"the man is just too timid"

The New Republic has decided that Ron Paul is one of those "timid" racist, anti-Semetic, homophobes.

Does Marty Peretz even make sure these guys have taken Psychology 101 before he hires them, or does the TNR just not aim for consistency?

Happy MLK Day from the Clinton campaign!

It will be interesting to see how Hillary plans to celebrate Pride Day.

Minority? Average? This ones for you!

Racists, who have in the past supported Ron Paul because of his support for the restoration of constitutional freedoms, are now boycotting Paul because Paul has clarified that he is not a racist. Paul, in fact, supports civil rights and considers Martin Luther King, Jr. a personal hero.

The white nationalists, and similar groups, are boycotting today's Ron Paul - Martin Luther King Day fund raiser (FreeAtLast2008.com). They are actively blogging and posting comments to newsgroups telling whites to give their money to the racist group StormFront instead.

For those who oppose freedom, who oppose liberty, this would seem to be a good thing. Reports of it are going to send a profound message via the media, which is: there is little support for freedom in America if it includes freedom for minorities.

Minorities should therefore be very concerned about the outcome of today's Paul-MLK fundraiser and of Dr. Paul's campaign in general.

While Paul has clearly attracted supporters of all colors and opinions, he himself is a passionate libertarian: a person who believes that all people are created equal and should be treated equally, so long as they do not use force or fraud against other people.

This means, for instance, that Paul considers taxation to be theft. The government is taking money from you without your consent. During 20 years in Congress, Paul has never once voted for a tax increase. In fact, in 20 years in Congress, Paul has never voted for anything that was unconstitutional at all. All the other politicians in Washington despise him as "Dr. No" (well perhaps, expect for Dennis Kucinich).

What else does Dr. Paul support? He supports...

• ...stopping the drug war: the drug war is a war on minorities trying to make a living in what is often the only way available to them. And who is their market? Wealthy white kids and often their parents? However they don't go to jail do they? Ron Paul wants to let people function in a free market and to be responsible for their own bodies
• ...pardoning all those convicted of non-violent, victimless crimes (drugs, prostitution, etc.) If they haven't hurt anyone, there is no reason for your loved ones to be in prison. Ron Paul has advocated mass pardons
• ...stopping the war in Iraq, in which a hugely disproportionate number of minority servicemen are being killed to support an oil grab that mostly only benefits the white owners of wealthy corporations. Let the suburban, country-club folk pay for their own war, with the lives of their own kids, then we can talk. Until then, stop the war
• ...reforming the judicial system to address racial sentences disparities. Ron Paul believes everyone should be equal before the law, both before and after the verdict!
• ...reforming the monetary system so that the government cannot further tax you by deflating the value of your savings through inflating prices. At present, independent economists outside the U.S. (not on the Bush payroll) estimate U.S. inflation to be above 10%; for food, some suggest it may be as high as 30%! That means the same bottle of milk that you paid $2.00 for last year, is now costing you $2.60. That 60 cents is a hidden tax on you that the government is using to pay for their war. 60 cents that is being used to kill innocent Iraq women and children (over 100,000 civilian dead so far)

Now there is the issue of the newsletters. They were written by people who had licensed Paul's name after he left Congress in order to run a medical practice. Paul had 5 kids to put through college, 3 of them through medical school. He couldn't do that on a congressman's salary, so he quite and went back to medicine. He also licensed his name to some people who wanted to write an investment newsletter using his name (and reputation) as a monetary expert. Dr. Paul himself was too busy delivering babies to edit the newsletters. It was unfortunate that he didn't have more time. Some pretty horrible language was used in the columns under his name.

However, and this is the critical point, Paul didn't write those offensive words and he has officially condemned them, repeatedly.

The continuing hysteria surrounding the newsletters is being whipped up by Paul's political enemies, the enemies of equality and freedom for the common man: mostly amongst the wealthy East-coast liberal (white) elite, but also within the ultraconservative ranks of the Christian Coalition and the Fox News network. Politics does indeed make for strange bed fellows. And who is sleeping with whom is often quite revealing. (Ironically, Paul is a devout Christian, not one of those "only show up on Sunday when the cameras are around types.")

