Libertarian Leanings

Delusional Democrats

Kerry finished his convention speech a little while ago, and once again I was struck by a certain disconnect from reality.

On one occasion, I rode my bike into Soviet East Berlin. And when I proudly told my dad, he promptly grounded me. But what I learned has stayed with me for a lifetime. I saw how different life was on different sides of the same city. I saw the fear in the eyes of people who were not free. I saw the gratitude of people toward the United States for all that we had done.

He could be talking about the Iraqis. I doubt that would ever occur to him, but he could be talking about the Iraqi bloggers that I regularly read. With his talk of the fear in people's eyes and the gratitude of the people toward the United States, you would think he'd have some sympathy for the Iraqis who had the misfortune to live under Saddam, but he made no mention of it. I'm sure he misses the parallel.

"I ask you to judge me by my record", he said, but any mention of the Senator's record brings howls that his patriotism is being questioned. He made almost no mention of his Senate record, but he mentioned his patriotism being questioned.

And tonight, we have an important message for those who question the patriotism of Americans who offer a better direction for our country. Before wrapping themselves in the flag and shutting their eyes and ears to the truth, they should remember what America is really all about. They should remember the great idea of freedom for which so many have given their lives. Our purpose now is to reclaim democracy itself. We are here to affirm that when Americans stand up and speak their minds and say America can do better, that is not a challenge to patriotism; it is the heart and soul of patriotism.

This is a stunning accusation in its dishonesty. I feel he is speaking to me, and accusing me of questioning his patriotism. I don't think he has a direction for our country but for me to say that is to question his patriotism. His purpose he says is to "reclaim democracy itself". Is there anyone but the angry left who feel that democracy has been lost? He is recycling the propaganda of the left and I hope he will be called on it as the campaign progresses. He even went so far as to imply the old "no blood for oil" mantra with this.

And our energy plan for a stronger America will invest in new technologies and alternative fuels and the cars of the future -- so that no young American in uniform will ever be held hostage to our dependence on oil from the Middle East.

Mr. Kerry delivered his speech very well. The delegates clapped and cheered, and the emotion was clear on their faces. It was a regular revival meeting. But the speech was full of snide digs delivered in a tone of false reasonability.

I want to address these next words directly to President George W. Bush: In the weeks ahead, let's be optimists, not just opponents. Let's build unity in the American family, not angry division. Let's honor this nation's diversity; let's respect one another; and let's never misuse for political purposes the most precious document in American history, the Constitution of the United States.

Presumably to seek to offer an amendment to the Constitution is to misuse it. I find myself utterly repelled.

Teresa and John

What we got here is a match made in heaven. John-DO-YOU-KNOW-WHO-I-AM-Kerry and billionairess Teresa. The exchange between Teresa and Colin McNickle, editorial page editor of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, tells us who she really is, and how she and John are so right for each other. In a speech to the Pennsylvania delegates to the DNC, she said this to kick things off.

"We need to turn back some of the creeping, un-Pennsylvanian and sometimes un-American traits that are coming into some of our politics," Heinz Kerry said during a reception at the Massachusetts Statehouse

Here is a transcript of the recorded exchange between Teresa and McNickle, who was seeking to discover what exactly did she mean by "un-American".

McNickle: (inaudible) Un-American activity? You mentioned un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No, I did not say that.

McNickle: What did you mean?

Heinz Kerry: I did not say that (pointing finger at reporter).

McNickle: Well, what did you say?

Heinz Kerry: I did not say that.

McNickle: I am just asking what did you say.

Heinz Kerry: Why are you putting those words in my mouth?

McNickle: I thought you said something about being un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No I did not say that.

Heinz Kerry turns away, then returns a few moments later.

Heinz Kerry: Are you from the Tribune-Review?

McNickle: Yes, I am.

Heinz Kerry: Of course (turns away quickly).

McNickle: Come here (tapping her on the elbow).

Heinz Kerry: (Turns back to reporter) Understandable. You said something I didn't say — now shove it!

A review of an audiotape recording made by Patriot-News political reporter Peter DeCoursey shows that Heinz Kerry used the term "un-American traits."

Here's the polite take on it.

