Trexler's Take

On...BEST ALBUMS OF 2011

2011-12-31T11:23:00.004-05:00

Since I have a brief moment before the new year, I will present my favorite albums of 2011 in descending order.

10.) Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi ~ Rome
9.) Foster the People ~ Torches
8.) Florence & The Machine ~ Ceremonials
7.) Cake ~ Showroom of Compassion
6.) Fountains of Wayne ~ Sky Full of Holes
5.) My Morning Jacket ~ Circuital
4.) Adele ~ 21
3.) The Decemberists ~ The King is Dead
2.) Ivy ~ Distant Lights

and

The Best Album of 2011

1.) The Black Keys ~ El Camino

Budget Fairy Tales, Left and Right

2011-11-07T19:04:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while but I felt this article was worth posting. The article is succinct and worth every word.

Budget Fairy Tales, Left and Right

On..."Earned Success"

2011-08-08T12:18:00.002-04:00

A few articles to share. It's been a while.

First Michael Barone ties together a number of ideas to formulate an idea that is overall pretty basic but is often ignored.
Barone writes

They want public policies that enable them to earn success, and they resent policies that channel money to the politically well positioned or to those who have not made decisions and taken actions necessary for earned success. They want to be empowered, not patronized.

(Walter Russell) Mead makes an even stronger point when he writes that "for large numbers of voters, the professional classes who staff the bureaucracies, foundations and policy institutes in and around government are themselves a special interest." One, he adds, that acts "only to protect their turf and fatten their purses."

Americans Want the Honor of "Earned Success"

The Tea Party's rise and success has been linked to both of these points, but especially the second one. Government has become a massive special interest and for those on the outside-looking-in resentment has been growing for some time. Continually throughout US history the people have rebelled from what they deemed an unnatural growth (and abuse) of power consolidated in one group's hands i.e. slave holders, Gilded Age capitalists, urban political machines. In all three cases, the federal government was strengthened to destroy (slave holders) or reduce (capitalists, political bosses) these power grabs. Now, the very monster they created to protect the republic is now seen by a growing minority to be the threat to the republic.

If there is one person who needs to be read it's Walter Russell Mead. His last few blog posts have been awesome, especially

The Writing on the Wall

It perhaps is the best long essay I've read all year.

His latest American Tinderbox is also very interesting.

On...A Wonderful Birthday and an Unhappy Birthday

2011-07-04T09:32:00.001-04:00

Robert Samuelson continues to be a great voice in our Republic's present skirmishes. The linked piece may be a tad pessimistic on a glorious day for our nation, but he really is presenting a reality that many of our citizens are ignoring. Along with William Russel Mead he is in a smooth groove.

I particularly loved the bit about the reactionaries versus radicals. I think this is becoming truer and truer.

Unhappy Birthday

On...Hilarious Historical Comedy

2011-06-12T21:52:00.002-04:00

This bit from Jimmy Fallon is over a year old now but I love it. Inane historical humor. My AP students tend to get a kick out of it after we study the Manifest Destiny chapter.

Gadsden Purchase from Michael G on Vimeo.

On... Sipping Gas in the Faculty Lounge

2011-05-01T10:18:00.002-04:00

Victor Davis Hanson presents some interesting points about Obama and his administration in regards to the high price of gas and their disconnect with middle-class reality. He doesn't include it, but I also think they've drunk from the Tom Friedman school of economics: only super high gas prices will force us off the teat of foreign oil. They never say this too strongly in public, but you only need to connect the dots.

Obama, Gas Prices & the Faculty Lounge

On...Ceilings of Debt

2011-04-13T21:34:00.000-04:00

Shouldn't it be a basement of debt? Anyway, this graph is pretty amazing, and scary and I don't know what we're going to do. Where in the hell is all this money going? I think we could have filled the Grand Canyon by now.

NationalJournal.com - GRAPHIC: 10 Years, 10 Broken U.S. Debt Ceilings - Wednesday, April 13, 2011

On...Backbencher in Chief

2011-03-23T09:13:00.002-04:00

I love the continuous small insights from the Chicago journalists who knew President Obama best from his Illinois days. Their contempt for the Chicago Way is powerful, but I don't think it necessarily blinds them to the truth. Obama was a shadow rising in the ranks on image and hope and not substance. He was a backbencher. He learned the game to his credit and hit the jackpot. Unfortunately for us he's the leader of the free-world and his abilities are more and more rhetorical. The quotes in the article below truly are telling. He reminds me of the Godfather when Michael tells Tom Hagen that he's out of the major decision making because he's not a wartime Consiglierie. Obama is not a wartime president. Well, I'd rather have Tom Hagen than Obama. Hagen got a raw deal though he wasn't as ruthless as Michael or Sonny. Obama is becoming an egghead Fredo. Nobody wants that. Nobody wants a backbencher for POTUS.

While Obama searches for clarity, we're plunged into another war

The second article is Maureen Dowd's new one on the women who are giving Obama a spine.

Fight of the Valkyries (Obama's ladies of war)

On..Taking a Bogey

2011-03-20T07:31:00.003-04:00

There does seem to be this nonchalant caste about the POTUS in terms of the major issues of his day. He's not Carter, because thankfully he's not as whiny. But I agree with Goldberg that he is certainly not Ike. The quote that really hits home in this article is "The real problem for Obama is not that he likes his exercise. It’s that he’s acting like an employee who thinks he’s too good for the job." I think this is a real astute observation. I've been that guy before and it isn't becoming. It's sad that Obama fits all the stereotypes of the left-wing intellectual, especially when things aren't rosey and he's not praised for being such an awesome human being from every spectrum of the globe. It's his demeanor, his attitude. Take the press conference when he announced we would support a no-fly zone in Libya. It was like he just had to get through this and do something else. I watched a few minutes of his NCAA women's bracket picks on ESPN and he seemed to be having the same issue. It wasn't as apparent but it was there; the college professor trying to act like he is having a few beers with the proles down at the local pub. If this pub isn't in Ann Arbor or Madison or Berkeley he's a dork.

He will go for second term because he has to, not because I think he really wants to.

The President Takes a Bogey - Jonah Goldberg - National Review Online

On...2012

2011-03-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

It is still a bit early to get the carnival started again but I would have to agree with this assessment.

2012: Yes, maybe, and unelectable - The Boston Globe

My present order of interest is currently:

1. Mitch Daniels
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. Jon Huntsman
4. Mitt Romney (If there is no one else)

And for the Dream and a Prayer who can be drafted late: General David Petraeus.

VP-Pick: Chris Christie (He's the bulldog you need. This should be a no-brainer. He would tear the hell out of Joe B.)

On...Oscar Parties

2011-02-28T18:30:00.002-05:00

Well, it took 15 years but our Oscar Party was finally covered by the press, the Oakland Press. They put together a small 4 minute (unedited) flyby of the festivities. Good for a novelty. So without further ado. . .

On...Mitch

2011-02-12T14:47:00.001-05:00

I know he doesn't fire up a crowd with lofty rhetoric, but his central message is solid and firm. I don't know if can win, but he has my attention

Mitch Daniels

Daniels Offers Tough Love to Conservative Crowd

Teasing for a Run

From NPR

On...Top 5 Films of 2010

2010-12-30T21:19:00.008-05:00

BEST FILMS OF 2010

I watched 19 films that were released in theaters between Jan 1, 2010 and the end of the year. This is certainly down from the late 90s where I viewed between 40 and 50 per year. Not too bad considering I have a few more responsibilities now. I didn't get a chance to see The Fighter, Black Swan, or The Kids Are All Right that have gathered a lot of buzz, but those are the breaks. I limited it to 5 since movies like The Other Guys would have probably sneaked in (funny film but should not find itself in such company).

So here are the TOP 5 FILMS of 2010:

5) True Grit By Joel & Ethan Coen.
I don't know where this film will end up on the list after it settles. I just viewed it today and Coen Brother films tend to need repeat viewings to fully appreciate. I have to admit I wasn't originally taken with either Big Lebowski or Oh, Brother Where Are Thou? Boy has that changed. That aside, True Grit is a solid movie: funny, hard edged, a fabulous yarn from beginning to end. Best western since Open Range.

4) Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part I by David Yates.
Raw and stunning. After rewatching Half-Blood Prince a few nights ago I have even more appreciation for the latest Potter film. Deathly Hallows is richer and darker and takes care of the characters on a deeper level than the previous films. Maybe this is because they have more time to nurture Rowling's prose with two movies. Either way it is a great introduction to the coming finale.

3) Inception by Christopher Nolan
The last 30 seconds deny this film the number one spot, but from beginning to end it is a visual treat and I can't complain in the face of such layered filmmaking. It also proved that you don't need 3D to blow an audience away. I don't know how Nolan and his brother pieced this dream-factory together, but the sheer audacity is breathtaking.

2) Toy Story 3 by Lee Unkrich.
Pixar makes cathedrals out of digital film. This company is the Babe Ruth of motion pictures. One home run after another. I haven't cried and laughed so much since, well, since Up.

1) The Social Network by David Fincher.
Never has a film gripped a viewer and flung them roaring for an hour and a half with nothing but dialogue, acting, and multiple lawsuits. Fincher has come a long way from Alien 3. This is a tour de force on numerous levels. (It even made Justin Timberlake a real actor) It may leave you with more questions than answers, but this movie is immensely enjoyable. A time capsule of the mid 2000s.

On...Hans Rosling's 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes - The Joy of Stats - ...

