By: gawken (Diary)  |  May 20th at 09:56 AM  | 

Dear George, I like you. I really do. I’ve long admired your intellect, your historical perspective on current events, your superb gifts as a writer. And the bow-ties. And of course, your passion for baseball, the one truly great American past-time. I know that you occasionally ( or perhaps more often than that) exasperate many of my fellow conservatives, but I’m inclined to cut you | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  May 14th at 07:13 AM  | 

Anyone who remembers Watergate is familiar with the phrase “modified limited hang out.” Among those who practice the public relations-propaganda black arts, a “hang out” is a misdirection technique that releases previously unknown, and damaging information ( usually with an accompanying apology and a promise to “never, never” do it again) in order to deflect attention away from something that is much worse and far | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  May 11th at 09:22 AM  | 

Victoria Nuland’s role in shaping the Benghazi talking points is coming under much more scrutiny, as the scandal unfolds. She was obviously attempting to “please her building” ( that’s Hillary) and help concoct, and construct, the lies. She knows who gave the orders. But far more fascinating is the lady herself. It appears that her only allegiance is to whomever is in power, and signs | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  May 5th at 09:15 AM  | 

There’s a long feature article by Adam Kushner in the National Journal, The Cajun Comeback, about New Orleans since Katrina. The article opens with a peek at a class at Sci Academy, a charter school, and the progress its students are making. It then begins a broader assessment of New Orleans since the hurricane; what’s working, and what isn’t. There are several quotes from New | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  May 1st at 07:41 AM  | 

Monday evening, FOX news broke the story that several survivors of the attack on the embassy in Benghazi were hiring lawyers and attempting to secure whistle-blower status. At yesterday’s press conference, we were treated to the spectacle of Obama lying through his teeth, gazing at FOX’s Ed Henry, and claiming that he wasn’t aware of that report. He’d obviously been busily engaged in extensive Oval | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  April 23rd at 04:23 PM  | 

Max Baucus is the latest, and probably not the last Democrat senator to retire, rather than face the voters in 2014. My intent here is not to do another thread reviewing the Senate races one by one. However, after blowing it in 2010, and far worse in 2012, nobody can dispute that the stars have once again aligned, and even more perfectly, for the 2014 | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  April 18th at 05:43 PM  | 

The just-completed FBI press conference in Boston seemed more like a PR feel-good affair, with too much time spent on matters extraneous to the investigation, like caring and counseling for the victims. However, two things immediately jump out: WHY IS THERE NO REWARD BEING OFFERED? A casual acquaintance, or even someone on the fringes of a terrorist cell, is far more inclined to turn them | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  April 16th at 08:20 AM  | 

Mr. President, there’s really no nice way to say it. I’m utterly dismayed at your bad judgement and yes, let me say it, compassionless and uncharitable decision not to attend Lady Thatcher’s funeral tomorrow. I mean, what could you possibly have to do this Wednesday that’s more important? We knew that Obama wouldn’t attend. We expected it. All living presidents were invited. Your dad’s not | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  April 8th at 12:19 PM  | 

Among the most memorable moments of President’s Reagan’s funeral, are the image of Lady Thatcher laying her hand on Reagan’s flag-draped casket, a final, silent farewell to an old friend; and the magnificent eulogy that she delivered at Washington National Cathedral. The eulogy was pre-recorded, and amid the huge outpouring of affection and interest in President Reagan, that fact was barely noticed. A few years | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  April 2nd at 08:31 AM  | 

Towards the end of his excellent front page essay today. “Considering immigration,” Eric has this one line: “Republicans should change the conversation.” He is 100% correct, yet we never seem to figure out exactly just how to accomplish this. And until we do, we will continue to lose. We win on ideas, on the merits, on our core beliefs of small government, individual liberty, and | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  March 26th at 04:45 PM  | 

I went to see “Olympus Has Fallen” the other day, primarily because I’d read that it got a pretty decent reception at CPAC. For me, the movie was less than OK..all the computer generated stuff looks very artificial, and there were far too many technical, and tactical, mistakes, and much of the plot strained credibility. But this is NOT a movie review. So, imagine my | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  March 11th at 03:19 PM  | 

So this morning, at 5 am, as is my usual practice, I go to Red State with my first cup of coffee, and get to start the week with TWO depressing articles from Erick. “House conservatives must be willing to change their minds”details how the House leadership has betrayed almost everything they promised before the 2012 election, even joining with House Democrats to ram through | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  March 3rd at 04:05 PM  | 

