T to Blue Commonwealth. 'Cept our friends over at Blue Commonwealth are a little slow on the uptake, and reported as "last night" something happening four days before.

Here's A Shocker!

Apparently, the woman who had octuplets last week, impregnated through via in-vitro fertilization, had her six previous children also through in-vitro fertilization. In short, only a man, a plastic cup, a freezer, and a turkey baster were involved in the conceptions of the children of this single woman.

It will come as no surprise to learn that this woman spent some quality time as a guest in one of California's state mental hospitals.

Let's Play The Moonbat Match Game!

It's time once again for that perennial favorite .... the Moonbat Match Game!

You know how to play, boys and girls. Just substitute your favorite target for paternalism ... er, protection from eeeeevil!, and replace whatever it is the far Left is up to with your solution.

Today's contestant: The Green Miles!

Here's the phrase of the day:

"All Virginia workers deserve protection from the health effects of secondhand smoke, not just ones who work in bars and restaurants."

Here's how you plan: just replace the bold-faced words with parallels, like this:

All [American citizens] deserve protection from the [evils of the nanny state], not just those who [live in "Red" states].

Or:

All [babies] deserve protection from [abortion], not just those who[se mothers are pro-life].

Go ahead, you can play, too!

Heh

Heard perhaps the best line on President Barry's speech last night to the Democrat congressional retreat from WMAL's Chris Plante, something to the effect that:

"He went after the Republicans hammer and sickle."

Wish I'd thought of it first.

Barry And The Politics Of Tokenism

Well, it seems that Senator Judd Gregg's appointment as Secretary of Commerce was merely the Sock-Puppet's exercise in tokenism.

According to Congressional Quarterly:

The director of the Census Bureau will report directly to the White House and not the secretary of Commerce, according to a senior White House official.

The decision came after black and Hispanic leaders raised questions about Commerce Secretary nominee Judd Gregg ’s commitment to funding the census.

The normal procedure is for the director of the Census Bureau to report to the Secretary of Commerce.

Here's what one Lefty group was reported as saying about the appointment:

"Secretary of Commerce-designate Judd Gregg ’s record raises serious questions about his willingness to ensure that the 2010 census produces the most accurate possible count of the nation’s population,” the National Association of Latino Elected Officials said in a release on Tuesday, the day Gregg was named to the post. “Policymakers and planners at all levels of government rely on these data to make important decisions about their services, such as the number of teachers that will be needed in their classrooms, the best places to build new roads, or the best way to provide job training.”

Of course, the notion that "Policymakers and planners at all levels of government rely on these data to make important decisions about their services, such as the number of teachers that will be needed in their classrooms, the best places to build new roads, or the best way to provide job training," is the false premise upon which this group proceeds.

The census has only one purpose: apportionment for purposes of congressional representation. Any other function served is, in fact, extra-, and therefore un-, constitutional.

No wonder the far Lefties want the Census out of the hands of a Republican. Now, to be sure, it isn't like the modern GOP will treat it as the limiting charter of government that it is. However, there's at least a fair to middlin' chance that someone who calls himself a Republican has at least read the document.

He Probably Won't Even Miss Them

Just yesterday, I was invited to join a new friend at the Palm in Tysons for a light lunch and a cigar.

So much for that.

Virginia's Republican House Speaker Bill Howell announces that he's reached a "compromise" regarding a restaurant smoking ban. According to his press release:

The legislation would prohibit smoking in restaurants throughout Virginia, allowing several exceptions. The exceptions include restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas, any permanent outdoor patio area of a restaurant, any portion of a restaurant that is used exclusively for private functions, any private club as well as street-side “hotdog” stands and other mobile points of food service.

Tell me: how does telling businessmen how to best serve their customers constitute a "compromise"? For this we elected Republicans?

If only Republicans and Democrats were as interested in regulating the conduct of people who leech off of the rest of us as they are in regulating tax producers, the law-abiding, and users of legal products.

Perhaps our estimable Speaker will miss his testicles. Of course, that presumes that he ever had any, a fact not in evidence.

