More re: Condi Speaks

Well, the transcript's up, and here's the Princeton article about the speech. If you really want to, check out the AP's editorial, I mean article, on it. (Compare what I wrote to what the AP says about Anne-Marie Slaughter - I guess Anne-Marie was just so blown away by Condi! Heh.) Tigerhawk's got the better goods on this so you should check out what he wrote. I just want to point out the passages that really stuck with me.

Here's the part about what 9/11 hath wrought:

The ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union initiated a new moment of transformation. This was a glorious revolution, a cause for celebration throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. The Warsaw Pact countries became the new heart of NATO, and we transformed that alliance into one that Truman and Acheson would never have recognized, but would certainly have applauded. Some even thought that the engine of globalization might just make the possibility of conflict remote.

But lurking below the surface, old hatreds were gaining new power. And on a warm September morning, America encountered the darker demons of our new world.

People still differ about what the September 11th calls us to do. And in a democratic society, that debate is healthy and just and right. If you focus only on the attacks themselves and believe they were caused by 19 hijackers, supported by a network called al-Qaida, and operating from a failed state -- Afghanistan -- then our response can be limited. The course of action presumes that we are still living in an ordinary time.

But if you believe, as I do and as President Bush does, that the root cause of September 11th was the violent expression of a global extremist ideology, an ideology rooted in the oppression and despair of the modern Middle East, then we must speak to remove the source of this terror by transforming that troubled region. If you believe as we do, then it cannot be denied that we are standing at an extraordinary moment in history.

And here's the part about "exporting democracy":

There are those who falsely characterize the support of democracy as "exporting" democracy, as if democracy were somehow a product that only America manufactures. These critics say that we are arrogantly imposing our principles on an unwilling people. But it is the very height of arrogance to believe that political liberty and democratic aspirations and freedom of speech and rights for women somehow belong only to us. All people deserve these rights and they choose them freely. It is not liberty and democracy that must be imposed. It is tyranny and silence that are forced upon people at gunpoint.

She ended her speech on an awesome note:

I know that this vision can seem very distant at times, especially when we see so many tragic images of death, of innocent Iraqis and Afghans, and of course, Americans dying overseas. There are legitimate differences about the war we are now fighting in Iraq and in a great democracy like ours, everyone has the right to express those views freely.

But I hope that we can all step back and look at other extraordinary times and though they are not perfectly parallel, they can help us to gain a perspective on the challenges we face.

In 1989, I was lucky enough to be the White House Soviet specialist at the end of the Cold War. It doesn't get any better than that. I was there for the liberation of Eastern Europe; the unification of Germany; and for the beginnings of the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union itself. I saw things that I never thought possible. And one day, they seemed impossible; and several days later, they seemed inevitable. That is the nature of extraordinary times.

But as I look back now on those times, I realized that I was only harvesting the good decisions that had been taken in 1947, in 1948, and in 1949. And sometimes, I wonder how in the course of events, the course of the moment, people like Acheson and Truman and Marshall and Vandenberg saw a path ahead. After all, in 1946, the Germany Reconstruction was still failing and Germans were still starving. Japan lay prostrate. In 1947, there was a civil war in Greece. In 1948, Germany was permanently divided by the Berlin Crisis; Czechoslovakia was lost to a communist coup. And in 1949, the Soviet Union exploded a nuclear weapon five years ahead of schedule; and the Chinese communists won their war. In 1950, a brutal war broke on the Korean Peninsula.

These were not just tactical setbacks for the forward march of democracy. Indeed, it must have seemed quite impossible, that we would one day, stand at a juncture where Eastern Europe would be liberated, Russia would emerge, and Europe would be whole and free and at peace. If we think back on those days, we recognize that extraordinary times are turbulent and they are hard. And it is very often hard to see a clear path. But if you are -- as those great architects of the post-Cold War victory were -- if you are true to your values, if you are certain of your values, and if you act upon them with confidence and with strength, it is possible to have an outcome where democracy spreads and peace and liberty reign.

Because of the work that they did, it is hard to imagine war in Europe again. So it shall be also for the Middle East.

