Called It

I don't have time to find when it was, but I told you some time ago that, shortly before the election, we'd all of a sudden get lots of good economic news.  Did someone cook the numbers?  I don't know, but I'll remind you that we do know this happened at the end of the Clinton administration.  Do we really believe that the Obama administration is any more honest?

Still Believing

I've been predicting a Romney landslide for months, and last night did nothing to change my mind.  I didn't watch the debate, but even the media spinners can't seem to find a way to make it a win for Obama, so I assume Romney pretty much wiped the floor with him.

Now, be careful about the next debate.  As long as President Obama doesn't start drooling or something, we'll be told that this was an impressive comeback for him and that he's regained his footing and all that.  The media is still firmly on the president's side.  The fact that they didn't declare him the winner last night doesn't mean they're interested in being honest, just that there are limits to what even they can do.

Also, I note that many of my liberal facebook friends keep saying "Romney lied!  Romney lied!" without ever saying what he lied about.  Interesting,

Checking In

I notice I haven't gotten any pageviews lately, and there's no reason I should have.  I'm just checking in because I promised I would.  Nothing new to report, really.  I'm still extremely busy.  I still hope to get back to this blog at some point.  I still have no idea when that point will be.  See you next week.

Facing the Facts

I've said several times that I do not intend to abandon this blog.  That's still true.  The other truth, though, is that I've done next to nothing with it for the last month.

The reason, as I've indicated before, is that work and life have gotten in the way.  I keep thinking "next week will be better".  At some point, that will probably be true, but it was not true this week, and it is unlikely to be true next week, either.

I do intend, at some point, to pick this blog up again.  There are all kinds of things I'd like to comment about.  I just don't know when that's going to be.  So, I'll continue to post once a week or so just to let you know I'm still around.  If you'll check in occasionally, I'll appreciate it.  When the time comes when I can pick up this blog again, I will.  Until then, best wishes to you.

I'm Fine

I just wanted you to know that.  Thanks for checking in once in a while.  I hope to get back to this blog soon, because all kinds of stuff is going on that I'd love to comment on.  It's just that between work and family obligations, I have very little time to do anything else right now.  Please keep checking back here, because I have every intention of picking this blog up again once things settle down.  Your patience is appreciated.

Mom Would Be Proud

I'm just stopping by again to let you know this blog has not been abandoned.  I'm just really busy right now (again), and don't expect that to change much for the next week or so.  I'll write when I can, but it might be a while yet.

Besides, right now the political conventions are going on.  If you're interested, you're watching them, so there's not much I can say that you don't already know.  And with the Democrat convention going on right now, I'm reminded of what our moms told us:  If you can't say something nice, just don't say anything.

Some Recovery

How can we be in an economic recovery if household income is falling?  I know economic terms have strange meanings, but when your income is going down the economy is not "recovering" for you in any meaningful sense of the term.

Household Income is Below Recession Levels, Report Says

Good Luck With That

Look, I don't like President Obama's refusal to enforce immigration laws any more than you do, but this is going nowhere.  Two points:  one, elections have consequences.  When someone like Barack Obama becomes president this is what happens.  Two, when you allow the executive branch to have control of pretty much everything, the executive branch gets to do pretty much whatever it wants.  The only way to stop it is to take control away from the executive branch, which probably isn't going to happen any time soon.

Immigration Agents Sue to Stop Obama's Non-deportation Policy

For the Record

I've been busy, and still am, so I don't have a link or anything for this.  I just wanted to note that if the hurricane hits New Orleans, and things go badly, it'll all be George Bush's fault.

Okay, maybe a little of the fault will be with Bobby Jindal.  But it'll mostly be Bush's fault.

Squirrel!

The really unfortunate thing about the Todd Akin flap is that it gives Democrats and the media (I know, redundancy), who were desperate for a chance to talk something about other than the economy and the debt, a chance to do just that.  The other really unfortunate thing is that Republicans, by being so quick and so vocal to try to force Akin out, have played right into their hands.

The GOP needs to get back on the subject, and quickly.

Barbara Boxer: Maybe Republicans Just Don't Like Their Moms or Their First Wives

Inconsistency

Not to mention hypocrisy, but we expect that.  The party that's upset that a private citizen (albeit one running for president) won't disclose ten years of tax returns won't disclose its current donors.

Democrats Won't Disclose Donors to Charlotte Convention Until After the Event

Not That He Could, Anyway

I don't think Chris Christie is capable of "toning it down".  Besides, if he did, he wouldn't be Chris Christie, and if he's not going to be Chris Christie, why do you want him to speak at the convention in the first place?

NJ Gov. Chris Christie: No Chance I'll Tone It Down During Keynote Address

It Could Happen

Suppose Mitt Romney wins the presidency and turns out to be a really good president.  Suppose that by 2015, the economy has turned around and is humming along.  Suppose, too, that there are no particular foreign threats that seem all that imminent.

In that case, Hillary Clinton might decide that she couldn't win, and so she won't run.  Other top Democrats make the same decision.  In which case, Joe Biden, with a few years of relative obscurity, so that his frequent gaffes and blunders have been forgotten, is put up as the sacrificial lamb Democrat nominee for President.

I can dream, anyway.

Biden Looks Ahead to 2016 Election

The Army You Have

Look, I get that Todd Akin said something stupid and offensive.  But he's not getting out of the race, regardless of whether you think he should.  Do you really think the country is better off if Claire McCaskill is returned to the Senate?

In a Bad Sign for Todd Akin, Crossroads Yanks Missouri Ads

Where Your Mouth Is

It's not because Republicans are rich--this is as a percentage of income, not an absolute dollar amount.  It's just a fact that people living in Republican states give more to charity than people living in Democrat states.

Of course, Democrats would claim their more charitable than Republicans.  It's just that they like to give away other people's money, not their own.

Study: Red States More Charitable

Wow

I'm not surprised that Niall Ferguson wrote this.  I am stunned that Newsweek would put that headline on its cover.

Now, don't be fooled.  This is not the beginning of a new, conservative era at Newsweek.  It may, however, be the start of rats leaving a sinking ship.  Remember, I've been predicting a Romney landslide for months now.

Niall Ferguson: Obama's Gotta Go

Concluding Our Way to Reasons

Ideally, we'd do it the other way around.  We'd reason our way to conclusions.  That, however, is hard work.  It requires us to approach a subject objectively and with an open mind.  It's much easier to reach a conclusion first and then come up with reasons why it's right.  Which is what many people, on both the right and the left, tend to do.

Obama's Catholic Supporters Drop Pro-life Argument in 2012 Appeal

Water Is Wet

He doesn't say anything we don't know, but when a member of the mainstream media comes out and admits that the mainstream media is on President Obama's team, I guess it's at least noteworthy.

Time Mag's Halperin: The Media Does What Obama Campaign Wants

Fear

There's playing it safe, and then there's living in fear.  When the President refuses to do an interview with Chris Matthews, who couldn't be more of an Obama supporter if he was on the President's payroll, that's fear.  He's afraid to say or do anything unless he can completely control how it comes out, for fear he'll say or do something wrong.

Remember when we were told what a great orator President Obama was?  Now, he won't even say hello unless he gets to approve how the news clip looks.

Obama's Soft-media Strategy

Anybody Home?

Somehow my liberal friends, who are so quick to ascribe mere disagreement with them to stupidity, hatred, or evil, or all three, did not see fit to say anything about this.  Go figure.

Protester Spits on Romney Supporter in Wisconsin

110 Percent

That's what it would take for President Obama to do "much better" among African Americans than previous Democrat candidates.  Which is why the Democrats fight so hard against measures designed to stop vote fraud.  It's their best chance of winning.

Morning Jay: Why Did Biden Play the Race Card

Who's Next? PInk Floyd?

First DEVO, now Rage Against the Machine.  Maybe they could combine and form a super-PAC or something.  They could call it "Has-Been Rockers Against Romney".

Tom Morello: Paul Ryan is the Embodiment of the Machine Our Music Rages Against

I Wanna Talk About Me

It's a great Toby Keith song, but it was never intended to replace Hail to the Chief.  When it comes to President Obama, though, himself is all he ever wants to talk about.

