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00Publius Contributor - 2nd Amendment - Constitution - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Giving Brady Gun Banners The Stage

February 13, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Recently, the anti-Second Amendment group, The Brady campaign to Prevent gun Violence, came out with another of their “scorecards” where they rank states according to how bad or good gun laws there are — according to their anti-gun reckoning, of course. Upon its release, the MSM warmed up its anti-gun machine and began touting this “scorecard” as if it were gospel. Headlines blared how “good” a state was because it restricted guns or how “bad” it was if it ranked as a state with fewer restrictions on guns according to Brady. Of course, all this assumes straight out that this Brady organization “scorecard” is the correct view of guns, as if they are correct in their assessment. And their assessment is that guns are bad. Period.

I will feature two of those stories to show the point, here. One is from the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio. The second is a story from the News-Times, Danbury, Connecticut. The first laments that its state ranks “low,” in scores and the other happily touts that its state is “third-best.”

The Ohio paper gives a headline with a dire warning that “Ohio scores low in gun-control study.” We find the Columbus Dispatch leads with the news that Ohio scored only “13 points out of a possible 100” on the Brady scale. The paper laments that, “Ohio is not doing enough to protect its citizens against gun violence, according to an annual scorecard released Thursday by backers of the Brady gun-control law.”

They also quote a gun-control advocate about the supposedly disappointing score.

Continue reading “Giving Brady Gun Banners The Stage”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Iran DIDN’T Completely ‘Halt’ Nuke Program After All! Where’s the NYTimes’ Apology?

February 13, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Remember how the New York Times went apoplectic over last December’s NIE estimate that brashly claimed that Iran had suspended their intent to manufacture nuclear arms? It was a front pager and formed the basis of claims that we had illegitimately targeted Iran for rhetorical attacks by many people who opposed the Bush Administration’s entire foreign policy regime. Well, as the New York Sun said on the 7th, “what a difference two months make.” It appears that the original NIE report was too hasty in its claims that Iran was innocent as the driven snow. So, here’s the question: Will the NYT gives us a front page story apologizing for their alarmism?

Yeah. I didn’t think so.

On December 3rd, the NYT led its front page, “News Analysis” article with this startling statement:

Rarely, if ever, has a single intelligence report so completely, so suddenly, and so surprisingly altered a foreign policy debate here.

And in their followup report, the first paragraph read as follows:

A new assessment by American intelligence agencies released Monday concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains frozen, contradicting a judgment two years ago that Tehran was working relentlessly toward building a nuclear bomb.

Well, that all sounds as if the Bush Administration badly bungled the claims that Iran was trying to get the bomb, doesn’t it?

But, we are now two months in the future from those breathless reports and it seems as if the initial NIE report that the New York Times was so exercised over turns out not to be so sanguine of Iran’s eschewing of its nuclear ambitions.

The New York Sun reported on the 7th that maybe “Iran halted its nuclear weapons program” is a claim that is a bit over blown.

Continue reading “Iran DIDN’T Completely ‘Halt’ Nuke Program After All! Where’s the NYTimes’ Apology?”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - History - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Union Corruption Outpaces Watchdogs

February 13, 2008 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Feb. 10th, the New York Times had an article pointing out that union corruption in the Big Apple grows faster than Federal officials can keep up with prosecuting it. To we in the anti-union thug movement this is not news. It does, however, conform to our own mantra that unionism means corruption by its very nature.

For more than a decade, federal officials and court-appointed monitors have strained to clean up two New York-area unions, representing cement truck drivers and construction laborers, that prosecutors say were long under Mafia control.

Indeed, prosecutors once described the cement truck drivers’ union, Local 282 of the Teamsters, as a “candy store” for the mob that they say funneled $1.2 million a year to John Gotti, the longtime Gambino crime family boss who died in prison in 2002.

Well, more indictments have been handed down on the truck drivers union and business owners. This time over the embezzling of large sums of money from the union’s health care and pension finds by a trucking company owner, and another involving the business manager of local 325 who took bribes for favors.

As former prosecutor Robert Luskin said to the Times:

“For as long as we’re around, we’re going to have to fight a ground war in New York and New Jersey,” Mr. Luskin said. “It’s like World War I. We take some ground and then we have to fight to take it back again.”

Well, a really, really good solution might be to get rid of the unions, wouldn’t it?

In any case, unionism brings a constant stream of corruption, theft, graft and criminality and we will continue to monitor it for you here.

Continue reading “Union Corruption Outpaces Watchdogs”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Selwyn Duke - Society/Culture

The Wrath of John

February 13, 2008 by 1 Comment

By Selwyn Duke

Writing in the New York Post, columnist John Hurt warns of the obvious. John McCain may be campaigning as a conservative, says he, but once in office the senator will show his true colors and take a sharp left turn. Hurt opines:

He [McCain] claims the mantle of Ronald Reagan. He even claims the mantle of Barry Goldwater, conservatism’s crack version of Reagan. But as McCain clinches the GOP nomination, he will begin his usual leftward lurch.