Utterly Fascinating

With all of the tax-dodgers put into President Barry's Cabinet, the thought occurs to me that recent political history, i.e., the politicization of policy differences, has caused a few recent GOP Presidents to issue presidential pardons to high Administration officials.

President Barry has the first Cabinet whose tax-dodging members are in need of presidential pardons before they take office.

A Real Loss

After all, given the standards of the Obamorons (Tim Geithner at Treasury; Thomas "Puff" Daschle at HHS), it's abundantly clear that Leona "Taxes-Are-For-Little-People" Helmsley was a woman ahead of her time.

It's really too bad that she isn't with us.

My guess is that she'd have been up for a post in Barry's cabinet.

I Wonder What This Means?

According to Nielsen, Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981 drew three million more viewers than President Barry's inauguration on Tuesday.

That's three million more viewers with a much smaller population (1980 population: 226.5 million, versus 2008 population: approx. 305.6 million).

I'm not sure what this means, but it certainly belies some of the fantasies of the far Left.

President Barry: Sock-Puppet For The Far Left?

Did anyone else catch President Barry's signing of the Executive Order regarding Guantanamo Bay? I only heard it, and haven't been able to find a link, but it sounded like he didn't even know the particulars of what he was signing, and that Greg Craig basically walked him through it in front of the press.

Is this guy the President, or just a sock-puppet?

Just One Question

Where were these over-privileged dilettantes for President Bush?




Doug Mataconis has it right: "Creepy."

Dingy Harry Does The Right Thing, Vol. I

I had my doubts after Sunday's performance on the talk shows, but it seems that Senate Majority Leader "Dingy" Harry Reid (D-Nev.), has done the right thing, and refused to seat Governor "Hot" Rod Blagojevich's appointee to replace Barry Obama in the United States Senate.

Don't expect to see that headline again in the near future. Perhaps never again.

A Lion Passes

A prominent member of the Second Generation of the leaders of the Conservative movement has passed.

Paul M. Weyrich, first head of the Heritage Foundation, and current President and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation, died early this morning at age 66.

Like William F. Buckley, Jr., earlier this year, his voice was resounding to the last.

While I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Weyrich, his work is much in evidence in Washington. I've spent many hours at the Heritage Foundation, through participation in the Third Generation group, and at other programs, and was interviewed on Tom Jipping's show on Free Congress' cable network (back in 1997, during the Teamsters strike against UPS), which eventually strayed far from its moorings to become [P]MSNBC.

He will be missed.

RIP.

UPDATE: And at least one moonbat has chimed in with his comments. He's all class.

LATEST IN BLAGOJEVICH SCANDAL!!!

It seems that the burgeoning Illinois scandal over Governor Rod Blagojevich's (D) efforts to sell President-elect Barry Obama's Senate seat has yielded a direct link to the incoming administration.

It seems that Vice President-elect Joe Biden was trying to make a deal for Blagojevich's hair.

And Some Wonder Why He Lost

Apparently, John McCain believes that the GOP shouldn't ask questions about Barry Obama's involvement in the Blagojevich scandal.

I honestly don't know if there was any involvement. I rather doubt it.

But that doesn't mean that The One shouldn't have to answer questions.

Thank You For Smoking

On the road yesterday, I had occasion to hear Rush Limbaugh report on the discussion Barack Obama had on Meet the Press about his smoking habits and whether he will indulge (if he hasn't quit), when he moves into the White House. Barry apparently responded that he will follow Federal policy, which bars smoking in government buildings.

While I would encourage anyone to quit smoking cigarettes, if Barry exercises his right to indulge, his response should be to say "To Hell with 'Federal policy'!"

I expect to be highly critical of Barry and his administration. He is, for all practical purposes, a socialist. If he indulges his policy preferences, I expect to oppose him.

Nevertheless, for the next four years, barring anything unforeseen, the White House will be his residence.

And if he chooses to smoke, he is entitled to do as he damn well pleases in his own house.

I certainly won't be criticizing him for doing so.