An extremely well spoken and lucid vision for the Middle East - man, I wish President Bush could talk like this, but he's just our modern day Moses. I say again: Condi in '08!

I only have one quibble though: Condi speaks very favorably of Dean Acheson - granted I'm no Cold War scholar (and, well, she is) - but didn't he "lose China"? And wasn't he tied to Alger Hiss? Just asking.....

Update: One correction - below I said that Dean Slaughter spoke glowingly of Condi before Condi's talk, and after seeing it on C-Span, I realized it was actually after the QnA session at the very end.

Nuther Update: Fausta of the Bad Hair Blog was there also, and actually has a picture (from the Daily Princetonian) of the protestors. She's right, they were few in number but extremely loud - I could hear them even almost to the EQuad (an entire football stadium, two parking lots, and several eating clubs away) but I definitely did not see more than maybe 20 or 30, although I didn't really stick around to count, just walked right past. Fausta also proposes a funny new disorder called Associated Press Deficit Disorder (APDD) based on the AP's crappy editorial, I mean news article, on this talk.

Condi Speaks at Princeton

I had the privilege of listening to Sec. of State Condi Rice speak today. I managed to get a ticket in the lottery so I was sitting about six rows from the front, on the left side (facing the stage, so to Condi's right). She is a very charismatic and eloquent speaker, and extremely intelligent - can I also mention very beautiful? Yes, I reaaaallly want her to run for President.

When I arrived, I had to wait for 2 hours in order to get through security and get a good seat. I ended up sitting by myself (the wife is out with her lab on their annual retreat) right in front of some old liberal dude who made it his mission to pontificate tirelessly to the Republican girl behind me. He kept carping on about the war in Iraq and how we didn't plan to 'win the peace', and then went into a tirade about Hurricane Katrina. After I gave a few displeased looks behind me he realized he was really loud and shut up.

When Condi came in, she was well received. It was a very good atmosphere, she received lots of polite applause. The Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School, Anne-Marie Slaughter, gave her rave reviews and mentioned many times how there would always be a spot for her at Princeton should she return to academia. Condi, at the end of her talk, received a long round of polite applause and a standing ovation from maybe 10% of the crowd - me included (look for the skater-looking guy with the black hat and Blacklabel shirt if this gets broadcast on C-Span). The lack of boos and hisses kind of surprised me - but the long applauses really shocked me. I found that level of politeness very unexpected, but, then again, we're in Princeton, not Brown. They train them to be very polite, condescending a--holes here.

Unfortunately, there were no recording devices allowed, so I have no pictures. I'm waiting for a transcript so I can further expound. Let me just say that there were two points to her talk that really stuck out to me. The biggest one was how she kept reminding everyone that 9/11 changed everything. We live in extraordinary times that require lots of risk and foresight, much like the times that Truman and his advisers had to navigate during the post WWII years, with the specter of the Soviets hanging overhead. She contrasted the 'ordinary' response to terror during the '90s with the 'extraordinary' response that 9/11 demanded. This means actively changing the middle east to expand freedom - I didn't realize until now just how much I've let go of my former foreign policy prescription of 'screw the world and save America'. Her other point that stuck with me was a criticism of those who believe that 'exporting democracy' is doomed to failure, which is a criticism encountered from both right and left. She said it is an awful thing to think that the desire for freedom and liberty is something that is unique to Americans.

She took a few questions at the end, and one I found very surprising coming from a Princetonian - it was basically critical of the administration for taking a somewhat softer stance towards the Palestinians. She vigorously proclaimed that the administration will not allow groups like Hamas a future in that part of the globe.

The final thing I saw was while I was leaving - the barricades were set up and holy crap, the drum-beaters were going nuts. These were the patchouli-stinking locoweeds that you see pictures of on LGF, and they were right here in Princeton! It was amazing, I wish I had my camera.

Again, I'll post a transcript later and more comments. For another firsthand account, check Tigerhawk, since he actually took notes and has more comments.

Qoute of the day

Something relevant to a point I made in response to a response to an earlier post, from Jonah Goldberg at National Review Online...

Corporations meddle in Washington because Washington meddles with them.

