Senators, You Are No Jack Kennedy

Barely 72 hours before voting began in a historic first multi-party, democratic election anywhere in the Muslim World, Senator Ted Kennedy made an all-out attempt to discourage the success of this effort, in a speech that caused a major international stir - and was given characteristic 'spin room' treatment in the UK newspaper The Scotsman:

"It will not be easy to extricate ourselves from Iraq, but we must begin," Mr Kennedy said.

In Britain, politicians said his call was a sign that the mood was changing but cautioned against too quick a pull-out.

Greg Pope, a Labour member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "This is a sign that mood in America is changing. When, after the elections, we have a democratically-elected parliament accountable to the Iraqi people, the President and Prime Minister must start to set out an exit strategy.’’

Cambridge MP Anne Campbell, who quit as a ministerial aide over the conflict said: "I hope this is a sign that the mood is changing. We can’t withdraw until the Iraqi security forces can deal with the problems themselves or the violence has stopped but the coalition needs to start giving some idea of a withdrawal timetable.

"One idea being mooted is pulling some of the British troops out of the South where it is relatively peaceful to send out the right signals that we aren’t going to be there for good. ’’

Reports from Washington suggest Mr Blair wants President Bush to say coalition forces will be withdrawn over the next 18 months. The pull-out would depend on the ability of Iraq’s armed forces to take over responsibility for security.

This is a classic example of MSM putting a left-wing "polish" on hard news. Too bad for them that new media blogs can swat this kind of propaganda (like a bug). It doesn't "play in Peoria" any more.

The Iraqi people have overwhelmingly slammed Ted Kennedy's pronouncement of failure by voting today - in percentages that will, in all likelilhood, be greater than the recent U.S. presidential election. In turnout figures predicted at 50 to 60% by CBS News, and as high as 72% by South African news sources - which eclipse the highly-lauded first South African elections. And today's events, in effect a "Velvet Revolution" of historic turnover of power from the entrenched Sunni minority to the traditionally (throughout the Muslim world) subjugated Shiite majority - is as 'cosmic' a power change as the move to majority rule in South Africa. Just as it was not without controversy that Bill Clinton sent American forces on a long commitment in the Balkans, it is not without controversy that the cause of democracy continues its march on this planet. It is up to us, as George W. Bush steadfastly reminds, to decide which side of history we will be on.

In Arabic, the concepts of democracy are so foreign that the word "vote" has no direct corollary - it is, in effect, a word without meaning to Arabic speakers. إقترع,إنتخب, أعلن, إقترح
The word chosen to reflect the heretofore unknown act of democratic suffrage means "voice" in Arabic.
لفظ صوتا, عبر, دوزن آلة موسيقية
The Iraqi people have been hankering to be heard. And terrorism will have no place in nations that likewise give their people voice through democratic elections.

In other words, against the threat of gun and bomb - Iraqi people voted to a degree that was far greater than the percentage of Americans voting for John Kerry - who today dourly questioned the legitimacy of the Iraqi election - claiming it has been "overhyped." So much for logic from Senator Soundbite. Time and again, politicians of the left make these pronouncements. One might truly begin to see that they value their own hold on power more highly than the lives and freedom of millions. This is extremism become mainstream. This is statues of Lenin come to America. For Senators Kerry and Kennedy, freedom is just so much 'hype' if they aren't in charge. Even left-wing columnists are telling them to tone it down, that they are too obvious.

Today is a great day in history. And in that spirit I welcome a new web link Terrorism Central and blog Digital Brown Pajamas to my daily read - I commend them to your edification! Keep your chin up, head in the game, and...

Illegitimi Non Carborundum
Don't let the bastards get you down! While we work up an Arabic translation of that, ponder the Kerry-Kennedy alternative...



It is dangerous in Iraq today, to be sure. And there will be tough challenges ahead on the road to democracy. But the Iraqi people are on that road. And as perilous as that journey might be, it is a journey in freedom. With sometimes faltering steps, to be sure - but free of the shackles of meglo-maniacal despotism. No longer a terror state. This is a new beginning:

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others...

There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction...

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings...

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man...
- President John F. Kennedy

Gates Rocks Bono at Davos

Davos - Rock star and anti-poverty campaigner, Bono, and computer billionaire Bill Gates, united with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday to warn that 2005 must be a turning point for poverty in Africa.

