The Other McCain

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

VIDEO: Ladd Ehlinger Strikes NY-9 With Surfing Rabbi and Dancing Weiners

Posted on | September 9, 2011 | 6 Comments

GO RED 9/13!

UPDATE: A new Sienna College poll shows Turner leading by 6 points, with a 38-point advantage among independents. Ace of Spades points out that Weprin’s vote for gay marriage might be hurting him among Orthodox Jews in the district.

UPDATE II: The latest poll — the second in the past week to show Turner leading — inspires these headlines:

Poll: Republicans On Verge Of Shocking NYC Upset
— Hotline On Call

Poll shocker: GOP up for Anthony Weiner seat
— Politico

PREVIOUSLY:

Category: Congress, Election, Ladd Ehlinger, New York, Video

Pro-Pedophile Group Piggybacks on ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’

Posted on | September 9, 2011 | 8 Comments

“[T]herapeutic morality encourages a permanent suspension of the moral sense. There is a close connection, in turn, between the erosion of moral responsibility and the waning capacity for self-help . . . between the elimination of culpability and the elimination of competence.”
— Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations (1979)

“Some people view children as the next sexual frontier.”
— Stephanie Dallam, April 2002

Last month, I reported about the group “B4U-Act” that is trying to de-stigmatize pedophilia. Now the group has sent out a press release which I reprint in its entirety:

Advocates of Stigma Contribute to Suicide
By Richard Kramer
With the approach of World Suicide Prevention Day this Saturday, it’s time to address a contributing factor to suicide that’s been taboo far too long — especially since a small group of ideologues is fighting to suppress discussion and worsen the problem.
Most of us know that stigmatizing people for something they did not choose is harmful and unjust. Intense stigma can contribute to suicide risk and prevent people from getting help.
Many people face intense stigma about their sexuality. No one chooses who they are emotionally and sexually attracted to. Instead, they discover it, usually in early adolescence. Most of us are aware that gay teens often discover their orientation in middle or high school, and that the stigma they face may increase their suicide risk.
There’s an additional reality that may be hard to accept, but that must be faced if we’re serious about combating suicide. Some adolescents discover they’re preferentially attracted to children or younger adolescents, and this stays with them throughout their lives. Most of us want to believe that only older adults have such feelings, but sexual feelings don’t suddenly appear in adulthood. Experts estimate that in puberty, 1% to 7% of all boys first experience preferential attraction to younger children that will be lifelong. In a recent survey,* adults attracted to children or young adolescents reported they first experienced these feelings at a median age of 13.
It’s crucial to distinguish between feelings and behavior. Research suggests that many, maybe most, people attracted to children or adolescents do not act on these feelings. Certainly most youths who discover they’re attracted to younger children haven’t acted on those feelings.
Stigma puts these teenagers—and the adults they may grow into — at risk for suicide, and makes them afraid to seek help. Almost half the survey respondents had seriously considered suicide — at a median age of 19 — and 13% attempted it. A growing number of teens attracted to children are seeking anonymous support at online mental health forums. One 15-year-old recently posted that he felt like killing himself and couldn’t talk to anyone in real life about it.
This is why a Westminster, Maryland organization is working to end the secrecy, fear, and lack of knowledge surrounding the issue. Through workshops and conferences, B4U-ACT facilitates discussion among clinicians, researchers, and law-abiding minor-attracted people. Attendees at its symposium last month in Baltimore called it “eye-opening,” “valuable,” and “impressive.” One clinician praised it on her university’s listserv, and another decided he wanted to serve minor-attracted clients. Psychologists and parents who didn’t attend but have dealt with the issue first-hand wrote to thank B4U-ACT for its work.
But over the past three weeks the symposium has been attacked by a small group of writers opposed to sexuality research and gay rights. One of them is Judith Reisman, who over the past three decades has become well-known for her wild, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations against the gay movement and the entire field of sexuality research. Her like-minded colleague Matthew Barber recently drew public criticism for blaming suicide among gay youth on the youth themselves. Both are now using distortions and fabrications to mischaracterize the purpose of B4U-ACT and its symposium. They hide the fact that most symposium attendees advocated compassion for minor-attracted people while rejecting adult-minor sexual interaction. Reisman and Barber’s misinformation is being propagated uncritically by writers and bloggers sympathetic to their ideology.
These writers violate basic humanitarian principles. They attempt to suppress information and impede rational discussion by diverting attention from the problem and inflaming fear. They encourage hating both the sin and the sinner. Worst of all, they advocate condemning, stigmatizing, and removing from society a segment of the population — including young teenagers — for feelings (not behavior) they did not choose. Their approach would drive people further into hiding, putting both them and children at risk.
Unfortunately, a popular mainstream commentator has endorsed a similar response. While acknowledging some merits of B4U-ACT’s work, in a recent article Keith Ablow repeated misinformation about B4U-ACT’s goals, explicitly rejected attempts at understanding, and advocated stigmatization. But stigmatizing people’s feelings doesn’t make them go away, and driving them “out of mainstream consciousness into the shadows,“ as Ablow advocates, only results in widespread ignorance and endangers children and youth.
We must resist fear-mongering calls to silence discussion and increase stigmatization. To combat suicide effectively, the best policy is clear: create an atmosphere where it is safe for those at risk — and those who care about them — to talk honestly about it.
*B4U-ACT, 2011
Richard Kramer is Director of Operations for B4U-ACT.