Amazing

I used to consider Waldo Jaquith one of the more tolerable members of Virginia's Liberal blogosphere. His blog aggregator is indispensable, and unlike many on the Left, who bar comments from Conservatives, he does not fear debate, even if he has a rather childish doorway to post a comment (one has to type "democratic").

Now, I'm not so sure. He declares in a recent comment that "Communism is downright cute."

Perhaps I'm just old-fashioned (well, of course I am), but I have a real problem with anybody who characterizes an ideology responsible for the death of as many of one hundred million souls and the enslavement of more than a billion others as "cute."

Whether it bespeaks ignorance or fundamental evil ... well, I just don't know.

Leading Moonbat Blog Closing: Good Riddance To Bad Garbage

Having spent years making politics in Virginia more corrosive, it seems that the boys and girls at Ranting Kids... er, Raising Dough... er, Raising Kaine... er, "RK" ... er, whatever, are shortly shutting down.

It's none too soon. Sure, they have lots of readers, probably because childishness sells, particularly among the denizens of the far Left.

One has but to witness their recent complaints. It seems that one contributor is in high dudgeon over Virgil Goode's demand --- to which he is statutorily entitled --- of a recount in his narrow loss to lightweight Tom Perriello. One commenter, clearly engaged in an exercise in projection (having apparently forgotten Democrat whines about George Bush's victory in 2000), offered this observation:

An established pattern of Republican elites and their sense of entitlement is, to put it simply: "Any so-called victory by Democrats is not legitimate; it is our right and duty to contest it." And, every time they do demand a recount or go to court (sometimes all the way to the Supreme Court) it does indeed in some measure de-legitimize the Democratic victory, making it seem somewhat less victorious, somewhat less likely to be repeated, while enhancing (in Republican minds at least) the stature of the Republican point of view.

Have we heard enough yet that Democrats won the White House only because of: 1) the unfortunate blip in the economy, 2) Bush's incompetence, and 3) failure of the current Republican leadership to adhere strictly to Republican principles, i.e., they were not conservative enough, because, after all: the United States is basically a center right nation. Therefore, Obama does not have a mandate and he must work in bipartisan fashion with the Republicans (on their terms, not his). All this applies at every level of government---- most especially in these pesky Congressional Districts such as Goode-Perriello. Obviously.

Wow. Now, I suppose that Goode's chances for success are somewhere between slim and none (only one commenter evidences any modicum of sanity; the children over there don't allow me to comment, after all). After all, my recollection is that Virginians can take pride in the integrity and accuracy of their electoral processes, a situation demonstrated in 2005, when Attorney General "Landslide Bob" McDonnell won his race by fewer than a thousand votes, and the recount resulted in a shift of fewer than fifty votes in his favor over Democrat State Senator Creigh Deeds.

And what were the boys and girls at Ranting Kids... er, Raising Dough... er, Raising Kaine... er, "RK" ... er, whatever, saying then?

Well, chief moonbats Lowell Feld and Josh Chernila offered a virtual cornucopia of rationalizations and complaints about the process. Lowell offered the observation that "it appears that 'the fix is in,' with the 'recount' rules written in such a way that there's almost no possibility of Deeds winning." Hmmm. Wasn't Virginia's State Board of Elections controlled by Democrats in 2005? Contributor Nichole openly urged Deeds to request a recount. Josh bucked up the Democrat nominee with "Keep fighting Creigh, we're behind you!" (emphasis added).

I have no doubt that the Virginia Moonbatosphere is in mourning over the impending shutdown of this widely-read blog. But the boys and girls at Ranting Kids... er, Raising Dough... er, Raising Kaine... er, "RK" ... er, whatever, are little loss to rationale discourse and debate. Or even to those who expect just a little bit of consistency, other than consistently applying situational ethics to their "analysis."

Truly Gracious

An update on General Mukasey, via the Federalist Society:

November 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

Well, as I was saying...

Let me please begin by underscoring what an honor it was to speak to you last night. I am, as you might imagine, quite embarrassed to have collapsed last night. I hope that embarrassment is not the product of undue human pride, or at least not principally so. I am embarrassed in part because I fear I ruined your evening and caused you concern - for that I am truly sorry. Equally important, I hope the shortened conclusion of the speech did not detract from the message I hoped to convey: Specifically that the issues of law and policy relating to our continuing national security are real, and are worthy of the most careful thought and deliberation so as to keep the American people safe.