"Colin McNickle did just what any good reporter does -- he asked questions. And the question he posed in this instance was legitimate," said the statement by Editor Frank Craig. "The tape of Teresa Heinz Kerry's speech shows she used the word 'un-American,' even though she denied it. It is unfortunate that she ruined what was an otherwise good message by resorting to exactly the type of tactics she was criticizing."

It's worth noting how insistant she is that she didn't say what she clearly said. Of course, Heinz Kerry is worth billlions, so she doesn't have to take any crap from anybody. She won't be bothered answering questions, from presumptuous news editors. She just ignores those little slip-ups and if anybody wants to make something of it, well they can just shove it.

Don't they make the perfect pair. John-I-DON'T-FALL-DOWN-THE-SON-OF-A-BITCH-KNOCKED-ME-DOWN-Kerry and his billionairess wife prancing around the country posing as champions of the downtrodden. Unfortunately the recovering economy poses something of a problem for them. It makes for fewer and fewer downtrodden. Too bad for them the election can't happen a little sooner. By November the pool of downtrodden may very likely contain only the "little people" John and Teresa shove aside and step on as they try to claw their way to the White House.

Vacation is here!!

I'll be on vacation next week, and I don't plan to do any blogging. Let me recommend a couple of my favorite weblogs for your reading pleasure in case you happen by here with time on your hands. I'll be back around the first of the month.

Just One Minute
Man Without Qualities
Random Jottings
New England Republican
Instapundit
Iraq the Model
Hammorabi

I'm getting carried away. That really ought to do it.

The Iraqis are taking over

This, from Iraq the Model, is one of the most encouraging things I've heard in a while. Posted by Mohammed.

It seems that the vast majority of Iraqis have agreed to become "spies" and offer help to the IP, national guard and the Americans, and maybe the last series of operations carried in this area as well as other places with similar demography prove that such change in people’s attitude is real. There’s a high coordination between the people and the IP, new army and the Americans, and it has become a regular thing to read in the newspapers about locals giving information about land mines or foreigners in their neighborhood with suspicious behavior and several successful arrests were made and many lives were saved as a result of this cooperation.

Read all of it.

Media frustration...

They're having to work so hard these days. One can almost sympathize. It's just so hard to catch a break. After everything they've done, Bush and Kerry are still in a dead heat. Maddening! That's what it is. Maddening. And it used to be so easy. In the old days they'd say "This is the news", and there it was - the news. Every night Walter Cronkite would pick a few stories to make his points and then wrap up with "And that's the way it is...". For 280 million people that's the way it was.

They try to show us the way, they really do, showing us the stories that matter, the important stories, but it's not like the old days. When a story didn't make the right point, no problem, they just stuck in the back somewhere, out of sight if they had to use it at all. But they'd get the important ones out front, and they paid attention to the headline. They can still do a lot with headlines. They can take a bad story and turn it right around with a good headline. And it's a good thing too, you know. There are just so many more stories around these days, they just can't hide them all.

That's why the placement and the headline are so important. And the way a story is written matters. We're all so busy these days, always moving, always doing something. We don't have time to read a whole story so it has to be written with the most important points up front and the least important at the end. That way our friends in the media can feel they have a good chance that we'll pick up on the important things. But lately even that's not enough. Maybe they sense we haven't been getting it.

So, lately they've taken to reporting things that, well...may not be quite true. They'll write headlines that actually contradict their stories. They find themselves repeating things, things that turn out later on to be wrong. With corrections, well sometimes word doesn't get around that fast. Oh well, what's done is done. It's on to the next. There's always another important story are out there to be made.

It's all part of bringing us the truth, you know. That higher truth. They're dedicated people, but with the internet, and bloggers, and email, well there's only so much they can do. Nowadays when they say "This is the news", half the people just flat don't believe them, calling them liars. It's scandalous. They're out there day in and day out shaping public opinion and going that extra mile to make the world a better place. It's a thankless job.

Ali's catching on to this blogging stuff

I wonder if this is the first ever fisking by an Iraqi blogger. Somebody emailed Ali the "Not in Our Name Statement of Conscience" and he did a number on it. His "what they really mean" comments are in bold type. Here's a sample.

