Remember that Reagan was lambasted by MSM as a dunce, and he persevered and, after unsuccessful tries for the GOP nomination in 1968 and 1976, won both the GOP nomination and the POTUS gig in 1980. Palin's main problem, in my view, is not MSM, but the Buckley/Will wing of the GOP.
Palin's main problem, in my view, is not MSM, but the Buckley/Will wing of the GOP.
I'd agree with the Buckley part, based on our NRO hosts on the cruise, who steadfastly refused to utter her name until John O'Sullivan raised it on day three. Cheering and stomping ensued. The guests loved her even if the hosts tried to pretend she didn't exist.
No, that's not a wing, that's more like a bent feather. Buckley fils, is on yet another one of Tina Brown's failing media projects, he'll soon have to bail from that sinking ship; vanity projects like that don't fare well in this clime. Will, is one of those, I can't figure out, he all but endorsed Obama, because McCain wasn't right enough, but Sarah was too populist. He's really declined in my estimation, even before this last interval. The cool kids at American Scene, and Culture 11, well who gives a carp about them, anyways. Noonan, Parker, who really can't parody herself anymore although she's working at it. First Divine Right of Kings, next endorsing quartering of troops at home, or supporting conscription. Read that Gizzi piece, was I right on the ball, or what. On her view of the auto bailout, McCain's advisors, even
lost opportunties. You know things have
become strained in the world, when even Anne has too throw in a backhanded diss; referring to the Reagan kids, as if Piper and Willow would ever go the way of Ron Jr.
I like Sarah but have serious doubts that she could ever win a national election. I'd love to see her in the Senate.
WFB was one of my life-long idols, but George Will pretty much makes my skin crawl.
I would love to have had a few cocktails with Buckley--everyone who ever did was delighted with the experience. I imagine cocktails with Will would feature a lot of long-winded pedantry on his part, perhaps ending with my fist on his jaw.
Sorry, stuck in my cone of silence again; what explains this reaction except Ponnuru and Lowry's attempt for young fogyism. This isn't going to help their sagging fortunes Bill Buckley's faction was certainly the backers behind Goldwater, the closest comparison in terms of movement popularity and nearly global opprobium, they were cool toward Nixon and certainly in favor of Reagan. Probably leaning more to the Weekly Standard's view of things. Goldfarb, the former Standard writer turned brief McCain spokesman, probably would have felt better
in the Palin camp. Or I guess Jindal, who would likely get much of the same flak on the ethnic front.
I like Sarah but have serious doubts that she could ever win a national election.
That's fair. On the other hand, the guys who lost the last 2 elections were chosen based on their electability. 2012 will be a referendum on Obama; if he's kept the country from disaster he'll win. Given that he's going to hit the ground blaming Bush, that excuse will run thin by reelection time, so if the country's in as bad a condition as I expect, he'll lose. In that case, any plausible Republican wins. Will Palin be the most plausible after an additional 4 years as governor? Seems plausible to me.
Just to add plausibility to bgates' scenario, the electoral calendar will complicate a 2012 run by Jindal, who is up for re-election as Governor in 2011.
By Buckley/Will wing, I was referring to Christopher in the Buckley part. I believe that WFB would have been a Palin supporter.
One of the strengths of the USA has always been its ability to temper its sclerotic/oligarchic element with its vigorous element. I hope that we haven't lost that ability.
Of course, the oligarchs have their place. They fund charitable works, often including truly fine art and music. However, they don't know a hoot about governing. They are fond of referring to Socrates (as Buckley did in his article downgrading Palin), but they seem to have missed Socrates's relentless exposure of their ignorance concerning fine governance of a body politic and of an individual's internal state.
"so if the country's in as bad a condition as I expect"
It will be reported as "halcyon days not seen since the Clinton administration" even if there are apple sellers on every corner (all dues paying members of the SEIU and counted as being 'employed'). Watch what the Census revisions do to per capita income in 2010, it will be as stunning as the BEA's inclusion of government pension contributions as "income" in '98. Just a little fiddling and 'average' becomes 'great'.
Zero's puppet masters can count - that's why they make sure the his "promises" of job creation stay in line with the very low projections of work force growth that the BLS is peddling. Anything above a low base line projection (currently .08%) will be hailed as "remarkable".
I remember when it was being bruited about that George was seeing Lally Weymouth, Katherine Graham's daughter. We were at a big family picnic with hotdogs and burgers on the grills, kids racing around, when Lali sidled in and the then Mrs. Will looked daggers.
as to the art of the oligarchs, these days it is a con...the wealthy buy Warhol and Murakami and Hirst and Koons and then buy the art critics who tell us all how incredibly sophisticated and sardonic it all is. A commentary on the emptiness of society.
The reality is that they are a bunch of no talent, no taste buffoons engaged in circular onanism. One of the purposes of art until this century was to lift us to the heights of experience, whether joy or despair or the artists own unknown or unknowable meanings.
Most of it is such one dimensional merde these days I truly don't know where creativity and the love of beauty have gone.
Westwood One is pleased to announce the debut of The Fred Thompson Show on March 2, 2009. The show will replace The Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly when the program ends its successful six-year run on February 27, 2009. Former U.S. senator and 2008 presidential candidate, Fred Thompson will share his views on politics, topical issues, pop culture and water cooler stories, as well as welcome guest interviews and take listener calls. The Fred Thompson Show will be a two-hour daily talk show and will air live Noon-2pm, Monday - Friday from the Westwood One studios in Washington DC. . . .
“When folks listen to a radio show, they make an appointment with it. It is the ideal way for me to continue my dialog with America about the issues we all face each day,” said Thompson.
On the "music" thread, Centracal asked about Twitter. At the urging of days of pokes and nudges from Hugh Hewitt, I joined. I have yet to figure out what the draw is. Who the heck cares what I, or anyone else of no importance, is doing from minute to minute, even if you understood how to find anyone in the first place.
Lally Weymouth was Eric Briendel's girlfriend, too. (He was the brilliant turned-conservative editor of the NY Post, who died way too young.) Rebellion takes many forms, and can go on into one's forties, apparently.
Interesting, tonto.
Now her daughter runs the paper.
Stratfor has a great piece on the Woodward/Bernstein WaPo as heroes legend, noting that the paper let iself be used by the FBI and Felt to frame Nixon and keep the FBI from outside control--and to hide the fact the agency'd been spying on Nixon and the presidents who preceded him.
On the Madoff front--Charlie Gasparino on CNBC is reporting that anyone who redeemed from any Madoff situation within a six year period will be included in fraudulent conveyance.
In re Spengler - today's 2-Year Note auction of $38 billion drew $80 billion in bids with an interest rate of 0.922%. What is amusing is that the dealers spun on a dime and made money selling at .80% before the end of the day. It doesn't appear that the 'safe haven' is losing much luster.
Rick--I think I heard Rick Santelli mention the auction play on CNBC today--which I always have on in the background. I try to perk up when Santelli's on--one smart dude. He used to be a gold trader but now reports for CNBC from the CBoT or CME or what ever their calling it now.
