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Re: Power Line - Paul Rahe: Has Obama earned that prize?

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:58:42 -0000

An unintentionally revealing commentary on the utter lack of depth and rationality of the liberal mindset. To wit:

"His message to Iran's citizens...and captivating speech in Cairo, Egypt, communicated to Muslims all around the world that their lives and their faith and their expectations for a better world were vital and as valid as any others." "...Barack Obama affirmed the humanity of Muslims and told them that America does value Muslim lives." "Obama's posture and rhetoric have reversed the collapse of hope..."

What counts is good intentions, superior intellect, global thinking, and above all meaningless gestures, speeches and hopenchange in general. For without all of this, people will be without good intentions, global thinking, meaningless gestures, speeches and hopenchange, and to be deprived of the kinds of superior intellects who think this drivel important, well, what can possibly be said to express, as Conrad might have said, the horror?

It is the very nature of America and Americans, since before the Constitution was ratified, to respect and defend the dignity, value and importance of each and every human life, something no nation on Earth had ever done to the degree and in a manner that Americans have come to take for granted. Even today, America stands above all nations in this, and much else. Value the lives of muslims rather than just talk about it? America values individual life so greatly that she has given untold riches in treasure and blood to defend not only American lives, but the lives of millions around the world, and continues to do so today, including--mirable dictu!--the lives of muslims.

But all that really matters is the grand gesture, the establishment of an atmosphere where those longing for freedom can hope. Tell that to those languishing in dungeons in repressive regimes around the world as the hot pokers and pliers are applied. These are the victims of barbarians who know what actual torture is and delight in applying it. They will not be affected by hopenchange or grand speeches or affirmations of personhood or similar tripe. They must be eliminated by nations strong and wise enough to know that, as an ancient Chinese proverb says, "Talk doesn't cook rice."

And our President is furiously stirring the rice pot...

Re: Power Line - Variations on a gyration

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:39:09 -0000

But this makes perfect sense! Perfect sense, that is, if you believe that merely changing the name of something alters its essential characteristics, its very DNA, so to speak. If you can banish war by merely calling it an "overseas contingency operation," or vanquish terrorism by calling it "man-caused disasters," and if you can transform liberalism by rebranding it progressivism, why anything and everything is possible! A bit of syntactic, grammatical sleight of hand and all is right with the world!

Rational adults understand that the Taliban and those like them are in fact seventh century barbarians with 21st century weapons. Not only that, they are fanatic, drooling, absolute true believers in a religion that, taken literally, is anything but a religion of peace and that demands the complete subjugation of the world in its name. They are willing to die in this pursuit and to commit any outrage in its name. Add the charming mix of seventh century tribalism, which is not notorious for its tolerance of women, gays, diversity, race, disability, etc., toss in a pinch of psychosis, mix with the support of similarly leaning terrorist states, and it is clear that the chance of such people becoming partners in anything resembling a democracy is so far below nil that nil can't be seen with the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Taliban would likely kill Obama on sight as he is an apostate Muslim (whether Obama admits it or not, to Muslims, the son of a Muslim is a Muslim. You don't just resign). The Taliban and those like them oppose--to the point of raping, torturing and killing--every victim group and favored liberal cause in existence. The Taliban's faith teaches that lying to non-muslims in the pursuit of world subjugation is not only allowed, but a good, wise and noble thing. The very culture of these people respects only strength and disdains weakness. And the President of the United States, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, thinks partnering with these people is a good idea. If that doesn't scare you senseless, you're not paying attention.

Re: Power Line - A mixed blessing at best for the president

mikemcdaniel — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:09:53 -0000

Extraordinary. When I first realized that this wasn't an early April Fool joke, I thought I'd seen the first indisputable sign of the Apocalypse. However, upon sober reflection, I realized that it was inevitable. I only wondered why it hadn't happened sooner. Then I discovered that I was right! Obama was nominated for the prize after only about ten days in office! Only two questions remain to be answered: Will he receive the prize every year from now on? And will the prize be renamed to be more appropriate as an offering to The One? Perhaps the "Nobel Transcendent Wonderfulness Prize?" The "Nobel Potential for Peace Prize?" The "Nobel Lack of Actual Accomplishment Prize?"

