But Will it Cure Fisherman's Elbow?

As crazy as it sounds, I could use a vacation from this blog as much as any other activity I am currenty engaged in. With that in mind, this blog will be inactive until Aug. 6. Expect pictures of large fish in your near future.

In the meantime, Liberal Larry has discovered numerous new afflictions that can be cured through stem sell research:

When harvested from a human embryo, stem cells can be a miracle cure for a wide variety of debilitating afflictions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, paralysis, rhuematoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, Attention Deficit Disorder, excessive body hair, male pattern baldness, problem flatulence, dizziness, numbness, tough, hard-to-remove stains, Helsinki Syndrome, toe jam, indigestion, dyslexia, insomnia, narcolepsy, vertigo, hepatitis, tonsillitis, gingivitis, Vitus Geralitis, chancre sores, the 7-Year Itch, gridlock, and the bizarre mental illness that makes religious conservatives so averse to treating human embryos like crops to be “harvested”.

Just think, if Bush weren't in office, these life-ravaging conditions could be solved by the time I return from my vacation.

'Kill' Said the Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Here's another free-thinking Nobel Peace Prize winner, Betty Williams, sharing her message of tolerance and understanding to school children around the globe:

"I have a very hard time with this word 'non-violence', because I don't believe that I am non-violent," said Ms Williams, 64.

"Right now, I would love to kill George Bush."

Wow. I looked for similar examples of William's "feisty Irish spirit" in regards to say...Saddam Hussein (who killed a million people), but I came up short. I guess death wishes in front of children are reserved for the leaders of free countries who dare give people a chance at democracy.

In other news, next year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is rumored to be Mike Tyson. He wants to eat babies for dinner. Mmmm-mmm.

Bush Lied, a Soldier's Family Died

Proving once again that there is no event too grave it can't be used to blast the Bush administration, an AOL message board is rife with anti-Bush rhetoric after a soldier's family is murdered in Washington:

The p***k bush has cut funds to lock away the lunatics, just to pay for his illegal war. May the same fate await the evil bushites.......they are evil and will be treated as such. They, the pig bushites, are truly the enemies of America!

***

MOre Deaths indirectly caused by Geroge W. BUSH!!!! If he didnt lie to start a war.....and the husband was at home, the people would all be alive. The was is for Halleburton, Exxon MObile, and all the other members of the Industrial military complex, who ar to benefit by this war. THANKS BUSH, hope you can sleep nights... But people without a conscious dont have trouble sleeping...I guess.

After five years I am still amazed at the mental gymnastics Lefties are willing to perform just to get that Halliburton reference in there.

Of course there is still enough outrage left for the widower:

Too bad the paid assasin wasn't home also... Got what he deserved for serving an illegal government in an illegal war.

***

People who join the army either have no education or come from small towns.. He should blame himself for his family dying due to his lack of education.

Hey, not everyone can be as smart as liberals, or come from enlightened big cities. Some of us have to make do. Someday though, I hope to get a edumacation and move to New York, where I can sit on my fat ass and look down my nose on the rest of the country.

Now that's living.

The Right Angle has more thoughts.

Reasonable Critic

I received an excellent criticism earlier regarding today's post at Power Line. In the spirit of provoking thought, I share it here, with names withheld:

Dear Mr. Tepoorten:

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the marine from your town. Every time I hear or read anyone referring to the men and women serving our country as 'kid' or 'kids' I write and ask that they use a term that doesn't sound so patronizing. In your Powerline letter you referred to Corporal Benson as a "brave kid" and then again as a "fantastic kid".

"Kids" is a term used more suitably by Buffalo Bob in asking "Hey kids, what time is it?" Or, by a parent yelling "O.k. kids, everyone in the car!"

The "kids" reference is used far too often by too many including V.P. Cheney and President Bush and I have e-mailed both long ago requesting they stop using that term. I'm sure Corporal Benson and his fellow marines and soldiers and airmen would appreciate this small consideration. Especially Corporal Benson, he's earned it.

Thank You.