Normally he does not recommend plays but there is one he's been pushing the past couple of days--think it's an ETF but cannot remember which one it is right off hand. Will try to check on that tomorrow.
Did you hear the one about the entire government of Belgium resigning today? Incredible!!
Realistically, who are they going to turn to, Europe, the Chinese, Russia. We're the policeman on the beat, and the lead shopper
at the mall, for the time being.
Weymouth may not be a neocon any longer, (just as her brief leftist phase, with the Cockburns)but her columns in both the Post and Newsweek are more sober than most in either publication. Even Hougland has been dissapointing in this regard, trying to backtrack from any previous liberationist
(which is a proper term from the neocon, not contaminated with propaganda yet)
In retrospect, I noticed the Coulter digg, at Sarah,and I've thought et tu Anne. I've admitted there are some areas she can brush up, picking up some Spanish, conducting some health care initiatives, but I'm generally in the MK Freedberg camp; Don't ever change. Conservatives picking their nits, like the one called Allah; hint you are not a deity, you're a guest at Michelle's place, really have to wise up.
Who else would have signed up with McCain, for this three hour tour that was the McCain campaign;( yes the inference to Gilligan's Island is intentional,) suffered all this contempt, against his/her family, and their person, still garnered massive crowds, in the heartland, and still be willing to speak for a party, and even do favors for an organization whose apparatus in large part dissed 'his/her, because they see a reformist even populist current that can be salvaged. Pawlenty, don't make me laugh, Crist our own governor, who handed the state, through felon re-enfranchisement
and early voting; and an utterly insincere
switch on off shore drilling. Sanford, even Jindal who suffered a micro version of the type of assault in 2003, so he didn't want to take a chance on messing up hisreputation
for 2012. Do they understand now that it doesn't matter what the truth is.
We understand why the left hates her. She's the living embodiment of all the things they
hate about the Red America. She is a hunter, a believer in the traditional values, yet a career woman, mother, a champion of the ethics of life, proponent of new energy development,the dragonslayer
of state machines, defender of the war on Islamic extremism, and one other detail that drives them up the wall.
All the ground is white and the sky is gray, went out for a walk on a winter's day, if I did see Gore, I'd whip his a---. Global Warming Dreaming on such a winter's day.
Do you think that part of the 'resistance' might be supported by the oil majors who stubbed their toes on Sarah? The gas that will be coming down from Alaska is an adjunct to the 'Windy' Pickens' play, isn't it? It's interesting to consider just how deep the oil majors are in the SoLunar Windmill scam. Shell and BP dribble enough pennies into 'green' energy to buy decent PR while rubbing their hands over furnishing the fuel for all the 'backup' generation capacity that will be required if the idiotic alternative energy proposals go forward.
I received by e-mail a very lengthy submission to the SEC dated in November, 2005 by one Harry Markopolos, in which Markopolos details his theory that Madoff's hedge fund is absolutely certain to be a Ponzi scheme. Haven't figure a way to provide a link to it, but if I do I will.
One supposes Rick, we take the example of BP Amoco Lord Browne, who was profiled in Vanity Fair as the environmental oil man
(you can snorfle at that if you like) but
the refinery fire the following year, caused
the first of the major price spikes; he was nowhere to be found, which it turned out was due to his companies negligent
operations. Boone Pickens, who I used to respect because he was posibly the only major figure who struck oil in Texas in the 80s, (the other was Ken Lay)all of a sudden
gets into the windmill game, which turned out damn expensive, for all involved. And he had to throw in 'we can't drill ur way out of this problem' We have this bizarre spectacle of companies like Conoco, willing to belly up to the Suakin pipeline in the Sudan, but not our own lands unless the baksheesh is right. Shell dropped a boatload
into wind as was pointed out, and now they have to relocate their European operations to the US. The Ninth Circus has graciously blocked any development in the Beaufort Sea, and or any alternate sites; just long enough for Obama or Salazar to reinstated
the ban on offshore drilling. ANWR, the North Slope methyl hydrate deposits, all of this they're willing to sacrifice this for no good reason. Of course when the next storm threatens the Gulf, or turmoil occurs anywhere from Nigeria to Siberia; and prices
spike again; they'll say why didn't we do anything.
I guess it was lines like this, that perked my eyes: Was she smart enough to be President? She was running with John McCain! There was no chance that ticket was going to place her anywhere near the presidency. In fact, I can’t think of a better place to put someone you wanted to keep away from the White House than on a ticket with McCain." Which she is kind of right about, although it does undermine part of the rationale for the campaign. and the reference to the Reagan children, I made earlier. All in all it was a very laudatory column, that's why the non sequitors seem to stand out. Compared to the
turncoat Robert S. McCain, who dropped the vote Bob Barr, despite having gotten plenty of coin, providing to links of Sarah's efforts, and then talked her up for events like the Chambliss win, which hadn't been necessary if the lure of a third party vote hadn't been proposed.
Was there ever really a shot, for John and Sarah, with this boulder of an economic tsunami, barrelling toward this election at lightning speed, seemingly directed by the shortsellers behind Obama and Biden. The real problem seems to lie with the fact that the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" doesn't have a clue as to stop the waves, or the mops,
Do you think that part of the 'resistance' might be supported by the oil majors who stubbed their toes on Sarah?
It wasn't addressed to me, but wow, I never even thought of that!!
narciso-
...all of this they're willing to sacrifice this for no good reason...
Not so, for Dems the no-zone on US oil production is for a "good cause". Political control and power, with the added benefit that oil production is driven into enemy nations and profits can be invested in an anti-American and anti-Western infrastructure. Is very curious the precipitous drop, so much so that even Brazil's and Greenland's significant finds will be more difficult to develop?
And thanks DoT for the link on the Madoff scheme. Lots to read there.
Another FBI agent is soon going to be looking for a new job.
Breaking news today in Alaska, (ADN.com), is that an unnamed FBI agent is whistleblowing on corruption in the recent trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The FBI agent, who was assigned to the Steven's case, indicated that other FBI agents assigned to the case and at least 1 prosecutor in the case had engaged in corrupt prosecutorial practices during the investigation and trial of Republican Senator Steven's. By a remarkable coincidence the bad publicity and trial of Steven's occurred just prior to the recent election, yet the publication of this FBI whistleblower's complaint did not surface until after the election..
So the Times got punked by a Delanoe impersonator. Did they check the return address, how about call the Paris city
hall, to see if the mayor had made any
such remarks. Regardless it looks like she's a likely lock despite her lack of experience. Of course, if you had to turn
someone down because they had a history as
a constitutional activist, with service on non profit boards, then we'd have to, well never mind. So the lesson is if you let an aide fail to prescreen the calls, as Biegun did for Sarah, or slam the phone, like
Ileana Ros Lehtinen did to Obama; you can't win. Peter King would make a good choice in 2010, regardless. Of course, you know if Jeb accepted the nomination for Martinez's
seat, the rules would flip so fast you'd have whiplash; despite the fact he's been a two term governor.
