North Korea, Then And Now

They told Glenn that if he voted for McCain we would contiue the Bush policy of refusing to enter bilateral negotiations with North Korea - and they were right!

The Times reports on the latest from North Korea and includes this summary of Obama's diplomacy to date:

While Mr. Obama was elected on a promise of diplomatic engagement, his strategy toward the North for the past two years, called “strategic patience,” has been to demonstrate that Washington would not engage until the North ceased provocations and demonstrated that it was living up to past commitments to dismantle, and ultimately give up, its nuclear capacity.

The provocations have now increased markedly, and it is not clear what new options are available. Beijing’s first reaction on Tuesday was to call for a resumption of the six-nation talks involving North and South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the United States. The last meeting was two years ago, at the end of the Bush administration.

Mr. Obama’s aides made it clear in interviews that the United States had no intention of returning to those talks soon. But its leverage is limited.

Hmm.  Back in October 2008 the Council on Foreign Relations provided an overview of the candidates' positions on North Korea and the Six Party talks.

President Obama advocates for developing an “international coalition” to handle nuclear North Korea, calls the Six-Party Talks “ad hoc,” and says he supports “sustained, direct, and aggressive diplomacy.” In a September 2008 presidential debate, Obama said a lack of diplomatic engagement with North Korea led the country to significantly increase its nuclear capacity, and said the Bush administration's eventual reengagement with the regime led to "some progress."

Within weeks of Pyongyang’s October 2006 nuclear test, Obama appeared on Meet the Press and said the United States had no leverage over North Korea because of Washington’s refusal to hold bilateral negotiations. He also clarified a passage from his book Audacity of Hope (in which he posed the question “Why invade Iraq and not North Korea or Burma?”) and said he did not consider invading the communist country an option to resolving the nuclear issue.

Bilateral talks with North Korea had been a staple of the left for years (here is John Kerry in a 2004 Presidential debate.)  And for a while in 2007, Candidate Obama was famously prepeared to meet any leader anywhere without preconditions, preconceptions, or even a clue.

Obviously, that was a long time ago; folks who actually hoped the Bush policy would change can send their aggrieved letters to Gitmo.  The rest of us can chalk this up as one more triumph of real world experience over Bush-bashing expedience.

I APPLAUD THIS 'OUTSIDE THE BOX' THINKING:

Sarah Palin, mis-spreaking with Glenn Beck:

“We Gotta Stand With Our North Korean Allies”.

Well, she has admirers everyhere...

IF IT WERE BUSH THIS WOULD BE DENOUNCED AS 'STRATEGIC PETULANCE':

The Obama administration is “not looking to escalate” this situation, the official said. “We don’t see this as North Korea wanting to go to war.”

One step you may not see that has happened in the past is “rushing into six party talks,” the official said, trying to get North Korea back at the table with other superpowers. “We see that as rewarding bad behavior.”

 

Comments

[Jack is Back!]

UN to send more development aid. Kimmie needs more Kim-Chee.

[anduril]

I like this guy: Gov. Christie Laughs Off, Shakes Head At Palin Presidency

[Leroy L]

Christie is right about Palin are President, but her influence over politics will be great for many years to come. I doubt she really has any desire to run for President.

Palin would probably laugh at Christie as well since he is good on fiscal issues, but a little RINOish elsewhere. Plus Christie endorsed Castle which is good for more than a head shake right there. Coons is better then Castle, at least we know what we are getting.

[anduril]

New International Version Bible drops gender-neutral translation

The world's best-selling Bible is getting an upgrade.

...

Since its debut in 1978, the New International Version - known as the NIV - has been the Bible of choice for evangelicals, selling more copies than any other version. But a 2002 gender-inclusive edition bombed after being condemned as too liberal.

Translators hope their latest edition, which debuted online this month, will avoid a similar fate. They've retained some of the language of the 2002 edition. But they also made changes - like going back to using words like "mankind" and "man" instead of "human beings" and "people" - in order to appease critics.

...

"We really tried to get it right this time," he [Doug Moo] said. "We tried to be careful about not bowing to any cultural or ecclesiastical agenda. We also talked to anyone who wanted to talk to us."

...

In 2009, the NIV accounted for 28 percent of Bibles sold in Christian bookstores. That was followed by the King James, at 16 percent.

Today, the Committee on Bible Translation, which translated the NIV, admits Today's New International Version, the revision released in 2002, was a mistake. They substituted "brothers and sisters" where the New Testament writers used "brothers."

...

[Army of Davids]

Does anyone know what is in this "Food Safety" bill?

Nancy is angry at the electorate as she prepares lame-duck surprise for the holidays.

