quasi-pundit,
barstool philosopher,
backseat driver
but never a Monday morning quarterback
email:
adrag1 at msn.com [until the QP server gets fixed]
willv at comcast.net

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the talking dog

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Ipse Dixit

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l8r

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perfunctory.org
perfunctory links(We think it's "the Mother of links pages for news and pundit junkies" - eds)








Independent Gay Forum


Town Hall: Conservative News and Information - The Conservative Movement Starts Here

Tony, Do You Recycle?

Will Vehrs

I'm back from my MACREDO conference in beautiful Lewes, Delaware. Sorry I'm so late posting, but after arriving home from my 300 mile drive, I was informed that I'd be attending a "living nativity" performance tonight.

In case you didn't click on the link, MACREDO is a regional recycling organization, not a a McDonalds waste product or funky dance. All is not well in the recycling ranks. Commodity markets for paper, plastic, glass and other recyclables are in the dumper. State agencies that oversee recycling claim they don't have enough money and some complain that they don't have enough people to audit the "entrepreneurs" who receive government grants to start recycling businesses that invevitably fizzle. The highlight of this meeting was the tour of a Perdue plant that turns chicken waste into fertilizer. Thankfully, the plant anticipated tours when it was designed, so it built a glassed in walkway for us to observe the process. Even with that bit of consideration, the odor was unmistakeable and almost overwhelming.

I don't know the status of our Forum, er, Refuge ... I haven't had much of a chance to catch up on things, but I'd be interested in knowing what you and our readers think of recycling--government mandating it, bottle bills, quality of products with "recycled content," problems with curbside or drop-off recycling, etc., etc. ... anything anyone wants to sound off about regarding recycling. Will it save the planet or is it just a pain?

As I drove back, my colleague Steve and I listened to President Bush's speech, broadcast live by local Hampton Roads, VA radio stations. It's seldom that one gets to hear a full presidential speech, unless it's a nationally televised set-piece address. Bush was not particularly eloquent today, or particularly inspiring on a grand scale, but he seemed to connect with his audience of service members on the USS Enterprise. He tied Pearl Harbor to the current confIict effectively. I felt moved by his words as I drove--his simple message of persevering in a patient way for a noble cause just resonates with me and, I think, most of the country.

Let me get up to speed on what's happening in the world and what you've been saying about me while I was gone ... it's good to be back. I really missed blogging.
posted by Will Vehrs at 9:28 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

And reason comes to my rescue...

Tony Adragna

Gotta love those guys at Spinsanity! I can stop "bouncing off the walls" now - Brendan takes up where I left off. And, as he points out, the "if it's good enough..." rhetoric hasn't stopped. In fact, it may have even gotten worse. Don't believe me? - read what Brendan quotes from people who oughta know better... Remember, you heard all these arguments here at QP first, Spinsanity just does a better job at delivery...

posted by Anonymous at 10:29 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

More late starters

Tony Adragna

Joe Califano jumps on the bandwagon to pull in the reins on a runaway team. Granted, we're nowhere near a "police state", but the only reason that this is true is that we've always checked the power of our govenment. Mr. Califano has some valid concerns that do need to be addressed, and the same goes for questions being asked by Senators Kennedy, Leahy, and Grassley (thanks for taking down Ashcroft for me, Brian - your phraseology is much better).

The only question I have for Califano is: where were you when this non-professional unpaid web jounalist was making the same point?

In fairnness, Califano did offer an option on airport security that neither Will nor I bothered to talk about - beefing up local airport authority police. This gives you the advantage of a "sworn police officer" handling security without having to "federalize"...

posted by Anonymous at 8:33 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

There's more than one Berry in DC

Tony Adragna

"This sounds like a bizzaro world where Berry is an insane southern governor and Kirsanow is the first black college freshman." - That's what QP reader Matt Drachenberg says about a Washington Times story on Mary Frances Berry's refusal to swear in a Bush appointment to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and I agree.

Now wait a minute - I'm not saying that the WT has become a respectable paper all of a sudden, but even mean spirited people can stumble onto an exceptional truth that proves their rule: Mary Frances Berry is that exception. I would normally look deeper into a WT story, but anybody who saw Berry in action during the hearings on voting rights violations has to admit that the folks at WT are on target this time.

Thanks for the heads-up, Matt!
posted by Anonymous at 8:03 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Sure do look purty

Tony Adragna

... too bad it's a "slice of bovine excrement!" There are Mac users (which I'm not), PC users (they rule), and then there are I-Mac users - today I was an I-Mac user, but not out of choice ( hey, I was just happy to get an assignment, but I do apologize for the paucity of posts). What's wrong with the I-Mac?(thanks for asking). Well, you know how these types of deals are supposed to take the best of both and produce something truly "WOW"ing? Well, I think what happened is that they took the worst of the two and came up with something that's really nothing more than a mental execise in "the act itself". Why am I ranting about this now? It's the first time I've ever used a Mac...!

I mean, what's with this one-button mouse? I really missed my right mouse button today! I needed to do a lot of "cut & paste", but the only option that the I-Mac gives me is using the menu, or using the stupid ctrl+key commands (actually, it's a "funny little function button"+key command). It was faster for me to just retype the stuff - who remembers keystroke commands!

But, it's a great site that I'm at - Very Special Arts is an international non-profit that funds arts programs for disabled people. Their downtown DC office is a virtual gallery of very wonderful artwork produced by disabled people, and most of it is for sale.

Well, let me do some reading now... be back later!
posted by Anonymous at 7:25 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

The reinforcements have arrived

Tony Adragna

I just wanna know - where were Jacob Weisberg (see item below from yesterday), Ken Layne, and Andrew Sullivan back on Oct 25th when I defended Rational Liberals?

posted by Anonymous at 1:08 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Is this a real phenomenon?

