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SEPTEMBER 1,  2011

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

MAPS ARE AVAILABLE – Esteemed Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, who doesn't make the papers too often, has proudly announced that she has purchased a new car – a Chevrolet Equinox.  And, in a tribute to the American workers she presumably fights for, she expressed her pride that it's made in the USA.  Uh...well...not quite.  Seems the Equinox is actually made in Canada.  And, of course, it was recently revealed that President Obama's new campaign bus was partly made in Canada as well.  Now, we love Canada, one of our closest friends.  But you'd think both the White House and the secretary of labor would do a little checkin' before they do a little buyin'.  Online geography courses are available, for credit.

THREAT FROM CASTROVILLE – A respected Italian newspaper is reporting that Hezbollah, a recognized terrorist organization controlled by Iran, now has bases in Castro's Cuba.  The cells are in contact with other Hezbollah operatives in Latin America, especially in Venezuela.  It is believed they are planning attacks in this hemisphere, and that would have to include attacks in the United States, possibly across our southern border.

WANTED – A California college professor is wanted on suspicion of leading a motorcycle gang and distributing meth to drug dealers.  Steve Kinzey teaches physical education at California State University.  Kinzey's live-in girlfriend and six others were arrested on drug-related charges.  I think it is disgraceful that a teacher of physical education should ride motorcycles when he can be jogging or walking briskly.  What have we come to as a nation? 

PERRY LEADS IN NEW FOX POLL – He leads Romney 26% to 18%.  But there are clouds.  That isn't a particularly big lead, and important chunks of the electorate are starting to view Perry as "too extreme."  He's being "Reaganized" by the press, which attempted to portray Mr. Reagan as an uneducated bomb thrower in 1980.  Reagan fought back, and the image of reasonableness and good humor that he projected defeated the smear artists.  Perry now enters a hazardous period, with three major debates in September, starting with one at the Reagan Library next week.  He must do what Reagan did, or risk being sent to the margins very quickly.  He's a smart guy, and a good campaigner, and I think he can do it...if he wants to.

September 1, 2011       Permalink

MAN OF THE WEST – AT 10:15 A.M. ET:  Representative Alan West of Florida is emerging as one of the most spirited conservatives in the new House class.  A retired Army lieutenant colonel, he is a Republican African-American.  As such, he's regarded as something of a suspicious character by much of the Washington press corps.  This year's Clarence Thomas.

West will not be silenced or sidetracked.  He is a favorite of the Tea Party, and now, in response to vicious attacks on that group by several of his African-American colleagues, he's sprung into action, as The Daily Caller reports:

In response to recent comments made by Indiana Democratic Rep. Andre Carson and California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters that denigrate the tea party movement, Florida Republican Rep. Allen West — a member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Tea Party Caucus — sent a letter to CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver Wednesday requesting that the body condemn such remarks.

“As Chairman of the CBC, I believe it is incumbent on you to both condemn these types of hate-filled comments, and to disassociate the Congressional Black Caucus from these types of remarks. Otherwise, I will have to seriously reconsider my membership within the organization,” West wrote.

The freshman congressman declared, “It is unconscionable when a fellow CBC Member, Congressman Andre Carson, comes to South Florida and claims that some in the Tea Party would love to see black Americans ‘hanging on a tree.’ It is appalling to hear another CBC colleague, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, say ‘The Tea Party can go straight to hell.’”

West added that Carson’s comments, which caricature the tea party movement as a group of racists, are “baseless” and “desperate.” West reiterated that the movement is focused on fiscal responsibility and American exceptionalism and wrote that the the CBC should be working to end the “balkanisation” of America.

COMMENT:   Here is a guy with political guts.  The CBC would undoubtedly be glad to see him go, as he doesn't toe the liberal-leftist line.  I hope he has the satisfaction of resigning before they kick him out. 

I also hope he has the satisfaction of seeing his star rise.  He could do wonders, convincing African-Americans that their loyalty to the Democratic Party has resulted in almost nothing.  They are the most loyal group within the party.  If that loyalty can be shaken, the Dems would apply as a group for early political retirement.

