The Other McCain

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

Michael Moore: Own a Gun? Racist!

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 14 Comments

“There’s a reason why we want to own these guns. . . . The vast majority of these guns are owned by people who live in safe parts of town, or mostly in suburbs and rural areas, places where there are very few murders. . . . Why do you have a gun? What are you afraid of? . . .  That imaginary person who’s going to break into your home and kill you — who’s that person going to look like? It’s not freckle-faced Jimmy down the street, is it, really? . . . We never really want to talk about the racial or class part of this, in terms of how it’s the poor or people of color that we imagine, we’re afraid of. . . . We also need to address the larger issue of, why are we such a violent people? And not just personal, domestic violence, but a nation that invades other countries, that has such a huge weapons budget, that just seems so intent on violence being the answer.”
— Michael Moore on “The Rachel Maddow Show,” MSNBC

Category: Michael Moore, MSNBC, Video

‘Gutfeld Claims He Was Offered His Fox Show Because of His Writing on HuffPost’

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 7 Comments

Jehuda the Rhetorican called my attention to that claim made, in a letter to the president of the Newspaper Guild, by the senior vice president of public relations for Huffington Post, Mario Ruiz:

We couldn’t agree more with your goal of ensuring journalists are paid for their work. It’s why HuffPost has 143 editors, writers, and reporters on our edit team. But we feel there’s a critical distinction between our editors and reporters and the people who contribute to our group blog. While we pay our editors and reporters, we don’t pay for the opinion pieces submitted by our thousands of bloggers. The vast majority of our bloggers understand the value of having a platform that reaches a very large audience. People blog on HuffPost for free for the same reason they go on cable TV shows every night for free — because they are passionate about their ideas, want them to be heard by the largest possible audience, and understand the value that that kind of visibility can bring (the visibility of being on HuffPost has led to our bloggers being invited on TV to discuss their posts, to paid speeches, to book deals, to a TV show — Greg Gutfeld claims he was offered his Fox show because of his writing on HuffPost). Our bloggers can choose to write for HuffPost — or not write for HuffPost.
They can write as often as like they like or as little as they like. It’s both wrong and offensive to insist that HuffPost is exploiting journalists.

I suppose we’ll hear more about this from Greg “I Would Be Nobody Without HuffPo” Gutfeld. But I ask you to pay attention to how HuffPo itself distinguishes among its contributors: If you write a free blog for them, you are by definition not a journalist.

Because if you were a journalist, they’d have to pay you. As it is, you’re writing for free because you’re “passionate about [your] ideas,” as opposed to Arianna Huffington, who’s passionate about her $18 million lump-sum payment and her $4 million annual salary.

Also, if you blog for HuffPo and don’t have your own cable-TV show yet, it’s because you suck.

Category: Blogging, Huffington Post

‘Wrist Slaps for Everyone’

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

That’s Allahpundit’s prognosis for the outcome of the “investigation” of University of Wisconsin doctors writing bogus excuses for protesters in Madison:

This involves a few individuals out of the nearly 1,300 physicians at UW Health.
These UW Health physicians were acting on their own and without the knowledge or approval of UW Health. These charges are very serious and in response, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, the UW Health entities that employ the physicians, have immediately launched an investigation of the reported behavior.
The investigation will identify which UW Health physicians were involved and whether their behavior constituted violations of medical ethics or University of Wisconsin and UW Health policies and work rules.

The situation in Madison illustrates what happens when “medical ethics” meets “social justice”:

Although this might seem an outrageous breach of professional ethics, it is actually entirely consistent with the new brand of “progressive” medical ethics currently taught to medical students. . . .
In 2002, the American College of Physicians proposed a charter in which the three guiding ethical principles for physicians would be: patient welfare, patient autonomy, and “social justice.” In 2007, the AMA ITME (American Medical Association Initiative to Transform Medical Education) reported on the importance of training medical students to be better advocates for “social justice,” and proposed changes in the medical school admissions criteria and curriculum to address this perceived inadequacy.

