The American "education" machine is broken!





Latest Analysis, Commentary and Opinion*
(The title of each article is linked to the complete article)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Mousavi, Ahmadinejad, and Israel
   Middle East piece by Gerald A. Honigman (6/30/09)

You know, this really isn’t difficult to understand.

‘What If Diogenes Shined His Lantern on Washington???‘
   Government piece by Thomas D. Segel (6/30/09)

Harlingen, Texas, June 28, 2009: It is a tale of ancient Greece.  Diogenes, the Cynic wandered the earth most of his life, holding his lantern high and searching for an honest man.  For him the task was impossible, because he believed that men and women lived lives dictated by specific rules and therefore no one was truthful or honest.

Pursuing Failure
   Government piece by Geoff Metcalf (6/30/09)

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.“ —Ronald Reagan - In the perpetual battle of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ and the left/right spitting match-rock fight, it is oftentimes too easy for ideology and partisanship to overshadow reality.  Both the “Us” team and the “Them” team are rock solid convinced they are right, the other guys are wrong and don’t want to confused with any facts that contradict their preconceived opinions and prejudices.  Meanwhile, the nation is pretty evenly divided between mutually exclusive polar opposites. The gospel according to the left and the gospel according to the right do not synthesize and it there is any room for reasonable compromise the disciples flat out reject it on principle (or stubbornness).

Monday, June 29, 2009

U.S. Is a Spending Train Wreck
   Economics piece by Offsite (6/29/09)

Former Federal Reserve Board governor Frederic Mishkin said the government’s loose fiscal policy could turn into a disaster.

A New Religion Masquerading As Christianity, Part 2
   Religion piece by Guest: Marsha West (6/29/09)

When I was a liberal I loved mocking the Bible.  I’d get giddy arguing with conservatives over Bible stories that to me were ludicrous.  One example is the biblical account of Moses parting the Red Sea to help the Israelites escape Pharaoh’s pursuing army.  Boy did I scoff at that one!  I categorized Christians who bought into the miraculous signs and wonders in the Bible as “unenlightened twits.”

Oh, Those Pesky Prophets Who Won’t Leave America Alone
   Culture Wars piece by Rev Bresciani (6/29/09)

This week in America three celebrities passed away without warning. Reviews on the life of pop culture icon Michael Jackson was at the top of most news programs along with some questions about the manner of his death. Does our penchant for this kind of story indicate anything about our national state of mind? Let’s see.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

‘Editorial: Regular Unleaded For $2.27 Today In Springfield, IL?‘
   Energy piece by Editor (6/28/09)

Multiple stations offered Unleaded for $2.27!  Over the last week, Unleaded prices have varied from $2.65 down to the $2.27 low.  At some stations, gas with Ethanol was 0.15 less than without - duh! At a couple of stations in one locality Unleaded Premium was cheaper than Unleaded Regular!  Needless to say, I filled up with Unleaded Premium.

Eco-Minister Flunks Global Warming Test
   Global Warming piece by Guest: Dennis T. Avery (6/28/09)

CHURCHVILLE, VA - When last we heard from Australian Senator Steve Fielding, he had paid his own way to a Washington, D.C. conference of climate skeptics - and armed himself with some questions about why Australia needs heavy carbon taxes on its energy use.

Keep Your Health Care Option
   Health Care piece by Grant Swank (6/28/09)

Do you want Canadian socialized so-called health care? Not.

No Jewish Identity
   Culture Wars piece by Gary Krasner (6/28/09)

Antisemitism is rampant in Europe, with record numbers of attacks and even killings of Jews——for being Jewish!  Hence the name “antisemitism.“  An antisemitic incident occurred in NYC.  But listening to the lamentations of NYS Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), you’d never know it was a hate crime against Jews.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Obama Advocates Immigration Reform at Expense of Crime Victims
   National Security piece by Jim Kouri (6/26/09)

While the news media feverishly cover the untimely death of music icon Michael Jackson and the sex scandal involving a Republican governor in South Carolina, President Barack Obama on Thursday revealed his plans to reform US immigration policy. During the course of his televised announcement, Obama used the euphemism “undocumented workers” and avoided using the terms “illegal aliens” and “illegal workers.

The Intolerance of the Left: An Interview with Harry Stein
   Progressivism piece by Bernard Chapin (6/26/09)

Harry Stein is a long time journalist, writer and social commentator. Currently, he is a Contributing Editor at City Journal. He has been a professional writer and editor since he co-founded The American Mercury in 1972. Mr. Stein achieved great success in 2000 with his memoir entitled, How I Accidentally Joined the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy : (and Found Inner Peace). He has also written works of fiction like The Magic Bullet, Hoopla, and Infinity’s Child. Mr. Stein’s articles have appeared in numerous publications such as The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Playboy, New York Magazine, American Heritage, Men’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, and The New Republic.

Taxes Devastate, Cuts Improve
   Taxes piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Byron Schlomach (6/26/09)

Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal editorial page engaged in a bit of triumphalism. The editors showed that their 2003 predictions of where monetary policy was leading were better than those of Ben Bernanke. Bernanke’s comments at a 2003 meeting of the Board of Governors make clear that lots of detailed knowledge can just as easily addle a brain as create clear thinking.

