1or2thoughts

The only good take away from this is that when Teddy Kennedy passes from the public stage, and with comments like this from the next generation, it is probable that what political power the Kennedy name still holds will pass. When history finally writes a perspective on the political and societal impact of the Kennedy clan it is likely to focus on the infatuation of a generation rather than on any accomplishments of the family.

Thanks to Right Makes Right for sparking this short rant.

The US Navy is used to providing disaster relief around the world. How much more rewarding, if emotionally difficult, for them to be helping their fellow countrymen this time.

"They are attempting to create another generation of self-loathing losers who will [be] dependent on the liberals to lead them out of the falsely created darkness."

So says Major Mike at My Sandmen who has an excellent piece debunking the defeatist agenda. Major Mike correctly identifies the irresponsible role played by the press in promoting this defeatism saying "With the help of the very negative hometown press, the Defeatists have gone and 1-15 in the past 25 years. They are looking at picking up their second victory, I mean defeat, soon."

Without a complicit press Cindy Sheehan, rather than a rallying cry for all the leftist in the world, would instead be an unknown grieving mother who has changed her mind over the importance her son's service to their country. While I do not agree with Ms. Sheehan, I recognize her right to speak her mind. The press however is utterly despicable to give voice to, and actually promote, the anti-United States propaganda of the defeatist left that is using Ms. Sheehan as a catalyst.

My Sandmen has fully illustrated the folly of the defeatist left. Thanks go to OKIE on the LAM™ for the link.

Hugh Hewitt quotes Michael Barone discussing the changing GOP electorate. Hugh states that "What I think we can agree is that a pro-choice tilt doesn't disqualify a GOP candidate in the primaries if he is strong on the GWOT, if his choices for judges can be trusted, and if he has been loyal to the president and the party." While all of Hugh's post rings true I think important to remember the most important attribute for a candidate to possess: the ability to win. I know Hugh is speaking specifically about primary elections where principle carries more weight than in a general election, however, I think an in-ability to win should always trump principle.

Never forget one of Hugh's key commandments: The purpose is to win elections.

Thanks Hugh Hewitt for this and so many good post.

With my friends emailing this link back and forth, and both kids (mostly) off to college, I thought it appropriate to finally post the link.

Thanks to The Hedgehog Blog for the link.

Mark Tapscott asks the question "Is it time for Conservatives to dump the GOP?" Wondering if the blogosphere makes possible a run to power of a new "conservative" party is an interesting discussion for those of us appalled at the GOP even when "There seemed nothing to stop the conservative agenda of cutting taxes, reducing spending, eliminating wasteful bureaucracy and pointless red tape, limiting the power of incumbency, making Congress more accountable and breaking up the Iron Triangles of special interests, bureaucrats and entrenched Democrats on Capitol Hill."

The real lesson of the rise of the GOP, fueled by conservatives, since the Reagan revolution is that you must unite party politics with a dynamic, courageous leader in order to advance a conservative agenda. That dynamic leader must have enough party support to protect and champion him (like Reagan) or he will be devoured at the slightest misstep (Gingrich.)

To answer the insightful Mr. Tapscott: Should conservatives dump the GOP? No. Conservatives do however need to press on and fully seize control of the party that they have built!

Thank you Tapsott's Copy Desk for linking the text of your Townhall.com article.

From Patrick Devenny comes this frightening look at the new President of Iran, his regime and the threat posed to the free world. There is reason to be worried about a regime that is "adamantly anti-Western and anti-Semitic, their ideology firmly rooted in the Khomeinist values of piety and religious extremism. Noted Iran expert Amir Taheri put it best, recently referring to Ahmadinejad and his IRGC allies as 'the North Koreans of Islam.'"

Courtesy of The Center for Strategic Policy is this FrontPage story by Patrick Devenny.

The Hedgehog Blog says "In some ways this issue reminds me of the notion that "only Nixon could go to China." Arguably, only Democrats could take a tough position on border enforcement and get away with it."