Tony Adragna

Jonah Goldberg talks about the rift on the "right" (thanks Dan), Matt Welch talks about the rift on the "right" (thanks Cal) - what happened to bashing the "left"?

Actually, I've only seen anecdotal evidence of any changing attitudes on the right. It could very well be that these are sentiments that my conservative friends all held prior to 9/11 (I have some anecdotal evidence of my own), but would never have expressed for fear of lost "standing". Could also be that these sentiments aren't genuine, but any other sentiment would result in outrage.

I'll wait til I see some real changes before I make a determination - talk is cheap...

posted by Anonymous at 11:07 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

If he only knew...

Tony Adragna

Hey Brian, you're only 33% correct in disassociating me with The Onion's comments. I really don't mind being called "weirdo" (I am moderately eccentric), but I do draw the line at "creepy" (I'm actually quite amiable), and "middle-aged" is fightin' words (I'm only 36, and I've been told that look a bit younger - though not recently, SIGH ).

I love The Onion, too!

Enough about me, now that Will is away we can talk about him...

posted by Anonymous at 1:44 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Democratic Dominatrix

Tony Adragna

I think it's great that Nancy got the Whip, but I'm still not satisfied - I'd like to see a female Speaker! Really, we all know that it's the women who run a House...

Found something interesting at InstaPundit this morning - an anti-war site that supports our current war - it's a must read! "Crash" agrees (not surprisingly)! He had previously said that my Vet's Day essay was almost a justification for war, but I really intended it as a justification for fighting back against thugs. Looks like some people in the "anti-war" movement are finally getting the message: give a thug the other cheek and he's not gonna be happy til he's "Saddamized" you! (misspelling intentional) BTW: I never lost my fatih in American youth...

A good piece on the "anti-war movement" is Jacob Weiberg's "Left Behind". Jacob does a good job of taking down pundits who have overplayed the link between their anti-war colleagues and some larger "anti-war" movement. He also proves the irrelevancy of what anti-war opinion does exist, both vis a vis the real limited size of that movement and the eccentricities of some of the movement's "spokespersons". Another must read.

I need to go read the op-ed pages now - be back later...
posted by Anonymous at 10:07 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Punditwatch Is Up!

Will Vehrs

Hawks and Doves, pundit feuds, ghosts, and Don Imus with a hose are all a part of this week's print Punditwatch. Now I leave for my "pundit-free" trip to Delaware. I should be back at the Quasipundit desk by Friday night.

My heartfelt sorrow and deep appreciation go out to the American soldiers killed or injured by the just reported friendly fire incident. As the President and Defense Secretary have repeatedly said, this is a long and difficult struggle, confounded by a "fog of war" that is even thicker than most conflicts have seen. God bless our fighting men and women.
posted by Will Vehrs at 9:56 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Punditwatch is Manwatch

Will Vehrs

Good morning, Tony. Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post has an interesting article this morning on the gender make-up of guests on the Sunday political talk shows. It turns out that

Women represent only 10.7 percent of guests on the five major network shows, according to a study being released today by the White House Project, a New York-based group that promotes women in leadership positions.

"It's a vicious cycle," says Marie Jones, the project's chairman and president of the Ms. Foundation. "It's probably easier to get people who you've known, who you've seen, who've got juice, like John McCain. I think there are women who have juice, but it takes a little time to get on and show you have juice."

As you know, I'm the ultimate aficionado of Sunday talk and I've certainly noticed the paucity of female perspective, but I had no idea the scales were that unbalanced. Think how bad it would be if not for Condoleezza Rice! To be honest, I have been surprised that so few of the vaunted female Democratic Senators (and Republicans, too--Collins, Snowe, & Hutchinson) have been tapped by the leadership to appear on the shows. I'll be curious to see if new Democratic whip Nancy Pelosi starts getting booked and shows "juice."

Yes, I did see Mickey Kaus' dust-up with Kutter--great stuff. Kaus is always feuding--his battles with Jeffrey Toobin are legendary. I'm off to write print Punditwatch--mostly male pundits there, too.

Almost Forgot--Another Kaus "Katch"

Will Vehrs

Tony, as I often do, I sometimes leave something out of Punditwatch that I meant to include. E. J. Dionne, Jr. had a column this week that sounded reasonable:

Recession has now struck. And with welfare reform up for renewal next year, you might presume that its critics would be demanding the law's repeal.

But that is not happening. Instead, a coalition of organizations that work on behalf of the poor has adopted a different objective: It says it will be fighting to make welfare reform work as well as its advocates claimed it would.

Kaus went back and showed just how bitter Dionne had been about welfare reform when it was first passed, asserting it would be a disaster. When Kaus gets you in his sights, watch out!



posted by Will Vehrs at 7:14 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

When Johnnie come marching home...

Tony Adragna

...in leg irons, thank God. You know, Will, there was a good question posed during a Senate hearing this morning: would this John Walker Lindh freak be subject to prosecution by military commission? The answer is yes, even though the president's order (taking the admin at it's word) only applies to non-citizens - the nexus is his involvement with al Qaeda. Tell the truth, I'd rather he be tried by military commission as a war criminal - if there's anybody who doesn't deserve the "full panoply of constitutional protection" it's him. Oh, and I agree with Anne wholeheartedly... I've always admonished people to be careful about word usage, especially when people refuse to use the proper word - he is a TRAITOR!

I did note that the traitor and I share two links - Northern California and DC. I've never lived in Montgomery County, though, else I might have turned out just like him (NOT!!!). I am glad that I'm now living in PG County rather than one of the aforementioned three places, which have all been the brunt of ridicule recently...

