2 Days: Oh yeah, Osama.

The tape released on Friday was Osama Bin Ladens attempt to remind us of what he's capable of, instead, it may have reminded us of what we've help accomplish: "Start with his defensiveness:

The 'emir' who once issued medieval declarations of war against 'Jews and crusaders' and who bankrolled the Taliban's despotism in Afghanistan now feels obliged to protest that he does not 'hate freedom.' To justify his murder of thousands of Americans on Sept. 11, 2001 -- a crime for which he now openly takes responsibility -- he cites not his erstwhile platform for Islamic
dictatorship in the Middle East but -- improbably -- Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Something is clearly troubling Osama bin Laden: Could it be the millions of Afghans who eagerly turned out to vote in the country's first democratic elections this month and who overwhelmingly supported the moderate, pro-Western Hamid Karzai for president? Or the growing support for democratic government in Iraq, especially from senior members of the Islamic clergy? Al Qaeda suddenly finds itself on the wrong side of a swelling debate about freedom in the Middle East -- one triggered both by Osama bin Laden's bloody extremism and the powerful U.S. response to it."

Sometimes it takes someone from the 'outside' looking in to see the big picture. Isn't it a good thing that Osama appears to be on the 'outside'? Sure, it will be satisfying to bring Bin Laden to justice - whether through capture or death. But the point this op-ed piece raises can't be ignored. Osama Bin Laden has been marginalized by exposing the people of the middle east to the light of freedom. Just as communism sought to shield it's subjects from the concept of freedom, fundamental Islam has done the same. Letting in the light, opens a lot of minds. Iran may be the next 'Poland' where the people finally say, "Enough is enough!"

3 Days: That glimmer- it's fading...

RealClear Politics - Polls Please vote - and remind a like-minded friend!

Dose of Friday Humor

The Daily Recycler: The Choice

A glimmer of optimism

The RealClear Politics - Poll summary shows a rebound for President Bush today in both a 3-way race and head-to-head. His average gap has been decreasing daily, over the last week or so, but today it's up.

The IEM drop seems to be leveling off as well.

Kerry on the verge, then...

Has the frenzy to BEAT BUSH finally done more damage than good? Dick Morris, not exactly your dyed-in-the-wool conservative mouthpiece, seems to think so:

"John Kerry was on the verge of moving out to a victory after the third debate. Taking advantage of its pre-ordained focus on domestic issues, he had finally, finally swung the debate back to the issues on which he has - and has always had - a lead: domestic policy. Next he got a short-term bounce from Bill Clinton's presence on the campaign trail and seemed on his way to closing the Bush lead.

Then came the 'disappearing explosives' story. Kerry's handlers, tacticians to the last, disregarded the needs of basic strategy and hopped on the issue with all four feet, running a TV ad lambasting Bush for losing the weapons after the invasion."

I can't argue with much that Morris suggests. I am, however, NOT overconfident that Bush will be re-elected. There are still too many things that can - and will - go wrong between now and Tuesday. That doesn't include what may go wrong after Tuesday!

4 Days: "We the lawyers, in order to form..."

Every aspect of our life is subject to and open for litigious review. Simple disagreements between people require the expertise of the lawyer to solve. How many "Judge What's-Their-Name" shows are on television? How many prime time television shows based on 'the law' make their way into our homes? Popular culture dishes it out and the masses eat it up.

What's most troubling to me is that 'the law' that gets the play time isn't based on constitutional law and adherence to the rules that govern a civil society as much as it's based on 'emotional appeal'. It's no surprise that the election process is finally being engulfed by the legal profession. The real question is: "Why did it take so long?"
WSJ.com - Wonder Land:

"Bob Bauer, counsel to the Democratic National Committee, said last month: 'Our SWAT teams . . . will have done nothing but prepare through the fall. We want to be able to send teams out to fight these wars simultaneously.'"

4.5 Days: Who, or What, Grants Us Our Rights?

This is just too good to wait for tomorrow as my '4 Days' post. This is a clear distinction between the vision of liberals and conservatives:

"Kerry believes that the United States government, through the Constitution, 'affords' rights to Americans. My dictionary defines 'afford,' in this context as 'give, grant, confer.' In other words, we fortunate, benighted Americans have a country, a government that grants us rights.

That's an utterly inaccurate reading of the great documents of the founding of this nation. Our government does not grant us any rights at all. On the contrary, Americans start off with rights, and it is we who grant the government certain limited powers to protect those rights."

Read it all, please.

Don't know who to vote for in the WI Senate race?

Take the quiz and find out! Thanks to the Wisconsin State Journal for this handy election tool.

Kerry Rally in Madison

Here's the neighbors hanging out. I see the "No Signs Allowed" rule that Ann Althouse mentioned in her earlier post didn't apply to Kerry/Edwards! Speaking of Althouse, here are some photos she took.

Here's our niece and friends to show you how close they were. Click on the picture if you really want to see John Kerry. Yeah, he's the one in the middle of the picture. Hey, where's the pictures of the Boss?

Our niece wanted to make sure that the family knew not ALL were happy with the Kerry rally - they did however like the Boss. That's not the most convincing frown, Laurie!

The "Ownership Society"

While the war on terror and security continue to dominate this election, this article points out that President Bush has a vision and a plan to take our country in a new direction - toward "Ownership":

"Since 9/11, discussion of the current President Bush's vision has been primarily limited to foreign policy and the Bush doctrine of 'preemption.' But while foreign policy has legitimately dominated, President Bush has quietly pieced together a domestic policy vision that has just as much chance to be revolutionary.

While Franklin Delano Roosevelt had his New Deal and Lyndon Baines Johnson had the Great Society, it is becoming increasingly clear that Bush wants to create an 'ownership society.'"

Ownership would not be limited to home or property ownership, but freedom, independence and control of your financial future for retirement and health insurance. These reforms are necessary to adapt to the changing world economy. Unlike John Kerry, who'd prefer status quo, George Bush recognizes the dangers of waiting until it's too late and has a plan.

Kerry in WI: This guy will say anything to get elected

John Kerry continues to straddle every issue and misrepresent his record. This story discusses how Kerry addressed farmers in central Wisconsin recently:

" America's Dairyland, Wisconsin, is one of the 'blue' states that President Bush is hoping to pull into the 'red' column. Senator Kerry, on the other hand, is tugging back even harder, and he's not fighting fair, hitting Bush below the 'farm belt' (as it were) by attacking him in rural Wisconsin with some misleading and bizarre claims."

GOP blasts voting access for fans at Madison rally

This article conveys the lengths that the Democrats will go to WIN. Don't concern yourself with the issues, don't think about long-term implications of your actions - just 'have good time and go vote for the guy that made your day fun!':

"In the latest in a series of allegations of voter fraud, Wisconsin Republicans cried foul over the Kerry campaign's plan to urge supporters to go to the city clerk's office after the rally and vote by absentee ballot."

Additional issues raised in the article:

During a news conference Wednesday, Graber pointed to a letter sent to Michael Benson, a Fond du Lac Republican who supports Bush, as the latest example. Graber and national Republican Party Chairman Ed Gillespie said it constituted mail and election fraud.

"It's clear they will stop at nothing to carry the state of Wisconsin," Graber said of the Democrats.

The return address on the letter is the same as the Republican National Committee's headquarters in Washington, D.C., but the letter bore a Madison postmark. The letter, on "GOP.com" letterhead, was signed by "Chairman Herman Gillespie," not Ed Gillespie.

The letter thanked Benson for contributions to the Republican Party, but said: "I am requesting that you now throw your support to John Kerry as I have recently decided to do.

Please! What does this say about campaigns that treat the electorate with so little respect? Then again, why do so many people open that e-mail that says "You've just won!". Maybe we are a gullible rabble.

Springsteen in Madison

Ann Althouse has a post discussing the Kerry event in our state capital today. She also pulls out the lyrics from Kerry's campaign theme, "No Surrender". As was the case when Ronald Reagan chose the anti-American themed "Born in the USA" without apparently reading the lyrics, so too has Kerry - or maybe not! Read it.

