COWARDS IN EUROPE?

As something of a student of history, I have always felt there was a critical distinction between how Americans (the "New World") and Europeans (the "Old World") approach things. As much as I admired the history of past European empires (Greece, Rome, Britain, etc.), it always seemed that America was the true heir to those great civilizations. Modern Europe lost its cajones somewhere after Napeolean arrived. Europeans always seem to seek accomodation rather than stand up for principle. Perhaps this is unexpected, as you can't keep killing each other for 5,000 years and not see some weakening of the gene pool.

In any event, it remained a pet theory of mine but one which seems valid. But now it has found voice from a prominent European business leader. BSPOLITIX.BLOG reports that Matthias Dapfner, Chief Executive of German publisher Axel Springer AG recently wrote a peice in DIE WELT, Germany's largest daily newspaper, critical of the appeasement mentality pervading Europe. Here is a key section:

Only two recent American Presidents had the courage needed for anti-appeasement: Reagan and Bush.

His American critics may quibble over the details, but we Europeans know the truth. We saw it first hand: Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War, freeing half of the German people from nearly 50 years of terror and virtual slavery. And Bush, supported only by the Social Democrat Blair, acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the Islamic War against democracy. His place in history will have to be evaluated after a number of years have passed.

In the meantime, Europe sits back with charismatic self-confidence in the multicultural corner, instead of defending liberal society's values and being an attractive center of power on the same playing field as the true great powers, America and China.

On the contrary - we Europeans present ourselves, in contrast to those "arrogant Americans", as the World Champions of "tolerance", which even (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily justifiably criticizes. Why? Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so materialistic, so devoid of a moral compass.

For his policies, Bush risks the fall of the dollar, huge amounts of additional national debt, and a massive and persistent burden on the American economy - because unlike almost all of Europe, Bush realizes what is at stake - literally everything.

As BSPOLITIX.BLOG says, at least one German gets it.

MODERN CONSERVATISM

David Gelernter has a great peice in the Weekly Standard on Disraeli and his role in forming modern conservatism. It is a must read no matter your political persuasion.

Key point relative to our politics:

Two of Disraeli's central interests, patriotism and democracy, were important to George Bush's 2004 victory. In this nation the people and not the courts are meant to lay out the moral and social foundations of society, subject only to constitutional absolutes. When anti-democratic judges and elected officials decide to update America's moral code on their own authority, the people get upset. Democracy in America has been hurt badly where it counts most. Disraeli knew well and said often: Nothing counts more than society's moral foundations. Next to that, all other issues are small change.

Patriotism favors Republicans on a deeper level than many of them seem to realize. No one questions the personal patriotism of Democratic leaders. The real question is different: Where do you rank patriotism as a public virtue? Anyone who has looked at young people nowadays (in the Blue States especially) knows that, since we no longer teach them to be patriotic, many of these Blue State Specials no longer are. No country has the luxury of not speaking up for itself to its own children in its own schools. For a generation and more, we in the wealthy, influential, profoundly self-important Blue Regions have run our schools as if we were too sophisticated for any such low-brow, cornball drivel as teaching children to love their country. If this nation is serious about defeating terrorism, we must teach our children why we fight. From where I stand, we are not doing it--at least, not in Connecticut. The conservative party should be the national party, Disraeli said, and he knew what he was talking about.

WHY DO THEY HATE US

Mark Noonan of GOPBloggers has a great piece on a subject I have been thinking a lot about recently.

He points out the disparity of thought between those who "do" (i.e. - the creators of wealth, stuff, society, life, etc.) and the idle classes (i.e. - those who analyze and criticize).

I agree although I have been thinking of it in terms of those who understand risk and reward trade-offs and those who seek a "guarantee" in life. That's why business people, entrepreneurs, farmers and anyone else who seeks to rely on their own initiative tend to be Republicans. Those who seek a risk free environment, like MSM reporters, university professors, public employees, unions, the retired, minorities, etc. tend to vote Democratic.

Naturally, we are all intrigued by guarantees. It's secure and comforting. It's a wonderful fairy tale. So nobody begrudges the elderly not being willing to take the chances as a 25 year old. Thus the basis for the recent varied opinions regarding Social Security.

However, it is craven pandering for Democratic politicians to imply they can deliver rewards without risks. If it sounds too good to be true, it always is. That is why every Democratic soak the rich, spread the wealth scheme ultimately fails. Somebody's pocket has to get picked. There is no free lunch.

It is also why they cannot appreciate the desire by the Iraqi people for freedom. They cannot fathom how anyone would take the risk! The elections will fail, there is no security and all the other bleating nonsense reveals a basic truth. They would never take the chance so why would anyone else. They will always trade freedom for bread.

These are not American thoughts. These are not the sentiments of a people who wish to extend the flame of liberty. Life takes courage. But in our P.C. world, schools don't teach these values. They pander to every group of self-proclaimed victims and undercut the very foundation of the freedoms they demand. They are the attitudes of people too willing to surrender all for a promise of safety. Unfortunately, as history has always shown, those unwilling to take a risk for freedom are destined to lose it.

