Maryland Conservatarian

• Warning: Could Induce Severe Eye-Rolling

  Stories like this that make it so hard at times to parody the left even while it screams for a South Park episode:
  
  Young heirs grapple with wealth of ambivalence
  
  “One night in Adams Morgan, the sons and daughters of lawyers and corporate executives padded into a [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 2:34pm EST
  

• Our President In China

  As you probably know, our President has been visiting the Red Chinese these last few days. On the bright side, no indication that he has apologized for the hateful things we’ve said about communists in the past. Otherwise,…
  
  The Washington Post has helpfully provided an analysis of the trip: [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:25pm EST
  

• Happy Halloween

  I'm thinking of going out as a second-term Obama Administration...just the thought of it scares me.' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:51am EDT
  

• Biden to Poland

  I suppose because Poland is offering nothing in the way of world games or individual honors, it is instead the Vice-President who joins me in Warsaw today: Biden to reassure Poles during European trip
  
  Much has been made about how the President has enhanced our global standing after [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 5:15am EDT
  

• Obama Finds His Audience

  So the President gave a speech at the University of Maryland Comcast Center today. Reading a Washington Post report about it, the audience was predictably very supportive and little happened to disrupt the occasion.
  
  The Post also provides an anecdotal insight into exactly why the young audience [...]

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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
  

• So what explains my animosity to Mr. Carter?

  More evidence that racism is NOT at the heart of heated opposition to our current President:
  
  Carter Cites 'Racism Inclination' in Animosity Toward Obama [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 10:46am EDT
  

• Compare and Contrast

  When President Obama was first asked about the release of the Lockerbie terrorist, he termed it a “mistake”.
  
  …a considerably less harsh reaction than when he was first asked about the arrest of Professor Gates in Cambridge: YouTube - Obama: Cambridge Cops "Acted Stupidly" In Prof. Gates [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
  

• Foreign Policy Question

  Remember this: Democrats hunger for Obama as international symbol of change
  
  “Now, restoring America's esteem in the world is a prime motivation of voters supporting Barack Obama for president…"The day I'm inaugurated, America will look at itself differently, and the world will look at America differently," Obama [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
  

• Eric Holder's Values

  Haven’t posted in awhile but was struck by these parallel events:
  
  Attorney General Eric Holder remembers Sentor (sic) Edward Kennedy
  
  “His steadfast advocacy for civil rights, rule of law and fairness in the criminal justice system has always been an inspiration to me, as I know it [...]
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  Posted: August 31, 2009, 1:02pm EDT
  

• The Administration Reacts to Illegal Immigration

  In Shift, Clinton Calls for 'Amnesty' for Jailed U.S. Journalists
  
  “The two journalists and their families have expressed great remorse for this incident and I think everyone is very sorry that it happened," Clinton told State Department officials at a town hall meeting in Washington. "What we hope [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 3:05pm EDT
  

• The Trip to Russia

  The President had a recent sit-down in Moscow with ABC’s Jake Tapper during which he explained what a remarkable job he is doing “resetting” things with the world. Charles Krauthammer has a more practical outlook on the President’s performance:
  
  “The pursuit of such an offensive weapons treaty [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 11:37am EDT
  

• Waxman Just Loves the Competition

  Rep. Waxman, fresh from his Waxman-Markey boondoggle, is turning his attention to health insurance….this can’t be good:
  
  “But Waxman took the usual Democratic counterargument one step further and asserted that he not only rejects the contention that the public option will drive insurers out of business but that a [...]
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  Posted: July 08, 2009, 3:16pm EDT
  

• But we're not meddling....

  I’ve previously noted my puzzlement at the Administration’s inexplicable siding with ousted Honduras president, Manuel Zelaya. Today only strengthens my concerns; Secretary Clinton met with Zelaya today as part of an effort to mediate the uproar over the seemingly constitutionally-compliant removal of Zelaya by other factions of the Honduran [...]
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  Posted: July 07, 2009, 5:25pm EDT
  

• The McNamara Lesson

  David Ignatius in today’s Washington Post:
  
  “Nobody gets to do over his mistakes, least of all Robert McNamara. But perhaps the memory of this brilliant and tragic man will keep us from being too certain of our own judgment -- and encourage us to consider, even when we [...]
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  Posted: July 07, 2009, 1:58pm EDT
  

• Because I know You Are Interested

  Holy Cross Names Sean Kearney Head Men's Basketball Coach
  
  He was an associate head coach under Mike Brey at Notre Dame.
  