Russia tied to Iraq's missing arms - Washington Times

This story was breaking last night. I first saw a link on National Review Online at about 10:30 but was unable to view the link. There must have been a tremendous amount of traffic. If the content of the story is proven true, it would be very compelling - to say the least:

"Defense officials said the Russians can provide information on what happened to the Iraqi weapons and explosives that were transported out of the country. Officials believe the Russians also can explain what happened to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs."

5 Days - Can't come soon enough

This picture comes from Madison, WI where Lisa Maier and her 3-year old daughter stand on the swastika that someone burned into their lawn. The Bush/Cheney '04 sign is the apparent 'motive' for this destructive expression of some idiot's beliefs. More examples of uncivil actions are included in this Milwaukee Journal Sentinal story.

Comments on popular culture

With the election coming to a wrap (Hah!), I'm thinking about this blog and what I'll be able to do. As the name implies, Principles will be a major theme of future posts. Here's a start.

In a soon to be released movie named Birth, starring Nicole Kidman, Kidman's character believes her deceased husband comes back to her in the body of a 10-year old boy. This is not a new concept. Adults in children's bodies and vice-versa has been done in many movies - "Big", "Freaky Friday", "13 Going on 30" - to name a few.

From the previews, "Birth" seems to take the concept and move it over the line. In this story, Kidman defends a scene where she is in a bath with her 10-year old 'husband'.

The 'art' world has a long history of pushing the envelope and moving the culture beyond accepted social norms. I'm old enough to remember radio and television where you would never hear words like 'Hell', 'Bitch', or even 'Damn' - but not that old. Today, it's hard to find any show that doesn't include these and other previously unacceptable words.

Society has frowned and punished a number of 'relationships' between adults and teens/pre-teens: Mary Kay Latourneau, Carla Palsrud, etc. How long do you think it will be before these 'relationships' become more accepted now that popular culture is pushing that envelope? If nothing else, it can only help these people justify their feelings and re-enforce their actions.

As a society, are we better off?

Red Sox Win!

Let's hope sports teams (Red Sox & Patriots) are the ONLY winners from Massachusetts this fall!

The Meaning of the Right to Vote

Here's the conclusion:

The Ayn Rand Institute: The Meaning of the Right to Vote: "This Election Day, therefore, we should reject those who wish to reduce our republic to mob rule. Instead, we should vote for those, to whatever extent they can be found, who are defenders of the essence of America: individual freedom."

Read the whole thing for a civics lesson.

Thomas Sowell: Stop and think: Part II

Thomas Sowell continues his 'Stop and Think' theme before you vote:

"Do you remember an old musical comedy song that said, 'Anything you can do I can do better'? Who would have dreamed that someday a grown man would be running for President of the United States on that childish theme?"

Unedited - Letter to the Editor

The following is the unedited text of a letter to the editor of the Ozaukee Press. The letter is in response to a gathering by democrats living in Ozaukee County where the film "Uncovered: the Whole Truth About the Iraq War" was shown. The advertisement inviting fellow citizens to the event suggested an 'open and honest discussion of our concerns'. I was not able to attend, but as described here, and by others in attendance, the event did not exactly live up to it's billing:

IN MY OPINION
By Joe Dean
In "Uncovered: the Whole Truth About the Iraq War", the first and biggest lie comes approximately one nano-second into the film, on the title shot. This film has nothing to do with truth! Rather, we were treated to selective edits and pure propaganda as former disgruntled administration officials and staffers droned on and on using clichés that left me wanting to scream: "You and President Clinton were there for eight years - why didn't you do something?"
One striking example of the poisoned atmosphere in the room Thursday night came as a clip showed President Bush in his State of the Union Address. As our President outlined the dangers we face as a nation, people in the audience literally and repeatedly laughed at our Commander in Chief. As the hate-filled movie spewed further lies, the obscenity of decent people losing any sense of objectivity left me completely and utterly sad. A tough, honest debate at this critical time in our country is one thing. Passionate disagreement is the bedrock of our Republic. However, the movie: "Uncovered" and the lemming effect I fear that it had on much of the audience last week smacks of a giant step backward. Checking your brains at the door and hitting the gutter with Michael Moore type crap-olla is downright dangerous. More, such trash in the form of a "documentary" is an injustice to the remaining liberals that are capable of a thoughtful debate. I relish their company and their arguments. Where are they this election season?

Al Zarqawi continues to slowly slice off innocent peoples' heads, terrorists target and kill children in Russia and Iraq, we are the "sworn enemy" of these terrorists, yet the combined intellectual response of the "progressives" can be summed up as: "Bush lied, people died?"

In case you missed it, John Kerry also voted for the liberation of Iraq! He looked at the same evidence as all of the other Democrats in support of the invasion and he too voted for the Iraq War. You might argue that he changed his mind since then, changed it many, many, many times in fact. And, that Senator Kerry really only was against the liberation of millions of people after slipping in the polls and after Governor Dean started winning in Iowa. Still, there is no denying he said, "knowing what I know now, I would still be for the war."
The rank hypocrisy of so many Democrats' own words juxtaposed against the viewpoints expressed in "Uncovered" is mind boggling. I urge readers to do their own research and discover the countless news articles and video clips from such notable Democrats as: Joe Lieberman, Bob Graham, Dianne Feinstein, Tom Daschle, Tom Harkin, Madeline Albright, Sandy Berger, Barbara Boxer, Robert Byrd, Wesley Clark, Nancy Pelosi, Carl Levin, and Henry Waxmen all of whom and many others, before the election-waffle season, supported President Bush's view.
Some quotes deserve special attention: On September 23, 2003 in the Washington Post, Al Gore said, "We know that he (Saddam) has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.” Less than a week later, Ted Kennedy said, "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." John Kerry himself, at Georgetown University on January 23, 2003 stated: "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real."
Former President Clinton said, "We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." In 1998, Bill Clinton also stated, "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists."
On the floor of the Senate (S.J. Res. 45) on October 10, 2002 Hillary Clinton cautioned: "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members."
The fact that so many Democrats were for the Iraqi war is indisputable. The fact that Saddam wanted us dead and had plans for developing WMD is undeniable. Progressives may prefer to believe Saddam over their own Democratic leadership (and astonishingly, blame President Bush in the process!), but that is a ridiculous, perhaps fatal, miscalculation. The nexus between terrorists and WMD, contrary to the mind-numbed laughter in the room last Thursday night is indeed a grave danger to the civilized world. 9/11 happened. Thinking people should read the actual 9/11 and Duelfer reports rather than listen to biased and false excerpts, or the words of disgruntled former administration staffers, or the trendy, malicious and false information in the latest DVD. An honest reader of the facts (heck, any reader with a pulse) will quickly conclude that if the UN wants to help, fantastic. In the meantime, this world body best get to work cleaning up their own house of massive corruption and abysmal human rights record.

True grit has been demonstrated under the leadership of George W. Bush. Women and children in Afghanistan have been liberated. The days of filling mass graves and of an Iraqi regime specializing in barbarian rape and the torture of children are over. In January, thanks to the unfathomable bravery of coalition troops, our brother and sister Iraqis will be voting.
But this good news is colored with sadness. Sadness for any loss of innocent life and sadness for the loss which is the Democratic Party of my grandparents. The party once steeped in empathy for those less fortunate has devolved into one which increasingly is made up of people so blinded by ideology that they have come to represent a party of gutter politics. Too often, disrespectful of heartfelt opposition, too often aligned with simple and inane name calling, with uninformed Hollywood elites, voter fraud, and extreme positions. The lack of real communication is disheartening. My conservative friends seek the same goals as my liberal friends: Peace and freedom, environmental protection, high quality education for all, helping those in need, affordable health care, a strong economy, a fair and simple tax code, tolerance, diversity, individual freedom, and fair economic practices. They differ on the means to these noble ends.
So, the film "Uncovered" underscores a painful conclusion. Far too many liberals have taken their collective eye off the ball. They view winning at any cost as the only goal. They view Republicans as the enemy. Winning is one thing; cheating and the blatant use of disingenuous, disrespectful propaganda to do so, is another. It is time for all of us to retake the high road. Please join me and other Independents in voting for George W. Bush. Vote for freedom, respect for one another, and yes, for a safer world.