2010-12-16T18:09:00.001-05:00

Really neat. The 4 minutes fly by.

On...Fallen Indian

2010-12-16T17:38:00.005-05:00

RIP Indians Legend Bob Feller

Bob Feller footage from OleMissCub on Vimeo.

The more I read about him the more I'm impressed. So much that this is my first post in 2 months. I wish I had more good news about the 2011 Indians. Boy could they use a Bob Feller. Once in a century product however.

From Cleveland Plain Dealer

An American Icon

War Hero

ESPN's Collection of articles and videos

New York Times and all the Bob Feller related Links

On...The Shovel Incompetent

2010-10-17T08:40:00.002-04:00

Jonah Goldberg digs up the non-sense, flim-flam that was the Obama "shovel-ready" dream. He also lays out more evidence of what many of us already knew: he was woefully unready for President. Unfortunately the PR President's ego is so huge I don't even think the Nov. Mid-terms will wake him up.

A Shovel-Unready President

On...Losing the Political War

2010-10-11T21:05:00.000-04:00

From Time Magazine. A decent breakdown of the POTUS's slide.
Why Obama Is Losing the Political War

On...Political Tornadoes

2010-10-01T10:01:00.002-04:00

Peggy Noonan examines the political winds and the internal struggle of the Democratic Party caught in stagnation and cynicism. The Twister of 2010

On...Blind Men ignoring the masses

2010-08-27T13:04:00.001-04:00

Jonah Goldberg and Charles Krauthammer are very succinct in breaking down the real problems of our present administration. Sadly, the Left is blind to it. Again I hope the GOP shapes up and doesn't run the victory into the ground come next term.

Jonah Goldberg in the National Review
Dorsal Fins Surround White House

Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post
The Last Refuge of the Liberal

On...Babies

2010-08-09T09:44:00.000-04:00

Robert Samuelson continues to make great arguments. This time is demographics. Solid Americans need to have children to maintain the Republic. However, modern society is often against it.

The Parent Trap

On...5 Books with Mitch Daniels

2010-07-08T11:11:00.001-04:00

Here are 5 recommended books by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
Mitch Daniels Books

I hope to post on other GOP potential 2012 candidates in the near future.

On...Retirement Savings

2010-06-28T20:41:00.003-04:00

My good friend Jeff was just on FOX 2 here in Detroit talking about retirement plans. Check it out below.

On...Daddy's Credit Card

2010-06-17T21:12:00.000-04:00

Nolan Finley: Big spending 'has to stop' but when? | detnews.com | The Detroit News

My one question to Nolan is when he says each person's chuck of the debt is $42,000, he doesn't mean per family but per individual, right?. So between my wife and kid we're talking $126,000.
I'll trade them our townhouse and call it even. :)

On...Tough Talk

2010-06-13T21:19:00.001-04:00

Is Obama's Tough Talk Serious?

Jonah Goldberg enlightens us with the rhetoric of the POTUS and his growing lameness. Goldberg doesn't use that word, but I am. Obama is lame and on the verge of pathetic. Especially when he can't let Bush go. He's been the savior-in-chief for almost 18 months. When he's a one-termer and writes his memoirs I'm sure the overarching theme will be Bush screwed up so bad, James Buchanan bad, that even the audacity of hope himself couldn't fix it. He will tether himself to W for the rest of his life. Fun times.

On...7 New Rules For Getting Ahead - Rick Newman (usnews.com)

2010-06-12T12:41:00.000-04:00

As the Recession trudges on (especially in Michigan) I thought this article was especially useful to Generation X and Gen Y.

7 New Rules For Getting Ahead - Rick Newman (usnews.com)

On... The Marines

2010-05-21T11:00:00.001-04:00

With the increase of soldiers in Afghanistan in preparation for the summer offensive and the conclusion of the HBO miniseries The Pacific past, Victor Davis Hanson has Marines on the mind. And rightfully so. Even with all their peculiarity and bravado, the Marines are useful and their style is useful. Perhaps not the best in all situations but there are times when Marines do what they have been bred to do. Yes, bred. But not always liked. See the article below

Marinestan

John Kass: Mitch Daniels the Un-Obama in 2012? - chicagotribune.com

2010-05-16T10:24:00.001-04:00

John Kass: Mitch Daniels the Un-Obama in 2012? - chicagotribune.com

Posted using ShareThis

The (Fantasy) World According to Contessa Brewer

2010-05-04T21:09:00.000-04:00

It is amazing that people (especially people who get paid in a media career) can think in such a way. Who thinks this way? And who actually states it out loud? This is a mindset that I can't wrap my head around. What world are they living in? This PC fantasy world where they wish 9/11 (and every other conflict/prejudice between races, religions, etc. )never happened and everyone holds hands and sings and embraces each other and compliment are showered all around about their awesome differences is such mawkish tripe. Talk about drinking the Kool-Aid.

The (Fantasy) World According to Contessa Brewer

On...illegitimate arguments

2010-04-26T19:27:00.000-04:00

I was listening to NPR when this story first came up. I haven't really followed the Banking Bill that closely but I usually take notice when the NYT and NPR challenge President Obama's "facts."

But the central point of the article below is what really bothers me about the POTUS. The way he asks for an open forum then tells the opposition that their ideas and beliefs and concerns are illegitimate. How would he like me running my classroom like that? What a role model.

Too Big to Fail: Obama vs. NPR & the NY Times - Real Clear Politics – TIME.com

The Traditional High School : Education Next

2010-04-23T20:41:00.000-04:00

The Traditional High School : Education Next

This article gives a nice historical overview of High School history since the 1890s when Americans started to embrace such a creation.

How Big a Government Do We Want?

2010-04-19T20:45:00.001-04:00

How Big a Government Do We Want?

Robert Samuelson continues his roll. These are the real questions that every American has to ask. What size of government do you want and what do you want it to do? It cannot be everything to all people. There needs to be a real message and desire to change and it has to be more than anger and elitism.

The Reality of Obamacare

2010-03-25T22:42:00.000-04:00

The Reality of Obamacare by Jonah Goldberg

I know I really don't have time to blog anymore, but of the many Health Reform articles out there Jonah here has nailed it better than most. This is totally a trojan horse. It's how the Democrats work, Best of Intentions Security rhetoric with a heaping boulder of government bureaucracy to create an ever-lasting patronage system for their own political power. They've been milking it since 1933, sad really, but it works and they slowly take our liberty and gives us back mediocrity.

On...Why Democrats Are Doomed if ObamaCare Passes

2010-03-20T10:50:00.001-04:00

Just some insight from Dick Morris.

Why Democrats Are Doomed if ObamaCare Passes

On...Affirmation

2009-12-21T19:44:00.003-05:00

Swish!

Slate.com compiled all the critics best movies of the decade and ran them through the "Aught-omatic." You can find the full list here.

But I must say that so far (they are continuing to update the list) I've nailed the top two spots. Eternal Sunshine and There Will Be Blood. That sir is affirmation.

Later:)

On...Avatar

2009-12-20T11:18:00.006-05:00

Film Review: AVATAR
Written and Directed by James Cameron

This review is based on the IMAX 3D version of the film.

I'll spare you the plot details of the film besides saying its rather thin. My wife summed up the film in four words, "Don't destroy the planet." And Cameron hammers this message in five different ways again and again. That being said I did enjoy Avatar. In many ways I was visually blown away. About 45 minutes in I couldn't help thinking that this will change movies in ways not seen since the first "talkie" 82 years ago. The 3D elements are breathtaking in their clarity and depth. The world Cameron creates is truly amazing. It is rich and vibrant and layered. And I'm talking about the non-CGI parts as well. With all of Cameron's love of nature I have always found his technology more profound. (Aliens, The Abyss, T2) I love his Marines and his array of weapons. And yes they have raw firepower. I just wished I could have rooted for them in this film.

I must admit that I'm a big James Cameron fan. Aliens was my all time favorite non-Star Wars film of my teens. It is still a kickass film and holds up amazingly well. Once a year I whip out the director's cut. I wish Avatar was more like Aliens. Action without all the preaching. But as a Cameron fan (I have seen all his movies, Piranha II excepted, at least 5 times each) I kept seeing classic Cameron stock characters reappear in Avatar. Cameron loves the tough, yet sensitive common man hero who plays by his own rules (Michael Biehn in Terminator and Aliens, Ed Harris in The Abyss, Leo in Titanic) and Avatar's Sam Worthington is the younger epitome of this character/hero. Though I found the formula a bit frayed here. Cameron also loves the tough-as-nails exterior bitch with the interior heart of gold as in Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio's Lindsey in The Abyss and Sigourney Weaver's Grace here in Avatar. Paul Reiser's bureaucrat scumbag Burke in Aliens is duplicated by Giovanni Ribisi in Avatar. Michael Biehn's psycho marine in The Abyss reappears in slightly less neurotic form in Avatar in the form of Stephen Lang's head of security. Even the forklift suits from Aliens get a CGI facelift in Avatar. You see where I'm going with this. The story and characters seem simplistic and a rehash of his earlier work. This slows down the film and denies it true greatness.

On the other hand, Cameron knows spectacle and big time showbiz cinema. He also knows how to wield technology like nobody's business. AND deliver the goods. Avatar is worth seeing, or should I say worth experiencing. Especially on IMAX 3D. I just with it was tighter in the story and editing. 2hrs 40min is excessive and I have no problem with long films. I wanted to yell out "just get to it for goodness sakes!" And that's the other problem. Avatar's plot is more than a roadmap. It's a clear as day interstate with lights and plenty of signs. You can see everything coming from a mile away. Nothing is that surprising. Avatar is not subtle. It hits you over the head with a child's repetitiveness for better or worse.