  Just Win!!' [...]
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  Posted: July 03, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
  

• The State Department Rewrites the Honduras Constitution

  Our State Department explains the Honduran “crisis”:
  
  "Our goal is the restoration of constitutional order in Tegucigalpa, which means the restoration of President Zelaya. There is a process led by the OAS [Organization of American States] which is in place," Kelly said at the State Department at his afternoon [...]
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  Posted: July 02, 2009, 7:51pm EDT
  

• "But for Malta?"

  In A Man for All Season, Thomas More witheringly addresses his former best friend, Richard Rich, after Rich had offered perjured testimony in exchange for the position of Attorney General for Wales:
  
  "Richard, the Lord said that it did not profit a man to gain the whole world if" [...]
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  Posted: July 02, 2009, 6:17pm EDT
  

• The Urban President

  From Robin Shulman’s latest puff piece: Obama Seeks Dialogue on Urban Issues
  
  The article also focuses on “Adolfo Carrión, the director of the Office of Urban Affairs”. Anyone who has been paying attention to the doings of this Administration will not be surprised to learn that President Obama [...]
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  Posted: July 02, 2009, 3:15pm EDT
  

• Do they even teach Honduras law at Harvard?

  I am well aware that our president is a Harvard Law graduate, our Secretary of State is a Yale Law graduate and that supposedly all of that is somehow significant when they opine on legal matters. But the Administration's knee-jerk reaction to the events in Honduras reflects little appreciation for' [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2009, 5:17pm EDT
  

• The Alternative Math of Lori Montgomery

  Previously, I’ve taken note of some sloppy, biased reporting by Washington Post reporter, Lori Montgomery. So when I set out to read an article with her byline, I know additional research is probably in order
  
  CBO Calls Long-Term Revenue, Spending Outlook Dire
  
  According to Ms. Montgomery, [...]
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  Posted: June 26, 2009, 7:12pm EDT
  

• Great Moments in Timing

  On Tuesday morning I found two emails in my inbox: the first was confirmation that the renewal of my CLEAR Card had gone through. The second reads thusly:
  
  Clear to Cease Operations,
  
  At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc.' [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2009, 5:17am EDT
  

• For the record

  Why do so many people say they voted for Obama when they didn't?
  
  “Then there's the group of McCain voters that either regrets their pick or would rather not admit it to a pollster. They might feign forgetfulness, which would account for the 7 percent of respondents who [...]
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  Posted: June 22, 2009, 5:27am EDT
  

• U.S. or World Leader?

  Does Barack Obama want to be the President of the United States or did he seek the job because it happens to provide the world’s biggest stage to act on?
  
  I am happy to read that he is becoming more vocal about the obvious atrocities being visited on Iranian [...]
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  Posted: June 21, 2009, 1:11pm EDT
  

• Who Will Be Iran's Poet?

  Soccer Dad previously commented on a particular Roger Cohen piece but I wanted to follow up with an additional observation:
  
  “Quoting Ferdowsi, the epic poet, he said, “If there is no Iran, let me be not.” Poets are the refuge of every wounded nation — just ask the [...]
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  Posted: June 20, 2009, 12:10pm EDT
  

• Another Distraction for the President

  Tough China trade decision for Obama
  
  “A U.S. trade body ruled Thursday that imports of Chinese tires are hurting U.S. manufacturers, teeing up a difficult decision for President Obama...
  
  “We're hopeful the Obama administration will enforce the ITC's wise ruling,” said Scott Paul, executive director of the [...]
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  Posted: June 20, 2009, 11:10am EDT
  

• Another Multiple Choice Quiz Question

  You’re at a neighbor’s party and talking to two pregnant women: one of them is smoking a cigarette and the other is discussing her plans to have a late-term abortion the following Monday on account of “the world already has too many white males”. At whom are you most appalled?
  [...]
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  Posted: June 20, 2009, 9:56am EDT
  

• Ignorance on The Apology

  Senate Unanimously Approves Resolution Apologizing for Slavery
  
  “Even among proponents of a congressional apology, reaction to yesterday's vote was mixed. Carol M. Swain, a professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University who had pushed for the Bush administration to issue an apology, called the Democratic-controlled [...]
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  Posted: June 19, 2009, 6:49am EDT
  

• Multiple Choice

  Over at Soccer Dad, SD has a couple of interesting excerpts up. Without checking his title, can you guess the origin?
  