Dean is the former Mayor of Port Washington

Apparently, he fills the "Anybody But Bush" criteria

Direct from Best of the Web:

Other Than That, He'd Make a Great President--I
"I know few people enthused about John Kerry. His record is undistinguished, and where it stands out, mainly regrettable. He intuitively believes that if a problem exists, it is the government's job to fix it. He has far too much faith in international institutions, like the corrupt and feckless United Nations, in the tasks of global management. He got the Cold War wrong. He got the first Gulf War wrong. His campaign's constant and excruciating repositioning on the war against Saddam have been disconcerting, to say the least. I completely understand those who look at this man's record and deduce that he is simply unfit to fight a war for our survival. They have an important point--about what we know historically of his character and his judgment when this country has faced dire enemies. His scars from the Vietnam War lasted too long and have gone too deep to believe that he has clearly overcome the syndrome that fears American power rather than understands how to wield it for good."--Andrew Sullivan, endorsing John Kerry, The New Republic, Oct. 26

Other Than That, He'd Make a Great President--II
"I can't remember ever voting for anybody I disliked as much as I do John Kerry, at least not for president, but vote for him I will. I didn't have much use for Al Gore either, but I don't remember any real sense of hostility before punching the hole next to his name. . . . I can't persuade anybody to vote for a candidate for whom I can muster so little enthusiasm, but there must be an awful lot of people out there who are going to cast votes next week for Kerry who are, like me, discouraged by the prospect and needing one of those you-are-not-alone talks."--Mark Brown, endorsing John Kerry, Chicago Sun-Times, Oct. 27

Other Than That, He'd Make a Great President--III
"I remain totally unimpressed by John Kerry. Outside of his opposition to the death penalty, I've never seen him demonstrate any real political courage. His baby steps in the direction of reform liberalism during the 1990s were all followed by hasty retreats. His Senate vote against the 1991 Gulf War demonstrates an instinctive aversion to the use of American force, even when it's clearly justified. Kerry's major policy proposals in this campaign range from implausible to ill-conceived. He has no real idea what to do differently in Iraq. His health-care plan costs too much to be practical and conflicts with his commitment to reducing the deficit. At a personal level, he strikes me as the kind of windbag that can only emerge when a naturally pompous and self-regarding person marinates for two decades inside the U.S. Senate. If elected, Kerry would probably be a mediocre, unloved president on the order of Jimmy Carter."--Jacob Weisberg, endorsing John Kerry, Slate, Oct. 26

These are endorsements? God help us if he gets elected!

The Senate Years: 2 Kerry Votes on War and Peace Underline a Political Evolution

In this NYTs article about Senator Kerry, the thing I find missing is any mention of principles. What does the man believe in? What I understand, from this story, and my observations over the coarse of the campaign is that John Kerry is willing and able to find fault in others - whether it be the government during Viet Nam, Ronald Reagan during the cold war, Bill Clinton on minimum wage, or George Bush on, well, everything.

What I'm not clear on is: "What would he do when faced with the same challenges - without the benefit of hindsight?"

This week we got yet another glimpse of how he 'reacts' to 'news' with his bellowing (NYT's word, not mine) attacks on George Bush for losing 380 million tons of explosives. The facts of the story are still being examined, but it's already known that the 'facts' that John Kerry reacted with and used to attack George Bush are questionable at best. Isn't that what he claims Bush has done - reacted without all the facts?

Bush Addresses Kerry Attack of Missing Explosives in Iraq

After repeatedly calling Iraq the "wrong war" and a "diversion," Senator Kerry this week seemed shocked to learn that Iraq was a dangerous place full of dangerous weapons. The senator used to know that, even though he seems to have forgotten it over the course of the campaign. But after all, that's why we're there. Iraq was a dangerous place run by a dangerous tyrant who had a lot of weapons. We have seized or destroyed more than 400,000 tons of munitions, including explosives, at more than -- thousands of different sites, and we're continuing to round up more weapons every day. I want to remind the American people if Senator Kerry had his way, we would still be taking our "global test," Saddam Hussein would still be in power, he would control all those weapons and explosives, and could have shared them with our terrorist enemies.

Read on

And here's part of Kerry's attack:

"And what did the president have to say about the missing explosives? Not a word. Complete silence,'' Mr. Kerry bellowed in Green Bay, Wis., all but daring Mr. Bush to answer him.

"Mr. President, what else are you being silent about?'' he asked. "What else are you keeping from the American people? How much more will the American people have to pay?''

For more, see here.

As I mention in another post, these attacks are based on 'facts' that have since been severely questioned, not only by the administration, but by other journalists and media. Does this sound like a man who should be president?

You can never get enough humor

Click through the link here at Althouse - from her son.

To 'Absentee' or Not to 'Absentee'...

If you've been considering voting through the absentee process this election - unless you absolutely must - please DON'T.

There are too many stories out there suggesting that absentee ballots are in danger of being corrupted, lost, challenged, etc.

Is it really too inconvenient to take time from one day to be responsible and vote at your designated polling site?

There is a strong push to make voting "more accessible" on the guise that more people can participate: No need to have a reason to vote absentee; no reason to know which polling site you are registered at; no reason to demonstrate that you are who you say you are. Did our brave soldiers die for our right to be lazy? Can't we show some respect to the soldiers and citizens who came before us, who fought on the battle field and in the halls of government for our right to vote for the people we want to represent us?

Even if you don't vote in every primary or off-year election, please, take the time to vote for the office of President once every four years. And please take the time to learn something about the candidates before you pull the lever.

6 Days: Things to consider in a Kerry administration.

From WSJ.com - Business World:

"'Demagogue' might be a better word, but rhetoric is bound to turn raw and rough in the final rounds of a close race, though lately the shoe has been on the challenger's foot. If John Kerry wins, he's put himself in a difficult position with verbal volleys uniformly designed to conceal the choices he'd inevitably confront in the White House. Mr. Kerry's the one piling up January surprises for voters, by virtue exactly of his whaling on President Bush for the political sin of acknowledging the challenges facing the next president."

Read on.

Blogging gridlock?

Blogger has been slow, to inaccessible the last couple of days. It was literally impossible to access my blog or anyone else - i.e. Althouse - on Blogger today. As I've 'surfed' through other Blogger sites, I've noticed quite a few new sites. I can't attribute them all to the election, but I think quite a few people are looking for alternative ways to express their opinions about this election - and blogging is one way.

I see this as analogous to January 1 at the YMCA. I will see all the new people taking up equipment time, promising to fulfill their resolutions. By mid-February, the gym is back to normal. Let's see how long the election keeps people's attention - and blogging?

Voter drive using kids draws fire

This story has been posted on a variety of sites, including Instapundit where Ann Althouse is still guest blogging. The questions being raised in other sites are the partisan concerns of the sponsoring group.

My question is: "What are we teaching - or not teaching these kids? One thing I fear is that we're teaching them the 'act' of voting is enough. Shouldn't we teach them their responsibility to understand what it they are voting for? Story:

"Students are going door to door and using phone banks to call homes urging citizens to register to vote and to remind them where the polling places are. On election day, hundreds of students plan to go out into the community to induce people to go to the polls.

Ringing doorbells in Ward 231 in Milwaukee's far south side on Tuesday morning, Trenise Johnson, 11, and a dozen of her classmates at Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning, missed a variety of classes, including science, math and reading.

'This is fun,' she said, skipping from door to door."

It seems that they're also 'skipping' school!

As for the 'partisan question, at least one person quoted doesn't think there's any question:

Likewise, Georgia Duerst-Lahti, chairman of the political science department at Beloit College, said she finds merit in the program, but she wishes the people at Wisconsin Citizen Action would not "pretend they are not partisan."

"It's a liberal, lefty kind of group, and everyone knows it," she said.

Any get-out-the-vote effort, especially in urban areas, is likely to help the Democrats, said Duerst-Lahti.

"There is absolutely a partisan aim here," she said.

UPDATE (10/28/2004): MPS pulls the plug on students particpating in voter canvassing activities.