We will not hand over our consciences in return for a hollow promise of safety. We say Don't free them, NOT IN OUR NAME. We refuse to be party to these wars and we repudiate any inference that they are being waged in our name or for our welfare. We extend a hand to those around the world suffering from these policies; we will show our solidarity in word and deed, but excuse us if we can’t come closer to you because frankly, WE DON’T GIVE A SHIT.

Let us not allow the watching world today to despair of our silence and our failure to act, and prevent ANY action. Instead, let the world hear our pledge: we will resist the machinery of war against terrorism and repression and rally others to do everything possible to stop it and we will offer no alternatives, as it's not our business!

Join your voices to ours and lets DO NOTHING.

You gotta love it.

Michael and John

Hope springs eternal! Out with Berger, in with Moore. Well, maybe not for Secretary of State, but at least he'll be among the elite in Boston next week. According to the headline "Michael Moore: I will crash Kerry's party."

Republicans said the ``Fahrenheit 9/11'' creator will reflect poorly as a surrogate for Kerry.

"It's just another example of the pessimism and the conspiracy theories coming from John Kerry and John Kerry surrogates,'' said Kevin Madden, spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign.

"We're seeing a lot of hate and vitriol from this John Kerry celebrity set - Michael Moore, Whoopi Goldberg. It shows that their intent is to frame anger as an agenda.''

Democrats on the other hand are thrilled.

"Clearly the star of the week will be Sen. Kerry and Sen. (John) Edwards, but having Michael Moore in Boston to enjoy the events just adds a lot of excitement to everything else going on,'' Massachusetts Democratic Party spokeswoman Jane Lane said.

"I don't see it diminishing the real star of the week, but I think every Democrat in Massachusetts will be thrilled.''

Moore will be in the area for a private screening of his movie "Fahrenheit 9/11". Guess who's going to be there.

The private screening in Brookline will be for members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, including 150 DNC delegates.

This convention is shaping up to be a beauty even without Michael Moore on hand. He's sure to spice it up, and what fun it will be to see how Dear John reacts. I wonder if Ambassador Joe has a spot on the podium. Wouldn't that take the prize!

Sandy and John

So the romance has soured, but who could have guessed the ardor of John Kerry. USA Today informs us,

Berger, who had been considered a leading candidate for secretary of State in a Kerry administration, has been under investigation by the Justice Department since October for removing classified documents from a secure reading room at the National Archives.

Leading candidate for Secretary of State, under investigation by the Justice Department since <-insert descriptive participle of preference here-> October??

John Kerry. Boy can he can pick 'em. But relax and close your eyes for a moment. Imagine a Kerry presidency. Not relaxed anymore? Perhaps a little Valium will help. No? Rolaids maybe?

Here's a little something to bolster your confidence. Will Dear John always be the last to know?

Romney saves the DNC

Listening to the radio these mornings as I ride to work has had me scratching my head in wonder. Why is Mitt Romney pullling out all the stops to save the Democrats' convention at the Fleet Center? The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association had planned to picket the convention because they had no contract. Several delegations promised not to cross the union's informational picket lines. In steps Romney to save the day, by appointing an arbiter who is forcing Boston and the police union into binding arbitration. The cops may picket, anyway. Tom Keane of the Boston Herald speculates.

Then Romney stepped in. And by doing so, he provided a clear and concrete contrast to Kerry, an object lesson to the nation: This is how Republicans solve a problem. Here's how the GOP might frame it: Romney directly addressed a crisis; Kerry let it fester and grow. Romney defended the mayor; Kerry abandoned him. Romney stuck up for the residents of a city; Kerry sold them out in exchange for his self interest. Romney refused to toady to the tactics of a bully; Kerry let himself be pushed around.

Karl Rove, Bush's political guru, should have a field day with this one.

Moreover, Romney also cemented a new relationship with Menino. The convention ends in nine days. Menino and Romney will both be around for years.

It will be interesting to see if it works out that way. I tend to be skeptical but Mr. Keane has faith.

