The trouble with DC United's game over the weekend is....well damn near everything. A 0-4 loss to Real Salt Lake just cannot be explained away and there is not point trying. I have only seen the first half and about 10 minutes of the second half, but that was enough.
Resting key players like Gallardo and Zach Wells is understandable as they have played a lot of games in the past few weeks and the horrid conditions of Rice-Eggles Stadium is not where you want tired players risking an injury. So with Tom Soehn's decision to rest some players, I have no quibble. But other decisions were poor.
First up is the formation. In the last match against Pachuca, Soehn went to a 3-4-3, offensively aggressive formation. The more aggressive offensive stance was needed in that game and it worked. The personnel he used in that set up made sense and produced results despite utlimately falling short. I can see using the 3-4-3 again in similar situations, but for a long time DC United has used a four man back line, Soehn has almost always used it and quite frankly, this game was on where a four man back line was needed. But against RSL in that stadium, with an untested keeper, a four man back line would have made much more sense. Try as I might, I can't come up with a real good reason to not have a four man back line, even if you are resting Gonzalo Martinez. A three man back line has to be supremely organized and probably should be played in front of your most experience keeper. The back line was shoddy, with too many gaps, too many lapses and not nearly enough communication between them and the goalkeeper. The Espindola goal should never have happened.
Next, Rod Dyachenko is not Gallardo and we know that. Dyachenko is a good player and the worst part about Saturday is that it was obvious that he was in over his head. Could he be a holding midfielder in the future, I believe so, but not yet and for Soehn to put him in that position at this stage borders on the criminal. Dyachenko, right now, is not the kind of player who can dicate a game's rhythmn.
Finally, while Fred and Emilio played, well not decently but not as bad as everyone else, I am getting more and more dismayed at their lack of impact this year. Emilio has such a great year last year that I am willing to give him a little more leash before I really start tugging on it, but Fred isn't doing it for me. When Dyachenko started to choke, I looked to these two guys to start getting it done in the midfield and attacking third. They didn't and that has to change.
Finally,
Monday, April 14, 2008
Schools Lunch Costs
The other day at my favorite bagel shop, I noticed a sign informing customers as to the reason behind recent price increases (not that they were that much). Between December 2007 and today, the price of a 50 pound bag of wheat flour (of which they use a lot in bagels) had almost doubled and they expect it could reach $50 per bag this summer. The increase in wheat prices didn't really hit us that hard (I don't go the bagel shop all that often) and while my kids eat a lot of bread and the price had gone up, we can absorb that cost to a certain extent. But it was only a matter of time before the problem started hitting home in other ways and hitting the schols hard.
But with rising wholesale prices (exacerbated by rising transportation costs), an increase in the price of school lunches is all but inevitable.
The Post article discusses the federal subsidy for school lunches:
But what is missing is that borderline student, the student whose family makes just too much for a free lunch or a reduced lunch. The determining line for free and reduced lunch is based in large part upon the federal poverty line and for a family of four in my home county of Frederick, MD, the cutoff line is $38,203 in annual income. But above that income level, the family is expected to pay full price, but the change in the price for lunches, when coupled with all the other increases, really puts the squeeze on a family with a household income of $40,000.
While the prices for lunches will go up (most likely), I really doubt that the federal government is going to alter the eligibility for a free or reduced meal subsidy, so the food prices will hit at home and will hit at school.
Sharp rises in the cost of milk, grain and fresh fruits and vegetables are hitting cafeterias across the country, forcing cash-strapped schools to raise prices or pinch pennies by serving more economical dishes. Some school officials on a mission to help fight childhood obesity say it's becoming harder to fill students' plates with healthy, low-fat foods.Of the many so-called social services schools provide, breakfasts and lunches are pretty much the only one I whole-heartedly support. Peanut, my oldest daughter is far too picky an eater to rely on school lunches and her school does not have a large segment of children on free or reduced price lunches (an rough indicator of poverty). But nonetheless, students and their parents sometimes rely on the schools to provide a decent meal or two. I have no objection to that and I know that the schools work hard to provide decent meals and keep the costs down as much as possible.
Several Washington area school systems -- including those in Prince George's, Fairfax and Prince William counties and Alexandria -- are proposing to increase lunch prices next school year. For Prince George's schools, it would be the first increase in a decade.