The Federalist Society has spent the last 25-plus years promoting thoughtful and fair debate concerning the critical legal and public policy issues facing our nation. It was an honor to address you last night, and I urge you to continue the fine efforts of the Federalist Society in the future.

Finally, I was truly humbled to hear all of the prayers and well wishes sent on my behalf from attendees at the dinner. Thank you all. I am, fortunately, well, and I too pray for all of our good health and for the future of the Nation we all love.

Very Truly Yours,
Michael Mukasey

A class act.

Truly Terrible

Attending the Federalist Society Convention's annual dinner tonight, I happened to be in the audience when Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed towards the end of a truly inspiring speech regarding the Bush Administration's efforts to combat terrorism.

It looked for all the world to me as though he suffered a stroke. Of course, my degree is in law, not medicine.

Like former Congressman David McIntosh, who led one before we left after the AG was carried away by emergency personnel, I covet everyone's prayers for our Attorney General. Mine go to him and his family.

Good And Hard

The sage of Baltimore, H.L. Mencken, is purported to have observed something to the effect that "Democracy is the theory that the public deserves to get what it wants, and good and hard, too."

For some reason, that quotation has been floating around my head for the last few days.

My Take On The Results

As a Conservative who believes that people should vote on ideas, I am delighted that the results of this election demonstrate that there are not so many racists voting as one might suspect.

As a Conservative who believes that people should vote on ideas, I am appalled that the results of this election demonstrate that there are many more stupid people voting than one might hope.

Once Again, Penn State Gets Screwed

Apparently, barely beating the nation's No. 1 team entitles one to leapfrog the idle No. 2 team. Texas Tech, previously No. 7, beat No. 1 Texas, and was awarded the No. 2 spot previously held by Alabama. Penn State, which was idle this weekend, remained at No. 3, while Alabama was awarded the top spot.

Once again, the most respected coach in college sports, and perhaps in all sports --- Joe Paterno --- is denied the respect he deserves.

Estelle Reiner Dies

Wife of director/comedian Carl Reiner and mother of actor/director Rob Reiner died a few days ago.

She is most famous for perhaps one of the funniest lines ever delivered in a movie, though it was completely deadpan.

In her son's film When Harry Met Sally, Meg Ryan demonstrates that women can fake orgasms any time they want to, and proceeds to do so in a delicatessen. The camera moves to a then approximately 64-year-old Reiner, who declares to the a waitress standing by her "I'll have what she's having."

Hilarious.

RIP.

Obamaniacs Evidencing Desperation?

Had just sat down for dinner a little while ago, and the phone rang. While there are plenty of reasons to hate that, this turned out to be "Mark ____ from Maryland, a volunteer for" Barry He-Whose-Middle-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Spoken Obama and Mark Warner.

What a hilarious call. He asked for my wife, who likewise, had just sat down to dinner. He asked a few questions, the upshot of which was "Who are you voting for?" Since I didn't want to interrupt my wife's dinner, I informed "Mark from Maryland" that there was utterly no chance that my wife would be voting for Barry or the Boyish Governor, and that, since my dinner was getting cold, he should stop wasting my time and his, and hung up.

Doubtless, he indulged his self-serving caricatures, and dismissed me as just another right-wing radical Christian who exercises dictatorial control over his wife who, at best, simply has a "false consciousness," being unaware of her own interests and in desperate need of the guidance of the vanguard of the proletariat.

Of course, this call may well represent a rather desperate tactic on the part of Barry and the Komsomol. After all, it hardly seems logical or persuasive for Marylanders to call into Virginia for Obama, and especially for Marky-Mark. Particularly south of the Occoquan. Moreover, why would it be necessary to use Marylanders if Obama is doing so well in Virginia?