About that Senate hearing I was watching this morning - it seems that the problem with the order is that it "really isn't an order", it's more "like a notice of proposed regulation." Well, the problem is that it was isssued as an Executive Order, and the things that I've been worried about have nothing to do with the "regulations to follow". If the president never intended for that order to be as broad as it is at plain language, then why not draft an order with the narrower language? Anyway, all of the lawyers on the panel (with the exception of the guy from Cato) agreed that as the clarifications come along, and the scope is narrowed, the "funny feelings" are disappearing. The only real sticking point is that we still haven't seen the actual procedural rules - if they meet some minimum standards (not the same standards as at federal court - agreed), then we withdraw our reservations.

I'll pass on Easterbrook - I know nothing of football or T&A... that's your department.

I knew that Warner embraced guns, but NASCAR and Bluegrass music? OH well, "we gotta get elected, too"... I'm not sure about running against the other Warner, though. He's one of those politicians who is popular with alot of folks in the other party (my party) - with good reason. Besides, he's one of those Liz Taylor throwaways who will always have my sympathy.

Did you read Mickey's update on the Reich post? Seems like he's in a bit of a cat-fight with Robert Kutter over some "cheap shots" that Mickey took (probably the "short schtick" comment in re Reich). Kutter lobs back a "vanity webletter" comment (refering to kausfiles). I think they're both hitting below the belt... how low do you gotta stoop to hit Reich below the belt?

posted by Anonymous at 9:06 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

"Just a little off the sides..."

Tony Adragna

Some more evidence of brutality from Afghanistan - shave your beard, loose your nose & ears, too. Thanks for the heads up, Dan!

I still haven't finished my reading assignments, Will (had to do some stuff around the house). I'll be back later...
posted by Anonymous at 6:35 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Guilty Pleasures

Will Vehrs

Some people read romance novels for relaxation; others read Tom Clancy thrillers. I read "true crime" books--the factual accounts of murderers and serial killers. One of the all-time serial killer stories may finally be ready for an author to tackle authoritatively. The Green River Killer has been credited with the deaths of 49 women in the 1980's, most of them runaways and prostitutes. There have been many suspects in this State of Washington case, but no arrrests--until last week.

Gary Ridgway, 52, linked by DNA evidence to several of the victims, has been arrested. He goes before a judge for the first time on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police are digging in his backyard. The answers to this horrific series of crimes may be near and a blockbuster "true crime" book won't be far behind. Assuming Mr. Ridgway is guilty, it will be a story of dogged police work and never giving up, even for victims that are not always sympathetic.

Reading all the "true crime" books that I have has strengthened my support for the death penalty. There are monstrous predators among us. Ridgway, if he is guilty, is one: a factory worker by day, a killer of the weak and voiceless by night. We show no respect for life if we spare such a killer the death he so calculatingly inflicted on others.
posted by Will Vehrs at 4:56 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Treason and T&A

Will Vehrs

Great Anne Applebaum column in Slate, Tony. She notes how the media is tiptoeing around John Walker, the US Taliban fighter. She's made up her mind:

I'm very sorry for John Walker's parents and am indeed very sorry for John Walker, who has made some bad choices at a young age. Nevertheless, he has committed treason—and I think we should have the courage to say so.

I'm with Anne.

I'm not so much with Gregg Easterbrook and his Tuesday Morning Quarterback (TMQ) Slate column. Last season I thought TMQ was the funniest and most original sports column I'd ever seen. This year, it's still funny, but Mr. Easterbrook is a little full of himself, in my opinion, straying too much from sports and into long reveries on "mega babes" and providing links to NFL cheerleader pics (links I never click on, of course ....) I'm no prude, but I subscribe to the Seinfeld theory of cleavage--it's like looking into the sun. Don't stare. In this case, a little bit goes a long way, but Easterbrook goes on and on today. More football and less T&A, TMQ.
posted by Will Vehrs at 2:02 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Special Announcement

The new QuasiPundit Forums are up and running. Three cheers for our favourite "Bellicose Woman" and proprietor of "On the Third Hand" - Kathy Kinsley! Huzzah! Huzzah! HUZZAH!!

n.b.: the link to the Old Forum is still up on the left, below above the scrolling news. It will go away at the end of the week.
posted by Anonymous at 1:58 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em

Will Vehrs

There was a lot of crowing about Democrat Mark Warner's victory in the Virginia Governor's race at the "American Democracy Conference" held yesterday. Much was made of how Warner won in normally Republican rural areas by stressing economic populism and downplaying social issues. I was struck by this:

Jenny Backus, the communications director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee . . . said the Democrats also plan to run candidates who are pro-gun and pro-life in selected congressional districts next year.

Hmmm. How big is that Democratic tent, Tony? The late Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey must be smiling.

Thanks for the time off--you're such a pushover. Wait until I hit you up for vacation! I'll post from Delaware if I'm able to find a computer, but I suspect that the accommodations will be pretty spartan. I'll fill everyone in on cutting edge recycling issues when I get back.
posted by Will Vehrs at 1:00 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Leave approved

Tony Adragna

On one condition - you have to send To: Any Service Member... Holiday Messages from Home. There's not a whole lot that us vets can do ('specially since they won't let us back in), but we can do this. In fact, anybody with a 'puter can do this, and should.(thanks to our friend MommaBear for the link)

Haven't seen those "M" cigs. I've been sticking to "Basics" lately - they're Philip Morris' "generic" brand, cost a whole dollar less that Marlboro's, ad tast exactly the same. I'll have to see if I can find a link to that feature...
posted by Anonymous at 10:00 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Selling Cancer for Christmas

Will Vehrs

Tony, as Quasipundit's unrepentent consumer of tobacco products, I'm wondering if you've seen or heard of Philip Morris' new "holiday" cigarette, "M." The Wall Street Journal's advertising feature, written by Gordon Fairclough, covers a flap over the new product. "M" is being touted as "A Special Blend for a Special Season," with point of sale signs that have green and red paisley backgrounds that look like wrapping paper. They say, "Season's Greetings from Marlboro Country." Anti-tobacco activists are "livid," according to Fairclough. "It's selling cancer for Christmas," says Matthew L. Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He wants Philip Morris to withdraw the product, saying the slogan should be "'M' is for murder." What is it, Tony--innocent marketing campaign or insidious "Big Tobacco" plot?