I won't go into the "preaching" of the film, but I did one review that sums it up rather nicely. They said Avatar was a cross between Dances with Wolves and Ferngully. And it is. And because of that I doubt it will reach blockbuster status. As much as I was blown away by the visuals, I don't think I have much desire to see it again. And TV will just castrate it. We'll see if teenage boys love it as much as teenage girls loved Titanic. I personally won't make that bet.

REVIEW: Visuals 10+, Story and pacing 5,
AVERAGE 7.5 out of 10.

Rotten Tomatoes Review and Average

On...The Best Films of the Decade (2000-2009)

2009-12-12T12:02:00.012-05:00

The Best Films of the Decade

I thought I would add my cinematic two-cents at the end of the decade in regard to the best in film. I visit boxofficemojo.com at least a handful of times each week and I was perusing their lists of the top moneymakers per year and was astonished at how many films are made each year and how many films I used to watch. (That number has dwindled with the baby). For example, in 2004 I watched 56 of the top 100 films produced. I watched roughly 500 films this decade. Crazy amount of time devoted to movies!

So I devoured Entertainment Weekly's Best of the Decade with zeal and then looked around the Internet for more data (and mindjogging). My biggest problems were in regards to genres. How do you compare Pixar's Up with The Lord of the Rings or with There Will Be Blood. They are so different in experience and in texture. Some movies have wonderful re-watching value such as Master and Commander while others, though fantastic, don't (United 93). Also comedies seem to be a beast unto themselves. So what I have done is cheated. I have multiple lists. First are my Top 12 Comedies. Then the Best 40 Films of the Decade. Then the Best of the Best.

So here it is, my list of
The Best Films of the Decade.
(All 60+)

Top Twelve Comedies
1. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Simply my most quoted film since Big Lebowski. And to think I didn't even enjoy it that much the first time I saw it.

"I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science."

2. Tropic Thunder "I'm the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."
3. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? "We're in a tight spot."
4. The Hangover "Four of us wolves, running around the desert together, in Las Vegas, looking for strippers and cocaine."
5. Juno "THUNDERCATS ARE GO!"
6. Zoolander "Hansel is so hot right now."
7. School of Rock "I have been touched by your kids... and I'm pretty sure that I've touched them."
8. Mean Girls "Hell, no. I did *not* leave the South Side for this!"
9. Love Actually Really funny, but not quite quotable.
10. The Simpsons Movie "Spider Pig!" "Hello, I'm Tom Hanks. The US Government has lost its credibility so it's borrowing some of mine."
11. Wedding Crashers "Make me a bicycle, clown!"
12. Napoleon Dynamite "Your mom goes to college."

Best 40 Films of the Decade

40. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
39. Miami Vice
38. Sin City
37. March of the Penguins
36. Memento (2000)
35. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
34. No Country For Old Men (2007)
33. Troy (Director's Cut)
32. Sideways (2004)
31. The History of Violence
30. Gangs of New York (2002)
29. Cold Mountain
28. Serenity
27. Gosford Park (2001)
26. Minority Report
25. Apocalypto
24. Zodiac
23. Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2
22. Amelie
21. Chicago (2002)
20. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban
19. Cinderella Man
18. The Departed (2006)
17. 300
16. Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut)
15. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
14. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
13. Gran Torino
12. Lost in Translation (2003)
11. Gladiator (2000)
10. A.I. (2001) Kubrick and Spielberg. Underrated and misunderstood.
9. Black Hawk Down (2001) Ridley Scott puts you in the middle of war. Tense.
8. The Dark Knight (2008) Greatest comic-book movie. Pulses with life.
7. Sunshine (2007) Unseen masterpiece by Danny Boyle (see #35) Sci-fi wow.
6. United 93 (2006) Breaks your heart and elevates your spirit.
5. Master & Commander: Farside of the World (2003) You are in the Napoleonic Wars. Director Peter Weir and star Russell Crowe bring depth and life to history.
4. Children of Men (2006) Beautiful, chilling, marvelous work from Alfonso Cuaron. Humanity on the brink. Robbed at the Oscars.
3. Passion of the Christ (2004) Gibson went to another level with this unexpected masterpiece. Violent and powerful. Should be watched ever Easter. Also robbed at Oscar time.
2. There Will Be Blood (2007) Paul Thomas Anderson has become the director he was thought to be. Daniel Day-Lewis is hypnotic. The Best Film about America and creative destruction of capitalism since Citizen Kane. Yes, it's that good.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
A tough pick over There Will Be Blood. But I went with passion and love over brilliance and greed. Michael Gondry's movie is pure joy and heartbreak and imagination. I can watch it again and again.

Best of the Best
The Films of Wes Anderson
His films are inevitably quirky and mischievous. From 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums through the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) to The Darjeeling Limited (2007) to finally 2009's The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson has had a unique, American view. I look forward to each of his new films with anticipation.
The Films of Pixar
Whatever they touch turns to gold. It shows what happens when you combine story, heart, determination, and technology. Actually quite unbelievable. For those who simply blow off "cartoons" are missing out. Look at this line up. Monsters Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), & Up (2009). Masterpiece after masterpiece and 4 Oscars.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Peter Jackson turned the improvable and some said impossible and made it a reality. Sit down and watch all 10 hours of this saga and you can't imagine New Line game the man behind The Frighteners, Heavenly Creatures and Dead Alive the greenlight. Breathtaking and powerful and pure epic. I still marvel that it exists.

So until next time.

PS: Totally forgot all about Terrence Malick's The New World! Easily should be in my top 20 in not my top ten. Beautiful poetic.

Anything else I might have missed? Feel free to comment.

On...Money and Health from Newsweek

2009-11-30T17:40:00.004-05:00

Maybe Newsweek is getting better with their new format. These 2 articles are very well done.

British and Harvard guru Niall Ferguson takes on the impact of deficits, debt, and inflation (and Paul Krugman) on an empire like the USA An Empire at Risk

Then Newsweek looks at the groundbreaking medical work of the Cleveland Clinic. The Hospital that Could Cure Health Care
A key part of the article talks with Dr. Cosgrove who operated on my mom when he was a surgeon. He's now president of the Clinic.

On...Trials, Greg Craig, & Third Parties

2009-11-20T17:23:00.007-05:00

Three Articles on Three Different Topics of Note

First Charles Krauthammer disagrees with Attorney General Eric Holder's decision on the KSM trial in New York City. He makes some damn good points that need answering, especially about how these are looking like show trials. We all know he's not walking free.

Second, Politico looks at the Chicago-style hit Obama has made on his consul Greg Craig that has a number of his supporters taking another look at their Man of Hope.

Third, Mort Kondracke looks at the deficit and how that brings out the rumblings of a third party. I think this will be avoided if one party actually starts to be fiscally responsible. Hmm. maybe it will happen.

PS: Just wanted to add on VDH's quote on the KSM trial as well.
"Punishing KSM" means giving the liberal community a world platform for legal gymnastics designed to repudiate the past administration and demonstrate that community's "tolerance" — without much worry about justice for KSM or the adverse effects of giving such a monster a public megaphone.

PSS: Mickey Kaus (see to the right) makes comments on both the Health Care Bill and the Greg Craig controversy. HERE

On...The Constitutionality of Mandated Health Insurance

2009-11-19T21:19:00.003-05:00

George Will brings to our attention the much neglected debate about the constitutionality of Federal Mandated Health Insurance. Will Obamacare (if passed, which looks more likely every day) succumb to the Supreme Court as being unconstitutional? Interesting. Are we in uncharted water? Certainly the Founding Father's never envisioned the expansion of the state into personal lives such as this. But unfortunately that hasn't stopped us before.

Could a possible scenario be that Obamacare passes and is activated, then the outrage against it makes 2010 look like 1994 all over again and in the midst of that flip in power the Supreme Court nullifies the law? Will an amendment be needed? Or could it merely pass and the nation assimilates over time to the new taxes and mediocre healthcaregrab? Man I love the possibilities of history.

GEORGE WILL HERE

On...200th Post...The Day the Wall Came Down

2009-11-09T10:37:00.004-05:00

20 years of Freedom

This is a glorious anniversary, and one that become more and more distant. And with it the pure impact fades. This is a saddening truth of history. I was thirteen when the Iron Curtain began to shudder and creak. I imagine people younger than me don't have the same sense of what communism was (is) and the havoc it unleashed upon the world. Americans born right around 1976 may be that last group of citizens who can begin to understand the significance. Younger than that might not grasp the conflict. I know I have trouble relaying the magnitude of the Cold War to my students. Though certainly not as strong as those kids growing up in the 60s, anyone say born after 1981 never realized how it felt living on a planet where World War III was not merely fiction, but something very real. You lived under that realization that the whole world might be gone any minute. Movies like War Games, Red Dawn, The Hunt for Red October, Red Heat, The Day After, etc were locked into that era. But they will slowly seem like time capsules from a weird age.

This week is an appropriate time to reflect and relearn what really went down in Berlin twenty years ago and feel the powerful echo of liberty casting aside tyranny one more time--learn how free expression and free markets are longer lasting than state planning and single vision. Lessons many Americans need to think more deeply on.

