Flotsam & Jetsam

This has been a no news week as far as I concerned. Not much has been worthy of individual posts, so here is a flotsam and jetsam dump of various points of interest.

You know it is a slow news week when the three major stories of one day involve three different members of the palin family. Sarah claims she can beat Barack Obama in 2012. I like the prospect, but am not yet sold on the reality. Bristol is doing well on Dancing with the Stars and it is just killing progressives. Willow used a homophobic term on her Facebook page. Have any of her critics ever seen a typical internet flame war between teenager/ Compared to most, Willow sounded like a miffed Veggie Tales character.

Charles Rangel shed some crocodile tears while begging for mercy, claiming he may not live much longer. What a tawdry, blatantly manipulative move. It is further evidence of his low character. My advice--if he really is on his last leg, expel him from the House so he can spend his final days in blissful retirement away from our tax dollars.

If we could just racially profile like the Israelis do, we would not have to debate full body scanners or pat downs. But as long as we value political correctness over national security, we cannot whine much about what happens to our junk before boarding a plane. Sorry to depart from many of my civil libertarian brethren there. If it makes you feel any better, I only feel that way in general principle. I am confident these safety measures violate the Fourth Amendment.

jim DeMint is a gentleman, but I hope he does not make amends with Lisa Murkowski. not that he has any to make. Politics is a tough game, Princess Lisa. Deal with it.

There are journalists in the united Kingdom who sole job is to be a “royal watcher.” I thought there could not possibly be a more uselessly offensive career than a sports agent, but I was wrong. Royal watchers take the cake. How can they sleep at night knowing the oxygen they suck up could go to someone more important/

Speaking of sports agents, Dan Uggla’s landed him a spot as the new 2nd baseman for my beloved Atlanta Braves. The Florida Marlins could not afford to keep the power hitting, gold Glove winning, All Star. Or any other decent player, for that matter. Yet the team has been tweeting the arrival of its new players like they are all All Stars. Kind of pitiful, really. But I am happy to have Uggla as a Brave. The team’s power really petered out there at the end.

I cannot think of anything else interesting.

David Cameron Abandons Israel in Push for Turkey to Join the European Union

it did not take log for the new, center-right coalition government in the United Kingdom to lose favor in my eyes. In a speech regardig Turkey's potential membership in the European Union, Cameron not only expressed an ignorance for the extremist brand of Islam that permeates the Turkish government, but blasted Israel for its containment of islamist terrorism in Gaza.

How cynical can a political leader get? Turkey’s government is not a secular ally of the west, but fast becoming a Taliban -esque extremist government which is fast becoming a detriment to western interests. Membership I the European Union is not going to change that, assuming Turkey is seriously about joining the European Union I the first place.

But that is all European and British pageantry. If Europe believes allowing Turkey into the club can stall Islamic extremism or create an ally to help keep Iran from getting the bomb, that is their pursuit. The same goes for the United Kingdom offering appeasement to various countries which are adamant supporters of Islamic terrorism. The spirit of Neville Chamberlain and all that rot.

But to attack Israel, the country’s longstanding ally in the Middle East y perpetuating the myth Gaza is being starved into submission is a blatant lie and betrayal for dubious political gain. Gaza just opened its first mega mall a week ago which attracted thousands of shoppers. These people are not starving, but claiming Israel is committing genocide is sadly politically advantageous, so Cameron went for it.

As I said, the political ramifications are Europe's problem, but I am reminded of a bigger issue besides political maneuverings. That is God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 21:31:

"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."

We already have to worry about this thanks to Barack Obama's animosity towards Israel and his inability to appreciate the evil that extremist Islam can bring.

United Kingdom Unveils New Stealth Drone Prototype

This is a prototype of a new unmanned aircraft called the Taramis. It was unveiled today in London by the Ministry of Defense. Should this prototype work out, the hope is to create unmanned stealth aircraft that would be operated remotely from the ground.

I cannot be the only one who is reminded of this:The Brits are just asking for it, no?

Karen Gillan Strikes a Blow Against Feminism

I assume this interview in Radio Times with Doctor Who co star Karen Gillan is the reason for the sudden uptick in Karen Gillan Google searches for the Eye. In the interview, Gillan addresses her feminist critics that she is playing her character, Amy Pond,as too sexy by telling them to go soak their heads.

Sounds like a good idea to me. Too bad Gillan missed National Offend a Feminist Week by quite some time. I would have made an exception to broaden the scope to international on behalf of her cool Scottish accent alone.

What surprises me about the complaints regarding Gillan’s short skirts and shorts is that Europe is generally more open to sexuality. It is violence that have a terrible time dealing with. Not to mention that, truth be told, gillan’s outfits are quite tame. Certainly not as over the top as many of the homosexual themes that ran through the series under flaming wiener enthusiast Russell T. Davies.