  “The reality requires more urgently than ever before to frustrate the U.S. moves for interference in the internal affairs of other countries…and guarantee the sound and smooth [...]
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  Posted: June 19, 2009, 5:30am EDT
  

• The New and Reluctantly Proposed Federal Regulatory Reforms

  The Administration released its proposed new financial regulations yesterday and today they begin the hard sell for it on Capitol Hill. This is about hundred pages of why we need more federal government in our everyday lives. I’ve done a quick read of it and am quickly unimpressed. My [...]
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  Posted: June 18, 2009, 7:03am EDT
  

• Obama to CA: Drop Dead

  …or something like that. The right decision, though – let’s just hope he can stick to it. [...]
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  Posted: June 16, 2009, 8:23am EDT
  

• Dog Bites Man: It's Still Bush's Fault

  I know that Washington Post reporters are pretty much duty-bound to shill for this President but still…
  
  In an article written by Lori Montgomery and Scott Wilson, they casually throw out this little factoid:
  
  “Obama's offer of new spending cuts comes against a backdrop of [...]
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  Posted: June 13, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
  

• Why Did He Do It?

  As a follow-up to my previous post, let me try to add to the reasoned discourse we’ve already been subjected to as we try to make sense out of something that probably just defies our efforts.
  
  The obvious question is why the Holocaust Museum.
  
  Well perhaps Von [...]
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  Posted: June 11, 2009, 9:50am EDT
  

• They're still working to tie it to Bush...

  In the wake of today’s shootings at the Holocaust Museum, it’s good to see CBS News not overreact:
  
  Shooting Highlights Growth Of Hate Groups - CBS News
  
  “The Holocaust Museum shootings came 11 days after another hate crime, the murder of Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller.”
  
  [...]
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  Posted: June 10, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
  

• This Sucks!!!

  Sources: Holy Cross coach will join Pitino's staff
  
  More (unhappy) reactions: CROSSPORTS
  
  I cannot over emphasize just how much this sucks.' [...]
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  Posted: June 10, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  

• More distractions for the President

  A quick hit on today’s David Ignatius piece: Obama's Hard Choice: Settlements
  
  “He has a rare gift for seeking the middle ground -- on race, on national security, even on abortion. But it will be hard to stay in the middle on this one. Obama will have' [...]
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  Posted: June 04, 2009, 5:16am EDT
  

• ...while we've got you here Judge

  Attila, formerly of Pillage Idiot, has a collection of questions he’d liked asked of Judge Sotomayor:
  
  “The President's nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, said in a speech in 2002 that "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would'" [...]
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  Posted: June 03, 2009, 8:49am EDT
  

• Is This President Just Afraid of Commitment?

  Over at Soccer Dad, Daled Amos explores a good question: How Much Does Bush's Commitment To Israel's Settlements Count For Now?
  
  “Based on the Constitution, it appears that the only obligation Obama has to honor the Bush letter is a 'moral' one--not a legal one.Based on the [...]
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  Posted: June 02, 2009, 11:47am EDT
  

• The President's Power Worries

  The President spent a good part of his introduction of Judge Sotomayor on her life story…which, while impressive, certainly has nothing on Justice Thomas’s in the feel-good department…which reminded me then about then-candidate Obama’s unkind words about Justice Thomas last August…which led me to rediscover this classic evaluation of [...]
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  Posted: May 31, 2009, 6:04pm EDT
  

• Mike Kinsley on Republican thinking

  Michael Kinsley’s column today is of the kind that I find so particularly annoying – he opines on something he apparently has little familiarity with – in this case the Republican Party platform. Party platforms are usually tiresome reads and quickly forgotten but when someone is attempting to use [...]
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  Posted: May 29, 2009, 1:01pm EDT
  

• The Investor's President

  President Obama on the right of an investor:
  
  “"I don't think that we should micromanage," Obama has said. "But I think that like any investor, the American taxpayer has a right to scrutinize what's being proposed and make sure that their money is not just being thrown down the" [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2009, 9:00am EDT
  

• As moderate as Barack Obama has proven to be...

