Maggie's Farm

Al Gore's persuasiveness and intellectual brilliance finally got through to us. We are officially going green. One Friday per month will henceforth be Green Beer Night in order to save the planet. (Sorry for showing a photo of green beer at what is breakfast time for some our Yankee readers.) Next month, maybe Green Eggs and Ham.

What was so memorable about JFK? Town Hall. Not much that matters, really. He was a pretty good conservative, though, the way I see it.

Iraq FM warns against US withdrawal.

TANSTAAFL. Enuf said.

Dem advisor: "Appeal to their emotions, not their brains." I find that approach overly logical...

RFK Jr on warming deniers (via Drudge): "Get rid of all these rotten politicians that we have in Washington, who are nothing more than corporate toadies," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmentalist author, president of Waterkeeper Alliance and Robert F. Kennedy's son, who grew hoarse from shouting. "This is treason. And we need to start treating them as traitors."  Hyperbole or insanity? I find it a bit creepy. I guess I'm a traitor, RFK Jr. I dare you to try to hang me.

Mom complains about her Marine Corps son going to war. It's his job, for Pete's sake. Jules

Cognitive dissonance at the NYT. Donnelly at The Daily Standard. In one hand they hold the narrative, and in the other hand, the facts.

I like Melanie Phillips, but how naive is she? Larry Auster. I have heard her interviewed, and she didn't seem this out to lunch at all.

Re-wiring the addicted brain. Tyee.

Straight talk about immigration. "Close the f-ing border first." Right. Kim. If you have a leaky pipe, you turn off the water before you repair the leak.

Wishful Thinking Department. The desire to believe that terrorists are the Keystone Cops. Neoneo

What is Syria up to now? Why isn't it reported by the MSM? Classical Values. Likewise the Red Mosque story: why not reported?

Dreaming of a heroically liberal Supreme Court. Althouse

Zawahiri is worried about how things are going in Iraq. SDA

Is Al Gore still involved in politics? Hewitt

Ten politically-incorrect truths about human nature. Psychology Today, via Flares.

Why Moslem docs in the UK? Because Brits don't want to be docs working for the NHS. Dino

Excellent example of how screwed-up the NYT is these days: Powerline. They have a political agenda, and that is what they are all about. When facts don't fit the narrative, they land on the cutting room floor. For another example, why does the NYT deal with Iran as it does? Lasky at American Thinker. A quote:

The paper's power is hard to overestimate. The Times creates the newscape of America: the issues it chooses to highlight and the perspective it brings to these issues are the genesis behind the news coverage of the mainstream media. What it chooses to be "fit to print" becomes, through its sway and news syndicate, the stories that fill America's daily news. Arthur ("Pinch") Sulzberger has alluded that it has been his desire to drive public policy since his Vietnam-war era college days. He has accomplished his mission. The paper's potency reaches the halls of Congress; the agenda that drives the paper often becomes the agenda in Washington. Herein lies the peril: by presenting a Pollyannaish view of Iran's intentions and abilities, the paper has served to spin the news in a way that has demonstrably minimized the threat from Iran, has eroded our ability to thwart Iran's nuclear program, and has ridiculed and dismissed the concerns of people who take a more wary and realistic view regarding the Iranian regime.

More lunacy from Planet San Francisco, with comments from Dr. Sanity. (Photo on right is a recent piece of SF "art" from her piece.) Looking back fondly on Stalin and Mao, I guess.

Robert Heinlein. The prophet of Southern California. Reason

Can a society be too broken to be fixed? Darfur, at SC&A

Blogs are an "early warning system" for pols? SDA. Well, maybe sometimes sorta kinda.

Justice Thomas is a self-hating minority member? Whoa. Gotta disagree with Mod. Voice on that statement, as do many highly self-respecting black commentators. We were are all imbued with some Liberal Condescension towards black Americans, and it is tough to get rid of it and to treat them like normal people. If I were a black man, which I would not mind being at all, I would hate this kind of thing.

Marcus Luttrell: He says that his Christianity got in the way of a prudent military decision. Flopping. Quote:

"It was the stupidest, most southern-fried, lamebrained decision I ever made in my life," Luttrell writes. "I must have been out of my mind. I had actually cast a vote which I knew could sign our death warrant. I'd turned into a (expletive) liberal, a half-assed, no-logic nitwit, all heart, no brain, and the judgment of a jack rabbit."

