As an old comic book fan I grew up with an understanding of certain things. There are good guys. There are bad guys. Sometimes the good guys have to kick the bad guys asses. And most importantly when people ask "Who are you to do this?" or "Why you?" The answer is "I can distinguish right from wrong and I have the will to act." The will to act is the fundamental super power. (It's really the only one that Batman has.)
Sometimes you'll have allies. Sometimes you won't. The reasons for your company or solitude may vary, but having company or not doesn't ever absolve you of your responsibility to act.
This is really my way of saying there's nothing wrong with unilateral action.
Our reliance on NATO in Afganistan is counter productive. When I say this, I'm not talking about specific member nations, but rather NATO as a whole. Specific member nations are allies, the NATO as a whole is an institution.
As an institution NATO hangs around in Afganistan so that we can say "multi-lateral". This is because multi-lateral is supposed to be the end all be all of all things swell. It's become the goal in itself. Having NATO in Afganistan has turned out to be alot like conveening the JLA for iced mocha lattes while the Legion of Doom is out looting.
But the JLA could always depend on Batman to pick up the slack. If there was a problem that no one wanted to think about or seemed to awful to imagine, Batman would think about it. Batman would imagine it.
(In case you're not following I'm about to compare the United States to Batman).
The U.S. is (for the most part) like Batman in this little construct. We're rich, well trained, smart, our hearts are in the right places, and we're willing to think of the things that other folks aren't. Additionally we are (sometimes) gifted with a will to act that exceeds anything this world has ever known.
We're using NATO in Afganistan to let some of that will slide. NATO isn't picking up the slack.
It's nice for batman when the JLA pulls their weight. A few more shoulders to share the weight of the world is groovy sometimes. But it's not necessary. NATO doesn't want to do the work? Fine. Time for them to take a backseat then.
We can't really afford to continue to stand around with our hands on our hips begging the JLA to actually join the fight. Batman and the few allies who are willing to fight have to step up and put the bad guys down. The JLA can push the broom when we're done.
11.29.2006
Spot of Good News....
Now I know that I've been a sporadic blogger as of late, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been paying attention. And over the past week or so, I've watched people get their panties all up in a twist over President Bush talking to Iran and Syria. Well, here it is- the end of the world.
WASHINGTON — As pressure mounts for the United States to seek direct talks on Iraq with Iran and Syria, President Bush appeared Tuesday to rule out any change in his administration's policy toward those Iraqi neighbors.
Or not. Of course it is the LA Times and this is the same President who appeared to rule out firing Rumsfeld (just before he fired him), so who's to say....
Still, I know I'm not alone in hoping that this is one story we can take to the bank.
WASHINGTON — As pressure mounts for the United States to seek direct talks on Iraq with Iran and Syria, President Bush appeared Tuesday to rule out any change in his administration's policy toward those Iraqi neighbors.
Or not. Of course it is the LA Times and this is the same President who appeared to rule out firing Rumsfeld (just before he fired him), so who's to say....
Still, I know I'm not alone in hoping that this is one story we can take to the bank.
Not Exactly Official....
...but close enough. An upcoming book lists the old home town as one of the worst.
Contrary to the city's new tourist slogan, contrary to its being named last year as one of the top 10 summer travel destinations in the world, and maybe just plain contrary, Gilmartin has proclaimed Baltimore one of "The Absolutely Worst Places to Live in America."
No surprise there. Baltimore, MD is the murder capital of the country. That's right, Charm City is one of a handful of places in this country where the homicide rate actually increases each year.
At any rate, the real gem in the article is this little diddy:
"I've got one word for this guy: Loser," she said, flipping through the pocket-sized hardback book in her office. "I think it's sad people have to sink this low to make a dollar and get something published." Gosson called the book superficial, one-sided and said it reinforced negative and outdated stereotypes.
That's from an executive director of an organization founded to promote city living. Stellar debate skills. I wonder if she made an 'L' with her thumb and index finger and held it up to her forhead when she said that. Maybe she's a product of Baltimore's brilliant public education system. But the Baltimore Sun saved the best for last.
"Besides, who wants perfection? Perfection is boring."
Call me crazy, but not being stabbed to death over a cell phone and a sandwich coming home from work sounds like the kind of boring a girl could appreciate.