For Montgomery schools, this year's dairy bill is expected to be about $600,000 more than last year. Officials expect to decide in June whether to seek an increase in meal prices.
Becky Domokos-Bays, director of food and nutrition for Alexandria schools, said schools need to raise prices to cover rising food and labor costs but worries that even small increases will strain middle-class families who don't qualify for a price break. The School Board approved a 10-cent increase for students who pay full price, raising the lunch price in elementary school to $2.15 and in middle and high schools to $2.45.
"There's a tipping point somewhere, and I think we're there," Domokos-Bays said. "I don't know how much more families can afford to pay."
School meal programs across the country are run somewhat like restaurants, relying on federal and state subsidies and profits from meal and snack sales and catering services to buy food and pay workers. Rising labor costs, coupled with the recent push for healthier meals, which has meant serving higher-priced foods such as whole grain breads and fresh vegetables, has squeezed budgets. Soaring food prices make it even harder to break even.
But with rising wholesale prices (exacerbated by rising transportation costs), an increase in the price of school lunches is all but inevitable.
The Post article discusses the federal subsidy for school lunches:
This year, the U.S. Agriculture Department is giving schools $2.47 per lunch to serve free meals to children from the poorest families, up from $2.40 last year, a 3 percent increase. In the same time, milk prices rose about 17 percent and bread nearly 12 percent.There is no mention of state subsidies, if any.
The federal government provides $2.07 per meal for students eligible for a reduced-price lunch and 23 cents a meal for students who pay full price. Schools also receive some foods, including meat, cheese and canned goods, purchased by the federal government.
But what is missing is that borderline student, the student whose family makes just too much for a free lunch or a reduced lunch. The determining line for free and reduced lunch is based in large part upon the federal poverty line and for a family of four in my home county of Frederick, MD, the cutoff line is $38,203 in annual income. But above that income level, the family is expected to pay full price, but the change in the price for lunches, when coupled with all the other increases, really puts the squeeze on a family with a household income of $40,000.
While the prices for lunches will go up (most likely), I really doubt that the federal government is going to alter the eligibility for a free or reduced meal subsidy, so the food prices will hit at home and will hit at school.
Dumbing Down: Then And Now (Forum)
This 8th Grade test from Kansas (hat tip the Instapundit)has been largely debunked as a hoax. But here is a more a deeper question hinted at by the guys at Classical Values a couple of years ago--why not take the test at face value and upgrade it a little. How many Kansas teenagers, say high school seniors, could pass this test?
You could update the test a little and maybe take out some of the more specific agricultural references, but still at the core it is not an unreasonable test in some ways. The history section, the language arts section and what not still apply and one wonders how many students would pass such a test.
Some of these items are mere factual questions, i.e. dates etc. But while one need not know in depth every event of American history, there are some key dates and those dates should be readily known. Additionally, basics of grammar, orthography (spelling to you and I), georgraphy, history and math without a calculator are important skills. Why should we simply rely upon the usefulness of the internet to find out answers? Why can't we have students armed with basic information in their heads who can then supplement it with research skills as necessary?
You could update the test a little and maybe take out some of the more specific agricultural references, but still at the core it is not an unreasonable test in some ways. The history section, the language arts section and what not still apply and one wonders how many students would pass such a test.
Some of these items are mere factual questions, i.e. dates etc. But while one need not know in depth every event of American history, there are some key dates and those dates should be readily known. Additionally, basics of grammar, orthography (spelling to you and I), georgraphy, history and math without a calculator are important skills. Why should we simply rely upon the usefulness of the internet to find out answers? Why can't we have students armed with basic information in their heads who can then supplement it with research skills as necessary?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Fulham Take Three Points from Reading
And the Cottagers stay alive with four matches remaining. With their first away win since Septebmer 2006, Fulham looked like a real Premiership team today. Playing with a great deal of fluidity and control during most of the match, Fulham at times looked to be running circles around Reading this week.
Brian McBride netted his third goal of his injury shortened season with a sliding strike off a Simon Davies cross from the left side. Aided by a wet pitch after a torrential rain/hail storm in between roughtly the 8th and 15th minute, McBride slid just in front of his defender to put the Cottagers up one nil. (Check out the picture of Clint Dempsey on the match report at the link above).
