Green or Red (not Chile...)

You know, these two journalists should get together and swap coverage areas.

Something tells me the negative guy isn't leaving his hotel much, except maybe for an espresso.

If They're Going to Wave Flags, Couldn't The Flags at Least be American?

"If Mexican journalists were flooding into the United States and taking jobs as reporters and editors at half the pay being earned by American reporters and editors, maybe people in the media would understand why the argument about "taking jobs that Americans don't want" is such nonsense."

Sowell's take on immigration politics.


Update:

"There are over 300 million resident Americans, and the vast majority of them are citizens. Had the demonstrators marched chanting "God Bless America," confined their flag waving to Old Glory, and expressed thanks to a magnanimous United States that gave them a second chance when a corrupt Mexico has precluded their first, then they would have won public support."

Apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way...

I didn't really want to link to this

but this line was too good to pass up:

Actor Charlie Sheen has joined a growing army of other highly credible public figures in questioning the official story of 9/11 and calling for a new independent investigation of the attack and the circumstances surrounding it.

Emphasis added.

Good Idea to Allow Thought Patents?

Michael Crichton has a NYT Op-Ed on the rise of overly broad patents. In particular, patents on thoughts and strategies may proove problematic if the trend isn't stopped. I was unaware that for a period of time, up until 1996, doctors were sueing each other for using patented surgical techniques. Currently, the gene for diabetes is patented (according to the Crichton article). The patent holder thereby controls _any_ genetic based tests or treatments.

Another Reason Why Every Dallas Fan Hates Jerry Jones

See here. Well, he also fired the legendary Tom Landry.

Dan Rather in Jersey

A reporter from a South Jersey paper gets boo'd for doing what a journalist should do: ask the tough questions. Via BOTW.

V for Vendetta

I'm sure most of you have noticed the eyebrow raising undertones of the previews of V for Vendetta. I mean, obviously they are trying to target John Kerry. They had the movie's producer on Fox News this morning. Turns out that the movie's universe is drawn from a 1980s graphic novel portraying Margaret Thatcher's "arch-conservitive regime." I put that in quotes because it's exactly what the producer said.

Just More Propaganda...

TigerHawk dissembles a story on the "big oil spill" in Alaska.

So long to a genuine class act

Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett has died. He was one of my idols as I came of age playing baseball as a kid.There are some players that you can tell just relish every second they are out playing ball, and he was one of them.

We could use a few more like him in the world.

Update: Meanwhile, this not-so-surprising bombshell story just sickens me. Especially since it not only implicates Bonds, but other athletes such as Marion Jones. Say it ain't so.

It's About Time

Bush seeks line-item veto power. Since he hasn't vetoed anything for the last, oh, say several years (relatively speaking...), I think it's long overdue.

SCOTUS in Action..

Chalk up another one for Roberts... I know the decision for this is pretty straightforward, but it's too important to overlook. Even if the Pres' poll numbers dropped to 5%, I'd have voted for him just to get the right Justices in place...

Pathetic

AP "news service" tries to revive Cindy Sheehan. Shameless water-carrying for libs - what else is new?

Enviro-Wackos Busted

Good.

No Way, Dude

Well, I guess Wife and I won't be getting a surfboard this summer. It seems the price is going to spike now that the plant that manufactures 90% of the foam blanks is being shut down. Who do the surfers have to thank for this? The EPA.

Gordon Clark ends his letter with this:

When Clark Foam was started it was a far different California. Businesses like Clark Foam were very welcome and considered the leading edge of innovation and technology. Somewhere along the way things have changed.

So it seems.

This is what I like to hear

sounding more like a free trader every day. I think it's really good he's making nice with India. I think they've got more potential than the Chi-Coms, because they are at least more of a democracy and they've got the legacy of British common law.

Wow

Jonah Goldberg is back! There are too many good points in this column that I can't post excerpts, just read it yourself. I hadn't read Jonah in a while since it seems he had been slipping - he's been working on a book. I guess he felt compelled to respond to Dreher's "attack".

I'm with Jonah 100% on this. I haven't read Rod's book, but I certainly wouldn't consider myself "crunchy". I do "crunchy" things, like enjoy shopping at Whole Foods and enjoy nature, but Jonah hits the nail when he describes crunchy cons as conservatives who are essentially Christian Marxists - they see the world in purely economic terms - or, the way I prefer to put it is that they fall into the trap of politicizing everything. These are the ones who are signing on to the whole environmental evangelical movement.

Whatever your take is - we can certainly say that the conservative movement is full of dissent and argument still, which I think is much healthier than what the other side's got.

Will Fox Be Outfoxed By The Public?

Maybe... More and more folks seem to be catching on to the transformation.

Speaking of The USAF..

If the space port deal actually goes through, Alamogordo will be in good standing come the Raptors...

Attn Bush: Look for Choking Political Opponents

Here's a great strategy: Follow your opponent around until he finds his life in danger and save him!

God Bless the USAF...

I know.......nice topic from a fellow butterbar and this is basically just a rant on my part. You'd think after 14 weeks back in 2004 of constantly being ridiculed by Colonels, Generals, etc. I'd be used to it. But recently I participated in a mock awards board. Basically what people have to go through to earn a Officer of the Quarter/Year at least at base-level....well, they ask 3-4 questions and of course I'm SURE it's their job to critique my answers but this is just ridiculous and it's basically always will be catch-22.

1) What will you do to improve readiness level of the USAF?
my answer was "vague" according to them. Well...perhaps you asked a fucking vague question maybe???????????? At least IMO. On a side note, that Major had no right to critique my uniform. His looked like he just woke up in them and his boots were dirtier than Yokozuna's underwear. But again, this is their "job" I'm sure.

2) What is your opinion on the whole UAE potentially taking over ports ordeal?
my answer is that security is a big deal here (OTS taught me to be neutral) and I just explained the facts behind it and then my opinion. Of course their critique was I didn't choose a side. Thus proving everybody above the butterbar has their own damn opinion and I frankly will follow MY model.

3) What is your role in the USAF?
Geez, another stupid vague question. I had to be cocky here because, well, this is what they want. I explained without me and other satellite operators, soldiers would not be able to tell what's on the ground. I'm being professional but instead this Major said "if anyone here works with this kid, I would take him to the back now and kick his ass for basically lowering the entire space community." I was like "WTF?" Then he went on saying "you should've said *without me, Major, your ass would be dead* Have some *** damned PRIDE in what you do! You ARE right in that I needed GPS in order to kill Iraqis."

Um Major, I think saving your life is enough and that's honorable enough that I don't need to be showing pride. Next thing you know you'd think I'm an @$$hole for showing pride and saving your life.

I swear, USAF isn't about how talented and intelligent you are. It's all about rank. I knew this all along but this is simply the zenith for me.