A US Marine puts Joel Stein in his place. (With an assist from Teddy Roosevelt.)

Gabriel Ledeen, USMC, (and son of Michael Ledeen) does it much better than I could.

Back in March of 2003, I wrote an article for NRO excoriating the claim put forth by a number of statesmen, journalists, and intellectuals, that they support the troops but not the mission. I argued that such people treated other humans as means, and not as ends, by using the troops as a tool to cloud their position with emotion and feigned compassion. Imagine my surprise, then, at reading a piece by Joel Stein in the Los Angeles Times last week, boldly stating that he is tired of his fellow liberals claiming to support the troops while they oppose continued American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As he writes, "...I'm not for the war. And being against the war and saying you support the troops is one of the wussiest positions the pacifists have ever taken — and they're wussy by definition. It's as if the one lesson they took away from Vietnam wasn't to avoid foreign conflicts with no pressing national interest but to remember to throw a parade afterward."

If you are able to get past the arrogant tone and flippant remarks, you are left with the proposition that if one opposes the war in Iraq, then one should not also claim to support the troops prosecuting the war, since the soldiers are independent moral agents capable of making rational decisions based on their own moral principles. If you believe this is not a just war, then how can you support those who wage it?

If Joel Stein had presented his argument in a more thoughtful fashion, he might have seen a very different response. But he didn't. Instead he tried to soften the harshness of his position by saturating the piece with humor and demonstrating that even he doesn't take himself too seriously. This tone, carried over into the radio and television interviews that ensued, reveals an emptiness to his argument that comes from Mr. Stein's distance and detachment from the events he is judging.

He is so far removed from any real risk or danger that he can afford to be glib, arrogant, and sarcastic about the moral significance of the ongoing fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He recognizes the flimsiness of his foundation, and says of it, "I know this is all easy to say for a guy who grew up with money, did well in school and hasn't so much as served on jury duty for his country."

For Stein to advocate opposition to American soldiers while nonchalantly admitting his own lack of service is a remarkable display of arrogance — a "wussy" thing to do, one might say. To one who comes from similar circumstances as Stein, but has chosen to serve his country, the thought of such a spineless argument provokes disgust. As noted elsewhere on the web, Theodore Roosevelt wrote an exceptional response to Joel Stein in The Atlantic in 1894.

"It is proper to demand more from the man with exceptional advantages than from the man without them. A heavy moral obligation rests upon the man of means and upon the man of education to do their full duty by their country. On no class does this obligation rest more heavily than upon the men with a collegiate education, the men who are graduates of our universities. Their education gives them no right to feel the least superiority over any of their fellow-citizens..."

Stein is one of many pseudo-intellectuals who feel that their education and socio-economic status excuse them of the responsibility to serve. They act as if they were entitled to freedom's blessings, just in order to indulge themselves.

Roosevelt does not let Stein and his ilk go easily:

"For educated men of weak fibre, there lies a real danger in that species of literary work which appeals to their cultivated senses because of its scholarly and pleasant tone, but which enjoins as the proper attitude to assume in public life one of mere criticism and negation; which teaches the adoption toward public men and public affairs of that sneering tone which so surely denotes a mean and small mind."

The sneering tone of which Roosevelt speaks is readily apparent in so many of our leading intellectuals and politicians. It bespeaks a condescension born of elitism, which is only fostered by an isolated and privileged upbringing, untouched by the weighty ideals of duty, honor, and selflessness. Roosevelt drives in the final nail:

"Again, there is a certain tendency in college life...to make educated men shrink from contact with the rough people who do the world's work, and associate only with one another and with those who think as they do. This is a most dangerous tendency...Let him learn that he must deal with the mass of men; that he must go out and stand shoulder to shoulder with his friends of every rank, and face to face with his foes of every rank, and must bear himself well in the hurly-burly. He must not be frightened by the many unpleasant features of the contest...He will meet with checks and make many mistakes; but if he perseveres, he will achieve a measure of success and will do a measure of good such as is never possible to the refined, cultivated, intellectual men who shrink aside from the actual fray."

With these words Roosevelt draws a line in the sand between those who, like Stein, use their education as a way around hardship, duty, and sacrifice, and those who see their education and privilege as a debt that must be repaid. (Thanks to National Review Online for the heads up.)