A Global View from the WSJ

Here's more evidence that supports an earlier post:

This competition among governing entities to make their jurisdictions good hosts to business is fostering global economic development in much the same way that it once fostered the growth of the now-robust U.S. economy. As with other organizations, governments need competition to force greater efficiency. It also helps control the natural tendency -- dating back to the larcenous kings of centuries ago -- to pry open the cash boxes of the private sector.

That's why globalization is hated by socialists and other worshipers of state ascendancy the world over. They don't like these constraints but know that the penalty for resisting them is severe. Germany, for example, is facing further massive job losses because its socialist-led government has been too slow to reform laws that protect unions and enforce high labor costs.

7 Days: Who are we at war with?

Questions for today:

• Why did the NYTs article about the high-end explosives not contain dates? Did the author and editors of the article hope to have the reader think the materials were lost in the last few weeks?
• Did any of the other MSM see the NBC report on last evening's nightly news that contradicted most of the NYTs stories and almost all of John Kerry's stump rhetoric?
• Where are the reports about CBS News' disappointment that the NYTs 'broke' the story first? After all, they planned to 'break' this urgent story on their Sunday, 60-Minutes telecast - just two days before the election.
• How did the Iraqis move this material - between January, 2003 and April 9, 2003? Weren't the UN and IAEA weapons inspectors (who last witnessed the material in January 2003) working?
• What were Saddam's plans for this material? I thought the UN had him contained and de-militarizing?
• Besides detonating nuclear weapons, what other productive uses are there for this material?
• If it only took one pound of this material to bring down Pan Am Flight 103, what could you do with two pounds?
• Would the victims families of Flight 103 consider this material a 'weapon of mass destruction'?
• How much could a UN inspector charge for this material - if they were so inclined? Would it be similar to the rates of exchange used in the Oil For Food Program?

On the economy - domestic and global:

• Is it 'nuanced' to believe that you can win allies support by closing the world to US investment in order to stop outsourcing jobs?
• Is it 'nuanced' to believe that companies in the US will remain competitive in the global economy when they can't participate in other countries markets?
• Is it 'nuanced' to believe that foreign investors will continue to participate in the US market when we won't invest in theirs?
• Is it 'nuanced' to believe that allowing the world to get back to pre-war, pre-9/11 'business-as-usual' practices will win our 'allies' trust?
• Is it 'nuanced' to believe that these 'business-as-usual' practices that allow our 'allies' (the French, UN, et al) to profit from their established 'relationships' will only result in a little "inconvenience and nuisance" from terrorism? Kind of like, you know, prostitution and gambling?

Compare & Contrast

Kosovo poll reveals failure of UN rule:

"Early results from the weekend's general election showed that five years of UN rule had only deepened ethnic divisions as Kosovo's voters signalled their despair with the Balkan province's administrators."

Results leave Karzai one step from victory:

A European envoy to Afghanistan said that while there has been some flaws, they were not serious enough to affect the actual outcome of the vote. "The vote pretty accurately reflects what the people feel," Francesc Vendrell, the EU's special representative, told the BBC.

Now, who has a better track record of fostering the people's will for fair elections in a timely manner? Unfortunately, it may be a little more difficult for the US to have the same level of success in the next elections - but we'll find out next week!

Provisional Ballots - 'ripe' for fraud?

Still more concerns about the election and potential fraud:

"Given the bogus registrations that have already been exposed by local news reports in places like Colorado, it is not hard to see the potential for fraud. If Democratic operatives have kept track of registrations, including bogus ones, it is possible for them to try to 'vote' those bad registrations. And who can doubt that certain elements of the Democratic party would feel morally justified in stealing this election, as payback for Florida 2000? The looser the provisional-ballot rules, the easier it will be to manipulate the system."

Thomas Sowell: Stop and think

More reasons to vote, or better yet, NOT to vote. Here are some 'hi-lites from this article, but I encourage you to read it all:

Voting is not a matter of personal expression but a serious responsibility for choosing what course this country will take in the years -- and decades -- ahead.

More:

If you can't spare the time from watching sit-coms to go check out a few facts one evening at your local library, with the help of your local librarian, then don't pretend that you are a responsible voter, or even a responsible parent.

Still more:

If there was ever a time to stop and think, this is it. Slogans and images are no substitute for knowing what you are talking about -- and knowing what you are doing when you enter the voting booth on election day.

Finally, a personal favorite:

Even Benedict Arnold was an American war hero wounded in combat but that doesn't stop us for criticizing him for what he did later.

More humor to get us through...

Thanks to Dan D for bringing this analogy back to us:

HOT AIR BALLOON

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded. "You must be a Democrat."

"I am," replied the balloonist, "How did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met but, somehow, now it's my fault."

An interesting response to the NYTs "Missing Explosives" story

Andrew McCarthy asks some very interesting questions that the NYTs 'overlooked' regarding the missing material in Iraq.

Here's more, from Mark Levin @ NRO. He refers to Kerry as a 'demogogue' on the issue and has this comment (emphasis mine):

Military intelligence about Guadalcanal and the strength of the Japanese forces on the island were also very incomplete and inaccurate. When U.S. forces landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942, they had only old, inaccurate maps of the island to make their way over the island. I know this because my great uncle served with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal. His brother, my grandfather, fought on Guam and Iwo Jima, which didn't go as planned either. But they didn't blame FDR.

Althouse is guest-blobbing at Instapundit...

...the election news is still troubling no matter where it's posted:

Ann Althouse's 21-year-old son's, personal experience, voting in Madison.

In short, no one's asking for ID in Madison. That would be too inconvenient - especially for students. Boy, when I was a student, I had to show my ID for everything!

If you don't wants riots, vote Kerry/Edwards

Here's an UPDATE to an earlier post regarding post election riots. Apparently, even the candidates believe the theory that Republicans don't riot. What does this tell us about the Democrats - and the left - if they are willing to admit that they'll riot if they lose!

But, what if he wins?

In yet ANOTHER negative op-ed piece in the New York Times, Bob Herbert queries:

"Here's George W. Bush's problem. How does a president win re-election when all the news the voters are seeing is bad?"

Of course, Herbert hedges his bet by adding the obligatory Republican "voter suppression" and "scare" tactics that may sway the ignorant masses and steal the election again - as was done in 2000!

Perhaps another answer is that the voters will see through the bias in much of what is - and isn't - reported. Using the "scare" tactic reference is a double-edge sword. I seem to recall 'bad news' reports about Bush "taking away Social Security benefits from seniors" and "re-instituting the draft". Both sides are crying wolf, the question is: "Who's got better vision?"

8 Days: Election taking toll on nerves

As evidenced in this article in today's JS Online, this election is making people tense. If you think it's tense now, wait for the legal battles after the vote!
Here's a anti-Bush - er, I mean Kerry supporter:

"When Colleen Harryman sees evidence of people backing President Bush for re-election, she gets 'positively infuriated.' 'I rant on the road when I see Bush stickers,' said Harryman, a 36-year-old Bay View resident. 'I get very worried when I see a very large number of Bush signs because I feel like he's such a danger to the country.'

And from a Bush supporter:

When Mary Patton of Wauwatosa sees evidence of people backing Democrat John Kerry for president, she tenses up, too, and the questions spill out.
"I just wonder, do they watch the national news?" said the 45-year-old Bush supporter. "Do they have a perspective of what's going on?"

And from an 'expert', there's this:

"People are framing this in terms of good and evil," said Lisa Miller, a professor of psychology and education at Teachers College at Columbia University. "Really, it's the most core, intense experience, is how I would describe people's take on it. It's wartime thinking."

It is GOOD vs EVIL, and it is WARTIME! Do these people have their heads in the sand?

As I mentioned above, here's more foreshadowing of a close election:

"If it's a close election, it's going to go on for a while, and there'll be all this room for accusations, all the paranoia, all the conspiracy theorists will crawl out of the ocean," said Stuart Fischoff, professor of media psychology at California State University in Los Angeles. "There is a very long, dark night on the horizon."

We can only hope for a significant margin of victory to put the election to bed. I fear that even that will not stop the rage, especially if W is re-elected.

