Stupid is as stupid does...depending on who the "journalists" like, that is...

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved? (how ignorant can you get)

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved? (real classy)

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this narcissistic and tacky? (I'm so embarrassed)

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had created the position of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America, would you have approved.

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about NObama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry...he's done all this in a matter of a few months -- so you have three years and change to come up with an answer...

Wednesday! Thomas Sowell! (Part II)

In this continuation of Sowell's column from yesterday, he again points out the danger of "ideas" and idealism - things that may sound good, but really aren't.

An excerpt:
If there is any lesson in the history of ideas, it is that good intentions tell you nothing about the actual consequences. But intellectuals who generate ideas do not have to pay the consequences.

Academic intellectuals are shielded by the principles of academic freedom and journalists in democratic societies are shielded by the principle of freedom of the press. Seldom do those who produce or peddle dangerous, or even fatal, ideas have to pay a price, even in a loss of credibility.
...
Even political leaders have been judged by how noble their ideas sounded, rather than by how disastrous their consequences were. Woodrow Wilson-- our only president with a Ph.D.-- was an academic intellectual for years before entering politics, and his ideas about a war to end wars, making the world safe for democracy, and the right of self-determination of peoples, have been revered in utter disregard of what happened when Wilson's notions were put into practice in the real world.

No one today takes seriously the idea that the First World War was a war to end wars, and many now see it as setting the stage for a Second World War. Indeed there were those who predicted this result at the time. But they were not listened to, much less lionized, like Woodrow Wilson.

Commenter Doug says, "One point that Sowell has made repeatedly over the years is that decisions that affect many should never be entrusted to people who pay no price for being wrong."

Couldn't have said it better.

Tuesday! Thomas Sowell! (Part I)

A smart - even brilliant - person does not fit into the 'intellectual' category unless other intellectuals deem that person to be one of them. Huh. Looks to me like being an intellectual doesn't even require actual intelligence. But maybe that's just my ignorance talking...

I love Thomas Sowell. I love the way he thinks, and I really enjoy reading his columns. Don't miss the one today - Intellectuals and Society.

From commenter Georgia Boy 61 at Townhall.com:
Wisdom does not reside in the academy, any more than it resides in the theater, the music studio or the sports stadium. One cannot acquire wisdom without being in contact with the hard edges of the real world.

Gossip is NOT "news"

I don't care what anyone else thinks - gossip is ugly for the subject and for the ones doing the gossiping. "Murder by character assassination" kills ME as surely as it hurts the one I talk about. I won't go into any holier-than-thou spiel about how 'nice' it isn't, I'll just say I've been the gossiper and the gossipee in my time running around the sun, and neither one have improved my opinion of either myself or others...in fact, just the opposite.

Now, along with regular celebutard gossip, we have the granddaddy of yellow journalism on tv and online creating a sister gossip site for sports. Isn't that just...pathetic. But you KNOW it's gonna make a ton of money for the gossipers and those who tattle. Ick.

From JewishWorldReview.com, Mitch Albom - one of my all-time favorite sports writers - and writers in general, I think - tells about the launch of a sports-gossip enterprise that will make the National Enquirer look like "Fun With Dick and Jane." As the headline states, "There's nothing sporting about gossip as news."

"...four days to acknowledge the “catastrophic breach of security” that led to failed bombing," but "4 hours to accuse Cheney of coddling terrorists"

Found this link at Bob's Bites. As I said in my comment there, my admiration for Cheney increases EVERY TIME he opens his mouth.

Obama, he said, “seems to think that if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won’t be at war.

“He seems to think that if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hardcore al Qaeda-trained terrorists still there, we won’t be at war.”

“Why doesn’t he want to admit we’re at war?” asked Cheney — then answered the question: “It doesn’t fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency — social transformation, the restructuring of American society.”

Read more at the New York Post.

Since when...

...does the decade START with the number 10 - or 00? What the HELL are these people thinking? I heard the substitute hosts on Mike and Mike in the Morning ask what 'from the last decade' should we get rid of. Huh. Doesn't the decade begin with '1?' As in Ten Plus ONE is the beginning of a new decade? Did I wander through a time-warp or cross into an alternate universe that keeps Time differently?