Morning Bell: Obama Edits Official State Department Documents to Tout Himself

I'm Not Buying It

To replace Joe Biden on the ticket, President Obama would have to admit he made a mistake putting him on the ticket in the first place.  When do you remember President Obama admitting he made a mistake?

"The Amateur" Author Ed Klein: Jillary Dismissed VP Possibility Two Weeks Ago

In Case You Missed It

And you probably did, since no one watches Toure's program.  The important thing to remember is that any time anyone other than a liberal/progressive criticizes President Obama in any way for anything, it's racist.

By the way, I apologize for the word in the link.  It's a quote.  It's Toure's word, not mine.

MSNBC's Toure: Romney Engaging in the "Niggerization" of Obama

Still Around

I'm fine.  Nothing's happened to me.  I just haven't had a lot of time to look at stuff lately.  Thanks for asking, though.

Not that any of you actually did, of course.  I'm sure you intended to, though.

DEVO? Seriously?

Weren't they last relevant about thirty years ago?  With all of President Obama's connections in the entertainment world, the best he can do is...DEVO?

This may be an even bigger Romney landslide than I thought.

Listen to DEVO's New Song About Mitt Romney's Dog

I Know What I Said, But...

It's no defense to say, "Well, it's just Joe Biden."  This man is a heartbeat away from the presidency, and it's Barack Obama who put him there.

Krauthammer on Biden "Chain" Comment: "Is It a Big F'ing Deal? I Don't Know"

Don't Be Afraid to Win

Rush says on occasion that the Republicans have been in the minority for so long that some of them are actually uncomfortable with winning and prefer to be in the minority, where it's safe.  I'm starting to think there's a lot of truth in that.  There are all kinds of reasons to be optimistic about this election, but a lot of supposedly smart Republicans aren't.  Maybe, deep down, they really prefer to lose.

GOP Pros Fret Over Paul Ryan

Shackles and Chains

Let's not get distracted, folks.  Yes, of course, we can all play the "What if Romney had said that" game.  But making a big deal out of this just changes the subject from the economy, which where we need to keep it.

It's hard to resist having fun with Joe Biden, but let's keep our eye on the ball.

VP Biden Says Republicans Are "Going to Put Y'all Back in Chains"

Meanwhile, In the Real World

The Muslim Brotherhood has taken firm control in Egypt.  Remember that whenever someone says about some foreign leader, "he's so bad that nobody could possibly be worse."  Someone can always be worse.  And if you don't know what you're doing when you force a leader out, they probably will be.

Crowds in Cairo Praise Morsi's Army Overhaul

Why Do We Do This?

Why, why, why, do Republicans always agree to liberal moderators for their debates?  Candy Crowley?  Jim Lehrer?  Bob Schieffer?  Granted, they're not Keith Olbermann, but nobody is, not even Keith Olbermann any more.  This is like agreeing to play a ball game with all the umpires having bet on the other team.  There's no way you can win no matter how well you do.

The Obligatory "Presidential Debate Moderators Pretty Much Who You'd Expect" Post

Oh, Yeah

While all anyone talks about is Paul Ryan, there are a few other things going on.  One of them is that the Republicans continue to look into Fast and Furious.  It won't matter as far as the election is concerned, but it might, possibly, matter in other ways at some point.

GOP-led House Oversight Committee to File Contempt Suit Against AG Eric Holder

Good Choice

I don't know if I've actually said so yet, but I think Paul Ryan is a fine choice for vice president.  He's someone who's serious--you can actually see him being president.  He's someone who's knowledgeable about the budget and economic matters.  It puts the focus of the campaign both on the economy and on out-of-control government spending.

Will the Democrats say all kinds of terrible things about him?  Of course, but they were going to do that anyway.  What are they going to do, accuse Mitt Romney of being a murderer?  Oh, wait, they've already done that.

Reports: Romney Picks Paul Ryan, Announcement Saturday Morning in Virginia

Panic

Why am I the only one with any confidence?  Almost every Republican and every conservative is running around saying the sky is falling.  It's not.  We're going to win this.  Have we lost so many times that we don't know how to win any more?

Laura Ingraham Tears Into Romney Campaign: He Needs Knew Communications Team, Strategy

Mitt Romney Has a Heart

You might not believe that if all you heard was the mainstream media, but this actually appeared in the New York Times.  It makes the ratio of pro-Mitt articles about one to two hundred thousand, but still, it was there.  Remember it the next time someone tells you how mean and cruel Mitt Romney is.  Don't argue--that won't do again good.  Just remember.

In Real Estate Deal, Romney Made His Loss a Couple's Gain

Drops In Buckets

One interesting thing about naming Paul Ryan as the vice-presidential nominee is that it makes not just the economy, but the national debt a part of the election.  The Ryan plan is a small step toward trying to start working on the national debt.  If we're unwilling to take even this small step, there's no chance we'll ever take bigger ones.  This election will tell us much about whether a majority of the people have any degree of seriousness whatsoever in regard to the national debt.

Blink! U. S. Debt Just Grew By $11 Trillion

An Overlooked Danger of Big Government

There are plenty of dangers of big government, of course, but what few people talk about is the sheer arbitrariness of it.  You go along, living your life, not bothering anybody.  Then, you either deliberately or accidentally make the wrong person mad at you, or you just happen to become the target of someone trying to justify their job, and all of a sudden you're in violation of sixteen laws you never knew existed, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Examiner Local Editorial: Fauquier County Steps Over the Line

The Last Refuge of Scum

Apparently, it's to claim ignorance and/or incompetence.  "We didn't know" seems to be the standard excuse of the Obama Administration every time they get caught.

Come to think of it, an extremely good Romney campaign ad could be made featuring all the times the President or his aides have used ignorance and incompetence as excuses.  Actually, it'd have to be a series of ads, since you couldn't get them all into one spot.  The tag line could be something like "If they're that ignorant and incompetent, why would we give them a second term?"

Team Obama Denies Knowing Story of Man in Its TV Ad, Call

Genius

Remember, this woman is held up to us as one of the best and brightest on the left.

Elizabeth Warren Backs Off Demand That Scott Brown Release More Tax Returns

When a Democrat Loses CNN...

Of course, President Obama hasn't actually lost CNN, nor will he.  It's getting harder and harder for them to blindly support him, though.  When even CNN thinks it has to point out the President's lies in order to maintain whatever shred of credibility it thinks it still has, it's not a good sign for him.

CNN: Wife of Steelworker in New Obama Superpac Ad Still Had Job and Health Insurance After He Lost His

Desperation

As angry as this ad makes me (and believe me, it makes me very angry), when I think about it, I have to take it as a positive sign.  This is what people do when they're desperate to hold on to power.  They see the power slipping away from them, and they get desperate.  It happened to Jimmy Carter in 1980.  It happened to Tom Daschle when he lost his senate re-election.  It's happening to President Obama now.

Believe me, if President Obama thought he was going to win, he would not allow ads calling Mitt Romney a tax cheat, let alone a murderer.  That he's allowing this to happen in his name shows that he thinks he's going to lose, and is desperate for something to turn the tide.

Priorities Ad Ties Romney to Lost Health Insurance, Cancer Death

Priorities

Folks, I want to post more here.  Really, I do.  It's just that I have a lot of other things I want to do, too, and they take up time, too.  I just want to reiterate that if I don't post for a while, it doesn't mean that I've abandoned this place.  Please keep checking once in a while.  If I ever decide to stop, I'll post something to let you know.

In short:  I'll post when I can.  When I can't, I won't.  And I'm not going to feel guilty about it.

The Political Is the Personal

President Obama doesn't really have a personal dislike for Mitt Romney, even if he thinks he does.  He doesn't know Mitt Romney.  He has no interest in knowing Mitt Romney.  If he actually got to know Mitt Romney, he might have to actually consider what Romney says.  He has no interest in considering what Romney says. From President Obama's viewpoint, Mitt Romney is the enemy and must be defeated.  Not because of who Mitt Romney is personally, but because Mitt Romney disagrees with President Obama politically.  That's all President Obama knows, and from his point of view, it's all he needs to know.

How Obama Grew to Dislike Romney

Bad Idea

There are a lot of things I like about Chris Christie, but if there's one thing you don't want from the vice-presidential nominee, it's that he overshadows the presidential nominee.

A Big Campaign?

