New location
Topic: Blogging
You can now find this blog at Musing of a Thoughtful Conservative on Wordpress.

Moving
I will no longer be mirroring my blog posts here. Please read my posts here.

Kerry on
Mood:  bright
Topic: Politics
I watched John Kerry on Meet the Press and then read Ann Althouse's reaction. Yep.

Iraqi Voting
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: MSNBC - Meet the Press
Topic: Iraq
I'll get to other stuff later. For my first post back I wanted to comment on the somewhat surprising news today (surprised me, I must admit). Every single step of the way the administration has been vindicated in its time table for returning Iraq to democratic rule. Hurdles still remain, but now it is largely in the hands of the Iraqi people and how they respond to the vote. The terrorists have been thwarted. The Iraqi people bravely went to the polls in the face of threats of violence. My hat is off to them.

Wisconsin Blogging
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Monday Night Football
Topic: Blogging
Traveling around blogs written by Wisconsinites:

Lance Burri writes about the recent Institute for Wisconsin's Future report on taxes in Wisconsin.

Owen at Boots & Sabers posts an incredible story on one little piece of the Battle of Fallujah.

The American Mind celebrated five years blogging over the weekend. He shares some reflections of "the old days." (thanks to Boots & Sabers for the tip)

Jay at Folkbum's Rambles and Rants is on hiatus until at least Jan. 1 when he says he will unveil a new template. I look forward to it. He also posts every Monday on Liberal Street Fighter (the link is his latest column).

On the GarveyBlog on FightingBob.com, Ed Garvey talks about the anniversary of Saddam's capture and the cost of the Iraq War.

Charlie Sykes discusses James Sensenbrenner's opposition to the Intelligence Bill.

kris Dummocrats.com makes some good points about ID's and voting.

Blogging Right 'On Wisconsin' makes a point about Israeli security and sees some implications for the Iraqi elections.

Ann Althouse says today's news of Scott Peterson's death sentence has reaffirmed her opposition to the death penalty.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll post more as I get the chance to read them.

Mood:  bright
Topic: Iraq
John McCain has commented that he has "no confidence" in Donald Ruumsfeld because of the prosecution of the war in Iraq,

"I have strenuously argued for larger troop numbers in Iraq, including the right kind of troops -- linguists, special forces, civil affairs, etc.," said McCain, R-Ariz. "There are very strong differences of opinion between myself and Secretary Rumsfeld on that issue."

Sen. McCain is notorius for speaking his mind, a refreshing characteristic that many folks find appealing, even if they don't agree with him. Many see him as a front runner for the 2008 presidential nomination.

Although I agree that the war in Iraq was justified, I do think the administration was unprepared for the aftermath. I believe they underestimated the opposition to our invasion within Iraq. Perhaps they had to be optimistic because of the fact that one, they probably did not want to draw down forces from other parts of the world, and, two, they knew what opposition a draft would have brought out. Those are the only two ways to have more troops in Iraq. I have not heard where McCain would draw these extra troops from.

Now the "right kind of troops" that McCain talks about no doubt has the same problems. Where would these troops come from? What shortages would it cause elsewhere?

But I think he is right. More troops, especially the right kind of troops, would make a huge difference in the situation in Iraq. But I don't know if its possible. How many troops are we talking about?

Final Count in Florida?
Mood:  happy
Topic: Politics
I doubt it:

"Some critics have alleged that Florida's majority vote for President Bush was flawed. The Herald counted the votes in three North Florida counties and found little discrepancy."

The main trouble is that most liberals don't understand southern Democrats. Zell Miller is not an aberration.

Intelligence Reform
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: College football
Topic: Politics
Owen at Boots & Sabers responds to this Journal Sentinel editorial and also links to this article at ABC News.

Keep Your Female Pop Stars Straight
Mood:  bright
Topic: Just for Fun
Here's how.

Illinois Stem Cell Research Plan
Mood:  bright
Topic: Just for Fun

"A state official in Illinois is proposing a 6% tax on face lifts and other cosmetic procedures to finance $1 billion in stem cell research over 10 years.

"Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes wants the so-called 'nip-tuck tax' proposal put on the ballot as a referendum in 2006. If approved by voters, it could undermine Wisconsin's position in the Midwest and nation in a potentially promising new scientific field. (emphasis mine)"

A nip-tuck tax ....

The Beat Goes On
Mood:  special
Topic: Politics
Well, it just won't stop. The exit polls are still a source of controversy. From CommonDreams.org:

"[Pollster John] Zogby was concerned about the difference between some of the exit polls (surveys of individuals who have just cast ballots) and the official vote counts. 'We're talking about the Free World here,' he pointedly noted."

Apparently we still think that polls are more accurate than the actual vote. I understand that exit polls are used in other countries to test whether an election might have fradulent results (compare the recent Ukrainian elections), but observe that there were also reports of widespread irregularies, something not yet thought by many in the US.

"His comments came shortly after Ukraine's Central Election Commission announced that Yanukovych, whose candidacy was backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, won the runoff with 49.46 percent of the vote, defeating pro-Western opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, who was said to have received 46.61 percent. Exit polls on election day had put Yushchenko well ahead, and U.S. and European observers said there were widespread irregularities (emphasis mine)."

There were no widespread irregularities in the vote three weeks ago, some isolated problems, yes, but nothing widespread. Even though 80% of Americans believe the election was legitimate, though the anti-Bush forces are lobbying hard.

"John Zogby, meanwhile, was more concerned about the short end of another poll this week -- one that indicated that about four in five Americans thought President Bush had been legitimately elected three weeks ago. 'But, Keith, 20 percent don't think the president is legitimate. And worse yet, if you take the other half, those that didn't vote for him, about half of the other side doesn't think the president is legitimate. That just hasn't existed for a long, long time in our system. We need to restore, I think, some semblance of legitimacy and honor to the system.(emphasis again mine)' "

Bush will never be considered a legitimate president by those on the left. The only way this election (as well as the 2000 election) would be considered legitimate is if Kerry (or Gore) would have won. Of course these same people who think the exit polls are sooo accurate forget that most of the final polls before election day had Bush leading. They really need to make up their minds.

And it's always interesting that you hear nothing of any irregularities in any state but Florida and Ohio. I wonder why ....

Brawl Update
Mood:  happy
Topic: Sports

"Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday, and two of his Indiana Pacers teammates must miss a total of 55 games for fighting with fans during a melee that broke out at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons.

"Overall, the NBA issued some of the harshest penalties in its history by banning nine players for more than 140 games. Artest's suspension is the strongest ever levied for a fight during a game.

"...All of the suspensions are without pay. Artest will lose approximately $5 million in salary, while O'Neal's suspension will cost him nearly 25 percent of his $14.8 million salary for the current season."

Ouch. We haven't heard the last however.

"Players union director Billy Hunter, calling the penalties excessive, said an appeal would be filed with Stern on Monday."

The agents of the players involved, other players andthe Pacers' owner also said the suspensions were excessive.

"Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said he did not condone the fight, but 'we do consider the action taken Sunday by the National Basketball Association to be unprecedented and inappropriate based on the circumstances.' "

I don't think the suspensions are excessive, but hopefully some of the Detroit fans don't escape punishment of some sort. Security was increased at the Piston game today with Charlotte.

Get a Feel for What's Happening in the Sudan
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Sunday Night Football
Topic: Social Issues
Mayflower Hill feels it may be "the most neglected tragedy in the world right now." I agree.

Let the Picketing Begin!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Social Issues
A Madison, WI radio host called Condeleeza Rice "Aunt Jemima" and Colin Powell "Uncle Tom." Should I also mention that Mr. Sylvester is white and liberal? At least the African-AMerican leaders were consistent. They condemned him.

"While Sylvester's comments have raised objections, the reaction has not yet reached the level of response to Milwaukee radio personality Mark Belling's use of the term 'wetbacks' in a reference to undocumented Mexican immigrants. Under pressure, several businesses pulled their advertising from Belling's show, and he was taken off the air for a week.

"Sylvester said he disagreed with Belling's statement but supported his right to say what he thought.