Contrary to the city's new tourist slogan, contrary to its being named last year as one of the top 10 summer travel destinations in the world, and maybe just plain contrary, Gilmartin has proclaimed Baltimore one of "The Absolutely Worst Places to Live in America."
No surprise there. Baltimore, MD is the murder capital of the country. That's right, Charm City is one of a handful of places in this country where the homicide rate actually increases each year.
At any rate, the real gem in the article is this little diddy:
"I've got one word for this guy: Loser," she said, flipping through the pocket-sized hardback book in her office. "I think it's sad people have to sink this low to make a dollar and get something published." Gosson called the book superficial, one-sided and said it reinforced negative and outdated stereotypes.
That's from an executive director of an organization founded to promote city living. Stellar debate skills. I wonder if she made an 'L' with her thumb and index finger and held it up to her forhead when she said that. Maybe she's a product of Baltimore's brilliant public education system. But the Baltimore Sun saved the best for last.
"Besides, who wants perfection? Perfection is boring."
Call me crazy, but not being stabbed to death over a cell phone and a sandwich coming home from work sounds like the kind of boring a girl could appreciate.
11.16.2006
Uhggg....
If you ever had any reason to doubt the sheer partisan nature of the Pravda on the Hudson this should make the picture perfectly clear.
The same news paper that's been screaming quagmire and calling for our immediate cut and run from Iraq is now calling for more troops.
The Dem's get congress, the Hudson Pravda wants increased troop levels. Maybe the media isn't as naive as we here on the right have been saying.
But that's a mixed bag. What that means is that the liberal press has been knowingly sabotaging the war effort in a shameless attempt to manipulate the election. Do you really think that the anyone suddenly woke up this moring or yesterday morning and said "Holy crap! Jihadi's!" Of course not. To borrow from the political opposition: The MSM lied and troops died.
The Hudson Pravda engaged in a systematic campaign to destroy the resolve of the populace to continue the War for Western Civilization so the Democrats could gain control of congress.
Repugnant. Now that the Democrats have won, they seek to un-do the damage they wrought. They know how important it is that we win this war, yet they were willing to sabotage it.
Another round of cancelled subscriptions? I certainly hope so.
The same news paper that's been screaming quagmire and calling for our immediate cut and run from Iraq is now calling for more troops.
The Dem's get congress, the Hudson Pravda wants increased troop levels. Maybe the media isn't as naive as we here on the right have been saying.
But that's a mixed bag. What that means is that the liberal press has been knowingly sabotaging the war effort in a shameless attempt to manipulate the election. Do you really think that the anyone suddenly woke up this moring or yesterday morning and said "Holy crap! Jihadi's!" Of course not. To borrow from the political opposition: The MSM lied and troops died.
The Hudson Pravda engaged in a systematic campaign to destroy the resolve of the populace to continue the War for Western Civilization so the Democrats could gain control of congress.
Repugnant. Now that the Democrats have won, they seek to un-do the damage they wrought. They know how important it is that we win this war, yet they were willing to sabotage it.
Another round of cancelled subscriptions? I certainly hope so.
11.15.2006
Just In From The Translation Department....
In case you missed it, Michael Moore has a list of promises for conservatives. Of course those promises are in moon-speak so, we ran them through the ol' translator before laying them out for our loyal readers (hi, mom and dad).
1.) We will never call you "unpatriotic" because we don't really know what it means. Instead we'll call you Nazis. They tried to establish democracy in Iraq too. We think.
2.) You haven't heard the last from our activist judges.
3.) We won't spend your money and your grandchildren's money so much as give it away. Though some of it just might end up in a few freezers. Doesn't that sound balanced?
4.) After we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory we'll promptly resume hamstringing the military and the intellegence community. Viva la France deux!
5.) Under Hillary Care we'll all suffer equally. Whether rich or poor, your chances of dying while waiting for medical attention will sky rocket. The government is so swell at everything else, why shouldn't it be in charge of your health?
6.) We don't need no stinking economy. We will run with brother bear and swim with sister salmon over the crumbling remains of eeeeviiil western capitalism.
7.) Our enemies are going to have to nuke us before we decide they're worth fighting. Now that's what we call safe!