In reality of course the American people know that only Republicans can be serious about national security and this places this issue squarely on their shoulders. Individual candidates in both parties can make names for themselves by crabbing this issue. As a party however it is the Republicans who have the most to win by facing or lose by ignoring the desire of the American people to have strong border enforcement to improve national security. The opportunity is now and the need is urgent. It is clearly time for Republican party to act.

The Hedgehog Blog: Will The Democrats Outflank The Republicans on Illegal Immigration? Not Necessarily. is a very good read.

Tapscott's Copy Desk has posted the most important question regarding Able Danger and the 911 Commission, and it is critical for several reasons:

"Does GOP Leadership Have the Guts to Put Gorelick Under Oath in Front of a Camera?" This needs to happen for national security reasons. The purpose of the 911 Commission was to identify what when wrong so it could be fixed.

"Does GOP Leadership Have the Guts to Put Gorelick Under Oath in Front of a Camera?" This needs to happen for confidence reasons. The American people deserve Congressional leadership that holds it's appointed commissions accountable.

"Does GOP Leadership Have the Guts to Put Gorelick Under Oath in Front of a Camera?" This needs to happen for political reasons. The GOP needs to strike while the opportunity exist, not for opportunities sake, but rather to avoid future accusations of being involved in a cover up.

Thank you Tapscott's Copy Desk.

"The Clinton administration, almost 8 years on the job, dithered when it came to assessing threats to national security."

Radio Blogger sums up what happens when you let liberals, which today means Democrats, have control of national security. Was 9/11 Clinton's fault? No. Could a more responsible approach to national security and foreign policy prevented 9/11? Only possibly. What is certain is the difference in the response of the Democrats after the first Trade Center attack and that of the Republicans after 9/11. Republicans immediately knew we were at war and responded accordingly. Democrats, even after 9/11, still do not understand that this is war and only unconditional victory can end it.

Thanks Radio Blogger for this and all the great transcriptions you provide!

For some reason this struck me as incredibly funny. Think John Cleese as you watch the video.

Hugh Hewitt is curious about blog families. Here is our family:

Homeschool Encourager Online is the blog home of my wife The Homeschool Encourager.

The eldest son post at TheHosh.

The Sean is in, is the blog home of the creative wordsmith youngest son, who is soon to be famous for his leadership training advise "Never rattle the cage unless you're willing to piss of the monkeys."

ClayCalhoun.com gets it right saying "Republicans had better wake up, smell the coffee, and get to work or we'll be soundly beaten in 2006 if we don't address this illegal alien immigration fiasco." This is an issue that the American people want solved, and they want it solved in a way that increases national security and reinforces American sovereignty and the rule of law. The Republican party has historically owned these issues but their neglect of border security and illegal immigration control has left the Democrats with an opportunity. For reasons of national security, economy, rule of law, and for political reasons Republicans must grab this issue and deliver real results.

Thanks ClayCalhoun.com for the link and analysis.

China is quite formidable without Russia helping them and complicating the equation. According to military analyst and journalist Alexander Golts "The Chinese want to use Russia in a complicated game with the U.S. and Taiwan," while Chinese military expert Ni Lexiong, says "the implied message of Peace Mission 2005 is very obvious: We are facing the same threat." The only good that can come of this is for the United States to treat this as a training opportunity of our own and get prepared for the confrontation the Chinese are preparing for.

This Washington Post article is courtesy of The Center for Security Policy.

Finally a politician understands the seriousness of illegal immigration and border security: to make a run for the Presidency you have to take a stand against illegal immigration and for border security. While I welcome Governor Richardson's "aggressive" efforts, with the campaign of '08 nearing I have to be suspicious of a Democrat, with stated Presidential ambition, now deciding to take a hard stand for border security. While skeptical of the motivation I applaud the effort and hope that conservative candidates will take a lesson here and start getting on board!