Unlike previous matches, Fulham didn't rest on their one goal. While there were some minor chances in the rest of the firtst half, the Cottagers really got busy in the second half. But Reading's keeper, Marcus Hahnemann must be praising the woodwork or it cold have easily been a 5 goal game. In the 50th minute, McBride visibly rocked the crossbar with a thundering volley on a David Healy cross from the right side. Twenty mintutes later, Defender Brede Hangeland also rocked the woodwork on a header off a Jimmy Bullard corner kick. Two minutes later, Bullard rocked the corner of the woodwork with a 30 yard free kick.
Substitute Erik Neveland netted in the second minute of injury time to seal the victory.
With three points, it later became apparent that Fulham needed all three points as 18th Place Bolton also won their match with a 1-0 win over West Ham United. Birmingham (whom Fulham play in three weeks) earned a point with a draw against Everton. The bottom remained tight, with Fulham just five points from safety (really four but the goal differential works against them).
Fulham will face Liverpool next week at the Cottage before traveling to the struggling Manchester City. Results are important and hopefully Fulham will take some confidence from their first road win this season into their match with Liverpool.
Brian McBride netted his third goal of his injury shortened season with a sliding strike off a Simon Davies cross from the left side. Aided by a wet pitch after a torrential rain/hail storm in between roughtly the 8th and 15th minute, McBride slid just in front of his defender to put the Cottagers up one nil. (Check out the picture of Clint Dempsey on the match report at the link above).
Unlike previous matches, Fulham didn't rest on their one goal. While there were some minor chances in the rest of the firtst half, the Cottagers really got busy in the second half. But Reading's keeper, Marcus Hahnemann must be praising the woodwork or it cold have easily been a 5 goal game. In the 50th minute, McBride visibly rocked the crossbar with a thundering volley on a David Healy cross from the right side. Twenty mintutes later, Defender Brede Hangeland also rocked the woodwork on a header off a Jimmy Bullard corner kick. Two minutes later, Bullard rocked the corner of the woodwork with a 30 yard free kick.
Substitute Erik Neveland netted in the second minute of injury time to seal the victory.
With three points, it later became apparent that Fulham needed all three points as 18th Place Bolton also won their match with a 1-0 win over West Ham United. Birmingham (whom Fulham play in three weeks) earned a point with a draw against Everton. The bottom remained tight, with Fulham just five points from safety (really four but the goal differential works against them).
Fulham will face Liverpool next week at the Cottage before traveling to the struggling Manchester City. Results are important and hopefully Fulham will take some confidence from their first road win this season into their match with Liverpool.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The DCenters Freezer
I enjoyed reading these last year and I am glad The the Freezer is back.
Some thoughts on this week's Freezer.
The U.S. Soccer Plan for World Respect. While this is just barely in the Freezer this week, the boys do have a point. While the National Team, the U-23's and the U-20's and the WNT have had respectable performances over the past 12 months, I have to say that I am not impressed with our club play. While DC United and Houston getting booted from the CONCACAF Champions Cup is bad, I would settle for just a win in Mexico by a MLS club.
New England--sorry to say, but if the club is still sitting atop the Eastern Conference despite not having their leading scorer (Twellman) and losing one of their key playmakers (Ralston) and paying Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi poverty wages, they are doing well. Nyassi is the teams leading scorer with two goals in four games. Admittedly, wiping the floor with Houston then getting spanked by Chicago and then convincingly beating Kansas City adds to the inconsistency factor, I think Nichol has some suprising depth to his team that will be of help as injured starters return. But NE will drop in the freezer if they don't start paying Mansally and Nyassi more.
Alexi Lalas. I caught his act on Fox Football Fone-In on Monday and while I admire his courage to take the beating he took, the sooner LA gets rid of this guy, the better the MLS will be for it.
Can't wait until next week guys.
Some thoughts on this week's Freezer.
The U.S. Soccer Plan for World Respect. While this is just barely in the Freezer this week, the boys do have a point. While the National Team, the U-23's and the U-20's and the WNT have had respectable performances over the past 12 months, I have to say that I am not impressed with our club play. While DC United and Houston getting booted from the CONCACAF Champions Cup is bad, I would settle for just a win in Mexico by a MLS club.
New England--sorry to say, but if the club is still sitting atop the Eastern Conference despite not having their leading scorer (Twellman) and losing one of their key playmakers (Ralston) and paying Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi poverty wages, they are doing well. Nyassi is the teams leading scorer with two goals in four games. Admittedly, wiping the floor with Houston then getting spanked by Chicago and then convincingly beating Kansas City adds to the inconsistency factor, I think Nichol has some suprising depth to his team that will be of help as injured starters return. But NE will drop in the freezer if they don't start paying Mansally and Nyassi more.