Why do I not feel safer?

[anduril]

Christie is right about Palin are President, but her influence over politics will be great for many years to come. I doubt she really has any desire to run for President.

I tend to agree. At this point she gives every indication of being in this gig of hers MOSTLY for the money--not entirely. She's basking in her celebrity status and the health of her bank account, but I'm skeptical whether she can maintain political credibility (such as it has been) with the kinds of appearances she's been doing lately.

[anduril]

I think James Lewis may be on to something at AT: TSA Groping and Obama's Black Revenge Narrative.

[Thomas Collins]

If Obama really has come to the conclusion that multilateral talks with the Norkies at this point are counterproductive, good for him. I'm still skeptical that he is deemphasizing We Are the World diplomacy, but perhaps he is. I hope he also comes to his senses on reversing the degradation of our nuke arsenal.

With respect to Christie's comments on Palin, perhaps someone who laughs at Palin will show why her record as Governor of Alaska (which from what I have read included solid negotiations with the energy companies and a generally slight right of center governance mode) deserves laughter and scorn. As far as her resigning goes, I'd like to see how tough guy former prosecutor Christie would have stood up to what in Palin's case amounted to a concerted effort to tie her hands by the contant filing of ethics complaints. Being tough with teachers on YouTube is fine, and Christie certainly deserves credit for attempting to tame the spending monster. However, what Christie has had to deal with is not as tough as what Palin did.

[Army of Davids]

The new smear campaign directed at Tea Party/independent types?

"Not educated."

Guess if I went to Harvard or Berkley I would understand like the Andrea Mitchell/Michael Bloomberg types.

[NK]

TM-- I think you are being way too glib about the NorKs. What has changed is that the US CINC is for the first time since 1979 an incompetent muppet. US policy towards the NorKs for the 20 years since they had the BOMB is appeasement. Bribe Kim Jong Il enough so he is only a danger to his own people Well now with Barry O, the cost of appeasement is going way up-- too high because South Koreans and American serviceman will die. The US is now threatened by Jihadis and NorK nukes. I will never forgive those Americans that elected this dangerous muppet.

BTW-- to all you Palin supporters, she is an unserious muppet as well.

[Extraneus]

Seems like an indication that Christie is considering his options, too, and that's understandable. After all, who wouldn't want to take on Obama at this point?

[Ignatz]

--BTW-- to all you Palin supporters, she is an unserious muppet as well.--

Uh oh.

[Dave (in MA)]

Given their fiasco w.r.t. the "Tolly Bon" that was revealed this week, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that these clowns ended up in bilateral talks with Team America puppets across the conference table.

[Extraneus]

John Conyers reading porn magazine on plane

Well, his wife is in prison, isn't she? (Probably got on the plane without a grope, too.)

[Thomas Collins]

NK, regarding muppets unserious and otherwise, perhaps you could point me to sources that analyze Palin's record as Governor of Alaska which sources show that she took an unserious approach to her job. I must be missing that analysis in my perusal of the scorn heaped upon Palin.

[Romney to operate, let her execute.]

NK, she may have started out that way, but believe me, she is serious now.
==========

[Thomas Collins]

See LUN for, God forbid, actual analysis of Palin's record and policy positions. Although the article ends on a note praising Palin, it is a critical, substantive analysis of her record on tax and budget matters. I'd say her record stands up in comparison with Daniels, Pawlenty and Christie (as far as we know, the Palin Administration never had a colossal screw-up that cost her state millions in federal funds, as the Christie Administration did), and compares favorably with the Romney and Huckabee Administrations.

I look forward to those who downgrade Palin on this blog citing actual analyses from serious outlets such as the Cato Institute.

[Ill fed, though. The dogs.]

China has a vicious dog, well chained and fenced, in its peninsular junk yard.
===============

[anduril]

Here's our future president: Sarah Palin Visits 'Dancing With the Stars'. Her bit starts just before the 1:00 mark, where she starts in with: "I'm all star struck!"

[Who could ask for anything more?]

Give it up, anduril. Palin/Romney. CEO/COO. What's to lose?
============

[Thomas Collins]

So, anduril, your argument is that, in an era in which all politicians seem to feel they need to adopt some sort of celebrity posture as part oftheir campaigns, Palin's appearances show her to be unserious? I would have thought hardheaded analyses of her record a Mayor of Wasilia and Governor of Alaska similar to the one I LUNed above would be a better place to start.

Thank God Laugh-In is no longer on the air. The bandwidth of the intertubes would be all filled up with snarky comments of Palin saying "Sock It To Me," as Nixon did.