I guess I'm okay with it as long as those Kensington Santas aren't putting promo boxes in the stockings of good little boys and girls ....

Yes, we all ought to lighten up, especially when a writer is a HUMOR COLUMNIST. Another humor columnist I cited a while back accused you of being a Harry Potter dweeb and you didn't get all bent out of shape. And I'm not offended by your humorous efforts to tie my lack of "excite" at home with the latest from excite@home.

While you're in a jocular mood, Tony, I need a few days off. I have a conference in Delaware on Thursday and Friday--I have to leave tomorrow after I post print Punditwatch. I know I haven't worked here very long--some might say I haven't worked at all--but I promise to make it up to you. I'll buy you a carton of "M's" for Christmas ... The conference center is near the beach. What great timing--the beach in December.
posted by Will Vehrs at 9:47 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Get a sense of humor!

Tony Adragna

Hey Will, you ever read Gene Weingarten's stuff in The Washington Post Magazine? The reason why I ask is because I think some people have taken Gene's "armpit of America" piece a bit too seriously - actually, waaay toooo seriousleee.

OK everybody, let me clue y'all in - Gene Weingarten is a HUMOR COLUMNIST. He writes a regular feature titled "Below the Beltway" for the magazine. Read some of his other columns - he's hilarious! The feature title - Below the Beltway - is a joke unto itself.

Lighten up people! Sheesh, we still gotta laugh!

BTW: The Hank Stuevant item that some people took a a rant against Harry Potter was of the same ilk as Gene's columns - Hank just wrote his column as a weekday "Below the Beltway".


posted by Anonymous at 1:46 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Did we ever go off alert?

Tony Adragna

Tom Ridge says we're still on alert but also says that "The president also reminded all of us that a terrorism alert is not a signal to stop your life..." Hey, Guv'na, that's what we're all doin'...
posted by Anonymous at 10:18 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Drugs aren't the answer!

Tony Adragna

What's the question? How does Glenn "InstaPundit" Reynolds get all of that posting done? No, he's not tweeking on crystal, that's not the answer. I know what it is, though - he's a robosex luv'n android. I knew this all along, and if anybody had bothered to ask I would've happily shared my knowledge.
posted by Anonymous at 10:05 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Will's woes at home

Tony Adragna

Er...ummm.. I mean Will's AtHome woes - I see you got a reprieve, Will!

Who wants to meet me in Kensington - for a drink!

Tony Adragna

Hey folks, Kensington did something right - for the first time in over 100 years you can get an alcoholic beverage in Kensington, MD. The change to the city's ordinance was approved last year, but a restaurant just opened where Kensingtonians can now imbibe in their own community. WOOHOO, now they can put away what they were smoking (or, just pass it over to me), and invite the county council over for a cocktail...
(sorry, no link to this item - I just heard it on Newschannel 8 but it's not on their website)
posted by Anonymous at 8:42 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Afghan Melt II

Tony Adragna

Anybody want more evidence that the "foreign Talibs" aren't really interested in surrendering? Try reading the WaPo story about "A Brush With Disaster At Taloqan's Hospital" . "Wounded" Taliban soldiers booby trapped themselves, were admitted to a hospital (even though it was known that they were foreign Taliban supporters - non discrimnation, you see), and were biding their time hoping for someone important to blow up.

I read the John Walker story, but you missed the point that OpinionJouranl made:
"'Everyone who knows him loves him,' his mother also says. 'Everyone expected him to become a scholar.' Well, talib does mean 'student.'"(quoting OpinionJournal)

Definitely - TREASON. Just let one foreign journalist try to cry foul over that one... I also read the posts from Joe, and WillA, nothing to add there.

posted by Anonymous at 8:41 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

We Need Some Wizardry in the Middle East

Will Vehrs

Interesting review of HP, Tony. I think a fan of the subject writes a better review than someone with studied detachment. I liked your rating system ....

I like Brian "AintNoBadDude" Linse, too, but sometimes his choice of words is ... well, a bit rough for my tastes. We all have our own styles, though. He smokes a cigar while he reads Punditwatch--gotta love that.

Looks like we'll have an early test of the Bush Administration's terrorist legal strategy with John Walker Lindh/Abdul Hamid, captured after the shootout at the prison in Mazar-e-Sharif. Walker appears to be a US citizen who went from studying Islam in Pakistan to fighting for the Taliban. His case will be a test for the "bellicose women theory." Already his parents are saying he had to have been brainwashed and that he was "a sweet, shy kid." He might have to use that defense at a trial for treason--a trial, not a tribunal.

Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleberger was on The News Hour tonight. He seemed visibly agitated and extremely concerned. He said the situation in the Middle East was out of control, or nearly so. Usually the foreign policy establishment rallies during a crisis and sees hope no matter what, but this latest flare-up seems to have left everyone throwing out the old playbook. I think Joseph Britt summed things up well in our Forum:

Exasperating as I have found Israeli policy and the many Americans who over the years have demanded that American interests be identified with Israeli interests, no people as enthusiastic as the Palestinians are about barbarous tactics like suicide bombs has any business being allowed to govern itself. Until they are able to curb that enthusiasm America has no interest in helping them get anything they want.

Check out Will Allen and MarkD, too.