Bono emphasised that leaders of the Group of Eight industralised countries were carrying the hopes of a generation, as Blair reiterated pledges to implement massive financial help for Africa this year.

"This can be described as an adventure, it cannot be described as these eight leaders carrying a rock. Our generation wants to be remembered for something," the U2 band leader told journalists at the World Economic Forum.

"Our generation wants to be remembered for something other than the war against terror."

"We actually want to perhaps be the generation that's remembered for ending extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is what I call stupid poverty," he added as the three joined the South African President Thabo Mbeki, Nigeria's Olesegun Obasanjo and former United States President Bill Clinton in a debate on the issue.

No bleeding hearts.

Amid reminders that one billion Africans were living on less than one dollar a year, Britain pledged £45m for bednets to protect millions of Africans from the debilitating and deadly mosquito-borne disease malaria.

"It's not the usual bleeding heart debate going on here," Bono said, warning of the danger that some of Africa's poverty and conflict-ridden states could turn into destablising hotbeds of extremism.

"I said how dangerous it is to leave Africa in this state, there are 10 or 12 potential Afghanistans there," he added.

Gates and Bono praised efforts by the G8 - which is led by Britain in 2005 - to finance more aid, trade and health care for Africa in recent years.

"I'm very optimistic about what will happen, but I agree it will be a turning point this year," Gates told journalists.

Aid needed to be doubled, rich countries still had to open up to their markets to trade from Africa, and much of the debt relief effort had to be completed by the end of the year, Bono warned.

news24.com (South Africa)

Japan Asserts Leadership on Africa

TOKYO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Japan said on Friday it would call for a new aid plan for African nations at a meeting of major industrial powers next week which involved a greater role for international institutions.

"We felt there was a need to present Japan-distinct views, based on our experiences in Asia," Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki told reporters.

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers are set to meet in London next week and host Britain is seen wanting more debt relief for Africa.

Japan said it would propose to set up a special fund within the African Development Bank to promote areas such as assistance for smaller firms. It would aim to pool $200 million over five years, of which Japan would contribute 20 percent.

It would also propose to extend loans of $1 billion over five years, to the African Development Bank through the Japan Bank of International Cooperation with interest rates below one percent.

Japan will also aim to help African nations nurture an environment in which they can take on credit. It would propose that countries which have sufficient frameworks to take on loans be able to do so by cutting their debt with international financial institutions.

European countries such as Britain have been supporters of forgiving debt held by poorer countries, but Japan believed, based on its experience with Asian developing countries, extending credit would boost incentives for those countries to work harder to reform and repay debt.

Japan also called for an expansion of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) at the International Monetary Fund and to make PRGF loans interest-rate free.

To expand the PRGF, a loan facility for poorer nations, Japan proposed to use gold reserves held by the IMF, either by selling the reserves or reassessing their value.

Japan has helped extend aid to developing nations in Asia via international organisations such as the Asian Development Bank and has been behind in helping Africa.
story.asiastocks.afp

Black Conservatives Call On Harry Reid To Apologize

Something tells me that possible new Senate Minority Leader (and ostensible chief spokesman for the Democrats) Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev) is going to have a very rough road ahead. Earlier today he was taken to task on FOX News by Shepard Smith, who asked the Senator to reconcile his anti-abortion, pro-gun personal stances on the issues - versus the work he does to undercut those values as a leader of the Democrat party. He was not a happy interview, and went on the attack against President Bush, just minutes after the inauguration.

A few hours later the conservative black organization Project 21 - part of the National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives - has called on Senator Reid to apologize for comments he made on 'Meet the Press' charging that Justice Clarence Thomas is "an embarassment to the Supreme Court."

Project 21 has other ideas in mind for Clarence Thomas, like a new title: Chief Justice,

The Project 21 spokesman says Thomas should be considered a top candidate to become the next chief justice of the nation's highest court. "The best person for the job should be the one who gets it," he says. "But Clarence Thomas has certainly proved himself to one of the leading justices on the court right now -- and he should certainly be one of the final people looked at, if and when that situation comes about."

Meanwhile, we Americans are all touched, as indeed President Bush was - by ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist's role in the inauguration today - and wish him comfort and recovery during this time of health challenges for him.

cross-post: Sound Politics

What’s in a Name? A Legacy!