He will return to his lifelong positions as soft on illegal immigration, skeptical of tax cuts and favoring strong federal control over things like campaign financing.

This is correct, but it gets even worse. The truth is that, once having ascended to the White House, McCain will both have less incentive than ever to listen to traditionalist voices and more reason to despise them.
First, McCain will be once-bitten but not at all shy. What am I talking about? Well, think back to his support for amnesty; the Republican electorate was enraged, his poll numbers dropped to single digits and his campaign was left for dead. No one foresaw him becoming a Lazarus candidate.

Yet rise he did.
Continue reading “The Wrath of John”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Warner Todd Huston

CNN Starts ‘Blanket Boycott’ Against Fox Authors

February 12, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now, this is how we expect the more “civilized,” more “caring,” more “intelligent” folks over at CNN to act, isn’t it? The Page 6 column in the New York Post found that CNN has instituted a “a blanket boycott” of anyone from Fox News from appearing on their precious airwaves, even though Fox has had several CNN folks on their shows when those CNNers were flogging their books and side projects. It seems civility is something that CNN just cannot muster these days.

THE folks at Fox News Channel are magnanimous enough to put their rivals from CNN on air, but CNN isn’t big enough to return the favor. Geraldo Rivera – who has a new book coming out, “His Panic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in the U.S.” – was booked to appear on Nancy Grace’s CNN show on Feb. 28. But then he was disinvited and told CNN had “a blanket boycott” against anyone from Fox. ” ‘The Most Trusted Name in News’ just chickened out,” Rivera told Page Six. “This reveals a corporate insecurity.” Fox has had on as guests both Wolf Blitzer and Glenn Beck. A CNN rep denied any boycott and blamed a scheduling conflict.

It’s bad enough that CNN is so anti-social that they won’t return Fox’s kindness, but even worse that they went ahead and booked Geraldo and then pulled the rug out from under his invite after all the plans were made!

Insult to injury to Mr. Rivera, for sure.

It shouldn’t be shocking that one network would find advertising for members of another network an idea they wouldn’t want to warm to, of course. But the whole ridiculous situation of scheduling interviews then ungraciously canceling them at the last minute just reeks of childish, unprofessional behavior. Especially since Fox has occasionally had CNN’s folks on in the past to help them flog their books.

Like I said, though. We expect this sort of uncivil behavior from the left. The next thing you know, John cougar Mellenkamp will try to stop John McCain from using his music, er sumpthin.

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Race - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

All They Need is Love — Obama’s Record Doesn’t Matter

February 12, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Alright, folks. I think we are seeing a phenomenon in the making. But first this word of sanity…

Barack Hussein Obama is an empty suit. You know it and I know it. In fact, I know it even better because I am from Illinois. I’ve watched Barack do practically NOTHING for his entire political career, save vote on the extreme left every time he bothered to vote — which wasn’t too often. He has the worst absentee and “present” vote record of any Illinois politician.

He even voted not to allow emergency care to babies who suffered the failed attempts of an abortion but were born anyway, legislation called the “born-alive act” in Illinois. He has been a strong abortion advocate since day one. The man is straight up baby killer.

But, aside from this he did about zip in the Illinois state house, just as he’s done about zip in the Senate of the United States. He sponsors little legislation and votes as little as he can get away with, mostly so that he doesn’t have to take a stand in public on any particular issue. He wants as little record as possible so that people have as little history from which to judge him.

And yet, not a single bit of this will matter. His legion of fans (and they can more rightfully be considered fans, not political followers) don’t give a donkey’s ass about what he does or does not really stand for. All they see is the “magic man” they love, the man who is for “change.” They haven’t a clue what that means, but they love it unconditionally.

This man has the singular ability to make slobbering nitwits of everyone he meets.

Continue reading “All They Need is Love — Obama’s Record Doesn’t Matter”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Google - Inernet - Media Bias - News - Scott Cleland - Technology

Bursting its own stock bubble: Why Google is its own worst enemy

February 12, 2008 by

-By Scott Cleland

Since the beginning of the year, Google’s stock has fallen over 25%–about 2-3 times the fall of the relevant indexes.

The good news for Google shareholders is that most all of Google’s stock price problems are self-inflicted, so they could fix them—if they wanted to.

The bad news for Google shareholders is that Google is unlikely to change its problematic bahavior—because “leopards don’t change their spots.”

Why is Google its own worst enemy?

First, Google routinely alienates its friends and allies.

The New York Times editorial board, which should be a natural ideological ally, busted Google badly in its editorial today: “Who’s the 800-Pound Gorilla?”

The NYT saw through Google’s anti-competitive complaints about Microsoft-Yahoo, labeling them as”self-serving,” “disingenuous,” and “so much empty whining.”