And what about this?: Brenda Young has to be among the hardest of the hard "Rs." She's voted in every GOP primary in Virginia since 1990. She's been a member of her local GOP Committee since 1991. She's attended every GOP Convention (county; congressional district; and state), since 1992.

This call makes me more sanguine about the truth about Barry's "popularity."

A Pretty Pathetic Job Application

So former Secretary of State --- and this is his most relevant "former" --- Colin Powell has endorsed The One, Barry He-Whose-Middle-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Spoken Obama for President of the United States.

As someone pointed out to me this morning, it's a pretty pathetic job application.

Think about it. One who finds solace in polling data could conclude that an Obama victory is a foregone conclusion, that it's all over but the shouting. So now, sixteen days before Election Day, Powell endorses The One. Might it be that he wants a job in the new Administration?

After all, look at his justifications. Powell challenges McCain's judgment. Does he do so by pointing out his contempt for the First Amendment, and his support for limiting free speech, as illustrated by the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance "Reform"? Does he attack McCain's support for any eminently arguable policy preferences?

No. Powell claims that it is illustrated by his pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for Vice President, saying that she is clearly not qualified to assume the office of President. But as compared to whom? Barry Obama? After all, Palin has the executive experience that Obama is sorely lacking. When one considers this fact, it becomes readily apparent that Powell's decision --- to the extent that it may not be completely opportunistic --- is based more on ideology than on objective criteria. And if it is based upon ideology, one can legitimately question whether his was ever truly a Republican ideology, even broadly construed.

He fears more conservative Supreme Court nominees? What Republican isn't hopeful of a more conservative Supreme Court?

Indeed, one looks at the endorsement and sees little more than The One's self-serving (and largely false) talking points. To the extent that The One's thin record depicts anything, it reveals a committed Socialist (even when --- uncharacteristically --- someone like "Joe the Plumber" gets access to ask a tough question). Other than that, The One presents little more than an empty vessel, into which his campaign devoutly hopes that the muddled middle will pour its own predispositions and hopes, without knowledge of his thin but actual record.

More interesting is the reaction of the far Left moonbatosphere. They hail the endorsement as a triumph, demonstrating once again that theirs are situational ethics of the worst sort. Aren't these the same people who not so long ago roundly condemned Colin Powell as a mere cipher, spouting the dishonest (they say) arguments in favor of taking out Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein? What is it that converted Colin Powell from a mere propaganda mouthpiece into a sage political analyst?

Apparently, his newfound and arguably opportunistic support for The One.

Lowell Feld, one of the leading moonbats ... er, "lights" over at Ranting Kids ... er, Raising Dough ... er, Raising Kaine ... er, "RK," has even put up a post about past Republican comments about Colin Powell. I suppose it's more fun to attack the other side as hypocritical than to remind readers about your own (or your fellow travellers') previous attacks one someone whom you now believe to have "seen the light."

Powell's endorsement of Obama demonstrates nothing so much as the fact that Powell --- his service to the nation notwithstanding --- is not a serious or consistent political thinker. Certainly, to the extent that he has ever thought about issues broader than national security issues at all.

For this endorsement does not elevate The One so much as it diminishes Colin Powell. And that is unfortunate.

My Two Favorite College Teams Undefeated!

With a majority of their respective seasons past, my two favorite college football teams --- Hampden-Sydney (the alma mater) and Penn State (I'm from Pennsylvania, and my grandparents were season ticketholders) --- are both ranked, and both undefeated.

Hampden-Sydney, No. 20 in Division III, and No. 1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), prevailed over the coeducational experiment in Lexington, AKA Washington & Leigh ... er, "Lee" (Robert E. Lee V, H-SC '86, was a classmate of mine) by a score of 39-29, while No. 3 Penn State broke a 12-game losing streak against Michigan by rolling to a 46-17 victory, allowing no opposing scoring after the first half, yesterday.

Hampden-Sydney may well be on their way to a second consecutive appearance in the Division III playoffs, since they can do no worse than 4-2 in the conference, with home games against Catholic (5-1 overall; 1-1 ODAC), the alma mater of H-SC Head Coach Marty Favret, next week and The Game against arch-rival Randolph-Macon (2-4 overall; 1-1 ODAC) on 15 November. A non-conference game against undefeated Huntington College (Montgomery, Alabama) is scheduled for 8 November.