By contrast, average Americans, black and white, know, by listening with their own ears, that Ron Paul is not a racist. Common men and women, can see that Ron Paul is an equalitarian by his actions. They do not need a fancy magazine written by wealthy (white) Ivy League editors to tell them how to judge their political candidates.

So what can you do?

Donate today! It doesn't have to be much. Every little bit can help. Contributions can be made at FreeAtLast2008.com or at RonPaul2008.com.

Next, vote for Ron Paul in your primary. (Keep in mind you may have to temporarily change your party affiliation to Republican to do this -- and their are deadlines to change your affiliation.)

Yes, it is true, Ron Paul is not likely to win the Republican nomination, but a strong showing by Ron Paul will demonstrate clearly that the wealthy elite can no longer control the agenda. A vote for Paul sends a message. It tells the elite that the common man, regardless of color or ideology, will no longer be held down and ignored.

After the primary, you can change you party affiliation back to your first preference. Vote for Obama, if he's gains the Democratic nomination. If he doesn't. I'd suggest you not vote at all.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, scares a politician as much as someone not voting.

Happy MLK Day!

Surprising words of wisdom from a surprising source

Frank Luntz can't be trusted, but on this particular point he is absolute 100% correct. Both the mainstream media and Ron Paul's supporters should listen to him.

Why Adversity Quotient is important!

Sociologist have long known that the difficulties one has to overcome is somehow related to the likelihood of success. Some have posited that it is even a good predictor of the measure of success. They call this phenomena, "adversity quotient." The higher the quotient (the greater the adversity), the greater the likelihood of success.

Thus, when someone manages to overcome a great adversity, the odds of great success increase.

It looks like our good doctor's adversity quotient may well have just gone up, substantially. The tide of public opinion would seem to be turning in his favor in regard to the horrendous accusations made against him by The New Republic's Jamie Kirchick.

Even the talking heads in the mainstream media are starting to concede that Dr. Paul is not a racist:

"I gotta tell you Congressman, you and I have talked a lot over these last several months and when I saw these newsletters I didn't know anything about them until I saw that article in The New Republic. I was pretty shocked because it certainly didn't sound like the Ron Paul that I've come to know and our views have come to know all this time." -- Wolfe Blitzer, CNN, The Situation Room

At this point, it even seems possible that Paul's support amongst minorities might increase as a result of this kerfuffle.

Thank you, Mr. Kirchick.

Rolling on the floor laughing! and then crying.

Post:

"So the media has found the chink (can I use that word, or is it’s other meaning too offensive for people…) in Ron Paul’s armor? It’s been said before, no candidate is perfect. At least Paul’s clearly admitted that more than once. Even if the man is flawed, like we all are, the message of liberty and personal responsibility still rings true." -- posted by James Moore on thirdpartywatch.com

Reply:

"The chink (can I use that word, or is it’s other meaning too offensive for people…)"

You should chew on such turns of phrase thoroughly, be niggardly in their use, and keep your speech spic and span, lest you get a wop on the head. -- posted by paulie on thirdpartywatch.com

At least there are three adults with a sense of humor left in America.

Come on folks, let's have a little perspective. The country is going to hell in a hand basket, and we are apoplectic about some 15 year-old words that probably weren't even written by the only man in America who is pushing forward on a platfom that could save us. What are we thinking?

Megan McArdle held to a higher standard

"So Megan, what you are say(ing) is, you and your friends are tolerant of diversity, as long as it is from a pre-approved list. I'm sorry, but that isn't a very good credential for a civil libertarian. Avram Grumer got it right instead, when he said, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to mis-attribute this quote to Voltaire." Any true civil libertarian would be out in front on this, defending Dr. Paul's right to any wacky opinion whatsoever; (i)nstead they are all ducking and running for cover. For shame." Posted by Chillie B. | January 10, 2008 7:25 PM (on the New Atlantic webpage)

Why you can't trust anything from the media - Part I.

