It appears that Fred Thompson has all but announced his intention to seek the GOP presidential nomination. He had indicated that an announcement was coming in June but this USAToday interview/story doesn't leave much doubt.
I've been pretty sure that he was coming in and I figured he needed to do it fairly soon if he wanted any chance to collect significant campaign funds. He's been a strong 3rd or 4th in many polls without actually announcing his candidacy. Interestingly, his entry may signal the death knell for the McCain campaign, which has been fading fast anyway.
As you know, I'm backing Rudy, but Fred is a guy I would strongly support if he should get the nomination over Rudy. What I'd really like, though, is a Rudy/Fred ticket.
Update: Prof. Bainbridge tells us why he likes Fred (and maybe why we should, too).
HT: Instapundit
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Rudy's Appeal to Social Conservatives
Rudy Giuliani continues to confound pundits who were certain that he could not stay in the GOP nomination race because of his socially liberal views. Instead of being shunned by social conservatives, he is increasingly finding supporters in this group. It appears that Rudy has convinced many that perfect positions on gay marriage or abortion will matter little if we cannot be secure from terrorism.
Take a look at Rudy's leadership video posted on YouTube. He makes several good points about the fact that he is quite conservative on many fronts. So far, appeals like this one are working.
Take a look at Rudy's leadership video posted on YouTube. He makes several good points about the fact that he is quite conservative on many fronts. So far, appeals like this one are working.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
pot-pourri
A couple of brief political and personal notes from the Gates Memorial Day service.
First, our Town of Gates' Blogger Lee Strong must get some kudos for the power of his "pen" (mouse?). Lee chided County Legislator Steve Eckel for being a no-show at most Gates functions. Eckel made the Memorial Day event, courtesy of (it is to be assumed) Sue Swanton, who apparently relayed Lee's message.
Second, Lee bristles at claims that he has "Democrat cohorts". It could be, however, that this impression is derived from his regularly sitting with Sue Swanton and Democrat candidates and officials at most public events. If he wants to be bi-partisan, I'd be happy to sit with him. After all, I am a member (honorary) of the Friends of the Gates Library.
Finally, I was glad to have my son with me. He is 9 going on 10, and, like most kids his age, he has rather little idea of the underlying meaning of Memorial Day. He was a little reluctant to get up and go to the service, but I insisted. I explained that it was important to go and show our respect and gratitude for the sacrifice of those many soldiers and their families. I think he got it, at least, a little. I'll keep working on him. I consider it part of my responsibility to educate him in what it means to be a good citizen.
First, our Town of Gates' Blogger Lee Strong must get some kudos for the power of his "pen" (mouse?). Lee chided County Legislator Steve Eckel for being a no-show at most Gates functions. Eckel made the Memorial Day event, courtesy of (it is to be assumed) Sue Swanton, who apparently relayed Lee's message.
Second, Lee bristles at claims that he has "Democrat cohorts". It could be, however, that this impression is derived from his regularly sitting with Sue Swanton and Democrat candidates and officials at most public events. If he wants to be bi-partisan, I'd be happy to sit with him. After all, I am a member (honorary) of the Friends of the Gates Library.
Finally, I was glad to have my son with me. He is 9 going on 10, and, like most kids his age, he has rather little idea of the underlying meaning of Memorial Day. He was a little reluctant to get up and go to the service, but I insisted. I explained that it was important to go and show our respect and gratitude for the sacrifice of those many soldiers and their families. I think he got it, at least, a little. I'll keep working on him. I consider it part of my responsibility to educate him in what it means to be a good citizen.
Render Unto Caesar
In church with my family this weekend, I was unhappy to find politics intruding into worship.
During our prayers for God's help, one of the requests was for Congress to have the wisdom to enact compassionate immigration reform. Rather than offer my "hear us, O Lord", I found myself issuing some rather un-christian mutterings.
I realize that the Council of Catholic Bishops has called for the passage of the Immigration Bill before Congress. Still, I disagree that this is an issue of social justice rather than law and politics. Social justice concerns require us to treat the illegal aliens in this country in a compassionate way, even as our laws require them to face deportation or other punishment for violating our nation's laws. It does not require us to ignore the fact that they did violate those laws, nor does it require us to give amnesty for their crimes.
