William F. Buckley Jr. Remembered

William F. Buckley Jr., the father of modern conservatism died yesterday after living a very rich and productive life, influencing modern political thought, and setting the stage for the Reagan Revolution which saved this country from the years of Jimmy Carter.

Although I have never met the man, I do have stark memories of him throughout my childhood and since, as my father was a huge fan of Firing Line. As a child I hated it. My early memories of Buckley were of dread. I dreaded Sunday afternoons when my father would enter the family room and switch channels to PBS, and subject me to that dry, drab, and stuffy show. After that I would switch channels to 60 Minutes, a favorite of mine at the time. How things have changed.

When I was approaching 17, Buckley was featured on 60 Minutes (I nearly left the room, expecting a dry, drab, and stuffy interview when I saw it previewed), and much to my surprise...he was artfully clever, lively, quick witted, and funny. I think Morley Safer tried to strafe him but failed. Buckley impressed me then and thereafter. And even though I never quite got in the habit of watching Firing Line, I made a special point to catch him in several interviews, and even subscribed to National Review for a time.

I'll never forget one interview he did on Donahue back in that show's heyday. Phil Donahue tried a surprise attack in which he accused Buckley of being "owned by the military establishment." Buckley's response was calm but gravely cold. He glared at Donahue and said dismissively "No one owns me, Phil...only GOD owns me."

More recently I purchased Miles Gone By, his autobiography, in CD format. I strongly recommend this format because it is read aloud by Buckley himself, and you get every nuance from his voice inflection and tone. The only thing better would be a Buckley video of the same book.

Someone recently told me that Ann Coulter was banished from National Review. But that didn't stop her from writing a fine tribute to Buckley here.

May he rest in peace. And may the Buckley family be in our prayers.

Another One Under The Bus...

Okay, the comments were a little on the heavy side. But for McCain to disassociate himself from the speaker, Bill Cunningham, looked to me like yet another attempt by McCain to throw another conservative under the bus in order to kiss up to the liberal MSM. And the main complaint about the comments? The fact that Cunningham used Obama's first, middle, and last name: Barack HUSSEIN Obama. So what? It's his name. Get over it. Don't like it? Change it! Won't change it? Live with it!

Laura Ingraham offered listeners a chance today to call in with one-word comments summing up McCain's response. Most used words like "disappointing," "typical," etc... If I hadn't been listening on XM Radio, on which her program is delayed 'til noon to 3pm, I would've phoned in with the word "obsequious." But even that wouldn't have done it for me. It would have to be a word I can't seem to think of that couples the meaning of obsequious with that of the urge a dog has to return to his own vomit. Guess I'll have to make one up.

Hasn't McCain learned from the NY Times that the honeymoon has ended? He is, for all intents and purposes, the Republican nominee. And they will now crucify him for it.

Obama And The Fainted Ladies

Each incident by itself does not look suspicious. However, the collection of them does.

Though I suppose it is remotely possible that all these ladies could be faking their fainting just so Obama personally addresses them. It is more likely, in light of recent plagiarizing accusations regarding Obama speeches, that Obama is a bigger phony than Hillary, herself. And that all of these incidents are ploys to show how much he cares.

Michael Medved pointed out on his show that it seemed odd for Obama to say "I think she'll be okay now" to those who responded to one of the fainted ladies in one incident. After all, reasons Medved, how would he know if she's okay? She could've had an epileptic seizure or a heart attack (paraphrasing). In other words, he must have known by virtue of her faking that she was in no danger. Or is Obama simply overcome with HUBRIS?

Empty Suit

McCain Looking Better Each Day...

Disturbing Revelations About The Obamas

What on earth are we to make of these comments by Michelle Obama, the wife of Presidential Candidate, Barack Hussein Obama? Was it a slip of the tongue? Did she really mean to sound like she did? Did she really have no pride for this country until so many started voting for her husband?