"The Iranian "provocation" in the straits of Hormuz has set the stage for a new "crisis" manufactured wholly by the War Party, the rationale for which is uncritically accepted by our passive "mainstream" media. We are expected to believe that five minuscule speedboats "menaced" the USS Hopper, a destroyer armed with missiles; the cruiser USS Port Royal; and the USS Ingraham, a frigate. That's rather like five gnats "menacing" a trio of elephants. Oh, but that's not all. In addition to intercepting the American flotilla, CNN reports the Iranians supposedly issued explicit threats:

"In one radio transmission, the Iranians told the U.S. Navy: 'I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes,' the U.S. military officials told CNN."

The Iranians, for their part, say nothing untoward occurred that doesn't happen all the time in the Gulf: they simply asked the ships to identify themselves, and it was all very routine.

I challenge anyone to look at the following video and tell me honestly they hear or see anything that looks like an Iranian "provocation." It's all very murky and dubious:"

--AntiWar.com (Justin Raimondo)

What do we know?

The Reverend has refused to release the contents of the 600 sermons he preached to fundamentalist Southern Baptist congregations, and no copies or recordings have become public so far. However we can guess the contents.

Even after Huckabee entered politics and presumably started to watch his mouth, he still couldn't keep from spouting off about interning AIDS victims. It is easy to imagine that what he was saying before he went into politics was a lot scarier -- especially given that, as recently as November, he was personally hanging out with homophobes, and even personally attending a Christian Reconstruction fundraiser held in his name.

The Reconstructionist, also sometimes called Dominionists, are the Christian "Taliban." Their aim? To overthrow of the Constitution, and implement Mosaic law in America. The movement first came to light under the leadership of the now fortunately deceased Rousas John Rushdoony. Unfortunately his followers continue on, lead and supported by Rushdoony's son-in-law, home-school activist Gary North, along TV preachers such as James Kennedy,Huckabee fundraiser, Steven Hotz, and even international groups like Watchmen on the Walls.

Just to be clear, the Reconstuctionist playbook would allow for the stoning of homosexuals (along with adulterers, heretics and a long list of others.). Why put the little buggers in pens when you can just kill them? It's a lot cheaper if you don't have to feed them. Hmmmm, where have we seen that line of thinking before? You'd think that someone would be alarmed.

So where is the (supposedly liberal) media's effort to dig up copies or recordings of those old Huckabee sermons?

You would think that to gay journalists, such as Jamie Kirchick, that Huckabee's association with fag killers would be of a lot more interest than Ron Paul's supposed association with fag name callers. But you'd be wrong.

Instead the Reconstructions are given a hall pass, even though they are infinately more racist and homophobic. The media even let Huckabee keep his pass after he refused to recant his homophobic AIDS comment months ago. It is easy to guess that this is because both the Reconstructionists and Huckabee are devout defenders of an interventionist U.S. foreign policy formed around the best interests of particular other country. Paul, however, speak the ultimate heresy by suggesting that American tax dollars and America's military should be tasked with defending America.

Ron Paul has at least taken responsibility and apologized for the nasty language that a contractor printed, without his knowledge, in a newsletter that was apparently licensed to print under Paul's name. Huckabee however, is sticking by his homophobic positions, and keeping his old papers safely tucked away.

And no one seems to care, not even Jamie Kirchick.

Will the real Jamie Kircheck please stand up?

Hi Berin,

Thanks for writing; and I’m glad you enjoyed by [sic] piece in the Boston Globe. I’ll try and make the [DC Log Cabin Republicans] party tonight, though [LCR President] Patrick Sammon isn’t particularly happy with me after I wrote this piece [attacking LCR for not endorsing Giuliani, whom Kirchick calls "the most pro-gay Republican White House contender in history"]
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid50709.asp

Anyways, I don’t think Ron Paul is a homophobe; I’m just cynical and enjoy getting supporters of political candidates riled up. If you were a Giuliani guy I’d have called him a fascist. But I must say, the Ron Paul supporters are the most enthusiastic of the bunch! [Emphasis added.]

