The Truth About OPEC
from Claudia Rosette

A Bishop Speaks Out on Anti Catholic Bigotry in the Senate

The 9/11 Report

I know, I know. I'm one of the few people outside of Washington who will actually wade through the entire report.
For those of you sane people who don't want to do that, here and here are two great summaries from National Review.

An Important Perspective From Victor Davis Hanson

These are still perilous times. But if anyone on September 12, 2001, had predicted that 22 months later there would still be no repeat of 9/11; that bin Laden would be either quiet, dead, or in hiding; that al Qaeda would be dispersed, the Taliban gone, and the likes of a Mr. Karzai in Kabul; that Saddam Hussein would be out of power, his sons dead, and an Iraqi national council emerging in his place; that troops would be leaving Saudi Arabia, Arafat ostracized, and Sharon seeking negotiations; that new Middle East agreements under discussion — and all at a cost of fewer than 300 American lives — then he would surely have been written off as a madman.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!
Study Reveals Democrats Favored in News Stories!

We never would have guessed....

And in a follow up to the above.
Public Wants Patriotic but Unbiased Media, Study shows.

Americans want their journalists to show some patriotism, respect the public, increase accuracy and lessen bias, according to a poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released yesterday.
Seventy percent of the respondents said news organizations should embrace "a decidedly 'pro-American' viewpoint," the poll stated; among conservative Republicans, that figure stood at 85 percent. In comparison, 51 percent said the organizations "stand up for America."

Ahem. Excuse me while I go turn on Fox News Channel.

Here is a pair of stories on the rumbling on Bush's right.
I hope Karl Rove is listening.
Tony Blankley and George Will

Gephardt's 16 Words
Great editorial by Bill Kristol, on 16 words from a speech by Dick Gephardt. These are words that will come back to haunt the Democrats.

"George Bush has left us less safe and less secure than we were four years ago."

Amazing.

The World Turned Upside Down
I can't believe I'm posting an editorial by Bill Maher, and agreeing with most of it.
Here's a quote:

Maybe he's a lousy governor, but he was the one elected by voters who bothered to show up at the polls. Their efforts shouldn't be undone by disgruntled shoppers signing a petition on their way out of Target.

Anyone who thinks this recall is some great affirmation of democracy should review early American history. This is precisely the kind of direct involvement by the howling masses that the framers wanted to avoid.

By the way, Trivia Time Fans:
The heading for this post is from a song, played at a pivotal point in American History.
Any guesses?

Can a Practicing Catholic Be a Federal Judge?
Apparently not, at least according to the Senate Democrats
Guess this definitely counts out Evangelicals too.

My Kind of AntiWar site.

California Recall
Let the carnage begin!
Believe it or not, I'm really not in favor of this.
Yes, Gray Davis is a terrible governor
Yes, California needs major overhaul.
But there is just something about overturning an election like this that unsettles me.

A Somewhat Begrudging Acknowledgement of the Power of the Blog.

The Iraq Question
3 articles published today tell the story of Mr Bush's 16 words. Bet you won't hear any of this on Nightline.
First, Robert Bartley, from OpinionJournal.com

Next, a warning to Democrats, From Richard Benedetto in, of all places, USAToday.

And, finally, Bob Novak with the story of Uranium yellowcake in Niger.

Okay, something you should know about me.
I read.
Alot.
Everything.
Voraciously.
Left, Right.
Up, Down.
You name it.
Once in a while I come across a book that makes me stop and reevaluate much of everything else I've read on a topic
That's what Ann Coulter's new book Treason does.
Here's a test.
What is your initial reaction to this name from history. Senator Joseph McCarthy?
More than likely, the same as mine.
Here are some words that come to mind.
Hatemonger
Out of control
Witch hunt.
Blacklist.
You may find other words after reading Ann Coulter's book.
Oh, by the way.
One of the main sources she cites is a thing called The Venona Project.
If you are like me, you've never heard of it.
We should have.
Often.
Below is the opening paragraph describing the project, from the National Security Agency's website.

In July 1995 the Intelligence Community ended a 50-year silence regarding one of cryptology's most splendid successes - the VENONA Project. VENONA was the codename used for the U.S. Signals Intelligence effort to collect and decrypt the text of Soviet KGB and GRU messages from the 1940's. These messages provided extraordinary insight into Soviet attempts to infiltrate the highest levels of the United States Goverment.

A little history lesson.
Most people over 30 are familiar with a famous couple that was executed for spying in the fifties?
Do you believe Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were Communist Spies, beyond doubt?
Your answer to that will reveal alot about your political leanings,and your news reading habits.
Have you noticed the defense of the Rosenbergs stopped a few years ago?
Probably not. Noone made a big deal about it.
The mainstream media simply didn't mention the names any more.
The defense stopped in 1995, the year The Venona Project was made public.
Any guess what Julius Rosenberg's codename was, according to intercepted KGB messages?
LIBERAL.
Go figure.

California Recall
Nope, its not a car they are trying to recall, it's the Democratic Governor, Gray Davis.
Great theme song for the recall, too!

Robert Zubrin says We Should Go to Mars, soon.
He's right. We should.