What are you doing this Wednesday evening? Have you been looking for a way to commemorate disgraced Dan Rather's swansong as CBS Evening News anchor? The Independence Institute is hosting a farewell party for Rather, and you're invited: Join us for “Happy Hour” on Wednesday, March 9th at 5:00 PM at Jackson’s All American Sports Grill in LoDo as we say a tearful good bye to legendary anchorman Dan Rather. Following Rather’s final farewell, Jay Ambrose, former editor of the Rocky Mountain News, will address the liberal bias in the mainstream media. RSVP to Rachael by calling 303-279-6536 or rachael@i2i.org The Center for the American Experiment in Minnesota is hosting its own dinner forum to mark the occasion, with Powerline's … [Read more...]
Libertarians, Immigration, and Food for Thought
An interesting, more in-depth read for a Monday morning: Robert Locke, former associate editor of FrontPage magazine, unleashes a full-scale intellectual assault against the libertarian philosophy on the pages of the American Conservative. It's a must-read for those who are interested in exploring the nuances and distinctions within the broader Republican, center-right coalition. While those on the left side of the political spectrum are well occupied in their own deep internecine squabbles, it is important to remember that the broad majority coalition has its own serious disagreements, too. … [Read more...]
Testimony Resurfaces in Schiavo Case
A report today in CNS News indicates that critical testimony in an earlier hearing in the Terri Schiavo case was incorrectly disregarded. The testimony challenges the idea that there is "clear and convincing evidence" of Terri's express wishes to die. One of Terri's close friends testified that she had expressed strong opinions against the removal of life support from comatose Karen Ann Quinlan during a conversation in 1982. The judge ruled that the testimony was mistaken as to when it took place because it couldn't have been discussed in the present tense: he wrote that Quinlan was dead in 1982. But Quinlan didn't die until 1985. Judge Greer, the same man overseeing the case today, asserted that the conversation must have taken … [Read more...]
“Our American Values Are In Our Pockets”
As Clay has already pointed out, I was able to attend noted lecturer and talk show host Dennis Prager's morning presentation to Colorado's joint House and Senate Republican Leadership Team. Dennis is heard locally on 710KNUS - to whom I am grateful for the invitation to this morning's event - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday to Friday. Prager delivered a mid-legislative session pep talk to a caucus in need of revitalization. It is tough being in the minority, especially when you're not used to it. But the nationally-syndicated radio celebrity sure did yeoman's work in lifting the legislators' spirits. … [Read more...]
Howard Dean: Social Security Can’t Continue As Is
The keen antennae of Matt Margolis at Blogs for Bush have detected the following from a recent visit by new DNC Chair Howard Dean to Cornell University. From The Cornell Daily: Dean pointed out that, while he would not endorse this, if Social Security were left alone for 30 years, its benefits would be reduced to 80 percent of what it is now. He acknowledged that while there were indeed problems with the program, turning to Wall Street was not the answer. Now Dean still opposes the President's plan and wants to paint it with the false brush of "privatization," but he has essentially acknowledged the Democratic argument on Social Security is deeply flawed: we can't expect the program to keep functioning according to the status … [Read more...]
“Evil”? Overzealous, maybe…
The Rocky Mountain News makes a great point today: the use of the word evil is being tossed about quite casually these days. The Rocky mentioned remarks by Colorado's Democrat Speaker Andrew Romanoff to a reporter that the most rewarding jobs he has had "were the ones where you got up in the morning to do good and fight evil." (The quote comes from this story here, a very long profile of Romanoff. Consider yourself warned.) Romanoff Either Romanoff doesn't find his current job very rewarding, or he believes his legislative leadership position is fixed on fighting evil. Evil budget deficit? Evil Republicans? Hopefully, he wasn't taking cues from the Democratic National Committee's new chairman Howard Dean, who made his … [Read more...]
Terri’s Parents Seek Divorce
Seventeen days remain until the blind and barbaric act of removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube will occur. And Judge George Greer is refusing to accept any motions from the Schindlers - including one to file a divorce for Terri from Michael, who has abandoned her to live with a woman he calls his "fiancee." The only motions Greer will accept, according to Blogs for Terri, are related to the death process. Basically, the judge is going to ignore the serious need to perform medical testing on Terri to determine the true nature of her condition. Instead, he's essentially telling the parents to get used to the fact their daughter is about to be starved to death, but you can pick where and whether they want to watch her slow and agonizing … [Read more...]
Vox Blogoli 2.2: Learning the Lesson of Grant
Hugh Hewitt has dangled another Vox Blogoli before us, and I couldn't resist the temptation for this one... "Does the Senate GOP Go McClellan or Go Grant if Harry Reid 'Goes Gingrich?'" According to the New York Times, Senate Minority Leader Reid has threatened to shut down the business of the Senate if Bill Frist and the Republicans remove the filibuster rule for judicial confirmations. While awake to the danger of carrying the US Civil War-era historical analogy too far, I decided to address Hugh's question creatively and analytically. I write as someone who grew up a Civil War buff - voraciously devouring all sorts of literature on the subject by the time I entered college - and later made the transformation to junior Civil War … [Read more...]
Florida Representative: Strong Feelings on Schiavo Case
Last night I sent out e-mails to 20 or so different Florida state legislators, with an ardent appeal on behalf of Terri Schiavo. Today I know at least one member of the Florida House of Representatives shares public concern. When you send out e-mails to public officials in a different state, for whom you can't vote and have almost zero likelihood of contributing time or money to help in one of their campaigns, it tends to be surprising that one of them would actually write you back. Unless they believe the issue you're writing about is so very important. My message: I am not a Florida resident, but after reviewing the facts of the Terri Schiavo case would earnestly exhort you to do all in your power to intervene on her behalf. … [Read more...]
Intervening on Terri’s Behalf
This is the first time I've blogged on this particular case. But the exigency of the circumstances - they will begin starving Terri Schiavo tomorrow (!) - has broken my silence. Blogs for Terri has put together the most concerted effort on her behalf. It is updated very regularly to let you know what you can do. Jared has done excellent work - migraine and all - to spread the call for action, and has also made one of the more clear and cogent arguments for keeping in her feeding tube. Hugh is publicizing the issue on his show today. A lot of leading figures in Florida, including Governor Jeb Bush, are working to find any legal option they can to rescue Terri. Besides adding your voice to those speaking up for a defenseless woman, … [Read more...]