"Mythical Bunk", my a$$!

Another problem with education and society's leniency when it comes to raising kids and challenging them (WSJ.com - Kids & Money):

"The biggest problem, of course, is that a job interferes with school. Dr. Steinberg says his research shows that grades don't usually suffer when kids work -- but that's only because they take easier courses or cheat in order to protect their grades. As it is, only one in 11 high-school graduates has taken trigonometry. Only one in four has taken physics. And 44% graduate without the courses they need to get into college."

"Kids" will have a job for many more years than they will be in school and the sooner they see what is expected of them in the "real" world, the better.

Still more evidence that Bush has been President longer than we think...

Here's more evidence that the press believes George Bush has been President longer than he actually has served. As I mentioned in an earlier post "W" Breaks FDR's Record, certain mainstream media personnel operate with different facts than the rest of us:

"That Blair and Bush should have discussed bombing the Al-Jazeera building in Qatar is hardly surprising. They agreed to bomb the headquarters of Serbian television during the Kosovo war."

Since the war in Kosovo occurred in 1999, either the 2000 election that Al Gore still claims was stolen from him, was actually a RE-election of President Bush, or Governor Bush was executing foreign policy from Texas!

So what are you doing NOW to build support across the aisle?

Apparently former President Clinton only sees "simple truths" in his administration:

"Bosnia's 10-year path since Dayton reminds all of us privileged to lead U.S. foreign policy of a simple truth: Every one of us who starts a large initiative will be out of office before America's job is done. Progress takes time, and speed is often the enemy of progress. Therefore, we cannot undertake an initiative without preparing to hand it off -- by building support across the
aisle at home, and by finding international partners who will pick up the job when America is occupied by new challenges. To this end, my administration built our policy around gaining allied support and adding international help over time."

Given his rhetoric these days regarding the war on terrorism and the failings of the Bush administration, I think this Op-ed piece should be viewed rather skeptically - not because of it's content (which I agree with) but because of the messenger.

EU teaches children treaty is still alive

Typical propaganda from those "who care":

"Children as young as eight are being taught that the controversial European Constitution is up and running - even though it has been rejected by voters."

Forget the facts. If we "teach it", it "will be"!

Happy (Blessed) Thanksgiving

From George Washington's first Thanksgiving Proclamation:

"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.'"

Amen.

"W" breaks FDR's record!

Apparently, according to Dave Zweifel at The Capital Times, George Bush has been President for 34 years, making this the mid-term of his 9th consecutive 4-year term!:

"If these press reports were truly objective, they'd go on to explain why the national railroad hasn't made money. It's because throughout those 34 years it has been starved to a mere shadow of what it could be by an uncaring Congress and officials in the executive branch who can't see beyond paving the land with more concrete.

Those officials, in the form of the George Bush-appointed Amtrak board of directors, fired the railroad's president last week. David Gunn had resisted the half-baked plan to split the passenger rail service into several regional segments, cutting off service to a vast expanse of the United States."

I suppose for those on the left, 6 years probably feels like 34!

Talk about "Price Gouging"?

Where's the outrage over this? The WSJ Online reports:

"U.S. producers can't meet American demand and some are even rationing their existing customers. But they can charge more if low-cost Mexican competitors are excluded from the market. The producer price index for cement rose 11.6% in September from the previous year, according to the Associated General Contractors, and the index for concrete products rose 10%. The contractors' group adds that shortages, duties on Mexican cement and high shipping costs 'contributed to a 14.3% increase in the price index for nonresidential
structures last quarter.' Washington politicians who purport to be worried about 'price gouging' in other industries might notice that it is really taking place in cement, thanks to official government policy."

Of course, there are SO many industries where our government (and other governments) have intruded into the market with regulations, subsidies, taxes/tariffs, etc., all with the noble intention of "making things fair" for their constituents, which end with the exact opposite effect. Can you say it with me: "The Law of Unintended Consequences"?

On the other hand, there are just as many instances where the 'constituents' are very happy with the results and are willing to "pay" for it!

Let kids sell their own fund-raising food

Mike Nichols nails it:

"It used to be that parents announced their kids were trying to raise money for the chess club or debate, and they sheepishly felt obliged to help. Now, you get messages that barely even mention their kids - or, sometimes, what the money is even for."

But he may not have hammered hard enough! At what point does the "community" stop subsidizing everything, and let the participants fund it?

This subject goes deeper - as most things do. It is related to two other widely expanding notions: 1) everything for the kids and; 2) my kids 'need' this to: get ahead in life; get a scholarship; etc. - and we want you to help pay for it!

Why does a community "need" a soccer/basketball/volleyball/etc club? These 'clubs' do little more than suck the community dry of money and enthusiasm - all in the name of "it's for the kids". Some parents convince themselves (or are convinced by others) that the kids need these clubs if they ever hope to compete. Not only that, but they better start them young - 4-5 years old, and quickly decide on a single sport. If they wait past age 8 to pick a sport, the kid will be a failure!