It is simply naive to believe that a businessman will have no interest in politics when politicians have taken a great interest in him. And it is grotesquely unfair to assume that businesspeople are corrupt simply because they want to support politicians less inclined to hurt them.

Operation Rhma: Close to Home

Read about Rhma in today's Michael Yon.

Eat your heart out, Michael Moore.

Meanwhile....

Ed Morissey and Michelle Malkin have details on the unlawful behavior of Chucky's minions - basically, identity theft of the GOP's best shot at taking a senatorial seat in Maryland (oh, and he's black also, does that make this crime a hate crime?). They also ask the question - why isn't the MSM covering this? I haven't seen it yet on the local news here. My guess is that it has something to do with that (D) that follows his name. Anyway, termed the hilarious "Chuckaquiddick" by Hugh Hewitt.

Ah yes....

The Canadians, that's who I think of to tell me about political ramifications. From the canadian press:

Indictment of Republican Tom DeLay a serious blow for Bush agenda

Obviously this subject is a sore one for me, but I can't help myself. The gleeful tone of this article and it's source only make me roll my eyes, and ever confident that this garbage (the wishes of all those who wish for our President's political demise) will never come to realization.

RE: Let me be the first...

As the indictment became official I've had a chance to read a lot about the details (including the three page indictment itself), adding to what I knew beforehand when charges were still being contemplated. All indications from early on were that this was a political witch hunt by a partisan and opportunistic prosecutor in Texas, a gross misuse of power. In the indictment itself there is not one word specifically charging Tom Delay of any wrongdoing and it is a conspiracy indictment, which I've read are usually thrown out. From what I've read from the beginning to now, I believe that this is simply a sign of dem desperation, plain and simple. A saying that dems will no doubt use is the old, "where there's smoke, there's fire", and to that I say sometimes there's a blind, deaf and dumb partisan hack crying smoke. This is going to be ugly and Representative Delay needs support, not piling on to go along with the nonsense that will soon come from the dems.

Governor may actually conserve, too!

You know, I kind of like politicians that practice what they preach...
Read here.

Let me be the first to say,

What is it with politicians' inability to stay out of trouble? DeLay has waaayy too much at stake to be included in the same sentence as "redistricting" or "campain finance abuse." Even if the charges are bogus, it really shakes my confidence in our leaders.

This is why I am a registered independent...

It's all Bush's fault

Bush's regime as struck again, this time in UK elementary schools.

"Forty-five per cent of children did not have access to paper at all times."

It's the sun, stupid.

Found through the EIB network. Click here.

Again, I don't suppose you'll hear this on CNN...

Couldn't resist posting this pic...

Oh, btw, did you see how AP is running with the 100,000 number for Sheehanapalooza?
More like 15% of that in the ellipse...

After seeing the pic of Sheehan happily (no, ecstatically) being arrested, it should be more than clear to every American she doesn't give a second thought about her son's death. It's all about attention..

Dan Rather sighting

http://newsbusters.org/node/1455

Wow, so instead of blaming Bush as usual, Dan Rather blames it all on his own company and.....bloggers!

why Dan Rather is so “respected” is beyond me

I guess if you're black........

http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneKatrina/story?id=1123495&page=1

shockingly ABC is reporting this…..but this really isn't a travesty to Stephanopoulos & co's eyes......it's still Bush's fault.

Louisiana's fault I tell ya - it all dim fault

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170514,00.html

I could’ve told you this…………(Louisiana is dysfunctional)

Although I think Michael Brown went on a rampage blaming basically everything from Louisiana to Lance Armstrong

another overlooked news item

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5305579,00.html

We just killed Iraq Al-Qaeda’s #2 man and the news is near-hush about this. This is big news. Oh well, media is still trying to blame Bush for everything.

Wanna read something depressing?

Read this column by Brendan Miniter. Looks like Nancy Pelosi is trying to reshape the Democratic party as the party of fiscal responsibility - and she can pull this charade off because the Republicans are most assuredly not - see here.

I think fiscal conservatives like us are just doomed to be stood up by every single candidate we get - it's so depressing. If McCain runs hard on the platform of fiscal responsibility, I just might vote for him. You Arizonans have the best candidates anyway, that's the state that brought us Barry Goldwater.