Left-Wing Hyperbole: Know what Healthcare is Just like? Slavery
   Health Care piece by Warner Todd Huston (6/26/09)

See, we know that it isn’t wild-eyed, hyperbole to say that slavery is “just like” our current healthcare debate because Glenn W. Smith(1) of the extremist left-wing site Firedoglake helpfully tells us that “this is not hyperbole.“ See? Conflict solved. I’m glad we settled THAT one, I have to tell ya.

The Obama Olympics
   Sports piece by Aaron Goldstein (6/26/09)

Last week, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley led a delegation to Lausanne, Switzerland where the Windy City made its bid in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.  Chicago is competing against Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo to host the games.  The IOC will announce the host city on October 2nd in Copenhagen.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Save the Earth! Get Rid of Your Refrigerator!
   GreeenIsm piece by Alan Caruba (6/25/09)

On June 22, Greenpeace USA put out the word that “A new study published today in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences shows that refrigerant chemicals, so called F-gases, are a more dangerous global warming threat than previously predicted.“

D.C. magazine hawks ‘Intifada Boy’ pins
   Terrorism piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

While an influential Washington foreign-policy magazine claims to provide “balanced” coverage of the Mideast, its parent company sells Palestinian “solidarity items” celebrating the “Intifada,“ the bloody anti-Israel uprising led by Hamas terrorists.

Hoyer Blames Reagan for D.C. Metrorail Crash
   Demercrats piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md, is using the fatal D.C. Metro accident to slam the Reagan administration for failure to adequately fund public transportation a quarter-century ago.

Sen. John Kerry Wishes Sarah Palin Had Gone Missing
   Demercrats piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Sen. John Kerry added to his long list of lame joke attempts yesterday when he wished South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s disappearance on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

20 Percent Inflation Coming
   MustRead piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Contrarian guru Marc Faber predicts we’ll soon see inflation of 10 to 20 percent.

The ACLU revisited
   Police State piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

Those who like their thought world safe, secure, with neat, well-swept corners – where the furniture is properly arranged and the guests seated in prearranged spots (and expected to stay there) – probably find politics an unpleasant avocation. Guests you’ve specifically seated apart wander over to talk to one another, and worse, sometimes even develop alliances.

‘Who are we as Americans?‘
   EdukShun piece by Offsite (6/25/09)

President Obama, in his May 21 speech at the National Archives Museum in Washington, said, “We can defeat al-Qaida ... if we stay true to who we are ... anchored in our timeless ideals.“ A much more somber note, however, was in a warning by retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter the day before at Georgetown University Law Center.

The Peterbilt Principle
   Bird-Brain Flu piece by Thomas Lindaman (6/25/09)

One of the best aspects of America in my opinion is the fact that we are a nation of dreamers. Every day, men and women wake up, brush their teeth, and work a little on their little piece of the American Dream. Recently, those same people woke up as they usually do, but there was something different.

Busby Burqa’s Fashion Follies
   Society piece by Ann "Babe" Huggett (6/25/09)

The French definitely know fashion.  From the elegance of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent to the theatricality of Jean Paul Gaultier, they know how to dress the female form.  Even their First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, was a fashion model and earned up to $7.5 million a year during the ‘90s for strutting the catwalks of such designers as Sonia Rykiel, Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy and Christian Lacroix.

The Supreme Court Nominee Who Can’t Write
   Supreme Court piece by Carey Roberts (6/25/09)

Supreme Court opinions are words for the generations that can affect the lives and welfare of millions. No one doubts that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has a compelling life story. But more to the point, we need to inquire about her aptitude to draft thoughtfully-reasoned, well-crafted legal opinions.

Yes, Sir, Senator Boxer
   Elitists piece by Lee Culpepper (6/25/09)

When the self-absorbed politician Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) belittled an Army general for respectfully addressing her as Ma’am instead of Senator, I know I was not the only person who wished the general would have responded with a stingingly clever quip.  To his credit, Brigadier General Michael Walsh maintained his bearing and tact—testaments of his self-discipline and leadership, but traits unfamiliar to most politicians.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

EPA’s own research expert ‘shut up’ on climate change
   Climate Change piece by Offsite (6/24/09)

Environmental Protection Agency officials have silenced one of their own senior researchers after the 38-year employee issued an internal critique of the EPA’s climate change position.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

‘Do We Have A Crisis Weary America?‘
   Politics piece by Thomas D. Segel (6/23/09)

Harlingen, Texas, June 22, 2009:  You can hear the murmurs at the Koffee Klatch each morning when farmers gather to talk about their crops and concerns about our government.  You can hear the same thing being expressed by businessmen at Rotary luncheon meetings.  It doesn’t even escape the casual comments offered in conversations following women’s Bible Study gatherings.  Americans are really starting to get weary of constantly hearing the Obama Administration’s chatter about what the Democrats perceive as our latest and greatest crisis.

Sacred Cow University Budgets
   EdukShun piece by GoldwaterInstitute: Matthew Ladner (6/23/09)

The Republic recently editorialized in favor of making university budgets a sacred cow during the current budget crisis. I wrote an opinion piece in response making the case that the academic records of our universities are in dire need of improvement, and that universities can much more easily make up for reductions than other areas of government (i.e. raising tuition).

A Call for American Boldness in Iran
   Middle East piece by Daniel Pipes (6/23/09)

In a striking coincidence, two very different expressions of Iranian dissent took place exactly simultaneously on two continents on Saturday, June 20. Between them, the Islamic Republic of Iran faces an unprecedented challenge.