  As a general rule, I am wary of counsel from those I really don’t think have my best (political) interest at heart. So when my good friend E’ J. Dionne, in a column that advances the idea that liberals should also hold their fire on this nominee, offers Republicans [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2009, 5:50am EDT
  

• Judicial Philosophy 101

  Now that President Obama has nominated Judge Sotomayor to be the newest Supreme Court Justice, we’ll probably be hearing a lot about judicial philosophy for the forseeable future, particularly the differences between “originalism” and “living constitutionalism.” Unfortunately, even proponents can’t quite agree on exactly what goes into each but generally, [...]
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  Posted: May 27, 2009, 6:04am EDT
  

• North Korea - International Scofflaw

  The President of the United States:
  
  “Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law.” Statement from the President
  
  (Minor quibble –doesn’t that read like North Korea said its test was in violation of international law?)
  
  US United Nations [...]
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  Posted: May 26, 2009, 6:05am EDT
  

• Yeah, but he wasn't empathetic...

  N. Korea Conducts 'Successful' Underground Nuclear Test
  
  “North Korea exploded a nuclear device Monday morning, startling the world with its second underground test in three years and vexing the Obama administration, which has said it wants to solve the nuclear impasse with North Korea.”
  
  Well, it didn’t [...]
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  Posted: May 25, 2009, 10:09am EDT
  

• Robert Gibbs Refines Barack Obama's Resume

  April 14, 2009:
  
  “MR. GIBBS: This would not be the first time that I've stood at this podium and -- having read something in the newspaper that I found to not be accurate….Helen [Thomas].
  
  “Q Why is the President blocking habeas corpus from prisoners at Bagram? I thought' [...]
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  Posted: May 21, 2009, 10:55am EDT
  

• David Ignatius: Why It's Different Now

  David Ignatius is impressed with Barack Obama:
  
  “The new president is not the poker-player sort of politician: When he decides to do something, he goes straight at it, laying his cards on the table face-up. That direct style is becoming an Obama signature, and it has subtly changed the [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2009, 11:37pm EDT
  

• Welcome Ezra Klein

  Ezra Klein is washingtonpost.com’s newest blogger. Not terribly surprising since he has enjoyed much success as a liberal blogger elsewhere. What is surprising is his intended subject matter: Economic and Domestic Policy.
  
  We all have our opinions but honestly, I have no idea why anyone at the Post would [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2009, 11:15pm EDT
  

• FCC - Federal Complete Control

  Washington Post writer Cecilia Kang has a piece up: FCC Reviewing Arbitron's New Radio Ratings Device
  
  “The Federal Communications Commission yesterday launched a review into whether a Columbia-based broadcast research firm undercounts minority radio listeners.”
  
  Here’s a kind of Rorschach test for you: what was your first' [...]
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  Posted: May 18, 2009, 11:51pm EDT
  

• Maybe he just didn't think we could handle the truth...

  For you non-believing cynics out there who still think McCain was the better choice, let me remind you why America voted for Barack Obama:
  
  “Federal Deficit
  
  "Barack Obama will cut both taxes and spending, implementing a responsible budget that lowers the federal deficit by reducing wasteful spending." [...]
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  Posted: May 18, 2009, 7:02pm EDT
  

• Another Random Question

  Has anyone come across any McCain voters who, after reviewing the first 100+ days of the Obama Administration, now say about the President: “Wow – they were right, this guy is Awesome!!” ? [...]
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  Posted: May 18, 2009, 6:42pm EDT
  

• Random Question

  Can anyone point me toward a “Right” I had during the Clinton Administration that I then had taken from me during the Bush Administration only to get it back now that Barack Obama is my President? [...]
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  Posted: May 18, 2009, 5:42pm EDT
  

• Great Moments in Universal Healthcare

  If you’re a fan of Depeche Mode, this is of some concern: Depeche Mode lead singer in hospital in Athens - washingtonpost.com
  
  So, a British citizen takes ill in Greece. What to do?
  
