Sun, 16 March 2014
When John Derbyshire was separated from the post-Buckley National Review a couple of years ago, the projected image of the move was one of a hostile divorce between American political conservatism and overt racism. That Derbyshire is a racist comes from a source that can leave little doubt. That authority is Mr. Derbyshire himself. That was his self-description in 2003. He later modified his definition of racism to race consciousness. He offered a parallel to an antisemitic who says "Oh, there’s another one."
What got him in trouble was his reaction to the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Direct download: Words_to_Actions_in_Contemporary_Con.mp3
Category:Policy, Political News -- posted at: 2:33pm EDT |
Thu, 13 March 2014
The cost per month would be a little more than half. Her astounded reaction:"I personally do not believe that." And who can blame her? She had been told by anti-Obamacare activists that the most expensive of her prescriptions would not be covered. She would have to pay for it in addition to the new insurance coverage. So there goes the savings.
Direct download: The_Obamacare_Injustice_That_Never_W.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:47pm EDT |
Mon, 10 March 2014
Pearl Harbor pretty much wiped away deficit hawks for a time. America needed planes. America needed ships. America needed munitions and transport and supplies for an instantly expanded armed force. The common wisdom during World War II was that we needed those expenditures more than we needed fiscal caution. When the war was gone, the Depression was vanquished as well. Surprise! But war that does not involve massive, long term, continuous infusions of government spending that stops a recession has another effect. That effect is increasing as the world becomes more globally interdependent.
Vladimir Putin's current adventure into Ukraine has provoked conservatives into a sort of toughness envy. The Putin autocratic style, combines with a muscular anti-gay bigotry, producing an image that those on the right have always fantasized about themselves. A bare chested Putin on horseback adds to the swoon. Since President Bush stood helpless while Russia invaded georgia in 2008, the world has changed. Unlike Bush, Obama has not looked into the eyes of Vladimir Putin and caught a glimpse of his soul. And there are new pressures, only some of which are coming from Obama. One claim Republicans can truthfully make is currently overshadowed by mouth foamed Obama-hatred.
Direct download: Blood_In_Ukraine_a_Big_Putin_Expens.mp3
Category:Policy, Political News -- posted at: 10:06pm EDT |
Sat, 8 March 2014
Actually, the argument that anti-gay legislation is not really anti-gay legislation has been a staple of cultural conservatism for as long as gay marriage has been part of public discussion. Gay people are free to marry, as long as they don't marry each other. Those who are attracted to the same gender as themselves may, like anyone else, marry someone of the opposite gender. Similar logic has been debated on our site. Michael Medved is no stranger to this reasoning. Years ago, he wrote in vigorous defense of Proposition 8, the California referendum that, for a time, prohibited same sex marriage.
Direct download: Conservatives_Losing_on_the_Definiti.mp3
Category:Policy, Political News -- posted at: 10:23pm EDT |
Thu, 6 March 2014
I have a modest suggestion for an ad campaign. The issue is the manufacture of a specialty beer in St. Louis. Phyllis Schlafly is opposed. The beer is produced by a partnership that includes a nephew by marriage, Tom Schlafly. Phyllis Schlafly has a point. She has made the name Schlafly famous through her conservative activism. She has written on many topics, most notably against any arms treaties with hostile nations. But she is most famous for her opposition to feminism. She seems to practice what she preaches. She once told an interviewer that she cancels speeches whenever her husband instructs her to spend more time at home.
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Tue, 4 March 2014
One soldier kept Rome from being conquered by a surrounding army. He didn't threaten the army, or the enemy city that sent the army. He confronted the King who led the army with one dramatic act. |
Sun, 2 March 2014
What may affect, and should affect, the electoral future of Governor Walker is the relegation of human tragedy, criminality, and official callousness to nothing more than legalities and politics.
Direct download: Cruz_Nugent_Walker_and_Republican.mp3
Category:Policy, Political News -- posted at: 11:14pm EDT |
Fri, 28 February 2014
Well, that was bracing. In the month and a half since one time rocker Ted Nugent characterized the President in terms most familiar to those who lived in the days of Jim Crow and lynchings, he has semi-sorta apologized. Between those slurs and his revised and extended remarks, he was greeted joyfully by a candidate for Governor of Texas, was endorsed by a former Governor of Alaska, and was the subject of a host of reactions by public conservatives. His own remarks were controversial, but not entirely unexpected. They comprise a small part of a massive pattern of longstanding behavior. More instructive was the disapproving reaction of mainstream Republicans.
Direct download: Ted_Nugent_-_Impolite_Name_Calling.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 1:14am EDT |
Tue, 25 February 2014
When basic rights are to be curtailed, when an individual is to be compelled, it must be for a reason that is ... well ... compelling. When that happens, the right being abridged and the compelling reason for the abridgment must both be a very big deal. This is not true for Senator Steve Martin.
Direct download: Abortion_Choice_-_Host_Becomes_Beare.mp3
Category:Policy, Political News -- posted at: 10:24pm EDT |
Sun, 23 February 2014
What's the most boring thing imaginable? Watching paint dry? Watching grass grow? Waiting for the History Channel to show history? How about a news account of a series of meetings by a group of economists? Except this group of economists is staggering like an inebriated passenger stumbling toward an airplane propeller. The propeller is we now know as the economic crisis of 2008. The combination of innate cluelessness and lack of information combines with the ability to see things retrospectively to form a horror show of policy. It's like watching a television drama with little kids playing with dynamite and matches. You hold your breath, knowing this won't be good.
Direct download: Economists_Stumbling_Toward_an_Airpl.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 9:27pm EDT |