You see how the pro-pedophile movement is adopting the rhetoric and emotional appeals of the gay-rights movement: Sexual attraction to children is “something they did not choose,” and therefore stigma is “harmful and unjust.”

This implicit invocation of social justice and the explicit appeal to “humanitarian principles” are then connected to the non-judgmental “therapeutic morality” described by Lasch. B4U-Act’s critics are cast as villains — “a small group of ideologues” who “contribute to suicide risk and prevent people from getting help” — accused of encouraging hate. (See “Shame in a Shameless Culture” for an examination of how gay-rights activists blamed the suicide of Tyler Clementi on “homophobia.”)

Note the exceptionally clever diversion tactic: It is suggested that we should fear B4U-Act’s critics Matthew Barber, Judith Reisman and Keith Ablow, whose criticism “endangers children and youth.”

Because, hey, you know that a pedophile advocacy organization is against endangering children and youth.

What this demonstrates is how egalitarianism leads to moral relativism. If all “sexualities” are created equal, then old-fashioned moral ideals about chastity and fidelity are implicitly unjust, and even concepts of what is psychologically normal and healthy must be discarded, lest we imply that some “sexualities” are abnormal and unhealthy.

“How dare you stigmatize people that way?”

Half a century into the Sexual Revolution, we have already traveled a long way down this slippery slope of non-judgmentalism. Richard Kramer and B4U-Act are inviting us to take yet another step.

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Category: Crime, Culture, Intellectuals, Sex

World’s Youngest Blogger Reacts To Obama’s Speech, Phone-In, Whatever

Posted on | September 9, 2011 | 13 Comments

Come on, Mr. President: a 50 days old I’ve done less whiffy work in my nappies than you’re doing at 50 years.

Some really good grown-up commentary here, at Heritage, which seems interested in ensuring I retain some.

Update: Linked at Publius Forum.

Update II: Linked at Republican Redefined.

Update III: Yeah, Camp of the Saints; yeah.

Category: Barack Obama, World's Youngest Blogger

NY-9: Democrats Panic as Bob Turner Surges in Anthony Weiner’s District

Posted on | September 9, 2011 | 7 Comments

Three weeks ago, I told you about Republican Bob Turner’s “unexpectedly” strong campaign in New York’s 9th District in the Sept. 13 special election to fill Anthony Weiner’s seat:

The district’s Cook Partisan Voting Index rating is only D+5 — not nearly as prohibitively partisan as Jerry Nadler’s 8th District (D+22), for example. And remember how fired up we got for Sean Bielat’s challenge to Barney Frank? The Cook PVI rating for Frank’s MA-4 district is D+14. So if a bunch of bloggers and Tea Party types could put the fear into Barney — and we had him sweating, didn’t we? — we might actually be able to beat this Democrat second-teamer Dave Weprin.

Sept. 13 is Tuesday, and apparently the Turner campaign has inspired genuine fear in the Democrats:

Democrats are showing the clearest sign yet of concern ahead of next Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 9th District — the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is going up on air with an expensive television buy in the campaign’s closing days.
According to buy information obtained by Hotline On Call, the DCCC has made a $483,500 TV ad buy in the district, starting tomorrow through Monday. The broadcast TV buy will not air on September 11, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Democratic super PAC House Majority PAC has also bought advertising time in the district as well.