The Farm Bill. Boring topic, relatively speaking. But it is, in fact, the lowest form of vote-buying and corporate welfare. I refuse to believe that modern farming carries any more risk than any other form of business. Plus nowadays they have crop insurance, can hedge prices, buy and sell futures, etc etc. These folks aren't your grandfather's farmers.

Telegraph reviews AK-47. A History of the People's Gun.

Big Brother reads blogs in the UK. A creepy story from Mr. Free Market

Hunting and fishing decreasing in popularity. Should anyone care? Env. Economic

The Two Americas: Soft America and Hard America. Buddy noted this 2003 piece by Barone.

The Tridentine Mass is back. Frivolity ensues.

Thompson dazzles Young Repubs. AOL News

Venus is back. Her opponent deserves credit for hanging in there, but Venus looked great. Her coverage of the court is mind-boggling.

How a teacher should behave, if he wants the students to behave.

The Gore shark jumping. Blue Crab. Still confused about the meaning of "shark jumping"? It's about Fonz.

Japanese hutzpah. Playing the WW2 victim card. It never ceases to amaze me how effective the victim card is in concealing blatant aggression.

A smoking rebellion begins in the UK. I hope it spreads. Tangled

San Francisco. I cannot believe this. Horrifying. Is it something in their water? Maybe a Haldol deficiency in their Starbucks?

More on rights and needs and wants. Reisman.

Twisting reality to fit the Leftist narrative. I love these examples, but they are endless.

Some musicians are in touch with reality. Cramer

What about Moslem doctors in the US? Jules

Genocide or disease? Disease wiped out vast numbers of American Indians, although that does not fit "the narrative." (h/t, Assistant Village Idiot) Squanto was alone because, when he returned from his European travels, all of his kin had died either from influenza or from the common cold virus. He must have had a tough immune system.

Who knew that running and jogging were right-wing activities? Ya can't make this stuff up.

No blog has better folksy old-timey photos.

Fake massacres widely reported. Real massacres not reported. Powerline. Our press has no shame in their anti-American crusade.

Quoted at Cafe Hayek:

...the whole idea of "sharing prosperity" seems to imply that prosperity is some kind of aggregate to which we all have some claim, much like members of a family. What justifies looking at society as a family? If it is, Prof Summers can just send me a monthly cheque without the need for legislation.

Offshoring of jobs: Has it peaked? Dresner

Al Gore: Ignorant or Dishonest? Reisman. We need to add George Reisman to our blogroll.

Taxes and the Dems: From a piece at Kudlow:

...you can’t have capitalism without capital. The process works for “rich people” and the middle class.

Whenever Democrats wage war against the rich, the middle class becomes the collateral damage. This may be the law of unintended consequences, but it is something this Congress fails to understand.

Quote of a quote at Rhymes with Right:

Those who enter Mexico illegally have committed a criminal offense, and under 1974 law are subject to two to five years in prison.

Excellent case study of the contradictions, hidden subsidies, and insane economics when a state (MA in this case) tries to control insurance pricing. Squaring the Boston Globe

Photo: 1959 tugboat for sale. Nice. You can live on her, but she ain't the Mirabella V.

The world revolves around Super Joe. Protein Wisdom on Joe Wilson and Scooter.

Obama, Clinton redistribute cash to poor campaign rivals.

If it's warm, it's global warming. If it's cold, it's plain weather. Tim Blair

Soaring state and local debt: The credit card approach to government has taken hold. It's quite clear that it's about getting re-elected. You buy stuff without raising taxes. However, in some towns, cities, and states, 30-40% of tax receipts go to debt payment. Only politicians would run things that way.

China's public self-criticism: It is a good sign. Dino

George Will on the Supreme's school integration case:

Breyer said that last week's decision abandons "the promise of Brown." Actually, that promise -- a colorblind society -- has been traduced by the "diversity" exception to the Equal Protection Clause. That exception allows white majorities to feel noble while treating blacks and certain other minorities as seasoning -- a sort of human oregano -- to be sprinkled across a student body to make the majority's educational experience more flavorful.

This repulsive practice merits Clarence Thomas' warning in his opinion concurring with last week's ruling: Beware of elites eager to constitutionalize "faddish social theories." Often, they are only theories.
As Roberts said, Seattle and Louisville offered "no evidence" that the diversity they have achieved (by what he has called the "sordid business" of "divvying us up by race") is necessary to achieve the "asserted" educational benefits.

Evidence is beside the point. The point for race-mongering diversity tinkerers is their professional and ideological stake in preventing America from achieving "a colorblind mentality."

