Jerry Brown's Blog

Yes, that Jerry Brown. I've always been impressed with his intelligence. Not necessarilyhis ideas, but he certainly is one of the most intelligent thinkers on the left. This post on being a mayor is very deep.

Take a look, even leave a comment for him.

hat tip to Gun Toting Liberal for this one. Thanks GT.

Brave New World

Like most new technology, this holds the promise of both terror and hope. With this one, I sorta lean toward the terror side....

Good Luck, Mark

In the coming weeks, there will be some wonderful changes to Liberty Just in Case. Mark will explain most of the technical and logistical information. With additional time and dedication, we should see Liberty Just in Case listed next to Instapundit, Dailykos, Volokh, Hewitt and others as a leader in the swarming world of blogs, as Hugh Hewitt would put it. No - Mark and I didn't have a fight and I'll continue to comment as Patricia does. But time, technology and other commitments limit my ability to do some of the great work here that Mark will be able to do. I've enjoyed this dialogue and wish the best for my good friend here. Keep reading and watching!

The Branch Davidians of the Senate

This is the quote of the week, the month, and maybe the year:

For Democrats, judicial philosophy is a cultural Armageddon. Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy have turned the Senate into a Branch Davidian compound. No one in the liberal cult is allowed to leave, including the hostage nominees--unless they recant their conservatism. How many Senate Democrats plan to be in this bunker when Bill Frist's ATF squad detonates the "nuclear option"?

I've not laughed so hard at a paragraph in a long time, and wish I had written it! Henninger is exactly right. And his analogy needs no further comment.

Good News on the Environment

What?!?!? Isn't that a contradiction in terms? Nope, but some would love to have you think so.

They Just Don't Get It

Gun-Toting Liberal did a great post the other day.
Mort Kondracke unintentionally answered the post...in spades.

Colorado Senator Apologizes

And well he should. Calling James Dobson the AntiChrist is about as low as one can get.
By the way, this is the same Senator who promised during his campaign that he would not vote to block Bush's judges. I tell you, it's something in the water....I'm thinking of starting a drive to drain the Potomac. Not that it would help. Most of those Senators drink bottled water..from France.

"Self-loathing" Gays

Remember a couple of weeks ago when Clinton described a guy working against Hillary as filled with "self loathing?" Here's a great link from Gay Patriot on the comment.

By the way, has anyone noticed I seem to be posting more on gays these days? It's a paradox. And, as Lazarus Long says, paradox are not to be understood, only embraced...

Election 2032

A great analysis of how population trends may effect coming elections. Bad news for both sides, good news for both sides. Fair and Balanced, sort of.

Of Bars and Blogs

Most people have an idea of the perfect bar, even those of us who don't drink. Maybe for you, it's Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." Maybe your bar is your local church, and you drink grape juice instead of wine at communion. Whatever, everyone has a favorite fantasy bar.

For me, it's Callahan's, created by Spider Robinson. A cozy place, off the beaten path. No loud music, light where it needs to be, and shadows where appropriate. Those who need the place, find it. And anything can, and frequently does, happen.

The Callahan Chronicals

Running Liberty Just in Case is alot like running a neighborhood bar. You have your regulars, that keep you writing, and you have your occasionals, that pop in for a look, then move on. A percentage of them become regulars over time. You also have your trolls that need to be kicked out by the bouncers once in a while.

Like bars, it works best if you are a night owl, as much of the best stuff to serve your patrons can be had after the mainstream media goes to bed. But it's also important to serve breakfast, for those who need a quick jolt before starting the day. (Hello Patricia)

Bars serve an important public service, and it has very little to do with alcohol. Humans don't do well as loners, for the most part. Like elephants, lone, isolated humans can quickly become rogue. Even when we are alone, we still talk to ourselves. I think blogs function in much the same way. They allow people to come together, and like the best bars, with some degree of anonymity. People only know what you choose to reveal. Therein lies safety.