I get mail...

The suspiciously named David Amulet congratulates Your Humble Servant for being such a mensch, and then departs for some hot, sweaty gender.

David Amulet said...

A great story-- I just posted a smart-ass take on this over on my blog. This guy must feel awful (literally, due to the stumble, and figuratively).

I see somethng about sex vs. gender below ... one of my pet peeves ... I'd better read that one now ...
-- david

Oh, no. Not literally.

David Amulet said...

Your profile is right on about "gender!" My rule for this is that if you're not in a language class talking about the masculine or feminine forms of a word, use "sex." I don't know if I'm right about that, but it has served me well.

Especially in conversations with the opposite gender. (heheh)
-- david



Dear Citizen Amulet,
Your comment on the hijacking of the word "gender" by the Word Nazis brings the total of such comments on my blog to two. I fear this battle has been lost, as has the one over the wonderful little word "gay".

Since your blog isn't nearly as ignorant as most (mine included, of course) I will be happy to post a link to it.

Anyway, thanks for visiting and for the kind words as well.

More Super Bowl satire from cracked.com.

Cracked.com has a fairly funny spoof of ESPN's Super Bowl coverage. For those of you who love/hate the Four Letter Network:

Necessary Precautions
Bill Cowher to be tranquilized, held in cage for entire week before Super Bowl.
• Cowher to Seahawks fans: "AAWHD LAAAH MOAGKILOA!"
• Steelers linebacker Joey Porter calls Seahawks cowards for not running ball up middle every play


Why is Ben Roethlisberger starting for the Steelers instead of Charlie Batch?
Scoop Jackson exposes Bill Cowher’s history of unabashed racism.


Detroit Native Jerome "From Detroit" Bettis to Play Super Bowl in Detroit (His Hometown)

In a story that SPN's writers are calling the biggest Super Bowl scoop ever, SPN reports that veteran Steelers RB Jerome Bettis is a native of Detroit. That’s right – the same city that’s hosting Super Bowl XL. The very same Super Bowl in which Bettis is playing! Is this an amazing story or what?! We're not grasping at straws! READ MORE

• Pasquarelli: It’s true, he is from Detroit. I checked Clayton: If so, why is no one reporting on this?
• Vote: Should we run this story into the ground?
• Does he actually like Detroit? Is he insane?!
• Also, Jerome Bettis is obese and he's playing in Super Bowl XL Get it? Like the size extra large? It's funny because, you know, he's a big guy


For my money, here's the best of the lot, a dead on spoof of former NFL lineman Mark "Stink" Schlereth.


SPN'S TAKE

This game is going to be won by the team that exacts its will on its opponent. It’s that simple. Football is about physicality, and the more physical team will take home the Super Bowl trophy. I won three championships in my career so I know what I’m talking about.

In becoming a three-time champion, I had to make sacrifices and endure more pain than you can even imagine. Want to know how many surgeries I had during my career? Twenty-nine. That’s right. I had 29 surgeries. The likes of you can’t even begin to conceive the level of sacrifice required to be a champion. You know what? I’m going to go get another surgery now just to prove I’m better than you.

Okay, I’m back. That’s 30 surgeries I’ve had now. Thirty! I had them do a needless procedure on my eye – going in through my rectum – just to prove you’re a pussy and that I’m better than you. Come on. Say it. Say that I’m better than you. You know it’s true. Want to know what else? I made sure they didn’t use any anesthetic so I could feel each glorious and excruciating second. Want to know why? Because I’m a champion and a true champion can put up with pain. And we’ll find out whether the Steelers or Seahawks are true champions this Sunday.
—Mark Schlereth

Web Site of the Day: TheBrushback.com

This is how the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl should be reported. TheBrushback.com is full of sports parodies like these.


Joey Porter Angered By Lack Of Disrespect

DETROIT--Joey Porter has a bone to pick with the national media. The hot-tempered lineabacker is furious by a perceived lack of disrespect for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming Super Bowl. He lashed out at reporters on media day, insisting that the Steelers deserve more disrespect than the Seahawks.