September 1, 2011        Permalink

DELIGHTFUL AND DELOVELY – AT 9:21 A.M. ET:  Many readers ask why I don't write more about the performing arts, where I spent some of my career.  I pledge that I will, then I don't, but I'll pledge again.

That having been said, you must check out the short, fluffy and endearing interview of Doris Day in London's Telegraph.  The interviewer:  Sir Paul McCartney.  Now here are two real legends talking to each other.  The occasion is the release, at age 87, of Doris Day's first album of new material in 17 years.  Doris is one of the top, best-selling recording artists of all time. 

Those of us of a certain age remember Doris Day as the quintessential "girl next door" of American movies of the 1950s.  It had not, however, always been that way.  She shot to fame in 1945 with "Sentimental Journey," a favorite of GIs coming home from World War II.  And she became, with her sultry voice, a terrific torch singer.  But when she went to Hollywood her peachy-cream looks spelled "wholesome" to the casting people, and Doris Day was transformed.  This led Oscar Levant, one of the leading wits of the time, to remark, "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin."

Her rendition of "Que Sera, Sera," in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much," became a screen classic, and mothers around the nation started singing it to their children as a goodnight song.

Doris Day's interview with Sir Paul marks her reemergence after many years of guarded privacy.  Sir Paul went to her home in Carmel, California to conduct it.  I'm sure he doesn't give that treatment to too many people.

September 1, 2011       Permalink

GRIMNESS, INC. – AT 8:51 A.M. ET:  President Obama speaks to the nation next week about the economy.  He won't have any great numbers to hold up.  The news continues grim.  Now even manufacturing, which had been a bit of a bright spot, is starting to show tarnish.  From Bloomberg:

U.S. manufacturing probably shrank in August for the first time in two years, raising the risk the slowing recovery may lose one of its biggest sources of strength, economists said before a report today.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell to 48.5 last month from 50.9 in July, according to the median estimate of 80 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. The dividing line between expansion and contraction is 50, a level that the gauge last fell below in July 2009.

Slower global growth, volatile financial markets and the debate over government budgets around the world have clouded the outlooks of corporations and consumers. Manufacturers like La-Z- Boy Inc. and Toro Co. (TTC) are gauging the strength of demand as unemployment holds above 9 percent and companies delay expansion plans.

 “Manufacturers have taken a step back and are in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities International Inc. in New York. “Before they rush ahead or proceed with longer-range projects, they want to get a clearer assessment of where they and the rest of the world think the economy is headed.”

The jobless report has just been issued, indicating 409,000 jobless claims last week.  Any number above 400,000 is considered very bad.

The combination of factors do not point to a strong 2012, which President Obama would need to ward off the moving vans.  But, then, the Republicans can mess things up.  They practice all the time.

September 1, 2011       Permalink

CLOSE IN NEW YORK CITY– AT 8:02 A.M. ET:  One of the great political myths is that all New Yorkers are ultra-liberals who pine for George McGovern and even have kind things to say about Lenin.

Not quite true.  New York City is predominantly liberal, but can swing wildly if the situation calls for it.  In fact, New York City hasn't elected a Democratic mayor in 22 years.  Even New Yorkers wised up.

And so I'm not entirely astonished by what's happening in Anthony Weiner's old congressional district.  You remember Weiner, don't you?  He had to resign from Congress recently after suggestive pictures of him appeared on the internet.  He apparently had dreams of being a Playboy centerfold, but couldn't get the gender right.

A special election is about to be held in Weiner's district.  Weiner used to win in a walk.  But this race has become competitive, with the possiblity – just the possibility – of a Republican upset.  The reason?  Barack Obama, who has become unpopular with many New Yorkers.  And they're letting him know it...at the ballot box.   From RealClearPolitics:

“This is not the Upper East Side of Manhattan; this is a conservative, working-class district, and it means something different to be a Democrat,” says Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute, who found that 42 percent of Democrats have an unfavorable opinion of the president. “If you hold the president up as a straw man, if he represents complete allegiance to the Democratic Party and rejection of current Republican critique, it’s not solid in this district; it’s by no means, right now, a rubber stamp district for the Democrats.”