  “...Turkey's Anatolia news agency said Gahan would go to the United States for treatment…”[...]
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  Posted: May 13, 2009, 4:20pm EDT
  

• Congratulations, Soccer Dad!!

  He was favorably linked by Michael Ledeen over at The Corner at NRO.
  
  “Meanwhile, soccer dad has a good roundup of the Obama administration's various efforts to sooth the feelings of Messrs. Khamenei and Ahmadinejad.”
  
  For the uninitiated, Soccer Dad has long been an' [...]
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  Posted: May 13, 2009, 12:24pm EDT
  

• ...because tne intelligence community knows she has their backs!

  “President Obama has said he plans to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq by August 2010, although he intends to leave behind a residual force of 35,000 to 50,000 soldiers. In the past, Pelosi has called for the troops' mission to be "clearly defined and narrowly focused," so as to' [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 5:59pm EDT
  

• A Thought on Arlen Specter

  Senator Arlen Specter:
  
  “As a matter of principle, my political philosophy has come much closer to the Democrats now that the Republican Party has moved so far to the right and —“Questions for Arlen Specter - The Convert - Interview - NYTimes.com
  
  Senator Specter was first elected [...]
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  Posted: May 06, 2009, 2:21pm EDT
  

• The Pell Grant Profit Center

  Washington Post writer Shailagh Murray reports that the President is trying to further expand Federal spending and control (I know, I know – dog bites man):
  
  “At stake is a plan to expand the Pell Grant program, making it an entitlement akin to Medicare and Social Security.”
  
  [...]
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  Posted: May 04, 2009, 12:16pm EDT
  

• Picture Day in NY

  Strange story:
  
  “A plane used as a backup for Air Force One and a fighter-jet escort swooped low in the sky over New York on Monday as part of a government photo op, panicking workers, forcing evacuations and prompting an outcry from lawmakers.” Aerial Photo Op Recalls 9/11 [...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 3:41am EDT
  

• The Politically Correct Way To Lose Money

  The previous CEO at GM was more or less fired by President Obama so you can imagine that current management is working hard to stay in the Feds good graces. Towards that then was today’s announcement that GM Plans Layoffs of 1,600 Over Next Few Days.
  
  GM is [...]
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  Posted: April 20, 2009, 7:26pm EDT
  

• Cameron Kerry

  Perusing the Post on line, this caught my attention:
  
  Kerry Will Not Vote On Brother's Nomination - Federal Eye
  
  Senator Kerry’s brother Cameron is up for General Counsel at the Commerce Department. I would have no problem with the Senator voting for his brother; it’s not as' [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 2:18pm EDT
  

• 3 Less Carbon-Footprints to Worry About.

  '3 Rounds, 3 Dead Bodies'
  
  The skill set displayed by our SEALS in taking the pirates down deserves all the accolades it has inspired. And I think we all support the President’s decision to let the bullets fly if and when the on-scene commander deemed it necessary.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 3:22pm EDT
  

• Standing with Poland

  Earlier this week, the Senate found the time to pass a Resolution commemorating the postives of U.S.-Polish relations:
  
  S. RES. 9
  RESOLUTION
  Commemorating 90 years of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations, during which Poland has proven to be an exceptionally strong partner to the United States in advancing freedom around [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 3:31pm EDT
  

• Obama Speaks in Economic Tongues

  David Ignatius is onboard with the Obama platform. I get that much out of his open fan-like letter of a column today: Barack Obama's 'Post-Globalization' Vision and the G-20
  
  He concludes:
  
  “The G-20 summiteers should find Obama and his vision of a new foundation reassuring. This president' [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 2:40pm EDT
  

• Democratic spokesperson Lori Montgomery reports...

  Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) today issued an alternative to the budget plan offered by the President. Democratic response was swift as key party leaders claimed, among other things, that the plan would “cut taxes for business and the wealthy, freeze most government spending for five years, halt spending approved in [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 5:35pm EDT
  

• If they won't unclench their hands, we'll just give them a fist pump

  So, there was a conference today about Afghanistan – you know, the war that President Obama inherited from George Bush and now has made it his own – and among the over 80 participants was Iran. This proved fortuitous because it gave Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke an opportunity for [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 7:20pm EDT
  

• Professor Obama Explains Bankruptcy

  In July of last year, Candidate Obama released the following statement:
  
  “In recent weeks, I have met with the CEOs of both GM and Ford to talk with them about their economic challenges and about the need for everyone - from auto executives to the federal government - [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 3:40pm EDT
  

• President B.O. knows cars!