Regards,
[name withheld]

Here is my reply:

[name withheld],

Thank you very much for your very reasonable criticism. In fact, I had not intended the email I sent to Power Line to be included in the story and, upon seeing it there, was also a little miffed at myself for using the word "kid."

I can assure that my use of the term was meant solely to reflect the difference in age between myself and him and not meant to be in any way disrespectful. To me, 36, Benson is still a "kid" having just graduated from high school a couple of years ago. Still, looking back I wish I had used the term "young man" or something that would not be viewed, as you have pointed out, as patronizing.

Rest assured I shall not make the same mistake twice, and thanks again for taking the time to write and point it out..............Pat

Reasonable Critic took the time to respond again and was very magnanimous:

Mr. Tepoorten:

You have a good heart and have shown it by your concern for Corporal Benson and he is fortunate to have you and others in your community supporting him. I didn't intend to be critical in my first e-mail, merely wanting to let you know how it sounded and you were aware of that before I wrote. Others may have not have been as perceptive or caring.

Since Buffalo Bob and his Howdy Doody Show went off the air a decade before you were born, my reference using him may not have been real familiar. But a clown character on the show named Clarabelle later became kids tv star Captain Kangaroo who may be much more familiar to you. Here's a link to more on Buffalo Bob: http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/howdy-doody.htm

The important part of all of this is Corporal Benson and the caring community you live in. My best to you all.

Regards,
[name withheld]

And my best to Reasonable Critic, who points out that when a person has experienced what our soldiers have, and when they have achieved the things they have, they deserve to be regarded beyond their mere age in years relative to our own.

I wish I had thought of it yesterday, but I'll take it today.

Cards for Johnathan

My editor, MaryHelen Swanson, has an exclusive interview with the family of Johnathan Benson, a 21-year-old North Branch man wounded for the second time in Iraq. This time it is much more serious. Benson has lost a leg, part of an arm, and has some internal injuries.

Benson, the youngest in the family, has had his two brothers by his bedside this past week. They plan to make many trips to Texas to be there for him. Steve Benson said Johnathan draws strength from his older brothers. In addition, other family members and a friend traveled to Texas to be there for him too. And this week his older sister has arrived to support and encourage him.

The Benson family has much for which to be grateful, even in the light of this serious tragedy.

But, Corp. Benson has a long road ahead of him and his mother’s heart’s desire is that people back home will show concern and support by writing to him during this long, long process of recovery.

Read the whole story here. Please send encouragement here:

Corp. Johnathan Benson
c/o Marine Liaison
Brooke Army Medical Center
3851 Roger Brooke Drive
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6200

Pass it on will ya?

UPDATE: Thanks to the Elder at Fraters Libertas for highlighting Benson. Thanks also to Power Line.

Fuzzilicious Thinking has more, including this letter from John Furutani of CENTCOM:

Your dedication to service and country is incredible, and your sacrifice is duly noted and thanked. In order to provide a measure of that thanks from one fellow citizen, I will be going to the Valour IT site and donating sufficient monies to fund a voice-activated laptop for your personal use.

I have been in Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2006, so I am familiar with the conditions which we ask our military to endure for the country’s sake. The fact that you have gone in country--twice—speaks well to your courage and honor.

Again, please accept my thanks on behalf of myself and my family. Please remember during your rehabilitation that you have the support and well wishes of other beyond your immediate family and community.

If any member of your family, or someone close to you, may need frequent flier miles to make the trip to San Antonio, please have them contact me [email address omitted].

FbL adds: He (Benson) is now awake and communicative. He's scheduled to receive a Valour-IT laptop and the Soldiers' Angels Wounded Team is making him a special project.

No Shoulder Touching, Fratboy!

Taylor Marsh is devestated that America's president had the unmitigated gall to touch the shoulders of Germany's new leader at the G8 summit:

Iraq and the Middle East are in flames and we have no credibility around the world, but our Groper in Chief decides to give the little lady some attention. After all, it's what women really want, now isn't it. But what can we expect with a "fratboy," prepubescent president in charge? It is an outrage.

***

George W. Bush was supposed to bring "honor and integrity" back to the White House, but instead he's disgraced us all.

