baldilocks

You want a perfect summation of the RINO? (King Shamus)

Here it is, courtesy of Bob Belvedere.

Here before us is another reason we, the outsiders, the TEA Party folks in action and spirit, must show no quarter towards the GOP Establishment.  Besides living in a collegial and congenial past that no longer is [call it what you will, the Gerald Ford or Bob Michael Era], the GOP and conservative Elites have a track record that is strewn with utter and abysmal failures.  In fact, historians not yet born will label them as the Useful Idiots of the Left who, by their weaknesses and naiveté, help bring about the lamentable situation we now find ourselves in.

Bingo.  Read the rest of his post; Bob's got some good stuff in there.

This is what kills me when people talk about the Republican establishment and their fetishization of electability.  It's one thing to acknowledge that RINOs and moderates can often get elected easier (in certain states/districts/campaigns) than a rock-ribbed across-the-board rightwinger.  This is a fact that we shouldn't simply dismiss out of hand.  For instance:  looking back on the particular circumstances of the race, Mike Castle probably had a better chance of winning the Senate election in Delaware than Christine O'Donnell.

However, what would we--actual factual conservatives--have gained by getting Castle into the Senate?  He would've voted for Cap-n-Tax in a potential dead-duck congressional session.  He was still going to be pro-choice and anti-Second Amendment.  Knowing his record, his first term in the US Senate would've been marked by ArlenSpecterian hands-across-the-aisle moments of capitulation to various facets of the liberal nanny-state agenda.  A hug for Obama would not have been completely out of the question.

Would a guy like Mike Castle, a classic go-along-to-get-along DC establishmentarian, have the stomach for repealing ObamaCare?  What makes anybody think Castle would be capable of defunding the utterly wretched NPR or abolishing  the utterly useless Department of Energy?  In what possible scenario would a guy like Mike Castle vote against illegal immigration amnesty?  Could Mike Castle, famous for his chummy, clubby attitude towards Democrats, actually go along with his own party on something substantive like real free-market entitlement reforms?  Many signs point to an emphatic 'no.'

Not only would a potential Senator Mike Castle be a thorn in the side of conservatives, he'd be doing everything he can to damage the already-tarnished Republican brand.  While he was busy building a media-backed Fiefdom of Royal RINOLand, he'd also happily throw monkey wrenches into GOP-backed fiscal discipline measures.  

So conservatives would get lots of drawbacks and almost no benefits from a Senator Mike Castle.  But the Tea Party and it's allies were supposed to forget all that because Mike Castle happened to have a weak 'R' behind his name?  Really?

(Cross-Posted at Blog De KingShamus)

Happy Thanksgiving 2010 (KingShamus)

If you really think about it, the United States has been granted an embarrassment of riches.  Within our borders are vast quantities of natural resources.  We have abundant fertile land that feeds not only ourselves, but much of the world.  America is vast in size, buffeted by oceans that grant her a measure of separation from the potential unrest that has marked the history of the Old World.  In short, Americans should spend every Thanksgiving expressing undying gratitude to their Creator for giving the country so many wonderful advantages.

As much as resources, climate and size matter, America has been granted something even greater than all those things.  As the writer Julian Simon noted, people are the greatest natural resource.  If that's the case--and it is--the US armed forces are a sterling example of Simon's fundamental truth.  For Thanksgiving, I decided to take a look at one particular great American.  

In his Silver Star citation, Marine 2nd Lt. Brian M. Stann is praised for his "zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional presence of mind" during seven days of fighting in Iraq.

But Stann, now a captain, is not into fame or self aggrandizement.

"It’s not about awards, especially when you’re out there," said Stann, 27. "It’s about defeating the enemy and getting your boys out alive."

From May 8 to May 14, 2005, Stann was part of Operation Matador with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

The action started when Stann’s platoon was given about 35 minutes’ notice that it needed to head to the Ramana Bridge, north of Karbala...Aother unit was supposed to provide a blocking position at the bridge, but when they couldn’t make it on time, Stann’s platoon was sent to fill the gap.

As it turned out, a lot of the enemy had settled in that area. Stann said his platoon was engaged in a "constant gunfight" until it was relieved, and then he and his Marines had to fight their way back to base.

The worst fighting was May 10, when his platoon was sent back to the bridge to stay and got ambushed on the way, he said.

The insurgents hit Stann’s platoon with roadside bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and suicide car bombs, destroying a Humvee and a tank recovery vehicle that was hauling wounded, he said.

"We had a rough night."

Stann’s Silver Star citation briefly summarizes his actions during the ambush.

“Second Lieutenant Stann personally directed two casualty operations, three vehicle recovery operations and multiple close air support missions under enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire in his 360-degree fight," the citation reads.

Stann didn’t want to get into specifics about what he did during the fighting.

"Everyone has done some courageous things," he said. "It’s just part of our calling. It’s part of our job."

