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There’s no alternative to Bush
http://www.spectator.co.uk/article.php?table=§ion=&issue=2006-01-14&id=7182 ^
| Mark Steyn
Posted on 01/12/2006 5:20:34 AM PST by mal
Just because Ted Kennedy is busy working on a childrens book about a lovable anthropomorphised character called Splash (thats the name of his Portuguese water dog, not his car) doesnt mean hes not playing his usual incisive role on the Senate judicial committee. Last week he attacked Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito for having been influenced by the Goldwater presidency. This week he was back from his alternative universe and more concerned with actual presidencies. Undeterred by the public outcry, he fumed, the President vows to continue spying on American citizens.
What public outcry? Senator Kennedy is referring to the latest scandal du jour: the National Security Agency has been conducting warrantless surveillance of communications between al-Qaeda types overseas and their contacts in the US. And though the polls on the subject vary a bit, all have produced majorities in favour of the administration. Thats to say, if Im getting calls in New Hampshire from Abu Musab al-Zarkawi, the American people see nothing wrong with the NSA eavesdropping on such calls. Back in President Goldwaters day, there might have been a public outcry. But there isnt now. As George W. Bush put it, with disarming straightforwardness, If somebody from al-Qaeda is calling you, wed like to know why.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush; marksteyn
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To: Pokey78
President Chirac warned on Tuesday that it would be a grave error for Iran and North Korea to ignore the international community. But, honestly, would it? They know, even if Chirac doesnt, that there is no international community. It would be a grave error to ignore America and (in the case of Iran) Israel, but the rest you can pretty much ignore with impunity. Unless Chiracs threatening to call in US-led military action, theyve got nothing to worry about. I love it.
To: Pokey78
<< Ted Kennedy is busy ... about a ... character called Splash (thats the name of his Portuguese water dog, not his car) >>
Could have stopped Right there, Mr Steyn.
Have you got these clowns figgered?
Or have you got these clowns figgered?
Or what, eh?
[Thanks for the ping, Pokes]
42
posted on
01/12/2006 10:40:21 AM PST
by
Brian Allen
(How arrogant are we to believe our career political-power-lusting lumpen somehow superior to theirs?)
To: Pokey78
Thanks, Pokey!
If there was a
10 Commandments of Freeperdom, one would have to be:
"Thou shalt not excerpt Mark Steyn, but keep him wholly.":)
To: Pokey78
44
posted on
01/12/2006 11:58:44 AM PST
by
hattend
(I wanna go through the Stargate!)
To: Pokey78
Thanks Pokey...
FMCDH(BITS)
45
posted on
01/12/2006 12:03:05 PM PST
by
nothingnew
(I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
To: mal
"...Ve kant lead, ve're hafing a reshime tchange in Tchermany..."
ROFLMBO!
46
posted on
01/12/2006 12:14:58 PM PST
by
Smile-n-Win
(Don't let her take things away from you on behalf of the public good!)
To: Pokey78
That big splash you hear isnt Ted Kennedys dog doing a promotional stunt for the book but yet another Democrat dead horse belly-flopping into the Potomac.snicker
To: Pokey78
Ah, thanks, Pokey. Steyn's spear-chucking has been comparatively mild the last few columns, so it's good to feel the underfoot rumble of metaphors on the move once more.
48
posted on
01/12/2006 1:35:07 PM PST
by
gcruse
To: Pokey78
Rumsfeld's exchange with the editor of Der Spiegel is the funniest thing I've read in weeks. Did that actually make print?
To: Pokey78
Thanks so much, Pokey. Another Steyn winner.
The Rummy/Der Speigel exchange is just too priceless. LOL
I love that guy.
To: Pokey78
Thank you. What happened to that other guy who used to rush to post only the first sentence or two of every Steyn article? Haven't seen him in a while.
To: Pokey78
Thanks for posting the full text!!
Why does Steyn always have to write for subscription only papers?
52
posted on
01/12/2006 4:38:50 PM PST
by
Irish_Thatcherite
(~~~A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!~~~)
To: mal
nominee Samuel Alito for having been influenced by the Goldwater presidency. Can you imagine the hysteria in the Junk Media if a Republican said this?????
53
posted on
01/12/2006 5:00:34 PM PST
by
MNJohnnie
(Misuse of the Commerce Clause is the root of all Congressional evil)
To: Pokey78
Im not talking about sanctions, repeated Rumsfeld. Youve got the lead. Well, lead!You mean the Europeans? said the bewildered German, still not getting it.
Sure. My goodness, Iran is your neighbour, said Rumsfeld. We dont have to do everything!
Man I love Rummy. That is just too funny.
To: Pokey78
Actually, its the poor old Democrats who are missing the point. Whether or not the President is required to go through the FISA court (and I dont believe he is) is an arcane point of law. In the broader political narrative, the shorthand of the story is that
for the umpteenth time the Dems are keener to extend lavish legal protection to Americas enemies than to hunt them down and kill them. Every time you switch on the news, some bigshot Democrat like Ted Kennedy is effectively proposing yet another generous addition to the al-Qaeda Bill of Rights.
THanks for the ping Pokey
55
posted on
01/12/2006 5:33:55 PM PST
by
mylife
(The roar of the masses could be farts)
To: La Enchiladita
If you arent a Steyn fan you will be.
I thought youd like this article
56
posted on
01/12/2006 5:37:50 PM PST
by
mylife
(The roar of the masses could be farts)
To: Pokey78
Nothing to do with Iraq in any of those cases except that Iraq is a useful test for how clearly you comprehend the historical moment. And, as with Ted Kennedy and the Democrats, if you dont get Iraq, its unlikely youll get the other currents coursing through the geopolitical scene.I usually focus in on Steyn's jokes, because he's so good at them. But this bit here is one of the most insightful pieces of analysis I've seen in a long time, even from him.
Read it again.
57
posted on
01/12/2006 6:08:22 PM PST
by
irv
To: sgtbono2002
Is he really that stupid?Or is it arrogance? Yes & yes.
58
posted on
01/12/2006 8:41:53 PM PST
by
GOPJ
(A. Cub reporters acting as stenographers for a manipulative top FBI agent? Q. What is Watergate?)
To: Pokey78
Thank you for a full post!
the shorthand of the story is that for the umpteenth time the Dems are keener to extend lavish legal protection to Americas enemies than to hunt them down and kill them.
Steyn's shorthand is as good as his longhand.
59
posted on
01/12/2006 11:28:55 PM PST
by
Ruth A.
To: Darnright
It reminds me of sKerry when he got wet while windsurfing.
60
posted on
01/12/2006 11:30:46 PM PST
by
Ruth A.
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