NAVEL LINT AND RON JR.

Can ANYone tell me why Ron Reagan Jr. has any face time on TV? Who determined that this ungrateful son of a great man, this failed dancer, this smirking boy has anything to say of value?

Mr R. questioned the authenticity of the hug between Safia Taleb al-Suhail, who recently voted in the Iraqi elections, and Janet Norwood, mother of a Marine who died in Iraq. Discussing the most moving moment of the speech last night on MSNBC, the boy genius proffered the opinion that the hug had been pre-arranged by the PR people. He was egged on by the mouth that never stops, Chris Mathews.

How craven are these people? Do they think everyone is like them? That everything is for effect? They could no more imagine this was an honest expression of gratitude and pride than they could understand the reason behind Sgt. Norwood's sacrifice.

They have spent too much time in the toxic environs of DC. They need to get out into the real world where real people live and die and strive and sacrifice. They need to reconnect with their own country and what it stands for. And they need to get off the tube.

SOTU

President Bush gave a great speech last night. This is one gutsy guy.

He clearly laid his domestic and foreign policy visions. Social security is broken: let's fix it. Syria and Iran are threats: reform. Iraq is developing into the first true mid-east democracy: we will stay as long as needed.

Compare that to the whining Democrats who followed. Reid and Pelosi offered nothing but no, no no,...

They have no plans, no counter arguments, no philosophical foundation. Just no. They looked pathetic. The D party could not have picked two better spokesmen for the Rs. Unless of course, you consider Teddy "One more for the road" Kennedy and John "I really was in Cambodia, before I wasn't" Kerry.

The gulf between the parties has become a political Grand Canyon. One is serious, sober, resolute and patriotic. The other is ridiculous, phony, treasonous and lame. Calling them simply pathetic is charitable.

It is fascinating to watch the disintegration of a major American institution. As someone who has keen love of history it is sad. As a republican, it's all good.

DEMOCRATIC GLORY

No, it has nothing to do with our own erstwhile American political party (or what's left of it).

Rather it refers to the resounding success of the Iraqi elections. What a tribute to the brave people of Iraq, our magnificent troops and the President's fortitude.

It is also an inglorious refutation of the "chicken little" Dems here at home like Kennedy, Boxer, Kerry, Biden, Dayton, Dean, etc. They not only got it 100% wrong but have maligned the spirit and history of what once was a great party that promoted justice and liberty.

Fortunately, even their lies and cynical hot air cannot detract from this momentous event.

DOUBLE MURDER

Officials at the Rotterdam Film Festival have murdered Theo Van Gogh a second time.

First, an Islamofascist thug killed the Dutch filmmaker a few months ago. But now the good folks of Rotterdam have seen fit to cancel a screening of his film "SUBMISSION" citing security concerns.

Another cowardly Euro espression of freedom of speech.

Shame!

PLAIN TRUTH

Everyone should take a look at this fine salute to our troops.

You will never see or hear about scenes like these in the MSM.

CALL FOR SENATOR STUPID

That's Barbara Boxer for those not from California.

GOPBloggers ask where is the outrage from the outrageous senator.

...As paid Democrat activists are to be charged with felonies for their attempt to keep Republicans from voting on Election Day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The paid Democrat activists "will be accused of cutting the tires of some 20 vans and cars rented by the state Republican Party to usher the party faithful to and from the polls on election day."

Hmmmm. I guess we'll have to wait and see the true depth of the good senator's committment to justice.

HINT: Don't hold your breath!

THE DNC HIGH DIVE

The Democratic party looks as though it is moving in the direction of annointing Howard Dean as head of the DNC.

As a card carrying, conservative Republican all I can say is YES!

If I were a mainstream Democrat, I'd be worried. Or at least planning to reregister.

TOO PLAIN FOR LIBERALS

The President gave a magnificent speech yesterday, setting the tone and agenda he believes America must pursue. He was eloquent, inspiring and direct. Perhaps too direct for liberals, who prefer nuance.

One thing this past election campaign made clear is that liberals disdain committment. Particularly to core values. (Remember the election?) They do not mind grand, nuanced pronouncements but will never sacrifice their own comfort or safety for a greater good. They have no hesitation telling you how to live your life and what to believe but only so long as they are the ones dictating the rules. They cannot accept discordant voices or views that actually challenge them to do something. They can always nuance their way to see past threats.

But that leaves them with nothing with which to draw attention to themselves. Wait!. We have the old standby, that great bugaboo for every problem: America itself!

America is to blame for everything. Famine, AIDS, volcanoes, meteors and the loss of the dinosaurs. Of course. It's those nasty capitalist, God squad yahoos from red America who did it all.

Thus, they deride Mr. Bush for calling for an end to tyranny, just as they derided President Reagan for pronouncing the Soviet Union an "evil empire". They would rather wail about mythical oppression of gays, woman, three toed sloths and minorities in America (where they are of course free to publish such tripe) than remember those true heroes who languish in Fidel's gualag or women who are forced into virtual slavery in Iran.