For the record, my kids participate in these activities and more. But I would also say they do so with a reluctant father. They like the 'fun' part of playing with their friends and have, so far, been unaware of the 'seedy' underside of parent/organizer intervention. I like the team aspects (albeit, not widely taught) and the recreational aspect of sport and other activities, but I also recognize that my kids will not be making a living - let alone helping mom & dad retire early - with a career in sports. The problems is, the pendulum has swung to the point of eliminating any 'kid run' aspect of this recreation (you know the old days: my Little League manager was the friend on the team who knew how to fill out a roster and score card!).

If we truly want to do something "for the kids", maybe we should just let them be kids!

Idealist & Naivety

Idealist
Noun
S: (n) idealist, dreamer (someone guided more by ideals than by practical considerations)

Naivety
Noun
S: (n) naivete, naivety, naiveness (lack of sophistication or worldliness)

I've been called worse!

Bare breasts for peace!

One can only imagine the reaction the Islamic fundamentalists would have, if what happened here, were to take place say, in Kabul, or Mosul, or any other Muslim city:

"Even before they bared their breasts, a crowd of mostly men gathered on the Capitol's West steps to watch the spectacle. Soon, members of the group 'Breasts Not Bombs' began promoting peace, not war, in a demonstration reminiscent of the late 60's."

Given the self-important posture of this group, I'm not sure they even recognize that if it weren't for the war they condemn, they would never have the ability to make a "political statement" like this. Given the demands of fundamental Islam, they'd have a difficult time demonstrating with a "Foreheads, not Fascism" mantra - before they were summarily stoned to death!

Lautenschlager on the war path!

This is the first thing that came to my mind when I read the headline:

"'This really wasn't about helping out the uninsured,' George Quinn, senior vice president of the Wisconsin Hospital Association, said after the news conference. 'This was about helping out a desperate politician. It basically was a stunt.'"

Now that Lautenschlager is being challenged within her own party, expect more of these lawsuits designed to protect the "little guy" and gain support from the Democratic base.

"It can swiftly push a family over the financial cliff," Lautenschlager said at a news conference at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. "We are seeking fairness."

How much it will hurt business in Wisconsin and create an unwelcome environment, is yet to be seen.

Riots in Paris offer lessons at home ~ According to Kane

Eugene Kane always has a way to point out what's wrong with America...:

"Most times, Milwaukee has little to do with France; our annual Bastille Days celebration has about as much to do with French culture as Juneteenth Day. But we're all susceptible to this kind of violence as long as some members of our community feel ignored and neglected until it's too late."

...but he seldom has an answer.

Strange Bed Fellows?

In this NYT's piece, a case is being made to link two dissimilar groups - or so it seems:

"On the other hand, he added, 'they don't like environmentalists. They associate environmentalists with the Sierra Club and with people who have nontraditional religiosity. Alliance leaders have a real opportunity here, but the impediment is getting over the image of environmentalists.'"

The problem is, MOST people are not black & white or single-issue driven - and that includes those of us who are comfortable with religion. As with most groups, the "Evangelicals" and "Environmentalists" attract the extreme minorities while the rest of us live with a healthy, moderate perspective.

Population Politics

You can't use the phrase "one would think" when referring to a position of the left (WSJ.com - Population Politics):

"One would think that women's organizations would applaud this decision -- and the appointment of an American woman who champions it. Mandatory limitations on family size and involuntary sterilizations hardly represent 'reproductive freedom' or 'a woman's right to choose.' Instead, groups such as Planned Parenthood have protested that Mr. Bush is denying women access to reproductive health and family planning services. Planned Parenthood is also attacking Ms. Sauerbrey."

Bonfire of the Vanities - Life goes on

Europe isn't "all that". We need to remember this when certain elites in this country point to the sophisticated nuance of Europe - especially France - as something to aspire to and model (WSJ.com - Bonfire of the Vanities):

"Of course, apocalypses have a habit of not happening. The present riots are only a temporary exacerbation of 'normal' life in French lower-class and immigrant suburbs. (In all of Western society, not just France, social housing means antisocial behavior.) Even when there are no riots, such suburbs are strewn with the carcasses of burnt-out cars, like skeletons in a desert, and one can see the blackened remains of shops that have been put to the torch. Drug-trafficking goes on openly, and the hostility to outsiders is palpable."

Government vs. Real World

This is just one more "practice" that illustrates the disconnect between state government and the real world:

"'It's like a golden parachute in case Doyle loses' re-election, he said. 'This is supposed to be a civil service system, but they're making it a political patronage system. It's like working down South in the 1930s, if you ask me.'"

Too many "civil servants" spend their time 'playing' the system, rather than doing the job. In what other environment - other than government/public - can you have this kind of job security?