" 'I don't like censorship, and I don't like boycotts,' Sylvester said. 'The fact that I'm getting a lot of attention on this . . . that's my job.' "(emphasis mine)

It's Belling's too. People ask how you can stop the vitriol. You can't. Not until the polarizing voices on both sides become unpopular.

Brawls
Mood:  bright
Topic: Sports
What's with people this weekend? First, Friday evening, in the Indiana-Detroit NBA game last night, a huge brawl that involved fans took place.

"The NBA suspended Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson of Indiana and Ben Wallace of Detroit on Saturday for taking part in one of the ugliest brawls in U.S. sports history. The suspensions were indefinite, and the league was still investigating Friday night's melee, which commissioner David Stern called 'shocking, repulsive and inexcusable - a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA.'"

Then Saturday afternoon, a fight broke out in the South Carolina-Clemson football game.

" Players from South Carolina and Clemson brawled late in the game Saturday, with 67-year-old coach Lou Holtz diving into the pile as peacemaker in his regular-season finale with the Gamecocks.

'That's the first time that ever happened to me during a game,' Holtz said."

Whew!

Congratulations!!
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Michigan-Ohio State
Topic: Sports
Waukesha West High School and Mukwonago High School were victorious in the Wisconsin State football championships yesterday. Mukwonago High School defeated Marshfield High 17-6 for the Division I title. Waukesha West bested Monona Grove 24-7 for the Division II crown.

The Belling Kerfuffle
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Social Issues
Mark Belling was back on the air after suspension on Monday. Belling is a conservative talk radio host in the Milwaukee area who sometimes substitutes for Rush Limbaugh on his show. A few weeks back he uttered an ethnic slur on his program. This has caused all manner of upset among the liberals in the area. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this past Sunday had three opinions in its Crossroads section (here, here, and here.)

He has been suspended from his daily talk show as well as a weekly show on a local station. He also has a weekly newspaper column. Demonstrations for and against him have taken place at the radio station's office as well as one of the newspapers.

I wrote my views in an e-mail to the Waukesha Freeman (as yet unpublished) over the weekend:

"...Freedom of Speech is a long and cherished right by everyone in America. A recent holiday commemorated the many men and women who spilled blood and gave their lives so that this and other freedoms would not be stamped out.

"Mark Belling was wrong to use the word he used. Many have stated that. People who are in the public eye and expect to have their opinions taken seriously need to be careful in their speech. And, no doubt, he exacerbated the situation with his initial apologies.

"But the quote from Voltaire that began the recent Freeman editorial has summed up American feelings for over 200 years. Those who disagree with Belling have a simple recourse. Don't read his column, listen to his radio show, or watch his TV program.

"But censorship of speech is just a bad idea. One that I am glad the Freeman is not a part of. One that I hope the TV and radio stations involved will cease being part of."

It's really been quite amusing. The ethnic slur has seen more use in the days following Belling's use of it, than it would have otherwise. One of the the Journal Sentinel's editorials looked at the origins of the term. Now everyone knows the term. I guess that was the goal?

CBS Fires Producer Who Broke Into 'CSI'
Mood:  bright
Topic: Media Bias
Upon reading this, I wondered if Mary Mapes was still working:

"CBS News has fired the producer responsible for breaking into 'CSI: NY' last week for a special report on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death, a CBS executive said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity."

Bush Supporters Are Not Stoopid Afterall
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Politics
Just "counterintuitive."

At least that's what the editor-in chief at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel thinks.

"Fact: A whole lot of people voted to re-elect President Bush.

Evaluation: Those people were wrong.

Inference: These people are stupid.

Now, I don't have any problem with the evaluation of wrongness here. If you can look at that first presidential term and come up with re-election as the right thing to do, then perhaps you also thought the Vietnam years really were the wonder years.

But I'm hearing that inference of stupidity a lot these days in various permutations. We shouldn't go there, if for no other reason than what goes around comes around. No, not stupid. But counterintuitive? You bet."

That's a relief!! Not!!

Reforming Elections
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Politics
These proposals make sense to me.