Soccer Dad: Submitted 02/06/08

February 6, 2008

Submitted 02/06/08

Watcher's Council nominations are up.
I'd Have To Ask?? - The Colossus of Rhodey is incredulous. In Dallas he'd have to get permission to give a student less than a 50. He takes issue with a scheme to protect students from the consequences of his/her actions.
The Anti-McCain Republicans - The Glittering Eye considers the strong dislike many conservatives for Sen. McCain. He thinks it self defeating. I agree. (See below.)
A Short Hitch - Done With Mirrors reflects upon the little recognized aspects of the Civil War and civil rights movement. The purpose of this informative essay is to show that the Confederate battle flag was not, originally, a symbol of racism or of a commitment to slavery.
Good Immigrant, Bad Immigrant - Bookworm Room uses a biography of Irving Berlin to highlight a different era's view towards immigration. It wasn't just that they appreciated the freedom and opportunity available to them in the new world, they also realized that no batter how bad things were in the New Country, they were infinitely worse in Europe. (I realized this when I saw the manifests of ships carrying my great-grandfather and later my great-grandmother, grandfather and great-aunt. My great grandfather left a pregnant wife and toddler to establish a life for himself in America.)
Why Should We Care Whether Hillary or McCain Wins? - Big Lizards makes a better and more detailed case than I did (see below) as to why conservatives/Republicans would be foolish to sit out or vote Democratic in the general election.
Cutting Off Berkeley - Rhymes With Right advocates appropriate retaliations for the Marine haters in "Beserkly." He also notes that a crime was reported and ought to be prosecuted.
The Most Ridiculous Story of 2008? Part 2 - Cheat Seeking Missiles eviscerates an op-ed by Michael Chabon arguing that failing to support Obama is to rally against hope, or some other such nebulousness. It's wonderful to see an amateur skewer the pretensions of a professional. See similar (if less detailed) thoughts by John Podhoretz.
Obama Disparages the Military & Gets a Pass On Iraq From Fox News - Wolf Howling notes the troubling tendency of the media - in this case a reporter for Fox News - to give Sen. Obama a pass on what he actually believes. In this case it has to do with the current success of the "surge" in Iraq and the role that it plays in making the West more secure. In this case Sen. Obama won't concede the success of the surge and considers the American presence in Iraq to have no benefit at all.
Expelling The U.S. Marines - The Education Wonks writes about the "Beserkly" City Council's decision to honor Code Pink and expel the Marines. Here's a nice quote:

Isn't it ironic that the college town that has always preached tolerance to the rest of us should be so intolerant as to no longer welcome the very folks who are willing to put their lives on the line in order to preserve that very right to preach to the rest of us?

The Super Tuesday Shuffle -- And Beyond - Joshuapundit considers the state of the candidates. He thinks that if Sen. McCain is elected President, it could well lead the Republicans on a march to oblivion. On the other hand, he understands that Sen. McCain is likely to understand how to defend America (militarily), a quality no Democrat possesses. And he takes the opportunity to regret that the presidential campaign of Rep. Duncan Hunter, never got traction.
The Debate of Almost, Mostly, Republicans - Right Wing Nut House looks at the remaining Republican candidates for President and sees not a conservative in the bunch. He suggests that this reflects (at least in part) a general move to the left of the American electorate.
Campaign Consultant Kang Speaks - in my entry this week I reflect on the ancient Klingon wisdom when considering the approach of Ann Coulter towards John McCain.

Read, Enjoy. Be Informed.

watcher's council.