So we're told that President Obama is humbled and honored and does not deserve the prize, but he will, of course, accept it anyway. Rational, decent people understand that the Nobel Committee has jumped the shark on this one, but has any sentient being believed that the Peace Prize has, for a very long time, meant anything at all? When Jimmy Carter was given the "honor," the Nobel folks announced that they were doing it to kick America in the shins. Mr. Carter gladly accepted it anyway. The kick is self-evidently aimed rather higher this time. Mr. Obama will surely accept it as he's already delivered several kicks to that area and doubtless plans many, many more.

But perhaps this will be helpful in illustrating, by way of irony, how everything Obama is doing, and likely will do, is the very antithesis of peace.

Re: Power Line - Lowering Expectations

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:08:21 -0000

The idea of "direct negotiations," "engagement," and "smart diplomacy" is predicated on several false premises: That Obama and his appointees are orders of magnitude smarter and far more evolved than everyone else, particularly republicans; that such is Obama's personal power, goodness and intellect that world leaders will see his good intentions and obvious superiority and bend to his will; that the age of Obama--brought on by the ascension of The One--has swept away outmoded concepts such as national security, racial and religious hatred and national interest; and that merely talking with one's enemies is a diplomatic accomplishment, in and of itself, is perhaps just as important and meaningful as achieving important national goals through negotiation.

I'll not enlarge on most of these points as they are fairly self evident, even to those not nearly as good or evolved as President Obama. Let's just focus on one point: What our enemies, particularly Iran, think of Barack Hussein Obama. Are they impressed by his muslim middle name? No. Do they respect those who talk, set deadlines and change them, and in general, threaten to "...move toward sanctions..." after extending yet another deadline? No. Their culture is such that they respect only strength, strength demonstrated through brutal force. Their religion is such that there can be no compromise, only subjugation and death for those who do not submit. It's particularly fascinating to understand that as a self-described apostate muslim--a muslim who left the faith to become a Christian--Obama is liable for death at the hands of muslims everywhere. That most muslims would never act on this tenant of their faith and custom speaks well of their humanity, but the fact remains. Those who rule Iran would surely be more than glad to bear that burden of their faith, unless of course, President Obama has assured them--privately of course--that he is really a muslim and only pretended to be a Christian to advance his political fortunes. This might be convincing to muslim extremists because under Islam, it is also quite acceptable to lie to your enemies, in this case, the American people. Finally, do the Iranians--or other jihadists--see Obama as different than say, George W. Bush? Not at all. Remember, for these people religion is first, nation second--a distant second. There are two classes of people: Muslims and non-muslims. No gray, no nuance, no sophisticated, soaring rhetoric, just muslim and non-muslim.

In any case, it appears quite clear that all of this, with Barack Hussein Obama in charge, will end very, very badly for the world, and sooner rather than later.

Re: Power Line - The guru of conventional wisdom

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:52 -0000

Oh, well, if the Iranians say they don't intend to build a bomb, that certainly changes everything! Viva engagement!

Re: Power Line - Keeping readers in the dark, part 2

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:44:00 -0000

Extraordinary. Either the folks at the NYT are liars of the worst sort, or they really, truly have no idea of their egregious liberal bias. Even as the SS Gray Lady begins to slide beneath the waves, they still cannot fathom that failing to fairly and accurately report the news--the actual, important, nationally significant, effect the course of the nation news--and failing to keep a high and wide barrier between news and opinion has anything to do with their financial and credibility difficulties. They don't even understand that a lack of credibility causes financial difficulties. No doubt everyone they know thinks the same way, which is their problem in a nutshell.

Re: Power Line - Two Possibilities Here

mikemcdaniel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:42:41 -0000

Completely insane? That depends upon how one defines insanity. If one judges such by the people Obama has put into power, his domestic, fiscal and foreign policies, his megalomania and narcissistic lunacy, and understand that many democrats consider him too conservative, one might be forgiven for considering liberalism/progressivism to be the very definition of insanity.

Clearly these are people who appoint others like them. They appoint people with whom they have always associated, which whom they share philosophy, with whom they work and play, people they admire and with whom they are completely comfortable: Terrorists (Bill Ayers), racists (Rev. Wright, Van Jones.), pedophilic homosexuals (Jennings), tax evaders (Tom Daschle, the Secretary of the Treasury), socialists (all of the aforementioned), communists (all of the aforementioned), and every bottom dwelling, found only under rocks sort one can imagine. They insult our allies, support vicious communist and islamic dictators and murderers, and do all they can to enrich themselves and their equally corrupt and morally bankrupt cronies (ACORN, SEIU, etc.) while simultaneously trying to bankrupt the nation, a nation they hate and denigrate at every opportunity.