Quote of the Week

Spin at it's best:

"They know we have a great shot at winning, so they're probably taking their dollars elsewhere.
-- Michels on the NRSC's decision to pull $1.2 million in ads, a decision forecast in last week's REPORT."

As much as I'd like to see in a change in Wisconsin's Senate representation, I think we will yet again have to "wait 'til next time".

As long as I'm on the subject of the Senate race, I have a question about Russ Feingold's claim that 'reading' something, means your 'actions' are justified. Feingold claims that because 'he read the Patriot Act', his lone 'nay vote' is therefore justified. Does this mean that the other 99 Senators didn't read the Act? Does the 'act' of doing 'anything' justify the 'results'? If it's a given that the other Senators didn't read the Patriot Act, wouldn't it necessarily follow that if they had, they ALL would have voted against it?

Senator, why not just stand up and say: "I'd rather quibble over the details of this Act because there's a slight chance that a person's individual rights may be infringed and therefore the person could be inconvenienced for a short time, than sign an Act that -among other provisions - removes walls that prevent our law enforcement agencies the ability to talk to one another in the course of a criminal or terrorist investigation which may prevent more acts of terrorism occuring in our country."

I guess it is shorter just to say "I read it."

Why we need to vote

This really says it all...if all are willing to listen

Election determines fate of nation. Due to the high demand for this column, the Daily Record has decided to post it online. It is normally not the paper's policy to post opinion columns or editorials online. This column will remain on the site until Oct. 27. Should you want to purchase a print copy of it, please call (509) 925-1414. The opinions stated on this page do not reflect the opinions held by the Daily Record. This content is owned by the Daily Record.Published in the Daily Record on Oct. 6

The Professor nails it. America is at a critical juncture:

"In that this will be my last column before the presidential election there will be no sarcasm, no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high.

This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication and a reign of ambivalence. Down the other lies a nation that is aware of its past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history.

If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be twofold. First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the Nazis and stood upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big of a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations.

The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from who we are.

Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that you don't need to defeat America on the battlefield when you can defeat them in the newsroom. They learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four-hour news stations and daily tracking polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10.

The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grizzly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people. Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland.

It is said that America's W.W.II generation is its "greatest generation." But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America's "last generation." Born in the bleakness of the Great Depression and hardened in the fire of WW II, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake "living in America" as " being an American ". But America has always been more of an idea than a place. When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities.

This November, my generation, which has been absent too long, must grasp the obligation that comes with being an American, or fade into the oblivion they may deserve. I believe that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the "City on the Hill."

Mathew Manweller Manweller is a Central Washington University political science professor.
This Op/Ed appeared in the Daily Record (Ellensburg, Washington's paper) on Wed. Oct. 6, 2004.

Sammy LIVES!!!

In an update to a previous post - Sammy the Hamster was found this morning alive and well! I wonder if we still have the receipt for the 'replacement' hamster?!

More Friday humor

Thanks to Andrew P, here's a little ditty via Casey in Iowa.

It's worth relaying Casey's message to Andy - "Remember to vote!"

Old Testament Parenting

A little light-hearted amusement for this Friday via The Corner and Catholic-Pages.com:

Laws of Forbidden Places
Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room. Of quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room.

Read on.

Althouse: Reminding us of yet another issue

Thank you to Professor Althouse, UW Law, for reminding us of another critical distinction between the candidates. More specifically, between the two visions of ideology: 'conservative' and 'liberal'; as it relates to the selection and approval of judges. Her post cites the following excerpt from the NYTs:

Then, at a weekend retreat in April 2001, Democratic senators adopted an aggressive new strategy in dealing with judicial candidates. Under Mr. Bush's Republican predecessors, the Democrats believed they could block only candidates with egregious faults. But that weekend, two prominent law professors and a women's rights lobbyist urged the senators to oppose even nominees with strong credentials and no embarrassing flaws, simply because the White House was trying to push the courts in a conservative direction.

Yet another reason to stay focused.

When will it end? Sadly, there's no answer...

This editorial from today's WSJ discusses more of the election manipulation tactics that are being taken. Unfortunately, winning at any cost has become the politically acceptable standard. The cost may be our democracy:

"Not that the partisans care, but there's a larger principle that is in danger of being trampled here. A fair election requires two things: The ability to cast a ballot but also the confidence that any vote is honestly cast. The count-'em-all-legal-or-not-and-sue strategy stomps on the second principle in order to serve the first. Denying the right to vote was common in many areas before the Voting Rights Act of the 1960s, but there is no evidence that it was
a problem at all in 2000.

What we are seeing now isn't an attempt to prevent injustice but looks to be a calculated political strategy to create enough confusion at the polls to justify legal challenges that will cloud any close Presidential outcome. Let's hope we have a clear winner on Election Night, or we may all wish we were in Afghanistan."

I acknowledge that voter fraud and dirty tricks have been a part of politics for years. Death hasn't been a deterrent to voting in Chicago for some time now. But the stakes are too high and the spotlight too bright for the US to embarrass ourselves this way.

This doesn't look promising for the challenger. (hat tip: Dan D from Port) 

Thomas Sowell: 'Plans' versus realities

Harsh words from Thomas Sowell: 'Plans' versus realities:

"Neither Senator Kerry nor Senator Edwards has administered anything. Nor have they created a single piece of major legislation in their combined two dozen years in the Senate. Both have incredible records of absenteeism at meetings of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

But they talk a great game.

And they have 'plans.'

What they also have is utter irresponsibility."

But then, the times we live in demand straightforward positions.

What does false HOPE cost us?

Heres a follow up to an earlier post.

James Kelly on Stem-Cell Research on National Review Online:

"In this and other public forums, Mr. Reeve made one demonstrably false statement after another about stem-cell research - statements that were taken as true by many, and thus diverted precious attention and resources away from avenues offering better reasons for hope. Ironically, in recent months he showed signs of realizing he may have placed too much hope in embryonic stem cells. But that misgiving was ignored by the politicized campaign for his research, which has increasingly become an end in itself."

The fact that James Kelly is a paraplegic adds credibility, but the facts and issues remain the same regardless of the messenger.

Communism Falls - Again!

See the video.

(hat tip - CynicalB)

Bush addresses Kerry positions & tactics directly

Bush turns up heat in Midwest by first addressing the difference between the candidate's approach to the war on terror:

"America would lose the war on terror under Kerry because he doesn't 'believe we are fighting one,' Bush said."

Later he addresses the Social Security scare tactic that seems to raise it's ugly head every four years:

"I remember the 2000 campaign - they told the seniors if old George W. gets in, you're not going to get your (Social Security) check," Bush said. "I'd like to remind them, George W. got in town and seniors got their checks. And seniors will continue to get their checks."

Democrats for Bush

via Instapundit:

Stephen Green introduces ABC to some Democrats...

...adding Ron Silver would just be piling on.

Keeping HOPE alive

Christopher Reeve's widow is on CNN right now introducing John Kerry at an Ohio event. I hate to be too callous, but she doesn't seem to shook up about her loss. Her speech also insinuates that John Kerry is FOR research and George Bush is AGAINST research. Additionally, she recites a laundry list of diseases and afflictions that embryonic stem cell research will cure. She states something to the effect that 'Chris chose life and believed in embryonic stem cell research to find cures and save lives'. What about the lives of the embryos?

Remember: George Bush was the President who first federally funded stem cell research in this country and continues his support. He also believes that, morally, federal funding of new, embryonic stem cell research is something that we need to consider.

Finally, Reeve's widow invokes the emotion of HOPE. Most scientists agree that that's all we have right now with this research. Should the government fund hope, without limit, or results?

Why Taxes Have to Go Up (NYTs) - Or not (Nobel Laureate in Economics)

I had every intention of addressing this editorial from the New York Times: "Why Taxes Have to Go Up", but I think it is much better addressed by someone who actually knows what he's talking about.

I will ask the question on many minds: "Why MUST we raise taxes? Why can't we SPEND less?" And that is not just aimed at the Democrats.

"At least Republicans don't riot..."