Alexi Lalas. I caught his act on Fox Football Fone-In on Monday and while I admire his courage to take the beating he took, the sooner LA gets rid of this guy, the better the MLS will be for it.
Can't wait until next week guys.
More on the New Mexico Photographer Case
The case is just full of oddities, but this one interpretation is interesting.
More than that, though, this case points out the extent to which so-called “economic” rights, such as the right to decide who you do business with, have been eroded over the past 50 years. There is no reason that Ms. Huguenin should be forced to take on a job she doesn’t want to take. What if, instead of citing the same-sex nature of the ceremony, she has simply said she was too busy to take on the project ? Presumably, that would have been a legitimate reason to turn it down, and if that’s the case, then I see no reason why she should be forced to work for these people just because she doesn’t approve of their lifestyle.Similar to what I thought previously.
The Speed of Government
From the Liberty Papers:
I’ve found something that the government does quickly. When you owe them taxes at this time of the year, they don’t waste time. I owed at the end of this year, and there was maybe a 3-4 day from the time we SENT the check and the day it cleared. That check cleared faster than giving it to a crackhead with a gambling problem…All too true.
…which is a lot like government, when you really think about it!
Michael Yon in Wall Street Journal
Embedded reporter extraordinaire Micheal Yon notes that Congress seems stuck in the 2006 mode of dealing with Iraq and that is not helpful or accurate.
When is Yon going to get a Pulitzer?
It is said that generals always fight the last war. But when David Petraeus came to town it was senators – on both sides of the aisle – who battled over the Iraq war of 2004-2006. That war has little in common with the war we are fighting today.That is what makes the difference.
I may well have spent more time embedded with combat units in Iraq than any other journalist alive. I have seen this war – and our part in it – at its brutal worst. And I say the transformation over the last 14 months is little short of miraculous.
snip
Iraqis came to respect American soldiers as warriors who would protect them from terror gangs. But Iraqis also discovered that these great warriors are even happier helping rebuild a clinic, school or a neighborhood. They learned that the American soldier is not only the most dangerous enemy in the world, but one of the best friends a neighborhood can have.
When is Yon going to get a Pulitzer?
Iraqi Violence Dissillusions Youth on Religion
If you can believe it, this was in the New York Times:
In two months of interviews with 40 young people in five Iraqi cities, a pattern of disenchantment emerged, in which young Iraqis, both poor and middle class, blamed clerics for the violence and the restrictions that have narrowed their lives.As this kind of violent enforcement of "religious" law becomes more well known, my guess is that a fair number of people will come to their senses.
“I hate Islam and all the clerics because they limit our freedom every day and their instruction became heavy over us,” said Sara, a high school student in Basra. “Most of the girls in my high school hate that Islamic people control the authority because they don’t deserve to be rulers.”
Atheer, a 19-year-old from a poor, heavily Shiite neighborhood in southern Baghdad, said: “The religion men are liars. Young people don’t believe them. Guys my age are not interested in religion anymore.”
The shift in Iraq runs counter to trends of rising religious practice among young people across much of the Middle East, where religion has replaced nationalism as a unifying ideology.
While religious extremists are admired by a number of young people in other parts of the Arab world, Iraq offers a test case of what could happen when extremist theories are applied. Fingers caught in the act of smoking were broken. Long hair was cut and force-fed to its wearer. In that laboratory, disillusionment with Islamic leaders took hold.
Hillary--Tell Bill to Shut Up
From the Politico.com:
Note to future candidates, keep better control of your surrogates and spouses.
Former President Bill Clinton gave a passionate defense Thursday of his wife’s claim about “landing under sniper fire” — just as the damaging controversy was dying down.Check the video.
Bill Clinton said the news media treated her like she had “robbed a bank” and claimed she was experiencing end-of-day fatigue, even though she had made the claim in morning speeches.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) acknowledged two weeks ago that she “misspoke” and “made a mistake” in her overly vivid account of the 1996 landing in Tuzla, Bosnia, during a goodwill mission as first lady.
Video of a tranquil arrival ceremony refuted the claim, and her comments hurt her struggling campaign by reviving questions about her candor.