Interesting culture war those Brits are fighting across the pond: gay sex=good; women in short skirts/shorts=bad.

Karen Gillan Strikes a Blow Against Feminism

I assume this interview in Radio Times with Doctor Who co star Karen Gillan is the reason for the sudden uptick in Karen Gillan Google searches for the Eye. In the interview, Gillan addresses her feminist critics that she is playing her character, Amy Pond,as too sexy by telling them to go soak their heads.

Sounds like a good idea to me. Too bad Gillan missed National Offend a Feminist Week by quite some time. I would have made an exception to broaden the scope to international on behalf of her cool Scottish accent alone.

What surprises me about the complaints regarding Gillan’s short skirts and shorts is that Europe is generally more open to sexuality. It is violence that have a terrible time dealing with. Not to mention that, truth be told, gillan’s outfits are quite tame. Certainly not as over the top as many of the homosexual themes that ran through the series under flaming wiener enthusiast Russell T. Davies.

Interesting culture war those Brits are fighting across the pond: gay sex=good; women in short skirts/shorts=bad.

Socialist and Secular Decay of Europe

I am late to last week's piece in Human Events by Victor Davis Hanson on the end of Europe's vacation from history. The article’s central point is that Europe’s socialist economic policies have lasted decades beyond the wealth their previous capitalist policies produced, hence the current financial woes. The lesson here is that socialist Europe is waking up to the idea that cradle to grave entitlements, while lovely and humanitarian in concept, are unsustainable. So why then is the united states heading down the path to socialism.

You should read he article for VDH’s analysis. For right now, I am interested in two salient points of personal interest.

One, social excessive entitlement programs promote hedonism. The rationale here is that if people under a socialist regime are going to wind up roughly the same in terms of wealth, what is the point of thinking about the future? There is no reason to have savings, leave an inheritance for children, or eve have children, for that matter. Life as award of the state is best lived in the here and now.

That attitude destroys the work ethic, which in turn curtails wealth building, which means not enough money to pay for the government services that enabled the attitude in the first place. It is not only a vicious cycle, but one that cannot last.

Two, the hedonism produced by entitlement societies destroys the spiritual fabric of the society. The greatest barrier to hedonism is morality. Morality is found within the Christian tradition of Europe. But since said morality gets in the way of a good time, it must be done away with. So out goes Christianity as politically incorrect--a nice way of saying of saying it rains on the party in which man does what is right in his own eyes.

I take it as a warning to where the United States might be headed if the progressives are not stopped.

Socialist and Secular Decay of Europe

I am late to last week's piece in Human Events by Victor Davis Hanson on the end of Europe's vacation from history. The article’s central point is that Europe’s socialist economic policies have lasted decades beyond the wealth their previous capitalist policies produced, hence the current financial woes. The lesson here is that socialist Europe is waking up to the idea that cradle to grave entitlements, while lovely and humanitarian in concept, are unsustainable. So why then is the united states heading down the path to socialism.

You should read he article for VDH’s analysis. For right now, I am interested in two salient points of personal interest.

One, social excessive entitlement programs promote hedonism. The rationale here is that if people under a socialist regime are going to wind up roughly the same in terms of wealth, what is the point of thinking about the future? There is no reason to have savings, leave an inheritance for children, or eve have children, for that matter. Life as award of the state is best lived in the here and now.

That attitude destroys the work ethic, which in turn curtails wealth building, which means not enough money to pay for the government services that enabled the attitude in the first place. It is not only a vicious cycle, but one that cannot last.

Two, the hedonism produced by entitlement societies destroys the spiritual fabric of the society. The greatest barrier to hedonism is morality. Morality is found within the Christian tradition of Europe. But since said morality gets in the way of a good time, it must be done away with. So out goes Christianity as politically incorrect--a nice way of saying of saying it rains on the party in which man does what is right in his own eyes.

I take it as a warning to where the United States might be headed if the progressives are not stopped.

Make It Sir Patrick Stewart

Also obligatory.

Make It Sir Patrick Stewart

Also obligatory.

Olympic Mascots...From Hell

Meet Wenlock and Mandeville, mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the main characters in your nightmares for the next few nights.

Yikes! These two look like something Rod Serling would have come up with to teach Burgess Meredith a life lesson.

Olympic Mascots...From Hell

Meet Wenlock and Mandeville, mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the main characters in your nightmares for the next few nights.

Yikes! These two look like something Rod Serling would have come up with to teach Burgess Meredith a life lesson.

Gordon Brown Resigns: David Cameron is the New Prime Minister

that settles that. The winner are in charge, the losers have their leader's scalp as consolation, and the Liberal-Democrats are kingmakers.