Google has badly alienated its shareholders (it’s most ardent believers) who wanted to believe that Google would reward them for their investment.

Despite Google’s torrid revenue growth (51%) for a company its size, investors are learning that Google already has spending plans for whatever revenue that comes in.
Continue reading “Bursting its own stock bubble: Why Google is its own worst enemy”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Slap of Daily Kos From the Left: ‘Hope Trumped Kos for Democrats’

February 11, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, this will send the Daily Kossacks into a tizzy! The Wall Street Journal has an op ed by Dan Gerstein titled, Decline of the Angry Left. Gerstein, a senior adviser for Joe Lieberman’s various national campaigns, claims that the Daily Kos is finished as a mover and shaker in Democratic politics. After reading it over I think he is dead on with much of his analysis. The anger of the extremist, left as seen on a daily basis on the Daily Kos site has lost the contest for the hearts and minds of the Democrat Party. As Gerstein notes, he has been the target of the left before and this op ed certainly won’t make him their newest American idol!

In fact, Gerstein might not make himself very welcome in many Democrat circles all the way ’round with his denigration of the party leadership at this time.

Indeed, at the exact moment their party leaders were loudly replaying the psychodramas of the 1990s (and to some extent the ’60s), voters of both races were quietly resolving the pre-eminent conflict of the party’s present — between the politics of hope and the politics of Kos. (That being the Daily Kos, the nation’s most influential liberal blog and the left’s poster child for partisan pugnacity.)

Gerstein says that, as they bicker over whom to support and as they fight the battles of the last century, the party leadership is missing the boat. He thinks that the rank and file have made a choice between the loud-mouthed, childish, vitriol of the Daily Kos set and have gone for the themes of “hope” and change” offered by Barack Hussein Obama. Though it might be a little premature to say that Barrack is the final choice of the rank and file, he is right that the hatemongering of the Daily Kos set has been spurned in the simple fact that John “silky” Edwards was soundly rejected at the polls.

Of Edward’s ridiculous campaign, Gerstein writes:

Mr. Edwards, after running as the sunny son of a mill worker in 2004, returned last year as the angry spear carrier of the hard-line left, running on a dark, conspiratorial form of populism and swapping in corporations for Republicans as the villain in his us-versus-them construct. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, has not just been selling possibilities and opportunities, but reconciliation and unity — and, god forbid, promising to work with Republicans to meet the country’s challenges. (Not surprisingly, throughout 2007, Mr. Edwards was the runaway favorite in the regular Kos reader straw poll — besting Mr. Obama by 21 points as late as Jan. 2, 2008.)

Now that Mr. Edwards has formally dropped out of the race, we can say it’s official — hope and unity crushed resentment and division.

Some may say that Edwards lost not because of his style — that of the angry populist — but because his new found arrival to that style was simply not credible. The angry Kossacks might take that very angle to explain away why they lost (as Gerstein points out, they supported Edwards heavily) but this would not explain why Edwards’ campaign did not resonate at all outside the nutroots on Al Gore’s Internet. So, with this in mind, I’d say that Gerstein is right that the petulant, tyros of the DailyKos are an ever dwindling minority and have lost their battle to control the Party.

Continue reading “Slap of Daily Kos From the Left: ‘Hope Trumped Kos for Democrats’”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Education - News - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

What Does Seattle Teachers Union Have to Hide?

February 11, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Proving once again that there is nothing democratic or open about unions, the Seattle Teachers union has successfully convinced Judge Julie Spector, a pliant activist judge, that no one should be allowed to view emails sent over government servers. Even worse, like most Democrat shills for unions, a Seattle Public School attorney rolled over and didn’t even fight for the public’s right to open records.

The dispute arose when an undisclosed, private citizen filed to see these emails created on government computers (Seattle Public Schools) and sent through government servers but was denied when the SEA went to court to stop the release of these public records, claiming that union business was none of yours — despite that the unions were using government equipment to send and create them.

Even though this pliant judge sided with the union, it is far from clear that these emails should be buttoned up, out of sight of the public.

Despite the union’s protests–and a King County Superior Court judge’s temporary ruling sealing the e-mails–the e-mails may not be so private. According to Kristin Alexander, spokeswoman for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, “E-mails sent over public computers are public,” although Alexander notes that “there are certain exemptions.”

This action and the weak response from the city attorney will only embolden those who want secrecy in government and freeze out open and transparent government.
Continue reading “What Does Seattle Teachers Union Have to Hide?”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Frank Salvato - GOP - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture

Stepping Back from the Conservative Abyss

February 11, 2008 by

-By Frank Salvato

“If you are looking at substance rather than if there is an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ after his name, manifestly, if he’s our candidate, then Hillary is going to be our girl, because she’s more conservative than he is…” – Ann Coulter on Hannity & Colmes

If Conservatives and Republicans don’t squelch their anger toward the apparent party nominee we will be falling into the trap the Liberal Left has set for us; the trap that splinters the Conservatives within the Republican Party so that another Clinton (or Democrat) can get into the White House with less than a majority of the national vote. We will be acting emotionally instead of intellectually; exactly as the Liberal Left wants us to.