“What’s all this disrespect I’ve been hearing for the Seahawks?” he asked. “Everyone’s saying they can’t win, they’re not tough enough – it’s all bullshit. We’re the ones who should be disrespected here. We’re the ones who barely made the playoffs. We’re the ones who squeaked by Indy on a missed field goal, and they were one of the best teams in football this year. Yet they’re getting all the disrespect? That’s not fair.. Please, please say something disrespectful so I have a reason to take the field Sunday.”

Steelers Hoping To Catch Seahawks Looking Ahead To Pro Bowl

DETROIT--With a league-leading seven players selected as All-Pros this season, the Seattle Seahawks have reason to look forward to the Pro Bowl on February 12. But they still have one major obstacle to overcome before the big day: the Super Bowl. Their opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have made no secret of the fact that they are hoping to catch the Seahawks looking ahead to next week. Full Article>>


Many Seattle Fans Openly Rooting Against Jerome Bettis

DETROIT--According to a poll conducted by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,many fans of the Seattle Seahawks are openly rooting against beloved Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis. It was widely believed that everybody in America was pulling for Bettis in his quest to win a Super Bowl in his hometown of Detroit, but sadly, that may not be the case. The poll indicated that most Seattle fans want Bettis to have a horrible game and go home a loser. Full Article>


Defiant Skip Bayless Picks Vikings To Win Super Bowl

NEW YORK--Despite the fact that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t even make the playoffs, a defiant and cocky Skip Bayless predicted they would win the Super Bowl this Sunday in Detroit. Bayless, whose columns appear weekly on ESPN.com, is known for his provocative and controversial viewpoints. Full Article>>

Heehee!

Bonus headlines:

Dennis Rodman Brings Instant Credibility To Lingerie Bowl

Coaches Relieved By Unattractiveness Of Detroit’s Hookers

Stephen A Smith Ringtone Terrifies Bus Passengers

Senior Bowl MVP Headed To Disney Store

St. Sophronius on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

The Feast of the Presentation
of the Lord in the Temple

By: St. Sophronius
Bishop and Early Church Father


This excerpt from a seventh century sermon by St. Sophronius (Orat. 3 de Hypaphante 6.7: PG 87, 3, 3291-3293) is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the Feast of the Presentation on February 2. A feast and gala procession in honor of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple was celebrated by Jerusalem Christians at least as early as the late 4th century. It took place 40 days after the feast of the Lord's birth since the Jewish law required a mother to undergo a rite of purification 40 days following childbirth. ("Wait a minute", say the confused Catholics in the audience, "the Blessed Mother remained a virgin. What purification?" The Angelic Doctor has the answer here. - F.G.) In Luke's account of the Presentation, Simeon is recorded as proclaiming Jesus "a light of revelation to the Gentiles." And so at the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession on this day; several years later the blessing and distribution of candles was added to the celebration. Hence this day came to be known as Candlemas. Simeon's canticle, known as the Nunc Dimittis, is prayed daily in the Church's office of Night prayer or compline.


Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.

The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him.

The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows;the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.

The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendor, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor.

Through Simeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness.

By faith we too embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in his honor.


St. Sophronius was a simple monk who was chosen to be bishop and Patriarch of Jerusalem in the early 7th century. He defended the true and full humanity of Christ in his writings and is known as one of the Fathers of the Church. To read an overview on the Early Church Fathers, Click Here.

Saint of the Day and daily Mass readings.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. (Also known as Candlemas.) Pray for us, all you angels and saints.

Today's first reading for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is Malachias 3:1-4.
Today's second reading is Hebrews 2:14-18.
Today's Gospel is Luke 2:22-40.


[Links to the readings will be from the NAB until I can find another chapter and verse searchable Douay-Rheims Bible on-line.]





Everyday links:

The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Prayers from EWTN
National Coalition of Clergy and Laity (dedicated to action for a genuine Catholic Restoration)
The Catholic Calendar Page for Today


Just in case you are wondering what exactly Catholics believe, here is

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.


Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.


St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire

Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Werner Klemperer was a heck of a guy.

LEFT: Werner Klemperer as the pompous Colonel Klink.

I'll get to the news story in a minute, kiddies. In the meantime, I want you to chew on this: Why were even the middling stars of yesteryear infinitely more interesting and well-rounded people than any of our so-called celebrities of today?


