The Last Stand
Comments by JLM
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On Lu Etta Loeber: A call to sacrifice
November 17, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.
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There is absolutely no question that we are the world's greatest consumers. Our garbage is even more valuable than any other nation's garbage. I wonder if we should be “sacrificing” as much as we should be regaining our perspective as it relates to material possessions and physical things. Where the heck did $200 blue jeans really come from and can we send them back there?
One caution I would suggest is not to feel sorry for ourselves. I often thought that President Carter had some good ideas but he wanted us to suffer as part of the bargain. I don't think we should ever let up on innovation.
In many ways, living more simply is liberating. Now I am going to go tell that damn Shih Tzu no more eggs on Saturday morning dog chow. LOL
On 7 racially motivated offenses reported last year
November 17, 2008 at 1:07 a.m.
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Calm down, girls, you are getting hysterical.
Hate crimes are an unnecessary distinction under the criminal code. We already have sufficient criminal statutes to deal with any and all types of crimes.
Annointing certain specific crimes, which already fall under the applicable criminal statutes as a crime, as some type of “special” crime because race, sexual orientation, etc. are involved is an unnecessary distinction. To imply that a murder committed with some racial aspect is more heinous than an otherwise “normal” murder is just plain silly.
This is the kind of thing that goofy liberals spend their nights worrying about when they should just be worried about crime in general. Of course, they spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about the criminals' rights.
Of course crime of all sorts is bad but we don't need to create a special status of crime which artificially segregates certain crimes as a tool of social engineering. Just enforce the damn laws as they are.
On Local Democrats celebrate Obama win, voter turnout
November 11, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
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President Obama has his work cut out for him. Regardless of one's politics, the programs which Obama has taken as his own and has promised progress on are the same tried, true and unsolved challenges that his party and liberals everywhere have championed for decades.
President Obama has promised to solve the health care crisis at which First Lady Clinton took a great but wildly unsuccessful crack during a time of comparative plenty.
It is difficult to see how a President Obama is going to be able to solve this problem with significantly fewer resources.
Campaigning and governing are vastly different challenges and the landscape is very troubling. Nothing is to be gained by attributing blame for the economic travails we currently face, but I wish President Obama good fortune in dealing with many of the members of his own party in Congress who are the architects of these problems.
The recent notion that Speaker Pelosi has deputized Rep Barney Frank to write the legislation saving the American auto industry sends chills down my spine. His handiwork with Fannie and Freddie were arguably the same missed opportunity.
The constituencies which President Obama must serve, in particular the unions and more particularly the automobile unions, make it almost impossible to apply the correct solution to many of the economy's problems as the politics of the situation forestalls the application of a bit of Darwinian financial theory which may be the approprate solution.
Two wars, a possible third on the horizon with Iran, an ascendant Russia and an opportunistic China taken with a dose of Venezuela for good measure are a tough backdrop from which to re-make America.
I am hoping for the change we need but right now it seems like all we may have is hope.
If it is a given that the American automobile industry must survive unscathed and their legacy retirement and benefits programs must be funded, then we are in a real pickle.
On Rob Douglas: It’s time to temper Obama expectations
November 11, 2008 at 2:08 p.m.
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Hmmm, when watching in real time the Battle of Fallujah with Marines crossing the LD at the railroad tracks, what exactly was being filtered? I could have adjusted fire for their artillery from my family room. “Left 50, add 100, HE – fire for effect!”
When watching the Abrams tanks shooting it out across the Euphrates River bridges on CNN, what exactly was being filtered?
Is there some other view of war than a “soldier's view”?
What pictures of Abu Ghraib were filtered?
When a soldier is killed and his body is being returned home to his family is there nothing sacred?
I have personally had to notify soldier's families of the loss of their loved ones and it is an onerous and difficult duty. Officers should do this kind of thing to ensure they know whose children they are being asked to lead and how sacred every soldier's life truly is. The military does a damn good job of a very, very difficult task. It is a sacred moment and the intrusion of the press defiles that moment.