There’s good reason for the Democrats to panic: A poll conducted last week showed Turner leading 44%-40% with 12% undecided. The jitters have caused Democrats to make numerous blunders in NY-9, including a TV ad that had to be re-edited because “an image of a plane flying over the Manhattan skyline — meant to be a corporate jet to represent Republican Bob Turner’s support for corporate tax loopholes . . . evoked anger in some corners for the echoes it brought up just days before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.” Some Democrats are blaming the Weprin campaign staff. But the Democratic candidate hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory, either:

Weprin endured ribbing in New York City tabloids after he pulled out of a recent debate and explained that he was doing so because of Hurricane Irene – which, at the time, had already passed. A few days later, he was criticized after he told the New York Daily News that the nation’s deficit was $4 trillion, even though it is actually $14 trillion.
Then there is Weprin’s effort to manage his connection to President Barack Obama. At a press conference last month, Weprin declined to answer whether he would endorse Obama, only to release a statement the next day clarifying that he would. Then, he hedged in his support for the president in a newspaper interview last week, saying: “I will probably not refuse to endorse him because I think I will be more effective by supporting him but at the same time, being very strongly against him on some of his policies.”

In a district with a significant Jewish population, Weprin is suffering because of perceptions that the Obama administration hasn’t been sufficiently pro-Israel — a point Donald Trump makes in his robo-call for Turner:

All in all, it’s a perfect storm that might flip NY-9 to Republicans, and you can help. Remember yesterday, I told you about Conservative Action Fund’s effort for Mark Amodei in Nevada’s 2nd District? Well, CAF is also supporting Bob Turner and your contribution — $25, $50, $100 — could make a big difference.

BOB TURNER for U.S. CONGRESS
He’s Scaring Liberals to Death!


Category: Congress, Election, New York

LIVE AT FIVE – 09.09.11

Posted on | September 9, 2011 | 4 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
CHEDDARHEAD CELEBRATION

Packers fullback John Kuhn sikes the ball after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter

Rodgers throws three TDs, Packers hang on with goal-line stand to beat Saints, 42-34

President Wastes Congress’ Time With Same Old Nonsense
Pass my Porkulus II, you peasants!

One Man’s Error Leaves 1.4 Million Without Power
Parts of California, Arizona and Mexico will remain dark until later on Friday, possibly into the weekend



POLITICS
Authorities Confirm Gun Found At Violent Arizona Crime Scene Tied To “Fast And Furious”

"Fast And Furious" guns recovered in Arizona

The constant drip, drip, drip of recovered weapons

Perry’s Ponzi Talk Implies Fraud In Long-Popular Social Security




BART Protest Broken Up By City, Transit Cops; 25 Arrested

NM Governor Martinez’ Grandparents Illegals?

Senate Passes Revamp Of Patent System

4th Circuit Rejects Two Obamacare Challenges



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Gold Prices Pop After Bernanke Remarks
Treasury Prices Climb After Bernanke Speech Keeps Stimulus Chatter Alive
Yahoo Chairman May Lose Own Job After Firing Bartz
HK, PRC shares Edge Up On Financials
Treasuries, Dollar Fall After Obama Speech
Federal Agents Investigate Solyndra
Crude Oil Up In Asia As US Inventory Falls
Google Buys Restaurant Guide Zagat
Motorola Droid Bionic: It’s a Smartphone/Laptop/Desktop
HTC Countersues Apple Using Google Patents
E-Book Pioneer, Founder Of Project Gutenberg Michael Hart Dies



SPORTS
Aggies Determined To Leave Big 12 One Way Or The Other

Texas A&M President R. Bowen Lofton

Texas A&M may go independent for a year before formally joining SEC

Kennedy Gets 19th Win As Snakes Beat Padres

Orioles Rally To Beat Yankees In 10th Inning


White Sox Supersub Lillibridge Out For Season With Broken Hand

Bowyer Faces Uncertain Future At Childress Racing

This Weekend’s Turkeys: Royals At Mariners

Brewers Activate Weeks From DL, Fall To Pence, Hamels-Led Phillies Anyway

Jim Crane Growing Impatient With Delay In Astros Sale

Bullpen Bails Out Billingsley As Dodgers Rally Past Nats



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Jonathan Taylor Thomas Reunites With “Home Improvement” Cast

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, second from left

Former child star’s been keeping a low profile, going to college

Jon Gosselin’s Advice To Kate: Get Back To A Normal Life

Russell Armstrong’s Family Thinks He Was Murdered

Anderson Cooper & Kathy Griffin So Happy Together

Paris Hilton In DJ Training

Mel Gibson, Joe Eszterhas To Collaborate On Judah Maccabee Movie For Warner Brothers