From IMDB:

His identification with Nazi roles notwithstanding, Klemperer was in real life a Jew who fled with his family from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. When he was offered the Col. Klink role, Klemperer only agreed to do it if the show's producers promised that Klink would never succeed in any of his schemes. "Col. Klink" earned Klemperer four Emmy nominations, and he took home the trophy twice, in 1968 and 1969. Since the end of the series, Klemperer has carved out an impressive musical career as a conductor and also served as a narrator with many major U.S. symphony orchestras. He was an accomplished concert violinist.

Werner Klemperer died of cancer on December 6, 2000 at age 80.


Dis-Missed!

"Congressional candidate Coleen Rowley publicly apologized Monday after a volunteer placed a doctored picture of U.S. Rep. John Kline as the Nazi soldier Col. Klink of the television show 'Hogan's Heroes' on her campaign Web site's blog," reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press:


In a letter to Rowley, Kline wrote: "Your attempts to smear my good name and 25 years of honorable service in the United States Marine Corps by equating me to a Nazi shows a lack of perspective, a lack of seriousness, and a lack of good judgment. You should be ashamed of yourself."


In responding to the criticism, Rowley campaign manager Joe Elcock said:


"We had a volunteer Web site person who didn't understand the implications of using the Colonel Klink image. It is something that is unfortunate.''


Interestingly, the Pioneer Press doesn't tell us either candidate's political party--which, given the usual bias in the press, leads us to suspect that Rowley is a Democrat and Kline a Republican. (Thanks to Best of the Web Today for the heads up.)

HOLY CRAP! CINDY SEAHAG IS ALIVE???

Wow. I'll bet her escape from the Venezuelan Gulag would make a great After School Special.

Stuffed Shirt

Has Democrat Cindy Sheehan won the support of wine-country Rep. Lynn Woolsey in Sheehan's prospective challenge to unseat Sen. Dianne Feinstein? That isn't clear, but Woolsey invited Sheehan to the State of the Union as her guest. Sheehan did not stay for the speech, however; as the Associated Press reports, she was "arrested and removed from the House gallery" just before the speech:

Sheehan . . . was charged with demonstrating in the Capitol building, said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. The charge was later changed to unlawful conduct, Schneider said. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Schneider said Sheehan had worn a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan to the speech and covered it up until she took her seat. Police warned her that such displays were not allowed, but she did not respond, the spokeswoman said.

No doubt this will fuel the Angry Left's paranoid antigovernment delusions about suppression of dissent. Indeed, the San Francisco Chronicle quotes Rep. Fortney Hillman Stark Jr. as saying. "I'm still trying to find out why the president's Gestapo had to arrest Cindy Sheehan in the gallery."

Actually, that's Hitlery Clinton's Gestapo. But more importantly, Congressthingee Jr. is going to have to do something about its over-long and sexually ambiguous name. You'll never get on tv with Keith Olbermann unless you can cut that thing down to two syllables.

In fact the police were merely enforcing what the Supreme Court has termed a "reasonable time, place or manner" restriction on speech.

Another AP dispatch notes that in addition to Democrat Sheehan, Republican Beverly Young, wife of Rep. Bill Young of Florida, got the boot. She was wearing a T-shirt supporting the troops.

HOLY CRAP! ANTHONY LEWIS IS ALIVE???

Taranto, in discussing yesterday's State of the Union Address, wakes repressed memories of a long-forgotten commie-symp loser in Fyodor's poor old brain.

We liked the first part of the speech, on foreign policy, a lot. One highlight was this subtle nod to Ronald Reagan:

America rejects the false comfort of isolationism. We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe, and liberated death camps, and helped raise up democracies, and faced down an evil empire.

You have to be of a certain age to appreciate this fully. On March 8, 1983, President Reagan gave a speech to the National Association of Evangelicals, in which he observed:

"In your discussion of the nuclear-freeze proposals, I urge you to beware the temptation of pride--the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and labeling both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire.''

Liberal bed-wetters nearly drowned. Here's what New York Times columnist Anthony Lewis wrote the next day:

If there is anything that should be illegitimate in the American system, it is such use of sectarian religiosity to sell a political program. And this was done not by some fringe figure, but by the President of the United States. Yet I wonder how many people, reading about the speech or seeing bits on television, really noticed its outrageous character. Our political sensibilities have become so degraded.