I was at a meeting yesterday - in Madison no less - and during lunch, participated in a political discussion with a few people on both sides of the aisle. The discussion was very calm and for the most part thoughtful. I think everyone realized that no one was going to change anyone's mind, so we didn't even go there.

My favorite comment of the discussion came after I suggested that we were in for a long election and that we could face months of legal battles - or worse - before the election is decided. It was then that a calm voice said, "I'm not worried, Republicans don't riot."

That's both quiet confidence and an indictment against the left. One more reason I'm happy to be conservative.

Tough talk - who's listening?

Here's the tough talk:

"'It's not all right for your 13-year-old daughter to have a child,' he said. 'You should be arguing with her about why she didn't pick up her socks.'

The same goes for boys, Cosby said.

'Your 13-year-old son has no business thinking he can drop his seed and walk away and then call himself a man,' he said."

And here's someone who listened:

As he listened with some of his teachers from Milwaukee Leadership Training Center, 12-year-old Jerdari Bradford began to think of some of the songs he's danced to, songs he said glorify violence and use derogatory terms for women.

"To me now, I feel like it's stupid," Bradford said. "The specific lyrics of the songs, they're giving you bad messages. They're telling you to go out and shoot somebody."

When Cosby stepped down from the lectern, Bradford said the message was "strong," and might even change some who heard it.

"That's if they listen," he added. "If they have the guts to change their ways."

Thank you Dr. Cosby.

French Hypocrisy

Here's one from J-Mac in Madison:

French Hypocrisy: The French criticize the US for what we do. Yet, they kicking little school girls out of school for their religious beliefs. The rationale of course, you'll find in the 6th paragraph, we are so smart and right (liberal) that we know what's best for you, ie: we are banishing the head-dress worn by women because its a sign that women are submissive. Yeah, bullsh... !

Here's the 6th paragraph referred to by Joe:

"Another five girls could be expelled this week as the Education Ministry gave school districts the signal to start taking action against 72 students who could not be persuaded to obey the law. Most are Muslim girls, but Sikh boys refusing to remove their turbans also risk being expelled. "

I wonder? Just how were they trying to persuade these kids?

UPDATE: This article in the Oct 21st NYTs expands on the situation in France. Again, there is not a law written or 'writable' to separate church and state. The reason: both Church and State are made up of people. People have beliefs. Unless we actually ERASE a person's mind - which I think some would love to do - a law will always contain bias that some will object to.

Public Service Announcement - Absentee Voters

If anyone reading this is planning to vote 'absentee' by visiting your community's absentee voting location, please ask the clerk to SIGN your ballot envelope WHILE YOU WAIT.

This topic was raised yesterday on the Mark Belling show on WISN when a police officer raised concerns about his experience. After completing his ballot, placing it in the envelope, and signing it, he took the envelope to the counter and presented it to the clerk for their REQUIRED 'witness' signature. The clerk didn't immediately sign the envelope. When the officer questioned her, she said, "they sign them 'later'." The officer demanded the clerk sign his envelope while he waited and she did.

In follow up conversations with election officials, the officials admitted that unsigned envelopes by either the voter or the witness, are invalid and not counted.

I still have unanswered questions: "What happens to the signed envelopes? Are they put in a locked safe until election day? Who puts them there? Who guards the location?" If anyone knows the answer to any of these questions, please let me know.

Spain says terrorist plotted "biggest blow"

This from CynicalB:

Thought it would be a good blog post. Apparently kowtowing to terrorist demands and pulling out of Iraq doesn't keep you from being a target. This would be a great news item for Bush to trumpet as to why we need to slaughter all of these bastards and why negotiating or pulling out, ala Kerry, is asinine.

I found the following quote interesting:

"Achraf said many Muslims in Spanish jails wanted to get out "and have the opportunity to die as martyrs. In any case, Achraf made clear that the day of the attack, he would be the first martyr," the informant is quoted as saying."

This is the biggest argument to keep the enemy combatants behind bars - for as long as it takes - in Gitmo or anywhere else.

Yankees Lose!

Great, now the Yankees are in the MLB record book again! Even when they LOSE they get in.

Ashley's Story

This ad is going to be the most expensive media buy in history. In fact, it's on a Milwaukee, WI station as I write this. My 8 year old just asked, "What happened to her?" I told her and she said, "that's sad."

Waiting for the attacks from the left.

Social Security COLA announced

The Social Security fund must be getting a great return:

"The cost of living adjustments announced Tuesday will go to more than 52 million people. That includes 47 million people receiving Social Security benefits; the rest receive Supplemental Security Income payments that go to the poor.

The standard SSI payment will go from $564 per month to $579 per month for an individual and from $846 to $869 for a couple.

The average monthly Social Security payment for disabled workers will increase from $871 currently to $895 next year.

Monthly Social Security benefit checks have been adjusted automatically since 1975 to protect retirees' income from erosion caused by rising inflation. The largest one-year increase was a 14.3 percent jump in 1980, a period when the country was battling double-digit inflation.
About 9.9 million workers will have to pay higher payroll taxes next year because the maximum amount of Social Security earnings subject to the payroll tax will rise from $87,900 to $90,000. In all, an estimated 159 million workers will pay Social Security taxes next year."

Of coarse, there's no problem with the Social Security system as it stands. We will have plenty of workers paying in to the system to cover the baby boomers as they start drawing their share. Oh, and plenty more for the immigrants (legal or otherwise) who are eligible for SSI. Oh, and still plenty for those that receive disability payments. Everyone just go back to work, do your jobs, and don't worry about a thing.

It's worse than we thought...

...Bush Secret Plan to Draft Elderly Revealed:

"'If George W. Bush wins this election, I warn you that he will kill two birds with one stone,' said John Forbes Kerry, the Democrat presidential candidate. 'He'll bail out Social Security by sending our nation's grandparents to the front lines in Iraq to die in the wrong war.'"

'Mary Poppins' Registers to Vote in Ohio

Unfortunately, she's a Brit! Otherwise, she may have gotten away with this.

Straight talk from General Franks

General Tommy Franks has some direct words for Senator Kerry:

"Contrary to Senator Kerry, President Bush never 'took his eye off the ball' when it came to Osama bin Laden. The war on terrorism has a global focus. It cannot be divided into separate and unrelated wars, one in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. Both are part of the same effort to capture and kill terrorists before they are able to strike America again, potentially with weapons of mass destruction. Terrorist cells are operating in some 60 countries, and the United States, in coordination with dozens of allies, is waging this war on many fronts."

Read the whole thing.

The Essence of John Edwards

This guy knows how to 'prepare' to be a 'heartbeat away" from the presidency! Do you think the glasses add a little gravitas?

from Jonathan Adler at The Corner.

We're in for a long election day

Milwaukee District Attorney, E. Michael McCann is calling for more people to staff the voting precincts on election day in preparation for anticipated record turnouts. So far, absentee ballots are up, indicating that voter interest is as high as predicted. Or maybe more people are trying to avoid the potential lines on November 2nd.

The chart ,which accompanies the absentee ballot story, has some interesting numbers. The City of Milwaukee is printing 157,000 absentee ballots. As of today, only 12,085 absentee ballots have been requested. Call me skeptical, but I think we make it TOO easy to vote in this country. It is especially easy in Wisconsin where you can register the day of, with no formal ID other than a piece of mail addressed to 'you' at the address where you 'live'. Yet, we make it even easier:

It also shows that more voters are aware of a recent change in the law - which no longer requires voters to give a reason to vote absentee - and that voters want to avoid long lines at the polls, they said.

I think it is getting more difficult to trust the election process in this country. Absentee ballots, I believe, are the most difficult to monitor and validate. I'd much rather see more polling sites opened, or expand the election to two days, to relieve 'long' lines, than increasing the number of absentee ballots.

Sammy the Hamster: RIP

Today was our oldest daughter's 11th birthday. Unfortunately for her, she may remember this one.

This was her weekend to bring home the class hamster, Sammy. She and her siblings would not leave the poor thing alone for the first two days. Finally, they tired of it. By Sunday night, the gnawing had gotten on the middle child's nerves. She couldn't sleep. We moved the cage to the laundry room for quick transport to the car in the morning and the return trip to the classroom.