8.) We will be far too concerned with emptying your wallet and controlling your speech crime to look in your bedroom. Yet. Unless you're a Republican- then your bedroom and your families' bedrooms are totally fair game.
9.) We will promptly disarm the law abiding populace. Criminals should not be in fear while carrying out their chosen professions. Additionally the last recourse of the people against the tyrany of government is to lay down and surrender. If you cooperate with the bandits they probably won't kill you. See? Safe.
10.) So what if you have to work the register in a fast food restaurant to earn minimum wage? Everyone's entitled to whatever they want regardless of education or work ethic. In light of this we will continue all social engineering. At your expense.
11.) We encourage the practice and respect off all religions except for Christianity and Judaeism. We elevate Islam as being more equal than the others, and extremism will not be tolerated unless we have to worry about you murdering non-Jews.
12.) "We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give
us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray." NOT!
1.) We will never call you "unpatriotic" because we don't really know what it means. Instead we'll call you Nazis. They tried to establish democracy in Iraq too. We think.
2.) You haven't heard the last from our activist judges.
3.) We won't spend your money and your grandchildren's money so much as give it away. Though some of it just might end up in a few freezers. Doesn't that sound balanced?
4.) After we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory we'll promptly resume hamstringing the military and the intellegence community. Viva la France deux!
5.) Under Hillary Care we'll all suffer equally. Whether rich or poor, your chances of dying while waiting for medical attention will sky rocket. The government is so swell at everything else, why shouldn't it be in charge of your health?
6.) We don't need no stinking economy. We will run with brother bear and swim with sister salmon over the crumbling remains of eeeeviiil western capitalism.
7.) Our enemies are going to have to nuke us before we decide they're worth fighting. Now that's what we call safe!
8.) We will be far too concerned with emptying your wallet and controlling your speech crime to look in your bedroom. Yet. Unless you're a Republican- then your bedroom and your families' bedrooms are totally fair game.
9.) We will promptly disarm the law abiding populace. Criminals should not be in fear while carrying out their chosen professions. Additionally the last recourse of the people against the tyrany of government is to lay down and surrender. If you cooperate with the bandits they probably won't kill you. See? Safe.
10.) So what if you have to work the register in a fast food restaurant to earn minimum wage? Everyone's entitled to whatever they want regardless of education or work ethic. In light of this we will continue all social engineering. At your expense.
11.) We encourage the practice and respect off all religions except for Christianity and Judaeism. We elevate Islam as being more equal than the others, and extremism will not be tolerated unless we have to worry about you murdering non-Jews.
12.) "We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give
us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray." NOT!
11.12.2006
Another Wake Up Call
Head over to NRO and check out the link.
You criticize your history, your institutions, your churches. Why can't you realize that it has nothing to do with what you have done but with what they want."
You criticize your history, your institutions, your churches. Why can't you realize that it has nothing to do with what you have done but with what they want."
Of Elections and Name Changes....
Where to start? Well, I suppose with the name change. I'm just feeling more snarky and smarmy than angry these days.
Getting rid of Rumsfeld was a mistake as was the way in which it was done.
That said, let's talk about the election. We lost. The morning after was rainy here in Maryland, some might say appropriately. I confess, I broke my promise to myself about avoiding exit polls. I watched them all night- well, most of the night. Additionally I am embarrassed to admit that when I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw the results I had a "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" moment. You know that scene towards the end where Jimmy Stewart is on the steps of the Lincoln memorial, bags packed, ready to hop the first bus back home? Well that was me, but minus the "bus back home" bit. I was ready to toss in the towel, "If my fellow Americans lack the courage and resolve to do what's necessary then we deserve the dark world we're sure to get." In fact, embarrassed doesn't cover it. I'm deeply ashamed of my initial response.
It lasted for about a minute and a half. Then I pulled myself together, re-embraced democracy, rolled up my sleeves and committed myself to the long haul. Democracy means sometimes you're on the losing side. And the Republicans deserved to lose congress this election. The Democrats didn't really deserve to win it, but...well- as with all things it's a mixed bag.