If the only thing that is denied to journalists is the viewing of caskets being unloaded in a military ceremony at Dover AFB, then this invasion of privacy is probably OK with most of America.
I wonder how one would feel if a loved one's funeral was filmed for public dissemination. Would that offend your sense of propriety? It would mine.
The Tillman case was a friendly fire death which was simply falsely reported. While there are those who would argue that it was an attempt to cover up or to sensitively deal with a difficult situtation, most good officers would ultimately characterize it as a simple and unnecessary lie. The Army disciplined some very senior officers who were involved in this matter and the truth came out.
It was an aberration regardless of how well intentioned the participants were; and, it was rectified in an honest manner. It was rectified by the military not by a journalist. If someone in the military had not objected, the entire incident would not ever have come to light.
What has not been reported is the fact that Iraqi oil flows unimpeded, port facilities have been completely repaired, there is more electricity in Iraq in general and Baghdad in particular than at any point in history, the water system is working, the wastewater system is working, more schools are open than at any point in time, Al Anbar has been swept clean of Al Qaeda, 13/18 provinces are completely safe, 2/18 provinces are close to being safe and only one province remains with substantial combat operations. The Iraqi military stands on its own two feet and can fight and win against its national adversaries. Police powers are in place and the marketplaces are flourishing. Heck, they even have resort real estate being developed along the Euphrates River.
American monthly casualties are the lowest since reporting began. Elections are being held and political discourse is umimpeded by a dictator.
Happy Veterans Day!
On Rob Douglas: It’s time to temper Obama expectations
November 10, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.
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Tomorrow, thank a Veteran for making America safe; and, the land of the free and the home of the brave! Happy Veterans Day!
On Harriet Freiberger: Raising our flags in honor:
November 10, 2008 at 10:55 p.m.
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On Veterans Day –
Give an infantryman a foot rub. Find 'em, fix 'em, kill 'em!
Give a Ranger a back rub. Rangers lead the way!
Give a SF trooper a head massage. Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out!
Give a paratrooper, well…………. LOL Death from the skies!
Happy Veterans Day! Veterans, bringing America freedom since 1776!
On 7 racially motivated offenses reported last year
November 10, 2008 at 7:25 p.m.
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Uhhhm, I don't think there were too many goofy liberals in the Panhandle of Florida in the late 1940s. I bet there still aren't too many. LOL
On Rob Douglas: It’s time to temper Obama expectations
November 10, 2008 at 7:03 p.m.
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Playa, what are you about 11 years old?
The Internet and digital photography have provided an insight into the Iraq war which is deeper and more studied than any other war in history.
Where do you think the Abu Ghraib pictures came from? The AP? They came from the Internet.
During the initial assault phase of the war, the military allowed journalists to be imbedded with actual combat units on the move. Journalists have been provided unfettered access to both the war theater and the military.
The simple truth is that the Iraq war is just about over and we are winning. Even BO has said the surge has worked beyong anybody's wildest dream. Let it flow and let it go.
Victory – a good alternative to defeat or surrender – the old school way to conclude wars!
On Ken Collins: Obama's success
November 10, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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BTW, it is a weird world out there. Did you know that Rahm Emanuel was a ballet dancer? The White House is going to be run by a ballet dancer. I know that RE will be good for BO for all the reasons we both have enunciated, but I am just tickled every time I think about the guy being a ballet dancer.
Of course, ballet dancers are very, very athletic. I saw Baryshnikov dance at his prime and he had a better vertical leap than Michael Jordan. Still, I cannot help but smile when I think of that tough little ballet dancer. LOL
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On 7 racially motivated offenses reported last year
November 21, 2008 at 5:26 p.m.
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free, babe, really great insights – pithy, intelligent, thoughtful and truly appreciated – a step above what, say, third grade LOL
we do however agree that maher, o, and rach are some very funny folks
and, hey, have a damn nice thanksgiving, ok?