The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News have put in their two cents worth about State Treasurer Mike Coffman's decision to step down and serve a seven-month stint in Iraq. The Post finds it easy to salute elected Republicans, when they decide to leave the country for awhile, even if it means participating in a military action that the Post editorial board is less than comfortable with. At least they left this stern admonition: We don't think it's appropriate for Coffman's party to use his decision to seek a partisan advantage. Coffman has our good wishes as he prepares for his second service in Iraq, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the treasurer's office. They couldn't resist leaping into the political … [Read more...]
Songs for Snowy International Reflections
A log from snowed-in metro Denver... Have Americans again lost interest in international events? Has too much time passed since 9/11 and the subsequent Afghanistan and Iraq wars so that people think we've achieved some sort of detente, normalcy, or new Pax Americana? Have we overcome the naivete - so typical of our nation - regarding threats from abroad and political developments a half a world away? Many of those who spend lots of time online know that there are dozens of excellent bloggers keeping us regularly attuned to events in Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, North and South Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their work is tremendously appreciated, as I must confess my own tendencies to get absorbed with national and even … [Read more...]
Have You Seen the Pics from Lebanon?
Cliff May has posted some incredible pictures of the massive freedom demonstrations in Beirut over at The Corner. Note to the Left's Fever Swamps: get back to work coming up with explanations for how all that progress towards freedom in the Middle East is happening in spite of President Bush. You're falling behind! … [Read more...]
3-11-05
It's been precisely three-and-a-half years since the fateful and tragic day of 9/11. Victor Davis Hanson looks back at the "turning points" since that day and judges American foreign policy successes up to this point. As always, Dr. Hanson is a must-read. … [Read more...]
Blog Connections: Military Reminders
Thanks to Amy, who I met last night at the Independence Institute's Dan Rather party, I've discovered some more blog connections. My pastor's son - who is a lawyer at the same firm as Amy - has been called up from the Reserves to serve active JAG duty in the Middle East, leaving his wife at home with their five children. Andy has a blog and a photoblog. His wife Amy (different from the Amy I met) has her own blog, too. A good reminder of what our servicemen and women and their families sacrifice and face on a daily basis. Keep them in your prayers, and send a military person or his/her family your thanks. … [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...]
Supporting Lebanon
Events in Lebanon are moving fast and furious. It's inspiring to see its people, of different ethnic groups, emboldened and banding together to push Assad's Syrian bullies out of their government. (AP Photo) I just wanted to post this message of solidarity with the Lebanese people. The United States of America supports your actions. The road to freedom is not a smooth or painless one, but its great rewards cannot be discounted. Hugh has all the links to those keeping close tabs on the situation in and around Beirut. … [Read more...]
‘The winds of freedom are sweeping across Iraq’
Though I've been fighting illness lately and though I barely have time right now, I felt impelled to post this - the inspiring story of Iraqis turning out to vote in a historic election, showing bravery during threats of serious violence. "We have defeated the terrorists today," Ahmad Chalabi, a secular Shiite who is running for the National Assembly on the United Iraqi Alliance list, told FOX News. "The winds of freedom are sweeping across Iraq." … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Tsunami Aftermath
The massive natural disaster in South Asia 10 days ago was not only an immense loss of human life and an even greater multiplying of human misery. Those facts are profoundly obvious and stir at the heart-strings of any soul with an ounce of compassion. You can still give to World Vision (one of many organizations doing remarkable work in the ravaged countries) via the Rocky Mountain Alliance donation page. But the aftermath of the disaster and the earliest relief efforts have pointed clearly to some startling geopolitical changes in recent decades. Most remarkable seems to be the petulant whining of the United Nations relief agency. While the U.N.'s relevance and credibility gradually diminish, Euro-elitists like Jan Egeland and … [Read more...]
Birthday Wishes
The temperature drops. Several inches of snowfall loom on the Western horizon. The signs are clear, there's no mistaking: it's my birthday all right. Christmas, New Year's, Ben's birthday... all in succession. My earliest claim to fame was being "First Baby of the Year" in Clarkston, Michigan, for 19__. (Bonus points to the reader - not a family member or longtime close friend - who can guess the year: your trivia for the day.) The last time I paid a visit to the old hometown was 2002, and it has transformed from a cozy small town to a full-fledged upscale suburban bedroom community along the Interstate between Detroit and Flint. If you've got to live along that corridor, Clarkston is a nice place to be... trust me. Anyway, I've … [Read more...]