Bill Whittle (who has a new essay out) graced us with a blog post after the election which sums up how I feel about things (post first minute and a half) quite nicely. The short of it is that a Democrat controlled congress is going to make things more difficult for us, but we still have a job to do. The fact that the mission just got harder doesn't absolve us of the responsibility to complete it. It will probably require more of us, and the price of victory probably just got higher. It's still a price worth paying, because the price of defeat is too great to fathom.
It's time to roll our sleeves up even further and dig in even deeper. It's going to take hard work, but hard work is something that Americans practically have the market cornered on. This is a nation of hard workers the likes of which the world has never seen before.
The bums got tossed on the second. There are positives that could come of that. The Republicans will (hopefully) take a second to analyze exactly why they lost. This was a wake up call that just may have helped us avoid a real disaster in '08. Additionally having gained power, I hope that the accompanying responsibility will serve to wizen the Democrats.
Don't mistake the positive tone of this post to mean that I'm not concerned. I am. However, I'm determined not to fall into the hole that caught the Democrats up. I will not be shrill or hysterical. I will not compare Nancy Pelosi to Osama Bin Laden or the Democratic Party to Al Qaida. I will keep my conversation civil and my discourse will continue to be based in fact and logic. The Democrats aren't the enemy the terrorists are and if the Democrats could see that about the Republicans we'd have an easier time of things. Hopefully control of congress will allow them to see that.
For the good of the Republican Party I'm not going to pull any punches when it comes to calling out shrill crazed members from my side of the aisle. To demonstrate this I'm going to coin a new term: Moongopher.
Moongophers are the rightwing equivalent of moonbats. They're shrill, irrational, and hysterical. Let's hope I don't have cause to use it often.
Getting rid of Rumsfeld was a mistake as was the way in which it was done.
That said, let's talk about the election. We lost. The morning after was rainy here in Maryland, some might say appropriately. I confess, I broke my promise to myself about avoiding exit polls. I watched them all night- well, most of the night. Additionally I am embarrassed to admit that when I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw the results I had a "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" moment. You know that scene towards the end where Jimmy Stewart is on the steps of the Lincoln memorial, bags packed, ready to hop the first bus back home? Well that was me, but minus the "bus back home" bit. I was ready to toss in the towel, "If my fellow Americans lack the courage and resolve to do what's necessary then we deserve the dark world we're sure to get." In fact, embarrassed doesn't cover it. I'm deeply ashamed of my initial response.
It lasted for about a minute and a half. Then I pulled myself together, re-embraced democracy, rolled up my sleeves and committed myself to the long haul. Democracy means sometimes you're on the losing side. And the Republicans deserved to lose congress this election. The Democrats didn't really deserve to win it, but...well- as with all things it's a mixed bag.
Bill Whittle (who has a new essay out) graced us with a blog post after the election which sums up how I feel about things (post first minute and a half) quite nicely. The short of it is that a Democrat controlled congress is going to make things more difficult for us, but we still have a job to do. The fact that the mission just got harder doesn't absolve us of the responsibility to complete it. It will probably require more of us, and the price of victory probably just got higher. It's still a price worth paying, because the price of defeat is too great to fathom.
It's time to roll our sleeves up even further and dig in even deeper. It's going to take hard work, but hard work is something that Americans practically have the market cornered on. This is a nation of hard workers the likes of which the world has never seen before.
The bums got tossed on the second. There are positives that could come of that. The Republicans will (hopefully) take a second to analyze exactly why they lost. This was a wake up call that just may have helped us avoid a real disaster in '08. Additionally having gained power, I hope that the accompanying responsibility will serve to wizen the Democrats.
Don't mistake the positive tone of this post to mean that I'm not concerned. I am. However, I'm determined not to fall into the hole that caught the Democrats up. I will not be shrill or hysterical. I will not compare Nancy Pelosi to Osama Bin Laden or the Democratic Party to Al Qaida. I will keep my conversation civil and my discourse will continue to be based in fact and logic. The Democrats aren't the enemy the terrorists are and if the Democrats could see that about the Republicans we'd have an easier time of things. Hopefully control of congress will allow them to see that.
For the good of the Republican Party I'm not going to pull any punches when it comes to calling out shrill crazed members from my side of the aisle. To demonstrate this I'm going to coin a new term: Moongopher.
Moongophers are the rightwing equivalent of moonbats. They're shrill, irrational, and hysterical. Let's hope I don't have cause to use it often.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)