Primitive: that is the only word for it. We laugh at stage representations of William Jennings Bryan, who used religion to argue against everything from the gold standard to Darwinian theory. The Ronald Reagan who spoke in Orlando could easily call it a sin to teach evolution.

But it is not funny. What is the world to think when the greatest of powers is led by a man who applies to the most difficult human problem a simplistic theology--one in fact rejected by most theologians? . . .

One may regard the Soviet system as a vicious tyranny and still understand that it has not been solely responsible for the nuclear arms race.

Today, the president of the United States can refer to the Soviet Union as an evil empire, and it's not controversial in the slightest. If Tony Lewis weren't still alive, he'd be turning in his grave.

I had to double check. Yep. I guess it was just his enthusiasms that died.

Aimless in the morning.

Don Aimless has never been funny. Or intelligent. His brother Fred has all the talent in the family. And if I hear that "I kissed a tranvestite in a bar one time..." story again, I'm gonna throw up.

Please, Aimless, retire to that New Mexico ranch of yours and try to make amends for your wasted life by helping some sick kids.

Nothing Gets Past the Canadian TV Commissioners

"Don Imus has been fingered by Canada's TV watchdog for calling Muslims 'brainwashed' and 'stinking animals' during a 2004 broadcast that aired here on MSNBC Canada," according to the Hollywood Reporter:

"The commission is of the view that comments made during the November 12, 2004, broadcast of 'Imus in the Morning' that Palestinian people are 'brainwashed,' 'stupid to begin with' and 'stinking animals' and that a bomb should be dropped on them and that they should be 'killed right now' were clearly disparaging, insulting and abusive."

It took them 14 months to figure that out? And apparently they have yet to answer the really salient question: Were Imus's remarks funny? (Thanks to Best of the Web Today for the heads up.)

James Taranto presents a sampling of the totalitarian middle's post-Alito tantrums.

Best of the Web Today presents a cacophony of leftnoise for your edification.

My main concern is whether our totalitarian middle will grow weary of the democratic process (in which they are incapable of successfully competing) and resort to the logical conclusion of their rebellion against reality: violence.


Carroll and Sandra Day
Alito's appointment to the court had to make it over one speed bump. Well, OK, "speed bump" is too strong a term. More like it breezed past an accident scene on the side of the highway and slowed down ever so slightly to gawk. We refer, of course, to the filibuster "attempt" led by the senator from Davos and the senator from Chappaquiddick.

The latter, Ted Kennedy, delivered an apoplectic oration just before the Senate voted for cloture--that is, to allow a confirmation vote--by 72-25. The text (in PDF) begins here, but you have to see Kennedy's performance to believe it, and ExposeTheLeft.com (né The Political Teen) has video of the last four minutes or so.

The Kennedy show had the feel of Archie Bunker losing his temper at the Meathead on "All in the Family"--and as we thought about it, we realized this is an extraordinarily apt analogy. Kennedy, like Archie, is an old bigot who pines for the moral clarity of an earlier time. He kept talking about the "march of progress"--i.e., the civil rights era--as if that march had not long ago reached its destination, as if the moral questions facing the country and the court today were as black-and-white as segregation.

Not that we disagree with every word of what Kennedy said. At the end of his speech, he declared, "I understand my time has expired." Truer words were never spoken.


Nothin' Matters and What if It Did
Before his futile filibuster effort yesterday, John Kerry* wrote the following at the Puffington Host:

Once Judge Alito becomes Justice Alito, there's no turning back the Senate confirmation vote. We don't get to "take a mulligan" when choosing a Supreme Court Justice. . . . Will it matter if we speak up after the Supreme Court has granted the executive the right to use torture, or to eavesdrop without warrants? Will it matter if we speak up only after a woman's right to privacy has been taken away? Will history record what we say after the courthouse door is slammed in the faces of women, minorities, the elderly, the disabled, and the poor? No. History will record what we say and what we do now.

If it no longer matters, will John Kerry please stop talking? Ah, probably not.

* The haughty, French-looking scourge of the American Bar Association, who by the way served in Vietnam.