I wonder sometimes what's the point of all this; I'm grateful for Tom giving me an opportunity to vent my frustrations,
observations, occasional witticisms, under a now thread bare alias, and the rest of you for reading and providing feedback, mostly warranted, sometimes not (mr. collection of consonants)for trying some new angles. I know it was Creedence Clearwater, and so did you. Is my anger with the media's malpractice, skullfuggery (Is that even a word?), malfeasance, letting me be too cavalier in putting Governor Palin, as the vehicle for my (and by extension the right's frustration too soon, regardless of the consequences to herself and her family. That thought kept coming back to me, with the Gizzi interview;
she seems too honest, too decent for the grubby game of politics practiced in too many places, including my own burg. That's part of her appeal, but one must admit it may be a downgrade among the cognoscenti in too many places; the mustier corners of memeorandum are testament to that. She all but acknowledged that the TARP bailout seemed wrong to her, and made herobjections known to the auto bailout. Which was backstopped in part for more than a month. She trusted in the wisdom and the experience
of the McCain staff, and thought she could get her point across to the media. She believed in the end, as we all did that facts would win out in the end; about Ayers, about Obama's conception of negative rights, about the need for further coal production how naive were we.
When we see Minnesota being stolen before our eyes, just like they tried to heist Florida eight years ago, when they rigged the game in Ohio, to count bus benches addresses, when the results in Missouri were so muddled in part thanks to the
"Truth Squad" that it took two weeks to declare the state for McCain. When they went to so far as to apparently present purjured testimony in the Stevens case, and the jury instructions were disregarded;
where is the hope for minimal standards of justice.
Interesting the links the FBI will go to to convict Republicans, but they can't really be bothered going after Dems. We're still waiting for William Jefferson to go to trial, and since he's not in the House anymore the case will get relegated to the back pages, or maybe even be dropped entirely.
Dadddy, that is something! I blogged it..the judge on several occasions was mighty angry with the prosecution and almost dismissed the case because of their conduct.
The thing with Palin is worth pursuing. She's got the faux conservatives who line their pockets with corporate money peeing their pants almost as badly as the prog thieves. If she continues to push in the populist direction and establishes Constitutional (rather than purely conservative) principles she's going to be formidable.
Considering the enemies she's made and making, I think she's doing just fine.
It's not threadbare to you folks, but people who might be noticing this in this neck of the woods. RE the I am Spartacus
thread two months back. In the circles where I have chosen to make my profession; the contempt for all Republicans is palpable. So I see the problem, not through rose colored glasses, but rather clearly.
I generally hide the tell tales signs of any ideological attitudes, although they may be catching on.
Good for Sullivan, who recognizes talent quite closely. I wonder when he'llget around to drafting one of those fake memos
from Machiavelli. It did take the disaster of Callaghan to make Thatcher palatable didn't it. And in point of fact, Sarah she is the dejure leader of the opposition, not defacto. among the real Tories, there were plenty of 'wets' moderates like former Prime Minister Heath, future defense chief Heseltine, etc. Cameron's just a younger Heath, in my opinion, against the undertaker
mien of Gordon Brown. How he stays in power, with all he has botched according to my English acquaintances, seems to defy understanding. I'd rather prefer the likes of Portillo, who was an outsider (a Spanish immigrant who was very conscious of Britain's unique geography and how it's protected it for a millenia)he penned the column about how Britain has lost its spine. Of course, such truths can cost you a seat in the former land of St. George.
Biden on "Is Larry King Alive" Huckabee on
"Hannity" What fresh hell is this, doesn't the Geneva Convention apply anymore in these circumstances. You know I begin to to think that the left was right so many years ago to protest Huckabee's sudden rise, after
the WhiteWater trials. Oh and after this, Glenn Beck coming in right before the inaugural. "Somebody please make it stop"
Is my anger with the media's malpractice, skullfuggery (Is that even a word?), malfeasance, letting me be too cavalier in putting Governor Palin, as the vehicle for my (and by extension the right's frustration too soon, regardless of the consequences to herself and her family...
I agree with Rick's comment above.
I read the Coulter column (I'm not really a fan of her's) and think that you might be making too much of the section you highlighted. Gov. Palin is 44, younger than Obama by a few years, and politics on the national stage are different than politics in Alaska. Her next campaign on the national stage has to be her own message with people she trusts. Areas that I thought McCain really blew it: energy production (a coherent 3- part case: jobs, finance, and foreign policy); western state issues (US federal "ownership" of state lands; water, mining, mineral, oil&gas rights; 9th Circuit eco-nuts on the court).
Gov. Palin joined the ticket to win and McCain didn't.
Your probably right, it's a thought I'd been mulling over before, but it took this campaign, with the one side bringing an afortune from a murderer's row of crooked banks, callous law firms (including those dedicated to defending our most fervent foes) foreign potentates, et al, while the other side had to scrounge for pennies. Precisely because of its 'speaking truth
to power, a few too many times, against defense contractors, pharmaceutical companies even sport franchises. Is it a coincidence that this ideological back
sliding seemed occur exactly at the time when the Bradley and Olin foundations
faded out, and Soros's media infrastructure
seemed to permeate every aspect of society.
Is it a coincidence that almost every detractor of the Governor, seemed to have some personal baggage or conflict of interest. With Parker, it seems rank jealousy, with Will and Buckley, some curious interpersonal dynamics. with Powell,
the gravy train of Saud sponsored
foundations, charities, and the Carlyle Group along with the Caspian oil trail.Of course, Powell vouched for Stevens, which I guess he was partially right on, and Sarah had declared herself against the Stevens machine; so the enemy of my enemy might apply here.
How he stays in power, with all he has botched according to my English acquaintances, seems to defy understanding
One would be tempted to say it passeth it, but for the facts that 1) the Labour party prefer putting their hopes on Brown recovering in time for the next general election to forcing him out (thus likely precipitating an election they would lose) and 2) such ironic usage is more aptly applied to the Archbishop of Canterbury (via Drudge).
Yes, in retrospect, they weren't only the 'gang that couldn't shoot straight' but they couldn't find the ammo, much less the target. Sarah was given an impossible job, trying to eke out a populist conservative message, while keeping the inane talking points on cap n' trade, campaign finance,
interrogation tactics, et al, and the Leviathan of the bailout. and trying to humor the inanity of Couric and Gibson. Zena herself would be worn out by such an effort. Not to mention the 'thundersnow'
yes that's apparently a word now, flurry
of lies, omissions and misrepresentations. A lesser man or woman, would have given up at least half way through the effort,'saying
thanks but no thanks' That's why I still don't regret my vote, as lopsidedly outnumbered as it was.
If there had been no conviction he would have been re-elected in a heartbeat, regardless of "Bridge To Nowhere" negative publicity and embarrassing comments such as "the internet is tubes" etc. That trial and conviction is what did him in. Even with 7 Felony convictions he lost by less than 4,000 votes.