[MayBee]

The comment from the Obama WH that has me irritated is this:

One step you may not see that has happened in the past is “rushing into six party talks,” the official said, trying to get North Korea back at the table with other superpowers. “We see that as rewarding bad behavior.”

This is 180 degrees from what Senator Obama said as the all-knowing candidate.
I don't know why this administration just can't stop themselves from saying assholey things.

[RichatUF]

TC-

Palin has a spotty record on tax issues, mentioning the windfall profits tax on oil companies and noting she’s offered only minor tax breaks.

This is an unfair characterization of the issue. She reformed the oil and gas severence tax which was a mess (and still is and is one of the reasons that Alaska production has fallen off so dramatically since the late 80's) before she took office. In effect her administration flatened the tax and broaded the base because oil companies were shifting production to older wells which were taxed less (and in some cases not at all).

[Rick Ballard]

"I don't know why this administration just can't stop themselves from saying assholey things."

Obama having a proctologist as a primary care physician is a clue.

[MarkJ]

Obama is engaging in "strategic patience?" Hmmm, where I have heard that term before?

Oh yeah, that's what FDR engaged in...right up to the day Pearl Harbor got bombed.

[Thomas Collins]

I don't disagree with your analysis, RichatUF. I was trying to find a very critical analysis of Palin in an article that ended on an overall positive note. I think Cato may have been so negative on this score because of their overall views on tax policy. In any event, I hope your willingness to discuss in a serious manner her record catches on.

[BobDenver]

I will also note that episode 2 of her program has put to rest the canard that she can't shoot.

[NK]

MayBee-- great pick up on the unseriousness of BarryO; I do agree with the WH now that rushing into 6 party talks NOW is a mistake. Bush appeased the NorKs because the cost of appeasement was sufficiently low, and if people remember AQ was a higher priority. The NorKs have upped the price of appeasement because BaryO is a joke and they think they'll get more out of him.

Tom Collins et al: this crisis further shows why we can't afford another unserious CINC. Yes Palin is not as bad as BarryO because she believes the right things and would appoint the right people. But she's not a serious leader, she's a CELEBRITY -- BY CHOICE.

[RichatUF]

kim-

In re: China. They have their own domestic problems, not sure how having the psycotic grandson of the dynasty's founder making trouble helps them either short or long term. If they were as smart as the political class hopes them to be, they would have ended the situation years ago.

Maybee-

The Obama Administration couldn't even get a stearly-worded letter from the UN regarding the sinking of the Cheonan. They got a letter a few months after the fact.

[BobDenver]

Let's try this comment again:

she's a CELEBRITY -- BY CHOICE.

Not sure I agree. Some have celebrity thrust upon them.

[Thomas Collins]

NK, which candidate do you think has the best judgment on national security affairs? Palin's personality leads me to believe that she will act as President Polk did, that is, have a limited number of national security goals pursued relentlessly but with a willingness to compromise. I look at her celebrity aspects from this perspective: I think she is trying to appeal to that portion of the electorate for whom celebrity is important. When I think of who can play power politics chess with Khamenei, Putin, Singh, Taliban, ISI, the Nokos, et al, none of the crop of other GOP contenders gives me much comfort.

[Thomas Collins]

In any event, if I don't get a chance tomorrow, I'd like to wish Happy Thanksgiving to all JOM folks (To TM, the regulars, the irregulars, the lurkers, the trolls, the schmolls, and to sylvia the unique one)!

[RichatUF]

TC-

Avoiding her record makes it easy to turn her into a chillbilly version of Paris Hilton.

[NK]

BobDenver-- the Palins in Alaska was "thrust on her?', Dancing with the Stars thrust on her --please--

ThomasCollins-- at least you admit your support is based on a notion of electability-- first off that notion is misplaced, see Angle and O'Donnell. second, even if it were true, I personally would hold out for a serious electable candidate who has the right principles and executive experience.

[Thomas Collins]

NK, I have to take issue with your comment that I admit my support is based on electability. I specifically mentioned electability (hardly an insignificant factor) and the fact that I think she would better play power politics chess than the other GOP aspirants. Go ahead and refudiate away at my assertion that she would be a President Polk type President, but understand that my view of Palin is based primarily on my assessment of how I think she'll handle the national security component of the Presidency and how I think she'll support reasonable marginal tax rates and won't try to continue the expansion of the bureaucratic state. I have never grounded my support of Palin on electability. I think the most electable GOPer is Jeb Bush, especially in light of the continuing rehabilitation of the Bush brand.

[Rob Crawford]

But she's not a serious leader, she's a CELEBRITY -- BY CHOICE.

OMG!!!!

BY CHOICE!!!!

I long for the day when people stop letting the left define who is an acceptable candidate for conservatives.