It's an outrage! In fact, that kind of outrage might have come in handy when Bill Clinton was groping, harassing, and even raping women. So, where was Marsh at that time? Around, but not quite as outraged:

Camouflage it all you want with the “lying under oath” and the posturing “rule of law” drivel, but the bottom line was that the “vast right wing conspiracy” came after President Clinton because, when they found out about Paula Jones, they wanted to nail him for moral lapses, which had plagued him throughout his life.

As I recall, it was Clinton doing most of the "nailing," but I digress.

James Taranto sums up Marsh's selective outrage thusly:

The lack of self-awareness here is awesome to behold.

I daresay the feminist lobby lost all credibility it might have enjoyed defending Bill Clinton's "moral lapses." Absolute indifference to Clinton's rape of Juanita Broderick or groping of Katherine Willey is fine I guess. But to now be outraged because the president dared touch the shoulders of a world leader is...well...outrageous.

Liberals truly have no memory. Add to that a stunning capacity for blatant hypocricy and what was novel becomes desperate and sad. Speaking of desperate and sad, see Marsh's hair. No wonder she can't get on the Sunday shows.

Just Don't Tell Anybody

So far we are surviving the inhuman (or very human in this case) global warming that has gripped the region since Friday, and in the longer term, since a Republican took office. I am happy to report that my parents are alive and well and my wife's shivering spell is over.

On to the news than, with an interesting outlook from Iraqi Sunnis. They want more American troops:

The Sunni Arab leaders say they have no newfound love for the Americans. Many say they still sympathize with the insurgency and despise the Bush administration and the fact that the invasion has helped strengthen the power of neighboring Iran, which backs the ruling Shiite parties.

But the Sunni leaders have dropped demands for a quick withdrawal of American troops. Many now ask for little more than a timetable. A few Sunni leaders even say they want more American soldiers on the ground to help contain the widening chaos.

Apparently the chaos wasn't that wide before. Interestingly enough it was the Sunnis who couldn't wait to start the bloodletting. Without Saddam to back them up though, numbers mean something and the Shiites have far more people.

Now they want the U.S. to protect them from a civil war they have been trying so hard to start.

That's rich.

It's Hot

It was...extremely hot...today. It...was the...global...war...ming. Officially...it was 99...degrees...but much...hotter..in some places...more drastically...affected.

Risked our lives...to...go...outside for a little...while...Global war...ming was every...where. Couldn't stay...out...long.

We have been...inside now...for five or six...hours...I don't know...I've lost...track of time. We hope we aren't...forced to eat...human flesh to...try and...outlast the...warming.

This could...be my last...post...ever. Mom. Dad. I love...you. I don't know...where you are...or what...or if you are...alive...but I hope the end came...soon. My wife is...shivering...now...in aqdvanced state of...warming. She is haluucinating that...she is coldf. My visionb is....bl;urry...

My chilrend....we snould have thouyght....about the..;.childr

And She's Not Even a Terrorist

Daughter #2, who is 15, works as a "helper" at a daycare. Now, our county is demanding she give an astounding amount of information about herself, despite the fact that the state gives it no authority to do so. The county says is derives the authority to ask incredibly personal questions based on State statutes, chapter 245A, rule 9502.

In fact, the relevent statutes give authority only to license primary providers and are very specific about that. Still the county is insisting on knowing deeply personal information about my daughter. Here is a sample of what the county needs to know:

How do you show affection?

In your home, how do children develop the skills of problem solving and creativity? (She is not employed at our home.)

Not only do they need information like this directly from my daughter, they also require multiple references to answer questions like these about my daughter and her family:

How long have you known this family?

How does the fmaily teach children what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior?

What kind of discipline is used with children?

Describe the family's strong points?

Are there any problems with their own children?

A document explaining what the county plans to do with the information includes:

Decide if you can get services from us and what or how much you can get.

Help you get medical, mental health, financial, or social services.

Decide about out-of-home care and in-home care for you or your children.

Decide if your family needs protective services.

Collect money from the state and federal government for help we give you.