I do regret that President Obama is not in Berlin just as Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were. What a missed opportunity for inspired leadership. I guess the Olympics and Greenhouse Gases are more important to him than universal examples of freedom.

The current issue of the Economist covers the anniversary and the History Channel is playing a couple of good specials on the event.

Here are other similar themed posts:

After the wall fell: Central Europe's success deserves more attention by Anne Applebaum, Washington Post

The Berlin Wall fell and a new Europe rose: Daily Telegraph UK Edition

The Lessons of 1989 by Christopher Hitchens, Slate.com

Why Berlin Mattered by Fred Kaplan, Slate.com

Reagan and Leadership

Tear Down This Wall Speech

Four Little Words by Anthony R. Dolan, Wall Street Journal

Ronald Reagan's unyielding style won the Cold War by Rudy Guiliani, NY Daily News

Video Highlight
ABC NEWS Breaking News November 9th, 1989 with Peter Jennings

NY POST Agrees that President Obama not going to Berlin is a missed opportunity.
Berlin Wall Blunder

On...Heroism

2009-11-07T08:53:00.003-05:00

Get choked up reading about the tragic events at Ft. Hood. Here are a couple of the snapshots of heroism and the call of duty.

The Mother who brought down the Fort Hood killer Daily Telegraph UK

But for the heroes, bloodbath could have been worse Breitbart

Heroic civilian police officer 'walked up and engaged' shooter Washington Post

On...Afghanistan Insight

2009-11-01T10:22:00.003-05:00

Real Quick (Everything is Real Quick These Days)

The best analysis on the Afghanistan conflict and the future of American forces there has been coming from David Ignatius of the Washington Post. He is always bringing new, honest angles from the debate without all the partisan rant. Also he has spent a lot of time on the ground there among the people, politicians, and soldiers of AfPak as well as Americans. Here's his latest to mull over.

The Real Afghan Strategy

In addition his posts from the last week or so as well.

On the War's Frontlines

In Waziristan

On...The Worst Ever

2009-10-26T20:38:00.004-04:00

Can Karma be this bad?

Well, tomorrow night begins the 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. Starting pitchers will be CC Sabathia for the NYY and Cliff Lee for the Phils. What's horribly wrong with this picture for Cleveland Indians fans? Oh, I don't know...maybe they were both CY Young winners for the Tribe no less than 3 years ago!!! Both of them!! Now the Tribe as nada. NADA!!! All on display for the nation to see. This is so cruel.

But I still hope Lee and Phils kick some Yankee butt.

And while we are on baseball. Let's see how my pre-season predictions went.

Hmm. Both my wild card pics are in the World Series. Though both won their respective divisions. I did pick the Angels out of the AL West and Dodgers out of the NL West. That's about it. Cubs and Indians tanked. But on the bright side I did pick six of the eight playoff teams right.

And I predicted Cliff Lee would go 14-12 and he went 14-13, not too bad. Other predictions were WAAAY OFF. All those Tigers are still Tigers.

Better luck next year.
Go Phillies.

On...Innovation and resourcefulness

2009-10-12T21:45:00.002-04:00

I remember when I was in high school debate there were these findings about how the world was running out of coal. We only had until 2010 or something and then we'd be out. Well, here we are and we have enough coal reserves to lead us into the future. Huge coal strikes were found only a couple of years after that article was written. The same has now happened for natural gas. HERE. Of course we can't rest on our laurels but it shows how resourceful humans are (especially western civilization). We shall overcome the challenges. Innovation and resourcefulness.

On...Being Busy and not Blogging

2009-10-07T17:51:00.003-04:00

NO TIME

I've been meaning to blog on President Obama's first 10 months (it was 9 when I had the idea) however I haven't had anytime to really do it right. Heck, I had to take a 55 minute break within the space of this blog to give the baby a bath, take the garbage out, etc.

So in loo of that here are two really interesting pieces from Slate.com

The first is an overview from the new Supreme Court session. I admit I've really come to enjoy the Supreme Court as a concept and would love to actually watch a round or two live.

HERE

Second is the bizarre "shell" process of law-making that both parties use that is a bit seedy.

HERE

RIP: Irving Kristol

2009-09-21T20:22:00.004-04:00

Writer Irving Kristol died last week at 89. Though I didn't directly read a lot of his work (and there is a whole lot of it) I have been steadily influenced by those who he influenced and mentored, his son Bill and wife Gertrude along with James Q Wilson and others. I wish I would have known his magazine The Public Interest in its heyday.

Christopher Hitchens and James Q Wilson have articles about him below. They are especially useful in trying to understand the true origins of the term neoconservative without all the post-Iraq war baggage.

Hitchens on Irving Kristol

Wilson on Irving Kristol

On...If Only It Were True

2009-09-17T20:22:00.001-04:00

How Newspapers Should Report...HERE

On...The Michigan Way

2009-09-04T11:33:00.004-04:00

Two Governors and a Failed Idea

For those of us who live in Michigan this article in the Wall Street Journal is depressing. Sure the true believers (in Gov. Granholm, all twelve of them) will deny it and say the numbers are wrong and check back in 10 years, etc. Others will ignore it. But many will shake their heads and know deep down that this is what they feared. Michigan and its 15% unemployment, which would be even higher if people weren't allowed to leave, is becoming the New Mississippi. Progressives don't understand basic economic principles and refuse to learn them. Instead they role out big government (even on the state level) and expect miracle cures. It simply doesn't work that way. Yes, organized government can solve some problems on a small scale, but the marketplace is not one of them. But they'll keep trying.

Anyway, the article is HERE: Michigan Subsidies Fail

I found the movie subsidy aspect disappointing. I thought maybe that was a good idea initially. See, even I can get suckered it from time to time.

On...Texas Tea

2009-08-29T13:23:00.003-04:00

Black Gold

Author of the award-winning history of oil, The Prize, has a new article in Foreign Policy magazine where he examines the controversial and volatile necessity of OIL in our modern world.

It's Still the One by Daniel Yergin

On...Fall Books

2009-08-28T10:12:00.002-04:00

An Autumn Read

Quick link also from Slate.com that lists a number of books/novels coming out this fall. Sort of a small Fall Book Preview.

HERE

On...Forest Hills Garden

2009-08-27T20:51:00.004-04:00

Suburbia

Slate.com just posted this image montage of Forest Hills Garden development in Queens, NY from 1909. It reminded me that I meant to blog more about my trip to NYC and my time with Professor Ken Jackson of Columbia (first-rate urban historian). I read his classic book Crabgrass Frontier, which among many things covered the history of suburban development. I'm partial to the Forest Hill Gardens style and not the Levittown style that clearly won in the 20th century. Hopefully more mindful development will be at the forefront of the 21st. Ah, to have a billion or two (dollars that is).

HERE for FOREST HILLS

HERE for Crabgrass Frontier

On...Afghanistan History

2009-08-22T10:07:00.002-04:00

Historian Frederick Kagan has a nice article on the historical events that led up to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 for those who are interested.

Link HERE

On...Wading into a Bog

2009-08-15T09:15:00.004-04:00

That Bog Would be Health Insurance Reform

I've avoided this topic for a while and I really don't want to get too far into it because I'm not a medical/insurance expert in any way shape or form and too many people with too little information are wading into this mess. Unfortunately I don't think those opposed to Obamacare or whatever you call it can't stop it. This debate should have been happening back in September and October of 08 not now. These Americans (and they are Americans, we all are Americans no matter how obnoxious) should have thought this over and actually listened to the debates and voted for McCain, but I digress. The votes are in. The Dems run the show with big numbers. They just need to tame the herd.

However, I do think we can force a watering down of the great leap to socialized medicine but that's about it--another step, maybe two, but not a sprint. Team Obama botched that reality all on their own. He does seem a little out of step with Congress--meaning he lets Pelosi and Reid run the show, which is a disaster always in the making. Thankfully. He should have been more direct and said "I want this and this and this, you can debate this and this only. Give me the bill the way I want it." But alas...

Supporters of Health Insurance Reform (which is almost everyone, but how the reform should go is the great difference) should read these two articles below just so they understand a little more about aspects of the debate they may have ignored: Preventive Care and Life Expectancy

Jonah Goldberg has a very solid point about cost and life expectancy in his New York Post article

Charles Krauthammer illuminates how preventive care actually increases costs in the long run.

On...No More Czars!!!!

2009-08-12T10:18:00.004-04:00

STOP USING THAT PHRASE!

I have been meaning to write about this topic for a loooooooong time, but I have never got around to it. The topic is Czars. Not the Romanovs or any other of their ilk, but the neo-czars appointed by presidents for the last 25 years. The Drug Czars of the Reagan era were the first (at least to my memory) and that was about it until now. I could handle this one slip. But no more. President Obama or should I say Czar-in-Chief Obama is utterly obsessed with this term. (or someone on his staff--car czar, insurance czar, etc) It is ridiculous and insulting to all democratic Americans to have czar anything. We have elected leaders not autocratic tyrants. Why does anybody think giving someone unlimited power (albeit in a small context) is a good idea? It can only make such abuse seem normal and commonplace to the masses. We never want them getting used to such an reality. Humanity has spent hundreds of years trying to rid the world of despots and this administration has taken an annoyance to a whole new level. They are encouraging the underminding of republican institutions. Enough already.

Lurita Doen in USA Today finally had a piece on this same topic, HERE, which sparked my thoughts this morning.

