The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Some People Like To Go To CPAC, But Other People Like Us We Gotta Work

Posted on | March 16, 2013 | 33 Comments

— by Wombat-socho


Even before it became public knowledge that Pam Geller and Robert Spencer had pointedly not been invited to CPAC, I had been leaning hard in the direction of not going this year due to the requirements of work. To be more specific, I am busy in the tax mines this time of year and can ill afford to miss eighteen hours of going mano a mano with the rapacious U.S. Tax Code. Still, I did make it briefly to BlogBash and tonight’s Viral Read party, even if I was really too ragged out to properly appreciate either of them. Well, there’s always next year, and in the meantime I have been reliably assured that under the New Dispensation my sequestered gruel ration will be restored and the inhumane practice of watering the grog ration will cease. I, for one, welcome our new Viral Read masters.


So…anyone read anything decent lately? Talk among yourselves, and keep it civil.


Category: CPAC

Sarah Palin, Phillis Schlafly, Mrs. Other Smitty, And #CPAC2013

Posted on | March 16, 2013 | 17 Comments

by Smitty

Taking in the afternoon at CPAC, I thought Sarah was rousing, and spot-on in her criticism:

While a great example of whipping up the crowd to a froth, the speech sounded a bit Ann Coulter-ish, NTTAWWT. In other words, and excellent outing from a media personality, and not from someone laying the foundation for serious campaigning in the near future.

Many would be daunted by the idea of following Sarah. Many are not Phyllis Schlafly.

Concurrent with the speeches above, Mrs. Other Smitty came by CPAC, and brought the World’s Youngest Blogger.

All this speechifying leaves a man parched.

As someone from Old Europe, Mrs. Other Smitty looks at CPAC through some different eyes. She saw a few vehicles like the ‘Arguably Most Raaaaacist Vehicle in the Country‘ (seen there in stock footage from #CPAC2012) over at National Harbor and found their ‘unrefined’ nature (and, by extension, the whole CPAC crowd) just a little off-putting.

I acknowledged that, the ‘raw, colonial feel’ of e.g. Ted Nugent. . .


. . .can be neither denied nor separated from the American experience, having been kicked out of Old Europe those centuries back. That unrefined nature of a Nugent (or even Sarah Palin) is closely associated with authenticity, whereas ‘excessive polish’ is viewed with some skepticism, and the stout patriotism of a Schlafly is increasingly unknown outside the movement.

But that’s part of the nature of representative democracy. That ‘refinement’ has some correlation to age, income, and education. Mrs. Other Smitty is more drawn to the straightforward intellectual appeal of a Schlafly than the folksy tones of a Palin.

For my part, I like the whole, broad spectrum of appeal from high- to low-brow. Leadership cannot be talking over, or down to people. Rather, leadership must strive to pick up the audience and elevate it. That kind of virtuous agitation grows people, helping them to rise to whatever optimal level Destiny has ordained for them.

Then again, I’ve always been just riff-raff sneaking in to hang out with the Cool Kids, so what do I know?

Category: CPAC, Sarah Palin, World's Youngest Blogger

In Defense Of BlogBash And CPAC

Posted on | March 16, 2013 | 39 Comments

by Smitty

Noting Jerry Wilson’s disdain for BlogBash, “An event such as BlogBash could prove valuable if it led to greater networking, encouragement and support for all bloggers, not solely those in attendance,” I don’t think Jerry is fully briefed on the goals of The National Blogger’s Club, which really aren’t bad at all.

I had gone to the President’s Dinner with Allen West, and then popped in to Blog Bash for about an hour with Da Tech Guy. Then it was time to get home, as  (a) really loud music and (b) heavy partying (I drank an O’Doull’s) are done for me in that time. I did catch the awards portion. It was jolly good and quick.

An even more strident criticism, of CPAC in general, is from Richard Mgrdechian:

I have one simple question for the organizers (and the profiteers) of this political farce: how does anything being done at this event help promote American values of hard work, integrity and gratitude in any way? The answer is, it doesn’t. There is no take away whatsoever.