We'll Never See Them

This is one thing the Obama campaign doesn't need to worry about.  If there are empty seats at Bank of America stadium for his acceptance speech at the Democrat convention, they won't be seen or referenced anywhere in the mainstream media.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Dems' Dire Seat-uation

But With Whose Words?

Of course, Harry Reid "speaks for himself", but who supplies the words?

Look, I don't know whose idea this was originally, but I know one thing.  If President Obama didn't want this smear of Mitt Romney to be out there, he could shut it down in about ten seconds.  He hasn't.  Therefore, he wants it to be out there.

White House: Sen. Reid 'Speaks for Himself' on Romney Tax Returns

The Old Attitude

On the other hand, we still have some Republicans who want are conditioned to cowering whenever the Democrats dislike them.  They will get most of the publicity.  Hopefully, the Romney campaign will ignore the Ed Rollins' of the world, and privately tell them to shut up.  Although the Ed Rollins' of the world are so conditioned to cowering and appeasement that they probably won't listen.

GOP Strategist Ed Rollins: Romney Needs to Release More Tax Returns

A New Attitude

One thing the response to Harry Reid's smear of Mitt Romney has shown is that the Romney campaign has a different attitude than most Republicans of the recent past.  In the past, when Democrats threw out a charge, the Republican response was to be defensive, act apologetic, and back down.  How that would've played out is that Mitt Romney would've released all his tax returns and apologized for not releasing them sooner.

Instead, Mitt Romney's response so far has been to call Harry Reid a liar and tell him to shut up.  That's a much more aggressive response than we're used to, and it's a good sign.  In politics, you're either on offense or on defense, and you can't score points on defense.  This was an attempt to make Mitt Romney play defense.  So far, he hasn't fallen for it.

Flashback: Questions Harry Reid Won't Answer, Part I

It's a Little Late Now

Had there been some interest about this in the media while Sen. Byrd was alive, it might have made a difference to something.  He's been dead two years now.  Nobody's going to care.

But this is how the media makes it's claim to be bi-partisan.  "See?  We say bad stuff about Democrats, too."  And they do.  They just do it when either nobody notices or nobody cares.

Late Sen. Byrd's FBI Files Reveal CIA Leak Uproar

For Crying Out Loud

This is beyond ridiculous.  Mitt Romney's ninth grade report card is news?

For the record, when I was in ninth grade, I wasn't "as industrious or as responsible as [I] might be", either.  I'm still not.  I'm working on it.


Mitt Romney's High School Freshman Report Card Released

Because They Can

That's why the TSA is violating a federal court order.  They think they're more powerful than the courts, which is another way of saying they think they're above the law.  They think they can do whatever they want, and nothing will happen to them.

They may yet be right.  We'll see.

Court Demands TSA Explain Why It Is Defying Nude Body Scanner Order

Harry Reid is Ugly

Smear.  It's an ugly word for an ugly act.  Harry Reid is giving us a textbook example of it.

First, throw out an unsubstantiated accusation.  When challenged to support it, say that it's something you heard from a reliable source that you can't name.  Then, when challenged further, say that you don't know if it's true, but it's something that people are saying.  Then, put the person you've accused in the position of having to disprove what you've said.

Remember, Harry Reid has produced no evidence whatsoever, other than his word, based on something he allegedly heard, that Mitt Romney has paid no taxes.  Suppose I said that I'd heard Harry Reid abused children.  I can't tell you where I heard it, but it's something people are saying.  He should come out and disprove it.

That would be a horrible thing for me to say.  This is a horrible thing for Harry Reid to say.  If he has evidence, he should bring it forward.  Otherwise, he should shut up.Reid Doubles Down on Tax Claims

Win Some, Lose Some

It seems like any time there's an election involving someone who's considered a Tea Party candidate, the result is taken as a referendum on the Tea Party.  If the Tea Party candidate wins, the Tea Party is incredibly strong and is going to take over the Republican Party.  If the Tea Party candidate loses, the Tea Party is weak and is about to collapse.

The truth is that, like every other party, some Tea Party candidates will win and some will lose.  Some will be strong candidates and some will be weak candidates.  Only after a long period of time, and maybe only in retrospect, will we be able to see just what impact the Tea Party has.

Tea Party Basks in Cruz's Win in Texas

Management Is Not Responsible For Occasional Interruptions in Service

I'm posting stuff here when I can, but I've been incredibly busy at work over the last month, and just when I thought I was about to get some breathing space something else happened.  I'm not asking for sympathy--I love what I do, even when there's a lot of it.  I'm just asking for patience if I don't post anything for a day or three once in a while.  Please keep checking back here.  I shall return, I promise.  And if I ever decide to break that promise, I'll at least come here to let you know.

Bad Credit? No Problem!

Don't get too excited about the stories saying President Obama is having trouble raising money.  First, he has plenty of money.  Second, he'll spend as much money as he wants to, whether he actually has it or not.  If the Obama presidency has taught us nothing else, it should have taught us that.

Obama Supporters Barraged with Pleas for Cash

Harry Reid Is Pond Scum

I don't know that for sure, of course.  But somebody I'm not going to name told me that, so I'm just going to throw it out there.  We can assume it's true, because Harry Reid hasn't done everything I want him to do to prove he's not pond scum.

We're three months from the election, and this is the best they've got.  I'll say it again:  a Romney landslide is coming.

Harry Reid: Bain Investor Told Me That Mitt Romney "Didn't Pay Any Taxes For 10 Years"

Mitt Romney Was Overseas?

That's my guess at the reaction of most people to Romney's recent trip, with "Who's Mitt Romney" in second place.  Look, we're busy.  We're going camping.  We're going to ball games.  We're watching the Olympics.  Nobody cares what Mitt Romney said overseas.  Nobody.

Wait, So...Why Exactly Was Romney's Overseas Trip Such a "Public Relations Disaster"?

Don't Get Too Excited

Yes, it says something about President Obama that Elizabeth Warren will make a prime time speech at the Democrat Convention.  It's fine to point that out.  However, Mitt Romney is not running against Elizabeth Warren.  Most people have no idea who she even is.  We need to keep our focus on Barack Obama, not Elizabeth Warren.

Obama's Elizabeth Warren Test

Legislating Morality

Remember when liberals used to tell us "you can't legislate morality".  Ah, the good old days.  Now, apparently, you not only can legislate morality, you can dictate it.

Reflections on "Chicago Values"

Expert Opinion

If there was ever an expert on embarrassing gaffes and misstatements, it would be Robert Gibbs.

Gibbs: Romney in England was "Embarrassing for our Country"

Believe It When You See It

President Obama does not want the Keystone pipeline to go through.  He just doesn't want to be seen as not wanting it to go through.  He will continue to throw all kinds of roadblocks in its path, all in the name of "safety", while continuing to insist that he wants to see this happen, really he does, cross his heart.  It just needs to be done "the right way".  Which, in Obamaspeak, means it needs to not be done at all.

TransCanada Corp.: TransCanada Receives Final Key Gulf Coast Project Permit Construction Set to Begin This Summer

It's About Himself

You may agree with Dick Cheney about Sarah Palin, or you may not, but here's what he's really saying.  What he's really saying is that he, Dick Cheney, was ready to become president.  This is about Dick Chaney, not Sarah Palin.

Dick Cheney: Picking Sarah Palin for VP Was "a Mistake"

Another Unfortunate Coincidence

What is it with liberals hating conservative women?  I can't imagine the reverse situation.  I don't think even Rush Limbaugh would do this.  If he did, it would be an uproar that would last a month, and Rush doesn't even pretend to be unbiased.

Why do they do this?  The answer is obvious.  Because they can.

CNN Plays "Stupid Girls" Before Story About Sarah Palin Visiting Chick-fil-A

The Last Refuge of the Incompetent

When all else fails, cry racism.  It puts others on the defensive, and it saves you from having to deal with actual facts.

The Real Reason "You Didn't Build That" Works

Unpossible

It is not possible that a change at the top of CNN will result in "new thinking".  That would require liberals to admit they were wrong.  That is something a liberal will never, ever, ever do.

Breaking: CNN's Jim Walton Resigns

Not a Serious Question

At least I hope not, because the answer is obvious.  President Obama is lying in another ad because he thinks it will help him win re-election.  He couldn't care less whether it's true or not, and neither could anyone working for him.  Truth is irrelevant.  It's about winning.  Period.

