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A timely summary of events in Minnesota and political commentary from conservative college students.
Saturday, August 09, 2003
Taranto Rocks!
I know it's a day late, but I was just reading through yesterday's Best of the Web. Here is a little quip regarding a phone call from a MoveOn.orger regarding a BotW characterization of MoveOn.org as "far left", and "pro-Saddam."
"One enterprising chap even tracked down our home number and phoned to express his outrage that we accused MoveOn of being (his word) "extremist." Later in the conversation he informed us that Saddam Hussein's regime posed no threat and that George W. Bush isn't really the president."
Now that's funny.
I know it's a day late, but I was just reading through yesterday's Best of the Web. Here is a little quip regarding a phone call from a MoveOn.orger regarding a BotW characterization of MoveOn.org as "far left", and "pro-Saddam."
"One enterprising chap even tracked down our home number and phoned to express his outrage that we accused MoveOn of being (his word) "extremist." Later in the conversation he informed us that Saddam Hussein's regime posed no threat and that George W. Bush isn't really the president."
Now that's funny.
Friday, August 08, 2003
The Evil John Ashcroft II
It seems much of the blogoshpere is in a tissy about the Ashcroft memo that I whole-heartedly supported in my last post. Curmudgeonly Clerk (link via Instapundit) writes, "What was that about conservatives favoring localized decision-making?"
I some ways, I guess, I see his point. Mainly, jurisprudence should be treated much in the same way as academic freedom. But according to Eric at Isthatlegal the Justice Department has always had the final say of which sentencing cases are appealed.
Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that the DoJ will, in the future, appeal more cases then they do currently. Rather, it means they will have better information regarding which judges consistantly decide to not follow the guidelines.
This brings us back to the reason why I, at first reading, supported the Ashcroft decision: That measures to reign in activist judges can, over time, bring back some legislative power to the legislature.
It would be interesting to see, though, exactly what percentage of these so called departures from the minimum guidlines involve drug convictions. These cases, given the current movements toward decriminalization of certain drug violations (which I support),are clearly a matter of judges attempting to re-write the law.
It seems much of the blogoshpere is in a tissy about the Ashcroft memo that I whole-heartedly supported in my last post. Curmudgeonly Clerk (link via Instapundit) writes, "What was that about conservatives favoring localized decision-making?"
I some ways, I guess, I see his point. Mainly, jurisprudence should be treated much in the same way as academic freedom. But according to Eric at Isthatlegal the Justice Department has always had the final say of which sentencing cases are appealed.
Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that the DoJ will, in the future, appeal more cases then they do currently. Rather, it means they will have better information regarding which judges consistantly decide to not follow the guidelines.
This brings us back to the reason why I, at first reading, supported the Ashcroft decision: That measures to reign in activist judges can, over time, bring back some legislative power to the legislature.
It would be interesting to see, though, exactly what percentage of these so called departures from the minimum guidlines involve drug convictions. These cases, given the current movements toward decriminalization of certain drug violations (which I support),are clearly a matter of judges attempting to re-write the law.
The Evil John Ashcroft
If John Ashcroft's work in thus far preventing another terrorist attack on American soil isn't enough to make your blood boil, than this will:
According to the Pioneer Press:
"The Justice Department is ordering federal prosecutors here and
elsewhere to report federal judges who impose lighter sentences
than recommended... "
The horror! I didn't think sending criminals to jail was such a bad thing, but some people are obviously upset.
"This will have a chilling and intimidating effect on judges, and who now
this is why I no longer draw criminal cases,'' said Paul Magnuson, a
senior federal trial judge in Minnesota handles mostly civil cases. 'I predict
that the number of departures by federal judges from
sentencing mandates will fall to virtually zero.'''
Can anyone tell me what this guy is complaining about?
The article goes on to explain the rest of the controversy. It seems to me, though, that the AG's goals are honest enough: he is trying to ensure that criminal sentencing is applied evenly everywhere. If you don't do that, what is the use in having guidlines at all?
The author hints that sentences for drug convictions make up a major portion of sentences that are issued below the federal guidlines. If that is the case, then the problem is judges who want to make the law not just interperet it, thereby ignoring legislative prerogative.
You want things decriminalized, or shorter sentences given to the perpetrators of certain crimes? You'll have to work with the legislature, because trying to find an activist judge just got a little harder.
Thanks, Mr. Ashcroft.
If John Ashcroft's work in thus far preventing another terrorist attack on American soil isn't enough to make your blood boil, than this will:
According to the Pioneer Press:
"The Justice Department is ordering federal prosecutors here and
elsewhere to report federal judges who impose lighter sentences
than recommended... "
The horror! I didn't think sending criminals to jail was such a bad thing, but some people are obviously upset.
