I don't want to cast aspersions on Neel Kashkari, our new Interim Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability. (Our what???) He has an impressive resume and I have no reason to believe he won't be anything but professional in his new duties overseeing our $700 billion bailout/rescue/Hail Mary.
But ...
Is the universe trying to tell us something? The man responsible for cleaning up this debacle, which was exacerbated by shocking payouts to Wall Street insiders and Fannie and Freddie executives, is named Kashkari, pronounced cash/carry, as in cash-and-carry.
Is this cosmic irony? Or are the karmic powers-that-be trying to tell us all that we need to stop using debt?
Just asking ...
No matter what, I wish Neel the best of luck.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Can McCain Pull This Off?
Yes.
If he can reach the voters directly ... Here are his challenges.
First, the polls are unreliable. When you look at a poll, you have to ask one question: what is the ratio of Democrats to Republicans? By upping the number of Dems or lowering the number of Repubs, a pollster can manipulate the results to favor Obama. I won't name names but this has happened more than once over the last few weeks.
Second, the MSM will run with these bad polls because they desperately want Obama to win. How else to explain the lack of coverage for Biden's outrageous gaffes about clean coal, who was president during the Great Depression, and his egregious debate whoppers? (I'm sure a few experts on the Middle East are scratching their heads about the "Biden-Obama Hezbollah-Lebanon" policy.) By pushing the idea that Obama's win is inevitable, they hope to sway undecideds and dispirit McCain-Palin backers.
Third, McCain has to step up to the plate. He has to make it clear to the American people that the Democrats blocked Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform, enabling the housing bubble. He has to link Obama to the freshman senator's crazy cohorts, because, trite though it sounds, you really can judge a man by the company he keeps. And, most important, he has to give voters a reason to vote for him. What is he going to do to fix the economy? Tax cuts won't cut it.
Fourth, Americans need to realize they are being played - by the media, by the Democrats, by the Obama campaign, by George Soros, by moveon.org, by labor unions, and by Hollywood loons who make millions reading lines other people write for them. All of these groups have vested interests in presenting a candidate with no real job experience as a viable president. If McCain's campaign can't drive home the prospect of a Pelosi-Reid-Obama government, he deserves to lose.
I believe this election is closer than the polls say. Neither candidate has made the sale to voters. I'm not confident one will before November 4th, which actually favors McCain as the known commodity.
Can McCain pull this off? If he wants to.
If he can reach the voters directly ... Here are his challenges.
First, the polls are unreliable. When you look at a poll, you have to ask one question: what is the ratio of Democrats to Republicans? By upping the number of Dems or lowering the number of Repubs, a pollster can manipulate the results to favor Obama. I won't name names but this has happened more than once over the last few weeks.
Second, the MSM will run with these bad polls because they desperately want Obama to win. How else to explain the lack of coverage for Biden's outrageous gaffes about clean coal, who was president during the Great Depression, and his egregious debate whoppers? (I'm sure a few experts on the Middle East are scratching their heads about the "Biden-Obama Hezbollah-Lebanon" policy.) By pushing the idea that Obama's win is inevitable, they hope to sway undecideds and dispirit McCain-Palin backers.
Third, McCain has to step up to the plate. He has to make it clear to the American people that the Democrats blocked Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform, enabling the housing bubble. He has to link Obama to the freshman senator's crazy cohorts, because, trite though it sounds, you really can judge a man by the company he keeps. And, most important, he has to give voters a reason to vote for him. What is he going to do to fix the economy? Tax cuts won't cut it.
Fourth, Americans need to realize they are being played - by the media, by the Democrats, by the Obama campaign, by George Soros, by moveon.org, by labor unions, and by Hollywood loons who make millions reading lines other people write for them. All of these groups have vested interests in presenting a candidate with no real job experience as a viable president. If McCain's campaign can't drive home the prospect of a Pelosi-Reid-Obama government, he deserves to lose.
I believe this election is closer than the polls say. Neither candidate has made the sale to voters. I'm not confident one will before November 4th, which actually favors McCain as the known commodity.
Can McCain pull this off? If he wants to.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
If You Can't Beat 'em, Bully 'em
"I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face."
-- Barack Obama, Elko, NV, September 16, 2008
Alrighty, then. (Note: I've not linked to the points below because there are copious reports that support them that have been clicked on to death.)
First, the DNC tried to bully Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the primary.
Then, the MSM, mesmerized by The One, tried to bully primary voters into snubbing HRC by accusing ordinary citizens of racism.
Next, the DNC Rules Committee strong-armed the Democratic electorate in Florida and Michigan to give The Big O delegates conjured from thin air.
Then, the Unholy Trinity of Pelosi, Dean, and Reid conspired to buy superdelegate support by pouring cash into campaign coffers, causing a stampede of shameless political hacks to The One and finally shoving the people's choice out of the primary.
Next, the DNC and The One, he of the hopey/changey/post-partisan/post-racial/new politics kumbaya campaign, harangued national delegates into abandoning their states' voters to support the worst sham election since Syria's.
But, it hasn't worked. The McCain-Palin ticket is tied with The Eared and Plugged Ones. M-P is ahead in key battle grounds, like Florida, and competitive in Michigan. (Go figure. Those Dems didn't like all the maneuvering at their expense.)
So, the Unholy Trinity and the Chicago Cabal are panicked. The country just doesn't seem to like this guy and no amount of shilling from SNL and Bill Maher seems to help. What's a dirty Daley machine pol to do? Bully the electorate.
For all I know, the American people can be humbled and despirited enough to grudgingly vote for the Ear-Plugs ticket. Who knows? Stranger things have happened. (See Bush 2000 and Bush 2004.) But, color me skeptical, if I'm allowed to be without that being misconstrued as a racial taunt.
Here's what I see as the DNC/Ear-Plugs strategy.