The United States is Obviously the Most Benevolent World Power in the History of the Planet. RWN

Zawahiri on the Democrats, at Atlas:

"You must be patient and steadfast," he says. "Rejoice, for victory is near, with Allah's permission, and the herds of crusaders have begun to split up and their sole concern has become searching for a way out."

Arctic Monkeys make more sense to me than Al Gore does:

"It's a bit patronising for us 21 year olds to try to start to change the world," said Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, explaining why the group is not on the bill at any of Al Gore's charity concerts.

"Especially when we're using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It'd be a bit hypocritical," he told AFP in an interview before a concert in Paris.

Photo: Our friend, webmeister, and master sailor Chris was messing with boats yesterday in CT, and took this photo of Hotspur while doing some work on her mast. He tells us: Hotspur is an old Holland 40. She is an old IOR (International Offshore Rules) boat built in the mid-seventies, designed by Ron Holland, who has gone on to design Mirabella V.  She use to be called Secret Affair and was famous for finishing first and being orange. She stood out in the races. As Secret Affair she raced against the best, like Ted Turner. Her sister ship, Imp, is very competitive in Europe. Imp is known for her weird green hull.  There are only two Holland 40's still racing in the world. Currently Hotspur is referred to as the big blue boat, or the boat to beat on Long Island Sound. The crew is unique - not pros, just all friends of the skipper who love to sail.

"Out-of-touch solons," government "solutions," and grandiose plans. Democracy Project

Hey Bird Dog. Here are some good sauces.

Captain Ed: excellent piece on education - and integration

Big Mac is booming in Paris. Attack

On holiday tonight and tomorrow. I plan to grill some burgers and to be served a few Coronas by a lightly-garbed sweetie who always needs to be reminded to bring me limes. The burgers will happen, but the other part is just a dream. Northern women don't seem to even want to try to understand men.

Coffee: The more you drink, the better. WebMD. (h/t, Dr. Bob)

Former radical Islamist: "I was a fanatic. I know their thinking." Daily Mail

Repubs move on border enforcement. Surber. It's a winning issue.

Hitchens: The London bombers were targeting women. (h/t, Tigerhawk)

Inflation police in Zimbabwe. (h/t, Memeorandum). This mess will end badly.

Brits skeptical about warming hysteria. Good for them. Always be skeptical about the science du jour, because science always changes.

Prof B. reminds me of the Mitt Romney dog story. Dumb story. Half the hunting guys I know drive long distances with their dogs in the back of the pick-up. No difference. I see traces of the Pathetic Fallacy here.

What if we hadn't gone into Iraq? Where would things be? Wallison at TCS

Howard Zinn: Have an Unhappy Fourth! Moonbattery

Replica Viking ship sets sail to Ireland. 

Two Buck Chuck wins wine competition.

A terror spectacular planned for this summer? (h/t, Jules)

With gas prices up, railroads are getting more competitive. I like that.

The "poor and disenfranchised" Brit terrorists. Yup. Two of them were MDs. Driscoll. Count on the NYT to ignore facts to make the story fit "the narrative du jour."

Michael Yon's latest: A grim visit to the Baquba suburbs.

Zimbabwe Archbishop requests an invasion

Chavez and Ahmadinejad: Perfect together. Gateway

Soldiers dancing with kids in Iraq.

Jupiter keeps changing its stripes. Space Daily

If you could put Newt's brain into another personality and another body, he'd be a great candidate.

The brain is not a computer: it's a sensory organ. Science Daily

Tennessee clean-up: Messy front yard lands lady in jail. You ain't seen a messy front yard til you've seen a messy Tennessee front yard.

Miss Hoosegow 2007. Vote early and often.

Is the domestic cat domesticated? Rick Moran

LaShawn on black pride, school integration, and liberal paternalism.

Tony Blair yesterday, via Michelle:

In his most outspoken remarks on Islamists, the former Prime Minister warns that Britain is in danger of losing the battle against terrorists unless mainstream society confronts the threat.

Blair’s remarks, in which he also attacks some civil liberty campaigners as ‘loopy loo’, were made in a Channel 4 documentary recorded last Tuesday on the eve of his departure from Downing Street.

‘The idea that as a Muslim in this country that you don’t have the freedom to express your religion or your views, I mean you’ve got far more freedom in this country than you do in most Muslim countries,’ Blair told Observer columnist Will Hutton, who presents the documentary.

‘The reason we are finding it hard to win this battle is that we’re not actually fighting it properly. We’re not actually standing up to these people and saying, “It’s not just your methods that are wrong, your ideas are absurd. Nobody is oppressing you. Your sense of grievance isn’t justified.”‘