Two points, gents:
Failure doesn’t age well. Forty years of steady growth in CPAC attendance belie the notion that it is a ‘farce’. BlogBash/The National Bloggers Club is an order of magnitude younger, but it’s still a growing concern, as noted by the increasing harassment received.
People don’t scale. With growth and success come the critics. And I’ll point you to the Man in the Arena speech and suggest that, in a capitalist society, competition is the ultimate rebuttal. That is, I’m not sure any of the proffered criticisms don’t apply to many large gatherings of people, but I’d sure like to see a rounder wheel if you can spin one.

Ronald Reagan’s mug dominates the wall behind the main CPAC stage, not that hero-worship excites me. What does excite me is having a concentrated place for the ideas that Reagan embraced and promoted, in that one eight year pause amidst our Progressive decline, to get transmitted from the establishment fogies decried by Wilson and Mgrdechian, to the college generation.

Is CPAC enough? Let’s call it necessary, but not sufficient. The ditch on the other side of the road is say “They should just let CPAC die because they haven’t done enough to fix. . .” which forms a non-falsifiable, moving goal line. The more criticism heads that way, the less constructive it is.

I like going to CPAC and trying to make the speeches a little more accessible than just a 20 minute shot of YouTube. I guess that’s my criticism of it. The bandwidth at National Harbor is also wretched, though, I guess if I was sponsoring the event I may have better joy. That many people at once is always just a drain for me.

As a suggestion, guys, why not organize a Christian music concert nearby, for one of the CPAC evenings? National Harbor is crawling with dogs & cats, goldfish & clownfish from all over. CPAC has gathered a great audience for you. You could leverage that for a jolly good, edifying outing of your own. Just sayin’.

Category: CPAC, Goldfish & Clowns

FINE SPEECH: Sen. Jim DeMint Remarks At #CPAC2013 President’s Dinner

Posted on | March 15, 2013 | 8 Comments

by Smitty

“We can’t wait for Republicans to advance the conservative cause.”

If you only have time for one segment, pick the second one, where he celebrates Paul’s filibuster, and contrasts conservatives with the Republican Party.

He starts off with a reference to the Marco Rubio Water Bottle Incident Of 2013. He says people wonder why he’s leave “the most debilitated body in the world” to lead Heritage:

DeMint goes on to describe Rand Paul’s filibuster, and how that Heritage has to translate the leadership on display by those who joined the filibuster into inspiration for the base. A boxing analogy follows:

The birth of the Tea Party was the opportunity for the Republican Party to embrace the movement, but the GOP hardly misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity to match word with deed. The Heritage TODO list:

  1. Build on successes of 2010. Republicans didn’t lead; conservatives did.
  2. Permanent, ground-up grass roots organization, e.g. Heritage Action.
  3. Figure out the communications, and speak conservative policies to all Americans.
  4. Tell the stories, and broadcast the positive life transformations brought by conservative policies.
  5. Reinvigorate state-on-state competition.

The good news is that conservativism is winning at the state level. DeMint draws contrasts, and says that conservatives have the Progressives right where we want them. But we have to show up and engage.

What do do:

  1. ObamaCare gets the death panel.
  2. Nothing we do about immigration can reward people for lawbreaking.
  3. Conservatives must lead with plan to balance the budget in the next decade, without a tax increase.
  4. We must stand for core societal institutions, and must bolster federalism against judicial activism.

Conservative foreign policy can be summarized in two words: strength and focus.

Update: linked at Daily Pundit. Thanks, Bill!

Category: CPAC

CPAC: Maybe I Should Not Have Sucker-Punched Bruce Carroll Like That

Posted on | March 15, 2013 | 1 Comment

by Smitty

Bruce Carroll of Gay Patriot is really a great chap.

Whether or not he primaries Lindsey Graham, Bruce has my respect and well-wishes. The last question is from the end of the “10 Questions” set, and was actually the first one I came up with. If it had been warmer, and I knew Bruce better, I should have liked to give him the full treatment. But this was good.

