Pageant does not value free speech
A reader writes to Las Vegas Sun,
I am incensed by the shameful and hypocritical ranting by some of the judges of the Miss USA pageant concerning the stance against gay marriage voiced by Miss California, Carrie Prejean.
Amen to that. Those hypocrites pretend to support "equal rights" of everyone to marry anyone (or anything, for that matter) while denying Miss California her fundamental right to free speech. The day when we sacrifice one person's fundamental right for anyone else's ... privilege is the day when hell hath come on earth.
Mr. Trump, to his credit, tried to do some damage control by claiming that he respected Miss Prejean's opinion, but, well, he stopped short of vowing that he wouldn't invite such oppressive judges as Mr. Hilton in the future.
Right-Wing College Group Riles Students on Campuses Nationwide
Officials at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which identifies and tracks hate groups in the U.S., told FOXNews.com that the YWC is not currently on its list, but some of the group's views are "suspect," including the notion that Western civilization is somehow superior.
What's so suspect about the notion that "Western" civilizations are superior? Would you call me suspect for calling the sky blue? Or for calling water wet? Or for calling mountain high?
Western civilization is, if by "Western civilization" you simply mean the civilization of United States (and not, for example, Nazi Germany), superior to any civilization that ever existed or could ever possibly exist 'til angels govern. "Western civilization" is the only civilization ever to recognize the nobility of individual liberty and the collective good promoted by individual self-ownership. All other civilizations somehow consider cowardly "sacrifice" of individuals for kings, the aristocrats, the poor, or "social betters" rational, something that a thinking being not under influence of psychoactive drugs might do.
It's rather preposterous that these Western government officials would consider persecuting a group for thinking that the Western civilizations are the best thing in the world. I mean, since when was it a crime to be patriotic and love one's country and system of government?
On the other hand, I do think YWC is overreaching a bit—the conservatives' hopes are in the emphasis on freedom, because, as someone said (I forget who), "freedom is the biggest tent" in the Republican party. Freedom (specifically, individual freedom and self-ownership) is what brings everyone (well, maybe everyone but social conservatives with statist ideals who would never be accepted in the leftist circles) to the party. We may disagree on a lot of things (I for one think we should encourage lawful immigration into United States and think immigrants (documented or not) who take difficult, low-paying jobs that too many Americans won't take are the backbone of our economy, but I know this isn't a widely shared view among conservatives), but because the cause for freedom is greater than any other cause, we can rally under one banner.
Any "youth movement", if there should be any (I hate "youth movements" because of their historical connection to fascism and totalitarianism), should concentrate on that. Not peripheral issues that will only serve to drive other kindred spirits who love freedom away.
Shanna Moakler, Former Miss Universe Brook Lee Rally for Anti-prop 8 Ad Campaign
Shanna Moakler, former Miss USA and current co-executive director of the Miss California pageant has made it very clear how "hurt and upset" she was when her candidate Carrie Prejean voiced that she believed "marriage should be between a man and a woman" at the Miss USA pageant last weekend.
But this time it is Moakler who is standing up for what she believes in – the right for gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Of course we respect her right to voice her opinions and sincerely held beliefs. Of course we respect and will protect her First Amendment rights. Of course we, or rather, I will do all this even though I very much disagree with her and her supporters, and of course, we will not try to shut her up saying how much she is hurting the people of California, the majority of which did vote for Prop 8.
I only wish she had the same respect for Miss Carrie Prejean.
Palin's legal fund challenged as ethics violation
An ethics complaint filed Monday against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin claims the legal defense fund formed last week to challenge such claims is an ethics violation itself.
The complaint filed with the attorney general's office seeks an investigation by the state personnel board for violations of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. The complainant, Kim Chatman of Eagle River, claims Palin is misusing the governor's office for personal gain by securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts.
Hah. Shockingly predictable. Didn't I say exactly this would happen? Too bad for Ms. Chatman, Gov. Palin anticipated such foul play—she would be fool not to expect it after being under constant attack for, what, more than half a year?
I do hope the liberals dig deeper holes for themselves in this battle. They made this a money issue by trying to force Gov. Palin into personal bankruptcy (God knows enough former presidents were forced into such position, although for different reasons, in the old times). It's their money against ours, and I daresay that we will prevail.
Was Bush to blame for interrogation controversy?
Karl Rove and Bill O'Reilly debate on The Factor:
Bush isn't perfect on everything, but at least on this point, I would say he's right. He's right not to stoop himself to muckrakings of the liberal media.
One might even say that Bush has the grace and the wisdom of Washington himself: he knows when to leave, when to leave power and influence, and when to let the next generation of leaders try their best at governing (I am, of course, talking about when Obama is voted out of the office).
In Iowa, a historic day for gay couples
Today is the first day same-sex couples can apply for a marriage license in Iowa. The Des Moines couple hopes to be among the first to get one, then get a judge to waive the three-day wait to marry.
"We took a lot of time thinking about what marriage meant to us," Keeton says. "For us, it was binding."