Thanks ClayCalhoun.com for the information and transcript.

Tim Butcher gets it right saying "Ever since its 1979 Islamic revolution the only fate Iran has had in mind for Israel has been simple: its destruction." It is time for the United States to stand completely behind Israel and completely against those who wish to destroy her.

Drudge Report had this Telegraph | News | Israeli hawks circle Iran's N-plants story.

The suppression, by someone on the 9/11 commission, of Able Danger information identifying Atta's Al Qaeda US based cell more than a year before the 9/11 attacks is a story that is going to gain steam. With local talk radio all over the story, calling for an immediate investigation of Jamie Goerelic and to "bring a rope," there is no way this story can be smothered. There needs to be an immediate lock-down of all 9/11 commission material and staff to protect the chain of evidence. This should be investigated as a National Security matter and those involved in the withholding of critical evidence to help improve the inter-workings of our various intelligence agencies need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Separately from the investigation and legal prosecution Congress has the power, and obligation, to jail those involved for contempt and should do so.

OKIE on the LAM™ - In LA has more on this developing story.

Does anyone else find it strange that the DOD, whose primary responsibility is to defend the US, is only now developing plans to do that in the event of terrorist attacks? This is what happens when liberal pacifist policies are allowed to gain political power and treat every and all threats against the US as legal rather than security threats.

Illustrating the lack of understanding that we are in a war "defense officials continue to stress that they intend for the troops to play largely a supporting role in homeland emergencies." We are at war, it was delivered upon us, and it is far past time to get serious about fighting it here and abroad!

Washington Post had this.

First this, Iranian Weapons Found in Iraq, which is a clear act of war under international law. Now U.N. Removes Seals at Iran Nuke Site to enable Iran to openly develope WMD grade material. Iran appears unwilling to give peace and democracy a chance to be established and is doing everything in it's power to de-stablize the region. By negotiating with Iran the U.N. has again proven it's support of dangerous regimes.

Must reading for anyone questioning our support of Israel or wondering why Israel cannot "get along" with the poor misunderstood "Palestinians." The solution is easy to see and it lies east of the Jordan river.

Release The Hounds!: History Of Israel And Palestine Revisited

Patrick Ruffini has an excellent post on the short ten year history of the internet. It is difficult to imagine life today without the changes this technology has brought us. Everyday, and all day long, we now use the internet to send and receive email, make travel arrangements, research consumer purchases, search for dinner recipes and of course blog our thoughts. So much change, and still accelerating, in such a short amount of time is hard to comprehend.

Credit Patrick Ruffini with a great post.

Fine but have they been detained for a deportation hearing? I understand that DHS does not presently have the funding to hunt for those illegally in the country, however, in a situation where illegal persons are in custody it seems reasonable, indeed prudent, to hold them for a deportation hearing.

Drudge Report had this from The Washington Post.

This is the good news.

The bad news is there are only 15 more DDG's planned, we are decommissioning the CG Aegis cruisers, and have an uncertain follow-on class in the works while at the same time the Chinese navy is achieving numerical superiority in the Western Pacific.

Navy Newsstand has the story and pictures.

"CNOOC said in a statement it was reluctantly withdrawing its offer after considering increasing it, and would have done so were it not for the political environment in the United States."

OKIE on the LAM™ - In LA brings us the story along with the little known truth that the Chinese government owns about "70% of CNOOK."

The Center for Security Policy reminds us however that "China will continue to pursue its long-term campaign of economic warfare against, and strategic checkmating of, the United States."


OKIE on the LAM™ - In LA has the story and background information in his China-Awakening Dragon section.

"If Mr. Bolton is now heading to New York without the Senate's imprimatur but with a figurative asterisk beside his name, that's only because, having failed to defeat him, a minority refused to lose gracefully."

Unlike the Democrats, Ambassador Bolton is ready to do his job, showing up to work within five hours of his appointment.

Thanks to Tim Graham at The Corner for this from the Washington Post.