[NK]

RichardatUF-- you don't even have to avoid Palins's very thin record, Palin is thoroughly unelectable, see Angle and O'Donnell. They were strong conservatives with thin records who are easily discredited with independent voters= BIG TIME ELECTION LOSERS.

[Army of Davids]

"Waiting for Superman"

Teacher's unions....and a K-12 public education system that is turning into nothing but failure factories.

We are losing a generation...both educationally and economically.

[BobDenver]

I personally would hold out for a serious electable candidate who has the right principles and executive experience.

Lincoln wouldn't stand much chance with you, would he?

[Rob Crawford]

BobDenver-- the Palins in Alaska was "thrust on her?', Dancing with the Stars thrust on her --please--

True. Not nearly as serious works like "Death Valley Days" or "Bedtime for Bonzo" or "Wagon Train" or "Girls on Probation" or "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse". Nor as edifying as Richard "Sock it to me" Nixon's appearance on "Laugh In".

And who can forget "Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan" from "The Hunt for Red October"? Or didn't you consider Thompson a serious candidate?

Never mind. We get it. You don't like her, and you'll cling to any reason you're handed to explain it away.

[Rob Crawford]

RichardatUF-- you don't even have to avoid Palins's very thin record, Palin is thoroughly unelectable, see Angle and O'Donnell.

Yep. The party establishment disliked them, let the left define them, and they lost.

Have fun playing the left's game!

[NK]

TC-- I stand corrected on your emphasis on electability. your assessement of Palin's foreign policy actions are strictly your opinion on what she would do-- she has virtually no record because she quit one of the 2 executive offices she's ever held.

BobDenver- Palin as Lincoln? Come back to us.

RC-- evaluating the electoral weaknesses of conservatives is NOT alowing te Left to define anything, it is what a rational conservative voter should do.

[Rob Crawford]

RC-- evaluating the electoral weaknesses of conservatives is NOT alowing te Left to define anything, it is what a rational conservative voter should do.

Letting the left define what's acceptable is letting them pick our candidates. You've bought their narrative (lies, really) on Palin's record; you're playing their game.

Oh, well. Looking forward to seeing Romney/Jeb go down in flames in 2012!

[Rob Crawford]

I think the most electable GOPer is Jeb Bush, especially in light of the continuing rehabilitation of the Bush brand.

Yay! Another prediction of the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama!

Seriously, folks -- can we NOT have someone from the party establishment? Do we have to pick someone based on "well, it's their turn"? Can we run someone who give a rat's ass about the future of the country? How about someone who HASN'T spent most of their adult life fantasizing about the White House?

It doesn't have to be Palin -- but none of Huckabee, Romney, a Bush, or anyone who has ever served in the Senate or House.

[boris]

Anyone with a loyal following is by definition a leader.

In the 2008 election Sarah had more executive experience at success than Obama, Biden, and arguably McCain.

[Extraneus]

NK, who do you like in the current field?

[East Bay Jay]

That strategic patience stuff can be tricky. If you don't watch out you could develop bed sores.

[boris]

"because she quit one of the 2 executive offices she's ever held"

If McCain would have won in 2008 she would have quit anyway to be VP. In a way she fulfills and even more influential role than Joe BitMe as VP so it's not true that she quit on the people.

[BobDenver]

BobDenver- Palin as Lincoln? Come back to us.

The shock and horror in Republican ranks when Lincoln was nominated was nearly universal. When they had such electable candidates as Seward and Chase, both of whom had been state governors, they wound up with a man with limited government experience, none of it as an executive. And Lincoln WOULD have been unelectable in calm and ordinary times.

What we forget is that times are rarely that calm and ordinary. There is a good chance that economic and political conditions in 2012 will be so bad that Sarah Palin could beat Obama easily. She has been so damaged by the MSM that even NK and others on the conservative side have bought into her being "not serious." But I remember how, as a young liberal, I thought it impossible that the country could elect Ronald Reagan. Talk about someone who'd been branded as not serious!

[NK]

Boris-- I agree IN 2008 Palin did have more experience as an executive that Barry/Biden and that was a strong reason to vote against Barry/Biden (not McCain, mcCain was a squadron XO, commanding officer of the east coast's largest training squadron, those are substantial executive positions managing budgets, equipment and people.) But, since then Barry has been CEO of the federal gov't, and Palin quit her executive job to become a celebrity. Big negative with voters.

[Dave (in MA)]

didn't you consider Thompson a serious candidate?

He was the candidate I was most interested in seeing nominated early in the primary, but as it turned out I don't think Thompson even considered Thompson a serious candidate.