No, they're not just inept vetters. They know exactly who they're installing to do the people's business, or should that be to give the people the business? It's amusing--and revealing--to watch their bewilderment when they're forced to throw under the bus racists, tax cheats, criminals and lunatics, and one can only hope, homosexual pedophiles. They're bewildered because they really believe that all right thinking people are just like them and the semi-humans with whom they associate. How could anyone not find Rev. Wright or Van Jones all warm and cuddly?

It is only the fact that some of them are being run off that provides any comfort. What's truly frightening is that most of the remainder are just like them, or at the very least, completely sympathetic. They're just lower profile and/or have less of a paper trail. And we did it to ourselves. Change. Hope. Yes we can, and yes we did. We should have figured it out when Obama trotted our a pseudo-presidential personal seal while on the campaign trail, to say nothing of "The Office of The President-Elect." And what rational person could possibly suggest that their attainment of political power will stop the rise of the oceans and heal the planet? Insane indeed.

Re: Power Line - Of Course the Democrats Are Corrupt, But Does Anyone Care?

mikemcdaniel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:24:56 -0000

Gains? Perhaps, but only if the Republicans convincingly demonstrate that they are not just a more conservative version of venal political business as usual and corruption. Democrats have a significant advantage in that when they commit heinous crimes, most people expect so little of them that they are not surprised or shocked, and are, too often, willing to say, "Oh, it's just those democrats. That's what they do." Indeed it is and indeed, that's what they do.

But one important dynamic has changed. Should Republicans regain power and once again show themselves to be the amoral, valueless, patrician, spend like a drunken sailor, political party animals they were the last five or so years, they might find themselves a permanent minority party as conservatives and independents abandon them--and the Democrats--in droves to form the first viable third party. Let them spend the next century fighting for the votes of unions, trial lawyers and illegal immigrants.

Conservatives have a great opportunity. Will they once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

Re: Power Line - The Human Cost of Covering the News

mikemcdaniel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:59:17 -0000

On the contrary, this was a story on the level of importance of say, "dog bites man." Is there a sentient being alive who does not know the "human cost of war?" Lives a single American so dense that they do not understand that soldiers die in war and that they are returned to America in flag draped coffins to relatives struggling to understand, as Abraham Lincoln put it, "...so costly a sacrifice on the alter of liberty."?

The First Amendment suffered not a bruise or scrape from the Bush Administration keeping media jackals and bottom dwellers from exploiting the pain of the relatives of our honored dead, for there was no story, no there, there. In this, the media did not represent the people, for there was no story to be told, no cover up to expose, no wrong doing to bring into the light of day. Silencing the media? They are equally silenced because they are not allowed to barge into private dwellings to photograph anything and anyone they might deem news. Look in the dictionary under "maintaining quiet dignity and respect." There will be no mention of the press.

This was a story about hatred, hatred of President Bush, hatred of our troops, hatred of any who held conservative views, and self-loathing for American reporters who consider themselves citizens of the world and demi-gods self-charged with "making a difference" rather than reporting the truth. Such enlightened beings hate the narrow, patriotic strictures being merely an American places on them, and thus do they labor to destroy that which they hate. That they would, with calculation, animus and cruelty, use the best of us, those who gave the last, full measure of devotion to preserve the very Constitution they so abuse and exploit speaks volumes to their lack of character, decency and humanity. And yes, to their patriotism, of which they have precisely none. Vultures.

Re: Power Line - When Sarkozy mocked Obama

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:19:08 -0000

What our President utterly fails (or refuses) to grasp (apart from history and reality) is that being liked and national interests are two very different and unrelated matters. But aren't allies more likely to help allies, who, after all, they like? No. Allies are allies because their interests coincide, not because they admire their respective cultures or peoples. The fact that they have similar interests will generally reveal a level of comfort, even admiration, between their peoples, but that is always secondary to national interests, particularly national security interests.

President Obama seems to think that he is post-American, post reality itself, that he can remake the world and human thinking to conform to his new and exciting ideas merely by speaking about them in soaring, teleprompter induced rhetoric. We have terms, medical terms, for those who create their own realities and expect others to live in them. Meanwhile, lunatic apocalyptic muslims in Iran work feverishly to build nuclear weapons, weapons which they will use. Nothing, not sanctions, not "engagement," not outstretched hands, not weak faux-threats of sanctions will deter them. Imagine how the Iranians quake with fear at the thought of a UN resolution! Evil exists and it can be stopped only by the overwhelming use of force. Obama, however, believes he is beyond such unsophisticated concepts and good and evil, except as he can apply evil to America.