Michelle Malkin referred to Mrs. Obama and the audience who received this statement so warmly as a “sad, empty, narcissistic, ungrateful, unthinking lot,” in order for them to be so “devoid of pride in their country for their adult lifetimes,” in this article. Mrs. Malkin goes on to list several instances over the past 20 years in which most Americans have felt enormous pride in our country, and does so quite convincingly.

So what then is Michelle Obama’s problem with pride in America?

You’ll note that the first reason she mentions finally having pride is that her husband is doing well, as if to say I’m proud of America for voting for Barack. And that in and only in itself is nothing to be alarmed about. Such pride would be natural. But then she attempts to repair the gaffe about never having been previously proud by going into how “alone in (her) frustration and disappointment (she’s) been.” Frustrated and disappointed in what? Is she ignoring the eight year reign of the first black president, Bill Clinton? Or perhaps she’s forgotten all those years their Democrats controlled Congress. One thing is for certain: Mr. and Mrs. Obama are unified in their basic opinions and views of the world in general. So what is their problem? And what do they see as the right path America should take?

Looking at the Obamas a little closer we find they belong to a church in Chicago called Trinity United Church of Christ which some have referred to as a beacon of black separatism. Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., the church pastor, has preached that America was founded on and is still run on white racism, that 9-11 was retribution for America’s racism, and that Zionism is the equivalent of racism. Ronald Kessler of Newsmax.com makes these and several other disturbing observations about the church, its pastor, and the possible effects on Obama, here. I strongly recommend anyone thinking of voting for Obama over Hillary and/or McCain to read it.

Now if I were a black person obsessed with race all the time, and if I felt that America was a country criminally negligent and oppressive to my people then and even now, and I tried very hard to keep my anger hidden so as not to impede my success in spite of my angry separatist beliefs, I would probably inadvertently manifest my displeasure in some sort of subconsciously, passive-aggressive form. For instance, I might forget to place my hand on my heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, or not wear an American flag lapel pin, or choose to continue to attend angry, black separatist sermons even after publicly distancing myself from the pastor (all being strange behavior for a Presidential candidate!). I might treat the man we’ve honored in the past as the first black president with much disdain, and imply he and his wife cannot be trusted. Or…if I were Michelle Obama, I might let it slip that I’ve never felt an ounce of pride in America…until my husband started doing well and people started seeing things our way (like hanging banners of Cuban flags with the image of Che Guevara).

I begin to feel appreciation for John McCain when I consider the alternatives before me…

(both pics "borrowed" from Blonde Sagacity)

President Reagan Is Sorely Missed

These inspiring words of Ronald Reagan at a time when those on the left were willing to sacrifice freedom in exchange for slavery, echo in today's world of appeasers toward Islamo-fascism in the war in Iraq (even when we are winning) and beyond.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent declaration that Iraq is a failure when Al-Qaeda accidentally admits their own organization is in crisis, is yet another in the long list of examples of why Nancy Pelosi is not up to the task of her office and should (for the good of humanity and the country) resign her position. For I cannot tell you how sick and tired I am of Democrats putting party ahead of national security and our troops!

Naturally she will refuse to resign, even though she and the rest of Congress have lost the faith of the people (only 13% give Congress rating of good or excellent). So we must throw the bums out this coming November, in what will hopefully be a return of Republicans to power (with a new attitude, we hope).

Is Conservatism Dead?...Get Real.

It has been brought to my attention recently that Conservatism is dead. The announcement of its demise followed the other shocking announcement of the death of the influence of talk radio (namely conservative talk radio) on the electoral process. It was still further noted that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Mark Levin would all be selling apples on street corners before the election next November. Okay, I made that last part up. But it would fit snuggly into the box of wishful thinking gift-wrapped by the liberal main stream media for our consumption. However, the facts would suggest otherwise.