1. Inspire its minions to harass their friends, neighbors and coworkers.
2. Call the American people racists by making bogus claims about The One's inherent electability were he not (b)-(l)-(a)-(c)-(k). I said, were he not BLACK. BLACK! Can't you people see there's a BLACK man running for president? There was a poll telling you what a racist sack of pig excrement you are! (lipstick optional)
3. Threaten us with THE CHRISTIANS.
4. Scare us that the old man may not make it to January, leaving us with - a sitting governor!
5. Scream about leaving the economy to A CHRISTIAN and and an old guy who can't even send an e-mail (because the Viet Cong broke his arms in multiple places but he can't tell you that because that's "playing the POW card").
So much for the politics of hope and change. Let's examine these tactics.
1. - Great way to get fired/dumped/shunned/disinvited to your mother-in-law's annual New Year's bunko blowout. Seriously, The One did this in the primaries and a quarter of HRC's voters are so mad they're either voting for the other guy or undecided. In fact, Ear-Plugs is so not worried about HRC's supporters that it's formed an outreach group (read gang) called "Hillary Sent Me." Good plan. Not. (I love you, Hill, but I don't worship you. Thanks but no thanks.)
2. - Great way to get Americans to lie to pollsters because they're afraid of looking bad. Not a great way to get votes. I expect most M-P voters to harden out of disgust and most independents will feel slighted. Americans like to feel good about themselves, not scolded for feelings few have.
3. - Most Americans are Christians who live in small towns and like their guns. See 2. Since Palin is drawing huge crowds, my guess is this isn't working.
4. - Way to insult 50% of the population! So, a female governor with the highest approval rating of any current sitting governor is a worse option than a freshman senator who's spent his ENTIRE tenure in the senate running for president. (And, he's being propped up by the star-struck Unholy Trinity and their Horse Faces of the Apocalypse, Kerry, Kennedy, and Clyburn.)
5. - And, Senators, your economic plan would be ... Yeah, that's why a prominent Democratic strategist urged you to come up with one plan, one, just one, because voters can't name any.
Well, as the old saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, bully the shit out of 'em. At least, that seems to be the Chicago version. Luckily, The One isn't in Chicago anymore. If Governor Palin clicks her heels just right, he'll be back there soon enough.
-- Barack Obama, Elko, NV, September 16, 2008
Alrighty, then. (Note: I've not linked to the points below because there are copious reports that support them that have been clicked on to death.)
First, the DNC tried to bully Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the primary.
Then, the MSM, mesmerized by The One, tried to bully primary voters into snubbing HRC by accusing ordinary citizens of racism.
Next, the DNC Rules Committee strong-armed the Democratic electorate in Florida and Michigan to give The Big O delegates conjured from thin air.
Then, the Unholy Trinity of Pelosi, Dean, and Reid conspired to buy superdelegate support by pouring cash into campaign coffers, causing a stampede of shameless political hacks to The One and finally shoving the people's choice out of the primary.
Next, the DNC and The One, he of the hopey/changey/post-partisan/post-racial/new politics kumbaya campaign, harangued national delegates into abandoning their states' voters to support the worst sham election since Syria's.
But, it hasn't worked. The McCain-Palin ticket is tied with The Eared and Plugged Ones. M-P is ahead in key battle grounds, like Florida, and competitive in Michigan. (Go figure. Those Dems didn't like all the maneuvering at their expense.)
So, the Unholy Trinity and the Chicago Cabal are panicked. The country just doesn't seem to like this guy and no amount of shilling from SNL and Bill Maher seems to help. What's a dirty Daley machine pol to do? Bully the electorate.
For all I know, the American people can be humbled and despirited enough to grudgingly vote for the Ear-Plugs ticket. Who knows? Stranger things have happened. (See Bush 2000 and Bush 2004.) But, color me skeptical, if I'm allowed to be without that being misconstrued as a racial taunt.
Here's what I see as the DNC/Ear-Plugs strategy.
1. Inspire its minions to harass their friends, neighbors and coworkers.
2. Call the American people racists by making bogus claims about The One's inherent electability were he not (b)-(l)-(a)-(c)-(k). I said, were he not BLACK. BLACK! Can't you people see there's a BLACK man running for president? There was a poll telling you what a racist sack of pig excrement you are! (lipstick optional)
3. Threaten us with THE CHRISTIANS.
4. Scare us that the old man may not make it to January, leaving us with - a sitting governor!
5. Scream about leaving the economy to A CHRISTIAN and and an old guy who can't even send an e-mail (because the Viet Cong broke his arms in multiple places but he can't tell you that because that's "playing the POW card").
So much for the politics of hope and change. Let's examine these tactics.
1. - Great way to get fired/dumped/shunned/disinvited to your mother-in-law's annual New Year's bunko blowout. Seriously, The One did this in the primaries and a quarter of HRC's voters are so mad they're either voting for the other guy or undecided. In fact, Ear-Plugs is so not worried about HRC's supporters that it's formed an outreach group (read gang) called "Hillary Sent Me." Good plan. Not. (I love you, Hill, but I don't worship you. Thanks but no thanks.)
2. - Great way to get Americans to lie to pollsters because they're afraid of looking bad. Not a great way to get votes. I expect most M-P voters to harden out of disgust and most independents will feel slighted. Americans like to feel good about themselves, not scolded for feelings few have.
3. - Most Americans are Christians who live in small towns and like their guns. See 2. Since Palin is drawing huge crowds, my guess is this isn't working.
4. - Way to insult 50% of the population! So, a female governor with the highest approval rating of any current sitting governor is a worse option than a freshman senator who's spent his ENTIRE tenure in the senate running for president. (And, he's being propped up by the star-struck Unholy Trinity and their Horse Faces of the Apocalypse, Kerry, Kennedy, and Clyburn.)
5. - And, Senators, your economic plan would be ... Yeah, that's why a prominent Democratic strategist urged you to come up with one plan, one, just one, because voters can't name any.