I watched NBC’s “Meet The Press” this morning, because I wanted to hear Speaker Boehner’s comments. (If you haven’t seen it, here’s a link. Boehner’s interview is the first 15 minutes.) There is really no kind way to describe how bad it was. Truly, a pathetic performance. Ronald Reagan was indeed “the Great Communicator.” A few years ago, on the 100th anniversary of Reagan’s birth, | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  March 1st at 09:39 AM  | 

The headline is taken from the home page. Guys, what’s going on here? I mean, really. I’m not posting this to be snarky, but rather to suggest that perhaps the new format/layout needs tweaking. Prior to the change, the “Morning Brief” was the first thing I looked at on the home page. Now, it appears that nobody even bothers, let alone notices. ( including the | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  February 11th at 09:39 AM  | 

The Holy Father has decided to step down from his office, because his abilities, due to an advanced age are no longer adequate to performing his ministry; that his duties require “strengths of both mind and body.” If only some of our elected officials had possessed the wisdom and humility of His Holiness. Robert Byrd, Strom Thurmond, and Daniel Inouye come to mind. There have | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  February 10th at 06:22 PM  | 

Surfing the net a short while ago, I came across a link to this just-posted piece on Salon, “John Brennan is a secret Muslim,” http://www.salon.com/2013/02/10/john_brennan_is_a_secret_muslim_says_anti_islam_activist/ I’d never heard this before, but found it curious that a left leaning website would post this. It’s an obvious attempt to discredit former FBI John Guandolo, who made the charge on a radio broadcast this past Thursday? (Note: The | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  February 5th at 09:45 AM  | 

The Devil is always in the details. The Gang of 8 statement of principals on immigration reform actually provides for the immediate legalization of the 11 million, or more, of those now here illegally in this country. While I am strongly opposed to this plan, I want to point out one flaw that is so glaringly obvious; that surprisingly it has yet to be mentioned. | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 31st at 08:19 AM  | 

Sen. Menendez is toast. Burnt toast. It’s just a question of when, not if he goes. The rapidly developing scandal is moving in several different directions: 1. Reports of numerous sexual encounters with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic. 2. Flying on the private jet of a major supporter who, oh yeah, just happens to have a $ one million plus IRS lien ( Question: | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 25th at 01:56 PM  | 

So, Saxby Chambliss is retiring because he has “grown frustrated with the gridlock in DC.” Well, boo-hoo. If anybody believes that, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn you can buy, on the cheap. Nope, ole Saxby probably read the tea leaves, and realized that he was more than likely to get primaried, and faced an uphill challenge for the nomination. But instead of retiring | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 24th at 01:49 PM  | 

In 1935, Huey Long was running for President, planning to challenge FDR for the Democrat nomination. These are the highlights of his “Share The Wealth” plan: *Cap personal fortunes at $50 million @ ( $600 million in today’s dollars) Later on that would be reduced to $5-8 million.($60-90 million) *Limit annual income to $ 1 million @ ($12 million) *Guarantee every family an annual income | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 22nd at 10:37 AM  | 

Update: Two big changes a few days after I posted this diary: Saxby Chamblis announced that he’s retiring. The seat will remain GOP, but with a much more conservative Republican in it. Several GOP congressmen may run, especially Tom Price. Could Herman Cain, or Newt, try a comeback? Stay tuned. Tom Harkin announced his retirement. As I discussed below, this makes the seat wide open, | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 17th at 06:09 PM  | 

Just reading the news that the House GOP is considering a short term hike to the debt ceiling. Paul Ryan, as quoted in “The Hill” this afternoon: “We’re discussing the possible virtue of a short-term debt limit extension so that we have a better chance of getting the Senate and the White House involved in discussions in March,” Ryan told reporters gathered at the pricey | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 13th at 11:55 AM  | 

The link below is to a column by Scott Rasmussen from 1/11/2013. It clearly, and succinctly, states the problem that we conservatives face with the GOP establishment in Washington. It is a must read. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/republican_establishment_declares_war_on_gop_voters The message is not new; we are all aware of the problem. What is rare, and a pleasant surprise, to see somewhat like Rasmussen clearly define the problem. The parameters | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 7th at 09:29 AM  | 

I suspect that Obama would like for Chuck Hagel to be his SecDef. Hagel is Obama’s type of Republican, and their views on Israel, and the US-Israeli relationship, are probably in sync. But it’s still hard to understand why, WHY, given that GOP opposition is near-unanimous, that Obama is going to try and force Hagel through the Senate. Or not really so hard after all. | Read More »

By: gawken (Diary)  |  January 4th at 08:27 AM  | 

John Boehner has stated that he will no longer negotiate directly with Obama, and that the House must and will return to regular order in considering future legislation. We shall see. Remember, it was just after the GOP took control of the House in 2010, that they adopted the “three day rule,” which mandated that no legislation could be passed by the House until three | Read More »