[boris]

"Palin quit her executive job to become a celebrity"

By 2012 who will have done more for the state of Alaska ... Sarah or Joe BiteMe ???

[boris]

"commanding officer of the east coast's largest training squadron"

Sarah had notable accomplishments as Governor, not just a title. By all means continue to ignore and dismiss but be sure to emphasize how concerned you are about "seriousness".

[NK]

Extraneus-- I support anyone who will beat barryO. personally I like Mitch Daniels, Bobby Jindal, Pawlenty, proven successful governors.

BobD-- ronald reagan was a celebrity first, who then became a union leader with serious ideas who was a TWICE elected successful governor of the largest state. palin as reagan-- come back to us.

[boris]

"BobD-- ronald reagan was a celebrity first ..."

So it's okay as long as you do that first.

"TWICE elected successful governor of the largest state"

Ahnold for president!

[RichatUF]

NK-

Angle was a legislative backbencher without a clutch of billionaires at her disposal to soften up the field. In the governor's race the Republican beat Ried's son, so Angle's campaign had a problem. O'Donnell lost by the same margin that the House at large candidate did and in retrospect it is doubtful that Castle would have won the seat either. As far as I know she has no elective experience at all besides a few failed previous campaigns and the political class attack on her before she even started her general election campaign was unhelpful and the shabby state of the Castle-led GOP in Delaware didn't help much either.

Palin has won elections at the city and state level, defeated machine incumbents at the primary level, and served in an appointed position in state government. She has a record, a long one, mostly successful.

[sbw]

Celebrity thrust is a red herring. Both "Alaska" and "Dancing" were strategically brilliant. Their appearances undermined the determined caricature of the Palins by the left that the MSM amplified.

Now that the Palins are shown to have personality and humanity, "Don't retreat--Reload" means that Alinsky gets shot down for the undemocratic, anti-social manipulator he was.

Libs and Progs play politics as a game. And I don't respect them for it.

[Janet the tea-vangelist!]

John Conyers reading porn magazine on plane

Let's look at some of the Dem. unserious muppets.
What a sorry lot we have as leaders...

[RichatUF]

boris-

Any idea where to get tourism numbers for Alaska? It'd be hard to seperate out any sort of "Palin effect", but I'd like to see if there is any pop.

[BobDenver]

BobD-- ronald reagan was a celebrity first, who then became a union leader with serious ideas who was a TWICE elected successful governor of the largest state. palin as reagan-- come back to us.

The view of the MSM was that California was a conservative state (check it out -- CA Presidential voting was always for the R (except in '64 when the Republicans ran Satan, I mean Goldwater), and therefore not to be taken seriously. Sort of like Alaska today. I remember in 1976 Chevy Chase doing a Weekend Update bit in which he referred to him as "the silly, senile ex-Governor of California." This was, interestingly, part of a joke about MSM bias.

Ronald Reagan was regarded as "out there." The MSM painted him as a fool, at a time when that was a much bigger problem than it is today. He won election easily because he was up against a terrible President (and a rotten economy).

Reagan campaigned well. He was a persuasive speaker. He debated well. It may turn out that Palin doesn't have the same capacity to overcome the hole that the MSM digs for a Republican candidate, but it is crazy to dismiss her as you do.

[hit and run]

John Conyers reading porn magazine on plane

He got the magazine for the articles.

[Ignatz]

"TWICE elected successful governor of the largest state"

Ahnold for president!

Posted by: boris
***********

NK specified SUCCESSFUL, which most definitely doesn't apply to Ahnold.
Besides you're going to get TK all wound up.

[boris]

"tourism numbers for Alaska"

I do know Wisconsin tourism has been down from the economy so it would interesting to conmpare with Alaska.

[sam]

You can either accept Palin as the GOP nominee, or wait for Godot.

She is going to run and win the nomination. Here's her calculation - she has the base support, she can raise money, she is as good (if not better than) any of the the other so-called "front-runners" (Romney, Huckabee and Newt), she is not going to sit out for the lesser candidates (Daniels, Thune et al), and none of the other candidates can trump her on issues fiscal or social. When Huckabee decides to skip (which he will, since he cannot raise money), the nomination will be hers.

Suffering from Palin Derangement Syndrome, and hoping that Not Palin carries the day, is not a winning formula.

[Ignatz]

It should be remembered that Ronaldus Magnus ran for Pres in 1968 barely a year after taking office as governor.
Probably also should be remembered he lost then and again in '76.

[anduril]

Speaking of unserious muppets--comparing Palin to Lincoln and/or Reagan! Simply a non-starter.

A flash of a light bulb at NRO: On North Korea, a Bipartisan Failure. The Bush administration got it wrong, too.