Now, her husband has revived the issue by claiming the comments were true during a “Solutions for America” campaign event in at Boonville High School in Boonville, Ind. Here are his comments, recorded by networks and reported by CBS News:
Note to future candidates, keep better control of your surrogates and spouses.
This Was Exciting Soccer
Yesterday in the UEFA Cup, Getafe fans in Madrid, Spain were less than a minute from glory, beating one of the most storied clubs in Eurpoean football, Bayern Munich, in the quarter finals of the UEFA cup.
Getafe played most of the match with ten men after after Ruben Gutierrez de la Red was shown the red card after fouling Bayern's Miroslav Klose as Klose approached the goal. The teams were tied at the end of regulation in the second leg. Within three minutes of the start of extra time, Getafe's Francisco Casquero and Nobrega Braulio each scored a goal, putting the host team in the driver's seat. All they needed to do was hold on for 27 more minutes.
Thinks got hairy in the last five minutes when Bayern's big striker Luca Toni scored on a poorly handled ball by the Getafe keeper, Roberto Abbondanzieri.
In the last minute of play, Bayern threw everyone forward, including goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. A ball from the right side of the midfield third was lofted to the top of the box, where Kahn got a touch on the ball that squirted out to the left side. The ball was crossed again in toward the six yard box where Luca Toni hammered a header into the ground and it bounced up into the roof of the goal---with about 15 seconds left in the match.
Although the score was tied, Bayern win on away goals. A fantastic end to the semi-final. Abbondanzieri at the end of the match was in tears. He might never have been able to stop Toni final header, but he likely cost the match with his bumbled handling of the cross in the 115th minute.
That was exciting football. Better than some of the Champions Leauge matches of late.
Getafe played most of the match with ten men after after Ruben Gutierrez de la Red was shown the red card after fouling Bayern's Miroslav Klose as Klose approached the goal. The teams were tied at the end of regulation in the second leg. Within three minutes of the start of extra time, Getafe's Francisco Casquero and Nobrega Braulio each scored a goal, putting the host team in the driver's seat. All they needed to do was hold on for 27 more minutes.
Thinks got hairy in the last five minutes when Bayern's big striker Luca Toni scored on a poorly handled ball by the Getafe keeper, Roberto Abbondanzieri.
In the last minute of play, Bayern threw everyone forward, including goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. A ball from the right side of the midfield third was lofted to the top of the box, where Kahn got a touch on the ball that squirted out to the left side. The ball was crossed again in toward the six yard box where Luca Toni hammered a header into the ground and it bounced up into the roof of the goal---with about 15 seconds left in the match.
Although the score was tied, Bayern win on away goals. A fantastic end to the semi-final. Abbondanzieri at the end of the match was in tears. He might never have been able to stop Toni final header, but he likely cost the match with his bumbled handling of the cross in the 115th minute.
That was exciting football. Better than some of the Champions Leauge matches of late.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Fulham Must Win Four of Remaining Five Matches to Avoid Relegation
And given that three of those five are on the road and Fulham haven't won on the road in almost 20 months, the task is all the more dauntingMidfielder Simon Davies notes that now is the time to deliver.
Fulham need the points against Reading, who have been struggling of late, getting slaughtered by Newcastle last weekend. But Reading have been solid at home, winning two of their last three home matches and drawing the other. At the same time Fulham's road form makes a win at Reading all the more difficult.
Fulham need the points against Reading, who have been struggling of late, getting slaughtered by Newcastle last weekend. But Reading have been solid at home, winning two of their last three home matches and drawing the other. At the same time Fulham's road form makes a win at Reading all the more difficult.
DC United Out of CONCACAF Champions Cup
Sespite winning 2-1 last night a RFK, DC United is still out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on a 2-3 aggregate against Mexican side Pachuca.With two goals in the last 5 minutes, DC United looks like if they had just 10 more minutes, they could have moved into an aggregate tie and extra time.
But alas, Pachuca played the two leg football set up will, taking a solid 2-0 lead at their home field last week and playing just well enough to win. DC United, capitalizing on their momentum amassed with an impressive 4-1 win over MLS side Toronto FC, United looked like they could pull off the difficult challenge of winning by two goals to push the extra time. However, there were a lot of missed chances that simply cannot be ignored.