I don't know how the legal business works, but I do have a suspicion of how the political business works, and my jaundiced view developed over the last few years is that in DC Justice is a political issue, not a legal issue. Being 4000 miles away I also don't know any of the players back there, nor do I honestly know if Stevens is innocent or guilty, but I do know that he has been successfully politically assassinated, and since his seat is now safe in Democrat hands, I would not find it surprising at all if his previous conviction was thrown out, "in light of this new evidence" etc, and that instead of going through a re-trial, which might risk publicizing the ugly particulars of this political assassination, he was simply exonerated and the whole thing simply disappeared from scrutiny. The MSM might gain a tiny bit of upside by compassionately appearing to sympathize with the weathered Republican, but I think the potential downside of honestly examining the possibly damning particulars of his case would dictate that they too would opine it best just to let the aged Alaskan warrior retire into the sunset. Unless of course he started lowering the boom on Republican Party Bigshots, and especially Sarah Palin, who failed to support him during his time of duress. Then he'd be the man of the hour.
I don't know Stevens well enough to have a feel for that, but if he honestly feels (which he might) that he was completely unjustly screwed by both this trial fiasco and by his former Party-mates, I think he would get more 'benefit of the doubt' commiserating facetime from the MSM Talking Heads than he's seen in his 36 years worth of previous service in Washington.
For what its worth, his renovated cabin in Girdwood Alaska is absolutely nothing to write home about. I think you would be surprised at its evident rustic unglamorousness as opposed to how its often depicted in the news. As a brief refresher, the reports are that the refurbishing was initially estimated at 135K, his wife eventually paid 165K in bills, and the supposed actual cost estimated by the band of FBI investigators (just deemed corrupt by one of their own), was that actual costs approached 230-250K. It sure ain't evident from a drive by.
Now that you folks down in the lower 48 are experiencing significant snowfall, allow me to caution you on a serious danger you snow novices might not be aware of: Building Snowmen may be considered Safety Hazards and Public Nuisances, so you better run it through your City Council first to get permission.
I'm not kidding! Our local rag, ADN.com, ( 21 DEC) has photo's and a report on SNOWZILLA, a 16 foot high Snowman some guy in east Anchorage builds every year, and this year, due to previous complaints about drive by 'looky louie's' clobbering neighborhood traffic, he has been ordered to cease and desist as his building a snowman in his yard is being considered a Public Nuisance and Safety Hazard, and he faces possible jail time if construction of SNOWZILLA doesn't halt ASAP. Public Safety Officers have posted Cease and desist orders on SNOWZILLAS partially constructed lower torso, and the bummed homeowner with 7 children is sadly complying as he doesn't wish to go to jail.
Thank goodness government is there to protect us when we need it. No word yet on whether Snow Angels are crossing the line towards offensive hate speech, but hopefully our current Anchorage Mayor, Democrat Senator Elect Mark Begich, may make a ruling on that prior to arriving in DC next month when the entire nation, and not simply we citizens of Anchorage, will have the benefit of his safety insights.
Good Morning to all!
For those who are unfamiliar with what election fraud looks like, Gateway Pundit has picture proof.
"The Minnesota Canvassing Board claimed this vote is clearly for Franken?"
LUN
When one looks at the ballot - Norm Coleman is boldly marked. No mark appears near Franken's name.
I guess it never occurred to the canvassing board that some people could not bring them selves to vote for Franken even through they voted for every other Democrat on the ticket. I do not understand how anyone can believe that vote is for Al Franken.
I'm extremely grateful for the warning. As I live in a townhouse (in L.A, so snow is of no consideration, but the "Board" is) I will have to forego my Snowzilla display this year.
165 K, this was all this was about, that didn't qualify as a decent refi around in most of this area up to two years ago.
Seems like a 'drive by' scam to me. And the Snowzilla ordinance seems equally insane.
My real concern is that the Dems, will try one of these phony ethical stunts, against
Sarah, to try to rubbish her image; the
Barrett screed in the Village Village, all but suggests that.
pagar, I followed the link to Gateway Pundit, and from there to here. Looks to me like the *challenge* was by Franken (cannot for the life of me see why), but the decision of the board was for Coleman.
If I poured everything that I "know" about bonds in on top of it there would still be room for more. Today's auctions went off well again. 2X coverage on 5 year Ts paying a whopping 1.5%. It appears that everyone in the world would like to end the year with a nice chunk of Treasuries parked on the balance sheet. It may have something to do with the fact that the BRIC has justifiably turned to dust. I wonder what happens when anemic emerging market banks start defaulting? The ones whch made all the loans on those now empty factories along the Pearl River.
First!
Posted by: sbwaters | December 22, 2008 at 11:14 AM
narciso alluded to this, here's the link: Human Events picks Sarah Palin as Conservative of the Year.
Posted by: PD | December 22, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Remember that Reagan was lambasted by MSM as a dunce, and he persevered and, after unsuccessful tries for the GOP nomination in 1968 and 1976, won both the GOP nomination and the POTUS gig in 1980. Palin's main problem, in my view, is not MSM, but the Buckley/Will wing of the GOP.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | December 22, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Palin's main problem, in my view, is not MSM, but the Buckley/Will wing of the GOP.
I'd agree with the Buckley part, based on our NRO hosts on the cruise, who steadfastly refused to utter her name until John O'Sullivan raised it on day three. Cheering and stomping ensued. The guests loved her even if the hosts tried to pretend she didn't exist.
Posted by: Jane | December 22, 2008 at 11:53 AM
the Buckley/Will wing of the GOP
Was there ever such a wing?
Buckley was an intellectual and reveled in high culture but was never a snob or elitist to my knowledge.
Will is an intellectually condescending prig; rather like Christpher Hitchens with a haircut, a bath and sobriety.
Posted by: Barney Frank | December 22, 2008 at 11:59 AM
No, that's not a wing, that's more like a bent feather. Buckley fils, is on yet another one of Tina Brown's failing media projects, he'll soon have to bail from that sinking ship; vanity projects like that don't fare well in this clime. Will, is one of those, I can't figure out, he all but endorsed Obama, because McCain wasn't right enough, but Sarah was too populist. He's really declined in my estimation, even before this last interval. The cool kids at American Scene, and Culture 11, well who gives a carp about them, anyways. Noonan, Parker, who really can't parody herself anymore although she's working at it. First Divine Right of Kings, next endorsing quartering of troops at home, or supporting conscription. Read that Gizzi piece, was I right on the ball, or what. On her view of the auto bailout, McCain's advisors, even
lost opportunties. You know things have
become strained in the world, when even Anne has too throw in a backhanded diss; referring to the Reagan kids, as if Piper and Willow would ever go the way of Ron Jr.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I like Sarah but have serious doubts that she could ever win a national election. I'd love to see her in the Senate.
WFB was one of my life-long idols, but George Will pretty much makes my skin crawl.