Interesting commentary:

THIS is a very bad moment in the United States for thoughtfulness on foreign affairs—at least in the popular press and in the halls of Congress. Exhibit A: The ongoing fight over ratification of the New START treaty with Russia. Over the past two decades, a series of arms-control agreements have led to negotiated reductions in nuclear weapons from roughly 12,000 to the current level of around 2,000. New START would bring that number down a bit further, to 1,550, while also strengthening verification and transparency for monitoring treaty compliance. That's what's usually called a no-brainer.

And yet key Republicans in Congress—most recently and damagingly Jon Kyl, a senator from Arizona—have repeatedly acted to delay a ratification vote, even though doing so might scuttle the treaty. These senators are supported by a number of right-wing foreign-policy thinkers (including John Bolton, Eric Edelman, Jim Woolsey, and John Yoo) who strongly oppose ratification. But the Obama administration has pushed back hard, responding to most of the specific questions put forth by sceptics of the pact. On Saturday Robert Gates singled out concerns that the agreement might inhibit development of missile-defence programmes, saying, "Anything that we have in mind now or in the years to come that we haven't even thought of is not prohibited." The administration has also put forward $85 billion over the next ten years to modernise America's nuclear infrastructure, the state of which seems to be the primary concern of Mr Kyl. Even hawks such as Robert Kagan and Max Boot have found the treaty worthy of passage, if not perfect. And an impressive group of Republican former officials who negotiated earlier (and much more drastic) cuts in America's nuclear stockpile have lined up behind the agreement.

...

YESTERDAY I wrote that Republican opposition to ratification of the New START treaty with Russia could be traced to the influence of delusional neoconservative ideas about America’s strength—or rather, its invincibility. Instead of formulating policies suited to "a world governed by economic, budgetary, military, and diplomatic limits", neocons indulge in magical thinking, pretending that America is so exceptional that it need never "sit at a negotiating table, entertain a mutually beneficial compromise, or ratify a treaty with any nation that would dare to pursue interests contrary to our own in any region of the world." This is a fantasy dangerously detached from the reality of a world in which "the United States is very powerful but far from free to do whatever it wants without constraint."

...

Since the attacks of September 11th, neocons have found a receptive audience for their ideas within the Republican Party in Washington and among its populist base. That audience is receptive because the neocons are telling it what it wants to hear: America is both powerful and good—so powerful and good, in fact, that the ordinary rules of international relations need not and ought not apply to us. But neoconservatism doesn't just encourage the "perpetual utterance of self-applause" to which Alexis de Tocqueville said Americans are always prone. It also gives voice to intense anxiety about America's capacity to defend itself against a handful of stateless terrorists, which neocons judge, beyond all plausibility, to be an existential threat to the United States. Many Americans clearly share that anxiety while also finding comfort in the nationalist bravado that neoconservatism offers as an antidote.

[BobDenver]

Anduril, you ignorant slut.

[Sandy Daze]

24 Nov 10
Baghdad

But he's not a serious leader, he's a CELEBRITY -- BY CHOICE.

Sergeant Murphy
Swing Your Lady
Accidents Will Happen
Romance and Rhythm
Girls on Probation
Brother Rat
Going Places
Secret Service of the Air
Dark Victory
Code of the Secret Service
Naughty But Nice
Hell's Kitchen
The Angels Wash Their Faces
Smashing the Money Ring
Baby Be Good
An Angel from Texas
Murder in the Air
A Modern Hero
Tugboat Annie Sails Again
Santa Fe Trail
Two-Gun Cupid
Million Dollar Baby
International Squadron
Nine Lives Are Not Enough
Kings Row
Mister Gardenia Jones
Juke Girl
Desperate Journey
This Is the Army
Stallion Road
That Hagen Girl
The Voice of the Turtle
John Loves Mary
Night Unto Night
The Girl from Jones Beach
The Hasty Heart
Louisa
Storm Warning
The Last Outpost
Bedtime for Bonzo
Hong Kong
The Winning Team
She's Working Her Way Through College
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Cattle Queen of Montana
Tennessee's Partner
Hellcats of the Navy
Wagon Train
The Killers
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Death Valley Days
(abridged list).

Happy Thanksgiving to all JoMers.

Take good care,
Sandy

[boris]

Arguments shown to be fallacous when applied to Lincoln or Reagan are refudiated. Thus they are not applicable to anybody.

[Neo]

Sounds like Obama has moved the aircraft carrier from India to South Korea.

[Pagar]

"since then Barry has been CEO of the federal gov't,"

And done the sorriest job of any CEO in history.

[Jack is Back!]