Tony, I noticed in the Slate Fray for David Greenberg's article than you linked that our old friend Arthur Stock, no slouch as a historian or lawyer, signed on to your analysis. Now that's a contribution to the debate.


posted by Will Vehrs at 8:30 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

That funny feeling in my tummy

Tony Adragna

Hey, read Brian (AintNoBadDude) Linse's take on the Israeli/Palestinian issue, and what the US oughta do. He concludes:

"And how fucked up is it that a liberal like me has to post an opinion like this?

Fuckin' Osama bin Laden.... "

Hey, I'm right there with you, Brian. And Will, that funny feeling is gone - at least when it comes to agreeing with Krauthammer...

posted by Anonymous at 7:58 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Santa's last Huzzah

Tony Adragna

Actually, more like Santa got the last laugh. That's right folks, despite the town Of Kensington's effort to ban Santa from the annual Christmas tree lighting (in fairness, only at the request of two very unjolly citizens), Santa showed up anyway.

Who was it that came to Santa's rescue? Would you believe it? - a volunteer fireman, that's who! I don't have enough heart to send our fireman what they deserve, so maybe all of you can join me in sending out some heart to those wonderful people!

(Disclaimer: I've fought a few fires, and know quite a few volunteer firefighters - one of them is a housemate - so I knew all about these wonderful people before 9/11. I love them even more now)
posted by Anonymous at 4:21 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

QP pointage

Tony Adragna

Take credit where it's due, Will, it's better than you think. As well as the issues that you cite there's also the following:

William Raspberry picks up our education debate: we're all correct.

On the tribunal/habeas corpus issue, my call for the "Big Boys" to tackle the distinction between "tribunals" & normal military courts (courts-martial) has produced a plethora of on point opinions, and David Greenberg at Slate even uses the same Ex parte Merryman link that I used.

I think we've contributed alot to current debate - even where we might have been wrong, at least the debate is taking place. I'm not so arrogant as to think that we've been giving the "Big Boys" their cues, but ya never know...

Not holding my breath...
y'all don't hold yours

Tony Adragna

Hey Will! After the long wait, my "review" is published!

On the RFK quibble, I could say the same thing about that veneralbe old hulk in my beloved San Francisco - alot of people have fond memories of Keizar Stadium, but that doesn't make it any less of a decrepit old hulk.

You already know my response to the Middle East - my backhanded agreement with Krauthammer still stands. I'm still one of those who thinks that Arafat really does want peace, but I've iterated and reiterated that what Arafat want's doesn't matter - he can't get the job done. The only thing that a general PA crackdown on the extremists will produce is Arafat's death. That might signal the willingness of somebody on the Palestinian side to die for "peace", but I'm not holding my breath - Arafat's not the martyr type. The only solution is for somebody to go in there and clean the terrorists' clocks, and since Arafat is either unwilling or unable to do it, the Israelis shouldn't hesitate (and the US should let it happen). And, since HAMAS & Islmaic Jihad are now killing Palestinians in the bombings, I'll venture a bet that the "Arab street" (just like the "Afghan street") won't wail too loudly over Israeli action (as long as it's "targeted").

My solution to "districting" - repeal that stupid law that limits the size of House membership to 435. Let the House grow! More seats, more competitiveness! There's an intersting side effect - it'll be more difficult to get things done, ergo, less chance for them to screw things up! (OK, I'm only being half serious - you figure out which half)

posted by Anonymous at 3:47 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Advantage, Quasipundit?

Will Vehrs

I'm still relatively new to this blogging stuff, but one thing to savor is getting ahead of the professional pundit class or even the politicians themselves. Quasipundit was ahead of the curve on three recent items. We covered the Philadelphia schools story. Today, that situation is the Wall Street Journal's lead editorial. We've covered the judicial confirmation issue. Today, also in the Wall Street Journal, several Republican Senators have issued a letter making some of our points. Finally, on Saturday, we covered the Robert Reich for Massachusetts Governor story. Mezine royalty Mickey Kaus is covering that story today. Am I claiming cause and effect--QP reports, they cover? Well, no. Am I claiming QP covers the issues faster and better? Well, not that, either, although we can be fast. All I'm saying is that there's something worthwhile to be gained by utilizing unconventional media outlets like Quasipundit and our blogging bretheren.

Of course, I'll not mention all the things we might have gotten wrong ....
posted by Will Vehrs at 1:32 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Tony, Don't Mess with Hallowed Ground!

Will Vehrs

Tony, Christopher Pellerito, author of the fine Liberty Blog, reports that you corrected him on the non-existence of "Raljon," once erroneously listed as the site of FedEx Field, formerly Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, home of the Washington Redskins. This stadium replaced RFK Stadium in downtown Washington as home of the 'Skins. So far, so good. But then Pellerito says, "He [you, Tony, paisan, goombah, and QP Founder] also contends that RFK was a decrepit old dump -- having never seen a game there, I'll take his word for it. Thanks for the correction, Tony." Say it ain't so!

RFK is sacred ground to this old Washington Senators and Washington Redskins fan. This is the place where Frank Howard hit gargantuan home runs, where Lombardi last coached, where Sonny and Billy played for George Allen ... I could go on and on. RFK is no dump--what happened there and what it represents makes it more akin to an art museum. Don't take my word for it. Washington Post sports columnist Michael Wilbon talked to some Dallas Cowboys yesterday:

The road the police escort uses to bring the Dallas Cowboys to FedEx Field goes right around RFK Stadium. The old Cowboys, notably Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson, nearly genuflect before the ballyard as they pass by. "We've got a lot of young guys who probably have no sense of the rivalry," Woodson said last evening. "But I love RFK, absolutely love it. It's fun to take that ride by it. It was the most fun stadium you could play in. . . . They should have a throwback game there."