We're coming into Two Thousand TEN. It's the last year of the decade, Boys! A new decade is a whole year away, whether your own personal justification and reworking of facts says so or not. Sesame Street helped lots of young'uns count to ten, and they count ten as the LAST number, not the first. I know, cuz I just caught that segment yesterday. It was similar to this one...



Geeezzz...I think I'll pay attention to this guy, he seems to have a handle on Reality:

"It's not a new decade! The new decade -- the second of the second millennium -- does not start until 365 days from today." -Dr. Walter E. Williams

It really is "A Wonderful Life"

Paul Greenberg's column at JewishWorldReview.com really speaks to me today.

It really IS a wonderful life. It's full of the consequences of my decisions, choices I've made, and miracles I have no real explanation for.

It is also chock full of aggravation at bureaucrats and "intellectuals" who really truly honestly believe they can analyze my life without ever spending a moment of time in it. The problem with this is, they don't see the beauty and joy I see every day - they see the pathos and the things I lack that they deem 'needs.'

Along with an ordinary little house, a dumpy little truck, and almost continual pain, I have a husband who loves me, a daughter who respects me, a son-in-law who thinks I'm a helluva cook, and a 25month old granddaughter who makes retirement a lot more work and fun than I 'planned.' I have friends who inspire me, work that satisfies me, and more love than any degree or government program could ever bestow.

It's A Wonderful Life, and I'm not letting Mr. Potter and his minions steal it from me, because it is not the THINGS or MONEY that are important. It is Life, it is that love, that satisfaction, that inspiration I have INSIDE that counts. I believe God Is Love...and my life is full of both. No bureaucrat or professor of whatever can take that away from me.

Merry Christmas to all my online friends, from Blair Nation to Lileks to Parrothead Jeff, who also entertain and inspire me. My life is richer for having you here. Thank you.

Why I read Lileks

Don't you want to know what prompted this sentence?

"This is the modern world: you can instantly fact-check your dreams."

Lileks. JAMES Lileks. At The Bleat.

This might not be good news for Yours Truly

12/10/2009, MIDNIGHT UPDATE (from Binyamin's trusty assistant): In a few hours, Binyamin will send out a letter to his friends and supporters about his condition and JWR's future. He has no intention of placing semi-private info on the JWR front page. We had orginally considered recording his words but soon realised it would be impossible, as he is too weak. So we are instead sending his note via e-mail to those who are subscribed to the daily JWR update. (To be added, please click here.).

Binyamin is afraid that his writing skills will fall short. I assured him that the message he wished to convey will come through loud and clear.

Here are seven columns for your reading pleasure: Victor Davis Hanson, Bob Tyrrell, Larry Elder, Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, Cal Thomas. and George Will.

Messages can be sent to schmooze@jewishworldreview.com

I do hope Binyamin gets well and strong soon. I miss him - and I don't even know him. His kindness and integrity come through in his work, though, and I wish him and his family and friends all the best during this time.

I get great pleasure from reading JewishWorldReview.com. I've learned SO much over the years since my friend 'Red' (now expatriate in Texas) sent me a link to the site. Seems a long time ago now... I use Binyamin's material almost daily to post links on this blog. Will keep you posted.

Got all three crumb-crunchers again today, then taking a friend to my favorite meeting. Busy day. Cloudy, might rain s'more. Glad I'm here for it. Thanks for stopping by!

It's Tuesday - with Thomas!

I feel like a pile of garbage again this morning...but the cough has become "productive," if that's not too much information...still hurts, still have just enough fever to be in a foul mood, with a headache I could do SO much better without. Ah well. Got NOTHING done here over the weekend, so spent yesterday with 3 curtain-climbers and an extra-large helping of laundry and dishes. Why is it that one less person in the house causes twice as much cleanup to be done when the one less person gets back? Sheesh...

Thomas Sowell's column today comes from JewishWorldReview.com, even though Binyamin is still very ill. He has imposed upon his assistant* to update a very few of his columnists, and to my great delight, Thomas Sowell is one of them!