Emilio, Fred and Marcello Gallardo all missed quality chances that had they been converted earlier in the match would have put Pachuca in a position of chasing the current match rather than holding for the total goals win. I will give a little leeway to Gallardo, as he is new to the team and still finding his way a bit in the MLS. But Fred and Emilio have been here with this club for a while and Emilio in particuar is supposed to make more of his chances. But even my leeway for Gallardo only goes so far.
For his part, I think DC manager Tom Soehn did a brilliant job with this match. I think moving to a 3-4-3 line-up really opened up the scoring opportunities without really harming the defense. I think he is finding combinations among players that can really help this team during the MLS season. In particular, the Gonzalos, Peralta and Martinez, are doing well in the back line. The combination of Clyde Simms in a defensive midfielder with Gallardo as a holding midfielder looks promising as well. Right now though, I think that Simms is one of the most underrated players in the MLS. Santino Quaranta seems to making the most of his return to DC United (and some people are prepared to forgive his previously immature and boorish behavior when left DCU as just that immature). I though his play of the last two games is a marked improvement over previous years (although I admit I didn't watch as closely when he played elsewhere).
Having said that, I think that Soehn has some work to do in specific areas. The outside backs are giving me trouble. I don't know what it is either with the combinations between the midfield and the fowards that seems to trouble me. Maybe a little patience is necessary to let the lines gel a little, but the midfield has been able to hold and control the ball, but the movement from the midfield to the attacking third just seems shaky.
DC United travels to Salt Lake City to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday. They should hold their heads high for their play, despite the heartbreaking dismissal from the Champions Cup.
But alas, Pachuca played the two leg football set up will, taking a solid 2-0 lead at their home field last week and playing just well enough to win. DC United, capitalizing on their momentum amassed with an impressive 4-1 win over MLS side Toronto FC, United looked like they could pull off the difficult challenge of winning by two goals to push the extra time. However, there were a lot of missed chances that simply cannot be ignored.
Emilio, Fred and Marcello Gallardo all missed quality chances that had they been converted earlier in the match would have put Pachuca in a position of chasing the current match rather than holding for the total goals win. I will give a little leeway to Gallardo, as he is new to the team and still finding his way a bit in the MLS. But Fred and Emilio have been here with this club for a while and Emilio in particuar is supposed to make more of his chances. But even my leeway for Gallardo only goes so far.
For his part, I think DC manager Tom Soehn did a brilliant job with this match. I think moving to a 3-4-3 line-up really opened up the scoring opportunities without really harming the defense. I think he is finding combinations among players that can really help this team during the MLS season. In particular, the Gonzalos, Peralta and Martinez, are doing well in the back line. The combination of Clyde Simms in a defensive midfielder with Gallardo as a holding midfielder looks promising as well. Right now though, I think that Simms is one of the most underrated players in the MLS. Santino Quaranta seems to making the most of his return to DC United (and some people are prepared to forgive his previously immature and boorish behavior when left DCU as just that immature). I though his play of the last two games is a marked improvement over previous years (although I admit I didn't watch as closely when he played elsewhere).
Having said that, I think that Soehn has some work to do in specific areas. The outside backs are giving me trouble. I don't know what it is either with the combinations between the midfield and the fowards that seems to trouble me. Maybe a little patience is necessary to let the lines gel a little, but the midfield has been able to hold and control the ball, but the movement from the midfield to the attacking third just seems shaky.
DC United travels to Salt Lake City to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday. They should hold their heads high for their play, despite the heartbreaking dismissal from the Champions Cup.
Why Bill Clinton Makes SOO much for his Speeches
According to Russell Roberts it is not the quality of his speeches or speaking ability:
But it did remind me that Bill doesn't get paid for the quality of his speeches. He earns a great deal of money for two reasons. One is that people want to mingle and listen to celebrities of any kind. An ex-President, no matter how miserable an orator, can make a lot of money selling face time. But the real reason Bill is in demand is his wife. He's the husband of the Senator from New York and possibly the next President of the United States. People are paying for influence and access to power. They're buying a lottery ticket. Just one more reason that campaign finance laws are ridiculous.There's more.
John McCain is a Cylon
While I don't normally talk about my love of Battlestar Galactica in this space, I have to say that it is probably my favorite show on TV and I think one of the best ever made.
At the end of last season, we learned that battle-hardened, alcohol-swigging, wife-killing (yes it really happened last season) veteran Col. Saul Tigh is actually a Cylon.