I would love to have had a few cocktails with Buckley--everyone who ever did was delighted with the experience. I imagine cocktails with Will would feature a lot of long-winded pedantry on his part, perhaps ending with my fist on his jaw.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | December 22, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Remember that Reagan was lambasted by MSM as a dunce
Norman Lear used to have Archie Bunker state that Reagan (pronounce "Reegan") was his guy.
Posted by: Captain Hate | December 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Sorry, stuck in my cone of silence again; what explains this reaction except Ponnuru and Lowry's attempt for young fogyism. This isn't going to help their sagging fortunes Bill Buckley's faction was certainly the backers behind Goldwater, the closest comparison in terms of movement popularity and nearly global opprobium, they were cool toward Nixon and certainly in favor of Reagan. Probably leaning more to the Weekly Standard's view of things. Goldfarb, the former Standard writer turned brief McCain spokesman, probably would have felt better
in the Palin camp. Or I guess Jindal, who would likely get much of the same flak on the ethnic front.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Monday morning cookie testing results.
Chocolate Pistachio cookies made yesterday evening still testing as fresh at 7:00 am (and 9:35 am).
Posted by: MayBee | December 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM
killed another thread, I see.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I like Sarah but have serious doubts that she could ever win a national election.
That's fair. On the other hand, the guys who lost the last 2 elections were chosen based on their electability. 2012 will be a referendum on Obama; if he's kept the country from disaster he'll win. Given that he's going to hit the ground blaming Bush, that excuse will run thin by reelection time, so if the country's in as bad a condition as I expect, he'll lose. In that case, any plausible Republican wins. Will Palin be the most plausible after an additional 4 years as governor? Seems plausible to me.
Posted by: bgates | December 22, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Just to add plausibility to bgates' scenario, the electoral calendar will complicate a 2012 run by Jindal, who is up for re-election as Governor in 2011.
Posted by: Elliott | December 22, 2008 at 12:49 PM
By Buckley/Will wing, I was referring to Christopher in the Buckley part. I believe that WFB would have been a Palin supporter.
One of the strengths of the USA has always been its ability to temper its sclerotic/oligarchic element with its vigorous element. I hope that we haven't lost that ability.
Of course, the oligarchs have their place. They fund charitable works, often including truly fine art and music. However, they don't know a hoot about governing. They are fond of referring to Socrates (as Buckley did in his article downgrading Palin), but they seem to have missed Socrates's relentless exposure of their ignorance concerning fine governance of a body politic and of an individual's internal state.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | December 22, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Christopher Buckley is pretty much a liberal from all reports.
Posted by: Jane | December 22, 2008 at 01:09 PM
And a foppish dandiprat to boot.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | December 22, 2008 at 01:34 PM
foppish dandiprat
[scribble, scribble... adds to arsenal of demeaning throw-away expletives.]
Posted by: sbwaters | December 22, 2008 at 01:49 PM
"so if the country's in as bad a condition as I expect"
It will be reported as "halcyon days not seen since the Clinton administration" even if there are apple sellers on every corner (all dues paying members of the SEIU and counted as being 'employed'). Watch what the Census revisions do to per capita income in 2010, it will be as stunning as the BEA's inclusion of government pension contributions as "income" in '98. Just a little fiddling and 'average' becomes 'great'.
Zero's puppet masters can count - that's why they make sure the his "promises" of job creation stay in line with the very low projections of work force growth that the BLS is peddling. Anything above a low base line projection (currently .08%) will be hailed as "remarkable".
Posted by: Rick Ballard | December 22, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I remember when it was being bruited about that George was seeing Lally Weymouth, Katherine Graham's daughter. We were at a big family picnic with hotdogs and burgers on the grills, kids racing around, when Lali sidled in and the then Mrs. Will looked daggers.
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 01:56 PM
a dandiprat..love the word....
as to the art of the oligarchs, these days it is a con...the wealthy buy Warhol and Murakami and Hirst and Koons and then buy the art critics who tell us all how incredibly sophisticated and sardonic it all is. A commentary on the emptiness of society.
The reality is that they are a bunch of no talent, no taste buffoons engaged in circular onanism. One of the purposes of art until this century was to lift us to the heights of experience, whether joy or despair or the artists own unknown or unknowable meanings.
Most of it is such one dimensional merde these days I truly don't know where creativity and the love of beauty have gone.
Posted by: matt | December 22, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Oh, the knowledge you have, Clarice! It is time for that novel with the names changed to protect the innocent!
Posted by: glenda waggoner | December 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM
This should please lots of JOMers:
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | December 22, 2008 at 03:26 PM
He'll be iin the Rush timeslot on the East Coast, though..Too many men , too little time.
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Fred Thompson should get a radio gig unless he's balanced by someone else like an Alan Colmes or Keith Olbermann.
It wouldn't be fair.
Posted by: dk70 | December 22, 2008 at 03:42 PM
In honor of Clarice, I won't fix my last post even though it makes little sense.
Posted by: dk70 | December 22, 2008 at 03:44 PM
On the "music" thread, Centracal asked about Twitter. At the urging of days of pokes and nudges from Hugh Hewitt, I joined. I have yet to figure out what the draw is. Who the heck cares what I, or anyone else of no importance, is doing from minute to minute, even if you understood how to find anyone in the first place.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | December 22, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Re: Clarice
Lally Weymouth was Eric Briendel's girlfriend, too. (He was the brilliant turned-conservative editor of the NY Post, who died way too young.) Rebellion takes many forms, and can go on into one's forties, apparently.
Posted by: Tonto | December 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Interesting, tonto.
Now her daughter runs the paper.
Stratfor has a great piece on the Woodward/Bernstein WaPo as heroes legend, noting that the paper let iself be used by the FBI and Felt to frame Nixon and keep the FBI from outside control--and to hide the fact the agency'd been spying on Nixon and the presidents who preceded him.
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 05:45 PM
twitter...such an apropos name.....
Posted by: matt | December 22, 2008 at 06:46 PM
That it is Matt, and messages are called Tweets. It is like talking to Tweety Bird or something.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | December 22, 2008 at 07:05 PM
On the Madoff front--Charlie Gasparino on CNBC is reporting that anyone who redeemed from any Madoff situation within a six year period will be included in fraudulent conveyance.
What a mess!!
Posted by: glasater | December 22, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Glasater,
In re Spengler - today's 2-Year Note auction of $38 billion drew $80 billion in bids with an interest rate of 0.922%. What is amusing is that the dealers spun on a dime and made money selling at .80% before the end of the day. It doesn't appear that the 'safe haven' is losing much luster.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | December 22, 2008 at 07:23 PM
glasater, of course! It may be a mess to you, but it's a banquet for the lawyers. (Well, isn't everything?)
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Rick--I think I heard Rick Santelli mention the auction play on CNBC today--which I always have on in the background. I try to perk up when Santelli's on--one smart dude. He used to be a gold trader but now reports for CNBC from the CBoT or CME or what ever their calling it now.
Normally he does not recommend plays but there is one he's been pushing the past couple of days--think it's an ETF but cannot remember which one it is right off hand. Will try to check on that tomorrow.
