Portgate Continues

The Mudville Gazette has an interesting post on Portgate with quotes from the Financial Times and Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times. Also, here is some anecdotal support from Lt. Smash at Indepundit.

I am now in support of the deal and believe that the 45 days agreed to with Congress by the Administration to review the deal is a good idea. That will give the Administration time to bring many Republicans back into the fold and make the case to the American people (mostly his base though) that this is not bad policy.

It seems to me that caution, when first learning about this, was prudent. Instead we saw a lot of hysteria and demagoguery from both sides. For the Republicans is was out of the idea of an Arab country "buying American ports." For the Democrats is was of a political opportunity to appear stronger on security than the President. And for good measure the subject was port security which, to their credit, they've been bitching about for years. Now, however, people are beginning to learn that Dubai is not "buy American ports," nor are they exactly Saudi Arabia.

The Democrats won't budge an inch because they've staked out they're ground and they believe this issue is a winner. Look for Republicans to move back into line as the debate ensues and other than the fact that Dubai is an Arab (Muslim) county, there's no reason to block the deal. In the end I say the President wins this one.

If nothing else, perhaps it's an opportunity for all of us learn a little more about the Middle East and places like Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the U.A.E.

Update: Jim Geraghty says don't believe everything you here from the Democrats (not surprising) and even some Republicans (sadly.) He doesn't mince words:

The UAE is, in its actions right now, an ally. The Democratic party as a whole appears hell-bent on scuttling this deal, and ruining relations with this ally. For all that party’s relentless talk about the U.S. needing allies and strong partnerships, they will urinate all over one of our comrades in order to score points against the president.

However, this is the same party urging us to continue sending aid to the Palestinians, where it can be used by the new government of Hamas.

The Democratic Party would humiliate, alienate, and punish our allies while sending financial aid to terrorists and sucking up to our enemies. Do not buy into the line that they are pushing.

Ouch! Read the whole thing.

Remembering Hereos

Let us not forget the heroes who have given all. Remembering Chad Gonsalves and Cpl. Rusty Washam (via Gateway Pundit.) Thank God for men like them and their families.

Kennedy Is Reminded He's A Murderer

This is great. A student yells "Remember Chappaquiddick!" at a Ted Kennedy speech. I've always realished the idea of being able to do that if ever given the opportunity. I love the part where he is confronted by a teacher and is asked, "Can't you forgive him after all these years?", and he replies, "No, he killed somebody." Bless him.

RIP Mary Jo Kopechne.

U.S. Ports and the U.A.E.

When I first heard about the deal with the U.A.E. to manage major ports within the United States, I caught a whiff of hysteria that turned me off. I was listening to our local morning radio guy in Orlando, Pat Campbell, and he was livid about the deal. He was going on about Saudi Arabia and comparing it to turning over air traffic control to them on September 12, 2001, and on, and on, and on. I couldn't help but think about everything I'd heard about what a good ally the U.A.E. had been since 9/11, so I figured there was a lot more to this. It turns out I was right.

I still don't know what to make of the deal because, quite frankly, we don't know exactly what we're talking about. There are great discussions going on with the likes of Michelle Malkin and Jim Geraghty talking about the issue. We also have excellent editorials from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Times, for and against, respectively.

That aside, in the end I have the feeling this may well turn out a bit like the NSA flap. Democrats, in their zeal to nail the President and prove their national security credentials will once again over reach. When the details become clear, it may very well be completely overblown and they'll be forced once again to move on to the next "scandal" to try and bring the President down. BDS makes them do crazy things.

Speaking of the President I've heard some rumbling from conservatives that perhaps this president really is arrogant and can't admit a mistake. If they're criticizing the Administrations handling of the deal, then they have a legitimate beef. But, if they're criticizing the President for sticking to his guns and threatening a veto, then they're wrong. I find his steadfastness admirable and reassuring.

Everybody was stunned yesterday when the President came out and strongly defended the deal. People were surprised because it was the incorrect thing to do politically. But we're talking about national security, and when it comes to that I'll give the President great deference on the matter, he's earned it.

Who? Us?

The MSM's spiral into irrelevancy continues. According to Drudge, Newsweek and Time will continue to beat the dead horse that is Quailgate in their upcoming issues.