Well, as the old saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, bully the shit out of 'em. At least, that seems to be the Chicago version. Luckily, The One isn't in Chicago anymore. If Governor Palin clicks her heels just right, he'll be back there soon enough.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Why the Media Don't "Get" Sarah Palin
It's not the hockey shtick or the sarcasm-with-a-smile that makes Governor Sarah Palin a "game changer" in this election. No, the former small town mayor is John McCain's secret weapon for reasons the East Coast Elite can't fathom. Unbeknownst to the Ivy League talking heads, there are smart folks out here in the Heartland. How can that be? (Have they heard of Warren Buffet, the first generation billionaire who's based in Omaha?)
First, let me say how entertaining it was to watch Sally Quinn, the self-appointed Doyenne of DC, squirm in Bill O'Reilly's hot seat and be bitch-slapped by Soledad O'Brien, who has four kids and a demanding job as an cable news anchor. Lacking any discernible talent for journalism or writing, Quinn's official job at WaPo has been Editor's Wife Who Thinks She's Smarter Than You Serfs Who Work For People Like Her Husband. Nevertheless, Quinn took it upon herself to lambaste GOVERNOR Palin for being a self-made working mom. Presumably, members of Quinn's bunko group only dabble when the whim strikes them.
O'Reilly made Quinn look like a simpleton. Dressed in a teal blouse - with an unwisely low neckline that emphasized how far her 67-year-old boobs have sunk, Madame blathered on about special needs kids and the challenges of raising them. One assumes that the Quinn-Bradlee household of three eked by.
But let's return to the subject at hand, how Sarah Barracuda has single-handedly changed the presidential race. As reported by Rasmussen, Gov. Palin's approval ratings top both presidential candidates. Here are my reasons why the Palin pick is absolutely brilliant, and not "brilliant" as in Michelle "1100 SAT" Obama. I mean the Merriam-Webster's definition of brilliant.
1. Todd Palin is part Yup'ik. Can he connect with Native Americans in the Lower 48? If so, he should be dispatched to the Dakotas and New Mexico pronto. The Dakotas should be red but have been wavering and NM looks like it will turn blue. Maybe Palin, who is proud to call himself part Eskimo, could be a strong advocate for Native American rights and make a difference with voters.
The McCain-Palin ticket has played up Todd's heritage for another reason, one that can't be mentioned in polite company (Sally, if you can find your ears under that white helmet of a bob, cover them): it insulates Palin from attacks that she's racist and frees her to go after Obama with impunity. What the Obama campaign seems to have forgotten but I'll say out loud is that not all Americans of color are black. And, the ones who aren't wonder how much influence Obama's old church has had. This could be big issue with Hispanic voters who consider McCain's failed immigration bill a valiant effort. Also, Asian voters, few that there are, granted, are skeptical of Obama's sympathies and despise affirmative action, which has been used to limit their numbers at top universities.
2. Sarah Palin will attract Hillary's voters. While there are thousands of Democrats who will vote for McCain/Palin rather than the candidate they believe stole the nomination, they aren't the target. Blue-collar white males and their spouses are.
When a fancy suited young man alights on a factory floor, workers think one thing: layoffs. So, you can't blame blue-collar voters for not warming to Obama. He reminds them of every other corporate trailblazer whose favorite words are longer than his resume. And, they know what happens after his "synergies" and "efficiencies" are realized. They need a new job.
These are the workers Palin is supposed to attract. Until a few years ago, her husband, a union member, was the primary breadwinner. The Palins juggle their work schedules through hard work, flexibility, and family support. They understand the challenges of childcare and mortgage payments.
The Democrats' veep pick was supposed to appeal to working class voters. Whatever. Is it me or does Joe Biden need to stop talking about taking the train home from the Senate? Doesn't that make Delaware a suburb of DC? Wouldn't that make Biden part of the entrenched establishment Obama is supposedly running against?
3. The Base. This is a no-brainer. Really, Hillcrats, he wasn't going to put a Hillary clone on the ticket. McCain is a Republican.
4. The Media hate her. With a passion. So, of course, American wants to know why. Frankly, I have no sympathy for members of the nattering class who claim ignorance about a sitting governor, the most popular governor in the country, no less. I knew who Sarah Palin was before that fateful Friday. If they didn't, they should be docked a month's pay. Shouldn't these "experts" know their subjects?
5. Suburban women see themselves. No matter what their political persuasion, suburban moms see one of their own running for vice president. They can't help but relate.
It's difficult to be a working mother. Most women still handle more than their share of household duties. Once you have a baby, you're "mommy tracked" and you don't get the same responsibilities and raises. Then, along comes Sarah, ready to show the world that moms have brains as well as uteruses. And, her supportive husband sits beaming proudly, comfortable in his skin as snowmobile champion and dad that cooks. "We CAN do it!" shout these suburban moms.
But, it's not all roses and sunshine for Gov. Palin. There are her detractors. The Loony Left has gone bananas seeing a pro-life Christian woman on the undercard. Strident feminists are penning columns implying she's not a real woman. And, then there are the divorced moms. They are a category unto themselves and a lost cause for McCain-Palin. In order, here are the candidates most despised by these women:
1. Women married to "flawed" men who stay married. This drives the divorced moms crazy since they ditched their jerks only to end up lonely and living hand-to-mouth waiting for the child support check. Yes, they're jealous.
2. Happily married women, happily married/committed gay men, lesbians of all relationship status because they don't deal with men. Yes, again, the divorced moms are jealous. Many are insanely jealous. Too bad for them.
3. "Flawed" male candidates like Bill Clinton. Interestingly, these women can overlook the men's indiscretions but not their wives for staying. Petty. That's all I'll say.
4. Happily married men, like Obama claims to be. Honestly, they want to marry him. It's a school girl crush. And, immature.