George W. Bush expressed how social justice concerns required us to act towards illegals, when he was governor of Texas. In the face of a growing illegal immigrant incursion, California had just passed a law that would deny education, health care and social service assistance to illegals and their children. Texas was faced with a similar problem and Bush was asked if Texas ought not pass a similar law. He said that while it was appropriate to try to keep illegals out of the country, once an alien child was in Texas, Texas was going to feed, educate, and care for that child.
That properly expresses the balance that should be sought on immigration policy. We have a right to keep illegal aliens out of our country. The current group of illegals may ultimately be allowed to stay, but only after they take steps to show they want to become Americans, not just vacuum up some dollars to be sent "home" to Mexico. While here, these people and their children should be treated fairly (as they are, by and large).
Meanwhile, I am thinking of writing my pastor. I recently agreed to his plea for increased weekly donations. I want to let him know that when I disagree with politicians, my donations start to dry up.
During our prayers for God's help, one of the requests was for Congress to have the wisdom to enact compassionate immigration reform. Rather than offer my "hear us, O Lord", I found myself issuing some rather un-christian mutterings.
I realize that the Council of Catholic Bishops has called for the passage of the Immigration Bill before Congress. Still, I disagree that this is an issue of social justice rather than law and politics. Social justice concerns require us to treat the illegal aliens in this country in a compassionate way, even as our laws require them to face deportation or other punishment for violating our nation's laws. It does not require us to ignore the fact that they did violate those laws, nor does it require us to give amnesty for their crimes.
George W. Bush expressed how social justice concerns required us to act towards illegals, when he was governor of Texas. In the face of a growing illegal immigrant incursion, California had just passed a law that would deny education, health care and social service assistance to illegals and their children. Texas was faced with a similar problem and Bush was asked if Texas ought not pass a similar law. He said that while it was appropriate to try to keep illegals out of the country, once an alien child was in Texas, Texas was going to feed, educate, and care for that child.
That properly expresses the balance that should be sought on immigration policy. We have a right to keep illegal aliens out of our country. The current group of illegals may ultimately be allowed to stay, but only after they take steps to show they want to become Americans, not just vacuum up some dollars to be sent "home" to Mexico. While here, these people and their children should be treated fairly (as they are, by and large).
Meanwhile, I am thinking of writing my pastor. I recently agreed to his plea for increased weekly donations. I want to let him know that when I disagree with politicians, my donations start to dry up.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day: Part 2
I attended the Memorial Day Service this morning with my son Joe.
He noticed that many of the veterans were very old. Some of them had a hard time standing up to accept our grateful applause. Carrying the flags and firing their rifles in the 21 gun salute have become difficult chores.
There was one Viet Nam veteran there, still able to wear his uniform from 35-40 years ago. It was stunning to realize how long ago that war was; and that war is still with us, having shifted from Southeast Asia to the Middle East.
Two veterans of the Iraq War spoke today. They are clearly from the modern era. They served willingly but not, perhaps, with the blind faith of those aging WWII vets. They discussed their frustrations with the War from too few troops to get the job done to a media whose agenda leads to slanted reporting. They were truly citizen soldiers, citizens who would speak their minds even as they were soldiers doing their duty. One hopes that bodes well for the future. Perhaps such citizen soldiers will become leaders who will understand that war must be a last resort, something to be avoided, if at all possible, but who also understand that there are some evils that must be confronted, even at the cost of American lives.
Finally, two posts from PowerLine that speak to the day far better than I can:
Memorial Day from Veteran's Perspectives
The sad reality of war
He noticed that many of the veterans were very old. Some of them had a hard time standing up to accept our grateful applause. Carrying the flags and firing their rifles in the 21 gun salute have become difficult chores.
There was one Viet Nam veteran there, still able to wear his uniform from 35-40 years ago. It was stunning to realize how long ago that war was; and that war is still with us, having shifted from Southeast Asia to the Middle East.
Two veterans of the Iraq War spoke today. They are clearly from the modern era. They served willingly but not, perhaps, with the blind faith of those aging WWII vets. They discussed their frustrations with the War from too few troops to get the job done to a media whose agenda leads to slanted reporting. They were truly citizen soldiers, citizens who would speak their minds even as they were soldiers doing their duty. One hopes that bodes well for the future. Perhaps such citizen soldiers will become leaders who will understand that war must be a last resort, something to be avoided, if at all possible, but who also understand that there are some evils that must be confronted, even at the cost of American lives.