Here's Newsweek's explanation:

"The reason we ultimately decided to stick with a cover is not because of the hunting incident itself-although we did turn up some new details that you might not have read elsewhere-but because of what it says about the mysterious world of the most powerful vice president of recent times."

And Dana Milbank:

"Of course they succeed," Milbank said of Bush aides. "The press always looks awful. They will once again make us look awful."

And CBS White House correspondent Bill Plante:

"The vice president and the White House have both used the constant press coverage of this story as a wedge [...] It plays to the prejudices of the people who are predisposed not to like us, and it's one way to distract attention from what happened."

No, it's not their fault that they come across as arrogant, narcissistic, self-absorbed pinheads. It's Bush's spin machine at fault! And they say President Bush lives in a bubble.

Priorities In Life

A year ago today I lost one of my best friends, Glenn Loadholtz, to an automobile accident. I've never really considered myself the type to have a best friend, just lots of good friends. Glenn was truly one of my best friends. I can't remember when I met him or exactly how we became friends, it just seems like it always was.

Right out of high school we went to a Miami Dolphins game at his insistence. He was a guy that loved to take off and do something fun. He knew how to live life. So I borrowed by sisters' car, and off we went. We had no idea exactly where to go or how long it would take to get there, we just knew we had two tickets and we were going. Glenn taught me how to go with the flow and enjoy myself. After that first trip it turned into a yearly tradition and we threw in a weekend in the Keys each trip for good measure.

I have a lot of fond memories from throughout my life, and Glenn was responsible for a lot of them. Of course I never really realized this until he was gone, but his death reminded me of what a lucky man I was to have him as a friend.

Tonight I'm going to enjoy a good cigar, a beer, remember how good I've got it, and appreciate everything the good Lord has blessed me with. I have a wife whom I love very much, a family that is always there for me, and friends I feel blessed to call my friends. And to top it all off I live in the greatest country man has ever known.

Glenn was taken from us far to early at the age of 35 and just five weeks shy of his wedding date with his true love that he had searched so long for. I don't understand why he had to go so soon, but it's something I have to accept and am grateful for the time we did have together as friends.

Thanks for everything, Glenn. I miss you a lot, but know someday we'll see each other again.

David Gregory Is A First Class Jerk

All you have to do is read this:

Why was the White House relying on a Texas rancher to get the word of Cheney's hunting accident out over the weekend, asked Gregory, accusing McClellan of "ducking and weaving.''

"“David, hold on... the cameras aren't on right now,'' McClellan replied. "You can do this later.''

"Don't accuse me of trying to pose to the cameras,'' the newsman said, his voice rising somewhat. "Don’t be a jerk to me personally when I’m asking you a serious question.''

"You don't have to yell,'' McClellan said.

"I will yell,'' said Gregory, pointing a finger at McCellan at his dais. "If you want to use that podium to try to take shots at me personally, which I don’t appreciate, then I will raise my voice, because that’s wrong.’’

‘’Calm down, Dave, calm down,'' said McClellan, remaining calm throughout the exchange.

"I'll calm down when I feel like calming down,'' Greogry said. "You answer the question.'

"I have answered the question,'' said McClellan, who had maintained that the vice president's office was in charge of getting the information out and worked with the ranch owner to do that. "I'm sorry you're getting all riled up about.''

"I am riled up,'' Gregory said, "because you’re not answering the question,''

McClellan insisted he understood that reporters deserve an answer.

"I think you have legitimate questions to ask,'' the press secretary said. "The vice president’s office was the one that took the lead to get this information out… I don’t know what else to tell you... That's my answer.''

This is the type of "reporting" that is praised by many on the left as tough, probing, hard hitting reporting, calling the Administration out for it's LIES! LIES I tell you!

Jeezz Louise, all of this over a hunting accident.

Let Us Not Forget

I have a confession to make: I'm a big sap.

As I was surfing around, reading the latest, dissecting the news, I remembered why we're having these discussions of cartoons, NSA surveillance, the Iraq War, and everything in between: 9/11

Time heals all wounds, but it also dulls memories. Sometimes I think we all need a little reminding.

