The Other McCain

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

Why Not Perpetuate A Fraud On The American Public?

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

by Smitty

Ace’s post “Boehner: I Will Not Perpetrate A Fraud On The American Public” prompts a reply in the form of a paraphrase of the good Representative Jessup (D-mented):

Son, we live in a country that has social safety nets, and those nets have to be guarded by politicians with legislation. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Mr. Blogger? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
You weep for the budget deficit, and you curse the national debt. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That the budget deficit, while tragic, probably saves lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me to perpetuate that fraud, you need me to perpetuate that fraud!
We use words like Constitution, responsibility, accountability. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending Progress. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom from fear that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way.
Otherwise, I suggest you pick light off a word processor, and start adding to the bureaucracy. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

Category: Uncategorized

Prosser Wins in Wisconsin
UPDATE: Kloppenburg Steals It?

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 43 Comments

Yeah, I know that’s not the headline this morning. “Too Close to Call,” they say, but with 99% of precincts reporting and conservative Justice David Prosser leading by 585 votes in the state Supreme Court race, I’m calling it: Prosser wins.

Even if the unions finagle the recount and manage to steal this thing for JoAnne Kloppenburg, the fact is the high-profile election was not — repeat not — a repudiation of Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP majority in the state legislature.

The unions lost. Their claim that their rage-filed protests represented an overwhelming majority of Wisconsin voters? Repudiated.

UPDATE: Two hours later, Kleptoburg’s attempt to steal the election is proceeding as expected: Now she’s “ahead” by 224 votes.

UPDATE II: As of 3 p.m. ET, it appears Kleptoburg has stolen the election by 204 votes. We await the media’s declaration of a landslide triumph for the AFL-CIO.

UPDATE III: It should be noted that the reported totals are unofficial returns, and that communities have until April 15 to submit the official certified results. Then there will be a deadline of April 20 to request a recount.

UPDATE IV: Congratulations, liberals — you just killed Wisconsin.

Category: Election, Unions, Wisconsin

It’s All Harmless Fun and Games …

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 7 Comments

. . . until somebody gets hurt:

Category: Video

Here’s Why We Want To Differentiate Between Faith And Politics

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 9 Comments

by Smitty

NewsBusters has a post on Rev. Soong-Chan Rah in the Chicago Tribune. For some background on where I’m coming from, see my last August post, the main point of which was that morality is not strictly equal to ethics. That is, there are ethical questions, ethical/moral questions, and moral questions. Read more

Category: Religion

LIVE AT FIVE – 04.06.11

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 4 Comments

TOP NEWS
No Budget Deal Yet As Shutdown Looms

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid talks to reporters

Brinksmanship continues as Boehner holds firm

Japan May Order Heartland Industry Power Cuts
Efforts underway to avoid summer blackouts in wake of Fukushima disaster



Gbagbo Refuses to Surrender Despite Military Defeat
Still holed up in bunker underneath Presidential residence. [Insert parody video from “Downfall” here]



POLITICS
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Too Close To Call

Justice David Prosser greets supporters at a campaign rally in Hartland, WI

Prosser clings to 600-vote lead; recount, litigation possible

Romney Continues To Lead NH Polls; Trump A Wild Card

Jesse Ventura Would Consider Being Ron Paul’s VP

Eight Illegals Detained At Protest

Dallas, Houston Gain Most Children Among US Metro Areas

President Chooses Wasserman-Schultz To Head DNC

Alabama Lawmakers Approve Immigration Crackdown



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Bernanke May Have To Overcome Split On Fed Over Maintaining Stimulus Past June
Yen Falls To Six-Month Low Against Dollar
Three Bidders Remain For Blockbuster Chain
US Stocks Struggle To Maintain Gains, Dow Down 1
Sbarro Files For Chapter 11
Oil Climbs To 30-Month High On Libya News; Kuwait Says Price Too High
Cisco CEO Vows To Fix “Flawed” Company
Branson Plans Journey To The Bottom Of The Ocean
SpaceX Unveils Largest Private Rocket
House Moves To Overturn FCC On Net Neutrality



SPORTS
Aggies Show They Have Stuff Of Champs

Danielle Adams scored 22 points in second half to seal A&M win

Texas A&M women defeat Notre Dame 76-70 for first ever championship

Judge Bars Use Of Secret Tape In Bonds Trial

NFL, Players Take Their Fight To Court


Ovechkin Gets 300th Goal But Only Has Eyes For Stanley Cup

Warriors Perform Like Playoff Team In Rout Of Portland

UConn-Butler: As Ugly As It Gets

Mets Maul Hamels, Hand Phillies First Loss

Tribe Downs Winless Bosox



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
All About Angelina’s New Tattoo