Read the column to find the answer to the burning question - How can there be more unemployment after so many jobs have been "created"?

I also reprint here the most recent update from Binyamin's assistant, with a request that you add them all to your prayer list.

12/8/2009, MIDNIGHT UPDATE (from Binyamin's trusty assistant): Binyamin remains VERY ill. He is in need of your prayers and has asked that you do an extra act of kindness in his merit. "Something; anything," as he described it. Binyamin, mindful of his beloved readers as ever, also asked that I publish a couple of articles to prevent "JWR Withdrawl". Here are three: Wesley Pruden, Cal Thomas:, and Thomas Sowell.

Messages can be sent to schmooze@jewishworldreview.com

*"Able assistant" would no doubt do anything Binyamin asks that is within his/her power, believing it to be no imposition.

It's not a "consensus" in any sense of the word...much less SCIENTIFIC consensus! (with update)

Thanks to SJDoc, one commenter at Townhall.com, for my headline. Jillian Bandes' column is another in a long line of reminders that Congressional majority Dems are as much obstacles as Congressional minority Dems. Obstruction is their best talent, it seems. Paying heed to the Constitution? Not so much.

Hosting a hearing on global warming with no dissenting opinions made Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), the ranking Republican on the Committee, think the Democrats and the Obama administration were just as complicit in the global warming scandal sparked by Climategate as the Climategate scientists themselves.

“What the hearings showed is that the President’s science advisors are at the bottom of the whole climate change debate,” said Sensenbrenner.


Do you still believe that Your Elected Representatives and the Current Occupant really represent your interests and the interests of this Nation? Do you think BarryO the Ditherer and His Merry Band of CongressWeasels even remember the Oath they swore when they took office?

In case they need a reminder of what they said, here's the President's version:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

And here's the one Your Elected Representatives take:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Yeah. I didn't think so.

UPDATE! Sometimes I should read the things in my sidebar before I post. Via my friends and fellow grouches at GrouchyConservativePundits comes this - from the Washington Times.

The numbers matter. Under pressure in 2007, NASA recalculated its data and found that 1934, not 1998, was the hottest year in its records for the contiguous 48 states. NASA later changed its data again, and now 1998 and 2006 are tied for the hottest years, with 1934 listed as slightly cooler.

You knew this was coming, didn't you?

Pillage the Village!

From the Courier-Mail in Australia:

THE people of Bergen rolled out the cookie dough on Monday as local police tried to sniff out vandals who destroyed the Norwegian city's traditional Christmas decoration -- a town of gingerbread houses.
On Saturday, vandals entered a massive tent in central Bergen and crushed most of the 650-cookie-house town, topping off the ruins with paint and fire extinguisher foam.

Police in Norway's second largest city asked the public to offer information that could lead to the perpetrators.

"The people who did this must be full of gingerbread dust, They will smell a long way," police inspector Erik Sveaas told news agency NTB.

Local media reported that the destruction had shocked the residents of Bergen, a picturesque city on the North Sea coast where children decorate hundreds of gingerbread houses every year before Christmas.

Steinar Kristoffersen, who runs the Bergen Sentrum foundation behind "the worlds largest and greatest gingerbread town", said the opening of the exhibit will be postponed well into next week due to the vandalism.

"We are rebuilding the whole landscape and are receiving a lot of gingerbread houses. Many want to lend a hand," Kristoffersen told Reuters.

In an Internet campaign, some petitioners suggested the perpetrators be pilloried, but local Bishop Halvor Nordhaug cooled the atmosphere and told local paper Bergens Tidende: "We must not lynch anyone over a few gingerbread houses."

Bishop Nordhaug, not to put too fine a point on it, but there is little similarity between pillory and lynch. VERY little. One causes embarrassment, which might be fitting here, dontcha think? Though these days it might be seen as Hate Speech! The term you used, Bishop Nordhaug, is a form Capitol Punishment, which we already know is illegal in Norway.

UPDATE! Now that I think about it, I don't know which I'm most embarrassed about - that 1/4 of the blood in my veins comes from the same punks who thought it was funny to destroy a gingerbread village...or the clueless twit who equates a session in the stocks with lynching.