The danger here is that in talking to the Iranians, Obama will allow them to string things along--as they have for seven+ years--until they have, and use, nucs against Israel and us. Who can be so foolish as to believe that the Iranians would build only a single device? Remember that for Democrats, the mere act of talking to one's enemy in a diplomatic setting is an enormous accomplishment in and of itself, an accomplishment just a bit less in importance to peace in our time. It is likely that Obama will wring paper promises from the Iranians as their thousands of centrifuges don't lose a single RPM. He'll declare a great victory for "engagement," a victory that will last only until mushroom clouds appear over Israel and America. Then he'll blame George W. Bush.

Re: Power Line - Reading Tea Leaves on Afghanistan

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:03:48 -0000

Oh dear. If you didn't already know all you need to know about the level of intellect and competence relating to military and national security matters brought to bear by the Obama administration, you surely know it now. John Kerry? Senator John Kerry, he who accused Americans of atrocities? He who was so beloved by our enemies they hung his photo in their war museum? He who faked his medals and told hoary stories about false combat experiences in far off lands he never visited? He who has been wrong on every national security matter since the first day he stepped onto Capitol Hill? But then again, for the Obamanauts, who better?

Colin Powell is another story...

Re: Power Line - This Time He Really Means It

mikemcdaniel — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:23:10 -0000

Well OK then. So let me see if I have this straight. Obama's last absolute deadline of September has now been pushed back to December, and he knew the Iranians were cheating and building nucs even before his election. Now that this particular nuclear cat is out of the bag, Obama makes a stern speech wherein he reiterates his desire to talk with the Iranians--who he has known, for a year or so, are cheating and lying--and threatening stern sanctions of the type he's been threatening for quite some time, but somehow, more seriously this time, and maybe even--gasp--some sterner language about the possibility of sterner sanctions of the kind that are not in place and have no probability of ever being put into place. He even suggested that if the Iranians didn't immediately agree to a strict regime of cheating, concealing, dissembling and tricking the IAEA like never before, he might consider putting the "military option" on the table.

So, is Israel going to act? The only real question is whether they'll use nucs to have a good probability of totally eliminating the threat. After all, the Israelis, unlike our tragicomic President, understand that talk doesn't save lives. While Obama can't be believed, there is no doubt that the Iranians can, particularly when they speak about their genocidal, murderous intentions.

Re: Power Line - Worst manners ever?

mikemcdaniel — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:07:43 -0000

Is there any cause for Obama's reprehensible treatment of England? If Obama is the President of the United States, one of a succession of leaders who are responsible for maintaining an unbroken chain of integrity in international relations, if he is responsible, like all presidents before him and all who will follow for understanding history and taking a long view of international relations and national and world security, if he understands--as most presidents have--that America's interests must come first, and that they continue regardless of who occupies the Oval Office, if he understands that spitting on America's allies and actually bowing before her enemies is not only stupid, but profoundly dangerous, then there is no possible cause.

If, however, Barack Obama isn't actually the POTUS, if he's far more important than that, if he transcends the petty office and concerns of the most powerful man in the world, if history before his ascension existed only to provide justification for his political and social leanings, and if history is suspended while he is in office, only to be rewritten to document his glory when he leaves, than Obama needs no justification. Gods, as Newsweek and many other journalistic organs could no doubt tell you, need no justification for their actions. The concerns, affairs and lives of mere mortals are, as Dr. Evil might say, quite inconsequential.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps Mr. Obama and all who advise him are merely incredibly stupid and proud of it. Perhaps they are merely childish and angry. Perhaps they're simply marxists bent on destroying America and all who depend upon her. But no matter his motivation, Mr. Obama will be remembered by history, and it won't be glorious. Many millions will suffer, quite possibly on a previously unimaginable scale. One suspects that even the most kool-aid saturated historian won't be able to blame George W. Bush.

Re: Power Line - Obama takes the supplication of America to a disgusting new level

mikemcdaniel — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:58:36 -0000

While it will certainly escape liberals, such as the often sensible Juan Williams who, on Fox this evening, spoke with near rapture about the perfection and beauty of Obama's UN speech, Obama's despotic audience will understand the subtext perfectly. The "persistent action" about which Obama speaks will be nothing more than mild rhetoric and utterly empty faux-threats, at least as long as Obama is President. There will be no "persistent action" by America, but by those free people would rather see doing nothing.