Why Is Obama Airing Another Misleading Abortion Ad?

Uh-Oh: I Agree With Piers Morgan

Although I prefer to think of it as Piers Morgan agreeing with me.  Still, I'll try not to let it happen again.

Piers Morgan Defends Mitt Romney's Olympics Comments: "He Was Just Speaking the Truth"

Don't Hold Your Breath

I'm not talking about when the IG report on Fast and Furious comes out.  I'm talking about what it will actually say.  It will probably contain some mild criticism of the Justice Department, to avoid making it look like a total whitewash, but it won't have anything that hurts the administration much.  If it did, it wouldn't be released.  That's the way things work, at least in this administration.

IG Report on Fast & Furious Will Come In "Weeks and Not Months"

Mission Accomplished?

I suspect this one will get just a prominent place in Mitt Romney's ads as "you didn't build that".  I doubt that very many Americans look at the present state of the economy and think that President Obama's plan "worked."

Obama on the Economy: We Tried Our Plan, and It Worked

Going Positive

Let's be clear about what it means.  It does not mean to stop pointing out President Obama's record.  It does not mean to stop pointing out President Obama's anti-capitalist statements.  In short, it does not mean to stop telling the truth about who President Obama is.

What it means is letting people know what a President Romney will do once in office.  I don't think he needs to do that to move the polls.  I think he needs to do it so that, once he gets elected and does the things he says he will do, he can honestly say that people knew what they were getting when they voted for him, which is something President Obama cannot honestly say.

To Move Polls, Romney Needs to Go Positive

Checks and Balances

They remain important.  I'm not anti-fed, but everyone needs to be held accountable to someone.  Absolute power, etc.

Ron Paul Wins: House Votes to Audit the Federal Reserve

Never Mind the Constitution, Get a Dictionary

"Tolerance" does not mean "agree with me or else".  "Choice" does not mean "do what I tell you".

It's amazing that people who claim to support tolerance want to put those who disagree with them out of business, and people who claim to support choice don't want to let me choose where I buy a chicken sandwich.

Alderman to Chick-fil-A: No Deal

On the Road Again

There will be no more posting here for a few days.  I hope to do something or other over the weekend, but it could easily be Monday or Tuesday.  Sorry, but real life gets in the way sometimes.

Cooperation

Just mention this the next time someone lectures you about how Republicans refuse to cooperate.  I'm not sure what's worse, how petty he is or how proud he is of his pettiness.

Democrat Leader Refuses to Correct Law-Altering Typo in GOP Bill

I Didn't Say What I Said

And I didn't mean it, either.  That seems to be a common refrain among Democrats lately.  It's President Obama's excuse on the "you didn't build that" remark.  And now it's Dianne Feinstein's excuse about leaks coming from the administration.

If you're going to say stuff like this, have the guts to stand behind it.  Otherwise, do us all a favor and just shut up.

Feinstein Statement on National Security Leaks

Challenging Assumptions

You may agree with this.  You may not.  But it's a way of thinking on gun control that we don't often hear, and I like seeing people think outside the box a bit.

The Missing Link on Gun Control

A Feature, Not a Bug

See, to liberals, this isn't bad news.  They want companies to drop health insurance coverage.  That way, more people will turn to the government to provide health care.  We'll be that much closer to a completely government-run health care plan, which was the plan from the beginning.

Nearly One in 10 Employers to Drop Health Coverage

2-for-2

There's really no reason to ever trust ABC news for anything again.  Not that there was much reason to trust them before, of course.

Alleged Colorado Gunman's Family Stands by Son

Tyranny

It's not when the government makes rules for every aspect of your behavior.  It's when the government can do whatever it pleases, whenever it please, for whatever reason (or no reason) it pleases, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Art's Sale Value? $0 The Tax Bill? $29M

We Didn't See What We Saw

Don't take this the wrong way.  I don't have any particular sympathy for either Penn State or Joe Paterno.  However, I don't understand the point of taking away all the wins from 1998-2011.  I get that they don't want Paterno to have the all-time wins record, but he does.  Those games were played.  His team won them.  There were real blocks, real tackles, and real touchdowns.  Sometimes, there were real injuries.  Pretending those games didn't happen, or pretending Joe Paterno's team didn't really win them, is denying reality.

Also, since those games didn't really happen, is the NCAA going to give back all the money they made from them?  Didn't think so.

NCAA Slams Penn State With Unprecedented Sanctions

Good Intentions

I'm not blaming President Obama for not fixing the problems in Haiti.  I'm not blaming anyone for the problems in Haiti.  People have given millions and millions of dollars, and spent thousands and thousands of hours, and nothing has changed.  I'm not faulting the effort, but the only way things are ever going to change is if the people of Haiti decide to make them change.

That sounds harsher than I mean it to sound.  I'm not saying it's as easy as saying the words, or that it's easy at all.  It's darned hard.  But it's still the only way it's ever going to happen.  We can't "rebuild" something that was never built in the first place.

U. S. Pledge to Rebuild Haiti Not Being Met

Seek and Ye Shall Find

We tend to find what we're looking for.  We tend to see what we want to see.  Thus, the press will see racism in Mitt Romney's ads whether there is any or not.  If there are no black people in the ads, that's racist.  If there's one or two black people in the ads, they're tokens, and it's racist.  If there are lots of black people in the ads, it's pandering, and it's racist.  It won't matter what Mitt Romney says or does.  He's racist, because he's a Republican.

Is a Pro-Romney Ad Racist? Five Questions to Ask Yourself

Blaming the Tea Party: A Compliation

This won't be news to anyone reading this.  Still, it's a handy reference guide if you're looking for quotes from the left blaming the Tea Party for things it had nothing to do with.

The Tea Party Did It

Yes and No

Yes, I think (absent some major event or disclosure) the vast majority of people have made up their minds about who they're going to vote for in the presidential election.  No, I don't think that means President Obama is going to win, or even that it's going to be all that close.  I think it means that you decide the winner by an election, not by a poll.

I stand by my prediction of a Romney landslide.

People's Minds Are Made Up, Unlikely to Change

When All You Have Is a Hammer

I obviously pay attention to politics, but I'm really glad I don't have to make a living in it.  I would never want to be the sort of person who sees a tragedy and immediately thinks "How can I turn this to my advantage?  How can I use this to help me and my election prospects?"  That would be a truly horrible way to live.

Bloomberg to Obama and Romney: Where Exactly Do You Stand on Gun Control?

And If We Ever Get Serious...

about reducing government spending--and yes, that's a huge "if"--defense spending has to be part of the equation.  I'm all for a strong military, but I'm quite sure there are things that could be cut without damaging our military preparedness if the people in charge of making those cuts are determined to do so.  Which--stop me if you've heard this before--is another huge "if".

House Approves $606B Defense Budget

Just the Beginning

If Republicans ever get serious about reducing the size of government--and yes, that's a huge "if"--this kind of overreaction will seem mild, even quaint, compared to the hysteria that will arise.  If Republicans ever get serious about reducing the size of government--and yes, that's a huge "if"--they'd better be prepared to defeat said hysteria.

Salazar: House Republican Budget a 'Death Knell' for Conservation Programs

Playing Offense

Sen. Johnson is exactly right.  It's always the case in politics that you're either playing offense or playing defense.  You can't score points when you're playing defense, no matter how good your defense is.  You can't even move forward.  The only time you can move forward, much less score, is when you're on offense.

Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans don't have a good track record of playing offense.  They're usually not inclined to do it, and even when they are, they don't seem to know how.  I hope they can do it this time, but I'm not terribly hopeful.

Sen. Johnson: It's Time for Republicans to Play Offense on Spending

Just a Coincidence

A man makes a donation to Mitt Romney, his name shows up on President Obama's enemies list, and he gets investigated by the IRS.  Why would anyone think those things were related?

Strassel: Obama's Enemies List--Part II

What In the World?

The Middle East is falling apart, the economy is breaking down, and we're arguing about whether Ann Romney said "you people"?  What difference on God's green earth does that make?

Ann Romney Says Enough Is Public About Mitt's Money

Nothing to See Here

I'll get excited when some Democrats say they're willing to fight the President.  Don't get me wrong--the Republicans should make an issue of this--but nothing will happen unless some Democrats join the fight.  Which they won't, at least not in sufficient numbers to do anything.