I support Conservative principles and ideals. I would have enjoyed having a true Conservative on the ballot in November because I believe, given the choice, the nation would have voted “right.” But the reality of the situation, as it stands, is that dedicated Conservatives don’t have a horse in the November presidential contest. The choice now is this; do we fold altogether and literally hand the White House to a woman who idolizes the Socialistic tenets of Saul Alinsky or an untested freshman senator with no political paper trail, or do we advance intelligently, salvaging what we can?
Continue reading “Stepping Back from the Conservative Abyss”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Google - Inernet - News - Scott Cleland - Technology

FTC paved way for approval of Microsoft-Yahoo in approving Google-DoubleClick 4-1

February 11, 2008 by

-By Scott Cleland

I can’t say I’m at all surprised to see Microsoft seek to acquire Yahoo.

It makes obvious business sense for both Microsoft and Yahoo — it is the only viable and strategic option for either company to become a serious and credible competitor to Google-DoubleClick’s rapidly increasing dominance of search and Internet advertising.

And given the FTC’s surprisingly strong consolidation-endorsing analysis of the Google-DoubleClick merger — previously-perceived as a yellow antitrust light to such a merger by Microsoft — there is now a bright blinking green light for approval.

Timing-wise, it’s obvious to Microsoft to get approval now while the getting is so good.

Moreover, Yahoo’s faltering stock begged Microsoft to “Come on down! and play ‘The Price is Right!'”

Essentially, the FTC paved the road for antitrust approval of a Microsoft-Yahoo combination with its recent 4-1 approval of Google-DoubleClick.

The FTC ruled definitively two months ago that the Internet advertising market has “vigorous” competition, which “will likely increase.”
Continue reading “FTC paved way for approval of Microsoft-Yahoo in approving Google-DoubleClick 4-1”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Military - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

LATimes Says Cheney ‘Glad’ We ‘Tortured People’… Except VP Never Said It

February 10, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of the most egregious examples of MSM bias I’ve seen lately, Tim Rutten of the L.A.Times has blatantly lied about remarks that Vice President Cheney made at CPAC in a February 8th piece headlined “Bush’s message for McCain.” Rutten makes the outrageous claim that Cheney said he was “glad the administration had tortured people” during the Conservative Political Action Conference, but a review of the transcript of Cheney’s remarks easily shows that this is not what he said at all. Rutten simply reorders the VP’s words to get his desired meaning quite despite what was really said.

Here is what Rutten wrote on the 8th:

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Vice President Dick Cheney was addressing the meat-eaters at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He told them that he was glad the administration had tortured people and that he’d do it again: “Would I support those same decisions again today? You’re damn right I would.”

Over at Patterico’s Pontifications, however, we get the real words Cheney spoke at CPAC.

The United States is a country that takes human rights seriously. We do not torture — it’s against our laws and against our values. We’re proud of our country and what it stands for. We expect all of those who serve America to conduct themselves with honor. And we enforce those rules. Some years ago, when abuses were committed at Abu Ghraib prison, a facility that had nothing to do with the CIA program, the abuses that came to light were, in fact, investigated, and those responsible were prosecuted.

Mr. Cheney is obviously proud of the country, but he stressed that we do not torture. There is no passage where he said that we “torture people” and that he is “glad” that we do it. Not one such passage occurred in the Vice President’s remarks.

So, where is it that Cheney said he was glad we tortured and he’d do it again, Mr. Rutten? How the heck did you misconstrue that claim?

The only way that Rutten could have gotten a support of torture out of what Cheney said is to splice another section of Cheney’s speech to Rutten’s own interpretation that this country does torture people. Here is that section (my emphasis):

Continue reading “LATimes Says Cheney ‘Glad’ We ‘Tortured People’… Except VP Never Said It”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Morals/Sex - News - Warner Todd Huston

Gov’s Aide in Sex Assault on Boy… Democrat or Not?

February 10, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of “Democrat or Not?” Today we have the sordid tale of a “top official” in Governor Deval Patrick’s administration in Massachusetts who is accused of sexual misconduct with a minor in Florida. Oh, the story is filled with all sorts of details… well, all the details but one, of course.

Yes, folks, the AP gives us all the “relevant” facts:

A top official in Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration is accused of sexually assaulting a boy in the steam room of a Florida resort and has been placed on unpaid leave… Carl Stanley McGee, the assistant secretary for policy and planning, was arrested Dec. 28 after the suspected assault at the Gasparilla Inn and Club in Boca Grande, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The AP story goes on to tell us that McGee met the boy at a resort at which they were both staying, how he chatted the underaged boy up one day and met him for oral sex in the resort’s steam bath facility the next. The AP even lets us all know that McGee “made $115,000 as a state employee,” and that he “worked at Boston law firms before joining the administration.”