5. Single gay men. Divorced women LOVE single gay men! They aren't a threat to these women's worldview and they can dish about what louts men are.
In other words, these women hate other women. I can't tell you how many divorced women I know who hate Hillary for not leaving Bill. I believe they want to marry Obama. And, they hate McCain for dating Cindy while he was separated from his first wife. They overlook two facts, that McCain's first wife remains on good terms with him and that John and Cindy raised the three kids from the first marriage. Not that it matters, except that it speaks to his character, but John had adopted his first wife's two sons from her previous marriage. Cindy and he raised these sons, one of whom is on tap to take over Cindy's position as Chairman of the Board if John is elected.
Let the media focus on distractions like Palin's foray into beauty pageants and her patchwork scholastic career. She's smart and tough. And, best of all, unlike her Democratic rivals, she seems disinterested in courting the DC elite. Of course, playing hard to get will get you one thing: more attention.
The media may not "get" Sarah Palin but she seems to "get" them.
First, let me say how entertaining it was to watch Sally Quinn, the self-appointed Doyenne of DC, squirm in Bill O'Reilly's hot seat and be bitch-slapped by Soledad O'Brien, who has four kids and a demanding job as an cable news anchor. Lacking any discernible talent for journalism or writing, Quinn's official job at WaPo has been Editor's Wife Who Thinks She's Smarter Than You Serfs Who Work For People Like Her Husband. Nevertheless, Quinn took it upon herself to lambaste GOVERNOR Palin for being a self-made working mom. Presumably, members of Quinn's bunko group only dabble when the whim strikes them.
O'Reilly made Quinn look like a simpleton. Dressed in a teal blouse - with an unwisely low neckline that emphasized how far her 67-year-old boobs have sunk, Madame blathered on about special needs kids and the challenges of raising them. One assumes that the Quinn-Bradlee household of three eked by.
But let's return to the subject at hand, how Sarah Barracuda has single-handedly changed the presidential race. As reported by Rasmussen, Gov. Palin's approval ratings top both presidential candidates. Here are my reasons why the Palin pick is absolutely brilliant, and not "brilliant" as in Michelle "1100 SAT" Obama. I mean the Merriam-Webster's definition of brilliant.
1. Todd Palin is part Yup'ik. Can he connect with Native Americans in the Lower 48? If so, he should be dispatched to the Dakotas and New Mexico pronto. The Dakotas should be red but have been wavering and NM looks like it will turn blue. Maybe Palin, who is proud to call himself part Eskimo, could be a strong advocate for Native American rights and make a difference with voters.
The McCain-Palin ticket has played up Todd's heritage for another reason, one that can't be mentioned in polite company (Sally, if you can find your ears under that white helmet of a bob, cover them): it insulates Palin from attacks that she's racist and frees her to go after Obama with impunity. What the Obama campaign seems to have forgotten but I'll say out loud is that not all Americans of color are black. And, the ones who aren't wonder how much influence Obama's old church has had. This could be big issue with Hispanic voters who consider McCain's failed immigration bill a valiant effort. Also, Asian voters, few that there are, granted, are skeptical of Obama's sympathies and despise affirmative action, which has been used to limit their numbers at top universities.
2. Sarah Palin will attract Hillary's voters. While there are thousands of Democrats who will vote for McCain/Palin rather than the candidate they believe stole the nomination, they aren't the target. Blue-collar white males and their spouses are.
When a fancy suited young man alights on a factory floor, workers think one thing: layoffs. So, you can't blame blue-collar voters for not warming to Obama. He reminds them of every other corporate trailblazer whose favorite words are longer than his resume. And, they know what happens after his "synergies" and "efficiencies" are realized. They need a new job.
These are the workers Palin is supposed to attract. Until a few years ago, her husband, a union member, was the primary breadwinner. The Palins juggle their work schedules through hard work, flexibility, and family support. They understand the challenges of childcare and mortgage payments.
The Democrats' veep pick was supposed to appeal to working class voters. Whatever. Is it me or does Joe Biden need to stop talking about taking the train home from the Senate? Doesn't that make Delaware a suburb of DC? Wouldn't that make Biden part of the entrenched establishment Obama is supposedly running against?
3. The Base. This is a no-brainer. Really, Hillcrats, he wasn't going to put a Hillary clone on the ticket. McCain is a Republican.
4. The Media hate her. With a passion. So, of course, American wants to know why. Frankly, I have no sympathy for members of the nattering class who claim ignorance about a sitting governor, the most popular governor in the country, no less. I knew who Sarah Palin was before that fateful Friday. If they didn't, they should be docked a month's pay. Shouldn't these "experts" know their subjects?
5. Suburban women see themselves. No matter what their political persuasion, suburban moms see one of their own running for vice president. They can't help but relate.
It's difficult to be a working mother. Most women still handle more than their share of household duties. Once you have a baby, you're "mommy tracked" and you don't get the same responsibilities and raises. Then, along comes Sarah, ready to show the world that moms have brains as well as uteruses. And, her supportive husband sits beaming proudly, comfortable in his skin as snowmobile champion and dad that cooks. "We CAN do it!" shout these suburban moms.
But, it's not all roses and sunshine for Gov. Palin. There are her detractors. The Loony Left has gone bananas seeing a pro-life Christian woman on the undercard. Strident feminists are penning columns implying she's not a real woman. And, then there are the divorced moms. They are a category unto themselves and a lost cause for McCain-Palin. In order, here are the candidates most despised by these women:
1. Women married to "flawed" men who stay married. This drives the divorced moms crazy since they ditched their jerks only to end up lonely and living hand-to-mouth waiting for the child support check. Yes, they're jealous.
2. Happily married women, happily married/committed gay men, lesbians of all relationship status because they don't deal with men. Yes, again, the divorced moms are jealous. Many are insanely jealous. Too bad for them.
3. "Flawed" male candidates like Bill Clinton. Interestingly, these women can overlook the men's indiscretions but not their wives for staying. Petty. That's all I'll say.