Christopher, please don't take Tony's word for it ... he may know Harry Potter, but he doesn't know the glory of RFK ....

posted by Will Vehrs at 1:11 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

The Middle East and Closer to Home

Will Vehrs

Tony, you sure know how to keep us in suspense. That little "teaser" of an HP report whetted our appetite ... as did the mention of that lamb roast.

Middle East There is near universal finger pointing in the direction of Yassir Arafat after the horrific bombings in Israel over the weekend. Senator Hillary Clinton, now a certified bellicose woman, is typical:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton warned on Sunday that the United States would "root out" any terrorist elements in Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority -- just as the Taliban became a U.S. target for harboring al-Qaida.
"The same message must be sent to the Palestinian Authority and to Chairman Arafat: Anyone who harbors or turns a blind eye to terror in their midst will be held accountable," said the senator.

I don't think there's going to be a "counterspin" of sympathy/understanding for Arafat's difficult position or the aspirations of the PLO this time. Patience with terrorism is over. I truly expect the Israeli miliatary response to be one designed to foment a civil war between Arafat and radical organizations such as Hamas. The US will make the obligatory calls for restraint, but they will include a wink and a nod.

If just one of these bombings had occurred in the US, John Ashcroft probably couldn't ride roughshod over enough civil liberties to satisfy the American people.

Political Conventions A New York Times editorial says both the Democrats and Republicans are considering Madison Square Garden for their 2004 conventions. Obviously, it would be grand gesture toward New York City and its resilience after September 11th. How long until we start hearing the dream scenario of political junkies everywhere--a brokered convention, one that goes past the first ballot? It would be high drama in the Big Apple, but, alas, it hasn't happened since '52 and probably won't ever again.

Too bad New York didn't get the Super Bowl. I think that had more to do with TV executives and league officials being afraid that the game might be played in--gasp--cold weather, with either rain or snow preventing the glitterati from glittering.

Redistricting I think I wrote a while back about the dearth of contested congressional races because of the power of partisan computer-assisted redistricting--gerrymandering, if you will. Joann Dann in Sunday's Washington Post had a great piece on this anti-democratic phenomena. A few highlights:

There are still a few states, such as Iowa and Washington, which routinely host some of the most hotly contested congressional elections in the country. It's no coincidence that both states have handed over redistricting to a nonpartisan or bipartisan group -- and that both have a track record of sending independent-minded moderate representatives to Capitol Hill. "I can't believe everyone doesn't use our system," Marlys Popma, executive director of Iowa's Republican Party, told me.

Ironically, the overall decline in competitiveness -- and the House's current fractured state -- can be seen as an unintended consequence of a landmark series of Supreme Court rulings that were intended to open up the political process: the "one-man, one-vote" cases of the 1960s. The court, citing Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, required congressional districts to have roughly the same number of people. Before the court's rulings, districts could be of varying population; boundary lines generally were redrawn only when population changes caused a state to lose or gain a seat.

Creating districts of equal population was clearly a better way to ensure equal political power. But in effect, the court's ruling opened every district to redistricting mischief every 10 years. The process had always been highly political, but now the majority party in each state capitol had a greater opportunity to carve out safe seats. Or, in cases where the two parties share power, they can dicker and bargain over which districts will be primarily Democratic and which will be primarily Republican. Working with increasingly sophisticated computer programs, consultants hired by state legislatures can draw these partisan districts with ever sharper expertise.

Sadly, it would take something like the "Progressive" movement of the past to even have a hope of changing this. There are too many vested interests for large numbers of politicians to take this on. Ironically, more competitive races would bring more money into the political system for a good purpose. Money flowing to unchallenged incumbents is an obvious source of potential corruption, while money flowing to neck and neck competitors would be spent on ads and get out the vote efforts.
posted by Will Vehrs at 8:19 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Very Happy (& slightly disappointed)

Tony Adragna

Just got back from HP (I'll post a "review" tomorrow) - took my seat at 6:30 & didn't get out til 9:15. Just some preliminary thoughts: I thought the adult actors overplayed the parts (except Coltrane as "Hagrid" - his performance was perfect). All of the young characters were exactly as I expected - I just wish that there had been more of the Weasley twins (anybody who has read the books knows what "characters" Fred & George can be).

Anyway, I'm eating that lamb roast right now (yes, I finally got around to cooking that, too).

posted by Anonymous at 10:17 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Waiting for Tony's Harry Potter Review? Read Punditwatch!

Will Vehrs

I've just posted the latest TV Punditwatch. Read it while Tony is taking copious notes in a dark movie theater, or after your Lutefisk lunch ....
posted by Will Vehrs at 1:39 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

What is "Lutefisk"

Tony Adragna

Hey Dan! According to Olsen Fish Company: "Literally translated, Lutefisk means lyefish, which refers to the early process of soaking where a lye solution made of birch ashes was used in the luting process.

Today we feel that a new meaning has been given to the work Lutefisk; one that means family, fellowship and good times"

Check out Olsen's Lutefisk Facts page. I like cod, but I'm not sure that I'd like this dish (but then, I'm one of those crazy Sicilians who shouldn't oughta comment on what others do with fish). There is also an UNofficial Lutefisk Website (which includes lyrics to the "Lutefisk Song", and a Scandanavian Canadian American Lutefisk Society.

QP readers ask, and we endeavour to provide answers...

posted by Anonymous at 1:06 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Out of My System

Will Vehrs

Good morning, Tony. I want to apologize for losing my cool and any pretense of blog journalism objectvity last night. I was horrified at the carnage I saw on CNN last night and totally frustrated that all the efforts, some of them herculean, to achieve peace there inevitably come to naught. This morning I realize that this is no more a watershed than any other Middle Eastern event. The US will continue to try and find a formula for peace, as it should. That a goal is crushingly elusive is no reason to drop it.