Elliot Bay is graced with a slender necklace of parks. Soon another gem will be added to that necklace: 2.4 acres on West Galer Street - at the top of the Magnolia Bridge – a stunning overlook with views of the city, the bay, and Mount Rainier. Seattle Parks and Recreation have begun public process for naming this site – and if you ask many people in our community - a clear consensus to name it after Ursula Judkins has emerged.

Who was Ursula Judkins? At the behest of her friend (and another community hero, Heidi Carpine), in 1987 Ursula began to devote her energies fulltime to Magnolia, and became a fixture at meetings on behalf of our community. Her contributions brought honorary proclamations from the mayor and city council and the county executive. In 1999 Jim Diers, then director of the Department of Neighborhoods, noting that Seattle has an international reputation as a city where neighborhood activists play a major role, stated “Magnolia is known as a community in Seattle where much of the citizen activism is centered. But people in Magnolia know that activism begins with Ursula.” Three specific examples: Do you use our wonderful Pop Mounger pool? She helped to see it realized. Are you thankful West Point did not expand again? Or, that Capehart housing will revert to Discovery Park? Well, Ursula was a key negotiator on our behalf, seeing that the plant would not later be expanded and that the County would pay $5 million in mitigation if certain conditions were not met. That money was paid and, true to Ursula’s visionary nature, gave the community muscle in negotiating the Capehart agreement.

Why name this specific land at the bridge crest after Ursula? In the early 90’s, Ursula’s research determined it was originally purchased by the city in 1910 for a park, but was instead given by the city to the Navy in 1942. She then incited our congressional delegation to enact national legislation to revert the site back to the city at no cost; this happened in 2003 (three years after her death) because of what she had done 10 years earlier. This park parcel is a direct consequence of Ursula’s activism on our behalf - and overlooks the Pier 90-91 area for which she was Magnolia’s most ardent representative on the Neighborhood Advisory Committee to the Port of Seattle.

Her contribution to parks is perhaps best summarized by this quote from a 1999 article by the Magnolia News’ Russ Zabel: “Superintendent of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation Ken Bounds also spoke in praise of Judkins at the meeting. ‘Some people who are parks advocates are not effective because they are not respectful and do not know how to support their positions in a positive way,’ he said. ‘Judkins, by contrast, takes the right approach. We couldn’t do our job without that kind of advocacy,’ he added, ‘and I think Magnolia is very, very fortunate to have Ursula here be an advocate...for parks.”

The Magnolia Community Club, after her death in 2000, wanted her – our constructive, dedicated, and highly-effective citizen activist – to be a forever-remembered exemplar of the kind of civic citizenship to be honored and treasured. In that way, it is hoped, others among us will seek to emulate her example.

The organizations and individuals that worked the most with her have developed a firm consensus for naming the park after Ursula. Among the documentation already received by Parks are letters of support from the Magnolia Community Club, the Queen Anne Community Council, the Discovery Park Advisory Committee, County Councilman Larry Phillips, and City Councilman Richard McIver.

Naming the park “Ursula Judkins Overlook” is tribute to how any one of us can make a difference for our community, and is incredibly symbolic of how Ursula always kept an eye on downtown in order to protect Magnolia’s neighborhood interests. Anyone with other suggestions, and particularly those fortunate to have known Ursula, or have benefited from what she did, is encouraged to comment before the February 28, 2005 deadline to: Seattle Parks and Recreation, Park Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109, or by e-mail to paula.hoff@seattle.gov.


(Steve Erickson is a Trustee of the Magnolia Community Club.
P. Scott Cummins is a freelance writer, community volunteer, and contributor to the Magnolia News)

Welcome to the New Look

This is it - the look that finally makes me happy. Tell me what you think...

College Republicans Launch New Blog

Just in time to celebrate President Bush's second inaugural, College Republicans in our state announce their new blog. Feisty P.L.U. College Republican Club President Patrick Bell (a future Republican election lawyer, no doubt) makes this announcement:

"PLU College Republicans ("PLUCRs), in cooperation with the Washington State College Republican Federation ("WCRF") has launched a new blog... CR political commentary, events, and opinions will be coming soon. Keep an eye on us as we grow, and feel free to send us your comments or guest 'editorials'..."