House and Senate Republicans Unveil Legislation Prohbiting Obama Administration from Unilaterally Weakening Welfare Work Requirements

Next Question

I thought the whole "next question" thing became a farce when sports agent Drew Rosenhaus did it a few years ago with Terrell Owens.  Apparently word hasn't gotten to Harry Reid yet, though.

Harry Reid Has Trouble Explaining Why Dems Didn't Raise Taxes When They Had the Chance

Amazing

Look, I know there's nothing in this story that you don't already know.  It's just that it struck me how absurd this is:  we're actually talking about who's going to be "hardest hit" by the President's economic plan.  Not who's going to be helped.  No one really thinks anyone will be helped.  Even liberals don't claim anyone will be helped.  That's why you hear arguments about "paying your fair share."  If liberals actually thought the economy would be helped by raising taxes on the rich, they'd make that argument.  They don't, because they can't.  So, instead of discussing who'll be helped by the President's plan, we're discussing who'll be hardest hit.  Amazing.

Obama's Tax Hikes Could Hit Blue States Hardest

This Is What We Mean

If there was a "Jim Holmes" on the website of a left-leaning organization, it would never have occurred to ABC to assume he'd be the one in the Colorado shooting.  In fact, it never would have occurred to them to look for a "Jim Holmes" there.  When it comes to the tea party, though, ABC just assumed there was probably a connection, then assumed they'd found it, and reported it without even bothering to check it out.

But there's no media bias.  Of course not.

ABC News, Brian Ross Apologize for Report Suggesting Shooting Suspect Tied to Tea Party

Above the Law

When the President doesn't like the law--a statute, a congressional directive, a subpoena, a court order--he simply ignores it.  If Mitt Romney is truly going to take the gloves off, this is an area with lots of potential for him.

TSA Fails to Comply with Year-Old 'Nude' Body-Scanner Court Order

It's Always Worked Before

Every time, when it's come right down to it, whenever the Democrats have forced a showdown on the budget, Republicans have caved.  They huff, and they puff, but then they give in.  They make themselves look worse than if they'd just given in to begin with, because they look like a bunch of phonies.

This is why appeasement doesn't work.  The one you appease always comes back for more.  They'll only stop when Republicans prove things are different now.  That'll be hard, but it's the only way anything will change.

GOP Must Prevent a Lame-Duck Looting Session

Be Careful

I have no problem with Mitt Romney attacking President Obama for specific things he's said and done.  If it starts becoming too generalized, however, the media narrative will become "How dare you say that about the President of the United States?!!!"  At that point, it won't matter what Romney's defense is.  It won't even matter whether the things Romney's saying are true.  It will be a distraction, it will get sympathy for the President, and it will keep us from talking about the economy.  So, if Romney's going to take the gloves off, he needs to be careful about it.

How the Romney Campaign Decided to Take the Gloves Off

Just So He Means It

I have no problem with Mitt Romney not releasing any more tax returns.  There is no amount of documents that he can release that will make his critics shut up.  If he tries to appease them, it will work about as well as appeasement always works, which is to say not at all.  Each document he releases will be said to "raise new questions" and lead to a demand for more, all the while hinting that Romney "has something to hide".  He might as well make his stand here.

Just so he really does make his stand here.  The demands won't go away.  He needs to stand firm, so that the above appeasement scenario does not play out later.

Romney Digs In, Refuses to Release More Tax Returns

How Much Is Enough?

I'd like someone to ask President Obama if he thinks it is possible for there to be a solution to an economic problem that does not involve massive increases in government spending.  I'd also like them to ask him if he can envision a situation in which government spending would fail to solve an economic problem.

Because, obviously, he thinks our economic problems stem from the fact that government still hasn't spent enough.

Obama: My Vision For 2nd Term Is to Spend, Spend, Spend

Irony

One example of it would be "Harry Reid complaining about angry old white men."

Reid: "Angry Old White Men" Trying to Buy Elections

You're Not Responsible

Technically, of course, President Obama's "you didn't build that" quote is correct. People don't live in vacuums.  We all were helped by somebody, sometime, in some way.

Here's the point, though.  What President Obama is saying is that successful people are not responsible for their success.  That's his excuse, of course, for raising taxes on them.  It's deeper than that, though.  If you're not responsible for your success, you're not responsible for your failure, either.  Successful people are not smarter, did not worker harder, did not see an opportunity others did not see.  They just got lucky, while unsuccessful people were unlucky.

It doesn't stop with economic success, though.  You're not responsible for anything that happens in your life. If your life didn't turn out so well, it's not because you made some bad choices and now have to deal with the consequences of them.  You just got unlucky, while people whose lives turned out well got lucky.  You're not responsible for who you are.  You're not responsible for what you've done.  It's all a matter of luck.

Therefore, government needs to take care of everyone.  Because no one is responsible for themselves.

Obama: If You've Been Successful, You Didn't Get There On Your Own

No Surprise

No offense to Sarah Palin, but what exactly would be the benefit to Mitt Romney to having her speak the convention.  Yes, she'd fire up the base, but the base already seems fired up, if not at the prospect of electing Romney then at the prospect of defeating President Obama.  She would be a distraction, and the President's people (which includes the media, of course) are already doing his best to provide distractions.  Romney doesn't need to help them.

Romney's Palin Problem: Where's Her Convention Invite?

No Abandonment Issues

I have no intention of abandoning this blog.  If that ever changes, I'll let you know.  I just have been really busy with work and family issues lately.  Posting may be a bit spotty for the next week or two, but I hope to get back to regular posting after that.

Thanks for your understanding.

Stability

I have to admit, the president did tell the truth here.  A flat line is stable.

Obama: Top Achievement Was Stabilizing the Economy

Even CNN Knows Who Obama Is

They won't keep telling the rest of us, of course.  When the president needs them, they'll be there for him.  But when President Obama goes to far even for CNN, he needs to look at himself in the mirror.

CNN Accuses Obama of "Swiftboating" Romney

Obama Winning Dead Dog Demographic

But don't worry, folks.  There's no such thing as vote fraud in this country.  Just ask the Obama Administration.

Dogs, Dead People Get Election Docs From Nonprofit

Liars Lie

I'm struggling a little with how many of this type of post I should do.  Because it's really not news when President Obama or his people lie.  They're liars.  That's what liars do.

Obama Says People Who Watch Fox News Are "Stubborn"

Typical

First, you throw out a completely baseless but incendiary charge.  Then, when you're challenged to come out with some evidence that the charge might be true, you say you don't have any, but that "a lot of people" are talking about this, so it's up to your opponent to "come clean" and disprove the allegation.  Since it's very hard to prove a negative, he probably can't.  Then, you don't apologize, but you quietly back away from the charge, still hinting that your opponent must have something to hide but saying you're "going to take the high road" and not pursue the matter farther.  By then, of course, some of the mud you've thrown will have stuck, despite the fact that you know very well there's nothing to the charge and never was.

If you have any scruples, you won't follow this strategy, but we're talking about President Obama.

Obama Spokesperson: Er, Yeah, Maybe Jumping on That "Felony" Thing Was a Little Hasty

None At All

That's how much posting I'm likely to do here until about Tuesday of next week.  I don't like doing that, and it's certainly no way to build readership, but real life is getting in the way for a few days.  Sorry.

So?

I would guess that nearly all of these people are people who wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney anyway.  Besides, what's he supposed to do about it?  Give all his money away?

Actually, this shows that President Obama's attacks aren't working.  A vast majority of voters know Mitt Romney is extremely rich, and they don't care.

Mitt Romney's Wealth Costs Him With One in Five Voters

Romney Refuses to Pander

At least in this case.  I'm not saying he never does, but give him credit in this case.  You can argue that blacks aren't going to vote for him anyway, and you may be right.  Even so, the instinct of a politician to tell people what they want to hear is very strong.  I give Mitt Romney credit for not doing it here.  A consistent, principled message beats a wishy-washy pander every day of the week.

Besides, at least Romney didn't claim they were saying "Youk".

NAACP Crowd Boos Romney's Promise to Repeal Obamacare

Will They Do It If It Counts?