Lady Gaga To Rock In New Year For Dick Clark



FOREIGNERS
Iran’s Ahmedinejad Calls For End To Syrian Crackdown
Head Of Libya’s NTC Appeals For Unity
Designer Galliano Convicted For Antisemitic Ranting, Fine Suspended
Erdogan Threatens To Have Turkish Navy Escort Next Gaza Flotilla
NATO Admits Mistaking Reporter For Suicide Bomber During Attack And Killing Him



BLOGS & STUFF
Lonely Conservative: AP Fact-Checks Obama – Jobs Plan Not Paid For
Gateway Pundit: Obama Admits Failure To Congress
NRO Corner: Did Rick Perry Lose His Cool With Ron Paul?
Ed Morrissey: Santelli, Friedman Duke It Out Over “Ponzi Scheme”
Hit & Run: Social Security Is Not A Ponzi Scheme, Governor Perry – It’s Worse
James Taranto: Why They Cheered
Rep. Allen West: My Meeting With CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver
Michelle Malkin: Union Thug Alert – Day Of Rage Festivities Start Early In Longview, Washington
Weasel Zippers: Prince Charles Hysterically Warns – Global Warming And Pollution Pushing Man Toward Extinction
Jim Geraghty: DCCC Conceding NV-2, Panicking About NY-9?
Ed Driscoll: The Post Office – It Was Fun While It Lasted
Atlas Shrugs: Turkey Prepares For War With Israel, Will Send Warships To Escort Jihad Flotilla Warship


SOTD – The F***ing Moon (NSFW)

Category: Live at Five

‘The American Jobs Act Will …’

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 31 Comments

“. . . never even make it out of committee in the House.”

Let’s be brutally honest, OK? I’m looking through the text of Obama’s speech and seeing all these assertions about what his plan will do:

The American Jobs Act will repair and modernize at least 35,000 schools. It will put people to work right now fixing roofs and windows, installing science labs and high-speed Internet in classrooms all across this country. It will rehabilitate homes and businesses in communities hit hardest by foreclosures. It will jumpstart thousands of transportation projects all across the country. And to make sure the money is properly spent, we’re building on reforms we’ve already put in place. No more earmarks. No more boondoggles. No more bridges to nowhere. We’re cutting the red tape that prevents some of these projects from getting started as quickly as possible. And we’ll set up an independent fund to attract private dollars and issue loans based on two criteria: how badly a construction project is needed and how much good it will do for the economy.

But it won’t do any of those things, because it’s never going to become law. It’s dead on arrival in Congress, so all the hype about his jobs plan was just sound and fury signifying nothing. Like everything else Obama says or does, the Big Speech was a complete waste of time.

SCOAMF.

UPDATE: Demonstrating that brevity is the sole of wit, Herman Cain’s reaction was exactly six words: “We waited 30 months for this?”

Category: Barack Obama

Steven Crowder on Marriage Myths

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 3 Comments

Category: Marriage

NV-2 New Ad: ‘We Were Promised Recovery, We’ve Been Given Misery’

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 8 Comments

The special election in Nevada’s 2nd District is Tuesday, and in his final TV ad, Republican Mark Amodei targets the SCOAMF’s economic bungling:

Amodei, a former state senator and Nevada GOP chairman, has sought to link Marshall to President Barack Obama.
“We were promised recovery. We’ve been given misery,” Amodei says in his ad, as pictures of Obama, Vice President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid fill the screen. “Let’s get Washington’s attention.”

NV-2 — which covers basically the entire state, minus the Las Vegas area — is a reliably Republican district and this special election is to fill the seat vacated by GOP Rep. Dean Heller, who was appointed to replace John Ensign in the Senate. Early voting has been under way for two weeks, and Republicans are encouraged. But unions are dumping money into Democrat state treasurer Kate Marshall’s campaign:

Heading into the final stretch of the race, Marshall, the current state treasurer, has out-raised Amodei and also had more cash left in her war chest as of Aug. 24, the last date covered by the pre-election campaign finance reports filed on Thursday.
But outside groups have also dumped more than $800,000 into the race, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics. The National Republican Congressional Committee alone has spent about $600,000 and the conservative super PAC American Crossroads has spent about $195,000.
Polls indicate the race is tight. One recent poll from Daily Kos/Public Policy Polling, Amodei, a former state senator, earned 43 percent of the vote to Marshall’s 42 percent.

One of the outside groups helping offset the Democrat’s money advantage in NV-2 is the Conservative Action Fund, which is also supporting Bob Turner in Tuesday’s NY-9 special election. This is a time when your contributions — $25, $50, $100 — can make a big difference.

MARK AMODEI for U.S. CONGRESS
Make Sure Harry Reid’s Congressman Is a Republican

Category: Congress, Election, Nevada
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