GOD (AND ALLAH) BLESS IRAQ!

The Iraqi election, to the dismay of many lefties and much of the msm, has been quite a success - not perfect, but clearly a success. You would certainly not know this from comments by the usual Bush bashing crew: John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Newsweek (who came out today with a cover of the Insurgents - Terrorists? - and an article that I am sure will emphasize the futility of elections!), et al!

I am not sure I would have voted in their situation, but have great respect for the fact that they are that courageous.

Mark Steyn shares his thoughts on Iraq, the election, Europe, msm, and other things in todays Chicago Sun Times: "Iraq is going to be just fine". Go and read it for some insight into the positive side of our war.

HILLARY, GOD AND AN AK47

Gerard Baker, of the London Times, has the funniest and most insightful column on the maneuvering of Hillary in preparation for her run in 2008.

Let us all hope that the Lefts base does not let her build this pseudo facade!

Ted versus Edd

We all know where the bloviating Senior Balloon of Massachusetts stands regarding the Iraq War: it is Vietnam with an Arab twist!

For the real story I would suggest you read Edd Hendee, an embedded reporter with our troops in Iraq, who posts at www.lonestartimes.com.

A little more realistic picture of our troops and what is going on there. Heart wrenching at times, but their understanding of our job at this time is clearly presented.

Peggy Noonan and W

Peggy Noonan has been one of the strongest supporters of W during his first term. So why did she react so negatively to his Inaugural Speech?

Read her original column here, and her defense of that column here.

Her opinion is W was over the top in committing the U.S. to promoting democracy throughout the world. "We've already been given a lot to grasp." Does that mean we stop looking beyond our current situation? I think not! And I think Peggy Noonan is reacting to W's lack of nuance and political correctness. I also react to that: positively!

To quote W's Inaugural Address: "From the perspective of a single day, including this day of dedication, the issues and questions before our country are many. From the viewpoint of centuries (my emphasis!), the questions that come to us are narrowed and few. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom? And did our character bring credit to that cause?"

I believe "...the perspective of a single day,..." leads to disaster while action "From the viewpoint of centuries..." will lead to great advances. What do you think, Peggy?

A REPEAT OF DIRE PREDICTIONS - THIS TIME FROM THE ARAB WORLD

Jeremy Bradshaw (sorry, but I know nothing of him or his work) has an article at NewsMax.com that quotes several Jordanians, including King Abdullah, that W's "promise to bring democracy to Iraq and the Middle East is a grave mistake." He claims this "is the widespread view among Arab leaders", however only Jordanians are quoted.

The tone of the story is one of "gloom and doom" regarding the elections at the end of this week, and I give it about as much credibility as Lefts "gloom and doom" scenarios at the beginning of the Iraq War.

First, W has not "promised" democracy, only the opportunity for Afghanis and Iraquis to practice democracy if they choose. And they have!

The theory is that the Shiite, Sunni and Kurds can never operate democratically. I wonder which crystal ball they went to for that conclusion! One thing for certain, if it is never tried, it will never happen!

My favorite sentence: "Democracy without security is meaningless." It is more meaningfull than "Totalinarianism without security" in my book.

And the fix to the whole situation is the old canard: "...solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem.", which of course means get rid of Israel - just ask the Palestinians!

Steve Malanga Understands "BLUE"

In a recent City Journal article titled "The Real Engine of Blue America" Mr. Malanga explains the odd phenomena of most "Blue States" on the U.S. map being 90% Red (+ or _) when you color the districts within that State. California and New York are the clearest examples.

There are really "only Blue metropolitan regions" and "one group stands out as increasingly powerful and not quite in step with the old politics of the Left: those who benefit from an expanding government, including public-sector employees, workers at organizations that survive off government money, and those who receive government benefits." His article goes into much detail explaining how this has happened, allowing them to gain control of the cities and now expanding their sights to National politics.

If you have wondered about our current Left, I think this is the heart of the problem: they have changed from the "compassionate left" to the "greedy left" (these are my words - not Mr. Malangas!). President Bush, who I believe is a "compassionate" leader, has simply filled a void!

PEGGY NOONANS INSIGHT

A wonderful column yesterday in the WSJ by Peggy Noonan - one of my two favorite columnists (Mark Steyn is the other!).

She summarizes her thoughts on the MSM (Main Stream Media) and the deep changes it is undergoing primarily due to the exponential growth of BLOGS (Web Logs). Their monopoly on the reporting of news is gone, along with their power to manipulate the news, due to an infinite number of reporters and fact checkers (bloggers) working real time. Dan Rathers problem is the biggest example of this phenomena at work, but you can bet it is effecting all MSM writers working today!

On BLOGS: "You can argue in public on a blog or on TV, you can put forth information that counters the information in the report. You can have a voice. You can change the story. You can bring down a news division. Is this improvement? Oh yes it is."

On BLOGGERS: "They're doing what excellent reporters would do."

And I particularly liked this: "Half the writers for the Sunday New York Times are eccentrics home in their pajamas." Not only the "pajamahadeen" but also the "pajamasheviks"!