We even get this bit of salacious detail from the AP story:

His marriage to John Finley IV in November 2005 was featured in The New York Times’ Vows column.

So, this well-publicized homosexual, state employee gets all his relevant data revealed by the AP in their story. Well… maybe not. You see, there is one little descriptive word that the AP seems to have forgotten in their avalanche of McGee’s resume.

And that word is DEMOCRAT.

Continue reading “Gov’s Aide in Sex Assault on Boy… Democrat or Not?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - News - Society/Culture

Trusting in government

February 10, 2008 by

-By Michael M. Bates

Call me a nervous Nellie – if anyone still uses that expression – but I find middle-of-the-night phone calls disquieting. So when my telephone rang at 4:19 early Sunday, an assortment of scenarios, none of them good, ran through my mind in the few seconds it took to answer.

It was a reverse 911 call from the village of Tinley Park. The message began by telling me not to hang up before the entire recording played. If I did, I’d be called back until I listened to the whole thing.

The message concerned Saturday’s tragedy at a retail store in which five women were killed. I learned an intense investigation is underway, It was believed the person or persons responsible had fled the scene. If residents observed any suspicious persons or activity, they should contact the police. They should dial 911 if urgent assistance is required.

Additional police officers will be on patrol in the village. The town’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
Continue reading “Trusting in government”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Thomas Brewton

Liberal-Progressive Paganism

February 10, 2008 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Recycling is fraudulent and economically wasteful, but it’s a feel-good object of pagan worship for liberal-progressive-socialists.

Pagan gods of the Old Testament were powerless against God, as Pharaoh discovered when he balked at God’s demand to liberate the Isrealites from slavery. Nonetheless, Middle Eastern peoples, and even the Israelites, kept turning to their idols of stone, wood, and precious metals.

Re-cycling is a modern-day liberal-progressive idol that is, like the idols of old, both ineffective and harmful. Neither of these characteristics, of course, deters liberal-progressives, whose avowed fidelity to science doesn’t go as far as examining and acting upon actual results in real life.

The only requirement for liberal-progressives is that a shibboleth sound good and make them feel good.

But, why recycling?
Continue reading “Liberal-Progressive Paganism”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - History - Lee Culpepper - Media Bias - Military - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

What is a Hero?

February 9, 2008 by

-By Lee Culpepper

There are many heroes in this world, but the word “hero” itself has become a hackneyed label. Time and again it is circumstance that brings out an individual’s heroic qualities. Our military members who are serving our country and fighting for the freedom of people in a foreign land are undeniably heroes.

Frequently, many heroes pay the ultimate price while serving others, such as the brave firemen, policemen, and civilians who sacrificed their lives trying to save the victims of 9/11. For the heroes who survive their crucibles, they tend to continue serving with a degree of humility and meekness. How many heroes do we know that flaunt themselves as such? Heroes are modest, truthful, loyal, and selfless.

My previous article about John McCain mocked him for several reasons, including his constant reminder that he suffered as POW in Vietnam. I respect that John McCain served and sacrificed for our country. But I do not admire anything that is known about him before his time as a POW or after his release. It is impossible for us who have never endured such an experience to understand what McCain must have gone through. Having survived it, however, why does he so bitterly oppose the POW/MIA families (From Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain)? His actions and behavior are nothing short of disturbing. Why wouldn’t everyone question McCain’s motives concerning this subject?
Continue reading “What is a Hero?”

00Publius Contributor - Education - Israel Teitelbaum - News - Society/Culture

Real Life Super Bowl

February 9, 2008 by

-Israel Teitelbaum

While many millions of Americans were watching two football teams battle it out in an evenly matched contest, a real life battle for the future of this nation was and is being fought. This match is far more lopsided.

On the right are a handful of political leaders and about 60 major “Right Wing” organizations. They have budgets that pale in comparison to their opponents, with staffs of thousands. While the Right may enjoy enthusiastic cheering from much of talk radio, reaching tens of millions of listeners, the “news” portion of radio broadcasts, as well as TV news and commentary are dominated by the Left. These are viewed daily in most households, many times more than radio talk shows. The Left also has a standing political army of 3.2 million members of the National Education Association stationed in all 50 states and over 14,000 communities across the USA. Additionally, countless advocacy groups are funded out of the NEA’s estimated $2 Billion budget.

Had the two Super Bowl teams been so matched, it is doubtful that anyone would have been watching the game. It’s therefore not surprising that so many conservatives feel apathetic, hopeless and confused. This also explains why all the leading presidential candidates when addressing the issue of education for all our children, fear the left side of the isle, even those calling themselves conservative, leaving many of our children abandoned in poor public schools that do not teach.
Continue reading “Real Life Super Bowl”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

MSNBC’s David Shuster Suspended for Chelsea ‘Pimped Out’ Comment

February 8, 2008 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

As Mark Finkelstein reported on Newsbusters on the 7th, MSNBC’s David Shuster made a rather interesting comment about Chelsea Clinton as he was hosting “Tucker” that evening. Shuster asked if Hillary Clinton’s use of her daughter on the campaign trail seemed “like Chelsea’s sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?” Well, NBC has now announced that they’ve suspended Shuster over the comment…. so much for free political speech.