A deeper look into "Anti-war" activits

The origins of the "Anti-war" party are somewhat frightening, and not really anti-war at all. Big surprise...

Test

Burque on a brisk winter morning
Originally uploaded by twangler79.

Nuther test. Just a pic of the Sandias on a nice winter morning.

Superdome behavior GREATLY exaggerated

From the LA Times of all places. You don't suppose the MSM will apologize, do you? The Economist should re-print September 8th's issue with "The shaming of the MSM" instead of "The shaming of America."

Best idea since Texas Toast..

Who would have thought we could have legislation in this day and age encouraging families to raise their own kids? From townhall.

Test

Foto-test. Just a pic of Dirty Jerzey from the Empire State Building. That pink light in the lower left is Madison Square Garden.

Who got the babes?

Take a look: contrast anti-war with pro-war. I'm glad we're on the side with all the babes.

(Warning: very disturbing photos of guess which side, and they are probably NSFW.)

Condi Baby

Condi Rice will be speaking at Princeton on Friday - I pick up my ticket today. I'll report out afterward, even try to include some pics (I think I might have to hook up with some picture-hosting site first, like Flickr). This being Princeton, I expect some moonbat protestors to be around. Although, it being Princeton, they'll at least look and smell ok, as opposed to, say, Brown.

Hopefully you'll see some pics of our next President!

saw a billboard.....

that was all in Spanish and at the very bottom it said "48% of New Mexicans know Spanish, shouldn't you?"

And then it stated something like empowering New Mexico through Spanish something.....

tempted to create a billboard that says: "52% of New Mexicans don't know Spanish - and they voted for Bush :-)"

remember kids, it's always America's fault

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b//hotzone/blogs999

Skinnies are directly responsible for killing her kid yet it's America's fault. This is one of the many reasons why I'm proud to be an American and I puke whenever I hear a foreigner's opinion.

So here she is, married with multiple kids and says she has no hope for Somalia - Of course it's America's fault for the fact they've always had at least 3 tribal groups that battle each other for necessities. Maybe open your eyes or take off your hejab scarf and realize it's your own people that's taking your life away!

But whatever, that's your problem. You hate us...... *flies away*

it just doesn't end.......

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=ID%20Weatherman%20Departs

Frankly, I have to side with this reasoning more than the Racist Rove Weather Machine. Sorry Tim....

Hybrid power is expensive..Hmm...

I was surprised to see this article on CNN. Who would have thought that simple math would tell you to buy diesel instead of electric? I guess people are listening to Leo DiCapprio instead of using their calculators.
I'm not surprised.

One man's account of our allies:

26 nations still with us.

I share the same honor as one of the commenters, that God has blessed us for being part of a country that has never been under the foot of a brutal dictator, but still fights for the freedom of others.

Confusion reigns..

..at moonbat central.
This was one of my favorite images from Sheehanapalooza.

Global Warming produces...

Fewer Hurricanes?...

Stephanopoulos, strangely, is not convinced.

Bomb Bat Bombs

This story is from a few months ago (info about WWII), but I just came across it. Follow the links for iceberg aircraft carriers and paper bombs also.

Heh

Well, I'm glad this guy lives in New Hampshire, the only New England state (well, maybe Maine too) that isn't completely insane. Found via Wizbang. I especially like the bit about the bumper sticker: "Gun Control Means Using Both Hands".

last post of the night....

I will not join blog-spam block list.....it violates civil liberties *rolls eyes*

now if the world would just hear this.....

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/9/22/231913.shtml

It's good Bush is being Reagan-esque and citing the source of the problems.

as I predicted, AP ALREADY claiming Texas plans are failing

This is just becoming unforgivable. As I predicted, the Associated Press ALREADY states Texas is failing - and of course I predict next week it'll all tie to Bush. Republican-dominated area, so of course they ignore Louisiana's lack of leadership in Blanco/Nagin:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050923/ap_on_re_us/rita_texas_exodus_hk1

So they interview the ultra left-wing Sheila Jackson Lee and ONLY her to get opinions. Way to be fair and balanced AP. Let's just solely rely on HER expert analysis. It's simply IMPOSSIBLE to evacuate 2 million people all going in the same direction with today's interstate system.