I'm a bit sore this morning from all the unusual ladder climbing I did yesterday. I see that you are thumbing your nose at me in the Forum, having completed your Christmas decorating. I will avoid the impulse to catalog the vast inventory of holiday bric a brac that will adorn my property and challenge you to match it. That's mainly because I don't have anything as technologically bracing as your outdoor projector, but I suspect you don't have anything to match my Santa sled with wrapped presents and an array of stuffed teddy bears cavorting with a luminated jolly St. Nick. I do sometimes wish I celebrated Hanukah. One big Menorah in the window and I'd be good to go.

Tony, you are finding some great blogs. That site Kathy referenced is embarassing. Should I be concerned that my six year old sometimes claims she's a Wiccan?

A brief update: a few days ago I referenced the Houston Mayoral race and a Wall Street Journal editorial decrying racially charged advertising against the Hispanic candidate and in support of the African-American incumbent. The voters have spoken.

HOUSTON –– Mayor Lee Brown held off City Councilman Orlando Sanchez in a tight race Saturday to win re-election to a third term and derail Sanchez's bid to become Houston's first Hispanic mayor.

With 95 percent of the precincts counted, Brown had 162,751 votes, or 52 percent, to Sanchez's 152,552, or 48 percent.
Overwhelming support for Brown in several late-reporting and predominantly black Fort Bend County precincts put the incumbent over the top after the two candidates to lead the nation's fourth-largest city swapped the vote advantage repeatedly throughout the evening Saturday.


posted by Will Vehrs at 8:16 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Required pre-Harry Potter reading

Tony Adragna

I WILL be seeing HP tomorrow, and writing a review. Before reading what will be my glowing review, I have it bit of recommended reading for y'all. Why do I recommend it? - because Kathy Shaidle (Relapsed Catholic) says that it explains something - I agree, not all Christians agree the with anti-Potter-withcraft nonsense, but alot of us are embarassed by it.
posted by Anonymous at 11:37 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Revulsion and Disgust

Will Vehrs

Tony, I sat down to watch Capital Gang on CNN and was horrified to see the breaking news: a bombing at a Jerusalem mall, 8 dead, 170+ hurt, and apparently, a bomb left that was timed to coincide with the arrival of ambulances and police.

I'm just numb. The Middle East is the true quagmire. 30 years ago I was asked my opinion on how to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict during my ROTC interview. Nothing has changed. The US is active, the bombs explode. The US steps away, the bombs explode. Bill Clinton spends the last days of his presidency in a desperate effort to bring peace and the bombs explode. George W. Bush just sent two envoys to seek peace and the bombs explode.

I know, I know. Palestinians have grievances, Israel needs security, both sides are complicit, both sides are innocent. Still the bombs explode and an armed response follows like night to day.

I was going to post a few things tonight, but I'm filled with revulsion and disgust at a situation that has always been out of control, no matter how hard anyone tries to help. Good night ... may we awake some morning, somewhere, and hear of a miracle.
posted by Will Vehrs at 7:37 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Speaking of "rights"

Tony Adragna

What's happening on the "animal rights" front? Well, Iain Murray (The Edge of England's Sword) points to this "amazing site. It's not a joke.." I'm not amazed - I'm stupefied! What on God's green earth is PETA up to? PETA explains their rationale in a July 23 news release, but I'm still not getting their point. Are they saying that it's more ethical to hunt and eat an animal out of existence, than it is to eat an animal which has been part of the human diet for eons (and would probably multiply to the point of being pests if some other animal didn't eat them). Oh, wait a minute, PETA thinks that it's humans that have become the "pests" of all the other animals - I get it now.

Why didn't we hear about this story a long time ago?

posted by Anonymous at 3:17 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

I will, I will

Tony Adragna

HP is on for this weekend - that's a promise!

I actually have a lot of respect for people willing to take a US Attorney appointment in NY - it's hardest job in that business. I was a little irked at some suggestions that Sen. Clinton might try to influence the appointment, which would have raised some serious ethical issues.

Virginia is a very lovely state, that's indisputable. It may be a bogus-rotating award, but I think that all of our state parks throughout this lovely nation deserve high praise.

I agree with you & Julie on the teacher bonus issue - I've always complained about the way that state fund (or, underfund) education. Unfortunately it's the best performers that are always affected through salary action come budget time. I know where schools could find some money - get rid of mal-performing teachers.
posted by Anonymous at 3:16 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Break Time!

Will Vehrs

All the Christmas stuff has been taken down from the attic, the wreaths have been hung on all the windows, and the icicle lights are up, but they haven't been hooked up to extension cords yet. Even though I tested each string before putting it up, I know that when I plug them in, at least one won't work. I haven't put away my ladder yet ....

Tony, I gently nudged you to go see Harry Potter. Now I see that Forum visitor "Rags" is waiting on your review! And you worry about your influence ....

A few things I was thinking about while decorating:

US Attorney News James B. Comey, Assistant US Attorney here in Richmond, will replace Mary Jo White as US Attorney in New York City. Comey used to work for Rudy Guiliani. My wife, Carole, is on Federal Grand Jury duty and she thinks Comey is a great guy.

Park Plaudits Virginia's state park system has been named number one in the nation despite ranking dead last in per capita spending. I don't know if this award is one of those bogus, rotating ones, but it's a nice honor and shows that spending doesn't necessarily indicate quality. I'm big on parks and have been impressed with Virginia's every time I've visited.