And let’s face it: Once doctors are taught that abortion is a “right,” any traditional concept of “medical ethics” becomes invalid. Whence did such value-judgments (e.g., that the “right” to abortion trumps the physician’s interest in preserving life, or that the “right” of protesting budget cuts justifies a bogus medical excuse) arrive in our institutions of higher learning? How did these ideas entrench themselves so deeply in academia? Read more

Category: Health Care, Progressivism, Unions, Wisconsin

Moammar’s Very, Very Bad Day

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 5 Comments

I’m suffering with a head cold today, but it could be worse. At least I’m not Moammar Qaddafi:

Influential Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has issued a fatwa that any Libyan soldier who can shoot dead embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi should do so ‘to rid Libya of him.’

One thing that always annoyed me about this guy is that nobody could ever agree on how to spell his name. Also, he’s a murderous dictator:

The bodies of protesters shot to death by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi were left on the streets of a restive district in the Libyan capital Tuesday, an opposition activist and a resident said, while the longtime leader defiantly went on state TV to show he was still in charge.
The eruption of turmoil in the capital after a week of protests and bloody clashes in Libya’s eastern cities has sharply escalated the challenge to Gadhafi. His security forces have unleashed the bloodiest crackdown of any Arab country against the wave of protests sweeping the region, which toppled leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.

So he’s killing innocent civilians and nobody can decide whether he’s “Muammar Gaddafi” or “Moammar Gadhafi.” That’s two strikes against him. The New York Times has yet another spelling of his name:

Libya appeared to slip further from the grip of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi on Tuesday, as opposition forces in eastern Libya moved to consolidate control of the region, arming themselves with weapons taken from security warehouses, and fighting continued in Tripoli, witnesses said.
In Tripoli, the capital, the government was striking back at protesters challenging Colonel Qaddafi’s 40-year rule. Security forces and militiamen backed by helicopters and warplanes besieged parts of the city overnight, according to witnesses and news reports from Tripoli.

That’s the biggest puzzle about Qaddafi: If you’re the dictator, why are you still only a colonel? Couldn’t you promote yourself to general? Heck, why not go for field marshall while you’re at it.

All these news accounts, by the way, were filed from Cairo, Egypt, probably because the reporters were afraid that if they went to Libya, they’d be arrested for misspelling the dictator’s name. Here’s some video:

Lots of commentary on the Libyan situation at Memeorandum. I’ll refrain from offering any opinion, because obviously if I can’t even spell the dictator’s name — and all I’ve got to go on is second-hand accounts filed from Cairo — I lack enough facts to form an opinion worth sharing. Allahpundit did a good round-up yesterday of what we actually know about Libya, which is to say, “Not a heckuva lot.”

Category: Libya

VIDEO: Herman Cain Behind the Scenes at Wisconsin ‘Stand With Walker’ Rally

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 14 Comments

Join the online grassroots army at Citizens for Cain.

UPDATE: Sen. John Thune announces he won’t run in 2012, because he knows he can’t beat Cain. He doesn’t actually say that, but we know how to read between the lines.

Category: Election 2012, Herman Cain, Video

New Zealand Quake Kills at Least 65

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 5 Comments

Christchurch, New Zealand, a popular tourist destination, reportedly “resembled a war zone” today:

A devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Tuesday, killing at least 65 people and collapsing buildings onto victims, some of whom used their cellphones to frantically call for help, officials said.
Rescuers dug through the rubble overnight amid reports that many people were still trapped and the toll could rise much higher.
A statement posted on the website of the Christchurch Police Department said the fatalities included “two buses crushed by falling buildings.” It said that “the central city is currently being evacuated, as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations.”
Hours after the earthquake struck at 12:51 p.m., the tourist center of 400,000 residents resembled a war zone, a city without electricity or running water in many areas.

More news from the New Zealand Herald.