  Looking at their performance over the past decades, no one will accuse US-based automakers of great management. That said, the idea that this Administration somehow has a better handle on how to improve the auto industry is simply laughable. To much fanfare, the President announced his Auto Task Force [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
  

• In other news...

  We should all celebrate Good…and beating BC is ALWAYS an inherent Good: Holy Cross Defeats Boston College, 8-2
  
  “Sophomore Nick Ciardiello (Edison, N.J.) had a three-run home run and double for five RBI to lead the Holy Cross baseball team to an 8-2 win over Boston College [...]
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  Posted: March 26, 2009, 2:22pm EDT
  

• World Ends; Women Hit Hardest

  Eye Roll Alert: As Cuts Loom, Will Working From Home Lead to a Layoff?
  
  “With the recession forcing businesses to cut back on workers, employees are increasingly doing all they can to hang onto their jobs and are forgoing many of the benefits that once allowed them to [...]
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  Posted: March 23, 2009, 11:49am EDT
  

• The Administration Is Warily Outraged

  The proposed AIG Bonus Tax is a dumb tax; for Congress, it is nothing more than a CYA maneuver.
  
  And this response from the Administration is classic Barack Obama:
  
  “While acknowledging the legitimacy of the public outcry over at least $165 million in bonuses paid to executives at [...]
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  Posted: March 23, 2009, 9:21am EDT
  

• Congrats Soccer Dad

  I’m a little late to this but congratulations to our very own Soccer Dad who got a prominent linking in the widely-read Best of the Web. SD is a frequent contributor to the daily compilation by James Taranto at wsj.com.
  
  Best of the Web Today: The 102% Tax [...]
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  Posted: March 22, 2009, 11:24am EDT
  

• AIG: Public Enemy #1

  “No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.” U.S. Constitution Art. 1, Section 9
  
  I thought of that when I read this: Congress Looking at New Taxes on AIG Bonuses.
  
  “Senate Democrats will seek to recoup $165 million in bonuses paid to [...]
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  Posted: March 17, 2009, 4:01pm EDT
  

• "...full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"

  Just because I understand political posturing doesn’t mean I have to like it…or respect the source for engaging in it. The flail over AIG’s multi-million dollar bonus payout is Exhibit A.
  
  Obama: AIG Bonuses an 'Outrage' to Taxpayers
  
  “President Obama today blasted the plan of insurance giant [...]
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  Posted: March 16, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
  

• US to al-Qaida: No More Mr. Nice Guy!!

  If you slept a little sounder last night, our Attorney General explains why:
  
  “[I]t is essential that we operate in a manner that strengthens our national security, is consistent with our values and is governed by law."
  
  “"The change we've made today meets each of those standards' [...]
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  Posted: March 14, 2009, 1:34pm EDT
  

• GO CROSS!!

  Looking for what to do today? Well...
  
  All the really, really, really cool people will be wearing Purple at the Bender Arena (on the American University campus) today at 4:45 PM to cheer on Holy Cross in their Patriot League Championship game against AU.
  
  The really, really [...]
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  Posted: March 13, 2009, 11:47am EDT
  

• Wyoming's Dumb Luck...

  “Michigan, at 11.6 percent, had the highest unemployment rate. Wyoming, at 3.7 percent, had the lowest. Michigan is home to the nation's struggling automakers. Wyoming thrives on agriculture.” Washington Area Unemployment Rates Climb to Levels Not Seen in More Than a Decade - washingtonpost.com
  
  At the risk of' [...]
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  Posted: March 12, 2009, 7:42pm EDT
  

• Clean Coal - Cheap At Twice The Price

  It has become a kind of running joke among many of us on the right that no matter the problems the future brings, they’ll still be Bush’s fault. And, sure enough: Bush May Have Set Back 'Clean Coal' Efforts by 10 Years, Report Says
  
  “The Bush administration's decision' [...]
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  Posted: March 12, 2009, 2:57pm EDT
  

• At least it's not going for a golf tournament...