And if Penn State can prevail against No. 12 Ohio State in Columbus next week, they will certainly be in the hunt for the National Championship.

Should be an interesting month in college football.

BIDEN CALLS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST GOP OFFICIAL!

Hard to believe, but it's true. One of the Ranting Kids has the story here.

I wonder how many flipping toupees this will get from Ben Tribbett?

Interesting Insight On Barry

I've often said --- probably not here --- that the best Constitutional Law course I've ever taken was one taught by Professor David Marion, at Hampden-Sydney College, in my senior year.

At the alma mater's Homecoming this weekend, I learned that I'm not the only practicing attorney who feels this way. A much more recent graduate agrees.

It seems that a young man who graduated a few years after I did went on to law school at the University of Chicago, where his Con Law instructor was none other than Barack He-Whose-Middle-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Spoken Obama.

According to my source, Dr. Marion's course/teaching/method of instruction as a Political Science/Government course was superior --- far superior --- to Barry's as a law school instructor.

It surprises me not at all.

Frederick States Fact; Moonbatosphere Whines

Facts are the enemy of Liberalism. It's an undeniable truth of life. Moonbats scurry from fact like vampires scurry from sunlight.

Witness the recent statement by Jeff Frederick. He repeated an observation made by Limbaugh a few days back: that both have closely associated with men who have bombed the Pentagon and buildings in New York City. I noted the comparison here.

Frederick said it in front of a magazine reporter, as if it were news, or as if twenty million people hadn't heard Limbaugh say it five days ago.

So what do the moonbats do? Well, of course, they act as if it were news. Lowell, the lead moonbat at Ranting Kids ... er, Raising Dough ... er, "Raising Kaine" ... er, "RK," questions Frederick's sanity --- a subject on which he is perhaps qualified to speak --- and declares flatly that Bill Ayers --- the Weather Underground terrorist in question --- is not The One's friend.

They call for Frederick's resignation, demonstrating beyond doubt that they fear most a Republican Party of Virginia Chairman who will respond in kind to their attacks. They scream "racism and hate," as though they don't engage in class warfare and promote hatred against the successful, and as though pointing out The One's questionable associations were not legitimate. Of course, they declare that all but embrace of The One and his candidacy is racism per se.

It's expected when the moonbats whine. That's like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. It's rather disappointing when someone as normally sensible as Doug Mataconis thinks it's a big deal.

Heard On Rush Limbaugh Today

What does Barack Don't-mention-my-middle-name Obama have in common with Osama bin Laden?

They both have closely associated with men who have bombed the Pentagon and buildings in New York.

OBAMA ADMITS HE'S A SOCIALIST!!!

Shortly before 10:00 p.m., E.D.T., the Democrat nominee for President, Barack Don't-mention-my-middle-name Obama admitted that he's a socialist.

He said that health care is a "right." Of course, that means that the government should take my money to care for those who are less responsible.

This alone should disqualify this dilletante from public office in the United States of America.

Another Moron For Obama

Apparently, Barry's doing quite well in Springfield.

What Are His Credentials?

The impending congressional/taxpayer bailout of Wall Street raises any number of interesting questions.

Among the most interesting is why certain Members of Congress who were complicit in the bad decisionmaking which allowed the "crisis" to develop are given any role in crafting a solution to it.

Chief among these is Barney Frank (D-Mass.).

I would certainly like to know what business or finance credentials he brings to the table.

After all, the closest this career politician has ever come to running a business is when Steven Gobie was running a homosexual male escort service out of Frank's townhouse in the 1980s!

Intellectual Whiplash

Well, OK. Ascribing the word "intellectual" to any part of Virginia's moonbatosphere is a stretch. Perhaps "intellectualoid" is a better word.

And how else do you explain the fact that many of those savaging Sarah Palin as "unqualified" for the job she seeks were championing Governor Timmy! for the same post?

Even Governor Timmy! himself!