At 5:40a.m., my wife awoke for her morning walk. At 5:45, she woke me up. Sammy was gone!

It's now 8:30p.m. - still no sign of the rodent. The kids are back in bed. Sammy has been 'replaced' by a new hampster- "Lizzy" I think.

We anxiously await the moment we find Sammy. Maybe as we try on that old pair of shoes or maybe when we reach under the sofa to find the remote control. The anticipation is killing us!

When you say WIS-CON-SIN, you've said it ALL! #6 BCS!

Electoral College: Too complicated?

NYTs Magazine:

"The Electoral College is so interwoven with our political system that it could not be abolished without raising more questions than even most advocates for reform would wish. (If the Electoral College must submit to majoritarian imperatives, why not the Senate?) But as a vote-counting system, the Electoral College has been so sufficiently robbed of its logic that its survival is not assured. Perhaps its advantages outweigh its disadvantages. But its advantages -- as a device for keeping a working federal system of states in place -- require a constitutional scholar to explain. Its disadvantages -- as a standing threat, every few elections, to arbitrarily thwart the will of the people and open a wide gap between the spirit and the letter of the law -- are in plain view."

Maybe we should just dump this complicated piece of the electoral process our forefathers 'dreamed' up. They obviously didn't understand how stupid we'd become.

Getting prepared for a Kerry victory?

Ann Althouse comments on draft training that occurred in the People's Republic of Madison. I guess they really believe Sen. Kerry will be elected and add two more divisions to the army!

From our service men & woman:

The following is an excerpt from a letter by the commanding officer of the 264th Engineer Group based out of Chippewa Falls, WI - read it all, tell your friends, say a prayer, and thank ALL our troops who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. October 12, 2004:

"Although I understand that every thing is fair game during such an important event in our democratic society, I am disheartened at how our efforts here have taken on such a negative tone in our media. I only wish that the candidates could realize that your sons, daughters and spouses are here serving our country and together we are sacrificing a year of our lives so freedom can flourish here and America can be safer from terrorists. This concept seems to be lost in all of the rhetoric about how we have no focus or plan and that we in large part should not be here. This constant questioning and negativism from our media plays on our psychics as well as on yours I would bet"

A 'divided' country?

Everywhere you look these days, you see articles, editorials, network and cable news stories, and letters to the editors in newspapers and magazines about the division we have in this country.

Many blame individuals: "George Bush is the most polarizing president, ever!" Others blame the media: "CBS, NBC and ABC are biased!" Others blame technology: "The internet is full of lies and distortion!"

All of this is true, and yet none of it is true.

Americans have NEVER agreed on every issue. We're not suppose to. That is what freedom is all about. We all have the 'right' to have and express our own opinions. We also have the 'responsibility' to allow others their 'right'. In addition, I believe we have the further responsibility to listen to and understand - not necessarily agree with - other's opinions.

It's easy today to find your comfort zone. There are more options than ever for access to news and opinion. It is our right to listen or read what we want, but it is our responsibility to hear all sides.

I think we are closer together as a country than ever - if you listen through all the noise.

NYTs: Importing Less Expensive Drugs Not Seen as Cure for U.S. Woes

Economics and politics don't mix. This is most evident in healthcare and, especially as this New York Times article points out, prescription drugs. The cry is for the next president to 'lower' drug prices; make healthcare more affordable; make sure everyone has healthcare. Is that what we need, really? Shouldn't our government work to make healthcare and drugs more accessible not just cheaper? If you think about nearly every other product available in the market, from electronics to food, the cost of these products has come down and the quality and options has gone up. The market makes this possible. When governments get involved with distribution, regulation and price controls, supply decreases and prices increase. There are fundamental laws in economics that can't be changed - like gravity. Supply and demand is one of them.

"But the United States market is hard to compare with any other. It represented more than half of the global drug industry's sales of $410 billion last year and was the country in which drug companies make the bulk of their profits. Whatever one thinks of the pricing disparity, efforts to force down American prices to Canadian or European levels could radically change the economics of the pharmaceutical industry - which effectively depends on United
States profits for all of its activities, including a substantial portion of its spending on research and development.

American consumers are 'subsidizing everyone's R&D,'' said Mr. Love, the consumer advocate. 'We're paying way more than everyone else. Others should pay more.' "

A potential option I don't here talked about is putting diplomatic pressure on other countries to relax or eliminate their price controls. John Kerry discusses the need for us to mend our relationships with our allies in the war on terror. Perhaps we need to also work to have them adjust their economic policies so that the US doesn't continue to 'subsidize everyone's R&D' among other things: defense, weapons, food, etc. Rather than 'falling into line' with the other countries of the world by adding more price controls, we should work to open the market. If we don't, there will be fewer options, not more.

To further make the political case against price controls and government intervention in economic principles, let me relate this to the 'world's' response to 9/11. No, everything doesn't revolve around 9/11, but it is a defining moment in world history and it certainly magnified the global, political environment. We all remember the "We are All Americans" headlines from our European 'friends' and the outpouring of support. For the most part, I believe, at the citizen level, this was truly genuine. At the bureaucratic, governmental level, this was a disguise for their private glee. Finally, the US is no better than we. Even the headline mentioned above was followed not by glowing support and resolve, but by an almost scathing attack on US policy and a 'they deserved it' attitude. The camaraderie was based on their belief that now, we are all weak and vulnerable - and we should all just learn to live with it. We didn't play the game - and they resent it. The same is true for other political games - Kyoto, the UN, etc. We don't believe that the ruling class should tell the rest of us how to live. We believe in our founding principles - 'We the people' - and look to our people as the source for success, innovation, and results. Other citizens of the world aspire to this freedom, while the governments that represent them often recoil at the thought - because it means they lose their power.

Daniel W. Drezner : About that p-value....

This 'About that p-value....' post presents both sides of a tough decision we face. Drezner seems to make the point that he's leaning toward Kerry because Bush needs to be punished for the mistakes that were made in Iraq. I haven't heard anything from Kerry that convinces me that he can - or will - fix these 'problems'. It's a long post but the UPDATE is a must read. Starts like this:

"UPDATE: The best effort to persuade me so far comes from a former US diplomat who served in both the Clinton and Bush administrations:"

The question isn't IF lines should be drawn, it's WHERE

WSJ.com - A Question of Belief:

"'What is an article of faith for me is not something that I can legislate on somebody who doesn't share that article of faith,' he declared on Wednesday night. And so he argued that the choice of an abortion 'is between a woman, God, and her doctor.' He didn't stop there, however, adding that faith 'affects everything that I do, in truth....And I think that everything you do in public life has to be guided by your faith, affected by your faith, but without transferring it in any official way to other people.'

Here Mr. Kerry was trying to draw a line between areas in which his religion is an acceptable influence and others where it is not. Fighting poverty, protecting the environment, promoting equality -- these are mandated by a faith that requires good works, he suggested. Why this same teaching doesn't require him to oppose abortion and the killing of embryos for medical research Mr. Kerry didn't say. And Mr. Schieffer didn't ask."

Do we really want everyone to vote?

Catherine Seipp looks at voter registration and 'get out the vote' efforts aimed at the youth of America.:

"'Sometimes I feel that no matter how I vote, there will still be war, crime and poverty,' Traci continued in what read like a dead-on parody of adolescent cluelessness and self-absorption, except she wasn't kidding. 'And I have other things on my mind. I am worried about skin cancer, drunken drivers, eating disorders...'"

Wow! I'm glad I made it through my formative years when I did. I didn't realize the youth of America had so much to consider.

It's the economy, stupid!

The WORLD economy. Daniel Henninger in today's Wall Street Journal clearly defines the realities of the global economy, today and in the future. George Bush has faced the changing economic environment and proposed changes to our own policies and programs that must be made if we, as a country, hope to continue as the world leader in economic standards.

"After three presidential debates, it is clear that George Bush is asking the American people to make a similar, abrupt break with the comforts of the political past. Proposals such as Social Security privatization or individually run health-savings accounts are not being offered as just an intriguing 'policy' alternative. These ideas are an historic necessity to surviving in the world economy as it exists today.

