Conservative Donnybrook

In the immortal words of Dick in Young Guns, I’m darin’ ya, Billy.

Rasmussen has apparently been conducting some polling that I had not seen (which says something about me, I guess). 10% lead. Over a no-name recognition “kook.” Wait ’til some of his $15.5 million gets spent. Wait ’til the media get egg on their face for overlooking a “nobody,” like they did when the Republican nominee picked a junior senator from Indiana to be his running mate in 1988. Any publicity is good publicity, folks.

When the immutably garrulous John McCain is “left speechless,” you know something is amiss.  Earlier today America’s favorite televangelist and leader of the Christian Coalition, Pat Robertson, endorsed the pro-abortion and pro-gay rights Republican hopeful Rudy Giuliani. 

The same Pat Robertson that feared the continued acceptance of “self absorbed” and “narcissistic” homosexuals would result in a meteor crashing into Earth?

The same socially conservative Pat Robertson who is ardently pro-life (except for the Chinese)?

Looks like Pat has bought into the “lesser of two evils” doctrine, preferring Giuliani (who currently leads virtually every poll) to the possiblity of another Clinton regime.

Remember the heavy fire that Sen. Sam Brownback came under when he merely flirted with the idea of endorsing Giuliani?  He has since tucked tail and run into the arms of John McCain in an attempt to save face (if you can call it that).

At least James Dobson continues to take a hard line, refusing to endorse any Republican who fails the litmus test of social conservatism.

Bloomberg.com: Currencie: Srkozy apparently recognizes the risk to French exporters to America that a weak dollar poses to French industry. As the dollar sinks, exports to the United States become more expensive and domestic goods become more inexpensive to American consumers. Sarkozy is trumpeting, then, a Franco-centric economic policy in saying that a dollar which continues to sink may trigger a trade war. What he means is that France may be forced to raise tariffs against American goods to protect the home market.

This blogger agrees with Sarkozy. One should always watch out for the home market, protect it from unfair competition. The simple fact that the dollar has sunk versus the Euro has triggered Sarkozy’s nationalism and fears that France will be less able to sell their products in the American market – the greatest market on earth. Why don’t we get it?

For most of you, this will probably register as good news. The good news is that I am now employed. That will be good news for me and my wife and those of you who find me unbearable. The bad news (or the good news for those of you who find me unbearable) is that I have taken a job with the State of Indiana. What that means is that I cannot post during the day (horrible conflicts of interest and ethics violations if I post about political issues on government time).

I have made a firm commitment to myself and the success of this site to try to continue blogging and I will do that. However, it will probably take me a few weeks to figure out the balance between work, home life, and argument. Please be assured that argument is among my more favorite things to do in life and therefore I will find a way to fit it in. It just might take me a couple days to realize where and how.

In the interim, if I do not respond to comments until hours later, please forgive me.

… comes a story which should have been subtitled “Noone Holds Breath.”

The Filipino “guest workers” (if that’s what they call indentured servants degraded to an almost inconceivable level) and others who live in Saudi Arabia have to constantly force their way against hostile crowds who often beat and spit upon them at the daily calls to prayer enforced by the Mutawin (religious police) who are, in fact, armed with pistols and daggers, and who use long sticks to shepherd the faithful into the mosques. (“There is no compulsion in religion,” Quran, Surah 2, verse 256.) At least, that’s how it was in Ta’if in 1992, but I’m sure all that’s changed by now.

And I’m sure the king was sincere.

… along with a boatload of cash.

 Daniel Larison wonders “what is it with you people?” This ought to be the GOP’s guy. A decade ago, it could have been. To hell with dynasty politics.

I am convinced that there is a huge segment of the American populace who can be motivated to engage in the vaunted democracy of the neocons. Voter turnout is affected when a real issue is on the table, or when an actual competitive race crops up (even unexpectedly).

This kind of haul makes races competitive.