Wanna start taking bets on how long before new elections are called?

Gordon Brown Resigns: David Cameron is the New Prime Minister

that settles that. The winner are in charge, the losers have their leader's scalp as consolation, and the Liberal-Democrats are kingmakers.

Wanna start taking bets on how long before new elections are called?

The Inexact Science of Forming a Government in the United Kingdom

I find the political doings in the united kingdom of establishing a new government fascinating. Liberal-Democrats are being courted by Labor, who were losers in last week’s election, but desperate to hold onto power, and by the Tories, who are eager to return to power after thirteen years in the wilderness. Nick Clegg, the Liberal-Democrat leader, is poised to become a kingmaker.

In spite of the fact the Tories won the most seats last week, they failed to get the 325 seats needed to form a government outright. It does strike one as odd they would form a coalition government with the Liberal-Democrats considering they are even further to the left than Labor, but Tory leader David Cameron has made a final offer of changing the voting system in order to accommodate them.

Labor, too, has given into to Liberal-Democrats’ demand of Gordon Brown’s resignation. He promises to resign effective his party’s convention in September if he can remain prime minister in the interim I a coalition with the Liberal-Democrats.

As I have said before, I know very little about British politics, but at least on the surface, the Labor deal sounds seems more likely. They are more in tune with the Liberal-Democrats than the Tories and, quite frankly, there is going to be another election in relatively short order. The united Kingdom needs to remount and reload before forming a new government.

A few questions; Would the Tories fare as well in another election? I understand there as a popular irritation with Labor, but has it subsided now that Labor took a hit at the polls and got the message? Will Clegg’s foot indecisive dragging damage the Liberal-Democrats in another election so they will lose bargaining power? Finally, will the national parties get any real influence since they would be needed in labor’s case for a coalition with the Liberal-Democrats?

Just as a I can Admit when I Am Wrong Moment, if Cameron can lead his party to a majority win, but cannot pull it together to form a government instead of letting two losing parties get the best of him, then Barack Obama may be right about him being a political lightweight. It has to sting for someone as politically naïve as Obama to be right about something like that. I am certain it was an accident.

The Inexact Science of Forming a Government in the United Kingdom

I find the political doings in the united kingdom of establishing a new government fascinating. Liberal-Democrats are being courted by Labor, who were losers in last week’s election, but desperate to hold onto power, and by the Tories, who are eager to return to power after thirteen years in the wilderness. Nick Clegg, the Liberal-Democrat leader, is poised to become a kingmaker.

In spite of the fact the Tories won the most seats last week, they failed to get the 325 seats needed to form a government outright. It does strike one as odd they would form a coalition government with the Liberal-Democrats considering they are even further to the left than Labor, but Tory leader David Cameron has made a final offer of changing the voting system in order to accommodate them.

Labor, too, has given into to Liberal-Democrats’ demand of Gordon Brown’s resignation. He promises to resign effective his party’s convention in September if he can remain prime minister in the interim I a coalition with the Liberal-Democrats.

As I have said before, I know very little about British politics, but at least on the surface, the Labor deal sounds seems more likely. They are more in tune with the Liberal-Democrats than the Tories and, quite frankly, there is going to be another election in relatively short order. The united Kingdom needs to remount and reload before forming a new government.

A few questions; Would the Tories fare as well in another election? I understand there as a popular irritation with Labor, but has it subsided now that Labor took a hit at the polls and got the message? Will Clegg’s foot indecisive dragging damage the Liberal-Democrats in another election so they will lose bargaining power? Finally, will the national parties get any real influence since they would be needed in labor’s case for a coalition with the Liberal-Democrats?

Just as a I can Admit when I Am Wrong Moment, if Cameron can lead his party to a majority win, but cannot pull it together to form a government instead of letting two losing parties get the best of him, then Barack Obama may be right about him being a political lightweight. It has to sting for someone as politically naïve as Obama to be right about something like that. I am certain it was an accident.

Conservatives to Lead Coalition Government in the United Kingdom

Pause fora moment to reflect that France, Canada, and now the United Kingdom have right leaning governments and the United States is barreling down the hill towards socialism. Bizarro world, we have arrived!

Final results will not be in until around ten o' clock, but it looks like the Tories will 19 seats short of a clear majority at 305 seats with Labor clocking in at 253 seats. The Liberal Democrats lost three seats in spite of their supposed surge after the party leaders' debate.

Outside of knowing the House of Lords is full of knights, my knowledge of British politics consists of a few of the more famous comedy bits from Yes, Mr. Prime Minister.. But I do believe this will be the first coalition government ever formed in the United Kingdom. Such is routine in other parliamentary governments, but it will be a new experience for the Brits. It will be interesting to see how they manage.