Noted New York Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf: “It’s not an Obama Democrat district, it’s a Harry Truman Democrat district, which means people can do almost anything given an opportunity of alternatives.” Recognizing that opportunity, national Republicans have poured money into this race.

COMMENT:  Those are key words:  "A Harry Truman district."  These are Democrats who believe in national defense, didn't think the North Vietnamese were great guys, and know who attacked us on 9-11.  They are somewhat liberal domestically, but are getting tired of schools that don't teach and social programs that don't produce. 

These are the Democrats the Democratic Party abandoned in the late 60s and early 70s.  Indeed, the predominant voices in the party have contempt for them.  Many became Reagan Democrats in 1980.

Can a Republican win?  The Republican candidate, Bob Turner, is, according to a recent poll, within six points of the anointed Dem candidate, David Weprin.  The odds still favor Weprin, but strange things are happening.

The election is September 13th.  Stand by.

September 1, 2011     Permalink

AUGUST 31,  2011

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:48 P.M. ET:

NO CIVIL WAR THIS TIME – Our great constitutional crisis is over.  (Please see our 6:57 P.M. post).  President Obama has backed off his request to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress on September 7th, at the same hour of a major Republican presidential debate.  Speaker Boehner had gently advised the president to bug off and come the next night.  The president has now agreed.  Even Rick Perry agrees there will be no secession over this incident.  The  president's request was widely seen as tacky, an attempt to take TV attention away from the GOP.  Now the debate and the speech will occur on separate nights.

A FULLY STOCKED HEADACHE – The major stock averages have suffered their worst August in ten years.  Our general economic problems were compounded by a serious debt crisis in Europe and, of course, by Standard & Poor's downgrading of the credit of the United States, the first time in our history that has been done.  In addition, the housing market, which represents the largest life investment for most Americans, continued awful, and possibly heading for more awful.  Happy days are here again.

HOLLYWOOD TURKEYS – Hollywood flopped again this summer.  While worldwide revenues are up a bit, movie attendance in the United States dropped for the fourth straight year.  Even hardened hype artists concede that this is now a trend in this country.  The reasons?  These are mine:  1) Rotten movies, most of which appeal only to a small, youthful segment of the audience; 2) ridiculously high ticket prices, especially at a time of economic squeeze; 3) a corrupted industry run by its least talented people, who have little understanding of how to put the "show" back in show business;  4) the reality that the most creative people no longer work in Hollywood, or necessarily want to.

FRANCE WARNS IRAN – With President Obama leading from behind, way behind, some other leaders with a higher guts quotient are taking up part of the fight against international thugs.  French President Sarkozy is warning Iran that continued Iranian attempts to build a nuclear bomb, and develop long-range missiles could lead to a preemptive attack by other nations.  Sarkozy said that this could lead to a major international crisis that Paris is determined to avoid.  Sarkozy charged that Iran is not negotiating seriously over the issue.  He did not name the country, or countries, who might launch a preemptive strike, but most observers believe he had Israel, perhaps with US backing, in mind.

August 31, 2011       Permalink

OH, A LOVELY LITTLE FIGHT – AT 6:57 P.M. ET:  How's this for small-timing it?  The White House requested permission for the president to address a joint session of Congress on the subject of jobs on the evening of September 7th.  Piece of cake, right?

Wrong.

The time coincides exactly with a major Republican presidential candidates' debate in California.  This is really tacky stuff.  The White House can't claim it didn't know about the debate.  It's on everyone's political calendar.  Clearly, this was an attempt to knock the Republicans off the air. 