PS
LA TIMES had a similar piece back in March. Guess it hasn't slowed the movement.

on...The Last Link of the Great War

2009-08-02T13:56:00.004-04:00

Came Across this powerfully reflective piece about World War I and its long influence--even as the last veterans leave us.

By Simon Heffer

We are Still Lost in the Mystery of that War from the Telegraph UK

On...Good-Bye Cliff

2009-07-30T17:07:00.003-04:00

Back from 12 day in NYC. (I hope to blog about some stuff regarding our largest city later)

The news is a few days old, but it doesn't make it any easier. The Cleveland Indians traded Cliff Lee earlier this week to the Philadelphia Philles. The best pitcher, former Cy Young winner, and my fan favorite are gone. What a bummer. As if this season could get any worse for an Indian's fan. Well, my third favorite Indian, Victor Martinez, could be traded by tomorrow. This is all so Cleveland. They are pretty much throwing away 2010 as well. GM Mark Shapiro has made great trades before but this is a long work in progress.

So long Cliff.

On...The Moon (Ever Again?)

2009-07-17T10:27:00.004-04:00

Space: Reality vs. Fantasy

Charles Krauthammer dedicated his latest editorial to the 4oth Moon Anniversary that is rapidly coming up and he got me to thinkin'. I have to agree with him. It is sad that so many Americans have become ho-hum regarding space travel and the potential glories that exist beyond our own planet. I can't tell you how many students (a least six a year) who insist the US government faked the moon-landings. It is pretty frustrating. I imagine there is a small (and annoying) minority in this country who believe the same thing. Thanks a lot Fox!

I also wish President Obama would embrace a new interest in space travel and all its possibilities. I would think it a tragedy if we abandoned the lead to China or India. Many wags lament the decline of American engineering and innovation (though this is certainly over-exageraged). What better way than the rigor and challenge of space? of a moon base? of the exploration of Mars? I would love to live long enough to see humans on Mars. And for it to be an American crew would be better yet. I'm just not sure that's going to happen at this pace.

So as our youth and country are obsessed with fantasy and science-fiction (see TV, Comic books, Summer Movies) they are barely turned on about the science-reality staring them in the face. I don't know where the fault lies but hopefully we can come up with a solution.

Suggestions?

On...The Only Question That Needs to be Answered (Especially by Obama Voters)

2009-07-14T10:48:00.005-04:00

Robert Samuelson at Newsweek has been writing some of the most profound short-length essays about the economy the last nine months or so. I have posted many of them. I think what makes them strong is his total lack of agenda beyond a sound economy. He has acted like one of the few level two thinkers out there. He poses questions without getting partisan or angry. He's not a Paul Krugman who clearly has an agenda and blathers it out to everyone who will hear. And he's not a Republican hammering away at the President and Congress for purely politically reasons. Instead he gathers the data, looks towards the future, and asks the hard questions Americans of all stripes wish to avoid.

His latest essay poses the one question every American must answer and I hope everyone who voted for Obama will seriously ask themselves and then answer the tough follow up questions.

That question is How big a government do we want?

On the surface this is clearly a level one question, but it really is a reflective one when you take the time to break it down. This was really the question people should have been asking themselves going into the voter's booth last November. And then the second question is how do we pay for an expanded government flush with even more entitlements. USA Today had a series of polls regarding Health Care and low and behold it found the majority of Americans want better health care but don't want to pay for it.

Right there is a big problem that has been plaguing the Republic for some time. Too many people believe they are entitled to stuff on someone elses dime. As Samuelson states, "We face an unprecedented collision between Americans' desire for more government services and their almost-equal unwillingness to be taxed." Something has to give. Our president, the Democrats, and too many Republicans in Congress seem to want it all. This isn't practical or realistic. Though it is how many get elected. Unfortunately someone always has to pay and the Democrats' old song and dance about the rich paying only works for so long. The middle-class will have to pay as well down the road. And then free people will find ways around tyranny. They will even move with their feet if they have to.

So I ask merely for all the Obama voters out there to read Samuelson's article and reflect on the only question and then for them to formulate a real answer--not merely a level one response but also on the consequences of an expanding Federal Government today and in the future. Unfortunately I don't think anyone will step up to the plate.

Big decisions need to be made. I only hope they are the right ones.

On...Summer Music

2009-07-09T14:55:00.004-04:00

Slow Club

Regina Spektor

Elizabeth & The Catapult

I would like to highlight 3 recent albums. Each falls comfortably into the singer/songwriter--Adult Alternative--Dream Pop category.

The first is the new album from Regina Spektor--called Far. Her last album was fantastic. My wife loved it. Her new album continues Regina's dominance of the quirky pop song. Anyone who has enjoyed Regina in the past is guaranteed to enjoy her new effort.

The other two albums I have only listened to twice each, which is very low to actually get a firm feel for, but I feel they both have potential. I was just looking at new releases on iTunes and both of these were only $7 for a dozen or more songs. After listening to a few samples I was sure I would enjoy the whole albums and committed. I was right. If you enjoy Ivy or Great Northern or the Pierces or Shawn Colvin then you'll like both Slow Club's Yeah So and Elizabeth & The Catapult's Taller Children.

If you are looking for one song from each I'd try...

Regina Spektor's Laughing With

Slow Club's Giving Up on Love

Elizabeth & The Catapult's Taller Children

PS: Better than Ezra has a new album too. I've only listened to the track, Absolutely Still. Classic BTE.

On...Grab Bag of Monday Stuff

2009-07-06T09:44:00.004-04:00

Before we go camping I will just leave you with a few Monday morning articles that jumped to my attention.

Canada's National Post jumps in between Obama and Sarkosy and the Burka

Former Ford President and Secretary of Defense Robert "Quagmire" McNamara has died at 93

Left of Center Washington Post Columnist Fred Hiatt questions Obama's "Stuff the Beast" strategy.

Newsweek's David Ignatius speaks to Obama's Russian Reset Utopia

and last but not least
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat had a really good piece on the lesson of Sarah Palin.

On...Eternal Liberty

2009-07-03T17:19:00.002-04:00

The Fourth of July is tomorrow and in honor of our 233rd birthday I have written a small piece on Liberty.

Eternal Liberty

Mark A Trexler

Eleven score and thirteen years ago our fathers in liberty shaped on this continent a new world—a republic to enlighten and enrich mankind. Rejecting the tyranny and monarchy of a centralized power they reached deep into antiquity to usher in a new age of reason and humanity. More importantly they hitched our future onto the radical truth that all men are created equal. Not equal in ability or talent but in birth and law. Men and women would live their life free of despotism and pursue their happiness in the way they choose, free from the whims and decrees of kings and dictators. Happiness wasn’t guaranteed, failure sat next to success as equals, but the choice to pursue one’s own fate through freewill was a centerpiece of the republic. Knowing that men were not angels and would never live in an idealized utopia and also knowing that anarchy was a twisted cousin of freedom, they fashioned a government, for the people and by the people, limited in scope, but strong at heart to maintain our precious and fragile natural rights. That government, always run by men and not by angels, has been far from perfect—it too has momentarily succumb to the will and corruption of selfish interests and the mania of war, but has always righted the ship with modernization and hardship. The continual restoration of our traditions, our humanity, and our government is never done. Folly is ensured to those people who embrace the lightly proferred laurel, the easy, ungrudged praise.

Across the decades we as a people have struggled and travailed to live up to the maxim all men are created equal—a task each generation seizes and battles. We have nobly won great advancements, we have cauterized the original sin of slavery, and widened the franchise of suffrage, but we have let slip the other half of the equation, no less in value. And that is the notion of liberty—the freedom to live one’s life without the burden of others dictations, freedom from coercion of the bayonet, and freedom from the manipulation and caprice and impulses of so-called great and powerful men. When individuals and communities, through reason and spirit can govern the republic we will flourish as we have for hundreds of years. When the shackles and lash of oppression are given reign, however slowly, we must be ever vigilant to strike down dangers to the republic, especially those that initially seem like benefits of the greater good.

I ask all Americans and future Americans to remember on this Fourth of July the long-standing faiths of our blessed nation—those natural rights and national values that are more than mere dusty words from bygone eras. Our liberties have long ago given us power, but only if we trust in them and maintain them and use them in our daily lives. Once embraced we can forever dip into that stream of liberty cascading across the ages and refresh our government and ourselves. We must remember that all of this, large and small, is no accident. Through our collective freewill we make choices that herald the future. Let us make those choices wise and fruitful ones. Bear in mind we always have the opportunity for disastrous lapses in judgment as well as bold deeds and exceptional achievements. We must hold tight our convictions and conserve the lifeblood of our revolution—a moment in time when we cast off tyranny and the dictations of faraway kings through suffering and sacrifice and established here, on this soil, a republic cast in justice, nurtured in equality, and conceived in eternal liberty.

On...Peggy Noonan salutes David McCullough

2009-07-03T10:20:00.005-04:00

MAKING HISTORY

This piece was posted in the Wall Street Journal this morning, a wonderful reminder of our Founding in 1776 on this July 4th weekend. Noonan praises (in her opinion) our greatest living historian: David McCullough. He certainly is right up there. If anybody would rank such things I would probably put him second behind Gordon S Wood. I'll have to think more about that for a future post. McCullough certainly has the best speaking historical voice.

HERE'S THE POST

Makes me want to break out McCullough's 1776. I think I will.