The Livid LeftThe Boston Globe notes that the Davos-Chappaquiddick filibuster effort was not good for the Democratic Party:

In the end yesterday they succeeded only in splitting the Democratic caucus. . . . By using a procedural move to try to block the nomination, which many Democrats opposed, Kerry and Kennedy showed that the party remained divided on how far to go to prevent Alito from joining the court. . . .

By splitting Senate Democrats on the eve of what had been expected to be a resounding vote against Alito, the filibuster prompted frustration among colleagues, said a Democratic aide, speaking on background.

''Some people are asking: 'Did Kerry do this in the best interests of the Democratic Party, or in the best interests of John Kerry?' " the aide said.
What the effort also did was set up, then dash, false hopes among the Angry Left, who are now as livid as we've ever seen them.

From the National Organization of Women comes a relatively measured response:

Today's vote is the only Alito vote that really counts. Votes against Alito tomorrow are irrelevant, and no senator who voted "Yes" today [Monday] can hide behind a "No" vote tomorrow. Supporters of women's rights, civil rights and the separation of powers lost this pivotal battle because senators who should have been fighting for their constituents chose not to do so. But in the process we exposed the despicable agenda of the right wing, and their unrelenting determination to undermine our rights and liberties.

And from pro-abortion activist Kate Michelman:

Sixteen years after Roe [v. Wade], its author alerted supporters of this right that its position was tenuous, that a "chill wind" could be felt in the Supreme Court. Today, that chill wind has reached hurricane status.

"That chill wind has reached hurricane status"? Maybe you do have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Over on the Daily Kos, they're much more, uh, animated. "Meteor Blades" writes:

Given what an atrocious job most of the Democrats on the committee did in querying Samuel Alito, particularly bad when it came to follow-up questions, and in framing the issues of concern raised by Alito's extensive judicial record, it is incumbent upon us to try to ensure that Democrats ask tough questions at these hearings [on surveillance of terrorists]. . . .

Many of us are, I know, psychologically exhausted from seeking victory that we knew since November would be a long shot. And I've seen a fat chunk of comments saying: what's the use, the right wing has won, there's no point in fighting anymore. Understandably. But a battle is not a war. And, disappointing as it was, and as devastating as Alito's tenure on the court may turn out to be, giving up is simply not an option.

But "Tranny" does seem to be giving up, more or less (quoting verbatim):
NOT A PENNY FOR THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND FURTHERMORE, I'LL NOT SACRIFICE ONE SECOND OF MY LIFE TO HELP THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY UNTIL THE TRAITORS ARE EXPELLED FROM OUR MIST.

Why? You ask.

Because they have committed an extremely egregious injury against this country's constitution and the people that it protects. I've lived my life under the belief that "An injury to one is an injury to all" When somebody harms my sisters and brothers, I take it VERY PERSONAL.
EXPEL THE TRAITORS FROM OUR PARTY, OR YOU GUYS ARE ON YOUR OWN!.

There might be hope for Britain's royal family yet.

It appears Harry is more of a man than his father is. Let us hope Williamis cut from the same cloth.

Prince Harry is to be sent to Iraq next year as a troop commander and is likely to patrol the hazardous border with Iran, defence sources have disclosed.

The third in line to the throne will join the Army's 1st Mechanised Brigade, which will be deployed to Basra in May 2007.

The prince has told colleagues that he is determined to go on operations and be treated as normally as possible - not kept out of the line of fire.

Defence chiefs, in consultation with the Prince of Wales's office, will have to devise a plan that will not put his life or those of his troops in any greater danger. Substantial planning will go into the deployment and the media is likely to be asked for co-operation on security aspects of the mission.

As a troop commander in the Blues and Royals, the prince will have the rank of cornet, equivalent to a second lieutenant, in charge of 11 men and four light tanks.

The reconnaissance formation will patrol the long border with Iran where weapons, insurgents, drugs and money are smuggled.

The prince's men will use night vision equipment to find terrorists trying to bring in sophisticated bomb making devices.

The desert patrols last up to 10 days with supplies being dropped from aircraft. The work is said to appeal to the soldiers as a mixture of Lawrence of Arabia and Prince 'is a cracking officer' the early SAS long-range desert patrols of the Second World War.

Although the mission will be hazardous, the prince is keen that his royal position will not disqualify him.

"There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he has said.