Recently I have spent time with conservative students from five different universities in our state, and corresponded with many more. They have diverse and wide-ranging viewpoints, as you would hope and expect. But out of this diversity one common complaint emerges: they are fed up with abuse, scorn and anger being heaped on them by the liberal establishment faculty bulwark on their campuses. So at risk to their G.P.A.'s they are out, with blog's like The Rant at P.L.U., the Gonzaga-based Write Wing Conspiracy, and Western Washington Unraveled.

Groups like Students for Academic Freedom and Protest Warrior are great - I say let's see more from them in this state - but what WCRF Chapters really need is your active financial support and involvement as alumni of our state's universities - or adopt the university closest to where you live. A little encouragement goes a long way.

posted at Sound Politics

World Vision Tsunami Response: Watch This Online Video

World Vision has produced a unique and compelling video about respone to the Tsunami, and the many ramifications involved with the disaster. Click here to watch it now.

Shark on Fox: A Streaming Redux

The inestimable "super" Mac of Pull On Supermans Cape provides us with a link to streaming video of Stefan Sharkansky's appearance yesterday with Brit Hume on FOX News Special Report. Access Mac's site here.

Also posted on Sound Politics

The Spiritual Geography of Blog-Thought

Awesome to see the new blog of Brad Stine taking shape. Yes, he is a well known comedian who is "out" both as a Christian and conservative. Yes, he is a writer on, as he says, a 'mission to America' that (not unlike Bono) is aimed at stimulating brave and honest discussion between us about faith and spirituality. Oh, and yes, he has excellent live DVDs for sale that you will want to own, and others to give as caring gifts to friends. But now he is a Blogger too! And causing controversy, as is the wont of every comedian, and as it should be. Amen.

Excellent to see my friend Gerald Atwine's new blog from Kampala, Uganda. In Uganda you would refer to him as Atwine (at-tween-nay) Gerald. A young, talented administrator, speaker, author and playright - he works for the Seattle-based NGO Sister Schools. Gerald represents many new and exciting things about Africa today - he is certainly emblematic of the kind of sustainable strategy that awesome world-wide organizations like World Vision seek to establish where they work around the globe. While in Uganda for almost three weeks this Spring, I spent ten to twelve hours a day with Gerald. People get to know each other that way. And Gerald impressess, mightily.

Gerald and Brad are actually quite a bit alike. Both are outwardly the 'class clown' and you find yourself cut-up by their humor (or humour, right Gerald?). And both are deep into the logic of thought. Both are people for whom ideas matter - strongly.

And both men are deeply committed Christians who are putting themselves out there and risking much with their lives - and wouldn't have it any other way. God has given them each a calling - and we would do well to hear what God is saying through them.

Because both are on a "mission" to America.

The End of the Beginning

It has now been one week since the Revote! Rally in Olympia and the story continues to grow. Coverage has been steadfast from Michelle Malkin and the Wall Street Journal. The Economist has run the numbers and doesn’t like the results either – and now Brit Hume at FOX News Special Report has been welcomed to Shark’s World. We are fortunate indeed that someone of Stefan’s character has stepped up to take a leading role in all of this. I have met and spoken with him regularly through this process: never have I been more impressed by someone under these conditions. And one other thing about his character: I first ‘met’ The Shark when we butted heads over a local political issue. I wasn’t exactly nice. In fact, I called him a name on my blog. But this isn’t about ego for him, and the magnanimity of his establishing a friendship with me - going forward from that inauspicious beginning, says a lot about who he is.

Stefan Sharkansky’s training has been in statistics, mathematics, and computer science. One reason that mainstream media (“MSM”) has been slow to this story is that these are areas in which journalists are, well, unaccustomed (to say the least). Even Brit Hume had to twice go over some of the facts related to this controversy for his own edification during that interview.

Through all of this, in chatting with the contributors to Sound Politics, we have been awed by you and your dedication to doing the right thing. From my perspective (and I am sure my fellow SP contributors join in this) the growth of this story has been a true testament to the character and patriotism of the people of the state of Washington. Because of you, this blog is an exercise in dedication to very real (and at-risk) principles of democracy and fair play. Fortunately, the “Dead Wood” Democrat opinion-makers desire to make this all seem like sour grapes,or some kind of W.T.O. protest(!), has fallen flat (but it must be admitted, Robert Jamieson Jr. at the P-I gave Shark a fair deal). And now the national MSM is beginning to report on this story.

