Free Republic

It seems too soon for Jindal ... he could be an excellent presidential contender in another 4 or 8 years, but it might be better to allow him to amass more experience and accomplishment as a governor before putting his name forward on a presidential ticket.

I haven’t seen “Expelled” either, only read about it, but I’m also disturbed by the implication of condemning a scientific theory based on its use as justification for atrocities by deranged nonscientists. Take this quote Derbyshire posted at the Corner from a Ben Stein interview with Trinity Broadcasting Network:

“When we just saw that man, I think it was Mr. Myers [i.e. biologist P.Z. Myers], talking about how great scientists were, I was thinking to myself the last time any of my relatives saw scientists telling them what to do they were telling them to go to the showers to get gassed … that was horrifying beyond words, and that’s where science — in my opinion, this is just an opinion — that’s where science leads you.”(http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWRmOTU2YzZlN2RhMzhjNzEwNzQ3MzFiZDE2NjM3NWE=)

I’m sorry to say this, as someone who also used to like reading and watching Ben Stein, but arguing that science is to blame for the Holocaust and should therefore be rejected is completely nutty. Science and the fruits of science can, have and will continue to be misused by evil people, but that doesn’t make the science invalid or scientific inquiry respsonsible for those misuses.

Stein has gone around the bend.

I’d have to go back and look for the source, but my understanding from other news articles is that the parents were urged by other family who saw the girl’s deteriorating condition to get medical help for her, but the parents refused to seek any treatment except prayer.

From reading about the case, prosecution seems very warranted. The girl was suffering and dying before the parents’ eyes, and they never pursued any medical intervention for her. I don’t believe religious freedom or parental rights should include the right to allow a child to die based on a completely misguided belief that her obviously worsening illness was spiritual in nature and refusal to seek any other relief.

There’s nothing wrong with praying for the health and recovery over others, or refusing medical treatment for one’s self based on religious belief, but preserving the life of a minor child trumps the parents’ rights to impose those moral beliefs when they become a virtual death sentence by precluding life-saving treatment.

This immediately made me think of “Lies My Teacher Told Me” by James Loewen, which deals with inaccuracy and omission in high school level history textbooks. One of his points is that textbook publishers water down historical controversies to prevent negative responses that could hurt their sales. I’d bet the heavily qualified language about global warming in the book has less to do with political bias on the part of its authors or publisher, and more to do with creating a wishy-washy textbook designed not to upset either side of the debate (but apparently failing to do so).

I'm a journalist with the truth and if you listen to or follow him, you've been duped.

No, you're a yawn-inducingly derivative and thoroughly subpar op-ed writer for a college paper, not a journalist. Getting the equivalent of a late-night blog screed published in a weekly free college rag doesn't qualify. Try at least having an original thought, if not some original research, next time.

Peaty swill!? The smoky peat flavor is the best part!

Why does it matter whether Obama smokes or not? Only Democrat nanny-staters would get worked up about a politician engaging in a legal vice that may affect his health years down the line, long after his term in office ended. If Obama wants to light up, let him - plus, it makes him look cool!

Carter must be passing the torch to a new generation of ineffectual Democratic leadership ... and just in time for the next major recession. Obama = Carter 2?

So McCain isn’t making religious appeals on the campaign trail, is that really a problem? I don’t want the president to be the preacher-in-chief, so McCain not talking about his faith doesn’t bother me. Maybe some religious conservatives will decide that this means he’s insufficiently Christian (I seem to recall Fred Thompson getting those accusations), but I’d suspect such folks would come to the same conclusion about most politicians, Republicans included. I’d also rather McCain not talk about it than try to fake religious fervor he doesn’t have. Some people are more reserved in their faith than others, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

"My fellow Americans, I drank a pint of walrus milk once for a bet. I speak fluent Eskimo. I once ate all the gherkins in Belgium. My brother's got a yak in his loft. I fell asleep on a night bus once and woke up in Munich, and had to get a lift back on a camel. I used to live on an iceberg. I've got a waffle-maker that works underwater."

I'm glad I didn't have a mouthfull of coffee when I read this -- it really captures the bizarre, pointless lies of Hillary Clinton. Are there really people in America who would willingly endure four years of this ridiculousness?

Even routine elective surgeries carry some risk, which teens and adults alike should be aware of and consider before going under the knife. Maybe this death can at least spur other people to consider the potential consequences of cosmetic procedures.

I think it’s time for all the “free Tibet” cheerleaders in Hollywood to buy a ticket to Lhasa and lend their famous faces to the front line of the movement. It’s bound to happen any day now, I’m sure ...

I immediately thought of this old Clinton lie when the real story on her death-defying Balkan exploits came out ... good reminder of Sen. Clinton’s real character.

Hopefully someone in Zimbabwe will term-limit Mugabe sooner rather than later.

A campaign payment to Lila Kirton, a high-ranking state employee who was one of his paramours, was listed as "professional services" - which is supposed to refer to legal advice, accounting or speechwriting.

Professional services, eh? Sounds like Ms. Kirton may be a freelancer doing the same job as the Emperors Club pros Spitzer frequented.

Ms Mills, the former model who tunnelled her way into a massive seam of gold, will receive just one fifth of the £125 million that she had claimed from Sir Paul.

I'll say this for the British press, they certainly can turn an amusing phrase. "Journalistic objectivity" is all well and good, but there's a lot to be said for inserting some subtle derision to make a story more fun to read.

Nice to talk to a fellow fan. Two spoiler-y things from the last issue:

1. Storm Shadow in the latest issue = badass.
2. Cobra Commander didn’t really just murder his own son, did he!?

I’ve always wondered why Snake Eyes went with the Venetian blinds-style visor — seems a bit impractical.

Bozell has a point about the danger of McCain alienating conservatives. I’d certainly like to see McCain set a Republican agenda of slashing wasteful government bureaucracy and keeping taxes low in contrast to all the big government spending that will undoubtedly be offered up by Hillary or Obama. A complete overhall of the tax code might be too much to hope for in the current political climate, but reaffirming the Republican Party’s commitment to low taxes and restraining government spending would be a base to build on.

Despite McCain’s forays off the reservation in recent years, the choice in November will still be between a flawed Republican and a Democrat with an agenda antithetical to conservatism. Given the choice, I’ll take McCain over Clinton II or the Obamessiah. Better someone you agree with some of the time and can persuade through activism within the party than someone who won’t be sympathetic to any conservative views or in any way indebted to conservative voters.

This could definitely be a plus for McCain — proof he’s the one candidate Iran and other rogue states are actually afraid of.