Best,
Jamie

Blood on his hands

The lasting contribution of Ron Paul's campaign will be in it having incited neo-cons masquerading as libertarians to expose themselves. Namby-pamby liberal accusations about hurtful speech would not scare off any true advocate of liberty. (Take note, Andrew.) However, fair-weather patriots will run for cover and neo-con moles will exploit such accusations as a way to further undermine true libertarianism. Jamie Kirchick has exposed himself as a foreign agent, a mole working to undermine American liberty. Further, by undermining the sole anti-war voice in the presidential campaign, he has weakened the anti-war movement. That means American money will continue to pay that much longer for the deaths of innocent Iraqi civilians. How many more, another 10,000, another 100,000? We can't know, but that additional blood will be on the hands of Mr. Kirchick. The irony is that he may not care.

Andrew runs for cover. Leaves behind his spine.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/mccain-triumphs.html

A good question for Mr. Kirchick

| Posted by David S.

315 of 372 | warn tnr | respond

So when can we expect the exposé on Huckabee's 600 Reconstructionist sermons? Huckabee actually has the possibility of winning the GOP nomination, so his association with people who want to stone homosexuals--instead of merely call them names--would seem to be a bigger threat. Or, will Huckabee go without scrutiny since he doesn't want to withdraw American foreign aid from the Middle East?

You gotta love YouTube

Say it ain't so!

I'm not sure what to make of this, since everyone knows that only Caucasian Americans are racist, but perhaps the White disease has become contagious...

CNN is reporting that an Indian cricket player has been suspended after being charged with calling an Australian cricket player a "monkey." CNN ia even hosting a poll to inquire if India should cancel, or be kicked out of their current tour in Australia because of the incident.

The Australian player is of West Indian descent (indirectly African). The Indian player looks pretty typically Indian. So what we have are two overgrown children arguing over who is browner, and no one has the courage to laugh. Some white guy also got in on the action by calling the brown guy a bastard for calling the browner guy a monkey. It was scary enough when such silliness just went on in California, but now it seems to be happening everywhere (although California seems to be growing out of it, slowly).

Apparently no independent party actually heard the "M-word" uttered, nor was it recorded, so what may be "catching" isn't racism, but rather political correctness.

Ron Paul may be misaken!

The facsism raising in America may in no way be "soft."

Early Returns, from Dixville Notch & Hart's Location, New Hampshire

In early returns, Democrat Barack Obama is winning with five times the votes of second place, John Edwards.

Republican John McCain has a big lead as well. Mike Huckabee is currently in second, with half of McCains votes, but Ron Paul is only a two points behind McCain. Fox News picks, Romney and Guiliani, are currently lagging in positions four and five. You gotta love that.

1 Obama
2 Edwards
2 Clinton
3 Richardson

Republicans

1 McCain
2 Huckabee
3 Paul
4 Romney
5 Giuliani

From the lunatic fringe...

"He speaks in code. He's a transmitter."
--Jamie Kirchick, speaking of Ron Paul on MSNBC

A good act

A sincere thank you goes out to Jay Leno for righting a wrong.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/pdf/RonPaulOnLeno-1-7-2008.pdf

From Business Wire...

ARLINGTON, Va.--(Business Wire)--In response to John McCain's comment at a recent town hall event that he would be fine with keeping American troops in Iraq for 100 - or even 1 million years - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul issued the following statement:

"John McCain's statement in favor of keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years or longer puts him out of sync with the majority of Americans, who want our troops to come home. Further, his comments recklessly put America at risk as such a statement will likely serve as a recruiting tool for Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, who appeal to radicals and incite violence against Americans by claiming that the US desires to occupy the Middle East indefinitely.

"It is time to act in the true national security interest of the United States and begin withdrawal from Iraq and the rest of the Middle East immediately. Americans will be far safer under a pro-America foreign policy that seeks to end the dangerous idea that the US should be the policeman of the world.

"Further, the financial costs of keeping troops in Iraq for a century would be massive - in addition to the steep price in American lives. If John McCain really wants such a long term presence, he needs to level with the American people and tell them that his policy means we will not be able to fulfill our obligations here at home."

According to quarterly FEC reports, Dr. Ron Paul is supported by more active duty and retired military retirees than any other candidate to be the next commander in chief. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle revealed that Congressman Paul received "more donations from current military...and retired military...than any other candidate."