And just what are those facts? Isn’t it true that there are only two Republican candidates left standing and that both of them are moderates? Well, there are actually three if you count Ron Paul, who has made no announcement of suspending his campaign. But since he stands less than a snowball’s chance of winning, and since we cannot seem to take him seriously enough to classify him as either conservative, or moderate,…or even crackpot, we will for all intents and purposes ignore him hereafter.

Just how did we end up with two moderates left standing?

When the campaign started with ten candidates vying for the Republican nod, there were ten self-proclaimed conservatives. No moderates could be seen anywhere with the naked eye. All invoked the name of Reagan during debates and speeches. All claimed to be the most qualified AND all claimed to be the most conservative of the bunch. Some told the truth about their conservative credentials and some did not. In the end we got stuck with two of them who did not.

Part of the reason has to do with a change in primary scheduling, without changes in how the media reports on candidates. Usually there is plenty of time to get to know each candidate as they step into the spotlight. One by one the media investigates their backgrounds and exposes this and that to the voters as each candidate becomes popular. First Giuliani, then Romney, Fred Thompson, Huckabee, and finally McCain. But by the time people started to seriously look at McCain he was only one of three left standing, the other two being more conservative than him splitting the vote. To put it quite simply, those who were moderate lied to us bald-faced about what they stood for. And those of us who didn’t follow the process closely enough bought into the lies thinking they were voting for someone who filled the conservative bill.

The other reason had to have been the inability of Fred Thompson to inspire consistently and with enough energy the confidence required by the public to entrust in him the highest office.

Still another reason was due to election losses in the Senate of George Allen and Rick Santorum two years prior. The strength of an Allen-Santorum ticket would’ve made believers out of many of us. But for Congressman Foley and a war gone sour those two would’ve retained their offices, and one or both would be positioning themselves on the Republican ticket.

So conservatism itself is not dead. If it were, all the candidates would’ve claimed to be the most moderate, while invoking the names of Gerald Ford and Nelson Rockefeller.

(McCain button "borrowed" from Conservative Cat.)

McCain Mea Culpa?

Was McCain apologizing at the CPAC Convention yesterday for the Amnesty bill, and for all the other times he went dead set against conservative common sense? Was that really him saying he respected us for disagreeing with him on a host of issues???

Well, I'm not going to break down the entire speech he made yesterday with in-depth analysis. But I will at least admit it was a very good speech. McCain has a canny way of finding humor in things for which many of us wish to bawl him out. And in so doing he cleverly disarms us, at least temporarily, of our willingness to rip into him. He is a seasoned professional, no doubt.

He also gave us a long list of reasons why conservatives should join with him in barring the liberal leftist team of Hillary-Obama from the White House. Here is one list I ripped from Michelle Malkin's lovely blog:

[McCain voted to defund Planned Parenthood last year, Clinton didn’t and would likely expand Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funding.

McCain voted to ban partial-birth abortion, Clinton didn’t and would likely reverse the partial-birth abortion ban.

McCain voted for Roberts and Alito and made the case for them in the media, Clinton didn’t.

McCain has never voted for a tax increase, Clinton will increase taxes.

McCain will continue the Bush tax cuts, Clinton will end them.

McCain will end pork-barrel spending, Clinton supports the endowment of projects like the Woodstock Museum with taxpayer funding.

McCain will not cut and run in Iraq, Clinton will work with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid to do just that.

McCain sponsored legislation to keep the Fairness Doctrine from rearing its head again, Clinton has not and has signaled moves to revive it.

McCain supports school choice, Clinton does not.

Clinton will mandate health insurance, McCain will not.

McCain voted to convict Bill Clinton on impeachment, Clinton was a witting accomplice in President Bill Clinton’s scandals.

McCain has an ACU (American Conservative Union) rating of 82.3; Clinton has a rating of 9.

McCain has 0-percent rating from NARAL; Clinton has 100 percent.]