Stefan Sharkansky’s first major television discussion of this issue was with which news outlet? That’s right, Brit Hume at FOX. Local media have down their best to ‘dis’ the concerns of Sound Politics readers. But despite the culture of this region, the ingrained prejudice, their spin on this story – it has been for naught, thanks to efforts by citizens – like at the Revote! Rally last week.

Be sure to catch the webcast of last week’s rally. Look at the people involved. See the fervor with which Stefan is speaking – and watch the Revote! Rally here on TVW. Picture yourself getting involved next time. Remember what Winston Churchill said after the victory at Al Alamein: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

posted at Sound Politics

What makes Magnolia a community?

(By Steve Erickson, guest blogger)

To non-residents, Magnolia is "Mongolia" for all its relative isolation and remoteness. Yet living here, you feel neither insular nor removed.

Magnolia is large enough - over 4 square miles - for its own zip code. It is a city-recognized area.

Magnolia is, unequivocally, a neighborhood. It has some 21,000 residents. Admittedly, most of those residents you will never see, and only a few will you ever know.

One could strongly argue that people who occupy a shared locale, but only randomly encounter one another, have little more affinity than gas molecules in a vessel.

So how is it that there could possibly be an affirmative answer to the question: "Is Magnolia a community?"

Well, what makes a community? Community involves cohesion amongst its members. And cohesion is a matter of degree.

Courtesy and consideration represent minimal cohesion. Caring is stronger. Cooperation and contribution are true attributes of community.

Consider how Magnolians conduct their private lives. Very few are disturbing, disrespectful or destructive.

Small in number are those who neither maintain their property nor its appearance. Rare are the worst offenders who build permanent, unsightly structures that by size, style or materials perpetually offend their neighbors.

Instead, Magnolians overwhelmingly are quiet in conduct, diligent in preservation and respectful of others interests.

Consider how Magnolians conduct their public lives. Neighbors tend to know neighbors. Civility and friendliness are the norm. Courtesy and deference extends to those not known, whoever they might be.

Usually when neighbors or an interest group propose or oppose an action, the approach is reasoned and respectful rather than reckless and railing.

And, usually, the initial response is one of openness to dialogue, not intransigence of self-interest. Care is exhibited for our common areas.

Little examples: pedestrians don't litter and dog walkers are responsible. The vast majority of drivers behave well. (Surely it is visitors that drive discourteously, double park or speed through our school zones.)

Cooperation and contribution are true attributes of community. Witness the hundreds who invigorate the social institutions in Magnolia; also those that by their work create the community and charitable events in Magnolia.

For instance, did you know that Magnolia has the highest number "block watches" and self-organized, disaster-response teams of any neighborhood in the city?

Many Magnolians actively support causes of the greater community, e.g., League of Women Voters, Seattle Milk Fund, Puget Sound Blood Bank, etc., that in turn benefit our own neighborhood residents.

Magnolians find their personal way to contribute to community - according to their means, skills, time and interests. All have great value; all make our life here better than it would be otherwise.

However, community is not proved by listing examples. Rather, community is realized by the collective attitude and actions of all of us. We do have a "critical mass" sufficient to ignite community. My experience has proved that to me.

The attitude and action of community is vigorous. It will always be a self-sustaining chain reaction... if we all realize that many people are indeed giving and that each of us can also contribute in our individual way.

New comers at first see only the visible and like it here. Seasoned residents apprehend the less visible and feel they belong here. Why? Chances are it's community that solidifies their fondness for Magnolia.

Magnolia has the components of cohesion: courtesy, consideration, caring, cooperation and contribution. Look more carefully at what people are quietly doing and you too will apprehend that Magnolia is not just a neighborhood - it is a community.
©Pacific Publishing Company 2005

Dori Monson Tells It

Osama in the Midst of Tragedy


Dori Monson, King of Mid-day Talk in the Northwest on KIRO710-AM, can be counted on to have the words to tell the real story - and if not, then finds the picture that tells a thousand words.