"This will have a chilling and intimidating effect on judges, and who now
this is why I no longer draw criminal cases,'' said Paul Magnuson, a
senior federal trial judge in Minnesota handles mostly civil cases. 'I predict
that the number of departures by federal judges from
sentencing mandates will fall to virtually zero.'''
Can anyone tell me what this guy is complaining about?
The article goes on to explain the rest of the controversy. It seems to me, though, that the AG's goals are honest enough: he is trying to ensure that criminal sentencing is applied evenly everywhere. If you don't do that, what is the use in having guidlines at all?
The author hints that sentences for drug convictions make up a major portion of sentences that are issued below the federal guidlines. If that is the case, then the problem is judges who want to make the law not just interperet it, thereby ignoring legislative prerogative.
You want things decriminalized, or shorter sentences given to the perpetrators of certain crimes? You'll have to work with the legislature, because trying to find an activist judge just got a little harder.
Thanks, Mr. Ashcroft.
Bad News from the War on Terror
My mom is reporting this morning that my younger brother, an Army Reservist from New York serving on active duty in Texas, was injured in skateboarding accident. The injuries are not life threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery.
I've been silent on this issue for too long. It seems clear to me that the President lied, and our troops aren't safe. Texas remains a dangerous place. We should bring our boys home now! Who are we to think that we can just occupy Texas. Let those Texans deal with there own problems!
My mom is reporting this morning that my younger brother, an Army Reservist from New York serving on active duty in Texas, was injured in skateboarding accident. The injuries are not life threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery.
I've been silent on this issue for too long. It seems clear to me that the President lied, and our troops aren't safe. Texas remains a dangerous place. We should bring our boys home now! Who are we to think that we can just occupy Texas. Let those Texans deal with there own problems!
Good News from the War on Terror
The Financial Times is reporting some progress on the Afghan rebuilding front. It seems that the new national army is groing strong, and with the training from American troops has begun assuming some of the security details from our boys.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before life is all hunky-dory there, and one hopes that in the future it won't be necessary to have army security checkpoints at all, but nontheless this is good news indeed.
This had me rolling though:
"When the Afghan programme started about a year ago, the dropout rate was 40 per cent as recruits objected to the rigid 10-week training regime and bad food."
Ooh-freakiin'-rah! That's good training.
The FT goes on to report that the dropout rate has fallen to a more respectable 15 percent.
The Financial Times is reporting some progress on the Afghan rebuilding front. It seems that the new national army is groing strong, and with the training from American troops has begun assuming some of the security details from our boys.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before life is all hunky-dory there, and one hopes that in the future it won't be necessary to have army security checkpoints at all, but nontheless this is good news indeed.
This had me rolling though:
"When the Afghan programme started about a year ago, the dropout rate was 40 per cent as recruits objected to the rigid 10-week training regime and bad food."
Ooh-freakiin'-rah! That's good training.
The FT goes on to report that the dropout rate has fallen to a more respectable 15 percent.
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Free Market Transportation Solutions
A great article in todays Washington Times about using toll roads and technology to ease the pain of traffic congestion.
If this proves to be helpful in Northern Virginia, which I know from living there is hell on earth compared to driving in the Twin Cities, it could certainly work here.
Similiar to Rep Kennedy's ideas.
A great article in todays Washington Times about using toll roads and technology to ease the pain of traffic congestion.
If this proves to be helpful in Northern Virginia, which I know from living there is hell on earth compared to driving in the Twin Cities, it could certainly work here.
Similiar to Rep Kennedy's ideas.
Vichy Cons?
John Zmirak reprints one of his recent speeches on the whole palea-neocon debate that has been fuming for a couple of months now. (Link via The Corner.)
Interesting.
I've been thinking about this for a while.While I have a soft spot in my heart for Pat Buchanan (My Dad voted for him in '92 and occasionally still waxes nostalgic of that year's GOP primary debates.)
Still, I can't lablel myself a paleo given some of their harder views on imigration and trade policy. I'm too young to be considered a "neo." And Bill Kristol and the President's "compassionate conservatism" seems to embrace a big government stance on many issues pushing me away from that philosophy.
Jay Nordlinger fancies himself a "Reaganite." That gets a little closer to a summation of my own beliefs, but again I'm a little too young.
I suppose I'm more of a "Gingrichian." I was captivated when "Contract With America" took the country by storm and have read it like a million times.
That's it: Gingrichian. Or maybe one could call it "political Newtism."