Copyright Business Wire 2008

Doubting Thomas For President!

A website comment:

The good Reverend Huckabee has refused to release copies the over 600 sermons he preached has a Southern Baptist minister. Supposedly they are lost. Baloney. Most preachers, including my brother, keep detailed records of all of their sermons -- mostly because they plagiarize from themselves, routinely. That's why you hear the same words every almost every holiday.

So far, not a single audio tape has emerged into public record either. At my church, almost every sermon is recorded so that it can be played back for shut-ins, at nursing homes, in hospitals, etc. That has been the practice for decades since recording technology became cheap in the 1970s. Usually there are a few individuals recording on their own as well.

It is not believable that there are no written or audio records of Huckabee's 600+ sermons. Thus we have to wonder, what is it that Huckabee and his congregates are ashamed of. Was it something he said? Is it shame of their own beliefs? -- and isn't being ashamed of your beliefs following in the footsteps of Thomas? Given that, Huckabee hardly appears to be a Christian worth following.

He can't help it.

Before you get too harsh on John McCain, remember that we are all products of our upbringing. (At least according to them liberals!) McCain's skewed values are likely the result of his poor upbringing.

What, you say? Wasn't his father an admiral? Precisely, his father was that admiral, the one who traitorously cooperated in the cover up of the U.S.S. Liberty massacre in which 34 service men were murdered and another 173 severally injured by an U.S. ally.

What you've never heard of the U.S.S. Liberty? Click here to read what another admiral had to say about the coverup. Or try Googling "U.S.S. Liberty" to view dozens of websites written by U.S.S. Liberty survivors who are still, after 40 years, bitterly fighting for recognition and justice.

How could we ever have thought...

...that John McCain stood for anything worth standing for. Like for instance, civility?

First he makes fun of Ron Paul on national television, childishly taunting the doctor over his arbitrary exclusion from the Fox News candidates' forum. Now John McCain has told NBC's Meet the Press that, "I think he's (Pakistan's dictator General Pervez Musharraf) is a good man." This is reported in the same story in which Musharraf accuses Benazir Bhutto of being responsible for her own death because she had the misfortune to stand up in front of an assassin.

Does John McCain think that every ass is a good man, or only asses who are dictators? And does he routinely make fun of every man who defends democracy and the Constitution, or perhaps only those who aren't dictators?

Laughing all the way to the political bank!

CBS News' Joy Lin writes of the Fox News candidates forum:

...Mike Huckabee sounded off on how politicians in Washington, D.C. had spent beyond their public mandate. He then threw in a line about money printing that could have come out of Ron Paul’s mouth. ... “We sent them there to cut spending, and they didn’t do it. They’ve spent more money than has ever been spent. Guess where that money is coming from. Your pocket," Huckabee said. ... "Just remember this, when government says we’re giving you things, remember before the government can give you something, the government has to take it from you first. And the handling charge is extraordinary.” ... “We need to say no to government spending when it’s wrecking our grandchildren’s futures. Nine trilllion dollars worth of debt on your credit card that somebody transferred to the next several generations. That’s irresponsible. And what’s their answer? Spend more. Print more, spend more.” .. Interestingly, Huckabee’s words sound like an issues statement on fellow candidate Ron Paul's campaign website. ...

So even though he has been largely ignored by media, mocked by the political establishment, and laughed at by his colleagues, Ron Paul is winning the war of ideas? Wonderful! I doubt the good doctor would want for more.

From the CBS News comment sections:

"First, you know, a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally, it is seen to be so important that it''s adversaries claim that they themselves discovered it.'' --William James (--Posted by heart4wisdom at 08:10 AM : Jan 07, 2008)

McCain knows how to use a shovel?

“I know how to get him and I’m gonna get him.” --John McCain, speaking in the exclusionary Fox News forum on the campus of St. Anselm College on Manchester, New Hampshire.

That Horrible Gold Standard!