Did you hear the one about the entire government of Belgium resigning today? Incredible!!
Posted by: glasater | December 22, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Realistically, who are they going to turn to, Europe, the Chinese, Russia. We're the policeman on the beat, and the lead shopper
at the mall, for the time being.
Weymouth may not be a neocon any longer, (just as her brief leftist phase, with the Cockburns)but her columns in both the Post and Newsweek are more sober than most in either publication. Even Hougland has been dissapointing in this regard, trying to backtrack from any previous liberationist
(which is a proper term from the neocon, not contaminated with propaganda yet)
In retrospect, I noticed the Coulter digg, at Sarah,and I've thought et tu Anne. I've admitted there are some areas she can brush up, picking up some Spanish, conducting some health care initiatives, but I'm generally in the MK Freedberg camp; Don't ever change. Conservatives picking their nits, like the one called Allah; hint you are not a deity, you're a guest at Michelle's place, really have to wise up.
Who else would have signed up with McCain, for this three hour tour that was the McCain campaign;( yes the inference to Gilligan's Island is intentional,) suffered all this contempt, against his/her family, and their person, still garnered massive crowds, in the heartland, and still be willing to speak for a party, and even do favors for an organization whose apparatus in large part dissed 'his/her, because they see a reformist even populist current that can be salvaged. Pawlenty, don't make me laugh, Crist our own governor, who handed the state, through felon re-enfranchisement
and early voting; and an utterly insincere
switch on off shore drilling. Sanford, even Jindal who suffered a micro version of the type of assault in 2003, so he didn't want to take a chance on messing up hisreputation
for 2012. Do they understand now that it doesn't matter what the truth is.
We understand why the left hates her. She's the living embodiment of all the things they
hate about the Red America. She is a hunter, a believer in the traditional values, yet a career woman, mother, a champion of the ethics of life, proponent of new energy development,the dragonslayer
of state machines, defender of the war on Islamic extremism, and one other detail that drives them up the wall.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Clarice--the "banquet" was my very first thought:-)
Posted by: glasater | December 22, 2008 at 08:25 PM
narciso, I just read Coulter's most recent article and it is VERY favorable to Palin. Are you sure you haven't misread it?
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 08:34 PM
All the ground is white and the sky is gray, went out for a walk on a winter's day, if I did see Gore, I'd whip his a---. Global Warming Dreaming on such a winter's day.
Posted by: eaglewingz08 | December 22, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Narciso,
Do you think that part of the 'resistance' might be supported by the oil majors who stubbed their toes on Sarah? The gas that will be coming down from Alaska is an adjunct to the 'Windy' Pickens' play, isn't it? It's interesting to consider just how deep the oil majors are in the SoLunar Windmill scam. Shell and BP dribble enough pennies into 'green' energy to buy decent PR while rubbing their hands over furnishing the fuel for all the 'backup' generation capacity that will be required if the idiotic alternative energy proposals go forward.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | December 22, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I received by e-mail a very lengthy submission to the SEC dated in November, 2005 by one Harry Markopolos, in which Markopolos details his theory that Madoff's hedge fund is absolutely certain to be a Ponzi scheme. Haven't figure a way to provide a link to it, but if I do I will.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | December 22, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Try the LUN.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | December 22, 2008 at 09:26 PM
LUN worked,DoT. Congratulations!
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 09:35 PM
One supposes Rick, we take the example of BP Amoco Lord Browne, who was profiled in Vanity Fair as the environmental oil man
(you can snorfle at that if you like) but
the refinery fire the following year, caused
the first of the major price spikes; he was nowhere to be found, which it turned out was due to his companies negligent
operations. Boone Pickens, who I used to respect because he was posibly the only major figure who struck oil in Texas in the 80s, (the other was Ken Lay)all of a sudden
gets into the windmill game, which turned out damn expensive, for all involved. And he had to throw in 'we can't drill ur way out of this problem' We have this bizarre spectacle of companies like Conoco, willing to belly up to the Suakin pipeline in the Sudan, but not our own lands unless the baksheesh is right. Shell dropped a boatload
into wind as was pointed out, and now they have to relocate their European operations to the US. The Ninth Circus has graciously blocked any development in the Beaufort Sea, and or any alternate sites; just long enough for Obama or Salazar to reinstated
the ban on offshore drilling. ANWR, the North Slope methyl hydrate deposits, all of this they're willing to sacrifice this for no good reason. Of course when the next storm threatens the Gulf, or turmoil occurs anywhere from Nigeria to Siberia; and prices
spike again; they'll say why didn't we do anything.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I guess it was lines like this, that perked my eyes: Was she smart enough to be President? She was running with John McCain! There was no chance that ticket was going to place her anywhere near the presidency. In fact, I can’t think of a better place to put someone you wanted to keep away from the White House than on a ticket with McCain." Which she is kind of right about, although it does undermine part of the rationale for the campaign. and the reference to the Reagan children, I made earlier. All in all it was a very laudatory column, that's why the non sequitors seem to stand out. Compared to the
turncoat Robert S. McCain, who dropped the vote Bob Barr, despite having gotten plenty of coin, providing to links of Sarah's efforts, and then talked her up for events like the Chambliss win, which hadn't been necessary if the lure of a third party vote hadn't been proposed.
Was there ever really a shot, for John and Sarah, with this boulder of an economic tsunami, barrelling toward this election at lightning speed, seemingly directed by the shortsellers behind Obama and Biden. The real problem seems to lie with the fact that the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" doesn't have a clue as to stop the waves, or the mops,
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Rick-
Do you think that part of the 'resistance' might be supported by the oil majors who stubbed their toes on Sarah?
It wasn't addressed to me, but wow, I never even thought of that!!
narciso-
...all of this they're willing to sacrifice this for no good reason...
Not so, for Dems the no-zone on US oil production is for a "good cause". Political control and power, with the added benefit that oil production is driven into enemy nations and profits can be invested in an anti-American and anti-Western infrastructure. Is very curious the precipitous drop, so much so that even Brazil's and Greenland's significant finds will be more difficult to develop?
And thanks DoT for the link on the Madoff scheme. Lots to read there.
Posted by: RichatUF | December 22, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Uh Oh,
Another FBI agent is soon going to be looking for a new job.
Breaking news today in Alaska, (ADN.com), is that an unnamed FBI agent is whistleblowing on corruption in the recent trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The FBI agent, who was assigned to the Steven's case, indicated that other FBI agents assigned to the case and at least 1 prosecutor in the case had engaged in corrupt prosecutorial practices during the investigation and trial of Republican Senator Steven's. By a remarkable coincidence the bad publicity and trial of Steven's occurred just prior to the recent election, yet the publication of this FBI whistleblower's complaint did not surface until after the election..