In a press release, NBC says the following:

On Thursday’s “Tucker” on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.

Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns accepted invitations from us on Thursday evening to participate in a February 26th debate. Our conversations with the Clinton campaign about their participation continue today, and we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.

Of course, Shuster’s comment seems quite mild compared to say Randi Rhodes’ radio skit that said that Romney supporters would go on mass murder sprees, or that conservatives will “kill” Hillary as Chris Matthews said on the 8th… or just about anything that the women on the View say at any given time. Not to mention the horrible things that liberal TV hosts have said about Rush Limbaugh or any conservative figure.

So, where are all the suspensions of liberal TV hosts who attack conservative candidates or personalities? Can you name one?

Continue reading “MSNBC’s David Shuster Suspended for Chelsea ‘Pimped Out’ Comment”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - History - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

A College Paper Attacks Ronald Reagan, Misspells Name as ‘Regan’

February 8, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Not that we need any more proof that our colleges and universities have degraded to near foolishness, but the Daily Collegian, a paper that bills itself as “New England’s largest college daily,” gives us one more reason to assume it is true. The paper, published at the University of Massachusetts, gives us an uninformed screed against Ronald Reagan that is a mere exercise in name calling as opposed to a cogent review of Reagan’s presidency. And, most ridiculous of all, the headline to the piece spells Reagan’s name “Regan.” Apparently this “school” doesn’t have an encyclopedia handy to find out about this “Regan” guy?

Like many college journalist wannabes they assume that petulance and bombast is the road to “journalism” and this fellow, Ted Rogers, is no different. He begins by smearing Reagan admirers as sexual perverts:

I think I might be the only person who still has this opinion, but I need to get it out there. I think the inappropriate loving of dead people, commonly known as necrophilia, is just plain wrong and weird. There, I said it.

I have a bit of advice to young Mr. Rogers. Get thee to a dictionary. Reverence of the dead is in no way similar to sexual interest in the dead. And, I should let you know, Mr. Rogers, you aren’t the “only person who still has” that opinion. You are the only one who has it at all. What’s more, you are the only one who ever has. And the fact that some 75% of the country disagrees with you, even by your own reckoning, should tell you that you are on the nut, fringe.

Then, young Mr. Rogers goes on to regurgitate all the old, hatemongering from the left that is left over from the rhetoric wars of the 1980s, none of which he has any real proof for, but just hands us as if it were patently true.

Continue reading “A College Paper Attacks Ronald Reagan, Misspells Name as ‘Regan’”

00Publius Contributor - Religion - Thomas Brewton

Discovering God’s Will For Your Life

February 8, 2008 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

The bottom line is put first things first.

Pastor Steve Treash preached Sunday’s sermon at Black Rock-Long Ridge Congregational Church (North Stamford, Connecticut). His question was, “How do we discover God’s will for our lives?”

God knows everything, because he created us and everything in the universe.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

God is all-wise; He knows what is best for me.

– to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:27)

God loves me.
Continue reading “Discovering God’s Will For Your Life”

00Publius Contributor - History - News - Security/Safety

Were the Indians Noble Savages?

February 8, 2008 by

-By Don Boys, Ph.D.

The Indians in North America were sleeping peacefully in their hogans, wigwams, and long houses during the early hours of October 12, 1492. They were dreaming as they had for centuries, of flashing salmon, thundering herds of bison, an arrow striking a deer, and the sound of corn rustling in the evening breeze, with no idea of the events that would happen that day when Europeans would step out of a small boat into the pounding surf.

Columbus had arrived. He delivered civilization to this continent–and all that went with it, good and bad. As the Indians began to stir from a sound sleep, Columbus was nearing the island of San Salvador.

Columbus knew he was nearing land when he saw driftwood floating near his ship and land birds flying around the masts. He no doubt wondered what people were watching his ship from behind the screen of foliage as he neared the shore. Would the people be friendly, noble savages, or hostile, brutal savages? Both ideas would be promoted for many years back in Europe, but the idea of noble savages was popularized by humanist writers. It still is today.

Continue reading “Were the Indians Noble Savages?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Race - Religion - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Reuters: CAIR Says They ‘Feel Left Out’ of 2008 Election

February 7, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Proving once again in good European form that they think nothing American is democratic, good or fair, Reuters gives us a pity party for CAIR who is whining that they “feel left out” of the 2008 presidential elections. With the headline blaring “Some non-Christians feel left out of election,” Reuters gives us a tale of woe guaranteed to make Europeans shake their heads knowingly that we Americans are really just Christian nuts out to oppress all minorities. One does wonder, however, how CAIR would like it if Muslims did become a focus of the 2008 elections? In light of current events it is doubtful if such a focus would be favorable to them, so, were I them, I’d be happy no one is paying attention to them!