Normally when the president makes such a request, Congress rolls over and plays dead, and the president gets what he wants.  But hero-of-the-hour John Boehner, speaker of the House, simply refuses to go along.  He has sent a very courteous letter back to the president suggesting that the chief executive delay his speech until the next night.  The House returns from vacation on the 7th, after all, said the speaker, and there's just so much to do.  And, you know, all those security checks when the president comes.  Much too much Housework for one day.  Very courteous, but you could feel the blade.

And that's where it stands.  Who will give in?  The president should.  Let's see if that crowd can rise above tackiness.

Stand by.

August 31, 2011     Permalink

WISE PRECAUTIONS – AT 10:14 A.M. ET:  We are just days away from the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  There will be major commemorations, retrospectives, and speeches, both intelligent and not.

The security services are stepping up precautions, concerned that some of our harmless, misunderstood friends from the East might be planning a commemoration of their own.  Now, while we understand their cultural traditions, and we deeply respect them, we must caution our warm friends against excess.  From Fox News: 

WASHINGTON -- The federal government is escalating security around the country in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and conducting confidential briefings with state and local law enforcement organizations. But officials say there is no specific indication that a terror plot against the U.S. is under way.

Americans can expect more security at airports, mass transit stations, U.S. borders, government buildings and major athletic events over the next month, said an intelligence official who spoke anonymously to discuss sensitive security matters.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department have been briefing state and local law enforcement agencies on potential terror threats to the U.S. and ways to increase security in their communities.

The briefings are routine, and security has been enhanced for other major events in the past decade. But the significance of the 10-year anniversary of the worst terror attacks on U.S. soil is not lost on security officials, who fear that someone with terrorist sympathies might see 9/11 as an opportunity to make a statement.

"It's been a long buildup as we approach the anniversary of 9/11," said Sean Duggan, assistant chief at the Scottsdale, Ariz., Police Department. Duggan said his department gets daily updates from the FBI and Homeland Security Department. But over the past two months, the focus has been on the 10th anniversary of the terror hijackings.

"We know this is a significant date," Duggan said. "Other than taking physical precautions, we have not been briefed on any specific threat other than the obvious -- knowing what this date means in our history.

COMMENT:  I think we should add that lone wolf attacks may well be more of a possibility than something big or organized.  An individual can make a statement with very little preparation, as Major Hassan allegedly did at Fort Hood.

August 31, 2011       Permalink 

IRENE AGAIN – AT 9:44 A.M. ET:  We expressed our skepticism earlier about the overhyping of Hurricane Irene.  Certainly some of the end-of-the-world predictions turned out to be ridiculous.

But we must acknowledge the flooding that the storm left in its wake.  It is very severe in parts of New Jersey and Vermont.   The damage is not in areas that were predicted to be hard hit, but that doesn't lessen our concern for those communities.  Irene turned out to be a horrible storm, just not in ways that were foreseen. 

At the same time, discussion about Irene has, naturally, descended into petty Washington politics.  Some ill-advised comments by Republican leaders – and they have that knack – gave the impression that they were skinflints who would hold back aid to stricken towns until the aid could be offset by savings elsewhere...not the kind of comment that works in an emergency, when people are being forced out of their homes.  Fortunately, the leaders realized their error and moved quickly to explain.  The explanation, from the office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, is thoughtful and correct:

“People and families affected by these disasters will certainly get what they need from their federal government,” Dayspring said. “The goal should always be to find ways to pay for what is needed or to find offsets whenever possible, that is the responsible thing to do. Clearly when disasters and emergencies happen, people expect their government to treat them as national priorities and respond properly. People also expect their government to spend their dollars wisely, and to make efforts to prioritize and save when possible. They aren’t and shouldn’t be considered mutually exclusive concepts.”

That is true, but you've got to get the words right the first time.  Republicans, in my view, still don't understand the impact of a biased press, and how that press will once again do its job for its favorite president.  Any foolish statements by Republicans will be broadcast to every hall closet in the country.  Foolishness by the Dems will be overlooked.  That bias has got to be worth points in an election, and, I believe, had much to do with Obama's victory in 2008. 