4. Happily married men, like Obama claims to be. Honestly, they want to marry him. It's a school girl crush. And, immature.
5. Single gay men. Divorced women LOVE single gay men! They aren't a threat to these women's worldview and they can dish about what louts men are.
In other words, these women hate other women. I can't tell you how many divorced women I know who hate Hillary for not leaving Bill. I believe they want to marry Obama. And, they hate McCain for dating Cindy while he was separated from his first wife. They overlook two facts, that McCain's first wife remains on good terms with him and that John and Cindy raised the three kids from the first marriage. Not that it matters, except that it speaks to his character, but John had adopted his first wife's two sons from her previous marriage. Cindy and he raised these sons, one of whom is on tap to take over Cindy's position as Chairman of the Board if John is elected.
Let the media focus on distractions like Palin's foray into beauty pageants and her patchwork scholastic career. She's smart and tough. And, best of all, unlike her Democratic rivals, she seems disinterested in courting the DC elite. Of course, playing hard to get will get you one thing: more attention.
The media may not "get" Sarah Palin but she seems to "get" them.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Stuck in the Seventies: How the Left Is Out of Step on Abortion
The valiant fight for abortion rights was won in the most unlikeliest of places: The Buckle of the Bible Belt.
Sarah Weddington sued infamous, long-serving Dallas County DA Henry Wade on behalf of serial baby factory, Norma McCorvey, better known as Jane Roe. Weddingon went on to the history books, Wade continued his reign on minority defendant rights (currently being undone by Democrat Craig Watkins) and abortion became legal in the US. (Ms. McCorvey had her baby, since her case was heard by The Supremes years too late, and gave the child up for adoption.) It was 1973.
To hear the Democrats, it still is.
But, now, the fight for abortion rights might be undone by another Sarah.
Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is the living, breathing repudiation of every old abortion canard trotted out by the Left. And, she is two months away from being elected as the first woman Vice President of the United States, giving her the perfect platform to show the country just how out of step the Democrats and their liberal benefactors have become on this emotional issue. Ironically, they have themselves to blame. Had they nominated popular-vote winner Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Dems would not have Gov. Palin as Exhibit A in the Case Against the Left's Abortion Arguments. (An eloquent post by riverdaughter at The Confluence gives reasons for voting against the 2008 Democratic ticket.)
So, let's see how Gov. Palin proves the Dems wrong:
1. The Costs of Having a Disabled Baby are Too High
Gov. Palin gave birth this April to a "beautiful baby boy" she declared "perfect." He has Downs Syndrome, a diagnosis the governor and her husband learned after prenatal testing. They declined to abort even though about 90% of parents faced with this decision end their pregnancies. (sources: wiki, NYT)
2. We Shouldn't Burden Women With Babies They Can't Care For
Gov. Palin is a mother of 5, including newborn son Trig. She started her political career as a mother of three, had a daughter while mayor, and a son while governor. If Governor Palin and her husband can juggle 5 children and her duties as Vice President of the United States (she's currently a sitting governor), then few women can claim a baby will push them over the edge.
Now, there are some left-wing heavy hitters defending this fragile argument. Barabra Ehrenreich famously pontificated about her two abortions of convenience in the New York Times. She hypocritically claimed, "And when it comes to my children - the actual extrauterine ones, that is - I was, and remain, a lioness." But, clearly not for the two most defenseless cubs who had poorly timed their conceptions.
3. Women Deserve the Right To Choose Their Reproductive Destiny
Yes, they do. That is why we have condoms, The Pill, the IUD, the female condom, various hormone patches, the sponge, the cervical cap, tubal ligation and vasectomies (willing partners, only, please) and a clever invention called the calendar. None but the last were widely available to women who came of reproductive age during the Sixties and Seventies. But, they are now. (One fact conveniently left out of the Dems narrative on "choice" and "destiny" is the right to keep the baby, also a choice, as the staunchly anti-abortion Gov. Palin believes and exercised.)
There is a glaring reason young women aren't fired up about abortion rights. Few need them. These women grew up with the benefits of Roe and its associated battles - sex ed, condoms in high school bathrooms, and open lectures about STDs. They know how and why they can get pregnant and they realize that there are few excuses for it accidentally happening. All US women have access to contraception, even teens who can demand their boyfriends spend a few bucks at CVS. (Hey, Playa, it's half yours, remember.)
While women forty years ago had to use abortion as birth control, had the real fear of losing their jobs/diplomas/degrees if they got pregnant, or faced the prospect of a loveless shotgun marriage, today's women don't. Girls and women who find themselves with an oops have options their mothers couldn't have dreamed of. Pregnant teens can attend special high schools with daycare and career counsellors and there are colleges with on site childcare. All pregnant women have job protections, not just the married ones. And, in 2008, we have a legal system happy to slap delinquent dads with child support.
Simply put, we aren't living in the Sixties. We aren't Norma McCorvey. Today's accidentally pregnant face not the shame of illicit sex but the stain of ignorance. In short, we are expected to own our own destinies.
For the record, I am pro-choice and do not want to see Roe reversed. It is the lesser of two evils. No, birth control isn't infallible and mistakes do happen, sometimes in the heat of passion. But, as a mother, I can't sign up for abortion on demand, anytime, anywhere. Nope. While I certainly agree that a mother has more rights than a potential being, I believe a fetus past 22 weeks is its own separate being. There, I said it. Late-term abortions should only be done because of the health of the mother or in compassionate cases like anencephalic babies. Period.
But, what about rape and incest? If you waited later than 22 weeks, you can wait a few weeks more. Sorry. See the above paragraph.
The Democrats have arguments they lack the courage to make. It should be mandatory for hospitals to offer rape victims the morning after pill. It should be mandatory for pharmacies to honor prescriptions as written, not push their religious beliefs on their customers and undercut a doctor's treatment. And, we need to get rid of parental notification laws. These are fights worth having.