Now that Rita and Katrina are the new age of terror, I can see nuts like Rangel in Congress demanding Bush to start a war........with..............um

predictions (i.e. just having fun)

Well, this is my first post. I think I have a question that's brewing...I know Bush is still President, but who would you like to see on the Republican ticket for 2008? Here are a few choices that popped into my head. Some won't run of course, but there's always the wish:

Dick Cheney (even at his age, he's still more competent than most Democrats out there)
Howard Phillips, Chuck Baldwin, or Michael Peroutka (although they're not Republican, these are great conservatives I'd support if there aren't any good Republicans there - but this is a last minute resort and realistically speaking I won't vote for them. Constitutionalists have a real low chance of winning since the most popular "alternatives" out there are Greenies and Libertarians)
Alan Keyes or Pat Buchanan (I know both Keyes and Buchanan are extremists in several points of view.....)
Dan Quayle (the press really beats on this guy.....but he's right 95% of the time!)Bill Frist
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Mitch McConnell
Pete Domenici :-)
George Allen
Donald Rumsfeld :-)
Condi Rice
Karl Rove (well gee, why not the brain of Bush just run eh? :-)
Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, John McCain, Colin Powell, or Mitt Romney (these are a stretch personally for me because they really to me fit in the mold of the Schwarzenegger Republican *liberal in social issues and lots others actually - you know, the ones that always coddle to Kennedy, Feingold, etc* - but they ARE pretty popular - would choose them over most Democrats)
Jeb Bush

Of course, I really wouldn't mind having Howard Dean and Al Gore in there.....just so that gives the Republicans a better chance to win

We have a LONG time to predict the future, but these honestly are the likely/realistic scenarios I see happening in 2008 if there are no "surprises" that happen between now to then:

John McCain def Hillary Clinton
Rudy Giuliani def Hillary Clinton
Jeb Bush def Hillary Clinton (remember, Bill Clinton said he wasn't gonna run in late 1991)
John McCain def John Kerry
John McCain def DA RETURN OF AL GORE!!! (I can seriously see Gore trying to pull a Nixon)
Condi Rice def Hillary Clinton (what a concept: the first black AND woman to win........on the REPUBLICAN ticket!)
Rudy Giuliani def John Kerry
John McCain def John Edwards

too many John's :-)

Qoute of the day

"San Diego makes Switzerland look like Compton" - Bill Simmons, ESPN Page 2

(Seriously, I'm still laughing about this)

Speaking of SPAM...

You might have heard the recent rant about telemarketers calling cell phones. Here's another side:
Don't be alarmed...

Still, it's a good idea to place your cell #s on the list for good measure, in my opinion...

I can't hide!

This morning I blogged for the first time in a while and about two things that I wanted to write about much more but just didn't. Later in the day I checked the site again, just to see if anyone had responded or posted something new. What did I find? This:

Ton OF eBooks said...
A super Blog!
I have a ebook resell right blog and a website about ebook resell right if your interested or need content.

Come and check it out if you get a chance (:-)

Yes, what you're thinking is correct, there now exists freaking blog spam! Ugh, I couldn't be more annoyed. How silly and pathetic, but at least it wasn't an ad for... hmm I'll hold that thought as I don't want to curse the site.

To whom they are beholden...

Interesting article today by Byron York in NRO about democrat plans for the supreme court. A lot of points about strategy, current and future. Now, these points were not at all what I found to be interesting, standard blah from the left, but from WHOM these points were being relayed. Take for instance, asked about the possibility for filibuster on the next nominee the source "told reporters it was too early to think about that". And another, when pressed about obstruction efforts for the next justice the source responds,

I think there will be even more of an effort if there is someone in the mold of Thomas and Scalia in the next vacancy, and of course in the next vacancy you're talking about a swing justice.

So, who is this phantom source? Harry Reid, or perhaps some other senator, you know someone who actually is part of that advise and consent thing? Not at all, the source for this entire article was Ralph Neas, head of "People for the American Way", a liberal lobbyist group. It's good to know that Neas didn't hide from the fact that the dem senators get their marching orders from the lobbyists as opposed to you know, the folks whom they represent.