On...Quote of the Day

2009-07-02T14:37:00.004-04:00

I was looking for the origin of the phrase "Clothes make the man" and stumbled upon this related quote by Mark Twain. I found it quite funny. (and curiously enough I've been rewatching Ken Burns' Mark Twain documentary this week.)

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Mark Twain
US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

On...Tribe on the Run

2009-06-29T16:41:00.005-04:00

Wait Until Next Year

The white flag wasn't so big this year, but the results will probably be the same. The Indians traded Mark Derosa to the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year they traded CC Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Paul Byrd. They have surrendered and signed a worthless peace treaty.

The Cleveland Indians are a sad, sad disappointment again this year. So much for my prediction that the Tribe would have a great year. The bullpen is a shambles, injuries have ravaged the core of the team, the ballpark is empty, and the did I mention the bullpen? The Tribe has scored the 3rd most runs in all of baseball so far this year. Which is really good considering Hafner and Sizemore have spent time on the DL. However they have given up the most runs in all of baseball. Not so good. Actually good enough for the worst record in the AL. And the terrible and strange thing is when they do hit they don't hit for Cliff Lee (their only good pitcher.) Lee's run-support from his teammates is third worst in all of baseball. Statiscally he is only pitching a tad worse than his Cy Young performance last year (current ERA is 2.88), but so far this year his record is a pedestrian 4-6. (Last year 22-3) ARTICLE on Run-Support

Jerry Crasnik from ESPN has a detailed, full of great info INDIANS piece that goes in depth into the woes of the Wahoos.

I still think Eric Wedge should get one more shot next year. The Indians also need to spend a little more than they have. (They are currently 14th out of 30. I know that is no guarantee but something needs to be done.

PS: Guess I should start Blogging about my hometown Tigers

On...Why Are Politicians so Weird?

2009-06-27T20:25:00.007-04:00

Why would you want that job?

Mark Steyn brings up a very interesting aside in his latest op/ed piece. HERE. The gist of it comes from a question someone asked him recently, "Why are politicians so weird?" This referred to the numerous sex scandals within both parties--most recently Gov. Mark Sanford (or anyone who 'hangs' with Joe Biden or Barney Frank I assume--WEIRD).

And if you know local politicians they are normally just as loony. Modern politics breeds a certain species of human.

His theory is you have to be odd or serious warped to do all the things you have to do to get elected and stay elected. If you think about it I can certainly understand. Sure elected office has some appeal to me, but only some. It is most the world of fantasy. What a pain in the ass public office has to be? The hours, the fund-raising, the media, the scrutiny, the PUBLIC. Maybe Steyn is right and we will get more and more wack-jobs. The second part of his theory is this is all akin to the rise of big government. We'll see. I hope not. But think about all the monarchs and their ilk and all the power they possessed AND the weirdness that ensued.

Limited government. Boring government. Non-coercive government. That's the ticket.

In a similar vein, Victor Davis Hanson remarks on our Victorian nature HERE.

I'll leave you with another classic quote from HL Mencken.

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
H. L. Mencken

It's like he's speaking to ooooohhhh GLOBAL WARMING!

PS: And why are so many politicians ugly? Have you seen Henry Waxman? Get this guy a paperbag.

FILM REVIEW: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

2009-06-26T14:14:00.004-04:00

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

[Director: Michael Bay. Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, John Turturro, Kevin Dunn, Bunch of CGI Robots]

Michael Bay continues to produce big summer films with Kodak moment shots, slow-motion-world-burning-behind-you mayhem, and vivid generalizations about modern society. AND he scores huge box office (SEE Box Office Mojo). Transformers 2 is basically a nice upgrade of the first movie, sans the lovely shots of the decaying Detroit Railroad Station. Bay did improve the battle-sequences in the fact you can actually tell one robot from another much better. Still this film is too long for a popcorn movie, over 2 and a half hours! The plot is convulted and lengthy. I feel you could have cut a good twenty minutes of it and got the same effect.

Every standard Michael Bay shot is here including his patented shot looking up from the ground into the sky as a slow-motion helicopter blades whirl by ala Bad Boys II. He clearly loves filming Megan Fox with her flowing auburn hair, stunning blue eyes, and Bally's body. Fox is an empty vessel, like a dorm-room poster She and new-hottie Isabel Lucas just walk around in tight shorts and flimsy dresses all movie. Not that I'm complaining.

But the main focus I have is what I called 'vivid generalization.' I know its Hollywood and this is a summer flick. I get it, but still Bay films have this synthetic layer, coating if you will, that permeates the movie. I think this is best shown in the twenty minutes the movie depicts "college" life. It is absurd. The dorms are immaculate and huge and clearly been raided by graphic artists, there are no ugly people, girls strut around in big, fluffy towels, and no one is there for education. AND Rainn Wilson (Dwight from the Office) is a professor, funny yes, but still fits my point. Megan Fox herself is a generalization of bitchy-beauty. The whole thing is ridiculous and so much more superficial than the real thing. Does Bay even live on this planet?

And lastly there is the blatant racism or pseudo-racism in the film. I'm pretty anti-PC and don't like to flame such nasty name-calling, but I was cringing in this film every time the twin Autobots, Skids and Mudflap, appeared on screen. They are a 21st century minstrel show. What the Hell were they thinking? And by they I mean the hundreds of people who must have been involved in this aspect of the movie--from the concept to the finished product. It does make Jar-Jar Binks look like a pure enlightened mascot. It is really horrible and now millions of kids have seen this idiocy. It is so unnecessary and so easy to avoid. Just leave them out!

I've added some links to show the continuing conversation on this:

Ain't It Cool News.com (Warning: Adult Language)
Yahoo.com
SLASHFILM.COM: No One Wants to Own Up to Racism in Transformers

Further 2 cents. This film in my opinion is a hard PG-13, there are lots of sexual innuendo throughout. I wouldn't take kids under 13.

RATING: 5.5 out of 10
Though I'd rate the actions sequences as 7.5.

From...Peggy Noonan and a Sentence for Obama

2009-06-26T09:31:00.003-04:00

I think this article was pretty on point regarding our young president and the jumble of things he is trying to do all at the same time. Peggy Noonan argues that presidents ultimately come down to one sentence, not a paragraph. She fears Obama and his staff haven't figured this out yet.

ARTICLE FROM WALL STREET JOURNAL

On...Tim Burton

2009-06-23T09:50:00.005-04:00

Down the Rabbit Hole

Tim Burton is adding his name to the long list of Alice in Wonderland adaptations (and yes, Johnny Depp does have a role, the Mad Hatter in fact, as seen above). Here's a little sneak peak from USA Today with one very fun image.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

On...The Chicago Way

2009-06-21T15:04:00.004-04:00

Less than Six Months

That's all it took for our POTUS to start being the realist hypocrite. He is having a tougher and tougher time keeping the mask on. Sure he will fool lots of the mob for the duration but the rest of us are starting to see the image we had an inkling about for some time. The glorious leader is welding power in all sort of "Bush-Ways" with a Chicago flavor.

The Chicago Tribune looks at his firing of an inspector general and the Chicago threats on others.

Newsweek looks at how the Obama Administration is not as transparent as it said it was going to be. Big surprise.

PS: Slate.com sums up the weeks dialogue on how Obama remains personally popular while the popularity of his ideas sink and sink.

On...Fun Music

2009-06-20T10:31:00.006-04:00

Been a while. Grading 1200 AP US History Essays and Staining a Deck can suck up the time.

From the Fun Music Department.

Weird Al Yankovic has a a couple of new songs out: Whatever you Like and Craigslist (done in a Doors style)

Ben Folds has hooked up with a dozen University's a Cappella groups to cover his songs. Pretty funny. I really liked The University of Rochester's version of "Army."

You can go to any music sites (iTunes or Napster) to sample.

On...A Can of Worms

2009-06-02T14:55:00.005-04:00

Abortion/Slavery: The Connection

I haven't read her regularly but Megan McArdle over at the Atlantic has had a few good blog posts lately. She has opened the floodgates with a piece on Abortion and Violence and the connection to slavery. Brave woman, but pretty persuasive in many ways. I wish her luck, but if you blog for the Atlantic you get paid to do this type of intellectual battling. If this is your cup of tea enjoy...

Begins HERE

Contiues HERE

On...Infatuation

2009-06-01T12:06:00.004-04:00

Gettin' Away with the Goods

Robert Samuelson has written a great number of fine articles and I have posted a bunch in the past, but his latest needs to be blessed with a greater audience. The Obama Infatuation is a very non-partisan examination of the dangerous (or perhaps dangerous) love-fest the media has on our current president. The Crush they carried throughout the election (See SNL's awesome early take on it) has carried well past the honeymoon. As Samuelson suggests, we need a skeptical media. We need tough questions asked on our behalf. No government regardless of party can just skip around and do what it wills with no questions asked. That's a dictatorship or worse yet a banana republic.

I'm afraid that no good will come of this. For either the nation or Obama. He needs to avoid flying too high. The last step can be a doozy. We can't be blind. Honest people and courageous people need to debate his agenda and his view of the future. And we need it now.

On...Great Slogans

2009-05-31T08:53:00.004-04:00

Shock and Awe Statism

Coined by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and reiterated in George Will's Sunday column, Shock and Awe Statism is a great phrase and hopefully has some legs.

Check out Will's column HERE. It is very interesting regarding the status of former GM CEO Rick Wagoner as well as the Indiana teachers and police pension funds. Looks like those two groups were part of the "speculators" Obama smeared.