You can check out the Newtsters latest stuff at AEI.
John Zmirak reprints one of his recent speeches on the whole palea-neocon debate that has been fuming for a couple of months now. (Link via The Corner.)
Interesting.
I've been thinking about this for a while.While I have a soft spot in my heart for Pat Buchanan (My Dad voted for him in '92 and occasionally still waxes nostalgic of that year's GOP primary debates.)
Still, I can't lablel myself a paleo given some of their harder views on imigration and trade policy. I'm too young to be considered a "neo." And Bill Kristol and the President's "compassionate conservatism" seems to embrace a big government stance on many issues pushing me away from that philosophy.
Jay Nordlinger fancies himself a "Reaganite." That gets a little closer to a summation of my own beliefs, but again I'm a little too young.
I suppose I'm more of a "Gingrichian." I was captivated when "Contract With America" took the country by storm and have read it like a million times.
That's it: Gingrichian. Or maybe one could call it "political Newtism."
You can check out the Newtsters latest stuff at AEI.
The Gay Bishop
The Pioneer Press weighs in on the issue with a couple of stories.
It seems like it was a heck of a fight in Minneapolis the last couple of days.
The press does a good job summarizing the scriptural debate at play here. Detractors of the newly elected Bishop point to several scripture passages in both the Old and New Terstaments in which appropriate sexual conduct is defined. Supporters of the Bishop counter by pointing out that there are many things in the Bible that "we" don't follow any more, ergo what's the big deal? "The greatest of these is love, etc."
This is troubling. While of course there are things in the Bible that most of the Church do not follow. Yet these examples are largely made up of somewhat trivial comands from the Old Testament, many of which were thrown out in Jesus' time, like how far one may walk on the Sabbath and the eating of certain foods.
But, in my opinion this is a clear case of personal conduct that is well defined as the linked article points out. I don't think it has any more to do with homosexuality than heterosexuality outside the confines of marriage.
Maybe we hold church leaders to too high a standard. Certainly his actions should not be considered criminal, and as well, the even if we consider his conduct to be sinfull, the Scriptures make no attempt to rate one sin more of a sin than another.
Nevertheless, it seems natural for people to seek spiritual guidence from someone whom, in their eyes, walks the walk.
I doubt the issue has ended here. Maybe we'll see a split in the church or possibly just the continuing exodus of former main-line churchgoers to the more conservative evengelical denominations.
Either way, it was nice to see an open debate on the subject. Shame it won't happen in academia.
The Pioneer Press weighs in on the issue with a couple of stories.
It seems like it was a heck of a fight in Minneapolis the last couple of days.
The press does a good job summarizing the scriptural debate at play here. Detractors of the newly elected Bishop point to several scripture passages in both the Old and New Terstaments in which appropriate sexual conduct is defined. Supporters of the Bishop counter by pointing out that there are many things in the Bible that "we" don't follow any more, ergo what's the big deal? "The greatest of these is love, etc."
This is troubling. While of course there are things in the Bible that most of the Church do not follow. Yet these examples are largely made up of somewhat trivial comands from the Old Testament, many of which were thrown out in Jesus' time, like how far one may walk on the Sabbath and the eating of certain foods.
But, in my opinion this is a clear case of personal conduct that is well defined as the linked article points out. I don't think it has any more to do with homosexuality than heterosexuality outside the confines of marriage.
Maybe we hold church leaders to too high a standard. Certainly his actions should not be considered criminal, and as well, the even if we consider his conduct to be sinfull, the Scriptures make no attempt to rate one sin more of a sin than another.
Nevertheless, it seems natural for people to seek spiritual guidence from someone whom, in their eyes, walks the walk.
I doubt the issue has ended here. Maybe we'll see a split in the church or possibly just the continuing exodus of former main-line churchgoers to the more conservative evengelical denominations.
Either way, it was nice to see an open debate on the subject. Shame it won't happen in academia.
Welcome to 1968
Dick Morris has an interesting piece that highlights the similiarities between the coming '04 election and the 1968 presidential election.
Morris writes:
"Will the role Robert F. Kennedy was preparing for be played by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lyndon Johnson by George W. Bush and Eugene McCarthy by Howard Dean? As that famous philosopher Yogi Berra said, 'It?s d?j? vu all over again.'
"Bill and Hillary Clinton have one central idea in their uncluttered, ambitious minds: Hillary in 2008. Let Bush get re-elected, use the ?04 primaries and general election to clean out the underbrush of competing Democratic candidates, and proceed unimpeded to the ?08 nomination. Use the book tours to build support and popularity, but let somebody else take the fall in 2004.