Category: CPAC

CPAC: Turned Out Pete Ingemi Hadn’t Heard Of A ’10 Questions’ Interview

Posted on | March 15, 2013 | 6 Comments

by Smitty

Nobody interviews people like Pete, Da Tech Guy: nobody. So, if you can’t compete, enjoy a little revenge, as they say amidst the rubble in the Eastern Mediterranean.

This is done in the style of The Chaser’s War on Everything, especially their 10 Questions.
Here is my interview:

  1. Can the GOP capture the left-handed, undocumented, transsexual plumber with Restless Leg Syndrome vote in 2014?
  2. Rachel Maddow, or Tokyo Rose?
  3. Is Kim Kardashian pregnant with Mojo Nixon’s two-headed love child?
  4. Should the new Pope weaponize Campus Crusade for Christ with Bop Guns, conquer China, and score some takeout?
  5. What is the capitol of Bulungi?
  6. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
  7. Cutting a jack on the turn-up in cribbage: is that ‘his nibs’ or ‘his nobs’?
  8. What can be done to fix Saturday Night Live?
  9. Ashley Judd? [tilt head, puff cheeks]
  10. Have you felt oppressed here at CPAC, based upon your status as a Cherokee female?

Pete is such a champ that I am very close to feeling some remorse for abusing him this way.

Bonus Chaser: Vote for the Greens!

Category: CPAC, Da Tech Guy

To Allen West At CPAC2013: ‘Is The Base Too Strident In Criticism Of Boehner?’

Posted on | March 15, 2013 | 17 Comments

by Smitty

Pete “Da Tech Guy” Ingemi and I enjoyed dinner with Allen West and his gracious wife last night at CPAC. You possibly could’ve, too, if you were at CPAC, and on the email list for Next Generation TV, which you should do right now.

What a great American. Looking forward to hearing this lion roar in 2014.

Update: more on the evening from Da Tech Guy.

Category: Allen West, CPAC

LIVE AT FIVESEVEN: 03.15.13

Posted on | March 15, 2013 | 5 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Obama’s Israel Visit Criticized As “Maintenance Trip”

"Plan? What plan?"

“Plan? What plan?”

Grauniad miffed at lack of new peace initiative


Scientists Confirm Higgs Boson Discovery
Subatomic particle seen at CERN last year proved to be “God particle”


Senator Rob Portman Comes Out For Gay Marriage After Son Comes Out As Gay
Changes longtime stance on subject



POLITICS
Miami Grand Jury Investigating Senator Menendez (D-NJ)

GUILTY! GUILTY! GUILTY!

Senator Robert Menendez

Examining the Melgen connection


Obama’s Approval Drops As Budget Cut Stalemate Drags On

Justice Dept. To Probe Cleveland Police For Excessive Use Of Force


Florida Gambling Arrests May Close Veterans Shelter

Obama On Drone Secrecy: At Least I’m Not Dick Cheney

Rick Perry At CPAC: GOP Should Nominate Conservatives For President

LA To Replace Pickup Shot Up In Dorner Manhunt

Senate Democrats Join Push To Eliminate Obama’s Illegal Immigrant Advocate

Michigan Judge Blocks ObamaCare’s Contraception Mandate



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Crude Oil Rises On Weaker Dollar, U.S. Jobs Report: NYMEX $93.21, Brent $109.40
Jobless Claims Drop For Third Straight Week
Stocks Could Hit New High With US Data On A Roll
JP MOrgan Misled Investors, Dodged Regulators, Senate Report Says
AEG, Owner Of LA Kings, Off The Market
Fed To Stick With Stimulus Despite Debate Over Risks
Citadel To Sell Remaining Stake In E*Trade
Dynegy Buying Five Illinois Power Plants From Ameren
Police Accuse Reuters Hack Of Helping Anonymous Hack Tribune Company
Apple Now Selling Refurbed 4th-Gen iPad, iPad Mini
Facebook To Finally Add Hashtags, WSJ Says
HTC Crashes Samsung’s Party
BlackBerry Z10 Coming To Verizon March 28
Netflix Kicks Off $100K Cloud Prize Competition
Mozilla Unveils Firefox Simulator 3.0
Microsoft Surface Pro Sales Cannibalizing Surface RT
US Video Game Sales Dropped 25% Last Month