Then I saw this post (hat tip to the Instapundit) and I was struck at why I didn't see the physical and indeed vocal similarity of Tigh (played by Michael Hogan) and John McCain.
See here:
So, is John McCain a Cylon?
At the end of last season, we learned that battle-hardened, alcohol-swigging, wife-killing (yes it really happened last season) veteran Col. Saul Tigh is actually a Cylon.
Then I saw this post (hat tip to the Instapundit) and I was struck at why I didn't see the physical and indeed vocal similarity of Tigh (played by Michael Hogan) and John McCain.
See here:
So, is John McCain a Cylon?
A Fair Question
Kathryn Jean Lopez of NRO posts:
Now that Sir Elton thinks I'm a mysogonist for not supporting Hllary, and far too many people think I'm a racist for not supporting Obama, what would I be called if I could support Condi for president?I can answer, You can't support a black, female Republican and not have Democrats call you an idiot, a moron and have your sanity questioned. Only Democrats are allowed to have black, female candidates.
Is Military Service Passe?
Back when I made my paychecks as a lobbyist about 10 years ago, I came across a statistics then which gave me pause. In the Congress elected in 1998, for the first time a majority of members of Congress had not served in the military. At first I sort of wrote it off as an effect of the baby boomers and post-Vietnam conversion of the American military to an all volunteer force. In short, there were still enough Members of Congress who had served in the military that it didn't really bother me. Fast forward to 2008 and this post, which got me thinking about military service and our politicians, at least on the national level.
Now don't get me wrong, by no means is military service to be considered a pre-requisite for political office. I don't want to create such an argument nor do I want to insinuate that one cannot be a good politician unless you have served in the military. I don't and have never thought that to the case.
Yet, we can't escape the fact that of the current crop of presidential candidates, only John McCain served in the military (although we are told Hillary Clinton tried to volunteer--that is news to me). While in general Republican holds the military in high esteem, the Demcoratic party is of at least two minds. The first mind is the cynical, "we need to win" seats side of the Democratic party. Over the past couple of Congressional election cycles, at least until this year, the Democratic party activly courted former military members to run as Democrats, in the hope of burnishing their credentials on military policy. But this political operation runs counter to what much of the Democratic leadership says and does about the military. Routinely, comments from senior Democrats denigrate or dismiss the military. It is not unusual to hear Democrats claim that the military is a bunch of undereducated thugs no better than the terrorists we are fighting.
So despite the effort to recruit veterans as candidates, a significant segment of Democrats have come to view the military as something negative, something to be abhorred at times. Can we as a nation survive in the modern world when one half of our political spectrum holds the military in such disregard? Can we really expect to continue to field the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen if the political leadership considers the military to an anachronism, a relic of a bygone era?
What about the Constitutional oath sworn by all elected officials to preserve, protect and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic? Is the modern, anti-military Democratic party ready to assume, in the guise of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama the onerous and arduous task of defending the United States? Can they do so with a military that respects them only as a function of their office and not as a leader?
Frankly, I wonder if we really can survive such a regime in the long term.
While military service can instill in an individual discpline, sacrifice, attention to details as a function of the training and atmosphere, one of the biggest lessons a military member learns during their service is realism. They learn to see the world not as they want to but as it really is. That world contains evil people, people who are bent on the destruction of our nation for its simple existence. A military man or woman learns that you cannot reason with such people, you can't appease them short of your own destruction, and you cannot attempt to see the world through their eyes. All attempts to do so are feeble and a waste of time and effort.
Do we as a nation lack the necessary military virtues to be a stable society, a force to be reckoned with? When one considers these thoughts when viewing the anti-military Democratic party, you have to wonder--what have we allowed to happen?
The military remains an important part of our national structure and to have high-ranking, public civilian leaders who despise the military, denigrate our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, simply calls into question the very nature of the society we project. Does the disdain for our military project an image to the world that we are unwilling and perhpas unable to fight for what we believe is right and just in the world?
I think so and that scares me.
Hat Tip: The Instapundit
Now don't get me wrong, by no means is military service to be considered a pre-requisite for political office. I don't want to create such an argument nor do I want to insinuate that one cannot be a good politician unless you have served in the military. I don't and have never thought that to the case.