In a U.S. election campaign where presidential candidates from both major parties have talked openly about their Christian faith, some non-Christians feel shut out or turned off.

Listen, this is a majority Christian nation and anyone wanting to get elected is naturally going to talk as closely as possible to that majority. This country is still over 75% Christian, so it is a logical presumption that citizens whose religion represents only a few percentage points would not be a focus of a politician’s efforts!

But not being a focus does not equate to oppression or their rights being squelched, it must be pointed out.

And here we go with the tsk tsking:

Continue reading “Reuters: CAIR Says They ‘Feel Left Out’ of 2008 Election”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

What Unions Do

February 7, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Over at the Chicago Maroon (an Independent newspaper of the University of Chicago), Mat Barnum has a post that has some great points in it. In A union divided: Organized labor strikes out, Barnum discusses the writer’s strike and what is going on there.

I miss The Office. A lot.

Thankfully, though, my favorite show will likely return soon, as the writers’ strike appears set to end this week. Likely, this will be heralded as a victory for fairness.

To most, unions are the good guys, fighting for fair wages and just treatment. Opposing these principles are big, greedy businesses eager to abuse workers, firing them willy-nilly, paying them less than they’re worth, and ruthlessly busting their earnest attempts at organizing. This narrative seems particularly pervasive here in Hyde Park: From U of C students rallying behind the campus clerical workers union, to community members blocking a hotel deal because the operating company doesn’t use unionized labor, the vocal consensus is decidedly pro-union.

The problem with the simplistic portrayal of good workers vs. evil businesses is not necessarily with its depiction of employers—of course they’re greedy—but with its glorification of employees. Workers who form unions are self-interested in the same way businesses are.

Unions, just like firms, are happy to promote their own interests, even at the expense of others. Take teachers’ unions, for example. Most, like the National Education Association (the largest labor union in the country), have long opposed merit pay. They argue that it is not effective—but even if it were, unions would still be against it since it’s not in many of their members’ best interest.

Continue reading “What Unions Do”

00Publius Contributor - Dan Scott - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

Sock Puppet for President

February 7, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Dan Scott

Many of us feel disenfranchised by the clever manner in which the political process was manipulated for the 2008 presidential season. This was due to the front loading of states with liberal demographics and the MSM deselecting conservative candidates they didn’t like by not giving press coverage of the same quantity and quality as they did with very liberal candidates. A choice is not a choice when someone else makes the choices. Politicians and the liberal MSM engaged in deselecting viable candidates denying the public a real choice in whom they want to be President. This de-selection brings us full circle back to the days of the closed door brokering sessions of the power elites. The point of self governance is for the people to decide, not a small clique whose interests and agendas are better served by steering our choices. The first words of the Constitution says, “We the People”, not “We the elites know better, now shut up and do as we say.”

As dissatisfied as we are with the current selection, many of the more disgruntled among us who want to boycott the election are overlooking something very important. On occasion, politicians bend to the will of the People when they become very engaged on a specific issue. Politicians deign to the public in these matters since throwing a bone to them now and then keeps them thinking the politicians have finally got it and won’t pull another stunt. The problem is, the politicians do get it, that’s why they throw the bone, they are testing to see how engaged the public is on the issue. It seems that we have to be constantly on guard against politicians with agendas. You see, in order for politicians to advance their agendas they require our silence, our condoning of their actions. This is representation turned upside down in a Republic, the politician is supposed to represent the thinking of those who elected them. Gone are the days when we can complacently go about our business while expecting our public servants to do our bidding. Unfortunately, as long as they incrementally make changes (laws), the public doesn’t notice or doesn’t see the agenda for what it is until it’s too late. It’s only after the law is made, some people notice but not enough or all at once to make a difference. Arbitrarily not enforcing laws to advance an agenda also works the same way, illegal immigration is the example of this. This is how self governance is corrupted giving way to special interest groups backing politicians with their own agendas.
Continue reading “Sock Puppet for President”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - Media Bias - Nancy Salvato - News - President - Society/Culture

Play President For Me

February 7, 2008 by

-By Nancy Morgan

Form, not substance, will determine the Democrat nominee

The candidate enters the room. Applause, excited whispers. Candidate strides to the podium, scanning the crowd, making sure the cameras are on. Halfway to the podium the candidate pauses. Eyebrows go up, mouth opens, surprise registers and up comes the arm, pointing to someone in the audience. A dozen people start swivelling their heads to catch a glimpse of the anointed. Finding no-one, a full half will be amazed that the candidate actually remembered them from that meet and greet 5 years ago. Wow!