As The (Muslim) World Turns

The Danish Cartoon drama continues (who ever thought you could have drama over cartoons?). It's now becoming obvious that the controversy has been mostly contrived and fanned by radicals with State backing. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said as much today. None of this is really surprising, but the debate I find interesting is between those who are arguing for freedom of the press and western values and those who believe that it was an irresponsible action and has only handed the radicals more propaganda.

I rarely find myself in disagreement with Hugh Hewitt, but this is one of those instances. He has argued from the beginning that it was a mistake. He had a discussion with Joe Carter, Michael Medved, and Dennis Prager on the issue and it's very interesting -- check it out at Radio Blogger.

By the way, I heard an interview with Pat Buchanan on Sean Hannity this afternoon and Pat has taken Hugh's side in this argument. I think that's all the proof I need that I'm on the right side of this issue.

The Funeral

Partisan ON:
Great! Once again the democrats take the occasion of a funeral to show their true colors. With their disgusting antics on display for everyone to see, they'll turn off many Democrats and push the moderates out of the party. Their pathological contempt for the President is pushing them off the edge of the cliff and their steady march towards self destruction continues.

Partisan OFF:
I feel sick. Is this what has become of them? I've watched and listened to Democrat talking heads trying to justify the truly perverse behavior of Joseph Lowery and President Carter today at the funeral of Coretta Scott King. When the Democrats held a political rally at the funeral of Paul Wellstone, I found their behavior abhorring, but at the same time understood some of the raw emotion on display. There is no excuse now.

I'm disgusted by what I saw today. I hope some in the loyal opposition tomorrow will take a deep breathe and gather themselves, though I doubt they will.

Makin' Waves

Paul Mirengoff’s questioning of Senators Durbin and Kennedy has made some waves on the Hill (see here, and here). Just the fact that somebody, a lawyer in this case, asked some tough question about the law is making news is quite telling.

Reporters obviously jump from one story to the next and may not have any particular expertise in the subject they’re reporting on. In this instance we have a lawyer asking questions about the law, something the MSM has neither the time nor inclination to pursue -- it’s just not very sexy.

The blogoshpere is helping to reshape how the media works and how issues are disseminated by the public at large. The MSM is figuring out that the gig is up and their monopoly on news is over, so watch for them to strike back with a vengeance. Press passes for anybody outside the “professional” media will become ever more difficult to get and I wouldn’t be surprised if politicians such as Durbin push such efforts.

For our friends on the left who would argue that, on this matter, we need left leaning lawyers or professors asking tough legal questions of Republicans on the Judiciary Committee as well, I say bring it on. I’ll take Cornyn, Graham, and Hatch over Schumer, Kennedy, Durbin, and Leahy any day.

Sun Rises In East, Sets In West

Revelations of the Day:

GOP Chair Says Clinton Turns Off Voters

Who Are You and Why Are You Asking Tough Questions?

Paul Mirengoff of Powerline apparently is in Washington for the NSA hearings and had a chance to ask a few questions of Senators Kennedy and Durbin. It doesn't sound as if it went too well and Senator Durbin seemed especially bewildered that somebody was asking him tough, yet well informed, questions. Read Paul's account and then check out the video. Judge for yourself, but I don't think the good Senator from Illinois came off too well.

Rich In Irony

How do Islamists protest the depiction of Mohammad as a bomber? By fire bombing embassies of course. Talk about reinforcing stereotypes.

As I've said before, it's not a bad thing for this issue to come to the fore. It is long past time for Europe to discover that they are at the forefront of a cultural clash. In their grand utopian vision, no one culture is superior to any other and if they simply live and let live everybody can get along. Only now, however, they are discovering that there is a sect within their society that does not recognize or respect such diversity and will resort to violence to bend the will of their host so as to conquer (yes, conquer) that society from within.

Freedom of speech is something that is cherished within Western society, yet it is barely tolerated, if at all, in Islamic society. Just try bringing a Bible into Saudi Arabia and you'll discover what I mean.

In the article by Tim Rutten I linked to below, he discusses how it will be up to moderate Islam to help bring Islamic society into the fold with the rest of the civilized world. Judging from responses I've heard from the moderate Muslims so far, the signs aren't encouraging. While they always begin with the condemnation of violence and say they believe in free speech, they move on to the "but" part of their argument. The "but" of course is that such free speech should be done responsibly and care must be taken so as not to insult Muslims. They still don't grasp the fundamental meaning of freedom of expression in a free society.