Finally, two posts from PowerLine that speak to the day far better than I can:
Memorial Day from Veteran's Perspectives
The sad reality of war
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Memorial Day: "the last full measure of devotion"
Tomorrow, we will celebrate Memorial Day. I was reminded by a comment I received, that many, perhaps even some at our local newspaper, do not understand the true meaning of the day.
Unfortunately, for many of us, Memorial Day is little more than the beginning of summer and part of a three-day weekend. It's obviously supposed to have a very solemn meaning as a day of remembrance of our war dead.
Here's a brief essay regarding the true meaning.
Let's all take some time tomorrow, and remember that the reason we live in a country of such freedom and abundance is in no small part due to those who gave their lives for us all. Given that we have countrymen fighting in two wars for us as this is written, we can do no less.
Gates Residents: Don't forget the Town of Gates Memorial Day service will be held Monday, at 9:00 am, in front of the Town Hall.
Unfortunately, for many of us, Memorial Day is little more than the beginning of summer and part of a three-day weekend. It's obviously supposed to have a very solemn meaning as a day of remembrance of our war dead.
Here's a brief essay regarding the true meaning.
Let's all take some time tomorrow, and remember that the reason we live in a country of such freedom and abundance is in no small part due to those who gave their lives for us all. Given that we have countrymen fighting in two wars for us as this is written, we can do no less.
Gates Residents: Don't forget the Town of Gates Memorial Day service will be held Monday, at 9:00 am, in front of the Town Hall.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
An Optimistic Note From Victor Hanson
Victor Davis Hanson wants us in America to cheer up a bit. Take a look at this upbeat piece in which he points out that things may not be quite as bad as they seem.
He reminds us that American exceptionalism has been the rule for over two centuries and that we should not necessarily assume that we won't overcome today's challenges as we have yesterday's:
"A better way to assess our chances at maintaining our preeminence is simply to ask the same questions that are the historical barometers of our nation's success or failure: Does any nation have a constitution comparable to ours? Does merit -- or religion, tribe or class -- mostly gauge success or failure in America? What nation is as free, stable and transparent as the U.S.?
Try becoming a fully accepted citizen of China or Japan if you were not born Chinese or Japanese. Try running for national office in India from the lower caste. Try writing a critical op-ed in Russia or hiring a brilliant female to run a mosque, university or hospital in most of the Middle East. Ask where MRI scans, Wal-Mart, iPods, the Internet or F-18s came from.
In the last 60 years, we have been warned in succession that new paradigms in racially pure Germany, the Soviet workers' paradise, Japan Inc. and now 24/7 China all were about to displace the United States. None did. All have had relative moments of amazing success -- but in the end none proved as resilient, flexible and adaptable as America."
I love the way Hanson supports his views with historical examples. It makes it much easier to accept his premises. Thanks for the lift, professor.
He reminds us that American exceptionalism has been the rule for over two centuries and that we should not necessarily assume that we won't overcome today's challenges as we have yesterday's:
"A better way to assess our chances at maintaining our preeminence is simply to ask the same questions that are the historical barometers of our nation's success or failure: Does any nation have a constitution comparable to ours? Does merit -- or religion, tribe or class -- mostly gauge success or failure in America? What nation is as free, stable and transparent as the U.S.?
Try becoming a fully accepted citizen of China or Japan if you were not born Chinese or Japanese. Try running for national office in India from the lower caste. Try writing a critical op-ed in Russia or hiring a brilliant female to run a mosque, university or hospital in most of the Middle East. Ask where MRI scans, Wal-Mart, iPods, the Internet or F-18s came from.
In the last 60 years, we have been warned in succession that new paradigms in racially pure Germany, the Soviet workers' paradise, Japan Inc. and now 24/7 China all were about to displace the United States. None did. All have had relative moments of amazing success -- but in the end none proved as resilient, flexible and adaptable as America."
I love the way Hanson supports his views with historical examples. It makes it much easier to accept his premises. Thanks for the lift, professor.
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