Alas, the Democrats are still mired in a pre-1973 world. They want to fight for rights women already have and for choices we can already make. Who, I wonder, can't surrender control of women's bodies?
Sarah Weddington sued infamous, long-serving Dallas County DA Henry Wade on behalf of serial baby factory, Norma McCorvey, better known as Jane Roe. Weddingon went on to the history books, Wade continued his reign on minority defendant rights (currently being undone by Democrat Craig Watkins) and abortion became legal in the US. (Ms. McCorvey had her baby, since her case was heard by The Supremes years too late, and gave the child up for adoption.) It was 1973.
To hear the Democrats, it still is.
But, now, the fight for abortion rights might be undone by another Sarah.
Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is the living, breathing repudiation of every old abortion canard trotted out by the Left. And, she is two months away from being elected as the first woman Vice President of the United States, giving her the perfect platform to show the country just how out of step the Democrats and their liberal benefactors have become on this emotional issue. Ironically, they have themselves to blame. Had they nominated popular-vote winner Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Dems would not have Gov. Palin as Exhibit A in the Case Against the Left's Abortion Arguments. (An eloquent post by riverdaughter at The Confluence gives reasons for voting against the 2008 Democratic ticket.)
So, let's see how Gov. Palin proves the Dems wrong:
1. The Costs of Having a Disabled Baby are Too High
Gov. Palin gave birth this April to a "beautiful baby boy" she declared "perfect." He has Downs Syndrome, a diagnosis the governor and her husband learned after prenatal testing. They declined to abort even though about 90% of parents faced with this decision end their pregnancies. (sources: wiki, NYT)
2. We Shouldn't Burden Women With Babies They Can't Care For
Gov. Palin is a mother of 5, including newborn son Trig. She started her political career as a mother of three, had a daughter while mayor, and a son while governor. If Governor Palin and her husband can juggle 5 children and her duties as Vice President of the United States (she's currently a sitting governor), then few women can claim a baby will push them over the edge.
Now, there are some left-wing heavy hitters defending this fragile argument. Barabra Ehrenreich famously pontificated about her two abortions of convenience in the New York Times. She hypocritically claimed, "And when it comes to my children - the actual extrauterine ones, that is - I was, and remain, a lioness." But, clearly not for the two most defenseless cubs who had poorly timed their conceptions.
3. Women Deserve the Right To Choose Their Reproductive Destiny
Yes, they do. That is why we have condoms, The Pill, the IUD, the female condom, various hormone patches, the sponge, the cervical cap, tubal ligation and vasectomies (willing partners, only, please) and a clever invention called the calendar. None but the last were widely available to women who came of reproductive age during the Sixties and Seventies. But, they are now. (One fact conveniently left out of the Dems narrative on "choice" and "destiny" is the right to keep the baby, also a choice, as the staunchly anti-abortion Gov. Palin believes and exercised.)
There is a glaring reason young women aren't fired up about abortion rights. Few need them. These women grew up with the benefits of Roe and its associated battles - sex ed, condoms in high school bathrooms, and open lectures about STDs. They know how and why they can get pregnant and they realize that there are few excuses for it accidentally happening. All US women have access to contraception, even teens who can demand their boyfriends spend a few bucks at CVS. (Hey, Playa, it's half yours, remember.)
While women forty years ago had to use abortion as birth control, had the real fear of losing their jobs/diplomas/degrees if they got pregnant, or faced the prospect of a loveless shotgun marriage, today's women don't. Girls and women who find themselves with an oops have options their mothers couldn't have dreamed of. Pregnant teens can attend special high schools with daycare and career counsellors and there are colleges with on site childcare. All pregnant women have job protections, not just the married ones. And, in 2008, we have a legal system happy to slap delinquent dads with child support.
Simply put, we aren't living in the Sixties. We aren't Norma McCorvey. Today's accidentally pregnant face not the shame of illicit sex but the stain of ignorance. In short, we are expected to own our own destinies.
For the record, I am pro-choice and do not want to see Roe reversed. It is the lesser of two evils. No, birth control isn't infallible and mistakes do happen, sometimes in the heat of passion. But, as a mother, I can't sign up for abortion on demand, anytime, anywhere. Nope. While I certainly agree that a mother has more rights than a potential being, I believe a fetus past 22 weeks is its own separate being. There, I said it. Late-term abortions should only be done because of the health of the mother or in compassionate cases like anencephalic babies. Period.
But, what about rape and incest? If you waited later than 22 weeks, you can wait a few weeks more. Sorry. See the above paragraph.
The Democrats have arguments they lack the courage to make. It should be mandatory for hospitals to offer rape victims the morning after pill. It should be mandatory for pharmacies to honor prescriptions as written, not push their religious beliefs on their customers and undercut a doctor's treatment. And, we need to get rid of parental notification laws. These are fights worth having.
Alas, the Democrats are still mired in a pre-1973 world. They want to fight for rights women already have and for choices we can already make. Who, I wonder, can't surrender control of women's bodies?
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Genie is Out of the Bottle and Out of Wishes
Lo! In the twentieth year after the world was supposed to end, according to the Prophet Orwell, a Star rose over the oldest lands of the New World. And, the New Orwellians rejoiced for, surely, their two-term lefty savior had arrived to become king.
Hence, as the Star sparkled in the prime time sky, did a wondrous event occur. Reverend Dean and Kerry, the king-in-waiting, did kiss the ring of Prince Kennedy and rub the feet of Daley, Overlord of Darkness. And, yea verily, on the vast temple before the assembled New Orwellians, the spell was broken. From the very toenails of the Overlord did rise a tall and handsome genie with a radiant smile and photogenic cheekbones.