  Merrill to Pay $7 Million Fine for Squawk Box Abuse
  
  “Merrill Lynch agreed to pay a $7 million fine in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.”
  
  Great – now they’re using TARP money from the Federal Government to pay…the Federal Government. [...]
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  Posted: March 11, 2009, 4:43pm EDT
  

• Sudan Gets A Stern Talking To

  U.N.: Expelling Aid Groups From Darfur Could Endanger Lives
  
  “U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned today that the Sudanese government's order to expel foreign aid organizations in Darfur would "cause irrevocable damage to the humanitarian operations there," according to Ban's spokeswoman, Michele Montas…Ban appealed to Sudan to "urgently" [...]
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  Posted: March 05, 2009, 7:13pm EST
  

• John Kerry Knows His Audience

  Senator John Kerry has a very moving piece today in the Wall Street Journal Europe: Eastern Europe Needs Our Help
  
  “But as we balance the domestic and global demands of this crisis, we should be warned that, in cutting corners today we risk incurring far greater costs down [...]
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  Posted: March 05, 2009, 2:58pm EST
  

• Dog Bites Man

  Clinton Criticizes Israel's Eviction, Demolition Plans
  
  “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized the Israeli government on Wednesday for its plans to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, calling the actions "unhelpful" and a violation of international obligations.”
  
  I have no idea exactly what she' [...]
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  Posted: March 05, 2009, 10:52am EST
  

• Think multilaterally...then you don't have to act at all

  In the wake of the ICC’s arrest warrant for Sudanese President Bashir, today’s Washington Post has Obama allies General McPeak and Kurt Bassuener weighing in with more advice:
  
  “But prioritizing Darfur would make clear that the Obama administration can rally international cooperation to resolve thorny security problems….President [...]
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  Posted: March 05, 2009, 10:19am EST
  

• Form over Substance Justice

  I yield to no one in my utter disdain for the pretense that is the International Criminal Court (ICC). Well over two years ago (November 2006), this wannabe Court was all atwitter with excitement:
  
  “The International Criminal Court has found sufficient evidence to identify the perpetrators of [...]
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  Posted: March 04, 2009, 8:00pm EST
  

• So This is How the Obamas Got the Money to Payoff Those Student Loans

  While the rest of us chumps study the market with such analysis tools as the Price-Earnings ratio (PE), President Obama clues us in on what we really should be looking at:
  
  "On the other hand, what you're now seeing is profit and earning ratios are starting to get to'" [...]
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  Posted: March 03, 2009, 6:51pm EST
  

• We'll have to get back to you on Iran...

  Per today’s washingtonpost.com:
  
  “President Obama has sent a letter to his Russian counterpart that raises the prospect of the United States halting development of its missile defense program in Eastern Europe if Russia helps resolve the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program, senior administration officials said last night….Obama's [...]
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  Posted: March 03, 2009, 11:33am EST
  

• Achieving a "comprehensive peace" - one pointless conference at a time

  Imagine if Washington Post writer Glenn Kessler had been covering post-war Japan:
  
  “Japan…was devastated by a recent 3-year war between the US and Japan, launched by the US after trade talks broke down and Japan bombed the crap out of Pearl Harbor.”
  
  But instead he covers the Mideast [...]
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  Posted: March 02, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  

• Al Gore: "It's Not Just Me"

  Snow Blankets Washington Area
  Region Braces for What Could Be Largest Winter Storm in Three Years
  
  The first to correctly call for the snow storm? Greg Pollowitz over at NRO…this past December 18th: Save the Date
  
  "Anyone want to bet on a snowstorm hitting D.C." [...]
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  Posted: March 02, 2009, 11:08am EST
  

• Snark as a National Treasure

  This looks like a book one can safely ignore and still come off as well-read: 'Snark' Author Scowls at America's Web-Inspired Mean Streak
  
  “This is a book claiming that abusive snideness has caused everything from the demise of journalism to Al Gore's failed 2000 election.”
  