These House votes to repeal ObamaCare are nice, but they're also symbolic.  Everyone knows they won't pass the Senate, and if by some miracle one did President Obama would veto it.  I'm glad they're doing it, but we all know repeal is not going to happen right now.

The big question is whether the Republicans will continue to vote this way if they have control of the Congress and the White House.  That's a big if, obviously, but if they get that kind of control and don't follow through, no one will ever trust them again.

By the way, that's a ridiculous headline.  The house couldn't "repeal healthcare" even if it wanted to.

House Votes 244-185 to Repeal Healthcare

The Best Strategy is to Go Positive

I don't mean Mitt Romney should stop criticizing President Obama.  What I mean is that he should put a simple, easy-to-understand plan out there.  I think Romney can win by being not-Obama, but if he actually wants to lead, people need to know what he's going to do before they vote for him.

That, after all, is what Ronald Reagan did.  People liked him or hated him, but they knew what he was going to do when he won.  That way, when he did it, he could honestly claim that the American people were behind him, which is the only way he got his program implemented.  It would work for Romney, too, if he just had the courage to do it.

Who's the Dope in Mitt Romney's 'Rope-a-Dope' Strategy?

Allen West, Honey Badger

Because he just don't care.  At least not about what his opponents think of him.

Real Talk: Allen West Will Not Be Bullied, Thank You Very Much

Jesus May Return Soon

Well, if we're going to run major articles about what may happen, why not?  Space aliens may make contact with earth tomorrow.  I may be elected the next pope.  The Vikings may win the Super Bowl this year.  Well, that last one's a stretch, but as long as we're talking about what may happen, anything that isn't literally impossible is fair game.

Romney May Name Running Mate Early in Election Race

Emotions v. Facts

You can only win an argument with facts if the person you're arguing with is interested in facts.  If they're just arguing based on emotion, the facts won't matter.  They just know they're right, and no facts you point out will matter.

That's why, if you're talking to someone who's convinced we need to raise taxes on the rich, an article like this won't matter to them.  They just know the rich should be paying more.  No facts you point out will matter.

CBO: The Wealthy Pay 70 Percent of Taxes

Gasp!

That'll be the reaction in the mainstream media if Mitt Romney actually does use the word "liar" to describe President Obama.  How dare you say such a thing about the president?  This is an extreme, negative, personal attack!  Have you no shame, sir?

None of them will claim that President Obama is not a liar, of course.  They'll just be outrageously outraged that Mitt Romney accurately called him one.

Romney Set to Counterattack on Bain

We're Winning, Folks

If we weren't, the Democrats wouldn't be doing stuff like this.  They see they're power slipping away, and they're desperate to hold on to it.  Desperate people do desperate things.  Like stalking.

GOP Unnerved By Democrats' Candid Camera Techniques

Sure Glad Obama Solved Egypt

That may seem unfair, but after all, it was his bright idea to help push the leader of Egypt out without giving any thought to who or what might replace him.  When you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.

Egypt Supreme Court Rejects Mohammed Morsi Power Grab

Good News

At least, if this poll can be believed.  The good news is not that a majority thinks Eric Holder should be held in contempt, although I'm glad to hear that, too.  The good news is that a substantial majority at least knows enough about Fast and Furious to offer an opinion.  Maybe the news about this is going to make it through the media shield after all.

And yes, of course I see the bias in the headline.  It's CNN.  What do you expect?

CNN Poll: Was Politics Behind Holder Contempt Vote?

The Price of Betrayal

Your old friends hate you and your new friends don't trust you.  Why should they?  You betrayed your old friends; why wouldn't you betray them?

Discord At Supreme Court is Deep, and Personal

Judge Posner Makes Decisions to Become Popular

He'd never admit that, of course, but what other conclusion is there?  He essentially says he and Justice Roberts make their decisions based on what they believe people will think of them, rather than based on what they actually believe the law says.  He blames the "radical right-wing", of course, which is what all conservatives do to excuse themselves from having the guts to stand up to criticism.

I'm starting to wonder.  Is there one conservative in a position of power who has the courage of his convictions?

Federal Judge Richard Posner: The GOP Has Made Me Less Conservative

Only 76 Percent?

I'd have thought a hundred percent of President Obama's ads would be negative.  After all, what positive things does he have to say?

$10 M Checks, Obama Complains--Yet Look Who's Gone Negative

John Boehner, Won't You Please Shut Up?

Someone with more time and talent than I have needs to write a parody song with that title, to the tune of "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home".  Yes, I know that's a very old song, but that's not the point.  The point is that for someone who claims to be conservative and presumably wants to win, John Boehner has been saying some very strange things.  First, he says we probably won't be able to repeal ObamaCare.  Now, he says most people probably don't care for Mitt Romney much, and we just have to hope they'll vote for him because he's not Barack Obama.

Speaker Boehner, there's no requirement that you express every thought that comes into your head.  If you can't say something useful, please keep your mouth shut.

John Boehner: Voters Need Not Love Mitt Romney

A New Slogan

Last time, it was "Yes, We Can!"  This time, apparently, it's "Well, I Tried".  I'm not sure that's going to play quite as well.

And by the way, the Great Orator made a grammatical error in that sentence.

Obama: Most People "Would Acknowledge That I've Tried Real Hard"

This Is Who They Are

President Obama has expressed similar sentiments to those of Transportation Secretary LaHoud here.  Both envy the efficiency of the Communist Chinese government.  They don't have to worry about what their citizens think.  They can just do things.

The people in the Obama administration really do want to be dictators.  They'd be benevolent dictators, of course.  They don't want power for the sake of power.  Oh, no.  They want power because they know more about what's best for us than we do.  It's for our own good.  If only we were smarter, we'd realize that.

Obama's Transportation Secretary Hails Chinese Infrastructure

The End of Private Mortgages

Why would any bank give someone a mortgage if the government can come in, take the mortgage from them, and pay whatever the government feels like paying for it?  They wouldn't.  That means that the government will become the only mortgage lender around.  Which is probably the plan.

Cities Consider Seizing Mortgages

A Prediction

Starting next month, we're going to start hearing report after report from the government about how the economy is improving.  I won't believe those reports, and maybe you won't either, but they'll be there.  The Obama Recovery will officially be underway.

After all, we know the Clinton Administration faked the economic numbers during the end of its term.  Do you really think President Obama wouldn't?

Economic News Release

What's Next? Hoover or Hitler?

Because once you've compared Romney to Nixon, there aren't very many other places to go.

Again, this is why I think Romney's going to win in a landslide.  We're still four months to the election, and this is the best they've got.

David Axelrod: Romney 'Most Secretive Candidate' Since Nixon

Jesus Probably Wouldn't Have Been a Talk Show Host, Either

So if the best you can do, Cenk Uygur, is to say "Jesus wouldn't have done that," you should probably just, you know, keep quiet.  Better to be silent and let people think you're a fool, etc.

Current TV's Cenk Uygur Slams Fox News Over Stossel's Poverty Experiment: "Is That What Jesus Christ Would Have Done?"

Arbitrary

The author labels his proposal as facetious, but why not?  Where's the flaw in the reasoning?  If soda pop can be restricted, why not alcohol?

This is one of the biggest problems with big government--the sheer arbitrariness of it.  There's no logical reason why some behaviors are allowed and encouraged, while others are banned and condemned.  It's all just up to the feelings of whoever is making the laws and regulations.

Hey Mayor Mike, Why Not Ban Beer?

What Did People Expect?

Seriously.  Did anyone think you could have the kind of expansion of government that ObamaCare brings without lots more bureaucrats and lots more regulation?  Well, maybe they did.  After all, they thought you could have it without having to get the money from anywhere.

Efforts to Implement ObamaCare Law Raise Concerns of Massive Government Expansion

At Least One More

I speculated a few days ago that we were probably about done hearing about taxpayer money wasted on green energy projects, because they'd already all gone bankrupt.  Well, not all.  There's at least one more--how many are there left?

Lights Go Dim on Another Energy Project

Forfeit

Nothing like admitting defeat before the game has even started.  Sen. McConnell says he'll do everything he can to repeal ObamaCare, really he will, he promises.  But the odds are against it happening.

How's that for an inspirational locker-room speech?  "Men, I want you to go out there and do everything you can to win this game.  It probably won't work.  We'll probably lose.  In fact, it may not even be a good game.  But go out there and give it all you've got, even though it's a lost cause!"