In case you are wondering when Barack Obama will insult Prime Minister David Cameron, he already has called him a political lightweight. If that is not irony, what is?

Conservatives to Lead Coalition Government in the United Kingdom

Pause fora moment to reflect that France, Canada, and now the United Kingdom have right leaning governments and the United States is barreling down the hill towards socialism. Bizarro world, we have arrived!

Final results will not be in until around ten o' clock, but it looks like the Tories will 19 seats short of a clear majority at 305 seats with Labor clocking in at 253 seats. The Liberal Democrats lost three seats in spite of their supposed surge after the party leaders' debate.

Outside of knowing the House of Lords is full of knights, my knowledge of British politics consists of a few of the more famous comedy bits from Yes, Mr. Prime Minister.. But I do believe this will be the first coalition government ever formed in the United Kingdom. Such is routine in other parliamentary governments, but it will be a new experience for the Brits. It will be interesting to see how they manage.

In case you are wondering when Barack Obama will insult Prime Minister David Cameron, he already has called him a political lightweight. If that is not irony, what is?

Secularism and the Economic Decline of Europe

here is a transcript of a panel discussion on Fox Business News on the correspondence of the rise in secularism and the economic decline in Europe. The gist of the argument is that in increase in secularism creates a despair that impedes economic growth.

I connate disagree with the overall assessment, but the argument has definitely been simplified down for a short television segment.

Secularists may protest vehemently, but denying there is a higher power or that worldly actions have eternal consequences leads to a sense of nihilism. The argument that secularists will make the best of this world--helping others, maintaining high moral standards, etc--because this is the only life they will get cannot stand up to the truth that our sinful, corrupt nature is more inclined towards rebellion and despair.

The real problem in the connection between secularism and economics is that people are always hungry for something to believe in. without the void, they will fill the void with something else. Most often, that winds up being government. Faddish causes like environmentalism become popular, too, but expanding governments tend to swallow up those issues in order to maintain its power.

It goes without saying an expanding government means a weakening private sector. So filling the void left by an absence of religion with government leads to economic decay.

I am not entirely sure I buy into the idea of a Christian work ethic as the cause of America’s prosperity. Granted, the Uited states is more religious, but I suspect most Americans pay only lip service to their religious traditions. Very few, as a for instance, switch church denominations fro the one they grow, implying they never truly examine their beliefs. Of course, there is something to be said for maintaining tradition, so it is difficult topin down how important religious belief is to Americans or how it affects their daily lives.

Regardless of causal connection or lack there of, both Europe’s secularism and economic decline are best avoided for the united states’ future.

Pick of the Litter



I had another one of those odd encounters with the famous "Regent Philosophy of Love" today. My office hours in the international law journal overlap with a 2L who happens to be a newlywed. An ickey, gooey, "I wuv my widdle snookie--ookie woogie uggums" newlywed. Thou knowest the type. She's also been home schooled and graduated from an unaccredited Christian school in the middle of nowhere that no one has ever heard of. I say all this for the piint of proving she has, at best, a tenuous grip on reality and will probably get chewed up and spit out as a lawyer.



Wait, that wasn't my main point. Okay, I have two cynical observations to make. That was the first.



Anyway, I'm working on an article while she's sitting nearby chatting away on her cell phone. I can't help but here their conversation, as she is practically sitting in my lap. (It's a small office.) She's talking to a male friend who is planning to study in Strasbourg this summer, the same as I did. He does not wish to trave alone, so right there, over the phone, he makes a pitch that he should take one of her four sisters, sight unseen, and adds in what wonderful wicves any of them would make.



Excuse me? These are your sisters, not cocker spaniel puppies. Is this really how the more sheltered Christian girls trhink? Like that Henrietta hen from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons? Why do these girls consider their self wrth to be so low, marriages need to be prearranged with guys they've never even met? Not only that, who'd let their baby sister trot off to Europe with someone who is practically a stranger? I'm baffled. The longer I stay here, the more scared I get.



In other news, I watched Charlie Chaplin's first sound movie tonight, The great Dictator It was an hilarious satire on Hitler and Nazi Germany. I seem to recall Chaplin stating somewhere that if he had knownn the extent of Nazi brutality, he would not have made this film. i can't remember where he said that, but i am glad he made the movie anyway. It's a classic.

Let's Keep This Streak Alive



"Who Botched the Occupation?": NYTimes Magazine Cover, November 2, 2003



"Who Botched the Occupation?": Saturday Evening Post Cover, January 26, 1946



"Americans Are Losing The Victory in Europe": Life Magazine Cover, January 1, 1946



From Instapundit.com