Also The Economist lays out the pitfalls that could be lying in wait as the POTUS gets a little too zealous in his robust statism.

On...Worry

2009-05-29T13:14:00.003-04:00

Plenty of stuff to pick from but...

Shouldn't we all be a tad worried about this number?

$68.3 TRILLION

I mean, wow. We are amazingly nonchalant about all this debt.

AND we want to add to this pile.

As much as people lambasted Bush for a spending spree (and rightly so) we elected a guy and a Congress who are going to make Bush look like a small time crook compared to the heist that's coming.

On...North Korea, Ya Gotta Love These Guys

2009-05-29T07:59:00.004-04:00

56 year hiatus of the Forgotten War May be Over

Probably not, but I love the North Koreans. They are so sad and lonely. They are like the fat fifth-grader in the corner of the room desperate for attention. He breaks pencils and flicks them when the teacher steps out of the room. He farts and laughs like a hyena. He picks fights with second-graders and hides when eighth-graders stroll by. As long as he's sane there is nothing to fear, but if he's mad, well then get ready for a big mess. Their grand leader is mad, but hopefully everyone around him knows what consequences lurk around the corner.

The USA must protect South Korea and Japan, but we don't want a war. We have been playing a nice balancing act in the Pacific since 1945. We need to keep it that way. North Korea with nuclear weapons is a reality. That's a done deal, but threatening neighbors can not be allowed. And most importantly selling any such nuclear or missile technology cannot happen. If so we need to sink every ship out of North Korea. We need to let China know they need to get ahold of their leash.

Here's a bunch of ARTICLES on this subject.

Dan Blumenthal and Robert Kagan from WSJ: What to do About North Korea

David Sanger from NYTimes: Tested Early, Obama Has Few Options

Fred Kaplan from Slate.com: First, Take A Deep Breath

Robert Kaplan from Atlantic: North Korea, the Next Iraq?

Christian Science Monitor: Why Obama Can't be Soft with (You know who)

On...GM, The Future, and Michigan's Great Depression

2009-05-28T10:35:00.003-04:00

I would say this article [Big Three Confront Rough Road] on the future of the Auto Industry by the Detroit News is a must read, especially for those who live in Michigan. The authors ask a lot of important questions that I hope the folks in DC are asking themselves and trying to get the answers to. Unfortunately, I think they are ignoring too many of them.

Addition:

Richard A. Posner in Atlantic Monthly has another fine blog piece on GM and Government Take Over. You can find it HERE

On...Getting Fired Up

2009-05-27T19:53:00.005-04:00

Want to know what really fires up a Conservative?

Read this essay by Andrew Ferguson in the Weekly Standard. By the time you get to the end a conservative will be shaking his/her head and pacing around the room or stomping their feet or putting a fist through a wall. It boils the blood. But whatta ya goin' to do?

Then you think that Newsweek is dying, The New York Times will get bailed out or die, and no one watches CBS news anymore. Ah, the market works.

Oh, yeah and Helen Thomas will eventually kick the bucket. By the way, doesn't she (and I use she lightly) look like Emperor Palpatine in a bad wig?

On...I'm A Believer

2009-05-26T09:21:00.002-04:00

Seeing the Light

Has David Brooks finally seen the light? Or has he merely opened the curtains a smudge? Now the light I speak of is not *THOCATCOH. I think he started to spray a bit of that on himself last November, but I think the bottle is now used up. I can't believe he's really abandoned his Centrist Eden, but I do believe he knows no matter how he talks it up Obama is not a centrist outside of teleprompter speeches. He's a Chicago-style socialist with a smile. That or he's a man who believes in the hope of fairytales. [See North Korea/Afghanistan/Pakistan/Iran/Israel for deeping Foreign Policy ogres.]

Brooks realizes that if all these programs go through and they areonly half as disastrous as they appear to be, he will never see the centrist changes he longs for be a reality.

At least now he can hammer away like Krauthammer. Too bad they don't reach more of the silent (or deaf) majority.

* The Hope Of Change And The Change of Hope

ON...What Do California and Iceland Have in Common?

2009-05-21T14:19:00.003-04:00

Well, we're about to find out.

Probably. Maybe. Unless Superman, I mean our POTUS, comes to save the day. But not even Bill Maher believes Superman can help. And by save the day I mean takes over California just like he's annexed (Or Sudentenland-ed) the auto industry, the banks, and anything else he must own, possess, or fix under his rules. I still find it hard to believe this is the change people wanted. Close Guantanamo! Close Guantanamo! But the Senate votes 90-6 to keep it open. I know Bush was growing like mold on everything, but really, this is all becoming a joke.

California and its multi-decade lunancy is finally paying off. Call me a Mid-Westerner but they got what's coming. To Quote HL Mencken "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard." That's California 2009.

Here are a few fun articles floating around out there. Hopefully, you have the time this Memorial Day Weekend to read a few and spread the debate. And find time to enjoy friends and family and remember all those Americans who paid the ultimate price for our Golden Age.

ATLANTIC BLOG Megan MacArdle On...Is California Too big to Fail.
Real funny piece and I think pretty realistic.

GEORGE WILL On...The Coming California Bailout
Will disagrees with MacArdle on California actually getting bailed out.

DAVID HARSAYNI On...Coming to Your Garage: Le Car
A really hilarious farce on what our auto-unindustry has becoming, racketeering and all.

And on a further note, I usually can't stand Bill Maher. I can't listen to him. But his article post above was actually really good and I think on target.

Final Note on my 33rd Birthday:
I'm not even mad anymore about the election and all the ensuing nonsense. It's all turned into a wonderful dystopian comedy--think Terry Gilliam's Brazil or Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. You can't write all this stuff. Not even Tom Wolfe could. This is so amazing and so many people don't even know it's happening. I'll do my best to keep you informed on the theater (or farce) that is our America.

I feel like HL Mencken was never more right when he wrote, "Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right."

On...Living in Disney Land

2009-05-21T08:40:00.005-04:00

This is so fitting.

I doubt this bill by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) has a chance to become law, but it is so fitting when it comes to 2 things: 1) parochalism and 2) Liberal Fantasy. And there is no better place for this politician to have an A-HA! moment. The most magical place on earth. MAGICAL as in it does not and will not exist.

SEE ARTICLE HERE

The idea that all Americans can be kings is so Soft America that I could scream if I wasn't too busy laughing. Wonderful good intentions, that defines the Democrats (and too many W Republicans). Wouldn't paid vacation, manditory by the Federal Government be fantastic? Of course it would. Why do we have to really try at all? But where does it end? Why can't an owner (property rights anyone?) make their own decisions and their workers can work there or not? Has anyone checked out France's labor-policies lately? 30 days paid vacation a year? What are they all? Teachers? (Ah, sweet irony) I know we are not France yet but give it time. Give it time.

And I love the "It will stimulate the economy" bit everyone is using these days. It is so self-serving.

I love this country. Everything that made this nation the greatest in the world is being undermined by the Good Intention Brigade who always ignore the Cult of Unintended Consequences.

From...Why Government Can't Run a Business

2009-05-20T09:00:00.005-04:00

I've linked a new editorial from John Steele Gordon, a very keen economic historian who've I featured here before. He gives a very tight rundown on why Government and Business operations always fail in the long run. I would love to revisit this piece say ten or twenty years from now and see how GM or Chrysler are doing. It is amazing how people are so afraid of things doing what they are designed to do (The Market that is). His point about politicians & headlines is very strong. "We must do something!" "They want to do nothing!" "How dare they!"

WHY GOVERNMENT CAN'T RUN A BUSINESS

Film: Sherlock Holmes Trailer

2009-05-19T19:42:00.006-04:00

Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey Jr. are teaming up for this reboot of Sherlock Holmes.

I think Jude Law is a brilliant choice as Watson.

HERE's the HD TRAILER

From...Commentary and Yon

2009-05-19T19:29:00.002-04:00

Couple of articles real quick. Sorry I don't have time to actually write some real commentary.

The End of Newsweek? from Commentary

Recent Blog Post from Michael Yon of note.

On...Waffle House

2009-05-13T16:50:00.002-04:00

Sorry, not really about that famed greasy-spoon

In fairness here is a positive clip from Jon Stewart. Yes, he is still hitting the torture topic for "laughs" but he's doing it in the manner he and his show is built for. Not intellectual discussion but by playing clips showing politicians caught in lies and nonsense. In this case House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her major hedging on when she knew about torture.

Also there's a shout out to Chuck (the NBC show)

LINK

On...The Simpsons & Ayn Rand

2009-05-11T19:09:00.005-04:00

Mediocrity Rules!

Sunday's The Simpsons was a four segment episode about women in history. The first was Queen Elizabeth, which was really funny. Snow White and Lady MacBeth had their moments. The fourth was a nod (and a poke) at Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. It's called "Mediocrity Rules" and features Jodie Foster. A minute clip is here from HULU.COM

The whole episode can be view HERE

Enjoy

Can you believe The Simpsons has been on for 20 years!!

Also, new Simpsons stamps are coming out too.

On...Republican Reform

2009-05-11T16:21:00.002-04:00

The New Right

Brand-names are very useful. The GOP is far from ruined as many wishful thinking wags would like to suggest. Diminished under Bush/Cheney? No doubt. In hibernation? Yes. In need of new blood and new vision? Definitely.

Included here are 3 essays all dealing with this theme.