Posted by: Daddy | December 22, 2008 at 10:57 PM
So the Times got punked by a Delanoe impersonator. Did they check the return address, how about call the Paris city
hall, to see if the mayor had made any
such remarks. Regardless it looks like she's a likely lock despite her lack of experience. Of course, if you had to turn
someone down because they had a history as
a constitutional activist, with service on non profit boards, then we'd have to, well never mind. So the lesson is if you let an aide fail to prescreen the calls, as Biegun did for Sarah, or slam the phone, like
Ileana Ros Lehtinen did to Obama; you can't win. Peter King would make a good choice in 2010, regardless. Of course, you know if Jeb accepted the nomination for Martinez's
seat, the rules would flip so fast you'd have whiplash; despite the fact he's been a two term governor.
I wonder sometimes what's the point of all this; I'm grateful for Tom giving me an opportunity to vent my frustrations,
observations, occasional witticisms, under a now thread bare alias, and the rest of you for reading and providing feedback, mostly warranted, sometimes not (mr. collection of consonants)for trying some new angles. I know it was Creedence Clearwater, and so did you. Is my anger with the media's malpractice, skullfuggery (Is that even a word?), malfeasance, letting me be too cavalier in putting Governor Palin, as the vehicle for my (and by extension the right's frustration too soon, regardless of the consequences to herself and her family. That thought kept coming back to me, with the Gizzi interview;
she seems too honest, too decent for the grubby game of politics practiced in too many places, including my own burg. That's part of her appeal, but one must admit it may be a downgrade among the cognoscenti in too many places; the mustier corners of memeorandum are testament to that. She all but acknowledged that the TARP bailout seemed wrong to her, and made herobjections known to the auto bailout. Which was backstopped in part for more than a month. She trusted in the wisdom and the experience
of the McCain staff, and thought she could get her point across to the media. She believed in the end, as we all did that facts would win out in the end; about Ayers, about Obama's conception of negative rights, about the need for further coal production how naive were we.
When we see Minnesota being stolen before our eyes, just like they tried to heist Florida eight years ago, when they rigged the game in Ohio, to count bus benches addresses, when the results in Missouri were so muddled in part thanks to the
"Truth Squad" that it took two weeks to declare the state for McCain. When they went to so far as to apparently present purjured testimony in the Stevens case, and the jury instructions were disregarded;
where is the hope for minimal standards of justice.
Posted by: narciso | December 22, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Here is Daddy's link.
Interesting the links the FBI will go to to convict Republicans, but they can't really be bothered going after Dems. We're still waiting for William Jefferson to go to trial, and since he's not in the House anymore the case will get relegated to the back pages, or maybe even be dropped entirely.
Posted by: RichatUF | December 22, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Dadddy, that is something! I blogged it..the judge on several occasions was mighty angry with the prosecution and almost dismissed the case because of their conduct.
This is really something big.
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Why is your alias "almost thread bare" Narciso? If I haven't cracked the mystery--and I haven't--you don't think anyone else has, do you?
Posted by: clarice | December 22, 2008 at 11:28 PM
whoa...links->lengths...
Posted by: RichatUF | December 22, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Narciso, this one is for you. We heard from O'Sullivan in person. He is truly enthusiastic.
Posted by: Caro | December 22, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Why is your alias "almost thread bare" Narciso?
I was going to ask the same thing;)
Posted by: RichatUF | December 22, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Narciso,
The thing with Palin is worth pursuing. She's got the faux conservatives who line their pockets with corporate money peeing their pants almost as badly as the prog thieves. If she continues to push in the populist direction and establishes Constitutional (rather than purely conservative) principles she's going to be formidable.
Considering the enemies she's made and making, I think she's doing just fine.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | December 22, 2008 at 11:44 PM
It's not threadbare to you folks, but people who might be noticing this in this neck of the woods. RE the I am Spartacus
thread two months back. In the circles where I have chosen to make my profession; the contempt for all Republicans is palpable. So I see the problem, not through rose colored glasses, but rather clearly.
I generally hide the tell tales signs of any ideological attitudes, although they may be catching on.
Good for Sullivan, who recognizes talent quite closely. I wonder when he'llget around to drafting one of those fake memos
from Machiavelli. It did take the disaster of Callaghan to make Thatcher palatable didn't it. And in point of fact, Sarah she is the dejure leader of the opposition, not defacto. among the real Tories, there were plenty of 'wets' moderates like former Prime Minister Heath, future defense chief Heseltine, etc. Cameron's just a younger Heath, in my opinion, against the undertaker
mien of Gordon Brown. How he stays in power, with all he has botched according to my English acquaintances, seems to defy understanding. I'd rather prefer the likes of Portillo, who was an outsider (a Spanish immigrant who was very conscious of Britain's unique geography and how it's protected it for a millenia)he penned the column about how Britain has lost its spine. Of course, such truths can cost you a seat in the former land of St. George.
Biden on "Is Larry King Alive" Huckabee on
"Hannity" What fresh hell is this, doesn't the Geneva Convention apply anymore in these circumstances. You know I begin to to think that the left was right so many years ago to protest Huckabee's sudden rise, after
the WhiteWater trials. Oh and after this, Glenn Beck coming in right before the inaugural. "Somebody please make it stop"
Posted by: narciso | December 23, 2008 at 12:20 AM
narciso-
Is my anger with the media's malpractice, skullfuggery (Is that even a word?), malfeasance, letting me be too cavalier in putting Governor Palin, as the vehicle for my (and by extension the right's frustration too soon, regardless of the consequences to herself and her family...
I agree with Rick's comment above.
I read the Coulter column (I'm not really a fan of her's) and think that you might be making too much of the section you highlighted. Gov. Palin is 44, younger than Obama by a few years, and politics on the national stage are different than politics in Alaska. Her next campaign on the national stage has to be her own message with people she trusts. Areas that I thought McCain really blew it: energy production (a coherent 3- part case: jobs, finance, and foreign policy); western state issues (US federal "ownership" of state lands; water, mining, mineral, oil&gas rights; 9th Circuit eco-nuts on the court).
Gov. Palin joined the ticket to win and McCain didn't.
Posted by: RichatUF | December 23, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Your probably right, it's a thought I'd been mulling over before, but it took this campaign, with the one side bringing an afortune from a murderer's row of crooked banks, callous law firms (including those dedicated to defending our most fervent foes) foreign potentates, et al, while the other side had to scrounge for pennies. Precisely because of its 'speaking truth
to power, a few too many times, against defense contractors, pharmaceutical companies even sport franchises. Is it a coincidence that this ideological back
sliding seemed occur exactly at the time when the Bradley and Olin foundations
faded out, and Soros's media infrastructure
seemed to permeate every aspect of society.
Is it a coincidence that almost every detractor of the Governor, seemed to have some personal baggage or conflict of interest. With Parker, it seems rank jealousy, with Will and Buckley, some curious interpersonal dynamics. with Powell,
the gravy train of Saud sponsored
foundations, charities, and the Carlyle Group along with the Caspian oil trail.Of course, Powell vouched for Stevens, which I guess he was partially right on, and Sarah had declared herself against the Stevens machine; so the enemy of my enemy might apply here.