Instead, Stann preferred to talk about his Marines.

Despite the casualties and carnage, they did not panic, he said. They kept their heads, beat back the enemy and evacuated their wounded.

"Because of that, the casualties that we did take did survive," Stann said. "Guys that lost limbs lived. Guys that took shrapnel and things of that nature to the head lived, and they wouldn’t have lived if we hadn’t have done that."

Throughout their deployment, Stann’s Marines focused on their job, whether it meant sleeping in their Humvees on hot nights or manning a machine gun at 2 a.m., he said.

Stann, who was born at Yokota Air Base in Japan and then moved to Scranton, Pa., said his Silver Star represents what the Marines under his command accomplished.

"They executed flawlessly, and we’re talking 19- to 20-year-old kids, and these are tougher situations than 90 percent of Americans will face," he said.

In your time today, please say a prayer for our armed forces.

More importantly, we should thank God that America still produces men and women like Captain Brian Stann.  We will chow down on our turkeys and potatoes and gravy in large part because of the efforts of incredibly brave folks.  They are more courageous than most of us will ever have to be.  For that, we should be eternally grateful.

Dangerous Women (Updated: Cowan is a Liberal)

A Vermont man shot his television set after watching as Bristol Palin, daughter of Former Governor and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin (R-AK) lived to dance another day on the television program Dancing With the Stars.

[Sixty-seven year old Steve] Cowan “jumped up and swore, saying something to the effect of “the  —-ing politics.”The complaint added,  ”Steven was upset that a political figure’s daughter was dancing on this particular show when Steven did not think she was a good dancer.”

I keep saying that the unhinged hatred that Leftists have for Bristol and her mother is spiritually-induced, from the bad side-- which is why it's illogical--and here's what it's about: abortion.

The label "pro-choice" is pure BS; most of its proponents should properly be labeled 'pro-abortion.'  And for those who have successful convinced all too many women that abortion isn't really murder; for those who have fooled women of the "wrong genetic sort" into believing that they aren't doing the elites' bidding when they cut off their succeeding generations, Sarah and Bristol Palin are two of the most dangerous women in America. 

Both Palins chose to let their children live under two of the "adverse" circumstances which are usually used to justify abortion.  By doing so, the two set examples for other women and may plant the idea in other women that they need not murder their own children under similar circumstances.  This is why the Palins often cause a full-blown, foaming, freak-out in many of those who adhere to Leftist ideology or who have been brain-washed by it, even when something as inconsequential as winning favor on a reality show is the subject at hand. (Then there are the women who are still playing out their high school-engendered neuroses, but that's a separate issue.)

I bet this Cowan has marched in a pro-"choice" rally or two, probably because his wife nagged him into doing it.  

A spiritual battle? Yes.  The force of evil--Satan--wants us all destroyed and those who justify the murder of the unborn are merely his tools. This is why the pro-abortionists are so rabid about those who defend innocent life. "Noooo, don't take away my right to commit genocide again myself, you brute!!!!" 

To Leftists, Sarah and Bristol Palin made the "wrong" choice--life--and for that, the morally bankrupt must demonize them, inverting wrong and right as such people--and their Father--are wont to do.  That this genius only hurt his TV is something for which to be thankful.

(Thanks to Cubachi who's also posting over at Hot Air)

UPDATE: Thanks to Booker Rising for the link to this post and for the many others.  And it's always...erm...interesting when one of Shay's guests drops in for a visit. ;)

UPDATE: In the comments below, a un-medicated visitor freaks out as well:

Negress, what fornicating evidence do you have that Steven Cowan or anyone else who disagreed with the Dancing With the Stars, finals decision is a leftist?

Well, I did say that this murderer of TVs was either a Leftist or indoctrinated by lefist ideology (as almost all of us are).  As it turns out, my first conclusion was correct.

Larry Ziemer, a fellow town supervisor, said he has known Cowan for about 20 years.

"I have nothing but good things to say about Steve," Ziemer said. "It was totally out of character for this to occur. He just does an excellent job on the town board and in his private working life."

Ziemer said Cowan is a talented carpenter and is well-respected in the area. Ziemer said he had never heard Cowan speak ill of Sarah Palin or her family before.

“He and I agree pretty much on politics,” Ziemer said. “We would probably lean both to the liberal side.”

The unhingement was a big clue--both with Cowan and my charming guest.

Tale of the Tigers-Impressions (KingShamus)

I dunno if I've mentioned this before, but FYI--a great blogger has become a great author.  I just finished "Tale of The Tigers".  It's a tremendous piece of writing.    

Juliette Akinyi Ochieng, who writes great commentary under the nom de blog Baldilocks, recently took the plunge and published her debut novel.  And what an interesting first swing of the bat Ms. Ochieng takes.