  Snark helped [...]
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  Posted: March 01, 2009, 12:24pm EST
  

• Posturing for her Peeps

  Soccer Dad has a recent posting on a predictable “typical anti-Israel boilerplate” rant by Joe Klein. What struck me was this bit from Klein’s piece:
  
  “Clinton is right, for example: Israel's strangle-hold on the Gaza crossings gave Hamas a rationale for its rocketing of innocent Israeli civilians.”
  [...]
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  Posted: February 28, 2009, 1:46pm EST
  

• A Steve Pearlstein Flashback

  Steve Pearlstein – he of the no training in economics – has a column today calling on all of us to finally recognize the awesomeness of President Obama. We should do so for the good of the country:
  
  “The essential insight of Barack Obama has been to [...]
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  Posted: February 27, 2009, 10:12am EST
  

• The Greener Grass of Foreign Economies

  From the President’s speech on Tuesday:
  
  “We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy efficient. We invented solar technology, but we’ve [...]
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  Posted: February 26, 2009, 9:27am EST
  

• Some Quick Hits on The Speech

  U.S. Stocks Fall in Early Trading
  
  “Stocks fell sharply lower this morning after a new report showed that existing home sales fell to their lowest level in 11 years, providing fresh concern about the continuing downward spiral of the housing market.”
  
  Yeah – that was it. And [...]
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  Posted: February 25, 2009, 2:11pm EST
  

• Channeling Dick Cheney

  A little more than a month into the Obama Administration and:

  President Obama has left our military presence in Iraq virtually unchanged from the level left by President Bush;Obama to Send 17,000 Troops to Afghanistan;President Obama has allowed Guantanamo to remain open and continue to hold the prisoners sent there [...]
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  Posted: February 23, 2009, 10:30am EST
  

• Huh??

  CNNMoney.com
  Stocks sink to 3-month lows
  Financials lead a selloff sparked by worries the $787 billion stimulus plan won't go far enough. Automakers in the hot seat.
  
  They think the market is collectively worried that the stimulus DOESN”T go far enough??' [...]
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  Posted: February 17, 2009, 1:37pm EST
  

• Hurry Up and Wait

  Remember when the President scolded us:
  
  “[E]ach day we wait to begin the work of turning our economy around, more people lose their jobs, their savings and their homes…That's why I feel such a sense of urgency about the recovery plan before Congress.”
  
  Well, the so-called stimulus' [...]
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  Posted: February 16, 2009, 5:59am EST
  

• Inside Insight on What the Gregg Departure Means

  Chris Cillizza et al. at The Fix on Washingtonpost.com: Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Nominee :
  
  “This is a cataclysmic shock on what had been the quietest day so far in Washington since Obama took office, and highlights the perils of Obama's efforts to put Republicans -- including a' [...]
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  Posted: February 12, 2009, 8:32pm EST
  

• The Obama Glass has some Kool-Aid in it...

  ...and Ruth Marcus is drinking it: Obama Has Bad Week, But Good Start
  
  Really, she’s serious:
  
  “To everyone out there despairing -- or rejoicing -- about the Obama administration's supposedly rocky start: Settle down. It's actually going rather well.”
  
  For those of us not possessing her [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 4:41pm EST
  

• Good News in Baseball

  Good news if you’re a Nationals fan: Nationals sign Dunn to two-year deal MLB.com: News
  
  Good news if you’re an Oriole fan: Tejada pleads guilty to lying MLB.com: News
  
  …because this guy is no longer an Oriole.
  
  Side Note: What’s particularly galling about all those [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 3:42pm EST
  

• Corporate Greed Runs Amuck

  Classic: Husband of Rep. Solis, Labor nominee, settles tax liens
  
  “The husband of President Obama's choice to head the Labor Department paid about $6,400 Wednesday to settle tax liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years against his business, the Obama administration said Thursday."
  [...]
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  Posted: February 05, 2009, 4:36pm EST
  

• Wait a minute; You Mean He's NOT the Messiah?

  From the same mind that gave us this:
  
  “…this is a nonviable fetus; that if that fetus, or child — however way you want to describe it — … there’s, let’s say, movement or some indication that, in fact, they’re not just coming out limp and dead, that, in [...]
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  Posted: February 05, 2009, 1:04pm EST
  

• You Do the Math

  Our President:
  
  "And if nothing is done, this recession might linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs…That's why I feel such a sense of urgency about the recovery plan before Congress. With it, we will create or save more than 3 million jobs over the" [...]
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  Posted: February 05, 2009, 10:04am EST