SPORTS
Team USA Falls To Dominican Republic 3-1

Missed yesterday's game with back strain from carrying team in previous game

Missed yesterday’s game with back strain from carrying team in previous game

U.S. faces elimination against Puerto Rico tonight

NHL’s New Map A Done Deal

Blazers Send Knicks To Third Straight Loss

Blackhawks Beat Blue Jackets In Shootout, 2-1

Tuck Rule Could Be Eliminated As Part Of Proposed NFL Rule Changes

Jets 3, Rangers 1


Orange, Hoyas, Irish Advance In Big East

Penguins Beat Leafs For 7th In A Row

NFL Flagged For Sex Questions

Ovechkin Reaches 700 As Caps Edge Canes 3-2

Duncan Turns Back Clock Against Mavericks

Rendon Among Seven Nationals Sent Down To Minors



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
It’s David Bowie vs. Jon Bon Jovi For #1 Atop Next Week’s Billboard 200

Bowie & Bon Jovi

Bowie & Bon Jovi

Bowie’s The Next Day would be his first #1 album ever

Colin Trevorrow To Helm “Jurassic Park 4”

Charlie Sheen: Please Deliver Dog Sh*t To Daughter’s Former School

Seth Gordon, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis To Reunite For “One Night On The Hudson”

Prosecutors Slam Door On Plea Deal With Lindsay Lohan, Prepare For Trial

Nicki Minaj Arrives Late For “American Idol”: Contestants React

Miley Cyrus “Terrified” Of Losing Liam Hemsworth

Bieber Apologizes For Mocking LiLo’s Financial Woes

Rapper Lil Wayne Hospitalized With Seizures



FOREIGNERS
Steven Seagal Joins Vladimir Putin For Photo Op
Obama Tells Israeli TV US Won’t Allow Iran To Build Nukes
EU Leaders To Clash Over Austerity At Summit As Unemployment Accelerates
Pope Francis Eschews Trappings Of Papcy On First Day In Office
Dead Pigs Show Dark Side Of PRC Food Industry
South Africa Encourages Zimbabwe To Support Saturday’s Referendum
53 Indian Fishermen Detained BY Sri Lanka Navy
Italy’s Parliament Convenes, Seeking A Way Out Of Electoral Gridlock



BLOGS & STUFF
Breitbart: Caddell Blows Lid Off CPAC With Blistering Attack On “Racketeering” GOP Consultants
Valley Of The Shadow: Sequestration, Democrats, And Fight Club
The Looking Spoon: Feinstein Has To Say She’s Not A Sixth Grader Because She’s Not As Smart As One
Power Line: Diane Feinstein – More Than A Sixth Grader, Less Than A Senator Doing Her Duty
Jay Nordlinger: That Old Piece Of Parchment
Bryan Preston: Senator Ted Cruz Brings Up Constitution In Senate Debate On Gun Ban, Annoys Feinstein (Video)
American Power: Heated Exchange At Gun Ban Hearing – “I Am Not A Sixth Grader”
Weasel Zippers: Reuters Deputy Social Media Director Indicted For Helping Anonymous Hack Tribune Compnay
Jawa Report: Ha-Ha! Reuters Editor Indicted For Helping Cyber Terrorists
Viking Pundit: The (Fiscal) Reality-Based Community
Legal Insurrection: The “Reality-Based Community” Meets Fiscal Reality On Entitlements
Allahpundit: Dick Morris Tells CPAC It’s Time For GOP To Give Up On Roe V. Wade
NewsBusters: MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Leaving Prime Time For Weekends
NRO Media Blog: MSNBC Moves The Deck Chairs
Jammie Wearing Fools: Low-Rated MSNBC Hack “Special Ed” Schultz Jettisoned To Saturday Graveyard Slot
AmSpecBlog: Boston Phoenix Turns To Ash
Lonely Conservative: Rand Paul’s CPAC Speech (Video)
Protein Wisdom: Boehner Says GOP A Minority Party


Deadline for submitting links for tomorrow’s FMJRA is midnight tonight.


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