"Tale of The Tigers" is a story of two college kids who fall in love.  It's about race and racism.  It's a time capsule of the early 90's.  It looks at the dynamics of family relationships.  It examines sex and sexuality.  It reassesses sacred cows of the cult of the politically correct.  It makes important statements about friendship, loyalty and trust.

Like her blog writing, Ms. Ochieng's novel is chock full of subtleties.  Her characters could've turned into cardboard cut-outs.  Instead, the folks that inhabit "Tale" are flesh and blood people, full of admirable traits and painful weaknesses.  The outline of the plot never devolves into a cliché romance.  Thankfully, Baldilocks takes the story in unexpected directions.  "Tale" studiously avoids telegraphing it's punches, which makes for an exciting read.                     

Beyond these great things, for me the best part of the book is the fact that the story stays with you long after you've finished it.  You'll find yourself replaying sequences from the book in your mind.  Moreover, you'll catch yourself pondering the book's themes long after you've put it down.                  

In short, "Tale of The Tigers" is a damn fine piece of work from a writer with a powerful voice.  Get in on the ground floor, folks.  Buy the book.  You won't regret it.

Cross-posted at Blog De KingShamus. 

The Lifestyle Left's Impossible Standards (King Shamus)

The television show "Glee" gets the gas-face from the moral prudes over at GLAAD.

Gay rights campaigners have lashed out at the producers and writers of TV musical Glee for including a controversial line about transvestites in the show's pre-Halloween tribute to The Rocky Horror Show.

The cast took on characters from the spooky and camp 1970s musical in a themed episode, which scored huge ratings last week (ends29Oct10).

But Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) officials have taken issue with the use of the word 'tranny' to describe Rocky Horror's chief character Frank-n-Furter, who dresses in stockings, lingerie and high heels.

In the Glee tribute, actor Harry Shum Jr.'s character Mike is forced to pull out of his role as Frank-n-Furter because his conservative parents don't want him to look like a "tranny".

If you're at all familiar with the show, than you already know that this particular program is very gay-friendly.  Homosexual themes run throughout several episodes.  The show's creators have actively sought out the support of gay advocacy groups. Yet even with all that goodwill, the show still finds itself in hot water with a wing of the liefstyle Left.

Check out GLAAD's statement.

A statement from GLAAD reads, "The casual manner in which the word was used is jarring, even if he (Shum, Jr's character) may have been repeating what his parents said.

"This inclusion of this slur is particularly alarming given last season's powerful episode in which Kurt's father chastised Finn for using the word 'f*g'. That episode sent a powerful message to the show's young fanbase that words have power and they can hurt.

"Unfortunately the larger problem here is that the word 'tranny' has become an easy punchline in popular culture, and many still don't realise that using the term is hurtful, dehumanising and associated with violence, hatred and derision against transgender people - a community that is nearly invisible in media today."

Lesson:  You can never win with these idiots.

Hell, you can't even break even with the gatekeepers of liberal morality.  At some point, even if you've got a sterling record of leftist happy-talk and progressive do-goodery, you will run afoul of some obscure politically correct edict.  When that occurs, expect a snippy finger-wagging retort, often from the very same groups you're trying to ingratiate yourself with.

There will come a time very soon when everybody to the right of the Noam Chomsky/Eric Holder/Andrew Sullivan Axis of Fail will be considered either a racist, a sexist or a homophobe.  That seems to be the endgame for groups like GLAAD or the NAACP.  Even better, look where GLAAD stands in the ideological universe.  They've turned into the very same type of judgemental sour-faced Puritans they say they hate.

The left loves to pat itself on the back for being tolerant and open-minded.  They even have studies proving just how great they are and how much conservatives supposedly suck.  There's just one problem: the actions of the progressives negate their glorious self-image.

Look at the environmental movement.  Global warming proponents urge people to forgo a plethora of pleasures, from gas-guzzling SUV's to beef to energy derived from coal-fired power plants.  Why?  Because these things are allegedly dirty and will cause anthropogenic climate change.

The science that backs up the Warmists has been forever soiled by ClimateGate, but it really doesn't matter.  What is important is that the believers follow the 'correct' doctrines.  More importantly than that, the faithful must stamp out heretics and sinners.  Conversion to the religion is nice, but what the Climate Changers really enjoy is being morally indignant. 

It's the same thing for the GLAAD crowd.  They must strike out against what they perceive as sin.  So the use of the word 'tranny' on a TV show; well, that simply cannot be tolerated.  That sort of immorality must be punished.  Loudly, publicly and with as much sneering haughty contempt as possible.  Far from being open-minded, many facets of the American left are virulently dogmatic.

There are definitely closed-minded conservatives.  There are certainly right-wingers that have a puritanical nature.  What conservatives should always remember is that the other side is at least as judgmental as they are, and perhaps even more so.

One of the Best Things About Election Day 2010

I predicted it!

Congratulations, Representative-elect Allen West.