And I'm supposed to trust this guy as a leader?

McConnell: Odds Against Health Care Repeal

Who Cares?

That's really all I have to say about this.

Anderson Cooper: The Fact Is, I'm Gay

Good Luck With That

People have been complaining for years about Congress passing bills that no one has read.  They've been complaining, but no one has done anything.  And no one will continue to do anything.  This is the way twenty-first century government is.  The solution to passing two thousand page bills that no one has read is not to force people to read them.  It's to have a government small enough that no one ever thinks to propose two thousand page bills.

Good luck with that, too.

Rand Paul Puts Forward Measure That Would Force the Senate to Read Bills

How Magnanimous Of Him

Mayor Bloomberg, well-known nutrition policeman, says it's okay for us to "splurge" once in a while.  Oh, thank you, Mayor, for being so understanding and compassionate.

Look for thousands of pages of regulations defining what "splurging" means and how often we'll be allowed to do it.

Hot Dog! Speed Eaters Weigh In for Coney Contest

Have a Blessed Independence Day

There will be no further posting today or tomorrow.  Unless something unexpected happens, we will be back July 5.  I suggest you take some time away from politics.  Watch a ball game, play with your kids, pet a cat or dog, go to the beach, watch some fireworks.  Also, spend a little time thinking about all the people who have risked their lives so you can do that, and say a prayer of thanks to God for living in what is still the best country in the world.  Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July.

It Works

I went on the Atkins diet about two years ago and lost twenty-five pounds.  I've gained a few of them back, but not many, and it's mostly because I'm not as strict about the Atkins diet as I used to be.

I'm not a doctor, and have no more medical knowledge than anyone else.  If you have some sort of special medical condition, of course, consult a doctor before you do anything.  All I can tell you is that if you want to lose weight, the Atkins diet works.

What Really Makes Us Fat

What Difference Does It Make?

There have been all kinds of articles speculating about why Justice Roberts did what he did and whether he changed his vote at some point.  Folks, none of it matters.  Why he did it is irrelevant.  All that matters is that he did it.

That said, this vote has all the earmarks of someone who's more concerned about his "legacy" than about doing the right thing.  And you know what?  One of the truths of life is that when we do things to impress others, rather than because we think they're right, it almost never goes well.

Roberts Switched Views to Uphold Health Care Law

You Can't Win By Losing

Look, I'm all for trying to find the bright side.  If you want to make the argument that the ObamaCare decision could've been worse, well, you're probably right.  One of the rules of life is that things could always be worse.  If you're trying to tell me that the decision was somehow a victory for conservatives, though, you're only fooling yourself.  And maybe you're not even doing that.

Why Roberts Did It

The Most Trusted Name in News

How does this happen?  The most eagerly awaited Supreme Court decision since Gore v. Bush, and you get it wrong?  Not predict it wrong, but actually report the wrong result?

If CNN had any shame, they'd drop that slogan.  But they don't, so they won't.CNN News Staffers Revolt Over Blown Coverage

Exactly Right

If the Republicans get control of the White House and both houses of Congress (far from a sure thing, but also far from impossible), they had darned well better repeal ObamaCare.  If they don't, it will be the end of the Republican establishment, if not the end of the Republican party.  Conservatives don't trust them very much as it is.  A betrayal like that would very likely be the last straw.

Dear GOP: You Get One More Chance

Seventeen

That's the number of Democrats in the House who voted to charge Eric Holder with contempt.  Remember that number when people try to tell you this is all just a partisan political battle.  It won't change their minds, of course--they won't even acknowledge what you've said--but at least you'll know the truth.Boom: House 

Votes to Hold AG Eric Holder in Contempt

Are There Any Left?

Seriously.  We've heard about so many of these "green" companies, into which President Obama pumped our money, going bankrupt that I have to think there can't be very many left.  Which is good news for the President, because it means there won't be very many more of these stories.

Abound Solar to Suspend Operations, Will Seek Bankruptcy

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Life goes on.  It's not the Supreme Court ruling I wanted, but it's the Supreme Court ruling we got.  It means ObamaCare needs to be overturned legislatively, which means the election is even more important.

At this point, there's nothing I can say about this that you won't hear from a hundred other people.  Maybe something will occur to me later, or maybe not.

Live Blog of Opinions and Orders

Unfortunately, They're Right

We know President Obama has no plan for the economy.  Mitt Romney may have one, but if so, he's not making a point of it, other than in broad generalities.  As a plan for winning, that may be wise (although it sure didn't hurt Ronald Reagan to have a specific plan).  As a plan for governing, though, not so much.  To honestly claim a mandate for what you want to do, people need to know about it when they vote for you.

Fox News Poll: Voters Say Neither Candidate Has Plan for Economy

A Little Bit Pregnant

That's must be what it's like to get a little bit of the Keystone pipeline approved.  Unless all of it is approved, it really doesn't do anyone any good.  It does let President Obama look like he's examining each part of the proposal ever so carefully, though.

U. S. Grants a Keystone Pipeline Permit

More Tolerance from the Left

I was going to link to the original article, but I just couldn't.  There's a link within this article, if you choose to go there, but I'd recommend that you don't.  Just remember, to liberals, people in certain groups are only allowed to think one way.

Interview: Jimmy LaSalvia On GOProud Endorsement of Mitt

The Answer Is No

It seems rather obvious.  Why in the world would life on other planets "shatter" people's religious beliefs?  There's nothing in the Bible that says God could not have created life on other planets.  There's nothing in the Bible that says God could not offer salvation to life on other planets.  This seems so obvious that, now, I'm wondering why I'm still going to link to this.  But I guess I am, anyway.

Would Finding Aliens Shatter Religious Beliefs?

Speculation

No one has any idea what the Supreme Court is going to do on ObamaCare.  As per usual, however, this does not seem to keep anyone from talking about what the Supreme Court is going to do on ObamaCare.  Just remember that everything you hear is idle speculation.  Don't get too high or too low based on anything you're hearing right now.  We'll know on Thursday.

What I hope, though, is that Mitt Romney and other Republicans are ready for whatever the Court might do.  They've had plenty of time to prepare.  They'd better make sure they get it right.

Tribe: John Roberts. "Student of Mine", Will Uphold Obamacare

It May Be Worse Than I Thought

All my life, political conventions have lasted four days.  Now, the Democrats are cutting back to three to save money?  Wow.  The Romney landslide may be bigger than I expected.

This may seem like a small thing, but I assure you it's not.  This is a Big Deal.  The last thing the Democrats want to do is make their convention smaller.  If they had an alternative, they'd take it.  They apparently don't.

Facing a Major Deficit, Democrats Are Scaling Back on Their Convention Festivities

Strangers to the Truth

Apparently, the people in the Obama Administration are so used to lying that they do it even when it doesn't matter.  That's the only reason I can think of for Jay Carney's insistence that people in Boston did not boo the President, but were saying "Youk".  I mean, even President Obama himself recognized it as booing, and did not seem bothered by it.  When you're a liar, though, I guess you lie automatically.  And so, a non-story takes life.

Carney: Boston Donors Weren't Booing Obama, They Were Saying "Yooook"

News Flash: Appeasement Still Doesn't Work

It never has.  You betray your friends, and your enemies are never satisfied.

Komen's Numbers Are Down Going Into Saturday's Race for the Cure

Don't Run Away

I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  Don't pick a fight unless you're willing to do whatever it takes to win the fight.  Maybe the Republicans will, but trying to hide the vote isn't a good sign.  And while I'd like to believe it's just a coincidence, politicians don't do things like this out of coincidence.

Report: House Contempt Vote on Holder Scheduled for, er...Thursday

A One-Way Street

The president has no interest in working with Republicans, at least as we would normally understand the term.  When you work with someone, you need to take their opinions into account, try find common ground, and compromise.  When President Obama says he wants to work with Republicans, he means he wants them to shut up and go along with him.  He doesn't want to work with Republicans.  He wants to defeat Republicans.

Which is not inherently wrong.  I just wish someone on either side (other than Rush Limbaugh) would stand up and admit it, rather than giving us all this blather about bipartisanship and working together.

