The Other McCain on "Other Conservatisms"

Your homework for Monday is to read this piece by Robert Stacy McCain. Here's a teaser:

Beyond this, however, is the basic confusion caused by the fact that no one holds a copyright on the word “conservative,” and there is nothing to prevent anyone from saying, “I am a conservative and therefore . . .” Which brings us to the problem of Rod Dreher, who has provided what he calls “A Conservative Read On Palin’s ‘Going Rogue’” at National Public Radio.

Why was this invitation extended to Rod Dreher? Because he was willing to do what NPR wanted: Slam Sarah Palin.

We will stipulate that it is possible to dislike Sarah Palin — or at least to believe her not to be an ideal Republican presidential candidate — and still be a conservative. But the person who accepts an invitation from a liberal outfit like NPR to be the token “conservative” who attacks Sarah Palin has a few other hurdles to clear. And over these hurdles, Dreher stumbles badly.

When you are finished reading it, please comment for an automatic passing grade. If you finish before Monday, you are a geek. That's fine, just don't go complaining about the popularity of the prom queen and the quarterback. They got their gig and we got ours.

And, oh, yes—extra credit for a full paragraph on the last line explaining how and why it applies in spades to the subject.

(Hat Tip to Dianonymous.)

New approval rating low

Big chief's numbers at record low. Excerpt:

President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dipped below 50 percent nationally for the first time, as Americans worry about the war in Afghanistan, a new poll released Wednesday found.

The Quinnipiac University poll showed 48 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president, compared to 42 percent who disapprove.

The president also scored low marks from Americans on his handling of the situation in Afghanistan, with just 38 percent saying they approved of his approach, but a majority did say it was the "right thing" for US troops to be in the country.

Maybe Obama should pose in running shorts. But not bowing in the shorts, thanks.

Oy

Yesterday I was involved in an exchange with the Anchoress about Sarah Palin's "readiness" for holding national office. I was appalled to realize that even someone as hard-hitting as Anchoress believes that for Palin to be "ready" for office, Palin must first master the unctuous, non-responsive interview style that serves so well for firebrand conservatives like ... um ... oh, wait, I can't think of anyone. Then I was told that Liz Cheney would be a better option than Palin. I love how conservative bloggers who fret about the incompetence and unfairness of the Washington establishment turn around and say they prefer establishment candidates to outsiders from Alaska. It's not enough to have a Bush dynasty, now we have to have a Cheney one.

Even though I was a teenager in the 1980's I distinctly remember the media establishment discussing ad nauseam how "stupid" Reagan was. I can't help but wonder whether Anchoress would chime in in agreement, were Reagan new on the scene today. Unlike Liz Cheney, Reagan's daddy was never VP, and let's just say you could *definitely* tell. The man starred in a movie with a chimp! Yuck!

Interestingly, when I defended the notion that a conservative can succeed politically without kissing up to the press, especially if said candidate has the strong support of fellow conservatives, I was told that I'm "unquestioningly passionate" about Sarah Palin. Wow! That sounds extreme! I better shut up about the fact I think Palin is competent, or else I'm going to be called essentially an extremist. (Where have I heard that before ...?)

Info Page on Stun Guns and other non-lethal weapons

Here's an informative page I just came across on non-lethal weapons: stunguns, pepper spray, etc. Obviously they want you to buy from them; here's their top model at $65. So for less than two thirds of a Ben Franklin bill you can give someone a taste of the patriot inventor's famous kite experiment.

Brigitte Gabriel: "Nothing Short of Madness"

Act for America's website.

Blind Witnesses

If you've ever taken courses in self-defense and the proper use of firearms, you should have encountered the concept of "creating witnesses". This means that before you fill some scumbag up with 40 caliber felon repellent, you say things loudly and clearly like "Drop your weapon; I don't want to shoot you!" and "Don't make me shoot you!" and "Don't come any closer!" This is a really good idea since there are always three fights involved in any altercation in which you use deadly force: you against you, you against the assailant and then the longest and hardest one, you against the legal system. And if you happen to stop or drop the bastard, he will be the "victim" in the wrongful death civil trial, not you. So shouting these things out will be heard by bystanders and can be used, hopefully, in the courtroom in front of the Oprah-indoctrinated jury to help counter the witness of the mommy sobbing, "He never wanted to hurt anyone!"

But forget self-defense for a moment. Suppose instead you want to shoot a bunch of people and want a chance to get away with it via an insanity plea in case you survive. What should you shout out to create witnesses for that scenario? Well, shouting "Allahu Akbar!" seems to be a good way to make people think maybe you've "cracked under stress". You also might want to give people business cards with the title "Soldier of Allah" and frequent Radical Islamist web sites. And actually having ties to an Imam with extremist views would be kind of a cherry on top for the ol' insanity plea.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Won't people maybe think that you are actually an Islamist terrorist who had planned the incident with cold, calculated premeditation if you did and said all these things? Surprisingly not; it's more likely you will be diagnosed with Pre-traumatic Stress Disorder. Go figure.

I'm going to turn dining back into eating

Not so fast

Here's something about the Bishop's view on health care on the USCCB site.

Q: Why are the bishops so vocal about health care reform?

A: One out of three Americans under the age of 65 went without health insurance for some period of time during 2007 and 2008. Of these, four out of five were from working families. Sixty four percent of the uninsured are employed full time, year round. This state of affairs is unacceptable. In the Catholic tradition, health care is a basic human right not a privilege. It is a fundamental issue of human life and dignity.

Did you catch the switcheroo? Let's concede that health care is a right, although the meaning of that phrase in the context of insurance regulations is seemingly opaque by design. Because they didn't even mention people not having access to health care, they mentioned people without health insurance coverage. These are two different things altogether. This is not difficult to prove; I pay for health care out of pocket all the time from a bottle of Ibuprofen to chiropractic adjustments. Likewise I'm covered if I need certain treatments which I haven't needed. So coverage and care are two separate issues. It's an example of the two overlapping circles.

So I don't buy this idea that people can't get health care. My friend's father was in between policies when he had a heart-attack. He was not denied care. The other thing I hate is this anti-doctor sentiment that goes hand in hand with this push for Obamacare. I know so many doctors who do Pro Bono work and come up with payment plans for the poor. It's sick and wrong to suggest there is some kind of concerted effort in our country to deny people health care.

But just watch what happens to the number of people not receiving care if this government plan kicks in and the number of doctors willing to work under the brave new system begins heading in the other direction. Then we'll wish we could start over as we watch this "fundamental issue of human life and dignity" go from bad to worse to "good enough for government work".