Formerly known as

Simpleton. Updated to Muztan, as it should be...
It's been a while, but I'm glad to see the blog faithful have
kept a watch on the mental disorder known as liberalism in my
absence. To start off again, here's an eloquent article on the
myth of price gouging.

Must Read

Iraqi President on the current mission:

Without American forces, the vision of American leadership and the quiet fortitude of the American people, Iraqis would be almost alone in the world. With its allies, the United States has provided Iraqis with an unprecedented opportunity. Iraqis have responded by enthusiastically embracing democracy and volunteering to fight for their country. By giving us the tools, your troops help us to defend Iraqi democracy and to finish the job of uprooting Baathist fascism.

Read the whole thing.

Cats vs. Dogs: Dog score big

Car runs on dead cats. Or maybe just _could_ run on dead cats if you want to believe the backtracking...

Uh, I Think it Never Left

Drudge has the headline: "Katrina Ushers in Return of Big Governmentt".

Maybe someone should tell Tom Delay.

Fed Katrina Response

How bad was it? Compared to recent hurricanes, it appears to have been pretty swift, as this column by Jack Kelly points out. The best part is the criticism of journalists by this former Air Force logistics officer:

"We do not yet have teleporter or replicator technology like you saw on 'Star Trek' in college between hookah hits and waiting to pick up your worthless communications degree while the grown-ups actually engaged in the recovery effort were studying engineering.

Boo Yah! I hate journalists. Their self-centered reporting and pomposity disgust me.

One thing that I think got lost in all the fog of calling for FEMA head Michael Brown's head, was the lack of criticism of his department's response to the four hurricanes that hit Florida in 60 days last year, and also his departments response to the near obliteration of the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as Mobile Bay in Alabama. What's different about about Louisiana? (Hint: it has to do with the letter following the name of the governor.)

Climate Change Consensus

Another found via Tigerhawk. There was a consensus on climate change among scientists just thirty years ago, also! Why have we not done anything about it! Oh yeah, because the concern was about global cooling.

Wow

I really can't believe this made a post in the "most visited" blog of the internet - the barking moonbats of the Daily Kos are lending credence to the paranoid theory that the Bushies bombed the levees in order to protect the French Quarter. I'm speechless.

"Disaster Porn"

This is a hilarious parody of the "disaster porn stars" of cable news. I hate tv journalists. Hate them. Even on Fox.

Germany Bound

The US National Team defeated Mexico 2-0 last night to become the first North American team, and the eighth overall team, to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Germany. This victory is all the sweeter because it came at the expense of Mexico, who most consider the top team of the region - and who also have yet to qualify (although they will probably do so quite easily next game). Kudos to Kasey Keller, Claudio Reyna, and Oguchi Onyewu, who had the best performances of the game in my opinion. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a final four spot for the US next year!

Check out what the Mexican coach said:

“The U.S. is a small team,” he said. “They play like my sister, my aunt and my grandmother.”

Talk about a sore loser! I hope we meet them in the World Cup again, so we can knock them out - just like in 2002.

The Geopolitical Implications of Katrina

Tigerhawk posts an incredibly chilling analysis of what Katrina has done to our economy:

During the Cold War, a macabre topic of discussion among bored graduate students who studied such things was this: If the Soviets could destroy one city with a large nuclear device, which would it be? The usual answers were Washington or New York. For me, the answer was simple: New Orleans. If the Mississippi River was shut to traffic, then the foundations of the economy would be shattered...

The analysis is we won't be able to export agricultural products from the heartland because it will be too expensive. I'd always wondered what idiot came up with the idea of building a city below sea level at an area where hurricanes strike like clockwork every year, but the fact is it's there because it has to be - we need it as a vital hub in our nation's economy. I honestly did not know that New Orleans had the number one port in the US in terms of tonnage. Read the whole analysis.

What Media Bias?

Check out the headline from this AP story:

Unemployment Rate Slumps to Four-Year Low

Could they be reporting economic good news as bad news? Naw, not the AP.