No, those tyrants they can excuse. So long as they are safe and prosperous. It's all so nuanced. Sort of like how the French behave. Free to sit back and pursue machiavellian schemes with dictators while proclaiming liberty, quality and fraternity.

These hypocrites deserve no attention. Liberals past would blanch at their accommodation with evil. But it is of minor consequence. Nobody listens anymore to these self absorbed, "look at me" crybabies who refuse to grow up. Their hypocrisy is pathetic and laughable. They live in their own bubble of un-reality and cannot recognize plain truth when it right before them. They are blinded by their own nuance.

But for the benefit of those without the wit or soul to discern what is imporant, I offer the President's words from yesterday's address. Read and repeat as needed. Until you understand.

"It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world."

What could be more plain? Or more true.

HOW BIG?

So Dr. Rice how big is Senator Boxer's brain?

SENATOR HIGHBALL EXPLAINS IT ALL

Senator Ted Kennedy at the National Press Club:

"We as Democrats may be in the minority in Congress, but we speak for the majority of Americans."

OH! NOW I understand how democracy works. Term limits look better and better.

VOIP

No, not a hiccupping sound or other bodily emanation. It stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and it's the hottest thing coming through your broadband connection. Flat rate local and long distance calling. In some cases it's free.

I am currently using SKYPE (free if calling other SKYPE users). It sounds great. Vonage is another provider. Even the big guys are getting into it. AT&T, Verizon, SBC and Comcast are launching service.

Check it out.

IT NEVER RAINS IN CALIFORNIA

It POURS! Hole in the roof. Call the roofer. Four days later call returned. Can't come by until NEXT week.

SENATOR STUPID, PART DEUX

From James Taranto and the WSJ Opinion Journal:

Barbara Boxer, the lone senator to object to the election result, has resorted to crying in an attempt to get her way. The Washington Times, meanwhile, reports that Boxer is on the defensive over the connection between her challenge and full-bodied filmmaker Michael Moore's agitprop piece "Fahrenheit 9/11." She insists the dreadful documentary "had nothing to do with what I'm doing now."

But Boxer acknowledges that, as the Times puts it, " 'Fahrenheit 9/11' gave her guilt feelings about her deference to Vice President Al Gore's request that his Democratic colleagues not contest the Electoral College count over the disputed 2000 race in Florida."

Those who objected to the election result insisted they knew their effort would not succeed and their purpose was merely to urge Congress to reform the election system. Bring it on, says reader Dave Clark:

I hope the Republicans will respond to the grandstanding of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus. This is a great opportunity to advance comprehensive election reforms that include some kind of uniform voter ID in every state. Election reforms could eliminate the huge advantage Democrats have in urban areas where there are more voters than the adult census population, like Philadelphia, Milwaukee and St. Louis. It could also track voters who use the absentee ballot provision to vote twice in different states. Could the Democrats win Pennsylvania if voting was cleaned up in Philadelphia?

Be careful what you wish for . . .

WHO HAS THE STUPIDEST SENATOR?

Has anyone stupider than Barbar Boxer EVER served in the United States Senate? I am open to nominations if you know of any. But I doubt it.

EURO NON-SEQUITER

As usual, Mark Steyn is spot on re: the comments from a former British cabinet official hostile to the U.S. She complained only the UN had the "moral authority" to help the tsunami victims.

State-of-the-art buoys measuring temperature and water level don't cost that much, nor would a chain of monitoring offices. If you're to have a permanent U.N. bureaucracy, that would seem the perfect role for a transnational body.
But, after 60 years, the neocolonial viceroys of Big Humanitarianism would rather maintain the developing countries as permanently helpless children and lecture the advanced world on its tax rates. If Clare Short's right and Mr. Bush is intentionally bypassing the U.N., good for him.

THE NEXT WAVE

Arnold Kling of Tech Central Station makes a compelling argument about the future direction of society, due to the spread of technology and the ubiquity of opportunity it creates.

LOOK AHEAD

Happy New Year!

Time to look ahead. This could be a great year. Numerous opportunities to untangle long term problems appear on the horizon. That is if we don't screw it up. If not, then I predict:

- Iraqi elections will be a success and lead to fast changes throughout the Middle East.
- The new Iraqi government will move to crush the terrorists.
- Israel and the Palestinians will finally start to get serious now that Arafat is dead.
- Indonesia and the other countries affected by the tsunami will rebound stronger than ever.
- The U.S. economy will continue to grow. That will cut the deficit and boost the dollar which will stabilize back to $1.20 to the Euro by year end. (Contrary to the conventional wisdom spewing from the MSM pundits).
- Oil will drop to $34 / barrel by March and stay there.
- Chief Justice Rehnquist will retire and President Bush will nominate Justice Scalia to replace him.
- Hillary will start to make moves to run for president but sensible Dems will start to coalesce around a centrist to block her.
- New 3G phones will start to appear and video over the phone will be a killer app.
- Arnold will continue to kick the "girly men" in the Calif. legislature around.
- Boston will not repeat as Series champs, thus starting another "curse".
- The DJIA will end 2005 over 13,000; the NASDAQ will cross 4,000.

Remember you heard it here first.