Ross Douthat, now at the New York Times, adds his 2 cents.
Joe Scarborough sounds off over at Newsweek
James Forsyth looks at the Tory model in The Washington Post.

Hopefully the GOP can be molded along these lines.

And more importantly, Dick Cheney can shut up and go back to Wyoming. When did he get so talkative? Even when he's right about something it seems dirty and cold.

Time to revist my old doctrine of convervative virtues. On...Principles. Always good for a refresher.

ON...Stuff in General

2009-05-07T17:45:00.003-04:00

What a world

I've been a bit busy lately preparing my students for the big AP US History test tomorrow so I haven't had much time to post. Here are a bunch of articles that I thought interesting the last day or so.

The first is a follow up of my BLOG on Jon Stewart. It's nice to see that he commented later on his mistake. See HERE

The second is from Slate in regards to The Case for Colorblindness

The third is a trio about the foolishness of the UAW/GOV take over of dying Chrysler from The Economist, George Will, and Michael Barone. All sound minds.

The Economist: Mismanaging the Collapse
Sunbeams from Cucumbers by G Will
White House puts UAW before Property Rights by M Barone

The fourth is by Newsweek's David Ignatius on The Baby Boomers, The Whining Will get Louder (My Title) Good Stuff.

The Fifth is by Victor Davis Hanson on our modern obsession with Having it Both Ways.

RIP: Jack Kemp

2009-05-03T20:35:00.004-04:00

RIP Jack Kemp

I still have my Dole/Kemp Poster somewhere in the basement. Ah, the naivety of youth.

OBITUARY
From Richard Brookhiser
Kemp's VP Acceptance Speech

On...The Hangover

2009-05-02T20:04:00.002-04:00

As summer comedies go this one looks like a real winner.

The Hangover Trailer Can be Viewed Here.

Between the 2 trailers I laughed outloud real hard.

From...Jonah Goldberg, Ned Flanders, McCain, and Others

2009-05-02T09:02:00.004-04:00

Just a collection of articles that I wanted to share.

Jonah Goldberg continues the argument about Obama's comments that Great Britain and Churchhill didn't torture Nazis during WW2

Reuters UK discusses the growing power of the POTUS and how Obama is loving every minute of it. Funny how when W expanded power he was a tyrannt and when Obama does it he's promising hope. Such delightful hypocrisy.

God is back: How Ned Flanders won the evangelical crusade

and

McCain's Moment

On...Defense of Truman & The Ignorance of Jon Stewart

2009-04-30T22:32:00.005-04:00

Harry Truman...war criminal?

Well, according to Jon Stewart anyway. I have enjoyed Stewart a bunch in the past years but he has slowly fallen prey to overexposure and years of kudos that have inflated the head, especially in regards to his intellect and his knowledge of history. He is very wrong on Truman's decision of dropping the A-Bomb as a war crime. If he really understood the Pacific Campaign and what was on the line at the time he wouldn't say such stupid stuff. Only if he was a true, fully committed pacifist could you even remotely get away with such a comment. I'm pretty sure he's not. Under such strict guidelines every US President would be a prime candidate for a war crimes trial. Time for Stewart to get a grip.

If you don't know what I'm referring too you can see the clip from his show here.

And I know he's a comedian and comedians have a convenient way of using that as a shield, but in this full clip he is engaging in intellectual debate. He comes off as petulant child, sighing and throwing his hands up and using ad hoc attacks and straw men (must have learned that from Obama) and very naive, especially about American history. He throws around "the standard of the USA" for 200 years. What rosy, idealistic history book has he read? He has no clue about what America has gone through--the suffering, the torture, the slaughter, the hypocrisy, all the stuff that makes people people. Yes, we have high standards and yes, we should attempt to live up to them, but the purpose of the state is to protect the life, liberty, and property of the CITIZENS, not the human race. Yes, we can be a city upon a hill, but rough times create messy solutions. If the lives of thousands of US CITIZENS are endangered than the state has the right to protect them and in protection that may be extreme.

When he says he could have dropped the bomb off the coast and invited the Japanese Generals to witness it and they would have given up is naive. One, we only had 3 bombs, the Trinity test bomb, Fat Man and Little Boy. Estimated six months until we had more. The Japanese didn't give up after Hiroshima. Three days later we bombed Nagasaki as per the ultimatum. At the council meeting the Japanese generals, advisers, and Hirohito argued and only by the narrowest margins did they decide to capitulate and only after they got guarantees that Hirohito would not be tried as a war criminal. Two cities were wiped off the earth, not to mention Toyko was already burned to the ground, their navy was at the bottom of the Pacific, millions of their soldiers were already dead or wounded and even then they almost said no, we can fight on. If Jon Stewart even knew a fraction beyond a middle school history book he wouldn't say such things and make himself a bastion of righteousness.

And whoever this Cliff May guy is he's a hellofa debater, especially towards pampered celebrities who have peaked. Unfortunately Jon Stewart's in for a lot of disillusionment in the next 4 to 8 years. Obama as Commander-in-Chief will do a lot of the same stuff Bush did in regards to torture and war. Trust me. It's one thing to be a junior Senator catering moonbats and Kos-sacks on the Left and sleeping in the White House when millions of Americans rely on you to protect them and their children. I tend to think that responsibility makes you grow up and be an adult. Or at least I hope so.

From...The History of the SAT and Its Enemies

2009-04-28T21:49:00.001-04:00

This piece is from the Weekly Standard: THE SAT

RIP: JG Ballard

2009-04-21T20:25:00.003-04:00

The British author of Empire of the Sun and Crash died over the weekend.

I've linked the OBITUARIES from

The Guardian

BBC

and another follow up article from the Guardian about his influence on Cinema

From...Christopher Hitchens on Turkey and the EU

2009-04-21T18:24:00.002-04:00

Just an article from Hitchens on Turkey's games at the NATO conference and their desire to be in the EU. HERE

From...Robert Kagan in Foreign Policy

2009-04-20T19:43:00.003-04:00

I would assume this is the must read essay making the rounds right now in intellectual circles. Just FYI. It's long. I'm not finished with it yet and haven't digested it either. That being said, he makes you think in new directions.

Robert Kagan in Foreign Policy on The Revenge of Geography

He made his mark with Of Paradise and Power, the must read essay of 2003. And it was fantastic.

He also had this article in the New Republic one year ago.

On...The Pultizer Prize Winners

2009-04-20T17:55:00.001-04:00

LINK TO ALL WINNERS of the PULITZER Prizes and Finalists

From...Slate: Incredible Shrinking Job Market

2009-04-17T10:55:00.001-04:00

Great Link from SLATE.COM

Interactive Map of the USA showing job growth/loss in every county nationwide for the last 2 years. The map made me think of nuclear hits.

On...New Foundations, Covering Jesus, & Tea

2009-04-17T08:31:00.003-04:00

New Deal, Fair Deal, Great Society, New Foundations=More Bureaucracy, Less Liberty

Obama has a new slogan for the week, I guess the New Era of Responsibility was just too hot of a handle. In his Georgetown speech he gave the old heave-hoe to Responsibility (fitting) and stuffed in "New Foundations." Foundations of what? I could be quick and snide and say 'socialism,' but I think he means a new world vision of...oh, yeah, socialism and a powerhouse executive running the show. Maybe Obama has read a little too much about Aristotle's philosopher-king obsessions and is making it his own.

SPEECH HERE

Charles Krauthammer's Response

Ross Douthat warning on not dismissing TEA PARTIES

and a flash on how the Obama Administration ordered all images, including Jesus to be shrouded while he gave his speech. In which I say, if he doesn't want a policy speech to be tied to religion he shouldn't give it at a CATHOLIC JESUIT SCHOOL!!! Think a bit people. I would have told the President's aides "Thank you for thinking of us, but please find another venue."

On...The Decline and Fall of ...Newsweek?

2009-04-16T17:25:00.003-04:00

Since I posted the article from Newsweek about the Decline and Fall of Christianity I thought I'd post another one of the counter articles. HERE This one is mainly how Newsweek itself is tanking much faster than Christianity. It is fascinating how our society is changing when it comes to communication and information.

The only moderate fear about all this "change" is that real fact-finding journalism will be totally displaced by editorialization and infotainment to a huge degree. Though I'm sure there will be a counterbalance somewhere as long as our markets and press are free from groupthink and censorship.

On...Cuba

2009-04-14T16:55:00.004-04:00

"You talkin' about Cuba?"

Flood that Island with Cash and Capitalism and Knowledge

When I heard the Prez Obama was going to start to lift travel restrictions to Cuba I was relieved. During the campaign it was one of the few of his numerous promises he made that I agreed with. But like many things in the last couple of months it has come out half-assed and disappointing. Restrictions only for Cuban-Americans?

A start you might say, but enough is enough. Our policy on Cuba has failed. Isolation doesn't work for Cuba. Bombard them with Jacksons and Franklins. Bombard them with Midwest and LA tourists. Send down fleets of AARPers and Spring Breakers. "Leave" behind copies of the Weekly Standard and the Washington Post and Ayn Rand and George Orwell. Open Cuba up. Ripped them out of the Marxist dustbin. The Cuban government will not be able to stop the rush. And if they do they will be the bad guys. They will lose money and world standing. It's worth a shot.

If only Obama will go all the way. His motto is starting to be "Change you can kindof, sortof, believe in, sometimes...maybe."

This Washington Post Op-Ed piece makes a number of good points on the subject. And the gullibility of some on the left too.