Yet, we can't escape the fact that of the current crop of presidential candidates, only John McCain served in the military (although we are told Hillary Clinton tried to volunteer--that is news to me). While in general Republican holds the military in high esteem, the Demcoratic party is of at least two minds. The first mind is the cynical, "we need to win" seats side of the Democratic party. Over the past couple of Congressional election cycles, at least until this year, the Democratic party activly courted former military members to run as Democrats, in the hope of burnishing their credentials on military policy. But this political operation runs counter to what much of the Democratic leadership says and does about the military. Routinely, comments from senior Democrats denigrate or dismiss the military. It is not unusual to hear Democrats claim that the military is a bunch of undereducated thugs no better than the terrorists we are fighting.
So despite the effort to recruit veterans as candidates, a significant segment of Democrats have come to view the military as something negative, something to be abhorred at times. Can we as a nation survive in the modern world when one half of our political spectrum holds the military in such disregard? Can we really expect to continue to field the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen if the political leadership considers the military to an anachronism, a relic of a bygone era?
What about the Constitutional oath sworn by all elected officials to preserve, protect and defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic? Is the modern, anti-military Democratic party ready to assume, in the guise of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama the onerous and arduous task of defending the United States? Can they do so with a military that respects them only as a function of their office and not as a leader?
Frankly, I wonder if we really can survive such a regime in the long term.
While military service can instill in an individual discpline, sacrifice, attention to details as a function of the training and atmosphere, one of the biggest lessons a military member learns during their service is realism. They learn to see the world not as they want to but as it really is. That world contains evil people, people who are bent on the destruction of our nation for its simple existence. A military man or woman learns that you cannot reason with such people, you can't appease them short of your own destruction, and you cannot attempt to see the world through their eyes. All attempts to do so are feeble and a waste of time and effort.
Do we as a nation lack the necessary military virtues to be a stable society, a force to be reckoned with? When one considers these thoughts when viewing the anti-military Democratic party, you have to wonder--what have we allowed to happen?
The military remains an important part of our national structure and to have high-ranking, public civilian leaders who despise the military, denigrate our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, simply calls into question the very nature of the society we project. Does the disdain for our military project an image to the world that we are unwilling and perhpas unable to fight for what we believe is right and just in the world?
I think so and that scares me.
Hat Tip: The Instapundit
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I Can't Add Anything Else Either
Than what Kevin Carey has to say:
The Times is reporting that, at the behest of the teachers unions, last-minute language was snuck into the New York State budget providing that "teacher[s] shall not be granted or denied tenure based on student performance data."
There's really not much one can add to that; it's hard to imagine a more unambiguous declaration of the union's total disregard for student learning when its members' jobs are at stake.
New Mexico Fines Photographer For Not Photographing Same-Sex Ceremony
When I saw this post, I simply don't get what the premise of this ruling is.
Assuming that this is a case solely about commerce (it isn't really since there is an issue of art in commerce). Why can't the photographer simply refuse to take that business and not offer any grounds for it?
I have to assume that the photographer said that she won't photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony and that reason led to the complaint to the state. If that is not correct, then this post is going to be off a bit.
the first question is why not simply decline to take the business. Cite no reason or if pushed say that the time is previously booked. Why cite the same-sex issue?
Second, when did photography become a "public accomodation?" Hotels, restaurants, etc. are accomodations, but not photography.
Third and finally, when did it become the norm for the state to say that a businessman or businesswoman is incapable of determining who will be their clients and who will not. Business owners routinely turn down business for all sorts of reasons. Who is the state to say that a business can or cannot refuse service to someone.
Lots of good stuff at Volokh Conspiracy on this one.
Assuming that this is a case solely about commerce (it isn't really since there is an issue of art in commerce). Why can't the photographer simply refuse to take that business and not offer any grounds for it?
I have to assume that the photographer said that she won't photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony and that reason led to the complaint to the state. If that is not correct, then this post is going to be off a bit.
the first question is why not simply decline to take the business. Cite no reason or if pushed say that the time is previously booked. Why cite the same-sex issue?
Second, when did photography become a "public accomodation?" Hotels, restaurants, etc. are accomodations, but not photography.
Third and finally, when did it become the norm for the state to say that a businessman or businesswoman is incapable of determining who will be their clients and who will not. Business owners routinely turn down business for all sorts of reasons. Who is the state to say that a business can or cannot refuse service to someone.
Lots of good stuff at Volokh Conspiracy on this one.
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