Wolfe, 38, and Keeton, 31, are among couples who plan to marry following the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous ruling April 3 that barring same-sex marriage violated the state constitution. It made Iowa the third state, after Massachusetts and Vermont, to allow gay marriage.
I don't want to sound defeatist, but this is one battle us conservatives are not going to win. We may be able to delay the "progress" for some time, perhaps even a decade, if we are especially lucky, but at the longest, we will lose this battle in a generation or less (i.e. about 30 years or so).
The only honorable way out for us is the libertarian way out: get the government out of marriage business. No "marriage licenses" for anyone. Perhaps some kind of recognition for any couples living together, but don't let the government call it "marriage", and don't let there be much requirement (as would be implied by "license"). Let it be more like ... "partnership registration".
Smaller, local organizations can defend the traditional values as long as there's need (after all, how long did the Amish communities survive?). But the big government will always be pushed towards the progressive agenda, even when it lacks popular support (and popular support will come as newer generations are brainwashed in the progressive agenda).
Shortage of Doctors Proves Obstacle to Obama Goals
WASHINGTON — Obama administration officials, alarmed at doctor shortages, are looking for ways to increase the supply of physicians to meet the needs of an aging population and millions of uninsured people who would gain coverage under legislation championed by the president.
Well, this should be interesting to watch.
Regardless of how it turns out, I'm sure this would prove yet another evidence to the fact that you cannot turn your back on the "men of the mind" and not see the society fall apart.
Socialism can put lots and lots of printed money in the hands of the mob. But it cannot generate wealth, nor can it motivate those with talent to serve the society to their own detriment.
In free market economy, such shortage of any professional (or even menial laborers) would have been temporary, since, absent the market distorting forces from the government (or large insurers or regulations forcing insurers to act against their own interest), lack of primary care doctors would mean that their fee would (and should!) go up, which would motivate more medical students (or existing professionals) to become primary care doctors, until suitable balance is reached. It's simple supply and demand, first semester economics.
The nice thing about the market is that it is self-correcting (the same reason science has done so well over last couple centuries). Can you say the same thing about the government? And no, you can't include revolutions as part of "self-correction".
Obama leading U.S. ideological shift
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Far more than anything else, President Barack Obama's first 100 days have been marked by an ideological shift to traditional Democratic policies in tackling the U.S. recession.
...
Inheriting the worst economic crisis in decades, Obama and many Democrats are advocating big spending increases on healthcare, education and green technology, calling them investments needed to rebuild the economy.
In so doing, he has set the United States on a path toward reversing eight years of the Bush administration's conservative policies.
"Bush administration's conservative policies"? That's so unfair (not that I would expect fairness from the liberal media).
Bush administration's fiscal policies were nothing but "conservative"—they were neo-cons. Former President Bush is to be admired for a lot of things (such as refusing to waste federal dollars for dead baby research), but balanced budget and reducing spending (the traditional conservative values) aren't among them.
Well, in any case, Obama's 4 years will be a test for whether liberal policies can truly work for this nation. It may work (or so it is claimed) for small European nations that do not need to defend their own borders (because U.S. is doing that job, mostly), but then, even the worst (in terms of efficiency) socialism can work on small scale.
I just hope they'll stop blaming Bush (and his "conservative" policies) in a year or two.
Voters in Switzerland Ban Nude Hiking
APPENZELL, Switzerland — Voters in the heart of the Swiss Alps on Sunday passed legislation banning nude hiking after dozens of mostly German nudists started rambling through their picturesque region.
By a show of hands citizens of the tiny state of Appenzell Inner Rhodes voted overwhelmingly at their traditional open-air annual assembly to impose a $176 fine on violators.
Only a scattering of people on Sunday opposed the ban on the back-to-nature activity that took off last autumn when naked hikers — primarily Germans — started showing up in eastern Switzerland.
I suppose this is a great setback for nude hiking rights activists everywhere.
But then, one could also ask: if you love hiking nude so much, why don't you do it in your own home town, rather than flashing your body parts to complete strangers like some exhibitionists? After all, obscenity should be defined locally, and you are free to repeal such bans (if any exist) in your own home town.
Deadline: Dems will nuke filibuster if health-care reform doesn’t pass by October 15
The reconciliation instruction specifies a date. That date, according to one congressional staffer, is October 15. (The original House reconciliation instruction had a late September deadline.)
In other words, the House and Senate each have until that day to pass health care legislation.
If they haven't, then both houses will consider health care under the reconciliation process, which is relevant primarily for the way it affects the Senate. There will be a limit on the time of debate. Republicans won't be able to filibuster it.
Well, I guess they are just living up to their expectation. Liberals act all nice and such, but when it comes down to it, it will be a liberal that choose to actually use a "nuclear option" before anybody else—other people have a soul, liberals, like the Japanese, do not.
I suppose I don't really care (because I don't care about health care, as long as it doesn't result in new taxes) as long as they don't complain and whine when the conservatives take back the houses.
Besides, if they do exercise the nuke option, well, when this whole thing falls apart, now it will be squarely on their heads, although with people like Mr. Frank in their ranks, I'm not sure how much of the responsibility they would accept on this partisan decision.