Family affair

Visit to Tunisia sparks mini-riot

Meredith Vieira To Leave NBC’s “Today”

Ashley Judd’s Painful Past

“The Dark Knight Rises” To Film In Pittsburgh

Lauren Conrad Lands Mega 3-Book Deal

Bristol Banks Huge Payday For Teen Pregnancy Work

Miley, Charlie Swap “Epic” Compliments On Twitter

Vince Neil Charged With Domestic Violence



Ray Romano, James Spader, Catherine Tate In Line For Carell’s “Office” Job

Craig Gillespie Poised To Direct “Pride And Prejudice And Zombies”



FOREIGNERS
Fresh Violence In Yemen Erupts With Protests (Video)
Berlusconi Trial Adjourned Minutes After Opening
Goldstone Says He’ll Work To Nullify His Report To UN
Ecuador Expels US ambassador Over Wikileaks Cables
British MPs Angry Over Cameron’s 650 Million-Pound Aid Program For Pakistan



BLOGS & STUFF
James Pethokoukis: Ryan’s Revolution Would Complete Reagan’s
Kevin Williamson: Yes, Entitlement Spending Must Be Cut
The TrogloPundit: Ryan’s Plan Not Good Enough?
Lonely Conservative: Ugh! Prepare For More Wasserman-Schultz On TV
Allahpundit: Boehner Allegedly Tells Caucus That Dems Win If Government Shuts Down
Jawa Report: Man With Obama Sign Attacked In San Francisco
Jihad Watch: French Interior Minister Facing Legal Action For Stating The Obvious
Gateway Pundit: Fired NPR CEO Rips Sting Artists, Admits Liberal Establishment Terrified Of Being Exposed
Power Line: On A Clear Day You Can Squeeze And See Forever
Minority Report: Whistleblower Proves Planned parenthood Lied To Congress
Sister Toldjah: RNC Parody Video Gets More Views Than Actual Obama Campaign Launch Video

— compiled by Wombat-socho

Category: Live at Five

Word of the Day: ‘Creeptastic’

Posted on | April 5, 2011 | 15 Comments

As in, “Did you see that British tabloid story about the creeptastic beauty-pageant mom who gives her 8-year-old daughter Botox injections and bikini waxes?”

Like other eight-year-old girls, Britney Campbell loves dancing to Lady GaGa, is fond of fashion and enjoys putting on make-up. . . .
Once every three months, Britney climbs on a beautician’s table and watches as mum Kerry prepares needles of Botox and fillers to be injected into her face.
Beautician Kerry, 34, from Birmingham, buys the substances online and injects them into her daughter’s forehead, lips and around her eyes.
The beauty-pageant obsessed single mum also takes her to have her body waxed, in a bizarre bid to stop her growing hair when she eventually hits puberty. . . .
“She also has her virgin wax monthly, which gets rid of her fluffy leg hair and makes sure she won’t develop pubic hair in the future.
“It will save her a fortune in waxing when she’s older.”

And the money she saves on waxing can be spent on psychotherapy, while she competes for the title of Junior Miss Neurotic Basket Case.

(Via Parenting, with a Twitter hat-tip to Alyssa Milano.)

Category: Culture

Isn’t VA’s Outgoing Senator Enough Of A Progressive Tool?

Posted on | April 5, 2011 | 3 Comments

by Smitty


Legal Insurrection posts a clip of Tim “I did not ride Mark Warner’s coattails” Kaine, who would like to replace Sen. Jim “Yeah, I got elected on ‘macaca'” Webb as the junior Senator from VA.
The bandwidth and the interest to deal with this video just ain’t there. I won’t even embed it. Tim Kaine, unless I’m completely selling the guy short, is Yet Another Progressive Tool.
Kaine’s entry into the race is more interesting for its effect on the GOP primary. With an plausible Democrat stepping up (please, oh please Jim Moran, let your ego take you where it will) will Virginians be more likely to support George “Yeah, I got the bonus plan” Allen or Jaime “Isn’t it time for a fresh face” Radtke. This blog hasn’t bothered to form an opinion one way or another, and it may come down to a coin toss in the voting booth.

Is Radtke some kind of stealth Kane cheerleader? This just arrived in time for press, and it she seems to praise him in glowing terms:

Statement from U.S. Senate Candidate Jamie Radtke Regarding Tim Kaine’s Campaign Announcement
“Tim Kaine was one of the first supporters of Barack Obama for president, and supported every one of Obama’s expensive, disastrous policies, from ObamaCare to the massive stimulus bill. And as governor, Kaine literally misplaced one billion dollars in VDOT money, and his campaign priority was transportation! The financial changes we need in Washington won’t come from career politicians. To bring America back to greatness, we must look forward to a new generation of leaders who will make the hard decisions.”