Menino is fundamentally a pragmatist. He disdains higher office, he isn't seeking to become a Kerry appointee and he'll work with anyone who will help him. Romney came through when it mattered; Kerry did not. Menino, famous for remembering the slights of others, also remembers their kindnesses.

They'll still have to deal with a bunch of ticked off commuters.

Thoughts on Joe and Val

For some time now I've been finding the Saga of Joe & Val endlessly entertaining. Much of it I owe to Tom Maguire at Just One Minute for his commentary on the subject. He's been at it for a while. Here in this post he links to this from Jonah Goldberg

Indeed, if Plame did in fact promote her husband for the job and he did subsequently distort the facts in an effort to undermine the White House in willful disregard to the facts as he knew them, it sounds to me like Husband and Wife were in on a partisan conspiracy together. That doesn't sound like something CIA analysts are supposed to be doing. No this wouldn't absolve the leaking of her identity, but it would detract from her martyr status quite a bit.

That part about the conspiracy? That was my thought, too. There seem to be three schools in the Saga of Joe & Val.

1. The get to the truth of the uranium from Niger school. On one side of this argument are those who remain convinced that an eight day tea drinking junket was all that was necessary to confirmed that Saddam wouldn't dream of seeking uranium from anywhere in Africa therefore Bush is a liar. On the other side are those like Mr Maguire who encounter difficulty swallowing what Joe Wilson has to offer, and believe that Joe is the liar.

2. The who in the administration outed Valerie Plame and was it a crime school. On one side of this argument are those convinced that yes it was a crime and reaches to the highest levels in the administration. On the other are those who suspect it may not be a crime if the leaker was unaware of Val's covert status.

3. The tin foil hat conspiracy theory school. This consists of your truly and maybe Jonah Goldberg, and perhaps I shouldn't forget Bryan Preston of JunkYardBlog. We suspect the Saga of Joe & Val was planned.

Let me expand on the third school of thought. In the views of Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Preston the conspiracy would seem to have the sole objective of discrediting the Bush administration by attacking the SOTU 16 words. I would argue that the outing of "Jane Bond", as Val is so fondly called by Ambassador Joe, could also be part of the conspiracy. Consider this suggestion left by a commenter on one of these blogs around here somewhere. (I'd attribute it if I could find it again.) When Bob Novak requested confirmation of the pivotal facts for his original story (the one that was the actual leak), the correct response to his queries should have been "Valerie who?" if Val was really covert. That might cause one to wonder who provided confirmation.

Here's an imaginative scenario. Val and pals from the CIA send Joe on an African junket, expenses paid, for the purpose of finding nothing. This, they hope, will weaken any possible case for military action against Iraq. Joe's exhaustive eight day trip culminates in success. Jackpot! He found it - nothing! Unfortunately the administration made their case anyway citing British intelligence. What to do now.

Take it to the press. That's the ticket! Preventive action failed, so now the objective is to attack the administration's argument by switching the nothing to something. Nothing becomes evidence that Iraq could not possibly have been seeking uranium in Africa. Amazingly, this got an incredible amount of play in the mainstream press as, well, credible. What journalists won't do for a couple of bucks and a little fame! Sorry, I guess that's a cheap shot. After all Joe, did have some forgery on which to base his argument. While it hasn't held up well lately, it sounded pretty good at the time. Still, not quite the hoped for traction. What next.

Go public. Ambassador Joe writes his editorial and takes to the airwaves. He becomes the next foot soldier to take up the battle to rescue America from the evil Republicans. Meanwhile the evil Republicans are asking, "Joe who? What the hell is he talking about?" Enter Bob Novak who is conveniently able to identify the major events and the players including our Val. Hmmm. Was she not really covert? Or were Joe and Val and maybe somebody else deliberately playing fast and loose with Val's identity? Somebody who might confirm things?

The last thing on my list is the motive. Mr. Goldberg suggests partisanship, Mr. Preston suggests there may be a little money in it for somebody. I don't know, maybe it could be a combination of both. Given Ambassador Joe's track record on veracity, I'm going to rule out patriotic fervor. In any event, I just can't help thinking that it will be hugely entertaining to see who it is who finally gets to do the Frog March. Do you suppose it's anything like the Fox Trot? Bunny Hop?