Soccer Dad

Submitted 05/17/2007

When I read the first two Watcher's Council submissions, I figured, why do I need to read anything else? However, the best part of being a member of the council is getting to read some of the best blogs out there, so I figured maybe I ought to read some more. Wow, what a week. This is one of the best week's I remember.

In Gone Across Peterson The Glittering Eye uses the title as a metaphor to describe the loss of his "best friend." I'm not a dog owner - the only pets I've had have been a parakeet and some fish - but I could feel his pain.

The Colossus of Rhodey asks What Did I Tell 'ya? about charges of racism resulting from a Cinco de Mayo party and the proposed remedy. He also writes

And to those who claim that whites "should understand" the NOI and MEChA since these are "oppressed" minority groups, I retort that this is the precise problem with the status of race relations -- and American culture in general -- today. To some, a failure to "understand" the actions of groups like NCLR (and MEChA) and the NOI makes one "insensitive" and even "racist." But they miss a key point: If we are truly to work towards an equal society, then shouldn't everyone be expected to play by the same rules? Shouldn't advocacy groups be expected to be as consistent as the next group? Why can't the NCLR just disavow groups like MEChA completely, and assist Hispanic students without them?

Eternity Road goes to a Gordon Lightfoot concert and writes his impressions of it in Heroes, Memories and Harbingers. Unfortunately due to age and injuries, Gordon Lightfoot is not able to sing like he once did; he is a shadow of himself. Ironically, Powerline just devoted a post to Gordon Lightfoot last week. Gordon, it's been good to know you.

Bookworm Room examines Gaffes, and Why They're Interesting. After all what's worse being off by 200 years or (nearly) 10000 dead. And then there's Michael Kinsley's cynical definition of a gaffe - When a politician accidentally speaks the truth.

The Education Wonks tell us about Unprofessional Conduct. It's OK for students at recess to go "Bang. Bang" It's not OK for teachers and adminstrators.

Cheney's Chess Moves in the Middle East is Joshuapundit's comprehensive rundown of the Vice President's efforts to shore up support in the Middle East and the likely outcomes of those efforts. Alas, it sounds as if we're about to hear "Mate in 5."

In You Asked for It Done With Mirrors observes that the Left has now come around to condemning the Oil for Food corruption. Now that Condoleeza Rice can be tied to it, however tangentially. I'd point out that many on the hard Left apologized for OFF, praising the job it did of saving innocent Iraqis. The collateral enriching of Saddam wasn't an issue.

Cheat Seeking Missiles follows up on last week's effort debunking global warming with Positive Thinking Vs. The Greenies
. He agues that environmentalists aren't interested in better technology - though the march of technology means that we can more done using fewer (combustible) resources - but in no technology.

Rhymes With Right says that It Breaks My Heart To Say This that reparations should not be paid to the people of Guam though he heartily recommends that the heroism of the people of Guam be recognized.

End of an Era? Falwell Passes is the contribution of Right Wing Nut House to the Council this week. It's his tribute to Jerry Falwell. He appreciates Falwell's contribution to politics, but given his differences with Falwell is glad the they're limited.

Big Lizards claims We Found the "Moslem Methodists!". Or at least Bret Stephens did. They're in Indonesia and they accept Israel's right to exist. And it is a large mainstream organization.

My entry is Talk Isn't Cheap
and it's about the hazards of talking to tyrants. In response to the Glittering Eye's comments I'd argue that what the United States has done is speak softly and not wielded a large stick. If it's necessary to talk to Iran, the United States should be setting the terms of the dialogue, not Iran. And thanks to JoshuaPundit for his praise.

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Posted by SoccerDad at May 17, 2007 6:47 AM | TrackBack