Notes Lew Rockwell:

Great to hear Ron explain the increasing price of oil as being due to the depreciation of the dollar by the Federal Reserve, and a warmongering policy in the Middle East. He notes that oil was $27 a barrel when Bush went to war to protect "our" oil. He mentioned a WSJ chart that shows that oil is up 350% in terms of dollars, 200% in terms of the Euro, and flat in terms of gold. Funny to see Fred stunned by truth. A dollar as good as gold. It seems like science fiction, but it is possible. Indeed, it is essential, if we want to avoid banana republic standards.

The least qualified candidate?

Bunny Ears was stationed in Pakistan! Who knew?

Vote for Bunny Ears!

The Republican debates according to a 9-year old (w/Poll)

Bunny Ears:

People go to India for heart surgery
airplane + hotel + surgery = 50% of cost in America.
People don't have health insurance.
Wrinkles is making fun of Bunny Ears again.
Wrinkles and Oily fighting about man dates.
Oily says man dates are ok sometimes.
Wrinkles doesn't like dating men.
Fight.Fight

Thank you, Daily Kos!

And where is the news?

Despite being widely reported in both the blog-o-sphere and the mainstream media, there is still nary a mention on the Fox News website of the New Hampshire GOP's withdrawal from the Fox candidates' forum. This is an interesting application of "We Report, You Decide."

R.I.P. O.B.L.?

Watch this video of Benizar Bhutto being interviewed by Sir David Frost on the BBC. It was recorded in early November 2007, less than two months before Bhutto was murdered. Bhutto's amazing revelation comes approximately six minutes into the 14 minute interview. Please take the time to watch, what she says is earthshaking.

Keep in mind, this is the twice democratically elected leader of a friendly country, a women educated at Oxford, a women who delicately managed to achieve election as the first female leader of a muslim country, a woman who was recently martyred for her efforts to restore democracy to her country. She isn't some conspiracy nut.

Bhutto makes the comment about bin Laden almost in passing, as though it is something of which everyone in Pakistan already knows. And, Frost doesn't even respond to the statement, as though everyone in Britain already knows about it too.

So why, in America -- the home of the "free press" -- are we only now hearing about this, two months after Bhutto's statement? And why are we hearing about it not from news organizations, but from privately posted overseas videos effectively smuggled into the American purview via the Internet?!

Sorry, New Orleans. Signed, President Huckabee

(In 1997) Mike Huckabee refused to sign legislation to assist storm victims because the measure referred to tornadoes and floods as "acts of God." Putting his name on such legislation, Huckabee explained, "would be violating my own conscience" due to the bill equating "a destructive and deadly force" as "an act of God."

Wow! Great positioning...

“People are looking for a presidential candidate who reminds them more of the guy they work with rather than the guy that laid them off...” --Mike Huckabee

Not Peace, but a Sword

The Gospel According to Mathew - Chapter 10: 34-37

34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 - For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

36 - And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

37 - He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Surprise, surprise!

Ron Paul isn't the only Republican with integrity left in the Grand Old Party. In fact, there appears to be an entire state GOP that has some reminent of integrity.

The New Hampshire Republican Party has just announced that it is withdrawing its support and co-sponsorship of the Fox hosted New Hampshire Candidates Forum because of Fox's continued refusal to include Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter in the debate.

Fox had claimed their decision was due to Paul and Hunter's insignificance to voters, but Paul polled 10% in Iowa, won one Iowa county and took second in several. He also secured two nominating convention representatives from there. In Wyoming, Hunter secure a nominating convention representative. That is hardly insignificance.

Fox (owned by Australian Rupert Murdoch) is clearly trying to influence the American people's choice and the New Hampshire GOP is correct to tell them to butt out.

-----

New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen released a statement Saturday making the separation official.

“The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field. Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-primary debates and forums,” wrote Cullen.

“This principle applies to tonight’s debates on ABC as well as Sunday’s planned forum on FOX. The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening. Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed,” he continued.

“While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”

Top 10 Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians

Judicial Watch, a non-profit, public interest organization that promotes "integrity, transparency and accountability in government, politics and the law" has published their (very bipartisan) "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" list for 2007. The list included several of the presidential candidates, however that really shouldn't surprise anyone. The old bromide that," a good politician is one whom stays bought," has always suggested a corollary to the effect that, "the best way to make sure a politician stays bought is to have the goods on them." The big question is, who owns the titles on Ms. Clinton, Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Huckabee, and Mr. Obama?