Again, there is no authority given by the state to license anyone but a "primary" provider, which in this case would be my daughter's boss. The next time I speak to the new head of Health and Human Services I will be asking her to explain this incredible breach of privacy rights and abuse of authority.

And the Left thinks monitoring phone calls and financial transfers of terrorists invades our privacy. Ironically, like-minded people are probably responsible for creating this process, which demands my daughter share her innermost feelings with the government.

Of course, the county only wants to be able to "help" my daughter with anything she might require assistance with, so that makes it okay. Right?

Bueller?..Bueller?..

Yesterday, Brit Hume noted a letter from Nancy Pelosi to like-minded individuals in the House. Apparently it's hard to get to fever pitch in the fever swamp:

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has informed party members that she plans to count heads at their weekly policy meetings since attendance at the caucuses has dropped to less than 25 percent of the party's 205 members. Pelosi wrote her fellow House Democrats that the party will be working to crystallize its "New Direction" agenda in the next few weeks, and urged every member to show up.

Roll Call reports that interest in the caucuses has waned in recent months — noting that important decisions are almost never made at the meetings, which have become platforms for opinionated members to air their pet concerns.

And that's the latest Democratic Party Agenda for America update. Can't you almost hear the crickets?

And In This Corner...

Under the title "My Leak Testimony," Robert Novak gives account of his role in the Rove/Cheney/Libby/Rove for sure/definately not Rove/Plame investigation.

Along the way, Novak discloses something that illustrates exactly how ridiculous this whole episode has been:

I learned Valerie Plame's name from Joe Wilson's entry in "Who's Who in America."

You gotta love the Wilsons. The undisputed world heavyweight champions of having it both ways.

Via Power Line

Common Sense Alive and Well

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan handed down a decision today on the matter of the FBI conducting search warrants inside congressional offices. Specifically, the search of William Jefferson's office on suspicion of bribery.

If you are a resident of the United States worried that congress might find some "above the law" justification that the court might buy, worry no more:

In a 28-page opinion, Hogan dismissed arguments by Jefferson and a bipartisan group of House leaders that the raid violated the Constitution's protections against intimidation of elected officials.

Hogan acknowledged the "unprecedented" nature of the case. But he said the lawmakers' "sweeping" theory of legislative privilege "would have the effect of converting every congressional office into a taxpayer-subsidized sanctuary for crime."

A member of Congress is bound by the same laws as ordinary citizens, said the judge, who had approved the FBI's request to conduct the overnight search of Jefferson's office.

Frankly I don't understand why this would be a partisan issue, although it is likely to play as one. The Left will cry "abuse of power" and bemoan the new Culture of Intimidation or some such nonsense.

This is a pretty good comment thread on the matter. It actually starts fairly reasonable, but quickly degenerates into statements like these:

A raid on a Republican would not be legal. What we do is legal. What is done to us is illegal.

and:

Of course the raid was fundamentally political in nature-- in over 200 yrs of Congressional misconduct there's never before been a raid on a Congressman's office? Why now all of a sudden?

and my personal favorite:

Today, the bush admin can officially pursue every single item that ever came across a democratic representative’s desk.

Let the political raids begin I guess. Might I suggest John Kerry's military records for starters? He's been promising those for years. Maybe we could find the redacted pages of the Cisneros probe. No doubt by the end of the week Chimpler will be exercising his new found power all over Congress.

The thread wasn't a total loss however. A courageous lone wolf did provide the heavy breathers with a link to the actual decision and a taste of what the court had to say on the argument that the search violated the Speech or Debate Clause:

The existing broad protections of the Speech or Debate Clause — absolute immunity from prosecution or suit for legislative acts and freedom from being "questioned" about those acts (including privilege from the testimonial act of producing documents in response to a subpoena) — satisfy the fundamental purpose of the Clause to protect the independence of the legislature. The Court declines to extend those protections further, holding that the Speech or Debate Clause does not shield Members of Congress from the execution of valid search warrants. Congressman Jefferson's interpretation of the Speech or Debate privilege would have the effect of converting every congressional office into a taxpayer-subsidized sanctuary for crime. Such a result is not supported by the Constitution or judicial precedent and will not be adopted here.