Category: New Zealand

Wisconsin Democrat: Don’t Distract Me With the Heavenly Touch Massage Parlor

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 2 Comments

Busted in Appleton, Wisconsin:

Appleton police say a municipal citation they issued to state Rep. Gordon Hintz earlier this month is connected to a prostitution investigation involving an Appleton massage parlor.
The 37-year-old Oshkosh Democrat was arrested Feb. 10 and cited the next day under a city sexual misconduct ordinance. . . .
Police searched Heavenly Touch Massage Parlor, 342 W. Wisconsin Ave., and a nearby residence, 1319½ N. Division St., on Jan. 28. Investigators had staked out the properties for several days after receiving a tip that illegal activity was taking place at the home.
The raid netted six arrests, and police seized a vehicle and other property. Four women were booked into the Outagamie County Jail and two other women were arrested but not jailed. . . .
Online court records show Hintz posted a $2,667.50 bond.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that this YouTube clip of Rep. Hintz making an “impassioned speech” (nudge, nudge) has become quite popular:

Gateway Pundit reports:

In a statement e-mailed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hintz says, “I am willing to take responsibility for my actions.” But he says he is concerned his “personal situation is distracting from the much more important issue facing the state.”

Rep. Hintz evidently didn’t mind the distraction too much when he was paying for the services of the ladies at the Heavenly Touch Massage Parlor. Now that it has become public knowledge, however, Rep. Hintz is concerned about “the much more important issue.”

(Via Memeorandum.)

Category: Crime, Democrats, Scandal, Sex, Wisconsin

LIVE AT FIVE – 2.22.11

Posted on | February 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

TOP NEWS
Ghadaffi Denies Exile In Venezuela On State TV

A Libyan walks by a mural of Colonel Qadhafy

Fighting rages between rebels, loyalists

NZ Quake Causes Massive Damage, Many Deaths In Christchurch
Nine quakes ranging up to 6.3 devastate city

Raymond Davis Definitely CIA, Says Pak Intel Official
Davis held under heavy security in Lahore jail, awaiting trial by Pak court



POLITICS
Chicago Mayor’s Race Now In Voters’ Hands

The Man Who Would Be Mayor

First time in 60 years an incumbent mayor isn’t running; first time in 22 years no Daley has been running for mayor. Elections for aldermen, city clerk also on ballot

Thousands Take Wisconsin Protests Into Eighth Day

Christie To Propose Small-Business Tax Cuts

Pennsylvania Judge Convicted In “Kids For Cash” Scheme

Texas Legislators Pushing For Concealed Carry On College Campuses



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Rises To Two-Year High On Libya Concerns
Nikkei Falls 2% On Mideast Unrest
Blockbuster Heads For The Auction Block
Rejected: Readability Creator Says Apple Policy Smacks Of Greed
Petition Calls For Bringing Retired Space Shuttle To Houston
Happy 25th Birthday, Zelda



SPORTS
Carmelo Anthony Traded To Knicks

Carmelo Anthony hugs Amare Stoudamire at the NBA All-Star Game

Knicks trade Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets in return for Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. Oh yeah, Nuggets also get more picks and some cash.


Caps Shut Out Penguins For Second Straight Game

Like Father, Like Son: Hank Steinbrenner Speaks Out In Spring Training



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Charlie Sheen: I’m Ready For Another “Major League”

NOW PITCHING FOR THE CLEVELAND INDIANS - #99 - RICKY VAUGHN!

It may be the only shot Cleveland has at a pennant in the next couple of years. But will Bob Uecker live long enough to finish filming?

Justin Bieber Cuts His Hair



John Travolta Accepts Baldness

Jesse James Writing His Memoir

Britney Takes Her Boys Fishing

Lady Gaga Breaks ITunes Record

“Skins” Continues Ratings Decline



FOREIGNERS
Yemeni President Rejects Calls For Resignation
Tourism In Egypt Struggles To Recover
Did PRC Orchestrate Jasmine Revolution?
Ivory Coast Violence Flares Anew As African Leaders Seek Resolution
Volcano Erupts In Philippines, Spewing Ash 2 Kilometers High



BLOGS & STUFF
Donald Sensing: Qaddafi Murders Hundreds, Obama Calls For Restraint
Cubachi: Governor Walker Standing Firm
Da Tech Guy: Democrats In A Wisconsin Minefield
Power Line: Think Stupidity
Althouse: Yes, there will be an investigation of the excuse-writing doctors…
Just One Minute: Getting Ready For The Madison Shuffle
Nice Deb: Civility Watch – More Pictures From Madison
Dan Riehl: Obama Said He Wanted Us To Be More Like The PRC, And We Are


— compiled by Wombat-socho

Category: Live at Five
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