As he does with this Getty Images photograph that tells us exactly where the challenge lies for our country (and the world), showing an Osama bin Laden tee shirt worn by a Tsunami survivor. Is he thinking 'where are you now, al Qaeda?', while looking at that victim?

As Americans, we can play a role in his mindset going forward from this moment. Which is an opportunity so unlike what we have had for over three years...

So incredibly symbolic, this photograph, undoubtably taken in Indonesia (verified by the license plate on the vehicle in the photo), links in our minds the issue between humanitarian aid and the war on Islamo-Facist terror.

It seems very strange to say it: This Tsunami event, tragic as it is, is the greatest opportunity for our country since 9/11, which is exactly what National Public Radio is reporting tonight.

We should all be giving thanks for the U.S. Navy and wonderful northwest-based groups like World Vision - because they are coming through for us, and 'get it' about the challenge. Indonesia is the most populace Muslim nation on the planet, India is number two. If ever there was a moment in human history for intersection of the terms "benevolent" "hegemony" and "humanitarian" - well, this is it. And it is happening, in the form of Navy Seahawk helicopters coming from the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, which thanks to this column from Michelle Malkin, has begun to receive credit for the crucial work being done to save thousands of lives.

posted at Sound Politics

Nationally, Democrats Call For Recounts, Ballot Reform

The hypocrisy of the Democrat media machine is particularly galling today, with crocodile tears shed for John Kerry’s long-dead White House dream the focus of coverage – even as their apparatchiks defiantly breached every Congressional protocol in (what they presumed to be) a heroic show of defiance. In reality, however, their rhetoric only bolsters the legitimate outcry in our (the “other”) Washington – where the revote campaign continues to pick up momentum.
It seems that everywhere but Washington State there are calls by Democrat leaders for “minimum standards in the voting method throughout the United States” and “an auditable paper trail for electronic and all voting machines,” – or at least, so go reports in left-leaning media such as the Berkeley Daily Planet - and even from Michael Moore’s inter-galactic headquarters, where John Kerry is quoted as saying:

"It's critical that we investigate and understand any and every voting irregularity anywhere in our country, not because it would change the outcome of the election but because Americans have to believe that their votes are counted in our democracy."

In California, 150 election reform protesters marched to the district offices of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, where according to an Associated Press report, protesters stated "If my vote counts, count my vote." Many activists blamed mainstream media for shifting Americans' attention from election problems to less substantive issues. "Even the Ukraine is getting a new election, but we're not because our government isn't interested, and the media has put our attention on the NBA brawls," said Mill Valley, Calif., resident Ted Newman, 47.

Kind of sounds familiar, right?

One website, run by an anonymous Democrat activist, opines:

“Who am I? A private citizen concerned about:
1. the reliability of our election system,
2. the legitimacy of the 2004 election ,
3. the legitimacy of all elections to come.
That's it. There's nothing more to say.”

No, say it, Democrat!
Of course, we have Democrats like that in Washington State too. They are called ROSSI VOTERS, “Dinocrats” – and they support efforts which are signing up thousands at ReVote Washington – as are many Gregoire voters as well according to the sentiments expressed in this King5 News poll (free registration required).

Still we wait, however, for news stories that connect the dynamic irony between Democrat party outcries for "count every vote" and "fairness" nationally - and their stone, cold silence in our state. Is the Wall Street Journal our only hope? How 'bout a New York Post - Western Edition? Anything is better than the sycophancy of our embedded Seattle media.

Finally, you have to let yourself chuckle once in a while, check out "The Backbone Cabinet" (spineless, more like) website, and get a hearty laugh out of the left wing’s notion of what a U.S. Presidential Cabinet would look like. My favorite hoot has Dennis Kucinich for ‘Secretary of Peace’ – followed by Michael Dukakis for ‘Secretary of Transportation.’ Those funny Democrats, they still have poor old Michael Dukakis commuting in that tank of his...
(cross-posted at Sound Politics)

ABC News People of the Year: BLOGGERS

So, how does it feel to be part of the "in" crowd? ABC News has declared you one of the newsmaker "People of the Year"

Time Magazine has named Power Line "Blog of the Year" - well deserved guys! I'm sure George W. Bush barely edged you out for top honors. Congratulations! Let's do lunch, have your people call my people.

And wait 'til next year, right Stefan?