Posted by: narciso | December 23, 2008 at 12:41 AM
How he stays in power, with all he has botched according to my English acquaintances, seems to defy understanding
One would be tempted to say it passeth it, but for the facts that 1) the Labour party prefer putting their hopes on Brown recovering in time for the next general election to forcing him out (thus likely precipitating an election they would lose) and 2) such ironic usage is more aptly applied to the Archbishop of Canterbury (via Drudge).
Posted by: Elliott | December 23, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Yes, in retrospect, they weren't only the 'gang that couldn't shoot straight' but they couldn't find the ammo, much less the target. Sarah was given an impossible job, trying to eke out a populist conservative message, while keeping the inane talking points on cap n' trade, campaign finance,
interrogation tactics, et al, and the Leviathan of the bailout. and trying to humor the inanity of Couric and Gibson. Zena herself would be worn out by such an effort. Not to mention the 'thundersnow'
yes that's apparently a word now, flurry
of lies, omissions and misrepresentations. A lesser man or woman, would have given up at least half way through the effort,'saying
thanks but no thanks' That's why I still don't regret my vote, as lopsidedly outnumbered as it was.
Posted by: narciso | December 23, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Is that crossing enough metaphors and similies for you.
Posted by: narciso | December 23, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Concerning Ted Stevens,
If there had been no conviction he would have been re-elected in a heartbeat, regardless of "Bridge To Nowhere" negative publicity and embarrassing comments such as "the internet is tubes" etc. That trial and conviction is what did him in. Even with 7 Felony convictions he lost by less than 4,000 votes.
I don't know how the legal business works, but I do have a suspicion of how the political business works, and my jaundiced view developed over the last few years is that in DC Justice is a political issue, not a legal issue. Being 4000 miles away I also don't know any of the players back there, nor do I honestly know if Stevens is innocent or guilty, but I do know that he has been successfully politically assassinated, and since his seat is now safe in Democrat hands, I would not find it surprising at all if his previous conviction was thrown out, "in light of this new evidence" etc, and that instead of going through a re-trial, which might risk publicizing the ugly particulars of this political assassination, he was simply exonerated and the whole thing simply disappeared from scrutiny. The MSM might gain a tiny bit of upside by compassionately appearing to sympathize with the weathered Republican, but I think the potential downside of honestly examining the possibly damning particulars of his case would dictate that they too would opine it best just to let the aged Alaskan warrior retire into the sunset. Unless of course he started lowering the boom on Republican Party Bigshots, and especially Sarah Palin, who failed to support him during his time of duress. Then he'd be the man of the hour.
I don't know Stevens well enough to have a feel for that, but if he honestly feels (which he might) that he was completely unjustly screwed by both this trial fiasco and by his former Party-mates, I think he would get more 'benefit of the doubt' commiserating facetime from the MSM Talking Heads than he's seen in his 36 years worth of previous service in Washington.
For what its worth, his renovated cabin in Girdwood Alaska is absolutely nothing to write home about. I think you would be surprised at its evident rustic unglamorousness as opposed to how its often depicted in the news. As a brief refresher, the reports are that the refurbishing was initially estimated at 135K, his wife eventually paid 165K in bills, and the supposed actual cost estimated by the band of FBI investigators (just deemed corrupt by one of their own), was that actual costs approached 230-250K. It sure ain't evident from a drive by.
Posted by: Daddy | December 23, 2008 at 02:38 AM
PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
Now that you folks down in the lower 48 are experiencing significant snowfall, allow me to caution you on a serious danger you snow novices might not be aware of: Building Snowmen may be considered Safety Hazards and Public Nuisances, so you better run it through your City Council first to get permission.
I'm not kidding! Our local rag, ADN.com, ( 21 DEC) has photo's and a report on SNOWZILLA, a 16 foot high Snowman some guy in east Anchorage builds every year, and this year, due to previous complaints about drive by 'looky louie's' clobbering neighborhood traffic, he has been ordered to cease and desist as his building a snowman in his yard is being considered a Public Nuisance and Safety Hazard, and he faces possible jail time if construction of SNOWZILLA doesn't halt ASAP. Public Safety Officers have posted Cease and desist orders on SNOWZILLAS partially constructed lower torso, and the bummed homeowner with 7 children is sadly complying as he doesn't wish to go to jail.
Thank goodness government is there to protect us when we need it. No word yet on whether Snow Angels are crossing the line towards offensive hate speech, but hopefully our current Anchorage Mayor, Democrat Senator Elect Mark Begich, may make a ruling on that prior to arriving in DC next month when the entire nation, and not simply we citizens of Anchorage, will have the benefit of his safety insights.
Posted by: Daddy | December 23, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Good Morning to all!
For those who are unfamiliar with what election fraud looks like, Gateway Pundit has picture proof.
"The Minnesota Canvassing Board claimed this vote is clearly for Franken?"
LUN
When one looks at the ballot - Norm Coleman is boldly marked. No mark appears near Franken's name.
I guess it never occurred to the canvassing board that some people could not bring them selves to vote for Franken even through they voted for every other Democrat on the ticket. I do not understand how anyone can believe that vote is for Al Franken.
Posted by: pagar | December 23, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Daddy,
I'm extremely grateful for the warning. As I live in a townhouse (in L.A, so snow is of no consideration, but the "Board" is) I will have to forego my Snowzilla display this year.
Posted by: C.R. | December 23, 2008 at 07:53 AM
165 K, this was all this was about, that didn't qualify as a decent refi around in most of this area up to two years ago.
Seems like a 'drive by' scam to me. And the Snowzilla ordinance seems equally insane.
My real concern is that the Dems, will try one of these phony ethical stunts, against
Sarah, to try to rubbish her image; the
Barrett screed in the Village Village, all but suggests that.
Posted by: narciso | December 23, 2008 at 09:00 AM
pagar, I followed the link to Gateway Pundit, and from there to here. Looks to me like the *challenge* was by Franken (cannot for the life of me see why), but the decision of the board was for Coleman.
Posted by: PD | December 23, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Rick--the ETF is a bond thing called LQD.
What I know about bonds could fit in a thimble--well not really but I sure could not verbalize what I understand:-)
Posted by: glasater | December 23, 2008 at 02:35 PM
"What I know about bonds could fit in a thimble"
If I poured everything that I "know" about bonds in on top of it there would still be room for more. Today's auctions went off well again. 2X coverage on 5 year Ts paying a whopping 1.5%. It appears that everyone in the world would like to end the year with a nice chunk of Treasuries parked on the balance sheet. It may have something to do with the fact that the BRIC has justifiably turned to dust. I wonder what happens when anemic emerging market banks start defaulting? The ones whch made all the loans on those now empty factories along the Pearl River.
We'll know by March.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | December 23, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I do not know how to use the Hellgate gold ; my friend tells me how to use.
Posted by: sophy | January 06, 2009 at 09:11 PM
OK-"sophy" is posting from Beijing.Stop it, you jerk!!!
Posted by: clarice | January 06, 2009 at 09:13 PM