At the podium, candidate remembers to smile, sometimes pointing again and mouthing an imaginary conversation with another good friend they’re surprised, surprised to find in another area of the audience. Finally, hands up, palms out, a look of humility, before registering whatever emotions have been scripted for that particular venue. Now, down to business.

The script may vary but there are certain established rules that Democrat candidates must follow if they are to have a chance at the brass ring. Image is first and foremost. Apparel, accessories, makeup and hairdo determine that important first connection.
Continue reading “Play President For Me”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Family - History - News - Race - Religion

Black History Month, Martin Luther King, and Hypocritical Media!

February 7, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Don Boys, Ph.D.

Martin Luther King, Jr. disgraced his race—the human race, and it is incredible that media moguls, black leaders, guilty whites, ad nauseam, continue to perpetuate the myth that he was a good man and one to be emulated, honored, respected, if not worshipped.

When I tell the truth about King and other black opportunists and criticize “Black History Month” my critics, rather than deal with my facts and conclusions, usually question my intelligence, my motives, if not my birth. They treat me the way I am accused of treating King. I simply ask people to deal with the facts, looking at his life not the color of his skin. My motives are important to me but do they really matter to others?

Every February it gets wearisome to hear Blacks tell us over and over how Black explorers, inventors, scientists, athletes, preachers, etc., have been the saviors of, if not the world, at least the U.S. Now, I am the first to admit that more black achievement should have been in our textbooks and much should be made of their work; however, all that should be included in American History, not Black History. And Afrocentrism should be considered nonsense.

If I were the hater and bigot I am accused of being then why are some of my dearest friends Black? Why would I have enormous respect for historical Blacks who make all Americans proud? Why would I be thrilled to have as neighbors Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, or Clarence Thomas?

Continue reading “Black History Month, Martin Luther King, and Hypocritical Media!”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - Race - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Congressman Uses Obama Win for Race Baiting

February 6, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Here is one the MSM will run away from as fast as they can. Missouri’s William “Lacy” Clay (D, MO) used Barack Hussein Obama’s startling Missouri win as a chance to play the race card against whites. During the post primary rally Clay fired up the crowd with some hearty “they’re all against us” rhetoric leaving no doubt who the “they” are. You won’t hear this on the MSM because they are trying their hardest to keep Obama’s “Change” express on its tracks and no old playbook, race baiting will be allowed.

His comments appeared on KFEQ-AM radio this morning and they show that Clay isn’t above using Obama’s moment in the sun, his message of “change,” to go right back to the old race baiting playbook.

Change? Not so much. It’s still “us” against “them” as far as Clay is concerned.

It should be recalled that Clay is one of those who took the occasion of Bill Clinton’s off handed remarks last month as a chance to “warn the Clintons” against their race baiting.

Back on the 24th, Clay said, “If for some reason Barack does not go all the way and become the Democratic nominee and Hillary is, there will be quite a lot of animosity throughout Missouri and throughout the African-American community toward the Clintons.”

Transcript of Obama Rally Comments:

“That’s what hope will give you. It just goes to show you, all of Missouri and our state can vote against this guy, can vote against our dreams and ambitions, but St. Louis City and County, brought him home.”

Continue reading “Congressman Uses Obama Win for Race Baiting”

00Publius Contributor - GOP - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

The Washington Times Came ‘a Callin’ — Me in Today’s Edition

February 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Just a quick note to let Publius Forum visitors know that I was quoted in the Washington Times today.

Writer Jennifer Harper had emailed me the other day for my impression on the media during this election cycle. She featured my opinion up front in the story.

Go check it out:

“Press coverage dry run for fall,” By Jennifer Harper

An important day of reckoning finally arrived in the presidential race yesterday, and not a minute too soon. The press at last had genuine news events to cover, rather than weepy moments or political kerfuffles.

Most news organizations treated Super Tuesday as a dress rehearsal for Election Day, with fancy graphics, multitudes of correspondents and frantic wall-to-wall coverage from rural voting booths and hotel ballrooms alike. But some wonder if journalists remain in “anointing” mode — winnowing down the field of candidates through selective coverage, ultimately proving a disservice to voters who are hungry for substantive issues and acutely engaged in the race.

“Primary coverage is horribly slanted. The mainstream media all-out attacked Fred Thompson and wounded his campaign seriously with the false ‘he’s lazy’ charge, and they serially attacked his wife, too. With him out of the way, they are now doing their best to slam Mitt Romney at every turn in favor of John McCain,” said Warner Todd Huston of NewsBusters, a media-watchdog group.

“They think McCain is beatable, and if not, is liberal enough to suit them. So they are propping McCain up as much as they can,” said Mr. Huston, who also took the New York Times to task.

The paper yesterday showcased a photo of Mr. Romney that looked “sinister” when compared to his rivals, a “happy Clinton, McCain, Obama,” he said.

Continue reading “The Washington Times Came ‘a Callin’ — Me in Today’s Edition”