"But those well-laid plans would go awry if somebody else beats Bush."
But is it just a trick? (Scroll down a bit.)
Dick Morris has an interesting piece that highlights the similiarities between the coming '04 election and the 1968 presidential election.
Morris writes:
"Will the role Robert F. Kennedy was preparing for be played by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lyndon Johnson by George W. Bush and Eugene McCarthy by Howard Dean? As that famous philosopher Yogi Berra said, 'It?s d?j? vu all over again.'
"Bill and Hillary Clinton have one central idea in their uncluttered, ambitious minds: Hillary in 2008. Let Bush get re-elected, use the ?04 primaries and general election to clean out the underbrush of competing Democratic candidates, and proceed unimpeded to the ?08 nomination. Use the book tours to build support and popularity, but let somebody else take the fall in 2004.
"But those well-laid plans would go awry if somebody else beats Bush."
But is it just a trick? (Scroll down a bit.)
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
The Latest NR
Lots of good stuff here. I almost didn't make it to work on time 'cause I was up all night reading it.
Jay Nordlinger has a great article on those little "race boxes" we have to check on almost every form we complete. I have long thought those things to be an annoyance. For a while now I have stopped answering them. I managed to transfer to a new school without checking any "race boxes."
Nordlinger's article consists of a bunch of letters from readers who similiarly don't care enough to answer the race question.
Maybe we "race box rebels" are at the start of a national trend. If enough people balk at this meaningless question it would basically ruin about two-thirds of budding sociologist's careers!
Lots of good stuff here. I almost didn't make it to work on time 'cause I was up all night reading it.
Jay Nordlinger has a great article on those little "race boxes" we have to check on almost every form we complete. I have long thought those things to be an annoyance. For a while now I have stopped answering them. I managed to transfer to a new school without checking any "race boxes."
Nordlinger's article consists of a bunch of letters from readers who similiarly don't care enough to answer the race question.
Maybe we "race box rebels" are at the start of a national trend. If enough people balk at this meaningless question it would basically ruin about two-thirds of budding sociologist's careers!
Terror Futures Market
A nice editorial in the Pioneer Press today about the now faded controversy over the Pentagon's plans for a futures market to help predict terrorist atacks as well as other geo-political events.
The very idea of using the power of markets to solve such complicated problems predictably sent many Liberal leaders into community theatre Chicken Little audition mode. Probably because it just might work.
I'm afraid we may have missed out on a great idea. Using futures markets to attempt predictions has been around for, well, forever. Applying the same principle to a matter of national security seems to me as just the kind of 'outside-the-box' thinking we need.
A nice editorial in the Pioneer Press today about the now faded controversy over the Pentagon's plans for a futures market to help predict terrorist atacks as well as other geo-political events.
The very idea of using the power of markets to solve such complicated problems predictably sent many Liberal leaders into community theatre Chicken Little audition mode. Probably because it just might work.
I'm afraid we may have missed out on a great idea. Using futures markets to attempt predictions has been around for, well, forever. Applying the same principle to a matter of national security seems to me as just the kind of 'outside-the-box' thinking we need.
Z-man!
It's nice to see that Zach has remained au courant with his talent for finding the hammer and sickle locked in the modern liberal mind.
For a tast of the Z-man's Birchian (a complement!) opinions on the subject, click here. (Registration required. Scroll Down, second letter.)
It's nice to see that Zach has remained au courant with his talent for finding the hammer and sickle locked in the modern liberal mind.
For a tast of the Z-man's Birchian (a complement!) opinions on the subject, click here. (Registration required. Scroll Down, second letter.)
Damm Communists.
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
Pro-Union, Anti-Worker
More Star Tribune. This article tells a flattering tale of Sen John Kerry's campaign swing through Minnesota today.
Apparently Kerry is trying to fire up his union base by blasting the Labor Secretary Elaine Chao's plan to revamp an archaic overtime law.
Now, to me, labor laws in the 21st century are generally bad. And it is common knowledge that unions drive up wages and by strong-arming the companies that employ them, amd prevent employment for people who are willing to work for less.
But all that aside, this proposed change to the law will actually "help" low income workers by raising the income level below which an employer can declare a worker inelligable for overtime from around $8k per year to about $22,100 per year.
In theory this should allow more low income workers to reap the benefits of overtime pay. Sen Kerry, this great man of the people, is against that because the law would also declare workers who make >$65,000 per year exempt from overtime benefits.
Of course, all this is a bunch if hullaballoo. Workers who already have union contracts will not be affected. It's just a scare tactic. Besides, what is there to worry about? It's a free county (over-used, I know). If some machinist or whaterver making $65k is upset if he or she has to work a couple extra hours a week, he or she can just leave.