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks, Ex, it works!

Lord, God Almighty, thank you for providing the JOMO tribe with great wizards, witchdoctors and cyber sorcerers.

[Michael]

"the neocons are telling it what it wants to hear: America is both powerful and good—so powerful and good, in fact, that the ordinary rules of international relations need not and ought not apply to us"

as if the ordinary rules (???) of international relations apply to other nations, which is rarely or never, in my review of recent history, because the US is always held to "higher" or unrealistic standard than are those other countries who are excused with self-serving reason or PC du jour petulance.

The prob with the O's campaign to put America in its place is that it reduces his international and domestic efficacy in effecting policy while he's in office. He has undermined his own political governance in order to make America more common and less haughty, but, given all the foreign policy failure and disrespect engendered, he's left with a discredited approach to nearly everything.

I'm all for stopping START which has serious problems in concept as well as implementation. And let's not start appeasing NoKo, just as China and Russia are making an anti-dollar move. Obama has little to offer, anyway, if Congress won't acquiesce to the sell-out of America.

[Threadkiller]

Besides you're going to get TK all wound up.

Don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he is angry. ;-)

[squaredance]

Palin is perhaps the only serious and courageous politician and commentators on the national scene. She is certainly the most influential by far. She also happens to be right about most things.

One knows this by the ferocious and vociferous attacks on her from the left and the their echos among the weak-minded and the superficial elsewhere.

The Left always slanders Kulaks, they are among their key obstacles to power.

Other folks would do well not to be so easily manipuate4d by our modern day Bolsheviks.

We have heard since 1930 this idiotic charge of "unseriousness" leveled at every Republican that was not a patsy for the Democrats. It is high time that people like NK wise up.

[glasater]

Have to admit I'm somewhat influenced by my better half in the Palin matter. I like her very much but he finds her speaking style grating and he also thinks she spouts too many talking points by rote rather than responding thoughtfully to a question posed.
I am fearful that outside of JOM men who take her side--many men will think like NK and my better half.

[Extraneus]

Lawmakers Warn $1.2 Billion Payout to Black Farmers Rife With Fraud

... while Census data pegs the number of U.S. farms operated by black farmers at about 33,000, close to 94,000 claims have been made so far in the discrimination case.

[Janet the tea-vangelist!]

Love the turkey JiB!!

Here's another gem from Lileks matchbook cover collection.

[boris]

Pretty sure I have not claimed to know what anybody else thinks about Sarah, although any statement that starts out "I like Sarah but ..." comes across a bit like "Some of by best friends are ____ but ...".

Arguments based on speaking for what "others" think about Sarah are not very persuasive. Clearly she has the ability to overcome trivial personal issues and has done so more than once.

[BobDenver]

Btw, Jennifer Grey really danced beautifully.

[Sandy Daze]

24 November 2010
Baghdad

So many comments seem focused only on the 2012 election. 2012 is but a campaign, a major campaign in what is unarguably a decades-long war that conservatives must fight. Conservatives need a decades-long strategy.

Regarding Sarah Palin, yes she is a lightening rod, but she is also a significant leader--saying it ain't so is willful denial. Read what she wrote to incoming congressmen on her facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=455904738434

I do not hear ANY OTHER conservative or Republican 'leaders' speaking in such manners.

Leadership in another sense might be measured by admittedly unscientific polls like book sales or rally attendance. You must admit that Sarah Palin has a certain, undeniable je ne sais quoi well beyond her looks or her twang, her syntax,

I wonder, in spite of the intensity of her supporters, it seems that there is also rabid segment that loathes her, hates her. She is obviously aware of this. What if she were to split the difference, becoming someone's VP pick in 2012; perhaps a ticket with Mitch Daniels for Pres, or Jim deMint. She could be, would be a lot more free to speak her mind, to be the "momma grizzly" to a more staid and methodical (not that she isn't methodical, perhaps the word is comfortable) older white guy, who "looks clean, smells nice and speaks well" (heh) with a good record of fiscal discipline. I believe it is too early for Jindal (who has recovered nicely) or Christie (who may turn out to be too liberal in all things except fiscal policy), and they have time, as does Palin.

Were these politicians to figure it out, they might be able to establish a several decades-long (not trying to get too far ahead . . .) occupancy of the White House, e.g.

2012 Daniels or deMint + Palin
then
2016/2020 Palin + Jindal or Christie
then
2020/2024 Jindal/Christie + other worthy candidate

It will take several decades long of determined SERIOUS leadership to put America to right, perhaps to get the 4th American Republic (LUN) off on the right foot.