Instructors at Sandhurst have been impressed by Prince Harry's approach. "He is going to be a real asset to the Army," a senior officer said. "It would be a real shame if the Palace or MoD did not allow him to go on operations because he is a cracking officer."

Former Steeler and NFL Hall of Famer running for Governor of Pennsylvania Update.

Swann close to securing Republican committee endorsement

Pittsburgh's other newspaper reports on Bill Scranton's backfiring strategy.

The committee endorsement was designed to prevent bloody primary fights that would "weaken" (read drain the bank accounts) of the R candidates. To be honest, that's what PA needs. We need to get to know Mr. Swann better before November. So, stick to your guns, Mr. Scranton, and open up your checkbook.

Lynn Swann appeared to secure the Republican Party endorsement for governor last night as he defeated former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton in a vote of state committee members from the southwest corner of the state.

Going into last night's vote, which he won, 33-23, Mr. Swann had already secured the support of at least 169 of the 180 state committee members needed to win the endorsement.

The full state committee will vote on the endorsement next month in Harrisburg.

Last night's tally vote came after a contentious closed meeting in which organizers turned aside Scranton supporters' requests that they vote on whether to support an open primary, in which the party would stay neutral, rather than make a choice between Mr. Swann and Mr. Scranton.

James Panyard, a former president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, also is seeking the GOP nomination, but he has not sought the support of the state committee.

Mr. Scranton had originally predicted that he would win the state committee's endorsement, but after trailing Mr. Swann in several earlier caucus votes, announced last month that he would ask for an open primary to determine the party's nominee against Gov. Ed Rendell.

Of course Fyodor will participate. He loves Danish...especially apple.

'Buy Danish' Campaign Aims to Counter Muslim Boycott
(CNSNews.com) - Conservative websites and bloggers are promoting a "buy Danish" campaign, in an effort to counteract the effect of a Muslim boycott of products made in Denmark. Full Story

US-Based Islamic Group Wades Into Muslim-Danish Row
(CNSNews.com) - A Washington-based Muslim civil rights group has requested meetings with the Danish and Norwegian ambassadors to the United States to discuss cartoons that have offended Muslims around the world. Full Story


BBC: French Newspaper Stands Up for the Right 'to Caricature God'


Commentary: Fight the Bullies of Islam
(CNSNews.com) - Something very important is happening in Denmark -- a showdown over freedom and tolerance, writes columnist Michelle Malkin. Muslim reaction to cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed has confirmed the fears the illustrators expressed about radical Islamic intolerance and violence. The drawings, relatively tame compared to the vicious, anti-Semitic propaganda churned out by Arab cartoonists, have literally inflamed the radical Muslim world and its apologists.
Read the commentary

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day.

Pennsylvania's own Punxsutawney Phil will be dragged from his warm hibernation den (see photo above) tomorrow morning. He will then proceed to put all those tv hairdos who call themselves weathermen to shame.

German immigrants brought this tradition to the New World, so blame them. (I once spent an amusing couple of letters trying to explain this holiday to a Japanese pen pal who found Phil irresistably cute. Akiko, are you still out there?) Of course, in Germany they used hedgehogs. Finding no hedgehogs here, the ever resourceful Germans adopted the groundhog.

Of course, Phil is only the most famous marmot. Here are some more. There is even a llama in Michigan named Mr. Prozac who learned how to predict future weather patterns from a dearly departed groundhog buddy of his, the one-eyed Noah John.

The amazing true story of The Terrible Towel.

For Steelers fans, rooting for the home team is almost unimaginable without a Terrible Towel. Some stores are even running out of them.

The towel was conceived as "a gimmick that would more closely involve the fans with the team," said Myron Cope, a retired sportscaster who teamed with a promotion director at WTAE radio to invent the accessory in 1975.

The black-and-gold terry cloths have come to symbolize the Steel City and its storied football team.

As the Steelers prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl in Detroit, Terrible Towels again are essential for any true Steelers fan...


Cope wanted simple items to stir up the fans, "something that everybody has and that will not endanger the person sitting next to them or in front of them."

"I thought on it for a little bit and I said that's it, and we'll call it the Terrible Towel," he said. "And I'll be on radio and television yelling at people to bring out a yellow, gold or black towel to the game. And I'll say the Terrible Towel is poised to strike."