Axelrod: Obama Win Will "Liberate" Republicans to Work With President

I Could Be Wrong

But it's my impression that it was mostly people on the left who told us that Maurice Sendak was a giant in the field of children's literature.  The same people on the left who always preach to the rest of us about the importance of civility and tolerance.

Maurice Sendak Fantasized About Killing Bush, Cheney, and Their Wives in a Suicide Bombing

You Don't Start in the Big Leagues

This is not a shot at Mike Huckabee, who seems like a good guy.  But he's never done a radio talk show before.  Yes, he's done TV, but that's different.  Why would you start off going head-to-head with the all-time, number one radio talk show king?  That's like a kid going from high school to facing C. C. Sabathia.  It's not likely to work very well.

Stuck Huck

Broken Record

I've said this before, but I'm going to keep saying it.  Fast and Furious isn't going to matter.  It should, but it won't.  The media has kept it covered up as long as possible.  Now, if they're forced to report on it, they'll report on it as a partisan political fight, and the public will yawn.  The facts won't matter.

David Brooks: Obama's Use of Executive Privilege "Politically Stupid" "A Winner" For the GOP

Don't Get Too Excited

Yes, it's fun to see Jon Stewart criticizing President Obama, but don't be fooled.  When the election rolls around, and President Obama needs Jon Stewart, Stewart will be there for him.

Friday Fun: Jon Stewart Shreds Obama on Executive Privilege Claim

Downhill

In the beginning, Aaron Sorkin created Sports Night, and it was good.  Then, Sorkin decided he was an Important Writer with Something to Say.  And everything he's created has gotten progressively worse since.

It is really hard to write a "message" show without beating people over the head with your message.  Even M*A*S*H was a lot better when it focused on telling a story and let the anti-war message play in the background.  The episodes in which the anti-war message was front and center were, by and large, the worst episodes of the show.

Newsmen Agree: New HBO Series "Newsroom" Stinks

Narrow-Minded Religious Bigotry

We're always told that it comes from the right.  Another lie.  The right is just fine with the idea of a Mormon as president.  The left, on the other hand, not so much.

Note that this is not a question about Mitt Romney.  It's entirely legitimate to say, "I'm fine with a Mormon being president, but not that one."  However, that's not what the respondents to this question were saying.  Nearly a quarter of Democrats said they would not vote for any Mormon, and based that statement on nothing but that.

Incidentally, the headline is incredibly misleading.

Bias Against Mormon Presidential Candidate Same as in 1967

Breaking News

At least, this is the first time I heard about it.  I've been incredibly busy lately, and haven't paid as much attention to the news as I normally do, but still.  The resignation of a cabinet secretary should have been bigger news than this, don't you think?

Statements on John Bryson's Resignation

Place-Holder

Eric Holder's resignation would accomplish nothing.  He shouldn't be attorney general, but he's there because President Obama wants him there, and he's doing what President Obama wants him to do.  The thing to do is focus on President Obama, not Eric Holder.

Marco Rubio Calls for Eric Holder to Resign

Why Would They Do That?

So, apparently, we're supposed to believe that none of the New Orleans Saints players did anything wrong, that they're the victims of some sort of vendetta by the NFL, that there's some sort of conspiracy to try to "get" the Saints even though they're entirely innocent of everything.

Here's a question:  Why would the NFL do that?  What would it have to gain by doing it?  How does it make the NFL look better?

I'm actually quite pleased with Roger Goodell on this.  The natural temptation, when all this started coming out, would've been to sweep it under the rug.  He had a lot of people advising him to do exactly that.  A lot of people are still saying that's what he should've done.  Instead, he met the problem head on and did something about it.  He should be congratulated, not treated like he's the one who did something wrong.

Former Saints Defensive Lineman Anthony Hargrove Says NFL "Got Their Evidence All Wrong"

Obama Is Protecting Bush?

If Sheila Jackson Lee was right, that'd be the only reasonable conclusion.  If, in fact, Fast and Furious started under President Bush, then the only reason to invoke executive privilege would be to protect him.  Darn nice of President Obama to do that.

Of course, saying "if Sheila Jackson Lee was right" is similar to saying "if the sun rose in the west."

Sheila Jackson Lee Blames Bush Admin for Fast and Furious, Supports Holder Because of Patent Law or Something

I Called This One

A while ago, I told you that Fast and Furious would never be a big deal.  Not because it shouldn't be, but because the mainstream media will never report it that way.  They've tried to bury it entirely, but when they do report it, it'll be just another Republicans v. Democrats deal, a sign of the problems with partisan politics. The actual facts of the case won't matter.

Sure enough.

Brian Williams: If You're Not Following the Complexities of Fast and Furious, It Looks Like Just More of our Broken Politics

Of Course You Could Have

Really, this is just despicable.  Pelosi throws out an accusation of law-breaking.  Not only does she provide no evidence to support the accusation, she never even says, exactly, what it is that was done to break the law.  We're supposed to believe that she could've had Karl Rove arrested, but she didn't just because she's so nice?

"And all the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him get away
Out of kindness, I suppose."


Nancy Pelosi Slams Contempt Vote: "I Could Have Arrested Karl Rove...But We Didn't" 

I Don't Know and I Won't Tell You

If, as the Attorney General claims, neither he nor anyone in his office knew anything about Fast and Furious, why in the world would he and the President be so determined to hide all these documents?

Obama Invokes Executive Privilege Over DOJ Documents

Good For Him

Republicans waste too much time going to hostile media programs where they won't get a fair chance.  The arguments for it are that they need to reach people who don't agree with them and that the media is still the only game in town.  That used to be true, but no more.  People who don't agree with them aren't going to be swayed by seeing them slammed by slanted coverage, and there are plenty of other ways to get the message out these days.

In fact, I'd like to see Brown go farther and refuse to be part of the debate unless the Kennedys are out of it entirely.  I wouldn't accept Tom Brokaw as a neutral moderator, either.  On the other hand, it is Massachusetts.

Scott Brown Accepts Kenendy Debate with Conditions

Picking Losers

I forget who said it, but it's true.  It's not accurate to say that, in a government-controlled economy, the government picks winners and losers.  The government picks losers.  If a company is a winner, it doesn't need the government's help.

Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has wasted billions of our dollars on losers.

Electric Car Battery Company Hits Road Bumps

They'll Stop at Nothing

It's going to get a lot worse than this, folks.  Paying people to heckle Mitt Romney is mild compared to what's coming.  These people see they're power slipping away.  When people to whom power is everything see it slipping away, especially when those people feel entitled to that power, they'll do anything to keep it.

Anti-Romney Protesters Say They're Paid to Heckle

I'll Believe It When I See It (Part 3)

The unions may well be unhappy with President Obama, but they're not going anywhere.  What are they going to do, start supporting Republicans?  They may given the President less support for a while, but they'll be there for him when election day comes.

Video: Dems, Unions to Divorce?

A One-Way Street

When Republicans use harsh rhetoric against Democrats, it's because Republicans are hate-filled and inciting violence.  When Democrats use harsh rhetoric against Republicans, it's also because Republicans are hate-filled and inciting violence.  Democrats never, ever hate anyone, and never, ever incite violence.  Democrats are just correct.

Democrats Rip GOP Energy Package

Barack Carter

Many have pointed out the parallels between the Obama presidency and the Carter presidency.  This one, though, stands out for, once again, the arrogance of President Obama and his supporters.  Their reasoning is that if we can't do this, as brilliant as we are, then it simply must be impossible.

Unfortunately, this time I'm not sure we have a Ronald Reagan to come along and show them how it's done.

Can Any President Succeed in Today's Political World?

So?

Republicans have been fulsomely fulminating about President Obama's change in immigration policy ever since it was announced last week.  Here's my question:  What are you going to do about it?  The answer appears to be nothing.  Republicans are scared out of their minds that they might lose the Latino vote.  So, they're going to make all kinds of speeches about how outrageously outrageous the President's policy is, but they're not going to, as they say, lift a finger to do anything about it.  Which, one assumes, President Obama knew when he announced the policy change.

GOP Blasts Obama on House Floor for "Imperial" Immigration Decision

What Else Can He Say?

Of course, the Obama Administrations decision about immigration was political.  Everything this administration does is political (which doesn't exactly make it unique, by the way).  But they can't come out and say that, for obvious reasons.

Plouffe: Oh, No, the Immigration Announcement Wasn't Political