One might have expected Obama to at least try to conceal his marxist, anti-American anti-Israel beliefs when speaking before a world audience, but he deserves credit for being honest in this, if little else: He is an unabashed marxist and America hater and doesn't care who knows it. I'm sure the despots, thugs and kleptocrats in attendance very much appreciated what Obama had to say, while simultaneously figuring out how to play him for American's worth.

America is no longer anything special. We no longer guarantee the peace. Our allies cannot depend upon us, and our enemies need have no fear of us. A useful idiot is in the White House and our enemies know very well how to use him, to our, and the world's, detriment.

Re: Power Line - A fool's errand foolishly run

mikemcdaniel — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:20:42 -0000

Obama playing the fool? I suspect that Obama is constitutionally unable to admit error. Taxes are not taxes merely because he says so. Obama care will lower costs while providing universal coverage; Obama says so. His cap and trade legislation will solve all energy problems, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and conquer global warming; Obama says so. He has no intention of making government larger, despite the fact that virtually everything he has done since taking office and everything he proposes to do would increase the size of government to levels previously unimaginable, and again, his intentions are the final word because he says so.

Obama has the power of definition. Everything is whatever he says it is at the moment that he says it, therefore he can instantaneously transmute matter and reality from microsecond to microsecond. This miraculous, god-like power (even the editor of Newsweek recognizes his god-like abilities) makes it impossible for Obama to be wrong, particularly since the Obamedia is part and parcel of this transmutation.

Obama moves the peace process forward because he says he is moving it forward. Let's not forget the greatest and most enduring liberal transmutation: Merely talking with one's enemies is a stunning diplomatic accomplishment in and of itself. No matter what, Obama will always have that. After all, who you gonna believe? Obama, or your own lyin' eyes and ears?

Re: Power Line - The art of corruption

mikemcdaniel — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:54:47 -0000

There's nothing at all surprising about this. In a socialist people's republic, all organs of the state exist only to serve the needs of the state. All art is subsumed for propaganda and if artists don't have the requisite revolutionary fervor, they are commonly introduced to various other organs of the state in order to better adjust their artistic vision to the service of the state.

That Obama's minions would consider this appropriate and necessary speaks volumes about their mindset and intentions: Its not democracy, and it's not maintaining and spreading freedom.

Re: Power Line - What They Really Think

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:43:07 -0000

If we were dealing with traditionally American disagreements over policy, I'd agree. Unfortunately, things have degenerated to the point that Obama's policies are not merely ill considered or unwise, they're not merely issues that could cause temporary difficulties for some Americans, difficulties that could be corrected with a change in administration or the eternal blowing of the political winds. Obama is actively pursuing policies that could very easily cost untold millions of lives here and abroad, that could destroy our economy, and with it, the economies of countless other nations, that could transform America and the world in ways that could not be easily overturned, if ever.

If we were merely arguing over the proper diplomatic tactics to employ in pursuing clearly American interests abroad, that would be one thing, but we're apologizing for America, blaring that there is nothing exceptional about America, nor is our relationship with our longest standing most faithful ally anything special. If we were merely wrangling over the proper level of funding for our military or intelligence communities, we'd be conducting traditional American politics, but we're destroying the intelligence community and working hard to defund the military. In virtually every way, Obama and his followers are intent on "transforming"--their word, not mine--America in ways that would destroy America (Obama admits America is "broke," yet he relentlessly pursues policies that will bankrupt America tens times over), and they are ignoring the Constitution to do it.

When the President of the United States and his advisors and friends and mentors have actually spent decades attacking Americans, hating America, saying that America is a racist and mean country filled with rednecks who hate those who aren't like them, and who cling to God and guns, and align themselves with America's totalitarian and Marxist enemies while essentially enacting and praising every tenant of Marxist philosophy--isn't that the opposite of America?--then one is certainly justified in speaking of them as those who hate America and who are indeed committing treason.

Re: Power Line - A greeting to be regretted

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:31:46 -0000

Let's not get into the moral and political ramifications of this bit of insanity. Let's not discuss the utter tone deafness to the economic, security and political ramifications of appeasement inherent in these reckless words. Let's not discuss the disabling, pathological narcissism inherent in such statements. Let's not consider the messianic, hubristic, lunatic ravings of a mind that would consider such rhetoric not only proper, but instructive, even helpful. Let's focus instead on what our mothers taught us. It's just rude and wrong.