Never mind: that glow was a torch.

Category: Virginia

Libya Update: Artillery Fire Drives Rebels Back From Brega; Leaders Slam NATO

Posted on | April 5, 2011 | 3 Comments

Reports from several news organizations indicate that Libyan rebels, who had been attempting to re-take the oil town of Brega, have retreated after an intense artillery barrage from forces loyal to Moammar Qaddafi’s regime. Associated Press:

BREGA, Libya – Libyan government forces unleashed a withering bombardment of rebels outside a key oil town Tuesday as an Obama administration envoy met with the opposition leadership in its de facto capital, a possible step toward diplomatic recognition. . . .
On the coastal road leading from the east to Tripoli, the rebels had managed to take part of the oil town of Brega on Monday, aided by an international air campaign. But the rocket and artillery salvos unleashed on the rebels Tuesday indicated the government’s offensive capabilities remain very much intact. . . .
Rebel attempts to fire rockets and mortars against the government forces were met with aggressive counter bombardments that sent many of the rebel forces scrambling back all the way to the town of Ajdabiya . . .

Confirmation from the Financial Times:

Pro-Gaddafi forces pounded rebel positions near Brega on Tuesday, forcing opposition fighters into their biggest retreat for days.

The setback came amid criticism of NATO from rebel leaders, the New York Times reports:

BREGA, Libya — Forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi battered rebel fighters on the road outside this strategic oil town on Tuesday with rocket fire, mortars and artillery, driving them many miles to the north and leaving them in disarray. . . .
Abdul Fattah Younes, the head of the rebel army, lashed out at NATO during a news conference in Benghazi on Tuesday, accusing it of indecision and lengthy delays in carrying out needed airstrikes. “What is NATO doing?” he said “Civilians are dying every day. They use the excuse of collateral damage.” . . .

How far the rebels have retreated, and whether the Qaddafi forces will pursue them, is unclear from these initial reports.

UPDATE: Ajdabiya is about 50 miles up the coast from Brega, so if much of the rebel force has fallen back that far, it would indicate a serious setback.

UPDATE II: In a report datelined from Ajdabiya, a correspondent for the UK Independent reports:

Meanwhile the rebel government’s military forces suffered another reverse. An artillery barrage by regime troops drove back the rebels 25kms from the city of Brega. The rebels have been attempting to take back the oil ports of Brega and Ras Lanuf after Western air strikes stopped an advance by regime troops. However, ineptitude by the revolutionaries has led to failure.
International coalition aircraft attacked regime forces outside Brega yesterday, but the rebels criticised Nato for being too slow to act. “Either Nato does its work properly or I will ask the [rebel] national council to raise the matter with the Security Council,” said Abdel Fattah Younes, head of the rebel forces, at a news conference in Benghazi in the rebel-held east.He said Nato’s inaction was allowing forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi to advance and letting them kill the people of the rebel-held city of Misrata “every day”.

This indicates that the rebels have not retreated all the way to Ajdabiya, but we still don’t know exactly where the front line is now.

UPDATE III: Starting to look like a “fog of war” situation. Libya is about 6 hours ahead of Eastern time in the U.S. (i.e., at 11 p.m. ET, it’s 5 a.m. the next morning in Libya), and it might be Wednesday before we have anything like a clear picture of what has happened.

While these initial reports indicate a pretty substantial retreat, the question is whether Qaddafi’s forces are following up in pursuit to threaten Ajdabiya. Perhaps this reported “retreat” is just a rear-echelon rumor, spread by some  portion of the rebel forces who panicked under fire. For the Qaddafi troops to advance 5o miles on open road would expose them to NATO air attack. But given the rebel complaints about NATO, this air cover may not be very effective.

UPDATE IV: This just in — and datelined “east of Brega” — from Charles Levinson of the Wall Street Journal:

Rebels sharpened their criticism of what they said was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s failure to provide effective air support, as pro-Gadhafi forces drove eastward Tuesday, bombarding newly reorganized rebel forces with artillery. . . .
In Libya, Rebel forces had held their lines on the outskirts of Brega for three days, since they counterattacked the city Friday night.
But on Tuesday morning they woke up to a withering counterattack by Col. Gadhafi’s forces that drove them out of the city. By noon, the most forward rebel positions appeared to sit about 12 miles east of the city.

OK, then: By noon Tuesday (which was 14 hours before the story was published), the rebels had pulled back their forward positions about 12 miles, which is to say, out of range of Qaddafi’s artillery in Brega. But there is no indication that Qaddafi’s forces have advanced up the road toward Ajdabiya.

Category: Libya
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