Here Comes 2010

MC wishes you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. Be not afraid.

Cheney: Obama Pretending We Aren't At War

Former Vice-President Cheney released a statement to Politico about the Christmas Day terror attack. Here it is in full:

"As I’ve watched the events of the last few days it is clear once again that President Obama is trying to pretend we are not at war. He seems to think if he has a low-key response to an attempt to blow up an airliner and kill hundreds of people, we won’t be at war. He seems to think if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won’t be at war. He seems to think if we bring the mastermind of Sept. 11 to New York, give him a lawyer and trial in civilian court, we won’t be at war.

“He seems to think if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hard-core Al Qaeda-trained terrorists still there, we won’t be at war. He seems to think if he gets rid of the words, ‘war on terror,’ we won’t be at war. But we are at war and when President Obama pretends we aren’t, it makes us less safe. Why doesn’t he want to admit we’re at war? It doesn’t fit with the view of the world he brought with him to the Oval Office. It doesn’t fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency — social transformation — the restructuring of American society. President Obama’s first object and his highest responsibility must be to defend us against an enemy that knows we are at war."

No Comment. None Needed.

Click on the image to enlarge. Forward to the President?

Heh: Equal Opportunity Skewering

Besides, MC really likes Reason magazine and its people.

"Bear witness" to THIS, Mr. President!

CAUTION: Video is graphic because being shot down in the streets of Tehran is graphic. Our pathetic President can muster only the limpest of condemnations about this slaughter. Then again, it took him three days to respond to Americans almost being blown out of the sky in their own country. How can we expect him to care about those so far away? Is it 2012 yet?

Will Obama Abandon Iran's Freedom Fighters Again?

MC has gone green again its background color out of solidarity with those in Iran who are attempting to overthrow the clerical fascists now running their country. It is, admittedly, a very slight thing. We know, however, that President Obama could do much, much more in support of these brave men and women. Will he? MC is not hopeful. His is becoming a shameful legacy.

Chinese Dissent Liu Xiaobo Sentenced to 11 Years

Mr. President, could you rouse yourself from your vacation to notice this human rights crime? You fairly bowed before the Chinese PM in Copehagen: could you stand up straight for human rights? Remember your Nobel speech? You said you cared about them; you struck a brave rhetorical pose. Can you ever deliver on anything worthwhile?

Liu Xiaobo was sentenced by the Chi-coms on Christmas Day to 11 years in prison. His crime? Demanding that the Chinese government be accountable to the people for its actions. As of this time, MC has no knowledge of any condemnation of this unjust sentence by the President. This is shameful but of a piece with this weak, craven President.

Click on the title of this post to read more about this brave man.

Ten Questions About Northwest Flight 23

MC was shocked that with Obama as President someone would attempt to again murder Americans aboard planes. Sarcasm aside, the Christmas terrorist attack (and it was an attack, just not successful) is a bracing reminder of the times in which we live and which no amount of government spending, take over of 1/6 of the economy or endless vapid speeches can obscure.

Click on the title of this post to read blogger Stalking on Stilts excellent list of questions to be answered. We know very little at this point but it's important to remember what the essential questions are. MC liked the tenth question very much indeed.

Hat tip: Instapundit

Vic Chesnutt Dead At 45 By Own Hand

There goes Christmas! Vic Chesnutt committed suicide today. MC is very depressed. Do a quick Google search if you don't know about this amazing musician. A songwriter's songwriter. Click on the title of this post to read a brief piece on the loss of this man.

In Defense Of Michael Steele

MC hesitates to ascribe motivations to the recent spate of attacks on Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele. Certainly it was an open secret that the RNC delegates from the RPM were not among his supporters. Some of them, like Evie Axdahl, continue to wage a disingenous and retrograde war against him. Our RNC delegation needs to be replaced but that's a post for another time (which will come, trust us).

Recently--quelle horreur!--it was learned (pardon the passive voice, so not MC) that Steele gets paid for speeches to various groups he addresses outside of those within the ambit of his duties as Chair of the RNC. They range from $8,000 to $20,000. The usual political apparatchiks came out whining. Please, spare us. MC bristles at alleged Republicans complaining about making money in a legal, open and transparent fashion. We remember some conservatives kvetching about Sarah Palin's speaking fees. What? Somewhere Ayn Rand was spinning in her grave!

There is nothing in the RNC organizing documents or bylaws that prevent such outside income. Michael Steele's speeches do not come at the expense of his attention to job duties. This is more of the same from people to whom we should not pay attention in the slightest. MC liked the following:

"Former Republican Party chairman and former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore said on C-SPAN, "It's not uncommon for people to have some outside employment as well as being paid as national chairman." The interview was circulated to reporters by Steele aides."

Mind you, Steele has been very successful in raising money for the RNC. Let's not lose sight of that important fact.

Then there was this:

"The races in New Jersey and Virginia were a tide change for the Republican Party," said Katon Dawson, the ex-chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. Dawson, who lost in the chairman's race to Steele, said "he'll be judged by the midterms."

Really? Judged by midterms? MC isn't much for gambling but that's one bet we'll take against all comers. So knock it off Republicans. We can't afford this baseless attack against an effective, telegenic and competent Chair.

Click on the title of this post to read the lastest story about this issue in the Washington Post.