And, the genie did gently circle his manicured hands and did speak to the New Orwellians. "People of the New World Order," said the genie. "We are not Earthlings or Starlight, Orwellians or Rovians. Nay, we are all Obamacons. And, yea verily, we will unite this planet in Boston and Seattle, in the City of Angels and the City of Wind, in Berlin and Paris, and in Ames and in Washington! Yes, we can! We will work together. You must wish it so. You must have hope!"
Yea, and the crowd roared its approval for it comprised the Creative Class and they were averse to work but they could dream and wish and hope.
But, the genie needed sustenance so he retreated to a dark doorway to smoke, leaving the New Orwellians to ponder his wisdom.
"My lord, how can thou unite the planet?" asked the Reverend Dean, verily enjoying the burning incense from the land of Marlboro.
"Ah, but I cannot," replied the genie.
"What?" screamed the Reverend. For he was known far and wide for his screams.
"But, you told the New Orwellians ..."
"My good reverend," said the genie, "I am a genie. I grant wishes. I do not work."
"Wishes?"
The genie did verily wave his elegant hands. "I am The One and I am here to grant three wishes to the man who broke the spell."
And, the Reverend Dean did let out his scream and jump up and down and pump his fists in the air. "He's not here. But, I know what he wants. I'll do it for him. I wish for John Kerry to win the election!"
"Well, uh, see, Reverend, we could get into the specificity of the paranormal vs. the audacious, and we could talk about this all day, about the ramifications, of, uh, wishes and their consequences," said the genie and Dean was verily entranced by the beauteous words and the dazzling smile and the wafting incense from the land of Marlboro. "But, see, when we get down to the, to the, look, I can only grant three wishes a year and between my wife and, anyway, no can do until 2005."
So, the Rovian King Dubya was not deposed and the New Orwellians would have to wait another four years for the calendar to turn, as was the custom in the New World.
But, lo, in that instant, a partnership was birthed. And, the genie's fame grew far and wide to Sin City and the New Sodom and promises were made and deals were hatched so that four years later the genie might become king-in-waiting. Soon, it became known among the New Orwellians that the genie would rule over them in 2008. For, it was inscribed in the NYT and WaPo, on dKos and Huff&Puff.
Hence, the 24th year after the Prophet Orwell had forecast the end of the world, the New Orwellians cheered as the genie became their king-in-waiting. But, the Rovians were not so taken with the genie and they bore false witness against him and circulated true stories about his lack of experience as a real king. And, the residents of the New World were curious.
Now, the genie had been forced to use all of his three wishes warding off Empress Hillary of Clintonia, sworn enemy of the Reverend Dean, Prince Kennedy and then former king-in-waiting Kerry. The Empress was the champion of the People of the Working Class and she beat the genie, only to be cast aside at the end by his last wish. But, lo, the genie was out of wishes and could not make himself king.
So, the New Orwellians faced life for four years under Lt. McCain, a Rovian that many liked more than the genie. And, the genie's fortunes looked dim. Lo, their last chance came upon them, a final pitched battle between the Empress and the genie. If the Empress won, she would click her red shoes, vanquish Lt. McCain, and return peace and prosperity to the New World.
But, alas, the Clintonistas, after a valiant fight, were unable to put the genie back in the bottle until the dark of winter descended on the lands and Lt. McCain had assumed the throne. The New Orwellians were split between the Rovians and the Clintonistas, and the rest were driven into exile to the very edges of the New World, the Blue Coasts.
Lo, it came to pass, in the 28th year after the Prophet Orwell had scheduled the end of the world, that Empress Hillary smote King McCain and became the rightful ruler of the New World, bringing peace, prosperity, and gender equality to all. It is whispered in these parts and others far and wide that the Empress Hillary kept on her desk a box from the land of Marlboro sealed tightly in a glass case and that on starry nights, a beauteous voice would bespeak the words "audacity" and "bitch".
Hence, as the Star sparkled in the prime time sky, did a wondrous event occur. Reverend Dean and Kerry, the king-in-waiting, did kiss the ring of Prince Kennedy and rub the feet of Daley, Overlord of Darkness. And, yea verily, on the vast temple before the assembled New Orwellians, the spell was broken. From the very toenails of the Overlord did rise a tall and handsome genie with a radiant smile and photogenic cheekbones.
And, the genie did gently circle his manicured hands and did speak to the New Orwellians. "People of the New World Order," said the genie. "We are not Earthlings or Starlight, Orwellians or Rovians. Nay, we are all Obamacons. And, yea verily, we will unite this planet in Boston and Seattle, in the City of Angels and the City of Wind, in Berlin and Paris, and in Ames and in Washington! Yes, we can! We will work together. You must wish it so. You must have hope!"
Yea, and the crowd roared its approval for it comprised the Creative Class and they were averse to work but they could dream and wish and hope.
But, the genie needed sustenance so he retreated to a dark doorway to smoke, leaving the New Orwellians to ponder his wisdom.
"My lord, how can thou unite the planet?" asked the Reverend Dean, verily enjoying the burning incense from the land of Marlboro.
"Ah, but I cannot," replied the genie.
"What?" screamed the Reverend. For he was known far and wide for his screams.
"But, you told the New Orwellians ..."
"My good reverend," said the genie, "I am a genie. I grant wishes. I do not work."
"Wishes?"
The genie did verily wave his elegant hands. "I am The One and I am here to grant three wishes to the man who broke the spell."
And, the Reverend Dean did let out his scream and jump up and down and pump his fists in the air. "He's not here. But, I know what he wants. I'll do it for him. I wish for John Kerry to win the election!"
"Well, uh, see, Reverend, we could get into the specificity of the paranormal vs. the audacious, and we could talk about this all day, about the ramifications, of, uh, wishes and their consequences," said the genie and Dean was verily entranced by the beauteous words and the dazzling smile and the wafting incense from the land of Marlboro. "But, see, when we get down to the, to the, look, I can only grant three wishes a year and between my wife and, anyway, no can do until 2005."
