Defending Chicken Hawks

On more than one occasion, I have indicated measured support for our military entanglements throughout the world. Then comes the question, why don't you enlist?

The reason for the question is, I think, to undermine my argument by suggesting that I am either a coward, a hypocrit, or more charitably, an inconsistent thinker. One can't really support a military engagement without having enlisted in the military, right?

Now consider how flawed this "why haven't you enlisted" argument really is. Think of how many ideas or policies that you might support or oppose.

For example, I support vigorous efforts to clamp down on organized crime. I support the teaching of chemistry in high school. I oppose the sex trafficking in Thailand. I support drilling for oil in ANWAR.

Yet I am still waiting for someone to ask why I have not joined the police force, why I don't teach chemistry, why I am not rescuing teen prostitutes in Thailand or why I'm not digging holes in Alaska.

Dousing Development?

I have been talking with a fellow for the past few days who is interested in buying and renovating a downtown building. His reason for choosing Racine is that the downtown is so close to the harbor where he would have his boat. I am quite certain that he would take the plunge on this project if, and this is a big if, he can avoid the prohibitively expensive installation of a sprinkler system. Additionally, there are several other concerns, such as whether he will be allowed to have a balcony extending slightly over city air space, whether city officials will be easy to work with, and how much he will have to pay the water department etc...

I certainly hope this gentlemen takes on this project and it is clear that the only thing that may disuade him would be the costs and regulations imposed by our elected and unelected city officials.

We roll out the red carpet for low income residents. Will we do the same for an enthusaistic gentlemen who has fallen for Racine, or will we chase him away?

End Compassion Now!!!!

I was driving by DeKoven last night when I noticed signs for Compassion Fest. I mentioned to the passenger of my vehicle that I have always been amused by Compassion Fest as I thought it was the lamest possible name for a festival. And then she came up with an idea that I wish I could claim for myself. Let's protest Compassion Fest. Brilliant!! I am thinking about showing up with a megaphone and a WAR MIGHT BE THE ANSWER sign. Anyone care to join me?

The Left and Christianity

Given the effort to paint Sarah Palin as a dangerous religious extremist, it is fair to conclude that the left fears Christianity. But there are exceptions. If the Christian church is demonstrably anti-white and anti-American, then we have nothing to worry about.

Greedy Conservative

So I was blogging at Kay's Blue Racine the other day. There was a blogger named Ann in Salem who doesn't like extremism, who then declared that McCain/Palin will set us back one hundred years. What do you mean I asked; no airplanes, no computers, no womens vote? Then Kay chimed in, declaring that my question was a great example of the difference between conservative and progressive thought. What do you mean Kay, I asked. Well conservatives look at issues narrowly while seeking to protect their own financial interests. So when I asked Ann to elaborate on the hundred year McCain/Palin setback, I was being greedy. Got that?

Common Sense from Journal Times

Every once in a while, the JT gets it right. In today's editorial, the JT comes out against the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act. Essentially, the act does away with secret ballots when it comes time to vote for or against unionization. "It would give rise to an unprecedented level of workplace coercion" says the JT. You got that right.

The only issue I have with the commentary is that the JT fails to point out just how partisan this bill is. It is supported by nearly every Democrat and opposed overwhelmingly by Republicans. The JT should have informed their readers of that fact.

Teacher can't Teach

MPS social studies teacher Bob Peterson doesn't think students are learning enough about racism and social movements, "whether labor, the women's movement, the peace movement or the environmental movement." He wants to enlist the NAACP, the Milwaukee Ethnic Committee, the American Jewish Committee, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the teachers union, and the Educators' Network for Social Justice, and four area universities to rewrite social studies textbooks. You can read his entire commentary at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=794155

Now if our left leaning public school teachers can't teach leftist ideas to students, despite having a near monopoly on education, how can we expect them to teach anything at all?

Prep Time for Obama

I got a call just now from the Obama campaign. The caller was a local woman seeking volunteers to call undecided voters. For some reason the caller admitted to me that she was a RUSD teacher using her prep time to make her calls.

Question of the Day #2

Should Barrack Obama focus his efforts on battleground states or should he continue with the 57 state strategy?

Question of the Day

Re employment laws, why is there such a thing as wrongful termination but not such a thing as wrongful quitting?

Advice for VP

No doubt the media and liberal politicians are salivating at the prospect of embarrassing Sarah Palin by asking her, say, "who is the deputy trade minister of Sri Lanka?". Rather than answering with an "I don't know", my suggestion would be to turn the tables on the questioners with a smile and a "not my pay grade."