Friday, December 19, 2008

Friday tidbits

A party of corruption? Note that, in the past few months, no less than 6 different Democrats have either been convicted of, or face serious charges of, corruption.

Victor Davis Hanson notes that, already, President-elect Obama has moderated his foreign policy vision for America, now that the campaign has ended:
" Obama has not assumed office yet, and already Iran has mocked the president-elect’s campaign suggestions for unconditional diplomacy. Already, old-new Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has indicated a desire to stabilize Iraq before withdrawing combat forces. Already, commanders have told the president-elect that a simple surge of more troops into Afghanistan offers no magical solution. Already, we are learning that whether we try more aid or ultimatums, Pakistan will remain Pakistan — a radical Islamic, nuclear, failed state that is deeply anti-American rather than merely anti-George Bush."

Gay rights advocates are furious that President-elect Obama chose Pastor Rick Warren, a moderately-conservative evangelical, to give an invocation at his inaugural. Jim Geraghty sums it up well, and makes a good case for not laughing at our progressive friends, but rather for feeling saddened for them--they shouldn't have put such faith in Obama in the first place.

An important figure in the advancement of conservatism in America in the 1970s and beyond has died. His name was Paul Weyrich, and he helped popularize many ideas on the Right and mobilize people behind them. You can read about him and his accomplishments here.

By the way, do you know which state has one of the highest income and sales tax rates in the nation? Answer: California. Next question--which state has one of the worst budget deficits in the nation? Answer: California.