So, the Rovian King Dubya was not deposed and the New Orwellians would have to wait another four years for the calendar to turn, as was the custom in the New World.
But, lo, in that instant, a partnership was birthed. And, the genie's fame grew far and wide to Sin City and the New Sodom and promises were made and deals were hatched so that four years later the genie might become king-in-waiting. Soon, it became known among the New Orwellians that the genie would rule over them in 2008. For, it was inscribed in the NYT and WaPo, on dKos and Huff&Puff.
Hence, the 24th year after the Prophet Orwell had forecast the end of the world, the New Orwellians cheered as the genie became their king-in-waiting. But, the Rovians were not so taken with the genie and they bore false witness against him and circulated true stories about his lack of experience as a real king. And, the residents of the New World were curious.
Now, the genie had been forced to use all of his three wishes warding off Empress Hillary of Clintonia, sworn enemy of the Reverend Dean, Prince Kennedy and then former king-in-waiting Kerry. The Empress was the champion of the People of the Working Class and she beat the genie, only to be cast aside at the end by his last wish. But, lo, the genie was out of wishes and could not make himself king.
So, the New Orwellians faced life for four years under Lt. McCain, a Rovian that many liked more than the genie. And, the genie's fortunes looked dim. Lo, their last chance came upon them, a final pitched battle between the Empress and the genie. If the Empress won, she would click her red shoes, vanquish Lt. McCain, and return peace and prosperity to the New World.
But, alas, the Clintonistas, after a valiant fight, were unable to put the genie back in the bottle until the dark of winter descended on the lands and Lt. McCain had assumed the throne. The New Orwellians were split between the Rovians and the Clintonistas, and the rest were driven into exile to the very edges of the New World, the Blue Coasts.
Lo, it came to pass, in the 28th year after the Prophet Orwell had scheduled the end of the world, that Empress Hillary smote King McCain and became the rightful ruler of the New World, bringing peace, prosperity, and gender equality to all. It is whispered in these parts and others far and wide that the Empress Hillary kept on her desk a box from the land of Marlboro sealed tightly in a glass case and that on starry nights, a beauteous voice would bespeak the words "audacity" and "bitch".
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Can't a Guy Just Take His Vacation?
The nerve of some fledgling democracies and their megalomaniac imperialist neighbors!
Poor Barack Obama. After tirelessly watching the MSM and DNC do the heavy lifting during the Democratic primaries, he desperately needed a vacation - and a photo op with Granny, whom he hadn't visited in two years even though she is an unhealthy 85 and she raised him.
And, what happens? War breaks out in the Caucus Mountains. Damn those Caucasians! Always trying to thwart his plans!
To make matters worse, his time jogging on the beach and relaxing with a Mai Tai (yes, you can still get one in Hawaii) was interrupted because the Doogie Howsers running his campaign wanted a statement. Something presidential. Something with gravitas. (Isn't there an antibiotic for that? Well, there should be.) Something to show his bona fides! (I know there's a cream for that at CVS.) And, those idiot Jonas Brothers took three attempts to come up with a decent speech.
After that McCain guy went out and kicked some Ruskie butt!
After that McCain guy presciently called on the UN Security Council to have an emergency meeting!
And, as if things couldn't get worse, The Changeling had to give his speech in the ugliest black windbreaker to escape from MIT's annual Best Einstein Hair fundraiser!
Rewrite!
Except, this is the real world, Barry, not a perfectly choreographed speech (following a free concert). These are the kind of issues that presidents deal with, not selecting faux seals and posing for promotional pix.
Yes, Barry, these world-changing events - Russia wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union and threatening a major pipeline that Europe desperately needs - these are the times when sipping a Mai Tai comes second to getting on your private jet back to DC. Now.
If Obama really wanted to be presidential, rather than just appearing presidential, he would be in DC meeting with experts on Georgia and Putin. It's work, I know. It can't be delegated or outsourced or parsed. It's the unglamorous, yeoman side of the presidency that changes lives - real change.
But, a guy needs some time off, doesn't he? Can't a guy just take his vacation? No. Not if that guy is the president - or wants to be.
Poor Barack Obama. After tirelessly watching the MSM and DNC do the heavy lifting during the Democratic primaries, he desperately needed a vacation - and a photo op with Granny, whom he hadn't visited in two years even though she is an unhealthy 85 and she raised him.
And, what happens? War breaks out in the Caucus Mountains. Damn those Caucasians! Always trying to thwart his plans!
To make matters worse, his time jogging on the beach and relaxing with a Mai Tai (yes, you can still get one in Hawaii) was interrupted because the Doogie Howsers running his campaign wanted a statement. Something presidential. Something with gravitas. (Isn't there an antibiotic for that? Well, there should be.) Something to show his bona fides! (I know there's a cream for that at CVS.) And, those idiot Jonas Brothers took three attempts to come up with a decent speech.
After that McCain guy went out and kicked some Ruskie butt!
After that McCain guy presciently called on the UN Security Council to have an emergency meeting!
And, as if things couldn't get worse, The Changeling had to give his speech in the ugliest black windbreaker to escape from MIT's annual Best Einstein Hair fundraiser!
Rewrite!
Except, this is the real world, Barry, not a perfectly choreographed speech (following a free concert). These are the kind of issues that presidents deal with, not selecting faux seals and posing for promotional pix.
Yes, Barry, these world-changing events - Russia wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union and threatening a major pipeline that Europe desperately needs - these are the times when sipping a Mai Tai comes second to getting on your private jet back to DC. Now.
If Obama really wanted to be presidential, rather than just appearing presidential, he would be in DC meeting with experts on Georgia and Putin. It's work, I know. It can't be delegated or outsourced or parsed. It's the unglamorous, yeoman side of the presidency that changes lives - real change.
But, a guy needs some time off, doesn't he? Can't a guy just take his vacation? No. Not if that guy is the president - or wants to be.
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