I think there is good potential for 2012, but very strongly discount any possibility of success with the group including Huckabee, Romney, Gringrich, Barbour (although a good guy, unelectable imo) et al (Romney blew it with Romney care etc. . . too calculating, to much a part of what is wrong.)

Take good care,
Sandy

[Jane (get off the couch - come save the country)]

The cadence of Sarah's speech annoys me but not nearly as much as the mere thought of Barack Obama. But I don't think she is going to run.

Did anyone else notice that TOTUS compared the turkey he was pardoning to Dancing with the Stars. A more petty man I have never known.

[Danube of Thought]

Anyone with a loyal following is by definition a leader.

Not so sure. See, e.g., Elvis Presley, Pee
Wee Herman and Barack Obama.

[Sandy Daze]

from April 2009:

The Coming of the Fourth American Republic

By James V. DeLong Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Special Interest State that has shaped American life for 70 years is dying. What comes next is uncertain, but there are grounds for optimism.

(more at LUN)

[Sandy Daze]

Jane -

I despise that petty man.

TGC,
SD

[bgates]

We Gotta Stand With Our North Korean Allies

Obama for his part has been stymied by the fact that our only diplomatic presence on the peninsula is in South Korea.

He can't find anybody who speaks a word of North Korean.

[bgates]

We Gotta Stand With Our North Korean Allies

Obama for his part has been stymied by the fact that our only diplomatic presence on the peninsula is in South Korea.

He can't find anybody who speaks a word of North Korean.

[Jack is Back!]

Anyone from Michigan, Minnesota & Wisconsin understand Palin's speech since it sounds exactly like their inflections and tone. First time I ever heard the affirmation, "you betcha" was in the UP. And the further north you go like to Duluth or International Falls, the brogue gets thicker. It will only be "grating" on the coasts and they're a lost cause for the next foreseeable future.

But even living in the south (north east Florida is an adjunct of Georgia) someone like Huckabee makes me cringe - he sounds more like Gomer Pyle every day.

"Gollyyyy, Sargent, I'd get me one of them there boots that shine themselves, yes sirreeee".

[centralcal]

Yeah, Jane - I heard it. It is so Obama - the pettiness and the giggly way he does petty. Oh, so Presidential!!!!

[peter]

I really could not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. I really don't care if Sarah ever becomes President or janitor. She is inside his stupid head.

[centralcal]

Whew - well this is such a relief! Just in time for Thanksgiving feasting tomorrow:

“Don’t worry about how much you eat. Just enjoy it,” she said. “This is the time. Have pie.”

So sayeth Queen Michelle.

[Jane (get off the couch - come save the country)]

She is a pompous twit

[Extraneus]

What did he say?

[Janet the tea-vangelist!]

The video is at Hot Air, Extraneus, the turkey pardoning...you only have to watch the first bit.
I can hardly watch him though. A smart alec hipster....like a pre-teen kid you wouldn't like.

That Conyers thing really is sickening too. A United States Representative looking at a porn magazine in public. No shame. It is sickening to me.

[jimmyk]

That strategic patience stuff can be tricky.

Yes, that was my first reaction. I have to try that one on Mrs. K: "It's not that I never got around to fixing the leaky faucet. I'm engaging in strategic patience."

[peter]

I missed it! Why didn't one of you tell me about World Toilet Day?

[Janet the tea-vangelist!]

This whole hate crimes & hate groups nonsense is gonna be trouble too -
From the article -
"...touted a new study from the leftist Southern Poverty Law Center that added some of the nation's leading social conservative groups -- including the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, the National Organization for Marriage, the American Family Association, and the Traditional Values Coalition -- to its registry of "hate groups" like the Ku Klux Klan."

I guess I'm part of a "hate group" now because I believe homosexuality is a sin.

[jimmyk]

he also thinks she spouts too many talking points by rote rather than responding thoughtfully to a question posed.

Which would distinguish her from approximately 0.001% of politicians. Especially those whom the media is all over ready to pounce on any opportunity to take a sentence out of context in order to ridicule, i.e. any conservative Republican, but especially one considered a possible candidate for President. Now why Democrats speak from talking points, given that they don't have to worry about the media jumping on them, is anyone's guess.

[macphisto]

i still say that Sarah can do way more damage to the Left from outside the Oval Office.

[centralcal]

Well, this is snort worthy! According to Politico Barry and Shelly (along with Mother Marian) handed out turkey and food stuffs at a DC food pantry.

I love this from the pool reporter:

"The president, tieless in shirtsleeves, gave high-fives to three or four little boys during the pool's short stint inside (about 7 minutes) as he wrestled with some of the bags."

As he "wrestled with some of the bags?" My gawd, the man in incompetent at everything!