Monday, March 03, 2008

Big T's Pic of the Day


Remembering the great WFB

A lot is being said in memory of William F. Buckley this week. Here are some of my favorites. I will continue to add to this list as I find them.

Before Goldwater or Reagan, there was Buckley. Here are some reactions to the death of the founder of modern day conservatism William F. Buckley Jr. Including comments from President George W. Bush and Newt Gingrich.

Peggy Noonan remembers William F. Buckley Jr.

God and Man and Bill, William McGurn, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and former employee of National Review remembers WFB.

Up from Liberalism, The Wall Street Journal remembers WFB.

Angelina Jolie: U.S. has a moral obligation to Stay In Iraq

After recently visiting Iraq in her new role as a “goodwill ambassador” for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie says the U.S. has a moral obligation to stay in Iraq .

Here is part of what she wrote from a well-written Washington Post op-ed piece:

“…My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis…

Today's humanitarian crises in Iraq --and the potential consequences for our national security--are great. Can the United States afford to gamble that 4 million or more poor and displaced people, in the heart of Middle East , won't explode in violent desperation, sending the whole region into further disorder? . . .

As for the question of whether the surge is working, I can only state what I witnessed: U.N. staff and those of non-governmental organizations seem to feel they have the right set of circumstances to attempt to scale up their programs. And when I asked the troops if they wanted to go home as soon as possible, they said that they miss home but feel invested in Iraq . They have lost many friends and want to be a part of the humanitarian progress they now feel is possible.

It seems to me that now is the moment to address the humanitarian side of this situation. Without the right support, we could miss an opportunity to do some of the good we always stated we intended to do.

Of course I don’t agree with everything she writes here, as I am not a fan of UN involvement, but I will admit, I am impressed with a well thought out argument from a Hollywood starlet. Especially, when what we usually get from Tinsel town is anti-war blanket statements with no substance.

It seems to me that this should be the Democrats plan or solution for Iraq other than a cut and run defeat, but Jolie’s plan is quite contrast with the attitude of Democrat presidential hopefuls Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton though.

Both Clinton and Obama want to remove troops from the region. In fact, front-runner Obama said last summer even preventing genocide was not a sufficient reason for a continuing presence in Iraq , and Clinton claims no link between Iraq and national security.

Score one up for Jolie who is able to recognize our moral obligation and national security risks in Iraq . Something the entire Democrat Party has not been able to see as they are poised to nominate Barack Obama.

Oklahoma and Utah take right approach to gun laws on college campuses.

A bill is being proposed in Oklahoma that would allow college students to carry concealed weapons on campus. It would allow students who are at least 21 years old and licensed to carry a concealed weapon to carry them on government college and university campuses in Oklahoma .

The bill proposed by Republican House Representative Jason Murphey who says it will allow students to defend themselves, but the greater value of such a law would be the potential shooter might be hesitant to come onto a college campus where he doesn’t know who is armed and able to defend themselves.

Murphey proposed the bill after recent college shootings on the campuses of Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech.

Murphey is absolutely right, and I hope this bill passes. College students should have the right to defend themselves just as anyone else.

Passenger at Tampa International Airport arrested with box cutter in hallowed out book.

21 year old Benjamin Baines Jr. of Clearwater , Fla. was arrested at Tampa International Airport after security personnel found a box cutter in a hallowed out book titled, “Fear Itself.”

Officers searched his back pack and found several books titled, “Muhammad in the Bible,” “The Prophet’s Prayer” and “The Noble Qur’an.” He also had a copy of the Quran and the Bible.

Baines told officers he was moving to Las Vegas and forgot the box cutter was in the book.

Yes, I hallow out books all the time and forget where I put my box cutters too.

Several sheets of rap lyrics referring to police, narcotics, weapons and killings were also found in Baines’ backpack. He said he was a rapper who writes his own lyrics and rap music writers need to “play the part.”

Well, Mr. Baines, you are certainly “playing the part” now. Enjoy your time “playing the part” in the slammer.

I am not running for president either

Michael Bloomberg takes to the op-ed page of the New York Times to announce he is not going to run for president.

“I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not -- and will not be -- a candidate for president.”

Well, we can all sleep better tonight knowing that.

Just for the record, I am not running for president either. Since the NYT would probably never print an op-ed from the Big T, if you know any readers of the NYT could you please pass this equally important announcement... Thanks.

Big T's Suggested Reading and Viewing from around the web.

Looks like Hillary will try to play Texas Caucus Hardball tomorrow. Basically, she is going to try and rob Texas from Obama. I am telling you folks, this woman will do anything to win.
San Francisco has launched an advertising campaign claiming the city a sanctuary for illegal immigrants all at the expense of taxpayers.
In 1970s we had the Dayton housewife, and then there were angry white men, soccer moms and NASCAR dads. Now there are waitress moms??? .
If the economy sucks, why is Wal-Mart thriving?
The U.S. now has the highest ratio of people in prison than anyone in the world! One out of every 100 adults is in jail or prison. This cost taxpayers more than 49 billion last year. I wonder how many of those are from drug related convictions.
Thought you might like to know what CAIR is up to lately. They are calling on local, state and national law enforcement authorities to investigate an incident at a mall in Louisiana where a Muslim woman was kicked out for refusing to remove her hijab.
U.N. Human Rights Council has accused the Department of Housing and Urban Development of denying the "internationally recognized human rights" of New Orleans residents… Why do we continue to fund this organization?
The Kenyans are demanding an apology from the U.S. government over the photo of Barack Obama in traditional Somali dress. If an apology is not issued, they say they will expel US troops based in the town of Garissa … just a thought, but has Obama even got an apology yet?
Proposed legislation in King County Washington would allow the county to reject development projects if they have the potential to contribute to global warming.
Anheuser-Bush Corp is going to open four theme parks in Dubai including a Sea World, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove.
Here is some kewl beans. Cooking with Coolio: Spinach even your kids will eat! Yeah, the rapper Coolio, who knew he could cook? Shockazoolu!!! I love it.