Teacher Bonuses Quasipundit reader and Forum poster JulieC pointed out something that I should have noted in yesterday's "Bad Schools" piece. Virginia teachers who have completed the rigorous National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification program are getting their bonuses cut. (A certain amount of money was appropriated and more teachers achieved certification than was budgeted.) The cut was severe--from $5,000 to $1632 initial bonus, and from $2500 for subsequent years (certification lasts 10 years) to $816. Ouch. Somebody better fix this during the Virginia General Assembly session that starts in January--I don't care what the budget situation is. If we want excellence and teachers pursue it, it should be rewarded. I am assuming, of course, that this program is indeed rigorous and aimed at improving classroom performance.

Here is what some other states do:

State incentives offered to nationally certified teachers for Virginia and nearby states.
Virginia: $1,632 initial bonus, $816 each remaining year for the life of the certificate North Carolina: 12 percent salary increase South Carolina: $7,500 each year West Virginia: $2,500 each year Kentucky: $400 initial bonus, $2,000 each remaining year (an extra $1,000 for serving as mentor to three additional teachers earning certificates) Pennsylvania: no state incentives
Washington, D.C.: no incentives

Thanks, JulieC.

posted by Will Vehrs at 2:55 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

OK, Bork as the "heavy"

Tony Adragna

It could be true that Judge Bork is allowing himself to get Borked in some conspiracy to advance Mr. Bush's position (which, I should finally note, is realy an "administration" position based on the same legal advice that was rejected when it was offered to a previous administration).. Let me do a little backtracking on this conspiracy - let's see, everybody who is still upset over the fact that Judge Bork got "mugged" by the Senate ought to be satisfied that everything turned out OK: Bork allowed himself to be sacraficed so that Mr. Justice Kennedy (whom the conspirators really wanted on the bench) would easily be confirmed. Only one problem with the above scenario: I don't believe in these types of conspiracies. And, a parting shot at Judge Bork's NRO piece - "Having their day in (Military) Court" was an obvious defense of "military tribunals", but "military courts" (courts-martial) are distinguished in the law from military "tribunals, commissions...". I think my argument - that Judge Bork's essay might be misleading - has some merit.

On a related item - I just had to email another columnist last night! Ann Coulter realley got to me with her "The Hun is at the gate" piece. I took the time to point out to her that (a) yes, the congress did legislate the IRC quagmire into existence in 1939, but it also legislated on the president's authority under Title 10, and (b) it's not just Dem's that are critical of some aspects of this administration's actions, but maybe it's too much to ask of her to point out members of her own camp. It's really (b) that got me riled up - I'm not gonna argue with another constitutional lawyer (though, I did hold my own last time), but I will point out that she's being quite a bit disingenuous in her attack on the opposition.

I saw Shorty... err, I mean Mr. Reich, on Hannity & Colmes the other night. Big Al... ummm.., I mean Sen. D'Amato, was sitting in for Sean Hannity. The segment with Reich was great fun! They were talking about ways to stimulate the economy, and (believe it or not) there was some agreement between the former senator and the former secretary on a "FICA holiday". The only disagreement was over the duration. Reich has been arguing (for a while now) that us little folk have been getting short changed over the last 30 years. He was trying to make the argument that a "one month holiday" doesn't make sense, but D'Amato kept cutting him off at the knees. D'Amato accused Reich of making a "partisan" argument in refering to the top income earners not having to pay FICA for a whole year under such a scheme (someone who earns $81K in Jan would not pay any FICA for the whole year). The point that Reich was trying to make (which he never got to, but I'm able to ascertain with my psychic powers) is that the FICA holiday would be easier to sell if the duration was maybe six months in duration, giving the lower brackets a little more benefit, but not really any more benefit than the upper brackets (since they would normally pay all of their annual FICA in the first month anyway). I look up to Robert Reich (all four feet-whatever of him) - he's my hero!

I'm most pleased that you still have broadband access - how long is it gonna last? I haven't seen anything on the judges order, and I'm curious to see what it says.

posted by Anonymous at 1:07 PM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Parting Thoughts--Bork as the Heavy?

Will Vehrs

Tony (and Brian, too), if one believes in a conspiratorial theory of spin, it's not hard to imagine this scenario: Robert Bork, either acting alone or in conjunction with administration contacts, puts out his column, saying Bush's Military Tribunal Order doesn't go far enough. Everyone rushes to battle over the US citizen mini-issue, leaving Bush's act looking moderate and centrist. Bork's critique could be a blessing for Bush. On civil liberties, it pays to be getting beat up by both Bork/Barr and the ACLU.

I see that Robert Reich, Clinton's former labor secretary, is considering a run for Massachusetts governor. He is currently teaching at Brandeis. I don't share much ideological ground with Reich, I suspect, but I favor him entering the arena. I get tired of ex-appointed officials, like Reich, like Bill Bennett, who take a high profile role criticizing elected officials and recommending policy, but then shy away from running for office themselves and putting their ideas to the test. Go for it, Reich. Could it be Andrew Card v. Robert Reich in Massachusetts?
posted by Will Vehrs at 9:08 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"

Much Ado About Nothing?

Will Vehrs

Tony, it's Saturday morning, excite@home is still bankrupt, but I still have an Internet connection. I'll stop my self-indulgent, insufferable whining about this situation. It is an interesting issue now, though--is Internet service some kind of critical utility, like a electricity? The California judge didn't think so, but apparently Michael Powell, FCC Chairman, does.

I will be scarce around here today as this is "Decorating Day" and I've got lots of lights to string and lots of extension cords to run. There's also the wreaths, a few reindeer, a sled .... I have to finish today so that I won't take any "heat" for doing my Punditwatch duties tomorrow morning. Maybe one of the Sunday shows will book a debate between Robert Bork and Anthony Lewis!

Hope you finally get to see Harry Potter ....
posted by Will Vehrs at 7:44 AM | permalink | "The Refuge"