Points to Ponder:
Government is the only enterprise in the world which expands in size when its failures increase. [Judge Janice Rogers Brown]
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Miscellaneous Threads Worth Noting:
Two quick ones while we are in the mood...
Illinois House Votes to Impeach Blagovich
You read that right:
In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
It's the first time in the state's history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor.
How much longer before this comes back to bite if not soon-to-be President Barack Obama or others in his soon-to-be administration{1} remains to be seen. Next up we have the disillusioned left which are not making things easy on the soon-to-be President either:
Obama Pressed Hard From the Left
Here is just a taste to whet the appetite a bit:
This is not about losing a vote. It’s about losing a weapon. The stimulus package is Obama’s first big legislative push, the one he absolutely cannot afford not to win, on his terms. Winning in style (think 75 or 80 Senate votes) enhances his power when the hard stuff begins.
That is in snapshot form a good analysis because a president who cannot start off solidly on getting his agenda items through will struggle to do so later on. President Obama won under what could very well prove to be impossible for him in that many who voted for him did not know where he stood on issues or did so only because they were dissatisfied with the incumbent.
Essentially, many who worry about an Obama and Democratic congress steamrolling things through do not often consider that what gives the Democrats the majority in congress are some seats held by conservative Reagan "Blue Dog" Democrats. The coalition in other words is not as all-powerful as many present it to be and Republicans would do well to remember this as well as a lot of what we noted in our election analysis should be how conservatives should proceed on these matters beginning on January 20, 2009.
Note:
{1} My money is on Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel by the way.
Two quick ones while we are in the mood...
Illinois House Votes to Impeach Blagovich
You read that right:
In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
It's the first time in the state's history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor.
How much longer before this comes back to bite if not soon-to-be President Barack Obama or others in his soon-to-be administration{1} remains to be seen. Next up we have the disillusioned left which are not making things easy on the soon-to-be President either:
Obama Pressed Hard From the Left
Here is just a taste to whet the appetite a bit:
This is not about losing a vote. It’s about losing a weapon. The stimulus package is Obama’s first big legislative push, the one he absolutely cannot afford not to win, on his terms. Winning in style (think 75 or 80 Senate votes) enhances his power when the hard stuff begins.
That is in snapshot form a good analysis because a president who cannot start off solidly on getting his agenda items through will struggle to do so later on. President Obama won under what could very well prove to be impossible for him in that many who voted for him did not know where he stood on issues or did so only because they were dissatisfied with the incumbent.
Essentially, many who worry about an Obama and Democratic congress steamrolling things through do not often consider that what gives the Democrats the majority in congress are some seats held by conservative Reagan "Blue Dog" Democrats. The coalition in other words is not as all-powerful as many present it to be and Republicans would do well to remember this as well as a lot of what we noted in our election analysis should be how conservatives should proceed on these matters beginning on January 20, 2009.
Note:
{1} My money is on Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel by the way.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Sandro Magister on the Vatican, Israel, and Hamas
The bottom line really folks is that the Holy See does not understand what geopolitical dialogue is{1} if if thinks you can dialogue with someone whose stated mission is to wipe you out of existence. What is there to talk about, "please do not kill me but if I let you take a kidney and amputate my left foot can we be friends?"
There are some things that are non-negotiable in dialogue apriori and one is that you recognize the right of existence of the other party. Hamas cannot even take it that far; ergo they cannot be dialogued with. Period. It is time the Holy See woke itself up and faced reality on this issue.
Note:
{1} I have written a fair amount on dialogue over the years but it is pointless to go over any of it now if the basic principle above is not recognized first.
The bottom line really folks is that the Holy See does not understand what geopolitical dialogue is{1} if if thinks you can dialogue with someone whose stated mission is to wipe you out of existence. What is there to talk about, "please do not kill me but if I let you take a kidney and amputate my left foot can we be friends?"
There are some things that are non-negotiable in dialogue apriori and one is that you recognize the right of existence of the other party. Hamas cannot even take it that far; ergo they cannot be dialogued with. Period. It is time the Holy See woke itself up and faced reality on this issue.
Note:
{1} I have written a fair amount on dialogue over the years but it is pointless to go over any of it now if the basic principle above is not recognized first.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Teaching Economics
Dr. Walter Williams' article covers some basics for rational thought and analysis of economics issues and I highly recommend it.
Dr. Walter Williams' article covers some basics for rational thought and analysis of economics issues and I highly recommend it.
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