Re: Power Line - More Cowbell

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:25:17 -0000

But of course! Women, all women, are to be the newest progressive victim group! Just think of it! Half the population on union rosters! After Cass Sunstein provides an attorney for every animal in America, he can get started on providing an attorney for every woman who will sue the other 50% of America--no, wait a minute--it will be even better, because they can sue every woman's children too, the little conservative, racist oppressors! Hey, couldn't the attorneys work together and have family pets--as well as mom--sue dad and the kids too? Yes we can!

Re: Power Line - What They Really Think

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:19:20 -0000

What's most disturbing is that Albright would most likely be considered, by the Obamanauts, as not nearly progressive enough to formulate and enforce contemporary American foreign policy. Oh well. She did have at least three major diplomatic accomplishments that immediately come to mind: She got to dance with Kim Jong Il (and proclaimed him charming and a great dancer), her broach collection got fabulous press in the New York Times, and of course, the Agreed Framework. Can Obama boast of such incredible diplomatic accomplishment?

Re: Power Line - At Least He's Consistent

mikemcdaniel — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:15:15 -0000

Predictions of doom and gloom are cheap and easy to make, so what the heck! Here goes.

In the Israeli/Iranian situation, there are two possibilities: (1) Iran develops and uses nuclear weapons against Israel (massive retaliation against Iran, and possibly other targets, follows), or (2) Israel launches limited military strikes against Iranian nuclear and military assets (Iran increases its terrorist tempo throughout the world).

In either case, with the Middle East destabilized and with fighting breaking out in ways difficult to predict and control, might China decide the time is ripe to reunify with Taiwan at the point of the bayonet? Anyone care to lay odds on Obama defending the Taiwanese? Perhaps Putin might decide that a firmer grip on a few former republics, such as, say, Georgia? might be a good, low risk idea. Anyone care to lay odds on Obama confronting Putin? Perhaps Syria might decide the time was ripe to attack Israel again. No need to even consider those odds; Obama might send them military aid. Perhaps Hugo Chavez might decide that a neighbor or two might be introduced to the advantages of the revolution. Perhaps the President might consider expressing concern and offering a dialogue? And it doesn't take much imagination to imagine what an increasingly desperate and insane North Korea might do.

The upshot of these, and many other potentially disastrous scenarios, is that Obama might very well employ the Emanual strategy of never letting a crisis go to waste. What might he do? Pull back completely from our defense commitments to allies? Support our enemies? Suspend civil liberties and impose martial law? In any case, we could very well find ourselves waking up one morning to a very different world, a world in which our many sophisticated, international and domestic detractors could find themselves wishing for a bit of American cowboy swagger when they abruptly discover that their sophistication, nuance and politically correct ideals regarding thugs, murderers and terrorists provide no immunity from what thugs, murders and terrorists are so fond of doing.

But enough gloom and doom. Domestically, who benefits from Obama's policies? Certainly not the American people. Internationally, who benefits from Obama's policies? Certainly not the American people or our allies. You're right; he's consistent. I guess I'm back to gloom and doom.

Re: Power Line - A Warrior for the Cause

mikemcdaniel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:47:15 -0000

Well John, I hope you're right, but the Republicans, like the Palestinians, have lately never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They may yet snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Re: Power Line - My heroes, part 2

mikemcdaniel — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:51:14 -0000

It's just this kind of uplifting, forthright, fully developed patriotism that has made this nation great. Unfortunately, Steve Martin was right when he said "breasts make men stupid." What was I talking about again?

Re: Power Line - Has Obama been neutralized for now?

mikemcdaniel — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:47:24 -0000

"As Obama's popularity has declined, he has become less trusted and believable." I'm sorry Paul, but I suspect you might have it backwards. Obama's popularity has declined because because people don't trust and believe him. They do not trust and believe him because he has shown himself to be untrustworthy and willing to say and do anything to get what he wants, truth be damned. Americans are forgiving people, but that kind of deficit is not easily overcome, which is to the advantage of Americans who actually like America and who are for changes that make step by step, real improvements in specific issues and programs and that do not bankrupt the country in the process.

Re: Power Line - Shoot first, take questions later

mikemcdaniel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:07:43 -0000

Okay, now I'm confused. Didn't all of the informed, nonpartisan estimates by the Congressional Budget Office and a variety of other organizations indicate that Obama's health care push would, by itself, bankrupt the nation, and in short order? So now they want to add a climate bill that will double bankrupt the nation? I knew it! The Obama Administration is actually staging a marxist remake of Animal House, but instead of double secret probation, they're going to impose double secret bankruptcy! It's all so clear now...