Category: Old Dish

Why the reform makes political and economic sense for conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The most tragic was the failure in the early days after the invasion to fulfill the ‘first duty’ of an occupying power: providing basic security. Much has been made of the looting that occurred immediately after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, but [Noah] Feldman notes the essential point: by allowing the looting to proceed, American forces sent a clear message ‘that the United States was not in charge, and that no one else was, either.’ Iraqis had to seek security for themselves in what was for a time a state of anarchy, and it was hardly surprising that they turned to their own kind for protection. Feldman says that it was not ‘ancient’ ethnic and religious differences that empowered armed militias, but the human instinct for survival. ‘Had there been half a million U.S. troops on the ground,’ he insists, ‘it is highly likely that there would have been little looting, no comparable sense of insecurity and therefore a reduced need for denominational identities to become as dominant as they quickly did.'” – Robert Kagan, reviewing Noah Feldman’s “What We Owe Iraq,” in the New York Times book review. Kagan, one of the more cogent and persuasive neoconservatives, now calls Rumsfeld’s short-changing the Iraq war and occupation a “monumental error.” I’m a fan of Rumsfeld. But any semblance of accountability must surely mean that he not be re-appointed as secretary of defense. His monumental strategic errors in Iraq and his monumental moral error at Abu Ghraib must surely count for something. Or will they?

He’s the most powerful figure in the conservative movement, and has enormous leverage over social policy in the Bush administration. Who is he? Mike Crowley explains.

A depressed Kerry-supporter? Here’s one option that some of you might want to consider, from Craigslist:

Go ahead and gloat by putting me over your knee and reminding me that George Bush is King! I’ll take it like a man. Any conservative women out there want to spank a handsome, polite, fit and clean liberal and make some cash? Make a sore loser out of me!

This is how Margaret Thatcher used to win elections.

“Certain distressed liberals and progressives are talking about fleeing to Canada or, better yet, seceding from the Union. We can’t literally secede and, let’s admit it, we don’t really want to live in Canada. It’s too cold up there and in our heart-of-hearts, we hate hockey. We can secede emotionally, however, by turning our backs on the heartland. We can focus on our issues, our urban issues, and promote our shared urban values. The Republicans have the federal government–for now. But we’ve got Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City (Bloomberg is a Republican in name only), and every college town in the country. We’re everywhere any sane person wants to be. Let them have the shitholes, the Oklahomas, Wyomings, and Alabamas. We’ll take Manhattan.” – Dan Savage, celebrating the urban archipelago, in the Stranger.

The campaign continues in the Nation:

Bird’s biggest achievement in The Incredibles is to have inflated family stereotypes to parade-balloon size. His failing is that, in so doing, he also confirmed these stereotypes, and worse. Helen mouths one or two semi-feminist wisecracks but readily gives up her career for a house and kids; women are like that. Bob’s buddy Frozone, the main nonwhite character in the movie, can instantly create ice; black people are cool. The superheroes are in hiding because greedy trial lawyers sued them into retirement; and, while concealed, they chafe at their confinement, like Ayn Rand railing against enforced mediocrity. The family is the foundation of our society. Freedom is on the march.

So the family is not the foundation of our society? And we’re supposed to worry that freedom may be on the march? The left’s estrangement from America continues.

TIME FOR HEALING WATCH: “Joe Glover, president of the Family Policy Network, has worked tirelessly for family values, including the fight against legalized homosexual ‘marriage.’ He says it was conservative Christians who put the president back in office and who held to the belief that the president shared their views. But Glover says the day after the election, that all seemed to go out the window. ‘The day after George Bush was elected president again, because of this morals revolution taking place in our country, he allows his vice president to not only put his lesbian daughter on the platform, but to bring her lesbian ‘partner’ up on the stage with him,’ Glover says. ‘It almost seems to be a slap in the face from the get-go against the very conservatives that re-elected the president at a time when he ought to paying them some homage and respect.’ Glover says the Cheney daughter’s open flaunting of her homosexuality is the antithesis of what the administration claims to stand for — and that the post-election display sends a mixed message to Bush supporters.” – Randy Pugh, from the American Family Association’s Agape Press.

The Free Republic crowd swoon over Cheney’s package. (Hat tip: Wonkette.)

“In your re-election, God has graciously granted America-though she doesn’t deserve it-a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. You have been given a mandate. We the people expect your voice to be like the clear and certain sound of a trumpet. Because you seek the Lord daily, we who know the Lord will follow that kind of voice eagerly.
Don’t equivocate. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ. Honor the Lord, and He will honor you.
Had your opponent won, I would have still given thanks, because the Bible says I must (I Thessalonians 5:18). It would have been hard, but because the Lord lifts up whom He will and pulls down whom He will, I would have done it. It is easy to rejoice today, because Christ has allowed you to be His servant in this nation for another presidential term. Undoubtedly, you will have opportunity to appoint many conservative judges and exercise forceful leadership with the Congress in passing legislation that is defined by biblical norm regarding the family, sexuality, sanctity of life, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and limited government. You have four years-a brief time only-to leave an imprint for righteousness upon this nation that brings with it the blessings of Almighty God.” – Bob Jones III, of Bob Jones University, reminding George W. Bush who Karl Rove’s friends are.

An amazing freelance portfolio.

Boy, did he love expediting the executions of prisoners. Barely a cursory review of the issues in Texas. No wonder George W. Bush had so many people killed. Just don’t expect the Catholic “culture of life” theocons to have any qualms whatever.