So, pull up a chair, and let's talk. Don't worry, the bouncers are close by to kick out the trolls, once they show themselves. The bouncers are slow to act, and are gentle souls. They want to give a troll every chance to be human. Some can. When they can't, they usually move on to the next bar, until they find themselves with their own kind on the other side of the tracks. If they can't move on voluntarily, a house rule at Liberty Just in Case is that they are pushed, and the door is locked behind them. Like Callahan, I keep a baseball bat behind the counter, right next to the shotgun.

Perky Katie No More

I haven't watched The Today Show in years, except for brief periods while Fox and Friends was in commercial break. I've always found Katie Couric annoying. It would appear The New York Times agrees. The story in National Review above is probably closer to the mark.

An Interview With the Army Chief of Staff

You may not know who Peter Schoomaker is. He's likely okay with that. He's more interested in doing his job than getting his name in the spotlight.

The General does not give many interviews, but he did give one to Time. Very much worth reading.

45 Million Uninsured! Remember That?

It was the club Kerry and company used time and time again.
Looks like the LA Times has finally caught up:

The number of Americans without health insurance — one of the most watched and worrisome indicators of economic well-being — may be overstated by as much as 20%, according to research conducted for the government.

Interesting the way statistics like this come out after the elections...

Only One Reason Democrats Are Now Willing to Compromise

Frist must have the votes among the linguini spined Senate Republicans. I'm hoping Frist read a bible during his teleconference on Sunday, especially the part about the compromise Pharoah wanted to give Moses in Exodus. Moses rejected it, knowing it would only lead to more slavery in the end. Here's hoping Frist can apply the lesson in the Senate.

The Not a Dime More movement is spreading, and nothing scares a politician more than having his money cut off. I'm not sure what internal polls the Republicans are looking at that show support failing. It does not appear to be failing among those who voted them in to office. But Senate Republicans have a history of not listening to anyone who actually voted for them. Guess they're too busy trying to find out what the New York Times and Washington Post think of them.

Maybe it really is something in the water....

An Update:

Looks like Dr. Senator Frist has the message.

But Frist, in a rare news conference conducted on the Senate floor, said he would not accept any deal that keeps his Republican majority from confirming judicial nominees that have been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Are we going to step back from that principle? The answer to that is no," Frist said.

That means he and Reid are still at deadlock, because Democrats have said they would not accept any deals that would permanently ban them from blocking Bush's nominees to the Supreme Court or the federal appellate courts, the top two tiers of the judicial system.

Politics. Still my favorite spectator sport.

Oh How I Would Have Loved to Have Been There!

The Media Research Center was skewering MSM bias long before it became popular, and still does the best job around at pointing out the ongoing lefty leanings of mainstream journalism. Can't think of a better place for an old Conservative like me than their awards banquet.

Hubble Showcase

Can we really allow this incredible machine to burn up in our atmosphere? Take a look at some of the photographs here and then write your Senator or Congressman.

Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Where was this stuff when I was in undergrad in the early 80's? Back in my day, you actually had to look in books for this kind of material. And for you young'uns who don't know the word, here's a definition of the ancient term "book." Not to be confused with e-Book, with which we are all familiar. Sigh. Guess I am getting old....

More News You Aren't Hearing: Hillary

Now be honest. Were you aware of any of this? If you only read and view the MSM, probably not. If Tom Delay's campaign manager were going on trial May 3rd, how many cameras would be there, and how many hours would the Cable News Channels be devoting to the story? Just asking.

Hate Speech? Nope. Just Stupidity, Again

Think about this the next time you hear a Democrat wailing about "mean" Republicans:

Dean has suggested that they (Republicans) are "evil." That they are "corrupt." He called them "brain-dead" during a stop in Toronto -- and while the Terri Schiavo case was still in the news. He has tagged Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) as a "liar." Last week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that he mimicked a "drug-snorting Rush Limbaugh" at an event there.

Well, at least he's consistent.

What You Haven't Heard From Iraq

One of my favorite features on OpinionJournal, from Arthur Chrenkoff, a roundup of the good news coming from Iraq. Each and every link is worth reading. The MSM has worked very hard to present a united front of negativism in regards to the Iraqi Front of the war. But like certain Senate Republicans, maverick reporters keep gumming up the plotline.