For an annotated list with the gritty details, click here to be taken to Judicial Watch's article directly.

Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians for 2007

1. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
2. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
3. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID)
4. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
5. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
6. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
7. I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby
8. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
9. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
10. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

How else to fight terrorism?

Radical conservative talk-radio host, Neal Boortz has been on a tear, claiming that Ron Paul wouldn't defend the country against terrorism. Mr. Boortz is apparently as casual about fact checking as Michael Moore (see below).

The Constitution explicitly provides for the means to "go after" extra-national criminals, and it is a method that Paul did support. "Terrorism," in the form of Barbary Coast pirates, was a problem that the Founders had to deal with as well. The constitutional means for dealing with such extra-national threats is called a Letter of Marque and Reprisal. In 2001, immediately following the attacks, Ron Paul sponsored legislation to issue such a marque. See: PRESS RELEASE: Paul Offers President New Tool in the War on Terrorism

Had it been issued, the use of a marque in going after bin Laden would likely have been significantly cheaper (in dollars and lives) and more effective. Neither would America have destroyed its standing in the international community, nor would it have created a new generation of Islamicist hatred of America. (But, of course, a marque wouldn't have provided a means for reinvigorating America's defense industry after the fall of the Soviet Union. For that, we needed a faceless enemy and war without end.)

Moore loose facts

Michael Moore continues to demonstrate his casual disregard for fact checking (as he also so elegantly displayed in his recent film An Inconvenient Truth). In a letter to his fans regarding the upcoming Iowa caucuses, Moore signs his name with:

"Michael Moore (not an Iowa voter, but appreciative of any state that has a town named after a sofa)"

Davenport, Iowa was named after the 19th-century Illinois militia Colonel, George Davenport, who had the dubious distinction of being murdered on the Fourth of July (in 1835). The sofas were named for their maker, the (now defunct) A.H. Davenport Furniture Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

Transparency at Fox

"Bias has to do with the elimination of points of view, not presenting a point of view." --Roger Ailes, president of Fox News, 2003

The good doctor, on evolution...

The American media is exploring new depths in journalistic dishonesty. What Ron Paul is reported to have said on evolution is outside the brackets; what he actually said is included within the brackets:

"'Well, at first I thought it was a very inappropriate question, you know, for the presidency to be decided on a scientific matter, and I think it's a theory, a theory of evolution, and I don't accept it, you know, as a theory, but I think [it probably doesn't bother me. It's not the most important issue for me to make the difference in my life to understand the exact origin. I think] the Creator that I know created us, everyone of us, and created the universe, and the precise time and manner, I just don't think we're at the point where anybody has absolute proof on either side. [So I just don't...if that were the only issue, quite frankly, I would think it's an interesting discussion, I think it's a theological discussion, and I think it's fine, and we can have our...if that were the issue of the day, I wouldn't be running for public office.']

Ron Paul is a Christian, he makes no excuses for that. Two of Paul's brothers became Lutheran ministers, and he briefly considered a spiritual calling for himself. Unlike many pandering politicians, he probably sincerely believes in the value of the words of Jesus of Nazareth. Ultimately however, Ron Paul chose to follow a different path.

After obtaining a baccalaureate in biology and doctorate in medicine, Dr. Paul chose to spend his time on bringing life into the world. He thus understands clearly the arguments for and against evolutionary theory. Paul is most certainly also well enough read to know that some of the finest minds in contemporary science have doubts about the theory of evolution's ability to fully explain the origin of higher mammalian life.

It is different thing to not believe that the evolutionary process occurs (as in the world is six thousand years old and that we are all now exactly as we were in the beginning) and to not believe in the theory of evolution as the sole explanation for origin of intelligence. Likewise, believing in Biblical creationism (as in seven days, a ball of clay, and a spare rib) and believing in the possibility of intelligent design is also not the same thing.

Science only ever offers theories. It is theology that purports to have answers. Paul is the scientist. The "theologian" is the other guy, the one from Arkansas who lied about having a theology degree.