Think before you speak, fellas.

August 31, 2011       Permalink

APPALLING – AT 9:23 A.M. ET:  In contrast to the good thoughts reported in our first post this morning, there has been another obscene attempt to play the race card, as we approach the 2012 election.  We'd love to see how the mainstream media responds to this.  From The Politico:

A top lawmaker in the Congressional Black Caucus says tea partiers on Capitol Hill would like to see African Americans hanging from trees and accuses the movement of wishing for a return to the Jim Crow era.

Rep. Andre Carson, a Democrat from Indiana who serves as the CBC’s chief vote counter, said at a CBC event in Miami that some in Congress would “love to see us as second-class citizens” and “some of them in Congress right now of this tea party movement would love to see you and me…hanging on a tree.”

Carson also said the tea party is stopping change in Congress, likening it to “the effort that we’re seeing of Jim Crow.”

The explosive comments, caught on tape, were uploaded on the internet Tuesday, and Carson’s office stood by the remarks. Jason Tomcsi, Carson’s spokesman, said the comment was “in response to frustration voiced by many in Miami and in his home district in Indianapolis regarding Congress’ inability to bolster the economy.” Tomcsi, in an email, wrote that “the congressman used strong language because the Tea Party agenda jeopardizes our most vulnerable and leaves them without the ability to improve their economic standing..."

COMMENT:  I'm afraid we're going to see more of that as the election draws nearer.  It is a device used to bring out the vote, to scare people into rushing to the polls to elect the same old failures and professional politicians.  Carson inherited his congressional seat from his grandmother.  We know of no accomplishment that he can point to as a member of Congress.

August 31, 2011       Permalink

CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE – AT 8:55 A.M. ET:  We give credit where it's due here, regardless of party, so we're happy to join Bill Kristol and other conservatives in praising the eloquent speech given by President Obama before the American Legion, in which the president paid tribute to the 9/11 generation of American military men and women:

"Today, as we near this solemn anniversary, it's fitting that we salute the extraordinary decade of service rendered by the 9/11 Generation-the more than five million Americans who have worn the uniform over the past ten years. They were there, on duty, that September morning, having enlisted in a time of peace, but they instantly transitioned to a war footing. They're the millions of recruits who have stepped forward since, seeing their nation at war and saying "send me." They're every single Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman serving today, who has volunteered to serve in a time of war, knowing they could be sent into harm's way....

"A generation of innovators, they've changed the way America fights and wins its wars. Raised in the age of the Internet, they've harnessed new technologies on the battlefield. They've learned the cultures, traditions and languages of the places they've served. Trained to fight, they've taken on the role of diplomats, mayors and development experts, negotiating with tribal sheikhs, working with village shuras, and partnering with communities. Young captains, sergeants and lieutenants have assumed responsibilities once reserved for more senior commanders, reminding us that in an era when so many other institutions have shirked their obligations, the men and women of the United States military welcome responsibility.

"In a decade of war, they have borne an extraordinary burden, with more than two million of our service members deploying to the warzones. Hundreds of thousands have deployed again and again, year after year. Never before has our nation asked so much of our all-volunteer force-that one percent of Americans who wears the uniform..."

COMMENT:  In each generation, the elders express skepticism about the young ones.  Are they good enough?  Will they meet the challenge?  Frankly, since the 1960s, it's been rather easy to be skeptical. 

But the fact is that, especially in America's heartland, we still have young people with excellent values who are willing to put themselves on the line for their country.  Even a corrupt educational system has not deterred them.  Even the ridicule they often receive from "sophisticates" has not held them back.

We wish the rest of President Obama's policies were as supportive of the military as his speech was.  But the speech is a good start.  To carry out the spirit of that speech, he might examine some of the appointments he's made to his administration, like Samantha Power, or some of the foolish things he's done, like compromising the space program or refusing to develop domestic energy resources. 

Occasionally he strikes the right tone, and he did in his American Legion speech.

August 31, 2011     Permalink