Intellectually, the case for making the leap is compelling. Emotionally, the way forward is less obvious. Most Americans have already adjusted to the disturbing realities of Iraq and of waging -- and leading -- a war on global terror. But it's quite a lot to ask them in the same election to step away from 50 or more years of federally guaranteed social protection. That would have been large without Iraq and terror.

The Kerry campaign is riding on the belief that the American electorate, at the margins in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, isn't ready to make the break. And they may be right. That to me is the meaning of the relentlessly close poll results that persist in this election. John Kerry is a fundamentally weak presidential candidate, but about half the electorate is uncertain whether it is able to sign up for all the risk and uncertainty implicit in the next Bush presidency."

Change is hard. Leadership is hard. I'm not fond of George Bush's "it's hard work" line, but it is true. People, by nature, prefer things to 'stay the same'. We'd much rather be comfortable, than challenged. This election seems to be hinging on 'protection' and 'security' - physical and economic. In both cases, we need to be pro-active, progressive, and optimistic. I see George Bush taking this challenge. I see John Kerry just the opposite - defensive, status-quo, and pessimistic.

What the media isn't reporting about Iraq

Facts from Iraq. In case you believe the MSM that we're not accomplishing anything, read this.

And for more information from Iraq, read and bookmark this.

Voter Fraud Round-up

Bill Hobbs @ HobbsOnline has a site set aside for tracking ONLY voter fraud stories. Unfortunately, it has plenty of posts.

Kerry's disturbing reference to Dick Cheney's daughter

A round up of opinions @ Instapundit

UPDATE: Elizabeth Edwards gets her shots at the Cheneys.

OK, this about says it all! 

John Edwards making promises?

Is this really satire, or closer to the truth than Dems are willing to admit:

"If you put John Kerry and me in the White House, we'll have each one of you in the driver's seat of a brand-new SUV. Your bosses will be less cranky, your children will be kept in trucker hats and iPods, and your TV screens will grow even wider. Those who are bald will wake up one morning and magically find themselves with thick heads of luxurious, silky hair. You'll open your refrigerators and 15-pound hams will tumble out. Your dog might even start to talk, and the first thing he'll say is 'I love you.' It'll be that good."

From The Onion via Best of the Web

BBC News: Babies found in Iraqi mass grave

Babies found in Iraqi mass grave:

"Mr Kehoe said that work to uncover graves around Iraq, where about 300,000 people are thought to have been killed during Saddam Hussein's regime, was slow as experienced European investigators were not taking part.

The Europeans, he said, were staying away as the evidence might be used eventually to put Saddam Hussein to death.

'We're trying to meet international standards that have been accepted by courts throughout the world,' he added."

Are these the same Europeans and standards that Sen. Kerry believes we need to "pass the global test" with?

DNC ELECTION MANUAL: CHARGE VOTER INTIMIDATION, EVEN IF NONE EXISTS

If this is true, we are heading for an election disaster that will make Florida 2000 seem like a walk in the park. We are the oldest, continuous democracy in the world and we are facing third world election practices.
I've hesitated posting Drudge links in the past, like the obscene Edwards remark re: people in wheelchairs being able to walk again if Kerry is elected, until I see other corroboration. That turned out to be true, and so might this. We are running short on time before the election. It's in all of our interest, regardless of which side we're on, to have a fair and legal election.
We are starting to see some of these tactics here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ballot issue I posted yesterday is heating up today, with demonstrations at a press conference called by the mayor. For more details, read here.

More thoughts about the DNC Election Manual here.

UPDATE: from the Kerry Spot on NRO the DNC response

Update on downed powerlines in WI

I heard news reports on WTMJ and WISN this morning and again at noon regarding witnesses who say they saw four men, of "middle-eastern decent", videotaping the American Transmission Company headquarters in Pewaukee an hour before the towers fell. The first report I heard said one witness came forward. At noon, the number of witnesses increased to three - all independent of one another. (story below says two witnesses, an ATC employee and a WE Energies security officer)
I'm skeptical, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have yet to see this anywhere in the print media or even on the WTMJ or TMJ4 web-sites.

UPDATE: WISN has the story. They credit WISN-TV for the story although I find no story on their web-site.

MORE: This from JS Online

How to solve the healthcare problem? Tell us what it costs.

This piece from the WSJ tackles the healthcare problem 'head-on'.:

"The problem is not hard to define, and having defined it, it's not insoluble. The problem is we hide from consumers what their health care is costing them, though hiding the cost in no way relieves them of having to pay the cost."

Later, the article summarizes the situation:

The media haven't been much help to voters on any of this, so let's make it simple: The middle class pays for the middle class's health care, whether by taxes, insurance premiums, reduced wages or over-the-counter prices. And the sooner the middle class is empowered to judge the value of health care versus its cost, the sooner we'll get a system that produces results to justify the resources that American workers pour into it.

I'd like to see additional requirements - like mandating that everyone review their billing statements from their healthcare providers before the insurance company pays. This will be a first step educate the consumer on the cost of medical care.

Wisconsin's business tax climate ranks among bottom 10 in U.S.

When are we going to realize that government 'policy' (i.e. tax manipulation) doesn't work? Reduce the tax burden on all, let the market work. And stop trying to redistribute wealth so you get re-elected.
Wisconsin's business tax climate ranks among bottom 10 in U.S.

Donald Luskin vs. Paul Krugman: On the economy

I'll put my money on Luskin. Read the arguments here:

"Krugman, however, does not let himself get concerned with Kerry's lies. Krugman says, "Mr. Kerry sometimes uses verbal shorthand that offers nitpickers things to complain about. ... Mr. Kerry can, at most, be accused of using loose language; the thrust of his statements is correct." Apparently it's just as Krugman once said of Michael Moore "he tells essential truths."

A Poverty Issue Left Untouched

A WaPost op-ed by Robert Samuelson, discusses a domestic issue -poverty- and takes aim at immigration:

"The Census statistics are both better and worse than advertised. They're better because the middle class isn't vanishing. Many middle-class families achieved large income gains in the 1990s and -- despite the recession and halting recovery -- have kept those gains. They're worse because the increase in poverty in recent decades stems mainly from immigration. Until our leaders acknowledge the connection between immigration and poverty, we'll be hamstrung in dealing with either. "

The question, or better yet, point I'd like to make is: If the United States is such a terrible place, why do all these immigrants CHOOSE to come here?

Additionally, the numbers used in this piece demonstrate how deceiving statistics can be. Samuelson does a good job at looking beyond basic figures to show that we, as a population, are not declining into poverty. Others, with a social agenda, use the same figures to paint a different picture. When the population is increased by immigrants who come in to the United States and accept a lower standard of living (but higher than what they came from) than those of us who are already here, the percentage of people living in poverty will increase, but it won't change the condition of anyone. The immigrants who come to this country are looking for a better life, and more times than not, they find it. What we, as a country, need to accept is that we offer an 'opportunity to succeed' for immigrants, not a 'guarantee'. Later in the op-ed piece, this paragraph raises some political questions:

Now, this poverty may or may not be temporary. Some immigrants succeed quickly; others do not. But if the poverty persists -- and is compounded by more immigration -- then it will create mounting political and social problems. One possibility: a growing competition for government benefits between the poor and baby boomer retirees.

LILEKS: The Bleat

Here's LILEKS: The Bleat response to the Kerry piece in NYT Magazine when Kerry referred to terrorism as a nuisance and equated it with prostition and illegal gambling:

"But that's not the key phrase. This matters: We have to get back to the place we were.

But when we were there we were blind. When we were there we were losing. When we were there we died. We have to get back to the place we were. We have to get back to 9/10? We have to get back to the place we were. So we can go through it all again? We have to get back to the place we were. And forget all we've learned and done? We have to get back to the place we were. No. I don't want to go back there. Planes into towers. That changed the terms. I am remarkably disinterested in returning to a place where such things are unimaginable. Where our nighmares are their dreams.

We have to get back to the place we were.

No. We have to go the place where they are."

Read it all, and read Lileks often. The guy is in our neighboring state of Minnesota, so he has midwestern values, plus he has some unique interests and creativity. Pretty entertaining stuff.