What Would George Do?

W hat would George Washington do about Iraq? An op-ed editor (not at The Washington Post, I should add) recently asked me to write a piece answering that question, presumably because I had once written a biography of Washington and have just published another book on the founding generation. But,...

read more | digg story

Ideology Was Bush's Undoing

I am not one of Pat's biggest fans, but this is good and on the mark.

"Over lunch, a liberal friend expressed puzzlement. Citing the title of Tom Oliphant's new book about the Bush administration, "Utter Incompetents," he wondered aloud.

Like him or not, he said, Bush is not an unintelligent man, and he is a principled and energetic executive. As for Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and the others, almost all had long resumes of accomplishment in politics, government and business. Why, then, do they seem to have failed so dismally?"

read more digg story

The Case for Illegal Mingling

It seems to me that if the Middle East could use more of anything these days it is more mingling — if not between the sexes then at least between the sects.

read more | digg story

In Iraq, Signs of Hope and Peril

The surge seems to be working. But are al Qaeda and Iran just showing us a success we want to see?

read more | digg story

Mike Huckabee: "Chuck Norris Approved"

"My plan to secure the border? Two words: Chuck. Norris."
This is just too funny. It doesn't mean I support Mike Huckabee for President. Maybe Chuck Norris.



read more digg story

Your Tax Dollars At Work - New Orleans Edition

New Orleans Aquarium Fights Red Tape

NEW ORLEANS -- In what some see as another bureaucratic absurdity after Hurricane Katrina, FEMA is refusing to pick up the cost of restocking New Orleans' aquarium because of how the new fish were obtained: straight from the sea.

read more digg story

Blazing Saddles and Political Correctness

My son Sean is a movie nut just like I am. He had seen all of Mel Brooks' films but somehow had never seen Blazing Saddles, what I think is the best. Sean was home tonight and saw it was going to be on AMC. As it was beginning I told him about this classic scene:

[the Johnsons load their guns and point them at Bart. Bart then points his own pistol at his head]
Bart: Hold it! Next man makes a move, the nigger gets it!
Olson Johnson: Hold it, men. He's not bluffing.
Dr. Sam Johnson: Listen to him, men, he's just crazy enough to do it!
Bart: [lower register] Drop it! Or I swear I'll blow this nigger's head all over this town!

Here is a classic film that was nominated for 3 academy awards and was controversial in its day. We get to the above scene and AMC, in all it's correct glory, muted the n word! Unbelievable! Muted one of the very things that makes it a classic of the period. The main reason it was controversial.

I really don't know what else to say on this subject.

Election '08 Thoughts

So the big election is but a year away .... Here are some thoughts.

Republicans:
Rudi ..... well the man is nuts!
Romney ..... which side of the mirror are you on today?
McCain ..... I loved him in 2000. I say bring back the straight talk express.

Democrats:
Hillary ..... I want to vote for Bill again but if I have to
Obama ..... I just wonder if he has enough experience
Biden ..... Day has passed him by. I think he is running for a cabinet job
Richardson ..... One of my favorites but not much of a chance
Edwards ..... I like him but just don't know

My Favorites:
1. Al Gore
2. Bill Richrdson
3. John McCain
4. Barack Obama (?)

OK so my 1 favorite isn't running and I don't think will run. I have a year to find another.

Random thoughts:
McCain lost much of his support because of his stand on Iraq. Guess what .... We are going to be there for some time no matter who wins. Just everybody admit it and move on.

Good read:
A very good essay by Andrew Sullivan in The Atlantic Monthly. After reading this I started to give him serious thought. Maybe it is his time.

The Atlantic Monthly - Goodbye To All That