Are we really going to argue that searching Jefferson's office was somehow a breach of Congressional privilege by the administration? Another "power grab" by the Executive? I sure hope not.

Surely an actual platform and unified positions on both Iran and Iraq would be a better use of Democrats' time. I think.

That's No Small Leap

I had heard things were bad for Democrats in the California governor's race, but I didn't know they were this bad:

Bob Mulholland, senior advisor to Democratic nominee Phil Angelides, aims for controversy this morning, saying: "With North Korea leader Kim Jong-Il back in the news, it reminds me that he and Schwarzenegger have something in common. Both have their shoes specifically made to add a couple inches of lift. What we don’t know is does Kim Jong-Il have his shoes made by Schwarzenegger’s shoemaker in Italy."

Oh wait. I get it. Schwarzenegger wears lifts. Kim Jong Il wears lifts. Therefore Schwarzenegger = Kim Jong Il. Clever. Think about it.

In other Kim Jong Il news, it looks like he and Colleen Rowley get their glasses at the same place, he and Wesley Clark probably run into each other often at Uniforms Are Us, and he and John Kerry share a fondness for being seen with Madeline Albright. What we don't know is does any of this has any relevence whatsoever.

It must though, it came from the Profound Party.

A Continental Epidemic

Once again we see a left-leaning political candidate who is uncomfortable with democracy. Lopez Obrador, Mexico's leftist in this week's presidential election, said this about the election result:

"We cannot recognize or accept these results"

As it did with Al Gore and the thousands of leftists who continue to insist that the 2000 election was stolen and the 2004 election tainted by Diebold, Obrador's remark speaks to an inherent belief of the left, an entitlement to power.

Democratic elections are increasingly a nuisance in the way of that entitlement.

Al Gore On the Recruiting Trail

Generation Steve and I had an interesting discussion on Global Warming today following his inexplicable decision to drop hard earned money on An Inconvenient Truth over the weekend. So, in honor of him, I present some basic facts and figures regarding greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, and consensus.

Or, there is the abridged version:

The guesses of significantly larger warming are dependent on "feedback" (supplementary) mechanisms programmed into climate models. The existence of these "feedback" mechanisms is uncertain and the cumulative sign of which is unknown (they may add to warming from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide or, equally likely, might suppress it).

The total warming since measurements have been attempted is thought to be about 0.6 degrees Centigrade. At least half of the estimated temperature increment occurred before 1950, prior to significant change in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

There is no linear relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide change and global mean temperature or global mean temperature trend -- global mean temperature has both risen and fallen during the period atmospheric carbon dioxide has been rising.

The natural world has tolerated greater than one-degree fluctuations in mean temperature during the relatively recent past and thus current changes are within the range of natural variation.

Despite attempts to label atmospheric carbon dioxide a "pollutant" it is, in fact, an essential trace gas, the increasing abundance of which is a bonus for the bulk of the biosphere.

There is no reason to believe that slightly lower temperatures are somehow preferable to slightly higher temperatures - there is no known "optimal" nor any known means of knowingly and predictably adjusting some sort of planetary thermostat.

Fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide are of little relevance in the short to medium term (although should levels fall too low it could prove problematic in the longer-term).

I think it might be a long uphill battle, but ultimately GS is a smart guy and will recognize the fallacy of Global Warming. He just needs a little time....

Independence Day

Thomas Sowell comments on patriotism on this, the 230th birthday of America:

Patriotism is not chic in the circles of those who assume the role of citizens of the world, whether they are discussing immigration or giving aid and comfort to the enemy in wartime.

The decline and fall of the Roman Empire was as much due to the internal disintegration of the ties that bind a society together as to the assaults of the Romans' external enemies.

The pride of being a Roman citizen was destroyed by cheapening that citizenship by giving it to too many other people. The sense of duty and loyalty eroded among both the elites and the masses.

Without such things, there could be no Roman Empire. Ultimately, without such things, there can be no United States of America.

Food for thought. Happy birthday everybody.