Quick link blogging this morning: read this AP story from today's Washington Times - America's fascination with the details of celebrities' everyday lives takes another twisted turn as U.S. military personnel who guarded Saddam Hussein in an Iraq prison give GQ the big scoop on his living habits, favorite foods, and various personal opinions. The AP story gives no hint of the actions that earned Saddam the nickname "Butcher of Baghdad." How easy to forget.... … [Read more...]
Outrages and More
Some of you may have noticed the dearth of extensive writing and posting here of late. Let's just call it "outrage fatigue." Everything from the Michael Jackson verdict to the obnoxious posturing over the Gitmo affair and more has caused my blood to boil in recent days. But frankly, I haven't had much to add to the conversation, and I haven't wanted to dwell on it anyways. Just in case you were wondering.... Meanwhile today, the news reports emerged from the Terri Schiavo autopsy. Her death by dehydration has not stifled the debate.... … [Read more...]
Italy and the Euro
The Washington Time reports today on a burgeoning political movement in Italy to oust the euro and bring back the lira as the national currency. I can almost see the sign now at the banks and exchanges: 1 euro = 1,000,000 lira. ...There have to be some jokes out there from this story - there have to be. … [Read more...]
Settling the Great Quarter Dispute
Clay takes a look at the "flip side" to give us the final lasting proof why Colorado beats Minnesota in the Great State Quarter War. If you haven't dropped by lately, check it out. And don't forget to cast your vote. (Looks like the controversy also continues to sweep through the MSM. Read David Harsanyi's Denver Post column today. ) … [Read more...]
Blog Freedom News: The China Edition
In a story that may be of interest to some of my readers and friends in the Internet community (if they aren't already well aware of it), Cybercast News is reporting that the Chinese government plans a crackdown on blogs this summer. The Chinese government says a system has been developed to monitor sites in real time, searching each one for a registration number. Those not registered would face penalties, including fines of up to one million yuan (about $121,000). The ministry said almost 75 percent of all website already have been registered. The regulations were needed, it said, because of sex, violence, superstitions and "other harmful information" available online. Of course, it's not like anything like this would happen in … [Read more...]
Message to Chad the Elder: Sit Down
I'm sure the boys at Fraters are aware of the old Irish saying, but under the current circumstances it bears repeating: "When everyone says you're drunk, you'd better sit down." When the best defense of your state's honor is giving the correct spelling of lutefisk, it's time to take a seat, Peeps. Perhaps reviewing some of the great moments in Minnesota history will remind the inebriates of the terrible insecurity driving them to waste their time trying to disparage the beautiful state of Colorado. Here are the highlights - a chronology of events that nearly every Minnesota school boy can recite with pride: 1805 - Zebulon Pike explores Minnesota, yawns, gets ripped off purchasing 155,000 acres of land for 60 gallons of whiskey (still … [Read more...]
Rossputin on the Big Stage
Colorado's own Ross Kaminsky, of Rossputin fame, found a bigger platform for his eloquent insights into Social Security reform (had you forgotten about this issue) with today's Real Clear Politics Commentary. Ross thanks Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler for proposing a whopping tax hike as an alternative to the President's personal account plan. Check it out. … [Read more...]
A Great Marketing Opportunity
After listening to this colorful account on the floor of the Senate from West Virginia's senior statesman - as replayed today on the Hugh Hewitt Show - I think somebody needs to package the idea and sell it as "Bedtime Bible Stories with Bobby Byrd." I can almost hear the promo now.... Well, I'll leave the ideas to some budding marketing prodigy. I don't need any share of the profits - just a little credit is all. Thank you very much. … [Read more...]
An Enterpriser
The Pew Research Center has released its new assessment of "political typology," the first such report since 1999. Reading the report is an exercise for diehard political junkies, but anyone out there with some curiosity and a few minutes to spare should take the quiz to see where you fit into the scheme of things. A gracious hat tip to Michelle Malkin, a fellow Enterpriser: WHO THEY ARE: Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30. LIFESTYLE NOTES: 59% have a gun in the home; 53% trade … [Read more...]
Welcome to the “Tunnel of Oppression”
Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and get ready for a ride through the "Tunnel of Oppression," the latest multi-sensory, feel-not-so-good liberal method to promote an agenda - and 100% free of reason, logic, or coherent argument. But what else did you expect? Gina Garcia, one of the tunnel coordinators, said the shock value is part of the intent of the display. "If you just provide a lot of factual stuff, you're only connecting with people cognitively. This is supposed to be very much of the effect, we're supposed to be getting to people's emotions," she said. A conservative could try to start a conversation about many of the topics graphically depicted in the Tunnel and automatically receive a negative label. But be … [Read more...]