It's as simple as that. A worker sells his service to firms that need his particular service. If the price ain't right the worker moves on, until he either gets the right price or comes to the conclusion that he is asking too much. Tens of millions of Americans go through this process every day. I think the smart guys call it the "Labor Market."
Kerry needs to get over himself and actually think abourt the "little guy" he claims to represent.
For another description of the proposed policy go here. (Scroll down, second article.)
More Star Tribune. This article tells a flattering tale of Sen John Kerry's campaign swing through Minnesota today.
Apparently Kerry is trying to fire up his union base by blasting the Labor Secretary Elaine Chao's plan to revamp an archaic overtime law.
Now, to me, labor laws in the 21st century are generally bad. And it is common knowledge that unions drive up wages and by strong-arming the companies that employ them, amd prevent employment for people who are willing to work for less.
But all that aside, this proposed change to the law will actually "help" low income workers by raising the income level below which an employer can declare a worker inelligable for overtime from around $8k per year to about $22,100 per year.
In theory this should allow more low income workers to reap the benefits of overtime pay. Sen Kerry, this great man of the people, is against that because the law would also declare workers who make >$65,000 per year exempt from overtime benefits.
Of course, all this is a bunch if hullaballoo. Workers who already have union contracts will not be affected. It's just a scare tactic. Besides, what is there to worry about? It's a free county (over-used, I know). If some machinist or whaterver making $65k is upset if he or she has to work a couple extra hours a week, he or she can just leave.
It's as simple as that. A worker sells his service to firms that need his particular service. If the price ain't right the worker moves on, until he either gets the right price or comes to the conclusion that he is asking too much. Tens of millions of Americans go through this process every day. I think the smart guys call it the "Labor Market."
Kerry needs to get over himself and actually think abourt the "little guy" he claims to represent.
For another description of the proposed policy go here. (Scroll down, second article.)
He's Back???
The Star Tribune has this story (registration required) about a possible rematch between Bill Luther and Rep John Kline in the second district. This could be interesting. We'll have to wait and see.
I suppose this is the typical speculative article that appears in the papers when the political news is slow, but there are some things of interest.
For one, according to the Trib, Luther has some catching up to do in the fund-rasing department. If we recall the last time these two faced off, and the time before that, and the time before that, we know that money is key. If history is any indicator this possible race will be fought over the air waves and should provide us all with some wholesome entertainment while we are trying to study.
But there are other things of interest. We know that Luther and former Kennedy opponent Janet Roberts are, to put it nicely...close. Luther keeps a residence in Stillwater (6th district). Could the cold old lady push him to run against Kennedy? Hmmm.
Bring it on punk.
The Star Tribune has this story (registration required) about a possible rematch between Bill Luther and Rep John Kline in the second district. This could be interesting. We'll have to wait and see.
I suppose this is the typical speculative article that appears in the papers when the political news is slow, but there are some things of interest.
For one, according to the Trib, Luther has some catching up to do in the fund-rasing department. If we recall the last time these two faced off, and the time before that, and the time before that, we know that money is key. If history is any indicator this possible race will be fought over the air waves and should provide us all with some wholesome entertainment while we are trying to study.
But there are other things of interest. We know that Luther and former Kennedy opponent Janet Roberts are, to put it nicely...close. Luther keeps a residence in Stillwater (6th district). Could the cold old lady push him to run against Kennedy? Hmmm.
Bring it on punk.
As this is my first blog entry and I'm not really sure if there is supposed to be some kind of ceremonial fluff I'll just get right to it. Hell, I'm not big on introductions anyway.
The Washington Times is reporting that the POTUS is standing behind diplomat John Bolton just as North Korea is calling for his ouster from the upcoming "talks."
Bolton as you probably recall recently refered to life in the DPRK as a "hellish nightmare."
Good for Bolton. A little truth in diplomacy can't be such a bad thing. And cheers to the Pres for not doing the easy thing and caving to the Stalinists every little tantrum. (A refreshing change in Korea policy from that of his predecessor.)
Give it a read.
The Washington Times is reporting that the POTUS is standing behind diplomat John Bolton just as North Korea is calling for his ouster from the upcoming "talks."
Bolton as you probably recall recently refered to life in the DPRK as a "hellish nightmare."
Good for Bolton. A little truth in diplomacy can't be such a bad thing. And cheers to the Pres for not doing the easy thing and caving to the Stalinists every little tantrum. (A refreshing change in Korea policy from that of his predecessor.)
Give it a read.
