Whacky Arizona Border Policy
May 31, 2005
For some reason, Congressmen Jeff Flake and Jim Kolbe of Arizona continue to propose a bizzare border policy lacking in enforcement provisions. In the case of this article from WashingtonTimes.com, Cong. Kolbe refuses to support permanent checkpoints in the Tucson sector.
In helping to draft legislation blocking the creation of permanent checkpoints in the Tucson sector, which he represents, Mr. Kolbe has said taxpayer funds could better be used ‘towards additional vehicles, night-vision gear, sensors, lights, fencing or other needed equipment.’
While Mr. Kolbe has endorsed the use of ‘tactical mobile checkpoints that move from place to place,’ Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar, who formerly headed the Tucson sector, told a Senate subcommittee last month that permanent checkpoints south of Tucson would help agents apprehend more illegal aliens trying to sneak into the United States.
Mr. Aguilar testified before a Senate Homeland Security subcommittee that agents ‘cannot control our borders by merely enforcing the line,’ adding that the Border Patrol strategy ‘incorporates a defense-in-depth component’ to include permanent checkpoints away from the border.
Why not do both? Develop a system of permanent and mobile checkpoints. It seems reasonable.
This has all the signs of a government operation.
Sphere: Related ContentWWII Japanese Soldiers Found On Island. Vietnam Veteran McCain Found in Congress.
May 27, 2005
Some Japanese World War II soldiers were recently found on the island Mindanao sixty years after Japan surrendered.
There is apparently no connection to Vietnam Veteran John McCain who didn’t know that the Democrats lost the 2004 elections.
Sphere: Related ContentThune Threatens Bush
May 27, 2005
Despite strong support for the President because of Bush’s help defeating Tom Daschle, Sen. John Thune is not feeling the love as the Defense Department has called for the closure of Ellsworth AFB. Retaliation may be forthcoming.
Sphere: Related ContentChristian Activists in Canada
May 27, 2005
In a country where pastors can be arrested for calling homosexuality a sin, this is encouraging news.
Sphere: Related ContentReid slams GOP
May 27, 2005
Is it just me, or does something not ring true when Harry Reid says:
Washington Times: . . . [Y]esterday in a speech laying out Democrats’ agenda [Ried] accused Republican leaders of being so consumed with partisan political ’sniping’ that they’ve neglected a troubled economy and a weak national defense. ‘Democrats are the party of national security,’ Mr. Reid said at the National Press Club. ‘And we have an agenda to defend America from danger.’ “
I guess he’s been watching too many episodes of X-Files.
Sphere: Related Content"Mr. Narcissus Goes to Washington"
May 26, 2005
Just when Peggy Noonan wows you, she ups the ante. Her current column at Opinion Journal, Mr. Narcissus Goes to Washington, is a total hoot!
It requires no analysis from me. But some teasers are warranted:
. . . [M]y favorite was Lindsey Graham, who said, “I know there will be folks ‘back home’ who will be angry, but that’s only because they’re not as sophisticated and high-minded as I am. Actually they’re rather stupid, which is why they’re not in the Senate and I am. But I have 3 1/2 years to charm them out of their narrow-minded resentments, and watch me, baby.”Oh, excuse me, that’s not what he said. That’s only what he meant. It was the invisible scroll as he spoke. The CNN identifier that popped up beneath his head as he chattered, however, did say, “Conceited Nitwit Who Affects ‘Back Home’ Accent to Confuse the Boobs.”
Oh wait, that’s not what it said. It said, “R-South Carolina.” My bad.
And then there’s this one:
All this self-lauding has become strange. Public figures use the press to laud themselves with no embarrassment, no sense of what is important, and no sense of modesty. . . . Every announcement of news in America has become an Academy Awards show. And every speaker has become a variation on Sally Fields: “I like me, I really like me!”
Go read it here and enjoy!
Sphere: Related ContentStates’ Rights Out the Window
May 26, 2005
The recent 8th Circuit Court decision striking down the Nebraska Marriage Amendment is another less publicized example of judicial tyranny.
Tom Minnery of Focus on the Family Action makes the point forcefully and well.
Sphere: Related ContentWhat Kind of Leader Are You?
May 24, 2005
Find out by reading theMonday Morning Insight Weblog
With the Compromise Now In, the 2008 Race Shapes Up
May 24, 2005
An article in the Des Moines Register recently discussed the consequences for Senators who go soft on the filibuster who may be seeking the Presidential nomination in Iowa in 2008 (e.g. Hagel and McCain). It’s happened, and our field of softies has emerged. Based on this analysis, Sen. John McCain-AZ should be greatly damaged in Iowa over his support and leadership of yesterday’s compromise. It should make him vulnerable in South Carolina as well especially in light of his alliance with Sen. Lindsay Graham-SC one of the most surprising of softies.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee has also been damaged for 2008. His lackluster approach to the filibuster problem of allowing this to drag on for four and a half months since the start of the session overshadows his recent strong statements in support of removing the filibuster for judicial nominees. Now that John McCain is the de facto Majority Leader, Frist has shown a major weakness in his leadership; not a good thing for a Presidential candidate.
Interestingly, Sen. Chuck Hegel-NE did not follow McCain into filibuster compromise. But as the “Republican” compromise darling in the Senate, he’s already damaged goods.
Look for Sen. George Allen-VA and Sen. Sam Brownback-KS to benefit greatly by their consistently strong public statements for up or down votes. Sen. Rick Santorum-PA, on the other hand, should have benefited from his solid stand as well, but his support of fellow Pennsylvania and Democratically liberal Republican Senator Arlen Specter over primary challenger Pat Toomey in 2004 has already taken him out of contention for the nomination.
There are others who are insulated from Senate politics who could benefit from angst in the Republican grassroots against the Senate and rise to the nomination. Chief among them is Gov. Jeb Bush-FL. If he were to rescind his promise not to run for President, he would be a serious candidate from outside the beltway. There are two longshots who might find the momentum because of all this: Gov. Bill Owens-CO and Gov. Mike Huckabee-AR. Both have considered a run, and both would connect with the conservative grassroots. And in Owens’ case, he is articulate and shows well on TV.
A reader of this column sent me a comment on a post I wrote about the possibility that Cong. Mike Pence-IN will run for President. Though Pence is a big-time longshot, the sentiments of the reader are relevant: “Mike Pence in 2008! He is the only hope we have for a conservative nominee!” Though a guy like Mike Pence is likely not a possibility in 2008, there is likely someone who can satisfy the desires of the conservative grassroots in the Republican party. If not, January 20, 2009 will welcome President-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton to the podium.
———-
FROM THE “‘LEST WE FORGET” FILE: This might be a good time to revisit David Limbaugh’s A Credo for Acquitting Senators.
UPDATE: Mike Huckabee’s people have picked up on the comments in this post.
Sphere: Related ContentStar Wars Episode III
May 17, 2005
Here is some excellent commentary on the new Star Wars movie. I will see it this weekend, and my anticipation has increased after reading it.
Hat Tip to Erick Erickson
Sphere: Related Content