Cope said the towel's catchy name was the result of "a brainstorm" and could inspire "strange things" to happen to Steelers opponents.

"The Terrible Towel has mysterious connotations. ... You have to use your imagination," he said.

In 1996, Cope gave the Terrible Towel trademark to the Allegheny Valley School, a facility for the mentally retarded. Cope has an autistic son, Danny, who has lived at Allegheny Valley for more than 20 years.

Sales of the towels have generated more than $300,000 for the school this season and more than $1 million over the past nine years, said Dorothy Hunter Gordon, the school's chief development officer.

Proof that 1980 was a long time ago.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Detroit's native son Jerome Bettis will receive a key to the city, an honor once bestowed on Saddam Hussein in 1980.

"I don't know if I'll be sharing that with Saddam. I think they cancelled his key," Bettis said, laughing. "They changed the locks on that one.

Super Steelers Update.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Strange scene: Super Bowl media day


Media darling Porter bites his lip
Joey Porter got poked, prodded and pushed from the moment he sat down until the moment he rose to his feet at Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday at Ford Field.

Sorrow becomes inspiration

Hoak truly has Steelers in his blood

Rooney II focuses on gameday

Staley misses Media Day due to death of father

Football guru ... or something like that

Keisel's notebook: Media swarm 'unbelievable'

Tatupu reminds some of Lambert

Scout's honor: Seattle's passing game

Q&A with Swin Cash

Notebook: Harrison wouldn't mind playing for Browns

Notebook: Around the Seahawks

Starkey: Ben's parents root with delight, dread

Prisuta: Good and lucky

Big Ben stands tall in Super Bowl pocketBen Roethlisberger always had the answer at Tuesday's media day.

Detroit mayor presents Bettis with key to the city

Ward to honor devoted mother with trip home to S.Korea

Steelers' Foote raising son he didn't know he had

Steelers fans stockpile Terrible Towels for Super Bowl

Steelers first to have cheerleaders

Holmgren, Cowher both demand perfection

Alexander leaves Seattle cocoon

Hutchinson enjoys homecoming, but future is uncertain

Kacyvenski overcomes tough youth to make it to NFL

Jones is on Seattle's A-plus list

Steelers fans spending in Browns, Bengals country

ABC says its final farewell at Super Bowl

All-Star game provided Super Bowl security dry run

Aretha Franklin excited about her Super Bowl gig

Patrols, radar increase on highway to Super Bowl

Fans rushing mail

City calls Steelers fans home for Super Bowl

Steelerettes get back to their roots

Worst vacation ever.

Visitor trips over shoelace at British museum, shatters Chinese vases


A visitor to a British museum tripped on his shoelace, stumbled down a stairway and fell into a display of centuries-old Chinese vases, shattering them into "very small pieces," officials said Monday.

The three Qing dynasty vases, dating from the late 17th or early 18th century, had been donated to the Fitzwilliam Museum in the university city of Cambridge in 1948 and were among its best-known artifacts. They sat on the window sill beside the staircase for 40 years.

"It was a most unfortunate and regrettable accident, but we are glad that the visitor involved was able to leave the museum unharmed," museum director Duncan Robinson said.

The museum declined to identify the man who tripped on a loose shoelace Wednesday.

Asked about the porcelain vases, Margaret Greeves, the museum's assistant director, said: "They are in very, very small pieces, but we are determined to put them back together."

The museum declined to say what the vases were worth.

Noted Browns fan Condoleeza Rice picks the Steelers to win Super Bowl XL.

From TheState.com:

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s travels usually take her to far-flung capitals, but this weekend she plans a journey closer to home and close to her football fan’s heart.

Rice will attend Super Bowl XL in Detroit, and she’s picking Pittsburgh to win — even though she doubted the Steelers in their run-up to Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

“I picked Pittsburgh to beat Cincinnati. I have picked against them every game since,” Rice ruefully told reporters Tuesday. “I’m not picking against them again.”

That’s not to say she has become a real Steelers fan. Rice is loyal to the Cleveland Browns.

Rice, who can rattle off football statistics and history with ease, has said she might one day like to be NFL commissioner.

She attended one previous Super Bowl, in 1985, when she was teaching at Stanford and the game between the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers was in Palo Alto, Calif.