In the real world, if you choose to change jobs, one of the risks you take is that your 'old' job will be filled by someone else. Companies can't wait for you to decide if you like the new one or if you fail.

In addition, companies predominately hire people based on skills and experience, not for personal relationships. People earn promotions and bonuses based on results, not tenure.

I almost forgot how much I enjoy Thomas Sowell...

Thomas Sowell:

"Many crusades of the political left have been misunderstood by people who do not understand that these crusades are about establishing the identity and the superiority of the crusaders.

T.S. Eliot understood this more than half a century ago when he wrote: 'Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm -- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.'"

Random Thoughts by Thomas Sowell

My favorite, regular column from Thomas Sowell is his "Random Thoughts". Here's a recent submission:

"Senator Dianne Feinstein asked Judge John Roberts whether his being Catholic would interfere with carrying out his duties on the Supreme Court but she would undoubtedly have felt insulted if anyone had asked her whether being Jewish would interfere with her carrying out her duties as a Senator."

Well worth reading them all.

Civil Rights Rites by Thomas Sowell

Again, a common sense perspective by Thomas Sowell:

"Civil rights cannot include everything that is done by government which benefits particular groups, individually or collectively. The whole case for civil rights is that every American is entitled to them. Civil rights are not about doing special things for special groups."

Political discourse in 2005

The rhetoric in this story is a great example of how we interact these days - especially politically:

"'There's free speech, but this isn't free,' said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. 'This amounts to taxpayer subsidy of worship.'"

Both sides of the argument use extreme positions to state their case:

(US Rep Mark) Green wrote a letter to UW System president Kevin Reilly urging him to investigate policies at other University of Wisconsin campuses and to "rid the UW system of this deplorable mandate."

I believe the majority of people in the state see this not as a "taxpayer subsidy of worship" nor as a "deplorable mandate". The university does not have a policy that requires RA's to teach Bible studies (which would make it a "taxpayer sudsidy"), and it is not saying that the RA cannot teach Bible studies (a "deplorable mandate") - just not in the dorm. It's a close call for me whether or not the RA should be allowed to use a room in the dorm for this group, but as long as the university doesn't make it so onerous that the group would need to relocate completely off-campus, I think they are being fair.

Breaking tradition, Carter rips Bush's policies

USATODAY.com:

"At a breakfast with reporters sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, Carter, 81, diverged from a time-honored practice in which ex-presidents refrain from criticizing those currently holding the office. He acknowledged making mistakes when he was president from 1977-81, and at one point declared: 'I can't deny that I am a better ex-president than I was a president.'"

Has Jimmy Carter become completely irrelevant? I heard an out-take of an interview with a local radio station the other morning where Carter was asked to comment on Judge Alito. After a monologue about how he "hopes Alito will rule against torture in US prisons", Carter turned to self promotion for his new book by mentioning that he will be making a book signing appearance in the Milwaukee area - at Wal-Mart in West Bend! C'mon. An ex-President - and Nobel Peace Prize recipient - reduced to signing books at Wal-Mart? Besides that, isn't the 'left' opposed to the evil Wal-Mart?

Ahh, the French

Let's not forget how 'diplomatic and civilized' France is when they lecture the US on how to conduct our affairs. No country is exempt from thugs who think violence is a means to an end. (And before anyone from the Left comments that US is using violence as a means to an ends, get real. When a bully is allowed to bully the weak without consequence, he'll never stop. The US stands up to the bully for those that cannot - not for the purpose being a bully themselves.)CNN.com:

"But the original cause has been all but forgotten as residents of other communities -- weary of poverty, unemployment and discrimination against the large immigrant and Muslim populations -- have vented their frustration.

In some areas, unemployment runs as high as 20 percent -- more than twice the national average, de Villepin told lawmakers."

It'll never happen...

Victoria Toensing has a suggestion for the democrats looking to investigate the pre-war "lies":

"Assess the validity of the claim that Valerie Plame's status was 'covert,' or even properly classified, given the wretched tradecraft by the Central Intelligence Agency throughout the entire episode."

U.S. Court: Public Schools responsible for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Sex

Court to parents: " Move aside, the government knows how to raise your children better than you!":

"Parents have no constitutional right to prevent public schools from exposing children to sexual topics, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Wednesday."

Parent do have a right to choose to send their children to Catholic, other religious, and/or private schools, however. (At least for now!)

History repeats itself, like bell-bottoms (only worse)

"What Mr. Reid's pose is 'really all about' is the emergence of the Clare Boothe Luce Democrats. We're referring to the 20th-century playwright, and wife of Time magazine founder Henry Luce, who was most famous for declaring that Franklin D. Roosevelt had 'lied us into war' with the Nazis and Tojo. So intense was the hatred of FDR among some Republicans that they held fast to this slander for years, with many taking their paranoia to their graves."

WSJ (subscription required?)