If something as basic as freedom of speech is still such a foreign concept to moderate Islam, it just proves we still have a long way to go and perhaps the clash now occurring in Europe will help point us in the right direction in this debate.

Can Islam Moderate?

Excellent article by Tim Rutten in the LA Times this morning regarding the reaction of the Muslim world to the Danish cartoons. Money quote:

The West's current struggle with a murderous global Sunni Muslim insurgency and the threat of a nuclear-armed theocracy in Iran makes it clear that it's no longer possible to overlook the culture of intolerance, hatred and xenophobia that permeates the Islamic world. The hard work of rooting those things out will have to be done by honest Muslim leaders and intellectuals willing to retrace their tradition's steps and do the intellectual heavy lifting that participation in the modern world requires. They won't be helped, however, if Western governments continue to pander to Islamic sensitivity while looking away from violent Islamic intolerance. They won't be helped by European diplomats and officials who continue to ignore the officially sanctioned hate regularly directed at Jews by the Mideast's government-controlled media, while commiserating with Muslims offended by a few cartoons in the West's free news media.

Read the whole thing.

Cigar Night

My friend Glenn introduced me to cigars many years ago. Tonight I'm having the brand that started my occasional bad habit all those years ago, the Montesino (No. 1). While maybe not considered an aficionados choice (I once had a tobacconist snob tell me he didn't carry cheap cigars), it sure brings back memories and goes great with a Sam Adams.

Oh, How Far They've Fallen

The once respectable NAACP continues it's rapid decline into irrelevance.

Civil rights activist and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond delivered a blistering partisan speech at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina last night, equating the Republican Party with the Nazi Party and characterizing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her predecessor, Colin Powell, as "tokens."

"The Republican Party would have the American flag and the swastika flying side by side," he charged.

Calling President Bush a liar, Bond told the audience at the historically black institution that this White House's lies are more serious than the lies of his predecessor's because Clinton's lies didn't kill people. . . .

He referred to former Attorney General John Ashcroft as J. Edgar Ashcroft. He compared Bush's judicial nominees to the Taliban.

Remember this when the NAACP holds it's annual meeting and President Bush is lambasted for not attending. Sadly, under the leadership of Julian Bond, the NAACP has become just another institution consumed by BDS.

Do NOT Drink While Watching

You've been warned: Brokeback to the Future.

(Via Prof. Reynolds)

Careful What You Wish For

When Democrats started their "Culture of Corruption" assualt against Republicans I knew it was a bad idea. I don't think anybody is denying that there is too much money in Washington, but to try and paint the other side as the only recepient of it is foolish. It stands to reason that the Party in power will receive money in an attempt to gain favor. However, that doesn't mean the money is flowing only in one direction. With stories about Harry Reid coming to the fore, watch for the Democrats to drop this strategy in favor of a different one that will be doomed to fail as well.

I don't consider it to be against my interest to give advice to the opposition, because I'm a believer in the two party system, so my advice to the Democrats is this: Come up with some new, positive, ideas. Simply not being the Republicans will get you nowhere fast... ah, nowhere faster.

Offensive Cartoons

Michele Malkin has been all over the story of the Muhammad cartoons. The pictures from London are astonishing and she also has a list of bloggers that have posted the cartoons. Have a look for yourself and see if such an offense deserves a beheading.

4.7%

This doesn't seem to be getting much play. I wonder why?

Is a Storm brewing?

It seems the hubbub over the cartoons published in Europe has brought a very serious problem for our European friends to a head. Europe's politically correct immigration policies are coming back to bite them in the butt. Multi-culturalism and appeasement got them into this mess, it isn't going to get them out of it.

Update: Hugh Hewitt has a different take. While I understand his concern that the cartoons are inflametory and hand the Islamist a propaganda tool, I think it better for the Europeans to have to deal with this sooner rather than later. The Madrid bombings, the London bombings, the Paris Riots, and now this. Maybe the Europeans will finally realise they're not only part of the WOT, they're on the front line.