Not all of these were mentioned by McCain yesterday, but they do give an indication as to why we might be better off with McCain rather then anyone the Dems plan to offer up. But in spite of the list, I am not convinced that John McCain really wants to do what it will take to win over conservatives. And I can't really back off of all those nasty things I said about him in past postings, either.

Truth is...he could end up being one of the worst presidents this country has ever had...or one of the greatest. It may all depend upon the level of his emotional maturity, the strength of his self-control, and whether or not he continues to stab conservatives in the backside.

And whether or not I actively campaign (on this blog) for him after he wins the nomination will largely depend upon whom he chooses for his running mate. It should be someone younger, very smart, economics minded, and fiscally conservative. Perhaps someone like Newt Gingrich, who harkens back to the freshness of the Contract With America, but without all that Newt-baggage. He should come from an important swing state like Florida...or Ohio. The public should be familiar with his name already and feel comfortable with him in a position requiring public trust. Hmmm...I can only think of one name so far: John Kasich.

Romney Suspends Campaign

Though some might call it premature, Governor Mitt Romney declared his campaign for the White House over. Citing the importance of party unity to work against Democrats who would surrender in the war on terror, Mitt surprised many with his announcement during his speech at CPAC yesterday.

Many expect Gov. Romney to return to the campaign trail in 2012 in the event of a McCain loss this year, or perhaps 2016 if not. One can only wonder if a VP deal was secretly worked out.

Vote Romney!!!

For the past several weeks I have watched in worried fascination the rebirth of the McCain campaign from its death struggle, at a time when he ran out of funds and campaign staff, through several debates in which he won over the audience with humorously clever and powerful comments, to his victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida.

Never having thought much of Senator McCain for several reasons (see top ten reasons here), I have learned many other reasons to be nervous about a possible McPresidency. One of them is his inability to control his anger or at times temper his foul mouth. On the Senate floor obscenities could be heard from him (so I'm told) after McCain-Kennedy went down in flames. Those who hate President Bush's so-called "cowboy diplomacy" should know they may be exchanging it for McCain's "trailer park diplomacy."

Senator McCain as recently as last weekend (on Meet The Press) told a blatant lie about Mitt Romney, claiming that Gov. Romney supports time tables to bring our troops home before the job is done. The truth is that Romney only supported secret time tables as benchmarks or goals known only between the leaders of the US and Iraq, so our enemies would not have an advantage in knowing our departure date. This is reasonable for Romney or anyone else. But what McCain did proves he will say anything to be elected.

Governor Mitt Romney, whom I am currently supporting, has been criticized for "flip-flopping" on some key issues. And while I have some concerns about this, it is far better than someone like McCain or even Gov. Huckabee, both of whom have altered positions on Amnesty for illegal aliens, and Huckabee also for his position on Guantanemo Bay during the course of the campaign. To my knowledge Romney has held steady on every issue since the campaign started, which tells me he is likely to keep his promises after he's elected.

The role of Governor Huckabee seems to have veered from Presidential hopeful to campaign spoiler. This is odd considering the hoopla made by the Huckabee camp over Fred Thompson's attacks during the South Carolina debates, after which it was claimed by the Huckattackdogs that Fred was secretly spoiling in favor of McCain. Now it appears that the Arkansas Huckster, having no chance at winning the top seat, may be settling for the "warm bucket of spit" that is the office of VP, and hopes to get it by spoiling for the subject of his "man-crush," McCain. By the way, we are still waiting for Fred's McCain endorsement...

I know I'm all over the place in this posting; and that's the way my mind has been since Fred Thompson pulled out. But after serious consideration of Romney's temperament, his business acumen (hey, our dollar is lower than CANADA!!!), the fact he lives his values, and is clearly the best choice left standing thus far, I am officially throwing my support to former Governor Mitt Romney. After all, could you really feel comfortable with McCain carrying the nuke suitcase? Not me, nor does Ann Coulter. Though unlike Coulter, I would probably not go for Hillary over McCain.

Good luck tomorrow, Governor Romney!